Credit: Danny ClinchBruce Springsteen is synonymous with Asbury Park, New Jersey, so it's no surprise the rock legend will be taking part in a special concert celebrating the recent reopening of Asbury Lanes, a popular venue that offers both bowling and live music.

The Boss will be a special guest of The Tangiers Blues Band at the show, which will be headlined by alternative-rock act Portugal.The Man and is scheduled for Monday, June 18.

It's worth noting that The Tangiers Blues Band's lineup includes noted rock photographer Danny Clinch, who has done many photo shoots with Springsteen.

The Asbury Lanes website has launched a contest offering the chance to win a pair of tickets to the show, as well as an overnight stay at the new Asbury Hotel near the club. Two winners will be chosen, and entries will be accepted until June 10 at noon ET.

The site also is hosting a lottery offering 100 Asbury Park residents the opportunity to win two tickets the event. Those interested have until this Thursday, June 7, at 8 a.m. to send their admissions. Some proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Asbury Lanes opened during the late 1960s as an 18-lane bowling alley, and bands started playing there in the early 2000s. The venue closed for renovations in 2015, and reopened this year over Memorial Day weekend. The club currently has shows booked into October.

Bruce, meanwhile, begins a new series of performances of his Springsteen on Broadway show at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City tonight. The show's run is scheduled through December 15. In addition, Springsteen will receive a Special Tony Award for the production at this Sunday's ceremony.

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Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349Appalled at much of mainstream childrens TV of the 1950s and 60s  crassly commercial, loud, slapsticky, sometimes violent and generally overbearing  Fred Rogers, a gentle soul and an ordained minister, set out to create a better alternative. He surely succeeded.

Wont You Be My Neighbor? is an enlightening and deeply touching documentary about the man behind Mister Rogers Neighborhood, which grew out of a 15-minute program of puppetry and music first broadcast in Canada in the early 1960s. Rogers moved the show to Pittburgh, and national broadcasts began in 1968. The program found a home on PBS, lasting through 895 episodes to end in 2001.

While the show depended strongly on Rogers personality as he addressed his preschool target audience with a friendly voice and kindly manner, the film also asserts that one of the programs tributaries was university research into early childhood education, which was gaining attention through the works of Benjamin Spock and T. Berry Brazelton.

Rogers loved music, a constant element in the show, from the famous opening song (which provides the movies title) to ditties sung in the puppet kingdom called the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, to guest appearances by the likes of Wynton Marsalis and Yo-Yo Ma. Ma appears in the film and gives a highly moving tribute to Rogers.

But what made Mister Rogers Neighborhood so exceptional was that it reflected its hosts abiding concern with the emotional lives of his young viewers. It was important to Rogers that children have a sense of their uniqueness, and he regularly offered them reassurances when they faced disturbing feelings  fear, anger, grief. We are shown footage from an episode in which the program directly addressed such troubling emotions after Robert Kennedys assassination.

Besides excerpts from the show, featuring such regulars as Betty Aberlin and Joe Negri, director Morgan Neville also employs vintage black-and-white footage of Rogers reminiscing while sitting in front of a piano, plus interviews with colleagues from the show and family members, most touchingly his wife, Joanne.

One of the best of the movies many good sequences is footage of Rogers testifying before a U.S. Senate committee that was threatening to cut funding for public television. Rogers plainspoken and heartfelt words appear to soften the committee chairman, who comes across as a crusty sort. Also affecting are interviews with Francois Clemmons, an actor blessed with a terrific singing voice who played the recurring role of a police officer.

He remembers Rogers with great fondness, even though Rogers was unwilling to allow Clemmons, who is gay, to make any reference to his sexual orientation on the program. On the other hand, at a time when racial integration was still controversial to some, Rogers included in the show a scene in which he shares a foot bath with the African American Clemmons on a hot day. A solid lesson, gently delivered.

As an antidote to the frenetic nature of a lot of childrens TV of the day, Rogers preferred a measured pace on his show, and even made judicious use of silence. These are just two of the numerous gifts given by this extraordinary man to the children lucky enough to have watched Mister Rogers Neighborhood.

More Information Won't You Be My Neighbor? Documentary. With Fred Rogers. Directed by Morgan Neville. PG-13. 94 minutes. See More Collapse

Walter Addiego is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: waddiego@sfchronicle.com.CHICAGO  In 1931, the same year Al Capone was finally locked up, a new map of Chicago was made.

The map wasnt geographically accurate and certainly was not approved by the city. But it did its best to chart Chicagos chiselers, big shots and cold meat  slang for a corpse, according to the map  with gallows humor and whimsy. While Scarface sat in prison, a cartoon version of his crowned head sat atop the maps cartouche.

Titled A Map of Chicagos Gangland from Authentic Sources, the guide to Chicago mobsters was Designed to Inculcate the Most Important Principles of Piety and Virtue in Young Persons and Graphically Portray the Evils and Sin of Large Cities.

Now, the map could be yours. But if you want the real thing, rather than a $20 reproduction, you might need to plan an old-fashioned heist to afford it  its going on sale in London for 20,000 pounds, about $26,500.

Although there are copies of the map at Chicagos Newberry Library as well as the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the print for sale is from Daniel Crouch Rare Books, a New York-and London-based dealer specializing in antique atlases, prints and maps. It will be on sale at the June 9 and 10 London Map Fair.

Crouch says hell be sad to see the chromolithographed print go.

Its a map that Ive always lusted after, he said. Its a combination of a good story and a great work of art.

The map is a rare find, according to Crouch. He says most copies were destroyed before the 1933 Century of Progress Worlds Fair.

They were rather worried it was not painting the picture of Chicago they wanted, he says.

James Akerman, Curator of Maps for the Newberry Library, says hes never heard that story. But, he says, Its kind of hard to not look at this map and step back and say, is this really the image of Chicago you want to be promoting?

Believed to have been inspired by the design of MacDonald Gills 1913 Wonderground map of London, depicting Londons subway system, Gangland takes a playful approach to the murders and massacres of Prohibition-era Chicago, with pops of color and pint-size criminals. The map circulated as Chicagos mobster image was magnified in Hollywood gangster films and sensational newspaper stories.

But the map itself doesnt take its cues from fictional movies. A number of real-life atrocities committed during the reign of Capone and the gang wars of the 1920s are depicted with comic strip-style cartoons. There are nods to the St. Valentines Day Massacre and the murders of Joseph Aiello and Big Jim Colosimo  Capone rivals.

The Gennas  once rivals of the Outfit  have their place on the map and their ally, South Side mobster Diamond Joe Esposito gets a shout-out. In one corner, bootleggers steal wheels and a lawyer runs to spring his client.

And yet, the map is not entirely accurate, according to University of Illinois at Chicago professor emeritus John Binder  an expert on the history of organized crime.

I wouldnt pay 20,000 for it, Binder said.

Gangs are in the wrong territories, territories are mislabeled, and despite a label saying the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal was a favorite place to dispose of them, there are few recorded instances of bodies being dumped in the river during the era of the map, Binder said.

Theyre showing the West Side ODonnell gang as being around Douglas Park. That was controlled by the Valley gang, said Binder.

Aside from the historical inaccuracies, Binder said the information in the map isnt that obscure.

A lot of it is kind of standard stuff, he said. Although I think they really messed up on blind pig  one of the entries in the maps Gangland Dictionary. The map says the term means a place to procure booze or beer. Binder says it means an unlicensed saloon.

For fans of the map, the artistic liberties taken with history are just part of its charm  and may add to its value. A few decades ago, the map wouldnt have been viewed as more than a piece of ephemera, Whereas now people are really starting to appreciate it, Crouch said.

Whatever its historic value, no one seems to know who to credit for the crook cartography.

The map is attributed to a Bruce-Roberts Inc., but Crouch and Akerman have no indication as to who the designer was.

In the Newberrys copy, an envelope was included with cheeky press comments from its creators.

One of them reads: The first opportunity Chicago has had to see itself as others see it and we understand the artists were chased out of town.

Morgan Greene is a Chicago Tribune writer.NEW YORK Lawyers for President Trump argued in court Tuesday that a former Apprentice contestant should not be able to obtain information on his campaigns discussions of other women who have also accused him of sexual misconduct.

The court hearing was the first since a Manhattan judge turned down Trumps bid to dismiss Summer Zervos defamation lawsuit or delay it until after his presidency. Zervos has sued the president for saying her sexual misconduct claims were lies.

Its a defamation case, Trump lawyer Marc Kasowitz told Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Schecter. As for information about other women who arent part of the case, those claims, that evidence ... is irrelevant, he said.

Mariann Wang, the lawyer representing Zervos, said outside court that the other womens accusations were indeed relevant: Its a defamation case, so we are required to prove the falsity of the statements, and his statements include statements about other women.

Trump also faces lawsuits by Stephanie Clifford, a porn actress known professionally as Stormy Daniels, for defamation and release from her nondisclosure agreement on her alleged relationship with him.

Zervos lawyers have issued subpoenas seeking a range of information about Trumps behavior toward women, including any Apprentice material that features Zervos or Trump talking about her or discussing other female contestants in a sexual or inappropriate way.

They also have requested any Trump campaign records concerning Zervos, any other woman who has accused Trump of inappropriate touching or the 2016 emergence of a 2005 Access Hollywood recording of Trump talking about aggressively groping women.

In addition, Zervos lawyers have subpoenaed security video, records of Trumps stays and some other information from the Beverly Hills Hotel, where Zervos says Trump made some of his unwelcome advances toward her.

Trumps lawyers are seeking a court order to keep documents and information private.

Jennifer Peltz is an Associated Press writer.NEW YORK  Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges in a brief hearing Tuesday before a judge in New York and his lawyer vowed afterward to try and beat the case even before it goes to trial.

Weinstein limped from an SUV and was escorted past a big crowd of journalists before spending a few minutes answering a series of yes and no questions from the judge asking if he understood his rights.

He didnt stop to speak with journalists or respond to shouted questions and was back in his waiting SUV in just 40 minutes. His attorney, Ben Brafman, told reporters the case was imminently defensible based on what they have learned about the evidence.

I think today is the first day of this process. We begin our fight now, he said, adding that his defense would include trying to get prosecutors to drop the case. If we are successful, there may not be a trial.

A grand jury indicted Weinstein last week on charges involving two women.

One alleged victim, who has not been identified publicly, told investigators that Weinstein cornered her in a hotel room and raped her. The other accuser, former actress Lucia Evans, has gone public with her account of Weinstein forcing her to perform oral sex at his office in 2004. The Associated Press does not identify alleged victims of sexual assaults unless they come forward publicly.

Dozens more women have accused him of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to assault.

Weinstein, 66, has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex. Brafman has challenged the credibility of the alleged victims and says his client is confident he is going to clear his name.

Brafman has said the accuser and Weinstein had a decade-long, consensual sexual relationship that continued after the alleged 2013 attack.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. has said it was predictable that Weinsteins camp would attack the integrity of the women and the legal system.

Vance, a Democrat, came under public pressure from womens groups to prosecute Weinstein after declining to do so in 2015, when an Italian model went to police to say Weinstein had groped her during a meeting.

Police set up a sting in which the woman recorded herself confronting Weinstein and him apologizing for his conduct. But Vance decided there was not enough evidence to bring charges.

Weinstein is out on $1 million bail. A judge ordered the two sides back in court in late September.

Tom Hays is an Associated Press writer.This article appeared on Hoodline

A new art installation featuring twenty-nine images of Bayview residents is sparking controversy among some residents.

One of the portraits, which has resulted in heated discussion on social media, is of eight-year Bayview resident Brian McMullen, who is white. According to detractors, his inclusion evokes ongoing gentrification that is driving the area's demographic changes.

Earlier this week, George McCalman, a graphic designer, and Jason Madara, a commercial photographer, introduced the portraits as part of an project installed at transit shelters along the T-Third Street line.

RELATED VIDEO: Beloved SF businesses and restaurants that have closed

Shortly after the portraits appeared, several people who took issue with McMullen's inclusion posted comments on VanishingSF, a Facebook page largely devoted to discussions about gentrification.

The series is about the black community, which makes the vast majority of this photo collection," McCalman told Hoodline. "After the image of Brian was posted, my Twitter feed immediately blew up with people being like 'WTF.' Its unfortunate that there was rushed judgment about Brians image."

The artists began developing the #iambayview project after conversations with Brittni Chicuata, legislative aide to District 10 Supervisor Malia Cohen, who represents the Bayview, and Earl Shaddix, executive director of Economic Development on Third.

McCalman said he intentionally chose to depict the area's changing demographics by "photographing the people representative of the values of a neighborhood that is suddenly desirable."

In a statement, Cohen said the campaign is "a wake-up call for San Francisco to acknowledge an invisible neighborhood within our city, generally only referred to with negative connotations by people unfamiliar with its vibrancy.

She said the individuals depicted in the portrait series "celebrate the multidimensional community of longtime residents and business owners" and "showcases that the Bayview is not monolithic."

"Bayview has been my home for eight years, and everyone who knows me knows I love it here," McMullen told Hoodline. "Im grateful to George and Jason for including me in this thought-provoking series."If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). Noticing a shrinking (but still functioning) death penalty in Georgia | Main | Prison Policy Initiative reports on "States of Incarceration: The Global Context 2018" and "States of Womens Incarceration: The Global Context 2018" 

June 5, 2018

Is all the recent Trump clemency action creating (unhealthy?) excitement among federal prisoners?

The question in the title of this post is prompted by this lengthy Washington Examiner article headlined "Alan Dershowitz says anyone can get clemency from Trump, as buzz builds behind bars." Here are excerpts:

President Trump issued his first prison commutation after lunch with Alan Dershowitz. The men talked about Mideast politics before Trump "asked me what else was on my mind, and I told him. I took advantage of the moment, the longtime Harvard law professor recalled. Dershowitz told the president about Sholom Rubashkin, a kosher meatpacking executive who was seven years into a 27-year prison sentence for financial crimes. Not long after, Rubashkin in December became the first  and so far only  person Trump released from prison. "You have to appeal to his sense of injustice," said Dershowitz, who often says on TV that Trump is treated unfairly in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia probe. "He feels he is now being subject to injustice, and so he's very sensitive to injustices." Trump's approach to clemency, exhibited with a flurry of recent statements and official actions, is markedly different from his recent predecessors, generating enormous excitement among inmates. Dershowitz believes just about anyone has a shot at bending Trump's ear, even though most successful cases have been pushed by well-connected advocates. "I think if you write a letter to the president and you set down the case in a compassionate way, I think his staff knows that he's looking for cases of injustice. But you have to write it in a compelling way, he said. They have to write something that will catch the attention of someone on the president's staff." So far, Trump has issued one prison commutation and five pardons. But the pace is quickening. Last week, he posthumously pardoned boxer Jack Johnson at the behest of Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone, saying Johnsons early 1900s conviction was a race-motivated injustice. On Wednesday, Trump met in the Oval Office with celebrity Kim Kardashian, who lobbied him to release Alice Johnson, a grandmother jailed for life since 1996 on drug-dealing charges. Early on Thursday, Trump tweeted that he would pardon conservative author Dinesh D'Souza, who pleaded guilty in 2014 to a campaign-finance felony. Hours later, Trump told reporters he was considering pardoning celebrity chef Martha Stewart and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the Illinois Democrat who allegedly tried to sell President Barack Obama's Senate seat. Although Johnson has not been given clemency, she remains optimistic. I'm feeling very hopeful after speaking with Kim about how well the meeting went with President Trump, Johnson said in an email from prison Friday, facilitated by her longtime supporter Amy Povah, who leads the CAN-DO Foundation.... I have strong reason to believe that President Trump is going to surprise many people, said Povah... Dershowitz said there's a method to the apparent madness of Trumps clemency grants, which are a sharp break from the early-term stinginess of his recent predecessors. "You have to make him say to himself, 'There but for the grace of God go I, or other people I identify with.' He has to feel the injustice. It's not enough to get online with hundreds of other people showing a law was misapplied. There has to be a sense of gut injustice, he said.... If theres anyone who would know Trumps thinking on clemency, its Dershowitz. In addition to pushing Rubashkins release, he was consulted by Trump in advance of the recent pardons of D'Souza and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, a former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney who was convicted in 2007 but never imprisoned for making false statements. I said I thought they were both injustices, that there was a whiff of politics around the decision to prosecute DSouza, and that I did not think Scooter Libby had committed perjury  I thought there was just a difference in recollection, Dershowitz said. "When I made the appeal on behalf of Rubashkin, I said, 'You are a businessman, you understand what happens when the government and prosecutors manipulate the system and lower the value of your company in order to increase the value of losses and increase the sentence.' As soon as I said that, he said, 'I get that. I get that. I've been there, Dershowitz said. "He immediately glommed onto it because he understood the business implications of it ... there wouldn't have been any losses, or minor losses, but because the government drove the price down, it drove the sentencing guidelines way up."... I've always thought President Trump would step up and finish the job that President Obama started but never completed, said Michelle West, a clemency aspirant in prison for drug-related crimes since 1994. My daughter, Miquelle West, went to the Obama White House for a clemency summit. In our wildest dreams we never thought that I would be passed over considering she was invited to attend. West said in an email relayed by Povah that my daughter was 10 when I went to prison and I pray President Trump will consider me worthy of a second chance. Crystal Munoz, 11 years into a 20-year sentence for dealing marijuana, said that she, too, was hopeful, sending Povah the draft of a letter for Trump. Munoz, 38, gave birth to her youngest child in prison. Connie Farris, a 73-year-old inmate jailed for mail fraud, said "I will never, never give up hope that our president will start releasing women such as myself and others. Please President Trump hear our cry." Farris, seven years into a 12-year sentence, said her husband of 53 years suffers from muscular dystrophy and needs her support. Although theres significant hope stemming from Trumps unconventional approach, theres also some skepticism that everyday inmates can win a presidential reprieve. The problem is, the presidents process is a little haphazard, it seems, and a little ad hoc. And then you have this completely Byzantine dead-end of a process at the Justice Department, said Kevin Ring, president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums. I think people are encouraged that hes going around the Justice Department to look at deserving cases, but its not clear that anybody has the ability to get in front of him  so sort of good news, bad news, he said. Ring said Dershowitzs contention that anyone can win clemency with a letter is a little naive. There are people who buy lottery tickets every Friday and theyre optimistic because they dont know the odds. And when people see a winner, that gives them hope, he said.

Like Kevin Ring, I am a bit concerned to hear that there may be "enormous excitement among inmates" given Prez Trump's clemency record to date. He has only commuted a single sentence so far, and I have no reason to believe he has plans to start issuing dozens (let along hundreds) of additional commutations anytime soon. Political realities has seemed to be influencing all of Prez Trump's clemency work to date, and precious few federal prisoner have political forces in their favor. I sure hope Prez Trump will, as Amy Povah put it, "surprise many people," but I think hopes ought to be tempered for now.

Prior recent related posts about Trumpian clemency activity:

June 5, 2018 at 12:36 AM | Permalink

Comments

I think we have gotten so used to criticizing Trump at every turn that we've become desensitized to the notion of giving him credit for anything positive. I have immense respect for your brilliant analyses of all things political, but assuming the worst, ..."given Trump's clemency record to date." How come, as Dershowitz points out, we don't give Trump credit for being one of the few Presidents that granted a commutation in his 1st year of presidency? Conversely, Pres. Obama, only granted 1 in his first term at the end of his 3rd year in office and didn't grant any more until his second term. Heavens, what if Obama had not been re-elected - he might have gone down in history, a Democrat and first African American president as the stingiest president ever, especially since he didn't show an interest in clemency until Russell Simmons published an open letter with over 200 celebs, athletes and prominent supporters signed on. In it, he suggested that Obama create a clemency panel due to problems at OPA and within a few months, that's precisely what happened. Coincidence? I had a chance to talk to Russell about it and I don't think so.

Kim Kardashian's attorney, Shawn Holley contacted me in an effort to connect with Alice and this momentum has been building for quite some time. I have had to listen to so many people tell me that Trump will not grant any clemencies - after he granted one -it didn't count because Rabashkin was wealthy with connections. Everyone said there would be no CJ reform of any kind with Trump yet many of us formerly incarcerated people were invited to the White House to champion prison reform in Trump's second year. We were attacked by some of our own allies and friends. There is always a reason to find the down-side at each and every turn. Now, people are bashing Kim Kardashian, so I wonder what will happen after Alice receives clemency. I sure hope people will finally give Trump some credit and maybe, just maybe, praise him for it.

Posted by: Amy Povah | Jun 5, 2018 1:51:39 AM

Amy: I have given Trump lots of credit for being willing to use his clemency power early, and been criticized here for it. But we are still yet to see Trump use this power often. Five grants over 17 months is still a stingy record, and you know I criticized Obama for not doing a lot more in both his first and second terms.

If/when Alice Johnson gets clemency, Trump will get plenty of credit in this space from me. If (and I hope when) he grants many more clemencies, he will get even more credit. But given that, as you know, there are many tens of thousands of over-sentenced persons in federal prisons, and thousands more getting over-sentenced in the federal system every year, he has a lot of work to do before we get to #MAGA in this arena.

Meanwhile, though, I give you soooo much credit for both your energy and optimism. People like you help ensure that these issues stay at the forefront of our public dialogue. And I hope you get a chance to tell Trump that the definition of #MAGA is to beat Obama's records (by a wide margin)!

Posted by: Doug B | Jun 5, 2018 9:01:08 AM

Trump is fulfilling my law of political irony. George Bush in 2000 debate: there will be no nation building. Went on orgy of nation building.

Trump: don't be gentle on criminals. Duterte is a great guy. He will empty the prisons.

Posted by: David Behar | Jun 5, 2018 11:41:46 AM

Berman: If/when Alice Johnson gets clemency, Trump will get plenty of credit in this space from me.

This is a drug kingpin. Grandma likely serially killed dozens of competitors, and caused the over dose deaths of hundreds of customers. Not a good choice for advocacy of decarceration. She is a frickin' natural disaster, like Hurricane frickin' Maria. She likely also brought in 10 times Berman's salary. Perhaps, she can be rehabilitated to work as a nanny or hotel maid. I do know any kids left in her care will be well behaved.

Posted by: David Behar | Jun 5, 2018 11:52:39 AM

David, I though you were going to try to stick to citing data/studies and try to keep the tiresome repetitive rhetoric to a minimum. Please try harder.

Posted by: Doug B | Jun 5, 2018 12:14:54 PM

David,

How can you make such outlandish statements about a case you clearly know nothing about! Alice had to borrow money to put up bail, so no, she wasn't making 10 times Berman's salary. In most the cases I profile on the CANDO site, there were literally no fruits/assets symbolic of the so-called massive drug dealing alleged. Often, a handful of people at the top will have assets, but the majority tossed into the indictment were small spokes in the big wheel living in poverty, and sadly, the most culpable cut deals because #1 many have no scruples and would send their mother to prison for a sent reduction #2, the main leaders have the bulk of intel and are more appealing to the prosecution that can rack up big numbers of minions in the indictment and #3 it's easier to convince a major drug dealer that they deserve 20-LIFE than someone like myself who merely collected bail money but was also looking at 20-life because conspiracy transfer guilt from one person to the next.

And Doug, you can say and do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. I believe Trump granted a commutation in his firs year for a reason. It signals that he is an outsider, once again, and has an unorthodox approach. That's refreshing, because so many have suffered from the bureaucratic nightmare of seeking justice through clemency the conventional way through a broken mechanism that desperately needs repair. Obama tried another approach and while many were saved, it was, as Holder stated, "a logistics nightmare." Over 10,000 should have received clemency - I don't see that happening under Trump, but I DO think anything is possible. He's a wild card.

Posted by: Amy Povah | Jun 5, 2018 3:52:59 PM

@Amy writes, "He's a wild card."

In other words, a criminal justice trump card.

Posted by: Daniel | Jun 5, 2018 4:12:57 PM

Post a commentThe San Leandro city manager placed on leave following accusations of sexual harassment was reinstated Monday after an investigation found the allegations lacked credible evidence, city officials said.

Chris Zapata had been on paid administrative leave since Jan. 23 after Rose Padilla Johnson, the CEO of the nonprofit Davis Street Family Resource Center, accused him of inappropriate behavior, including romantic invitations, comments about her appearance and gifts of music mix tapes with overtly sexual lyrics. Calling Professor Pfaff: Attorney General Sessions announces 311 new Assistant United States Attorney positions | Main | Is all the recent Trump clemency action creating (unhealthy?) excitement among federal prisoners? 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has this notable new article headlined "Death sentences becoming increasingly rare in Georgia." Here are excerpts, with a few remarkable lines highlighted:

The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday did something it once did on a fairly routine basis but now hardly ever does: It heard a death-penalty appeal. It had been almost two years since the court heard a direct appeal  the first appeal after a capital sentence is imposed  in a death-penalty case. And this once-unthinkable rarity shouldnt change anytime soon. Its now been more than four years since a Georgia jury handed down a death sentence.

This is in keeping with whats been going on nationally. Last year, 39 death sentences were imposed nationwide. Thats a dramatic drop from 126 capital sentences imposed a decade earlier and from 295 death sentences imposed in 1998, according to the Death Penalty Information Center in Washington.

National polls show the death penalty is losing public support, said Pete Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia. Thats because people are becoming increasingly comfortable with the sentencing option of life in prison without the possibility of parole....

The last time a death sentence was handed down by a Georgia jury was March 2014 in Augusta against Adrian Hargrove, who committed a triple murder. Last year, the two death cases that went to trial in Georgia involved the murder of law enforcement officers  a crime that traditionally results in a death penalty. Yet both resulted in sentences of life without parole.

More often than not, district attorneys are now allowing capital defendants to enter guilty pleas in exchange for life-without-parole sentences. Its a self-fulfilling prophesy, Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said. As more and more juries give fewer death sentences, prosecutors begin to think its not worth the effort. Even so, its not time to remove the death penalty as a sentencing option, Porter said. I think there are still cases where theres just no question that death is the proper punishment....

Opponents to capital punishment have traditionally been aligned with liberal causes. More recently, increasing numbers of conservatives are speaking out against it. Heather Beaudoin, national coordinator of Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty, said her primary concerns are the number of exonerations that have been disclosed over the years and the possibility of executing an innocent person. We have a problem on our hands, she said....

Beaudoin founded Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty in Montana in 2010. Five years ago, it became a national organization and has chapters in 13 states, including one in Georgia. Many of our supporters are millennials who are pro-life like I am, she said. We believe that life is created by God and has value no matter what the circumstances are. Even someone who has committed an awful crime  that life has value.

After four years without a death sentence, Georgias capital defender office is attracting national recognition. The capital defenders office is part of the states public defender system and represents capital defendants who cant afford their own lawyers. The offices intervention program, in which capital defenders seek plea deals from prosecutors early on in a case, has helped more than 20 defendants avoid a death-penalty trial, Jerry Word, who heads the defender office, said. The average time to resolve a case in early intervention has been less than eight months, Word said. The average time to get a case to trial is over three years. This results in a saving in court time and dollar savings to the state and county.3 1 of 3 PAUL CHINN/SFC Show More Show Less 2 of 3 PAUL CHINN Show More Show Less 3 of 3





PLEASANT HILL (BCN)



A 13-year-old student allegedly planned a mass shooting for Thursday at Valley View Middle School in Pleasant Hill, police said today.



The FBI notified Concord police at about 6 p.m. Friday about a message on social media that was shared between two students of the middle school at 181 Viking Drive.



Concord police told Pleasant Hill police that the message was allegedly about a planned mass shooting on the last day of school, which is Thursday.



Pleasant Hill and Concord police officers served a search warrant at a Martinez home and seized several guns and arrested a Valley View student.



The student was taken to Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of terrorist threats.



On Facebook, Valley View Principal Lisa Sullivan said out of an abundance of caution, "We will add supervision on campus as well as provide counseling if needed to help ensure students and staff feel safe.



"This has been a difficult year as schools around the nation have been receiving threats daily. We take every threat very seriously."



SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)



A federal appeals court in San Francisco has rejected a bid by a Larkspur man to force Mars Inc. to state on its candy labels that some of the chocolate in its candy may result from child labor in East Africa.



Virginia-based Mars uses chocolate in M&Ms and Mars, Snickers, Milky Way and 3 Musketeers candy bars.



Robert Hodsdon sued the company in federal court in San Francisco in 2015. He claimed three California consumer protection laws require Mars to disclose on its labels the possible use of child or slave labor in harvesting cocoa beans in Ivory Coast.



A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday unanimously ruled that while slave labor is "clearly immoral," the consumer laws did not require disclosure on labels because the alleged labor practices do not result in a product defect or safety hazard.



The court upheld a federal district judge's dismissal of the case.



Circuit Judge A. Wallace Tashima wrote for the appeals panel, "We hold that the manufacturers do not have a duty to disclose the labor practices in question, even though they are reprehensible, because they are not physical defects that affect the central function of the chocolate products."



Tashima also wrote, "The alleged lack of disclosure about the existence of slave labor in the supply chain is not a physical defect at all, much less one related to the chocolate's function as chocolate."



The appeals court noted that the International Labor Organization has called some cocoa harvesting in Ivory Coast "the worst forms of child labor," and the U.S. Department of Labor has said some children there are working under "conditions of forced labor" after being kidnapped, sold by their parents to traffickers or falling victim to traffickers.



But it said Hodsdon could not use the state consumer laws as a vehicle for claiming violations of United Nations and International Labor Organization policies against slave and child labor.



"There is not a close enough nexus between the policy at issue-here a policy against certain labor practices-and the challenged action-here not placing disclosures on consumer labels," Wallace wrote.



The three consumer protection laws Hodsdon unsuccessfully sought to invoke are California Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Act and False Advertising Act.



He said in his lawsuit, which he sought to have certified as a class action on behalf of all consumers, that he would not have bought the chocolate or would have paid less if he knew that child or slave labor was in the supply chain.



Mars Inc. said in a statement today it was pleased with the decision.



"We have never condoned the use of forced labor-or any human rights abuses-in our supply chain and continue to combat this disturbing and complex problem working with international organizations, governments and non-governmental organizations," the statement said.



"But Mars believes that consumer class action litigation does not aid the concerted efforts to eradicate these practices because it offers no solution to the underlying human rights issues," the company said.



A lawyer for Hodsdon was not immediately available for comment.





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 event attracted around 250 officials and representatives of enterprises of the two countries.



Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong said that the total export turnover of HCMCs businesses to Cuba was US$60 million in 2017, up 45 percent compared to 2016; and reached US$12.8 million in the first quarter of 2018, a rise of 5 percent compared to the same time period in 2017. Key export products included coffee, ceramics, chemicals, paper products and among.

The total import turnover of HCMC from Cuba in 2017 reached US$73,000 and jumped US$53,000 in the first quarter of 2018.

Vietnam-Cuba bilateral turnover approached US$224.3 million in 2017, including the total export turnover of Vietnam to Cuba of US$217 million.

Export and import commodities between the two countries included food, spice, building materials ,textile garments and footwear, vaccine and medicine.

Though Vietnam is one of the 10 countries with highest bilateral trade turnover of Cuba, export value from Vietnam to Cuba accounted for just 3.5 percent of the total import value of Cuba. Only 6 Vietnamese businesses have invested in building manufacturing plants in Cuba.

The conference is considered as chance for Vietnamese enterprises to learn about Cuban market to improve export products to Cuba, Chairman Phong added.

The Chairman stressed that the city authorities will create advantages to support HCMCs enterprises to increase export turnover and investment in Cuba as well as offer favorable conditions for Cuban investors.

Celia Labora Rodriguez, Head of the Department for International relations of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce said Vietnam has many commodities meeting the Cuban peoples demands, such as agricultural products, machinery, textile garment and footwear and others.

Both nations can cooperate in fields of tourism, agriculture, biotechnology, medicine, and renewable energy.

President of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, Orlando Hernandez Guillen said that Cuba has implemented preferential policies to attract foreign investors.

Additionally, the Investment & Trade Promotion Center of Ho Chi Minh City also organized an exhibition as the conference's sideline activity featuring more than 200 Vietnamese goods of 70 domestic businesses.



Chairman of the Peoples Committee of HCMC Nguyen Thanh Phong presents the citys key products at the exhibition.



By THUY HAI  Translated by Kim KhanhA Salvation Army director from the Bay Area will assist at emergency shelters in Hawaii for three weeks as they provide resources during the volcano eruption there.



John McKnight will leave for Hawaii on Wednesday and serve as deputy incident command, coordinating efforts between the Salvation Army, federal and state services.



McKnight, a Navy veteran, is currently the director of emergency services for the Salvation Army's Golden State division.



He responded to the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 and the Oakland hills wildfire in 1991 as an American Red Cross member, according to the Salvation Army.



The Puna lava flow began on May 3 when the Kilauea volcano erupted, causing fissures, multiple earthquakes and shooting large plumes of smoke and lava into the air.



The flow currently spans more than 2,400 acres across the eastern side of Hawaii's Big Island.



The Salvation Army has served 14,024 meals in five emergency shelters as of May 27, the agency reported.



Services in the following weeks will include financial assistance and the distribution of resources, including mosquito repellant, food boxes, water and hygiene kits.





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



Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown will be hosting his usual Election Day Free Lunch at John's Grill in San Francisco today.



According to a news release, the luncheon will feature candidates from San Francisco and the Bay Area who are up for election today, in addition to campaign workers, celebrities and tech billionaires among San Franciscans "who never pass up a free lunch."



The guest of honor this year will be 111-year-old Lucy Mirigan, the oldest voter in San Francisco, according to Brown.



"Just think - women didn't win the right to vote until she was 13 years old," Brown said in a statement. "She has exercised her franchise in every election going back decades."



The grill's owner, John Konstin, will be picking up the tab.



Today's lunch at John's Grill, listed at 63 Ellis St., is scheduled to run from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Mirigan scheduled to arrive at 12:30 p.m.





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)



Berkeley police are asking for the public's help to get more information about a shooting in South Berkeley on Friday evening that left one of the suspected participants with gunshot wounds.



Officers who responded to reports of gunfire in the area of Sacramento and Oregon streets at about 6:30 p.m. Friday stopped a vehicle near San Pablo and Ashby avenues a short distance away that they believed may have been involved in the gunfight, police said.



The man in the vehicle had been shot, called for medical aid and was subsequently transported to a hospital with injuries that weren't life-threatening, according to police.



Officers who searched the wounded man's vehicle found a handgun and he was later arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a loaded and concealed firearm, police said.



Authorities identified the suspect as 27-year-old Darelle Antoine Kimball of Vallejo. He is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $100,000 bail.



Berkeley police are asking anyone who lives in the area where the gunfire occurred and has surveillance cameras footage to review it and call police if they think it's relevant.



Police said they also would like to talk to anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information about it.



Berkeley police said people with information should call their homicide unit at (510) 981-5741.





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.Shell Oil will pay a settlement to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for hazardous waste violations at a crude oil refinery near Martinez.



The settlement will include a $142,664 civil penalty and $220,300 in equipment improvements.



The initial EPA complaint included failure to manage and report hazardous waste materials and failure to determine whether waste at the refinery was hazardous, according to the EPA.



Shell will also spend about $38,000 in support of emergency planning and preparedness in Contra Costa County.



This will pay for equipment to stop leaks from sulfur dioxide containers, personal protective equipment and particulate meters that are used to monitor air quality, EPA officials said.



The Martinez facility processes about 165,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to the EPA.



As a part of the settlement, Shell will also upgrade the area where hazardous materials are managed, develop a plan for sampling storm water to improve water usage and analyze factory runoff.



A spokesperson for Shell Oil did not immediately respond to a request for a comment on the settlement.





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 Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying a man who allegedly hugged an 11-year-old kid at a store on Friday.



Sheriff's officials said the suspect allegedly hugged the kid from behind at a store on the corner of 30th Avenue at Portola Drive in unincorporated Live Oak around 10:30 p.m. on Friday.



After the encounter, sheriff's officials said the child's mother and the store clerk kicked the suspect out of the store, and he left walking on 30th Avenue towards Brommer Street.



Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office at (831) 471-1121.





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.A proposed ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products is on the agenda for the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors this morning, along with proposed bans on oversized vehicle parking and Cow Palace gun shows.



The meeting was scheduled to start at 9 a.m. today at the Board Chambers, Hall of Justice and Records, 400 North County Center, Redwood City.



The ban on gun shows under consideration by county supervisors follows the introduction of proposed new legislation at the state level to ban such shows at the Cow Palace in Daly City.



That proposed legislation, Senate Bill 221, was introduced by State Sen. Scott Weiner and Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, in May.



Under this bill, sales of guns and ammunition would be banned at the Cow Palace with an exemption for gun buyback programs organized by law enforcement.



With regard to the proposed San Mateo County ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, similar moves have been proposed in other parts of the Bay Area.



For example, San Francisco voters today will vote on Proposition E, a ballot measure to prohibit local retailers from selling flavored tobacco products and menthol cigarettes.





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.KSBW

SEASIDE (BCN)  A police officer who shot his gun inside a classroom will not be charged for the incident, but received a separate infraction for leaving his gun in an unattended vehicle afterward.



The infraction came up by "happenstance" when police responded to recover the gun after the shooting, according to Berkley Brannon, Monterey County chief assistant District Attorney.



Dennis Alexander will face a fine, similar to a traffic ticket.



Alexander, a reserve Sand City police officer, was teaching a public safety course at Seaside High School when he shot his gun into the ceiling on March 13 to make sure there was no round in the chamber, prosecutors said.



Alexander thought he had unloaded his gun, prosecutors said, but was mistaken and shot a bullet into the classroom ceiling.

Prosecutors reviewed several charges but decided Alexander did not intentionally shoot the gun. Police said they interviewed over 30 witnesses and said no student reported feeling threatened.A 17-year-old Petaluma girl died shortly after a head-on collision this afternoon in unincorporated Contra Costa County outside of Brentwood, California Highway Patrol officials said.



The collision was reported at 2:22 p.m. on Vasco Road just south of Walnut Boulevard. According to an initial investigation, a 2016 Jeep Compass driven by a 20-year-old San Francisco man was traveling north on Vasco Road when he decided to pass the traffic in his lane.



CHP officials said the man crossed over the broken yellow line into the southbound lane.



At that moment, a man in a tow truck was traveling in the southbound lane of Vasco Road and the two vehicles collided head-on.



CHP officials said the collision catapulted the Jeep off the road and into a grass field where it became engulfed in flames.



The tow truck was disabled and blocked the entire road.



CHP officials said because of the location and severity of some injuries, officers called in a helicopter, which took the 17-year-old girl to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek where she died at 3:37 p.m.



A 21-year-old rear passenger in the Jeep was flown to Eden Hospital with major injuries that were not considered life-threatening.



The driver and only occupant of the tow truck had only minor complaints of pain.



The Contra Costa County coroner's office will release the name of the girl.



CHP officials said drugs and alcohol do not appear to have played a part in the collision, but it's still under investigation.



Anyone who witnessed it or the events leading up to it is asked to call the CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980.





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.A 25-year-old Suisun City woman has been arrested on suspicion of breaking into a vehicle in a parking lot on May 18 and allegedly being tied to other vehicle burglaries in the area, according to Fairfield police.



Police said Taysha Barksdale was arrested after police investigated the May 18 vehicle burglary and obtained a search warrant for her residence in Suisun City on Thursday.



The May 18 robbery allegedly occurred at the parking lot of a Barnes and Nobles bookstore in the 1600 block of Gateway Boulevard, police said. The victim told police that his vehicle had been broken into while he was shopping.



A community service officer who was reporting the crime obtained surveillance footage from a nearby business and was able to identify a suspect, determine a vehicle used in the burglary - along with its license plate number - which led to Barksdale.



The search of Barksdale's apartment in the 200 block of Railroad Avenue in Suisun City by Fairfield police found evidence that connected Barksdale to the May 18 auto burglary and possibly other thefts, police said.



Barksdale has been booked into the Solano County Jail.



Police credited Sportsman's Warehouse in Fairfield for allowing police to access its surveillance cameras despite none of its customers being directly affected by the auto burglary.







The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying a man who allegedly hugged an 11-year-old kid at a store on Friday.



Sheriff's officials said the suspect allegedly hugged the kid from behind at a store on the corner of 30th Avenue at Portola Drive in unincorporated Live Oak around 10:30 p.m. on Friday.



After the encounter, sheriff's officials said the child's mother and the store clerk kicked the suspect out of the store, and he left walking on 30th Avenue towards Brommer Street.



Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office at (831) 471-1121.







San Francisco voters today will decide whether tenants in the city facing eviction will be entitled to a city-funded attorney.



Proposition F provides for city-funded legal representation for tenants in eviction lawsuits. Any resident of the city battling an eviction would get an attorney paid for by the city if Prop F passes.



The proposition wouldn't apply to evictions brought by landlords who live in the same unit as the tenant.



The proposition is endorsed by the San Francisco chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, the SF Tenants Union, the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, Causa Justa: Just Cause, Coalition on Homelessness, Affordable Housing Alliance and other groups.







A proposed ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products is on the agenda for the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors this morning, along with proposed bans on oversized vehicle parking and Cow Palace gun shows.



The meeting was scheduled to start at 9 a.m. today at the Board Chambers, Hall of Justice and Records, 400 North County Center, Redwood City.



The ban on gun shows under consideration by county supervisors follows the introduction of proposed new legislation at the state level to ban such shows at the Cow Palace in Daly City.



That proposed legislation, Senate Bill 221, was introduced by State Sen. Scott Weiner and Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, in May.



Under this bill, sales of guns and ammunition would be banned at the Cow Palace with an exemption for gun buyback programs organized by law enforcement.



With regard to the proposed San Mateo County ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, similar moves have been proposed in other parts of the Bay Area.



For example, San Francisco voters today will vote on Proposition E, a ballot measure to prohibit local retailers from selling flavored tobacco products and menthol cigarettes.







San Jose City Hall was evacuated for about an hour this morning because someone smelled gas, but firefighters and utility workers detected no gas inside and the building re-opened, a spokesman said.



The fire department got a call around 9:18 a.m. saying someone smelled gas inside City Hall, and the evacuation was ordered shortly after that, Fire Captain Mitch Matlow said.



"The fire department and PG&E checked all 18 floors of the building and found no gas leak," Matlow said.



The building re-opened around 10:15 a.m., he said.



"Our people smelled gas outside" the building, so PG&E is now checking the lines that run from the PG&E main to inside City Hall to make sure there is no leak in those lines, Matlow said.



The fire captain explained that just because someone smells gas does not mean there is danger.



"Some noses can detect a tiny amount of mercaptan, a gas that is deliberately put into natural gas so it can be smelled," Matlow said. "It requires a much greater concentration than that to be a hazard."









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.A woman in custody at a Contra Costa County jail in Richmond after being convicted last month of the murder of her sister died after a reported suicide early Monday morning, according to the sheriff's office.



Linda Thomas, 74, was from Washington. She was convicted of first-degree murder on May 21 after shooting and killing her sister Zonna Thomas on Oct. 17, 2015.



A sheriff's deputy conducting a routine room check at the West County Detention Facility at 2:48 a.m. saw an inmate hanging from the top bunk of a bed, sheriff's officials said.



The deputy moved the woman to the ground and performed CPR until emergency responders arrived. Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene.







A police officer who shot his gun inside a classroom will not be charged for the incident, but received a separate infraction for leaving his gun in an unattended vehicle afterward.



The infraction came up by "happenstance" when police responded to recover the gun after the shooting, according to Berkley Brannon, Monterey County chief assistant District Attorney.



Dennis Alexander will face a fine, similar to a traffic ticket.



Alexander, a reserve Sand City police officer, was teaching a public safety course at Seaside High School when he shot his gun into the ceiling on March 13 to make sure there was no round in the chamber, prosecutors said.



Alexander thought he had unloaded his gun, prosecutors said, but was mistaken and shot a bullet into the classroom ceiling.







A woman has been arrested for allegedly running over and killing another woman in East Oakland on Saturday afternoon, police said.



Officers responded at 12:48 p.m. Saturday to a report that a person had been hit by a vehicle in the 1200 block of 73rd Avenue and found the woman unconscious and suffering from major head trauma, according to police.



Paramedics responded but she was pronounced dead at the scene.







A man was fatally shot in San Francisco's Bayview District Monday morning, a police spokesman said.



The shooting was reported at 11:11 a.m. in the 1500 block of Oakdale Avenue.



Officers arrived and found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds and he was pronounced dead at the scene, San Francisco police Officer Robert Rueca said.







After 2,000 hours of investigation in nine counties, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has arrested two North Bay men on suspicion of sexually assaulting a San Francisco woman in a vehicle in April.



The suspects, identified as Fredi Analberto Lopez-Flores, 33, of Novato, and Christian Alejandro May Quintero, 24, of Sonoma, allegedly encountered the woman as she waited for a ride-hailing company driver to pick her up at Stanyan and Fulton streets in San Francisco on April 14.



The woman initially had taken a ride from Bruno's, a bar in the city, by another ride provider but had accidentally entered Stanyan and Fulton streets as her destination, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Spencer Crum said.



"She became nervous when it appeared the car was heading in the wrong direction and she got out of the car and called another ride provider," Crum said.



Lopez-Flores pulled up next to the woman, then Quintero got out of the Dodge and forced her into the back seat. As Lopez-Flores drove to Sonoma, Quintero allegedly beat and attacked the woman in the car. Neither man worked for a ride-hailing company, Crum said.







A South San Francisco man made his first court appearance Friday to face attempted murder and elder abuse charges for allegedly trying to suffocate his mother after she asked him to end her life last year, San Mateo County prosecutors said.



Thomas Beck, 58, was arrested Thursday for the case involving his mother, 86-year-old Marie Beck, who suffered from Parkinson's disease and other maladies and allegedly told her son and daughters to stop feeding her so she could die, prosecutors said.



Thomas Beck moved in with his mother in South San Francisco to care for her over the last 18 years, according to the district attorney's office.



On May 16, 2017, Beck allegedly gave his mother extra medication and tried to suffocate her by putting a pillow over her mouth for 10 minutes, prosecutors said.







A 17-year-old Petaluma girl died shortly after a head-on collision Monday afternoon in unincorporated Contra Costa County outside of Brentwood, California Highway Patrol officials said.



The collision was reported at 2:22 p.m. on Vasco Road just south of Walnut Boulevard. According to an initial investigation, a 2016 Jeep Compass driven by a 20-year-old San Francisco man was traveling north on Vasco Road when he decided to pass the traffic in his lane.



CHP officials said the man crossed over the broken yellow line into the southbound lane.



At that moment, a man in a tow truck was traveling in the southbound lane of Vasco Road and the two vehicles collided head-on.



CHP officials said the collision catapulted the Jeep off the road and into a grass field where it became engulfed in flames.





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.According to Chairman of the HUFO, Tran Hung Viet, the UK ranks 14th among 82 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.



As of April 2018, Vietnam's export turnover to the UK reached US$1.75 billion, up 30 percent compared to the same time period in 2017; the countrys import turnover from the UK approached US$238 million, increased by 17.6 percent compared with the same month of the previous year.

For his part, UK Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Ian Gibbons also affirmed that high-level visits by leaders of both countries and educational exchanges have contributed to the successful UK-Vietnam relationship.





By THUY VU  Translated by Kim KhanhSAN FRANCISCO (BCN)



San Francisco voters today will decide whether tenants in the city facing eviction will be entitled to a city-funded attorney.



Proposition F provides for city-funded legal representation for tenants in eviction lawsuits. Any resident of the city battling an eviction would get an attorney paid for by the city if Prop F passes.



The proposition wouldn't apply to evictions brought by landlords who live in the same unit as the tenant.



The proposition is endorsed by the San Francisco chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, the SF Tenants Union, the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, Causa Justa: Just Cause, Coalition on Homelessness, Affordable Housing Alliance and other groups.





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.Confucianism does not only belong to China, but it belongs to the whole world, noted Ainura Temirbekova, deputy minister of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic while underscoring the significance of protecting and spreading the traditional culture worldwide.

Temirbekova made the remarks last Sunday amid a tour to Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, in Shandong province after attending the just concluded first SCO Media Summit.

Roughly 40 representatives and media chiefs from the SCO countries including Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan participated in the visit, which served as a platform to deepen the understandings of traditional Chinese culture represented by Confucianism with some basic tenets, such as benevolence and righteousness.

"In the context of accelerated globalization and informatization, culture plays a significant role in connecting the hearts and minds of people, while also being an effective instrument to settle wars or disputes across the world," said the minister in an exclusive interview with China Daily.

All countries across the globe, she added, ought to follow China's footsteps and beef up more efforts in traditional culture's conservation and inheritance.

Also attaching great importance to the media exchanges among the SCO countries, the Kyrgyzstan minister pointed out that it is the media that transmit news and information, and shine spotlights on the development of nations.

Echoing Temirbekova, Priyanka Tikoo, deputy executive editor of the Press Trust of India, considered that the opportunities presented by Chinese government to strengthen media exchanges are absolutely desirable.

"Whatever the efforts are made by the respective governments, it is the media that talks about those stories, efforts, and public negotiations made by them," she said.

As the largest news agency in India, PTI reached a bilateral agreement with China's Xinhua News Agency around ten years ago, according to Tikoo.

"Apart from the exchange of news, we also have exchange programs of journalists with Xinhua as well as the publicity department of Chinese government," she said.

Meanwhile, some of the media delegation expressed their hopes that the cooperative areas their countries have with China would be expanded further in the future.

Sobir Shukurov, first deputy general director of the Press and Information Agency of Uzbekistan, told China Daily that Uzbekistan aspires to advance the collaboration and exchanges with China in fields of economy, trade, culture as well as media. He also hoped that the two countries further the cooperation on tourism by visa facilitation.

"In my country there is a sage similar to Confucius, and in his hometown, an exchange program for the teachers nationwide takes place annually," said Ainura Temirbekova, suggesting that a seminar for the teachers from Kyrgyzstan and China be launched to boost cultural and educational communications between the two countries.

Proposed by Chinese president Xi Jinping in June last year at the SCO Astana summit in Kazakhstan, the first SCO Media Summit took place in Beijing on June 1, with the theme upholding Shanghai Spirit for a new era of media cooperation.

Representatives and media chiefs from the SCO countries including Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan, pose for a group photo in front of the statue of Confucius in Qufu, East Chinas Shandong province on June 3. [Photo by Xiang Wenjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Ainura Temirbekova, deputy minister of Culture, Information and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic (rightsecond) takes a group photo with a group of young children in traditional Chinese costumes. [Photo by Wang Qian/chinadaily.com.cn]





The odds of you being struck by lightning twice in your lifetime are 1 in 9 million. If you're Sharon Stone, and lightning moonlights as a large, venomous lizard indigenous to the Indonesian archipelago that can run up to 30 miles per hour, your odds are  apparently pretty high.

A couple days ago, actress Sharon Stone posted a video to Twitter of what she claimed was a "ten foot long Komodo dragon loose on the street!" She filmed the alarmingly large lizard slithering down a Beverly Hills street with the caption: "This is walking up my street!!! What is going on!!!!!"

According to Stone, the lizard was quickly picked up by Animal Control, not before Jessica Alba, apparently Stone's neighbor, took a video of the bizarre Sunday scene as well. The story could have ended there. But it didn't.

That's because these giant reptiles and Sharon Stone have been unfortunately linked ever since 2001, when Stone was still married to former San Francisco Chronicle executive editor Phil Bronstein.

In June 2001, Stone surprised her then-husband, San Francisco Chronicle executive editor Phil Bronstein, with an early Father's Day gift  a private tour of the Los Angeles Zoo.

Bronstein had always been fascinated by Komodo dragons, the largest lizards on the planet, so the couple stopped at Komodo enclosure to see the zoo's two specimens up close. A zookeeper invited him inside the cage of one of the animals, assuring him there was no danger.

But first he was told to take off his white sneakers and socks so the 7-foot-long Indonesia lizard wouldn't mistake them for white rats. The rodents were routinely fed to the dragons.

Perhaps the Komodo was more nearsighted than its brethren, but for whatever reason, it mistook Bronstein's toes for something edible. It lunged at the editor, clamped its vice-like jaws on his foot and began thrashing back and forth.

Bronstein managed to pry the jaws apart, free his appendage and limp away, but his big toe was crushed and several tendons severed. He needed surgery to reconstruct his toes and antibiotics to treat septic infection from the lizard's bacteria-laden mouth.

Los Angeles Zoo spokeswoman Lora LaMarca told the Chronicle that while the monitor lizards are typically aggressive by nature, this particular creature was known for having a mellow temperament.

Luckily, this particular scene  17 years later  might have been an episode of traumatic remembering. According to the Beverly Hills Police Department, who were called to manage the wandering lizard, this lizard is no Komodo. He's a monitor lizard named Stephan. We should note -Komodo Dragons are a type of monitor lizard, so the confusion is somewhat understandable.

Apparently, Stephan escaped from an owner who lives nearby. We don't believe the officers used handcuffs, but they did post the above Instagram photos.TEL AVIV  After decades of planning and delays, Israel is opening the doors of a new national natural history museum in the city of Tel Aviv, a facility that aims to increase scientific education despite religious opposition to the theory of evolution.

The ultramodern ark-shaped edifice is set to open in July alongside the Tel Aviv University campus and houses more than 5.5 million specimens of species from around the globe. But the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History places special emphasis on the flora and fauna indigenous to the Holy Land and Middle East. The $40 million project, decades in the making, was funded in large part by American billionaire Michael Steinhardt, a major donor to Israel who keeps a menagerie of exotic animals on his estate north of Manhattan.

The museums curators say the institution  ticketed as the only natural history research center in the Middle East  aims to raise public awareness about the natural world and environment by highlighting both the countrys ecological diversity at the crossroads of three continents, and the devastation wrought by modern development.

Its halls combine traditional dioramas and innovative interactive displays to showcase thousands of specimens. Stuffed hawks, pelicans and vultures swirling around the buildings entrance are meant to depict epic avian migrations from Africa to Europe through Israel.

The last Syrian bear to inhabit the country, killed in 1916, and the last Asiatic cheetah, killed in 1911, are ghosts from a lost world, teaching visitors about the devastating changes to the local habitat.

The main goal of the museum is to bring the public closer to nature, said Alon Sapan, the museums director. To allow it to feel nature firsthand while supporting this emotional visit with a lot of interesting scientific stories and information.

But when it comes to human evolution, things are more complicated.

An exhibit on human evolution titled What makes us human? looks at humanitys evolution through the lens of cultural accomplishments: the harnessing of fire, innovation of tools, and development of agriculture. The exhibit is situated on the top floor of the museum, allowing any visitors who may find the subject objectionable to easily bypass it.

Its really a sensitive issue in Israel, said Israel Hershkovitz, a Tel Aviv University anthropology professor who helped curate the exhibit, echoing remarks from other museum officials.

He said there was no intentional decision to hide the exhibit or censor its contents in any way. But he said there also was no intention to tease the religious and the out-of-way location was for the best.

Orthodox Judaisms strict interpretation of the Bible leads many to reject the theory of evolution, which is not taught in state-funded ultra-Orthodox institutions, which make up 23 percent of Israels schools. Even in non-religious schools, critics point out that relatively few high school students encounter the subject of human evolution in Israeli classrooms.

Ilan Ben Zion is an Associated Press writer.NEW DELHI  Government bans on plastic can be effective in cutting back on waste, but poor follow-through has left many such bans ineffective, the United Nations said in a report Tuesday.

The report, with its release timed for U.N. World Environment Day, noted that rules limiting the use of plastic bags had decreased their use in places such as Morocco, Rwanda and parts of China, sometimes significantly. But elsewhere things havent gone so well.

A ban on disposable plastics in New Delhi, for instance, has had only limited impact because of poor enforcement, the report said.

New Delhi has tried repeatedly over the past decade to ban the use of thin plastic bags, most recently announcing a heavy fine for rule-breakers. But the bags remain ubiquitous across the city, blowing in the wind, piled in ditches and readily offered in hundreds of thousands of shops. Elsewhere in India, including the states of Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh, there have been better results. India is hosting this years World Environment Day.

Plastic pollution is a huge issue everywhere, said U.N. environment chief Erik Solheim. He praised India for its growing focus on environmental protection but also noted that while traveling in the country hed seen some of the most beautiful scenic places, but destroyed by plastic pollution.

So the problem is big, but the ability to change is also big, Solheim said.

The United Nations made a series of recommendations to make plastics bans more effective, from encouraging more cooperation from businesses to offering incentives.

The report notes that by some estimates, as many as 5 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year.

In drought-prone Cyprus, the president said Tuesday that he wants his country to play a coordinating role in the efforts of nations in the Mediterranean and Middle East to deal with climate change.

After chairing a meeting of environmental experts and top government officials on the topic, President Nicos Anastasiades said in a statement that he gave instructions for Cyprus to play a bigger role in a part of the world thats particularly susceptible to climate change.

Rishabh R. Jain is an Associated Press writer.NewsPR organized an event in the rural areas near Delhi to raise awareness among the people regarding the education; especially the modern counterparts of the same. The event was headed by Mr. Dhinendra Lohmor who is a corporate banker and has a strong experience in the field of banking, finance and is also an angel investor.

The recent governmental reforms such as demonetization and digital India called for the promotion of technical education in all parts of the nation. But a vast majority of the people reside in rural and semi-rural areas of India and cannot even read or write a simple SMS. The operation of the accounts and all the other banking transactions digitally seems like light years ahead in such areas. The complex system of digital and technical education is something that can be solved, operated and successfully employed only if the people are taught and trained.

Among the other dignitaries related to the education industry, banking, technical education, school and college teachers of the nearby areas, Mr. Dhinendra Lohmor was present as the chief guest. While a lot of people talked about the importance of education in the day to day activities and helped all people to understand how they can educate themselves apart from getting enrolled in the school; Mr. Dhinendra Lohmor also talked about the technical and digital education promotion.

He said that it is important to first educate people about the things the Government is bringing in practice. They should know how the banking and all the other transactions and processing can be done via the phone itself. They should know the importance of having a bank account and getting it attached to the UID and other such ID Proofs. They should know why the Govt is spending so much time, energy and money in the promotion of technology and digital processes through their line of work is completely different.

Talking more about the education, Mr. Dhinendra Lohmor said that the people who are not literate or literate enough; can easily use the internet and mobile phones to get as much educated as they want. He also told people about the famous Kerala Porter Sreenath K. who qualified the PSC exam using the Free WiFi on the railway station in the free hours. He said that with the help of the internet, one can accomplish more than ones thoughts and can overcome all kinds of difficulties. Addressing the farmers and dairy operators, he said that they can find out new ways to make their work better and efficient; utilisation and storage of the rainwater; manure and fertilizers; crops that can be grown in less water supply; crops that can earn a lot; harvesting processes and soil checking  all of them can be done to maximize their earning.

A lot of schools and college students were also present at the event and were told about the various channels they can opt for an education that matters. Mr. Dhinendra Lohmor said that it is true that not everyone can get enrolled in IIT or other prestigious colleges and schools, but this doesnt mean that he or she cannot make a better life either. Referring to the various learning apps and online learning; he said that it is important to get educated in a way that can help you earn and not depend on the current job market for a vocation. He said that instead of idling away time browsing waste stuff; the youngsters can help the elders to understand and use the internet for better things; they themselves can join the online study groups to get trained or educated in the field they can work in and they CAN actually make a difference.

Laying stress on the wise and smart use of the resources at hand; Mr. Dhinendra Lohmor also said that it is better to be a mechanic or electrician that earns 8000 to 10000 per month by getting training at some Government Workshop than to be an unemployed graduate who is waiting for some job. Mr. Dhinendra Lohmor said that education doesnt mean only degrees. It means a training to earn your bread by providing services that you have acquired and excel at.

Read more news:

Russia not aiming to divide EU, says Putin

World saw largest rise in renewable energy capacity in 2017: ReportSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Miss America -- and by proxy, Miss New York and Miss Staten Island -- no longer has to serve cheesecake to win cash for college.

Out: Parading in swimsuits. In: Flexing female empowerment that's more in line with the #MeToo movement.

"We are no longer a pageant -- we are a competition," Gretchen Carlson, the chair of the Board of Trustees for the Miss America Organization, announced Tuesday morning on Good Morning America.

Carlson also said the organization is taking it a step beyond bikinis -- by axing the evening gown portion, too.

"Change is good! I'm so excited to see the change in September 2018," said Linda Carbo, executive director of the Miss New York Organization.

Carbo pointed out that three of our former Miss New Yorks won the title of Miss America: Mallory Hagan in 2013, Nina Davuluri in 2014 and Kira Kanzantsev in 2015, all crowned at the St. George Theatre on Staten Island.

BTW: None of those women needed to show skin to win.

"I am proud to say that if swimsuit was eliminated when they competed, they would have still won," Carbo said. "You don't define someone because of the way they look. They are intelligent, young women who have something to say."

From now on, contenders will only be asked to wear what makes them feel confident and expresses their personal style.

In a live session with the judges, contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be asked to demonstrate their passion, intelligence, and an overall understanding of the job of Miss America.

Carbo's bottom line: "Miss America should be active and ambitious, the girl next door, confident in her own skin. She should know the world in which she lives, possess beauty of character, beauty of determination, beauty of resilience, beauty of compassion, intellect and commitment. And Miss America should be able to converse to a 10-year-old student or the the CEO of a large corporation."

The swimsuit competition switch up comes on the heels of a controversy when internal emails were released earlier this year from the group's former CEO Sam Haskell.

In the leaked messages, Haskell and others insulted the appearance, intellect, and personal lives of former pageant winners, including Carlson.

Jim Smith, executive director of the Miss Staten Island Scholarship Pageant, said the changes will give more women opportunities.

"Because many girls don't agree with the swimsuit competition and it will give them more options," Smith said. "... And Miss America never appears in a swimsuit after she's crowned, anyway."STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- President Donald Trump's administration has appointed Anthony C. Ferreri to the post of regional director of United States Department of Health & Human Services, a cabinet-level department of the federal government tasked with protecting the well-being of all Americans.

In his new post, the Dongan Hills resident will serve as the personal representative to secretary Alex M. Azar II, dealing with state and local government organizations and establishing and maintaining effective relationships with governors, mayors, county officials and other dignitaries.

"I've spent my career working to deliver improved healthcare to communities in New York and New Jersey, and I'm honored to have this opportunity to serve our country and continue this mission from a new perspective," said Fererri, who served as president and chief executive officer of Staten Island University Hospital from 2003 to 2015.

"President Trump and Secretary Azar's bold initiatives to reform healthcare and put American patients first is long overdue," said the fourth-generation Staten Islander. "I'm eager to get to work supporting these initiatives and the mission of Health and Human Services here in Staten Island and across the region."

Ferreri's territory encompasses New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

He also will promote a central focus in the region for departmental relations with congressional delegations and individual members of congress and a general public understanding of the programs and policies, and advise Secretary Azar on the proposed actions.

BOROUGH LEADERS REACT TO APPOINTMENT

"I've known Tony Ferreri for many years and have seen his great leadership firsthand through his work at SIUH and around our community," said Rep. Dan Donovan. "He will be a great asset to Staten Islanders and Brooklynites in his new position, and I have the utmost confidence in his skills. I look forward to working with him to implement the President's agenda and address the opioid crisis."

Borough President James Oddo deemed Ferreri "a Staten Island treasure, and I am thrilled he's back doing what he loves full time. He will have a huge impact at HHS, and I would expect Staten Islanders will reap the benefit of that. Having Tony as part of our Borough Hall team has been a pleasure, and I know his talents and innate decency will now serve an even larger universe."

City Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore) nominated Ferreri for the position.

"Tony is someone who had a great many years experience in a number of regional hospital systems, so he was clearly an obvious choice for this position at HHS," Borelli said.

"The administration made a tremendous pick in Tony and Staten Islanders should be proud," Borelli added. "When I spoke to the White House about Tony's position, I said 'This is someone who is very qualified -- overly qualified."

Minority leader City Councilman Steven Matteo (R-Mid Island) said, "Anthony Ferreri's appointment to this prestigious post is a great move by the Trump administration, and a big win for Staten Island and all of the New York region. It confirms what many of us already know: Anthony is an incredibly skilled and knowledgeable health care professional with a proven record of success, and dedicated and compassionate public servant. I am thrilled for him and proud to call him a friend."

A LITTLE ABOUT FERRERI

Ferreri -- who was conferred a doctorate in business administration in 2016 and has since has earned the right to be called doctor -- was appointed Staten Island University Hospital's president and chief executive officer in August of 2003, a post he held for 12 years.

He earned a master's of science degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Rutgers University and a bachelor of arts degree in social studies from Wagner College, where he's a member of the adjunct faculty in the Nursing Practice Management Doctoral Program.

At SIUH, he sat at the helm of the construction of the $39 million Elizabeth A. Connelly Emergency and Trauma Center, which opened in June 2009 and more than tripled the size of the emergency room at the Ocean Breeze campus.

His other achievements include the building of the Regina McGinn Education Center at the Ocean Breeze site, selling the former Doctors' Hospital in Concord to the city education department to build a public school on the site, and expanding services, medical subspecialties and the robotics program.

Under Ferreri's leadership, SIUH received national recognition for quality care, garnering more awards during a six-year CMS demonstration project, than any other hospital in the United States.

He also served as a regional executive director for Northwell Health's Western and Southwestern Regions, with oversight for Lenox Hill, Northern Westchester, Phelps Memorial and Staten Island University hospitals.

In 2015, Ferreri was appointed Northwell's executive vice president and chief affiliation officer.



His efforts resulted in the expansion of Northwell into Westchester County, where he developed relationships with health care providers in Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He retired from Northwell in 2017, after more than 40 years in the health care industry.

Ferreri is the son of Lucy Ferreri and the late Joseph Ferreri. He's married to Michele and the couple are the parents to Tony Ann Spinella (son-in-law, Michael Spinella) and son Joseph Ferreri. They also are the grandparents of two, Michael and Anthony Spinella.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Maxine Wilde of New Dorp Beach has been making a real difference in her community since 2015. As founder and Executive Director of Friends of Kivlehan Park, Inc., she hopes other borough residents will follow her example in their own towns.

Borough President James Oddo, an outspoken proponent in the fight against litter, recently presented her with a proclamation: June 1 was "Maxine Wilde Day," a gesture of appreciation for her extraordinary efforts to clean up her neighborhood.

"Sometimes it's a lonely experience at Borough Hall," said BP Oddo. "We try to find solutions to the problems we all face, like traffic, less than courteous neighbors, and litter. We deal with agencies; sometimes they're great and sometimes they're frustrating.

"So when people like Maxine Wilde come along and go above and beyond, it's so wonderful to see."

MORE ABOUT MAXINE'S MISSION

Upon her retirement from 45-year high-stress career as a Vice President at Transatlantic Reinsurance Company in Manhattan, Max (as she is affectionately known to her friends), wasn't sure how to spend her newly-found extra time.

Serendipitously, she saw a post on BPs Oddo's website, StatenIslandUSA.com, about Partnerships for Parks (PfP), a joint venture between of the CityParks Foundation and the NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation. She took one of their free training classes, started the Friends of Kivlehan Park, Inc, (FKP), and the rest, as they say, is history.

FKP is a grassroots community effort, stemming from Wilde's sense of responsibility to lead other residents in working together to bridge the gap between the level of services needed and the realistic level of service that government can be expected to provide.

"I wanted to bring awareness to the litter problem," she said. "Clean streets and a beautiful park provide an improved quality of life and support property values." The original FKP group of about a dozen people blossomed to 200 members and going strong.

To date, FKP has donated 754 volunteer hours, removed 217 bags of debris from the park, beach and streets, and has held forty-five maintenance events, seven of which were Litter Patrols. In addition, they have hosted a dozen community building activities -- including movie nights, "Let's Play" kids events, a community picnic, the Howl-o-Ween Pooch Parade, and a community flea market.

Add still to the list a Christmas Tree trimming, two public service events, a blood drive for the New York Blood Bank, and food drive for Project Hospitality. To say FKP has been busy is an understatement.

WILDE'S MOTIVATION FOR ORGANIZING

"I fell in love with New Dorp Beach during the late 1980s when I summered at the Cedar Grove Beach Club," she said. "Captivated by the idea of living at the beach and in New York City at the same time, after a sojourn in Florida, I returned to live in NDB permanently in 2007. I could hear and smell the ocean from my front deck."

Unfortunately, she couldn't help noticing the imperfections of her neighborhood, the litter and air of neglect that hung over Kivlehan Park.

"I could walk 1,400 feet east and watch the sun rise over the water. It was a little bit of heaven," she said. "But as I took my many walks through our littered streets, I shook my head and said, 'Somebody ought to do something about that."

And that somebody, she decided, was her. Why? Because of something "Max" calls "pride of place."

As soon as FKV began working and improving conditions, the number of volunteers increased. Even those who had full time jobs and families to care for offered to help, pitching in for clean ups and offering thoughts and ideas for the park.

Members of the community started to get to know each other at these community quickly. "And when one of us is on patrol, it's less likely people will litter," Wilde said. "They think twice, and they make keeping our neighborhood a priority. It's pride of place."

Thanks to Wilde and her team, the streets of New Dorp Beach are visibly cleaner, and increasingly so over the last three years of FKP's formation. In 2015, FKP had seven volunteers and picked up twelve bags of debris on a one block stretch of New Dorp Lane, starting at the beach.

In 2016, they collected only four bags on Cedar Grove.

Today, the streets are cleaner and they only collect one bag, if that.

"The neighborhood is lucky to have Maxine," said FKP member, Andreana Rutherford. "I have been a member of FKP for three years and I love her. We normally do neighborhood clean-ups twice a month, for two to three hours each, and they've really made a difference."

INVALUABLE LESSONS LEARNED

"We learned that building a community service group is a slow process and that patience and flexibility are requirements," said Wilde, who expanded clean-up work to hosting community-building activities and advocating with elected officials and NYC Parks for the needs of the park.

"We learned that the cleaner we kept our streets, the cleaner the streets would stay. We saw growth in our core and extended groups of volunteers, and also developed a clear vision for how the work could be extended into the streets surrounding the park and, ultimately, provide a solution to the litter problem."

Wilde also learned that the quid-pro-quo for KFP's work was that the Parks Department would do more work, and both groups moved ahead by leaps and bounds.

"By 2017 we were on a roll with a successful grant application and advocacy efforts, and the honor of being awarded City Parks Foundation's It's My Park Award, the Golden Trowel, for 2016," she said.

PLANS FOR 2018 AND BEYOND

Wilde is planning a somewhat scaled-back schedule of activities because of some very good news: After two years of advocating for desperately needed maintenance and repairs, in April work began on a 12-month project to address those needs.

She added that Partnerships for Parks has been "integral in our success. We would never have pulled our first weed were it not for the support of our Outreach Coordinator, Stefanie Gutierrez. ... they makes sure we have the basic supplies to do our job, and so much more."

"With strong, consistent leadership by the Friends and some basic improvements, this Park, which physically dominates the center of the neighborhood, has the potential to become the heart of our community and the catalyst toward an improved standard of living."

TINY GESTURES, BIG IMPACT

In honoring Wilde, Oddo extolled her vision and leadership: "She has taken on a role of keeping the neighborhoods of Staten Island clean and pristine, well-knowing that the process is never-ending and that litter will happen again," he said.

"Maxine is fixing a problem she did not create. She has taken the great responsibility to make Staten Island better. Tiny gestures can be combined to make a big impact."

Oddo noted that at the last roundtable meeting to discuss ways to tackle the litter problem that beleaguers Staten Island, Brian Laline, executive editor of the Staten Island Advance, stressed the importance of highlighting and applauding people who take a stand against litter, in the hopes others will do the same.

"This is why we are recognizing Maxine and the Friends of Kivlehan Park," Oddo said. "Love where you live. Thank you, Maxine."STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Rep. Dan Donovan trails Michael Grimm by 10 points in a new poll of likely Republican primary voters released Monday night.

Forty-seven percent said they would vote for Grimm compared to only 37 percent for the incumbent Donovan, according to the NY1/Siena College poll. Meanwhile, 16 percent said they are undecided or do not have an opinion on the race.

Grimm has an even bigger lead on Staten Island (49 to 36 percent), according to the poll, while Donovan maintains a 3-point lead (40 to 37 percent) in the Brooklyn portion of the congressional district.

While men were evenly divided with 43 percent for Grimm and 42 percent for Donovan, Grimm leads among likely women voters, 50 to 32 percent.

"Approximately 60 percent of voters for each candidate say they are absolutely certain of their choice, while fewer than 10 percent of each candidates' supporters say they are not very or not at all certain of their choice," said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg.

Both Donovan and Grimm were viewed favorably by 57 percent of likely voters. However, voters said that Grimm did a better job representing them in Washington, D.C., by a 46 to 34 percent margin, according to the poll.

"Voters say Grimm would be better than Donovan -- by an 8-point margin on each -- on addressing health care costs and resolving tensions with North Korea," Greenberg said. "Voters more strongly say Grimm would be better on fixing immigration policy by an 18-point margin."

"I have full faith that the voters of Staten Island and Brooklyn know that I have their back," Grimm said in a statement. "They know I love them like my own family, and I fight on their behalf. I've done it before, and will do it again when I'm their Congressman in 2019."

The poll of 513 likely voters was conducted between May 29 and June 3, and has a margin of error of 4.3 percent.

Despite President Donald Trump endorsing Donovan on May 30 while the survey was still being conducted, voters said Grimm would do a better job of working with the president by a 25-point margin, 54 to 29 percent.

However, more Republicans (46 to 35 percent) believe Donovan has a better chance of winning against a Democratic opponent in the November general election.

"While only 8 percent of Donovan supporters think Grimm is more likely to win in November, 22 percent of Grimm supporters see Donovan as the stronger November Republican," Greenberg said.

"President Trump dismantled Grimm's deceitful campaign last week by throwing his full support behind Dan Donovan and compared Michael Grimm to disgraced Alabama's Roy Moore," Donovan campaign spokeswoman Jessica Proud told the New York Daily News. "The majority of those polled weren't even yet aware of the president's support and we're fully confident that by election day Dan's record of results working with the president will lead us to victory."

Donovan, first elected to Congress in May 2015, will face Grimm, who previously held the congressional seat, in the primary June 26.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- He goes by the nickname "Fresh," but former Staten Islander Frank Smith has earned a new moniker - convicted killer.

Smith, 33, has been found guilty of slaying two rival gang members on a Manhattan street eight years ago, said Richard P. Donoghue, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

In July 2016, Smith was indicted in Brooklyn federal court on various charges including racketeering, murder-in-aid-of racketeering, narcotics trafficking and unlawful use of firearms.

Prosecutors said then he lived on Staten Island.

According to authorities, Smith was a member of the Rival Impact street gang based at the Mermaid Houses in Brooklyn's Coney Island section.

Between January 2000 and January 2014, the crew widely distributed heroin and crack cocaine, said prosecutors.

To maintain power, they also trafficked in violence, including various murders, attempted murders, assaults, robberies and intimidation, prosecutors said.

For a number of years, Rival Impact was at war with another gang, "Thirty-O," based around the Coney Island Houses.

At one point, members of Thirty-O slew Rival Impact gang member Vincent Carmona, officials said.

Afterward, Smith plotted to rub out Thirty-O members, specifically Terrance Serrano and Rashawn Washington, said prosecutors.

He believed Serrano and Washington had killed Carmona.

On Oct. 4, 2010, Smith and a fellow gang member drove to East 19th Street in Manhattan where they found Serrano and Washington's parked car, said prosecutors.

Sometime later, Serrano and Washington approached the vehicle and entered it. Smith ran up and shot both of them as they sat inside, prosecutors said.

A Brooklyn federal court jury convicted Smith on Monday of two counts each of murder-in-aid-of racketeering and causing a death through the use of a firearm, said prosecutors.

He was also found guilty of racketeering.

Smith, whose address prosecutors currently list as Brooklyn, faces two mandatory terms of life imprisonment for the murders, prosecutors said.

A sentencing date has not been set.

"With (this) jury verdict, Frank Smith has been held accountable for murders and drug dealing arising out of his allegiance to a violent Brooklyn street gang," said Donoghue in a statement.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Cruz Melendez, Jennifer M. Sasso and Josh Hafetz are prosecuting the case.

Smith's lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Staten Island Democratic Party endorsed Anthony Catalano, Staten Island's public administrator, on Wednesday over Assemblyman Matthew Titone in his bid for the Staten Island Surrogate's Court judgeship.

"There's no doubt that both my opponent and I have many friends in this room," Catalano told members at the Excelsior Grand in New Dorp. "However, this court and this position is not about me, it's not about my opponent. It's about who can do the best job in this position for the people of Staten Island and tonight you Democrats have spoken."

Catalano added, "My commitment to the work of this court is long and it is deep."

As public administrator, Catalano oversees wills, trusts, estates, and guardianships.

Catalano won the endorsements with 75 votes, while Titone -- who was nominated by Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid Island) and Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) -- received 58 votes. Prior to the endorsement, the Democratic County Committee voted to add 23 members, who all voted for Catalano. After the vote, dozens of Titone supporters left the meeting.

A representative from Titone's campaign said that the North Shore Assemblyman has run without party support in the past and wasn't worried by the result.

"This comes as no surprise. More than a decade ago Matt Titone won his race for Assembly without the support of the party chairman and he plans to do it again when he becomes Staten Island's next Surrogate Judge," said Jonathan Yedin, a spokesman for Titone's campaign. "Matt has successfully run over a half dozen times and has won each election handily. He has served and delivered for Staten Islanders his entire career and Staten Islanders know that Matt has done so honestly, with integrity, and has always put their interest ahead of the personal interests of political party leaders."

Catalano has also been endorsed by the Staten Island Conservative Party and the Staten Island Independence Party.

Richmond County Surrogate's Court oversees the validity of wills and the distribution of estate assets according to terms of a will. Surrogate Robert Gigante, turning 70 this year, is required by law to retire at the end of 2018.

STATE ASSEMBLY, STATE SENATE ENDORSEMENTS

Charles Fall accepts his nomination on Wednesday. (Staten Island Advance/ Clifford Michel)

Charles Fall, chief of staff to the Parks Department Staten Island commissioner and a former aide to Mayor Bill de Blasio, won the endorsement for the open North Shore state Assembly race with 37 votes.

Fall's Democratic opponents also received support from members as well: Patricia Kane, a union leader and open heart surgery nurse, received 11 votes, and Bobby Digi Olisa, a small business owner and community activist, received one vote.

Fall spoke about helping to implement the city's universal pre-kindergarten program while working for the mayor, and fighting for capital funding at the Parks Department.

"Because of the love I have for this community, I will fight tirelessly until our community receives the resources that it's owed," said Fall, who was on the Staten Island Democrats' executive committee before announcing his campaign.

Olisa referred to the removal of several Staten Island Democrats executive committee members prior to their vote to recommend a slate of candidates and called the endorsement a "backroom deal."

"Through my campaign," Olisa told the Advance in a statement. "I will continue to meet with everyone and I hope that the people will see that we must dismantle establishment politics that are based on backroom deals and create a process based on transparency and equity so that the people can truly make the most informed decisions for the betterment of communities and future generations to come."

A campaign spokesperson for Kane didn't immediately return a request for comment.

State Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn) and Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid Island) were both unanimously endorsed in their re-election bids.

"Thank you again for allowing me to do the job I love to do," said Cusick.

Adam Baumel, a Bay Ridge Navy veteran, was also unanimously endorsed in his bid against Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis' (R-East Shore/Brooklyn) seat.

"This is going to be a long and personal campaign," said Baumel. "I'm going to travel to each and every street I hope to represent and learn from you, the people, how I can best serve. We will earn this victory. We will flip this seat."

FOLLOW CLIFFORD MICHEL ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.The case against Urby murder suspect Jahmel Russel 15 Gallery: The case against Urby murder suspect Jahmel Russel

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Jahmel Russell, the suspect accused of slaying a St. George man inside the upscale, waterfront Urby apartment complex in Stapleton two weeks ago, has been indicted.

At a proceeding Monday in Stapleton Criminal Court, prosecutors announced the filing of a certificate of indictment against the 27-year-old defendant who authorities allege stabbed Filroy Warner to death on May 23 inside a third-floor apartment at 8 Navy Pier Court.

The certificate moves the case to state Supreme Court, St. George, where Russell will be arraigned in the near future.

The indictment itself hasn't been filed, so specific charges haven't been made public, although Russell was initially accused of second-degree murder and criminal weapon possession.

Police said Russell stabbed Warner, 42, with a kitchen knife 12 times in the liver, heart, neck and arms during a dispute just before midnight. Russell had been living in the apartment for two weeks with his girlfriend, said authorities.

After the attack, Russell fled the building while deliberately avoiding surveillance cameras and security, prosecutors said. He then sought refuge at the Park Hill Apartments in Clifton.

Cops ultimately found him in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood on May 29 and arrested him, according to police sources.

Warner was taken to Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton, where he was pronounced dead.

Speaking last week after Russell's arraignment in Criminal Court, Fonte said Warner was the aggressor, and he expects the victim's toxicology report will show "high levels of cocaine and alcohol."

Fonte said Russell was living with a girlfriend at the apartment, which Warner used to "get high, drink and snort cocaine."

He said the incident did not involve a love triangle. Police initially said the stabbing occurred during a gathering inside the apartment.

Fonte declined further comment on Tuesday.

At the arraignment, prosecutors said Russell has a criminal history.

He has been arrested multiple times in Florida for theft and fraud-related charges, and was convicted last year in Orange County, N.Y., of criminal possession of a forged instrument, said prosecutors.

The father of two, Warner had moved to Staten Island, started a new job with the Parks Department and reconnected with his daughter, all within the past year, his girlfriend Maritza Francis, 47, told the Advance.

"He was a good man," the Advance quoted Francis as saying. "He was very giving, friendly and respectful. He was a great person."STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - There's one thing we know: New York City's specialized public high schools are consistently ranked among the best high schools, public or private, in the country.

Go figure that Mayor Bill de Blasio wants to mess with the one thing about the city education system that indisputably works.

But that's exactly what de Blasio is doing with his call to scrap the admissions test for the city's eight specialized high schools.

De Blasio said that not enough black and Latino students make it into the specialized schools because they can't master the test. So the test must be the problem. Let's eliminate it.

But how does it serve a child to put them in a school where they may not prepared to handle the material? Opening the door to them doesn't mean that they belong.

De Blasio wants the top 7 percent of students at each city middle school to get seats in one of the specialized high schools. He's going to need a change in state law in order to fully realize his vision. Good luck with that, Mr. Mayor.

But lowering standards is never a way to raise people up, if that's indeed de Blasio's true goal. Frankly, it looks more like he wants to turn New York City's public schools into social justice petri dishes, and give himself an uber-progressive platform to run on if he thinks he really can be a candidate for president in 2020. Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza seems only too eager to enable the mayor in this mission.

If blacks, Latinos and others are having trouble with the test, it's because the city education system at the lower levels has failed them. It's an indictment of City Hall and the Department of Education. De Blasio should focus on that, particularly on low-performing intermediate schools, of which there are plenty, including here on Staten Island.

Here's what's going to happen if de Blasio's plan comes to fruition: New York City's specialized public high schools are going to get a lot less special. And, no, not because they will "look different," as de Blasio so dismissively said, but because they will fundamentally be different.

Because if you follow de Blasio's thinking to its logical conclusion, eliminating the test can only be the first step. Because if a kid can't master the test, chances are they can't master the material they'll face at Stuyvesant or Brooklyn Tech or Bronx Science. So, in fairness to them, that material is going to have to be made less challenging. All to give the kids a better shot at achieving "academic excellence," of course. We can already hear the words coming out of de Blasio's mouth.

Which means that, yes, kids will make the grade, but with an easier curriculum. Is that really raising students up?

And here's what will happen next: Colleges and universities around the country are going to realize that our specialized high schools ain't what they used to be. So they'll start looking elsewhere when they want to give out scholarships to elite kids. Upper-echelon high schools and colleges already do this weighting, knowing that a 95 average at one middle school is not equal to a 95 at another better, more challenging middle school.

Here's the thing: Only three of the specialized schools are covered by the state law. So De Blasio can change the admissions criteria at the five others. So why doesn't he start there and see how it works out? Do a pilot program. Eliminate the test. Or is he concerned about how the test-less schools will compare with the ones that maintain their rigorous admissions standards?

De Blasio should lift students up. Not set them up to fail.To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.

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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!In many ways the Austrac case, which has seen the Commonwealth Bank hit with a record-setting $700 million fine, is a microcosm of all that has been going wrong in our banking industry for the past two decades.

While a computer programming glitch may be the immediate cause and a convenient scapegoat, the fact that it could happen at all, let alone go unchecked until more than 53,700 breaches of the CBA's anti-money laundering obligations had occurred, speaks eloquently of deeper causes.

The Commonwealth Bank has accepted a $700 million penalty for breaching money laundering regulations. Credit:AAP

First and foremost of these is a banking culture that lost its way sometime in the 1990s when it shifted from an ethical and prudential model to a sales and service culture.

The latter, under the guise of maximising shareholder value, was really about the untrammelled greed of management fuelled by out-of-control bonus schemes based on Key Performance Indicators.A city accounting firm has sold the Mornington Village shopping centre to a syndicate of investors for $39.38 million after paying just $25.8 million for it four years ago.

In a sign of how much yields have compressed in the sector over a relatively short time, the accounting firm Lowe Lippman sold the Mornington Village centre on a yield of 5.26 per cent.

Mornington Village shopping centre. Credit:CBRE

The property, held in the name of partner Joseph Franck, was purchased in 2014 by the accounting firm on a 7.47 per cent yield, suggesting today's buyers are prepared to significantly pay more relative to their return.

The deal follows Woolworths acquisition last week of the Mordialloc Plaza for $41 million, struck on a yield of 4.39 per cent, and a string of other neighbourhood centre sales in Victoria this year that transacted on similarly strong prices.Property behemoth Charter Hall is poised to swoop on the Gateway Leopold shopping centre on the Geelong fringe.

Charter Hall is understood to be in due diligence to buy the 33,510 square metre Vicinity-owned centre, anchored by Kmart, Coles, Aldi and Bunnings, for around $120 million.

The deal comes as retail giant Woolworths snapped up the Mordialloc Plaza, paying $41 million for the neighbourhood centre a yield of 4.39 per cent.

Woolworths has snapped up Mordialloc Plaza.

CBRE agent Justin Dowers, who handled the deal with Mark Wizel, Lewis Tong and Kevin Tong and Knight Franks Ken Smirk, said there were nine aggressive bids for the 4532 square metre centre from a mix of local and Asian bidders.One of the last metropolitan orchards in the eastern suburbs has hit the market, carrying a $90 million-plus price tag.

The 14.96 hectare Jenkins Orchard at 1201-1211 High Street Road in Wantirna South was rezoned in 2015 to allow for residential and commercial development  as high as five levels in some parts and including a neighbourhood shopping centre.

Jenkins Orchard, in suburban Wantirna South, is on the market.

Orchards once dominated Melbourne's eastern suburbs. This parcel of land, 35 kilometres from the city, was purchased in 1922 by Arthur Scourfield Jenkins and operated as an orchard until a few years ago.

Savills Australia agents Nick Peden, Clinton Baxter, Jesse Radisich and Benson Zhou are selling the property via an expressions of interest campaign.It was the sort of promotional script you would expect from a hot stock like Kogan.com.

Ruslan Kogans expansive online empire announced its long-awaited move into whitegoods on Monday, sending its share price sharply higher.

"We would have loved to have been in this industry 12 years ago," Kogan told The Australian Financial Review as the companys shares rose on the news it was competing more directly with rivals like Harvey Norman.

Ruslan Kogan by john shakespeare Credit:John Shakespeare

Missing from the script was the even hotter news that Kogan and his offsider, David Shafer, were preparing to unload more stock - as much as $100 million worth, according to reports - which sent the share price plunging on Tuesday morning by as much as 12 per cent to a low of $8.56.Qantas boss Alan Joyce has defended his decision to roll over to Beijing's demands on how it refers to Taiwan, saying his airline was doing the same thing as the Australian government.

The airline confirmed last week that it would change its website and booking systems so it no longer referred to Taiwan - a self-governing island of more than 23 million people - as a separate country to mainland China.

The Chinese government considers Taiwan a breakaway province that will one day be reunited with the mainland government, and its aviation regulator wrote to about 30 foreign airlines earlier this year demanding they cease referring to it as an independent nation.

Major companies have had their websites blocked in China for publishing material that was inconsistent with the nation's "One China" policy.Singaporean developer Wee Hur PBSA Master Trust has paid $52 million for an old apartment block in Redfern, Sydney's inner west, for redevelopment into student accommodation.

Under the scheme, once approved and completed, there will be about 515 beds in a $150 million development.

Sydney property services group Intergen Property Group's Trevor Hardie secured the acquisition of a block of 32 units as a redevelopment opportunity at 13-23 Gibbons Street, Redfern, on behalf of the Singapore group.

Artist impression of redevelopment opportunity at 13-23 Gibbons Street, Redfern, Sydney

Mr Hardie said student accommodation is emerging as an investment-grade sector with institutional money flowing into developments.Developers are heading to north-west Sydney to get a foothold into the expansion phase with large land holdings up for grabs and new project applications being lodged.

One of the larger land holdings in the area has been offered for sale for the first time in 30 years at Rouse Hill, with a value of more than $200 million.

It is a 33.5 hectare site at 285-297 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill, with zoning that could accommodate medical, education as well as low- and medium-density housing. The private family vendor is selling to take advantage of the growth in north-western Sydney around the Rouse Hill area.

285-297 Annagrove Road, Rouse Hill land site could fetch over $200m

Listing agents Knight Franks James Reeves, David Morris and Grant Bulpett, said it was the first time the property had been offered for sale in 30 years.Origin Energy will not lift power prices for homes and small businesses for the first time in three years, reducing or holding base prices in every state in which it operates except Victoria.

The move comes after energy prices spiked to historic highs over the past year and as Australias energy watchdog investigates suspicions that electricity networks and gas pipelines may have overcharged consumers by $400 million a year to cover their corporate tax bills. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is also preparing to release a national inquiry into electricity retail prices this month.

Frank Calabria says power prices are starting to turn a corner. Credit:Christopher Pearce

Origin chief executive Frank Calabria said consumers had been under pressure from rising household electricity bills and it was important the retailer passed on falling wholesale power prices.

"There's clearly been downward pressure on the wholesale prices and we see [the market] turning a corner, and although this is a modest fall, it's led us to carry out a decrease in prices ... where they would have otherwise increased," Mr Calabria said.The operators of a 7-Eleven petrol station in Brisbane have been fined almost $200,000 for short-changing workers and falsifying records to cover it up.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has imposed a $32,130 fine on Avinash Pratap Singh, the part-owner and manager of the petrol station in Vulture Street, East Brisbane.

S&A Enterprises (QLD) Pty Ltd, of which Singh is a director, was also fined $160,650.

Singh and the company admitted paying workers as little as $14.14 an hour, and the company also gave 7-Eleven's head office and the ombudsman false wages records.

Investigators found two students from India were underpaid a total of $5593 for short periods of work in 2014. The workers have been both reimbursed.Lack of sleep has become a "worldwide epidemic" costing developed nations, including Australia, billions of dollars in lost productivity, accidents on roads and in the workplace, poor health and premature death, research has found.

Advances in communications technology across time zones has made it easier and more tempting to work during the late night hours when we would otherwise be sleeping.

There is also an increasing prevalence of sleep disorders including insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea.

Sharon Lashbrooke sometimes only gets four to five hours sleep. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Sharon Lashbrooke, who works from home in Sydney's eastern suburbs, said she is often working until after midnight to contact offshore developers to meet Australian client deadlines at 9am the next day.Em Rusciano's boss at 2DayFM has denied the breakfast host is leaving the radio station, calling recent media reports of her impending axing "utterly ridiculous".

"I don't know where that came from. I think it was fabricated by someone and everyone decided to jump on the bandwagon," said Gemma Fordham, Southern Cross Austereo's head of content.

"She's under contract with us; there are no plans for her to leave the show in the winter ratings break."

2DayFM's breakfast show was thrown into turmoil last month following Rusciano's appearance on Wil Anderson's Wilosophy podcast, in which she lamented the show's "frivolous" content and criticised the way co-hosts Ed Kavalee and Grant Denyer were brought into what was, until December, her own show.Cosmetics mogul and reality television star Kim Kardashian West is the inaugural recipient of the Fashion Influencer Award. Kardsashian West knew ahead of time she would be receiving the honour from the The Council of Fashion Designers of America, (CFDA) but in her acceptance speech she said she was "shocked" to receive it.

Following a video message put together by other industry peers, as well as a message from Kanye West and their son Saint, the mother-of-three made a joke about being shocked about winning because shes naked most of the time.

Im kind of shocked Im winning a fashion award when Im naked most of the time", she quipped during her acceptance speech. But this is seriously such an honour.

Kim Kardashian West poses in the winner's walk with the Influencer award at the CFDA Fashion Awards. Credit:AP

The 37-year-old also addressed her critics, including a former publicist, who did not believe she could have an impact on the fashion world. Having collaborated with a top fashion label, establishing her KKW Cosmetic line, fronting countless magazine covers and holding 112 million Instagram followers, its safe to say that Kardashian West proved them wrong.Vogue Arabias June issue has caused controversy for featuring Princess Hayfa bint Abdullah Al Saud, daughter of the deceased King Abdullah, behind the wheel of a car on its cover.

Reading like an unfortunate union between Lawrence of Arabia and MTV's Cribs, the profile is billed as a celebration of "women behind the wheel", ahead of Saudi Arabia granting women the right to drive a car from this week.

However, editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut's piece comes with not even a cursory mention of the government's most recent crackdown on local women's rights activists.

The June 2018 cover of Vogue Arabia. Credit:Vogue Arabia

Writing in an almost hallucinatory tone about wealth and nobility, Arnaut describes Princess Hayfa's hair as "black as the feathers of a raven" and waxes lyrical about her "regal blood.Twitter users posted pictures of their first Kate Spade bags, often purchased with the cash from their first full-time job, or to celebrate an important life milestone.

Women have shared their first Kate Spade handbags on social media in tribute to the late designer, who was found dead in an apparent suicide in her New York apartment on Tuesday.

Celebrities added their stories to the tributes to the US designer, whose bags were, as reported by the New York Times, often an American woman's first "grown-up" handbag.

Chelsea Clinton tweeted that she still had her first Kate Spade, which she received from her grandmother.

Some stories were less orthodox than others, with Kate Spade bags having been begged for from parents, or even stolen.Prince Harry and Meghan leave after their wedding ceremony, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. Credit:AP

Now that Meghans carriage is back in the garage, its time to take a deep breath and ask ourselves if perhaps we all got a bit carried way with our hopes for our new feminist princess.

In her new role as the Duchess of Sussex, is Meghan really going to be able to champion feminism? Im sorry to put a downer on it, but lets get real. How can she?

The version of feminism shell be required to display, and the one which will then be emulated around the world, is Feminism-Lite  a toothless version of feminism that poses no challenge to entrenched interests.

After all, the newly minted Duchess has just married into a family who, despite having a woman at the helm, is the epitome of patriarchal power. Whether their leader is male or female, this is a family steeped in the ideals of the white male norm, and the prospect of structural and systemic changes are not only challenging, but pose an existential threat.The first of the City Hill blocks will be sold off from July next year to make way for 350 apartments as part of the City to the Lake project, the budget shows.

The block is part of section 63, on London Circuit near Commonwealth Avenue. The ACT government's four-year land release program shows another part of the same block will be sold in 2020-2021 for another 350 apartments, offices and shops, bringing the number to 700.

The ACT budget pushes ahead with the government's sale of dilapidated public housing blocks in Griffith, Narrabundah, Lyneham, and Lyons. Credit:Richard Briggs

The neighbouring section, which has sat undeveloped as a carpark on London Circuit for a number of years, was bought up by prominent developer Barry Morris earlier this year. Mr Morris will extend Edinburgh Avenue towards Vernon Circle, between the two pieces of land.

In three years' time, another block for 350 apartments, shops, offices and other uses will be sold - also on City Hill - but this time in the area where a clover leaf off-ramp links Commonwealth Avenue to London Circuit. The National Capital Authority has proposed removing the circular off-ramps and replacing them with conventional intersections. The government no longer has a timefame on land sales at West Basin itself, which are not in the forward estimates.Drivers will be hit with a double whammy of increased parking costs and more expensive fines under revenue raising plans detailed in the ACT budget.

The ACT government is looking to rake in more from parking and traffic infringements after a lower than expected take last year.

The ACT government is planning to rake in more revenue from parking fines and traffic tickets. Credit:Ryan Osland

Parking in the city will increase by 6 per cent, which could cost an average household about $160 more each year, according to ACT government modelling.

A one-car family driving to the city for work would now pay $2772 in yearly parking costs, according to an ACT government scenario.More could be done to support small business owners setting up shop in the ACT, says Jacob Robertson, who runs a boutique law firm.

While not overly critical of the budget's general direction, Mr Robertson questioned whether small business was being neglected in Canberra.

Lawyer Jacob Robertson, who questioned whether small business had been neglected in the budget. Credit:Karleen Minney.

Little things like rates rises and more expensive parking in the city could all hurt the bottom line of fledgling firms and make it harder to compete for talented staff, Mr Robertson said.

Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr outlined a number of big ticket infrastructure priorities on Tuesday, including a new theatre, stadium and convention centre over the next decade.If the university was really worried about ensuring candidates had the skills required for brilliant tertiary study it would assess each candidate individually, weighing up their ability to profit from particular courses of study and determining their own personal capacity to make a positive contribution to society. Thats hard.

From 2022, the ANU will also require all domestic undergraduate students to have studied maths during their senior secondary studies.

Take possibly the most innocuous change, insisting that any prospective student must have studied maths in year 12. Ignore the verbiage: this has nothing to do with academic excellence.

Lets explode one myth right to begin with. Nobody Ive spoken to really thinks the Australian National University's revamp of entry procedures is about providing new opportunities for students: they think its all about positioning for the future.

Instead the university introduced a simple, blunt, tool. No maths; no place. Its easy. Its also simple and stupid.

What about my schoolmate, for example, today a world-renown Cambridge history professor. He couldnt manage to fit in studying math alongside mastering ancient Greek, Latin and history. Not good enough for the ANU? Apparently?

This is an arbitrary rule, designed to reduce numbers entering (although not too much, of course!) while providing a glossy patina of academic rigour (without the university having to do anything).

If the university really is serious about attempting to recruit the best, why not include other entry

requirements? Why not insist, for example, that every potential student speaks a foreign language?

Its a national need; it would demonstrate academic rigour; and readily measurable. Its also a vital skill for the modern world. Explore further, however, and you rapidly understand why the university quickly backed away from this change. Very few second or third generation children speak foreign languages. Those who do often speak Asian languages, but these are exactly the sort of people who are likely to be kept out by the sort of soft barriers the ANUs introducing.

These are exactly the kids who lack the sort of typical supports ordinary Aussies might take for granted. Sport, for example. Kicking a ball around the backyard with some cousins. Being sent off to Scouts like dad. Participating in broader networks that allow individuals to embrace opportunities and shine. Cant do that if your parents are themselves struggling to integrate.Hold on to your shirts, jeans and hats Yass - it looks like you're about to get a serious makeover from five of television's most fabulous style icons.

The stars of Netflix's Queer Eye arrived in Canberra on Tuesday morning, checking in to the Ovolo Hotel (formerly Hotel Hotel) and lunching at The Cupping Room on London Circuit.

The giveaway: a billboard on the Barton Highway featuring the fab five.

But it looks as though the fab five are really here to spend the whole of Wednesday about 60km across the border in Yass, NSW.

Huge billboards have been erected on the Barton Highway just outside of Yass, featuring the show's stars - Antoni Porowsi, Tan France, Karomo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness and Bobby Berk - thanking people for visiting the NSW country town, population 6,500.The National Museum of Australias blockbuster Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters exhibition has won the nations most prestigious award for a museum or gallery show in 2018.

At Tuesday nights Museums and Galleries National Awards ceremony, held in in Melbourne, Songlines won the overall award for the most outstanding exhibition of the year. It won the award for best temporary or travelling exhibition (for projects with a budget of more than $500,000) before taking out the major award.

Muuki, Ignatius, Nola and Curtis Taylor told their stories in the award-winning Songlines. Credit:Karleen Minney

Several other Canberra institutions also won awards.

The National Portrait Gallery won an Interpretation, learning and audience engagement award (for projects with a budget of $20-150,000) for its tablet-based app Headhunt!Is someone in Canberra about to be made over by the world's most famous and fabulous makeover team?

The Queer Eye boys are on the ground in the ACT but are they here on a press junket for Queer Eye seaon two or are they here to do what they do best?

The Queer Eye boys Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, Antoni Porowski, Tan France and Jonathan Van Ness arrived in Canberra this morning. Credit:Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

The fab five announced two weeks ago they would visit Australia in early June ahead of Queer Eye's second season dropping on Netflix on June 15. While the boys gave very litle detail on which cities they'd be visiting, they did reveal they'd be doing a "special makeover" while in Australia.

Four the show's stars - Antoni Porowsi, Tan France, Karomo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness and Bobby Berk - all posted shots of their longhaul flight to Australia on Instagram, Berk's and Van Ness's Instagram stories this morning are the big giveaways that the boys are on the ground in the nation's capital.Smartphones are a vital part of teenage life. Credit:Stocksy ''Something is happening, but you dont know what it is, do you, Mr Jones? Those famous lines of Bob Dylan seem relevant whenever there is rapid social change and well-meaning elders struggle to understand the behaviour of young folk. Now, they surely apply to the enthusiasm, verging on addiction, with which kids and teenagers embrace their digital devices and consume social media. Should we be worried? Something, certainly, is happening. Young people are spending more and more time hooked up to their Androids and iPhones, including at school. Research by the Commonwealth eSafety Commissioner has revealed more than a third of children aged between eight and 13 are on social media. Once they reach their teens, it grows to more than 80 per cent. A recent US study found young adults use their smartphones more than 80 times each day. The warnings from the experts are proliferating. Finnish educator Pasi Sahlberg, who is due to join the University of NSW later this year, told the Herald last week that smartphones are distracting students from reading, school-related work and exercise, as well as messing up their sleep. In France, the government has banned smartphones in primary, junior and middle schools and plans to require children under 16 to have parental approval before they can join Facebook. Dr Sahlberg says we should think about a ban on smartphones in primary schools here.

And its not just the education experts who are worried. Earlier this year, two of the largest institutional investors in Apple wrote an open letter to the company, calling on it to do more to combat the addictive properties of its own product. They cited research on social-media addiction among young people that shows a connection with anxiety, depression and even suicide. Meanwhile, psychologists argue smartphones are making it harder for us to relate to each other, as well as to be truly alone. These effects will be greater for a generation that has never known life without these devices. Sensing the growing concern, and worried at the prospect of more regulation, the tech giants are reacting. Apples new operating system will allow parents to monitor their childrens use of their phones more effectively and to set daily time limits on some apps. Google has made similar changes. And Microsoft has launched an initiative to improve the use of digital technology in schools, so that it becomes less of a distraction for students and more a tool for learning. Every technological revolution has triggered a moral panic. We should avoid this extreme, lest we turn into a chorus of clueless Mr Joneses ourselves. After all, the potential benefits of the digital world for young people are virtually limitless. At the cutting edge, the use of edtech in schools can empower children to learn at their own speed and undermine the factory model of education, where children of the same age all learn in the same way.First published in the Sydney Morning Herald on June 6, 1988

She did not think of the ultimate nightmare of being in mid-ocean with her yacht sailing away blithely without her or heading for the ocean bottom.

But there were occasions, once going round Cape Horn and the other in mid-Atlantic, when 34-year-old Kay Cottee, the first woman to sail single-handed nonstop round the world, was "really scared".

Yesterday, in indifferent weather, Kay Cottee came home, though Sydney Heads amid a flotilla of about 500 craft, to be greeted - as soon as it was legitimate to do so - by her boyfriend, Ian Thomas.The Member for Holsworthy, Melanie Gibbons, skipped Question Time on Tuesday to attend a Liberal Party branch meeting that would have helped her partner in his campaign to win pre-selection for a federal seat.

But as it was Ms Gibbons attendance came to naught  after nine tied votes at the branch meeting, her candidate was defeated on the 10th. This in effect handed a minor victory to incumbent federal Liberal MP Craig Kelly over his challenger and Ms Gibbons partner, Kent Johns.

Ms Gibbons attendance at the branch meeting was the second time in a fortnight she has left Parliament to attend to her riven Moorebank branch, with both absences approved by Chris Patterson, the government whip.

Melanie Gibbons MP arrives at the Liberal Party Branch meeting at Chipping Norton. Credit:Brook Mitchell

I look at everything depending on whats put before me, said Mr Patterson of the decision to grant Ms Gibbons leave to attend the meetings.The man behind one of NSWs most shocking murders will learn whether or not he is to be released from prison at the end of this month.

Neville Raymond Towner brutally raped and killed four-year-old Lauren Hickson at the Nepean River in Emu Plains, in Sydneys west almost 30 years ago.

Then 23, he was the son of the young girls babysitter when he took her from her parents caravan.

He told police that he had pushed her head underwater to stop her screaming, then bashed her over the head with a rock, dumping her body in the river.A man who set himself and his car alight in the driveway of a western Sydney police station has been found not guilty by reason of mental illness of the charge of intentionally destroying property with intent to endanger life.

Peter Zhurawel, 63, was suffering from a delusional disorder when he pulled into the driveway of Merrylands Police Station on July 21, 2016, and stopped his Hyundai Getz at the top of a ramp which led to the underground car park.

He had bought a gas cylinder from a service station and planned to ignite it to end his own life and make a "statement" and "protest" to police he believed to be corrupt.

A female sergeant sitting in a parked car saw Zhurawel arrive and got out to ask him what he was doing. Before she could approach the hatchback, a fireball erupted and she used her radio to call for urgent assistance.Police have found a gun and an old mobile phone inside the Sydney home where the mummified remains of a man were found last week.

The body of Shane John Snellman was found inside a hoarder's Greenwich home under piles of rubbish last Tuesday. Cleaners found Mr Snellman's body, which had sustained a number of injuries, in the home's living room.

Bruce Roberts, the owner of the Greendale Avenue property, died of natural causes inside the same home in July last year.

Fairfax Media understands that Mr Snellman, who police confirmed was known to them before his death, was estranged from his family and had not had contact with them for a number of years before he died.

Police are now attempting to determine what role, if any, Mr Roberts had in Mr Snellman's death and if he knew there was a body in his home.An Anglican church on the Gold Coast has posted an unintentionally lewd message on its roadsign sign, raising some eyebrows from passers-by.

"Forgiveness is swallowing when you would rather spit," the sign reads outside the Surfers Paradise Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit, on Salerno Street at the Isle of Capri.

A sign posted outside the Surfers Paradise Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit. Credit:John-Paul Langbroek/Twitter

Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek shared a photo of the sign on Twitter, saying it was 'church signs done differently'.

A spokeswoman for the church said the senior minister, Mike Uptin, put the sign up yesterday but he was not available to speak to the media as it was his day off.It has been revealed ratepayers have paid more than $650,000 to date for Brisbane City Council to spruik its Getting you home quicker and safer campaign.

The council campaign, which began in May and will run until July, highlighted the councils $2 billion investment in roads, bikeways and public transport fleets to get residents home quicker.

Almost $350,000 was spent on television ads, more than $100,000 on brochures and flyers, more than $62,000 on newspapers advertising and a further $6500 was spent on social media advertising.

Flyers for Brisbane City Council's getting you home quicker and safer campaign Credit:Twitter - @SteveGriffiths_

About 22 per cent of the newspaper advertising spend was on just one advertisement that was published in the Sunday Mail on May 13, 2018, and cost $13,776.Queenslanders are younger, our state is growing a little faster, our houses are way more affordable and we made $135 billion in a year.

To celebrate all things Queenslander on this fine Queensland Day - also the sacred State of Origin game one day - the Australian Bureau of Statistics has compiled some key Sunshine State facts.

A Queensland fan before State of Origin Game III between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, on July 12, 2017. Credit:AAP Image/ Darren England

While surgeons may be the highest-paid Queenslanders, only one of Brisbane's ritzy riverfront suburbs made it onto the list of our best-paid workers.

Instead, mining towns topped the list of the nine regions with the highest median employee income in 2015.MFB crews are investigating after a chemical substance was found at the Commonwealth Bank in Altona. Credit:Channel Seven News

A Commonwealth bank worker in Melbourne's south-west has been taken to hospital after he came into contact with an unknown chemical substance that made his lips numb.

Police are investigating after the Commonwealth Bank in Altona was evacuated about 5.30pm on Tuesday as specialist Metropolitan Fire Brigade crews ran safety checks after the chemical was discovered by the worker this afternoon.

Firefighters wearing splash suits were in the building on Tuesday evening, as they retrieved the chemical for sampling and isolation.One of Melbournes more unusual traditions is under threat following a crackdown on Footscrays footpath traders.

Elderly Vietnamese-Australian traders have for years spent Saturdays selling their wares on Leeds Street in Footscrays "Little Saigon", offering such items as home-grown herbs and vegetables, chillies and pot plants.

Footscray's footpath traders are under threat. Credit:Felicity Watson

But Maribyrnong Council has stepped in to end the colourful practice, warning traders they risk $500 fines and having their goods impounded for trading without a permit.

The area is a stones throw from where the bustling Little Saigon markets burnt down almost 18 months ago. The council's move has sparked a backlash in a community still coming to terms with the loss of the markets.A fourth person has been charged with murder and false imprisonment over the death of a father found buried in a shallow grave at a vacant property on Melbourne's outskirts.

The body of Hastings father Jade Goodwin, 39, was discovered in a shallow grave on a Tyabb property on October 22 last year.

The 29-acre property on Dandenong-Hastings Road was about five kilometres from Mr Goodwin's home in Hastings, on the Mornington Peninsula.

A 46-year-old woman from Elwood was charged with murder and false imprisonment on Tuesday in relation to Mr Goodwin's death and remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday."I'm a lost cause, aren't I?"

It was a despairing question from the teenager to his lawyer, and proved to be the catalyst for a legal centre tailor-made for Victoria's Aboriginal children and young people.

Balit Ngulu was launched by the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) in July last year. It was born out of frustration, after the service had to launch a court challenge to have children taken out of the adult Barwon Prison.

The young people had been moved to Barwon after Parkville Youth Detention Centre was damaged during unrest and riots in 2017.The body of a woman has been found at a house in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

Police were called to an address in Canterbury Road, Box Hill South, around midday and found the body there.

"The homicide squad is in attendance. The exact circumstances around the woman's death are yet to be established and the investigation is ongoing," a police spokeswoman said.

Forensic investigators are also on the scene.Fremantle City Council has added its voice to calls for an increase to the Newstart unemployment allowance, which has not increased in real terms for more than two decades.

Councillors on May 23 received a petition signed by more than 385 residents asking the city to add its voice to increase pressure on the federal government to recognise that the low rate of Newstart is exacerbating poverty and homelessness.

While we recognise that Newstart is a federal issue, we believe the council has an important role in advocating on behalf of its residents who are experiencing unemployment, the petition read.

There has not been a significant increase to Newstart in over 20 years, despite the cost of living continuing to rise. Recent research showed that Newstart and Commonwealth Rent Assistance are $96 short of meeting a basic standard of living for a single person.Originally a home for Aboriginal girls, the hostel was run by the Methodist Church before being taken over by the Uniting Church, who took in both male and female wards of the state. Cooper and his wife Nancy ran the hostel, which accommodated girls and boys ranging in age from 11-14, into the mid-80s. In 2016, the former cottage parent was extradited from New South Wales to face 43 charges - including multiple counts of rape - relating to children who had been under his care. The charges were laid following investigations prompted by responses to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Cooper pleaded not guilty to each charge.

It took a confronting and distressing trial, and five days of deliberation for a jury to find Cooper guilty of 30 counts of child sexual and physical abuse. The jury heard claims Cooper forced boys to perform oral sex on him and encouraged them to grope a teenage girls breasts. Cooper was also said to have plied children under his care with alcohol and cigarettes, and forced them to engage in sexual activities with him, and with each other. On Friday he will be sentenced, but whatever punishment is handed down, it will never be good enough for AJ. Living in constant fear

We just lived in constant fear, AJ, who has waived his right to anonymity, said. It was a survival game for us just to stay alive. AJ Coutts has waited 40 years for justice to be served. Arriving at Warminda at the age of 14, AJ said it only took a couple of months for Cooper to target him in the shower. There was no warning, he said.

He tried to be your friend first off. I suppose youd call that grooming. AJ said he had not been warned about Coopers behaviour, nor did he feel he could warn other children at the hostel. He said hed make us disappear if we said a word, AJ said. He just covered it up. As well as the sexual abuse, AJ said Cooper would make the boys fight, bare-knuckle-style, for his own amusement, and would belt the hell out of him.

Despite being threatened with harm if he told anyone, AJ said he did try to get help. But nobody believed him. People said I was just making trouble, he said. This is why I dont trust anybody in government now. I tried. At the height of the abuse AJ said he and a few other boys from the home trashed Warminda equipment, driving hostel vehicles to a nearby vacant block and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage in a bid to attract attention to their plight.

We wanted to bring the joint down, he said. We were taken to the East Vic Park cop shop and we told them what was happening. A couple of hours later the sergeant walks out shaking [Coopers] hand. These people were meant to protect us. They didnt. Life after abuse

So horrific was the abuse heaped on AJ as a teenager he has tried more than once to take his own life. He is on medication to help him sleep, has constant nightmares, and has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. Counselling every fortnight helps. As does his relationship with his wife of 18 years. But its AJs children who have kept him alive. Ive tried to gas myself and tried to wrap my car around a tree, but each time I think of my children and I couldnt do it to them, he said.

I dont want them to have to deal with that. Ive tried to be the best father I can be. Nobody should ever have to go through this. In a statement provided to WAtoday on Tuesday, Reverend Steve Francis said the Uniting Church in Australia "sincerely apologises to those who were abused when in our care". "Mr Cooper resided at Warminda Hostel in the late 70s and early 80s. Our records indicate that we werent aware of any complaints against Mr Cooper at the time," the statement read. "The Uniting Church abhors the crime of child abuse and is committed to co-operating fully with authorities who are investigating allegations of child abuse.While he is still on life support, Jolene said Jake was battling for his family. His condition is still really critical but thankfully hes stable, she said. Jake is doing his best to fight for us and thats the job Ive given him for the time being. Just to work on healing and just getting through each day for us. Hes the type of man that puts everyone else first, before himself. Hes got a job at hand to get himself better and to heal.

Because I know he always puts everyone else first, I know thats what hes doing. Police have since launched an appeal for information about the incident. Detectives have urged people in the area to check their CCTV systems or dash cam footage. Jake Moore. Jolene said she was confident police were progressing with the investigation.

Ive had limited conversations with them at the moment but I know that the investigation is well under way up there," she said. Because of the appeal in the Karratha area, theres a lot of interest in making this public and putting that pressure on the community, on the individual and on people who know what has happened. I dont know how you would feel as an individual knowing that you have done something like this. I feel like they would be feeling guilty, scared, anxious. I really believe its only a matter of time before police are going to be knocking on a door or two. I have faith that police have got information and knowledge that will lead to that happening fairly soon.

Jolene said the family did not know whether Jakes brain injuries would affect his functionality on a day-to-day basis. Its a long road ahead of us. The nature of his injuries are pretty huge. Its not a quick fix, she said. As a family though, were 120 per cent committed to him. Were going to be by his side and do this with him no matter what. Acting Sergeant Josh Humble said at a press conference on Tuesday residents in Mujira Ramble were woken up by the crash.

"People at a neighbouring house heard a bang ... a bit of revving noise," he said. "The vehicle certainly struck him hard. There would be significant damage or at least a fair amount of damage to the vehicle. "We don't know what his movements were prior to being struck. "We know he spoke to his wife at around 10 o'clock at night. He was fine at that stage. "There is a possibility the vehicle involved headed off towards Nickol West."

Acting Sergeant Humble said police believed "with a fair degree of certainty" the car involved was an AU-model Ford. He said on the morning Jake was hit, the weather in Karratha was foggy. "There is a possibility this was an accident," Acting Sergeant Humble added. "That's why we really want to speak to the driver of the vehicle to find out what occurred." Global Construction Services, the company Jake works for, has set up a Go Fund Me page for the family.Canberra's women's refuges have more funding security in this month's ACT budget but will still struggle to meet demand, five years after they were "devastated" by cuts to the sector.

As part of a $1.2 million injection to specialist homelessness services across the territory, Beryl, Doris and Toora will each receive an additional $100,000 a year on top of their existing funding.

Robyn Martin, the manager of Beryl Women Inc. prepares one of the rooms for new arrivals. Each room is usually filled within 24 hours. Credit:Karleen Minney

Karinya House, which offers shelter to pregnant women and those with babies, will also get an extra $80,000 a year to fund three additional places, as requests for beds surge.

But manager of Beryl Women Robyn Martin said the extra cash still fell short of what Beryl had been calling for to stay afloat, after deep cuts in 2013 saw a number of specialist services in the ACT close their doors and staff numbers shrink.The deterioration in relations between Beijing and Canberra now appears to be affecting even the most China-friendly voices in Australia, with trips to the country organised by Bob Carr's Australia-China Relations Institute allegedly being hindered by punitive visa rejections.

Mr Carr, director of the institute, revealed the Chinese government has denied visas to about five Australian journalists for a trip funded by his think tank, a hindrance the former Labor foreign minister said he has not faced before.

"I'm very disappointed that, on this occasion, for the first occasion, we weren't able to get a visa and, as I put on Thursday night to his excellency the Chinese ambassador, if the delay in getting the approval was part of a freeze in the relationship, then I'd have to accept that I guess," Mr Carr told ABC radio on Tuesday morning.

Bob Carr, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute. Credit:Louie Douvis

"But if it were a bureaucratic challenge... I said I'd like him to sort it out. But it has turned out to be more than a bureaucratic challenge."The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council has demanded ABC boss Michelle Guthrie explain a "massive omission" in its coverage of events on the Israeli border last week, accusing it of failing to adequately cover a Hamas rocket attack.

AIJAC executive director Colin Rubenstein said the public broadcaster had exhibited a "serious lack of balance" by declining to cover one of the largest rocket attacks against Israel in many years.

It adds to a barrage of complaints Ms Guthrie has fielded about ABC content from Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, in what some see as a pile-on against the broadcaster from hostile quarters.

International media reported at least 25 mortars were fired at Israel by militants on the Gaza Strip last Tuesday, in what the UK Independent newspaper described at "the single biggest attack from the Palestinian side since the 2014 Israel-Gaza war".Special water rights for the mining industry such as those granted to the Adani mega-mine should be scrapped as part of urgent reform to the way water is managed in Australia, the Productivity Commission says.

The commissions report into national water reform warned that doing nothing or waiting until the next drought could create a major legacy of future problems.

Adani's Abbot Point coal terminal, where coal from the Carmichael mine would be exported. Credit:Glenn Hunt

Australias dry climate, growing population and exposure to climate change mean water resources must be well managed. In 2004 the National Water Initiative was established to achieve this. It included a consistent framework to determine how water is shared between the environment, homes and businesses. The system caps water consumption and underpins Australia's multibillion-dollar water market.

However mining and petroleum activities can be exempt from the framework because their activities are different to that of other users.Labor leader Bill Shorten said on Tuesday that former ACT senator Katy Gallagher has "has an ongoing contribution" to make to politics, as speculation swirls over her next move.

Just under a month since the High Court found that Ms Gallagher wasn't eligible to be elected as a senator due to her British citizenship, the leader of the opposition hinted at what might be next.

Katy Gallagher could announce her intentions any day now. Credit:AAP

"I think Katy Gallagher has an ongoing contribution to make to the national Parliament," Mr Shorten said while campaigning in Burnie, Tasmania.

"She has fallen foul of Section 44 of the Constitution but having said that so have a lot of people so, therefore, I think she's got an ongoing contribution,' he said.While most Western Australians were enjoying a well-earned break on the long weekend, Premier Mark McGowan and his Liberal opposition were campaigning in the south-eastern suburbs, vying for support in the Darling Range byelection.

Mr McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti were with Labor candidate Tania Lawrence to announce a "major economic gateway" in West Mundijong and an extra $300,000 to help manage Araluen Botanic Park.

According to WA Labor media statements, both announcements were aimed at generating local jobs.

Labor's Darling Range candidate Tania Lawrence planting flowers with Premier Mark McGowan at Araluen Botanic Park on Monday. Credit:Twitter/@MarkMcGowanMP

"Suburbs in my community are booming and we need new job opportunities in the region, for

local residents," Ms Lawrence said.New York: Guatemala's Volcano of Fire erupted over the weekend, spewing deadly clouds and rivers of ash and pulverized rock, and killing dozens of people. It is one of 11 active volcanoes in the Central America country that is along the so-called Ring of Fire. Some questions and answers about the volcano.

How big is it?

At its peak, the volcano is 3763 meters above sea level. It's an example of one of the tallest and most violent types of volcanoes in the world, its steep sides made out of accumulated layers of lava and ash. The volcano is located 44 kilometers west of Guatemala City and only about 16 kilometers from the colonial city of Antigua, one of Guatemala's most popular tourist destinations.ANKARA: Iran will inform the UN nuclear watchdog in Vienna on Tuesday of the start of a process to increase the country's uranium enrichment capacity, Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said.

"In a letter that will be handed over to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ... Iran will announce that the process of increasing the capacity to produce ... UF6 [uranium hexafluoride] ... will start on Tuesday," Kamalvandi told the country's ISNA news agency.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday. Credit:AP

He said Iran had the capacity to accelerate production of centrifuges, which are used to enrich uranium. The UF6 is a feedstock for centrifuges.

Iran's ultimate authority Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered preparations to increase uranium enrichment capacity if the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers falls apart after the US withdrawal from it last month.Washington: ZTE Corp has signed an agreement in principle that would lift a US Commerce Department ban on buying from US suppliers, allowing the Chinese telecommunications equipment maker to get back into business, according to sources familiar with the matter.

ZTE ceased major operations and has been on life support since the seven-year ban was imposed in April on the company for breaking a 2017 agreement reached after it was caught illegally shipping goods to Iran and North Korea.

A salesperson stands at counters selling mobile phones produced by ZTE Corp. at an appliance store in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province. Credit:AP

Commerce Department spokesman James Rockas said on Tuesday that "no definitive agreement has been signed by both parties."Washington: Ben Bowling's valedictorian speech was one of the rare instances where electoral polling numbers can help us understand humour.

The 18-year-old is the valedictorian of the Bell County High School Class of 2018, about 120 km north of Knoxville, Tennessee.

US President Donald Trump Credit:AP

The closest a 21st-century Democratic presidential candidate has come to winning the hearts and minds of the people of Bell County, Kentucky, was in 2004, when John F. Kerry got 39 per cent of people there to punch a ticket for him.

On Saturday, Bowling was slated to give a speech before his cap-and-gown-wearing peers and their families, as he noted in one fourth-wall breaking segment.Auryn trenches 61 meters of 0.7g/t gold and 9.5 g/t silver of oxide mineralization at Huilacollo

Posted by Publisher Internet

Auryn Resources Inc. (TSX: AUG, NYSE American: AUG) (?Auryn? or the ?Company  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKoS2L6g9RA&t=19s&index=3&list=PLBpDlKjdv3yoWEe8WGEU2dq8ikvb5EJ4l ) is pleased to announce encouraging results from its initial three trenches at the Tacora target within the Huilacollo oxide gold project in southern Peru (Figure 1).? Broad zones of oxide gold and silver mineralization were encountered within hydrothermal breccia bodies that form part of a 1.5 km long structural corridor that defines the Tacora target (Figure 2).

The Tacora target is located approximately 3 km to the southwest of Andamarca hill, the area of historic drilling and known mineralization. The three trenches define 170 meters of mineralized strike length within exposed breccia bodies which remains open both to the northeast and southwest. In addition, the width of the mineralization remains open due to deep colluvium cover that was encountered during the trenching program. ?

Auryn has completed a talus fine survey over the 1.5 kilometer long structural corridor to define the gold and silver mineralization footprint within the target zone, results are outstanding.? A follow up trenching program has been designed to expand the mineralized system.

Michael Henrichsen, COO & Chief Geologist of Auryn, stated ?The broad zones of oxide gold and silver mineralization encountered in hydrothermal breccias at surface confirm our thesis that the Tacora target has the potential to become a significant body of mineralization.? We look forward to obtaining the results from our talus fine survey to define the entire footprint of the mineralized system and to expanding our trenching program as we move toward understanding full potential of the Huilacollo oxide gold system.?

The trench results are presented below in Table 1 and are highlighted by 61 meters of 0.7g/t gold and 9.5 g/t silver including 25 meters of 0.99 g/t gold and 13.34 g/t silver.?

About Auryn

Auryn Resources is a technically driven junior mining exploration company focused on delivering shareholder value through project acquisition and development. The Company?s management team is highly experienced with an impressive track record of success and has assembled an extensive technical team as well as a premier gold exploration portfolio. Auryn is focused on scalable high-grade gold deposits in established mining jurisdictions, which include the Committee Bay and Gibson MacQuoid gold projects located in Nunavut, the Homestake Ridge gold project in British Columbia and a portfolio of gold projects in southern Peru, through Corisur Peru SAC.

Forward Looking Information and additional cautionary language

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed ?forward-looking statements?. Forward-looking information is information that includes implied future performance and/or forecast information including information relating to or associated with the acquisition and title to mineral concessions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different (either positively or negatively) from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to the risks discussed in the Company?s Annual Information Form and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2017 and subsequent continuous disclosure filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators available at?www.sedar.com?and the Company?s registration statement on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at?www.sec.gov.

Auryn holds its interests in Peru through Corisur Peru SAC, which controls (among other) certain licenses (including the Huilacollo and Banos del Indio projects) that are located within a special legal zone which runs 50km back from the Peruvian border. As a non-Peruvian company, Auryn?s right to ultimately acquire title over the shares issued by Corisur Peru SAC and to own and/or exploit these licenses requires approval from the Peruvian government. While Auryn is in the process of submitting its applications with respect to the approval and does not currently foresee any legal reason why it would be denied the approval, some risk of denial or delay should be assumed to exist.

Tacora Trench Samples  Analytical samples were taken from each 1 meter interval of trench floor resulting in approximately 2kg of rock chips material per sample. Collected samples were sent to ALS Lab in Lima, Peru for preparation and analysis. All samples are assayed using 30g nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption finish (Au-AA25) and multi-element aqua regia digest ICP-AES/ICP-MS method (ME-MS41). QA/QC programs for 2018 trench samples using internal standard and blank samples, field and lab duplicates indicate good overall accuracy and precision.

Intercepts are calculated using a minimum of a 0.2 g/t Au cut off at beginning and end of the intercept and allowing for no more than five consecutive samples (five meters) of less than 0.2 g/t Au. Minimum allowed length of the resulting composite intercept is five metres.

Disclaimer

The Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.5G Technology Market to Grow Substantially from 2016 to 2024

The global 5G technology market is expected to witness significant growth over from 2016 to 2024 (forecast period). Rising worldwide adoption of internet-enabled devices will drive the industry. Mobile service providers believe that 5G services will be rolled out by 2020 to meet customer and business demands.

Surging demand for extensive network coverage and high speed internet from various industry applications will propel market growth. These include autonomous driving, distant learning, video conferencing & multi-user gaming, telemedicine, and opera live streaming. 5G technology will improve mobile network performance capabilities to a marked extent. It can also play a key role in establishing foundational infrastructure.

Furthermore, increasing mobile broadband adoption and machine-to-machine communication in companies will fuel industry growth. High rates of data transfer along with low power consumption will also exhibit a positive impact..

Popularity of high-speed internet for enhanced real-time response will propel the global 5G technology industry in the years to come. However, the dependence of this technology on other technologies, such as millimeter wave propagation and IPv6 transmission protocol could restrict market performance.

The global industry is categorized on the basis of technologies, applications, and regions. The technology segment comprises Radio Access Technologies (RAT), Wi-Fi, High-Speed Package Access (HSPA), Global System for Mobile (GSM), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). Applications include healthcare, government & utilities, retail, individual users, offices, and defense & military. Owing to high investments in research & development, the application segment is led by government & utilities.

Geographically, the global 5G technology market is divided into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The U.S. market is estimated to grow robustly during the forecast period. This is because of increasing subscriptions in the region. The Asia-Pacific market too will register significant growth. Various countries such as China, Korea, and India will invest huge sums to support ongoing developments and initiatives in 5G technology. The government of United Kingdom is expected to launch its 5G strategy by 2017. In its recent budget, the government focused on the significance of mobile spectrum and prepared the nation to receive the new technology.

The growing need for faster internet in China will stimulate the 5G market in this region. Even the Indian government has spent USD 5.5 million over the last couple of years on 5G technology. This investment was primarily directed towards advanced research and development. Most companies operating in this market strive to introduce novel technologies to gain competitive advantage. Also, countries, such as Japan, are planning to exhibit their innovations during the 2018 winter Olympics and 2020 summer Olympics.

Key players in the 5G technology market are Verizon Communications Inc. (U. S.); Nokia Networks (Finland); Samsung Group (South Korea); AT&T Inc. (U. S.); The Fraunhofer Society (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft); NTT DoCoMo Inc.; Qualcomm Inc. (U. S.); Alcatel-Lucent S. A.; Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (China); and Telefonica S. A. In 2014, Ericsson signed a deal with SK Telecom Co. Ltd. for 5G technology research and development. With a view towards ensuring a strong standardized network, various public bodies such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the ITU, 3GPP, and a few universities have been adding value to the 5G technology industry.Aerial Imaging Industry to Hit USD 3.3 Billion by 2024

The global aerial imaging market is projected to reach USD 3.3 billion by 2024. Aerial imaging involves capturing images of the ground using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, dirigibles, blimps, kites, and parachutes. It provides useful information for volume calculation map renovations, planning, and route design.

Factors driving the market are popularity of aerial images and the need for geospatial information in various fields. It derives much of its demand from forestry & agriculture and other commercial sectors. Advances in technology such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and airborne GPS (global positioning system) can boost market growth during the forecast period (2016-2024). Camera technologies such as Microsoft?s Hawk & Eagle and Vexcel Imaging?s UltraCam Osprey can fuel industry demand. But security concerns and operational issues can impede growth.

The worldwide Aerial Imaging Market is segmented according to applications and regions. Insurance, government, military & defense, agricultural & forestry, GIS (geographical information system), civil engineering, commercial, and energy are the key application areas. Military & defense will exceed USD 250 million by 2024. UAVs and Personal Aerial Mapping System (PAMS) are used by the military for reconnaissance missions. These systems are also employed in ground-based commercial applications. PAMS provide detailed photographs of surfaces at affordable costs.

UAVs can be deployed even in highly dangerous military operations, since these can execute accurate and repetitive commands in unfavorable settings. Farmers use UAVs to monitor their fields and crops. The insurance sector uses it to survey damages after floods or hurricanes and thus settle claims. Energy companies use aerial imagery to inspect transmission lines, gather data from solar & wind power plants, and provide additional security to these plants.

Government applications are estimated to cross over USD 950 million by 2024. The government sector uses drones for urban planning, energy management, environmental planning, and homeland security. Commercial applications could generate maximum revenue during the forecast period. These include advertising and promotional activities. Aerial photography provides land cover maps, soil maps, and vegetation maps with the help of spatial data. Combining this technology with GIS can aid in urban planning.

Regions include Europe, North America, Latin America (LATAM), Asia Pacific (APAC), and Middle East & Africa (MEA). APAC is expected to garner over USD 500 million by 2024. The growth can be attributed to the presence of semiconductor industries in the region. Consumer needs and rapid technological developments will fuel demand. North America will lead the global Aerial Imaging Market over the forecast period. This owes to the growth of the telecommunications industry. Europe will experience modest growth in the aforementioned period.

Prominent players in the global Aerial Imaging Market are Kucera International Inc., EagleView Technologies, AeroMetric Inc., and Google Inc. Some of these companies market their own software & equipment, while others lease them or operate within the industry by collaborating with software providers. For instance, EagleView Technologies offers real estate, energy & utilities, construction, real estate, and safety & federal applications. New market entrants can act as data partners to existing companies or act as separate imaging companies. Participants undertake initiatives to develop current technologies to gain a competitive edge in the market.You have permission to edit this article.

Edit ClosePolice are looking for these people in connection to items that were stolen from a shop in Pawleys Island on June 3.On June 6, if all goes according to plan, three people will rocket into space from a cosmodrome in Kazakhstan that has a fascinating history.

The Expedition 56/57 crew includes European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst, NASA astronaut Serena Aunon-Chancellor and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev.

But Kazakhstan isn't known for its space program. So why does the country have a large space facility known as the Baikonur Cosmodrome? And why are American and European space explorers launching from that site? [Interstellar Space Travel: 7 Futuristic Spacecraft to Explore the Cosmos]

It turns out, there's an intriguing backstory.

For most of its existence, the Kazakh cosmodrome was a secret site whose location was unknown in the West. It was built at the height of the Cold War in the 1950s, when Russia was part of the Soviet Union and the Space Age was just starting. The Soviets built a secret space facility that they called Baikonur, to make the West think the site was near a small mining town that shared that name. In reality, however, Baikonur was built near another town, called Tyuratam in what was then the ; the Soviets wanted to mask its true location for security reasons, according to Space.com, a Live Science sister site.

In fact, the first person in space, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on April 12, 1961. For decades, the Soviets launched all their crews, space stations and even a Russian space shuttle (called Buran) from Baikonur.

Post-Soviet era

But with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, everything changed.

Kazakhstan was an independent country. It wasn't clear if and when the Russians could launch their cosmonauts again (They had one other launch pad to the north, but it couldn't be used for most of their missions because of the orbital dynamics from that location.) Worse, Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev was still stuck on the Mir space station; he remained in space for several extra months while the two countries negotiated over the future of Baikonur.

Ultimately, the solution was a lease agreement. Today, the Russians lease the Baikonur Cosmodrome from Kazakhstan for roughly $7 billion Russian rubles ($115 million) a year. Baikonur is a special enclave of Russian territory within Kazakhstan, meaning that foreign visitors are permitted with a Russian visa, Space.com reported.

By 1991, Baikonur's true location was known to the world. And Americans feared what could happen to that area of the world if Russia's nascent economy collapsed, the New York Times reported. To support Russia while benefiting from its space station, NASA agreed to a shuttle-Mir program, which paid Russia to host American astronauts on the Mir space station, Space.com reported.

The first American to fly into space on a Russian spacecraft, a Soyuz rocket, was Norman Thagard, in 1995. (The Soyuz is manufactured in Russia but launches from Kazakhstan after being brought there by rail.)

This partnership helped Russia and the United States practice training and launching astronauts together ahead of the launch of the International Space Station, which had its first construction flight in 1998. The number of Americans riding Soyuz rockets greatly increased beginning in 2011, with the retirement of NASA's space shuttle program, and NASA still relies on Russian rockets to get its crews to the International Space Station and will do so until the agency's next-generation commercial crew vehicles are ready.(Now, most space crews leave from Baikonur, with the exception of the Chinese, who have their own separate launch facilities.)

But that will change in the coming years. The SpaceX commercial crew program will likely see its first test flights in 2018 or 2019, allowing American astronauts to once again launch from U.S. soil. And Baikonur may also fade from Russian importance after the lease expires in 2050, according to Space.com. Another cosmodrome, called Vostochny, is already under construction in Russia, and the country eventually aims to launch crewed missions from that site, although the exact timing hasn't been disclosed.

Originally published on Live Science.An artist's image of Sedna, which may have been booted to its extremely distant orbit by the collective gravity of numerous small objects.

DENVER  Small but rowdy space rocks pushing and jostling one another may have created the unusual orbits some astronomers cite as the signature of the hypothesized "Planet Nine," a new study suggests.

To date, researchers have discovered more than 2,300 bodies in the cold, distant realm beyond Neptune's orbit. The huge number of these trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) makes it computationally intensive to model the evolution of their orbits. However, the new study suggests that the complex gravitational dances among TNOs can be enough to send some, such as the dwarf planet Sedna, onto odd and intriguing paths.

"The picture we have in our head is a lot of little moons floating around the solar system, interacting with comets," Ann-Marie Madigan, an assistant professor in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), said during a news conference today (June 4). [The Search for Planet Nine in Pictures]

Madigan and CU Boulder undergraduate student Jacob Fleisig presented the results here at the 232nd meeting of the American Astronomical Society, in Denver.

No need for Planet Nine?

The Kuiper Belt, the region immediately beyond Neptune, harbors TNOs of many sizes. The largest is Pluto, which was discovered more than 60 years before any of the others.

Some TNOs are "detached objects," which orbit so far from the sun that they're not appreciably affected by the gravity of Neptune or any other known planet. Perhaps the most famous of these is Sedna, which takes 11,400 years to make a single orbit and never comes closer to the sun than 76 times the Earth-sun distance.

In 2016, astronomers Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown announced that a distant undiscovered planet could have created the unusual signatures of some TNO orbits in the Kuiper Belt and sent Sedna and other detached objects out to even more distant realms. Batygin and Brown calculated that this world, dubbed Planet Nine, may be 10 times more massive than Earth and orbit the sun about 20 times farther away than Neptune does.

But not everybody is on board with the Planet Nine hypothesis. The skeptics include Madigan and Fleisig, who, along with study co-author Alexander Zderic, a UC Boulder graduate student, think they've found an alternate solution to the weird orbital signatures.

According to the researchers' simulations, the TNOs move like hands on a clock, with the most massive objects moving slowly, like the hour hand, and the smaller ones ticking along quickly, like the minute hand. The result is that the smaller bodies pile up quickly  and their accumulated gravity is strong enough to reshape the paths of larger TNOs that get close.

Eventually, the larger chunks wind up in extreme orbits, just like Sedna.

"They are what's causing this detachment, and not an unseen ninth planet," Fleisig said during the news conference. [Our Solar System: A Photo Tour of the Planets]

The gravity of the situation

If this is the answer to the TNO puzzle, why hasn't anyone else noticed? Madigan and Fleisig said the problem is one of scale. It's computationally expensive to include a mass for each of the thousands of TNOs, so most simulations leave them massless, which negates how they interact gravitationally. [Trans-Neptunian Objects in the Extreme Outer Solar System (Infographic)]

"The crucial difference is to include their mass in the simulation," Madigan told Space.com.

The researchers didn't add mass to all of the TNOs, only to about 400. But that was enough to send the most massive objects into bizarre orbits.

The collective-gravity hypothesis isn't a silver bullet, however. For example, there's still "clustering in pomega," which Madigan described as the odd fact that the orbits of the detached objects all tilt the same way.

"Planet Nine explains this really well, and we do not," Madigan said.

Ironically, while the new research discounts the need for an undiscovered planet, it requires the presence of thousands of smaller unseen objects.

"The handful we've seen is not enough," Fleisig said.

Madigan told Space.com that the early solar system was filled with enough debris to build up tens of Earths, but in far smaller pieces. Because most of the objects are modeled massless, most studies eject the bulk from the solar system. Adding mass means that more of that material could have stuck around, their smaller size keeping them from being detected.

"The objects we've seen so far are just the tip of the iceberg," Fleisig said.

While the small size of most TNOs makes them a challenge to detect, their motion makes it even harder. Usually, the larger an object is, the easier it is to discover. But because the largest objects are hurled into the most eccentric orbits, they become more difficult to find, the researchers said.

In addition, the presence of the small handful already spotted suggests a larger population, Madigan said.

"If there are only 10 out there, and we detected 10, it's bizarrely lucky," she said.

Death to the dinosaurs

The gravitational interactions among TNOs may also explain another strange event: the extinction of the nonavian dinosaurs about 65 million years ago.

Previous studies have suggested that mass extinctions may occur with regularity, and some researchers have linked this perceived periodicity to pulses of comet or asteroid strikes. What could cause a cyclical rain of death from above? Other researchers have cited dark matter or the sun's hypothesized unseen companion star, Nemesis, as candidates. (Nemesis has never been spotted and is dismissed by most scientists.)

Madigan called this impact-extinction-cycle idea "geology's Planet Nine"  a nebulous connection she said is under debate in geologic circles.

If the small gravitational interactions among TNOs are hurling objects like Sedna outward, they could also send some of the rocks into the inner solar system. Fleisig said the team's model creates periodic comet showers for the rocky planets, including Earth. While the researchers couldn't directly connect their observations to the collision that wiped out the dinosaurs and most life on Earth, Fleisig called the possibility "tantalizing."

"It's exciting and suggestive," Madigan said.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Sedna never gets closer to the sun than 20 times the Pluto-sun distance. Sedna's elliptical orbit takes it as close to the sun as 76 astronomical units (AU; the Earth-sun distance, about 93 million miles, or 150 million kilometers) and as far away as 936 AU. Pluto's distance from the sun varies from about 30 AU to 49 AU.

Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.Image of the Day Archives

NASA, ESA and Orsola De Marco (Macquarie University)

For older Image of the Day pictures, please visit the Image of the Day archives. Pictured: NGC 2467.

Charting Ice in the Bering Strait

Thursday, March 1, 2018: This colorful image from the European Space Agency's Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission maps changes in the extent of sea ice in the Bering Strait, which connects the Pacific and Arctic Oceans between Alaska and Russia. The image combines three radar scans from Dec. 11 (shown in blue), Dec. 23 (red) and Jan.4 (green). Abnormally high water temperatures this season have caused this sea ice to melt earlier than usual, creating a large expanse of open water in otherwise ice-covered sections of the Bering Strait.  Hanneke Weitering

Stratolaunch Hits the Runway

Stratolaunch Systems Corp.

Friday, March 2, 2018: The world's largest airplane, designed to transport rocket launchers and satellites bound for low Earth orbit, hit a new milestone last weekend. The Stratolaunch carrier aircraft conducted runway tests on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 25-26) at the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California and achieved a taxi speed of 46 mph (74 km/h). Stratolaunch Systems Corp. aims to start test flights in 2019.  Hanneke Weitering

Venus, the 'Evening Star'

P. Horalek/ESO

Monday, March 5, 2018: The bright planet Venus glows in the evening sky above the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in northern Chile. Pictured here is Auxiliary Telescope 1, one of four such telescopes that make up an astronomical interferometer at the observatory.  Hanneke Weitering

Putting TESS to the Test

Leif Heimbold/NASA

Tuesday, March 6, 2018: NASA technicians test out the solar panels on the agency's new Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Scheduled to launch next month, TESS will search for alien worlds orbiting nearby stars.  Hanneke Weitering

The Moon from Space

NASA

Wednesday, March 7, 2018: Astronauts at the International Space Station captured this view of the waxing gibbous moon from about 250 miles (400 kilometers) above the Earth. The photo was taken as the space station passed over the Indian Ocean southwest of Africa on Feb. 28, 2018.  Hanneke Weitering

50th Flight of the Falcon 9

SpaceX

Thursday, March 8, 2018: SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket on a landmark 50th flight on Tuesday (March 6). The rocket lifted off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station shortly after midnight and delivered the Hispasat 30W-6 communications satellite into low-Earth orbit 30 minutes later. This long-exposure shot show the rocket's curved trajectory as it soared into space.  Hanneke Weitering

On the Edge of the Gratteri Crater

NASA/JPL/University of Arizona/USGS/Kevin Gill via Flickr

Friday, March 9, 2018: This high-resolution image from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows a portion of the Gratteri crater. Located in the Memnonia Fossae region of the Red Planet, Gratteri is a 4.3-mile-wide (6.9 km) rayed crater, which means that long linear features emanate from its center much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. NASA engineer Kevin Gill rendered the image using data from the spacecraft's HiRISE camera.  Hanneke Weitering

Milky Way Rises Over Maine

Monday, March 12, 2018: The starry core of the Milky Way rises over the coast of Maine in this early morning view by astrophotographer Charles Cormier. "The winter months are a great time of year to see the stars as the air is cold and visibility is good," Cormier told Space.com. "The core the galaxy is visible for a short window of time before sunrise this time of year."  Hanneke Weitering

SDO Sees a Solar Eclipse

NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory

Tuesday, March 13, 2018: NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) watched a special total solar eclipse on Feb. 11, when the Earth crossed in front of the sun on the eighth anniversary of the satellite's launch. This eclipse was not visible from Earth. Thanks to the satellite's inclined geostationary orbit, which provides a continuous view of the sun, SDO experiences two such eclipses every year. This animated view of the solar eclipse shows the extreme ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun over the course of about an hour and a half.  Hanneke Weitering

The Big Dipper

Wednesday, March 14, 2018: The Big Dipper twinkles over the snow-covered Alborz mountain range in Iran in this image by astrophotographer Jeff Dai. Located in the constellation Ursa Major, the Big Dipper is one of the most easily recognizable asterisms in the night sky. Stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere can see it above the northeast horizon shortly after sunset this month.  Hanneke WeiteringImage of the Day Archives

NASA, ESA and Orsola De Marco (Macquarie University)

For older Image of the Day pictures, please visit the Image of the Day archives. Pictured: NGC 2467.

Hangin' Out in Space

NASA

Monday, April 2, 2018: NASA astronaut Drew Feustel dangles from the International Space Station some 250 miles (400 kilometers) above the Earth during a spacewalk on Thursday (March 29). Feustel and his crewmate NASA astronaut Ricky Arnold spent 6 hours and 10 minutes doing maintenance outside of the orbiting lab in what was the 100th spacewalk performed by crewmembers living aboard the space station.  Hanneke Weitering

Space Station Crosses the Blue Moon

Fred Pompei

Tuesday, April 3, 2018: The International Space Station flies in front of the last Blue Moon of 2018 in this photo by Fred Pompei. He created this composite using images he captured on the evening of March 31 in St. Charles, Michigan.  Hanneke Weitering

Special Delivery!

Roscosmos/Anton Shkaplerov via @Anton_Astrey

Wednesday, April 4, 2018: SpaceX's Dragon cargo vessel arrived at the International Space Station today with 3 tons of food, supplies and science experiments for the Expedition 55 crew. This is the second time that this particular Dragon spacecraft has flown to the space station. It launched on a used Falcon 9 rocket on Monday (April 2). Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov captured this photo as the spacecraft approached the space station early this morning.  Hanneke Weitering

Guam Spotted From Space

Roscosmos/Anton Shkaplerov via @Anton_Astrey

Thursday, April 5, 2018: The island of Guam bears a striking resemblance to a short-legged llama in this photo by Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov. He captured the image from 250 miles (400 kilometers) above the Earth at the International Space Station.  Hanneke Weitering

Migrating Martian Sands of Lobo Vallis

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona

Friday, April 6, 2018: In this view from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, bands of bright ripples and dark dunes stretch across the surface of Mars. Over time, winds have pushed these sandy streaks, which are composed of basaltic sand, from the top of the image toward the bottom. This region of the Red Planet is known as Lobo Vallis and was named after a river on the Ivory Coast.  Hanneke Weitering

Jupiter's Swirling Storms

NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill

Monday, April 9, 2018: Elaborate cloud patterns swirl on Jupiter's northern hemisphere in this new view from NASA's Juno spacecraft. Juno captured the image on April 1 during its twelfth close flyby of Jupiter, when it was 7,659 miles (12,326 kilometers) from the planet's cloud tops. Citizen scientist Kevin Gill processed this color-enhanced view using data from the spacecraft's JunoCam imager.  Hanneke Weitering

Galaxies Glow Through Cosmic Dust

Tuesday, April 10, 2018: Countless stars and galaxies scatter across the cosmic field in this deep-space image by astrophotographer Terry Hancock. The large spiral galaxy near the center of the image is Messier 81, also known as Bode's Galaxy. Just below that is the Cigar Galaxy, Messier 82. Both are located around 12 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. These galaxies are seen through the faint haze of the Integrated Flux Nebula, a vast screen of interstellar dust and gas illuminated by starlight from the Milky Way.  Hanneke Weitering

Coronal Loops Rotate Into View

NASA/GSFC/Solar Dynamics Observatory

Wednesday, April 11, 2018: Coronal loops billow out of the sun's surface in this view from NASA's Solar Dynamic Observatory. This video shows the sun's new active region rotating into view on March 27-28. The Solar Dynamics Observatory views the sun in extreme ultraviolet wavelengths of light, which are invisible to the human eye, to monitor the sun's corona for solar flares. This active region shows magnetic field lines protruding from the sun's surface, but it has yet to produce any flares or solar storms.  Hanneke Weitering

Northern Lights Over the Aurora Ice Museum

Thursday, April 12, 2018: Green and purple northern lights shimmy over the Aurora Ice Museum at Chena Hot Springs near Fairbanks, Alaska in this image by astrophotographer John Chumack. He took the photo on March 24 during a minor geomagnetic storm caused by a coronal hole on the sun, which sent a stream of solar particles toward Earth. Those particles interact with Earth's atmosphere to create colorful auroras.  Hanneke Weitering

Crescent Moonrise

Friday, April 13, 2018: The waning crescent moon rises over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New Jersey's Monmouth Beach in this image by astrophotographer Steve Scanlon. He captured this view shortly before sunrise on March 15.  Hanneke WeiteringWelcome To SpoilerTV



We bring you a comprehensive and up to date spoiler service on all the major US TV shows and Movies. You can find specific show content by clicking the menu system at the top of the screen. We scour the Internet for spoilers as well as posting our own exclusive spoilers (Scripts, Casting Calls, Set Photos etc) as well as recaps and other fun articles and polls. We hope you enjoy your stay.



Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic president, Mr Brahim Ghali departed on June 2 morning ending his three day official visit to Botswana.



Mr Ghali made a quick stopover at the Boteti Mining sorting facility in Gaborone where he was taken through the sorting and sales processes before jetting off to South Africa on a working visit.



According to a joint communique signed by international affairs and cooperation acting minister, Mr Machana Shamukuni and his counterpart, Mr Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Mr Ghali had substantive and fruitful discussions on issues of mutual interest and concern at bilateral, regional and international levels, including the peace process in the Saharawi Republic.



They expressed satisfaction at the bonds of friendship, solidarity and cordial relations that exist between their two countries.



They also expressed their commitment to closely work together with a view to further enhance these relations. The communique also says the two leaders agreed to establish formal diplomatic relations between their countries to facilitate continued close engagement and further strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity as well as lay the ground for fruitful cooperation on the economic, social and cultural front for the mutual benefit of their peoples. It says President Masisi expressed regret that the Saharawi Republic remains the only major territory still on the United Nations list of non-decolonised territories.



Further, it says President Masisi has also lamented that the people of Western Sahara have endured long years of suffering, turmoil and oppression, adding like the rest of the African people, they also deserve their right to self-determination, freedom and independence.



In this connection, it says President Masisi has reassured President Ghali of Botswanas continued unwavering support to the Saharawi people in their quest for self-determination and independence.



On the other hand, it says President Ghali has also expressed gratitude to President Masisi, his government and people of Botswana for the continued and principled support they have consistently rendered to the Saharawi Republic in her legitimate struggle for freedom, independence and self-determination.



President Ghali also welcomed the decision of the SADC Heads of State and Government to hold a solidarity conference, to mobilise international solidarity and support for the plight of the Saharawi Republic, as the last colony on the African continent.



The two leaders further expressed their full support and confidence in the efforts undertaken by the United Nations secretary generals Envoy for Western Sahara, Prof. Horst Kohler to forge a long lasting solution in the conflict between the Kingdom of Morocco and Western Sahara, as well as mobilise the international community to support implementation of all United Nations Resolutions on Western Sahara so that the Saharawi people can also enjoy their inalienable right to self-determination and independence.



To that end, the two Presidents emphasised that with her admission into the African Union, Morocco has an obligation to adhere to the principles and goals enshrined in the African Union Constitutive Act, especially the need to respect borders as they existed at the time of independence. During his visit, President Ghali had the opportunity to meet with the Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane as well as the Speaker of the National Assembly Ms Gladys Kokorwe.



In addition, President Ghali and his delegation visited and toured the Karowe Mine to appreciate Botswanas experience in the diamond mining industry. Mr Ghali was on his first official visit to Botswana. (SPS)



062/SPS

http://www.dailynews.gov.bw/news-details.php?nid=43020STAMFORD  When Dr. Ben Carson spoke on civility to about 300 people this week, his hour-long speech included quotes from Jesus and Abraham Lincoln, as well as talk of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.

The secretary of Housing and Urban Development even touched on the anatomy of the bald eagle. Both its left and right wings are required for flight, he said.

A name barely spoken, but of obvious association to the topic and Carsons cabinet position, was proffered only briefly by the civility speaking series founder, Robert Dilenschneider.

What did Carson think of President Donald Trump?, Dilenschneider asked. Trump had a great sense of humor, Carson replied.

He said to me, Ben, arent you glad you didnt win, the 66-year-old former neurosurgeon told the crowd.

Carson, in his usual hushed tone and quiet manner, was a hit Monday night at the Ferguson Library, part of Dilenschneiders Civility in America speaking series. He spoke about the roots of civility  putting others first and listening  and decried the lack of decorum that has become commonplace in American civil discourse.

There are people out there driving wedges between people, he said. Telling people, youre supposed to hate these people.

He said disagreement is nothing new to America. The country was founded on allowing it, and such squabbles helped shape the nation.

Deep divisions are nothing new, he said soon after discussing Burrs killing of Hamilton. Where we respectfully disagree, lets find common ground.

Echoing his boss, Carson said divisions are widened by the media and pundits. He said recent changes at HUD should not be characterized as a war on the poor, as seen in headlines.

What a bunch of crap, he said.

We are totally committed to fair housing and helping people in assisted housing and families graduate out of dependency to a better life of self-sufficiency and self-respect, he said. Unfortunately, having a civil discourse on this issue is getting harder by the day.

What we are doing is declaring a war on mismanagement.

The war he was referring to includes recent proposals by his agency to raise rents and add work requirements for millions of low-income residents living in public housing or receiving Section-8 rental vouchers.

Carson also managed to get a pledge from the crowd to be nice for one week: To let people go ahead of them, and open doors for others. Kindness, he said, was a cornerstone of civility.

Security was tight at the event. When doors closed, some late attendees were locked outside for the security of Carson. One man who wanted to give the secretary a caricature of Carson with several witticisms was told by a U.S. Marshall to put in the mail.

City police working the event even found a woman shooting up Adderall in the library bathroom at the same time guests started showing up, Sgt. Robert Shawinsky said.

Library officials later said they didnt know about the closed-door security policy. They said guests would have been notified before the event if they knew about the policy.

Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, had a special guest in the audience  Beth Usher, who was patient when he was director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. As a five-year old, Usher had seizures that required Carsons team to remove the left side of her brain, a dangerous procedure that left the girl in a coma.

Carson told the audience that when the girl awoke after two months spent in the coma  during which she received a visit from the childrens entertainer and TV personality Mister Fred Rogers  her first words were to complain of an itchy nose to her father.

As Usher stood to be acknowledged, she was recognized with as much applause as the secretary.

We have to stop putting ourselves in corners and throwing hand grenades at each other, Carson said. She can do all of that with half a brain. What can you do with a full brain?

barry.lytton@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2263; @bglyttonThe three most important things an interview should answer is whether you are right for the hiring firm, the role and your future boss.

What are the specific needs for the role, and is there a particular style which they are looking to have the work done? Do you match up with the title, pay, skills, role, span of control, prior experience, capabilities, communication style and work cadence that your boss needs or expects for the role? Ensuring, to the greatest extent possible, that there is a match between your qualities and their desires is half of the battle.

The other half is determining if the firm is right for you. Interviews are absolutely not one-way streets, and too often, candidates allow their questions to be afterthoughts. Does the role make sense as a logical next step on your career path? Does it match up with your ambitions and direction? Does the company meet your desires on company size, culture and pace?

Related: Are You Prepared for Your Job Interview? Don't Say Yes Before Reading This.

These are obvious questions, yet they are often left unanswered in the dramatic whirlwind of interviewing courtship. I have counseled otherwise bright and capable professionals who have been romanced through a recruiting process to take a job entirely outside of their interests or plans. Theres a reason so many new hires dont work out -- and the swept off your feet interview process is the culprit. Id guess that by 20 years into their careers, most American professionals have had at least one mulligan job. Has it ever happened to you? If not, youre stronger than most.

To best determine your ability to do what the role calls for, you must ask questions. Its advice so simple, it barely qualifies as advice, were it not for the hundreds of times Ive asked people going to interviews what are the most important things theyre looking for from the role. I am usually met with a blank stare or a stumbling mumble.

When youre setting up the interview, ask the HR person, recruiter or hiring manager which three things are most important to success in this role. You only want to know three because thatll be about the number of factors youll be able to manage throughout multiple days of interviews. It also forces prioritization on the part of the hiring company. Sure, there are dozens of things theyd like from this hire but indicating to you the three most important reveals how they will be making the decision and how they are thinking about performance in the future. Further, whether its reviewing your work history in the context of these three items or comparing the varying answers you get from interviewers as to whether those are their priorities, to confirming with the boss after your interview that she heard your points loud and clear, three is a magic number for making your case.

Related: Are You Making These Common Job Interview Mistakes?

It may not surprise you to know that the company will gladly tell you which three things are most important to success in the job. Theyll be pleasantly surprised you asked because so few people start off the interview process by focusing on the companys needs rather than their own abilities. Youll stand out from the start. Its an encouraging sign to the interviewers that your style is to understand them better, before talking about yourself.

When the HR person or recruiter provides you with the three most important factors, you should do a careful review. Do these three performance factors match up with your strengths and what youre looking to do next? If all three are right on target, then thats terrific, and youll be prepared to nail each interview thoroughly.

Conversely, if all three are completely off the mark, your course of action is simple -- you let the recruiter know that there really isnt a fit because your background or career path doesnt match up. You may be tempted to fudge a bit, on the theory that getting your foot in the door is better than no interview at all, but this is not a productive approach. Informing the company and HR team upfront of the mismatch impresses with your self-awareness, your respect for their time and your good judgment. By showing your good manners as a candidate, youre more likely to be made aware of other opportunities, not less. Especially if you position your feedback as Im not right for that role because of reasons one, two and three, but if you have something come open that requires x, y and z, Id be a better candidate for that kind of opportunity. With feedback like that, you are setting yourself up for success by communicating proactively and clearly.

Related: 10 Ways to Overcome Your Interview Fears

The trouble comes, of course, if there is a mix among the three factors -- one or two of the three do not match up, while the others do line up with your background or interests. In these cases, its your business judgment as to whether and how hard to pursue. Raise these issues with the HR person or recruiter prior to heading in for the interview. It could be that theyve misstated their priorities and will clarify for you in a way that makes a go/no-go decision easier to make. But, ultimately, the call will be yours as to whether or not proceeding is a good use of your time, and theirs.

Allocate one hour of preparation time for each hour of interview time. This will strike you as an impossible burden at first, and a pile of additional work on top of an already packed day. But like the saying about restaurants -- if you cant afford the tip, you cant afford the restaurant -- if you dont have the time to prepare, you dont have the time to interview.

To put it into perspective, if you get 10 relevant interview opportunities, half will last one hour total, and the other half will last four hours over two rounds, not including travel time. Thats 25 hours of interviewing. Adding 25 hours of prep time is the right amount. Investing 50 to 100 hours, every three or four years, in order to maximize your professional satisfaction and compensation, may be an investment you will come to believe is justified. It certainly underscores that finding a new job is, in itself, a full-time job.

You should do the right amount of research for the interview, neither under-preparing nor over-preparing. This means showing up with a good level of knowledge after doing a reasonable amount of research.

Related: This Is How You Prepare to Nail the Interview for Your Dream Job

On one hand, there is the distressing number of professionals, at mid- and even senior levels, who show up for an interview without even visiting the companys website. We all get it -- time is tight and youre busy. But allowing crunch time to eliminate your preparation is foolish, and youll look bad.

On the other hand, there are the people who overdo it and show up with eight pages of single-spaced questions. They start the interview by asking why margins in the Southwest European region have declined by 10 percent over the past seven years despite favorable currency rates. Candidates like these do seem to have missed the point of an in-person, human-to-human connection.

The questions you raise and the research you bring reveal something about your business judgment. Are your questions reasonably related to the job and your duties, or are you asking simply to show off or play trivia games? Either approach reveals something meaningful about how you handle meetings, conversations and business tasks. Your actions speak much louder than your words, so be clear about the message youd like to send with your preparation and questions.

Related:

While They Interview You for the Job, You Need to be Interviewing Them as a Potenteial Employer

'How Many Big Macs Does McDonald's Sell in a Year?' Is the Right Interview Question for Facebook. What's Yours?

Interview Tips to Help You Nail Your Dream Job



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedStamford-based WWE has fired Sal Siino, senior vice president of global content distribution and business development, after being alerted by a Huffington Post writer that Siinos wife is the author of the controversial @AmyMek account on Twitter, which has gained notoriety for its anti-Muslim messaging and its enthusiastic espousal of Alt-Right politics and support of white nationalist figures.

According to the May 31 article Trumps Loudest Anti-Muslim Twitter Troll Is A Shady Vegan Married To An (Ousted) WWE Exec, writer Luke OBrien identified Amy Mekelburg as the source of @AmyMek, which first appeared on Twitter five years ago and has since amassed 229,000 followers reading her daily stream of extremist political commentary and links to Alt-Right online media. The article stated that Mekelberg does not have a full-time job and lives with her husband in Fishkill, New York.

However, OBrien wrote that Mekelburg stated WWE was aware of Siinos marriage to the woman behind @AmyMek and had asked Siino to keep his connection to his wife quiet. OBrien twice contacted WWE directly to determine if the company was aware of the Siino-@AmyMek connection prior to Siinos being hired in February 2017, and was initially told the company was unaware. But on his second contact, OBrien wrote that an unnamed WWE spokesperson responded, Now that it has come to our attention, Sal Siino is no longer an employee.

OBrien noted the irony of Mekelburgs anti-Islamic tweets while Siino was negotiating TV deals in the United Arab Emirates. Although OBrien stated that Siino was aware of his wifes Twitter account, he did not offer evidence that Siino was involved in creating the @AmyMek Twitter messaging.

OBrien also claimed that President Donald Trump promoted the @AmyMek account on Twitter. During the summer of 2015, Trump acknowledged two complimentary tweets by @AmyMek related to his nascent presidential campaign, but has made no online or real-life mention of Mekelburgs Twitter account since then, nor has he actively promoted the account to his base.

While neither WWE nor Siino publicly commented on what transpired, Mekelburg responded on @AmyMek by accusing OBrien of being a stalker and viciously harassing me, my husband and my loved ones for having an opinion different than his, and supporting @realdonaldtrump. She added that OBrien went so far as to contact my husbands employer and had him fired because of MY OPINIONS and my fight for Jews to exist. My husband was wrongfully fired & discriminated against based on nothing he said, but the fact that his wife stood up against oppression, discrimination, honor killings, female genital mutilations, etc.

While some fans of @AmyMek offered her sympathy and called for retribution against OBrien, the writer used his Twitter channel to respond to his critics with a simple response: Get stuffed, fascists.

Phil Hall is a reporter for the Fairfield County Business Journal. For more of his work and that of the journal, please visit westfaironline.com.T he new owner of London-founded luxury footwear firm Jimmy Choo, has poached fashion stalwart Simon Kemmett to be its finance chief, the Evening Standard has learned.

Kemmett is joining the high heels giant from Ralph Lauren. He also becomes senior vice president, business operations. Previously he has worked at Nike.

The 48-year-old, who will be based in London, replaces Jonathan Sinclair who has been with the business since 2014.

Jimmy Choo chief executive Pierre Denis praised Kemmetts wealth of experience across retail and luxury.

It is the most senior appointment at Jimmy Choo since the footwear brand was sold last year by investment group JAB for 896 million to US fashion brand Michael Kors.

New York-headquartered Michael Kors plans to open more Jimmy Choo stores in the year to March 2019. There are currently 243 globally.W hen Theresa May hosts Erna Solberg, Norways prime minister, for their first formal talks tomorrow, she may have met her soulmate. Solberg, like May, also had to pursue a policy she did not believe in.

The Norwegian leader, also a conservative, had her own bruising experience of European Union membership - her centre-Right party was in favour of joining the EU. But the Norwegians voted twice on whether to join the bloc, first in 1972, and then in 1994.

In both referendums, the vote was a wafer-thin majority for staying out. In the latest vote, 52.2% voted not to join. As with Brexit, Norways was one of the closest referendums in history despite the political elite being overwhelmingly in favour of joining the EU.

Like Brexit, the vote drove a wedge between generations and regions, with the southern cities voting heavily to join the EU.

Families were split too, as I know from my Norwegian relations, who were every bit as ferociously divided between sovereignty or being glued to a greater Europa as here in the UK.

One cousin used to mutter darkly: Dont forget the proverb. Never let the trolls out into the sunshine, as they will turn to stone and crack. For him, bringing the light onto the Brussels bureaucrats would crack the EU utopia. Since the last vote, polling shows only 18% of Norwegians want to join.

Instead, Norway found a middle way to being a good EU neighbour, and trading partner. Already a member of the European Free-Trade Association, (Efta), of which it was one of the seven founding nations with the UK in 1960, it joined the European Economic Area (EEA) after its last referendum.

Open to all EU members, the EEA allows Efta countries to join without having to belong to the Customs Union, a sine qua non for the Norwegians as they wanted to do their own free-trade deals. Yet Norway has access to most of the EUs single market, allowing goods, services and labour to move freely.

However, the agreement excludes agriculture and fisheries. At first, the Norwegian prime minister was sceptical about the so-called Norway option  of UK joining Efta.

She, and other policymakers and business leaders, were worried that having the UK in their association would tip the balance against smaller, albeit rich, nations such as her own.

Now Solberg has thawed in her attitude, saying recently that the UKs presence would give greater bargaining power to non-EU EEA countries, who include Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and help Norways access to the UK.

No surprise there: the UK is Norways biggest trading partner because of gas exports, and we are close security partners through Nato.

Will Solberg try to persuade May the UK should sign up to this exclusive club? Most certainly. And May would be smart to listen closely as the timing is more than ripe.

Whether you believe the latest Doomsday scenarios or not, the Government should not allow this level of scaremongering as its so damaging to business and the publics psyche.

Lord Owen says a cliff edge can be avoided by the UK staying in the EEA during the transition period until we leave the EU in December 2020.

Whether we should stay after is a moot point. Brexiteers such as Owen argue that freedom of movement makes staying in the EEA impossible, although the EU may be forced to relax its migration rules.

Yet Solberg should also explain to May that the fear of diplomacy by fax or being a passive rule-taker is unwarranted. Her government has just published its Norway in Europe strategy paper for the next three years which demolishes this myth.

Quite the reverse. Indeed, they claim they influence EU laws well before the voting stage, by promoting its policy positions at early stages.

Some of this lobbying is done through EU channels, and some through the back door, but either way they are powerful.

It goes without saying that an economy the size of the UK brings more clout to Efta, and brings immediate free-trade deals with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.T HE Square Mile was demanding answers today on who will be appointed the next WPP chief executive as the vacuum left by Sir Martin Sorrell continues to send the advertising giants share price southwards.

Mark Read and Andrew Scott were made joint chief operating officers after Sorrell dramatically resigned in April, but while those two slug it out for the top job WPP has been losing top clients, including HSBC to Omnicom.

The City has tipped Read to win out as he is seen as more client and investor-friendly than Scott. Nevertheless, the City is fast running out of patience and wants to see a decision taken before WPP falls further behind rivals.

Alistair Read, at Berenberg, said: We expect WPPs situation to get worse before it gets better, and hence we downgrade to Sell. WPPs recent performance versus peers shows that all is not well from an internal operational perspective, we think that this will prove more difficult and costly to fix than consensus expects.

Berenberg cut its target price to 1075p from 1275p, causing WPP shares to fall 37p at 1213.92p.

Also losing ground was cruise company Carnival after analysts at Morgan Stanley cut earnings expectations, citing increased oil prices as a problem.

Last month oil hit $80 a barrel for the first time in four years. Shares in Carnival were down 239p at 4634p.

Meanwhile IAG boss Willie Walsh has warned that air traffic control strikes were more of a threat to European airlines than a rise in fuel prices. Walsh told a conference in Sydney: Its destroying traffic through Europe.

Shares fell 22.2p at 682.1p.

Overall the FTSE 100 was off 35.2 points at 7706.56. Further down the market, shares in offices group IWG were taking a tumble  losing 13.7p at 306.2p. It comes after US private equity company Lone Star walked away from a potential takeover of the Regus owner last night.

IWG has been subject to an unprecedented number of potential takeover bids in recent months. Lone Star was one of three parties flagged up by the office group in May, along with Starwood Capital and TDR Capital who had both made indicative proposals.R oyal Bank of Scotland stock tumbled more than 3% on Tuesday as the City digested a Government share sell-off to institutional investors that was well below last nights closing price.

The Treasury sold 925 million shares at 271p, compared with yesterdays 281p price, raising 2.5 billion.

UK Government Investments, which manages the Treasury holding, promised not to sell any more for at least 90 days, which means the Government cant reduce its stake further until September. The shares fell 10p  3.4%  to 271p.

RBS chief executive Ross McEwan said: I am pleased that the Government has decided the time is now right to re-start the share sale process.

This is an important moment for RBS. It also reflects the progress we have made in building a much simpler, safer bank. The sale takes the Governments stake in the bailed-out bank down to 62.4%.

Ian Gordon at Investec thinks it is conceivable that the Government could exit entirely by 2023.

Critics say privatisation should be delayed until the taxpayer is sitting on a profit. The Government bailed out the bank at 502p, while the National Audit Office says the true break-even price, once the cost of financing is included, is 625p.

Treasury minister John Glen said it was an unrealistic assessment of future market conditions to believe shares would pick up sufficiently strongly to realise a profit. We need to get this bank back into private hands so it can thrive.

Last nights sale led to a loss of more than 2 billion.

Chancellor Philip Hammond said: This sale represents a significant step in returning RBS to full private ownership and putting the financial crisis behind us. The Government should not be in the business of owning banks. The proceeds of this sale will go towards reducing our national debt  this is the right thing to do for taxpayers.

In February, RBS reported an annual profit of 752 million  its first for a decade and a sharp turnaround from the 6.95 billion loss seen the previous year.

Fran Boait, executive director of Positive Money said: The sell off of RBS is a colossal wasted opportunity. As well as losing the taxpayer billions of pounds, the government is also losing the ability to reshape Britains banking system.

Instead of selling off its majority stake, the government should use its position to break up RBS into smaller, regional banks, with alternative business models that emphasise lending to SMEs and productive industry.T he story from the lawyer in the wine bar goes like this: loads of women who were in relatively senior positions in banks in the Nineties and the Noughties have brought claims for sexual harassment against their former employers.

Stuff they let slide back then, out of fear or because it seemed normal, they now realise was completely unacceptable and think deserving of monetary compensation.

The banks facing the claims, even if they think they are so historical as to be near impossible to prosecute, are terrified. So they make a settlement offer very quickly, attached to a strict non-disclosure clause.

The amounts arent in the millions. More like, say, 50,000 to end the matter there and then.

The women, unsure theyd get a day in court and in some cases even vaguely sorry for the idiot male who so belittled them way back when  take the cash and sign.

Those who are angrier, who opted out of what could have been a highly lucrative career and think their treatment went well past bullying and towards sexual assault, stick out for more money. They get it.

Bankers you speak to about this stuff agree that things that used to happen back then would certainly look actionable now.

The culture in big banks in the Nineties was clear. You do a job for me and I will pay you well. Do a bad job and youre out. Fit in, or eff off.

This pressure wasnt exclusive to women, but they were in the minority, and the opportunities for bullying, drunk men to behave appallingly badly without their superiors particularly minding was far greater than it is today. These days regulators insist that banks have a speak up culture. Wrongdoing, once identified, needs to be spoken about.

I asked one senior female banker heading for retirement, or at least a major career break, for her experiences.

She says: We were all working in the environment where to alienate your pay masters was the end of your career. So a few of us just went along with it. Im not proud of that.

At the same time, I dont want to complain about stuff that happened 20 years ago. I cant even remember for sure which lines were crossed. There was one guy at a (very big) bank who was notorious. But also a brilliant trader. It was a tough environment in every way. Lots of highly paid people with big egos and thin skins. It was a difficult place to navigate.

So, she isnt pursuing a claim. But admits to wondering if she should. There is no statute of limitations in the UK for sexual abuse claims, which is partly why Rolf Harris got jailed for offences that took place as far back as 1968.

In the US there is, though the rules differ from state to state.

So theres the odd position of US banks with London offices paying out here for claims theyd ignore or fight were they filed in New York.

Everyone I asked about this  regulators, bankers, PR people  say that things have mercifully improved. That this stuff just doesnt happen anything like as much as it did.

Another former banker  the idea that shed be a victim of anyone seems unlikely  says it wasnt just women who suffered. Any minority was picked upon. But it was such vast sums of money that we all went along with it. It was not good.

But assuming my lawyer friend is right  that the claims are rife  perhaps it would be good if some of them came into the open, rather than being buried in return for 50k.S ome of Stobarts shareholders have called for the chairman to be replaced by billionaire retail tycoon Philip Day, the logistics group admitted on Tuesday.

The FTSE 250 firm said it has had a request from shareholders who own 33%, to appoint Edinburgh Woollen Mill Groups owner Day to the board and then invite him to be chairman.

Those investors include former chief executive Andrew Tinkler, funds run by investment guru Neil Woodford, and former Stobart director Allan Jenkinson.

They want Day, who is behind the Jaeger brand, to replace Iain Ferguson. He is not thought to have served on a public company board before.

A boardroom row at London Southend Airport-owner Stobart has escalated since last month when Tinkler said he would vote against Fergusons reappointment because of a dispute over strategy.H ere the Evening Standard business team highlights all the major tech news today.

Top story sees Adyen, the Dutch firm whose payments processing technology is used by Facebook and Netflix, made a strong start to life as a listed company on Euronext Amsterdam.

Adyen is debt-free and profitable, and its listing has been seen as one of the most prominent in Europe this year, after several were shelved last month.

Adyen forecasts medium term net revenue growth of 25-30% per year, and of at least 40% in 2018.

We feel that we are still in the early stages, said chief executive Pieter van der Does.

This offering provides us with the freedom to keep building the company, while offering our shareholders a path to liquidity.

Current Adyen shareholders include Index Ventures, Felicis Ventures, Temasek and Iconiq Capital, the Silicon Valley fund that is an investment vehicle for the founders of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Adyens many rivals include US card processing company Vantiv, which bought a controlling stake in Britains WorldPay in a $10 billion deal last year.

Elsewhere there have been plenty of raisings, with London based venture capital firm Felix Capital investing 15 million into PerfectStay.

PerfectStay is a Paris based B2B tour operator.

The company intends to use the funds to expand internationally, especially UK and Germany, and to strengthen its tech and human resources teams.

Finally BrewDog has announced that it hopes to raise $10 million in the US.W illmott Dixon, one of the UKs oldest construction firms, was on Tuesday celebrating record revenues of 1.3 billion and revealed plans to hire more women.

The Hertfordshire-headquartered family-run business, which completed its first job in 1852 for 1, last year saw turnover increase 6.6%. Pre-tax profits rose 14% to 35.5 million.

The company, which counts refurbishing part of Alexandra Palace among its London projects, said it has a forward order book of 1.6 billion.

Chief executive Rick Willmott praised the performance, but predicted it could be improved with a more diverse workforce.

Around 25% of the groups 2000 employees are female. It wants to boost that to 50% by 2030, and this includes looking to increase the number of women joining as trainees to 50% within two years.

The boss told the Standard: The construction industry has long been male-dominated. We want that to change. By widening the pool of talent we recruit from then we can have access to the best workers.N ot so long ago Slovenia was Europes mouse that roared. As Yugoslavia crumbled in 1991, it made an audacious bid for freedom, prevailing in a conflict that lasted just 10 days which gave Slovenia its independence.

Watching this propitious start to a post-Communist future when I was a war correspondent, I found the self-belief of a country nestled between the east and south-east of Europe exhilarating. It shone in the post-1989 pantheon  stable, prosperous, with some interesting human exports in Melania Trump and the maverick philosopher Slavoj Zizek. All of which goes to show that you do not have to be a poor, backward land to be swept up in the present anti-liberal trends sweeping Europe.

The largest party in the elections on Sunday was Janez Jansas Slovenian Democratic Party, with a quarter of the vote. If Jansa survives the coalition maths, it will be thirdtime lucky for a leader who served a jail term for two years on corruption charges.

On the heels of a new Italian government announcing that it will no longer be Europes refugee camp, the Slovenian result may be the moment it dawns on western Europe that electorates in the south and east of the continent are consistent in their rejection of the EUs asylum policy and, with it, a commitment to a Europe of shared burdens.

Voters in Hungary and Poland have opposed plans to accept asylum seekers under a quota system: as does Slovenia. Slovakia limps on with a prime minister struggling to explain away rampant corruption and intimidation that culminated in the contract killing of two young investigative journalists. It is getting a lot harder to find countries keen on the tolerance and liberal values being ordained from the north.

Anne McElvoy

The reasons for this vary and simply deriding the countries of the old Eastern Bloc as suffering from delayed post-Communist trauma doesnt cut it. Viktor Orbans machismo stance in Hungary is different from Polands Law and Justice party authoritarianism (though a common threat of latent anti-Semitism is a dark commonality).

Aversion to being told what to do on asylum quotas  and then told off again for not doing it  is the proximate reason for the discontent with the EU and especially Angela Merkels role as the architect of the decision in 2015 to embrace the wave of refugees from the Middle East and Africa into Germany.

To my mind, Merkels decision stands the test on humanitarian grounds at a time when others ignored or fudged it. But she has been faulted on a failure to consult other states, and the backwash of that decision has deepened social and political cracks across eastern central Europe.

One of the motivators of the Sloveneian result was a stand-off with its neighbour Croatia over the channelling of migrants crossing from Bosnia.

The prime minister of Finland, Juha Sipila, noted this week that the EU was adrift in the age of peak persons  a useful insight. Orban is the Nikita Khrushchev of his day. Unyielding, rude and immovable, Jansa brings a dont care attitude to having been embroiled in a criminal case (and serving jail time) arising from his first period in office.

Next door, Austrian Right-winger Sebastian Kurz meets Vladimir Putin this week  a benediction from Moscow of Right-wingers by the heir to Communism. Historians will argue for ever about whether the twin aims of deepening and widening Europe after 1990 could have proceeded better in tandem. The central risk now is that neither is looking very successful.

"Aversion to being told what to do on asylum quotas is the proximate reason for the discontent with the EU"

In the wake of Brexit, both Paris and Berlin are overly keen to insist that the small matter of losing the UK is just one of a number of pressing issues. But Britain has also been a balancing factor in dealings with Eastern Europe and that is a loss being felt  not least by the many moderate people led by the new breed of immoderate leaders.

Most pressing, however, is the misalignment between France and Germany about how to deal with the new cold gusts from the East. Emmanuel Macron has warned Eastern Europe against a supermarket approach to EU freedoms and obligations.

But there is still little sign that France and Germany can agree on an approach to the headaches emanating in the Visegrad Group (Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia). Action against Polands clampdown on judicial and press freedoms  the most glaring example of a departure from EU norms  has been grindingly slow.

Macrons instinct as a newcomer, whose politics were forged after the fall of the Berlin Wall, is to confront such differences robustly on the grounds that allowing bad behaviour to fester is poisoning the European ideal. Merkel, characteristically, is more subtle. As a child of the old Eastern Bloc, she is more aware of their tendency to push back against the perception of a dominant power. Add to that residual unease about reactions to German bossiness that can easily be stirred up if tensions rise.

Berlins preoccupation remains how to stabilise the eurozone (and cauterise the Italian problem) while believing Europes creeping turmoil can no longer be only in the purview of economic policy.

For all the goodwill between the French and German leaders (their staffers term them M and M), the understanding of common purpose has stalled. Merkel has just made clear that she will not back a major eurozone reform at Frances behest.

Help towards self-help is the latest Merkelism  which translates into not much help at all. The European paradox that emerges is a troubling one. The keener the appetite in the West for a new breed of outward-looking liberals to take on their foes, the narrower the space on the European map where voters can currently choose such an option.W hen the most senior members of the Government are asked if the country is retreating from the world, they respond: on the contrary, we believe in a global Britain.

Yesterday, when the most senior diplomat at the Foreign Office, Sir Simon McDonald, was asked what he thought of their slogan he conceded there were two shortcomings.

Unfortunately, he says, for the rest of the globe it revives memories of colonialism and is seen as proof that we are turning our back on Europe. Not a foreign policy triumph, then.

That sense of Britain facing inwards, and severing its economic ties with its key partners, will only be exacerbated if Parliament once again decides to scrap plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

The case for the new capacity at Heathrow was made overwhelmingly by the Davies Report in 2015.

There is a rapid growth in aviation. That is because our businesses are exporting more and selling more services around the world, including in fast-emerging Asia.

It is also because more of our citizens enjoy the benefits of regular air travel that were once confined to the well-off. Those are good things, and we are lucky to have some of the worlds largest, most connected, airports to service them.

But Heathrow is already at full capacity. The Commission looked in detail at the alternatives.

A new Thames Estuary airport, favoured by former Mayor Boris Johnson, is unfeasibly expensive, highly problematic in environmental terms and would be hugely disruptive. Gatwick cant provide the urgently required long-haul links to new markets in places like China.

The problem, of course, is that a new Heathrow runway brings with it new aircraft noise, ground traffic and air pollution.

But new technology means aircraft engines are vastly less noisy and becoming less polluting; approval for a new runway would go hand in hand with things such as night-flight bans and extra compensation.

Understandably, this will never satisfy the many people who feel their lives are blighted by living near the airport or under its flightpaths, let alone the much smaller numbers whose homes will be knocked down to build the runway.

Because they are affected most, they shout the loudest  and their political representatives shout with them.

But that has been true of all proposals for major pieces of national infrastructure, and if wed only listened to local residents, then the M25, the Channel Tunnel, Terminal 5 and the new Crossrail would never have been built.

Theresa May made commitment to Heathrow expansion an example of her governments decisiveness; as people question her ability to take a decision, she cannot fail the test she set herself.

Jeremy Corbyn will never understand the needs of the market economy, but dozens of Labour MPs who represent the north, Scotland and Wales will know that extra capacity at our main hub means extra regional flights, which it would be disastrous to pass up.

Equally, a Labour mayor who chokes off his capital by opposing expansion will not be forgiven. And Tory members of the Cabinet should remember they sit round that table not as voices for their constituency but for their country.

As the Commission put it, Further delay will be seen, nationally and internationally, as a sign that the UK is unwilling or unable to take steps to maintain its position as a well-connected open trading economy in the 21st century.

There can be no global Britain if we cannot travel to the rest of the globe. Hard as it is, Parliament must put the interests of the many ahead of the objections of the few.

We need the third runway at Heathrow.

V&As fashionable move

The V&A already has a branch in Bethnal Green  the Museum of Childhood  and is to open a second V&A in the former Olympic Park, a new building inspired by the flow of a Balenciaga silk evening gown.

This is good news; east London deserves its share of cultural institutions.

The news gets better: this is part of a 1.1 billion scheme to transform east London  the new Sadlers Wells theatre, a new UCL campus, and the London College of Fashion will be on the site.Review at a glance









I ts not often that The Libertines, Patti Smith and Eric Cantona share a stage. But then Hoping for Palestine was nothing if not eclectic. The charity concert, in aid of young Palestinian refugees, was an evening of punk-rock, politics and poetry.

It may be 16 years since their debut, Up The Bracket, but very little has changed in Libertines land. They remain great and awful in all the same ways. Pete Doherty still negotiates the stage with all the composure of a newborn giraffe; the guitar solos are as sausage-fingered as ever; the vocals slurred and rarely in tune.

And yet chemistry and magic remain. Boys In The Band and Cant Stand Me Now retain a ramshackle charm, while What Katie Did was a reminder that The Libertines could always do melody as well as mayhem. The crowd, more attentive than energetic to this point, responded in kind, Pogoing as one and sending pints skyward  an official sign of approval at a Libertines gig.

If the Libs brought the swagger, Patti Smith brought the substance. Visibly moved by the cause, the 71-year-old American punk-poet read verse and sang songs in response to the Trump administrations decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, saying she believed it should be a neutral place instead. During the rabble-rousing protest song People Have The Power, Smith told the crowd, Believe it! Believe it!, prompting whoops of approval from the Roundhouse crowd.J ust A Minute host Nicholas Parsons first absence in more than 50 years has sparked a frenzy online with fans branding it the latest sign of the impending apocalypse.

The 94-year-old presenter has been on the BBC Radio 4 programme since its inception in 1967 but was absent for Monday nights instalment.

His absence prompted an outpouring of worried messages from fans on social media, causing the broadcaster to quickly assure listeners that Parsons was just enjoying a rare day off.

The BBC's head of radio comedy Julia McKenzie wrote on Twitter: "Just to reassure those listening to the very unexpected Just a Minute on @BBCRadio4 at the moment - the apocalypse is not upon us.

@GylesB1 [Gyles Brandreth] kindly stepped in to give Nicholas Parsons a couple of days off.

"NP is totally fine and is still the guvnor as per the last 50 years."

Radio listeners questioned whether it was 'the apocalypse' as Just A Minute was broadcast without its chair Nicholas Parsons, pictured (file image) / PA

However, plenty of people still wrote messages online saying that Just A Minute without Parsons felt like the end of the world.

One said: "The latest sign of the impending apocalypse. Nicholas Parsons is not in the chair for justaminute."

Another person posted: "Omg what happening. Nicholas Parsons isn't presenting justaminute. End of days. @BBCRadio4."

"Somewhere, the captain of a nuclear submarine is trying to work out what it means when Nicholas Parsons isn't hosting justaminute," said another.

One person suggested it was like "the ravens leaving the Tower of London".

McKenzie responded to some of the comments, assuring fans: "He's totally fine - we thought we'd allow him a day off after 50 yrs!"

She replied to another message by saying: "Yes don't worry he is fine and well - just a day off!"W ith a population fast approaching 20 million, jam-packed streets and a scene that sees high luxury rub shoulders with extreme poverty, Delhi is not for the faint hearted.

But with iconic landmarks, hipster haunts and stand-out street food aplenty it promises to get under the skin of those who dig beneath the surface.

Where is it?

Set in the tree-lined Lutyens diplomatic quarter, the hotels location brings together the best of both worlds. It enjoys a relatively quiet and peaceful spot yet is a mere stones throw from the restaurants and boutiques of plush New Delhi and within easy reach of hectic Old Delhi beyond it. India Gate, Connaught Place, Humayans Tomb and the Red Fort  all at the top of tourist itineraries  are each less than ten minutes by car or tuk tuk, and easily reachable on foot if youre of the walking persuasion.

Colonial elegance / Graham crouch

Style

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You cant miss this palatial 11-storey behemoth in pink sandstone, and the grandeur factor is only increased when you enter into a vast dome-roofed lobby and lounge space, clad in marble, filled with florals and crowned by a central water feature. There is colonial-era elegance at every turn, and exceptional service from staff to match is almost enough to make you feel like a raja.

Facilities

Despite the heritage feel, theres no shortage of mod-cons, including electronic window blinds and speedy wifi. Down an intricately carved marble staircase from the grand lobby is a large outdoor pool, along with an indoor spa, while several floors above is a delightful sun-trap balcony resplendent with green foliage. Counters offer assistance with everything from converting cash to booking train tickets and compiling full itineraries, while room service is available 24/7.

House of Ming restaurant

Food & drink

There are no fewer than six main restaurants and bars within this hotel, all popular with locals as well as those staying in-house. Fine-dining modern Indian restaurant Varq should be your first stop for intricately spiced dishes that blend local flavours with French techniques. Machan serves both Indian and international dishes 24 hours a day, and Ricks bar whips up classic cocktails alongside pan-Asian dishes. Chinese, Japanese and European cuisines are catered for by House of Ming, Wasabi and The Grill Room respectively.

Breakfast is worth including. A buffet takes in an impressive array of Indian street food-style favourites alongside the Continental staples and favourites such as masala omelettes, idlis and dosa are made to order.

Which room?

There are no bad rooms in this hotel, but naturally some are bigger than others. The deluxe rooms come with extra space and better views, while the Taj Club Rooms all come with butler service, airport pick-ups and access to the club lounge for complimentary cocktails each evening.

Extra-curricular

Ticking off the main sites, including Humayans Tomb and the Red Fort, is easy given how centrally this hotel is located  an important factor given Delhis notorious traffic.

Skip it all together and stroll down to India Gate around sunset to take in a gathering of locals from all walks of life, who descend on the landmark and its green surrounds to chat, chill and eat ice cream.

Also make time to explore the winding streets of Old Delhi. Take in Old Famous Jalebi Wala and sample the syrupy sweets that give its name as well as splendid samosas, and stop by Natraj Cafe for dahi bhalla, lentil balls in yoghurt with tamarind chutney.

In New Delhi, join the citys trendy types for dinner at modern Indian restaurant and cocktail bar Farzi Cafe, a small chain thats looking to open in London in the coming year. Even closer to the hotel, Khan Market is a laid-back spot to browse boutiques, and you can even grab a glass of Indian fizz at Perch Wine & Coffee Bar.

Best for: An exhilarating few days of culture, contrast and incredible cuisine before departing  preferably by train  to another of Indias bustling cities or making a beeline for the beach.A mother who was stabbed to death at home was seven months pregnant with her third child, her grieving family have revealed.

Andra Hilitanu, 28, was found with knife wounds at a flat in Neasden Lane, Brent, just after 2.30am on Friday. She died at the scene. A post-mortem examination gave a provisional cause of death as a stab wound to the neck.

The Romanian nationals family have now revealed that her unborn child had also died.

A 43-year-old man appeared yesterday at Willesden magistrates court charged with murder. Ioan Campeanu, of Neasden Lane, was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey tomorrow.

Ms Hilitanu moved to London three years ago to work as a hotel cleaner in Edmonton Green, her family said. Her son Angel, eight, lives in Italy with his father, and daughter Ariana, six, lives in Romania with her grandmother.

Ms Hilitanus siblings told the Standard that they too had become orphans as young children.

Ramona Hilitanu, her older sister, said she had first heard the news of the killing on Facebook. I found out from an acquaintance who sent me a link with information about what happened at Neasden, but I didnt know anything for sure, she told the Standard. The next day we were contacted by the Romanian authorities.

We are a modest family of four siblings who became orphans ourselves when we were young and we were raised by our grandmother who later suffered brain cancer.

Ms Hilitanus brother Dumitru told the Standard: The death of my sister and the baby in her womb has left two innocent little children and her brother and sisters who struggle to live with the thoughts.

Camelia Hilitanu, Ms Hilitanus sister-in-law, said: She was a big soul. She was a woman who helped you if you were in need. She came to England for a better job. It was her dream to have her children beside her. A neighbour of Ms Hilitanu said: She was happy-go-lucky, always smiling. Its such a shame. Two people died here, not just one.A baby is fighting for life in hospital and a woman is injured after being stabbed at a home in west London.

The one-year-old boy and the woman, in her 30s, were found suffering knife wounds at the residential address in Feltham on Monday.

A manhunt has been launched after the pair were rushed to hospital by the Air Ambulance Service following the attack in Swinfield Close.

Police descended on an address just after 7pm and the surrounding area was placed on lockdown.

Residents reported seeing up to 50 officers swarming the area following the incident, while an air ambulance landed in Oriel Academys school playing field.

One person told Get West London: "We have been told by police to stay in and lock doors. The estate is taped off, and an armed response is present."

Roads were cordoned off as police began scouring the area and hunting for the attacker on Monday night.

Scotland Yard said officers are now looking for a man who is known to live at the address and the three are believed to have been known to each other.

Officers said the boy remains in a critical condition, while the woman's injures are not life threatening.

No arrests have been made.

Police remained at the address on Monday night as investigators sealed off the crime scene.T his is the horrifying moment a schoolboy was attacked by a thug wielding a claw hammer while he waited for a bus in east London.

The victim, 16, almost fell unconscious after being hit repeatedly over the head in the shocking assault that unfolded in Poplar in front of terrified witnesses.

Police released CCTV footage showing the teenage suspect approach him before launching the vicious attack in East India Dock Road.

The boy managed to escape his attacker and board a bus where passengers helped to stop the suspect from joining the vehicle.

Poplar: detectives are hunting this man / Metropolitan Police

His assailant then ran off in the direction of Burdett Road still carrying the hammer following the incident on October 4.

Officers were called to the bus stop to reports of an assault at 4.20pm.

Poplar: The attacker hit the teenage victim repeatedly over the head with the claw hammer / Metropolitan Police

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and anyone who can identifying the suspect shown in the footage.

He is described as a black teenage boy with short black hair, wearing dark trousers and top, black shoes and a black rucksack with grey edging.

PC Jon Privett from Tower Hamlets borough said: "This is a horrific attack on a school boy. The boy nearly lost consciousness from blood loss as a result.

"The quick action of the passengers and bus driver prevented the boy from further attack, and they were able to contact emergency services promptly."

Anyone who has any information as to the identity of this male - or anyone witnesses the attack  is asked to contact police on 101 ref CAD5427/04Oct17.D etectives investigating the nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter have identified 2,500 people and 14,000 cars in Salisbury at the time.

The scale of the investigation was revealed today as Scotland Yard said their inquiries remained focused on the home of Mr Skripal, a former Russian intelligence officer who sought refuge in the UK after a spy swap.

Mr Skripal, 66, and Yulia Skripal, 33, who arrived from Moscow to visit her father the day before, were found collapsed on a bench near the Maltings shopping centre on March 4.

Doctors who treated the couple for exposure to the Russian-made military grade nerve agent Novichok feared they would not survive. However, the Skripals have since been released from hospital and both were said today to be making a good recovery.

Scotland Yard said about 100 counter terrorism officers remained in Salisbury sifting and assessing evidence and following a number of leads.

Police said 176 searches had been undertaken in Salisbury and officers had spoken to more than 900 witnesses.

Russian Spy Sergei Skripal: Salisbury Nerve Agent Incident 1 /14 Russian Spy Sergei Skripal: Salisbury Nerve Agent Incident Investigators in protective gear pursue the probe into the nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal Getty Russian spy 'poisoning': Sergei Skripal and Yulia Skripal are fighting for life in hospital PA Personnel in hazmat suits work to secure a tent covering a bench in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill by exposure to a nerve agent Andrew Matthews/PA ilitary personnel are deployed to help remove vehicles from the scene after former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found critically ill after exposure to a nerve agent in Salisbury Getty Images Military in protective clothing remove vehicles from a car park in Salisbury EPA Police cordon: Military personnel in Salisbury PA Traces of the nerve agent used to poison Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found at Zizzi in Salisbury PA Amber Rudd: she visited the scene where Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found after having been poisoned by a nerve agent REUTERS Personnel are helped from their hazmat suits (right), after securing a tent covering a bench in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill by exposure to a nerve agent Andrew Matthews/PA Personnel in hazmat suits walk away after securing a tent covering a bench in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill by exposure to a nerve agent Andrew Matthews/PA Police put a red bag inside a police evidence bag immediately after the nerve agent attack on a Russian spy. Officers previously issued CCTV of a woman clutching a red bag Solent news Snap Fitness 24/7 Police activity in the cul-de-sac in Salisbury that contains the home of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal who was poisoned along with daughter Yulia with a nerve agent PA Sergei Skripal shops at Bargain Stop in a CCTV image from five days before his apparent poisoning

Specialist officers who are expert in image identification have scoured more than 4,000 hours of CCTV from cameras in and around the Wiltshire city.

They are seeking to identify everyone who moved through the area in a window of time before the attack.

Yulia Skripal hopes to return to Russia

Detectives still believe the Skripals were contaminated with the nerve agent after it was smeared on the front door of Mr Skripals home and efforts are being made to identify all those who visited the cul-de-sac.

Police also revealed that 851 exhibits  out of 2,300  were being stored at Porton Down defence research laboratory because of contamination issues.H orrified shoppers were forced to run to safety after a gang of knife-wielding moped raiders tried to break into a luxury shop in the West End.

The dramatic scenes unfolded in broad daylight outside a luxury watch shop on Regent Street on Tuesday morning.

Terrified onlookers said the group  armed with knives and hammers  tried to storm Watches of Switzerland, but members of the public managed to tackle at least one of the gang.

Police later arrived at the scene and detained one of them, who was taken to central London station.

The others are believed to have fled before officers arrived, leaving one of their bikes strewn across the road.

Police said the gang made off with some stolen items snatched from the store.

The incident happened at around 10.20am on Tuesday.

One eyewitness said she saw six men trying to break into the watch shop as staff ushered people in to safety.

Staff on the doors of shops very swiftly got people in from the street, she wrote. Some of the public managed to wrestle the guys to the ground.

Another woman who saw the drama unfolding from a nearby shop said one of the suspects was wielding a massive knife.

She said police turned up at the scene seconds later.

"A male has been arrested following a robbery in central London this morning," a police statement said.

"Police were called at 10:18AM Tuesday, 5 June to reports of a robbery at a jewellery store in Regent Street, W1.

"it was reported that a number of suspects on scooters armed with knives and hammers entered the store and stole several items of property.

"One male was arrested at the scene on suspicion of robbery. He has been taken to a central London police station.A total of 47 rape and serious sexual assault cases were abandoned by prosecutors because vital evidence had been withheld from defence lawyers, it was revealed today.

The finding, which includes 23 London cases, comes after a national review was launched in January following the collapse of a series of trials because police and prosecutors failed to share key information with defence teams.

Today the Crown Prosecution Service announced that the report found disclosure errors in 47 out of 3,637 cases in England and Wales that were studied between January and mid-February. These included 13 cases that were stopped in north London and 10 in south London.

A total of 48 defendants were involved, including one woman. Fourteen were in custody because the allegations were considered so serious.

A string of rape cases collapsed in December and January when it emerged that vital evidence had not been passed to defence lawyers.

A case against Oxford Student Oliver Mears also collapsed

The trial of Liam Allan, 22, was halted at Croydon crown court after three days on December 14 when evidence emerged of a computer disk containing 40,000 messages which showed the alleged victim pestered him for casual sex. The prosecution of Isaac Itiary, 25, collapsed at Inner London crown court a few days later and the following month the case against Samson Makele, 28, was halted at Snaresbrook crown court after his defence team unearthed key images from his mobile phone which had not previously been made available.

Oxford student Oliver Mears, 19, who had spent two years on bail, had the case against him dropped days before he was due to go on trial.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Prior, who is leading the police on disclosure, said: Our whole criminal justice system is based on fairness and we have to strive and provide that for all the people who come into the criminal justice system. We have got it wrong in too many cases.

He also admitted that police had been too slow in addressing the issue. He added: Weve got to realise that this is about real people. Whether that is a person reporting a matter to us, whether it be a person as a witness, or whether it be somebody accused of an offence. Thats incredibly traumatic, whatever aspect you look at.

The review found five cases where disclosure was the primary reason why the case had to be stopped, while there were additional reasons in the remaining 42 cases, including communications data such as text messages, emails and social media being examined too late and a failure to get material from third parties.

Stepping down: Director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders / PA

Mr Prior said police forces faced a challenge of fewer detectives as well as the task of examining vast amounts of data on modern technology such as phones and computers.

Gregor McGill, CPS director of legal services, refused to say if any lawyers are facing disciplinary action over the collapsed cases, while Mr Prior said it was a matter for individual forces whether their officers should be held to account. When asked about potential compensation claims, Mr McGill said: Just because a case has been stopped doesnt necessarily mean that anyone is at fault.

Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders is stepping down at the end of her contract in October after being criticised over disclosure failings.

She said lawyers were getting it right in the vast majority of cases but added: There are cases where we are falling short and that is unacceptable. I recognise the huge impact on individuals involved and deeply regret every case where mistakes have been made. She said her organisations review was examining the whole culture within policing and the CPS.

Scotland Yard said the 23 cases amounted to three per cent of the total of 698 rape and sexual assault cases in London.A female pedestrian has been rushed to hospital with possible life-changing injuries after being hit by a cyclist at the notorious Bank junction.

Police officers were called to the junction in the City just after 5.30pm following reports of a collision.

The victim was taken to Royal London Hospital with a head injury, City of London Police said.

It comes after lorries, cars and taxis were banned from the junction last May in a bid to cut the high number of collisions.

The City of London Corporation said last month that the ban could be made permanent after the number of casualties fell by 50 per cent.

The ban, which covers Monday to Friday between 7am and 7pm, was welcomed by cyclists but criticised by taxi drivers.

It was a response to the death of cyclist Ying Tao, 26, who was crushed at the junction by a left-turning HGV in 2015.

Drivers who flout the ban are sent 130 fines.

The six-lane junction beside the Bank of England was the worst location in the City for road casualties.J eremy Corbyn is set to join representatives from all faiths at a ceremony to mark the one-year anniversary of the Finsbury Park terror attack.

The street party, organised by the Muslim Welfare House, is intended to celebrate the public reaction to the attack while also paying tribute to those affected.

Islington mayor David Poiyser is among a series of guest speakers at the event, which is being held outside Finsbury Park Mosque at 8pm on Wednesday.

One man was killed and eight people were injured when a van drove into pedestrians outside the mosque on June 19 last year.

Jeremy Corbyn speaks at a vigil at Finsbury Park Mosque following the attack / PA Archive/PA Images

Perpetrator Darren Osborne, a father-of-four from Cardiff, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 43 years in January.

Imam Mohamed Mahmoud, from the Muslim Welfare House, said: What was shown following that night is that these events bring out the best in all of us, as diamonds are only formed under pressure.

Vigil after Finsbury Park mosque attack 1 /11 Vigil after Finsbury Park mosque attack People in the crowd hold bunches of brightly coloured roses JEREMY SELWYN A line of people who have come to pay their respects observe a moment of silence Londoners make their way to a vigil outside Finsbury Park mosque Men, women and children observe a moment of silence Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick joins the crowd A woman wipes away a tear at a vigil for those affected by the Finsbury Park mosque attack Signs bearing messages of solidarity were held aloft at the vigil JEREMY SELWYN Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick joins faith leaders for the vigil JEREMY SELWYN People in the crowd hold bunches of brightly coloured roses JEREMY SELWYN People in the crowd hold bunches of brightly coloured roses JEREMY SELWYN Hundreds of people gathered for the vigil outside Finsbury Park mosque JEREMY SELWYN

We received outpourings of support from all over the world from people of all backgrounds who have the capacity to care for others whom they have had no contact with.

"Today we want to say thank you for that. We have a common cause; to stand on one footing for humanity, quality, justice and peace."

The free ceremony is set to combine a traditional British street party with a Muslim iftar, the sunset meal after a Ramadan fast.

The food, including biryani, samosas, chickpea masala and kebabs, will be available for free from 9.15pm.L ondoners need a 283 per cent pay increase to afford to buy a home in the capital, according to a major new report.

Households require an annual income of almost 134,000 to afford a mortgage but average salaries in London are 35,610, data from the National Housing Federations Home Truths report reveals.

The average house price in London is 585,000, more than double the figure for the rest of the UK.

The research showed that even in the most affordable area, Barking and Dagenham, the average income is half of the 68,448 needed to get a mortgage.

The housing market had seen a "relentless rise in the gap between house prices and people's salaries, experts say / PA Wire/PA Images

In 26 of 33 boroughs more than 100,000 is needed to buy a home with an 80 per cent mortgage.

London borough Average (mean house prices 2017/18) Income required for 80 per cent mortgage Camden 1,027,351 234,823 City of London 933,478 213,366 Hackney 599,129 136,944 Hammersmith and Fulham 937,157 214,207 Haringey 626,823 143,274 Islington 760,315 173,786 Kensington and Chelsea 1,983,779 453,435 Lambeth 588,505 134,516 Lewisham 441,683 100,956 Newham 384,651 87,920 Southwark 649,321 148,416 Tower Hamlets 526,798 120,411 Wandsworth 788,501 180,229 Westminster 1,610,477 368,109 Barking and Dagenham 229,459 68,448 Barnet 590,868 135,055 Bexley 345,675 79,011 Brent 519,123 118,657 Bromley 483,823 110,588 Croydon 377,694 86,330 Ealing 553,845 126,593 Enfield 459,498 105,028 Greenwich 452,901 103,520 Harrow 512,572 117,159 Havering 366,694 83,816 Hillingdon 444,016 101,489 Hounslow 482,290 110,238 Kingston upon Thames 550,596 125,851 Merton 595,378 136,086 Redbridge 429,738 98,226 Richmond upon Thames 781,260 178,574 Sutton 391,393 89,461 Waltham Forest 440,844 100,764

Ruth Williamson, external affairs manager for the National Housing Federation, said the housing market had seen a "relentless rise in the gap between house prices and people's salaries."

She added that getting a mortgage is becoming increasingly difficult for Londoners.

The most expensive mortgage is in Kensington and Chelsea where the income required is 453,435. The mean house price in the borough is 1,983,779.

Britain's most expensive street: Kensington Palace Gardens / Getty Images

Westminster and Camden, where is the average house price is also more than 1,000,000, are also among the most expensive areas.

The cheapest boroughs, where the income required for a mortgage averages less than 100,000, include Bexley, Croydon, Sutton, Havering, Newham and Redbridge.

The average private sector rent is 1,748 a month, rising to over 3,500 in Kensington and Chelsea. The cheapest average rent can be found in Croydon, at 1,104.

The number of people in work claiming Housing Benefit, at 36 per cent, is higher than any other region in Britain.

There is also a huge shortfall in housing. Between 2012 and 2016, there were 177,590 too few homes  the biggest discrepancy in the country.

Ms Williamson said: "The housing market has seen a relentless rise in the gap between house prices and peoples salaries. Attaining a mortgage is increasingly unrealistic for Londoners and private sector rents make saving up that bit more difficult.

"As this years Home Truths report shows, it is more important than ever for the sector to be able to deliver homes that are truly affordable. If we want to get serious about ending the housing crisis, we need to start looking at unlocking more land so we can build homes faster."

James Murray, deputy mayor for housing and residential development, said: "The housing crisis is the biggest challenge facing London today and the Mayor is using all the powers he has to help tackle the problem. He has overhauled planning rules so that developers have to build more affordable housing, and last year his funding saw more than 12,500 genuinely affordable homes get underway, including thousands based on social rent levels.Y oung siblings whose mother died from breast cancer are taking part in a Muddy Kids charity event in her memory.

Eight-year-old Tarai Edgehill is said to be passionate about finding a cure after he and three-year-old sister Sanai lost their mum Annalesha almost a year ago, aged 33.

They will join their father Tarik at the launch of the Pretty Muddy Kids event in Enfield, which is being held in London for the first time in aid of Cancer Research.

Tarai will take part in a muddy obstacle course featuring scramble nets, space hoppers, mud chutes and muddy pools. The children wanted to do something for charity after their mother took part in the Race for Life following her diagnosis.

The children with their late mother Annalesha / JustGiving

American-born Mr Edgehill, 34, moved to the UK 10 years ago after meeting Annalesha, known as Anna, in Miami. He said: We were just a happy family living a nice life in east London when cancer came along and changed our lives. I try to be mummy as best I can. Its a real journey but we are taking it step by step.

Tarai particularly, has seen the ups, the downs and the pain. Since his mothers passing, he has been concentrating on science projects. Hes passionate about it  he really wants to find a cure for cancer. I dont know if he will follow that road, but right now, that is helping him. I tell them Anna would have been so proud of them. She is still here with them  they know she lives in their hearts.

Pretty Muddy Kids has a 10 entry fee and is for children aged five to 12 / SNAPP ressure was growing on Chris Grayling to get a grip on Britains railways today following the shambolic introduction of a new timetable.

The Transport Secretary has said he was prepared to sack one of Londons worst-performing train companies GTR if it was judged to have been negligent in its preparations.

But in an unprecedented move, 25 newspapers in the north of England joined forces today to run front page articles calling on Theresa May to take charge of the situation.

They also raised a threat to progress towards Londons Crossrail 2 project, arguing that the norths trans-Pennine high-speed line should take priority.

United fronts: 25 papers in the North today called for the PM to take charge

The political storm followed millions of passengers suffering crippling delays and cancellations in the timetable switchover, with disruption particularly severe on Northern and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) services.

In the Commons yesterday, MPs from all parties lashed out at rail firms  while Mr Grayling faced repeated calls to resign from the Opposition. Heaping blame on the rail operators, Mr Grayling said they had promised until the last moment that the timetable changes would be smoothly accomplished. The rail industry has collectively failed to deliver for the passengers it serves, he said.J obs could be lost around the country if there are delays crossing to the Continent after Brexit, Channel Tunnel chiefs warned today.

They also said that express delivery and logistics businesses could relocate out of the UK, and food and flowers might perish if held up in port for days.

The warning follows a report that civil servants are examining scenarios for a Doomsday Brexit which could see the Port of Dover paralysed on day one if Britain leaves the EU with no deal, and supplies of medicine, fuel and food running short within weeks.

Channel Tunnel operator Getlink and port bosses from Calais and Zeebrugge were today giving evidence to the Commons Treasury Committee, chaired by Conservative MP Nicky Morgan.

The tunnel chiefs raised concerns over the impact of border delays as Theresa May seeks to bridge Cabinet divides over the Governments preferred option for a future trade partnership with the EU, ahead of a Commons showdown on whether the UK should remain in a customs union.

Getlink told the MPs: Our view is that the introduction of Smart Border technology is essential to ensuring that frictionless trade can be maintained.

Pre-declaration of goods to be imported or exported, a trigger on arrival at the border and inspections inland or at the point of delivery are the only way that this can be achieved.

However, the company said that the Government would not be able to achieve this before Brexit.

Delivering this level of sophistication will be a complex and lengthy process and it is already too late to envisage it being in place in March 2019, it added. Government needs to step up its delivery significantly in order to ensure that the economy can continue to grow.

Getlink emphasised that 220,000 jobs were supported by UK producers transporting goods through the Channel Tunnel, including many in the East and West Midlands, as well as in other regions. The sectoral breakdown showed 45,000 of these posts were in the production of computers and electronics, 32,000 in steel, iron and other metal production, 21,000 in the production of motor vehicles, parts and other transport equipment, and 48,000 in manufacturing and service industries as a result of the export of postal and courier freight.

A proportion of these jobs could be put at risk if delays at the border resulted in a reduction in demand for UK exports, Getlink stated in written evidence.

The company urged ministers to ensure the UK Border Force has enough resources to speed up border processes including immigration controls, customs clearance and security.

Leading British businesses yesterday warned Mrs May that maintaining frictionless trade with the European Union after Brexit was probably more important than any tariff levels.A doctor who caused a baby to be decapitated during birth has been cleared of serious misconduct and can return to work, a medical tribunal has ruled.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MTPS) panel said "the only appropriate course" was a caesarean section as the baby - known as baby B - was in the breech position, with a prolapsed cord and low heart rate, and the mother's cervix was less than 4cm dilated.

The baby's head became trapped during the birth and various techniques were tried to free it, but during this his "head became detached from his body". MTPS said he had died before this happened.

On Tuesday, the tribunal cleared Dr Laxman of serious misconduct and said her fitness to practise was not impaired.

It ruled the decision to proceed with a natural birth was "negligent and fell below the standards ordinarily to be expected" but did not amount to serious misconduct.

The panel's written decision said: "The failing which the tribunal has found proved was not sustained, persistent or repeated, but rather a single error of judgement made in very difficult circumstances.

"The tribunal was satisfied that throughout the attempted delivery of baby B, Dr Vilvanathan Laxman believed that she was acting in both patient A's and baby B's best interests, and that she genuinely believed that proceeding with a vaginal delivery was the optimum course to take in the circumstances which existed at the time."

The panel added: "The tribunal is satisfied that Dr Vilvanathan Laxman has expressed genuine and appropriate remorse for what happened, and she candidly accepted responsibility as the consultant in charge in theatre that day.

"Further, at no point has Dr Vilvanathan Laxman sought to blame others for what happened or to minimise her actions."

It was ruled Dr Laxman should not receive a formal warning over the case and an interim order on her medical registration has now been revoked.

The report said: "In all the circumstances, the tribunal has concluded that Dr Vilvanathan Laxman's conduct did not fall so far short of the standards of conduct reasonably to be expected of a doctor as to amount to serious misconduct.

"In respect of patient safety, the tribunal was satisfied that Dr Vilvanathan Laxman does not currently present a risk to patients.

"Dr Vilvanathan Laxman's wrong decision related to an isolated, single incident in an otherwise unblemished career."

The panel concluded: "Nothing in this determination should detract from the fact that on March 16 2014 Dr Vilvanathan Laxman made a significant error of judgement which had serious consequences and a profound impact upon patient A and for which Dr Vilvanathan Laxman bears a heavy responsibility."T he Foreign Office has warned tourists travelling to Turkey to stay away from "large crowds".

An election is set to take place in Turkey on 24 June with rallies and demonstrations predicted across the country.

The snap-election was called by president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in response to rising opposition against his rule.

In 2016, there was an attempted coup against the president by some members of the military.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called a snap election / AP

New advice from the Foreign Office told those planning on heading to the country that a terrorist attack is very likely and that Brits should avoid large gatherings.

It warned tourists: Terrorists are very likely to carry out attacks in Turkey.

"Terrorist groups, including Kurdish groups, Daesh and far left organisations, continue to plan and carry out attacks. Further attacks could be indiscriminate.

Its thought that extra security checks could be put in place on flights to Turkey from the UK.

Turkey is a popular tourist destination with British nationals making over 1.7 million trips to Turkey in 2016 alone.H undreds of civilians were killed and thousands were injured in the US-led campaign to liberate the Syrian city of Raqqa from the clutches of Islamic State, a charity has claimed.

Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the start of the offensive, Kate Allen, the director of Amnesty International UK, said Britain "needs to come clean over its role in this carnage".

War Of Annihilation: Devastating Toll On Civilians, Raqqa, published by Amnesty on Tuesday, claims coalition air and artillery strikes detailed within it "appear either disproportionate or indiscriminate or both and as such unlawful and potential war crimes".

"Civilians in Raqqa have suffered grievously at the hands of IS, but they've also been imperilled by the coalition's disproportionate aerial attacks," Ms Allen said.

The US-led coalition campaign to liberate the city from the clutches of Islamic State killed hundreds of civilians, Amnesty International claim (file photo) / PA

"The coalition's operations in Raqqa have killed hundreds and injured thousands of civilians and the UK needs to come clean over its role in this carnage.

"Having conducted more than 200 airstrikes in Raqqa, the UK needs to be able to show that its targeting was proportionate and that it took proper measures to avoid unnecessary civilian casualties in its joint operations with the US and others.

"Instead of repeating a mantra about there being 'no evidence' of civilian casualties from UK airstrikes, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) should publish proper data about its Raqqa attacks - dates, times, locations, weapons used and intended targets.

"Crucially, ministers should explain how the UK has investigated the impact of its attacks in both Raqqa and Mosul."

In response, coalition spokesman US Army Colonel Sean Ryan invited Ms Allen to "leave the comforts of the UK" and to head to Syria and Iraq to see how they are "fighting an enemy that does not abide by any laws, norms or human concern".

Children searching for scrap metal in the rubble of destroyed buildings in Raqqa / PA

"There, she can personally witness the rigorous efforts and intelligence gathering the coalition uses before any strike to effectively destroy IS while minimising harm on civilian populations," he said.

"She can see firsthand our enemy using civilian non-combatants as shields against (the) coalition in order to sadistically claim that the coalition is 'killing' civilians.

"Finally, she can see the painstaking efforts we make to assess allegations of civilian casualties."

He said Amnesty International has not contacted the coalition for details on how strikes are conducted, or if their processes meet the requirements set out in international treaties and agreements, which he said they do.

Col Ryan said the findings collated in the report which claim strikes were disproportionate or indiscriminate are "more or less hypothetical", and stressed that any "non-combatant death or injury is a tragedy" with "meticulous processes in place to ensure we do everything possible to avoid them".

Responding to calls for the UK to come clean over its role, the MoD said it has been open and transparent.

An Amnesty International photo of what the charity says is an unexploded MK 82 bomb dropped by coalition forces in Raqqa / PA

A MoD spokesman said: "Keeping Britain safe from the threat of terrorism is the objective of this campaign and throughout we have been open and transparent, detailing each of our nearly 1,700 strikes, facilitating operational briefings and confirming when a civilian casualty had taken place.

"We do everything we can to minimise the risk to civilian life through our rigorous targeting processes and the professionalism of the RAF crews but, given the ruthless and inhuman behaviour of Daesh, and the congested, complex urban environment in which we operate, we must accept that the risk of inadvertent civilian casualties is ever present."

In 2014 IS blitzed across Syria and seized Raqqa, before spreading into north and western Iraq, to capture Mosul - they even advanced to the edges of Baghdad.

The UK is just one country that makes up the Global Coalition of 75-members joined together in a commitment to eradicate IS - with the RAF so far carrying out more than 1,600 strikes as part of Operation Shader.

Last month the MoD admitted for the first time that a civilian on a motorbike had been "unintentionally killed" in eastern Syria as a result of an RAF Reaper drone strike on March 26.

Col Ryan said the conflict was "started by IS and their fake caliphate, at the expense of many thousands of lives killed in service of fanatical and selfish purposes".

He also called on Amnesty for their thoughts on the countless innocent lives that could have been lost had the coalition not intervened against the extremists which "murdered, pillaged, raped and stole their way to gaining full control of swathes of areas in Iraq and Syria".

The four-month coalition military operation to eradicate the terror group from Raqqa, the capital of their so-called caliphate, began on June 6 and was declared over on October 17 last year.

During the course of the operation homes, buildings and much of the city and its infrastructure were "damaged beyond repair" after tens of thousands of strikes, the report states.

Across two weeks Amnesty researchers visited 42 coalition airstrike sites and interviewed 112 survivors and witnesses - who told of the destruction caused by the aerial bombardments.

The charity said the harrowing stories and recollections of immense family losses stand in stark contrast to the coalition's claims that they took great pains to minimise civilian casualties.

Despite acknowledging that IS "exacerbated the challenges inherent to urban combat by operating amongst civilians and using them as human shields", Amnesty said these tactics "were well known".

And it conceded how the dress code imposed on IS fighters and civilians "made it even more difficult" for Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the coalition to "distinguish between them".

The report also suggests a deal negotiated between tribal leaders in Raqqa and the SDF to allow IS fighters to leave the city safely and with impunity could not have been possible without coalition agreement.

Questioning why the city was blitzed in light of the truce, Amnesty International Middle East researcher Benjamin Walsby said: "What possible military advantage was there in destroying practically an entire city and killing so many civilians?"

Col Ryan denied the coalition was "in the business of making deals" with IS, and said there was "still active fighting happening throughout the city" during that time, and to characterise the city as peaceful during those discussions is a "clear misstatement".T ributes have poured in for the "great talent" Kate Spade after the fashion designer was today found dead at her New York home in an apparent suicide.

Fashion icons, celebrities and fans of the handbag designer flooded social media with memories of Kate's "lively, colourful and joyous" designs on Tuesday.

Her namesake former company Kate Spade New York, which she sold in 2007, said the news was "incredibly sad".

Fashion designer Kate Spade dies aged 55

"Although Kate has not been affiliated with the brand for more than a decade, she and her husband and creative partner, Andy, were the founders of our beloved brand," the statement said. "Kate will be dearly missed."

The American designer co-founded the firm with her husband Andy in the 1990s, and opened her first store in 1996.

Kate Spade - in pictures 1 /9 Kate Spade - in pictures Fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead at her New York apartment AP The accessories designer co-founded global brand Kate Spade New York in 1993 AP Pictured with Michael Kors, the handbag designer sold her namesake company in 2007 The designer took a decade-long hiatus to raise her daughter REUTERS Kate Spade New York now sells products including clothing, jewellery, shoes, stationery, eyewear, and homeware Getty Images In 2017, Ms Spade and her husband Andy launched a new accessories brand Getty Images The Kate Spade store in the SoHo neighbourhood of Manhattan Getty Images Coach bought out the company in 2017 Getty Images The firm is known for its sleek silhouettes and graphic prints Getty Images for Kate Spade New

The company now has more than 140 retail shops and outlet stores across the US and more than 175 shops internationally.

Kate and Andy launched a new accessories company, Frances Valentine, last year.

In a statement, Council of Fashion Designers of America heads Steven Kolb and Diane von Furstenberg said: "The CFDA is devastated to hear the news of our friend, colleague, and CFDA member Kate Spades tragic passing.

"She was a great talent who had an immeasurable impact on American fashion and the way the world viewed American accessories.

The designer co-founded Kate Spade New York in the early 1990s / Getty Images

"We want to honour her life and her major contribution to the fashion business and express our most sincere condolences to the family."

Meanwhile, notable fans of the brand shared memories of the designer online.

Chelsea Clinton tweeted: "My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college. I still have it. Holding Kates family, friends and loved ones in my heart."

Bette Miller wrote: "Kate Spade, whose lively, colorful, and yes, joyous designs has died. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends, and her many fans around the world, who loved the wonderful illusions she created. I am stunned."

Designer Kenneth Cole said: "'I believed that I could, so I did.' She alone didn't change the handbag world but she was an inspiring accessory. RIP."

Actress and writer Lena Dunham also paid tribute to Kate.

"Kate Spade was more than a designer," she wrote. "She had a quirky visual language that captivated Bat Mitzvah girls and artists alike.

"She was also a staple of NYC who spread good will. My heart breaks for her family. Thank you, Kate, from one of the millions you made feel beautiful."

And Mindy Kaling said: "I am heartbroken about the news of Kate Spade. I have worn her clothes many, many times.

"They were colourful, bold, cheerful, and encouraged women to find the twinkly person inside them. You couldnt walk into her boutiques and not smile. Rest In Peace, Kate."

Reese Witherspoon wrote: "My heart and prayers go out to Kate Spade and her family. What a wonderful, talented woman who will be dearly missed."

Ivanka Trump also tweeted, saying: "Kate Spades tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know anothers pain or the burden they carry."

Meanwhile, women across the globe have flooded the internet with sentimental memories of the hit designer.

Many shared stories of their first Kate Spade bags using the #KateSpade.D onald Trumps former campaign manager Paul Manafort has been accused of trying to tamper with witnesses by investigators probing alleged Russian interference into the US election.

Robert Mueller, the US special counsel investigation possible Russian collusion, accused Manafort of attempting to contact potential witnesses through encrypted messenger services.

He said the 69-year-old, who is currently on bail after being charged with fraud and tax offences, contacted people with the intention of seeking false testimony.

Manafort has not yet responded to the claims.

Special counsel Robert Mueller is leading the probe into alleged Russian collusion / Getty Images

Mueller said the alleged actions are a breach of Manaforts bail conditions and urged the judge to reconsider the decision not to jail him.

This could result in Manafort, who has been under house arrest since October, being jailed until his first trail in September.

Manafort worked on Trump's campaign in 2016 / EPA

In a court filing on Monday, Muellers prosecutors said Manafort repeatedly attempted to contact two unnamed witnesses in an effort to influence their testimony and to otherwise conceal evidence.

According to the documents one of the potential witnesses said he believed the contact was an effort to suborn perjury - inducing a witness to lie under oath.

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort leaving federal court in October after being charged / Getty Images

Manafort is accused of attempting to contact one of the witnesses in February after a jury indicted him over allegations surrounding a lobby group working to promote the interests of Ukraine called The Hapsburg Group.

The group was, according to the charges, made up of senior European politicians who claimed to be independent but were paid by Ukraine to lobby for its causes in the US.

Hilary Clinton: Trump administration undermining US leadership around the world

The witness claimed Manafort said he wanted to give a heads-up about Hapsburg and said: We should talk.

He is also accused of trying to contact one witness on February 24, a day after his former Trump campaign colleague Rick Gates pleaded guilty to conspiracy to evade paying tax and lying to the FBI about his and Manafort's work with the Ukrainians.

Gates, a business associate of Paul Manafort surrendered himself to the FBI after being charged with offenses stemming from the Russia investigation / EPA

The filing says: The government confirmed that these messages were sent by Manafort, upon review of Manaforts iCloud account pursuant to a court-authorized search.

President Trump and his campaign have denied any collusion with Russia and called the special counsel investigation a "witch hunt".

Manafort and Gates both worked on the Trump presidential election campaign in 2016 and were among several members of Trumps team to be indicted by Mueller.R eese Witherspoon is set to reprise her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde 3, according the US reports.

Multiple sources claim that the popular film franchise is set to make a comeback 15 years after the second film was released, which ended with Elle aspiring to work at the White House.

According to both The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline, the actress would produce the film through her Hello Sunshine banner.

The brand, founded by Witherspoon, describes their company as anchored in storytelling, creating and discovering content that celebrates women and puts them at the centre of the story.

Legally Blonde: Reese Witherspoon starred as lead in the films

The publications also report that original writers Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah are set to return to their roles while Mark Platt and Adam Siegel would produce, alongside the lead star.

Standard Online has contacted MGM and representatives for Witherspoon for comment.

Meanwhile, Witherspoon is busy filming the second series of HBO hit Big Little Lies, in which she stars alongside Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Zoe Kravitz and Shailene Woodley.

The all-star cast will be joined by award-winning actress Meryl Streep for the new run of episodes.

On Monday, the 42-year-old actress posted a picture of a Big Little Lies bowling break with Kidman, Woodley and Streep.Y ears after we mourned the loss of Waterloo Road from our screens, Channel 4 dived right in to the school-based teen drama with Ackley Bridge  returning tonight for a second series.

The soap-style show is set in a fictional Yorkshire mill town, Ackley Bridge, tackles current affairs and issues surrounding youth culture and integration as the predominantly-Asian school continues to adapt to live merged with an predominantly-white school.

Last years series fared well on Channel 4, a different broadcaster from the popular almost cult-like Waterloo Road, and featured several hard-hitting storylines such as life in the care system, teen parenthood and sexuality all of which struck a deep chord with fans, who hailed the show a success.

Ahead of series two of the school drama, here is everything you need to know

Ackley Bridge - Episode 1 preview clip

What is Ackley Bridge?

The school drama, set in a fictional town, centres around two schools  very different in their population  merging and learning to get on together.

Along the way, the programme explored wider issues in society from within its fictional bubble, most notable featuring a storyline with one of the main characters  Nasreen - struggles with her sexuality in the context of her religious family.

School: Hayley (Cody Ryan), Nas (Amy Leigh Hickman), Missy (Poppy Lee Friar), Razia (Nazmeen Kausar Hussain) / Channel 4

Other issues at the forefront of the first series included two girls caught up in the care system after their guardian, their Nana, sadly passed away. Teen pregnancy was also featured throughout the shows six episode run.

Away from the youngsters, lives were also turned upside down when an affair between the head teacher  Mandy Carter - and a students parent was revealed.

What happens in series two?

Doubling its run, the 12 episode series will explore more issues affecting communities in and around Britain today, such as educational attainment, gangs and coping independently as well as still continue to deal with sexual and emotional identity and family life. Each episode is an hour long.

The boys: Naveed (Gurjeet Singh), Jordan (Samuel Bottomley), Cory (Sam Retford), Riz (Nohail Nazir Mohammed) / Channel 4

Whos in the cast?

Ex-EastEnders matriarch Jo Joyner (famed for playing Tanya Branning) stars as headteacher Mandy, whos relationship with Steve Bell  played by Paul Nicholls  broke down during the last series.

In charge: Kaneez (Sunetra Sarker), Mandy (Jo Joyner) and Emma (Liz White) / Channel 4

Sunetra Sarker also returns as Kaneez Paracha, Liz White as Emma Keane, Amy Leigh-Hickman reprises her role as Nasreen Paracha, Adil Ray will star as Sadiq Nawaz and Poppy Lee Friar is Missy Booth.

When is it on?T he first thing you notice in Tony Groundss Enid Blyton-esque army drama Our Girl (BBC1, 9pm), apart from Georgie (Michelle Keegan) and her impeccably trimmed eyebrows, is the sense of calm.

Its not just that its Too Damn Quiet, as Trotter said to Osborne in Journeys End, though they overdo the void-before-the-storm thing to the extent of almost forgetting to have any weather at all. Its the fact that life in the army is almost teenage in its simplicity.

Not late teenage, admittedly. More like the confusing moment just after pubescence, when all conversation is banter and all of it is sexual in nature, but innocent too, because the kids who are doing the bantering would have no real idea what to do with their hormonal armaments even if they were given the chance.

How does it go, this banter?

Tour: Michelle Keegan stars in Our Girl / BBC

Well, theres a c**kwomble (isnt there always?). Theres a squaddie who is in a huff because, och, it doesnt really matter much. Hes called Brains, ironically, on account of his stubborn stupidity. But he gets talked round by Georgie. Im a grown-up, he says, suddenly healing. I shouldnt be reacting like this. Im a d**k.

Theres a tough woman who is maybe a lesbian, though that doesnt put the lads off, because lesbianism is just a challenge waiting to be conquered, or  in the last resort  a spectator sport. Theres a joke about estate agents in Nigeria, and how a slum there would still be better than a house in Liverpool. Theres a posh officer who is like a teacher, or an adult. And theres a tosser in a Hummer who drives into the little Nigerian town like he owns the place, and is very rude and bossy.

Georgie confronts him. There is a some swearing, a mild sense of threat. Then he says, Why dont you run along, love? to Georgie, which is like, really bad, because: girl power.

What, you may be wondering is the British Army doing in Nigeria, apart from delivering a metaphorical critique of Blightys diminished status as a post-imperial power? They are mentoring the locals, and giving a bit of medical assistance here and there. Its not as easy it seems. Nigeria is a complicated country, a Nigerian warns them, though nobody listens.

And then, the first shoe drops. The squaddies  Georgie, Julian, Dick, Anne, and Timmy the Dog  are motoring towards Boko Haram territory. As Georgie says, What could possibly go wrong?

There is a bit of explaining about the bad guys. Boko Haram is a naughty organisation which kidnaps schoolgirls. Then they get them pregnant. The girls dont want to leave their babies behind, so they get stuck. Thats a proper what- the-heck-do-you-do? situation, says someone, and it is.

Happily, Georgie has a plan. She tells it to her posh commanding officer. My dad once jumped in the Manchester ship canal, because he saw all these kittens drowning. He didnt save them all, but he got a few.

The drowning kitten strategy isnt a precise analogy for British foreign policy but you can see its appeal to an idealist such as Georgie. She wants to do good. She has the urge to Go Too Far, and to bend the rules in order to save the Nigerian kittens.

Its quiet. Too damn quiet. You can bet your boots that Boko Haram is up to something.

Pick of the day

Brothers & Sisters series 1-5 - Sky Box Sets

This long-running family saga, created by Jon Robin Baitz (who wrote Stonewall and created The Slap), was an award-winning hit during its five season run in the US but has been rather overlooked in the UK.

The story follows the fortunes of the wealthy Walker family after the death of food magnate William Walker. It is a kind of Californian Dallas, with an extraordinary cast including Sally Field as the overbearing matriarch Nora Walker, who has to cope with revelations about her husbands infidelity.

The children include Kitty (Calista Flockhart in a role that is more endearing than Ally McBeal) and Sarah (Rachel Griffiths, who was so memorable in Six Feet Under). Kittys politician husband is played by Rob Lowe. The sons are businessman Tommy (Balthazar Getty), gay lawyer Kevin (Matthew Rhys) and addict and Afghan war vet Justin (Dave Annable).

The drama swirls among the competing demands of this extended family. Its quietly compelling and never quite found an audience in the UK, but with all five seasons now available as a box set, theres no excuse not to get hooked.

Later Live  with Jools Holland  - BBC2, 10pm

Isnt it time we cut Jools Holland some slack?

Its true, Later has its flaws; the moment where the presenter sits in with an otherwise blameless artist to add a bit of boogie woogie piano can be a chore. And yes, his interview technique is often an exercise in car-crash banality. But without Later where would we be?

Television seems incapable of working out how to present music, and Later is still in the habit of producing what Simon Cowell likes to call a moment. There was a moment on Later last week, with the appearance of Young Fathers. It was quite extraordinary, and it couldnt have happened anywhere else. Tonight, keep your eyes peeled for St Vincent and Christine and the Queens.

Funny Man - London Live, 12.10am

Not every victory is an unalloyed win, because in this cult horror comedy Max (Benny Young) wins the ancestral home of the inscrutable and foreboding Callum Chance (Christopher Lee) in a card game, a home shared with a demonic presence.

If his fiendish pranks dont kill you, his jokes will finish you off

NHS: 2 billion a Week and Counting - London Live, 9pm

Right now the Government has a lot on its plate (it has over-ordered, the greedy devil), from a 10-mile wide fantasy Brexit land in Ireland to a trade war with our bestest friend, but the NHS could do with a bit of attention.

The continuing funding squeeze and the Prime Ministers apparent personal blocking of overseas doctors working in the UK are contributing to pressure on the system. This places viewers in the invidious position of determining which patients deserve treatment over others.

In this episode the real-life cases up for scrutiny include the treatment of heroin users and whether David should be given a brand new prosthetic leg.

Catch up

Here To Be Heard: The Story Of - The Slits - Sky On Demand

This lengthy documentary about the pioneering all-woman punk band, below, has just been screened on Sky Arts, and while it isnt the most coherent of films, it does offer a reminder of the groups groundbreaking approach. Fans of Viv Albertines two books of memoir may want to catch a glimpse of what the untutored fuss was about.

Serial box

Doctor Who - BBC iPlayer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Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu said on Tuesday that the Black Sea region is highly sensitive and that a "burden as to finding a balance of the powers in this area" has started to spawn from its geostrategic importance.

"Historically, the Black Sea region is a point of intersection, a point where the West meets the East and the North meets the South. This region has been and further is an area of continuous cooperation that requires all those here to find common ground and it is a gateway to Central Europe. (...) After years and years of lingering on the edge of Europe, in the last 10 years this region has regained its vocation, meaning that it has become the next frontier of the European way of thinking as regards energy security, trade connections and other important political areas. Despite this, the geostrategic importance of the region has started generating a burden as to finding a balance of powers here. We see the butterfly effect and many other effects, as developments overtake us and things change," Melescanu told the Atlantic-Black Sea Security Forum - Bracing for The Storm - Is United Western Action Possible? organized at the Palace of Parliament.

He underscored that the use of force in Georgia in 2008, Russia's annexing the Crimean peninsula, the conflicts in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, and the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan seriously affect security in the Black Sea region.The Foreign Minister argued that joint action is needed, pointing out that this is the only possible answer to the current state of play. According to Melescanu, greater coherence in allied action is required in terms of deterrence and defence. Melescanu also mentioned that Romania wants cooperation in the Black Sea region to continue.In his turn, President of the Aspen Institute Romania Mircea Geoana said that the Black Sea region is a "microcosm of geopolitics, a microcosm of competition among regional and global players.""In the Black Sea region we are faced not just with traditional threats, but also with various degrees of threats or challenges in society and only," Mircea Geoana said.The Atlantic-Black Sea Security Forum - Bracing for the Storm - Is Western Action Possible? is organized by the Aspen Institute Romania in partnership with the NATO Public Diplomacy Division and the Bucharest office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.It is unacceptable for a group of prosecutors to demand the suspension of the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR)'s rulings, on Tuesday said the Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, in the meeting of the Section for Prosecutors with the Superior Council of Magistrates (CSM).

"I'll invite you to join me in a discussion with the prosecutors of the Prosecutors' Office attached to the Court of Brasov, because it is unacceptable (...), they come from the National Institute of Magistracy (INM), they are trained on the European component, judicial norms, but to demand such things - to suspend the rulings of the CCR - this is implying something else. So, we need very well trained prosecutors, to enhance their status, their independence, since these are stipulated in the Constitution. (...). (We should) have a talk, at least so as to make things clear, so that we see how it is possible for a prosecutor or a group of prosecutors to request the suspension of the rulings of the CCR and other such demands," Toader said at the meeting in which Felix Banila is being interviewed for the DIICOT (Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Directorate) chief prosecutor position.

The Justice minister accused, in the same context, the existence in the public space of certain misinformation regarding the danger that the prosecutors' independence could be affected.On 18 May, the General Assembly of the Prosecutors with the Brasov Court's Prosecutors Office requested the suspension of the adoption of a Constitutional Court's new ruling referring to the Justice Laws package until the Venice Commission sends its opinion."In accordance with the provisions of the Romanian Constitution, the International Treaties Romania is part of are mandatory and take precedence over the internal legal regulations, so that implicitly, the GRECO recommendations are also mandatory for the Romanian legislator," the Prosecutor's Office attached to Brasov Court said.Romania and Croatia will promote together the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region, over the period of their holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Minister delegate for European Affairs Victor Negrescu stated during a visit he carried out on Monday in Zagreb, the Republic of Croatia, a press release of the Foreign Affairs Ministry sent to AGERPRES informs.

Minister Negrescu met with Andreja Metelko-Zgombic, State Secretary for European Affairs within the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, with Miro Kovac, the President of the Committee for Foreign Policy of the Croatian Parliament and with Davor Ivo Stier, vice president of the Committee for Foreign Policy of the Croatian Parliament.

During consultations, Negrescu presented to his partners aspects of the preparation process regarding Romania's taking over, as of 1 January, 2019, of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, underscoring the need to deepen coordination in European affairs, including from the perspective of the two states belonging to the Trio of residencies of the Council of the EU: Romania - Croatia - Finland.The talks also revealed the importance of the European Strategy for the Danube Region in consolidating cooperation, by identifying concrete projects to act in support of local communities from both countries.Moreover, the talks tackled an exchange of opinions on priority topics on the European agenda, namely the Multi-annual Financial Framework 2021-2027, the EU future, the Brexit process, internal security and the functioning of the Schengen area, the social dimension of the community space and the Union's enlargement process.The meetings of the Minister delegate for European Affairs with the Croatian officials reconfirmed the close positioning of the two states in view of identifying the best solutions to ensure the EU functioning through the new community budget architecture, in view of reducing the disparities between the member states and the regions, but also for reforming it so as to better answer its current needs.On the sidelines of the visit, the Romanian official also discussed on European topics with the students and teaching staff of the Faculty of Political Science and Law of the Zagreb University, established as far back as 1669.Prime minister Viorica Dancila welcomed on Tuesday the Montenegrin Foreign Affairs minister Srdjan Darmanovic, on an official visit to the Victoria Palace in Bucharest, on which occasion she stressed the major importance of Montenegro's clear strategic option of join NATO and reconfirmed Romania's support for this country's integration within the European Union, a gov't release says.

The visit of Srdjan Darmanovic takes place exactly one year since Montenegro's joining NATO, "an objective Romania has actively advocated the long of the negotiations."

The Romanian Premier emphasised the major importance of Montenegro's clear strategic option, which also reconfirms the Open Door Policy's validity in the perspective of the NATO Summit due this year, the release informs.The meeting highlighted the very good level of the bilateral relation and its sustained development potential. Both sides stressed the importance of encouraging and capitalizing on the identified opportunities to diversify and deepen the cooperation fields, in particular the economic cooperation," the release adds.Moreover, as regards Montenegro's European path, the Romanian Premier reconfirmed the strong support for Montenegro's joining the EU based on own merits, with the firm accomplishment of all integration criteria.The head of the Romanian gov't stressed that the enlargement policy will be on the agenda of Romania's Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019, adding that during its tenure Romania will be an active, substantial partner in advocating the Western Balkans' states," the release informs.A ruling of the Constitutional Court (CCR) cannot be discussed via referendum, on Tuesday said President Klaus Iohannis, but specified that there are more and more politicians who question certain aspects of the independence of Justice and if necessary, a referendum on this matter could be called.

"A ruling of the CCR cannot be discussed via referendum. Matters from the perspective of the state's construction can be discussed by referendum, but in the field (...) the state has had a very clear approach for more than ten years now, namely the independence of the prosecutors and their not being subdued to politics. This is very clearly anchored in the Romanian Justice and I don't believe it must be subjected to a referendum now. But, surely we can see more and more politicians who somehow question certain aspects of the independence of Justice and if need be, we could call a referendum on this topic," President Iohannis said at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.

Moreover, when asked in connection with possible consultations with certain NGOs and the political parties on the CCR ruling, the President said: "If consultations seem necessary to find a good approach, consultations can certainly take place."President of the Romanian Academy Ioan Aurel Pop, who was on a visit to the US June 1 - 5, met with senior officials of the US National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the American Historical Association, Romania's Embassy to the US informed in a release.

In talks with David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, and Grant Harris, chief of the European Division of the Library of Congress, Ioan Aurel Pop approached the perspectives of developing bilateral institutional cooperation with a view to capitalizing on the impressive stock of volumes and heritage documents relevant to Romania's history and Romania - US relations, the release said. Meetings with Senior Vice-president with the Woodrow Wilson Center Robert Littwak and with Executive Director of the American Historical Association James Grossman were mainly aimed at leveraging Romania - US academic and scientific research cooperation. The President of the Romanian Academy also met with renowned strategic policy scientist Edward Luttwak, former advisor to the US Government and the US Army.

At all the meetings, emphasis was placed on the symbolic charge of the Great Union Centennial and on the importance of adequately revealing and analyzing the key role played by the US in the historical moment of 1918; Romanian Ambassador to the US George Cristian Maior was present at all the milestone moments of the visit.The President of the Romanian Academy also participated in the international conference "The Rebirth of Europe: Celebrating the 100-Year Anniversary of the Paris Conference and the Creation of New States in Central/Eastern/Southern Europe," attended by historians, researchers, representatives of the academic and diplomatic milieu of the US, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. At the two-day event, Professor Ioan Aurel Pop presented the landmarks of the creation of the Romanian statehood, prior to 1918, emphasizing the free will expressed in favor of the union by the populations of the territories that joined Romania.At the same conference, reputed historian Dennis Deletant, Visiting Professor at Georgetown University, presented the details of Romania's participation in World War I, highlighting the main political, diplomatic and military actions undertaken by Romania in that period.In the closing address at the conference, Ambassador George Cristian Maior spoke of the major impact of US President Woodrow Wilson's vision of national self-determination for the peoples of Central and South Eastern Europe in the post-World War II context, which has led to the liberation of many nations from the domination of the great empires, the creation of new states, the achievement of the Great Union of the Romanians in a single state and the spreading of democracy and market economy in the region. Ambassador Maior also stressed that the same Wilsonian moral values and principles of freedom and democracy were at the basis of the 1989 liberation of the Eastern European nations from under Soviet domination and are today the pillars of the transatlantic relationship.The conference was organized by the Wilsonian Club, one of the most prestigious non-governmental organizations in Washington that keeps the political legacy of President Woodrow Wilson in the public attention and manages the Woodrow Wilson House Museum.The Saecularia.ro online project dedicated to promoting the events of 2018 on the 100th anniversary of the Romanians' Unification has been launched on Monday evening in an event at Sutu Palace - Bucharest City Museum.

The online platform is intended to be a landmark in the virtual space meant to reflect the events connected to Romania's Centennial, to promote books, movies and other initiatives related to this moment.

'We have three main directions meant to develop the activity of Saecularia.ro. A first would be to aggregate as many genuine images from the archives and index them as well as possible in the search engines, somehow to fill the Internet with photos from 1916 - 1920 that are unknown otherwise and thus give a face to those events through those images. In parallel, we also wish to identify as many films as possible - we know that the Romanian Army had a cinema service that filmed quite a lot. Unfortunately, the Internet has few footage of those times. We also want to try to identify these films and make them public, through the Internet,' George Damian, coordinator of the Saecularia.ro project said.A second target of the project is to keep a chronicle, as much as possible, of the events and books that are published in connection with the year 1918, and another objective would be a collaborative approach involving as many Internet surfers as possible in what a commemoration of 1918 means.'For instance, we'd like to draw up an interactive map challenging as many people to take photos and place on this map monuments dedicated to the First World War, to the year 1918. The villages of Romania are full of such monuments and we'd like to carry out a mini-census of those,' he added.The project started from the finding of a lack of interest in 1918, the organisers wishing to involve as many people as possible in 'recalling the WW I events and the year 1918.''One of the ideas of this commemorative project would be to try to recover family images with WW I participants, that we can place on the Internet. The archives are a first source - Romania's National Archives, the military archives, the personal funds of the WW I generals which comprise several unknown photographic archives. In parallel, there are the archives of the states that have participated in the WW I in Romania, from where we might recover quite a lot of images. There are such images in Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Russia and we'll try to bring them into the public circuit,' George Damian added.The event was attended by Florentina Nitu, dean of the Faculty of History with the University of Bucharest, Gabriel Moisa, vice-dean of the Faculty of History with the University of Oradea, and Aurel Stefanachi, director of Tipo Moldova, Iasi.No one, including the most ardent pro-Kiev advocates in the West, disputes the existence of the far-right and openly neo-nazi groups in Ukraine. However, the common western reaction to this is that the numbers of their followers are negligent and therefore their impact on the political climate and life in the country in general can be easily dismissed.

This was the position of US and EU leaders from the beginning of so-called "Maidan Revolution" to the present day.

Well, the facts tell us a different story since those who are familiar with the real situation in Ukraine are sounding a great alarm that the influence of extremists is actually on the rise and, moreover, it can sway the results of the upcoming presidential elections, the shape of the new government and future parliament (Rada).

These days one has to be a super courageous individual to run for office on both, federal or local level, without taking into account how his or her views and political agendas are perceived by the radicals.

Indeed, what we see now are the numerous marches with torches through the streets of many cities, including Kiev, similar to those which took place in the Nazi Germany. Perhaps the best known scene from Leni Riefenstahls film "Triumph of the Will" features dramatic footage of torch bearers at a 1934 Nazi Party rally in Nuremberg. Hitler himself made repeated references to torches as symbols of national and racial revolution in his book Mein Kampf.

Marches honoring SS Galichina, a Ukrainian division in Hitlers Waffen-SS attract thousands of supporters and are often openly promoted even by the local governments, like, for example, during the recent April 28 march in the city of Lviv.

Street name changes honoring nazi collaborators became a routine government practice and it should come as no surprise that state-sponsored glorification of war criminals Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych lead to the anti-Semitic outbursts, synagogue firebombing, cemetery vandalizing and Nazi salutes displays during the torch-wielding rallies.

We see nazi sympathizers not only on the streets but in the highest government places as well. Ukrainian scholar Anton Shekhovtsov noted on the "creeping resurgence of the Ukrainian radical right and according to American journalists Ben Norton and Max Blumenthal "the country has lurched far to the right when extreme right-wing nationalists occupy some of the most powerful roles in the new government."

Many of these radicals are often welcome in Washington where they are met on the highest government level, including speaker Paul Ryan, senator John McCain, and other US officials.

Occasionally, we do hear some rare voices raising concerns about this problem. For example, Freedom Houses Ukraine project director Matthew Schaaf noted that an increase in patriotic discourse supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia has coincided with an apparent increase in both public hate speech, sometimes by public officials and magnified by the media, as well as violence towards vulnerable groups.

Amnesty International has also recently warned that "the Ukrainian state is rapidly losing its monopoly on violence and US Congress sometime does express its concerns but so far it is limited only to the activities of Azov battalion while the problem is much larger.

With the upcoming Ukrainian presidential elections and Poroshenkos current unpopularity the influence of neo-nazis is definitely on the rise but the West is practically silent.

As Norton and Blumenthal mention this reveals the "extent to which Washington has cast aside any concern for democratic institutions and is willing to overlook open displays of violent Nazism in order to ratchet up the tension on Russias doorstep."

As it often happens no one wants to learn from history but the history usually gets back to you, sometimes in the most unpleasant way.Rwanda wants to buy Russian air defense systems. The issue was discussed during the visit of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to that country on June 3. The Rwandan security forces already use helicopters, small arms and Ural Typhoon mine-resistant armored trucks produced in Russia.

Moscow has recently ramped up its military assistance to the Central African Republic (CAR) upon the request of the countrys government. Last month, Russian President Putin met CARs President Faustin Archange Touadera in St. Petersburg to hold talks on boosting bilateral ties, including military cooperation. Its done in strict compliance with international law. In December 2017, the UN Security Council approved a deal allowing Russia to send arms and military instructors to that crisis-hit country. The UN was provided with the serial numbers of the transferred weapons to enable international observers to track them. The arms deliveries are gratuitous.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a traditional ally of the West, has begun shifting its foreign policy priorities looking for other partners. Last month, the DR Congos government announced its decision to revive the 1999 military agreement with Russia. It wants Moscow to deliver armament and train military personnel of the DRC. It also hopes to expand the bilateral economic cooperation, covering the mineral production, agriculture and humanitarian contacts.

In 2017, Russia signed a $1 billion defence cooperation agreements with Angola and Nigeria. Moscow and Luanda are in talks on increasing the scope of military ties.

Russian Rosoboronexport has long-term relations with Angola, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe and several other sub-Saharan nations that include arms sales and equipment maintenance. Since 2013, the construction of service centers has been in full swing. In 2017, Russian weapons were delivered to the following sub-Saharan African nations: Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, and Angola (Su-30K jets). A contract was confirmed with Equatorial Guinea for purchase of Pantsyr-S1 air defense systems. In August 2017, Burkina Faso ordered two Mi-171 helicopters. Russia is the leading arms importer to the region, accounting for 30% of all supplies.

Russias weapons are in high demand being cheap and effective as has been proven by their use during the Syrian conflict. The thriving military cooperation goes hand in hand with developing ties in other areas. Trade with African countries located south of the Sahara desert was $3.6 billion in 2017. For comparison, it was $3.3 billion in 2016 and $2.2 billion in 2015. Russia is involved in exploration, mining, and energy projects. ALROSA, a diamond-mining company, operates in Angola, South Africa, Sierra Leone and Namibia. The talks are on the way to reach an agreement with the African partners to avoid double taxation and protect intellectual property.

Transport and agriculture are promising areas for joint projects. The construction of nuclear science centers in Zambia and Nigeria, as well as a nuclear power plant in South Africa, a BRICS member, are on the talks agenda. In April, the government of Sudan invited Russia to take part in its energy projects. Khartoum and Moscow enjoy special relationship. Last year, Sudans President Omar al-Bashir asked the Russian president for protection from the aggressive acts of the United States." 28 out of 55 African nations have growing trade with Russia. Cooperation with Ghana, Tanzania has promising future. Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe are historical friends with experience of doing business with Russian partners. The relations with the African Union are considered in Moscow as an issue of special importance.

In March, FM Lavrov toured Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Ethiopia to boost multifaceted relationships. The same month, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) was signed to open new horizons for economic cooperation. In January, the Single African Air Transport Market was launched to be made even more attractive with coming in force of the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, the right of Establishment and the Right of Residence. Russian businessmen will get more information on new opportunities when they visit the first Intra-African Trade Fair to take place in Cairo on December 11-17, 2018. The program of Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) held in May included special sessions on business and investment opportunities within the framework of the Russia  Africa Business Dialogue. The SPIEF-2018 held two special celebrations to mark Africa Day and the 55th anniversary of the African Union.

The US influence in the sub-Saharan Africa is on the wane. In contrast, Russia is making strides to strengthen its position in the region. President Vladimir Putin announced the policy of boosting ties with the region in 2006 when he visited Sub-Saharan Africa. He kept his word. The region has become an essential vector for the foreign policy of Russia, which is becoming another major player on the continent.TICKERS: FLT; TAKOF, GRB; GEBRF, PAT; PTOTF, SSC; SSCFF; R3W

Source: Ron Struthers for Streetwise Reports (6/4/18)

Ron Struthers of Struthers Resource Stock Report profiles four green tech and tech companies that have seen new developments.



In this issue an update of significant developments on some of my green tech and tech companies I follow. A lot of new developments in the past week.

Greenbriar TSXV:GRB OTC : GEBRF Recent Price C$1.15

Things are picking up speed with Greenbriar Capital Corp. (GRB:TSX.V; GEBRF:OTC) as the company executed a $50-million (U.S.) mandate arrangement with a major U.S. investment fund to provide the essential project equity portion of the proposed $305-million (U.S.) Montalva project financing package. This occurred in early May and this $50-million (U.S.) equity financing will not dilute the issued common shares as this is a structured product at the project level.

Last week, Greenbriar executed an additional $265-million (U.S.) mandate with Pegasus Renewable Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure Credit Advisors LP (RESIC) for the company's 100-megawatt AC Montalva solar project. Together with the previously disclosed $50-million mandate with Pegasus, the total under letter of intent is now $315 million, which covers the entire forecasted project cost.

RESIC specializes in key mezzanine capital investments and is an affiliate of Pegasus Capital Advisors LP, an alternative asset management firm with approximately $1.9 billion in assets under management. Pegasus invests in companies within the sustainability and wellness sectors that are seeking strategic growth capital.

As an incentive to RESIC, the company will issue upon certain conditions, two million common share purchase warrants exercisable for a period of five years at a price of $1 per share. The RESIC finance team for this $265-million LOI is led by Thomas Emmons. Mr. Emmons is an experienced financier in the U.S. renewable energy business and has been involved in financing over $20 billion in wind and solar projects in the United States since 2008.

One of the toughest hurdles to develop any resource or energy project is obtaining the financing for build out and Greenbriar now has this all wrapped up, so a major risk factor has been removed.

The project is on fast track as a critical energy and infrastructure project for Puerto Rico under the U.S. Financial Management and Oversight Board. I believe we are not far off from the day that this gets the green light to start construction. Not to repeat myself, but is important to remember that Montalva once built will generate revenue of US$58 million per year for 35 years to Greenbriar. That is over three times Greenbriar's current market cap.

What is more, Greenbriar released news today on further developments of its 132-acre land tract in southern California. The company has engaged Co-Create Living; it's founder Stuart Nacht has over 40 years of experience in real estate construction and development. Greenbriar's plan is to develop and sell over 1,000 residential town home units. The property had already received approval for a previous 688 unit plan so this will be revised by Co-Create Living.

California is facing a severe housing shortage with median home prices about double the national average and rents about 50% higher. Greenbriar will be part of the solution and as per the new California law will equip their homes with solar panels from its solar division.

Once fully built out, the property will yield over US$260 million in gross sales, more than 15 times Greenbriar's current market valuation. I believe this in one of the most undervalued and unknown stocks listed in Canada.

There are some interesting observations on the chart. I see a rising up trend with higher lows and the 200 Day MA still moving up, although flat the past month. The top or resistance is around $1.55. The trading volume on this stock is light but you can see an increase since last November. It reminds me of a pot on slow boil with the lid on tight and you know it will eventually blow off. I believe this is what we will see here, a pop and quick sharp move through $1.55 and it really there is no resistance above that so it will launch into some higher trading range.

I would be using the current market weakness to accumulate stock

Smartcool TSXV:SSC OTC:SSCFF Recent Price C$0.055

Smartcool Systems Inc. (SSC:TSX.; SSCFF:OTC; R3W:Frankfurt) released Q1 2018 results on Friday with revenue of $314,363 up 265% over Q1 2017. This is good news, although the revenue growth has been slower to gain momentum than I expected. In 2017 revenue came in at $774,279 for the year and by Q1 2018 I was expecting a revenue run rate of several million and at the current pace we are only around $1.2 million.

I believe they have some momentum to continue to grow revenue but there are two short-term factors we need to watch that could make a big impact for 2018.

Early March SSC announced and LOI to acquire Total Energy Concepts (TEC), based in the U.S. state of Minnesota.TEC is a distributor of Smartcool products but more importantly has its own line of energy efficient products and has been in business since 2003. SSC needs to close on this acquisition and then we could see the stock react better as it would add significantly to revenues.

The second catalyst will be Smartcool's agreement with Mike Holmes and The Holmes Group to partner and promote the company's ECOHome products internationally. They are first focused in the southern U.S. states and if sales get traction for this new home product, it could add significantly to revenues.

I don't believe the stock is going to take off at least until they close a $800,000 financing at 5 cents.

The stock remains in the wedge pattern I pointed out a couple months back and the 200 Day MA is still in an uptrend but leveling off. The range has been tight between 5 and 6 cents. A close at 7 cents or higher would likely signal a new rally under way with 10 cents the upper resistance.

Drone Delivery TSX:FLT OTC:TAKOF Recent price $1.73

Entry Price $0.43

Last week, Drone Delivery Canada Corp. (FLT:TSX.V; TAKOF:OTCQB) and Toyota Tsusho Canada Inc. (TTCI) signed an agreement to collaborate on a drone delivery logistics platform. TTCI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho America Inc. The ultimate parent company of TTCI is Toyota Tsusho Corp., the trading affiliate of the Toyota group of companies. Under the agreement, TTCI will participate in Drone Delivery Canada's commercial pilot program in Canada as an initial stage. Collectively, the two groups will look to commence flight testing and identify other international markets to deploy Drone Delivery's proprietary drone delivery platform as a transportation solution.

"This agreement with TTCI is expected to open international markets for us as a company," commented Tony Di Benedetto, chief executive officer of Drone Delivery Canada. "Working alongside a global industrial leader such as Toyota Tsusho also provides us quick access to a very extensive international global network and a breadth of commercial skills."

"We are confident drone delivery services are the way of the future. This agreement with DDC will enable us to participate in this cutting-edge technology," commented Hidetoshi Tada, president TTCI.

On Friday it was revealed that Transport Canada has selected FLT to participate in the department's beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) pilot project. The pilot project in Moosonee and Moose Cree First Nations communities will advance FLT's BVLOS capabilities and will further FLT's capabilities in the pilot project communities in northern Ontario, commencing in the summer of 2018.

The pilot project will utilize FLT's drone delivery platform, which includes its Flyte management system, DroneSpot technology and its Sparrow X1000 delivery drone, which was deemed compliant by Transport Canada in late 2017. FLT's pilot project with unmanned aircraft deliveries will include letters, packages and medical deliveries from a large group of FLT's existing customer base, including FLT's recently announced partnership with Toyota Tsusho Canada Inc. on May 28, 2018.

This is a huge vote of confidence by Toyota and Transport Canada. I have no doubt FLT will be the first and probably leader in drone deliveries in Canada. Its expansion of testing in the U.S. and the agreement with Toyota will probably expand FLT into other countries as well. The stock remains in a long-term up trend. After the first run to $2.20 we seen a nice consolidation and a new rally has begun. There is resistance in the $1.90 to $2.20 area and I am betting the approval from Transport Canada for BVLOS deliveries is what is needed to break out into a higher trading range.

Patriot One Technologies TSXV:PAT OTC:PTOTF Recent Price C$1.56

Entry Price $0.95

It has been a while since I updated Patriot One Technologies Inc. (PAT:TSX.V) and for new readers you may want to watch this video to get a good idea what their weapons detection system does. https://patriot1tech.com/news/videos/

I am convinced this will sell big time once the company finalizes the product for full commercial launch and that has taken longer than expected. All the FCC approvals are in place since Q3 2017 and it began commercial production, but it was discovered some fine tuning was required in live environments compared to the lab.

Currently engineering teams are focused on developing and honing the Patscan CMR antenna system. During the past three months it has been fine tuning and managing minute background anomalies found in real-world environments that were not readily identifiable in previous laboratory studies. As a result, the company instituted an antenna update program, which requires additional testing.

Patriot One has been working with the Westgate Las Vegas Casino & Resort that has provided in-depth and practical field study results at this key juncture. The company believes this has saved significant capital and amassed strategically important data that it would not have otherwise collected as quickly. It has begun preparations to roll out two additional development centers, one at a major Midwestern United States university and another in a southeastern U.S. school district. Working in these additional real-world environments, including applying recent advances in the antenna design, will further propel the hardware and software development, and move the Patscan CMR solution further toward commercialization.

The company highlighted in a press release, "Given that our product, when released commercially, will play a front-line defensive role in potential life and death situations, there is a fundamental need to ensure the technology works effectively. There is no second best or excuse for releasing a product until we are satisfied with its performance."

We are still sitting on a 70% gain but the stock has been languishing, probably because of commercial launch delays. There is support around $1.50 which is also the area of the 200 Day MA. I would try to buy on dips below $1.50.

For 27 years, Ron Struthers, founder and editor of Struthers' Resource Stock Report and Playstocks.net, has consistently beat the comparable benchmarks selecting stocks in the precious metals, oil and gas, clean-tech and disruptive technology sectors. In 2017, 35 stocks in the precious metals sector saw an average gain of 62% and energy clean-tech an average gain of 65%. In disruptive technology, 16 picks saw an average gain of 55%. Past performance is no guarantee of future gains. Struthers leverages his vast network of contacts, approaches investments from a value perspective seeking several 100% gain potential and uses technical analysis to aid in buy and sell levels.

Want to read more Streetwise Reports articles like this? Sign up for our free e-newsletter, and you'll learn when new articles have been published. To see a list of recent articles and interviews with industry analysts and commentators, visit our Streetwise Interviews page.

Disclosure:

1) Ron Struthers: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: Greenbriar, Smartcool, Drone Delivery and Patriot One. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: Greenbriar and Smartcool are advertisers on playstocks.net. I determined which companies would be included in this article based on my research and understanding of the sector.

2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Greenbriar and Smartcool. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. As of the date of this article, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports has a consulting relationship with Smartcool. Please click here for more information.

3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Streetwise Reports for this article. Streetwise Reports was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this article. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. Streetwise Reports relies upon the authors to accurately provide this information and Streetwise Reports has no means of verifying its accuracy.

4) This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article, until one week after the publication of the interview or article. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Greenbriar, Smartcool and Patriot One, companies mentioned in this article.

Charts and graphics provided by the author.

Struthers Resource Stock Report disclosures:

All forecasts and recommendations are based on opinion. Markets change direction with consensus beliefs, which may change at any time and without notice. The author/publisher of this publication has taken every precaution to provide the most accurate information possible. The information & data were obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but because the information & data source are beyond the author's control, no representation or guarantee is made that it is complete or accurate. The reader accepts information on the condition that errors or omissions shall not be made the basis for any claim, demand or cause for action. Because of the ever-changing nature of information & statistics the author/publisher strongly encourages the reader to communicate directly with the company and/or with their personal investment adviser to obtain up to date information. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Any statements non-factual in nature constitute only current opinions, which are subject to change. The author/publisher may or may not have a position in the securities and/or options relating thereto, & may make purchases and/or sales of these securities relating thereto from time to time in the open market or otherwise. Neither the information, nor opinions expressed, shall be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any stock, futures or options contract mentioned herein. The author/publisher of this letter is not a qualified financial adviser & is not acting as such in this publication.The religious parties alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal has announced its 12-point election manifesto after the party heads meeting on Tuesday.

Making the announcement in a press conference in Islamabad the head of the alliance Maulana Fazaulur Rehman claimed that all the political and religious parties were unanimous on MMA manifesto as MMA will make the countrys foreign policy free.Pakistans foreign policy is not being designed freely for 70 years, however, MMA will make it free and according to peoples wishes, he said.

The MMA leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the alliances manifesto includes implementation of Nizam-e-Mustafa (PBUH), safeguarding all Islamic provisions in the constitution, empowered parliament, ensuring free and fair judiciary and devolution of power.

The MMA head said that education, provision of employment and abolition of unnecessary direct and indirect taxes, and subsidy on necessity items have been prioritised by the alliance.

Fazalur Rehman said that the religious alliance would ensure construction of new dams, effective mechanism for generation and distribution of power and will make a concrete strategy to counter Indias aggression over water supply to Pakistan.

He urged that the establishment of new provinces should not be based on ethnicity or particular areas. He mentioned that the creation of new provinces and construction of Kalabagh Dam were the serious issues and should be decided after long deliberations.Water crisis is a reality, however painting picture of only solution construction of Kalabagh dam can generate another crisis, he warned.

Responding to a question over the ongoing case in the Supreme Court on his security protocol, Fazal challenged Chief Justice of Pakistan to swap his security protocol with him.Hani al-Mulki has resigned from his post as Jordan's prime minister in a bid to defuse anger over government economic policies that have sparked the largest protests across the country in years.

Official sources said that Mulki tendered his resignation in a meeting with King Abdullah in the capital Amman on Monday.

The embattled prime minister was summoned to a meeting with King Abdullah, after the largest anti-government demonstrations in Jordan since 2011.

Public anger has grown over government policies since a steep general sales tax hike earlier this year and the abolition of bread subsidies.

The ongoing protests widened on Saturday after Mulki refused to scrap a bill increasing personal and corporate taxes.

Demonstrators who converged near the Cabinet office said they would disband only if the government rescinded the tax bill it sent to parliament last month.

Thousands of Jordanians took to the streets of Amman and main provincial towns again on Sunday.

"The government has made us penniless ... they have left us with no more money in our pockets," chanted protesters.

Protesters also criticize politicians for squandering public funds and corruption. "Our demands are legitimate. No, no to corruption," chanted the demonstrators, urging King Abdullah to intervene and crack down on official graft.

Police chief Major General Fadel al-Hamoud said security forces had detained 60 people for breaking the law during the protests and 42 security force members had been injured.

Major General Hussein Hawatmeh, head of the Gendarmerie security department said that the situation had been brought under control. "Rest assured, Jordan is a safe and secure country, and things are under control."

In addition to that, unions representing tens of thousands of employees in both the public and private sectors have also called for a general strike on Wednesday after their demands for the bill to be scrapped were rejected by the government.

Mulki was appointed in May 2016 and given the responsibility of reviving a sluggish economy and business sentiment hit by regional turmoil. The tax increases have caused his popularity to plummet.

Meanwhile, King Abdullah has asked Omar al-Razzaz to form a new government. Razzaz, a former World Bank economist, was education minister in the outgoing government.

The government says it needs more funds for public services and argues that the tax changes reduce social disparities by placing a heavier burden on high earners. Opponents say a tough IMF-imposed fiscal consolidation plan has worsened the plight of poorer Jordanians and squeezed the middle class.

Jordan's economy has struggled to grow in the past few years in the face of chronic deficits, as private foreign capital and aid flows have declined.

Jordan has a public debt of some $35 billion, equivalent to around 90 percent of its gross domestic product.

The price hike and steep tax increases, which the government of Mulki introduced earlier in the year as mandated by the IMF, are meant to cut into the debt.

According to official estimates, 18.5 percent of Jordans population of 9.5 million is unemployed, while 20 percent are on the brink of poverty.US President Donald Trump says he has the absolute right to pardon himself from any charges stemming from the probe into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.

In a tweet on Monday, Trump insisted he did nothing wrong during his presidential election campaign.

As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong? Trump wrote.

In the meantime, the never ending Witch Hunt, led by 13 very Angry and Conflicted Democrats (& others) continues into the mid-terms! he added.

Trump lawyer and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani suggested in TV interviews on Sunday that the US Constitution gives the president the authority to pardon himself but it would be unwise to use it.

He has no intention of pardoning himself, Giuliani told ABC News. That doesnt say he cant.

The US Justice Departments Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating whether Russia meddled in the presidential election and whether Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow.

Mueller, whose investigation already has led to criminal charges against Trump campaign aides including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, is also looking into whether Trump unlawfully sought to obstruct the Russia investigation.

Both Russia and Trump deny collusion, and the president has denied obstructing the probe.

The possibility of a self-pardon appeared to be raised in a January 29 letter from Trump's lawyers to Mueller, published by The New York Times on Saturday, arguing that the president could not have obstructed the probe given the powers granted to him by the Constitution.

A Justice Department memo dated four days before former President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 during the Watergate political corruption scandal took the view that "under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case, the President cannot pardon himself."Updated at 6:30 p.m. with comments from county executive's office

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - In a political showdown today between Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney and Legislature Chairman Ryan McMahon, McMahon won.

By a landslide.

County legislators voted 17-0 to override Mahoney's veto of a local law championed by McMahon -- the Legislature's first veto override in nearly a decade.

The new law cements McMahon's authority to hire outside attorneys if he detects a conflict of interest between lawmakers and the county executive.

McMahon and his supporters on the Legislature said the law merely codifies what is already normal practice. But Mahoney characterized it as a "power grab'' by McMahon and urged legislators to delay the vote and work out a compromise.

The episode appears to signal a shift, perhaps temporary, in the relationship between Mahoney and McMahon, two top county Republican leaders.

Mahoney often faces opposition from a small contingent of conservative Republicans on the GOP-controlled legislature. But in the past McMahon has often helped the county executive line up majority support for her positions.

Not this time.

There are other small signs that McMahon and Mahoney could be moving further apart.

McMahon today announced that he will convene a charter commission to review possible changes to the county charter, such as the adoption of term limits. He said he did not brief Mahoney on the announcement beforehand.

For more than a month, Mahoney has been sharply critical of the legislation authorizing outside legal counsel. As recently as Monday, she publicly urged legislators not to vote on the override.

Legislators considered a delay today, but voted against it.

Legislator Mike Plochocki, R-Marcellus, proposed tabling the matter for a month to allow more time for negotiations. His proposal was voted down, 11-6. Then legislators voted unanimously to override Mahoney's veto.

The law approved today says the legislature chairman can bring in independent lawyers to assist the Legislature if he determines that "a conflict of interest may be present or that it is in the best interest of the county Legislature.''

McMahon said he would probably use that authority once or twice a year, when legislative policy differences with the county executive make it necessary for both sides to have separate lawyers.

He said he tried to find common ground with Mahoney and the county attorney's office, but the effort thus far has failed. If some compromise is negotiated in the future, the Legislature will consider it, he said.

"We couldn't wait any longer,'' he said.

Mahoney said after today's vote that she is still hoping for compromise legislation that would replace what was passed today.

"The message we received today was that the legislature was still working on a compromise,'' Mahoney spokesman Justin Sayles said. "Drafts have been exchanged and any new resolution would supersede what was passed today."

Mahoney said the law passed today puts too much discretion in the hands of the chairman. She said it opens the door to politically driven litigation and higher legal costs for taxpayers.

Mahoney said county attorneys represent the county and its taxpayers, not her. In an interview last month, she called the legislation a "power grab'' by McMahon.

"He's not grabbing power from the county executive, he's grabbing power from the people of Onondaga County,'' she said.

McMahon said it's naive to assume that county attorneys, who are hired by Mahoney, would not take her side in policy disputes with legislators. He said there have been conflicts in the past where legislators felt their proposals did not get full support from county lawyers.

He cited as an example ethics legislation proposed last August by Mahoney foe Kevin Holmquist, R-Manlius. Holmquist faced delays getting legal advice from county attorneys on those proposals, McMahon said.

"I think everyone knows, when there's times of disagreement between the two branches of government, the county law department is always going to side with the county executive,'' he said. "The county attorney works at the pleasure of her.''

The last local law vetoed by Mahoney but affirmed by an override was a January 2009 law raising the legal age to buy cigarettes. The Legislature's last override of budget vetoes was in 2010.

McMahon said he is convening a charter commission to consider possible changes to county government, "big and small.'' He said the commission will seek input from local public officials.

The last time a charter commission was formed was in 2011, when the Legislature recommended shrinking the number of representatives from 19 to the current 17.

Five commission members will be appointed by McMahon, and one each by the Legislature's majority and minority leaders. If the commission recommends charter changes and the Legislature agrees, the changes would be put to a referendum.

Contact reporter Tim Knauss | email | Twitter | 315-470-3023Ted Skerpon is Chairman of the Utility Labor Council of New York and is Business Manager of IBEW Local 97, based in Syracuse.

By Ted Skerpon



It appears that environmental groups are putting pressure on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and some elected leaders in Albany to divest fossil fuels from the New York state pension portfolio.



As chairman of the Utility Labor Council of New York, I have serious concerns about this proposal.



First, divesting fossil fuels from the pension fund is problematic. Most of the fossil fuel securities are part of larger funds that contain numerous securities. You cannot simply decide to divest from fossil fuels without it having a significant impact on the fund overall. The IBEW Utility Labor Council represents several hundred pension beneficiaries. It would be extremely harmful to them should this type of proposal move forward.



Second, the divestment issue is symbolic in nature. While divestment would have a significant disruptive impact on the pension fund, it would have a minimal overall impact to fossil fuel producers.



This governor has made his position clear that he does not support long term reliance on fossil fuels, shutting down a half-dozen fossil fuel plants in the Southern Tier and Western New York. In addition, this governor has also provided hundreds of millions of dollars to support clean renewable energy projects through NYSERDA and other state agencies.



Lastly, the governor does not and should not be involved in the investment decisions of the pension fund. Nor should the state comptroller be involved in policy decisions that are specifically reserved for the executive.



It can be very dangerous when one elected official has control of everything, hence the state comptroller has the statutory authority to be the sole trustee of the pension fund and not the governor.



Divestment of fossil fuels appears to be a symbolic proposal advanced at the behest of the environmental lobby. However, it could have real consequences to pension holders and pose challenges to the long-term sovereignty of the Office of the State Comptroller.



The Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees commissioned an extensive study, released in December 2017, to understand who would be most impacted by divestment. The report found that the pension fund, which represents more than 1 million active members and retirees, would lose $188 million to $302 million over five years if forced to divest from fossil fuels. And all New Yorkers would bear the burden of higher taxes and service cuts to make up those losses. That's a price that working men and women simply can't afford.



The 15,000 members of our union call on the governor to halt any proposal that would involve leveraging his influence to force the comptroller to divest fossil fuels from the pension fund.



Opposing view: NY comptroller should divest from fossil fuels (Your letters)Roy S. Gutterman is an associate professor of communications law and journalism and director of the Tully Center for Free Speech at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.



Despite all the anti-press rhetoric emanating from higher circles of government, to this point it has largely been rhetoric. That is not to say that reporters do not face significant threats to their profession and their lives. Journalists around the world regularly face threats ranging from harassment to imprisonment to violence. Usually these instances are experienced a world away by journalists who too often appear nameless and faceless - such as a series of attacks April 30 in Afghanistan that killed 10 journalists.

Daphne Caruana Galizia

One of the mandates of the Tully Center for Free Speech at Syracuse University is to recognize these journalists for their courageous contributions to the world. This is especially concerning to those of us who teach journalism and advocate for a free press both here and around the world.



In early April, the center brought the world of violence against journalists to our little place in the world when we honored Daphne Caruana Galizia with the Tully Center Free Speech Award. Daphne was an independent journalist in Malta who risked everything to investigate and expose corruption at the highest levels of Maltese society. She was assassinated in a car bomb attack on Oct. 16, 2017. She was 53.



Since 2007, the Tully Center has honored 11 journalists who have been kidnapped, tortured, beaten, harassed and imprisoned. Daphne was the first honored posthumously.



Sadly, she is not the only journalist to face such turmoil and tragedy. Last year, 46 journalists, including Daphne, were killed. And, in February, investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee were murdered in their home near Bratislava, Slovakia.



The Committee to Protect Journalists, an international press rights group, reported that since 1992, 1,305 journalists have been killed - some in targeted violence, others in crossfire in war zones or dangerous locales. So far in 2018, 28 journalists have been killed, according to CPJ.

When Daphne's husband, Peter, and two of her three sons, Matthew and Paul, came to Syracuse April 3 to share their story, they spoke about Daphne's doggedness and fearlessness. She continued to investigate corruption and tell stories despite years of threats and harassment. She had been sued for defamation more than 47 times, had her bank accounts frozen and faced a range of overt threats of violence.



These threats were intended to chill and intimidate, to get her off the story. When the harassment and frivolous lawsuits failed, she was assassinated by a remotely detonated car bomb in an orchestrated attack, minutes from her home. Matthew, a journalist himself, described running barefoot to the field near the home to discover the inevitable.



Violence like this is common in many places around the world. Journalists in the United States, luckily, are far removed from this type of violence. Even though the news media has been labeled "enemies of the American people," much of the anti-press hostility remains rooted in rhetoric rather than violence or organized legal harassment. Many on both sides of the political spectrum here recognize the importance of a free, independent, protected press.



In recent weeks, journalists, press freedom organizations and European Union officials have joined the Caruana Galizia family to call for justice and protection of journalists.



European Union leaders have begun investigating Daphne's murder. Even though three people have been arrested and are facing charges, numerous questions remain, and significant doubt has been raised about whether those behind the murder will ever be brought to justice. A European parliament investigation report called her assassination "brutal" and was "aimed at instilling fear in everyone, especially journalists who investigate corruption and organized crime."



A German European Parliament member recently wrote that the people of Malta are looking to the EU for leadership and guidance on this tragedy. In fact, it is the world observing. When criminals can assassinate journalists with impunity, citizens around the world lose an important lifeline to information and the truth. When journalists, dissidents, even offensive speakers, are silenced, we lose vital information and the opportunity to question, criticize, and perhaps even mock, people in power.



The Washington Post's Jason Rezaian, the 2016 Tully Free Speech Award honoree who spent 544 days in an Iranian prison because of his reporting, recently wrote Daphne's murder "is already having a chilling effect on freedom of expression in the European Union, which until recently had been considered the region of the world where journalists could most reliably count on their safety."



In the six months since the assassination, there have been memorials in Malta, the European Parliament named its press room in honor of Daphne, resolutions have been passed and people have spoken. Perhaps the strongest way to honor Daphne and her legacy is to bring her killers to justice and institute stronger protections for journalists around the world.



The final line in her final blog on Running Commentary, filed minutes before she was killed, read, "There are crooks everywhere you look now. The situation is desperate."



No author has ever been so prescient.



More from our guest columnistsSYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Do you have questions for Congressional candidate Dana Balter? You'll have a chance to ask her this week.

Balter, a Democrat, will sit down for an interview with syracuse.com this Thursday, June 7 at 11 a.m. The interview will be streamed live on syracuse.com and on Facebook.

Questions from the interview will come from readers.

If you have a question for Balter, please email reporter Chris Baker at cbaker@syracuse.com. Include your name and location. You can also ask questions in the comments section, though we'll give first preference to non-anonymous questions.

During the Q&A, feel free to add questions in the comments on Facebook. We'll get to as many as possible. Balter will not receive the questions in advance.

Balter, 42, is a visiting assistant teaching professor at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. She is running for Congress in Central New York's 24th Congressional District. This is her first run for public office.

Balter is running a primary campaign against Juanita Perez Williams for the Democratic nomination. The primary election is Tuesday, June 26. The winner will face incumbent John Katko, a Republican, in November.

Syracuse.com will host a similar live interview with Perez Williams on Tuesday, June 12.Tops Markets is dropping its controversial proposal to pay up to $3.6 million in bonuses to the supermarket chain's five highest-ranking executives.

The decision to withdraw the bonus plan, which could have paid Chairman and CEO Frank Curci as much as $1.3 million if Tops exceeded its financial targets in bankruptcy, is part of a deal struck by the Amherst-based company to resolve a bitter, four-year pension dispute involving workers at its Lancaster warehouse.

That pension settlement, reached last month with Teamsters Local 264 and a separate Teamsters union pension fund, still must be approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Court. It is a key part of Tops' efforts to restructure its business and emerge from bankruptcy.

Both the Teamsters union, which represents more than 680 Tops warehouse workers, and the Teamsters pension fund that provides retirement benefits to those workers, had objected to the bonus plan, calling it a way to reward highly paid executives at a time when the business was in bankruptcy, preparing to close stores and trying to reduce its pension obligations to employees.

Instead, Tops agreed to use the money earmarked for the executive bonus plan to fund most of its $4 million contribution to a new $15 million retirement fund that is being established for the warehouse workers to partially reimburse them for pension benefits they have not accrued since the pension dispute began in December 2013.

The union and the pension fund also agreed, as part of the settlement, to drop their objections to a separate incentive plan that seeks to pay up to $3.6 million in bonuses to 115 key non-union employees who stay at Tops and not seek new jobs elsewhere as the chain moves through the bankruptcy process.

The retention plan would offer bonus payments of $10,000 to $100,000 apiece to the 115 Tops employees who the chain considers to be "critical, non-insider, hard-to-replace employees who are not members of senior management," Michael Buenzow, the financial consultant who is Tops' chief restructuring officer, said in court documents.

With the Teamsters union and the pension fund dropping their objections to the retention bonus plan, its chances of gaining Bankruptcy Court approval are improved when the court takes up the issue at a hearing scheduled for June 8 in White Plains.

But the retention bonuses still face opposition from the United Food and Commercial Workers union, which represents more than 12,000 Tops workers and is embroiled in its own talks with the supermarket chain over the company's desire to reduce its payments to a badly underfunded pension plan for those employees.

"The [retention] plan is a joke. I'm never going to drop my objections to that," said Frank DeRiso, the president of UFCW Local One. "These labor agreements didn't put the company in bankruptcy. What put this company in bankruptcy was corporate greed and bad management."

The UFCW Local One Pension Fund already is classified as being in "critical" condition by federal pension regulators because it only has enough assets to cover a little more than 50 percent of the benefit payments that have been promised to the plan's participants. It is underfunded by more than $390 million, according to Bankruptcy Court documents.

Bonus plans aimed at retaining and rewarding top executives are common -- even at companies that have filed for bankruptcy. Buenzow previously said that the bonus plans are "essential" to the company's reorganization efforts by creating incentives to keep employees from leaving and rewarding them for doing a good job.

But the bonus plan for Tops' five highest-ranking executives had become a lightning rod for Tops' critics, especially as it pushed forward with plans to close unprofitable stores and reduce its worker pension obligations.

The bonus plan for Curci and four other top executives would have entitled them to bonus payments only if Tops came close to meeting its financial targets.

For instance, if Tops met its financial target, Curci would have been eligible for a bonus of $651,288. But if Tops exceeded its financial targets by 10 percent during each of the final three quarters of this year, Curci's payments could have top $1.3 million. Even if Tops' performance fell 10 percent below its financial targets, Curci would have been eligible to receive $162,822. If Tops missed its financial goals by more than 10 percent during a given quarter, no bonuses would have been paid for that three-month period.

- By David Robinson, The Buffalo News, N.Y.For more than a month, no one knew that a New Jersey man was dead inside his room at the Hudson Mohawk Recovery Center's Supportive Living for Men in Troy.

Raolik Walls, a 27-year-old father and aspiring rapper, was trying to turn his life around after years of battling drug addiction. Four days after Walls entered the Hudson Mohawk Recovery Center on Nov. 30, no one heard from him again.

His mother, Yvonne Ketter-Walls wants to know why no one noticed her son's decomposing body until Jan. 11, when a pest control worker entered his room. Ketter-Walls is searching for answers, according to News10 ABC.

"There's no possible way that someone can be laying dead in your facility for 37 days without anybody knowing," Ketter-Walls said.

A medical examiner's report found no illegal drugs in Walls' system and that he mostly likely died around Dec. 3rd of cardiac arrhythmia.

Investigation underway after man found dead for 37 days inside recovery center https://t.co/AplLimJp2x  NEWS10 ABC (@WTEN) June 4, 2018

The Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs is investigating Walls' case. The state agency investigates reports of abuse and neglect at state-operated, certified or licensed facilities. Hudson Mohawk Recovery Center is certified through the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).

For the sake of his 3-year-old daughter, Walls decided last summer to seek treatment and get his life in order. He started by entering the St. Peter's Addiction Recovery Center in Troy. From there, he lived in a halfway house and after that, he checked into the Hudson Mohawk Recovery Center.

Although his mom lives in New Jersey, his aunt lives in Schenectady and had been in contact with him regularly, bringing him items he needed. After not hearing from him for several days, Jackie Knight went to the Hudson Mohawk facility on Dec. 9, inquiring about her nephew. The facility told her that Walls had checked out days prior.

Walls' family started searching for him. They thought maybe he relapsed or overdosed. His sister filed a missing persons report with the Troy Police Department on Dec. 9. Family members called morgues and hospitals. They checked local drug hangouts and they even visited a Burger King he frequented.

At first, Walls mom held onto hope.

According to the Troy Record, when Ketter-Walls and her family were allowed to see Wells' room, his belongings and room key were still there. Food were rotting and the place smelled of decomposition.



"It made no sense to me ... that no one could take the time to check on my son," Ketter-Walls said. "If pest control hadn't come through, would he still be there, rotting?"An Upstate New York race course erupted into massive fight in which brawlers struck each other with 2-by-6 planks and racing helmets last week, prompting the track to shut down the weekly event.

Video of the incident at the Lancaster Speedway's "Cruise Night/Grudge Racing" event on Wednesday was posted on Facebook and YouTube, and shows multiple people fighting inside a ring of onlookers.

WARNING: The video below contains graphic content and explicit language.

After the incident caught the attention of local media, Speedway President Tim Packman told WGRZ-TV that they were re-evaluating the Cruise Night event, which regularly attracts thousands of fans and drivers.

On Monday, The Buffalo News reported that the track was scrapping the Cruise Night portion of the event, which features street racing cars on display and has no admission.

"We have had some sort of trouble every Wednesday we have been open this season and last week's altercation that posted was online, which brought us negative publicity from local news outlets, was the final straw," said Packman in a statement released Monday. "The disrespect being shown to our facility is undeserved and we're done with it taking place."

The paid Grudge Racing event from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. will still take place, and spectator admission will be free, but Packman warned that if problems persisted, they would cancel that event as well.

Packman told WGRZ that witnesses to the event had been interviewed and that any evidence gathered would be presented to police to help identify the individuals in the video.Seattle -- A U.S. Army veteran was arrested over the weekend and charged with trying to spy on the United States for China.



Ron Rockwell Hansen also worked as an officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency. He allegedly received at least $800,000 in "funds originating from China" since May 2013, according to The New York Times.



He was arrested Saturday in Seattle and faces charges including attempted espionage, according to the Times. Hansen was on his way to the airport for a flight to China at the time of his arrest, according to Reuters.



Hansen allegedly tried to send national defense information to China, Reuters said. He faces life in prison if convicted of attempted espionage, according to the BBC.



Hansen started working as a civilian officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon's main intelligence arm, in 2006 after serving in the Army for over 20 years. He worked for the agency while on active duty as well.



The Times said he also has owned or held senior positions at several entities in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he lives.



In the complaint against him, the Justice Department said Hansen told an American undercover agent that China would pay $200,000 for the U.S. military plan on potential military action in China. He also told an undercover agent that China was interested in American material on North Korea, according to the Times.



Hansen, 58, speaks fluent Mandarin and has been visiting China regularly since 1981, the Times said. The FBI began investigating his activities in 2014.



In searches of his luggage over the years, investigators found a passcode-protected thumb drive hidden behind a sock in the toe of a shoe, documents listing the locations of U.S. Cyber Command outposts and tens of thousands of dollars in cash, according to the Times.



Hansen was returned to Utah to face the charges after his arrest, according to the BBC.



"His alleged actions are a betrayal of our nation's security and the American people and are an affront to his former intelligence community colleagues," said John C. Demers, assistant attorney general for national security, according to the Times.

Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Google + | 315-454-2112Boynton Beach, Fla. -- Authorities are searching for answers after a 2-week-old girl was found floating dead in the ocean off the coast of Florida last week.



It's unknown how she got in the water, how long she was there or how died, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Officials estimated her age.



An off-duty firefighter spotted the girl in the water about 100 feet from shore while boating off Boynton Beach on Friday. The firefighter thought the child was a doll at first, according to the Sentinel.



"It's gut-wrenching and we hate seeing it and we really desperately want to get to the bottom of what happened," Capt. Steven Strivelli of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said, according to the Sentinel. "At this point, we're still in the theory phase. We don't know what really happened."



Boynton Beach is on Florida's east coast, north of Fort Lauderdale.



The county medical examiner will perform an autopsy, according to CBS News. That could yield a cause of death or more information on the girl's identity.



Strivelli said authorities are trying to find the child's parents, according to CBS.



The baby appeared to be of a healthy weight, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Her ethnicity appeared to be mixed, but investigators still haven't confirmed that, the Palm Beach Post said.



Authorities also don't yet know if someone placed the child in the water from shore or if she was on a boat, the Post said.



"It's very unfortunate to think that somebody would actually do something like that to a baby," said Chris Lemieux, the firefighter who found the child, according to the Times. "We couldn't have done anything to help the baby."

Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Google + | 315-454-2112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.The big picture: At just $36 million, it seems as if Sharp is getting a bargain for Toshibas PC business. Then again, its important to pull back and look at the big picture  PC demand is diminishing and many consumers now spend more money on their smartphones than they do computers.

Japanese electronics maker Sharp is preparing to re-enter the PC industry after pulling out of the market in 2010. Its not going at it alone as Sharp is buying an 80.1 percent stake in Toshibas personal computer business for $36 million and has the backing of parent company Foxconn.

Toshiba sold the worlds first laptop computer in 1985. At its peak seven years ago, the company moved 17.7 million PCs but that figure shrunk to just 1.4 million units last year. Its struggles extended beyond the slowing PC industry, however, as the company has had to deal with an accounting scandal and the bankruptcy of its Westinghouse Electric unit.

To generate cash, Toshiba sold its chip division to Bain Capital for $18 billion and its TV business to Hisense for $113 million.

Foxconn purchased a controlling stake in Sharp a little over two years ago for $3.5 billion.

Foxconn is the worlds largest contract manufacturer. With its backing, Sharp will be able to produce PCs more cheaply as it aims to re-enter the market.

Hiromi Yamaguchi, senior analyst at Euromonitor International, said the acquisition will prove a further catalyst for more Sharp and Foxconn synergies.

Sharp will take ownership of Toshibas PC business on October 1, were told, and will retain its Dynabook brand.The digital license plate on display outside Sacramento City Hall on Monday does a lot of things other technology can already do. It allows drivers  or, in the case of the city, fleet managers  to renew their registration online, a feature the state Department of Motor Vehicles already offers. It allows the city to see where its vehicles have been and how many miles theyve traveled. It can access the cars computer, just like any device that can plug into an OBDII port.But there are a few new things the plates are bringing to the table, Sacramento Chief Innovation Officer Louis Stewart told reporters at a press conference Monday morning. Using the same kind of display found in popular e-readers, they can show customized messages at a moments notice, and they give the city a platform with which to test a few key ideas that will become more important in the coming years.A big one is the citys upcoming deployment of 5G. Starting this summer, Sacramento will become the first city in the country to have a functional, commercially available 5G connectivity network. The digital plates, which the city will put on 35 all-electric Chevy Bolt fleet cars, will give the city a chance to test that network.Thats a big part of the reason Reviver Auto, the company that makes the plates, chose Sacramento as the first city in the country to try them out, said Stewart.It will also give Sacramento a chance to test some of the ways it might use technology to help ease self-driving vehicles into the existing road network.Were looking at the possibility of setting a standard of communications protocols around autonomous cars, so that as autonomous cars are rolling around the city, we can actually track and trace them and figure out if theyre performing well or not, Stewart said. We can make sure that people behind the cars understand what the autonomous car is going to do, so were entering into the human-robot interaction piece.Thats an idea companies like Google and Nissan have been thinking about for a while now. In 2015, for example, Nissan published some concept footage of an autonomous car telling a pedestrian to go ahead and cross the street in front of it. A digital plate could do the same thing, or communicate information to a driver who's following a self-driving car.Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said the plates could also become something like mobile message boards for the citys purposes.When it comes to privacy, its all opt-in by the consumer. If you dont want a message on your digital license plate, it wont be on your digital license plate. But for the city vehicles, we want important city information for our residents to be ubiquitous, as many places as it can be, including the digital license plates for city vehicles, Steinberg said. These messages could be displayed when the cars are stopped. The plates can be used, for example, to display Amber Alerts, or indicate that a driver needs help, or that a car is stolen.Finally, the plates could also help the city  and the state, in fact  work on an alternative to the gas tax. Since transportation revenue largely relies on gas tax revenue, electric-vehicle drivers are essentially free riders, meaning they use government programs and infrastructure without paying for them. To resolve that, California and other states have begun testing ways to charge drivers based on how much they drive instead of how much fuel they buy.Since digital plates track mileage, they could be helpful for that.Because the plates represent a new data source, some experts have expressed concerns about privacy and cybersecurity surrounding the devices. Neville Boston, Revivers CEO, had answers to both of those concerns Monday.First, he said, encryption is built into the devices from the ground up, making it harder to effectively hack the digital plates and the systems they work with.Second, consumers choose who gets their data, and the company doesnt sell it.Think of us more like Apple, less like Facebook, Boston said. We dont make our money off [selling data]. We build a product we think people want to have, and theyll come to that product for that reason.Thats not to say it would be entirely private. If a court issued a warrant for data generated by a digital plate, the company might be legally compelled to hand it over.But Bostons not too worried about that.I think if we had a warrant, thats something that could happen, but you know honestly I think that the information they could get off a cellphone would be a lot better and a lot richer than what they would get off our plates, he said.Sacramento has the plates on 24 vehicles so far, and will deploy 11 more as its order of Chevy Bolts is fulfilled.Before crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, many Haitian migrants were residents of South American countries such as Brazil and Chile," U.S. Secretary Mayorkas argued. | Read MoreFormer country bosses of banking giants Citigroup and Deutsche Bank are among six senior bank executives who have been charged with criminal cartel conduct, following an investigation by the competition watchdog.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Tuesday published the names of executives who had been charged, alongside their employers, over a 2015 share issue by ANZ Bank in which it raised $2.5 billion from big investors.

Under criminal cartel laws, individuals can face up to 10 years' jail or fines up to $420,000 if they are found guilty, while companies could face maximum penalties of 10 per cent of annual turnover, or three times the benefit gained from the behaviour.

A criminal charge had been laid against Citi's former country head for Australia, Stephen Roberts, the watchdog said. Mr Roberts spent more than a decade running Citi's Australian arm, before announcing his retirement in March 2015, and leaving the bank in July the following year.''Ten fingers, 10 pies'', is how Gerard Manion describes his diverse creative working life.

When not designing systems for online corporate learning and plotting to spin it off into a platform for lifelong education, Manion is designing stage sets for longtime collaborator, Graeme Murphy.

Gerard Manion has a new exhibition at Maunsell Wickes Gallery, Paddington. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

And in the stillness of early morning, when his wife and four children are sleeping, Manion transfers the loose sketches he's made watching Murphy's dance rehearsals to paper, linen or canvas.

Fifteen figurative works from behind the scenes of the Australian Ballet's tribute to Murphy's 50-year career in dance are on show at the Maunsell Wickes Gallery in Paddington until June 14 showcasing Manion's other career as an established artist.Woody Allen says he should be the face of the #MeToo movement in terms of what to do right.

Allen spoke during an interview with Argentine journalist Jorge Lanata that was broadcast Sunday night.

Allen says he's a "big advocate" of #MeToo and that he should be the poster boy for the movement because he has worked with hundreds of actresses over 50 years, and they've never "suggested any impropriety at all."

"Big ones, famous ones, ones starting out... I've always had a wonderful record with them," he said.SUMI JO IN CONCERT WITH JOSE CARBO

Acclaimed as one of the world's greatest exponents of bel canto, Korean coloratura soprano Sumi Jo returns to the Melbourne Recital Centre on Tuesday, July 17, as part of an Australian tour. Joined on stage for the first time by Argentine-born baritone Jose Carbo and accompanied by pianist Guy Noble, she will present pieces from opera and operetta along with tango and traditional folk song from Jo's native Korea. We have two A Reserve doubles (worth $338 a double) to join the audience for this unique program. Entries received on madpr2@optusnet.com.au before midnight tonight will enter the draw.

Win tickets to see Sumi Jo

MOVIE PASSES TO THE LEISURE SEEKER

Award-winning screen veterans Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland unite as the ultimate grey nomads in The Leisure Seeker, a touching love story about a runaway couple who embark on an unforgettable cross-country adventure from Boston to the Hemingway House in the Florida Keys before their medical ailments can catch up with them. Releasing on Thursday, we have 20 in-season doubles to join the 70-somethings in their Leisure Seeker vintage recreational vehicle as they flee the suffocating care of doctors and their adult children to recapture their passion for life and love for each other along the way. Entries that reach win@entonegroup.com with Leisure Seeker in the subject line will enter the draw.Trust is hard to win, but harder to win back. That might be the parting lesson of the recent expose on Four Corners of exorbitant surgical fees and a Fairfax story along similar lines.

Price gouging by surgeons is a story of supply and demand and an imperfect market.

The conclusions are ghastly  patients are being price-gouged by some doctors. The egregious fees are being condemned by the medical community. But whats instructive here is the timing: the condemnation came 48 hours prior to the news stories breaking. Late May, at the Australian Medical Associations national conference, a resolution was carried condemning dubious billing practices. But heres the kicker  a resolution was also carried to denounce these practices through a public campaign.

The timing of the condemnation, and the insistence that it be done publicly, says a lot. The most cynical interpretation is that this is PR 101  preemptive damage control. The most charitable view is that medical professionals feel that the only way to effect change within the industry is to air the dirty laundry. Writing this as a medical doctor, Im guilty of both motivations.

The expose uncovered only one half of the problem, but its done so damningly. Some surgeons are instituting illegal booking fees to charge patients thousands of dollars. Its also uncovered a far more common practice - perfectly legal, yet shockingly high, medical bills that leave patients out of pocket by thousands of dollars, even after the rebates from Medicare and private health insurance.Canberras strained prison will be bolstered with more guards, while the stretched public prosecutions office also gets extra staff in a desperately needed budget boost.

Budget plans for the justice portfolio unveiled on Tuesday also included a dedicated forensic pathologist to strengthen ACT Coronial Services.

The ACT government will pay for 23 more staff to manage the growing prison population at the Alexander Maconochie Centre. Credit:Jay Cronan

Between 2010 and 2016, Canberra's prison population grew 95 per cent, reaching an all-time high of 470 prisoners locked-up in May last year.

The Alexander Maconochie Centre has been plagued by a series of scandals, including a spate of drug overdoses and the death of Steven Freeman in custody.A judge laid down the rules to a jury of 16 on Tuesday ahead of David Harold Eastman's retrial for the alleged 1989 murder of Canberra's police chief.

The court opened to the public for the first time after the eight men and eight women were whittled down from a potential pool of nearly 500 people at an empanelment in Albert Hall.

The jurors were driven in by bus to the ACT Supreme Court, where they will sit through some six months of evidence before retiring to consider their verdict.

Mr Eastman, who is in his seventies, is facing trial accused of the murder of Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Colin Winchester.Lance Sterling, Burwood I truly loved, but resisted, both Royce and Michelle On one hand, we see a couple who fell in love, complicated by the fact that one of them was the deputy prime minister, National Party leader, and married with four daughters. But, as Vikki Campion sagely said, "You can't choose who you fall in love with". I can relate to this. As an avid Richmond supporter, I fell in love with Royce Hart back in the late 1960s whilst I was engaged to be married. Some years later and still married, but now with two daughters, I fell hopelessly in love with Michelle Pfeiffer, and this love persisted unabated for some years. But once again I fought back and resisted temptation. I guess however, for Barnaby, Vikki provided that extra allure which for me, both Royce and Michelle did not have, and this tipped him over the precipice. But as far as Vikki is concerned  I am at a loss to explain her attraction to Barnaby. Keith Brown, Southbank

Time for him to leave Parliament and find a new job With the best will in the world, it is none the less correct to conclude that Barnaby Joyce has, for some time, demonstrated a failure to properly meet the expectations of the people in carrying out his duties as an MP. He has had a fair suck of the sauce bottle (to borrow from a former prime minister), and it is time for him to go off the public purse, seek gainful employment in the wider world and stop charging the taxpayer. There is no value add from Barnaby, he merely lowers the tone of Parliament by his continued association. Peter Crocker, Strathmore Barnaby, a man who genuinely wants to help Barnaby Joyce is a compassionate man. A needy widow, Gina Rinehart, wanted public support for National Agriculture Day and he lobbied the Prime Minister about this (The Age, 5/6). The Department of Agriculture donated $60,000 to the National Farmers' Federation for the day, and Mr Joyce "received a surprise $40,000 cheque from Mrs Rinehart at the day's gala dinner". He gallantly handed it back the next day.

Kishor Dabke, Mount Waverley THE FORUM A signal to take action The headline  "CBA will pay $700m fine in laundering case" (The Age, 5/6)  is misleading. CBA shareholders have been fined $700million, in reduced dividends, for something we did not know about and do not condone. What redress do we have? AGMs, which directors treat as a necessary waste of time, are a farce. Votes are dominated by institutions with fellow directors. We do not get to appoint directors, only to re-appoint them  the turnover takes place between AGMs to ensure the current directors appoint one of their own. Conditions for bonuses are so farcical that they are not worth discussing. It is time for governments to act. The current drop in support for the major parties may be a signal, and an opportunity.

John Pinniger, Fairfield An unhealthy relationship It is heartwarming to hear AUSTRAC chief executive Nicole Rose say, "We will continue to work collaboratively with the CBA as it progresses this work and I am encouraged by the manner in which it has handled these negotiations." Shareholders have been charged $700million, with no discernible punishment for the bank's board or executives. This is another instance of the cosy, unhealthy relationship between the so-called financial watchdogs and the companies they are paid to supervise. John Kilkenny, Mount Eliza Make the executives pay

Why are banks etc allowed to pay enormous fines out of their profits (achieved on the back of us) to clear their conscience? Amidst all this are highly paid individuals who should be personally accountable for their actions. Why isn't there an outcry? Are we lazy or lost? Carol Oliver, Musk A developing GST problem It may suit Harvey Norman to have GST imposed on white goods purchased from overseas retailers, but how will this work for small retailers in developing countries? No one has yet explained how the manufacturer living in a remote hillside village in India Himalaya will apply the 10per cent GST on my $50 order of Tibetan incense. Di Cousens, Mount Waverley

Let us pay GST, on receipt We have a severely disabled dog that uses a "doggy wheelchair" to get around. It is next to impossible to buy parts and upgrades for it from local stores, but we have found a small, US-based website that can supply everything we need. However, it is unlikely that it will continue to supply us as the government wants online retailers to apply the 10per cent GST to online purchases shipped to Australia from overseas. We are just trying to make our dog's life as pleasant as possible. It would be much easier if the government implemented a process where we could pay the GST on receipt. The government would still get its GST and these smaller sites could continue to sell into the Australian market. Laurens Meyer, Richmond Stock it here, I'll buy it

Garth Mitchell (Letters, 2/6) suggests that consumers should visits shop to get the products they want (Letters, 2/6). As a (retired) academic researching film history, I have need of blu-ray movies released on the British Film Institute, Eureka, Criterion and Warner Archive labels. I know the nearest shops that stock these items. For the British labels, it is HMV in Oxford Street, London; for the US labels, it is Barnes & Noble, Honolulu. It may be faster to fly there, buy the disc and fly home than the average 10-day delivery time. However, I doubt that the price will be competitive. As soon as these labels are stocked at my local JB Hi-Fi, I will be glad to buy them there. I cannot see that happening any time in the near future. Michael Fleming, Prahran Fifield's ABC obsession? Who do I need to write to to complain about the Coalition not "upholding the high standards that taxpayers expect" of government? Also, what exactly has Mitch Fifield done during his time as Communications and Arts Minister, other than spend his time scrutinising every single word uttered by The ABC?

Mina Hilson, West Footscray Waiting in the wings... With all the cuts to and angst for The ABC, everyone neglects to mention the very large elephant in the room. Rupert Murdoch and his News Limited wish to have the public buy the same thing that The ABC gives away for free. Gary Florence, Hampton Park A party out of control

It is a weakness of our political system that anyone can have a shot at forming a political party and running for parliament. One Nation continues to implode due to bumbling leadership and only a baseline skill level for the demands of the role. In other professions, minimum levels of training are necessary to demonstrate competency and aptitude for a position. The ramifications of a system that suggests anyone can have a crack at this is spectacularly evident in the machinations of Pauline Hanson's One Nation  a basket case if ever we have seen one. Lisa Vinnicombe, Brunswick Gains for both parties Unpaid superannuation in the hospitality industry is both rife and a rort. But it does not always amount to exploitation. The so-called "cash culture" in small business often results in mutually beneficial arrangements for employers and workers. For the many hospitality employees who juggle multiple casual jobs with study, being "on the books" can reduce access to Centrelink entitlements such as Youth Allowance, and has undesirable tax implications. It is therefore no surprise that casual employees who are struggling to keep their head above the water financially make an informed decision to forgo contributions into their superannuation for the sake of short-term cash reward.

I am not condoning the behaviour of many employers who fail to pay superannuation, unbeknown to their employees. Nor am I condoning tax evasion or Centrelink fraud. However, there are broader social issues at play which are not addressed by those commentating (and those potentially legislating) on the issue of wage and entitlement theft. Grace Krutsch, Fitzroy North Taking charge of super Jessica Irvine (Comment, 4/5), I wonder why you and other young people have not taken the trouble to understand and manage your superannuation. I am sure that many have. I also have little doubt that many people, had they had the 9per cent contribution in their pocket rather than in super, would have spent it on even more eating out, travel or other activities with no long-term financial benefit. The irony is that compulsory super is of more benefit to that latter group than the switched-on and forward-looking group. Unfortunately, the cost of the non wealth-producing activities (eg, (travel, wine, clothing, cars) have stayed in step with, or become cheaper relative to, wages whereas the big one  house prices  has run amok. How have our masters allowed this to happen?

Don Moran, Highett Fair pay? What's that? The debate about the minimum wage assumes that employees actually receive it. I worked in restaurants and cafes during my university years, and could only dream of receiving the minimum wage and penalty rates. In many cafes, you get paid when your boss hands you cash in an envelope; there are no penalty rates, and the pay is below minimum wage. The debate is welcome, but who or what institution actually enforces the law? The Fair Work Ombudsman requires evidence of pay slips to investigate a case. Pay slips? When did I ever receive them while working in hospitality? You could say that well, maybe I should have just refused to work in such and such restaurant. Don't make me laugh. You're a broke student. You do what you can to survive. The minimum wage is a great concept, rarely enforced, and often ignored. Struan Jones, Falls Creek

A very reasonable rise John Slater thinks that the Fair Work Commission's decision to lift the minimum wage by 3.5per cent will lead to employers cutting jobs (Comment, 4/5). When penalty rates were reduced last year, did it lead to more jobs being offered in the affected industries? When the big companies make massive profits, does this lead to more jobs? Have industries considered cutting directors' salaries and perks to take on more staff? No, I did not think so. "Trickle down" economics smacks of extreme arrogance in that the rewards will come to workers after the needs of the upper layers are met. What about "surge up" economics? When employees earn a decent wage, they can afford to spend more on all sort of commodities. A 3.5per cent rise is reasonable, given that this is the amount usually granted to specific industries on application. Jan Marshall, Brighton

The big spending MPs It is inexcusable that the five MPs who were before the High Court over their eligibility to sit in Parliament could spend $1million from the public purse in just six months (The Age, 5/6). Truly they had their snouts in the trough. Now byelections prompted by their ineligibility are set to each cost taxpayers about $1.5million, according to Australian Electoral Commission estimates. There appears to be no accounting for all this spending to taxpayers. All Australians should be up in arms. Glenise Michaelson, Montmorency Fun, but very dangerous I worked as a ski resort doctor. Daily I treated major injuries. There is no way I would let my children toboggan. Tony Wright writes "Oh, there were dangers", including "hitting a bump and jarring your spine" (Insight, 2/6). Is quadriplegia resulting from jarring your spine an acceptable risk?

Dr Ralph Frank, Malvern East A great idea, but... What will we use as liners for kitchen rubbish bins once plastic bags are banned? Buying that type of rubbish bag would somewhat defeat the purpose of the ban. Garry Meller, Bentleigh AND ANOTHER THING

Politics At last the possibility of words from Trump we never expected to hear: "Pardon me". Brian Rock, Beechworth Can ministers who engage in political interference with our public broadcaster be prosecuted?

Stephen Baldwin, Frankston Go, Sarah. Go, ABC. Mitch Fifield, keep your hands off it. Australia desperately needs it. Elaine O'Shannessy, Wandin North The Coalition has a new team song: Red Sales in the Sunset. Kevin Murphy, Albury

Senators Leyonhjelm, Bernardi, Anning and Hanson make Trump appear (relatively) intelligent. Eric Kennelly, Ballarat Central Vanstone says the major parties "knock excessive ego out of new members". The Liberals must be still working on Abbott. Peter Hepburn, Claremont, Tas Hanson's goal is nearing. One Nation becomes One Person becomes One Notion.

Roderick Carmichael, St Kilda Barnaby Please stop reminding me that someone is sleeping with Barnaby Joyce. Anita Xhafer, Fitzroy North Wise words to baby Sebastian from his dear old dad? You can't choose your family.

Pat Lord, Sale Barnaby, you've got your pot of gold. Now please get lost. Jeanne James, Seaford What a great soap opera season: The Barnaby and Vikki Saga, the royal wedding, and now The Pauline and Brian Show. Jim McLeod, Sale

Furthermore Could part of ComBank's fine be used for public housing. Brendan O'Farrell, Brunswick "Wombassadors" (2/6) versus the cruelty of our world: the greatness of their humanity shines. Cemal Sunasen, FairfieldPolice have charged a 32-year-old man after two people were stabbed when a birthday party in Sydney's northern suburbs turned violent.

Officers were called to a unit in Asquith around 10.30pm on Monday night following reports of an argument. On arrival they found a woman, 29, lying on the floor with stab wounds to her side and buttocks.

NSW Ambulance attended to the injured woman, who was taken to Hornsby Hospital in a stable condition.

Hornsby LAC commander Superintendent Jenny Scholz said police and emergency services were confronted with a bloody scene.A Brisbane woman fatally struck by a ute on her birthday has been remembered for her contagious laugh and warm personality.

Caroline Davis had been crossing the intersection between Honour Avenue and Bridge Street at Chelmer about 7am on Tuesday when she was hit by a ute.

She was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital with critical head injuries, but died in hospital.

School friend Emily Baggins took to social media to remember the moment she first clicked with the avid rower at school camp.A 30-year-old man charged with allegedly filming three women who were getting changed in a Gold Coast clothing store on Sunday, June 3, is facing an additional 50 charges.

Police arrested the man at the Biggera Waters clothing store on Sunday and charged him with allegedly filming three women getting changed.

The 30-year-old man will face Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Credit:File

On Tuesday the man was charged with another 50 charges over women allegedly being filmed in change rooms at Biggera Waters and Arundel since April.

The Biggera Waters man will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on June 6 over 51 alleged breach of privacy offences.Paper parking permits are going digital and several new permit types will be introduced as the Brisbane City Council overhauls its 22-year-old Regulated Parking Permit Local Law.

On Tuesday the council passed an amendment to the law which would introduce new permits for carers and health professionals, fleet and car-share permits.

Brisbane City Council will introduce a new parking permit scheme which has more permits available. Credit:Harrison Saragossi

New short-term permits will also be made available, including for residents and visiting trade and utility vehicles.

Currently, close to 14,000 residents hold 35,000 parking permits across 21 dedicated controlled parking areas around the inner-city, sporting stadiums and major events venues.Ivanhoe East Primary School principal Justine MacKey with students (left to right) Maximus, Molly, Mathilda and Felix. Credit:Justin McManus

Victorias student boom is placing such intense pressure on public schools that the state government has begun renting classrooms from the Catholic sector.

As Victoria grapples with a surge of enrolments in the inner city and growth corridors, the Victorian School Building Authority is in talks with Catholic Education Melbourne about leasing the recently closed Mother of God School in Ivanhoe East.

It hopes state school students at the neighbouring Ivanhoe East Primary, which is nearing capacity, can move into classrooms at the empty site.

It makes sense to consider using this vacant site next door to help accommodate more students, a government spokesman said.A young man who was left fighting for life after a suspected hydrogen sulphide gas leak at a paper mill near Albury is expected to make a full recovery.

Two other men, Lyndon Quinlivan, 36, and Ben Pascall, 28, died after inhaling the toxic fumes at the Norske Skog site in Ettamogah near the Victoria-NSW border on May 24.

Tom Johnson, who was hospitalised following a toxic gas leak at Norske Skog on May 24, has been taken off life support and is in a stable condition.

Tom Johnson, 22, remained in a critical condition and on life support until Monday, but his family released a statement on Tuesday morning that said he had made "remarkable progress over the past week."

"He has now been taken off life support and is in a stable condition," the family's statement said.The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is appealing the jail sentences handed down to Robert Edhouse and Melony Attwood, the neo Nazi couple who were convicted of murdering Perth father of one Alan Taylor.

Melony Attwood was handed a minimum jail sentence of 21 years. Credit:Facebook

Attwood, who along with Edhouse was convicted of murdering Mr Taylor in his Girrawheen home in 2016, has also lodged her own appeal against her murder conviction.

Attwood and Edhouse, along with Corey Joshua Dymock, stood trial in the WA Supreme Court earlier this year accused of bludgeoning 42-year-old Mr Taylor to death.

Attwood, 37, and Edhouse, 22, were both found guilty of murder following a four-week trial.A 17-year-old Kalgoorlie boy has been charged with multiple offences over an alleged sex attack on a woman in her 70s this week.

The incident is alleged to have occurred just after midnight on Tuesday when police say a person entered a home in Leonora and sexually assaulted a woman in her 70s.

The boy will appear in the Kalgoorlie Childrens Court. Credit:File Image

On Thursday, police announced they had a 17-year-old boy in custody who was helping them with their inquiries.

The boy has since been charged with six offences including aggravated burglary and commit, aggravated armed robbery and aggravated sexual penetration.A furious independent private school sector has unleashed a last-ditch campaign against planned changes to school funding, warning of "disastrous outcomes", rising fees and a flow-on effect to public schools.

They have also foreshadowed a campaign against the proposed changes that could land Education Minister Simon Birmingham in yet another school funding fight, just as he prepares a possible peace offer with the disgruntled Catholic school system.

In a pointed warning that the government stands to lose the support of the independent sector, the head of the NSW Association of Independent Schools, Geoff Newcombe, told Fairfax Media: "We are not going to accept transfers of money from one system to the other."

"We are not going to accept transfers of money from one system to the other," said AISNSW head Geoff Newcombe. Credit:Dallas Kilponen

It follows reports last weekend that a shake-up of the funding formula will shift billions of dollars to Catholic schools at the expense of the independent sector by throwing out the old socio-economic status model and using parents' tax returns to ascertain their capacity to contribute to the school.Nationals leader Michael McCormack has left it open to voters to drive Barnaby Joyce out of Federal Parliament, making pointed remarks that avoid endorsing his predecessor amid the scandal over his private life.

The comments signal the frustrations within the Nationals over the damage to the party from Mr Joyces handling of his relationship with former adviser Vikki Campion and the birth of their son, Sebastian.

Vikki Campion and Barnaby Joyce in their paid television interview with Channel Seven's Sunday Night. Credit:Sunday Night

Mr Joyce told Fairfax Media he would contest the next election while his supporters said some of the Nationals were only making things worse by putting pressure on him to quit.

People should pull their heads in, leave him alone and let him have some space, said one Nationals member.Danielle said that after almost "crawling" into the lobby of the Crown Promenade she was attended by a medical officer at the hotel, who called an ambulance. She said the phone was handed to her at points during the conversation. An operator asked her to rate her pain out of 10. Danielle said nine. It is understood the call would have been handled by Ambulance Victoria via its specialist referral service, not by triple-zero operators. Ambulance Victoria chief operating officer Mark Rogers said all calls to triple zero were assessed on their severity, and less-urgent callers were questioned by a paramedic or registered nurse to see if they were suitable for alternative care, such as a GP visit. After a thorough assessment of the individual circumstances by a paramedic or a nurse, and after discussion with the patient about their ability to transport themselves or arrange other transport, we may organise a taxi to take the patient to a medical facility if their medical condition is less urgent," Mr Rogers said.

Later in the call, Danielle said she was told that she clearly needed to go to hospital, but she was not considered serious enough to require an ambulance. Instead she said a taxi was ordered on her behalf by the ambulance service. After waiting five or 10 minutes for it to arrive, she was bundled into the back of an old maxi taxi, and travelled to the hospital alone. Once she arrived at St Vincents Hospital, Danielle was asked to sign a receipt so the taxi driver could be reimbursed. "I remember just sitting there and crying in pain, throwing up, and thinking, 'I cant believe I have to sign a receipt,'" she said. Danielle does not believe it is right that she was taken to hospital in a taxi, without any medical care, pain relief or assistance to get into the emergency department.

I have two friends in Sydney who have both had appendicitis. Both of them called triple zero and both of them had ambulances, she said. My best friend said to me, I dont know how you managed in the taxi; the only thing that got me through was that I felt I was in really good medical hands from the first moment.' Cameron Loy, of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, said appendicitis was an urgent presentation that mostly required surgery and could cause very severe lower abdominal pain. This wasnt a mild presentation, Dr Loy said. Im sure the expert and highly skilled paramedics would have preferred to have attended that woman and given her appropriate pain relief in a short amount of time and got her to hospital.

However, Ambulance Victoria says it sees no problem with how the case was handled, following a review by clinical specialists. "A taxi was considered the best way for the patient to make their way to hospital and this was arranged with the agreement of the patient at the time," said communications and referral manager Mick Kyprios. In the Bacchus Marsh case, where the patient was eventually diagnosed with a severe bladder and urinary tract infection after a 30-minute taxi ride to hospital, another review concluded that Ambulance Victoria "could have taken the patient's individual needs further into consideration". Changes were made to Ambulance Victorias response system in October 2016 after it was discovered ambulances were being sent to cases that didnt require urgent lights and siren care, such as a rolled ankle, a person who got caught in the rain and someone who became anxious after seeing a scorpion. About 50,000 patients who would have previously received emergency care received a less urgent response in the past financial year, although Ambulance Victoria was not able to say how often taxis had been used.

The service says the changes have resulted in improved responses, including record survival rates from cardiac arrest. The Australian Medical Association in Victoria says it has been told that Ambulance Victoria is re-examining its protocols following Danielles case. "Any circumstance where patient care is compromised because a transfer by ambulance has been denied or re-directed is unacceptable," AMA Victoria president Julian Rait said. However, the ambulance union says the system seems to be working better following the 2016 changes. Secretary Steve McGhie said that the patients utilising taxis now were previously using emergency transport when it was not necessary, holding up paramedics.Prime public housing land in inner Melbourne was sold to developers too cheaply, a parliamentary committee has revealed.

The developers behind the partial privatisation of the Kensington housing estate gained "significant advantage" by building more private units than was justified  while the amount of public housing on the estate was simultaneously reduced.

The state government is selling nine inner Melbourne public housing estates to developers. On Tuesday, a highly critical Upper House inquiry into the Public Housing Renewal Program tabled its progress report in Parliament.

Under the planned privatisations, developers will set aside land on each sold estate to rebuild dilapidated public units  plus 10 per cent more apartments for the poor than were there before.Smartphones distributed by Chinese companies pose no specific security threats to ordinary consumers, according to a security expert, despite rising concerns about the same companies building network infrastructure.

Earlier this year Fairfax Media reported on government concerns about Chinese tech giant Huawei's role in building Australia's 5G mobile network. At the same time, the company is receiving widespread praise from reviewers for its new range of smartphones, including the P20 and P20 Pro.

Huawei's P20, which also comes in a tri-lens Pro version, is the company's latest flagship phone to launch in Australia.

Huawei's phones are not on sale in the US following warnings that may not be safe, while fellow Chinese tech company ZTE has also been in the news, as the US contemplates a ban on its products following its violation of trade sanctions with Iran and North Korea.

While these two companies have had a spotlight shone on them because of their high-level dealings with Western governments, they're certainly not the only globally popular Chinese smartphone brands. OnePlus is currently launching its much-anticipated OnePlus 6, Xiaomi sells a global version of its flagship Mi MIX 2 in Australia, and Oppo's R11s is a popular choice to bundle with low-cost plans at Optus and Vodafone. Huawei also sells phones under the brand name Honor in Europe, and says it's sold more than a million units of its new phone  the Honor 10  worldwide after less than a month on the market.Bali: An Indonesian sultan who defied centuries of tradition by declaring that his daughter will succeed him is facing an uprising by his relations.

Hamengku Buwono X, the Sultan of Jogjakarta, Java, had announced in 2015 that Princess Mangkubumi, his eldest daughter, was to succeed him, much to the consternation of his relations.

Hamengku Buwono X, Sultan of Jogjakarta, Java, in Australia last year. Credit:Martin Jones

Now it has emerged the 72-year-old sultan's brothers and sisters are outraged by the decision. They are refusing to attend royal events and have threatened to expel his wife and daughters after his death.

The modernising sultan, who is also governor of the modern Special Region of Jogjakarta, ascended to the throne in 1989, and discontinued the polygamist tradition of Javanese royalty having multiple wives and concubines. In 2006, when Mount Merapi, the most active volcano in Indonesia, began spewing a deadly cloud of hot ash, gases and rock fragments, he told locals to heed the warnings of scientists rather than his own palace-appointed fortune tellers about when to evacuate.Washington: The United States is considering sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait, US officials say, in a move that could provoke a sharp reaction from Beijing at a time when Sino-US ties are under pressure from trade disputes and the North Korean nuclear crisis.

A US warship passage, should it happen, could be seen in Taiwan as a fresh sign of support by President Donald Trump after a series of Chinese military drills around the self-ruled island. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory.

The USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier in Hong Kong. Credit:AP

US officials told Reuters that the United States had already examined plans for an aircraft carrier passage once this year but ultimately did not pursue them, perhaps because of concerns about upsetting China.Bucharest, Romania: All European Union countries must recognise same-sex marriage, at least in relation to immigration cases where one partner is a citizen of the bloc, its highest court ruled on Tuesday.

The verdict was an important victory for LGBT rights groups, which have long argued that same-sex spouses of EU citizens should be afforded the same basic right to live and work across the bloc's 28 countries as heterosexual spouses, regardless of individual countries' stances on same-sex marriage.

It also highlighted growing tensions between the bloc's core institutions and some of its newer, more socially conservative member states.

Six EU countries - all of them former Eastern Bloc nations that joined the union in the 21st century - have yet to legalise same-sex marriages or civil unions. In a statement issued along with its verdict, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg said they remained free not to do so.Berlin: Germany has asked the US government to clarify remarks by President Donald Trump's new ambassador to Berlin after he told a right-wing website he wanted to empower "other conservatives" in Europe.

The comments by Richard Grenell, a former US spokesman at the United Nations and an outspoken defender of Trump, drew criticism from politicians across the German political spectrum, warning him not to meddle in domestic politics.

Big entrance: New US ambassador to Germany, Richard Allen Grenell. Credit:AP

"We have asked the US side for clarification, and whether [the remarks] were made as reported," a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

The issue would be looked at again on Wednesday when Grenell is due to make his first official call at the ministry, the spokesman said.It wont be the first time that a president has tried to shield himself from the full reach of the law. And yet in the past, checks and balances  both formal and informal  reinforced the long-standing view that no citizen, regardless of status, was exempt from justice. But in the Trump era, those safeguards seem far less sure.

Should Mueller move forward to subpoena the President, or should Trump try to fire Mueller, that theory of an above-the-law president will be put to the test.

Thats the question at the heart of Americas slow-moving constitutional crisis. Over the weekend, The New York Times published two letters that Donald Trumps lawyers sent to Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. In it, the lawyers made a shocking claim: the president is incapable of obstructing justice, because as the nations chief law enforcement officer, he is the final arbiter of justice.

The Magna Carta laid out the principle that no one was above the law  not even a king. It did so by creating checks on the monarchys unlimited powers: a group of barons could seize the kings properties if he failed to meet his obligations. In the US, those ideas were formalised in the oversight roles of the three branches of government.

But not all presidents have readily accepted these limits. The most important showdown between a president and the rule of law involved Richard Nixon. Having overseen, ordered and committed any number of crimes during his campaign and presidency, by the start of his fifth year in office, Nixon was caught up in a number of congressional investigations.

Nixon firmly believed that as president, he had a level of executive authority that the courts could not challenge. In 1971, when The New York Times and Washington Post were preparing to publish the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret study of the Vietnam War, Nixon went to court to bar the newspapers from publishing the report. The court ruled, 6-3, that the government could not prevent the publication.

That same assertion of executive authority came into play when the special counsel investigating Watergate subpoenaed Nixons secret Oval Office recordings. The Supreme Court again rejected the presidents claim of unlimited power  this time unanimously  arguing that Nixons assertion of an absolute, unqualified presidential privilege of immunity from judicial process under all circumstances clearly went further than the Founders belief in a restrained presidency.

Nixon ultimately resigned when it became clear that he would be impeached and convicted. But he never agreed with the courts restrictions on the presidencys power. In a famous interview in 1977, David Frost asked Nixon whether his illegal acts were justified. Nixon countered with a full-throated defence of executive power: When the president does it that means that it is not illegal.New York: Eight states are holding primaries on Tuesday (Wednesday Australia-time): Alabama, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota. It will be the busiest primary day of the year so far, as voters choose the candidates who will face off November 6.

Most of the attention this week has focused on California. Skip to the end if you want to read about that  but first, here's what you need to know about the other seven states in play.

Gavin Newsom, Democratic candidate for governor of California, adjusts his tie while getting into a vehicle after voting at a polling location in Larkspur, California. Credit:Bloomberg

New Jersey

Democrats think their path to retaking the House runs through the suburbs and New Jersey is full of them. Five of its 12 seats are held by Republicans and remarkably, Democrats have a shot at all five  even a couple districts that haven't elected a Democrat since Jimmy Carter was president.Chicago: A woman with advanced breast cancer has been cured by an injection harvested from her own immune system in what scientists have described as an extremely promising world first.

Judy Perkins, a 52-year-old mother of two, was given months to live after seven types of chemotherapy failed and she had developed tumours the size of fists in her liver.

Judy Perkins had advanced breast cancer in 2013 and was given just a few years to live. Then she underwent a novel immunotherapy. Credit:The Washington Post

She had undergone a mastectomy in 2003 after the cancer was first diagnosed, but it returned in 2013 and spread aggressively.

But Perkins, an engineer from Florida, has now been completely cancer free for two years and leads an active life including 40-mile hikes and kayaking.Barrett-Jackson Brings its 3rd Annual Northeast Auction to Online Buyers on Proxibid

OMAHA, Neb.June 5, 2018; Collector car aficionados from across the globe can now view the online docket and register to bid via Proxibid, the most trusted way to connect buyers and sellers of highly valued items, in the 3rd Annual Northeast Auction presented by Barrett-Jackson, the Worlds Greatest Collector Car Auctions. The auction will take place June 21-23, with a Family Value/Preview Day on June 20, at Mohegan Suns newly built Expo Center. Live online bidding on Proxibid will provide bidders unable to attend the live event with a front row seat at the auction, from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

The docket for the 3rd Annual Northeast Auction is complete with classic American muscle cars, collectible Ford vehicles, vintage automobiles, supercars, hotrods, and customs, as well as hundreds of lots of automobilia. Featured vehicles range from this gorgeous 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible to this 1987 Land Rover Defender 90 Custom Pickup. Collectors wont want to miss the chance to bid on these and other highlighted cars up for bid, including:

1967 Shelby GT500This is one of only 2,048 fastbacks produced in 1967

1953 Buick Skylark Convertible1953 was the 50 th anniversary of Buick, and the company celebrated by producing only 1,690 Skylark Convertibles, including this rare vehicle

anniversary of Buick, and the company celebrated by producing only 1,690 Skylark Convertibles, including this rare vehicle 1970 Plymouth GTX 440 Six-Barrel HardtopThis 1970 GTX was ordered new and highly optioned in 1970 and is featured in a Hemmings Muscle Machine Car article in the 2018 March issue. The car has undergone a complete restoration and is in showroom condition.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/340 Split-Window CoupeThis beautiful split-window coupe is powered by its original matching-numbers 327/340hp 8-cylinder engine mated to an M20 4-speed manual transmission.

1940 Packard Super 8 1803This 1940 Packard Super 8 Victoria convertible was owned and restored by James Hollingsworth the author of the book Packard 1940 A Pivotal Year. It has received first place honors from the Classic Car Club of America in a national competition, having been completely restored to show and drive.

We continue to see growing engagement with our internet bidders through Proxibid and are excited to build on our 2018 Scottsdale and Palm Beach Auctions as we head into our 3rd Annual Northeast Auction, said Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. The docket for the Northeast Auction is extraordinary, and there is truly something for every collector. Whether bidding onsite at Mohegan Sun, or online with Proxibid, we are excited to once again allow collector car enthusiasts across the globe the opportunity to participate in this incredible event.

All purchases on the Proxibid platform are backed by the companys comprehensive risk management system, designed specifically to manage high-dollar transactions like the collector cars available in this auction. Proxibids robust online bidding platform is powered by enterprise-level technology and infrastructure, and boasts a 99.9+ percent uptime, making it the safest place to buy and sell highly valued items online.

For more information about this auction, to review the online catalog, or to bid, please visit Proxibid.

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About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Barrett-Jackson, The Worlds Greatest Collector Car Auctions, is the leader in collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events. The company produces auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona; Palm Beach, Florida; at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, and Las Vegas, Nevada. With broadcast partners Velocity and Discovery Channel, Barrett-Jackson will feature live television coverage in 2018, including broadcasts in over 150 countries internationally. Barrett-Jackson also endorses a one-of-a-kind collector car insurance for collector vehicles and other valued belongings. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com, or call 480-421-6694.

About Proxibid

Proxibid provides auction companies and asset owners with access to the most trusted way to buy and sell highly valued items online. More than $4 billion in inventory passes through Proxibids Marketplace annually via live and timed auctions, and Buy Now and Make Offer capabilities, across 15 categories that include heavy equipment; industrial machinery; real estate; fine art; antiques and collectibles, and more.

Founded in 2001, Proxibid is headquartered in Omaha, NE with offices in London. For more information about Proxibid, please visit www.proxibid.com.GREENVILLE, S.C., June 4, 2018 -- Michelin today announced the winners of the 18th global Michelin Challenge Design competition, "Michelin Concours d'Elegance 2050  Future Classic."

Works by individuals and teams of designers from Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, China, France, India, Russia, South Korea and the United States were among the winners and finalists selected by a distinguished jury of the world's top automotive designers and industry experts.

The Michelin Concours theme challenged participants to design a vehicle for the year 2025 that will become a classic and defines, or represents, this transitional era in automotive design and technology to win the Michelin Concours d'Elegance in the year 2050. Images of the winning entries are available at www.michelinchallengedesign.com.

Representatives from the first-, second- and third-place winners were invited guests at "Movin'On by Michelin", the premier global sustainable mobility event held in Montreal. The winners and their designs were joined by winners from the 17th global competition and recognized during a private reception at Movin'On. Winners participated in a private portfolio review with members of the jury and leading designers and participated in a workshop on sustainable mobility.

"The Michelin Challenge Design competition celebrates innovation in vehicle design. The quality of this year's entries was outstanding," said Ben Ebel, lead user experience designer, Michelin North America and chairman of Michelin Challenge Design. "We congratulate the winners on designing innovative, thought-provoking, futuristic entries that are worthy of winning the Michelin Concours d'Elegance in 2050."

The Michelin Concours theme challenged participants to design a vehicle for the year 2025 that will become a classic and defines, or represents, this transitional era in automotive design and technology to win the Michelin Concours dElegance in the year 2050. Images of the winning entries are available at www.michelinchallengedesign.com

Representatives from the first-, second- and third-place winners were invited guests at MovinOn by Michelin, the premier global sustainable mobility event held in Montreal. The winners and their designs were joined by winners from the 2018 global competition and recognized during a private reception at MovinOn. Winners participated in a private portfolio review with members of the jury and leading designers and participated in a workshop on sustainable mobility.

The three winning designs, six finalists and four honorable mentions were chosen by the jury from more than 1,000 entrants representing 67 countries. In the past 18 years, Michelin Challenge Design has received more than 13,000 entries from 130 countries.

Winners of the 18th Michelin Challenge Design, "Concours d'Elegance 2050  Future Classic":

First place: Georgii Varodi of St. Petersburg, Russia , for design entry "DS Bertoni"

, for design entry "DS Bertoni" Second place: Harsh Panchal of Vadodra, India , for design entry "Mystique"

, for design entry "Mystique" Third place: Boussid Mohammed Ramdane of Oran, Algeria, for design entry "Bugatti Type 2050 SC Atlantic"

Finalists of the 18th Michelin Challenge Design (in alphabetical order):

Oto Arantes of Sao Paulo, Brazil , for design entry "QuarantONE"

, for design entry "QuarantONE" Guillermo Nicolas Gaudioso of Eldorado, Misiones, Argentina ; Facundo Castellano Davila of Cordoba, Argentina ; and Lucas Basile of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina ; for design entry "EAL Concept"

; Facundo Castellano Davila of Cordoba, ; and Lucas Basile of La Plata, Buenos Aires, ; for design entry "EAL Concept" Dong Hun Han of Seoul, South Korea , for design entry "Ferrari Gothica Rossa 2025 Electric Hypercar Concept"

, for design entry "Ferrari Gothica Rossa 2025 Electric Hypercar Concept" Tao Ni, Hua Chen, Yong Ni, Rui Xiong, and Yuan Tian (Ether Design Lab) of China , for design entry "Noah"

, for design entry "Noah" Maria Rydno of St. Petersburg, Russia , for design entry "Chanel"

, for design entry "Chanel" Emilie Sicot, Guillaume Mazerolle, and Alexis Nguyen of Paris, France, for design entry "Aston Martin E-GO"

Honorable Mentions of the 18th Michelin Challenge Design (in alphabetical order):

Esteban Daniel Diaz Gonzalez and Lucas Colombo of Cordoba, Argentina , for design entry "Bi25"

, for design entry "Bi25" Deven Khatri of Detroit, Michigan, United States , for design entry "The AMAZ Concept"

, for design entry "The AMAZ Concept" Mihul Prakash of Kanpur, India , for design entry "Genesis ENTRADA"

, for design entry "Genesis ENTRADA" Sergei Safin of St. Petersburg, Russia, for design entry "Legendary Drones"

The panel of esteemed jurors consisted of: Stewart Reed, chair, Transportation Design Department, Art Center College of Design, consultant and jury chairman, Michelin Challenge Design; Robert Bauer, design studio manager, Nissan Design America; Chris Chapman: chief designer, Hyundai Design North America; Dave Marek, Acura global creative director, Honda R&D Americas, Inc.; Craig Metros, design director, North American Truck, S.U.V & Commercial, Ford Motor Company; Damien Michelin, honorary juror, Michelin North America; Frank Saucedo, director, Advanced Design Studio, General Motors; Freeman Thomas, former global advanced design director, Ford Motor Company and Jason Wilbur, owner, Brave Labs, Inc.

Juror comments :

"Michelin Challenge Design is the most important global design competition for emerging young talent. The beautiful thing is that we really engage the global design community. That was once again reflected in the works chosen by our jurors," said Stewart Reed, Art Center College of Design in California and Michelin Challenge Design jury chairman.

"I'm always intrigued to see all of the different ideas that come from around the world," said Craig Metros, Ford Motor Company.

"This Michelin Challenge Design theme really brought a unique aspect to the word 'elegance'. It's elegance in engineering. It's elegance in technology. It's elegance in future thinking," said Chris Chapman, Hyundai Design North America.

"The premise of a car being built in 2025 becoming a classic is extremely hard. You have to project in 2025 first something that would be that far out and then in 2050 becomes a classic. This challenge is unique," said Frank Saucedo, General Motors.

"Michelin Challenge Design is a fantastic opportunity for young designers around the world to participate and show off their design and innovation skills. The quality of work was impressive," said Robert Bauer, Nissan Design America.

"The solutions were unique and I think what we arrived to in the final were equally different, yet had the same kind of feeling for a Concours car," said Dave Marek, Honda R&D Americas, Inc.

"I'm looking for that element of innovation. Concours is really less about the rational and more about the irrational beauty of innovation and art," said Freeman Thomas, former global advanced design director, Ford Motor Company.

"It's great to see younger people be passionate about what they do. We should do everything we can to encourage them and help them demonstrate their talents," said Damien Michelin, honorary juror for Michelin North America.

About Michelin North America

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks and motorcycles. The Company has earned a long-standing reputation for building innovative premium tires. In addition to tires, the Company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelinman.com) employs about 22,700 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants. Forbes magazine has ranked Michelin No. 1 on its annual survey of "Best Large Employers in America" for 2018. Learn more about purpose-driven careers with a purpose-driven company at jobs.michelinman.com.

For more information and images, visit www.michelinchallengedesign.comTomTom to Integrate what3words Addressing into its Navigation Offering







DETROIT--TU-Automotive-- TomTom (TOM2) and what3words today announced that they will collaborate to bring what3words addressing to TomToms customers globally.

what3words is a simple way to talk about location. The world is divided into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and each square is assigned a unique three-word address. As such, what3words is the perfect complement to TomToms existing maps, allowing people to accurately find any location and share it more quickly, easily and with less ambiguity than any other system. The 3 word address for TomToms head office, for example, can be found at ///pancake.climbing.beaker. The easy-to-use addressing system works well in areas where traditional maps and addressing dont  for example, off-road locations, and countries without standardized addressing systems such as India and the Middle East.

Antoine Saucier, Managing Director, TomTom Automotive, said: Whether youre trying to find an address in the centre of Turin, or on the streets of Tuvalu, TomTom wants to get you there quickly and efficiently. Our collaboration with what3words demonstrates our commitment to embracing new addressing technology that is easy-to-use and integrates simply into our navigation offering.

Chris Sheldrick, CEO and co-founder of what3words adds, We are delighted to partner with TomTom, and bring the benefits of more accurate addressing to their customers. By using what3words, drivers are able to navigate to any precise location - as specific as a side door, gate or parking spot. Equally, destinations that previously have been unaddressed now have a simple, reliable and easy to remember 3 word address.

what3words addressing will roll-out to TomTom Consumer and Automotive customers in the second half of 2018.

ENDS

About TomTom

TomTom created the easy-to-use navigation device, one of the most influential inventions of all time. Since then, we have grown from a start-up, into a global technology company. We design and develop innovative navigation products, software and services, that power hundreds of millions of applications across the globe. This includes industry-leading location-based and mapmaking technologies, embedded automotive navigation solutions; portable navigation devices and apps, and the most advanced telematics fleet management and connected car services.

Combining our own R&D expertise with business and technology partnerships, we continue to shape the future, leading the way with autonomous driving, smart mobility and smarter cities. Headquartered in Amsterdam with offices in 37 countries, we offer advanced digital maps that cover 142 countries, and our hyper-detailed and real-time TomTom Traffic information service reaches more than five billion people in 69 countries. www.tomtom.com

About what3words

Find your 3 word address here

www.what3words.com

Co-founded in London in 2013 by Chris Sheldrick, what3words is the simplest way to talk about location. The system covers the entire world, never needs updating, and works offline. A 3 word address is a human-friendly way to share very precise locations with other people, or to input them into platforms and machines such as autonomous cars or e-commerce checkouts. It is optimised for voice input and contains built-in error prevention to immediately identify and correct input mistakes.

The free what3words app, available for iOS and Android, and the online map enable people to find, share and navigate to 3 word addresses in 26 languages to date. A 3 word addresses in one language can be switched instantly into any other supported language, and even looked up in one language and shared in another. what3words can be easily integrated by businesses, governments and NGOs into apps, platforms or websites, with just a few lines of code, and products are available for free or for a nominal fee for qualifying NGOs.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.Photo: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Bright and early Monday morning, Bill Clinton launched a book tour in support of a political thriller he wrote with the best-selling author James Patterson, called The President Is Missing. And sometime before 8 a.m., it had become clear that it had not occurred to our ex-president that hawking his book would also entail answering questions about Monica Lewinsky, and about how his affair with the White House intern had shaped  and slowed  the feminist conversation around sexual harassment.

Clintons feckless replies to questions about #MeToo revealed an unpreparedness that spoke volumes about why men have been able to abuse their power with relative impunity for generations, while the women around them have been asked to pay the price for them over and over and over again.

The interaction happened during an interview Clinton did, alongside Patterson, with the Today shows Craig Melvin. Melvin kicked things off by asking Clinton about how his relationship with Lewinsky  consensual but nonetheless a clear abuse of professional and sexual power  had sullied recent reassessments of his presidency.

Clinton reared back, flustered. We have a right to change the rules but we dont have a right to change the facts, he said, suggesting that Melvin didnt know the facts of the Lewinsky case. Clinton claimed to like the #MeToo movement; its way overdue. But when Melvin pressed him on whether it had prompted him to rethink his own past behavior, like so many millions of other men and women around the world  including Lewinsky in a March Vanity Fair essay  he sputtered that of course he hadnt, because hed felt terrible then.

Nobody believes that I got out of that for free. I left the White House 16 million dollars in debt, Clinton said, as if having paid a literal debt was the extent of the work to be done in the midst of a cultural and social reckoning. Then, as if hed forgotten the rules of time and space and the evolution of progressive movements, Clinton kicked into full self-defense mode: This was litigated 20 years ago  Two-thirds of the American people sided with me; I had a sexual-harassment policy when I was governor in the 80s; I had two women chiefs of staff when I was the governor; women were overrepresented in the attorneys general office in the 70s.

Toward the end, James Patterson jumped in, perhaps hoping to assist his floundering co-author: This thing was 20 years ago. Come on. Lets talk about JFK. Lets talk about LBJ. Stop already. Clinton took the opportunity to angrily query Melvin: You think President Kennedy should have resigned? Do you think President Johnson should have resigned?

The exchange left several matters to clear up, starting with these last points.

Questioning how Bill Clintons behavior fits with the acknowledgment of the ways sexual harassment has systematically damaged womens political, professional, and economic prospects is not at odds with acknowledgment that John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson behaved grotesquely toward women; it is part of the same story. Thanks for bringing it up, James Patterson!

What always made Bill Clintons transgressions so pivotally important  and a legitimate subject for scrutiny  was that they happened after the rules and assumptions governing sexual harassment had changed. John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson were presidents in the 1960s, before the term sexual harassment had been coined, in 1975, by the feminist scholar Lyn Farley. At the time, she was working on the case of Carmita Wood, the Cornell University administrative assistant whod quit her job, and was subsequently denied unemployment benefits, after years of being groped and kissed against her will by her boss.

The cases that Wood and other women brought against their bosses worked their way through the courts over the next decade, which meant that Clinton was the first Democratic president to serve after the unanimous 1986 Supreme Court decision in favor of assistant bank manager Michelle Vinson barring sexual harassment as a form of sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. And just the year before Clinton was elected president, Anita Hill gave her searing congressional testimony about the behavior of Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. That event not only popularized the term sexual harassment, it inspired a surge of female candidates to enter politics the very year that Bill Clinton came to Washington.

Which brings us to the next part of his self-justification, namely, his pride in having appointed women to senior positions and having had sexual-harassment policies in place in Arkansas. If we have learned nothing else from the past six months, or two years, or three centuries, its that having had feminist thoughts or made feminist policy, having had feminist friends or given jobs to feminist women doesnt inoculate a man from charges that he has also been a sexist pig to individual women, in ways that may have both hurt those women and perpetuated larger sexist inequities.

One lesson exemplified so fully by Bill Clinton is that when men, and particularly white men, have such disproportionate power in the public sphere  when theyre the ones doing the appointing, the hiring, the promoting, the legislating  it leaves women dependent on them, especially if theyre the good guys. And that means women, including feminists, are bound to those men such that censuring them is not just difficult, but politically  and therefore practically  perilous.

Yes, many feminists defended Clinton against charges of harassment back in the 1990s, and that was in part because they felt they needed him: He was the man whod signed the Family and Medical Leave Act, whod appointed Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the Supreme Court; he was a pro-choice president after 12 years of Reagans and Bushes; and he was married to a brilliant woman that many of them admired. But the fact that they took his part contributed to the stalling of the conversation around harassment, the conversation that has only recently been revivified in part by the election of another president, an admitted harasser and accused predator, who came to power by beating out that brilliant woman for the presidency.

By many measures, therefore, its feminists  and not Bill Clinton himself  who have been blamed for having extinguished the postAnita Hill conversation. It is feminists, and more broadly women, who have had to answer for their errors in judgment 20 years ago, often with more frequency or rigor than Bill Clinton has been made to answer with for his errors in judgment 20 years ago.

Which is what makes the most notable thing about this mornings interview the fact that Bill Clinton seemed to be shocked that he would be asked about his behavior in light of #MeToo. How is that possible?

The answer is that a major aspect of the reckoning has been the realization that a culture in which harassment and sexual power abuse are ubiquitous is also one in which women are always asked to react to mens behavior, and then always evaluated on their reactions, while men, until recently, rarely are called upon to account for themselves.

Consider that Lewinsky herself has been asked to answer for this relationship  and only this relationship  for two decades. Her name has been used as a synonym for fellatio by performers including Eminem and Beyonce; in 2001, she was asked onstage, How does it feel to be Americas premier blow-job queen?

In her Vanity Fair piece, she wrote about how she had made mistakes and how she was unpacking and reprocessing what happened, and about how #MeToo was helping her to finally consider, at 44, the implications of the power differentials that were so vast between a president and a White House intern.

But its not just the woman he had the extramarital relationship with whos been evaluated based on his bad acts; its also the one he had the marital relationship with. Hillary Clinton lost the support of many feminists whod adored her when she decided to stand by her man. Others made it clear that they thought the choice was hers to make, but their support had its own dark underside, when pundits like the New York Times Maureen Dowd accused Hillary of leveraging sympathy as a wronged wife into a political career. From there, it was just a short leap to view Hillary Clintons pathbreaking achievements  as the first woman elected to the Senate from New York, and later as the first American woman to become a major-party nominee for the presidency  as fundamentally unearned, some sick lagniappe benefit of having been publicly hurt and humiliated.

This too is one of the discoveries of #MeToo; the degree to which the behavior of men degraded the professional accomplishments of all kinds of other women, not just those theyve harassed, but those with whom they worked or to whom they were married, women who turned a blind eye or forgave or played along or objected. Those womens work is understood not simply as notable in its own right, but as derivative of the male power to which they were forced to respond.

Lets not forget, and Ill be brutal, MSNBC host Chris Matthews said of Clinton in January of 2008, during Hillarys first run for the presidency, the reason shes a U.S. senator, the reason shes a candidate for president, the reason she may be a front-runner is her husband messed around. Thats how she got to be senator from New York  She didnt win there on her merit.

In 2016, of course, Clintons historic role as the Democratic candidate for the White House was marked by her opponents decision to invite three women who claimed that her husband had assaulted or harassed them to attend one of the debates. There was a feminist conversation to be had about these allegations of improprieties in Bill Clintons past, but Donald Trump didnt care about that; he was using the women whod accused Bill to harm his wife. And it did harm her; her husbands power abuses  and her own choices to defend him and denigrate Lewinsky and other women  muzzled her. Hillary Clinton couldnt hit her presidential opponent hard on the multiple credible charges of assault and harassment leveled at him. For this, we are all still paying.

Women are perpetually asked to be the cops, the police, the bosses of their bosses, the judges of their judges; the ones held responsible for patrolling and controlling and meting out punishment against  or graciously forgiving  men who trespass. And God help us if we get it wrong.

When Michigan congressman John Conyers was revealed to have settled sexual-harassment claims, it was Nancy Pelosis (ill-advised!) defense of him on Meet the Press that garnered the most critical ink. During the weeks that then-senator Al Franken was being accused by multiple women of having groped them, it was his female colleagues who were regularly questioned by the media and their Senate opponents for their hypocrisy in not condemning him. Then, when some of those female colleagues did call for Frankens resignation, they were quickly tagged for being opportunistic in the grand tradition of Hillary Clinton, except by doing the opposite: trying to advance themselves by bringing Franken down.

Back to Bill Clinton: It often feels like every woman who was alive during the Lewinsky scandal  and some who werent  has been asked to justify how she reacted to it. Feminists, including Gloria Steinem, who took Clintons side 20 years ago, have been asked to reconsider and recant. Chelsea Clinton has been asked about her fathers sexual past during both the 2008 and 2016 presidential campaigns of her mother. In 2018, conservative women publicly objected to Anita Hill heading up the Times Up legal task force, because shed told Tim Russert in 1998 that Bill Clintons harassment had to be evaluated in the context of the totality of his presidency and how he has been on womens issues generally.

All these women still have to apologize for not having been tough enough on Clinton, yet last fall, when Kirsten Gillibrand  whod go on to be the first to request that Franken step down  was asked by the New York Times whether she thought retrospectively that Clinton should have resigned the presidency and answered yes, she was attacked by the Clintons long-time aide Philippe Reines for her ingratitude and hypocrisy, while political strategist Hank Sheinkopf called her traitorous, a political opportunist, and disloyal.

As a feminist journalist whos written extensively about Hillary Clintons presidential campaigns and about #MeToo, I, too, am regularly entreated to offer up my own judgments of Bill Clintons behavior, as well as to judge how Hillary reacted, how feminists of the time reacted, how contemporary feminists react to Hillary Clintons reactions 

Considering all this, it is truly only a powerful white man who could have lived the past 20 years  through the defeat of his wife and the social revolution it helped to galvanize  and think that none of this effort or upheaval applied to him, especially given that so much of it applies to him directly. So as he goes on to sell more copies of his book Id advise Bill Clinton to stop bitching about how this is Kennedy-era ancient history. This is the muck that many of us have been swimming in for decades, and much of it is of your making. Come on in; the water is sickeningly warm.This week, womens social club The Wing launches the second issue of No Mans Land, its print magazine, with stories rolling out exclusively on the Cut.

When Senator Elizabeth Warren took the stage in Massachusetts at The Womens March eighteen months ago, she said five words about women that havent left our minds since: We will not play dead.

After being dismissed from the Senate floor sixteen days later for speaking out against then-Senator Jeff Sessions, Senator Warren followed that mantra.

She has continued to speak out against the Trump administration every day since the President took office. To quote the righteous Senior Senator: The people of Massachusetts didnt send me to Washington to roll over and play dead while Donald Trump and his team of billionaires, bigots, and bankers crush the working people of this country.

We spoke to Senator Warren about how women can make their voices heard politically, what she does to decompress, and why shes as fired up as shes ever been.

AG: Over the past year, women like our members have been activated and have taken an interest in politics in ways that they never expected to. Frankly, theyre very angry. You were the first female senator in Massachusetts  what advice do you have for all of the women who are running for office for the first time in this election cycle?

EW: Just do it. I dont want to sound like a Nike commercial, but do it. Reach into your heart and figure out the reason youre thinking about jumping into a race, because that reason needs to be strong and steady. Therell be lots of tough days and miserable nights when youll have to pull on that reason and it will have to sustain you.



Its hard to be in the fight, but for me its even harder to stand on the sidelines and watch the fight go by and know that you hadnt done everything that you could to make it come out the way it should. So get out there and run for office.

What were the reasons for you when you made the decision to take the leap? What were the core issues that motivated you?



I had watched up close and personal as hardworking families took it on the chin time after time after time. No one stood up for them. I just reached a point where I couldnt stand it any longer.

I grew up in a family that was paycheck-to-paycheck. We didnt have much. My daddy ended up as a janitor. My mom worked a minimum wage job at Sears. I got a chance in life because of good public schools and a commuter college that cost $50 a semester. I realized that there I was, a Harvard law professor who had gotten this chance in America because, sure, Id worked hard, but Id grown up in a country that was investing in kids like me, and that the path Id taken is literally gone.

Its not there anymore for our kids. Thats wrong, and I want to open those opportunities up again for the next kid and the kid after that and the kid after that. That was enough to get me in the race.

Photo: Cait Oppermann

Congress  like many other institutions  is grappling with its history of sexual harassment, and Im curious about the ways that you believe that this government can and is already taking action on the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, including in the workplace of Capitol Hill.

Well, Congress has not taken leadership on the issue of sexual harassment, but it is at least showing a little followership. The #MeToo movement is grassroots at its most powerful. Its the reminder that we are stronger when we stand up for each other. The first women who spoke up in the #MeToo movement inspired a wave of women who spoke up, and they in turn inspired another wave and another wave and another wave until the world no longer looks the same.

That doesnt mean weve made enough change. But it was our supporting each other that got the change started in the first place. Now the job of Congress is to change the rules around here so that we live our values every day, and we hold each other accountable. To pass rules to support people whove been sexually harassed all across this country.

Let me give you one example. Ive introduced a bill to say publicly traded companies should have to disclose how many sexual harassment claims they have settled, and for how much money. I believe that thats important because if we get a lens into which companies have a lot of problems in this area, then there will be more pressure for those companies to clean themselves up. If companies can hide their settlements over sexual harassment, if they can pay money under the table and insist on the silence of the victim, then nobody has to make any real change. Thats the kind of thing that Congress can do. We can set the rules that either make it harder to make change, which is where those rules are right now, or that make it easier to make change.

Where were you in 1991, during the Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill case? Were you at Harvard?



No, I was not yet at Harvard. I was still at Penn. But I can tell you exactly where I was: I was in upstate New York. Id gone out to deliver a lecture at a university up there, and like everyone else, I was just glued to the television set during those hearings.

I was particularly intent on watching because I knew Anita. Anita taught at the University of Oklahoma. Im from Oklahoma, and we both taught in the same field at a time when women teaching financial courses were still pretty rare. We knew each other from conferences and different get-togethers, and I remember as I watched Anita taken apart by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, thinking how brave she was to come forward, and how deeply unfair the attacks on her were. I knew her to be a good and decent and honest woman, and what she got for stepping forward was an attack on her integrity and it was wrong.

There was no structure [back then]. There were not millions of women across the country who were instantaneously connected to each other and ready to stand up on her behalf. Instead, she had to face that Senate panel almost alone. That wouldnt happen today.

I saw that 17 Democrats just joined with Republicans to help deregulate banks with less than 250 billion dollars, which exempts 25 of the 38 biggest banks in the world. I was kind of flabbergasted by that and wanted to know your opinion. What was really behind those 17 Democrats voting this way?

Lobbyists. On the 10th anniversary of the biggest economic crash since the Great Depression, the lobbyists have pushed Congress to advance a bill to help deregulate the banks that sucked down taxpayer money. Nobody went to jail, and now those same banks are making record profits. The only way to explain it is that the banking industry has got plenty of money, and they make their voices heard right here in Washington. The voices of the American people arent nearly so loud in the halls of Congress. Right now this government works great for anyone who can hire an army of lobbyists and lawyers, but it doesnt work so well for everyone else. But were going to change that. Its only when all of us speak up that were going to make our government work for the people.

A lot of our members have one main job, and then they have a side hustle, a hobby, or a weekend project. Did you ever have a side hustle?



Laundry. Okay, okay. No laughing! I do the laundry, and I have all of my routines and bits and pieces. I even iron. It smells good, and it just feels like no matter what else went wrong this week, I can sit there on Sunday afternoon and fold laundry and know I accomplished something.Harvey Weinstein at a New York courthouse on Tuesday. Photo: Erik Pendzich/REX/Shutterstock

On Tuesday morning, former Hollywood titan Harvey Weinstein appeared in a New York court to plead not guilty to rape and criminal-sex-act charges.

MOMENTS AGO: Harvey Weinstein arrives for court appearance in New York City https://t.co/IhrymDDFnB pic.twitter.com/jCSiIsWv7A  CBS News (@CBSNews) June 5, 2018

The disgraced producer, 66, was indicted last week on first- and third-degree rape charges, in addition to one criminal-sex-act charge, involving two New York women. Weinstein had turned himself in on May 25 to the New York Police Department, and left the precinct smiling hours later after posting $1 million bail.

Last fall, the New York Times and The New Yorker published bombshell investigations into sexual-misconduct allegations against Weinstein. The accusations ranged from workplace harassment and hotel-room meetings to rape and verbal abuse. In total, more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of abuse.

A law-enforcement official told the Associated Press in May that the New York criminal-sex-act charge relates to Lucia Evans, who says that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him in 2004. The rape charge stems from a 2013 assault that occurred in a hotel room. CNN notes that the person in the 2013 rape case has not yet been identified.Donald Trump and Melania Trump. Photo: The Washington Post/The Washington Post/Getty Images

It appears that Melania Trump is finally, sort of, back. Twenty-five days after she last made a public appearance, on Monday the missing First Lady attended an event honoring Gold Star families at the White House. And, while we dont have many details or photos from the Gold Star Families Memorial Day Reception, as it was closed to the press, one reporter who was somehow in attendance tweeted some of Trumps uncomfortable remarks about his wifes absence.

According to Jena Greene, a reporter for the right-wing outlet the Daily Caller, Trump said, Melania had a little problem a couple weeks ago but she wouldnt miss this for anything. This comment is presumably in reference to Melanias hospitalization on May 14 for a benign kidney problem, which kept her at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for five nights. But do we really know?

While Greene tweeted that the First Lady is doing well, this appearance does little to squash speculation that something is seriously amiss with Melania. Why is she not attending the G7 Summit in Quebec, which she made it to last year, later this week? Why isnt she accompanying her husband to Singapore for a meeting with Kim Jong-un next week? And, amid the circulation of conspiracy theories related to her absence, why didnt she just make a brief public appearance to shut it all down?

Though the state of Melanias well-being is less clear, Trump is certainly feeling fine, and acting like his typical tacky self. Laughing off rumors about the dissolution of your marriage in a room full of families of service members who were killed in the Iraq War  thats our president!Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Eight months after reports of his abusive behavior ignited the #MeToo movement last fall, Harvey Weinstein appeared in a packed Manhattan courtroom to plead his innocence on Tuesday. He spoke so quietly that, seated behind him in the courts front row, I couldnt hear his voice. But as defense lawyer Benjamin Brafman helped the disgraced movie mogul plead not guilty to three sexual assault charges, it soon became clear that Harvey Weinstein remains uncowed. He still claims that his accusers consented to everything.

Out on a million-dollar cash bail, Weinstein surrendered his passport and has been wearing an ankle monitor under his trousers. Law enforcement in New York, London, and Los Angeles had all announced investigations into his alleged sex crimes. But New York District Attorney Cy Vance  whose alleged mishandling of another Weinstein accusation is under review  was the first to launch criminal proceedings. Weinstein turned himself in to the NYPD two weeks ago. Meanwhile, a New Yorkbased class-action civil lawsuit is also brewing  a fact discussed during Weinsteins arraignment. Famed feminist lawyer Gloria Allred looked on from the audience, prompting speculation as to whether she, too, will sue Weinstein.

When a weary-looking Weinstein arrived in court, shuffling up the aisle with a slight limp, more than 50 members of the press had packed into the at-capacity courtroom. Outside, vans with satellite dishes and TV-news logos ringed the block. We have people positioned everywhere, a reporter from a daily newspaper told me, leaning over a crowd-control barrier in the hall outside the room. A reporter for the New York Times chatted with a reporter from TMZ.

Inside, Weinstein sat quietly while Brafman tipped his hand to the case he will make, should the case go to trial: However reprehensible the crime of rape is, it is equally reprehensible to falsely accuse someone of rape. What the state of New York has characterized as criminal sexual conduct, Brafman said, was actually consensual. Brafman intends to question the credibility of witnesses and victims.

This is the defense everyone knew was coming, the one Weinstein has held to as more than 80 women have publicly accused him of rape, harassment, and forcible touching during his decades-long career as a movie producer. Part of the reason that Gloria Allreds presence caused a stir is that an early Weinstein apologist, Lisa Bloom, is Allreds daughter. (After a series of public fumbles, Bloom distanced herself from Weinstein.)

An acclaimed trial lawyer, Brafman has defended a number of loathed figures: Martin Shkreli, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Charles Kushner. Standing before Judge James Burke, Brafman accused prosecutors and law enforcement of courting public opinion and prolific leaking to the press.

Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi bristled at the accusation: It was not the people who went out to the courtroom steps and started talking about the casting couch, really undermining the seriousness of these charges, Illuzzi said. A seasoned prosecutor with cold-case experience (she successfully prosecuted Etan Patzs killer) Illuzzi also has experience with high-profile trials.

After Weinstein entered his plea, Judge James Burke led a discussion of conflicts of interests, pre-trial motions, and when Weinstein would next appear in court (September 20). Then he dismissed the court. Flanked by Brafman and two other men in suits, Weinstein stood to exit. Most of Manhattans criminal courtrooms contain a waist-high wooden barrier with a velvet rope, which separates the courts audience from its participants. When defendants enter and exit the room, court officers with handcuffs clipped to their belts typically pull back the velvet rope. When they did this for Weinstein, he hesitated, looking around as though waiting for instruction. It seemed to be the only velvet rope in New York City with which Harvey Weinstein was unfamiliar.

On the sidewalk outside, a male passerby called out to a scrum of paparazzi: Who are you waiting for? Harvey Weinstein, a photographer called back. The man made a sound of disgust  as did a second passerby, a woman, who shook her head as she walked past.15 Dead, More Sickened from Rare Virus  Heres Where

Two new cases of the deadly brain-damaging Nipah virus have been confirmed in the southern Indian state of Kerala, where another two people were killed by the virus, a health official said on Thursday.

The two new Nipah cases in Kerala take the total number of confirmed cases to 17, Kozhikode district medical officer V. Jayashree told Reuters. Fifteen of those people have died, she said.

The latest victims, identified as Madhusudhanan, 55, and Akhil, 28, were believed to have contracted the virus from a medical college, Jayashree said.

No confirmed cases of the virus have been found yet outside Kerala despite fears it had spread. Several other Indian states have sent samples for testing from people who reported Nipah-like symptoms in the past few days.

Samples taken from bats in Kozhikode district, the suspected epicenter of the infection, have been sent for testing to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, animal husbandry officer A. Mohandas said, as officials continue to try to track the root of the outbreak.

There is no vaccine for the virus, which is spread through bodily fluids and can cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, the World Health Organization says.

However, WHO said India has the capacity to rapidly respond and verify cases with laboratory testing.

At the moment, the outbreak is localized and WHO assesses the risk to be low at the national and regional levels.

Watch Next:

Why is Falun Gong Persecuted?

Although its freely practiced in over 70 countries, doing this in China can lead to unlawful arrest, imprisonment, torture, or even death.Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop attends a meeting with Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam May 28, 2018. (Reuters/Kham)

Australia Says China Unduly Pressured Qantas Into Website Change on Taiwan

SYDNEYAustralian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Tuesday criticized China for pressuring national flag carrier Qantas Airways Ltd to change its website to refer to Taiwan as a Chinese territory, ramping up tensions between the two countries.

Qantas said on Monday it had decided to comply with a request from Beijing to remove references on their websites or in other material that suggest Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau are part of countries independent from China.

Australias government already adheres to the one-China policy, which means it does not recognize Taiwan as a country.

However, Bishop said in an emailed statement private companies should be able to conduct business operations free from political pressure from governments.

The decision of how Qantas structures its website is a matter for the company, she said.

Chinas embassy in Australia did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Self-ruled Taiwan is claimed by Beijing as a Chinese territory, and has become one of Chinas most sensitive issues. Hong Kong and Macau are former European colonies that are now part of China. China had promised to allow the special administrative regions to be governed autonomously, but the ruling Chinese Communist Party has faced criticism for what some see as it imposing its will on local affairs.

Sino-Australian relations have soured in recent months, just two years into a free trade pact after Canberra accused Beijing of covert interference in its domestic affairs.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull referenced disturbing reports of Chinese meddling when he announced plans in December 2017 to introduce tough new legislation to limit foreign influence, including a ban on offshore political donations.

China has denied the allegations, and lodged a formal diplomatic protest in response.

By Colin Packham

Watch Next:

Australias China Experts Discuss Chinese Communist Party Infiltration in Australia

The conflicts between two different values systems, and the conflicts between the two political systems are issues that cannot be ignored.Body of Newborn Baby Found Off the Coast of Florida

The content is not available due to expiration.Safaa Boular (L), convicted of terrorism offenses on June 4 along with her mother, Mina Dich (top R), and her sister, Rizlaine Boular (bottom R), who both pled guilty to terrorism charges, together with a fourth woman. (Met Police)

British Agents Posed as Jihadis Online to Thwart First All-Female ISIS Terror Cell

Teenage girl becomes youngest convicted ISIS terrorist in UK

LONDONA British teenage girl has become the youngest convicted ISIS terrorist after MI5 operatives posing as jihadis uncovered a plot to attack London by befriending her online husband in Syria.

Safaa Boular, 18, was found guilty of plotting with her sister and motheras part of the first female-only cell known in the UKto carry out a gun and grenade attack on the British Museum.

The court heard that Boular was radicalized through a combination of a dysfunctional family, a mother who pushed her toward a highly conservative interpretation of Islam (herself becoming radicalized), and through her relationship with a jihadi fighter in Syria.

Sue Hemming from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said, Safaa Boulars intention was to cause serious injury and death. She first planned to do this in Syria by detonating a suicide belt with her fiance by her side.

When she was prevented from traveling her focus switched to an attack on the British Museum where there would be a large crowd, Hemming said in a statement.

Her sister, mother, and another woman had already pleaded guilty to terrorism-related offences, before Boular was found guilty on June 4 at the Old Bailey in London.

Counter Terrorism Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon said the investigation started when Boular was caught attempting to travel to Syria to be with a jihadi she had met online.

Having been prevented from traveling to Syria, she then set about plotting an attack in the UK, but her plans were being covered by the counter terrorism network and security services, Haydon said in a statement.

CPS said Boular, who was 16 at the time, made contact online with a woman who was an ISIS recruiter and English-language propagandist in Raqqa, and was introduced to hundreds of new people.

She then formed an online relationship a British jihadi who had gone to Syria to become an ISIS terrorist. They were married in an online ceremony.

Soon after they foiled Boulars attempt to travel to meet her husband, British operatives contacted him through a secure messaging system posing as ISIS commanders. He took the bait, and discussed with them plans for an attack in London, which they later realized involved Boular, who was in police custody.

Unbeknown to [Boular], people she was discussing her attack with online were not fellow extremists, but online role players from the security services, said a statement from the Metropolitan Police.

Believing she was communicating over encrypted and secure apps, [Boular] discussed her plans and desire to get hold of firearms and grenades, or pineapples as they were referred to.

All three women were filled with hate and toxic ideology and were determined to carry out a terrorist attack  Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon

Together with her mother and sister, she also discussed the possibility of using a vehicle and knife to carry out an attack, dubbed a tea party in their crude code.

The conversations with her sister, Rizlaine Boular, and mother, Mina Dich, from inside prison continued for around two weeks.

On April 25, 2017, the mother and daughter drove around Westminster, in what security services believe was a reconnaissance of potential targets, before heading to a supermarket in south London the following day to purchase a pack of kitchen knives.

On April 27, when they heard Rizlaine discussing attack plans at home with the fourth member of the cell, Khawla Barghouthi, authorities decided to take action.

During the raid on their house, Rizlaine was shot by officers as she came at them with a knife, screaming for them to leave her alone as they administered first aid.

Rizlaine Boular and Mina Dich both pled guilty to terrorism charges, and all three are now awaiting sentencing.

During the trial, it emerged that the mother had been drawn to an increasingly radical interpretation of Islam, which she imposed on the teenage Boular, even forcing her to fast during Ramadan despite the fact that she was diabetic.

All three women were filled with hate and toxic ideology and were determined to carry out a terrorist attack, Haydon said.

Watch Next:

Knife Crime in London is On The RiseChinese Demand for Donkey Skin Threatens Kenyan Animal Population

Chinas demand for donkey hide to produce herbal medicine is decimating the animal population in Kenya, according to a new report by France 24, a French television network.

Furthermore, local farmers who depend on the animals for farm labor and transportation are seeing their livelihoods being threatened.

E jiao is a type of traditional Chinese medicine made by boiling down donkey hide, then extracting its gelatin and mixing it with a variety of herbs. A Chinese state television report once explained that about three jin (a Chinese unit of measurement equal to half a kilogram) of donkey hide only begets one jin of e jiao.

Touted in ancient medicinal texts for their healing properties such as helping pregnant women with reproductive organ ailments, stopping coughs, and relieving insomnia, the medicine is considered a luxury product. In recent years, Chinas wealthy elite have consumed e jiao as a status symbol.

The most well-known versions are made from the town of Donge, in Pingyin County, Shandong Province, as the pristine groundwater found in the area is said to be especially beneficial to producing the e jiao.

The medicine can sell for 600 euros (about $700) per kilogram, according to France 24.

Chinas donkey population has dwindled due to the rising demand for e jiao, from 11 million in 1990 to 6 million in 2014, according to the International Organization for Animal Protection. So the country has begun looking elsewhere for donkeys.

African Raid

Since 2016, Kenya has opened three slaughterhouses for donkeys, almost exclusively for export to China, according to France 24s report. The broadcaster visited a slaughterhouse called Star Brilliant in Naivasha, Kenya, where the manager, John Kariuki, said that the facility slaughters about 200 donkeys a day, and 2,500 pieces of donkey hide are treated and packaged for export each month.

France 24 estimates that China would need to slaughter 10 million donkeys a year to meet the demand for e jiao. There are only 44 million donkeys in the world, according to the Animal Traction Network for Eastern and Southern Africa. The global donkey population could be decimated within several years.

Locals primarily use donkeys as a means of transport and do not eat donkey meat. Due to the donkeys valueone donkey hide is valued at 65 euros ($76)some have taken advantage of the Chinese demand to steal farmers donkeys and slaughter the animals to sell their hide. One farmer interviewed by France 24 said he had three donkeys stolen by thieves. He had to borrow a neighbors donkey to help with farm work.

France 24 reported that Kenya has plans to open a fourth donkey slaughterhouse. Countries like Mali, Senegal, and Tanzania have placed bans on exporting donkeys to China in recent years, but the Kenyan government is reluctant to upset the trade because it slaps an 80 percent export duty on the donkey hide, profiting from the trade, according to France 24.

Meanwhile, Kenya has partnered with the Chinese regime on several major infrastructure projects under Chinas One Belt, One Road initiative. For example, in May 2017, a $3 billion Chinese-financed railway finished construction, connecting Kenyas capital, Nairobi, to the port city of Mombasa.Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), speaks at a hearing on human rights in China July 1, 2017. (Leo Shi/The Epoch Times)

Congress Introduces New Bill to Counter Beijings Political Influence in America

Measure would require Confucius Institutes to register as foreign agents

WASHINGTONAs the Chinese regime continues to invest heavily in overseas political influence and propaganda operations, a new bill introduced in Congress explicitly seeks to curb such interference.

The Countering the Chinese Government and Communist Partys Political Influence Operations Act of 2018 was introduced on June 4 by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), both members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Smith is also the co-chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), which has been leading the charge to highlight the Chinese regimes influence in America and its consequences.

The bill would require U.S. intelligence agencies to provide a detailed report on Beijings influence operations in America, both covert and overt. It also calls for developing a long-term strategy to counter Beijings political influence, censorship, propaganda, and disinformation targeting the United States.

The June 4 date was intentionally chosen to coincide with the 29th anniversary of the Chinese regimes bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijings Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Smith said in a statement that the United States needs to better understand the malign goals of Chinas political influence operations, while stressing the need to distinguish such undesirable elements from the cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges which benefit both the American and Chinese people.

The Chinese government and Communist Party use both overt and covert means to target the political and economic elite, the media and public opinion, civil society and academia, and members of the Chinese diaspora, the draft bill says.

The bill would require Chinese regime-funded Confucius Institutes located on American university and college campuses to register as foreign agents, a requirement that has been proposed before and supported by many, including in legislation introduced in March by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

Rubio, among the most outspoken critics of the Chinese regimes authoritarian influence, is expected to sponsor legislation in the Senate similar to Smith and Kapturs bill, a congressional aide said.

Another Senate bill titled Stop Higher Education Espionage and Theft Act of 2018 was introduced on May 22 by Sen. Ted Cruz (R. TX) with similar goals in mind, although it did not specifically name Confucius Institutes nor China.

Communist China is infiltrating American universities to meddle with our curricula, silence criticism of their regime, and steal intellectual property including sensitive dual-use research, Cruz said in a statement. The Confucius Institutes are the velvet glove around the iron fist of their campaigns on our campuses. The American government needs new tools to protect the integrity of our universities and research, and to block academic espionage.

Cruzs bill would allow the FBI to designate an entity as a foreign intelligence threat to higher education and then require U.S. colleges and universities to follow strict reporting and disclosure rules for any financial interactions with designated foreign entities.

Various members of the U.S. Congress in recent months have made statements or sent letters asking colleges and universities in their states to cut ties or end relations with Confucius Institutes on their respective campuses.

Previously, top U.S. intelligence officials have publicly warned that Confucius Institutes and other propaganda platforms in the Chinese regimes toolkit are being used to influence American society. The FBI has been investigating numerous Confucius Institutes around the country, according to Director Christopher Wray.

In a Congressional hearing, Wray also said that the Chinese regime has manipulated nontraditional spies, especially those in academic settings, such as professors, scientists, and students, to steal U.S. technology and secrets.

One of the things were trying to do is view the China threatits not just a whole-of-government threat, but a whole-of-society threat on their end, and I think its going to take a whole-of-society response by us, Wray said.

The Chinese regimes decades long attempt to influence the politics of other nations has been under dramatically increased scrutiny since 2017. Countries around the world have begun awakening to the painful realization that the doors they willingly opened to China for trade and cultural exchange have let in the Chinese regimes encroachments on their political institutions and way of life.

Such interference was particularly felt in Australia and New Zealand, as media there recently delivered a series of high-profile investigative reports and headline stories about the Chinese Communist Partys control and influence over political candidates, businesses, and academia, as well as the Chinese students across Oceania.

In the United States, Democrats have given much less attention to Chinese influence activities, compared to the Russian influence operations targeting the 2016 U.S. election. However, Kapturs co-sponsorship of the bill countering the Chinese regimes political influence operations is a sign that Democrats are beginning to recognize the threat posed by China.Court Case Against Former House IT Aide Delayed Again

Hearing involving Imran Awan, who made unauthorized logins on congressional servers, postponed for seventh time

The federal court case against Imran Awan, a former information technology (IT) administrator who worked for dozens of House Democrats, was delayed again on Tuesday to July 6.

This is the 7th time the court hearing has been postponed since November last year. Awan and his wife, Hina Alvi, have been charged with bank fraud.

Many of the delays appear to be related to a laptop that Awan left in a decommissioned phone booth in a House building in April last year.

The laptop, which had the username RepDWS, was accompanied by several copies of ID cards belonging to Awan and a letter he wrote to prosecutors.

Awan had been employed by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.)whose initials (RepDWS) were on the laptopsince 2005.

After the laptop was found by Capitol Police, Wasserman Schultz attempted for months to have the laptop returned to her, including hiring an outside lawyer to prevent prosecutors from looking at it.

During a May 18 hearing, Wasserman Schultz told the Capitol Police chief there would be consequences if the laptop was not returned to her.

Awans lawyer, Chris Gowen, argued in October last year that he feels very strongly that the laptop should not be used as evidence in the federal court case, citing attorney-client privilege.

Unauthorized Access

House leaders and the Committee on House Administration (CHA) were briefed on Sept. 20, 2016, by the Office of Inspector General that Awan and other IT workers connected to him were logging in to the servers of 15 House members they didnt work for.

After Awan was hired by Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) and four other House Democrats, several of Awans family members, including his wife and his brother Abid, Awan joined the congressional payroll.

The IT workers were paid an estimated $7 million by Congress since 2004.

According to the briefing by the inspector general, the IT workers also made excessive logons to a Democratic Caucus server and three of its workstations.

Click on timeline to enlarge.

Excessive logons are an indication that the server is being used for nefarious purposes and elevated the risk that individuals could be reading and/or removing information, the office said in the briefing, which was not publicly released.

The inspector general briefing also revealed that Dropbox had been installed on at least two computers that were uploading files online, in defiance of House policy. The Dropbox accounts contained thousands of files, which, according to the inspector general, contained information that was likely sensitive.

Troubled Investigation

Despite the findings by the inspector general, House leadership did not ban the five IT workers in question from the network until Feb. 2.

At that point in time, the investigation had been reassigned from the inspector general to Capitol Police, despite the police having no cybersecurity experience.

A day after the sergeant-at-arms officially banned Awan and his associates from the network, most of the 44 House Democrats who had employed them ended their contracts with them.

Wasserman Schultz, however, did not fire Awan, saying he could service her technology needs without accessing the network. Despite the ongoing investigation, she also added his wife, Hina, to the payroll.

The Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) reported last month that the police told Capitol Hill staff in June 2017 that they were not planning to conduct more interviews. It also reported that House IT workers with knowledge of alleged wrongdoing by the Awans were never approached.

The IT workers were never charged in relation to the unauthorized logins on the House system. Instead, the charges faced by Awan and his wife involve bank fraud.

An article published on June 5 by the DCNF cites an unnamed House employee as saying that Wasserman Schultz had attempted to kill the House investigation after it found that Awan had made numerous unauthorized logins to congressional servers.

The article also shed light on the close relationship between Wasserman Schultz and Awan. Citing sources familiar with the relationship, DNCF reported Awan had told people that Wasserman Schultz chose the name of his daughter, Leza, and allegedly intervened on Awans behalf in a land deal in Pakistan in which his father had been charged with fraud.Former Hong Kong lawmakers Baggio Leung (L) and Yau Wai-ching speak to the press outside the High Court in Hong Kong on November 30, 2016. They were recently sentenced to a four-week jail term. (Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images)

Former Hong Kong Lawmakers Sentenced to Jail for Protest

A Hong Kong court sentenced two former lawmakers to four weeks in jail on June 4 for unlawful assembly inside the legislature, further sapping the energy of local political activists.

Hong Kong is officially a part of China but has separate governance under the one country, two systems principle. Activists say the lawmakers sentence is further evidence of Beijings growing interference since the former British colony was returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.

Baggio Leung, 31, and Yau Wai-ching, 26, along with three assistants, were convicted last month for a 2016 incident in which the two stormed the legislative chamber after they were barred from re-taking their oaths to serve. Leung and his assistant said they will appeal their sentences.

After they criticized Beijing during their October 2016 swearing-in, the Hong Kong government accused them of making invalid oaths, and a court disqualified them from their posts. As court proceedings were underway, the highest body in Chinas rubber-stamp legislature, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, issued a legal interpretation about oath-taking that drew protests by Hong Kong lawyers.

Former UK foreign secretary, Malcolm Rifkind, called the prison sentence deeply disturbing, according to a press release by the London-based NGO Hong Kong Watch. Imagine if a Member of Parliament were sent to jail for staging a protest inside Parliament, he said.

Yau and Leungs election two years ago marked a high for the youth-led movement that championed Hong Kongs interests and self-determination. Their political party, Youngspiration, emerged after the Umbrella Movement protests in 2014, when scores of demonstrators occupied major highways for over two months demanding the right to popular vote. Alarmed by the dissent, Beijings leaders tightened control over the city.

By Venus Wu. Epoch Times staff member Annie Wu contributed to this report.American flags fly over the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) building in Washington, D. C., on July 18, 2001. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Former US Defense Intelligence Officer Arrested for Alleged Spying for China

WASHINGTONA former officer with the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency was arrested over the weekend for allegedly trying to spy on the United States for China, the U.S. Justice Department said on June 4.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) took Ron Rockwell Hansen, 58, into custody on Saturday, June 2, while he was on his way to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to catch a connecting flight to China.

The Justice Department said he is accused of trying to transmit national defense information to China and receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars while acting illegally as an agent for the Chinese regime.

Hansen is the latest person in a string of former U.S. intelligence officers to be swept up in criminal probes related to spying for the Chinese regime.

Earlier this year, former CIA case officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee was indicted for conspiring to gather or deliver national defense information to China.

Another former U.S. intelligence employee named Kevin Mallory is on trial in Virginia, also in connection with selling secrets to China.

Prosecutors said that Hansen speaks fluent Mandarin and Russian.

He served as a case officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency while on active military duty from 2000 to 2006, and later continued that line of work as a civilian employee and a contractor.

He also held a top secret clearance for years.

The government said that between 2013 and 2017, he traveled between the two countries attending conferences and provided the information he learned to Chinas intelligence service.

He was paid via wire transfers, cash, and credit cards, totaling at least $800,000. He also allegedly improperly sold export-controlled technology.

His alleged actions are a betrayal of our nations security and the American people and are an affront to his former intelligence community colleagues, said John Demers, the head of the Justice Departments National Security Division.

Hansen appeared before a magistrate judge in Seattle on June 4 and is charged in a 15-count complaint.

By Sarah N. Lynch. Epoch Times staff member Frank Fang contributed to this report.Morris Chang, chairman of TSMC, during a shareholders conference in Taipei on Jan. 16, 2014. (Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images)

Morris Chang, Founder of Taiwan Chip Manufacturer TSMC, Retires

After 30 years, he leaves TSMC as the world's largest contract chip maker

Morris Chang, founder, chairman, and CEO of the worlds largest contract chipmaker, TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), announced his retirement at the companys annual shareholders meeting on June 5.

He established the firm in 1987 and pioneered the idea of manufacturing chips for chip design firms without their own factories.

Chang, 86, will be succeeded by Mark Liu, who had been president and co-CEO with C.C. Wei since 2013. Wei will become the sole CEO.

Despite an impressive career in which he spearheaded Taiwans tech manufacturing, Chang and TSMC have recently had to deal with a growing trend of mainland Chinese firms poaching tech talent from Taiwan and stealing key innovations.

In April this year, Taiwan prosecutors filed charges against a former TSMC employee, alleging he stole technology with the intention of providing it to a Chinese state-owned firm.

A senior U.S. Commerce Department official met with Chang in March to discuss how to counter Chinas intellectual property theft practices.

Taiwanese news media United Daily News reported that a particular challenge for the incoming leadership would be the continued trade tensions between the United States and China.

Chang addressed the issue at the shareholder meeting. He noted that since TSMC has a large revenue base in both the United States and China, it could suffer from a trade war between the two countries.

Chang also said he believed Chinas semiconductor industry will see a lot of progress in the next five to 10 years, but it would still lag behind TSMC, which counts tech giants such as Apple among its customers.

He added that he is now looking forward to writing his autobiography, playing bridge, and traveling.

Reuters contributed to this report.From Spain to London: Stepping Into the Bootmaking Tradition

How Mariano Palencia Crespo Became a Bespoke Bootmaker

Meet Mariano Palencia Crespo of MPC Bespoke, one of Londons bespoke bootmakers.

Crespo shares how he traveled the globe and was inspired to apprentice in the art of bootmaking, a tradition familiar to his father, who was a cobbler. Its a journey that took Crespo to two different worlds, both steeped in tradition yet miles apart: from an old master in a remote Spanish village to an old English bootmaking establishment in the heart of London.

Now, he is freelancing with two prestigious London bootmakers (John Lobb, and Foster and Son), as well as having his own workshop. In 2016, Cockpit Arts awarded him the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) award, and in 2018 its Leathersellers Award.

Crespo recounts the lessons his shoemaking craft has taught him and the importance of keeping tradition alive.

The Epoch Times: Why is it important to keep traditional craftsmanship like shoemaking alive?

Mariano Palencia Crespo: Crafts are really important because theyre a part of our life, part of our history. So if nobody wants to learn how to do these things, or you dont pass down this knowledge, they will disappear; they will die out, and its really sad to see.

The Epoch Times: Before learning from a Spanish master, you traveled a lot. How did those travels inspire your craft?

Mr. Crespo: I traveled for 10 years backpacking around the world, working every other six months or a year, earning money, and when I had enough money, I traveled. After 10 years, I  felt I had to settle down and get some roots.

So I was in Prague. I was in the main square and saw this guy, a blacksmith. He was making swords by hand, and I felt moved. [I thought] I would love to do some craft, and because I had the knowledge of shoemaking, I decided to go back to Spain and try to find someone who was happy to teach me. It took me a year searching for a shoemaker in Spain.

It wasnt easy, until I met this old man. He was in his 80s, and I was lucky he took me under his wing and taught me what he knew about shoemaking. This was in the south of Spain, in San Silvestre de Guzman (Huelva), a remote village of 600 people right next to the border with Portugal.

He was a retired man and did it as a hobby. He wasnt expecting anything in life anymore. This is what I think. I never talked about this with him.  But I think for him it was something new, in a way: OK, I will pass down my knowledge. I feel comfortable with this guy and why not. He was open-minded and he did it, I think, for that reason.

His father was a shoemaker too, so he was a second generation of shoemakers, and they were specialized in country working shoes, boots, and riding boots. I was there for three to four years.

In the south of Spain, people still keep their traditions alive. Theres a religious festival called Romeria, where they move a [statue of a] saint from place to place. Everyone in the procession dresses up in traditional Andalusian costumes, and they travel with their animals and carriages, the old way of transport. That costume requires the long Spanish riding boots, so thats why these people still buy these boots. The boots are also bought by bull fighters, horsemen, and cattle herders who work in the region.

The Epoch Times: How long and what did it take to learn the art of making Spanish hunting boots?

Mr. Crespo: The thing is, this is very repetitive work. When someone shows you how to do it, you just do it again and again, and then someone will point out the mistakes. You correct those, and then they will guide you to achieve the right way of doing it.

They would teach me every month, step by step. Sometimes we repaired things, because that gives you an idea of how things are made.

It takes three to five years to understand what you are doing, but then it will take your entire life to develop and improve those skills. Someone who is quite old will produce the best product after all those years of experience.

The Epoch Times: Tell us how you secured an apprenticeship with world-renowned London bootmaker John Lobb.

Mr. Crespo: I met this Englishman in the south of Spain, and he said to me, You need to go to my house; I want you to meet my family. I never had time, and I didnt have much money back then. For my birthday, he gave me an envelope, and he said, This is your birthday present. He gave me a flight ticket to go to the UK and [let me] stay in his house with his family. OK, whoa! Thank you very much; Im going to England.

At that time, I had a book of the very best shoemakers around the world, and one of them was John Lobb. So when I went to England, I visited the workshop and brought with me a pair of shoes that I had made in Spain. The staff really liked them, and they gave me the opportunity to come to London and work for them. In 2009, a year, almost two years, after my trip to London, I made up my mind and decided to take an apprenticeship with them. Im still working for them [as a freelancer.]

The Epoch Times: How was your time as a London bootmaker apprentice?

Mr. Crespo: It was very interesting because, when I went to England, I thought I knew everything about shoemaking, and then I realized: Oh, not really, I dont know that much, actually.

Here, they use techniques that back home in Spain they dont know, and the people who knew those techniques have now passed away. I discovered different ways to make shoes and boots, so it was very important for me to learn those things that I didnt even know existed.

The Epoch Times: Now you have your own workshop. If we were to come to you for a pair of shoes, what should we expect?

Mr. Crespo: To make a pair of shoes or boots, you need to first measure the customers feet and then produce the last, which is a piece of wood made of, normally, Romanian beechwood. To make a pair of lasts, you measure the shape of the feet with a piece of paper, taking down the outside measure of the feet, then the joints, the instep, and heels. From those measurements, you carve the wood down with rasps, knives, and sandpaper to get the mold of the customers feet. The lasts take about two to three days [to make].

The customer tells you the style of shoe or boot that they want, so you make the upper. The upper involves the outside leather and the lining which goes inside the shoe or boot. First, you make the pattern for the last, and then you transfer that piece of paper onto the leather to cut out the pieces for making the upper. You then close those uppers. Uppers for a pair of shoes would take you one eight-hour day. For boots, it will take longer because it is a different process.

Then you put everything together.

Last is sewing the welts and stitching the soles.

So were talking about nine days to make a pair, really. This is as long as it takes you to make a bespoke shoe or boot.

The way I make shoes hasnt changed for 400 to 500 years. Its still the same methods, the same techniques. The only difference these days is that we have electric lights, which they didnt have back in the day, and we sometimes use glue if you ask for rubber soles.

Everything is done by hand, except the closing bit. Sometimes you can do it by hand, but it depends on the style. Ninety-nine percent of the uppers are closed by sewing machine. Thats the only machine that is involved in bespoke shoemaking.

The Epoch Times: Why do you think people invest in bespoke shoes?

Mr. Crespo: Well, it depends. There are people who really appreciate the craft, so they know what they are buying in terms of keeping the craft alive, and also because you can really make your own style and have your own mark on the shoe. Its a unique piece, so people appreciate that, and they pay for that.



Some cant get a nice comfortable pair of shoes from the street ready-to-wear because they have different heights of the instep or the toes, or they are uncomfortable with a ready-to-wear pair of shoes.

Sometimes I try to educate people because they say to me, Wow, 2,699 pounds ($3,588) [starting price] for a pair of shoes. I can get them for 300 pounds ($399). Well, yes, but if you buy a bespoke pair of shoes, you can carry on wearing them for 20 years, and if you look after them, theyll still look as good as on the first day.

Bespoke shoes will be the most comfortable because they keep the shape of your feet. They go around the insides and over your feet and become very comfortable. How many pairs of shoes will you buy in 15 to 20 years? None of them will fit as well as this one, so its sort of, in a way, investing money.



The Epoch Times: What do you want people to know about craftsmanship that perhaps they didnt before?

Mr. Crespo: Its just that things take time. It takes a long time to develop the skills and to make things by hand. Its not easy, really. It takes dedication and is time-consuming, and you need to be passionate about it.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars are lined up at the final station of the assembly line on Jan. 24, 2018 at a plant of the Stuttgart-based luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz in Sindelfingen, southwestern Germany. (THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP/Getty Images)

In Trade, Who Are Our True Friends?

The editorial boards of The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times are at the opposite ends of the ideological spectrum. They seldom agree. Yet on President Donald Trumps tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, the two boards are singing in unison that the tariffs are bad and that Trump is mean to friends of the United States.

Given The Wall Street Journals reputation of being pro-free trade and pro-globalism, it is not surprising its editorial board is against the tariffs. The editorial argues that Trumps tariffs could potentially push up import prices, invite retaliation from trading partners, and breed discord among our friends.

Trump would agree with that assessment, at least on a short-term basis. He said the tariffs could cause pain in markets, but were necessary for the long-term strength of the American economy.

The New York Times editorial, in comparison, is a hodgepodge of speculation and down-right conspiracy theories. For example, the Times believes that Trump intended to lift the sanctions against Chinese telecommunication company ZTE as a quid pro quo, despite offering no evidence. The Times alleges the tariffs will only serve to isolate the United States and its closest friends, hurting American businesses and workers.

Both editorials talked about friends of the United States. But who are our true friends?

True friends treat each other equally and with respect. True friends reciprocate kindness. True friends make efforts to nurture the relationship and mutually benefit from it. Healthy, long-lasting friendships are never one-sided.

Europe and Japan have long been called friends and allies of the United States. In the past 20 years, however, the United States ran persistent trade deficits with the EU and Japan in goods. In 2017, the U.S. trade deficit in goods with the EU was $151.4 billion. From 2000 to 2017, the total EU trade surplus in goods was $1.95 trillion, more than Texass GDP in 2017 ($1.7 trillion).

One glaring example is automobiles. The EU charges a 10 percent tariff on American cars, while the European cars only face a 2.5 percent import duty in the United States. In 2016, Japan ran a $68.9 billion trade surplus with the United States. A large share of the Japanese surplus, $39.3 billion, came from automotive exports. In the same year, the U.S. carmakers sold $518 million worth of American cars in Japan. The EU and Japan are bleeding us dry through trade, just like China, albeit on a smaller scale.

Those who befriend us while taking advantage of us and profiting from us are not our true friends.

Mexico is Americas next-door neighbor. The country has benefited greatly from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since NAFTA went into effect, the Mexican manufacturing sector boomed. In 1993, exports only amounted to 8.56 percent of Mexicos GDP. The share grew to 36.95 percent in 2013. Mexico received almost a half trillion dollars of foreign direct investment since 1994, mostly from the United States.

How does Mexico thank us? By allowing millions of Mexicans and Central Americans to enter the United States illegally. Illegal crossings of the MexicoUnited States border always existed, but NAFTA increased this immigration significantly. According to the Pew Research Centers estimate, there were more than 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States in 2015, half of which were of Mexican origin. As recently as 200510 years after NAFTA was enactedthe Mexican government published a brochure that instructs migrants on how to cross the border illegally and live in the United States without being detected.

Those who mooch off us and refuse to take personal responsibility are not our true friends.

Then there is Canada, which has always been regarded as the closest ally of the United States. It is probably not an exaggeration to say no two sovereign nations are closer culturally, economically, politically, and militarily than the United States and Canada. But our closest ally also ran a small but tenacious trade surplus in goods against the United States in the past two decades. The United States accused Canada of providing illegal subsidies to its lumber industry and threatened to slap a tariff on the $5.5 billion trade.

After World War II, U.S. foreign policy held that economic development and prosperity were the most potent means to maintain peace. Building trade partnerships with the war-ravaged European and Asian countries was considered the quickest way to get them back on their feet. So the United States tolerated many one-sided deals.

The measures were necessary then. But times have changed. The European and Asian allies of the United States are not the weaklings they once were. They are the equals of the United States and should behave as such. Our allies should not blame Trump for normalizing the trade relationships. The United States made a conscientious decision to help after the war. It has the right to stop any time it wants.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.Italy's populist Five Star Movement (M5S) party leader Luigi Di Maio (C) waves flowers as he celebrates with supporters in his home town of Pomigliano on March 6, 2018, after Italy's general elections. (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Italians and the European Project

On June 1, a populist government took over in Rome, capping a political drama that sent European financial markets into turmoil as the future of the euro region was again thrown into doubt.

The anti-corruption Five Star Movement (M5S) and the League took power in a coalition, ending 88 days of political deadlock. Giuseppe Conte, a law professor with no political experience, was sworn in as prime minister along with his cabinet.

The short-lived government resulted from an inconclusive election on March 4, when no single political party won enough votes to command a majority in parliament. Prior to the election, voters were warned by officials that attempts by Russia to swing the election through social media might favor populist parties.

Additional friction between Brussels and the coalition arose with a foolish remark by Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, suggesting that southern Italians are lazy. That EU elites indicate disrespect for Italians and their democratic choice is clearly toxic when Brussels is struggling for legitimacy and popular support among many southern Europeans.

The change at the top of the euro regions third-largest economy comes after markets went into freefall with the prospect of a resurgence of the crisis that has gripped the single currency in recent years. Italys new government threatens to challenge the EU on budget rules and immigration.

Before the M5S-League alliance, both parties garnered pre-election support with slogans and promotion of a revolt against elites in the name of a direct democracy. After meshing their programs, M5Ss Luigi Di Maio and the anti-immigrant Leagues Matteo Salvini pulled the plug on a government at the last minute after President Sergio Mattarella vetoed their pick of a Euroskeptic finance minister, and asked Carlo Cottarelli, a former IMF official, to become interim prime minister.

Conte was then put forward as prime minister. Di Maio and Salvini will now serve as deputy premiers, with economist Giovanni Tria, as finance minister. Paolo Savona, the rejected finance minister, will be responsible for European affairs.

The new government is expected to face votes of confidence in both houses of parliament on June 4 to 5.

The March election turned on anti-immigration and anti-EU issues. Like Greece, Italy has gone from being a pro-EU country to being critical within only a few years.

Below the groundswell of political resentment that brought M5S and the League to power lies the reality that the lack of adequate EU support with the influx of refugees turned Italians towards anti-EU populism. Many Italians consider that Italy has given more than it has received, with funds diverted to eastern Europe while southern Italy languishes.

The M5S-League agreement is a mix of liberal policies and socially-minded populist moves. It doesnt call for an exit from the euro, yet both parties have previously called for it.

The coalitions promise of popular reforms rattled Italian markets and prompted warnings from European allies, calling on the new government to respect EU budget rules and not endanger the stability of the Eurozone.

The coalition plans to control the government through a conciliation committee and to weaken parliament by making it impossible for lawmakers to switch parties even though the freedom to do so is written into the Italian Constitution.

Their contract also pledges to keep Italy in NATO and preserve the alliance with the United States, while reaching out to Russia  as an economic and commercial partner and calling for an immediate end to all Western sanctions on Russia and for the rehabilitation of Moscow as a strategic counterpart to solve regional conflicts in Syria, Libya and Yemen.

Italy was a founding member of the EU, and Italians have been staunch defenders of the European project. Civil society and Italians as a whole must now oppose the narrow views and policies of populists and nationalists during this test of their democracy.

Antonella Rampino, the Italy-based writer for The Guardian, warns, Well move from a society that is traditionally open and welcoming  to the closed horizons of a country that resembles a corporate, statist, and repressive autarchy.

Italys many friends around the world should encourage Italian voters not to allow that to happen.

David Kilgour, a lawyer by profession, served in Canadas House of Commons for almost 27 years. In Jean Chretiens Cabinet, he was secretary of state (Latin America and Africa) and secretary of state (Asia-Pacific). He is the author of several books and co-author with David Matas of Bloody Harvest: The Killing of Falun Gong for Their Organs.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.(WB) President Trump faced criticism Thursday for pardoning conservative commentator Dinesh DSouza, granting clemency to someone with a history of anti-LGBT and racist comments.

In 2014, DSouza was charged and pleaded guilty to the felony using a straw donor  or making political contributions with another persons name  to 2012 U.S. Senate candidate Wendy Long. DSouza was sentenced to eight months in a halfway house near his San Diego home, five years probation and fined $30,000.

Speaking with reporters on Air Force One Thursday, Trump insisted he doesnt know DSouza and pardoned him because he was very unfairly treated.

And a lot of people did, a lot of people did, Trump added. What should have been a quick minor fine, like everybody else with the election stuffwhat they did to him was horrible.

The DSouza clemency was the fifth presidential pardon for Trump, who has also pardoned Arizona Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio and former Vice President Richard Cheneys Chief of Staff I. Lewis Scooter Libby.

Trump also told reporters he was considering a pardon of Martha Stewart, who served time related to insider trading, and former Illinois governor Rod Blagojvich, who was sentenced to jail for allegedly attempting to sell the appointment of then-President Obamas former U.S. Senate seat.

The pardon of DSouza is a stick in the eye to former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara, who was removed at the start of the Trump administration and has been one of the presidents fiercest critics.

A look at the history of DSouza  whose works include the widely panned 2016 film Hillarys America, which criticizes the Democratic Party  reveals comments disparaging LGBT rights.

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015, DSouza tweeted the ruling would have consequences for religious freedom.

As a consequence of the gay marriage ruling, the danger to religious freedom is not immediate, but it is very real--so we better get ready!  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) June 30, 2015

Oh great! Now we're going to see a plethora of gay propaganda shoved in our faces #SCOTUSMarriage  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) June 26, 2015

As the U.S. Supreme Court considers the Masterpiece Cakeshop case in which a Colorado baker is asserting a First Amendment right to refuse to make custom-made wedding cakes for same-sex couples, DSouza has tweeted Christians should have the right to refuse service based on religious beliefs.

A Christian forced to compromise his religious beliefs has no choice in the matter but a gay couple looking for a service can GO ELSEWHERE  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) April 1, 2015

A Christian baker should no more be forced to cater a gay wedding than a gay baker should be forced to cater a Christian wedding  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) April 1, 2015

TWO CLASSES OF CITIZENS: This gay baker case basically raises the question whether they have freedoms that count while we dont  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) December 6, 2017

In his 2007 book The Enemy At Home, DSouza said the terrorist attacks on September 11 were the result of growing acceptance of LGBT rights in the United States and without the cultural left, 9/11 would not have happened.

Shortly after the fall of Baghdad, graffiti began to appear on the walls of the city and its environs. The following scrawl caught my attention, DSouza said. Marriage of the same sex became legal in America. Is this, with the mafia and drugs, what you want to bring to Iraq, America? Is this the freedom you promised? Even if the source of this statement is of little consequence, the content is revealing. It is not an objection to freedom, but to the kind of freedom associated with drug legalization and homosexual marriage.

DSouza also chided gay people for continuing to support 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party despite its support for Muslims, whom he accused of having anti-LGBT views.

So are we still going to hear gay activists say they are more threatened by conservative Christians than radical Muslims?  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) June 12, 2016

Maybe gay activists will start to realize that playing with snakes--which is to say, coddling Islamic radicals--can be quite dangerous  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) June 13, 2016

I would really like to see these gays try their bullying tactics on MUSLIMS! Just to see what happens!  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) March 31, 2015

Obama & Hillary's response to the #PulseShooting clearly conveys to gays they are less important than Muslims on the Democratic totem pole  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) June 15, 2016

When Trump faced criticism for his remarks to the Boy Scouts at its annual jamboree last year, DSouza took to Twitter to lambast those critics for ignoring changes in policy making the organization gay inclusive.

When @realDonaldTrump speaks to the Boy Scouts it's political but when the left shoves gay propaganda down their throats it's educational  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) July 25, 2017

On transgender people, DSouza this year sent out a poll via Twitter on the best approach to transgender people. The two options were enabling their lifestyle or helping them overcome it. The latter choice won by 90 percent.

Which is the best way to help transgender people?  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) February 24, 2017

Strikingly, DSouza late last year also defended Adolf Hitler as not anti-gay on the basis that he refused to purge gay Brownshirts from Nazi ranks. The statement ignores the estimated 100,000 gay men targeted during the Nazi regime and sentenced to death in concentration camps in the Holocaust along with millions of Jewish people.

Hitler was NOT anti-gay. He refused to purge gay Brownshirts from Nazi ranks saying he had no problem as long as they were good fighters  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) October 6, 2017

At times, DSouza also ridiculed public officials by implying theyre LGBT or referring to them as such in a derogatory manner.

After former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch filed a lawsuit against North Carolina over anti-LGBT House Bill 2, DSouza tweeted out an image implying Lynch is a transgender version of former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

Anyone seen Eric Holder lately? I ask because he may have gone transgender on us and reemerged as Loretta Lynch pic.twitter.com/MLYjFC3Rvq  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) May 10, 2016

As the Daily Beast reported, DSouza also shared a meme that implied former President Obama is a gay Muslim and former first lady Michelle Obama is a man.

I deplore this. Who is putting out these vile messages on social media? pic.twitter.com/HE09gYu2ar  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) February 13, 2018

DSouzas derogatory comments arent limited to LGBT people and Muslims. The commentator has also issued tweets widely criticized as racist and has questioned whether the Charlottesville white supremacist rally last year was a staged event.

Can a genuine white supremacist be an Obama guy? No. I wonder if whole #Charlottesville rally was a staged event https://t.co/9Y3JQOIeRa  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) August 18, 2017

YOU CAN TAKE THE BOY OUT OF THE GHETTO...Watch this vulgar man show his stuff, while America cowers in embarrassment pic.twitter.com/C9yLG4QoOK  Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) February 18, 2015

Zeke Stokes, vice president of programs at GLAAD, said in a statement DSouzas anti-LGBT history is in line with the Trump administrations views.

Dinesh DSouza, who has blamed LGBTQ people in part for the tragic attacks on our nation on 9/11, may reflect the values of President Trump, but he does not reflect the values of this nation, Stokes said. There is simply no place in our discourse for this ignorance and hate that we hear all too often being espoused by members of the Trump Administration and its surrogates.

Stephen Spaulding, chief of strategy and external affairs of Common Cause, said Trumps pardon of DSouza undermines democracy because the commentator knowingly broke the law  and his anti-LGBT history heightens the unfortunate nature of the act.

Trump pardoned DSouza for his willful and knowing violation of campaign finance laws  the laws that are intended to protect the integrity of our democracy, Spaulding said. DSouza has a long history of disgraceful comments about the dignity of LGBTQ people. With his pardon, Donald Trump continues to send a strong signal that he will flout the rule of law to give special treatment to politically-connected people who are hostile to an inclusive America, from Sherriff Arpaio to Mr. DSouza.

 Chris Johnson, Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.Italys Labor and Industry Minister and deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio (R) waves as he arrives with Italys Interior Minister and deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini for the swearing in ceremony of the new government at Quirinale Palace in Rome on June 1, 2018 (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Italys and the EUs Struggles Continue

In the United States, citizens with Italian national origin are the seventh largest ethnic group at 17.2 million. Thus, Americans are well aware of Italy and Italians; unfortunately, what we know is often a jumble of odds and ends (Shakespeares Julius Caesar and Marc Anthonys funeral oration; the Roman Empire and the schoolchilds need to translate Caesars Gallic Wars for Latin class).

We are aware of assorted Italian actors/actresses (Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida) and Clint Eastwoods spaghetti Westerns (or more sophisticated Federico Fellini films). Perhaps, weve toured Italy admiring Roman ruins (the Colosseum), the Leaning Tower of Piza, the canals of Venice, the Vatican incorporating Michelangelos Sistine Chapel, and countless other unparalleled museums featuring Renaissance painters and sculptors.

Read More Italians and the European Project

Or perhaps we had a grandfather who spent part of WWII fighting Germans in endless bloody battles (Anzio, Monte Cassino), with the exhausted infantryman sardonically depicted in Bill Mauldins Willy and Joe cartoons.

And dont forget American love of pizza (although one can argue for non-Italian origin).

These trivial pursuit factoids aside, post WWII Italy has had significant difficulty being accepted as a serious actor in world, or even European, affairs. It certainly has not punched at its weight during this period.

Some of this implicit disrespect is homegrown. The Italians have made a fetish about living la dolce vita and being lovers, not fighters.

In 1964 Luigi Barzini, an Italian journalist and commentator, published a devastating assessment of his country and its citizens, The Italians. There was a stark juxtaposition between the Italy of Dante, Leonardo de Vinci, and so on, and the ongoing chaos.

Such chaos was reflected in the political revolving door of over 50 governments between 1946-94 and, even after comprehensive restructuring of political parties post 1994, a level of corruption, incompetence, and malfeasance that is textbook in its recounting.

More recently, Silvio Berlusconi served four times as prime minister over nine years, intermittently between 2001 and 2011. A billionaire and one of the worlds richest men, Berlusconi battled accusations and ultimately criminal convictions incorporating wild parties and a teenage prostitute. Noted for his brash, overbearing personality, he was hardly an illustration of diplomatic or political probitybut vastly amusing for the media domestic and international.

Nor were Italian domestic finances in much better condition. Recall the perhaps tongue-in-cheek observation that if Italians paid all taxes they owed, it would exceed 100 percent of their income.

But Italy cannot be ignored in its financial travails: it is not Greece. Italy is the third largest economy in the Eurozone and ninth in the world. But also its governmental debt is the third largest in the world (just behind the United States and Japan).

More importantly, Italys combination of low growth, high unemployment, and high public debt makes growing its way out of difficulties problematic. Lower living standards persist, and fiscal stimulus is unaffordable.

Consequently, Italy has been one of the poorest EU economic performers and the only regional economy that has not become more competitive against Germany since 2011.

The result has been predictable political/domestic frustration echoing populist anger demonstrated elsewhere in Europe, sparked additionally by swarms of refugee/immigrants that many Italians believe detract from their quality of life.

An original founder of the European Community, Italy was long one of the most Europhile supporters; now it is in the first rank of the Euroskeptics.

Thus, the March election results, although a surprise to the powers that were, reflected long building anger on both right and left. The leading parties were the leftist Five Star under Luigi Di Maio and the right wing League headed by Matteo Salvini. Initially, the thought of a coalition was deemed as unlikely as one between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump.

But the unparalleled opportunity to implement their policies, mutually incompatible as they might appear, was sufficient lure. Although on May 27 Italian President Sergio Mattarella rejected the first proposed government, which incorporated an economic/finance minister regarded as committed to leaving the Eurozone, party leaders agreed May 31 on a less confrontational economics minister, which Mattarella accepted.

Trying to make the incompatible compatible (Leagues commitment to cut taxes and deport immigrants and Five Stars principles of flat tax and universal basic income) may well be impossible with new elections sooner than later.

The existential problem, however, is that both parties epitomize a hostility to EU/euro control and constraints earlier characterized by Brexit and anti-EU hostility demonstrated in France, Germany, and so on. Italy dodged a bullet this time; but the gun is still loaded.

David T. Jones is a retired U.S. State Department senior foreign service career officer who has published several hundred books, articles, columns, and reviews on U.S.Canadian bilateral issues and general foreign policy. During a career that spanned over 30 years, he concentrated on politico-military issues, serving as adviser for two Army chiefs of staff. Among his books is Alternative North Americas: What Canada and the United States Can Learn from Each Other.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.Key Russian Contact in the Collusion Narrative Tied to Western Intelligence Instead

News Analysis

The man portrayed as the key shadowy broker between the Russian government and the campaign of then-candidate Donald Trump turns out to have been closely tied to people high up in European politics and intelligence circles, while his Russian contacts turned out to be shallow at best.

It was Maltese academic Joseph Mifsud who, around April 26, 2016, told volunteer adviser to the Trump campaign George Papadopoulos that the Russians had dirt on rival presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and thousands of her emails.

Papadopoulos tried to downplay his talks with Mifsud when interviewed by the FBI, thus perjuring himself, according to his guilty plea.

The plea describes Mifsud as having substantial connections to Russian government officials. Hes even been called a Russian spy in the media, but a deep dive into his background paints a different picture.

After getting degrees in education and philosophy, Mifsud started his career in 1997 at the University of Malta, where he was appointed the head of the Department of Education.

He traveled a lot, meeting foreign dignitaries, and eventually made contact with Vincenzo Scotti, former minister of interior and minister of foreign affairs in Italy. Scotti and his director of Italian domestic intelligence were previously ordered by a court to each pay some $3.8 millionmoney they defrauded from the official funds of the intelligence agency to fund the agencys black operations.

According to Manuel Delia, a veteran official under two prime ministers of Malta, Mifsud and Scotti helped start Link Campus University in Rome in 1999. Scotti became its director. Link Campus is the key to understanding Mifsuds future endeavors.

A Curious Institution

Links campus is a renaissance manor less than a mile from Vatican City. It offers degrees in performing arts, fashion design, economics, and digital communication. But it also provides courses in cybersecurity engineering and international studies.

Until 2016, Link offered masters degrees in intelligence and security as well as behavioral analysis and applied sciences in intelligence and homeland security. These two courses later disappeared from Links website.

The CIA and FBI have sent their officers to lecture at Link. In 2004, the CIA and Link organized a conference in Rome attended by intelligence and police officials of nearly 30 countries, including then-CIA deputy director for intelligence Jami Miscik, The Washington Post reported. Former CIA analyst Stephen Marrin was a guest lecturer at Link.

Good intelligence studies program in Italy at Link Campus Uni, Marrin said in a 2015 tweet. Focus on intelligence analysis and national security.

The U.S. Embassy in Rome sent FBI Special Agent Preston Ackerman to conduct a seminar at Link in September 2016, according to an investigation by columnist Lee Smith.

That embassy is where the FBI stationed Michael Gaeta, the FBI point man for contact with former MI6 British intelligence agent Christopher Steele, who put together a dossier in 2016 on alleged Trump-Russia relations. The dossier was characterized by then-FBI Director James Comey as salacious and unverified.

The dossier is the cornerstone of the Trump-Russia collusion theory that, after two years of investigation, remains unsubstantiated.

Link is also loosely tied to cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, the sole source of evidence that Russian hackers stole the Democratic National Committee emails that Wikileaks released starting July 22, 2016. Andrew Bagley, former FBI adviser and, since 2015, privacy counsel to CrowdStrike, was a visiting researcher at Link in 2010, according to his 2015 resume.

Who is Mifsud?

Its not clear what official role Mifsud actually had at Link. Hes been named as a lecturer and photographed as a panel speaker at Link. In a 2013 mini bio, he was called its director of international relations.

Mifsud is a person who collaborates with us, said a person at Link Campus when The Guardian called the school last year.

One of Mifsuds roles appears to have been recruiting young foreign diplomats.

In 2008, he was appointed director of the newly formed Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI).

Mifsud traveled the region, through Egypt, Tunisia, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and also Russia. During his 2011 Moscow trip, he discussed sending a group of young Russian diplomats to study at EMUNI.

But in 2012, Mifsud resigned, or was made to resign, from EMUNI. An audit showed that Mifsud incurred over $30,000 of wrongly claimed expenses, Times of Malta reported. EMUNI later distanced itself from Mifsuds further activities.

Sometime in 2012, he became the honorary director of the London Academy of Diplomacy (LAD). In this capacity, he continued to mingle in academic circles, now openly focusing on up-and-coming diplomats.

The LAD boasted it had trained diplomats of dozens of countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. Its regular contributor was Gianni Pittella, then-first deputy president of the European Parliament.

Mifsud had known Pittella since at least 2011, and the two maintained a close relationship as Pittella became the leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the second-largest power block in the European Parliament. Pittella also gave a talk together with Mifsud at a Link forum on terrorism in 2015.

Joseph [Mifsud] is a dear friend of mine, Pittella said, according to Italian online paper LOccidentale.

Pittella resigned earlier this year after winning a seat in the Italian Senate. He showed up at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

I have taken the unprecedented step of endorsing and campaigning for Hillary Clinton because the risk of Donald Trump is too high, he told Time magazine. I believe it is in the interest of the European Union and Italy to have Hillary Clinton in office. A Trump victory could be a disaster for the relationship between the U.S.A. and Italy.

Another associate of Mifsud was Claire Smith, career UK diplomat and former member of the UK Joint Intelligence Committee, a supervisory body overseeing all UK intelligence agencies. She served at the UK Security Vetting and Appeals Panel, which handles appeals of people denied security clearance by the UK government. And she also gave a training to high-ranking Italian military officials in Rome in 2012. The training was organized by Link and the LAD. Smith was photographed there standing next to Mifsud.

Mifsud and Claire Smith train Italian military and law enforcement officials at LINK Campus in Rome. LAD had MOD and Foreign Office contacts. They also ran dipomatic training for Commonwealth countries. pic.twitter.com/U20uW4hF8z  Chris Blackburn (@CJBdingo25) March 22, 2018

Mifsuds contacts in Russia seemed lacking, though.

When Stephan Roh, a Swiss-German lawyer, wanted to expand his business in Russia, he hired Mifsud in 2015 to introduce him to some high-level officials. But Mifsud couldnt deliver. The only thing he managed was to get Roh on a panel discussion in 2016 organized by the Valdai Discussion Club and connect him with Valdais program director, Ivan Timofeev, a PR man of sorts in the academic world for the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Valdai is a mingling place for international elites, set up by the Russian government. Its been criticized as being a propaganda stunt. Many foreign dignitaries have attendedsuch as former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and former Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schusseland Russian media are usually able to get some positive comments out of them, thus propping up the Kremlins credibility. Mifsud wasnt any differentsince 2014 he attended several events and wrote three articles for Valdai, all with a positive tone towards Russia.

Mifsud had his own intent with Roh. He wanted to convince Roh to invest in Link, which, according to Delias sources, always struggled financially and needed to be bailed out time and again by the Italian government through some scheme organized by Scotti.

After Mifsud extolled Link to Roh and gave him a tour of its picturesque campus, Roh agreed to buy a 5 percent stake in Link in 2015, Roh and his associate, Thierry Pastor, told Lee Smith.

Rohs account matches Papadopouloss plea.

Papadopoulos started to dabble in the election in 2015 by joining the campaign of then-candidate Ben Carson. In February 2016, just as he was leaving Carsons campaign to join Trumps, Papadopoulos landed a job that would significantly boost his resumedirector of the Centre For International Energy and Natural Resources, Law and Security at the London Centre of International Law Practice. Its not clear how he got the job. Mifsud was listed as the centers board adviser and, since July 2016, its director of international strategic development.

Mifsud met Papadopoulos in Rome around March 14, 2016, and took interest in his joining the Trump team, according to Papadopouloss plea.

The two stayed in contact and Mifsud later told La Repubblica that he offered to provide contacts in the Arabian Gulf, in Latin America, in Russia, and in the European Council.

Papadopoulos knew Trump wanted to improve relations with Russia, just as Obama and Clinton did before him, and he wanted to boost his profile with the campaign by setting up a meeting with some high-level Russian officials.

But again, Mifsud failed. First, he introduced Papadopoulos to Olga Polonskaya, who was a Russian student at Link, according to Russian journalist Alexander Kalinin, who dug into her background. Papadopoulos met with her and Mifsud in London on March 24, 2016, and was given the impression that she was a relative of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But she wasnt related to Putin. She used to work for a liquor wholesaler in St. Petersburg, Kalinin found.

Mifsud then introduced Papadopoulos to Timofeev, who was willing to organize a meeting through official channelsthe North America Desk at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Papadopoulos bombarded the campaign with emails, but in the end, the higher-ups told him that he should go talk to the Russians himself. The meeting never took place.

After Mifsuds name was outed in the media, he disappeared. Roh said hes alive and had been moved to a place far away in Italy.

In November and December, it broke him down. He was under so much pressure and cut off from the world. He had no internet or access to communications, Roh said.

It was Scotti, the head at Link, who told Mifsud to lay low, Roh and Pastor said.

Was it then the Russians who instructed Mifsud to bait Papadopoulos with stories about Clintons dirt? He said no. Actually, even after he said the FBI interviewed him, he denied mentioning Clinton dirt at all. If he lied to the FBI, he could face perjury charges just as Papadopoulos. But so far, the FBI has shown little interest in him. When Roh was interviewed by the bureaus agents, he said, they didnt even ask about Mifsud.

Watch Next:

Joshua Holt Tearfully Reunited With Family in US After Being Freed by Venezuela

This is the tearful moment American citizen Joshua Holt was reunited with his family after landing in the United States, just hours after he was unexpectedly released by Venezuelas socialist government.Missouri Father Killed in Crash Shortly After Visiting Newborn in Hospital

A 29-year old father, AaRon Daniel, died in a car crash during a police chase that killed three other people in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 1.

The Independence Police chased a Jeep Patriot around 4 p.m., believing it was stolen, Kansas City reported.

It is believed the Jeep T-boned a Dodge that took a left turn.

The crash killed three and injured one in the Dodge.

Three people were injured in the Jeep and one woman died.

Victoria Brown, 24, was accused of being the Jeeps driver and charged with three counts of second-degree murder by the Jackson County Prosecutors Office, Fox 2 reported.

Prosecutors said that there are more charges to come.

AaRon Daniel, a father of three, had just visited his newly-born fourth child in the hospital.

Wendy Daniel-Williams, his mother, said that it was difficult to see a picture or hear a song come on that would remind her of him, since they were a very close family. She doesnt blame anyone for his death and although she is physically hurting, she is spiritually strong, Fox 4 reported.

Upon visiting the location of Daniels crash, Daniel-Williams, her daughter, and grandchildren found a memorial dedicated to Daniel.

A balloon release for Daniel will be held on June 11 in St. Louis.

Watch Next:

Firefighter Going Over 100 mph Before Deadly CrashPentagon Boosts Secret AI Program to Find Hidden Nuclear Missiles

WASHINGTONThe U.S. military has increased spending for a secret research effort to use artificial intelligence to anticipate the launch of a nuclear-capable missile, as well as track and target mobile launchers in North Korea and elsewhere.

The effort has gone largely unreported, and the few publicly available details about it are buried under a layer of near impenetrable jargon in the latest Pentagon budget. But U.S. officials familiar with the research told Reuters there are multiple classified programs now under way to explore how to develop AI-driven systems to better protect the United States against a potential nuclear missile strike.

If the research is successful, such computer systems would be able to think for themselves, scouring huge amounts of data, including satellite imagery, with a speed and accuracy beyond the capability of humans, to look for signs of preparation for a missile launch, according to more than half a dozen sources. The sources included U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the research is classified.

With adequate warning, the U.S. government would be able to pursue diplomatic options. In the case of an attack, the military would have more time to destroy the missiles before they were launched, or try to intercept them.

We should be doing everything in our power to find that missile before they launch it and make it increasingly harder to get it off [the ground], one of the officials said.

The Trump administration has proposed more than tripling funding in next years budget to $83 million for just one of the AI-driven missile programs, according to several U.S. officials and budget documents.

While the amount is still relatively small, it is one indicator of the growing importance of the research on AI-powered anti-missile systems at a time when the United States faces a more militarily assertive Russia and a lingering threat from North Korea.

What AI and machine learning allows you to do is find the needle in the haystack, said Bob Work, a champion of AI technology who was deputy defense secretary until last July. He wasnt referring to any individual project.

One person familiar with the programs said it includes a pilot project focused on North Korea. Washington has been concerned about Pyongyangs development of mobile missiles that can be hidden in tunnels, forests, and caves.

While that project has been kept secret, the military has been clear about its interest in AI. The Pentagon, for example, has disclosed it is using AI to identify objects from video gathered in its drone program as part of a publicly touted effort launched last year called Project Maven.

Still, some U.S. officials say AI spending overall on military programs remains woefully inadequate.

The Pentagon is in a race against China and Russia to infuse more AI into its war machine, to create more sophisticated autonomous systems that are able to learn by themselves to carry out specific tasks. The Pentagon research on using AI to identify potential missile threats and track mobile launchers is in its infancy and is just one part of that overall effort.

There are scant details on the AI missile research, but one U.S. official told Reuters that an early prototype of a system to track mobile missile launchers was already being tested within the U.S. military.

Although some officials believe elements of the AI missile program could become viable in the early 2020s, others in the U.S. government and the U.S. Congress fear research efforts are too limited.

The Russians and the Chinese are definitely pursuing these sorts of things, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told Reuters. Probably with greater effort in some ways than we have.

Watch Next:

Trump: My Proudest Achievement Would be Denuclearizing Korean PeninsulaKliment Voroshilov (L), Vyacheslav Molotov, Joseph Stalin and Nikolai Yezhov (R) at the shore of the Moscow-Volga canal in this file photo. Molotov fought to gain power after Stalin's death in 1953 while Yezhov was tried and executed in 1940. (Wikipedia Commons)

Power Corrupts

Dark comedy 'The Death of Stalin' shows how communism corrupts the soul and leads to mass murder

I share this with Joseph Stalin: a great appreciation for the musical genius of Maria Yudina. And I share this with Maria: a deep loathing of Stalin.

Maria never made a secret of her disgust and hatred of the Soviet regime. She let Stalin know, at great personal peril. He preserved her life and kept her safe because of her enormous talent. Also, she was never really a threat to his power.

Maria, who died in 1970, remains underappreciated to this day. No one has ever played Bach and Mozart the way she did, with all the enormous power, ferocity, and dramatic flair we associate with Russian arts culture. Her performances cared nothing for originalism or authenticity, she was interested in drawing out the drama in light of her understanding of the world.

The Death of Stalin

So I was absolutely delighted at the opening sequence of the strangely brilliant new film by Armando Iannucci called The Death of Stalin. Maria is playing a live radio broadcast of a Mozart piano concerto. Stalin hears it on the radio and orders that a recording of it be delivered to his apartment. There is no recording. Maria is told to play it again but she refuses pending a huge payment. She gets it. Once the record is made, she slips a truth-telling note in the sleeve of the record, accusing him of great crimes and the ruination of Russia. When the dictator reads it, he laughs uproariously but then has a brain hemorrhage.

The story might be apocryphal, but it is true enough and the film captures her spirit well. It also brilliantly shows the wild jockeying for power that follows Stalins death, with fantastic portrayals of all the important figures from this period: Nikita Khrushchev, Lavrentiy Beria, Vyacheslav Molotov, Andrey Andreyev, Georgy Zhukov. It also serves as an excellent guide to what actually happened in those strange months that led to Berias execution and the rise of Khrushchev to become General Secretary.

There is enough real history here to justly calling this film nonfiction. For example, it is rather obvious that Stalins inner circle was thrilled to hear that the great man would soon kick the bucket. They waited a full day before calling a doctor because they had to meet in committee to make a decision. Plus there was another problem, again drawn from real life: Stalin had already ordered the death of nearly every competent doctor in Moscow, so there wasnt anyone left to treat him.

Another big event portrayed in the film was the funeral, which drew mourners from all over Russia, who were promptly shot as they left the trains and tried to make their way to the city center. It was this incident that started the gradual process of de-Stalinization that lasted many decades, culminating finally in the collapse of the Soviet regime itself and the loss of its vast empire of control.

Why Comedy?

But whats really remarkable is that the film is set as a dark comedy. How can one do that? Stalins regime was guilty of mass murder of the worst sort, and not one person in his political orbit lacked dark blood stains on their hands. How can you make a comedy about this? You certainly have to obscure the horror going on and the film has been criticized for doing this. However, I will say this: a realistic presentation would be impossible to watch. Turning this to comedy actually makes it possible to discover this strange history in a way that doesnt completely repulse us.

If one is interested in learning the cold, hard fact of a murderous regime, one can and should read Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn gruesome work The Gulag Archipelago.

For the more faint of heart, the film is hugely important if only to draw attention to this terrible history, and perhaps get a new generation interested in the truth about Soviet communism. It created a blood path, dictatorship, poverty, and fantastic amounts of human suffering. Its remarkable that anyone could, following this experience, proclaim an attachment to socialism given that this was the most spectacular experience in history that took place under the rubric of the ideas of Marxism.

The world is still in denial. Russia is, too. This film was banned by Putin.

Ethics and Institutions

There is more here than just a portrayal of the events, however. Its a portrayal of the darkest side of human nature. In the jockeying for power, acting on the ethics of right and wrong are out of the question. Everything is a lie. It is all about survival because it is pretty clear to all the players that they must either land on the winning side or be killed. Words mean nothing. Promises mean nothing. Right and wrong are slogans used to attack enemies. Malfeasance is a given. Words are propaganda and nothing more.

Now, you could watch all this come down and observe that these are all very bad people doing bad things. The question, however, might be turned around: what would you do under these conditions? Maybe you would be heroic and guarantee your martyrdom. Many people in history have taken this heroic route. But not even the most rigorous traditions of morality and spiritually have required heroism. Most stop short of mandating that in favor of merely not doing evil.

The story underscores a terrifying truth. Almost anyone is capable of ghastly evil under institutional conditions that forestall any good options. This truth is well illustrated in the case of a struggle for the control of government. There can only be one real winner and you have to figure out who it is in order to stay on the right side of the killing machine. Government is particularly adept at creating this win/lose scenario because government is not based on the idea of gains from trade or expanding wealth. It is a fixed pie and power is a zero-sum game.

The Dark Heart

Live long enough and you discover that this problem, and the ruthlessness it inspires in the human heart, is not limited to the Soviet government or other totalitarian systems. Power brings out the worst in everyone and drives normal human concern for right and wrong into the shadows. It can appear in any institutional setting in which winners take all.

If you see this around you enoughthe way that envy puts a target on the forehead of the successful, the way friendship and loyalty evaporate in the face of palpable threats to position and power, the cravenness of the human personality when faced with the prospect of material deprivation, the shocking lacking of concern that people can demonstrate for high ideals in practice, regardless of what they otherwise preachand you can develop a pretty dark outlook on life. Anyone can be a practitioner of betrayal and evil; anyone can be a victim.

At the same time, the preservation of civilization is bound up with a culture of respect for truth, human rights, the hope for justice, and the good of all. Its not just under Soviet communism where these ideals are destroyed. They can disappear without notice even in seemingly civilized settings: church, business, family, and friendship networks.

Its an appalling realization to discover just how ephemeral the notion of morality truly is in practice. Your best friend could be secretly conspiring to destroy you; the recipients of your benefaction will knife you if conditions are right; your successes could be the very occasion of your undoing in the face of jealousy and envy; a persons ambition unchecked by principle can lead to grotesque injustice against you. You cannot really know the true character of anyone who has never been put to the test: what evil are you willing to practice in order to maintain your living standard or save your life?

Lets return to the brilliant Maria Yudina. She focused on personal and artistic excellence. She never compromised. She fought Stalin at every step with profound courage and tenacity. She suffered enormously but kept her dignity. She left an amazing artistic legacy. Somehow she got through the worst of times, stayed alive, and thrived.

Marias life shows us that not even the worst institutions can crush a soul that is indefatigably dedicated to truth and integrity as first principles.

Jeffrey Tucker is editorial director for the American Institute for Economic Research. He is the author of five books, including Right-Wing Collectivism: The Other Threat to Liberty. This article was first published on AIER.org.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.President Donald Trump speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on April 30, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

President Celebrates 500 Days in Office, Points to Long List of Achievements

President Donald Trump marked his 500th day in office on June 4 with a celebratory message on Twitter pointing to a long list of achievements accomplished since he was inaugurated in January last year.

This is my 500th day in Office and we have accomplished a lotmany believe more than any President in his first 500 days, Trump wrote on Twitter before listing out some of his key accomplishments.

Although a direct comparison to other presidents is not feasible, Trump did accomplish a significant amount despite unprecedented opposition from Democrats and some Republicans in Congress, judges around the country, the corporate world, and the media.

Undaunted, the president delivered on an impressive list of signature promises he made on the campaign trail. At the one-year mark in January, the White House detailed a list of 81 major and 100 minor achievements.

Since then, the president has maintained his pace. Chief among the more recent achievements are several legislative victories, including the passage of the Right to Try Act on May 30. The president also signed a measure to combat online sex trafficking, which has already resulted in the shutdown of major websites known to facilitate trafficking.

On the international stage, Trump made unprecedented progress in relations with North Korea. On June 1, the president met with a top Pyongyang official at the White House and announced that the Singapore summit with Kim Jong Un is back on for June 12, after showing a willingness to walk away from the highly anticipated summit following a diplomatic flap by Pyongyang.

The Economy

The U.S. economy created 3 million jobs since Trump took office, including 304,000 manufacturing jobs and 337,000 construction jobs. Employment in both manufacturing and construction now stands at the highest level in a decade, according to the White House.

The Trump administration also celebrated the best jobs report on June 1. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that unemployment has dropped to 3.8 percent, a level not seen in over 18 years. Meanwhile, a record-high 6.6 million job openings were reported.

Positive sentiment among Americans about the jobs market is surging. Sixty-seven percent of Americans now believe that it is a good time to find a job. In the 17 years Gallup conducted the survey, the ratio of positive responses never breached 50 percent before Trump took office.

Optimism among manufacturers and small businesses is also at record highs. Consumer confidence is at a 17-year high, according to the Conference Board.

Economists attribute the good news largely to Trumps tax cuts and deregulation. The president spearheaded a tax cut package that reduced consumer tax debt by $3.2 trillion for families and lowered the business tax rate from 35 to 21 percent.

Hundreds of companies, including Apple, Jet Blue, and Disney, responded to the tax cuts with a historic wave of cash bonuses and other benefits to employees as well as significant investments in their U.S. operations. To date, 4 million employees have received bonuses and other benefits as a result of the business tax cuts, according to Americans for Tax Reform.

The Trump administration is also making it easier to do business by cutting regulations. The president signed an executive order directing agencies to slash two regulations for each one created. This has resulted in an unprecedented regulatory reduction. In 2017, 22 regulations were killed for each one created, according to the White House.

Achievements on the World Stage

Trump scored several unprecedented achievements on the world stage.

Last month, the United States became the first nation to open an embassy in Jerusalem, a move promised but undelivered by several presidents.

Trumps hands-off approach with generals waging war on ISIS resulted in a near total defeat of the terrorist group. The president also withdrew from the Iran deal and reimposed tough sanctions shortly after Israeli intelligence exposed that the Iranian regime had not given up its nuclear weapons ambitions.

The presidents crowning achievement has been the progress he achieved with North Korea. Though far from complete, Trump combined novel rhetoric and tough sanctions to force Pyongyang to the negotiating table. Kim Jong Un has already made several concessions ahead of the planned summit with Trump on June 12.

Meanwhile, Trump has been firm in responding to dictators around the globe. The Trump administration imposed several rounds of sanctions on Venezuelas socialist regime. The president also ordered strikes against Syria after chemical attacks were reported in 2017 and 2018.

Protecting America

Trump promised to make America safe again on the campaign trail and has been making progress on several fronts.

The presidents work to secure the border has resulted in more than 110,000 illegal alien arrests in fiscal year 2017. Of those captured, 92 percent had a prior criminal conviction, pending criminal charges, or were a known fugitive from immigration enforcement authorities.

Tough border enforcement is resulting in more drug seizures. Border patrol has already seized 284 pounds of fentanyl in fiscal year 2018, up from 181 pounds in all of last year.

Trump is also delivering on his vow to eradicate the brutal MS-13 transnational gang. Last year, prosecutors filed charges against more than 4,000 MS-13 members.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act saved Americans $3.2 million. The correct figure is $3.2 trillion.

Watch Next:

Now Free, Americans Detained By North Korea Greeted by TrumpProstitution Sting Nets Nearly 50 Arrests in Salt Lake City

Undercover police arrested 50 people in a prostitution sting, disguising themselves as potential clients.

Salt Lake City police department (SLCPD) and the Unified police worked together on a four-day prostitution sting that ended on June 1, KSL reported.

The male officers made agreements with dozens of prostitutes, while the female officers made agreements with potential male clients. It only took between 5 to 10 minutes for someone to pick up the undercover female police officers.

Salt Lake police detective Greg Wilking searched hotel rooms and streets throughout Salt Lake Valley for those involved in prostitution.

The arrests cross all socio-economic boundaries and have included married men as well as fathers, reported the Salt Lake City Police.

The new law reforms have classified soliciting a prostitute as a Class A misdemeanor.

A statement released by the SLCPD states that if an individual is arrested for soliciting a prostitute in Salt Lake City, they will be jailed for up to one year, their car will be impounded, and will receive fines up to $2,500.

The purpose of the sting operation is to prevent men from soliciting with prostitutes because it entangles women in drugs and mental health issues. Instead of punishing prostitutes, they punish those who seek out prostitutes. They said it is a better way to identify and protect victims of human trafficking.

Watch Next:

Video Catches Woman Climbing Through Drive-Thru WindowA University of Queensland study found that individuals that hate LGBT people often have less cognitive ability.

The study, which was published in the journal Intelligence, looked at over 11,654 Australian people, according to LGBTQ Nation. Researchers put subjects through three cognition tests and asked if gay people should have equal rights.

Despite the significance and contemporaneity of the subject matter, few studies have specifically addressed the links between cognitive ability and attitudes towards LGBT issues, said study author Francisco Perales to PsyPost.

Researchers revealed that people who held beliefs that LGBT people should not have equal rights had worse test results, especially in the verbal ability portion of the test.

Altogether, the findings provide clear evidence that cognitive ability is an important precursor of prejudice against same-sex couples, Perales said.

The research also found that cognitive ability and education also affected the level of homophobia a person has. They made a recommendation that education could be used to combat prejudices that people may have against LGBT people.Qantas Plans to Change Taiwan Website Reference, But Says Needs Time

SYDNEYAustralias Qantas Airways Ltd said it plans to change its website to refer to Taiwan as a Chinese territory, not an independent nation, but that it needed extra time to comply with the request from Beijing.

Chinas aviation regulator in April gave three dozen airlines a May 25 deadline to remove references on their websites or in other material that suggest Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau are part of countries independent from China, a move described by White House as Orwellian nonsense.

Self-ruled Taiwan is claimed by Beijing as a Chinese territory, and has become one of Chinas most sensitive issues. Hong Kong and Macau are former European colonies that are now part of China. China had promised to allow the special administrative regions to be governed autonomously upon their return, but the ruling Chinese Communist Party has been criticism for what some see as it imposing its will on local affairs.

Qantas and some other airlines had requested at the time for an extension to decide how they would respond to the request.

At the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual meeting in Sydney on Monday, Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said his company planned to comply with the request, although the company needed extra time.

Our intention is to meet the requirements. It is just taking time to get there, Joyce told journalists on the sidelines of the meeting.

The CEO of Qantas international unit, Alison Webster, said the decision was not influenced by Qantas partnership with China Eastern Airlines Corp.

I dont think the relationship makes any difference to how we review our response, Webster said.

She said Qantas only needed extra time to make the change because we have some complexity to work through.

This is not just Qantas Airways, this is the Qantas group that has to be adjusted, she said. Due to the technology behind Qantas websites, it takes some time for us to get to grips with changes that need to be put into the program, she added.

Air Canada, Lufthansa, and British Airways are among the other carriers that have made changes on their websites after Chinas request. China said on May 25 that 18 carriers had changed their websites.

As difficult and sensitive a decision as this is, our view is that we will comply with the Chinese government requirement, Air Canada CEO Calin Rovanescu said at the IATA meeting.

Were not making any political statement. Airlines have enough issues to deal with, he added.

American Airlines has not made changes on its website, saying it was following the direction of the U.S. government.

We received the notice but then the United States has replied and were following the direction of the U.S. government, CEO Doug Parker said in Sydney. Right now its between our government and their government.

By Byron Kaye

Watch Next:

Australias China Experts Discuss Chinese Communist Party Infiltration in Australia

The conflicts between two different values systems, and the conflicts between the two political systems are issues that cannot be ignored.Then-President Barack Obama and then-FBI Director James Comey (R) in the Oval Office at the White House on Dec. 3, 2015. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Sailor Pardoned by Trump After Taking Submarine Pictures to Sue Obama, Comey for Unequal Justice

Kristian Saucier, the Navy sailor sent to prison for taking photos aboard a nuclear submarine, will file a lawsuit against former President Barack Obama, former FBI Director James Comey, the Justice Department, and others. Sauciers lawyer told Fox News on June 4 that he will argue that the law was applied unequally to Saucier, since former State Secretary Hillary Clinton was let off the hook for much more serious transgressions.

Saucier was pardoned by President Donald Trump in March. I honestly believe that the systems that went after me were put in place to protect people like me, until I was run through the wringer, Saucier told Fox News on March 10, one day after he was pardoned.

A federal judge sentenced Saucier to one year in prison and ordered him to pay a $100 fine after he pleaded guilty in May 2016 to one charge of unauthorized possession and retention of national defense information.

On 2009, as a 22-year-old machinist serving aboard the USS Alexandria, Saucier took pictures of its propulsion system as a misguided attempt to have some mementos, he said. After he destroyed his laptop and a camera, federal prosecutors argued he obstructed justice, too.

His case resembled Clintons, who not only kept classified information on a poorly secured private email server, but also had her close aide Huma Abedin forward her emails (including classified information) to Abedins husband, disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner. Despite getting a subpoena for the emails, Clinton deleted 30,000 of them, exerting additional effort to make the deletion irreversible. She claimed those were her personal emails, but classified information was found among the thousands of emails on Weiners laptop. It turned out work-related emails were among those deleted.

Clinton was ultimately exonerated by then-FBI director James Comey in a statement he drafted before interviewing Clinton and other key witnesses. The original draft of Comeys exoneration was edited to change references to Clinton being grossly negligent, a legal term with criminal ramifications, to extremely careless.

Well highlight the differences in the way Hillary Clinton was prosecuted and how my client was prosecuted, Sauciers lawyer Ronald Daigle told Fox on June 4. Were seeking to cast a light on this to show that theres a two-tier justice system, and we want it to be corrected.

Aside from the double standard, Saucier argues he was singled out by the Obama administration.

It was a clear attempt by the Department of Justice under Obama to use me as a scapegoat to take the heat off Hillary Clinton for mishandling classified information, he said. This case could have been handled at a much lower level, within the military, as it should have been because I was active duty at the time and I would have taken my punishment the same waylike a man.

Daigle expects to soon file the suit in Manhattan.

Sauciers case seems to draw on the Equal Protection Clause in the Constitutions 14th Amendment. It only applies to state and local laws, but the Supreme Court in a 1954 ruling reinterpreted (some say rewrote) the 5th Amendments Due Process Clause to also include equal protection. The ruling expanded desegregation of schools to the District of Columbia, where federal law applies.

Trump pardoned Saucier on March 9, deferring to his military service.

He has been recognized by his fellow service members for his dedication, skill, and patriotic spirit, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said, pointing out that Saucier had mentored younger sailors and served as an instructor for new recruits.

The sentencing judge found that Mr. Sauciers offense stands in contrast to his commendable military service, Sanders said. The president is appreciative of Mr. Sauciers service to the country.

Like Sauciers lawyers, Trump compared the handling of the Clinton case to that of the sailors, in a Jan. 2 tweet.

Crooked Hillary Clintons top aide, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents, Trump wrote.

Remember sailors pictures on submarine? he added, referring to Sauciers case. Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others.

Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

The Justice Department is currently investigating why then-Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe sat on his hands for one month, shortly before the 2016 election, after finding out that additional Clinton emails were discovered on the Weiner laptop.

Saucier, who lives in Vermont, said the felony conviction ruined his life. He had trouble finding work after his release, finally getting a break at a waste management company. He foreclosed on his house, and his cars were repossessed.

He said the pardon doesnt come with a magic wand that gets waved and makes everything right, he told Fox News, but it has helped him to start rebuilding his life with his wife and young daughter.

He has now found a job in design and engineering for an industrial boiler company, putting his skills to use again.

Things are starting to go in the right direction, he said.

He said he was grateful to Trump for taking a stand on his behalf, thanking the president for having the moral fortitude to follow through with your promises.

Trump has pardoned five people so far, most recently the conservative filmmaker Dinesh DSouza.

Mr. DSouza was, in the Presidents opinion, a victim of selective prosecution for violations of campaign finance laws, the White House stated in a May 31 release.

Mr. DSouza accepted responsibility for his actions, and also completed community service by teaching English to citizens and immigrants seeking citizenship.

In light of these facts, the President has determined that Mr. DSouza is fully worthy of this pardon.

DSouzas campaign contributions were scrutinized by the FBI after he released a documentary in 2012 that dug into the past and motivations of then-President Obama.

Saucier defended Trumps pardons, including DSouzas.

The Obama administration singled out Dinesh for things most people dont even get charged for, Saucier said. President Trump noticed that my career was exemplary and that I didnt deserve what happened to me.

Epoch Times reporter Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.

Watch Next:

How a Traditional Spiritual Practice Changed the Lives of These People

The practice has attracted tens of millions across the world and at its core are just three simple principles: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.Then-President Barack Obama, left, and then-FBI Director James Comey in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Dec. 3, 2015. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Sailor Pardoned by Trump After Taking Submarine Pictures to Sue Obama, Comey

Kristian Saucier, the Navy sailor sent to prison for taking photos aboard a nuclear submarine, will file a lawsuit against former President Barack Obama, former FBI Director James Comey, the Justice Department, and others. Sauciers lawyer told Fox News on June 4 that he will argue that the law was applied unequally to Saucier, since former State Secretary Hillary Clinton was let off the hook for much more serious transgressions.

Saucier was pardoned by President Donald Trump in March. I honestly believe that the systems that went after me were put in place to protect people like me, until I was run through the wringer, Saucier told Fox News on March 10, one day after he was pardoned.

A federal judge sentenced Saucier to one year in prison and ordered him to pay a $100 fine after he pleaded guilty in May 2016 to one charge of unauthorized possession and retention of national defense information.

On 2009, as a 22-year-old machinist serving aboard the USS Alexandria, Saucier took pictures of its propulsion system as a misguided attempt to have some mementos, he said. After he destroyed his laptop and a camera, federal prosecutors argued he obstructed justice, too.

His case resembled Clintons, who not only kept classified information on a poorly secured private email server, but also had her close aide Huma Abedin forward her emails (including classified information) to Abedins husband, disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner. Despite getting a subpoena for the emails, Clinton deleted 30,000 of them, exerting additional effort to make the deletion irreversible. She claimed those were her personal emails, but classified information was found among the thousands of emails on Weiners laptop. It turned out work-related emails were among those deleted.

Clinton was ultimately exonerated by then-FBI director James Comey in a statement he drafted before interviewing Clinton and other key witnesses. The original draft of Comeys exoneration was edited to change references to Clinton being grossly negligent, a legal term with criminal ramifications, to extremely careless.

Well highlight the differences in the way Hillary Clinton was prosecuted and how my client was prosecuted, Sauciers lawyer Ronald Daigle told Fox on June 4. Were seeking to cast a light on this to show that theres a two-tier justice system, and we want it to be corrected.

Aside from the double standard, Saucier argues he was singled out by the Obama administration.

It was a clear attempt by the Department of Justice under Obama to use me as a scapegoat to take the heat off Hillary Clinton for mishandling classified information, he said. This case could have been handled at a much lower level, within the military, as it should have been because I was active duty at the time and I would have taken my punishment the same waylike a man.

Daigle expects to soon file the suit in Manhattan.

Sauciers case seems to draw on the Equal Protection Clause in the Constitutions 14th Amendment. It only applies to state and local laws, but the Supreme Court in a 1954 ruling reinterpreted (some say rewrote) the 5th Amendments Due Process Clause to also include equal protection. The ruling expanded desegregation of schools to the District of Columbia, where federal law applies.

Trump pardoned Saucier on March 9, deferring to his military service.

He has been recognized by his fellow service members for his dedication, skill, and patriotic spirit, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said, pointing out that Saucier had mentored younger sailors and served as an instructor for new recruits.

The sentencing judge found that Mr. Sauciers offense stands in contrast to his commendable military service, Sanders said. The president is appreciative of Mr. Sauciers service to the country.

Like Sauciers lawyers, Trump compared the handling of the Clinton case to that of the sailors, in a Jan. 2 tweet.

Crooked Hillary Clintons top aide, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents, Trump wrote.

Remember sailors pictures on submarine? he added, referring to Sauciers case. Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others.

Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

The Justice Department is currently investigating why then-Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe sat on his hands for one month, shortly before the 2016 election, after finding out that additional Clinton emails were discovered on the Weiner laptop.

Saucier, who lives in Vermont, said the felony conviction ruined his life. He had trouble finding work after his release, finally getting a break at a waste management company. He foreclosed on his house, and his cars were repossessed.

He said the pardon doesnt come with a magic wand that gets waved and makes everything right, he told Fox News, but it has helped him to start rebuilding his life with his wife and young daughter.

He has now found a job in design and engineering for an industrial boiler company, putting his skills to use again.

Things are starting to go in the right direction, he said.

He said he was grateful to Trump for taking a stand on his behalf, thanking the president for having the moral fortitude to follow through with your promises.

Trump has pardoned five people so far, most recently the conservative filmmaker Dinesh DSouza.

Mr. DSouza was, in the Presidents opinion, a victim of selective prosecution for violations of campaign finance laws, the White House stated in a May 31 release.

Mr. DSouza accepted responsibility for his actions, and also completed community service by teaching English to citizens and immigrants seeking citizenship.

In light of these facts, the President has determined that Mr. DSouza is fully worthy of this pardon.

DSouzas campaign contributions were scrutinized by the FBI after he released a documentary in 2012 that dug into the past and motivations of then-President Obama.

Saucier defended Trumps pardons, including DSouzas.

The Obama administration singled out Dinesh for things most people dont even get charged for, Saucier said. President Trump noticed that my career was exemplary and that I didnt deserve what happened to me.

Epoch Times reporter Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.

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The practice has attracted tens of millions across the world and at its core are just three simple principles: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is shown at the State Department on June 5 in Washington. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Secretary of State Strikes Deal With Turkish Counterpart on Syria

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Washington on June 4 and worked to end a dispute over the presence of Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) troops in Syria.

Just after the meeting, on June 5, the YPG released a statement agreeing to withdraw its remaining forces, and claiming its fighters had already left in November 2016, except for military advisers working with the Manbij Military Council.

The agreement is that the YPG cadre that are involved in governance will withdraw and move, and they can be replaced by locals who are mutually agreeable, said a senior State Department official, during a meeting on the U.S.Turkish Working Group on Syria.

Turkey had become temporarily hostile to the United States for its support of the Kurdish fighters and threatened to move its own troops to northern Syria near Manbij where they could have risked an engagement with U.S. troops.

After the meeting, however, it appeared that Pompeo was able to cool the tensions, and the two leaders established a roadmap for Manbij as the conflict in Syria winds down. The YPG will disarm and withdraw to the east of the Euphrates river. Turkey and the United States will provide security in Manbij going forward.

A second State Department senior official stated in the transcript that the roadmap is for the phase after ISIS, and noted the significance of Manbij, stating, When ISIS was launching major attacks in the streets of Paris and Brussels, they would train teams in Syria; they would organize in Manbij to infiltrate and carry out these attacks in cities of our partners.

The official said, This was a major threat coming out of Manbij from ISISa threat to our partners in Europe, a threat to Turkey.

With the YPG agreement to withdraw, the official said, weve managed to de-escalate some tensions.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) (L) and President Donald Trump arrive for the Republican Senate Policy Luncheon at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Oct. 24, 2017. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Senate Leader McConnell Cancels Recess to Approve Trumps Nominees, Pass Spending Bills

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on June 5 that he was canceling most of the Senates August recess to give lawmakers time to pass spending bills before a Sept. 30 deadline and to confirm more of President Donald Trumps appointees.

Due to the historic obstruction by Senate Democrats of the presidents nominees and the goal of passing appropriations bills prior to the end of the fiscal year, the August recess has been canceled, McConnell said in a statement.

McConnell said that the Senate will be in recess during the first week of August before returning for the rest of the month.

My statement on cancelling the August recess: pic.twitter.com/yyAEUSMVQW  Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) June 5, 2018

The House of Representatives is still scheduled to take August off.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders regularly brings up the confirmations backlog prior to daily briefings. Trump used his most recent weekly address to slam Democrats for obstructing his nominees.

Senate Democrats call it The Resistance. Theyre resisting the will of the American voters, and it is not good, Trump said in the weekly address on June 2. From day one, the Senate Democrats have shamelessly obstructed, stalled, and filibustered the confirmations of hundreds of talented men and women who are eager to come to Washington, D.C., to make a difference.

On average, the Senate has taken 86 days to confirm a Trump nominee, more than any of the four previous presidents, according to the Partnership for Public Service. The Senate has so far confirmed 448 of Trumps nominees, far fewer than for any of the previous four presidents.

As an example, Trump brought up the nomination of Isabel Patelunas to be the assistant secretary for intelligence and analysis. Patelunas has been awaiting confirmation for nearly a year, despite having nearly three decades of intelligence experience and receiving the support of Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats.

Shes given up so much  and shes still not confirmed. Its a disgrace, Trump said.

Keeping Government Running

By Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year, Congress needs to pass a dozen individual appropriations bills to keep the federal government fully operating.

The bills are usually combined into one omnibus bill, but it rarely gets passed by the deadline. Instead, a series of stop-gap spending bills are often enacted until lawmakers reach a deal on all the spending measures.

The last omnibus was finally passed in March, but it was so massive and costly that Trump almost refused to sign it. I will never sign a bill like this again, he said on March 23.

This year, GOP lawmakers plan to bundle the spending bills into smaller packages.

But last years omnibus came so late that time is already running out for pushing all the spending packages through all the committees and both chambers of Congress. Something had to give, and McConnell picked the recess.

A senior Senate Democratic aide complained that canceling the recess will keep off the campaign trail several Democrats who are locked in tough campaigns for reelection during the Nov. 6 midterms.

The August recess dates back to times before air conditioning when Washington became unbearably hot in the summer. But after the work conditions improved, the recess remained, allowing lawmakers to decompress, take foreign trips, campaign for reelection, and ramp up fundraising.

Reuters contributed to this story.

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Although its freely practiced in over 70 countries, doing this in China can lead to unlawful arrest, imprisonment, torture, or even death.Trump: I Have the Absolute Right to Pardon Myself, but Why Would I?

President Donald Trump has presented a legal puzzle to special counsel Robert Mueller: The Constitution says the President can pardon anybodythus he can pardon himself.

As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong? In the meantime, the never ending Witch Hunt, led by 13 very Angry and Conflicted Democrats (& others) continues into the mid-terms! Trump said in a Monday, June 4, tweet.

As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong? In the meantime, the never ending Witch Hunt, led by 13 very Angry and Conflicted Democrats (& others) continues into the mid-terms!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2018

Trumps lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, made it clear the President has no intention to actually pardon himself, but the revelation of that power to do so strengthens the argument of Trumps legal team that he didnt obstruct justice.

Mueller was appointed to look into whether the Russian Government interfered in the 2016 presidential election and whether the Trump campaign colluded with any such effort. After a year of investigation, Mueller hasnt produced proof of any such collusion and appears to have shifted towards a search for evidence that Trump impeded the investigation.

The pardon issue was brought up by The New York Times after two confidential memos sent by Trumps lawyers to Mueller were leaked to the paper, which published them on Saturday.

The memos, sent on June 23, 2017, and Jan. 29, 2018, both mention the clemency power.

It remains our position that the Presidents actions here, by virtue of his position as the chief law enforcement officer, could neither constitutionally nor legally constitute obstruction because that would amount to him obstructing himself, and that he could, if he wished, terminate the inquiry, or even exercise his power to pardon if he so desired, the January memo stated.

Its not clear what the full context of the statement was, because it refers, among other things, to a Jan. 8 conversation between Trumps lawyers and the Mueller team. The New York Times speculated it may mean that Trump could pardon himself.

ABCs George Stephanopoulos then raised the idea with Giuliani during an interview on Sunday.

Hes not [going to pardon himself], but he probably does [have the power], Giuliani said. He has no intention of pardoning himself but he probably does.

He called it an interesting constitutional question.

It would probably get answered by, Gosh, thats what the Constitution says and if you want to change it, change it, but yes.

Article II of the Constitution states that the President shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.

Its has been interpreted to apply to federal offenses, not to the breaking of state laws.

No President has attempted to pardon himself, but some lawyers have opined on the topic.

During the impeachment inquiry into President Bill Clinton in 1998, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) mentioned that theres a prevailing opinion that a President of the United States can exercise the power of pardon on himself.

Clintons counsel, Charles Ruff, was even explicitly asked to give an assurance that Clinton will not pardon himself or that he will not accept a pardon from any presidential successor.

Ruff agreed.

During the Nixon years, in 1978, Mary Lawton, acting assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Counsel, opined that the President couldnt pardon himself [u]nder the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case, citing the disqualification rule. But the rule specifically refers to judges. Lawton didnt explain why such a rule would supersede the Constitution.

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Trump: My Proudest Achievement Would be Denuclearizing Korean PeninsulaPresident Donald Trump participates in the Celebration of America on the South Lawn of the White House on June 5, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Trump Questions Delay in Release of Report on Handling of Clinton Email Probe

President Donald Trump on June 5 questioned the delayed release of a report by the Justice Departments inspector general on how officials handled the investigation into Hillary Clintons use of a private email server.

For over a year, Inspector General Michael Horowitz has been investigating alleged misconduct in the handling of the Clinton-email probe. The report was expected to be released to the public in May, but has most recently been pushed back after the Senate judiciary committee rescheduled its hearing with Horowitz to June 11.

The draft version of the report has been submitted to the FBI and the Justice Department so that authorities can determine what information needs to be redacted. The document is reportedly extremely long and detailed, which may account for the delays.

What is taking so long with the Inspector Generals Report on Crooked Hillary and Slippery James Comey. Numerous delays, Trump wrote on Twitter on June 5. Hope Report is not being changed and made weaker! There are so many horrible things to tell, the public has the right to know. Transparency!

What is taking so long with the Inspector Generals Report on Crooked Hillary and Slippery James Comey. Numerous delays. Hope Report is not being changed and made weaker! There are so many horrible things to tell, the public has the right to know. Transparency!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018

The inspector generals investigation has already resulted in the firing and criminal investigation of FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. Horowitz found that McCabe authorized a self-serving leak to the media and lied about it under oath to investigators. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington has already questioned McCabes former boss, former FBI Director James Comey, as part of the case that sprung from Horowitzs referral.

Clinton sent thousands of classified emails using an unsecured personal email server. When Clinton was facing scrutiny over the mishandling of classified documents, it was reported that more than 30,000 emails were wiped from her server, adding potential charges of destroying evidence and obstructing justice.

The FBI handled Clintons case in part during the 2016 presidential election. The agency took several steps that thrust the email case into the national spotlight.

Comey publicly exonerated Clinton in July 2016, in contradiction of Justice Department policy. A Senate judiciary committee investigation has since determined that Comey drafted his exoneration letter before completing the investigation and before interviewing key witnesses, including Clinton herself.

The agency interview of Clinton raised additional questions. The interview took place less than a week after Attorney General Loretta Lynch had a private meeting with former President Bill Clinton on an airport tarmac.

During the 3 1/2-hour interview with the FBI, Hillary Clinton was not placed under oath or recorded. Meanwhile, the agent who conducted the interview, Peter Strzok, has since been revealed to be biased against Trump. Early in 2016, Strzok exchanged text messages with his mistress, FBI lawyer Lisa Page, indicating that both thought it would be advantageous to go easy on Clinton, since they thought she may be the next president.

Comey reentered the national spotlight on Oct. 28, 2016, with the announcement that he would be reopening the Clinton email investigation. At least a month earlier, FBI agents in New York had discovered thousands of Clintons emails during their investigation of former Congressman Anthony Weiners communications with underage girls. Weiner is the husband of Huma Abedin, a top aide to Clinton.

Comeys announcement came less than two weeks before the presidential election, triggering a media firestorm about the timing. But now the question is, why did the FBI sit on the new emails for nearly a month, and who is responsible for the delay?

Two days before the election and 10 days after reopening the investigation, Comey again closed Clintons case, saying that no problematic emails were found after agents had worked around the clock to review more than 650,000 emails.

It turned out that the agents reviewed less than 1 percent of those emails.

Thanks to the wizardry of our technology, Comey told lawmakers last year. Weve only had to personally read 6,000.

Watch Next: Trump: My Proudest Achievement Would be Denuclearizing Korean PeninsulaNASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 1 June 2018 - Robotic Survey of the survey of the FGB Starboard Solar Array Wing and the Starboard Thermal Radiator Rotary Joint Completed.

Today - EXPRESS Rack-3 Improved Payload Ethernet Hub Gateway (iPEHG) and Veggie: The crew rotated EXPRESS Rack 3 down in the Columbus module today, installed an iPEHG and then rotated the rack back up.

They then reinstalled the Veggie facilities into the rack and checked them out. Ground teams have activated EXPRESS Rack 3 and the iPEHG was loaded with new software to support EXPRESS Rack 3 operations. EXPRESS Rack 3 and the new iPEHG are active and functioning nominally.The iPEHG design corrects performance limitations often experienced by the older PEHGs.

Atomization: The crew performed troubleshooting steps for the Atomization investigation today. For this investigation, water drops are expected to be completely absorbed by the sponge of the water trap, but during checkout of the hardware on May 22nd a few drops of water bounced back towards the observation area. The Atomization experiment investigates the disintegration processes of a low-speed water jet for various jet issue conditions in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) to validate the new atomization concept by observing the process using a high speed camera. The knowledge gained can be applied to improve various engines utilizing spray combustion.

Manufacturing Device (MD): The crew removed and stowed a 3 dimensional printed item from the MD today. The Manufacturing Device supports the production of components on the ISS for both NASA and commercial objectives. It is capable of producing parts out of a wide variety of thermopolymers including engineered plastics.

Team Task Switching (TTS): A crewmember completed a TTS survey today. When crew members are often required to switch their attention between tasks, performance on each of the tasks can be affected. The objective of the TTS investigation is to gain knowledge about whether or not crew members have difficulty in switching tasks and determine the impacts of these switches, in order to both reduce any negative consequences and improve individual and team motivation and effectiveness.

Solidification Using Baffles in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA): The SUBSA run was aborted today after one of the sample internal thermocouple readings went negative then started fluctuating randomly. The heater thermocouples and the other sample thermocouple readings were all nominal.

On Board Training (OBT) Soyuz Descent Drill: In preparation for their departure from the ISS on Sunday, 3 June, the 53S Crew completed a nominal descent and landing drill earlier this morning. During this training, the crew was inside their Soyuz spacecraft reviewing and practicing undock and landing procedures.

Water Recovery System (WRS) Condensate Pump Roller Replacement: Today the crew removed and replaced (R&R) degraded rollers and roller bolts on the High Flow Pump using the Pump Recovery Kit. These components were causing unusual squeaking noises as reported by the crew, and their failure could seize the pump. The crew also replaced the associated peristaltic tubing on the WRS Condensate Transfer Manifold before conducting a checkout of the assembly.

Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) Operations: Yesterday, the Robotic Ground Controllers maneuvered the SSRMS and the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) Body as required to perform a survey of the Functional Cargo Block (FGB) Starboard Solar Array Wing (SAW) and the Starboard Thermal Radiator Rotary Joint (TRRJ) using the SPDM Body Cameras. The purpose of the survey was to verify that the FGB Starboard SAW has not moved since it was retracted in 2007 and to collect imagery of the Starboard TRRJ Heat Rejection Subsystem (HRS) Radiator torn cover and exposed core to help assess their condition. The Robotic Ground Controllers performed the survey from five different positions and then configured the SSRMS and SPDM Body for translation. MSS performance was nominal during these operations.

Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) Fluid Control and Pump Assembly (FCPA) Fault: During a UPA process cycle this morning, the FCPA current spiked causing UPA to stop its process cycle. Attempt to restart the FCPA was unsuccessful. Ground teams are currently replanning tomorrow's timeline to replace the FCPA.

Today's Planned Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

HRF Generic Saliva Collection

Microbial Tracking-2 Saliva Collection

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval And Insertion Operations

Probiotics Saliva Operations

Probiotics Salive Sample MELFI Insertion

Probiotics Question

Max Cycle Ergometer w/ Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Partial Set Up

Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Power Up

Soyuz nominal descent training 2

COL EXPRESS Rack 3 Rack Preparation for Rotate Down

COSMOCARD. Closeout Ops

Radio Frequency Identification Logistics Hardware Locate

SEPARATION. Additional flushing of [--] urine circulation loop.

PEHG Hardware Install

SREDA-ISS. Preparation Steps and Start Imagery Ops.

SREDA-ISS. Closeout Ops

Wastewater Storage Tank Assembly (WSTA) Fill

Microbial Tracking-2 Saliva Stow

Checking closure of shutters on SM windows 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14

JEM Camera Robot Cable Swap

LBNP Training

USOS Window Shutter Close

SSC Hard Drive Setup

Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Partial Stow

PAO Preparation

Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config JEM Setup

Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) - JEM

ExPRESS Rack 3 Rack Cleanup after Rotate Up

Water Recovery System (WRS) Condensate Pump Gather

XF305 Camcorder Setup

Atomization Trouble Shooting 1

 maintenance

Soyuz 737 [] Activation

VEGGIE Facility Re-installation into EXPRESS Rack

Water Recovery System (WRS) Condensate Pump Safing

Soyuz 737  No.2 Test Before Undocking.

Water Recovery System (WRS) Transfer Pump Roller Remove and Replace (R&R)

VEGGIE1 Facility Re-installation into EXPRESS Rack

INTERACTION-2. Experiment Ops

Maritime Awareness Cable Connect

Water Recovery System (WRS) Transfer Pump Manifold Tubing Remove and Replace (R&R)

MERLIN1 Status Check

Water Recovery System (WRS) Condensate Pump Reassembly

Microbial Air Sampling.

ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT)

Airlock Foam Unstow

Team Task Switching Experiment Survey

Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth

Vascular Echo Clip Relocate

ISS HAM Service Module Pass

Cold Atom Lab SAMS Sensor Move

Max Cycle Ergometer w/Vibration Isolation & Stabilization (CEVIS) Portable PFS Conclude

Completed Task List Activities:

None

Ground Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

ER3 IPEHG configuration

53S Thruster Test

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Friday, 06/01: CQ Cleaning, RFID Tag Install, EHDC Locking Mechanism Adjust, Change of Command Ceremony

Saturday, 06/02: Weekly Housekeeping, Crew Off-Duty

Sunday, 06/02: 53S Undock and Landing

QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group:

Component - Status

Elektron - On

Vozdukh - Manual

[] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - Off

[] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - On

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - Operate

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - Standby

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - Operate

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - Idle

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - Process

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) - Standby

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - Full Up

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Off

Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.Whale Found Washed Up on Coast Has DiedWhat Authorities Found In Its Stomach Shocked Them

A small pilot whale has died in southern Thailand after swallowing 80 plastic bags, officials said.

Thailands marine authorities found the struggling marine mammal on Monday, May 28, in the Na Thap Canal, just north of the Malaysian border. Environmental officials used boats to keep it afloat and attempted to nurse it back to health for several days, however, it died on Friday, June 1, reported Channel News Asia.

During the rescue attempt, the whale vomited five plastic bags. After its death, an autopsy revealed that the animal had swallowed 80 plastic bags weighing up to 8kg, according to Thailands Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.

The department posted photos of the contents of its stomach to warn about plastic pollution and its effect on marine life.

Marine biologist Thon Thamrongnawasawat told AFP that the bags in its stomach would have stopped the whale from absording the nutrients from its food it needed to survive.

If you have 80 plastic bags in your stomach, you die, Thamrongnawasawat told the newswire.

Its a huge problem, he added. We use a lot of plastic.

The country struggles with a serious marine plastic pollution where an estimated one million tons of garbage and waste spill into Thai waters annually, according to the Royal Thai Embassy. According to a 2017 report by non-profit Ocean Conservatory, Thailand is one of the worlds top-five plastic polluters, along with China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

These countries have all succeeded at achieving significant growth in recent years, and they are at a stage of economic growth in which consumer demand for safe and disposable products is growing much more rapidly than local waste-management infrastructure, the report stated.

Many social media users have expressed their concern about the ongoing plastic problem.

A sense of responsibility is more important than the law one social media user wrote on Facebook.

I want everyone to be responsible for themselves, society, and for our children, another user wrote.

Thailand residents have implemented a number of systematic efforts to clean up plastic from beaches and streets, reported UPI in 2017.

Local initiatives such as the Clean the Beach Boot Camp have been set up to get local residents on board in raising awareness about plastic pollution as well as to organize garbage cleanups around the country.

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5 Imported Foods From China You Should AvoidWhen China Is Not Democratized, the Future Will Not Belong to the East

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,

Im honored to participate in tonights debate.

In discussing the influence of the East tonight, given the limits of time, I may not be able to talk much about other Asian countries. I will focus on the country that frequently comes to mind: the rising red empire of China, which is now the worlds second largest economy and the newest superpower.

At this time, I do not believe the East of the globe is going to have the most influence, because that to a great extent means China is going to have the most influence. In my opinion, for this to happen would require one prerequisite, which is that China should become democratized and civilized. A democratic China combined with democratic India and Japan would project enough joint force for the East to genuinely influence the world.

In speaking of the influence of China, a common misconception is that China leads the world. In fact, China doesnt even lead Asia. In the past ten years or so, Chinas aggressively expansionist behavior has stirred up antagonism with neighboring countries, attracting hostility from all sides and placing China in an isolated position.

If we take Chinas expansionism as a kind of influence, I believe it will be blockaded by the United States and other countries, in other words, this influence will not last long.

Another common misconception is that China will replace the U.S. in leading the world. But lets examine this more closely: After the U.S. withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, the other countries did not invite China to join, much less did China replace the U.S. as leader of the TPP. The reason is very simple: China is infamous for not following the rules and for going back on its word, and it cannot meet the TPPs high threshold for free trade regulations. In particular, China cannot fulfil the TPPs provisions on labor rights and intellectual property safeguards.

Another misconception is that While the US is withdrawing from free trade, China will lead free trade. However, one of the prerequisites for free trade is the free flow of information. How can other countries expect China to lead free trade when it closes itself off from free information? Establishing the Great Firewall to isolate Chinese people from the rest of the world is extreme isolationism.

Its true that China currently has considerable economic capacity. That means the totalitarian Chinese government can collect enough money from its people. China established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, or AIIB, and created the Belt and Road Initiative, which gives it economic dominance over some developing countries. However, this economic dominance is not enough to influence general regional political trends, much less rise to the level of global cooperation.

It wasnt only Western countries that have cold-shouldered the Belt and Road Initiative. Even among countries with close relations to China, the Belt and Road Initiative has encountered suspicion and a series of failures. In China-friendly Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar, China-funded hydropower plants or dam projects have been cancelled due to local opposition. The reasons are because Chinas asking price is too high  mostly China is demanding 90% of the profit, or because Chinas loan condition is too harsh, or because the projects would harm the environment.

If we compare Chinas Belt and Road Initiative with the Marshall Plan that the U.S. used to aid European countries after World War II, we can see that the actual outcome of the Marshall Plan was mainly benefiting other countries, but Belt and Road Initiative mainly benefits China itself, especially its red elite.

In fact, the Belt and Road Initiative imply another layer of intention by the CCP syndicate: the corrupt Senior Chinese officials and Red elites hope to find a legal outlet in the international community for their enormous ill-gotten gains through the so-called overseas investment, a disguised form of money laundering. This may be the most brilliant and secretive money laundering scheme in the world today.

Americas world leadership emerged as part of a natural process that took shape after the First and Second World Wars and the Cold War. As the victor in all three wars, the United States displayed not only a formidable hard power, but even more crucially, the most powerful soft power: the values of democracy, freedom, human rights and rule of law. The United States took on the mission of defending world peace and became the world leader through collective endorsement.

The soft power that the U.S. possesses is exactly what China lacks.

Chinas negative ethical image not only instills dread among bordering countries, but also triggers intense antipathy and conflict among closely-linked regions, and even within China itself.

Beijing has declared Taiwan as an integral part of China, but most Taiwanese do not identify with China. Hong Kong, once a British colony, returned to China 21 years ago, but the people of Hong Kong continue to reject the Chinese system.

In other words, Chinas influence does not extend beyond its borders, not even to Hong Kong, and only to Tibet and Xinjiang under protest. In fact, the majority of Tibetans and Uyghurs do not identify with China. Chinas so-called influence can only be enjoyed within its borders; once it emerges into the outside world, its dead on arrival.

Under these conditions, we can only talk of China leading the world if the sun starts rising in the west.

In fact, it is not only Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang that do not identify with China; even many Han Chinese citizens do not endorse the Chinese system and China model. This became clear in the large-scale public antipathy and opposition when Xi Jinping in March of this year forced through an amendment to the Chinese constitution that abolished term limits for the president. Such attempt to turn back the wheels of history is not acceptable to Chinas own people, not to mention to the rest of the world.

As one of the protesters in the 1989 Democracy Movement, and a political prisoner of Chinese government, I have witnessed the tyranny and darkness of Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s rule, which is much more hideous than anyone outside can imagine. In the 29 years since the Tiananmen Massacre, I have watched as the CCPs dictatorship has intensified, not only in its suppression within China, but also in its expansionism outside of its borders.

Diplomacy is an extension of domestic politics. A regime that doesnt talk reason within its own borders will not talk reason in the international community; a regime that doesnt respect rule of law within its own borders will not obey the rules of the international community; a regime that suppresses its own people will never treat foreign nationals with kindness.

When people speak of the China threat, I cant help but say: There is no China threat, only a CCP threat. It is a threat shared by the Chinese people and the world alike.

Chinas single-party totalitarian government has killed the creativity of its people. Most of Chinas technology has come from plagiarizing, pirating and stealing technology from the West. Other technology has come from acquiring Western companies together with their core technologies. It is shameless for Chinese government to show off its so-called Great Technological Leap, because almost all of Chinas technology comes from the West.

When we talk that European and American influence relatively declines, we should keep in mind that Chinas resurgence over the course of 40 years was to a great extent facilitated by the West. Today, Chinas largest trading partners are the European Union and the United States. This in itself shows the importance and influence of the West in terms of Chinas economic takeoff.

Ironically, while the Chinese government bombards its citizens with anti-Western propaganda, the constitution of the Chinese Communist Party lists Marxism  which originated in the West  as the first of its guiding ideologies.

Listen to the full speech below:

For China, being prosperous and powerful, this is not the first time nor the last. In the history of thousands of years, there have been many times. However, because the political system has never changed, dictatorship, dictatorship, then dictatorship, power has never been constrained, finally resulting in unavoidable official corruption. Each time, a prosperous and powerful China had become a cloud of smoke. Todays China, continuing to reject democracy and the rule of law, will certainly repeat the failure of history.

For the time being, ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to join me in opposition to the motion. Because we have not had enough evidence to conclude that the future belongs to the East.

Thank you!

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.Lauren Weisberger has fun taking a satirical scalpel to some of the residents of Greenwich in her new novel When Life Gives You Lululemons (Simon and Schuster, $25.26).

An early scene makes note of the deceptive downtown: ... upon first glance (it) resembled a charming version of a pedestrian-friendly, all-American Any Town  until you noticed the storefronts: Tiffany, rag & bone, Brooks Brothers, Baccarat, Alice and Olivia, Joie, Vince, Theory. The rare mom-and-pop store sold and serviced fur coats. Range Rovers and Audi SUVs occupied at least fifty percent of the metered spots.

Weisbergers snarky but oddly lovable public relations whiz, Emily Charlton, a Manhattanite who spends much of the novel working on damage control for a Greenwich client/friend, is impressed by the subtle power of the women in the town: The sheer amount of money, time, and energy these women could pool among them was astonishing: if they turned their attention to it, Emily had no doubt the town moms could end world hunger or eliminate religious persecution. Just turn those Greenwich moms loose with their two-hundred-dollar yoga leggings and their Prada checkbooks and their trainer-toned bodies, and there was nothing they couldnt accomplish.

The author of The Devil Wears Pr ada says despite the Greenwich barbs in the novel, she hopes the fact that her three smart and witty central characters thrive there shows the diversity in a place that is often stereo typed for its hedge fund excesses.

Honestly, it was a shortcut for me, the writer says of her Fairfield County setting. You could swap in so many different towns, (but) it is easy to recognize as a well-known affluent suburb. ... I certainly didnt mean to pick on Greenwich. Its really unfair to stereotype any town because you can always find your people there.

Weisberger is celebrating the June 5 publication of Lululemons with a 7 p.m. appearance in her hometown of Westport at the Saugatuck Congregational Church. On June 7 at 10 a.m. the UJA-JCC of Greenwich will host a talk and signing at JHouse (registration at ujajcc.org)

Lululemons brings together two old friends, Emily, and high-powered lawyer turned Greenwich homemaker Miriam as they try to save the reputation of Karolina Hartwell, a supermodel who is framed on a trumped-up DUI arrest engineered by her politician husband. The cad wants to trade Karolina in for the daughter of a former president who, he thinks, would be a much more suitable mate for his own national political ambitions.

As the three women unite to battle the vile politico, the novel becomes a stirring and funny tribute to the power of female friendship. That was definitely one of the themes I wanted to explore, Weisberger says. To show how they come together and have each others backs.

Emily was featured in Weisbergers blockbuster 2003 debut novel, The Devil Wears Prada, as the first assistant to imperious magazine editor Miranda Priestly. She was something of an icy mini-Miranda in that book, but in subsequent stories over the years readers have gotten to know Emily and to admire the womans tell-it-like-it-is attitude. The new novel knocks the PR specialist down a peg or two when several of her high-profile clients move on to another firm.

Emily licks her wounds in Greenwich while trying to save Karolina from her husbands scorched-earth divorce plot. In another writers hands, the character could be nothing but a bitter pill, but Weisberger humanizes the type-A woman.

She does say whatever she thinks, the novelist says. But she would take the shirt off her back for a friend. Unlike the rest of us, she adds, who cant come up with a snappy comeback until a confrontation is long over, Emily always gets it right. She never has a regret an hour later.

Weisberger cuts back and forth between the points of view of the three women, a process she enjoyed. I love the characters different minds. They are three women of a similar age and similar lifestyle, so the challenge was how to make them different.

Priestly makes a brief but crucial appearance in the new novel, reaffirming her position as one of the great love-to-hate characters in modern fiction. Meryl Streep was nominated for an Oscar as Miranda in the 2006 movie version of The Devil Wears Prada and composer Elton John and writer Paul Rudnick have been at work on a musical version of the story. Weisberger has no complaints about the movie and is thrilled by the idea of a stage version.

You have to recognize the differences in an adaptation, she says. A 350-page novel that someone else turns into a 110-page script ... culling what they need from (the novel) in their own voice. It is terrifying to turn your book over (to someone else), but I couldnt have been luckier or happier. ... They did a wonderful job.

The musical is in an early stage of development, but Weisberger is excited by the idea of her story being set to music by John, with a script by Rudnick, a brilliant comic writer.

I knew nothing about the making of a Broadway musical. Making a movie is slow, but this is unbelievably slow, the writer says of the writing, workshopping and out-of-town try-out process that can take several years before a show opens to the public.

jmeyers@hearstmediact.com;

Twitter: @joesviewNORWALK - Detectives are seeking the public's help in identifying a man who was involved in a theft at Marshalls on Westport Avenue.

During the theft, he was confronted by loss prevention worker. The male then pulled out a pair of scissors and threatened the employee.After having made a break over an off-track in his last start at Yonkers Raceway 23 days ago, Starznheaven shipped into Massachusetts and regained his winning ways in taking the $14,000 Winner-Over pacing feature at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon.

Starznheaven (Greg Merton) got away sixth in the field of seven as Pretty Boy Hill (Ron Cushing) seated One To Draw To (Shawn Gray) and took the group to the quarter in :26.4. At that station Electric Western (Mitchell Cushing) came with a rush and an outer flow in tow that consisted of Quick Shot (Drew Campbell) and Starznheaven.

Now with four in and three out stacked up on the backside, Pretty Boy Hill gave way at the three-quarters and the outside horses took turns taking the lead. First Electric Western cleared and then Quick Shot drew alongside and went by him at the top of the lane. But Starznheaven was next to challenge for the lead, coming three deep on the outside to do it. Campbell and Merton were rocking and knocking Quick Shot and Starznheaven all the way down the stretch before Starznheaven got a slight advantage and won by a head in 1:51.2.

It was the sixth win of the year and fourth in the last seven starts for Starznheaven ($5.20) who now has bankrolled $63,375 in 2018 for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Donald Emond and Lawrence Carr. Jim Nickerson trained the winner.

In the co-featured $12,000 condition pace, Mysharona Bluechip (Greg Merton) left like a rocket off the gate and led at every station after that to win again easily by two lengths in 1:51.3. It was the fourth win in the last five starts for Mysharona Bluechip ($5.00) who is owned by A Piece of the Action LLC and trained by Eric Beach.

Greg Merton, Shawn Gray and Nick Graffam each had a driving hat trick on Monday afternoon. Whereas Mertons winners were not unexpected by the betting public, Gray and Graffam opened some eyes by posting big payouts in two separate races.

In the second race, Gray urged Sounder Hanover from worst at the half to first at the wire in 1:55.1 at 39-1. Owner/trainer Don Billingsley, Jr. saw his Sounder Hanover set a new lifetime mark, return $80.00 for the win and top the 7-8-3-2 Superfecta that paid $18,911.20 for a two-dollar bet.

And not to be outdone, in the fourth race Graffam steered Mic Woodrow in the exact same fashion to win in 1:55 at 67-1! Mic Woodrow, who is trained by Mike Graffam that co-owns with TFD Shadewood LLC, took a new lifetime mark for himself while returning $137.80 in the upset. The win also triggered a 9-3-5-8 Superfecta payoff of $20,650.80 for a two-dollar wager.

The dash driving leader board looks like this after Mondays card of racing: Drew Campbell-47 wins, Greg Merton-44 wins, Shawn Gray-42 wins and Nick Graffam-23 wins.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

(Standardbred Breeders of Massachusetts)Were you injured in an accident? Has your teen gotten a traffic ticket or been charged with a misdemeanor? Do you need to handle a divorce or make a will? This may sound like an infomercial, but these are common situations where you might find yourself wanting some legal advice. Unfortunately, lawyers can be expensive.

Personal legal insurance could help you get legal assistance for less. Read on for our in-depth guide to this type of insurance, from costs and coverage to the caveats you should keep in mind.

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?

The cost of legal representation varies depending on the lawyer's experience, the type of case, the prestige of the law firm, and the part of the country you're in.

You're most likely to pay by the hour  and that rate can be quite high. For example, look at the matrix of reasonable attorneys fees prepared by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. For 2018, it lists a rate of $302 per hour for an attorney with less than two years' experience, and a rate of $602 per hour for an attorney with more than 31 years' experience.

You'll likely pay at least $100 an hour for an attorney, and one with three decades of experience could cost six times that amount.

Smaller law firms and firms outside of major urban areas usually charge less, but you're still likely to pay at least $100 an hour for an attorney  sometimes with extra charges for paralegals or other support staff. Plus, you may have to pay an up-front retainer for a certain number of hours, which could easily be thousands of dollars.

Don't like the idea of hourly rates? Common services may be available for a flat fee. But those fees are usually based on the hours required, so they may not save you any money. A flat fee for preparing a will could cost between $200 and $1,000, while a flat fee for an amicable divorce could cost between $200 and $1,500. You aren't likely to find flat fees for more complicated divorces, like those involving custody or property disputes.

For certain kinds of cases, you may be able to hire a lawyer on contingency, which means they'll work for free but take a percentage of the final settlement (usually a third). This can be an easy way to get a lawyer on the cheap, but it's only available for cases likely to end with a financial settlement.

What Is Legal Insurance?

For a modest monthly fee, legal insurance gives you access to certain legal services whenever you need them. When you essentially have a lawyer on call, you may realize you have a lot of reasons to use one. You might call your lawyer to review a real estate contract when you're buying a home, or to help navigate a dispute with your employer. This coverage basically gives you someone to call and ask, "What does this mean for me?" or even "Is this legal?"

SEE ALSO: 6 Financial Mistakes Newly Single People Make

Every insurance plan is different, but they tend to cover a lot of potential legal situations for you and your family. Coverage often includes the following:

Bankruptcy

Contract disputes

Criminal law (with limits)

Divorce (with limits)

Identity theft

Real estate

Reviewing contracts or legal documents

Tax issues

Traffic tickets (sometimes including DUIs)

Wills and other estate planning

Your exact coverage in each situation will depend on your plan. Some plans require that a deductible be met before coverage kicks in, while some only include a small range of covered services with discounts on others  though many pay for covered services outright.

You need to pay attention to what's covered before you sign up, though. Divorce and criminal law are both likely to have limitations: you may only be able to get representation for simple cases or a set number of hours. Furthermore, plans can have limits on the number of visits or hours per year, beyond which you'll need to pay out of pocket. And watch out for waiting periods; some plans won't cover you or certain services immediately.

As with health insurance, there's usually a network of providers you must choose from. You'll want to be sure the plan you choose covers lawyers in your area, and particularly those with specialties you might need. A larger network of lawyers also means it'll be easier to get timely consultations. When your local law office is closed, some plans offer a 24/7 help line or emergency line, which is handy for dealing with unexpected situations.

Where Can You Get Legal Insurance?

The insurance company providing your homeowners insurance or auto insurance may also provide legal insurance, but some companies specialize in it. Check out ARAG, LegalShield, and U.S. Legal Services.

There's also LegalZoom, which is better known for offering flat-rate access to legal documents online. However, it also offers a legal plan that includes unlimited phone calls with lawyers for advice  but most services beyond that will cost extra. It's cheaper than most other plans, though, and you may find it meets your needs.

You may already have legal insurance through an organization you're in. Employers often offer it, and sometimes unions or credit unions do, too.

As with shopping for any service, look for a business that's accredited by (or at least has a good rating with) the Better Business Bureau, so you know you're dealing with a reliable company.

You may even find you already have legal insurance through an organization you're in. Employers often offer it, and sometimes unions or credit unions do, too. This can be a nice perk. However, because someone else picks these plans, they'll have coverage restrictions that may not suit your needs. For example, an employer-provided plan isn't likely to help you sue your employer.

Other insurance plans may also cover legal representation in certain circumstances:

Homeowners insurance may help you with legal matters if someone is injured on your property.

may help you with legal matters if someone is injured on your property. Car insurance may help you with legal matters related to an accident.

may help you with legal matters related to an accident. Tax preparers (or even tax software) may offer representation if you're audited.

What Does Legal Insurance Cost?

Expect to pay between $10 and $40 per month for legal insurance, depending on what and who is covered. Depending on the services you're pursuing, that can save you a lot of money. Let's say you want to write a will. Without insurance, that'll cost around $200; most legal insurance plans will pay for it in full without restrictions.

SEE ALSO: How to Save Money When You're Dead

When you're weighing the costs, be aware of the caveats. Find out if there's a deductible and if there are any extra fees  document filing fees are common. If you're interested in particular services, be sure they're sufficiently covered, and that they don't have a waiting period.

Do You Need Legal Insurance?

As with any insurance plan, legal insurance is about peace of mind. If you need legal representation, you'll have it with fewer worries about paying for it.

But insurance companies make a profit by taking in more money in premiums than they spend on claims. That could mean making services difficult to access (like having a small number of in-network providers), or it could mean restricting covered services to less than the average person will need. If you're seriously considering legal insurance, it's important to read the fine print so you know exactly what's covered.

Then again, you might never actually need the coverage you're paying for. Consider signing up when you expect legal expenses to crop up soon. (Just be mindful of waiting periods and other requirements.)

Readers, do you think it's worth getting personal legal insurance? What are the best plans you've found? Let us know in the comments below!EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville aldermen are expected to approve a re-subdivision within Lakeview Farms.

The measure will permit developers to split one lot in the subdivision into two lots and opens the door for the Heartlands Conservancy to purchase property there so that it can continue protecting the Ornate Box Turtle and the Illinois Chorus Frog.

Both are on the state's list of threatened species.

The Heartlands Conservancy is attempting to purchase one of the lots at Lakeview Farms where a pond now serves as a breeding area for both threatened species.

The property sits at the southeast corner of Wanda Road and Streetcar Road, near an increasingly busy warehouse area now being used for storage and trucking needs.

The land in question is part of an 18.5 acre piece of property that, in 2004, was plotted as Lakeview Farms. The property is being subdivided now, and the owners of one of the newly created lots plans to sell the property to the Nature Conservancy, which plans to turn it over to Heartlands.

Heartlands Conservancy President Mary Vandevord told members of the Plan Commission recently that the pond will continue to serve as a breeding ground for the Ornate Box Turtle and the Illinois Chorus Frog. Heartlands, she said, is planning to create a buffer to protect the pond from encroachment. They will manage the property "in perpetuity," and deed restrictions will be placed on it to ensure that it remains an open space.

"Because this is an endangered species restoration project, we will be restoring the prairie that was native to this land," Vandevord said. "But we also want to limit the number of people because it is an endangered species. So even though it is open to the public, not a lot of improvements will be made because we don't want to encourage a lot of people to go out there. We want the frogs and turtles to be rehabilitated."

Plan Commission chair Veronica Armouti asked Vandevord to help her understand how the lot will be used. "So it's not an area where you develop it and say 'Come and see." Armouti said. "It's an area that's more of a nature habitat to remain in its natural state?"

"That's correct," Vandevord said.

The property is just outside the Edwardsville city limits but within the 1 1/2 mile planning area for the city.

Heartlands wrote a grant application recently that allowed the city to purchase a 71-acre property that will soon become William C. Drda Woods, a nature preserve off New Poag Road. That purchase will allow the city to protect dozens of rare migratory birds such as the cerulean warbler.

The re-subdivision of the Lakeview Farms property was passed recently by the Plan Commission and the Public Services Committee.

The Edwardsville City Council will vote on the measure at tonight's meeting.EDWARDSVILLE  The SIU Board of Trustees has voted to oppose several pieces of legislation that would affect the SIU system.

At a special meeting held May 30, trustees voted first to oppose a measure introduced by Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea. If passed by the General Assembly the bill would separate SIU Edwardsville and SIU Carbondale and establish new boards for each campus.

Trustees Tom Britton, Phil Gilbert, Shirley Portwood, Marsha Ryan and Joel Sambursky voted for the resolution opposing the bill and against the resolution supporting it; SIUE Student Trustee Luke Jansen and Board Chair Amy Sholar abstained.

Trustee Randal Thomas and SIUC Student Trustee Sam Beard were not present for the meeting.

Hoffman's proposal was introduced after the SIU Board of Trustees failed to approve a plan to reallocate $5.1 million in state funds from the Carbondale campus to the Edwardsville campus.

The legislation has cleared the House Education Committee, along with other bill related to the SIU System and trustees voted on resolutions regarding the pieces of legislation.

Trustees also voted to oppose HB 5859, introduced by Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, which would mandate equal allocation of state appropriations funding between SIUE and SIUC.

Currently the split in funding is approximately 60-40 in favor of the Carbondale Campus.

All trustees voted to oppose the legislation except for Sholar, who abstained.

A majority of trustees also voted to oppose a bill, introduced by Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Godfrey, that calls for the disbanding of the current board of trustees and change the make up of the board to include three SIUE alumni, three SIUC alumni, one non-SIU alumni and two voting student trustees from each campus.

Sholar voted in favor of the measure to change the make up of the board.

SIU Trustees split on a vote to oppose a bill, sponsored by Stuart, that calls on the Illinois Board of Higher Education to conduct a feasibility study of separating the two universities.

The bill, HR 1051, passed the House Higher Education Committee and is awaiting passage in the House.

Sholar, Jansen and Portwood voted in favor of supporting the resolution; Britton, Gilbert and Ryan voted against it; Sambursky abstained.

The next scheduled meeting of the SIU Board of Trustees is July 12. The meeting will be held at the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved.

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 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.Horseman Rich Banca, the owner of the Mount Hope Training Center in New York, has commented on the tragic barn fire that claimed 24 Standardbreds this past Saturday (June 2). It was one of the worst things Ive ever seen in my life, he has said.

Bancas comments on the fire come courtesy of an article by the Times Herald-Record.

Since the tragic blaze, a pair of GoFundMe pages (available here and here) have been started to help those affected by the loss of life and equipment.

The fire was reported at roughly 3:00 a.m. on Saturday. Banca, who lives an hours drive away, explained that he didnt arrive on the harrowing scene until roughly 4:00 a.m.

When I first pulled in, I couldnt get to the farm because there were so many fire trucks and police, Banca told the Times Herald-Record. ... People from the fire department said they could see it from miles away, the glow in the air.

The states office of fire prevention and control are investigating the fire. The article also explains that state police have turned the case over to the Orange County Sheriffs Office, which did not respond to a request for comment.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of the horses that perished in the blaze.

To read the Times Herald-Record article in its entirety, click here.

(With files from the Times Herald-Record)30 minutes ago

Deere & Co. workers go on strike after rejecting contract

MOLINE, Ill. (AP)  More than 10,000 Deere & Co. workers went on strike Thursday, the first major walkout at the agricultural machinery giant in more than three decades. The union had said its members would walk off the job if no deal has been reached Wednesday.

Read ArticleNew Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher along with state and local officials will celebrate the Month of the Horse this Friday (June 8) by visiting Fair Winds Farm in Cream Ridge, NJ.

New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy signed a proclamation declaring June the Month of the Horse in the state. The horse is the official State Animal.

Fair Winds Farm is a 600-acre equine boarding and breeding facility. Located in Upper Freehold Township, the farm maintains a broodmare band of some 40 trotting and pacing mares. Fair Winds sells its yearlings primarily at the NJ Classic and the Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg, Pa. Fair Winds also provides reproduction and boarding services for mares and their offspring and features the on-site Hogan Equine Clinic.

Secretary Fisher and other dignitaries will tour Fair Winds Farm, view a demonstration (weather permitting) by the Harness Youth Foundation and tour the Hogan Equine Clinic.

The event will kick off at 10 a.m. at Fair Winds, which is located at 74 Red Valley Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514.

(With files from the NJ Department of Agriculture)Andaman Hotelier and Tourism fair 2018

Start From: Friday 22 June 2018, 10:00AM to Sunday 24 June 2018, 09:00PM Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun.

See the creative ideas to help improve on skills that our world needs. You will see the combination of hotel people and touring people going head to head in World Love , competition, such as bartending, barista, towels folding, flowers arrangement, bed making and etc. Come and cheer the winner of Mister & Miss Andaman Hotelier 2018. For more special promotion such as discounted hotel rooms, come and see us at Home Work Phuket on June 22  24 from 10:00am till 9:00pm. To register please contact; Facebook  Andaman Hotelier or call 095 234 2451. Supported by Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Beverage Public Company limited.Cops to charge five for abetting ex-monk caught in Germany

BANGKOK: Police are expected to bring charges against three Thais and two Lao nationals for allegedly helping fugitive former Phra Phrom Methee to flee while he was being hunted in relation to a temple funds embezzlement scandal.

crimecorruptionimmigrationpolicereligion

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 5 June 2018, 09:17AM

Phra Phrom Methee reportedly fled Wat Sa Ket (the Golden Mount) just before the police raid last week, and wound up in Germany via Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Qatar. Photo: Bangkok Post / File

The former assistant abbot of Wat Samphanthawong, whose layman name is Chamnong Iamintra, has reportedly now been detained in Germany.

His detention comes more than a week after authorities on May 24 raided his temple, along with Wat Sa Ket and Wat Sam Phraya, when some senior monks were busted on suspicion of being involved in the scandal.

A police source in Nakhon Phanom, from where the former monk was reported to have fled to Laos, said five people are likely to face charges for helping him escape the clutches of the law.

They are the former Phra Phrom Methees close disciple, known as Joom, his driver, a monk of Wat Pa Sukontharak in Nakhon Phanoms Renu Nakhon district, a Lao woman and her son.

Joom was said to hold a significant stake in an SET-listed mining company. She is being investigated for her role in helping the former monk escape.

A bronze Toyota Alphard that police believe was used in the escape was found at Wat Pa Sukontharak.

The Lao woman, named Jan, was suspected of making travel arrangements for the former monk in her home country.

Maj Gen Suwichan Yankittikul, the police commissioner for Nakhon Phanom, said consideration was being made as to whether the arrest warrants would be sought by his office or the Crime Suppression Division.

Police sources meanwhile revealed that national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda and his team had arrived in Frankfurt, where he would identify the former monk with German authorities.

The fugitive ex-monk was reported to have been detained at an immigration office at the airport there following his arrival.

One of the sources said Thai authorities contacted German officials to try and persuade them to refuse him entry, which resulted in his visa being withdrawn. His official Thai passport was also reported to have been revoked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The source said that police had booked seats on a Thai Airways flight to send him home.

Read original story here.Dead whale sparks marine fears

BANGKOK: The death of a male short-finned pilot whale with a shocking number of plastic bags in its stomach in Songkhla province has sparked grave concerns about marine debris and the threat it poses to the marine ecological system.

accidentsanimalsdeathmarineenvironmentpollution

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 5 June 2018, 09:04AM

Trapping trash in nets or behind barriers near the mouths of rivers and canals can prevent massive amounts of traffic from endangering marine life. Photo: Stormwatersystems.com via Bangkok Post

The whale died last Friday (June 1), a few days after it ran aground in Chana district on May 28, and drew wide public attention to yet another case of a marine animal ingesting human refuse after 80 plastic bags, weighing about 8 kilograms, were found in its stomach.

As a result, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources is seizing on this opportunity to raise public awareness about marine litter, especially plastics, which are known to be responsible for the deaths of seabirds and marine mammals.

Jatuporn Buruspat, the departments director-general, said last Friday, which was also World Ocean Day, that the agency will meet those in the plastic bag supply chain, including producers and users, to discuss how they can work to curb the amount of plastic that ends up in the sea.

He said more needs to be done to supplement proposed measures to reduce plastic waste which include limiting the use of plastic bags and placing traps at river mouths.

A study is underway into setting up buoys in Samut Songkram and Samut Prakan provinces to trap garbage before it flows into the sea, he said, adding that next year the department will buy waste-collecting vessels to clear the litter.

According to Mr Jatuporn, one of the challenges is to engage all state agencies concerned in dealing with mainland garbage. About 80% of the debris in the sea off Thailand comes from the mainland.

The rubbish found in the stomach was not from Thailand alone, going by the product names on the plastic bags. The issue of marine debris needs collaboration from several countries in Asean and all stakeholders, he said.

Tara Buakamsri, Thailand country director for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, said the whales death should serve as a wake-up call regarding marine debris and plastic waste.

The amount of plastics dumped into the sea stands at between 100,000-400,000 tons yearly, he said, noting that microplastics are also a cause for concern.

According to the Department of Pollution Control, Thailand generates 27.4 million tons of rubbish per year, of which 11.70mn tons is properly managed with 8.52mn tons being recycled. It is estimated that around 80% of marine debris comes from ineffectively managed mainland waste.

Marine conservationist Thon Thamrongnawasawat said yesterday (June 4) that the whales death added weight to the claim that Thailand is a major contributor of marine debris.

He said the world community is now watching Thailand after the man-made nature of the whales death was reported worldwide. He also expressed concerns the country could face trade sanctions over unfriendly practices towards marine life.

The death of the whale only adds weight to the claim that we are the sixth-largest contributor of ocean waste. It means that all of what we have done in the past, especially campaigns concerning appropriate refusal disposal, have failed. We must do something different to limit single-use plastic. If we do nothing, we risk trade sanctions, he said.

Dr Thon, who is also deputy dean of Kasetsart Universitys Faculty of Fisheries, noted that the European Union has already proposed a ban on plastic straws and cutlery.

Dr Thon also urged department stores to come together and charge customers for plastic bags, in order to limit the use of the material.

A campaign by many department stores to reduce plastic bag use has had limited results, he said, adding that while the government initiatives to ban the dropping of cigarette butts on the beach and cap seals on drinking water bottles, its attempts to address plastic bags and straws have been inadequate.

To mark todays (June 5) World Environment Day, under the theme Beat Plastic Pollution: If You Cant Reuse It, Refuse It, the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion has picked Or Tor Kor market for a pilot project to encourage fresh markets to reduce plastic and foam packaging.

Or Tor Kor is Bangkoks highest-quality fruit and agricultural market in Chatuchak district.

Read original story here.Drug mules caught at Krabi resort

PHUKET: Region 8 Police held a press conference at Phuket Provincial Police headquarters in Phuket Town this morning (June 5) to announce the arrest of two drug suspects in Krabi allegedly found in possession of 250,000 tablets of methamphetamine (ya bah).

drugscrimepolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Tuesday 5 June 2018, 04:51PM

The 250,000 meth pills were presented to the press in Phuket today (June 5). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Leading the press conference was Region 8 Police Deputy Commander Maj Gen Teerapol Kuptanon, accompanied by Region 8 Police Head of Investigation Maj Gen Chinarat Ruttakanon.

The suspects, not present at the press conference were named as, Manasae Sae Tobu, 40, from Yala, and Hama Ma Lasae, 40, province of origin not reported.

Presented as evidences seized in making the arrests were 250,000 ya bah pills, a Toyota Camry car, smart phones and other items.

Explained to the press was that officers had learned of a drug delivery for a large drug network operating in Southern Thailand was to be made at the Ton Palm Resort in Khlong Thom District, Krabi, on Sunday (June 3).

Region 8 Police officers led by Lt Prapas Srisangjob raided a room on the 12th floor of the resort, where they found Manasae and Hama with 250,000 ya bah pills in three bags on floor.

During questioning by Lt Prapas, Manasae reportedly said that he obtained the drugs from a man called Abdullah Damea, in Bannang Sata District in Yala province.

Abdullah reportedly hired Manasae for B100,000 to drive a car provided by Abdullah to Krabi to collect the drugs and bring them back to Yala province.

Manasae Said he was unaware of how many ya bah pills were involved, and as he also did not know the way to drive to Krabi, he asked Hama to go with him. For this, Manasae was to share the driving and pay Hama B50,000, said police.

Police today said that Manasae and Hama had both been caught working as drug mules before. Apparently they were arrested for possession of drugs with intent to sell in April this year while transporting drugs from Thung Yai District in Nakhon Sri Thammarat province.

Police today made no mention whether the men were out on bail when arrested on Sunday.

Region 8 Police will hand the suspects, and presumably the evidence, to Sai Khao Police Station in Klong Thom District, Krabi, for further investigation, police said today.First Saudi women get driving licences

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Arabia yesterday (June 4) began issuing its first driving licences to women in decades, authorities said, just weeks before the historic lifting of the conservative kingdoms ban on female motorists.

culturereligiontransportpolitics

By AFP

Tuesday 5 June 2018, 09:34AM

A Saudi woman test-drives a car during an automotive exhibition for women in the capital Riyadh on May 13. Photo: Fayez Nureldine / AFP

Ten Saudi women swapped their foreign licences for Saudi ones in multiple cities, including the capital Riyadh, as the kingdom prepares to end its ban on June 24.

The move, which follows a government crackdown on women activists, is part of a much-publicised liberalisation drive launched by powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he seeks to modernise the petro-state.

Ten Saudi women made history on Monday when they were issued driving licences, said the information ministrys Centre for International Communication (CIC).

Expectations are that next week an additional 2,000 women will join the ranks of licensed drivers in the kingdom.

The official Saudi Press Agency said the swap came after women applicants were made to undergo a practical test, but it did not offer details.

Its a dream come true that I am about to drive in the kingdom, Rema Jawdat, one of the women to receive a licence, was quoted as saying by the CIC.

Driving to me represents having a choice  the choice of independent movement. Now we have that option, added Jawdat, an official at the ministry of economy and planning who has previous driving experience in Lebanon and Switzerland.

In preparation for the lifting of the ban, Saudi Arabia last week passed a landmark law to criminalise sexual harassment, introducing a prison term of up to five years and a maximum penalty of 300,000 riyals (B2.55 million).

Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive, has long faced global criticism for what is seen as oppression of women.

But Prince Mohammed, who recently undertook a global tour aimed at reshaping his kingdoms austere image, has sought to break with long-held restrictions on women.

The self-styled reformer has also ended a decades-long ban on cinemas, allowed mixed-gender concerts and clipped the powers of the long-feared religious police.

But casting a shadow on his reforms, Saudi Arabia last week said it detained 17 people for undermining the kingdoms security, in what campaigners have dubbed a sweeping crackdown against activists.

Rights groups have identified many of the detainees as women campaigners for the right to drive and to end the conservative Islamic countrys male guardianship system.

Its welcomed that the Saudi authorities have finally issued licences to women, but the very women who campaigned for this for years are now behind bars instead of behind wheel, tweeted Samah Hadid, Amnesty Internationals Middle East director of campaigns.

The government must release them now.

Authorities said eight of the detainees had been temporarily released until their investigation is completed.

Nine suspects, including four women, remain in custody after they confessed to a slew of charges such as suspicious contact with hostile organisations and recruiting people in sensitive government positions, according to SPA.

Previous reports in state-backed media branded some of the detainees traitors and agents of embassies.

Campaigners have dismissed the reports as a smear campaign and the crackdown has sparked a torrent of global criticism.

The European Parliament last week approved a resolution calling for the unconditional release of the detained activists and other human rights defenders, while urging a more vocal response from EU nations.Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior to visit Phuket

PHUKET: The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior will arrive in Phuket this Saturday (June 9) as part of its world tour to raise awareness of key environmental issues.



By The Phuket News

Tuesday 5 June 2018, 05:43PM

The Rainbow Warrior will be in Phuket this Saturday (June 9) Photo: Salvatore Barbera

The world-renowned ship will be docked at the Phuket Deep Sea Port until next Tuesday (June 12) and will sail to Krabi where it will remain from June 13-14 for its 2018 tour of Thailand entitled Rainbow Warrior Ship Tour 2018: 100% Renewable Energy for All.

The ship is visiting the country to join local communities in their call to end the age of coal, and to demand solutions through an inclusive and ecological economic development model based on just, affordable and sustainable renewable energy systems, The Phuket News was told in an email from Greenpeace today (June 5).

Various events have been lined up for the duration of the visit, including an open boat excursion allowing visitors to board the ship as well as forums on topics related to the tour attended by experts and civil society groups.

Other side events include a photo exhibit on the impacts of climate change, Greenpeace and the environmental movement, and the history of the Rainbow Warrior.

There will also be games, green markets, mini-concerts and a showcase of 1,000-Watt solar energy kits.

While docked in Phuket, the Rainbow Warrior will be open to the public for viewing tours from 9am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday (June 9-10) and next Tuesday (June 12).

Visitors will get to experience and learn about the ships legacy of bearing witness and taking action to prevent environmental crimes around the world through various exhibitions and activities, Greenpeace explained in its email today.

There will also be a meeting with the Rainbow Warriors captain, Hettie Geenen, one of the few women skippers in the high seas today.

For more information about the Rainbow Warriors 2018 tour of Thailand, see the Facebook page: Greenpeace Thailand.Indian, teen procurer arrested for Pattaya child prostitution

PATTAYA: Police in Pattaya have arrested an Indian man for paying for sex with a 14-year-old girl from Ubon Ratchathani and the 17-year-old girl who was the alleged procurer.

crimepolicesex

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 5 June 2018, 02:52PM

The chart shown by the Tourist Police Bureau showing the forced child prostitution, at a press conference at the Royal Thai Police Office in Bangkok today (June 5). Photo: Tourist Police

Maj Gen Surachet Hakpan, deputy commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, said otioday (June 5) that Parmod Kumar was arrested at Jomtien Plaza Residence in Bang Lamung district, Chonburi, on Saturday (June 2).

Police obtained a warrant for his arrest last Friday (June 1) for allegedly paying for sex with a 14-year-old girl, identified by police only as A, at Marina Inn on Pattaya Sai Song Rd in Pattaya on May 7.

Last Friday police arrested the 17-year-old procurer, called B, and found three other girls at Red Light Guesthouse and Faed Sam Apartment. Two of the three girls prostitutes were not lured into the business, police said.

Maj Gen Surachet said the 14-year-old met B on Facebook and was invited to visit Pattaya for a vacation. B picked up A in Ubon Ratchathani and she stayed at Faed Sam Apartment in Pattaya.

B then took A along when she was selling sex services to customers at bars and restaurants. A stayed in the rooms where B was providing the service.

A wanted to return to Ubon Ratchathani but B would not take her back and she had no money of her own. Then B had A allow the Indian man to have sex with her for B5,000, and took a B1,000 share.

Afterwards, A fled the apartment and returned to Ubon Ratchathani where she filed a complaint.

B followed A to the northeastern province, intending to take her back to Pattaya, but she would not go.

Instead, B brought a few other teenage girls from Ubon Ratchathani to Pattaya.

Police laid several charges against the Indian man, who faces possible punishment of up to 20 years in jail and fines of up to B400,000. The 17-year-old procurer faces similar charges and punishment.

Read original story here.Phuket landslide lands Fortuner taxi in canal

PHUKET: Torrential downpours across Phuket this morning (June 5) caused a landslide in Kamala that pushed a Toyota Fortuner SUV taxi parked in a housing estate into a canal.

weather

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Tuesday 5 June 2018, 02:24PM

Marine Police are waiting for assistance to recover the SUV taxi from the canal. Photo: Pasakon Sirichuchot

Marine Police are waiting for assistance to recover the SUV taxi from the canal. Photo: Pasakon Sirichuchot

Marine Police are waiting for assistance to recover the SUV taxi from the canal. Photo: Pasakon Sirichuchot

No people were injured in the incident, though many homes in the housing estate were inundated with run-off floodwaters and mud.

Lt Pasakon Sirichuchot and four other officers of the Phuket Marine Police called in to help arrived at the scene at 9:30am to find the SUV upside down in the canal.

The Fortuner was parked in the small residential estate on the west side of the Kuan Yak hill (see map below) when the floodwaters struck, Lt Pasakon told The Phuket News.

Volunteers and residents are helping to clear the mud out of victims houses. In total 14 rental rooms were affected along with 10 motorbikes and the Toyota Fortuner that were damaged.

Luckily no one was hurt or killed in the incident, he added.

The team of Marine Police officers were awaiting assistance from workers from the Kamala Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor). Lt Pasakon said.

However, many of their workers were already had their hands full clearing the debris from a landslide further downhill that partially blocked the road. (See story here.)Phuket officials ponder Traffy Fondue for complaints tracking

PHUKET: Phuket officials are looking into using a mobile phone app called Traffy Fondue as a way of providing local residents with a way of filing complaints about waste pollution, traffic and other issues and being able to see progress by officials in dealing with the problem.



By Tanyaluk Sakoot

Tuesday 5 June 2018, 11:37AM

Nectec has already developed and launched its Traffy Waste app to support Patong Municipality in coping with people dumping garbage on the streets there. Image: Nectec

Nectec has already developed and launched its Traffy Waste app to support Patong Municipality in coping with people dumping garbage on the streets there. Image: Nectec

Nectec has already developed and launched its Traffy Waste app to support Patong Municipality in coping with people dumping garbage on the streets there. Image: Nectec

Many Phuket officials were hearing about the app for the first time. Photo:Phuket Provincial Environment Office

Many Phuket officials were hearing about the app for the first time. Photo:Phuket Provincial Environment Office

The idea was proposed by Phuket Provincial Environment office Director Natawan Jumlongkat yesterday (June 4).

Mr Natawan met with officials from Nation Electronic and Computer Technology Center (Nectec), which developed the app and is now in use in Bangkok and other areas in the country (see here).

He also met with senior provincial officials, including Phuket Vice Governor Thawornwat Kongkaew, to explain the app and how it could be used in Phuket.

The application helps officials in their work regarding several different types of complaints, including flooding, water supply, roads and traffic jams, the dumping of garbage, noise, foul smells, the cutting down of public trees and wild animals in local neighbourhoods, among other issues, Mr Natawan said.

However, people are not familiar with the app. They will have to download it and register to use it. Only registered users will be able to see the complaints filed and the progress by officials in dealing with them, he explained.

Mr Natawan said that using the Traffy Fondue app was not aimed at circumventing the good work achieved via Phukets Pineapple Eyes community through their group on the Line online platform, which is open for all the public to see, rather than to complement it.

It will work together with the Pineapple Eyes Line group, but our goal is to have people send complaints through this (Traffy Fondue) app because all of the information is directly reported to the director of each relevant government office in the area where the complaint is filed. People can do both if they want to, Mr Natawan said.

Of note, Traffy Fondue already has presence and followers on Facebook (click here) and more than 150,000 followers on Twitter (click here), but no presence on the Line platform.

However, the idea of using the Traffy Fondue app was still in its early stages, Mr Natawan admitted, noting that many local government officials had yet to be made even aware of the app and learn how it is to be used.

Phuket has already led the way in public reporting via online platforms, with Nectec developing and launching its Traffy Waste app (click here), which was specifically developed to support Patong Municipality in coping with people dumping garbage on the streets there. (See The Phuket News page one story here.)

Traffy Fondue is available for download on Google Play, click here.

The Phuket News was unable to find the app for download on the Apple App Store.Skateboards and scooters come from far and wide for chance to skate

entertainmentOTTAWAA Senate vote this week on dozens of amendments to a bill legalizing recreational marijuana probably wont substantially delay Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus push to open the market this summer.

The amended bill  the Senates social affairs committee last week proposed 34 changes  is due for a final vote Thursday. Its expected to pass with amendments, and would then go back to the House of Commons to consider those changes. There is some urgency, with the summer break approaching. Trudeaus government is flexing its muscle, pledging pot will be legalized this summer.

Canadian lawmakers wouldnt adjourn for summer until the pot bill has concluded its parliamentary process, a senior government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. That means the Senate wont be able to delay things until the fall by dragging its feet or digging in.

We will create a controlled and legalized framework for marijuana before the end of the summer, Trudeau said in a Bloomberg Businessweek Debrief interview in Toronto last week. Government ministers pushed for the vote in early June because after the law passes, it could take up to 12 weeks for the legal market to open.

Impaired drivers

Conservative senators are resisting the bill, which they say doesnt address issues such as how police will test for impaired drivers and the health risks of young people smoking up. Carolyn Stewart Olsen said at a hearing last week the bill needs more than simple technical changes, and called it extreme social change for the country.

Read more:

Marijuana legalization should be put off until First Nations tax sharing worked out: Senate committee

Some cities try to put brakes on rush to marijuana legalization

Opinion | Vicky Mochama: Without amnesty for pot convictions, legalization is a half-measure

Still, it would be rare for the appointed Senate to kill or heavily delay legislation from an elected government. Trudeau has already pressured the upper chamber to make sure marijuana goes on sale in the next few months, drawing the same kind of line in the sand he did for getting the Trans Mountain pipeline built.

Tony Dean, who sponsored the legislation, said the bill could move quickly if the House of Commons accepts all the Senate amendments, and expects the market to open by the end of August or early September. Other changes proposed by the Senate include allowing provinces to ban home cultivation of cannabis plants, tweaks around penalties for improper use and the governments future powers to regulate the system.

Work together

Its unclear how quickly the House and Senate can work together on passing the same bill into law if they disagree over the changes. Trudeaus Liberal Party has a majority in the House, and the Senates 105 current members include a mix of Conservatives, former Liberals, independents mostly appointed by Trudeau and non-affiliated senators. The independents and ex-Liberals have enough for a majority, if they vote together.

Trudeaus promise to get the market open this summer, provincial governments making preparations and the billions of dollars invested by companies will be enough pressure to get things moving, Beacon Securities analyst Vahan Ajamian said in a May 23 research note. The Senate will not cause a meaningful disruption, Ajamian wrote.

Trudeaus leader of legislative operations in the House of Commons, Bardish Chagger, declined to comment through a spokesperson on the timing of the legislation after Thursday, referring questions to the justice minister.

David Taylor, spokesperson for Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, said by email the government looks forward to the upcoming vote and our government remains committed to legalization and strict regulation of cannabis happening this summer.

OrganiGram Holdings Inc. chief executive officer Greg Engel expects to be able to start shipping product in early July to be ready for the day the legal market opens. I certainly dont expect a delay of any significance, he said in a phone interview.

Read more about:CALGARYDemonstrators opposed to the federal governments purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline extension rallied outside a Liberal MPs constituency office on Monday  opposite a much larger group of pipeline supporters.

When the two dozen protesters began arriving at Kent Hehrs office in downtown Calgary  part of a national day of action organized by Leadnow, 350.org, and other environmental groups  pipeline supporters were already waiting for them.

About 50 people eventually showed up, many of them wearing I Love Oil and Oilsands Strong T-shirts and carrying signs.

Both groups chanted slogans at each other  Build that pipe! and Were here to stop the buyout!  while several protesters began drumming to drown out the pipeline supporters.

A handful of people from both sides also began arguing across a bike barricade formed by Calgary police officers. No arrests were made, but officers did stop a large group of protesters from entering the lobby of Hehrs Calgary Centre office.

Heather Lucier was one of the few protesters allowed inside. She told StarMetro she was there to hand-deliver to Hehrs staff a USB drive containing a petition with 3,000 signatures of Canadians opposed to the buyout. According to her, staff said Hehr would receive the petition on Friday.

Read more:

Pipeline viewpoints clash in the heart of oil country

Trans Mountain pipeline unlikely to be hampered by trade feud, experts say

Protest by coastal people of Halifax calls for unity in opposing Kinder Morgan buyout

I feel like $4.5 billion for a pipeline that was only worth $550 million in 2007 is a big ripoff, Lucier said. I feel like there are so many things they could spend $4.5 billion on.

She, like many protesters at the demonstration, felt the money could have gone to solving far bigger problems: the lack of clean drinking water for First Nations communities, affordable child care, and renewable energy.

On the other side of the police barricade, pipeline supporters  many who either work in the oilpatch or have family members who do  insisted pipelines were both safe and ethical. A number of their signs also condemned Leadnow and other environmental organizations as foreign interests hell-bent on destroying the Canadian oil industry.

Trevor Marr, a pipeline supporter, said adding a second pipe to Kinder Morgans original project is the responsible thing to do. The original pipe is several decades old, he said, and not replacing it increases the likelihood of a spill.

What these protesters are doing, theyre actually encouraging an unsafe system, Marr said.

Demonstrators also set up a piece of protest art of a mock oil spill in Calgarys Memorial Park to represent the nature of what environmental groups believe is a very real consequence to the expansion of pipelines.

Thankfully, this oil spill was fake: just cocoa powder and canola oil.

Brennan Doherty is a work and wealth reporter for StarMetro Calgary.

Read more about:EDMONTONThe Edmonton Humane Society is blaming a series of unintentional events after three cats were forgotten in the back of a transport vehicle for more than three weeks.

According to a written statement released Monday, a team from the Edmonton Humane Society was transporting animals from another shelter facility on March 27 when a series of unintentional events occurred, and three cats were forgotten in the vehicle.

The cats were only found by staff members 22 days later, when they went to prepare for another transfer on April 18.

When the cats were found, the Edmonton Humane Society says they were immediately assessed by veterinary staff. The cats were dehydrated, hungry and suffered urine burns on their paws.

They were given fluids, food and baths while being closely monitored by staff to ensure their recovery.

After the cats made a full recovery, the Edmonton Humane Society said they were transferred to a partner organization and homes have been found for them.

The Edmonton Humane Society said it conducted an internal review of the team members involved and procedures are in place to ensure that this does not happen again.

The society said it has put additional checks and balances in place to minimize the risk of human error.

Citing the sensitive nature of this incident, and respect for the employees involved, the Edmonton Humane Society said it would not disclose any further information.

Read more about:EDMONTONIn the heart of oil country, a Conservative MP and environmental and social justice activists found common ground in their opposition to a government buyout of the Trans Mountain pipeline project.

Gathering outside the downtown St. Albert office of Conservative MP Michael Cooper on Monday, protesters from Leadnow  an environmental advocacy group that has come out against last weeks $4.5-billion Kinder Morgan buyout  said federal and provincial funding for the pipeline was an erosion of democracy.

Cooper agreed the company shouldnt get tax dollars.

This government has managed to turn a $7-billion investment into a $4.5-billion payout to a Texas oil company without any guarantee that its going to result in a single inch of pipeline being built, Cooper said.

In addition to federal funding, the Alberta NDP government led by Rachel Notley pledged a $2-billion fund for unexpected costs payable once the oil starts flowing.

Partnering with the federal government has put Alberta at odds with British Columbias NDP Premier John Horgans anti-pipeline stance.

Read more:

Duelling protests hit Calgary over Trans Mountain buyout

Trans Mountain pipeline unlikely to be hampered by trade feud, experts say

Key questions answered about Ottawas takeover of the Trans Mountain pipeline project

Leadnow  an organization supported by 350.org, the Council of Canadians, The Leap, Sierra Club BC, Greenpeace, Coast Protectors and SumOfUs  held similar snap action events across the country Monday where demonstrators visited local MP offices to urge their representatives to stop the Kinder Morgan buyout.

The action in St. Albert was relatively subdued, with a group of about 10 protesters delivering a petition with 100,000 signatures to the MPs office.

St. Albert resident Tim Boetzkes, who organized Mondays action in the affluent suburb northwest of Edmonton, said he didnt understand why the government would pay for a pipeline ahead of funding for clean drinking water, schools or hospitals.

Magically, he has all this money for this pipeline, Boetzkes said, referring to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. We dont think its a good investment. Were on the hook for cleanup of any spills, were destroying lands. Liberals are supposed to be climate leaders and we see this as a step backwards.

Instead, Boetzkes wants to see more invested in alternative energy.

Events on Monday in Vancouver and Calgary saw larger gatherings.

In Calgary, Leadnow demonstrators faced off against approximately 50 pro-pipeline protesters wearing I Love Oil and Oilsands Strong T-shirts, StarMetro Calgary reported.

While the Conservatives and anti-pipeline protesters both opposed the buyout, there is a limit to the alliance.

Cooper touts the previous Conservative governments record on pipeline regulations, but the protesters outside his office were concerned about the pipelines potential harms.

Outraged by the corporate bailouts, Sheryl McCumsey, a member of the Council of Canadians, said two executives with Kinder Morgan took $1.5 million in bonuses each.

People who own a business should be able to take care of their own business, McCumsey said.

Like many of the protesters across the country, McCumsey said access to clean drinking water should be a priority over pipelines.

The federal government hasnt been transparent about the $4.5-billion price tag, which McCumsey said is more than the 65-year-old pipeline is worth.

She added there are no guarantees the pipeline will be good for Canadians.

I think our democracy is heading down the toilet, McCumsey said.

Cooper said he respects the right to protest, but said if theres one issue his constituents are united on, its the need to get the Kinder Morgan pipeline built.

Cooper said purchasing the old pipeline does nothing to get the new one built.

(The federal government has) no more of a plan today than they did before they announced the $4.5-billion buyout, Cooper said.

Read more about:The oeuvres of Atul Bhalla, a Delhi based conceptual and performance artist, are inquisitions of our relationship with water -- the spaces it occupies, the history it carries in its depths and especially, how it affects human lives and how humans affect water bodies around them.

What makes Bhalla's work unique is that the artist through his visual representations, as well as performance photography has managed to inspire public to make inquiries about climate change. And, know that it is no mean feat, especially at a time when world leaders dismiss climate change as a hoax, despite repeated warnings from the academic and scientific communities of the impending dangers of the phenomenon. However, Bhalla claimed, that he is no environmental activist. The term he used to describe himself is an 'environmental artist.'EDMONTONA small custom steel shop in southern Edmonton takes steel and turns it into a variety of items. After last weeks tariffs were imposed by the United States, theyre bracing for an ugly summer.

Alberta Steel & Fab Inc. opened around 15 years ago in Rosedale Industrial to build products like steel stairs, tanks, bike racks and handrails.

At their peak, they had 15 to 18 employees working for them, said Shawnna Kuzyk, a steel purchaser with over 30 years of experience who now works at the company.

Theyre now down to six people on staff.

While thats not all due to the new steel tariffs levied against Canada by the U.S., the trade developments are yet another blow to a company thats had a rough go since the oil-industry downturn. Kuzyk said her company cant even currently accept jobs because they dont know what the price will be once steel is brought into the shop  making quotes for customers impossible.

Since Trump came out with that, prices have jumped  about 32 per cent, she said.

Kuzyk said her shop gets steel from local service centres who order it from the U.S. on a rolling schedule. So steel could cost $1 per pound today, but the price will surely be subject to coming fluctuations.

The day it crosses the border it could be a 25 per cent tariff, or maybe 30, or maybe 10 or maybe nothing. How do you quote that? You cant, Kuzyk said adding theyve already lost work due to market uncertainty.

The unpredictability will result in buildings missing completion deadlines, construction workers without work and welders unemployed, she said.

Its going to be a very ugly summer.

Canada responded to the U.S. decision last Thursday by slapping dollar-for-dollar tariffs on some American imports.

Greg Anderson, associate professor of political science at the University of Alberta, said hes worried about what the escalating political salvo might mean for Edmonton.

Some of the citys firms export steel directly to the U.S. while others import for processing here.

Those tariffs are going to suddenly make their products a little less competitive relative to their American counterparts, said Anderson. So whether or not they can bid on future supply contracts in a competitive manner remains to be seen.

He said keeping people employed and winning bids for future contracts in the U.S. is very much an open question.

Anderson said he worries Canadas response could push the situation into a full-fledged trade war.

What theyve done is opened a bit of a Pandoras box, he said. In the sense that  if youre gonna claim that aluminum and steel are a threat to your national security, you can argue that just about anything is.

with files from The Canadian Press.

Read more about:HALIFAXDozens of people standing in the cold sunshine on Monday chanted against the federal governments takeover of the Trans Mountain pipeline project before taking their own pipeline up to MP Andy Fillmores office.

The downtown demonstration, with roughly 80 people waving signs and flags on Brunswick St. outside Fillmores Liberal constituency office, was part of a national day of action against the controversial Kinder Morgan buyout.

Were all coastal people here ... If you could see in your backyard, see the pipeline from where you work, from where you live, from where you go to school  thats scary, Kati George-Jim of the TSou-ke Nation on Vancouver Island told the crowd.

George-Jim, an Indigenous student member of Dalhousie Universitys board of governors, said the Kinder Morgan pipeline extension will literally be seen through her window if it is built.

The lifestyle that you knew with your family, if it was part of the fishing community  it doesnt even matter if you have a connection to the ocean, you dont have to have that to want to love it and want to care for it and want it to be sustained, she said.

Have your say:

Last week, the Liberal cabinet approved a controversial plan to spend $4.5 billion to buy the entire Trans Mountain pipeline project and take on potentially billions more in construction costs to expand it.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau has said the federal government will create a Crown corporation to take over Kinder Morgans pipeline. That includes the planned expansion, which would twin the existing 1,150-km pipeline and build another 980 km of new pipe to increase Albertas capacity to get crude oil to British Columbia waters and shipping markets.

Ottawa will look for another private buyer to take it on, but if none is found the government will foot the bill to build the pipeline.

George-Jim said she recently learned her First Nation was among the communities that signed on with Kinder Morgan for a small buyout. However, she said, there was limited consultation and shes not sure where the money was directed.

Large institutions take advantage of systemic racism and inequality where communities are in dire need of outside investment, as well as self-sustaining resilience and self-governance, she said.

George-Jim was among a handful of speakers at the demonstration that raised concerns around the pipeline extensions impact on the environment, the violation of Indigenous rights and a possible ripple effect on fossil-fuel projects in Nova Scotia.

Two people carried the ends of a large-scale handmade pipeline with the brand Trudeau Oil on its side. The group joined together in chants of Leave the oil in the ground; pipeline projects turn them down and Climate leaders dont build pipelines.

George-Jim said that while she would love to be at home in B.C. investing time in her community, what she can do while studying in Halifax is join other activists and raise awareness of whats happening.

Settler peoples also have a responsibility to care for, and be stewards of, the land, not just Indigenous people. It starts with conversation but it also starts with noticing who your neighbours are, George-Jim said.

Some folks cant grow past their reserves; some folks cant vote in their municipal elections because they live on reserves. Folks dont have equal opportunity, so what can you do in your daily life to empower your neighbours?

Amanda Rekunyk, a resident of Kjipuktuk (Halifaxs Mikmaq name) and an Indigenous activist, also spoke to the crowd.

The pipelines not going through, Rekunyk said. They dont get to say what happens. Right now they are being puppets for corporations and they are puppets for the Canadian people, and the Canadian people are saying no.

A petition addressed to politicians garnered more than 265,000 signatures through leadnow.ca.

Rekunyk said the $4.5 billion used in the buyout would be much better spent on ensuring all First Nation communities had clean water. That money could also be used to counter the economic argument that pipeline construction will lead to thousands of jobs.

(It) can be invested in green energy and can give green-energy jobs. Were really limited in our thinking if we go, Well, this is the only option. Were more intelligent than that, so lets step up and be who were meant to be, she said.

She told reporters shes worried the nationalization approach could be applied to the controversial Alton natural-gas storage project in Stewiacke, N.S.  a project opposed by Mikmaq people and other water protectors worried about the effects on the Shubenacadie River  as well as a new BP exploratory well off the coast.

After the speeches, about 50 people continued upstairs with drums and their pipeline model to protest in Fillmores office and the hallway outside.

Aidan McNally, organizer for the Halifax event and local chair for the Canadian Federation of StudentsNova Scotia, said that while Fillmore wasnt in his office Monday she has called to leave him messages and expects to hear back as he has a responsibility to address the concerns of his constituents.

From coast to coast, Canadians know that this decision is counter to our goals of achieving climate justice and reconciliation, McNally said.

Read more about:HALIFAXPolice in Nova Scotia have arrested a man who was behind the wheel of a vehicle despite having a 99-year driving ban.

On Saturday afternoon, the RCMP said a 48-year-old man from Pictou, N.S., which is about 90 minutes outside of Halifax, was stopped at an RCMP checkpoint in a nearby community and admitted to driving with a suspended licence.

After checking, police say they learned he had been previously issued a 99-year, country-wide driving ban.

The prohibition is in relation to previous alcohol-related drivng offences, a police statement said.

The man was arrested for driving while disqualified and ticketed for operating an unregistered vehicle and driving without insurance on Saturday. His car was also towed.

Less than hour before at the same checkpoint, another man had his licence suspended for 24 hours and his car towed after showing signs of alcohol impairment.

The 36-year-old man from Barneys River was a newly licensed driver and when he was administered a roadside test the presence of alcohol in his blood was confirmed, police allege.

New drivers are not allowed to have any amount of alcohol in their bloodstream when they get behind the wheel.

Elsewhere in the province last week, a 28-year-old Stellarton man, who had just been released from custody by Stellarton Police after being arrested for impaired driving, was issued a week long suspension and had his car towed after being pulled over due to faulty equipment.

Read more about:Ice dance gold medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir will be co-producing a cross-Canada tour this fall  and this time, theyll be the ones in creative control.

Though the details are still being worked out, in an interview with the Star, Virtue described the concept as a sort of scaled-down combo of a rock concert, dance extravaganza and traditional skating show.

Virtue, on the phone from Kanazawa, Japan, said she and Moir have been busy, Picking the buildings, finding sponsors, putting a cast together, creating a team of directors, choreographers and costume designers, and thinking about everything weve always wanted to do in a show.

The two have been performing during the Olympic off-season for many years now, but, We would sit in every show and think I wish I could do this, I wish I could do that, I would do this differently. Well, now were actually trying to make that happen, Virtue said.

Virtue and Moir, who won individual and team gold at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, are known for their ice-meltingly sexy routines .

Since their win in February, the pair has appeared in skating shows at home and abroad, including the spring Stars On Ice tour across major Canadian cities.

Canada's Tessa Virtue and Canada's Scott Moir celebrate following the venue ceremony after the ice dance free dance of the figure skating event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung on Feb. 20, 2018.





Tour producer Byron Allen told the Star that, thanks to Olympic fever and Virtue-Moir madness specifically, Stars on Ice had a banger year, selling out six venues and generating a level of attendance and excitement not seen since the summer of 2003, when Jamie Sale and David Pelletier headlined.

This new venture  dubbed the Thank You Canada Tour, in honour of the gratitude the two feel towards Canadians who supported them through their Olympic journey  will make its 26 stops in smaller communities; kicking off in Abbottsford, B.C. on Oct. 5 and concluding in St. Johns, Nfld. On Nov. 24.

It will feature some of Virtue and Moirs closest friends, who happen to make up the majority of the Canadian Olympic figure skating team, as well as Elvis Stojko and a number of as-yet-unannounced guests.

People around the world are obsessed with Canadian ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. The duo, who say they are best friends, won a gold medal at the Olympics. (The Canadian Press)

Virtue said they want to perform in places where people dont usually get to see professional figure skating. She spoke wistfully of the skating club in Ilderton, Ont., population 1,800, where she and Moir met at just seven and nine years old, and imagined what it would have been like, back then, to see ice dance at a high level on home ice.

We were lucky that we got to travel when we were young and do seminars and get exposed to other ice dancing teams and athletes, Virtue said. We dont think were going to be changing the world (with this tour), but if we can go into these cities and put on a good show, that maybe is a little fresh and different, and have fun with 5,000 people in Grande Prairie, Alberta, then that would be really cool.

Over the years, exhibition skating  especially those seasons when they were deep in Olympic training and just appeared as guests for a few minutes in a number or two  has been fun, but they had no creative control or investment in the full product, Virtue said.

Were all-in people. Thats not really fulfilling for us.

When asked what they want to do creatively, Virtue said there is a long list but that budget and the limitations of small venues will rein them in somewhat.

But she said excitedly, even things like having a stage and doing some off-ice dance, but then the choreography comes on to the ice. Or doing the lighting a different way. Or having loud music. Or confetti! Were at that stage now where were just throwing out all our crazy ideas.

Were shaking things up. Its really our way to tour Canada and say thank you. Were so excited.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the year of the last most successful Stars on Ice show.A coroner refused to conduct an autopsy on a suspicious death in the nursing home where registered nurse Elizabeth Wettlaufer murdered seven of her eight victims, according to Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care documents obtained by the Star.

The allegation is contained in notes made by ministry inspectors while preparing to investigate the Caressant Care nursing home in Woodstock, Ont., a month after Wettlaufer was charged with the multiple murders in October 2016.

The notes, obtained through a freedom-of-information request, list several patients who have died at the home, their names redacted in the documents. At the end of the redacted names is a comment suggesting that both an emergency room doctor and a Caressant registered nurse believed the coroner should investigate a death.

Identified by ER physician as should be a coroners case, identified by (RN) Karen Routledge as suspicious, asked for an autopsy, coroner did not feel this was appropriate, says the inspection note, emailed by inspector Rhonda Kukoly to her colleagues on Nov. 18, 2016.

The incident was confirmed in an overview report released Tuesday by the public inquiry into how Wettlaufer was able to kill and harm nursing home residents undetected for years until she confessed to her crimes, without prompting, in September 2016.

The overview report outlines the involvement of the Office of the Chief Coroner and local coroners with Wettlaufers victims. It does not describe the death referred to in the document as suspicious. But it notes that it occurred March 28, 2014, and names the victim as Maureen Pickering, killed when Wettlaufer gave her a lethal injection of insulin.

It appears that a local coroner was also contacted in relation to Maureen Pickerings death ... because of a recommendation made by the Woodstock Hospital Emergency Physician who had treated Ms Pickering five days earlier in Hospital, but the local coroner declined to investigate the death, says the overview report, compiled by officials with the public inquiry.

The report says Routledge, the registered nurse, also called local coroner Dr. William George.

Dr. George called back and did not feel this was a coroners case, the report says.

The report also notes that local coroners were contacted about two earlier victims of Wettlaufers at Caressant Care. One was James Silcox, who was Wettlaufers first murder victim in August 2007. The other was Wayne Hedges, who Wettlaufer attempted to kill with insulin between September and December 2008. He died Jan. 24, 2009. The local coroner was called because Hedges was the 10th person to die in the home, and the third in 24 hours.

In the Silcox case, Wettlaufer herself completed the form about his death sent to the coroners office. Dr. George, the local coroner, investigated Silcoxs death in September 2007. He ruled that he died as a result of complication following a fall in which he sustained a right hip fracture, the overview report states.

Former Ontario nurse Elizabeth Wettlaufer has been sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 25 years for murdering eight seniors in her care. The granddaughter of one victim says Wettlaufer is getting what she deserves. (The Canadian Press)

After Pickerings murder, Wettlaufer killed another resident in a nursing home in London, and attempted to kill two other people in her care.

The three cases reported to local coroners raise questions about whether a chance to catch Wettlaufer before she continued killing was missed.

The deaths of Wettlaufers six other victims at Caressant Care were reported to the coroners office, but Caressant staff did not contact a coroner directly because circumstances were deemed to not meet the criteria for doing so.

Dr. Rich Mann, regional supervising coroner for western Ontario, refused to comment when contacted by phone by the Star. Cheryl Mahyr, issues manager at the Office of the Chief Coroner, said privacy laws prevent her office from commenting on any investigation that might be conducted. She noted that deaths at long-term-care facilities get reported to the coroners office, but not all get investigated.

The coroners office conducts 16,000 investigations a year in Ontario, which result in about 7,000 autopsies being performed, she added.

Because of their training and their knowledge, they dont necessarily require an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death, Mahyr said, noted that Ontario coroners are licensed medical doctors. They can make those determinations, more often than not, based on medical history and circumstances of the death.

Ontarios chief coroner, Dr. Dirk Huyer, will be testifying at the public inquiry, which began Tuesday, into how Wettlaufer was able to kill and harm nursing home residents undetected for years until she confessed in September 2016.

Wettlaufer pleaded guilty a year ago to killing eight residents under her care in two nursing homes, and seriously harming six others. She was sentenced to life in prison, with no chance of parole for 25 years.

The public inquiry will also place the spotlight on the College of Nurses of Ontario, responsible for protecting the public from bad nurses. It failed to investigate Wettlaufer when Caressant Care informed the college the nurse was fired in March 2014 because of medication errors that put the life of a resident at risk.

Read more about:OTTAWADefence Minister Harjit Sajjan is sticking up for his department in the face of angry complaints from family members who want to see the results of an internal inquiry into the deaths of three Royal Military College students.

Although the frustration felt by the families of Harrison Kelertas, Brett Cameron and Matthew Sullivan is understandable, it takes time to do a proper and complete investigation, Sajjan told a conference call Tuesday.

We are actually trying to move as quickly as possible, Sajjan said from Vietnam, where he was on an official visit. But we want to do it in a responsible manner, that we do a thorough board of inquiry. It is extremely important that we get this right.

Read more:

Families of three deceased Royal Military College students demand answers from government

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The three young men, all of whom were students at the prestigious college in Kingston, Ont., are believed to have taken their own lives in separate incidents in 2016, although officials have yet to confirm any official cause of death.

Formal hearings wrapped up early last year, but while families were told a final report would be released within a few months, officials say military lawyers are still reviewing the findings.

The families say they cannot get closure until they know what happened to their sons and what is being done to prevent similar tragedies.

Some have also expressed fears that the findings could end up being sanitized to protect the military and senior leaders.

Defence officials have denied such allegations, saying the investigation has been extremely complex, involving 90 witnesses and 30,000 pages of documents, all of which needs to be reviewed.

We need to make sure that when we look into grave incidents like this that we leave no stone unturned, Sajjan said of the delay in releasing the final report.

We want to make sure that we have all the right facts in place so that we can look at the findings and make any necessary changes.

NDP defence critic Randall Garrison called on National Defence to release the report immediately.

My thoughts are with the families of these students who have been patiently waiting for answers for far too long, Garrison said in an email.

The Department of National Defence needs to release the findings of this inquiry without further delay so the families can get the closure they need.

This isnt the first time the military has come under fire for incomplete boards of inquiry; in 2013, it was revealed that dozens of inquiries into suspected military suicides were still unfinished  some more than five years old.

The Royal Military College inquiry is one of 15 involving suspected suicides by military personnel that are currently under review, according to the Department of National Defence.

While most were launched in 2016 or after, one dates back to 2011.

Defence Department spokesperson Daniel Le Bouthillier would not comment on specifics about that seven-year-old case except to say that it was a particularly challenging investigation.

The board responsible for investigating the case was reconvened in 2015 to address unanswered questions, Le Bouthillier added, and the final report is awaiting approval.

The Defence Department first ordered a formal board of inquiry be struck shortly after Kelertass body was found in his college dorm in April 2016, only weeks before the Hudson, Que., native was due to graduate. The 22-year-olds cause of death was listed as suspected suicide.

The inquiry was expanded a couple of weeks later when Cameron, who was in the same unit as Kelertas and considered the older student a mentor, also died at the college of suspected suicide. The 20-year-old was from London, Ont.

It was expanded yet again in August 2016, after Sullivan, 19, who had spent months in a holding platoon doing odd jobs while waiting to be medically released, died the same day that he returned home to Saint John.ST. THOMAS, ONT.Employers began raising red flags about rogue nurse Elizabeth Wettlaufer as early as in her first job out of nursing school, a public inquiry into the deaths of eight elderly patients heard on opening day.

Wettlaufer got fired from the Geraldton District Hospital in 1995 after she was caught high on drugs that she admitted stealing on the overnight shift, a packed courtroom was told. The next two decades saw Wettlaufer disciplined multiple times for a litany of medication errors, conflicts with co-workers, poor treatment of nursing home residents and generally shoddy work.

The public inquiry, which began Tuesday, documented the shocking systemic failings that allowed Wettlaufer to rampage through Ontarios long-term care system, ending only when, unprompted, she confessed in September 2016 to killing eight people in her care by injecting them with overdoses of insulin.

The son of the eighth person murdered by Wettlaufer said he wanted those who failed to prevent his fathers death held to account.

Read more:

Coroner rejected autopsy in home where Elizabeth Wettlaufer killed seven people, documents suggest

That evening, I got the urge to overdose James: Read serial killer Elizabeth Wettlaufers handwritten confession

Inside the troubled life of Elizabeth Wettlaufer, the nurse on the night shift

I want to see the health system revamped  nursing care, senior care, Arpad Horvath Jr. told reporters outside the inquiry. But mostly I want to see the people who are accountable be crucified in the public eye, online and everywhere.

Wettlaufer, 50, was fired in March 2014 from the Caressant Care nursing home in Woodstock, Ont., where she killed seven of her eight victims. The home notified the College of Nurses of the firing. But the college, responsible for keeping the public safe from bad nurses, didnt investigate Wettlaufer, leaving her with a spotless public record.

The firing came after Caressant managers noted more than 130 incidents of complaints from residents and workers in Wettlaufers employment file during her seven years at the nursing home, according to a chronology put together by the inquirys legal team. But when Wettlaufer grieved her firing, Caressant managers agreed to a demand from Wettlaufers union, the Ontario Nurses Association, to pay her $2,000 in damages.

Caressant also agreed to a union demand that provided Wettlaufer with a reference letter, which she could use to get another job. The letter said Wettlaufer left Caressant to pursue other opportunities, according to the chronology. The letter, the inquiry officials noted, also described Wettlaufer as a good problem solver, who is punctual and has good communication skills.

Wettlaufer was then hired by the Meadow Park nursing home in London, Ont., where she killed again. Before hiring her, officials at Meadow Park called two registered nurses who worked with Wettlaufer at Caressant Care and both gave her positive reviews, one describing her as a good worker, very good with residents.

Tom Friedland, legal counsel for the Ontario Long Term Care Association, said he wants the inquiry to address systemic failings, including the need to review the grievance process so that rogue employees such as Elizabeth Wettlaufer do not receive favourable letters of recommendation.

The inquiry also revealed that three of Wettlaufers victims were reported to local coroners, raising further questions about whether a chance to catch Wettlaufer before she continued killing was missed. One of the deaths was considered suspicious, but a local coroner refused to investigate, according to Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care documents obtained by the Star through a freedom of information request.

The documents from ministry inspectors list several patients who died at the home, their names redacted in the notes. At the end of the redacted names is a comment suggesting that both an emergency room doctor and a Caressant registered nurse believed the coroner should investigate a death.

Identified by ER physician as should be a coroners case, identified by (RN) Karen Routledge as suspicious, asked for an autopsy, coroner did not feel this was appropriate, says the inspection note, emailed by inspector Rhonda Kukoly to her colleagues on Nov. 18, 2016.

A report released by the public inquiry Tuesday does not describe the death referred to in the inspection notes as suspicious. But it makes clear the incident occurred March 28, 2014, and names the victim as Maureen Pickering, killed when Wettlaufer gave her a lethal injection of insulin.

It appears that a local coroner was also contacted in relation to Maureen Pickerings death ... because of a recommendation made by the Woodstock hospital emergency physician who had treated Ms Pickering five days earlier, but the local coroner declined to investigate the death, says the overview report, compiled by officials with the inquiry.

The report says Routledge, the registered nurse, also called local coroner Dr. William George, who said he did not feel this was a coroners case.

Cheryl Mahyr, issues manager at the Office of the Chief Coroner, said privacy laws prevent her office from commenting on any investigation that might be conducted. She noted that deaths at long-term care facilities get reported to the coroners office, but not all get investigated.

The coroners office conducts 16,000 investigations a year in Ontario, which result in about 7,000 autopsies being performed, she added.

Because of their training and their knowledge, they dont necessarily require an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death, Mahyr said, noting that Ontario coroners are licensed medical doctors. They can make those determinations, more often than not, based on medical history and circumstances of the death.

Commissioner Eileen Gillese presided during the inquirys opening day at the Elgin County courthouse. The commissions legal team reviewed more than 41,000 documents as it investigated four separate areas: the long-term care homes and home-care agencies that employed Wettlaufer; the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service; the College of Nurses of Ontario; and the provinces health ministry.

There are 627 long-term care homes in Ontario, and nearly 79,000 beds.

The inquirys co-lead counsel Mark Zigler said the ultimate aim of the probe is to identify systemic failures and restore public confidence in Ontarios long-term care and homecare systems.

We recognize that resident safety is paramount and believe the possibility that another Wettlaufer may be out there is a matter of concern, Zigler said, adding the overwhelming majority of health-care workers are trustworthy.

There is no suggestion that these events will be repeated in Ontario, but there is also no guarantee that they will not, he continued.

Wettlaufer pleaded guilty a year ago to killing eight residents under her care in two nursing homes, and seriously harming six others. She was sentenced to life in prison, with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Back in 1995, nurses coming to work on the morning shift at Geraldton District Hospital found Wettlaufer stumbling, slurring her speech and vomiting, the inquirys senior counsel Liz Hewitt said, running through the convicted serial killers spotty track record.

Wettlaufer, then a newly graduated registered nurse, kept changing the story of why she had taken the anti-anxiety drug Ativan from the hospitals locked medicine cabinet and how much of it she had consumed.

She told some colleagues she had taken two pills to take the edge off and get through the night shift. To others, she said she had taken four pills. And to others, she said she took 25 pills in an attempt to kill herself.

Wettlaufer successfully grieved the termination to her union, the Ontario Nurses Association. As part of a settlement between the union and hospital, her employment record was amended to state that she had resigned on her own accord for health reasons.

The incident also landed her on the radar of the College of Nurses of Ontario, the regulator for the profession. Addressing the incident as a substance abuse problem, the colleges Fitness to Practice Committee placed restrictions on her licence for a year. She agreed not to abuse any substances and to get help.

Both the union and the college have standing at the inquiry, which is exploring how shortcomings across the health-care system enabled Wettlaufer for nine years to go undetected as patients died.

Wettlaufers next job was as a personal support worker at a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities. She ran into trouble there too. Within the span of a single month, she was cited three time for failing to account for patient medication. The facility was made aware of the restrictions on her nursing licence.

Nevertheless, it gave her a glowing reference letter when she moved on to her next job.

Final recommendations from the inquiry are expected by July 31, 2019.

Read more about:REGINAThe mother of a teachers aide who died in a shooting at a northern Saskatchewan school says shes disappointed her daughters killer is filing an appeal.

The young man who killed four people and injured seven others in La Loche was sentenced in May as an adult to life in prison with no chance at parole for 10 years. His lawyer filed an appeal of the sentence Tuesday.

I dont want him to get an appeal, said Jackie Janvier, whose daughter, Marie Janvier, was one of those killed. Thats one thing I dont want, because Ive been through enough as it is already and yet have to start all over again.

The shooter was weeks away from his 18th birthday in January 2016 when he killed teenage brothers Dayne and Drayden Fontaine at their home before he fatally shot Janvier and teacher Adam Wood at the high school.

Although he was sentenced as an adult, he cant be named because of his appeal.

The shooters defence lawyer, Aaron Fox, said Tuesday that he will ask for the order that directs his client to be sentenced as an adult to be set aside.

Theres really not much else I can say at this time, Fox said. Thats the issue: should he have been sentenced as a youth or an adult. Were arguing that he should have been sentenced as a youth.

Fox wouldnt say why he didnt appeal the decision immediately after the judge made the ruling in February. He said his office filed the notice of appeal within 30 days of sentencing, as allowed by the rules of the court.

Crown prosecutor Pouria Tabrizi-Reardigan referred all questions for the case to the Ministry of Justice.

In May, a young man was sentenced to life in prison with no chance at parole for 10 years for killing four people in La Loche, Sask., in 2016. The mans lawyer expressed frustration over what he says is a lack of government help for the community. (The Canadian Press)

The Crown argued the teen should be sentenced as an adult given the seriousness of the crime and the offenders circumstances. That is what happened, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice said in an email.

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No date has been set for the hearing. A court communications officer indicated it is unlikely to be scheduled before the Court of Appeals fall sittings.

The parties each have to file a written argument. The court will then set a date for the hearing of the appeal, Fox said.

Janvier travelled from her home in La Loche to every court appearance since the shooting and said the appeal will be no different.

I just want justice to be done, she said.

The young man had been imprisoned at a provincial correctional centre, but was to serve his sentence in a federal penitentiary. Fox wouldnt say where his client has been serving his sentence.

The shooter pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder.

During the sentencing in May, Judge Janet McIvor called the shootings senseless and coldly horrific.

These school shootings were planned and calculated to inflict as much damage as possible, she told court.

Court heard the shooter began formulating a plan as early as September 2015. He researched different kinds of guns and the damage they could do to people.

The night before the shootings, he did an online search asking, What does it feel like to kill someone?

McIvor said the shootings have had a lasting impact on the northern community. Fewer teachers are willing to work there and there has been an increase in substance abuse and suicides, the judge said.

Students in the community arent receiving the support they need and are being revictimized, she added.

The shooter told court he cant undo what hes done, but he would if he could.

His motive for the shooting is still unclear. Fox has said his client told him: I ask myself that every day.As a debate at city hall raged in the summer of 2013 about whether to build a subway or a light-rail line in Scarborough, in front of TV cameras Kathleen Wynnes Liberal government appeared to stay the course.

Were on track to do LRT, then-transportation minister Glen Murray told reporters ahead of a crucial council decision that July. Less than a year earlier, the province had signed an agreement with the city to build and fund an LRT.

If youre asking am I ready to drop everything and say, OK, yeah, were just going to do a subway? Murray continued.

No.

Read more:

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But behind-the-scenes, Murray was already backing a subway and the Liberals were influencing a council process that would undo the LRT they had agreed to build, according to internal emails newly-obtained through a freedom of information request. In doing so, the province ignored expert advice that a subway was not justified and pressured what is meant to be the arms-length transit agency to endorse a subway in spite of the agencys backing of an LRT.

The emails from the premiers office, taken together with emails earlier obtained by the Star from the provincial transit agency Metrolinx, as well as records released to and detailed by journalist John Lorinc in a five-part Spacing investigation and recent interviews, offer a clear picture of how a more than billion-dollar transit project nearing construction was cancelled.

At last estimate, a subway  now planned to extend one stop from Kennedy Station on the Bloor-Danforth line to the Scarborough Town Centre, replacing the aging Scarborough RT  wont be built until at least 2026. And the cost, now $3.35 billion, is expected to increase.

There was a period in the middle of Rob Fords term as mayor when there was so much chaos that people saw their opportunity to advance their own interests instead of serving the public good, said Councillor Gord Perks, who supports the LRT plan. Were all paying for it now.

This is how it happened.

One of the citys most controversial transit debates played out in three acts, spanning three key council votes over five months in 2013. It began at a time when most city officials were still largely preoccupied with a debate over building a casino downtown, and it heated up as the world was about to find out there was a video of the mayor of Toronto smoking crack cocaine.

Before May 2013, then-TTC chair and city councillor Karen Stintz got a call from Greg Sorbara, a longtime Liberal MPP and former finance minister who had recently stepped down. He served as chair of the Ontario Liberal Partys campaign team until mid-March 2013. He encouraged Stintz to run for the mayors seat.

Jean-Pierre (JP) Boutros, former adviser to the TTC chair told the Star that Stintz detailed that call to him afterward in their city hall office. Sorbara, Boutros remembers Stintz told him, told Stintz the Scarborough subway needed a champion. Stintz  who had for months advocated for LRTs  should be that champion, Sorbara said, according to Boutros. Both Stintz and Sorbara, when reached by the Star, denied the conversation about the subway occurred. Sorbara said he encouraged Stintzs future campaign, but did not support a Scarborough subway. (Boutros and Stintz had a falling out shortly after the events that followed this call. Boutros later ran for Stintzs council seat and she endorsed another candidate).

I have been publicly in opposition to the construction of the Scarborough subway for quite some time and have been actively encouraging (Councillor) Josh Matlow to keep up the fight within city council, Sorbara told the Star. The Scarborough subway is an outrageously expensive non-solution to the transportation issues that confront the people of Scarborough.

Around the same time, Stintz met with the deputy minister of transportation to push for the subway, the Globe & Mail reported. After the meeting, Stintz ally Scarborough Centre Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker reportedly said he was immensely confident the province would support a subway.

Stintz then planned a way to reopen the debate, with help from De Baeremaeker, who had earlier teamed up with Stintz to push for a subway, according to an email from then Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig summarizing a conversation with Stintz. Emails show Stintz revived an agenda item on transit funding as a way to allow De Baeremaeker to introduce a motion on a subway at an upcoming council meeting.

At this point, the city and the province had already signed a master agreement to build an LRT in Scarborough, with the province committing in the November 2012 document to paying all construction-related costs.

On May 8, during the transit funding debate at council, De Baeremaeker stood in the chamber to move that council simply support a subway extension of the Bloor-Danforth line.

As the debate was underway, staff in Wynnes office debated the governments messaging after Murray had been quoted that day in the Star unequivocally saying the province wouldnt consider deviating from the LRT plan.

I dont think this is the positioning the P wanted on this issue, Wynne spokesperson Kelly Baker wrote to her colleagues, apparently referring to Wynne. Another email shows staffers used P for Premier to refer to Wynne. A spokesperson for Wynne did not respond to a specific question about the meaning when contacted by the Star. Baker, now a consultant, could not be reached for comment.

At the council meeting, Speaker Frances Nunziata ignored the city clerks advice that De Baeremaekers motion required a vote to reopen an earlier decision. Against council rules, the motion went ahead. It passed 35 to 9.

After the May vote, senior Metrolinx staff discussed sticking with the message that they were moving forward with an LRT.

We have a plan and an agreement with the city, wrote McCuaig.

Meanwhile, in minister Murrays office, one of his staff was asking Ministry of Transportation officials to provide estimates of what it would cost to build a line in Scarborough underground, emails obtained by Spacing show.

In June, city manager Joe Pennachetti, the citys top bureaucrat, wrote to McCuaig with a request, saying it was critical the Metrolinx CEO send a letter to outline the requirement of council approval related to any possible amendments to the master agreement and the Scarborough SRT being replaced by subway. Essentially, Pennachetti was asking Metrolinx to tell council they needed to specifically vote to change the master agreement and build a subway.

The premiers director of communications Lise Jolicoeur emailed her colleagues to say Metrolinx was seeking input and feedback on a letter seeking clarity on councils position.

Since its creation in 2006, Metrolinx has been governed by provincial legislation that says agency officials shall be guided in all its decisions and actions by the transportation plan set out by the province  setting it up to be, in theory, an arms-length independent body, as described on the Ministry of Transportations website. In 2013, the provinces transportation plan included an LRT for Scarborough.

Drew Davidson, then a special assistant in the premiers office, wrote to her colleagues on June 26 questioning why a letter from McCuaig was needed at all.

Why are we asking for clarity? she wrote. Are we asking for clarity (because) we are open to working with them on changing this project? Or, are we looking to drive a hard line by reminding them of the master agreement?

The email continued: If its the latter, I think from a (communications) perspective, the letter doesnt work. Its dragging on a story by asking for a response when we should just be saying were not changing the plan.

David Black, then Murrays chief of staff, wrote on June 27 that the Metrolinx board was open to amendments to the letter, however they are concerned that the issue is political and that the letter may best come from an elected official. The specific concerns from the board were not spelled out in emails released to the Star.

Despite all that, Wynnes chief of staff and principal secretary Andrew Bevan and Murrays office, the emails show, helped edit and signed off on the letter that was ultimately sent by McCuaig on June 28, specifically asking for council to confirm its position before August.

The letter put the issue on the agenda of the next council meeting for a vote. Did council want a subway or an LRT?

The same day, June 28, Black and other officials were sent a business case analysis from senior Metrolinx staff comparing the LRT to a subway, according to the Spacing investigation. Dated May 2013, that preliminary analysis, obtained by the Star, indicated that the subway scheme will not present a good use of public investment dollars, and we therefore recommend proceeding with the LRT as designed in the master agreement with the city of Toronto.

A later version of that report also concluded the subway was not a worthwhile use of money compared to the LRT. Its not clear what Black did with the analysis. None of the versions were made public until they were released to journalists through freedom of information requests.

A key moment came at the beginning of July, when Wynne called byelections in several ridings, including Scarborough-Guildwood. In a tight race, the Liberals put up Mitzie Hunter as their candidate, the CEO of CivicAction, which had long backed the plan for a network of LRTs. She was branded a subway champion, reflecting the Liberals new position on the issue.

By July 9, Murrays staff had crafted a communications approach in a document titled Scarborough subway strategy, which Bevan in the premiers office signed off on over email.

Goal: Take control of the message and ensure Ontario government is recognized as the leader and funder of a subway system in Scarborough, it read.

Murrays proposed schedule included a media event for the day after the July council vote to announce the governments plans to help Scarborough residents get a subway  a plan that assumed council would favour a subway, a week before the vote. The plan was circulated before Murray told reporters the government wouldnt flip to supporting a subway with a signed master agreement on the table.

Five days before the July vote, the citys chief planner, Jennifer Keesmaat, who supported the LRT as the best plan for Scarborough, spoke to a member of the premiers staff, Brian Teefy, about the LRT.

In an email to Liberal staffers, Teefy relayed what Keesmaat had said: that the subway would reduce the number of stops, serve fewer priority neighbourhoods and wouldnt reach capacity for decades. Bevan responded, pointing out the drop to three stations from seven was a real negative. And the route is worse than for LRT.

Two days before the council vote, Murray met with Ford. According to a summary of the meeting sent by Black to his colleagues, Murray told the mayor the province would support a subway, committing $1.4 billion.

At the July council meeting, at Fords urging, council voted 28 to 16 in favour of a subway.

But the July vote did not seal the deal on a subway. It was not yet clear how to pay for the additional $2 billion needed for the estimated $3.56-billion, three-stop extension and opposition remained on council to undoing the master agreement.

By September, Murray announced the Liberals own plan for building a subway above ground along the existing route of the Scarborough RT, with two new stops. The plan, Murray said, would cost just $1.4 billion  the amount available from the Liberals without other funding commitments.

Some on the Metrolinx board questioned the provinces push for a subway.

All of this political machinating seems to easily undermine a lot of very good work, wrote Metrolinx board member Marianne McKenna to McCuaig and fellow board members on Sept. 6., noting the benefits on the LRT.

Then-board member Frances Lankin agreed: I get the politics of all this (as distasteful as it is) but it is now not clear what the boards role is on this issue at this time.

Lankin, now a senator and no longer affiliated with Metrolinx, told the Star she was shocked by the flip-flop. This to me is just such a study in populist political positioning overriding evidence-based policymaking, she said.

But Murrays office continued to push back with Metrolinx and the board.

Metrolinx was crafting a new letter to the city about the Murray version of the subway, saying Metrolinx supported the consideration of that option. Murrays chief of staff, Black, told the board they had to comply with the ministers wishes.

We cannot have any daylight between the (Metrolinx) board and the minister, Black wrote to board chair Rob Prichard and McCuaig. In the absence of any confirmed technical issues then (Metrolinx) should support the governments decision to have the Scarborough subway in the SRT alignment.

Metrolinx is an implementation agency, Black wrote to Bevan in the premiers office. The minister made a decision and it is up to (Metrolinx) to implement that decision not reevaluate it.

As demanded, Metrolinx changed the letter to say they had consistently supported using the SRT corridor.

Near the end of September, the federal government pledged $660 million for a subway. But that left a $910-million gap. Without enough funding to proceed, the issue was returned to the council agenda for an October meeting.

At that meeting, the subway option was confirmed in a close 24 to 20 vote. Council decided to deal with the funding gap by taxing every Toronto homeowner for at least 30 years.

Stintz, who had denied having mayoral ambitions, would run in the 2014 election. Sorbara donated $1,500 to her campaign, which was aided by top Liberal strategists Dave Gene and Don Guy. She wouldnt finish the race, exiting at less than 5 per cent in the polls two months before the vote. She declined to comment on additional questions for this story.

Many others have since left the political landscape, including Murray, who told the Star on Monday that the decisions made were the governments, not that of a single minister. This was implementation of a government decision not debating the merits of the case for and against different transit options, he said, adding they prudently decided to seek clarity from council and supported the mayors priority projects.

McCuaig declined to comment. Prichard, who is still the board chair, said in an email that it would be inappropriate for Metrolinx to comment on governmental decisions during an election period.

Davidson, now Ontario Liberal Party spokesperson, said they respect the decision made by council on the subway and will continue to work with the city of Toronto to deliver this project.

Thirty-six hours after council confirmed their support of a subway at the October meeting, Metrolinx board members got an update from McCuaig about the agencys new messages on Scarborough transit. They included that Metrolinx is prepared to work with the city and the TTC now that Toronto city council has confirmed its commitment to extend the Bloor-Danforth subway.

Prichard responded directly, emphasizing that the city, not the province, would have to pay for the tens of millions in costs wasted on planning the LRT because of the switch to a subway plan. He referenced another cancelled deal that had been plaguing the Liberal government.

He wrote: No gas plants for us, thanks.

Clarification- June 6, 2018:

This article was updated from a previous version to include a comment from Greg Sorbara making clear his opposition to the construction of the Scarborough subway.

Read more about:Transgender voters are speaking out after receiving registration cards bearing their former names, saying the need to clear up name changes in person could put others in an unfair and potentially unsafe position.

Cecilio Escobar, a transgender documentary filmmaker who legally changed his name in 2016, said it was infuriating to receive an incorrect voter card early last week after he had put in work to update his other forms of identification, including his Ontario-issued drivers licence and health card.

Everything says Cecilio Escobar, he said, referring to his IDs. Its like everything we do is in vain. Its super infuriating.

Escobar, who has not yet cast his ballot, said he fears other trans or non-binary voters may not know they are able to vote, or will worry about having to out themselves in front of droves of people.

Eligible voters will be able to cast a ballot, even if their registration card is incorrect, Elections Ontario spokesperson Cara Des Granges told the Star.

There was a May 29 deadline for updating voter registry information online, she said, but residents still have the option of clarifying their identification in-person at their local returning office, or at the polls on voting day.

It is important to note that while someone may have legally changed their name on certain documents, a legal name change does not automatically change the name on Elections Ontarios voters list, Des Granges said. This is why we ask Ontarians to update their information ahead of election day or at the polls when they go to vote.

To be eligible to vote in the June 7 provincial election, a voter must be 18 or older on election day, a Canadian citizen and a resident of Ontario.

If a voters registration card is correct, Des Granges said, they must bring proof of their name to the polling station.

If the name on the card is incorrect, or the voter is not on the voters list, the voter must bring identification that proves both their name and current address.

The Elections Ontario website includes a list of examples of acceptable ID.

Both Escobar and Soren DAlimonte, who changed his name last year, said they werent aware of the deadline to update their registry information online.

DAlimonte, who went to the polls early to avoid crowds, brought proof of his name change.

I brought it with me because I knew how this would go down. I didnt let myself get twisted, because, at the end of the day, I know who I am, he said.

Staff were professional when they accommodated him, DAlimonte said.

Still, he says the experience was frustrating. Those things shouldnt happen because it makes a lot of people feel unsafe, disrespected and unwelcome, DAlimonte said.

I hope we just get our right names on the cards the next time.

Both men said asking trans voters to clear up name-related issues at the polls can cause safety concerns.

Its a trans persons right when to disclose that, Escobar said, so youre forcing us to disclose our status. Its another way of othering us, when we are just citizens voting.

Escobar said he had updated his registry information in mid-May, in order to preclude any mix ups, but still received an incorrect card last week.

I thought, Oh s---t, is this going to cause me problems when I go to vote? because all my IDs have my new name. I freaked out a little, he said.

Escobar received another card last Thursday bearing his correct name.

Before you go

Punctuality

Greetings

Meetings

Food

Conversations

Do your research about where you are visiting in Spain. The country has 17 diverse regions, each with their own history, traditions and dialects. No one expects you to know everything about that area  but some background research can facilitate smooth relations.It is a common joke that everything in Spain happens later. Later can be tomorrow, in three days, or even in a few months.Despite the joke, you shouldnt assume that all Spaniards will be late. Arrive on time to your meetings to make a good impression.When meeting someone in Spain for the first time, you might think that kissing each cheek is the norm. However, in business situations people will only greet each other this way if they know them very well.Stick to a handshake, then change greetings accordingly as you get to know people.Doing business is all about trust. Expect your first meeting to be all about getting to know one another. People will want to check if you are honest and reliable before starting a business relationship and negotiating any work.Eating is an important part of both social and business culture in Spain. The business day in Spain begins around eight in the morning and there is around a three-hour break for lunch. However, this isnttime.These three hours are for eating, drinking and socialising  not for business. This is a great time to get to know everyone. Ask about their family, home life or hobbies.Not everyone you encounter will speak English. And even if they do, try to start out speaking in Spanish, for example greet them and ask a few questions. It gives a good first impression and shows you respect them.At Stone Junction, we know that the best way to learn about business in another country is to fully immerse yourself in the culture. Our international team has the linguistic and cultural information you need to successfully communicate with people in other countries. To find out more about how we can help you at your next international business meeting, call me on +44 (0)1785 225 416 or e-mail me at alison@stonejunction.co.uk.Rocco Zito cast an imposing shadow until the last day of his life.

It didnt matter that the longtime mobster was 87 years old, stood five-foot-six, and occasionally needed a walker, afternoon naps, adult diapers, and help navigating stairs.

Zito was shot to death in his North York bungalow shortly before suppertime on Jan. 29, 2016 by his son-in-law, Domenic (Mimmo) Antonio Scopelliti, 54, whos now charged with murder.

A jury began deliberating Scopellitis fate on Tuesday, after a month-long trial at the University Ave. courthouse before Madam Justice Faye McWatt.

Scopelliti has argued self-defence, saying Zito pulled a gun on him first.

Zito had plenty of enemies on the streets, but his death came at the hand of someone who lived under his roof for two dozen years. Scopelliti had lived in a basement apartment in Zitos bungalow at 160 Playfair Ave. in North York since his marriage to Scopellitis daughter Laura in October 1992. They had raised their four children there and expected to inherit the home after Zitos death.

The Crown has argued that Scopelliti shot Zito three times in the chest out of frustration a few days after Zito, who had five daughters, announced plans to change his will.

Shortly afterwards, Scopelliti bunkered himself in the basement and ordered his then-wife Laura to stop associating with her father and to stop driving him to medical appointments.

The Scopellitis have divorced since the shooting.

During the trial, Scopelliti said he was disgusted with Zito about the planned changes to his inheritance, but said he wasnt about to resort to murder.

I said, You promised, you promised, you promised, Scopelliti testified. Forget about it. I dont want anything to do with you ... You really are just a rat and a snitch.

On the witness stand, Scopelliti said he saw the tensions with his father-in-law as based in honour, not money.

Its only money, Scopelliti said. Its not honour. You cant buy honour.

Scopelliti argued he shot Zito purely out of self-defence.

If he did not have a gun, nothing would have happened, Scopelliti said. I would have loved for him to pass away peacefully.

When Scopelliti pulled the trigger that afternoon, Laura Scopelliti lost both a husband and a father.

I was shocked, she said. I couldnt believe what I was seeing. I was frightened. I was alone.

Speaking about her father, she said: I kneeled down to him  I held his hand. I caressed his face and I said, I love you Papa.

Scopelliti has been in custody since the day of the shooting, after turning himself in to police.

The trial heard that Zito remained an active loan shark into his senior years and that he was once a founding member of the local Camera di Controllo, or ruling body of the Calabrian Ndrangheta Mafia group.

Scopelliti was often Zitos driver, although he said he wasnt taken into Zitos inner circle.

Were you Rocco Zitos right-hand man? defence lawyer Brian Ross asked.

No, no, Scopelliti said. Not in that sense. I was never involved directly in anything like that.

The trial heard that Zito had plenty of guns, money and anger until his final breath.

A rifle was stored by a radiator and another one with a scope hung on a hook in the en suite bathroom, under a towel. A pistol was in a pouch in a locked cabinet by the dining room. Some bullets were stashed by picture books of dogs in a drawer. Others in a Costco pill bottle were tucked into balled up socks. Other ammunition sat in a drawer on a bedroom night table.

At the time of his death, Zito had $1,070 in his wallet, including a $1,000 bill. He also carried a screwdriver in a sheath.

Police found $1,750 in a drawer, $17,475 in a pair of wallets, $2,000 in a paper envelope, $251 in U.S. currency in a briefcase, and 18,570 (roughly $27,900) in a wallet.

Laura Scopelliti said she and family members found at least another $100,000 in a duffel bag in Zitos bedroom after his death.

A bank statement in the home showed Zito had more than $1 million in a Toronto account. Court heard Zito also had $2 million or $3 million in Italian bank accounts and that his house was mortgage free.

On the day of the shooting, Zito called down to him in the basement to come up and talk, Scopelliti testified.

He said that things quickly got ugly, and he called Zito a rat and a snitch.

Zitos daughter Laura said she overheard the dispute.

The last thing you heard your father say was, Ill make you pay for this? Ross asked.

Yes, thats correct, she said.

Crown attorney Anna Stanford grilled Scopelliti on why he didnt simply disengage from Zito after he said the mobster threatened him on the basement stairs.

In a fit of rage and bitterness you decided to end it on those stairs, Stanford said in her oft-heated cross-examination.

That really is such a crazy speculation on your part, Scopelliti replied.

You called him a rat and a snitch, Stanford said.

I told him the truth, Scopelliti said.

You insulted him in the worst possible way for a guy like that, Stanford said.

He insulted me, Scopelliti replied.

There was no question that Zito was capable of killing, as well as insults.

He was charged with murder in Italy in 1952, but that case was later dismissed.

Zito was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison in 1986, after pleading guilty to manslaughter for clubbing Toronto photographer Rosario Sciarrino with a Millefiori liqueur bottle and then shooting him three times with a .38 revolver over an unpaid loan.

Sciarrino originally borrowed $10,000 from Zito to begin his photography business, but compounded monthly interest meant he owed Zito more than $90,000 when he was killed on Jan. 13, 1986.

There were plenty of photos of Zito throughout his bungalow, including one outside the basement bedroom once shared by the Scopellitis.

There werent any photos of Scopelliti on any of the walls.

The photos of Zito throughout the house make him look big and strong and powerful.

Those photos of Zito were taken by Sciarrino, the photographer he beat and shot to death.

Laura Scopelliti talked respectfully, and even lovingly, of her father, even though he sometimes insulted her and hit another daughter with his cane.

With his family he was a very good person, Laura Scopelliti testified.

He called you useless, Ross said.

Sometimes, she said. I dont know  He did it to everyone. Everyone understood ... Im not going to hold any grudge. You just let it slide. Its life.

Zito began life in a Calabrian Mafia  or Ndrangheta  family in the southern Italian community of Fiumara.

Zitos father Domenico and uncle Rocco were each considered senior member of the Ndrangheta there, according to Italian court documents.

Zitos father was deported from Canada because of his Italian court record.

Zito himself made several attempts to move to North America. He was deported to Italy from New York City when nabbed as a stowaway in the late 1940s and then kicked out again when caught trying to sneak into Galveston, Texas, in 1949.

Finally, in 1955, he was allowed into Canada, legally arriving in Montreal.

His contacts here were a Whos Who of the mob in Canada.

They include Alberto Agueci of Scarborough, who was tortured and murdered in 1961 in upstate New York after threatening to inform on the Magaddino crime family of Buffalo; and Paolo Violi of Hamilton, who was murdered in Montreal in 1978.

During his testimony, Scopelliti said he continues to fear for his life because of Zitos associates who are still alive.

When I get out, who knows what will happen, Scopelliti said. If I get out.KITCHENER -A prosecutor denied trying to sweep allegations of police corruption under the rug Monday while testifying at the trial for Toronto defence lawyer Leora Shemesh on perjury and attempt to obstruct justice charges.

Crown attorney Robert Johnston told Superior Court Justice Gerald Taylor that during one of his Brampton drug cases, Shemesh told him she had seen a nanny cam video showing Peel Regional Police Const. Ian Dann stealing money from her clients safe.

Told that information, Johnston said he stayed the charges against her client and asked Dann, one of the arresting officers, if any money was stolen.

The officer at first denied removing any money but later told Johnston he had taken between $400 and $2,000 and given it to Shemeshs client in order to try and convert her into a confidential informant, Johnston testified.

Shemeshs lawyer, Marie Henein, challenged Johnston repeatedly on how he handled that revelation, particularly in light of the fact a Superior Court judge found that Dann and the other arresting officers colluded and committed perjury in one of Shemeshs previous cases.

What Im going to suggest to you Mr. Johnston is that after you get this information from Constable Dann ... you do everything you can to clean up this mess for him. Do you accept thats what you then do? Henein asked.

I most certainly did not, Johnston replied.

Im going to suggest to you you make sure Constable Dann never hits the stand, right, because he never does, Henein continued.

I did nothing to outwardly make sure he didnt hit the stand except in regards to this one matter that I stayed so to avoid the potential of a confidential informant being identified.

He added: If Constable Dann stole that money, he deserves whatever he gets.

Well he did not get any retribution from you, right? Henein replied.

Shemesh is asking the judge to stay the charges against her or exclude sworn testimony where she denied claiming a nanny cam video existed, arguing she was improperly compelled to testify.

The Crown alleges Shemesh attempted to obstructed justice by claiming to have a nanny cam video showing Dann stealing money from her clients residence, when no such video existed.

Pretrial motions began Monday and if the judge agrees to exclude her testimony there will no trial in September.

At the end of Mondays proceeding, Taylor told Johnston he is troubled about Danns admission about giving money to Shemeshs client.

How is that not theft? the judge asked Johnston.

I concur, the prosecutor, a former police officer, said after a long pause, however at the moment we were simply trying to determine what we were doing with this one case as far as whether a CI (confidential informant) relationship existed and whether we could or could not proceed and whether we could put Constable Dann on the stand to allow him to be cross-examined and perhaps the (nanny cam) videotaped played. The fact there may well have been a theft, was something for Peel police internal affairs to investigate.

Thats what Im hung up on. It may well have been a theft ... how can it be anything but, the judge said.

Johnston said he wasnt conducting a criminal investigation, he was just trying to sort out the existence of a tape issue.

The hearing resumes Tuesday.Toronto police have arrested two men in connection to a homicide in the Upper Beaches neighbourhood on May 25.

Police rushed to the scene of 550 Kingston Rd. on the 25th at 11:12 p.m. after receiving a call for a report of a stabbing.

There they found William David Long, 56, who had been stabbed multiple times and suffered extensive upper-body injuries, police say. Police believe he was attacked in the stairwell of the apartment building. He was taken to hospital, but soon died from his injuries.

It was Torontos 34th homicide of the year.

Tiek Anthony Kydd, 21, and Noah Hurlock, 19, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Kydd appeared in court on June 4, and Hurlock will appear in court on June 5.Its a boy! A rare baby peregrine falcon hatched on the roof of the Lakeridge Health Oshawa hospital building and has been named Ripley.

Ripley hatched in early May on the roof of the G-wing, weighing 820 grams. The name was chosen by a Lakeridge Health painter, who was one of the staff to first discover the at-risk species of falcons nesting on the roof.

The proud peregrine falcon parents (one from Toronto and one from Buffalo) have been nesting on the roof of the Oshawa hospital for years.

Once they have set up in the area they come back every year, said Neil Clarke, director of engineering, infrastructure and security for Lakeridge Health.

The nesting pair use a box designed by hospital staff (under the guidance of experts at the Canadian Peregrine Foundation) and dive bomb hospital maintenance workers if they come too close to the nest. Workers are now in the habit of wearing hard hats and holding a broom over their heads to keep the crow-sized birds at bay.

You have to be very careful around them especially when they have young ones, said Clarke. You hold a broom higher than your head and they hit the broom instead.

A webcam has been installed on the hospital roof so maintenance workers can make sure the adult birds arent too close by before climbing onto the roof.

Now the Lakeridge Health IT department is working to open the video feed from the camera to the public through the Canadian Peregrine Foundation website. Its expected to be live for the public in the next month.

Once the webcam is up and running that will be cool, said Clarke. Its not the most pretty, theres quite a lot of clean up. They eat a lot of pigeons.

Clarke said the hospital had a problem with pigeons before the peregrines made the roof their home. The birds of prey work as a team, with one bird distracting the pigeon while the other dives down from a height to catch it and take it back to the nest for the baby bird.

Peregrine falcons are a well-known species at risk of becoming threatened or endangered. According to the Canadian Peregrine Foundation, the population started drastically declining in the 1950s due to the use of DDT pesticide disrupting the calcium in the birds eggshells. Any eggs that were produced were too thin to take the weight of the parents during incubation. Many countries banned the use of DDT in the 1970s, but many countries still use the pesticide and peregrines have a large migration territory, according to the Canadian Peregrine Foundation.

For decades, there have been ongoing efforts by environmental groups to help increase the number of peregrines. Thousands of young peregrines have been released across Canada.

Many predator birds have a high rate of juvenile mortality. Approximately 80 per cent of peregrines die before turning 1 year old, according to the Canadian Peregrine Foundation. The peregrine population in Canada is growing but slowly, according to the experts.

Ripleys egg was the only one that hatched of four laid on the Oshawa hospital roof this year. Last year none of the eggs hatched. Representatives from the Ministry of Environment came to the Oshawa hospital recently to place a tracking band on Ripley and took the unhatched eggs to study.

The peregrine family usually stays on the Oshawa hospital roof until September and then migrates south.

Read more about:A prosecutor is urging a jury not to be fooled by defence lawyer arguments that Calvin Nimoh plunged a knife into the back and head of Mark Ernsting nine times because the cancer researcher propositioned him on a Toronto street.

Dr. Mark Ernsting was not out looking for fun. He wasnt doing so one block away from his own condominium, Crown attorney Lindsay Kromm said during closing arguments Tuesday.

Do not be fooled by this suggestion.

Defence lawyer Charn Gill is asking the jury to find Nimoh guilty of manslaughter, to which he has already tried to plead guilty. The prosecution alleges Nimoh is guilty of first-degree murder because he intended to rob and to kill or injure an innocent, unsuspecting, upstanding member of our society.

Ernsting, employed at the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research, was returning to home from his evening walk just before 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2015 when he crossed paths with Nimoh on McGill St., near Ryerson University.

Reiterating his clients testimony, Gill said Ernsting said to Nimoh, Do you want to have some fun. Rather than a planned and deliberate murder, our position is that there simply was no plan at all ... this was an impulsive act triggered by Dr. Ernstings words to Calvin, Gill said.

Nimoh, 24, impulsively stabbed Ernsting as a reaction to the feelings he was trying to work through about homosexuality in the context of his (own) sexual abuse, and the fact that minutes earlier his girlfriend told him she was leaving him for a same-sex relationship, Gill told jurors.

Nimoh meets the criteria of someone suffering from an anti-social personality disorder due to his horrific upbringing and experiences of sexual abuse as a child, he said. Impulsivity is an important element of the disorder, which means to act without thought or intent, he added.

He had never been in this situation before and therefore even though he had never reacted this way to a gay sexual proposition before he had possibly reached the tipping point for him.

Nimoh also testified he does not remember stabbing Ernsting. He also denied mugging and stabbing theatre director Glynis Brownsey, 65, two hours earlier near Yonge and Summerhill. Ernsting was 39.

Kromm shot down the defence narrative.

Dr. Ernsting didnt say one word to Mr. Nimoh, because he never got the chance to, she said.

Mr. Nimoh stabbed him four times in the back to control him, to immobilize him, and to brutalize him: a man who weighed just 132 pounds.

Ernsting had not one defensive wound on his body. Not to his hands, arms or front of his torso, she noted.

If Calvin Nimoh had approached Mark Ernsting face to face as he tells you he did, we would surely expect to see some evidence of Dr. Ernsting having fought for his life when presented with that red-handled Betty Crocker knife. But there is nothing. Because Dr. Ernsting never had a chance.

The jury will return to Superior Court on Thursday to hear the judges charge before beginning deliberations.Testifying at a human rights tribunal hearing Tuesday, a retired Toronto police staff sergeant denied ever commenting about Const. Heather McWilliams clothing or remarking on her weight when the two officers worked together at a north Etobicoke police station.

Joe Dawson, a longtime officer who worked at 23 division for nearly 30 years before retiring in September, also denied scrawling an inappropriate message on a note to McWilliam at work.

McWilliam has previously told the tribunal that in 2011 Dawson wrote Youre smokin hot on a piece of paper, handed it to her, then told her not to tell anyone.

I didnt do that, Dawson testified, shaking his head.

McWilliam, 35, filed a complaint to Ontarios Human Rights Tribunal in 2014, alleging that during her time with Toronto police she was subjected to a poisoned work environment that included sexual harassment, solicitation and gender discrimination at the hands of supervisors.

Through testimony that began in 2016, the tribunal has heard of numerous instances of sexual harassment McWilliam says happened on the job or in off hours with co-workers. That includes the claim that another senior police officer, the now-retired Sgt. Angelo Costa, kissed McWilliam and tried to put his tongue down her throat at a work social event, and that he mimed sex acts in her presence and told her he wanted to lick her.

Costa took the stand last month and denied the allegations. None of McWilliam's allegations have yet been proven at the tribunal.

McWilliam has also claimed that she was subjected to demeaning and inappropriate comments by her superiors, including Dawson, who she met at 23 division where he was a high-ranking officer. She claims Dawson would comment on her weight, noting that it fluctuated  and that he didnt stop remarking on it, even after she told him she had a medical condition.

No, I didnt do that, Dawson said.

The retired officer also denied McWilliams claims that he told her he watched her when she was in the gym, and that hed informed her that she should wear heels and skirts.

Im not the dress police, Dawson said, when asked if he had made suggestions about McWilliams attire if she were to join the divisions criminal investigative bureau, where officers are not required to wear their uniform.

Since McWilliams hearing began, another female Toronto police officer has filed a complaint to the human rights tribunal alleging sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. In a complaint filed late last year, Sgt. Jessica McInnis alleges her former police partner, Det. Mark Morris, subjected her to a barrage of sexist and harassing messages; Morris has denied the allegations through his lawyer.

Following McInniss complaint, the Toronto police board commissioned a report on current workplace sexual harassment policies within the police service, in order to determine whether changes are necessary. That report is expected at the upcoming police board meeting.

At the tribunal, the board has denied McWilliams allegations and argued the tribunal should not consider whether there is a systemic sexual harassment problem within Toronto police, as McWilliam has claimed, because she is the sole officer bringing forward the allegations.

McWilliams hearing continues Wednesday.Anger is a big motivator for me, New Democrat leader Andrea Horwath said in the weeks before her first run for premier in 2011. Horwath, whod developed a reputation as a scrappy, tenacious politician, was speaking to the Star about poverty and social struggle in her hometown of Hamilton, and her desire to make life better for people. If I werent angry, she said, Id be overcome by frustration.

Anger is a word Horwath rarely uses these days, in her third provincial election campaign  the first where she is a strong contender for premier.

Sitting in the back of the creamsicle-coloured NDP bus, exactly seven days before the election, Horwath sidesteps anger when asked if she is still fuelled by it, and pivots instead to disappointment.

In some places in Ontario, people are pretty unhappy  she pauses  and somewhat angry, she allows, but in most places theres just this real sense of disappointment.

Disappointment, she continues, picking up steam now that shes landed on a key campaign word, that four years later after the last election, things havent gotten better. In fact, theyve gotten worse.

Read more:

Doug Ford is a polarizing politician seen by his supporters as a charismatic leader full of folksy charm

Wynne pleads with voters to elect enough Liberals to keep Tories and New Democrats in check

On the eve of Election Day, Ontarios leaders are set for one last pass through the GTA

As the bus rumbles down the Don Valley Parkway, heading back to Queens Park after a campaign stop in Scarborough, Horwath says voters drawn to the New Democrats have a feeling that something special is happening in Ontario. She circles her fingers in the air, as if trying to conjure the NDP magic. Theres a sense that theres some opportunity for change, to do something completely different, she says.

This is the anti-anger, change-championing Andrea Horwath of 2018, rejecting the narrative from pundits who say there is no tide of hope motivating the strong NDP performance in polls, only a goal to avoid less desirable alternatives.

Its a marked shift from the Andrea Horwath we saw in 2014, when New Democrats forced an election by voting against a progressive Liberal budget, and then ran a campaign that was criticized for running to the right of Kathleen Wynnes Liberals in an attempt to court conservative voters.

This time around, Horwath has returned to a more traditional New Democrat platform, promising change for the better with affordable childcare, expanded pharmacare and billions in new hospital funding.

The shift raises the question, what are Ontario voters getting if they elect Andrea Horwath?

Despite the fact that she has run in more provincial elections than her opponents, Horwath is seen as a bit of an enigma  likeable, but difficult to read; inscrutable. A Macleans writer called her one of the least exciting politicians in the land.

Horwath is at a loss to explain why people seem to feel they dont know her. Im certainly no different than I was in the last number of years, she says.

Horwath, 55, was raised in Stoney Creek, a small town that is now a part of Hamilton, with an older sister and two younger brothers. Her father, Andrew, who immigrated to Canada from the former Czechoslovakia, was an autoworker at the Ford Motor Co. in Hamilton who instilled in her the importance of fairness for working people. Her mother, Diane, worked as a janitor until suffering a bad back injury at home.

We had it tough growing up, says her brother, Mike Horwath, works in quality control for a Toyota manufacturing plant in Woodstock. We were like everybody else  middle class, everything was earned. I think thats where she gets her work ethic and determination.

Andrea has worked really hard for everything shes got. When she talks about everyday Ontarians, she is one.

Horwath put herself through school, studying labour relations at McMaster University while waiting tables at a Hamilton restaurant, where she met Ben Leonetti, a jazz musician and DJ. They were together for 25 years before splitting  amicably, she has said  in 2010. Their son, Julian, 25, is an aspiring hip hop artist.

After working as a community organizer, Horwath got her political start in Hamilton city council in 1997, where she became an advocate for social housing issues. She was elected to Queens Park in a May 2004 byelection, and won the leadership in 2009.

Politics for most people its almost like a second job, Mike says. They own businesses, theyre on boards of trustees; politics is not their livelihood. With my sister, since being on city council, when she went into politics, that is her only job, so she takes it very seriously.

Back on the campaign bus, when asked what voters should know about her, personally, aside from career milestones and biographical bullet points, Horwath pauses, then offers, I have a dog named Waffles? This gets a chuckle from her staffers and a reporter sitting in the back of the campaign bus, and with the laughter Horwath seems to feel more at ease.

While the NDP mantra of hope and change is not an original one, pundits have said Horwaths team has run a strong campaign, markedly different from the last.

Horwath is an incomparably better campaigner in this election than she has ever been before, Robin Sears, a former NDP strategist, wrote in the Star. She oozed the confidence of a leader comfortable in her skin in recent weeks, with none of her earlier moments of hesitation.

She has, for the most part, stayed out of the mud, while benefitting from the Liberals and PC attacks on each other. When the PCs have hammered at Horwath about radical NDP candidates, dredging up old social media posts, Horwath has expressed disappointment with the mudslinging  not anger, though she has often appeared on the verge of unleashing it  and has repeated the mantra that things dont have to be this way.

Horwath acknowledges the differences in approach between the last campaign and this one, but says her focus on improving quality of life for families has remained constant.

Everything that Ive done, from the time I was serving tables, really, has been about making life better for people, and working with people to make change that makes a difference.

With files from Star archives

Read more about:A regular collection of tales from the campaign trail.

After a weekend of bad news for her party, Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne had some good news  at least, for those who love sweets.

Campaigning in the riding of Newmarket-Aurora, she was presented with a heaping box of deliciousness by local Liberal candidate Chris Ballard.

A visit to Newmarket would not be complete without some wonderful butter tarts from the Maids Cottage. Enjoy! enthused Ballard, who is also environment minister.

Not missing a beat, Wynne responded, There are no calories in butter tarts in an election campaign!

That was welcome news to those on the campaign tour, who were last seen wolfing down the pastries.

More food for thought

The minister of energy is using a lot of energy going door-to-door meeting voters.

Glenn Thibeault, who is seeking re-election in his Sudbury riding, said he's been logging about 15,000 to 20,000 steps per day during this campaign, or up to double the standard benchmark of 10,00 steps per day.

But Thibeault said all that hard work isn't showing up on the scales  and he blames his neighbour for that.

"My campaign office is beside a pizza shop, so Im not losing weight, Im maintaining," he joked.

Now hold that thought

For journalists who had been waiting two hours for Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford to show up at the Nino D'Aversa bakery in Woodbridge on Monday, it was a kick in the gut, so to speak.

Many had spent their time writing and filing stories while drinking coffee, munching wood-oven pizzas or filling plates with veal shanks, lasagna, rice and garlicky green beans at the hot table. In a place like that, it's hard not to eat.

But once Ford arrived, reporters and TV cameras were barred from the building while he spent 10 minutes meeting and greeting patrons.

So the cameras lined up at the window and shot through the glass.

Read more about:Doug Ford says his brother Robs widow has put a put a gun to his head with a $16.5-million lawsuit alleging hes a negligent manager of the Ford family business and has left its finances in tatters in his bid to become Ontarios premier.

With two days or three days before an election, Ill let you decide the motive, the Progressive Conservative leader said at a televised news conference Tuesday.

Related story: Rob Fords widow sues Doug Ford, alleging he has deprived her and her children of millions

In the lawsuit, Renata Ford and her two children claim that he deprived them of millions of dollars, including shares in Deco Labels and a life insurance policy, while taking an extravagant salary as the Ford family-owned company lost $5 million in the last seven years.

When the lawyers say, Pay up or were releasing it, thats just wrong. Thats just wrong, to put a gun to someones head. For what? said Ford, who served as a Toronto city councillor when his late brother was mayor.

Those statements are false. Theyre without merit. Thatll be proven in court, he insisted.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

However, they were immediately seized upon by Fords political rivals, who warned voters he may not be the astute businessman he purports to be on the campaign trail.

Taking questions in person for the first time since the lawsuits existence was revealed Monday, Ford said he was shocked and floored by the accusations it contains.

Ive protected Renata in the toughest times, in front of the media for the last God knows how long, for 15 years  of taking care of her both financially and personally. Ive bent over backwards, he said.

Asked if he would release audited financial statements from Deco and reveal his annual salary from the company, Ford twice refused to answer directly and changed the subject, repeating that the claims about him are fabricated.

The lawsuit was filed Friday, less than a week before the end of an election campaign that has seen Fords Conservatives in a tight race with the NDP.

Its heartbreaking that Renatas taken this road, Ford added. I hope our opponents understand this is about two children, and well always be there for them.

But his political rivals pounced, charging the circus-like atmosphere that characterized Rob Fords mayoralty could soon engulf Queens Park.

The lawsuit is a sad reminder of the disruptive confusion and noise during the Rob Ford administration, Wynne told reporters in Toronto before heading to campaign stops in London and Kitchener.

This kind of chaotic environment was not good for the city and it will not be good for the province, she added, raising concerns about the PC leaders business credentials. Its perfectly legitimate that he be asked to lay out exactly how hes run the business and how its going.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath shared those concerns.

If his business dealings are unsuccessful, what would we expect then from a premier who refuses to be up front and transparent and honest about the cuts hes planning on making? Horwath said, referring to Fords proposal to axe $6 billion in government spending.

People wonder whether this is the kind of leader, the kind of premier, that will look after you and your families.

In the statement of claim filed by the Toronto law firm Aird & Berlis LLP, Renata Ford also alleges neither Ford nor his other brother, Randy, have the education and business ability to justify their employment as senior officers of Deco.

Fords campaign did not reply to a request for information on his education credentials.

With files from Kristin Rushowy

Read more about:KITCHENER NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is on a blitz  hitting eight cities on Tuesday alone  campaigning in ridings her party needs to win on June 7.

On Monday, her bus travelled around southwestern Ontario, and on Tuesday she went from Brampton to Guelph to Kitchener, later stopping at Cambridge, Brantford, Dundas, Burlington and Toronto.

I think everywhere across Ontario, the ridings weve been visiting  as well as the ones were going to visit (Wednesday) are all key to the decision people have to make, Horwath said at a late-afternoon stop Tuesday in Brantford. I think that no matter where people are  folks have an important decision to make. And its a stark choice.

Horwath said she and her team will keep up the brisk pace over the next 24 to 48 hours  until the polls close on Thursday and the decision is made.

The NDP has high hopes to gain seats in the London, Kitchener and Toronto areas, adding to its roster of MPPs at Queens Park. And with a surprise weekend concession by Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne that her party wont form government, Horwath has continued to urge voters to choose the NDP as the only way to prevent Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford from becoming premier.

Thats what these last couple of days are about, Horwath said earlier Tuesday, at a stop in Guelph. Its saying join us to make the kind of change that will push the province forward  thats why were heading to all of these different places and likely (Wednesday) as well, to invite people to join us to make the change for the better that this province needs.

Incumbent Catherine Fife, who is the NDP candidate in Waterloo, said that during her campaigning, voters have told her they are angry with Wynne and concerned that Ford hasnt released a fully-costed platform.

We are giving people an option to come to, and our platform is resonating, Fife said, We feel really hopeful. This is an election like no other.

The NDP has been branded by Ford as a party of radical candidates who would be a disaster to Ontarios economy. Wynne has urged voters to support the Liberals to avoid giving either the NDP or PCs a majority and a blank cheque.

Polls show the PCs and NDP in the lead in terms of voter support, but the Tories still ahead when it comes to winning seats.

At this point in the campaign, the NDP needs a lot of Liberal voters to support them if they are to form government, said Chris Cochrane, a political scientist at the University of Toronto.

Fortunately for the NDP in this election, the Liberals have spent the past few years priming their own voters to support an NDP platform, by moving their party to the left, with policies and promises focusing on shared issues such as child care, dental care and pharmacare.

I suspect Andrea Horwath will double-down on the platform message and aim to ensure that those who agree with her are motivated to get out and vote.

Fife, who was first elected an MPP in 2012, said Horwath needs to do exactly what shes doing  shes going to those ridings where we are really close  and we need to win those ridings to take over Doug Ford.

I think shes made a genuine appeal to the people of Ontario  the Liberals who feel disenfranchised, and the Progressive Conservatives who do not identify with Doug Ford politics.

For candidates, we have to hold our ridings and support our colleagues where they are in close races, Fife added. Theres a real sense of solidarity right now between incumbents and between the candidates.

Cochrane said while Mondays bombshell news that the widow of Rob Ford is suing Doug wont hurt the PCs, Im pretty confident that it wont help them.

Horwath said she continues to reach out to undecided voters as well, inviting people who havent made up their mind yet, inviting people to join us to bring change for the better to the province.

Were just going to keep engaging people until the very last minute because this election is extremely important.

Read more about:A blog published by Susan Eisen that has columns on all the latest jewelry fashions, news, and store information.At this point, eight would be great.

Thats the message from Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne as she scrambles to hold at least eight seats and retain official party status in Thursdays election.

We know were not going to form (the next) government, Wynne told reporters at a campaign stop in North York on Tuesday.

But to have Liberals at Queens Park who can be that voice that will allow for practical problem-solving  not having a majority Doug Ford government or a majority Andrea Horwath NDP government  I think is very, very important at this point in our history, she said.

We need to continue to build on the momentum that we have in this province. We have a strong economy, we have a compassionate society, but theres more that we need to do.

Wynne, the premier since 2013 and leader of a party that has been in power for almost 15 years, stressed that the best-case scenario for the Liberals is to hold the balance of power in a minority Legislature.

But asked by a journalist if she considers the NDP to be the lesser of two evils, she was circumspect.

I think there are risks on both sides. I have also said in the past that the platform, the program, the plan that the NDP has put forward looks, on the surface at least, like theres much more similarity to what we have put forward, Wynne said.

Read more:

Doug Ford is a polarizing politician seen by his supporters as a charismatic leader full of folksy charm

Throughout her career its always been about putting people first, Horwath says

On the eve of Election Day, Ontarios leaders are set for one last pass through the GTA

I have no affinity for what Doug Ford has put forward, but people in this province are going to decide. Theyre looking for change and we will wait til Thursday, wait til the election results, to have the next conversation.

Wynne would not be drawn into speculating about whether the surviving Liberal caucus would consider a formal arrangement with the NDP, similar to the two-year accord that David Petersons Liberals struck with Bob Raes New Democrats after the 1985 election.

That deal toppled the newly elected minority government of Progressive Conservative premier Frank Miller  and ended 42 consecutive years of Tory rule in Ontario  despite the fact that Millers party had won the most seats in the election.

I know that its tempting to go into the hypotheticals and I am not above wanting to have that conversation, but I really think that its counterproductive because we dont know whats going to happen on Thursday night, Wynne said.

In an unprecedented gambit for a sitting premier, Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne on Saturday pleaded with voters to elect as many Grits as possible to prevent a Progressive Conservative or NDP majority government.

We dont know what the numbers are going to be. What I will always be looking for is the best way to continue the momentum in this province, to make practical decisions.

To that end, Wynne is hopeful that enough of the 46 Liberals seeking re-election  and possibly one or two rookie candidates  can hang on to give the party official status.

In London North Centre, Liberal candidate Kate Graham said she hoped voters would stack Queens Park with smart, talented people  progressive voices who will work hard for their communities and who can rise above the partisanship.

I am not asking you to vote against another candidate or another leader, Im asking you to vote for me, Graham said during Wynnes campaign swing through London.

The Liberal leader then barnstormed to Kitchener to try to salvage local campaigns there.

With fewer than eight MPPs, the Liberals would not be entitled to daily questions in the Legislature and would lose funding for researchers and other staff.

The NDP was reduced to just seven seats in the 2003 election, and lost official party status until Horwath won a Hamilton byelection in 2004.

Privately, Liberal insiders concede that at best they might hold a dozen seats in the 124-member Legislature on Thursday.

Read more about:WASHINGTONA reception honouring military families at the White House took on an unusually high profile Monday night. The gathering, which honoured the relatives of slain service members, marked the return to public life of first lady Melania Trump after more than three weeks during which she was has not held or attended any official events. On May 14, she was hospitalized for five days following a procedure to treat what the White House called a benign kidney condition.

Melania Trump had last been seen on May 10 standing alongside her husband at Joint Base Andrews as the couple greeted three Americans who had been released from prison in North Korea. Four days later, the White House said in a statement that she had undergone a successful embolization procedure.

Monday, members of several of the Gold Star families who were invited into what the White House said was a closed reception were excited to hear from President Donald Trump and lay eyes on Melania Trump.

According to one attendee, Trump joked about the rumours that have circulated during his wifes long absence and teased that they arent breaking up. Isnt that right, honey? he asked as Melania Trump laughed from the front row. She made no official remarks during the event.

The President also said: Melania had a little problem a couple weeks ago, but she wouldnt miss this for anything.

About 40 families participated in the candlelight ceremony in which the names of the fallen were read aloud. The event lasted more than two hours.

Read more:

Melania Trump not attending this weeks G7 summit in Quebec

Opinion | Vinay Menon: Heres the truth about Melania Trumps mysterious disappearance

Melania Trump tweets shes feeling great after nearly three weeks out of public eye

Several of the invitees commented on Melania Trump as they left.

She looked beautiful, said Diana Pike of Phoenix, whose son was killed in Afghanistan in 2013. She was dressed in black  and I dont know how she walks in those heels.

Lori Donahue of Gillette, Wyoming, said she was touched by the first ladys presence: It meant a lot that this was her first since her surgery. Donahues son, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Vrooman, was killed in Iraq.

In a statement from her office after the event, Melania Trump did not mention her time away from the White Houses public schedule.

It was a privilege to welcome Gold Star Families to the White House today to recognize our Nations fallen heroes and their families, the first lady said in the statement. To all those who have lost loved ones in service to our country, our nation grieves with you. It is a solemn reminder that we, the American people, are able to live as freely as we do because of the selfless sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.

Whether the first ladys appearance at the reception will quell talk of her time away from the spotlight remains to be seen.

She did not travel with her husband to Camp David last weekend, though other family members accompanied him, and she has missed several events in recent weeks. On May 22, Karen Pence, the wife of Vice President Mike Pence, accompanied the South Korean presidents wife, Kim Jung-sook, on a tour of a historic home near the White House.

Melania Trump herself had addressed the conjecture, tweeting on May 30 that the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what Im doing.

Rest assured, Im here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people! she wrote.

Political strategist Stephanie Cutter, who was an adviser to former first lady Michelle Obama and served as her campaign chief of staff, interprets the intense interest in Trump as concern by Americans for a popular and well-liked first lady.

She holds a certain position in this country, and while we need to respect her privacy on personal issues, there needs to be some level of transparency, Cutter said. I cant imagine a previous first lady disappearing for 24 days without some level of concern.

And though she has publicly resurfaced, Trump is still avoiding the full glare of the media spotlight. She is not planning to accompany her husband when he leaves Friday to attend the Group of Seven summit in Quebec, a contrast to last years meeting of world leaders in Sicily, which she attended. She made a fashionable splash on that trip, wearing a silver Dolce & Gabbana evening dress and a $51,500 floral coat by the same designers to a spousal program.

Making a fashion statement wasnt the only business at hand for the first lady  it was at that meeting that she interacted with some of the women she would later entertain on official visits. Melania Trump attended spousal events with Akie Abe, the wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has twice visited the Trumps at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, and Brigitte Macron, the first lady of France, who would become a guest of honour at the Trumps first state dinner.

Melania Trump also will not travel with her husband to Singapore next week, where the president is slated to hold a historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Read more about:NEW YORKHarvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty Tuesday to rape and criminal sex act charges in New York.

The hearing in Manhattan comes after a grand jury indicted the former movie mogul last week on charges involving two women.

One alleged victim, who has not been identified publicly, told investigators that Weinstein cornered her in a hotel room and raped her. The other accuser, former actress Lucia Evans, has gone public with her account of Weinstein forcing her to perform oral sex at his office in 2004. The Associated Press does not identify alleged victims of sexual assaults unless they come forward publicly.

Dozens more women have accused him of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to assault.

The 66-year-old Weinstein has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, has challenged the credibility of his alleged victims and says his client is confident he is going to clear his name.

Brafman called the rape allegation absurd, saying that the accuser and Weinstein had a decadelong, consensual sexual relationship that continued after the alleged 2013 attack.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. has said it was predictable that Weinstein's camp would attack the integrity of the women and of the legal system.

Vance, a Democrat, came under public pressure from women's groups to prosecute Weinstein after declining to do so in 2015, when an Italian model went to police to say Weinstein had groped her during a meeting.

Police set up a sting in which the woman recorded herself confronting Weinstein and him apologizing for his conduct. But Vance decided there was not enough evidence to bring charges.

Weinstein is out on $1-million (U.S.) bail.

Read more:

Harvey Weinstein faces new rape allegation in lawsuit alleging misconduct coverup

Harvey Weinstein arraigned on rape and other charges

Woody Allen, accused of abuse himself, says he shows what to do right amid #MeToo movement

Weinstein is out on $1 million bail.WASHINGTONFor months, U.S. President Donald Trumps legal team, the White House press secretary and others in Trumps orbit said he did not dictate or help draft a June 2017 statement trying to explain the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between his eldest son and a Russian lawyer.

Turns out, that wasnt true.

In a January letter to special counsel Robert Mueller, Trumps lawyers said the president dictated a short but accurate response to the first report that his son, Donald Trump Jr., and others had met with the Russian lawyer during the 2016 presidential election.

The New York Times revealed the existence of the letter on Saturday.

The Trump Tower meeting  and the White Houses initial response to the first reports of the meeting  has been a key moment in Muellers investigation into whether anyone on the campaign colluded with Russia and whether Trump obstructed justice. The lawyers statement is buried near the end of the 20-page memo, which asserts that Trump cannot be forced to testify and argues that he could not have legally committed obstruction of justice.

In the initial written statement from Trump Jr. on June 8, 2017, he said the Trump Tower gathering was a short introductory meeting focused on a disbanded program that had allowed American adoptions of Russian children. Moscow ended the adoptions in response to Magnitsky Act sanctions created in response to alleged human rights violations in Russia.

While the Magnitsky Act was discussed, it was later revealed that the meeting was held on the promise of damaging information about his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Trump Jr. did not mention the promise of dirt on Clinton until a statement the next day.

A look at the evolving explanations from the administration on how the statement was drafted:

JULY 16, 2017: In one of a series of interviews in June, Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow said on NBCs Meet The Press that the president was not, did not, draft the response. The response came from Donald Trump Jr. and, Im sure, in consultation with his lawyer.

He added: The president was not involved in the drafting of the statement and did not issue the statement. It came from Donald Trump Jr. So thats what I can tell you because thats what we know.

JULY 31, 2017: In response to a Washington Post report that Trump had dictated the statement, Sekulow issued a statement: Apart from being of no consequence, the characterizations are misinformed, inaccurate, and not pertinent.

AUGUST 1, 2017: White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that Trump certainly didnt dictate, but he  like I said, he weighed in, offered suggestion like any father would do. Sanders argued there was no inaccuracy in the statement.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2017: In a closed-door interview with Senate Judiciary Committee staff, Trump Jr. was asked by investigators whether his father was involved in drafting the statement. He said he didnt know, and that he had never spoken to his father about it. Asked again, Trump Jr. said his father may have commented through Hope Hicks, who was Trumps longtime aide.

Investigators then asked if Trump Jr. knew if any of Trumps comments were incorporated into the final statement.

I believe some may have been, but this was an effort through lots of people, mostly counsel, Trump Jr. responded.

Trump Jr. said he was asked if he wanted to speak to his father as the statement was drafted, but he said he chose not to because I didnt want to bring him into something that he had nothing to do with.

JANUARY 29, 2018: In the letter to Mueller, Trumps then-lawyers wrote: You have received all of the notes, communications and testimony indicating that the President dictated a short but accurate response to the New York Times article on behalf of his son, Donald Trump, Jr. His son then followed up by making a full public disclosure regarding the meeting, including his public testimony that there was nothing to the meeting and certainly no evidence of collusion.

JUNE 4, 2018: Asked about the discrepancies on Monday, Sanders repeatedly declined to answer and referred reporters to Trumps personal lawyers.

This is from a letter from the outside counsel and I direct you to them to answer that question, she said.

In an evening appearance on CNN, one of the presidents lawyers, Rudy Giuliani, said Sanders and the others had made a mistake and rejected the idea it was a lie.

I have no idea how they got it wrong, but they got it wrong, he said, dismissing the significance of the controversy. It was a mistake. I swear to God it was a mistake.

Read more about:MIAMIA phone call about a possible hostage situation in Parkland, Fla., on Tuesday morning led police officers to swarm the home of one of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schools most outspoken student activists.

It turned out to be a prank called swatting an illegal hoax call increasingly employed as a harassment tactic.

The Broward County Sheriffs Office said the target of call was the Parkland home of Stoneman Douglas senior David Hogg. The 18-year-old has emerged as one of the leading voices at the high school since a Feb. 14 massacre by a former student who opened fire with an AR-15-styled rifle and killed 17 students and staff on campus.

They said there was someone in the home with a weapon, said Broward Sheriffs Office public information officer Gina Carter. SWAT responded. They cleared the home. It was a hoax and we will be investigating.

The call came in at 8:39 a.m. When police arrived there was no one in the house.

Hogg was one of the leaders of anti-gun march in Washington in March and has been pushing elected leaders in Tallahassee and in the nations capitol on gun control measures. At the end of May, Hogg led a sit-in at a supermarket after learning Publix had donated a large chunk of money to a state legislator who prides himself of being pro National Rifle Association. The giant supermarket chain caved and said it would no longer make political contributions.

Hogg is also one of several student leaders who will take part in a bus tour this summer to several cities in a get-out-the-vote campaign.

The continuing campaign has lead to social media attacks against many students, including Hogg, from many conservative and pro-gun commentators.

In 2015, dozens of Miami Beach police officers and SWAT members raced to the home of rap icon Lil Wayne on land, by water and with K9s after someone placed a prank call to police.WASHINGTONU.S. President Donald Trump wants to split NAFTA negotiations in two, pursuing separate deals with Canada and Mexico rather than trying to update the three-country North American pact, Trumps top economic adviser says  but it was unclear on Tuesday whether the president was doing anything to act on that desire.

Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, said Trump was not going to withdraw from NAFTA but wanted to try a different approach because the three-country negotiations have stalled. Kudlow said the administration was waiting to hear back from Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government about the idea of separate negotiations.

The Trudeau government shrugged off Kudlows remarks as insignificant chatter, noting that Trump has long expressed the opinion that two-country deals are better than multi-country deals. A Canadian official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Trump administration had not made any official request about splitting up the talks.

People have speculated about separate negotiations for about 18 months now. As Canada has maintained right from the beginning, we believe in a trilateral NAFTA, Andrew Leslie, parliamentary secretary to the foreign affairs minister on Canada-U.S. relations, told reporters in Ottawa.

Theres all sorts of sounds coming from all sorts of sources. We react to the facts, Leslie said.

Trump press secretary Sarah Sanders declined to express a firm preference for separate negotiations. Sanders said the president is open to separate agreements but that the best deal for American workers might come through NAFTA.

Kudlow said Trump had asked him to express his preference for separate negotiations.

Yesterday we met with the president a couple times, and he is very seriously contemplating kind of a shift in the NAFTA negotiations. His preference now, and he asked me to convey this, is to actually negotiate with Mexico and Canada separately. He prefers bilateral negotiations, and hes looking at two much different countries, Kudlow said on Fox Newss Fox and Friends.

Canada is a different country than Mexico, they have different problems, and you know, hes believed that bilaterals have always been better, Kudlow said. He hates these multilateral  the large treaties. Now I know this is just three countries but still, you know, oftentimes when you have to compromise with a whole bunch of countries you get the worst of the deals.

The prime minister is rejecting a bid by the Trump administration to strike bilateral agreements with Canada and Mexico instead of pursuing a new NAFTA. Justin Trudeau says a trilateral approach is better for all three countries. (The Canadian Press)

Peter Clark, an Ottawa-based trade strategist, said Canada is better served by a three-country negotiation.

Canada and Mexico really have no interest in trying to do these things one on one, said Clark, president of Grey, Clark, Shih and Associates. Misery loves company. They can be more effective saying no to particular issues if they do it jointly.

John Murphy, a senior vice-president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which supports NAFTA, noted that both Canada and Mexico oppose several major U.S. proposals, including a U.S.-friendly government procurement policy and sunset clause that would terminate the deal in five years absent new agreement from all three countries. Negotiating two deals separately, Murphy said on Twitter, wont change those realities.

The three-country deal is supported by most big businesses, which find it easiest to comply with one set of rules rather than two and which benefit from having a largely tariff-free zone across North America. Some companies, particularly in the auto industry, have created supply chains that include plants in all three countries.

When you talk about this issue, you have to talk about reality. Reality is over the last 24 years we have built a very integrated supply chain, which has been good for the economy, good for consumers, good for workers on all sides, said International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.

Kudlows comments add to the uncertainty about whether Trump is eventually planning to initiate a U.S. withdrawal from NAFTA, which he has regularly derided as a disaster for American workers. Clark said the easiest way for Trump to pressure Canada and Mexico into making separate deals is to initiate a termination of the current deal.

Scott Lincicome, a trade lawyer and an adjunct scholar with the pro-trade Cato Institute, said he saw good news in Kudlows words: this was the first time a senior Trump official had publicly said Trump was not going to withdraw from the current NAFTA. But Lincicome also noted that the administrations positions change with high frequency.

Kudlows comments came the week after Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada and Mexico under a national security provision of U.S. trade law. Both countries announced plans to introduce retaliatory tariffs on a variety of U.S. products and to challenge the U.S. tariffs at the World Trade Organization.

Read more:

Just how North American is your car?

Trudeau is overreacting to U.S. tariffs, top Trump adviser says

I love Canada, Trump says after lashing back at Canada over Trudeaus tariff criticism

Correction  Sept. 4, 2018: This article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly said Peter Clark is a trade lawyer. In fact, Clark is a trade strategist.

Read more about:NEW YORK  A Utah man recently freed from a Venezuelan jail after two years detailed his harrowing experience, describing how he initially was stuffed in a tiny, hot cell with cockroaches while his new wife had her fingers placed in pencil sharpeners.

Joshua Holt spoke about his ordeal Tuesday on NBCs Today Show.

At the very beginning it was horrible, the 26-year-old Holt said. They put me in a cell that was no bigger than what a twin bed would be. They had covered the door with a plastic bag, so I wasnt getting very much air. It was super, super hot. So I was literally just lying on the ground just in my underwear and just sweating as cockroaches are crawling all over me. They never took me out to go to the bathroom, so if you had to use the bathroom, you either had a bottle or a newspaper.

Meanwhile, Holt said his wife, Thamara Caleno, was in a cell with a group of other women and being threatened by Caracas police.

A Utah man newly freed from a Venezuelan jail has been seen boarding a private jet that's expected to take him to Washington. Joshua Holt was wearing a bright orange backpack and was surrounded by supporters. (The Associated Press)

They were trying to get her to go against me, Holt said. While they were trying to fill out paperwork to get her to sign things saying that I was a bad person  she didnt want to do it. She knew it was all fake. They started to put her fingers into pencil sharpeners to take off her nails (and) scare her. They tried to scare her with Tasers.

The couple was released on May 26 after months of back-channel talks between U.S. politicians and close allies of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Holt travelled to Venezuela in June 2016 to marry Caleno but was instead jailed on weapons charges he and his family said were bogus. His wife was arrested in the same sweep. After being welcomed home by U.S. President Donald Trump in an event at the Oval Office, the couple returned to Utah.

Read more:

Joshua Holt released by Venezuelan authorities after two years in custodyFor years the business lobby has been pushing for lower business taxes and, for years, governments of every stripe have delivered.

The federal corporate income tax rate dropped from 21 per cent in 2007 to 15 per cent today; the Ontario general corporate income tax rate has dropped from 14 per cent in 2008 to 11.5 per cent today.

Just this past November, the small business tax rate in Ontario got reduced by another 1 percentage point  an acquiescence to the business lobbys resistance to a $14 minimum wage.

And yet the provinces business lobby still wants more in what seems like an insatiable quest for lower and lower tax rates. We keep cutting and, for business, it never seems like its enough.

But how low can we go?

The business lobby will always ask for more  thats the starting position for any negotiation. It will wage public relations campaigns claiming tax cuts create jobs.

Do business tax cuts encourage business investments that create jobs? We can turn to our recent experience for an answer. Economists Jim Stanford and Jordan Brennan did a comparative analysis of economic performance under Stephen Harpers government, which leaned hard on business tax cuts, and found the promised increases in business investment did not occur. Rather, the prime minister presided over a period of stagnating investment and slow export growth.

Opposing view: Cutting business taxes is the best way to get the economy moving faster

Have your say

Of course, external factors matter. Global economic forces were the main drive of slow economic growth. Lowering corporates taxes proved, once again, to be an ineffective counter to these forces. Not to mention that lower taxes means fewer resources for governments to invest in areas that directly support economic activity and job creation.

Business investment and location decisions are complex. They take into account other major costs, such as health care. They depend on whether there is an educated workforce available, universities to partner with research, good transportation systems to get your product to market, and whether you can get to your clients and get your staff to and from work.

None of this comes for free. Health care, education, university research, roads and public transit are paid for by the public purse. Tax cuts rob us of the revenue needed to pay for things and they force governments into greater debt. Its a lose-lose proposition.

In many ways, these discussions about tax rates and competitiveness seem to be a relic of last century thinking. In new economy sectors, liveability and a welcoming environment are important components of investment location decisions. That includes things like green space, affordable housing, safe and welcoming communities.

All those things require both public funds and adequate government regulations.

Thinking bigger picture, the need to attract an international pool of talent means that an inclusive and welcoming environment is far more important than another tax cut.

Take the U.S., for instance. Under U.S. President Donald Trump, the business taxes have been reduced at the same time that we are seeing a rise in racism and xenophobia and an exodus of talent from the U.S. into Canada.

There are 21st century tax problems that need to be addressed, but they are not about a tax race to the bottom. Modernizing tax legislation to prevent the use of tax havens by corporations such as Apple, or our own Canadian corporations, is required to maintain fiscal capacity.

Our tax system needs to catch up to the new economy in other ways, as well. For example, digital services that giants such as Netflix and Amazon sell in Canada are not captured by it. Removing this tax bias would also help support Canadian businesses, workers, communities, and especially our vital media and cultural industries.

Governments need to collect sufficient revenue to pay for the services that we all need. While corporate income taxes are a small share of total revenues  only 11 per cent of all money Ontario raises  they are important to shared sense of contribution and fairness.

Its time we mature the business tax conversation in Ontario to reflect the realities of today, rather than the ideological mindset of yesteryear.While the 2018 Ontario election has largely focused on the politics of personality, the closing days have been hit by a brewing trade war with our largest trading partner, leading to renewed uncertainty over NAFTA and threatening to upend Ontarios economy. In this environment the Toronto Region Board of Trade believes a renewed focus on Ontarios economic fundamentals is needed.

Businesses face obstacles preventing them from being powerful engines of inclusive growth. Beyond the trade issue, key areas where the Ontario government makes, or influences policy  notably labour costs, housing affordability and energy prices  have created challenges.

To offset these headwinds, the board recommends the next government cut business property taxes. Heres why.

In a recent study by the board on business competitiveness, Ontario ranked 9 out of 15 in comparison with our closest competitors in Canada and the U.S.  a bottom quartile result that is even more concerning as the impact of U.S. corporate tax changes had not been factored in. This should be a wake-up call that we must do better if we want a high-growth economy that will deliver the revenues needed for robust social programs.

One key area where the province can make an immediate difference is by cutting business taxes. There are a variety of business tax changes that could be considered, but the board believes the best way to kick start our economy is to cut provincial property taxes (PPT).

Opposing view: Cutting business taxes is not the best way to get the economy moving faster

Have your say

Also known as business education taxes, local school boards collected these property taxes to fund education. Some school boards levied higher taxes than others. In 1998, school funding was uploaded to the province, which began funding on a per-student basis. The PPT funds now go directly into general revenue.

The trouble is, 20 years later, some municipalities still have higher rates than others even though education funding is standardized across the province. As a result, business on one side of Steeles Ave. pays more in PPT than a business on the other side, but doesnt receive better services. Businesses in cities such as Kingston and Waterloo pay as much as 60 per cent more tax per dollar of property value compared to those in other cities. Its not fair and needs to change.

Beyond achieving fairness, harmonizing and cutting the PPT would also significantly help businesses compete and grow. As the C.D. Howe Institute found in 2017, cutting PPT is more likely to spur investment and growth than other tax changes.

In a city like Kingston, a cut to the PPT could return more revenue to the province in income tax than it currently does in property tax. Thats because a PPT cut directly helps those with stores, offices and factories in Ontario, those employing our families and neighbours. In particular, it brings substantial relief to small businesses, which are struggling with energy prices, labour costs and taxes.

We know investments in transit to alleviate gridlock are critical to the foundation our economic future, but construction takes time. Not much can be done to bring down energy prices in the near term. Thats why the boards Agenda for Growth campaign focuses on transit, housing and energy as foundational solutions. But strategically cutting business tax today, will immediately help spur the economy.

We know Ontario has all the ingredients for success. Our population is highly educated, while our diverse society remains open and accepting. Our economy is bolstered by an array of business clusters from automotive and financial services to health sciences and agriculture. Our social programs, such as health care and education, ensure everyone can succeed.

Its easy to declare that if the economy is already growing, things are good enough for business with no need to take further action. Not only is this short-sighted, but it ignores the risks on the horizon. We can and should do more.

A thriving private sector means more jobs and higher wages, better goods and services and greater revenues for government to spend on important social programs.

Ontarians head to the polls on Thursday. Whichever party wins must prioritize growing Ontarios economy. Starting with a cut to provincial property taxes, we can have a world-leading economy where everyone benefits.Somewhere in Texas, a 3-year-old is crying into her pillow. She left all her toys behind when she fled Guatemala. And on this day the U.S. government took her mother away.

When we read about the U.S. administrations new policy of trying to stop people from crossing its borders by taking away their children, we too had trouble sleeping.

There are legal and ethical limits to how far a rights-respecting country can go to protect its borders. It cannot shoot unauthorized border-crossers on sight. It cannot torture them. And it cannot take their children.

This Friday at 2 p.m., refugee advocates, lawyers, academics, health care providers, and others will hold a protest, and come together with their childrens old toys to build a towering toy pile of shame in front of the U.S. Consulate in Toronto.

Since October, the U.S. authorities have taken over 700 little kids  including more than 100 babies and toddlers  from their detained parents and sent them to facilities across the country.

This number will soon skyrocket, since this practice has just become policy. With shelters at capacity, the administration is preparing to use military bases to house the hundreds of children per week that officials expect to seize.

Until a few months ago, when border agents intercepted undocumented families, children were sent with at least one parent to a family detention centre. The fact the U.S. was detaining children at all, let alone for weeks or months, earned the Obama administration widespread condemnation.

But now, in a decision that The Economist suggests is unprecedented in American history or international practice, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has declared that his department will prosecute every adult who crosses the border without proper documents. This means keeping them in adult-only jails  without their children.

According to lawyers and aid workers, children being separated from their parents beg not to be taken away. Experts confirm that some may never recover from the trauma. Parents wait weeks to find out where their children have been taken. In a mess of Byzantine bureaucracy, some parents have been deported without their children.

Many border-crossers are fleeing gang violence in countries with the worlds highest rates of murdered children. The administration is hoping desperate parents would rather take their chances at home than subject their children to the U.S. process.

As White House Chief of Staff John Kelly noted in a radio interview, taking peoples children away  to be put into foster care or whatever  is a tough deterrent. Or as Sessions said: If you dont want your child separated, then dont bring them across the border illegally.

Earlier, the administration had tried to suggest that this policy was motivated by altruism. The adults that these children are weeping for might not be their real parents. And by discouraging them from attempting the border crossing, this policy will save migrants lives.

Giving desperate people a shot at reaching safety will just encourage them to try. Since the road north is so treacherous, the Guatemalan mother and daughter should  for their own good  remain trapped in a country where, in the past 9 years, over 7,000 women and girls have been murdered, many of them tortured to death.

Similar reasoning has been used to suggest that Europeans should not rescue drowning migrants at sea. Or that Canadians should block even more people from making refugee claims at our border by renegotiating our Safe Third Country Agreement with the U.S.

With the extraordinary decision to prosecute all unauthorized migrants, the U.S. administration is using the criminal justice system to take hostages, many of them still in diapers.

Its message could not be clearer: Step across this line and we will hurt your children. The American Civil Liberties Union, in a pending court challenge to this policy, argues this is illegal.

.Because men get breast cancer at much lower rates than women, Nilton Fonseca struggled to get his insurance to cover a mammogram -- and to find a doctor to perform reconstructive surgery.Medication access may help to decide an election for the first time in Canada  it is one of several prominent issues garnering public attention as Ontarians head to the polls Thursday.

The Ontario NDP have pledged to publicly fund a short list of priority medicines for all Ontarians. The PC party has said little about prescription drugs and will focus health care reforms in other important areas, such as increasing the number of beds in long-term care facilities and investing in mental health services. And the Liberals have recently created a pharmacare program for Ontario children and youth and expressed support for expanding access.

As a medical doctor, I treat patients who have trouble affording even relatively inexpensive treatments for high blood pressure and diabetes  drugs that we know can reduce the risk of heart attacks and deaths. Insulin was discovered in Canada almost a hundred years ago, but many Canadians with diabetes cannot afford it, such as those with low-income jobs in factories or restaurants who do not receive social assistance and who are not offered private insurance by their employers. I also conduct research on medication access so I may have a skewed view of the importance of the issue.

But calls for universal pharmacare are frequent in the media and never far from Canadians wish-lists. So how do the party promises compare?

The Ontario PC party is right to be wary of including medications in our publicly funded system. Most governments and parties in Canada tread carefully in this area for good reason. While millions of Canadians either cannot afford medicines or know someone who cant, people are also legitimately concerned about moving most drug spending onto the public books. Total annual drug spending is more than $25 billion across Canada.

The federal government, for example, continues to be noncommittal and after a years-long parliamentary study of national pharmacare, announced yet another new yearlong study on the issue. An agreement with the Green Party in British Columbia that put the NDP in power mentioned creating a public drug plan for people who cannot afford medicines, but those plans have not yet materialized.

So the Ontario PC party is in good company  of different political stripes  in focusing up front on more clear cut health issues, such as emergency room wait times.

Yet the case for pharmacare has been clear for a long time and millions of people have suffered while we wait because they cant afford their prescription drugs.

One reason for the slow progress across Canada  regardless of which party is in power  is the amount of money that would be saved. Yes, saved. Publicly funding medicines will actually decrease total drug spending by billions of dollars by reducing drug prices through stronger negotiating positions and through better evidence-based medicine selection.

My colleagues and I have estimated the savings at over $4 billion per year and the staid Parliamentary Budget Office provided a nearly identical estimate. Each dollar saved is a dollar of lost profit for powerful pharmaceutical and insurance companies. So, despite decades of government and academic reports supporting the public funding of medicines, we are still batting around proposals to do it.

There are real differences between the two Ontario parties that do promise to tackle the issue.

The Liberals have already funded a large number of medications for a narrow segment of the population, those under age 25, and they support expanding complete publicly funded access to those 65 and older.

The NDP has promised to publicly fund a smaller number of medicines for the entire population. Funding more drugs is bound to be more popular since it will leave medication selection up to doctors (who may or may not choose wisely) and perhaps also to patients. Funding fewer, but essential medicines for the whole population may prevent inappropriate medicine use and it will undoubtedly cost less.

But the number of medicines covered is not actually the most important issue.

Both proposed plans will provide access to medicines that people need and both will eventually reduce overall drug spending. Most importantly, both will eventually mean that whether you can take a life-saving treatment will no longer depend on the type of job you have.

Conventional wisdom says that when you are alone in the ballot box, you will make the choice that is best for you. So the Ontario election results may well indicate what Ontarians think about putting medicines within our publicly funded health care system.Ottawa has finally taken the first step toward meeting its responsibilities for the surge of refugee claimants that has left Torontos shelter system scrambling to find beds.

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen announced $50 million in funding late last week to help offset the costs of providing for thousands of asylum seekers walking across the border from the United States.

Toronto alone has budgeted nearly $65 million since 2017 to provide food and shelter for refugee claimants. So, with just $11 million earmarked for Ontario, this new funding doesnt come close to covering all the costs.

But its a start. More importantly, its an acknowledgement that this is Ottawas problem to solve.

Cities like Toronto and Montreal cannot fix what amounts to a global migrant crisis, and they certainly shouldnt have to foot the whole bill.

This funding will help with the most visible element of the problem, but Hussen also needs to do more to deal with its root causes. That includes tackling the long and growing backlog of cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board.

People should not be sitting in limbo  and sleeping in shelter beds  for months or years, as is often the case, waiting for their claims to be heard and settled.

People who come to Canada seeking safety and a better life should either be settled quickly, with an approved refugee claim, or sent back if their claim is declined. But thats not happening.

According to the refugee board, under current projections it takes an average of 20 months for a refugee claimant to get a hearing and still more time after that for a decision to be handed down.

That means people are languishing, often unable to find work, for close to two years. That does no one any good.

As of April, there were more than 55,000 refugee claims in the system. And with more new cases added than the board can handle, the backlog has continued to grow.

There are plenty of culprits, from security clearance delays to insufficient personnel to process claims. Belatedly, the Liberal government included additional two-year funding in its latest budget to hire more staff so it can hear more cases each month.

The refugee board says that once its fully staffed, and using a new proportionate scheduling system that will see Montreals office focus more on the cases of those irregularly crossing the border from the United States, things will get better.

The board says it will be able to finalize many of those cases within 12 months. A year, instead of closer to two, is an enormous improvement. But only because of how bad things have become. Its still too long.

How long will it be before refugees coming through official channels see their cases take even longer because of this new scheduling approach? And what will happen two years from now when the additional funding has been spent?

This feels more like the latest Band-Aid stretched over the latest problem, rather than a permanent solution to an overburdened system.Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne deserves credit for conceding defeat  even if much of her partys baggage was inherited  and for attempting to improve matters for Liberal candidates by taking herself out of the equation. However, her plea not to give a blank cheque to the NDP or PCs is hypocritical.

We all know that blank cheque means the unchecked power that comes with a majority of seats in the Legislature, but why was it all right for her party to have that power and now it is not all right for another party to have it?

In truth, if we had some form of proportional representation, like the Mixed Member Proportional electoral system that former Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty or Wynne could have implemented on the recommendation of the Ontario Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform, the possibility of a blank cheque would not be on the table. As it is, Ontario may set a dubious record for the lowest popular vote percentage ever to result in a majority in the Legislature.

If the past is any guide, half of the people who vote in the Ontario election will elect no one, thanks to first-past-the-post.

Allan Millard, Washago, On.

Read more about:Is Ontario PC populist Doug Ford a failing businessman?

Its not clear if Ford is copying the Donald Trump playbook or if the dice just fell that way at birth. But his Trump-like refusal to provide any financial information about his company  or even his own salary at Deco Labels  to refute Renata Fords alarming accusations might be a deal-breaker for Ford purists.

The allegations in the $16.5-million lawsuit filed by Fords brothers widow, not proven in court, are that Doug and his brother Randy have been running Deco into the ground while enriching themselves. She says they, as trustees of the estate, have deprived her and her young children of millions of dollars from Deco shares and the late Rob Fords life insurance policy.

Doug Ford, turning maidenly, said he was shocked at the heartbreaking news. His mother Diane, an unusual woman, then accused Renata of having serious struggles with addiction, an ill-considered reminder of Robs crack videos, his sister Kathys drug addiction, and the Globe and Mails reporting that Doug allegedly sold drugs in the 1980s.

The Fords reacted with feelings, not facts or numbers. Feeling instead of thinking is the sharp point of populism, and its radiant core is the belief that tough businessmen can run a government better than mere unprofitable people can. Doug wouldnt recognize Margaret Atwood on the street, hates the media, once called a female reporter a bitch, prefers SUVs to LRTs, all populisms standard trinkets.

But more than anything, he wants to be seen as a manly man, a stalwart trustee, a chairman of the board, to use a 1950s meme dear to the hearts of Dougs older demographic.

Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford is denying allegations from Renata Ford, the widow of Rob Ford, that he mishandled his brothers estate and destroyed the value of the family business. (The Canadian Press)

But what if Deco Labels, the scrappy little business that grew, is a facade? Maybe political Doug neglected it or black-hatted Randy, international man of mystery, messed it up. Either way, they have been accused of mistreating a widow to whom we wished well after Rob spoke of her so foully in public.

Suddenly, the fact Doug hasnt provided a detailed economic platform, only vague numbers, suggests not that he wont, but he cant. He doesnt know how. His constant marketing about small business, lower taxes and finding $6 billion in provincial wastage all look dodgy in that light.

People are fed up with politicians and their promises, Ford told Citytv in a disastrous 2016 interview about blowing smoke where the sun dont shine. After they get into power, You know what its all about? Filling their buddies pockets full of money, sole-sourced deals, giving contracts. Its all about the money.

Renatas lawsuit alleges that Doug and Randy didnt have the smarts to produce a business plan, hired unqualified family and friends, fired prudent employees and made ill-advised acquisitions.

Yes, politics is indeed all about the money. Even voters who like Ford or lean his way might envision Ontario being run like an inherited small business, a bait shop always mysteriously running out of petty cash and minnows, and they might blanch.

Everyone presents a version of themselves to the world, politicians most of all. Doug wants to be seen as a folksy purveyor of hometown smarts, competent but not in a fancy way. Above all, he wants to be seen as savvy. Fairly or not, the lawsuit news, coming just before Thursdays election, tilts this view.

What if hes not savvy but stupid, incompetent with money, and sneaky? Rob was a damaged soul, but Doug looks mean and angry. The fault is always yours, not his. This suits some voters in the age of rage but he needs more than that.

It doesnt help that American state populism has been shown to be bad with money, cutting taxes but spending whats left in all the wrong places. The White House is full of grifters, Scott Pruitts wanting to buy a used hotel mattress on the cheap, coal barons looking shifty, pedophiles with Confederate flags running for office.

Mendacity is out of fashion, transparency is in. Even if the electorate doesnt care about a widow and her two children, they care about the allegation that Deco is tanking.

Doug Ford has to release audited statements to the public now. Otherwise voters may not want him in charge of Ontario. Its all about the money.

Heather Mallick is a columnist based in Toronto covering current affairs. Follow her on Twitter: is a columnist based in Toronto covering current affairs. Follow her on Twitter: @HeatherMallick

Read more about:Video transcript:

Im irritated by reactions from our leaders, experts and pundits to Trumps new tariffs and his threats to blow up NAFTA. They talk as if were about to lose something noble.

Look, the original opposition to NAFTA didnt come from people like Trump. It came from Canadian workers, farmers, environmentalists. They objected because NAFTA was crafted by corporations to let them move their operations to places where wages were low and/or drive down wages here.

They werent against trade. They were against trade that was rigged by corporations for their own benefit.

By the late 20th century a global trade deal called MAI, Multilateral Agreement on Investment, was about to be signed by governments, but popular protests in Genoa, Quebec City and Seattle stopped it dead. By then huge chunks of industrial economies had been dismantled and moved elsewhere.

Were these terrible deals for the U.S., as Trump says? Yes, for its working people but not for its corporations. Was the U.S. outwitted by Canada and other countries? Nonsense. Those pushing the deals all got exactly what they wanted.

Is it too late now for us to do anything except try to cling to NAFTA? Maybe. We restructured everything around it. But we shouldnt have to listen to odes to its splendo? I hate saying it but Trumps the only one speaking even partial truths in this cacophony.

We were screwed when we went in and well be screwed if we have to get out. And thats the truth.

Rick Salutin is a freelance writer and columnist for the Star about all things current affairs and politics. He is based in Toronto. Reach him on email: is a freelance writer and columnist for the Star about all things current affairs and politics. He is based in Toronto. Reach him on email: ricksalutin@ca.inter.net

Read more about:The blue economy.

The terminology still hasnt gained much traction in these parts, but if Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has his way, an outreach session on the sustainable economic future of oceans and coastal lands scheduled as part of this weekends G7 meeting in Charlevoix, Que., will change that.

In extending invitations to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and others, Trudeau is underscoring the global urgency of twinning economic development and ocean health. Fisheries. Tourism. Marine transport. Sustainable marine energy. Each of these floats on oceans under threat (the World Bank estimates that 80 per cent of ocean trash is from land-based sources, and thats just a piece of the problem).

Bangladesh has assumed an especially high profile in linking its economic future to the sustainable use of marine resources, hoping to pursue a low-carbon path to poverty reduction and increased employment. In a recent speech in Sydney, Prime Minister Hasina outlined how the country is planning to develop inclusive and people-centric blue economy enhancing capacity-building with innovative financing, ensuring transfer of critical technology and strengthening cross-sectoral partnerships and collaboration from Australia.

All of this rests on the presumption of a resilient ocean ecosystem.

It appears commendable that Trudeau is linking coastal least-developed countries to Canadas G7 presidency in this way. There will be photo ops, no doubt. Perhaps he hopes the session will serve as a successful diversion.

The flip side? That the broader optics for this years meeting are not in Trudeaus favour.

In announcing the topics for this years gathering, Trudeau laid out quite the buffet. Oceans, climate change, clean energy, womens empowerment, economic growth for all. And a gender-based analysis integrated across all themes. Leaders would be working toward finding real concrete solutions to promote each of these.

Yet the PM failed to act when he could have, so easily, joined British Prime Minister Theresa May in her call to ban single-use plastics. Plastic straws drew Mays particular ire, with billions of plastic straws tossed annually. The U.K. government, she announced, was entering consultations on the matter but was intent on being a world leader in protecting the marine environment. In response Trudeau said he was looking forward to  more talk. A discussion about Mays initiative would be held at the G7. A plastics charter has been promised.

It sounds so flaccid. On Tuesday, in recognition of World Environment Day, Trudeau announced Patricia Fuller as Canadas new ambassador for climate change. Fullers task is to determine how Canada can best advance its climate-change priorities on the world stage (that sounds like salesmanship) and put environmental policies into practise. So, work cut out for her, then.

In the same release the government gave a nod to Charlevoix. Later this week at the G7 Summit, we will bring world leaders together to discuss how we can reduce plastic pollution, tackle climate change and improve the health of the worlds oceans. Theres now a hashtag: #BeatPlasticPollution. Canadians have been invited to share their thoughts on how to move toward zero plastic waste.

Canadians are already sharing their climate-related thoughts on the prime ministers sudden acquisition of a pipeline, an act that places considerable strain on climate, clean energy and sustainability talk. By the weekend, Trans Mountain protestors will have moved off the inconsequential retention bonuses to be paid, should they hang in, to two Kinder Morgan executives and back to the potential environmental threat from diluted bitumen and the longer-term talk of stranded fossil fuel assets.

Then theres gender, a talking point consistently emphasized by Trudeau since before taking office. What great accomplishments can he claim on this front beyond the representation of women in cabinet?

Mayra Buvinic, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development in Washington as well as at Data2X, commends Trudeau for taking the lead and showing the way. And no question the G7 gathering is a high-profile forum. Now we have the right rhetoric, but in order to put the rhetoric into practise, in order to advance things, measure progress, evaluate progress, know what kind of interventions, we need to scale up, we need resources, Buvinic says.

As an example, Buvinic notes that data on womens economic participation is very bad. Its not only that (facts) are missing, its that measuring womens work has been really fraught with problems, biases, the way surveys have been conducted.

What will help women advance? For that we need data. We need to measure things. We need to know what works, what doesnt work, then we need data to measure progress, right?

You only need to think about wage and financial services discrimination to recognize that we are not talking here about issues isolated to the developing world. Theyre global problems. Theyre global issues, Buvinic says.

The goal? Smart and sustainable policies over time that will improve the situation of women and girls with all the benefits to society.

The question, as it always is for this administration, is whether we will see action to match the oceans/climate/gender/empowerment talk.

Clarification - June 13, 2018: This article was edited from a previous version to include that Mayra Buvinic is also a senior fellow at Data2X.

Read more about:Donald Trump is coming to Canada. Mute the trumpet fanfare and keep the petals on the rose.

The U.S. presidents arrival at the G7 summit in Charlevoix, Que., later this week will be a reminder  although really none is needed  of how acrimonious his personal interactions with other world leaders have become.

He has reportedly clashed by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron, he has sparred with British Prime Minister Theresa May and his relationship with German Chancellor Angela Merkel can best be described as frosty. He is playing hardball with Japans Shinzo Abe, despite a warm public relationship.

Abe is no doubt learning what Justin Trudeau already knows  the U.S. president can call you a friend to your face then treat you like a mortal enemy if it will serve his purpose or appease his base.

He delights in keeping the world in chaos. As G7 host, Trudeau will have to guide some blunt discussion without the meeting becoming a G6 +1, or as Trumps chief economic advisor Larry Kudlow preferred to call it Tuesday, a potential G1 +6.

Host or not, there can be no more important relationship for a Canadian prime minister than that with the U.S. president. It can also be the most frustrating, the most unnerving and take the most diplomatic skill of any relationship.

On trade, the climate, immigration, the move of his embassy to Jerusalem or his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear pact, Trump has taken diametrically opposite positions to Ottawa or simply rained pain on this country.

But, as counterintuitive as it may sound, Trudeaus Trump management remains one of his signal accomplishments.

He is drawing on a deep well of diplomatic skill, first in dealing with a man who appears to be borderline emotionally abusive in his dealings with world leaders and sees every encounter as a zero sum game.

Trudeau has also kept his caucus, cabinet and senior staff on message.

Four of his Liberal predecessors, including his father, had trouble at home and abroad in dealing with a U.S. president and those musing about how the tariff dispute has moved Canada-U.S. relations to historic depths have short memories.

Barely 15 years ago, with a Washington-led war in Iraq looming, a Liberal prime minister, Jean Chretien, was forced to deny George W. Bush was a moron, after a senior aide referred to the U.S. president as just that in offhand remarks at a NATO summit in Prague.

A Chretien minister of the day called Bush a failed statesman, and a Liberal MP left a caucus meeting saying, damn Americans, I hate those bastards, before appearing on a CBC show to crush a Bush doll with her heels.

Chretiens successor Paul Martin finally had to boot Carolyn Parrish from caucus.

Bush cancelled a visit to Canada in response.

Richard Nixon, according to his White House tapes, thought Trudeaus father Pierre Trudeau was an asshole, and Lyndon Johnson, after Lester Pearson denounced the escalation of the Vietnam war in a U.S. speech, scolded the Liberal prime minister with his infamous message, dont you come into my living room and piss on my rug. He may or may not have grabbed Pearson by the lapels to reinforce the message.

In his weekend interview with Chuck Todd of NBCs Meet the Press, Trudeau was at his best in describing the Canada-U.S. relationship. Some portions didnt make it to air.

His tone has changed regarding Trump. He has lamented a lack of common sense coming from the White House and called tariffs imposed by the president insulting.

Trudeau is dealing with a man who has promised him one thing in private, then done the opposite, has wilfully tossed around false facts dealing with the bilateral relationship and mocked Trudeaus voice in public.

Every era comes with its own challenges, Trudeau told Todd. He will stand up for Canada, he said, but he will continue to try to work co-operatively and constructively with whomever the U.S. elects. Were going to be polite, but we are not going to be pushed around, he said.

While international relationships can often hinge on leaders interpersonal relationships, Trudeau said, in the long run it is Canadians and Americans who forge bilateral bonds.

In public, Trudeau has never lost sight of this big picture.

But if Trump comes to Canada this weekend and pees on our rug, he should be reminded, in true LBJ fashion, that we deserve better. He can be reminded politely  or not.

Tim Harper is a former Star reporter who is a current freelance columnist based in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @nutgraf1

Read more about:VANCOUVERCanadian firms violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enforced in the European Union can face fines up to 20 million euros for violations, effectively becoming the toughest privacy regulations in the world.

A new law known as GDPR implemented in the European Union on May 25 means Canadian businesses that offer products or services to EU individuals online, or are that monitor the behaviours of people in the EU, are overhauling their business practices to strengthen data security and privacy rules.

Much of the GDPR legislation involves getting consent before collecting a persons name, address, age, gender, health information and more.

David McHugh, a business and technology lawyer at Vancouver-based Segev LLP, said many existing clients are inquiring with him about how to comply with the new policy.

Under Canadian law, McHugh explained, a business can rely on opt-out consents when users notify the organization that they no longer want their information collected and processed. Under GDPR, it doesnt allow for opt-out consents so organizations need to get consent for every type of processing for a person in the EU.

Thus its important that companies be able to keep track of what users have consented to and what they havent consented to, he added.

McHugh also noted the large fine associated with a serious infraction as one of the main reasons behind Canadian companies urgency to be in compliance.

Theyre quite significant so for a serious infraction, youre looking at either 20 million euros or four per cent of your total annual worldwide turnover for your business so thats a lot of money, he said. Under Canadian privacy legislation, youre probably looking at fines more in the $100,000 range or less.

Its waking up a lot of organizations on the importance of compliance. Theyre taking this a lot more seriously than weve seen with other privacy legislation, McHugh said.

Michael McEvoy, information and privacy commissioner for B.C., said it is only a matter of time until citizens in Canada and the rest of the world will have better protection of their personal data.

It unquestionably raises the bar for privacy in the world ... these are the toughest, highest, most stringent requirements put on businesses in the world.

With Europe leading the way in privacy protection, he hopes B.C. will also consider implementing stronger protections like mandatory breach notifications  a requirement under GDPR whereby any personal data thats stolen or hacked has to be reported.

Under this regulation, businesses would be obligated to report the breach to the privacy regulator so the problem can be fixed, and the individual knows that they can take steps to protect themselves, he said. It is a change, a reform that our office has asked for now for a couple of years.

Mat Burke, sales director of IT consulting services company Softlanding, said that GDPR regulations are forcing businesses to re-examine their own practices to adhere to GDPR, Burke said.

For instance, organizations may be capturing their customers data without a plan to get rid of it when theyre finished. Because the GDPR regulation involves disposing data that are no longer needed, companies are implementing changes that affect all customers not just in the EU.

Since its a relatively new regulation, he added, there is still a massive amount of uncertainty about this among the companies hes consulting.

Read more about:EDWARDSVILLE  Some voters could have a lot of extra choices to make in November, after the announcement that Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler is supporting an advisory referendum on the countys efforts to moving toward a no-kill animal control shelter means that at least three county-wide issues could be considered for the November ballot, with two being championed by Prenzler.

That is in addition to several local referendums already filed or being considered.

On Friday, Prenzler announced he was working with local animal welfare groups to place the referendum to support a 90 percent save rate at Madison Countys animal control shelter. He said they are seeking 10,000 signatures to put the referendum on the ballot.

While the phrase no-kill is used to describe the efforts, supporters acknowledge that some euthanasia would be necessary, especially in the case of sick or injured animals.

This follows action earlier this year by the Madison County Board to place a referendum to eliminate the Recorder as an elected office in the county, and a recent push by Prenzler to place a Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) on the ballot.

Prenzler has been pushing for a no-kill shelter since he started running for board chairman, and in April 2017 the County Board had passed a resolution to bring the county into no-kill status by Dec. 31, 2021.

Within the county weve had resistance to the idea, Prenzler said Monday. This was a campaign promise I made and were working toward that. This is a way for the public to speak out on this issue and make their opinions known.

Some of the issues center around the Animal Control Department.

There has been bureaucratic resistance to change, he said.

There have been a number of controversies involving the Animal Control Department, including several controversial animal euthanasia cases, and complaints about the culture at Animal Control.

Prenzler also said the change could come with no additional cost to the county. One area that is being considered is the countys fee structure for Animal Control, and it is expected that those fees  for everything from euthanizing pets to taking in stray cats from local municipalities  will be increased to cover actual costs to the county.

The Public Safety Committee has also been looking at major changes to animal control ordinances for some time, and the county is currently in the process of hiring an office manager who will oversee day-to-day operations at Animal Control.

Supporters of the referendum are meeting from 5-7 p.m. today, Tuesday in Alfonzos Pizzeria, 611 Edwardsville Road, Troy, to hand out materials and go over rules for petition collection.

I support a county no-kill policy and I think an advisory referendum will show we have overwhelming support from the public, said Prenzler. I want to invite everyone, regardless of political party, to come together and make this happen. We all want a safe and humane community for people and pets.

The other issue Prenzler has pushed is PTELL. PTELL limits property tax increases by capping the total dollar amount certain property taxes may increase from year to year based on the Consumer Price Index or 5 percent, whichever is greater. However, larger increases can be made with voter approval.

Prenzler presented the idea at a recent County Board meeting, and the issue has been considered by both the Government Relations and Tax Cycle committees, but some concerns have been raised about the issue going to both committees.

Once an issue is decided by a committee it must go to the full County Board, and concerns have been raised about what would happen if separate committees took different actions.

Prenzler said Monday a letter from the Madison County States Attorneys Office stated the proper place for it to be considered is the Government Relations Committee.

He noted that in 1998, when PTELL was voted down, and in 2004, when it was killed in committee, it had gone through the County Boards Legislative Committee, which later became the Government Relations Committee.

There have been a number of questions raised about PTELL.

Another issue already set for the county-wide ballot is a referendum on the elimination of the Recorders elected position, and moving those functions to the County Clerks Office.

It appears to have broad support on the County Board, and so far the main opposition has been from Recorder Amy Meyer.

Two other referendums have been filed, and at least one other is being considered, according to Madison County Clerk Debra Ming-Mendoza.

In Godfrey Township, a referendum eliminating township government in 2020 and moving those operations to the village has been filed by the village. A similar proposal has been considered by the Alton City Council, but no action has been taken.

In the Fosterburg Water District a binding referendum on changing the districts board to an elected board rather than being appointed by the Madison County Board chairman was recently filed.

This comes after some controversy on Prenzlers appointments to that board. In 2017, Prenzler was criticized for replacing two members of the board. At the time one of the ousted officials said they had filled out paperwork to be reappointed, but county officials said they never received it.

Earlier this year two members of the water district board took the unusual step of appearing before the Madison County Board to ask that they be reappointed when their terms expire in May.

Water Board President Steve Strohbeck and Trustee Robert Kercher both spoke, asking to be reappointed after their terms expired in May.

No action has been taken on those seats by Prenzler yet.

As board chairman, Prenzler has control over appointments to approximately 70 different boards, ranging from cemetery boards to volunteer fire districts.

According to Ming-Mendoza, the deadline for filing to place referendums on the ballot is Aug. 20.

Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447.For the Telegraph

ALTON  The Beall Mansion An Elegant Bed and Breakfast Inn announced Monday that it has received a 2018 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and Hall of Fame Award.

With the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor honors hospitality businesses that have consistently received strong praise and ratings from travelers, said Heather Leisman, TripAdvisor Vice President of Industry Marketing. This recognition helps travelers identify and book properties that regularly deliver great service. TripAdvisor is proud to play this integral role in helping travelers feel more confident in their booking decisions.OPPO has officially announced OPPO Find X. The new futuristic flagship smartphone will be unveiled at the world famous Louvre Museum in Paris on June 19. Previously on June 1, OPPO revived and restarted the Find series via its official website and social media channels. Find X, the name of the new product, recently lighted Paris landmark, represents OPPOs endless exploration of the ultimate future smartphone, with the letter X meaning the unknown, adventurous and extreme.

As the premium series of OPPOs smartphones, the Find series has always been known for its excellent configuration, pioneering innovative technology, and artistic design, providing consumers with all-round flagship performance and refined aesthetics.

Looking back at the history of the Find series, OPPOs classic models display the brands persistence to combine technology and aesthetics. From the side-sliding qwerty keyboard design, to the thinnest body to the highest-definition screen and fastest charging technology, OPPOs Find series has ignited the publics imagination time and time again.

Find X903, the first Find product released in June 2011, firmly represented the best of Android smartphones in China at that time, thanks to its unique side-sliding qwerty keyboard design and overall flagship performance. The launch of the Find series indeed also gave OPPO a formal entry to the field of smartphones, known as the perfect transformation of OPPO.

OPPO Finder, 6.65mm

In 2012, the smartphone market was inundated with thick, heavy products. OPPO took the lead and released the ultra-thin flagship Finder. With a body of 6.65 mm, this product was the thinnest in the world at the time. Meanwhile, the OPPO Finder creatively applied a double-layer saber-class stainless steel frame for a sturdy body.

The thinnest body around the world, only 6.65 mm thick

Stainless steel frame structure comparable to a Swiss army knife

Super AMLOED Plus screen of 4.3 inch

OPPO Find 5, 1080P, a New Era of HD Display

After renewing the publics understanding of smartphone design, OPPO again focused on the innovation of screen technology. While mainstream flagships were using standard 720P display screens, OPPO released the revolutionary flagship Find 5. With a beautiful 1080P resolution screen and design concept of Screen-off Aesthetics, Find 5 proved to be a revolutionary viewing experience. Furthermore, with the stunning design and complete performance, Find 5 won many awards such as the best buy recommendations of PC magazine and IF Product Design Award.

Chinas first 1080P screen

Design concept of Screen-off Aesthetics

13MP HD camera

OPPO Find 7, 5 Minutes Charging for 2 Hours Phone Calls

With the increasingly powerful performance of mobile phones, the problem of fast consumption, slow charging is facing the entire industry. OPPO, however, tapped into the forefront of technology to lead the industry once again. In 2014, the company released Find 7, bringing forth the fastest charging technology, namely VOOC flash charging.

Compared with the commonly applied charging solutions, VOOC flash charging technology sped up the charging and achieved the goal of charging for 5 minutes, talking for 2 hours. To date, VOOC flash charging technology has served more than 100 million users worldwide, with the number still rising.

VOOC flash charging

The worlds first 2K mobile phone screen

Skyline breathing lamp

Building on the legacy of the classic OPPO Find series, OPPO continues to explore and innovate with new technologies and aesthetics. OPPOs decision to launch Find X at the Louvre Museum in Paris reinforces our dedication to the art of technology. This product, after 4 years of anticipation, combines OPPOs exploration of aesthetics and future technologies. Join us on June 19 to find more.

@Technuter.com News ServiceEDWARDSVILLE  A Granite City man pleaded guilty Tuesday in a November armed robbery at a Pontoon Beach convenience store.

Makial D. Lucas, 20, who was charged on Nov. 15, 2017, pleaded guilty to armed robbery, a Class X felony, and was sentenced to 16 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

On Friday, Nov. 10, officers with the Pontoon Beach Police Department responded to reports of an armed robbery at the Caseys General Store in 3800 block of Pontoon Road. The ensuing investigation revealed that Lucas, armed with a firearm, robbed the store of $302.

Associate Judge Neil Schroeder accepted a guilty plea from Lucas for one count of armed robbery. In exchange for his guilty plea, Lucas was sentenced to 16 years in prison.ALTON  A vacant house was destroyed in what officials are calling a suspicious fire early Monday morning in the 3200 block of Edsall Street.

The Alton Police Department and Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal are investigating the fire, which was reported at 4:22 a.m.

Our firefighters found a one-story, wood-framed home fully involved, Alton Fire Chief Bernie Sebold said. When we pulled up, the guys were there no more than five minutes when the home collapsed into the basement. It had been burning quite a while before anyone even noticed.

Firefighters concentrated on protecting two adjacent homes.

East Alton firefighters were called to assist, but the mutual request was canceled just as they arrived on the scene because the fire was completely contained within the basement walls.

Sebold said the fire is being labeled suspicious and of undetermined origin. The property, which had been a rental property that had been vacant for about 18 months, did not have utilities.

He said they believe the blaze may have started in the basement, but it may be difficult to determine.

Theres not enough left of the home to make an accurate determination of that, he said.

No injuries were reported. Sebold said one of the reasons the fire was so advanced when they got there was several of the adjacent properties were also vacant, and in the summer the sounds of a house fire can be difficult for neighbors to hear because the windows are closed and air conditioners running.

The AFD continues to offer a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction related to any suspicious fire in Alton over the past nine months. Tipsters are asked to call the Alton Police Department at (618) 465-5948 or the Fire Marshals hotline at 1-800-252-2947.

The reward was initiated after a number of suspicious fires in recent months. After a fire in March there had been a two-month lull, leading Sebold to hope the fires had stopped, but last week a suspicious fire engulfed a 1,200-square-foot duplex in the 1000 block of Willard Avenue.

Most of the suspicious fires have been reported at night or very early in the morning.

Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447.SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  State Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Godfrey, and state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, have been working with the University of Illinois at Chicago and Lewis and Clark Community College to provide nursing students in the Metro East and Central Illinois with more opportunities to receive their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees.

Through their efforts, nursing students will be able to work towards their degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Nursing while attending classes at Lewis and Clark Community College.

Building a more vibrant Metro East economy means providing options for our young people to pursue an affordable, world-class education here in our community, said Bristow. This collaborative effort by UIC and Lewis and Clark Community College will bring more good-paying nursing jobs to our community, help more of our students achieve their academic goals here at home, and deliver more effective, compassionate care for all. Im grateful that these institutions have come together to both provide our young people with more career opportunities and also create a partnership that will benefit our entire region.

Bristow and Manar are committed to developing different approaches that make good-paying jobs more accessible to residents in the Metro East and Central Illinois. Timothy Killeen, President of the University of Illinois, and Dale Chapman, President of Lewis and Clark Community College, worked with Bristow and Manar to develop the agreement that will include partnerships in the area of nursing degrees, collaboration and funding of the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, innovation partnerships through the L&C St. Louis Confluence Fab Lab and University of Illinois Tech Hub, and through work being done at the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities.

We appreciate the leadership of our local elected leaders, Senator Manar and Representative Bristow, and the vision of President Killeen for helping us reach this historic partnership, said Chapman. The program development between the University of Illinois and Lewis and Clark will continue the growth and expansion of students learning and research.

Lewis and Clark has a long history of graduating successful associate degree nurses who are well prepared for clinical practice and ready to continue their education. UIC has offered RN-BSN completion education for over 35 years. With a US News & World Report ranking the institution as one of the top 10 nationally, it is uniquely positioned to join with Lewis and Clark to expand BSN education in the region. A partnership between these two reputable programs builds on the strengths of each allowing for real innovation while maintaining efficiency in program delivery for Metro East RNs seeking BSNs.

I want to commend the leadership of these two institutions of higher education for coming together to create a groundbreaking new program that solves a pressing problem in my Senate district, said Manar. Because of their willingness to work together and think outside of the box, prospective students will have access to affordable bachelors degrees; rural hospitals and clinics will have access to an expanded pool of nursing applicants to address growing workforce needs, and working families will take on less debt and earn better wages. I am beyond thrilled about this partnership, and I look forward to being there when the first BSN class graduates from Lewis and Clark and UIC through this program.

Utilizing novel approaches, UIC College of Nursings RN-BSN program will enable Lewis and Clark associate degree nursing (ADN) students to begin taking classes toward their BSN degree while students at Lewis and Clark with UIC BSN degree after ADN graduation. This partnership creates options for a convenient and affordable pathway to a BSN degree for students in the Metro East region. Nursing leadership from both institutions will work together over the coming weeks to develop effective strategies to efficiently further access to RN-BSN education for nurses in the region.

The University of Illinois System is gratified to be able to collaborate in important work with our counterparts at Lewis and Clark and community colleges across the state, said Killeen.ALTON - Freddie A. Carbon, 71, of the 2100 block of Brown Street, Alton, was charged Thursday with criminal sexual assault, attempted criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

He allegedly committed two acts of sexual penetration to a female age 15 and an act of fondling on the victim between April 1, 2017 and July 31, 2017. Bail was set at $125,000.

EDWARDSVILLE - Jeffrey C. Cato, 50, of the 8000 block of Illinois Route 159, Moro, was charged Monday with criminal trespass to a residence.

He allegedly entered a home of a resident in the 600 block of Mill Street, Edwardsville, on Saturday while the resident was present. Bail was set at $15,000.

WOOD RIVER - Charles H. Steward, 40, of Springfield, was charged Monday with felony retail theft.

He allegedly took baby formula and alcohol from the Wood River Walmart, 610 Wesley Drive, on Sunday. Bail was set at $20,000.

ALTON - Nathan A. Johnson, 33, of Granite City, was charged Monday with unlawful violation of an order of protection.

He allegedly entered a residence of a protected person in the 2700 block of Viewland Street May 22 after having been convicted of domestic battery in 2014. Bail was set at $30,000.

ALTON - Rachel E. Counts, 37, of the 500 block of Wyss Street, Alton, was charged Monday with unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

She allegedly possessed fentanyl on May 30. Bail was set at $15,000.EDWARDSVILLE  High school students exiting grades 9-12 can boost their technical and interpersonal skills, learn from local entrepreneurs and engage with business experts during Southern Illinois University Edwardsvilles new Summer Entrepreneurship Academy (SEA).

The SEA will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 18-22. Registration is available at siue.edu/summer/camps/summer-entrepreneurship-academy.

There is a lot of excitement for the Summer Entrepreneurship Academy, said Katie Robberson, instructor in the School of Businesss Department of Management and Marketing. The camps main goal is to help students see how to put their entrepreneurial spirit into practice. All it takes to be successful in this camp is a desire to learn.

SEA participants will be placed in teams and challenged to find an innovative idea to build a business plan and pitch. The week-long experience will end with a pitch competition to a panel of local business owners and entrepreneurship experts.

For high school students with a drive to forge their own path this will be an incredibly valuable experience, Robberson said. We will be collaborating with the Small Business Development Center at SIUE, so students will see how real small businesses in our area get help from experts to start and grow their business.

Two field trips will be highlights during the SEA, including a visit to Code 3 Spices, based in Collinsville, where students will see the production side of entrepreneurship. Participants will also travel to T-Rex, an innovative business incubator in St. Louis, where creativity and business strategizing abound.

For more information, contact Robberson at krobber@siue.edu.To experience more giddiness and excitement over finances than what has been seen in Springfield the past few days would require hanging out for the ball drop at a Fiscal New Years Eve party.

Some of it is warranted.

Lawmakers were able to do this year what has seemed impossible since Bruce Rauner placed the Governor nameplate on his desk  pass a budget.

They also were able to get the governors approval.

Gone was the messy rancor of budgets past and the mystery of what would happen to desperately needed funding after the current budget ended June 30.

The compromise that it took from all sides is admirable.

There was no increase in taxes, lawmakers point out in self-congratulations. Of course, after last years massive $5 billion hike in personal and business income tax, theres not a lot more to take. Plus, if we were being cynical, we would say that this being an election year helped sidestep that issue.

Funding also is improving for some of the groups that were hardest hit by two years of budget impasses. Education and social services dont seem to be held hostage to Draconian cuts quite as much as in previous years.

Unfortunately, when looking into the numbers, it becomes apparent theres a lot of smoke and mirrors involved.

First, there is a lack of revenue estimates. That portends a lack of change to one of the real problems with Illinois finances: Out-of-control spending.

Without this element, this is not so much a budget as a $38.5 billion spending plan. It fails to address the significant problems that will continue to erode the states financial footing, key among them spending restraints.

There also is little to resolve the deeply rooted problem of a $130 billion pension shortfall or to alleviate a pile of overdue bills that now is $6.6 billion tall.

Its also a stretch to call this a balanced budget  something the state hasnt seen since 2001  without having the revenue side of the equation.

Thats where critics worry the plan will start to unravel. They see a lot of accounting gimmicks  especially a reliance on revenue expectations that are optimistic at best and unrealistic at worst  being used to portray a better fiscal snapshot than what really exists.

This budget is a start  and thats more than Illinoisans have seen in a long time.

Illinois needed a win, Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady told reporters after Rauner signed the plan this week.

Thats absolutely true.

The question now is whether it truly is a win or just a delay in the emergence of the same old problems.Toyota Uganda is themarket leader in Ugandas automotive industry. We are a wholly owned subsidiaryof Toyota Tsusho Corporation in Japan and the sole official distributor ofbrand new Toyota vehicles in Uganda as appointed by Toyota Motor Corporation.Our key business activities include the sale of Toyota motor vehicles, genuineparts and motor vehicle servicing & repair as well as Yamaha motorcycles,Hino trucks and Case tractors.FINCA Uganda Limited(MDI) was the first licensed micro-finance deposit taking institution in Uganda,and part of a global network which serves over 1,000,000 clients in 22countries. FINCA Uganda currently offers loans, savings and money transferservices in Uganda, one of the most competitive and dynamic microfinancemarkets in the world. FINCA is looking for dynamic people to join theirteam of professionals as Compensation & Benefits Officer, Customer CareOfficer and Banking Operations Supervisor. Details are highlightedas follows:Elaborating on the achievements of the Narendra Modi government on its fourth anniversary, Union Power Minister R.K. Singh espoused hope on two fronts. One, that power will soon reach every household, and second, that load-shedding would become history by March 2019.

"We are formulating the Draft Tariff Policy, under which load-shedding after March 2019 would invite penalties for power distributors," said Singh, who was speaking at a press conference on the power ministry's achievements on Tuesday.

The policy is under review by the power ministry's own review committee, after states had pointed out difficulties with the Centre's new tariff policy.

"All discussions will be done with states and, in fact, discussions are still going on with certain states on the new policy," Singh, a first-time minister and former bureaucrat in the home and defence ministries, said.

Distribution companies, many of whom are privately owned, have reacted differently to the new draft policy. "We have sent in our views on the new policy; now, it is for the government to see what are its priorities," said Sanjay Kumar Banga, CEO, Tata Power-Delhi Distribution Pvt Ltd, one of the two private power distributors that provide power to households in the capital.

On the issue of taking power to households in villages and cities, Singh said that the government aims to power up homes with the Saubhagya scheme.

Under the scheme, the Union government and state governments make it free for the applicant to seek power at homes, in comparison with the earlier system of paying for the infrastructure first to get the connection.

"Under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana, we brought power to 68 lakh villages, and now with Saubhagya scheme, we will power all census households in these villages," the Union power minister said.

However, Singh's claims of having brought power to every village in four years of the Modi government drew criticism from across the country.

'Unpowered' villages have been reported from Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh and some other states, said journalists from these states, joining in via teleconference at the minister's press conference.

Power is central to the government's many development plans as it battles to take a stand against pollution.

The power minister said that renewable energy capacities have been doubled in the last four years. "We have doubled renewable capacity to 34GW in four years. Things have never happened so fast at this blazing speed under any government," claimed Singh.

He said that India is well on track to achieve its renewable energy target of 175GW, well before our target of 2022.

Singh said that solar capacity has doubled in the last four years and wind and hydroelectric generation has also grown three to four times.

Referring to advances made by India on achieving the renewable energy target, Singh had included renewable projects under completion (12,500MW), projects bid out (25,000MW) and projects with about 40,000MW capacity whose bidding would be held by the government in the coming two years.

"These take us to 108GW of renewable capacity already," Singh said. In fact, enthused by the prospects, the government has set itself an unofficial target of 225GW instead.

The power ministry's targets apart, all eyes will now be on whether the Central government will light up still dark homes in the country and fuel the economy's growth, before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls are held.

UDAY scheme takes a back seat

Even as R.K. Singh highlighted the achievements of the power ministry, one scheme, which was in the limelight till last year, figured rather inconspicuously in the power ministry's list of achievements.

"Under UDAY, tremendous efficiency improvement has been done and we have saved more than Rs 20,000 crore in interest cost alone (for discoms)," said Singh, apparently trying to avoid talking much about the scheme introduced by his predecessor and current Coal and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal.

The Centre's UDAY scheme prescriptions for troubled state-run discoms, to help them come out of indebtedness, had resulted in discoms making huge dent in revenues of a number of states.

In a colourful brochure this year, the government claimed that adoption of the UDAY scheme had improved India's ranking on the World Bank's ease of getting electricity index to 29 in 2018 from 114 in 2014.

The power minister said that the government is now exploring new ways of helping troubled power distributors.

Among the methods it is exploring are bringing 11 troubled power plants under the Samadhan scheme of SBI, seven power plants under the Shakti scheme of power ministry arm Rural Electricity Corporation and another nine power units undergoing resolution at the NCLT for change of ownership, said the minister.

The RBI had already given its go-ahead for debt resolution of the 11 power plants identified under SBI's Samadhan scheme, a notification from the Central Bank on June 3 stated.Rani Mukerji-starrer Hichki will be screened at the day one of the Shanghai Film Festival, starting June 16.

The movie will be shown as part of The Belt and Road Week in China, according to a press release by production banner, Yash Raj Films.

Directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra, Hichki features Mukerji as an inspiring and self-motivated school teacher named Naina Mathur who suffers from Tourette syndrome. Malhotra said it is a "huge honour and a big opportunity" for the team.

"I am absolutely looking forward to presenting Hichki at The Belt and Road Film Week at Shanghai International Film Festival... I am very grateful that they have included our film. I am also thrilled and touched at the love and applause Hichki has brought us.

"Rani and the kids take most of the credit for its victory on screen, and I think 'Hichki' will take her to a whole new global audience," the filmmaker said.

The film, based Brad Cohen's autobiography Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had, released on March 23.A manager at a local branch of a French supermarket chain was filmed last week removing Israeli dates from a store shelf after a Muslim customer shouted that they were offensive.



The dates were situated on a stall advertising food for the Muslim Ramadan month.



The incident took place in a branch of the Carrefour chain, in the town of Chambourcy west of Paris.



In a video posted online by activists advocating the boycott of Israel, the customer can be heard shouting These products are an insult to Muslims. [...]



Israels embassy in Paris told the Ynet news site The embassy closely follows and instances of boycott activity in France and holds continuous and intensice dialogue with businesses and law enforcement as well as the French government to stamp out the phenomennon, which is forbidden by French law.

Israeli deputy minister Michael Oren on Saturday lambasted France for supporting an anti-Semitic resolution at the UN Security Council that condemned Israeli actions during violent riots on the border last month.



Orens comments prompted an angry response from French Ambassador to Israel Helene Le Gal, who charged Oren with insulting France.

Praise for the U.S. for vetoing Security Council resolution on Gaza that didnt mention Hamas and condemned the IDF for defending Israel. Shame on France for supporting it. French government cannot say its against anti-Semitism and vote for this anti-Semitic resolution.  Michael Oren (@DrMichaelOren) June 2, 2018

First of all, here's a disturbing report of a shop manager who took out Israeli dates after a Muslim angrily complained (via Breitbart ):The shop owner should decidedly be fined for cowardice.But like Nicholas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande before him, Macron's not helping matters if he allows votes against Israel at the UN's vile councils Uh uh. That's not what he did. He condemned the government, and here's his exact words:Yes, he more or less slammed the government, and they're the ones insulting France, by failing to combat Islam and regard it as what it truly is, an evil ideology. I'd say Le Gal owes her own country as much an apology as it does Israel. Of course, if I'm correct, they're not the only ones who supported the resolution. There's also Sweden.All that aside, Macron cannot say he's against anti-semitism if he continues to support one-sided resolutions against Israel. This is exactly the grave error he and his predecessors like Sarkozy and Hollande made, otherwise failing to consider that hostility to a country of origin is as much part and parcel of racism as acts of violence in their own country against specific groups. If this is how they're going to act, then they've thrown away all ability to convince they're really against anti-semitism.

Labels: anti-semitism, dhimmitude, France, islam, Israel, jihad, Moonbattery, political corruption, terrorism, UN corruption, United StatesKaala producer K. Dhanush and his wife Aishwarya have filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking directions to the state government and Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) for smooth release of the film.

Kaala is scheduled to be released worldwide on June 7 but KFCC had said the film would neither be distributed nor screened in the state. In the plea, Dhanush, who is Rajinikanth's son-in-law, submitted that it is the fundamental right of the petitioners under the Constitution to exhibit the film.

"CBFC has issued a certification under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, for the release of Kaala after following due process and adhering to all guidelines. After receiving such a certificate, it is the fundamental right of the petitioner under Article 19(1) of the Constitution to exhibit the film," the petitioners submitted.

The petitioners also have sought security at theatres and for movie-goers, directors, producers and cast associated with Kaala in Karnataka.

They have made the government, home department, state police chief, Bengaluru city police commissioner, Central Board of Film Certification and KFCC as respondents in their plea.

The petitioners stated that KFCC took a decision to neither distribute nor screen Kaala in Karnataka following Rajinikanth's alleged views on the Cauvery dispute, demanding release of water to Tamil Nadu as per Supreme Court direction.

The petitioners also said KFCC President Sa Ra Govindu on May 30 had issued a press statement saying the film will neither be distributed nor screened anywhere in Karnataka. They also said the several pro-Kannada organisations had made representations to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy requesting a ban on Kaala.

The petition is likely to come up for hearing on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, actor Prakash Raj has questioned the ban on Kaala in Karnataka. "What's film #kaala got to do with Kaveri issue..? why is film fraternity targeted always..?Will Jds/congress government let fringe elements take law into their hands... like bjp did with #Padmavat.. or ..will you step in to assure common man.. his right for choice. #justasking..," tweeted the multi-lingual actor.

In a statement, Raj said, "Who are these people to decide what most Kannadigas want or don't want? What about the distributors, investors and theatre owners and the thousands of those whose lives depend on them? And what about the lakhs and lakhs of cinema lovers because of whom, all these people earn a living?"The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite...The Bharatiya Janata Party is trying its best to woo Shiv Sena and ensure that the saffron alliance remains intact ahead of 2019 general elections. BJP national president Amit Shah is likely to go to Matoshree on Wednesday to meet Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in an effort to revive the alliance.

The ties between Shiv Sena and BJP have reached an all time low. Shiv Sena contested Palghar Lok Sabha bypolls against BJP. Though the BJP won the elections, Shiv Sena managed to gain second spot despite having never contested election in Palghar.

Shiv Sena candidate Shrinivas Wanga is the son of late BJP MP Chintaman Wanga whose death necessitated the bypoll. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was very upset with Shiv Sena move to snatch Wanga family away from the BJP. The bitterness between the two allies had reached its peak during the campaign.

However, with the bypoll over, Fadnavis has expressed hope that the alliance will remain intact. He is adopting a cautious stand so as not to alienate Shiv Sena any more. PWD Minister Chandrakant Patil, too, recently stated that BJP-Sena alliance must remain solid otherwise Congress would come back to power in Maharashtra.

Thackeray, on the other hand, is firm that his party will not have any sort of pre-poll alliance with any political party. He has made up his mind that all elections henceforth will have to be contested by Shiv Sena on its own.

Thackeray is not at all happy with the BJP style of governance, be it at the Center or in the state. Sena misses no opportunity to hit out at the BJP through its aggressive editorials in its mouthpiece Saamna.

Given this background, Amit Shah's proposed visit to Matoshree and his meeting with Uddhav Thackeray assumes significance. Shah has been to Matoshree earlier to seek Sena's support for Ramnath Kovind's presidential election.External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday underlined that multilateralism, international trade and rules based world order were facing "strong head-winds" as she called for joint action by the BRICS nations against money laundering, terrorist-financing and de-radicalisation.

Swaraj, who is on a five-day trip to South Africa, attended the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Foreign Ministers' meeting. It was held to lay the foundation for the annual summit of the grouping in Johannesburg next month which is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Our deliberations here will contribute towards enriching intra BRICS cooperation further," Swaraj said.

India attaches importance to the role of BRICS in consolidating intra-BRICS cooperation and in international affairs, she was quoted as saying by a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Swaraj called for joint action of the BRICS nations against challenges to long-term growth.

"Our meeting today takes place at a time when multilateralism, international trade, and rules based world order face strong head-winds," Swaraj said.

"Though, the global growth has exhibited signs of recovery, the challenges to long-term growth continue to persist. Ensuring that the benefits of globalisation are shared widely remains a challenge," she added.

"Prime Minister Modi had given a call for a BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy for joint-action with a focus on money laundering, terrorist-finance, cyber-space and de-radicalization as our priorities," Swaraj said.

"Our leaders have also called for making UN Counter Terrorism framework efficient and effective. We reiterate our commitment to implement our Leaders' mandate on counter terrorism under South Africa's BRICS Chairship," she said.

Later addressing a press conference, Swaraj said the four nations discussed the need to further strengthen our cooperation in the areas of security and countering-terrorism.

"You are all aware of strong statement on counter terrorism which emerged from BRICS Summit in Xiamen. I am sure the deliberations we have had in today's meeting will be further taken forward in the forthcoming BRICS Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg next month," she said.

"We are fully committed to contributing towards a successful Johannesburg BRICS Summit, which Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is keenly looking forward to," Swaraj said.

She said BRICS brings together almost 42 per cent of global population, with impressive growth, investment and trade share.

"BRICS meetings are keenly watched world over and our decisions have profound impact globally. In today's meeting we exchanged views on current issues of global significance in political, security, and economic spheres," she said.

The other foreign ministers attending the meeting were China's Wang Yi, South Africa's Lindiwe Sisulu, Brazil's Marcos Bezerra Abbott Galvao and Russia's Sergey Lavrov.

BRICS Cooperation in strategic areas of security, counter-terrorism, UN reforms, peacekeeping, de-radicalisation, cyber security, energy security, global governance, and international and regional hot-spot issues are deliberated in detail during National Security Advisor's meetings, she said.

"It is imperative now that the common ground reached in our NSAs meeting on setting up a BRICS Security Forum is implemented fully," she said.

Swaraj said that India welcomes South Africa's Summit theme devoted to Development in Africa in an inclusive manner.

"We also welcome the focus on technology as the engine of future-growth and its significance for future generations and their employment prospects," she added.

Swaraj will also chair a meeting of Foreign Ministers of IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa), another bloc working to deepen coordination among the three countries on major global issues.The CBI on Monday filed charge sheet against Ravi Krishna, director of Ziqitza Health Care Pvt Ltd and son of former minister Vayalar Ravi, its CEO and others in connection with alleged corruption in the operation of ambulances in Rajasthan after three years of probe.

The agency has also named Krishna, CEO Sweta Mangal and employee Amit Antony Alex, and the company Ziqitza Health Care as accused in the charge sheet, the officials said.

The FIR registered by the state government had named former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and alleged directors of the company, Congress leader Sachin Pilot, Karti Chidambaram (son of former union minister P. Chidambaram), Ravi Krishna (son of former union minister Vayalar Ravi), Ziqitza Health Care, Mangal, the then health minister of the state Duru Mirza, and the director of the National Rural Health Mission.

However, the charge sheet filed after three years of investigation on Monday does not name Gehlot, Pilot, Chidambaram or Mirza as accused.

The officials said the investigation is continuing and further charge sheets will be filed on the basis of evidence which may be gathered in the course of time, they said.

"The charge sheet has been filed in the competent court, Jaipur on the allegations related to irregularities in the operation of ambulances in Rajasthan," CBI spokesperson R.K. Gaur said.

After filing of the FIR, Pilot had said he had resigned from the company in late 2002 or early 2003 (before he became MP) when it decided to become a for profit company from the non-profit venture as he was associated with it only for social cause.

The CBI has claimed that the period of the alleged crime is between 2010-13. It is alleged in the case that ambulance services of 108 number were set up in the erstwhile Vasundhara Raje government which were provided by EMR company.

When the Raje government returned to power, a police complaint was filed before the Jaipur police, they said, adding the state government wrote asking the CBI to take over the probe.

The case was registered by the state police on the basis of allegations levelled by some politicians which was taken over by the CBI.

The complainant had alleged that when the Gehlot government came they found alleged irregularities in the services and recommended that fresh tenders be called for plying ambulances in the state.

CBI sources said it is alleged the terms of tenders were tweaked in such a way (making it mandatory for the ambulances to have GPS among others) that it favoured Ziqitza Health Care making it the sole bidder.It has been a long hiatus for grenade attacks in Kashmir since the 1990s. However, after close to two decades, use of grenades by militants is back in the valley.

Grenade attacks are on the rise in the state after the Centre's announcement suspending operations in Kashmir in view of the month of Ramzan.

Since May 17, from when operations were suspended, more than a dozen grenade attacks were launched by the militants, injuring both security forces and civilians. On May 23, at least 12 people were injured in a grenade attack at Guriwan in Bijbehara in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. Later on June 4, 16 peoplethe highest in a dayincluding four policemen and 12 civilians, were injured when militants hurled a grenade at a police party in Shopian in south Kashmir. Around 12 civilians were reportedly injured in this explosion. A young girl suffered critical injuries, said a police spokesman.

Security forces believe that the use of grenades by the militants is either aimed to provoke the security forces indiscriminately into fire or create a fear among the security forces vulnerable to such attacks.

The use of grenades also allows the attackers to go incognito in the crowd, without being detected or identified. However, such attacks have a serious downside as the weapon cannot differentiate between security forces and civilians. Back in 1990s, many civilians were killed in Kashmir due to similar grenade attacks that were intended at the security forces.

The fact that grenade attacks have taken place in south Kashmir and Srinagar as well is adding to the fears of the security forces currently. The forces fear that grenades can be stored at a hideout and used at will to create panic and inflict damage. The grenades are lobbed mostly by upper ground workers of the militants, which makes it even more dangerous.

Most of the grenade attacks are being carried out by pan-Islamist Jaish-e-Muhammad. Groups such as AlBadr and Tehreek-ul-Mujadeen, who were active in the 90s, have also claimed responsibility for a few attacks.

Curiously, Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba have not been found involved grenade attacks against the security forces. In fact, the Hizbul and Lashkar have not carried out any major attack on the security forces. Security forces believe that the two militant groups have responded favourably to the suspension of operations.

Whether the two groups are holding back due to Ramzan or are using the period to regroup would be clear after the Ramzan month comes to an end in the second week of June.Kerala woke up to the tragic news last Monday. It was the day when the state, which always takes pride in its meritorious living standard and literacy, witnessed humanity succumbing to devilry in an attempt to silence true love.

I was, as usual, playing with the TV remote, changing the channels while sipping my morning tea, when the news flashed before me. On the screen, the scroll in Malayalam read: Love marriage: Bride's family abducts groom.

Kevin and Neenu placed their love beyond everythingcaste, creed and wealth. If only Neenu's family had thought along similar lines, things would have been different.

Being a strong advocate of love, I was left in utter shock. My eyes were glued to the TV screen as I looked up from the scroll to see the girl, Neenu, wailing. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she accused her family of abducting her love, Kevin, and the police of not taking action on her complaint.

Having breakfast next to me, my mother, whose parental instincts may have kicked up, said, What has happened to today's children? This girl is complaining about her own parents and brother, she grumbled.

Later that day, the developments in the case took a deadly turn. My mother would have certainly felt contrite about her statement in the morning. Kevin's lifeless body was recovered from a canal. I nearly cursed my own eyes for having stumbled upon the news. With a heavy sigh, my mother asked herself, Which ogres did this? The answer is now out in the open with the arrest of the accused.

The story of Kevin P. Joseph and Neenu Chacko is a textbook example of the decline of human values in Kerala's contemporary society. It is horrible to think that our fellow citizens could stoop so low. Just take a stroll down the recent past and you will see how fast humanity is disappearing. Be it the story of Madhu, who was beaten to death by a mob after being charged with theft in Attappadi, or that of Athira, who was killed by her own father for falling in love with a person from a different caste in Malappuram, or the Latvian woman who was killed in Thiruvananthapuram, or that little girl who was sexually abused inside a cinema theatre in Malappuram, or Sreejith who died in police custody in Varappuzha... tales of human apathy have been flooding our newspapers. Kevin is the latest in that series.

HOPES SHATTERED: Kevin's father Joseph consoles Neenu after his body was recovered | Reju Arnold

What was Kevin's crime? He wanted to marry the girl with whom he had been in love for three years. Is love a crime? May be, in the eyes of a section of our societythe same people who take on the role of the moral police and chase away boys and girls for sitting together in parks. Why are they so intolerant to two persons loving each other?

The stark irony in this case is that Neenu's parents, who themselves loved and married despite being from different religion, were intolerant to their daughter's affair. Neenu's father, Chacko, even gave up his family to marry her mother Rahna. Of course, one can imagine what kind of hullabaloo that must have caused in those days. The bitterness of the irony deepens as it dawns on us that Neenu's brother and a key accused in Kevin's murder, Shanu Chacko, also had a love marriage, that too, just six months ago.

It is shocking to know that Neenu's family, who embraced romance so much in life, found their love unacceptable and this stopped Kevin and Neenu from being together. Kevin and Neenu placed their love beyond everythingcaste, creed and wealth. If only Neenu's family had thought along similar lines, things would have been different.

Now, moving on to our law enforcement agencies. Kerala Police were at the receiving end of the public outrage over Kevin's death. Inefficiency seems to have become a synonym for the police force in Kerala. Ever since the Pinarayi Vijayan government came to power, Kerala's police department has always been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Janakeeya Police (People's Police) is feared to have been reduced to just a catchy phrase with many in the force capable of outsmarting even the most notorious criminals.

Humanity and efficiency should be the hallmark of the police. Women, children and the elderly approach the police in helpless situations and it is the duty of the police to address their issues. Corruption and custodial torture will be severely dealt with. The state needs a police force which is corruption-free and compassionate to people. Action will be taken against the police personnel who violate law. These statements were made during different occasions by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is also the in-charge of police department, after coming to power. But Kevin's case indicates that the message has not yet reached the Kerala police force. If reports are to be believed, the police have strongly tried to divert the casefrom the moment Kevin was abducted to the time his body was recovered from the canal.

Kevin and Neenu's case is the hot debate raging on in Kerala now. For a society which celebrates even tragedies, Kevin's death is another sensational item to discuss on TV channels and social media, until the next one comes up. In Kevin's case, neither were there many to hit the streets to protest, nor anyone to hold a candlelight vigil. Is it because the villain is love to which Malayalis have a strong aversion? Or is it because the national media didn't give enough space for this news?

MURDER OF LOVE: The story of Kevin and Neenu is a textbook example of the decline of human values in Kerala's contemporary society | Reju Arnold

On the same day when Kevin's body was found, I went to a tea shop, where the shopkeeper was talking about this issue with three others. All of them strongly condemned the honour killing. I wondered, if only for a moment, that the mindset of Malayalis have changed. But the shopkeeper's next comment shattered my hopes. It was enough for her brother to just beat him, there was no need to kill him. He spoiled a girl's life. Now, she is not going to live alone; most probably she will kill herself. I asked him why he would say something like that. I have seen life more than you have. This is what is going to happen, he asserted with a smile.

I wanted to spit on his face.

But then, he is just one representative of our decaying society. They don't need virtues; they feed on complexities in life. Neenu's parents, too, belong to this society. Kerala police are the custodians of this society. The shopkeeper and his audience are the spokespersons of the static face of this patriarchal order.

Kevin and Neenu, you should not have expected anything more from them.



The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the publication.2021 looks set to be another exciting year for fans of David Tennant with several new projects in the works. This month alone will see the launch of the second series of Staged. Also coming up is the epic Around The World In 80 Days and a return to the theatre is scheduled for Spring when David is set to star in Good at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Check out more details on his biggest projects for the year ahead below: Staged The new series follows David Tennant and Michael Sheen as they attempt to navigate their new normal at home with their increasingly exasperated families whilst simultaneously trying to tackle the world of virtual Hollywood and their ever more fragile egos. Also returning for the new series are Georgia Tennant, Anna Lundberg and Lucy Eaton alongside Nina Sosanya and Simon Evans with new addition to the regular cast Primetime Emmy-winner Ben Schwartz, playing the assistant to Michael and Davids American agent. The first episode, Saddle Up Sheen, premieres on MonOn June 5, 1968, the direction of American, and by extension world, politics appeared to take decisive turn due to an event that has since been mostly forgotten. On that day, Robert Francis Kennedy, younger brother of the late president John Fitzgerald Kennedy, was shot at moments after he had won the Democrat party's primary in California; Robert (or Bobby as he was called) died of his injuries early on June 6.

A lone gunman, Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian Christian refugee, was convicted for Roberts assassination and sentenced to life imprisonment even though conspiracy theories still abound that the act was not the handiwork of a single perpetrator. With the California victory, Robert had positioned himself as the frontrunner for the Democrat nomination to run for president.

The assassination of Robert F. Kennedy effectively dealt a body blow to the dreams of their father Joseph Kennedy Senior, a ruthlessly ambitious Irish-origin businessman and politician, to build an American political dynasty to perpetuate his name. While another brother of John and Robert, Ted Kennedy, became an influential senator, his bid at the Democrat nomination for president in 1980 was effectively a footnote in history, and the familys role in modern-day US politics has little more than symbolic value now.

The tragedies of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy held a lot of similarities to the assassinations of two figures whose legacies still resonate in Indian politics: prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 and her son Rajiv Gandhi, who also had been prime minister, in 1991. The 50th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy's killing provides an opportunity to evaluate not just the assassinations in the Kennedy and Nehru-Gandhi dynasties, but also the personalities and politics of these four leaders:This Page

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Redirection provided by Blogger to WordPress Migration ServiceGuess?, Inc. engages in designing, marketing, distributing and licensing of contemporary apparel and accessories for men, women and children that reflect the American lifestyle and European fashion sensibilities. It operates through the following segments: Americas Retail, Americas Wholesale, Europe, Asia, and Licensing. The Americas Retail segment includes the Company's retail and e-Commerce operations in North and Central America and its retail operations in South America. The Americas Wholesale segment consists of the Company's wholesale operations in the Americas. The Europe segment comprises the Company's retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Europe and the Middle East. The Asia segment refers to the Company's retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Asia and the Pacific. The Licensing segment includes the worldwide licensing operations of the Company. The company was founded by Paul Marciano and Maurice Marciano in 1981 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.

Read MoreBank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services to institutional, retail, and high net worth investors. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, balance sheet management, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 1,400 bank branches and 4,800 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. The company was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Read MoreRensselaer

The owners of the state's largest construction and demolition debris dump, located in the city of Rensselaer, are holding a public open house on Saturday.

The tour will be held at the S.A. Dunn & Company facility on Partition Street Extension from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Reservations are required and can be made online at www.dunnminecd.com

The open house comes as the state Department of Environmental Conservation has vowed to scrutinize operations at the dump, which got a state permit in 2012 that allowed the facility to open at the site of the Dunn sand and gravel mine.

Since trucks starting rolling in 2015, the dump has rapidly grown into the largest C&D landfill in the state. By the end of last year, nearly 50,000 trucks from New York and six other northeastern states had gone in and out, according to annual reports filed with DEC.

Neighbors along Partition Street, which is the only way into and out of the facility, have complained about heavy truck traffic, noise, dust and odors. The facility is also near the Rensselaer Junior-Senior High School, which is home to about 1,000 students.

This month, the local arm of the national environmental group Sierra Club said it would look into how the DEC permit was issued.

Last month, Rensselaer County lawmakers also called for DEC to re-examine dump operations, and conduct air tests around the Partition Street neighborhood.

The dump is visible from across the Hudson River in Albany. DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos, who could see the facility from his office window, has said DEC will investigate whether the facility is complying with its permit.

The facility is owned by Texas-based Waste Connections, which purchased it from former owner Michael Dunn after Dunn obtained the necessary DEC permits. Waste Connections also manages the Colonie town landfill.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

That state permit allows for up to 100 trucks a day to dump at the 73-acre Dunn facility, which includes land in Rensselaer, plus parts of neighboring East Greenbush and North Greenbush.

The dump can legally accept concrete, sheetrock, asphalt, masonry, roofing materials, plumbing fixtures, insulation (but not asbestos), empty buckets, wood, plastics and "pulverized waste." It cannot take regular household garbage or hazardous waste.

The DEC permit is due to expire in July 2022 unless renewed. There is enough space for the dump to operate until 2036, at which point it would be spread across more than 50 acres of the 73-acre site.

Saturday's open house at Dunn will include a guided our and a question-and-answer session with landfill staff, as well as hot dogs and hamburgers, and a bounce house for children.

.



Guilderland

Spa Mirbeau at Crossgates Mall was recently honored with a Beautification Award presented by the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce.

The facility opened in November and includes an aqua terrace with a bar, a French bistro, a retail store and fitness and yoga studios.

The chamber presented the award, along with honors in other categories, at the 46th annual Business Awards Dinner and Gala on Saturday.Intervention

A&E, 8 p.m.

New Episodes! A&E's long-running, award-winning docuseries returns with all-new episodes. Married couple Sam and Brad  whose families have known each other since the pair were kids  are confronted about their destructive heroin dependency, which has cost them their children, their jobs and their health. Can the two families learn to work together to get the pair clean before it's too late?

America's Got Talent: "Auditions 2"

NBC, 8 p.m.

The auditions continue as variety acts of all types and contestants of all ages try out for the chance to win the $1 million prize. The Golden Buzzer is back, but there are only four hits left for the lucky acts to go directly to the live shows.

Face Off: Battle Royale

Syfy, 9 p.m.

Season Premiere! The 13th and final season of the movie-makeup competition series features fan-favorite makeup artists from previous seasons who are paired against one another for the first time. These all-stars battle in a head-to-head competition, and two contestants will be eliminated every other episode. McKenzie Westmore is back as host, with Ve Neill, Glenn Hetrick and Neville Page returning as judges. Among the industry notables guest-starring this season will be makeup master Rick Baker ("Planet of the Apes").

Hunting Nazi Treasure: "Blood Treasure"

AHC, 10 p.m.

The war between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union claimed millions of lives. It also produced two of the greatest stolen-treasure mysteries of all time. In 1941, Nazi armies captured the palace of Catherine the Great and stole the contents of her legendary Amber Room, a treasure worth an estimated $150 million and still missing today. Four years later, Soviet armies took their revenge by capturing Berlin and looting thousands of art treasures, which disappeared behind the Iron Curtain. Some could remain hidden in Putin's Russia.

Humans

AMC, 10 p.m.

Season Premiere! In a grand-scale new season, it's one year after the dawn of consciousness, and a decimated and oppressed Synth population fights to survive in a world that hates and fears them. In a divided Britain, Synths and humans struggle to broker an uneasy peace, but when fractures within the Synth community start to appear, all hope of stability is threatened.

Sell It Like Serhant: "Pore Sales"

Bravo, 10 p.m.

Season Finale! Ryan meets Jen, who is in hot water at her job selling scrubs and lotions; her boss is also her boyfriend's mom  whom she lives with. Ryan knows that when it comes to business, financials always come before family, and he has only a short time to turn Jen the caterpillar into Jenny the butterfly.

The Wonderland Murders

Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.

New Series! Set in the Pacific Northwest and using recreations and interviews, this series focuses on a team of dedicated Portland homicide investigators who delve into a series of mysterious and disturbing murder cases. In the opener, "Pacific Terror," when Detective Molly Daul works two homicides back-to-back, she realizes she is dealing with a sexual predator who targets trusting young women.

Younger

TV Land, 10 p.m.

Season Premiere! The comedy returns for Season 5, following the ongoing adventures of Liza (Sutton Foster), a woman who lies about her age to succeed in the highly competitive world of publishing. Charles Michael Davis, who plays Zane Anders, Kelsey's (Hilary Duff) ex and work rival, joins the cast as a series regular.

Teachers

TV Land, 10:30 p.m.

Season Premiere! Fillmore Elementary educators are back for more hilarious antics in Season 3, starring members of The Katydids improv group. This sitcom revolves around the teachers who are trying to mold the minds of America's youth, despite not having their own lives together.

Brought to you by the publishers of TV Guide.  TV Guide 2018A home cannot exist on pale neutrals alone. Or, at least it shouldn't.

When you're stepping up your interior design, consider using some color, either in art, upholstered furniture, wall coverings or accessories. It will add an interesting element and it will mean you don't get tired of all of those white and gray sofas too quickly.

Here are some ideas to get you started, and examples of how some of Houston's best interior designers make it work:

NEVER REALLY GONE: Blue and white are back

Your favorite: If you're not sure what color you want to use, consider: What is your favorite color? What do you wear most (other than black)? What do you look best in? That's the color you want. If your favorite green dress makes you feel like a million bucks or your navy blue suit is your power outfit, that's what you want in your home, too.

White walls: Nothing freshens up a home or adds a crisp, clean look like white painted walls. It's a great backdrop for art and allows you to go any direction with color in furniture or accent pieces. Just be sure to get your paint's undertones right; be on the lookout for pink/red, green or yellow tones. When in doubt, ask a paint store professional for help.

BEFORE AND AFTER: Simple changes can bring big results

Rule of Three: Following this will never fail you in interior design. When grouping things, three items will always look good together and create a "collection." When it comes to color, use an accent three times. For example, in a rug, a decorative pillow and a piece of art or flowers.

Color wheel: I'm not kidding when I say that the color wheel was first created in 1666 by brainiac Sir Isaac Newton. His wheel had 12 colors in three categories -- the red, green and blue primary colors. More modern and sophisticated color wheels incorporate dozens of shades. Basically, colors that are across from one another on the wheel will be complementary in a room. HGTV offers a tutorial on how it works.

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Quantity vs. quality: When adding bold colors, consider doing it in small doses. For example, turquoise paint might be a bit too much for your living room, but it could be perfect in a small powder bathroom or even a small laundry room. Also, remember the rule of three. Let's say you want orange barstools. Look for a piece of art with orange in it and use orange dish towels. That's enough to satisfy Sir Isaac Newton and the Rule of Three. And it's probably enough orange for any kitchen.

ROYAL COLOR: Is this Meghan Markle's favorite color  and will it dominate home decor?

Blue is having a moment: The combination of blue and white is a classic color scheme in interior design. It never goes out of style. That said, it's trending in a big way right now. It looks especially nice on cabinets in kitchens, bars and butler's pantries. Pair it with brushed nickel or warm brass hardware and some veiny gray-white quartz or marble counters. It works great in wallpaper, upholstery and bedding. And who doesn't love blue?Albany

When Bobby Kennedy came to town in 1964, Diane Cowan was there.

Kennedy was running for the U.S. Senate at the time, just a year after his brother's assassination, and he was met by frenzied crowds in Albany, then Troy and elsewhere in his tour around the region. It was as if Kennedy were a Beatle and upstate "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Thousands lined Central Avenue as Kennedy was driven from the airport to the Capitol, where he left the car and was engulfed by a surging crowd dominated by screaming teenage girls. "We want Bobby," they chanted.

Cowan, who was 15, grabbed Kennedy, got both arms around the candidate and kissed him. "I just had to do something to remember him," she said, sobbing, to a Times Union reporter at the time.

Today, half a century after Kennedy's assassination, Cowan is 69 years old and lives in the McCarty Avenue house where she was raised.

She remembers well Kennedy's visit on that Saturday afternoon in September. She remembers the passions he elicited  and how an Albany High teacher subsequently scolded her for so boldly kissing the engulfed candidate.

"We were young," Cowan said Monday. "We all believed that we were going to change the world, and he was going to be a part of it."

That upstate tour made it clear that while Kennedy may have been a carpetbagger with shallow roots in New York, he was no ordinary politician. As the country continued to mourn his brother's death, Bobby was an icon with a particularly strong hold on the young.

Kennedy would go on to win that Senate race, of course. His Republican opponent, Kenneth Keating, never had a chance. And less than four years later, Kennedy would launch the unconventional presidential bid that would lead to his killing in a California hotel 50 years ago on June 6, 1968.

Cowan remembers that day well, too. She tears up talking about it.

Kennedy's killing left her distraught. She was appalled with her country  with the hatred and violence that had also taken Martin Luther King's life earlier that spring, with its inability to mend its yawning chasms. She left for Europe a month later, hoping she'd find a kinder side of the world.

"Everything that we as young people were hoping for ended with that day," Cowan said.

Kennedy was 42 when he died, his wife, Ethel, pregnant at the time. In the years since, we've put a halo on his head. We've erased his flaws and declared him St. Bobby.

It's an understandable impulse, if only because there's no doubting the world would be different had Kennedy gone on to win the presidency. There would have been no Watergate, for one.

Maybe RFK would have quickly ended the Vietnam War and mended its wounds. Maybe the rare candidate beloved by poorer whites and blacks alike could have eased the racial divisions that still haunt us.

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Maybe.

Elizabeth Stack, the director of the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany, which is hosting a discussion on Kennedy's legacy Tuesday evening, mentioned the remarkable speech he gave in a black neighborhood in Indianapolis soon after hearing of King's death, when he quoted the poet Aeschylus and spoke of the need for love and compassion.

"It's what politicians are capable of when they have compassion and concern for other people," Stack said. "Those are the qualities I associate with Robert Kennedy."

In this time of ugly political talk, it is hard not to be struck by the elegance of Kennedy's words and how the devout Catholic so willingly spoke to our higher spiritual selves.

"We seemed to have surrendered personal excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things," he said in a speech about the gross national product, which "does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials."

What politician today talks that way? Can we think of even one?

But it is also true that Kennedy was unlikely to win the presidency in 1968, and we can't know what his legacy would have been if his life hadn't been cut so tragically short. He is frozen in time, unspoiled by the bitter political fights that would have followed.

Kennedy is all potential, just as he was on that day in 1964, when, as a writer for the Times Union put it, the crowd in downtown Albany "was like a senseless animal, pushing and mauling in an attempt to touch him."

On Monday it made Cowan happy to think about it, to remember the hope she felt and the passion of the crowd. Bobby, she said, was special.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchillBALLSTON SPA  Earlier this year, the Ballston Spa School District called on parents, students and other community members to participate in advisory groups to help select a new superintendent.

The two panels were to be made up of 32 people, and presentations were scheduled to allow the public to hear pitches from the finalists.

But three days before the first public presentation on March 12, school board President Kevin Schaefer announced in a letter to the community that everything had been canceled. The board was not happy with the finalists and would instead "consider our options moving forward," he said.

With no other formal communication provided to the community since, the board announced last week that it had found a new superintendent, former state education deputy Commissioner Kenneth Slentz. They are scheduled to approve his contract at a meeting on Wednesday.

Schaefer acknowledged Tuesday that changing the hiring process right before the public presentations was not ideal. But he said the board felt they couldn't find a good candidate - especially those already in a superintendent's job elsewhere - in the spotlight of public discourse.

"It gives us the opportunity to go out and look at some people who are happy in their district right now, with no plans to move on to something else," Schaefer said. "It opens up a whole separate pool for us."

Schaefer said the first finalists in the public pool were acceptable candidates, but all worked in districts much smaller than Ballston Spa, which has 4,200 students and is facing continued growth with the GlobalFoundries manufacturing facilities on its eastern border. Slentz is also superintendent of a small district, Skaneateles in the Finger Lakes, but he previously was deputy commissioner of the state Education Department's Office of P-12 Education.

New York state School Boards Association Executive Director Timothy Kremer said it does appear Ballston Spa's search process was "truncated," and noted it's still common for districts to have large groups of stakeholders interview the finalists before the board makes a final decision. Ballston Spa also had a few people from its original advisory panels meet with Slentz.

In Bethlehem a few years ago, a search for a new superintendent was kept private initially but stakeholder groups were involved in the final stages. The district ended up hiring its interim superintendent in 2016.

In Saratoga Springs  which has 2,000 more students than Ballston Spa public groups also helped vet three finalists during community presentations last year. Michael Patton, who had been superintendent of the nearby South Glens Falls school district, was appointed the Saratoga Springs superintendent in October.

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However Kremer, who knows Slentz personally, said, in the end, "The outcome of the search is more important than the process."

"If the board has pulled a winner out, I think a lot of that (concern) goes away," Kremer added.

Slentz's contract calls for a $195,000 salary, plus $10,000 a year for "personal expenses." Schaefer said the compensation would put Slentz in the top-ten regionally for superintendent's compensation.

The board president said he hopes that the way the search process was changed will not turn off Ballston Spa residents. He acknowledged the district did not formally communicate with parents after the public forums were canceled, but said the search process was openly discussed at board meetings.

"Some could look at this and say 'what are they hiding and why aren't they being as upfront as possible?'" Schaefer said. "We want a quality superintendent. We didn't feel (the finalists) were a good fit for Ballston Spa."

"There has to be that trust the board is going the right thing for the community," he said.Photo courtesy of the New York State Police

CHATHAM - A Chatham man is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after he fired a gun near an apartment building, State Police in Livingston said Monday.

Eric Humbert, 47, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment and illegal discharge of a firearm, all misdemeanors, after he fired his gun at about 2:30 p.m. June 2 outside his Hudson Avenue residence, police said.New York State Police

MAYFIELD - A former town clerk in Fulton County was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in public money, state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said.

Dorothy Hart, 61, was charged with two counts of grand larceny for allegedly misappropriating more than $35,000 in property taxes, dog licenses and other town fees, DiNapoli said.New York State Police

COLONIE  A man employed by the New York City Police Department was arrested Tuesday for allegedly taking the state trooper's exam with fraudulent documents, State Police said.

Wayne J. Bowden, 30, of Newburgh was charged with falsifying business records, offering a false instrument for filing and criminal possession of a forged instrument, a felony, police said.ALBANY  Most of New York's health insurers are looking to raise premiums on the individual market next year, an increase they say is necessary now that Republicans in Congress have repealed the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate.

The mandate, which imposed a tax penalty on Americans who did not obtain health insurance, was by far the most unpopular provision of President Obama's signature health law. But health care and market experts say it was crucial to getting more people insured and helped to soften dramatic price increases in the market by making the overall pool of insured people healthier.

A repeal, they predicted, would contribute to higher uninsured rates and larger insurance premiums in 2019.

"Insurers have attributed approximately half of their requested rate increases to the risks they see resulting from (the) repeal," said Maria Vullo, superintendent of the state Department of Financial Services, which published the requests Friday. "Without the federal action, the average requested rate increase would be 12.1 percent."

Fidelis Care is seeking the largest rate increase on the individual market. The Capital Region's most popular health plan is seeking state approval to raise premiums 38.6 percent next year. If the individual mandate were to remain in place, it says, its requested increase would be much smaller  at just 12.7 percent.

Other plans that are popular in the Capital Region are also looking to raise premiums.

Schenectady-based MVP Health Plan, for example, wants to raise premiums for people who don't get insurance through their employer by 6.5 percent. At least 4.7 percent of that increase is due to the individual mandate repeal, they said. On the small group market, MVP is seeking a 7 percent premium increase.

CDPHP, an Albany-based health insurer, is seeking to raise its premiums on the individual market by 5.1 percent and on the small group market by 6.7 percent. The proposed increases are the result of rising prescription drug prices, hospital consolidations, taxes, fees and government mandates, it said.

Interestingly, it's one of just two insurers in New York that doesn't believe the federal repeal of the individual mandate will affect its premiums.

"We didn't think the individual mandate was strong enough to begin with and don't believe the repeal will have an impact on premiums," said spokeswoman Ali Skinner.

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That view is also held by BlueShield of Northeastern New York, an insurer whose parent company Healthnow New York is the only plan proposing to lower premiums in New York next year. The insurer wants to lower premiums on the individual market by 3.2 percent and on the small group market by 0.1 percent.

"You hear about the individual mandate being a significant issue on a federal level, but it's really not as relevant in New York in our opinion," said Jared Gross, senior vice president of enterprise initiatives and analytics for BlueShield.

As some theorize, that's because the premiums that many New Yorkers had to pay just to get health coverage far exceeded the penalty they would face if they went without.

In 2017, the tax penalty for not getting insurance was $695 or 2.5 percent of someone's income, whichever was greater. For New Yorkers who didn't qualify for no-cost Medicaid or the state's low-cost Essential Plan, the cost-benefit analysis of buying insurance or going without and paying a penalty often favored the latter.

The state Department of Financial Services is currently reviewing the rate requests, and said it will only approve those that are "fully and actuarially justified by appropriate medical cost increases and are not inadequate, excessive or unfairly discriminatory."PITTSTOWN  Sheriff Patrick Russo confirmed Tuesday that investigators are searching the home of the woman whose body was found on an old railroad bed behind her residence on Monday.

Police are unsure how 31-year-old Megan MacLean died and are awaiting toxicology tests, Russo said. The test results are expected to be available in two weeks.

"We're leaving all our options open," Russo said when asked if MacLean's death was a homicide. "There are many reasons people will die. We want to make sure it's the right one."

MacLean was last seen Saturday, Russo said, adding she was found around 1 p.m. Monday by a friend who went looking for her after becoming worried about her well-being.

Detectives searched MacLean's house in Johnsonville as well as the area where her body was found on Tuesday. MacLean, who was married to Duncan A. MacLean, owned the home at 2292 Route 67, county officials said. Megan MacLean formerly worked a NH Kelman Scrap Recycling in Cohoes.

Johnsonville is a hamlet that straddles the towns of Pittstown and Schaghticoke in Rensselaer County. Route 67 runs between Schaghticoke and the Vermont border near Hoosick Falls.

Authorities are seeking the public's help, asking anyone who saw McLean between Saturday and Monday to call the sheriff's office at 518-270-5252.

"We feel there is no reason for public concern," Russo said, adding there were no suspects in the woman's death.

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That rail bed off Cumo Road where MacLean's remains were found was being searched Tuesday. Investigators could also be heard moving through the woods on the south side of Route 67. Cumo Road was closed to traffic Monday and most of Tuesday while investigators worked.

Gerry Potter, MacLean's nearest neighbor, said state troopers had been called to the home several times over the years. He said he believed MacLean had two children, describing her as a nice neighbor.

Duncan A. MacLean was arrested at Dec. 31, 2016, and charged with possession and sale of a controlled substance, obstruction of breathing, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child, according to State Police reports at the time. MacLean's case was resolved with a plea to criminal mischief in Pittstown Town Court, and he was referred to the county's Integrated Domestic Violence Court. He could not be reached for comment.

The State Police Troop G Major Crimes Unit, Forensics Unit and investigators from the Brunswick station are working with the sheriff's office on the investigation.ALBANY  For the fourth week in a row, poor people, clergy and advocates returned to Albany on Monday as part of a renewed Poor People's Campaign that this week demanded lawmakers ensure all New Yorkers have a right to healthcare and a healthy environment.

More than 1 million New Yorkers lack health insurance, they say, while residents of Hoosick Falls in Rensselaer County and Newburgh in Orange County are still dealing with the impact of PFOA chemicals in their water. Ultimately, they add, it's poor communities and communities of color that bear the brunt of air, soil and water pollution.ALBANY The drama in the state Senate didn't follow anyone's plan on Tuesday.

The divided chamber once again devolved into a stalemate with accusations of political gamesmanship levied on both sides. But the pinnacle of the dysfunction occurred when Senate Republicans, with a flustered Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul at the helm of their chamber, orchestrated an unannounced and largely symbolic override of a veto by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, related to the implementation of full-day kindergarten classes.

Hochul, who was presiding over the chamber as part of a coordinated effort with Senate Democrats to advance an amendment on contraception and abortion rights, repeatedly drew the condemnation of Republicans when she tried to let Manhattan Democrat Liz Krueger address the amendment after Senate Republicans accepted it.

In a patronizing tone, Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan, a Long Island Republican, encouraged Hochul to read her copy of the chamber's rules and argued that Krueger's comments would be out of order.

The scene was a sharp contrast from Monday, when 130 bills were passed quietly with overwhelming bipartisan support. "I think it's clear when the lieutenant governor is here, things have gone awry," Flanagan said to reporters.

Hochul anticipates she'll be back on the dais "very soon" to help shepherd along the amendment from the Senate Democrats.

"I'll be presiding when the opportunity requires it," she told reporters.

Tuesday's debacle and Hochul's presence was a reminder that neither party has a clear majority in the 63-seat chamber, which has been split 31-31 since early May when Long Island Republican Tom Croci was called away to active military duty. As president of the state Senate, Hochul has the ability to break a tie on procedural matters, like approving an amendment.

Last week the Senate Democrats unsuccessfully tried to force a vote on the same legislation with a "hostile" amendment attached to bills on the scheduled agenda, but Senate Republicans parried the move by cancelling all the planned floor votes. The maneuvering prompted finger pointing and created uncertainty around the final three weeks of the scheduled legislative calendar.

On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Flanagan met privately to reach an agreement that many Capitol observers believed would enable a productive end to the legislative session.

Stewart-Cousins, a Westchester County Democrat, emerged hopeful from the talks and on Tuesday morning expected Senate Democrats would get a chance to push their amendment addressing abortion and contraception rights.

Instead of a loquacious and dramatic fight for their amendment, like they expected, Sen. John DeFrancisco, the Republican floor leader, announced the amendment was accepted and said the process now required the legislation wait three days before it could receive a vote.

Instead of then moving on to the rest of the bills scheduled for a vote on Tuesday, Senate Democrats insisted they get a chance to speak on the amendment but were cut off.

"It's scripted and you do the script," Stewart-Cousins said to reporters after the showdown.

Sen. Joe Griffo, a Central New York Republican who regularly runs the chamber from the dais, read to Hochul from his own copy of the chamber's procedures during the floor kerfuffle. "You can't pick and choose the rules you want to enforce," he said.

Robin Chappelle Golston, president of the Planned Parenthood chapter for New York, condemned the actions of the Senate Republicans.

"I thought they were extremely disrespectful to the lieutenant governor and I think the way they're trying to play games is just unnecessary and also not helpful," she said.

Flanagan defended the tone to reporters, saying he wouldn't apologize for raising his voice to help enforce the chamber's rules.

"Let's be really crystal clear, a fifth-grade reading of the rules would demonstrate that every point that was raised was a valid point of order," he said.

With the standstill persisting, DeFrancisco announced that the Republicans were withdrawing their approval of the amendment and pulled the bill in question from the agenda.

The senators didn't proceed to pass another bill on Tuesday and the gridlock reignites questions about what might get done for the final days of session.

When Senate Democrats were blocked from pushing an amendment last week they retaliated by not supporting any legislation so Republicans couldn't muster the majority needed to pass bills.

"The real issue here is do the Democrats want to make a political point so much that they would avoid having many of their local bills voted on," DeFrancisco said. "We'll see."

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Stewart-Cousins stressed to reporters that the push from Senate Democrats for a vote on the amendment, which includes text from the controversial Reproductive Health Act, was not simply a political maneuver aimed at hurting vulnerable Senate Republicans in November.

She indicated the Senate Democrats will bring the amendment again and argued that the etiquette in the chamber provided them an opportunity to speak on it. The state Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday.

"Historic" override vote

The veto override caught the Democrats in the chamber by surprise, including Hochul. Clearly rattled by DeFrancisco's motion to bring up the vote, an uncomfortable exchange unfolded as she asked to deal with the matter "at a later time."

DeFrancisco instructed her to act, citing chamber rules, and Hochul paused as she received advice on the dais from a Senate Republican counsel and her own adviser.

Once the vote was called, the senators overwhelmingly backed the override, which was the first of its kind during Cuomo's tenure in office. The last attempt was in 2010, when the state Senate couldn't put together the two-thirds majority needed to overturn Gov. David Paterson's veto of an ethics bill.

In a sarcastic statement after the fireworks had taken place, Flanagan said, "We thank the governor for sending his lieutenant governor to preside over this historic override."

The vetoed bill  which directs funding for the Shenendehowa Central School District and four other school districts that don't guarantee full-day kindergarten  was stopped by the governor in April because it duplicated efforts in the state budget, according to the veto message.

"Because this issue has been addressed in the recently enacted state budget, this bill is effectively moot," Cuomo wrote.

Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, a Ballston Republican, whose district includes Shenendehowa, explained that the vetoed bill was preferred by the schools.

"I completely agree with the Senate's decision to override the governor's veto of the legislation that would provide substantial assistance to the handful of schools that have yet to transition to full day kindergarten," Walsh said.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Bronx Democrat, said there was no need for the state Assembly to take up an override vote, which means the Senate's override is probably moot.

"The Assembly has worked with the governor to resolve the concerns that the bill sought to address," he said in a statement.Two Saratoga County residents pleaded guilty to robberies that occurred in April, the Saratoga County District Attorney's Office said Monday.

Greenfield resident Christopher Hutches, 25, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of robbery and Corinth resident Ashley Deming, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of felony robbery, a news release from District Attorney Karen Heggen's office stated.Over 230,000 in capital grants has been awarded to Tipperary childcare providers, Fine Gael Candidate for the next general election Garret Ahearn has said.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone. A total of 6.87m in Capital funding will be awarded to providers of Early Years and School Age Childcare across Ireland.

Mr Ahearn said: This weeks announcement follows on from the childcare measures we introduced last September, giving up to 70,000 children extra supports.

This funding will contribute towards the creation of new childcare places, natural outdoor play areas and the essential maintenance and repair of services here in Tipperary.

The capital funding has been awarded following the completion of a very competitive application and appraisal process.

I am very pleased with the progress we are making with childcare. Fine Gael is delivering on its election commitment to support families and to help ease the financial cost of childcare.

The extra supports announced last September included a universal childcare subsidy, of up to 1,040 per year, available for children aged from 6-months up to starting their free pre-school year (ECCE Scheme) at 36 months.

Families on lower incomes, who qualify by way of a means test, are eligible for supports worth up to 7,500 per year for children aged 6 months to 15 years of age. The aim is to ensure that parents previously prevented from taking up jobs, training or education because of the cost of childcare, are now able to join the workforce.

In addition the free pre-school year (ECCE scheme) we introduced and later extended to two free years has been hugely beneficial to families saving them on average 4,000 per child.

We introduced two weeks paid Paternity Leave for new fathers for the first time in the history of the State.

Under 6s now benefit from GP care and an extra 10,000 children now qualify for a medical card thanks to it being extended to those on Domiciliary Care Allowance.

We have provided for 47,000 extra breakfast club places to benefit children and the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance has increased by 25%, the Fine Gael Candidate said.

Minister Zappone said: I am delighted to announce the 6.87m which will create over 2,000 new childcare places across the country.

There was an unprecedented amount of applications this year which shows the appetite for expansion within the sector. I will continue to seek increased investment in this area in order to increase capacity and deliver the highest quality of childcare for families in Ireland.The annual charity Climb to Remember takes place on Sunday, June 10th and will see people from all over Munster rise to the challenge of climbing The Galtee Mountains, in memory of a loved one, with funds raised going towards The Mercy Hospital Foundations various appeals.

Helping to launch this years Galtees Climb to Remember were Niamh and Orla Walsh from Kildorrery, who will join the climb on June 10th in memory of their father Garry Walsh, who sadly passed away in March 2017. Garry received the diagnosis in November 2015 that he had oesophageal cancer. Upon receiving treatment at The Mercy, Garry made the decision to organise a fundraising event; and so in September 2016, he organised a 5 mile Family Fun Run/ Walk, followed by a social evening in Kildorrery Creamery, which raised a staggering 32,556 which . Thanks to the tremendous success of the fundraisers, the Mercy Hospital Foundation was able to purchase six electric profiling beds for cancer patients in St. Thereses Ward, as well as extra equipment including eight high backed patient chairs, 12 hot blankets, a triple pump, syringe driver and two monitors with thermometers.

Speaking about their reason for joining Climb to Remember Niamh Walsh said We would like to thank the Mercy Hospital Foundation for the opportunity to remember our father in this way; as Im sure it will give us and our fellow hikers on June 10th precious time to reflect on and remember loved ones who have passed on. The care our dad received under Professor Seamus OReilly and his team at The Mercy was second to none and were grateful for everything the team there did to help him and our family, and were happy that this event gives us the opportunity to give something back.

Pre-event registration is recommended, and participants can sign up at www.mercyfundraising.ie. The registration fee for the Galtees climb on June 10th is 25. Registration on the day is possible, but only for those who arrive at Kings Yard at 9am. A second Climb to Remember takes place on Saturday, June 24th up Carrauntoohil, and for anyone interested in doing both, the registration fee is 45.

Sign-in for the walk will take place at Kings Yard from 9am til 9.45am on June 10th. And at 10am sharp participants will begin their climb from Kings Yard to the summit of the Galtee Mountains. The climb will take around 3  5 hours including a break.

Starting at the car park, participants will follow a good, unsurfaced road passing several deserted homesteads. To the east, the two peaks of Seefin will be visible, with Knockeenatoung rising behind to the northeast. Hikers will head onto the open mountain to the plateau which is Knocknagalty, and rising majestically ahead is Galtymore, Irelands highest inland peak at 919m. From the wall end, hikers will head in an easterly direction to the top of Galtymore, where they will be treated to spectacular views of the Galtees Range, the Knockmealdowns, Comeragh Mountain Ranges, and the surrounding valleys.

Proceeds raised at this years Climb to Remember will benefit a number of appeals being run by the Mercy Hospital Foundation  the Mercy Heart + Stroke Appeal, the Mercy Cancer Appeal, the Mercy ICU Appeal, and the Mercy Kids + Teens Appeal, enhancing services in each of these areas at The Mercy University Hospital, which serves patients from all over Munster.

Deirdre Finn, Community & Events Fundraiser at the Mercy Hospital Foundation said Our mission is to inspire people to support advancements in research, diagnosis, treatments and care of patients at The Mercy University Hospital, the Peoples Hospital, and this is only possible through the help of our supporters and donors like those who step up to the mark, and Climb to Remember year after year. Climb to Remember is a wonderful way to reflect on, and remember a loved one who has passed away. The unexpected friendships, the stunning sights, the little struggles and the huge sense of achievement on the day is all so inspirational.

Climb to Remember is open to anyone over 16 years of age and those interested can pre-register by logging onto www.mercyfundraising.ie or calling (021) 4274076.[June 04, 2018] IT Asset Management Software Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth During 2017 - 2027

Market Highlights: IT asset management (ITAM) software, has proven itself to be vital in assisting management and maintenance of IT assets so as to minimize risks. This kind of software is used successfully to assist in forestalling vulnerabilities and ensuring conformity with corporate policies on security. The growing demand for protection of IT assets as well as for automation and centralization of IT infrastructure are key factors driving growth for the ITAM market during the forecast period.







According to a recently published report by Market Research Future, the ITAM software market is likely to witness substantial growth during the forecast period. A rising demand for ITAM software in end-use industries including telecom, manufacturing, transport and financial services has motivated recognition for this market.



High operational and installation costs are market constraints that restrict growth, however the increasing prevalence of SMEs allows smaller companies to adopt cloud based technologies that improve efficiency, reduce costs and offer flexible, tailor-made ITAM software for larger consumer bases while keeping investments low is likely to counter the aforementioned restraint. This is another inadvertent facilitator of growth for this market as entry is not limited to large market players.





Overall, the ITAM software market is projected to continue to grow exponentially, due to the undeniable need for ITAM products to monitor and manage assets.



Request a Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/920 Major key Players Dell Inc. (US), Microsoft Corporation (US), IBM Corporation (US), BMC Software Inc. (US), HP Inc. (US), ServiceNow, Inc. (US) Oracle Corp (US) Latest Industry News ServiceNow has recently announced their acquisition of VendorHawk, a leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) management company. With this move, ServiceNow is swiftly expanding its capabilities in software asset management by providing complete clarity in use of software licensing and costs.



SAP has announced a new model for sales, audit and pricing for its digital access licensing policies. This new model revolves around providing transparency. The new model allows for customers to use and pay for software licenses with ease and clarifies all relevant rules that govern usage and compliance. The pricing model is the first of its kind and SAP plans to provide resources that assist in educating users to help them understand and choose accordingly.



Regional Analysis The reports regional analysis segments the market into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Rest of the World (ROW).



North America has been the indomitable market leader in the ITAM market. The region, which includes countries like U.S and Canada, have a strong presence of eminent players and a well establish IT industry. Europe follows North Americas lead in terms of market share due to similar growth patterns and the considerable industrialization across the EU in this continent.



However, Asia Pacific is a thriving market and is expected to flourish during the forecast period. Countries such as India, South Korea, China, Singapore and Japan are driving growth in this market, due to the regions adoption of cloud based ITAM software, and the increasing entry of SMEs in the competitive landscape. The region displays a strong potential for future growth during the forecast period.



Browse Complete Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/it-asset-management-software-market-920 Market Segmentation In order to provide a comprehensive understanding, the market has been segmented on the basis of deployment and type.



On the basis of deployment, the market has been segmented into on-premise, cloud based and hybrid. Meanwhile on the basis of type, the market has been segmented into hardware asset management and software asset management The cloud based market segment currently holds the largest share in projected to continue growing at a rapid pace. This is attributable to the presence of competitors who offer ITAM solutions that keep up with current IT developments.



About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.



MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.



Contact: Market Research Future +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com As a community-building service, TMCnet allows user submitted content which is not always proofed by TMCnet editors. If you feel this entry is of inferior quality or wish to report it for some reason, please forward the URL to "webedit [AT] tmcnet [DOT] com" with your comments.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 04, 2018] Digital Manufacturing Market Trends, Growth, Industry Outlook and Overview

Digital Manufacturing Market Report provides an analytical assessment of the prime challenges faced by this industry currently and in the coming years, which helps market participants in understanding the problems they may face while operating in this market over a longer period of time. This market research report is a professional and in-depth study on the current along with future state of Digital Manufacturing Industry.







These research report also provides overall analysis of the market share, size, segmentation, revenue forecasts and geographic regions of the Digital Manufacturing Market.



Request Sample Copy of this Business Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/652 Digital Manufacturing Market industry leading players are studied with respect to their company profile, product portfolio, capacity, price, cost and revenue. Increasing adoption of cloud-based digital manufacturing software is one of the key factor driving market growth. Venders are concentrating on reducing the cost of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), thereby trying to introduce cloud-based product lifecycle solutions in the market. Major Players operating in this market are Autodesk, Dassault Systemes, Mentor Graphics, PTCX.





The Digital Manufacturing Market to grow at a substantial Compound Annual Growth Rate during the forecast period 2017-2025. Digital Manufacturing Market Report Segmented by Regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa, Rest of World (ROW). Market segmentation by Product Type and Applications are mentioned.



Browse More About the Keyword Market Study @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/digital-manufacturing-market-652 Report includes chapters which deeply display the following deliverable about industry:  Digital Manufacturing Market Research Objective and Assumption  Digital Manufacturing Market Purview - Report Description, Executive Summary, and Coherent Opportunity Map (COM)  Digital Manufacturing Market Dynamics, Regulations, and Trends Analysis - Market Dynamics, Regulatory Scenario, Industry Trend, Merger and Acquisitions, New system Launch/Approvals, Value Chain Analysis, Porters Analysis, and PEST Analysis  Global Digital Manufacturing Market, By Regions  Digital Manufacturing Market Competition by Manufacturers including Production, Share, Revenue, Average Price, Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type.



 Digital Manufacturing Market Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis including Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors.



 Digital Manufacturing Market Manufacturing Cost Analysis including Key Raw Materials and Key Suppliers of Raw Materials.



 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers including Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing and Downstream Buyers  Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders including Marketing Channel, Market Positioning and Distributors/Traders List.



 Market Effect Factors Analysis including Technology Progress/Risk, Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change and Economic/Political Environmental Change.



 Digital Manufacturing Market Forecast including Production, Consumption, Import and Export Forecast by Type, Applications and Region.



 Research Findings and Conclusion Ask for Discount before Buying @: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/652 About Coherent Market Insights: Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.



Contact Us: Mr. Shah Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154 Tel: +1-206-701-6702 Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com As a community-building service, TMCnet allows user submitted content which is not always proofed by TMCnet editors. If you feel this entry is of inferior quality or wish to report it for some reason, please forward the URL to "webedit [AT] tmcnet [DOT] com" with your comments.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 04, 2018] Koniag Services, Inc. Awarded Theater Enterprise Wide Medical Logistics System (TEWLS) Operations Support Contract by the Defense Health Agency (DHA)

CHANTILLY, Va., June 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Koniag Services Inc. (KSI) has been awarded a task order under their GSA 8(a) STARS II GWAC to provide DevOps Support to the DHA Joint Medical Logistics Functional Development Center (JMLFDC) for the sustainment and maintenance of the Theater Enterprise Wide Logistics System (TEWLS) hardware and software platforms. TEWLS is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system which supports critical medical logistics war fighter requirements in a net-centric environment. KSI will provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform TEWLS DevOps Support. This support will ensure the reliability, availability, and maintainability of the TEWLS automated information system (AIS) required to meet the daily demands of supported business entities worldwide. This contract will further address future solutions and architectures for persistent technical and funtional modernization; and to enhance system availability and reduce overall operational costs.



Kelly Mire, President of KSI said "KSI is very fortunate to be joining the TEWLS team at a time when significant modernization enhancements are planned, including transition from on premise hosting to Amazon Web Service (AWS), and database migration from Oracle to SAP HANA. KSI is proud to be leading professionals dedicated to ensuring the availability of the medical supply chain serving our country's warfighters." About Koniag Services, Inc.

Koniag Services, Inc. (KSI) is an Alaskan Native-owned, small disadvantaged business supporting Federal, State and Local governments since 1994. KSI is part of the Koniag Government Services sector and provides Software Development, Cyber Security, IT Infrastructure Management, DevOps, and Integrated Program Management services across 50 states and 4 Territories. KSI provides support across multiple business functions including: Finance, Health, Defense, Social Services, Consumer Protection and Insurance. KSI is a CMMI 3 assessed organization and holds an ISO 9001 Quality Management certification. For more information, please visit http://www.ksikoniag.com. Media Contact:

MaryAnn Hoadley

Koniag Government Services

703-488-9303

MHoadley@Koniag.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/koniag-services-inc-awarded-theater-enterprise-wide-medical-logistics-system-tewls-operations-support-contract-by-the-defense-health-agency-dha-300658257.html SOURCE Koniag Government Services

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 04, 2018] Fresco Logic Launches Innovative F-One(TM) Multi-protocol Signal Aggregation Technology

Latest I/O Innovation drives modular design trend for smart phone, IoT, Industrial and Automotive applications PORTLAND, Ore. and TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresco Logic, a leading developer of high-speed connectivity ICs and solutions, today announced the availability of F-One Multi-Protocol Signal Aggregation Technology with its first generation FL6100 series of Silicon. FL6100 family chips including FL6101 and FL6102. The chips have already been deployed in projects at multiple Mobile phone companies and industrial customers. The petite but potent chip is currently offered in a 4x4 QFN package with a much smaller WLCSP package to follow next quarter. The chips and other products of Fresco Logic will be showcased at Computex Taipei 2018. System designers continue to ask for more and more features from technology platforms, while mobile form factors and market trend are pushing designs to be more modular. These modular designs generate a need for a wide variety of interconnects for both data and control. The interconnect needs to be simple, reliable, cost-effective, and support slim and sleek industrial design Fresco Logic's F-One technology, a family of highly-integrated aggregation controllers that can be used to flexibly and dynamically aggregate a variety of protocols into a single F-One serial channel, has wide application to multi-sensor environments, industrial IoT, networking security, automotive wire reduction, mobile device accessories. F-One standardize and simplify the connection between modules in phone accessories, and industrial robot and various smart devices; In industrial IoT application, multiple edge sensors that connect to F-One chip which can detect any uninvited invasion across IoT networks, and collect status awareness of each node. F-One signal aggregation technology can reduce and organize the mess of the wires to drastically improve automobile harness and reliability. "Traditional aggregation is homogeneous, supporting multiple channels of single protocol. Some others offer specialized functionality, audio plus a cntrol channel, video plus remote control, designed to a particular static requirement but these tend to be expensive. None of these offer F-One's dynamically configured multi-protocol aggregation," said Jing-fan Zhang, CEO of Fresco Logic. "F-One is a media agonistic approach that can provide a single channel interconnect that accommodates all of my low-speed signaling needs without routing a bunch of dedicated wires and without re-architecting the I/O subsystem."



"The landscape of device interconnectivity and I/O is changing dramatically," said Eric Almgren, CEO of Keyssa Inc. "Fresco's signal aggregation technology, combined with Keyssa's contactless connector, offers OEMs entirely new ways to connect devices and design products. We are seeing market demand for our combined solution in applications such as mobile, modular computing, and docking, where multiple protocols need to move seamlessly from one device to another and current connector technology simply doesn't work." Fresco Logic F-One FL6100 series support the following features:

Transport-Agnostic Aggregation Channel



Half Duplex (1 wire)



Full Duplex (2 wire)



On-chip or external transceiver option



Dedicated support for :



: Display Port AUX Channel/HPD



I2C



SPI



Flexible I/O supports aggregation of:



of: Serial Ports/I2S/SMBus/PS2



GPIOs (buttons/LEDs)



Many other standard and proprietary protocols



Ability to manage latency and jitter per I/O



Integrated MCU option

Native Support for Keyssa KSSS104 60GHz Millimeter wave contactless connector FL6100 Series is sampling to early adopter customers now, and will be available to the general market in Q3 2018. The Chongqing R&D center of Fresco Logic will provide design support for customers in China. For more information regarding Fresco Logic Products, please visit the company's demonstration at Computex Taipei 2018 in the W Hotel Taipei, or contact sales@frescologic.com, Marketing@frescologic.com. About Fresco Logic Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Fresco Logic was founded by a team of technical experts from Intel and Synopsys. Fresco Logic is a market leader in providing advanced I/O silicon solutions that deliver highly efficient connectivity such as F-One Aggregation, GoExtreme USB 3.1, USB Type-C, Power Delivery and USB Video for next-generation consumer electronics, mobile devices, IoT and industrial applications. Billions of Fresco Logic USB3.0 ports have been deployed to the market today. Media Contact: Bruce Cheng

Bruce.cheng@frescologic.com

+886-937-872-585 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fresco-logic-launches-innovative-f-onetm-multi-protocol-signal-aggregation-technology-300658941.html SOURCE Fresco Logic Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Basilea reports presentation of phase 1 clinical data with anticancer drug candidate BAL101553 at ASCO meeting

Data support expansion into phase 2a Basel, Switzerland, June 05, 2018 - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) reported today that data from the phase 1 dose-escalation parts of two phase 1/2a studies with weekly 48-hour infusion and once-daily oral dosing with its novel tumor checkpoint controller BAL101553 were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago on June 4th, 2018. The drug candidate showed initial signals of clinical activity as monotherapy and an acceptable safety profile supporting its advancement into phase 2a clinical development in targeted patient populations. Dr. Marc Engelhardt, Basilea's Chief Medical Officer, said: "Based on these results, Basilea is in the process of initiating an expansion phase 2a study with BAL101553 administered as a 48-hour infusion in adult patients with glioblastoma, which is a form of brain cancer, or platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. There are limited treatment options available for these cancers with high unmet medical need. We are, therefore, exploring the potential clinical benefit that our novel tumor checkpoint controller may be able to provide in these indications." Basilea had observed indications of clinical activity in a previously conducted phase 1/2a study with a 2-hour infusion of BAL101553.1 Dose-limiting effects were vascular toxicities and appeared to be related to the peak plasma concentration (C max ), while nonclinical models indicate that the anti-tumor effect of the drug candidate is driven by total drug exposure (AUC, area under the curve). Phase 1 dose-escalation in the oral and 48-hour infusion studies, which explored BAL101553 in patients with solid tumors, has completed and the maximum tolerated doses were determined. No relevant vascular toxicities were observed in either the 48-hour infusion or the once-daily oral dosing studies. The AUC/C max ratio in the 48-hour infusion study was approximately four times higher compared to the previously investigated 2-hour infusion regimen at the recommended phase 2 dose. A similar pattern was seen in the once-daily oral study. The observed dose limiting toxicities were transient or reversible and included hyponatremia (low sodium levels), hypokalemia (low potassium levels), neutropenia (low levels of white blood cells), hypotension (low blood pressure), and hallucinations. Of the 33 patients evaluable for efficacy from both phase 1 studies, one patient with ovarian cancer in the 48-hour infusion study had a confirmed partial response and six other patients with solid tumors had stable disease for four or more treatment cycles as best response. Two additional studies with once-daily oral dosing of BAL101553 are ongoing: dose-escalation in a separate recurrent glioblastoma arm of the phase 1/2a study and a phase 1 study in combination with standard radiotherapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma, which is conducted in collaboration with the Adult Brain Tumor Consortium (ABTC) in the U.S. BAL101553 posters at the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting Phase 1/2a study of BAL101553, a novel tumor checkpoint controller (TCC), administered as 48-hour infsion in adult patients with advanced solid tumors. - M. Joerger, I. Metaxas, A. Stathis, D. Hess, M. T. Mark, F. Hutter, N. Levy, S. Stuedeli, S. Berardi, M. Landau-Salzberg, M. F. Engelhardt, P. Larger, T. Kaindl, P. Hafner, P. McKernan, H. A. Lane, R. A. F. von Moos, C. Sessa; Abstract 2529, Poster Board #355 Phase 1/2a study of once daily oral BAL101553, a novel tumor checkpoint controller (TCC), in adult patients with advanced solid tumors - J. S. Lopez, E. R. Plummer, M. J. Devlin, R. Rulach, A. H. Ingles Garces, N. R. Md Haris, R. Miller, D. Crawford, M. D'Arcangelo, C. Aversa, A. L. Hannah, S. Anderson, M. F. Engelhardt, T. Kaindl, P. Larger, F. Bachmann, H. A. Lane, P. McKernan, T. R. J. Evans, R. S. Kristeleit; Abstract 2530, Poster Board #356



am.asco.org. About BAL101553

Basilea's oncology drug candidate BAL101553 (the prodrug of BAL27862)2 is being developed as a potential therapy for diverse cancers. The drug candidate is currently in phase 1/2a clinical evaluation. In preclinical studies, the drug candidate demonstrated in-vitro and in-vivo activity against diverse treatment-resistant cancer models, including tumors refractory to conventional approved therapeutics and radiotherapy.3, 4, 5 BAL101553 efficiently distributes to the brain, with anticancer activity in glioblastoma models.6, 7, 8 The active moiety BAL27862 binds the colchicine site of tubulin with distinct effects on microtubule organization,9 resulting in the activation of the "spindle assembly checkpoint" which promotes tumor cell death.10 About Basilea Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company developing products that address the medical challenge of increasing resistance and non-response to current treatment options in the therapeutic areas of bacterial infections, fungal infections and cancer. With two commercialized drugs, the company is committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative pharmaceutical products to meet the medical needs of patients with serious and life-threatening conditions. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Additional information can be found at Basilea's website www.basilea.com. Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information, please contact: Peer Nils Schroder, PhD

Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

+41 61 606 1102

media_relations@basilea.com

investor_relations@basilea.com This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com. References 1 J. Lopez et al. Phase 1/2a trial of intravenous BAL101553, a novel tumor checkpoint controller (TCC), in advanced solid tumors. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2016 (34), suppl., abstract 2525 2 J. Pohlmann et al. BAL101553: An optimized prodrug of the microtubule destabilizer BAL27862 with superior antitumor activity. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting 2011, abstract 1347; Cancer Research 2011, 71 (8 supplement) 3 A. Broggini-Tenzer et al. The novel microtubule-destabilizing drug BAL101553 (prodrug of BAL27862) sensitizes a treatment refractory tumor model to ionizing radiation. EORTC-NCI-AACR symposium 2014, abstract 202 4 G. E. Duran et al. In vitro activity of the novel tubulin active agent BAL27862 in MDR1(+) and MDR1(-) human breast and ovarian cancer variants selected for resistance to taxanes. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting 2010, abstract 4412 5 F. Bachmann et al. BAL101553 (prodrug of BAL27862): A unique microtubule destabilizer active against drug refractory breast cancers alone and in combination with trastuzumab. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting 2014, abstract 831 6 R. Berges et al. The novel tubulin-binding checkpoint activator BAL101553 inhibits EB1-dependent migration and invasion and promotes differentiation of glioblastoma stem-like cells. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics 2016 (15), 2740-2749 7 A. Schmitt-Hoffmann et al. BAL27862: a unique microtubule-targeted agent with a potential for the treatment of human brain tumors. AACR-NCI-EORTC conference 2009, abstract C233; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics 2009, 8 (12 Supplement) 8 A. C. Mladek et al. The novel tubulin-binding 'tumor checkpoint controller' BAL101553 has anti-cancer activity alone and in combination treatments across a panel of GBM patient-derived xenografts. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting 2016, abstract 4781 9 A. E. Prota et al. The novel microtubule-destabilizing drug BAL27862 binds to the colchicine site of tubulin with distinct effects on microtubule organization. Journal of Molecular Biology 2014 (426), 1848-1860 10 F. Bachmann et al. BAL101553 (prodrug of BAL27862): the spindle assembly checkpoint is required for anticancer activity. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting 2015, abstract 3789 Attachment Press release.pdf

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Turkey's Largest Private Bank Isbank and Pisano Collaborated for Customer Experience Management

LONDON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Isbank is expanding its voice of customer initiatives with Pisano to more than 350 branches to better evaluate customer satisfaction. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/700745/Pisano_Logo.jpg )

(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/700746/Ozkan_DEMIR_Pisano_CEO.jpg )

Ozkan Demir, CEO of the Customer Experience Management Company Pisano, expressed that recently customer experience has been a top priority for financial institutions and Isbank is one of the leading banks utilizing customer experience technologies and solutions. "Our collaboration with Turkey's largest private bank, Isbank, refects their focus and determination on providing excellent customer experiences which is really exciting for us. We love working with customer-oriented companies and the results are great sources of motivation for us," said Demir. Adding that Pisano is "Determined to expand the Customer Movement in the EMEA Region."



"Isbank and Pisano's collaboration is one of the best examples of our initiatives in the process of digital transformation. Pisano's customer experience management platform is enabling instant feedback for our customers. As a result, we observe a rapid increase in feedback volume and quality," said Isbank Digital Banking Head H. Mete Gunes. "Through Pisano kiosks, our branch employees simultaneously see the customers' feedback and if needed they take the action instantly." Gunes also added "With Pisano's real-time reporting features, our branch managers can easily analyze the results in minutes. The positive customer feedback responses are also important sources to motivate our employees." About Pisano

As a customer experience management platform, Pisano helped more than 250 global brands in 8 countries, engage with their customers to better understand and perfect their journeys. For detailed information about Pisano, please visit http://www.pisano.co. Follow Pisano: Web: http://www.pisano.co Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/PisanoEN LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pisano Twitter: @pisano_en

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Reflex Photonics Inaugurates a New Office in Paris

KIRKLAND (MONTREAL), Quebec, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Reflex Photonics is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in Paris to better serve its growing clientele in Europe. Reflex Photonics Europe is strategically located in the heart of Paris, a stone-throw from Place Vendome. The opening represents an important milestone, as Reflex Photonics has been actively looking to strengthen its European offering by increasing its local presence. Pierre Cardinal, Director of International Sales adds: The opening of this office illustrates our commitment to the European market. It will enable Reflex Photonics to sustain its growth in the region and offer better support to our local customers in key sectors of aerospace/avionic, defense, and industrial markets.

Building excellent relations with all the strategic players in these markets is essential and our new office is a first step to ensure that Reflx Photonics is better placed to support existing and new clients across the European region.





Representatives of Reflex Photonics will be present at the Canadian Pavilion at the 2018 Eurosatory Defense & Security International Exhibition held in Paris from June 11th to the 15th.

About Reflex Photonics Founded in 2002, Reflex Photonics is an advanced developer of rugged high-speed optical transceiver modules and parallel embedded optics products for space, aerospace, defense, avionics, telecom, data centers and industrial applications.

The company addresses the growing market demand for high-speed interconnects in high performance embedded computers. Our products enable equipment developers to design smaller, lower cost, and lower powered systems resulting in higher fidelity and faster connectivity. Media contact:

Jean-Francois Cyr

jfcyr@reflexphotonics.com

Learn more - Reflex Photonics Website Reflex Photonics Inc.

16771, Chemin Ste-Marie

Kirkland, QC, H9H 5H3, Canada

+1-514-842-5179 (Montreal)

+1-408-715-1781 (USA)

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Chemring Technology Solutions Launches World's First Geofencing Electronic Warfare Manpack System

ROMSEY, England, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- See Viper at Electronic Warfare Europe, 5-7 June, Stand D16. Chemring Technology Solutions today launches VIPER, a whole-mission support and information system, delivering actionable intelligence and the world's first Electronic Warfare (EW) manpack geofencing capability. Integrated into Chemring Technology Solutions' RESOLVE EW system, VIPER's geofencing technology provides operators with pinpoint accuracy for superior target precision. Traditionally, EW operators would expect to analyse all signals, whether of significance or not. VIPER allows them to focus on a specific area of interest, such as a valley or building, significantly reducing the task and time burden and communications and reporting load. VIPER's path profile tools support highly targeted pre-mission planning and real-time mission adaptation, by processing terrain height against relative radio frequency (RF) to pinpoint the optimum locations for EW data collection nodes. Automated database analysis quickly delivers operators relevant target insight via a user-friendly interface, enabling commanders and operators torespond faster to the evolving battlefield situation.



VIPER simplifies operations and minimises the training burden by automating many processes that would have previously been undertaken by the operator. Non-expert users can easily access the database storage, providing them the information they need, formatted for ease of understanding and requiring minimal interpretation. VIPER has been developed to remove the issues of complex RF-data presentation and laborious information access. For example, VIPER visualises information by overlaying a map so that the operator can quickly identify a precise target fix. Eric Herron, Regional Manager, at Chemring Technology Solutions, said: "VIPER is another market-first for us as it delivers a level of EW capability usually associated with larger systems. Developed by EW operators for EW operators, we believe that we have created the most capable and user-friendly EW manpack system, offering the next step to counter current and evolving threats. VIPER delivers a highly automated and intuitive system that requires minimal operator input, so that they do not have to wade through large amounts of data capture and the noise on the RF spectrum, but can instead focus on genuine signals of interest to find that needle in a haystack much faster. It is deployed at this year's CyberQuest exercise in the USA to show exactly this capability."

CESMO and JICD compatible, VIPER can contribute to, and receive data from, coalition partners operating in the land, sea and air domains - critical for combined missions. RESOLVE's innovative multi-role capability in tactical EW, and its continued focus on contemporary operational needs, make it the market-leading solution. A single RESOLVE EW Manpack provides both full spectrum wideband surveillance and wideband direction finding capabilities, with collaborative synchronous position fix between any two or more systems. The solution for contingent operations, RESOLVE is designed for simplicity in operation, enabling rapid deployment preparation, rapid role change, simultaneous support for tactical operations, and remote reporting via IP network radios and beyond line-of-sight links. The new VIPER system will be launched at EW Europe on the Chemring Technology Solutions' Stand (D16). About Chemring Technology Solutions http://www.chemringts.com Chemring Technology Solutions, part of Chemring Group PLC, is a global provider of advanced protection systems covering Electronic Warfare, Signals Intelligence, EOD, Counter IED, Tactical Comms and Cyber Security. Trusted by governments, national security and commercial customers to provide military and commercial advantage, its products are relied upon by the best equipped armed forces in the world, including the UK MOD and NATO allies.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Cognigo Named One of the Most Interesting Companies to Visit at the Infosec Europe 2018

TEL AVIV, Israel, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognigo Announces the World's first Cognitive Computing Driven GDPR Platform at InfoSec 2018. Cognigo, a global leader in Cognitive Data governance and security, announced today that Comparitech included the company on its list of the "Most Interesting Companies to Visit at the Infosec Europe 2018." "Cognigo is on the list of the most interesting companies at Infosec Europe because it has hooked up with some powerful friends in the industry," according to an article on Comparitech. The list identifies 20 cyber securers of the most interesting companies at Infosec, from well-established leaders in the industry to innovators doing ground-breaking work in their fields. "Cognigo is honored to have been chosen by Comparitech for this list and to announce our new GDPR platform at the Infosec 2018," said Guy Leibovitz, the Founder & CEO of Cognigo. "Cognitive Computing is probably the only technology that can identify data at risk under the GDPR's broad definition of personal infrmation."



Cognigo GDPR is the world's first Cognitive Computing driven GDPR Platform. The platform will be integrated within Cogniog's existing DataSense solution, which use advanced AI and Cognitive Computing algorithm to provide a human-free data discovery, classification and protection. The platform supports structured and unstructured data - both for on premise and cloud data silos. Mr. Leibovitz will take the center stage at the Infosec' Cyber Innovation Showcase (05 Jun 2018, 16:30 - 16:55) to speak about "How Cognitive Computing is Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity". Leibovitz will share his knowledge on benefits of AI in cyber-security today and the impact of regulation of AI, and how can AI can be used to demonstrate GDPR compliance. Come visit Cognigo at booth M10.

Last month, Cognigo partnered with Microsoft Azure Information Protection Suite to "discover the undiscoverable" of how users actually use data by extracting, mapping, and categorizing all of the structured and unstructured data of an organization using AI.

About Cognigo Cognigo's mission is to ensure that critical data assets, which are now critical than ever before, will not fall into the wrong hands. We aim to help businesses measure risk and meet GDPR regulation requirements with the click of a button. Cognigo DataSense is a single point of control to manage and secure critical data assets and PIIs. Gain deep and context-aware visibility into enterprise-wide data. Achieve GDPR compliance in days, not months.

Ask for a demo at: https://www.cognigo.com Please contact: Tommy Barav

Marketing Executive

Cognigo

tom@cognigo.com

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] FICO Survey: Swedes Confused About PSD2 Changes to Payments

STOCKHOLM, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the major changes the Payments Services Directive 2 could make to EU payments, few Swedes know about the new EU directive, now being introduced. A new survey from analytics software firm FICO, executed by SIFO, also shows that few Swedes are prepared to share their banking information with a third party, and there is a mixed view on whether PSD2 will lead to an increase or decrease in fraud. Under PSD2, consumers can give third parties permission to access their bank information, such as their deposits. This means that third parties can perform payments directly from the user's bank accounts. Consumers will also have multiple payment options when conducting a transaction. Only 36 percent of all respondents knew about the directive. The lowest awareness is among the young, from ages 16-24, where only 29 percent know about it. "PSD2 will greatly change how we make payments in the future and usher in a lot of new payment services," said Dylan Jones, who oversees operations in the Nordics at FICO. "Our survey shows though that few consumers know about the directive, which suggests that it will take some time before customers are ready to give third parties the necessary access in order to be able to take advantage of the new sevices that will launch."



Few Willing to Provide Data Access Many Swedes are hesitant to give third parties access to their banking information. Nearly half of the respondents, 46 percent, do not want to share information with any third party, and 32 percent are uncertain about it. Among those willing to share data with third parties, the bigger retail chains such as COOP and ICA are the most popular, and respondents said they are least likely to share information with Facebook.

"In order to take advantage of PSD2, third parties must gain consumers' trust," said Jones. "Our survey results show that we mostly trust those who have been around in our lives for quite some time. We are least likely to trust the big social media platforms, which have been tainted by recent data sharing scandals." Uncertainty Regarding Fraud Half of Swedes surveyed reported they are uncertain about how PSD2 will affect fraud. Among the rest, 17 percent believe the directive will increase the amount of fraud, while 18 percent believe it will reduce fraud. "Unfortunately, we see a risk of PSD2 creating new opportunities for criminals, who can take advantage of the confusion that follows a change in processes or communications from banks," said Jones. "The more uncertainty there is around the directive, the greater the chance for criminals, which is why banks need to be much clearer with their customers. They not only need to inform customers about the likely impact of PSD2, but also about stronger customer authentication processes and ensure customers have access to the necessary authorization tools when needed." For more information on fraud prevention and PSD2, visit: http://www.fico.com/en/fraud-security/fraud-management-for-psd2 About FICO FICO (NYSE: FICO) powers decisions that help people and businesses around the world prosper. Founded in 1956 and based in Silicon Valley, the company is a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions. FICO holds more than 185 US and foreign patents on technologies that increase profitability, customer satisfaction and growth for businesses in financial services, telecommunications, health care, retail and many other industries. Using FICO solutions, businesses in more than 100 countries do everything from protecting 2.6 billion payment cards from fraud, to helping people get credit, to ensuring that millions of airplanes and rental cars are in the right place at the right time. Learn more at http://www.fico.com FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/450763/FICO_Logo.jpg

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Wilshire Quinn Hits $100 Million in Total Loan Volume

Wilshire Quinn Capital, Inc. announced Tuesday that its private mortgage fund, the Wilshire Quinn Income Fund, has funded over $100,000,000 in bridge loans since its inception in 2011. Wilshire Quinn's successful track record is closely linked to their ability to make immediate lending decisions based on their highly disciplined underwriting approach. Wilshire Quinn, based in San Diego, CA (News - Alert) , is a portfolio lender and has become a leading institution in the California bridge lending marketplace. "Our successful track record is a testament to our strict loan-to-value guidelines and our attention to detail. We focus on properties with substantial amounts of equity, which are located in major metropolitan areas and coastal regions," said Christopher M. Garcia, CEO of Wilshire Quinn Capital, Inc. Unlike traditional lenders, bridge lenders focus more upon the equity in a property relative to the borrower's credit profile. The underwriting and funding process for a bridge loan can take place in a matter of days, instead of weeks or months like a traditional lender. This type of financing can provide a borrower extra time to obain a traditional loan or market a property for sale.



Added Garcia, "We will not offer a lending commitment unless there is a clear exit strategy. Our goal is to maintain strong relationships with our borrowers throughout the entire lending process; from the moment a term sheet is signed to when the loan is eventually paid off." Wilshire Quinn provides financing on a wide variety of property types including office, retail, industrial, mixed-use, multi-family, and non-owner occupied SFRs.

As for Wilshire Quinn's typical borrowers, their customer base is fairly diverse; borrowers range from corporations looking for construction financing, to individuals who are looking to purchase or refinance an investment property. Wilshire Quinn provides financing to borrowers who are unable to obtain credit from traditional lending institutions or need to close quickly on a property. ABOUT WILSHIRE QUINN Wilshire Quinn is a direct portfolio lender focused on bridge loans secured by first trust deeds. The company is based in San Diego, CA with offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Wilshire Quinn typically funds loans for their customers in 5-7 days and offers a variety of loans such as: refinance, purchase, blanket, rehab loans, 1031 exchange, partnership buyouts, and more. Wilshire Quinn originates loans ranging from $200,000 - $10,000,000 and works with commercial and residential borrowers nationwide. Loans are made or arranged by Wilshire Quinn Income Fund, LLC pursuant to California Finance Lenders Law license #603J060. Wilshire Quinn Capital, Inc. serves as manager of the Wilshire Quinn Income Fund, LLC. The information above is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Portions of the loans described above may be sold to third party purchasers and does not necessarily reflect the amount held in the Fund's loan portfolio. Nothing contained in the information above is an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Any such offer to purchase securities will be made only through the Offering Circular for the Wilshire Quinn Income Fund, LLC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005528/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Katalon and KMS Technology Survey Highlights Skills Gap and Changing Requirements as the Biggest Obstacles to Software Test Automation Adoption

ATLANTA, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Katalon and KMS Technology, two companies focused on the software testing market, announce the results of a survey of nearly 2,300 software testers and QA managers regarding software test automation adoption. According to the study, organizations are confronted with numerous obstacles in test automation, including requirements that change too often, the expense of commercial testing tools, and tools that require too much experience and expertise to use properly. As background, Katalon was incubated and launched by KMS Technology in 2015.

As the emphasis on rapid, continuous software development has increased within enterprise organizations, so too has the need for automated testing. Commercial testing tools support this process by handling the creation and execution of tests while minimizing manual steps. These qualities are important as software has become a strategic asset for companies and the complexity of applications has grown along with user expectations. The global test automation market is expected to grow from nearly $16 billion in 2016 to $55 billion in 2022, according to Zion Market Research. According to the KMS Technology / Katalon survey: The top priorities when selecting a test automation tool are: training, documentation, tutorials, guidelines; good test reports; level o programming skills required; licensing and support costs; level of skills and experience required

The top challenges in applying test automation are: requirements change too often; lack of skilled and experienced test automation resources; difficult to integrate different automation tools together; do not have the right processes and methods for test automation; diverse applications and platforms to test

The top challenges with existing test automation tools are: commercial tools are too expensive; the lack of support for mobile testing; they require too much experience and expertise to operate; they require strong programming skills; difficult to integrate with other software development tools



Testers and Software development organizations are struggling with the transition from manual testing to automated testing, says Uy Tran, Product Manager of Katalon Studio. Automation testing solutions are either too costly or require users to possess programming skills for the transition. Were pleased to be able to offer affordable products and services designed to help organizations and users to get started on modernizing their testing practices successfully.

About Katalon

Katalon is the company behind Katalon Studio, a test automation platform developed by KMS Technology as an alternative to both open-source and commercial applications. The free software is simple to set up and use, for both beginners and advanced testers. It includes comprehensive functionality, allowing testers to set up projects, create and run tests, view reports and maintain tests. Katalon Studio was ranked as a top automation tool in 2017 by popular Automation websites and communities. Learn more at https://www.katalon.com/. About KMS Technology?

KMS Technology was founded by a team of information technology veterans in the United States and Vietnam with a vision of building an agile, innovative and efficient organization that increases our clients' shareholder value. KMS provides services across the software development life-cycle through partnerships with clients ranging from startups to large technology companies. We offer two main service lines: Offshore Product Development and Independent Software Testing. Our objective is to collaboratively build client success stories. With every clients engagement, we expect both KMS Technology and our clients to share stories of successful projects, products and relationships that we grow and develop each day. Learn more at https://www.kms-technology.com/. Media contact:

Kevin Wolf

TGPR

(650) 483-1552

kevin@tgprllc.com

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Luminaire and Lighting Control Market to be Worth US$ 111.0 Bn by 2026 - TMR

ALBANY, New York, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market report on luminaire and lighting control published by Transparency Market Research, the global luminaire and lighting control market is expected to reach US$ 111.0 Bn by 2026, expanding at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2018 to 2026. According to the report, the global market will continue to be influenced by a range of macroeconomic and industry-specific factors. Asia Pacific will continue to be at the forefront of global demand, with the market in the region expanding at a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/664869/Transparency_Market_Research_Logo.jpg )

Rise in Necessity of Energy-efficient Lighting Control Solution is driving the Global Luminaire and Lighting Control Market As energy costs continue to rise, demand for energy-efficient solutions is increasing rapidly, especially in the U.S. In line with the same, many utilities and city governments are deploying LED-based lighting control systems with advanced technology to enhance efficiency and reduce operation and maintenance costs. This has led to rise in adoption of LED- based lighting products and systems. Browse Research Report at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/luminaire-lighting-control-market.html Luminaire and Lighting Control Market: Scope of the Report The global luminaire and lighting control market is broadly segmented by product, light, technology, component, application, and region. In terms of product, the market is classified into luminaire and lighting control. The luminaire segment is expected to hold significant market share of 91.2% in 2018. Based on light, the market is categorized into LED, halogen, fluorescent, HID, and others. The LED segment constituted a prominent market share in 2017 and is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period owing to increasing adoption of LEDs in multiple applications. In terms of technology, the market is segmented into wired and wireless. Based on component, the market is divided into hardware, software, and service. In terms of application, the market is segmented into indoor and outdoor. The commercial sub-segment of the indoor segment is anticipated to dominate the market owing to upgrade of existing products in commercial spaces with a focus on achieving energy efficiency goals and increase in productivity through lighting control. The roadway lighting sub-segment of the outdoor segment is anticipated to be dominant constituting market share of 35.4% in 2026. Request a Brochure for Research Insights at https://www.transparencymrketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=44583



Asia Pacific dominated the luminaire and lighting control market in 2017, with China accounting for a prominent share of 43.1%. The dominance of the market in the region is attributed to its large population base, rapid industrialization and urbanization, expansion in the lighting industry, and increased penetration of wireless devices. China is anticipated to lead the luminaire and lighting control market in Asia Pacific throughout the forecast period. This is mainly because it is a major manufacturing hub of lighting products. Apart from China, countries such as India and Japan are also expected to contribute significantly to the market in Asia Pacific. The market in India is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. This is mainly due to smaller cities, towns, and villages with smart street projects and increased usage of LEDs. North America and Europe collectively held 51.8% share of the global market share in 2018. Download Report TOC at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/44583

Luminaire and Lighting Control Market: Competitive Dynamics The research study includes profiles of leading companies operating in the global luminaire and lighting control market. Market players have been profiled in terms of attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies, and recent developments. Key players in the luminaire and lighting control market include General Electric Co., Philips Lighting N.V., General Electric, Cree,Inc, Legrand S.A., OSRAM Licht AG, Eaton Corporation, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc, Acuity Brands, Inc., Hubbell Incorporated, and LSI Industries Inc.. Companies are focusing on expanding their business through strategic acquisitions and partnerships with several end-use industries. Browse Press Release at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/luminaire-lighting-control-market.htm The luminaire and lighting control market has been segmented as follows: Global Luminaire and Lighting Control Market By Product Luminaire

Control By Light LED

Halogen

Fluorescent

HID

Others By Technology Wired

Wireless Wi-Fi Bluetooth ZigBee Others

By Component Hardware LED Drivers & Ballasts Sensors Switches Dimmers Relay Units Gateways

Software Web-based Cloud-based Hybrid

Services Professional Services Managed Services

By Application Indoor Residential Commercial Industrial Others (Public and Government Buildings)

Outdoor Architectural Lighting Roadways Lighting Lighting for Public Places Others (Rail Lines and Harbors)

Popular Research Reports by TMR: Lighting Product Market :https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/lighting-product-market.html

:https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/lighting-product-market.html Flexible OLED Display Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/flexible-oled-display-market.html About Us Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend 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. TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Contact

Transparency Market Research

State Tower,

90 State Street,

Suite 700,

Albany NY - 12207

United States

Tel: +1-518-618-1030

USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453

Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com

Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Research Blog: http://www.techyounme.com/ SOURCE Transparency Market Research

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018]

Editor & Publisher Now Accepting Entries for the 2018 EPPY Awards

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Editor & Publisher Magazine has announced its call for entries for the 2018 EPPY Awards, honoring the best in digital media. Now in its 23rd year, this international contest has broadened its scope to keep up with the ever-changing internet industry.

Entries are being accepted across 30 diverse categories, with two divisions for each category:

1 million and over unique monthly visitors

Under 1 million unique monthly visitors

The EPPY Awards also recognize excellence in college and university journalism with awards in three different categories, including Best College/University News Website.

Entries in the EPPY Awards are judged by a panel of notable figures in the media industry, chosen by the staff of Editor & Publisher.

Submit your entry today at www.EPPYAwards.com.







The deadline to enter is Aug. 24, 2018. Winners of the awards will be announced at www.EditorandPublisher.com on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018.

If you are interested in becoming a 2018 EPPY judge, or would like to recommend a colleague, please contact us at the email address below for more information.

About Editor & Publisher:

Editor & Publisher Magazine is the authoritative journal for newspaper professionals. E&P has been the newspaper industry's trusted news source for 134 years  combining comprehensive insight and global perspective. E&P proudly sponsors the EPPY Awards, recognizing media outlets who are leading the way in the online revolution.

Contact:

Martha McIntosh

EPPY Award Committee Chairperson

949.660.6150, ext. 216

martha@editorandpublisher.com

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/editor--publisher-now-accepting-entries-for-the-2018-eppy-awards-300657563.html

SOURCE Editor & Publisher Magazine[June 05, 2018] Gaming Arts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony To Host Governor Sandoval And Clark County Commission Chair Sisolak As Speakers

LAS VEGAS, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- What: Las Vegas-based gaming technology manufacturer Gaming Arts is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the expansion of its Las Vegas technology and innovation campus and its commitment to Nevada jobs and innovation. Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and Clark County Commission Chair Steve Sisolak will be on hand for a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and a hospitality reception in front of the Company's Las Vegas campus. Founded in Las Vegas in 2009, Gaming Arts has transformed the world of bingo and keno and is now setting its sights on reinventing the casino floor through its end-to-end portfolio of games and solutions. Why: Gaming Arts, the world leader in bingo and keno games and technology, is expanding its extensive product library to include electronic gaming machines. To continue the Company's growthand facilitate its focus on developing cutting-edge video slot games, Gaming Arts has doubled the square footage of its Las Vegas facilities located in the Hughes Airport Center near McCarran International Airport and has increased its workforce by 60 percent over the last year.



Who: Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, Clark County Commission Chair Steve Sisolak, Gaming Arts Founder and Chief Executive Officer David Colvin, and Gaming Arts President Mike Dreitzer will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate Gaming Arts' growth and commitment to jobs and innovation in Nevada. When: 2 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2018.

Where: Gaming Arts Las Vegas Campus; 323 Orville Wright Ct.; Las Vegas, NV 89119. Who Should Attend: All members of the media are invited to attend. Media Contact: Jean Venneman, Chief Commercial Officer of Gaming Arts; 702.818.8943 or jvenneman@gamingarts.com. About Gaming Arts

Gaming Arts, LLC, a privately owned and operated business headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the world leader in bingo and keno games and technology and is now entering the electronic gaming machine market with some of the world's most innovative slot games. Gaming Arts holds gaming licenses in approximately 70 jurisdictions, and its games and systems are installed in hundreds of casinos and bingo halls across the United States, the Pacific Rim, and South Africa. To learn more, visit www.gamingarts.com or call 702.818.8943. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gaming-arts-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-to-host-governor-sandoval-and-clark-county-commission-chair-sisolak-as-speakers-300659252.html SOURCE Gaming Arts, LLC

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Greg Baker Joins Academy Securities as Vice President in the Capital Markets Group

Academy Securities, a registered broker-dealer, certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), today announced the addition of Greg Baker as a Vice President in the Capital Markets Group. Mr. Baker brings with him a wealth of experience in the capital markets, having spent over 12 years at Bank of America. Mr. Baker's career began in Syndicate Operations where he supported new issuance and settlement across all product lines. Mr. Baker spent the last 5 years on the Investment Grade Syndicate desk at Bank of America where he was involved with the execution of new issue investment grade corporate bonds, preferred stock, and emerging markets. "We are thrilled to be adding someone with Greg's industry pedigree to our team," stated Chance Mims, CEO of Academy Securities. "Mr. Baker will help Academy take the next step in its goal to deliver industry leading service to our issuing clients and partners". Mr. Baker commented on his joining Academy Securities: "I am excited for the opportunity to join this best in class firm. There is a clear mission to hire and mentor military veterans, for whom I have the utmost respect. I look forward to being part of the team and furthering all of the goals of the company."



"Academy remains resolute in our mission to pair top tier industry veterans with returning military veterans to create the best value and service for our clients," said Phil McConkey, President of Academy Securities. Mr. Baker is a University of Rhode Island graduate.

About Academy Securities Academy Securities is a preeminent disabled veteran owned investment bank with strength in capital markets, public finance, fixed income and equity trading. Leadership and staff have had intensive military training prior to entering and gaining in depth financial services experience in global capital markets. We are mission driven with a high ethical code, a solid sense of accountability and strive for excellence in the pursuit of our clients' success. Intellectual assets, strong visionary leaders and a proud team commitment bring out the best in each other for the benefit of our clients. Academy is our nation's first and only post-9/11 disabled veteran owned investment bank and is a certified as a DVBE, SDVOSB, and MBE. The firm has a strong top and middle tier client base served by a national platform with offices in New York, Chicago, Boston, San Diego, Chapel Hill, Sacramento and South Norwalk. Information about Academy Securities is available at www.academysecurities.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005836/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Panorays Emerges from Stealth Mode to Transform the Way Companies Interact with Partners and Suppliers on their Security Posture

NEW YORK, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Panorays today launched their flagship automated platform to increase the security posture of all organizations in the supply chain, enabling companies to easily view, manage, and engage with third parties to reduce their cyber risk.

The Panorays SaaS platform provides 24/7 monitoring and alerting upon attack surface change and does not require installation on customer or third-party systems. With Panorays, companies can shorten their third-party security evaluation process by as much as 93%, while gaining continuous visibility and ensuring compliance to regulations such as GDPR and NY DFS. Panorays targets organizations in financial services, healthcare, automotive, technology, and retail. Through its customers, Panorays has currently evaluated more than 10,000 third-party companies. The company is co-founded by experienced technology industry executives and members of the elite technology/software unit of the Israeli Air Force, Matan Or-El, Meir Antar and Demi Ben-Ari. The executive team has served in security and leadership positions at companies including Imperva, AVG, ironSource, Windward, WalkMe and enSilo. Panorays has received early stage funding of $5 million, led by noted venture capital fund, Aleph. Renown cybersecurity veteran Amichai Shulman, co-founder and former CTO of Imperva, Elevator Fund, Moshe Lichtman and Michael Dolinsky also participated in the round. Were seeing increasing demand for our solution, which solves third party security issues. The Panorays platform delivers a 360-degree view of cyber gaps. It does this by automating thousands of activities that mimic those that hackers would apply, combined with internal policy enforcement. Based on the findings and leveraging big data analytics, the platform provides contet-based ratings and actionable intelligence, explained Matan Or-El, CEO of Panorays.



Panorays enters the market at a critical time when third-party providers are proving to be the source of the costliest incidents. According to the latest research report by Kaspersky, the top five most expensive cyber attacks for companies include targeted attacks ($1.11 million), incidents affecting IT infrastructure hosted by a third party ($1.09 million) and third-party cloud services ($942,000). As a new company in the third-party risk space, Panorays has taken advantage of seeing what other solutions are not doing well to create a solution that will close coverage gaps. By actively engaging third-parties in the business cyber-security risk management program, Panorays uses the web of symbiotic relationships to create a broad ecosystem where all companies involved benefit from each others success in reducing risk, said David Monahan, managing research director, security and risk management, Enterprise Management Associates, Inc.

Panorays technology and approach will prove to be a disruptive force in the supply chain. Companies will not only improve the security posture of all partners and in turn their own, but will also benefit from approving partners and securing suppliers quickly for a faster time to market, said Eden Shochat, partner at Aleph. Panorays also today announced the results of new research on the security practices of critical suppliers. We found that despite the awareness to Web application security, more than 25% of critical suppliers still lack proper patching processes, said Or-El. About Panorays

Panorays automates third party security management. The platform enables companies to easily view, manage and engage on the security posture of their third-parties, vendors, suppliers, and business partners. With the Panorays platform, companies dramatically shorten their third-party security evaluation process and gain continuous visibility while ensuring compliance to regulations such as GDPR and NY DFS. Panorays is a SaaS-based platform, no installation needed. Panorays targets organizations in financial services, healthcare, automotive, technology, and retail. Through its customers, Panorays has currently evaluated more than 10,000 third party companies. For more information, visit www.panorays.com About Aleph

Aleph is an early stage venture capital fund with $344 million under management. Aleph partners with Israeli entrepreneurs to help scale them into large, meaningful companies and globally recognized brands. Aleph is an Equal Partnership of Eden Shochat, Michael Eisenberg and Aaron Rosenson. Since its founding in 2013, the fund has invested in over 20 companies including Wework, Nexar, Lemonade, Colu, Freightos, Windward, CommonSense Robotics and LawGeex. Panorays Media Contact:

Jan Wiedrick-Kozlowski

Eskenzi PR

jan@eskenzipr.com

(585) 392-7878

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] PM Narendra Modi and 69 Top Politicians Gets UNFCCC Carbon Neutrality Certificates

INDORE, India, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- - On 5th June, occasion of World Environment day, Carbon Credits will be provided

- A sincere effort to reduce Carbon Emission during the movements/travel of National Leaders

- 5 Carbon Credits will be presented to the respected dignitaries/VIPs

- India to host the 'World Environment Day' for the first time On June 5th, the 'World Environment Day', EnKing International who are working to help Clean Energy producer & Energy Efficient Companies, have started a campaign as a mark of respect to protect to the environment. In this campaign, 5 Carbon Credits will be presented to premier dignitaries on this day. Carbon Credit is an authority (permit) to the nation or institute for emission of Carbon in a particular restricted quantity and in case of a surplus it can be traded. Detailing more in the matter Mr. Manish Dabkara, MD EnKing International, stated, "Global warming and changes in seasons is a matter of concern for the entire world. All developing or developed nations are committed to reduce the Green House Gases (GHG) emissions under Kyoto Protocol and subsequent Paris Agreement. One of the easy way to reduce emissions is to buy Carbon Credits which is very common at industrialized nations, it will help Emission Reduction projects to get fast return on investment and so many simlar projects may come up."



The prime objective of EnKing International is to resolve the issue related to global warming by helping GHG mitigation projects like Wind, Solar, Hydro, Biomass, Energy Efficiency etc. to get Carbon Credits issued from United Nations and sell it into Carbon Markets. One among the many such efforts by EnKing International, it has launched a new campaign called 'The Green Initiative'. The aim of this campaign is to highlight the issue of carbon emission/global warming, narrate the impact of everyday human activities on the environment and spread awareness about protecting the environment using elementary measures by organizations. EnKing International wants to draw the attention of Indians towards how the environment can be saved and made better with slight modifications in routine.

Keeping the major environmental concern of global warming in mind, EnKing International is presenting carbon credits on the World Environment Day on June 5th, 2018. This is the first occasion when the World Environment Day is being hosted in India. Thus as a token of celebration, EnKing International is gifting 5 carbon credits to prominent Indian dignitaries in order to part neutralize year 2018 Annual Travel Emissions. Mr. Manish Dabkara, said, "Carbon Credit Cancellation certificates have been requested to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) located at Germany, to set off part emissions to happen due to travel of these politicians." He further added, "All national policies should be drafted in such a way that Carbon Footprint due to implementation of those policies should be very low or Carbon Neutral." The list of dignitaries to receive these credits includes Hon'ble President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Ministers (in Central Government) and Chief Ministers of Indian states. About EnKing International: EnKing International helps Clean Energy producer & Energy Efficient Companies to determine their Carbon (Air Emission) Footprint and sell their Carbon Credits to earn additional revenue stream. EnKing International is India's largest Carbon Credit project developer and supplier. EKI also helps private and government organizations to implement ISO and ZED standards, it has client base of 800+ at 40+ countries. To know more visit us at http://www.enkingint.org. Media Contact:

Manish Dabkara

manish@enkingint.org

+91-9907534900

EKI Energy Services Limited





[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Ziften joins Microsoft Community in Contributing to Windows Defender ATP Advanced Hunting Project - Targeting Growth in Fileless Attacks

AUSTIN, Texas, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ziften, a leading provider of all-the-time visibility and control for client devices, servers, and cloud VMs, today announced it has joined the Microsoft community in contributing to the Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) advanced hunting project. Even the best defenses can be breached, and security teams must find and investigate threats and breaches more quickly and aggressively. Ziften's contributions include analytics and queries so customers can easily conduct threat hunting to identify suspicious activities that indicate the presence of threat actors using advanced fileless attack techniques across Windows, macOS, Linux, and cross-platform systems environments. The Windows Defender ATP advanced hunting capability gives customers the tools to instantly hunt for threats and breaches across 6 months of endpoint behavioral and configuration data, and the advanced hunting community contributes threat hunting queries available directly within the Windows Defender ATP advanced hunting console and in the Github repository. Today's announcement builds on the news that Ziften's Zenith security platform is integrated with Windows Defender ATP delivering a cloud-based "single pane of glass" to detect, view, investigate, and respond to advanced cyber-attacks and breaches on Windows, macOS and Linux endpoints. Advanced Hunting Project



Fileless attacks, also known as zero-footprint attacks, or non-malware attacks are on the rise  77 percent of compromised attacks in 2017 were fileless.[1] The Microsoft advanced hunting project simplifies cyber threat hunting, or the process of proactively and iteratively searching through networks to detect and isolate these advanced threats. Ziften's participation in the advanced hunting community provides mutual customers: Visibility and Behavioral Analytics for macOS and Linux Systems: Ziften's integration with Windows Defender ATP provides real-time and 6-months of historical visibility and behavioral analytics for macOS and Linux systems.

Ziften's integration with Windows Defender ATP provides real-time and 6-months of historical visibility and behavioral analytics for macOS and Linux systems. Advanced Hunting Queries: Threat hunting can be a tedious manual process. Ziften's advanced hunting developments and contributions simplify this manual hunting process and enable automations where practicable.

Threat hunting can be a tedious manual process. Ziften's advanced hunting developments and contributions simplify this manual hunting process and enable automations where practicable. Cross-Platform Advanced Hunting: Ziften developments include cross-platform queries to identify potential threats such as lateral movement by threat actors across mixed endpoint enterprise environments. "As a member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association, Ziften is excited to contribute our macOS, Linux, and cross-platform hunting expertise with the Microsoft advanced hunting community," said Josh Harriman, Vice President of Cyber Security Intelligence, Ziften. "Bringing together our deep macOS and Linux know-how, with Microsoft's Windows intelligence, and our customers' familiarity with their systems environments creates the best of all worlds for our mutual customers' security teams tasked with conducting threat hunting exercises. The easier and more automated we can make the hunting process, the more successful customers will be in finding and eliminating potential threats and risks."

[1] "The 2017 State of Endpoint Security Risk Report", Ponemon Institute, November 20, 2017 About Ziften:

Ziften delivers all-the-time visibility and control for any asset, anywhere - client devices, servers, and cloud VMs  whether on-network or remote; connected or not. Our unified systems and security operations (SysSecOps) platform empowers IT and security operations teams to quickly repair user impacting endpoint issues, reduce their overall risk posture, speed security threat response, and increase operations productivity. Ziften's secure architecture delivers continuous, streaming endpoint monitoring and historical data collection for large and mid-sized enterprises, governments, and managed security service providers (MSSP). https:/ziften.com Ziften Media Contact:

Zonic Group Public Relations

Gregory Cross

gcross@zonicgroup.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ziften-joins-microsoft-community-in-contributing-to-windows-defender-atp-advanced-hunting-project--targeting-growth-in-fileless-attacks-300656806.html SOURCE Ziften Technologies

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018]

Salesforce Announces Annual Stockholders Meeting to be Held in San Francisco on Tuesday, June 12, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), the global leader in CRM, today announced the company's annual meeting of stockholders will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. (PT) / 5:00 p.m. (ET). The meeting will be held at Salesforce, located at 350 Mission Street, San Francisco, California 94105. Stockholders are invited to attend the meeting and should refer to Salesforce's proxy statement available at www.salesforce.com/investor for details regarding required documentation to gain admission to the meeting.







An audiocast will be available to the public on Salesforce's website at www.salesforce.com/investor.

About Salesforce

Salesforce, the global leader in CRM, empowers companies to connect with their customers in a whole new way. Salesforce has headquarters in San Francisco, with offices in Europe and Asia, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CRM." For more information about Salesforce, visit: www.salesforce.com.

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/salesforce-announces-annual-stockholders-meeting-to-be-held-in-san-francisco-on-tuesday-june-12-2018-300659260.html

SOURCE Salesforce[June 05, 2018] HighPoint Named to CRN's 2018 Solution Provider 500 List

SPARTA, N.J., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HighPoint, a leading customer service and technology solutions company, announced today that CRN  , a brand of The Channel Company, has named HighPoint to its 2018 Solution Provider 500 list. The Solution Provider 500 is CRNs annual ranking of the largest technology integrators, solution providers and IT consultants in North America by revenue.

The Solution Provider 500 is CRNs predominant channel partner award list, serving as the industry standard for recognition of the most successful solution provider companies in the channel since 1995. The complete list will be published on CRN.com, making it readily available to vendors seeking out top solution providers to partner with. CRN has also released its 2018 Solution Provider 500: Newcomers list, recognizing 26 companies making their debut in the Solution Provider 500 ranking this year. We are honored to be named to the Solution Provider 500 for the eighth consecutive year. HighPoint continues to grow in 2018 with an expansion into the Southeast US with our newest location in Charlotte, NC. The expansion further serves our clients and compliments the multi-theater coverage we provide by way of our London, UK team, said Mike Mendiburu, HighPoint President. As a leader, I couldnt be prouder of the team. We all contribute daily to the HighPoint culture and combine it with our long-term industry expertise to serve our customers, each other, and our communities. CRNs Solution Provider 500 list spotlights the North American IT chnnel partner organizations that have earned the highest revenue over the past year, providing a valuable resource to vendors looking for top solution providers to partner with, said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. The companies on this years list represent an incredible, combined revenue of $320 billion, a sum that attests to their success in staying ahead of rapidly changing market demands. We extend our sincerest congratulations to each of these top-performing solution providers and look forward to their future pursuits and successes.



The complete 2018 Solution Provider 500 list will be available online at www.crn.com/sp500 and a sample from the list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine. Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

About HighPoint

HighPoint is a leading customer service and technology solutions company. With our customer-centric, results-driven approach to digital transformation, you get technology that works delivered by people you want to work with. HighPoint builds lasting relationships with clients, employees and partners based on honesty, integrity, trust and a mutual commitment to growth and success. The company, founded in 1996, is a minority-owned business headquartered in Sparta, NJ serving markets in the Tri-state region and Southeastern US, with presence in Charlotte, NC and London, UK. To contact us or learn more about our solutions, please visit www.highpoint.com. About the Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com Contact

Kim Sparks

The Channel Company

(508) 416-1193

ksparks@thechannelco.com Neil Foss

HighPoint

(973) 940-0040

marketing@highpoint.com

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] eBay, Public Art Fund and Ai Weiwei Partner for World Refugee Day with an Exclusive Sale of Artworks

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Artist and activist Ai Weiwei and leading arts non-profit Public Art Fund are partnering for a second time with eBay to exclusively release a series of six powerful new works of art for charity on June 20, World Refugee Day. The six works are compelling portraits of refugees: a remarkable and timely expression of the artist's work surrounding this global humanitarian crisis. There are 500 editions of each of the six banners, available for $750 each. "I am happy that Public Art Fund and eBay are offering a special edition of six banners to support Public Art Fund, as well as USA for UNHCR and the IRC," said Ai Weiwei. "These six banners were selected from among the 200 banners included as a part of my 'Good Fences Make Good Neighbors' exhibition in New York City. The work is directly related to the history of human migration and aims to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis happening today. It is a reminder of the artist's responsibility to defend the understanding that all humans share the same meaning of life. I have always believed that to be the foundation of our aesthetic practice." The sale will launch June 20 at eBay.com/aiweiwei, and the limited editions will be available through June 27, 2018, or until the works sell out. The banners may be collected individually or as a complete series of sixfor $4,500 per series. They may be hung directly on the wall, framed, or installed as banners. "Public Art Fund is thrilled to partner with Ai Weiwei and eBay to realize this powerful series of portraits that not only embodies Ai's determination to bring attention to this urgent global issue, but also enables collectors to bring an aspect of Public Art Fund's landmark exhibition, 'Good Fences Make Good Neighbors,' into their own homes," said Public Art Fund Director & Chief Curator, Nicholas Baume. "Ai's generosity is unparalleled, and this is a unique opportunity for collectors to support the missions of Public Art Fund, USA for UNHCR and the IRC, while collecting a major work by Ai Weiwei." "We're thrilled to continue our partnership with the Public Art Fund and Ai Weiwei to exclusively give our 171 million active buyers a chance to own limited artworks for an important cause," said Sam Bright, Senior Director of Art & Collectibles at eBay. "This special sale furthers our mission to use the power of our platform to impact significant causes, benefiting two essential organizations supporting refugees." All proceeds will go to charity. The edition will support Public Art Fund's mission to provide democratic access to contemporary art by today's most important artists, as well as a catalogue about Ai Weiwei's recent exhibition. In addition, Public Art Fund will make a donation to USA for UNHCR to support the vital work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as well as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in recognition of their work supporting displaced people. In October of 2017, eBay, Ai Weiwei and New York's Public Art Fund first partnered on an exclusive charity sale of two special edition limited artworks which sold in 24 hours. The sale follows eBay for Charity's successful Warren Buffett Power Lunch that benefits GLIDE and helps disenfranchised communities of San Francisco, which raised $3,300,100 on Friday, June 1. To see more charity events, visit eBay.com/charityshop.



About the Exclusive Artworks

The six portraits were selected by the artist from his original series of 200 individually numbered portraits of immigrants and refugees, from the nineteenth century to today, installed on lampposts across New York City in Public Art Fund's landmark exhibition "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors." Ai transformed these vinyl banners, traditionally used for advertising, into captivating works of art. Using the same industrial vinyl and laser-cutting technique, the new editions replicate the original banners at half scale: 17" x 48". The six portraits for sale were installed across the city, including on East 56 Street between Fifth & Madison Avenues, outside of Trump Tower, and locations on the Lower East Side and East Village, near where Ai lived as student and immigrant in the 1980s. The portraits range from historical immigrants such as feminist political activist Emma Goldman to current day refugees photographed by the artist and his team at the Shariya Camp in Iraq.

About "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors"

From October 2017 to February 2018, Public Art Fund presented Ai Weiwei's "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors" in all five boroughs of New York City. Inspired by the international migration crisis and current global geopolitical landscape, the exhibition transformed the security fence into a powerful social and artistic symbol. With over 300 artworks, the interventions grew out of the existing urban infrastructure, using the fabric of the city as its base and drawing attention to the role of the fence in dividing people. The exhibition featured a series of lamppost banner portraits, for which Ai adapted historic photographs from Ellis Island, images of famous refugees, and his own contemporary portraits taken with his studio on their global travels to 40 refugee camps. Rather than printing them like conventional banner ads, each image was laser cut from industrial black vinyl, using the negative space to create a bold, two-sided image. About Ai Weiwei

Given his extraordinary life and work, Ai Weiwei stands as a unique figure on the world stage. He is both one of our most celebrated contemporary artists and one of the world's most prominent and respected human rights and social justice activists. He has built a remarkable interdisciplinary career as a highly influential artist and cultural activist working across a variety of media including sculpture, installation, architecture, photography, and film. About Public Art Fund

Public Art Fund is dedicated to providing free access to the most important art of our time, championing the role of artistic expression in an open society by bringing dynamic contemporary art to the broadest possible audiences across New York City. Public Art Fund has redefined what public art is and can be through more than 450 projects that have demonstrated the power and potential of public art to transform the urban environment, engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and capture the imaginations of millions. About eBay for Charity

eBay for Charity helps enable members of the eBay community to connect with and support their favorite charities when they buy or sell in the U.S. and abroad. Sellers can donate up to 100 percent of the proceeds to a charity of their choice, while buyers can add a donation to their purchase during checkout. To date, nearly $810 million dollars has been raised for charity by the eBay community. About USA for UNHCR

USA for UNHCR helps and protects refugees and people displaced by violence, conflict and persecution. Supporting UNHCR  the UN Refugee Agency  and its partners, we provide lifesaving essentials including shelter, water, food, safety and protection. Around the world, we help refugees survive, recover and build a better future. Together we give refugees the hope they deserve, restore their dignity and help them rebuild their lives. Established by concerned American citizens, USA for UNHCR is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C. About the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 28 offices across the U.S. helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities. Learn more at www.rescue.org and follow the IRC on Twitter & Facebook. About World Refugee Day

On World Refugee Day, held every year on June 20, people around the world honor the strength, courage, and perseverance of millions of refugees. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the creation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the inaugural World Refugee Day was held in 2001. This international event encourages public awareness and support of refugees, people who have had to flee their home lands because of conflict or natural disaster. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ebay-public-art-fund-and-ai-weiwei-partner-for-world-refugee-day-with-an-exclusive-sale-of-artworks-300659565.html SOURCE eBay Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Sanford Health Chooses Sectra for Enterprise-wide Imaging

SHELTON, CT, June 5, 2018 /CNW/ - International medical imaging IT and cybersecurity company Sectra (STO: SECT B) has been awarded a contract to install its enterprise imaging PACS throughout Sanford Health. The Sectra solution, integrated with the Epic EMR, will enable access and sharing of images and information across the entire clinical pathway. The Sectra platform will offer consistency throughout the health system and will provide collaboration across sites as well as a reduction in IT complexity. Sanford Health is the largest, rural, not-for-profit health care system in the U.S. and is the largest employer in the Dakotas. "It is important for us to unify our imaging IT solutions across our broad footprint of patient care," says Allison Suttle, Chief Medical Officer at Sanford Health. "Sectra's solution will allow us to integrate all images and information throughout our healthcare system to continue our focus of providing excellent patient care." In addition to the enterprise imaging PACS, the five-year agreemet encompasses breast imaging, orthopaedics, 3D vessel analysis/lesion tracking as well as teaching file software and a business analytics package. Sectra's universal viewer will allow for all Sanford providers to have access to patient images and information via a zero-footprint web application.



"Sectra has a proven track record of strong integrations and high system uptimes which is crucial for efficient reading throughout a high production environment such as Sanford Health. We look forward to growing together over the next five years and beyond," says Mikael Anden, President of Sectra, Inc. About Sectra

With more than 25 years of innovation and 1,800 installations worldwide, Sectra is a leading global provider of imaging IT solutions that support healthcare in achieving patient-centric care. Sectra offers an Enterprise Image Management solution comprising PACS for imaging-intense departments (radiology, pathology, cardiology and orthopaedics), a VNA, and share and collaborate solutions. Read more about Sectra and why Sectra PACS is "Best in KLAS" for a fifth consecutive year at http://www.sectra.com/medical/. About Sanford Health Sanford Health is one of the largest health care systems in the nation, with 44 hospitals and nearly 300 clinics in nine states and four countries. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and serving the Upper Midwest, with nearly 1,400 physicians, Sanford Health is dedicated to several initiatives, including global children's clinics, genomic medicine and specialized centers researching cures for type 1 diabetes, breast cancer and other diseases. Sanford Health has 28,000 employees, making it the largest employer in the Dakotas. Nearly $1 billion in gifts from philanthropist Denny Sanford over the past decade have transformed how Sanford Health can improve the human condition. For information, visit https://www.sanfordhealth.org/. SOURCE Sectra, Inc

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Webinar to Show How Wearable Technology Can Prevent Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers/Injuries

PLEASANTON, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaf Healthcare, maker of innovative patient monitoring technology, announced today it will co-host with Smith & Nephew a webinar entitled "Leveraging Wearable Technology to Prevent Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers/Injuries." The free webinar will teach nurses and other hospital staff how they can use the innovative Leaf Patient Monitoring System to prevent hospital-acquired pressure injuries and eliminate costs associated with treating them. The 60-minute webinar will be held at two different times: June 7 at 1 p.m. EDT and June 12 at 2 p.m. EDT. The sessions will describe challenges associated with nurse-led pressure injury prevention programs, discuss the importance of early patient mobility to improve patient outcomes and demonstrate the significant benefits of using wearable patient mobility monitoring systems. "The Leaf System benefits both patients and the providers who care for them," said Bernadette Walters, BSN, RN, CWON, a certified wound and ostomy nurse now working at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, N.M. "By preventing mobility-related complications, the system helps to improve patient outcomes. And by eliminating pressure injuries, hospitals save tens of thousands of dollars each year in unreimbursed medical costs. The case study we will share shows how the savings paid for the Leaf System and saved our hospital $60,000 in 90 days." The webinar presenters will be Barrett Larson, MD, a board-certified anesthesiologist who is the CEO and co-founder of Leaf Healthcare, and Walters, who will share her experiences working with the Leaf system at the ICU of a Level 1 trauma center in Texas. She wil discuss:



How the technology was used to optimize patient turning at the hospital.

How Leaf made high-level adherence to facility turn protocols attainable and sustainable.

How 63% of nurses in the unit felt the Leaf System improved unit teamwork. Who: Leaf Healthcare in cooperation with Smith & Nephew

Presenters: Dr. Barrett Larson, Leaf Healthcare co-founder and Bernadette Walters, BSN, RN, CWON, Wound and Ostomy Continence Nurse at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, N.M.

When: Thursday June 7 at 1 p.m. EDT and Tuesday June 12 at 2 p.m. EDT

Registration: www.o-wm.com/Leaf

Who Should Attend: Chief Nursing Officers; Nursing Critical Care, Quality and Performance Improvement Directors and Managers; Staff and Wound Care Nurses The Leaf System is the first FDA-cleared medical technology that continuously monitors the activity and position of patients in order to help identify those that could benefit from repositioning. Studies have shown that patients protected by Leaf are much less likely to develop pressure injuries, one of the nation's most common hospital-acquired conditions, affecting more than 2.5 million patients a year, and adding $11 billion to annual U.S. healthcare costs.

The innovative Leaf System tracks patient movement and activity in bed-bound, chair-bound, and ambulatory patients. Several studies have shown the Leaf System improves patient turning and mobility, reduces pressure injury rates, helps nurses prioritize patient care, improves unit workflow, and saves hospitals non-reimbursed costs associated with the treatment of pressure injuries, as well as rental bed costs. About Leaf Healthcare, Inc. Leaf Healthcare is a medical technology company dedicated to preventing hospital-acquired pressure injuries/ulcers and other immobility-related complications, which are some of the most common and costly hospital-acquired conditions. Several studies have shown that the FDA-cleared Leaf Patient Monitoring System is a powerful tool that reduces hospital-acquired pressure injuries/ulcers, allows providers to prioritize care, and helps provide a safer environment for patients. To learn more, visit www.leafhealthcare.com Media Contact: Mark Smith

Leaf Healthcare

844-826-5323

196623@email4pr.com Jim Martinez

312-543-9026

196623@email4pr.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/webinar-to-show-how-wearable-technology-can-prevent-hospital-acquired-pressure-ulcersinjuries-300659878.html SOURCE Leaf Healthcare

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Qlik and the United Nations Expand Joint Analytics Initiatives That Enhance Sustainability Missions Across the Globe

Qlik, a leader in data analytics, today announced the expansion of its existing strategic partnership with the United Nations to deliver critical and actionable analytics insights to positively effect global sustainability and humanitarian efforts. The United Nations, through the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT), is standardized on Qlik's visual analytics platform to create applications that advance United Nations' missions. The partnership has grown over the last five years under the Qlik Corporate Social Responsibility program, and is being highlighted through Qlik's presence at the UN Science, Technology and Innovation Forum. The STI Forum brings relevant stakeholders together to share in sustainability technology and explore collaboration efforts to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. "Meaningful progress towards our Sustainable Development Goals requires that we continually leverage innovation," said Salem Avan, Director, Global Services Division, Office of Information & Communications Technology. "The STI Forum brings together key stakeholders who share in our mission to demonstrate how to best further the UN's impact through their innovations." The United Nations has a clearly stated mission outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: "We are resolved to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure our planet. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path." The UN is enabling these transformative steps globally through OICT, driving constant analysis of various Sustainable Development Goals through Qlik applications. This allows OICT to clearly present and share indicators from the massive amounts of available data, identifying and tracking improvements on a wide range of barriers to populatio well-being.



Secretariat Self-Service Data Visualization Platform Through a partnership with Qlik, initiated in 2015 and renewed in 2017, OICT has built a self-service visualization platform that enables non-IT staff in all departments and offices within the UN Secretariat (including Regional Commissions, offices away from Headquarters and Field missions) to develop and publish dashboards for internal collaboration and formal/informal reporting. To date there are more than 100 apps published and in use within the platform on topics ranging from administrative topics (budget tracking and procurement) to substantive ones (gender equality, peacekeeping troop deployments, capacity development projects, global crime statistics.)

Secretariat Management Dashboards Complementing the self-service dashboard effort, OICT worked with senior managers to develop standardized dashboards for reports in key administrative areas within the Secretariat. In March 2017, OICT released a series of management dashboards used by senior management and key focal points in areas such as budget & finance, HR, ICT, procurement, travel, and real estate management. There are currently 20 management dashboards used daily to provide up-to-date and readily accessible management reports. Security Council Highlights App The Security Council Affairs Division within the Department of Political Affairs (DPA/SCAD) publishes an annual report detailing the UN security council meetings held during the past year, with details such as adopted resolutions, presidential statements, and decisions. Starting in 2015, Qlik has been used to provide the official report which is now available online. Starting in 2017, Qlik is also used to publish Monthly Security Council statistics which are publicly available. The UN Comtrade Analytics App The United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade) contains detailed goods, imports and exports statistics from 1962 to the present, reported by statistical authorities of close to 200 countries and areas. UN Comtrade is considered the most comprehensive trade database available with more than 3 billion records. Qlik is used to visualize the trade statistics data and make it easier to report. Advanced Analytics OICT is working on several advanced analytics initiatives through Qlik to provide easier ways for staff and senior management to get answers and gain data insight, including: Using natural language text to query Qlik dashboards and display relevant charts "on the fly."

Using public data on conflict country GDP data to calculate the cost of conflict and visualize the results within Qlik.

Using management data (travel compliance, budget expenditure etc.) to build prediction models visualized in Qlik. "Unlocking the power of the UN's vast and varied data sources through analytics is vital in the effort to effect real and sustainable global change," said Mike Capone, CEO at Qlik. "We're proud of our partnership and sharing in the UN's goal of making the world a more sustainable and prosperous one. We look forward to continuing the expansion of our effort to bring essential insights to those on the front lines of global UN transformation initiatives." About Qlik Qlik is the leading data analytics platform and the pioneer of user-driven business intelligence. Its portfolio of cloud-based and on-premise solutions meets customers' growing needs from reporting and self-service visual analysis to guided, embedded and custom analytics, regardless of where data is located. Customers using Qlik Sense, QlikView and Qlik Cloud, gain meaning out of information from multiple sources, exploring the hidden relationships within data that lead to insights that ignite good ideas. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Qlik does business in more than 100 countries with over 48,000 customers globally.  2018 QlikTech International AB. All rights reserved. Qlik, Qlik Sense, QlikView, QlikTech, Qlik Cloud, Qlik DataMarket, Qlik Analytics Platform, Qlik NPrinting, Qlik Connectors, Qlik GeoAnalytics, Qlik Core and the QlikTech logos are trademarks of QlikTech International AB which have been registered in multiple countries. Other marks and logos mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005507/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Octo Telematics Hosts Fireside Chat at TU-Automotive Detroit

Octo Telematics, a leading global provider of telematics and data analytics solutions for the auto insurance industry, will host a keynote fireside chat, "The Importance of Shifting your Business Model to Leverage Dynamic Data," with Chief Marketing Officer, Jonathan Hewett, Vice President Driveability & Consulting, Geoff Werner, and facilitated by Frederic Bruneteau, Ptolemus Consulting, at TU-Automotive Detroit in June. Steven Fernandes, North America Director of Innovation at Octo, will speak on "Insurance in an Autonomous World." Cletus Nunes, North America Senior Sales Director, will speak on "The Connected Car and the Dealership" Octo Telematics is a Diamond Sponsor and exhibitor at the world's biggest conference and expo for connected and autonomous cars.







Where: TU Automotive Detroit, The Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, MI When: June 6-7, 2018 Who: Octo Telematics Details: Octo Telematics' speakers will discuss how the adoption of telematics platforms and services is rising rapidly, fueled by its proposition of monetary savings, greater safety and a vast range of time-saving and attractive value-added services for insurance policyholders, as well as car makers and industries beyond automotive. The company will articulate the opportunities and challenges of insurance in an autonomous world. For additional details, visit: https://automotive.knect365.com/tu-auto-detroit/speakers In addition, Octo will discuss how auto makers can monetize their investment in connected car technology with Octo's DriveAbility Marketplace, an insurance telematics data exchange for insurers and IoT data providers, and the leading UBI scoring service trusted by insurers worldwide as a cost-effective way to rapidly go to market with a UBI product. The Marketplace provides the most predictive insurance telematics score - allowing customers to agree to a service that requires the collection of their telematics data, and Octo to examine the data anonymously to rate driver risk, guiding an insurers' pricing and underwriting.

"We are proud to, once again, contribute to the robust attendee experience at TU-Automotive Detroit," said Nino Tarantino, North America CEO, of Octo Telematics. "Octo Telematics was an early innovator in telematics for the insurance market and is continuing to lead the way in a shifting environment that includes autonomous vehicles, IoT and car sharing. We look forward to sharing our insights with the TU-Automotive audience, and continuing to guide the way for insurers, car manufacturers and other businesses looking to adopt telematics and connect industries." About Octo Telematics

Octo is the number 1 global provider of telematics and data analytics solutions for the auto insurance industry. Founded in 2002, Octo is one of the pioneers of the insurance telematics industry. Today, Octo is the largest and most experienced insurance telematics company in the world, transforming auto insurance through behavioral, contextual and driving analytics for more than 100 insurance partners. Octo has more than 5.5 million connected users and the largest global database of telematics data, with over 196 billion miles of driving data collected and 442,000 crashes and insurance events analyzed (as of March 31, 2018). Octo applies proprietary algorithms to this market-leading database to deliver powerful new insights into driver risk, informing solutions that benefit both auto insurance companies and policyholders. The company is headquartered in Rome, with offices in Boston, London, Stuttgart, Madrid, and Sao Paulo.

http://www.octotelematics.com/

http://www.octousa.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005014/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Aigo.ai Launches Visionary Community Where You Can Use, Create and Trade Intelligence with Revolutionary AI Personal Assistant

LOS ANGELES, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Aigo.ai has announced the launch of their decentralized community for the world's first truly personal personal assistant. The development of the community is the final piece in the creation of a revolutionary AI assistant that is hyper-personalized to individual needs, desires, and goals - and most importantly, provides you, and only you, with the ability to keep and own all the information and data you share with it. Peter Voss, Chief Scientist at Aigo.ai and a pioneer in the artificial intelligence space, has developed Aigo using groundbreaking "cognitive architecture" to implement the "Third Wave of AI" - learning unsupervised, instantaneously and interactively. With significantly greater cognitive ability than today's Siri, Alexa, and other chatbot technologies, Peter and his team envision Aigo as the foundation for implementing what they call a true "ExoCortex," which they define as an everyday, interactive, cognitive extension of ourselves. The Aigo community will be vital to his team's vision of creating this new category of personal assistants  becoming a hive of intelligence, free of advertising, corporate ownership, and gendas.



"Together we are building a visionary community of like-minded users, creators, and owners of intelligent assistants. Individuals who seek to secure and own their personal assistants, communications, and data, who demand to be free of the large corporations and their agendas," says Peter. "We will never sell or share your personal data." The Aigo Team is firmly committed to aggressive, ongoing Aigo development guided by community preferences. Community members will be able to nominate and vote on features and priorities, securely trade and develop their own intelligent assistants and skills, and will ultimately spawn a vibrant and productive community that uses, creates, owns, and trades intelligence for the benefit of all.

With its ability to create hyper-personal user experiences, Aigo and its new community are ready to transform the multi-billion Digital Assistant market for both the enterprise and consumers. About Aigo.ai

Aigo.ai is the first *personal* personal assistant that becomes smarter and more personalized as it learns from you and your network (people, devices, other AIs), essentially becoming your ExoCortex. Based on a highly advanced 'cognitive architecture'  implementing the 'Third Wave of AI,' Aigo will change the way we communicate with each other - and our network of family, friends, and devices. For more information, please visit Aigo.ai. Media Contact:

Lori Landers

196593@email4pr.com

2037221921 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aigoai-launches-visionary-community-where-you-can-use-create-and-trade-intelligence-with-revolutionary-ai-personal-assistant-300659785.html SOURCE Aigo.ai

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Equisoft and Canada Gives launch an innovative solution for advisors serving the philanthropic needs of wealthy families

MONTREAL, June 5, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - In partnership with Canada Gives, Montreal-based Equisoft has developed a new philanthropy centre, including a unique gift-giving planning tool for wealthy clients. The philanthropy centre will reside as a configurable module on its WealthElements financial planning platform. "This unique partnership will help advisors provide a new planning approach for major donors, enabling them to maximize the benefit of their large charitable gifts," says Denise Castonguay, Executive Director and CEO of Canada Gives. "As philanthropy becomes increasingly important to aging clients, this new WealthElements module will help advisors begin the critical discussion around philanthropy and more easily create a legacy of charitable giving for their wealthy clients." "In our efforts to continually evolve the WealthElements platform to better serve the needs of financial professionals, we felt the addtion of functionality designed to facilitate the client-advisor discussions around charitable giving was a natural fit," says Jonathan Georges, Vice President, Wealth Management Solutions at Equisoft.



Canada Gives is a leading independent provider of donor-advised funds in Canada. Established in 2005 as a public foundation, Canada Gives has worked with over 100 families and their advisors across Canada using donor-advised funds to create family foundations. These donors have now contributed over $60 Million to their Canada Gives' foundations and disbursed $25 Million to charities. In addition, Canada Gives offers donor-advised funds for committed philanthropists focused on foreign charitable activities, helping Canadian funders to build schools in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, medical centres in Honduras, create microfinance opportunities in Rwanda, and others.

Founded in 1994, Equisoft is a global provider of advanced digital solutions for the insurance and wealth management industries. Recognized as a valued partner by some of the world's leading financial institutions, Equisoft develops and markets innovative front-end applications and offers extensive back-office services including a unique data migration expertise. The firm's industry-leading products include WealthElements, InsuranceElements, Kronos Finance, Kronos FNA, Personal Retirement Optimizer and RetireWare. With its business-driven approach, deep knowledge of the wealth management industry and state-of-the-art technology, Equisoft helps financial institutions tackle any challenge in this new era of digital disruption, from streamlining operational processes to enhancing advisor and investor experience. Equisoft has a growing team of over 360 specialized resources based in the USA, Canada, Latin America, South Africa and India. equisoft.com/wealth SOURCE Equisoft

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Four SolarWinds MSP Leaders Recognized as CRN 2018 Women of the Channel

DURHAM, N.C., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SolarWinds MSP, a global leader in delivering comprehensive, scalable IT service management solutions to IT solution providers and MSPs, today announced four of its executives were recognized by CRN  , a brand of The Channel Company, on the 2018 Women of the Channel list. The annual list spotlights women leaders representing vendors, distributors, solution providers, and other organizations that feature prominently in the channel ecosystem. Each is recognized for her outstanding leadership, vision, and unique role in driving channel growth and innovation.

The SolarWinds MSP executives on this years Women of the Channel list include: Stacy West, Vice President, Marketing

Sara Foley, Senior Director, Product Management

Shari Barnett, Senior Product Marketing Manager

Stefanie Hammond, Senior Channel Sales Specialist In addition, Stacy West was named on CRNs "Power 100" list, an elite subset of channel influencers drawn from the larger group of honorees. All Women of the Channel leaders were chosen by CRN based on their professional accomplishments, demonstrated expertise, and ongoing dedication to the IT channel.

These four SolarWinds MSP executives are vital to our business succes and to the success of our MSP partners, said John Pagliuca, general manager, SolarWinds MSP. Together with CRN, we are proud to celebrate their exceptional accomplishments, IT channel commitment, and ongoing efforts to cultivate female leaders within SolarWinds MSP and across our industry. A huge thanks to CRN for recognizing their impact and contributions.



Each of the four SolarWinds MSP executives plays a role in supporting the growth of the companys worldwide community of more than 20,000 partners. With their guidance, SolarWinds MSP continues to invest in its MSPs through partner-focused Empower MSP events and ongoing innovation across its RMM, cloud-based email, malware protection and spam filtering, PSA, remote control, security, and backup solutions. This accomplished group of leaders is steadily guiding the IT channel into a prosperous new era of services-led business models and deep, strategic partnerships, said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. CRNs 2018 Women of the Channel list honors executives who are driving channel progress through a number of achievementsexemplary partner programs, innovative product development and marketing, effective team-building, visionary leadership and accelerated sales growthas well as advocacy for the next generation of women channel executives.

The 2018 Women of the Channel and Power 100 lists will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine and online at CRN.com/wotc. About SolarWinds MSP

SolarWinds MSP empowers IT service providers with technologies that fuel their success. Solutions that integrate business growth, security, and smart automationboth on-premises and in the cloud, backed by actionable data insights, help IT service providers get the job done easier and faster. SolarWinds MSP helps our customers focus on what matters mostmeeting their SLAs and delivering services efficiently and effectively. For more information, visit solarwindsmsp.com The SolarWinds and SolarWinds MSP trademarks are the exclusive property of SolarWinds MSP UK Ltd. or its affiliates and may be registered or pending registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. All other SolarWinds MSP and SolarWinds trademarks, service marks, and logos may be common law marks or are registered or pending registration. All other trademarks mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks (and may be registered trademarks) of their respective companies.  2018 SolarWinds MSP UK Ltd. All rights reserved.

CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved. For more information:

Karla Walls

karla.walls@solarwinds.com

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Druva Acquires CloudRanger to Accelerate Data Protection and Management for AWS Workloads

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Druva, the leader in cloud data protection and management, today announced it has acquired CloudRanger, a leading backup and disaster recovery (DR) solutions provider for Amazon Web Services (AWS). The acquisition significantly expands Druvas data protection capabilities of the Druva Cloud Platform, making it the only company that offers cloud native unified coverage for data protection and management spanning enterprise on-premises environments to those operated within cloud environments like AWS and Microsoft Office 365.

Jaspreet Singh and Dave Gildea, both founders and CEOs of Druva and CloudRanger respectively, will work together as Druva acquires CloudRanger. The acquisition significantly expands Druvas data protection capabilities of the Druva Cloud Platform, making it the only company that offers cloud native unified coverage for data protection and management spanning enterprise on-premises environments to those operated within cloud environments like AWS and Microsoft Office 365.



Headquartered in Ireland, CloudRanger simplifies management and reduces costs associated with the complexities of orchestrating the lifecycle management of enterprise workloads operating in AWS. CloudRanger is one of the fastest growing cloud native as-a-Service providers in the market with enterprise clients across a number of industries including NASCAR, Rockwell Collins and Vanderbilt University. The company has more than 300 customers and experienced 300 percent growth in revenue over the calendar year. As enterprises continue to migrate their business workloads to the cloud, the breadth of storage locations and cloud services increases the complexity of managing the data. This makes it a challenge to meet data protection service level agreements (SLAs), provide resiliency, and automate disater recovery for ensuring business continuity. With the acquisition of CloudRanger, customers will now achieve a single administrative and policy management solution for their data regardless of where it resides which greatly reduces the data protection complexity of their environments.



The acquisition of CloudRanger extends the reach of the Druva Cloud Platform, which is unrivaled in the market today, said Jaspreet Singh, founder and CEO, Druva. This is an important step in achieving our vision to provide a solution that addresses the challenges our customers face as part of the very real and necessary journey of moving workloads to the cloud. With CloudRanger, we provide a holistic end-to-end solution that builds a bridge between data management for traditional and modern cloud infrastructures that customers are seeking. Both CloudRanger and Druva employ a cloud-native architecture that allows us to immediately integrate and enhance what is already an industry-leading, unified platform for backup and disaster recovery for our customers. Global on-demand protection, substantial cost savings, and ease of use are key requirements from IT leaders, said David Gildea, founder and CEO, CloudRanger. The combination of CloudRangers focus on solving AWS data management challenges with Druvas Cloud Platform offers a powerful value proposition for both partners and customers to address all of these demands.

The acquisition of CloudRanger accelerates Druvas vision of being a true Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider that is able to scale to benefit users globally, said Shailendra Singh, Managing Director, Sequoia Capital India. As a nine-year investor in Druva, we remain confident that the company has the right mission and culture, seasoned management team, and business model necessary to become an enduring global company. Market Poised for Growth as Major Trends Reshape Industry

Recent information from market research firm, Gartner, indicates a significant increase in the demand for cloud-native backup recovery options. Gartner predicts spending in public cloud services will increase by 22.9 percent to $186.9 billion in 20181. This explosive demand for cloud solutions will require that enterprises address the data protection of these mission critical applications. In August 2017, Druva announced $80 million in growth equity funding, bringing its total market funding to $200 million, validating the growing opportunity in the cloud data protection and management market. About CloudRanger

CloudRanger delivers cloud server management software for businesses, MSPs and enterprises. Its easy-to-use graphical interface offers users scheduling and backup policy management that saves time and money. A global view of the entire server system gives users the most control over their cloud, while delivering enhanced disaster recovery management. CloudRanger is an AWS Advanced Technology Partner. To learn more, visit www.cloudranger.com. About Druva

Druvas industry-leading data management-as-as service platform unifies data protection, governance and intelligence across enterprise data, delivering enterprise-level scalability and security, while reducing cost and complexity. Over 4,000 enterprises trust Druva to protect and manage more than 100PB of data worldwide. Visit Druva and follow us @druvainc.



Druva, Druva Cloud Platform, Druva inSync and Druva Phoenix are trademarks of Druva. Inc. All other trademarks and copyrights are owned by their respective owners. 1 Gartner, Forecast: Public Cloud Services, Worldwide, 2016-2022, 1Q18 Update. Published: 13 April 2018. Media Contact

Mike Wong

Director of Communications

Druva, Inc.

mike.wong@druva.com

(650) 743-3983 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/87e464b8-0880-47ad-9f65-62d158e9eb10

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Paytronix Data Insights Deepens Bench As Restaurant Industry Veterans Join Team

NEWTON, Mass., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paytronix Systems, Inc., an innovator in tools that drive transactions, today announced that new strategists have joined the Patyronix Data Insights team: Allen Cerasani and Leslie Wilson-Lopez. They join strategist and fellow restaurant alum Jesse Marshall. All three come to Paytronix from national brands where they delivered results through marketing strategy and tactics.

Allen Cerasani, Leslie Wilson-Lopez, and Jesse Marshall each bring solid, restaurant-insider experience thats readily transferable to our clients for immediate value, said Lee Barnes, head of Paytronix Data Insights. They speak the language of the marketer and are steadfastly focused on delivering the transactions needed for reaching same-store sales goals and driving brand growth. Allen Cerasani joins Paytronix from Bloomin Brands where he co-managed the National Launch of the Dine Rewards Loyalty program across Bloomin' Brands four concepts, Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. Leslie Wilson-Lopez comes to Paytronix from Togos Eateries, LLC., where she was director of brand management. As head of Togos cross-functional Brand Initiative Team, Leslie was responsible for brand marketing including its loyalty, CRM and gift programs, online ordering, guest and social response, digital and traditional media, quarterly promotions ad new product introductions.



Jesse Marshall joined Paytronix from Native Foods Cafe, the premier chef-crafted vegan restaurant serving homemade, fresh food every day of the week, where he held the title of vice president. Helping restaurant professionals grow their businesses is something Im passionate about, said Leslie Wilson-Lopez, Paytronix Data Insights strategist. Coupling technology with a team of energetic and curious data scientists creates an offering thats completely unique in this space. I couldnt wait to add my industry know-how to this no-brainer solution of self-service tools, customer insights, and strategic recommendations restaurants need.

Read the Paytronix blog interview with Leslie Wilson-Lopez to find out more about her work as a Paytronix Data Insights strategist. Paytronix Data Insights

Paytronix Data Insights is a unique combination of intellectual horsepower coupled with big data processing and analytics brought to the market through a set of reliable, easy-to-use tools. With Paytronix Data Insights, brands extend their internal marketing teams with people and tools that specialize in synthesizing data to provide valuable actions. The system goes beyond what brands receive from self-service tools to answer questions like, what should I do next and why? About Paytronix Systems, Inc.

Based in Newton, Massachusetts, Paytronix is a provider of SaaS customer experience management (CXM) solutions for restaurants and convenience store brands. Through its innovative software design and integrations with widely used point of sale systems, Paytronix empowers more than 350 customers with the flexibility to build unique, transaction building guest experiences. Customers benefit from big data consumer insights that Paytronix generates through 1-to-1 engagement with more than 165 million loyal guestsvia mobile, social and todays most innovative digital marketing tools. As a result, customers motivate their guests to increase spend and drive revenue. For more information, visit www.paytronix.com. Media Contact:

Michelle Tempesta

Paytronix Systems, Inc.

mtempesta@paytronix.com

617-871-2330

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Dealer.com Named Bing Growth Hacker of the Year

BURLINGTON, Vt., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Dealer.com was named the Bing Growth Hacker of the Year, recognizing the company's continued investment in engineering initiatives throughout the year to strengthen its connectivity and ability to grow successful advertising campaigns with Bing. Leveraging its powerful advertising platform, built for scalability, Dealer.com included Bing in the media plan for one of its largest OEM partners. As a result, Dealer.com helped bring thousands of new advertisers to the Bing search network and utilized its adverting solution's technological advances to ensure its clients were positioned for optimal success. This campaign effectively helped dealers across the country expand their reach through the exclusive audience they can reach through Bing's search network. "Innovation, partnership, and positively influencing the automotive car searching and buying landscape have been the core of Dealer.com's culture for twenty years," Chris Smith, associate vice president of Enterprise Media Sales for Dealer.com. "This award is a credit to the work of our engineers and digital strategists working closely with Bing to provide effective advertising solutions for our clients." In 2017, Dealer.com also implemented organization-wide business rules to include Bing as part of the recommended media plan for new advertising client launches. These new business rules, which included Dealer.com's successful OEM initiative, helped increase the numer of active Bing advertisers 132 percent over the previous year.



"We are pleased to recognize Dealer.com as the Bing Growth Hacker of the Year," said Steve Sirich, general manager of Bing Ads. "Our partnership has allowed Bing to build lasting relationships with Dealer.com's OEM partners, providing a unique opportunity to utilize Bing's network to reach car buyers." Dealer.com joined Bing Ads' Elite SMB Partner Program in 2015, was recognized with Elite status by Microsoft in 2016, and awarded with the 2017 Global Channel Partner of the Year North America Award by Microsoft at its inaugural Global Bing Partner Awards ceremony.

Dealer.com

Dealer.com provides an integrated platform of Advertising, Website and Managed Services products which allow OEMs, dealer groups, retailers and agencies to leverage advanced digital technology and data to better engage and connect with their customers. The company practices a deep commitment to its culture of innovation, with a focus on health and wellness, making it one of the most desirable places to work, and a valuable partner for automotive retailers. Based in Burlington, Vermont, Dealer.com is a Cox Automotive brand. For more information, visit www.dealer.com. Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling and owning cars easier for everyone. The global company's 34,000-plus team members and family of brands, including Autotrader, Dealer.com, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital, VinSolutions, vAuto and Xtime, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across 100+ countries and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion. www.coxautoinc.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dealercom-named-bing-growth-hacker-of-the-year-300659705.html SOURCE Dealer.com

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] OTA Insight Partners with Outrigger Hotels and Resorts

LONDON and NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- OTA Insight, the cloud-based data intelligence platform for the hospitality industry, today announced a partnership with Outrigger Hotels and Resorts to drive better revenue and distribution decisions for its multi-branded line of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region. Outrigger Hotels and Resorts turned to OTA Insight's suite of revenue intelligence tools to help understand pricing trends and gain greater insights into their markets throughout the Pacific. The partnership represents a monumental milestone for the company as now, 30,000 hotels worldwide are benefiting from OTA Insight's solutions. "Not maintaining parity is one of the largest threats to our brand and OTA Insight allows us to efficiently track down rate parity violations. Additionally, we are able to measure parity loss by property, which allows us to hold our revenue leaders accountable across various locations," says Jenna Villalobos, Vice President of Revenue Management, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts. OTA Insight's customer milestone showcases strong growth to its North American and APAC business divisions. Since entering the market in August 2016, OTA Insight's ability to expand rapidly in this region is a testament to its hard work in creating a simple-to-use, intuitive and interactive platform that customers have quickly embraced. The addition of Outrigger Hotels & Resorts highlights OTA Insight's ability to have a direct and meaningful impact, early-on. "Although we are still in the early rollout phase, we have already seen gains in being able to diagnose, communicate, and address pricing issues quickly across our properties," adds Villalobos in regards to Outrigger's partnership with OTA Insight. "Our platform allows hoteliers to focus on the data sets that matter most to achieve their revenue goals," says Gino Engels, Co-founder and CCO of OTA Insight. "We are thrilled Outrigger Hotels and Resorts as well as our other 30,000 customers continue to drive value in ouruser-friendly revenue management tools, and specifically our parity monitoring capabilities."



OTA Insight provides the tools to make smarter pricing and distribution decisions and enables hoteliers to manage and track all the relevant factors that can impact demand. Through the partnership, hoteliers at Outrigger Hotels and Resorts will have access to a suite of revenue intelligence solutions including OTA Insight's rate intelligence dashboard, parity monitoring, events tracker, and ranking and review analytics. For more information, please visit: www.otainsight.com.

About OTA Insight OTA Insight empowers hoteliers to make smarter revenue and distribution decisions through its market-leading suite of cloud-based business intelligence solutions including Rate Insight, Parity Insight and Revenue Insight. With live updates, 24/7 support from our customer success team, and a highly-intuitive and customizable dashboard, the OTA Insight platform integrates with other industry tools including hotel property management systems, leading RMS solutions and data benchmarking providers. OTA Insight's team of international experts are based all over the world, including the UK, US, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Peru, Mexico, Singapore, Australia and India, and supports over 30,000 properties in 140 countries. For more information, visit www.otainsight.com and follow us on Twitter @otainsight. ABOUT OUTRIGGER HOTELS AND RESORTS Outrigger Hotels and Resorts is a privately held leisure lodging, retail and hospitality company with corporate offices in Hawaii and operating globally in the Asia-Pacific, Oceania and Indian Ocean regions. From its Outrigger Signature Experiences to its Outrigger DISCOVERY loyalty program, the values-based company invites guests to escape ordinary with exceptional hospitality and authentic cultural experiences, incorporating local traditions and customs at each of its properties worldwide. Founded in 1947, Outrigger has grown into a highly successful, multi-branded portfolio of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties, including Outrigger Resorts, OHANA Hotels by Outrigger, Hawaii Vacation Condos by Outrigger, Embassy Suites, Best Western, Wyndham Vacation Ownership and Hilton Grand VacationsTM. Outrigger currently operates and/or has under development 37 properties with approximately 6,500 rooms located in Hawaii (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island); Guam; Fiji; Thailand; Mauritius; and the Maldives. Find Outrigger at: www.outrigger.com or visit @OutriggerResorts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Media Contact:

otainsight@n6a.com

pr@otainsight.com

212-334-9753 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ota-insight-partners-with-outrigger-hotels-and-resorts-300659870.html SOURCE OTA Insight

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Spectra7 Announces Private Placement

(TSX:SEV) Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. ("Spectra7" or the "Company"), a leading provider of high-performance analog semiconductor products for broadband connectivity markets, today announced that it intends to sell, on non-brokered private placement basis, in one or more tranches, up to 28,744,279 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.105 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $3,018,149 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"), with each whole Warrant exercisable into one Common Share (each, a 'Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.1575 for a period of five (5) years from the date of issuance, subject to adjustment upon certain customary events. The expiry date of the Warrants can be accelerated by the Company at any time following 4 months and one day after the closing of the Private Placement and prior to the expiry date of the Warrants if the volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange is greater than $0.25 for any 20 non-consecutive trading days. The Warrants, if exercised in full by the holders thereof, would represent additional proceeds to the Company of approximately $2,263,612. All dollar amounts in this news release are denominated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for working capital to develop the Company's core growth markets of data centers and AR/VR interconnects. The Company expects that insiders of the Company will participate in the Private Placement for an aggregate amount of approximately $748,000. Pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), the Private Placement constitutes a "related party transaction" as insiders of the Company will subscribe for Units. The Company is relying on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101. The Private Placement was approved by all of the independent directors of the Company.



The closing of the Private Placement is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered under the 1933 Act and any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements is available.

ABOUT SPECTRA7 MICROSYSTEMS INC. Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. is a high-performance analog semiconductor company delivering unprecedented bandwidth, speed and resolution to enable disruptive industrial design for leading electronics manufacturers in virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, data centers and other connectivity markets. Spectra7 is based in San Jose, California with design centers in Markham, Ontario, Cork, Ireland, and Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, please visit www.spectra7.com. CAUTIONARY NOTES Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future financial position and results of operations, strategy, proposed acquisitions, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "plan", "continue", "will", "may", "would", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "predict", "project", "seek", "should" or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to the risk factors discussed in the Company's annual MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2017. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005568/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Uniserve to Purchase Data Management IT Company

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Uniserve Communications Corporation (TSX.V:USS) (Uniserve) is pleased to announce that is has entered into a definitive agreement with RootCellar Technologies Corporation (RootCellar) to purchase the assets of RootCellar, a Managed Service Provider (MSP) based in southern Ontario Canada, focused on Disaster Recovery and Data Management. The acquisition of the RootCellar assets will provide Uniserve with a highly qualified pool of employees, a rich ecosystem of vendor partners, and an existing sales funnel with historical multi-year recurring profitable revenues projected to be circa $8.5m by their year-end 31st July 2018.

Uniserves CEO Nicholas Jeffery stated: With the acquisition of RootCellar, Uniserve will continue to drive its revenues, its enterprise mix of business and strengthen the partner alliances across Canada. RootCellar will integrate into Uniserves existing business in Kitchener and will gain the opportunity to work with a very experienced managed services technology and sales solutions team. The transaction is subject to TSXV approval and is expected to close on or before June 30, 2018. The transaction is an arms length transaction. Uniserves funding for the purchase will be through a private placement of 25,000,000 Units at $0.14 per Unit, each Unit consisting of one common share and one transferable share purchase warrant. One warrat will be exercisable for one additional common share at $0.16 per share as to one-quarter of the warrants being issued, for a nine-month period, and the remaining three-quarters being issued at $0.20 per share for a two-year period. Directors of the Company are committed to participate in approximately 60% of the units being offered pursuant to this placement. $2M of the proceeds from the private placement will be used for the acquisition of RootCellar and $1.5M for general working capital purposes. A finders fee may be payable in relation to this private placement and the same is subject to regulatory approval. The financing is subject to TSXV approval and all securities will be subject to a four month hold period.



About Uniserve

Uniserve is a unified communications company in existence for 30 years, combining voice, data and media all into one seamless solution, one bill and one point of contact. The unique selling proposition of the business is SMART Home, businesses and spaces (buildings and cities). With 13,000+ customers spread across residential and enterprise centered around Vancouver, Calgary and Waterloo/ Kitchener.

Uniserve prides itself on world class customer service based in Canada. When all else is equal, clients can trust Uniserve to have a great price, a great experience and to be a company customers like working with  we call it click, call, connect.

This news release was prepared on behalf of the Board of Directors, which accepts full responsibility for its contents.

Learn more at www.uniserve.com or at www.sedar.com. Michael C. Scholz

Chairman of the Board For more information please contact Mr. Mark Stanton at 604-395-3908 or email us at mark.stanton@uniserveteam.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Management has prepared this release and no regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. The statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements. Such statements are based on managements estimates, assumptions and projections using available information. Uniserve cautions that actual financial results could differ materially from the current expectations due to a number of factors.



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] NextEdge Networks and Modus Certified as First Wireless Services and Infrastructure B Corp in the United States

SAN FRANCISCO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NextEdge Networks and its sister company Modus are proud to announce they are the first wireless services and infrastructure companies to be Certified B Corporations in the United States. NextEdge Networks and Modus join the global community of Certified B Corps with one unifying goal: to redefine success in business by using business as a force for good. B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, improving the quality of life in communities through business. They are wholly focused on improving wireless connectivity as a catalyst for more sustainable cities, communities and buildings.



Our B Corp status aligns with the mission of our customers, which includes leading municipalities and landlords, who employ technological innovations that can improve resource efficiency, save money, and help make their communities and buildings more economically resilient, says Jeff Tannenbaum, Chairman of Titan Grove, the majority funder of NextEdge Networks. As the first wireless services and infrastructure B Corp in the United States, we feel privileged with the opportunity to have a positive impact on the cities and broader communities in which we work and reside, says Doug Wiest, CEO of NextEdge Networks. At a time when it is estimated that nearly one-fourth of all urban residents in the U.S. lack access to high-quality and affordable broadband, we are in a unique position to help solve the Digital Divide for the many cities and residents that are facing these challenges. NextEdge Networks and Modus are wholly focused on improving wireless connectivity as a catalyst for more sustainable cities, communities and buildings. The companie partner with municipalities to help them process wireless applications and provide database support as well as services to enable Internet of Things (IoT) initiatives. Additionally, NextEdge Networks and Modus work with building owners and operators as well as IoT providers to improve in-building wireless connectivity and deploy smart city solutions, democratizing connectivity for tenants and communities, and directly aligning with the principles of B Corps.



To become a Certified B Corp, NextEdge Networks and Modus met stringent performance requirements outlined in the B Impact Assessment, a globally-recognized standard that looks at environmental performance, how a company treats its employees, the impact the company has on its customers and the broader community, as well as the company's accountability, governance, and transparency practices. The companies mission aligns with the ethos behind the B Corp movement of aiming to be the best not just in the world but for the world. The B Corp ethos matches the heart of our corporate culture and will challenge us to become an even better company, says Erik Corkery, EVP of Modus. We look forward to seeing the continued positive impact our company will have on transforming cities into smart communities with smart buildings through better wireless connectivity, and serving as a model for responsible business practices. This is another innovation and a first from our company.

Founded in 2005 in San Francisco and Silicon Valley and now with a nationwide presence, NextEdge Networks and Modus have since grown through continuous innovation and exceeding customers expectations to become the leading, next-generation wireless infrastructure services provider in the U.S. Company innovations and highlights include the design and installation of the nations first 5G evolution site and market-wide 5G network, and the countrys first 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) support network. NextEdge Networks is majority funded and owned by Titan Grove in partnership with management. For more information about NextEdge Networks, visit www.nextedgenetworks.com. To learn more about Modus Services, visit www.modus-corp.com. About NextEdge Networks

NextEdge Networks provides innovative solutions and capital for the deployment of wireless infrastructure, related fiber transport and data aggregation. As a strategic partner to wireless providers and building owners, they facilitate upgrades and deployment of wireless infrastructure which supports the next generation of wireless services. Their solutions seek to create a long-term value proposition for all parties which are mindful of rapidly developing technology and the need to continually evolve as data usage and applications expand over time. www.nextedgenetworks.com



About Modus Services

Founded in 2005, Modus has been a leader in wireless infrastructure site acquisition, construction and turnkey deployments, completing extensive work on behalf of all the major wireless carriers as their needs have evolved. Modus maintains a full suite of services, including self-performance of construction and last-mile fiber provisioning, allowing for control and accountability of every step of the deployment process. Modus has become the leading expert on small cell deployments, having executed over 2,000 small cell and DAS nodes in the last two years alone. www.modus-corp.com About Titan Grove Holdings

Titan Grove is a private holding company focused on building mission-driven for-profit businesses that promote sustainable capitalism. sPower, which it co-founded and helped build into the largest solar utility in the U.S., is indicative of Titan Groves strategy. www.titangrove.com Media Contact:

iMiller Public Relations for NextEdge Networks

Tel: +1.866.307.2510

Email: pr@imillerpr.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f23b4dbc-78cd-48e4-99ba-dd6df68364ee

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Ricoh brings collaboration and meeting efficiency solutions and services to InfoComm 2018

LAS VEGAS, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- (InfoComm 2018, Booth N2034)  Ricoh USA Inc. today announced it will be showcasing its people, partnerships and technologies that enhance collaboration, improve workflows and increase communications at InfoComm 2018. With the rise of mobile and remote workstyles, improving and streamlining collaboration has become an increasingly important aspect of today's digital workplaces. From huddle rooms to board rooms, companies are looking for technologies that make meetings more effective and productive. At InfoComm 2018 (Booth N2034), Ricoh is showcasing the innovative solutions and services reshaping the way we work today and in the future. Ricoh will demonstrate future technology never-before-seen in the US that enhances meeting productivity, captures needed data from those meetings and provides analysis that helps improve attendee efficiency. This forthcoming service offers businesses pre-meeting, in-meeting and post-meeting tools and applications that deliver smoother, more effective meetings  enabling attendees to focus on their deliverables, not logistics or technology set-up. This service is a part of Ricoh's intelligent workplace portfolio and will be on display at InfoComm. Also in Ricoh's booth will be its, IBM Watson-powered Interactive Flat Panel Displays (IFPDs) that transform the way teams meet and collaborate by leveraging IBM Watson's IoT technology and Ricoh's easy-to-use IFPDs. Ricoh is committed to enhancing employee experience. One common frustration for employees is using new technologies and the ability to get immediate support. This is why Ricoh is unveiling its Ricoh Live Technical Support (RLTS). The service offers immediate, on-demand user support at the push of a button from Ricoh's compatible IFPDs. This live video feed initiates an engagement with a U.S.-based Ricoh remote support agent who can walk employees through the answers to questions, or simply take remote control of the IFPD to complete the desired task. The availability of immediate assistance gives employees the confidence to utilize the Ricoh collaboration tools they have at hand, benefiting overall workplace productivity. This new service will be displayed on all IFPDs in the Ricoh booth. Additionally, the Ricoh booth wil be home to several other hands-on collaboration environments such as corporate huddle rooms or classrooms. Each has been outfitted with IFPDs, as well as other collaboration tools, such as cameras, projectors, and unified communications systems (UCSs), emphasizing the roles of various technology in modern collaboration. Among the projectors on-site will be the new ultra-short throw laser projectors RICOH WXC4660 and WUC4650, which are up to 4000 lumens using Solid State Illumination technology.



"Seamless collaboration is too important for a business not to have a plan for it," said Glenn Laverty, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Ricoh Americas and CEO of Ricoh Canada. "We have the broad, cutting-edge portfolio and proven AV experts that give businesses the tools to succeed now and into the future. Our commitment to empowering digital workplaces with collaboration technologies is cemented in our global growth strategy, which calls for an increase of these tools, particularly for greater incorporation of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. We know the right collaboration strategy with the right collaboration tools create a strong framework for success  and we're delivering." Furthermore, Ricoh is announcing that it has joined the Logitech Collaboration Program to leverage mutual strengths and develop the next generation of collaboration technologies. Logitech ConferenceCams work seamlessly with Ricoh collaboration solutions, such as IFPDs, to provide clearer, cleaner visuals, perfect for when a final product has to look just right. A Ricoh IFPD equipped with Logitech MeetUp, a ConferenceCam designed from the ground up for huddle rooms and featuring a 120-degree field-of-view camera and integrated audio, will be on display in Booth N2034.

Making her return to InfoComm to welcome attendees to Ricoh's booth will be Sharon a RICOH Virtual Self-Service Hologram, who will automatically and intelligently transform into a product specialist. This real-life demonstration highlights how hologram technologies, leveraging artificial intelligence, can benefit businesses of all sizes. For the latest updates and insights on Ricoh's solutions and InfoComm 2018 activities, visit https://www.ricoh-usa.com/en/about-us/events/visit-ricoh-at-infocomm-2018 or follow @RicohTweets on Twitter, Ricoh USA, Inc. on Facebook and LinkedIn. | About Ricoh | Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services enabling individuals to work smarter. For more than 80 years, Ricoh has been driving innovation and is a leading provider of document management solutions, IT services, commercial and industrial printing, digital cameras, and industrial systems.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ended March 2018, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,063 billion yen (approx. 19.4 billion USD).

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com.  2018 Ricoh USA, Inc. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies. Contact: John Greco

Ricoh USA, Inc.

(973) 882-2023

john.greco@ricoh-usa.com Tracey Sheehy

Breakaway Communications for Ricoh

(908) 705-4596

tsheehy@breakawaycom.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ricoh-brings-collaboration-and-meeting-efficiency-solutions-and-services-to-infocomm-2018-300659921.html SOURCE Ricoh USA, Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Spectra7 Achieves Robust Error-Free 400Gbps Ethernet Traffic With Industry Leading Keysight's Ixia Test System

(TSX:SEV) Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. ("Spectra7" or the "Company"), a leading provider of high-performance analog semiconductor products for broadband connectivity markets, today announced the successful achievement of testing Spectra7's QSFP-DD Active Copper Cable (ACC) technology with the industry leading K400 test system from Ixia (News - Alert) , a Keysight business, demonstrating robust error-free 400Gbps Ethernet traffic. GaugeChangerTM is an innovative and disruptive technology that allows copper to extend much longer lengths without the cost and power penalty of optics. It works equally well at 25Gbps NRZ and 50Gbps PAM4 enabling new connector standards of 100/200/400 Gbps. ACCs represent a breakthrough solution for hyperscale and cloud providers that want to increase speed and density without the cost and power penalty of optical solutions. Spectra7's GaugeChangerTM QSFP-DD solution enables copper lengths up to 7 meters (over 3 times longer than passive copper) and at up to 90% lower power and half the cost of optical solutions. "Keysight continues to lead the market in bringing proven validation solutions like the K400 load module to market," said Sunil Kalidindi, vice president of product management at Keysight. "Companies like Spectra7 look to us for proven test and measurement technology to ensure that they provide their customers with solutions that work. We are proud to work with Spectra7 to demonstrate robust error-free 400Gbps traffic." "We are thrilled to be working with Keysight, the leader in 400G Ethernet test solutions," said Spectra7 CEO Raouf Halim. "Having them interoperate and validate our technology is a major milestone and sets the stage for broad adoption of our technology." The K400 400GE validation solution from Ixia, a Keysight business, enables full line-rate traffic generation including transmit, receive, and capture, FEC, and Bit Error Rate testing functionality from 64B to 14,000B frame lengths, and comprehensive Layer 2/3 routing protocol emulation coverage. This ensures that 400GE solutions meet the performance, scale and quality requirements required by the industry. The K400 test system facilitates stress testing, hardware/ASIC development, optics and cable qualification, interoperability and functional testing.



ABOUT SPECTRA7 MICROSYSTEMS INC. Spectra7 Microsystems Inc. is a high-performance analog semiconductor company delivering unprecedented bandwidth, speed and resolution to enable disruptive industrial design for leading electronics manufacturers in virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, data centers and other connectivity markets. Spectra7 is based in San Jose, California with design centers in Markham, Ontario, Cork, Ireland, and Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, please visit www.spectra7.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTES Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future financial position and results of operations, strategy, proposed acquisitions, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "plan", "continue", "will", "may", "would", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "predict", "project", "seek", "should" or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to the risk factors discussed in the Company's annual MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2016. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006054/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] ArrowStream Again Named Chicago's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

CHICAGO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ArrowStream (www.ArrowStream.com), the leading foodservice visibility and information management solution provider, today announced it has once again been named one of Chicagos Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the National Association for Business Resources. This makes the seventh consecutive year ArrowStream has been awarded the distinction.





It is an honor to receive this recognition for the seventh year in a row, said Dave Muscatel, CEO of ArrowStream. Fostering exemplary human resources practices and cultivating an environment in which our people can prosper are hallmarks of ArowStreams corporate culture. To be selected as a Best and Brightest winner is particularly significant since this recognizes ArrowStreams commitment and dedication to our most valuable resource, our employees.



The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For competition identifies, recognizes and commends organizations that push operational standards forward, foster constructive environments and display a commitment to their team members and community. Organizations are evaluated on key performance indicators in communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition, retention and more. Profitability and stability is essential for businesses in todays economic climate. Companies that recognize that their employees are the key to their success achieve staying power. Our 2018 winners create their human resource standards to ensure employee satisfaction and they set standards for every business to aspire toward, said Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO of B&B Programs. We are proud to honor this years winners.

Winning companies will come together to honor the best, network with peers and learn from industry innovators on July 27, 2018 at the Drury Lane Theatre and Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace. The luncheon and awards presentation will be emceed by Judy Hsu, ABC 7 Chicago News and Pat Cassidy, WBBM AM News Radio. Were looking forward to celebrating this years award, said Kristi Czapiewski, Human Resource Manager at ArrowStream. Our Chicago team has worked hard to earn Best and Brightest recognition for seven years in a row, and a thank you is in order to all of the employees. To be acknowledged by the National Association for Business Resources with repeat awards proves we are doing something right. About Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For is a program that provides the business community with the opportunity to gain recognition, showcase their best practices and demonstrate why they are an ideal place for employees to work. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole. It is presented annually in several markets, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area, in addition to a national program. Nominations are now being accepted. Visit www.thebestandbrightest.com to obtain an application. About ArrowStream

Headquartered in Chicago, IL, ArrowStream is the first company to connect the foodservice industry into a centralized solution for supply chain management, optimizing powerful data to provide unprecedented levels of transparency, control and actionable insight. ArrowStream has been serving the foodservice industry for more than 18 years, combining proven supply chain and logistics expertise with data science and analytics to help clients rethink and optimize their supply chains. For more information on ArrowStream, please visit https://www.arrowstream.com. Media Contact:

Susan Fox

ArrowStream, Inc.

sfox@arrowstream.com

(312) 676-0036

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] ENTSCHEIDERFABRIK Awards Secure Enterprise Messaging Service NetSfere as #1 Digitalization Topic of the German Healthcare System in 2018

MUNICH, Germany, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NetSfere, an award-winning, secure mobile messaging service from Infinite Convergence Solutions, today announces ENTSCHEIDERFABRIK, a German-based association of decision makers from over 800 hospitals that develops digital solutions for challenges in healthcare business processes, has selected the secure enterprise messaging service as the winner of its 2018 Decision Maker Awards.

Selected from a group of 12 vendor finalists, NetSferes key features of security, control, compliance and collaboration were identified as the solution for an urgent problem that German hospitals face  unregulated and unsecure communication among doctors, nurses and hospital employees. NetSferes winning presentation was given by Franz Obermayer, Regional Vice President, Europe, at Infinite Convergence Solutions, who presented to approximately 300 German hospital leaders about Getting Rid of the WhatsApp Dilemma Through Secure Mobile Communication in Hospitals. The presentation outlined the following: Doctors, nurses and hospital employees currently use unregulated and unsecure consumer messaging applications to communicate with each other and share sensitive patient information, such as medical information or x-rays.

While mobile messaging increases efficiency and productivity, the lack of control within these applications puts hospitals at risk of breaching patient safety and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.

NetSfere, an all-in-one secure communication platform that is backed by encrypted communication pathways that boast industry-leading, advanced Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP) and 256-bit elliptical curve cryptography, is the solution. Receiving this recognition from the esteemed members of ENTSCHEIDERFABRIK, who are seeing first-hand how the problem of unregulated mobile messaging is jeopardizing hospitals, proves NetSferes high potential in the market, said Obermayer. We look forward to implementing NetSfere in even more hospitals across Germany throughout the next year and becoming the secure messenger of choice for the German healthcare sector. Accompanying Obermayer during the winning presentation was Ralf Boldt, head of IT of Klinikum Oldenburg, a general hospital in Oldenburg, Germany, that has alread started implementing NetSfere to enhance and secure communication among its employees. NetSfere enables Klinikum Oldenburg employees to communicate with internal and external contacts through industry-leading security algorithms that support device-to-device encryption. With capabilities to not only communicate quickly and efficiently with a high-level of security, NetSfere also provides these employees a user-friendly interface thats unmatched in comparison to other apps.



We believe it is crucial to equip our employees with the mobile solutions they need to perform their jobs better, so employees arent left to communicate on unsecure consumer messaging applications, said Boldt. This is a huge dilemma nearly every hospital in Germany faces, but NetSfere has given us the necessary control to regulate and secure this communication. The five additional hospitals who have joined the proof of concept include: Vestische Caritas Hospitals, Westpfalz Hospital Group, University Hospital Munster, Nordoberpfalz Hospital Group, and St. Augustinus Hospital Group. NetSfere looks forward to welcoming additional hospitals to its enterprise messaging service and releasing results and use cases later this year through ENTSCHEIDERFABRIKs program.

NetSfere is a prime example of why we created ENTSCHEIDERFABRIK  to act as an incubator function for hospitals to trial the most critical digitalization projects in the healthcare industry, said Dr. Pierre-Michael Meier, Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the ENTSCHEIDERFABRIK. Our association enables a win-win situation for clinics and industry vendors. Clinics are able to trial leading digitalization projects without risk and vendors achieve successful pilot and reference installations. Together, ENTSCHEIDERFABRIK and its members are driving the German healthcare system forward in order to better service patients Between now and February 2019, NetSfere is exhibiting and speaking at several events and conferences throughout ENTSCHEIDERFABRIKs year-long decision maker cycle, including a summer camp in June to monitor progress and an event in November to present initial results. This July, NetSfere will also release the German version of its service, which not only features secure messaging, but also HD Audio one-to-one calling and Live video broadcast and streaming, all within its secure platform. For more information about ENTSCHEIDERFABRIK, visit www.entscheiderfabrik.com . For more information about NetSfere, visit www.netsfere.com. About ENTSCHEIDERFABRIK

Since 2006, the goal of ENTSCHEIDERFABRIK has been to develop solutions for problems in business processes by means of digitalization projects and to show the target group of hospital decision makers the benefit-making contribution to the hospitals' success in a suitable manner. These objectives are achieved by the fact that the promotional associations of the ENTSCHEIDERFABRIK have decided to offer at least 10 hospitals each year the possibility to try out elected digitalization solutions for 12 months at no costs. In doing so, ENTSCHEIDERFABRIK has been taking over the incubator function for digitalization projects in the healthcare sector.

For a period of 12 months, hospitals can "test" whether digitalization projects contribute to the hospital's success



Hospitals can test "great ideas" without running the risk of spending money incorrectly



IT and MedTech companies receive successful pilot and reference installations



Hospitals and solution vendors achieve a win-win situation

This goal is supported by 33 associations, over 800 locations of hospitals, over 120 industry partners and Consultants selected by the associations. About NetSfere

NetSfere is a secure enterprise messaging service from Infinite Convergence Solutions, Inc. NetSfere provides industry-leading security and message delivery capabilities, including global cloud-based service availability, device-to-device encryption, location-based features and administrative controls. The service leverages Infinite Convergence's experience in delivering mobility solutions to tier 1 mobile operators globally and technology that supports more than 400 million subscribers and over a trillion messages on an annual basis. NetSfere is also compliant with regulatory requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Sarbanes-Oxley and others. For more information, visit www.netsfere.com. PR Contact

Christine Curtin

Uproar PR for NetSfere

ccurtin@uproarpr.com

+1 (312) 878-4575 x242

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Payments Technology Innovation takes Center Stage at ETA's TRANSACT Tech Atlanta

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) will bring together the payments industry to discuss how technological innovation is changing the industry during TRANSACT Tech Atlanta on June 12, 2018. The one-day fintech event on the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta puts the payments technology industry's leaders on stage and provides unique networking and business development opportunities for all attendees. "Atlanta is home to hundreds of payments and technology companies and thousands of the best and brightest innovators in the world," said ETA CEO Jason Oxman. "Transact Tech Atlanta is the only event that brings payments and technology leaders together to network, do business, and learn the latest industry trends. And it all happens on the campus of Georgia Tech, the ideal place to talk about innovation." David Mangum, President and Chief Operating Officer of Global Payments Inc., a leading payment technology and software solution, will deliver the opening keynote address; other leading firms represented on the stage include Verifone, Chase Merchant Services, Payscape, Elavon, Vantiv, now Worldpay, First Data, and Discover Global Network. The event bring together all channels of the payments industry to allow businesses to find new opportunities, investments and distribution channels. Through panels and networking breaks, attendees will leave with a better understanding of:



How technology is creating new opportunities for payments companies to expand their market reach,

The value and opportunities offered by new entrants to the payments technology industry, from software vendors, payment facilitators, and resellers to developers and gateways,

The reinvention of traditional players, like security assessors and POS providers, that partner with the industry, and

How payments technology companies can foster a culture of innovation and effectively harness new technologies. TRANSACT Tech Atlanta is sponsored by Global Payments, Verifone, Vantiv, now Worldpay, ControlScan and King & Spalding. The event will take place at the Georgia Tech Student Center. The full agenda is available at http://www.electran.org/eta-events/2018-transact-tech-atl/. Registration is now open. For media inquiries, contact Laura Hubbard at 202-677-7406 or lhubbard@electran.org. For information about sponsorship, please contact Del Baker Robertson, 202-677-7404 or dbaker@electran.org.

About ETA The Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) is the global trade association representing more than 500 payments and technology companies. ETA members make commerce possible by processing more than $6 trillion in purchases in the U.S. and deploying payments innovations to merchants and consumers. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/payments-technology-innovation-takes-center-stage-at-etas-transact-tech-atlanta-300659966.html SOURCE Electronic Transactions Association (ETA)

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] The Gores Group Sells Millennium1 Solutions to Dimension Data plc

The Gores Group today announced it has sold Millennium1 Solutions ("Millennium" or the "Company") to an affiliate of Dimension Data (News - Alert) plc ("Dimension Data"), a global information and communications technology services and solutions provider. The Gores Group acquired Millennium in 2013 through its Gores Small Capitalization Partners investment fund. Headquartered in Toronto, Millennium is a leading business process outsourcing ("BPO") solutions provider in Canada, and has a strong track record of providing end-to-end services to many premier Canadian clients in the financial services, insurance, and retail sectors. After the closing, Millennium will be combined with Merchants, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dimension Data which provides customer management outsourcing solutions. "The transformation of Millennium since 2013 has been astounding," said Anthony Chirikos, Managing Director of The Gores Group. "We've thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Tom Band, Millennium's CEO, and the Company's talented leadership team to complete a complexcarve-out of the business, divest non-core assets, and invest heavily in people, technology and infrastructure. Millennium has grown rapidly, added employees and facilities, and matured into a premier Canadian BPO services provider. We are confident that Millennium will continue to prosper alongside the Dimension Data and Merchants teams."



Don Moffatt, Chairman of Millennium's Board of Directors, added, "Gores has been an outstanding partner for Millennium, and I appreciate that they rolled up their sleeves and helped our managers build the Company into the strong business that it is today. Dimension Data and Merchants are a great fit for Millennium, and our customers and employees are in good hands and can expect a smooth transition." Petsky Prunier acted as the sole financial advisor to Millennium in this transaction.

About The Gores Group The Gores Group, founded in 1987 by Alec Gores, is a global investment firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm's operating experience and flexible capital base. Over its 30-year history, The Gores Group has become a leading investor having demonstrated a reliable track record of creating value in its portfolio companies alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group also maintains an office in Boulder, Colorado. For more information, please visit www.gores.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005776/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Esker Announces Its Participation at SAPPHIRE NOW to Showcase AI-Driven Document Process Automation Solutions

Esker, a worldwide leader in document process automation solutions, pioneer in cloud computing and an SAP (News - Alert) partner, today announced that it will participate at SAPPHIRE NOW and ASUG Annual Conference being held June 5-7 in Orlando, Florida, at booth #379. At the event, Esker (News - Alert) will showcase its AI engine and discuss how machine learning is shaping the future of document processing. Esker's order-to-cash and procure-to-pay suites of document process automation solutions include: Order processing automation

Paper-free accounts payable (AP) invoice processing

Automated accounts receivable (AR) invoice delivery and collections management

Electronic purchasing

Mail services and cloud faxing Esker will demonstrate how - by leveraging artificial intelligence - AP, AR, collections management and sales order processing automation can enhance the customer experience when integrated with existing SAP solutions. Booth visitors will have access to demo stations to learn more about Esker's solutions and the AI engine on which they are built. Steve Smith, U.S. chief operating officer at Esker, will host a speaking session at SAPPHIRE NOW discussing the typical shortcomings of manual order management and how digital transformation can remake the customer as the focal point of an organizaton. This discussion will showcase how Esker's solution - integrated with SAP software - removes costly bottlenecks and low-value order activities to help customer service staff work smarter, not harder. Attendees can join Smith's session on Wednesday, June 6 at 4:00 p.m. at location Services and Support SE201.



"The tight integration of Esker's solutions with SAP software interface enables customers to take advantage of automated processes that help improve productivity and reduce manual errors," said Smith. "SAPPHIRE NOW provides the opportunity to demonstrate how Esker's automation solutions integrate with SAP software to lower costs, increase visibility and improve customer experience." Additionally, Norman Lyon, director of global client services at LifeNet Health Services, an Esker client, will host a speaking session on the benefits of order management automation. This discussion will cover how leveraging an SAP-certified solution led to streamlined available-to-promise ( ATP (News - Alert) ) and consignment order processing, as well as faster and more accurate handling of potentially life-saving orders. Lyon will also discuss how a convenient self-service portal can result in lean growth and happier customers and staff members. Attendees can join Lyon's session on Tuesday, June 5 at 2:00 p.m. at location S330F.

SAPPHIRE NOW and ASUG Annual Conference are the world's premier business technology event and largest SAP customer-run conference, offering attendees the opportunity to learn and network with customers, SAP executives, partners, and experts across the entire SAP ecosystem. About Esker Esker is a worldwide leader in cloud-based document process automation software. Esker solutions, including the acquisition of the TermSync accounts receivable solution in 2015, help organizations of all sizes to improve efficiencies, accuracy, visibility and costs associated with business processes. Esker provides on-demand and on-premises software to automate accounts payable, order processing, accounts receivable, purchasing and more. Founded in 1985, Esker operates in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific with global headquarters in Lyon, France and U.S. headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2017, Esker generated 76.1 million euros in total sales revenue. For more information on Esker and its solutions, visit www.esker.com. Follow Esker on Twitter (News - Alert) @EskerInc and join the conversation on the Esker blog at blog.esker.com. SAP, SAPPHIRE NOW, and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or an SAP affiliate company) in Germany and other countries. See http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005073/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Appaloosa and Senator Investment Group Send Letter to Allergan's Board of Directors

Appaloosa LP and Senator Investment Group LP today sent a letter to Allergan plc's (NYSE: AGN (News - Alert) ) ("Allergan") Board of Directors. Previously, Appaloosa and Senator sent letters to Allergan's Board on May 7, 2018 and April 23, 2018. The full text of the letters are below. Letter dated June 5, 2018: Board of Directors

Allergan plc

Clonshaugh Business Technology Park

Coolock, Dublin, D17 E400, Ireland Ladies and Gentlemen: We write concerning the conclusions drawn from Allergan's much-heralded strategic review, publicly outlined by Chairman and CEO Brent Saunders on May 30th. Like the rest of the investment community, we were underwhelmed by the Company's half-hearted attempt to restore strategic momentum. The result of this process is all the more disappointing given our previous discussions and correspondence (attached hereto for reference). In view of this outcome, we are compelled to express our views publicly. The token measures outlined in Mr. Saunders' presentation betray the Board and management's desire to cling to a status quo that has produced three years of steadily declining stock performance and a fire-sale market valuation. It is now clear that fresh thinking is absent from the current regime, thus explaining the market's complete loss of confidence in the stock. To that point, we reiterate our strong suggestion that at a minimum the Company (1) split the office of CEO and Chairman; (2) retain a new Chairman or CEO from outside the Company; (3) replace at least two additional directors on the current Board; and (4) upgrade management personnel in critical operating units. Concurrent with these measures, we renew our calls for the Company to stop hiding behind an arbitrary debt reduction target as an excuse to preserve the means to pursue a transformative M&A transaction. Prioritizing such flexibility at this time makes no sense given Allergan's undervalued equity currency, its mixed M&A record and the market's loss of confidence in the Company's ability to deploy capital for the benefit of shareholders. More importantly, it will not address the Company's malaise. Instead, it is time for Allergan's management to concentrate on running a world class pharmaceutical and aesthetics business and forego thoughts of, or the exhilaration from, an ambitious acquisition strategy. In our conversations, Chairman and CEO Saunders has been fond of repeating a famous quotation that "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results". Until Mr. Saunders and the Board heed this advice, adopt new governance and renew the Company's operational focus, it appears that shareholders can expect Allergan's stock price to continue to languish. Sincerely,







David A. Tepper Douglas Silverman President and CEO Managing Partner Appaloosa LP Senator Investment Group LP

----------- Letter dated May 7, 2018:

Board of Directors

Allergan plc

Clonshaugh Business and Technology Park

Coolock, Dublin, D17 E400, Ireland Attention: Brenton L. Saunders, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Christopher J. Coughlin, Lead Independent Director Dear Brent and Chris, Thank you for your time last week. We appreciated the chance to meet with you both and share our perspectives on Allergan directly. We believe that there are several immediate steps the Company can take in order to arrest these declines and begin the process of restoring investor confidence: Separate the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive and recruit a well-respected, experienced pharmaceutical industry leader to serve as Chairman. It is critical that this individual, and any other appointees, have a proven track record of creating shareholder value. Accelerate the ongoing Board "refreshment" process by appointing two new Directors (in addition to an independent Chairman) with relevant industry experience and expertise. We would expect these individuals to replace three existing directors in order to maintain an effective Board with an optimal number of seats. Articulate a clear purpose and intent for the Company's much-advertised "strategic review". Allergan must abandon an "everything on the table approach" and commit to a strategic focus that concentrates its resources on core therapeutic areas where it has demonstrable (and considerable) competitive advantage, scale and market position. Sharpening this mandate will help to dispel the notion that the review is merely an excuse for the Company to maintain the existing status quo. Clarify management's position that "transformational M&A" transactions are not a solution for the Company's malaise, and will not be pursued until the objectives of the strategic review have been successfully implemented and the shares restored to a reasonable valuation. Appaloosa and Senator are fully committed to the Company's success. We hope to continue to work constructively with the Company to accomplish our joint objective of producing value for shareholders. Sincerely, Douglas Silverman David Tepper Managing Partner President and CEO Senator Investment Group Appaloosa LP ----------- Letter dated April 23, 2018: Board of Directors

Allergan plc

Clonshaugh Business and Technology Park

Coolock, Dublin, D17 E400, Ireland



Attention: Brenton L. Saunders, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Ladies & Gentlemen, Appaloosa LP ("Appaloosa") and Senator Investment Group LP ("Senator") are private investment firms with approximately $16 billion and $9 billion in assets under management, respectively. Both firms have been long-term investors in Allergan plc ("Allergan" or the "Company") and are independently substantial shareholders today. As noted in our separate conversations and communications with management, we have become deeply concerned with the substantial value destruction occurring at Allergan. Senator and Appaloosa both believe that decisive action is required to reverse the significant decline in the Company's stock price over recent years and to drive lasting value for shareholders. In that vein, we were encouraged by recent commentary that Allergan's management and Board have developed "a sense of urgency" and are accelerating the Company's strategic review. We and the broader investment community were therefore mystified to learn of Allergan's interest in Shire plc. Your subsequent disclaimers notwithstanding, acquiring Shire should never have been considered a viable strategy for Allergan in the first place. To start, Allergan has struggled mightily to operate its existing set of disparate franchises. Adding additional scale and complexity through any large acquisition would not only be highly imprudent, but would also distract Allergan from its core therapeutic competencies. More disturbing, however, is that Allergan might even consider an acquisition of such size that would undoubtedly require issuing our currently depressed stock as currency. In sum, the entire exercise with Shire was a waste of valuable time and corporate resources, as well as a distraction from the Company's much needed strategic review. The resoundingly negative reaction toward this potential transaction bears out this conclusion. The Shire episode was merely the latest in a long line of miscalculations that have left the investment community without confidence in Allergan and its Board of Directors. Uneven execution, overly ambitious forecasting, and poorly communicated patent expirations have repeatedly reduced financial expectations. Mixed results from Allergan's pipeline activities and "stepping stone" acquisitions also raise serious questions about the Company's R&D capabilities and "Open Science" model. Unnecessary self-inflicted wounds have compounded the investment community's lost confidence and damaged management's credibility. As a result, the stock has declined by approximately 33% and 46% over the past twelve months and three years, respectively, despite strong performance for both the broader equity market and the healthcare sector. At today's stock price of $159 per share, Allergan now trades at less than 10x 2019E EPS and EBITDA, a sharp discount to its historical multiples and materially below each of our respective assessments of fair value. In spite of this disappointing performance, the Company repeatedly under-appreciates and misjudges the gravity of its situation. Management's compensation in 2017, for example, rewarded the senior executives lucratively, notwithstanding the dramatic under-performance of Allergan's stock and underwhelming long-term financial results. In addition, the "Board Refreshment" that Allergan references in its latest Proxy Statement is highly overstated. Actual "refreshment" has been minimal. The Board remains largely a collection of vestigial directors assembled from a series of legacy acquisitions. At a minimum, we believe that the Company should separate the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive in order to foster a greater sense of accountability and oversight. Our message to the Company remains consistent - become a more focused and nimble enterprise by concentrating on the core therapeutic areas of Medical Aesthetics, Neuroscience and Ophthalmology. From an operational standpoint, streamlining Allergan's sprawling business activities would reduce portfolio complexity, improve operational execution and financial forecasting, and direct capital and energy toward Allergan's best growth opportunities. The financial benefits would also be considerable. Allergan would transform into one of the fastest growing, most durable, and highest margin businesses in the healthcare industry. Without certain legacy businesses, Allergan would accelerate revenue growth, increase the mix of cash-pay and international business, and extend portfolio duration. Realigning the Company's businesses in this manner should produce a favorable re-rating of Allergan's valuation. Pending a full formulation of this strategy, we believe Allergan should publicly disavow large-scale "transformative" acquisitions as an element of its strategic review and commit to rationalizing its disparate business units. As substantial shareholders, we are committed to the Company's success and believe the strategic review offers an opportunity for Allergan's management team and Board to produce a compelling business strategy, regain credibility, and generate substantial and enduring value for its shareholders. We wish to play a constructive role in this process and, accordingly, request an in-person meeting in the coming days with Chairman, President and CEO Brent Saunders and Lead Independent Director Chris Coughlin (as well as any other Directors you deem appropriate) to discuss our perspective and analysis with you directly. We await your prompt response and look forward to a productive meeting. Sincerely, Douglas Silverman David Tepper Managing Partner President and CEO Senator Investment Group LP Appaloosa LP View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006086/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] James Lowe of Lowe Eklund Wakefield Co., LPA Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

James A. Lowe, founder and partner at Lowe Eklund Wakefield Co., LPA, a Cleveland, Ohio-based law firm, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ohio Association for Justice's 2018 Annual Convention. Lowe was recognized for his lifetime of service and dedication to excellence in litigation, primarily on behalf of individuals catastrophically injured by dangerous and defective products. Periodically, the Lifetime Achievement Award has been presented to a retiring Ohio Supreme Court Justice or to an individual whose life work has shown dedication to helping clients and fighting for justice while setting a high ethical and professional benchmark for others to follow. Award nominations are collected from more than 1,200 members of the Ohio Association for Justice. "Being recognized by my colleagues is truly an honor for which I am both humbled and grateful," says Lowe. "I have been truly fortunate to find a profession that I feel is a calling in which I can make a significant and lasting impact on behalf of people whose lives have been shattered." The Ohio Association for Justice is the only statewide association of attorneys whose mission is to preserve the constitutional rights and protect access to the civil justice system for all Ohioans through advocacy in the Courthouse, Statehouse and Bureau of Workers' Compensation. The organization is devoted to strengthening the civil justice system so that deserving individuals can get justice and wrongdoers are held accountable. The Ohio Associationfor Justice's Annual Convention is an annual two-day event where attorneys can earn up to half of their biennial CLE while networking and building connections with plaintiff's attorneys from around Ohio and all over the United States.



About James Lowe Lowe is a nationally-recognized trial lawyer specializing in product liability, automobile product safety and other complex cases. He has been board certified in trial advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for more than 20 years. In addition to being recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for more than 25 years, James Lowe has been named a Fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers, and has been recognized as an Alumnus of the Year by the Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He has been included in the top 100 lawyers in Ohio by SuperLawyers every year since its inception and in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

About Lowe Eklund Wakefield Co., LPA Since 1976, the award-winning trial attorneys at Lowe Eklund Wakefield Co., LPA have successfully represented people in the areas of motor vehicle accidents, automobile product safety, personal injury, nursing home and workplace safety, medical malpractice and birth injuries as well as families of victims of wrongful death. U.S. News & World Report named the firm to its "Best Law Firms" list (2010-2018) while partners Greg Scott and Ryan Fisher have also been honored annually as Ohio Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. For more information on Lowe Eklund Wakefield Co., LPA, please call 216-781-2600 or visit https://www.lewlaw.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005202/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] New SPIRIT Software Will Save $42 Billion in Healthcare Costs with Early Detection of Primary Immunodeficiency

NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF) is set to launch an updated version of their SPIRIT Analyzer software which is capable of saving $42 billion in preventable healthcare costs. After conducting a multi-year study, this upgraded and highly advanced screening tool will be introduced to major healthcare organizations and hospital networks. The SPIRIT 3.0 Analyzer (Software for Primary Immunodeficiency Recognition, Intervention and Tracking) can screen up to one million patients within 30 minutes, identifying a potential Primary Immunodeficiency (PI), a genetic disorder of the immune system that causes increased susceptibility to infections that are often chronic, debilitating and sometimes fatal. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that at least one in 500 Americans are affected by PI, most of who are not aware of the underlying cause of their repeated infections. Early recognition of PI is essential, which is why JMF created SPIRIT, which matches 352 ICD-10 codes to JMF's 10 Warning Signs of PI to identify at-risk patients. The SPIRIT Analyzer software will be accessible and distributed to medical providers and healthcare insurance companies as a public service by JMF. There are no HIPAA obstacles and the Analyzer is compliant with all applicable regulations. The software is very simple to download. As software advances, and the use of Electronic Medical Records increases, the time is opportune to utilize the SPIRIT software and integrate point-of-care screening tools to assist with the identification of patients with PI and referrals to appropriate care and treatment. Full implementation and utilization of SPIRIT allows healthcare organizations to alert physicins of medium- and high-risk patients with recurring infections and encourages appropriate assessment, ultimately leading to disease prevention, electronic recognition and tracking, significant reduction of healthcare costs, and improved quality of life for patients, allowing them to lead full and independent lives.



Recently, Dr. Nicholas L. Rider, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas, conducted a one year study to screen for PI using the SPIRIT Analyzer. After removing all patients known to be diagnosed with a PI from the database, 185,892 individuals were selected at random for the study. Following identification of 2,188 medium-and high-risk (MHR) individuals, letters were sent to their primary care physicians to alert them of patient risk. A second analysis of these MHR individuals was performed one year later and 1,068 patients were accessible for analysis. Of these patients, 104 had a PI diagnosis or a history of PI, further proving that the SPIRIT 3.0 Analyzer is effective at identifying persons at risk for PI. Study results showed significant reductions in acute and chronic infections, pneumonias, hospital and emergency room visits, days on antibiotics, days in the hospital and school/work days missed, after proper diagnosis and treatment. Clinical outcomes and quality of life dramatically improved.

Healthcare costs for each category were identified from U.S. Government websites. The study demonstrated that annually an undiagnosed patient can cost the healthcare system around $100,000 more than a diagnosed patient. The study concluded that the cost of undiagnosed patients with PI in the U.S. represents more than $42 billion in preventable healthcare costs. About Jeffrey Modell Foundation

Vicki and Fred Modell established the Jeffrey Modell Foundation in 1987, in memory of their son Jeffrey, who died at the age of fifteen from complications of Primary Immunodeficiency -- a genetic condition that is chronic, serious, and often fatal. JMF is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to early diagnosis, meaningful treatments and, ultimately, cures through research, physician education, public awareness, advocacy, patient support, and newborn screening. The Jeffrey Modell Centers Network (JMCN) includes 781 physicians at 356 academic institutions, in 273 cities, 86 countries, spanning 6 continents and growing. For more information about Primary Immunodeficiency, visit the Jeffrey Modell Foundation at www.info4pi.org or email info4pi@jmfworld.org. You can also follow the Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Press Release Media Contacts:

Vicki Modell, Jeffrey Modell Foundation, (212) 819-0200

Fred Modell, Jeffrey Modell Foundation, (212) 819-0200 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-spirit-software-will-save-42-billion-in-healthcare-costs-with-early-detection-of-primary-immunodeficiency-300659462.html SOURCE Jeffrey Modell Foundation

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Translate Your Web Content with the Enhanced Amazon Polly Plugin For WordPress From WP Engine and Amazon Web Services

WP Engine, the leading WordPress digital experience platform, today announced its collaboration with Amazon Web Services (News - Alert) (AWS) to bring machine learning-powered speech translations to WordPress, the dominant content management system (CMS) that powers nearly a third of the web. The integration of Amazon Translate into the Amazon Polly plugin for WordPress will allow brands and publishers to take web content in English and translate that content into any of four spoken languages: Spanish, German, French or Portuguese. More languages will follow. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005570/en/ Translate Your Web Content with the Enhanced Amazon Polly Plugin For WordPress From WP Engine and Amazon Web Services (Photo: Business Wire) Rise of Digital Media Consumption Today's consumers are spending more of their day online, with 62 percent of Millennials and 69 percent of Generation Z stating they can only go up to eight hours comfortably without access to the internet, according to a national study commissioned by WP Engine and The Center for Generational Kinetics. Digital content presents a powerful means of satisfying this audience. Enterprises need to ensure that their content is easily accessible and optimized across all connected devices and global networks if it's to reach the widest possible audience. There is a huge opportunity for agencies to help localize web content and adapt a brand's we presence for voice technology.



Text-to-Speech & Machine Translation The Amazon Polly plugin enables WordPress creators to easily add text-to-speech capabilities to their websites and make the audio easily available for listeners in the form of podcasts. In this new release, publishers or brands can automatically translate text-based content and have it read in Spanish, German, French or Portuguese. Future plans will extend that capability to more languages, providing publishers with the ability to extend content to even more consumers globally. The machine translation feature is powered by Amazon Translate and is now available in the WP Engine Solution Center as an update to Amazon Polly plugin for WordPress. Amazon Translate is a neural machine translation service that uses deep learning models to deliver more accurate and natural sounding translation than traditional statistical and rule-based translation algorithms.

"Publishers and marketers are increasingly investing in content to reach global audiences," said Mary Ellen Dugan, Chief Marketing Officer at WP Engine. "The ability to translate content in a way that allows consumers to listen on-the-go opens a tremendous opportunity for brands to reach global audiences in a way never before possible. Amazon Translate, tested and optimized at scale for the WP Engine Digital Experience Platform, is a great first step in extending the reach of content." "As the world grows more interconnected, building multilingual websites is fast becoming the new norm. Amazon Translate helps remove language barriers, so you can optimize your content and connect with your audience in the language of their choice," said Swami Sivasubramanian, Vice President of Machine Learning, Amazon Web Services, Inc. "By having a machine translation capability in the Amazon Polly plugin, WordPress sites can easily offer users multilingual and voiced content with a simple click of a button." "For more than 25 years, BoardingArea has delivered content that provides news, information and advice for frequent flyers," said Denny Butts, Director of Project Engagement at BoardingArea. "With Amazon Translate and the WP Engine Digital Experience Platform, we are able to take the best frequent flyer blogs and reach new international audiences in their preferred language." To download the latest version of the Amazon Polly plugin, visit the WP Engine Solution Center. Translation is the next iteration in WP Engine's commitment to empower businesses and agencies helping them engage and grow their audiences with more relevant digital experiences. The launch follows the introduction of WP Engine's GeoTarget tool, through which customers extend their global reach by delivering customized content based on a visitor's geographic location. About WP Engine WP Engine is the world's leading WordPress digital experience platform that gives companies of all sizes the agility, performance, intelligence, and integrations they need to drive their business forward faster. WP Engine's combination of tech innovation and an award-winning team of WordPress experts are trusted by over 80,000 companies across 130 countries to provide counsel and support, helping brands create world-class digital experiences. Founded in 2010, WP Engine is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has offices in San Francisco, California; San Antonio, Texas; London, England; Limerick, Ireland, and Brisbane, Australia. About BoardingArea For more than 25 years, BoardingArea has been providing news, information and advice for frequent flyers with the goal to provide the information needed to make the most of their travel. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005570/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Cloud Strategy Expert Eric Winton Joins Technology Practice of Protiviti

MENLO PARK, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Eric Winton has joined global consulting firm Protiviti as a managing director in the Technology Strategy and Operations group of its Technology Consulting practice. Based in the firm's Dallas office, he works with clients in a wide range of industries to develop, envision and implement digital transformation initiatives, shape and implement cloud strategy, and advise and deliver on systems integration and data management programs. Winton brings more than 18 years of business and technology consulting experience including developing leading edge solutions at numerous Fortune 1000 companies in the areas of cloud enablement, business intelligence, enterprise content management and custom application development. Prior to joining Protiviti, he served in several leadership roles, including managing director at Slalom Consulting and vice president at Hitachi Consulting. Most recently, he served as vice president at Neudesic. "Increasingly, we find that cloud adoption among our clients is being driven primarily by business transformation needs," said Kurt Underwood, managing directorand global leader of Protiviti's technology consulting solutions practice. "Eric's business acumen and experience in initiating and executing comprehensive cloud strategies is invaluable to our clients as they face the challenges of responding to fast-evolving consumer behaviors and disruptive business models."



Winton holds a bachelor of business administration degree in management information systems from the University of Oklahoma. About Protiviti

Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Through its network of more than 70 offices in over 20 countries, Protiviti and its independently owned Member Firms provide clients with consulting solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, analytics, governance, risk and internal audit.

Named to the 2018 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list, Protiviti has served more than 60 percent of Fortune 1000 and 35 percent of Fortune Global 500 companies. The firm also works with smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public, as well as with government agencies. Protiviti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI). Founded in 1948, Robert Half is a member of the S&P 500 index. Protiviti is not licensed or registered as a public accounting firm and does not issue opinions on financial statements or offer attestation services. Editor's note: Photos available upon request. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cloud-strategy-expert-eric-winton-joins-technology-practice-of-protiviti-300659911.html SOURCE Protiviti

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] CompTIA Announces 2018 Excellence in Cybersecurity Award Winners

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CompTIA, the world's leading technology association, today announced the 2018 CompTIA Excellence in Cybersecurity award winners: Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Phyllis Bailey, Army Chief Information Officer for the IA Training, Education, and Awareness Division. The awards will officially be presented at a ceremony on June 13, 2018 in the Capitol Visitor Center. The CompTIA Excellence in Cybersecurity Awards honors public officials and members of Congress who recognize the important role of a strong cyber workforce in the cybersecurity ecosystem and who have engaged in efforts to improve the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the federal cyber workforce. "Our nation's security relies on a skilled cyber workforce to protect our critical infrastructure and personal data. Our three honorees are committed to ensuring that federal IT workers can meet the demands of the rapidly changing cyber threat landscape," said Todd Thibodeaux, CompTIA's president and CEO. "These honorees exemplify leadership in recognizing the important role of a strong workforce in the U.S. Government's cybersecurity strategy and utilize federal dollars wisely to improve the cybersecurity skills of those who work within our government." "It's become increasingly clear that cyber warfare will be one of the biggest threats to our national security in the 21st century, and we need to do all we can to prepare for that reality," said Rep. Pete Aguilar. "I believe that by utilizing programs like the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program, and finding creative ways to ensure that our most talented students have the opportunity to enroll in those programs, we can ensure that the United States will be equipped as the most sophisticated cyber force in the world. I'm grateful for this recognition from CompTIA, and I thank them for their continued advocacy for a federal focus on cybersecurity." "America's cybersecurity personnel are on the front lines of our nation's defense," said Senator Wicker. "With nearly every industry needing capable information technology and security employees, it is important for the United States to do everything it can to foster a strong domestic talent pipeline. I am thankful for this recognition and look forward to the continuig support from CompTIA for my legislative efforts to support American cybersecurity education and development."



About the Excellence in Cybersecurity Honorees Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA)

Rep. Aguilar serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is a member of the Cybersecurity Caucus. Cybersecurity is an important issue for Rep. Aguilar, and he has made it a priority to advocate for federal funds to support programs offered at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), which is a leader in cybersecurity education. In March 2017, a cyber-warriors pilot program that was created by Rep. Aguilar and included in the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was implemented. The pilot program expedites the process for individuals in the cybersecurity field to become officers in the United States Army and the United States Air Force. This program incentivizes students at institutions that specialize in cybersecurity training, like CSUSB, to enter the armed forces and become cyber-warriors quickly and efficiently. Consequently, in July 2017 Rep Aguilar secured $1.7 million in cybersecurity funding for CSUSB.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)

Sen. Wicker has fought to have Mississippi serve on the forefront of America's efforts to defend its strategic interests in the digital age by training military and civilian leaders to prevent and repel internet-based attacks at locations such as Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. Senator Wicker has also fought for institutions such as Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi to receive funding from the Department of Defense and various intelligence agencies to develop the capability to investigate and report weaknesses in various cyber applications. Sen. Wicker serves as Co- Chair of the Community Colleges Caucus and introduced the Cyber Scholarship Opportunities Act in March 2017 which would further improve the cybersecurity workforce pipeline by expanding and enhancing an existing federal scholarship program for students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity fields. Sen. Wicker also introduced the IOT Consumer TIPS Act of 2017 that would require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to develop cybersecurity resources for consumers, addressing how consumers can protect themselves against cybercriminals targeting internet-connected devices. Phyllis Bailey, Army Chief Information Officer

Phyllis Bailey currently serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Army's IA Training, Education, and Awareness Division. She has served as an IT specialist for the Army since 1981. In her current position, Bailey has been one of the leading Army officials tasked with developing certification requirements for Army IA Security Officers (IASOs) and drafting guidance and standards for the identification, tracking, training, and certification of IA personnel in IT MOS. She has also previously led training sessions on how to prepare, train, and certify for Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) compliance, as directed by Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 8570/8140. About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the information technology industry. With approximately 2,000 member companies, 3,000 academic and training partners and nearly 2 million IT certifications issued, CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications and public policy advocacy. Visit CompTIA online, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. About CompTIA Advocacy

Through its advocacy arm, CompTIA champions member-driven business and IT priorities that impact all information technology companies  from small managed solutions providers and software developers to large equipment manufacturers and communications service providers. CompTIA gives eyes, ears and a voice to technology companies, informing them of policy developments  and providing the means to do something about it. Press Contact:

Preston Grisham

pgrisham@comptia.org

202-682-4458 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comptia-announces-2018-excellence-in-cybersecurity-award-winners-300660021.html SOURCE CompTIA

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] NCSBN Unveils New Logo as Part of 40th Anniversary Celebration

CHICAGO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In honor of its 40th anniversary of its birthday June 5, NCSBN has unveiled a new logo and new branding for the organization.

Revealed in a short video, https://www.ncsbn.org/new-logo.htm, that traces the organizations logos throughout its history, the new logo features five squares from the previous logo brought together to depict interconnectedness and then expanded to suggest a spherical shape of a globe. The square elements combined form a pattern signifying collaboration between member boards, and national and international peer organizations. The linear space between the elements connects them together creating a networking web extending around the globe. The whole design conveys the expanding influence of NCSBN as an international organization that is leading regulatory excellence around the world. In addition to this new logo, NCSBN will also debut the Global Regulatory Atlas; the release of the 2017 National Nursing Workforce Survey, in cooeration with The National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers; the launch of a new website; and the distribution of a booklet for new nurses to every newly licensed nurse in the U.S.



About NCSBN

NCSBN marks its 40th anniversary milestone in 2018 with the inspiring theme of Regulatory Excellence Surging Toward the Future. Founded March 15, 1978, as an independent not-for-profit organization, NCSBN was initially created to lessen the burdens of state governments and bring together BONs to act and counsel together on matters of common interest. It has evolved into one of the leading voices of regulation across the world. NCSBNs membership is comprised of the BONs in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories  American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands. There are also 30 associate members that are either nursing regulatory bodies or empowered regulatory authorities from other countries or territories.

NCSBN Member Boards protect the public by ensuring that safe and competent nursing care is provided by licensed nurses. These BONs regulate more than 4.8 million licensed nurses. Mission: NCSBN provides education, service and research through collaborative leadership to promote evidence-based regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection. The statements and opinions expressed are those of NCSBN and not the individual member state or territorial boards of nursing. National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.

111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900

Chicago, IL 60601-4277



Contact: Dawn M. Kappel

Director, Marketing and Communications

312.525.3667 direct

312.279.1034 fax

dkappel@ncsbn.org

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] LG Shows Transparent OLED Concept, Introduces New Commercial OLED Features, Form Factors

LAS VEGAS, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The leader in OLED commercial display technology, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions, is introducing a host of new LG OLED products designed to provide businesses unrivaled viewing experiences. LG will spotlight the new commercial OLED displays at InfoComm 2018, which opens tomorrow in Las Vegas. "As the pioneer of OLED technology in both the consumer and commercial markets, LG strives to deliver the ultimate in truly immersive viewing experiences," said Dan Smith, Vice President, Business Development, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions. "Whether it be concepts like the Transparent OLED or new models with previously impossible features, LG continues to lead the industry by bringing to market new innovations that offer end users and systems integrators alike opportunities to drive business and increase their bottom lines." Wowing Attendees with Futuristic Transparent OLED

Exclusively at InfoComm 2018, LG will offer U.S. customers a sneak peek at the latest advancement of the LG OLED technology by previewing the next-generation LG Transparent OLED display. Long dedicated to innovation in the OLED category, LG is showing the 55-inch Transparent OLED display in the United States for the first time at InfoComm. Visitors will marvel at its narrow bezels, elegant form factor and advanced transparent panel that allows end users to harness the picture quality of LG OLED without completely blocking viewers from objects behind it. This unique technology is especially impressive in retail environments and art galleries where products can be placed behind the display without distortion or where special effects may be displayed on the Transparent OLED signage. Enhancing Already-Innovative LG OLED Solutions

LG also is introducing three new OLED displays set to revolutionize high-end installation environments and maximize end users' ability to deliver rich content in 2018. At the forefront of LG's 2018 commercial OLED portfolio is the new 65-inch LG "Wallpaper" OLED display (model 65EJ5E). The LG "Wallpaper" OLED represents an entiely new way to present eye-catching content for an unparalleled viewing experience. Previously available only in a 55-inch class size with Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, the revolutionary 65EJ5E touts 4K Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160) resolution for crisp, accurate details that match the limitless color contrast and perfect black levels of LG OLED. All in a form factor previously thought impossible, the unique LG "Wallpaper" OLED is easily mounted using a slim mounting bracket and magnets for a customizable design that becomes one with the wall.



With limitless color contrast and perfect black levels never before seen in a video wall, LG is introducing the state-of-the-art LG OLED Video Wall (model 65EV5E) with an even thinner overlap bezel seam. By reducing the bezel seam, the new LG OLED Video Wall display may come together in 1xN portrait mode configurations that blend seamlessly together as one overall picture rather than segmented images for a fully captivating viewing experience. The new 65-inch option offers 4K Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160) resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio and perfect wide viewing angles to engage more consumers in high-end commercial spaces including museums, airport lounges and retail spaces. These new digital signage solutions join the 2018 LG Open Frame OLED (model 55EF5E), which features an increased curvature rate of 1000R in landscape and portrait mode, decreased weight and Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution all in an ultra-narrow 3.5mm bezel design. Perfect for creating archways, interesting wall or ceiling hangings and even tunnels, the flexibility of the LG Open Frame OLED empowers customers to integrate the immersive picture quality of LG OLED within custom installations regardless of the installation environment. Even more, the curvature tools used to create tailored installations of LG Open Frame OLED will soon be made available to system integrators in the U.S. Demonstrating the versatility of LG Open Frame OLED at InfoComm 2018, LG will showcase a mini version of the highly-acclaimed LG OLED Canyon, which first made a splash by wowing attendees at CES 2018.

Delivering the Industry's Only OLED Portfolio

LG's new 65-inch "Wallpaper" OLED, narrow-bezel OLED Video Wall, and Open Frame OLED digital signage join the LG "In-Glass Wallpaper" and Dual-View Curved Tiling OLED in the industry's first and most diverse lineup of commercial OLED products. LG's proprietary OLED technology provides an awe-inspiring picture with perfect blacks, infinite contrast and incredible color, even from wide viewing angles. These displays are an excellent addition to retail environments and art galleries, where they are sure to add a sophisticated aesthetic to the installation environment all while providing cutting-edge picture quality. Visitors to LG's booth at InfoComm 2018 in Las Vegas (June 6-8, Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall, Booth #2546) will be able to experience LG's ground-breaking OLED displays, including its new concept, Transparent OLED. For more information, please visit www.lgsolutions.com. About LG Electronics USA Business Solutions

The LG Electronics USA Business Solutions division serves commercial display customers in the U.S. lodging and hospitality, digital signage, systems integration, healthcare, education, government and industrial markets. Based in Lincolnshire, Ill., with its dedicated engineering and customer support team, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions delivers business-to-business technology solutions tailored to the particular needs of business environments. LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a $55 billion global force in consumer electronics, mobile communications, home appliances and air solutions. LG is a 2018 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence. For more information, please visit www.LGSolutions.com. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lg-shows-transparent-oled-concept-introduces-new-commercial-oled-features-form-factors-300660082.html SOURCE LG Electronics USA

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Databricks Conquers AI Dilemma with Unified Analytics

Despite the allure of artificial intelligence (AI), most enterprises are struggling to succeed with AI. Preliminary findings of a Databricks commissioned research study reveals that 96 percent of organizations say data-related challenges are the most common obstacle when moving AI projects to production. Data is the key to AI, but data and AI sit in technology and organizational silos. Databricks, the leader in unified analytics and founded by the original creators of Apache Spark, addresses this AI dilemma with the Unified Analytics Platform. Today at the Spark + AI Summit in San Francisco, an annual gathering of 4,000 data scientists, engineers and analytics leaders, Databricks launched new capabilities to lower the barrier for enterprises to innovate with AI. These new capabilities unify data and AI teams and technologies: MLflow for developing an end-to-end machine learning workflow, Databricks Runtime for ML to simplify distributed machine learning; and Databricks Delta for data reliability and performance at scale. Watch the Spark + AI Summit 2018 keynotes live. "To derive value from AI, enterprises are dependent on their existing data and ability to iteratively do machine learning on massive data sets. Today's data engineers and data scientists use numerous, disconnected tools to accomplish this, including a zoo of machine learning frameworks," said Ali Ghodsi, co-founder and CEO at Databricks. "Both organizational and technology silos create friction and slow down projects, becoming an impediment to the highly iterative nature of AI projects. Unified Analytics is the way to increase collaboration between data engineers and data scientists and unify data processing and AI technologies." "Competition for data science talent is so fierce because the potential for AI and deep learning to disrupt industries is now widely understood. To maximize the happiness of our data scientists we sought out managed cloud service providers that can deliver an on-demand, self-service experience and proactive, expert support," said Justin J. Leto, Principal Big Data Architect at Bechtel, one of the most respected engineering, construction, and project management companies in the world. "Databricks' Unified Analytics Platform provides our data scientists with usable data, and keeps our engineers focused on AI solutions in production instead of troubleshooting ops issues." MLflow: Improving Efficiency and Effectiveness of Machine Learning with End-to-End Workflow

Data is critical to both training and productionizing machine learning. But using machine learning in production is difficult because the development process is ad hoc, lacking tools to reproduce results, track experiments and manage models. To address this problem, Databricks introduces MLflow, an open source, cross-cloud framework that can dramatically simplify the machine learning workflow. With MLflow, organizations can packge their code for reproducible runs, execute and compare hundreds of parallel experiments, leverage any hardware or software platform, and deploy models to production on a variety of serving platforms. MLflow integrates with Apache Spark, SciKit-Learn, TensorFlow and other open source machine learning frameworks.



"When it comes to building a web or mobile application, organizations know how to do that because we've built toolkits, workflows, and reference architectures. But there is no framework for machine learning, which is forcing organizations to piece together point solutions and secure highly specialized skills to achieve AI," said Matei Zaharia, co-founder and Chief Technologist at Databricks. "MLflow is a end-to-end multi-cloud framework for developing machine learning applications in a repeatable manner while having the flexibility to deploy those applications reliably in production across multiple cloud environments." Databricks Runtime for ML: Simplifying and Enabling Distributed Deep Learning

Deep Learning continues to grow in popularity with the use of natural language processing, image classification and object detection. As a result, the increased data volumes enable organizations to build better models, while the data complexity requires increased training time. This conflict has led organizations to adopt distributed deep learning leveraging a variety of frameworks like Tensorflow, Keras, and Horovod, along with complexities of managing distributed computing.

Databricks Runtime for ML eliminates this complexity with pre-configured environments tightly integrated with the most popular machine learning frameworks, like Tensorflow, Keras, xgboost, and scikit-learn. Databricks also addresses the need to scale deep learning by introducing GPU support for both AWS and Microsoft (News - Alert) Azure. Data scientists can now feed data sets to models, evaluate, and deploy cutting-edge AI models on one unified engine. Databricks Delta: Simplifying Data Engineering

According to research commissioned by Databricks, it takes organizations more than seven months to bring AI projects to close with 50 percent of the time spent on data preparation. Currently, organizations build their big data architectures using a variety of systems, which increases cost and operational complexity. Data engineers are struggling to simplify data management and provide clean, performant data to data scientists, ultimately, hindering the success of AI initiatives. As a key component in Databricks' Unified Analytics Platform, Delta extends Apache Spark to simplify data engineering by providing high performance at scale, data reliability through transactional integrity, and the low latency of streaming systems. With Delta, organizations are no longer required to make a tradeoff between storage system properties, or spend their resources moving data across systems. Hundreds of applications can now reliably upload, query, and update data at massive scale and low cost, ultimately making datasets ready for machine learning. Additional Resources Databricks Blog: Accelerating Innovation with Unified Analytics

Databricks Blog: Introducing MLflow

Databricks Blog: Distributed Deep Learning Made Simple

Case Studies and Videos

Follow Databricks on Twitter (News - Alert) : @Databricks

Follow Spark + AI Summit on Twitter: @SparkAISummit

Follow Databricks on LinkedIn

Visit Databricks on Facebook About Databricks

Databricks' mission is to accelerate innovation for its customers by unifying Data Science, Engineering and Business. Databricks' founders started the Spark research project at UC Berkeley that later became Apache Spark. Databricks provides a Unified Analytics Platform powered by Apache Spark for data science teams to collaborate with data engineering and lines of business to build data products. Users achieve faster time-to-value with Databricks by creating analytic workflows that go from ETL and interactive exploration to production. The company also makes it easier for its users to focus on their data by providing a fully managed, scalable, and secure cloud infrastructure that reduces operational complexity and total cost of ownership. Databricks, venture-backed by Andreessen Horowitz, NEA and Battery Ventures, among others, has a global customer base that includes Viacom (News - Alert) , Shell and HP. For more information, visit www.databricks.com. Apache, Apache Spark and Spark are trademarks of the Apache Software Foundation. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005525/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Hill House Passport Academy to Hold Commencement Ceremony

Hill House Passport Academy Charter School (HHPACS) will celebrate the Class of 2018 with an in-person commencement ceremony on Friday, June 8 in Pittsburgh. A tuition-free public high school, HHPACS offers under-credited students in Pennsylvania who have not been able to finish their high school education with a new opportunity to earn a diploma. Of this year's graduating class of 74 students, half will enter the fulltime workforce. Students also report having been accepted to a number of colleges and trade schools, including Pittsburgh Technical Institute, Brightwood Career Institute and the Community College of Allegheny County. At least two students will join the U.S. Armed Forces, and several graduates report having been awarded scholarships from local organizations. "Congratulations to the HHPACS Class of 2018, for reaching this incredible milestone," said Principal Bo Jackson. "Our students face many challenges, and reaching graduation is an inspiration to all those who will follow in your footsteps. It's gratifying to know that our blended model of online learning and in-person instruction an resources has equipped you to succeed here and beyond."



The school's blended learning model allows students to move through the curriculum and balance other demands and responsibilities such as work, internships and family. Students are required to attend three hours of in-person learning each day, taught by Pennsylvania-licensed teachers at the school's Pittsburgh campus. Classes are offered in mornings, afternoons and evenings, with independent study completed online each day. In addition to the school's academic program, HHPACS offers support services such as career counseling, mentoring, social service referrals, internship opportunities, post-secondary education planning and personal finance counseling.

Pittsburgh community leader and author Brian Burley will deliver the keynote address. Mr. Burley is the author of YNGBLKPGH, and is nationally recognized for his work to promote a positive narrative about and in support of the city's youth and the next generation of Black Pittsburgh. In addition to Mr. Burley, eight graduating students will also speak at graduation. Details of the ceremony are as follows: WHAT: Hill House Passport Academy 2018 Graduation Ceremony

WHEN: Friday, June 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, 4141 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 About Hill House Passport Academy Charter School Hill House Passport Academy Charter School (HHPACS) is an accredited, tuition-free Pittsburgh public charter school for under-credited students. Through HHPACS, students have access to the curriculum provided by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's leading provider of K-12 proprietary curriculum and online education programs. For more information about HHPACS, visit hhpa.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006329/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] L&T Technology Services Integrates Smart City, Campus & Building Solution with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and New Azure IoT Capabilities in North America

L&T Technology Services Limited (NSE: LTTS), a pioneering global industrial and engineering, research & development solutions company with a technology driven Systems Integration practice, today announced new Smart City, Campus & Building Solutions integrations with Microsoft (News - Alert) Dynamics 365 for Field Service for its enterprise customers. L&T Technology Services' Smart City, Campus & Building Solutions i-BEMS provides Energy Management, Sustainability, Cloud based Space Occupancy & Asset Utilization and Performance Management. The solution leverages Microsoft Azure IoT platform, including new capabilities announced today, and connects with Dynamics 365 for Field Service to enable real-time optimization and improve ROI and employee productivity for Facility Management and Operations. Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Field Service is an agile, end-to-end software platform supporting all phases of field service management by harnessing technologies on Mobility, Cloud, and Big Data Analytics. In 2017, LTTS expanded its relationship with Microsoft for Smart City, Campus & Building (SCCB) solutions based on Microsoft Azure. This alliance helps drive innovation for campuses of the future and has led to additional global enterprise wins in the Smart Occupancy & Spaces segment for both companies. With the new capabilities powered by Dynamics 365 for FieldService, i-BEMS can show a building occupant what rooms are occupied, a building operator work orders and cases, and trigger work order tickets to a mobile app, enabling real-time action by facility management teams, including security guard dispatch, janitorial services scheduling, and any other service relying upon occupancy data.



Amit Chadha, President, Sales & Business Development and Member of the Board, L&T Technology Services Limited, said, "LTTS is committed to helping enterprises optimize their smart building and spaces operations. Through our partnership with Microsoft, we intend to leverage the Azure cloud platform to deliver these capabilities & additionally take advantage of integration with their Dynamics 365 for Field Service application to enable real-time notifications and related workflow for Facility Management and Operations. We understand that enterprises now seek digital engineering solutions that go beyond asset tracking and performance management. Our partnership with Microsoft will deliver both Azure AI and Dynamics 365 integrations to make virtually every alert actionable, and generate faster RoI for our enterprise customers." Rimes Mortimer, General Manager of Applied Innovation (News - Alert) at Microsoft Digital said, "LTTS is an Azure partner that truly understands how to combine our Azure cloud platform with finished business applications like Dynamics 365 for Field Service to create real-time impact. They fundamentally understand how to innovate with Microsoft products through personalized user experiences, and they share our vision of improving energy usage and creating more efficient use of spaces in this new era of connected Smart Cities, Campuses & Buildings."

By 2021, the global Smart Campus & Building market size is expected to grow from USD 5.73 Billion in 2016 to USD 24.73 Billion, at CAGR of 34 percent during 2016-2021, according to research firm Markets & Markets. The i-BEMS solution will also boost employee productivity, experience and enterprise RoI on Azure. Going forward, LTTS will continue to work with Microsoft to empower customers to transform their organizations by harnessing new technologies like i-BEMS, Azure IoT, and Dynamics 365. To know more about the global alliance between L&T Technology Services and Microsoft please visit: http://www.lnttechservices.com/about-us/alliances/microsoft About L&T Technology Services Limited: L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS) is a listed subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro Limited focused on Engineering and R&D (ER&D) services. We offer consultancy, design, development and testing services across the product and process development life cycle. Our customer base includes 52 Fortune 500 companies and 48 of the world's top ER&D companies, across industrial products, medical devices, transportation, telecom & hi-tech, and the process industries. Headquartered in India, we have around 12,300 employees spread across 16 global design centers, 27 global sales offices and 39 innovation labs as of March 31, 2018. For additional information about L&T Technology Services log on to www.LntTechservices.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006226/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Florida Cyber Charter Academy to Hold Commencement Ceremony June 8

Florida Cyber Charter Academy (FLCCA) will celebrate the Class of 2018 at their commencement ceremony on Friday, June 8 at the Renaissance at SeaWorld hotel in Orlando. An online public school option for students in grades K-12, FLCCA is available tuition-free to students across the state. FLCCA graduates earn their high school diplomas as they explore their interests in a virtual learning environment. Following graduation, the 48 members of the FLCCA Class of 2018 will enroll in two- and four-year colleges and universities or enter the full-time workforce. Members of the class report having been accepted to a number of higher education institutions, including Florida Atlantic University, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Keiser University, Miami Dade College, and a number of community and technical colleges. State Senator Dennis Baxley, a strong supporter of school choice, ill give the keynote address.



"We're excited about the personalized education that is expanding throughout the State of Florida," said Senator Baxley. "It's a pleasure to celebrate individual success with these graduates." FLCCA students access a robust online curriculum in the core subjects and a host of electives, and attend live virtual classes taught by state-licensed teachers. FLCCA also offers student clubs, field trips, social outings and community service opportunities to foster a sense of school community, such as this week's graduation celebration.

In addition to the keynote address from Senator Baxley, the program will include special presentations by FLCCA students and staff, and a celebration of the 2018 kindergarten graduates. School leadership, as well as graduating seniors are available for media interviews. Details of the graduation ceremony are as follows: WHAT: Florida Cyber Charter Academy 2018 Graduation Ceremony

WHEN: Friday, June 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Renaissance at SeaWorld, 6677 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32821 About Florida Cyber Charter Academy Florida Cyber Charter Academy (FLCCA) is a full-time, online public school available to students in grades K-12. As part of the Florida public school system, enrollment in FLCCA is tuition-free for Florida students, giving parents and families the choice to access the engaging curriculum and tools provided by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's leading provider of proprietary K-12 curriculum and online education programs. For more information about FLCCA, visit flcca.k12.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006327/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Pikes Peak Online School to Celebrate Third Graduating Class

Pikes Peak Online School (PPOS), an accredited, full-time online public school, will celebrate its third graduating class with an in-person commencement ceremony on Friday, June 8, at 10 a.m. at the Auraria Higher Education Center in Denver. Colorado state senate majority leader Chris Holbert will deliver the keynote address. "Congratulations to the Pikes Peak Online School Class of 2018," Senator Holbert said. "These students have worked hard to overcome obstacles to get where they are today. They should be extremely proud to reach this significant milestone." A school-record 111 students will graduate from PPOS, whose comprehensive education approach focuses on providing struggling students statewide in grades 9-12 with the academic, social and emotional support needed to reach graduation. In the event that a student is deficient in course credit, the school's extensive credit recovery courses allow a student to get back on track for a successful graduation. Students and teachers work together to develop an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP), which often expands beyond academic objectives to include post-secondary goals for college or a career. In addition, the online curriclum is bolstered by a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program, as well as a family support team to help students achieve success both academically and personally.



The PPOS Class of 2018 valedictorian is Maya Nott and the salutatorian is Justin Perry. Both students will address their classmates and share their stories of what they have overcome to reach graduation. Nott suffered a concussion with head trauma in 2015, leading to chronic migraines; PPOS allowed her to complete her schoolwork when she was feeling well. Perry has overcome several serious accidents, including a car crash caused by a drunk driver. K12 director of school improvement and support Mandral Blackmon will also deliver remarks to the graduating class. Students choose online school for a variety of reasons, including a safe learning environment, advanced learning options and the ability to support extracurricular pursuits or medical needs.

Media is welcome to attend graduation. Details are as follows: Pikes Peak Online School Graduation Ceremony

Friday, June 8, 2018 - 10 a.m.

Auraria Higher Education Center

Kenneth King Academic & Performing Arts Center

Concert Hall Room 145

855 Lawrence Way

Denver, CO 80204 PPOS head of school Nicole Tiley and graduating seniors will be available for interviews. About Pikes Peak Online School Pikes Peak Online School (PPOS) is an accredited, full-time online public school program of the Colorado Digital Board of Cooperative Education Services that serves Colorado students in grades 9-12. As part of the Colorado public school system, PPOS is tuition-free, giving parents and families the choice to access the curriculum provided by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's leading provider of K-12 proprietary curriculum and online education programs. For more information about PPOS, visit http://ppos.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006313/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP Announces Investigation on Behalf of Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. Investors (ANW)

Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces that it has commenced an investigation on behalf of Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. ("Aegean" or the "Company) (NYSE: ANW) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of federal securities laws.

To obtain information or aid in the investigation, please visit the Aegean page on our website at www.glancylaw.com/case/aegean-marine-petroleum-network-inc.







On June 4, 2018, Aegean announced, following an internal review, that the Company's Audit Committee "believes that approximately $200 million of accounts receivable at December 31, 2017 will need to be written off" because certain transactions "may have been, in full or in part, without economic substance and improperly accounted for in contravention of the Company's normal policies and procedures."

On this news, Aegean's share price fell more than 70% on June 5, 2018, thereby injuring investors.

Follow us for updates on Twitter (News - Alert) : twitter.com/GPM_LLP.

If you purchased Aegean securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Lesley Portnoy, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com, or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006542/en/[June 05, 2018] HashiCorp Delivers Day-Zero Support for New AWS Kubernetes Service with Terraform

SAN FRANCISCO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HashiCorp, a leader in cloud automation software, today announced day-zero support for the new AWS Elastic Container Service for Kubernetes (EKS) with HashiCorp Terraform.

EKS is the newest managed service offered by AWS and will allow users to create Kubernetes clusters and incorporate other AWS services, like auto-scaling, without the large amounts of manual configurations previously required. HashiCorp has updated the existing Terraform AWS provider so that users can provision the AWS EKS service by defining it as a dedicated resource within their configuration files. Customers use Terraform to provide a consistent provisioning workflow across AWS and other environments. Terraform support for AWS EKS means users bring Kubernetes on AWS into their IT infrastructure faster and more easily, following the standard provisioning workflows that the operations teams already know. Containers are the most important element of our application platform right now. We feel EKS provides a great option as a managed Kubernetes environment on AWS, but we did need a consistent way to provision across our infrastructure, which also extends to include other technologies, said Chris Jackson, director of cloud platforms at Pearson, a learning company with expertise in educational courseware and assessment, and a range of teaching and learning services powered by technology. We use HashiCorp Terraform to provision the breadth of our public cloud infrastructure fleet and the immediate support for EKS within Terraform will allow us to migrate our teams to managed services faster and allow us to focus on new ares of value for our internal developer teams sooner.



We know our customers are excited to start using EKS, said Burzin Patel, VP of alliances at HashiCorp. It was important to us to ensure they would have the ability to integrate this new service into their existing Terraform workflows as soon as AWS released it. HashiCorp engineering worked in close partnership with AWS to update and test the Terraform AWS provider to support this new service on day zero. Availability

Both EKS and Terraform support for EKS are generally available today. HashiCorp is a member of the Advanced tier of the AWS Partner Network, and offers Terraform integrations for hundreds of AWS services, as well as support for other HashiCorp products on AWS, including HashiCorp Vault, HashiCorp Consul, and HashiCorp Nomad.

Additional Resources About AWS Elastic Container Service for Kubernetes https://aws.amazon.com/eks/

HashiCorp Blog: HashiCorp Announces Terraform Support for Kubernetes Service on AWS https://www.hashicorp.com/blog/hashicorp-announces-terraform-support-aws-kubernetes

HashiCorp Terraform Beyond the Basics with AWS https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/apn/terraform-beyond-the-basics-with-aws/

About the HashiCorp Terraform AWS Provider and Supported Services https://www.terraform.io/docs/providers/aws/index.html About HashiCorp

HashiCorp is a cloud infrastructure automation company that enables organizations to adopt consistent workflows to provision, secure, connect, and run any infrastructure for any application. HashiCorp open source tools Vagrant, Packer, Terraform, Vault, Consul, and Nomad are downloaded thousands of times per day and are broadly adopted by the Global 2000. Enterprise versions of these products enhance the open source tools with features that promote collaboration, operations, governance, and multi-data center functionality. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by Mayfield, GGV Capital, Redpoint, and True Ventures. For more information, visit https://www.hashicorp.com or follow HashiCorp on Twitter @HashiCorp. Media and Analyst Contact:

Amber Rowland

amber@therowlandagency.com

+1-650-814-4560

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Australian Infrastructure Provider Ventia Selects OrbiWise's OrbiWAN[TM] Network Server for LoRaWAN[TM] to Power Their LPWAN Network

SYDNEY and GENEVA, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- OrbiWise SA, a leading supplier of LoRaWAN Solutions for Internet of Things (IoT), is delighted to announce that it has been chosen by Ventia, one of Australasia's largest infrastructure service providers to supply its OrbiWAN Network Server for LoRaWAN[TM] (LoRaWAN[TM] Network Server - LNS). Ventia's IoT business, Vianet, provides end-to-end solutions to the infrastructure market including water and waste water network monitoring, facilities management, environmental monitoring, smart city solutions and asset monitoring for roads, telecommunications and related industries. Through its Network based on LoRaWAN[TM], Vianet offers affordable, reliable, long-range coverage and supports the operation of very low-power devices for asset intensive businesses in Australia and New Zealand. To help manage its Network based on LoRaWAN[TM], Ventia has partnered with OrbiWise and will utilize its industry leading OrbiWAN[TM] Network Server after a comprehensive evaluation of other LoRaWAN[TM] Network Server Solutions. OrbiWAN[TM] provides the "brains" to view and manage the LoRaWAN[TM] Network's devices, gateways and interfaces to ensure the complete and secure delivery of a device's data to and from the appropriate customer. "We are very pleased to appoint Orbiwise as our preferred network server. We selected Orbiwise not only because of the technical capabilities and robust architecture of their OrbiWAN[TM] platform but also the spirit of partnership that the Orbiwise team bring to the table", said Arjun Narang, General Manager of Vianet, Ventia. OrbiWise SA, the creator of ObiWAN[TM], is a leading supplier of LoRaWAN Solutions for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. OrbiWise's growing staff has considerable experience in wireless and communications software and hardware, allowing the organization to grow into the forefront of the IoT industry.



"We are proud to work with Ventia as they use our OrbiWAN[TM] technology in their infrastructure management and smart-city projects across Australia. We believe the Vianet Team has the broad experience and deep competence, from both a technical and a business point view, required to succeed in the emerging IoT industry" said Domenico Arpaia, CEO of OrbiWise. Both OrbiWise and Ventia are proud Contributor Members of the LoRa Alliance[TM], a global association of companies working to advance LoRa[TM] technology.

OrbiWise SA is a leading international solution provider for LPWA IoT networks based on LoRaWAN technology. OrbiWise's customers deploy LPWA networks in smart city, precise agriculture and industrial applications - amongst others. OrbiWise's OrbiWAN[TM] Network Server for LoRaWAN[TM] (LNS) Solution is an industry-leading product that provides the intelligence to run, maintain and observe the operations of LoRaWAN Networks. The company is headquartered in Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland with additional offices in Mumbai, India, Macedonia and Atlanta, Georgia, USA. For more information: http://www.orbiwise.com About Ventia & Vianet

Ventia is a services company created in 2015 through the integration of Leighton Contractors Services, Thiess Services and Visionstream. Formed by a 50/50 investment partnership between CIMIC and funds managed by Affiliates of Apollo Global Management. Ventia is one of the largest dedicated infrastructure service providers in Australasia. Ventia's Vianet business helps clients leverage low powered wide area (LPWA) network technologies to solve business problems, leading the charge in exploring the application of LPWA technologies to asset intensive businesses in Australia and New Zealand. For more information: http://www.ventia.com.au & http://www.ventia.com/capabilities/vianet-solutions. About the LoRa Alliance

The LoRa Alliance is an open, non-profit association of members that believe the internet of things era is now. Their mission is to standardize Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) being deployed around the world to enable Internet of Things (IoT), machine-to-machine (M2M), and smart city, and industrial applications. The Alliance members will collaborate to drive the global success of the LoRa protocol (LoRaWAN), by sharing knowledge and experience to guarantee interoperability between operators in one open global standard. For more information: http://lora-alliance.org LoRa and LoRaWAN are trademarks of Semtech Corporation.

Contact:

Scott Kubes

Head of Business Development & Sales - Americas, Australia & New Zealand

scott.kubes@orbiwise.com

+1-678-646-3237 SOURCE OrbiWise

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Panopto And Matrox Introduce Jointly Developed Media Capture Appliance

SEATTLE, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Panopto, a leading video platform provider for businesses and universities, and Matrox, a global manufacturer of reliable, high-quality encoder cards, appliances, and software, today announced the forthcoming release of a new Panopto-certified media capture appliance. Purpose-built for the Panopto video platform, the new Matrox Maevex 6020 Remote Recorder supports best-in-class video recording and live streaming in a compact, turnkey form factor. In recent years, businesses and universities have expanded their AV infrastructure to provide video recording and streaming capabilities in more classrooms and conference rooms. To scale effectively, these organizations increasingly require video capture solutions that can be installed easily by in-house staff and that take up minimal space in the room. In response to this growing demand, Panopto and Matrox engineering teams jointly developed the Maevex 6020. With a compact form factor, low power usage, and whisper-quiet operation, the appliance is ideal for organizations looking for broadcast-quality video recording and streaming at an affordable price point. By simply connecting the appliance to the network and plugging in video sources, businesses and universities can: Capture live and on-demand video: An intuitive, web-based dashboard enables the scheduling of video recordings and live broadcasts from anywhere. Customers can also control, schedule and monitor recordings from their phone using the Remote Control capability in Panopto for iOS and Android.

An intuitive, web-based dashboard enables the scheduling of video recordings and live broadcasts from anywhere. Customers can also control, schedule and monitor recordings from their phone using the capability in Panopto for iOS and Android. Share videos to any device: All videos captured by the Maevex 6020 are automatically published to Panopto's video content management system, where they're encoded for on-demand playback on any device.

All videos captured by the Maevex 6020 are automatically published to Panopto's video content management system, where they're encoded for on-demand playback on any device. Search inside videos: Panopto's unique Smart Searchtechnology enables users to search inside videos and fast-forward to any word spoken or shown.



"Every classroom, conference room, and auditorium has unique logistical requirements, and we built Panopto to support infinite customization of the AV infrastructure in these learning spaces," said Eric Burns, co-founder and CEO of Panopto. "Regardless of the form factor or use case, our goal is to provide a best-in-class video capture solution. Through our partnership with Matrox, we're taking the next logical step in this strategy, working with an industry leader to provide a sleek, compact device that has the power and reliability of larger appliances at an affordable price point."

"Maevex technology is the latest in Matrox's line of realtime, multi-channel encoding solutions for the enterprise and education markets," said David Chiappini, vice president of research and development at Matrox. "When you combine the performance and ease-of-use of this technology with Panopto's video management and search capabilities, you get an industry-leading, end-to-end solution for video-based communications and learning in the cloud or on-premises." The Maevex 6020 remote recorder will be released this fall with full pricing details coming later this summer. For more information about the device, or to sign up to purchase the appliance, Panopto customers should contact their account executive. About Panopto

Panopto helps businesses and universities create searchable video libraries of their institutional knowledge. Since 2007, the company has been a pioneer in video capture software, video content management systems, and inside-video search technology. Today, Panopto's video platform is the largest repository of expert learning videos in the world. Headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Pittsburgh, London, Hong Kong, and Sydney, Panopto has received industry recognition for its innovation, rapid growth, and company culture. For more information, visit www.panopto.com. About Matrox Graphics Inc.

Matrox Graphics is a global manufacturer of reliable, high-quality ASICs, boards, appliances, and software. Backed by in-house design expertise and dedicated customer support, Matrox products deliver stellar capture, extension, distribution, and display. Engineering high-quality products since 1976, Matrox technology is trusted by professionals and partners worldwide. Matrox is a privately held company headquartered in Montreal, Canada. For more information, visit www.matrox.com/graphics. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/panopto-and-matrox-introduce-jointly-developed-media-capture-appliance-300660313.html SOURCE Panopto

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Paramount Software Solutions Receives The New ISO 9001:2015 Certification

ALPHARETTA, Ga., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Software Solutions, one of Georgia's leading and proven IT Services firm providing world-class technical and IT recruiting solutions in public and the private sector in the US, has achieved the certification to the new ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System. This reflects the organization's consistent commitment to quality, transparency, and customer satisfaction, and the dedication towards implementing the best practices required to adhere to the same. The certification process was audited by external firm DNV GL  Business Assurance, before recommending Paramount for the certification process. ISO 9001 is the most widely used quality management standard and has recently undergone a periodic update to better reflect modern business challenges. Last modified in 2008, the new 2015 version of ISO 9001 is the result of input from business and technical experts around the world. The program requires the active involvement of senior management, broader understanding of supply chains, and more focus on stakeholder (not just customer) expectations. "Paramount's focus has always been focused on providing high-quality services to its customers, and we are extremely proud of this commitment to quality," said Pramod Sajja, President & CEO, Paramount Software Solutions. "The ISO certification is a huge milestone for us because it allows us to make our quality commitment more credible, and allows us to publicly communicate our dedication to excellence in our services. It's a credible symbol that our stakeholders will value and can depend on."



Paramount introduced processes in functions like HR, Sales, Proposal Development, Marketing, Recruiting, and Project Management that were as per the ISO 9001: 2015 standards. The team in Paramount's Alpharetta headquarters received intensive training to understand the processes and alignment with the standards, to be able to provide the best of services to its existing and potential customers. Paramount would dedicatedly focus on abiding by the standards to be able consistently to meet the standards set by ISO. About Paramount Software Solutions

Founded in 1997, Paramount Software Solutions is headquartered in Alpharetta, GA, and offers technical and IT recruiting solutions & services in the commercial and public sector. Paramount has developed time-tested methodologies in its dynamic approach towards its solutions offerings that ensure high quality client deliverables. Paramount has been the recipient of many prestigious recognitions, including the INC.5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America, Best and The Brightest Companies to Work for  Atlanta & National, Fast 100 Asian American Companies (US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce), Atlanta Business Chronicle's Best Places to Work and many more. The company has over 200 employees based in the United States, with a diverse range of technical specializations. For more information visit www.paramountsoft.net.

For more information, contact -

Mahua Chatterjee, Marketing Communications I Paramount Software Solutions I P: 770.857.8348 I email : mahua@paramountsoft.net View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paramount-software-solutions-receives-the-new-iso-90012015-certification-300660349.html SOURCE Paramount Software Solutions

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] Hagens Berman and The Armenta Law Firm: Judge Sides with Survivors Against The Weinstein Company as Court Grants Motion to Lift Stay

Today, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Mary F. Walrath granted a motion to lift an automatic stay on pending litigation brought by victims of Harvey Weinstein's systemic sexual harassment and cover-ups, according to attorneys at Hagens Berman and The Armenta Law Firm representing the proposed class of actresses and other survivors. "We are incredibly pleased with the court's decision to lift the stay, allowing our cases against The Weinstein Company to proceed," said Elizabeth Fegan, a partner at Hagens Berman representing the proposed class. "This is a great day for the countless women who were victimized by Harvey Weinstein, and brings them one step closer to justice." "We look forward to continuing these cases in federal court and uncovering the vast web of cover-ups and collusion that allowed and perpetuated Harvey Weinstein's actions," Fegan added. In bankruptcy proceedings, pending litigation against companies filing for Chapter 11 is automatically stayed. In order to have the stay lifted, the court must agree that there is a likelihood of success of the case based on its merits, according to attorneys. In the defendants' objection to lifting the stay, The Weinstein Company (TWC) argued it was not liable for providing relief to the women bringing the class-action lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein, his companies and other defendants. During today's hearing, Judge Walrath sided with the women, highlighting that Weinstein's employment contract spelled out set amounts-increasing with each incident to $1 million for all incidents beyond the third-which Weinstein would be required to pay the company each time he was sued for violating the company code of conduct. Judge Walrath ruled that the victims had made sufficient showing of likelihood of success. The bankruptcy judge also stated that it will not be up her to liquidate the claims. The claims will now be handled by Judge Hellerstein in federal court, which will be the next stage. Currently there are nine motions to dismiss filed by TWC and the rest of the defendants. Plaintiffs responded to those motions, and defendants have until June 29, 2018, to reply before Judge Hellerstein decides the motions to ismiss. According to the case's filings, Hellerstein "expressed doubt" that he would grant defendants' motions to dismiss.



If you were assaulted by Harvey Weinstein, find out more about the lawsuit. Hagens Berman's attorneys achieved a nationwide sexual harassment settlement on behalf of 16,000 women and also tried the first ever sexual harassment case in Washington state in 1985. In the most recent lawsuit, filed June 1, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the plaintiffs state they were lured by Miramax or TWC employees and isolated with Weinstein in his office and hotel rooms to discuss involvement in a project. The suit highlights that at all times, Weinstein's victims and those who met to discuss projects or audition for him "operated under duress and the threat of being blacklisted" by Weinstein and major producers at Miramax if they refused, or spoke up.

The lawsuits seek retribution for class members' loss of work opportunities and devastating damage to their careers, the damages for which can be tripled under RICO law. Plaintiffs also seek damages for the significant physical and emotional distress they endured then, and continue to endure now. Recent news headlines have brought these heinous acts to the forefront, and many victims have bravely stepped forward to tell their stories. Hagens Berman and The Armenta Law Firm continue the fight, working to help achieve justice for those who have been victim to sexual harassment, and affect systemic change throughout the industry. Tell us about your case. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, partnered in these cases with The Armenta Law Firm in California, is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with ten offices across the country. The firm has been named to the National Law Journal's Plaintiffs' Hot List eight times. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at https://www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006750/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ][June 05, 2018] On World Environment Day, The Travel Corporation Announces Commitment to Eliminate Single-Use Plastics by 2022

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In order to continue to ensure that the environment remains vibrant for generations to come, The Travel Corporation (TTC) today announced for World Environment Day that over the next five years it will phase out all single-use plastics from its extensive collection of award-winning travel and tourism companies. Under the guidance of its not-for-profit TreadRight Foundation, TTC created a "Multi-Year Plastics Elimination Strategy" that kicks off with an immediate ban of more than 60 types of single-use plastic items such as straws, stir sticks, water bottles, plastic bags, and cutlery from TTC's 40 global offices across its exceptional portfolio of brands. The single-use plastic ban at TTC offices is the first step in the group's journey toward complete elimination of single-use plastics across all operations, which will also include the phasing out of single-use plastics across its Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and U by Uniworld cruise ships, all Red Carnation Hotels, and all travel experiences. With 1.9 million travelers annually across the group, it is estimated that TTC's efforts have the potential to help eliminate the use of millions of plastic water bottles annually. The group began working towards the elimination of avoidable plastic waste more than a year ago, when its Toronto, Canada office took the first important step of banning single-use plastics and replacing them with viable alternatives. That action was soon followed by Red Carnation and Uniworld, who soon eliminated the purchase of all plastic straws and related single-use plastic items from their 17 properties and 20 ships. "We are absolutely committed to doing our part to eliminate avoidable plastic waste and making a positive impact in the communities that we live in and visit," says Brett Tollman, chief executive, TTC and co-founder of The TreadRight Foundation. "As a group with offices in more than 15 countries and operating in 70 countries around the world, we recognize the need to do our part to ensure that we do not further contribute to this planetary crisis. We are also encouraging our more tha 10,000 team members to join us in this fight by reducing the use and consumption of products contained or served in plastic in their daily lives as well. We hope this sets a meaningful example to other businesses to join the movement in working to stop the scourge of plastics on a global scale."



It is estimated that 8.8 million tons of plastic pour into our oceans every year, in addition to the more than five trillion pieces of plastic estimated to already be littering the oceans at this moment. The larger pieces of plastic injure, impair, and kill wildlife, while the disintegration of plastic debris and the manufacturing of microbeads are wholly poisoning marine ecosystems. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, if nothing is done to push back against the deluge of plastics currently overwhelming our oceans, there could be more plastic in the oceans than fish by the year 2050. "Plastics are a clear and present danger to the future of our planet," says Celine Cousteau, TreadRight ambassador. "TTC's commitment to the elimination of single-use plastics across the group inspires hope in the face of a massive adversary and signals to the industry the important role travel and tourism organizations must play in combatting the problem of plastics."

The new plastics elimination initiative furthers TTC's continuing sustainability journey, which includes the founding and support of The TreadRight Foundation, led by sustainability luminaries including Costas Christ and Celine Cousteau, and its 50-plus sustainability projects around the world. TTC's commitment to measure and monitor its environmental impact began with the development and adoption of a Corporate Social Responsibility strategy in 2013. Since then, TTC employees have logged more than 20,000 volunteer hours on projects that include beach clean-ups of plastic waste. The company also invested heavily in and introduced an e-document system to replace paper forms in plastic packaging for our guests, while committing to plant a tree for each guest that opts for e-documents. This is in addition to initiatives that improve our offices' environmental commitment, including the use of smart technology such as geothermal energy systems, smart cooling for data centers, and numerous other efforts. In 2017, TTC was a Diamond Sponsor of the UN International Year of Sustainable Development for Tourism in support of their Sustainable Development Goals. TreadRight's award-winning sustainability efforts have included wildlife-friendly tourism initiatives, working tirelessly to stem wildlife crime, providing support for social enterprises in Peru, Canada, Italy, Laos, Greece and Jordan, and supporting clean-ups from Auckland to Anaheim. TTC continues to be an engaged associate member of the UNWTO and an active member of WTTC so it can continue to learn and share best practices across the travel industry. For more details, please visit TreadRight.org.

Join TreadRight's social media community on Facebook or Twitter

and follow the conversation using the hashtag #LetsTreadRight About The TreadRight Foundation

Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation's (TTC) family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported some 50 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The Foundation's guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders Celine Cousteau and Costas Christ. Past project partners include WWF, Conservation International, WildAid, The Travel Foundation and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include supporting various women's social enterprises through the Artisan Alliance, the recently announced Wildlife Conservation Society's Big Cat fund, WE.org and inspiring nature advocates like Celine Cousteau and Terri Irwin. To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/on-world-environment-day-the-travel-corporation-announces-commitment-to-eliminate-single-use-plastics-by-2022-300660466.html SOURCE The Travel Corporation

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]The thinnest ThinkPad yet couples a sleek design with a vibrant display, but thin and portable comes at a cost.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga specs Price: ~$2,000

Display: 13.5-inch 2K display ((2,256 x 1,504 pixels)

Processor: Intel Core i5-1130G7

Graphics: Intel Iris Xe (integrated)

RAM: 16GB

Storage: 512GB SSD

Accessories: Lenovo Precision Pen

Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4, 3.5mm audio jack

Size: 11.71 x 9.16 x 0.45 inches

Weight: 2.5 pounds

Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is a study in compromise. At a scant 0.45 inches thick it's the thinnest member of the ThinkPad family, but its also pricey, sacrifices ports, and lacks the staying power you'll find in marginally beefier machines. But maybe that's okay: the bright, 13.5-inch 2K display and sleek, ultraportable chassis makes it a strong contender for meeting your business-machine needs.

It doesn't come cheap, though. If you can't find a good discount, this laptop can cost you over $2,000. And the X1 Titanium Yoga is stacked up against competitors that can offer just as much (and usually more), for less.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Price and configuration options

Expect to pay between $1,200 - $2,500

Precision Pen stylus included with all configurations

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is available right now on Lenovo's website, as well as at select retailers. The configuration I reviewed is priced at $2,021 (at the time of writing, after instant savings). Its equipped with an Intel Core i5-1130G7 CPU, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD.

The base model is (at time of writing) discounted down to just over $1,200, and offers half as much RAM and storage. The most expensive preconfigured variant, at $2,300, bumps the CPU up to a Core-i7 1180G7 and doubles the storage to 1TB.

All models include Lenovo's Precision Pen, and the same 13.5-inch 2K (2,256 x 1,504 pixel resolution) display.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Design

Simple, functional design

Weak hinge can lead to screen bouncing while typing

The X1 Titanium Yoga gets its namesake from the titanium and carbon fiber lid of the casing; the underside case material is a magnesium-aluminum alloy. The material selection lends the chassis strength without packing on too much weight. It's light, at just 2.5 pounds, but not much more so than competing models like the Dell XPS 13 (2.9 pounds) or the HP Elite Dragonfly (2.5 pounds).

(Image credit: Future)

I appreciate the X1 Titanium Yoga's simplicity. It feels like a ThinkPad, built for business without much in the way of accents or aesthetic flourishes. Which isn't to say it's unattractive: the slim silhouette and titanium shell lend it a sleek gravitas. The iconic red Thinkpoint nub and the red LED above the "I" in ThinkPad on the lid are a nod to its heritage, and security considerations like the shutter for the webcam and the integrated fingerprint reader show its business-first focus. Even the Function row at the top of the keyboard says "ready to work," with its lack of media playback controls, but dedicated buttons for answering and ending VOIP calls.

(Image credit: Future)

The thin-and-light chassis is rigid, resisting attempts to bend or flex. The display's hinge isnt as stable as Id like though, as the screen has a tendency to bounce while Im typing. It's simple enough to find a sweet spot to tilt the display back to, or work on a desk, but thats not the sort of thing I want to think about while getting things done.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Ports

2 Thunderbolt 4 ports!

...and not much else

(Image credit: Future)

The paucity of ports available here isn't surprising given the slim size of the X1 Titanium Yoga. There are two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the left, and a 3.5mm jack, power button, and Kensington Nano Security Lock on the right. Bluetooth 5.1 and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) connectivity is also included.

(Image credit: Future)

The power button on the right feels like a missed opportunity; I'd love to see it integrated into the fingerprint reader that sits up above the keyboard, akin to machines like Dells XPS 13, to leave a bit of room for something more useful.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Display

Vibrant colors, even at extreme viewing angles

Bright enough to use indoors and out

The 13.5-inch display showed an average brightness of 425 nits in our testing. It's readily visible in direct sunlight, and while reflections are an unavoidable fact of physics, they were never so problematic as to make the screen unreadable when I took my testing outdoors.

The display is Dolby Vision certified, which promises livelier imagery by boosting brightness and increasing the color gamut. It doesn't disappoint: I spent a chunk of my time with the machine doing some light photo editing and watching the occasional nature documentary on Netflix, and colors were admirably vibrant, even at extreme angles.

(Image credit: Future)

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Keyboard, Touchpad, and Lenovo Precision Pen

Keyboard feels spacious, comfy, and quiet to type on

Stylus works well, but slips loose easily due to a weak magnet

The keyboard feels good. The bulk of the keys are spacious, offering generous travel and a soft, quiet typing experience. The narrow touchpad is a bit finicky out of the box; I had to duck into the settings to adjust the sensitivity and palm rejection to my liking.

(Image credit: Future)

Lenovo's signature TrackPoint nub also makes its requisite appearance. I've never figured out how to use it effectively, and the doubled set of trackpad buttons takes up room that might have been used for a larger mousepad, or literally anything else. But I'm sure it's appreciated by ThinkPad aficionados.

(Image credit: Future)

Finally, there's the Lenovo Precision Pen. It offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, and while I lack the creative chops to weigh its merits as a drawing implement, it works well for handwritten notes. The Yoga's 360-degree hinge is especially useful here, as folding the machine into tablet mode feels far more expedient than either my Surface Book or my iPad Pro  with those devices, I never know what to do with the keyboard.

However, the magnet that keeps the Pen affixed to the side of the display isn't nearly as strong as it needs to be; I constantly found myself fishing through my bag to figure out where it had gotten to, while the styli on my other devices held on just fine.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Audio

Satisfying bass, even at high volume

Dolby Atmos-certified content sounds great

The X1 Titanium Yoga's Dolby Atmos-certified speakers are impressive  especially if you're playing the right content. Its tiny tweeters are loud enough to fill a room with sound, with satisfying bass that doesn't get distorted when the audio is cranked up.

Speakers shine when fed Dolby Atmos-certified content, creating a rich, immersive soundscape. I'm a sucker for nature documentaries, and watching the Our Planet series on Netflix is a real treat when the vibrant display is coupled with quality speakers tuned for the experience.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Performance

Unimpressive CPU performance and file transfer speeds

Powerful enough for daily work, but not for serious gaming or photo editing

The X1 Titanium Yoga scored an average of 4,747 on the Geekbench 5.3 multicore CPU performance test. That puts it behind the bulk of the competition: the 11th-gen Dell XPS 13 and HP Spectre x360 14, for example, scored 5,254 and 4,937, respectively. The disparity isn't too surprising, as both of those machines are equipped with Intel Core i7 CPUs, giving them an edge on this multicore general performance test.

(Image credit: Future)

The X1 Titanium Yoga's 512GB SSD eked out a transfer rate of 409 MBps on our file duplication test, which tasks it with replicating 25 GB of multimedia files. Doing so at a rate of 409 MBPs is unimpressive; the aforementioned HP Spectre x360 14, for example, scored 764MBps on the same test.

(Image credit: Future)

Anecdotally, the X1 Titanium Yoga held up well during my usage, which largely consisted of writing, browsing the web with Microsoft Edge, streaming music through Spotify, and importing, culling, and syncing photos with Adobe Lightroom CC.

The Core i5 CPU started to struggle whenever I attempted serious photo editing, and graphically intensive games are going to be beyond this PC. As part of our lab testing, we tasked the X1 Titanium Yoga with running the graphics benchmark in Sid Meier's Civilization 6: Gathering Storm, a moderately intensive 3D game that's a couple years old. Running at native resolution (2,256 x 1,504) the X1 Titanium Yoga could only manage an average of 14 frames per second; even when we bumped it down to 1080p it still achieved just 16 fps in the Civ 6 benchmark.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Battery life

Lasts nearly 10 hours on a full charge

But realistically, expect 5-6 hours of life under heavy use

The X1 Titanium Yoga last for 9 hours and 58 minutes on our automated battery test, shy of the advertised 11.7 hours. I eked out an average of about 5 to 6 hours before I reached for a power cord under heavier workloads, particularly when editing photos with the display at maximum brightness.

It's easy enough to make it through a full workday with time to spare, but the competition is tough to beat. The $1,259 (as reviewed) 11th-gen Dell XPS 13 lasted for 11 hours and 7 minutes. The $1,669.99 (as reviewed) HP Spectre x360 14 lasted for 12 hours, while the $2,258 (as reviewed) HP Elite Dragonfly lasted for 12 hours and 25 minutes.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Webcam

720p webcam leaves much to be desired

Delivers grainy, desaturated video

The 720p webcam feels out of place for a premium business device that's ostensibly targeting video conference-obsessed offices. Video is grainy, with dull, desaturated colors that left me looking lifeless.

There are plenty of external webcam options available, but losing one of the precious few ports to a webcam, or opting for an external dock, erodes the machine's inherent portability.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Heat

Laptop gets warm with use, but never uncomfortable

This 2-in-1 has no trouble dissipating heat; while watching videos, or streaming music through Spotify and editing photos, I could feel a bit of warmth seeping out of the base if I went looking for it; it was never very noticeable otherwise, and never uncomfortable.

In our testing (which involves streaming 15 minutes of HD video) the machine peaked at 93.6 degrees Fahrenheit on the keyboard tray, just above the Function row.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Software

No need to worry about bloatware

Webcam security features work well -- until you try to use it in bright light

The X1 Titanium Yoga is blissfully free of bloatware. A dedicated app for configuring the Precision Pen lets you choose the functionality of the top and side buttons, and set the desired pressure and tilt sensitivity levels. Lenovo's Commercial Vantage app monitors pending updates, and the manages the included security measures.

Some of these Intelligent Security options include using the webcam to detect a user's presence, automatically locking or unlocking the machine depending on your proximity to the device.

In my experience, it worked well enough until I went outside: in direct sunlight the webcam seemed to have trouble understanding whether I'd left machine or simply turned my head away to praise the dog or admonish the cat. I ended up turning these features off, but your mileage may vary.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review: Verdict

A remarkably thin and light laptop with good speakers and a great screen

Still, it's pricey and underperforms compared to the competition

The thinnest ThinkPad to date is an attractive, lightweight convertible, and packs enough oomph to get work done. But shaving off inches came at the cost of battery life, and premium materials inflates the price tag into the realm of competitors that offer more value for your dollar.

At this price, I'd consider Dell's XPS 13, which offers better performance and battery life for the price. If you've got your heart set on a 2-in-1 design, the HP Spectre x360 14 is another solid option thats only marginally thicker.

If youre on the hunt for a capable machine to meet your business needs and a svelte package outweighs cost, the ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is a compelling option  Id opt for a Core i7 CPU, and take a close look at adding the optional 4G or 5G modem. If youre on a stricter budget, competing models offer a great value without making so many sacrifices.Buy it. With all the right specs, a great display, sturdy metal build and unrivaled Android One software, the Nokia 6.1 is a sleeper hit that belongs on your radar.

The road back to relevancy has been a bumpy one for Nokia, but things finally look to be smoothing out. HMD Global, a company fronted by former executives of the Finnish phone maker, reintroduced the famed brand to the industry last year with new Android phones carrying the Nokia name.

Included in that initial rollout was the Nokia 6, an unremarkable midrange handset that found few fans because of a dated design and middling performance.

The new Nokia 6.1 ($269) rights many of its predecessor's missteps, while still managing to keep things affordable. The result is a phenomenally refined budget phone that easily qualifies as the best product Nokia has lent its name to in an eternity.

Price and Availability

The $269 Nokia 6.1 is a 5.5-inch unlocked phone that comes equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. That's the lone configuration of the device, and it comes in one color  a mix of matte-black aluminum with copper trim. The Nokia 6.1 is currently available from Best Buy and Amazon, and will only work on GSM carriers such as T-Mobile and AT&T.

Design: Bulky, but polished

During the years when Microsoft owned the Nokia name, Nokia phones were known for an iconic aesthetic marked by playful colors, unique materials and soft, rounded forms. None of HMD Global's handsets have inherited any of that flair, but the Nokia 6.1 still cleans up nicely, mostly due to its simplicity.

The chassis of the Nokia 6.1 was fashioned from a block of 6000-series aluminum, bathed in a matte-black coating and finished off with some copper accents lining its diamond-cut edges and camera housing. The fingerprint sensor, which had been located within the front bezel between a set of ancient-looking capacitive navigation keys on last year's Nokia 6, moves to the back. Nokia has even included NFC as part of the package  a rarity on sub-$300 phones, which typically lack the technology for tap-and-pay transactions.

All in all, for a cheaper device, the Nokia 6.1 is elegant and feels solidly built. However, it is still last year's model at heart, and that means the chunky bezels, sharp corners and 16:9 screen are still here to stay. The proportions are out of style, even if the attention to detail isn't.

Nokia has included NFC as part of the package, a rarity on sub-$300 phones.

Personally, I don't find that to be a deal breaker, nor do I think an 18:9 display is objectively better than a standard, wide-screen one. But if it's important to you to have a device that follows 2018's prevailing design trends, you should know that the Nokia 6.1 doesn't. For one, it's not as pocketable and easy to use one handed as the perfectly proportioned Moto G6.

Display: A stellar LCD screen

The 5.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD screen on the Nokia 6.1 is standard for this price range. But when a panel is as vibrant as the Nokia 6.1's, that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Nokia 6.1 doesn't offer a plethora of alternate color profiles or settings, but its display quality strikes an excellent balance between being realistic and saturated.

Whether it's the earthy, rustic storybook world of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh, or the bold primary hues of Incredibles 2, everything on the Nokia 6.1's display simply looks how it should. This was reflected in testing, where the device covered 142 percent of the sRGB color space. That's not bad at all for a budget LCD screen.

MORE: 11 Cheap Android Smartphones (Under $250) Ranked Best to Worst

You can expect accurate hues from the Nokia 6.1's panel, as the device turned in a Delta-E rating of 0.26 (numbers closer to zero are better). This is about as spot-on as any screen we've tested in any price category and is even a little better than the Moto G6's 0.39 result.

At a peak brightness of 450 nits, the Nokia 6.1's display surpasses both the $249 Moto G6 (at 413 nits), as well as the 433-nit smartphone average. But we've seen devices in this price range perform much better, like last year's Moto G5 Plus at 591 nits.

Camera: Decent performance, no frills

Nokia has steered clear of trendy, dual-camera tricks and AI-enabled image recognition in its latest budget phone. All owners get in the Nokia 6.1 is a 16-megapixel, f/2.0 lens for the back and an 8-MP, f/2.0 lens for the front.

That may not sound particularly flashy on paper, but special camera features in a device priced as low as this one rarely, if ever, impress. Where it counts, the cameras in Nokia's latest are pretty standard. They handle some scenes reasonably well, and others not so much.

Outdoors, the Nokia 6.1 favored warmer, softer shots on a sunny day in a park alongside the Delaware River. Compared to the Moto G6, the Nokia produced images with more lifelike hues, unlike the overly cool greens and blues displayed by Motorola's handset. However, the Nokia 6.1 couldn't adequately light the darker regions, and so the contrast could have benefited from a bit more balance between the shadows and highlights.

On the other hand, selfies seemed a tad more crisp on the Nokia 6.1. The Moto G6 opted for a much warmer tint here that I think looks a little more flattering, but it's hardly lifelike. Motorola's device also failed to rein in those highlights, particularly the rays on sunlight falling on the ground in the distance.

However, when it came time to test out the Nokia 6.1's low-light capabilities, the phone struggled. The Moto G6 did a much better job illuminating this dimly lit scene of a couple of vinyl figurines. Nokia's handset couldn't pick up the intensity of Pac Man's red shoes or Mega Man's metallic blue armor. You'll also notice some of that color bleeding into the rest of the frame, inelegantly mingling with the background.

MORE: Best Android Camera Apps - Take Better Pictures on Your Phone

None of these are bad photos per se, but the images shot by the Nokia 6.1 don't stand out in any appreciable way, either. The shortcomings always seem to be the same: the shadows are too dark and everything isn't quite as clear or in focus as it should be. The Nokia 6.1's cameras won't surprise you, but that's true of most smartphones at this price.

Performance: Powerful for the price

The Nokia 6.1 is powered by the same processor and RAM spec as the last Android One phone, the Moto X4 Android One. But whereas that phone launched at $399 (Google now offers the X4 at $249 when you join its Project Fi network), the Nokia costs $130 less.

That's pretty fantastic hardware for the price, and thankfully, performance feels just as speedy, despite the money you'd save. The Snapdragon 630 and 3GB of RAM in the Nokia 6.1 will hit their limit sooner than Qualcomm's top-of-the-line 845 platform, but unless you're a heavy gamer or are put off by app launching times that are fractions of a second longer, you aren't likely to notice a massive difference.

This is a phenomenally refined budget phone that easily qualifies as the best product Nokia has lent its name to in an eternity.

The less encouraging news is that even though there's no difference between the processor inside Nokia and Motorola's Android One-powered products, Nokia's fared worse during benchmarking. The 6.1 topped out at 3,784 in Geekbench 4, which measures overall system performance, while the X4 delivered 4,122. That's even inferior to the just-released Moto G6, which technically has a less capable 450-class processor, but still beat the 6.1 by about 200 points in the same test.

At least graphics performance was on par with the X4. In 3DMark's Ice Storm Unlimited benchmark, which targets lower-end phones, the Nokia 6.1 achieved 16,847. That barely edges the X4 at 16,815 and the even less impressive G6, making Nokia's latest the best-performing handset in graphics performance at its price.

Battery Life: Excellent

Inside the Nokia 6.1 is a 3,000-mAh battery, which doesn't sound particularly special in terms of capacity. However, the pack lasted long enough to turn in a very good 10 hours and 24 minutes in our Tom's Guide battery test, which streams websites until the phone shuts down on T-Mobile's LTE network.

MORE: 5 Ways to Improve Your Android Phone's Battery Life

That's not quite as good as the Moto X4's 11 hours and 41 minutes, let alone really long-lasting phones like the Moto E4 Plus, which miraculously chugged along for 14-and-a-half hours. But it is better than the $199 Honor 7X or Moto G6, which gave out at 9:21 and 9:25, respectively. The average smartphone lasts 9:50 on our test.

Additionally, the benefit of quick charging via USB-C means the Nokia 6.1 can reach 50 percent in just 30 minutes, using the stock adapter.

Software: Pixel-quality Android

Think of Android One as Pixel for the lower-priced market, similar to the Google Play Edition of popular flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One from years past. These devices are built by other companies, but they run unadulterated, current versions of Android. And that translates to the kind of software experience you'd expect from much more expensive Pixel phones, but on handsets costing a fraction of the price.

Put another way, there's very little to say about inexpensive phones that run Google's Android One software. And they're better for it.

So many less powerful devices would benefit from running lighter installations of Android devoid of battery-taxing bloatware and gimmicky features. Yet, Android One remains quite rare: Only two devices from two different manufacturers in the U.S. belong to the program.

Coupled with its powerful internals, the commitment to long-term support makes the Nokia 6.1 a bargain that should last you much, much longer than bargains typically do.

The Nokia 6.1 launches with Android 8.1 Oreo. Because it's an Android One product, that means owners will get two years of OS updates and three years of security patches. That's a big deal for a budget phone, considering many devices selling for less than $300 are typically only guaranteed just one OS upgrade, if they receive any at all.

Coupled with its solid internals, the commitment to long-term support makes the Nokia 6.1 a bargain that should last you much, much longer than bargains typically do.

Nokia 6.1 Specs

Price $269 OS Android 8.1 Oreo Screen Size (Resolution) 5.5-inch LCD (1920 x 1080) CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 RAM 3GB Storage 32GB microSD Slot Yes Rear Camera 16 MP, f/2.0 Front Camera 8 MP, f/2.0 Battery Size 3,000 mAh Battery Life (Hrs:Mins) 10:24 Water Resistance No Size 5.86 x 2.98 x 0.32 inches Weight 6.07 ounces

Bottom Line

Nokia didn't try to do too much with the 6.1, but that makes for a better end product. The company took a sturdy, if modest, design, and bolstered it with an excellent display, class-leading specs and a peerless software experience. The result feels like a premium device, even if the Nokia 6.1 doesn't command premium prices.

Motorola and Honor have commanded the market for unlocked budget Android phones over the past few years, but the Nokia offering has given them both a run for their money here. The Honor 7X is considerably cheaper, but it has a frustrating interface. The Moto G6 is the Goldilocks of the budget realm, with a design that flirts with perfection, but Motorola isn't backing it up with the software support its phone deserves, and its battery life is not as good as the Nokia 6.1's endurance chops.

True, the Nokia 6.1 costs more than either of those phones. However, at $269, it's still a tremendous value, and in this case the added expense is well worth it. In fact, the only handset that can really compete is the other Android One phone out there: the Project Fi-ready, discounted Moto X4.

If you only have about $300 to spend on a phone, you shouldn't sleep on the Nokia 6.1. It's not only the company's best phone in years; it's one of the best phones of the year, full stop.

Credit: Shaun Lucas/Tom's GuideComputex 2018 is here, and following a bunch of flights across numerous time zones, Tom's Hardware is ready to bring you all the latest news from Taipei. Companies are setting up their booths, hosting their parties, and setting up back room meetings to discuss their latest-and-greatest products, and we're going to be taking in as much information about all the shiny new toys (and the local cuisine) as we can all week long.

Asus Gets TUF With Gamers

Asus wants to appeal to gamers wherever they play, whether it's with their desktop, laptop, or smartphone. That's right: Asus revealed a new ROG phone that's supposed to offer a high-quality gaming experience in a device that fits in your pocket. The company also showed off a new case, mouse, keyboard, and gaming headset for people looking to update their main rig, as well as new Hero II and Scar II gaming laptops for people looking for something in between those two extremes. Oh, and it also announced a beast of a PSU that delivers up to 1,200W with ease.

You'll Have To Wait For Nvidia's New GPUs

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang took to the stage at Computex to break every gamer's heart. Despite rumors indicating that the company's next generation of GPUs would arrive in July, Huang said in a keynote address that the company won't make any announcements on that front until "a long time from now." It wasn't all bad news, though, because Nvidia also revealed new Xavier processors and other AI-related technologies.

Meet Some New Storage, Memory, And Gaming Products

It wouldn't be a Computex without new component, peripheral, and system announcements. Asus wasn't the only company to reveal new products as Computex started in earnest, and if past conferences are any indicator, plenty of products will be shown off before the end of the week. Here's what we've covered so far:

You can keep up with all of our Computex coverage by checking out the newsfeed on our homepage or by bookmarking (and frequently visiting) our Computex tag page.Today at Computex in Taipei, Asus CEO Jerry Shen jointed Intel's senior vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group, Gregory M. Bryant, to showcase two new machine learning-powered devices. Intel also introduced introduced the AI for PC Developer Program to provide machine learning (ML) tools and training for developers.

Project Precog And Zenbook Development Platform

Intel and Asus presented Project Precog, a dual-screen device with a full set of intelligence features, as well as a new Zenbook notebook development platform that comes with an Intel Movidius Visual Processing Unit (VPU). Developers will be able to take advantage of the low-power VPU to enhance their own apps ML capabilities.

Last year, after having previously acquired Movidius, Intel announced the Movidius Myriad X, an embedded VPU that focused on maximizing inference performance in a low-power environment. The Myriad X comes with vision accelerators, a Neural Compute Engine, imaging accelerators, and 16 SHAVE vector processors that are paired with a CPU for heterogeneous compute. The chip can deliver up to 4 trillions of operations per second (TOPS) with a power envelope of only 1.5W.

Intel On AI PC Developer Program

ML developers will be able to train using Intels new AI program using tools such as the recently announced Open Visual Inference & Neural network Optimization (OpenVINO) toolkit. The toolkit allows developers to take advantage of Intels CPUs, GPUs, and the Movidius VPU to enhance their applications with AI capabilities.



Developers can also learn how to use the Windows ML inference engine, introduced in the latest build of Windows 10, that can also take advantage of Intels AVX-512 CPU instructions, its integrated GPUs through the DirectX 12 interface, as well as the Movidius VPU.Unlike many big automakers, BMW will have a display at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October, and that leads to speculation that the long-awaited next-gen X5 could make its debut there.

Both the 3 Series and the X5 are moving into new generations, while the highly-anticipated Z4, co-developed with Toyota, is also close to its global debut

While the German automaker has yet to make an official announcement for the show, BMW USA product and technology communications manager Alex Schmuck told CarBuzz that the brand "will be there for sure." Schmuck also confirmed that BMW has "a world premiere scheduled for the show," but declined to name a badge.

What could it be?

Well, BMW is getting ready to roll out a number of brand-new cars this year. Both the 3 Series and the X5 are moving into new generations, while the highly-anticipated Z4, co-developed with Toyota, is also close to its global debut. The Z4 is likely to break cover at the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance, though, so this leaves us the 3 Series and the X5. The sedan is rumored to arrive at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which will be "very big" for BMW, with "a lot of new products," according to Schmuck, so the X5 is the best bet for Paris.

It will be built on the CLAR platform, which means it will be lighter than its predecessor and probably slightly larger

Although BMW has yet to reveal anything beyond some teasers, we do know a few things about the next-generation X5. It will be built on the CLAR platform, which means it will be lighter than its predecessor and probably slightly larger. It should have a sportier design, a brand-new interior with more premium materials than ever, and BMWs latest tech, some borrowed from the latest 7 Series. We should find out more along the way, so make sure you stick around for updates.

Further Reading

Radiator Grille in Black Chrome

Read everything we know about the 2019 BMW X5.

Learn more about the upcoming 2020 BMW X5 M.

Read more BMW news.

Read more Paris Auto Show news.

Source: CarBuzzThe Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) negotiating mandate for the Post-Cotonou Partnership Agreement with the European Union was unanimously adopted at the 107th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers which took place in Lome, Togo, on 30th May.

Central to the discussions in Lome were the revision of the Georgetown Agreement and the adoption of an ACP negotiating mandate for the Post-Cotonou Partnership Agreement with the European Union. The Council meetings were crucial to opening new negotiations with the European Union (EU), in the quest for the attainment of sustainable development in all ACP countries.

Apart from the discussions on the future of the ACP Group and its relations with the European Union, the 107th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers addressed strategic matters such as repositioning the ACP group as a more effective global player in order to respond better to the needs and aspirations of its ACP Member States. Ambassador Faure, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the Department of Foreign Affairs, heading the Seychelles delegation, made a presentation to the special session on this subject.

Ministers also addressed ways of leveraging the principles of complementarity and subsidiarity between the ACP Group and the Regional and Continental organisations, sustaining financing of the Group and lastly advancing the climate change agenda in a repositioned ACP Group.

Other key items on the agenda included commodities and trade issues, sustainable economic development, and development finance. In his interventions on these issues, Ambassador Faure wished for the inclusion of the fisheries sector to be featured under the Ministerial Consultation on Commodities given the importance of fisheries sector to Seychelles.

He called on the member states to sign the instruments for the Joint Undertaking on the Customs Cooperation Agreement with the objective of increasing intra-ACP partnership and deepening integration. To note that only 13 countries, including Seychelles, out of the 79 have signed this agreement.

The 107th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers was immediately followed by the 43rd Session of the ACP-EU Council of Ministers.

43rd session of ACP-EU Council of Ministers: both sides commit to enhance their cooperation

The annual meeting of Ministers from the European Union and the countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific was an opportunity to hold fruitful and constructive discussions on the way forward for their future relationship and to take stock of the progress already made.

The meeting, which took place in Lome, Togo, was hosted by the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe and co-chaired by H.E. Ms Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica and H.E. Ms Ekatarina Gecheva-Zahareva Deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.

Future EU-ACP Partnership after 2020

The EU welcomes the adoption by the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of its Negotiating Mandate, which will lead its members to start meaningful negotiations soon. This ACP-EU 43rd Session was crucial in taking preparatory steps towards the negotiations and underlined the importance the longstanding partners attach to their cooperation including after 2020.

The EU Commissioner for International cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, expressed his gratitude for the excellent collaboration in Lome, and called for a new ambitious partnership: This is a very defining moment. We are determined to strengthen and reinforce our relationship with the ACP even further and to conclude an ambitious political partnership, which will allow us to jointly address our common challenges and opportunities  to the benefit of all our citizens, both in Europe and in the ACP countries alike.

For her part, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica stated that the imminent expiry of the current Cotonou Partnership Agreement provides a unique opportunity for us to modernize our relationship that is fit for purpose and will help us together to refine our approaches to national and regional issues, and define our ability to contribute collectively to a stable and progressive international environment, leaving no one behind.

Outcomes of the Ministerial meeting

As like-minded partners, the ACP Group of States and the EU agreed to increase their international cooperation in key areas, such as climate change, migration and throughout the upcoming UN Conferences this year. A specific calendar should be developed accordingly in the coming weeks.

Further cooperation is expected in the area of inclusive sustainable growth as the EU and the ACP Group of States exchanged views on how to increase trade, strengthen investment and management of natural resources, addressing the vulnerabilities of ACP Countries and the situation of middle income countries and take appropriate steps in relation to issues of EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.

Both partners reaffirmed their commitment to tackling climate change through a joint declaration in anticipation of the upcoming UNFCC 24th COP on Climate Change to be held in December 2018 in Katowice, Poland.

Background

The EU-ACP partnership is one of the oldest and most comprehensive frameworks of cooperation of its kind. Uniting more than one hundred countries and over 1.5 billion people, the Cotonou Agreement governing EU-ACP relations is due to expire in February 2020.Small-scale cross-border trade can play a fundamental role in contributing to poverty reduction and food security across Africa. How can it be supported to ensure that it delivers its full development potential?

Sub-Saharan African economies have been inextricably linked for centuries. Traders, often belonging to the same ethnic group or family, have been regularly crossing what are now borders to exchange goods and services, giving rise to intense flows that account for a significant part of the continents total trade. Today, cross-border trade is a major feature of African economic and social landscapes: according to some estimates, it contributes to the income of about 43 percent of Africas entire population. Such trade supports livelihoods and creates employment, including for disadvantaged and marginalised groups.

Cross-border trade is also dominated by agricultural and livestock products, and so is an essential part of food security in many places. Hence, overall such trade is essential for welfare and poverty reduction. Cross-border trade is especially important in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS), as it allows vulnerable populations to reconnect with the world and access goods and services that are key for their economic and social recovery. In such environments, trade also helps generate solidarity between border communities, and thus critically contributes to promoting peace and stability.

Cross-border trade typically happens at small scale, and is often dominated by women. Traders generally exchange small quantities of modest value, due to a variety of constraints including limited financing, poor-quality inputs, low capacity, lack of machinery, and inefficient marketing and distribution channels, among others. They may not necessarily be registered as formal business owners, yet generally do not operate with the specific goal of circumventing existing laws, applicable taxes, and relevant procedures. In fact, cross-border traders typically pass through official crossing points and even undergo formal clearance procedures, yet their consignments are often so small that they escape official records.[1]

The vast majority of Africas small-scale traders are female, up to 70-80 percent in some cases. Cross-border trade is often their only source of livelihoods: according to a ILO study , about 60 percent of non-agricultural self-employment of women in Sub-Saharan Africa comes from trade. Women traders are also among the most vulnerable groups in many areas across the continent, and compared to their male counterparts, they suffer disproportionately from the various constraints related to cross-border trade activities. Additionally, they are exposed to a number of gender-specific challenges and risks. Thus, any analysis or intervention focused on cross-border trade facilitation must necessarily integrate a gender element.

Infrastructural, policy, procedural, and behavioural constraints at the border hinder traders ability to grow and formalise.Border infrastructure rarely caters for the needs of small-scale traders, often forcing them to share the clearance area with trucks and other vehicles, which increases insecurity and slows down procedures. Existing structures such as border offices and market stalls are often dilapidated, whilst toilets, lighting, and fencing are typically absent.

In addition, high customs duties, complex clearance procedures, cumbersome documentary requirements (often featuring centralised permit and licensing systems), along with unpredictable trade policies all contribute to raising trade costs. These tend to be highly regressive, affecting small operators disproportionately: for instance, a 2013 World Bank case study at the border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) found that small-scale traders can pay up to 193 percent more than larger traders to clear a ton of maize through the formal channel. Only large, established operators who can leverage economies of scale are typically able to comply with existing requirements. Weak governance, low capacity, and poor behavior by border officials also contribute to increasing trade costs, and to making African borders unfriendly and unsafe for small-scale traders, especially women. Studies conducted at various border locations across Sub-Saharan Africa indicate that corruption and harassment (including gender-based violence against women) are regular features of cross-border trade.[2]

Small-scale cross-border trade can help drive poverty reduction in border areas

Income derived from small-scale trading activities is key to reduce poverty, yet its impact on long-term developmental outcomes needs to be investigated further. Traders make little profit from small-scale trade, with most of the revenue covering basic household needs such as food and schooling; as a result, re-investment in their businesses is difficult. Nevertheless, revenues from cross-border trade are often the main source of income for the households of cross-border traders. For example, a survey of more than 600 traders in the DRC and Rwanda found that cross-border trading activities provide the main source of family income for three out of four traders. The survey found that for measures such as quality of dwelling, access to electricity, type of cooking fuel used, and ownership of durable goods, the households of cross-border traders are as well off as the average urban household that is used as a comparator. Hence, trading activities are critical in allowing households in border areas to attain the level of welfare that is achieved by the typical household elsewhere in the country.

However, further analysis is required on how trading activities contribute to long-term developmental outcomes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that by contributing to household income, trading activities can help to empower women within households. This in turn can enhance their role in household decision making, resulting in increased expenditures on (higher quality and more varied) food, and hence lower child malnutrition rates, and increased attendance at school. These in turn contribute to higher productivity of future generations.

Small-scale traders want to expand their business, but face enormous challenges in doing so. In addition to the problems and costs they incur in crossing borders that were mentioned above, small-scale cross-border traders are constrained by lack of access to capital, limited knowledge of business procedures, and limitations on the distance they can travel from the border, both regulatory and logistical, for example in terms of access to appropriate transport. Few traders have bank accounts and collateral to secure even small loans is very difficult to leverage. The majority of traders want to enhance their limited business skills.

These challenges are particularly acute for women traders. They face greater barriers in obtaining finance, and programs to support capacity building often fail to take women into account. Where training is available, it is typically scheduled in a way that precludes participation by women traders, who already face the challenge of juggling family commitments and time for trading. All this, in turn, prevents them from taking full advantage of the gains from trade and undermines governments ability to use trade as a driver of growth and poverty reduction.

The state of play: ongoing initiatives to facilitate small-scale cross-border trade

Support to small-scale cross-border traders has been limited, although this is beginning to change. There is increasing recognition at the national and regional levels of the importance of such trade, and regional institutions are currently implementing initiatives to support small-scale traders. For example, COMESA has adopted and is supporting the implementation of regulations which define the rights and obligations of small-scale traders, and is funding Trade Information Desks which assist traders in crossing borders. It has also developed a Simplified Trade Regime (STR), which introduces customs duty exemption and simplified clearance procedures for low-value transactions typically conducted by small-scale traders. Although incomplete, in that it does not wave documentary requirements such as permits, certificates, and licenses, the regime is clearly a step in the right direction.

Related tralac Trade Brief: Informal cross-border trading  review of the simplified trade regimes in east and southern Africa

A number of governments are also implementing projects that specifically focus on small-scale trade. With support from the World Bank, the governments of the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda, in cooperation with COMESA, are implementing the Great Lakes Trade Facilitation Project. This project seeks to facilitate cross-border trade by increasing the capacity for commerce and reducing the costs faced by traders, especially small-scale and women traders, at key borders in the Great Lakes region. The intervention funds targeted improvements in border infrastructure to cater for the needs of small-scale traders (such as pedestrian lanes, lighting, and fencing), along with the construction of border markets, and supports the simplification of policies and procedures for small-scale traders, training and capacity building of traders and officials, and the introduction of better monitoring and performance management for agencies operating at the border.

It also introduces a workers code of conduct to prevent and mitigate risks of gender-based violence (GBV) in trade-related infrastructure development works. One of the quick wins under the project has been the introduction of solar-powered lighting at borders between the DRC and Rwanda, which has not only improved the safety and security of traders and officials but has also led to an extension of border opening hours. This is of particular importance to small-scale women traders, as it allows them to better organise their trading activities around family commitments.

The way forward: what governments, donors, and practitioners can do

Ongoing trade facilitation interventions need to cater for the needs of small-scale traders, especially women. Governments and development partners are currently making concerted efforts to facilitate trade, increase productivity in export-oriented sectors, and improve competitiveness. However, these need to be better targeted to ensure that small-scale cross-border traders are reached by these interventions and that it is not just large traders who benefit. It is important that such interventions reflect the realities of small-scale cross-border trade, and especially the heavy involvement of women and the gender-specific constraints they typically face.

For Africa to achieve its regional trade potential, governments need to do more to support small-scale trade, specifically: (i) recognise the importance of small-scale trade both to the overall trade of the country and to the communities who undertake it; (ii) work to ensure that the rules and regulations governing trade are clear, transparent, and widely available at the border; (iii) simplify trade documents and regulatory requirements for small-scale traders; (iv) design interventions to facilitate trade in ways that benefit small-scale traders; (v) help address the risks that small-scale traders face in their trade-related activities, which are typically much greater than those faced by larger and well-connected traders; and (vi) recognise the important role of women in cross-border trade, target the removal of gender-related constraints, and tackle the particular challenges that women face in participating in trade and growing their business.

Removing obstacles to regional trade integration in Africa would be particularly beneficial to the poor, as they carry most of the small-scale, cross-border commerce that happens within the continent. The potential benefits include better food security, faster job creation, more poverty reduction, increased tax revenues for authorities, and better long-term developmental outcomes.

Paul Brenton is Lead Economist at the World Bank Group. Carmine Soprano is a Trade & Gender Specialist, World Bank Group.

This article is published under Bridges Africa, Volume 7 - Number 4, by the ICTSD.

[1] The distinction between small-scale and informal trade is important. In the existing literature, many sources refer to the phenomenon described in this article as informal cross-border trade (ICBT)  however, this often carries a negative connotation as informal can be easily confused with illegal. It also inaccurately reflects the reality of trade flows on the ground, as traders may indistinctly use both formal and informal crossing channels depending on a variety of factors, such as the value of their consignment, the length of the queue at the border, or the mood of the individual official on duty. The preferred terminology for this article is small-scale cross-border trade.

[2] World Bank. Integrating Sierra Leones Small-scale Traders into the Formal Economy. May 2016; World Bank. Great Lakes Trade Facilitation Project. Project Appraisal Document, September 2015; Brenton, Paul, et al. Improving Behaviour at Borders to Promote Trade Formalization: the Charter for Cross-Border Traders. World Bank, Policy Note No. 41, 2014; EASSI. Women Informal Cross-Border Traders: Opportunities and Challenges in the East African Community. EASSI, 2012; Brenton, Paul, et al. Risky Business: Poor Women Cross-Border Traders in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. World Bank, Africa Trade Policy Note 11, 2011.The East African Community (EAC) has presented for consideration Budget estimates for the Financial Year 2018/2019, totaling $99,770,716 to the East African Legislative Assembly Sitting. The Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, and Second Deputy Prime Minister, Republic of Uganda, Rt Hon Dr Ali Kirunda Kivenjija, presented the Budget Speech to an attentive House.

The 2018/2019 Budget, themed Enhancing Prosperity and Welfare of EAC Citizens, is a step-down from $110,130,184 presented to the House in the previous Financial Year.

According to the Chair of Council of Ministers, the Priority Interventions for FY 2018/2019 will focus on enhanced free movement of goods in the region and further liberalization of free movement of labor and Services; improved cross-border infrastructure to ease cost of doing business in the region; and enhanced regional agricultural productivity.

Other priority interventions include enhanced industrial development through investment in key priority sectors including leather and textile; skills development, technological advancement and innovation to stimulate economic development.

The implementation of the roadmap for the attainment of the EAC Monetary Union; strengthened Peace, Security and Good Governance and Institutional Framework for EAC Political Confederation are also set for consideration.

The 2018/2019 Budget is allocated to the Organs and Institutions of the EAC as follows; East African Community Secretariat ($46,693,056), East African Legislative Assembly ($17,885,852) and the East African Court of Justice ($3,982,446). The Inter-University Council for East Africa shall receive ($6,847,969), Lake Victoria Basin Commission ($13,357,673) while $ 2, 518,137 is earmarked for the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization.

On their part, the East African Science and Technology Commission shall receive ($ 1,661,779), East African Kiswahili Commission ($ 1,605,353) and the East African Health Research Commission ($ 4,204,032). The East African Competition Authority is to benefit from $1,014,418 in the Financial Year 2018/19.The 2018/2019 Budget is to be financed by Partner State contributions through the Ministries of EAC Affairs ($50,227,920); Ministries responsible for Education  ($ 4,466,210) and Ministries responsible for Fisheries ($ 1,551,032). Development Partners will support the Community to the tune of ($42,925,613) while Member Universities will inject in to the kitty $ 333,970. The miscellaneous revenue is pegged at $ 265,971.

Other key areas Rt. Hon Dr Kivenjija said, include further consolidation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT) to enhance intra-EAC trade, leading to reduction in the cost of doing business in the region and the development of regional infrastructure, thereby reducing transport costs, and easing cross-border movement of people, goods and services. The funds are also earmarked to enhance implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol, with particular emphasis on free movement of skilled labour across the Partner States.

Promotion of peace, democracy and security across the Partner States as well as efforts towards full participation of the Republic of South Sudan in the activities of EAC are other areas of priority for the Community in the coming Financial Year.

The EAC is further expected to streamline and further consolidate its operational systems to achieve the desired level of efficiency, accountability, and value for money.

Last Financial Year, the august House approved a Budget of USD110, 130,184. The said amount was earmarked for among others; consolidation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT) to cover all imports and intra-EAC traded goods; Infrastructural development in the region and liberalization of free movement of skilled labour across the Partner States.

The second Deputy Prime Minister cited a number of assumptions on which this years budget is pegged on to include the continued and consolidated political support of the EAC integration and the availability of adequate financial resources and remittances. Political stability and good governance as well as safe and stable security across the region are other areas of consideration.

On the global economic performance outlook, the Minister informed the House the global economy had expanded by 3.7 % in 2017, which is approximately 0.5 % point higher than the growth in 2016. The pickup, Rt Hon Dr. Kivenjija added, in global growth was supported by a notable increase in global investment, trade, and industrial production, coupled with strengthening business and consumer confidence.

Accordingly, Sub-Saharan Africas real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.7 % in 2017 compared to a revised growth rate of 1.4 % registered in 2016. The accelerated growth was mainly due to favourable commodity export prices and strong agricultural production.

Rt Hon Dr. Kivenjija said the region had continued to realise significant growth and development even though there were mixed results. Mr. Speaker, the EAC region maintained its position as the fastest-growing sub-region in Africa, with estimated growth of 4.6 % in 2017, up from 4.4 % in 2016, the Chair said.

Strong growth was widespread in the region, with Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda growing at more than 5%. Growth in Kenya was supported by sustained investment in infrastructure and improvement in the service sectors, while in Uganda and Tanzania growth was mainly supported by strong performance in the industry sector. Rwandas growth was supported by favorable weather conditions and higher commodity prices.

However, the Chair said the economic growth in Burundi and South Sudan remained subdued in 2017, with some signs of steady recovery. GDP growth in Burundi contracted by 1.3 % in 2017 compared with a revised contraction of about 1.6 % in 2016. This was mainly due to sustained impact of suspension of financial aid by major donors, shortage of foreign exchange reserves, and declining investment.

Likewise, the Minister stated growth in South Sudan contracted by about 3.5 % in 2017 compared to a contraction of 13.8 % in 2016. Growth deceleration in South Sudan since 2015 has been largely contributed by the combination of low oil prices and reduction in oil production following the ongoing political challenges.

On legislation, the Minister informed the House the Community had enacted among others, the EAC Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2017; the EAC Appropriation Bill, 2017, the EAC Oaths Bill, 2018 and the EAC Polythene Materials Control Bill, 2017. He informed the House that a number of new Bills would be introduced in the coming Financial Year.

Mr. Speaker, during the Financial Year 2018/2019 the Council will propose amendments to the EAC Standardization, Quality Assurance Metrology and Testing Act (SQMT) 2006. The proposals are intended to make it possible to make SQMT regulations by separating metrology matters from SQT matters. The Council also intends to review and bring amendments to laws relating to trade especially the EAC Competition Act, 2006, Hon Dr Kivenjija said.

The Council of Ministers is to further initiate Bills that support the establishment of the East African Monetary Union. In particular, the Council shall initiate the East African Surveillance Compliance and Enforcement Commission Bill 2018 and the EAC Financial Commission Bill, 2018, in compliance with the Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Monetary Union.

The Chair of Council of Ministers further lauded the Assembly for the speed with which it is carrying out with its mandate.

From what I see and from what I have already experienced in the six months with you, I can only hold the Members of the 4thAssembly in high esteem and high regard because you have hit the road with a lot of enthusiasm and focus. As Council, we only hope that you continue to excel and to hold us even more accountable, he said.

On Infrastructure, the Minister informed the House of the completion of the Taveta  Mwatate road, which is part of the multinational Arusha  Holili/Taveta  Voi road and its commissioning in July, 2017. On the side of the United Republic of Tanzania, the dual construction of the14 Km long Sakina  Tengeru section, was completed while the construction of the 42-km long Arusha Bypass is in progress.

The Minister further informed the House of the completion of the Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway (SGR) line in Kenya and stated the phase II from Nairobi to Naivasha was ongoing and expected to be completed by 2019. These are backbone lines for the Mombasa-Nairobi-Kampala-Kasese/Kigali and Tororo-Pakwach/Gulu-Nimule-Juba SGR project along the Northern Corridor, the Rt Hon Deputy Prime Minister informed the House.

Rt Hon Dr Kivenjija remarked that EAC was collaborating with the COMESA and SADC under the Infrastructure Development Pillar of the Tripartite Free Trade Area, to implement the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme. He remarked the collaboration was key in harmonization of policies, standards and specifications in the roads sector.

On Civil aviation and airport matters, the House was informed the EAC Secretariat had completed the draft regulations to guide the Partner States in quest to fully liberalize their Air Transport Services. The rationale for this, the Minister said is in order to achieve improved efficiency, enhancement in capacities and eventually lowering the cost of air transport in the Region.

During the period under review, the EAC Secretariat similarly coordinated the operationalization of the EAC aeronautical and maritime search and rescue agreement and the development of an EAC agreement in handling aircraft accident and incident investigation.

On agriculture and food security, the EAC Minister said the region remained committed to fully support implementation of the June 2014, African Heads of State Malabo Declaration on Agriculture Growth and Transformation in Africa.

I am pleased to inform you that the EAC is strongly committed to support implementation of the June 2014, African Heads of State Malabo Declaration on Agriculture Growth and Transformation in Africa. In June 2017 Ministers responsible for Agriculture in the EAC Partner States and other key regional stakeholders signed the EAC Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) pact.

Further, the EAC Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP), which will be a key instrument in rallying financial and technical support to spur agricultural transformation was developed and is now awaiting consideration and adoption by the 11th Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security.

The Minister called for heightened measures to ensure food security. Mr. Speaker, the EAC region suffers from frequent food insecurity despite the huge resource endowments and great potential for production of adequate food. Food insecurity in the region is caused by both natural and policy related factors.

The EAC Secretariat with the financial and technical support from USAID and East Africa Trade and Investment Hub (EATIH) has developed EAC Regional Food Security and Nutrition Security Strategy (FNSS) and its Action Plan (FSAP) to guide the implementation and actualization of the regional food security objectives, he remarked.

The House is now expected to debate on the Budget proposals.ICT Minister off to Bangkok to join Innovation Day discussion



Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Mustafa Jabbar left here for Bangkok on Tuesday to join a panel discussion marking 4th Asia Pacific Innovation Day on June 6 to 7.

Mustafa Jabbar will address the discussion on how will innovative technology enabled digital transformation in the industry. He is also scheduled to take part in different sessions on development of ICT sector and assisting small investors and entrepreneurs.

The minister will also take part in a ministerial-meeting on the sideline of the event.



Maya Bay became famous as the star in the Hollywood film and was hounded by its version of paparazzi. Now, this once secluded beach in Thailand is closed to tourists because its corals are damaged due to overtourism.

Maya Bay is the setting of Oscar winner Leonardo di Caprio's 2000 film "The Beach." It is part of the Krabi province and is close to another popular beach destination, the Phi Phi Don. The beach is a stark contrast to what was depicted in the movie: serene, empty, and unspoiled.

Millions of beachgoers and tourists flocked to the island close to two decades after it became world-famous. Before the announcement of its closure, over 100 boats carrying hundreds of tourists are crammed along the shores of Maya Beach on ordinary days. The numbers could double during peak season which is between November and April. The beach hosted around 3,000-5,000 visitors a day mostly coming from nearby Phuket and Krabi islands.

Rehabilitation Of Maya Bay

It is off-limits to visitors for four months for rehabilitation starting from June 1 to Sept. 30, 2018, following the orders from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. DNP usually closes marine parks at certain times of the year, usually around May to October where there were fewer travelers. However, Maya Beach remained open to meet the demands of tourists.

"During the four-month period, the DNP will undertake a coastal and marine environment quality evaluation study on the condition of reef and beach resources, environmental control and tourism management," says the statement issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. "This is to properly determine measures for environmental sustainability of Maya Bay during future off-tourist seasons."

The amount of trash, which are mainly made of plastics, contributed significantly to the damage of the surrounding areas.

The statement also says boats cannot come near the beach or even stay at Loh Samah Bay, a part of the tiny Ko Phi Phi Leh island, where Maya Cove is also a part of.

Supervised Visits

While travelers cannot set foot on the popular destination, they will still be able to admire it from afar, about 400 meters or 1,300 feet away. The closest they could get, however, is by boat visits, in close supervision of tourists, to the two iconic cliffs near the lagoon.

Maya Bay has been consistently in the spotlight. But lately, its deterioration has been all over the news signaling the abuse it has suffered over the years.

Environmentalists and passionate locals have been pushing for its rehabilitation for years. Tourism officials and private companies have thrown in their support for these rejuvenation efforts in the wake of the closure of another world-famous beach in the Philippines  Boracay. The latter was ordered closed for six months starting in April to clean the once-pristine waters from wastes, which came from the hundreds of establishments in the island.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018Britain banks 2.5b for slice of RBS

Britain's government on Tuesday said it had sold a small chunk of state-rescued Royal Bank of Scotland for more than 2.5 billion ($3.3 billion, 2.8 billion euros), albeit at a loss.

Britain on Monday resumed privatisation of the Royal Bank of Scotland, which at the height of the global financial crisis a decade ago underwent the world's biggest bailout by taxpayers.

The Conservative government headed by Prime Minister Theresa May has sold a 7.7-percent stake in RBS, leaving it still with a majority holding of 62.4 percent, much of which it plans to offload through to 2023.

"Over 2.5 billion worth of government-owned RBS shares were sold last night as part of the government's policy to return the bank to private ownership," the Treasury said in a statement.

A total of 925 million shares were each sold for 2.71. However, this was at a total loss of 2.1 billion, with the government having spent about 5.0 per share in a rescue costing the taxpayer 45.5 billion.

"If the rest of the government stake is sold at a similar price then the total loss comes to something in the region of 21 billion," said Michael Hewson, market analyst at CMC Markets UK.

The government noted however that the sale would help to reduce the country's mountain of debt.

"This sale represents a significant step in returning RBS to full private ownership and putting the financial crisis behind us," finance minister Philip Hammond said in the statement.

"The government should not be in the business of owning banks.

"The proceeds of this sale will go towards reducing our national debt -this is the right thing to do for taxpayers as we build an economy that is fit for the future," Hammond said.

The government had decided in 2015 to start selling a chunk of its stake but the plan was carried out only partially owing to the lender's low share price.

"I am pleased that the government has decided the time is now right to restart the share sale process," said RBS chief executive Ross McEwan.

It "reflects the progress we have made in building a much simpler, safer bank that is focused on delivering for its customers and its shareholders."

Since then, the Edinburgh-based lender has posted its first annual bottom-line profit since 2007 following a huge drop in litigation costs.

RBS was fined $4.9 billion last month by the US Justice Department over its role in the sub-prime housing crisis but much of the cost had already been set aside, while the total was less than expected.

"From racking up circa 50 billion in losses in ten years due in large part to mega restructuring charges and impairment charges, the bank has turned a corner," sid Markets.com analyst Neil Wilson.

Britain is meanwhile aiming to sell two-thirds of its RBS stake for roughly 15 billion over a five-year period.

Shares in RBS slid 3.5 percent to 271.20 pence on Tuesday's news to trade around the level of the sale price.



It's over. As of midnight on May 31st 2018, data on the hazards and risks of every chemical sold in Europe is available to ensure safety.

Over a decade ago, the European Union decided to turn the question of chemical safety upside down. What if, instead of the government telling industry when to stop using unsafe chemicals, industry had to submit data proving that all chemicals are used safely?

On the 31st of May, 2018, the final deadline arrived for industry to submit dossiers informing the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) of all known data on chemicals, all required studies of hazards, and assessments proving that the chemical can be used safely (which have to evaluate the safety considering all of the companies selling the same chemical). The ECHA is obligated to make all of this chemical information available to the public, with some exceptions for extremely sensitive confidential information.

The REACH regulation was the start of one of the greatest experiments in political action ever. The politicians wrote a regulation - called REACH as an acronym for Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals - which introduced revolutionary new principles in the field of chemical control:

No data, no market;

Relocate the burden of proving safety from the government to the suppliers of chemicals; and

Require application of the precautionary principle.

Companies were frightened by the scope of the law - the work required, the costs it would entail, and the possibility that it would make such a mess of the chemical supply chains that all of industry would crash and burn. The agencies set up to manage the vast data sharing efforts were unsure if they could keep up with the demand. The experiment itself was not without risks.

But the worst fears were not realized. Yes, it was costly - but the chemical industry will realize some benefits from the gain in trust among consumers and from launching themselves into global leadership in the safe use and management of chemicals. Industry has learned a lot about their own supply chains, improved visibility and confidence in their portfolio of chemicals, and potentially avoided huge costs down the line from the continued use of chemicals that really should be substituted with safer options, or at least subject to stricter safety measures during use.

To understand what a marvelous revolution in chemical safety REACH implements, consider how the US EPA has approached the same issue. The U.S. was faced with the same conclusion that drove passage of the REACH regulation in Europe: while every new chemical gets a thorough review, the tens of thousands of chemicals already being sold were assumed to be safe -- unless the government could prove the opposite, which requires overwhelming evidence. In the 40 years since the regulations on chemical control came into effect, over 80,000 chemicals had been identified as legal to sell but the EPA had banned only 5 of these. With growing evidence of the harmful effects of flame retardants, plasticizers, polyfluorinated chemicals, and others, governmental agencies have been powerless to act.

The U.S. also amended its laws. But rather than follow the bold path set in 2008 by the EU, the American regulations passed the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act in 2016, which tweaked the status quo by leaving the burden on the EPA to evaluate chemicals for safety. It made some improvements by mandating that EPA get on a bit faster with the business of evaluating the legacy of chemicals that have long been on the market, by providing a more secure source of funding for that work, and by requiring better transparency of chemical information to the public. Don't get me wrong: it's a big step in the right direction. But the difference in approach is clear.

Now when you fill you car's gas tank, whether you live in the US or EU or anywhere else in the world, you can be sure that a dossier on file with the European Chemicals Agency proves mathematically that your risk of cancer or other serious health effects is extremely low. If you live in the EU, the risk that a factory upstream mis-uses a chemical will be greatly reduced by the fact that the supplier of that chemical is responsible to help ensure safe use; it no longer relies solely on the actions of the enforcement authorities. And while all data, science, and communication processes will continue to evolve, Europeans can be sure that all the incentives are aligned to keep the responsibility where it should be: on the companies that make their profits from the chemicals they sell.Treehugger and our third-party partners use cookies and process personal data like unique identifiers based on your consent to store and/or access information on a device, display personalized ads and for content measurement, audience insight, and product development. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Treehugger.com, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, click below. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. List of Partners (vendors)Police have executed search warrants at the homes of at least three businessmen in BarrackpoClose Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

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Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Hi. I am traveling from the US to Christchurch, New Zealand for a holiday. I land in Sydney at 8:20 AM and then will need to collect luggage and check-in to a Air New Zealand flight to Christchurch. These are separate tickets/airlines so the luggage will not be checked through. Do I need to clear customs in Sydney before I can collect luggage then re-check on to New Zealand? Does anybody know how long that process takes? There is a flight to Christchurch that departs 75 minutes after arrival in Sydney. I fear that is not enough time but the next flight out doesn't leave until 6:30 PM which is 10 hours later. Do I need a transit visa or an ETA in Sydney? Any advice? Thanks much!Traffic mass awareness programme of CMP launched

Traffic mass awareness programme of Chattogram Metropolitan Police launched on Monday.

Chattogram Bureau :



Traffic mass awareness program of Chattogram Metropolitan Police launched on Monday. CMP Commissioner Md. Iqbal Bahar inaugurated the program at Pabartak Crossing in the city.

Among others, additional Police Commissioner(admn) Masudul Hasan, Additional Police Commissioner(Traffic) Kusum Dewan, Additional Police Commissioner(crimes) Amena Begum, Deputy Police Commissioner Md Abdul Waris, Dy Police commissioner Harunur Rashid were present on the occasion. 45 volunteers of Bangladesh Traffic Awareness Club vowed to work with the traffic police during the holy month of Ramadan up to Eid vacation, police added.

Hello I am traveling to japan with two adults and two kids ages 10and 12,

We are planning the following:

3 nights in Tokyo

2 nights in Kanazawa

1 night ?

3 nights in Kyoto

2 nights in Osaka

2 nights ?

I have bought the rail pass for 14 days. I have lodging in all of the cities mentioned. Where I have a question mark I need to figure out where to go. We would like to do a ryokan for one of the nights and am looking for places along my route. For the last two nights was thinking of maybe Himej but open to suggestions.

We fly out of Narita on a late afternoon flight on the last day so where ever we spend the last night I need to be able to take the train to the airport in the morning.Hi, we are a family of 6 travelling to Japan from April 10 to May 5th 2019. We have my in-laws with us that have never been to Japan and now our kids (6&4). We have been twice to the main sites (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, hiroshima, takayama). We are flying in and out of Tokyo for day flights to Melbourne as our kids do not sleep well on planes.

Struggling to get my head around how to show our in-laws Japan and not have two exhausted kids. We want to take the kids to Disneyland and Disney sea. Also then worried about how to get back towards Tokyo in golden week.

Thinking of spending first night at Narita airport to recover then move to Tokyo or a hotel near Tokyo bay then get out and to somewhere more rural. And try and show the kids some real Japan. We love Kyoto so would look to be there for 5-7n

Any help / nudges in the right direction would be great.

CheersHi all,

We will visit NY for the first time from June 14-17. We are looking for a hotel within walking distance to the subway that's convenient to go everywhere in NY. Our budget is between $200-270.

Do you think Grand Hyatt NY hotel at 109 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 is convenient for subway?

Thanks in advance for your help-:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:-

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Edited: 3 years ago- The Opposition politician wants Uhuru to clean all government departments

- Wetangula said Uhuru should not spare even his own office

- The Ford Kenya leader said Uhuru should turn on more heat as he fights graft in government

- He said more emphasis should be placed on Lands, NYS and Agriculture departments for clean-up

Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula has shown some rare support to President Uhuru Kenyatta regarding the tedious war against graft.

Wetangula, who had an epic fallout with ODM party leader Raila Odinga, took to social media on Monday, June 4, to commend the president on intensifying efforts to curb corruption in the country.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Wakili anaswa akitazama video 'chafu' mahakamani, jionee

Wetangula wants Uhuru to completely wipe out corruption in the country. Photo: Capital

READ ALSO: Fake companies involved in fresh NYS scam unmasked, over 10 bank accounts frozen

The Bungoma Senator, who only a day ago issued some scathing attacks on Raila, praised Uhuru's move to dismiss several state officers for fresh vetting.

"President Uhuru keep up the war against corruption. Turn on the heat in every direction: Land, maize, NYS, everywhere," he tweeted.

READ ALSO: Uhuru is being blackmailed and cannot tackle corruption - ODM MP

As TUKO.co.ke reported earlier, a circular instructed the heads of procurement and accounting in ministries, departments, agencies and state corporations to hand over to their immediate deputies.

The officers were further instructed to submit their personal information to the office of the Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua by Friday, June 8.

Uhuru is under immense pressure to prove he can sustain the war on graft. Photo: Uhuru/Facebook

READ ALSO: The raw misery NYS suspects have faced in remand

It was yet another move to curb graft by the president who is under sharp from Kenyans who are eager to see whether he would live up to his word on ending corruption.

Uhuru had recently spoken tough while promising to deal firmly with all individuals implicated in the fresh NYS scandal where an alleged KSh 9 billion disappeared.

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.

Kenyans react to loss of public funds | Tuko TV:

Source: Kenyan Breaking News- The country will kick off oil export with 2,000 barrels per day under the Early Oil Pilot Scheme

- Daily production will translate to about 60,000 barrels per month and 720,000 barrels in a year

- Average price of crude oil per barrel in the global market as of June 2018 stood at KSh 6,300

- Assuming Kenya exports 720,000 barrels yearly, then that could translate to some KSh 4.5 billion

- It's understood production will increase from the 2,000 barrels per day after a two year experiment

- The country also plans to construct its own pipeline at an estimated cost of KSh 200 billion

- The government plans to invest about KSh 10 trillion in the oil and gas sector in 15 years

- In the meantime, the first batch of crude oil, estimated at 60,000 barrels, will be transported by road

Kenya is inching closer to becoming the first East African country to ever export crude oil after President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, June 3, flagged off the first consignment of oil from Lokichar, Turkana County.

The question which many Kenyans seem to be asking is how much the country will spend in the oil production process and how much it will earn in return from the oil exports, once the government finds a viable market.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

The government had indicated Turkana county government will receive 20% of the oil revenue while 5% will go to the local community. The national government will get 75%. Photo: TUKO.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Wakili anaswa akitazama video 'chafu' mahakamani, jionee

"Any additional revenue to the economy will change Kenya. Tentatively, we will probably be earning something like a billion US dollars (Est. KSh 100 billion) per year," Energy Principal Secretary (PS) Andrew Kamau told SABC news on Tuesday, June 5.

Kenya has about 750,000, 000 barrels of recoverable reserves according to Tullow Oil Company.

The company pumped 60,000 barrels of the crude oil to be transported by road from the Lokichar oil fields to the port of Mombasa for storage as the government looks for a market.

READ ALSO: All eyes on Turkana as Uhuru moves to flag off first batch of crude oil

The country will export 2,000 barrels of the crude oil per day under the Early Oil Pilot Scheme (EOPS), an experimental programme is expected to last for two years.

The said daily production capacity will translate to about 60,000 barrels per month, and about 720,000 barrels in a year .

With the global crude oil prices averaged at KSh 6,300 (US$63) as of June 2018, then one may assume 720,000 barrels per year will translate to about KSh 4.5 billion annually under the EOPS programme.

READ ALSO: Revenue from Turkana oil to benefit all Kenyans - Uhuru

The daily production capacity is expected to significantly increase after the two year experimental programme.

TUKO.co.ke understands the estimated KSh 100 billion earning per year will most likely be realised once Kenya becomes a 'fully-fledged oil exporter', that is, after the experiment phase.

And since the country still doest have a pipeline, the crude oil will be transported by road.

However, PS Kamau said the government will commence construction of oil pipeline in 2019.

The pipeline is expected cost an estimated KSh 200 billion (US$ 2.1 billion).

Initially, Kenya was to partner with Uganda in the construction of a crude oil pipeline, but Uganda later ditched the joint project with Kenya and decided to sign a related deal with Tanzania.

The government, TUKO.co.ke gathered, will invest a total of KSh 10 trillion in the oil and gas sector within a span of 15 years.

READ ALSO: The battle for control of Geothermal power deposits and shading of blood in Kapedo, Turkana county

Although Kenya is destined to become the first East African country to export oil, it still has a long way to go before it can start reaping from the black gold.

The country discovered oil in March 2012, but the much anticipated oil production commenced after the president reached an agreement with the people of Turkana on how the oil revenue should be shared.

Under the revised revenue sharing formula, the county government of Turkana will receive 20% of the oil revenue while 5% will go to the local community.

The remaining 75 % will be shared by all Kenyans through the national government. Initially, Turkana leaders wanted a 10% share of the total revenue, which was double what had been proposed by the national government.

In the old revenue sharing formula, Turkana County government was to get 15% of the revenue, whereas the national government was to get 80%.

Turkana people and their leaders refused to take the deal, leading to a deadly stand-off and delay in oil production.

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.

Kenyans React to Loss of Public Funds - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko Breaking News LatestFor quite a while, rabbit farming in Kenya has been considered as one of the ventures that can make you money. Many people are taking up the business, and they have all the right things to say about indulging in the company. Large scale rabbit farming is one of the livestock businesses with the best potential and space for extension in Kenya. This is a direct result of their small venture necessities and capacity to reproduce fast. Their feeding demands are low, mainly as to their need for grain. Their housing and disease control and other maintenance necessities are likewise low, yet their meat is exceptionally nutritious and more beneficial wellspring of protein when compared to different sources of meat.

Rabbit farming has encountered a constant development in previous years, with gender predispositions related to its generation reducing continuously. This is a massive change considering that for a long time rabbit production in Kenya was left the young people, for the most part, 4-K club members, and youthful farmers. Although rabbit meat showcasing is yet to make strides, there is trust that with the developing attention to the advantages of rabbit meat, it will be possible for rabbit meat to be brought into the normal meat market.

Commercial rabbit farming in Kenya business plan

The acknowledgment that rabbit farming business are appropriate to the quick generation of protein has expanded the number of industrialized creation units just like in poultry. The most prominent breeds utilized as a part of the meat business are the New Zealand White, Californian, Flemish Giant, French Ear trim, Chinchilla, and Dutch. Different breeds incorporate the Angora kept for hide and as pets; the vast majority of the locally available kinds are cross breeds.

Rabbit house

Handling rabbits begins with building an appropriate house. A rabbit house is known as a hutch and might be made with wood, concrete or iron sheets relying upon the material accessible to you. Every grown-up rabbit ought to have its box that measures 2.5ft long, and 2 ft high. The weaned kits might be put in pens 4.5ft x 2.5ft x 2ft. Each doe's box ought to have a settling box, where she will conceive an offspring and look after her litter. Settling or nesting box estimations are as follows:

The floor of the rabbit hutch is made from chicken mesh which allows droppings to pass through. It will enable the rabbits to be in a clean and healthy environment. It is not advisable to use wood for making the bottom part of the structure as it soaks the floor causing it to bump and unhealthy for the animals. This makes the rabbits vulnerable to sore hocks making it hard for them to move around freely. In other instances, mounting when mating become a problem hence the production of litter goes down tremendously making it not profitable for the whole rabbit farming venture. Instead, you can put a plastic bag underneath the mesh to help collect the droppings and urine which can be used on the farm as manure.

It makes it easy to keep the area dry while clean at the same time. The outside part of the hutch structure is made from wood and iron sheets to keep it in a good position. It is essential to ensure the rabbits are safe by constructing the fabric away from the wind. At the same time, there should be enough ventilation for fresh air and avoid incidences of sickness. Space should be well covered with chicken mesh to keep away rodents and cats which could prey on the rabbits.

Care and management of the rabbits

Taking good care of rabbits for sale is essential as the breed will increase tremendously. Do not feed them with expired or polluted food and vaccinate them from time to time. You can go a notch higher and monitor their day to day activities.

Breeding of the rabbits

Because of their high growth rate, they breed within six months and gives birth to between 2 to 8 litters after every two months. The beauty of rabbit rearing.

Feed the rabbits

To keep the rabbits productive and healthy, have sufficient supply of balanced and nutritious food. For rabbits being raised for commercial purposes, you may get their feeds from the market. Besides, you may add leaves from various trees, leaves, kitchen garbage, and grass.

Marketing

It is the most significant part of commercial rabbit farming. Although the market is not broad like that for goat, cows, and chicken, slaughterhouses for rabbit meat are coming up due to the rising demand. The high-end restaurant is selling the flesh, and if you have sufficient facility, you can export the product to China where it is much sought after.

Is rabbit farming profitable in Kenya?

Directly, the interest for rabbit meat is high. However, the number of suppliers is insufficient to take care of that demand. Various restaurants are putting in bunnies as menu listings in an offer to be more African. Multiple markets convey bunny meat yet a large number can't, because of deficiency of supply. A few Cruise lines are fantastic buyers of bunny meat. The answer to whether rabbit farming is profitable in Kenya is, whether rabbit business should be possible in large scale. Starting rabbit farming in Kenya is considerably challenging but yielding too. There are many breeds of rabbit in Kenya today. According to Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), there are three (3) types of rabbits in Kenya; California, Chinchilla and New Zealand white. Flemish Giant is also very well known around the nation. Chinchilla is a dark brown breed and is favored because it has a tremendous mature weight.

Most rabbits are considered adult in 5 months and accomplish butcher weight in only three months. Rabbit's reproduced 3 to 4 times every year. New Zealand and Californian are famous because they can be depended on for fur and in also meat. Chinchilla is favored for meat on account of its expansive maturity estimate.

Source: softkenya

Rabbit market in Kenya

The marketing process is the most critical piece of rabbit farming in Kenya. Mostly, there are no formal markets for offering rabbit items so far like chickens, goats or fish. Be that as it may, rabbit meat slaughterhouses are coming up because of the high notoriety and expanding demands for rabbit meat.

Right now, many Kenyans are keeping rabbits, and others are thinking about joining the exchange since they have heard the animals bring high returns. For rabbit keepers and those seeking to enter the transaction, the market is tremendous. The eventual fate of rabbit farming is incredible in Kenya. At the point when done well, rabbit rearing can change occupations and create income for numerous Kenyans. There are organizations in Kenya today that are key for rabbit market. These organizations want rabbit meat business hence creating a good rabbit market in Kenya.

Alcare Group

The organization works with rabbit proprietors in 24 counties in Kenya. These are Kiambu, Kajiado, Migori, Bomet, Machakos, Vihiga, Nakuru, Murang'a, Nyamira, Kakamega, Nyandarua, Uasin Gishu, Kitui, Bugoma, Trans Nzoia, Isiolo, Kericho, Nyeri, Taita Taveta, Malindi, Mombasa and Kilifi.

They offer training sessions to the farmers and afterward provide the agriculturists a stock of eight rabbits, of which six are female, and they have been served (inseminated). In around four months, every one of the female rabbits delivers approximately eight bunnies, and after that they buy them!

Rabbit Republic

The Rabbit Republic likewise purchases rabbits from ranchers. They buy the animals and supply rabbit meat to hotels in Nairobi. They pitch agriculturists with their high breed rabbits and prepare them on the best sustains and cleanliness techniques. They then purchase them. The Rabbit Republic, which is located in Hurlingham, Nairobi works with farmers in the city and Mombasa. They pick the rabbits from ranchers.

The company also buys rabbit skin and hide for making packs and shoes, although this is on a little scale.

Rabbit Breeders Association of Kenya (Rabak)

Rabak is an association that offers a market for rabbits. The association liaises with the Ministry of Livestock in Thika to purchase and slaughter the rabbits. RABAK was begun to advance nourishment security, produce wealth and work for agriculturists and all citizens. The association is as of now providing rabbit meat to Uchumi Supermarket chain at a normal of two tons a month.

Rabak, which deals with an assortment of rabbit breeds that incorporate Ear Lope or French Lope, New Zealand White, California White, Dutch, Chinchilla, Flemish Giant, and Angora.

Rabak's base camp is housed in Thika West District Livestock Production Office. It serves agriculturists from Nairobi and Thika. They also offer rabbit farming training on all parts of rabbit rearing that incorporate production, how to set up a rabbit farm, rabbit house development, cultivating levels, market and sicknesses once in a month.

Kenya Com Rabbit Consortium Ltd

This is an association that offers farmers market for rabbits' by-products, fundamentally urine, which they use to make manure. To begin selling urine to the association, one needs no less than 20 rabbits. The slurry is a blend of the rabbit urine and fertilizer excrement produced using cattle waste products, and foliage from plants. The mixture is placed in a single digester and what turns out is a natural fertilizer called Rabbit Urine Extra.

About rabbit farming in Kenya

Rabbit farming in Kenya dates back from the time the missionaries first came in Kenya during 1900 when the first rabbit breeds were brought to the country and the subsequent colonial error which helped it to spread to regions in the country.

Source: Softkenya

READ ALSO: A guide on commercial rabbit farming in Kenya

Rabbit farming profitability in Kenya depends on the management of the farm. This is by gearing the whole business towards making money. Increasing the produce that is the rabbit meat, the skins, the hides, and compost requires various steps. A farmer ought to know how to go about it, especially the cost of rabbit farming in Kenya. To begin with, one should first increase their scale of farming by increasing their production. Management (agriculture) is likewise part of the generation unit condition. However, the effect of administration on diseases is regularly overlooked. The way reproducing and cultivation techniques have developed in various nations demonstrates that any strategy can have both positive and negative results. Age of weaning is without a doubt the most critical variable. Weaning at 28 days limits or even dispenses with the transmission of specific infectious agents, for example, Pasteurella and Escherichia yearling, yet halting the mother's milk somewhat curtails the passive immunity of young rabbits and naturally supports E. colt.

Weaning substantially later destroys the dams. Escalated production has driven a few keepers to pick a profoundly quickened mating schedule (mating following kindling that day) or for moving the females regularly. These decisions mean a shorter life for reproducing females. Bringing rabbits up in groups, as is done in Kenya today, significantly alters rabbit pathology. Raisers need to remind themselves, in choosing how to deal with their stock, that the hypothetical favorable circumstances they see might be The rabbit 97 followed by infection repercussions. Concerning pathologists, they should think about the production techniques and not just the disease agents and side effects they have recognized. Medicinal services interventions are dependent upon learning of these strategies. This in turn calls for sufficient rabbit farming training in Kenya.

Factors affecting rabbit rearing in Kenya

Rabbit farming is exceptionally fundamental in enhancing animal proteins in the developing countries which include Kenya. This is because rabbit is extraordinarily productive as controlled by the number of litters born alive at kindling and birth to weaning practically. For rabbit production to be essential to enhancing protein intake in Kenya, specific components of creation must be considered. Litter size during birth is one of such factors. Litter size is the number of little kits per doe. Orunmuyi et al. (2006) announced that size during childbirth of 4.81 packages. The higher the litter size, the higher the income of the rancher. More hide could likewise be acquired for the creation of clothing. Rabbit with big litter size will probably be chosen for reproducing reason and at the same time focusing on rabbit farming market.

Source: Roysfarm.com

Litter size when weaning was one of the characteristics of economic significance in the rabbit. Orunmuyi et al. (2006) detailed 3.6 litter sizes at weaning. They also related incubation of 30.3 days. Equality was found to have a massive impact on weaning weight showing that the higher, the heavier the weaning weight. Prayaga and Easdy (2002) had prior mentioned the similar objective fact. Litter size was additionally found to influence the weaning weights of the rabbit. The higher the litter sizes during childbirth, the lesser the weaning weights of rabbits. Reddy et al. (2000) detailed that litter size during birth and development length significantly affected weaning weight of rabbits.

Shingh (1981) revealed that litter size at first and second qualities gives off an impression of being consistent. From second to sixth litter size increments and will begin to diminish from the seventh upward. Rouvier (1973), however, proposed that rabbits ought to be separated after the 6th party for a productive endeavor.

READ ALSO: Rabbit Farming in Kenya: Get the Most out of This Type of Farming

Development length is regularly consistent inside special incubators as it helps in determining rabbit farming income in Kenya. Occasional impacts on incubation length are most likely using these regular changes of the movement which decreases with expanding temperature and that thyroid insufficiency before pregnancy season, and litter size on growth more often than not brings about drag out developments. Accordingly, incubations coming about because of administrations in the hottest months when thyroid action will as far as anyone knows to be at the very least from February to July ought to be longer than the mean.

Litter size during birth in rabbit has been known to be adversely connected with the rabbit's weight during childbirth. In the rabbit, a great doe generally delivers 6-8 kits for each litter. This number changes as a few factors in the womb impact the quantity of developing an organism that can form into full kittens. An expansion in litter size can lessen individual birth weight.

READ ALSO: Challenges of rabbit farming in Kenya

Commercial rabbit farming in Kenya

Having taken you through essential knowledge about rabbit farming in Kenya, it is fundamental for a farmer to master the process of commercializing the rabbit production. The profit of keeping rabbits is found in their numbers. After that, the next step is identifying the market.

Promoting of rabbit keeping in Kenya represents a noteworthy limitation as there are no organized out business sectors. Rabbit breeders recognize their market sectors independently whereby arrangements are made with nearby purchasers, inns, and hotels for the transfer of mature rabbits. Deals have predominantly been for live animals which did not depend on weight, but instead, now this is step by step switching with the setting up of rabbit meat slaughterhouses in specific parts of the nation. Tourist restaurants offer the best costs for rabbit meat. Offering rabbits as rearing stock is more lucrative because they bring higher prices yet additionally all the more difficult.

Source: Roysfarm.com

A broad cross segment of rabbit farmers uses non-business generation frameworks. The most critical wellsprings of feeds are legumes and crisp ranch side-effects. Utilization of top-notch scavenges and vegetables are constrained however shows an extraordinary chance to expand creation and benefits. Different open doors are in determination and rearing for productive animals that develop quickly to achieve the market early. Use of Artificial Insemination is another open door that can be utilized for quick breeding of rabbits.

Although a profitable venture, starting rabbit farming in Kenya requires proper planning to ensure the business flourishes throughout the years.

Source: Kenya Breaking News Today- Nkaheza Joseph was admitted to hospital with serious head injuries

- This was not the first time he crash-landed his plane while trying to take off

- His locally made helicopter named after its owner uses petrol instead of jet fuel

Nkaheza Joseph is the first Ugandan to ever invent a plane that can actually take off. But it has not been an easy journey.

The aircraft christened Nkaheza is yet to fly and land safely. A few attempts to fly the aircraft have only landed its pilot in hospital and with life threatening injuries.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Mshukiwa katika sakata ya NYS - Ann Ngirita - aonyesha mchoro mkononi akiwa mahakamani

The locally made aircraft, nicknamed Nkaheza, uses petral and is reportable capable of taking off. Photo: SoftPower News Uganda/Twitter.

READ ALSO: Tree falls on cars at church parking lot following heavy rains

According to Sudhir Byaruhanga, a Ugandan-based journalist privy to the ambitious project, Joseph was rushed to hospital after he crash-landed his locally made helicopter while testing it.

"He suffered head injuries. He crashed during the testing of his plane alone Mbarara-Kabale road," Byaruhanga tweeted on Tuesday, June 5.

TUKO.co.ke gathered this was not the first time Joseph suffered serious injuries after crash landing his plane.

READ ALSO: Kenyan matatus run by monsters compared to Ugandan men

There is something else you should know about the Ugandan made plane. It uses petrol instead of jet fuel.

It's inventor is hopeful one day his big dream will come true.

"He needs little help to achieve his dream," Byaruhanga said.

The Ugandan inventor is also renowned for his self made 12-feet motorbike called Rubarusimo, which reportedly uses steam instead of petrol.

READ ALSO: "I'm not Jesus Christ!" Ugandan man who claimed he was the Messiah lied to his loyal followers

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.

Faces of Kenya: Meet Kenyan Student Who Makes Unique LED Hoodies - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke- Graft suspects use loopholes in law to block arrest, prosecution and escape being charged

- Suspects engage the courts in dragging their cases for years so they can be forgetten and dismissed

- The latest NYS scandal has shifted sharp focus on the courts and the fight against corruption

-CJ Maraga has asured of swift justice promising effective service

Pressure is mounting on Chief Justice (CJ) David Maraga to redeem the Judiciarys image by ensuring suspects in the National Youth Service (NYS) and other ongoing grand corruption cases are not let off the hook on technicalities.

All eyes are now on the CJ to see how he will ensure such tactics are not employed in the ongoing corruption cases.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

This is after it emerged that at least 15 corruption cases involving powerful individuals, mainly politicians, have been rocked by various court injunctions, effectively blocking commencement to full trial.

READ ALSO: Mshukiwa katika sakata ya NYS - Ann Ngirita - aonyesha mchoro mkononi akiwa mahakamani

Pressure is mounting on the CJ to redeem the Judiciarys image by ensuring suspects in the NYS and other ongoing grand corruption cases are not let off the hook. Photo; Uhuru Kenyatta/ Facebook

READ ALSO: Museveni, Besigye copy Uhuru-Raila handshake and Ugandans can't hide their excitement

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission officials who have been pursuing the cases since 2015 have been left a frustrated lot as they have been forced to stop investigations and impotently watch as the case takes new directions.

Court documents show that among the main diversionary tactics deployed involve the suspects asking for constitutional interpretations of the charges facing them.

Pending the often-delayed interpretations, the trial magistrates or judges claim to have no option but to withhold hearing to allow for the secondary request.

READ ALSO: Wetangula backs Uhuru, urges sustained war on graft

The cases are finally dismissed, or forgotten.

Among individuals who have successfully secured injunctions are Muranga Governor Mwangi Wa Iria, former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero, his wife Susan Mboya, Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, former Malindi MP William Mtengo, Busia County government and Mumias Sugar Company.

Wa Iria obtained orders stopping the EACC from charging him after he was accused of giving false information in wealth declaration forms.

EACC claimed he had been charged and found guilty of issuing a bouncing cheque.

READ ALSO: Uhuru orders all procurement, accounting officers to step aside for fresh vetting

Kidero was issued with interim orders barring the anti-graft commission from investigating his accounts in respect to his tenure as Mumias Sugar Company managing director and as Governor of Nairobi for suspicious cash transfers.

Among individuals who have successfully secured injunctions are former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero, his wife Susan Mboya. Photo: Daily Nation.

Kideros wife Susan sought orders to stop EACC from investigating her accounts as well as another petition against the commission prohibiting it from proceeding with investigations touching on her account.

In Linturis case, the Senator obtained conservatory orders prohibiting the anti-graft body from further investigating him against the alleged fake degree certificate that he was said to have obtained from the University of Nairobi.

READ ALSO: The raw misery NYS suspects have faced in remand

Interestingly, the High Court ordered UoN to award Linturi his Bachelor of Laws degree a fortnight ago, faulting the institution for failing to follow due process in nullifying his academic certificate.

In most of the other notable cases, the EACC was issued with conservatory orders barring its officials from either arresting or preferring charges against individuals.

According to the commission's records, the lawyers often successfully seek the renewal of the injunctions whenever the cases come up for mention.

In Linturis case, the Senator obtained conservatory orders prohibiting EACC from further investigating him against the alleged fake degree certificate. Photo: Daily Nation

READ ALSO: Kiambu deputy governor tells off Waititu, says he wont resign in bitter fallout

The revelations came amid a new sense of purpose in the governments war against corruption, with the public desperate to see those accused languish in jail.

While Maraga and his deputy Philomena Mwilu have given assurances that the Judiciary supports the ongoing war on graft, the eyes of an expectant public are inflexibly trained on the duo to ensure the institution sheds it negative tag as a bottleneck in the war on corruption.

Mwilu in the past confessed that there were indeed rotten apples in the judiciary.

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.

Kenyans react to loss of public funds | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko NewsIsrael calls for 'military coalition' if Iran boosts enrichment

AFP, Jerusalem :

Israel's intelligence minister called Tuesday for a military coalition against Iran if the Islamic Republic were to defy world powers by enriching military-grade uranium.

Yisrael Katz's remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began visiting European leaders to discuss Iran's regional involvement and nuclear programme, both seen by the Jewish state as grave threats.

European powers have been scrambling to preserve a landmark deal over Tehran's nuclear programme since US President Donald Trump announced Washington's withdrawal from the treaty in May. Katz addressed Tehran's threat to restart uranium enrichment at an "industrial level" if the 2015 pact falls apart.

"If the Iranians don't surrender now, and try to return" to unsupervised uranium enrichment, "there should be a clear statement by the President of the United States and all of the Western coalition," he said.

"The Arabs and Israel surely would be there too."

The message should be that "if the Iranians return" to enriching uranium that could enable them to build a nuclear bomb, "a military coalition will be formed against them," Katz told Israeli public radio station Kan.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday warned European leaders to drop their "dream" of Tehran continuing to curb its nuclear programme despite renewed economic sanctions.

He also called Israel a "malignant cancerous tumour" that should be removed.

The Iran deal paved the way for the partial lifting of international sanctions against the country, in exchange for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme for several years.

Israel argues the lifting of sanctions under the nuclear deal allowed Iran to expand its presence in the Middle East, both through its own forces and with proxy groups.

It also says the time limits on the accord do not guarantee Iran will not eventually obtain nuclear weapons, while it also wants to see restrictions on Iranian missile development.

Iran denies the pursuit of an atomic programme for military purposes.

In his Monday meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Netanyahu warned that Iran was "seeking nuclear weapons to carry out its genocidal designs."

"It's important to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. We commit, and I commit again, that we will not let that happen," he said.

Netanyahu will meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday and British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday.



Cap: Israel's intelligence minister called Tuesday for a military coalition against Iran if the Islamic Republic were to defy world powers by enriching military-grade uranium



Have you gotten a chance to hit the gym just yet? The Government gave leeway for more placesMilitants launched 30 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 troops violated ceasefire 30 times, using artillery and mortars ten times," the report reads.

Moreover, at about 21:00, June 4, the invaders shelled the Donetsk filtration station. The staff had to hide in the bomb shelter. The information about possible damages of the station is being specified.

The armed hostilities took place outside Krymske (42.5km north-west of Luhansk) and Novotoshkivske (53km north-west of Luhansk) in Luhansk direction, near Zaitseve (67km north-north-east of Donetsk) in Horlivka direction, in the area of Avdiivka (18km north of Donetsk), Pisky (12km north-west of Donetsk), Krasnohorivka (29 km west of Donetsk), Marinka (35 km south-west of Donetsk) and Novotroitske (32km south of Donetsk) in Donetsk direction and outside Lebedynske (16km north-east of Mariupol) in Mariupol direction.

No casualties among Ukrainian troops have been reported.

According to the intelligence, two militants were killed and another six were wounded.

olUkrainian President Petro Poroshenko has informed Spanish business representatives about reforms being conducted by Ukraine to create comfortable conditions for investors and businesses, the press service of the head of state has reported.

In particular, Poroshenko noted stabilization of the macroeconomic situation and restoration of economic growth, stabilization of the banking and financial sector, judicial reform and energy sector reform, decentralization and deregulation, infrastructure development, and the creation of transparent conditions for privatization.

"Ukraine is the right place and time for investment. We are very interested in the growth of investment," Poroshenko said, inviting Spanish businesspersons to become "co-authors and co-founders of Ukrainian success."

Poroshenko also spoke about the outcome of talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. "It is important and symbolic that the new prime minister held his first meeting with a Ukrainian delegation. This is a good sign, and I am very grateful for that," Poroshenko said.

Poroshenko was on an official visit to Spain from June 2 to June 4. This was the first visit by Ukraine's president to Spain over the past 22 years.

opOn June 15, Bravo Airways launches a new flight to Polands Lublin from three Ukrainian cities: Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson.

"Starting from June 15, we launch new flights that will allow travelling safely and comfortably from Kyiv, Kherson and Kharkiv to Lublin and back," Bravo Airways press service reports.

As noted, the ticket price starts from UAH 1,300 and includes the transportation of hand luggage and baggage (up to a maximum of 23 kg).

Regular roundtrip flights will be operated three times a week from Kyiv and Kherson and twice a week from Kharkiv.

olIn the first quarter of 2018, exports of Ukrainian goods to the U.S. amounted to $218.9 million and increased by $25.6 million.

This was reported by the press service of the Economic Development and Trade Ministry of Ukraine.

"The exports of Ukrainian goods to the United States in the first quarter of 2018 amounted to $218.9 million and increased by $25.6 million. Over the past three years, the Ukrainian steel products (including flat and long products, pipe products, semi-finished products made of steel) were exported to the U.S. at the amount of $119.6 million in 2015, $89.7 million in 2016 and $175.6 million in 2017," the statement reads.

On June 4, Ukraine's Deputy Economic Development and Trade Minister Natalia Mykolska was on a working visit to the United States of America. The main topic of the planned bilateral meetings is the exclusion of Ukrainian metallurgical products from the U.S.-imposed restrictive measures. The Ukraine's trade representative will hold meetings with representatives of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Department of State and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

As Ukrinform reported, on March 23, 2018, the U.S. introduced an additional duty of 25% on imports of certain types of steel products in order to protect the U.S. domestic market.

ishDenmark praises Ukraines aspirations for carrying out reforms to secure economic growth and attract investments.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Ukraine Ruben Madsen said this during a meeting of Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman with representatives of Danish companies that work in Ukraine, the Government portal reports.

"We are very pleased with this meeting, and we praise your aspirations for carrying out reforms to secure economic growth and attract investments," the ambassador said.

It is noted that the meeting participants discussed a number of issues of mutual cooperation, examined specific cases of work of Danish companies in Ukraine and agreed that the transformations Ukraine currently experiences are obvious and tangible.

The Prime Minister invited the Danish business to take a closer look at the privatization opportunities in Ukraine and to develop innovative directions in pharmaceuticals, logistics, processing of agriculture products, energy and tourism industries.

According to the Government, upon the results of 2017, the total trade turnover in goods and services between Ukraine and Denmark increased by 14.4% and amounted to $540.6 million. More than 150 Danish companies currently work in Ukraine, in particular in the field of agricultural production, logistics and trade. The main sectors of the Danish business in Ukraine are agriculture, IT, energy and consumer goods industry.

The volume of Danish investments in the Ukrainian economy at the beginning of the year was almost $150 million. Denmark is among promising markets for exports of Ukrainian products. The main items of Ukrainian exports to Denmark are textiles, furniture, clothing, milk, eggs, honey, metals, engineering products.

olEmployees of the Ukrainian Embassy in Moldova have held an action of solidarity in support of political prisoners of the Kremlin.

"The diplomats of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova expressed their solidarity and support for Oleg Sentsov and several dozens of Ukrainians illegally sentenced by the Russian Federation," the embassy reported.

As reported, Sentsov was arrested in Simferopol by Russian security services in May 2014 and convicted in Rostov-on-Don in August 2015. He is currently serving a 20-year prison term on terrorism charges at a high-security penal colony in the Russian Federation. His sentence was upheld on appeal in November 2015. He has been on a hunger strike since May 14, 2018.

On June 4, the Moscow City Court sentenced Sushchenko, a correspondent of the Ukrainian National News Agency, Ukrinform, to 12 years in prison in a high-security prison on espionage charges. He has been under arrest in Moscow since September 30, 2016.

ishUkrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman plans to pay a visit to Denmark on June 26-27.

"On June 26-27, I will pay a visit to Denmark. Before the trip, I meet with representatives of leading companies of this country. Our turnover is $540 million per year. We discuss the progress of reforms, economic situation and prospects for joint projects," Groysman wrote on Twitter.

According to him, more than 150 Danish companies operate in Ukraine.

At the meeting with representatives of some of these companies, the prime minister assured that the Government of Ukraine considered the formation of a favorable business environment that can attract investments, update production processes and create new jobs in highly-demanded areas as one of the priorities of its activity.

ishUkraine and the European Union have discussed the state and prospects of fighting corruption in the state.

First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv said this at the international conference European Perspective for Ukraine in Brussels on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"A meeting of the government representatives on the anti-corruption issues was held in the framework of the preparation and holding of the 20th Ukraine-EU Summit," the first deputy prime minister said.

He notes that Ukraine has moved to the stage of modernization and innovative development, which takes place in partnership with the European Union.

Kubiv is convinced that cooperation with the EU, in spite of Russian aggression, ensured the economic development of the state.

ishWas merchant Vyshinsky a "declared" correspondent who had "the whole package of Ukrainian documents"?

The failed murder of Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko could have been a good reason for the Kremlin to continue calling Ukraine a "failed state" unable to protect its citizens, with a level of violence "worse than in Africa," which has no freedom of speech and persecutes journalists. It was like this, but only for one day.

Fortunately, a special operation conducted by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) saved the life of the journalist - an irreconcilable critic of the Putin regime - and removed image and reputation risks for Ukraine provoked by the Russian side.

However, the Russian propaganda machine will obviously continue to yell about "attempts by the Kyiv regime to forcefully suppress any manifestations of objectivity," "legal arbitrariness, unprincipled struggle against any dissent that prevails in Ukraine" (according to the Russian Foreign Ministry), with a focus on another case - the arrest of RIA Novosti Ukraine chief Kirill Vyshinsky.

The detention of Vyshinsky in Kyiv on May 15, 2018, and, in fact, the breaking of one of the chains of this huge machine immediately triggered a violent reaction from Russia.

Margarita Simonyan, the chief editor of the Rossiya Segodnya news agency and the Russia Today television channel, was one of the first to respond to arrests and searches in Kyiv. "They have broken into our office," she wrote on Twitter, commenting on searches conducted at RIA Novosti Ukraine in the Ukrainian capital.

She forced many Ukrainian journalists to rack their brains and search the Internet - maybe, law enforcement officers conduct searches not only at RIA Novosti Ukraine, but also in the offices of Rossiya Segodnya and Russia Today in Kyiv? Is RIA Novosti Ukraine not a separate Ukrainian media outlet, but an office of propaganda media outlets of the aggressor country, which are banned in Ukraine?

Simonyan later understood a "blunder" in her first reaction and began to write that RIA Novosti Ukraine "is legally unaffiliated with us, but is our information partner."

Consciously or not, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir brought some confusion with his statement on May 15, raising concern "over a raid by security services of Ukraine against Russian state news agency RIA Novosti and TV channel RT offices in Kyiv as well as the searches of homes of journalists and their arrests." Desir clearly spoke about the offices of Russian media outlets in Ukraine and called on the Ukrainian authorities "to refrain from imposing unnecessary limitations on the work of foreign journalists." "I recall that under the Helsinki Final Act, the OSCE participating states have committed to facilitating the conditions under which journalists from one participating state exercise their profession in another participating state. This applies to the accreditation of journalists and correspondents of foreign media," he said.

Let's suppose that the OSCE's main media defender was a little unaware of the situation and somewhat uninformed. After all, there was an arrest, not "arrests," searches and investigative actions, rather than a "raid," RIA Novosti Ukraine, rather than Russian state news agency RIA Novosti and TV channel RT offices. And there were no foreign journalists who "exercise their profession in another participating state." And, in fact, work in Kyiv does not require accreditation of journalists and correspondents of foreign media.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry, in a statement on May 17 on Vyshinsky's arrest, just wrote about "RIA Novosti Ukraine head Vyshinsky" without indicating the Russian or Ukrainian nature of the "media" and the "journalist."

Reading these reviews about an "attack on free speech" in Ukraine, it was not clear whether Kirill Vyshinsky is a Ukrainian or Russian journalist and whether RIA Novosti Ukraine is a Ukrainian or Russian media outlet?

The Russian side now mainly says that Vyshinsky is a Ukrainian journalist and worked in a Ukrainian media outlet, although he has "Russian citizenship." "Kirill Vyshinsky is a Ukrainian journalist, and he worked in a Ukrainian media outlet. He really has Russian citizenship, and his media has really been our partner," Simonyan told TVC television channel on May 20.

However, on the same day, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, while commenting on searches at RIA Novosti Ukraine and Vyshinsky's detention, constantly spoke on one program about Rossiya Segodnya and a Rossiya Segodnya correspondent in Ukraine, emphasizing "impeccable legality" of such activities.

"The fact is that a Rossiya Segodnya correspondent in Ukraine worked as a declared correspondent and his journalistic activity, not any other activity, was the reason for the searches and then arrests," Zakharova said.

At the same time, she cynically pointed to a "fundamental difference" in situations of Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, who was illegally arrested in Moscow, and Vyshinsky: "With regard to Sushchenko he was not a journalist when he entered Russia. His documents prove that he did not submit an application for a journalistic visa That is why it would be wrong to compare Sushchenko with the Rossiya Segodnya correspondents in Ukraine not only in terms of moral standards, but also in legal terms."

According to Zakharova, "Rossiya Segodnya journalists did not hide the fact that they had the whole package of Ukrainian documents for carrying out their activities. They were declared, they signed their materials."

In the end, Zakharova spoke about a mythical news agency "Rossiya Segodnya" in Ukraine: "Rossiya Segodnya news agency on Ukrainian territory - this agency was a partner agency for Russian agency Rossiya Segodnya."

Ukrinform decided to find out what status RIA Novosti Ukraine has and whether journalist Vyshinsky is Russian or Ukrainian, given that on May 15, 2018, the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case "about illegal detention and prosecution of RIA Novosti Ukraine editor-in-chief Kirill Vyshinsky," who, according to the same committee, received Russian citizenship in September 2015.

So if you visit RIA Novosti Ukraine's website, it is impossible to get some information about the agency since there is no section that would tell us about the media outlet. There are only contact details of the bureau and the press center - Kyiv, 16 Shota Rustaveli Street. The Facebook page of the agency, by the way, gives other contact details - Kyiv, 28A Instytutska Street.

Such "modesty" is clear. In fact, before the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014, this resource worked as an office of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Russian Agency of International Information "RIA Novosti" officially registered in Ukraine. However, on December 9, 2013, as part of increasing the effectiveness of Russian propaganda media Putin signed a decree liquidating Russian Agency of International Information "RIA Novosti" and creating on its basis another federal state unitary enterprise - International Information Agency Rossiya Segodnya, which was headed by Dmitry Kiselyov, Putin's lickspittle, who is well-known to Ukrainians. RIA Novosti became one of the products of the huge media group Rossiya Segodnya.

According to Roskomnadzor, from April 8, 2014, RIA Novosti was registered as an "information agency" and "network edition." Its founder is the Federal State Unitary Enterprise International Information Agency Rossiya Segodnya.

Obviously, after the liquidation of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Russian Agency of International Information "RIA Novosti" there can be no talk about some office of this non-existent enterprise in a foreign country. For legal work in Ukraine it was necessary to register an office of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise International Information Agency Rossiya Segodnya (currently under sanctions in accordance with the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated April 28, 2017).

Ukrinform asked the Ukrainian Economic Development and Trade Ministry whether RIA Novosti Ukraine is registered in Ukraine as an office of a foreign company, or whether an office of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise International Information Agency Rossiya Segodnya is registered in the country.

The ministry provided a list of offices of Russian media outlets registered in Ukraine as of May 23, 2018.

According to the list, the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Russian Agency of International Information "RIA Novosti" was registered on February 3, 2006 at 3 Stanislavskoho Street (room No. 50) in Kyiv, and its head was Mykola Borodin.

International Information Agency Rossiya Segodnya does not have an office in Ukraine.

Maybe RIA Novosti Ukraine is still a Ukrainian media outlet, as Simonyan says?

To answer this question, Ukrinform asked the Ukrainian Justice Ministry whether RIA Novosti Ukraine is registered in the state register of print media and news agencies as subjects of information activity, as well as whether Kirill Vyshinsky is among the founders of other media outlets in Ukraine. The answer was not surprising: "We inform you that according to the information contained in the register, the information you requested is not available."

Thus, RIA Novosti Ukraine is currently not a registered media outlet, neither a Ukrainian nor Russian one, which should be registered in accordance with Ukrainian legislation.

The only obvious thing is that the content of the website is clearly anti-Ukrainian. It is clear to everyone who visits it even without linguistic expertise that a number of publications directly justify Russia's aggression against Ukraine, annexation of Crimea, and stir up interethnic hostility in Ukraine.

It is also not worth noting that RIA Novosti Ukraine chief Kirill Vyshinsky is allegedly a journalist, and whether the "declared" correspondent had "the whole package of Ukrainian documents."

Professionally, he is a merchant, being the founder and owner of a number of companies (according to the SBU, with all signs of fictitiousness), which, although engaged in media-related activities, are not related to direct journalist activities. One of the companies is Interselect Ltd, which is engaged in data processing, information placement on websites and related activities.

According to the SBU, this limited liability company operated under the brand "RIA Novosti Ukraine." Its employees were registered as individual entrepreneurs and received salaries through fraudulent schemes, evading the payment of necessary taxes.

According to the special service, to cover its activity the management of Rossiya Segodnya used a scheme through the signing of a cooperation agreement between Interselect Ltd. and a fictitious company in Serbia's capital, Belgrade, which transferred nearly 53,000 "Russian" euros every month. Financial data in the materials show that the money was used for the needs of RIA Novosti Ukraine, and its amount was approved directly in the central editorial board of Rossiya Segodnya.

SBU operatives established that in the spring of 2014 Vyshinsky left for Crimea, where, on the instruction of Rossiya Segodnya management, he took part in promotional actions aimed at supporting annexation and joining the peninsula to Russia. After returning to Kyiv, he involved subordinate journalists to produce materials in favor of terrorist organizations "LPR/DPR." Thus, according to the SBU, leading a virtually clandestine office of the propaganda mouthpiece of the aggressor state, Vyshinsky actively participated in subversive information actions within a hybrid war against our country.

It must be admitted that he worked really effectively, and in April 2014, the Russian defense minister awarded him a medal for the return of Crimea, and in May 2014, the Russian president signed a decree awarding him a medal "For Services to the Fatherland."

Vyshinsky is currently accused of treason. The SBU says it has other evidence of the crime, except the one presented at the briefing after the searches and detention.

On June 1, during a court session in Kherson, Vyshinsky said that he was renouncing Ukrainian citizenship, asking to consider himself a Russian citizen and appealing to Putin for help with his release.

Vasyl Korotky, KyivMahila League leader found dead, husband held

Staff Reporter :

A leader of Central Mahila League was found dead in a pool of blood in her residence at Sholaghar in Faridganj upazila of Chandpur district on Monday night. The deceased has been identified as Shahin Sultana Fancy, 57. She was said to be a central committee member of the Mohila League.

Sultana was the Principal of Gollak Degree College and wife of district Awami League's Joint Secretary General Adv Jahirul Islam, said our local correspondent quoting Wali Ullah, Officer-in-Charge of Faridganj Police Station.

He said that being informed by locals, police recovered the body around 11:00pm. The body bore several injury marks in its head. "She might have been killed," the OC said.

Later, police detained the victim's husband Jahirul, former president of Chandpur Bar Association, and his second wife for primary interrogation, the police officials said. The couple often quarreled as Jahirul married another woman several years ago without the consent of his first wife Sultana.

The OC suspected it was a "planned murder" and police picked up Jahirul.

The body was sent to Chandpur Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

During a working visit to Donetsk region, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to Ukraine Juris Poikans discussed with Head of Donetsk Regional and Civil Administration Pavlo Zhebrivsky the issues of cooperation with the region.

"The situation is improving, the wounds are healing and the war is retreating - such conclusions were made by Juris Poikans, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to Ukraine, who as part of the Latvian delegation was on a working visit to Donetsk region. Yesterday, the representatives of Latvia visited Bakhmut and Bakhmut district, today they went to Sloviansk and Kramatorsk," Zhebrivsky wrote on Facebook.

He thanked the representatives of Latvia for hosting entrepreneurs from Donetsk region, conducting training sessions, showing the development of businessg in Europe, and establishing business contacts.

Poikans assured that the cooperation in this direction would continue. In addition, he expressed readiness to cooperate with local communities, in particular, to take one of the united territorial communities created in Donetsk region under his patronage.

"Our Latvian colleagues are interested in the experience of Ukrainian law enforcers and doctors working in the war conditions. We assured that we will be happy to host specialists from Latvia and share our experience with them," Zhebrivsky stressed.

ishThe Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Hungarian community have started talks on implementation of the language article of the Law of Ukraine "On Education."

Education and Science Minister of Ukraine Lilia Hrynevych met with representatives of the Hungarian community living in Ukraine in the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the ministrys press service reports.

"I am very glad that we have managed to meet and talk constructively about all the solutions needed for our children. This demonstrates that we are still able to cooperate productively and reach joint decisions needed for ensuring the rights of our children and developing our state as a whole and the national communities in particular," Hrynevych said.

It is noted that the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Hungarian community will jointly work on the development of state standards and programs and plan to further work on the draft law on general secondary education.

olOttawa has condemned the imprisonment of Ukrinform correspondent Roman Sushchenko in Russia and sees it as an attempt to repress journalists.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland wrote this on her Twitter page.

"As a former journalist, I am appalled by the arrest and sentencing of Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko to 12 years in jail in Russia. Canada condemns this attempt to repress those who work in defense of the truth," the report says.

As reported, Paris-based Ukrinform correspondent Roman Sushchenko was detained in violation of international rules on September 30, 2016 in Moscow, where he arrived on a private visit.

On October 7, he was charged with "espionage." Russia's FSB claimed that Sushchenko is a member of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The latter denied this allegation.

On June 4, the Moscow City Court sentenced Sushchenko to 12 years in a high-security penal colony.

opPutin wants Ukraine to build independent statehood on federative principles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the federalization of Ukraine and the rejection of NATO could resolve the "Ukrainian problem."

"This is one of the problems, but not the only one," Putin said in an interview with Austria's ORF TV channel, answering a question from ORF news presenter Armin Wolf whether the Ukrainian problem would be resolved if Ukraine declared itself a neutral country like Sweden or Austria and would not join NATO.

Read alsoRussian political analyst: Putin not ready for full-scale invasion of Ukraine

"But I will remind you  and these are the things very few people know about  that the ideologists of Ukrainian independence, Ukrainian nationalists insisted on creating a sovereign Ukrainian state, independent from Russia, as early as in the 19th century. But many of them also spoke about the need to maintain good relations with Russia, the need to form an independent Ukrainian state on federative principles, and so on. As early as in the 19th century. Today, I would say it is one of the most sensitive internal issues in Ukraine. And Ukraine is doing it itself," he said.

"As for the neutral status, this issue is up to the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian leadership. For us, for Russia, the important thing is that there would be no military facilities in Ukraine that could threaten our security, such as new missile defense systems aimed at thwarting our nuclear potential," he said. "This is indeed important for us, I am telling you frankly. But ultimately, this is the choice of the Ukrainian people and the country's legitimately elected authorities."

Putin also criticized the language provisions of Ukraine's new law on education.

"I have already mentioned the limited use of native languages of ethnic minorities. Ukraine adopted the law on language, which was criticized, including in Europe, but it is in force. This largely complicates the situation in Ukraine," he said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Hungary is a major critic of the Ukrainian education law, seeing a threat to its ethnic minorities in Ukraine's Zakarpattia. The Hungarian government has repeatedly stated that it will block cooperation between Ukraine and NATO until Kyiv "restores the rights" the ethnic minorities had previously had in Ukraine.

Consultations of the Ministry of Education of Ukraine with members of the Hungarian community in Ukraine on the language provisions of the Ukrainian law on education are scheduled for June 5.Russia's FSB is said to be aware of Sushchenko's military past.

A Moscow city court has sentenced Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, a correspondent of the Ukrainian Ukrinform news agency, to 12-year imprisonment in a colony with a strict regime reportedly for trying to learn about a possible attack by the Russian-controlled forces of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol in Donbas.

The Russian FSB is said to think that Sushchenko, who flew from Paris to Moscow to his cousin in September 2016, used his vacation not only to meet with the relative, but also to gather information. A graduate of military school, Sushchenko, who had the rank of colonel, allegedly worked for the Ukrainian intelligence service under the guise of a journalist, the Russian edition Korrespondent said.

Read alsoCanada condemns Russia's verdict against Sushchenko

According to Russian investigators, he was interested in structural details of the recently created National Guard of the Russian Federation. In addition, the FSB alleges, Sushchenko was trying to find out confirmation from the former Russian military whether a new offensive by the Russian-backed "DPR" forces against Ukraine's Mariupol was possible or not.

The journalist's friends claim the FSB was aware of his military past, which became a pretext for spying on him.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Moscow's city court on June 4 sentenced Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, a correspondent of the Ukrainian Ukrinform news agency, to a 12-year term in a high-security colony. The prosecutors insisted on a 14-year term for Sushchenko.

He was charged with "espionage," as the Russian authorities insist he is an "operative" of Ukraine's intelligence service.

The FSB detained Sushchenko at a Moscow airport upon his arrival on September 30, 2016.

The court started considering the Sushchenko case on March 27, 2018.The authenticity of the list is not confirmed.

A list naming 47 Ukrainian journalists and bloggers who were to be targeted for assassination has been leaked to the media.

The list was published by the Strana news outlet. At the same time, its authenticity is not confirmed.

Read alsoNowhere to hide from Russia, says Ukrainian journalist named on hit-list  media

"Given the great social importance of this story, as well as the huge public attention that it acquired (including internationally), we have decided to publish the list," the news outlet said.

According to a source of the edition in the SBU Security Service of Ukraine, Boris German [a suspect of organizing the assassination attempt on Russian journalist and Kremlin critic Arkady Babchenko] allegedly handed over these lists to his "supervisor Dmitry" in counterintelligence on May 21, 2018.

German himself, according to his theory, received the lists from Viacheslav Pivovarnik, who had been previously accused of financing terrorism in the territory of Ukraine for money of a certain "fund of Putin." German claimed he had immediately reported this to the secret service.

As UNIAN reported earlier, it became known on May 29, 2018, that Babchenko was reportedly shot dead at his apartment in Kyiv. Chief of Ukraine's SBU Security Service Vasyl Hrytsak said at a follow-up briefing on May 30, that the assassination was staged to prevent the killing of Babchenko and other persons who were targets for assassination.

The SBU is investigating the case of Boris German, a suspect of organizing the assassination attempt on Babchenko, pursuant to crimes under Part 1 of Article 14 (preparing a crime), Part 5 of Article 27 (abetting a crime), Part 3 of Article 258 (an act of terrorism) of Ukraine's Criminal Code.

Hrytsak said German had offered US$30,000 to an acquaintance who served in the Anti-Terrorist Operation in eastern Ukraine to assassinate Babchenko. German was said to have paid a US$15,000 advance for the crime.

On June 1, Ukraine's Chief Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko said that the Ukrainian special services had received a list of 47 persons who were to be targeted for assassination, Babchenko was to be the first victim.He also says the government will support "opening up to Russia."

The newly-appointed Prime Minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, who was nominated by a coalition of populists, stands for a review of Russia sanctions imposed by the European Union over Moscow's aggression against Ukraine.

We will support opening up to Russia ... We will push for a review of the sanctions system, starting with those that risk humiliating Russian civil society, Conte said in his inaugural speech on Tuesday, June 5, Reuters reports.

He also promised to "end the immigration business, which has grown out of all proportion under the cloak of fake solidarity.

Read alsoAustria's vice-chancellor advocates halt to EU Russia sanctions

The new prime minister said he planned to refuse from further implementing austerity measures, at the same time cutting Italy's state debt through economic growth. The Conte government vows a stand against political privileges, also promising to restore public trust in law enforcement and to fight mafia and corruption.The Ministry will work together with the Hungarian community to develop state standards and programs, planning to further develop the bill on general secondary education.

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and representatives of the Hungarian community began constructive negotiations on the implementation of the language provisions of Ukraine's education law.

The issue was discussed at a Tuesday meeting of Minister Lilia Hrynevych with representatives of the Hungarian community, the ministry's press service reports.

"Our talks focused on clarification of positions on the implementation plan for Article 7 of Law On Education, improvement of tools for studying the Ukrainian language, development of new standards and textbooks, which is expected to be carried out within the period of transition to the full implementation of the language article," the statement reads.

Also during the meeting, the issue was raised of publishing new quality textbooks.

According to the minister of education, very important is the context in which the information is presented in textbooks.

"If there is an ABC where children learn letters while reading exclusively about the Hungarian anthem, flag and city - this is something we find inappropriate. The textbook should be adapted to tell children about the state they live in, along with learning process. I'd like to note that we already have great experience in publishing textbooks where a foreign publishing house cooperates with a Ukrainian one and provides a good, high-quality textbook. So public funds are being spent correctly and in favor of children, so we are very interested in this format of cooperation. We will be very grateful if you help us establish such connections and develop textbooks for teaching children from the Hungarian community of Ukraine," Hrynevych said.

Read alsoSzijjarto hails U.S. role in efforts to settle Hungary-Ukraine language row

The parties also agreed that representatives of the Hungarian community would be included in working groups on the development of state standards and standard educational programs. Community representatives also submitted proposals for a draft language article for the bill on general secondary education, which should specify the way of implementation of the language article of Law "On Education."

The Ministry of Education and Science also recalled that, until recently, the Hungarian community refused to hold consultations on the implementation of the language article, basing their stance on the fact that the Constitutional Court of Ukraine should first consider the relevant submission and confirm its constitutionality.

As UNIAN reported earlier, in April Hungary for the third time blocked the NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting at the ministerial level.

Earlier, in March, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto demanded that Ukraine adopt changes to the law on education and postpone its implementation until 2023, otherwise, he said, Budapest will block meetings important for Ukraine at the level of the European Union and NATO.

Read alsoPolish FM calls on NATO's Stoltenberg to intervene in Hungary-Ukraine row

UNIAN memo. The new law on education, which entered into force on September 28, 2017, introduces a 12-year secondary education system in Ukraine with Ukrainian being used as the language of tuition.

Children of national minorities can be taught in their mother tongue at classes (groups) along with the national language. Yet, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Greece and Bulgaria expressed concern over the language provisions of Article 7 of the law.

The Venice Commission issued recommendations on December 8, 2017, that the Ukrainian authorities should balance the language provisions.

On February 14, 2018, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved bill No. 8046, which provides for the extension of the transition period until 2023 for the introduction of the language provision of the education law. Now the draft law is under consideration by parliamentary committeeThe State Department says the U.S. wants to be clear that legislation establishing the court must satisfy the IMF, which provides essential financial support to the Ukrainian government.

The United States has called on the government of Ukraine to implement deep, comprehensive, and timely reforms that reflect the demands the people of Ukraine made during the Revolution of Dignity: an end to systemic corruption, faster economic growth, and a European future for all Ukrainians.

"The establishment of a genuinely independent anti-corruption court is the most important, immediate step the government can take to meet those demands and roll back corruption that continues to threaten Ukraines national security, prosperity, and democratic development," reads a statement by the U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert.

"The United States fully supports the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which will determine whether a new law establishing the court is consistent with Ukraines commitments under its IMF program," Nauert said. "We agree with the IMF that any legislation establishing an anti-corruption court must include a central role for a council of international experts to ensure the selection of qualified judges."

Read alsoUkraine PM threatens to quit if corruption court law not passed  media

The State Department says the U.S. wants to be clear that legislation establishing the court must satisfy the IMF, which provides essential financial support to the Ukrainian government.

"We, therefore, encourage the Ukrainian government to discuss relevant legislative proposals directly with the IMF and to pass a bill that meets IMF requirements. The anti-corruption court has important work to do on behalf of the people of Ukraine," the statement concludes.The lawyer says Sentsov now looks normal.

Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, who has been serving a 20-year term in prison in Russia, is facing nasogastric tube feeding if his health deteriorates on the 30th day of hunger strike.

Read alsoMothers of Sentsov and Kolchenko ask Poroshenko to help free their sons (Video)

"When this happens, nasogastric intubation will be used for feeding through the nose. However, if he does not stop refusing to eat after that, the end will be fatal. It was not a threat, the doctor just warned Oleh," Sentsov's lawyer Dmitry Dinze said after visiting the Ukrainian prisoner in the colony in the Russian town of Labytnangi on June 4, RFE/RL's Ukrainian service reported.

"In general, he looks normal, the doctors have been monitoring his state. They've arranged ultrasound checks for him, examined. His innards are in the normal condition, his state is satisfactory," the lawyer said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Sentsov went on hunger strike on May 14 indefinitely.

This was his protest against the actions of the Kremlin, he demands the release of all the Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russia.26 schools may lose MPO facility

M M Jasim :

The government is going to cancel Monthly Pay Order (MPO) of at least 26 schools due to zero percent pass rate in the Secondary School Certificate Examination- 2018.

These educational institutions will be shut down next year if their pass rate remains unchanged, Education Ministry sources said.

They said, the list of the institutions has been filed up and the ministry will issue a notice soon in this regard.

The numbers of zero percent pass rate institutions - seven schools and 19 madrasas - are MPO listed. The government took the decision to cancel their MPO. And the Ministry will also cancel the approval of 77 madrasas and 9 schools (not MPO listed) due to their zero percent pass rate.

Sources said, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid recently held a meeting with the chairmen of all boards. The Minister ordered the chairmen to take stern action, including cancellation of MPO and shutting down the zero pass rate institutions. As per the Minister's direction the boards' chairmen made a list of the zero pass rate institutions.

Chairman of Dhaka Education Board Professor Muhammad Ziaul Haque told The New Nation that the boards sent show-cause letters to the zero pass rate institutions. "The answer of the show-cause letters was not satisfactory. That's why we have sent the answer sheets to the Education Ministry to take further action," he said.

Joint Secretary (Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Division) of the Education Ministry Salma Jahan said, "We have received the respective boards' letters over zero pass rates. The Ministry is now investigating the matter.

"I think the MPO of the zero pass rate institutions should be cancelled as early as possible. But it will not be illogical if the government shut down these institutions," she said.



He left a suicide note.

Chernihiv region's police have named suicide as a major theory behind the death of Ukrainian film director Leonid Kanter, 36, a co-director of the 'Myth' documentary (2018).

"We are considering the degree of [his] gunshot wound. There is a suicide note, other evidence indicating that the man has committed suicide," chief of the media liaison office of the National Police's main department in Chernihiv region Serhiy Bryl said.

The incident happened in a village in Chernihiv region, where the film maker lived, on the evening of June 4.

Police reported that the man had a gunshot wound in the jaw. A rifle was found near the body.

Speaker for the National Police Yaroslav Trakalo said that the police had preliminarily opened a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code (homicide).

Kanter lived in the village of Obyrok in Chernihiv region. He was the founder and producer of Obyrok Art Island and the organizer of ethnic festivals, such as Mama Africa Fest, Khlib ("Bread").

Kanter raised three children with his wife.

He served in the army as a volunteer of the 2nd Battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine in August 2014.

In 2015, he filmed a documentary about the Heavenly Hundred Heroes, 'The Ukrainians (Volunteers of God's Hundred).'

Read alsoSuicide rate surges in Kyiv  National Police

In 2018, he co-directed 'Myth: What Has Wassyl Slipak Died For,' a story about Ukrainian-born French opera singer Wassyl Slipak who died in the Ukrainian-Russian war in Donbas.

He actively promoted his films abroad. He was also a traveler and a writer.

He is said to have started work on a new film, 'Human with a Stool' by his book with the same title (2014), co-authored with Pavlo Solodko, about adventures of Ukrainian street artists who had to carry four stools from their kitchen to the four oceans.Firefighters engaged aviation and 29 vehicles to tackle flames.

Some 10 hectares of the forest area is on fire in the Chornobyl zone in the Ivankiv district just outside the former village of Kopachi, the settlement demolished and buried after a fallout at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in 1986, according to Ukraine's Agency for Emergency Situations.

Viktoria Ruban, a spokesperson for the Kyiv regional office of the emergency agency, who is now at the scene, confirmed the initial reports on forest fire.

"The total area engulfed by fire, which is still spreading in separate hotspots, is up to 10 hectares," the spokesperson reported.

At the moment, 29 units of equipment and 120 personnel are working to contain the fire.

Read alsoUkraine marks 32nd anniversary of Chornobyl tragedy with candles lit in Pripyat (Video)

According to Ruban, although it is separate fires that are recorded in the area, these hotspots are located not far from each other.

Speaking about the exact location of forest fire, she noted that it broke in the area of the so-called "red forest" (a forest near the village of Kopachi where all trees died out, affected by enormous radiation following a nuclear explosion at the Chornobyl NPP. Later, it was buried by bulldozers).

Speaking about the situation with background radiation at the site of the forest fire, Ruban stated: "The radiation background in the zone of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant is elevated as such. At the moment, it is not further increasing."

She added that dosimetrists were working at the scene to ensure safety of firefighters.Two enemy troops were killed and another six were wounded, Ukraine's intelligence said.

Russian-led forces mounted 30 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in the past day, using artillery systems and mortars in 10 instances.

Read alsoJFO chief urges world to help Ukraine retake eastern border with Russia

"There have been no casualties among the Ukrainian troops over the past day. According to intelligence data, two enemy troops were killed and another six were wounded," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in an update on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on June 5, 2018.

Hostilities continued near the villages of Krymske and Novotoshkivske, which are in Luhansk region, as well as near the village of Zaitseve, close to the Russian-occupied town of Horlivka, Donetsk region.

In addition, the fighting in the Donetsk sector continued near the towns of Avdiyivka, Krasnohorivka and Maryinka, and the villages of Pisky and Novotroyitske.

In the Mariupol sector, the enemy was active near the village of Lebedynske.

Furthermore, the Donetsk filtration station also came under enemy fire, the press center said.Hug will also join OSCE monitors as they patrol locations along the contact line in Donbas.

The Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Alexander Hug, will travel to eastern Ukraine from June 5 to June 9 to assess the security situation along the contact line and its impact on civilians.

Read alsoOSCE SMM confirms 10 killed and 25 injured civilians in Donbas in May alone

"He will also encourage all concerned to work towards normalization of the situation, in particular through meetings with senior government officials, senior members of the armed formations and other relevant interlocutors," the OSCE said on its website.

He will also join OSCE monitors as they patrol locations along the contact line.Manafort was released to home confinement after his arraignment in October.

President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, who has been indicted by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller, attempted to tamper with potential witnesses, Mueller said in a court filing on Monday.

Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, asked the judge overseeing the case in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to revoke or revise an order releasing Manafort ahead of his trial, Reuters said.

Manafort was released to home confinement after his arraignment in October.

Mueller has indicted Manafort in federal courts in Virginia and Washington, D.C., with an array of allegations from money-laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent, to bank and tax fraud. Manafort has pleaded not guilty.

Read alsoMueller was authorized to investigate Paul Manafort's work for Ukraine  media

FBI Special Agent Brock Domin, in a declaration filed with Mueller's motion, said Manafort had attempted to call, text and send encrypted messages in February to two people from "The Hapsburg Group," a firm he worked with to promote the interests of Ukraine.

The FBI has documents and statements from the two people, as well as telephone records and documents recovered through a search of Manafort's iCloud account showing that Trump's former campaign manager attempted communication while he was out on bail, according to Domin.

The communications were "in an effort to influence their testimony and to otherwise conceal evidence," Domin wrote. "The investigation into this matter is ongoing."

Manafort is the most senior member of Trump's campaign to be indicted, though the charges do not relate to campaign activities.

Mueller urged Judge Amy Berman Jackson to "promptly" schedule a hearing on the whether to change Manafort's conditions of release, which could result in Manafort going to jail.

The Washington trial is set to start on September 17.

Trump has denied collusion with Russia and called Mueller's investigation a "witch hunt."Cuba is interested in the Belarusian experience of forest management and sees a great potential for cooperation with Belarusian forestry enterprises.

MINSK, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :Cuba is interested in the Belarusian experience of forest management and sees a great potential for cooperation with Belarusian forestry enterprises.

The statement was made by Cuban Agriculture Minister Gustavo Rodriguez Rollero as he met with Belarusian Forestry Minister Vitaly Drozhzha, the press service of the Belarusian Forestry Ministry told BelTA.

According to the Cuban agriculture ministry, forests occupy 30% of Cuba's territory now. Respectively the country's leadership pays rather close attention to the matter. About 300 million Cuban pesos is appropriated for forestry development every year. Forest harvesting is a priority avenue.

Chairman of the agriculture and forestry farming entrepreneurship group of the Cuban Agriculture Ministry Miguel Angel Arregi Martinez noted that the delegation had carefully studied the Belarusian forest management experience before coming to Belarus.

"We know you work hard to keep your forests in order, to use forests as a resource, and to build forestry roads.

We would like to establish cooperation in all these areas," he added.

Miguel Angel Arregi Martinez also added that more concrete avenues of cooperation can be determined after specialists of the entrepreneurship group visit Belarus another time. Studying the quality of work of forest harvesting equipment will be high on the agenda of the visit.

In turn, Belarusian Forestry Minister Vitaly Drozhzha stressed that Belarusian wood growers are always open to dialogue. Enterprises accountable to the Belarusian Forestry Ministry have been switching to mechanized forest harvesting for the last few years. Cuba may be interested in the experience.

"Over 50% of the wood is harvested by machines these days. We invest heavily in it. I'd like to note that the Belarusian woodworking industry meant to produce timber, furniture, and other products is actively developing," he noted.KHARTOUM, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 05th Jun, 2018) Up to 120,000 benefitted from the Iftar meals provided by the UAE Embassy here across South Sudan's refugee camps, located in the outskirts of Khartoum State, East Nile, and Omdurman.

The humanitarian initiative, provided by the Sharjah Charity International and Sharjah Charity House, has been carried out in two phases; the first began at the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan, while the second kicked off this week under the supervision of the UAE Embassy.

The Iftar Saem programme carried out by the Embassy this year provided over 20,000 food parcels, as part of the humanitarian initiatives launched by the UAE across a number of Sudanese states.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 05th Jun, 2018) Continuing its work with the international maritime and arbitration communities, the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre, EMAC, sponsored and attended the Posidonia, the International Shipping Exhibition in Greece this year.

Taking place until 8th June, Posidonia is a must-attend event for all maritime concerns, attracting over 10,000 visitors from the international shipping community. This international exhibition began in 1969 and ever since has been held biennially.

"Posidonia is no doubt one of the biggest and most influential maritime events on the shipping Calendar. It provides a platform for the entire maritime community worldwide to come together to discuss trends and share the views of some of the world biggest Greek ship owning concerns," said Majid Obaid bin Bashir, Acting Chairman and Secretary-General, EMAC.

"Our participation in this major event, as part of the Dubai Maritime Cluster helps us spread the word about EMAC and the benefits of alternative dispute resolution. In addition, it is about keeping up with the pace of change and how we can adapt our services accordingly," added bin Bashir.

The EMAC team intends to continue participation in both local and international events related to arbitration and maritime throughout 2018, showcasing its commitment to delivering a trusted global standard for maritime arbitration services.(@FahadShabbir)

JERUSALEM, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 05th Jun, 2018) An UNRWA convoy has delivered life-saving aid to Palestinian refugees and vulnerable Syrians displaced from the Yarmouk unofficial refugee camp in Damascus to the nearby neighbourhood of Yalda.

UNRWA resumed access to the area for the first time since 25th May 2016, and reached those displaced by the recent fighting in Yarmouk with emergency assistance, including medicine and food. The convoy, which included a mobile UNRWA health clinic, consisted of 18 truckloads.

Mohamed Abdi Adar, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Syria, said, "These refugees had already suffered untold hardship because of years of besiegement and hostilities and then late April, intensified fighting in Yarmouk further destroyed many homes, displacing thousands. The traumas of war, combined with desperation and fear are taking an enormous toll, particularly on the children. This assistance will give them a life line and help meet their urgent humanitarian needs. But more must be done in the longer term."

The UNRWA team today distributed food parcels, hygiene kits, kitchen sets, mattresses, mats, blankets and jerry cans to 614 families - approximately 2,500 individuals - in Yalda.

Cleaning items and tarpaulins were also provided to a shelter hosting 65 families in the area. The health staff also provided treatment to 200 patients in Yalda today and recorded critical health needs. The medical treatment and aid distributions will continue tomorrow.

"This work highlights the need to address the severe underfunding in UNRWAs Emergency Appeal for Palestine refugees in Syria," said Mohamed Abdi Adar. "Across Syria, we are providing urgent humanitarian assistance including food, healthcare and cash to hundreds of thousands of Palestine refugees and yet the Syria portion of the Emergency Appeal is less than 5 percent funded.

We have already had to reduce our emergency cash assistance in Syria from US$64 to US$46 covering a 2 month period and unless the donor community responds rapidly, there will be further reductions of these life-saving services. That could prove catastrophic for hundreds of thousands of people," he added.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Chairman, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP),Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said FATA's merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a big achievement and it will lead to development in the tribal belt.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :Chairman, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP),Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said FATA's merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a big achievement and it will lead to development in the tribal belt.

He said that after the merger the problems of the tribal people would resolve and Pakhtun nation should also be united.

He said this during an Iftar dinner organized by QWP for the FATA Youth delegation, led by Senior Journalist and Anchorperson Saleem Safi.

Speaking on the occasion Aftab Sherpao congratulated the Fata Yoth Jirga on the merger of the FATA with KP. He said that the merger of Fata with KP was a great event and would mark a new beginning for the region. He said that the merger would put the tribal region on path of development, education, health, economic activity and governance issues.

He said that due to tireless efforts and continued struggle of the political parties and FATA youth hard work longstanding demand of the Pakhtun nation had been made possible and Fata-KP merger would open the doors of development for the people of the area. He said that the tribal people have a long history for the cause of Pakistan, who had been rendered numerous sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

He said that now the time has come that all the Pakhtuns in the region should be united for their rights and should also become one voice to safeguard their interests in the country.

He said that the youth of the Fata have played a very positive role in the merger process.

He said that the merger will prove to eliminate terrorism in the region.

He said that Pakhtuns unity in the region is the need of the time for the uplift and prosperity. He said that QWP from the day first had been raised its voice for the merger Fata with the rest of the KP which is the only solution of the problems of Pakhtuns. He said that KP-Fata merger was important for the unity of Pakhtun nation and with the process and now they would become a meaningful voice.

He said that Pakhtuns had rendered sacrifices for the cause of Pakistan but they had not been given their rights rewards. He added that the only objective of the QWP was welfare of Pakhtuns and it would struggle for their cause.

Sherpao demanded that the general elections both in Fata and in the rest of the country should be held on the same time, so as they would get their representation in the Provincial assembly after the mainstreaming process.

He asked the Fata Youth concentrate on the development of the province and keep on struggle to steer the province out of the multiple complexities.

Aftab Sherpao said that QWP will leave no stone unturned to ensure the Pakhtuns rights and it would continue the struggle for their welfare on every platform.Man held with 12 gold bars in rectum

UNB, Benapole :

Customs Intelligence officials recovered 12 gold bars weighing around 1.300 kg from the rectum of an India-bound passenger at Benapole check post on Tuesday noon.

The arrestee is Mohiuddin Bhuiyan, 33, son of Shahriar Bhuiyan of Boraikandi village of Cumilla's Titas upazila.

Being tipped off that Mohiuddin was smuggling gold out of the country, a team of Customs Intelligence interrogated him when he denied carrying any gold, said Deputy Director of Benapole Customs Intelligence Saifur Rahman. But, later they took him to a hospital and did an X-ray on his abdomen where the existence of gold bars was detected. Again, he was taken to the checkpost and made to take juice and water whereby the gold bars came out of the rectum. A case was filed and the recovered gold bars were deposited to Benapole Customs House.

(@ChaudhryMAli88)

President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika said that Algeria, in unison with the rest of the world, celebrates for the first time the "International Day of Living Together in Peace" , this celebration takes on a particular dimension for several reasons.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika said that Algeria, in unison with the rest of the world, celebrates for the first time the "International Day of Living Together in Peace" , this celebration takes on a particular dimension for several reasons.

Addressing on the occasion of "International Day of Living Together in Peace he said firstly the proclaimation reflectes the international community's recognition of our country's patient and successful efforts to promote a culture of peace, dialogue, mutual respect and tolerance among its own citizens.

The text of the speech of Algerian President was released by the Embassy of Algeria here in Islamabad.

The General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed last December 8, this day of living together in peace, the initiative was of the International Sufi Association Alawiyya, the NGO chaired by Sheikh Khaled Ben Tounes, with the support of his country Algeria, he added.

Secondly he said that this initiative is driven by the moral, cultural, social and human values to which our moderate people are fundamentally attached. It expresses just as much the strong commitment of our people that these universal values take the place that should be theirs in the relations between the Nations and the people of the whole world.

Thirdly he said, this proclamation represents a commitment of our country as well as the will of the international community to work more to promote the culture of peace and dialogue both within societies and between Nations, at a time where breaking lines and the factors of division multiply.

He further said that at the international level, starting from this same base, and with the correctness of its conviction, our country joined its efforts with those of other countries to prevail between peoples the culture of peace, solidarity, tolerance and dialogue, It is in this spirit that our country was among the first to advocate for the strengthening of the dialogue of civilizations, cultures and religions and to promote the culture of peace, actively participating in bringing the international community to confront, more and more, troublemakers of conflicts and dissension between the people, he added.

Thus, the Algeria never stopped, on the international level, to promote the principles, ideals and objectives of the UN Charter in international relation and this as well in the settlement political conflicts in the introduction of more balanced economic relation, he said.

President Abdelaziz said in this regard, our people can be proud of their country's foregoing five decades of global dialogue aimed at building more equitable and integrated economic relations between developed and less affluent nations during an extraordinary general assembly convened by the UN.

He said that we need to incorporate the constitutional definition, with clarity and precision, of the components of the national identity of islam, Arab and Amazigh identity and the need to exclude them from exploitation of political operations and politicians, the promotion of economic, social and cultural policies driven by the requirement of inclusiveness and social justice, as well as territorial development strategies guided by an equitable distribution of opportunities, national wealth and generated prosperity.

President Abdelaziz said it is the path that constitutes our choice and which makes us inscribe the dynamic of promoting our young democracy in that it contributes to anchoring in the minds and behaviors of men and institutions the intrinsic values of living together, by strengthening the rule of law,respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In the end, he said that the profound reform of the national education system, whose role in the formation ofthe citizen rooted in its country's millennial history, is anchored in the authentic values of its people, the Citizen attached to work and sacrifice to preserve the independence of its country and build his prosperous future, theAlgerian school is today called to spread more values of living together in peace among the millions of students.Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar Tuesday visited Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and expressed satisfaction over the healtcare services being provided to the incoming patients.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Jun, 2018 ) :''''(Rept with some correction)''' Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar Tuesday visited Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and expressed satisfaction over the healtcare services being provided to the incoming patients.

The CJP along with Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Sardar Tariq Masood visited different departments of the hospital including Cardiac Centre, Children Hospital, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Centre, Labour Rooms, washrooms, Surgical ward, Children emergency, Private ward,. Paediatrics nursery, security system, Head Injury unit, Thalassemia and Hemophilia Center, BMT Office, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and Hospital Management Information System (HMIS).

The CJP said he will visit again after two or three months to examine whether the hospital administration has maintained the standard of the services.

He said if there is any issue of donation to run the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit or any other patient care, he promised to pay donation from himself.

He said he visited several hospitals of the country but he found improvements in PIMS. He added the addition of new wards at PIMS is also good improvement and expressed the hope that PIMS administration will address the patients' complaints.

The CJP said now government officers should come to PIMS rather going to private hospitals like Shifa International Hospital. He directed the ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division to support the hospital with regard to issuance of funds whenever required.

He said hospitals like PIMS should make more efforts to restore the confidence of the patients who visit hospitals with different medical complications.

"I want to improve the standard of hospitals so that patients may get relief from public hospitals. I am hopeful that with the passage of time, things will improve in the hospitals." The CJP said all the house officers from private medical colleges, who were doing house jobs anywhere will be paid from their private medical colleges.

On the occasion, he has made Health Reporter Razia Khan as focal person with task to collect 10 samples of different medicines randomly from PIMS, Federal Government Poly Clinic and Rawalpindi hospitals and submit to the Supreme Court to check the standard of these medicines.

Executive Director PIMS Dr Amjad Mehmood, Deputy Executive Director Dr Zulfiqar Ghori and heads of different departments were also present during the visit of CJP.

ED of PIMS Dr Amjad Mehmood briefed the CJP about functioning of different sections of the hospital and service delivery system.

He apprised the CJP that several steps have been taken for improving the healthcare standard, maintaining clean atmosphere and ensuring best patients registration system.

He assured the CJP that all remaining complaints of patients will be addressed. "If I fail to resolve these issues within 12 to 18 months I will resign from my office," the ED PIMS added.President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Ghazanfar Bilour and others have expressed their heart-felt congratulation to Fazlur Rehman, on his appointment as the Caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh.

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Ghazanfar Bilour and others have expressed their heart-felt congratulation to Fazlur Rehman, on his appointment as the Caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh.

In a statement, they said that the appointment of Fazlur Rehman as the Caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh in fact, is an appreciation of the devoted services, which have been rendered by him with remarkable distinction for the Government of Pakistan in various capacities.

They expressed their confidence that under his leadership and guidance the performance of the Sindh Province would be further reactivated to resolve the problems and hardship of the trade and industry.

They wished Fazlur Rehman success in his new responsibilities and assured him of complete support and cooperation of FPCCI.The martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (RA) (Yaum-e-Ali) will be observed here on Wednesday (21st of Ramzan-ul-Mubarak 1439 Hijrah) with full religious fervour.

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :The martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (RA) (Yaum-e-Ali) will be observed here on Wednesday (21st of Ramzan-ul-Mubarak 1439 Hijrah) with full religious fervour.

Hazrat Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) was the 4th caliph of Muslim Ummah.

He took the reins of caliphate into his hand in a crucial time when Muslim Ummah was facing negative propaganda of non-believers and hypocrites.

However, Hazrat Ali (RA) with his wisdom and foresightedness foiled all conspiracies being hatched against Muslim Ummah and laid down exemplary precedents for the faithful to lead an honorable life.

Religious organizations will arrange a number of meetings, seminars, sittings and workshops to mark this day on Wednesday (June 06, 2018).

The day will start with special prayers almost in city mosques immediately after Fajr Prayers. Religious scholars and prayer leaders will deliver special sermons to highlight the teachings and various aspects of the life of Hazrat Ali (RA).

Faithful will also arrange Langar (free food) and Iftar dinners on this occasion to seek blessings of Allah Almighty for them.National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in collaboration with Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has established Scrutiny Facilitation Cell for the scrutiny of contesting candidates in up coming general election 2018, to ensure free fair and transparent election across the country.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in collaboration with Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has established Scrutiny Facilitation Cell for the scrutiny of contesting candidates in up coming general election 2018, to ensure free fair and transparent election across the country.

NAB Chairman Justice Javed Iqbal has directed NAB to immediately established Scrutiny Facilitation Cells (SFCs) at NAB headquarters and all regional bureaus of NAB and extend full cooperation and assistance to the ECP for scrutiny of the contesting candidates within stipulated/shortest possible time round the clock as per law, a press release Tuesday said.

The NAB chairman has deputed Shakeel Anjum Nagra, Additional Director (Coordination) Operations Division as focal person at NAB headquarters under the supervision of Zahir Shah, DG Operations at NAB headquarters for timely sharing of data to the ECP around the clock without any break till the task is completed as per schedule of the ECP.

He has further directed that this is our official and national duty to assist and facilitate the ECP for scrutiny of the contesting candidates with best of our abilities within stipulated/shortest possible time as per law and no leniency will be tolerated in this regard.World Environment Day is observed internationally on 05 June every year under the auspices of United National Environment Programme (UNEP)

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) World Environment Day is observed internationally on 05 June every year under the auspices of United National Environment Programme (UNEP).

The purpose of celebrating World Environment Day is to bring worldwide focus on importance of environment and to stimulate attention and actions for improving the environment. This year, theme selected for the World Environment Day is "Beat Plastic Pollution", with an aim to come together and explore sustainable alternatives to plastic and urgently reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastic which are continuously polluting our oceans, damaging marine life and threatening human health.

Pakistan Navy celebrates World Environment Day regularly. This year, PN arranged numerous activities on this Day to highlight the significance of environment in Pakistan and to promote awareness amongst public, concerned agencies and departments especially focusing on the marine environment.

These activities include lectures on significance of the day, Essay Writing and Chart Making competitions. Cleaning Campaigns at residential areas would also be held after the month of Ramazan. Such events play a pivotal role in enhancing importance of environment amongst the general populace.

Pakistan Navy always endeavours to secure marine environment for safer and cleaner oceans. Chief of the Naval Staff in his message reaffirmed Pakistan Navy's commitment to make every effort to protect our environment especially in maritime domain and for sustainable use of oceans while endeavoring to protect its precious resources for our future generations.World Environment Day observed internationally on June 5 every year under the auspices of United National Environment Programme (UNEP).

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :World Environment Day observed internationally on June 5 every year under the auspices of United National Environment Programme (UNEP). The purpose of celebrating World Environment Day is to bring worldwide focus on importance of environment and to stimulate attention and actions for improving the environment, said a press release issued by |Directorate of Public Relations of |Pakistan Navy here on Tuesday.

This year, theme selected for the World Environment Day is "BeatPlastic Pollution",with an aim to come together and explore sustainable alternatives to plastic and urgently reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastic which are continuously polluting our oceans, damaging marine life and threatening human health.

Pakistan Navy celebrates World Environment Day regularly.

This year, PN arranged numerous activities on this Day to highlight the significance of environment in Pakistan and to promote awareness amongst public, concerned agencies and departments especially focusing on the marine environment.

These activities include lectures on significance of the day, essay writing and chart making competitions. cleaning campaigns at residential areas would also be held after the month of Ramazan. Such events play a pivotal role in enhancing importance of environment amongst the general populace.

Pakistan Navy always endeavors to secure marine environment for safer and cleaner oceans. Chief of theNaval Staff in his message reaffirmed Pakistan Navy's commitment to make every effort to protect our environment especially in maritime domain and for sustainable use of oceans while endeavoring to protect its precious resourcesfor our future generations.Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has said that it is our moral and religious duty to take care persons with disabilities so that they could become active part of society.

Islamabad, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018) : Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has said that it is our moral and religious duty to take care persons with disabilities so that they could become active part of society.

He stated this while addressing as chief guest of a special ceremony organized by Hashoo Foundation here on Tuesday. During the ceremony, colorful performances of special children's were demonstrated by young champions enthusiastically.

Diplomats, heads of corporate sectors, government officials, academia, politicians and representatives of civil society notables attended the ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra appreciated the valuable contributions of Hashoo Foundation for the purpose and asked affluent persons to support generously to such organizations which had been rendering services for the cause of humanity.

The Governor KP termed Umeed e Noor Centre for special children of Hashoo Foundation a Ray of hope in real sense for such kids who need our attention. He said today's evening creates awareness, compassion and acceptance of the needs and potentials of our children with special needs.

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra said every religion has put a lot of emphasis on serving humans which includes charity as well.

Allah replaces what we give and multiplies it. Improving the lives of disadvantages people and especially children with disabilities by encouraging them an act of kindness and those who had been involved in such noble cause deserves our special appreciation.

The Governor KP said that special children deserve our attention and encouragement and admired the untiring efforts of teaching faculty of Umeed e Noor. He was of the view that Hashwani Family rendering meritorious services in social sector which has enabled a large number of deserving persons.

Country Director Hashoo Foundation, Ms. Ayesha Khan while sharing the objectives of Umeed e Noor said that all possible facilities were being extended to the special children's with the vision to envisage ethical, equitable, inclusive and progressive society in which people live with dignity and honor.

She said we are trying our best to cater the necessities of quality education training and placement of special children in society. Governor KPK Iqbal Zafar Jhagra announced Rs. 5 lakh for Umeed e Noor for its educational programmes. Principal Gulnar Sultana informed the participants about the training.Thousands of the faithful sat Aitekaf in various mosques of the Punjab capital after Maghrib prayers on Tuesday.

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :Thousands of the faithful sat Aitekaf in various mosques of the Punjab capital after Maghrib prayers on Tuesday.

Aitekaf is an Islamic practice consisting of a period of staying in a mosque for a certain number of days in the last 10 days of Ramadan, devoting onself to Allah's ibadah during these days.

Official sources said that all major mosques of Lahore including Badshahi Masjid, Data Darbar Masjid, Jamia Ashrafia, Jamia Naeemia, Masjid Wazir Khan, Minhajul Quran, Jamia-tul-Muntazir and Jamia Masjid Al-Qadsia had already completed registration of those who wanted to sit Aitekaf there.

During Aitekaf, the observers would spend most of their time reciting Holy Quran, offering special prayers and seeking blessings of Almighty Allah.

Prayers for country's sovereignty and stability, elimination of terrorism and prosperity of Muslim Ummah will be part of Aitekaf prayers.

Special security measures were taken at all mosques in the metropolis to avoid any untoward incident, sources said.(@FahadShabbir)

At least nine people were killed in three suicide bombings in southeastern Niger near the border with Nigeria, a local official said Tuesday.

Niamey, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :At least nine people were killed in three suicide bombings in southeastern Niger near the border with Nigeria, a local official said Tuesday.

The attacks occurred late Monday in the regional capital of Diffa, a frequent target of attacks by the Boko Haram miltant group, the official, who asked not to be identified, told AFP.Najib Razak`s wife appears before Anti-graft body

Channel News Asia, KUALA LUMPUR :

Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, arrived for questioning on Tuesday (Jun 5) at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya.

She was called in by the country's anti-graft authorities to assist in their probe into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) subsidiary SRC International.

Rosmah arrived in a convoy of four private cars and was accompanied by her daughter Nooryana Najwa.

Flanked by security guards and her lawyers, she stepped out of a silver Mercedes carrying a bright red handbag that appeared to be a model made by Italian luxury fashion brand Versace.

MACC issued a notice to Rosmah last Friday to be at its headquarters at 11am to give a statement. The notice was handed over by an MACC officer at Rosmah and Najib's residence in Jalan Langgak Duta, said a source at the anti-graft body. Several MACC officers were also seen leaving the residence with a bag believed to contain documents taken from the residence.

Attention has focused on Rosmah after police discovered hundreds of luxury handbags and a stash of jewellery and cash during raids on apartments linked to Najib and his family.

Malaysian police have said cash of RM114 million (US$28.6 million) and more than 400 handbags were seized. Experts were being brought in to value the jewellery, watches and other seized items.

Najib, defeated in a stunning election loss last month by his mentor-turned-rival, Mahathir Mohamad, has become the subject of a money-laundering probe. He and Rosmah have been barred from leaving the country.

Najib also gave statements to MACC last month about a suspicious transfer of US$10.6 million to his bank account. SRC International was set up in 2011 by the previous Barisan Nasional government and was a unit of the scandal-plagued sovereign fund 1MDB before it was placed under the Finance Ministry in 2012.

Rosmah's lawyers said on Tuesday that they were confident their client will be cleared by MACC.

"The credit cards are not under her name ... No payment was made into her accounts," said senior criminal lawyer K Kumaraendran, adding that his client was very composed and had expressed her willingness to cooperate in the probe. This is the first time that the 66-year-old has been summoned to answer questions relating to the ongoing 1MDB probe. According to a paper trail revealed by the former Attorney-General in January 2016, several credit card transactions linked to SRC International was made by Najib in December 2014. The transactions were allegedly payments for his wife's shopping in luxury goods, which included handbags and jewellery.



(@FahadShabbir)

Kyrgyzstan's former prime minister Sapar Isakov was arrested on corruption charges Tuesday, the national security service said, as political divisions in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation deepen.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan,(APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :Kyrgyzstan's former prime minister Sapar Isakov was arrested on corruption charges Tuesday, the national security service said, as political divisions in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation deepen.

Isakov, 40, was detained after being questioned for a fourth time in relation to his role in securing investment into a power plant in the capital Bishkek whilst serving in the administration of then president Almazbek Atambayev, the GKNB security service said.

Isakov is accused of lobbying in the interest of Chinese company TBEA to modernise the vital power plant that later broke down as temperatures plunged in January.

But many local analysts have argued that the investigations targeting Isakov and other formerly high-ranking Kyrgyz politicians may have more to do with the country's turbulent domestic politics than the rule of law.

Isakov is widely viewed as a protege of Atambayev, who was barred by the nation's constitution from running for re-election last year.

Another former Atambayev ally, Kubanychbek Kulmatov, who served as the capital's mayor from 2014 to 2016, was also held Tuesday in a separate investigation linked to the power plant investment.

While Atambayev was succeeded by Sooronbai Jeenbekov last November in the first peaceful transfer of power between elected presidents since the country of six million gained independence from Moscow in 1991, tensions have mounted as Atambayev has pushed to retain influence.

Jeenbekov's office said Monday that corruption investigations into the power plant corruption deal would not affect relations with top lender and neighbour China.Nine people were killed in three suicide bombings in southeastern Niger near the border with Nigeria, a local official said Tuesday.

Niamey, June 5 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :Nine people were killed in three suicide bombings in southeastern Niger near the border with Nigeria, a local official said Tuesday.

The attacks occurred late Monday in the regional capital of Diffa, a frequent target of the Boko Haram jihadist group, the official, who asked not to be identified, told AFP.

He said "two young women and a man" blew themselves up in different parts of the city, adding that an Islamic school in a busy area was one of the targets.

"For the moment there are nine dead, and wounded," he said.

Security forces have cordoned off the sites and are carrying out search operations throughout the city, a security source said.

According to accounts on social media, three explosions were heard at around 10pm (2100 GMT) Monday in Diffa Koura, an old district of the city.

The attacks came as Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou arrived in Paris for an official visit Monday. He is to continue to Brussels Tuesday.All inhibitors evaluated in this setting are active

ORR ranges from 15-26%

There are a handful of patients with complete responses

Pembrolizumab has demonstrated superiority to chemotherapy in this setting

There are no reliable, predictive biomarkers

There is a relatively low number of responders and we are unclear as to the duration of therapy for those that do respond

We are still unsure what the best setting to use immunotherapy is

Will sequence therapy matter?

Is re-treatment an option?

Chicago, IL (UroToday.com) At the precision therapy for the treatment of advanced urothelial cancer session at ASCO 2018, Sandy Srinivas, MD, presented on the role of immunotherapy-based approaches in this disease space.Starting with the FDA approval of cisplatin in 1978 for metastatic bladder cancer, there have been few exciting advances with regards to systemic therapy for bladder cancer until the recent approval of atezolizumab in 2016, quickly followed by four more immunotherapy options in 2017 (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, durvalumab, avelumab).The IMvigor210 phase II trial treated 310 patients with atezolizumab after progressing on first line platinum-based chemotherapy [1]. Compared with a historical control objective response rate (ORR) of 10%, treatment with atezolizumab resulted in a significantly improved RECIST v1.1 ORR (15%, 95%CI 11-20, p=0.0058), as well as for each prespecified immune cell group: IC 2/3 - 27%, 95%CI 19-37, p<00001; IC1/2/3 - 18%, 95%CI 13-24, p=0.0004. Furthermore, over a median follow-up of 11.7 months (95%CI 11.4-12.2), ongoing responses were recorded in 38 (84%) of 45 responders.The phase 3 KEYNOTE-045 study comparing pembrolizumab and investigators choice of chemotherapy (paclitaxel, docetaxel, or vinflunine) reported results after the second planned interim analysis (at which point the trial was stopped) [2]. The study found a median overall survival (OS) of 10.3 months (95%CI 8.0-11.8) in the pembrolizumab group, compared with 7.4 months (95%CI 6.1-8.3) in the chemotherapy group (HR 0.73, 95%CI 0.59-0.91). Furthermore, the median OS among patients who had a tumor PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) of 10% was 8.0 months (95%CI 5.0-12.3) in the pembrolizumab group, as compared with 5.2 months (95%CI 4.0-7.4) in the chemotherapy group (HR 0.57, 95%CI 0.37-0.88). Updated two-year outcomes presented at this meeting demonstrate that the results of the interim analysis that resulted in FDA approval for pembrolizumab remained, specifically for an OS benefit and superior safety, compared to chemotherapy.The phase III IMvigor211 study tested the efficacy of atezolizumab versus chemotherapy among patients progressing on platinum-based chemotherapy [3]. There were 931 patients randomized to receive atezolizumab (n=467) or chemotherapy (n=464). In the IC2/3 population (n=234), overall survival did not differ significantly between patients in the atezolizumab group and those in the chemotherapy group (median 11.1 months, 95%CI 8.6-15.5 vs 10.6 months 95%CI 8.4-12.2) (HR 0.87, 95%CI 0.63-1.21). An exploratory analysis of the intention-to-treat population showed well-tolerated, durable responses in line with previous phase II data from IMvigor 210 for atezolizumab in this setting. Unfortunately, atezolizumab was not associated with significantly longer OS than chemotherapy in patients overexpressing PD-L1 (IC2/3).Srinivas summary of all of the check-point inhibitor studies in platinum-refractory disease is:Also as part of the IMvigor210 trial was a cohort of patients (n=119) that were treated with atezolizumab as first-line treatment secondary to being cisplatin-ineligible [1]. At a median follow-up of 17.2 months, the ORR was 23% (95%CI 16-31%), the complete response rate (CRR) was 9%, and 19 of 27 responses were ongoing. Furthermore, the median PFS was 2.7 months (95%CI 2.1-4.2) and median OS was 15.9 months (95%CI 10.4-NR).The phase II KEYNOTE-052 study was also for patients ineligible for cisplatin, reporting that among 370 patients receiving at least one dose of pembrolizumab, 89 (24%, 95%CI 20-29) patients had a centrally assessed objective response, and 74 (83%) of 89 patients had ongoing responses over a median follow-up of 5 months (IQR 3.0-8.6) [4]. Additionally, a PD-L1-expression cutoff of 10% was associated with a higher frequency of response to pembrolizumab: 42 (38%, 95%CI 29-48) of 110 patients had an objective response. Updated efficacy results presented at this meeting demonstrate durable responses in this population. As Srinivas notes, this is comparable to our best chemotherapy regimen in this setting (carboplatin/gemcitabine), which demonstrates ORRs of 36%, PFS of 5.8 months, and OS of 9.3 months.Srinivas also highlighted that there are several ongoing trials in the adjuvant setting for urothelial carcinoma, summarized as follows:There are several challenges that Srinivas notes moving forward in the clinical trial landscape of immunotherapy:Srinivas concluded with an excellent slide highlighting the current landscape of treatment and how she predicts it will look in the future:References:1. Rosenberg JE, Hoffman-Censits J, Powles T, et al. Atezolizumab in patients with locally advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have progressed following treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy: A single-arm, multicentre, phase 2 trial.2016;387(10031):1909-1920.2. Bellmunt J, de Wit R, Vaughn DJ, et al. Pembrolizumab as Second-Line Therapy for Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma. N Engl J Med 2017;376(11):1015-1026. 3. Powles T, Duran I, van der Heijden MS, et al. Atezolizumab versus chemotherapy in patients with platinum-treated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (IMvigor211): A multicentre, open-label, phase 3 randomized controlled trial.2018;391:748-757.4. Balar AV, Castellano D, ODonnell PH, et al. First-line pembrolizumab in cisplatin-ineligible patients with locally advanced and unresectable or metastatic urothelial cancer (KEYNOTE-052): A multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 study. Lancet Oncol 2017;18(11):1483-1492. Presented by: Sandy Srinivas, MD, Department of Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine/Stanford Cancer Center, Stanford, CAWritten by: Zachary Klaassen, MD, Urologic Oncology Fellow, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Twitter: @zklaassen_md at the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting - June 1-5, 2018  Chicago, IL USAChicago, IL (UroToday.com) PET imaging has been slowly revolutionizing the management of prostate cancer, as it has been contributing to a chance in the definition of oligometastatic disease. Able to identify small volume metastatic disease, it has forced us to question prior management options for patients with previously diagnosed cM0 disease. However, in doing so, PET imaging has also begun to make its way into other stages of prostate cancer staging and management.Unfortunately, progress may be moving forward too quickly, prior to having high level data to support its findings. As such, clinical trials are key to ensuring data validation. Multiple trials are ongoing utilizing PET imaging in prostate cancer.One such study is this prospective phase II/III study utilizing 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT. 18F-DCFPyL (PyL) is a novel, high specific activity, highly selective, low-molecular weight prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted PET radiopharmaceutical. In this study, they aim to assess the diagnostic accuracy of this novel imaging modality in the detection of metastatic and/or recurrent prostate cancer.Study Design: multi-center, open-label, phase 2/3 studyEligible Patients:Men with at least high-risk (NCCN v3.2016) prostate cancer who are scheduled for a radical prostatectomy (Group A) or radiologically confirmed metastatic/recurrent prostate cancer (Group B).Group A evaluates the pre-radical prostatectomy staging accuracy in the regional lymph nodesGroup B evaluates the metastatic PCa space regardless of primary therapyAll patients must be at least 18 years of age with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate.Target Accrual: 400 patientsProtocol:A single administration of PyL (9  1 mCi [333  37 MBq]) is administered 1-2 hours prior to PET/CT imaging on Day 1.Objectives:The primary objective is:Group A: to assess the diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity) of PyL PET/CT in the detection of metastatic prostate cancer within the pelvic lymph nodes relative to histopathology in pre-prostatectomy patients, as determined by independent central reviewGroup B: diagnostic performance of PyL PET/CT in the detection of prostate cancer within sites of distant metastasis or local recurrence.* 3 independent readers will review all PET imaging interpretation and 1 reader with reviewer conventional imaging. All 4 reviewers will blinded to all other clinical information, including pathology results.Local pathologists remain blinded to all imaging results.Other goals will include assessing the safety and tolerability of PyL, and pharmacokinetic parameters of PyL in a subset of subjects.The study is already open at 10 centers and is actively accruing. As of May 2018, 354 subjects have been dosed in the study.This trial will continue to add important data to the better understanding of the role of these novel imaging modalities to the management of prostate cancer.Presented by: Michael J. Morris, MDWritten by: Thenappan Chandrasekar, MD, Clinical Fellow, University of Toronto, Twitter: @tchandra_uromd at the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting - June 1-5, 2018  Chicago, IL USAWhether he needs to be further tested for prostate cancer

How he should be optimally tested and how accurate the tests are

If he has prostate cancer, knowing the grade, PSA, clinical stage and the prognostic significance of the information

The best treatment  to prevent suffering and death from the disease

Advantages and disadvantages of the treatments, including the level of the physicians expertise

The balance of risks when making management decisions

Metastasis: 0.12-6.06%

Prostate cancer death: 0-1.51%

Switch to active treatment: 27-53%

The risk of death from prostate cancer over an average of 10 years of follow-up is very low (1%)

Surgery and radiotherapy can reduce the risk of cancer progression, but are associated with bothersome urinary, sexual and bowel symptoms.

Staying on active monitoring avoids treatment side-effects, but there is an increased risk of cancer progression and spread

Longer-term follow-up (additional 10-20 years) is essential to provide data about the trade-off between shorter-term effects of radical treatment and risks of disease progression, and if there are any long-term benefits in cancer cure and survival.

A low-intensity screening intervention with a single PSA test had no discernable effect on prostate cancer-specific mortality at 10 years

In the intervention arm, a single PSA test increased detection of early-stage, low-grade prostate cancer, however, it did miss some lethal prostate cancers

The current diagnostic pathway of PSA-testing and TRUS-guided biopsies is inappropriate, no longer suitable, and must evolve to targeting and diagnosing clinically important prostate cancer

AS is a by-product of irrational and inappropriate diagnosis of prostate cancer in men who will never suffer consequences from their disease if left untreated

AS should be replaced by a reduced detection of insignificant prostate cancer using innovative diagnostic pathways including pre-biopsy MRI, liquid biopsies and risk calculations prior to diagnosis

Monitoring methods need to improve in order to keep men in a genuine window of curability and intervene when necessary

Chicago, IL (UroToday.com) Freddie Hamdy, MD, started the Precision Active Surveillance in Prostate Cancer session by discussing the role and impact of ProtecT and other prospective trials on how active surveillance is disseminated in the real world.Dr. Hamdy notes that young men worried about prostate cancer want to know several items, which is essentially a summary of a shared-decision making process between physician and patient:Active surveillance involves identifying prostate cancer with slow progression and low risk, where competing causes of mortality and slow evaluation of the disease will prevent the disease from causing significant harm. This involves monitoring the disease with efficient means to identify, in a timely manner, men who are progressing, while keeping them in a window of curability so that they can receive curative treatment when necessary. However, our stratification of tumors is poor and tumor heterogeneity is our Achilles heel. Watchful waiting is to diagnose the disease in men with high levels of comorbidity and competing causes for mortality and keeping them without active treatment, intervening only in the presence of advancing, symptomatic disease with no intent of cure.Two trials have assessed the appropriate treatment of localized, early prostate cancer. The SPCG-4 randomized controlled trial randomly assigned 695 men with early prostate cancer to watchful waiting or radical prostatectomy between 1989 and 1999, who were followed through the end of 2012 [1]. During 23.2 years of follow-up, there were 63 deaths in the surgery group and 99 in the watchful-waiting group due to prostate cancer (RR 0.56 95%CI 0.41-0.77). The number needed to treat to prevent one death was 8. In the US equivalent, long-term follow-up of the PIVOT trial (19.5 years), death attributed to prostate cancer or treatment occurred in 7.4% assigned to surgery and 11.4% assigned to observation (HR 0.63, 95%CI 0.39-1.02) [2]. Dr. Hamdy notes several items missing from SPCG-4 and PIVOT: (i) these were non-screen detected cases, (ii) cohorts are no longer contemporary, (iii) observation was watchful waiting, (iv) radiotherapy was not evaluated against other options, (v) competing morbidity was high, and randomization was low (PIVOT), (vi) genomic diversity was unknown, and there was poor stratification of patient risk, and (vii) trade-off was insufficiently considered between oncological outcomes, mortality, and patient-reported outcomes.Several centers have published their long-term outcomes of AS cohorts, demonstrating safety and feasibility for properly selected patients. The Toronto series with Dr. Klotz over a time frame of 15 years with a median 6.4 years of follow-up from first biopsy (range, 0.2-19.8 years) found 149 (15%) of 993 patients died, with 15 deaths (1.5%) from prostate cancer [3]. An additional 13 patients (1.3%) developed metastatic disease and are alive with confirmed metastases or have died of other causes. At 5, 10, and 15 years, 75.7%, 63.5%, and 55.0% of patients remained untreated and on surveillance, respectively. Long-term outcomes from the Hopkins AS cohort found that with a median follow-up of 5 years (range 0.01-18.00) overall, cancer-specific, and metastasis-free survival rates were 93%, 99.9%, and 99.4%, respectively, at 10 years and 69%, 99.9%, and 99.4%, respectively, at 15 years [4]. The cumulative incidence of curative intervention was 50% at 10 years and was 57% at 15 years, whereas the median treatment-free survival was 8.5 years (range 0.01-18). Summarizing the large AS cohorts:Dr. Hamdy then discussed the trial he oversaw since 1999, the highly publicized ProtecT trial [5]. Between 1999 and 2009, 82,429 men 50 to 69 years of age received a PSA test and 2664 received a diagnosis of localized prostate cancer. From these men, 1643 agreed to undergo randomization to active monitoring (n=545), surgery (n=553), or radiotherapy (n=545) with a primary outcome of prostate-cancer mortality at a median of 10 years of follow-up. Overall, there were 17 prostate-cancer-specific deaths, including 8 in the active-monitoring group, 5 in the surgery group, and 4 in the radiotherapy group, with no difference among the groups (p=0.48). However, metastases developed in more men in the active-monitoring group (n=33) than in the surgery group (n=13) or the radiotherapy group (n=16 men; p=0.004). Dr. Hamdy highlights several points he feels we have learned from the initial results:Finally, Dr. Hamdy discussed the recently published CAP study to evaluate the effect of a single PSA screening test and standardized diagnostic pathway on prostate cancer-specific mortality [6]. This was a clustered randomized trial in the UK of 419 582 men aged 50 to 69 years conducted at 573 primary care practices. These men were invited to attend a PSA testing clinic and receive a single PSA test vs standard (unscreened) practice. Among randomized men, there were 189,386 in the intervention group and 219,439 in the control group. In the intervention group, 75,707 (40%) attended the PSA testing clinic and 67,313 (36%) underwent PSA testing of which 11% had a PSA level between 3 ng/mL and 19.9 ng/mL; 5.850 (85%) men then had a prostate biopsy. After a median follow-up of 10 years, 549 (0.30 per 1000 person-years) died of prostate cancer in the intervention group vs 647 (0.31 per 1000 person-years) in the control group (RR 0.96, 95%CI 0.85-1.08, p = .50). Dr. Hamdy notes several take-home messages from the CAP trial:Final concluding remarks from Dr. Hamdy included:References:Presented by: Freddie Hamdy, MD, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKWritten By: Zachary Klaassen, MD, Urologic Oncology Fellow, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Twitter: @zklaassen_md at the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting - June 1-5, 2018  Chicago, IL USAThe blood of the Martyrs has drawn all of us here to Namugongo, Ugandas Archbishop of Tororo, Emmanuel Obbo, told a large gathering on Martyrs Day.

Paul Samasumo  Vatican city.

Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations

Organisers and local media have said that over two million people took part in this years celebrations to mark Martyrs' Day on Sunday, 3 June 2018.

The theme for this years celebrations was: Let Us Walk in the Light of God as a Family (1 John 1:5-10). The Liturgy at Namugongo, Ugandas holiest Catholic shrine, was animated by the faithful of the Archdiocese of Tororo.

Centenary for Blessed Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa

The Martyrs themselves are role models for our Christian families in Africa, Uganda and especially in Tororo, this year, Archbishop Obbo said.

This year we also venerate Blessed Daudi Okelo and Blessed Jildo Irwa, the two young Catechists martyred while they were on their way to evangelise their relatives. The relatives caught and then killed them -100 years ago in Gulu Diocese, north of Uganda. The two were beatified by Pope St. John Paul II, Archbishop Obbo said in his homily.

Ugandans urged to make the Martyrs proud

The Archbishop urged Ugandans to live lives that would make the Ugandan Martyrs proud.

The search for quick money by hook and crook including kidnapping, human trafficking and what about Witchcraft and devil worship  These do not make the Martyrs proud, the Tororo prelate said.

In the last three years, Uganda has been rocked by an upward trend in kidnappings. Most of the abductions seem to be for ransom. This has led to a climate of fear of losing loved ones.

Appeal to young people

Archbishop Obbo also made a passionate plea to Africas young people and told them not to allow themselves to be used as tools of political or criminal violence. He encouraged young people to stand firm in their faith as did St. Kizito, the youngest of the Uganda Martyrs.

The youngest, Kizito, like others demonstrated his readiness to die for Christ on that Ascension Day of Thursday, 3 June 1886. Before disappearing into the flames to be burnt alive with other Christians, he (Kizito) recited the Our Father, together with others, Archbishop Obbo said.The Holy See Press Office says Pope Francis meeting with Mr. Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland, included discussion on family policy and the protection of creation.

Pope Francis held a private audience with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Mateusz Morawiecki, on Monday in the Vaticans Apostolic Palace.

A statement from the Holy See Press Office called the discussions cordial.

The good existing bilateral relations between the Holy See and Poland were emphasized, as well as the fruitful collaboration between the Church and the State in their respective spheres of action, it read.

The Pope and the Polish Prime Minister also talked about family policy and the protection of creation, with a view to the United Nations Conference on climate change to be held in Katowice in December 2018.

Their encounter also included discussion on the European and international situation, including the reception of refugees.

The communique said the two men discussed the commitment of the Polish government in favor of refugees from Ukraine and the Middle East.

Prime Minister Morawiecki then met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.The Control Tower, where the controller marks plane positions on a map with little flags.

Position finding, using the wireless.

Embarkment into our 20-seat biplane, which attains 100 miles an hour.

The cabin interior, with coat and hat racks provided.

2,000 feet over Folkestone, about to cross the Channel after 45 minutes.

Over the Channel.

Over Ypres, a major location of fighting in WWI.

The Palais de Justice, Brussels, which we've reached in a "remarkable" two and a half hours.

A scenic loop over Brussels, then we land at the aerodrome and get out for lunch.

Over Bruges.

Reaching the Dutch islands.

Windmills and canals of the Netherlands.

Scheveningen, the Netherlands.

Approach into Amsterdam.

We land, and we make up our minds we "must fly again."

A set of vintage cigarette cards depicting a flight from London to Amsterdam in the early days of commercial air travel. The images (each "from an official photograph supplied by Imperial Airways") are accompanied by text detailing "our" flight, from check-in and take-off, to views over the Channel, France, and Brussels (where we land for lunch), to the final landing in Amsterdam.The set included the backs with the text, as the little details are fascinating insights into a time when planes held "as many as" 20 passengers, reached cruising altitudes of 3,000 feet, and got from London to Brussels in "only" two and a half hours.(Images: New York Public Library , via The Passion of Former DaysCambodia has created a task force to monitor the spread of fake news on social media platforms and through private text messaging.

In a ministerial order signed on May 28, three ministries agreed to work with telecoms firms to prevent the spread of information that can cause social chaos and threaten national security.

"Each specialized unit of organization shall perform its duty ... to take action against the dissemination of any content, information or SMS, images, videos and/or other forms that would cause chaos and threaten national security and defence, harm relations with other countries, the national economy, public order, and discriminate against the cultural integrity of the country, the order reads.

Khieu Sopheak, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said the task force was formed to combat cybercrime and to enforce new lese majeste laws that have already seen Cambodians arrested for allegedly insulting the monarchy.

He added that the new working group would also be on the lookout for Cambodians inciting color revolution.

Am Sam Ath, a senior investigator for rights group Licadho, said the formation of the working group contradicted the constitutional right to freedom of expression.

"Normally people need to receive information as well as express their own opinions," he said. Whenever they are frightened and restricted in their freedom of speech, it means that they lose the opportunity to participate and improve the society."Govt seeking Indian support for another one-sided polls: BNP

Staff Reporter :

The BNP on Tuesday said that the government is seeking Indian support to conduct another one-sided parliamentary elections.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seeking guarantee from India to unilaterally hold the next general elections in return to her government's services to the neighbouring country," said BNP Senior Joint-Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan central office in the city.

He said the Prime Minister had told a news conference, after returning to Dhaka from India tour, "What we have given to India, they would remember it forever, and we have brought them back peace. We do not want any return."

Rizvi said the Indian Anandabazar newspaper published a report that Bangladesh Prime Minister wanted 'return' from Modi.

The BNP leader said, "The Indian newspaper in the report stated that Sheikh Hasina informed to her Indian counterpart that her government removed extremists from north-east border of the country, provided transit and always extended support to Delhi in international forum and this time wants cooperation of India for the election of Bangladesh."

Rizvi also said, there is no reason to the present 'anti-people government to pass any pro-people budget. But we will wait until submission of the budget to say anything regarding this.

BNP Vice-Chairmen Shawkat Mahmud, Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan, Chairperson's Advisory Council Member Abul Khayer Bhuiyan, Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sharafat Ali Sopu, Assistant Office Secretary Belal Ahmed, President of Olama Dal Hafez Abdul Malek and BNP leader Aminul Islam, among others, were present.

Fewer women candidates are running for office in Cambodias upcoming general election than in previous years, official election data show.

Twenty political parties have registered for the July 29 election, up from only eight in the 2013 election.

However, the countrys main political party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, will not field candidates after it was dissolved last year.

Two relatively new political parties --the Beehive Social Democratic Party and Dharmacracy Party -- have registered a majority of women candidates for the election, about 58 percent of the total candidates are registered by those parties.

Other political parties registering a large proportion of women candidates include the Khmer Anti-Poverty Party at 37 percent and the Khmer Will Party at 40 percent.

But the old guard remains heavily dominated by male politicians, with only one in five candidates standing for the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party being women. For other parties, such as Funcinpec and the League for Democracy Party, the figure shows less than one in ten.

Seng Reasey, the coordinator of NGO Silakas gender equality program, said the slow increase in the number of women candidates was due to a lack of political will from the establishment.

We know that in our country, the placement or selection of candidates to stand in the election must be done by political parties, so each political party must have a strong political will, she said.

They need to understand the reasons why women have to join in, and what will be the benefits when women participate equally in their parties. Thus, there is a need to have clear gender equality in the parties.

Sok Eysan, CPP spokesman, said that the party cared about including more women in the political process, but added that qualifications and quality were more important than adding more women to the ballot for meaningless reasons.

Kan Savang, an election monitor with watchdog Comfrel, dismissed the claims that women were under-qualified for the top political jobs.

Before, most of the political parties always talked about the capacity of women. But if we look into this issue, its not about capacity, but opportunity. If women get the chance to stand ... that would allow them to obtain posts and duties to be lawmakers, he said.

Reasey of Silaka said if the rate of women entering politics did not increase more rapidly, Cambodia would fall far short of its sustainable development goals commitment of equal participation.We have all seen the stories of criminals who turn their lives around. But this next one comes with a new twist for the 21st century. Two arch enemies  one a former Muslim Extremist and the other, a former New York City intelligence officerare joining forces to stop the radicalization of young Muslims. VOAs Carolyn Presutti explains.The city of Paris has rewarded a Malian immigrant for his bravery in saving a child last month. But the accolades come as city police razed migrant camps just a few kilometers north, underscoring the broader, polarized question of immigration roiling France  and Europe.

Mamadou Gassama, 22, received Paris' highest award Monday as Mayor Anne Hidalgo praised him as the city's and the country's hero. She nicknamed the Malian immigrant "Spider-Man" for his daring rescue of a 4-year-old dangling from the balcony of a fourth-floor apartment.

That act of bravery has catapulted Gassama from illegal immigrant to French citizen with a budding career as a fireman.

Different fate elsewhere

But as Gassama is showered with praise, critics point to the very different fates facing other undocumented workers.

That includes Ayman Latrousse, a Tunisian immigrant, who saved a mother and her two children from a fire three years ago. Today he may face expulsion. His lawyer is protesting unequal treatment.

And hours before Gassama received his Paris award, hundreds of migrants were evicted from squatter camps a few kilometers away, under the watchful eye of French police.

Afghan Abdoul Kayem said he was glad to be leaving the tent camp. But another migrant cursed France and chose not to board a waiting bus.

Paris Prefect Francois Ravier says the migrants are guaranteed a place to stay thanks to newly built accommodation. They can apply for asylum. Those who do not qualify will be sent home.

Meanwhile, the French senate is debating immigration legislation passed by the lower house. French President Emmanuel Macron's government says it will streamline asylum claims among other plusses; migrant rights groups criticize it as overly tough and even dangerous.

Amnesty International

While the French president says exemplary acts like Gassama's merit exemplary treatment, Louise Carr of Amnesty International France sees things differently.

"We cannot have these one-off actions where you have got one person compensated for an act of bravery," Carr said. "There are people sleeping on the street. The refugees that continue coming to France need to be well received."

Gassama is not the first immigrant awarded French citizenship because of his bravery. Another Malian, Lassana Bathily, was also hailed as a hero and awarded citizenship after helping hostages during a 2015 terrorist attack.Amnesty International published a new report on the devastating toll suffered by civilians trapped in the eastern Syrian city of Raqqa during the four-month battle to liberate the city from the Islamic State (IS) terror group.

The 70-page report, "War of Annihilation," investigated 42 airstrike locations, reviewed satellite imagery, interviewed 112 witnesses and survivors during the last few months of the battle, and documented the stories of four families.

"What Amnesty International researchers did is they went into the city, interviewed people and found four specific families who lost dozens of their members in airstrikes, so they would have a better sense of what the experience was like for people living there," Daphne Eviatar, director of security with human rights at Amnesty International USA, told VOA.

The "war of annihilation" against IS began when U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced the acceleration of operations against IS in May 2017.

"Our intention is that the foreign fighters do not survive the fight to return home to North Africa, to Europe, to America, to Asia, to Africa. We are not going to allow them to do so. We are going to stop them there and take apart the caliphate," Mattis said at the time.

The battle to liberate Raqqa, code-named the Wrath of Euphrates, started in June 2017 and ended with the city's recapture in October, with U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on the ground.

Coalition forces in Iraq and Syria freed about 7.7 million people and 98 percent of the area previously controlled by IS, the coalition said in April.

Challenging combat

Amnesty International described the city during the fighting as a deadly labyrinth trapping civilians trying to flee. IS used civilians as human shields, preventing many from leaving the city.

"Urban combat in residential areas presents inherent challenges. These challenges were exacerbated in Raqqa by IS's determination to operate amongst the civilian population and to use civilians as human shields," the report said.

The Hashish family was among four interviewed by Amnesty. Munira Hashish lost 18 members of her family between July and August 2017. She told Amnesty researchers that when they tried to escape the city, IS militants arrested them and forced them to stay.

"We had tried to escape the city but couldn't manage it. About five days after Eid [June 30-July 1, 2017], we tried to flee across the river, but Daesh [Arabic acronym for IS] caught us. They beat the men very badly and detained me and the other women in a house for a day before they let us go," Hashish told Amnesty.

As the effort to liberate the city ramped up, so did the numbers of civilians killed in the airstrikes.

The coalition conducted a total of 29,254 airstrikes between August 2014 and the end of March 2018, the coalition said in a statement in April. A coalition review found the total number of civilian casualties during this period was 2,135.

The way forward

Despite the vast damage to infrastructure and an absence of public services, about 132,000 civilians have returned to Raqqa since October 2017, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA) reported in May.

Raqqa Civil Council, a civil entity established to restore stability and services to the city, is working with special teams that are interviewing civilians and gathering evidence to estimate losses and provide aid and compensation to civilians.

"With the support from the coalition and United Nations, we are currently working to restore a normal life so all the displaced can return back," Mustafa Abdi, a journalist working with Raqqa Civil Council, told VOA.

Amnesty's Eviatar said as the battle against IS continues, it is important for the U.S.-led coalition to take into account the large-scale destruction caused by the relentless bombardment of the city, as well as secure the city and provide access to humanitarian aid.

"The coalition needs to participate in peace-building and reconstruction efforts to help create a more stable society," Eviatar said.Armenian President Armen Sarkissian said he is planning to push for constitutional changes to expand the powers of his office less than two months into his first term.

Speaking with VOAs Armenian Service less than a month after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan rode to power on a wave of mass demonstrations that lasted weeks, Sarkissian said a constitutional imbalance is threatening to undermine Armenias stability as a nation.

The reality is Armenia needs deeper changes to some of the laws in the constitution, and some laws related to the constitution, he said. Why? Because first of all, we dont have a balanced constitution. We have a constitution where a lot of power  most of the power  is given to the government and the prime ministers office.

In Armenia, they call it a super prime ministership, he added. And Mr. Pashinyan was one of the first in the parliament, when he was ... one of the leaders of the opposition, to criticize this. And its not about Mr. Pashinyan or [former Prime Minister] Serzh Sargsyan or anybody else. Its about keeping this country safe and sound and stable.

Sargsyan served 10 years as president and was appointed prime minister in April after a series of constitutional changes reduced the role of the president and elevated the role of prime minister.

Protesters immediately condemned the move as a ploy to cling to power and demanded that he step down.

Sarkissian urged dialogue between his political ally, Sargsyan, and Pashinyan, the protest leader. Sarkissian was soon sworn in as president after being elected by parliament in March.

Political power in the South Caucus nation should be divided equally among parliament and offices of the president, the prime minister and his cabinet, Sakissian said.

These changes are absolutely needed because we cannot afford to have a constitution and a system which is, in reality, not going to be stable, he said. The real power should be divided.

Too soon to judge

Asked to assess Pashinyans performance since assuming the countrys most powerful office in May, Sarkissian said it would be it premature to judge.

The government itself, the appointments of ministers, they're all new, he said, adding that the new cabinets policy intentions appear to be in the direction of what they [Pashinyans supporters] were promising.

But a month is too short, he said. If you are a prime minister, it takes a lot of time to [get] your administration intact, to have the right people around, to have the right message and start working.

President Sarkissian also said that Prime Minister Pashinyan, who had long called for massive reforms on everything from human rights to transparent elections to government corruption, may still face an uphill battle in delivering on some of these promises.

Indeed, Armenia needs reforms in many areas, in many directions, he said, touching on the primary necessity of developing an economically vibrant nation that appeals to foreign investors.

If foreigners are to have the confidence to invest, he said, you need a stable country where negative factors such as corruption are minimal.

Regarding foreign policy, which is constitutionally delegated to Pashinyan, Sarkissian noted that Armenia values good relations with Russia.

It is vital for Armenia. Armenia and Russia have proven that they have a track record of being good friends for centuries, he added.

Military and political relations with Russia help Armenia to keep the balance in the difficult neighborhood.

And yet, he added, that does not mean Armenia cannot develop relations with the rest of the world in order to balance its historically close ties with Russia. Armenia, he said, is both a member of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, while maintaining trade agreements with the European Union.

We are the only country in the whole Eurasia, Europe and Asia that has that sort of relations, he said. That opens huge doors in Armenia for developing the economy and investment.

This story originated in VOA's Armenian Service.The U.S.-led coalition battling Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has strongly criticized a report by human rights group Amnesty International accusing it of violating international law last year.

The 70-page report said there was "prima facie evidence that several coalition attacks, which killed and injured civilians, violated international humanitarian law" by not taking the precautions needed to minimize harm to civilians in during the months-long battle for Raqqa, Syria.

Amnesty investigated 42 airstrike locations, reviewed satellite imagery, and interviewed 112 witnesses and survivors during the last few months of the battle, and it documented the stories of four families.

Speaking Tuesday from Baghdad, coalition spokesman U.S. Army Colonel Thomas Veale told reporters at the Pentagon that the coalition adheres "to a meticulous targeting and strike process that always aims to minimize harm to noncombatants and civilian infrastructure."

"They [Amnesty International activists] are literally judging us guilty until proven innocent. That's a bold rhetorical move by an organization that fails to check the public record or consult the accused," Veale said.

Veale pointed to Amnesty's recommendation that the coalition must cancel a strike if deemed indiscriminate or disproportionate, noting that last year, U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Matthew Isler provided reporters with a "specific example of a canceled strike for those reasons" during a press briefing.

Strikes being re-evaluated

He said the coalition was transparent in its processes and accountability, providing weekly strike logs and monthly civilian casualty statements, and that it would use Amnesty's data as a part of a re-evaluation of the strikes highlighted in the report.

"As I speak, people are looking at that article and trying to correlate those claims to the strike log and how the battle of Raqqa unfolded as our participation went in it, and so that will continue to be evaluated," he said.

"What Amnesty International researchers did is they went into the city, interviewed people and found four specific families who lost dozens of their members in airstrikes, so they would have a better sense of what the experience was like for people living there," Daphne Eviatar, director of security with human rights at Amnesty International USA, told VOA.

The "war of annihilation" against IS began when U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announced the acceleration of operations against the militant group in May 2017.

"Our intention is that the foreign fighters do not survive the fight to return home to North Africa, to Europe, to America, to Asia, to Africa. We are not going to allow them to do so. We are going to stop them there and take apart the caliphate," Mattis said at the time.

Wrath of Euphrates

The battle to liberate Raqqa, code-named the Wrath of Euphrates, started in June 2017 and ended with the city's recapture in October, with U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on the ground.

Coalition forces in Iraq and Syria freed about 7.7 million people and 98 percent of the area previously controlled by IS, the coalition said in April.

Amnesty International described the city during the fighting as a deadly labyrinth trapping civilians trying to flee. The group says Islamic State militants used civilians as human shields, preventing many from leaving the city.

The Hashish family was among four interviewed by Amnesty. Munira Hashish lost 18 members of her family between July and August 2018. She told Amnesty researchers that when they tried to escape the city, IS militants arrested them and forced them to stay.

"About five days after Eid [June 30-July 1, 2017], we tried to flee across the river, but Daesh [Arabic acronym for IS] caught us. They beat the men very badly and detained me and the other women in a house for a day before they let us go," Hashish told Amnesty.

As the effort to liberate the city ramped up, so did the numbers of civilians killed in the airstrikes.

The coalition conducted 29,254 airstrikes between August 2014 and the end of March 2018, the coalition said in a statement in April. A coalition review found the total number of civilian casualties during this period was 2,135.

VOA's Nisan Ahmado contributed to this report.The EU's top court, in a landmark ruling for gay rights in Europe, said on Tuesday that Romania must grant residence to the American husband of a local man even though Romania does not itself permit same-sex marriage.

In a case which has highlighted social differences between western Europe and a more conservative, ex-communist east, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Romania must accept the validity of the mens' 2010 Belgian marriage and treat American Clai Hamilton as Adrian Coman's spouse under EU law.

The case did not touch on the freedom of member states to set their own matrimony laws, although campaigners have called on Brussels to push states to legalize same-sex marriage as a fundamental human right. Rather it upheld rights of EU citizens to move freely across the bloc along with their families.

"Although the member states have the freedom whether or not to authorize marriage between persons of the same sex," the judges said, "They may not obstruct the freedom of residence of an EU citizen by refusing to grant his same-sex spouse, a

national of a country that is not an EU member state, a derived right of residence in their territory."

The case arose because Hamilton's right as a non-EU citizen to live in Romania permanently was dependent on his status as Coman's spouse. Coman challenged a Romanian decision to limit Hamilton's residence to a three-month visa and a Romanian court referred the matter to the ECJ in Luxembourg.

Coman welcomed the ruling: "We can now look in the eyes of any public official in Romania and across the EU with certainty that our relationship is equally valuable and equally relevant for the purpose of free movement within the EU," he said.

The deputy leader of the liberal bloc in the European Parliament, Sophie in 't Veld, said: "This is fantastic news and a landmark opinion for rainbow families.

"Freedom of movement is a right of all EU citizens. It cannot be restricted because of whom they love."

The European Commission insisted that the ruling was not part of a push from Brussels to force social change in the bloc.

"Member states are in charge  but this is a useful clarification in terms of avoiding discrimination," spokesman Margaritis Schinas told reporters when asked about opposition to same-sex marriage in parts of eastern Europe, where governments have also clashed with the EU executive over other civil rights.The U.S. military is increasing spending on a secret research effort to use artificial intelligence to help anticipate the launch of a nuclear-capable missile, as well as track and target mobile launchers in North Korea and elsewhere.

The effort has gone largely unreported, and the few publicly available details about it are buried under a layer of near impenetrable jargon in the latest Pentagon budget. But U.S. officials familiar with the research told Reuters there are multiple classified programs now under way to explore how to

develop AI-driven systems to better protect the United States against a potential nuclear missile strike.

If the research is successful, such computer systems would be able to think for themselves, scouring huge amounts of data, including satellite imagery, with a speed and accuracy beyond the capability of humans, to look for signs of preparations for a missile launch, according to more than half a dozen sources.

The sources included U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the research is classified.

Forewarned, the U.S. government would be able to pursue diplomatic options or, in the case of an imminent attack, the military would have more time to try to destroy the missiles before they were launched, or try to intercept them.

"We should be doing everything in our power to find that missile before they launch it and make it increasingly harder to get it off (the ground)," one of the officials said.

The Trump administration has proposed more than tripling funding in next year's budget to $83 million for just one of the AI-driven missile programs, according to several U.S. officials and budget documents. The boost in funding has not been previously reported.

While the amount is still relatively small, it is one indicator of the growing importance of the research on AI-powered anti-missile systems at a time when the United States faces a more militarily assertive Russia and a significant nuclear weapons threat from long-time foe North Korea.

"What AI and machine learning allows you to do is find the needle in the haystack," said Bob Work, a champion of AI technology who was deputy defense secretary until last July, without referring to any individual projects.

One person familiar with the programs said it includes a pilot project focused on North Korea. Washington is increasingly concerned about Pyongyang's development of mobile missiles that can be hidden in tunnels, forests and caves. The existence of a North Korea-focused project has not been previously reported.

While that project has been kept secret, the military has been clear about its interest in AI. The Pentagon, for example, has disclosed it is using AI to identify objects from video gathered in its drone program, as part of a publicly touted effort launched last year called "Project Maven."

Still, some U.S. officials say AI spending overall on military programs remains woefully inadequate.



AI arms race

The Pentagon is in a race against China and Russia to infuse more AI into its war machine, to create more sophisticated autonomous systems that are able to learn by themselves to carry out specific tasks. The Pentagon research on using AI to identify potential missile threats and track mobile launchers is in its infancy and is just one part of that overall effort.

There are scant details on the AI missile research, but one U.S. official told Reuters that an early prototype of a system to track mobile missile launchers was already being tested within the U.S. military.

This project involves military and private researchers in the Washington D.C. area. It is pivoting off technological advances developed by commercial firms financed by In-Q-Tel, the intelligence community's venture capital fund, officials said.

In order to carry out the research, the project is tapping into the intelligence community's commercial cloud service, searching for patterns and anomalies in data, including from sophisticated radar that can see through storms and penetrate foliage.

Budget documents reviewed by Reuters noted plans to expand the focus of the mobile missile launcher program to "the remainder of the [Pentagon] 4+1 problem sets." The Pentagon typically uses the 4+1 terminology to refer to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and terrorist groups.



Turning turtles into rifles

Both supporters and critics of using AI to hunt missiles agree that it carries major risks. It could accelerate decision-making in a nuclear crisis. It could increase the chances of computer-generated errors. It might also provoke an

AI arms race with Russia and China that could upset the global nuclear balance.

U.S. Air Force General John Hyten, the top commander of U.S. nuclear forces, said once AI-driven systems become fully operational, the Pentagon will need to think about creating safeguards to ensure humans  not machines  control the pace of nuclear decision-making, the "escalation ladder" in Pentagon speak.

"[Artificial intelligence] could force you onto that ladder if you don't put the safeguards in," Hyten, head of the U.S. Strategic Command, said in an interview. "Once you're on it, then everything starts moving."

Experts at the Rand Corporation, a public policy research body, and elsewhere say there is a high probability that countries like China and Russia could try to trick an AI missile-hunting system, learning to hide their missiles from identification.

There is some evidence to suggest they could be successful.

An experiment by M.I.T. students showed how easy it was to dupe an advanced Google image classifier, in which a computer identifies objects. In that case, students fooled the system into concluding a plastic turtle was actually a rifle.

Dr. Steven Walker, director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a pioneer in AI that initially funded what became the Internet, said the Pentagon still needs humans to review AI systems' conclusions.

"Because these systems can be fooled," Walker said in an interview.

DARPA is working on a project to make AI-driven systems capable of better explaining themselves to human analysts, something the agency believes will be critical for high stakes national security programs.



'We can't be wrong'

Among those working to improve the effectiveness of AI is William "Buzz" Roberts, director for automation, AI and augmentation at the National Geospatial Agency. Roberts works on the front lines of the U.S. government's efforts to develop AI to help analyze satellite imagery, a crucial source of data for missile hunters.

Last year, NGA said it used AI to scan and analyze 12 million images. So far, Roberts said, NGA researchers have made progress in getting AI to help identify the presence or absence of a target of interest, although he declined to discuss individual programs.

In trying to assess potential national security threats, the NGA researchers work under a different kind of pressure from their counterparts in the private sector.

"We can't be wrong ... A lot of the commercial advancements in AI, machine learning, computer vision - If they're half right, they're good," said Roberts.

Although some officials believe elements of the AI missile program could become viable in the early 2020s, others in the U.S. government and the U.S. Congress fear research efforts are too limited.

"The Russians and the Chinese are definitely pursuing these sorts of things," Representative Mac Thornberry, the House Armed Services Committee's chairman, told Reuters. "Probably with greater effort in some ways than we have."Ecuador's foreign minister has been elected the 73rd president of the U.N. General Assembly.



Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces had a decisive victory over Honduras' U.N. Ambassador Mary Elizabeth Flores Flake.



The upcoming presidency of the 193-member assembly was slated for the Latin American and Caribbean regional bloc.



Honduras' Flake was initially the only Latin American candidate.But diplomats said Arab countries, unhappy at the Trump administration decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move its embassy there, encouraged Ecuador to challenge her after Tegucigalpa announced it would follow the United States and move its embassy to Jerusalem.



Espinosa is only the fourth woman to hold the job in the United Nation's 73 years and the first from her region.



"I would like to dedicate this election to all the women in the world who participate in politics today, and who face political and media attacks marked by machismo and discrimination," Espinosa said in her acceptance speech.



In her vision statement for the job, Espinosa said gender equality must continue to be a "crosscutting issue at the United Nations. "She said the organization must utilize the talents of women to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in all multilateral processes.



"We can and must do better than a record of four women in 73 years, and two in the past half century," said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "May today's choice pave the way for accelerating the progress towards gender equality, within and beyond the United Nations."



The U.N. chief has made gender parity a top priority.The organization recently reached it among its senior officials, but there is still work to be done to move women up through the ranks of middle management, in peacekeeping missions, and other areas.



Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa of Bahrain was the last female president of the General Assembly during its 61st session, more than a decade ago.Looking back even further, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit of India presided over the assembly's eighth session and Angie Brooks of Liberia over its twenty-fourth.



Representatives speaking on behalf of each of the U.N.'s regional groups welcomed Espinosa's election as another step toward progress.



"It is our ardent hope that this has ushered in a real era of equitable gender representation as a norm, rather than an exception in the U.N. system, especially at this level," Mauritius' Ambassador Jagdish Dharamchand Koonjul said on behalf of the Africa group, summing up the general sentiment.



Espinosa will take over from the current General Assembly president Miroslav Lajcak of Slovakia on September 18.Eight U.S. states are holding political party primary elections Tuesday, with the key contests in California, the western state that is the country's most populous.

The elections are occurring five months ahead of nationwide congressional elections in November when political control of Congress is at stake. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election, and a third of the 100 seats in the Senate.

Republicans now control both chambers, but Democrats think they could wrest control of one or both houses.

Throughout the U.S., both the Republican and Democratic parties have already held or are holding primary elections in the coming weeks to pick candidates who then will square off against each other in general elections on November 6.

One exception is California, which Tuesday is staging numerous elections known as a "jungle primary." In this system, all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, run against each other. The top two victors  whether two Democrats or two Republicans  run against each other in November.

U.S. President Donald Trump is not on any ballot Tuesday, nor will he be in November. But his 16-month performance in office looms large in California, one of the most liberal states in the country, where opposition to Trump is pronounced.

Because of their disdain for Trump, numerous Democrats are running for several House seats left vacant by the retirement of Republican lawmakers, with a much smaller number of Republicans seeking to replace them.

As a result, some Democratic party officials are fearful that in a handful of congressional districts, despite the opposition to the Republican president, Democratic candidates could potentially split votes, allowing two Republicans to slip into the November runoff.

Tuesday's outcomes could significantly help  or hurt  Democratic chances of winning control of the House, depending on how their long lists of candidates fare against the smaller contingent of Republicans looking to advance to the November voting.

In a string of Twitter comments, Trump voiced his support for three California Republicans, including gubernatorial candidate John Cox, a businessman in a field of 27 candidates vying for a top-two finish.

Democratic Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, a former San Francisco mayor, is expected to finish first, with polls showing Cox ahead of another Democrat, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, for the second spot to make the November ballot.

In two House races, Trump urged California voters to cast ballots for Congressman Kevin McCarthy, who could become House Speaker if Republicans retain control of the chamber, and Congressman Devin Nunes, a staunch Trump supporter who chaired the House Intelligence Committee's investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The committee concluded on a party-line Republican vote that the Trump campaign did not collude with Russians.

Trump called Nunes "a true American Patriot the likes of which we rarely see in our modern day world....he truly loves our country and deserves everyone's support!"

Other primary elections are being held in Mississippi, where Trump expressed support for incumbent Senator Roger Wicker, and six other states: Alabama, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa and Montana.Govt enough to probe deaths in anti-drug drive: Quader

Staff Reporter :

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's government is enough for a complete investigation into all the deaths related to the ongoing drive against narcotics, party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader said yesterday.

"European Union is our friend and also development partner. They can expect the investigation but Sheikh Hasina's government is enough for the purpose," he said this while addressing a seminar at the National Museum's auditorium in Dhaka.

The European Union mission in Dhaka in a statement yesterday said, "We expect the authorities to ensure that all incidents involving the deaths of alleged criminal suspects are investigated fully in accordance with due processes."

Responding to a question in this regard, Quader also road transport and bridges minister, said the alleged murder of Teknaf municipality councillor Akramul Haque is under investigation.

"We are investigating the death incident based on the allegations. And no one has anything to be over enthusiastic over the issue," Quader said.

Trashing BNP's allegation that the government is carrying out an operation against insignificant people like thieves, Quader said those who are involved in the drug treading within the BNP are being searched.

BNP has formed Dhaka north city unit committee with drug traders, addicts and terrorists, Quader said quoting a newspaper report.

"We are searching trace of those who are big fishes and who are small ones and where are they now," the Awami League leader said.

Claiming that his party chief Sheikh Hasina did never compromise with any unethical practice, Quader said she (Hasina) would take tough action if any innocent people are targeted in the ongoing anti-narcotic drive.

"She would not allow the offenders be spared," Quader said warning that a stern action would be taken if Akram has met the tragic end of his life without any justification.

"Trial is a must if it is proved that Akram has been killed unjustly. We took the path with a strong commitment," Quader said.

About the next general election, Quader said, there are 37 registered political parties in the country and of these 36 will take part in the next general election if BNP commits the same mistake that it did on January 5, 2014.

A former officer with the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency was arrested over the weekend for allegedly trying to spy on the United States for China, the Justice Department said on Monday.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation took Ron Rockwell Hansen, 58, into custody on Saturday while he was on his way to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to get a connecting flight to China.

The department said he has been accused of trying to transmit national defense information to China and with receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars while acting illegally as an agent for the Chinese government.

Reuters could not immediately learn who may be representing Hansen in the case.

Others arresting for spying

Hansen is the latest person in a string of former U.S. intelligence officers to be swept up in criminal probes related to spying for the Chinese.

Earlier this year, former CIA case officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee was indicted for conspiring to gather or deliver national defense information to China.

Another former U.S. intelligence employee named Kevin Mallory is on trial in Virginia, also in connection with selling secrets to China.

In the new case announced Monday, prosecutors said that Hansen speaks fluent Mandarin-Chinese and Russian.

He served as a case officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency while on active military duty from 2000-2006, and later continued that line of work as a civilian employee and a contractor.

He also held a top secret clearance for years.

Used travel to deliver information to China

The government said that between 2013 and 2017, he traveled between the two countries attending conferences and provided the information he learned to China's intelligence service.

He was paid via wire transfers, cash and credit cards. He also allegedly improperly sold export-controlled technology.

His alleged actions are a betrayal of our nations security and the American people and are an affront to his former intelligence community colleagues, said John Demers, the head of the Justice Departments National Security Division.

According to court records, the FBI started investigating his activities in 2014. He was unaware of the probe, and participated in nine voluntary meetings with federal agents in Salt Lake City. Utah.

Prosecutors say that during his meetings, he told the FBI that Chinese intelligence had tried to recruit him, offered to cooperate as a source and even provided thumb drives to the FBI that contained classified materials he was not authorized to have.

Hansen appeared before a magistrate judge in Seattle on Monday, and is charged in a 15-count complaint.Guatemala's Fuego volcano has erupted again, sending rescue workers and survivors scrambling for safety Tuesday afternoon.

The national disaster agency ordered evacuations as new flows of ash, gas and rock spewed from the volcano. Seismic events also rattled the area.

The new eruption spread panic as residents fled areas that had not been under evacuation warnings.

Guatemala's seismology and vulcanology institute's latest bulletin said Tuesday's eruption could send ash 6,000 meters above sea level, causing a danger to air traffic.

WATCH: Fuego volcano

Earlier Tuesday, Guatemala began burying the few dead who could be identified after Sunday's cascade of lava, gas and rock fragments killed at least 72 people and covered nearby villages in thick layers of ash and mud.

Local television footage showed mourners walking through the streets, caskets hoisted on their shoulders.

As rescue workers continued the search for survivors, authorities increased the death toll as more bodies were pulled from the debris around the hardest-hit villages. The number of casualties is expected to rise.

Disaster officials said the eruption Sunday affected more than 1 million people, with 3,265 evacuated from areas around the volcano.

Crews are assisting people in Escuintla, Sacatepequez and Chimaltenango provinces, and carrying out search operations for people who are missing.

The director of Guatemala's National Institute of Forensic Science said 17 victims have been identified. Temperatures of the lava flows reached as high as 700 degrees Celsius, making identification extremely difficult.

"We're having a lot of trouble identifying them because some of the dead lost their features or their fingerprints. We're going to have to use other anthropological methods and, if possible, take DNA samples to identify them," Fanuel Garcia said.

Planetary geosciences professor David Rothery of Britain's Open University in Milton Keynes told VOA that tiny rock fragments known as hot ash normally rise in the air and form a gas column, but in this case were too dense and ended up cascading down the mountain.

"This stuff goes over a hundred kilometers an hour. The base of it is very hot and you don't want to be caught in that. You're dead, it's so hot it sweeps past you, you die," Rothery said. "It was fast-moving pyroclastic flows and people don't seem to have been aware of the hazard."

Fuego is located about 44 kilometers southwest of the capital, Guatemala City, and is close to the city of Antigua, which is a popular tourist destination.When Emma Seguy first arrived in the United States for school, she spent most nights reading the dictionary.

And crying.

Seguy was 16 when she arrived in Arizona from France, after convincing her parents to let her become an exchange student at an American high school. But adapting was more challenging than she expected. Her English language skills were not as strong as she hoped. She missed her family back in Paris.

But with the help of a loving host family and community, Seguy, now 20, survived and thrived. The family  total strangers when they opened their home to Seguy provided emotional support and helped her succeed in her studies. They became a second family.

She also made American friends in her French class by helping them learn her native language. Within this community, she decided to stay on in the same town as her high school, continuing her studies at Mesa Community College.

"It was supposed to be only for 10 months," Seguy said. "And I ended up staying with them for three years, and they are still a big part of my life."

Mesa Community College is a big public community college with about 20,400 students who typically earn associate degrees after two years of study. It is about 20 miles from Phoenix, the state capital and largest city, in the hot and dry American Southwest.

Community colleges cost less than most other schools. That was attractive to Fabrice Hampoh, 23, from the Ivory Coast, when he first considered international study. His family does not have much money, he said.

Hampoh started college at the Universite de Cocody in the Ivory Coast, where he sought a bachelors degree in sociology in 2014. But he dreamed of studying in the United States. Through the U.S. embassy in Abijan, Hampoh learned of a special U.S. State Department program called the Community College Initiative (CCI).

CCI provides scholarships to international students to spend up to one academic year at U.S community colleges, including travel and living costs. Hampoh applied to the CCI program in 2017, was accepted and was sent to Mesa.

Like Seguy's family, Hampoh's did not want him to go. He convinced his mother that he would have a support system waiting for him.

And like Seguy, his host family was welcoming and supportive. Hampoh said they treated him like a son. And they taught him how to survive in a foreign country.

For example, because CCI requires students to volunteer 100 hours of community service, Hampohs host family asked him if he'd like to join their volunteer projects. He worked with them helping disadvantaged young Americans go to college and getting solar panel technology to Afghanistan.

Hampoh said his host father also taught him many important life lessons. Many international students like him arrive in the United States not knowing how to swim. In the U.S., many communities  especially in hot climates like Arizona  have public swimming pools or nearby beaches.

"He is actually the one who taught me from scratch how to swim," Hampoh said. "Now, Im like a fish."

After completing her associate degree at Mesa last year, Seguy applied for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows international students with an F-1 visa to work in the U.S. for up to one year in a field related to their studies. She has applied her love of teaching and experience with a disabled aunt to working in special education at an elementary school in Mesa under the OPT program.

Seguy, like many graduates of community colleges, will move on to a four-year institution. She hopes to earn her bachelors degree at Arizona State University, starting this fall, she said. After that, she plans to return to France.

But like Hampoh, she said the family that chose to host her and made her feel so welcome will never be far from her heart.Some of Irans most prominent lawyers have accused their government of acting unfairly by blocking the vast majority of their profession from handling national security cases.

In a Monday report, Irans state-run Tasnim news agency published a list of 20 lawyers authorized to represent clients accused of national security offenses. It said judiciary chief Sadeq Amoli-Larijani approved the list in the last few days, based on Article 48 of Irans penal code.

The report by Tasnim, affiliated to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also quoted Iran Bar Association head Isa Amini as criticizing the way the list was drawn up. The Bar Association, founded before Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution, is the main Iranian organization for lawyers with more than 20,000 members. Its board elected Amini to head the association in April.

In an interview with Tasnim, Amini criticized the Iranian judiciarys decision to limit national security cases to 20 vetted lawyers as discriminatory. Amini said the judiciary did not consult his association in drafting the list and did not obtain the consent of some of the 20 lawyers before naming them.

The ability of Iranians to choose their own lawyer is a fundamental right and upholding it enhances the credibility of the judicial system, Tasnim quoted Amini as saying.

Two other independent Tehran-based lawyers interviewed by VOA Persian for Mondays NewsHour program criticized the governments decision in stronger terms.

Article 48 of the penal code violates the Iranian constitution, which gives people the right to access the lawyer of their choice, said Hossein Ahmadiniaz. The attorney represents an Iranian Kurdish dissident, Ramin Hossein Panahi, facing execution for alleged militant activity, and other clients charged with security offenses. Ahmadiniaz is not among the 20 lawyers included in the government list.

Iranian lawyer Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, also not on the government list, said the Article 48 used to create the list was introduced to the penal code illegally in 2013. He also said the clause only enables the vetting of lawyers for national security cases in the preliminary investigation phase of such cases.

But, Aghasi said two of the three Iranian courts dealing with national security issues have unilaterally expanded that vetting to later phases of judicial proceedings, such as court appearances and appeals.

As an example, Aghasi told VOA Persian that he is representing a client charged with security offenses in the appeal phase of a trial. He said he went to an appellate court on Monday as part of the process but was told he could not continue representing the client.

Aghasi said judicial authorities also told him that he could be added to the list of 20 vetted lawyers, provided he returned to the court in the coming days for an interview to determine his qualifications. He expressed annoyance at the need for an interview based on his years of experience.

The judiciary has done this because they want to limit peoples choices of lawyers, and we as lawyers are opposed to this, Aghasi said.

Last month, Iranian state media quoted Tehran provincial court chief Gholam Hossein Ismaili as saying the yet-to-be-published list of vetted lawyers for national security cases would not remain closed. But, there has been no official word on when or how many names will be added to it.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOAs Persian service.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with French leaders Tuesday in Paris as he continues efforts to persuade European leaders to alter the international nuclear agreement with Iran.

Netanyahu began his three-day European tour Monday in Germany, where he warned Chancellor Angela Merkel Iranian meddling in the Middle East could spark massive new refugee flows to Europe.

Speaking to reporters at a joint news conference with Merkel, the Israeli leader said Tehran wants to conduct a religious campaign in largely Sunni Syria by using Shi'ite militias under its control to convert Sunni Muslims.

"This will inflame another religious war -- this time a religious war inside Syria and the consequences will be many, many more refugees. And you know where exactly they will come," he said.

Germany and other European nations saw an influx of more than one million migrants, creating deep political divisions and fueling the rise of far-right parties.

Merkel said she agreed that Iran's activities in the Middle East were a concern but defended the nuclear deal as a way of thwarting Tehran's nuclear and regional ambitions. Europeans and Israel were, she said, "united by the goal that Iran must never get a nuclear weapon." She added, "We support Israel's right to security and have said this to Iran at all times."

Netanyahu will meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday and British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday.

Britain, France and Germany agreed to the deal with Iran in 2015 along with Russia, China and the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced last month the United States was pulling out of what he called a "horrible, one-sided deal," while saying he wants additional restrictions on Iran's ballistic missile program and what he called its "destabilizing activities in the Middle East."

The other signatories have expressed a desire to keep the nuclear deal in place, saying it is working. Britain, France and Germany have suggested addressing other concerns about Iran through a supplemental agreement.

Like Trump, Netanyahu has been a fierce critic of the deal, saying the agreement left Iran with the potential to quickly develop a nuclear weapon when the terms expire.

Iran, which won sanctions relief in exchange for limiting its nuclear program, has said repeatedly its nuclear activity was solely peaceful in nature.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday the U.S. decision to withdraw from the agreement was illegal and he urged the other signatories not to follow suit.

State-run Iranian media said Zarif sent a letter to the foreign ministers of the remaining nations. He asked them to "make up" for the Iranian losses brought on by the U.S. withdrawal if they want to save the deal.

Zarif called the 2015 nuclear agreement the result of "accurate, sensitive and balanced multilateral talks."

"The illegal withdrawal of the U.S. government...especially bullying methods used by this government to bring other governments in line, has discredited the rule of law while challenging the principles of the U.N. Charter and efficiency of international bodies," Zarif wrote.Jordan's King Abdullah II on Tuesday appointed a new prime minister, the royal palace said, naming a leading reformer as head of government in hopes of quelling the largest anti-government protests in recent years.

Cabinet member Omar Razzaz, a Harvard-educated former senior World Bank official, replaced Hani Mulki, who quit Monday amid widening protests against his government's austerity program, including a planned tax increase. Razzaz served as education minister in the outgoing Mulki government.



It's not clear how much of a reform mandate Razzaz will receive, since the king retains final say on all policy issues.



In the appointment letter addressed to Razzaz, the monarch called on the new government to conduct a comprehensive review of the tax system and produce a new tax bill, in cooperation with parliament, unions and other groups.



He also expressed empathy for ordinary Jordanians who have long complained that they are being asked to pay taxes for poor services. Critics say the current tax proposal unfairly targets the poor and the middle class.



It's not clear if the appointment of Razzaz will defuse the growing public anger over a long-standing political and economic system widely perceived as corrupt and exclusionary, with benefits reserved for a small elite.



Protest organizers said they would keep up the pressure, including a one-day strike set for Wednesday, until the proposal has been shelved. Critics say the tax increase unfairly targets the poor and the middle class.



The embattled Mulki, who had led the push for unpopular austerity measures, resigned following several days of mass protests across Jordan against the tax plan, the latest in a series of economic reforms sought by the International Monetary Fund to get the rising public debt under control.



The kingdom has experienced an economic downturn in part because of prolonged conflict in neighboring Syria and Iraq, and a large influx of refugees several years ago. The official unemployment rate has risen above 18 percent, and it's believed to be double that among young Jordanians.



In a sign of continued unrest, protests continued even after Mulki's resignation. Several thousand Jordanians marched toward the prime minister's office in the night from Monday to Tuesday.



Riot police scuffled with some of the marchers, trying to keep them away from the building, but the fifth street protest in as many days was largely peaceful.



Protesters said personnel changes at the top are irrelevant without fundamental reforms.



Razzaz holds post-graduate degrees in planning and law from Harvard. He taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 2002 to 2006. From 2006-2010, he served as the World Bank's country manager in Lebanon, with emphasis on private sector development and infrastructure finance. Razzaz then returned to Jordan to head the Social Security Corporation, and from 2011-12, led the national team responsible for preparing a national employment strategy.As the planet marks World Environment Day, protesters in Kenya took to the streets to demand the government stop building a coal power plant in the country.

Donning skeleton costumes as symbols of death, protesters chanted "No coal, it's poison," as they marched in the streets of Nairobi to demand the government halt construction of a coal plant in the town of Lamu.

Khalid Hussein of the national human rights group Haki Africa and one of the protest organizers, said the demonstrators message is to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

We want to send this message very clearly to the president of the Republic of Kenya that we say 'no' to coal. Coal is poisonous. Coal kills. We cannot allow this project to proceed. For China, that is also supporting and funding this program, we are asking them to take this project to their country, Hussein said.

The coal power plant, which is estimated to cost $2 billion, is waiting for the green light from Kenya's environmental court.

The plant will be constructed by a Chinese company, China Power Global. Kenyan officials insist the plant will help meet the countrys growing demand for electric power.

The country's environmental agency has accepted the plans, saying all environmental concerns were considered.

Critics, however, believe such a project will pollute the environment and damage the marine ecosystem.

Feisal Mohamed, a Lamu resident, says Kenyatta should halt the project.

We want him to realize Lamu is a beautiful place. We have good beaches, good environment. Lamu people are Kenyans like the rest, and we have the right to have a clean environment, Mohamed said.

The coastal town is designated as a UNESCO heritage site for houses that were built from coral stones and their carved wooden doors.

Another protester, who asked not to be identified, said there are other ways to generate power and create jobs.

We are not against a project. We are against a project which is poisonous to us. We dont want a project that is going to affect us. If you care about us, we have a lot of fish. Build for us a factory.

Protesters ended their march at the parliament building to submit their petition.

Ali Wario, a member of parliament and a member of the environment committee, accepted the petition.

We promise, as a parliamentary committee, we are going to look into this and [take] necessary action as your representatives. You do not have to worry. And when the committee is meeting, you will be invited to speak, Wario said.

Chinese companies have either developed or financed more than 200 coal-powered plants around the world, according to the Global Coal Tracker, an environmental activist group.

Murders and kidnappings are forcing Africas oldest national park to close to visitors for a year.

Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is home to endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants and other wildlife.

"It is clear that the Virunga region is deeply affected by insecurity and that this will be the case for a certain time," park director Emmanuel de Merode said Monday. "So that Virunga can be visited in safety, much more robust measures are needed than in the past."

A ranger was killed and two British tourists and their driver kidnapped in Virunga last month. The Britons and driver were freed two days later.

But other attacks by armed convoys left five rangers, two soldiers and two civilians dead since April.

The entire Virunga region is plagued by violence as armed gangs and militias battle for control of the areas valuable natural resources.Documents Myanmar police say they found on the mobile phones of two Reuters reporters accused of possessing state secrets were not confidential, defense lawyers said on Tuesday, because the information was publicly available before they were arrested.

Judge Ye Lwin accepted as evidence copies of newspaper articles the defense said showed the information in the documents had already been published. A police witness had previously told the court the documents they found on the devices included confidential government letters and plans.

In what has become a landmark press freedom case, the court in Yangon has been holding hearings since January to decide whether Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, will be charged under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

Defense lawyer Than Zaw Aung told the court the contents of the "top secret documents" police have said were extracted from their phones were detailed in state-run and local newspapers before their arrests on Dec. 12, and so the information was "already known by the public."

The documents included government letters regarding to Myanmar Vice President Myint Swe's visit to the western state of Rakhine and plans for the development of an island off its west coast for tourism.

In response, Major Aung Kyaw San, a police IT expert called by the prosecution, told the court that he was not aware of the news articles because he does not read newspapers.

He also said the reporters should not possess such documents "without permission from related government authorities" regardless of whether they had been made public or not.

Prosecutor Kyaw Min Aung declined to comment after Tuesday's hearing.

Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay was not immediately available for comment. When contacted previously he has said Myanmar courts were independent and the case would be conducted according to the law.



Reuters story

At the time of their arrest, the reporters had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in the village of Inn Din in Rakhine. The killings took place during a military crackdown that United Nations agencies say sent nearly 700,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh.

The reporters have told relatives they were arrested almost immediately after being handed some rolled up papers at a restaurant in northern Yangon by two policemen they had not met before, having been invited to meet the officers for dinner.

On Tuesday, Judge Ye Lwin accepted as evidence the Reuters article about the killing, published on Feb. 8, a move the defense said would help shed light on the motive behind the reporters' arrests.

"The court accepted the Inn Din story as evidence," Wa Lone told reporters after Tuesday's proceedings. "The truth of what we did can be revealed soon."

Last month, Police Captain Moe Yan Naing testified that a senior officer had ordered his subordinates to plant secret documents on Wa Lone to "trap" the reporter.

At a news conference on May 15, Police Director General Aung Win Oo dismissed that testimony as untruthful.

After his court appearance, Moe Yan Naing was sentenced to a year in jail for violating police discipline and his family was evicted from police housing. Police have said the eviction and his sentencing were not related to his testimony.

Global advocates for press freedom, human rights activists, as well the United Nations and several Western countries, have called for the release of the Reuters journalists.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Monday.Country

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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One of U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign managers, Paul Manafort, has been given until Friday to respond to allegations by prosecutors that he made several attempts to tamper with witnesses in connection with his ongoing criminal cases.



In a court filing on Monday, prosecutors working for special counsel Robert Mueller said Manafort and one of his associates "repeatedly" contacted two witnesses in an effort to influence their testimony. The contacts occurred in February, shortly after a grand jury returned a new indictment against Manafort and while he was confined to his home.



The two witnesses are not named in court filings, but prosecutors say they worked with Manafort in organizing a group of former European officials, known as the Hapsburg Group, who promoted Ukrainian interests in Europe as well as in the United States. Manafort is under indictment for, among other things, not registering as a lobbyist related to the Hapsburg Group.



Manafort has denied the latest allegations against him.

"Mr. Manafort is innocent and nothing about this latest allegation changes our defense. We will do our talking in court," said Manafort's spokesman Jason Maloni.



Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, asked the judge overseeing the Manafort case to revoke or revise an order releasing him ahead of his trial, which could result in Manafort being jailed while he awaits trial.



U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson on Tuesday gave Manafort until Friday to respond to the accusations and set a hearing on the matter for June 15.



Mueller has indicted Manafort in federal courts in Virginia and Washington on a number of allegations, including money laundering, failing to register as a foreign agent, and bank and tax fraud. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stem from his activities before he joined the Trump campaign.At the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, a group of eight young men set off in Helmand province for a 600-kilometer march to the capital, Kabul, to press for peace. Like other Muslims observing Ramadan around the world, the men abstained from food and drink from dawn to dusk, which made their walk more grueling.

About 400 kilometers into the march, the group grew from eight to 59 men trekking through villages calling for a cease-fire in the long-running war against Taliban insurgents. By this week the march had grown to about 200 activists chanting in Pashto: "Zhwand che mo badrang day, jang dai jang dai"  "That our lives are ugly is because of the war."

War-weary Afghanistan

The scene has become a common sight in Afghanistan, as a war-weary public increasingly becomes more vocal in its disapproval of the war, often turning to social media, including Facebook and YouTube, to plead for peace.

"While it has been more than 40 years of war, the differences between each phase of the war, with the changing nature of foreign patrons and Afghan forces, has made it more complicated for Afghans across different geographic, ethnic and political divides to see a common bond, a shared recognition that all sides have suffered and need to find better way forward," said Patricia Gossman, Afghanistan senior researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW).

"I think that may be happening now," she told VOA.

Lukewarm response

The peace activists initially appeared to target the Taliban, who have been fighting the United States and Afghan government forces for nearly 17 years. But marchers have also included a highly sensitive item on their list of demands  a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign military forces, based on an agreement between warring parties.

So far, the sporadic and rudderless activism has not received a serious response from any of the warring parties, as each blames the other for the continuous war.

Taliban spokesman Qari Qusuf Ahmadi said the activists should direct their demands toward U.S. forces. Washington insists that the door is open for the insurgents to engage in peace talks with the Afghan government. The Afghan government has offered unconditional peace talks to the Taliban, but the group has turned down the offer.

"The marchers from Helmand seem to represent a genuine, local grassroots activism," Gossman said. "Different people may try to co-opt it, or try to misrepresent it as taking one side or the other, but it seems to me that these are people who have lost a lot to this war  to suicide bombings and airstrikes both  and are tired of losing their children to war," she said.

A spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said there are no plans to officially welcome the peace marchers when they arrive in Kabul later this month.

Sayed Ihsan Tahiry, a spokesman for the countrys High Peace Council, said council officials will "be available to meet them, if they want."

Marchers' demands

Among their demands, the peace marchers have listed meetings with civil rights activists, politicians, government officials and foreign diplomats. They will not meet with Taliban or Islamic State officials.Anti-government protests resumed in Jordan Tuesday despite the resignation of the country's prime minister who had pushed for austerity measures.

Several thousand Jordanians marched toward the office of outgoing Prime Minister Hani Mulki overnight and into Tuesday morning demanding the government halt price hikes and planned tax increases that critics say mostly target the poor and the middle class.

Mulki submitted his resignation to King Abdullah on Monday.

Riot police scuffled with protesters late Saturday and fired several tear gas volleys to keep them away from the prime minister's office. Protesters chanted, The people want to topple the government.''

Earlier Saturday, the king met with Mulki, cabinet ministers and senior security officials. The state news agency Petra quoted the king as saying Jordan's citizens should not have to bear the burden of financial reforms alone.

King Abdullah is the ultimate decision-maker, but public anger is typically directed at governments appointed by him.

International lenders have pushed for economic reforms to help reduce Jordan's public debt, a result of a sluggish economy linked to regional turmoil.Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived Tuesday in Austria, one of the European Union's more Russia-friendly members, on his first foreign trip since being sworn in for a fourth term.



Before meetings with Austrian leaders, Putin dismissed suggestions that Russia has any intention of dividing the 28-nation EU. In an interview with Austrian public broadcaster ORF, he said that Moscow wants the EU "to be united and flourish, because the EU is our most important trade and business partner."



Putin's sixth official visit to traditionally neutral Austria marks the 50th anniversary of the start of Soviet gas deliveries to the country.



Unlike many other EU countries, Austria didn't expel Russian diplomats over the poisoning in Britain earlier this year of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.



In March, conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz pointed to Vienna's "traditionally good contacts" with Russia and said that his government would use them to press Moscow to help clarify the nerve agent attack. He said Vienna was "of the opinion that it is important to maintain channels of dialogue."



Putin is expected to meet with liberal President Van der Bellen, Kurz and Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, whose nationalist Freedom Party entered the government in December as the junior coalition partner. Over the weekend, Strache called for the EU to lift sanctions against Russia.Two men, one from Mexico and the other from Honduras, face up to 10 years in prison for smuggling 14 illegal immigrants across the Canadian border into Vermont.

Alberto Alvarado-Castro and Hector Perez-Alvarado both pleaded guilty Monday in a federal court in Burlington, Vermont.

"This case serves as an excellent example of the dedication and hard work put forth by Border Patrol agents to keep our country and communities safe," U.S. Border Patrol official Robert Garcia said. "Our agents did an outstanding job thwarting this smuggling attempt and the U.S. Attorney's Office did an excellent job prosecuting it."

The two defendants admitted guiding the illegal immigrants through the woods, from Quebec, Canada, to a van in Derby, Vermont, to avoid the U.S. border crossing.

They made multiple trips driving the illegal immigrants, who were from Guatemala and Mexico, to a motel in Derby and were arrested on the last trip.A Socialist party official in Spain says European Parliament ex-president Josep Borrell will become foreign minister in the new government.

Jose Luis Abalos, the party's organizational secretary, on Tuesday confirmed a handful of names in Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Cabinet, which replaces the conservative government that fell last week after a corruption scandal.



The choice of Borrell, a 71-year-old Catalan, was criticized by separatists in Catalonia and praised by pro-Spain lawmakers in the politically divided region. Borrell has been outspoken against Catalan independence.



Abalos told broadcaster TVE that party official Carmen Calvo would serve as deputy premier and head of the resurrected Equality Ministry, in a nod to Spain's feminist movement. He said Maria Jesus Montero would become finance minister.



Abalos would serve as development minister, according to his office.Human rights organizations have voiced "grave concerns" over the rise in summary court convictions in Afghanistan after a video of one such trial was posted on social media last week.

In the video, which was filmed outside the capital, Kabul, a group of four men and a woman were convicted of adultery by men who called themselves "mujahidin," a title the Taliban always uses to identify its fighters.

The men in the video, who appeared to have been beaten up, confessed to having been involved in the act of adultery, an offense that carries severe punishments under both Afghan and Islamic Sharia law, if proved.

The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission said summary court convictions are grave sources of concern, "especially when it happens in areas under the control of the Afghan government."

"Lashing, beheading, killing and stoning are among the verdicts of the summary court trials conducted in Afghanistan," Bilal Sidiqi, Afghan AIHRC spokesperson, told VOA.

During the past three months, AIHRC has recorded at least three cases of summary court convictions, while the number of such incidents reached eight last year.

Hinder justice

United Nation Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned the conduct of such trials and criticized what it called "traditional dispute-resolution mechanisms."

Responding to a VOA query, UNAMA stated: "The handling of criminal cases outside Afghanistans court system can hinder justice and the realization of human rights. Afghanistans laws and penal code do not include any legal provision allowing for the mediation of criminal cases. Traditional dispute-resolution mechanisms should not be used in criminal cases to replace the existing legal framework or court adjudication processes of the government of Afghanistan."

Human rights organizations also criticized the Afghan government for failing to prosecute the perpetrators.

"We call on the Afghan government to take serious measures to prevent such inhumane incidents," Siddiqi said.

The Afghan government is striving to expand its control all over the countrys territories so everyone has access to the justice system, the Afghan presidential palace told VOA.

"The acts [summary trials] carried out by the Taliban and other terrorist groups against the people are criminal offenses," Afghan presidential spokesperson Shah Hussain Murtazawi told VOA.

Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan are being widely accused of conducting summary trials in the country.

"We have recorded a number of summary convictions in restive areas and frequently the areas under Taliban control. Efforts were made to investigate and prosecute those who conduct summary trials," Najib Danish, spokesperson for the Afghan interior minister, told VOA.

Against the law

Summary court convictions by the Taliban and other radical groups contradict the Afghan constitution and Islamic law, said Behrooz Jahanyar, a Kabul-based lawyer.

"What the Taliban is doing is absolutely against the Islamic law. Summary trials have no place in Afghan laws, either. No one can be convicted or punished without going through all court proceedings and access to appeal in a higher court," Jahanyar told VOA.

Members of civil society organizations in Afghanistan allege that the issue of summary trials is more severe than it appears to be.

"Summary trials are conducted more in remote and hard-to-reach areas, where fear of retaliation prevents people from reporting such incidents," Kabul-based civil activist Abdul Wodood Pedram, told VOA.

Although the authenticity of the videos posted on social media cannot be confirmed, disturbing footage is being posted periodically by militant groups in Afghanistan of women being stoned and beaten with batons, men being slashed, and Afghan soldiers captured by militants being shot to death.The Syrian Kurdish YPG militia says its military advisers will withdraw from the northern Syrian city of Manbij, after the United States and Turkey agreed on a road map to resolve the future of the city, an issue that is a major source of tension between the NATO allies.



The agreement to ensure security and stability in Manbij came during a meeting Monday in Washington between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.



The U.S. State Department did not provide further details about the agreement, but a senior official said Tuesday, "We will continue to be there. We hope Turkey can help patrol," while declining to specify how many troops would remain.



The official added: "We want locally rooted forces to continue to support stability."



Monday, Cavusoglu told Turkish journalists in Washington that U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters will withdraw from Manbij under a plan that could be implemented within six months.He said U.S. and Turkish officials would temporarily ensure security in Manbij.



"The aim of this road map is the clearing of Manbij of all terror organizations and the permanent instatement (establishment) of safety and stability," Cavusoglu said.



Washington's support of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia in the war against the Islamic State group has angered Turkey. Ankara calls the YPG terrorists, accusing the militia of being linked to a Kurdish insurgency inside Turkey.



Ahead of Cavusoglu's visit to Washington, the Turkish foreign minister said, "[The United States] has preferred to collaborate with a terrorist organization in Syria.That was a grave mistake, and we are trying to change their position."



The Syrian town of Manbij was seized from Islamic State by mainly YPG forces.Ankara has claimed Washington reneged on an agreement the militia would withdraw after taking Manbij.



Former U.S. ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey told VOA's Turkish Service that although there are problems between the United States and Turkey, the ties between the countries would not break down.



"Because the U.S. and Turkey share basic interests  we are status quo powers, we are both major beneficiaries of the global order, and we see in similar terms a threat to that order in the region around Turkey, from Russia, from Iran and from extremist elements  the relationship will remain extremely important and will not break down."



He acknowledged, "The relationship will also be fraught with problems because it is very complicated."



Jeffrey said the most difficult problem between two countries is Turkey's agreement to buy the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system from Russia, a non-NATO country.



Turkey's move to buy the surface-to-air missile system, which is incompatible with NATO systems, has unnerved NATO member countries.In response, a U.S. Senate committee has threatened to prevent Turkey from purchasing U.S. Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets.U.S. President Donald Trump unleashed a new broadside against Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday, blaming him for the year-long investigation into Trump's 2016 campaign links to Russia because he removed himself from oversight of the probe.

"The Russian Witch Hunt Hoax continues, all because Jeff Sessions didnt tell me he was going to recuse himself...I would have quickly picked someone else," Trump said on Twitter. "So much time and money wasted, so many lives ruined...and Sessions knew better than most that there was No Collusion!"

More than a year ago, Sessions recused himself from oversight of what eventually became special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian meddling in the election and whether Trump obstructed justice by firing FBI director James Comey when he was leading the probe. Days after Comey's ouster, Sessions' deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein, over Trump's objections, named Mueller to take over the investigation.

Sessions, while he was a senator from Alabama, was the first major Washington political figure to support Trump's long shot presidential bid that ended with him winning a four-year term in the White House. But after Trump named Sessions as attorney general, the government's top legal official, Sessions adhered to long-standing Justice Department rules prohibiting lawyers from involvement in investigations in which they have a conflict of interest.

Sessions had two conflicts: He was a vocal Trump supporter and had met twice with Russia's ambassador to Washington during the campaign.

Trump has often berated Sessions, calling him "weak" and "beleaguered," and has unsuccessfully sought to get him to reverse his decision to remove himself from oversight of the Mueller investigation. But the president has not fired Sessions, warned by key Republican senators that they had no intention of confirming any new selection Trump might make for attorney general if Sessions were dismissed.

Almost daily, Trump rails against the investigation, but his lawyers are still talking with Mueller's legal team about whether Trump will sit for an interview to answer questions about his actions during the campaign and as president.

Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani says the president's legal team is "leaning to not" allowing an interview, wary that Trump, under pointed questioning from Mueller's lawyers, might fall into a perjury trap, lying under oath, a criminal offense. But Giuliani says Trump's lawyers might allow an interview if it were "brief, to the point."

Giuliani says Trump's lawyers would fight in court any subpoena of Trump, possibly leading to a legal confrontation at the U.S. Supreme Court.

In another tweet Tuesday, Trump questioned why a Justice Department inspector general's report "is taking so long" on actions taken by "Slippery James Comey" as FBI director, while the agency was investigating Trump's 2016 opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, about her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.

"Numerous delays," Trump complained. "Hope Report is not being changed and made weaker! There are so many horrible things to tell, the public has the right to know. Transparency!"U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously contemplating" trying to reach separate trade deals with Canada and Mexico instead of reshaping the more than two-decade-old North American Free Trade Agreement with both neighbors, a White House economic adviser said Tuesday.

Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow told Fox News, "He prefers bilateral negotiations, and he is looking at two much different countries."

The U.S., Canada and Mexico have for months engaged in talks to revise NAFTA, which has been in force since 1994. But Kudlow said separate deals "might be able to happen more rapidly."

However, Kudlow said Trump does not plan to withdraw from the three-nation agreement.

"He is seriously contemplating a shift in the NAFTA negotiations ... [and] he asked me to convey this," Kudlow said. The adviser said Trump "believed bilateral is always better. He hates large treaties."

Trump has long assailed multinational trade deals and within days of assuming power last year, withdrew the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership with 11 other Pacific rim nations.

On Monday, he said on Twitter, "The U.S. has made such bad trade deals over so many years that we can only WIN!"

He declared, "China already charges a tax of 16% on soybeans. Canada has all sorts of trade barriers on our Agricultural products. Not acceptable!"

Trump contended, "Farmers have not been doing well for 15 years. Mexico, Canada, China and others have treated them unfairly. By the time I finish trade talks, that will change. Big trade barriers against U.S. farmers, and other businesses, will finally be broken. Massive trade deficits no longer!"

The NAFTA talks have stalled on U.S. demands to increase American components in duty-free NAFTA autos, as well as its argument that any new agreement end after five years.

Kudlow said he told top Canadian officials Monday about Trump's hope for bilateral trade talks and is awaiting for reaction from Ottawa.

"The important thought is he may be moving quickly towards these bilateral discussions instead of as a whole," Kudlow said.

Trump's trade talks with China, Mexico, Canada and the European Union have proved contentious. The U.S. leader last week drew the ire of Canada, Mexico and the EU by imposing tariffs on their aluminum and steel exports.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the tariffs "insulting and unacceptable." In a weekend television interview, Kudlow called the U.S.-Canada trade dispute a "family quarrel."Richwood, TX (77531)

Today

Cloudy this morning followed by isolated thunderstorms this afternoon. High 87F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 76F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.Turkey is warning it will launch a decisive strike on the longtime Kurdish separatist group PKK at the group's base in northern Iraq. The top Turkish diplomat said Ankara would draw on cooperation from the U.S. and others do so.

U.S. officials have yet to confirm their participation in or cooperation with such an assault.

The offensive that Ankara is planning will coincide with elections later this month.

The PKK has waged a decades-long cross-border insurgency against the Turkish state for Kurdish autonomy from its remote base in Qandil in northern Iraq.

"There will be a four-way cooperation [in the fight against the PKK] between Turkey, the U.S., Baghdad and Irbil [the Iraqi regional Kurdish capital], Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters this week.

For the last few months, Turkish forces have been advancing into Iraq and are less than 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the PKK's Qandil headquarters.

"Qandil is not a distant target for us anymore right now," Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said Monday. "Timing is what is important for us right now. Qandil will be made a safe place for Turkey. No one should doubt that."

Capturing the PKK base has been a decades-long objective of the Turkish military. However, PKK headquarters have always been viewed as all but impregnable.

"We are talking about a huge area, a mountainous area, very rugged. Militarily, it's a big, big challenge," said retired Brigadier General Haldun Solmazturk, who now heads the Ankara-based 21st Century Turkey Institute.

Solmazturk is a veteran of Turkey's long war against the PKK, taking part in several cross-border operations into Iraq.

Turkey first

"No sane general would entertain such an intervention unless Turkey pulls out of everywhere else  in Syria, in Iraq  and take control of the military situation within Turkey. Only then, perhaps, can Turkey consider taking on such intervention," added Solmazturk.

Turkish forces have in recent months carried out extensive military operations against the PKK inside Turkey, which analysts say has significantly reduced the capabilities of the rebel group. The Turkish army has also invested in heavy-lift helicopters, allowing the deployment of large numbers of forces by air.

However, Qandil's mountainous terrain is not the only obstacle Ankara must face.

"The main challenge is topography, not only geographical, but the political geography," said former senior Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen, who served in Baghdad and Irbil.

"You have to work not only with Baghdad but Irbil, and indirectly with Tehran, as well. To the east of Qandil is Iran. So, Tehran's cooperation is needed to seal the border. So politically, Iran must see some advantage to cooperate," Selcen added.

Analysts say securing Tehran's support for any military operation against the PKK will not be easy.

"They [Tehran and Ankara] do not have a common commitment to wage war against the Kurds," said Iran expert Jamshid Assadi of France's Burgundy Business School. "They don't have the same visions on the Kurds. Iran is the land of the Kurds."

Further complicating Ankara's efforts to secure Tehran's cooperation: The PKK has an Iranian-affiliated group, the PJAK.

"Tehran from time to time cooperates with PJAK," Selcen said. "Up until now, Iran's approach has been pragmatic to the point of opportunist. They have some understanding with the PKK. Iran is one of the main powers that wield influence among the Kurds.

YPG factor

"Any backing by Tehran of an Ankara operation against the PKK would also most likely undermine Iranian efforts to court the Syrian Kurdish militia, the YPG, a group that analysts say has close links with the PKK.

The militia is working closely with U.S. forces against Islamic State.

"The presence of U.S. armed forces in Syria is seen as a threat by both Damascus and Tehran," Selcen said, "so peeling the YPG away from the Americans toward Damascus is a priority."

Analysts say Tehran's efforts to pry the YPG away from U.S. forces may have gotten a boost from Ankara and Washington's announcement Monday of a road map for the militia to withdraw from the strategically critical Syrian town of Manbij.

The Turkish government is heralding the agreement as a significant victory. Ankara is lobbying its NATO partner to end its support of the YPG because of its links to the PKK.

Even without Tehran's support, Ankara could still be tempted to carry out a strike against the Qandil PKK base.

"Don't be surprised if the flag goes up in Qandil before the June 24 elections, and the region that has been used as a hotbed of terrorism for years is cleared, and the temple of international terror is destroyed," columnist Ibrahim Karagol wrote in the pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling AK Party are facing rejuvenated opposition in presidential and general elections. With the polls dominated by growing economic concerns, analysts suggest Erdogan would welcome a change in the political agenda.A group of activists marched on the Ugandan police headquarters Tuesday, protesting what they see as a lack of police response to recent kidnappings and killings.

Donning black T-shirts, the participants chanted, carried banners reading "Women's Lives Matter," and used saucepans and small drums to call attention to their demonstration.

But as they approached police headquarters, anti-riot police arrested four men and one woman.

Sarah Eperu was one of the protesters led away in handcuffs.

"We want security, that is paramount," she said. "We want conclusive investigations. And then we want a desk, specifically for these murders, put in place so that we know that there is a desk which is going to work on the murders, to investigate.  [We want] mechanisms in place which will make sure that we are secure."

This is the second protest this week by activists who say police are not giving ordinary citizens enough protection.

The activists point to several kidnappings that have gone unsolved, with some ending up in gruesome murders of victims, even after relatives paid ransom money.

But police say that some of the alleged abductions were self-kidnappings, done by people trying to defraud their relatives.

As for the killings, police say some of those were crimes of passion or ritual murders.

"Since January, up to today, there have been 42 cases of kidnap that have been reported and investigated," said Patrick Onyango, the deputy police spokesman. "Seven cases involved murder with eight victims. Twenty cases were of self-kidnap. [In] eight cases, all victims were rescued alive. Seven cases, victims are still missing."

Only one recent kidnap case is in court, after the abduction and killing of a wealthy businessman's daughter. Nine suspects have been arrested in the incident.

When people call the police in Uganda, officers sometimes seek payment for fuel before driving to the crime scene. Last year, the inspector general of police was asked about this practice. He said police are given less fuel by the government, so the public should pitch in.The Trump administration's crippling policies are forcing poor Americans deeper into poverty, a United Nations human rights investigator has found.

The United Nations' human rights office said Monday that Philip Alston, U.N. special rapporteur on extreme poverty, spent months visiting communities across America and has prepared a report that faults "successive administrations" in Washington for failing the impoverished.

While preparing to present the report to the United Nations next month, Alston specifically targeted the Trump administration for its recent $1.5 trillion tax cut, saying it brings "financial windfalls" to the rich and large corporations while punishing the poor.

Alston visited poor communities in Alabama, California, Georgia, Puerto Rico, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.

"At the end of the day, however, particularly in a rich country like the United States, the persistence of extreme poverty is a political choice made by those in power," Alston wrote. "With political will, it could readily be eliminated."

He criticized "caricatured narratives" that portray the rich as drivers of economic progress while stereotyping the poor as "wasters, losers and scammers."

Alston said while extreme poverty in American is nothing new, "the policies pursued over the past year seem deliberately designed to remove basic protection from the poorest, punish those who are not in employment and make even basic health care into a privilege to be earned rather than a right of citizenship."

An official at the U.S. mission to the U.N. in Geneva said Monday that "the Trump administration has made it a priority to create economic opportunities for all Americans."

Alston said on his Twitter account that critics of his report point out that the data he used is before Trump took office.

As the vast Indian plains sizzle during the summer months, the picturesque hill resort of Shimla turns into a tourist haven. But after the Himalayan towns water supplies virtually ran out, panicked residents sent out Stop Visiting Shimla social media posts, schools were temporarily shut, and authorities faced angry protests as people lined up to get meager supplies from water tankers.

Like other residents, Nilu Parmar faced a crisis since the problem erupted two weeks ago, even though she lives in an upmarket area that is usually spared the worst of Shimlas water woes. Even the tanker did not have enough water. So they were giving like three buckets per family, she says.



The water crisis in the hill town, home to about 180,000 people, has eased slightly, although supplies are still strictly rationed. But it served as a wake up call for India, where sprawling metropolises such as New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai routinely face critical water shortages as ground water levels deplete and lakes and rivers dry up.



Although Shimla is much smaller, comparisons were drawn to Cape Town, the South African city that faces the prospect of Day Zero when taps could run dry.



Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur of Himachal Pradesh state, of which Shimla is the capital, blamed the water woes on meager snowfall and rainfall, which feeds mountain rivers and streams.

Others cited many more reasons for the chronic shortfall that has been steadily worsening: massive construction over the lush green slopes to accommodate the rush of tourists, an old water pipe system that results in leaks and unchecked extraction of ground water that is rapidly depleting water levels.



Experts also warned although the situation may not have reached Shimlas proportion in other cities, they confront similar problems putting them also at risk of facing similar crises.The countryside is not much better off: women often walk for miles to fetch water in many areas.



The trajectory we are on is of course one that is worrisome, says Arunabha Ghosh, founder of the Council for Energy, Environment and Water in New Delhi. Citing Indias rapidly growing population and economy he points out that while traditionally one would normally move from agriculture to industry to services, in India all these three sectors are growing simultaneously.



While demand has grown enormously in a country of 1.3 billion people, experts also say Indias water woes are not as much due to scarcity as poor management of water sources and supplies.

Almost 70 percent of Indias population depends on groundwater for drinking and irrigation, but indiscriminate pumping over the past four decades has sent water plunging to dangerously low levels, warns Professor Abhijit Mukherjee, a hydrologist at the Indian Institute of Technology at Kharagpur, who has done several studies.



I call it the largest extraction of ground water extracted in human history. If you look at the volume of water that has been extracted from India, it is more than the U.S. and China have taken out, says the hydrologist.

Urban residents increasingly dig wells in their backyards to bypass unreliable municipal supplies. Farmers pump out water for their crops, even in areas close to rivers and streams because these are choked with urban and industrial waste and of little use in irrigating fields.



To underline the urgency of reviving the depleting water table, experts repeatedly point out that India has 18 percent of the world's population and four percent of its water resources. Some states like Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have reported success after building recharge structures says Abhijit Mukherjee.

They did small community level interventions, building small check dams, ponds, recharge canals. But he warns that India has a small window in which to ensure that those in other parts of the country do not face the situation that Shimla residents coped with.



Beg, borrow, steal: you do all sorts of things. You learn to have a bath in a basin and then throw that water in the flush, says Nilu Parmar.The White House says next week's summit in Singapore between President Donald Trump and North Korean Kim Jong Un will be held at the Capella hotel on Sentosa Island.

Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the venue of the highly anticipated summit on Twitter Tuesday, adding that "We thank our great Singaporean hosts for their hospitality."

Earlier, Trump expressed hope the June 12 talks in Singapore will be "the start of something big... we will soon see!"



U.S. and North Korean officials are continuing to lay the groundwork ahead of the summit.

Trump met last week at the White House with Kim Jong Un's top deputy, Kim Yong Chol, who delivered a letter from the North Korean leader.

The U.S. leader has in the past called for a quick denuclearization process but after his talks with the top North Korean official on Friday he said "Take your time."

Were not going to go in and sign something on June 12th and we never were. Were going to start a process, Trump said.

He made clear, however, that sanctions on North Korea will not be lifted until the country agrees to give up its nuclear arsenal.The World Health Organization (WHO) reports no new cases of Ebola in the DR Congo's Port City of Mbandaka and remote town of Bikoro have been confirmed since May 17.

WHO says the last confirmed case was reported on May 30 in Itipo, a village in the area of Iboko.

The total of confirmed cases stands at 37, including 25 deaths.

The U.N. agency said not too much should be read into the fact that the number of confirmed Ebola cases has remained relatively stable since mid-May. It said these numbers should be viewed with some caution.



WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said it is critical that all people who have had contact with an infected person are identified. He said even one person with Ebola could create a number of new cases by coming in contact with people at social events or religious ceremonies such as funerals.



Jasarevic told VOA it is premature to let down one's guard. He says health care workers, responders and communities must remain vigilant.

"The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo is not over and we need to continue to work," he added. "... There are lots of areas that are difficult to reach that we have to go to, that we need to make sure that we get to all the contacts. So, there still are contacts that have not been reached. So, it is really too early to say that the outbreak is contained."



Jasarevic said good progress is being made in vaccinating people who have come in contact with infected individuals. He said a vaccination campaign in Mbandaka, a city of more than one million people, is now over as all 577 known contacts of Ebola patients, health care workers and other vulnerable people there have been inoculated against the disease.



He said vaccinations are ongoing in the village of Bikoro, where Ebola was first detected and in Iboko a remote, difficult to reach area.



Ebola has broken out nine times in the DRC since the virus was discovered in that country in the 1970s. An outbreak in West Africa a few years ago left more than 11,000 people dead.Zimbabwe's large diaspora community, much of it in neighboring South Africa, has lobbied for years for the right to vote remotely in the nation's contentious elections. That's no different this time around, as the country faces its first election without longtime leader Robert Mugabe on the ballot.



On Tuesday, thousands of opposition supporters marched in Zimbabwes capital, Harare, demanding free, fair and credible elections. The opposition has also lobbied for suffrage for citizens outside the country.

But the constitutional court last week struck down their petition to allow such Zimbabweans to vote.

Proponents argue that if Zimbabweans living abroad could vote, their voice would ring loud and clear in this upcoming election.

While there is no official figure on how big the diaspora is, a court petition last week put the figure at 5 million.

Sox Chikohwero is one such Zimbabwean. An opposition supporter, he fled into exile in South Africa more than 15 years ago, after he says he was arrested for his loyalties and tortured by police.

I feel disappointed, I feel stressed, he told VOA. But what can I do?

Its not a question of fairness

Constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku, a professor at the University of Zimbabwe, says the law is the sticking point when it comes to voting processes. In 2013, he says, the nation voted for a new constitution that didnt provide for a diaspora vote. He said the court ruling was in line with existing law.

Its not a question of fairness, he said. I think the question you must ask is, Is that what the law says? Fairness goes to those that put that in the constitution. Remember that this constitution went through a referendum in March 2013, and so many Zimbabweans, 93 percent, voting at the insistence of both ZANU-PF, which was the power, and the MDC, which was in the inclusive government. They campaigned for that constitution to be endorsed.

Amending the constitution, he says, would require a 90-day notice period. But since the constitution also stipulates that the election must happen before late August, there is no way to make the changes in time.

Theyve earned it



South-Africa based political analyst Shadrack Gutto says he thinks its a misconception that all Zimbabweans abroad support the opposition. Adding the untold millions of overseas Zimbabweans to the voter roll, however, would be expensive and complicated, he said.

But, he says, theyve earned it by propping up the nations ruined economy from abroad.

They, as citizens, are entitled to vote, and therefore the diaspora vote is very important, he said. But most importantly, the economy of Zimbabwe would not have stood the test of time without diaspora repatriation of resources to their families in the country.

Independent observers have previously criticized Mugabe-era elections for their irregularities; his critics outright accused him of intimidating voters and rigging polls.

Mugabe, who took office in at independence in 1980, resigned in November under pressure from the army and his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The 75-year-old Mnangagwa, nicknamed the Crocodile for his political cunning, is now standing as the presidential candidate of the ruling ZANU-PF party. He faces 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa, who took over the struggling opposition party after the February death of its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

More than 5 million people have registered to participate in the July 30 poll  the first election since 1980 without Mugabe in a central role.President Donald Trump once joked he could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and not lose voter support. The quip was intended as hyperbole to make a point on the loyalty of his base.

Now, Trump says, he has the power to keep himself out of jail if he wanted, declaring an absolute right to PARDON myself. This time, though, it seems he isnt joking.

But there is a big limit in the world of presidential pardons: impeachment.

A look at whats true and whats not when it comes to presidential pardons:

So presidents get to do what exactly?

Under the Constitution, the president has the power to grant reprieves and pardons for federal (but not state) crimes, essentially wiping out a persons convictions. The power is, as Trump says, absolute in that pardons cant be overturned by Congress or the courts.

Almost every president has used his pardon powers, but somewhat narrowly, focusing on overturning cases when they believe a severe injustice has been done or is needed to heal partisan rifts.

President Andrew Johnson, for example, granted blanket pardons to soldiers who fought in the Confederate Army as a practical way of reuniting the nation following the Civil War. And President Gerald Ford in 1974 pardoned his predecessor, Richard Nixon, for all federal crimes Nixon has committed or may have committed or taken part in during his presidency, on the grounds that the nation had become too polarized and needed to move past the Watergate scandal.

The big exception

There is one notable exception to a presidents pardoning powers Trump doesnt mention: cases of impeachment. Under the U.S. system of checks and balances, Congress can hold presidents accountable by ousting them using impeachment trials.

Only two presidents have been impeached by the House, although both were acquitted by the Senate: Johnson in 1868 after he clashed with Congress over reconstruction of the South and Bill Clinton in 1998 on charges of lying under oath and obstructing justice concerning his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

(Nixon avoided impeachment by resigning before the House could vote.)

The bottom line is that Trump retains his pardoning powers up until a possible impeachment. And considering that impeachment trials tend to be wildly partisan affairs, it is unlikely Trump would be ousted so long as the GOP still controls the House and Senate.

Pardons as a political weapon

A person doesnt have to be convicted for a pardon to take place. That was the case in the Iran-Contra scandal, which involved the secret sales of weapons overseas by the Reagan administration.

By the time the chief prosecutor in the case was prepared to present evidence of a high-level cover-up in court, President George H.W. Bush blocked the prosecution of several central figures using his pardoning power. The pardons infuriated the prosecutor, Lawrence Walsh, and the $47 million investigation resulted in only one person sent to prison.

Bush defended his pardons by saying at the heart of this investigation was a political dispute between the executive and legislative branches over foreign policy. We must be careful not to criminalize constitutional disputes of this kind.

Likewise, Trump could try to undercut the Russia investigation by pardoning anyone charged by special counsel Robert Mueller. Overall, 19 people have been charged in the investigation, including Trumps former campaign chair and national security adviser.

But such pardons could also trigger impeachment trials in Congress on the claim that Trump was trying to obstruct justice. But again, the outcome would probably fall on party lines.

Could the president pardon himself?

So far, Trump has shown hes not afraid to pardon others he claims were unfair victims of partisanship. Among those include Joe Arpaio, the former Arizona sheriff who clashed with a judge on immigration, and I. Lewis Scooter Libby, the Bush administration official convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in the Valerie Plame leak case.

But could Trump pardon himself? Not surprisingly, that particular scenario has never been tested in the courts.

Trumps lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, says it wouldnt happen anyway.

Pardoning himself would be unthinkable and probably lead to immediate impeachment, Giuliani told NBCs Meet the Press this weekend.

According to the website HuffPost, Giuliani said the president was completely immune from prosecution and at one point offered this odd hypothetical:

If he shot James Comey, hed be impeached the next day, he said. Impeach him, and then you can do whatever you want to do to him.

Comey is the former FBI director who was leading the Russia investigation when Trump fired him.Zimbabwes main opposition alliance on Tuesday painted Zimbabwes capital Harare red as scores of people wearing the MDC Alliances colors came out in a demonstration calling for electoral reforms.

Thousands of people turned out to join the MDC Alliance as it petitioned the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

Gift Ostallos Siziba is with the Movement for Democratic Change and is part of the youthful group that has been running the campaign #Generation Consensus.

People are gathered here to remind Justice (Priscilla) Chigumba, the chairperson of ZEC, that citizens are demanding free fair and credible elections. We want to make it categorically clear here, that Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson, with respect, Justice Chigumba must deliver free, fair and credible elections.

Siziba added that President Emmerson Mnangagwas slogan that Zimbabwe is open for business should be reinforced by a fair electoral process.

Pride Mukono, chairperson of Crisis in Zimbabwe Youth, said his organization fears that the government is trying to manipulate ZEC ahead of the July 30th election. One major complaint is the lack of transparency about the preparations.

That is what the people of Zimbabwe are saying. No to manipulation  That is why they are gathered here to say that its never too late to have a free and fair election. We want to know who is printing the ballot papers, we want to know how many ballot papers have been printed, we want an audit of the biometric voters roll.

Siziba said the electoral commission will have to give in to their demands.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has got no option. Robert Mugabe had no option. Emmerson Mnangagwa has no option. Its either you deliver free and fair elections or you suffer the consequences of a marred and illegitimate government.

The government has pledged a fair election, the first since the army forced Mugabe out of office last November, ending his 37-year rule.

Munyaradzi Dodo, editor of an online publication Open Parly that covers parliament and political developments, said the peaceful march not achieve much.

MDC had their chance in contributing to the Electoral Amendment Bill, they were not attending parliament hearings save for Priscilla Misihayirambwi and Jessie Majome who were fighting tooth and nail. So parliament is where those reforms come from.

Dodo said with elections set for next month and parliament about to end its session soon, there is very little that can be done to change the electoral landscape.Roma Pride parade includes #LoveisGREAT float from British embassy to Italy.

. This year's Roma Pride, the capitals annual celebration of the LGBTQ community, is centred around the Colosseum end of Via S. Giovanni in Laterano, known as Gay Street, from 2-9 June.The highlight of the week-long series of events is theon 9 June, leaving Piazza della Repubblica at around 15.00, in the direction of the Colosseum. This year thewill have a float in the parade, under the theme #LoveisGREAT , with music provided by DJLau. For full details of the parade and parallel events see Roma Pride website Separately, Rome's Gay Village , a popular summer-long festival, recently launched its 17th edition at the Citta dell'Altra Economia in Testaccio, leaving behind its former base in EUR.Todays Headlines

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By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy PolicyKudlow said he briefed a senior Canadian official on Trumps new idea Monday and was still waiting for a response. Trump and Kudlow are traveling to Quebec this week for a meeting of leaders from seven of the worlds leading economies, and several of those officials have expressed frustration at Trump for his protectionist approach to trade.Most of her clients were like that. Theyd devoted their careers, their personal lives, sometimes their safety, to protecting the country. Brookner understood what they wanted: justice, vindication, their jobs back. She spent nearly 10 years representing Karl Olson, a Foreign Service officer at the State Department who believed hed received negative evaluations because of his sexual orientation. In 1994, Olson says, he was investigated as a homosexual security risk after showing a music video of RuPaul and Elton John performing Dont Go Breaking My Heart at a luncheon for colleagues at his home. He also says his boss handed him a fake $3 bill with Bill Clinton on the front and the phrase Queer Reserve Note written above The Disgruntled States of America. Brookner lost that one. The State Department disputed Olsons contention that he had been discriminated against, and the case was dismissed at the court of appeals level, shortly before oral arguments were to begin, she says. If it were something related to being a person of color, rather than a $3 queer reserve note, they would have resolved it in my favor within about 15 minutes, Olson says. But this was something new, and somebody had to be first.And on Monday, the first ladys communications office pushed back harder: Mrs. Trump has always been a strong and independent woman who puts her family, and certainly her health, above all else, and that wont change over a rabid press corps. Shes confident in what she is doing and in her role, and knows the rest is just speculation and nonsense.It was a privilege to welcome Gold Star Families to the White House today to recognize our Nations fallen heroes and their families, she said in the statement. To all those who have lost loved ones in service to our country, our nation grieves with you. It is a solemn reminder that we, the American people, are able to live as freely as we do because of the selfless sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.Burns and Palmer had gotten into an argument shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday in the 6200 block of Maxwell Drive, police said. Burns allegedly shot Palmer and another person during the argument, and Palmer was pronounced dead at the scene after police were called.Even the front-runners, however, have struggled to make an impression among the Democratic electorate. Fully 42 percent of registered Democrats have neither a favorable nor unfavorable opinion of Jealous, and 45 percent say the same of Baker. Among likely Democratic voters, more than 4 in 10 have no opinion about which candidate has the best experience or the best chance of beating Hogan.Prince Georges County Executive Rushern L. Baker III said: We have to take the lessons of 2014. And that is, if no one thinks it matters who the governor is, why come out? He said he has spent his campaign, along with eight years as county executive, trying to show people it does matter. But it means that we have to be able to go out there and show people how were going to make it different.While retired three- or four-star generals sometimes make their way to television news, offering spur-of-the-moment analysis of the American military and conflicts around the globe, Gen. Trainor took the unconventional step of joining a print newspaper as a full-fledged correspondent. He had no previous journalism experience, but  with a reputation as an intellectual general whose fondness for cigars was matched by an interest in military scholarship  was invited to write a trial story for the Times.I sat down with some tracing paper, and I knew immediately what the shape should be  a very simple square, she told Fortune Small Business in 2003. At the time no one was doing anything that clean. The shape gave me a real flexible canvas for applying all the ideas I had for a lot of colors, patterns, and fabrics.We know Peter, we see what this has done to his life and his family, said Earl Cook, who was the citys police chief at the time. To say that Bashir had a moment and that moment has passed and he should be able to go on with his life, a life totally different in quality from the one he enacted on Peter Laboy . . . its hard not to be emotionally involved.Whats unusual, what leaps out at me, is the degree of specificity in the allegation. Add the fact that the intended recipients of the message have stated that they believed they were being asked to lie in matters directly related to the investigation, and it suggests this is a very serious allegation against Mr. Manafort, Cotter said.From administration to administration, the trustees report has for many years been a cautionary note about the financial fragility of the two main programs designed to buffer Americans from poverty in their older years. For more than two decades, presidents of both political parties and Congress have sporadically assembled high-level commissions to explore ways to prolong the solvency of one or both programs. None has led to major changes.Q: I fell in 2015 and my injuries are being covered by the workers compensation program. It pays only the claims that are related to my back and neck injuries. But Medicare has been refusing all the claims it receives, including a hospital stay for an acute asthma attack as well as routine visits to my primary care physician. The program states that these claims are the responsibility of workers comp. What can I do?Federal ethics laws bar public officials from using their position or staff for private gain. A Cabinet-level official using his perch to contact a company CEO about a job for his wife raises the specter of misuse of public office, said Don Fox, who was head of the federal Office of Government Ethics during the Obama administration. Its not much different [from] if he [had] asked the aide to facilitate getting a franchise for himself.More than 100 people used Californias law in the first six months after it was enacted, according to state health officials. Hundreds more are estimated to have used it since then, though no official reports have been issued. Shavelson said he has received more than 600 requests and attended 87 deaths since the law took effect.The idea here is to give you a sense of where states are on different areas, she said. The idea is to be used for best practices, and its an opportunity for us to identify and have discussions with states that arent performing well.The cheery numbers, however, should not blind us to the harsh reality facing most Americans. The United States is one of the richest nations in the world, yet many of its citizens live in misery. Consider: About 40 million live in poverty, 18.5 million in extreme poverty, and 5.3 million live in Third World conditions of absolute poverty. It has the highest youth poverty rate in the [industrialized world] and the highest infant mortality rates. . . . Its citizens live shorter and sicker lives compared to those living in all other rich democracies, . . . and it has the worlds highest incarceration rate, one of the lowest levels of voter registrations in among [Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development] countries and the highest obesity levels in the developed world. The United States has the highest rate of income inequality among Western countries.Even George Washington was known to rumble out with scalding invective, despite his having issued a memorable order in August 1776 at Valley Forge: The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice hitherto little known in our American Army is growing into fashion. He hopes that the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this it is a vice so mean and low without any temptation that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.The cycle that played out on Capitol Hill on Monday was similar to other instances when an increasingly combative Trump escalated his rhetoric against Muellers investigation, which recently passed its one-year mark and has led to a handful of indictments of Trump associates. Senate Republicans have repeatedly been pressed on what they would do should Trump try to fire the special counsel, for instance, but most of them have brushed off the matter and said the consequences of terminating Mueller would be so severe that Trump would never do it.The university also has been a recruiting ground for British intelligence officials  including Christopher Steele, an undergraduate in the 1980s who went on to work for two decades for MI6. After going into private practice, Steele produced a now-controversial research dossier about Trump in 2016 for a consulting firm working on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clintons campaign. Friends of Halper and Steele say the two are not acquainted and did not work together during the 2016 campaign season.One of the challenges right now is to disentangle these versions, some of which have come to us directly through the president, some of which have come to us through very good reporting, and some of which reflect the inner defense of the Trump legal team, said Tim Naftali, a presidential historian at New York University who previously served as the director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. I believe that the initial stories emerged when this was a one-man presidency. Now theres more of a legal team thats trying to protect him from his own words.But on Tuesday, Simona Papadopoulos said her earlier comments were misinterpreted. She said she and her husband have reassessed his role after learning that his contacts with London professor Joseph Mifsud led the FBI to open a counterintelligence investigation into possible links between the Trump campaign and Russia. And Papadopoulos was also upset to learn that a Cambridge professor who hired him to write an energy paper in the fall of 2016 was a source for the FBI, she said.What is taking so long with the Inspector Generals Report on Crooked Hillary and Slippery James Comey, Trump wrote on Twitter. Numerous delays. Hope Report is not being changed and made weaker! There are so many horrible things to tell, the public has the right to know. Transparency!Another new Trump lawyer, Jane Raskin, talks with Mueller deputy James Quarles at least three times a week. She is reviewing the classified conversations Trump and other top aides have had with foreign leaders, such as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, according to two people familiar with her work, but also is working to negotiate possible terms and limit questions Trump might face in an interview.You need the two leaders when they sit down to reach an agreement on an objective . . . and after that happens, they both need to pledge that they will work in good faith, Risch said.  . . . They need to know that we are a willing partner, that we will be a cooperative partner.His decision had been widely anticipated in the Senate Republican Conference. Some GOP senators sent a letter to McConnell last month urging him to keep the chamber in session to vote on judicial and administration nominations along with legislation, and Senate leaders have said the appetite to stay in town has grown in their ranks.The result was two decades of hostile stalemate with periodic clashes on the border, most recently in 2016 when hundreds were killed. Ethiopia is also home to tens of thousands of Eritrean refugees and has lost access to its traditional outlets to the Red Sea along the Eritrean coast.The criminal complaint tells a convoluted tale of an FBI investigation that began in 2014, followed by meetings the next year between Hansen and the FBI, in which he described attempts by Chinese intelligence agents to recruit him. Apparently unaware of the bureaus preexisting investigation of his conduct, Hansen met with FBI agents nine times that year, according to the court document.The countries that negotiated the deal along with the United States  Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany  have all said they will stay in the deal. The Europeans have been trying to find a way to keep it alive, even though some international companies that moved to do business in Iran are talking of reducing their presence there.Since intervening to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria in 2014, the U.S. military has opted to work primarily through proxy forces on the ground. The approach has helped minimize the number of American troops killed during the fight, but it has also required a particularly heavy reliance on air power to aid the proxy forces on the ground. Many of those strikes have resulted in civilian casualties.Trumps latest salvo against Sessions came at 7:31 a.m., when he wrote amid a flurry of tweets: The Russian Witch Hunt Hoax continues, all because Jeff Sessions didnt tell me he was going to recuse himself. . .I would have quickly picked someone else. So much time and money wasted, so many lives ruined. . .and Sessions knew better than most that there was No Collusion!This time, there is no way to return to the past, Saud Al-Sarhan, the secretary general of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, wrote in a recent essay. There is a clear desire to break with all kinds of political Islam, Sunni and Shiite alike, both by leaders and by the populace, who see the most extreme version of these same Islamist ideologies in the monstrous death cult of the so-called Islamic State. The center is chaired by a member of the royal family, Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, who is often called upon by the Saudi leadership to publicly explain its thinking.There are things that we will have to agree on and Turkey will agree on, the official said. But we want to make sure that we maintain . . . the stability that weve seen in Manbij just because that is quite critical. Its a very complicated terrain in which you have [Turkish-allied] opposition forces north of Manbij; you have regime forces loyal to Syrian President Bashir al-Assad and some Russian forces just south. And of course within the city itself, primarily with the Manbij Military Council and others.It was only Graham Stuart Dillon's plea of guilty to the murder of his son that saved him from a life sentence.

So heinous were his crimes against 9-year-old Bradyn.

Instead, Justice John Burns sentenced the Canberra man on Monday to 36 years in jail for the boy's murder, and a total of 41 years for the whole of the beatings doled out to the boy and others.

Graham Dillon listens to Justice John Burns as he is handed a sentence of 41 years and one month. Photo was taken from a television screen broadcasting the sentencing live for media within the Supreme Court. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

Dillon's conduct towards his son, the judge said, could "aptly be described as torture".A man who was fined for abusing Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at a Brisbane pub has been charged with attempted murder.

Nicholas John Gordon, 26, was charged after the alleged attack on a woman in her 30s at a Carina Heights home just after midnight on Sunday.

Nicholas John Gordon, 26, has been charged with attempted murder. Credit:Facebook

Police alleged they were called to a house on Chataway Street after a disturbance and found a woman in her 30s with "significant" injuries to her face and cuts to her hands.

Mr Gordon was arrested at a Chataway Street address nearby.Airbus has announced it will base its Zephyr solar-powered unmanned aircraft at Wyndham airfield in WA's north-west, with flights slated to begin in the second half of 2018.

The Zephyr project is a solar-powered aircraft with an operational ceiling of about 65,000 feet and will provide a range of earth observation services and communications connectivity for civil, military or humanitarian purposes.

Airbus said it bridged the gap between current-generation unmanned aircraft and satellites.

Airbus has announced it will base its Zephyr solar-powered unmanned aircraft at Wyndham airfield. Credit:Airbus

After the airfield is developed, Wyndham would become the worlds first operational site for the launch and recovery of the the aircraft, which are known as High Altitude Pseudo Satellites.Western Australia will have a female premier until the weekend, as Premier Mark McGowan heads to China on Wednesday and Education Minister Sue Ellery takes his place at the head of the cabinet table.

Ms Ellery, who is the leader of the state's upper house, will take on the role in addition to her current ministerial workload.

Education Minister Sue Ellery will be acting Premier of Western Australia until the weekend. Credit:Twitter/@sueellery

In addition to her appointment as acting Premier, Ms Ellery will take on Mr McGowan's public sector management, state development, jobs and trade, and federal-state relations porfolios.

Mr McGowan announced the trip to Beijing on the weekend, and said he will meet representatives from government and business.Ade Kusmanto, a spokesman for Indonesia's Directorate General of Corrections, confirmed that Nguyen had died on Saturday, May 19 at 7.10am at Siloam hospital in Jakarta from stomach cancer.

Nguyen, 34, was given a life sentence after being arrested for trying to smuggle heroin through Bali in 2005.

A member of the Bali Nine convicted drug smugglers, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, has died in Indonesia.

"His body has been handed over to his adoptive mother Jolita Zonneveld, Ade said, adding that his body would be brought to Australia.

Nguyen was moved to Jakarta last year on the request of his family to get access to better treatment for his cancer.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed on Tuesday night that they were providing support to the family of an Australian man who died in Indonesia from a "terminal illness".

He had been arrested at the Melasti Hotel in the seedy tourist hot spot of Kuta in April 2005 alongside three other "drug mules" and Myuran Sukumaran  who would later be named a ringleader in the smuggling plot.

Sukumaran and the Melasti Three, as Nguyen, Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen came to be called during their trial, were caught with about 300 grams of heroin, Indonesian police alleged.The stillness belied the chaos of the day before, as people fled in terror before a roaring wave of destruction. Survivors who went back to the village of San Miguel los Lotes on Monday encountered a village turned to rubble by the force of the eruption. "My mother is buried there," Ines Lopez told a Guatemalan newspaper, Prensa Libre, standing amid the wreckage of his home. He was numb with grief. "What can I do to cry? My heart is hard, hard. All our family is here, buried," he said waving his hand over the ruins. A man cries after seeing the condition of his neighbourhood, destroyed by the erupting Volcano of Fire, in Escuintla, Guatemala. Credit:AP

Some locals said they never learnt of the danger until it was upon them - and were critical of authorities. "CONRED never told us to leave. When the lava was already here they passed by in their pickup trucks telling at us to leave, but the cars did not stop to pick up the people," said Rafael Letran, a resident of El Rodeo. "The government is good at stealing, but when it comes to helping people they lack spark." President Jimmy Morales declared three days of mourning and toured shelters and the disaster area. As he left the buried El Rodeo, a weeping woman approached his van and he got out to listen. People carry the coffins of seven victims to the cemetery in San Juan Alotenango, Guatemala, on Monday. Credit:AP "Mr President, my family is missing," Eufemia Garcia said, sobbing. "Send a helicopter to drop water from above because it is burning there. I have three children, a grandchild, all my brothers and sisters, my mother  more than 20 are missing."

The volcano, which sits less than 50 kilometres from the capital Guatemala City, and is on the Pacific Ring of Fire, has been erupting since 2002, according to the Global Volcanism Program. It is a stratovolcano, like Mount St Helens, with viscous lava that allows gas pressures to build and leads to more explosive eruptions. The intense activity began on Sunday morning, local time, with a strong explosion shortly before noon. The volcano then continued to spew ash, rocks and gas into the air. A second powerful eruption followed at 6.45pm and the activity finally subsided after 16 hours, Guatemala's seismology and volcanology institute said. The explosion created what is known as pyroclastic flows, mixtures of hot gas and rock that course down the slopes of the volcano at great speed, according to the Global Volcanism Program, and their high temperatures and "great mobility make them lethal to anything in their path." At its height, the ash billowed more than a kilometre above the volcano's cone, and dispersed around a radius of 25 kilometres, the volcanology institute said.

The Volcano of Fire spews molten rock from its crater in Alotenango, Guatemala. Credit:AP Bodies were so thickly coated with ash that they looked like statues, and rescuers were forced to use sledgehammers to break through the roofs of houses buried in debris up to their roof lines to try to see if anyone was trapped inside. Fanuel Garcia, director of the National Institute of Forensic Sciences, said 69 bodies had been recovered and 17 of those had been identified. "It is very difficult for us to identify them because some of the dead lost their features or their fingerprints" from the red-hot flows, Garcia said. "We are going to have to resort to other methods ... and if possible take DNA samples to identify them." A firefighter carries the body of a child recovered near the Volcan de Fuego, in Escuintla, Guatemala. Credit:AP

Hilda Lopez said her mother and sister were still missing after the slurry of hot gas, ash and rock roared into her village of San Miguel Los Lotes, just below the mountain's flanks. "We were at a party, celebrating the birth of a baby, when one of the neighbours shouted at us to come out and see the lava that was coming," the distraught woman said. "We didn't believe it, and when we went out the hot mud was already coming down the street." "My mother was stuck there, she couldn't get out," said Lopez, weeping and holding her face in her hands. Her husband, Joel Gonzalez, said his father had also been unable to escape and was believed to be "buried back there, at the house." Mazariegos said the eruption was the first in Guatemala to release such high volumes of pyroclastic flow and its accompanying gases.Washington: President Donald Trump says he has "absolute right to PARDON myself" but says has "done nothing wrong" in the Russia probe.

In a tweet on Monday, Mr Trump weighed in on the question of whether he could pardon himself should the special counsel find he interfered in the investigation into Russia meddling in the 2016 election.

Mr Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, in television interviews on Sunday, suggested Mr Trump might have that authority to pardon himself but would be unwise to use it.

Mr Giuliani told NBC's Meet the Press: "Pardoning himself would be unthinkable and probably lead to immediate impeachment."Weber State Invites Community to Hike to Canyon Waterfalls

June 4, 2018

Ogden, Utah  Weber State Universitys Outdoor Program invites students and community members to participate in the Summer Waterfall Series, which offers one hike a month in June, July and August to discover local waterfalls.

Beginning with the summit hiking series in 2016, Campus Recreation's Outdoor Program has aimed to offer Weber State and the surrounding community an opportunity to explore their own backyard while promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

This year Jamie Berstein, Outdoor Program assistant coordinator, worked with Kelly Boyce, marketing and operations coordinator for Campus Recreation and waterfall enthusiast, to add a few refreshing touches to the series.

Weber and Davis counties are blessed to have some of the most amazing waterfalls in the country, Boyce said. We felt the WSU community would enjoy getting a great workout during the hike then cooling off in the waters to get the perfect picture.

Summer Waterfall Series schedule:

June 9, 2018: Waterfall Canyon

July 7, 2018: Farmington Creek

August 4, 2018: Adams Canyon

All trips will depart from the Outdoor Program building at 4022 Taylor Avenue, Ogden. Participation is free for everyone. Participants are asked to bring their own water, pack and other supplies. Registration is required at weber.edu/outdoor/waterfall-series.html.

For more information about the Outdoor Program, visit weber.edu/outdoor/.

For more information about Weber State University, visit weber.edu.A Q&A with Shyamala Benakovic, the CEO for Yoga Australia





Yoga Australia first began in 1999. How did the idea come to life?

Yoga Australia, formally known as the Yoga Teachers Association (YTA), was established out of concern for the safety of yoga classes delivered at the time. Incorporated in 1999, with Jose Goossens as the first president, it had the task of establishing standards for yoga teaching in terms of minimum standards for training and experience. This became the first set of standards for membership of the YTA. The standards were developed by a committee consisting of Leigh Blashki, Pam Fegan and Chitra Stern, and were adopted in late 2000.

What are some of Yoga Australias core principles?

Yoga Australias primary aim and purpose is to uphold high standards of yoga teaching and training. Upholding and maintaining our standards form the core of our strategy and operations. Our mission is to develop and promote best practice for yoga, to support and represent yoga teachers in Australia, from all traditions and styles, and to educate and inform the general community and professional groups about yoga that is informed by our standards.

Why is it necessary for yoga teachers to be involved with a supporting body like Yoga Australia?

Yoga Australia is the peak professional body for yoga and yoga professionals in Australia. The association advocates for registered yoga teachers and assures the community that they are in safe hands with a Yoga Australia teacher or training provider.

Furthermore, the profession has experienced rapid growth in the past 10 years and with this comes challenges associated with unethical behaviour and business processes. Yoga Australia has clear grievance policies and procedures to support teachers and training providers with challenges in the industry.

Its important for yoga teachers to be part of the association to ensure that the yoga profession remains professional and that the challenges are addressed efficiently so the profession continues to grow. Yoga plays a big part in the health and wellbeing of Australia; were thrilled with it being recognised as such, particularly since the introduction of International Yoga Day in 2015.

What does Yoga Australia provide for yoga teachers? What does it provide for yoga students?

Yoga teachers can enjoy the advocacy and promotion opportunities Yoga Australia provides. We provide a lot of advertising for teachers and support teachers by assisting with the challenges they face as the profession grows. If students are practising with a Yoga Australia registered teacher, they can rest assured they are in safe hands.

How many teachers are registered with Yoga Australia? Is it a requirement of yoga teaching? If so, why? If not, what are the benefits?

We have about 3000 yoga teachers registered with Yoga Australia. The yoga profession is still unregulated in Australia and globally, so there is no legal requirement for yoga teachers to be trained or be part of an association. The value we provide to teachers and the industry is assurance that our teachers are qualified to teach a safe class and able to address specific requirements of students.

When did you first become involved with Yoga Australia? What does your role at Yoga Australia involve?

I became involved with Yoga Australia in 2007 when I started my yoga teacher training. I trained with Leigh Blashki and his faculty of teachers, which included Jose Goossens and Kaye Tribe, the founding members of Yoga Australia. I have been a part of Yoga Australia since then, supporting its vision and mission as the peak body for the yoga profession in Australia.

I am currently the CEO of Yoga Australia and work closely with the management committee of the association to implement its strategic objectives. The management committee of Yoga Australia are all volunteers who give their time and energy to this profession as they believe in the importance of yoga being delivered to the community safely and effectively.

What impact has yoga had in your personal life?

I have practised yoga since childhood and it has brought stability to my decision-making and resilience to face the many changes I have gone through and will go through in my life. It has kept me healthy physically and has given me the mental strength to focus and be clear in everything I do.

Whats next for Yoga Australia?

Yoga Australia is growing and is now recognised internationally. The next step is to be recognised officially as the peak industry body for the profession in Australia. This year we expanded to New Zealand and we hope to support the Asia Pacific region on the not-too-distant future; 2018 will see many changes for Yoga Australia as it moves to a different governance structure, one that will increase its prominence in Australia and globally.

While we have grown substantially since 1999 and gained significant recognition for the work we do, the work of the association is primarily done by volunteers who dedicate a lot of time and energy to ensure the association meets its strategic goals. Id like to give a sincere thanks to all our volunteers for supporting us.







Kate Duncan Kate Duncan is the Editor of WellBeing and WILD. She loves surfing, creating raw desserts, flowing through nourishing yoga sequences and spending time with her new pooch, Maribou.BRIDGEPORT  A Bridgeport teen and a Waterbury man were arrested Monday after a pursuit that spanned from Bridgeport to Brookfield, police said Tuesday.

Police also said they recovered a gun and a 50-round drum from the car.

Kenneth Jones, 22, of Waterbury, was charged with engaging police in a pursuit, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, weapons in a motor vehicle, possession of a pistol without a permit, possession of high-capacity magazines, evading responsibility, operating without a license, operating under suspension and risk of injury to a minor.

A 17-year-old juvenile from Bridgeport was also arrested and released into the custody of a parent.

On Monday, members of the Gang Task Force and task force members from the FBI Safe Streets program learned of a car in the city with possible North End violent group members and firearms in it, police said.

Task force officers started to conduct surveillance throughout the citys North End and the Hollow, looking for the car they received information on  a Honda.

Around 6 p.m., officers saw a white Honda, which they believed to be the car they had heard information about, as it left the area of the North End.

Task force officers followed the Honda and called for backup from marked Bridgeport police units. Once police tried to conduct a traffic stop, the Honda sped off and a pursuit began toward the Route 8/25 connector, police said.

The pursuit went from Bridgeport to Trumbull, Monroe, Newtown and then the vehicle was lost in Brookfield, an incident summary said.

Surrounding towns and state police units provided back up during the pursuit. And about 90 minutes after the initial pursuit began, state police saw the car before exit 30 on Route 8.

After a short pursuit the driver crashed the vehicle and all occupants fled from the Honda, police said.

Police said officers found a Glock 9mm and a 50-round drum loaded with live ammunition in the car.

Two males were apprehended and taken to state police Troop A in Southbury to be processed.

Bridgeport police said this is the second time the 17-year-old has been arrested recently. The other arrest was firearm-related, police said. He was again released into the custody of his mother Monday.

State police said Jones also faces charges of home invasion, criminal mischief, second-degree burglary, breach of peace, interfering with police and criminal trespass. It was unclear when the incident that led to these charges took place.

Jones was held on a $250,000 bond.Paul Taylor-Mills has announced that he has stood down as artistic director of The Other Palace.

Taylor-Mills, who relaunchedthe Victoria-based theatre with Andrew Lloyd Webber last year as a new musicals venue, said in a statement: "I've had the most wonderful couple of years working with Andrew... and establishing The Other Palace as one of the most important and dynamic venues in London for the new musical theatre scene.

"After spending the last couple of months being able to get my hands dirty on the producing of Heathers The Musical, I've reminded myself that this is where I get really excited and am keen to be able to focus my attentions on more of my independent projects."

Producer Chris Harper  whose production company with Marianne Elliott, Elliott and Harper, is responsible for the recent production of Heisenberg and the upcoming Company  will join The Other Palace as director of programming, with Taylor-Mills taking on the new role of affiliate producer, with his first production being Heathers starring Carrie Hope Fletcher, which opens from previews later this move.

The Other Palace will continue to develop new musicals in its studio space with the main house opened up to a variety of work including plays.Starbucks said Monday that executive chairman Howard Schultz, who transformed a small retail chain of coffee stores into a global juggernaut of cafes, restaurants and coffee beans with more than 28,000 stores in 77 countries, will be stepping down as executive chairman and as a member of the companys board effective June 26.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/6/2018 (1227 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Starbucks said Monday that executive chairman Howard Schultz, who transformed a small retail chain of coffee stores into a global juggernaut of cafes, restaurants and coffee beans with more than 28,000 stores in 77 countries, will be stepping down as executive chairman and as a member of the companys board effective June 26.

One of Americas most widely recognized CEOs, Schultz long ago emerged as an outspoken leader on civic issues such as immigration, LGBTTQ* issues and gun control. This move has reignited speculation that a plan to run for political office could be in his future.

In an interview with the New York Times, Schultz reportedly acknowledged that he may consider public service. Asked specifically if he was planning to run for president, Schultz said, "I intend to think about a range of options and that could include public service. But Im a long way from making any decisions about the future."

Schultz has for years expressed an interest in becoming more involved in public life, even as he has equivocated on questions about whether he will mount a campaign for president. His friend David Geffen, the Hollywood mogul and a major Democratic donor, has said he encouraged Schultz to run as far back as the 2008 campaign cycle.

Instead of taking that leap, Schultz has used the intervening years to expand his philanthropic efforts, both through Starbucks and his family foundation, which focuses on helping veterans, employing young people and helping the homeless in Washington State. He has also co-produced a documentary series at Starbucks about inspiring Americans who engage in acts of citizenship and civility and opened a separate personal office to handle his own affairs.

At an Atlantic Council event last month in Washington, Schultz laid out a set of themes that would fit easily into a 2020 presidential campaign, including a warning against isolationism and nationalism.

"This is not a time to build walls. This is a time to build bridges. We have an awesome responsibility not to be desensitized by the time we are living in, not to accept the status quo of a lack of dignity and a lack of respect, but to rise above it and to do all we can."

Schultz had transitioned from running the company on a day-to-day basis in April 2017  the second time hed given up the chief executives title, most recently to current CEO Kevin Johnson.

After becoming executive chairman, he focused on the companys premium brands  its chain of Starbucks Reserve Roasteries, Reserve stores and its partnership with an Italian bakery, Princi. The companys announcement said that after Schultz leaves the board, he will oversee the opening of two Roastery stores  one in Milan in September and another in New York in October. He will receive the title of chairman emeritus.

The company said that former J.C. Penney chairman and CEO Myron Ullman would be appointed its new board chairman and Ariel Investments president Mellody Hobson would serve as vice-chairwoman. Both are current members of the Starbucks board.

Schultz returned to the companys forefront recently as Starbucks became embroiled in controversy over the arrest of two customers at its Philadelphia store, leading the company to institute racial bias training across the country for 175,000 workers.

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In the days after two black men were arrested in Philadelphia, Schultz, along with Johnson, flew to meet with the men and personally apologize. The coffee behemoth then announced it would close stores for the afternoon of May 29 for racial bias training, marking the beginning of years-long initiatives to steer workers toward inclusivity and sensitivity.

In the weeks leading to the training, Schultz repeatedly cast the arrests as a company-wide failure that reflected on the companys top leadership rather than placing blame on the manager who called 911.

He described going through the training himself and being gripped by the experiences of a colleague who grew up in South Africa during apartheid.

He also appeared throughout the racial bias curriculum, calling on employees to do their part to uphold a welcoming community for all in their stores and communities.

"Thats my hope for the company and thats literally my hope for the country," he said in the training.

 Washington PostWinnipeggers outraged by the Trudeau government's plan to buy Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain Pipeline for $4.5 billion protested outside three Liberal MPs offices on Monday, in solidarity with over 100 protests happening in major cities across the country.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 4/6/2018 (1227 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeggers outraged by the Trudeau government's plan to buy Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain Pipeline for $4.5 billion protested outside three Liberal MPs offices on Monday, in solidarity with over 100 protests happening in major cities across the country.

The protests culminated in a rally in front of Portage Place mall in the late afternoon and early evening.

The protestors, clad in red to symbolize their anger, chanted "No welfare for oil companies," outside of Minister of Natural Resources and Winnipeg South Centre MP Jim Carr's office on Corydon Avenue. About 45 people were present, waving signs and taking turns speaking into a megaphone.

The intent, the protestors said, was to give the MPs a petition with over 200,000 signatures against the planned pipeline purchase. None of the MPs were present, but representatives from their offices took the petition.

"It doesn't make sense to spend our tax dollars buying an old leaking pipeline and billions more on building a new pipeline," said Laura Cameron, a community organizer with the Manitoba Energy Justice Coalition (MEJC), the environmentalist group that organized the Winnipeg rallies. "All of the climate science says we need to be moving in the opposite direction  transitioning off of fossil fuels."

"Even the pipeline company, Kinder Morgan, didn't want to take on this risk," she said. "It's clear our government is willing to go to extreme lengths to get this project built  putting all the risk on the taxpayers."

Leadnow, a registered non-profit that organizes and advocates for different public policy issues on a national scale, helped organize the nation-wide protests.

Bryce Weedmark watched a Leadnow video about the Trans Mountain Pipeline buyout online last week  then he joined the MEJC and helped organize yesterday's protests.

Cameron, who voted for the Grits in the 2015 election, said this latest action clearly shows how little they care about their campaign promises  she won't vote Liberal in 2019, she said.

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"It's completely incompatible with the Trudeau government's own promises on climate change," she said.

The Department of Natural Resources provided an emailed statement about the pipeline buyout and yesterday's protests.

"We embrace a diversity of views and opinions with respect to Canadas energy future, and we encourage people to express their views peacefully and in accordance with the law. The right to peaceful protest is a foundation of our rights and freedoms in Canada and we respect that right," wrote Alexandre Deslongchamps, press secretary for the department. "We would not have approved this project if it were not in the national interest. Our goal now is to ensure this project moves forward to create economic benefits for all Canadians."

Winnipeg North MP Kevin Lamoureux spoke with protestors on the phone. Protestors also rallied in front of Winnipeg Centre MP Robert Falcon-Ouellette's Ellice Avenue office  Falcon-Ouellette has spoken out against pipelines in the past, but hasn't yet commented on the possible Trans Mountain Pipeline buyout.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @erik_pinderaA former Cross Lake RCMP officer is accusing the Mounties of malicious prosecution and defamation, after he was charged with assault two years ago.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 4/6/2018 (1227 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A former Cross Lake RCMP officer is accusing the Mounties of malicious prosecution and defamation, after he was charged with assault two years ago.

The assault charge against retired RCMP officer Derick Hilliker was stayed by the Crown in January 2017. In a lawsuit filed May 25 in the Court of Queen's Bench, Hilliker accuses the RCMP of wrongfully laying the charge and publicly humiliating him.

TREVOR HAGAN/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES RCMP Badge.

Hilliker was charged after a woman alleged he had choked her after he offered her a ride while she was hitchhiking in September 2015. Hilliker denied those allegations, and the charge was stayed on the condition he complete five hours of anger management counselling, according to the statement of claim.

The statement of claim seeks damages from the attorney general of Canada, the RCMP, D Division in Manitoba and six individual RCMP officers. It says the criminal proceedings against him were improper and the defendants were motivated by malice, "with the specific intention of having the plaintiff arrested so as to humiliate or harass the plaintiff, cause damage to and discredit the plaintiff's reputation and to hold him up to public scandal."

In the statement of claim, Hilliker denied assaulting the woman. He offered her a ride when he saw her hitchhiking around midnight near Sipiseek on Sept. 9, 2015, but then recognized her as someone who had allegedly made domestic-violence threats against his family, and asked her to get out of his vehicle.

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The next day, concerned she would allege he had assaulted her, he went to the detachment and reported what happened, according to the statement of claim.

The charge wasn't laid until more than eight months after the woman gave a statement to the police, after which a warrant was issued for Hilliker's arrest. He wasn't told about the charge or the warrant, and didn't find out about either until he was stopped at a border crossing coming back into Canada between Michigan and Ontario in June 2016, according to the statement of claim.

It says Hilliker called senior officers at the RCMP to find out why the charge was laid and why the warrant was issued. One of them told him the Cross Lake detachment made a mistake and the arrest warrant should not have been issued, according to the statement of claim.

In a subsequent news report about the assault allegation against Hilliker, an RCMP media liaison is quoted as saying the warrant was issued after officers made several unsuccessful attempts to arrest him in Cross Lake and tried to locate him at his address in Winnipeg. The claim says those statements were false, defamatory and misleading attempts to make the criminal proceeding against Hilliker seem legitimate.

The statement of claim has not been proven in court. It says Hilliker declined to run for political office last year because of the criminal proceedings against him.

Hilliker declined to comment Monday, referring questions to his lawyer, who did not respond to a request for comment Monday. A representative for the RCMP could not be immediately reached.OTTAWA  Winnipeg Transit is the big winner following a massive infrastructure agreement the federal government inked with the province on Monday.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 4/6/2018 (1227 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  Winnipeg Transit is the big winner following a massive infrastructure agreement the federal government inked with the province on Monday.

The decade-long deal will see the federal government spend $1.17 billion for infrastructure projects between 2018 and 2028 through a bilateral, cost-sharing agreement that will span everything from green initiatives to recreational centres to all-weather roads and public transportation. Nearly half of the total  $530 million will go to public transit in Winnipeg.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Infrastructure and Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi (right) and Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton sign documents for both governments to Invest in infrastructure programs at the Forks Monday.

"It's the largest federal-provincial infrastructure funding agreement in Manitoba's history," said provincial Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton, who was flanked by federal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi at a news conference Monday morning at The Forks.

"This is about building strong communities, at the end of the day," Sohi said in an interview.

Sohi said $530 million of the federal public-transit money will go directly to Winnipeg. Once cost-sharing with the province and city is factored in, it will mean as much as $1.3 billion for Winnipeg Transit "to build new urban transit networks and service extensions," according to a news release.

Joseph Kornelsen, the chair of Functional Transit Winnipeg, said that "remarkable amount" could mean more bus lanes and larger buses, but "solid, convenient and frequent" transit will only come if its planned well, and if theres also more funding for actual bus service.

"If the city is not able to increase its own investment in service, and is instead threatening cuts like it did last year, then all this infrastructure investment will be for naught," he said.

Manitobas infrastructure funding will be split between four areas:

Public transit

$546 million

Green infrastructure

$452 million

Community, culture and recreation infrastructure

$61 million

Rural and northern communities infrastructure

$113 million

If Winnipeg doesnt use all the transit cash, the leftover funds will go to green-infrastructure programs, but only with consent of the city and province, Sohi said.

Sources familiar with the negotiations say the Pallister government had sought more funding for rural public-transit needs than the three per cent allocated outside Winnipeg.

Manitoba Chambers of Commerce CEO Chuck Davidson said the bilateral agreement give the province a chance to harmonize its Climate and Green Plan with local needs. "They tend to start with the grassroots," Davidson said of federal cost-sharing.

Although Monday news release mentions green initiatives and only refers to roads to remote communities, Davidson said businesses have long called for "key corridors" to be shored up for trucking goods.

That means upkeep for Highway 75 to the U.S. border, and paving the gravel sections of Highway 283 from The Pas into Saskatchewan. The latter would be especially important for shoring up the viability of Churchills port and railway, he said.

"We think a key part of being able to stimulate  specifically in the rural and northern economy (is the) identification of infrastructure priorities," Davidson said.

The federal government has reached bilateral agreements with each province and territory, and will invest more than $33 billion in infrastructural project funding nationwide. Manitoba has clinched slightly more than its proportionate share of the funding.

"We have tried to figure out (how) to be fair to a province like Manitoba, because of the smaller population compared to other large provinces," Sohi said.

The province did not say Monday how much money it expects to contribute under this bilateral agreement; Wharton said the province will work "collaboratively" with the Assembly of Manitoba Municipalities to pick projects. The cost-sharing formula varies based on the type of project.

Ottawas share of projects: Click to Expand - 40 per cent for public transit - 50 per cent for northern/rural projects - 60 per cent for communities with fewer than 5,000 residents - 75 per cent in Indigenous communities

The Liberals last major infrastructure cost-sharing proposal hit hurdles in Manitoba. Last fall, Winnipegs city council shelved eight roadway projects, including a pedestrian-bike bridge over Pembina Highway, after the cash-strapped province restricted its spending.

Sohi said Winnipegs accelerated regional road application is still under review through the existing Building Canada Fund.

In January, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr started semi-regular meetings with Mayor Brian Bowman, Deputy Premier Heather Stefanson and himself, in the hopes of diffusing conflict and getting infrastructure dollars on track.

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Carr suggested Monday he believes the three levels of government are closer to working in lock-step, with regular talks ongoing but no formal three-way meetings planned until after the October mayoral race.

"We're working well together; our priorities are aligned," he said.

Mondays bilateral announcement is all money that was newly allocated in Budget 2017; Ottawa did not roll in the existing GST and gas-tax rebates that are used to fund municipalities infrastructure needs.

The federal spending is part of the Liberals choice to run huge deficits on housing, childcare and infrastructure, in the hopes of getting more people working.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca

Ben Waldman

Reporter Ben Waldman covers a little bit of everything for the Free Press. Read full biographyLast December, the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) lost its monopoly in Manitoba to buy and market freshwater fish. The move to open the market to private buyers was driven in part by ideology and in part by some fishers thinking this was the best way to get better prices for their fish. It may be.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/6/2018 (1227 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

Last December, the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) lost its monopoly in Manitoba to buy and market freshwater fish. The move to open the market to private buyers was driven in part by ideology and in part by some fishers thinking this was the best way to get better prices for their fish. It may be.

But why was the FFMC first created in 1969? The maxim "those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it" applies here more than ever.

In the 1960s, Canadas inland fisheries were in a state of disarray: prices paid to fishers were low and northern communities  where fishing was a primary or often the only source of economic activity  were in a state of abject poverty.

This prompted the creation of a Royal Commission led by George McIvor. McIvors recommendations in his 1965 report were followed almost to the letter in creating a new federal crown corporation, the FFMC.

But why was it needed?

There were two main reasons. First, the presence of too many middlemen  the fish agents and buyers; and second, the weak bargaining position of fish exporters.

The middlemen bled profits from the industry such that fishers received only a small fraction of the price of fish paid by consumers.

Fish then were exported almost exclusively to the United States, where a handful of importers controlled the market. With many exporters to choose from, the American importers were price setters  and they set prices low.

McIvor detailed all this in his 1965 report (Report of Commission of Inquiry into Freshwater Fish Marketing). He also describes the economic plight of northern and primarily Indigenous fishers, and his words make shocking reading:

"The Commission finds that overall the weakness of the fisherman in the western inland fishery and in Northern Ontario is particularly appalling. Many fishermen in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northern Ontario and the Northwest Territories, mostly Indian or Metis, lack the training for and have no alternative employment. During the fishing season, they must fish or remain idle. Many are located on small lakes in remote areas and usually have only one buyer for their fish. Because the fisherman lacks the capital and in order to assure a supply of fish, the buyer equips many fishermen with a boat, motor, nets, fuel, food, etc. At the end of the fishing season, the buyer indicates whether the value of the catch was sufficient to pay for the rental of the equipment and the cost of the supplies. Often it is not, and the fisherman remains in debt until the coming season.

"We find that under these circumstances, the fisherman is essentially an indentured labourer for the fish companies. It is self-evident that fishermen in this situation do not negotiate a price. There is no bargaining. The fishermans prime concern is existing."

Just in case you missed it: Indigenous fishers served as indentured labourers for fish companies. We had in Manitoba, in the last half of the 20th century, the modern-day equivalent of slavery.

I believe in free markets and also believe that a government needs good reason to interfere with them. Ending a practice that is effective slavery qualifies as a good reason.

The creation of the FFMC made the lives of a great many fishers a great deal better. It reduced the number of middlemen and increased bargaining leverage in export markets.

It has not been perfect and one wonders whether in recent years it lost sight of its primary mandate to maximize prices paid to fishers.

But with the return of open markets, we now reintroduce the middlemen that were bleeding profits from fishers.

With the return of open markets, we replace a single large fish exporter with substantial bargaining leverage, with more numerous smaller exporters and a reduced ability to set prices.

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The Manitoba government decided to return to the open-market system that served fishers so poorly before the FFMC was created. So be it. What is not clear is what has changed to make the outcome different now.

Current governments need to be especially vigilant to avoid a return to the original conditions that prompted the creation of the FFMC. The early signs are not good.

The Manitoba government ignored its own expert advice to bond fish buyers and fishers found themselves more than $1 million out of pocket right out of the gate. Nice start.

In 1969, as now, the majority of fishers were Indigenous. Then, as now, there were few other economic opportunities for people in northern communities.

We must learn from history so that we do not repeat it. A return to slavery would not be a good look in the era of reconciliation.

Scott Forbes is an ecologist at the University of Winnipeg.There are only two U.S. historical figures who werent presidents who are still referred to by their initials: MLK or Martin Luther King, Jr. and RFK or Robert F. Kennedy. Both were murdered within two months of each other in the spring of 1968 at young ages  King was 39, Kennedy 42  with much more left to accomplish. Both, too, have been immortalized, despite the fact they were much more controversial and polarizing figures during their lifetimes than we remember today.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/6/2018 (1227 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

There are only two U.S. historical figures who werent presidents who are still referred to by their initials: MLK or Martin Luther King, Jr. and RFK or Robert F. Kennedy. Both were murdered within two months of each other in the spring of 1968 at young ages  King was 39, Kennedy 42  with much more left to accomplish. Both, too, have been immortalized, despite the fact they were much more controversial and polarizing figures during their lifetimes than we remember today.

History is full of "what-ifs." On the evening of June 5, 1968, Robert Kennedy, the younger brother of the assassinated president John F. Kennedy, had just won the California Democratic Party primary. In all likelihood, "Bobby," as he was affectionately called, was going to be anointed the Democratic presidential nominee in a contest that would have pitted him against Republican Richard Nixon, who had also run against JFK in 1960 and lost.

Warren Winterbottom / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Seen on April 2, 1968, U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-NY, shakes hands with people in a crowd while campaigning for the Democratic party's presidential nomination on a street corner, in Philadelphia.

Fate, however, intervened. Concluding his victory speech in the ballroom of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, Robert Kennedy declared, "So my thanks to all of you, and on to (the convention in) Chicago and lets win there." Instead of making his way through the large crowd, Kennedy was directed to a shorter route through the hotel kitchen. On the way, he became separated from his wife, Ethel, and his bodyguard, a former FBI agent.

He was halfway through the kitchen when out of the shadows, dressed as a busboy, stepped Sirhan Sirhan, a 24-year old Palestinian who, as Larry Tye writes in his biography of RFK, "hated Israel (and) hated Kennedy for supporting Israel." Sirhan had a .22-calibre gun and opened fire at Kennedy, hitting him several times. RFK slumped to the ground. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but died from the gunshot wounds early on June 6.

It is hard to state with absolute certainty, but with his death the history of the U.S. was most likely sent along a different trajectory. Instead of Kennedy facing off against Nixon in the November election that year, it was vice-president Hubert Humphrey who became the Democrats nominee and lost to the Republican candidate.

That set in motion a cascade of events: a different and slower exit from Vietnam than Kennedy might have done; the Watergate scandal; Jimmy Carter as president, followed by two terms of Ronald Reagan, and perhaps a thousand other things. But, again, we will never know for sure how a second Kennedy as president might have acted.

The fascinating aspect of Robert Kennedys life and career is how much he changed as a politician. Not everyone believed it. Even when, as a senator from New York  he had been elected in 1964  he announced he was running for president in mid-March 1968, the most frequently used adjective to describe him was "ruthless." Though he was enormously popular, there were many Americans, including many Democrats, who resented him and accused him of trying to capitalize on the memory of his late brother.

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Indeed, he could be ruthless, a trait he inherited from his overly ambitious father, Joseph P. Kennedy. As a young lawyer, RFK had briefly worked alongside Senator Joseph McCarthy and shared his paranoid fear of communists. Curiously, he continued his relationship with McCarthy long after the senators ignominious downfall.

Then, as JFKs attorney general, he relentlessly took on organized crime and targeted Jimmy Hoffa, the notorious head of the Teamsters union. While both Kennedys supported Martin Luther Kings civil rights campaign and intervened more than once to free him from incarceration in jails in the Deep South, King did not completely trust the two brothers  and the feelings were mutual. So much so that Robert Kennedy, in arguably his worst decision as attorney general, acquiesced to FBI director J. Edgar Hoovers request to employ electronic surveillance on Kings home, office and hotel rooms.

As a senator, however, Kennedy evolved into a true liberal champion of the underdog and downtrodden everywhere. He visited and offered words of support and promises of aid to impoverished African-Americans in the southern U.S., exploited farm workers in California, Indigenous leaders in South Dakota, victims of apartheid in South Africa and, most contentious of all in the midst of the Vietnam War, sympathy to the North Vietnamese enemy.

On April 4, 1968, the day King was killed, Kennedy was scheduled to speak in Indianapolis in a predominantly African-American neighbourhood. The citys mayor and police chief advised him to cancel his appearance, but Kennedy refused. He told the crowd, which was justifiably angry, that "what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom and compassion toward one another."

In the wake of Kings assassination, riots broke out in more than 100 U.S. cities, but not in Indianapolis. The African Americans there were inspired by and trusted RFK. He would still be an inspiration to Barack Obama four decades later as a leader who, as Obama said, "calls us to make gentle the life of a world thats too often coarse and unforgiving."

Now & Then is a column in which historian Allan Levine puts the events of today in a historical context.Canadians are not yet getting straight answers from their government about the continuing fiasco of the Phoenix payroll system.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 4/6/2018 (1227 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Canadians are not yet getting straight answers from their government about the continuing fiasco of the Phoenix payroll system.

That system for issuing $22 billion a year worth of paycheques to federal civil servants, designed by the former Conservative government and launched by the current Liberal group, has been failing since it started in February 2016. The people in charge had been told it would fail and they plunged ahead anyway.

THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Auditor General Michael Ferguson warns about the payroll system's flaws.

The ruling Liberals dont want to talk about it because it is a long, sad story of their neglect and inefficiency. The opposition Conservatives dont want to complain about it because they started it and set it up to fail. The federal auditor general has studied the case thoroughly but he is much too polite to lay blame on anyone in particular.

As a result, this machine that doesnt work grinds on and on spitting out erroneous paycheques. This phoenix keeps flaming out, rises from its own ashes and flames out again. No one has the gumption to kill it and get the government back to paying its people correctly  as every employer in the country has to do.

Auditor General Michael Ferguson's latest report on Phoenix, issued last week, identifies a key point in the carefully engineered catastrophe. In the spring of 2012, IBM told the Public Services and Procurement Department that the new system they were asking for would cost $247 million to build and implement  way beyond the budgeted $155 million.

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To keep within the budget, the department ordered shortcuts. They cut out a feature that would allow the system to calculate retroactive pay. They reduced the number of pay advisors who would take calls about pay errors and correct them. They cut back on training. They eliminated a pilot project to use the new system in one department and thereby uncover faults before launching all the other departments into the system.

These cost-saving measures ensured that the new system would not work. After the Liberals took power in October 2015, they received a consultants report warning that the departments were not adequately trained to use the new system. They ignored the warning and launched the new system anyway.

The auditor general concluded that the Phoenix project was an incomprehensible failure of project management and oversight. He detected a need for a cultural change in government so that executives would feel free to give their masters bad news  such as news that the project could not be completed within budget or the news that the long-promised system was not ready for launch.

One way to encourage such a change in the culture of government would be to publicly identify the people who inflicted this fiasco on the country, invite them before a parliamentary committee and ask for their explanations. They might also be re-assigned to duties related to their proven abilities.

A cultural change in a vast organization such as the government of Canada is a hard thing to bring about. Neither the ruling Liberals nor the opposition Conservatives have shown any interest in doing so  they both think they can escape blame by pointing fingers at the other side. If the governmental culture does not change, however, were going to see more Phoenix-like fiascos and throw our money into more doomed projects.Ad Investing Trends New this week - 413 interested

What Investors Don't Know: Communist China Could Profit Billions From The World "Going Green."

Who controls 80% of the works lithium supply (the most important metal for building EV batteries)? China! And if you're outraged by that fact, then you'll love hearing how this western company is fighting backThe following companies are subsidiares of The Travelers Companies: 10762962 Canada Inc., 350 Market Street LLC, 8527512 Canada Inc., Aetna Life and Casualty Co, American Equity Insurance Company, American Equity Specialty Insurance Company, Aprilgrange Limited, Arch Street North LLC, Auto Hartford Investments LLC, Bayhill Restaurant II Associates, Camperdown Corporation, Constitution State Services LLC, Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Discover Specialty Insurance Company, F&G UK Underwriters Limited, Farmington Casualty Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters Inc., First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, Gulf Underwriters Insurance Company, IHP Capital Partners Fund VIII L.P., Northbrook Holdings Inc., Northfield Insurance Company, Northland Casualty Company, Northland Insurance Company, Phoenix UK Investments LLC, SPC Insurance Agency Inc., Select Insurance Company, Simply Business Holdings Inc., Simply Business Inc., St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul Guardian Insurance Company, St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company, St. Paul Protective Insurance Company, St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Standard Fire Properties LLC, Standard Fire UK Investments LLC, TCI Global Services Inc., TPC Investments Inc., TPC U.K. Investments LLC, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford Connecticut, The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Company, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, The Family Business Institute LLC, The Phoenix Insurance Company, The St. Paul Companies Inc., The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Travelers Casualty Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, The Travelers Indemnity Company of Connecticut, The Travelers Lloyds Insurance Company, TravCo Insurance Company, Travelers (Bermuda) Limited, Travelers Brazil Acquisition LLC, Travelers Brazil Holding LLC, Travelers Casualty Company of Connecticut, Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, Travelers Casualty UK Investments LLC, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Europe Limited, Travelers Commercial Casualty Company, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Travelers Constitution State Insurance Company, Travelers Distribution Alliance Inc., Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company, Travelers Global Inc., Travelers Indemnity U.K. Investments LLC, Travelers Insurance Company Limited, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada, Travelers Insurance Designated Activity Company, Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc., Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, Travelers London Limited, Travelers MGA Inc., Travelers Management Limited, Travelers Marine LLC, Travelers Participacoes em Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Personal Insurance Company, Travelers Personal Security Insurance Company, Travelers Property Casualty Company of America, Travelers Property Casualty Corp., Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Travelers Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Syndicate Management Limited, Travelers Texas MGA Inc., Travelers Underwriting Agency Limited, Ultramar Travel Management, United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Xbridge Limited, Zensurance Brokers Inc., and Zensurance Inc..The following companies are subsidiares of General Motors: 2140879 Ontario Inc., ACAR Leasing, ACAR Leasing Ltd., ACF Investment, ACF Investment Corp., AFS SenSub, APGO Trust, Adam Opel, Adam Opel GmbH, Aftermarket (UK), AmeriCredit, AmeriCredit Consumer Loan, AmeriCredit Consumer Loan Company Inc., AmeriCredit Financial Services, AmeriCredit Financial Services Inc., AmeriCredit Funding, AmeriCredit Syndicated Warehouse Trust, Annunciata Corporation, Argonaut Holdings, Argonaut Holdings LLC, BOCO (Proprietary), BOCO (Proprietary) Limited, Banco GMAC, Banco GMAC S.A., Baylis (Gloucester), Boco Trust, Boden Brussels, CHEVYPLAN, CHEVYPLAN S.A. Sociedad Administradora de Planes de Autofinanciamiento Comercial, Cadillac, Cadillac Europe, Cadillac Europe GmbH, Carve-Out Ownership, Carve-Out Ownership Cooperative LLC, Chevrolet Deutschland GmbH, Chevrolet Sales (Thailand), Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) Limited, Chevrolet Sales India, Chevrolet Sales India Private Ltd., Chevrolet Sociedad Anonima de Ahorro para Fines Determinados, Controladora General Motors, Controladora General Motors S.A. de C.V., Cruise, DCJ1, DCJ1 LLC, DMAX, DMAX Ltd., Dealership Liquidations, Dealership Liquidations Inc., Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems UK, Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems UK Overseas Corporation, EDS (Electronic Data Systems), FAW-GM, Fundacion Chevrolet, G.M.A.C., GCAR Titling Ltd., GM (UK) Pension, GM (UK) Pension Trustees Limited, GM APO Holdings, GM Administradora de Bens, GM Administradora de Bens Ltda., GM Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters Ltd., GM Auslandsprojekte, GM Automotive, GM Automotive Services Belgium, GM CME, GM Canada Holdings, GM Canada Limited, GM Components Holdings, GM Components Holdings LLC, GM Cruise, GM Cruise Holdings LLC, GM Cruise LLC, GM Defense LLC, GM Eurometals, GM Eurometals Inc., GM Europe Treasury, GM Finance, GM Finance Co. 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(aka Masterlease Europe), GMAC Nederland N.V., GMAC Prestadora de Servicios de Mao de Obra Ltda., GMAC Servicios, GMAC UK, GMAC de Venezuela, GMAC-Prestadora de Servios de Mo-de-Obra, GMACI Corretora de Seguros, GMACI Corretora de Seguros Ltda, GMAM Real Estate I, GMCH&SP Private Equity II, GMCH&SP Private Equity II L.P., GMF Australia Pty Ltd, GMF Europe, GMF Europe Holdco, GMF Europe LLP, GMF Floorplan Owner Revolving Trust, GMF Funding, GMF Germany Holdings, GMF Global Assignment, GMF Global Assignment LLC, GMF International, GMF International LLC, GMF Leasing LLC, GMF Leasing Warehousing Trust, GMF Wholesale Receivables, GMGP Holdings, General Motors (China) Investment Company, General Motors (China) Investment Company Limited, General Motors (Thailand), General Motors (Thailand) Limited, General Motors - Colmotores, General Motors - Colmotores S.A., General Motors Advisory Services LLC, General Motors Africa and Middle East, General Motors Africa and Middle East FZE, General Motors Asia, General Motors Asia LLC, General Motors Asia Pacific Holdings, General Motors Asia Pacific Holdings LLC, General Motors Asset Management, General Motors Asset Management Corporation, General Motors Australia, General Motors Australia Pty Ltd., General Motors Austria, General Motors Austria, General Motors Auto, General Motors Auto LLC, General Motors Automobiles Philippines, General Motors Automobiles Philippines Inc., General Motors Automotive Holdings, General Motors Automotive Holdings S.L., General Motors Belgique Automobile NV, General Motors Belgium, General Motors Chile, General Motors Chile Industria Automotriz Limitada, General Motors China LLC, General Motors Daewoo Auto and Technology, General Motors Daewoo Auto and Technology CIS LLC, General Motors East Africa, General Motors Egypt, General Motors Egypt S.A.E., General Motors Espana, General Motors Europe Holdings, General Motors Europe Limited, General Motors Financial Chile, General Motors Financial Chile Limitada, General Motors Financial Chile S.A., General Motors Financial Company, General Motors Financial Company Inc., General Motors Financial International, General Motors Financial Italia, General Motors Financial Suisse, General Motors Financial UK, General Motors Financial of Canada, General Motors Financial of Canada Ltd., General Motors Finland, General Motors France, General Motors GBS Hungary, General Motors Global Service Operations, General Motors Global Service Operations Inc., General Motors Hellas, General Motors Holden Australia, General Motors Holden Australia NSC, General Motors Holden Australia NSC Pty Ltd., General Motors Holden Australia Pty Ltd., General Motors Holdings LLC, General Motors IT Services (Ireland) Limited, General Motors India Private, General Motors India Private Limited, General Motors International Holdings, General Motors International Holdings LLC, General Motors International Operations, General Motors International Operations Pte. 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Ltd., General Motors Ireland, General Motors Israel, General Motors Israel Ltd., General Motors Italia, General Motors Japan, General Motors Japan Limited, General Motors LLC, General Motors Limited, General Motors Manufacturing Poland, General Motors Nederland, General Motors New Zealand Pensions, General Motors New Zealand Pensions Limited, General Motors Overseas, General Motors Overseas Commercial Vehicle, General Motors Overseas Commercial Vehicle Corporation, General Motors Overseas Corporation, General Motors Overseas Distribution, General Motors Overseas Distribution LLC, General Motors Peru, General Motors Peru S.A., General Motors Poland Spolka, General Motors Portugal, General Motors Powertrain (Thailand), General Motors Powertrain (Thailand) Limited, General Motors Research Corporation, General Motors South Africa, General Motors South Africa (Pty) Limited, General Motors Suisse, General Motors Taiwan, General Motors Taiwan Ltd., General Motors Technical Centre India, General Motors Technical Centre India Private Limited, General Motors Treasury Center, General Motors Treasury Center LLC, General Motors Turkiye, General Motors UK, General Motors Uruguay, General Motors Uruguay S.A., General Motors Venezolana, General Motors Ventures, General Motors Ventures LLC, General Motors Warehousing and Trading (Shanghai), General Motors Warehousing and Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., General Motors de Argentina, General Motors de Argentina S.r.l., General Motors de Mexico, General Motors de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., General Motors del Ecuador, General Motors del Ecuador S.A., General Motors do Brasil, General Motors do Brasil Ltda., General Motors of Canada, General Motors of Canada Company, General Motors-Holden's Sales, General Motors-Holden's Sales Pty. Limited, GigaPower LLC, Global Services Detroit, Global Services Detroit LLC, Global Tooling Service Company Europe, Global Tooling Service Company Europe Limited, Go Motor Retailing, Go Trade Parts, Grand Pointe Holdings, Grand Pointe Holdings Inc., Grand Pointe Park Condominium, Grand Pointe Park Condominium Association, H.S.H., Haines & Strange, Holden New Zealand, Holden New Zealand Limited, IBC Pension Trustees, IBC Pension Trustees Limited, IBC Vehicles, Lease Ownership Cooperative, Lease Ownership Cooperative LLC, Lidlington Engineering Company, Lidlington Engineering Company Ltd., Limited Liability Company "General Motors CIS", Master Lease Germany, Maven Drive, Maven Drive LLC, Millbrook Pension Management, Millbrook Pension Management Limited, Monetization of Carve-Out, Monetization of Carve-Out LLC, Motor Repris Automocio, Motors Holding, Motors Holding LLC, Motors Properties, Motors Properties (Trading), Multi-Use Lease Entity Trust, North American New Cars, North American New Cars LLC, Omnibus BB Transportes, Omnibus BB Transportes S. A., OnStar Connected Services Srl, OnStar Egypt Limited LLC, OnStar Europe, OnStar Europe Ltd., OnStar Global Services, OnStar Global Services Corporation, OnStar LLC, OnStar de Mexico, OnStar de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Opel Bank, Opel Danmark, Opel Group, Opel Group Warehousing, Opel Leasing, Opel Norge, Opel Sonderdienste, Opel Southeast Europe, Opel Sverige, Opel Szentgotthard Automotive Manufacturing, Opel Wien, P.T. G M AutoWorld Indonesia, P.T. General Motors Indonesia, PIMS, PIMS Co., PT. General Motors Indonesia Manufacturing, Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center Company Ltd., Prestadora de Servicios GMF Colombia S.A.S., Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, Reliance Motor Car Company, Riverfront Holdings III Inc., Riverfront Holdings Inc., Riverfront Holdings Phase II Inc., SAIC GM (Shenyang) Norsom Motors Co. Ltd., SAIC GM Dong Yue Motors Company Limited, SAIC GM Dong Yue Powertrain Company Limited, SAIC GM Wuling Automobile Company Limited, SAIC General Motors Corporation Limited, SAIC General Motors Investment Limited, SAIC General Motors Sales Company Limited, SAIC-GMAC Automotive Finance Company Limited, SAIC-GMF Leasing Co. Ltd., Servicios GMAC S.A. de C.V., Shanghai Chengxin Used Car Operation and Management Company Limited, Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd., Sherwoods (Darlington) Limited, Sidecar Technologies, Skurrays Limited, Stam-Terberg Autobedrijven B. V., Strobe Inc., VHC Sub-Holdings (UK), Vauxhall Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Vehicle Asset Universal Leasing Trust, Vickers (Lakeside) Limited, Vision Motors Limited, WRE, WRE Inc., and Zona Franca Industrial Colmotores SAS.The following companies are subsidiares of Valero Energy: AIR BP-PBF DEL PERU SAC, BELFAST STORAGE LTD, CANADIAN ULTRAMAR COMPANY, COLONNADE TEXAS INSURANCE COMPANY LLC, COLONNADE VERMONT INSURANCE COMPANY, DIAMOND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY LLC, DIAMOND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OF CANADA INC., DIAMOND GREEN DIESEL HOLDINGS LLC, DIAMOND GREEN DIESEL LLC, DIAMOND K RANCH LLC, DIAMOND OMEGA COMPANY L.L.C., DIAMOND SHAMROCK REFINING COMPANY L.P., DIAMOND UNIT INVESTMENTS L.L.C., DSRM NATIONAL BANK, ENTERPRISE CLAIMS MANAGEMENT INC., GCP LOGISTICS COMPANY LLC, GOLDEN EAGLE ASSURANCE LIMITED, HAMMOND MAINLINE PIPELINE LLC, HUNTWAY REFINING COMPANY, MAINLINE PIPELINES LIMITED, MAPLE ETHANOL LTD., MICHIGAN REDEVELOPMENT GP LLC, MICHIGAN REDEVELOPMENT L.P., MRP PROPERTIES COMPANY LLC, NECHES RIVER HOLDING CORP., NORCO METHANOL LLC, OCEANIC TANKERS AGENCY LIMITED, PARKWAY PIPELINE LLC, PENTA TANKS TERMINALS S.A., PI DOCK FACILITIES LLC, PICKARD PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, PORT ARTHUR COKER COMPANY L.P., PREMCOR USA INC., PROPERTY RESTORATION L.P., PURE BIOFUELS DEL PERU S.A.C., PURE BIOFUELS HOLDINGS L.P., Parkway Pipeline, Premcor, Pure Biofuels Del Peru, SABINE RIVER HOLDING CORP., SABINE RIVER LLC, SAINT BERNARD PROPERTIES COMPANY LLC, SUNBELT REFINING COMPANY L.P., THE PREMCOR PIPELINE CO., THE PREMCOR REFINING GROUP INC., THE SHAMROCK PIPE LINE CORPORATION, TRANSPORT MARITIME ST. LAURENT INC., ULTRAMAR ACCEPTANCE INC., ULTRAMAR ENERGY INC., ULTRAMAR INC., Ultramar Diamond Shamrock, V-TEX LOGISTICS LLC, VALERO (BARBADOS) SRL, VALERO (PERU) HOLDINGS GP LLC, VALERO (PERU) HOLDINGS LIMITED, VALERO ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO ARUBA ACQUISITION COMPANY I LTD., VALERO ARUBA FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO ARUBA HOLDING COMPANY N.V., VALERO ARUBA HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO ARUBA MAINTENANCE/OPERATIONS COMPANY N.V., VALERO BROWNSVILLE TERMINAL LLC, VALERO CANADA FINANCE INC., VALERO CANADA L.P., VALERO CAPITAL CORPORATION, VALERO CARIBBEAN SERVICES COMPANY, VALERO COKER CORPORATION ARUBA N.V., VALERO CUSTOMS & TRADE SERVICES INC., VALERO EAST BAY LLC, VALERO ENERGY (IRELAND) LIMITED, VALERO ENERGY ARUBA II COMPANY, VALERO ENERGY INC., VALERO ENERGY LTD, VALERO ENERGY PARTNERS GP LLC, VALERO ENERGY PARTNERS LP, VALERO ENERGY UK LTD, VALERO ENTERPRISES INC., VALERO EQUITY SERVICES LTD, VALERO FINANCE L.P. I, VALERO FINANCE L.P. II, VALERO FINANCE L.P. III, VALERO FOREST CONTRIBUTION LLC, VALERO GRAIN MARKETING LLC, VALERO H2 PIPELINE COMPANY LLC, VALERO HOLDCO UK LTD, VALERO HOLDINGS INC., VALERO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC., VALERO LIVE OAK LLC, VALERO LOGISTICS UK LTD, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY (PANAMA) LLC, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY COMPANY, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPY INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO MARKETING IRELAND LIMITED, VALERO MKS LOGISTICS L.L.C., VALERO NEDERLAND COOPERATIEF U.A., VALERO NEDERLAND COOPERATIEF U.A., VALERO NEW AMSTERDAM B.V., VALERO OMEGA COMPANY L.L.C., VALERO OPERATIONAL SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO OPERATIONAL SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO OPERATIONS SUPPORT LTD, VALERO PARTNERS CCTS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS CORPUS EAST LLC, VALERO PARTNERS CORPUS WEST LLC, VALERO PARTNERS EP LLC, VALERO PARTNERS HOUSTON LLC, VALERO PARTNERS LOUISIANA LLC, VALERO PARTNERS LUCAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MCKEE LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MEMPHIS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MERAUX LLC, VALERO PARTNERS NORTH TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS OPERATING CO. LLC, VALERO PARTNERS PAPS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS PORT ARTHUR LLC, VALERO PARTNERS SOUTH TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS TEXAS CITY LLC, VALERO PARTNERS THREE RIVERS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WEST MEMPHIS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WEST TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WYNNEWOOD LLC, VALERO PAYMENT SERVICES COMPANY, VALERO PEMBROKESHIRE LLC, VALERO PEMBROKESHIRE OIL TERMINAL LTD, VALERO PLAINS COMPANY LLC, VALERO POWER MARKETING LLC, VALERO RAIL OPERATIONS DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO RAIL OPERATIONS DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO RAIL PARTNERS LLC, VALERO REFINING AND MARKETING COMPANY, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-ARUBA N.V., VALERO REFINING COMPANY-CALIFORNIA, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-OKLAHOMA, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-TENNESSEE L.L.C., VALERO REFINING-MERAUX LLC, VALERO REFINING-NEW ORLEANS L.L.C., VALERO REFINING-TEXAS L.P., VALERO RENEWABLE FUELS COMPANY LLC, VALERO SECURITY SYSTEMS INC., VALERO SERVICES INC., VALERO SKELLYTOWN PIPELINE LLC, VALERO TEJAS COMPANY LLC, VALERO TERMINAL HOLDCO LTD, VALERO TERMINALING AND DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, VALERO TERMINALING AND DISTRIBUTION DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO TEXAS POWER MARKETING INC., VALERO ULTRAMAR HOLDINGS INC., VALERO UNIT INVESTMENTS L.L.C., VALERO WEST WALES LLC, VRG PROPERTIES COMPANY, VTD PROPERTIES COMPANY, WARSHALL COMPANY LLC, and ZELIG COMMERCIAL INC..Wall Street analysts have given John Hancock Income Securities Trust 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 John Hancock Income Securities Trust wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.Royal KPN NV operates as a supplier of telecommunications and information technology services. It serves customers at home and abroad with fixed and mobile networks for telephony, data and television. The company focuses on both private customers and business users, from small to large. It also offers telecom providers access to widely branched networks. The company's brands include KPN, XS4ALL, Simyo, KPN Security, Ortel Mobile, Cam IT Solutions, Solcon, KPN Interned services and StartReady. Royal KPN was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of MetLife: 1001 PROPERTIES LLC, 10700 WILSHIRE LLC, 1201 TAB MANAGER LLC, 150 NORTH RIVERSIDE PE MEMBER LLC, 1925 WJC OWNER LLC, 23RD STREET INVESTMENTS INC., 500 GRANT STREET ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 500 GRANT STREET GP LLC, 60 11TH STREET LLC, 6104 HOLLYWOOD LLC, AFP GENESIS ADMINISTRADORA DE FONDOS Y FIDECOMISOS S.A., AFP PROVIDA S.A., AGENVITA S.R.L., ALICO EUROPEAN HOLDINGS LIMITED, ALICO HELLAS SINGLE MEMBER LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, ALICO OPERATIONS LLC, ALICO PROPERTIES INC., AMMETLIFE INSURANCE BERHAD, AMMETLIFE TAKAFUL BERHAD, American Life Insurance Company, BEST MARKET S.A., BIDV METLIFE LIFE INSURANCE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, BLOCK VISION HOLDINGS CORPORATION, BLOCK VISION OF TEXAS INC., BORDERLAND INVESTMENTS LIMITED, BOULEVARD RESIDENTIAL LLC, BUFORD LOGISTICS CENTER LLC, CC HOLDCO MANAGER LLC, CHESTNUT FLATS WIND LLC, CLOSED JOINT-STOCK COMPANY MASTER D, COMPANIA INVERSORA METLIFE S.A., CORPORATE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC, COVA LIFE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, DAVIS VISION INC., DAVISVISION IPA INC., DELAWARE AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, DES MOINES CREEK BUSINESS PARK PHASE II LLC, ECONOMY FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, ECONOMY PREFERRED INSURANCE COMPANY, ECONOMY PREMIER ASSURANCE COMPANY, EURO CL INVESTMENTS LLC, EXCELENCIA OPERATIVA Y TECNOLOGICA S.A de C.V., FEDERAL FLOOD CERTIFICATION LLC, FORTISSIMO CO. LTD, FUNDACION METLIFE MEXICO A.C., GLOBAL PROPERTIES INC., General American Life Insurance Company, Grand Bank N.A., HASKELL EAST VILLAGE LLC, HIGH STREET SEVENTH AND OSBORN APARTMENTS LLC, HOUSING FUND MANAGER LLC, INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL AND ADVISORY SERVICES LIMITED, INVERSIONES METLIFE HOLDCO DOS LIMITADA, INVERSIONES METLIFE HOLDCO TRES LIMITADA, JOINT-STOCK COMPANY METLIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, LHC HOLDINGS, LHCW HOLDINGS, LHCW HOTEL HOLDING, LHCW HOTEL HOLDING LLC, LHCW HOTEL OPERATING COMPANY, LONG ISLAND SOLAR FARM LLC, LUMENLAB MALAYSIA SDN. BHD., Logan Circle Partners, MARKETPLACE RESIDENCES LLC, MAXIS GBN S.A.S., MC PORTFOLIO JV MEMBER LLC, MCJV LLC, MCMIF HOLDCO I LLC, MCMIF HOLDCO II LLC, MCP - WELLINGTON LLC, MCP 100 CONGRESS MEMBER LLC, MCP 1500 MICHAEL LLC, MCP 1900 MCKINNEY LLC, MCP 2 AMES LLC, MCP 2 AMES ONE LLC, MCP 2 AMES OWNER LLC, MCP 2 AMES TWO LLC, MCP 220 YORK LLC, MCP 22745 & 22755 RELOCATION DRIVE LLC, MCP 249 INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS PARK MEMBER LLC, MCP 3040 POST OAK LLC, MCP 350 ROHLWING LLC, MCP 4600 SOUTH SYRACUSE LLC, MCP 550 WEST WASHINGTON LLC, MCP 60 11TH STREET MEMBER LLC, MCP 7 RIVERWAY LLC, MCP 9020 MURPHY ROAD LLC, MCP 93 RED RIVER MEMBER LLC, MCP ALLEY 24 EAST LLC, MCP ASHTON SOUTH END LLC, MCP BLOCK 23 MEMBER LLC, MCP BRADFORD LLC, MCP BUFORD LOGISTICS CENTER 2 MEMBER LLC, MCP BUFORD LOGISTICS CENTER BLDG B LLC, MCP BURNSIDE MEMBER LLC, MCP CENTER AVENUE INDUSTRIAL MEMBER LLC, MCP CLAWITER INNOVATION MEMBER LLC, MCP COMMON DESK TRS LLC, MCP DENVER PAVILIONS MEMBER LLC, MCP DILLON LLC, MCP DILLON RESIDENTIAL LLC, MCP ENV CHICAGO LLC, MCP FIFE ENTERPRISE CENTER LLC, MCP FRISCO OFFICE LLC, MCP GRAPEVINE LLC, MCP HIGHLAND PARK LENDER LLC, MCP HUB I LLC, MCP HUB I PROPERTY LLC, MCP LODGE AT LAKECREST LLC, MCP MA PROPERTY REIT LLC, MCP MAGNOLIA PARK MEMBER LLC, MCP MAIN STREET VILLAGE LLC, MCP MOUNTAIN TECHNOLOGY CENTER MEMBER TRS LLC, MCP NORTHYARDS HOLDCO LLC, MCP NORTHYARDS MASTER LESSEE LLC, MCP NORTHYARDS OWNER LLC, MCP ONE WESTSIDE LLC, MCP ONYX LLC, MCP PARAGON POINT LLC, MCP PLAZA AT LEGACY LLC, MCP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, MCP SEATTLE GATEWAY INDUSTRIAL I LLC, MCP SEATTLE GATEWAY INDUSTRIAL II LLC, MCP SEVENTH AND OSBORNE MF MEMBER LLC, MCP SEVENTH AND OSBORNE RETAIL MEMBER LLC, MCP SHAKOPEE LLC, MCP SLEEPY HOLLOW MEMBER LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  ANAHEIM LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  BERNARDO LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  CANYON LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  CONCOURSE LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  FULLERTON LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  KELLWO00OD LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  LAX LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  LOKER LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  REDONDO LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL  SPRINGDALE LLC, MCP STATELINE LLC, MCP THE PALMS AT DORAL LLC, MCP TRIMBLE CAMPUS LLC, MCP UNION ROW LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE ONE LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE OWNER LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE TWO LLC, MCP VANCE JACKSON LLC, MCP VINEYARD AVENUE MEMBER LLC, MCP VOA HOLDINGS LLC, MCP VOA I & III LLC, MCP VOA II LLC, MCP WATERFORD ATRIUM LLC, MCP WEST BROAD MARKETPLACE LLC, MCP  ENGLISH VILLAGE LLC, MCPF ACQUISITION LLC, MCPF FOXBOROUGH LLC, MCPF  NEEDHAM LLC, MCPP OWNERS LLC, MCRE BLOCK 40 LP, MEC HEALTH CARE INC., MET 1065 HOTEL LLC, MET CANADA SOLAR ULC, METLIFE 1007 STEWART LLC, METLIFE 1201 TAB MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 425 MKT MANAGER LLC, METLIFE 425 MKT MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 555 12TH MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 8280 MEMBER LLC, METLIFE ACOMA OWNER LLC, METLIFE ADMINISTRADORA DE FUNDOS MULTIPATROCINADOS LTDA., METLIFE ALTERNATIVES GP LLC, METLIFE ASHTON AUSTIN OWNER LLC, METLIFE ASIA HOLDING COMPANY PTE. LTD., METLIFE ASIA LIMITED, METLIFE ASIA SERVICES SDN. BHD, METLIFE ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP., METLIFE ASSIGNMENT COMPANY INC., METLIFE AUTO & HOME INSURANCE AGENCY INC., METLIFE BL FEEDER, METLIFE BL FEEDER LP, METLIFE BORO STATION MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CABO HILTON MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CAMINO RAMON MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CAPITAL CREDIT L.P., METLIFE CAPITAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST IV, METLIFE CB W/A LLC, METLIFE CC MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CHILE ADMINISTRADORA DE MUTUOS HIPOTECARIOS S.A., METLIFE CHILE INVERSIONES LIMITADA, METLIFE CHILE SEGUROS DE VIDA S.A., METLIFE CHILE SEGUROS GENERALES S.A., METLIFE CHINO MEMBER LLC, METLIFE COLOMBIA SEGUROS de VIDA S.A., METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INCOME FUND GP LLC, METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INCOME FUND LP, METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR LLC, METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE REIT LLC, METLIFE CONSQUARE MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CONSUMER SERVICES INC., METLIFE CORE PROPERTY FUND GP LLC, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY FUND LP, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY REIT LLC, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY TRS. LLC, METLIFE CREDIT CORP., METLIFE DIGITAL VENTURES INC., METLIFE EMEKLILIK VE HAYAT A.S., METLIFE EMERGING MARKET DEBT BLEND FUND, METLIFE EU HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED, METLIFE EUROPE INSURANCE d.a.c., METLIFE EUROPE SERVICES LIMITED, METLIFE EUROPE d.a.c., METLIFE EUROPEAN HOLDINGS LLC., METLIFE FINANCIAL SERVICES CO. LTD, METLIFE FM HOTEL MEMBER LLC, METLIFE FUNDING INC., METLIFE GENERAL INSURANCE LIMITED, METLIFE GLOBAL BENEFITS LTD., METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDING COMPANY I GMBH, METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDING COMPANY II GMBH, METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION S.A. De C.V., METLIFE GLOBAL INC., METLIFE GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER PRIVATE LIMITED, METLIFE GROUP INC., METLIFE HCMJV 1 GP LLC, METLIFE HCMJV 1 LP LLC, METLIFE HEALTH PLANS INC., METLIFE HOLDINGS INC., METLIFE HOME LOANS LLC, METLIFE INNOVATION CENTRE LIMITED, METLIFE INNOVATION CENTRE PTE. LTD., METLIFE INSURANCE AND INVESTMENT TRUST, METLIFE INSURANCE BROKERAGE INC., METLIFE INSURANCE K.K., METLIFE INSURANCE LIMITED, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL HF PARTNERS LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED LLC, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND I LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND II LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND III LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND IV LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND V LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND VI LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND VII LP, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC, METLIFE INVESTMENTS ASIA LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS PTY LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS SECURITIES LLC, METLIFE INVESTORS DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, METLIFE INVESTORS GROUP LLC, METLIFE IRELAND TREASURY D.A.C., METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY FUND GP LLC, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY FUND LP, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY OWNERS, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY OWNERS LLC, METLIFE LATIN AMERICA ASESORIAS E INVERSIONES LIMITADA, METLIFE LEGAL PLANS INC., METLIFE LEGAL PLANS OF FLORIDA INC., METLIFE LHH MEMBER LLC, METLIFE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, METLIFE LIFE INSURANCE S.A., METLIFE LOAN ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC, METLIFE MAS S.A. DE C.V., METLIFE MEMBER SOLAIRE LLC, METLIFE MEXICO HOLDINGS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., METLIFE MEXICO S.A., METLIFE MEXICO SERVICIOS S.A. DE C.V., METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT FUND LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT GP LLC, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT PARALLEL FUND LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT PARALLEL GP LLC, METLIFE MULTI-FAMILY PARTNERS III LLC, METLIFE MUTUAL FUND COMPANY, METLIFE OBS MEMBER LLC, METLIFE OFC MEMBER LLC, METLIFE ONTARIO STREET MEMBR LLC, METLIFE PARK TOWER MEMBER LLC, METLIFE PENSION TRUSTEES LIMITED, METLIFE PENSIONES MEXICO S.A., METLIFE PET INSURANCE SOLUTIONS LLC, METLIFE PLANOS ODONTOLOGICOS LTDA., METLIFE POWSZECHNE TOWARTZYSTWO EMERYTALNE S.A., METLIFE PRIVATE EQUITY HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE PROPERTIES VENTURES LLC, METLIFE RC SF MEMBER LLC, METLIFE REAL ESTATE LENDING LLC, METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF BERMUDA LTD., METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF CHARLESTON, METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF VERMONT, METLIFE RETIREMENT SERVICES LLC, METLIFE SAENGMYOUNG INSURANCE COMPANY LTD., METLIFE SECURITIZATION DEPOSITOR LLC, METLIFE SEGUROS S.A., METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING FINCO LLC, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING FUND LP, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING GP LLC, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING HOLDINGS LP, METLIFE SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS LLC, METLIFE SERVICES CYPRUS LIMITED, METLIFE SERVICES EAST PRIVATE LIMITED, METLIFE SERVICES EEIG, METLIFE SERVICES EOOD, METLIFE SERVICES SOCIEDAD LIMITADA, METLIFE SERVICES SP Z.O.O, METLIFE SERVICIOS S.A., METLIFE SLOVAKIA S.R.O. V LIKVIDACII, METLIFE SOLUTIONS PTE. LTD., METLIFE SOLUTIONS S.A.S., METLIFE SP HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE SYNDICATED BANK LOAN FUND SCSP, METLIFE SYNDICATED BANK LOAN LUX GP S.A.R.L., METLIFE THR INVESTOR LLC, METLIFE TOWARZYSTWO FUNDUSZY INWESTYCYJNYCH S.A., METLIFE TOWARZYSTWO UBEZPIECZEN NA ZYCIE I REASEKURACJI S.A., METLIFE TOWER RESOURCES GROUP INC., METLIFE TREAT TOWERS MEMBER LLC, METLIFE WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS LLC, METROPOLITAN CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN DIRECT PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN GLOBAL MANAGEMENT LLC., METROPOLITAN GROUP PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN LIFE SEGUROS E PREVIDENCIA PRIVADA S.A., METROPOLITAN LIFE SOCIETATE de ADMINISTRARE a UNUI FOND de PENSII ADMINISTRAT PRIVAT S.A., METROPOLITAN LLOYDS INC., METROPOLITAN LLOYDS INSURANCE COMPANY OF TEXAS, METROPOLITAN PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN TOWER LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN TOWER REALTY COMPANY INC., MEX DF PROPERTIES LLC, MFA FINANCING VEHICLE CTR1 LLC, MIDTOWN HEIGHTS LLC, MIM CLAL GENERAL PARTNER LLC, MIM EMD GP LLC, MIM I LLC, MIM METWEST INTERNATIONAL MANAGER LLC, MIM ML-AI VENTURE 5 MANAGER LLC, MIM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, MIM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OF GEORGIA 1 LLC, MIM THIRD ARMY INDUSTRIAL MANAGER LLC, MISSOURI REINSURANCE INC., ML - URS PORT CHESTER SC MANAGER LLC, ML 300 THIRD MEMBER LLC, ML ARMATURE MEMBER LLC, ML BELLEVUE MANAGER LLC, ML BELLEVUE MEMBER LLC, ML BRIDGESIDE APARTMENTS LLC, ML CAPACITACION COMERCIAL S.A. DE C.V., ML CERRITOS TC MEMBER LLC, ML CLAL MEMBER LLC, ML DOLPHIN GP LLC, ML DOLPHIN MEZZ LLC, ML MATSON MILLS MEMBER LLC, ML MILILANI MEMBER LLC, ML ONE BEDMINSTER LLC, ML PORT CHESTER SC MEMBER LLC, ML SENTINEL SQUARE MEMBER LLC, ML SLOANS LAKE MEMEBR LLC, ML SOUTHLANDS MEMBER LLC, ML SOUTHMORE LLC, ML SWAN GP LLC, ML SWAN MEZZ LLC, ML TERRACES LLC, ML THIRD ARMY INDUSTRIAL MEMBER LLC, ML VENTURE 1 MANAGER S. DE R. L. DE C.V., ML VENTURE 1 SERVICER LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 1 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 2 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 3 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 4 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 5 LLC, MLIA MANAGER I LLC, MLIA PARK TOWER MANAGER LLC, MLIA SBAF COLONY MANAGER LLC, MLIA SBAF MANAGER LLC, MLIC ASSET HOLDINGS II LLC, MLIC ASSET HOLDINGS LLC, MLIC CB HOLDINGS LLC, MLJ US FEEDER LLC, MM GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER S.A. DE C.V., MMP CEDAR STREET OWNER LLC, MMP CEDAR STREET REIT LLC, MMP HOLDINGS III LLC, MMP OLIVIAN OWNER LLC, MMP OLIVIAN REIT LLC, MMP OWNERS III LLC, MMP OWNERS LLC, MMP SOUTH PARK OWNER LLC, MMP SOUTH PARK REIT LLC, MREF 425 MKT LLC, MSV IRVINE PROPERTY LLC, MTC FUND I LLC, MTC FUND II LLC, MTC FUND III LLC, MTL LEASING LLC, MTU HOTEL OWNER LLC, NATILOPORTEM HOLDINGS LLC, NEWBURY INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, OCONEE GOLF COMPANY LLC, OCONEE HOTEL COMPANY LLC, OCONEE LAND COMPANY LLC, OCONEE LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC, OCONEE MARINA COMPANY LLC, OMI MLIC INVESTMENTS LIMITED, PACIFIC LOGISTICS INDUSTRIAL SOUTH LLC, PARK TOWER JV MEMBER LLC, PARK TOWER REIT INC., PJSC METLIFE, PLAZA DRIVE PROPERTIES LLC, PNB METLIFE INDIA INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, PREFCO FOURTEEN LLC, PREFCO XIV HOLDINGS LLC, PROVIDA INTERNACIONAL S.A., SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES INC., SAFEGUARD HEALTH PLANS INC., SAFEHEALTH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, SEVENTH AND OSBORN MF VENTURE LLC, SINO-US UNITED METLIFE INSURANCE CO. LTD., SOUTHCREEK INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LLC, ST. JAMES FLEET INVESTMENTS TWO LIMITED, SUPERIOR PROCUREMENT INC, SUPERIOR VISION BENEFIT MANAGEMENT INC., SUPERIOR VISION HOLDINGS INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE PLAN OF WISCONSIN INC., SUPERIOR VISION OF NEW JERSEY INC., SUPERIOR VISION SERVICES INC., Safeguard Health Enterprises, Security First Group Inc., THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH AVENUE MEZZANINE LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL HOLDING LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL OWNER, THE DIRECT CALL CENTRE PTY LIMITED, TRANSMOUNTAIN LAND & LIVESTOCK COMPANY, UVC INDEPENDENT PRACTICE ASSOCIATION INC., VERSANT HEALTH CONSOLIDATIONS CORP., VERSANT HEALTH HOLDCO INC., VERSANT HEALTH LAB LLC, VIRIDIAN MIRACLE MILE LLC, VISION 21 MANAGED EYE CARE OF TAMPA BAY, VISION 21 PHYSICIAN PRACTICE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, VISION TWENTY-ONE MANAGED EYE CARE IPA INC., Versant Health, WDV ACQUISITION CORP., WFP 1000 HOLDING COMPANY GP LLC, WHITE OAK ROYALTY COMPANY, and WHITE TRACT II LLC.Wall Street analysts have given BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust 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 BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.KB Financial Group, Inc. engages in providing financial services through its subsidiaries. It operates through the following segments: Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, Other Banking Services, Credit Card, Life Insurance, Investment and Securities business. The Corporate Banking business segment provides services such as loans, overdrafts, deposits, credit facilities and other foreign currency activities. The Retail Banking business segment offers services such as private customer current accounts, savings, deposits, consumer loans and mortgage loans. The Other Banking business segment provides services relating to banking business besides corporate banking and retail banking services. The Credit Card business segment offers services such as domestic as well as overseas credit and debit card operations. The Investment and Securities business segment provides services such as investment banking and brokerage. The Life Insurance business segment provides products such as life insurance and wealth management. The company was founded on September 29, 2008 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

Read MoreOil States International, Inc. engages in the provision of specialty products and services to drilling, completion, subsea, production, and infrastructure sectors of the oil and gas industry. It operates through the following segments: Well Site Services, Downhole Technologies and Offshore or Manufactured Products. The Well Site Services segment consists of completion and drilling services such equipment and services that are used to drill for, establish, and maintain the flow of oil and natural gas from a well throughout its life cycle focuses on completion-focused equipment and services as well as land drilling services. The Downhole Technologies segment provides oil and gas perforation systems and downhole tools in support of completion, intervention, wireline and abandonment operations. The Offshore or Manufactured Products segment designs, manufactures, and markets capital equipment utilized on floating production systems, subsea pipeline infrastructure, and offshore drilling rigs and vessels, along with short-cycle and other products. The company was founded in July 1995 and is headquartered in Houston, TX.

Read MoreXcel Energy, Inc. operates as a holding company, which engages in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity. It operates through the following three segments: Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility and All Others. The Regulated Electric Utility segment generates, transmits and distributes electricity primarily in portions of generates, transmits and distributes electricity in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Texas and New Mexico. In addition, this segment includes sales for resale and provides wholesale transmission service to various entities in the United States. It also includes commodity trading operations. The Regulated Natural Gas Utility segment transports, stores, and distributes natural gas primarily in portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Michigan and Colorado. The All Others segment engages in steam, appliance repair services, nonutility real estate activities, processing solid waste into refuse-derived fuel and investments in rental housing projects that qualify for low-income housing tax credits. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN.

Read MoreLast week, thousands of people demonstrated in cities throughout the United States and internationally against the anti-immigrant policies of the Trump administration. They demanded justice for 19-year-old undocumented migrant Claudia Gomez Gonzalez, who was summarily executed by a US Border Patrol agent in the border town of Rio Bravo near Laredo, Texas, on May 23.

The largest of the demonstrations, organized by a coalition of labor, immigrant rights, and civil liberties groups under the name Families Belong Together, were held Friday in more than 20 cities across the US and in Barcelona, Spain, in opposition to the Trump administrations policy of separating undocumented migrant children from their parents.

This cruel policywhich was first employed under President George W. Bush and continued under President Barack Obama, though never made official policy until this yearforces children to live with relatives or unrelated foster families, sometimes hundreds of miles from the detention camps where their parents are held as they await prosecution and deportation for the so-called crime of illegal entry. The threat of having ones family torn apart is designed to act as a deterrent against entry by those fleeing the violence and economic devastation that US imperialist intervention and domination has produced in much of Latin America.

During just two weeks in May, 658 children were removed from their families under the program. According to a recent report by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Department of Health and Human Services has lost track of nearly 1,500 immigrant children after separating them from their families and resettling them with foster families.

The family separation policy was first publicly announced in early May by Attorney General Jeff Sessions during a xenophobic speech in Arizona, in which he proclaimed: If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you, and that child will be separated from you as required by law. If you dont like that, then dont smuggle children across our border.

On Friday, around 400 people assembled outside the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C. to demand an end to the family separations and justice for Gonzalez and others killed by US immigration agencies.

At a Wednesday rally in New York Citys Foley Square, protesters condemned the deaths of Gomez and Roxsana Hernandez, a 33-year-old Honduran migrant who died in an ICE detention center last week under circumstances that have yet to be explained.

Her [Gonzalez] only crime was to have a better life for her and her family. This is a hard time for immigrants. This is a time when the president calls us criminals and animals, immigrant rights advocate Blanca Saavedra, who helped organize the Foley Square rally, told AM New York.

Claudia Gomez Gonzalez left her home town of San Juan Ostuncalco, Guatemala, in the hope of finding work and joining her boyfriend in Alexandria, Virginia. Just minutes after making the treacherous journey across the Rio Grande on May 23, however, she and her three companions were confronted by a Border Patrol agent whose name has still not been made public.

While the precise sequence of events remains unclear, the encounter ended with the agent firing a single shot from his handgun into Claudias head at close range, consistent with an execution-style murder.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a statement claiming that the officer had been investigating reports of illegal activity in the town when he came under attack by a group of immigrants wielding blunt objects, later described by CBP officials as two-by-four pieces of lumber. The agency said that during the assault, the officer fatally wounded one of the assailants.

Two days later, CBP released a second statement in which no mention of any blunt objects was made, instead claiming that the officer had ordered the immigrants to get on the ground multiple times but the group ignored his verbal commands and rushed the officer. In this second version of events, Claudia is characterized as a member of the group rather than one of the assailants, which amounts to an admission that she had not taken part in any supposed attack on the officer.

Hundreds of smaller vigils and rallies took place in Oakland, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Seattle and other US cities throughout the week to condemn the execution of Gonzalez and in defense of immigrant rights, which have come under an unprecedented assault by the Trump administration.

The widespread public opposition to Trumps anti-immigrant policies evident in these actions stands in sharp contrast to the silent complicity of the Democratic Party, which has consistently supported the hiring of more Border Patrol agents and increased funding for border security measures.Julian Burnside, the well-known civil liberties attorney, has endorsed the demonstration on June 17 at Sydney Town Hall Square. Burnside is a barrister, author and human rights and refugee advocate. He has defended refugees and trade unions, along with Aboriginal and working-class people, in a number of high-profile cases. Burnside has maintained intransigent support for WikiLeaks and Julian Assange since 2010 .

* * *

I join with John Pilger and endorse the demonstration that will take place in Sydney on Sunday, June 17, at 1:00 pm, to demand that the Australian government act immediately to secure the freedom of WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange.

I urge all people to take part, especially my colleagues in the legal profession. We cannot remain silent or passive as the democratic principles we uphold are shredded. Assange has not committed any crime. He is being persecuted because he published leaks that exposed government acts that are criminal under the law.

The Turnbull government must help Julian Assange now. He must be helped to leave the Ecuadorean Embassy without being arrested by Britain (our allies) and be allowed to return to Australia, to his children, mother and supporters, with guaranteed protection from arrest by the British and any American extradition request.

Julian BurnsideAlex Stamos, Facebooks chief security officer, presented an overview of the Orwellian censorship regime implemented by the worlds largest social media company last week at an annual military conference in Tallinn, Estonia.

Speaking before an audience of generals, intelligence agents and US-aligned Eastern European politicians, Stamos warned that millions of people who feel they have been ignored or oppressed are using Facebook to push for radical politics.

The speech was an account of how the company is partnering with the US and other governments throughout the world to control public discourse online, with the primary but unstated aim of suppressing access to left-wing, anti-war and socialist viewpoints.

Stamos was speaking at CyCon, a conference sponsored by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on cyberwar and psychological operations. The very presence of a social media company at such an event, just a few hundred miles from NATOs heavily-militarized border with Russia, makes clear the extent to which the US technology giants have been integrated into the US military-intelligence apparatus and its international operations.

Stamos began by pointing to a map of the social connections facilitated by Facebook. As the people who have drawn those lines, and given folks the ability to make those connections, Stamos said, Facebook has the responsibility to understand and to mitigate the risks that its platform might be used for bad, which he called an attack against the ideals of Facebook.

First, Stamos said Facebook is seeking to combat fake news through changes in the news feed that surface this content to people.

But instead of seeking to determine if a piece of news is fake, Facebook is carrying out mass profiling of news sources by Look[ing] to metadata around the people who have created the account, the news site thats running it, to evaluate whether it is trustworthy. Through this Orwellian censorship regime, Facebook segregates news organizations into categories and determines how many people are able to view their postings on that basis.

In other words, the companys evaluation of whether a piece of news is fake is determined not by whether it is accurate, factually grounded or verifiable, but rather by who posts it. The logical implication is that if one of Facebooks partners in the establishment media posts a story, no matter how inaccurate, biased, or poorly sourced, the company will still promote it as trustworthy.

Facebooks policy on fake news, in other words, is political blacklisting.

In order to block foreign influence operators, Stamos said, Facebook is carrying out manual investigations of organized groups, and it is using machine learning to find bad actors at scale across its billions of users.

However, he added, The biggest growth category of information operations that were going to see over the next couple of years is domestic influence operationsthat is, political organizations who are seeking to influence politics in their own countries.

Facebook is targeting groups of people who feel they have been ignored or oppressed, whose goal is to push for radical politics, he said. These groups, he noted, can be quite large. As an example, Stamos mentioned Anonymous, a hacktivist group that supported the Occupy Wall Street protests against social inequality and was associated with support for the online journalism group WikiLeaks.

Numerically, however, the largest target of Facebooks censorship measures consists of individual participants, who are often motivated by legitimately held beliefs to become partners in information operations. That is, millions of people who are not part of any organized political group, but who voice their agreement with the political views promoted by groups targeted by Facebook by sharing their content or voicing their support.

A domestic operator, he said, can have thousands and thousands of people who believe in your cause. The effect of these people should not be understated, he said.

To stifle the political statements of the broader public is open political censorship. For that reason, Facebook must be careful not to appear to stifle public discourse, but to block the effectiveness of the public in participating in organized campaign[s].

Stamos stated, Our response here has to be very, very careful because part of free expression means that sometimes people are going to say stuff you dont agree with, right? Part of freedom is the freedom for people individually to be wrong, and we have to allow people to be wrong and to say things that while they dont fall afoul of our hate speech standards or standards meant to ensure safety, but that are considered inappropriate, those are the kinds of things that open societies have to accept. But we do want to implement product enhancements to make sure that we are reducing the effectiveness of these people to be part of, unwittingly part of, an organized campaign.

These product enhancements include redirecting users to content that Facebook approves of and providing educational cues informing them that their views are disputed.

Under American law, Facebook is regulated like a communications utility, similar to a phone company or a package delivery service. It has neither the responsibility nor the right to impose its ideals onto its users.

In the companys view, however, the fact that it acts as a communications platform gives it the paternalistic obligation to police what its users say and block their speech if the company disagrees with it.

The social content of these ideals is made clear by the military-intelligence audience Stamos was speaking before. Over the course of the past two years, Facebook has come under relentless pressure from the US government to serve as an agent of the state intelligence forces to censor and suppress oppositional views on its platform. Leading advocates of censorship, including Democratic Senator Mark Warner and Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff, have made clear that the company will face intense regulatory and public pressure if it does not comply with their demands to stifle political opposition online.

In so doing, Facebook is acting as an agent of the American state, doing its dirty work to subvert the publics constitutionally-protected freedoms of speech and assembly.

In perhaps his most ominous statement, Stamos concluded by calling for broader social changes in line with the measures Facebook has already taken. Our societies overall are going to have to start to adapt to the idea that not all information is created equal, he concluded. His conclusion harkens to the motto of the pigs in George Orwells Animal Farm: All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

With the vast majority of written communication taking place online, Facebooks actions, together with other technology companies, constitute the largest, most comprehensive regime of censorship in human history. Outside of and in contradiction to fundamental constitutional and human rights, Facebook claims the right to determine what hundreds of billions of people read and say.

The World Socialist Web Site is fighting to expose the effort by Facebook, Google and other technology giants to censor the internet, which is the spearhead of a drive to dismantle the freedoms of association and expression across the world. We urge all of those who want to take up this struggle to contact us.The National Coordinator for the Reduction of Disasters (CONRED) of Guatemala confirmed that at least 62 people have died after a volcanic eruption Sunday created pyroclastic flows that wiped out entire communities.

The preliminary numbers include 300 injured, 2 million affected, and 3,300 evacuated, with about 1,000 in shelters. There is still an unknown number of missing, and the death toll is expected to rise dramatically.

On Sunday, a survivor leaving the furnace told El Periodico, there are way too many buried, a multitude of dead, countless people are dead.

On Sunday night, at a press conference with ministers and CONRED, President Jimmy Morales declared shamelessly: Our budget does not allow us to allocate a cent to this emergency. Im ashamed to say this again, but the Budget Act does not allow us to count a single cent for emergencies. The Finance Ministry announced it could scrape together about $25 million.

Located 20 miles northwest of the capital, Guatemala City, and 12 miles from Antigua, the Fuego volcano, one of the most active in Central America, had long given repeated and increasingly alarming warnings, according to residents, but no evacuation orders were made in time.

This neglect has produced yet another devastating social crime by the capitalist ruling class. It is similar to those that led to 5,000 deaths in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria, the 370 dead from last years earthquake in Central Mexico, the Grenfell fire in London, the poisoning of children and workers in Flint, Michigan and virtually all the devastating and unnecessary mass deaths from natural disasters and accidents under capitalism.

In contrast to the criminal indifference and neglect of the government and the ruling class, the immediate aftermath of Fuegos first eruption saw the mobilization of the population across Guatemala at collection points to send food, diapers, clothes, blankets and other aid, while local inhabitants have prepared meals for rescue teams. There have been breathtaking scenes of bravery by ill-equipped rescuers, including fire fighters, paramedics, rank-and-file military and police who decided among themselves to penetrate deeply into unstable and buried areas amid scorching temperatures, with several being injured and at least one losing his life, but helping evacuate hundreds more as pyroclastic flows continued.

The US Geological Survey indicates that these flows, composed of molten rock, mud and other volcanic materials, move at speeds faster than 50 mph, compared to running-pace lava flows. Temperatures can reach 700 degrees Celsius (1,300 degrees Fahrenheit), leaving low probabilities of survival for anyone caught unawares in a region where most people have no vehicles and the roads are in poor condition.

Dr. Matthew Watson, a volcanologist at the University of Bristol, who has studied the Fuego volcano for 20 years, told the Independent: This volcano is surrounded by real rural poverty, and evacuation is typically done on foot or in vehicles that take a long time to get anywhere.

Older residents in Alotenango accompanying the families of victims said to journalists that they had never witnessed a disaster of such magnitude, recalling that about 40 years ago an eruption also wiped out crops and towns, but the population was able to escape in time.

The first eruption happened at 11:00 a.m., a second one occurred at 4:00 p.m. and a third one at 8:00 a.m. on Monday. Almost immediately after the states volcanological institute, INSIVUMEH, had announced that the second eruption had ended, the third one began, forcing rescuers, journalists and more inhabitants to evacuate in panic. Rescuers and local reporters broke into tears after finding the charred bodies of entire families burned alive.

In the Chimaltenango Department to the north, at least six communities are still entirely cut off due to avalanches and a river that has overflowed its banks.

The column of ashes ascending from Fuego on Sunday reached about 8,000 feet above the peak of the volcano, which is 12,000 feet above sea level. Ash spread across the area, coating the capital, Guatemala City, Escuintla and Quetzaltenango, and reaching most of the countrys territory. The Aurora International airport in Guatemala City was forced to suspend operations. Adding to the anxiety, at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, a 5.2 magnitude tremor hit the Pacific coast, rocking the entire region around the volcano.

Several smaller but significant eruptions occurred last year, with the governments CONRED limiting their warnings for tourists not to camp in the plateau area and for the leaders of communities to stay in contact with emergency agencies.

The INSIVUMEH had reported strong explosions in August and November 2017 that sent ashes to nearby towns, while eruptions had been getting stronger. On February 1 of this year, the largest explosion in six years led to the evacuation of 2,880 inhabitants, given lava and pyroclastic flows down the Seca, Cenizas, Las Lajas and Honda ravines, the same ones carrying the deadly flows on Sunday and Monday. The Las Lajas and Honda ravines are directed toward the east and southeast, where most residents were left trapped in the towns of San Miguel Los Lotes, El Rodeo and Escuintla.

As recently as May 5, more than 300 people were evacuated due to a smaller eruption. The Smithsonian Institutions Global Volcanism Program also reports large and recent explosions with pyroclastic flows down the same known ravines on May 17, April 14-17, April 7-10, February 27-28 and February 7-13.

In 2012, about 10,000 people were evacuated due to heightened activity in the volcano. Even though, as Dr. Watson notes, the last eruption had gone up an order of magnitude in terms of scale, and in spite of the large tourist sector and productive agriculture in the area, there was no justification for thousands of residents in the most vulnerable areas downstream of the known pyroclastic channels to not have been resettled.

The areas vulnerable to lava and pyroclastic flows, avalanches and floods are well known from decades of documentation. With the presence of 32 active volcanoes in the country, Guatemalas preparations for these disasters, especially close to the largest cities, should include emergency agencies constantly on alert and fully equipped. This is far from the case.

The disaster caused by the Fuego volcano eruption is an extension of the social catastrophe that characterizes Guatemalan society. It is the most unequal country, in terms of the Gini index, in the most unequal region of the world. The last figures available for 2014 from the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean show that the official poverty rate stands at 60 percent, including 71 percent of the mostly indigenous rural population, while 23.4 percent live under conditions of extreme poverty. All of these figures have increased sharply since the 2008 global capitalist financial meltdown.

Access to health care, pensions and a livable income is denied to the vast majority of the population. In 2017, 111 children under the age of five died from starvation in Guatemala, while 46.5 percent of all infants suffer from chronic malnutrition. Meanwhile, Guatemala is expected to pay $1.8 billion in interest payments to bondholders this year, while the ministry of defense is asking for a $531 million budget. According to Oxfam, more than 260 people have more than $30 million in assets, while the Central American Institute for Fiscal Studies (ICEFI) calculates that the top 1 percent in the country hoards 42 percent of the national income.

Such inequality and desperate economic conditions are the product of more than a century of super-exploitation and domination by US imperialism. While workers and peasants have held mass mobilizations against rampant corruption in recent years, including those that resulted in the resignation and jailing of president Otto Perez Molina in 2014, these social conditions and the intensifying exploitation of the working class persist, alongside official corruption and austerity, as the entire Guatemalan ruling class continues enriching itself and its financiers on Wall Street and the City of London.

The social resources were available to prevent the deaths, destruction and suffering produced by the Fuego volcanos eruption, and the resources exist to help the survivors get on their feet, to improve the social infrastructure across the country and to satisfy the urgent social needs of the entire population, including quality housing, food, education, and health care.

The only way for the working class and the exploited masses in Guatemala to secure their social rights is by undertaking a struggle against capitalism, in unity with workers throughout the hemisphere and internationally, to expropriate the enormous wealth amassed by the ruling elite and the transnational corporations.Healthscope, which owns 45 hospitals in Australia and runs pathology operations in New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore, suddenly last month announced the closure of two hospitals in the state of Victoria at the cost of more than 400 jobs.

The 107-bed Geelong Private Hospital, with 293 staff and the 60-bed Cotham Private Hospital in the Melbourne suburb of Kew with 124 staff, are to close in a month. Healthscope is engaged in asset stripping, as part of financial moves and counter moves on the stock market.

Healthscope claimed a review found its hospital portfolio in Victoria had underperformed relative to the rest of the group. It recorded a $68 million impairment regarding Frankston Private Hospital, also in Melbourne.

We conducted an exhaustive evaluation of alternatives but unfortunately it is simply not viable to continue operations into the future, chief executive Gordon Ballantyne stated.

Healthscope said it would contact patients currently at the hospitals or with future treatment planned, to try to ensure their care is not affected.

In reality, the companys operations show little regard for clinical care. A Cotham Hospital nurse told World Socialist Web Site: Its a convenient hospital for local people and the elderlyit means they dont have to go into the city. But millions need to be spent on the place. The lifts need totally replacing. Everything has been done on the cheap. They have only just put in a call bell system, even though it had been needed for years.

With a state election due in November, the Victorian Labor government announced it would open 117 jobs in Barwon Health, Geelongs public hospital system, to ameliorate the job losses at Geelong Private Hospital. One of the governments concern is the political fallout in Geelong, a city hard hit by the closure of the Ford car plant and other job losses in recent years. It is also intent on preventing any fight erupting among workers against the closures.

To head off opposition, Health Minister Jill Hennessy said jobs would be available for Geelong Private Hospital workers, including in nursing, allied health, administration and patient services, as Barwon Health services were set to grow.

Hennessy met with the Geelong staff on May 25, telling them: We believe we are going to be able to generate about 117 jobs at Barwon Health and make sure that were giving preference to those that are affected by the Healthscope decision. She praised them as supremely qualified and valuable professionals, and claimed that the other job losses would be absorbed in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

The next day, state Premier Daniel Andrews announced a $10 million feasibility study for a womens and childrens hospital, utilising the Geelong Private Hospital building. This is a blatant pre-election exercise, and commits the government to nothing.

While the closure announcement came as a shock to the hospital workers, the government would have known well in advance, as did the health trade unions.

Australian Nurses and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), which represents 3,000 Healthscope nurses, midwives and carers in Victoria, had warned in April that jobs would go at Healthscope hospitals. That was after an Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio report named four Healthscope hospitals in Melbourne as potential sites for redundancies.

The ANMF held separate members meetings at Cotham and Geelong hospitals on May 23, saying that about 200 nurses were affected by the announced closure. The meetings were held to discuss members concerns, options and to ensure they receive all of their entitlements, including redundancy provisions.

ANMF secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said: The closure of these health facilities and the loss of hundreds of jobs are incredibly distressing for our members and their families.

However the union indicated no plans to hold a joint meeting of the affected staff at the two hospitals, or for a fight against the closures. Like the government, the union wants to block and wear down any resistance.

Similarly, Diane Asmar, secretary of the Health Services Union, covering the allied staff, said: The sad thing is they neglected to realise the staff are their asset. The people who work hard and have dedicated so many years providing services for Healthscope.

As Asmars choice of language reveals, the unions also regard the staff as a corporate asset, typifying the unions completely pro-business outlook.

Healthscope, Australias second biggest private hospital operator, with 18,000 employees, is divesting itself of the two hospitals in order to help secure a more favourable takeover bid.

Two conglomerates are vying to buy the companyCanadian giant Brookfield Asset Management, which made a $3.3 billion bid, and Australian private equity firm BGH Capital, which already has a 14 percent holding in Healthscope.

The latter firm includes Australian Super, a grouping of superannuation funds jointly run by union officials.

Health Minister Hennessys media statement on the closure of Geelong Private Hospital said: It is closing its doors because it can no longer remain financially sustainable in a crowded market of three private hospitals.

This is simply a rationalisation of the increasing privatisation of hospital care at the expense of the public hospital system, enforced by Labor and the unions.

The history of the two hospitals underlines this process. Cotham Private Hospital was built in 1970 by a consortium of doctors, with flats next door for doctors and the director of nursing. It has since been sold several times to corporate interests, with parts hived off as lucrative real estate. It has been whittled down deliberately in recent months to prepare for another sell off.

Geelong Private Hospital had its origins in the closure of the Baxter House maternity hospital, part of the public Geelong Hospital complex. Baxter House was closed in the late 1990s, along with 16 other public hospitals, as the then Liberal state government destroyed 13,500 health jobs.

The unions did nothing to oppose this offensive and Labor refused to reverse when it returned to government in Victoria. Geelong Private Hospital was set up using the empty Baxter House, on publicly-owned land.

Corporations such as Healthscope rake in hundreds of millions of dollars each year, profiting from people seeking adequate medical attention outside the badly underfunded public system. This year, the companys projected hospital earnings were $340 to $350 million, marginally down from $359 million in 2017.

Despite protestations of concern for staff and patients by management, the government and the trade unions, it is the ruthless drive for profit on the money markets that dominates all their calculations.Jordans Prime Minister Hani Mulki resigned yesterday following days of anti-government protests in Amman and other major cities. The protests were against a new law lowering the income tax threshold, a hike in the sales tax, and increases in the cost of fuel, electricity and water.

King Abdullah, the countrys real ruler, cancelled his planned overseas trip and appointed education minister Omar al-Razzaz, a former World Bank economist, in Mulkis place. The kings move follows the failure of his announcement last Friday suspending price increases until the end of the yearat a cost of $22.5 millionto assuage popular anger.

On Saturday, he called on parliament to lead a comprehensive and reasonable national dialogue on the new tax law, saying, It would not be fair that the citizen alone bears the burden of financial reforms.

Petra, one of Jordans news agencies, reported that legislators were set to ask Abdullahs permission to hold an exceptional session to withdraw the changes.

Last Wednesday, 33 unions called a general strike of health care and public-sector workersAbdullahs key and very narrow social basealong with small towns, villages and tribal areas where the clans and indigenous minority East Bankers live. This was to protest legislative proposals aimed at increasing the proportion of income tax payers from 4.5 percent to 10 percent. The average wage, such as a teachers salary, is around $350 a month, or less than $5,000 a year.

This will hit families hard, because Jordan is a low-wage economy, where the median age is 22 years and it is the norm for young people to live at home with their parents until they can afford to marry. Many work at two or three jobs, if they can find them in a country with an official unemployment rate of 18 percent, a gross underestimate.

Corporation tax will rise from 35 to 40 percent. Manufacturers of food and other basic products will see their income tax rise from 24 percent to 30 percent. The new law will also criminalise tax violations, making them subject to prison terms and heavy fines.

This comes in the wake of Januarys budget extending sales tax to a further 165 items, including basic products; increasing the price of fuel, electricity and water; raising tobacco tax; and increasing the cost of public transport by 9 percent.

The price of fuel has risen five times since January, while electricity bills, already phenomenally high, have risen 55 percent since February.

The removal of flour subsidies means that the price of a kilo of white bread has doubled from $0.22 to $0.45, while the price of smaller flat bread has increased by more than 67 percent.

Amman, where one-third of Jordanians live, is one of the most expensive capitals in the Arab world. Such is the hardship that there has reportedly been a 20 percent slump in sales during Ramadan, a period of peak retail demand.

These measures were the latest in a series of economic reforms following a $723 million three-year loan from the International Monetary Fund in 2016, aimed at reducing Jordans $40 billion public debt from about 94 percent of GDP to 77 percent by 2021.

Tens of thousands demonstrated across the country on Thursday and Friday. On Friday evening, protesters gathered outside Mulkis office calling for the fall of the government. On Saturday, despite Abdullahs announcement suspending price increases for fuel, electricity and water, some 200,000 took to the streets of Jordans towns and cities.

Social network sites were full of slogans such as dont touch my salary, a government of thieves and dont steal our rights. Strikers chanted, We are here until we bring the downfall of the bill ... This government is shameful and Our demands are legitimate. No, no to corruption.

Three thousand demonstrators protested outside Mulkis office on Saturday shouting, Mulki should leave.

Protests are ongoing, with a one-day general strike called for Wednesday.

The king is putting pressure on the US and his traditional supporters in the Gulf, whose funding has dried up over the last two years, to come up with the cash to prop up his tottering regime. Carved out of part of the Palestine governorate of Greater Syria, part of the former Ottoman Empire, by Britain in the aftermath of World War I, Transjordan was never a viable state. After World War II, and particularly after 1957, Washington replaced London as Jordans underwriter in return for its services in policing US interests in the region, suppressing the Palestinians over whom King Hussein (Abdullahs father) ruled in both Jordan and, until 1967, East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Latterly, Jordan has provided a key staging post for US-backed operations against the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad.

It has become a holding pen for the regions refugeesPalestinian, Iraqi and Syriancreated through wars in the geostrategic interests of the imperialist powers and their regional clients. As a result, Jordans population has soared from 5.5 million in 2003 to 9.9 million this year.

The Trump administrations decision to cut its funding by 300 million to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has been catastrophic. With 2 million Palestinian refugees in massive refugee camps and in cities, their needs have now to be met from Jordans declining resources.

Jordan also has around 650,000 UN-registered Syrian refugees, of whom some 100,000 live in camps. Most live in the towns and cities, alongside nearly a million more unregistered refugees who seek work where they can. According to Jordanian officials, the government has spent $10 billion on the refugees, with little support from either its wealthy Arab neighbours or the major powers.

Around half of the Syrian refugees are children who should be attending school. To cope, many schools are operating a two-shift system, in the morning and afternoon.

The US signed an aid package for Jordan earlier this year for $1.275 billion a year beginning in the fiscal year 2018 and ending in 2022a $275 million annual increase over the previous three years, but this only accounts for 10 percent of Jordans budget.

By far the major source of income is the Gulf. But the $3.6 billion from the Gulf Cooperation Council states came to an end 18 months ago, a major cause of the current economic crisis. The increasingly close alliance being forged between the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel against Iran has left Jordan out in the cold. At the same time, President Trumps decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has undercut Ammans role in Jerusalem, where Abdullah has guardianship of the al-Aqsa mosque compound, and inflamed tensions in the country, more than half of whose population is of Palestinian origin.

His visit to Riyadh in December to discuss the US embassy decision was fraught with tensions, leading to the Saudi authorities detaining a Jordanian-Palestinian businessman, Sabih al Masri, who heads the Arab Bank, Jordans leading financial firm. Relations soured further after Abdullah attended an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting where the Jerusalem embassy issue was discussed, prompting Saudi Arabia to withhold a further $250 million in promised aid. Abdullah compounded his crime by shaking hands with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Istanbul two weeks ago.

In January, Abdullah reorganised the army, retiring three close relatives, including his brothers, from senior positions, amid rumours of a Saudi plot to unseat Abdullah like the attempt to fashion a more pliant government in Lebanon via Saad Hariris forced resignation.

This is prompting speculation that to secure the kingdoms survival Jordan may normalise relations with Syria, entertain closer relations with Tehran, ally itself with Qatar against Saudi Arabias embargo, refuse to accept Jerusalem as Israels capital and secure new patrons, such as Turkey.New Vision Academy, a Nashville charter school, is under investigation by the citys school district for financial irregularities and noncompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The charter operation has come under scrutiny after several teachers acted as whistleblowers against practices they found troubling at the school. At least four of five teachers who spoke to the Tennessean newspaper have been pressured to resign by the charter school owners as a result.

The paper reported that on May 21 four teachers were escorted out of the school and three were told not to return. The fourth was permitted to complete the final three days of the school year before resigning.

The investigation, initiated in March, was prompted by a detailed report from an anonymous whistleblower submitted online to Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) board member Amy Frogge, who then forwarded the report to the district.

The report itself was compiled by teachers. One of the accusations is that New Vision is failing to provide English language-learning students and students with learning disabilities adequate instructional time. However, according to the MNPS charter schools executive officer Dennis Queen, investigators from the Exceptional Education and English Language Learner offices found New Vision to be in compliance in those areas.

In a letter to the Tennessean, five New Vision teachers dispute the districts claim, stating, Students who have (individualized education plans) that entitle them to service hours on a daily or weekly basis for math and/or reading classes very rarely received services from a certified education teacher this school year. English language learners have rarely received support from an ELL teacher in our classrooms. Noncompliance with individualized education plans is a violation of federal law.

Furthermore, the teachers said they were not interviewed by the district during its ELL and learning disability investigation and a district spokeswoman has not revealed how these investigations are conducted.

Beyond the alleged neglect of English language learners, New Vision Academys facility reportedly has no elevator for wheelchair accessibility to its multiple floors in violation of the ADA.

The report also alleges that students had to pay for textbooks and basic classroom supplies despite the school allocating $36,106 for supplies and $6,831 for textbooks. Students poached from the public schools are used as little more than ATMs for wealthy charter operators.

The top two executives of New Vision, Tim and LaKesha Malone, who are married, have a combined salary of $562,000. Out of a total operating budget of $2.3 million in the most recent school year, the Malones salaries comprise a full quarter. They oversee a mere 200 students, with 71 percent coming from working-class and low-income families. Their combined annual haul amounts to $2,810 per student.

For those involved in the charter schools, education is a lucrative business. The executive director of KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Nashville, Randy Dowell, makes $159,130 per year, and oversees five charter schools representing 1,770 students. MNPS Director Shawn Joseph, who oversees the entire metro school district, makes $285,000.

New Vision is located in Davidson County District 16, in the neighborhood of Glencliff, an area that is demographically characterized by working-class and low-income households. The median income is $35,350, which, when considering the rising costs of living and housing that Nashville continues to exhibit, amounts to an existence of just barely making ends meet. It has become increasingly typical for charter schools to situate in these areas in order to siphon off students from public schools that are underfunded due to low tax revenues.

In addition to its school, New Vision operates a social network nonprofit, according to the Tennessean, coordinating with the juvenile justice system, which ensures youth abide by the terms of their juvenile probation. This activity as virtual parole officer is combined with educational work in New Visions tax filing, therefore its finances can be muddied between the two nonprofits, the newspaper noted.

Tennessee state law designates public charter schools as part of the state public education system, and as such they receive public funding. Yet, because they are a charter school, New Vision has total autonomy on how it chooses to spend the money.

This year, one hundred percent of new available revenue for the entire school district will go towards the MNPS charter sector, which (last I checked) serves only around fifteen percent of MNPS students, wrote Frogge in a Facebook post dated May 22. Charters arent receiving the funding because they are growing (their enrollment is dropping like all of our schools), but because of state law which dictates that we pay charters, no matter how much funding is available.

MNPS is struggling with a budget deficit, and as a result must make severe cuts. Traditional public schools, which serve a much larger number of students, will be the ones impacted, while charter schools will remain unscathed.

Indeed, charter schools have contributed to the decline in funding allocated to public schools in Nashville over the past several years. A 2014 report by the MNPS estimated more than $300 million in funding went to charter operations over five years. Charter operations in the city, including New Vision, have received millions more from the state budget over the years, including $3 million split 10 ways last year.

The school district is preparing deep cuts to programs and staffing levels, including axing the jobs of 87 Reading Recovery teachers who focus on struggling elementary school students. The district administration has given assurances that these specialists will be placed elsewhere in priority schools, although no plan has been announced for their placement.

The distress felt by public schools at the expense of charter operations will be exacerbated in the new fiscal year with worsening conditions in schools that serve the working class and poor, including children who require the most intensive educational interventionsthose with special needs, learning disabilities, English learners, and children from unstable and impoverished homes.The Toronto Star, the voice of Canadas liberal establishment, is urging Ontario voters to elect a New Democratic Party (NDP)-led government when they go to the polls this Thursday.

In an editorial titled Ontario voters should back NDP to stop Doug Ford, the Star advocates strategic voting, saying voters should support the candidate from the governing Liberals or the social-democratic NDP with the best chance of defeating the Ford-led Conservative candidate in their specific electoral constituency. Given the collapse in Liberal support, continues the Star, this means in most parts of the province that progressive voters should back the NDP candidate to make sure Ford doesnt reach the premiers office.

The Stars endorsement underlines that an important faction of Canadas ruling elite now favors an NDP-led government in the countrys most populous province.

Meanwhile, the pseudo-left is trying to manufacture enthusiasm for the NDP, claiming that it represents a working class alternative to the bosses parties and constitutes a bulwark against the rise of rightwing populism in Canada.

In fact the NDP, like social-democratic parties around the world, long ago trashed its reformist program. For the past three decades, it has served as a vital instrument of the ruling class in imposing austerity and mobilizing support for Canadas participation in a series of US-led wars and military-strategic offensives.

The Star speaks for the pro-war, pro-austerity liberal faction of Canadas ruling elite. It is a pillar of the federal Liberal government of Justin Trudeau, just as it was of the Jean Chretien-Paul Martin Liberal governments that imposed the greatest social spending cuts in Canadian history, launched the rearmament of Canadas military, and dramatically expanded the reach and powers of the national-security agencies.

The Star, it should be added, continues to vehemently defend the record of the 15-year-old Ontario Liberal government. Elected in 2003, with the explicit support of much of the trade union bureaucracy, the Liberals left in place the key changes implemented by the Reagan-Thatcher inspired Mike Harris Conservative government in the late 1990s. The Liberals then implemented their own wave of sweeping social spending cuts and tax breaks for big business in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis.

The Stars endorsement of the NDP is based on several interrelated calculations.

It fears that a government headed by Forda Trump-style millionaire who postures as a plain-speaking defender of the little guy while advocating further tax breaks for big business and the rich, and massive cuts to public serviceswill become a lightning rod for social opposition and under conditions where there is already a resurgence of the class struggle, in Canada and internationally.

The Star calculates that the NDP, building on the corporatist ties the Liberals cultivated with the trade union bureaucracy, will be able to provide a surer and safer means of increasing the competitiveness, i.e. profitability, of Canadian big business, by pursuing austerity and capitalist restructuring in alliance with the unions.

In this, it is drawing on the experience of the Wynne government, which retained the backing of the trade union bureaucracy even as it imposed austerity and criminalized strikes, and of NDP provincial governments from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.

A final, albeit lesser consideration, for the Star is that an NDP government would be much more amenable to working with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his federal Liberal government than Ford and his Conservatives. After all, Canadas social democrats and their union allies have time and again boosted the Liberals as a progressive alternative to the hard-right Conservatives and repeatedly allied with them in parliament and the provincial legislatures.

While endorsing an NDP government in Ontario, the Star made clear that it expects the NDP to quickly jettison many of its election platform proposals for modest social spending increases. If the NDP do form government, declares last Fridays Star editorial, it would be well-advised to reassure the business community that it understands they must remain competitiveand that includes the taxes that businesses must pay.

The Star editorial board went on to criticize all three parties, the NDP, Liberals and Ford and his Conservatives, for proposing to run budget deficits, rather than getting the provinces finances in orderi.e. imposing even harsher austerity.

Earlier in the campaign, the Star joined Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne in denouncing provincial NDP leader Andrea Horwath for saying that she would not support strikebreaking legislation as it is contrary to NDP principles.

In fact, the NDP has repeatedly connived in the adoption of anti-worker legislation. This includes, to mention only the most notorious examples, the support the NDP governments in British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan gave to the three-year wage-cutting wage-controls program Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau imposed from 19751978 and the wage and job cuts the last Ontario NDP government imposed under its reactionary social contract legislation.

Moreover, Horwaths reputed support for workers rights did not prevent her leading NDP legislators in propping up the minority Wynne Liberal government as it criminalized teachers job actions so as to enforce wage and benefit cuts.

The day after the Star endorsed the NDP, Wynne, in a move unprecedented for a sitting premier, conceded her Liberals will lose the June 7 election. After Thursday, I will no longer be Ontarios premier, announced Wynne to a stunned Liberal election rally.

Wynnes concession was a desperate attempt to salvage at least the eight Liberal seats needed to retain official party status in the Ontario legislature. She coupled it with a call for voters to ensure that enough Liberals are elected to deny either the NDP or Conservatives a majority, claiming both are too extreme.

Hoping the opposition to Ford and Liberal austerity can propel them to a majority, the NDP has aggressively attacked Wynne in the final days of the election campaign.

Asked if the NDP would seek the Liberals support in the event of a minority or hung parliament, Horwath declared she would have nothing to do with them. The Liberals, she declared, have supported privatization, they have sold off our public assets, theyve cut our hospitals. Any party that does that is not a party I can work with.

The reality, of course, is otherwise. The NDP and their union allies have worked closely with Wynnes government and that of her predecessor Dalton McGuinty. In the name of stopping the Conservatives, not only did they work with Wynne, the social democrats helped keep the Liberals in office as they cut our hospitals, schools, and other vital public services.

And should the parliamentary arithmetic make it necessary, the NDP will seek the Liberals support in forming government after June 7.

Faced with growing pressure from the corporate media to demonstrate the NDPs readiness to govern, Horwath has been stressing her good relations with big business and the great deal of time she has spent over these last number of years meeting with the chiefs of police [and] police associations.

An NDP government, whether a majority government or formed through some form of combination with the Liberals, would be a big business government that would rapidly come into headlong conflict with the working class. The miserly social spending increases outlined in the NDP election platform will be quickly cast aside as Horwath comes under pressure from big business, including the NDP-friendly Toronto Star, and as the anemic and fragile recovery from the greatest crisis of world capitalism since the Great Depression collapses under a mountain of debt and the whirlwinds of international trade war and intensifying geopolitical conflict.Internationally-acclaimed journalist and documentary filmmaker John Pilger issued the following statement on behalf of the Courage Foundation yesterday. Pilger is a trustee of the organisation, which raises funds for the legal defense of persecuted whistleblowers, journalists and publications, including Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.

Pilger will be addressing the June 17 Sydney Town Hall Square rally, called by the Socialist Equality Party, demanding that the Australian government take immediate action to secure Assanges freedom and return to Australia, with a guarantee that he will not be extradited to the United States.

Justice and freedom for Julian Assange mean free speech for us all

The Courage Foundation announces an urgent campaign to support Julian Assange and demand his freedom. Keep an eye on our liveblog for updates.

John Pilger

This month, it will be six years since Julian was forced to take refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London. He had been warned; the US Department of Justice was likely to file an application with Britains Home Office for his extradition to the United States. The allegations against Julian and WikiLeaks in the US were subsequently declared secret by a US District Court judge, but it has since been confirmed that a grand jury in Virginia has concocted a number of possible charges against the WikiLeaks founder.

The most likely of these is espionage, which harks back to a long-defunct First World War law designed to punish conscientious objectors.

Julian is not an American; neither has he betrayed any state. His crime has been free journalism and publishing, which are protected under the US Constitution, a document whose sanctity has apparently been jettisoned.

WikiLeaks has done no more than the New York Times and the Washington Post in their celebrated pastit has revealed the truth about rapacious wars and the machinations of a corrupt elite. In response to this truth-telling, a Cold War fantasy known as Russiagate has attempted to paint Julianand by extension all journalistsas some spies.

What CNN and the rest of the media do not tell you is that the most senior of US intelligence have admitted under oath that their agencies have found not the slightest evidence to link Assange or WikiLeaks to Russia.

Julians status as a political refugee under the 1951 Convention has the backing of the United Nations, whose Working Party on Arbitrary Detentions has demanded an end to his persecution. The Working Party, one of the worlds highest authorities on international law, conducted an investigation in which the British Government took part, and found unanimously in Julians favour.

The UN calls on Britain to honour its responsibilities under the Convention and give Julian right of passage out of the embassy.

Although his health is suffering, Julian cannot go to a hospital for an X-ray as almost certainly he will be arrested.

Since Easter, Julians isolation has become extreme; according to Human Rights Watch, His refuge in the embassy looks more and more like solitary confinement.

He is denied basic communications; he is refused access to the phone and internet and visitors are forbidden. In forging a new, deferential relationship with the United States, President Lenin Moreno and the Ecuadorean government clearly aim to make life so difficult for Julian that he is silenced completely or he is forced to leave the embassy, into the waiting arms of the police.

A US extradition application is likely to follow and Julian will be destined for the kind of penal hell-hole that Chelsea Manning endured. The former president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, whose government granted Julian political asylum, has condemned his treatment as torture.

We at Courage ask people to support vigils on June 19at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, 6-8pm, info here, as well as the demonstration in Sydney, Australia on 17 June, at 1pm at Town Hall Square, info here.Factional conflicts within the Australian Labor Party have escalated following a rancorous conference of the partys Victorian state branch on May 26-27.

The tensions have been intensified by polls indicating that with a federal election slated to be held this year or next, Labor is trailing the Liberal-National Coalition government in key electorates.

Sky News reported yesterday that if a series of by-elections triggered by the ongoing purge of dual citizens from parliament had been held last weekend, Labor likely would have lost two of the seats it currently holds, Longman in Queensland and Braddon in Tasmania.

Speculation has been aired in the media that any losses of seats could be a catalyst for a challenge to Labor leader Bill Shorten. Questioned by reporters yesterday, former deputy prime minister Anthony Albanese refused to rule out a bid for leadership of the party.

Underlying the deepening crisis of Labor and all the official parliamentary parties is the hostility of broad sections of the population. At the Victorian conference, Labor made clear that if it formed federal government, it would continue the pro-business policies that have resulted in a collapse of its support among workers and young people.

Two of the countrys largest trade unions, the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) and the Australian Workers Union (AWU), joined forces at the conference to ensure there was no discussion of Labors anti-refugee policies.

The incident underscored the xenophobic and anti-working-class character of all the unions. The AWU is often branded as a right-wing union. The CFMMEU, formed through an amalgamation of the construction, maritime and textile unions earlier this year, is promoted by liberal pundits and pseudo-left parties as militant and progressive.

Making clear their essential unity of outlook, both unions did everything they could at the conference to silence opposition to the Australian states brutal repression of asylum-seekers fleeing US-led wars and oppression.

Together, the CFMMEU and the AWU provided the blocks of votes required to defer contentious motions on refugee policy and a number of other issues to the partys backroom administrative committee. The move effectively shut down proceedings on the floor of the conference, and pushed the issues behind closed doors.

A motion had been proposed by Ilia Vurtel, a member of Labor for Refugees, calling for the party to end the mandatory offshore detention of refugees who come to Australia by boat, and close the Australian-operated camps on Nauru and Papua New Guineas Manus Island.

The scuttling of the motion was accompanied by deferrals on calls for a meagre increase to the poverty-level Newstart unemployment allowance and recognition of Palestine. Labors refusal to back even a token boost to Newstart demonstrates that, if elected, it will intensify cuts to welfare. The refusal to discuss the issue of Palestine is in line with Labors support for US-led wars and military interventions around the world, and Israels genocidal campaign in Gaza.

After the conference, John Setka, the head of the CFMMEU in Victoria, declared that the deferrals represented democracy in action. In reality, they were a desperate attempt to prevent a public embarrassment to Shorten, and signal to the ruling elite that a Labor government would escalate the drive to war, austerity and the erosion of civil liberties.

Speaking at the conference on May 26, Shorten vowed that a Labor government would continue to abrogate the basic legal and democratic right of refugees to seek asylum. Shorten declared that Labor would stop the boats of refugee arrivals. The current government would like to say that therell be another policy; there wont be, he stated, ruling out any shift in Labors stance.

The Labor for Refugees motion was a plea by a section of Labor for the party to adopt a more humane immigration posture, to head off widespread anger over the bipartisan persecution of refugees.

The motions themselves, submitted by a series of branches to the partys national conference, now slated to be held in December, underscore the fraudulent character of the groupings claims to defend asylum-seekers.

The motions, cited by the Australian yesterday, include only mealy-mouthed appeals for Labor to revisit its policy of never allowing asylum seekers arriving by boat to settle in Australia. At the same time they defend the entire underlying framework of border protection, endorsing the maintenance of essential maritime activity to prevent people-smuggling.

Labor has led the way in the bipartisan attacks on refugees.

The Labor governments of prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating in the 1980s and 1990s introduced the worlds first mandatory detention imprisonment regime. This provided for the automatic incarceration of any asylum-seekers who arrived in Australia by boat.

This went hand-in-hand with a sweeping onslaught on the social rights of the working class, through a series of pro-business accords between the Labor governments, the trade unions and the corporate elite. The economy was deregulated and hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs destroyed.

In 2012, the Greens-backed Labor government of Julia Gillard reopened the concentration camps on Nauru and Manus Island, consigning refugees there for years of indefinite detention. The United Nations has repeatedly branded the policy, continued by the current Coalition government, as inhumane and a violation of international law.

The unions have fully backed Labors attacks on refugees, supporting the Hawke, Keating and Gillard governments as they stepped up the assault on asylum-seekers. In 2015, the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, a predecessor of the CFMMEU, voted to ensure that any challenge to mandatory offshore detention at that years national Labor conference was rejected.

For decades, the unions have sought to whip up hostility to immigrants and refugees, blaming them for job losses and wage cuts, in order to divide the working class along national lines, and divert attention from their own role as an industrial police force of successive governments and the corporate elite. In order to defend the profit interests of Australian capitalism, the unions have enforced a decades-long assault on jobs, wages and working conditions.In what would constitute a major escalation of the US role in the near-genocidal war waged over the last three years by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) against Yemen, US officials were in discussions yesterday on the Pentagon taking a direct role in the siege of the countrys Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

Saudi and UAE-led forces came within 10 km of Hodeidah on Monday, having pushed north up Yemens western coast with the aid of relentless air strikes against Houthi rebel forces, which control the city as well as the countrys northwestern provinces, including the capital of Sanaa, which is 230 miles to the north.

The Wall Street Journal Monday cited US officials reporting that The Trump administration is weighing an appeal from the United Arab Emirates for direct US support to seize Yemens main port. ...

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a strong proponent of global US military intervention, has asked American officials to come up with a quick assessment of the prospects for a direct US military role in the siege of Hodeidah.

The Journal report cited one official raising doubts that the US-backed forces would be able to do it cleanly and avoid a catastrophic incident. Another senior American official, however, told the Journal: We have folks who are frustrated and ready to say: Lets do this. Weve been flirting with this for a long time. Something needs to change the dynamic, and if we help the Emiratis do it better, this could be good. 

A battle for control of Hodeidah poses a direct threat to the citys civilian population of 400,000, with the potential of a Saudi blitzkrieg combined with a direct US intervention recreating the kind of mass slaughter unleashed by the Pentagon in Mosul, Iraq and Raqqa, Syria.

More broadly, such a siege threatens the lives of millions of Yemenis in the Houthi-controlled highlands, for whom Hodeidah is the sole aid lifeline in a country historically reliant on imports for 90 percent of its food.

Even before taking into account the catastrophic impact of closing down this port, the chief aid official at the United Nations, Mark Lowcock, warned last week that by the end of this year, another 10 million Yemenis will join the 8.4 million who are already on the brink of starvation in what the UN has called the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.

Hundreds of foreign aid workers have reportedly evacuated the city, and it was reported on Monday that a UN aid vessel came under direct attack by Saudi warplanes. The city is already under bombardment from both the air and the sea.

Thousands of civilians are fleeing from the outskirts of Hodeidah which is now a battle zone, Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, told Reuters. We cannot have war in Hodeidah, it would be like war in Rotterdam or Antwerp, these are comparable cities in Europe. He added that such a war would mean nothing coming through in terms of food and other aid for the countrys starving population.

It was reported Monday that a UN mediator, Martin Griffiths, had arrived in Sanaa to present a proposal for a Houthi withdrawal from Hodeidah and the placing of the port under UN supervision. It was not clear, however, whether either the Houthi-led administration or the Saudi and UAE-led forces would adhere to such a settlement.

The Saudi-led coalition wants to secure its grip over Hodeidah in order to starve into submission the entire population in the areas under Houthi control.

Sharpening the tensions and creating the conditions for even greater slaughter, the Saudi and UAE monarchies are pursuing conflicting interests in their military interventions in Yemen, with Riyadh attempting to re-install the puppet government of Abd-Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, and the UAE supporting secessionists who are seeking to revive the former state of South Yemen.

Saudi Arabia launched the war in March 2015, carrying out relentless airstrikes ever since that have devastated civilian neighborhoods, vital infrastructure, factories and even farms. Mass civilian casualties have resulted from the bombing of funerals and weddings, with the death toll from these attacks now over 13,000, with many more dying from hunger and disease. More than 2,200 people have lost their lives to a cholera epidemic that has infected 1.1 million people, while the country has seen its first outbreak of diphtheria since 1982

From the beginning of the Saudi onslaught, the Obama administration provided indispensable US military support, selling Saudi Arabia and the UAE bombs (including outlawed cluster munitions) and warplanes used to strike Yemen, providing mid-air refueling to Saudi jets to assure continuous bombardment, and setting up a joint US-Saudi command to render logistical aid, including intelligence used in selecting targets. At the same time, US special forces units and armed drones have been deployed in Yemen for assassination missions against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Trump administration has escalated US involvement, with not only massive new arms sales to the Saudi monarchy, but also the deployment of US special operations troops to fight directly alongside Saudi forces. Revealed a month ago, this deployment was carried out behind the backs of the American people and without informing Congress, much less gaining its authorization. While explained as a mission to protect Saudi Arabias borders with Yemen, the purpose of the US troop deployment appears to be far broader.

Driving the US toward increasingly direct intervention in a war that has pitted the obscenely rich oil monarchies of the Persian Gulf against the poorest nation in the Arab world is the broader strategy elaborated by the Trump administration in preparation for a military confrontation with Iran.

The US and its allies have cast the war in Yemen as a so-called proxy conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia, with Washington making unsubstantiated allegations that Iran has supplied the Houthi rebels with arms. The reality is that both Washington and Riyadh see the domination of Yemen by any government that is not a US-Saudi puppet regime as an unacceptable threat.

The discussions in Washington on an escalation of direct US intervention in Yemen are unfolding in the context of the sharp ratcheting up of US sanctions and threats against Iran following President Trumps unilateral May 8 withdrawal from the nuclear agreement reached in 2015 between Iran and the so-called P5+1the US, UK, France, Germany, China and Russia.

A more direct US military intervention in Yemen may prove the stepping stone to a region-wide war aimed against Iran and at the securing of US imperialisms unfettered control over the energy-rich and strategically vital Middle East.Webcam hosting service will be discontinued on October 21, 2021. Read more about our decision here.Nobody puts Khaleesi in the corner!

Although its been quite some time since Emilia Clarke and Jason Momoa shared the Game of Thrones screen together as husband and wife (his character died during the first season), the pair got up to some new tricks during their latest hangout.

FYI..This is the closest youll ever get to me attempting that lift from dirty dancing, the 31-year-old actress wrote alongside a photo of Momoa, 38, lifting her in his arms while standing in front of a picture of the HBO series iron throne.

She continued, Yes, my man is sitting. Yes, theres no lake. And yes, I have no idea Im NOT being raised above his head. (Id like to take a moment to thank alcohol for giving me courage to attempt this. Ever.)

In a nod to both the iconic 1987 film and Momoas GOT character, Clarke added the hashtags, #nooneputsdrogointhecorner #imhavingthetimeofmylife and #mysunandstarsintheireyes.

RELATED: Emilia Clarke Reunites with Game of Thrones Husband and Main Man Jason Momoa

Momoa also shared a sweet video of their time together on his Instagram feed, captioning the post, Moon of my life @emilia_clarke every time I leave you my face hurts from smiling to[o] much. I Fg love you forever. Aloha j.

But Clarke wasnt the only GoT costar Momoa got a chance to catch up with during his trip.

Story continues

The actor also shared some photographs of himself with Kit Harrington, writing, Im so grateful to be apart of the greatest show on earth. Im honored to be able to come to Ireland and celebrate with my friends.

Want to keep up on the latest from PEOPLE? Sign up for our daily newsletter to get our best stories of the day delivered straight to your inbox.

Clarke previously revealed shes come up with a very appropriate way to commemorate her timing playing Daenerys Targaryen on the HBO hit: shes getting a dragon tattoo.

Im going to get a dragon right here [points at wrist] kind of flying away, she said during an appearance on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan.

I think thats cool. A little kind of peace out, she added.WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court sided with a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple on religious grounds, but the majority opinion appeared to still leave questions of religious freedom vs. LGBT rights unresolved.

After the baker, Jack Phillips, refused to make the cake for the couple, David Mullins and Charlie Craig, they complained to the Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

In a 7-2 majority opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy faulted the commission for a clear and impermissible hostility to Phillips religious beliefs.

He wrote that the courts precedents make clear that the baker, in his capacity as the owner of a business serving the public, might have his right to the free exercise of religion limited by generally applicable laws. Still, the delicate question of when the free exercise of his religion must yield to an otherwise valid exercise of state power needed to be determined in an adjudication in which religious hostility on the part of the state itself would not be a factor in the balance the state sought to reach.

Phillips had argued that his free speech rights were violated.

Chad Griffin, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, said that the decision was so narrowly focused as to not change civil rights laws.

This is a narrow ruling by SCOTUS against the Colorado Commission, but Supreme Court opinion also acknowledges that LGBTQ people have equal right to be free from the indignity of discrimination, he wrote on Twitter.

This is a narrow ruling by #SCOTUS against the Colorado Commission, but Supreme Court opinion also acknowledges that LGBTQ people have equal right to be free from the indignity of discrimination. This doesn't change civil rights laws. #MasterpieceCakeshop  Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) June 4, 2018

The case had been closely watched among civil rights groups and LGBTQ activists, who feared that a more sweeping ruling could have undermined same-sex marriage if the high court found a broader religious freedom exemption.

Story continues

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From Harper's BAZAAR

Malia Obama has been busy studying away at Harvard all year, but the eldest daughter of Barack and Michelle is officially on summer vacation. The 19-year-old was spotted on the streets of New York City wearing a new set of ultra-long, summer-ready braids pulled back into a half-up bun.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

This isn't the first time Malia has worn braids publicly, but it is a departure from her signature straight-wavy style. We love how she left two braids loose around her face, while pulling the rest back into a half-up bun. With a water bottle in hand and wearing Soulcycle leggings, Malia was likely heading to or leaving a workout class.

The rising college sophomore was spotted in New York City in January of this year with her rumored boyfriend Rory Farquharson, who also attends Harvard University. She previously spent her gap year and time away from school holding internships in film and television production. She reportedly worked on the set of HBO's Girls and with the now-disgraced Weinstein Company.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Fitness has long been a touchstone of the entire Obama family. Michelle and daughter Sasha have been spotted doing yoga while on vacation in Hawaii. The former FLOTUS was also reportedly a regular at Barry's Bootcamp in Washington D.C. Michelle also inspired millions of women to pick up dumbbells for the first time when we first caught a glimpse of her bare, toned arms. Of course, there was also the Obama-era public health campaign to eliminate childhood obesity called Let's Move.

You Might Also LikePresident Trump cracked a joke about his wife, Melania, divorcing him, a comment that apparently came off as awkward during an event for Gold Star families.

As CNN reported Monday, the president made the retort in response to a reporter asking about the first ladys almost monthlong absence from the public eye. Did she leave him? POTUS reportedly said, while pointing to his wife, who was seated in the front row.

There havent been any photos of Melania taken since May 10, just before the 48-year-old suffered a kidney problem and underwent an embolism procedure. However on Monday, she shared pictures of herself wearing a black ensemble while seated next to her husband at the event.

Tonight @POTUS & I were honored to pay tribute to our fallen heroes. Thank you to the Gold Star families that joined us in celebration & remembrance. pic.twitter.com/6oSh1t88G7  Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) June 5, 2018

On Friday, while Donald Trump Jr., Tiffany Trump, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner flew with the president to Camp David in Maryland, Melania remained in D.C., likely with 12-year-old son Barron.

On Sunday, Melanias spokesperson, Stephanie Grisham, told CNN that the first lady would not attend Fridays G7 Summit in Quebec with her husband and other world leaders, nor would she travel to Singapore for the June 12 North Korea summit during which the president will meet with leader Kim Jong Un.

However, Grisham confirmed to CNN that Melania would attend the reception for Gold Star families, honoring their family members who died in battle. Reporters were not allowed to attend.

The news outlet  and social media  noted that the presidents joke was awkward given the grieving families in attendance.

"Did she leave him?" @realDonaldTrump jokes about the rumors surrounding @FLOTUS's lengthy absence from public view. A sort of awkward bit of humor in a room full of military families who have lost loved ones.  Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) June 4, 2018

No self-awareness.  Kathryn K (@Katkentfl) June 4, 2018

A person inside the room tells me Trump made a light-hearted joke about First Ladys absence, saying the media was asking: Wheres Melania? He went on, laughing over speculation. Did she leave him? he asked at one point, before pointing out Mrs. Trump was in front row  Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) June 4, 2018

So want to speak of improper jokes? How about Trump making the joke: "Did she leave him?", referring to Melania. 1.) it was an event for gold star families who lost a loved one. 2.) in the light of his possible affair to add to confirmed ones from the past.  Darrell Jett (@Photojett) June 4, 2018

On Wednesday, Melania addressed the speculation about her whereabouts, tweeting, I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what Im doing. Rest assured, Im here at the @Whitehouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!

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I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I'm doing. Rest assured, I'm here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!  Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) May 30, 2018

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Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.(Photo: Unequal Technologies)

Members of the outgoing 8th-grade class at St. Cornelius Catholic School in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, each received a graduation gift that reflects the troubled times: bulletproof shields for their backpacks.

Unequal Technologies, a sportswear company based in a nearby Philadelphia suburb, donated the 10-by-12-inch plates to each of the students as they prepared to break before starting high school.

Its sad the times have called for such a product to be invented, but we have answered the call, Unequal CEO Robert Vito said at an assembly covered by local news.

The backpack plates, a new offering from a company known for protective sportswear, have been shown to resist ammunition, including a 9 mm full metal jacket round, a .44 Magnum round, and birdshot fired from a 12-gauge shotgun, the company said. Theyre about a quarter-inch thick, weigh 20 ounces and also protect against shrapnel and knife attacks.

I never thought Id need this, no, Jacob Nicosia told Fox29.

The students, seated in rows flanking Vito at the assembly, were caught on camera with unsmiling expressions.

Vitos daughter attends St. Cornelius, a private school that offers kindergarten through 8th grade in quiet Chadds Ford, about 30 miles west of Philadelphia. Principal Barbara Rossini reportedly asked whether his company could develop a product for schools.

Anything that we can do to protect our children and our staff  thats my job, to protect them, Rossini told Fox29. I have to do the best I can.

The company also gave 25 of the Safe Shield plates, which retail for $149.95, to faculty members. Schools can purchase the shields for $99.

Vito said during the assembly that handguns and shotguns are useless against a product like this and demonstrated how it could be used to stop bullets.

The donation comes amid a national debate over how to prevent gun violence in schools, which have been plagued recently by near-weekly shootings.

In the wake of the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 people, students are now required to use clear backpacks as a safety precaution.

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Many Parkland students have advocated passionately for comprehensive gun policy reform since the massacre. But lawmakers, including President Donald Trump, have countered with plans to place more guns in schools as a protective measure.

After a shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas took 10 lives last month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) argued for increasing law enforcement presence at schools and monitoring social media more closely.

The plates are an alternative to bulletproof backpacks, which have garnered renewed interest in schools around the country in recent months.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.A sperm whale swims just outside the monument in the Atlantic Ocean in 2017. (Photo: New England Aquariums Anderson Center for Ocean Life aerial survey of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument)

As scientists and conservationists convene this week to discuss protecting the oceans, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument off the New England coast  the only national marine monument in the U.S. Atlantic  is, well, up in the air.

All United Nations member states, including the ones without a coastline, will celebrate World Oceans Day on Friday. Scientists, conservationists and educators are mounting campaigns, initiatives and special events at aquariums, zoos, schools, beachfronts and recreational centers to teach the public about humankinds impact on the oceans, hoping to build a global movement for sustainability. Among the most important is the Capitol Hill Ocean Week conference, kicking off Tuesday in Washington.

President Trumps perfunctory statement proclaiming June National Ocean Month was not as threatening as conservationists expected, but its emphasis was unsurprisingly on using the ocean as a resource rather than protecting it. He argued that the U.S. exclusive economic zone  which extends 200 miles from the shoreline  is underutilized.

Photos: Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Monument 

We will streamline regulations and administrative practices to promote economic growth, while protecting our marine environment for current and future generations, the White House statement said. We will also create new opportunities for American products in the global marketplace, including through continued support of our commercial fisheries and promotion of domestic aquaculture.

But the White House, which is bogged down by the Russia probe and internal conflict, has not acted on Interior Secretary Ryan Zinkes official recommendation in December to reduce or eliminate the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument and open it to commercial exploitation.

For the past six months, scientists, fishermen and conservationists have debated the idea. Yahoo News reached out to the White House and the U.S. Department of the Interior via email to see whether any decisions have been made. The White House told us to contact Interior, which said any forthcoming announcements would come from the White House.

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The Secretarys report to the president was issued in December. Any modifications to the monument proclamation as a result of the report would be White House action, said Heather Swift, the press secretary for the Department of Interior.

Please reach out to Interior, and once we have any official announcements I will let you know, said Kelly Love, the senior assistant White House press secretary.

The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument protects 4,913 square miles roughly 150 miles southeast of Cape Cod at the edge of the continental shelf. Three canyons, deeper than the Grand Canyon, and four extinct volcanoes as tall as the Rockies are home to more than 1,000 species where the shallow waters off the East Coast drop sharply into the depths of the northwestern Atlantic.

An octopus stretches its tentacles on Physalia Seamount. (Photo: NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, 2013 Northeast U.S. Canyons Expedition Science Team)

Former President Barack Obama designated the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts to be the first marine national monument in Atlantic waters in September 2016, so its unique ecological resources and fragile ecosystem would be protected. There are four national marine monuments in the Pacific.

A collection of fishing groups responded by suing the federal government in March 2017 challenging Obamas designation. The Massachusetts Lobstermens Association and others argued that they have collected profitable species, including lobsters and crabs, from the area and that closing it off would harm their livelihoods.

The next month, President Trump issued two executive orders to reassess the legal status of tens of millions of acres of land and ocean floor as national monuments. The first directed the Department of Interior to review the designation of 27 monuments, including the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts. The second, issued a few days later, directed the Department of Commerce to review areas available offshore for oil and gas drilling, again including the New England monument.

The Interior Department formally responded in December 2017 by recommending that Trump roll back three marine monuments: Rose Atoll, Pacific Remote Islands and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts. Zinke wrote:

The Proclamation should be amended, through the use of appropriate authority, including lawful exercise of your discretion granted by the Act, to ensure compliance with the provisions and intent of the Act while also allowing the regional fishery management council to make fishery-management decisions as authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

A fin whale swims inside the monument. (Photo: New England Aquariums Anderson Center for Ocean Life aerial survey of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, November 2017)

Zinkes recommendation was immediately followed by the drastic shrinking of two land monuments, Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase Escalante.

Brad Sewell, the director of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), said the U.S. would lose the only blue park off the continental U.S. where commercial fishing is prohibited if the recommendation goes forward.

These are astonishingly rich, diverse and highly vulnerable resources, Sewell told Yahoo News. There are deep sea corals that have literally been on this earth in the ocean since the Middle Ages. Theyre extremely long-lived and very sensitive to human disturbance. It could be wiped out with the single pass of a heavy, weighted industrial fishing net.

Sewell said there are marine mammals, sea birds and sea turtles that could become entangled or ensnared by commercial fishing gear. Sewell said authorizing the Commerce Department to study the area for oil and gas leasing was also a threat, although it is not believed to contain significant deposits of fossil fuels.

My guess is wed still have something called a marine national monument in that place but it would be a paper park rather than a real park, Sewell said.

He said the fishermens concern about the monument does not reflect its economic importance  it hasnt been prime fishing territory in the past  but fear of establishing a precedent for future blue parks that might infringe upon their fishing options: They want to be able to fish wherever they want to fish.

Trump denounces environmental regulations and has been steadily undoing Obamas green policies. However, Trump has also taken a broad view of executive powers since entering the White House. It was for this reason that the Trump administration defended Obamas executive power to create national monuments in April, by filing a motion to dismiss the fishing groups lawsuit.

Jeffrey H. Wood, the acting assistant attorney general of the Justice Departments environment and natural resources division, filed the motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia arguing that the federal court system cannot decide whether the president acted lawfully in these instances.

Fan corals in Oceanographer Canyon, one of the three deep canyons in the monument. The fan on the right has most of its polyps retracted and provides a view of the coral skeleton. (Photo: Northeast Canyons 2013 Science Team/NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program)

This Court cannot review how the President exercised the discretion that Congress granted him to designate and define national monuments in the Antiquities Act, Wood wrote. To the extent any review occurs, it must be limited to the question of whether the Presidents designation of the Monument, on its face, is authorized by the Antiquities Act.

According to E&E News, Zinke struck a more conciliatory tone with conservationists during a meeting last month. He reportedly said the Interior Department did everything it needed to do last year regarding energy development and monument reviews and isnt considering any further boundary changes unless Trump says otherwise.

Marine biologists have argued that the monument should retain its protected status partly because they are still conducting important research there. In April, scientists with the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium took a twin-engine airplane over the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument to study its wildlife for the third time since summer 2017. The researchers found dozens of dolphins swimming with schools of pilot whales. They observed endangered sperm whales, basking sharks (the worlds second-largest shark species) and the strange-looking ocean sunfish (or mola mola).

These marine biologists were most excited about spotting 13 Sowerbys beaked whales at the waters surface  a rarity given their extensive dive times. All these aerial sightings, they said, were extraordinary for such a small area and help the researchers understand how various species use the waters and coral canyons for different purposes throughout the year. The scientists say these sightings support the case for complete protection of the area.

Bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales swim in the Atlantic Ocean in 2017. (Photo: New England Aquariums Anderson Center for Ocean Life aerial survey of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument)

Ester Quintana, the lead scientist on the Anderson Cabot Centers aerial survey team, said its simply a fact that the United States is not doing a good job of protecting its oceans and that most people dont even think of these areas.

Whats interesting is that these areas are offshore. Theyre out of sight. They are not in peoples minds because you dont see them. Most people cant really go there because theyre too far away, Quintana said.

But the monument designation, she said, has called the attention of Americans to their value and the importance of conservation. The United States has the largest exclusive economic zone on the planet.

I find it interesting that theres some sort of fight to undermine the value of this protected area, when its only .1 percent of all of whats available, she said. Its mind-blowing that its such a small area and that so much attention has been given to it  in a good and bad way.

If the Trump administration proceeds, she said, it would take a while for the status of the monument to change. She expressed doubt that the monument would ever disappear completely but wouldnt be surprised if it were to shrink.

When we go out there, its just the plane and water and the animals, she said. Youre really in the middle of nowhere. I think that when you can forget about the daily problems that Im sure we all have, it helps put things in perspective, that there are things beyond our own personal needs and political views thats begging for our help.

The Massachusetts Lobstermens Association didnt respond to a request for comment.

A squat lobster, which is more closely related to hermit crabs than to true lobsters. (Photo: Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts 2014 Science Team/NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program)

Read more from Yahoo News:



Sandra Bullock and Hoda Kotb share a special connection  both agree they were destined for motherhood by adopting their children.

On Monday, Bullock sat down with the Today co-host to promote her new film, Oceans 8, and talked about becoming a mother to son Louis, 8, and daughter Laila, 5, whom the actress adopted in 2010 and 2015, respectively. So my priorities are my kids, my kids, my kids. My family. My family. Thats it, the 53-year-old actress said.

Sandra Bullock and Hoda Kobt opened up about their respective adoptive children. (Photo: Getty Images)

Bullock said that in her early 40s, she doubted that motherhood would happen for her. However, in 2005, after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, she said, I knew. Like, just something told me that my child was there [in New Orleans]. It was weird. It was very, very weird.

Sandra Bullock adopted her son Louis, now 8. (Photo: Getty Images)

Was it a gut feeling or a God feeling? asked Kotb, to which Bullock answered, I think theyre one and the same.

Bullock also described meeting her son for the first time. But then I looked at (Louis), and I just said, Oh, there you are. Its like he had always been there. Its like he fit in the crook of my arm. He looked me in the eyes, and he was just  he was wise. My child was wise. The beautiful thing that I was constantly told was: The perfect child will find you. You will find your child.'

The news anchor got it  in 2017, at age 52, Kotb adopted her daughter, Haley Joy, who was then 1 year old, inspired both by Bullock and by a photo of a young Syrian boy that had gone viral as the face of the war in Syria. And I cried and I said, You know what? If I need one more sign

Fellow celebrities have expressed comparable feelings about their adopted children. In a 2017 interview with Vanity Fair, Angelina Jolie described meeting her adopted son Maddox, now 16, in a Cambodian orphanage. While touring a room full of children, Jolie said she didnt feel a connection with any of them until she reached Maddox, who was lying in a box. Upon making eye contact with her soon-to-be child, she said, I cried and cried.

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Hoda Kobt adopted her daughter, Haley Joy, when the girl was 1 year old. (Photo: Getty Images)

Connie Britton told People of adopting her now 7-year-old son, Yoby: The second I saw his picture, I was done.  That was my son! And Meg Ryan once told Redbook of her 14-year-old adoptive daughter, Daisy: I am convinced, completely convinced, that there was nothing random about [the adoption]. She is the daughter I should have.

Some adoptive parents feel that parenthood was fate because theyre searching for evidence of their bond with a child, Katie Naftzger, a psychotherapist and author of Parenting in the Eye of the Storm: The Adoptive Parents Guide to Navigating the Teen Years, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Adoptive parents have a different journey than biological parents, so meeting their children for the first time can feel like love at first sight, almost like a religious or miraculous experience.

That doesnt always mean that adoptive parents take a tougher road than other parents  infertility, single parenting, or waiting to conceive can be universal factors. After all, a parent is a parent, no matter how it happened.

As Bullock told InStyle in May: Lets all just refer to these kids as our kids. Dont say my adopted child. No one calls their kid their IVF child or their Oh, s***, I went to a bar and got knocked-up child. Let just say our children.'

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

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Josh Holt, the U.S. citizen who returned home on May 28 after spending nearly two years in a Venezuelan jail without trial, is speaking out for the first time about the deplorable conditions he faced during his imprisonment.

Holt, a 26-year-old Mormon from Utah, was jailed in Caracus in 2016 under the false allegation that he was in possession of weapons and involved in espionage  15 days after his marriage to Thamara Caleno, a native Venezuelan. Caleno was also jailed and the pairs trial dates were regularly postponed for inexplicable reasons.

At the very beginning it was horrible. They put me in a cell that was no bigger than what a twin bed would be, he told NBCs Today show. They had covered the door with a plastic bag so I wasnt getting much air  it was super super hot. I was literally just laying in the ground in my underwear and just sweating as cockroaches were crawling all over me.

They had covered the door with a plastic bag, so I wasnt getting very much air. Josh Holt describes what life was like in a Venezuelan prison and that his room wasnt much bigger than a twin-size bed pic.twitter.com/qLBrha8Irv  TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 5, 2018

Holt also spoke out about the deplorable sanitary situation. They never took me out to go to the bathroom, so if you had to use the bathroom you either had a bottle or a newspaper. You could just choose, he said.

After their two-year ordeal, Holt and his wife arrived in Salt Lake City airport on May 28, where they were met by family and friends and received a heros welcome. They were also given medical care and visited President Donald Trump in Washington.

The treatment faced by Caleno was even worse. She was in a cell with 23 women, Holt said. They were trying to get her to go against me, [they were filling out paperwork and getting her to] sign things saying I was a bad person she didnt want to do it because she knew it was all fake, so they started to put her fingers into pencil sharpeners to take her nails off and scare her. They [also] tried to scare her with tasers.The tiny, but incredibly wealthy emirate of Qatar has been diplomatically and economically cut off by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt for one year as of Monday, with little hope of a resolution in sight.

As the Saudi-led blockade enters its second year this week, heres a closer look at how the crisis between one-time close allies escalated, and what has happened in the past 12 months.

In late May 2017, Saudi Arabia and the UAE abruptly cut off access to all Qatari mediaincluding Al Jazeeraafter the Qatar News Agency broadcast controversial comments attributed to the emirates ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Trending: Justice Department to Appeal Ruling That Says Trump Can't Block People on Twitter

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Christof Koepsel/Getty Images

The emir was reported as saying that Qatar has tensions with the administration of President Donald Trump and acknowledged that Iran is an Islamic power.

There is no wisdom in harboring hostility toward Iran," he also reportedly said during a commencement address at a military graduation, according to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya. However, Qatar quickly released a statement saying its news agency had been hacked, saying the comments had never been made.

Saudi Arabia dismissed the excuse, moving to sever all diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar in June 2017, joined by fellow Arab states the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. The Saudi-led group accused Qatar of financially supporting and harboring terrorists, issuing 13 demands to be met in order for the blockade to end. The demands were delivered via Kuwaits 88-year-old Emir Sabah IV Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who has worked to mediate the crisis.

The list, among other things, told Qatar it must curb its diplomatic relations with Iran, cut ties with designated terrorist groupssuch as the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamic State, Al Qaeda and Hezbollahshut down its state-funded media network Al Jazeera, end financial support to several other media outlets, and pay reparations for problems allegedly caused by its policies. Qatar responded by saying such demands were an assault on its sovereignty.

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Don't miss: Baby Decapitated in Breech Birth, Doctor Found at Fault

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Christof Koepsel/Getty Images

Coming just weeks after Trump s visit to Saudi Arabia in May 2017, many speculated the president had given his approval of the move. Following the decision, Trump tweeted his support of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salmans decision. However, then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson took a more neutral approach, encouraging a resolution to the crisis.

While the U.S. has a close relationship with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, it also has a military base hosting 10,000 troops located in Qatar. This base served as a central command during the start of the Iraq War in 2003.

As the rift has dragged on, Trump has taken a more conciliatory approach, encouraging dialogue between the rival states. In April, Trump also welcomed Qatars emir to the White House for talks, after previously meeting with him in New York in September 2017.

Qatars small size and a population of less than 3 millionnearly 90 percent of whom are foreign workershasnt kept it from managing to wield significant international influence. This is primarily due to its geographical location and immense wealth. The emirate boasts the worlds third-largest reserves of natural gasafter Iran and Russia as well as sizable oil fields.

Most popular: Rudy Giuliani Denies Trump Team Lied About Russia Meeting: 'I Swear To God, It Was A Mistake'

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BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Qatar has worked to invest its fund from natural gas and oil around the world. The emirate owns large stakes in New Yorks iconic Empire State Building, Londons tallest tower (The Shard), Uber and the iconic London department store Harrods. In July, about a month after the blockade began, Qatari Finance Minister Ali Sharif al-Emadi told The Times that his nation was too rich to be worried about its angry neighbors.

We have sovereign wealth funds of 250 percent of gross domestic product, we have Qatar Central Bank reserves, and we have a ministry of finance strategic reserve, Al-Emadi said. The emirate was also estimated to have the second-highest GDP per capita in the world ($124,900) in 2017, according to CIA statistics.

After one year, Qatar shows few signs of caving to the pressures of its former allies. Some have even argued the blockade has made the countrys rulers stronger and helped them shore up greater international investment.

In the year since the blockade was imposed our production of national product, including medicine and food have grown exponentially, Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah said on Sunday, according to Bloomberg.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) even forecast in March that the emirates economy will grow by 2.6 percent in 2018, up from 2.1 percent in 2017, saying the crisis has proved manageable.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekAlmost a month after vanishing from public view, first lady Melania Trump appeared Monday at a White House reception honoring Gold Star families. Her reemergence comes after weeks of rampant speculation about where shes been since undergoing surgery in mid-May.

Mondays event was not open to the press but a blurry video shared by a Daily Caller reporter appeared to show the president and the first lady walking into the reception.

First public appearance by @FLOTUS in just under a month at the Gold Star Families reception to ihht. Good to see her doing well. pic.twitter.com/p6pCB4UPbi  Jena Greene (@JenaMGreene) June 4, 2018

The first lady herself tweeted photographs showing her in the audience.

Thank you to the Gold Star families that joined us in celebration & remembrance, Trump wrote in the tweet.

Tonight @POTUS & I were honored to pay tribute to our fallen heroes. Thank you to the Gold Star families that joined us in celebration & remembrance. pic.twitter.com/6oSh1t88G7  Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) June 5, 2018

The last time the first lady participated in a public event was May 10, when she accompanied the president to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to welcome home three American hostages released by North Korea.

She was admitted to the hospital four days later to undergo surgery for a benign kidney condition. She was hospitalized for five days following the procedure.

Medical experts suggested at the time that the extended hospital stay was atypical for the procedure Trump underwent.

It may be just out of an abundance of caution and privacy, Dr. Mohamad Allaf, vice chairman of urology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told CNN. Certainly, staying a little longer may imply that this is a little bit more of a complex situation.

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Until Monday, the first lady had been out of the public eye for 25 consecutive days. It is an unusual stretch for one of the most visible women in the world and, according to historians, it is the longest break anyone has taken from the role in modern memory, reported The New York Times.

Jokes, rumors and conspiracy theories had abounded in the media and online about the first ladys possible whereabouts. She was cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller, some mused. Comedian Conan OBrien joked last week that she was hiking the Appalachian Trail with him. Missing Melania posters were plastered around New York City with the words: Have you seen this woman?

Flyers In NYC Seek Info On 'Missing' Melania Trump | Patch PM https://t.co/gFSjD5Tm9P pic.twitter.com/qB8PxInKw8  East Village Patch (@EVillagePatch) June 1, 2018

A tweet posted on the first ladys account last week tried to quell some of the rumor-mongering.

I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what Im doing, the tweet said. Rest assured, Im here [at the White House with] my family, feeling great & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!

According to CNN, President Trump joked about his wifes prolonged absence during the Gold Star reception. He said the media had speculated that the first lady may have left him, before pointing out that she was sitting in the front row.

CNN described the joke as playful, but a bit awkward given that the event was to honor military families whod lost relatives at war.

The White House said over the weekend that the first lady will not be traveling with her husband to the G7 meeting in Quebec this week or to Singapore for the June 12 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys communications director, told the Times on Monday that it was pretty typical for people to avoid travel after undergoing medical procedures.

Mrs. Trump has always been a strong and independent woman who puts her family, and certainly her health, above all else, and that wont change over a rabid press corps, Grisham said. Shes confident in what she is doing and in her role, and knows the rest is just speculation and nonsense.

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Also on HuffPost

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Ever since Facebooks (FB) massive Cambridge Analytica scandal broke, Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook has made no bones about his distaste for the social media giants mishandling of its users data.

Now, Cook and company are taking their own steps to jam up social media sites web-tracking tools by blocking them in both the upcoming macOS Mojave and iOS 12 versions of Apples Safari browser. In other words, the war of words between Facebook and Apple seems to have just gone hot.

Blocking social tracking

In Safari, enhanced Intelligent Tracking Prevention helps block social media Like or Share buttons and comment widgets from tracking users without permission, Apple said in a statement.

The move wont completely stop you from being able to use Like and Share buttons or make comments on sites using Facebook plugins on websites, but it will require you to take the extra step of confirming that you want to have Facebook share your data via a pop-up that warns of as much.

If you dont confirm you want to use the Like or Share buttons or leave a comment, they wont be able to track your data at all. This is especially important for people who dont have Facebook, but can still be tracked through these social features.

Social tracking will be curtailed in macOS Mojave and iOS 12.

Thats a big move on Apples part, and follows Cooks comments that consumers data and privacy is a civil right and human right. When he was asked how he would handle Facebooks data scandal during an interview with MSNBC, Cook he wouldnt be in this situation.

This isnt the first time that Apple has hit out at social media sites and other platforms for trafficking in users data. Cook previously expressed how Apple could easily monetize user data to make an enormous sum of cash, but chooses not to on moral grounds.

Of course, Apple has had issues of its own when it comes to how its iPhones are built.

Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg hasnt taken the criticism lying down, though. In an interview with Vox, he called Cooks comments extremely glib and said that if you are going to build a service that connects people around the world, some of whom cant afford to pay, an advertising-based model is the only way to go.

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Stopping fingerprinting

Apple isnt just hitting back at social media sites  the company is also making it harder for advertiser networks to track users based on the kinds of devices they use. Called fingerprinting, this technique allows advertisers to track web users based on the machine they use, the kinds of fonts they use and legacy plug-ins they use.

Apple says that these kinds of indicators can make it easy for advertisers to accurately track users across multiple sites and get a better picture of who you are. With the macOS Mojave version of Safari, though, Apple is making it harder for advertisers to see who you are and what you like.

Its a move that will surely make privacy advocates happy, but will raise the ire of your advertisers and advertiser-supported businesses.

More from Dan:

Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@oath.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley. Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedInWashington (AFP) - An Arizona man who committed suicide Monday evening after being tracked down by police officers is suspected of killing six people linked to his contentious divorce.

Investigators established that Dwight Jones, 56, had a link to his victims as a result of divorce proceedings almost a decade ago.

The first murder, committed Thursday afternoon, saw a prominent psychiatrist and legal expert named Steven Pitt shot in front of his Phoenix office.

Pitt, a world-renowned forensic psychiatrist, had been charged with carrying out a psychological evaluation of Jones, Scottsdale police chief Richard Slavin told a press conference Monday.

The doctor had also worked on a number of high-profile cases, including the murder of child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey in 1996, and the Columbine school shooting in 1999.

On Friday, police were called to a law office where two employees in their 50s -- Valeria Sharp and Laura Anderson -- had been shot dead.

They found the same gun had been used in all three killings.

Dwight's ex-wife had been represented by one of the firm's lawyers, who was not in the office that day.

The following night, marriage counsellor Marshall Levine's body was discovered. Authorities established that Jones' son had seen a specialist who shared Levine's office for a consultation.

By combining DNA analysis, field investigations and shooting expertise, police then identified Jones, 56, as the prime suspect.

"He had a divorce situation back in 2009 and 2010. And during all of that time he was related to all the victims in some way," Slavin said.

That kickstarted a huge manhunt involving forces across the region -- with officers locating Jones at a hotel close to Scottsdale, a suburb of Phoenix, on Monday evening.

After opening fire on officers -- causing no injuries -- Jones turned the gun on himself.

Police added that during initial surveillance, Jones was seen dumping a handgun stolen from a resident of Fountain Hills.

That resident was later found dead at his home in the Phoenix suburb alongside a woman, bringing Jones' total suspected killings to six.By Colin Packham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Tuesday criticized China for pressuring Qantas Airways Ltd to change its website to refer to Taiwan as a Chinese territory, in comments likely to ramp up tensions between the two countries. Qantas said on Monday it had decided to comply with a request from Beijing to remove references on their websites or in other material that suggest Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are part of countries independent from China. Australia's government already adheres to the one-China policy, which means it does not recognize Taiwan as a country. However, Bishop said in an emailed statement that how Qantas structured its website was a matter for the company. "Private companies should be free to conduct their usual business operations free from political pressure of governments," she said. Her comments were later echoed by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Defense Minister Marise Payne, who said businesses should make their own decisions. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she had noted Bishop's comments but that she was not sure what Bishop was trying to say. "Because there is only one China in the world. Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau have always been part of China this is an objective fact and a matter of international consensus," Hua told a daily news briefing. "When it comes to a matter like this it is not a procedural or technical issue but a major political issue," she said. Self-ruled and democratic Taiwan is claimed by Beijing as a Chinese territory, and has become one of China's most sensitive issues and a potential military flashpoint. Hong Kong and Macau are former European colonies that are now part of China but run largely autonomously. Sino-Australian relations have soured in recent months, just two years into a free trade pact after Canberra accused Beijing of interfering in its domestic affairs. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull referenced "disturbing reports of Chinese meddling" when he announced plans in late 2017 to introduce tough new legislation to limit foreign influence, including a ban on offshore political donations. China denied the allegations, and lodged a formal diplomatic protest. Despite sustained Australian lobbying, the row intensified last month when Australia's Treasury Wine Estates Ltd, the world's biggest listed winemaker, said it faced delays at Chinese customs and Canberra said "four or five" other wine exporters had since experienced similar problems. Before the latest comments, analysts had suggested Australia may be forced into offering a concession to Beijing, such as allowing Huawei Technologies Co Ltd [HWT.UL] to bid to build the country's 5G telecommunications network. Such a move would mark a significant about-turn after Canberra banned the Chinese company from bidding to build Australia's broadband network in 2012, citing concerns over Huawei's rumored close ties to China's government. Australia has yet to rule Huawei out of the running, and the Chinese firm has ramped up public lobbying. "Companies like Huawei are privately owned, not owned by any committee or any government, and should be looked at and put into a competitive tendering," John Lord, chairman of Huawei's Australia unit, told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio on Monday. (Reporting by Colin Packham; Additional reporting by Philip Wen in Beijing; Editing by Sam Holmes, Richard Pullin and Michael Perry)ZURICH (Reuters) - Austria's vice chancellor and leader of the country's far-right Freedom Party called for ending the European Union's sanctions against Russia, days before he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin during a trip to Vienna. Heinz-Christian Strache, whose pro-Moscow party is junior partner to Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's conservatives, has said in the past he did not favor EU sanctions against Moscow over its backing of rebels in Ukraine. In an interview with the newspaper Oesterreich printed on Sunday, he sharpened his tone. "It is high time to put an end to these exasperating sanctions and normalize political and economic relations with Russia," he was quoted as saying. The United States, the EU and other countries imposed sanctions on Russia after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. But unlike most western European countries, Austria did not expel Russian diplomats over the poisoning in Britain of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Austria's coalition government says it wants to act as a bridge between east and west, while Kurz has stressed its pro-EU stance is secure. Strache's remarks come as a European diplomatic push to address the conflict in eastern Ukraine gain pace. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has invited his counterparts from France, Russia and Ukraine for a meeting in Berlin on June 11 to discuss the conflict. Maas said last week he was unaware of any discussion within the EU on lifting the sanctions. Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine have previously held talks in an effort to end the fighting in Ukraine, which has killed more than 10,000 people despite a notional ceasefire. (Reporting by Michael Shields, editing by Larry King)Dubai (AFP) - A Bahraini appeals court on Tuesday upheld a five-year jail sentence in a case against high-profile activist Nabeel Rajab linked to social media, a rights group and family member said.

Rajab, a leading figure in 2011 protests against the Gulf state's Sunni-minority monarchy, was convicted of insulting the state, "deliberately disseminating ... false or malicious news" and "publicly offending a foreign country", a reference to Saudi Arabia.

The charges are linked to tweets and retweets made via Rajab's account and critical of the Saudi-led coalition, including Bahrain, fighting in Yemen in support of its beleaguered government since 2015.

He also tweeted criticism of the Bahraini government's treatment of prisoners.

Tuesday's verdict, reported by the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy and confirmed to AFP by a family member of Rajab, can still be appealed at Bahrain's Court of Cassation, its highest court.

Rights groups were swift to condemn the verdict, with Amnesty International describing it as "outrageous" and calling for Rajab's immediate release.

"The Bahraini Court of Appeal has missed a vital opportunity to do the right thing and set Nabeel Rajab free," said Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty's director of Middle East research.

"His ongoing detention is further proof of the Bahraini authorities' relentless determination to squash the right to freedom of expression... It is absolutely outrageous that he has to spend another single day behind bars solely for expressing his opinion online."

The International Federation for Human Rights said the conviction showed Rajab was "a political prisoner, subject to degrading treatment and who has to be silenced at any price".

Bahrain, a Shiite-majority country located between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been ruled for more than two centuries by the Al-Khalifa dynasty.

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Authorities have jailed dozens of high-profile activists and disbanded both religious and secular opposition groups since protests demanding political change erupted in 2011.

They have stripped hundreds of those convicted of their citizenship, leaving many stateless.

The Bahraini government has accused Iranian authorities of backing the protest movement in a bid to overthrow it.

Tehran denies involvement.

Amnesty has categorised Rajab as a prisoner of conscience, and leading rights groups around the world have condemned his trials as an attack on freedom of expression.

Rajab is already serving a two-year sentence for "disseminating rumours and false information" in television interviews critical of the government.

He has served multiple stints in prison since 2012, all linked to his role in the protests.

Bahrain, playing a key military role in the Gulf, is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and a British military base.

US President Donald Trump has eased restrictions on arms sales to Bahrain since taking office in January last year.Brussels (AFP) - Police from across Belgium will pay tribute on Tuesday to two female officers killed in a shooting claimed by the Islamic State group in Liege last week.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michelwill attend the funerals for Lucile Garcia, 54, and Soraya Belkacemi, 44, who were posthumously awarded Belgium's highest civilian decoration.

"Beyond Liege there is a whole integrated police force that is bruised. No words are sufficient enough to describe the emotion of all our colleagues," the Liege police force said.

Garcia, 54, had recently become a grandmother while Belkacemi, 44, was a mother to 13-year-old twins.

On Monday, several hundred people turned out for the funeral of attacker Benjamin Herman's third victim, student Cyril Vangriecken.

Friends and family of the 22-year-old walked behind the hearse dressed in white through the streets of Vottem near Liege ahead of the funeral, also attended by Michel.

The funerals follow Sunday's procession of nearly 3,000 people who marched to the scene of the attack and laid white roses in memory of the three victims.

Herman carried out his rampage on May 29, repeatedly stabbing Garcia and Belkacemi with a knife before taking their service pistols and shooting them.

He then killed Vangriecken who sat in the passenger seat of a parked car.

The attacker went on to hole up in a nearby school, briefly taking a cleaner hostage before bursting out to confront police and being killed in a hail of bullets.

Belgian police who are treating the murders as a terrorist attack have identified Herman as a drifter who spent a decade in and out of prison for acts of violence and petty crimes.

The Islamic State group claimed one of its "soldiers" was responsible for the latest attack, through its Amaq propaganda agency.

IS said "he led the attack in response to calls to target the countries of the US-led international coalition," which is fighting the jihadist group, mainly in Syria.

Prosecutors confirmed that Herman's method of assault was a known "modus operandi" of IS, which also claimed deadly attacks in Brussels in 2016.

Amateur footage obtained by AFP showed the gunman shouting "Allahu akbar" (Arabic for "God is greatest") as he walked through the streets during the rampage.Commencement speakers for the graduating class of 2018 have raised the bar. They inspired, encouraged, and offered valuable life lessons for students. If you missed the speeches, dont worry: Weve got this year's highlights here. Seniors of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School got a surprise at their graduation on June 3. One of late-nights biggest stars, Jimmy Fallon, delivered the commencement speech at the Parkland, Fla., school  where a gunman killed 17 people on Feb. 14. Choose to move forward. Dont let anything stop you, Fallon said. The moment was bittersweet for graduates. Four of their classmates who would have graduated died during the shooting. Each of their names was called at the graduation ceremony, and family members accepted the diplomas for their lost loved ones. Fallon offered words of encouragement: When something feels hard, remember that it gets better. To the schools activists he heaped praise: Thank you for your courage and your bravery and for giving amazing speeches I could never possibly live up to. Having Oprah Winfrey deliver a speech at your graduation is a big deal! Her last speech at the Golden Globes in January drew national attention and sparked rumors she was considering running in the 2020 presidential election. Twitter went wild praising the media mogul for her powerful words. On May 11, she spoke to the graduating class of the University of Southern Californias Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and her message was just as strong: Use this moment to encourage you, to embolden you, and to literally push you into the rising of your life. When actor Chadwick Boseman, aka Black Panther, took the stage at Howard University, he commanded attention. Not only does he have one of the biggest superhero movies of all time, but he also has the power to really inspire. Boseman delivered his speech on May 12 at his alma mater (he graduated in 2000) and urged students to pursue life with passion and purpose. Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose, Boseman said. He ended his inspirational speech with a Wakanda forever salute and the words Howard forever. On May 12, Academy Award winner Michael Keaton addressed the graduating class of Kent State University, reminding them to be yourself. He then took the opportunity to deliver two very important words: Im Batman. Talk about the perfect ending.The President is about to be impeached. A progressive Southerner with a common touch, hes squaring off against a conservative House that is determined to remove him from office. Savagery in the quest for power is older than the Bible, he gripes, but some of my opponents really hate my guts.

Its hard to miss the parallels between the fictional President Jonathan Duncan and a certain co-author of The President Is Missing, a new thriller out June 4 by James Patterson and former President Bill Clinton. Clinton faced his own impeachment scandal in the 1990s, in the aftermath of his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky (during the press tour for this book, Clinton said he has not and will not privately apologize to Lewinsky). Duncans trouble stems from nobler circumstances, involving a risky foreign policy maneuver meant to stave off an attempted cyberattack on the U.S. Set over five days, the story weaves through clandestine meetings between heads of state, the movements of a classical-music-obsessed international assassin and a lot of gunfire as the Commander in Chief goes undercover to save the country.

Pattersonthe best-selling author in the world, most famous for his mysteries and thrillerslinked up with Clinton at the suggestion of their mutual agent, according to a spokesperson at Knopf, which is co-publishing the book with Pattersons longtime publisher Little, Brown and Co. The authors, both of whom favor writing in longhand, spent a year passing handwritten drafts back and forth. The publishers have ordered a first print run of 1 million copiesmore than double the already considerable amount for a typical Patterson release.

The pages of The President Is Missing are filled with the classic tropes of a big commercial thriller, from ticking countdown clocks and Hollywood-worthy disguises to clipped prose that ratchets up the suspense. But the authors resist pure escapism: this novel is rife with political statements.

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Preaching about truth in politics or suggesting basic policy prescriptions for veterans care, police violence and immigration sometimes make what should be a light summer read feel more like a campaign platform. But the plot is nothing if not timely. Russia gets chastised for election meddling, and Duncan warns of the dangers of false equivalency in reporting. When you find a mountain to expose in one person or party, you have to pick a molehill on the other side and make it into a mountain to avoid being accused of bias, he says. Its a line ripped from the headlines, and one with personal resonance for Clinton: false equivalency was a complaint frequently lodged by the left about the medias treatment of Hillary Clinton in her 2016 race against President Donald Trump.

Its the tantalizing presence of Clintons pen that drives the most compelling feature of the book: the meta-mystery of which parts he may have written. Duncan curses the impeachment witch hunt engineered by the wickedly selfinterested House Speaker. He criticizes how sensational sells over factual in news. He bemoans that there is no trust anymore amid the bitter partisanship dividing the country. Its tempting to think that this could be the real Clinton venting through the pages of his first novelor perhaps that a particular former presidential candidate may have peeked over his shoulder as he wrote.

Behind the shield of fiction, what secret truths might Clinton be revealing about the life of a President in crisis? During President Duncans high-stakes adventure, he encounters his chief of staffs husband after a particularly dangerous scrape. It sounds like you have quite a story to tell, the man says, noting Duncans haggard appearance. But Ill never hear a word of it. The pleasure of this book is in imagining the wild tales Clinton might disclose about his own years as President, if only he could.Scott Disick and Sofia Richie quash breakup rumors as they leave Nobu Malibu together on June 4, 2018. (Photo: Backgrid)

Despite multiple reports claiming Scott Disick and Sofia Richie split, the couple proved today that they are still a thing. Cheating rumors be damned!

Disick, 35, and the 19-year-old model clearly wanted to be photographed together as they stepped out for lunch on Monday at famed paparazzi haunt Nobu Malibu. They left in the same car.

In case it wasnt obvious, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star wanted to make it clear that he and Richie were still dating. Disick uploaded a screen shot of a TMZ article saying they were still together on his Instagram story, writing over it, We had no idea we even broke up but thanks for thinking of us.

Photo: Instagram via Scott Disick

People, E!, TMZ, and Us Weekly were just a handful of outlets reporting that Lionel Richies daughter dumped Disick after he was photographed getting too close to a woman at Kanye Wests album listening party last week. There was also buzz that he was unfaithful during a recent trip to Miami.

Sofia has moved out of Scotts house, a source told People. She has been living at Lionels house for the past couple of days. She is looking for her own place.

However, the insider predicted that the two would reconcile. Theyve broken up multiple times since they started dating and always ended up back together, the source explained. No one would be surprised if theyre out again together in a few days or weeks.

Aside from his wandering eye, Disicks partying supposedly became an issue again. Kourtney Kardashians ex has documented his sobriety struggles on the E! show.

Richie apparently felt pressured to dump her boyfriend of a year due to pressure from her famous father. Were not so sure the American Idol judge is going to be too thrilled about this latest update.

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:By Sharon Bernstein and Joseph Ax SACRAMENTO, Calif./PRINCETON, N.J. (Reuters) - Voters in eight U.S. states will select candidates for November's midterm elections on Tuesday, with Democrats eyeing more than a dozen Republican-controlled seats in California and New Jersey as crucial to the fight to control Congress. Democrats need to add a net total of 23 of the U.S. House of Representatives 435 seats to gain a majority in the chamber. Doing so would likely derail or stall much of Republican President Donald Trumps policy agenda, while ushering a new era of committee oversight and investigation into the administration. A power shift would also lend strength to any potential effort to impeach Trump if Democrats decide grounds exist, either by virtue of the ongoing probe of Russia election interference by special counsel Robert Mueller or other reasons. In California, which Democrats see as key to taking a majority, the party has targeted 10 of the 14 House seats held by Republicans. Tuesday's contests will determine whether Democratic candidates in the swing districts are moderate or more liberal, as well as whether they are shut out of some races altogether. The state's so-called jungle primary system allows the two highest vote-getters to advance to the general election, regardless of party. The battle for the top spots is particularly dramatic in the 48th Congressional District, where voters chose Democrat Hillary Clinton over Trump in the 2016 presidential election but re-elected longtime Republican Representative Dana Rohrabacher. So many Democrats are vying to challenge Rohrabacher that there is a chance they will divide their party's vote, setting up a general election fight between the incumbent and a leading Republican opponent, Scott Baugh. In California's gubernatorial primary, Democratic Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom is considered the front-runner in a 27-candidate race for an open seat. If Republican John Cox wins the second spot on the ballot, his presence in the race could spur Republican turnout in November and possibly improve the party's chances in congressional races. Trump in a series of Tuesday tweets backed Republican candidates. "In High Tax, High Crime California, be sure to get out and vote for Republican John Cox for Governor. He will make a BIG difference!" Trump tweeted. But if Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa, a former mayor of Los Angeles, makes the final cut, Republican leaders worry more of their voters will stay home in November, giving Democrats a better chance to flip some seats. Republicans control both chambers of Congress. While Democrats need only a net total of two seats to take command of the Senate, Democratic senators must defend a bevy of seats in rural states such as Indiana, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia that supported Trump two years ago. Still, the transfer of control of only one of the chambers likely would be enough to send the federal government into legislative gridlock for the remaining two years of Trumps term. After California, perhaps no state is more crucial to Democratic hopes of taking back the House than New Jersey. All but one of its five Republican-held House seats are considered competitive and anger at Trump may be particularly potent in the states many suburbs. The retirements of longtime Republican congressmen Rodney Frelinghuysen and Frank LoBiondo have put two reliably Republican districts in the Democrats crosshairs. "I don't think the Democrats can take the House without New Jersey," said Brigid Harrison, a political science professor at Montclair State University. Healthcare has taken center stage in Iowa's gubernatorial race, where Democratic challengers have criticized Republican Governor Kim Reynolds for supporting the states privatization of Medicaid. Voters on Tuesday also will choose candidates in primaries in Mississippi, Alabama, Montana, South Dakota and New Mexico. (Reporting by Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, California, and Joseph Ax in Princeton, New Jersey; Additional reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Cynthia Osterman)Berlin (AFP) - Leading politicians of Germany's left-wing parties on Tuesday called for the US ambassador to be expelled, after the staunch defender of Donald Trump was accused of meddling in domestic politics and aggravating already tense ties.

Richard Grenell had taken up his diplomatic posting on May 8, and immediately sparked an uproar when he tweeted on the same day that German companies should stop doing business with Iran as Trump quit the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.

He stoked further outrage over the weekend with his reported comments of his ambition to "empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders".

Grenell also raised eyebrows with his plan to host Austria's conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz -- who the US envoy describes as a "rock star", for lunch on June 13.

"What this man is doing, is unheard of in international diplomacy," Martin Schulz, former chief of the Social Democratic Party, told national news agency DPA.

"If a German ambassador were to say in Washington that he is there to boost the Democrats, he would have been kicked out immediately.

"I hope that the Kurz visit leads to Mr Grenell's short tenure as ambassador in Germany," added Schulz, who also wrote on Twitter that the envoy did not behave like a diplomat but like a "far-right colonial officer".

Amid the row, Germany's foreign ministry is seeking clarification from Grenell about his comments, a topic that will be raised at a pre-arranged meeting scheduled for Wednesday between the envoy and state secretary Andreas Michaelis.

But the opposition far-left Linke party's chief Sahra Wagenknecht said Berlin would do better to immediately expel Grenell rather than invite him in for talks.

"Someone like US ambassador Richard Grenell, who thinks he can lord over Europe and determine who is governing here, he can no longer stay in Germany as a diplomat," Wagenknecht told Die Welt daily.

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"If the government takes the democratic sovereignty of our country seriously, then it shouldn't just invite Grenell to a chat over coffee, but expel him immediately," she added.

The controversy surrounding Grenell comes as Germany and the United States are experiencing less than cosy ties after Trump ditched the Iran nuclear deal and imposed punishing tariffs on European aluminium and steel.

Underlining the souring transatlantic relationship, Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that Europe can no longer rely on the US to protect it, but stressed that the continent must "take its destiny in its own hands".Todd Fisher is opening up about his girls  sister Carrie and mother Debbie Reynolds  in a new memoir.

In My Girls: A Lifetime With Carrie and Debbie, Todd details anecdotes about the important women in his life and their final days, in December 2016. He debunks the notion that Reynolds died from a broken heart  rather that she willed herself to die so Carrie wouldnt be alone.

The common theory about Moms passing was that, after losing Carrie, Debbie Reynolds died of a broken heart, he writes, as excerpted by the Daily Mail. Take it from the son who was there, who knew her better than anyone else on earth  thats simply not true. Debbie Reynolds willed herself right off this planet to personally see to it that Carrie would never be alone.

The Star Wars actress died at age 60 after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles. The coroner said her death was due to a combination of factors including sleep apnea and other conditions: atherosclerotic heart disease, drug use. Reynolds suffered a stroke and died one day after her daughter.

Todd Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, and Carrie Fisher in 2015. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Todd Fisher says that ever since birth, his mother never wanted Carrie to be alone.

That had been her driving force all of Carries life, including having me so that Carrie wouldnt be an only child, and it continued to be her driving force when Carrie left, he says, noting that Reynolds told him I want to be with Carrie before she died.

As with any family, there were sibling spats. One of their last disagreements was about a 60th birthday party Reynolds was throwing Carrie against her daughters wishes. Todd sided with his mom and told Carrie to return to L.A. from London for the bash. Typical Todd, doing Moms bidding, and to hell with what anyone else wants or feels, he recounts Carrie saying.

Carrie reluctantly returned to L.A. for the party.

Finally it was just Carrie and me, alone in the house, after an evening of paying little or no attention to each other. I was surprised to see that she was in tears. I cant do this, she said. I cant have this tension between us,' he recalls. She went on to talk about the fact that a day would come when Mom would be gone, when it would be just the two of us, and we were going to need each other more than we ever had in our lives.

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He adds: Carrie was my girl, and no matter how much we fought or how pissed off we might get at each other, nothing would or could ever change that. Were good, I said.

That November 2016 birthday party ended up being the last time he ever saw his sister.

Todd says he knew about Carries substance-abuse struggles throughout her life, even taking her to the emergency room on several occasions from drug overdoses. She was self-medicating, he says. Thats what was keeping her in balance. The idea that, at any moment, she could lose control was always a real threat.

The book also touches on Carries affair with Harrison Ford. The actress detailed the long-rumored romance in her book The Princess Diarist prior to her death. Ford, 33 at the time, was married to Mary Marquardt and had two children  Carrie was 19. It was so intense, she told People. It was Han and Leia during the week, and Carrie and Harrison during the weekend.

Carrie Fisher and Harrison ford in Star Wars. (Photo: Everett Collection)

According to Todd, his mom had no idea about the affair, learning of the news right before Carrie was about to share it with the world. Reynolds urged Carrie to keep the story private  and it is an admission Carrie ended up regretting. After the romance made headlines, Carrie apparently told her mom, Youre right; I shouldnt have told that story.'

Todd Fishers new memoir. (Photo: HarperCollins)

My Girls: A Lifetime With Carrie and Debbie is out today.





Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:Eric Trump, middle son of President Trump, had many people rolling their eyes this week after he complained about his fathers  and the Trump familys  quality of life since his father decided to enter politics.

Talking to Westchester Magazine, the businessman noted precisely when everything changed for the Trumps.

My fathers life became exponentially worse the minute he decided to run for president, Trump told the magazine. He didnt need to do this, but he was immensely frustrated with where the country was going. There would be far fewer headaches if it werent for politics.

Trumps wife, Lara Trump, added that some of her family members pine for the old days.

The interview left a sour taste with many people who, in fact, agree with Trump assessment, in so far as they feel that their own lives have become exponentially worse since Trump Sr. made his foray into politics.

The online trolling began immediately. Leading the charge was model Chrissy Teigen, who mockingly, and savagely, said that she could relate to the Trumps.

ours too! finally, something in common. https://t.co/TwXTVfYUZG  christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) June 4, 2018

Others chimed in, applauding Teigens simple, yet brutal, rebuttal, and agreeing with the wife of musician John Legend and mother of two. They, too, pine for the old days, when the Trump family was far from Washington.

He could MAGA by leaving  Anita Fletcher (@Qnofcomd) June 4, 2018

Dear @EricTrump, the lives of all 7/BN+ people on the planet became exponentially more difficult the day your Dad became president. Sincerely, All the people on the planet (seriously, ALL of us)  Julia Hill (@jmkhill2004) June 5, 2018

A hell of a lot of peoples lives got exponentially worse the minute your father decided to run for President, @EricTrump. The difference is that he had a choice and still does. You get NO sympathy.  Verity Pace (@VerityPace) June 5, 2018

Poor Trump. Theres no shame in resigning Donny! You do whats right for you! We the people understand.  Amanda Webb (@TreatMeRight84) June 4, 2018

@EricTrump I can assure you the life of the American people has become "exponentially worse" since the election of @realDonaldTrump and I will guarantee you we got the raw end of that deal  you want to make Trump's life better encourage all voters to vote BLUE in November !!!  Matthew Scherer (@mscherer0902) June 5, 2018

He could quit! Go back to the good life!  Demian Cordova (@SuperDemC) June 4, 2018

To Eric Trump . Tell your father to #resign. Improve his lifeand the world's.Make America Sane Again. MASA.  LaNuevaMejicana (@Uhuruhsiempre) June 4, 2018

Was thinking the same thing when I saw that headline  Judith (@JudithinDayton) June 4, 2018

Someone tell Eric Trump our lives became infinitely worse when his father ran and became president  Jon Vespasian (@JonVespasian) June 4, 2018

Watch: Twitter blasts Trump Jr. for saying Bill Clinton is claiming victimhood for Monica Lewinsky affair

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Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:By Rich McKay (Reuters) - More than 1,000 evacuees from a wildfire in northern New Mexico were allowed to return home on Monday, a day after showers helped quell part of the blaze, but a second, smaller fire in neighboring Colorado continued to rage largely unchecked. The two fires, burning about 250 miles (400 km) apart in the Four Corners region of the American Southwest, have blackened nearly 39,000 acres combined since last Thursday, federal fire officials said. Rain on Sunday helped firefighters in subduing the eastern flank of the so-called Ute Park Fire in New Mexico, leading authorities to lift evacuation orders for the 1,110 residents of Cimarron, a frontier-style town about 80 miles (130 km) northeast of Santa Fe, the state capital. About 75 people from the small nearby community of Ute Park, near the Colorado border, remained under a mandatory evacuation on Monday, said Judith Dyess, spokeswoman for the multi-agency Southwest Incident Management Team managing the blaze. "The rains came, and we're glad of it," Dyess said. "But it didn't do it." The fire's western edge was still burning out of control, she said. About 36,000 acres (14,569 hectares) of drought-parched grasslands and timber have gone up in flames since the Ute Park blaze erupted on Thursday. By early Monday, fire crews had managed to carve containment lines around 23 percent of the blaze, up from zero containment on Sunday morning. To the northeast in Durango, Colorado, a blaze dubbed the 416 Fire had spread across some 2,400 acres (971 hectares) by Monday evening. About 825 homes there remained under evacuation, according to La Plata County spokeswoman Megan Graham. The Colorado blaze, which began on Friday, stood at just 10-percent containment by Monday morning, officials said. The causes of both fires were unknown and under investigation. No injuries or property losses were reported from either. But the New Mexico fire brought some anxious moments late last week in Cimarron, the village's clerk-administrator, Shawn Jeffrey, told Reuters by telephone. She described Cimarron as an "Old West town" complete with a hotel that claims to be haunted. Jeffrey was among the few who stayed behind to keep city hall open. The fire crept to within 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of the village, she said. "I'd say it was awfully scary," she said. "North of town, you could see a wall of red glow." Cimarron lies about 140 miles (225 km) northeast of Albuquerque, the state's largest city. Ute Park is about 10 miles (16 km) west of Cimarron. The nearby Santa Fe National Forest was closed to the public indefinitely on Friday in a rare measure prompted by the heightened fire risk from prolonged drought. (Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Additional reporting by Bernie Woodall in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Editing by Frank McGurty, Sandra Maler and Paul Tait)Prague (AFP) - Thousands of Czechs protested across the EU country on Tuesday against the communist party as it was poised to play a role in government, albeit an informal one, for the first time since communism fell in 1989.

The communists are expected to throw their tacit support behind populist billionaire Andrej Babis, due to be appointed as prime minister on Wednesday for a second time after failing to win a confidence vote in parliament in January.

With 78 seats in the 200-member parliament, Babis's ANO (YES) party is expected to formally partner with the 15-seat CSSD coalition and rely on the 15-seat KSCM communists to make up the rest.

"I read a lot about the communist era and I oppose communists returning," high school student Jana Homolkova told AFP on the sidelines of a rally organised by in the heart of Prague by the "Million moments for democracy" NGO.

Protesters noted that President Milos Zeman, a former communist who makes no secret of his pro-Russia and pro-China views, is due to tap Babis, also an ex-communist, but one who went on to amass a fortune as a food, chemicals and media tycoon.

"Tomorrow will be a tragic day for Czech democracy," said Jiri Pospisil, the leader of the rightwing party TOP 09 party in front of some 10,000 protesters in Prague, according to an estimate by AFP.

"Zeman and Babis, this country isn't yours!", "Stop the communist criminal ideology!", "No more communism!", were just some of the posters touted by protesters in Prague.

They also waved portraits of the estimated 4,500 victims of the former totalitarian regime before 1989.

Similar rallies were also held in no less than 200 Czech towns and villages.

Babis's ANO (YES) won last October's general election campaigning on an anti-corruption ticket, but potential coalitions partners snubbed him over criminal charges for alleged EU subsidy fraud which he has flatly denied.

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Babis has been governing as a caretaker prime minister since the failed confidence vote in January.

The KSCM communist party has signalled it will back him in a confidence vote this time around in exchange for positions in large state-owned enterprises.

It will thus have a key role, albeit informally, in forming the government for the first time since the 1989 Velvet Revolution led by Vaclav Havel that peacefully swept away communism in then Czechoslovakia.An Israeli cabinet minister has dismissed the casualties inflicted on Palestinian protesters by Israeli troops in Gaza in recent weeks, claiming that the death toll alone does not explain what is happening in the coastal enclave.

Minister of Construction Yoav Gallant told foreign reporters Tuesday that by focusing on the number of people killed and wounded along the Gaza-Israel border, the international community is playing into the hands of Hamas, the Associated Press reported.

More than 115 Palestinians have been killed and thousands injured by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers since a round of protests began on March 30. More than half of the dead were killed on May 14 as demonstrations coincided with the opening of the new American embassy in Jerusalem.

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REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Protesters have been calling for the right to return to the lands they and their families left or were forced from during the creation of Israel in 1948. Organizers are also calling for the lifting of an 11-year blockade on the Strip by Israel and Egypt, which has crippled the local economy and precipitated a dire humanitarian crisis.

Israel claims the blockade is needed to degrade the military capabilities of Hamas, who it says is using the protests along the fence as cover to plan and launch attacks on Israeli positions. Many of those killed have been members of Hamas, though the group says they were attending the protests of their own accord rather than as operatives.

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The IDF claims only those who pose a threat to the border fence or its soldiers have been killed. Officials cited burning tires, rocks, fire bombs tied to kites and improvised explosive devices used by some demonstrators as proof that the movement is not peaceful. The fire bombs are estimated to have caused around $1.4 million in damage to farmland near the Gaza fence since the end of March.

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Israel has been criticized for allowing an open-fire policy to deal with the protesters, the vast majority of which have been unarmed and have not posed a serious threat to IDF troops. But Gallant warned the world not to calculate who is right and who is wrong by the numbers of the casualties.

In the Second World War, 7.5 million Germans were killed and only 500,000 British, he continued. So who was the aggressor, the Germans or the British? The issue is not the numbers. The issue is who is doing what.

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REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Gallant said Israeli soldiers fired at protesters legs to try and minimize the number of deaths, though there have been many reports of unarmed demonstratorsincluding journalists and medical workersbeing shot in the head and neck. Many of those injured and killed were reportedly hundreds of meters from the border fence.

Though Gallant admitted that mistakes have been made due to uneven terrain and large crowds, he defended the use of lethal force, claiming that rubber bullets and other non-lethal methods have proved ineffective at stopping those trying to breach the border fence.

Renewed protests were arranged for June 5 to mark Naksa Daythe anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War in which Israel captured parts of Jordan and Egypt, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. The marches were cancelled in lieu of demonstrations set for the end of this week, coinciding with the last Friday of Ramadan. Extra troops are being deployed along the border in case large-scale demonstrations break out.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekBeirut (AFP) - Seven years after giving birth to Syria's revolt, the country's south looks set to fall back into regime hands likely through a rare consensus emerging among rival powers.

The government has regained control of much of Syria with Russian backing, and a win in the south would cap a string of victories this year.

Its strategic value comes from geography: the south borders Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, but also lies close to Damascus.

As a result, it's a prized region for nearly all stakeholders in Syria's warped war: the regime and rebels, plus Iran, Jordan, Israel, Russia, and the United States.

Typically bitterly divided over Syria, most of those powers seem to agree on a government comeback in the southern provinces of Daraa and Quneitra.

"The southern front is the first example of international consensus for the regime's return," says Nawar Oliver of the Turkey-based Omran Institute.

The government has amassed troops in Daraa and Quneitra for weeks and dropped leaflets over Daraa city, the cradle of the 2011 revolt, demanding rebels give up.

Oliver says the south may fall without a fight.

"It's clear there's a consensus between powers -- the Americans, the Israelis, the Jordanians and the Russians -- that the better choice is for regime forces to deploy there without entering into a military operation," he tells AFP.

Rebels still hold most of Daraa and Quneitra, but pro-regime forces, including around 500 Iranian military advisers and members of Lebanese movement Hezbollah, are deployed elsewhere in the south.

- 'Sentinel' in the south -

The strange aligning-of-the-stars over southern Syria is the product of talks led by Moscow, which has leveraged military support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad into a mediator role.

It called last week for urgent negotiations with the US and Jordan on the south, and on Thursday President Vladimir Putin discussed Syria with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Israel sees the south's fate in virtually existential terms, seeking to roll back its arch-nemesis Iran from Syria's border with the occupied Golan.

"International powers have reached near-consensus on the Damascus regime's return to Syria's south, with its Iranian ally distanced from the border," says Sam Heller of the International Crisis Group.

Perhaps in exchange the regime may be allowed to exert control over the neighbouring province of Daraa.

"But some parties don't trust the regime to rein in its Iranian ally and commit to distancing it from this sensitive area," says Heller.

Last month, Israel conducted unprecedented strikes on what it said were Tehran's installations in Syria, accusing Iranian fighters there of firing rockets at the Golan.

"The whole point of the Israeli zone in Quneitra is to provide sentinel on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights," says Nicholas Heras of the Center for a New American Security.

Iran, in return, would ask for "freedom of movement along the land route from Tehran to Beirut," says Oliver.

That land bridge remains a major concern for both Israel and the US, as it allows Iran to supply Hezbollah in Lebanon.

- 'Win without war' -

Russia is also seeking to appease Jordan, which hosts 660,000 Syrian refugees.

Moscow, Amman, and Washington announced a ceasefire in southern Syria last year that Heras says was a precursor to the upcoming deal.

"The dirty, not-so-secret, secret is that the US government believed from day one that the southwest Syria de-escalation zone was just an interim step toward a broader deal with Russia," says Heras.

With a regime offensive looming, Russian-led talks are Jordan's "last, best hope" to avoid a new refugee influx, he adds.

Amman could also gain from renewed trade through southern Syria if the Nassib border point is reopened.

"The Jordanians need Assad to win without war, and that is exactly what Russia is offering with the reconciliation process," Heras says.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem hinted a deal was in the works on Saturday, but introduced yet another condition: the withdrawal of US-led forces from their eastern Syria base.

Back in Daraa, civilians watch apprehensively as world powers piece together the puzzle.

"The way the media is reporting it, the regime sent reinforcements and wants to storm Daraa, and foreign countries hold daily meetings," says Daraa resident Ahmad Abu Hazem.

"Meanwhile, people have no idea what'll happen."

Rebels, too, appear to have been left out.

"We were not consulted when the de-escalation deal was reached, and we're not looped in to current discussions," says a commander from the Southern Front, the leading local rebel coalition.

Although a full-blown assault would be catastrophic, a deal with the regime remains hard to swallow.

"Every family has someone who's been arrested or killed, since Daraa was the first to revolt," says the commander.

"Generally, civilians don't trust the regime or Russia."The suspect in a string of homicides across the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas of Arizona was identified as Dwight Lamon Jones, 56, on Monday. Rich Slavin, assistant chief of the Scottsdale Police, confirmed that Jones was the suspect they had been working to contact Monday morning.

Jones was found dead Monday at the Extended Stay America hotel, where he had been living, police told AZcentral. The police tracked the suspect to the hotel, at 10660 N. 69th St. in Scottsdale, before closing in on the room where he was allegedly staying. The police cleared the rooms next to the suspects and then heard gunshots come from inside the room, AZcentral reported. The suspect was then found dead due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In the early morning hours of Monday, the police arrived at the Extended Stay America, guests told AZcentral. One guest told the outlet that roughly 10 officers were outside of his room early Monday morning and asked him to evacuate.

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Jones was a suspect in the killings of six people, one of which was Steven Pitt, the forensic investigator in the murder of JonBenet Ramsey. Pitt was shot outside of his office after a loud argument occurred between him and a person who confronted him, according to a witness.

Pitt may have performed an evaluation on Jones during the suspect's divorce from his wife, Connie, according to KPNX. Police confirmed that the suspect did see Pitt in connection with his divorce. Court records show that Connie Jones filed for divorce from her then-husband in 2009, a case that dragged on for years and involved psychological evaluations.

Following Pitts death, another two people were killed. Two paralegals, Veleria Sharp and Laura Anderson, with Burt, Feldman and Grenier law firm in Scottsdale, were killed on Friday, AZcentral reported. A partner at the family law firm, Elizabeth Feldman, is listed as the lawyer who represented Connie Jones in her divorce from Dwight Lamon Jones.

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Marshall Levine, a psychologist, was found shot Saturday as well. Police told AZcentral that they were confident Levines death was related to the others, but it was unclear how he might have been connected to Jones. During the press conference on Monday, Officer Slavin confirmed that Levine was working out of an office space where the suspect's son had seen a doctor.

On Monday, police found an additional two victims at a home in Fountain Hills that they believe were also connected to the killer, police said in the press conference.

Police said that the suspect's ex-wife and son were both unharmed.

This story was updated to include further information about Levine and Pitt's connection to Jones and the condition of the suspect's ex-wife and son.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekAddis Ababa (AFP) - The Ethiopian government led by new premier Abiy Ahmed announced a slew of reforms on Tuesday, including ending its border dispute with Eritrea and opening key economic sectors, among them Ethiopian Airlines, to foreign investment.

Both steps represent major policy changes by Abiy, the first prime minister in modern Ethiopia from the country's largest ethnicity the Oromo who took office in April after years of anti-government protests and political turmoil.

A former province, Eritrea became Ethiopia's bitter foe after a 1998-2000 border conflict followed by Ethiopia's refusal to accept the ruling of a UN-backed boundary commission that divided up contested territory between the two countries.

In a surprise announcement that came on the same day as parliament's repeal of a nationwide state of emergency, the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) said it would "fully implement" the boundary commission's 2002 decision.

"The Eritrean government should take the same stand without any prerequisite and accept our call to bring back the long-lost peace of the two brother nations as it was before," the EPRDF wrote on Facebook.

Since the formal end of the border conflict, Ethiopia and Eritrea have taken starkly different paths, with Eritrea growing increasingly isolated while Ethiopia has exerted power across the region, fuelled by an economy that has expanded at one of the fastest rates in Africa.

But a shortage of foreign currency is seen as threatening that economic growth, which dropped to 8.5 percent this year from 10.9 percent in 2017, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Looking to increase the players in the economy, the ruling party said it would sell minority stakes in Ethiopian Airlines and the sole telecom company Ethio Telecom to foreign investors -- a reversal of years of policy that closed those sectors to outsiders.

The move would "enable Ethiopia-born citizens living abroad who've long wished to work on the development of their country, and... foreigners who have the knowledge and foreign currency, to play a positive role in our growth," said the statement issued after a meeting of top EPRDF officials.

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- Challenges on both sides -

Ethiopia became landlocked in 1993 after Eritrea, which comprised the country's entire Red Sea coast, voted to leave.

But the neighbours were soon at war over the demarcation of their shared border, a conflict that would leave 80,000 people dead and degenerate into a stalemate after the impasse over the UN ruling.

Hundreds would die in subsequent years in periodic border clashes as the two countries would try to undermine each other elsewhere.

The UN Security Council sanctioned Eritrea in 2006 for supporting Al-Shabaab extremists in Somalia, the same year Ethiopia invaded to battle the group.

Ethiopia faced its own challenges starting in late 2015 when the Oromos and later the country's second-largest ethnicity the Amharas protested against the one-party EPRDF government.

Hundreds died and tens of thousands were arrested in the revolt that pushed Ethiopia to declare a nationwide state of emergency for 10 months starting in October 2016.

The unrest was seen as a key reason why Hailemariam Desalegn made the unprecedented move to resign as prime minister in February, which the government followed by declaring another state of emergency for six months.

He was replaced by Abiy, who took office amid high hopes he would move the EPRDF away from its authoritarian past.ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia's parliament approved on Tuesday the government's decision to lift a six-month state of emergency two months earlier than planned, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting reported. The government imposed emergency rule in February to clamp down on unrest sparked by a planned development scheme for the capital Addis Ababa which some fear will lead to land seizures in the nearby Oromiya region. The matter led to Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to step down. On Saturday, Ethiopia's cabinet had met to assess the security situation and "noted that law and order has been restored", setting the stage for Tuesday's vote in parliament. Abiy Ahmed, a former army officer who replaced Hailemariam as premier, has travelled around Ethiopia, promising to address grievances strengthen a range of political and civil rights. Authorities have pledged to push through a raft of reforms that have included the release of thousands of prisoners. (Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)A photo of a Tennessee firefighter cradling a rescued little girl has him being hailed a hero.

Captain Chris Blazek of Chattanooga Engine 6 said he had just hopped in the shower following a fire when he was dispatched to a highway car crash.

Once there, he and his colleagues found a pregnant mother in distress as well as several children.

While most of the kids seemed fine, the littlest girl couldn't stop screaming.

"So I took her out of her car seat and did a quick physical exam to make sure she was okay. She immediately laid her head on my shoulder," Blazek wrote in a statement on Facebook.

After determining the other first responders had the scene under control, Blazek turned his attention to the little one.

"I decided to sit and take a break with my new friend," he said. She decided to take a break, too, and fell asleep almost immediately. Just in time for someone to snap a photo.

The older two children were taken to family members as the mother was taken to a hospital to be checked out.

And the rest is viral history. The touching photo has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and even more widely by national news outlets.

For Blazek, the chance to comfort an ailing child is all part of what made him want to be a firefighter.

"It's moments like this, that I am reminded, this is why I do the job," he said.

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Related Articles:US President Donald Trump salutes as he walks to Air Force One prior to travelling to Newport News, Virginia, in March 2017 to visit the pre-commissioned USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

A Navy sailor pardoned by US president Donald Trump is planning to sue Barack Obamas administration for improperly handling his case.

Kristian Saucier was pardoned by Mr Trump, who tweeted congratulations to the former military member for his newly found freedom, in March 2018 after serving a year in a federal prison for taking photos of classified areas in a nuclear submarine.

Sauciers lawyers have alleged that Mr Obama, former FBI Director James Comey, and others in the administration treated Sauciers case unfairly compared to the matter of Hillary Clinton using a private server for government emails while Mr Obamas Secretary of State.

While Mr Comey testified to Congress that Ms Clintons use of the server was extremely careless, it appeared that no emails marked classified were on the private server and Ms Clinton was not charged with a crime.

Saucier appeared on Fox News and said: They interpreted the law in my case to say it was criminal, but they didnt prosecute [her].

Hillary is still walking free, he said.

Well highlight the differences in the way Hillary Clinton was prosecuted and how my client was prosecuted, Sauciers lawyer Ronald Daigle said on Fox News.

Mr Daigle said Mr Sauciers change was the result of a two-tier justice system.

Sauciers legal team also discussed Ms Clinton during his 2016 trial, but ultimately to no avail. He had argued that he was used as an example and accused the Obama administration of political bias against him.

Mr Trump also made the connection between Sauciers charges and Ms Clinton. In January 2018, he tweeted that Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid[e], Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols, citing FBI evidence that her laptop contained classified State Department emails as well.

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She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others, Mr Trump tweeted.

Video: Trump Declares 'Absolute Right' to Pardon HimselfFox News senior judicial analyst tore into President Donald Trumps legal team on Monday, declaring that the group of attorneys advising the president is not serving him well.

Former Judge Andrew Napolitano discussed the weekend news that The New York Times obtained copies of a confidential memo Trumps legal team sent to special counsel Robert Muellers investigation in January. The memo was in response to Muellers team asking the president to sit down and answer questions regarding allegations he obstructed justice.

I think that the letter was a disgrace and harmful, Napolitano said. I dont know how it got out. I dont know why the White House would have leaked it as has been suggested because it shows really a sophomoric view of the law.

The judge said the lawyers cited the wrong statute and they interpreted the wrong opinion when attempting to defend the president against allegations of obstruction of justice. He also criticized Rudy Giuliani, who he said has been causing chaos since he joined the presidents legal team weeks ago.

It is difficult for me to criticize them because I know them all personally ... but they are not serving him well when they needlessly show their cards, when they make arguments like he can [pardon] himself, Napolitano continued. Why even raise that?

Check out the former judges full takedown in the video above.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.The

Work has begun on Frances first "Alzheimer's village where patients will be given free rein without medication in a purpose-built medieval-style citadel designed to increase their freedom and reduce anxiety.

Residents of the village in Dax, southwestern France, will be able to shop in a small supermarket, go to the hairdressers, local brasserie, library, gym and even a little farm.

They will live in small shared houses designed to reflect their personal tastes and in four districts reminiscent of the southwestern French region between forests and the seashore.

While it may sound similar to a typical residential complex, the inhabitants are all men and women suffering from Alzheimers, the commonest cause of dementia. It is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

Allowing them to live in an almost normal village helps maintain (patients) participation in social life, said professor Jean-Francois Dartigues, neurologist at the Pellegrin university hospital in Bordeaux.

The brain is the organ of human relations par excellence," he said.

Construction has started on May 30, 2018 on the first "Alzheimer village" near Dax, France, the second in Europe, where new forms of medical support will be experimented Credit: SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP

The village is the brainchild of the late Henri Emmanuelli, a former Socialist minister and local MP who launched the project after reading about a Dutch gated model village in Weesp, Netherlands, seen as a pioneering care facility for elderly people with dementia.

Residents are confined to the village for their own safety but are allowed to move around freely inside and are watched over by plain-clothed medical staff. The staff don't treat patients, they care for residents, they say.

Some have described the set-up as reminiscent of The Truman Show, the film in which Jim Carrey plays a man living in a fake town that unbeknownst to him is a vast reality TV set.

Its proponents say that compared to traditional nursing homes, residents are more active, require less medication, and are quite simply happier.

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The French version will seek scientific proof that this is the case, as young researchers will cohabit with the 120 residents with Alzheimers, along with 100 live-in carers and 120 volunteers who will stage activities.

The researchers will conduct a comparative study with traditional nursing homes and examine the impact of new therapeutic approaches on patients, carers and medical staff, Prof Dartigues told Le Monde.

Rather than opting for modern architecture, the village has been designed to look like the traditional historic centre of a medieval bastide, or fortified town, commonplace in the Landes area, so that patients dont feel disorientated.

FAQ | Dementia

Architect Nathalie Gregoire said that secure walkways within a vast green area and "a lack of enclosures maintained a semblance of social life while making it easy to care for the residents. Everything will be architecturally conceived to boost patients ease of walking, sense of direction, visual bearings and memory.

We hope that the patients will be less constrained and anxious, happier. The same goes for the medical staff, said Francoise Diris, president of the France Alzheimer Landes association. Families will also be more relaxed, and feel less guilty, she added.

Largely funded by the region, the 29 million village will cost around 7 million to run. It will only cost patients 66 per day, roughly the same as the rate for a traditional nursing home in France.

According to Le Monde, if the experimental village proves a success, it could lead to many more in France - home to around a million Alzheimers sufferers with the disease progressing by as many as 150,000 new cases every year.By Lawrence Hurley

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A major legal fight similar to the blockbuster Christian baker case decided by the Supreme Court on Monday is already brewing in several U.S. states over laws allowing private agencies to block gay couples from adoptions or taking in foster children.

The justices, in a 7-2 ruling, sided with a baker who had faced punishment under a Colorado anti-discrimination law after he refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, saying it would violate his Christian beliefs.

Nine states have laws allowing state-funded, religiously affiliated adoption agencies to refuse to place children with gay people based on religious beliefs. Republican-governed Kansas and Oklahoma passed such laws this year. Alabama, Mississippi, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia all have similar laws.

Legal challenges to those laws, some pending in lower courts, eventually could come to the Supreme Court. The high court's ruling on narrow grounds in favor of baker Jack Phillips did not spell out the circumstances under which religious objections to discrimination claims would have legal merit.

Advocates for gay, bisexual and transgender people sued in Michigan last year over that state's restrictions, imposed in 2015, while a sweeping law passed in Mississippi a year later has already survived one legal challenge.

Separately, Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia sued the city last month after municipal officials stopped placing children with the group, part of the city's Roman Catholic archdiocese, over its religious objections to gay marriage.

American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Leslie Cooper said there was an uptick in conservative-leaning states enacting laws strengthening legal defenses for people who oppose same-sex marriage after the Supreme Court's legalized it nationwide in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.

"I think we are seeing the effort to establish a religious right to discriminate in lots of different contexts coming after the Obergefell decision," Cooper added.

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In the adoption context, the baker's victory provided legal ammunition for religious groups facing litigation, according to Matt Sharp, a lawyer with the conservative Christian group Alliance Defending Freedom, which supports religious exemptions to anti-discrimination laws and represented Phillips.

"In my experience, a lot of the rhetoric being tossed around to justify why (private) agencies shouldn't be given (government) contracts has been that they are 'religious bigots,' a lot of the same language directed against Jack," Sharp said, referring to Phillips.

The Supreme Court ruling made clear "that type of hostility is not permissible," Sharp added.

The baker case pitted Colorado's law barring discrimination on the basis of race, sex, marital status and sexual orientation against the rights to freedom of speech and expression under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. Twenty other states have anti-discrimination laws like Colorado's.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Phillips on the basis that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had shown a hostility toward religion in weighing the case, violating his First Amendment religious rights.

A PIVOTAL JUSTICE

The ruling steered clear of endorsing religious-based exemptions to a wide-range of anti-discrimination laws. Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote the ruling, made it clear that gay rights and religious rights both should be respected.

The long-term fate of legal challenges to various conservative-backed religious freedom laws could rest on Kennedy, an 81-year-old conservative who sometimes sides with the court's liberals in major cases and has been a champion of gay rights.

If he were to retire from the lifetime post, President Donald Trump could appoint a more conservative replacement perhaps less receptive to gay rights claims.

Under Oklahoma's law, private agencies that handle adoption and foster care cannot be forced to participate in placing a child "when the proposed placement would violate the agency's written religious or moral convictions or policies."

Mississippi's 2016 law is even broader, letting businesses refuse to provide marriage-related services to same-sex couples and allowing judges, magistrates and justices of the peace to refuse to perform same-sex weddings due to religious objections.

Other conservative states have not yet followed Mississippi's lead by passing such a wide-ranging law. Advocates on both sides said conservative lawmakers may have been deterred by the backlash among businesses and others to North Carolina's so-called bathroom bill.

That law, enacted in 2016 and later partially repealed, required transgender people to use bathrooms that correspond to their gender at birth in government buildings and public schools.

Nine states - California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin - have laws that specifically prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in adoption or foster care or both.

(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham)The wife of former Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos, who pleaded guilty last year of lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian government, beseeched the president during a Fox News appearance on Monday night to pardon her husband.

When asked by Fox News host Tucker Carlson whether she thought Papadopoulos was going to prison, Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos said that her husband had been a dedicated and committed member of President Donald Trumps presidential campaign whod done an excellent job.

Because of this incident, his freedom is challenged, so I trust and hope and ask that President Trump will pardon him, she said.

George Papadopoulos' wife Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos: "I trust and hope and ask to President Trump to pardon him." pic.twitter.com/ASYP0RE7Vj  Fox News (@FoxNews) June 5, 2018

George Papadopoulos was arrested last July and later pleaded guilty to making false statements to FBI agents about contacts hed had with individuals with close ties to the Russian government. These included communications with Russian national Ivan Timofeev, director at the Russian International Affairs Council, and with Joseph Mifsud, a Maltese professor whod told Papadapoulos that the Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton, reported The New York Times.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller indicated late last month that he was ready to proceed with Papadopoulos sentencing. The former campaign aide faces a maximum sentence of five years behind bars. Prosecutors have agreed, however, to seek a lower sentence of zero to six months in return for his cooperation with the investigation.

On Monday, Papadopoulos wife said her husband had never had any interactions with Russians and had not actively sought out damaging information about Clinton.

One of the reasons I am here tonight... is to set the record straight about George, she told Carlson.

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She conceded that Papadopoulos had met with the Maltese professor but said their interaction had merely been a gossip conversation about Clintons emails.

[He] never colluded with the Russians. He didnt do anything with Russia, she said of her husband.

George Papadopoulos' wife Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos on the Mueller probe: "George never had any interactions with Russians." #Tucker pic.twitter.com/MkJidTd1xl  Fox News (@FoxNews) June 5, 2018

Earlier Monday, Trump boasted in a tweet that he had an absolute right to pardon himself in the Russia probe, though noting he would have no reason to do so since hes done nothing wrong.

While the last three U.S. presidents hadnt issued any pardons at this point in their presidency, Trump has shown a penchant for issuing pardons, particularly for his political friends. Since taking office, hes already pardoned five people, including Dinesh DSouza, a conservative provocateur who pleaded guilty in 2014 of violating federal campaign finance laws, and controversial former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of criminal contempt last year for violating a federal judges order barring him and his office from detaining individuals solely based on suspicions about their immigration status.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Havana (AFP) - Eric Schmidt, a board member of Google's parent company Alphabet, met Monday with Cuba's new president to discuss improving Cuban internet connectivity, one of the world's lowest.

"The benefits of the internet to the world are extraordinary. And it's important that Cubans have access to the internet at the same level or even better than everyone else," said Schmidt, who stepped down from his post as executive chairman early this year.

He met with Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel about seeking a dialogue even though US-Cuban relations have worsened under American President Donald Trump.

Alongside US Senator Jeff Flake -- a supporter of ending the US trade embargo on Cuba, the Americas' only one-party Communist state -- Schmidt said internet connectivity is key to Cuba's future.

"It's important for the development of the country," he stressed.

Diaz-Canel and Schmidt discussed US-Cuban relations and possible areas of cooperation, Cuban officials said.

Theirs was the first US delegation to meet with the new Cuban president, who was sworn in April 19.

Just over four million Cubans, under half the population, have limited internet access through public screens and wi-fi areas.

The state telephone company says it is in testing on adding data service to smartphones.

Ties between Havana and Washington have cooled considerably since Trump took office in January 2017.

The Trump administration has tightened restrictions on US travelers to Cuba.

And the State Department said it will permanently scale back its mission in Havana, which had already been operating with reduced staff since September 2017, when diplomats and relatives were evacuated over a health incident.Reuters

The death toll from Guatemala's volcano eruption has leapt to at least 62, as rescuers hunted for possible survivors beneath rivers of ash and mud, and braced for the number of fatalities to rise yet higher.

The director of Guatemalas National Institute of Forensic Science announced the new figure, increasing the number of killed by the eruption of the nations Volcano of Fire from 33. The official, Fanuel Garcia said only 13 of those bodies have so far been identified, and that the remains that had been recovered were discovered in the hamlets of Los Lotes and El Rodeo.

Another official said Sundays eruption triggered floods of fast-moving mixtures of very hot gas and volcanic - known as pyroclastic flows, that buried surrounding villages and residents had little time to try and escape.

Its a river of lava that overflowed its banks and affected the El Rodeo village, Sergio Cabanas, head of Guatemala's disaster agency Conred, told the Associated Press. There are injured, burned and dead people.

He said four people had died when lava set a house on fire and two children were killed while standing on a bridge watching the eruption. A total of two million people had been affected, he added.The death toll from Guatemalas volcanic eruption is expected to reach the hundreds as rescue workers struggle to reach charred human remains buried under ash.

Layers of ash were knee-deep in places, and underneath were the remains of those who could not escape the burning rock and ash spewing from Volcan de Fuego. The name means Volcano of Fire in Spanish.

Otto Mazariegos, president of the Association of Municipal and Departmental Firefighters, said that bodies had been buried on inaccessible sites on the volcanos south side, which overlooks the city of Antigua.

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"We saw bodies totally, totally buried, like you saw in Pompeii," he said, according to The New York Times.

RTX67KSD (1)

REUTERS/Luis Echeverria

Survivors described the distressing scenes they saw upon returning to the village of San Miguel Los Lotes on Monday.

My mother is buried there. What can I do to cry? My heart is hard, all our family is here, buried, Ines Lopez told local newspaper Prensa Libre.

The countrys natural disaster commission, CONRED, said that 3,100 people had to be evacuated and more than 1.7 million people were affected.

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Another resident, Consuelo Hernandez, said, Not everyone escaped. I think they were buried. We saw the lava was pouring through the cornfields, and we ran toward a hill in a video released by CONRED.

Only 10 people were pulled out of the ash on Monday, and rescue operations were suspended for fear of further eruptions.

However, there has been criticism of the speed of the response by emergency services.

06_04_fuego_guatemala_pyroclastic_lahar

Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty Images

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Rafael Letran, a resident of El Rodeo, a town that was also buried, said, CONRED never told us to leave. When the lava was already here, they passed by in their pickup trucks yelling at us to leave, but the cars did not stop to pick up the people.

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Rescue operations were hampered by the ash and the air, which was difficult to breathe.

Its very unstable ground to walk on. The moment you step in, you have to have your mask and whole equipment not to put yourself at risk, volunteer firefighter Ixmucane Monsanto said, according to CNN.

Fuego is one of Latin America's most active volcanoes. This is Guatemala's deadliest volcanic event since 1902, when the Santa Maria volcano killed thousands of people.

CONRED is coordinating its response with charity groups like World Vision. Luis Corzo, humanitarian and emergencies director of World Vision, said: "Dozens of people have been hurt with severe burns, and it is likely the loss of crops and cattle will be on a large scale as vast areas have been affected.

Clouds of ash and fumes have covered hundreds of miles, disrupting crops, small and large agricultural units, as well as tourist activities, he added.

La Aurora International Airport, in the capital Guatemala City, around 27 miles away, was shut due to the black smoke and ash in the sky.

The countrys president, Jimmy Morales, has declared three days of national mourning.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekRio de Janeiro (AFP) - More than half a million people were killed in homicides between 2006 and 2016 in Brazil, according to the latest statistics on violence in Latin America's biggest country Tuesday.

In 2016 alone -- the last year for which full statistics are available -- there were a record 62,517 homicides, the study by the Ipea government research agency and the respected private Brazilian Forum on Public Security said.

That was up almost 26 percent from a decade earlier and marks Brazil as one of the most violent places on Earth, with a homicide rate of 30.3 for 100,000 people, 30 times over the European rate, the study said.

"Just in the last 10 years, 553,000 people lost their lives due to intentional violence in Brazil," the researchers said.

As has long been the case in Brazil's crime landscape, young, poor blacks are by far the most likely to suffer, with whites, who make up about half the population, accounting for only 28.5 percent of annual homicides.

For men between the ages of 15 and 29, the homicide rate rocketed up to nearly 281 for 100,000 people.

The homicides surge took place in a period when Brazil became an emerging market powerhouse, before plunging into economic disarray, and was led by poor states in the north and north-east.

Bahia state's homicide rate leapt almost 98 percent in the decade, reaching 47 for 100,000 people. Rio Grande do Norte's rate hit 53.4 people for every 100,000, a 257 percent increase, amounting to 1,854 people killed in 2016.

By contrast, Brazil's biggest city and economic powerhouse Sao Paulo has witnessed a marked decline in violent deaths. There were 8,377 homicides there in 2006, but 4,870 in 2016, with the rate per 100,000 people dropping almost 47 percent.

Rio de Janeiro, where the government has sent the army to help police in their bloody battle against drug gangs, grabs the headlines these days. However, even with 6,053 homicides in 2016, that's better than a decade earlier, when there were 7,389 killings.

The rate per 100,000 people in Rio de Janeiro is slightly over the national average, at 36.4.Paris, TX (75460)

Today

Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. High 79F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 67F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.This story was updated from June 2018.

With a portentous tweet and a 60 Minutes appearance, Howard Schultz has all but declared his candidacy for president.

Whats less clear is how he will do it. The former Starbucks CEO said he plans to run as a centrist Independent, describing both political parties as broken. But public reaction to that idea hasnt been so welcoming. Schultz is a lifelong Democrat who would probably pull votes from whoever the Democratic nominee turns out to be. Splitting the center-left vote could give an edge to President Trump, assuming he runs for reelection in 2020. That has generated outrage among some Democrats, along with threats of a Starbucks boycott and other forms of protest.

However it shakes out, Schultz has a long and successful business career as his leading credential. He built and ran Starbucks for 31 years, stepping down as chairman last June. Hes clean. Hes serious. He believes in America, says Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn, who has studied Starbuckss business model and co-authored a Harvard case study on Schultzs leadership at the company. He understands how to speak in a voice that a lot of people can relate to.

Here are some of Howard Schultzs other credentials:

Blue-collar upbringing. Schultz grew up in public-housing projects in Brooklyn, New York, with a father he described in his biography Onward as an uneducated war veteran [who] never really found his spot in the world, [and] held a series of really rough blue-collar jobs to support our family. Schultz put himself through college and went to work for Starbucks, then a small Seattle coffee chain, as head of marketing in 1982.

Business innovator. Schultz bought the small Starbucks chain with some other investors in 1987, well before coffee culture was a thing in the United States. One key insight was his desire to turn an otherwise dull counter operation into a community portal where people would linger and socialize, as he had noticed people do in Italian coffee shops in the 1980s.

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Genius for marketing. Schultz describes himself as an entrepreneur fascinated by the magic of the merchants art, as Koehn and colleagues write in their Harvard case study of Starbucks. Schultz made baristas the performers in his stores and encouraged employees to connect with customers. As Starbucks CEO, he insisted the company couldnt just sell coffee; it needed a compelling narrative that would draw people in and keep them coming back (and persuade them to spend $5 for a cup of coffee). It worked: Schultz built Starbucks from a local chain with 11 outlets into a global giant with more than 28,000 stores in 77 countries, 300,000 employees, nearly $25 billion in revenue and $3.5 billion in profits.

Familiarity with health policy. Unlike many companies, Starbucks offers health coverage to both full- and part-time workers, at a considerable cost to the company, Schultz acknowledges in his book. Schultz is motivated by recollections of his father, who got hurt on the job in 1960, without health insurance, and was simply fired. Everyone deserved more respect than my parents received, he wrote.

Knowledge of the global economy. Starbucks earns 21% of its revenue in foreign markets, with more than 1,500 stores in China, 1,200 in Japan and 1,000 in Canada. Those nations have been direct targets of new trade barriers under the Trump administration, making Starbucks a potential target of retaliation.

Political ambition. Schultz has been one of the most politically active CEOs in the United States. In 2011, he persuaded more than 140 other CEOs to join him in penning an open letter urging Congress to end a budget standoff that threatened a default on U.S. debt. In 2015, Schultz launched the controversial Race Together campaign meant to encourage more open discussion of racial-justice issues, which Starbucks suspended after a rash of criticism.

Schultz was a confidante of Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign, and private advice he gave to the candidate leaked when hackers published hundreds of emails from the account of John Podesta, who was chairman of Clintons campaign. The campaign feels yesterday, Schultz wrote in one email to a top Clinton aide. Its too packaged and prescribed Her inner circle and the powers to be need to understand how brands (and she is a brand) in the world we now live in are built. It requires a vision for the future that is steeped in truth and authenticity and builds an enduring emotional connection with the voters.

In another email, Schultz wrote to a Clinton aide, We are seeing a seismic shift in consumer behavior and in the attitudes of the American people. Weve seen it  in our core Starbucks business  and, it certainly is acutely present in this political presidential primary season. He was certainly right about that. Now well see if hes able to do something about it.

Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com. Click here to get Ricks stories by email.

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Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewmanSEATTLE  Starbucks Corporation today announced that Howard Schultz is stepping down as executive chairman and member of the Board of Directors and will be honored with the title of chairman emeritus effective June 26, 2018.

Schultz, who reimagined the Italian coffeehouse tradition in America and redefined the role and responsibility of a publicly-held company, announced his departure as executive chairman of Starbucks telling over two million past and present partners (employees), We did it together, by balancing profitability and social conscience.

During his four decades as ceo and chairman, Schultz grew Starbucks from 11 stores to more than 28,000 stores in 77 countries, while demonstrating that a business can simultaneously deliver best-in-class financial performance and share success with its people and the communities it serves.

Under Schultzs leadership, Starbucks has delivered a 21,000% gain in the value of its stock price since its initial public offering in 1992. The companys growth was fueled by his decisions to provide uncommon benefits for those who work for Starbucks, including comprehensive healthcare, stock ownership and free college tuition, even for those working part-time.

I set out to build a company that my father, a blue-collar worker and World War II veteran, never had a chance to work for, Schultz wrote in a letter addressed today to past and present Starbucks partners. Together weve done that, and so much more, by balancing profitability and social conscience, compassion and rigor, and love and responsibility.

Schultzs journey began in 1981, when he walked into the first Starbucks store, located in Seattles iconic Pike Place Market. The following year, he moved with his wife, Sheri, from New York to assume the role of director of operations and marketing. Schultzs passion for the highest quality coffee heightened on a business trip to Italy, where he was captivated by the sense of community, romance and theater found in Italian coffee bars. In the years following his return to Seattle, Schultz purchased Starbucks with the support of local investors and dedicated his career to bringing his vision of a modern coffee house to life in America and around the world.

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Schultz elevated the concept of Starbucks as the third place between home and work: a comfortable, welcoming environment that provides uplifting experiences, community and human connection.

Among his many accolades, Schultz has been named as one of The Worlds Most Influential People by Time magazine as well as Business Person of the Year by Fortune. Most recently, Schultz has received the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award and has been presented with the Atlantic Councils Distinguished Business Leadership award and the NAACP LDF (Legal Defense and Education Fund) National Equal Justice award.

This year, Starbucks was named the fifth most admired company in the world by Fortune, marking the 16th year in a row that the company has appeared on the global list. Starbucks was also named one of the Worlds Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute for the 12 th consecutive year and was ranked as one of 2018s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company, most notably for its social-impact work.

On April 3, 2017, Schultz transitioned from ceo to executive chairman, shifting his full-time focus to the companys social impact initiatives as well as innovation and global development of the companys premium Reserve brand, including Starbucks Reserve Roasteries, Reserve stores and the Companys partnership with renowned artisanal Italian bakery, Princi. Following his transition off the Starbucks board at the end of June, Schultz will oversee the opening of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan on Sept. 6  marking the companys long-awaited entry into Italy  and the New York Roastery in late October.

Starbucks also announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Myron E. Mike Ullman as its new chair of the Board and Mellody Hobson as vice chair of the Board effective upon Schultzs retirement. Starbucks world-class, values-based board is comprised of accomplished leaders representing diversity and excellence in global technology, retail, consumer experience and other relevant skill sets.

There are no words to fully express our gratitude to Howard for the extraordinary company he has built, said ceo and member of the Board of Directors Kevin Johnson. Hes helped Starbucks earn the respect of millions around the world by always being true to a higher calling, and always being bold in creating a better future. Hes taught all of us that its possible to be a very different kind of public company. That must, and will, continue on my watch.

In Schultzs letter to partners, he thanked them for their collective efforts to build a different kind of company. Because of your creativity, your hard work, and the love that you have poured into the company, Starbucks today is widely embraced and respected. As I prepare to step away, Id like to humbly remind you not to lose sight of what matters most: your fellow partners and our customers.

He also expressed deep confidence in the team that will continue to lead the company. Kevin Johnson is a true servant leader, and he will lead Starbucks as this great company enters its next journey. Its our duty as leaders to constantly reimagine Starbucks. I am honored to call Kevin my friend and partner. And Starbucks is fortunate to have him. This leadership team is extraordinarily capable. They, too, believe that Starbucks has a responsibility to use our scale for good.

Schultz is looking forward to spending more time with his family this summer. He is also writing a book about Starbucks social impact work and the efforts to redefine the role and responsibility of a public company in an ever-changing society.

To the more than 330,000 partners who wear the green apron today, and the millions before them, Schultz will forever represent Starbucks mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.The future of solar power has looked increasingly bright in recent years thanks to the plummeting cost of silicon solar panels and a global push for clean energy sources to address climate change. In the most optimistic scenarios for the power source, solar generation will increase 16-fold between 2016 and 2040, according to data from the International Energy Agency.

But now new research into a class of materials known as perovskites underway in U.S. government labs and other facilities around the world promises to accelerate rapidly even the most optimistic projections for solar deployment. If they make it from the lab to commercial use perovskites could dramatically change the market for the renewable energy source offering potential for panels to capture energy virtually any surface facing the sun.

The future of perovskites is breathtaking, says Varun Sivaram, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of Taming the Sun, a book on the future of solar power. For solar to really anchor a clean energy transition were going to need technological innovation and perovskite is the frontrunner in my mind.

You dont need a physics or engineering degree to understand the primary reasons why perovskites potentially serve as a superior alternative to traditional solar cells. For one, perovskite solar cells are flexible and easy to produce. They can be painted or sprayed on a surface from an ink solution or churned out of a printer like a newspaper. That flexibility means they can be attached to virtually anywhere.

During a visit to the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, Colo., researchers Joseph Berry and David Moore excitedly point out the various research projects underway to transform perovskites from a lab phenomenon to a commercial reality. Moore lifts a small surface with visible perovskite solar cells he painted on himself with a brush purchased at a local craft store, showing how easily the cells can be applied. Berry points to an experiment where perovskite cells are being held under bright light to test their durability. Moore holds up a light to a solar cell that dims in response to the light, mimicking potential protection against sunlight.

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The materials have the right properties that make them good at this, says Berry.

Researchers also think they are a more efficient material for capturing the suns energy. Silicon solar panels, the primary type used today on rooftops and in utility-scale power plants alike, tend to achieve about 20% efficiency, meaning they capture a fifth of the energy that passes through and turn it into electricity. A perovskite solar cell reached a record 22.7% efficiency last summer and researchers say that number is likely to continue to rise with continued to research. The theoretical maximum efficiency of perovskites tops 40%. And because perovskites are so thin, they could be applied to silicon modules that have already been built, boosting electricity production.

NREL scientist David Moore holds a container holding a perovskite ink formulation which can be painted onto a surface to create a solar cell.

In the past, various solar technologies have offered either flexibility or efficiency, but researchers have struggled to combine the two. Perovskites shatter that trade off and promise to do better on literally every performance characteristic, says Sivaram.

Still, challenges remain. Perhaps most importantly, silicon solar panels have been tested for decades and proven durable while the lifespan of perovskites remains largely unknown. And, given the urgency of climate change, the world does not have 30 years to find out. Four years ago, you could make it for maybe a day, says Berry. Now were out to 5,000 hours.

The technology  like others under development in federally funded labs  also faces challenges from an administration that has sought to undermine renewable energy sources in hopes of propping up coal and other fossil fuels. The Trump Administrations proposed 2018 budget would have cut funding to the Department of Energys renewable energy office by more than 70%. That office provides the bulk of NRELs $293 million budget.

That budget cut was rejected by Congress, which actually increased the renewable offices budget. And even members of the Trump Administration have praised NREL and the Departments other national energy labs. Energy Secretary Rick Perry is a self-described cheerleader of the labs. Undersecretary of Energy Mark Menzes specifically praised perovskites at an appearance at an American Council on Renewable Energy conference earlier this year while walking a tightrope to defend the proposed budget cuts.

Its an extraordinary thing what our labs are capable of doing, he said after telling a story about NRELs perovskites research. Were able to take early stage research to be able to develop the technologies to make it apply.

Ultimately, perovskites may not be a solution that transforms solar energy. They face a slew of challenges, from outdoor weather conditions to entering a crowded market. But clean energy experts say that the federal government needs to continue investing in in different technologies even if they cannot be certain that a particular one will succeed.

Our global competitors are drastically increasing their R&D funding for these technologies, says Timothy Olson, Policy and Research Manager at ACORE. We dont want the U.S. to fall behind.Every year, at its developers conference in San Jose, California, Apple unveils some of the cool stuff its been working on.

This year, there was not a single mention of hardware. Nothing about new phones, tablets, laptops, or watches. Instead, it was all software, all the time.

If you have an iPhone, you may be interested to learn that a new version of your software, called iOS 12, will be available for free this fall, in keeping with Apples usual annual cycle.

How excited should you be? That depends on what you think of the list of goodies Apple has in store for you. Heres the rundown.

Speed

The big one is speed. Apple has spent the past year making iOS respond faster, even on older phones. Especially on older phones, actually. Which is very nice of it.

Apple says that apps will open up to 40% faster, the onscreen keyboard will appear up to 50% faster, the camera app will open up to 70% faster, and so on.

The new OS wont require any more horsepower than before, either; if your phone now runs iOS 11, itll run iOS 12.

Group FaceTime

If Twitters reaction is any indication, Apples most exciting announcement is Group FaceTime: Video calls with up to 32 people simultaneously.

About damn time, tweeted @LexingtonDrive.

Oh, this is lit. @BrittanyMichawn.

Now this I love. @missodessa

32 people? LOL I dont have that many friends. @mayonaka324

bye Houseparty. @cafebusteloking

When you make a FaceTime video call, you see the other participants on floating tiles, which get big and pop to the fore when somebody speaks. (You can also double-tap a tile to force someone to the front, even if shes not speaking.)

This, of course, isnt a novel invention (hi, Google Hangouts!). But for the tens of millions of iPhone owners, its welcome and overdue.

Group FaceTime (left)! Participants can wear their animoji heads, if they like (right).

Group FaceTime will be available not just on iPhone and iPad, but also on the Mac, and even on the Apple Watch (audio only). Ohand it will be available in Messages, so that you can turn a group chat into a group video call with one tap.

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Siri Suggestions and Shortcuts

In iOS 12, Siri will offer what Apple is calling Siri Suggestions. It notices your routineswhat app youre using at certain times and placesand pops up cards that it thinks will help you out.

For example, if you always arrive at the gym at 7 a.m. on Monday mornings and open the Active app, that app will offer to open itself. (Yes, its exactly the same idea as Google Assistant, or even Apples own Proactive Siri from iOS 9except that now non-Apple apps can now be involved.)

If you go to a movie, a tile will suggest turning on Do Not Disturb. If youre running late for a meeting, it will propose sending a text that says Im running a few minutes late.

Siri can notice that youre running late, and offer one-tap buttons for calling or texting.

In fact, theres a new, drag-and-drop app called Shortcuts that lets you build your own multi-step actions, too. For example, you can set one up where you say Travel plans, and Siri responds with a screen that lists your hotel, flight, and restaurant-reservation details. Or you can make one where you say Heading home, and the screen shows when youll arrive, sets your home thermostat, texts your spouse, and starts playing your NPR podcast.

Apple says that hundreds of premade shortcuts will be available to turn on, in case youre insecure in your shortcut-building skills.

Augmented Reality

Apple continues to charge forward in making AR (augmented reality) a thing.

In ARkit 2, software companies can create multi-player AR games. That is, two or more people, standing in different places, will see the same virtual 3D scene from their own angles, and play together. That could open up a new world of more social video games that break you out of (a) sitting on the couch, (b) sitting on the couch facing the same direction, and (c) closing out your environment, because AR games interact with the environment. (See my explainer on iPhone AR apps here.)

A new category of games let multiple players view an augmented reality scene simultaneously.

iOS 12 will also include a beautiful AR tape-measure app called Measure, which is practically identical to the existing AR tape-measure apps like the one I demonstrated here . For the writers of those apps, today was a bad day.

Finally, Apple worked with Pixar to develop a new file format, USDZ, that can store AR scenes as compact, self-contained files. These scenes can show up inside of standard iOS apps like Messages, Mail, and so on. Big 3D-software companies like Autodesk and Adobe have already promised to adopt this format.

Digital Health

Two weeks ago, Google (GOOG, GOOGL) announced an initiative to help us improve our digital health (also known as stop being so addicted to our phones). Apple turns out to have been working on exactly the same thing.

This initiative takes several forms:

Do Not Disturb During Bedtime. At the moment, when you wake in the night, you might check your phone to see what time it isbut you might see all the piled-up notifications, or, worse, start processing them. (Do Not Disturb currently shuts off sounds and vibrations, but still displays the alert bubbles.) Then you have trouble getting back to sleep. The new DND During Bedtime solves that by hiding all your notifications until you wake. At that point, you can tap to see the notifications.

Ending times for Do Not Disturb. Now, as you turn on DND as you enter a movie or a meeting, you can set an end time for it (using Control Center). Or you can set it to turn off as you leave your current location.

At last: You can set up Do Not Disturb to turn itself off.

More notifications control. Right from the list of notifications, you can now turn off a certain apps notifications, or tell them not to show up on your Lock screen anymore. In fact, iOS 12 also offers to turn off the notifications from apps you never use, or turn on notifications for an app you use all the time (but had switched them off).

Grouped notifications. At last: notifications from each app can show up as a stack, a cluster, on your Notifications screen, to be expanded with a tap (or dismissed en masse).

You can have your notifications grouped (left)press your finger to expand a group (right).

Screen Time. This new app shows how much time you spend on the phone, how much time you spend in each app, how many times you wake your phone a day, and so on. (Supposedly that statistic is horrifying.) You can also set time limits (5 minutes left to use Instagram, for example). If you set the time limit for yourself, you can blow past it once the deadline rolls around; but if you set a time limit for your children, they have to stop when the times up. You can manage the kids limits remotely, from your own phone. You each get a weekly summary, too.

The Screen Time app tracks how much time youre spending in apps, categories, or on the phone itself (left)and lets you set limits (right).

More animated emoji fun

If you have an iPhone X, you dont have to be satisfied with the starter set of animated emoji that follow your facial expressions. Animoji have exploded:

You can use any of four new ones (panda, tiger, T-rex, ghost).

Animoji recordings can be 30 seconds long now instead of 10.

Animoji respond to your tongue movements (and winks), too, in addition to your face and mouth motions.

You can design an animoji that looks like you! Kind of like Bitmoji come to life. Or Nintendo Wii Miis on the iPhone. Or that crude thing Samsung had.

Animoji can now include a T-rexor even a cartoon YOU.

You can also plant your Me-moji head onto your actual body when youre taking a photo or shooting a video, a la Snapchat.

CarPlay opens up

CarPlay is Apples dashboard technology; it puts a handful of Apple apps, in super-simplified form, onto your dashboard for easy, non-distracted access when youre driving. They include music apps, Messages (no textonly voice control)and Apples still-inferior Maps app.

For the first time, though, CarPlay will let you substitute your own navigation, like Waze and Google Maps. Thats a big, big deal.

You dont have to use Apple Maps anymore! Yessssss.

A lotta misc

Here are a few of the other new features coming this fall:

Security code autofill. Apple didnt even mention this one, but its fantastic. You know how, when you sign up for something online, they text you a security code? And then you have to memorize or write down that code, so that you can type it into the box on the webpage? No longer. Now you just stay on the webpage. Once the code arrives on your phone, Safari can fill it in automatically.

Photos. The Search in this app can now find photos corresponding to multiple search terms (skiing + December). You can search for people, and places, and categories (like Hiking, Watersports, and Dogs), or by business names and categories (like museum), or by commercial events like concerts and sporting events.

In photos, you can search for photos by people, places, things, or times.

Photo sharing. Suppose you go to a party with friends. Now, Photoss new For You tab offers a subset of them worth sharing with the friendsand even offers their names so you can send the pictures to them! (Yes, just like Google Photos.) Then, when the friend gets your photos, theyre shown photos that they took, and their iPhone suggests sharing those back to you, so that you each wind up with the whole set.

AirPods can be hearing aids . You can now use your iPhone as a remote microphoneand listen through Apple AirPods. Hand the phone to the person across the table at a noisy restaurant or put it on the podium near the lecturerand now you can hear as though youre right next to the speaker.

Siri knows a little more . Siri can now answer questions about celebrities, food nutrition, motor sports, and your own passwords.

12 new iPad gestures . For example, you can return to the Home screen by swiping anywhere on the Dock.

Wireless student ID cards . College students can now make their ID cards electronic, for use in dorms, dining hall, campus events, laundry rooms, and so on. The first campuses to offer it include Duke, Temple, Johns Hopkins, University of Alabama, and University of Oklahoma.

Password sharing . You can shoot passwords among your Apple gadgetsfrom an iPhone to Apple TV, for example, or iPad to a Mac.

Redesigned apps. Apple News, Stocks, Books, and Voice Memos have all been overhauled. Voice Memos now syncs your recordings with your Mac and other iOS devices. Stocks now shows relevant company headlines from Apple News. iBooks has been renamed Apple Books.

Coming this fall

So whats the overarching theme of the iOS 12 upgrade?

Well, you could argue that the big theme is, Catching up to Google. Or maybe automating repetitive routines. Or augmented reality, or working on our iPhone addiction.

Or offering enough new features that one or two of them will hit you where you live, and make you glad youve got an iPhone.

Yeahthats it for sure.

David Pogue, tech columnist for Yahoo Finance, welcomes comments. On the web, hes davidpogue.com. On Twitter, hes @pogue. On email, hes poguester@yahoo.com. You can sign up to get his stuff by email, here.

See also:

Highlights from Apples developers conference

Apple is going to war with Facebooks web trackers

Apple just made its watch a lot smarter for runnersIran is to tell the United Nations it will begin increasing its uranium enrichment capacity in case the multinational nuclear dealseverely weakened by the U.S. withdrawal last monthcollapses.

Irans Atomic Energy Organization spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi told the ISNA news agency that the country would begin increasing its ability to produce uranium hexafluoride (UF6)used as fuel for the centrifuges which enrich uranium for nuclear power and weapon useon Tuesday.

In a letter that will be handed over to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ... Iran will announce that the process of increasing the capacity to produceUF6, Reuters quoted Kamalvandi as saying.

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GettyImages-460186156

ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images

Israel has already reacted to the announcement, with Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz calling for a military coalition against Iran if the country breaks the enrichment limits imposed by the nuclear deal. Katz told public radio that if the Iranians don't surrender now, and try to return to unsupervised uranium enrichment, there should be a clear statement by the President of the United States and all of the Western coalition that a military coalition will be formed against them.

On Monday, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he had ordered the countrys atomic energy agency to prepare to accelerate uranium enrichment if the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) fails.

In a televised speech, Khamenei warned, Our enemies will never be able to halt our nuclear progress...It is their bad dream and will not happen.

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Uranium must be enriched to around 90 percent for use in nuclear weapons. Under the JCPOA, Iran was limited to enriching uranium to 3.67 percentenough to use in civilian power plants, but not in weapons. The deal also limited the number and quality of centrifuges that could be used. In exchange, the other signatories lifted crippling sanctions on the country, which are estimated to have cost the country some $500 billion by the time they were removed.

Before the deal was signed, Iran had reached 20 percent enrichment. In March, Kamalvandi said that Iran could resume this level of production within 48 hours if the countrys leaders deemed it necessary.

The Obama-era deal was undermined by President Donald Trumps withdrawal from it at the start of May. Although the remaining signatoriesthe U.K., Germany, France, Russia, China and the European Unionsay they are committed to the agreement, the threat of new American sanctions could scupper it.

RTS1QHT7

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

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European signatories have suggested that the JCPOA should be renegotiated to cover Irans ballistic missile program and to curb its spreading influence in the Middle East, buoyed by conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Iraq.

Khamenei has dismissed these suggestions, and laid out Irans demands for staying in the deal. On Monday, Khamenei warned, Some Europeans are talking about limiting our defensive missile programme. I am telling the Europeans, limiting our missile work is a dream that will never come true.

Tehran wants the Europeans to protect Iranian oil sales from American sanctions and for European banks to secure international trade with Iran.

Updated | This article has been updated to include comments by Yisrael Katz.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekTehran (AFP) - President Donald Trump last month withdrew the United States from a hard-won accord that it and other world powers signed with Iran in 2015 to control its nuclear programme.

Here are key developments since then.

- Washington quits -

Trump pulls the United States out of the landmark nuclear pact on May 8, reinstating US sanctions on Iran and companies having links and new contracts with the Islamic Republic.

"The Iran deal is defective at its core," he says in a televised address.

It is a major blow to an agreement reached after two years of negotiations between Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

The deal had paved the way for painful sanctions on Iran to be lifted in return for guarantees it would not be able to build an atomic bomb.

In withdrawing, the United States also gives foreign firms months to wind down existing operations in Iran.

Tehran's regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Israel applaud Trump's decision.

- Trump move under fire -

In swift reactions, Britain, France and Germany say they are "determined" to save the Iran nuclear deal and the economic benefits for Iran.

Trump is "trampling on the norms of international law", adds Russia.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warns Iran could resume uranium enrichment "without limit" if negotiations with Europe, Russia and China on saving the accord do not produce positive results.

On May 9, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calls on the European signatories to the deal to give Iran "real guarantees".

- Israel hits Iran in Syria -

On May 10, Israel carries out deadly strikes against alleged Iranian targets in Syria, where Tehran is helping the government confront a multi-faceted uprising involving rebels and jihadists.

It is a dramatic escalation of tensions in the region.

Israel says the raids were in response to Iranian missiles fired at its forces in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

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- Diplomatic marathon -

On May 12, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says that Tehran is preparing to resume "industrial-scale" uranium enrichment "without any restrictions", unless Europe provides solid guarantees that it could maintain trade ties.

He starts a diplomatic tour the next day to save the accord.

On May 16, the European Union launches work on an economic plan to keep the Iran nuclear deal alive. On May 18, the EU begins moves to block the effect of US sanctions on Iran.

- 'Strongest sanctions' -

Washington warns on May 21 that Iran will be hit with the "strongest sanctions in history" unless it abides by stricter nuclear terms.

On May 24, the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, says that Iran continues to respect the terms of the 2015 accord.

A day later in Vienna, signatories of the Iran nuclear deal meet without the United States in a bid to save the agreement. Tehran says it wants guarantees by the end of May.

On May 30, the United States places several Iranian state groups on its sanctions blacklist, accusing them of serious human rights abuses and censorship. They include the semi-official paramilitary group Ansar-e-Hezbollah and state television Irib.

- Iran notifies nuclear watchdog -

On June 4, Iran notifies the IAEA that it has launched a plan to increase its uranium enrichment capacity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embarks on a European tour to seek a tougher line on Iran.

On June 5, Netanyahu charges that the Iranian plan is aimed at producing nuclear weapons to be used against Israel.A top Iranian military official has said that his countrys troops will not withdraw from Syria, despite reports that Russia and Israel had reached a deal that would see Iranian militias retreat from the southern part of the country.

Iran and Syria enjoy deep relations that would not be influenced by the propaganda measures of anyone, Irans Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri said Sunday, according to local media. The Zionist regimes greatest fear is the proximity of Muslim fighters near its border. It has come to pass. Now that this has come true, the U.S. and Israel are making desperate efforts to change the situation. But they should know that this condition is not going to change, Jazayeri added.

Iran and Israel are bitter enemies, and for years the leadership in Tehran has called for Israels destruction. As the war in Syria has dragged on from 2011 until today, Iran's military advisers have worked with the leadership in Syria's capital Damascus, while Iran's militias have gained a foothold in the country, including in areas that border Israel. This has unnerved Israel, which recently began launching strikes against Iranian targets in Syria.

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Reports last week claimed that Russia and Israel had reached a deal that would see Iranian militia fighters retreat at least 15 miles from the border separating Syria and Israel. Moscow had called for all non-Syrian fighters to move away from Israels borders in order to quell fighting between Israel and Iranian militias. Russia is the Syrian regimes biggest ally and enjoys a substantial amount of influence in the war-ravaged country. Russian officials were reportedly worried that fighting between Israel and Iran could undermine the position of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

Iran and Russia currently maintain friendly relations, and Moscow has stressed that Tehran can play an important role in Syria both now and in the future, but that does not appear to have been enough to convince Tehran to move its fighters. Iran is investing in Syria's infrastructure and appears determined to maintain a long-term presence in the country.

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Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has kicked off a three-day visit to Europe, where he is lobbying for Germany, France and the U.K. to renege on their end of the Iran nuclear deal and sideline Tehran. "I'll raise two issues: Iran and Iran," Netanyahu told reporters prior to his trip.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekIsrael jokingly jabbed back at Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Twitter Monday in response to his calls for increasing nuclear enrichment and an ominous line challenging Israels very existence in the Middle East.

Khamenei sent out a series of bombastic tweets railing against Israel and the U.S. on Sunday in which Irans top leader said his Middle East neighbor is a malignant cancerous tumor in the region. In a speech Monday, Khamenei declared that any country firing a missile at Iran will be hit by 10, Reuters reported. But the Israeli embassy in Washington's official Twitter account shot back with a much more comedic tone, tweeting a GIF from the 2004 movie Mean Girls.

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Why are you so obsessed with me? asks actress Rachel McAdamss Regina George. Responses to the Middle East Twitter spat varied from labeling it infantile to genius, but Khameneis account has continued to criticize Israel and call for nuclear enrichment preparations. Our stance against Israel is the same stance we have always taken. #Israel is a malignant cancerous tumor in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated: it is possible and it will happen, Khamenei tweeted Sunday, prompting the Mean Girls response.

Tensions between Iran and Western allies have increased since President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran. But France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China remain in support of the international accord they believe has the best shot at stopping Irans development of a nuclear weapon. The U.S. pulled out of the accord and Trump vowed to renew tough sanctions against Iran unless they meet strict demands not made by the other Western allies.

Story continues

Screen Shot 2018-06-04 at 3

Screenshot: Khamenei, Israeli embassy Twitter

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Khameneis speech Monday detailed how he had ordered Iranian atomic officials to increase the countrys nuclear enrichment capacity but at a level that would not exceed those set by the 2015 nuclear deal under the Obama administration.

But while Khamenei continued to rail against the enemy's plan to exert economic, psychological pressures and unrest to dominate over our beloved nation of Iran, other political leaders in his country took a far more conciliatory approach to working with the remaining Western countries other than the U.S. to salvage the deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sent a letter last week asking the remaining signatories and other trade partners to make up for Irans losses created by the Trump administrations exit from the deal. The state news agency IRNA published the letter in parts Sunday, which described the nuclear deal as being a result of meticulous, sensitive and balanced multilateral talks that could not be renegotiated simply because of one American administrations political differences with another.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekLUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - European Union ministers searched in vain on Tuesday for a compromise on immigration reform, overshadowed by a new hardline government in Rome which has declared Italy will no longer be the continent's "refugee camp". Dimitris Avramopoulos, the EU commissioner for migration issues, struck an upbeat note after talks in Luxembourg but signaled that agreeing a system for member states to share responsibility for asylum-seekers would take time. "The last reform took eight years, I believe our reform will be done in a quicker way," he told a news conference. Arrivals of asylum-seekers largely landing in Italy and Greece, which peaked in 2015, have tested European unity and encouraged many voters to support anti-immigration parties, including the right-wing League of new Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. Salvini, who said this week that Italy "can't be transformed into a refugee camp", was absent from Luxembourg, instead attending a Senate address in Rome by new Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. But anti-immigration ministers took heart from his hardline stand before a summit of EU leaders at the end of June which is supposed to tackle the reform. "I am happy for every ally," said Austrian interior minister Herbert Kickl, a member of the right-wing Freedom Party. The new Italian government has already opposed the latest proposal for adapting the EU asylum system. Describing the mood of deadlock, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn quipped: "I guess we'll have a compromise by Easter, I just don't know of which year." Under the existing rules, refugees must claim asylum in the country in which they first enter the EU, leaving countries of entry such as Italy and Greece with a large number of migrants. Many are economic migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, not eligible for asylum and unable to return. For those classified as refugees, such as people fleeing war or oppression in Syria and Eritrea, Brussels wants a distribution system among member states. Wealthy EU members such as Germany and Austria complain they have taken in more asylum seekers than others, while central European countries such as Hungary and Poland have rejected obligatory quotas for accepting refugees. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called at the weekend for a flexible system in which countries that refuse quotas could compensate by making contributions in other areas. She also said the European border police force Frontex should be allowed to operate independently. However, Merkel said she was unsure an agreement could be reached at the June summit. The EU struck a deal with Turkey in 2016 that has sharply reduced new arrivals on neighboring Greek Islands. However, they continue in the central Mediterranean, despite a deal with groups which control the Libyan coast to stop migrants from boarding boats, a move criticized by rights groups. "We also need a deal with Tunisia, much like we have with Turkey, so people who depart from Libya can be rescued at sea and brought back to Tunisia," Belgian migration minister Theo Francken said. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; Editing by Alissa de Carbonel)Relatives of Tunisian migrants, who drowned at the weekend when their boat sank, react as they leave a hospital morgue after identifying the bodies of their family members, in Sfax, Tunisia - REUTERS

Italys new coalition government had a diplomatic row on its hands on its first full working day on Monday after Matteo Salvini, the interior minister, accused Tunisia of sending convicts in migrant boats across the Mediterranean.

Mr Salvini, the head of the anti-migrant, hard-Right League and also a deputy prime minister, made the remarks on Sunday during a visit to Pozzallo, a port in Sicily where rescued migrants are brought ashore.

It was his first official trip  the government was only sworn in on Friday, ending three months of political deadlock.

Angered by the comments, the Tunisian government called in the Italian ambassador on Monday, expressing profound amazement for the remarks of the Italian interior minister regarding immigration.

Tunis said Mr Salvinis comments do not reflect the cooperation between the two countries in the management of immigration and indicate an incomplete knowledge of the various mechanisms of coordination that exist between the Tunisian and Italian authorities.

Relatives in the port of Sfax carry a coffin containing the body of an immigrant who drowned when a boat sank off the Tunisian coast at the weekend Credit: Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters

During his visit to a migrant reception centre, Mr Salvini said he could see no reason why Tunisians were turning up on Italian shores because Tunisia was a free and democratic country where there is no war, famine or pestilence.

The North African country was deliberately encouraging its convicts to try to reach Europe, he claimed. He used an Italian word that can also mean felons or good-for-nothings.

Mr Salvini was due to be in Luxembourg on Tuesday for a meeting of EU home affairs ministers, who will discuss the EUs asylum system.

But he cancelled what would have been his debut on the international stage because the upper house of the Italian parliament will hold a confidence vote in the new coalition, an uneasy alliance between The League and the Five Star Movement.

Matteo Salvini, visiting a migrant reception centre in Sicily, accused Tunisia of sending 'convicts' across the sea to Italy Credit: Carmelo Lenzo/AFP

He said an Italian delegation would attend instead and would vote against proposed EU reforms because instead of helping Italy, they will further penalise us and the other countries of the Mediterranean, favouring the interests of northern Europe.

Story continues

Mr Salvini has vowed to make good on his election campaign promise to swiftly step up the pace of migrant repatriations.

He claims there are up to half a million unauthorised migrants in Italy and that the country can no longer afford to care for them.

Just a few thousand failed asylum seekers were expelled last year and that is far too little, he said.

At the present rate of repatriations, it would take 80 years to resolve the problem, he said.

He has demanded that other EU states accept far large numbers of refugees for resettlement.

Either Europe gives us a hand to make our country safer, or we will have to choose other avenues, he wrote on Twitter on Monday.

Italy will no longer be "Europe's refugee camp" and the party is over for migrants, Mr Salvini said.

In the last five years, around 700,000 migrants and refugees have been rescued at sea and brought to Italy, with concerns over migration fueling the rise of The League.

The party won 17 per cent of the vote at the general election in March but that support has now surged to 28 per cent, polls suggest.

The diplomatic row came as the death toll from a migrant boat that sank off the Tunisian coast at the weekend rose to more than 100.

A total of 68 survivors were rescued from the boat, but it was believed to be carrying more than 180 people.By Steve Scherer and Gavin Jones ROME (Reuters) - Italy's new prime minister promised on Tuesday to bring radical change to the country, including more generous welfare and a crackdown on immigration, as the two party bosses who hold the keys to his anti-establishment government nodded their approval. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte addressed the Senate, flanked by the leaders of two formerly fringe parties that shoved aside mainstream groups at an election in March to form a coalition with little-known law expert Conte as its head. "The truth is that we have created a radical change and we're proud of it," Conte said in his maiden speech to parliament, delivered in the upper house Senate, before winning a vote of confidence for his policy program. The government, backed by the 5-Star Movement, founded nine years ago as a grass-roots protest group, and the right-wing League, won the vote by 171-117 in the 320-seat Senate. The coalition has a larger majority in the lower house, which is due to vote on Wednesday. It will then be fully empowered. Conte, 53, spoke as 5-Star leader Luigi di Maio and League chief Matteo Salvini sat beside him, nodding their approval as the urbane law professor ticked off all the main elements of a policy agenda the party leaders had finalised days before. Di Maio is labor and industry minister in Conte's government and Salvini is interior minister. Their presence has raised doubts about whether Conte, a political novice, can put his own stamp on the government's agenda. In his 72-minute speech, Conte said priorities would include tackling social hardship through the introduction of a universal income - a 5-Star election promise - and to stem an influx of illegal immigrants, a pivotal policy of the League. NO EURO EXIT During his speech Conte made no mention of Italy's commitment to remaining in the euro zone, a question that has troubled financial markets, but he addressed the subject head-on in his final remarks at the end of the parliamentary debate. "We have to reiterate it - leaving the euro has never been considered and it is not being considered," he said. The ruling coalition's original pick for economy minister, eurosceptic economist Paolo Savona, was vetoed by Italy's president because of his critical views on the euro. He was replaced by a figure more reassuring for financial markets. "The political forces that make up this government have been accused of being populist and anti-system...," Conte said. "If populism means the ruling class listens to the needs of the people ... (and) if anti-system means to aim to introduce a new system, which removes old privileges and encrusted power, well these political forces deserve both these epithets." Conte is not affiliated to any party, though he is close to 5-Star, which presented him as a potential minister before the March 4 election. Di Maio and Salvini vetoed each other as prime minister and picked him as a compromise figure. Touching on one of the most sensitive issues for markets, Conte said the euro zone's fiscal rules should be "aimed at helping citizens" and Italy would negotiate changes to EU governance. Italian government bonds sold off on his remarks, which confirmed much of the coalition's budget-busting agenda. Italy's 10-year government borrowing costs rose 18 basis points to 2.74 percent after hitting a one-week low of 2.509 percent on Monday. "The speech shows there are no signs that any of their proposals will be watered down," said Antoine Bouvet, an interest-rates strategist with Japanese bank Mizuho. However, Conte made no reference to one of the most costly of the coalition's pledges: abolishing a 2011 pension reform that raised the retirement age. "TROIKA" WARNING In the debate after the speech, ex-premier Mario Monti said Italy risked being put under supervision of the European Central Bank, European Commission and International Monetary Fund unless the government carefully manages the public accounts. Italy already has the biggest debt burden of major euro zone nations at about 130 percent of economic output. Economists estimate the coalition's policy agenda would add tens of billions of euros to annual spending. "We want to reduce the public debt, but we want to do it by increasing our wealth, not with austerity that, in recent years, has helped to make it grow," Conte said. Debt was "fully sustainable today", and key to reducing it was economic growth. He also referred to the coalition's promise to introduce an overhaul of income tax with just two, much lower rates, but he gave no details nor a timetable for implementing policies. Conte stressed that "Europe is our home" and, despite the coalition's plan to improve Russian ties, restated commitments to both NATO and Italy's alliance with the United States. On immigration, a major election issue after an influx of hundreds of thousands of mostly African asylum seekers, Conte said the government would end "the immigration business". "We are not and will never be racists. We want procedures that determine refugee status to be certain and speedy, in order to effectively guarantee their (refugee) rights," he said. League leader Salvini has pledged Italy will no longer be "Europe's refugee camp". (Additional reporting by Crispian Balmer, Philip Pullella, Angelo Amante, Giuseppe Fonte, Antonio Denti, and Massimiliano Di Giorgio in Rome; Editing by Mark Bendeich/Gareth Jones)Rome (AFP) - Italy's incoming prime minister on Tuesday won the first of two parliamentary votes to confirm his populist government, after calling in his maiden policy speech for "obligatory" redistribution of asylum seekers around the EU and a review of sanctions against Russia.

Giuseppe Conte's government, made up of a coalition of far-right and eurosceptic parties, was sworn in on Friday after almost three months of political turmoil that alarmed EU officials and spooked financial markets.

A lawyer with little political and no government experience, Conte was nominated by far-right League leader Matteo Salvini and the head of the anti-establishment Five Star movement Luigi di Maio -- both of whom are now his deputy prime ministers.

In his first policy speech to lawmakers since being sworn in, Conte reaffirmed several of the coalition's key manifesto themes, including a tough line on migrants, rejection of economic austerity and conciliatory gestures towards Moscow.

"We want to reduce our public debt, but we want to do so with growth and not with austerity measures," he told senators.

"We will strongly call for the Dublin Regulation to be overhauled in order to obtain respect for a fair distribution of responsibilities and to achieve an automatic system of compulsory distribution of asylum seekers."

Under the Dublin Rules, would be asylum seekers must submit their applications in their country of arrival, meaning Italy has huge numbers to deal with.

On Russia, which faces EU sanctions over the Ukraine crisis, Conte said: "We will promote a review of the sanctions system."

- Summits on horizon -

The alliance between the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and far-right League won Tuesday's vote in the Senate, with 171 votes in favour, 117 against and 25 abstentions.

A second parliamentary vote on Wednesday in the Chamber of Deputies, where the two parties also enjoy a majority, will officially confirm the new cabinet.

Story continues

The government is set to win despite both former premier Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party -- a campaign ally of the League -- and the outgoing centre-left Democratic Party saying that they will not vote in favour.

On the 53-year-old prime minister's agenda in his first weeks in office are a Group of Seven summit in Canada this week and a key EU summit at the end of the month.

Conte's low profile has fuelled speculation that he will take a back seat to his two powerful deputies. Salvini is interior minister and Di Maio holds the economic development portfolio in addition to both being deputy premiers.

Since being sworn in Conte had limited himself to a Facebook post in which he said that he had spoken with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron and would meet the two leaders at the G7 summit.

- 'Good times over' -

On Monday, Di Maio met representatives of food deliverers in Italy's gig economy.

He described the workers as "the symbol of an abandoned generation," and underlined the need to give them "job security and a dignified minimum wage".

Salvini has wasted no time addressing immigration, saying at the weekend that Italy "cannot be Europe's refugee camp" on a visit to Sicily, where thousands of migrants have arrived in recent years.

On Saturday the 45-year-old said the "good times for illegals are over" in a country where around 700,000 migrants have arrived since 2013.

"Get ready to pack your bags," he added.

European Union interior ministers are meeting on Tuesday to discuss possible reforms of the bloc's controversial Dublin rules but made little apparent progress.

Salvini has blasted the system as unfairly burdening Mediterranean countries and leading to "an obvious imbalance in management, numbers and costs".

He and Di Maio have been heavily criticised for remaining silent on the murder of Sacko Soumayla, a 29-year-old Malian who died from gunshot wounds after an unknown assailant fired at him and two others on Saturday.

However on Tuesday Conte called the incident "tragic and troubling", adding that Soumayla was "one of thousands of day labourers with correct immigration papers who every day in this country go to work in conditions below any level of dignity".

He added: "Politics should bear the responsibility of these peoples' ordeals and ensure pathways of legality, which is the guiding light of our government programme".Late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon surprised students at the Florida secondary school where a gunman killed 17 in February, turning up unannounced to deliver the commencement speech on Sunday night at the school's graduation ceremony.

The comedian, who hosts The Tonight Show, congratulated the seniors of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who received their diplomas.

Four families received diplomas on behalf of loved ones who were killed in the Valentines Day bloodshed.

Fallon urged students in the small city of Parkland, which is around 45 miles north of Miami, to move forward and dont let anything stop you.

"You are not just the future - you are the present. Keep changing the world. Keep making us proud, he said.

"Today you're graduating from high school. You should feel incredibly proud of yourselves. That doesn't mean you should rest on your laurels - or your yannys," he quipped.

This is a reference to the Yanny or Laurel auditory illusion which went viral last month and prompted the internet to explode into heated debate. The name being said depends on the perception of the listener  some hear Laurel while others hear Yanny.

"Some of you will grow up to hear yanny, some of you will grow up to hear laurel, but the most important thing for you to know is that neither of these things will matter by the end of the summer," he said.

"Here's what will matter: you, the class of 2018, will have graduated. And you won't be classmates anymore. You'll be adults who Facebook search each other at two in the morning for the next ten years."

Fallon then adopted a more serious tone as he offered advice to the graduating seniors to help them in the future.

"The first thing is this: when something feels hard, remember that it gets better. Choose to move forward. Don't let anything stop you."

He noted that he had met some of the students at the March for Our Lives earlier this year, calling it "an amazing day."

Story continues

"Thank you for your courage and your bravery," he said.

Graduate Shannon Recor said she was pleased Fallon had come to the event saying he "made us laugh and cry.

He brought a positive energy - I'm glad he came, she added.

Principal Ty Thompson underscored the honours for the dead students on Twitter.

"Remember those not with us, and celebrate all the successes the Class of 2018 has brought to the community and the world!" Mr Thompson tweeted.

Fourteen students and three staff members died in the attack in Parkland on 14 February. A former student, Nikolas Cruz, 19, is charged with their deaths and with wounding 17 other people.

Lawyers for Mr Cruz have said the teenager would plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of life without parole. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.Rep. Keith Ellison, a leading figure among progressive Democrats in the House, filed Tuesday to run for attorney general of Minnesota and wont stand for reelection to Congress.

Politico reporter Edward-Isaac Dovere tweeted out the news, adding that Ellison will keep his role as deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee, where he has been a significant voice for liberals in the Democratic establishment.

Rep. Keith Ellison at the Democratic National Committee winter meeting in Atlanta in 2017. (Photo: Chris Berry/Reuters)

An article in Politico earlier this year described Ellison, in his sixth term, as having grown listless and bored in the House. Ellisons relationship with DNC head Thomas E. Perez has also been described as uneasy. An economic populist who speaks with candor on political and cultural issues, he sometimes deviated from the partys carefully crafted line.

News of an attorney general run comes after a wild weekend for the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, as the states Democratic organ is known. During a weekend convention, the DFL endorsed state representative Erin Murphy as its gubernatorial candidate, but only on the seventh vote. Sitting state Attorney General Lori Swanson encountered tepid support from DFL delegates and chose not to seek reelection but to enter the primary for the governorship instead.

The DFL-endorsed candidate for attorney general is Matt Pelikan, 36, who is openly gay. Ellison, 54, is a Muslim African-American.

He is wildly popular in his Twin Cities district, where he last won reelection by 47 points. If he becomes attorney general, he would be the first Muslim in such a post, at a time when President Trumps ban on travelers from majority-Muslim countries is one of the most divisive political issues in the country.

A sojourn in Minnesota could potentially strengthen Ellison for an eventual return to Washington. State attorneys general have risen to national prominence by challenging the Trump administration on immigration, environmental regulation and marijuana decriminalization. Virtually unknown until Trumps election, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is now discussed as a potential presidential candidate. Until he was felled by sexual assault allegations, so was New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman.

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Ellison would likely use the offices broad prosecutorial powers to advance a populist agenda aimed at curbing the excesses of the banking industry, continuing his work on the House Financial Services Committee. He has also been a vociferous advocate for a lenient immigration policy, earning some criticism last year for comparing immigrants crossing into the United States illegally from Mexico to Jews fleeing Europe during the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany.

Ellison has also been a leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, a position he would cede if he returned to Minnesota. Told of Ellisons decision on Monday afternoon, a senior aide on the Progressive Caucus was dismayed. Kind of sucks for us at a federal level, he said of Ellisons likely departure. Hes a real visionary and moral leader for progressive Democrats.

Minnesotas primary election is on Aug. 14.

Read more from Yahoo News:Kelly Marie Tran in The Last Jedi. (Photo: Lucasfilm/Disney)

Kelly Marie Tran, who played Resistance fighter Rose Tico in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, delighted fans with her adorable Instagram account.

But over the weekend, the actress deleted all of her posts, after months of online racial and sexual harassment.

Kelly Marie Tran has deleted all the posts off her Instagram due to months of harassment she has received for her character Rose in #TheLastJedi pic.twitter.com/ipxdbDH30C  Star Wars Facts (@SWTweets) June 5, 2018

Kelly Marie Tran removed all her wonderful instagram posts pic.twitter.com/3YlZTnEACS  sleemo (@sleemo_) May 31, 2018

The page is still active, but there are now zero posts for her 190,000 followers.

Her page inscription, Afraid, but doing it anyway, remains.

After Tran, who is Vietnamese-American, became a breakout star of the second movie of the new Star Wars trilogy, which paired her romantically with John Boyega (Finn), she was targeted with abuse on Instagram and Twitter and other online platforms. For example, her entry in the Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki, was edited to include offensive remarks and racial slurs.

Fandom, the company that runs the pages, later issued an apology, adding that it had a zero tolerance policy for vandalism, inclusive of racism and harassment.

Fellow Star Wars leading lady Daisy Ridley also deleted her Instagram account in 2017 and never returned, after becoming the victim of harassment and abuse over a remark she made about gun control in the U.S.

Ridley later told Glamour magazine: I was on Instagram, trying to do that whole thing, and people werent very nice. I posted a thing about gun regulations, because I was at an event in tribute to the Orlando shooting at Pulse [where 49 people were killed and over 50 were wounded]. People werent nice about how I looked. And I was like, Im out. Simple as that. That is not what I signed up for.

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Everyone said, Its because she talked about gun safety, but it wasnt. If I want to talk about gun safety, I will talk about gun safety. And I didnt sign up for people to go, Youre amazing! But I didnt sign up for them to say things like Your skin is s***, either so I took down the post, and then I deleted my account.

Fans are reeling from the news of Trans social-media departure, but many arent surprised, given the trollish attacks on Ridley, with some even noting the vicious comments a certain subset of Star Wars fans directed at Jake Lloyd, who played the young Anakin Skywalker in George Lucass The Phantom Menace prequel.

Many of the people who attacked Jake Lloyd (when he was a child) over TPM are probably the same ones who attack Kelly Marie Tran, Daisy Ridley, & Kathleen Kennedy. A lot if them probably blame society for why they have no real friends. Look in the mirror, no one likes a bully.  Alison Berrios (@CosplayForJedi) June 4, 2018

so both Kelly Marie Tran and Daisy Ridley have deleted their Instagrams because of harassment. Congrats to Star Wars for having the trashiest goddamn fan base around https://t.co/oLC1EL7arc  Alex Bruce-Smith (@alexbrucesmith) June 5, 2018

kelly marie tran deleted her Instagram because some of you grown ass ugly troglodytes couldnt dislike a goddamned star wars character without harassing the actress who played her!  bisexual nine nine (@ejnoodles) June 4, 2018

kelly marie tran deserves better than the star wars fandom that cant seem to grasp the idea that shes an actual person not her character  danielle (@nomadstrange) June 3, 2018

Daisy Ridley and Kelly Marie Tran were the best things to happen to Instagram and now they are both gone.  bec (@rebeccaclark) June 4, 2018

Your stunted sense of self-worth ended with lightsabers and space dog-fights, not the messages behind these movies. Kelly Marie Tran is the best a Star Wars fan can aspire to. YOU DO NOT DESERVE STAR WARS, YOU ARE NOT WELCOME ANYMORE. END.  Rron R2 is an Ang Lee Shill (@rron007) June 5, 2018

The world don't deserves Kelly Marie Tran, she's the cutest, so adorable and funny but the world is full of idiots, heartless human beings and they're responsible for making her deleting the Instagram account, bunch of losers!! I hate you all!! pic.twitter.com/hLjHpS8fKX  Balance (@daisyridleylit) June 3, 2018

In light of the news, fans are now rallying behind Tran.

If you followed Kelly Marie Tran on instagram then you know she has been one of the loveliest and most positive souls on the goddamn internet in the past year and I will FIGHT every last person who hurt her https://t.co/WDP6j2HM5N  Sarah Dollard (@snazdoll) June 5, 2018

kelly marie tran i just want you to know there are so many of us out here that love and appreciate you and your role in star wars  watch dirty computer (@beewIw) June 4, 2018

Watch: Solos Thandie Newton on becoming the first black actress featured onscreen in Star Wars:



Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:Ben Bowling, this year's valedictorian at Bell County High School in Kentucky, pulled off one hell of a senior prank during his graduation speech on Saturday. The 18 year-old read off a quote he jokingly attributed to President Donald Trump, as reported by USA Today.

"Don't just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table," he read, adding the attribution, "Donald J. Trump." The audience of Kentuckians cheered him on, but those cheers quickly turned into a chorus of groans when Bowling revealed he was kidding  and revealed the quote was actually from Barack Obama.

"I just thought it was a really good quote," Bowling told the Courier Journal. "Most people wouldnt like it if I used it, so I thought Id use Donald Trumps name. It is southeastern Kentucky after all."

Thankfully, Bowling said he did not get any backlash about his speech and most folks found the situation funny.Kim Jong-un has replaced three senior military officials - AFP

North Korea has replaced its three most senior military officials with less hawkish appointees, with analysts suggesting Kim Jong-un is sidelining hardline factions who are opposed to his shift away from the longstanding military first policy.

There are even suggestions that the North Korean leader is acting out of concern that disgruntled military officers might attempt a coup when Mr Kim travels to Singapore for next week's summit with US President Donald Trump.

No Kwang-chol, formerly the first vice minister of the North Korean Peoples Armed forces, was promoted to minister during a meeting of the Central Military Commission on May 17 that was presided over by Mr Kim. South Korean intelligence has been unable to ascertain the fate of his predecessor, Pak Yong-sik, The Korea Herald reported.

There are also reports that Ri Myong-su, chief of the General Staff, has been replaced, although it is not clear who has taken over the role. Mr Ri was caught on television apparently falling asleep during a meeting of the Central Committee on May 20 and may well have been punished for the transgression. In 2015, Hyon Yong-chol, a former defence minister, was reportedly executed for nodding off during a meeting addressed by Mr Kim.

Rocket man: How Kim Jong-un emerged from his father's shadow to silence the doubters

The most significant change, however, is that of director of the militarys General Political Bureau. Kim Su-gil, the former chairman of the Pyongyang City Committee of the Workers Party, took over as director in May from Kim Jong-gak, who had only been in the post since January.

A prudent dictator replaces people fairly regularly so they do not become too entrenched or powerful within their realms or build up sufficient influence to plot rebellion, said Daniel Pinkston, a professor of international relations at the Seoul campus of Troy University.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a construction site as Kim Su-gil (3rd L) looks on Credit: Reuters

Replacing the three most senior members of his military in the space of a month is considered unusual even for North Korea, however, and may have been prompted by rumblings of discontent among senior officers who disagree with Mr Kims decision to focus on the economy at the expense of the military.

The Chosun Ilbo newspaper has quoted defectors in South Korea as suggesting that Mr Kim is nervous about leaving Pyongyang for his summit in Singapore with Mr Trump because he fears an uprising in his absence. Mr Kims schedule is usually a closely guarded secret, they added, and plotters will be aided by the fact that the schedule for the meeting - and his absence - is widely known.

Replacing these officials is probably an attempt to coup-proof his regime because a dictator is at his most vulnerable when he is traveling abroad, said Mr Pinkston.Amman (AFP) - Jordan's King Abdullah II called for a review of a controversial draft tax law Tuesday as anti-austerity protesters staged another night of demonstrations in Amman and trade unions vowed to hold a general strike later Wednesday.

For nearly a week, the capital and other cities have been hit by angry rallies against reforms backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that have brought repeated price hikes.

Prime Minister Hani Mulki stepped down on Monday in an effort to quell the unrest but his departure -- and King Abdullah's call to review the law -- appear to have done little to reduce public anger.

On Tuesday evening, protesters held another mass rally in Amman after breaking their Ramadan fast, jostling with police and waving Jordanian flags. Trade unions said the law review was a "positive" step but nonetheless called for a general strike on Wednesday.

Many demonstrators said they wanted more than Mulki's departure.

"We want new people who really want to bring in reforms, we do not want politicians from the same circles who only want to solve the IMF's problems by stealing money from the people's pockets," one male protester, who declined to give his name, told AFP.

Another, who gave his first name as Khalil, said Jordan's political system, which grants the monarchy vast executive powers, should become more democratic and accountable.

"We must elect the government, so that when errors are made they will be responsible to the people who elected them," he said.

In a letter charging new premier Omar al-Razzaz with forming a government, King Abdullah II said it "must carry out a comprehensive review of the tax system" to avoid "unjust taxes that do not achieve justice and balance between the incomes of the poor and the rich".

Late Monday, the king had warned Jordan was "at a crossroads", blaming the economic woes on regional instability, the burden of hosting hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and a lack of international support.

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Protesters on Monday night chanted "we want rights and duties, not tips and handouts!" and "down with the IMF!" as they gathered under a heavy police presence.

Last month, the government proposed a new income tax law, yet to be approved by parliament, aimed at raising taxes on employees by at least five percent and on companies by between 20 and 40 percent.

It was the latest in a series of austerity measures since Amman secured a $723-million loan from the IMF in 2016.

Since January, resource-poor Jordan, which suffers from high unemployment and poverty, has seen repeated price rises including for staples such as bread, as well as extra taxes on basic goods.

Fuel prices have risen five times since the start of the year, while electricity bills have surged by 55 percent since February.

The measures have sparked some of the biggest economic protests in five years.

After a two-hour meeting Tuesday afternoon, head of the trade unions' council Ali al-Abous called on Jordan's new premier to "open a constructive dialogue" with the unions and civil society groups "to get out of this impasse that the draft income tax law has put us in".

The head of Jordan's Bar Association, Mazen Arshidat, said the unions "were determined to withdraw" the tax reform bill.

- Resignation 'not enough' -

Jordan, a key US ally, has largely avoided the unrest witnessed by other countries in the region since the Arab Spring revolts broke out in 2011, although protests did flare late that year after the government cut fuel subsidies.

The latest protests started last week when unions called for nationwide demonstrations.

They have rocked several other cities, including Irbid and Jarash in the north, Zarqa in the east, and the southern city of Maan, which saw deadly riots in the 1980s over rising food prices.

"When the protests began, they weren't just directed against Mulki as a person, they were against the income tax draft law and the price hikes," said Bushra Abu Jabbara, a 34-year-old pharmacist.

"We want the government to respond to our demands and withdraw the bill, which hasn't happened yet."

A majority of deputies -- 78 out of 130 -- have said they will vote against the draft legislation.

"The income tax draft law is almost certain to be dropped now," Jordanian political analyst Samih al-Maitah said.

The bill is one of a tranche of measures aimed at slashing Jordan's public debt from over 90 percent of gross domestic product to 77 percent by 2021.

King Abdullah said gas supply cuts due to attacks on an Egyptian pipeline to Israel and Jordan had cost the kingdom some $5.6 billion (4.8 billion euros).

He added that the closure of the borders with the kingdom's main export markets, war-torn Syria and Iraq, and the cost of securing those frontiers had added to Jordan's economic woes.The network backed by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch is coming down hard on President Donald Trumps trade policies, yet another indication of the conservative mega-donors willingness to break with the the Trump administration.

Three groups that are under the networks umbrella  Americans for Prosperity, the Libre Initiative, and Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce  announced Monday they are launching a multi-year, multi-million dollar campaign to promote the benefits of free trade and opposing tariffs. The announcement comes less than a week after Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from key allies Mexico, Europe and Canada.

In addition to calling for the removal of the steel and aluminum tariffs, the Koch network will also use the campaign as a mechanism to urge Trump to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), resume negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and lift proposed tariffs on imports from China. The campaign, which will include advertisements, lobbying, and grassroots mobilization, calls on Congress to implement measures that would give lawmakers broader oversight over the implementation of tariff policies.

Trade lifts people out of poverty and improves lives. It is critical to Americas future prosperity and our consumers, workers and companies, Freedom Partners Executive Vice President James Davis said in a statement. Tariffs and other trade barriers make us poorer. They raise prices for those who can least afford it. Thats why this issue is so important.

While the Koch groups have long been outspoken about opposing tariffs, the new financial investment in promoting this agenda  which an official says is their biggest yet on this issue  comes as talk of a trade war continues to heat up. Trumps announcement provoked an outcry  and threat of retaliatory tariffs  from the leaders of the allied countries Trump is planning to hit with tariffs, with cries of imminent political and economic ramifications.

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There are no two countries that are as interconnected, interdependent, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. The fact that the president has moved forward with these tariffs is not just going to hurt Canadian jobs. Its going to hurt U.S. jobs as well, and neither of those things is something that Canada wants to see.

Tim Phillips, the President of Americans for Prosperity, echoed Trudeaus sentiments about the adverse impact on the American economy in announcing the initiative.

The Trump administration has taken some incredibly positive steps for the American economy, but tariffs will undercut that progress and needlessly hamstring our full economic potential, Phillips said in a statement. There are better ways to negotiate trade deals than by punishing American consumers and businesses with higher costs. Instead of pursuing protectionist policies that we already know dont work, lets help everyone win by expanding trade, opening new markets and lowering costs.

Brian Faughnan, a spokesman for the Koch-backed Libre Initiative, did not specify how much money would be spent on the initiative beyond saying it was a multi-million dollar effort, but said more announcements would be made in the coming days.

(Disclosure: Time Inc., TIMEs parent company, has been acquired by Meredith Corp. in a deal partially financed by Koch Equity Development, a subsidiary of Koch Industries Inc.)More than 100,000 people gathered in Hong Kongs Victoria Park on June 4 to hold a vigil for the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre.

The protesters candles, sang songs, and called for the release of pro-democracy activists jailed in China, reported Hong Kong Free Press. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for China to release the full death toll from the brutal military crackdown on the student-led pro-democracy protest on the eve of the 29th anniversary of the massacre. Inside China discussion of the events of June 4 1989 are heavily censored and references to the anniversary are routinely blocked on Chinese social networks. Credit: Helena Wong via StoryfulBy Rozanna Latiff KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysians who voted scandal-tainted prime minister Najib Razak out of office last month were treated to the sight of his allegedly high-spending wife Rosmah Mansor submitting herself to questioning at the anti-graft agency headquarters on Monday. The former first couple were barred from leaving the country following the May 9 election as investigators relaunched a probe into how billions of dollars went missing from a state fund founded by Najib. Whatever awkward questions Rosmah, 66, faced during a three interview with investigators, she showed no sign of being discomfited as she left the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission building. Wearing a bright blue traditional dress, with a red scarf swept over her head, Rosmah stepped lightly into her Mercedes and waved to the TV cameras, leaving her lawyers to issue a brief statement. "The MACC officers have completed recording a statement from our client," her lawyer K.Kumaraendran said after Rosmah left. "The over three-hour long process went well. Our client will extend further cooperation as and when sought by the agency," he added. Given her penchant for super-expensive handbags, eyes were inevitably drawn to the red bag on her arm when she arrived at the MACC. It appeared to be a Versace, rather than a Hermes Birkin bag, the model that police found scores of during their searches of properties linked to Najib and Rosmah last month. The bag was instantly trending on Malaysian social media groups, and some identified it as a Versace Demetra estimated to cost about $2,500. Rosmah's opulent lifestyle and shopping sprees have angered Malaysians who have struggled to cope with rising living costs over the past decade. Many have compared her with Imelda Marcos, who left behind more than 1,200 pairs of shoes when her husband Ferdinand Marcos was ousted as president of the Philippines in 1986. She was accompanied by her daughter Nooryana Najwa and her son-in-law Daniyar Nazarbayev, a nephew of the president of Kazakhstan. LAWYERS QUIT Najib, 64, has already made a series of statements to anti-graft investigators tracking the money trail from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Attention has shifted to Rosmah after police found hundreds of luxury handbags, jewelry and cash during raids on apartments linked to the family. Rosmah gave a statement to anti-graft investigators on Monday in connection with a suspicious transfer of about $10.6 million into Najib's personal bank account that has been traced to the former 1MDB unit SRC International. The sum is just a fraction of the billions of dollars allegedly siphoned from 1MDB. He has denied any wrongdoing and was cleared of any offense in an earlier Malaysian enquiry, but on Tuesday the attorney-general who had cleared him was replaced by the new government's nominee, Tommy Thomas. Piling more pressure on Najib, Malaysia's new finance minister Lim Guan Eng revealed plans to report to the anti-graft agency upfront payments of 8.25 billion ringgit ($2 billion) or 88 percent of the total value of two pipeline projects awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (CCPB), although they are less than 15 percent complete. Earlier on Tuesday, some lawyers representing Najib and Rosmah on the SRC case said they had quit. M. Puravalen, a lawyer acting for Najib and Rosmah in connection with the SRC investigations, told Reuters he had "ceased acting" for Najib and Rosmah. He said a second lawyer, Yusof Zainal Abideen, had also quit. News site The Malaysian Insight reported that Puravalen, Abideen and other members of their legal team had walked out because they failed to reach common ground with Najib on several issues. Abideen could not be reached immediately reached for comment. Najib and Rosmah could also not be reached for comment. In raids over the past weeks, police have seized 114 million ringgit ($28.6 million) in cash and more than 400 handbags. Experts were being brought in to value the jewelry, watches and other seized items. Items such as Birkin handbags from Hermes and watches were among the items seized, police said. The police did not say who the bags belonged to. Birkin bags, favored by celebrities like Victoria Beckham, can be worth up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Designer handbags with brand names like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Oscar de la Renta were also seized from Najib's private residence, along with luxury watches, local media reports said. 1MDB is also the subject of money-laundering probes in at least six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore. The U.S. Department of Justice alleged in civil lawsuits last year that some of the funds stolen from 1MDB were used to buy jewelry for Rosmah: $27 million for a rare pink diamond and another $1.3 million for 27 gold necklaces. Her son Riza Aziz, Najib's stepson, was also named in the DoJ investigation. He has denied any wrongdoing, but his company, Red Granite Pictures, paid the U.S. government $60 million to settle a civil lawsuit that sought to seize assets allegedly bought with money stolen from 1MDB. Red Granite produced the 2013 film, "The Wolf of Wall Street". (Additional reporting by John Geddie; writing by Praveen Menon; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)A leaked photo showing a federal courtroom packed with dozens of immigrants in orange jumpsuits undergoing a "mass trial" in Texas has shed a light on an increasingly common practice.

While it is unclear who took the image, journalist Debbie Nathan, who first came across it while covering mass trials in Texas, believes it was taken in Pecos, a small town around 70 miles southwest of Odessa by someone who did not feel comfortable with the effects of the Trump administration's new "zero tolerance" policy on people caught crossing into the U.S. illegally.

Nathan told Newsweek a number of members of the legal community had told her about the photo before she found it on social media.

Trending: More Than 110 Confederate Monuments Have Been Removed Across the U.S. Since 2015, SPLC Says

Listen to the tape: Judge in S. Texas blasts the government for separating immigrant parents and kids at the border, says feds are creating "hell." My piece in The Intercept. https://t.co/HK6CQQ6F5s  Debbie Nathan (@DebbieNathan2) May 29, 2018

The journalist said that, in recent months, she has seen similar mass trials in Brownsville and El Paso and added they were some of the most upsetting things she has witnessed in her three decades of covering border and immigration issues.

"I've seen as many as 40, 41, 42 people all let in, men and women, all shackled at the waist, shackled at the feet, their hands shackled to their waist chains," Nathan said. "It's a very dehumanizing process," the journalist said. "You're just like, how could this possibly be considered American due process?"

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In April, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that federal prosecutors would be adopting a "zero tolerance" policy on undocumented immigrants, warning that "This is not business as usual...This is the Trump era."

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Sessions also announced the Trump administration's new policy of separating families caught crossing into the U.S. illegally, with parents being sent to federal jails, while their young ones are kept in shelters overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

As a result, Nathan said mass trials for immigrants have become increasingly common, despite having taken place since 2005, when Operation Streamline was first rolled out to increase the consequences for illegal border crossings with criminal prosecutions.

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"There are a lot of courts where it used to exist, but nobody there remembers it," Nathan said. "I knew that this wasn't new but what people tell me is that streamlined [trials] went from one district or one court to another court and then they'd sort of die out."

Now, Nathan said it seems the streamlined mass trials have returned, with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol seeing as many as 50,924 people detained in April alone, including 9,647 family units and 4,314 unaccompanied children.

The journalist said public defenders are only given a handful of minutes with each defendant and that defendants are sometimes forced to answer a judge's question in unison, rather than being able to make their case on an individual basis.

"You get this giant shout of 'si' or 'no'," Nathan said. "Especially when they are asked to make a guilty plea and it goes very quickly. You just hear women's voices, men's voices, loud voices, ashamed voices, defiant voices...It's upsetting," she added.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekAfter the assassination of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in June 1968, more than 2,000 people gathered inside New York City's St. Patricks Cathedral to pay their respects.

Tuesday marks 50 years since Kennedys death and InsideEdition.com is taking a look back at the funeral of the slain lawmaker who was pursuing the Democratic nomination for president of the United States at the time of his death.

Kennedy was shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 5, moments after announcing his win in the California presidential primary.

It looked like he would receive the Democratic nomination for the presidency and go up against Richard Nixon in the general election. He had been campaigning for three months.

That dream was cut short, however, when Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian, stepped out of a crowd in the hotel's kitchen with a rolled up campaign poster hiding a .22 revolver, and shot Kennedy multiple times. Kennedy died the following day.

On June 8, 1968, thousands attended Kennedys funeral, including Coretta Scott King and President Lyndon B. Johnson. Outside the church, thousands listened to the service through a loud speaker as Kennedys brother, Ted Kennedy, gave a eulogy.

Ted Kennedy said his brother should be remembered as a, "good and decent man," who "saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it."

A funeral train then carried Kennedys body from New York to Washington D.C. Along the entire route, thousands paid their respects.

The procession ended at Arlington Cemetery where a brief candlelight ceremony was held.

Kennedy was laid to rest next to his brother, John F. Kennedy.

What joy he brought us, Rose Kennedy, Robert Kennedys mother, said during a memorial service years later. What an aching void there is without him. We admired him. We loved him and the world is indeed bleak without him."

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Related Articles:Paris (AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron warned of the risk of "conflict" in the standoff with Iran after Tehran announced plans to boost its uranium enrichment capacity as Europe scrambles to save a beleaguered nuclear deal.

At a press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the French leader called on "everyone to stabilise the situation and not give into this escalation which would lead to only one thing: conflict."

He said that the Iranian decision to expand its nuclear infrastructure did not constitute grounds for quitting a 2015 deal designed to stop Iran getting a nuclear bomb.

The deal hangs by a thread after the US withdrew last month -- a move applauded by Iran's arch-foe Israel -- but so far fellow signatories France, Britain, Germany, China, Russia and the EU, have stood firm.

In a rebuke of the US pullout Macron said that Iran's riposte "simply shows that when you decide to unilaterally end an accord it does not encourage the other party to respect it."

Netanyahu, who has vigorously opposed the accord, said he had not attempted to convince Macron to abandon it.

"I did not ask President Macron to leave the deal. I think that economic realities are going to decide this matter," he said, referring to the prospect of renewed US nuclear sanctions on Iran, and the repercussions for European countries that continue to do business in the Islamic republic."

"What we focused on, and what I focused on, is how to stop Iranian aggression in the region," he added.

- Warning to Europe -

He claimed Tehran was using the "cash bonanza" from sanctions relief to build up its forces in Syria and using the war-torn country as a platform for attacks on neighbouring Israel.

Accusing Tehran, a Shia power, of a plan to flood Syria, a mainly Sunni country, with fighters he declared: "What that will do is spark another religious war, another civil war... and where will the refugees go? They'll go to one place, to here (France) or to Germany or to Europe."

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On Monday, he had issued a similar warning to Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Netanyahu has been emboldened by Trump's decision to pull out of the deal -- and the threat of reprisals against foreign firms that do business in the US who choose to remain in Iran.

His meeting with Macron was the third between the pair in Paris in a year.

It came hours after Iran said it had notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it would soon open a new centre for producing new centrifuges to increase its uranium enrichment capabilities.

Nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said the moves were allowed under the accord, and "do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed".

In a video posted on social media, Netanyahu reiterated his claims that the new enrichment capacity was aimed at producing nuclear weapons "to destroy the State of Israel".

- 'No cause for celebration' -

Netanyahu's European tour comes as relations between Israel and the European Union show signs of strain over the killing of 123 Palestinian protesters in Gaza by Israeli forces since March.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe cancelled a planned trip to Israel last month.

Macron on Tuesday repeated his condemnation of the violence against civilians while noting Israel's security concerns.

Several hundred protesters took part in protests against Netanyahu in cities across France, with three journalist unions calling his visit "intolerable" after the killing of Palestinian journalists.

Against the backdrop, attempts to broker an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have fallen to the wayside, not least after Trump broke with decades of protocol by recognising Israel's claim of Jerusalem as its capital.

Macron took a swipe at the US, which opened its new embassy in Jerusalem on the same day dozens of Palestinians demonstrators were killed in Gaza.

"When you celebrate such an event and there are people dying I do not consider it cause for celebration," he said.

burs-cb/eclKUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's royal rulers have agreed to the government's plan to appoint a non-Muslim attorney-general, the palace said, after a near two-week impasse that stoked racial tensions in the Muslim-majority Southeast Asian country. Groups representing the ethnic Malay majority rejected the plan to appoint top lawyer Tommy Thomas in what amounted to probably the first resistance faced by new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad since he won a stunning election victory last month on promises to fight corruption and reform institutions. Malaysia's palace said King Muhammad V had decided to end the tenure of Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali and appoint Thomas as his replacement on Mahathir's advice and after consulting with the heads of the other eight royal households. "The appointment will preserve the special rights of the Malays and Bumiputera and the status of Islam as the religion of the federation," palace official Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said in a statement on behalf of the king late on Monday. Bumiputera means "sons of the soil". Thomas is the first non-Malay to take the post of attorney-general since Malaysia was formed in 1963. Malaysia's council of rulers, which is formed by the heads of the country's nine sultanates, was initially scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss the government's plan to appoint Thomas. Its decision is likely to quell dissent in the Muslim Malay community, which makes up about 60 percent of Malaysia's population of roughly 32 million. An ethnic Indian Christian, Thomas' key task will be to prosecute those involved in graft at heavily indebted state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The 1MDB scandal was one of the main reasons behind the downfall of former prime minister Najib Razak. Mahathir proposed Thomas for the job nearly two weeks ago, domestic media have reported, after ordering Mohamed Apandi to go on leave. Mohamed Apandi cleared Najib of any wrongdoing in the multi-billion dollar 1MDB scandal. Najib denies any wrongdoing but has been barred from leaving the country since his election defeat and enforcement agencies have relaunched a probe into how 1MDB funds went missing. (Reporting by Joseph Sipalan; Editing by Paul Tait)BERLIN (Reuters) - Iran's activities across the Middle East threaten to drive another wave of refugees to Europe, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday. Netanyahu, on a tour to persuade European countries to follow the U.S. administration of Donald Trump in tearing up a nuclear non-proliferation deal with Iran, said the country was using proceeds from eased sanctions to finance conflict. Iran wanted to expand and deploy Shi'ite militias it commanded to convert Muslims from the Sunni branch of Islam, he said at a joint news conference with Merkel. "This will inflame a religious war, and the consequences will be many more refugees and you know exactly where they'll come," he added. In 2015 Germany and other European countries saw an influx of more than a million migrants, fuelling the rise of far-right parties. Many were refugees from civil war in Syria, where Iran is a crucial military ally of President Bashar al-Assad against rebels who are mainly Sunni. Merkel said she agreed that Iran's activities in the Middle East were a concern, particularly for Israel's security. But she said talks and the nuclear agreement torn up by the United States offered ways of thwarting Iran's nuclear and regional ambitions. "We support Israel's right to security and have said this to Iran at all times," she said. "We have the same goal that Iran must never get a nuclear weapon and the difference between us is how to do that." (Reporting by Thomas Escritt; editing by Andrew Roche)Mexico City (AFP) - A court in Mexico has ordered a new probe into a crime that horrified the nation: the disappearance and suspected massacre of 43 students in 2014.

Relatives of the missing welcomed the ruling, but the government questioned it and said it was reviewing the decision, which came from a federal court in the state of Tamaulipas.

Mexico remains haunted by the unsolved mystery of the 43 students, who vanished on September 26, 2014 in the southern city of Iguala after commandeering several buses to take them to a protest and then being attacked by local police.

Prosecutors initially said the officers delivered the teacher trainees to hitmen from the Guerreros Unidos drug cartel, who killed them, incinerated their bodies and dumped the remains in a river.

The remains of only one student were identified after a bone fragment was found.

But independent experts from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have rejected the government's conclusion.

The court on Monday said the initial investigation was not "timely, effective, independent or impartial on the part of the attorney general's office," said the Federal Judiciary Council.

It said the case should be turned over to an independent truth commission.

The attorney general's office said it "does not share the criteria of the judges". It said it is examining the ruling to determine what to do now.Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of Montana has been singled out for defeat by President Donald Trump after sinking the nomination of White House doctor Ronny Jackson to head the Veterans Affairs Department. (Photo: The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Republicans know President Donald Trump has made defeating Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester one of his top goals for the 2018 midterms. On Tuesday, the states GOP voters will decide on who will take up that task.

Tester, a self-assured farmer, has consistently opposed the presidents nominees even as he runs for re-election in a state Trump won by 20 percentage points. He put himself squarely in Trumps sights with the leading role he played earlier this year in derailing the presidents nomination of White House doctor Ronny Jackson to be veterans affairs secretary.

Trump has declared Tester should lose, and four Republicans are vying to end his Senate career after two terms.

Secret Service has just informed me that Senator Jon Testers statements on Admiral Jackson are not true. There were no such findings. A horrible thing that we in D.C. must live with, just like phony Russian Collusion. Tester should lose race in Montana. Very dishonest and sick!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 28, 2018

State Auditor Matt Rosendale is the frontrunner, with backing from a slew of big national names  the economic conservatives at the Club for Growth have spent heavily on his behalf, and he boasts endorsements from GOP Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah.

But some local Republicans back either former judge Russ Fagg, whose supporters include former governor and Republican National Committee chairman Marc Racicot and former Rep. Denny Rehberg, who lost to Tester in 2012. And businessman and veteran Troy Downing has the backing of Lola Zinke, the wife of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.

The once-quiet race has exploded with negativity in recent weeks. The Club for Growth has attacked both Fagg and Downing with digital ads, hitting Faggs record as a judge and Downings business record. Fagg has slammed Rosendale for his opposition to the death penalty, and a mysterious outside group that wont have to reveal its donors until after the election is blasting Maryland Matt, who was born in Baltimore, as a carpetbagger.

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If Rosendale prevails in the primary, expect the Tester campaign to pick up this line of attack and run with it. The Montana Democratic Party has already slammed Rosendale as a phony rancher. Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock successfully used a similar line of attack against now-Rep. Greg Gianforte in their 2016 race, dubbing him Jersey Gianforte. Rosendale, though, has pointed to Gianfortes win in a closely watched 2017 special House race as evidence he can brush aside the attacks.

2020 Contenders Back Iowa Candidate

Former Vice President Joe Biden and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand have both endorsed Democrat Abby Finkenauer to challenge GOP Rep. Rod Blum in November. (Photo: Reuters Photographer / Reuters)

So far, the highest-profile contenders for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination have largely avoided a major presence in the early primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire. But both former Vice President Joe Biden and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand waded into a contested Iowa primary this weekend, backing Democrat Abby Finkenauer in the 1st Congressional District, which covers the states northeast section.

Ive had the chance to know Abby for the past 11 years, way back from the days she was organizing volunteers in Iowa in 2007, Biden said of Finkenauer in a statement, referencing her work for his 2008 presidential bid. During her time as a state representative the last four years, she has stood up with courage and passion for working families across the state, and I cant wait to see her work for a better tomorrow for our country.

Finkenauer is the favorite against businessman and former congressional aide Thomas Heckroth. Democrats believe they have a chance to knock off GOP Rep. Rod Blum, who won a shocking victory in 2014 and hung on in 2016 as the district went from backing President Barack Obama with 56 percent of the vote in 2012 to picking Trump by a 3-point margin over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton four years later.

A Warren Protege In A Republican Bastion

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Katie Porter, a former law student of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, is trying to prove her populist politics can thrive in a wealthy area. (Photo: Bill Clark via Getty Images)

Californias 45th Congressional District has seen a less wacky race than some of its neighboring seats in Southern California, and theres no chance of a Democratic lock-out here. But the race is worth watching to see if Katie Porter, a former law student and protege of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, can earn the right to face GOP Rep. Mimi Walters in November.

Porter is one of four Democrats in the race, but her chief rival is Dave Min, a former congressional aide who has the endorsement of the states Democratic Party. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee is running digital ads attacking Min for opposing Medicare for All and for taking money from a political action committee affiliated with the New Democrats, a centrist group of congressional Democrats.

If Porter does win, the general election will serve as a test of how well a Warren-style populist can do in a wealthy enclave  the 45th has the 13th highest median income of any district in the country. The district, centered around the city of Irvine, was a center of Southern California Republicanism until Clinton flipped it in 2016. The race is likely to be a toss-up, regardless of which Democrat wins a chance to challenge Walters.

Can Kristi Noem Break The House GOPs Losing Streak?

House Republicans havent done well in competitive primaries for higher office this election cycle. Businessman Mike Braun romped over Reps. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita in the Indiana Senate primary. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (with some assistance from Democrats) topped Rep. Evan Jenkins in the battle for West Virginias GOP Senate nomination. And in Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador failed to secure the partys nomination for governor.

South Dakota Rep. Kristi Noem hopes to break the pattern by defeating Attorney General Marty Jackley in the states Republican gubernatorial primary. A recent poll found the two essentially tied.

Jackley has been attacking Noem for her time in Washington  the same poll found just 15 percent of GOP primary voters approved of how Washington works, compared to 71 percent who approved of state government.

South Dakotans deserve a governor they can be proud of, not a D.C. politician who breaks their promises and will say anything to get elected, a male narrator says in one of Jackleys ads.

Noem has fired back with her own ads featuring a sexual harassment victim alleging Jackley failed to help her when the South Dakota Department of Criminal Investigation retaliated after she reported her complaint.

You cant be above the law just because youre the one who enforces it, the woman says in the ad.

The winner of the race is likely to become governor in heavily Republican South Dakota.

Can A Republican Who Broke With Trump Survive In Alabama?

Alabama Rep. Martha Roby broke with then-GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump after the release late in the 2016 campaign of the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump bragged about sexually assaulting women. (Photo: Bill Clark via Getty Images)

Alabama GOP Rep. Martha Roby wasnt alone among Republicans when she decided to drop her endorsement of then-nominee Trump in early October of 2016, after the disclosure of the Access Holllywood tape featuring him bragging about sexually assaulting women. But she then found herself in surprise political peril.

On Election Day, she won re-election with just shy of 49 percent of the vote, as her Democratic rival captured close to 41 percent and a write-in candidate siphoned off almost 11 percent. Clearly, some of her constituents in the 2nd Congressional District abandoned her for abandoning Trump.

Roby has since made peace with the president, but three challengers hope to springboard off her initial defection and force her into a July runoff. The highest-profile is Bobby Bright, a former Montgomery mayor who held the seat from 2009 to 2011 as a Democrat and has since switched parties.

Another challenger, Rich Hobson, is a longtime aide to Roy Moore, whose Senate candidacy ended in disaster for Republicans last December after allegations surfaced that he had accosted teenage girls decades ago as a young man.

Roby needs to win more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff in the district, which includes Montgomery and southeastern Alabama.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Tuesday, June 5, 2018

What to watch today

On Tuesday, investors will get one of the weeks big economic data points out in the morning as the BLS will release its job openings and labor turnover survey  also known as the JOLTS report  for April at 10:00 a.m. ET. In March, a record 6.6 million jobs were open and economists have closely watched this report as a sign that labor shortages persist across the economy.

President Donald Trump  who last week appeared to share that the May jobs report was good about an hour before its official release  tweeted Monday evening ahead of the JOLTS report, In many ways this is the greatest economy in the HISTORY of America and the best time EVER to look for a job!

Read More

Top news

REUTERS/David Ryder/File photo

Howard Schultz is leaving Starbucks: Starbucks (SBUX) founder Howard Schultz will step down from the board and his role as executive chairman on June 26, according to a memo sent to employees. He will become the chairman emeritus. Schultz, 64, said hell be thinking about a range of options for myself, from philanthropy to public service, but Im a long way from knowing what the future holds. [Yahoo Finance]

What to watch for as Tesla investors decide the future of Musks board: Elon Musk takes the stage at Tesla Inc.s (TSLA) annual shareholder meeting Tuesday with the gap between the fervor of its fans and the doubts of its skeptics as wide as its ever been. The annual meeting usually functions as a chance for some of Musks most adoring devotees to bounce ideas off the chief executive officer and pick his brain. [Bloomberg]

Twitter to join the S&P 500: Twitter (TWTR) was a stock market swamp for three years after going public, saddling investors with as much as $32 billion in equity losses. It took another step Monday toward putting that era behind it. In an action that forces index funds with trillions of dollars in assets to own it, the social media company will replace Monsanto Co. in the S&P 500 prior to the start of trading June 7. [Bloomberg]

Story continues

Hudsons Bay is selling Gilt: The struggling Canadian retailer agreed to sell Gilt, a flash-sale, e-commerce company it bought two years ago that has become one of its worst-performing businesses. The buyer, Rue La La, announced the purchase on Monday without disclosing a price, and said it plans to run the two sites independently and hire 150 people. [Bloomberg]

Our coverage of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2018

For more of the latest news, go to Yahoo Finance

American Civil Liberties Union activists demonstrate in front of the Supreme Court, Monday, June 4, 2018 in Washington. The Supreme Court has ruled for a Colorado baker who wouldnt make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in a limited decision that leaves for another day the larger issue of whether a business can invoke religious objections to refuse service to gay and lesbian people. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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The Morning Brief provides a quick rundown on what to watch in the markets, top news stories, and the best of Yahoo Finance Originals.By John Irish and Marine Pennetier PARIS (Reuters) - Israel's leader urged France on Tuesday to turn its attention to tackling Iran's "regional aggression", saying he no longer needed to convince Paris to quit world powers' 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran as economic pressure would kill it anyway. Benjamin Netanyahu was in Paris for talks with President Emmanuel Macron as part of a tour to persuade the European signatories - Britain, France and Germany - to follow Washington's lead in pursuing a tough stance on Iran after it pulled out of the accord and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. "I didn't ask France to withdraw from the JCPOA (Iran deal) because I think it is basically going to be dissolved by the weight of economic forces," Netanyahu told a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. "If you have a bad deal you don't have to stick to it especially if you see that Iran is conquering one country after another and you cannot divorce this from Iran's aggression in the (Middle East) region." The three European powers are scrambling to save the deal - under which Iran curbed its nuclear program in return for a lifting of international sanctions - as they regard it as the best chance to stop Tehran developing an atomic bomb. Israel maintains that Iran duped the West into a one-sided deal and plans to use the break from sanctions to build up its financial reserves before returning to full-scale enrichment of uranium for future nuclear weapons. Macron did not appear receptive to Netanyahu's argument. "I told the prime minister of my deep conviction, which is shared with our European partners, that the accord needs to be preserved to ensure control of nuclear activity," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump denounced the 2015 accord, reached under predecessor Barack Obama, as it did not cover Iran's ballistic missile program, its role in Middle East wars or what happens after the deal begins to expire in 2025. The European powers share those concerns but say that the accord, also negotiated with China and Russia, is the best way to prevent Tehran developing a nuclear weapons capability. Macron reiterated that he wanted to open up new negotiations on the other issues of concern to Washington. Iran has long said it wants nuclear energy only for civilian uses. Tehran says its ballistic missiles are for defensive purposes only and non-negotiable, and that it has every right to support its allies involved in regional conflicts. FINANCIAL HEAT The European powers are trying to come up with a package to ring-fence trade with Iran against renewed U.S. financial sanctions to dissuade Tehran from quitting the accord. But the global reach of the U.S. financial system, forcing companies to choose between two irreconcilable options - selling to Iran or to the vast U.S. market - is driving home the limits of European efforts to create financial mechanisms that could shield revived trade with Tehran. That has left Europe under pressure from Tehran. "If Iran does not get the financial guarantees in oil and access to the financial system, then I don't see Iran sticking to the deal because the pressure from (Iranian) hardliners is only increasing," said a Western official. "It is quite possible they will resume enrichment capacity and research and development of advanced centrifuges to show the Europeans and the world that they are serious." On Monday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said he had ordered preparations to increase uranium enrichment capacity if the nuclear agreement fell apart after the U.S. withdrawal. Iran on Tuesday informed the U.N. nuclear watchdog of "tentative" plans to produce the feedstock for centrifuges, the machines that enrich uranium. "I call on all sides to stabilize the situation and not give into escalation which will lead to one thing: conflict," Macron said, adding that the Iranian statements added to tensions, but were not in violation of the nuclear deal. (Writing by Ori Lewis and John Irish; Editing by Mark Heinrich)Managua (AFP) - Nicaragua's government urged its opponents Monday to return to the negotiating table, after a night of clashes between police and protesters left five more people dead in the country's escalating crisis.

Residents described scenes of terror overnight in the flashpoint city of Masaya, which saw running battles all weekend pitting residents armed with home-made mortars and slingshots against what they said were paramilitary forces and riot police loyal to President Daniel Ortega.

More than 100 people have died in the violence sweeping Nicaragua since protests erupted on April 18 against Ortega, the man who has dominated the Central American country's politics for four decades.

The Catholic Church initially tried to mediate the conflict, but called off the talks after a crackdown on a march led by victims' mothers on Wednesday left another 16 people dead.

Ortega's wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo -- a figure widely reviled by the protesters -- made an appeal to return to dialogue.

"We all want peace, we want dialogue, we want to work together and listen to each other, discuss all issues, because there's a solution for everything," she told state media.

"Let's not keep suffering losses, pain, mourning in our families."

The Church has said talks are impossible as long as "the people continue to be repressed and killed" by "groups close to the government."

- 'Practically an invasion' -

The latest victims in Masaya were killed between Sunday night and Monday morning, according to Alvaro Leiva, head of the Nicaraguan Association for the Protection of Human Rights (ANPDH).

The agency has identified just one of them so far, a 23-year-old teacher named Carlos Lopez, who was killed by a bullet in the torso -- indicating "he was executed, no doubt, by snipers."

"There is a profound violation of human rights" in Masaya, said Leiva.

Story continues

Catholic priest Augusto Gutierrez, whose parish is in the city's Monimbo neighborhood, said the security forces had launched a "generalized attack."

"It was practically an invasion of the city with heavy armaments. There were bursts of (automatic weapons) fire," he told AFP.

Gutierrez said the attackers were riot police and plainclothes groups who entered the city in pick-up trucks, their guns blazing.

Multiple witnesses told him stories of summary executions by the police.

One young man of 15 "begged for his life," but was shot dead anyway, the priest said.

- Under siege -

Residents in Masaya have constructed barricades with cobblestones, furniture, sheet metal and virtually anything else available to try to keep out Ortega's security forces, which they accuse of pillaging the city of 100,000 people.

The government blames criminals for the pillaging, and says it sent in riot police at the request of small-business owners.

Protesters have captured a number of police officers during the clashes, while police have arrested several demonstrators, many of whom say they have been badly beaten while in custody.

At least 113 people have been killed in the nearly eight weeks of violence, according to another rights group, the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH) -- though it had not yet confirmed the latest deaths reported in Masaya.

The city's police chief Ramon Avellan meanwhile reported the death of a 22-year-old police officer, allegedly killed when demonstrators attacked a Masaya police station.

It was unclear whether that death was included in the toll given by the ANPDH.

- Virtual curfew -

In Managua, there is a virtual curfew in place after dark, with motorcycle gangs terrorizing those who venture out, according to the CENIDH.

The wave of protests against Ortega and his ruling party -- the Sandinista National Liberation Front -- erupted on April 18 and quickly turned violent.

The brutal crackdown on what started as relatively small protests against pension cuts have fueled demands for the ouster of Ortega and Murillo.

Ortega, whose third consecutive term is due to end in 2022, accuses right-wing opposition groups of conspiring to "terrorize" the country.The Florida police officer accused of cowardice for failing to confront the Parkland gunman, has said he did not get it right but denied that it was because of fears for his safety.

In his first television interview since 17 students and teachers were shot dead at the Florida high school, triggering a nationwide, student-led campaign for greater gun control, Scot Peterson said he was sorry.

I didnt get it right, Mr Peterson told NBC. But it wasnt because of some, Oh, I don't want to go into that building. Oh, I don't want to face somebody in there. It wasnt like that at all.

He added: Those are my kids in there. I never would have sat there and let my kids get slaughtered. Never.

In the aftermath of the Feburary shooting, Mr Peterson was widely criticised for having seemingly failed to stop the alleged shooter, Nicholas Cruz, even though he was the only armed officer at the school when the shooting took place. President Donald Trump denounced Mr Peterson, saying he didn't have the courage.

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said the officers actions made him sick to my stomach and the father of one teenage victim filed a wrongful death suit against him.

Mr Peterson resigned in February and in April it was revealed he was to receive a state pension of $8,702.35 a month, a figure based on his more than 30 years of service.

Mr Peterson, who had been dubbed the Coward of Broward, said he had chosen to remain silent, but had now decided enoughs enough.

Mr Peterson said he responded immediately to the sound of shots being fired.

As we approach near the building I hear two to three loud shots. I immediately stop and I'm thinking to myself, Oh my God, I hear shots outside, he said.

I went right to my [police] radio. I screamed, Shots fired. I then went to the school radio and I said, Put the schools in lock-down. I'm yelling at the security specialist,Get out of here. Get out of here. Because I thought the shots were outside and I didnt want him standing out there.

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He added: And immediately I went and took a position of cover over by the 700 building, because that's what we're trained [to do].

Peterson said he never thought the gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas was targeting students and staff inside.

It haunts me that I didnt know, he said. I was trying to do the best I could with no information or intel at the time... And it was just something happening so fast.LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's President Martin Vizcarra announced late on Monday that he had accepted his finance minister's resignation as part of a policy shift that will focus on collecting taxes owed from large companies. Vizcarra said that economic growth in Peru, the world's No. 2 copper producer, should be based on investments and improving tax collection, and not on increasing taxes. Outgoing Finance Minister David Tuesta, who will depart after just two months on the job, had raised excise tax rates on products deemed harmful to public health and the environment, including diesel and other fuels. (Reporting by Mitra Taj; Editing by Stephen Coates)By Marco Aquino and Mitra Taj LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian Finance Minister David Tuesta resigned on Monday as truck and bus drivers called off plans for a major protest against his fuel tax hikes and the president promised to shift the focus on collecting taxes owed by big companies. The finance minister's resignation marks the biggest setback yet for President Martin Vizcarra since he became president in late March to replace Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, a former Wall Street investor who stepped down in a graft scandal. Tuesta's decision to hike excise taxes on diesel and other fuels as oil prices climbed on global markets prompted protests in southern Peru last month and organizers had threatened to stage larger and indefinite protests starting on Tuesday. In a late-night televised address, Vizcarra said he had accepted Tuesta's resignation as part of a shift in tax policy. "The country's growth will be obtained on the back of investments and better (tax) collection, not on raising tax rates," he said. However, Vizcarra did not say whether his government would reverse the higher fuel taxes. Instead, he shifted the focus of his tax drive to large companies. "Large companies have been identified that owe the state the equivalent of more than 1 percent of GDP, revenues needed for the development of public works and policies that benefit all Peruvians," Vizcarra said. Vizcarra did not name any of the companies but promised to establish an ad-hoc commission to tackle the issue. TRUCKERS CALL OFF INDEFINITE STRIKE Earlier on Monday, representatives of truck and bus drivers announced they had agreed to call off plans for an indefinite strike against the higher fuel taxes after reaching a deal with officials in Vizcarra's government. It was not clear if Tuesta's resignation was part of this deal. The finance ministry was not immediately available for comment. In neighboring Brazil, a recent truckers' strike over higher diesel prices virtually paralyzed the country for nearly two weeks. Vizcarra did not say who he would appoint to replace Tuesta, but he is widely expected to keep Peru's decades-old free-market economic model in place through 2021, when his term ends. Critics warned that Tuesta's resignation risked sending the message that Vizcarra, formerly the country's vice president, could be easily swayed. "Let's hope the departure isn't a response to new policy reversals due to pressure," Alonso Segura, a former finance minister during the government of former president Ollanta Humala said on Twitter. "There are decisions that aren't popular but are necessary." Last month, responding to an uproar from fishermen, coastal residents and environmentalists, Vizcarra repealed decrees Kuczynski had signed authorizing offshore oil exploration by London-based Tullow Oil. Vizcarra said he had been forced to form a cabinet in "record time" to stabilize Peru after its worst political crisis since the turn of the century, and urged Peruvians to be patient. "We've been in the government for a little over two months, and the results of this arduous work are starting to show," Vizcarra said, listing upcoming private investments. But Vizcarra's approval rating has slipped amid growing criticism in recent weeks as teachers pushed for a bigger budget for education and feminists protested his lackluster initial response to a wave of gruesome killings of women. (Reporting by Marco Aquino and Mitra Taj; Editing by Darren Schuettler and Raissa Kasolowsky)LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's President Martin Vizcarra said on Tuesday he would appoint a new finance minister later in the day or on Wednesday, and is considering three people, including the ministry's current Cabinet chief, Jose Arista. Speaking to foreign media in a news conference, Vizcarra said that his government's core economic policy had not changed despite the resignation of outgoing finance minister David Tuesta. With a little more than two months in office, Tuesta lasted less time at the helm of the finance ministry than any of his three predecessors in the past year - dealing a blow to Vizcarra's bid to end the uncertainty that roiled Peru before taking office to replace former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who stepped down in a graft scandal in March. Vizcarra did not directly answer questions about why Tuesta resigned, but signaled it was related to Tuesta's recent decision to hike excise tax rates on diesel and other fuels. The higher taxes were introduced as crude prices were climbing on global markets and prompted scattered protests in southern Peru led by truck and bus drivers that had threatened to expand to other regions this week. "From the 20 or 30 measures and economic decisions in the government, maybe we agreed on all of them except one, which is just what led to the minister's resignation," Vizcarra said. "But that doesn't conceptually change the economic policy we've been implementing." Tuesta could not be reached for comment. The country's new finance minister will decide whether or not to reverse the new excise tax rates, Vizcarra added. Arista, an economist, briefly served as agriculture minister in Kuczynski's government and had been a deputy minister under Luis Carranza, who was finance minister during the 2006-2011 term of then-President Alan Garcia. Vizcarra, who had been Kuczynski's vice president, said the government would continue to focus on bolstering economic growth by developing infrastructure and promoting private investment. "Today more than ever we're convinced we must reactivate the economy. We need private investment. We need to mobilize the public sector to reactivate public investment - not necessarily by raising tax rates," Vizcarra said. But the local business association Confiep warned that the high rate of turnover of finance ministers in Peru - the world's No.2 copper producer and one of Latin America's most stable economies - was becoming worrisome. "These changes of ministers don't favor governability or the environment for investing," Confiep President Roque Benavides said on local broadcaster RPP. (Reporting By Mitra Taj, Teresa Cespedes and Marco Aquino; editing by Chizu Nomiyama, David Gregorio and Jonathan Oatis)The eruption of the Fuego volcanoor volcano of firein Guatemala on Sunday and the flows that followed have killed more than 60 people so far, according to authorities. The volcano is one of the most active in Central America and has erupted more than 60 times since 1524, according to Oregon State University.

Sundays eruption was one of the most violent in decades and has destroyed entire towns in its vicinity. The volcano sits at an elevation of more than 12,000 feet and is one of three in the area near the city of Antigua. Its a stratovolcano, meaning its built up over time to have steep slopes, especially near the cone. Theyre some of the most commonand most deadlyvolcanoes on Earth, and they emit a combination of lava and pyroclastic flows.

But Kilauea, the Hawaiian volcano that has been erupting for weeks, spews a different material than the Fuego volcano. In Hawaii, there have been slow flows of liquid rock coming from the volcano for weeks. On Hawaii, you have something that is mainly basalt, Tamsin Mather, professor of earth sciences at the University of Oxford, told Newsweek.

Trending: Argentina Cancels Soccer Match With Israel in Jerusalem After Pressure from Palestinian Protesters

hawaii volcano lava

Mario Tama/Getty Images

That liquid rock on Hawaii moves slowly enough that people can evacuate if the lava begins to head in their direction. In Guatemala, thats not the case. In Fuego, youve got lots of gas in the magma, and its much more explosive, Mather said. The energy release from Kilauea and that from Fuego are so different that theyre difficult to compare.

In Fuego, the main devastation was due to the pyroclastic flows, Mather told Newsweek. This is very different to a lava flow. Pyroclastic flows are a mixture of hot gas along with volcanic matter, like ash and rock fragments, she said. They are incredibly hot and can travel faster than a moving vehicle in some cases.

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Photos taken during and following the eruption show this material and the devastation its caused in the areas around the Fuego volcano. What came down the side of the Fuego volcano on Sunday, while still the product of a volcanic eruption, is not the same as whats been coming out of the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii.

The pyroclastic flows are like a hot cloud traveling at speed down the side of a volcano, and it devastated everything in its path, Mather said. These flows cause death from the heat, or from being overwhelmed by the hot gases or even by being hit by chunks of rock. In Guatemala, people just didnt have time to get out of the path, according to Mather.

fuego volcano red house

Johan Ordonez/Getty Images

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekBy Aziz El Yaakoubi and Hadeel Al Sayegh

DUBAI/DOHA (Reuters) - Qatar accused Saudi Arabia of "reckless behaviour" that is tearing apart a pro-Western Gulf bloc in the wake of a report that Riyadh threatened military action against Doha in a stand-off between regional powers.

The Qatari foreign minister said the threat -- reported to have been made in a letter from the Saudi king to France warning over a Russian arms deal with Doha -- aims to further destabilise the region after Riyadh and its allies imposed a political and economic boycott on tiny Qatar a year ago.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt accuse Doha of supporting terrorism - charges which it denies.

The dispute has evaded mediation efforts by Washingon which has strong alliances with both sides and fears the split among Sunni Muslim U.S. allies could benefit Shi'ite Muslim Iran.

France's Le Monde reported on Saturday that Saudi King Salman sent a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron warning the kingdom could act militarily if Doha goes ahead with a deal to buy Russian S-400 missile air defence systems.

"There is no serious military threat out of this (letter), but the way it is being used to justify or to create a disturbance in the region is just unacceptable," Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told the English-language channel of Qatar-based Al Jazeera.

"Aren't they aware that the region has lost the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the last united bloc in the Arab region," he said in a separate comment on Twitter, refering to the 37-year-old political and economic Gulf alliance.

Doha is seeking confirmation from the French government about the letter, the minister said in the interview aired on Tuesday. He stressed Qatar's sovereign right to independently decide on its defence procurements.

A European diplmat confirmed the letter had been sent to France as well as to the United States and Britain. French and Saudi state communications offices have not responded to requests for comment.

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A Qatari official has been quoted as saying it was in talks to buy Russian S-400 missile air defence systems.

A Qatari foreign ministry spokeswoman said on Twitter on Tuesday that there are talks to hold a summit in Washington in September on the Arab row, which Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have said is not a high priority and must be resolved within the GCC bloc.

GULF CHASM

Western diplomats said neither side showed signs of backing down as the conflict entered its second year. "We tend to see the situation as hopeless and a new era in the region has begun which everyone has to accommodate," one Western diplomat said.

Analysts say the row has failed to isolate Qatar which has moved to strengthen its energy and investment ties with the United States, Turkey, Russia and China. But it has widened cracks among GCC states.

"Ties of trust and confidence have been shattered on both sides of the divide as positions have hardened and a 'zero-sum' mentality has taken root," wrote Kristian Coates Ulrichsen from Texas-based Rice University's Baker Institute.

"Kuwaiti and Omani officials watch on, uneasily aware that they too could be vulnerable to regionally-assertive Saudi and Emirati pressure when they undergo eventual leadership transitions of their own," he wrote in Gulf International Forum.

He said the powerful crown princes of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were redefining Gulf politics around a "hyper-hawkish axis".

The four boycotting states have issued an ultimatum that Qatar meet a list of demands, including closing Al Jazeera television and reducing ties with regional foe Iran. Doha says the boycott is an attempt to impinge on its sovereignty.

The boycott disrupted Qatar's imports and triggered the withdrawal of billions of dollars from Qatari banks by depositors from the four states. Doha quickly moved to develop new trade routes and deployed tens of billions of dollars from its massive sovereign wealth fund to protect its banks.

The economy of tiny but wealthy Qatar, the world's largest exporter of natural liquefied gas, has weathered the boycott and diplomats said Doha has no reason to bow to demands, especially as the emir has emerged stronger at home.

"We do not expect any more measures from Saudi Arabia and the UAE against Qatar as they have fired all their bullets. The crisis now is only about information and media war," another Western diplomat said.

(Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Richard Balmforth)Doha (AFP) - On the first anniversary of a bitter Gulf diplomatic rift, Qatar's foreign minister on Tuesday declared his country stronger than ever and said it was open to dialogue with its regional rivals.

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani also rebuked Qatar's foes for "imaginary victories" against the small Gulf state, the target of a Saudi-led boycott.

"One year on and Qatar and its people are stronger," Al-Thani, one of the most prominent voices in the region's worst diplomatic crisis for years, wrote on Twitter.

"(There's) a lot of talk about imaginary victories and isolating Qatar, but after one year, the reality proved the opposite as Qatar emerged as an international partner that can be trusted."

On June 5, 2017, a Saudi-led alliance including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran.

Qatar soon found its only land border closed by Saudi Arabia, its state-owned airline barred from using neighbours' airspace, and residents expelled from the quartet's countries.

Despite hopes that the rancorous rift between the former allies -- which include some of the richest countries on earth -- would be resolved quickly, the crisis has endured.

Qatar claims the dispute is an attack on its sovereignty and punishment for pursuing an independent foreign policy.

Diplomatic efforts led by Kuwait and the United States have so far stalled though there are tentative plans for talks in September.

Al-Thani said the "door is still open for dialogue" between the Gulf rivals.

However, he also told Qatar state-funded broadcaster Al Jazeera on Tuesday that Doha would continue with its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence missile system.

Saudi leaders have asked French President Emmanuel Macron to intervene to prevent the deal going ahead, raising fears of military action in the dispute.

Raising the military stakes yet further, Qatar's defence minister Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, said Tuesday that Doha wanted to join NATO.

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"The ambition is full membership if our partnership with NATO develops and our vision is clear," he told the official magazine of the Qatari defence ministry, Altalaya.

- 'Smear campaign' -

Despite the impact of the crisis, many in Qatar view the past year's events as a victory for Doha.

Qatari papers were jubilant on Tuesday, with headlines such as "Triumphant Qatar stays united" and "Qatar shines as smear campaign against it fails".

Taxi companies offered customers free rides and some in Qatar have even called for June 5 to be made a national holiday.

Meanwhile, Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) released a report claiming more than 4,000 human rights abuses had been committed against Qataris by the Saudi-led alliance in the past year.

Qataris have been exposed to arbitrary arrest and routinely denied freedom of movement, according to the report by the government-appointed body detailing alleged abuses including one case of forced disappearance.

"From the beginning, all the blockading countries have tried to use the people to achieve their political goals," NHRC chairman Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri said.

There was no immediate reaction from the Saudi-led bloc.

In August, Saudi Arabia will welcome millions of Muslim faithful for the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam.

The Saudi government on Tuesday confirmed Qataris wishing to undertake the umrah pilgrimage to Mecca were welcome, but accused the Qatari authorities of a "negative attitude".

Since the start of the crisis, Qatar has accused Saudi Arabia of politicising religious pilgrimages to Mecca, including the hajj, one of Islam's five pillars, which every able-bodied Muslim who can afford the journey is obliged to undertake at least once.Doha (AFP) - Qatar's defence minister said on Tuesday that his country's long-term strategic "ambition" is to join the Western military defence alliance NATO.

Speaking on the anniversary of a year-long bitter Gulf diplomatic dispute, which has seen Qatar separated from its former regional allies, Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah said Qatar wanted to become a full member of the 29-country alliance.

"Qatar today has become one of the most important countries in the region in terms of the quality of armament," Attiyah told the official magazine of the Qatari defence ministry, Altalaya.

"Regarding the membership, we are a main ally from outside NATO.. The ambition is full membership if our partnership with NATO develops and our vision is clear."

He added that there was a growing relationship between Qatar and the alliance, and Doha could host "NATO's units or one of its specialised centres".

His remarks come at a politically sensitive time in the region.

Exactly a year ago, on June 5, 2017, a group of countries including Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran.

For the past year, Qatar has been isolated by its neighbouring former allies with its only land border closed by Saudi Arabia and its residents expelled from the quartet's countries.

Qatar claims the dispute is an attack on its sovereignty and punishment for pursuing an independent foreign policy.

Diplomatic efforts have proved fruitless and the crisis threatens to undermine one of the previously most stable regions in the Arab world.

Although there have been no outright hostilities, the shadow of military action has darkened the rift.

Earlier this month it emerged that Saudi leaders threatened 'military action' and asked French President Emmanuel Macron to intervene to prevent Qatar's proposed purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence missile system.Warsaw (AFP) - The first Sulawesi bear cuscus to have been born in captivity is thriving at a zoo in Poland, but staff said they only realised the rare tiny marsupial had arrived when its mother's pouch began to move.

"It must have been a couple of weeks, or even months, after it was born that we noticed something moving inside the female's pouch and then, a tail popped out!" Radoslaw Ratajszczak, director of the Wroclaw Zoo in south-eastern Poland, told AFP on Tuesday via telephone.

"It's the first time the species has been born in captivity," he said of the animal whose survival is threatened by hunting and deforestation in its natural habitat on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

The baby was most likely born the size of a "small bean" six months ago, according to Ratajszczak, who said the youngster is now much larger and often ventures out of mother's pouch.

But zoo staff have not yet had the chance to have a really close look. "We haven't named it yet, because we don't know the sex yet," he said.

Very little is known about the species, which is vaguely reminiscent of the Koala and lives in Sulawesi's dwindling forests where it has nearly been hunted to death by locals.

- 'Vulnerable' -

"We know next to nothing about this species, it's breeding habits or its numbers in the wild because it has never been studied in the wild," said the zoo director, who has spent time on the island, trying to discover more about the species.

Also known as Ailurops ursinus, its Latin name, and the Sulawesi bear phalanger, the IUCN Red List of threatened species lists it as "vulnerable".

The population is projected to decline by more than 30 percent over the next decade due to the high rate of deforestation and hunting.

A biologist who has authored several books in Poland about rare species, says that the diurnal nature of the cuscus makes it an easy target for hunters.

"They are leaf eaters, staying exposed on large branches during the day and locals seem to find them tasty," he said, adding that his zoo intends to sponsor field research on Sulawesi by a local scientist.

There are six members of the species in Europe, according to Ratajszczak, including the three at the Wroclaw Zoo, another potential breeding pair at the Usti nad Labem Zoo in the Czech Republic and one at a zoo in Belgium.Senate Republicans on Monday warned President Donald Trump, with varying degrees of alarm, against entertaining the prospect of pardoning himself of any federal crime  once again forcing members of his own party into an uncomfortable position as the president openly pondered another controversial move in connection with Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation.

In the past 24 hours, Trump and one of his attorneys, Rudy Giuliani, have argued that the president has expansive pardon powers but claimed he wouldnt exercise that authority as Mr Trump again openly vented about the Russia probe. That right to pardon was absolute, Mr Trump insisted on Monday morning in a barrage of tweets centred on the special counsel investigation.

Nonetheless, those assertions from the president and his legal team gained little traction on Capitol Hill. Senator Susan Collins (Republican, Maine) noted constitutional scholars had reached varying conclusions on whether a president could pardon himself, but she added that were she advising Trump, she would urge him to never say another word about Bob Muellers investigation until its complete.

Theres no doubt that the president is not above the law, Ms Collins said Monday. It would be a tremendous abuse of his authority if he were to do so, as well as remarkably unwise.

Senator Jerry Moran (Republican, Kansas) stressed that the Constitution doesnt give carte blanche freedom to a president. And Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (Republican, Iowa) who is leading his own investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, also took issue with Mr Trumps claim about his pardon powers.

If I were president and somebody, some lawyer told me that I could do that, Id hire a new lawyer, Mr Grassley told reporters.

The cycle that played out on Capitol Hill on Monday was similar to other instances when an increasingly combative Trump escalated his rhetoric against Mr Muellers investigation, which recently passed its one-year mark and has led to a handful of indictments of Trump associates. Senate Republicans have repeatedly been pressed on what they would do should Mr Trump try to fire the special counsel, for instance, but most of them have brushed off the matter and said the consequences of terminating Mr Mueller would be so severe Mr Trump would never do it.

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On Monday, Senator Mike Rounds (Republican, South Dakota) gently remarked that while Mr Trump may have the authority to pardon himself hed be smarter than to exercise that. Senator Bob Corker (Republican, Tennessee) said he couldnt imagine a president even bringing that up.

I dont even want to get into that, said Senator Orrin Hatch (Republican, Utah), one of Mr Trumps most effusive congressional allies. He does have the pardon power and I suspect that thats something that will never be tested to begin with.

And across the board, Senate Republicans said they would prefer Mr Trump to avoid discussing the issue altogether.

He may be right from a strictly legal standpoint but I dont think its helpful in terms of the conclusion of the investigation, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (Republican, Texas) said. Frankly, I dont think any of the investigations produced any evidence of any culpability on his part.

But chatter about presidential pardons have picked up dramatically in recent days, as Mr Trump used his power to pardon conservative commentator Dinesh DSouza for a campaign finance law violation and publicly mulled other commutations and pardons.

The moves have been interpreted by some as a potential signal to associates ensnared in Mr Muellers investigation that Mr Trump could give them legal relief. As for pardoning himself, however, Senate Republicans advised Mr Trump to steer clear.

Politically, it would be a disaster, Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican, South Carolina) said. I dont know why were talking about this.

Washington PostRFKs final journey  The funeral train of 1968 Untitled from the series RFK Funeral Train 1968. ( Paul Fusco/Magnum Photos, courtesy of Danziger Gallery)

In the middle of 1968, two events shook the nation  the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4 and the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy on June 5. Hastily arranged, Robert Kennedys funeral train traveled on June 8 - a sweltering early summer day. Paul Fusco, then a staff photographer for Look magazine, was given a place with other journalists on the train. As the train progressed down the Eastern Seaboard, hundreds of thousands of mourners lined the tracks to pay their final respects to Bobby Kennedy and all that he stood for. From inside the train, Fusco began to take pictures of the mourners, people from every section of society  black, white, rich, poor  in large groups and on their own. For the eight hours it took the train to make the usually four-hour journey, Fusco never put down his camera except to reload film, shooting approximately 2,000 pictures.

The resulting images are one of the most powerful and affecting series of photographs ever taken. Shot on Kodachrome  a film with a particularly vibrant palette favored at the time by photojournalists  Fuscos pictures blend the spontaneous look of snapshots with artistic precision of the decisive moment. Each photograph carries its own weight and tells its own story, but cumulatively the series is an epic vision of America.

Because Look magazines biweekly schedule caused it to come out a week after its rival, Life, the magazine chose to print a retrospective album of pictures of RFK rather than pictures of the funeral, and so Fuscos RFK funeral train photographs were relegated to the picture files. Three years later, Look magazine folded and donated the approximately 5 million pictures in its archive to the Library of Congress. Fusco managed to hold on to just over a hundred of his pictures.

The photographs would have remained an editorial footnote were it not for the efforts of Natasha Lunn, a young photo editor at Magnum who was shown the work in 1998 and passed the photos on to George magazine, which published the pictures to coincide with the 30th anniversary of RFKs death. The rediscovery had begun.

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On the 50th anniversary of the train ride that took Robert Kennedys body from New York to Washington, where he was buried alongside his brother, John F. Kennedy, Danziger Gallery reprises its showing of Fuscos photographs of the people who lined the rails to pay their final respects to RFK.

Fusco was born in Leominster, Mass., in 1930. He received his BFA in photojournalism from Ohio University and went directly to work for Look as a staff photographer, traveling extensively in Southeast Asia, Mexico, India, Europe and Russia. In 1974 he joined Magnum Photos. His work has appeared in publications such as Life, Time, Newsweek, the Sunday Times and Paris Match. He has exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington. (James Danziger)

Photography by Paul Fusco/Magnum Photos, courtesy of Danziger Gallery

Paul Fusco: RFKs Funeral Train  1968 exhibition is on view at Danziger Gallery in New York City through June 22. A concurrent exhibition, The Train: RFKs Last Journey at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, runs through June 10 and brackets Fuscos photographs with video work by Philippe Parreno and an archival project by Rein Terpstra, which tracked down pictures of the train taken by the people who lined the rails.

See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Twitter and Tumblr.Managua (AFP) - At least 121 people have been killed in a wave of protests since April 18 against President Daniel Ortega's government, Nicaragua's main human rights group said Tuesday.

The latest toll includes a young boy killed by gunfire during clashes Tuesday in the city of Granada between anti-government protesters and riot police, the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights said.

It said 1,300 people had been wounded in the violence.

A parish priest, Wilmer Perez, earlier told the 100% news channel that the boy was killed in a confrontation between demonstrators and pro-government supporters trying to clear a barricade in the city, 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of the capital Managua.

Ten people were killed in running battles over the weekend in the flashpoint city of Masaya, the center said.

Residents armed with homemade mortars and slingshots faced off in clashes with what they said were paramilitary forces and riot police loyal to Ortega, who has dominated the Central American country's politics for four decades.

The Catholic Church initially tried to mediate the conflict, but called off the talks after a crackdown on a march led by victims' mothers on Wednesday left another 16 people dead.

On Monday, Ortega's wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo -- a figure widely reviled by the protesters -- made an appeal to return to dialogue.

"We all want peace, we want dialogue, we want to work together and listen to each other, discuss all issues, because there's a solution for everything," she told state media.

"Let's not keep suffering losses, pain, mourning in our families."

The Church has said talks are impossible as long as "the people continue to be repressed and killed" by "groups close to the government."Rudy Giuliani on shifting Trump Tower story: It was a mistake. I swear to God #CuomoPrimeTime https://t.co/x3flltdZdu pic.twitter.com/9ZVXW8vm9E  Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) June 5, 2018

Rudy Giuliani defended President Donald Trumps lawyers and press secretary on Monday, saying no one had lied about an infamous 2016 meeting between Trumps son and a Russian lawyer, but rather, theyd made mistakes when talking about it last year.

The New York Times on Saturday published a 20-page letter Trumps attorneys sent to special counsel Robert Mueller earlier this year. In it, they say the president personally dictated a misleading statement about his sons meeting with the Russian representative during the last election, despite repeated assurances from his lawyer Jay Sekulow last year that he had done no such thing.

Speaking to CNNs Chris Cuomo, Giuliani said that Sekulow and White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders (who also publicly denied the president dictated the statement) had simply gotten facts wrong about Trumps involvement.

You think maybe somebody couldve made a mistake? Giuliani told Cuomo after being asked about the duos mistruths. Why is it always that somebody... you think that Jay Sekulow lied? Maybe he just got it wrong, like I got a few things wrong at the beginning of the investigation.

Thats a lot of mistakes, Cuomo fired back.

Sanders dodged questions about the statement on Monday after the Times story and referred journalists questions to Trumps outside legal team.

The CNN host later played a mashup of clips showing Sekulow and Sanders denying the dictation several times last year.

Somebody is lying, Cuomo said. Its not the kind of information that you would get wrong, that you wouldnt be privy to, that would change. Assuming that the president wouldve told them the truth about what was happening, somebody is lying about this, Rudy, and I dont understand why.

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I dont think anybodys lying, I think a mistake was made, Giuliani said. The most important thing is there was no testimony under oath to that effect and then when a written statement was put in, it was completely accurate.

Watch the full video below.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.Vienna (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin on Monday downplayed suggestions Russia was seeking to disrupt the European Union's cohesion, saying it was in his country's interests for the bloc to remain "united and prosperous".

"We have an interest in an EU that's united and prosperous, since the EU is our most important commercial and economic partner," Putin told Austria's ORF television a day before an official visit to Vienna.

"The more problems at the heart of the EU, the more risks and problems there are for us. We need to build cooperation with the EU," he said.

"We don't have a goal of dividing anything or anyone in the EU."

Putin, who was recently re-elected to a fourth Kremlin term, also played down reported links between his United Russia party and Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), which is now part of the governing coalition in Vienna.

The FPOe -- the junior partner to Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's People's Party -- supports Russia's claim of sovereignty over Crimea and advocates the easing of economic sanctions levied against Moscow over its role in the Ukrainian crisis.

Austria was one of the few EU nations not to expel Russian diplomats following the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain in March.

Putin will meet Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen as well as Kurz on Tuesday.Israels intelligence agency Mossad shared top secret files with European governments on Sunday night, purporting to prove Irans efforts to build a nuclear weapon, claims which the regime in Tehran has always denied.

The Israeli agents managed to snatch a trove of 100,000 documents from a Tehran warehouse in January. One of the files reportedly reveals that Irans defense ministry was given responsibility to produce weapons-grade enriched uranium, according to The Times.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has just embarked on a three-day tour to meet with European leaders, hopes the files will help convince Germany, France and the United Kingdom to follow the United States and step back from the nuclear agreement with Iran.

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Netanyahu will argue that the secret files make the deal invalid, as it was based on the understanding that Irans nuclear program was only for peaceful purposes, not weapons.

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JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images

I will stress the unchanging truth: Israel will not let Iran acquire nuclear weapons, Netanyahu told reporters ahead of his tour, The Jerusalem Post reported.

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The prime minister has long been a harsh critic of the Iran deal, arguing that it will embolden Israels major regional rival and wont halt the countrys nuclear ambitions. At the same time, several Israeli military and intelligence leaders have said the deal appears to be working and will keep Iran from creating a nuclear weapon.

General Gadi Eisenkot of the Israel Defense Forces said in March that with all its faults [the deal] is working. Efraim Halevy, the former director of Mossad, argued following the pacts signing in 2015 that it is a credible answer to the Iranian military threat, at least for a decade, if not longer.

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Although the administration of President Donald Trump has chosen to side with Netanyahu, European leaders, as well as China and Russia, have remained firm in their stated commitment to support the agreement. Meeting in Brussels on Friday, Chinas foreign minister and the EUs foreign policy chief said they would continue to work toward fully implementing the pact.

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We will be unswerving in upholding it, Chinas Wang Yi said. Wang explained that the United Nations supported the agreement, arguing that every party has the duty to implement it.

GettyImages-956113088

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

While Europe currently aims to ease economic sanctions and encourage investment in Iran, the U.S. has decided to implement even stricter regulations and sanctions, while calling for stringent investigations of Irans nuclear facilities.

Whether the Mossad files and Netanyahus diplomatic efforts change the minds of European leaders remains to be seen. However, David Albright, a former nuclear inspector in Iraq said the documents corroborate his understanding of Irans efforts.

They would parallel my understanding of the decision to build the Fordow underground enrichment plant that I have assessed a few years ago was likely designed to make weapon-grade uranium, based in part on inspector findings when they first visited the plant, Albright said, according to Express, calling for international inspectors to closely monitor Irans nuclear facilities.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekSen. Jeff Merkley said his attempt over the weekend to get into a U.S. facility for housing child refugees started when he read news coverage about the policy of separating children from parents at the border.

When I read about this, I found it almost unbelievable. Its just  really? Merkley said in a phone interview with TIME. Are we really putting children through a traumatic experience here in the U.S. in order to dissuade their parents from seeking asylum?

On Sunday, the Oregon Democrat attempted to enter a facility in Texas where he says unaccompanied children, including some who were separated from their parents, are being held.

He describes the facility as a large, windowless building that used to house a Wal-Mart, but now has 1,000 children locked up inside. When he approached the door of the facility, the Senators entry was denied. Merkley shared a now-viral video of his attempts to enter, and subsequent interactions with the facilitys supervisors, on social media.

The Senator says he wanted to tour the facility to see what was happening for himself and to call attention to family separations, which he says are part of an administration effort to dehumanize people seeking asylum in the U.S. A part of this is the dehumanization of people seeking asylum in this U.S., he says.

The separations are happening under a zero tolerance policy at the border that Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced earlier this spring. Under the policy, any person caught illegally crossing the border will be prosecuted and, as a result, parents who cross the border with their children are separated from them. Parents are handed over to the U.S. Marshals Service while the children are placed in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is run by the Department of Health and Human Services. In early May, some 658 children were separated from their parents at the border.

Experts say it can be very difficult for the separated family members to reunite. The Trump Administration has suggested the policy would be a deterrent for those seeking to come into the U.S. illegally.

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Going in, Merkley said knew he likely would not be able to access the facility, which is being run by Southwest Key Programs. Prior to the visit, the Senators office had reached out to the federal agency that is responsible for unaccompanied children when they enter the U.S. and told officials that hed like to see the facility. The Senator says his staff was informed that the facility has a policy of not letting people enter, but that if theyd been given extensive advanced warning they could try to arrange something. There were no guarantees.

But the Senator went anyway. I just dont feel that any member of Congress should have to wait weeks or months to visit a facility to see what the hell is going on inside of it, says Merkley. Theyre trying to wrap this in a blanket of secrecy.

In a statement to TIME, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families said that the Senator and five others attempted to enter the shelter unannounced and broadcast live via social media last night in Texas but were thankfully denied entry.

The Department of Health and Human Services takes the legal mandate to care for these children seriously. No one who arrives unannounced at one of our shelters demanding access to the children in our care will be permitted, even those claiming to be U.S. Senators, the statement reads. Senator Merkley should respect the UAC program and engage in the appropriate processes, as many of his colleagues have done before him, to visit ORR facilities. We would welcome him to engage in that process so that he may visit the facility to make headway on this important issue, rather than just headlines.

According to the ACF website, requests to visit facilities are subject to evaluation before being granted.At least two weeks prior notice is required, though some requests may be granted if there are exigent circumstances.

Michelle Brane, the Director of the Migrant Rights and Justice program at the Womens Refugee Commission, says her organization has been monitoring and advocating for oversight of Office of Refugee Resettlement facilities for a long time. Brane, who has worked on immigration and human rights related issues for over two decades, says while she thinks there are aspects of the process that need to be improved, visits to ORR facilities should be done in a way that is thoughtful and that takes into consideration the protection needs of this population, which can include very young children.

Absolutely elected officials, especially those who have a say in how our policies are being implemented, should be able to conduct oversight, but the devil is going to be in the details, she says. Theres got to be some process for the facilities and the agencies running the facilities to be able to create the protections necessary for the kids.

She adds, The real issue right now is why theyre being separated in the first place.

Merkley sits firmly among the critics of the administrations zero tolerance approach, which he called cruel and terrible in the interview with TIME. In addition to visiting the ORR facility, the Oregon Democrat toured a border processing center in McAllen, Texas, and a respite center run by the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. At the processing facility, Merkley says he saw people jammed into cages that resembled dog kennels, sleeping on floors with only space blankets to keep them warm. He described what he witnessed as disturbing.

In a statement, a Department of Homeland Security press secretary said: We appreciate the Senators interest in the subject, and are happy to provide him with an understanding of the immigration process: DHS follows the laws passed by Congress and processes alien children safely and humanely. Contrary to any misinformation campaign, the safety of children is paramount for DHS. The administration has worked tirelessly to educate members on what steps need to be taken legislatively to secure our borders and curb illegal immigration and will continue to do so. I encourage Senator Merkley to work with the administration to fix the underlying loopholes that act as a pull factor for illegal immigration and place these children at risk from smugglers and human traffickers.

The statement continued, At 2pm on a Friday, the Senator asked to visit a secure DHS facility over the weekend where children are present and we worked with him to provide him access. This presented obvious and serious privacy concerns  not to mention disrupting operations. He was able to visit the facility on Sunday.

The whole idea of injuring children as a deterrent for those seeking asylum is completely out of character with the soul of America, a nation where the vast bulk of us are from immigrant histories, says Sen. Merkley, adding that the U.S. has a responsibility to provide asylum to those who seek it. This is not zero tolerance. Its zero-humanity. Its wrong. It must be opposed. It needs to be changed immediately.

The Senator says he plans to develop legislation to address the policy and call on the appropriate committees to take action. If the committees dont take action I want to explore whether or not we should have a shadow hearing, he says.

Correction: The original version of this story incorrectly attributed a Department of Homeland Security statement. It was Tyler Houlton, not Katie Waldman, who issued the statement.The killing took place at a rowdy Saturday night picnic in late August. Twenty-four-year-old Duff Armstrong had been drinking with some friends. According to witnesses, a fight started and James Norris smacked James Metzker on his head with a length of wood, then Armstrong hit Metzker in his right eye with a homemade weapon, a chunk of metal wrapped in leather called a slung shot. Metzker was more grievously wounded than anyone suspected. He mounted his horse and rode home, falling off several times. Once home, he took to his bed and died three days later.

It was impossible to determine which blow had killed him, so both Armstrong and Norris were charged with the crime. Norris was tried first, and was quickly convicted and sentenced to eight years. There seemed to be little hope for Duff Armstrongand then Abe Lincoln took his case.

Many years earlier, when Lincoln had lived in New Salem, he had been invited to share the stark cabin of Jack and Hannah Armstrong. They had treated him as family. Hannah had cooked his meals and mended his clothing, and Lincoln had rocked their infant son to sleep in his cradle. Now a widow, Hannah Armstrong appealed to Lincoln to save her son.

Local citizens were so enraged by the killing that the trial had to be moved to the Cass County courthouse in Beardstown, Illinois. As the trial proceeded, Lincoln sat placidly while prosecutors made their case. A spectator remembered that when an eyewitness to the event, Charles Allen, whose testimony had led to Norriss conviction, was telling his story Lincoln sat with his head thrown back, his steady gaze apparently fixed on one spot of the blank ceiling, entirely oblivious to what was happening about him, and without a single variation of feature or noticeable movement of any muscle of his face.

When the prosecutor finished with his witness, Lincoln began his cross-examination and led Allen through the testimony he had just provided, focusing in on the details: Did you see the fight? Exactly where were you standing? Would you describe this slung shot. And finally, what time did this take place? He asked Allen several times if it was possible that he had not seen the event as clearly as he recalled. Allen remained adamant.

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Lincoln had set his trap, and slowly began closing it. Allen testified several times that he had been standing no more than 150 feet away and had seen everything clearly in the brightness of the full moon.

Lincoln then famously produced an 1857 almanac. He turned to the proper page, then asked Allen to read the description aloud. Rather than a full moon that night, there actually was little more than a quarter-moon. And rather than shining brightly overhead at eleven oclock; the moon had disappeared. It was practically pitch-dark. It simply wasnt credible that he could have seen the events he described from that distance on a dark night. The prosecutions pivotal witness had been exposed as a liar.

After several people testified to seeing Metzker fall from his horse, a doctor admitted that such a fall could account for the fatal injury. It also could have been caused by Norriss blow. Lincoln then produced a witness who claimed he had made the slung shot and described it in detail; Lincoln then cut open the leather sack to show jurors the weapon was exactly as described. That small slug of metal hardly seemed capable of inflicting a fatal blow.

In summation, after presenting his case he made an emotional appeal to the jury, telling them of his debt to Duff Armstrongs widowed mother in such vivid terms that he was moved to tears. He had been a poor friendless boy, and Armstrongs father had taken him into his house, fed and clothed him, and gave him a home.

When the jury left the court to deliberate, he put an arm around Hannah Armstrongs shoulders as he escorted her outside, telling her, Theyll clear him before dark.

After only an hour the jury acquitted Duff Armstrong of all charges. Lincoln refused to accept any payment for his work.

After twenty years, this self-taught lawyer had risen to the top of the legal profession. His courtroom appearances drew large crowds who hung on his words. And that reputation helped position him to make a run for the presidency. But before the Republican convention at which its nominee for the 1860 election would be determined, he would become embroiled in one last murder case, his twenty-seventh. It was a difficult case that might well determine the legal boundaries for self-defense. And like many of his previous cases, he had a personal involvement.

But this time the nation was watching.

Excerpted from Lincolns Last Trial: The Murder Case That Propelled Him to the Presidency. by Dan Abrams and David Fisher  2018 by Dan Abrams and David Fisher. Reprinted by permission ofHanover Square Press. All rights reserved.Seth MacFarlane warned that religion has been used to justify all kinds of unjust acts. (Photo: AFP Contributor via Getty Images)

After the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a Christian baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple on religious grounds, writer-actor Seth MacFarlane criticized that ruling as nearsighted.

The 7-2 decision, released Monday, faulted the Colorado Civil Rights Commission for showing impermissible hostility to the bakers religion, thus violating his rights under the First Amendment.

The Family Guy creator compared the religious freedom to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, upheld in this case, to the freedom to discriminate on the basis of race.

Its a shorter walk than we think, particularly today, from I wont bake them a cake because theyre gay to I wont seat him here because hes black, wrote MacFarlane.

MacFarlane went on to say those who balk at that comparison should remember that religion was deployed to justify far worse treatment not so very long ago  a likely reference to the Holocaust in which Jewish people were persecuted and murdered en masse for their faith.

Those who balk at that comparison include the Supreme Court majority, who criticized one member of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission for drawing a link between the Holocaust and the bakers refusal to make a cake.

A solid Supreme Court consensus that declining to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding is not, in fact, comparable to the Holocaust pic.twitter.com/4VN9sn6oHB  Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) June 4, 2018

Another tweeter challenged MacFarlane, asking if hed make a cake for a Trump follower. MacFarlane said he would, noting that he signs pictures and does sketches for both Trump supporters and opponents all the time.

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You do it for one, you do it for the other, he wrote.

Ask the supreme Court. 7-2 decisions. Would you like to be forced to make a cake for a Trump follower?  NFL Kneelers (@NFL_Kneelers) June 4, 2018

The relevance of the comparison is dubious, but yes, I do sketches and sign pictures for both Trump supporters and Trump opponents all the time. You do it for one, you do it for the other. https://t.co/wdpwC3nqGR  Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) June 4, 2018

In addition to MacFarlane, the courts decision upset many others on Twitter:

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No business should be allowed to discriminate against any American based on who they are or who they love. Our constitution requires equal protection under the law. Full stop. https://t.co/fkGGs1pYXs  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 4, 2018

The Supreme Court just ruled for the Colorado baker who refused to make a same-sex wedding cake. I hate that I predicted this a while ago but so goes the presidency, so goes the courts. Such a dangerous slippery slope in consumerism and discrimination.  PrestonMitchum (@PrestonMitchum) June 4, 2018

Happy #Pride to everyone except the 7 Supreme Court justices who think refusing to bake a cake for people because they're gay is somehow an expression OF freedom, and not a limitation on it.  Lucy Diavolo (@SatansJacuzzi) June 4, 2018

Disappointing Supreme Court decision, but, at the end of the day, gay couples will find non-bigots to bake them a wedding cake.



Theyll go on to live a happy life with someone who loves them, while the baker will stay full of hate and miserable.  Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) June 4, 2018

Baker gets to pearly gates



Baker: did I live a life well enough to enter your kingdom?



God: you know, you were on the verge of going to hell but when you fought your way to the Supreme Court to keep those queers from getting cake, you really punched your heavenly ticket.  Travon Free (@Travon) June 4, 2018

I believe that with a more competent defense team, the baker's argument could have been exposed as a fraud.



He also refused to sell the couple a "nondescript" cake. So the discrimination was clearly at the cash register, not in the baking room.  Matthew Chapman (@fawfulfan) June 4, 2018

The Supreme Court just ruled narrowly for the Colorado baker who refused to make a same-sex wedding cake.



We have work to do.  Raymond Braun (@raymondbraun) June 4, 2018

Twenty-one states, including Colorado, currently have anti-discrimination laws protecting people from being refused service on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Also on HuffPost

Malta

People celebrate in front of the rainbow-colour lit Auberge de Castille, the office of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, after the Maltese parliament voted to legalise same-sex marriage on the Roman Catholic Mediterranean island, in Valletta, Malta, July 12, 2017. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Australia

Members of Sydney's gay community react as they celebrate after it was announced the majority of Australians support same-sex marriage in a national survey, paving the way for legislation to make the country the 26th nation to formalize the unions by the end of the year, at a pub located on Sydney's Oxford street, Australia, November 15, 2017. REUTERS/Steven Saphore

Germany

Bode Mende (R) and Karl Kreile stamp their marriage certificate as they became Germany's first gay couple to be legally married tying the knot at the Schoeneberg town hall in Berlin on October 1, 2017.. Germany celebrates its first gay marriages as same-sex unions become legal after decades of struggle. Local authorities rushed to get weddings underway as soon as possible, after lawmakers voted on June 30th to give Germany's roughly 94,000 same-sex couples the right to marry. / AFP PHOTO / Odd ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Finland

Supporters of the same-sex marriage celebrate outside the Finnish Parliament in Helsinki, Finland on November 28, 2014 after the Finnish parliament approved a bill allowing same sex marriage. AFP PHOTO /Lehtikuva/ VESA MOILANEN *** FINLAND OUT *** (Photo credit should read VESA MOILANEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Ireland

People react as Ireland voted in favour of allowing same-sex marriage in a historic referendum, in Dublin May 23, 2015. Ireland became the first country in the world to adopt same-sex marriage by popular vote as 62 percent of the electorate backed a referendum, official results showed on Saturday. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

United States

WASHINGTON, DC- JUNE 26: With at colorful White House backdrop, (L) Kevin Barragan and his partner Adam Smith celebrate the decision today as do Kelly Miller (with glasses) and her wife Lindsey Miller. The Miller's were married 2 years ago in Washington State where gay marriage was legal.The White House was lit in multi-colored lights tonight to honor the Supreme Court decision to allow gay marriage. Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Scotland

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 31: A couple of the same sex Joe Schofield (blue kilt) and Malcolm Brown from Tullibody, Clackmannanshire are married by Ross Wright, Celebrant from Humanist Society Scotland in the Trades Hall shortly after midnight in front of friends and family in one of the first same-sex and belief category weddings in Scotland on December 31, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland. Same-sex couples have been able to enter into 'civil partnerships' since 2005, however following a change in the law on February 4, 2014. A couple of the same sex are now eligible to marry in Scotland. Parliament's decision to grant same-sex couples an equal right to marriage has been met with opposition from religious groups. Gay marriage is already legal in England and Wales, however the Northern Ireland administration has no plans to make it law. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

England

Gay couple Andrew Wale (L) and Neil Allard reacts to crowds, friends, family and the press after marrying in the first same-sex wedding in Brighton, at the Royal Pavilion in southern England March 29, 2014. Saturday will be the first day gay couples will be allowed to tie the knot in England and Wales after the government legalised same-sex marriage last July. Wale and Allard are the first out of five same-sex couples tying the knot in Brighton on Saturday. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor (BRITAIN - Tags: SOCIETY)

New Zealand

Gay-rights supporters celebrate at the San Francisco Bath House bar in Wellington on April 17, 2013 after New Zealand became the first Asia-Pacific country to legalise same-sex marriage after a decades-long campaign. A parliamentary vote overwhelmingly backed a move to amend the 1955 Marriage Act 77-44 to describe matrimony as a union of two people regardless of their sex, sexuality or how they choose to identify their gender. AFP PHOTO / MARTY MELVILLE (Photo credit should read Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images)

France

People gather to celebrate the passage of a law allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children, in Paris April 23, 2013. French lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday, a flagship reform pledge by French President which sparked often violent street protests and a rise in homophobic attacks. The law legalises gay marriage and gives gay and lesbian couples adoption rights. Sign reads, "Yes to Equality". REUTERS/Charles Platiau (FRANCE - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY)

Brazil

Deco (R) kisses his partner Lohren Beauty as they hold a rainbow flag before their wedding ceremony in Campinas, 100 km (62 miles) from Sao Paulo March 21, 2013. Deco works as a journalist and Lohren Beauty works as a stylist and drag queen. Sixteen same-sex couples gathered and wed in Campinas on Thursday. The first same-sex marriage in Brazil occurred in the state of Sao Paulo in 2011 after a court ruled that a same-sex civil union could be converted into a legal marriage. The formalization of same-sex marriage was legalized by the state of Sao Paulo in December 2012, after a court ruled that gay couples could marry without having to first have their union authorized through a court. The new standard went into effect on March 1, 2013. REUTERS/Nacho Doce (BRAZIL - Tags: SOCIETY)

Uruguay

A man celebrates outside the Congress building after Uruguay's Congress passed a bill to allow same-sex marriages, making it the second country in predominantly Roman Catholic Latin America to do so April 10, 2013. Seventy-one of 92 lawmakers in the lower house of Congress voted in favor of the proposal, one week after the Senate passed it by a wide majority. Leftist President Jose Mujica, a former guerrilla fighter, is expected to sign the bill into law. REUTERS/Andres Stapff (URUGUAY)

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.South Korea plans to continue holding joint war games with the United States as it does every year, but will stop publicizing the event in order to avoid riling its neighbor North Korea, officials said Monday.

We will be conducting the U.S.-[South Korean] joint military exercises normally in line with annual plans, ministry spokesman Lee Jin-woo told the press. But well refrain from promoting the contents of the joint drills or opening them to the public as best we can.

The announcement was made as President Donald Trump prepares to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore to discuss the rogue regimes nuclear weapons program. The meeting, scheduled to take place June 12, is of vital importance to South Korea, which lives under constant threat of attack from the north.

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South Korea has U.S. troops stationed on its territory, and the country holds annual military drills and training exercises with the U.S. in order to deter Pyongyang. But North Korea views the military drills as a threat, and the country has suggested it could call off negotiations over its nuclear weapons program if the exercises continue to take place. Pyongyang called this years Max Thunder exercises, which took place in mid-May, an intentional military provocation, and threatened to suspend talks it had scheduled with South Korea. On Sunday, North Korean officials said that the exercises were not in line with the spirit of the Panmunjom Declaration, a joint declaration North and South Korea leaders signed in April stating their intention to work toward peace on the peninsula.

Nonetheless, both sides seem willing to reach a compromise, and experts said Mondays announcement was a sign of that.

"Seoul seems to be falling in line to what seems to be a handshake agreement struck months ago, where North Korea won't protest over military exercises as long as South Korea or America don't go out of their way to make a big splash with them, Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest, a public policy think tank in Washington, D.C., told Newsweek.

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Considering the fact that Pyongyang drills its military all winter and in other formats throughout the year, the Kim regime should not be concerned at all. All militaries and military alliances drill and do exercisesthat is how they ensure they can fight. That is not controversial, that is reality, Kazianis continued. However, if North Korea did want to torpedo the summit or cause trouble, this does give them an excuse to do it.

The last several months have been fraught with uncertainty in the run-up to landmark talks between North Korea and Washington. Pyongyang has made several big gestures to signal its commitment to pursuing negotiations, which include releasing U.S. hostages, blowing up a nuclear testing site and changing its clocks so its time is synced to South Koreas. But the regime has also lashed out against U.S. leadership, publishing insulting comments about Vice President Mike Pence and national security adviser John Bolton. The comments caused Trump to temporarily cancel the negotiations. For now, it looks like the talks are back on track, but its unclear whether either side has a realistic idea of what they hope to achieve.

Within the Trump administration, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appears most adept at dealing with North Korea's leadership. Pompeo has met with North Korean officials at least three times, and last month he suggested that the key to fostering peace on the Korean peninsula was by offering Kim "comfort and security."

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekBy Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Juarawee Kittisilpa BANGKOK (Reuters) - On her lunch break, Bangkok office worker Chinapa Payakha emerges from a 7-Eleven store with two plastic bags. One holds a Big Gulp soft drink. The other carries her lunch, with a banana in its own plastic wrapper. "For office life, plastic bags are necessary," said Chinapa, 34, whose shopping habits illustrate the challenges facing anti-plastic campaigners in Thailand, where plastic bags are handed out in abundance on any visit to a shop or market. As World Environment Day on Tuesday takes place and the United Nations calls for the "biggest-ever worldwide cleanup" of plastic pollution, experts are focused on Southeast Asia, home to four of the world's top marine plastic polluters. From major cities like Bangkok and Jakarta to beach resorts in the Philippines and Vietnam, plastic bags and bottles are the ubiquitous face of pollution in the region. Globally, some eight million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean every year, killing marine life and entering the human food chain, according to the U.N. Environment Programme. Five Asian countries - China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam and Thailand - accounted for up to 60 percent of the plastic waste leaking into the ocean, according to a 2015 report by the environmental campaigner Ocean Conservancy and the McKinsey Center for Business and Environment. The five economies have "generated exploding demand for consumer products", the report said, but lacked the waste management infrastructure to cope with the surge in plastic garbage. Three years on, a "trash emergency" on the Indonesian island of Bali and the Philippines' decision to close the tourist island of Boracay showed governments are recognizing the impact of plastic waste, said Susan Ruffo, Ocean Conservancy's managing director for international initiatives. "But this is not just a government responsibility - corporations, civil society and citizens all have a part to play," she said, adding that engagement was improving. PLASTIC ADDICTION In Thailand, where two million tonnes of plastic waste is produced a year, plastic is an "addiction," said Geoff Baker, an anti-plastic campaigner with Grin Green International. "Everywhere you go they just throw plastic at you," said Baker, who caused a stir on social media in April when he covered himself in 700 plastic bags, walked into a 7-Eleven and stared disapprovingly at people buying plastic-wrapped bananas. The recent death of a pilot whale in Thailand with 80 pieces of plastic rubbish in its stomach garnered headlines locally, but drew more attention outside the country. Still, some Bangkok residents say companies are not doing enough to address the problem of plastic pollution. Watcharapon Prabsangob, a 28-year-old engineer, emerged from a store with a small bag carrying a coffee drink and straw. He said he tried to refuse the bag but the clerk moved too fast. He said that businesses should do more to stop customers from taking plastic bags. CP All, which has over 10,000 7-Eleven stores across the country, said it would launch a campaign on Tuesday to reduce plastic bags in some outlets in the southern province of Satun as part of a green tourism campaign. It made no mention of the other 76 provinces including Bangkok, where 10 million residents use 80 million plastic bags a day, the capital's administration says. The food retailer Tesco Lotus said it would offer redeemable points from Tuesday to customers who do not take a plastic bag at check out. But the scheme runs out at the end of June. Months after the military seized power in a 2014 coup, the junta made waste management a priority and set goals for 2021. They included cutting the use of plastic bags and bottles in government agencies and businesses, and plastic bans in tourist destinations. A tax on plastic bags was also mentioned, along with a target to recycle up to 60 percent of plastic by 2021. For a graphic on countries with plastic bag bans, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2gh7xwe Baker said he has "yet to see any real change coming from these promises". But a spokesman from the government said it was committed to minimizing plastic use. "We have been trying to raise awareness. People are so used to the convenience of plastic that they don't think about the consequences," said the spokesman, Weerachon Sukhonpatipak. WAKE-UP CALL Other governments have set ambitious goals too. Indonesia, ranked second behind China in the 2015 study of mismanaged plastic waste from populations living near coastal areas in 192 countries, has pledged $1 billion a year to reduce marine plastic debris by 70 percent by 2025. There have been several attempts to impose taxes on plastic packaging to help address the waste problem. Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto has opposed the tax measures, saying in January it would hurt the local food and drink industry. In the Philippines, the threat to marine life should be a "wake-up call" for people to cut their use of plastic, said Jonas Leones, a senior official in the environmental department. The Philippines, like its regional neighbors, has not imposed a nationwide ban on plastic bags, but some local authorities regulate their use. Some shopping malls have also replaced plastic with paper bags and encouraged reusable bags. In Malaysia, the new housing and local government minister, Zuraida Kamaruddin, said in an interview with the local news website Malaysiakini that she wants to introduce a nationwide ban on plastic bags within a year. Anchalee Pipattanawattanakul, an ocean campaigner with Greenpeace in Southeast Asia, said the region needs a coordinated strategy on plastic waste. "ASEAN says the problem needs to be addressed," she said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "But there is no action plan that will actually decrease the use of plastic". (Additional reporting by Fergus Jensen and Tabita Diela in JAKARTA; Erik Dela Cruz in MANILA; Kham Nguyen and Thinh Nguyen in THANH HOA, Vietnam; Writing by Darren Schuettler; Editing by Philip McClellan)Jonathan Adler and his husband, Simon Doonan, didnt have much in common back in 1993 when they first met  or so they thought. But an eye for style and a passion for creativity were enough to persuade each of them to meet for a date. The two were set up by a mutual friend  one who would be shocked to learn that they are still together, the pair told Yahoo Lifestyle recently.

Adler made a grand entrance to their first date on a warm November day, wearing Rollerblades and a trench coat splattered with clay, recalls Doonan, who sat waiting in his tailored suit, unfazed, at a restaurant in New York City.

At the time, Adler was a trendy, upcoming potter who had just begun selling his pieces at luxury department store Barneys, where Doonan was the executive vice president.

Johnny was 28, and I was 42. But I looked about 29 Simon says. 29 thousand. Jonathan tags on, and both laugh.

The two had very different ideas of first-date etiquette and did not hit it off initially, they recall. According to Adler, Doonan was very monosyllabic and quite disengaged, to which Doonan responds today, Its a cultural thing.

Still, after an interesting first date, the two ended up hitting it off, despite their glaring differences. Doonan called Adler for a second date, and things started to heat up romantically. They both bonded over shared interests in outdoor activities and more importantly, a similar sense of humor.

I cant think of any Hallmark moments where were like, circling glasses of Chardonnay on a mountain top. I think every day is kind of fabulous. Simon explains.

Now, in addition to this being the couples 24th year together, 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the Jonathan Adler business. In celebration, hes designed an exclusive line for Barneys New York and has taken over its housewares section on Madison Avenue; the line includes products, from pottery to furniture to wall art, that are exclusive to the department store.

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Barneys was the first store to order Adlers pottery, in 1993, and 25 years later hes returning to where it all began. Its also where Doonan got his start. He started as a window dresser for Barneys in 1986 and is now its creative ambassador-at-large.

Doonan is also gearing up to star as a judge on the new NBC crafting competition show, Making It, where he will star alongside Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, and Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson.

And the couple, meanwhile, continues to creatively inspire one another through all of their professional endeavors, with a ton of laughs along the way.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.Khartoum (AFP) - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has offered to host peace talks in Khartoum between South Sudan's bitter rivals President Salwa Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar, a foreign ministry official said Tuesday.

Bashir's offer was delivered to Kiir by a Sudanese delegation that visited Juba on Tuesday, and comes just days after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution that gave South Sudanese warring sides one month to reach a peace deal or face possible sanctions.

The Sudanese delegation was led by Foreign Minister Al-Dierdiry al-Dhikheri and included Salah Ghosh, the chief of Sudan's powerful National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

"The delegation delivered a verbal message from President Omar al-Bashir to President Salwa Kiir regarding an initiative to support efforts to achieve peace between the conflicting parties in South Sudan," Sudanese foreign ministry spokesman Garib Allah Khadr said in a statement.

Bashir offered to "host a meeting between Kiir and South Sudanese opposition leader Riek Machar," he said.

"President Kiir welcomed the initiative and affirmed his government's readiness to participate in the meeting."

Khadr did not say when a meeting was scheduled or whether Machar had agreed to it.

Bashir's offer comes even as the regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) group is mediating peace talks between Kiir and Machar.

South Sudan, the world's youngest nation formed after splitting from the north in 2011, descended into war in December 2013 when Kiir accused his former deputy Machar of plotting a coup.

A peace deal was signed two years later but collapsed in July 2016 when fresh fighting in the capital Juba forced Machar into exile. The renewed violence spread across the country, and numerous new armed opposition groups have formed, further complicating peace efforts.

Efforts to revitalise a 2015 peace agreement resulted in a ceasefire in December which lasted just hours before warring parties accused each other of breaking it.

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Tens of thousands have died and nearly four million South Sudanese have been driven from their homes, while millions are going hungry amid a massive humanitarian crisis.

Last week the UN Security Council gave the two warring sides a month to reach a peace deal or face sanctions.

South Sudan won independence from Sudan with critical backing from the United States, which remains Juba's biggest aid donor.

But Washington has grown increasingly frustrated with Kiir's government as the brutal war grinds on, now in its fourth year.By David Schwartz

PHOENIX (Reuters) - A man suspected of killing six people, including a noted psychiatrist who advised prosecutors investigating high-profile murders, killed himself on Monday as police closed in on the Phoenix-area hotel where he was staying, police said.

Investigators had been searching for Dwight Jones, 56, since psychiatrist Steven Pitt, 59, was found dead outside his office on Thursday, the first of a string of killings that left the Phoenix area on edge.

Pitt consulted on serial killings and the 1996 murder of child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey.

Jones fatally shot himself in a hotel room as tactical units closed in to arrest him, police said on Monday. Police originally said the suspect killed four people but on Monday said there were two additional victims.

DNA found on shell casings at the murder scenes and ballistic evidence linked the crimes and led police to Jones, Scottsdale Police Assistant Chief Rich Slavin told a news conference.

"We had a positive hit on Mr. Jones that connects him to all the scenes," he said.

Police believe he may have been seeking revenge from a 2009 divorce case.

In a statement, ex-wife Connie Jones said her former husband was an emotionally disturbed person.

Personally, I have feared for my safety for the past nine years. I cannot express the emotions I feel for the innocent families touched by this senseless violence," she said.

Pitt was discovered dead outside his office on Thursday, police said, noting that witnesses said they heard a loud argument followed by several gunshots.

Pitt had been a consultant in several high-profile cases, including the 2005-2006 Baseline Killer murders that claimed the lives of nine people. He also served as a consultant to prosecutors in the grand jury probe into the death of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey, who was found bludgeoned and strangled in her parents' Boulder, Colorado home. No charges were ever filed in that case.

The additional victims were identified as paralegals Veleria Sharp, 48, and Laura Anderson, 49, who were shot in their legal office in downtown Scottsdale on Friday, police said.

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Marshall Levine, a 72-year-old counselor and psychologist, was found dead in his office on Saturday, police said.

On Monday, police said they found 70-year-old Mary Simmons and 72-year-old Bryon Thomas shot dead inside a Fountain Hills home.

(Additional reporting by Keith Coffman in Denver and Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas; Editing by Marguerita Choy, Chris Reese and Michael Perry)Niamey (AFP) - Three suicide bombers killed at least six people in separate attacks in the southeastern Niger city of Diffa near the border with Nigeria, shattering several months of calm in the troubled region.

The attacks occurred late Monday in the city, a regional capital that is a frequent target of the Boko Haram jihadist group, the interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Shortly before midnight, three terrorists blew themselves up in the Diffa Koura neighbourhood, leaving six people dead and 37 wounded, including eight seriously," the ministry said.

It added that the attackers, a man and two girls, also died "on the spot".

A local official speaking on condition of anonymity had told AFP earlier that nine people had been killed, including the three attackers.

Ibrahim Amadou, a resident, said the three detonations were "almost simultaneous" in Koura, an old district of the city, with one near the Koranic school, one near a mosque and the third by a shop.

People are afraid, "but they aren't giving in to panic," Amadou said.

Another resident, Ari Maman, said he and others were surprised the attacks happened in the heavily secured city of around 600,000. "We expect attacks across the region, except in the heart of the city," he told AFP.

Security forces have cordoned off the sites and were carrying out search operations throughout the city, a security source said.

The attacks came as Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou arrived in Paris for an official visit Monday. He was to continue to Brussels Tuesday.

They also follow several months of calm in the Diffa region which since February 2015 has suffered numerous attacks by Boko Haram based across the border in northeast Nigeria.

- Pipeline project delayed -

In late April, Niamey announced a military operation against Boko Haram in the region of Lake Chad, which links Niger, Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon.

The group, which is seeking an Islamic state based on Sharia law, has caused the deaths of at least 20,000 people since it took up arms in 2009 in Nigeria.

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Some 2.4 million people have been displaced in northern Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

Niamey hopes to allow thousands of people to return to the islets of Lake Chad which Boko Haram uses as rear bases for attacks.

In late January, UNHCR launched an appeal for $156 million (127 million euros) to help people displaced by the Boko Haram campaign of violence.

The conflict in the Diffa region has caused delays in the construction of a pipeline for exporting Niger's crude oil to Cameroon via Chad. Niamey recently said work would begin late this year.

In addition to Boko Haram attacks in the southeast, Niger faces repeated attacks by other Islamist groups in the north and west.Beirut (AFP) - A powerful Syrian Kurdish militia announced Tuesday it will withdraw from Manbij, a day after key brokers Ankara and Washington held talks on the fate of the strategic town.

The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) spearheaded a victorious offensive in 2016 to rid Manbij of the Islamic State group, and had kept military advisors in the town to train local forces.

"Now, after more than two years of continuous work and with the Manbij Military Council being self-sufficient in their training, the YPG has decided to pull its military advisors from Manbij," it said in a statement.

The YPG forms the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-Arab alliance that has ousted IS from swathes of Syria with help from the US-led coalition.

The coalition has both American and French troops stationed in Manbij, but the YPG statement did not say whether they would be redeployed.

It also made no mention of ongoing efforts between the US and Turkey to resolve the fate of the flashpoint town.

For months, Ankara has threatened to march on Manbij, accusing the YPG of being the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is blacklisted in Turkey.

Those threats raised fears of a confrontation between Turkish and American troops that talks have tried to tamp down.

Last month, Ankara and Washington outlined a "roadmap" to coordinate security in Manbij.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusolgu discussed the Manbij plan in Washington on Monday, the State Department said.

"They endorsed a Road Map to this end and underlined their mutual commitment to its implementation, reflecting agreement to closely follow developments on the ground," it said in a statement, providing no further details.(New York, June 4, 2018)  TIME and WeWork are partnering to launch the TIME 100 x WeWork Speaker Series, it was announced today. The series is an extension of TIMEs annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world and will feature conversations with past and present TIME 100 honorees about what it takes to effect change. All events will take place at WeWork locations across the country.

The first installment of the series will feature Raj Panjabi, CEO of Last Mile Health and member of the 2016 TIME 100, on Wednesday, June 6 in Miami, FL. Last Mile Health is an organization that has pioneered a new model of global healthcaretraining locals in developing countries to become health workers so they can better aid their own communities. The discussion will be hosted by TIME Staff Writer Alexandra Sifferlin.

TIME created the TIME 100 to start conversations about and among the worlds most influential people, said Dan Macsai, Editorial Director of the TIME 100. We are excited to partner with WeWork to bring even more of those conversations to life.

Were excited to partner with TIME and kick off the TIME 100 x WeWork Speaker Series in Miami, said Bobby Condon, WeWork General Manager for the Southeast. WeWork is committed to supporting innovative companies and individuals that embody our mantra, Create Your Lifes Work. This partnership and speaker series will allow us to provide a platform for these conversations in a unique way.

Details for future TIME 100 x WeWork events, including locations and speakers, will be announced in the coming weeks.Alotenango (Guatemala) (AFP) - Rescue workers pulled more bodies Monday from under the dust and rubble left by an explosive eruption of Guatemala's Fuego volcano, bringing the death toll to at least 69.

Of them, 17 have been identified so far, said Fanuel Garcia, head of the National Institute of Forensic Sciences.

In addition, there are 46 people injured, most of them seriously, more than 1.7 million being hit by the disaster, including 3,271 ordered evacuated and 1,787 in shelters in the departments of Escuintla, Sacatepequez and Chimaltenango since Sunday's eruption.

The 3,763-meter (12,346-foot) volcano erupted early Sunday, spewing out towering plumes of ash and a hail of fiery rock fragments with scalding mud.

Authorities had warned the death toll could rise after searches resumed for survivors in communities on the mountain's southern flank.

After an initial toll of 25 dead, it was revised upwards within hours as bodies were recovered from villages razed by the tumbling mud.

"There are missing persons, but we do not know how many," said Sergio Cabanas of Guatemala's disaster management agency. A roll call of communities on the slopes of the volcano was under way.

The speed and ferocity of the eruption took mountain communities by surprise, with many of the dead found in or around their homes.

Cabanas said those who were killed had been overrun by fast-moving burning material discharged by the volcano Sunday. Communities located on its southern slope were the worst hit. Several of the dead were children.

An AFP journalist saw at least three bodies burned in the rubble of the village of San Miguel Los Lotes, where rescue workers, soldiers and police were desperately searching for survivors.

Dead dogs, chickens and ducks also lay among the mud and ash, much of it still smoking.

"I do not want to leave, but go back, and there is nothing I can do to save my family," a weeping Eufemia Garcia, 48, told AFP. She was searching for her three children, her mother, nephews and siblings.

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Garcia, from Los Lotes, said she escaped with the help of her husband.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply saddened by the "tragic loss of life and the significant damage caused by the eruption," and said the UN was ready to assist national rescue and relief efforts.

- National mourning -

President Jimmy Morales, who has declared three days of national mourning, visited the disaster zone.

"The volcano has erupted before, but never like this," said Gustavo Larius, a 27-year-old bricklayer searching the streets of his village for missing family and friends, a handkerchief pressed over his mouth and nose.

The eruption sent ash billowing over the surrounding area, turning plants and trees gray and blanketing streets, cars and people.

Farmers covered in ash fled for their lives as civil defense workers tried to relocate them to shelters.

"This time we were saved; in another (eruption) no," said Efrain Gonzalez, 52, sitting on the floor of a shelter in the city of Escuintla, where he arrived with his wife and one-year-old daughter.

Gonzalez was overwhelmed with despair, as two more of his children, aged 10 and four, are missing. They were trapped in their home, which was flooded with hot mud that descended from the volcano.

Dense ash blasted out by the volcano shut down Guatemala City's international airport, civil aviation officials said.

The eruption ended after 16.5 hours, but "there is a likelihood that it will reactivate" warned the Institute of Volcanology.

- Surprising speed -

The speed of the eruption took locals by surprise, and could be explained by it producing pyroclastic flows, sudden emissions of gas and rock fragments, rather than lava, said volcanologist David Rothery of Britain's Open University.

"A lava flow rarely travels fast enough to engulf people," he said.

"The videos and still images I've seen suggest instead one or more pyroclastic flows. This is when a violently erupted mass of rock fragments and hot gas finds itself too dense to rise as an ash column and instead cascades down the volcano's slopes.

"Pyroclastic flows or surges can move at over 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour, and may be hot enough to glow like molten lava. They can travel further, as well as much faster, than lava flows," said Rothery.

Fuego has been erupting since 2002, and was continuously active in 2017. There were explosions and ash plumes and a volcanic mudflow last month.More than 100 people have died after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Tunisia on Saturday night, marking the latest tragedy in the Mediterranean.

The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Monday that at least 112 of about 180 migrants died during the sinking. Reuters reported on Sunday that the local coast guard had rescued 67 individuals, saying that the victims were Tunisians and other nationalities.

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Human trafficking has become big business through the Mediterranean, with a surge in African and Middle Eastern migrants attempting to travel to Europe. So far this year, 785 deaths have been recorded in the Mediterranean by the IOMs Missing Migrant project. In 2017 the number reached 1,763, and in 2016 the death toll peaked at 2,896.

A report by Amnesty International released last July pointed fingers at European leaders for the alarming death toll, saying the continent turns its back on refugees and migrants.

Rather than acting to save lives and offer protection, European Ministers...are shamelessly prioritizing reckless deals with Libya in a desperate bid to prevent refugees and migrants from reaching Italy, John Dalhuisen, Amnesty Internationals Europe Director, said in the report.

European states have progressively turned their backs on a search and rescue strategy that was reducing mortality at sea in favour of one that has seen thousands drown and left desperate men, women and children trapped in Libya, exposed to horrific abuses, Dalhuisen added.

GettyImages-950025084

MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP/Getty Images

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Heres a look at some of this years tragic sinkings.

June: Nine dead, six rescued

Also this weekend, at least nine Syriansincluding six childrendrowned off the Antalya coast of Turkey, BBC reported. The oldest of the children was 14 and the youngest was three. Six adults were also rescued.

May: 11 confirmed dead, 200 missing

In early May, AFP reported that at least 11 people had died off the coast of Libya. Some 200 others were left unaccounted for as two boats carrying migrants sank. A Danish ship was able to rescue about 50 survivors.

Most popular: Two-Headed Snake Found in Louisiana Backyard Has Different Brains but Same Body

April: 11 dead, 263 rescued

The Libyan Navy announced in late April that it had recovered the bodies of 11 drowned migrants after rescuing 263 others. According to an official statement, reported by Voice of America, the migrants hailed from various sub-Saharan African countries.

GettyImages-955730662

LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images

February: At least 90 dead

A migrant boat capsized off the coast of Libya leaving at least 90 feared dead at the beginning of February, The Guardian reported. Only 10 bodies had washed ashore while the rest of the migrants remained unaccounted for. Two survivors also managed to swim to shore.

January: At least 25 dead, eight rescued

The first deaths of migrants crossing the Mediterranean in 2018 were reported on January 6 by Deutsche Welle. Eight people were rescued off the Libyan coast, but at least 25 were feared dead.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekThe president is not, of course, above the law, but there are certainly complications in how the law applies to him. In his official actions, he is subject to familiar checks and balances, including the possibility of judicial review of his decisions. The more immediate problem is how a president might be held accountable if he were to commit a criminal offense. The president is not immune from criminal liability simply because he is president, but I do think that criminal prosecution would be incompatible with the president fulfilling the duties of his office. I would assume that impeachment and removal would proceed quickly if there were substantial evidence that the president had committed a serious crime, and that prosecution in the ordinary courts would soon follow.

In President Trumps case, there are more thorny issues regarding whether the exercise of his constitutional powers can give rise to criminal prosecution for obstruction of justice. No doubt a president could obstruct justice in myriad ways, but it is not at all clear that it could be a criminal act for the president to exercise his lawful power to direct a federal prosecutor to end an investigation or to remove a subordinate executive officer from his duties. The power of the president to pardon individuals for federal criminal offenses has generally been regarded as unreviewable and completely subject to his own discretion. The president could surely issue a valid pardon to his own associates (though abusing his pardoning power might itself be an impeachable offense). It is less clear that the president could issue a pardon to himself. Conceptually, the pardon is an act of mercy, and that would seem to imply that it is only possible to bestow mercy on someone else and so there is an implicit bar against a self-pardon. Certainly, attempting to do so could be regarded as an impeachable offense as an abuse of power, but whether a court should ultimately respect the validity of such a pardon is a much more difficult question.The White House is talking up Trumps accomplishments  but as ever, many of the presidents claims are misleading

Donald Trump says Americas economy is stronger  thanks to President Trumps pro-growth agenda. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

The White House issued a grandiose statement on Monday morning celebrating President Donald J Trumps 500 days of American greatness.

Trump made a series of claims about his first 500 days in office, celebrating his economic policies, touting his success in adding jobs, and claiming to have made communities safer.

As ever with Trump, many of these boasts are inaccurate or misleading. Here, under his own four main headings, we appraise some of his key 500-day declarations.

Americas economy is stronger  thanks to President Trumps pro-growth agenda

CLAIM Three million jobs have been created since Trump took office, booms Trumps news release. He made the same claim at a rally in April.

REALITY What Trump does not tell people is that the rate of job creation under him is actually slower than the last four years under Obama. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2.188m jobs were added in 2017. Obama added 2.3m in 2013, 2.99m in 2014, 2.71m in 2015, and 2.24m in 2016.

Trump claimed that the unemployment rate has dropped to 3.8%. On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics did indeed report the unemployment rate for May was 3.8%.

But what Trump ignores is that the unemployment rate is declining in part because of large numbers of people leaving the workforce rather than getting jobs. The percentage of workers in jobs or looking for work dropped from 62.9% in March, to 62.8% in April to 62.7% in May. Those levels have not been seen since the 1970s.

CLAIM American families received $3.2tn in gross tax cuts.

REALITY Trump has been making this claim since 2017, when he signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law. In fact, the bill delivers $1.5tn in tax cuts  and that number includes cuts that corporations will receive.

The disparity is because Trump does not include aspects of the bill which will actually increase taxes. Factcheck.org pointed out that the non-partisan joint committee on taxation estimates the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will result in $1.456tn less in taxes over the next 10 years.

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Some of that comes from the corporate income tax rate being cut from 35% to 21%, while the tax rate for wealthy individuals has been cut from 39.6% to 37%. The tax cut for corporations is permanent; the tax cuts for individuals will expire in 2026.

The bill is projected to add $1.46tn to the nations debt over the next decade. And the Washington thinktank the Center for American progress predicts that Trump will save $11m to $15m a year under the tax bill, while Jared Kushner will save between $5m and $12m per year.

Trump signs his tax cut into law in December. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

CLAIM President Trump has rolled back unnecessary job-killing regulations such as the Clean Power Plan.

REALITY Trump hails the governments October 2017 decision to scrap the Clean Power Plan, which was introduced by Obama and was designed to cut US carbon dioxide emissions by 32% by 2030.

The Environmental Protection Agency had previously estimated the plan would prevent 90,000 child asthma attacks and 3,600 premature deaths a year by 2030.

While Trump claims the Clean Power Plan has already been rolled back, as of May 2018 the EPA was yet to finalize its repeal, and 19 states are challenging the governments move to scrap the plan  giving hope that Trump and Pruitt could be thwarted, or at least delayed.

America is winning on the world stage

CLAIM The president has taken action to confront aggression by Iran and its proxies.

REALITY Trump has withdrawn from the landmark international deal on Tehrans nuclear programme. In doing so he drew condemnation from the leaders of the UK, Germany and France, who made clear that Iran was abiding by the terms of the agreement.

Americas government is more accountable

CLAIM President Trump has confirmed the most circuit court judges of any president in their first year.

REALITY Unfortunately for those not aligned with the presidents political views, this is correct. Republicans have rushed through the appointment of 21 such judges, and Trump plans to add 20 more by the end of 2018.

Most of those appointments are white men, and almost one-third have anti-LGBT records. The majority of Trumps appointments are under 50  meaning they could influence decision-making in the US for decades to come.

Americas communities are safer and more secure

CLAIM Immigration and Customs Enforcement  Ice  has made 110,568 arrests of illegal aliens  a 42% increase for the same timeframe in 2016.

REALITY There is no mention of the disruption this has had on communities across the country  and on the terrible toll Trumps actions have had on families.

Between 6 and 19 May, 658 children were taken away from their parents at the border, after the Trump administration announced that parents detained while entering the US without documentation would be separated from their children and prosecuted.Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump is "seriously contemplating" making separate trade deals with Canada and Mexico in place of the two-decade-old North American Free Trade Agreement, and has broached the idea with Ottawa, a White House official said Tuesday.

"He prefers bilateral negotiations and he is looking at two much different countries," Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Fox News.

Canadian and Mexican officials, however, said they remained focused on a three-nation trade deal to revise the 1994 trade pact.

"It is out of the question for now" to conclude a bilateral agreement between Canada and the United States, the senior Canadian official said.

The official downplayed, but did not deny, an earlier a comment that Ottawa was "not ruling out" a separate trade deal with the United States to replace NAFTA.

"We have not reached a point where a request has been made for a bilateral agreement... and we remain strongly focused on a trilateral renegotiation of NAFTA."

Mexico Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said NAFTA had been "highly beneficial" and attracted foreign investors seeking access to the North American market.

"We believe that the agreement would lose value were it to stop being what it is today and we want it to continue to be: a trilateral integration of the continent," he said.

Word of the possible change in strategy comes as Washington faces unified opposition from Group of Seven economies, who have vowed to retaliate against Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs.

Mexico on Tuesday released a more detailed list of specific US products facing retaliatory import duties, including a host of steel products, pork, fruits, cheese and bourbon.

- NAFTA talks in suspense -

Kudlow said he was awaiting a reaction from top Canadian officials to whom he had relayed the idea on Monday.

"I'm waiting to hear what their reaction is going to be frankly. I spoke yesterday to one of their top people, right next to the prime minister. He will probably get back to me sometime today," he told Fox News.

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He said he hoped the response would come "as soon as possible and move the whole process forward."

Kudlow noted that talks to revamp NAFTA had "dragged on" so separate deals "might be able to happen more rapidly."

Trump "is seriously contemplating a shift in the NAFTA negotiations ... (and) he asked me to convey this," he said, adding that the president "believed bilateral is always better. He hates large treaties."

Trump on Friday had publicly floated the idea of having individual agreements to replace NAFTA, which he again called "a terrible deal."

The Canadian official noted that Trump had raised this bilateral alternative last year when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited the White House.

Trump initially threatened to pull out of the three-nation pact. Talks to revise and modernize the deal have been underway since August 2017 but snagged on US demands to increase US content in duty-free NAFTA autos as well as a five-year sunset clause.

Negotiations are now suspended due to the coming elections in Mexico and the United States.

The Canadian official said there were currently no plans for another round of NAFTA talks but officials "remain in touch by telephone and email."

Kudlow said Trump "will not withdraw from NAFTA. He will try a different approach."

"The important thought is he may be moving quickly towards these bilateral discussions instead of as a whole," Kudlow said, but noted it is not clear how soon that would happen.

The NAFTA talks are just one facet of Trump's confrontational, multi-front trade policy, which includes imposing steep tariffs on steel and aluminum coming from chief US allies -- Canada, Mexico and the European Union -- which has prompted sharp retaliation.By Karen Freifeld NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said he had committed no wrongdoing but has the "absolute" power to pardon himself, echoing sweeping arguments put forth by his lawyer Rudy Giuliani on Sunday. The remarks come as U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and possible illegal obstruction of that probe by the president has entered its second year. Giuliani told Reuters on Sunday the president cannot be indicted or subpoenaed and has the power to pardon himself, leaving impeachment by the U.S. Congress likely the remedy for presidential misconduct. "The constitution gave the president the right to pardon himself," Giuliani said, adding that Trump would not need to because "he didn't do anything wrong." Trump said the same thing on Twitter on Monday, writing, "As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?" In another tweet he called Mueller's appointment "totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL." Trump has denied he colluded with Russians or obstructed justice and repeated in tweets on Monday his frequent claim that the Mueller investigation is a "witch hunt." Russia has denied U.S. intelligence agencies' assessment that Moscow sought to interfere with the 2016 U.S. election to boost Trump's prospects of becoming president. The Constitution is silent on the issue of whether the president's broad power to grant pardons extends to himself, and some lawyers say that supports Trump's position. "If there are any limits on the power, its got to be in the Constitution," said Samuel Morison, a former lawyer with Justice Department office that handles pardons. "Its nowhere in the Constitution." But many legal experts disagree. Andrew Wright, a former associate counsel in the Obama White House, said allowing the president to pardon himself would be contrary to fundamental principles of the American legal system. "One of the basic rules is that no man is a judge in his own case," said Wright, a professor at Savannah Law School. "YOU'RE NOT A KING" Trump's tweet on Monday triggered swift political criticism. "You cant pardon yourself," Democratic U.S. Representative Ted Deutch said on Twitter. "Let me remind you of something, we dont live in a monarchy and you are not a king." House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on CNN on Sunday that he did not think a president should pardon himself. Giuliani told Reuters on Sunday that a move by Trump to pardon himself would likely trigger political blowback leading to his impeachment. The comments by Trump and Giuliani follow a report by the New York Times on Saturday of a confidential memo sent to Mueller in January. In that memo, Trump's lawyers argued the president could not have obstructed the investigation because, as the nation's chief law enforcement officer, he already has the power to terminate it. Many legal experts say the president's actions could be considered obstruction if prosecutors can show he acted with "corrupt intent." Mueller, who was appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in the wake of the May 2017 firing of FBI director James Comey, has so far secured five guilty pleas. Among those who have pleaded guilty are former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn and Rick Gates, a longtime business partner of Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman who has been indicted in the investigation. Mueller's team also has charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies. The 20-page memo to Mueller came in response to repeated requests by the special counsel's office asking to interview Trump, according to the Times. The memo asserted Mueller could not subpoena Trump to testify because it would interfere with "the president's prime function as the chief executive" and demean "the office of the president before the world." Giuliani on Sunday told Reuters that "when you're interfering with the president, you're interfering with the country" and suggested the Mueller investigation already was affecting the president's important work, including a planned June 12 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "We couldn't have a better example than North Korea," said Giuliani. "Mueller is punching around with this ridiculous investigation and we've got nuclear nightmare possibilities or nuclear peace with North Korea." Trump already has raised questions about his use of the presidential pardon power. Last week he pardoned Dinesh D'Souza, a conservative pundit convicted of campaign finance crimes, and last year he pardoned former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who campaigned for Trump before being convicted in a case regarding racial profiling. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld in New York and Jan Wolfe, Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Editing by Anthony Lin, Chizu Nomiyama and Bill Trott)By Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey and the United States on Monday endorsed a roadmap for the northern Syrian city of Manbij and underlined their mutual commitment to its implementation following a meeting of their foreign ministers in Washington, according to a joint statement. The move, long sought by Turkey, comes at a time of strain in bilateral ties over wider Syria policy and over Washington's decision in December to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Turkey has been infuriated by U.S. support for the Kurdish YPG militia in Syria, which it views as a terrorist organization, and has threatened to push its offensive in the Afrin region of northern Syria further east to Manbij, risking confrontation with U.S. troops stationed there. Washington views the YPG as a key ally in the fight against Islamic State. At their talks in Washington, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also discussed cooperation in Syria, along with potential steps to improve security in Manbij, they said in a joint statement. "They endorsed a road map to this end," the statement said. The Pentagon has long feared that Manbij could become a flashpoint in Syria, with U.S.-backed forces who cleared the city of Islamic State fighters clashing with Turkish forces. That would put Washington in the unenviable position of either fighting a NATO ally or abandoning its proxy forces in Syria. The statement did not explicitly spell out how Turkey and the United States would resolve the Manbij issue or detail next steps in the so-called roadmap. "The aim of this roadmap is the clearing of Manbij of all terror organizations and the permanent instatement of safety and stability," Cavusoglu told a press conference in Washington. "In the first step, the determination of parameters for common plans for the removal of YPG-PYD from Manbij - you can also call it PKK - will be determined." The reference to the PKK was a jab at Washington. Ankara considers the YPG to be an arm of the PKK, which both the United States and Turkey consider a terrorist group. F-35 sale? Cavusoglu said Turkish and U.S. units would together implement security and stability in Manbij, and the removal of all YPG organizations from Manbij would be completed. "In the long term, this road map that will implemented in Manbij will be carried to other regions to implement security and stability in other regions in Syria. Meaning the cooperation will continue in other regions," he added. The Syrian government, Kurdish militants, Syrian rebel groups, Turkey and the United States all have a military presence in northern Syria. Relations between Ankara and Washington have deteriorated due to a range of factors, including the sentencing in New York in May of a former Turkish state bank executive to 32 months in prison for taking part in an Iran sanctions-busting scheme, a case Turkey has called a political attack. Turkey has also caused unease in Washington with its decision to buy S-400 surface-to-air missiles from Russia and drew criticism over its detention of a U.S. Christian pastor, Andrew Brunson, on terrorism charges. He has denied the charges. Also at issue is the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. Last month a U.S. Senate committee floated a defense policy bill that included a measure that would prevent Turkey from purchasing Lockheed Martin-made F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets. NATO ally Turkey was also faulted for its agreement with Russia in December to buy the S-400 surface-to-air missile system. The move to buy S-400s, which are incompatible with NATO systems, has unnerved NATO member countries, which are already wary of Moscow's military presence in the Middle East, prompting NATO officials to warn Turkey of unspecified consequences. Turkey plans to buy 100 of the F-35 jets, and has had talks with Washington about the purchase of Patriot missiles which could be an alternative to the S-400 system. A Capitol Hill source said that if the F-35 sale were derailed and not replaced by another buyer, each F-35 of the same model would increase in price by about $1 million for the United States and it allies. Ankara wants the missile batteries to boost defense capabilities amid threats from Kurdish and Islamist militants at home and conflicts across its borders in Syria and Iraq. (Additional reporting by Mike Stone and Phil Stewart in Washington; Editing by Gareth Jones and James Dalgleish)At the April 27 summit between the two Koreas, some observers commented on the unusual sight of members of North Koreas top military brass saluting South Korean president Moon Jae-in. Now, just days ahead of the much-anticipated summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US president Donald Trump, the men who made that striking gesture are no longer in their jobs.

Defense chief Pak YS gave Moon military salute at the inter-Korean summit on April 27. To his right is JCoS chair Ri MS. These KPA titles are only roughly equivalent to what they may seem under SK or US military hierarchies. But the order is GPB head; JCoS chair; defense minister pic.twitter.com/xij5kN0ICY  Noon in Korea (@NoonInKorea) June 3, 2018

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reshuffled his top military leadership, replacing defense minister Pak Yong Sik and army chief of staff Ri Myong Su, according to reports from Japanese and South Korean media over the weekend. Given the countrys opacity, its difficult to know exactly whats behind the changesor if they had anything to do with that salute, which was not reciprocated by South Korean military officials. (Kim got a handshake and a nod instead.)

Analysts have speculated that the changes represent a move by Kim to install more moderate voices in the military, possibly to pave the way for concessions over the countrys nuclear program that may come out of the summit with Trump. Meanwhile, the Washington Post had earlier reported that North Korea had expressed concerns over a possible coup back in Pyongyang while Kim travels to Singaporeand some saw the moves as intended to consolidate Kim loyalists at the top of the military. Michael Madden, of the North Korea Leadership Watch blog, called the newly promoted men top Kim Jong Un guys.



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Writing for Reuters, Wellesley College political science professor Katharine Moon noted that the April salute signaled the military supported Kims diplomatic thaw with South Korea and the US. The message from the optics was clear: Kims DMZ-crossing and diplomatic engagement with arch-enemies have the full backing of the armed forces, she wrote. But, she added, it was also possible that new chiefs simply are politically more savvy and technically more competent to assist in the summit diplomacy and the upcoming high-level negotiations with the South Korean military.

Here are the key new members of the top brass:

No Kwang Chol is the new defense minister. No is in his late thirties, making him only a few years older than Kim Jong Un himself. He replaces Pak Yong Sik, whos in his late sixties and was appointed in 2015. No earlier headed the Workers Partys Second Economic Committee, which oversees defense production, including in military and nuclear programs. He joined the ruling partys central committee two years ago. In 2014, he accompanied a top Kim aide to Russia.

Ri Yong Gil , chief of general staff of the Korea Peoples Army (KPA), replaces Ri Myong Su, who had been a military aide to Kims father. This appears to be Ri Yong Gils second stint in the position leading the armed services, after an earlier appointment in 2013. A South Korean official in early 2016 said that Ri Yong Gil had been executed, but Ri later turned up at a party congress that year. Ri is about 20 years younger than the man he replaced, who was in his eighties and had lived through the Korean War.

Those two appointments came after the promotion of Kim Su Gil (shown in the photo above, with Kim Jong Un). A four-star general aged 68 or 69, he replaced Kim Jong Gak as head of the KPAs General Political Bureau (GPB) in late May. His predecessor had been in charge of the GPB, which manages military personnel and maintains party control over the army, for just four months. Kim Su Gil reportedly accompanied Kim Jong Un on a May visit to China to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and has helped him consolidate his power since early in his rule.

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More stories from Quartz:WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Monday called on members of the Organization of American States (OAS) to suspend Venezuela from the group and ramp up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government with new sanctions. Maduro won re-election in a May vote that the Venezuelan opposition, along with the United States and other Latin American nations, have decried as a sham cementing a dictatorship which has devastated a once-prosperous economy. "Suspension ... would show that OAS backs up its words with action and would send a powerful signal to the Maduro regime: Only real elections will allow your government to be included in the family of nations," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. "We seek only what all the nations of the OAS want for our people: A return to the constitutional order, free and fair elections with international observation, and the release of political prisoners," he told the 34-member OAS's general assembly in Washington. Pompeo said OAS member states should apply new sanctions on Venezuela to further isolate it diplomatically after the May 20 election, in which Maduro's two most popular rivals were barred from standing. After Pompeo's comments, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza accused the U.S. of violating international law. "The aggression against Venezuela is brutal, it's economic, it's financial, it's commercial, it's political, it's media, and we are going to press on and we will triumph," Arreaza told the assembly. Maduro calls the OAS a pawn of U.S. foreign policy and last year said he would pull Venezuela out of the organization. Since the May 20 election, Maduro has begun to free opponents jailed after violent anti-government protests last year, casting the releases as a peace gesture and calling for international dialogue. Maduro's critics say the releases are insufficient given around 300 people remain in jail on what the opposition says are trumped up charges intended to stifle dissent. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Writing by Angus Berwick; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Susan Thomas)By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former officer with the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency was arrested over the weekend for allegedly trying to spy on the United States for China, the Justice Department said on Monday.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation took Ron Rockwell Hansen, 58, into custody on Saturday while he was on his way to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to get a connecting flight to China.

The department said he has been accused of trying to transmit national defense information to China and with receiving "hundreds of thousands of dollars" while acting illegally as an agent for the Chinese government.

Reuters could not immediately learn who may be representing Hansen in the case.

Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she did not have information on the case.

"But certainly of late there have been some issues between China and the United States. We think China and the U.S. are two major countries and both sides should do more things that strengthen cooperation and mutual trust," Hua told reporters.

Hansen is the latest person in a string of former U.S. intelligence officers to be swept up in criminal probes related to spying for the Chinese.

Earlier this year, former CIA case officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee was indicted for conspiring to gather or deliver national defense information to China.

Another former U.S. intelligence employee named Kevin Mallory is on trial in Virginia, also in connection with selling secrets to China.

In the new case announced Monday, prosecutors said that Hansen speaks fluent Mandarin-Chinese and Russian.

He served as a case officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency while on active military duty from 2000-2006, and later continued that line of work as a civilian employee and a contractor.

He also held a top secret clearance for years.

The government said that between 2013 and 2017, he traveled between the two countries attending conferences and provided the information he learned to China's intelligence service.

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He was paid via wire transfers, cash and credit cards. He also allegedly improperly sold export-controlled technology.

"His alleged actions are a betrayal of our nation's security and the American people and are an affront to his former intelligence community colleagues," said John Demers, the head of the Justice Department's National Security Division.

According to court records, the FBI started investigating his activities in 2014. He was unaware of the probe, and participated in nine voluntary meetings with federal agents in Salt Lake City. Utah.

Prosecutors say that during his meetings, he told the FBI that Chinese intelligence had tried to recruit him, offered to cooperate as a source and even provided thumb drives to the FBI that contained classified materials he was not authorized to have.

Hansen appeared before a magistrate judge in Seattle on Monday, and is charged in a 15-count complaint.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Additional reporting by Philip Wen in Beijing; Editing by James Dalgleish)Former UFC champion Miesha Tate labored for 67 hours before giving birth to her baby girl. (Photo: Getty Images)

Former UFC champion Miesha Tate has given birth to a baby girl after a grueling 67-hour labor.

A photo of the 31-year-old fighter and her daughter, Amaia, whom she shares with boyfriend Johnny Nunez, was posted to Instagram Monday by a friend of Tates with a caption that reads in part, Im so proud of my incredible friend. After 67 hours of labor, she gave birth to a perfect, tiny human. I am so proud of her, to be able to call her one of my best friends, and to share a birthday with this little piece of magic named Amaia.

News of Tates lengthy childbirth hit social media with headlines emphasizing the nearly three-day ordeal.

However, laboring for 67 hours is totally possible, says Tami Rowen, an ob-gyn at the University of California, San Francisco. We tend to think of labor as those dramatic movie scenes in which the woman is screaming and pushing, but the process unfolds in three different stages, the length of which can vary, she tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

The first stage of labor occurs when the woman starts having contractions and cervical dilation (when the cervix begins opening to allow the baby to exit). Depending on the woman, those processes can take days. Some women in the early stages of labor continue going to work if theyre comfortable doing so, especially those who havent begun dilating, says Rowen.

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Some women arrive at the hospital during this time; however, theyre likelier to be admitted once the cervix has opened to 4 to 6 centimeters. Thats when we generally anticipate that labor will progress steadily from there, says Rowen, adding, We hear about hospitals turning away pregnant women, but its often safer to labor at home early on.

During the second stage, the cervix has reached 10 centimeters, and the woman is ready to push. First-time moms usually push for two to three hours, and second-time moms can deliver in less than an hour, says Rowen.

The last stage involves birthing the placenta, the organ that helps nourish the baby during pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, its attached to the uterus by the babys umbilical cord, and the mother typically pushes it out 10 to 30 minutes after the birth.

How much time a woman spends in each stage is individual and dependent on situations such as whether or not she was induced, which involves administering a synthetic hormone to start contractions. That process alone can take anywhere between five hours and five days.

So, for some expecting women, 67 hours is just enough time.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.London (AFP) - Britain's government on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to building a third runway at London Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, a long-awaited decision that has stoked decades of division and debate.

"The time for action is now," Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said after cabinet ministers approved the move, which will be put to a vote in parliament in the coming weeks.

The expansion project is highly contested, mainly over environmental and noise level concerns for a large, heavily-populated area of west London around Heathrow.

"We've considered these issues very carefully," Grayling told MPs, but said it would bring huge economic benefits, particularly as Britain prepared to leave the European Union.

"Despite being the busiest two-runway airport in the world, Heathrow's capacity constraints means that it is falling behind its global competitors, impacting the UK's economy and global trading opportunities," he said.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who represents a nearby constituency, has previously opposed the plan, once pledging to lie in front of bulldozers to stop construction.

He was among several MPs in Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative party who have strong objections.

However Downing Street said MPs would be expected to support the project in a House of Commons vote expected by July 11.

The main opposition Labour party took a cautious approach, saying it would assess the environmental impact and whether the plan supported growth across Britain.

Some individual Labour MPs -- and trade unions -- have strongly backed the expansion because of the prospect it offers of new jobs.

- 'Air pollution crisis' -

The decision to build a third runway is in line with the recommendations of an independent commission, but sparked condemnation from environmentalists.

Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven said it was "like handing out free cigarettes on World Health Day".

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"This airstrip alone will load the atmosphere with as much extra carbon as some entire countries pump out," he said.

"It would make Londoners' air more dangerous to breathe, contributing to an air pollution crisis that's already cutting short thousands of lives.

"It's time the UK government took seriously its commitment to protect the environment by building a low-carbon economy."

But the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Britain's top business lobby, said it was "fantastic" news after nearly half a century of deliberations.

"Expanding our aviation capacity, and creating new flight routes to rapidly growing markets, is mission critical to ensuring Britain can compete on the post-Brexit world stage," CBI deputy director-general Josh Hardie said.

"Our aviation capacity is set to run out as early as 2025, so it's crucial we get spades in the ground as soon as possible."

Grayling said the government's decision was "an important milestone".

"As we leave the EU, the UK must remain one of the world's best-connected and outward-looking countries and a third runway at Heathrow is the best option to deliver this," he said.

British Airways owner IAG, which has expressed concerns about airport charges at Heathrow, said it was a "missed opportunity".

Chief executive Willie Walsh has told a parliamentary inquiry in February he had "zero" confidence that Heathrow could deliver the project on time and on budget.

"Today Heathrow is the most expensive hub airport in the world," IAG said in a statement.

"The government has missed an opportunity to provide the UK with the airport it needs at a price it can afford."

Even if it is approved by MPs, the plan could still face legal challenges from local authorities.London (AFP) - Britain's opposition Labour party tabled an amendment to a key piece of legislation Tuesday demanding the government maintain "full access" to the EU's single market after Brexit.

MPs will debate the amendment for the first time on June 12, when the House of Commons votes on a string of proposed changes to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, which sets the legal framework for Brexit.

Labour has previously stated its desire for a "new relationship" with the single market, which Britain will be required to leave when it withdraws from the European Union.

Like Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative government, Labour has rejected joining the European Economic Area (EEA), which offers non-EU countries the benefits of the single market without having a say in its rules.

Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said Labour instead wants a bespoke, "more ambitious agreement, which serves our economic interests" and avoids new checks on the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

The new amendment calls on the government to seek "full access to the internal market of the European Union, underpinned by shared institutions and regulations".

This access should include "no new impediments to trade and common rights, standards and protections as a minimum".

The move was widely viewed an attempt to see off a rebellion by pro-European Labour MPs next week over an amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill demanding Britain stay in the EEA.

But one rebel, Chuka Umunna, said: "The only way of realising the objectives set out in the amendment, short of EU membership, is through the UK being part of the European Economic Area -- as a minimum."

The EEA amendment was one of 15 tabled to the bill in defiance of the government by the unelected House of Lords.

MPs will be asked to approve or reject them all over the course of a single day next Tuesday, in what promises to be a dramatic moment in the Brexit process.

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Labour will formally abstain on the EEA amendment but will vote in favour of the other 14 changes in a bid to defeat the government.

Britain is leaving the EU on March 29, 2019, but a transition period will effectively maintain its membership until the end of 2020.

However, May's government has yet to decide exactly how it envisages the future trading relationship with the bloc.Sanaa (AFP) - The UN envoy for Yemen said Tuesday he was "very concerned" over fighting for the rebel-held port of Hodeida, as government forces close in on the main gateway for aid into the war-torn country.

"Apart from the avoidable humanitarian consequences of such a battle, I am also very concerned about the impact (on) chances of a political settlement of this conflict," Martin Griffiths told reporters in the capital Sanaa.

Griffiths on Tuesday wrapped up a three-day visit aimed at brokering negotiations between Saudi-backed loyalist forces and Huthi rebels.

The envoy, appointed to the post in February, told reporters at Sanaa airport that the talks had been "positive" but warned of the impact of the Hodeida fight on civilians.

"We are working very hard, focusing every day on moving forward in the political process," he said.

"My aim is to restart negotiations which have not taken place for a very long time -- for too long -- and I want that to restart in the very near future."

Griffiths is due to report to the Security Council on June 18 on his peace efforts.

Multiple rounds of UN-brokered talks between Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels and the country's government, allied with Saudi Arabia, have failed.

The Huthis seized control of the capital in 2014, driving the government south and sparking an intervention the next year by a military alliance led by Saudi Arabia.

More than 22 million people are now in serious need of aid, with 8.4 million on the brink of starvation, according to the United Nations.

The world body considers the situation in Yemen the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The conflict has left nearly 10,000 people dead in what was already the Arab world's poorest country.Geneva (AFP) - The United States said it would boycott Tuesday's session of the Conference on Disarmament amid fears that Syria is using its presidency of the body to "normalise" the regime.

"Based on Syria's repeated attempts last week to use its presidency of the Conference on Disarmament to normalise the regime and its unacceptable and dangerous behaviour, we are not participating in today's session," Robert Wood, the US ambassador to the Geneva-based body, said in a statement.

"We will continue to defend United States' interests" in the disarmament body, he added.

Syria last week took over the body's rotating, four-week presidency, which according to a decades-old practice among its 65 member states follows the alphabetical order of country names in English.

Wood was present during the first plenary session on Syria's watch a week ago, when he took the opportunity to lead a number of countries to protest what he described as "a travesty".

Despite the mechanical nature of Syria's arrival at the helm of the disarmament conference, following Switzerland and Sweden, a number of countries voiced their outrage that a representative of Damascus was presiding over the body that negotiated the chemical weapons ban.

Syria's ambassador Hussam Edin Aala meanwhile slammed last week's protest as "sensational propaganda" and "characterised by double-standards."

More than 350,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since Syria's civil war began in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

After hundreds of people died in chemical attacks near Damascus in 2013, a deal with Russia was struck to rid Syria of chemical weapons, staving off US air strikes.

But the United Nations and Western countries have accused Damascus of carrying out a number of chemical attacks since then.

A suspected chlorine and sarin attack in the Syrian town of Douma on April 7 this year triggered punitive missile strikes against alleged chemical weapons sites in Syria by the US, Britain and France.

Story continues

- Special chemical weapons meeting -

Last week, Wood had briefly walked out of the room when Edin Aala took the floor, before returning to deliver a scathing speech.

"Today marks a sad and shameful day in the history of this body," he told the assembly on May 29.

He vowed at the time that throughout Syria's presidency, the United States would be represented "in this hall to ensure that Syria is not able to advance initiatives that run counter to the interests of the United States."

That was a promise the US has now backed away from, with no American representatives present during Tuesday's session.

But other nations were represented, with diplomats continuing to slam Syria over chemical weapons use.

The use of such weapons "under any circumstances is abhorrent and must be rigorously condemned," the representative for the European Union, Anne Kemppainen told the gathering.

"It is a war crime and may amount to a crime against humanity," she stressed.

British representative Simon Cleobury meanwhile said his country, along with Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Romania and the United States, had therefore called for "a special session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention."

The meeting, he said, would "be a key moment for the international community to consider ways to strengthen the OPCW", or the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The global chemical arms watchdog meanwhile said the special session would take place in The Hague on June 26 and 27.Facebook/Senator Jeff Merkley

When a US senator tried to visit a government shelter for migrant children, his trip ended not with a tour of the facility, but with a visit from police.

Senator Jeff Merkley attempted to visit a shelter in Brownsville, Texas this week, in the wake of a new Trump administration policy encouraging the separation of immigrant children from their parents at the border.

The shelter in question  which Mr Merkley said was housing children "torn away from their parents"  refused to arrange a tour for him when he called ahead. So the senator stopped by in person, with a live-stream camera team in tow.

I think its unacceptable that a member of Congress is not being admitted to see what is happening to children whose families are applying for asylum, Mr Merkley told the cameras. ...So I decided to come out here and go up to the door and explain why Im here, and ask to be let in.

But when he arrived at the windowless, locked doors of the shelter, Mr Merkley was told that he could not come inside.

Instead, the senator stood outside for nearly 15 minutes before a manager came out to meet him. The manager refused to provide a statement, directing Mr Merkley to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees refugee resettlement.

At the same time, several police cars pulled up outside the shelter. The officers took down the senators name and date of birth and encouraged him to leave the property.

I was barred entry. Asked repeatedly to speak to a supervisor  he finally came out and said he cant tell us anything. Police were called on us, Mr Merkley tweeted later.

Children should never be ripped from their families & held in secretive detention centres," Mr Merkley added.

The second half of the tweet was a reference to the Trump administration's new "zero tolerance" policy on illegal immigration. The new policy requires officials to prosecute anyone caught crossing the border illegally  even if they arrive with their children. While their parents are prosecuted, the children are separated and housed in shelters like the one Mr Merkley visited.

Story continues

The shelter in question is operated by Southwest Key Programmes, a national nonprofit that subcontracts with HHS. Many of the children housed there came to the US unaccompanied, and are living in the shelter until they can be placed with sponsor families. 

HHS did not answer questions regarding how many children at this shelter arrived in the US alone, and how many had been separated from their parents.

In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson said Mr Merkley and his team were denied access to the shelter for the safety, security and dignity of the children being cared for there.

No one who arrives unannounced at one of our shelters demanding access to the children in our care will be permitted, even those claiming to be US Senators, the spokesperson said. Senator Merkley should respect the UAC program and engage in the appropriate processes, as many of his colleagues have done before him, to visit ORR facilities.

It is unclear how many children have been separated from their parents since the Trump administration started implementing its new policy. A New York Times analysis found more than 700 children had been separated from adults claiming to be their parents between October 2017 and April of this year, before the policy started.

Meanwhile, the number of illegal border crossings remained high in May, according to the Washington Post, as it had for the last three months.Jack Phillips, a Denver baker, went to the Supreme Court to argue that he should not be forced to make a wedding cake for a gay wedding - REUTERS

The US Supreme Court ruled on Monday in favour of a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.

The verdict was a limited decision, that leaves for another day the larger issue of whether a business can invoke religious objections to refuse service to gay and lesbian people.

The justices' decision turned on what the court described as anti-religious bias on the Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

The Colorado commission ruled against baker Jack Phillips.

The justices voted 7-2 on Monday that the commission violated Mr Phillips' rights under the First Amendment.

Justice Anthony Kennedy said in his majority opinion that the larger issue "must await further elaboration" in the courts. Appeals in similar cases are pending, including one at the Supreme Court from a florist who didn't want to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding.

Charlie Craig, left, and David Mullins talk about the Supreme Court ruling as they meet reporters Credit: David Zalubowski/AP

The disputes, Justice Kennedy wrote, "must be resolved with tolerance, without undue disrespect to sincere religious beliefs, and without subjecting gay persons to indignities when they seek goods and services in an open market."

The same-sex couple at the heart of the case, Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins, complained to the Colorado commission in 2012 after they visited Mr Phillips' Masterpiece Cakeshop in suburban Denver and the baker quickly told them he would not create a cake for their wedding celebration.

Colorado law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and the commission concluded that Mr Phillips' refusal violated the law, despite Mr Phillips' argument that he is opposed to same-sex marriage on religious grounds. Colorado state courts upheld the determination.

But when the justices heard arguments in December, Justice Kennedy was plainly bothered by comments by a commission member that the justice said disparaged religion. The commissioner seemed "neither tolerant nor respectful of Mr Phillips' religious beliefs," Justice Kennedy said in December.

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That same sentiment suffused his opinion on Monday.

Decorations on a wedding cake for a gay marriage Credit: PA

"The commission's hostility was inconsistent with the First Amendment's guarantee that our laws be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion," he wrote.

Liberal justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan joined the conservative justices in the outcome. Justice Kagan wrote separately to emphasise the limited ruling.

Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissented.

In a statement issued after the ruling on Monday, Mr Phillips' Supreme Court lawyer praised the decision.

"Government hostility toward people of faith has no place in our society, yet the state of Colorado was openly antagonistic toward Jack's religious beliefs about marriage. The court was right to condemn that," said Kristen Waggoner, the Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel who argued Mr Phillips' case.

Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins, on the steps of the Supreme Court in 2017 Credit: AP

Ms Waggoner said Mr Phillips is willing to sell ready-made products to anyone who enters his store.

But, "he simply declines to express messages or celebrate events that violate his deeply held beliefs," she said.

Mr Phillips was at his shop on Monday morning, where he was busy answering the phone and getting congratulations from his supporters in person, including his pastor. One woman brought him a bouquet of flowers and others hugged him.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which represented the couple in its legal fight, said it was pleased the court did not endorse a broad religion-based exemption from anti-discrimination laws.

"The court reversed the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision based on concerns unique to the case but reaffirmed its longstanding rule that states can prevent the harms of discrimination in the marketplace, including against LGBT people." said Louise Melling, the ACLU's deputy legal director.

Several legal disputes are pending over wedding services, similar to the Phillips case.

Video producers, graphic artists and florists are among business owners who say they oppose same-sex marriage on religious grounds and don't want to participate in same-sex weddings.

Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in Richland, Washington, has appealed a state Supreme Court ruling that found she violated state law for refusing to provide the wedding flowers for two men who were about to be married.

The justices could decide what to do with that appeal by the end of June.Doug Bandow

Security, Middle East

Members of the Iranian army pray while attending Friday prayers in Tehran April 17, 2009. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi

Perhaps the most problematic aspect of how America is haunted by Irans specter is that it forecloses serious domestic introspection about Washingtons Middle Eastern policies.

Washingtons Dangerous Fixation on Iran

United States President Donald Trump appears to worry a lot about Iran, a concern that is shared by his secretary of state and national security adviser. They were so worried about a nuclear Iran that they revoked the international agreement known as the Iran deal, which was supposed to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Instead, Trump now demands Irans de facto surrender. However, the administration is so far is backed only by Israel and Saudi Arabia, which want America to do their dirty work.

Why is the Trump administration so fearful of Tehran? Iran is a struggling regional power. It lags well behind its competitors in economic and military clout. Even its greatest enemy, Saudi Arabia, dismisses the Islamic Republic as being no match.

Additionally, Iran clearly is not in Americas league. The U.S. has a vastly bigger economy, far more powerful military, the globes dominant culture and is allied with most of the industrialized worldat least until President Donald Trump initiated a misguided trade war against Washingtons allies.

Nor does the Middle East matter much to America anymore. The U.S. is becoming the worlds leading energy producer, and other sources are being developed, diminishing the importance of the regions oil. Israel has become a regional superpower and is cooperating with Saudi Arabia, eliminating their need for Washingtons protection. What little remains of the Islamic State should be left to those it threatened- virtually every other state in the region. Furthermore, Syria is a tragedy that is mostly best left to its neighbors.

Even claims that Iran is a terrorist state arent true, at least in the usual sense that most Americans understand. Instead, Washington complaints are about Irans support for Hezbollah and Hamas, two quasi-governments which periodically battle Israel.

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Would it be better if Tehran cut off its support for them? Of course, but what Middle Eastern power doesnt meddle in the affairs of others? The list of Middle East actors that have acted up and intervened in each others affairs is a long one.

Israel routinely bombs Syria, having blown up that nations nuclear reactor and more recently having targeted Iranian forces fighting on behalf of the Syrian government. Israel also assassinated a Hamas operative in Dubai while maintaining the more than half a century-long occupation of Palestinian territories.

Saudi Arabia invaded Yemen, sent troops to Bahrain to support their dictatorial monarchy, sent money to Egypt to help their dictatorial military regime, backed efforts to overthrow Syrias Bashar al-Assad and even kidnapped Lebanons prime minister. Riyadh also continues to promote the fundamentalist Wahhabist strain of Islam throughout the Middle East and around the world.

The United Arab Emirates has joined with Saudi Arabia in several of these malign efforts. Turkey initially aided ISIS in Syria and later intervened in both Iraq and Syria, grabbing territory and combatting Kurdish forces. Finally, Qatar has backed opposition groups, which were usually radical, in Syria and Libya.

In other words, no ones hands are clean. Tehran is terrible, but on most measures, Saudi Arabias repression and aggression are notably worse than Irans.

Perhaps the most problematic aspect of how Irans specter haunts America is that it forecloses serious domestic introspection about Washingtons Middle Eastern policies. This is unfortunate because the U.S. bears much responsibility for what Iran and the surrounding region have become today- but America seems unlikely to recognize that anytime soon.

The starting point for modern U.S.-Iran relations is the 1953 coup which overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. He had come to power in a democratic vote, but America used force to oust him. It is true that he had plenty of domestic enemies and that America was not alone in its effort. Nevertheless, in the eyes of many Iranians, Washington became the prime architect of their future misery from that point onward.

The Shah of Iran turned from a constitutional ruler into an absolute one and, with U.S. backing, created a vicious police state which sought to modernize a traditional people forcibly. Along the way, he even began a nuclear weapons program, and many of his enemies became Americas enemies. Tragically, the most virulent and violent of the Shahs enemies, Ayatollah Khomeini, pushed aside more moderate elements in the struggle for power after the Shah fled into U.S. exile.

In addition, after Iraqs Saddam Husseinyes, that Saddam Hussein!invaded Iran, the U.S. even backed the aggressor. Washington sent Donald Rumsfeld to Baghdad in 1983 to confer with its new de facto ally. America provided intelligence, reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers the proceeds of which were lent to Hussein to fund his war and sold dual-use products which Iraq turned into chemical weapons. Along the way the U.S. Navy also shot down an Iranian airliner, mistaking the plane for a belligerent attacker.

Since then, Washington has threatened Iran with a military attack, imposed economic sanctions, launched cyber-attacks, armed the Islamic Republics Gulf enemies, and sought to overthrow Tehrans only close ally, Syria. Whatever the justification for these policies on independent grounds, they have created an unmistakably hostile policy in Irans mind.

Tehran deserves blame but is hardly alone in its support for violent organizations. Indeed, imagine the enormous liability if the victims of U.S.-backed forcesSyrian soldiers killed by insurgents, Soviet soldiers lost fighting the Mujahideen, Nicaraguans who died at the hands of the Contras, Vietnamese killed by the U.S.-backed South Vietnamese government, and anyone dead in an American bombing or drone attackcould sue Washington. The tab might bankrupt the country.

On October 23, 1983, a suicide bombing at the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut killed 241 Americans. The U.S. had intervened, nominally as a peacekeeper, in the Lebanese civil war, which had been raging since 1975. (The Pentagon up through Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger opposed the presidents decision to deploy American forces.) Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll blamed Hezbollah, which the firm claimed acted with Irans backing. The lawyers filed suit under U.S. law, which creates an exception for terrorism lawsuits from normal sovereign immunity for governments.

The attack, including one against French military forces, was awful. I remember hearing the news in the pre-Internet age. But truth be told, the U.S. government, headed by the president for whom I worked, Ronald Reagan, bears primary responsibility for the American deaths.

The more significant problem, however, is that the barracks bombing was not a terrorist attack. The action was an act of war, and therefore a legal response to U.S. military intervention.

President Reagan presented Washingtons involvement as peacekeeping, but there was no peace to keep. There were more than a score of armed factionsWeinberger figured twenty-seven or twenty-eightwhich represented different faiths, tribes, allies, and leaders and whose allegiances often shifted. Israel and Syria had also joined Iran in seeking to influence the outcome.

The U.S. became just another belligerent and thus made more than its share of enemies. American forces began by training the Lebanese army and offered live military support.

Michah Zenko of the Council on Foreign Relations noted that by summer 1983 [the U.S.] had openly sided with the pro-Israeli Lebanese government. To support the Lebanese military, the U.S.S. New Jersey was authorized to shell the Druze militia and Syrian military forces in the mountains surrounding Beirut. Shia fighters also were targeted. Historian Patrick Brogan noted that U.S. naval fire offered convincing proof the U.S. was no longer neutral.

The Christian Science Monitor reported that, prior to the attack on the barracks, two American warships had bombarded antigovernment artillery and missile batteries. Alas, the Lebanese army did a poor job  of calling in the bombing coordinates, misdirecting the fire. A military investigation found that some shells missed their targets by as much as 10,000 yards (5.6 miles).

Tim McNulty of the Chicago Tribune wrote: Everybody loved the New Jersey until she fired her guns. Once she fired, it was obvious she couldnt hit anything, or, at least, anything she intended. Compounding this issue was that civilian casualties received scant attention in the U.S. media. As Researcher Franklin Lamb wrote in 2013, many Lebanese homes damaged by the American bombardment and remained unrepaired, along with unremoved, unexploded shells.

The U.S. steadily became an ever more active combatant. In early 1984 the Washington Post reported that The 16-inch guns of the U.S. battleship New Jersey fired hundreds of rounds at artillery positions of Syria and its Lebanese allies in Lebanons eastern and central mountains today in the heaviest American naval barrage since the Vietnam War. The Monitor observed: Two American nurses who worked in Lebanon say that the use of United States Navy guns in support of the Lebanese army turned many Druze Muslims against the United States. For instance, Walid Jumblatt, still head of the Druze decades later, explicitly threatened retaliation for U.S. attacks.

According to historian Benis M. Frank, who authored U.S. Marines in Lebanon, 1982-1984, Marine Corps commander, Col. Timothy Geraghty recognized that providing U.S. naval gunfire support for the [Lebanese army] had changed the nature of his mission. The Marines were now considered legitimate targets by anti-government forces. As Geraghty explained: The firing we did in support of the Lebanese army moved us from a previous, very careful, razor edge line of neutrality that we were walking, and treating all the Lebanese communities alike  to a different category. Soon the Marines were referring to anti-government forces as the enemy.

Lebanese fighters, who lacked America's long-range firepower, found another way to strike back. As Colin Powell later explained, When the shells started falling on the Shiites, they assumed the American referee had taken sides against them. And since they could not reach the battleship, they found a more vulnerable target: the exposed Marines at the airport. Furthermore, one Pentagon commission called the attack tantamount to an act of war using the medium of terrorism.

The Marines did not deserve to die. However, the most important cause of their deaths was not terrorism, Hezbollah, Iran, or even the Islamic Jihad Organization. It was the U.S. government turning them into combatants in another nations impossibly bitter and complicated civil war. Indeed, after the bombing, even Reagan came to realize that making Lebanons fight Americas fight was a huge mistake, and he withdrew American forces. Today, continuing to blame Iran might allow U.S. officials to shirk responsibility for their errors but it does nothing to make the region more stable or peaceful.

Tehran is a malign actor in the Middle East, but so are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, Turkey, and Iraq. Instead of treating Iran as the locus of all evil, Washington needs to develop a more balanced policy for the region. That includes acknowledging how America has dramatically contributed to the Mideasts problems, including with Iran.

Doug Bandow is a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and a former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan. He is the author of Foreign Follies: Americas New Global Empire.

Image: Members of the Iranian army pray while attending Friday prayers in Tehran April 17, 2009. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi

Read full articleSaudi Arabia has officially begun issuing drivers licenses to women in the kingdom who hold valid international driving ones.

The general directorate of traffic today started replacing international driving licenses recognized in the kingdom with Saudi licenses, the Saudi Press Agency announced Monday.

Local media also shared the video showing the historic moment the first woman received her official Saudi driving license. The clip quickly garnered attention on social media, with many Saudis expressing congratulations and support.

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Thousands of congratulations to the daughters of the homeland, being issued the first license in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Twitter user Saudalzmanan wrote, sharing the clip.

Although the decision was announced in September, the kingdomwhich was the only country in the world to still prohibit women from drivinghas been preparing for months to end the ban. Women will legally be able to use their new drivers licenses on June 24.

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All the requirements for women in the kingdom to start driving have been established, Director General of the General Department of Traffic Mohammed al-Bassami said in May, Al Arabiya reported.

Al-Bassami explained that women18 years of age and older will be able to apply for drivers license. Driving schools for women have already been set up in the kingdom, but women with foreign drivers license were able to apply through a different process.

GettyImages-928564770

AMER HILABI/AFP/Getty Images

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The driving decision comes as the kingdom works to reform its oppressive policies toward women. Last year, Riyadh also granted women the right to attend public events, such as concerts and sporting competitions, alongside men. Under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the kingdom has pushed forward an agenda that aims to remove many of the traditional restrictions on womens participation in society.

At the same time, rights groups have criticized the king and Saudi authorities following the recent detention of several prominent womens rights activists. Loujain al-Hathloul, a 28-year-old social media figure; Aziza Al-Yousef, a 60-year-old mother of five; and Eman Al-Nafjan, a university professor and popular blogger, were arrested last month. Al-Hathloul and Al-Nafjan were previously arrested for violating Saudi Arabias ban on women drivers. Two other male activistsDr. Mohammed Alrabiah and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Mdmyeghwere also detained.

The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights also expressed concerns last week over the activists' detention.

If, as it appears, their detention is related solely to their work as human rights defenders and activists on womens issues, they should be released immediately, U.N. human rights spokeswoman Liz Throssell said, Reuters reported.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekWASHINGTON  White House press secretary Sarah Sanders defended the Trump administrations response to last years hurricanes in Puerto Rico Tuesday. Sanders said the governments reaction was at a historic proportion in response to a question from Yahoo News about whether President Trump still felt he deserved a perfect score for handling the damage in light of a new study that estimated nearly 5,000 people died in the storms aftermath.

The federal response once again was at a historic proportion. Were continuing to work with the people of Puerto Rico and do the best we can to provide federal assistance, particularly working with the governor there in Puerto Rico, and will continue to do so, Sanders said.

Sanders ignored a follow-up question about whether the White House had any concern about the death toll.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico last Sept. 20, shortly after the island had already been damaged by Hurricane Irma. The double blows left wide swaths of Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. territory, without electricity or clean drinking water. These conditions continued for months and, as of now, with a new hurricane season underway, about four percent of the islands residents still lack power and water.

A Harvard study released last month estimated that 4,645 people died from the conditions that followed the storms, but the researchers said it could be as few as 800 or as many as 8,500; the estimate was approximately the midpoint of that range. Others, including the government of Puerto Rico and the New York Times, have estimated about 1,000 people died in the aftermath of the storm.

The official death toll from the storm is 64.

Residents signal to helicopters that they need water during recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria, near Ciales, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 7, 2017. (Photo: Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

Slideshow: Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria >>>

In light of the death toll estimates and the long delay in bringing power and water back to the island, the administrations recovery efforts have come under criticism. One of Trumps most persistent critics in Puerto Rico has been San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz. Yahoo News asked Cruz about Sanderss comments on Tuesday, and the mayor said the death toll shows the federal hurricane response was inadequate.

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The fact is that the Trump administrations bureaucracy and neglect created a climate of inefficiency that cost lives. Their inability to meet our needs and their lack of empathy continues to be responsible for the slow pace of our recovery, Cruz said, adding, If they think they did everything they could, they are admitting they did not do enough. They cannot acknowledge the hundreds and thousands dead because those lost souls are irrefutable proof of their inadequate response.

Puerto Ricos governor, Ricardo Rossello, did not respond for a request for comment on this story.

Last month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it would provide additional disaster assistance for Puerto Rico. However, many FEMA crews and contractors have been departing the island. Puerto Ricos non-voting representative in Congress, Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, had asked FEMA to keep the crews in place. She cited the areas that remain without power and recent blackouts on the island as proof that Puerto Rico has not recovered enough to face the current hurricane season, which began June 1. She said the islands power grid is unstable and called the situation alarming.

Additional reporting by David Knowles

Read more from Yahoo News:The Wing is part co-working space, part social club, part candy for Instagram influencers. And it may be exclusively for women but its hosting its first male-friendly event this weekend.

In an interview for Yahoo Finances Breakout Breakfast interview series on Tuesday, The Wing co-founder and CEO Audrey Gelman said the startup will invite men into its SoHo, Manhattan location.

Were doing an event this weekend which is a Fathers Day breakfast. All of our members are bringing their dads and all of our staff are getting to bring their dads. And we have these awesome wingman shirts. Its going to be a really fun way to incorporate men into the space who support our mission of empowering women, she said.

The Wing, which opened its first location in October 2016, has garnered a lot of hype and praise for carving out a safe space for women and non-binary members to coalesce, network and befriend one another. But until now, men have been strictly prohibited. Investors like NEA general partner Tony Florence and male reporters who have written about the company havent been allowed to enter during business hours. This has sparked a fair amount of controversy in recent months.

The Wing (SoHo, NYC)

In March, the New York City Human Rights Commission launched an investigation into The Wing on the grounds of gender discrimination. Gelman, who previously worked as a spokesperson for New York City Comptroller Scott Stringers campaign and a press aide for Hillary Clintons presidential campaign, described the inquiry as unmerited but also standard practice.

It was honestly blown a little bit out of proportion. We had a meeting with the city  and I used to work for the city  and its pretty common for New York City businesses and New York City agencies to have meetings. Because of the media attention around The Wing it got a bit exaggerated in the press. So, it was very constructive and [theres] nothing new to report, she said.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has expressed his support of The Wing and what it stands for. The mayor is fully supportive of The Wings mission, and we are confident the human rights commission and The Wing can work together to ensure the law is being followed so that The Wing can continue to focus on its important work, a spokesperson said in a statement to the New York Daily News.

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Women of Washington wallpaper at The Wing (Washington, D.C.)

In a tweet responding to criticism surrounding the investigation, the NYC Human Rights Commission said, In NYC, no one should be discriminated against or harassed because of their gender. @NYCCHR uses every resource at our disposal to hold violators accountable and get justice for victims. Last year, we increased fines and damages collected by more than $1 million, collecting $2.7 million.

In NYC, no one should be discriminated against or harassed because of their gender. @NYCCHR uses every resource at our disposal to hold violators accountable and get justice for victims. Last yr, we increased fines & damages collected by more than $1 mil, collecting $2.7 million  NYC Human Rights (@NYCCHR) March 27, 2018

Feminist author Roxane Gay responded to the thread: Are you going to close down Curves too?

In fact, several lawsuits have been filed against Curves, a chain of female-only fitness centers, though most havent made it to court. In 2003, the state of Wisconsin passed a bill, informally referred to as the Curves bill, that exempts single-sex gyms from the states discrimination laws.

Gelman currently employs 70 full-time staff members, a few of whom are male, though Gelman would not quantify the exact number.

Their opinions are super valuable and theyre awesome. Its been really interesting and cool. We work with lots of men and now have men full-time in our HQ, she said.

The Wing HQ (Flatiron, NYC)

Its very common in our executive meeting for women of our senior members of our team to be breastfeeding openly in that meeting. Thats a very different atmosphere from what you would normally see in management meetings. For us, its about flipping the script in ways that women have historically either shut out or had to hide their personal lives in work and professional, and embracing that and bringing it into the fold.

The investigation is certainly not delaying Gelmans vision to go global. Having raised $42 million in funding to date, The Wing currently has four locations across NYC and D.C. and plans to expand to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Williamsburg (Brooklyn), Toronto and London over the next year.

Twenty-two thousand women have applied to become members over the past year, and the startup has accepted over 2,000 individuals. Memberships, which include office space and other amenities, cost between $2,350 and $3,000 annually and scholarships are awarded to women who work in the nonprofit, advocacy and retail sectors.

The Wing (Dumbo, NYC)

Melody Hahm is a senior writer at Yahoo Finance, covering entrepreneurship, technology and real estate. Follow her on Twitter @melodyhahm. She hosts Breakout Breakfast, a monthly interview series for Yahoo Finance featuring up-close and intimate conversations with todays most innovative business leaders.

Read more:Vnesheconombank (VEB), a Russian development bank, has opened its representative office in Abu Dhabi, UAE as part of its Middle East strategy.



VEB's representative office has obtained all necessary permits, a commercial license and a registration certificate, and now is ready to operate, said a senior official.



"Vnesheconombank has been actively cooperating with the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East, and the Islamic world as a whole. We are working to engage investors, raise finance, enhance trade and foster greater economic ties, and also to promote high-technology exports from Russia," remarked Igor Shuvalov, the chairman of Vnesheconombank.



The VEB representative office in Abu Dhabi will promote cooperation between the UAE and Russia in exports and investment, said the top official.



"Now that we have the representative office in Abu Dhabi, the bank has expanded its geographical reach to bring the cooperation with the region to a new level. The Abu Dhabi representative office will promote VEB Group interests and enable cooperation with local players," he added.



According to him, working together with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is strategically important for VEB. The bank's OIC export loan and guarantee portfolio stands at $2.8 billion.



"No other Russian bank has such extensive cooperation in the region. And we are set to move forward and actively engage in financing joint projects," stated Shuvalov.-TradeArabia News ServiceBDS activists in France uploaded a video online in which a junior manager of a Carrefour supermarket is seen removing packages of Israeli dates from the shelves at the request of a Muslim shopper.

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The incident took place at a branch of the supermarket located in the town of Chambourcy, just West of Paris. The manager removed the Israeli dates which were placed on a special shelf for Ramadan products after a Muslim shopper complained that the sale of Israeli products on a shelf reserved for Ramadan products was an insult to Muslim sensitivities.

Manager at Carrefour supermarket removes Israeli dates (   )

X

While the products were being removed, the complaining customer continued to shout that Muslim customers had a lot of purchasing power and that they ought to use their power to boycott Israeli products. The customer was furious that the shop was selling food from Israel at a time that it is slaughtering children in Gaza."

The belief in Israel is that the incident was a local initiative that contradicts the supermarket chains policy. Carrefour is opposed to a boycott of Israel and sells Israeli products. In the past, the chain was subject to pressure to boycott Israeli products, and in some cases Israeli produce was removed from the shelves, but was later returned as a result of Israeli counter-pressure.

The Israeli Embassy in France said in response: "The Embassy closely follows every manifestation of boycott activity against Israel in France and maintains continuous and intensive dialogue with the leaders of the business sector as well as law enforcement authorities and the French government to eradicate the phenomenon which is prohibited by French law ."The results of the recent exchange of blows between the IDF and Hamas are pretty grim, as far as Israel is concerned.

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Israel responded to the wave of attacks on its citizens by bombing a series of targets in the strip at night. Not a single Hamas member was hurt. Hamas and Islamic Jihads mortar firing cells escaped unharmed as well.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas had suffered a heavy blow. I doubt he managed to convince the public of that. Hamas definitely doesnt think so.

A Hamas policeman in Gaza. Hamas sensitivity is first and foremost towards its rule (Photo: AP)

From Hamas point of view, Israel was deterred, as it feared a wide-scale operation which would have undoubtedly resulted in Hamas firing long-range rockets capable of reaching Beer Sheva, Ashdod, Rishon LeZion and maybe even Tel Aviv and Ben-Gurion Airport. Most rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome system, but it would have been enough for just a few of them to hit targets in those areas to cause Israel serious damage. This threat is hanging over Israel, and Hamas thinks it gives it the freedom to fire at the Gaza vicinity communities fearlessly and send incendiary kites across the border.

There are two main potential threats which could have deterred Hamas from adopting this policy, which is destructive for Israel: One, a fear for its rule; two, a fear that a serious flare-up would lead to further deterioration in the miserable situation of Gazas residents, who Hamas is responsible for as their ruler. But for some time now, the voices from Israel have been making it clear to Hamas that these two threats have been lifted and that it is free to carry as it pleases on fearlessly.

When he was in the opposition, Netanyahu declared that as prime minister he would make sure to topple Hamas. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman made similar statements. Those statements turned out to be empty.

Moreover, voices in the IDF, and even in the government, indicate that Israel is interested in keeping Hamas in power, or at least believes that any other alternative would be worse. As a result, the main factor which could have deterred Hamasthe fear of being toppledhas been removed.

The second factor is the fate of Gazas residents, which is indeed bitter and very unfortunate. But Hamas is trying, quite successfully, to shake off responsibility for their situation and unjustly turn it over, on the international level, to Israel. And it seems to be succeeding even in Israel itself.

Home hit by rocket in the Eshkol Regional Council (Photo: Eshkol Regional Council security)

For some time now, we have been hearing voices in Israel in favor of improving the Gaza residents situation, without demanding a demilitarization of the strip in return. The claim is that the deterioration in the Gazan populations situation threatens Israel more than it threatens Hamas, and that improving the Gazans living conditions will give them something to lose in case of a flare-up.

Historical experience shows that this claim is baseless. Hamas would gladly transfer the responsibility for the strips residents over to Israel. As for their situation, it was better for quite a few years when they lived under the Hamas rule, but that didnt prevent Hamas from causing flare-ups, although it knew they would harm the residents under its rule. Hamas was not deterred from dealing with Operation Protective Edge for more than 50 days, while Israel begged for a ceasefire, despite the clear damage caused to the strips residents.

The battle must continue out of an understanding of the way Hamas sees the conflict. The fact that Israel is sensitive about any damage caused to its citizens doesnt mean that Hamas is similarly sensitive about its own residents, who it has no problem sacrificing for its goals. Hamas sensitivity is first and foremost towards its rule. When Israel offers Hamas an insurance policy concerning this main point, it loses its trump card.Former Minister Moshe Nissim submitted his recommendations for regulating the conversion issue in Israel on Sunday. Before the ink on the report was dry, all the veto playersled by Israels chief rabbispressed together for a targeted elimination of the recommendations.

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As far as they are concerned, Nissim, the son of a former chief rabbi, will bring about the destruction of Judaism. Is that true?

There is an agreement that the only way to become Jewish is through the religious conversion process. There is a dispute as to the nature of the processwho has the authority to perform the conversion, and according to what standards? but almost everyone sees conversion as the only way into the collective. This issue is reflected both in the State of Israels laws and in public opinion. But this agreement could be undermined in the current generation.

Israel's Chief Rabbis David Lau and Yitzhak Yosef (Photos: Gil Yohanan, Shturem.net)

In the past, there was no distinction between Judaism as a religion and Judaism as a nationality. The early converts believed they were joining Judaism in its double sense, which is one: Religion-nationality. Today, on the other hand, many perceive Judaism as a nationality or as a culture that doesnt carry any religious commitment. According to them, if one can be a secular Jew, why should observing the mitzvot of the Halachaeither Orthodox or otherbe a relevant measure for joining Judaism, and why should rabbis hold the keys of nationality?

On the practical side, religious conversion hasnt delivered the goods so far. Although conversion has been officially declared a national mission, less than 10 percent of non-Jewish immigrants and their offspring have completed the process. As a result, one in 20 Israelis (who are not Arab) isnt recognized as a Jew, despite having made aliyah under the Law of Return. When it turns out that the religious door is blocked, the pressure to adopt alternative ways for joining Judaism will likely increase.

This isnt an insignificant matter: We have been living with the agreement that conversion is an exclusive criterion for joining Judaism for many generations. Its what allowed the group to preserve itself as one ethnoreligious unit in the darkness of the diaspora, without diminishing beyond recognition.

Paving a new way to join Judaism in our generation, not through conversion, is a radical change and its implications on the nations future are unclear. Heading in this direction, with the dangerous unknown it conceals, can only be prevented if it turns out that the rabbis responsible for the conversion are using their authority in a way that provides an answer to the generations needs.

This is the right background for an evaluation of Moshe Nissims recommendations, which aim high: To regulate the issue in legislation determining that the state would only recognize state conversions performed in conversion courts, which will be established through a new conversion authority at the Prime Ministers Office.

Former Minister Moshe Nissim presents committee's recommendations (Photo: Eli Mandelbaum)

Since it creates a balance between different interests, the proposal is exposed to attacks from all sides: It revokes the Chief Rabbinates control over state conversion processes but guarantees that conversions in Israel will only be performed according to Jewish Law. It doesnt recognize conversions performed by non-Orthodox streams in Israel but enforces the states recognition of such conversions performed abroad under certain conditions.

Furthermore, it suggests reserving a place for the different streams representatives in the committee that appoints the heads of the conversion courts, thereby upgrading the streams status in Israel.

The proposal seeks to facilitate a responsible yet friendly halachic-Orthodox conversion, in the spirit of Beit Hillel. Nevertheless, it has some shortcomings: There is a real concern that Beit Shamaithe Haredim and their affiliateswill take over, using their political power vis-a-vis Israels prime ministers, who appoint the authority head.

The required solution is giving city rabbis the option to create conversion courts, which would be recognized by the conversion authority. That would guarantee the existence of responsible courts, which would be friendlier to the converts and would be manned by rabbis recognized by the Chief Rabbinate, like the Tzohar rabbis.

The chief rabbinates should quit the aggressive reactions and internalize the far-reaching implications of their passivity and halachic strictness. It is their hands to decide whether to preserve us as one people.The United Nations said Monday that a Tanzanian peacekeeper was killed and seven others wounded in the Central African Republic when a UN patrol was ambushed.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the attack happened Sunday in Dilapoko, a village in Mambere-Kadei Prefecture in the country's southwest.

He said one of wounded peacekeeper was in critical condition and was taken to the capital, Bangui, for treatment at the UN Mission's military hospital along with three other soldiers whose condition was serious.The coming weekend may indicate whether Israel and Hamas will be able to reach an arrangement securing a calm on Israel's southern border for a while, or whether the sides will face a war in the summer.

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On Tuesday, the Palestinians mark Naksa Day, which marks the Arab defeat in the Six-Day War, 51 years after the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. IDF officials believe, however, that most of the protest clashes on the Gaza border will take place on Friday, in a bid to synchronize the events with the "Jerusalem Day" events in Iran, and that Tuesday's fence protest will be limited.

Protestors in the Gaza Strip, last month (Photo: AFP)

Both sides are at the peak of a flare-up, which began on Land Day in late March and has so far included mass protests, planting explosive devices on the fence, border infiltrations, sending incendiary kites across the border to set fire to fields in Gaza vicinity communities, and last weekrocket fire and extensive Air Force strikes in Gaza.

On Monday morning, an IDF force found a number of hand grenades, Molotov cocktails and a pipe bomb thrown by terrorists into the perimeter area (the buffer zone between Israel and Gaza), near the Karni Crossing in the northern Strip.

Molotov cocktail tossed by Palestinians into the buffer zone on the fence (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Dozens of explosive devices and grenades have been thrown on IDF forces in recent weeks, serving as evidence of the violent nature of the disturbances led by Hamas.

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

On Friday, the IDF will try to prevent the protestors from crossing into Israel while minimizing the number of Palestinian casualties, as killings could lead to retaliation in the form of rocket barrages, which could in turn spark an escalation or a war. The Gaza Division will be reinforced and snipers will deploy along the border. The forces will also deal with Palestinian cells attempting to plant explosive devices on the fence.

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Naksa Day is expected to include spontaneous events without a call for a mass arrival of the strip's residents. The Palestinians plan to launch a symbolic motorcycle convoy towards the Erez Crossing. At the end of the procession, the organizers will announce their plans for Friday.

Coordinated display of hatred in Iran

This coming weekend, Iranians will mark "Jerusalem Day," a display of hatred for Israel and show of solidarity with the Gazans, and especially with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Revolutionary Guards' branch in the strip.

The defense establishment sees the upcoming weekend as a crossroads in terms of the explosive Palestinian issue, as the Palestinian commemoration days which helped Hamas get tens of thousands of protestors to the border fence since March 30 are now over.

With the end of the "March of Return" campaign, and in light of the fact that violent incidents are taking place on the fence on an almost daily basis, it seems both Israel and Hamas will have trouble continuing the balance between them, especially as the humanitarian situation in Gaza keeps deteriorating four years after Operation Protective Edge, with no diplomatic-economic or military change in the horizon.

Hamas' frustration over the failure of its efforts to get hundreds of Gazans to cross the fence, which was reflected in the firing of more than 100 mortar shells and rockets last week, might indicate that the organization and the other factions in the strip have nothing to lose anymore.

In recent weeks, Israeli officials have been discussing an ease of a series of restrictions on Palestinians in the strip, like giving merchants permits to work in the strip, but these steps have yet to be approved and the stalemate in the peace talks since the fall of 2014 could bring the next conflict closer, whether Hamas or Israel are interested in war or not.

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was released in the Shalit deal after serving a long prison term for the murder of collaborators, has been marked by the Israeli intelligence community as radical yet pragmatic, mainly due to a number of decisions he pushed for, like the (failed) reconciliation with the Palestinian Authority.

The IDF believes that since Hamas has reached the lowest point since its establishment, this may be a good time to reach an Egyptian-brokered arrangement with the organization, which would include an ease of economic restrictions.The German government condemned on Monday an apparent attempt by the co-leader of the anti-immigrant AfD party to play down the significance of the Nazis in Germany's history, and it stressed the unique nature of the Holocaust.

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On Sunday politicians rebuked Alexander Gauland, one of the leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), after he told a party gathering: "Hitler and the National Socialists are just bird sh*t in 1,000 years of successful German history."

Alexander Gauland. 'Hitler and the National Socialists are just bird sh*t in 1,000 years of successful German history' (Photo: Reuters)

Gauland denied on Monday that he had intended to trivialize the Nazis and their crimes, but Steffen Seibert, spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel, said it was shameful that a member of the German national parliament had made such comments.

"The Nazi regime and the crime of the Holocaust conceived by the Nazi regime are unique, a real crime against humanity, and immeasurable suffering was the result in many countries, including here in Germany," Seibert said.

"It's only because we Germans proclaim the perpetual responsibility that comes from thatand all German governments since the first government of the Federal Republic of Germany have done that, including this one - that Germany was able to become a respected country again and good partner for other countries and peoples in the world," he said.

'Deepest contempt'

The Nazi dictatorship remains a highly sensitive issue in Germany more than seven decades after its defeat. Germany has built its post-World War Two identity on the principle of keeping alive the memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and a commitment to Israel's right to exist.

Merkel. 'The Nazi regime and the crime of the Holocaust conceived by the Nazi regime are unique, a real crime against humanity' (Photo: AFP)

Gauland said his comments had been misunderstood or misinterpreted and added that he had expressed his "deepest contempt" for National Socialism in the speech he made to the AfD's youth wing on June 2.

"For me, 'bird shit' is and remains the lowest piece of filth - animal excrement that I compared National Socialism with," he said in a statement.

"It was never my intention to trivialise or even deride the victims of this criminal system," he said.

AfD co-leader Joerg Meuthen told Zeit Online that Gauland's choice of words was "inappropriate" but added it was clear from the whole speech that Gauland was not playing down or relativising Nazi atrocities.

The AfD's federal board said in a statement it was dismayed by the youth wing singing stanzas that are no longer part of the national anthem at the event where Gauland spoke.

The first stanza, with its words "Germany, Germany above all else" - which stemmed from efforts to unify Germany in the 19th century - was officially dropped from the anthem in 1991 following reunification, as was the second stanza.

Gauland prompted controversy last year when he said Germans should be proud of what their soldiers achieved during World War I and II.Israel's intelligence agency, the Mossad, was responsible for the liquidation of two Revolutionary Guards members in Libya, the Saudi Al-Arabiya news network reported Monday.

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Mossad agents allegedly followed the two men when they were still in Tunisia, and killed them after they crossed the border to Libya.

Iran's regime is one of the main players attempting to take advantage of the chaos created in Libya after the demise of its ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Chaos created in Libya Muammar Gaddafi's demise (Photo: AP)

According to Al Arabiya, Iran has been trying to infiltrate Libya through several means, including sending military advisors to the country.

As part of its mission to obtain uranium from Libya's mines, Iran is attempting to influence local militias by supporting them in exchange for uranium.

The two Iranian advisors were supposed to coordinate between Iran's regime and the Libyan militias.

The Iranian advisors met with Libyan officials in Libya and Malta to see how Iran could assist Libya and promote its own interests at the same time.

One of Iran's goals is to distance its conflict with Israel away from its border.

A senior IDF official admitted in April that Israel's strike against Syria's T-4 Airfield which left seven Iranian soldiers killed was the first strike aimed against Iranian security forces.

"This is the first time we attack human Iranians targets," the senior official said to The New York Times' senior columnist Thomas Friedman.

Attack on Iranian base in Syria (Photo: Getty Images)

"The Iranian drone that infiltrated into Israel in February was the first time Iran has executed a direct action against Israel rather than by a proxy. This (action) had triggered a new era in (Iran's) campaign (against Israel)," the official added.

Several hours after the IDF official's remarks had been published, Friedman wrote that the IDF's Spokesperson's Unit had rejected the publication and that Israel is not commenting on foreign reports.

The IDF recently revealed that the Iranian drone that had infiltrated into Israel was carrying explosives and was intended to execute a terror attack on Israel's territory.

In The New York Times' opinion article, "Are Iran and Israel Headed for Their First Direct War?" it is reported that one of the Iranians killed in the T-4 Airfield strike was Col. Mehdi Dehghan, who was the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force member who led the drone plan unit.The Shin Bet uncovered and thwarted a terrorist cell guided by a terror operative from Syria, which had planned to target senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

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According to information cleared for publication on Tuesday, three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine were arrested in the affair. The three were indicted on Sunday.

One of the suspects is Muhammad Jamal Rashdeh, 30, from the Shuafat refugee camp in east Jerusalem, who holds an Israeli identity card and has served time in prison in the past for terrorist activity. The investigation revealed that he had planned the attacks with guidance from terrorist elements abroad, including a terror operative from Syria.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (Photo: EPA)

Rashdeh had allegedly also planned terror attacks against buildings belonging to the American Consulate and against a delegation of Canadian representatives staying in Jerusalem in a bid to train the Palestinian Authority forces in the West Bank.

The cell had planned to bring in a terror operative from Jordan to help execute some of the attacks.

The Shin Bet investigation revealed that Rashdeh had carried out preliminary moves to collect intelligence on his targets, following orders received from the terror operative in Syria.

Two other suspects were detained later on. According to the Shin Bet, their interrogation verified the suspects and added information concerning the cell's activity.

Minister Katz. There are attempts to export terror attacks into Israel every day. (Photo: Avi Muaelm)

Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz told Ynet on Tuesday that the affair shows that there are terrorist headquarters in Syria as well and, unfortunately, in Turkey tooHamas headquarters that are directed to carry out attacks against targets in Israel. The security forces job is to thwart it way before its possible execution.

As for the plan to target the prime minister, Katz said that the security around him is very tight and the prevention activity is very significant. Every day, by the way, there are attempts to export terror attacks into the State of Israel, and the general security services and the other security organizations are engaged in amazing prevention activity on a daily basis, 99 percent of which the public is unaware of.

Jerusalem Mayor Barkat said in response to the report, Our Shin Bet is one of the finest organizations in the world. I was briefed on the threat the entire time. When the Shin Bet is involved and the police are on ground, I can trust them and sleep quietly and safely.An incendiary kite flown from Gaza landed Tuesday near homes in the Eshkol Regional Council's Netiv HaAsara community and triggered a fire.

Firefighting teams are operating to put out the blaze.

No casualties were reported.US President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt, condemned Hamas on Tuesday for launching incendiary kites from Gaza.

"Hamas attack kites are not harmless playthings or metaphors for freedom. They are deployed as propaganda and indiscriminate weapons," Greenblatt tweeted.

"Since the recent outbreak of violence, Hamas attack kites have started hundreds of fires, destroyed thousands of acres and wasted millions of dollars," the envoy added.Mashreq Bank, a leading financial institution in the UAE, has announced the appointment of Sridhar Iyer as head of Marketing and head of Mashreq NEO.



Prior to joining Mashreq, Iyer held a number of senior positions with Citibank and Lloyds Bank in India and the UK. He first joined Citibank in 1996, where he was responsible for setting up their e-commerce business before becoming the Digital Banking Head for Citibank India in 2003.



An MBA holder from the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore (IIMB), Iyer has also worked for Citibank in London, where he undertook a variety of senior roles for EMEA before joining the Lloyds Banking Group UK. Subsequently, he re-joined Citibank India as head for Digital Banking and Innovation Council.



Subroto Som, executive vice president, Head of Retail bank, said: It is a pleasure to welcome Sridhar Iyer to Mashreq Bank. He will be responsible for our marketing and for leading Mashreq NEO. With his strong skillset, wealth of experience and passion for digitization in the banking industry, I am certain that he will help Mashreq achieve its long-term strategic goals of innovation through digitization in order to better serve customers.



I am excited to be joining Mashreq, as my passion for digital transformation fully aligns with Mashreqs strategy of continuous digital innovation, said Iyer.



I look forward to building and offering simple, intuitive and compelling digital services that will make banking speedy and secure for our customers. Mashreq is one the most respected financial institutions in the UAE and I am proud to be a part of this journey of constant innovation.  TradeArabia News ServiceAn incendiary kite flown from Gaza sparked a major fire in an open field across from the Sapir College in the Shaar HaNegev Regional Council, near the southern city of Sderot on Tuesday afternoon.

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Heavy smoke covered the college building as firefighters were dispatched to the area and worked to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby road and into the college. There were no reports of injuries.

Fire near Sapir College

On Tuesday afternoon, fires broke out in seven other locations in the Gaza vicinity, four in the Eshkol Regional Council and three in Shaar Hanegev. Firefighters gained control of the fire in all places.

Shir Stolero-Tamir, a social work student at the Sapir College, told Ynet: We were sitting outside during the break, and suddenly there was a small spot of fire which spread all over within seconds. Everything is black now. We alerted the firefighting services, but it took them a long time to get here. There was some hysteria. Most of us went out and just watched it.

Video: Barel Efraim, Almog Dayan (:  ,  )

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Kinar Moulay, another social work student, said: We didnt see the kite land, but as soon as it landed everything spread really fast. Its like a siren, were used to it already, unfortunately. The firefighter gained control of the fire very quickly.

Earlier Tuesday, a fire broke out near homes in Moshav Netiv Haasara in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council after an incendiary kite flown from the Gaza Strip landed in the community. There were no reports of injuries and firefighters gained control of the flames.

Lieberman vows to settle the score

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Monday that Israel was not prepared to accept a reality in which incendiary kites are flown over into the country from the Gaza Strip on a daily basis.

We should be clear that we are not prepared to accept the kites becoming normality. The same applies for riots on the border fence and attempts to breach it and cause damage to the sovereign territory of Israel, Lieberman said during his remarks at the Yisrael Beytenu faction meeting.

(Photo: Barel Efraim)

His comments were made as southern Israel residents have been forced in recent weeks to endure an upsurge in the number of flaming kites being flown across the border, causing huge fires that have incinerated agricultural areas and destroyed wildlife.

Thats why we will act in accordance with Israeli interests in time and at a timing that suits us, whenever we decide, he warned. In any event, I am not in the custom of leaving scores unsettled and we will settle all scores with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

According to the defense minister, 600 such kites have been sent from the strip so far, while 400 have been intercepted by Israeli security forces using technological means.

Two-hundred succeeded in reaching our territory and they burned 9,000 dunams of crops and forests, Lieberman said.The United Nations has released its first ever guidelines on fighting anti-Semitism in education.

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UNESCO, the UN's cultural body, launched the publication on Monday in Paris in collaboration with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the OSCE.

The guide, aimed to be used by young people, the teaching world, as well as political leaders, was presented by Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO's first Jewish director general.

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO's first Jewish director general (Photo: Reuters)

Azoulay said that the need for an educational guide has become imperative in today's schools, universities, and other educational institutions.

"Many Jewish communities across the world are facing increasing threats. (Jews) have become targets for terror attacks in Paris, Brussels, and Copenhagen," she elaborated.

"Fear of anti-Semitism, harassment, and even physical assault has grown particularly near Jewish culture centers, religious sites including synagogue, museums, and schools," Azoulay lamented.

"This is a warning call for those who survived the Holocaust. Europe's Jewish communities sense a renewed danger of anti-Semitic attacks," UNESCO's first Jewish director general warned.

"Anti-Semitism is neither the problems of the Jewish communities, nor it requires the communities to deal with it. Anti-Semitism exists in religions and diverse political groups ranging across the entire political spectrum. It is a symptom of a wider social or political problem that indicates tendencies of (social) regression which dangerously harms the social fabric," she added.

UNESCO's director general also underlined that anti-Semitism is usually accompanied by additional displays of hatred, which are based on differences between the sexes as well as on fear of homosexuality.

UNESCO (Photo: AP)

Azoulay added that training educators who are capable of dealing with live discriminative phenomena in educational institutes with the help of the practical guidelines presented in the guide, is the way to fight it online as well.

UNESCO said the guide provides tools to strengthen the resilience of young people to anti-Semitic ideas and violent extremism, such as how to respond to anti-Semitic acts and words in school settings.

It also familiarizes educators with anti-Semitic stereotypes and conspiracy theories as well as developing media skills to help students resist manipulation.

The guide's focuses on three main issuesthe connection between anti-Semitism and other human rights matters, encouragement of critical thinking as a means to deal with anti-Semitic contents, and the connection of anti-Semitism and other discriminative groups on the backdrop of religion, ethnic origin, sex and sexual tendency.

In the chapter of "Fighting anti-Semitism through educationguidelines for policy makers," applicable specific instructions of how to battle anti-Semitism as part of human rights promotion are presented as well as ways to protect the young generations from being influenced by anti-Semitic ideas.

Diaspora Jews exposed to anti-Semitism (Photo: EPA)

Personnel from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and the Simon Wiesenthal Center in the United States were among those who advised the UN on writing the guide.

The guide is about 100 pages long and is displayed on the UN's website.

Israel had declared its desire to withdraw from UNESCO in 2017 claiming the organization is biased against it following the controversial statements about the Western Wall and the Cave of the Patriarchs issued by UNESCO.

The US was the first to announce it is leaving UNESCO in the wake of the ongoing discrimination against Israel.

UNESCO's initiative to release an education guide meant to fight anti-Semitism seems as an attempt to turn over a new leaf on its relationship with Israel.Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis announcement that he has ordered preparations to increase uranium enrichment capacity is a sign of the hysteria and panic in the Iranian leadership, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday.

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Speaking at a conference of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in the southern city of Eilat, Lieberman said: Its a response to Peugeots announcement that it is suspending its activity in Tehran. When such a corporation announces that it is leaving Iran because of the sanctions, its a sort of signal to the entire business community, to all the investors, and this is not a marginal company. This company is one of pillars of European economy, so Iran is afraid that all European investors will leave its territory.

Lieberman and Khamenei (Photos: Meir Ohayon, EPA)

Lieberman went on to address the unrest in Iran, saying that we havent seen strikes and protests like the ones of the past months since the Khomeini era. Its also the truck drivers and big bazaars strike. There is no doubt that theyre also concerned about the economic issue.

The defense minister added that the Iranian issue was not an Israeli problem, but a regional and global problem. We see Iranian subversion not only against the State of Israel. We see them in Yemen, in Bahrain, in the Gulf, in Lebanon, so its a regional threat. Whoever has been listening in the past few months, in the past six months, to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, to the foreign minister, I sound like a dove of peace compared to them.

When you see the Saudi leaders referring to the Iranian regime as todays Hitler and Nazis and anything you can think about, so its must be way beyond Israel. So we must constantly talk about it with the international community, because a major part of the terrorist activity around the world is funded and guided by Iran, inspired by Iran. Even when you take a report about the situation of terror in the world, Iran appears there every year as the biggest sponsor of terror in the entire world.

Lieberman with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu. Iran a regional and global problem (Photo: Defense Ministry)

Earlier Tuesday, Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz told Ynet that if Iran acted on its threats to boost its uranium enrichment capacity, it would be attacked by the US-led international coalition.

The Iranian announcement about an intention to resume uranium enrichment for military purposes point to a complete state of panic in the leadership. The economic sanctions announced by US President Donald Trump are beginning to have an impact, even before the formal stage that will start in August.

Many international companiesincluding Western European companies, from France, England, Germany and even Russia, have already announced their intention to suspend their activity in Iran because they dont want to be subject to the American sanctions.

According to Katz, the situation that has been created leaves Tehran with two options: Either to accept the United States conditions or start a process of an economic collapse, and maybe even a regime collapse. If we learn, and we will learn, either from their announcement or some other way, that they are resuming the development of that nuclear program and advancing it, a US-led international coalition will threaten and then deal Iran a military blow.

The Trump doctrine is very clear, Katz added. The president is a man of his word. He said, I will cancel or change the agreement. There was no change, he cancelled it. He imposed harsh sanctions.

We have made it clear that we will never allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, even if we have to face it alone. Fortunately, we are not alone.

Dr. Emily Landau, a nuclear proliferation expert, believes the Iranian threat is aimed at pressuring the Europeans and making them stay in the existing nuclear agreement and accepting Irans demands.

One of their demands is that the Europeans wont harass them about the ballistic missiles and about their regional activity, that they will promise to buy oil from them and that they wont stop any economic deals. Its hard to see the Europeans accepting these demands, she explained.

According to Dr. Landau, Iran is interested in maintaining the current agreement, because it contains many advantages in return for few concessions. We have received this announcement as part of efforts made by all sides to exert pressure, but it doesnt mean theyre headed in that direction. It will be a very radical act on their part if they actually do it, and the response will likely be firm too, at least on the American response.Defense Minister said Tuesday that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis announcement that he has ordered preparations to increase uranium enrichment capacity is a sign of the hysteria and panic in the Iranian leadership."

Its a response to Peugeots announcement that it is suspending its activity in Tehran," he went on to say.

"When such a corporation announces that it is leaving Iran because of the sanctions, its a sort of signal to the entire business community, to all the investors, and this is not a marginal company," Lieberman added.The Haifa District Court on Tuesday convicted 22-year-old Muhammad Shinawi of Haifa of murdering Guy Kafri and of the attempted murder of Yehiel Iluz during a terror attack in January 2017.

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Shinawi confessed to all the facts mentioned in the indictment and admitted the attack was nationalistically motivated. He also confessed to use of a weapon, possession of a knife, attempted robbery and car theft.

According to the indictment, which was filed in late Janaury 2017 after Shinawi turned himself into police custody in Acre, his murderous actions were motivated by anti-Semitism

Shinawi. 'Over the years, the defendant's hatred toward Jews intensified' (Photo: Ido Erez)

The indictment concluded that the seeds of Shinawis hatred toward Jews were sown approximately 10 years ago, during the Second Lebanon War.

"Over the years, the defendant's hatred toward Jews intensified due to intermittent incidents involving Jews experienced by himself and members of his family, the indictment states.

His belief that Jews are infidels also increased, and were thus valid targets for physical harm," it continued. "In the last few months prior to the events described below, his hatred intensified even further in light of additional events he experienced, and the desire for revenge became stronger."

The indictment also described how at the end of 2015, Shinawi purchased an improvised machine gun which he painted black and managed to conceal as he practiced shooting it in the area's woods.

On the night between January 2 and 3, "he made up his mind, and the decision to kill Jews with his weapon had crystallized," the indictment deduced. He asked his younger brother, who is a minor, to bring him the weapon after which he loaded it and concealed it in his brother's presence.

Later, Shinawi told his brother that if anything were to happen, he should say that Shinawi had sent him for the weapon; according to the Prosecutor's office the brother was not aware of Shinawi's intention to execute a terror attack.

The deceased, Guy Kafri

Shinawi concealed the weapon in a backpack and close to 9:30 am, he arrived at Ha'atzmaut Street in Haifa in order to carry out the attack.

Shinawi fired several times at his first victim, Yehiel Iluza visibly religious Jewish manfrom a short distance while the weapon was still concealed in his bag, causing Iluz to collapse on the ground before his attempted murderer fled the scene.

The indictment describes how the defendant then hailed a taxi and was dropped off in Chalisa neighborhood. During the interrogation, it was revealed that as he was fleeing the scene, Shinawi fired again in the direction of a Jewish woman in the area, but she was not harmed.

As it neared 10 am, on HaGiborim Street, the shooter noticed Kafri walking by himself. "When he realized that the victim was Jewish, and in accordance with his initial decision to kill Jews, the defendant made up his mind to murder his victim. From a short distance, the defendant fired the weapon, with the intention of killing him. Three bullets hit the deceased in the left side of the chest and neck, causing his death."A Russian force that deployed on Syria's border with Lebanon has reportedly withdrawn and been replaced by Syrian troops.

The Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV, which has reporters throughout Syria, says the Russian force withdrew Tuesday from the border area on the outskirts of the town of Qusair, a stronghold of the Lebanese Hezbollah group. Russia and the Iran-backed Hezbollah are both fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces.

Al-Mayadeen and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian troops had deployed to the area on Monday. Neither provided details as to why they left.

The rare deployment of Russian forces near the border came amid repeated Israeli warnings about Iran's growing military presence in Syria. Israel is widely believed to have been behind an airstrike on Qusair last month that killed and wounded Hezbollah fighters.Jordan's King Abdullah tasked a former World Bank economist on Tuesday with forming a new government and called for broad talks on a planned income tax law that has provoked the country's biggest protests in years.

The king appointed Harvard-educated Omar al-Razzaz after accepting Hani Mulki's resignation as prime minister, attempting to defuse public anger over IMF-driven reforms.

Reports on Monday of Razzaz's impending appointment did not entirely quell the protests. About 2,000 people rallied overnight demanding the tax law be withdrawn.Dozens of prominent Religious Zionist rabbis called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked Tuesday to halt legal proceedings against alleged Jewish terrorists who are suspected of killing three members of the Dawabsheh family in the Palestinian village of Duma.

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On July 31, 2015, Molotov cocktails were thrown at the Dawabsheh family's house in the village in the northern West Bank, killing an 18-month-old child, Ali, and critically wounded a four-year-old brother and both parents. The parents, Saad and Riham Dawabsheh later succumbed to their wounds.

The rabbis, who included city rabbis and yeshiva heads, also claimed that Shin Bet investigators had tortured the suspects during their investigation and therefore demanded that an investigative committee be created to look into the matter.

Amiram Ben-Uliel (L) and second unidentified suspect

In a week and a half the Central District Court is supposed to determine whether the statements given by the defendantsAmiram Ben-Uliel and another man who was a minor during the time of the crimeare valid since their defense teams claim they were forced to provide confessions under torture.

In a letter sent to the prime minister and justice minister, the rabbis highlighted what they claimed were shocking examples of the defendants providing confessions under duress.

Aftermath of the terror attack (Photo: Zacharia Sadeh)

"In light of the shocking information about the torture that was carried out against the youths in order to squeeze these confessions of their involvement in the Duma case from them, and the severe indictments filed against them which are based on these confessions, we demand that all legal procedures are immediately terminated against them, and that an independent inquiry committee is established to look into these serious suspicions."

Among rabbis who signed the letter are Orthodox Rabbi Dov Lior, Beit El yeshiva head Zalman Baruch Melamed, Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, Rabbi Meir Mazuz and Elon Moreh's Yeshiva head Elyakim Levanon.

The couple Saad and Riham and their 18-month-old infant Ali were critically wounded in the cruel attack. Ali had died shortly after the attack. His father Saad succumbed to his wounds in the hospital a few days later.

Members of the Dawabsheh family killed in the attack (Photo: Hassan Shaalan)

Writings of "Long live King Messiah, "Revenge," and a painting of the Star of David on the walls of the burnt home led the security forces and the Shin Bet to the conclusion that the firebombing had been carried out as an act of Jewish terror.

Five months after the incident, the State Attorney's Office indicted two members of a Jewish terror organization members for the murder of the Dawabsheh family and for being part of a terror organization.

According to the State Attorney's Office, the motive for the crime was the desire to avenge the murder of terror victim Malachi Rosenfeld who was shot dead in the vicinity of Binyamin Regional Council's Shvut Rachel settlement.Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan has called for Israel to kill Palestinians who launch flaming kites into Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Protesters have begun sending the kites, laden with flaming rags or small explosives, during mass demonstrations near the Israeli border in recent weeks.

Israel's army has not been able to figure out a way stop the primitive kites. Some 200 have floated across the border, torching over 2,000 acres (809.40 hectares) of farmland.

During a tour of the border area, called on the army to treat kite launchers "just like any other terrorist" and called for "targeted killings" against them.

He also said Hamas commanders should be targeted as punishment for the kites.US 4 July Independence Day celebrations in Israel will not take place this year in Jerusalem, despite the fact that its embassy was moved to the city last month after Washington recognized it as Israel's capital.

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The annual reception honoring the US Independence Day usually takes place in the backyard of the US Ambassadors home in Herzliya.

4th of July celebrations in Herzliya (:  )

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However, this year US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman has decided to host the 4th of July reception in the Airport City events hall near Ben Gurion airport rather than Jerusalem or Herzliya.

The event will take place on the 3rd of July, with both the President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planning to attend.

PM and Sara Netanyahu with US Ambassador David Friedman (Photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO)

For years guests have complained about the hot temperatures and humidity during the celebrations in ambassadors backyard, which is situated close to the sea.

According to sources in the embassy, the preparations for the event started long before the historic move and the decision was not based on political considerations. It remains unclear, however, why the plans have not been rearranged following the embassys move to the capital.

(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

A US Embassy source told reporters: The decision to hold the event in the reception hall is a practical one since its more convenient for the guests, budget and security. This isnt the first reception to not be hosted at the Ambassadors house, a US embassy source explained.

The decision to move the reception to Airport City is costly and this year will not include a fireworks display since the airport doesnt permit fireworks near its airspace.

On the other hand, Russia is planning to host its Independence Day reception in Sergei Courtyard in Jerusalem on June 15.Indosuez Wealth Management Group, the global wealth management brand of Credit Agricole Group, has appointed Jacques Prost as its new chief executive officer, who will take over his position from June 18.



Prost is a member of Credit Agricoles management committee. Since 2013, he has supervised global markets and financing activities as deputy chief executive officer of Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, said a statement from the bank.



He began his career in the corporate department of Credit Lyonnais in London, UK, in 1986.



In 1988, Prost joined Banque Paribas, where he held a number of positions in the European real estate finance and project finance divisions. In 1996, he was appointed head of project finance at Paribas in Milan, Italy.



Prost has been part of the Credit Agricole group since 2000 when he joined as head of structured finance for corporate and investment banking in Italy.



In 2008, he became head of the real estate and hotels division in Paris, France. In November 2011, he was appointed global head of structured finance, said the statement.



He is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris and holds a postgraduate degree in financial markets from Paris Dauphine University.



Prosts experience in corporate and investment banking and his in-depth knowledge of Credit Agricole Group are major assets to develop the wealth management global business line, one of the components of the groups strategy as a universal customer-focused bank, it added.-TradeArabia News ServicePrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought on Tuesday to convince European states to abandon a nuclear deal with Iran, saying that Tehran's threats to increase uranium enrichment capacity showed it still planned to destroy Israel.

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He arrived in Paris for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron as part of a tour to persuade the European signatoriesBritain, France and Germanyto follow Washington's lead in scrapping the accord that they signed with Tehran in 2015.

The three European states are currently scrambling to save the dealunder which Iran promised to curb its nuclear program in return for lifted sanctionsseeing it as the best chance to stop Tehran developing a nuclear bomb.

PM Netanyahu and President Emmanuel Macron (Photo: Reuters)

But Israel argues that Iran has duped the West and plans to use the break from sanctions to build up its financial reserves before returning to its nuclear plans.

"The day before yesterday Ayatollah Khamenei, the ruler of Iran, declared his intention to destroy the State of Israel. Yesterday he explained how he would do this with the unrestricted enrichment of uranium in order to produce an arsenal of nuclear bombs," Netanyahu said in a video statement on Twitter.

"We are not surprised. We will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons," he said.

On Sunday, Khamenei's office tweeted what appeared to be an old quote from Iran's top leader that referred to Israel as a "malignant cancerous tumor" that needed to be removed.

A day later, he informed the UN nuclear watchdog of "tentative" plans to produce the feedstock for centrifuges, the machines that enrich uranium, the agency said on Tuesday after Iran said it was preparing to increase its enrichment capacity.

Khamenei said on Monday he had ordered preparations to increase uranium enrichment capacity if its nuclear deal fell apart after Trump announced his country's withdrawal.

"The Agency received a letter from Iran on 4 June informing the Agency that there is a tentative schedule to start production of UF6," a spokesman for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said, referring to uranium hexafluoride, the feedstock for centrifuges.

The deal allows Iran to enrich uranium to 3.67 percentfar below the 90 percent of weapons gradeand caps its stock of enriched uranium hexafluoride at 300 kg.

On Monday, Netanyahu told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Israel is developing ties with Arab states against Iran.

The European states have been trying to come up with a package to ring-fence trade with Iran against renewed US financial sanctions to dissuade Tehran from quitting the accord.

But they are struggling to convince firms to remain in Iran or create the financial instruments that could even enable them to do so.

PM Netanyahu and Chancellor Angela Merkel (hoto: Reuters)

"If Iran does not get the financial guarantees in oil and access to the financial system, then I don't see Iran sticking to the deal because the pressure from hardliners is only increasing," said a Western official.

"It is quite possible they will resume enrichment capacity and research and development of advanced centrifuges to show the Europeans and the world that they are serious."

French officials said Macron would tell Netanyahu that the threat to increase enrichment merely highlighted the need to keep the accord to stop Iran getting an atomic weapon.

French officials also said that Macron will also raise the issue of territorial disputes. European countries have voiced concerns over Israel's use of live fire during recent Palestinian protests along the Gaza border with Israel, including Macron who condemned Israel's "heinous acts."

Israel however, insists that the use of live fire is necessary to prevent terrorists from infiltrating into its territory.

Netanyahu and Macron will cap the day with a visit to an exhibit on Israeli innovations as part of events commemorating the 70th anniversary of Israel's founding.

This visit will inaugurate the French part of the joint "France-Israel Season," a series of cultural events that lasts 6 months. The initiative was planned in 2013 under Macron's predecessor.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday evening that now is the time to apply maximum pressure on Iran to make sure that it never acquires a nuclear weapon, but insisted that Israel never tried to convince France to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal.

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Flanked by French President Emmanuel Macron in a joint press conference in Paris, the Israeli premier began by extolling the values shared by their respective countries, before turning his focus to the threats posed by Iran.

I want to make it clear that I did not ask President Macron to leave the deal. I think that economic realities are going to decide this matter so its not what we focused on, actually, Netanyahu said. What we focused on, and what I focused on was to stop Iranian aggression in the region.

PM Netanyahu speaks in Paris about Iran ()

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A precondition for peace in the region and for a reconstructed Syria, Netanyahu said, was that Iran leaves Syria, all of Syria. It has no business being there.

Netanyahu also claimed that the content of the Iranian nuclear deal, present or future, is less of a concern for him than preventing Tehran from building the bomb.

My interest is not this or that agreement. My interest is to make sure that Iran doesn't have nuclear weapons, the prime minister said when the floor was opened for questions.

I didnt ask France to withdraw from the JCPOA (The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran deal) because I think it is bascially going to be dissolved by the wave of economic forces, he reiterated in response to a question from a journalist.

PM Netanyahu and President Macron in joint press conference (Photo: Reuters)

Were doing everything we can to prevent the aggressive designs of Iran which will ultimately destabilize not only the Middle East in their effort to conquer the Middle East but destabilize Europe and the world, Netanyahu said while reminding the French president of terror attacks that have struck France and claimed 250 lives.

Iran, the prime minister insisted, was not only bent on developing nuclear weapons, but also moving other weapons to Syria from which to target Israel, a situation he said "we cannot accept."

I want to say that this position is common right now across the Middle East, not only for us Israelis but also many of the Arab countries there who are themselves threatened by Iranian aggression.

Netanyahu also addressed the deadly violence that in recent weeks has been gripping the Gaza border, in a bid to debunk the notion that Israel has killed peaceful protesters.

What youve seen in recent weeks are not peaceful protests. These are violent riots that are organized by Hamas. Theyre using human shields ... They want to kidnap Israelis, they want to murder Israelis. These protests are organized by Hamas, they're paid by Hamas and they are seeking to storm into Israel, capture civilians or soldiers right near the fence," Netanyahu continued.

They burn our fields.These are not civilians  This is not what it appears and it is something we have the right to defend ourselves against, he insisted.

Other unnamed Arab countries in the region, Netanyahu said, were growing tired of the conflict, and recognized a convergence of interests with Israel both in security and economic progress.

Here too, I think that there is a change of attitude in certain parts of the Arab world because they understand this. Theyre sick and tired of this war against Israel, of this attempt to destroy Israel. They understand that there is a potential partnership with Israel both against Iran and other threats and for a "better future.

I think that you should know that they are happening under the surface. There is a change," he said.

Speaking before Netanyahu, Macron said France will continue to work with the existing deal, which it considers the best way to control Iran's nuclear activity. The French president said he doesn't see how exiting the nuclear deal would help improve regional stability.

How can one "think that a total absence of controls and commitments is better than the 2015 framework?" he asked.

Iran informed the UN nuclear watchdog on Tuesday that it will increase its nuclear enrichment capacity within the limits set by the 2015 agreement.

Macron on Tuesday also raised the issue of the Palestinian territories, expressing his "condemnation of any form of violence toward civilians and in particular, these past few weeks in Gaza."

Both leaders then headed to the nearby Grand Palais to inaugurate an exhibit on Israeli innovations, as part of a series of events commemorating the 70th anniversary of Israel's founding.

A few dozen protesters appeared on the city's Champs-Elysees Avenue near the exhibit site to demand the cancellation of the events and to denounce what they called Israel's "war crimes."

French police were out in force around the Grand Palais, breaking up groups of protesters.

Netanyahu started his European trip in Berlin on Monday. After his French visit he heads to Britain to meet with Prime Minister Theresa May in an effort to rally support from allies against Iran.Around 100 protesters have been demonstrating in front of the Interior Ministers Aryeh Deris house in Jerusalem for a second day in a row, demanding the approval of bringing the remaining 8,000 Ethiopian Falash Mura tribe memberswho were forced convert to Christianityto Israel.

The organizers are planning to continue the protests on a weekly basis until the issue is resolved.News

Washington, DC - The United States will assist the families affected by Guatemalas Fuego volcano eruption and sends condolences to the loved ones of those who perished as a result of this terrible natural disaster.

Our Embassy in Guatemala is in touch with Guatemalan authorities and stands ready to support their efforts as needed.

We express our steadfast support for the Guatemalan people during this difficult time.Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - On Friday June 1, 2018 representatives from the Ensenada, Mexico Fire Department were on hand to receive a donation of firefighting gear and other supplies that had come from Wyoming. The supplies came to Yuma through a cooperative effort coordinated by Yuma Fire Department Captain Tony De Anda that allowed for the donation to take place at YFD Station #3, 508 East 25th St.

The process began with Captain De Anda attending the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, MD last year. In networking with other fire service professionals he shared information about the needs of firefighters serving south of the border. YFD has in the past assisted with surplus gear and hosting training for firefighters in the San Luis, Sonora and Mexicali area.

The word got back to the Sheridan, WY Fire Department who had recently replaced firefighting turnout jackets, pants, boots, helmets, and wildland firefighting gear. Their old gear was well worn but still serviceable and included emergency medical items that were passed expiration dates for use in the United States but otherwise in new condition.

What happened next was a series of volunteer efforts by firefighters in Sheridan Wyoming, Colorado Springs Colorado, Los Angeles California, Phoenix and Yuma Arizona. When someone, truck driver or firefighter, was headed in the right direction the gear worked its way over several months to Yuma. Captain De Anda made the final leg driving to Phoenix to load up his own truck to bring the surplus gear here where it waited until the necessary international details could be worked out.

The Ensenada Fire Department personnel were very appreciative of the donation that will be given a new life continuing to protect firefighters and serve citizens. A thank you from the Ensenada FD to Sheridan WY Fire Chief, Terry Lenhart, will be working its way back to Wyoming. The value of the donated gear was estimated at approximately $18,000 dollars, but the demonstration of fire service volunteer efforts, inter-personal and cross border cooperation, is priceless.Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - On Friday, at approximately 11:10 p.m., Yuma Police Officers were attempting to locate a subject, 41 year old Ralph Sivyer, who was wanted on multiple felony charges from prior cases. Sivyer was located in the 2000 block of S. 11th Avenue and when officers approached him, he took off running to his vehicle. Officers attempted to remove Ralph Sivyer from the vehicle and during the altercation, two officers were injured and Sivyer got a hold of a YPD duty weapon and fled the scene with it.

Ralph Sivyer fled the scene in a 1999 black Nissan Maxima. The duty weapon is a S&W M&P 9mm handgun. Ralph Sivyer is also known to drive a 2004 red Chevrolet Avalanche. Sivyer is a prohibited possessor and is known to be armed.

The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department Special Operations Group at (928) 373-4675 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous. Remember, if your information leads to an arrest you may receive up to a $1,000 cash reward. In addition, the Yuma Police Department is also offering up to a $2,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in this case.Credit unions in Ghana are an integral part of the economy. In most countries, credit unions have been developed to provide their members credit and other financial services at a competitive rate. In Ghana credit unions have been developed to provide the same. This article seeks to educate you on credit unions in Ghana, operations and list of credit unions.

Source:sendwestafrica.org

READ ALSO: Current Ghana national service allowance and salary 2018

Worldwide, the system of credit union is a member-owned financial cooperative that is operated and controlled by its members. The major aim of the credit unions is to help people by providing them with financial services at competitive rates. Ghana has not been left behind. The credit unions in Ghana assist individuals to form necessary start-up including capitals for their business. In other words, the credit unions helps in financing micro-business in Ghana. Below is the history of credit unions in Ghana, list of credit unions, and their operations in Ghana.

History of credit unions in Ghana

In Ghana, credit unions started to be formed in September 1955. The first credit union was formed in Jirapa which is located in the North. The idea of credit unions was developed by an Irish Canadian known as Rev.Father John McNulty. In 1960, after the appointment of Bishop Dery as the Bishop of Wa, Pope John XXIII encouraged Credit Unions formation within the Parishes which are Wa,Kaleo, Ko, LawraNandom, Daffiama, and Tumu.

The Bishop encouraged the President of Ghana Dr. Francis Kwame Nkrumah to discuss with the people concerning the issues of Credit Unions Movement in Ghana. As a result membership was considered as a privilege and honor that everybody wished to be a member. In 1967, all the credit unions in the North became united in chapter and this is because the white fathers were the advisers to all of them. This made the credit unions in the south to feel the need for coming together for exchange of experience and training programs.

The idea of a National Association in Ghana was developed after the meeting in January, 1968, which was sponsored by CUMA International in Lesotho in January, 1968. In addition, another meeting was held in April which was understood as the follow-up conference and it gave birth to the Ghana National Union and Thrift Association. This is the forerunner of the Ghana Credit Unions Association (CUA) Limited. The major aim of the CUA is to educate, promote, support, and organize the Credit Union Movement internationally and nationally.

Credit union regulations in Ghana

The CUA Limited, has asked the government of Ghana to pass a law that will govern the operations of all the credit unions in order to empower them in the provision of a sustainable financial services that will improve the lives of people. The legislative instrument will facilitate monitoring of credit unions as central banks desire and also help discourage unauthorized formation of credit unions by quacks. The CUA is the umbrella body of all credit unions in Ghana and it creates an enabling environment for technical and financial services to the members. It supervises all the credit unions in Ghana on behalf of interest groups and the Bank of Ghana in order to ensure sanity prevails in the market. It also provides services to the credit unions which involve examining equipment and premises in relation to the provision of license to start business. The CUA audits the accounts of all credit unions as per the law of auditing so as to ensure there is justice and fairness in the provision of funds by all the credit unions. Finally, the credit unions co-operative nature provides an opportunity for the members to unite in fostering peace among themselves, while the financial nature enables them develop a habit of saving and using the finances in a wise manner.

Source:kolhazman.co.il

Teachers credit union in Ghana

The Teachers Credit Union in Ghana (TATCU) have been showing strong performance since its formation. In 2011, TATCU posted 211,578.55 which was an increase from GH 143,368.86 in 2010. The surplus of the union increased from GH 25, 008.42 to GH 54, 307.72, which is 117.16 per cent. In 2011, the total assets of the union increased from GH 657, 437.95 to GH 1, 052,577.63 which represented 60 percent. The members deposits, shares reserves and liabilities stood at GH 1, 052,577.63. The membership of the union increased from 2,500 to 2,853 and at the same time the savings increased from GH 574, 234.30 in 2010 to GH 912, 221.74. During the year, the union granted loans which totaled GH 632, 701.12 to more than 1,200 members.

Credit union operations in Ghana

Since the introduction of the credit unions in Ghana, they have significantly contributed to the creation of a saving culture and also provide people in the society with access to various investment opportunities so as to improve their lives. The unions are striving to eradicate poverty in the society by creating wealth. The union has managed to achieve credit management, saving mobilization, service delivery, and product development.

How many credit unions are in Ghana

The number of credit unions in Ghana is 527 with more than 550 members. The members are expected to contribute to the CUA dues and also ensure that they dont fail to attend the annual general meeting during which accounts of stewardship is deliberated.

Source:ramseyerccu.com

List of co-operative credit unions in Ghana

Ashanti.

BrongAhafo.

Central.

Eastern.

Greater Accra.

Northern.

Tema.

Upper East.

Upper West.

Volta.

Western.

List of credit unions in Ghana

The names of credit unions in Ghana include:

A.M.E Zion Church Co-Operative Credit Union Ltd.

AAK Teachers Co-operative Credit Union.

AbosomankotereCo-operative Credit Union.

Abotareye Co-operative Credit Union.

Abuakwa Emmanuel Methodist .

Cooperative Credit UnionAbuakwa.

North Teachers Co-operative Credit Union.

Accra Academy Credit Union Ltd.

Adoagyiri Catholic Teachers' Co-operative Credit Union.

Agape Assemblies of God Credit Union.

Agogo Presbyterian Co-operative Credit Union.

Agona District Workers Co-operative Credit Union.

Ajumako District Workers Credit Union.

Ajumako E.E. District Teachers' Credit Union.

Akrofuom Area Teachers Credit Union.

Anaji Christ the King Community Co-operative Credit Union.

Anglican Diocese Co-operative Credit Union.

Anigyeda Co-operative Credit Union.

AnumApapam Community Co-operative Credit Union.

ApamWorkers Co-operative Credit Union.

Apostles Co-operative Credit Union.

Appiadu Community Co-operative Credit Union.

Arccu Co-operative Credit Union.

Asawase St Theresa's Co-operative Credit Union.

Source:ceditalk.com

READ ALSO: Main causes of unemployment in Ghana

Asawasi District Presbyterian Credit Union.

Ashaiman Methodist Co-operative Credit Union.

Ashaiman S.D.A Credit Union.

Ashtown Baptist Co-operative Credit Union.

AsikumaOdobenBrakwa District .

Teachers' Co-operative Credit.

AsiriFarmers Co-operative Credit Union.

Assemblies of God Co-operative Credit Union (Accra).

Assemblies of God Co-operative Credit Union (Kumasi).

Assemblies of God Co-operative Credit Union (Bolga).

Assin Teachers Credit Union.

Associated Teachers' Co-operative Credit Union .

Atebubu District Presby Co-operative Credit Union.

Atonsu District PresbytarianCo-operative Credit Union.

Atonsu Pentecost Cooperative Credit Union Limited.

Awutu-EffutuSenya Teachers Co-operative Credit Union.

Bantama Ebenezer Cooperative Credit Union.

Bawku Community Credit Union.

Borae Community Co-operative Credit Union.

Broadcasting Employees Credit Union (Beccu).

BrongAhafo Regional Hospital Co-operative Credit Union.

Bunso CRIG Workers Co-operative Credit Union.

Calvary Charismatic Co-operative Credit Union.

Calvary Community Co-operative Credit Union .

Calvary Methodist Credit Union.

Church of God Co-operative Credit Union.

Church of Pentecost Atico Assembly Credit Union.

Damongo Diocesan Credit Union.

Dormaa Area Teachers Co-operative Credit Union.

Dunkwa Traders Co-operative Credit Union.

Dzadikuma Co-operative Credit Union.

Ebenezer Community Co-operative Credit Union.

Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Credit Union.

Entrepreneurs Capital Co-operative Credit Union.

Forikrom Community Co-operative union.

Freighters Friend C0-operative Credit Union.

GESRO Co-operative Credit Union.

Ghana Breweries Credit Union.

Ghana Registered Midwives Co-operative Credit Union.

Global Teachers Co-operative Credit Union.

GomoaDistrict Teachers Co-operative Credit Union.

House of Faith Co-operative Credit Union.

Hydro Employees Co-operative Credit Union.

Intravenous Infusions Cooperative Credit Union.

Jaman South Teachers Co-operative credit Union.

Kama Financial Co-operative Credit Union.

KEEADistrict Teachers Co-operative Credit Union.

KeteKrachi Community Co-operative Credit Union.

KomfoAnokye Teaching Hospital Co-operative Credit Union.

Kumasi Polytechnic Staff Co-operative Credit Union.

KwaebibiremGES Co-operative Credit Union.

Light ofthe World A/G Co-operative Credit Union.

Madina Teachers Co-operative credit Union.

Maranatha Assemblies of God Co-operative Credit Union.

Martyrs Of Uganda Co-operative Credit Union .

Melody Co-operative Credit Union.

MimAhafo Community Co-operative Credit Union.

Navrongo Teachers Co-operative Credit union.

New Fadama Co-operative Credit Union.

Parliamentary Staff Credit Union .

Pentecost International Worship Center Co-operative Credit Union.

Presec Employees Co-operative Credit Union.

RhemaAssemblies of God Co-operative Credit Union.

Source:newsghana.com.gh

Saboba District Co-operative Credit Union.

Sawla Community Co-operation Credit Union.

DA-Dansoman Co-operative Credit Union among others.

How to join credit unions in Ghana

One can become a member of any credit union of his or her own choice. You will be required to visit the premise and complete a form and pay the entrance fees including the minimum share as per the credit union of your choice. As a new member you will be required to have a minimum saving which has been prescribed by the board. Children, clubs, and organizations can also join credit unions in Ghana. There is also join membership whereby a man and his wife can have a joint account in the credit union. It is wise to seek more information on the same.

Source: Yen.com.ghFormer President John Jerry Rawlings says the constant lies being peddled by some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) about his family makes it difficult for him to criticise the current administration.

Delivering a durbar to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the June 4 revolution in Accra on Monday, Mr. Rawlings said he finds it difficult to believe some of the scandals that are being reported about the Akufo-Addo led government because of the lies that are regularly peddled about him and his wife.

Some of the little ones are so vicious with their mouthsthe kind of sins and nasty evil things that they do but turn around and insult people like Martin Amidu, like my wife, like myself and I wonder if that is my wife they are talking about, I wonder if that is me.

When you say I dont criticise Nana Addo or the things he does, to be quite honest I dont know what to believe or to disbelieve because I know some of the things our people say about Martin Amidu, my wife and myself are false, the military dictator said.

The former president has been a harsh critic of the party he founded under the late President John Evans Atta Mills and later President John Mahama.

But majority of his party members have accused him for treating the current government with kid gloves despite the many scandals that have rocked the NPP administration in less than two years in power.

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Source: Yen- Rawlings and the young officers formed the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC)

- The former president served Ghana for 19 years

One of the biggest symbols of Ghanas fourth republic is Jerry John Rawlings. The former president played a major role in returning Ghana to democratic rule.

Rawlings goes down as the longest-serving president in the history of Ghana, having been head of state for 19 years.

These days the retired flight lieutenant may have been caught up by old age, however, in his youthful days he was very vibrant and a firebrand.

The throwback photo of Rawlings circulating on social media

READ ALSO: 4 reasons why women date more than one guy

And a throwback photo of the former president showing his six packs typifies the kind of active man that Rawlings was.

In the said photo, which has since gone viral on the internet, Rawlings is captured without a shirt together with some of his military colleagues.

Rawlings first came to power through a coup in 1979. He later handed power to a democratic government but returned to the seat two years later after staging another coup.

He then founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and became the first president of Ghanas fourth republic in 1992.

The 62-year-old was re-elected as president in 1996, completing his two terms as president.

Animated Joke: Dead Horse Lottery:

READ ALSO: Agyapong's 'Anas' angry; threatens legal action as he fears for his life

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Source: Yen.com.gh- Shatta Michy has called for Shatta Wale's arrest and imprisonment

- According to her, the dancehall artiste releases meaningless songs

Shatta Michy has called for the imprisonment of popular dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale.

According to a report by MyNewsGH, she stated that the music artiste has been feeding Ghanaians with meaningless songs.

YEN.com.gh understands that she posted an animation from the popular Nazir series, which condemned Shatta Wales songs.

Shatta Wale and Shatta Michy in happier times

READ ALSO: Speaking in tongues is nonsense - Mzbel

It further created the impression that the songs usually corrupt some of the youth.

Shatta Wale and Shatta Michy, have been engaged in an social media war since it was formally announced that they are no longer in a relationship.

Both personalities have communicated directly and indirectly, plans of moving on with their lives without the other.

What remains to be seen is whether the dancehall artiste will respond to this new attack from her.

Shatta Wale is one of Ghana's most popular dancehall artists.

The musician shot up to fame in 2004 with his hit single "Bandana from Ghana", which made tremendous hits on the Ghanaian airwaves.

His influence with his large fan base makes him one of Ghanas highly favored celebrities.

READ ALSO: Throwback of Rawlings with '6-packs'

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Source: YenBahrain-based Bank ABC, a leading international financial group in the region, has announced the appointment of Ammar Khalil as the senior executive officer of the banks branch at the Dubai International Financial Centre.



In his new role, Khalil will have the overall responsibility of leading the banks UAE strategy across all wholesale banking, treasury and financial markets products, working closely with the other product lines and geography teams in the Bank ABC Group.



Bank ABC has been reinforcing its leadership teams in key markets in its network that spans 16 countries, it stated.



An industry veteran, Khalil has over 20 years of experience in banking across institutions in the US and GCC. Most recently he served as the managing director and head of coverage for Mena region at Natixis DIFC, said the bank in its statement.



Prior to that he was head of institutional banking for the Mena region at HSBC Bank Middle East. He has previous experience as group head of institutional banking at National Bank of Kuwait, and in various roles at the Bank of New York, Bank ABC (NY branch) and Arab American Bank, driving Mena-US business flows, it added.



Jonathan Robinson, Group Head of Wholesale Banking, said: "We are also focusing on growing our relationships with large local corporates, financial institutions, and network corporates based in the UAE. Our strategy is to continue growing our regional capital markets franchise and provide clients with a more comprehensive product suite."



On his appointment, Khalil said: "I am delighted to join Bank ABC and contribute to its expanding franchise in the region. The UAE will play an increasingly important role in banks strategy as it represents an important regional hub for inbound and outbound Mena trade and investment flows."



The Bank ABC Group is a leading international wholesale bank which provides retail banking services through its network of banks in Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria.-TradeArabia News Service- Headmaster of Redemption School Complex in the Central Region has been arrested for failing to register 34 of his students for the BECE

- All 34 BECE students were denied sitting the paper because they have not registered

- Checks by the police show he spent the registration fees

How would you feel when you get rejected from the exams hall as a BECE candidate and be told you have not registered when indeed you have?

This was the case with some 34 BECE candidates from the Redemption School Complex in the Awutu Senya West District of the Central Region who discovered that their headmaster had spent their registration fees.

READ ALSO: Obinim is worshiping a different god so beware - Owusu Bempah warns

John Afranie Mensah was arrested by the police after he confessed to this unfortunate act.

These affected BECE candidates have been weeping over this development while sharing their plight with Rainbow Radio in Accra.

"We have prepared for the exams but we arrived only to discover that, our headmaster did not register us for the exams. This is painful and wickedness, a student revealed.

What this means is that students may be denied the golden chance to write the 2018 BECE exams especially when they have not been registered and index numbers not extracted.

The BECE exams have always been fraught with cases of exam malpractice especially when many students are always tempted with the urge to secure for themselves copies of leaked exam questions, popularly known as 'apor'.

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has warned against this acts especially when half a million of students across the country (509,824) will be sitting for their BECE today, June 4th.

According to WAEC, candidates are cautioned against engaging in any examination malpractice of any form, especially collusion, which is prevalent at the BECE".

All forms of cheating, according to the exams council, can be detected by the Item Differentia Profile (IDP) in their objective tests, or in their script during marking.

READ ALSO: Video of Anas sister threatening to deal with Tamale chief over a $100,000 bribe

The total amount of students writing the BECE is 509,824. This is a sharp increase over what we had in 2017 which involved 468,060 students.

Animated Joke: Dead Horse Lottery

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Source: Yen- Rosemond Brown dazzles with photo of her and comedian DKB

- Fans are hoping she has moved on from her feud with Wisa Greid

One of Ghana's favourite showbiz personalities at the moment, Rosemond Brown, also known as Akuapem Poloo, is at it again. This time, she has fans excited by her recent Instagram post involving comedian DKB.

The photo sees Akuapem Poloo in a beautiful satin dressed on stag with the comedian. The comedian has his hands firmly on Akuapem Poloo's waist.

READ ALSO: Obuobia Darkoa slams Golden Movie Awards red carpet hosts

It seems the caption, "DKB PLEASE GIVE ME BACK MY WAIST" is what got some of her over 45 thousand Instagram followers talking.

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A cursory look through the sections shows users such as @mmmarwannn write: @rosemond_brown after he Mia Mia your waist, he go dey give you yawa too

Others include @yolanda_cece_walker could not hide her amazement with: Hahahahha herrrr sis

Rosemond Brown has in recent times been involved in media altercations with other celebrities. The most recent one saw her feuding with Afropop musician Wisa Greid.

The details of the feud has it that Wisa had supposedly told some people that he and Akuapem Poloo were lovers. This was something the social media star turned-actress did not take very well.

She then proceeded a video to slam Wisa for what he is believed to have said. Wisa in response said in an interview that the actress was not his kind of woman because she enjoyed the company of "small boys".

READ ALSO: Bawumia is 'ignorant' of the evils of Anas  Kennedy Agyapong

Fans of Rosemond Brown may be pleased that she has seemingly moved on and enjoying her life. She also posted a photo of how she was praised by a TV host.

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Source: Yen- Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has described Chairman Wontumi as a joke

- According to him, some current events are beyond the comprehension of the NPP Regional Chairman

- His comments were as a result of statements attributed to Chairman Wontumi concerning Anas Aremeyaw Anas

The Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, has referred to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, as a joke.

According to a report by MyNewsGH.com, Baako also stated that the current issues concerning the premiering of Number 12, Anas Aremeyaw Anas latest work, are beyond Boasiakos comprehension and capability.

Taking to Facebook, a social media platform, Baako wrote: Nana Prempeh Okogyeabour, tell Wontumi that I say hes simply a joke! He is entering a territory beyond his comprehension and capability!

Chairman Wontumi

READ ALSO: Divorce rumours emerge as the wedding ring of a top Ghanaian actress goes 'missing'

The comments came, after Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, described Anas as corrupt.

He went on to say that he was once compelled to pull a gun and point it at the head of the investigative journalist.

Wontumi also accused Anas of doctoring interviews he has with people. He went on to say that the journalist is corrupt, and not the savior that people perceive him to be.

The politician then added that Anas works for Former President John Mahama and his brother, Ibrahim Mahama.

These comments did not go down well with Baako, who took to social media to express his opinions.

READ ALSO: Shatta Wale should be jailed! - Shatta Michy

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Source: YenPopular Ghanaian Instagram model and actress, Moesha Boduoung, has reacted to former NDC Parliamentary aspirant, Obuobia Darko-Opoku, for allegedly attacking her after hosting the red carpet for the 2018 Golden Movie Awards.

According to various media reports, the actress put up a poor performance in hosting the red carpet that night after being given the role by event organizers.

However, Moesha got a humiliation of her life after the former NDC aspirant, who is now a host on TV Africa, called her out on what she described as her gross ignorance about red carpet event.

Former NDC MP aspirant, Obuobia Darko-Opoku is now a TV host

READ ALSO: Kennedy Agyapong finally replies Dr Bawumia for 'defending' Anas

The former Weija-Gbawe MP in a live show insisted that Moeshas performance at the red carpet nearly marred the beauty of the awards show.

Moesha just flips the microphone in your face and ask you what are you wearing? Are you a contestant? That is not how to introduce somebody to the red carpet, Obuobia Darko-Opoku criticized.

She also added that the Ugandan host, Kabs Haloha who accompanied the Ghanaian actresses, and Jessica Larny also did what can be described as worse than Moesha.

To her, the Ugandan who is said to be one of the most successful event hosts in his country, should have done his checks and research, before jumping on the red carpet to have a dialogue with event guests, instead of asking interviewees if they were nominated for the awards or not.

READ ALSO: 'Corrupt' Anas deserves to be hanged  Kennedy Agyapong opens more 'fire'

However, Moesha Budoung who appears to have monitored TV host said she will not be discouraged by her remark.

Full video of Obuobia Darko-Opokus remarks on Moesha (Credit: Facebook/TV Africa Gh)

The actress commenting in a video, sighted by Zionfelix.net, indicated that she is an individual who loves to be corrected, therefore will take a cue from Obuobia Darko-Opokus wild criticism at her.

I am still not going to give up ???? I love to be corrected .and learn from it and practice more ????one day I will be a Master, Moesha replied Obuobia.

READ ALSO: Anita Desosoo kneels, openly begs Rawlings in latest video

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Source: Yen.com.gh- There have been reports of Yvonne Nelson and Jamie Roberts breaking up

- Jamie has threatened a lawsuit against the originators of the reports

Jamie Roberts, the Irish father of Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson's daughter, Ryn has responded to reports of a breakup of their relationship.

There had been reports of the Yvonne and Jamie parting after the two deleted photos they had with each other on social media.

As if that was not eyebrow raising enough, YEN.com.gh checks revealed that the two have unfollowed each other on social media.

READ ALSO: Shatta Michy forgets Shatta Wale as she chills in town on a bike, rubs her 'oranges' on rider's back in latest video

While this is pointing to a likely problem in their relationship, Jamie seems to.be denying any such thing and is even issuing threats to Ghanacelebrities.com which broke to the news of the breakup.

According to the website's editor, Chris-Vincent Agyapong, he has receieved a mail from Jamie threatening to sue the site for defamation over the breakup story.

It is not known what exactly might have happened but there seems to be some trouble between them.

The couple whose relationship became public following the birth of Ryn in November 2017 have been inseparable in the past few months.

Even in the midst of the many criticisms against Yvonne Nelson for giving birth out of wedlock, their relationship looked unshakeable.

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Source: Yen.com.ghSaudi Aramco, a global petroleum and natural gas company, has signed 16 contracts with seven companies to operate and maintain facilities in its community over the next 10 years.



The contracts signing took place during a ceremony in Dhahran where Saudi Aramco signed the contracts with Al Yamama Company for Trading and Contracting; Arabian Fal Holding Company; Abdulwahab Mansour Al-Moallam Sons Company; Rezayat Company; Al Tamimi Global Company for Services and Maintenance; Sraco Company; and Nesma and Partners Contracting Company.



The contracts are in line with Saudi Aramcos continuous efforts to develop its community facilities and increase their efficiency while maintaining the highest safety standards, said Mohammed Al Shammary, Saudi Aramco vice president for community services.



In addition, the contracts will create job opportunities for Saudi graduates of the National Training Center for Facilities & Hospitality Management (FHM) that was co-established by Saudi Aramco, Al Shammary added.



FHM was established by Saudi Aramco jointly with the Technical & Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage in 2017. The centre aims at capturing opportunities in the hospitality and facilities management industry to create jobs for Saudi youth by equipping them with the required education and skills via offering internally-accredited training courses.



These contracts are the beginning in fulfilling their commitment in providing best in class services, Al Shammary noted. - TradeArabia News ServiceMicrosoft Corp said on Monday it has reached an agreement to acquire GitHub, a global leading software development platform where more than 28 million developers work, for $7.5 billion in Microsoft stock.

Together, the two companies will empower developers to achieve more at every stage of the development lifecycle, accelerate enterprise use of GitHub, and bring Microsoft's developer tools and services to new audiences.



"Microsoft is a developer-first company, and by joining forces with GitHub we strengthen our commitment to developer freedom, openness and innovation," said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. "We recognize the community responsibility we take on with this agreement and will do our best work to empower every developer to build, innovate and solve the world's most pressing challenges."



Subject to customary closing conditions and completion of regulatory review, the acquisition is expected to close by the end of the calendar year.



GitHub will retain its developer-first ethos and will operate independently to provide an open platform for all developers in all industries. Developers will continue to be able to use the programming languages, tools and operating systems of their choice for their projects  and will still be able to deploy their code to any operating system, any cloud and any device.



Microsoft Corporate vice president Nat Friedman, founder of Xamarin and an open source veteran, will assume the role of GitHub CEO. GitHub's current CEO, Chris Wanstrath, will become a Microsoft technical fellow, reporting to executive vice president Scott Guthrie, to work on strategic software initiatives.



"I'm extremely proud of what GitHub and our community have accomplished over the past decade, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead. The future of software development is bright, and I'm thrilled to be joining forces with Microsoft to help make it a reality," Wanstrath said.



"Their focus on developers lines up perfectly with our own, and their scale, tools and global cloud will play a huge role in making GitHub even more valuable for developers everywhere."



Today, every company is becoming a software company and developers are at the centre of digital transformation; they drive business processes and functions across organizations from customer service and HR to marketing and IT. And the choices these developers make will increasingly determine value creation and growth across every industry.



GitHub is home for modern developers and the world's most popular destination for open source projects and software innovation. The platform hosts a growing network of developers in nearly every country representing more than 1.5 million companies across healthcare, manufacturing, technology, financial services, retail and more.



Upon closing, Microsoft expects GitHub's financials to be reported as part of the Intelligent Cloud segment. Microsoft expects the acquisition will be accretive to operating income in fiscal year 2020 on a non-GAAP basis, and to have minimal dilution of less than 1 per cent to earnings per share in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 on a non-GAAP basis, based on the expected close time frame.



Non-GAAP excludes expected impact of purchase accounting adjustments, as well as integration and transaction-related expenses. An incremental share buyback, beyond Microsoft's recent historical quarterly pace, is expected to offset stock consideration paid within six months after closing. Microsoft will use a portion of the remaining c. $30 billion of its current share repurchase authorization for the purchase.



Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting as legal advisor to Microsoft. Morgan Stanley is acting as exclusive financial advisor to GitHub, while Fenwick & West LLP is acting as its legal advisor.  TradeArabia News ServiceRussian President Vladimir Putin will hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit on June 9, including with the Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani. The presidents will discuss several issues on the regional agenda, including the situation surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for Iran's nuclear program and preparations for the Fifth Caspian Summit.

Commenting on the possible consequences of the US withdrawal from the agreement with Iran on the nuclear program, senior research fellow of the Institute for Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Sazhin said: "Extensive work in Iran's nuclear infrastructure is required to meet all the requirements of the JCPOA and subsequent agreements between Iran and the P5+1. For example, the activity of two uranium enrichment plants should be changed. And most importantly, the most expensive is to reformat the heavy water reactor. This is a very difficult technical problem. The Iranians have almost completed its construction before 2015, and according to the plan, this reactor was supposed to produce 9 kilograms of plutonium per year, which is enough to build one nuclear plutonium bomb. This plutonium must be under the control of the IAEA or be exported to other countries. Technically, it is very complex and expensive. China and the United States were appointed to deal with it. Now the United States left, and it will be quite difficult for China. This is just one example, and the US has been involved in many programs that meet IAEA requirements to reduce the level of danger from the Iranian nuclear infrastructure."

According to the expert, if the JCPOA continues to function in other formats without the United States, then the difficulties will be great: "It is possible that the final solution to this problem will be prolonged. If Europe swallows the US demands and withdraws from the deal, it means that the sanctions against Iran, which the US plans to introduce on August 6 this year, will affect the entire European business. And if the European business withdraws from Iran, the JCPOA will collapse. It will lead to very undesirable consequences both in the region and in Iran. Officials said if the JCPOA collapses, Iran will resume its nuclear program. I do not doubt that the military component of this program will be also renewed. Thus Iran will come back to 2010-2011, when the situation around Iran was complex, back then they said almost every day that Israel and the US (together or separately) would strike Iran's nuclear facilities. It could happen if Iran resumed its nuclear program without the IAEA control, that is, in its own way."After the US withdrew from the Iran deal, the expediency of continuing relations with Washington causes doubts in Tehran. Second Deputy of the Parliament of Iran Ali Motahari said today: "If the way used by the US presidential administration becomes a tradition, then it will be impossible to trust international relations, because the exit of Americans from the JCPOA was a moral rather than economic or political issue for the world community."

Senior Lecturer of the Department of Political Science at the Higher School of Economics of the National Research University, Grigory Lukyanov, says that the JCPOA problem is not limited to Iran: "The actions of other countries are dictated not by Iran's actions, but by their own interests. The US saw the JCPOA as one of the tools for solving "Iran's big problem," linking it with Iran's politics in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In fact, it was about Iran's complete refusal from foreign policy, from participation in processes outside of Iran."

Substantiating his point, the expert noted that when referring to Iran's actions in Afghanistan, they don't just say that Tehran supported Taliban's actions, but also try to influence public opinion, discredit Iran, saying that it communicates, contacts and supports such a destructive structure as Taliban.

"The influence of Iran is much more serious. There are political parties in the Afghan parliament directly focusing on Iran. These are the parties, public associations based on the support of the Shiite minority in Afghanistan, which are important within a politically unstable system like the Afghan one, where every political force struggles for support for a long time already. And the voice of the Shia minority associated with Iran is very significant," Lukyanov said.

Speaking about US policy, he focused on the possibility of changing the balance of power there before the elections: "This is not just an American event: the US bureaucratic system is not a closed political system, external players participate actively in it, an external agenda and external actors may influence the outcome of elections. In many respects Trump's victory was made possible by a certain lobbying activity of foreign groups, including those associated with an inalienable participant in the Middle East policy - Israel and Saudi Arabia. The are interested in preserving and improving positions of the Republican Party, and they will fight for it. Trump fueled their interest not only by their decision on the nuclear deal, but also by the decision to transfer the US Embassy to Jerusalem not in conjunction with the proclamation of the Declaration of Independence of Israel, which was celebrated on April 19 this year, but in conjunction with the Nakba Day (Nakba Day is celebrated by Palestinian Arabs on May 15, the day after the date on which the State of Israel was founded. This day for the Palestinians is connected with the expulsion of thousands of people from their native places and with the lost Arab-Israeli wars - VK). Trump wanted to challenge the Palestinian community, as well as Iran, which has expressed its solidarity with the Palestinian people and Palestinian political organizations throughout these years, and not only with Hamas, but also with the Palestine Liberation Organization, because Nakba Day is simultaneously celebrated by all political organizations of Palestine."

Proceeding from this, the expert comes to the conclusion that Trump demonstrates that his policy in the Middle East and the policy of the Conservatives, who somehow consolidate around him, in the long term will be connected with reliance on the traditional US allies in the region - Israel and Saudi Arabia : "The Israeli lobby and the Saudi lobby will be inspired by Trump's actions, which are not unsystematic. I'm not inclined to think of him as an elephant in a china shop that does not understand what he is doing. He is a businessman, who has made a bet on a certain business project and doing his best to make this project work. All this may affect the results of the US elections. Perhaps, Trump will not get a second term. But he will leave a trail in history by not just waging wars (wars are not always a profitable business project), but also drastically changing and completing what they could not do before him. "Turkey expects the first delivery of US F-35 stealth fighter planes on June 21 this year, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said following his meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington.

The minister added that the agreement between Ankara and Washington on jets remained in force.

"We told that we do not respond well to threats. As of F-35, we have already signed the deal. For June 21, there is going be a transfer for the F-35s. There is no negative development," Turkish media cited Cavusoglu as saying.A counter-terrorism operation regime, imposed on the Tsumadin district of Dagestan on June 3, was lifted today.

"A counter-terrorism operation regime was lifted at 11.20 MSK," a representative of the Operational Headquarters of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee in Dagestan said.

A militant has been killed in the Tsumadin district on June 3, TASS recalls.Ukraines state-owned Naftogaz said a Dutch court had approved its petition to freeze Dutch assets of Gazprom to enforce an arbitration ruling that Naftogaz should receive $2.6 billion from the Russian company.

In late May, Swiss court officers made an inventory of properties attached to the office of the Gazprom-controlled Nord Stream AG project as part of the ruling by the Stockholm arbitration court. The Russian energy company confirmed the information, highlighting that it had not received any notice.

According to the Naftogaz statement, Swiss court bailiffs are currently seizing Gazproms stakes in Nord Stream AG and Nord Stream 2 AG.

That ruling, made by the Stockholm arbitration court in February, was meant to conclude a legal battle over gas deliveries. But Naftogaz says Gazprom has not complied with the ruling, which obliged the Russian company to resume gas supplies to Ukraine at market equivalent prices and pay $2.6 billion, Reuters recalls.

Naftogaz said last month it would go to court to seize Gazprom assets in Europe, but would not touch Russian gas transit through Ukraine.

Last week, the Ukrainian firm said it had also asked Swiss courts to enforce the arbitration award and Swiss authorities have taken measures against Gazproms assets too.

Gazprom appealed against the Stockholm ruling in April, and the case is ongoing.Iran will inform the U.N. nuclear watchdog in Vienna today over its start of a process to increase the countrys uranium enrichment capacity, Irans International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said.

Kamalvandi said that Iran will announce in a letter that will be handed over to the IAEA that the process of increasing the capacity to produce UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) will start on June 5.

The spokesman said Iran had the capacity to accelerate production of centrifuges, which are used to enrich uranium, ISNA reported.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he had ordered preparations to increase uranium enrichment capacity if a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers falls apart after the U.S. withdrawal from it last month.

Under the agreement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Iran strictly limited uranium enrichment capacity to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were rescinded in January 2016.

The deputy head of the Council of the Russian Diplomats Association, Andrey Baklanov, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that Iran's return to uranium enrichment as a response to the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal will only unbalance the situation. "We can raise the question already now: Is it possible to conclude any agreements in the current world situation, taking into account the behavior of the US? Where's the sense in many months of drafting an international document and signing it if one can easily come out of it unilaterally? A comprehensive plan was developed on the Iranian nuclear deal with five very accurately verified technical applications, where everything is interconnected, so the exit of one of one participant actually destroys the whole system of this agreement," he pointed out.

In fact, the US withdrawal from the deal has started to destroy it. "After the US president said that his country is withdrawing from the deal, other members also received the moral right to think that it was dissolved. Until recently said that they should try to preserve the spirit of this agreement and overcome the trend of destruction of balance that was created through the development of this document. If Iran responds to the Americans in this way, this will further exacerbate the already difficult situation in terms of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons," Andrey Baklanov emphasized.

Senior research fellow of the Institute for Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Sazhin, drew attention to the inverse relationship between the preservation of the nuclear deal and Iran's behavior. "For almost three years Iran scrupulously met all the requirements of the IAEA and the JCPOA, no complaint has been received. Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the nuclear agreement contributed to the possible collapse of the JCPOA - and Iran decided to give a similar response to the the United States, on the one hand, and warn Europe, on the other hand. The fate of the JCPOA hangs in the balance now, but there's hope, since the US sanctions will not be imposed until August 6, and the main sanctions - until the autumn, there is still time to preserve the JCPOA in some form," he said.

"Now everything depends on the UK, Germany and France, the co-authors of the JCPOA who oppose Trump's decision. We don't know whether they will succeed in maintaining their business in Iran. If somehow they succeed, even partially, the JCPOA will exist in some new forms, since the other participants - Russia and China - fully support the JCPOA. I think Iran has made a kind of preventive step, since even increasing the production of low-enriched uranium does not violate the JCPOA. Iran also think about increasing the number of operating centrifuges, they can have about 6 thousand centrifuges in accordance with the JCPOA, but they have less number. Therefore, there is no clear violation from Iran," Vladimir Sazhin stressed.Italys Prime Minister Jiuseppe Conte advocates a review of the anti-Russia sanctions system.

"The new government of Italy will be seeking that the sanction policy against Russia be reviewed, especially those [sanctions] that affect the economy and the civil society of the Russia," TASS cited the prime minister as saying.

Conte said Italy "will be fully open to Russia that has in the recent years strengthened its international role in the settlement of geopolitical crises".

He emphasized, however, that Italy will remain a NATO country, while the US will remain its "traditionally privileged partner".

Conte addressed the Senate ahead of two parliamentary confidence votes expected to confirm his new cabinet, formed from a coalition of far-right and eurosceptic parties. His government was sworn in on Friday after almost three months of political turmoil that alarmed EU officials and spooked financial markets.

The head of the IMEMO of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Alexei Kuznetsov, speaking with Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that Italy, with due political will, could single-handedly cancel all European sanctions against Russia, but it will not do it.

"There are two things: first, the lifting of EU sanctions against Russia will simply trap European business, as it will have to choose between observing US sanctions in the absence of European sanctions and the Washington sanctions in case of its active work with Russia," the expert pointed out.

"The second point is that the statements about the abolition of sanctions by European governments do not lead to concrete actions. Many governments periodically say that they will lift sanctions against Russia, but as a rule, it's on the second plan in their agenda. Most likely, Italy will continue to extend sanctions against the Russian Federation along with others," Alexei Kuznetsov stressed.

"It's the futility of economic sanctions against Russia as an instrument of pressure on Moscow makes Italy to speak about the need to lift them," the head of the IMEMO of the Russian Academy of Sciences concluded.Irans top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the country will attack "ten times over" if is targeted by its enemies and promised to back oppressed nations.

In a televised speech, Supreme Leader Khamenei urged the nations youth to stand up to pressure from the US in the aftermath of US President Donald Trumps decision last month to exit from the landmark seven-party accord. The decision resulted in the reimposition of sanctions that had been lifted as part of the deal.

"Tehran will attack 10 times more if attacked by enemies.The enemies dont want an independent Iran in the region," Khamenei said.

"We will continue our support to oppressed nationsour enemies have staged economic and psychological warfare against us and new American sanctions are part of it," Reuters cited him as saying.Several deputies decided to withdraw from the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), a source close the deputies said.

"All those MPs who intend to leave the RPA faction are prominent businessmen. They plan to announce their decisions as soon as possible.The Republicans will become the minority soon," TASS cited the source as saying.

Three deputies left the faction last week - Shirak Torosyan, Arthur Gevorgyan and Felix Tsolakyan, they were followed by Arman Sahakyan. Hakob Hakobyan can be the next leaving the RPA.

Now the Republicans have 54 deputy seats out of 105 in the parliament. If the parliamentary faction is abandoned by more businessmen, the RPA will be in the minority in the country's legislature for the first time in 19 years.

According to the Armenian media reports, Arthur Gevorgyan has already announced his withdrawal from the faction and soon seven more deputies, mostly businessmen, will also announce their withdrawal from the faction. Quite a situation: the Yelk, Tsarukyan and Dashnaktsutyun have 47 seats, and many bills can be approved with only 53 votes. If the outflow of MPs continues, the once-ruling RPA will become a minority party.

Member of the Tsarukyan's Bloc faction, Naira Zohrabyan, speaking with Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that the withdrawal of MPs from the Republican party was expected. "We had the same story in the 1990s - as soon as the ruling party misses power, deputies leaves it or enter a new ruling party. This is one of the perversions of our political system that should be removed. When we elected Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister, I said that I want Armenia to have such a political atmosphere in which it would be impossible for an MP to abandon his party in one hour and switch to another one," she pointed out.

According to Zohrabyan, such a fragility of the Armenian policy brings nothing but frustration. "The Republican Party is simply collapsing, which means that it was not a party of like-minded people, but a group of people united only by power. I do not presume to predict the future, but I can confidently say that by September we will have a political minority in the parliament in the person of the RPA. This will dictate new rules of lawmaking, because the parliament speaker and his deputies can not be representatives of the political minority," the member of the Tsarukyan's Bloc faction said.

She also stressed that there is no ideological background in the withdrawal from the RPA. "At one time these people were forcibly taken prisoner by the ruling party, and now they were freed from captivity. Those who consider themselves ideological Republicans have remained in the party, but there are very few such people," Naira Zohrabyan concluded.

The director of the Armenian branch of the CIS Institute, Alexander Makarov, also noted that each of the deputies leaving the RPA has its reasons to leave the party. "As for the RPA itself, after losing the majority in the parliament, it will continue to act as the largest faction. The exit of a number of deputies was expected, but even in such a form it will continue to enjoy relative advantage over other factions. But the process of obtaining the majority by Yelk, Tsarukyan and Dashnaktsktyun factions gets a new perspective," he said.

Alexander Markarov also pointed to the need to address regarding positions of the speaker, vice speakers and chairmen of the committees after the Republicans lose the majority. "Perhaps, there will be question of the redistribution of posts in the National Assembly of Armenia. As for the Parliament's work, first and foremost, it will continue making decisions initiated by the Government, the adoption of which requires votes of Pashinyan and his supporters. Possible changes to the Electoral Code will require additional voices that the RPA has - so there is a certain intrigue," the political scientist concluded.Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued two decrees on raising the salaries of military personnel and the pensions of retired military personnel.

Legislative decree no. 8 for 2018 stipulates for raising the salaries of military personnel by 30% of the total salary after adding compensation to the fixed sum, with the raise becoming part of it.

Legislative decree no. 9 for 2018 stipulates for raising the pensions of retired military personnel by 20% of the total pension, with the raising becoming part of it, and the compensation is added to the pension after calculating the new raise, SANA reported.US President Donald Trumps summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will begin early on June 12 in Singapore, the White House has confirmed.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the two leaders would meet at 9am (4am MSK) local time in the Asian city-state, adding that Trump was receiving daily security briefings on North Korea in anticipation of the meeting.

"We are actively preparing for the 12 June summit between the president and the North Korean leader," Sanders said. "We feel like things are continuing to move forward, and good progress has been made."

Sanders said that the White House "advance team"  which features military, security, technical and medical staff - were already on the ground in Singapore.

The announcement of the timing for the first meeting between the two leaders came just three days after Trump hosted a senior North Korean delegation at the White House bearing a letter from Kim. Trump, who had previously canceled the summit, abruptly announced the meeting was back on, the Guardian reported.US President Donald Trump tore into Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a tweet today, blaming him for the ongoing federal probe into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

"The Russian Witch Hunt Hoax continues, all because Jeff Sessions didnt tell me he was going to recuse himself...I would have quickly picked someone else," Trump wrote on Twitter.

"So much time and money wasted, so many lives ruined...and Sessions knew better than most that there was No Collusion!" he concluded.

Sessions, who was the first sitting U.S. senator to endorse Trump during the campaign, recused himself from the Russia probe last year, citing his contacts with Moscows U.S. envoy during the 2016 campaign, the Hill recalls.There is a common belief in Viet Nam that when a person is met with death, only their physical body dies, and their spirit lives on in another world.

But the family in this story did not expect that the dead man, in the spirit world, would have performed such an awkward action.

Le Van No, the director, owner and legal representative of a company in uc Hoa District in Long An Province, died of lung cancer. His family registered for his death certificate at local peoples committee five days after he passed away.

After the death, the family discovered that Nos company had been sold to another person at the price of VN2 billion (US$87,000).

Much to their surprise, all documents related to the ownership transfer had been sealed and signed by No13 days after his death.

The ownership transfer was certificated by the provincial Department of Planning and Investment.

The hypothesis in which someone stole the seal was impossible because the family said that the companys seal and legal documents are being kept by them.

Where is the second seal from? Who signed the paper? For what purpose did someone do that? All the process had been done 13 days after my husbands death, Nhan Thi Huu, Nos wife said.

The ownership of the companys bank account had been transferred to the new director. All money in Nos account had disappeared.

What did the dead do?  VNSHA NOI  National carrier Vietnam Airlines has signed a co-operation agreement with Sabre Corporation aimed at improving the efficiency of aviation technology.

The agreement, which was signed in the Australian city of Sydney yesterday, expands the operational scale of the SabreSonic passenger service system currently used by Vietnam Airlines. The move is expected to help meet passenger demand and enhance the airlines operations.

Sabre, an American supplier of technological solutions for aviation, hotels, and tourism, has also committed to support Vietnam Airlines in meeting International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards for distribution technology through the use of advanced technology to accelerate the development of mobile applications.

Dave Shirk, President of Sabre Airline Solutions, said Sabres technological solutions would help Vietnam Airlines become more competitive in the Asia-Pacific market.

Vietnam Airlines and Sabre Corporation had a long history of co-operation, which had resulted in impressive results. Sabre would continue to assist Vietnam Airlines in its journey to becoming one of the largest airlines in the region by helping it meet the requirements needed to do so, Shirk said.  VNSHCM CITY  Vietjet will offer up to 400,000 tickets priced zero Vietnamese ong during the golden hours from noon to 2pm between Wednesday and Friday, the airline announced on Monday.

The discount is part of Vietjets largest promotion of the year called Free up your summer with Vietjet. The discount will be applicable to all international flights (except the Ha Noi-Osaka route) for travel between August 1 and December 31, 2018.

The flights offering discounted fares include those from Viet Nam to Seoul, Busan and Daegu (South Korea); Hong Kong; Kaohsiung, Taipei, Taichung and Tainan (Taiwan); Singapore; Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai (Thailand); Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia); Yangon (Myanmar) and Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (Cambodia).

Late last month, Vietjet announced it would launch a direct flight between Ha Noi and Osaka in Japan on November 8 this year.

The move is expected to further boost tourism and trade integration between the two countries and across the region.

Using Vietjets new and modern A320 aircraft, the Ha Noi-Osaka direct flight will operate daily with a flight time of more than four hours one way.

Vietjets new service to Osaka will take the airlines total number of international routes to 45, in addition to the 38 domestic routes, Vietjet said in a statement.  VNSHCM CITY  Viettel Group has announced it will focus on data and new digital services as its new company in Myanmar, Mytel, begins operations on June 9.

Its motto would be DATA, the company said, standing for D-igital & new services, A-dvanced technology, T-rustworthy, A-ffordable & various services.

In its first year of operations, Mytel plans to focus investment in infrastructure, setting up more than 7,000 4G base transceiver stations (BTSs) and laying over 30,000km of fibre-optic cable.

Mytel is Myanmars fourth mobile phone network after State-owned MPT, which has a 42 per cent market share, Telenor (Norway), which has 35 per cent, and Ooredoo (Qatar), which has 23 per cent.

But when it launches operations, Mytel will be the first mobile network in Myanmar to simultaneously provide 4G services nation-wide.

The others first entered big cities before expanding to smaller cities and rural areas.

In the beginning, Mytel will provide calling and texting services at 50 per cent of current market rates and data at 37 per cent below market rates.

Calling, to be offered from June 9, will be billed in 1-second blocks instead of the 15- and 20-second blocks by other operators.

As an inaugural promotion, Mytel will offer the Mite Tal (meaning super cool in Burmese) strategic fee package.

For 4,000 Myanmarese kyats (US$3), subscribers will get 5GB and 250 minutes of calling within the Mytel network for 30 days.

But as an introductory offer, on top of this, the company is providing for free 1.5GB and 150 minutes of calling for three months, 100 per cent bonus on top-up value and call billing in 1-second blocks after the free calls are used up.

Le ang Dung, Viettels deputy general director, said while Myanmar has experienced rapid economic growth, mobile phone penetration remains low, creating opportunities for telecom operators, especially Viettel.

We are targeting two to three million customers in Myanmar in 2018.

Mytel is the brand name of Telecom International Myanmar, a joint venture between Viettel and two local partners, Star High Public Company and Myanmar National Telecom Holding Public.

Mytel has invested $1.5 billion, accounting for 66 per cent of all Vietnamese investment in Myanmar.

With the project, Viet Nam jumps from 10th place to seventh among the 49 countries and territories investing in Myanmar, and is the second largest ASEAN investor.

Myanmar has been Viettels foreign market with the highest economic growth rate, at 7 per cent so far and largest number of population with 53 million.

It also has high growth in the telecommunications and IT sector.

From having with the lowest mobile phone usage rate in the world (higher only North Korea), Myanmar has experienced a stunning mobile phone SIM usage per capita growth from 10 per cent to 90 per cent after only three years of opening its economy.

The total number of subscribers has risen from 600,000 to over 16 million.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Myanmar could increase its economys scale four-fold to $200 billion by 2030.

The IMF also said the finance, banking, energy, telecommunications and IT sectors offer the most opportunities for foreign investors in terms of both market potential and human resources.  VNSWith strong support from authorities, co-operatives in HCM City have developed strongly and are making efforts to expand their trade on agricutral products even into international markets. Photo htxphuocan.tvnn.vn

HCM CITY  With strong support from authorities, co-operatives in HCM City have developed strongly and are making efforts to expand their trade on agricutral products even into international markets.

When it was established in 2011, Phu Loc Agriculture  Trade  Services Co-operative had only 12 members growing vegetables and capital of VN600 million (US$26,300).

By 2016 the capital had increased 10-fold to VN6 billion ($263,000), with the co-operative attributing it to members efforts to save.

To sustain production, the co-operative has developed five farming areas in Cu Chi and Binh Chanh districts of HCM City and in the provinces of Lam ong, Tien Giang and Long An.

It has also invested in two processing plants in the two districts with modern technologies and meeting food hygiene and safety standards.

In the last four years the co-operative has taken part in the citys price-stabilisation programmes for consumer goods, selling 400 tonnes of products a month, rising to 450 tonnes during Lunar New year.

Its products, which meet VietGap quality standards, are sold at many markets in the city like Ben Thanh, Van Thanh and Thi Nghe and supplied to restaurants, kindergartens and canteens.

Now it has 176 producers who grow 68ha of vegetables.

Phuoc An Agriculture, Production and Trade Co-operative is another successful co-operative.

Starting with 15 members and capital of VN70 million ($3,100), it has grown to 62 members who farm 29ha and VN1.8 billion ($79,000).

Every year it sells nearly 1,500 tonnes of vegetables and fruits, and last year earned revenues of VN22.3 billion ($98,000).

The co-operative attributes the growth to close co-operation between members and its support for them.

It sells inputs to members at low prices after buying large quantities, enables them to obtain preferential loans, and helps them adopt advanced technologies.

The members have meanwhile actively looked for buyers and improved their management.

Towards export

With the city planning to develop a new model for the sector in 2018-20, many co-operatives have made all-out efforts to improve the quality of their products.

Along with stamping their products, Phu Loc Co-operative has studied to diversify their products.

Phu Loc Co-operative plans to supply 500kg of vegetable buds to the market. It is growing hydroponic vegetables on an area of 3,500sq.m.

To expand its business, especially abroad, it has set up an online shopping page at www.phulocagain.com.

It has invested in technology to develop new varieties of vegetables, and sent samples to Australia to test the quality, following which it plans to export to that country.

To support co-operatives, the HCM City administration has tasked the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Co-operative Alliance with supplying them inputs like seeds and fetilisers and helping them sell their products.

The co-operatives also get priority in the citys agricultural development programmes.  VNSVo Tri Thanh

Viet Nams Government has demonstrated its willpower to develop special economic zones (SEZs) which it hopes will spearhead the countrys growth. This issue has been high on the agenda in the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), at a time when Viet Nam is at a point where breakthrough institutional reform is necessary.

The three SEZs will be located in the coastal districts of Van on in the northern province of Quang Ninh; Bac Van Phong in the central province of Khanh Hoa, and Phu Quoc Island.

The idea of establishing prominent economic zones is not a new one in Viet Nam. It was first put on the table in the early stages of the countrys economic opening.

The country planned to develop Cai Bau and Con ao islands into special economic zones in early 1990s, Phu Quoc Island in the mid-1990s and the city of Hai Phong in 1997-98, but all of these plans fell through.

In early 2000s, the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone was established in the south of Quang Nam Province, becoming Viet Nams first coastal economic zone with the Governments support and preferential mechanisms.

Though it has somehow proved successful in boosting regional economic development, creating jobs and attracting investors, it has yet to bring about a prominent effect on economic and social mindsets across the country.

The project came about through the application of the most favourable conditions in the framework of existing law, not through an introduction of a breakthrough new development.

Better late than never

Viet Nam has been late in putting the SEZ concept into practice and let slip the chance to do so in the previous two decades. Thousands of SEZs have been established around the world since then, a skyrocketing growth compared with about 400 in late 1980s.

Over time, institutions, management structures, the level of openness and liberalisation, as well as incentives and state support for SEZs have seen substantial changes.

Although being late and facing many challenges, Viet Nam must dare to play and bet on the success of SEZs.

The purpose of developing SEZs is to create a leading edge for the countrys growth in the face of a scarcity of resources, and political and social complexities.

The development strategy should consider SEZs as a framework for testing and catalyzing economic reforms in the economy as a whole, and experiences must be taken from the zones to increase the effectiveness of the countrys institutions.

This project carries certain risks and we cannot ask for perfection right from the start, rather we must gradually move forwards with a pragmatic and experimental approach and reform-oriented mindset.

Even China, one of the most successful countries in terms of leveraging SEZs to achieve far-reaching economic transformations, has not achieved success with all projects.

China started with four zones in the early 1980s, including Shenzen, Zhuhai, Shantou and Xiamen, where experiments with special investment and trade privileges were implemented. They have experienced varying levels of success, of which Shenzen is the most excellent achievement.

Since then, China has established around 500 special economic zones (1,000 if taking account into industrial zones). It has been creating a new-generation of SEZs, focusing on economic and technological development which is highly adaptable to the hottest trends, especially in the face of Industry 4.0 and high levels of global liberalisation.

Challenges

Viet Nams draft law on Special Administrative-Economic Zones is rather scrupulous and comprehensive with reference to other countries experiences.

The objectives are to create a breakthrough development for these regions and the whole country, build outstanding institutions in order to be internationally competitive as well as ensure benefits for people and enterprises.

Amid rapid changes in the global trends of finance, technology, and economic policy, the development of Viet Nams SEZs will face challenges which require the Governments willpower to take bold action to guarantee its success.

Three most important issues which we should consider when developing SEZs include the openness, institutional structure, and the incentives and privileges designed for these special economic units.

The openness and liberalisation measures the level of freedom of movement for not just goods and services, but also labour, capital, technology, information and other resources.

Viet Nam has been involved in a number of FTAs, including high profile ones such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement, but even these accords have not addressed comprehensively the issues related to the movement of skilled labour, data transactions, and financial resources.

Regarding SEZs, Viet Nam needs to think more about its openness in two areas  the movement of skilled labour and capital to be able to attract talented people, as well as drawing in more efficient foreign investors.

Institutional structures must be built to ensure transparency, accountability, determination, and prompt action in handling disputes and problems of people and businesses. This requires high-quality human resources (where the country may consider the employment of foreign specialists), public-private partnership (PPP) schemes in some areas of providing public services, and an effective digital government. As they are basically major dimensions of the whole public administration reform, the experiment of these SEZs can be good examples to learn from.

Concerning incentives, the draft law on Special Administrative-Economic Zones has introduced detailed incentives which seem to be internationally competitive and closely linked with the sectors SEZs hope to boost development in, such as high technology, tourism, and transport, but these may be not enough.

Viet Nams incentives still focuses on traditional issues such as taxation, but investors pay higher attention to non-financial supports, especially in terms of the openness and institutional structure. Even in taxation, we should offer incentives based on performance rather than on profit.

Another important thing is that the incentive procedures should be designed simply to have the most positive result. For example, Viet Nam is offering many incentives for startups, but the current approval process is too complex for many of them to obtain licences.

In the initial process of building SEZs in Viet Nam, the lack of transparency and preventive measures in dealing with troubles prior to the project implementation has caused some social disorder, such as land fever in the areas of special economic zones.

Meanwhile, the handling measures in some cases are quite administrative, and therefore, may not be appropriate; for instance banning land transactions in the involved provinces in an effort to cool down the market.

The establishment and development of SEZs engages many factors, but the most crucial issue is still the human resources which ensure the implementation and success of the project.HA NOI  The US National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has confirmed that foreign shrimp and abalone will be added to the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) beginning on January 1, 2019.

The SIMP requires importers to report traceability information on imported seafood from point of capture to point of first sale in the US in order to thwart illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activity.

Accordingly, American shrimp importers have until December 31, 2018 to comply with the regulations under the SIMP programme.

Specifically, shrimp importers must be US citizens. They are required to obtain an International Fisheries Trade Permit, submit harvest and landing information on those products to the USA Customs and Border Protection International Trade Data System prior to entering the USA and maintain supply chain records from the point of harvest to the point of entry into the USA for a period of two years.

The SIMP also allows NOAA and related agencies to check mandatory supply chain information provided by importers.

This will strengthen US government efforts to combat IUU fishing and a range of fraudulent activities in the shrimp import chain attributed to dishonest importers who violate US consumer safety laws and trade.

Shrimp imports may involve a range of illegal activities, including illegal IUU fishing; use of dangerous and illegal antibiotics in farms abroad; employing slave labor on international fishing vessels, shrimp farms and processing plants; evasion of US anti-dumping duties and noncompliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety laws.

Viet Nams shrimp exports to the US in the coming time are expected to face many challenges.

Last year, the US market dropped to the fourth among the top leading buyers of Vietnamese shrimp, accounting for only 17 per cent of Viet Nams total shrimp exports.

According to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in 2018, Viet Nams shrimp exports to the US are showing more positive signs. In the first two months of 2018, shrimp exports to the US reached US$75 million, up 6.6 per cent over the same period in 2017. The US had risen to the second rank behind the EU among top importers of Vietnamese shrimp.  VNSThe domestic textile and garment industry is expected to sustain growth in exports in the coming months, according to the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS).  Photo baonhandao.vn

HA NOI  The domestic textile and garment industry is expected to sustain growth in exports in the coming months, according to the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS).

Truong Van Cam, VITAS vice chairman and general secretary, said many textile and garment companies had signed contracts to produce export products in the third quarter of this year.

Many Vietnamese garment firms had also sustained high growth this year in traditional markets such as the United States, the Republic of Korea, the European Union, and member-states of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Cam said a series of recently-signed free trade agreements (FTAs) was expected to boost the sector.

Since 2001, Viet Nam had signed bilateral trade agreements with the US, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and India, and joined the World Trade Organisation. However, global demand for textiles and apparel only grew by 1 to 2 per cent each year, resulting in fierce competition, he said.

Most FTAs have product origin rules for fibre and fabrics even as Viet Nam imports up to 80 per cent of materials, according to Cam.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, has cut its corporate tax rate to 20 per cent from 35 per cent, import tax for linen and spandex fiber from 10 per cent to 5 per cent, and chemical products and dye from 25 per cent to 15 per cent.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has waived material, energy, equipment, and machine taxes for the production of export apparel, and India has reduced fibre import tax to 2.5 per cent from 5 per cent.

The EU has offered zero per cent tax to apparel from Cambodia and Myanmar, while the US has waived taxes for several Cambodian goods. However, Vietnamese apparel are still subject to tariff rates of 17.7 per cent and 9.6 per cent when exporting to the US and the EU, respectively.

VITAS has called on the State to devise planning and grant licences to major garment industrial areas to attract investments in weaving and dyeing. It also urged support for waste water treatment in industrial zones and measures to discourage foreign firms from investing in fiber and sewing.  VNSHCM CITY  Argentina is interested in importing more of Viet Nams agricultural, textile and electronic goods, Juan Carlos Valle Raleigh, Argentine Ambassador in Viet Nam, said yesterday (June 4) at a networking event in HCM City.

Organised by Argentinas Federal Investment Council and the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade), the event was attended by Vietnamese and Argentine businesses promoting their products and finding potential partners.

Valle Raleigh said that coffee, pepper, textiles and electronic component imports from Viet Nam were regarded as high quality, reasonably priced and well received in his country. The volume of these imports to Argentina would continue to rise in coming years, he said.

To improve trade between the two countries, there has to be more networking opportunities for businesses from both sides, which has been lacking so far. Both governments have been organising fairs, exhibitions and networking events so businesses can research the markets and find partnerships, Valle Raleigh said.

Adan Humberto Bahl, vice governor of Argentinas Entre Rios Province, said the government and officials would continue to create favourable conditions and opportunities, but trade promotion would rely heavily on the effort of businesses from both sides.

According to Bui Thi Thanh An, deputy director of Vietrade, Argentine businesses export many products that are not available in Viet Nam, and the networking event offered a great opportunity for both sides to strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

In the first four months of 2018, Viet Nam exported around $170 million to Argentina and imported around $950 million. Both figures are around 25 per cent higher than the same period last year, according to Valle Raleigh.

On June 1, the Argentine business delegation visited Ha Noi to work with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and other Vietnamese officials.

The PM encouraged Argentina to import more Vietnamese goods such as coffee, rice and textiles to achieve a more balanced trade between the two nations. He also encouraged technology firms in Argentina to invest in Viet Nam.

In 2017, trade between Argentina and Viet Nam was at US$3 billion. Viet Nam exported $500 million worth of goods to Argentina.

Both countries aim for a bilateral trade turnover of around $5 billion within the next five years.  VNSHA NOI  Vietcombank has received SWIFTs Global Payments Innovation Initiative (GPI) certificate, becoming the first bank in Viet Nam to gain the accolade.

Speaking at the SWIFT go-live announcement ceremony in Ha Noi on Monday, Le Hong, SWIFTs representative in Viet Nam, said Vietcombank is the 60th bank worldwide to receive the certificate.

SWIFT highly values Vietcombanks efforts to successfully implement GPI within only six months even with the banks large number of transactions and numerous payment systems, Hong said. The bank is also a pioneer in bringing the best services to customers.

ao Minh Tuan, Vietcombanks deputy general director, said becoming a GPI bank will boost Vietcombanks efforts to provide comprehensive money transfer solutions to customers. He also said Vietcombank plans to launch new functions to increase transaction speeds in the coming phases of its GPI project.

SWIFT GPI has links with 165 banks around the world, of which more than 50 are officially GPI banks. These include some of the worlds leading banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Deutsche Bank, and HSBC, as well as Citibank. Banks belonging to the SWIFT community account for over 25 per cent of total commercial payment transactions in the world.

SWIFT aims to have all cross-border payment transactions implemented by GPI banks by 2020.  VNSHA NOI  Food and beverage company Masan Consumer will pay a high cash dividend rate in June despite a steep decline in business in 2017.

The consumer goods arm of Masan Group decided to pay shareholders cash dividends at 45 per cent, which means each share is worth VN4,500 (20 US cents).

The payment will be made on June 28 and the company will finalise the list of shareholders for the payout on June 18.

In addition, it plans to pay bonus shares to existing shareholders this year at the rate of 15 per cent.

The net revenues of Masan Consumer dropped 11 per cent in 2017, totaling VN13.2 trillion (US$579 million). Its net profit hit a six-year low at nearly VN2.13 trillion, down 20 per cent year-on-year.

Masan Consumer has set a target for net revenues of VN17 trillion to VN18.5 trillion in 2018, a growth of 29 per cent to 40 per cent against last year. Its after-tax profit is also projected to increase between 45 per cent and 59 per cent to VN3.1 trillion to VN3.4 trillion.

The company reported net revenues of VN3.53 trillion and net profits of nearly VN780 billion in the first quarter.

Masan Consumer is trading on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM) at around VN100,000 ($4.39) per share.  VNSNHA TRANG  Central Nha Trang City Peoples Court on Monday sentenced a wildlife trafficker to four-and-a-half years in prison for smuggling and processing more than 10 tonnes of sea turtle.

In 2014, Education for Nature Viet Nam (ENV), a non-governmental organisation focused on the conservation of nature and protecting the environment, detected a sea turtle trafficking ring led by two brothers - Hoang Tuan Hai and Hoang Minh Cuong - in the central city of Nha Trang.

The organisation cooperated with relevant authorised agencies and found nearly 7,000 dead sea turtles at six warehouses, where Hai and Cuong used to store, process and sell the turtles, most of which were oi moi (Eretmochlys imbricate), an endangered species.

Hai and Cuong allegedly led the trafficking ring that bought dead sea turtles from fishermen and then processed and exported the finished products to China. However, investigation police failed to collect enough evidence to prosecute Cuong. So, only Hai has been charged.

ENV vice director Bui Thi Ha said the trial against Hai would restore public trust in the judiciary.

She also called upon the agencies responsible for the legal procedure to come up with more effective ways to address wildlife-related crimes.

Seizing exhibits is not enough. Our final goal is to crack down and freeze all wildlife trafficking networks, she said.  VNSAs a tropical low-pressure system is continuing to develop, agencies must closely monitor the situation so that captains and owners of vessels receive timely notification of its progress in order to avoid dangerous areas. Photo nchmfnews.com

HA NOI  As a tropical low-pressure system is continuing to develop, agencies must closely monitor the situation so that captains and owners of vessels receive timely notification of its progress in order to avoid dangerous areas.

Tran Quang Hoai, head of the committees Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, directed relevant agencies and localities to prepare for the possibility that low-pressure system may become a storm at an urgent meeting yesterday morning.

Hoai asked the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting to provide timely forecasts and warnings on the tropical low-pressure system for the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control as well as news agencies and the press.

Vietnam Television, Radio Voice of Vietnam, news agencies and local newspapers were requested to increase reports on the tropical low-pressures progress, he said.

At the same time, he ordered the concerned agencies to continue monitoring vessels still operating in the sea and maintain regular communications with their owners to deal with any possible situations.

Local authorities should take the initiative to safeguard tourists on the islands, he said.

Tran Duong Kien from the High Command of the Border Guard said that as of 6am yesterday the border guard at coastal provinces and cities had coordinated with local authorities to advise 51,566 ships with more than 248,000 labourers to move out of dangerous zones.

Earlier on Sunday, central provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, a Nang and Quang Ngai banned fishing boats from going offshore.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the tropical low-pressure system is forecast to move north at speed of between 5-10km per hour and is likely to become a storm. Strongest winds near its centre are estimated to reach 60-75km per hour.

Heavy rains and cyclones might occur on the waters off the coast of central and southern regions from the provinces of Ca Mau to Kien Giang and the Gulf of Thailand.

According to An Giang Provinces Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, a landslide occurred at a bank of Ong Chuong River, affecting an area 50m in length and 4m in width. Local government has called on residents to evacuate their property to safe areas and erect signals to prevent vehicles from entering the dangerous zones.

Regarding the 2,000 tourists stranded on Ly Son Island, Quang Ngai Province, as passenger boat services have been suspended due to rough seas, Ly Son Districts authorities said they would mobilise seven high-speed ships to take the tourists back to the mainland if the weather was favourable.

Local authorities also asked restaurants and hotels on the island to support passengers during their stay.

Thousands of hectares of paddy rice in the 2018 summer-autumn crop in the central province of Quang Ngai were severely damaged.

ang Ngoc Thang, deputy head of Mo uc Districts Agricultural and Rural Development sub-department, said heavy rains over the past few days have inundated 1,700 hectares of rice fields. Many areas are covered in water up to 1m deep.

The department has instructed cooperatives to mobilise forces and machines to speed up drainage, limiting the affected area.  VNSNINH BINH  Authorities in Ninh Binh Province have agreed to extend the deadline for dismantling the construction of an illegal walkway on Cai Ha Mountain, inside the UNESCO heritage site of Trang An, until June 15.

Trang An Tourism Company, which initiated the construction, twice promised to completely remove the walkway in May but only 50 per cent of the construction had been removed as of May 31. The company asked for an extension of the deadline until June 15.

The handrail, the bridge between two mountains and many steps have been removed at a slow pace. However, the construction built inside the banned area of Cai Ha Mountain hasnt been touched.

The company explained the slow pace had resulted from hot weather and the dangerous locations of the work on the mountain.

If Trang An Tourism Company hasnt removed the walkway by the new deadline, we will direct our forces to remove it according to the law, said inh Chung Phung, vice chairman of the provinces Peoples Committee.



Trang An Tourism Company last August cut into Cai Ha Mountain and constructed a staircase leading up to Huyen Vu Peak. The staircase runs a length of over 1km with 2,000 steps and handrails on both sides to serve tourists.

The company has also constructed supporting facilities like public toilets.

The construction was almost completed after six months and has been open to visitors since this years Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.



Ninh Binh Provinces Tourism Department reported and asked the provincial Peoples Committee and Hoa Lu Districts Peoples Committee to deal with the violation and remove the walkway. However, the local authorities had been reluctant to deal with the case.



Nguyen Van Son, director of Trang An Tourism Company, promised to remove the walkway by April 30 and then asked for the deadline to be extended to May.

The Trang An Landscape Complex was listed among World Heritage sites by UNESCO on June 23, 2014.

The complex, a mixed cultural and natural property, covers more than 6,000ha with three areas including the Hoa Lu Ancient Imperial Capital, which was chosen by various kings of the inh, early Le and the beginning of Ly reigns between 968-1009; the Trang An  Tam Coc  Bich ong rivers and karst mountains site and Hoa Lu Primitive Forest stretching over the districts of Hoa Lu, Gia Vien, Nho Quan, Tam Hiep Town and Ninh Binh City in Ninh Binh Province.  VNSThe first modern constitution of Denmark was signed by King Frederik VII on June 5, 1849. Its adoption ended the absolute monarchy and introduced democracy and the constitutional monarchy, as well as fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Fast-forward to 2018, our constitution remains a pillar of our vibrant society and innovative economy. It is the foundation for our position in a globalised world. That is why today we celebrate the Danish Constitution Day.

Allow me to take a step back to 1993. Imagine a little girl born in the countryside of Viet Nam , destined to become a strong Vietnamese woman. Probably her parents are working the land, like so many other parents around the country. At the time of her birth, Viet Nam and Denmark embark on a new adventure with the governments of our two countries agreeing on an ambitious development aid programme - a programme that sets the stage for our relationship in the following quarter of a century. Focusing on important sectors such as the environment, water, sanitation, fisheries and agriculture, Danish ODA has assisted Viet Nam in its important strides towards poverty alleviation, and has brought the best of Danish knowledge and technologies to Viet Nam . Over this quarter of a century, Denmark has provided more than US$1.3 billion in grant assistance, making Denmark one of the largest bilateral providers of ODA to Viet Nam .

As our infant girl grows into a happy young schoolchild, perhaps her parents are employed at a newly established Vietnamese-Danish joint venture company in the seafood-processing sector. In 1997, DANIDA introduced its private sector development programme in Viet Nam . A programme aimed at bringing Vietnamese and Danish companies together in a joint effort to transfer knowledge and technology to Viet Nam and to support sustainable development. Denmark also becomes the primary donor to the fisheries sector, supporting it to become a major national export driver and positioning Viet Nam as the sixth-largest seafood exporter in the world.

For the little girl, her parents new jobs mean a steady improvement in her livelihood. She leads an overall happy and healthy childhood. Her parents build a new house. Running water becomes available and water-borne diseases are reduced significantly. Since the 1990s, Denmark has supported the water sector. In 2006, it joined with other donors the successful National Target Programme for Rural Water and Sanitation to provide clean water and sanitation to millions of rural households.

As the years pass, she grows into a teenage girl. For better or worse, teenagers around the world are probably much the same, so she happily develops a taste for TV series, cinemas, mobile phones, laptops and much-too-loud music. Things that require energy - lots of it! Since 2009, Denmark has supported Viet Nam s endeavours to improve energy efficiency as the country faces serious future challenges in meeting the demand for energy from households and industrial production.

Our co-operation in the energy sector has evolved into a long-term partnership with the aim to further support Viet Nam to attain a green and sustainable energy production. Denmark and Danish companies excel in this sector, including in energy efficient pumping of water, design of low-energy buildings and renewable energy production. Knowledge and technology we are interested in sharing with Viet Nam .

Now mature, the young Vietnamese girl is looking for education and a career path - an important decision in every persons life and a choice which usually defines ones future. It is important to choose an education that truly prepares her for the labour market. Recently Viet Nam and Denmark have entered into a strategic sector cooperation focusing on education, trying to shape vocational education to better match the future demands of companies. This will benefit not only the individual graduates, but also the ability of Viet Nam to continue to attract quality foreign investments in the future.

Having finished her chosen education, our imaginary young Vietnamese woman has found a relevant job and starts looking to the future, including children, which brings a completely new set of concerns. Is the childrens food safe? Is the environment detrimental to their health? To address these important issues, our two countries have entered into strategic sector co-operation on food safety with a particular focus on the pork value chain, and we have been exploring options for similar co-operation on environmental protection. Hopefully, this contribution along with the Governments stronger focus on sustainable growth will help ease her mind when she thinks of the future of her children.

This could be the end of our story about the little Vietnamese girl, growing up and starting a family of her own. Her life has changed drastically, reflecting the dramatic and impressive development of Viet Nam over the past quarter of a century. But her maturing into a young woman also reflects the maturing of the Vietnamese-Danish relationship, and especially the strength of the Vietnamese people and nation.

Our donor-based relationship has turned into a full-fledged partnership with a strong focus on trade and investment, supported by a stronger political dialogue and constructive cooperation in fields such as green growth, maritime domain, civil society, anti-corruption and human rights, and hopefully soon the ambitious and important free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the EU.HA NOI  The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) is keeping close watch on the development of Chinas three nuclear power plants in Guangxi, Guangzhou and Hainan, all of which are provinces that border Viet Nam, said minister Tran Hong Ha during the NAs Q&A session yesterday.

We are watching them very closely. The Government has entrusted the Ministry of Science and Technology to set up observer posts and to work with international nuclear agencies to inspect the borderland areas, Ha said.

The ministry and its offices are also working on contingency plans for scenarios in which radioactive contamination may pose a threat to Viet Nam.

In light of the recent real estate rush in Van on, Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc, the three localities selected to potentially become the first of Viet Nams special economic zones, the minister said the rush was a result of the markets expectations.

We all knew it would happen but as of now there isnt an effective way to stop the rush, he said.

Ha cited the real estate rush around Long Thanh, a southern district chosen to be the location for a major international airport where underground property transactions were rampant despite local authorities efforts.

The minister said he was aware that real estate prices in the three localities had tripled in recent months. To counter the rush, local authorities had stopped all processes to change land purposes. Ha said while it was an effective measure in the short run, ultimately the NA must pass regulations to address this issue.

Deputies Nguyen Anh Tri and Trinh Ngoc Phuong asked what the minister had to say about the poor air quality index in Ha Noi, which they claimed to be unhealthy nine out of 10 days.

Ha said the ministrys own air monitoring system did not register such findings. He admitted that while the air quality index could be poor it had not been as serious as some might claim.

This is the second time Ha was grilled by NA deputies. The first time he took questions was in November 2016 shortly after the Formosas crisis, one of the countrys worst environmental disasters to date. Ha will continue taking questions from lawmakers in todays Q&A session.

BOT projects

Earlier in the National Assemblys afternoon Q&A session deputies threw more questions at the transport minister.

Continued with issues with Built Operate Transport (BOT) projects, deputies raised questions over the numerous fees and tolls imposed on road users.

The claimed the States limited budget would not be able to cover the need to expand and upgrade the countrys infrastructure system and BOT remained a viable option in attracting investment.

When the State asks businesses to help provide a public service it is only right they may enjoy some preferential policies, said the minister.

He said the current mandatory fees on road users go toward the nations road maintenance fund, which is used to repair and upgrade the nations roads. In addition, BOT investors have to comply with quality standards set by the ministry. In the event that they failed to do so, the ministry will suspend their right to collect tolls.

The Q&A session got heated when deputy Nguyen Phuoc Loc demanded the countrys transport authority to come up with measures to ensure total transparency in BOT tolls collection.

The said his ministry is working around the clock to finish the inspections of BOT projects. He said the automatic tolls collecting system will play a vital role in improving transparency.

When asked what basis was used to calculate BOT fees if the ministrys inspection remained unfinished, The said while BOT investors proposed rate might not be entirely accurate, their investment had already been spent. The ministry must allow them to start collecting tolls or otherwise pay for the interest on investments.

Contracts were signed and must be honoured. We (the transport ministry) are working hard to finish inspections of BOT projects. Once they are done we can make adjustments to the contracts, said The.

He promised that by the end of the year the amount collected by BOT tolls booths would be publicly available.

 VNS

Once the automatic system is in place, nobody can manipulate the numbers, he said.HA NOI  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Greek Ambassador to Viet Nam Ioannis Raptakis agreed that Viet Nam and Greece should strengthen ties to increase their two-way trade.

At a reception for Raptakis in Ha Noi on Monday, PM Phuc expressed his hope that Greece will support Viet Nams efforts to boost its ties with the EU and soon officially reach the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement.

Viet Nam wants to work with Greece in the areas of the countrys strength including shipbuilding, vessel maintenance and management, maritime transportation services and seaport exploitation, the leader said.

Pledging optimal conditions for Greek businesses and investors in Viet Nam, PM Phuc noted his hope that the ambassador would organise visits of Greek firms to Viet Nam to seek opportunities in the country.

He called on the two sides to speed up the implementation of agreements on co-operation in culture and tourism, and exchange experience in archaeology as well as the preservation and restoration of historical relic sites.

For his part, Raptakis affirmed that Greece attached importance to enhancing relations with Viet Nam.

The diplomat said he hoped Viet Nam and Greece would sign an agreement on double taxation avoidance and another on maritime transportation at an early date to facilitate bilateral collaboration.

Raptakis promised to do his best to complete his tasks, contributing to advancing relations between the two countries in an effective fashion.  VNSHA NOI  The Government of Viet Nam always supports the defence ministries of Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) to foster their cooperation, contributing to deepening partnership between the two countries, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

During his reception for RoK Defence Minister Song Young-moo in Ha Noi on Monday, the PM hailed co-operation between the two Defence Ministries over the years.

For his part, Song said the RoK considers Viet Nam a leading partner in its New Southern Policy, holding that defence co-operation will help boost economic relations, fulfilling the target of US$100 billion in two-way trade by 2020.

The guest lauded Viet Nams stance on peace on the Korean Peninsula, clarifying that the RoK also pays great attention to aviation and maritime freedom in the East Sea, as the majority of RoK exports are transported through the marine route.

PM Phuc welcomed efforts of the RoK in promoting dialogue and peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

Viet Nam also highly values the New Southern Policy, which places Viet Nam as a key partner, he stated, pledging that the country is ready to help foster ASEAN-RoK relations.

The Vietnamese PM also expressed his hope that the RoK will continue supporting Viet Nams viewpoint of building the East Sea into an area of peace, co-operation and friendship. - VNSQUANG NAM  The Central Power Corporation, under Viet Nam Electricity (EVN), has debuted a solar power system for three junior secondary schools in Quang Nam Provinces districts of Duy Xuyen, ai Loc and Que Son.

The corporation said the solar power system, which was built at a total cost of VN1 billion (US$44,000), will supply 46 kilowatt per hour each day for schools daily power use.

It said the green energy was developed from the Initiative for Community Programme of the Ministry of Industry and Trade to aid needy communities.

The high-tech renewable energy, which connects with the national power grid, will help reduce power consumption from daily electricity at these schools.

Its also the second clean energy system that has been developed at schools for students in central Viet Nam, after the first solar power was built for a centre for children with disabilities in Quang Ngai Province last year.

The solar power system will also allow students to better understand clean and green energy and environmental protection.

The corporation also donated bicycles and scholarships to underprivileged students in the districts. VNSThe Peoples High Court in HCM City yesterday opened a new trial in the case of 16 people who allegedly plotted to use petrol bombs to blow up Tan Son Nhat International Airport as the country was preparing to celebrate National Liberation Day. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Chung

HCM City  The Peoples High Court in HCM City yesterday opened a new trial in the case of 16 people who allegedly plotted to use petrol bombs to blow up Tan Son Nhat International Airport as the country was preparing to celebrate National Liberation Day.

The defendants were charged with terrorism to oppose the peoples administration, a crime punishable by death in Viet Nam. Another defendant was charged with "failing to denounce criminals".

The court reopened the case after receiving letters of appeal from 14 of the 16 defendants.

In late December last year, the Peoples Court of HCM City sentenced 16 defendants to between five and 16 years in prison on the charge of terrorism.

The court concluded that the defendants were enticed by subversive forces abroad to engage in activities against the administration and the people, such as spreading false and distorted information on social networks, participating in demonstrations, recruiting members for reactionary organisations, and making weapons.

Their acts posed serious danger to society, threatening national security and violating the peoples assets and health, the court declared.

According to the indictment, ao Minh Quan and Pham Lisa are the leaders of an overseas "subversive" group. The two were responsible for hatching the terrorist plot, but they have not been arrested as they live outside the country.

Since 2016, Quan and Lisa have used social media to find Vietnamese residents in Viet Nam to set up terrorist groups with the slogan Kill all, burn all, and destroy all, according to Vietnamese prosecutors.

In April, 2017 Pham Lisa told ang Hoang Thien and several others to use petrol bombs at Tan Son Nhat International Airport to sabotage the citys celebrations of the end of the American War on April 30, 1975.

Lisa provided Thien with VN12 million ($530) to make the bombs, prosecutors said.

On April 22, Ngo Thuy Tuong Vy and Truong Tan Phat brought two petrol bombs placed in paper boxes to the airport, leaving one at the parking lot and the other at the international terminal.

Passengers at the terminal who thought the box looked suspicious notified airport security.

Thien failed to detonate the bomb at the parking lot as he was too far away, so he moved the bomb to the international terminal where he successfully ignited it, sending passengers fleeing in panic.

Investigators discovered that Thien, Nguyen uc Sinh and their accomplices in early April burned down a police warehouse containing 320 motorbikes that had been impounded for traffic violations in ong Nai Provinces Bien Hoa City, causing nearly VN1.3 billion ($57,300) in damage.

The other members of the group were allegedly plotting other terrorist attacks across Viet Nam, according to the indictment.

They had bought guns in Cambodia and made petrol bombs in an attempt to attack supermarkets in HCM City and residences of Government leaders, the indictment said.

They were also charged with staging protests outside HCM Citys Notre Dame Cathedral, according to investigators.

Vietnamese security forces were able to foil all the plots.  VNSHCM CITY  Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong has ordered provinces and cities to focus on ensuring farmers raise shrimp using proper breeding processes and advanced techniques.

Speaking at a seminar held in Bac Lieu Province on Sunday on measures to develop the shrimp sector sustainably, he urged provinces and cities to set up sustainable shrimp farming areas and ensure co-operation between farmers and processors and others in the production chain.

Farmers raise brackish shrimp on 637,000ha, slightly up from last year, including 582,000ha of black tiger shrimp and 54,500ha of white-legged shrimp, according to the Directorate of Fisheries.

In the first five months of this year a total of 200,000 tonnes of shrimp were harvested, an increase of 11.1 per cent year-on-year.

White-legged shrimp accounted for the increase in both area and output, the directorate said.

Nhu Van Can, head of the directorates department of aquaculture, said the shrimp sector faced several difficulties.

Their exports came up against technical barriers put up by importing countries and there were not enough market forecasts, he said.

The price of white-legged shrimp has fallen by VN10,000  30,000 a kilogramme since April, according to the directorate.

Higher output in major shrimp producing countries and lower imports by major importers have been a double whammy, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Truong inh Hoe, VASEP general secretary, said the price of raw shrimp, especially the white-legged variety, was not likely to increase by much this year.

Le Van Su, deputy chairman of the Ca Mau Province Peoples Committee, said the price of black tiger shrimp was steady and 40 per cent higher than that of white-legged shrimp.

The price of black tiger shrimp remains high since 2011.

The crustacean fetches VN225,000  250,000 a kilogramme if it is of a size that makes 30 to a kilogramme.

Participants at the seminar agreed that farming of white-legged shrimp should be reduced in terms of both area and output this year, and that farmers needed to adopt techniques that helped reduce costs.

They should focus on black tiger shrimp and control shrimp diseases, they said.

Cuong called on the directorate and other relevance agencies to efficiently forecast market conditions and warn farmers if their output seems likely to exceed demand.

The market would revive and so farmers should not panic and sell immature shrimp, he said.

Shrimp processors should share in farmers difficulties and consider them long-term partners.

He instructed agencies under his ministry to work with provinces and cities to help farmers adopt advanced techniques.

The ministry would work with other relevant ministries and sectors to resolve problems related to processing, infrastructure and prices to ensure the sustainable development of the shrimp sector, he promised.

Dead in the water

Meanwhile, in Long An Province, farmers are suffering huge losses.

Losing millions of ong, shrimp farmers in Long An like Truong Thanh Nhan suspended their farming to avoid debt, according to Nong Thon Ngay Nay (Countryside Today) newspaper.

In Nhans farm, ponds once filled with shrimps and aeration propellers are now deserted.

Diseases wiped out most of my shrimp after solely a month farming. When I collected the leftovers, the prices were too low to make my investment back, let alone profit, Nhan said.

He lost VN200 million (US$8,800) after two crop failures.

Le Van Hiep, a trader in Long An, said prices ranged from VN70,000 ($3.07) to VN105,000 ($4.6). Nhan claimed if the financial values of shrimps stayed anchored at this rate  the lowest in three years time, I will cease cultivating shrimps.

Shrimp farmers in Phuoc Lai Commune had suspended operation, Nguyen Cong Danh, vice chairman of the communes Peoples Committee, reported.

Their counterparts in Tan Chanh Hamlet, the biggest feeding resource area for shrimps, were also said to be mulling suspending the farming of more than 100ha out of 850ha of shrimp ponds, according to Nguyen Trong Tuyen, Vice President of Tan Chanh Hamlet.

Pham Phu Hung, Deputy Executive of Agriculture Extension Centre in Long An, attributed the cause to the low financial value of crops compared with high-priced inputs, which resulted in massive losses for farmers.

If the prices for crops went up, farmers would continue growing shrimps at the drop of a hat, he noted.

ong Quang on, Manager of Agriculture and Rural Development in Can Giuoc District agreed, suggesting farmers continue their work at a steadily low pace to sustain the ponds and minimise market price risks. In the long-term, on said cutting edge technology should be applied in shrimp farms.

A spread of infections for shrimps was another reason for crop failure, Pham Phu Hung added, so farmers should only count on credited shrimp breed sellers for input and renovate their ponds carefully.

Viet Nams shrimp exports to the US are in intense competition with India, according to cafef.vn, while traders were reported to only buy small prawns while refusing to take large shrimps.

Farmers all over Mekong Delta are facing the same issue, suspending their operation after their investment turned no profit, hoping for a rise in prices. VNSLe Anh Hao, Linhs father and his lawyer at the trial of Yasumasa Shibuya yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Tuyen

TOKYO  The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan announced its hope that the murder of a 9-year-old Vietnamese girl last year will be handled strictly and a proper sentence will be given to the murderer.

Nguyen An Tien, first secretary in charge of community issues at the embassy, made the statement on Monday. Tien was also present at the trial of Yasumasa Shibuya, a 46-year-old Japanese national, which began on the same day.

Shibuya is accused of murdering Le Thi Nhat Linh, a third grader living in Matsudo town.

During the trial, he continued to deny the accusation, saying that evidence provided by the procuracy office is counterfeit.

The trial is forecast to be prolonged with heated debate over whether the evidence is persuasive enough to convict him for the murder.

Le Anh Hao, Linhs father, said that the familys greatest hope is to find out the truth. If found guilty, the perpetrator must receive the highest penalty.

Linh disappeared shortly after leaving her home on foot for her school on March 24, 2017. Her body was found two days later in Abiko, Chiba.

She is thought to have been choked to death, based on marks found on her neck. Shibuya was arrested on April 14, 2017 on suspicion of dumping Linhs body.

The same day, Japanese police served a new arrest warrant, charging him with murder and abandonment of the victims body, after tests results showed that DNA taken from Shibuya matched samples found on the victims body.

Shibuya was head of the parents association at the elementary school in Matsudo the victim attended. He lives about 300 metres from the victims home.  VNSHAI PHONG  The northern city of Hai Phongs Peoples Committee has established an inter-sectoral inspection group to examine inland waterway vehicles, including tourist boats, operating in the city.

The move comes after a scandal reported by an Australian tourist in the middle of last month.

Nguyen Van Luyen, chief secretary of the office of the citys Road Safety Committee, said inter-sectoral inspectors were expected to examine all inland waterway vessels and passenger boats in the city from May 29 to June 9.

Vehicles that fail to meet operational requirements will be suspended, he said.

According to the citys Transport Department, there are 322 steel boats, 171 wooden boats, 55 aluminium boats and 19 fibre-reinforced plastic ships and boats operating in the citys waters.

Of these, 15 are registered to operate on four fixed routes: Ben Binh-Cat Ba downtown station, Ben Got-Cai Vieng, inh Vu-Cai Vieng and inh Vu-Ben Got-Cai Vieng. Another 117 passenger boats are registered to offer contract-based services.

The Transport Department has asked the municipal Peoples Committee to soon issue regulations to better manage tourist boats on bays of the Cat Ba Archipelago. The department has also asked for a plan on managing cruises with overnight stay at bays. The plan should clearly explain the administrative limitations and management responsibilities of tourist boats operating in the border area between Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh Province.

Vice chairman of Hai Phong Citys Peoples Committee Le Khac Nam said if unqualified vessels were given a licence to operate, the relevant authorised agencies would be punished.

He also asked the provinces Tourism Department to strengthen inspection activities in o Son and Cat Ba, two popular tourist attractions in the city.

Violators will be strictly punished to avoid tarnishing the image of Hai Phong tourism, he said.

Vu Thi Thom, head of the Cat Ba Tourism Ships Association, said local tourism ship operators were making efforts to improve their service quality and ensure traffic safety to attract tourists.

Last month, an Australian tourist reported about her horrific experience during a tour on Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province. She did not receive the services advertised for the tour, which turned out to be unlicensed. She and her friends were taken to Hai Phong to visit Cat Ba Island instead of Ha Long Bay. Also, contrary to the ads, the group was escorted on a junk boat named Hoang Phuong 16 with a dilapidated interior and received poor service.

After the report, the owner of the cruise ship was fined VN15 million (US$660).  VNSIn an interesting virtual re-enactment of the D-Day airborne operations over the night of June 5th/6th, 1944, Joint Base Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina will be conducting a real-time historical reenactment of the D-Day invasion, solely on social media. Starting at 7 pm EST (or midnight in England), both the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings will start Facebook and Twitter posts as if the D-Day invasion were happening in real-time, noting precisely the actions of their brethren from 1944, when they were known as the 437th and 315th Troop Carrier Groups. This is a great way for us to celebrate our heritage, said Col. Jimmy Canlas, commander of the 437th Airlift Wing. This project will give the public a glimpse of a day in the life of some real heroes that did what our nation needed them to do 74 years ago.

During the D-Day invasion of June 5th/6th, the predecessors of todays active duty 437th Airlift Wing flew from RAF Aldermaston in England. Their C-47 Skytrains towed troop-laden gliders over Normandy, France. Meanwhile, antecedents of the current Air Force Reserves 315th Airlift Wing flew C-47s from RAF Spanhoe, also in England, dropping paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division near St. Mere Eglise, France.

Both wings will use their official social media to post real-time accounts and photos of events that unfolded for their respective units on D-Day. These perspectives will be drawn from historical and personal observations as well as the official histories of both wing. The social media re-enactment will start at 7 pm EST and run until 6:30 am the following morning. All historical posts will use the hashtag #DDayRemembered.

The 437th Airlift Wing can be found on Facebook and Twitter at 437AW and the 315th Airlift Wing can be found on Facebook and Twitter at 315AW.

Edited from Joint Base Charleston press release.Around Midland and around the world, loving and leading all people to deeper life in Jesus Christ.Georgia new No. 1 in AP football poll; Kentucky vaults to 11China Warns US No Deal if Tariffs Go Ahead

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By The Associated Press

Jun. 03, 2018 | BEIJING, CHINA

By The Associated Press Jun. 03, 2018 | 08:28 AM | BEIJING, CHINA

China warned Sunday after another round of talks on a sprawling trade dispute with Washington that any deals they produce "will not take effect" if President Donald Trump's threatened tariff hike on Chinese goods goes ahead.



The warning came after delegations led by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and China's top economic official, Vice Premier Liu He, wrapped up a meeting on Beijing's pledge to narrow its trade surplus. Ross said at the start of the event they had discussed specific American exports China might purchase, but the talks ended with no joint statement and neither side released details.



The White House threw the meeting's status into doubt Tuesday by renewing a threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese high-tech goods in response to complaints Beijing steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology. The event went ahead despite that but Beijing said it reserved the right to retaliate.



Tuesday's announcement revived fears the conflict between the two biggest economies might dampen global growth or encourage other governments to raise their own barriers to imports.



"If the United States introduces trade sanctions including a tariff increase, all the economic and trade achievements negotiated by the two parties will not take effect," said the Chinese statement, carried by the official Xinhua News Agency.



The negotiating process should be "based on the premise" of not fighting a "trade war," the statement said.



The American Embassy in Beijing didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.



Trump is pressing Beijing to narrow its politically volatile trade surplus with the United States, which reached a record $375.2 billion last year. That comes at the same time Trump has riled some of America's closest allies with the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.



After a three-day meeting of finance ministers from the G7 industrial nations that ended Saturday in Canada, Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau issued a summary saying the other six members want Trump to hear their message of "concern and disappointment" over the U.S. trade actions.



Allies including Canada and the European Union are threatening retaliatory tariffs.



Bruno Le Maire, France's finance and economy minister, was blunt in his assessment of the meeting.



"It has been a tense and tough G7  I would say it's been far more a G6 plus one than a G7," said Le Maire, who called the tariffs unjustified.



"We regret that our common work together at the level of the G7 has been put at risk by the decisions taken by the American administration on trade and on tariffs," he said



U.S. tensions with China had eased after Beijing promised on May 19 to "significantly increase" purchases of farm goods, energy and other products and services following the last round of talks in Washington. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the dispute was "on hold" and the tariff hike would be postponed.



That truce appeared to end with Tuesday's surprise announcement. It said the White House also will impose curbs on Chinese investment and purchases of U.S. high-tech goods and on visas for Chinese students.



Analysts suggested Trump might be trying to appease critics of his administration's deal to allow Chinese telecom equipment giant ZTE Corp. to stay in business. They said those political pressures mean the technology-related tariff hikes are likely to go ahead.



Members of Congress criticized the agreement to lift a ban on sales of U.S. components to ZTE, which admitted violating rules on exports to Iran and North Korea. In exchange, the company is to remove its management team, hire American compliance officers and pay a fine.



Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on a total of up to $150 billion of Chinese goods. Tuesday's announcement gave no indication whether the other increases might also go ahead.



China has threatened to retaliate by raising import duties on a $50 billion list of American goods including soybeans, small aircraft, whiskey, electric vehicles and orange juice. It criticized Tuesday's announcement but refrained from repeating its earlier threat.



Beijing has resisted U.S. pressure to commit to a firm target of narrowing its annual surplus with the United States by $200 billion.



Private sector analysts say while Beijing is willing to compromise on its trade surplus, it will resist changes that might threaten plans to transform China into a global technology competitor.



Ross was accompanied by agriculture, treasury and trade officials for the meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a leafy compound on Beijing's west side. Liu's delegation included China's central bank governor and commerce minister.



Ross and Liu held a working dinner Saturday ahead of their talks.



"Our meetings so far have been friendly and frank, and covered some useful topics about specific export items," said Ross at the opening of Sunday's meeting.



The U.S. pressure over technology policy reflects growing American concern about China's status as a potential competitor and complaints Beijing improperly subsidizes its fledgling industries and shields them from competition.



Foreign governments and businesses cite strategic plans such as "Made in China 2025," which calls for state-led efforts to create Chinese industry leaders in areas from robots to electric cars to computer chips.



Trade analysts had warned Ross's hand might be weakened by the Trump administration's decision Thursday to go ahead with tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Europe and Mexico.



That might alienate allies who share complaints about Chinese technology policy and a flood of low-priced steel, aluminum and other exports they say are the result of improper subsidies and hurt foreign competitors.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 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Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1)Oh man, that is so wrong on so many ways. Once again the State Department of many countries is caught lying. Again. And again, andit always comes out in the endSo many lies and so little time

In 2016 we splashed the headlines with: THE NORTH KOREAN armys chief of staff has been executed, South Korean media has reported , in what would amount to the latest in a series of purges and executions of top officials by leader Kim Jong-Un. Ri Yong-Gil, Chief of the Korean Peoples Army (KPA)

Then we kinda said it might not be true, but probably is trueand then dropped it like a hot potatoes and did not follow through much after that

Then in May of 2016: Ri Yong Gils was reported to have been executed for factionalism, misuse of authority and corruption, based on the testimony of a North Korean defector, in February 2016. Then a report on May 10, 2016, by North Korean state media included a photograph of him very much alive and listed him as a member of the Workers Party central military commission. Government and military officials in Seoul had previously said Ri was killed but shortly updated the claim.

With that MSN ran away and decided to look for other lies and if no lies to be found, make them all up and pay good money for those lies.and this weekwe find out that South Korea pays good money for lies

As of 2017, it has been well known that Seouls rate for such stories was $860,000 in USD. It isnt clear if or how much Thae Yong Ho, a North Korean diplomat who turned defector and expressed a magnanimous lie about Ri Yong Gil, who knows what he was paid for telling Yonhap News in 2016 that Ri was killed. But as CNN says Seoul (CNN) South Korea is quadrupling its reward fee for defectors from North Korea who are willing to hand over classified information on the reclusive countrys military secrets. The Ministry of Unification announced Sunday that it would pay up to 1 billion won ($860,000)  eclipsing the previous maximum of 250 million won.

Now:

North Korea has reportedly overhauled the highest echelon of its military, replacing its three top military officials. One of the new appointees, Ri Yong Gil, must be particularly pleased at his promotion, as he was reported to have been executed in February 2016

I guess Ri Yong Gil is Jesus and risen from the dead officially

Time and time again this happens and while we extrapolate the happening and lies, we very rarely care to explain about why we accept the lies and ignore the true truth

WtR

2018 Exploration and Lithium Resource Drilling Commences

Adelaide, June 5, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging Australian lithium developer, Core Exploration Ltd ( ASX:CXO ) ("Core" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced to discover, expand and define substantial additional lithium resources of the Finniss Lithium Project in the Northern Territory as the 2018 field season opens.HIGHLIGHTS- 2018 exploration and resource expansion drilling programs have commenced at Finniss Lithium Project;- Four drill rigs to be contracted for major exploration program over the coming months;- First rig has commenced RC drilling lithium pegmatite targets near Grants Resource;- Second RC rig to commence drilling exploration targets and extensions to BP33 Mineral Resource next week;- Third rig to commence diamond drilling, also at BP33, in the coming weeks;- Fourth rig to commence shallow RAB drilling on regional pegmatite targets prior to the end of June;- RC, diamond and RAB drill rigs to progressively to test targets over 2018 calendar year and into 2019;- Over 40,000m of drilling (DD/RC/RAB) planned during the next 12 months;- Significant potential to grow Finniss Project Mineral Resources as BP33 and Grants are only two of the many lithium rich pegmatites identified within Core's large 500km2 of granted tenure at Finniss;- PFS for development of Grants Deposit expected this month.The Finniss Lithium Project comprises over 500km2 of granted tenements near Darwin. Results have confirmed that ore grade lithium mineralisation is widespread within the Finniss Project, highlighting the prospectivity of the tenements, with numerous highly prospective pegmatites yet to be drill tested.The total Mineral Resources at Finniss are currently 3.45Mt @ 1.4% Li2O (see Table 1 in link below) and drilling in 2018 is aimed at substantially growing the Mineral Resource base to underpin a potential long-life lithium mining and production operation.Drilling will initially target easily accessible areas around Grants and BP33 and will progressively expand to testing known spodumene pegmatites and newly identified lithium pegmatite targets, identified by Core's exploration team throughout the large Finniss project area during 2018.In parallel with drilling focussed on resource expansion, Core is in the final stages of completing a Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") for the development of a spodumene concentrate and/or direct shipping ore operation ("DSO") from the Grants Lithium Deposit, which is expected to be delivered later this month.Subject to positive results from the PFS, the Company then expects to complete a full Feasibility Study for the development of mining and processing lithium from the Finniss Project and is aiming to complete regulatory approvals, financing and internal approvals, before commencing production at Grants by the end of 2019.The Finniss Lithium Project has substantial infrastructure advantages supporting the Project's development; being close to grid power, gas and rail and within easy trucking distance by sealed road to Darwin Port - Australia's nearest port to Asia.Core Exploration's Managing Director, Stephen Biggins, said "The commencement of the 2018 exploration season will see a significant step up in newsflow regarding Finniss over the coming months."With the PFS due shortly, environmental and regulatory approvals processes underway, advanced metallurgical testwork about to commence and now the drilling, shareholders and investors should expect a steady flow of news over the course of 2018."To view tables and figures, please visit:About Core Lithium Ltd

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX:CXO) is an emerging lithium producer focused on development of its Finniss Project near Darwin in the Northern Territory. Core owns 100% of Finniss, a major developing project that lies close to existing infrastructure such as the Darwin Port, grid power, gas and rail infrastructure.

The Finniss Project covers a 500km2 tenement holding and 25 historic pegmatite mines. The project area is about 80km from Darwin Port. Exploration work has generated a near term development timeline, with feasibility studies to be completed over the course of 2018 ahead of receipt of approvals in early 2019 and planned first production during 2019.

An aggressive exploration program is under way, which has confirmed the high quality prospectivity across much of the Finniss Project area. Core's stated ambition is to upgrade Finniss' resource base to fast-track commercialisation options.

New Copper-Zinc Project Strengthens Exploration Portfolio

Adelaide, June 5, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Mithril Resources Ltd ( ASX:MTH ) is pleased to advise that it has applied for a new 100% - owned Exploration Licence (EL09/2315 - Genoa Bore Copper Zinc Project) that lies west of Galena Mining Limited's Abra Deposit within a similar geological setting (located 300 kms north west of Meekatharra, WA - see Figure 1 in link below).- New 100% - owned tenement application named "Genoa Bore" west of the Abra Lead Silver Deposit- Genoa Bore covers interpreted western extension of large regional scale structure that controls mineralisation at Abra- Prospectivity of new project highlighted by strong indications of copper and zinc mineralisation in historic work- Strengthens the Company's exploration portfolio which includes the Kurnalpi Nickel Project where Mithril is planning to test priority nickel sulphide targets in late June.Mithril's new Genoa Bore Project (340km2) covers the interpreted western extension of the Lyons River Fault Zone, a large regional scale structure that controls mineralisation at Abra 140 km to the East, within an area of similar Proterozoic sediments that host the Abra deposit (See Figure 2 in link below).A 2012 JORC Code Compliant Indicated and Inferred Resource of 36.6Mt @ 7.3% lead, 18g/t silver has been recently estimated for the Abra Deposit (see ASX Announcement by Galena Mining Limited dated 14 March 2018).At Genoa Bore, Mithril is targeting an economic accumulation of copper and zinc mineralisation. The area's prospectivity is highlighted by historic surface rock chip sampling and wide spaced drilling, some of which has returned strong indications of copper and zinc mineralisation, see Tables 2 - 3, and Figure 3 in link below;- Rock chip samples with individual assay values up to 17.5% copper, 2.4% lead, 3.70% zinc, and 120ppm silver- Drilling - 48m @ 2,709ppm Zn from 54 metres in ISBD1, 5m @ 5,940ppm Zn from 130 metres in ISBD2, and 21m @ 3,488ppm Zn from 315 metres in ISBD3Mithril will now conduct a data compilation, review and target generation exercise at Genoa Bore ahead of the tenement's grant which is expected within the next 12 months.The addition of the new project strengthens Mithril's exploration portfolio which includes the Kurnalpi Nickel Project (two targets prioritised for drill testing and EM geophysics in late June 2018), and the Billy Hills Zinc Project (target generation continuing ahead of expected tenement grant in the September 2018 Quarter) (see Table 1 in link below).To view figures, please visit:About Mithril Resources Limited

Mithril Resources Limited (ASX:MTH) is an Australian resources company whose objective is the creation of shareholder wealth through the discovery of mineral deposits.

The Company and its exploration partners are actively exploring throughout the Kalgoorlie, West Kimberley and Murchison Districts of Western Australia for economic nickel, copper, zinc, and vanadium deposits.

In the Kalgoorlie District, Mithril is exploring for nickel on the Kurnalpi, Lignum Dam and North Scotia Projects which lie along strike from, or adjacent to previously mined high-grade nickel at the Silver Swan and Scotia Nickel Deposits.

In the West Kimberley, Mithril is exploring for zinc on the Billy Hills Project which lies adjacent to the previously mined Pillara Zinc Deposit.

In the Murchison, Mithril is exploring for copper, nickel and zinc mineralisation on the Nanadie Well Project and for copper, silver, zinc and lead on the Bangemall Base Metal Project. Mithril's exploration partner  Monax Mining Ltd is also exploring for vanadium on the Limestone Well tenements.

Inks Deal with Gobbill for Card Processing and eKYC

Melbourne, June 5, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Australian Securities Exchange and Frankfurt Stock Exchange cross listed iSignthis Ltd ( ASX:ISX ) ( FRA:TA8 ), the world leading RegTech for identity verification and payment services, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with an artificial intelligence (AI) fintech bill payment automation startup called Gobbill(TM). iSignthis is supporting innovative companies like Gobbill by providing global identity verification and payment solutions.- Gobbill commences integration to process card transactions through iSXPay(R)- Gobbill to utilise Paydentity(TM) for global digital identity verification and payment processing.The partnership with iSignthis supports Gobbill's international expansion plans utilising their identity verification services and transactional banking facilities to clear payments."Partnering with iSignthis is a strategic and important milestone for Gobbill. It enables our customers to pay any bill for billers that do not accept card payments or various card schemes. To pay any bill using UnionPay or American Express is a significant offering, particularly for overseas Australian property investors and small businesses using Gobbill", stated Shendon Ewans, CEO and Co-founder of Gobbill.John Karantzis, CEO of iSignthis said, "Gobbill represents an opportunity for iSignthis to support a prospective leader in bill payment automation, as well as for us to provide a means for them to expand outside of Australia, by providing facilities to them in Europe as they expand. Having witnessed Gobbill emerge over the last three years, we are delighted to be part of their future growth."Gobbill will also have the ability to globally digitally identify customers to offer a convenient way of switching service providers using their One-Click-SwitchTM method. Utilising AI to automate research and comparisons of products, as well as interact with customers, will save them significant time and money.About Gobbill Australia Pty LtdGobbill(TM) is a digital finance assistant that automates bill payments using artificial intelligence for households and small businesses. Users are protected from online scams, avoid late fees, maximise discounts and protect their credit rating scores. Small businesses have the additional benefit of digitising invoices, scheduling payments and synchronising data with their accounting software.After two years of R&D, the company launched its automated bill payment process for public use. It is now investing further R&D in AI to help customers easily switch service providers and save money using its One- Click-Switch(TM) method.Founded in 2015, Gobbill can pay bills issued from any Australian provider including utilities, telecommunications, council rates, insurance and more. Gobbill is a Microsoft Startup sponsored company, a partner of the Australian Government's cyber safety initiative, AI partner of Silverpond and member of Stone & Chalk.For further information, see gobbill.com.au or contact the team at: gobbill@gobbill.com.auFor media inquiries, contact Account Director, Laura Blue at: laura@launchlink.coAbout iSignthis Ltd

iSignthis Ltd (ASX:ISX) (FRA:TA8) is a hybrid monetary financial institution and also a RegTech leader in remote identity verification, payment authentication with deposit taking, transactional banking and payment processing capability. iSignthis provides an end-to-end on-boarding service for merchants, with a unified payment, electronic money and identity service via our Paydentity(TM) and ISXPay(R) solutions.

By converging payments and identity, iSignthis delivers regulatory compliance to an enhanced customer due diligence standard, offering global reach to any of the world's 4.2Bn 'bank verified' card or account holders, that can be remotely on-boarded to meet the Customer Due Diligence requirements of AML regulated merchants in as little as 3 to 5 minutes. Paydentity(TM) has now onboarded and verified more than 1.5m persons to an AML KYC standard.

iSignthis Paydentity(TM) service is the trusted back office solution for regulated entities, allowing merchants to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, and focus on growing their core business. iSignthis' subsidiary, iSignthis eMoney Ltd, trades as ISXPay(R), and is an EEA authorised eMoney Monetary Financial Institution, offering card acquiring in the EEA, and Australia.

ISXPay(R) is a principal member of Mastercard Inc, Diners, Discover, (China) Union Pay International and JCB International, an American Express aggregator, and provides merchants with access to payments via alternative methods including SEPA, Poli Payments, Sofort, PRZ24 and others.

Probanx Solutions Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of iSignthis Ltd, provides API based access to CORE Banking solutions, SEPA Core, SEPA Instant and SEPA business scheme, for neobanks, banks, credit unions and emoney institutions, and provides a bridge to the Eurosystem's Central Bank of Lithuania's CENTROLink service.Iran's supreme leader has ordered preparations to begin to increase uranium enrichment, ramping up pressure on European states struggling to keep the Islamic Republic in a nuclear accord.

"The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is duty-bound to prepare the ground for achieving 190 thousand SWUs," Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was quoted saying by Iranian state media, referring to a measure of uranium enrichment capacity.

He said that the increase would be "within the framework of the JCPOA for the time being," referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, otherwise known as the Iran nuclear accord.

Iran will inform the UN nuclear watchdog agency that preparations will begin on Tuesday, Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, was reported saying by state media.

"The leader [Khamenei] meant that we should accelerate some process ... linked to our nuclear work capacity to move forward faster in case needed," he added.

US withdrawal

US President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that the US was withdrawing from the nuclear deal, pitting him against his European allies.

He said he would initiate new sanctions on Iran, ripping up the touchstone agreement negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama.

Since then, Khamenei and other Iranian officials have been on the attack, threatening to increase uranium enrichment.

European countries and China have said they will stand by the existing nuclear accord. But fears are growing in Tehran that European leaders will be unable to prevent Washington from reimposing sanctions on European companies, which would badly damage Iran's oil economy.

"The Iranian nation will not tolerate to be under both sanctions and nuclear restrictions," Khamenei said on Monday, according to Iranian state media.

"The words uttered by some European states indicate that they expect the Iranian nation to both agree to comply with the nuclear deal undertakings and live under sanction," he added.

Europe given six conditions

Last month Khamenei issued a set of demands to European powers in which he voiced skepticism that they would remain committed to the deal.

Khamenei said the accord could only continue if the Europeans fulfill six conditions, including: promising not to question Iran over its ballistic missile program or its regional activities; guaranteeing that Iran's oil will continue to be sold and compensating for any losses and buying any remaining stock; and having European banks guarantee financial transactions with Iran.

Under the 2015 deal with the US, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Iran agreed to significantly curtail its uranium enrichment capacity so that it could not develop atomic bombs.

In return, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were dropped in January 2016.

Trump argued that while Iran complied with the accord, it violated its spirit by fostering discord in the region, supporting groups like Hezbollah, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and the Syrian regime.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kicked off a three-day trip on Monday to persuade the leaders of Germany, France and the UK to abandon the Iran nuclear deal, meeting Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin to discuss the threat he says Tehran poses to his country and the wider Middle East.

At a press conference with Merkel in the German capital following their meeting, the two leaders agreed that Iranian influence in the region represented a threat to Israel, though the Chancellor reiterated Europe's intention to remain in the deal.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the date President Donald Trump announced the US was withdrawing from the Iran deal.ANDERSON, Calif. - Many from all around Anderson came together on Sunday to support Ashley Gallier who is suffering from unknown medical problems.

Ashley along with her husband Dan own the Grocery Outlet in Anderson and have put on countless events and fundraisers to help the community.

She is suffering from an unknown medical condition that has seriously impacted her health and doctors are still searching for what might be wrong.

People from Beccas Cafe, United Shasta, the Anderson Rotary Club and many other local officials and supporters came out and donated to Sundays event.

One-hundred percent of everything raised is going back to the family to help with medical expenses and we are told that Ashley has started to do much better and that the family thanks everyone that came out Sunday and supported the event.Chico, Calif.-- The primary elections are now underway, and across the state, Californians are heading to the polls to take part in the democratic process.

In Chico, poll inspector Paul Gosselin is heading the Chico Masonic Family Center where six precincts of voters will head to today.

He urges people to find the time to get out and just do it, saying it's pretty quick and easy.

You can also turn in your vote via mail if you signed up for a mail-in ballot.

Today in the North State, eyes are on the race for District 1 in congress.

There are four Democrat candidates, two Republican and one Green Party candidate.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa was first elected in 2012 and has had the position ever since.

Audrey Denney is one leading Democrat contender.

She says congress is grid-locked right now, with not enough people willing to cross party lines for the sake of their constituents.

LaMalfa said he's up for the challenge.

The Butte County Registrar of Voters are expecting a low turn out this year for voters.

Let's be sure we head out to the polls today to do our civic duty!

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

NEWS APP:

DOWNLOAD OUR NEWS APP FOR LATEST UPDATES: iOS | AndroidCompared to 15 countries including USA and Japan, workers in the UK were the second most likely globally to cite employment-related reasons for saving for retirement, with 25% of workers saying that being automatically enrolled was the nudge they needed. The introduction of auto enrolment has been successful in ensuring millions in the UK are saving for their retirement. However, experts have concerns about the levels of participation in workplace pension plans when auto-enrolment contribution rates rise. Its therefore very positive that on average, UK workers would support paying up to 7% of their annual salary into a pension every year, more than double the current auto-enrolment default rate (3%) and above the level coming into force in 2019 (5%). Younger workers would support an even higher contribution level, at 8%. In fact, nearly 1 in 6 of those in their 20s would be willing to pay between 11% and 15% of their salary towards pension saving. Globally, people expect workplace retirement plans to fund only 24% of their overall retirement income. People in the UK people expect more than a third (34%) of their retirement income to come from workplace pensions, second only to the Netherlands (37%).

The Aegon Retirement Readiness Survey 2018: Peoples expected retirement income (proportion by three broad sources) The state pension plays an important part in providing an income in retirement in many countries, with people in the UK expecting it to fund 40% of their income, compared to nearly half (46%) globally. In five of the 15 countries surveyed, people expect more the half of their retirement income to be funded by government benefits: Spain 66%, Hungary 57%, Poland 56%, Germany 53% and Japan 52%. Kate Smith, head of pensions at Aegon, commented: Our findings repeatedly show that workers in the UK place great emphasis on workplace pensions in helping them to build their retirement income. Saving in a pension through your employer has become a natural part of working life in the UK today, with people embracing saving in this way. Theres also a growing appreciation that the level of retirement income is dependent on the contributions individuals and their employer make throughout their career, leading to a desire to pay more. Theres also strong feeling that employers should contribute into a workplace pension with 82% of UK workers saying they should. Theres some concern that increasing auto enrolment contributions for employees would result in some people stopping their contributions. However, our research is a strong endorsement that not only will people take the increases in their stride, theyre realistic to appreciate that a comfortable retirement requires saving at higher rates and are prepared to pay more. While young people face many financial pressures, its encouraging that many are willing to save more and regular saving from a young age will set them up well in the long run. Across the globe people are expected to take on greater individual responsibility to save for retirement. As the reliance on governments shifts, we need to ensure that access to saving is universal, allowing employed workers to save for retirement as well as alternative arrangements for the self-employed and those not in the workforce. Further information 14,400 workers and 1,600 retired people were surveyed by Aegon in 15 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia between 29 January and 19 February 2018.

Youll see a sincerity test-- conducted by a school attorney when my husband and I filed a religious waiver to refuse vaccines for our boys. David Cohen, attorney for our school, wanted to make supersure that we really, really believed in God. Of course, those people who lie about their belief in God are much more prone to diphtheria, hepatitis, measles, etc.those disease-ridden atheists must be kept out of the public schools. (There are three You Tube videos of the test.)

The first time, Mr. Cohen asked us about the vitamins I give my kids, Why fish oil, Mrs. Palma? He asked about the foods I serve and the medicines I use. He accused me of forging a vaccine record. The Board of Education President, Jim March, said that since I had an invasive Titers test done on my son, how could I truly object to vaccines?

We appealed to the Commissioner of Education who upheld the denial- five days before school started. We appealed; NYS Supreme Court dismissed our case as moot. But only after I explained to the judge that he could not waive immunization requirements. He thought he could personally decide what was needed for school admission. If the disease is not so contagious then you dont have to get the shot, right? he says. So much for the court system.





The second truth-testand its all about God, me and Mr. Dave. Do you have conversations with God? Does He tell you not immunize? If God is on your side, can He be on the side of those who immunize? If God created man and man created vaccinations, how can accepting vaccines represent a mistrust in God? Have your religious beliefs changed in two years? The video speaks for itself. Ninety minutes of harassment, outrageous questions and praying my husband (and me) would stay in his seat.

Mr. Cohen said it is part of the sincerity to reconcile my Faith. But does religion reconcile? Does it make sense? Whatever your answer is, we believe anyway-- its called Faith. Mr. Cohen didnt get it so I got an F for sincerity. He believes that in order for me to believe something, he has to believe I believe it.

The law provides an exemption that fits squarely with our beliefs. All we wanted to do was follow the law and we were treated worse than criminals. The school berated, harassed, intimidated, humiliated and outspent us.

Should it be the decision of a school board to decide if we believe in God and what to put into our childrens bodies? What, after all, do we truly own in life? Our kids, our souls, our beliefs, our convictions.

The policy of my school is to cross examine and deny. A dozen other couples have been tortured by the Team Vaccine of Bayport- Blue Point School District. One parent was told to come down for a few minutes. Three hours later, she left in tearsasked the same questions, over and over and over. Another parent has to re-up the waiver every yearthey have to tell the wise and powerful Board that yes, my beliefs are still the same as last year.

Another couple took them to court and won. Others avoid the ugliness and attend Catholic School. Be sure to watch Part 3, minutes 3-4 of the video as Mr. Cohen discusses these people and their options. Cohen admits that those with sincere religious beliefs get denied anyway.

Is this America? Or, Alice in Wonderland- where up is down, black is white and the Mad Hatter is judging the sincerity of my soul? Can this go on in a country founded on religious freedom? Does America mean something, or was it just a really neat idea? Were our founding fathers drinking too much toddy and this whole thing really cant work after all? How can they get away with this?

Schools are their own government in New York. They can, if they choose, thumb their noses at the guidelines that the NYS Education Department sets. They can ignore mandates, Open Meetings Laws and Freedom of Information Laws. They make their own rules and break others. Unless a parent has a bottomless pit of money to litigate, the school gets to play Lord of the Fiefdom; we are the serfs. While most are run by good people, the arrogance of some reflects badly for the many.

I handed in a medical waiver; bona fide and acceptable by any other school. Rejected by the Team Vaccine. Again, they can legally do it.

What if I had a vaccine-injured child that I did not want to vaccinate? What if this child needed public school services? What if Mr. Dave and the Team Vaccine denied these waivers, I crumbled and the child died as a result of additional vaccine injury? Who do I shoot first? Myself?

I am determined to reclaim a right that no parent should ever lose and it has been a test of faith. Faith that our Legislators will improve our laws so parents are not subjected to a modern-day witch hunt. Faith that more parents will wake up to the fact that vaccines cause more tragedy than they are led to believe. Faith that the medical establishment will own up to the half and hidden truths theyve peddled for decades at the expense of families. Faith that parents will be able to opt in and never be harassed by a buffoon attorney or an arrogant, ignorant Board of Education. Faith that I will earn the good fortune that God gave me and pass laws that will help other parents live their beliefs.

In the years since I turned my back on vaccines, Ive met hundreds of strong, smart parents that will make these things happen.

Did I immunize? This is America, and in spite of the government, there are still choices.

Rita M. Palma

ritapalma@mykidsmychoice.comMayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson said the new category of X would be available through the proposal, which is expected to be introduced by Johnson on Thursday with public hearings to be held later this month.

(NEW YORK)  People born in New York City who do not identify their gender as either male or female would have the option of choosing a third category for their birth certificates under a new proposal.

By Kim Rossi Let me say here and now, this post is a comparison of two New York situations that I have drawn myself. I am not making a judgement about choosing one's identity as "X" on a birth certificate as an adult. I am pro-choice. Everywhere. Including vaccination choice. And I am certainly in favor of PRIDE and gay equality. My brother is a married, gay man. Our Dan Olmsted was a married, gay man. This post is not to open a dialog about sexual orientation. We'll monitor comments closely. I hope you understand. So... Yesterday I was listening to the news with Robin Quivers on the Howard Stern Show on Sirius Satellite radio. If you know me, you know I've been a fan for 25 years. However, on the news, Robin alerted me to a vote coming up in New York state that will allow adults to revise their birth certificate from a male or female gender to "X." OK. Adults will be able to change and choose their gender, including "X". Which is neither male nor female. I think XXXY would have been a better choice, but perhaps perceived as naughty. (This is Kim writing, if I can't make you laugh, I'm past my prime.) I got to thinking: How is it that the state of New York can consider allowing choice right down to gender, but have draconian processes to get a choice in how a child is vaccinated? Why is some choice more acceptable than others? Who is to say that health comes from full vaccination and only from full vaccination? We know this is not true. Vaccines fail. Immunity wanes. Recipients suffer injury. Vaccination is not a perfect medical procedure. In 2009, attorney Rita Palma wrote a post for us about the rigorous "sincerity test" required in New York for a religious exemption to vaccination Take a look at the videos . AofA New York readers will attest to the hoops - on fire - that they have had to jump to get "choice" for their children. From Time Magazine on the "X" designation : By Deepti Hajela / AP

Currently, if parents of a newborn do not want to identify a sex, they can say the sex of the child is undetermined or unknown. The X category would be something adults could choose for their own birth certificate.

If it passes, New York City would join California, Oregon and Washington in having the third category on birth certificates, while Washington, D.C. allows it on drivers licenses.

Both elected officials noted that June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.

Pride Month is a time to celebrate how far weve come in the fight for equality, and re-affirm our commitment to protecting all New Yorkers from discrimination, de Blasio, a Democrat said. This proposal will allow transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers to live with the dignity and respect they deserve, and make our City fairer.

Johnson said, This is about making it easier for people to be who they truly are and letting them know that New York City understands them and has their backs.

The change also is expected to be considered on June 5 at a meeting of the Board of Health, with a hearing in July and a vote in September if the board agrees. The legislation in the City Council will match the language of the proposal that the Board of Health is considering.

Transgender New Yorkers, like everyone else, should have birth certificates that reflect their true gender identity, said Dr. Mary Bassett, the citys health commissioner. We know that being able to live your authentic gender and gender expression is critical to physical and mental health. Now more than ever, we must ensure that all people can live their best and healthiest lives.

I don't know what are the ramifications or benefits of choosing "X" as a gender on a birth certificate beyond the peace that might come from formally removing oneself from the gender on the original certificate. There's value to that, of course. I do know that the ramifications of vaccination choices are as deeply personal and often painful. None of us chose to change vaccination for our children out of the blue, or as a lark. We want our kids to live their best and healthiest lives.



Why doesn't OUR choice matter in New York, or anywhere for that matter? And before you comment, "because you're putting herd at risk," I don't buy that argument. Disease is here to stay. And Mother Nature finds a way to fight back. No one with measles or chicken pox should parade around school infecting other. But a healthy child without an MMR or chicken pox vaccine should be able to attend school as a matter of course without a "sincerity test."



Sincerely,



Kim





Kim Rossi is Managing Editor for Age of Autism.As the nation expresses outrage over the treatment of immigrant children who have been separated from their families, we have to ask, "What about disabled school kids every day?" What about Rotenberg School in Massachusetts that electrocutes children with aversive behavior techniques? It's interesting how the media picks up some stories and makes them headline news for outrage while others are orphaned. Especially those that deal with children with special needs. Our children deserve better.

From SF Gate: "It's a Cage"



In the photo, Gigi Daniel-Zagorites grips the edge of a small bookcase, her tilted head peering over. The bookcase and a cabinet barricade the 13-year-old in one corner of a classroom. Two women sit, backs turned.

Months have passed since the moment in September when a classmate at Belmont Ridge Middle School in Loudoun County captured that image on an iPad. But many questions have yet to be answered for Gigi's mother, Alexa Zagorites.

Why was her daughter, who has a disorder that hampers her ability to speak, confined? How long was she there? How often did this happen?

"I was embarrassed for Gigi. I was sad for Gigi. I was worried. I couldn't imagine what was going on in her mind because she can't tell me," Zagorites said. "It's a cage."

Gigi's experience isn't unique. Thousands of schoolchildren, most of whom have disabilities, are involuntarily confined in U.S. schools each year. In the 2015-2016 school year, more than 36,000 students throughout the country were subjected to seclusion, according to federal data released in April. Nearly 86,000 more were restricted from moving freely by a school worker holding the child or by being immobilized by other restraints, such as handcuffs.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/It-s-a-cage-Outrage-over-school-seclusion-12946746.php







Consultations are being facilitated by well-known agricultural employer lobbyist Hill & Knowlton Canada

OTTAWA - Migrant agricultural worker organizations across Canada are outraged at closed door consultations on changes to the agricultural stream of the temporary foreign worker program which have shut out workers, and which refuse to focus on worker concerns. The federal government began invitation-only meetings with big business lobby groups in late May. Migrant worker groups have either been invited late or not at all, despite repeated requests to be part of the discussions.

It would be unthinkable for the the federal government to craft regulations that might affect womens issues and not invite women to the table, but they feel comfortable excluding migrant agricultural workers and their advocates from rules and policies that deeply impact their lives. Its unbelievable, says Joey Calugay of the Immigrant Workers Centre in Quebec. Migrant workers deserve a seat at the table, and they want the right to permanent status upon landing.

Migrant workers in the primary agriculture stream are restricted to working only for the employer listed on their work permit. They are in large part allowed to only live in employer-controlled housing. In some provinces they are excluded from, or face restrictions on collective bargaining, and are often exempted from minimum wage, overtime hours, and other basic employment standards. Employers are allowed to fire and send migrant agricultural workers home if they are injured or fall sick. Workers pay most taxes but often cant get full access to EI, CPP or other entitlements. This is why migrant agricultural worker organizations across Canada are unified in calling for permanent residency status on arrival, as well as full labour rights and access to social entitlements.

The power imbalance between migrant agricultural workers and employers is well documented, and any meaningful reforms must begin with conversations with migrant workers and their organizations at a time and place where workers can participate, in a language they are comfortable in, and with guarantees that there wont be employer reprisals, adds Diwa Marcelino of Migrante from Manitoba.

These consultations, which include federal and provincial policy makers, are being facilitated by Hill and Knowlton Strategies, a lobbying firm that has represented the interests of agricultural employers throughout Canada. This is a gross conflict of interest. In 2017, Hill and Knowlton lobbied Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 53 times, often on behalf of different employer and employer lobby organizations.

There are no migrant workers in the rooms for these conversations, its mostly employers and its being facilitated by their own lobbyists. How can any meaningful changes that reflect the needs of migrant workers come from this process? asks Syed Hussan of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change from Ontario. We are calling on Minister Hajdu and Minister Hussen to step in and restart this process, this time with migrant worker involvement, and ensure that we are discussing permanent status on landing as a solution.

Migrant workers grow food, and feed families, their lives deserve respect and their work deserves our admiration and support which must include their involvement in decisions that impact their lives, said Byron Cruz from Sanctuary Health in Vancouver, BC. The fundamental problem with the temporary foreign worker program is the lack of immigration and labour rights, and the first step to correcting it is access to permanent residency status on arrival.

AVAILABLE FOR COMMENTMonths After Pence Promise, Iraqi Assyrians Say They Are 'Worse Off'

Iraqi Archbishop Bashar Warda, the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil. ( Reuters) Seven months after Vice President Pence vowed to stop funding "ineffective" United Nations-led recovery efforts in northern Iraq and provide U.S. support directly to persecuted Christians and other minorities who suffered ISIS-directed genocide, and are now struggling to reclaim their homes, much of the promised additional U.S. support has not appeared. Although the beneficiaries have not yet been named, some of the most direly afflicted Christian groups, embedded in the region for nearly two millenia, say they have already been told by USAID that projects they submitted for financing have been vetoed, without explanation. The rejected proposals were aimed at providing jobs and economic security, and also the means of cultural survival, for the ancient communities, whose numbers are eroding as the lack of assistance forces them to leave Iraq in order to survive. Meantime, private-sector donations that the Christian organizations had previously relied on have apparently dried up, as donors assumed U.S. assistance would be quickly forthcoming.

Christianity is edgi closer to extinction in Iraq, where many ancient documents and artifacts have been destroyed or defaced. AP) AP)

As Archbishop Bashar Warda, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church in the northerly, Kurdish area of Erbil, told Fox News: "We are left with still many thousands of families to care for and services to provide, and not a penny with which to do it. In this sense, we are worse off now than we were two years ago." "The only support for these displaced people comes from the church, and now it seems everyone is turning away from us."Archbishop Warda's church relief organization has often been the sole pillar of support for some 60,000 brutalized Christians--in a region that once held upwards of one million--who fled waves of murder, rape, displacement and plunder inflicted by ISIS, and the ensuing war to dislodge the Islamic extremists. His new cries of dismay are a pointed reminder that political promises, even those of a vice president, are subsequently filtered through stodgy and often recalcitrant layers of bureaucracy. These have the final say, despite assurances in January from the White House and USAID, two months after Pence's initial avowal, that assistance would speedily be focused on Iraq's battered and deprived minorities, including through newly reprogrammed and highly supervised efforts by the U.N. The continued reliance on the U.N., which already contradicted Pence's initial promise, was seen months ago by U.S. officials as a necessary compromise: U.N. organizations, already on the ground in Iraq, were still believed to be the fastest and most efficient way to deliver aid to the minorities that had been, as one USAID official delicately put it, "overlooked" previously, mostly by the U.N. itself. In fact, numerous exposes have documented U.N. neglect was far more widespread than accidental, ostensibly the outcome of high-minded aid policies that claimed to be uninfluenced by religious status or minority identity--exactly the characteristics, in other words, of those most savagely repressed by ISIS. Due in part to extensive U.N. collaboration with Iraqi government officials and other majority-Muslim interest groups, U.N. reconstruction efforts almost entirely favored a majority of returning Muslims who had fled the same conflicts, and Christian properties were often handed over to their majority neighbors. One of the rejected proposals from Archbishop Warda's Catholic University of Erbil, jointly submitted with an organization of Iraq's equally persecuted non-Christian Yazidi minority, specifically called for the creation of "a property rights program to protect minority...property rights against illegal seizures in the post-ISIS period." All that was supposed to change in the renegotiated deal with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which has been the lead actor on most of the international reconstruction work. About $75 million in U.S.-provided "stabilization" funding was to be refocused on areas that were ancient homelands for hundreds of thousands of Christians, as well as the Yazidis, who were equally hated by ISIS. Most of that money was still focused on infrastructure projects that would benefit persecuted minorities and their Muslim neighbors equally, as their battered communities are rebuilt. But more communities in previously Christian areas were targeted. Additional monitors and auditors were added to the plans ensure that the stronger focus on those persecuted would remain in place. Under the deal, another $75 million was allocated as follow-up spending, to be released once UNDP's initial efforts were deemed to be on target. The reformed U.N. efforts are underway--but so is the evaluation. "We are still assessing," a senior USAID official told Fox News. "We want to make sure the efforts are ongoing. We are getting them [UNDP] to take a look at every single activity. There will be a decision in the next month or so." That may be no time at all in Washington, but can easily be a lifetime in the poverty-stricken and ravaged Iraqi territories. An even bigger cause of concern among the beleaguered minorities is some $35 million in fresh funds that bypasses the U.N., through an allegedly innovative USAID mechanism known as the Broad Agency Announcement, or BAA. The blandly named initiative is intended to give the victims more input in a speeded-up relief effort--and, the victims of genocide thought, more direct influence on how the resulting money was awarded. Five months after USAID officials announced the BAA's use in northern Iraq, the outcome of the much-advertised innovation is still grinding along in the bowels of USAID bureaucracy--except for those proposals that already have been summarily rejected. Specific financial awards under the BAA will likely be formalized "in the next couple of months," according to a senior USAID official--who added: "We are very eager to get this done." Maybe. To call the BAA a simple and decisive tool for cutting through and red tape would be very misleading. Nor is it quite a novelty. According to officials in non-government humanitarian officials consulted by Fox News, the BAA, a consultative mechanism that indeed bypasses normal USAID procurement bureaucracy, has been in use at the agency for at least five years, and is now being used with increasing frequency. Its virtues include the fact that it invites organizations of all kinds to present their best proposals for solving specific problems without a lengthy preliminary assessment by USAID, which can adopt the proposals a la carte if they seem promising. In the case of northern Iraq, this was done at a special "co-creation" meeting held in March in Baghdad, to which Christian and minority groups, including Archbishop Warda's relief organization, was invited. So were, among others, the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration (IOM), the U.S. government-funded United States Institute for Peace, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the globe-spanning Catholic relief organization. Two staffers from Pence's staff also attended the session. Under BAA rules, USAID can "encourage" organizations to form coalitions--which by their nature are likely to favor bigger international organizations, with substantial resources to cover elaborate U.S. funding requirements for extensive accounting and oversight. The drawbacks of the BAA include the fact USAID can adopt its favorite proposals without giving any money or a contract to the organization that came up with the well-received notion. "You literally are giving away your best ideas," one U.S. development expert who is familiar with the BAA process told Fox News. "To make matters worse, they don't give a debrief to tell you what went wrong. You can't improve an idea for the future." "I have heard nightmare stories where they have had workshops, and USAID has taken ideas and given them to another implementer," the expert said. Bill O'Keefe, CRS vice president for government outreach and advocacy, told Fox News his organization's proposals had been "green-lighted" for further consideration in the BAA, and called the process "really competitive" "It's not surprising that many groups are not getting funded," he said. "It happens to us all the time." With total annual revenues last year of nearly $1 billion, however, CRS can clearly roll with many punches. As Archbishop Warda's church discovered, along with offering no reasons for a veto, the BAA methodology does not include nor grounds for appeal. Moreover, even top officials at USAID are not necessarily privy to how BAA proposals are finally analyzed and judged. Those decisions are made at the level of USAID missions abroad--in this case, Fox News was told by a source briefed on some of the details, a five person group in Baghdad selected by the USAID head of mission. Long terrorized by ISIS fanatics, their injustices ignored by local governments and ignored for years by ostensibly neutral, U.N.-managed relief efforts, it is perhaps unsurprising that those championing Iraq's barely-surviving minorities could see something sinister in the dashing of their hopes for U.S. support. As Archbishop Warda told Fox News, "It is very clear to us that many people within the [U.S.] government are opposed to this." That accusation drew a stiff rejoinder from the White House, where an official told Fox News "we believe the administration is making a difference in aiding and resettling victims of religious persecution in Iraq. Tens of millions of dollars have been directed at the crisis, including 150 specific projects in the Ninewa Plain [a Christian heartland] identified by the U.S. and our partners, including faith-based NGOs." "We hope that the initiatives will be judged by results and positive impact on these vulnerable populations--not by what organizations are awarded the money." In context, however, the millions of dollars and multiple projects mentioned by the official were the money committed so far under the reformed UNDP initiative--which is still being evaluated. As for UNDP, a spokesperson told Fox News "new projects are being added to the pipeline every week" in minorities communities--as of late May, 415 in all, with half completed, "covering areas like health, water, electricity, housing and education." "In some minority areas," the spokesperson added, "priorities have involved discussion with religious leaders and UNDP works closely with them to ensure these are met. The spokesperson reeled off a list of 10 towns in areas that have significant Christian populations where projects were "prioritized by community leaders"-- not necessary religious leaders - as well as "increased activities" in historically-Yazidi areas. A source deeply familiar with conditions in the minority communities, however, told Fox News the quality and outcome of the projects, completed or not, varies at best. Moreover, the source alleged, "the work is all being done by Kurdish or Arab Muslim contractors for USAID/UNDP. Christians are not involved in either the work, or the planning of the work orders. The quality of the work is poor since those doing the work have no interest in the communities themselves." In one center specifically cited by the UNDP spokesperson for its restoration work, Batnaya -- formerly an overwhelmingly Christian enclave north of the re-conquered ISIS stronghold in Mosul -- a local source related that a small group of Christians starting to return to the town were forced to flee again by hostile Iraqi government forces and local militias. According to that source, the Christians now believe Batnaya is being repaired so it can be inhabited by Muslims from Mosul who are still homeless. According to Nina Shea, director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the conservative Hudson Institute, the murkiness of the USAID process and the frustration felt by Iraqi Christians and minorities point to the need for an inter-agency "genocide aid coordinator" to handle the issue more decisively, something she has long advocated. Such a coordinator "could have taken into account all the complexities, gathered pertinent information, kept principals apprised and parried the obstacles to keep the reform policy on track." Without one, Shea fears, "there simply is no hope." Or at least, not much. Christian concerns, as well as those of other persecuted minorities, will get a wider audience at a June 14 hearing of a subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ). Smith is the longtime supporter of a law that would specifically support the transfer of U.S. government funds to faith-based and other groups doing humanitarian relief and reconstruction work in both Iraq and Syria. The bill has passed the House but the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but has never reached the Senate floor. "Generally speaking, the presumption has been that if an indigenous entity wanted to use USAID money directly, it was not able to do the work and requisite accounting and reporting to our standards," Smith told Fox News. It's an attitude that he think's Pence's initial promise was intended to change. "But the policy is seen [by bureaucrats] as being political. Which means they are more or less ignoring the policy." Concurs Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee: "If the United States does not step up to help these Christians then who will?" Both USAID and administration officials have told Archbishop Warda's clients, in effect, to try again next time. Said a White House official: "The Administration has not defined or declared an end to assisting victims of persecution in Iraq." The U.S. government, however, may have more time available that the victims. Historically speaking, notes Philip Jenkins, a world-renowned authority on the early history of Christianity who teaches at Baylor University, the collapse of Christianity in Iraq and even more so in neighboring Syria is "a catastrophe" that mirrors the earlier disappearance of far-flung Jewish populations from the region. Jenkins passed on a grim Jewish observation about the fate of the two religions in the region: "after Saturday comes Sunday." Meaning: after the disappearance of far-flung Jewish communities across the Middle East, the Christian minorities will be next. The question may be whether the U.S. wants to continue to attempt a rebuttal.Newly-launched carrier Air Belgium has appointed Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) to handle cargo for its new service.

Air Belgium started twice-weekly Charleroi (Brussels South) to Hong Kong services on June 4, using A340-300 passenger aircraft with about 14 tonnes cargo capacity per flight

Hactl is providing the airline with full terminal handling and documentation services in Hong Kong.

Air Belgium cargo manager John Cooper said: Cargo will play an important role in generating revenue on this new route, and we are delighted to be working with Hactl, whose impressive handling resources, and complementary road feeder capabilities, will enable us to maximise our market opportunities.

Hactl executive director Vivien Lau added: We welcome Air Belgium to the Hactl carrier family. Their innovative business model provides an interesting new option for cargo moving into Europes logistics heartland from Hong Kong and China. We look forward to supporting this new venture with premium quality handling and ancillary services.

Air Belgium has also set up its cargo sales office at Hactls south office block.

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An overnight search led to the arrest of a man who is allegedly involved in a child homicide investigation Monday morning.



Carlton James Mathis, originally from Hall County, Georgia, is the suspect believed to be involved in the murder of a six-month-old child, according to a report sent by Hall County Sheriffs Office.

Alachua County Sheriffs Office learned that Mathis, who also had a felony warrant from Georgia on unrelated burglary charges, was in Alachua County after receiving the report around 8:30 p.m. Sunday.



Deputies couldnt find Mathis at the location provided but learned he may be in the Bronson area of Levy County. After Levy County Sheriffs Department was told of Mathis potential location, an ASCO SWAT team went to Bronson at LCSDs request.



Mathis was reportedly seen leaving a residence at Bronson Villas & Villages and getting into a red SUV at about 4:30 a.m. Monday. When SWAT personnel stopped the car, Mathis threatened the driver of the SUV with a handgun.



An ASCO SWAT operator shot Mathis in response. Additional SWAT personnel immediately treated his wounds before taking Mathis to a hospital in the area, according to the press release. The other person in the car and another SWAT operator received minor injuries from glass and/or shrapnel.



The investigation and search for Mathis originally involved deputies and detectives from ACSO, LCSD and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Dothan Police Department from Alabama was also working on the investigation simultaneously, according to tweets from ACSO. DPD recovered the remains of the infant, which started the search for Mathis.

Mathis will be transported to Levy County Jail after being released from the hospital, according to the ACSO press release. He is charged with aggravated assault and is being held for a felony warrant for unrelated burglary charges from Georgia as well as for the outcome of the homicide investigation.



The investigation into both the childs case and the shooting is ongoing. Per ACSO policy, FDLE is looking into the shooting incident and the SWAT operator involved is on administrative leave.



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Follow Jessica Curbelo on Twitter @jesscurbelo and contact her at jcurbelo@alligator.org.You might know this person: he or she has a few guns, strongly supports Second Amendment rights and distrusts the government. Part of the reason they have so many guns is that the government cannot be trusted  youll need their armed support to combat an authoritarian and tyrannical Washington one day. Two bumper stickers are neighbors on the rear of their forward-thinking, fuel-efficient Prius. One reads, Support the Troops, the other, The right to bear arms is our only protection from government tyranny. In this day and age, that job is better done by the First Amendment than the Second.

Lets address the 800-pound gorilla in the room. Or should I say the 62-ton tank. The likelihood of a ragtag band of gun owners routing the U.S. military in small-arms combat is very small. The F-35, a combat aircraft you proudly support with tax dollars, has laser-guided munitions. The laser pointer on your handgun does not stand a chance. The idea that gun owners could collectively organize and complete a revolution against an American government with malicious intent is not only misguided in its intention, its ignorant in fact. I saw another bumper sticker the other day I think speaks to the mistaken idea at the center of gun owners against tyranny. It read The Second Amendment: the Original Homeland Security. All of these gun-loving bumper stickers make bold claims about training your average AR-15 owner. Times have changed. Weapons technology has evolved. The Second Amendment was written at a time when a militia, fewer in number but greater in spirit and conviction (and under the command of trained generals), bested the military of one of the most powerful empires.

The First Amendment is a bigger obstacle to tyranny than the Second  politics aside. Lets talk military strategy. To wage an insurgency, the force fewer in number needs lots of people on their side. For that to happen, they need the crimes, usurpations and injustices perpetrated by the government to be displayed on the front page and on television screens. Having a gun isnt as good as having 30 or 40 well-informed people voting against the government you would have been shooting at.

Before you take to the streets against a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, designed by your tax dollars to fight soft targets, like you would be, think about what youre giving up for your gun. To vote for Second Amendment rights, while ignoring the constant glaring attacks against the First in the current political environment, is to fly the flag of the tyranny we all vow to oppose.

Stephan Chamberlin is a UF political science junior. His column comes out Tuesday and Thursday.This May, H&M has released their first modest clothing collection, LTD. It comes just in time for the Muslim month of Ramadan, a holy time for Muslims around the world. H&M has not explicitly stated that cultural diversity is the target of the campaign, but they have said we want to be diverse and inclusive to all the markets.

H&M didnt start this trend. The Modist is another store specifically focused on this style of dress. Brands that are traditionally considered non-modest have recently curated modest collections. These include Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, Mango and Macys. In 2017, London even got their first modest fashion week  sponsored by Modanisa, one of the largest brands in the modest industry. Modest fashion is a quickly growing market around the world and includes women of all ethnicities and religions. Forbes estimated that in 2015, modest fashion purchases were worth $44 billion, approximately 18 percent of the clothing industry.

Modest-blogging influencers are popping up in great numbers all over YouTube and Instagram. Some are unimpressed with H&Ms new attempt at inclusivity. Dina Torkia, a self-proclaimed modest fashion blogger, says it looks just like regular H&M and whenever brands do this, its so heavily inspired by Muslim cultures around the worldwe can already get that stuff.

As brands enter this new territory, there are many questions that need to be answered. Because modesty is so subjective, brands are struggling with understanding what modest really means. Are modest customers looking for ethnic styles or modern ones? Its unclear whether modest dressers appreciate brands catering to their needs or if they prefer not to feel further excluded to a small portion of the store.

We like whats on the high street, it just needs a few adjustments, like a slightly longer sleeve, or not see-through top says Torkia.

A quick look at the LTD line suggests a failure on H&Ms part. Many of the pieces have low necklines, are made of revealing material or are not ankle-length. Companies attempting to cater to the modest demographic must consider whether they are truly looking to serve the customer or they are just looking for good publicity. H&M recently had an incident with a black child model wearing an offensive slogan tee that led to public outrage. Positive and intentional representation of diversity is something they need.

Regardless of whether H&Ms line was a success, there is something to be said for the attempt. Fashion is something that so many women enjoy, and they all deserve to be represented in the industry, especially if they are one of the biggest customers. Modest dressers, specifically Muslim women, have demanded the attention of the biggest brands, and that is a win.

Layla Soboh is a UF advertising junior. Her column comes out Tuesday.Mexico has slapped tariffs of 15-25% against steel and agricultural goods imported from the United States effective Tuesday June 5.

The duties come in retaliation to President Donald Trump's administration implementing Section 232 tariffs against Mexican product - 25% for steel and 10% for aluminium, according to a Tuesday notice in Mexicos Federal Gazette.



Mexico has the right to impose measures that have commercial effects substantially equivalent to those of the measures adopted by the US, according to the notice, which is based on a decree signed a day earlier by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, Mexican Finance Secretary Jose Antonio Gonzalez and Mexican Economy Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal.



That tariffs went into effect on the date of their publication in the gazette, which is roughly the equivalent of the US Federal Register. They will remain in place until the US ceases to apply tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminium exports.



Mexico's duties target a wide range of US products, including steel as well as whiskey and bourbon, and run as high as 25%. US apples were hit with tariffs of 20%, with US pork getting duties of 15-20%, according to the notice. The duties on the latter could hit farmers, given that the US accounted for 89.2% of Mexican pork imports from 2010-17 and 33.3% of the countrys overall pork consumption, according to the notice.



Given the urgency of preventing the pork market from being stabilized, improving supply levels and protecting consumers, it is necessary to diversify external supply options, the notice read.



Mexico had threatened to retaliate against the US Section 232 tariffs last week, shortly after the Trump administration decided not to extend Section 232 exemptions for the European Union, Canada and Mexico.



The US North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) partner has also said it will lodge a complaint at the World Trade Organization over the tariffs, just like the European Union.



Canada has also threatened to retaliate against a broad array of imports from the US. The Canadian measures - which target not only US steel and aluminium products but also those of agricultural products and manufactured goods  are slated to go into effect on July 1 unless Trump back downs on the Section 232.



The US launched its Section 232 investigations into steel and aluminium imports on national security grounds. But Canada and Mexico see the tariffs as an attempt to instead get concessions from them in ongoing Nafta talks.



American Metal Markets hot-rolled coil index is roughly flat at $44.03 per hundredweight ($880.60 per ton) as steel market participants try to assess the potential fallout of a brewing trade fight between the US and its traditional allies and trading partners.



Mexico is one of the top suppliers of foreign steel to the US, accounting for 9.2% (nearly 3.16 million tonnes) of the 34.47 million tonnes that landed on domestic shores in 2017, according to data from the US Commerce Department's Enforcement and Compliance division.



Mexico is also one of the biggest destinations  behind only Canada - for US steel exports, taking in nearly 3.74 million tonnes (39.1%) of the total 9.55 million tonnes of product shipped abroad by domestic mills last year, Commerce data indicate.





Nucor Corp and U.S. Steel Corp are objecting to Evraz North Americas request to exempt Russian slab imports from the United States' Section 232 tariffs, according to filings with the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

If successful, these objections could result in the denial of Evraz NAs exemption request by the BIS and in turn could up-end the company's long-established business model of importing semifinished steel, or alternatively could significantly boost Evraz NAs production costs.



Evraz NA initially requested that some 1.1 million tonnes of Russian slabs be exempt from 25% Section 232 steel duties in filings starting on Tuesday April 24. Commerce has 90 days from the initial request to grant or deny the exemption, which puts a decision close to July 23.



Evraz NA can easily source steel slabs within the US, notably from mill suppliers like U.S. Steel, and so cant argue that it is unable to find these steel products domestically, attorneys for Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel and Charlotte, North Carolina-based Nucor argued in separate filings on May 23 but uploaded to the BIS website as late as June 4.



Evraz NAs standard business model of importing cheap Russian slab from its Russian parent company negatively impacts the entire domestic production chain, Wiley Rein LLP attorneys wrote on behalf of Nucor, the largest US steelmaker.



Steel slab that is melted and poured abroad and shipped to the United States is priced so low that, in many cases, it is less expensive than Nucors cost of production, the attorneys wrote.



Evraz NA didnt respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. In its initial exclusion request, the company specified an 8.3-million shortfall in domestic slab production capacity that contributed to 6.6 million tons of US slab imports in 2017 - a shortfall that US mills disputed.



Evraz NA also contended that there is no viable commercial market for steel slabs in terms of other US mills selling to the company, according to its April request. Selling slabs to Evraz would place those [supplier] US companies at a competitive advantage commercially, as they would know a major component of Evraz costs.



Of note, Evraz NA received one quote for US carbon slab at $720 per ton delivered to its Portland, Oregon, mill in April 2014, when American Metal Markets hot-rolled coil price stood at $650 per ton - an inversion of the typical price spread. Slab is the raw material for hot band, and this example shows the commercial unfeasibility of Evraz NA buying US domestic slabs, the company claimed.



Evraz NA can continue to buy Russian slab, albeit with a surcharge of 25% by paying the Section 232 duties, Nucor and U.S. Steel pointed out. This would allow Evraz NA to maintain its business model. U.S. Steel is also happy to sell slab to Evraz NA and has enormous incentive to do so, U.S. Steel said.



U.S. Steel has both the capacity and interest in selling significant volumes of slab in the US commercial market, as it did a decade ago, the steelmaker said, noting that it signed a memorandum of understanding to sell significant quantities of slabs to Evraz NA's Oregon mill in 2008, before the financial crisis scuttled the plan.



Evrazs own information indicates that even with a 25% duty on imports of slab from Russia, the cost of imports into the United States would still be $65 per ton below the price Evraz receives for exports of slab, Nucor added.



Evraz NA's 1-million-tonne-per-year Portland mill primarily makes plate, coiled plate and hot band.



American Metal Market assessed domestic cut-to-length carbon grade plate stood at $46.50 per hundredweight fob mill on June 1, while Metal Bulletins assessment of CIS export slab was at $510-515 per tonne fob Black Sea on June 4.



Still, Evraz NA warned of the perverse impacts of implementing a large tariff on imports of Russian slab.



South Korean plate and coils could deluge the western US market, where Evraz NA operates the only US plate mill, the company said. Evraz NA itself already has 250,000 tons at stake in long-term contract deals with US customers over the next three years that are heavily dependent on its slab imports, it added.





On World Environment Day, the honorary director for ecological concerns in the Church of South India, Professor Dr Mathew Koshy Punnackad, offers his thoughts on pollution from plastic.

World Environment Day, on 5 June, is the peoples day for doing something to take care of the Earth. The theme for 2018 is beating plastic pollution.

Plastic Pollution facts:

Every year the world uses 500 billion plastic bags.





Each year, at least eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans, the equivalent of a full garbage truck every minute.





In the last decade, we produced more plastic than in the whole last century.





Fifty per cent of the plastic we use is single-use or disposable.





We buy one million plastic bottles every minute.





Plastic makes up 10 per cent of all of the waste we generate.

Supermarkets love it. Environmentalists hate it.

A rare novelty in the 1970s, plastic shopping bags are now an omnipresent global product, produced at a rate of one trillion a year. They are showing up in the darkest depths of the oceans to the summit of Mount Everest to the polar ice caps  and creating some major environmental challenges. And almost everyone uses them. Polythene is the worlds most popular plastic and is used widely in the manufacture of food packaging, carrier bags, plastic pipes, electrical cable insulation and even artificial hips. Because it takes several centuries to biodegrade, polythene is loathed by environmentalists and the polythene bag has become a symbol of humankinds pollution of the planet.

The tiny state of Sikkim banned disposable plastic bags. Nestled in the Himalayas in north-eastern India, Sikkim has been leading a green revolution of its own. Despite being small and isolated, and with its people leading their lives in extremely tough mountainous terrain, Sikkim has emerged as one of Indias environmental leaders. Sikkim, which in 1998 became the first Indian state to ban disposable plastic bags, is also among the first to target single-use plastic bottles.

In 2016, Sikkim took two major decisions. It banned the use of packaged drinking water in government offices and government events. Second, it banned the use of styrofoam and thermocol disposable plates and cutlery in the entire state in a move to cut down toxic plastic pollution and tackle its ever-increasing garbage problem. Nilgiri District in Tamilnadu, India, also banned plastic bags.

CSI World Environmental Day Celebrations.

Professor P J Kurian, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, will inaugurate the World Environment Day Celebration of CSI Synod at Chennai on 5 June 2018. Ms Sunita Narain, Director of the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, will deliver the keynote address. The Moderator Bishop and the office bearers of CSI Synod will also give an address during the event which will be attended by 150 teachers, 50 clergy and 50 students. CSI Synod will honour fifty schools, which participated actively in environmental programmes in 2017. The Synod will also honour teachers who have made a remarkable contribution to the environment. The WED celebration will culminate with a commitment to save the earth from pollution.



What we will do:

Never throw rubbish, chemicals or solvents into storm drains or sewers.





Stop using disposable shopping bags and other single-use plastic.





Never burn waste and minimise the burning of wood.





Let my electronics live longer, then dispose of them properly or resell them.





Compost and recycle.





Use public transport, carpool, cycle or walk.





Eat more organic and unpackaged foods.





Refuse to buy cosmetics with microbeads.





Choose natural cleaning products and lead-free paint.





Use organic pesticides and fertilisers efficiently.





Use clean technologies to light and power home, such as solar and wind energy.





We propagate and practice rainwater harvesting.





Plant saplings wherever possible.

We believe that spirituality without ecological concern has no meaning.Posted on: June 5, 2018 11:35 AM

Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, the Bishop of Loughborough, has been elected Vice President of the Conference of European Churches. The regional ecumenical body is a fellowship of some 116 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, and Old Catholic Churches from across Europe. It also includes 40 national councils of churches and partner organisations. It celebrates its 60th anniversary next year. Her appointment maintains a Church of England presence at the senior leadership of CEC, following the retirement of Christopher Hill, the former Bishop of Guildford.

Bishop Guli was elected at the CECs quinquennial General Assembly, which is currently taking place in Novi Sad, Serbia. Bishop Christophers successor as President is Christian Krieger  President of the Reformed Church in Alsace and Lorraine and Vice-President of both the Union of Protestant Churches in Alsace and Lorraine and the Protestant Federation of France. In addition, the Assembly elected Metropolitan Cleopas Strongylis of the Greek Orthodox Church in Sweden as another Vice President.

The first goal belongs to the community of churches in Europe. I want to strengthen their dialogue, their encountering, Krieger said when asked about the priorities for his Presidency. The second goal belongs to their witness in Europe and for Europe to strengthen also the work with social issues, with economical issues, with migrant issues and so on.

It was a theme echoed by Bishop Guli, who said her priority is to be engaged with others in work around issues with refugees and the movement of people across Europe.

Metropolitan Cleopas said: The most important aspect of our work should be working united as the body of Christ for a better tomorrow, for a better Europe and especially for our youth, to make sure that they fully participate.

The President and Vice President of the Conference of European Churches: the Revd Christian Krieger (left) and Metropolitan Cleopas Strongylis.

Photo: Albin Hillert / CEC

Bishop Guli, who was consecrated by Archbishop Justin Welby at Canterbury Cathedral in November 2017, has first-hand experience of the crises faced by refugees. Her father was Bishop of Iran  as had been her maternal grandfather  when, in 1980 at the age of 14, in the aftermath of the 1979 revolution, her family were forced into exile and they made their home in England. The departure followed the murder of her brother, Bahram, who had been killed at the age of 24. He is amongst a number of Christian martyrs commemorated in the Chapel of Saints and Martyrs in Canterbury Cathedral  situated just meters away from where she was consecrated to serve as Bishop of Loughborough in the Diocese of Leicester.

In addition to the Church of England, the CEC membership includes a number of Anglican Provinces and Churches, including the Church of Ireland, the Church in Wales, the Igreja Lusitana, and the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church. On the first day of this year's Assembly, the Scottish Episcopal Church was admitted into membership.Posted on: June 5, 2018 11:34 AM

[ACNS, by Amelia Brown] Earlier today (Tuesday) the Anglican Communion Office in London welcomed 31 Anglican seminarians and recently ordained clergy from across the world to learn more about the Communion and to network with each other. The group represents 18 countries, and a variety of cultures and languages.

For Jason Leung, a seminarian from Hong Kong, this diversity will play a role in his future ministry. It is a very good for me to be here, to explore different cultures, the different ministries in the different parts of the Anglican Communion. I think it will enrich my future ministry as a priest in my own city, in Hong Kong. Im very happy to be here and to meet many new friends from around the world.

The diverse nature of the group was valued by many participants.

Matt Koovisk, a priest from the Anglican Church of Canada shared: so far this has been an amazing experience working with people from all different cultures. We may come from different cultures and different experiences but we all are part of the Body of Christ.

Daniso Muchicwa, a new priest from Zimbabwe, said, Im happy to have come to the home of Anglicanism and to share this unity in diversity. We come from different cultural backgrounds, but here we are all a family.

Son Issah Ali, a priest from Malawi explained that this experience has given him a greater understanding of what it means to be Anglican. I thank the Church for sending me here, and also for the welcome received here at the Anglican Communion Office, he said. Indeed, we are one. This shows our oneness.

Had I not been here, I would have said no, the Church is not one. But I am seeing the oneness, as we share developments in the Church, as we share smiles, and as we shared the Holy Table in the chapel earlier, as we share lunch now, together. This is really Communion.

The group of seminarians and clergy gathered in Canterbury on Sunday 1 June for two weeks spent in Bible study, worship, and fellowship. Marcea Paul, a priest in the US-based Episcopal Church, described the time as wonderful. Its a beautiful holy space to be in and Ive met some wonderful, wonderful people from all over the Communion, she said. Yes, its just been wonderful.

They will depart Canterbury on Friday 15 June. This two week gathering happens every year, with the intention of building connections between difference  in terms of distance and culture  parts of the Communion, and to equip seminarians for ordained ministry.Spurs kill Pochettinos dream to manage Real Madrid

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has been talking about Real Madrid. He told us hed have to listen if the Spanish club offered him the managers job. He gave Real a heads up about Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, saying the tough negotiator bites. Now the Mail says Pochettino was, for all intents and purposes, offered the vacant managers job. And: He turned his back on his dream, knowing it would lead to questions over loyalty.

Thats Pochettino who cut short his Southampton contract to manage Spurs.

The Mail then hammers home its point that Pottechino rejected Real not because he didnt want the job, rather because he is principled:

Mauricio Pochettino rejected the chance to become Real Madrids next manager because he didnt want to labelled a mercenary.

And:

Pochettino was offered the vacant position after Zinedine Zidanes (right) departure.

Says who?

But sources claim the Argentine turned his back on a dream switch to Real, knowing such a move would lead to serious questions over his loyalty.

What sources? The Mail mentioned none.

Knowing chairman Daniel Levy would rebuff any approach from Spain, Pochettino knew he would have to force the issue if he wanted the Real job. Its now apparent that Pochettino was unwilling to risk his reputation, fearing his integrity would suffer an irreparable blow.

It all reads like a PR missive. Only yesterday Guillem Balague was talking. The Spurs manager had been on a trip to Spain to plug his new book, Brave New World: Inside Pochettinos Spurs  by Guillem Balague. Balague said Levy had scuppered any hope Pochettino had of managing Real. Now we get sources telling us that Levy and the managers conscience ended Pochettinos dream.

Words from Real Madrid: nil. Facts to support the sources claims: nil.

PS: Real Madrid usually get their man.

27 Jun 2012: Tottenhams Gareth Bale signs new four-year contract.

23 May 2013: Gareth Bale to sign new Tottenham contract worth 150,000 a week (Guardian)

1 September 2013: Gareth Bale agreed a 300,000 per week to join Real Madrid.

Its not over yet. Everyone has their price at Spurs.

Anorak

Posted: 5th, June 2018 | In: Back pages, Sports, Spurs Comment | TrackBack | Permalink(ANSA) - Vibo Valentia, June 5 - A Calabrian man has been placed under investigation for allegedly shooting and killing a 29-year-old Mali-born trade union activist while he was allegedly taking metal sheets for his shanty near Vibo Valentia at the weekend. The suspect, said to be a local man, is suspected of murdering Soumayla Sacko after seeing him taking the sheets.

Sacko's murder shocked Italy.

Investigations are continuing into Saturday evening's alleged shooting murder of Sacko and wounding of two others in San Calogero.

Investigators are searching the area for the white Fiat Panda that the survivors say was used in the shooting.

The incident occurred after the three victims, all legal immigrants, had walked to an old warehouse in San Ferdinando to collect some metal sheeting, which investigators believe was stolen.

They say the murder was in retaliation for the theft and that there was no xenophobic motivation.

There have been tributes to Sacko's work as a trade unionist and activist for migrant rights.

Local migrants have staged demos.

Italian media said he had wanted the sheeting to shore up his shanty.

ROME - The Institute for Multiethnic Studies (ISMU), on the occasion of Italy's Republic Day on June 2, said that Italy granted a record number of citizenship requests last year, with a total of 224,000 new citizens in the country, according to Italian statistics bureau ISTAT demographic data from 2017. In recent years, the number of new citizens has steadily risen, from 65,000 in 2010 to 101,000 in 2013; 130,000 in 2014; 178,000 in 2015; and 202,000 in 2016. In all, over the past six years, 900,000 new Italian citizens have been registered. Over the past decade, that number totals 1.1 million new citizens.

ISMU said that of the 202,000 new citizens in 2016 (the year of the most recent available data), 64,000 were youth under the age of 15, representing nearly one in every three new citizens.

The organisation said Italy easily holds first place for new citizens in Europe. In 2015 and 2016 (the most recent years for which data are available), Italy was highest among European countries for new citizens, with 380,000, or 40% of the total, followed by the UK (268,000); Spain (265,000); France (233,000); Germany (223,000), and Sweden (110,000). "It is likely that the 224,000 new citizenship requests granted in Italy in 2017 alone will reaffirm and strengthen this first-place position," ISMU said. When comparing new citizens to resident foreigners in the country, in 2016 Italy granted citizenship to 4.01% of foreign residents.

In terms of absolute figures, ISMU said the top national origin for new Italian citizens in 2016 was Albania (37,000), followed by Morocco (35,000), Romania (13,000) and India (10,000). In terms of incidence, Brazil had the highest citizenship rate in Italy. One in every eight Brazilian citizens resident in Italy at the start of 2016 acquired citizenship that year, for a 12.77% incidence rate. Macedonia came in second after Brazil with a 9.96% rate, followed by Argentina (9.40%), Ghana (9.17%), Kosovo (8.69%), Morocco (8.37%), Albania (8.23%), and Ivory Coast (7.65%).

Record number of new Italian citizens in 2017 ISMU Foundation says there were 224,000 new citizens

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JUNE 5 - The Institute for Multiethnic Studies (ISMU), on the occasion of Italy's Republic Day on June 2, said that Italy granted a record number of citizenship requests last year, with a total of 224,000 new citizens in the country, according to Italian statistics bureau ISTAT demographic data from 2017. In recent years, the number of new citizens has steadily risen, from 65,000 in 2010 to 101,000 in 2013; 130,000 in 2014; 178,000 in 2015; and 202,000 in 2016. In all, over the past six years, 900,000 new Italian citizens have been registered. Over the past decade, that number totals 1.1 million new citizens.



ISMU said that of the 202,000 new citizens in 2016 (the year of the most recent available data), 64,000 were youth under the age of 15, representing nearly one in every three new citizens.



The organisation said Italy easily holds first place for new citizens in Europe. In 2015 and 2016 (the most recent years for which data are available), Italy was highest among European countries for new citizens, with 380,000, or 40% of the total, followed by the UK (268,000); Spain (265,000); France (233,000); Germany (223,000), and Sweden (110,000). "It is likely that the 224,000 new citizenship requests granted in Italy in 2017 alone will reaffirm and strengthen this first-place position," ISMU said. When comparing new citizens to resident foreigners in the country, in 2016 Italy granted citizenship to 4.01% of foreign residents.



In terms of absolute figures, ISMU said the top national origin for new Italian citizens in 2016 was Albania (37,000), followed by Morocco (35,000), Romania (13,000) and India (10,000). In terms of incidence, Brazil had the highest citizenship rate in Italy. One in every eight Brazilian citizens resident in Italy at the start of 2016 acquired citizenship that year, for a 12.77% incidence rate. Macedonia came in second after Brazil with a 9.96% rate, followed by Argentina (9.40%), Ghana (9.17%), Kosovo (8.69%), Morocco (8.37%), Albania (8.23%), and Ivory Coast (7.65%).(ANSAmed).



Italy-Visegrad axis leads to rejection of Dublin reform EU still divided over asylum, Salvini calls it a victory

(ANSAmed) - LUXEMBOURG, JUNE 5 - Italy and Visegrad nations have rejected a reform of the Dublin regulation that had been formulated by Bulgaria during its six-month EU presidency. The rejection came during an EU-28 interior ministers meeting in Luxembourg and is the latest halt to the process after two and half years of work on the reform. Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini, who stayed in Rome due to a confidence vote in the Senate, called the result a victory, noting that ''we managed to block a very bad counter-reform and we will soon be making our own proposal.



Italy is no longer alone in Europe.'' Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, in his first speech in Parliament, called for EU asylum reform that sets in place a relocation system for asylum seekers that is ''automatic and obligatory''. But herein lies the problem. Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia (allies now) have always rejected redistribution mechanisms with the criteria indicated by Italy. The hardline approach is expanding and getting stronger and will do so even more starting in July, when far-right Austrian minister Herbert Kickl (FPOE) will be the six-month president of the EU's interior ministers council. (ANSAmed).



Vienna sees Rome as 'strong ally', Kickl to speak to Salvini Interior minister ready for 'small Copernican revolution'

(ANSAmed) - LUXEMBOURG, JUNE 5 - Austrian Interior Minister Herbert Kickl said Tuesday that Vienna considers Italy to be "a strong ally", adding that he will speak to his Italian counterpart Matteo Salvini later in the day. Entering a justice and home affairs council in Luxembourg, Kickl added that, if there is no agreement on the proposed reform of the Dublin regulation, he would "announce something like a small Copernican revolution" on asylum policy at an informal meeting of interior ministers in Innsbruck in September, which will be held under the Austrian EU duty presidency.(ANSAmed).



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Fifteen years ago it was called Novecento, today it has been christened with another name with a new identity. Headed by Ambrogio, husband to Giuliana and father to Alessandro and Francesco, the restaurant became one of the best referral points for good Roman cuisine in the capital. Osteria Fratelli Mori opened in 2004 with the Mori familys passion for food.the restaurant became one of the best referral points for good Roman cuisine in the capital.





Ambrogio used to cook for the whole family during Sunday lunches and special occasions. At the age of retirement, he decided to embark on a new adventure by putting up the Novecento in Via dei Conciatori 10 with the support of his wife and sons. The predilection for typical Roman cuisine emerged immediately. The traditional dishes have always been absolute protagonists on the table of the Mori kitchen and naturally they also became the specialty of the restaurant.



"The change of the name is the end of a journey that we took fifteen years ago. We started not being so known and we did not have a precise identity but over time we gained experience and knowledge. This place fully represents me and my brother Francesco, and so we decided to call it Osteria Fratelli Mori, also in homage to our father who has not been here for a few years," says Alessandro, the firstborn of the Mori family (translated to English from original text in Italian).







"I do not like too much formality, I prefer to make the customer feel at ease. Now with some of them we almost have a familiar relationship. So many people come here for me and my brother," explains Francesco (translated to English from original text in Italian).



Osteria Fratelli Mori is situated in a large space of 400 square meters wherein 120 can be accommodated. Being lovers of literature and Roman poetry, they have given the restaurant a clear imprint that highlighted their philosophy. Thus Poeti Der Trullo, a young and celebrated group of Roman street poets, which recounts the reality of everyday life in their metroromantic lines has conceived, written and painted on the white walls of Being lovers of literature and Roman poetry, they have given the restaurant a clear imprint that highlighted their philosophy. Thus Poeti Der Trullo, a young and celebrated group of Roman street poets, which recounts the reality of everyday life in their metroromantic lines has conceived, written and painted on the white walls of Osteria Fratelli Mori , mostly unpublished poems that tell a key story MetroRomantica, the atmosphere and the culinary approach.





so piatti e tradizioni der popolo romano

Ricordi tramandati e passati mano in mano

Perche se stamo nsieme, tavola imbandita,

Laffronteremo mejo le sfide de la vita

The Mori brothers celebrate the Roman cuisine in their restaurant which has strong ties to the tradition and memories of their family. They use raw materials that mainly come from the Testaccio Market and from trusted suppliers such as Dol and Guffanti for the cheeses, the Pastificio Gatti for the fresh pasta, Giraldo for the salted cod and Gustarosso for the tomatoes.

Among the popular antipasto entries are the classic Fried Pumpkin Flower (3), Cacio e Pepe Potatoes (3) and the Roasted Ricotta with Sauteed Pears, Honey & Almonds (7). The pasta dishes remain in the traditional Roman recipes of Amatriciana, Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe and Oxtail Tomato Sauce which range between 9 to 10. The main courses include the Boiled Meatballs (15), Pork Cheek cooked with red wine and shallot at low temperature (16) or Grilled Scottona Beef Steak 18). The main courses are best accompanied by Roman vegetable dishes such as the Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish-Style Artichokes) or Carciofi alla Romana (Roman-Style Artichokes) at 5 when in season. The dessert entries are as interesting as the other courses. Dont forget to try the Ricotta of Ambrogio which is made with buffalo ricotta cheese, candied orange rind and caramelized pistachios. But then Giuliana is known for her homemade cakes and pies so they are also worth giving some space for ending a great meal.









At lunchtime, the menu is designed for quick meals especially for those working in the neighboring offices which offers a selection of three first courses: a traditional recipe, a bowl of soup and a dish of pasta. The menu is accompanied by an excellent wine list because wines are another great passion of the Mori brothers who are also accomplished sommeliers.Embraer has appointed Ron Baur as Senior Vice President Strategy and Hussein Dabbas as General Manager Special Projects for Middle East & Africa.

Both executives will join the Commercial Aviation business unit to strengthen Embraers global marketing & sales team and will report to Arjan Meijer, Chief Commercial Officer, effective as of June 4th, 2018.



Baur brings to Embraer over 25 years of experience acquiring mainline and regional aircraft for one of the largest airlines in the world. Prior to joining Embraer, Baur held positions of increasing responsibility in Operations and Finance at Continental and United Airlines culminating as the Vice President of Fleet at United Airlines. During Baurs tenure, he managed a fleet of more than 1,200 mainline and regional aircraft and justified the acquisition of more than 750 new aircraft. Ron was responsible for launching aircraft such as the Boeing 787, 737-900ER, 737MAX10, Airbus A350-1000 and enhanced Embraer E175. Since 2016, he has been Board Member of Wings Club, an association based in New York that brings together leading professionals from the aviation industry.



Hussein Dabbas joins Embraer bringing 40 years of solid experience in corporate aircraft and airline business, having held several global leadership positions. At Royal Jordanian Airlines as Chief Executive Officer, President and Board Member, prior to that he managed all commercial and passenger activities, including Marketing and Sales, Airport and inflight Services, Catering and Product. As Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East at International Air Transport Association (IATA), he helped to promote and protect the interest of the air transport industry. He has been Board Member and Vice Chairman of the Arab Jordan Investment Bank.



I am delighted to welcome Ron and Hussein to the team. They will bring a wealth of airline industry experience which will further enrich our global marketing and sales team and help create the best solutions for our customers, says Arjan Meijer, Chief Commercial Officer.The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced today that Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, has assumed his duties as Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors (BoG) for a one-year term effective from the conclusion of the 74th IATA Annual General Meeting in Sydney, Australia.





Al Baker (above) is the 77th chair of the IATA BoG and the first CEO from Qatar Airways to hold the position. He has served on the Board since 2012. He succeeds Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines.



Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, said, "I am delighted to be here in Sydney and honored to be leading the IATA Board of Governors as Chairman for the year ahead. To be nominated to such a prestigious leadership position in the industry is a great honour, made all the more pertinent in the difficult circumstances in which Qatar Airways currently operates.



"I look forward to continuing my work in the coming year for our great aviation industry, connecting safely the peoples of the world, a sector which will only continue to grow in the years ahead, and one in which I am most proud to work and represent one of the world leading airlines."



Al-Baker was named Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive in 1997. In this position, Al Baker has spearheaded the growth of Qatar Airways from a small regional carrier into a major global. He was president of the 70th AGM which was held in Doha in 2014.



"I want to thank Goh Choon Phong for his strong support and leadership over the past year. He has led major changes in IATAs governance that will enable the association to work even more closely with its members. Under his leadership the industry approved a major modernisation of our settlement systems, and made excellent progress on transformative initiatives such as New Distribution Capability and ONE Order. Choon Phongs insights were particularly helpful as we contended with the PEDs ban and growing infrastructure capacity shortfalls in key regions, while also working with governments to prepare for the arrival of the historic CORSIA program to help airlines manage their future emissions growth," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATAs Director General and CEO.



"I am confident that Akbar will be a strong voice on behalf of the Business of Freedom in the face of growing challenges including creeping re-regulation and a movement away from open borders and toward trade protectionism and restrictions on the free movement of people. I look forward to working with him on these and other key industry issues," said de Juniac.



IATA also announced that Carsten Spohr, Chairman and CEO of Lufthansa, will serve as Chairman of the BoG from June 2019, following Al Bakers term.In the wake of various defense spending decisions, the Pentagon has reviewed the relevance and affordability of special force operations and adviser missions in Africa. Sharp cut ahead!



Bamako, Mali. A French-speaking U.S. Special Forces NCO with Special Operations Command Africa explains mortar aiming techniques to members of a Malian counter-terrorism unit during a military training engagement recently conducted near Bamako. U.S. Special Forces teams provide capacity development training and advisement during more than 30 pre-scheduled military training engagements conducted annually in the Trans-Saharan region under the auspices of the Trans-Saharan Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP), a U.S. State Department initiated and led program designed to enhance security and stability in the region. Department of Defense TSCTP activities in the region are planned, coordinated and conducted as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (Trans-Sahara) and are managed by SOCAFRICA's Joint Special Operations Task Force-Trans Sahara. (Photo: JSOTF-TS Public Affairs)

Weeks ago, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis ordered an assessment of special operations units. A new balance must be established between, on one side, the external operations and, on the other side, the will to combat rising threats from Russia and China. Currently, more than 7,300 Special Operations troops are working around the world, many of them conducting shadow wars against terrorists in Yemen, Libya, Somalia and other hot spots. The Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida, has assumed important new missions in recent years, as well, like taking the lead on combating weapons of mass destruction.

As reported in the Strait Times (Singapore), Pentagon officials said Mattis and General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are worried that the commandos are spread too thin. The two leaders have ordered the military's Special Operations and Africa commands to present a range of options by mid-June to balance rising security challenges  which include North Korea and Iran  with vital counterterrorism operations.

A Pentagon investigation last month into the deadly attack in Niger exposed a risk-taking culture among commandos. That accelerated Mattis' decision to abandon some counterterrorism missions in Africa to focus on global powers, according to two Defense Department officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "We need to do CT more efficiently and effectively," said Stephen Tankel, a former senior Pentagon adviser.

The transition to focus on Russia and China was outlined in the Trump administration's national defense strategy released in January. Even before Mattis' directive, the Special Operations Command had started relying on conventional troops to help handle some of the missions it had accumulated since the September 11 attacks. In places where Special Operations troops are frequently in combat, such as Afghanistan and Syria, regular soldiers and Marines are sometimes attached to commando units as additional security or firepower in what is known as the "uplift" program.

At the same time, in a nod to the increasing concern about the Russian military, more Special Operations teams have been sent to the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - and Eastern Europe to help local commando forces identify and confront possible threats from Moscow. Some of the reassigned troops from Africa missions could be put on potential missions against Russia or China. Or, officials said, they could rotate into deployments to ease the strain on US commandos who have repeatedly been sent abroad.

US commandos in Africa are now sent only on missions with local forces that are determined to have significant strategic effect, like building a new base or clearing extremists from a large area. Armed drones or other protective aircraft must accompany such missions. If those conditions are not met, US troops will work from fortified command centers to advise African forces on intelligence, logistics, artillery and other aspects of big operations that are important - but not as prominent as front-line combat against a range of groups aligned with al-Qaeda or the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.by

Saturated: The Allure and Science of Color, now on view, is exactly the kind of exhibition I expect and like to see from the Cooper Hewitt, National Design Museumwhich, frankly, came as a bit of a surprise. Since the Cooper Hewitt reopened in 2014 after a three-year renovation, it has been a bit of a disappointment to me. Too much technology that didnt work, too much attention to interactivity rather than on design objects, too much play for my tastes. That said, it was popular, at least at first.

But I did not give up on the Cooper Hewitt and Saturated was reason enough by description to bring me back. Its all drawn from permanent collections of the Smithsonianand thats a good thing. The Cooper Hewitt, part of the Smithsonian, has many worthy objects in its collection, far more than can be displayed in its limited space (In 2016, it launched a digital database of more than 200,000 objects.) and some are getting a good showing in this exhibit. Even more important, the other source of material for Saturated is the Smithsonian Libraries system, a network of 21 libraries. Together, they own more than two million books, 40,000 of which are rare, plus 10,000 manuscripts. (More information is here on the Fact Sheet.) It claims to be the worlds largest library system.

But back to Saturated, which attempts to reveal how designers apply the theories of the worlds greatest color thinkers to bring order and excitement to the visual world, and how color perception has captivated artists, designers, scientists and philosophers. The museum sets up this elusive, subjective complex phenomenon with these words:

Color is an objective, quantifiable, physical phenomenon, the reflection of certain wavelengths of light off the surface of different materials. But color is also a subjective, personal experience, different for every person and deeply intertwined with language and memory.

I reviewed this short history of color in 190 objects for The Wall Street Journal in a piece headlined Vibrant From Any Angle and published last week (while I was away). I found the exhibit to be enlightening and visually engaging, with objects dating from the 3rd to 5th Century B.C. to 2014, from a cobalt blue flask created in Syria to a 1704 book by Isaac Newton to an 80s Joffrey Ballet poster to Peony, a wall hanging made by a digital printer and a Shimmer table made possible by nanotechnology.

You can read my review here or on my personal website. And, here are two fascinating tidbits I could not squeeze into the review:

In 1856, William Henry Perkin accidentally created the first synthetic dye from coal tar at age 18. He was searching for a treatment for malaria but instead got a brilliant purple dye; it caused the color industry to explode, because previously color came from insects, animals, plants, minerals, and other natural sources.

And theres a book, Theoretical and Practical Treatise of Textile Printing, which George Seurat cited as influential in the development of pointillism.

You just never the impact of what you do.

So go see Saturated if youre in NYC.

Photos: Matt Flynn  Smithsonian InstitutionWholesale prices of some vegetables like tomatoes and french beans have risen due to lower supplies.

Farmers began their 10-day protest on Friday to press demands such as farm loan waivers and higher prices for produce such as cereals, oilseeds and milk.

Mumbai: Vegetable prices jumped as much as 10 percent in major Indian cities, including Mumbai and Delhi, as a four-day old strike by millions of farmers curtailed supplies.

Farmers began their 10-day protest on Friday to press demands such as farm loan waivers and higher prices for produce such as cereals, oilseeds and milk.

Wholesale prices of some vegetables like tomatoes and french beans have risen due to lower supplies, said a Mumbai-based vegetable vendor Mahesh Gupta.

Outbreaks of rural discontent poses a challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who promised when he came to power in 2014 to double farm incomes in five years.

Farmers in eight states, mostly ruled by Modis Bhartiya Janata Party, have restricted supplies of vegetable and milk to the cities markets.

We are distributing milk and vegetables to the poor and needy, but weve decided not sell. The basic idea is to highlight the plight of farmers who have been overlooked by the government, said Ramandeep Singh Mann, a farmer based in Punjab.

Prices for many crops have fallen sharply, while the price of diesel has gone up, squeezing millions of Indias mostly small-scale farmers.

Last year six farmers were killed in similar protests that became violent in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.

In recent days, farmers blocked highways in some places and poured milk onto roads. The protests have been peaceful so far, although organisers are planning to increase the intensity in coming days.

The government hasnt fulfilled promises it had given last year. We have no option but to intensify our protests, said Ajit Nawale, state general secretary, All India Kisan Sabha, one of the farmers union participating in the strike.

Two-thirds of Indias 1.3 billion people depend directly or indirectly on farming for their livelihood, but farm incomes only account for 14 per cent of gross domestic product, reflecting a growing divide between the countryside and wealthier cities.

I am stocking up vegetables for the entire week, said Anjali Salunkhe, a housewife in Mumbai, fearing prices could double as they did during protests last year.A case has been registered against the actor, who is known for Bigg Boss, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, among other ventures.

Armaan Kohlis temper issues were evident on Bigg Boss.

Mumbai: A case has been registered against Bollywood actor Armaan Kohli at Mumbai's Santacruz police station for allegedly physically assaulting his girlfriend.

The victim, who accused the actor of assault, has been hospitalised in Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital.

A case has been registered under sections 323, 326, 504 and 506.

Armaan and his girlfriend were said to be in a live-in relationship since 2015.

They met through a common friend and soon started dating.The superstar, who was speaking at a pre-release event in Hyderabad, spoke about association with Telugu industry.

Hyderabad: Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Monday said he was confident that his latest film 'Kaala', scheduled to be released worldwide on June 7, would be appreciated by the Telugu audience as well.

Rajinikanth, who was speaking at a pre-release event for 'Kaala' here, complimented the film's director Pa Ranjith, music director Santosh Narayan and lead actors Huma Qureshi, Eeswari Rao and others for their good work.

"Ranjith presents a commercial film artistically with a mix of reality," he said.

He said his son-in-law and actor Dhanush, who is the producer of the film, proved that "he is not only a good artiste but also a good producer."

Tracing his career in Telugu films beginning with 'Antuleni Katha' in 1978, Rajinikanth said he is lucky to get equal love from the Telugu viewers.

There was a break in his film career in Telugu after he did about 15-20 films, but it resumed with actor-producer Mohan Babu's Telugu film 'Peda Rayudu' in the 1990s, he said.

Recalling that he used to take the blessings of N T Rama Rao whenever he visited Hyderabad, he said he missed the legendary actor now.

"I miss him (NTR) a lot now. I remember NTR now. You know why," he said.

He also remembered veteran Telugu film director, late Dasari Narayana Rao for the love the latter showered on him.The glorification of terrorism and unrestricted use of social media has attracted many well-educated men into its ranks, he said.

'A cult has been born. Whether it will grow to assume a menacing role will largely depend on our response,' former Jammu and Kashmir police Chief Kuldeep Khoda said. (Photo: Representational/PTI)

New Delhi: Former Jammu and Kashmir police Chief Kuldeep Khoda has warned of a "cult" being born in the state with more educated young people joining terrorism and picking up the gun becoming an "attractive and glamorous" option.

The "dimensions and dynamics" of terrorism are changing, Khoda, the longest serving and the most successful police chief of the state, said in a blog.

Examining the reasons for increasing number of youths joining terrorism, he said, "When a political grid is inactive, even if security grid gets results, a common man on many occasions becomes a victim of favouritism and nepotism. Frustration with the system has to find an exit route," he said. He added that in other states, that frustration took the shape of dharnas, strikes and arson.

"But in the Valley, with terrorism now firmly entrenched for the last three decades, taking up the gun is not only a readily available option but an attractive one as well," said Khoda, who served as chief vigilance commissioner of the state before retiring in 2017.

The glorification of terrorism has attracted many well-educated men into its ranks, he added.

"The reality is that a large number of educated youth are becoming a part of the 'movement' and spearheading it. A local PhD scholar studying in Aligarh Muslim University, a faculty member from Kashmir University who subsequently got killed in an operation, an MBA son of a prominent separatist, are some of the examples," he added.

"A cult has been born. Whether it will grow to assume a menacing role will largely depend on our response," he said.

He said Kashmir has been usually associated with conflict of interests between those managing the security grid and political grid.

After the launch of Operation 'All Out', some important terrorist commanders were killed. A total of 213 terrorists were killed in 2017, he said.

Khoda added that the achievement of the police and security forces could not be underestimated and that surgical operations happen with police help.

"But the success of operations gets diluted when dead terrorists get replaced by infiltration and fresh recruitment. Last year witnessed local terrorist recruitment of 126, the highest during the last twelve years. This year, 50 local youth joined terrorist cadres. The last year's number is likely to get surpassed," he warned.

Khoda, who served as police chief from 2007 to 2012, said the number of terror attacks plummeted from 1,438 in 2006 to 124 in 2012. The number of security forces casualties came down to 15 (the lowest during 28 years of terrorism) from 182 during the same period.

This figure rose to 47 in 2014 and to 80 in 2017, he said.

"The killing of terrorists depicts similar pattern, 591 in 2006, 72 in 2012, 110 in 2014 and 213 in 2017. If all the three strong parameters of security situation - number of militancy incidents, security forces casualties and terrorists killed are showing an upward trend, it does not require rocket science to understand which way we are going and how our measures on dealing with the situation in Kashmir situation are delivering," he said.

Inputs on infiltration and border firing are not encouraging either, Khoda said. But more worrying was the local recruitments into terrorism, he said.

"Every terrorist's funeral draws thousands to the venue. It is not uncommon to see gun-wielding terrorists appearing at the scene and playing on the minds of youth," Khoda said.

He added that the calibrated release of videos on social media projecting terrorists as messiahs and brave hearts of the community serves as a catalyst in attracting youngsters to join the 'jihad'.BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya alleged the two were murdered because of instigation by senior Trinamool leaders.

Trinamool Congress leaders had denied any involvement of the party in the two deaths. (Facebook | Screengrab | Kailash Vijayvargiya)

Midnapore: BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said the party would move the Calcutta High Court, and if needed the Supreme Court, to unearth the truth behind the deaths of two party workers in Purulia district.

The senior BJP leader was addressing a gathering at Maguria under Daspur police station area in West Midnapore district where three local leaders and panchayat members of the CPI(M) and another leader from the Trinamool Congress joined the party.

Two independent panchayat members also joined the BJP in presence of Vijayvargiya.

"We will soon move the high court, and the Supreme Court if needed, to know the truth behind the murders of two party workers in Purulia district," he said.

Read: Another BJP worker's body found hanging from pole in WB

The two were found hanging in the district, where the BJP fared comparatively well in the recently held panchayat election, on May 30 and June 2.

Read: WB BJP worker found hanging from tree, killers left message on his t-shirt

The BJP leader alleged the two were murdered because of instigation by senior Trinamool Congress leaders.

The TMC leaders had denied any involvement of the party in the two deaths.

The police claimed that the second incident was a case of suicide.The Archbishop has also called for the participation of Catholics and Church communities in politics and social causes.

The Archbishop has called upon the people to strive to know the Constitution and to protect it with values like secularism, freedom of speech and freedom to practise one's religion. (Photo: ANI)

Panaji: Archbishop of Goa and Daman Father Filipe Neri Ferrao has issued a letter saying that the Constitution is in danger, and most of the people are living in insecurity.

The Archbishop has called upon the people to strive to know the Constitution and to protect it with values like secularism, freedom of speech and freedom to practise one's religion.

The letter, issued in the beginning of Pastoral Year (June 1 to May 31), is addressed to Christians in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.

"Today, our Constitution is in danger (and that is) the reason why most of the people are living in insecurity. In this context, particularly as the general elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our constitution better and work harder to protect it," the letter read.

"In recent times, we see a new trend emerging in our country, which demands uniformity in what and how we eat, dress, live and even worship: a kind of mono-culturalism. Human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril," it added.

The letter further added that various minorities fear for their safety and people are being uprooted from their land and homes in the name of development

"The first victim of development is the poor person. It is easier to trample upon the rights of the poor because those who will raise their voice for them are very few," the letter further read.

The Archbishop has also called for the participation of Catholics and Church communities in politics and social causes.

"Our parishes and small Christian communities ought to be immersed in this mission of the Church. They should be open to the problems of the world. This social concern should not only remain within the confines of the parish community but should reach out to the whole state and country at large," Ferrao said in the letter.

The Archbishop also expressed concern about malnutrition among children in the country.

Archbishop Ferrao's letter comes a week after Delhi archbishop Anil Couto had asked the Christian community to observe a fast on Fridays and hold prayers for the nation's sake.The video has come as ammunition for the Congress which has often alleged that all interactions and interviews of Mr Modi are scripted.

New Delhi: Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused him of giving scripted interviews and said it would be an embarrassment to us all if he did take real questions.

The first Indian PM who takes spontaneous questions that the translator has pre-scripted answers to! Good that he doesnt take real questions. Would have been a real embarrassment to us all if he did, Mr Gandhi tweeted.

With his tweet, Mr Gandhi tagged a video of Mr Modis question and answer session at Singapores Nanyang Technological University (NTU) last Friday.

After the Prime Minister replied to a question on challenges faced by Asia, his English translator had read out an answer that was far longer and included details and data that were not in Mr Modis answer.

The video went viral on social media and fuelled speculation and criticism that the queries posed to the Prime Minister, and his responses to them, were not impromptu but pre-planned.

Earlier, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had also taken a jibe at the Prime Minister over his interaction at NTU.

Mr Tharoor had tweeted, Oh dear! When the translator says what the PM was supposed to say, but didnt.

The video has come as ammunition for the Congress which has often alleged that all interactions and interviews of Mr Modi are scripted.

This is not the first time that Mr Modi has been criticised for his public interactions abroad. He faced flak during his London trip in April when lyricist and censor board chief Prasoon Joshi interviewed him before a live audience. The session was unapologetically flattering.Speaking to reporters along with Mr Haasan, the CM said problems should be solved amicably without giving scope for differences.

Bengaluru: Chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday said he was in favour of finding an amicable solution to the Cauvery water sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu after film star-turned politician Kamal Haasan met him.

Speaking to reporters along with Mr Haasan, the CM said problems should be solved amicably without giving scope for differences. Mr Haasan on his part requested Karnataka to release some water from its reservoirs for the Kuruvai crop. He said the Karnataka CM had responded positively and he was hopeful of solution.

I have just come here as a messenger and I am ready to work in any capacity. I have spoken to farmers in Tamil Nadu too. I dont mind being a mediator or even a doormat. It is the issue concerning farmers of both states, he said. Answering a question, Mr Kamal Haasan said that these issues were being dealt with by the courts and the Centre.

"This is something which can be resolved through talks and on humanitarian grounds. We will continue to hold talks," he said.

When asked about the water availability at Mettur, Mr Haasan said that the quantum of water available in Mettur and the quantum TN needs to save the Kuruvai crop would be discussed with farmers in Tamil Nadu. Asked if he had come to negotiate on theRajanikanth starrer Kaala, Mr Haasan said that issue did not come up for discussion, adding that it was a row between the movie producers and the film chamber.The proposal was given by Yogi Adityanath govt in 2017, in a bid to revive the legacy of Upadhyay.

The Mughalsarai junction, one of countrys busiest railway stations, was set up by the British in the 1800s as a key station linking New Delhi to Kolkata. (Photo: PTI)

Lucknow: One of Indias oldest railway stations, the Mughalsarai station of Uttar Pradesh has officially been renamed as Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction on Monday. The Centre last year approved the Uttar Pradesh governments request to rename the station, despite protests raised in parliament by various opposition parties.

The proposal was given by the Yogi Adityanath government in 2017, in a bid to revive the legacy of Upadhyay, who was found dead at this junction in 1968.

The Mughalsarai junction, one of countrys busiest railway stations, was set up by the British in the 1800s as a key station linking New Delhi to Kolkata.

Uttar Pradesh government released notification stating that Mughal Sarai Junction has been renamed Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction. pic.twitter.com/SCr9Ide7o8  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 5, 2018

Meanwhile, taking a dig at the BJP, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi, If you vote for BJP, then names of cities and stations will change. If you vote for AAP, then the future of your children will change."

The AAP chief posted the message while retweeting his deputy Manish Sisodias tweet.

Tweeting in Hindi, Sisodia said, Instead of changing the name of the city, if they would have changed the condition of government schools and colleges then it would have been beneficial for the coming generation. But they wont If children get education then they wont fall into their trap.

        -                

 ...        -     ... https://t.co/zTW1Ar0H5F  Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) June 5, 2018

Senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan also took a jibe at the Yogi Adityanath government. "Who says that the Yogi government isn't working? Amidst all the heavy work done to provide oxygen to children at Gorakhpur Hospital, beating up people for Cows, & battering women thru Romeo squads, Yogi still got time to change the name of Mughalsarai Jn to Pandit Deendayal Jn!," Bhushan tweeted.

Who says that the Yogi government isn't working? Amidst all the heavy work done to provide oxygen to children at Gorakhpur Hospital, beating up people for Cows, & battering women thru Romeo squads, Yogi still got time to change the name of Mughalsarai Jn to Pandit Deendayal Jn! https://t.co/BMdcZaSo8I  Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) June 5, 2018

The junction, set up in 1862 when the East India Company linked Howrah to Delhi by rail, is located on the main Howrah-Delhi Grand Chord line.

Deen Dayal Upadhyay's body was found under mysterious circumstances on a platform of Mughalsarai in 1968.Addressing a press conference in Raipur on Monday, Nadda assured that the Centre is closely monitoring the situation in Kerala.

Nadda further noted that scientists from the AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, National Institute of Virology in Pune and doctors from the National Centre for Disease Control are supporting health authorities in Kerala in managing the outbreak. (Photo: File)

Raipur: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda claimed that the Nipah Virus outbreak in Kerala is the result of "tampering with nature".

Addressing a press conference in Raipur on Monday, Nadda assured that the Centre is closely monitoring the situation in Kerala.

"All such incidents were the result of tampering with nature. Nipah Virus wasn't a man-made problem. There were natural reasons. Every person suffering from the virus has been mapped and those in contact with such patients have been detected," he said.

Nadda further noted that scientists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Safdarjung Hospital, National Institute of Virology in Pune and doctors from the National Centre for Disease Control are supporting health authorities in Kerala in managing the outbreak.

As many as 16 people lost their lives in Kerala due to the outbreak of the virus in May.

As a precautionary measure, colleges, and other educational institutions in Kozhikode have been asked to remain closed till June 12.

Furthermore, the Kerala state health department issued an advisory for people travelling to the state, urging them to be extra cautious while visiting Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur districts.

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nipah virus, spread by fruit bats, causes communicable disease and is fatal for both animals and humans.

The symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, drowsiness, respiratory illness, disorientation and mental confusion, and can progress to coma within 24-48 hours.Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said Nitish Kumar is the ruling alliance' leader in Bihar.

'This is a special occasion when I would like to see happiness on all faces. Please do not ask about any other face right now,' Kumar quipped in response to queries by reporters. (Photo: PTI)

Patna: A day after the JD(U) demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be projected as the BJP-led NDA's face in Bihar, the Janata Dal (United) president declined to comment on the issue over who will be the 'face' of the NDA in the state when Lok Sabha polls are held in 2019.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said Nitish Kumar is the ruling alliance' leader in the state and the NDA will seek votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the name of the JD(U) chief and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's works.

Read: NDA to seek votes in names of Nitish Kumar, PM Modi: Sushil Modi

"This is a special occasion when I would like to see happiness on all faces. Please do not ask about any other face right now," Kumar quipped in response to queries by reporters.

The journalists gathered at his official residence of the chief minister to attend the Iftaar party organised by him.

When pressed further, he said, "All your queries would be answered at an appropriate time. Right now, let us pray that the holy month of Ramzan brings peace and prosperity to Bihar."

The JD(U) has asserted that the chief minister is the face of the NDA in the state, which is being speculated as an indirect demand for greater share of seats in the parliamentary polls.

Out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, the BJP has 22 in addition to nine others held by allies like the LJP and the RLSP. The BJP and JD(U) fought separately in the 2014 general election.

The JD(U) registered victories in only two seats but has the largest number of MLAs among all coalition partners in the state Assembly.

"May the followers of all religions live together in peace and may mutual respect flourish. Let us also pray that our state, which suffers the wrath of nature almost every year, does not face drought or floods", Kumar added.

A host of dignitaries, including state Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council Haroon Rashid, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and cabinet ministers Nand Kishore Yadav and Mangal Pandey attended the Iftaar party.Rahul used a media report that claimed the Army is seeking to cut 50 per cent supply from state-run ordnance factories, to back his charge.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at the government for making 'empty slogans'. (Photo: File/ANI)

New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at the government for making "empty slogans" and accused it of asking soldiers to buy their own clothes and shoes.

He used a media report, which also claimed the Army is seeking to cut 50 per cent supply from state-run ordnance factories, to back his charge.

MAKE (empty slogans and useless acronyms) IN INDIA....meanwhile, make our soldiers buy their own clothes & shoes. https://t.co/UaWqsIhnQx  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 5, 2018

The media report claimed that the Indian Army has decided to cut down its supplies from state-owned ordnance factories and ensure that the money is instead spent on procuring an adequate stock of critical ammunition and spares.

The report further claimed that supplies such as clothing (combat dress, berets, belts, shoes) to soldiers will be hit due to the move and soldiers will have to spend their own money to buy uniforms and other clothes from civilian markets.This is the second such case in Rajasthan in about a fortnight.

Authorities are not clear how Jugraj Bheel, now 25, from Rampuria village strayed into Pakistani territory. (Representational Image)

Jaipur: A man missing from his home in Rajasthan's Bundi district for five years has been traced to a jail in Pakistan, an official said on Tuesday. This is the second such case in Rajasthan in about a fortnight.

In May, the family of a Jaipur man, untraceable for 36 years, learnt that he is lodged in a jail in Pakistan.

In the recent case, authorities are not clear how Jugraj Bheel, now 25, from Rampuria village strayed into Pakistani territory.

We received an inquiry to verify Jugraj Bheel's nationality, Bundi district superintendent of police Yogesh Yadav said.

The youth is in a Pakistani jail. We have found his family members in Rampuria village, falling in Dabi police station area, he added.

Police said the villager's 60-year-old father Bhairon Bheel has confirmed his identity. His family members have said that Jugraj was mentally disturbed but they do not know how he strayed into Pakistan, Yadav said.

Yadav said he received a report from the state police headquarter in May seeking information about Jugraj Bheel.

A fortnight ago, an inquiry into the case of 68-year-old Gajanand Sharma had also revealed that he was lodged in Pakistan jail. He had gone missing 36 years ago from his home in the Jaipur's Brahampuri area.

A police investigation confirmed his nationality and traced his family members.

BJP in-charge for party affairs in Rajasthan, Avinash Rai Khanna, and Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra met Sharma's family on June 2 and assured all possible help for his safe return from Pakistan.

They BJP leaders told the family that the party has written to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking her intervention to secure Sharma's release from the Pakistani jail.India will import LNG worth an estimated USD 25 billion over the contract period of 20 years from Russia.

Gazprom supplied the 3.4 trillion British thermal unit (TBtu) of cargo from Nigeria. The LNG cargo was received by Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. (Photo: AFP)

Dahej, Gujarat: After the US, Russia on Monday began supplying Liquefied Natural Gas or LNG to India under a long-term deal as the world's fourth-largest buyer of liquefied natural gas diversifies import basket to meet its vast energy needs.

LNG carrier 'LNG Kano', carrying a cargo from Russian supplier Gazprom, docked at Petronet LNG's import facility in Gujarat's Dahej on Monday morning, officials said.

Gazprom supplied the 3.4 trillion British thermal unit (TBtu) of cargo from Nigeria. The LNG cargo was received by Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

It will be considered as golden day in India's energy roadmap, Pradhan told reporters. "First we renegotiate price of LNG from Qatar, then reworked Australian supplies and now gas from Russia under renegotiated terms have started to flow."

India will import LNG worth an estimated USD 25 billion over the contract period of 20 years from Russia, "Gazprom price (after being reworked) is very competitive," he added.

"Four years ago, we were importing LNG from only Qatar. Today we are getting LNG from Australia, US and now Russia," Pradhan said.

India, he said, is pushing towards a gas-based economy by raising the share of environment-friendly fuel in the energy basket to 15 per cent from current 6.2 per cent.

There exists huge scope for gas usage in the Indian economy - from generating power to producing quality steel, he said adding that increasing gas share would also help the country meet its COP21 commitment to cutting carbon emission.

India is dependent on imports to meet 45 per cent of its gas needs.

Supplies from Russia come within weeks of India importing its first ever LNG cargo from the US under a long-term import deal.

Pradhan said that the starting of LNG imports from Russia has added a new dimension to the bilateral relations between India and Russia, particularly in the oil and gas sector. Russia has emerged as a long-term source for India's hydrocarbon imports, he said.

Stating that government is committed towards transforming India into a gas-based economy, he said investments are being made for augmenting natural gas infrastructure.

In the last few years, Indian companies have made investment of more than USD 10 billion in acquiring varying stakes in strategic Russian projects including Sakhalin-1, Vankorneft and Taas-Yuryakh.

On the other hand, Russian company-led consortium has committed an investment of USD 13 billion in Essar Oil in 2016.

GAIL has renegotiated with Russian supplier Gazprom the terms of the 20-year deal to import 2.5 million tonnes of LNG per year. Both price and volume ramp up have been renegotiated.

Company Chairman and Managing Director BC Tripathi said the contracted volume has been lowered from 2.5 million tonnes (MT) to 0.5 MT in the first year 2018-19, 0.75 MT in 2019-20, 1.5 MT in the third year 2020-21.

GAIL has committed to importing the full 2.5 MT a year by the fourth year and make up for the initial volume reduction over the remaining length of the contract. Also, the price indexation has been changed from the Japan customs-cleared crude to Brent, and the oil-linked slope of the contract formula lowered, and therefore the final price.

According to news agency PTI, sources said the renegotiated contract provides for diverting a part of the volume, originally contracted on a delivered ex-ship basis, to other markets.

Under the re-worked deal with Gazprom, the duration of the contract has been extended by three years and the Indian company has agreed to buy an additional six million tonnes of LNG volumes.

The pricing of the super-cooled fuel has been changed from 9 month linkage of Japanese customs-cleared crude to three months average of Brent, sources said.

The deferral will allow GAIL more time to find customers for the imported gas.

GAIL had signed the original deal on August 29, 2012, with Gazprom Marketing and Trading Singapore Pte Ltd (GMTS), Singapore. The deal was renegotiated in January this year.

Gazprom will supply LNG from Yamal LNG project in the Arctic peninsula.

India has been making the most of its position as one of the world's biggest energy consumers to strike better bargains for its companies.

Last year, India got US energy major Exxon Mobil Corp to lower price of 1.5 MT a year of LNG from Gorgon project in Australia, saving Rs 4,000 crore in import bill. At the time of signing, in 2009, the Gorgon LNG price with US-based ExxonMobil was agreed upon at 14.5 per cent.

In late 2015, it had renegotiated the price of the long-term deal to import 7.5 MT per year of LNG from Qatar, helping save Rs 8,000 crore.

Most recently, GAIL has been trying to renegotiate the price and terms of 3.5 MT a year US Sabine Pass contract with Cheniere Energy.

The contract was signed on an FOB basis in 2011, with the price formula set at 115 per cent of the Henry Hub gas price plus a fixed USD 3 per million British thermal unit terminal usage charge.

Sources said when the Russian deal was first signed, Gazprom envisaged supplying India with LNG from its planned Schtokman project in the Barents Sea, which was subsequently scrapped as the shale gas revolution in the United States removed a key customer base.

The resulting contractual inconsistency gave GAIL a foothold to re-open the Gazprom deal, sources said.The NCP supremo's comments came days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost by-elections in Kairana and Noorpur seats in UP.

'In 1977, the downfall of one party started, and at one point, the government collapsed. A similar situation can be a possibility now if the opposition comes together,' Sharad Pawar told media persons in Mumbai. (Photo: File)

Mumbai: Drawing a parallel between present day's political environment and the one that existed during 1977, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said a united opposition, just like 40 years ago, can take on the might of a single party.

"In 1977, the downfall of one party started, and at one point, the government collapsed. A similar situation can be a possibility now if the opposition comes together," Sharad Pawar told media persons in Mumbai.

The ruling Congress lost general election in 1977, held just after the removal of nearly two-year-long Emergency. Morarji Desai-led coalition won that election and remained in power until 1980.

The NCP supremo's comments came days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost by-elections in Kairana and Noorpur seats in Uttar Pradesh.

The Lok Sabha Kairana seat was won by Rashtriya Lok Dal's candidate, Tabassum Hasan, supported by the joint opposition, while Noorpur assembly seat was taken away by the Samajwadi Party.

The opposition parties have already indicated its intention and displayed strength when the likes of Congress' Rahul Gandhi, SP's Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress' Mamata Banerjee among others came together for the swearing-in of Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy in Karnataka last month.The case pertains to allocation of Gare Palma IV/1 coal block to Jindal Strips Limited and JSPL.

New Delhi: The CBI has questioned industrialist and former Congress parliamentarian Naveen Jindal in connection with its probe into a 2014 case registered by the agency against Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) among others for alleged cheating and corruption. According to sources Jindal appeared before the CBI at its headquarters here on Monday and he was quizzed for nearly five hours. This was the 36th FIR filed by the central probe agency in 2014 in connection with its probe into coal blocks allocation scam.

This case was registered against Jindal Stripes Limited, JSPL and unknown public officials for alleged criminal conspiracy and cheating under the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, sources said. Soon after registering the case, the agency carried out searches at four locations in Raigarh and Chhattisgarh. The case pertains to allocation of Gare Palma IV/1 coal block to Jindal Strips Limited and JSPL.

Allegations pertain to irregular mining lease beyond the approved area, excess coal mining, sale of coal, sale of coal fines and rejects, and irregular consumption of coal, the CBI FIR said.

The Gare-Palma IV/1 captive coal mining block covering 7.03 sq km in Mand-Raigad and with geological reserves of 124 million tonnes, was allocated under captive dispensation to Jindal Strips Ltd in Mand-Raigarh for the end-use of sponge iron production on June 20, 1996.

The case was the outcome of a preliminary enquiry filed on September 26, 2012 looking into the allocation of coal blocks during the period 1993-2005.RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha was the first to raise the issue of better coordination within the NDA.

Patna: Rumblings within the NDA grew louder with some JD(U) leaders demanding that chief minister Nitish Kumar should be the face of NDA in Bihar during the 2019 general elections.

The idea was floated during the core committee meeting of the JD(U) on Sunday evening which was attended by senior party leader K.C. Tyagi, party national general secretary Pawan Verma and election strategist Prashant Kishore.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar has been working tirelessly for the development of the state. The NDA should contest Lok Sabha elections on his face in Bihar as he is the tallest leader and the JD(U) is the largest constituent of the coalition, party national general secretary Pawan Verma told reporters in Patna.

Insiders said that the JD(U)s core committee members assembled in Patna to draw strategies for the NDA meeting scheduled for June 7 where issues related to better coordination and seat sharing are to be discussed.

Clarifying BJPs stand on the issue Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said, There is no trouble within the NDA as Narendra Modi being a Prime Minister is the face of the NDA in the country and Nitish Kumar, who is the chief minister of the state, has been working hard for the development of Bihar. So people will give their votes keeping this aspect in mind.

Political analysts are of the view the NDA allies started raising the need for better coordination instead of bid brotherly attitude after the BJPs performance dropped in byelections which were held recently.

RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha was the first to raise the issue of better coordination within the NDA.

The party was also the first to send signals that RLSP would not sacrifice any of its seats in the general elections.

According to political analysts here, Mr Kushwaha may not agree on leaving any of his seats for other parties, especially the JD(U), which returned to the NDA fold in July 2017.

According to a source, The RLSP may ask for more seats from the BJP this time thats why they want the issue to be discussed at the earliest.

In 2014 general elections the RLSP had won all three seats in Bihar.BJP chief will also meet Badal, host mahabhoj in Patna.

New Delhi: Amid growing speculation that the BJP could lose some NDA allies before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as the saffron party is increasingly being seen as non-accommodative, party president Amit Shah is planning an outreach aimed at reinforcing the alliances unity at a time when the Opposition is trying to stitch together a coalition for the general elections. On Wednesday, Mr Shah will meet Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai, on the following day, he will call on Shiromani Akali Dal supremo Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh.

Mr Shahs visit to Matoshree, the Bandra residence of Shiv Sena chief, has been planned under the BJPs Sampark Samarthan Abhiyan to make people aware about the work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. But the meeting is being seen as part of the BJPs continuous attempts to get Sena on board for the 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Amit Shah sought time to meet Uddhavji. Accordingly, an appointment for tomorrow evening has been given to him, confirmed Sena MP Sanjay Raut, whose party had earlier announced to contest the next Lok Sabha polls alone.

Rift between the BJP and the Sena has been widening ever since the former staked claim for chief ministership in their coalition government in Maharashtra, though the latter considered itself as the big brother in the partnership in the state.

Mr Thackeray has made public his stand that the Sena will contest the upcoming elections on its own and the BJP is trying to pacify him, said sources. Terming Mr Shahs visit on Wednesday as an attempt to sustain the alliance in troubled times, Mr Raut said that the Sena would still go solo in the Lok Sabha polls next year. The BJP is losing its partners and the atmosphere in the country is turning against them. There is a lot of resentment among public against the BJP. No wonder that they have planned to meet the Sena chief, Mr Raut said.

Replying to a query on whether the Sena would be convinced by the BJP to stay with the NDA in 2019, Mr Raut said it is not possible.

We have made our decision and it was taken after much thought. We understand public sentiments. We will go solo, he added. On Sunday, Mr Shah had met Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan when the latter raised the issue of special status for Bihar and reservation in promotions, among other issues. The BJP is also organising a mahabhoj (grand feast) on June 7 in Patna for all its allies in Bihar. With the BJP losing key parliamentary seats and Assembly seats to opponents in bypolls and efforts on by the Opposition parties to join hands against the BJP ahead of the 2019 general elections, there are murmurs that the saffron party is fast losing its sheen under Prime Minister Narendra Modi among political allies.

Some BJP allies have been criticising the partys high-handed approach, while others have openly dissented against the Modi governments decisions. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key constituent of the NDA, ended its ties with the alliance in March over the Centres alleged refusal to grant special category status to the state. The grand feast in Patna on June 7 for NDA allies in Bihar will be attended by JD(U) president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Modi and Union ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and RLSP leader and minister of state for human resource development Upendra Kushwaha.9,474 students committed suicide in 2016.

The three students, including two girls, were so dejected with their results that they thought it best to end their lives. (Photo: File/Representational)

New Delhi: Within just a few hours of declaration of the Class 10 (CBSE) results, three students committed suicide over poor performance in separate incidents in the national capital.

The three students, including two girls, were so dejected with their results that they thought it best to end their lives.

From peer pressure to high expectations of family and schools, students are killing themselves at a rate that is alarming. Going by the data released by the ministry of home affairs, around 9,474 students committed suicide in 2016  at a rate of more than one student every hour.

I used to feel a lot of parental pressure back when I was preparing for my board exams, said Khushi Anand, a Class 11 student of Laxmi Public School in Hauz Khas.

While recalling the atmosphere in school, she said, A lot of exams were conducted by the school and it built up the pressure. Continuous classes and exams used to exhaust us to death.

Child and clinical psychologist Dr Meghna Bansal said, Under the influence of society, parents, who are largely governed by conventional style of thinking that a child should either be an engineer or a doctor, tend to ignore the individual personality and potential of a child. Thus they coerce them into performing well in their studies and taunt them if they fail. This eventually leads to a low self esteem within students, which in later stage results into catastrophe, i.e. suicide. Hence it is essential for parents, instead of students, to go through counselling.

Highlighting parental pressure and peer support, Mohd Saieed Shafi, an ex-student of DPS at Anantnag in Kashmir, said, I used to prepare for my Class 12 board exams from NCERT books. But when my parents came to know about this fact, they started pressurising me to study from reference books. However, because of support from my sister and peers, I continued studying from my NCERT books and scored 83 per cent in my board exams.

Ayush, a former student of St Columbo Public School in Pitampura, said: Teachers, especially in tuitions, always expect their students to score high marks, which in reality creates pressure on us.

Recollecting one particular incident, where his teacher gave his example to one of the visiting parents in front of the class saying that he will be scoring at least 95 per cent in board exams, he said, This kind of incidents really put pressure on me and expectations soared.Sampark for Samarthan initiative was devised to generate awareness about PM Modi-led government's achievements in the last four years.

In the recent past, differences have cropped up in the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra. (Photo: ANI)

New Delhi: As part of his 'Sampark for Samarthan' (Contact for Support) campaign, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah is scheduled to meet Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence on Wednesday.

Launched in May 2017, the Sampark for Samarthan initiative was devised to generate awareness about the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's achievements in the last four years.

In the recent past, differences have cropped up in the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra.

In this regard, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that although there was no plan to dissolve the alliance, mutual efforts were essential to sustain ties.

Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir had also quashed the possibility of a breakup of the alliance, as the BJP and Shiv Sena were two separate parties, but followed the same ideology.

In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Shah will reach out to 50 people personally with details of initiatives and achievements of the government, whereas each BJP worker is expected to contact at least 10 people.

There will also be a special session of 'Sampark for Samarthan' on the NaMo App.

On Monday, Shah met with Yoga guru Ramdev and sought his support for the party.

"Meeting Baba Ramdev means we are meeting millions of people (who are his followers). He has assured us full support for next year's elections," Shah said.

Ramdev, on his part, lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the achievements so far, and said no Prime Minister had managed to garner respect from powerful world leaders to this extent.The Delhi government under Kejriwal has had frequent run-ins with the police and the bureaucracy.

New Delhi: There were no signs of thaw in the bitter ties between the bureaucracy and the AAP government, as all senior officials stayed away from the Iftar party hosted by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal Monday evening.

The party at the Palika Services Officers Institute in the Chanakyapuri area remained a low-key affair, as most of the prominent invitees, including lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal and former chief minister Shiela Dikshit, choose to give it a miss.

Chief secretary Anshu Prakash and other senior officials did not attend the event.

Several AAP MLAs were also conspicuous by their absence.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and ministers Imran Hussain, Satyendra Jain and Gopal Rai were among those who attended it.

Addressing the media after Iftar, Kejriwal said some forces were trying to divide the nation on religious lines.

The Delhi government under Kejriwal has had frequent run-ins with the police and the bureaucracy.

The latest flashpoint was the alleged attack on Prakash by Aam Aadmi Party lawmakers at Kejriwals residence in February.Local villagers blocked national highway near Haturia village for about two-hours Monday night demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

Md Mohsin Khan, a Trinamool Congress booth level secretary in Bagnan area of Howrah district was returning home on Monday night when the miscreants shot him dead at Haturia village in the district. (Photo: ANI | Representational)

Howrah (West Bengal): A local Trinamool Congress leader in Howrah district was shot dead my miscreants, police said on Tuesday.

Md Mohsin Khan, a Trinamool Congress booth level secretary in Bagnan area of Howrah district was returning home on Monday night when the miscreants shot him dead at Haturia village in the district, they said.

Khan's wife is a Trinamool Congress gram panchayat member.

Protesting the gunning down of Khan, local villagers blocked the NH 6 near Haturia village for about two-hours on Monday night demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

The police said they have detained three persons for questioning in connection with the case.The police said the owner, Sanjay Mondal, was shot dead when he demanded that the group pay up for the food they had consumed.

An FIR in the matter has been registered and one of the accused, Mohammad Firoz, has been arrested. (Representational Image)

Kolkata: In a shocking incident, an eatery owner was shot dead on Sunday evening for demanding Rs 190 for a plate of biryani from a group of four men who had eaten at his hotel in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district.

The police said the owner, Sanjay Mondal, was shot dead when he demanded that the group pay up for the food they had consumed.

Mondal was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead.

An FIR in the matter has been registered and one of the accused, Mohammad Firoz, has been arrested. Police said the search for the other co-accused is underway.

The police are also investigating if there are any other possible motives for the shooting. "As of now we think it is related to biryani only but our investigation is on," said an officer.

However, Mondal's brother named the four accused in the case and stated that Firoz is the one who shot his brother. He also added that the family has been living in terror and running the eatery business is a task.If Narendra Modi and Amit Shah didnt actually advise Mohan Bhagwat to invite the former President, they must be privy to the invitation.

Laced into the gnashing of teeth in the Congress ranks over the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanghs invitation to former President Pranab Mukherjee can be heard the grinding of axes. Why did the RSS ask a supposedly dyed-in-the-wool Congressman to be chief guest at an event to mark the culmination of 23 days of physical training and ideological indoctrination for Hindutvas stalwarts? Why for that matter has the man who worshipped the ground Indira Gandhi trod on accepted the invitation? Not only do the answers to these poseurs promise  threaten?  to make the run-up to the next general election, and its aftermath, additionally exciting, they make one wonder when and where the idea of a Third Front, flaunted in Bengaluru recently, was really born.

For all one knows, the former President might roundly lecture his Nagpur audience on the abiding virtues of cultural tolerance and secularism and the need for vigorous pluralism as opposed to majoritarian domination for a multi-religious country like India. But, somehow, that seems unlikely. If the RSS had wanted a repetition of the gospel according to Jawaharlal Nehru, it would have invited Rahul Gandhi or perhaps his mother. Its not for lay folk to divine how minds work in the magic circle of pendulous bellies over baggy khaki shorts (which the faithful curiously called knickers until 2016, when they were replaced by the supposed dignity of brown trousers), short-sleeved white shirts and black caps. All that can be assumed is that the invitation was calculated to sow confusion and dissension in the Congress ranks (which it has already done), assure Mr Mukherjee that life can begin after the presidentship ends, and yield dividends for the RSS and its protege, the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The RSS may have spawned the old Jan Sangh, but the roles were reversed in 2014 as they were not in 1998 when Atal Behari Vajpayee took over. Despite periodic media reports of rifts between the two, the pracharaks,swayamsevaks and sarsanghchalaks are well aware that the BJPs formidable temporal power makes all the difference. Without it they would have been bracketed with other socio-religious welfare organisations like the Bharat Sevashram Sangha and Ramakrishna Mission and dismissed with a casual namaskar and a token donation in a land teeming with all manner of self-anointed and self-serving godmen, to use that horrible Indian infliction on the English language.

Therefore, any major RSS initiative must not only benefit both organisations but also enjoy the BJPs full endorsement.

If Narendra Modi and Amit Shah didnt actually advise Mohan Bhagwat to invite the former President, they must be privy to the invitation. Having worked so closely with Mr Mukherjee for the last three years of his presidency, they must have a shrewd understanding of what animates him most. They may remember the nameplate on a Lutyens bungalow R. Venkat-araman, Former President of India, suggesting that the trappings of Rashtrapati Bhavan were missed. P.V. Narasimha Raos comment was: As a lover of anonymity, I have never even had a visiting card! Very few politicians love anonymity.

The former President does nothing lightly. Everyone is therefore eager to interpret his acceptance. He must know that however earth-shattering his speech in Nagpur may be, what really counts is his presence there. The saffron brigade diligently proclaims that Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar and Jayaprakash Narayan also graced RSS events. Never do they breathe a word of what these worthies uttered. They probably didnt say anything momentous. If they did say anything of consequence, it may have passed over the heads of listeners. The RSSs singular philosophy hardly makes it a forum for intellectual discussion.

If Mr Mukherjee has nevertheless agreed, it must be for his own sake rather than the host organisations. Given his stature, political experience and erudition, going to Nagpur cant be just a propitiatory gesture like Visva-Bharatis officiating vice-chancellor Sabuj Koli Sen parroting the BJPs election slogan Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas to curry favour with Mr Modi who was in the audience. Sycophancy runs in Indias life blood. But Mr Mukherjees devotion was to Indira Gandhi, and then  possibly because she was so obsessed with her younger son  to Sanjay.

If theres anything to compete with these personal loyalties, it is his unfulfilled ambition. Its said the political future was discussed with Naveen Patnaik at a Rashtrapati Bhawan lunch last year, and Mamata Banerjee was then informed over the telephone. This is linked with another lunch in Bhubaneswar in January, ostensibly to launch a biography of Biju Patnaik. The latters sons guests included L.K. Advani, H.D. Deve Gowda and Sitaram Yechury, apart, of course, from Mr Mukherjee. A picture shows the six ageing men engrossed in the food on their plantain leaves.

Its no secret that Mr Mukherjee hoped to succeed Indira Gandhi in 1984. He has himself confessed that 20 years later he expected Sonia Gandhi to nominate him. In between, he spent seven years in the political wilderness, writing at the end that India held no future outside the Congress fold for a secular, liberal democrat. Citizen Mukherjee  as he calls himself on Twitter  is unlikely to flout that analysis in the twilight of his life. But he is a determined man. As he once joked, his initials  PM  indicate his political destiny. He might achieve it yet as the non-party consensus leader of a coalition ministry of all the talents if 2019 produces a hung Lok Sabha.

The law doesnt forbid an active political role to a former President. In another world, King Simeon of Bulgaria, who reigned from 1943 to 1946, was the Bulgarian republics elected Prime Minister from 2001 to 2005. The visit to Nagpur may signify Barkis is willing.Safaa Boular, now 18, had started chatting online to fighter Naweed Husain when she was 16.

Rizlaine Boular, 22, and Dich, 44, both pleaded guilty in February to planning acts of terrorism. (Photo: AP | Representational)

London: A London teenager who wanted to attack the British Museum with grenades and firearms after she was prevented from travelling to Syria to marry an ISIS terrorist was convicted on Monday of planning acts of terrorism.

Safaa Boular, now 18, had started chatting online to fighter Naweed Husain when she was 16. She had decided to join him in Syria so they could marry, then carry out a suicide attack there while holding hands.

Husain had sent Boular's older sister, Rizlaine Boular, 3,000 pounds (USD 4,000) to pay for Safaa's travel arrangements, but the sisters were arrested in August 2016. They were released on bail but had their passport confiscated.

Safaa Boular continued chatting to Husain, and the pair discussed plans for her to attack the British Museum, one of central London's top attractions for visitors, with what she called "pineapples" - grenades.

"Safaa Boular's intention was to cause serious injury and death," said Sue Hemming of the Crown Prosecution Service.

After Husain was killed in Syria on April 4, 2017, Boular wrote that she wanted to be granted "martyrdom".

"My heart yearns ... to be reunited with my dear husband for the very first time," she wrote.

Instead, she was arrested eight days later, but her sister Rizlaine took on the planning of an attack on targets in central London, supported by the young women's mother Mina Dich.

The mother and daughter went on a reconnaissance visit to major landmarks in Westminster on April 25, 2017, and the following day they bought knives from a supermarket. They were arrested a day later.

Rizlaine Boular, 22, and Dich, 44, both pleaded guilty in February to planning acts of terrorism. Their pleas could not previously be reported because of the risk of prejudice to Safaa Boular's trial by jury.The Trump administration is actively preparing for the June 12 summit between the US President and the North Korean leader.

Last week, Trump met with a top North Korean official at the White House to plan for the summit. The official handed him a letter from Kim Jong-un. (Photo: File | AP)

Washington: US President Donald Trump would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at 9 am Singapore time on June 12, the White House announced on Monday.

"I can tell you the president has been receiving daily briefings on North Korea from his national security team, and I can also tell you the schedule tentatively, for that first meeting will be on June 12 at 9:00 am Singapore time, and take place June 11, 9:00 pm East Coast time," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference.

The Trump administration, she said, is actively preparing for the June 12 summit between the US President and the North Korean leader.

"The advance team in Singapore is finalising logistical preparations and will remain in place until the summit begins. In the DMZ, the US Ambassador's delegation continues diplomatic negotiations with the North Korean delegation. Discussions have been very positive, and significant progress has been made," Sanders said.

Last week, Trump met with a top North Korean official at the White House to plan for the summit. The official handed him a letter from Kim Jong-un.

"I am not going to get into the specifics of the letter, but as the president said, they were interesting, and we feel like things are continuing to move forward, and good progress has been made, and we're continuing to prepare for the president's summit," Sanders said.

When asked whether Trump supports a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, she said the focus of the administration right now was the President's meeting with the North Korean leader.

"And the President will make his views known directly to him when we're in Singapore, and our focus will continue to be on denuclearisation," Sanders said. Responding to a question on "maximum pressure" policy on North Korea, the press secretary said the US policy towards Pyongyang has not changed.

"Our policy hasn't changed. And as the president stated, we have sanctions on. They're very powerful, and we would not take those sanctions off unless North Korea denuclearises," she said.Despite all advanced weaponry, Gurkhas do not prepare for battle without khukri - the heavy curved knife that is their traditional weapon.

While both leaders will bring their own personal security teams, elite Singaporean police, including its Gurkha Contingent, will be securing the summit venue, roads and hotels, according to diplomats familiar with VIP security in the island state. (Photo: AP)

Singapore: When US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meet for their historic summit in Singapore later this month, they will be protected by men from one of the fiercest warrior tribes in the world - the Gurkhas of Nepal.

While both leaders will bring their own personal security teams, elite Singaporean police, including its Gurkha Contingent, will be securing the summit venue, roads and hotels, according to diplomats familiar with VIP security in the island state.

The Gurkhas, who have a low-profile presence in Singapore, were more visible than usual at the weekend as they secured the Shangri-La Hotel for a security conference that included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and other regional ministers.

The Gurkhas, recruited by the Singapore police from the hills of faraway Nepal, were kitted out in body armour, Belgian-made FN SCAR combat assault rifles and pistols in leg holsters at the conference, in what some security experts believed was a dry run for the US-North Korea summit.

Despite all the advanced weaponry, the Gurkhas do not prepare for battle without the khukri - the heavy curved knife that is their traditional weapon of choice. According to custom, the khukri must draw blood every time it is unsheathed.

"They are among the best Singapore can offer, and I am sure they will be involved (in the summit)," said Tim Huxley, an expert on Singapore's armed forces at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

"They remain very much a substantial and frontline force, and the demands of this kind of event are precisely the sort of special operation that the Gurkhas are trained to handle," he said.

A spokesman for the Singapore police declined to comment on the deployment of the Gurkhas or their numbers.

The IISS Military Balance says 1,800 Gurkhas serve in the Singapore police, across six paramilitary companies.

A legacy in part of the British colonial era and more recent pragmatic Singaporean leadership, Singapore's Gurkhas are linked to a British tradition that has recruited and paid for elite regiments of soldiers from Nepal for more than 200 years.

Beaten back by the Gurkhas in the 19th century Anglo-Nepalese War and admired for their valour and fighting skills, the colonial British then began to recruit them. Now Gurkhas serve in the British, Indian and Nepalese armies, as well as in Brunei and Singapore.

They have fought in world wars as well as the Falklands conflict and, more recently, in Afghanistan.

"Tough, vigilant and steadfast"

Huxley said the Gurkhas had long proven to be an asset to Singapore's leadership, providing a neutral force within an ethnically diverse city-state, including VIP and anti-riot protection.

At times of regional tension, they have protected international schools, and are often seen at the Malaysia-Singapore border crossings.

The Singapore Police website describes the group as "tough, vigilant and steadfast" that operates "across the spectrum of paramilitary operations to help safeguard Singapore".

They live with their families in the secure Mount Vernon Camp outside the city, an enclave that ordinary Singaporeans are not allowed to enter.

A woman married to a Gurkha who lived in the camp said life there was restricted.

"We have a curfew of 12 midnight," she said. "For women, we can let them know if we have a genuine reason to stay out, for men, there is no excuse.

"One of the rules we have is that we have to be in bed by 10.30 pm every night. This means no music, no nothing. Even if we have a party, we need to stop. If not, there will be some form of enforcement by the people patrolling."

Typically recruited at 18 or 19 before being trained in Singapore, the Gurkha soldiers retire at 45 when they are repatriated. While their children attend local schools, Gurkhas are not allowed to marry local women.

A handful of ex-British Army officers serve as sworn-in Singapore police in senior leadership, training and organisational roles.

"Although they are police, the links between the contingent and the British Army remain deep and strong," one British Army officer said. "They are part of a fine tradition."Putin will meet Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen as well as Kurz on Tuesday.

Putin, who was recently re-elected to a fourth Kremlin term, also played down reported links between his United Russia party and Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), which is now part of the governing coalition in Vienna. (Photo: AP)

Vienna: President Vladimir Putin on Monday downplayed suggestions Russia was seeking to disrupt the European Union's cohesion, saying it was in his country's interests for the bloc to remain "united and prosperous".

"We have an interest in an EU that's united and prosperous, since the EU is our most important commercial and economic partner," Putin told Austria's ORF television a day before an official visit to Vienna.

"The more problems at the heart of the EU, the more risks and problems there are for us. We need to build cooperation with the EU," he said.

"We don't have a goal of dividing anything or anyone in the EU."

Putin, who was recently re-elected to a fourth Kremlin term, also played down reported links between his United Russia party and Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), which is now part of the governing coalition in Vienna.

The FPOe -- the junior partner to Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's People's Party -- supports Russia's claim of sovereignty over Crimea and advocates the easing of economic sanctions levied against Moscow over its role in the Ukrainian crisis.

Austria was one of the few EU nations not to expel Russian diplomats following the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain in March.

Putin will meet Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen as well as Kurz on Tuesday.by Paul Wang

Many young people also present. Before the vigil, a Christian prayer meeting, led by Card. Joseph Zen. The testimonies of the families of Tiananmen dissidents and martyrs. Thank you to the people of Hong Kong, the only place to where the dramatic event can be commemorated.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - At least 115 thousand people took part in the Victoria Park vigil in memory of those who were killed by the Chinese army on 4 June 1989 in Tiananmen Square. The large number of participants surprised the organizers: for several years diverse pro-Beijing groups have contested the peaceful event claiming that "there was no massacre" 29 years ago. In addition, a growing number of young "localists", who care for democracy in Hong Kong, refuse to participate, considering the vigil ineffective. In reality there were many young people and students at the vigil, as well as entire families.

Many Protestant and Catholic Christians were also present. As per tradition, they held a moment of prayer for the "martyrs" of Tiananmen at a pavilion of the Victoria Park, just before the vigil. Their prayer was led by Card. Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong.

At the vigil, a series of commemorative videos, elegies similar to prayers, songs, the ritual of flowers laid before a copy of the monument of heroes, which stands in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, also saw the two moving video testimonies: that of Li Wenzu, wife of human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang, and that of Di Mengqi, one of Tiananmen's mothers.

Di recalled her son, Wang Hongqi, 19, who greeted her on the morning of June 3, 1989, on his way to work and who never returned because he was killed by soldiers. As a mother, I hope the state can step forward to clarify its stance on the massacre, Di said. If not, Ill not close my eyes in my grave ".

Hong Kong is the only place in China where the Tiananmen massacre can be freely remembered. In the People's Republic every event or commemoration is prohibited and many activists are forced under house arrest or forced to take a vacation in the company of members of the public security.

Li Wangling, sister of the late dissident Li Wangyang, released a short video on Facebook to thank the people of Hong Kong for supporting the murdered of Tiananmen.

Her brother, who had participated in the 1989 democratic movement, was in prison for 22 years. Released in 2011, he lived under police surveillance 24 hours a day. He died in 2012 in a case of suspected suicide.

Wang Dan, one of the leaders of the then protests, now exiled in the United States, also thanked the Hong Kong people who attend the vigil: "Every year we attend the candlelight vigil at Victoria Park in Hong Kong ... and we have seen that this moral support has continued for 29 years ... It is something that the people of Hong Kong should be proud of ".

The Hong Kong Alliance in support of the democratic and patriotic movements in China, who organize the vigil, is already preparing for the next year's event, marking the 30th anniversary. These days, until June 10, the group has organized an exhibition on Tiananmen in the Shek Kip Mei district.According to custom, their traditional curved knife, the khukri, must draw blood every time it is unsheathed. Admired for their valour and fighting skills, they have been recruited by the British military for more than 200 years. Some 1,800 serve in Singapore but they live separately from Singaporeans and are not allowed to marry local women.

Singapore (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The Gurkhas of Nepal, one of most fearless people in the world, will provide security for the historic summit between US President Donald Trump and North Koreas strongman Kim Jong-un.

The meeting in the city-state is scheduled for 12 June. Singapore Police Force, which includes a Gurkha contingent, will secure the summit venue, roads and hotels hosting the delegations.

The Gurkhas, who usually have a low-profile presence in Singapore, were more visible than usual at the weekend as they secured the hotel for a security conference that included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and other regional ministers. For experts this was a rehearsal of the US-North Korea talks.

Despite their advanced weaponry, the Gurkhas do not prepare for battle without the khukri  a heavy curved knife. According to custom, the khukri must draw blood every time it is unsheathed.

Recruited from Nepals hill regions, about 1,800 Gurkhas serve in the Singapore police, across six paramilitary companies.

Admired for their valour and fighting abilities, the Nepali warriors have served Great Britain for more than 200 years.

At present, Gurkhas serve in the British, Indian and Nepalese armies, as well as in Brunei and Singapore. They have fought in both world wars as well as the Falklands conflict and, more recently, in Afghanistan.

In Singapore, they provide a neutral force within an ethnically diverse city state, including VIP and anti-riot protection.

At times of regional tension, they have protected international schools and are often seen at the Malaysia-Singapore border crossings.

They live with their families in the secure Mount Vernon Camp outside the city, an enclave that ordinary Singaporeans are not allowed to enter.

Typically recruited at 18 or 19, before being trained in Singapore, the Gurkha soldiers retire at 45 and are repatriated. Whilst their children attend local schools, Gurkhas are not allowed to marry local women.The driving ban will be abolished on June 24. Critics say that Riyadh does not want to grant further reforms. The right to drive is not enough, the law of the guardian must be abolished.

Riyadh (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Saudi government has issued the first driving licenses to 10 women, but in the meantime activists for the women's rights are still in prison.

The 10 licenses were issued yesterday to women already in possession of driving licenses in other countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Lebanon and Canada. Each of the future drivers passed a short driving test and a visual check.

The driving ban will be abolished on June 24th. For a long time, the Saudis have complained about being forced to hire expensive drivers, moving in taxis or having to rely on male relatives to go to work or to shop.

However, the first licences were issued while at least four women's freedom activists remain in prison. Among the arrested activists are Loujain al-Hathloul, Aziza al-Yousef and Eman al-Nafjan, some of the most determined and well-known Saudi voices for women's rights.

They maintain the right to drive is not enough: the law of the guardian must also be abolished, which imposes on women the obligation to have the permission of the closest male relative for important aspects of their life, such as marriage and travel abroad .

For critics, the crackdown casts a shadow over the reforms of the "Vision 2030" program ordered by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: they believe, Riyadh is not willing to grant other freedoms to Saudi citizens.by Wang Zhicheng

The Early Rain Covenant Church was founded by pastor Wang Yi, a former human rights activist. A two-hour prayer was scheduled in memory of the victims of the massacre. For the police, the reason for the closure is that the church does not respect the new Regulations on religious activities.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - An underground Protestant church (not recognised by the government) was closed yesterday afternoon, just hours before its members gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre.

In China, the events of 4 June 1989 are heavily censored, and it is forbidden to commemorate them in any way.

The Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu (Sichuan) had scheduled two hours of prayer starting at 7.30 pm to remember the young people killed by soldiers and army tanks 29 years ago.

Immediately after 3 pm, dozens of uniformed and plain-clothes police officers entered the community building and took away its pastor, Rev Wang Yi, along with his wife and a group of faithful.

Since 2009, the community holds a month of prayer that runs from 12 May  the date of the earthquake in Sichuan  to 4 June, the date of the massacre in Tiananmen Square.

This is the first time that the authorities stopped the church from marking the anniversary.

The reason given by the police for shutting down the church is that it is not registered and violates the new Regulations on religious activities.

Wang founded the Early Rain Covenant Church in 2005. Since then, it has become one of the most important communities in the country. Before he became a pastor, Wang was a human rights lawyer.

Last month, the community was prevented from holding a memorial service for the people who died in the Sichuan earthquake.On May 23rd, the Canadian government blocked the acquisition of Aecon Group Inc.  a Toronto-based construction company  by an SOE (state-owned enterprise), China Communication Construction Company (CCCC). Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus federal cabinet cited national security concerns to turn down the acquisition by CCCC. This $1.5 billion acquisition was likely to give Chinas state owned CCCC control over one of Canadas largest construction company that has distinguished itself with projects such as the CN Tower and Vancouvers Sky Train project. The Aecon deal would have been one of its kind investment by Chinas SOE  giving CCCC ability to bid for large infrastructure projects in Canada. Chinas state-owned firms have been making strategic investments in infrastructures such as seaports, airports, solar farms, and stadiums across Europe.

Aecon was a recent bidder to build and operate the $4.8 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge Project connecting Windsor in Canada to Detroit in the US. Experts both in the US and Canada expressed concern about an SEO (State-owned enterprise) bidding for an international bridge project. Though the Aecon decided to withdraw from the group bidding to construct the Gordie Howe project  but this wasnt enough for Ottawa.

After a 4 month long national security review of the deal, Prime Minister Trudeaus cabinet decided to block the deal. But why would the Canadian government block the acquisition of a company that in engaged in infrastructure projects?

Declaring the decision, Prime Minister Trudeau cited the example of Australia to illustrate the compromising of critical infrastructure. PM Trudeau was referring to Chinas state-owned State Grid Corporate and Hong Kong-listed Cheung Kong Infrastructures control over Australias electricity grid system  both companies already own a significant share in Australias privatised electricity distribution. Australia recently blocked the deal to let both State Grid Corporate and Cheung Kong Infrastructure control over New South Wales based electricity distributor Ausgrid. This move has marked an impasse in Australia-China relations.

Ward Elcock  former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service  expressed concern about CCCC buying Aecon. Elcock stated that once CCCC has controlling stake in Aecon, Canadian government cant control what projects they are engaged in. United States intelligence community has been unequivocal in its concern about Chinas SOEs acting as an extended arm of Chinese Communist Party. Recently, Pentagon ordered the removal of Huawei and ZTE devices from retail stores on US military bases. Though it remains unclear who actually owns the controlling share in Shenzhen-based Huawei Technologies, the US intelligence community firmly believes that Huawei Technologies serves the interests of CCP. Huawei has been banned from bidding on US government contracts since 2014. In 2016, the US Commerce Department issued a subpoena to Huawei for exporting US technology to Iran, and hence violating the terms of sanctions on Iran.

But Canadas decision to block this Aecon deal hasnt exactly followed suit of US concerns. Ottawa approved the acquisition of Canadian companies ITF Technologies and NORSAT by Chinas enterprises  both companies develop sensitive radar and satellite technologies. The decision to block the Aecon deal could be the result of two converging reasons more recently growing US antipathy under Trump administration towards Chinas trading practices and discord in China-Canada relations over progressive values in business practices.

Lu Shaye, the Canadian Ambassador to China, commented about the decision in the Globe and Mail, Some people also attack CCCCs participation in construction on islands and reefs in the South China Sea. But this just proves that CCCC boasts advanced technology in the infrastructure field. CCCC has been involved in building a Mischief Reef  an island in the South China sea  construction of which has been condemned by the UN as a violation of its convention on Law of Sea. World Bank barred CCCC and its subsidiaries from their infrastructure projects in 2011  citing fraudulent practices in a Philippines project.

What does this mean for Chinas enterprises expanding across Asia-Pacific and North America? There is growing antipathy towards Chinas state-owned and private entities expanding in both Asia-Pacific and North America  some of it plays into settling geopolitics scores. But a measured accountability is necessary to ensure this doesnt end up in a battle between the values of East vs. the West. Multilateral agencies such as the World Trade Organization should be part of the accountability process.

The citing of national security concern isnt a norm for Canadas policymakers. But it has been invoked in case of a country that has become infamous for using a nebulous set of institutional authority to forward its intelligence interests. Peter Mattis statement about Chinas intelligence apparatus is revealing, A sketchy consulting outfit with a few faked LinkedIn profiles and that does not own the domain it claims is as much a sign of the ministry as an MSS (Ministry of State Security  Chinas equivalent of CIA) officer under diplomatic cover in a tailored suit with idiomatic English.

The blocking of Aecon deal and the US caution to Chinas technology firms is setting a trend that other OECD countries are likely to follow. This puts countries on a collision course where the authority of multilateral trading blocks is undermined weakening the current global order.

Notes:Hlo.



I did diploma in 2013 , after that till now i have 5 year experience including one year training my age is 25 .



Please calculate my points,



and clear me how much of my experience will be count (full 5year or some deduct)

ThanksPlease help!! I have just woken up to the worst email about my visa getting rejected, reason being that English test requirement was not met at the time of application. I was stupid and assumed that it is the same as the Medical test, where they will ask you for it after applying. I already have one booked for the 13th and have the options for AN AAT review. But I am confused if this makes my whole application invalid because I still have not done the English test or if I still have a chance to do a review?



Please advise,

Nabeela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.By Fred Pearce

Grapevines growing in La Geria, Lanzarote, Spain

The rivers of lava flowed with no apparent end. And then came the earthquakes. Hawaiis Kilauea Volcano had been erupting since mid-May. Its entered a quiet phase now, but what happens next remains uncertain. Whats certain is the damage left in its wake. Similarly, the Canary Island of Lanzarote experienced violent volcanic eruptions nearly nonstop for five consecutive years. This happened three centuries ago. But instead of causing massive destruction, Lanzarotes eruptions laid the foundation of a rejuvenated agriculture. The following passage from the upcoming revised edition of Fred Pearces When the Rivers Run Dry: WaterThe Defining Crisis of the Twenty-First Century describes the marvelous benefits the black volcanic stones of the eruptions brought to the island.

***

Lanzarote, an island off the west coast of Africa, was a tranquil place in the eighteenth century, ruled by Spanish priests and visited occasionally by ships making the transatlantic crossing. Farming was rudimentary and the living poor. The island had less rain than much of the Sahara desert. Then came a series of massive volcanic eruptions that shook the island almost without a break from 1730 to 1735. A priest described how, at the height of the eruptions, the earth suddenly opened a gigantic mountain rose and sank back into its crater on the same day, covering the island with stones and ashes.

It could have been the end for the islands inhabitants. Yet, far from obliterating its life, the eruptions provided the key to the islands future prosperity. The black volcanic stones noted by the priest launched a bizarre agricultural revolution. As the farmers returned to their fields, and contemplated the task of removed the stones, they noticed something odd. In the areas covered by stones, their crops were bursting forth, whereas elsewhere they were not. It didnt take the farmers long to discover why. The black pumice-like stones had shaded the soil from the glare of the sun, reducing evaporation and keeping the soils damp. They were also porous and trapped moisture by capturing night-time dew. We now know the stoneswhich the local people called piconcut water loss from the often-parched fields by around seventy-five percent. New crops would grow in the soil, including fruit and vegetables, provided there was a layer of picon at the surface.

Soon the farmers were importing camels from Mauritania to haul stones to fields that had not benefited from the eruptions. Formerly useless hillsides were cleared of brush, cut into terraces, covered in picon and planted with vegetables. By 1776, an anonymous chronicler was recording a prodigious mutation of farming on the island. Marvels abound, with the land being more fertile, becoming fruitful and bearing fruit two or three times a year. Like sponges, the picon soaks up the water, and the crops receive a delicate, gentle watering, he wrote. Before the eruptions in 1730, the most the island produced was bread and beef; now on the strength of the picon, it produces grapevines, vegetables, maize, potatoes, pumpkins and other produce.

Exports of surplus produce began. Grapes did particularly well. The farmers grew prickly pears for the cochineal insects that infested them. The insects are deep crimson inside, and the islanders scraped up the insects with a spoon, dried and ground them, before selling the vivid crimson remains as a dye. Cochineal harvesting was big business in Lanzarote in the nineteenth century, before the advent of synthetic dyes.

The stones revolutionized agriculture. Their water catching abilities remain vital on an island with no permanent rivers, few underground water reserves and rainfall averaging just thirty-seven inches a year. Nowadays, most of Lanzarotes population make their living from the two million tourists who visit each year. But the black fields produce nearly half a million gallons of wine a year. Lanzarote cochineal is still used in everything from lipstick to strawberry milkshake and Campari.

Farmers reckon fields need to be replenished every thirty to fifty years, as the stones become mixed into the soil. But there are still plenty to go round. Virtually all cultivated fields in Lanzarote still have a layer of picon today, says David Riebold, a British forestry scientist on the island, who showed me round. Without picon, you couldnt grow crops in most places.

The technology has some precedents. It seems the prehistoric inhabitants of Easter Island in the Pacific used mulches of volcanic stones to trap moisture, especially after they had destroyed their forests. Some farmers in arid western China cover their fields with gravel from river beds to cut down evaporation. But, like the dew ponds on England, picon remains a remarkably local hydrological phenomenon that goes largely unnoticed both by the worlds agriculturalists and by the millions of tourists taking the sun on this very unusual desert island.

***

Look for Fred Pearces When the Rivers Run Dry: WaterThe Defining Crisis of the Twenty-First Century this August!

About the Author

Fred Pearce has reported on environmental, science, and development issues from eighty-five countries over the past twenty years. Environment consultant at New Scientist from 1992 to 2018, he also writes regularly for the Guardian newspaper and Yale Universitys prestigious e360 website. His many books include The New Wild, When the Rivers Run Dry, With Speed and Violence, Confessions of an Eco-Sinner, The Coming Population Crash, and The Land Grabbers.The Bible has been under attack in the western world for over 200 years but never more intensely than today. These attacks have taken different forms and have come from many different corners of the academic world, from philosophers, to scientists, to textual critics. In the specialized world of archaeology the attacks have increased dramatically in the past 50 years. Once a specialization filled with Bible believing individuals, the field of archaeology is now overrun with atheists and skeptics, agnostics and those committed to the destruction of the Bible as a source of true historical information.

These attacks on the Bible are a part of a sweeping movement in western culture. Spearheaded by academic elitists in the university and the public educational system, the news and popular media, and the entertainment industry, these revisionists cloak themselves with supposed objectivity, purity of motives, and the superiority of science over the "uninformed", "unscientific", religious community.

They regularly mock those who question their world-view and their conclusions by name-calling and the worst forms of anti-Bible and anti-Christian propaganda. They have powerfully infected the church by turning Bible believing Christians against the very Scripture which is the foundation of truth and life in this world. Instead of contending for the Bible, Christian academics, pastors, and lay-persons are making egregious accommodations to these destroyers of faith and truth.

In these days of intense spiritual battle, God has called ABR to step into the gap to contend for the truth and to assist the church in this critical hour. ABR is a non-profit ministry dedicated to demonstrating the historical reliability of the Bible and to give answers to questions being asked by believers and non-believers alike. We do this by using original archaeological fieldwork and research along with studies in other apologetic disciplines. We take on the bold claims of skeptics and critics. We challenge the bizarre anti-biblical propaganda that is purveyed upon the public as gospel through television and print media. We uphold the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is God's message for the salvation of all mankind!For Immediate Release, June 5, 2018



Contact: Noah Greenwald, (503) 484-7495, ngreenwald@biologicaldiversity.org

Roger Peet, (503) 753-7027, toosphexy@gmail.com Endangered Species Mural Celebration June 29 in Cottage Grove Taylors Checkerspot Butterfly Featured in National Project PORTLAND, Ore. The Center for Biological Diversity will host an event Saturday to celebrate the 15th installment in the Center's national Endangered Species Mural Project. The 40-foot-long, 20-foot-tall mural features a Taylors checkerspot butterfly, an endangered Willamette Valley prairie species. The national project highlights imperiled species that are of special significance to their region. The diversity of wildlife around us helps define our communities, said local artist Roger Peet, who spearheads the Endangered Species Mural Project and designed and painted this mural. By painting larger-than-life endangered species in cities and towns across the country, I hope to raise awareness of the connection between conservation and community strength. The Endangered Species Mural Project brings together art, science and conservation to foster connections between human communities and imperiled wildlife, said Noah Greenwald, endangered species program director at the Center. We hope this mural inspires all those who encounter it to want to learn more about saving local endangered species. Roger will be in Cottage Grove painting the mural all week and available for interviews. What: Endangered Species Mural Project public celebration with refreshments Who: Artist Roger Peet and the Centers Endangered Species Program Director Noah Greenwald When: Friday, June 29, at 6 p.m. Where: 106 S 10th St., Cottage Grove, OR (the Bohemia Building, corner of Washington and 10th) Cost: Free Species Background

Taylor's checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori) is a medium-size, colorfully checkered butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. It formerly occurred throughout the extensive grasslands, prairies and oak woodlands of Vancouver Island, the Puget Sound basin and the Willamette Valley. As this habitat has diminished due to urban sprawl and agriculture, so has Taylor's checkerspot. The butterfly is currently known to be present in just 11 sites in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon, including sites on the Olympic Peninsula, Puget Trough and Willamette Valley. The butterfly gained federal Endangered Species Act protection in 2013 as the result of Center advocacy. Mural Project Background

The Endangered Species Mural Project has installed 15 murals in public spaces around the country. Other murals already in place include the streaked horned lark in Portland; a mountain caribou in Sandpoint, Idaho; an Arctic grayling in Butte, Montana; a monarch butterfly in Minneapolis; a jaguar in Tucson, Arizona; and grizzly bears in Oakland, California. Learn more on our website.For Immediate Release, June 5, 2018



Contacts: Alejandro Olivera, Center for Biological Diversity, +521(612) 104-0604, aolivera@biologicaldiversity.org

Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institute, (202) 446-2128, margie@awionline.org

Kari Birdseye, Natural Resources Defense Council, (415) 875-8243, kbirdseye@nrdc.org UNESCO Recommends Delaying In-danger Designation for Vaquita Habitat, Despite President Pena Nietos Failure to Protect Endangered Porpoise Conservation Groups Vow to Fight for Increased Protections PARIS Despite the vaquita porpoises near extinction, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have recommended postponing in danger status for the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California World Heritage site. The delay comes despite Mexican President Enrique Pena Nietos failure to safeguard the vaquita. The area was named a World Heritage site in 2005, in part to protect the vaquita, a small porpoise with fewer than 30 individuals remaining. The vaquita is losing half its population each year because of entanglement in fishing gear. If current rates continue, the vaquita will be extinct by 2021. Delay equals death for the vaquita, said Alejandro Olivera, the Center for Biological Diversitys Mexicos representative. More than half the vaquitas population has vanished during President Pena Nietos time in office. UNESCO should not delay these crucial safeguards until the next administration and let the president off the hook for failing to protect these porpoises. The World Heritage Committee is scheduled to vote on this recommendation during its 42nd meeting in Manama, Bahrain beginning June 24. An in danger listing would help raise attention to the plight of the vaquita and lend both logistical and financial support to Mexico to eradicate illegal fishing in the vaquitas habitat. The vaquita, totoaba and all other marine species in the Upper Gulf of California impacted by illegal gillnet fishing cannot wait another year, said Kate OConnell, a marine wildlife consultant for the Animal Welfare Institute. The WHC must send a clear message to Mexico that it has to substantially increase protections for these species and their habitat now. Fewer than 30 vaquita remain on the planet, said Zak Smith, senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. Any delay in taking all measures to protect these animals is barbaric and completely shortsighted.

A WHC and IUCN report from April 2017 recommended an in danger designation for the site, but the Mexican government lobbied to postpone the decision until 2018, based on commitments and promises that it failed to uphold. A new 2018 WHC and IUCN report also found that the only way to safeguard the species from extinction is the cessation of illegal fishing activities and that illegal fishing activities still occur. Nonetheless, the WHC recommended that the World Heritage Committee delay the in danger decision until 2019. In 2015, the Animal Welfare Institute and Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the World Heritage Committee to list the site as in danger, citing the vaquitas decline. The vaquita faces a single threat  entanglement in illegal gillnets set to capture shrimp and fish, including the totoaba. Totoaba swim bladders are in high demand in Asia for purported medicinal properties and are worth more than cocaine on the black market. Eight vaquita have died since March 2017, and hundreds of illegal gillnets have been removed from the Upper Gulf since December 2016. Trafficking in totoaba parts continues unabated as more than 750 totoaba swim bladders have been seized in Mexico in recent months, according to Federal Agency of Environmental Protection (PROFEPA). The recent WHC and IUCN report acknowledges that the continued removal of gillnets from the Upper Gulf of California and ongoing illegal trade in totoaba parts demonstrate Mexicos inability to protect the site.Trends globally indicate a slight increase in the number and duration of relationships with creative agencies.

Marketers looking for simplified approach

Distinct specialisations

Traditionally, marketers work with a larger number of creative agencies, but maintain longer relationships with media agencies, though recently these trends are not always true, this is according to the Scopen Agency Scope South Africa 2017/18.South African marketers work on average with 1.92 different advertising agencies and 1.12 media agencies. The average duration of marketers and creative agencies relationships in South Africa is 4.26 years, which is on par with the global average. (4.26 vs 4.47 global). Marketer  media agency relationship lasts for an average of 4.12 years, below the global average of 4.81 years.The integrated-advertising agency relationship figure is lower than the global average for advertising agencies (0.68 vs 1.48 globally) only UK leads the ranking with 2.75 advertising agencies per marketer.Johanna McDowell, partner at Scopen Africa and CEO of the Independent Agency Search and Selection Company (Pty) Ltd believes the reason for the drop in the number of years of the relationship between marketers and agencies is due to the size of the study sample which involved 220 top advertisers in 2017 compared to 70 top advertisers in 2016.She comments, What we observed is that the very big marketers tend to have longer relationships with their agencies because of the complexity of their business and the size of the budgets that they spend. This probably prevents them from changing agencies more frequently.Other global trends suggest that marketers depend on their agencies to be their marketing departments and deliver on their needs. At the same time, marketers are looking for a simplified approach because the average CMO is responsible for a lot more than just marketing in their business.Another trend from Adforum indicates that there is an increase in clients who are appointing agencies on a project to project basis as opposed to as agency of record. The reason for this is that clients do not want to move the account in its entirety straight away and would rather try out an agency first on a project basis. In addition, there are more areas of specialisation that marketers need which were not available and not as necessary three to four years ago.The UK ranks the highest in terms of number of agencies per marketer where they average 10 agencies. This is because the market there is so huge and complex with large budgets and most often the marketers work across Europe requiring more specialist agency services.Looking ahead to next years study Agency Scope South Africa 2019, one can speculate that we may see that marketers in South Africa would prefer to have all services under one fully integrated roof.McDowell continues, Although, they might like a fully integrated approach, marketers are starting to recognise that certain agencies have distinct specialisations that will be needed for certain projects on an ad hoc or continuous basis depending on particular needs, she concludes.Thanks to the fourth industrial revolution, businesses today have more tools than ever at their disposal. From the power of the cloud, giving flexibility and scalability to organisations both big and small; to IoT, effortlessly merging the digital world with our everyday lives, it's safe to say that technology has opened doors to efficiencies, advantages, and new ways of thinking that were once considered science fiction, or even wholly unimaginable.

 everythingpossible via 123RF

But what exactly is on the horizon? What should a modern business work towards, or be mindful of, if it is to take on the future successfully?

Current forecast-centred insights

Chatbots are only multiplying

GUI is shifting to VUI

Low quality to high definition

Collaboration is key

However, we cant all be experts in everything. Collaboration, therefore, is something every organisation should seriously consider.

The internet has, of course, played a large role in making such innovation possible.In fact, it continues to drive disruption after disruption, forcing businesses to constantly evolve to meet a new generation of consumer demands.Organisations that dont adapt are bound to disappear. Those that take tomorrow into consideration, however, continue to grow and thrive.Here are a few current forecast-centred insights from within the ICT (information and communications technology) industry to consider.Any business that doesnt consider chatbots important is going to find itself at a serious disadvantage in future. Though this particular trend is still in somewhat of its infancy today, it is set to explode over the next few years.In fact, its predicted that by 2020, there will be 1.8 billion chatbots!With the primary focus for many organisations currently centred on customer experience, incorporating this technology into the service side of a business is a natural move. With it, a company can assist more clients faster, and help them resolve any issues or questions they have in a much more efficient manner.Have you ever noticed the microphone icon to the right of Googles search bar? Thats VUI or voice-user interface - another growing trend that makes human interaction with computers possible through a voice/speech platform.Think of Alexa and Siri, for example, and how theyve both become must-haves in the daily lives of so many people. That may not be the case currently in South Africa, but it will be in the near future.This isnt to say that businesses today should ditch their GUI efforts entirely in preparation for the shift. Rather, they should supplement the visual with voice. This again ties into the overall customer experience. What if a client doesnt want to look around on a website for a product or service, for instance, but would prefer to ask the question and be taken there automatically?The above points lead perfectly into this next insight: 40% of CEOs and CIOs say that whats most important to them currently are platforms that allow both high-definition audio and video. The reason for the desired quality improvement is straightforward  it makes the experience that much better for the user and improves their overall journey.Having a platform that is capable of delivering high-definition audio and video essentially opens the door to impactful omnichannel executions. For clients, it means they have more ways to interact with an organisation. For the organisation itself, technologically advanced, boundary-pushing platforms provide more avenues to spark interest and inspire interaction from consumers.One thing every business should be mindful of  arguably the most important consideration, actually  is that customer value perceptions dont stem from the company itself, but rather from the overall ecosystem it operates in. This means that although your own organisation may be at the top of its game when it comes to its own services, theres always room for improvement in terms of customer experience, like adding complementary solutions to your offerings.Innovation happens organically when resources are shared to solve a problem or meet a new need, and this is where an ICT-driven solution comes in handy. It unifies communications and multi-layered business processes, driving innovation and collaboration for greater efficiency.With that in mind, perhaps its time for organisations to consider doing more collaborative work, not only to help their clients but themselves too. Boosting the overall ecosystem of an industry will reap benefits for all those that exist in it, after all.At the very least, every organisation should be working towards implementing the latest ICT technological trends  particularly those discussed above  even if its just on a basic level.That way, theyll have the springboard they need to dive into a more productive and efficient tomorrow, without the fear of ending up at a point where its actually too late to catch up.This company article has been removed.Minister of Energy, Jeff Radebe, has said that South Africa no longer has an arrangement to procure nuclear energy with Russia.

Energy Minister Jeff Radebe

Reforming the CEF

Radebe spoke on the matter during an interview with Karima Brown on eNCA's. When asked to clarify the status of the nuclear deal following Deputy President, David Mabuza's official visit to the Russian Federation in May and the Brics Summit due to take place in Johannesburg, Radebe said any deal for nuclear procurement was set aside in court."The submission of that intergovernmental agreement of Russia, US and South Korea was put to test in the High Court in South Africa where the court decided that the submission of those was unconstitutional and unlawful and we are back to square one... which has now been set aside by the court. The submission of that agreement into parliament as you know will require a ratification by our parliament in order to have an agreement to be valid."Radebe also spoke on corruption in the Central Energy Fund and his intention to reform the organisation. "Well it is true that there are challenges in PetroSA, not just PetroSA, the whole holding group of the Central Energy Fund and I am deeply concerned about it. That's why we appointed the Boston Consulting Group to help us to turn around that entity ... We are in the final stages of taking decisions about the turnaround of the whole group in SA today. After that, we will be filling positions because as you know there are many Hollywood actors in CEF, in PetroSA, in Strategic Fuel Fund and so on. That situation cannot go forward unattended, so it is one of my priorities in the next few weeks to ensure there is stability in the CEF."Before the end of his tenure as leader of the ruling African National Congress, former president Jacob Zuma voiced his committal to securing a nuclear project with Russia during his administration, and described those who opposed it as "backing western agenda". He added: "There are those who support this notion without even knowing the background. They go around saying we don't want nuclear. They are supporting the wrong forces".South African Tourism and FCB Joburg have successfully completed the rebranding of "Indaba" as "Africa's Travel Indaba" at this year's event, which drew to a close in Durban on 10 May.

Creative credits:

Key reasons for the rebrand included further entrenching Indabas position as the world-class tourism show in Africa as well as maintaining an upward trajectory of exhibitor and buyer numbers. According to Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom, tourism already contributes about 8% to Africas gross domestic product and employs 6.5% of the workforce.The rebranding, as well as the execution of Africas Travel Indaba 2018, was declared an outstanding success by delegates, exhibitors and the media, and is one of the projects that will add to President Cyril Ramaphosas tourism narrative.FCB Joburg Joint Chief Creative Officer Ahmed Tilly explained the rationale behind the rebranding. The word Indaba, initially strongly associated with the travel industrys annual conference and exhibition, had over the years become associated with many other initiatives, conferences, exhibitions and the like  Mining Indaba and Baba Indaba being good examples, he said.Solving the issue that Indaba was not immediately associated with tourism or travel appears simple on the surface but is grounded in strong strategy that distinguished the event in 2018 and gives it a presence it can move forward with into the future, he said.The prefixes Africas and Travel were added to the name Indaba to immediately distinguish it as a pan-African tourism gathering. But, in addition to seeking to cement Indabas respected position in the global travel industry, there was another major contributing factor for the decision to rebrand, that being grounded in the absolute truth that those who run and contribute to the annual gathering are Africans. As such, they understand Africa and her value proposition better than anyone else. And, with the evolution into Africas Travel Indaba, are unashamedly taking ownership of Africa as a travel destination.It was important for us to show recognition of the fact that our buyers and exhibitors are the absolute experts of travel in, and around, Africa. They understand that travel in Africa is not only about getting from point A to point B, but also about the stories that happen between points A and B, he said.Travel in Africa moves us not just geographically, but from one state of being to another. Whether experiencing its diversity from ancient cultures to modern cities to wild and lonely spaces or meeting new people and signing the business deal of the lifetime, simply being in Africa, travelling through Africa changes us.So, for the physical representation of the new name, the FCB design team found a way to showcase this physical and metaphysical movement, he said.Creative Director Collette Wasielewski, Head of Design Liana Liebenberg, Senior Designer Thabang Lehobye, Senior Copywriter Jessica Everson and Associate Creative Director Kyra Antrobus created the corporate identity using new technologies and old techniques.To express the "Africa Moves You" idea, the team created a dynamic logo system that allows the logo to expand and contract using patterns and pictograms to tell stories. By doing this, the logo itself shows the movement from A to B and all the stories that happen in-between.The new name and identity was launched at Indaba 2017 with a logo that moved through Durban. This stretched over 33km from King Shaka International Airport via the North Beach Promenade to the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre.Patterns placed en route - on everything from bridges and fences to rooftops and pavements  connected all of the elements together; clearly showcasing the concept of movement from A to B. On the final day of the show, the logo was displayed in its entirety at the entrance of the conference centre.The new branding, however, really came into effect at Africas Travel Indaba 2018. It was an incredible project to work on and Im so proud of the South African Tourism and FCB team that pulled everything together. Watch the new identity unveil here:Client: South African TourismSouth African Tourism CEO: Sisa NtshonaSouth African Tourism Chief Convention Bureau Officer: Amanda Kotze-NhlapoSouth African Tourism Chief Marketing Officer: Margie WhitehouseCreative agency: FCB JoburgStrategist: Zoe Willems and Lerato MolekoJoint Chief Creative Officer: Ahmed TillyCreative Director: Collette WasielewskiHead of Design: Liana LiebenbergSenior Designer: Thabang LehobyeSenior Copywriter: Jessica EversonAssociate Creative Director: Kyra AntrobusAccount Lead: Raylene BarlowAccount Manager: Chelsea de KlerkCartoon Network's Ben 10 scores new brand ambassador

Cartoon Network's Ben 10 has acquired Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe 'Yeye' Letsholonyane as its brand ambassador for Africa.



Letsholonyane will work with Cartoon Network Africa to sustain the Ben 10 franchise across its online and on-air platforms while raising awareness and affinity with the brand amongst the new generation of Ben 10 fans.by Kristina Knight

RichRelevance has released their new shopper survey and among the more interesting results are that most US shoppers don't trust the results of voice assistant searches. Researchers polled just over 1,000 shoppers in May to come to their conclusions. Among the more interesting findings are these: that 70% of US shoppers haven't used a voice assistant to shop and nearly half don't trust the results of the current players in the space. including Google and Amazon.

"Search is an essential part of the commerce experience," said Mike Ni, CMO of RichRelevance. "Sessions using search account for 45% of ecommerce revenue, yet our study indicates that many companies still under-deliver when it comes to relevance and accuracy, particularly on mobile. While conversational commerce has risen to the top of retail buzz, voice search still in its infancy for shopping. With many retailers looking to go beyond last-generation keyword based search, brands and retailers would be best served by focusing on personalization and image search while positioning themselves to win with any developments in voice-based search."

The researchers also found the Amazon is much less popular with younger consumers, which will be a problem as Millennials are much more likely to have used voice search. Millennials and younger shoppers are most likely to have used Apple's Siri or Google Assistant to shop, with these pulling in about one-third of Millennial shoppers. By comparison, only about 10% of Millennials have used Amazon's Alexa.

In addition, about one-third of those polled say they are 'unsatisfied' with mobile search results and also say they get 'worse search results' on mobile devices than they get on laptop or desktop computers.

Tags: ecommerce, ecommerce tips, google home, mobile commerce, mobile marketing, RichRelevance, voice assisted shoppingThe Most Extensive and Reliable Source of Information Related to the Mexican Drugs Cartels.



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NEW DELHI (PTI): IAF chief B S Dhanoa has begun a four-day visit to Brazil to explore possibilities of deeper defence cooperation between the two countries.



"The visit would provide further impetus towards increasing defence cooperation and pave the way for greater interaction and cooperation," the Indian Air Force (IAF) said.



The chief of air staff is also scheduled to visit various operational and training units of the Brazilian Air Force besides interacting with its senior functionaries.



"The visit would also strengthen relationships and enable engagement in productive exchanges between the two air forces," the IAF said.



It said the air chief marshal is embarking on the goodwill visit at the invitation of his Brazilian counterpart.



An internet imagery.

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian government is all set to conclude a multi-billion dollar deal by October to procure 200 Kamov Ka-226T attack helicopters through a joint venture between Russian Helicopters and state-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.



Official sources said almost all the ground work to finalise the mega project has been completed as the government is eyeing to seal it within the next four months.



An inter-governmental agreement between India and Russia was signed for the project during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow in December 2015.



In October 2016, India and Russia had finalised a broad agreement to set up the joint venture (JV) between HAL and Russian Helicopters which will co-produce the choppers. India is procuring the choppers to replace its ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.



Last month, the defence ministry issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the Indo-Russian venture for the project.



Officials said the HAL-RH joint venture will send a detailed response to the RFP by end of August and the final deal is set to be signed in October.



They said the government has already approved the technical configuration for the twin-engine multi-role helicopter which is known for its superior manoeuvring capabilities in mountainous areas.



The defence ministry has already approved the payment for setting up of the JV. A site in the vicinity of Tumkur near Bengaluru has been identified for setting up the facility to produce the choppers.



The Kamov helicopters will be supplied to the Indian Air Force and the Army. Both these forces have been pressing for early conclusion of the deal so that they could replace their ageing fleet of existing choppers within next three to four years.



According to the 2015 agreement, 60 Kamov-226T helicopters will be supplied to India in fly-away condition, while 140 will be manufactured in India.



Russia had agreed to ensure transfer of technologies to India as part of the pact. Russia has been one of India's key suppliers of arms and ammunition for decades.



A representational photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): India is likely to soon finalise with Israel purchase of a batch of Spike anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), months after New Delhi scrapped a previously negotiated deal to procure the weapon systems from that country.



Sources said the two countries have been engaged in finalising the deal.



In November last, the defence ministry had decided to retract the process to acquire a batch of Spike missiles from Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defence Systems at a cost of USD 500 million.



However, before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit here in January, the government had indicated that it was considering purchase of the ATGMs from Israel through the government-to-government (G-to-G) route.



Netanyahu, days after his India visit, too had said that India will buy the Israeli missile systems and that the final details and scope of the deal were being worked out.



After cancelling the deal in November, the defence ministry had asked premier defence research laboratory DRDO to develop similar missiles with indigenous technology.



Sources said the government decided to buy a batch of the anti-tank missile as it will take at least three years for Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to produce the weapons.



They said government may go for purchasing the missiles from Israel through the government-to-government route like it did in sealing the deal for procuring 36 Rafale jets from France.



The long range nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-5 lifts off as it was successfully test fired from mobile launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at APJ Abdul Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal on Sunday, June 03, 2018. A PTI Photo.

BALASORE, ODISHA (PTI): India on Sunday successfully test-fired indigenously developed nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni-5, with a strike range of 5,000 km, from a test range off the Odisha coast.



The surface-to-surface missile was fired from a mobile launcher at the Integrated Test Range on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, previously known as Wheeler Island, at 9.45 am, defence sources said.



Describing the flight test from launchpad-4 as successful, a defence press note said, "All the radars, electro-optical tracking stations and telemetry stations tracked the vehicle all through the course of the trajectory. All the mission objectives have been achieved."



Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists, staff, the armed forces and industries for the success of "A5 Mission," it added.



This was the sixth trial of the state-of-the-art Agni-5, which covered its full distance during the test.



Unlike other missiles of the series, Agni-5 is the most-advanced in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine, a DRDO official said.



Several new technologies were successfully tested during the Agni-5 trial.



Navigation systems, very-high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System and the most-modern and accurate Micro Navigation System ensured the missile reached within a few metres of the target, the official explained.



"The high-speed on-board computer and fault tolerant software, along with robust and reliable bus, guided the missile flawlessly," he said.



Agni-5, a re-entry vehicle, after reaching the peak of its trajectory turns towards Earth and moves towards the intended target with an increased speed due to the planet's gravitational pull. The missile's path is directed precisely by the advanced on-board computer and inertial navigation system.



As the missile enters Earth's atmosphere, the atmospheric air rubbing its skin during the re-entry phase raises the temperature beyond 4,000 degrees Celsius, sources said.



However, the indigenously designed and developed carbon-carbon composite heat shield provides thermal protection to the payload by maintaining the temperature inside the vehicle below 50 degrees Celsius, they said.



The missile has been designed to hit the designated target point accurately, guided by the on-board computer with the support of a Ring Laser Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System, the Micro Inertial Navigation System, fully-digital control system and advanced compact avionics, they said.



Ships located in mid-range and near the target point, tracked the vehicle and witnessed the final event. Radars and electro-optical systems on the path monitored all parameters of the missile and displayed in real time, they added.



The first two flights of Agni-5 in 2012 and 2013 were in open configuration.



The third, fourth and fifth launches were from canister integrated with a mobile launcher, in its deliverable configuration to enable launch of the missile with a very short preparation time as compared to an open launch.



It also has advantages of higher reliability, longer shelf life, less maintenance and enhanced mobility, the sources said.



India has in its armoury the Agni series - Agni-1 with 700 km range, Agni-2 with a 2,000-km range, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2,500 km to more than 3,500-km range.



The first test of Agni-5 was conducted on April 19, 2012, the second on September 15, 2013, the third on January 31, 2015 and the fourth on December 26, 2016.



The fifth test was held on January 18 this year. All the five trials were successful.



An internet imagery.

NEW DELHI (PTI): India and its two strategic partners -- the US and Japan -- will hold the Malabar naval exercise from next week off the coast of Guam in the Philippine Sea with an aim to deepen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region where China has been expanding its military footprint.



Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar said the upcoming edition of the annual exercise will be very significant in terms of the "scope and complexity" it was aiming at with a view to deal with threats and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.



Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri, Shakti and Kamorta of the eastern fleet would be participating in the 22nd edition of the Malabar exercise from June 7 to 16 June.



The Navy will send its P 8I surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft to the exercise, in its first overseas deployment, Navy officials said.



"It will be perhaps one of the largest Malabar exercise in terms of participation of naval assets from all the three countries," said Vice Admiral Kumar.



Kumar said war-like situations will be simulated as part of the exercise to enhance inter-operability of the navies of the three countries to deal with such situations effectively.



The US fleet will include USS Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered supercarrier, Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Pasadena and guided-missile cruisers Antietam and Chancellorsville.



Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Benfold and Mustin will also be part of the exercise, besides American Navy's P8 aircraft.



The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force would be represented by a Hyuga class helicopter carrier JS Ise with integral helicopters, Takanami class destroyer JS Suzunami, Akizuki class destroyer JS Fuyuzuki, the defence ministry said.



It is for the first time the Malabar exercise is being conducted off Guam, a US Territory. Malabar 2017 was held in July last year on the eastern sea board of India, off Chennai and Visakhapatnam.



The harbour phase of the exercise from June 7-10 will feature professional interactions among the three navies.



The sea phase from June 11 to 16 includes a diverse range of activities at sea including aircraft carrier operations, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and joint manoeuvres and tactical procedures among others.



The exercise is taking place at a time when the US, Japan and several other leading countries have called for greater role of India in the Indo-Pacific region.



The US has recently named its Hawaii-based Pacific Command as the Indo-Pacific command, reflecting Washington's priority in the Indo-Pacific region.

MUMBAI (PTI): The Indian Navy has completed "service life extension refit" of a 32-year-old ship of the Mauritius Coast Guard.



The six-month-long overhaul of the Mauritius Coast Guard Ship (MCGS) Guardian here was undertaken in furtherance of the Indian Navy's diplomatic outreach, the Western Naval Command (WNC) said in an official statement on Sunday.



The `service life extension refit' of the 32-year-old ship started on December 1, 2017 at Naval Dockyard and ensured timely completion of its hull, engineering, electrical and weapon work package, it said.



MCGS Guardian, after successfully completing all the mandated trials, is set to return to Mauritius "as good as new", the statement said.



While bidding farewell to the ship and the crew, the Admiral Superintendent of Naval Dockyard presented a memento and a compendium of reports of all trials conducted on the vessel, stated the city-headquartered WNC.

Monika Slowikowska picked up the Best Woman Contractor award in The European Women in Construction and Engineering Awards.

The event took place on Thursday 24 May at the Royal Lancaster in London. It celebrated women in construction  who make up just 11% of the UKs construction workforce, and only 2% in manual as opposed to office roles.

Slowikowska is Polish and did not speak any English when she first arrived to the UK. She is now Managing Director and Founder of construction company Golden Houses. She described her win as a victory for women, who bring a lot to the construction industry.

She said: "This a humbling but very proud moment for me. I believe that better people make better businesses, and I combined this approach with my construction experience to start a successful company.

"I hope that this award means I can continue creating fantastic developments while mentoring other women in the field and helping them believe in their capabilities.

"Golden Houses Developments presents a new attitude in construction, where conflict is resolved smoothly and the teams energy is channelled into delivering superb work on time and on budget.

"I believe in inspiring my team to uphold the highest standards in everything that they do."Electric heating and hot water products manufacturer Heatrae suggests its water dispenser, SuperChill, can help combat plastic usage.

This comes as students at Brighton College campaigned for a reduction in the use of plastic on campus after seeing its impact on the environment in the Blue Planet II series on BBC One. Greenpeace estimate that 12.7 million tonnes of plastic bottles, bags, and microbeads end up in the ocean each year.

Headmaster of Brighton College, Richard Cairns, revealed that his staff will begin to hand out sanctions such as organised beach cleaning for those who continue to use such items following the ban. He said he wanted to make single-use plastic bottles as much of a taboo on campus as cigarettes.

Ethan Thompson, Product Manager at Heatrae, suggests its chilled water dispenser could be helpful to companies looking to reduce their plastic usage. The SuperChill chilled water dispenser is available in three versions, including the SuperChill 30F, an alternative to bottled water coolers. The product also offers an optional filter accessory and, supplied with its own spout, can be installed alongside existing taps. The SuperChill is plumbed into the mains water supply and has a chilled water capacity of up to 30 litres per hour.

Thompson said: Were beginning to see large companies commit to the reduction of single-use plastics in the food industry, and its brilliant to see that schoolchildren are going to their teachers and telling them that they want to help with these efforts.

Additionally, the Government is throwing its weight behind initiatives that promote green living, with a focus on reducing the amount of single-use plastic that ends up in UK landfills.

This is the perfect opportunity for specifiers, school leaders and facilities managers to recommend or install plumbed in drinking water solutions on their premises.

Plumbed-in drinking water units are vital as they offer a continuous supply of cold, filtered water on demand, whilst offering a superior taste in comparison to tap water. They are the perfect location at which to fill up a reusable bottle.MKM Hartlepools Mick Sumpter has collected two prestigious awards on behalf of his charity as well as being bestowed the Teesside Hero Award for his lifelong commitments.

Sumpter is a trustee of the European Childrens Help Organisation, which is dedicated to helping disadvantaged children in Romania and has been running for more than 20 years. As well as Branch Director at MKM Hartlepool, Sumpter regularly travels to Romania to undertake charity work. His latest visit saw him open a centre for children with Downs syndrome in Botosani - one of the poorest areas of Romania. The centre is run by the ECHO.

The ECHO won an award for its continued work for disadvantaged children in the city of Iasi - given by its Mayor, Mihai Chirica. The charity has been involved in a variety of projects to help disadvantaged children this region, including work on a childrens cancer ward, as well as on the main hospital and on renovating a school. The second award was in recognition of ECHOs partnership with childrens charity Star of Hope International.

The final award was the Teesside Hero Award, awarded by the Teesside Philanthropic Foundation. This recognises Sumpters personal longstanding commitment to the causes of disadvantaged children, locally and in Romania. Sumpter has helped raise over 200,000 for cancer-related causes in memory of his late friend, Kay Smith. This is in addition to Sumpters commitments to a number of local charities, such as the Carlton Camp, which gives disadvantaged kids from Hartlepool the opportunity to adventure outdoors.

Not only that, but during the festive period, Sumpters MKM branch was the headquarters of the Hartlepool Mails Give A Little Gift campaign. The staff at the branch along with family and friends all got behind the campaign, with over 600 gifts donated to the branch which were then distributed to charities around Hartlepool. The target for this years appeal is 1000 gifts.

Sumpter said: Its fantastic that the ECHO is receiving the recognition that it deserves for the vital work carried out over many years. Its only with everyones fantastic support that the charity is able to continue achieving what it does.

On a personal note, its humbling to receive the Teesside Hero Award. Seeing everyone come together as they did for the Give a Little Gift appeal was truly inspiring. Over 600 gifts were received into our branch, all going to help those kids and their families who dont have as much at Christmas.

There are so many out there who need our support and help - so I hope everyone keeps an eye peeled for MKM Hartlepools next fundraising efforts!A new lettings business has opened in Burnham-On-Sea town centre this Spring following a 250,000 investment.

Darren Clapp has opened the new Burnham branch of Glentworth Lettings in College Street after nearly 20 years of business in Weston.

We are a family-run, specialist independent letting and property management company offering a friendly and professional service with years of experience in lettings and management of property throughout the UK, says Darren.

We have moved to Burnham due to the negativity in the local estate agent market over recent months, he adds. Burnham is a lovely town that needs confidence in the property market.

We are a one-stop shop for property lettings, whether its property management, maintenance, lettings, legals or accounts.

He adds that the firm also plans to open in Bridgwater this year, followed by Taunton and Portishead.

The firm has taken on three new staff in Burnham and further positions are likely to be available.

Darren is ARLA regulated by the lettings agency industry body and ensures legality and regulations are adhered to through the business. Mrs Alison Lees in the Glenworth Lettings legal representative who has been with the firm 10 years.

With our experience solely in lettings we have developed comprehensive packages and offer a wide range of services that accommodate landlords whether they are experienced in lettings, new to this industry or even reside overseas.

We have a dedicated team providing a bespoke and personal service to landlords. If a landlord has multiple properties then say goodbye to the stress and hassle of having to deal with numerous agents  we have the facilities to manage all of your properties under one roof.

In the same Burnham premises, Darren has also opened an office for Keystone Property Reports (KPR), who are property inspection software specialists.

KPR specialise in a range of bespoke reports, from simple property condition reports to legality compliance reports. Their revolutionary software is widely used by letting agents, NHS property managers, and councils.

During the College Street refurbishment, our renovation works contractor, Glentworth Maintenance, uncovered two vintage Wills Woodbine Cigarette boxes, (believed to be dating from around 1870) in the ceiling of the premises.

The boxes have been professionally mounted and they are now proudly hang on the wall of the very room that it is dedicated to. The Wills Room is a studio used for online training and demo purposes for KPR software. By coincidence, during the same week, a box of Wills Woodbine Cigarettes was found in the walls of Buckingham Palace during their 10-year 369m refurbishment!

Darren adds: We are very proud of our Burnham-On-Sea office. It is a great town and the locals have been very welcoming. Our findings in the ceiling of the property during the refurbishment was a bonus! It makes a great feature and focal point.The Box Elder County Sheriffs Office was called to help rescue a Logan couple who became stranded in the West Desert over the weekend trying to drive to Wendover.

According to a press release, Matthew and Abigail Adams left Logan on Saturday and were intending to spend the night in West Wendover, Nevada. Instead of driving along I-15 and I-80, the couple planned to travel through Lucin and then drive south.

Family members called deputies Sunday morning when the couple did not check into their hotel and could not be reached by cellphone. They were reportedly driving a red Nissan Titan pickup.

A deputy traveled the couples planned route, driving all the way to Wendover without seeing any sign of the vehicle. He also contacted the hotel where they were going to stay and learned they had not checked in.

Search and Rescue crews were dispatched as deputies attempted to track the couples cellphones to get their last known location. About the same time, the couple were spotted by Union Pacific Railroad crews. They were on the Lucin Cutoff railroad grade, just south of the Hogup Mountain range.

Deputies found the couple around 3:00 p.m. Everyone was fine. Matthew Adams explained that as they were driving Saturday afternoon the road conditions deteriorated and they became stuck in a mud hole. The trucks four wheel drive would not engage and they could not get out.

The couple could see the railroad from their location and formulated a plan to get assistance by making a HELP sign. They attached the sign to an umbrella to get the attention of a passing train. Before a train could pass the couple were spotted by railroad maintenance crews.

Deputies commended the Adamses for notifying family members of their intended route and weekend itinerary. They also had made a plan to get help but stayed with their vehicle, conserved energy and stayed out of the elements.

Deputies encourage anyone who is planning to travel into remote locations to take plenty of water, healthy snacks or food. They also advise not deviating from planned routes and remember that cellphones wont always work.

will@cvradio.comDes manifestants anglophones archives

Activists, friends, familiesd are yet to dilute the recent jail terms slammed on Mancho Bibixy and six others ranging from 10 to 1 5 years, when another set of Anglophones arrested within the context of the Anglophone crisis will be answering present in court this Tuesday.

The charges brought before these new set are similar to those of Mancho and co; secession, revolution and insurrection, illegal possession of firearms, terrorism amongst others.

The five include; Abeng Gerald Ndam, Tamina Terence, Ignatius Mbende Wenda, Braidnard Fongoh alias Fiango and Chongong Kelly Stacy Ngwe.

They were arrested in Bamenda, North West region of Cameroon, early 2018. They were later ferried to Yaounde, the political capital where they have appeared once in court.

Amongst them is Stacy Chongong who was reportedly caught videotaping a detainee she came to visit at the Bamenda Central Prison.

The mother of one had gone to visit the fiance of her sister, Terence Tamina, who was accused of possessing arms illegally.

According to legal representative, Barrister Ndi Shey, she was accused of complicity in acts of terrorism.

They will be appearing in court for the second time following an adjournment last May 8 due to improper constitution of the case file by the State Prosecutor.

Meantime on Wednesday June 6, 2018, Fonyuy Terence, Ade Keneth Chi and Anyangwei Lelly, will appear before the military court for the umpteenth time since their arrest, no clear case has been filed against them.

The military court in Yaounde has sentenced over 10 Anglophone youths arrested within the context of the Anglophone crisis since court cases started. For two years since arrests, thousands are still in jail, languishing.

Some have reported cases of torture, intimidation and lack proper health care system as some have been hospitalized at some points.| BY Martin Trevaskis |

Tonights Asia-Pacific Tambuli Awards awards presentation in Manila saw several world class human good campaigns get recognised. The overall standard was excellent.

A total of 6 Grand Prix awards were handed out on top of 17 Gold, 23 Silver and 41 Bronze.

Grand Prix awards went to:

McCann Worldgroup India for The Immunity Charm for the Ministry of Public Health, Afghanistan

Cheil Worldwide India for the Samsung Technical School  Seema Nagar.

McCann Melbourne for AGL Power Struggle

BWM Dentsu Australia for Disappearing Person Alerts for the Queensland Police

McCann Healthcare Worldwide Japan for ANGFA Washable Book

Dentsu Jayme Syfu Philippines Dead Whale for Greenpeace Philippines.

Australian agency BWM Dentsu was named Agency of the Year with a performance of 1 Grand Prix; 3 Gold; 4 Silver and 6 Bronze.

whiteGrey Australia had a great night winning 2 Gold awards for Hello in Elephant.

Other agencies to star on the night were Dentsu Jayme Syfu Philippines (4 Gold), McCann Worldgroup Philippines (3 Gold), Ogilvy & Mather Philippines (2 Gold). Single Golds went to Cheil India, Cheil Korea, and IdeasxMachina Philippines.

Dentsu Aegis Network was named Network of the Year.

Advertiser of the Year was awarded to Victorian Government.

The Cinema for Good went to Seven Sundays.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to John Miller, Senior Vice President Africa, Asia and Oceania, Nestle. Miller flew in from London to accept his award.

Chief Marketing Communication Officer of the Year went to Paolo Mercado Senior Vice President and Director Marketing Communication and Innovation, Nestle Philippines.

The pioneer award show globally that honors brands that do good and do well, the Asia-Pacific Tambuli Awards jury was lead by Malcolm Poynton the London based global CCO of Cheil Worldwide.

The Tambuli Awards celebrate brands that show the seamless integration of creativity + human good + results. Case study entries must demonstrate how brands uplift society, create positive change, and correlate purpose with purchase. The awards is not an award on charity, advocacy, pro bono, or CSR advertising, even if those campaigns are welcome and encouraged to enter. The award, however, focuses on mainstream brand campaigns that celebrate humanity, inspire purpose, and deliver results.

An award that began in Manila in 2005, the Tambuli (a native Filipino horn) is organized by the School of Communication of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) in collaboration with industry partners, to create positive impact in society through marketing communications.| BY Ricki Green |

Zenith Australia has today announced the promotion of Mark Johnson to head of digital for Zenith Sydney.

In addition, chief digital officer of Zenith, Geraldine McDonagh, has resigned and will leave the agency on June 28th. Her role will not be replaced.

Johnson was previously head of performance and his replacement in this role will be announced shortly.

Prior to joining Zenith, Johnson was group director, digital at MediaCom Australia for three years. He has also worked as performance director and senior search manager for MediaCom, as well as digital insight consultant at Latitude.

Says Nickie Scriven, CEO, Zenith Australia: Mark came to Zenith earlier this year with a wealth of digital experience. In just six months he has made exceptional inroads into our digital performance structure, people, product and processes.

With Geraldines departure we have an opportunity to recognise this great work and allow Mark to lead the entire digital team in Zenith Sydney and ensure we are well prepared for the future in this constantly evolving media landscape. Id like to thank Geraldine for all of her hard work and commitment to Zenith. She will be missed by the executive team and the broader agency and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

Says McDonagh: I have thoroughly enjoyed the last four years at Zenith, building out and refining the digital proposition to ensure we are delivering ROI for our clients. I leave the business in excellent shape, and I wish the team and Nickie every success for the future. Its now time for me to build on the great experience I have gained at Zenith and look for a new challenge within the media and marketing industry.

Says Johnson: Zenith has a strong digital team and a great offering for clients. With the agencys focus on ROI and marketing-led growth, we are well placed and Im excited to lead the team in Sydney to deliver results for our clients.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.Photo: Contributed Poet Sharon Thesen introduces writers Jay Ruzesky (left), Alix Hawley, Heidi Garnett, Michael Poirier and John Lent at last years Spoke Literary Festival reading at the Vernon library. a

Join in on the third annual Spoke Literary Festival this August.

A lineup of some of the biggest names in the Okanagan literary world will be at the event from Aug. 10 to 11.

All of our invited writers are award-winning published professionals. We have some incredible poets, a novelist of young adult fiction, a non-fiction writer is known for her impeccable research, a former journalist who is getting a lot of buzz for her recent memoir, and an interdisciplinary artist who is one of the most beloved profs at UBC Okanagan," said Kerry Gilbert, member of the Spoke Literary Collective. "We even have a workshop on letterpress printing."

The event includes an opening reception at the Caetani Cultural Centre, two days of workshops at Okanagan College and a reading with the invited writers at the Vernon Public Library.



Each of our writers offers different stories, ideas and perspectives that they will share with participants.



This years reading, on Saturday night, is hosted by poet Heidi Garnett.

Festival attendees have a choice of four workshops in all manner of disciplines.

Festival attendees have a choice of four workshops in all manner of disciplines.



They include:

Natalie Appleton - Remember Your Parents: A Memoir Intersection

Jason Dewinetz - Letterpress Printing 101: Shaping the Page with Real Type

Ashley Little - Damn Good Dialogue

Sandra Lynn Joseph Lynxleg - Foldn Towels, Foldn Bones: Poesy in Fold

Michael V. Smith - My Hand is a Red Brick: Marrying Image and Story

Dania Tomlinson - On Beginning and Perfecting the First Page

Sandra de Leeuw - Writing Write in a Writerly Way

Tom Wayman - Get to Work: Breaking the Taboo



The festival is open to all interested and established writers, no matter what level they are at in their careers.



Last years festival drew participants from near and far, and we are hoping even more writers from across the Interior will participate this year, said Gilbert.



A weekend pass, which includes four writing workshops and two literary/social gatherings, is $175, with an optional $ 25-weekend lunch add-on. Tickets can be purchased online.Photo: Contributed

How is it any different from talking to a passenger?

We hosted a small gathering for my step daughters 30th birthday. She got to hear my road-safety pitch about the ridiculousness of banning hand-held, but not hands-free cellphone use, for the 500th time."

The topic just sort of came up when I was chatting up one of her friends. It always comes up. Im like a child at show and tell with some shiny cool thing Im dying to share.

She might have thought it was cool the first time. Noting that it was for the 500th time is a strong clue that any shine it might have had has been lost.

Her friend kindly showed interest in what I had to say.

His immediate response was a predictable one because 500 of 500 folks I share my pitch with respond with the same question:

How is it any different from talking to a passenger?

Its a very reasonable question, because my pitch is based on a similar kind of comparison.

We all agree, I think, that hand-held cell phone use is dangerous and illegal. My pitch is that since the hands-free version has been scientifically proven to pose the same level of danger, it should also be illegal.

The flip side of that coin is that talking to a passenger is legal and, presumably, safe. Hands-free cellphone use seems a lot like talking to a passenger. Therefore, shouldnt hands free cell phone use be legal as well?

Please understand that I take no credit for the heavy lifting of scientific study and analysis that forms the basis of what I am about to share with you.

I do have over 20 years of experience sorting out what causes car crashes and the science and analysis fits my experience, but please dont discount what I tell you on the basis that I might be some crazy maverick.

And if you have any doubt at all about what I am sharing with you and have a genuine interest in learning about this stuff, please ask and I will send you some reading material.

Fully 50 per cent of the car-crash cases I have handled arose when a driver inexplicably failed to notice that the traffic ahead had come to a stop and drove into the back of a stopped vehicle.

Most of the other 50 per cent are a mix of all sorts of other driving scenarios where the offending driver was simply not attentive to what was going on:

a driver looking in the direction of an approaching vehicle but somehow not seeing it

looking out the windshield, but somehow failing to notice a stop sign, etc.

Thats what the science says occurs when your brain is elsewhere, talking on a cellphone while driving. You are looking out your windshield, but missing up to 50 per cent of whats there.

A passenger is another set of eyes. How many times have you played back seat driver, alerting the person behind the wheel that he is about to miss a turn? Or alerted with a, Hey! and/or noticeably bracing yourself when the driver was roaring up behind stopping traffic at a changing light or seeming to miss other road hazards?

And please, next time youre chatting away with a passenger, notice what happens when traffic becomes the least bit complicated. The pace of discussion automatically slows as both of your brains become more engaged with the roadway.

As I was explaining this to my step-daughters friend, I was delighted to see that his eyes werent glazing over. And after puzzling about it a bit, he came up with another piece that I had not read about nor come up with on my own.

Chit-chat with your passenger is more likely just that: chit-chat. The polite filling of dead air space to avoid an uncomfortable silence.

A cellphone discussion is more likely to be a purposeful and engaging communication. You dont pick up your phone and call folks to fill dead air space. And when youre done talking, you hang up.

I havent seen any science on this point, but it makes sense to me that a purposeful and engaging communication is more likely to be cognitively distracting than idle chit-chat.

The problem with cellphone use while driving is that you are engaging your brain in something other than the road ahead of you, leading you to miss up to 50 per cent of what is going on in your field of view, and that this is no different whether you are talking hand held or hands free.

Is it similarly distracting to engage your brain in a discussion with your passenger? I imagine so, and please keep that in mind.

But idle chit-chat discussions with your passenger are unlikely to be as distracting as purposeful and engaging cell phone discussions. And a passenger is another set of eyes, able to alert you to things you miss and adjust the pace of the discussion to fit more complicated traffic situations.

Are you ready to support me in pushing for an all-out ban on cell phone use while driving?Photo: CTV

This bird has no scheduled departure time at YVR.

Officials at Vancouver International Airport say a crow has moved into the terminal.

The bird may be a frequent flyer, but it's showing no signs of leaving the cozy indoor environment.

YVR's wildlife team is aware of the bird's presence, but won't intervene unless the crow becomes a nuisance to passengers.

"This happens from time to time," spokesperson Zoe Weber said Monday. "The birds make their way out on their own."

 with files from CTV VancouverPhoto: CTV

A man convicted of killing a Vancouver Island police officer in a 2016 drunk driving crash has pleaded guilty in another boozy collision.

Kenneth Jacob Fenton pleaded guilty, Monday in Duncan, to driving over .08 causing an accident resulting in bodily harm, and flight causing bodily harm.

The crash happened May 22, 2016, just one month after the fatal collision that killed RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett in Langford.

Police said Fenton fled a late-night road check and crashed a short distance away, rolling his truck with two passengers inside.

He is currently serving a four-year sentence for the fatal crash.

 with files from CTV Vancouver IslandPhoto: File photo

It was an emotional day at Vernon law courts while Matthew Foerster entered a new sentencing trial.

Foerster was 25 when he brutally murdered Taylor Van Diest in Armstrong. She was 18 at the time of her death on Oct. 31, 2011.

The two were unknown to each other. It was completely random.

For Taylor's mother, Marie Van Diest, she hopes this is the last time she will have to step foot into a courtroom or see Foerster again.

"Just even having to lay eyes on him, it's repulsive," she said.

In 2014 Foerster was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years; however, he successfully appealed that conviction and a new trial was ordered.

Instead of going through a new trial, Foerster elected to enter a guilty plea to the lesser charge of second-degree murder.

The new sentencing trial started on June 4 with crown and defence asking for a joint submission of 17 years with no chance of parole.

While the crown prosecutor described the disturbing details of that horrifying Halloween night, almost seven years ago, Foerster sat in silence.

His gaze never shifted to the left to see the emotions of the Van Diest family and his eyes never shifted to the right to see his parents, who sat there in silence while they listened to the details about the gruesome murder their son committed.

Court adjourned for a short lunch.

After the break, the court spent hours listening to Foerster's defence lawyer, while he spoke about other cases where the guilty received less time than Foerster for also committing a brutal murder.

One major difference between most of the cases he brought up was that the victim was known to the killer.

Taylor Van Diest was walking to a party just before 6 p.m. while being followed by Foerster.

The last text she ever sent was to her friend saying she was 'being creeped.'

Shortly after he attacked her and brutally assaulted her until she was incoherent and nearly dead. He left her in a ditch, where she was found by her family a little more than two hours later.

Van Diest died of her injuries just after 1 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2011 at the Kelowna General Hospital.

At the new sentencing hearing Monday, Foerster read a remorseful letter he wrote for the Van Diest family.

He stood up and faced towards them while slowly reading the letter.

Part of his letter read, "I'm so sorry for the pain I have caused all of you... I wish I could take back what has happened."

For the Van Diest family, his apology means nothing.

"I found it rang extremely hollow and I didn't feel anything from it," said Marie Van Diest.

"He is still guilty of first-degree [murder] as far as we're concerned," Marie said. "Just that he won an appeal through mere technicalities to me is a farce.

"I think the justice system really needs to revamp. I think appeals being won like this is truly horrendous."

The judge is expected to decide on the number of year Foerster will spend in jail either today or tomorrow.Photo: BC Medical Journal

Women in B.C. are waiting longer than any other province to start a family.

According to an article published in the BC Medical Journal, the average age for a first-time mom in our province is 30.8 years. That compares to 30.5 years in Ontario and 25.4 years in Nunavut.

The article goes on to say the average first-time Canadian was less than 28-years-of-age as recently as 1991.

Figures came from Statistics Canada.

"This means within one generation, there has been a significant move toward childbearing," said the article's author, Dr Caitlin Dunne.

Dunne further stated figures from the BC Vital Statistics Agency showed the proportion of first-time mothers in the province between ages 35 and 39 had gone up 20 per cent over the previous decade.

"A womans age when she starts her family is, arguably, one of the most adjustable factors for improving both fertility and pregnancy outcomes.

"Once pregnant, women older than 35 are also more susceptible to adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, pre-eclampsia, diabetes, and cesarean section.

Dr. Dunne says many factors have contributed to the delay in childbearing.

These include the pursuit of higher education, difficulty in finding a partner, access to contraception and the success of in vitro fertilization.The national pipeline discussion spilled over into Vernon last night with dozens of protesters rallying in front of Mel Arnold's downtown constituency office.

"Our federal government has been underhanded, said Gail Pifer who co-organized the protest. "They have gone behind our backs to purchase this pipeline without giving the indigenous people their rights."

The protesters were on hand in hopes of gaining the Conservative Member of Parliament's support in their opposition to the Liberal government's plans to purchase the Tans-Mountain pipeline from Kinder Morgan for $4.5 billion.

"I would like the federal government to reconsider," said Bill Darnell member of Vernon's climate action team.

"I would like my member of parliament to raise it in the house that he is opposed to this really poor spending of our wealth as taxpayers."

The sale is not finalized, however, Finance Minister Bill Morneau did say the federal government does not plan to be a long-term owner and is in negotiations with interested investors, including Indigenous communities, pension funds and the Alberta government.

"Through the actions of this government, I really believe they will do whatever they want regardless of what the people want, and that is not a democracy," said protester Keli Westgate, who says she is against the 'now Canadian' owned Kinder Morgan pipeline. "The shock is because Kinder Morgan couldn't find anybody else to buy this pipeline, so why on earth would the Canadian taxpayers want to be on the hook for something that else wanted?"

Kinder Morgan will go ahead with its original plan to twin the pipeline this summer while the sale is finalized, which likely won't happen until August.

The federal government has long been in favour of a pipeline, both while the Conservatives held power and now as the Liberals hold power.

However, the provinces have not been able to agree.

B.C.'s premier, John Horgan has vowed to fight the project, saying it doesn't matter who owns the project, it remains risky.

The protests in Vernon we in conjunction with a national day of action where protestors gathered at constituency offices across the country.

with files from the Canadian PressPhoto: CTV

For the second time in a week, constituents in the Vancouver-Point Grey riding made their feeling known over a controversial school surtax.

The protests came as attorney general David Eby, elected by the voters of Vancouver-Point Grey, held a second town hall meeting on the tax.

According to CTV Vancouver, the tax would hit residents whose homes are valued at over $3 million.

Homes valued at more than $3 million would pay 0.2 per cent each year. That would double for homes valued at more than $4 million.

A first try at a town hall meeting May 1 was cancelled. Eby told CTV the sold-out event was out of control.

"There were emails going around saying people should march on into the event, even if they didn't have tickets," said Eby of the May 1 event.

"And, we had seniors and high school students working the doors. They're not security guards."

Some of those against the the tax claim they only became millionaires on paper when the housing market took off.

"I have no intention of moving out of my house unless I'm forced out by these taxes," said area resident Jonathan Rubenstein.

"I feel like people who live in their houses  cared for them, lived in the neighbourhoods, loved their communities  feel like they are being taxed out of their houses by this tax."

---files from CTV VancouverPhoto: CTV Hayley Vendiola had to hid in a washroom to get away from a man she said made her feel 'uncomfortable.'

Several students have taken to social media over recent days about a man who has been harassing women at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby.

Police are investigating.

According to CTV News in Vancouver, Kurt Heinrich the university's director of communications stated a man had been issued a trespassing notice and escorted off campus by security.

"We took pretty decisive action to try to deal with this situation," he said.

One student told CTV she was in a study area when she was approached by a man who asked if there was a McDonald's on campus.

She said the man just stared at her after that. "I felt sort of uncomfortable with that," she said.

The woman eventually hid in a woman's bathroom for about 10 minutes before he left.

A former student said the man grabbed a girl, tried to hug her and kiss her.

The university said it has received just one formal complaint, but Heinrich is encouraging all students to contact security if anything makes them feel uncomfortable.

"As soon as we're notified, we're able to take action to protect and make sure that our campus community members feel safe," he said.

---files from CTV VancouverPhoto: Oak Bay FD

A massive fire in a vacant Victoria-area home has been deemed suspicious.

The Oak Bay home went up in flames Sunday night, and firefighters battled the blaze for four hours until it was extinguished.

The home has been empty since it was damaged in a previous fire in 2013, but has been used by squatters, neighbours say. It does not appear anyone was inside when Sunday's fire broke out.

Police have attended the home 16 times in recent years for reports of trespassing and mischief.

Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen says the owners were granted a rebuild permit in February.

"The hope was they would start rebuilding quickly thereafter. That didn't come to be because of the high cost of rebuilding," he told CTV.

It's expected the home will now be demolished.

 with files from CTV Vancouver IslandPhoto: IHIT

UPDATE: 12:10 p.m.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the deaths of two Surrey teens were most likely targeted.

The two unresponsive victims were found lying beside the road with gunshot wounds about 10:30 p.m. They were declared deceased at the scene.

Earlier, at 9:46 p.m., Surrey RCMP responded to the scene of a burning vehicle in the area of 184th Street and 29A Avenue, and at 11 p.m., to another burning car, a Honda Accord, near 177th Street and 93rd Avenue.

Both homicide victims, 16-year-old Jaskarn Singh Jhutty and 17-year-old Jaskaran Singh Bhangal, were residents of Surrey.

Anyone with information is urged to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551- IHIT (4448), email [email protected], or call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

UPDATE: 11:50 a.m.

The victims of a Surrey shooting were both teenage boys, police say.

Cpl. Frank Jang of IHIT says the deceased have been identified as Jaskarn Jhutty, 16, and Jaskaran Bhangal, 17. Neither had a history with law enforcement.

UPDATE: 10:30 a.m.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirms two unnamed people found dead in Surrey are victims of homicide.

IHIT is expected to provide further details at a press conference at 11:30 a.m.

UPDATE: 8:50 a.m.

The bodies of two men were found on a rural Surrey street about 11 p.m. Monday.

Police have not commented on the cause of death. Firefighters also responded to a car fire overnight only a few minutes away, however, it's unclear if the two incidents are connected.

The area remains behind police tape this morning.

UPDATE 8:24 a.m.

Integrated Homicide Investigation Team members are now on scene along 40th Avenue in Campbell Heights, Surrey, after the bodies of two males were found on the rural road.

UPDATE: 7:05 a.m.

The bodies of two dead males have been found on 40th Avenue near 184 Street in South Surrey.

The scene is behind police tape, and RCMP have blocked off a stretch of the rural road.

ORIGINAL: 6:45 a.m.

A major police presence is reported in South Surrey.

CTV reports two bodies have been found on a rural road, and homicide investigators are on the scene.

Details are few in this developing story.

We'll have more as information becomes available.

Send your news tips, photos and video to [email protected]

 with files from CTV VancouverPhoto: The Canadian Press

The national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is getting an additional six months to complete its work.

The federal govermnent is giving the inquiry until to April 30, 2019, to complete its work and submit its final report, instead of the initial deadline of Nov. 1.

The commission will have an additional two months, until June 30, 2019, to wind down its work.

Department officials said they will work with the inquiry to determine the budget. The Liberal government had initially earmarked $53.8 million and two years for the inquiry to complete its work.

In March, inquiry officials asked for a two-year extension in order to give commissioners until Dec. 31, 2020, to make recommendations and produce findings.

The inquiry's interim report, released in November, called for an investigative body to re-open existing cold cases and for an expansion of an existing support program for those who testify.

The government says it will spend $9.6 million over five years to support the RCMP's new National Investigative Standards and Practices Unit, and will fund a review of police policies and practices regarding their relations with Indigenous Peoples.

An additional $21.3 million will be provided to expand health support provided by the inquiry.Photo: Anna Kaczmarek

UPDATE 8:42 a.m.

Anna Kaczmarek, was also slowed by the rollover on Westside Road this morning. Thanks to her for sharing this photo of a black vehicle upside down near the rock cut.

ORIGINAL 8:19 a.m.

Castanet reader Kyle Borman has sent us a picture of what he describes as a "rollover" on Westside Road.

Emergency crews were on scene just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

You can see from the photo that the road is down to a single lane, so slow going during the morning commute today on the west side of Okanagan Lake.Photo: The Canadian Press Ontario PC leader Doug Ford makes a campaign announcement in Toronto on Monday, June 4, 2018.

Doug Ford says he is shocked by a lawsuit from his late brother Rob Ford's widow that was filed just days before the Ontario election.

The Progressive Conservative leader denies the allegations from Renata Ford that he mishandled his brother's estate and destroyed the value of the family business.

Doug Ford says he'll let voters decide what the motive behind the suit is, and says that his sister-in-law's lawyers had told him to "pay up" or they would go public with the allegations.

Ford declined to answer questions about releasing the financial statements for the family label business to counter the lawsuit's claims.

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the allegations about Ford's handling of Deco Companies raise questions about his lack of a fully costed platform.

Horwath says if the accusations are true, then voters will be concerned that Ford doesn't have a platform that outlines how he will pay for his promises.Photo: Contributed

The Liberals are enlisting seven experts to help rewrite the country's broadcasting regulations so online streaming giants like Netflix and Spotify are forced to give a boost to Canadian content.

Government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because the information was not yet public, say the panel will also be asked to review the mandate of CBC/Radio-Canada with a view to protecting future governments from slashing its public funding and to revamp the role and powers of the national broadcast regulator.

A key message the government is likely to push today is that the review will study how to modernize the broadcast system without increasing the cost of services to consumers.

The seven-member panel will have 18 months to complete its work, ensuring a final report will not arrive until weeks after the next federal election in October 2019.

The expert panel, the details of which were first reported by The Globe and Mail, is the latest in a series of reports and consultations the Liberals have ordered about the future of the cultural sector in the digital age.

Last week, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission recommended the Liberals consider regulating any online video or music service and have them pay to create, or better promote, domestic content.Photo: The Canadian Press

Climate experts say Canada's decision to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline is putting added pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to deliver a solid plan on climate change and the Paris agreement at the G7 later this week.

As Trudeau prepares to welcome G7 leaders Friday in Charlevoix, Que., the lead Italian negotiator on climate change from last year's gathering says European leaders see the Trans Mountain decision as proof Europe is going to have to carry the ball on climate.

Luca Bergamaschi also says the European contingent has lost patience with President Donald Trump's stance on tariffs and climate change, and will be taking a hard-line approach on environmental issues.

Catherine Abreu, the executive director of Climate Action Network Canada, says the pipeline purchase puts Trudeau under pressure to deliver a strong climate message at the G7.

She says Trump's recent steel tariffs actually might make it easier for Trudeau to side with Europe, rather than pushing for a watered-down compromise.

Both Abreu and Bergamaschi say international climate change organizations also want the G7 to set the stage for countries around the world to agree to raise emissions targets they say remain far too low.Photo: EHS

An animal rights group is calling for an independent investigation into how three cats were left in an Edmonton Humane Society vehicle for 22 days.

The humane society says it did a full internal review to ensure something similar never happens again.

But Camille Labchuk with Animal Justice says it's a conflict of interest for the society to investigate itself, and an outside agency should be brought in.

The society says the cats were dehydrated, hungry and had urine burns on their paws when they were discovered April 18.

It says in a statement the team brought the animals to the Edmonton shelter from another agency on March 27, but the three cats were overlooked when the vehicle was unloaded.

The society says the cats have been medically cleared and adopted into new homes.Photo: BC Wildfire Service Xusum Creek Fire

Despite a return to cooler, wetter conditions, officials with the Kamloops Fire Centre continue to warn about the potential for fire.

"It is vital for the public to be cautious with campfire use, and other activity that could potentially ignite a wildfire," the centre said Tuesday.

"Human-caused wildfires are entirely preventable, and can unnecessarily divert valuable firefighting resources from naturally occurring wildfires."

Cooler conditions have allowed crews to make considerable headway on two prominent fires in the region.

The Allie Lake Fire northwest of Kamloops is 100 per cent contained and classified as being held. Officials say with the progress made and forecast conditions, it is not expected to spread beyond its current boundaries.

An area restriction implemented for the fire is now rescinded.

The Xusum Creek Fire, about 35 kilometres west of Lillooet, remains out of control due to steep terrain.

Officials say crews are unable to "fully extinguish" the fire along its top edge.

However, favourable conditions and successful suppression efforts have lessened the need for air support and heavy equipment. The fire is not threatening any communities.Photo: Delta Police

Police were called to retrieve a hissing opossum from a shower in Ladner recently.

In a Facebook post, Delta Police said "officers never know what type of call will come in."

Police arrived about midnight May 30 to find the snarling critter foaming at the mouth and releasing what police described as a "foul smell."

The ornery marsupial was collared with an animal control pole and released back into the wild.

It was "highly displeased," but otherwise unharmed.

Police didn't say how the opossum got into the shower in the first place.

 with files from CTV VancouverPhoto: BC Gov't

The B.C. government will spend $23 million over three years to train 50 new clinical pharmacists to strengthen the province's primary care teams.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the pharmacists will be embedded in the health teams announced last month as part of a renewal program to offer more care options to patients.

The plan includes hiring 200 new doctors and more nurse practitioners in an effort to link health services to patients and better connect primary care to more than 780,000 people in B.C. who don't have a family doctor.

Dix says adding clinical pharmacists to the teams will help patients manage their prescription requirements and will reduce the risk of adverse drug reactions.

He says as people age, their need to take more than one prescription medicine often increases and some over the age of 70 are taking at least five different medications daily.

Dix made the announcement at the University of B.C.'s pharmaceutical sciences faculty, where the new clinical pharmacists program will be delivered.

"These pharmacists will be able to work in team-based settings where they will be able to share patient information with people's health practitioners and truly get to know patients," he said.Photo: The Canadian Press

The federal government is close to a deal with Davie Shipbuilding that would see the Quebec shipyard provide several used icebreakers to bolster the Canadian Coast Guard's own aging fleet.

While final details are still being worked out, sources have told The Canadian Press that an agreement is imminent after months of intense  and at times contentious  closed-door negotiations.

The pending deal represents a win for Davie and the Quebec government, both of which have been demanding more federal work for the shipbuilder after it laid off 800 workers at its shipyard in Levis late last year.

It is not, however, exactly what Davie originally proposed: the company wanted to convert three medium icebreakers and one heavy vessel and lease them to the coast guard, whose own fleet is nearing the end of its useful life.

The company will still do conversion work on the three medium icebreakers, sources say, but the coast guard will take full ownership of the vessels instead of leasing them.

The two sides also remain far apart on the heavy icebreaker, which Davie has been pushing hard despite strong reticence from senior coast guard officials who say it does not meet their needs.

The federal shipbuilding strategy does already include plans for one heavy icebreaker, the Canadian Coast Guard ship John G. Diefenbaker, which could explain the coast guard's hesitation, said University of Calgary professor Rob Huebert.

"A lot of effort went into the design of the Diefenbaker," said Huebert, who has worked extensively with the coast guard. "If I was the coast guard, I would be terrified that if I got the Davie ship, I would not get the Diefenbaker."

Diefenbaker, however, isn't due to be delivered until the mid-2020s, at the earliest.

The coast guard's existing icebreakers are on average more than 35 years old and have lost hundreds of operational days in recent years due to mechanical breakdowns.

The most recent headache came in late April, when CCGS Terry Fox ran aground near Bide Arm, N.L.Photo: The Canadian Press John Bingham is shown outside the Tim Horton's at 865 W. Broadway in Vancouver.

The death of an ill senior who lived inside a 24-hour Tim Hortons is drawing new attention to Vancouver's housing crisis and raising questions about health supports for homeless people.

Friends say the man in his 70s  who they knew only as Ted  was a nice guy who slept, ate and spent practically all his time inside the coffee shop on West Broadway.

John Bingham sleeps outside the Tim Hortons and says Ted had cancer and appeared to be hallucinating about 12 hours before paramedics arrived on May 31.

Homeless advocate Judy Graves says she also knew Ted and he was a retired worker on a government pension who couldn't afford housing and fell between the cracks of the health-care system.

Tim Hortons says its staff became concerned about the man's health on May 31 and called 911, adding he was a regular and will be missed.

B.C. Emergency Health Services says paramedics responded to a cardiac arrest and transported a man in critical condition to the hospital.The Tennessee Republican Party will hold its 2018 Statesmens Dinner on Friday night. Statesmens Dinner chairman Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, Republican Party State Chairman Scott Golden, as well as the respective committees under these two leaders are on track to hold one of the largest Statesmens Dinners in Tennessee Republican Party history.

Congressman Fleischmann said, It is with great honor that our numbers for this dinner stand where they are right now. I along with my committee are working hard to make this the biggest dinner to date. The Statesmens Dinner to support our Tennessee Republican Party is not about one man or one campaign. It is about instilling and ensuring conservative leadership in Tennessee for years to come.

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Golden said, I am tremendously proud of the work that Congressman Fleischmann and our team have put in to this years dinner. The theme of the night is A Party United as Republicans from across the state gather to celebrate our partys success, honor those that helped get us here, and look towards the future. Tennessee is the example of what can happen with unified Republican leadership, and this years dinner will help make sure that we continue on the right path in 2018.

Speaking at the 2018 Statesmens Dinner will be House Majority Whip Steve Scalice (R-La).

For more information visit www.tngop.org/2018_statesmens_dinnerJudge Barry A. Steelman has been elected a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, an association of 855 attorneys across the state.

Invitations to membership, which is a position of honor, were extended to 32 attorneys this year by the board of trustees. The introduction of new fellows took place in May at the annual Fellows' Dinner in Nashville.

The Bar Foundation's purpose is two-fold: to honor attorneys who have distinguished themselves in the profession and community and to administer a grant making program. That project, known by its acronym IOLTA (Interest On Lawyers' Trust Accounts), has awarded grants in excess of $21,000,000 to law-related, public interest projects throughout Tennessee.



Judge Steelman is a graduate of Carson Newman University and The University of Tennessee College of Law. He practiced law in Chattanooga for 17 years and since 2006 has served as Judge of Division I Criminal Court.Bryan College was ranked #8 in the 2018 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee on GuideToOnlineSchools.com. The ranking is based on affordability and academic strength.

This ranking is based on value said Kelsey DEwart with SR Education Group. We manually researched every regionally accredited online college in the state, taking into account both tuition and academic strength in order to determine the best value schools for students.

Bryan College offers affordable tuition rates and regularly updates curriculum to meet the needs of the job market. Bryan also offers extra value through the Bryan Difference Maker; a program through which qualifying Bryan graduates can earn a tuition-free masters degree, said officials.

Bryan College has been a recognized leader in adult education for over 20 years, said Dr. Adina Scruggs, dean of Adult and Graduate Studies. As the overall education market has trended online, we have transitioned to this preferred modality while maintaining the quality standards expected from Bryan. We are honored by this recognition of placement in the best online colleges in Tennessee.

Bryan College now offers seven online undergraduate degrees, 12 online graduate degrees, and two online graduate certificates. All online degrees are offered in an accelerated format to provide students the flexibility to work full-time and care for their families while earning a degree.

Learn more about online education at Bryan College.Another group of 10 start-ups and chemical researchers will see their ideas move a step closer to commercialization after being named winners of the 2018 edition of AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals' Imagine Chemistry challenge.

Imagine Chemistry was launched to help solve real-life chemistry-related challenges and uncover sustainable business opportunities. The 2018 edition generated no less than 150 innovative ideas from startups, scale-ups, scientists and others.

Four overall winners (listed below) received joint development awards with AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals to help bring their ideas to market.

Rahul Dahule and Ranjeet Utikar from Dutch start-up Water Knight were awarded for their advanced oxidation reactor technology, which is used for intensifying wastewater treatment in industries with complex effluents.

Fergal Coleman and Alexander Grous from UK startup Green Lizard Technologies , working in partnership with Dixie Chemical, were recognized for their bio-based route to glycidol, which can be used in the production of nonionic surfactants.

working in partnership with Dixie Chemical, were recognized for their bio-based route to glycidol, which can be used in the production of nonionic surfactants. Gaurab Chakrabarti and Sean Hunt from US firm Solugen were recognized for their green process to make hydrogen peroxide that has the potential to replace technology that has remained unchanged since the 1930s.

were recognized for their green process to make hydrogen peroxide that has the potential to replace technology that has remained unchanged since the 1930s. Another US firm, Fero Labs - represented by Berk Birand and Alp Kucukelbir - were awarded for their machine learning software, which can be used to predict quality issues and production bottlenecks and improve key process parameters.

"This was truly a crop of fantastic and promising entries, and I think each of these can bring something to the solutions that we have been seeking," said Peter Nieuwenhuizen, Chief Technology Officer at AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals. "This made it truly a challenge to decide on the winners. This final selection holds great potential to address customer needs and contribute to a sustainable future."

In addition, the following groups were awarded prizes including expert advice and support at AkzoNobel's S/park open innovation center at Deventer, the Netherlands.

Research agreement with AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals:

University of Nottingham (UK) - Ifty Ahmed and Belinda Good; porous microspheres from glass and glass ceramic materials.

Chemical research support from AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals:

Edinburgh Napier University (UK) - Mark Dorris and Dominic O'Rourke; Cellulose nanofibrils derived from seaweed

Partner support by KPMG:

Invert Robotics (the Netherlands) - Hans Prein, James Robertson and Robert Mandjes; robotic inspection for tanks and other equipment.

Partner support by ICOS:

Semiotic Labs (the Netherlands) - Gerben Gooijers and Simon Jagers; smart asset monitoring service for motors and rotating equipment.

Partner support by LuxResearch:

Fraunhofer UMSICHT (Germany) - Axel Kraft and Martin Peters; catalytic process for making alcohols from more sustainable raw materials.

Partner support by Chalmers Ventures:

FineCell (Sweden) - Kloce Dongfang Li, Monica Ek and Jonatan Henschen; process for the production of nanocellulose.

The winners were chosen from a group of 20 finalists at a three-day event held at Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden. During the event, more than 90 company experts and partner organizations worked with the startups to further develop their ideas and define a clear route to market.

To meet its sustainability and growth ambitions, AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals continues to forge an innovation ecosystem around a model of collaborative innovation. This is built on its global network of RD&I centers including its S/park open innovation center in the Netherlands, partnerships with leading universities and institutes, participation in venture capital funding, collaborations across the value chain and the Imagine Chemistry challenge, powered by KPMG.Voice of the People Audio Article Native son Tom Smiths history of East Chesterton (Chesterton Tribune 9-30-21 Commentary) was interesting and a poignant tribute to his five-generations back ancestors, the Morgans, who traveled from West Virginia and Ohio to settle here in 1833  to raise a family, to farm and...

Voice of the People Audio Article This summer the Times of NW Indiana again suggested in an editorial that Dunes Action had been in opposition to the renovation of the State Park Pavilion. We never did. In fact, most of us had been waiting for it for decades. They did not...

Guest Commentary Audio Article This is a short history of the Morgan family farm before the possible development of the remaining 49 acres east of Chesterton. Jesse and Jane Morgan arrived in Northwest Indiana in 1833 after traveling through Ohio, northern Indiana, stopping off in LaPorte County for a...

Echoes of the Past Audio Article 10 Years Ago Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011  Bethlehem Lutheran Church will host a wellness screening event. . . CHS girls soccer team beats LaPorte 5-0 and clinches a share of the DAC title. Scoring goals are Rosie Biehl (2), Hannah Kollar (2), and Sam...Kapow will keep operating under its name for now and work to expand to more cities. Cvents technology platforms will help Kapow add experiences for its clients  which include Salesforce, Samsung and Dell  to choose from, Kapow CEO Chris Brown said. Cvent also operates in a much larger market, with roughly 25,000 clients worldwide, and that reach will open up more business for the venues that partner with Kapow, Brown said.As Sears continues its turnaround efforts, the struggling retailer in recent years has been cutting thousands of jobs, closing hundreds of stores and selling off assets, such as store real estate and the Craftsman tool brand. The chain announced last week that it would close another 63 unprofitable Sears and Kmart stores, including five in Illinois.Trump is trying to use the threat of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, as well as other goods, to force numerous countries to agree to trade concessions. He's in standoffs with Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, and members of the European Union, a collection of countries that includes many of the world's largest economies and the largest U.S. trading partners. The talks all appear to be moving slowly or stalling, leading to angst on Capitol Hill and among business leaders.Terrace 16 Restaurant & Bar. At some point, the former Sixteen restaurant (which shut down at the end of April) will be reborn as a more approachable concept thats still able to provide a luxury experience for free spenders. Another change: The dining-room menu will extend to the restaurants outdoor terrace, which boasts one of the best views in the city. Nick Dostal, who maintained Sixteens Michelin two-star status, will return as chef. Opening midsummer. 401 N. Wabash Ave.Published in March, Hinton's book tells of his conviction for killing two fast-food restaurant workers during separate robberies, and his decades spent on death row. His efforts to overturn the conviction reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 2014 unanimously ruled he had been denied a fair trial. Hinton was freed after new ballistics tests contradicted the only evidence  an analysis of crime-scene bullets  that connected Hinton to the slayings. When he finally got out, the words he spoke to loved ones greeting him  "The sun does shine"  became his memoir's title.Guards at the Taj: Its 1648 and the Taj Mahal makes its grand debut in the morning, bringing with it existential crisis for the two imperial guards charged with protecting the structure. Through July 22 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St; 312-335-1650 and www.steppenwolf.orgHe also praised visiting Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who rules with Austrias far-right Freedom Party, as a rock star and met with him. It is unusual for a U.S. ambassador to entertain the leader of a country where he is not posted.The request comes days after Trump said for the first time he was considering commuting Blagojevichs sentence, which he described as an overly harsh penalty for what essentially amounted to a foolish statement about what he could get in exchange for an appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama on his election as president in 2008.A spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois previously told the Tribune that police officers and other government employees critical to instilling public trust can be disciplined for making statements  even while off the job  if their language undermines that trust. Spokesman Edwin Yohnka, however, cautioned that agencies should be cautious in disciplining anyone under those circumstances and that it ought to be really extraordinary and demonstrable.West was a founder of the nonprofit originally named Dondas House. But recently co-founder Che Rhymefest Smith, the South Side rapper and activist, took to Twitter and accused West of neglecting the Chicago youth arts organization. Turns out, West had not been on the board of directors of the charity for more than a year, according to records obtained by the Chicago Tribune.In 2000, Farrakhan Jr. made headlines when he pleaded guilty to a charge of domestic battery after he was accused of hitting his pregnant wife with a metal serving tray at his home in south suburban Crete. At the time of his arrest, Farrakhan Jr. worked on various projects with the Nation of Islam but did not hold any posts with the organization.The Illinois General Assembly also approved a measure allowing the state to license the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp, defined as the cannabis sativa plant with less than 0.3 percent THC. The material does not get users high, but can be used in the production of textiles and other materials. That measure also goes to the governors desk.Years later, lawyers with the Northwestern University Law Schools Center on Wrongful Convictions tracked Lopez down in Ohio to ask him about the case. He signed a sworn statement in 2011 recanting the identification, claiming he knew hed made a mistake after seeing the real shooter near his home about a week after the murder. He said he tried to tell detectives when he was brought back to the station to view the second lineup.The Illinois Republican Party that Rauner has heavily subsidized through the wealth he earned as a private equity investor also touted the governors new ad. The party called it Orange Is The New Blago, in a reference to the Netflix television series called Orange is the New Black set at a womens prison."Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a litany of troubling controversies surrounding this current mayor. The sexual assaults of our children  in and around our schools, which ought to be the very places where our children should be the most protected, is despicable and unforgiveable," McCarthy, who is also running for mayor, said in a statement. "The only thing we hear from the current mayor are apologies. Parents don't need apologies for these deplorable acts  they and their children need accountability. How many more scandals do we need? How much more mismanagement? And how many more excuses are we going to hear from this mayor and his administration?"His decision has been widely anticipated in the Senate Republican Conference. Some GOP senators sent a letter to McConnell last month urging him to keep the chamber in session to vote on nominations and legislation, and Senate leaders have said the appetite to stay in town has grown in their ranks.President Donald Trump speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 12, 2018. Republican senators are urging the president not to pardon himself. (Bloomberg)Asking such independence of the president's brother, though, is asking too much. RFK, who was appointed at his father's insistence, saw his job as protecting the president. That duty forced him to tolerate the lawless excesses of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, who, as RFK knew, had a thick file of embarrassing information about the president's sexual conquests. These included a reckless affair with the mistress of Chicago mobster Sam Giancana. Even in 1968, when he was running for president and rival Democrat Eugene McCarthy vowed to fire Hoover, Kennedy lacked the nerve to do likewise.Then presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy greets crowds in Washington, D.C. on April 3, 1968. Days earlier, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared that he was not going to seek another term. (Steve Northup / The Washington Post)But the founders also imagined that an assertive and independent Congress charged with oversight would investigate crimes and misdeeds by the executive branch. Instead, we evolved  or blundered  into a system where the executive branch, in the form of the DOJ or FBI (established in 1870 and 1908, respectively), investigates itself. Some Trump defenders have a point when they worry that Mueller  an arm of the executive branch  is really acting like a fact-finding organ for a future (Democratic) House impeachment committee.Arena has backed the project, despite opposition from many of his Jefferson Park constituents. The proposal got snagged when the Illinois Housing Development Authority balked at issuing the developer, Full Circle Communities, state tax credits to help finance the project. The agency says it denied the funding because the project wasnt far along enough in the zoning process. Backers, however, say the agency was swayed by people in Jefferson Park who oppose the complex.But what is most concerning is the harsh and punitive treatment of members of the public by Judge Gaughan. Most recently, I was horrified by the judge's removal of a man who laughed loudly after a recess was announced and the judge had requested attorneys come to his chambers. Many of us have strong reactions when the proceedings are not fully transparent and if long parts of the hearing are conducted in private. If the rules of decorum extend after a recess is announced, it is the judge's duty to clearly inform the public of that. Furthermore, if this man is indeed suffering from a disability, as has been suggested in the press, the judge's treatment of him is even more appalling and a clear violation of his civil and human rights.Conservative religious organizations like Focus on the Family, the Christian Coalition, the Illinois Family Institute, the American Family Association, the Chalcedon Foundation, the Family Research Institute, the Traditional Values Coalition, the Alliance Defending Freedom  not to mention the Roman Catholic Church and the Southern Baptist Convention  all support religion-based discrimination against LGBT people. These are only a few of the anti-LGBT religious organizations that immediately come to mind.By the middle of the afternoon, colder air will envelop most of our area. Highest temperatures will have occurred before noon in most locations, with afternoon readings falling through the 60s into the 50s along the lakefront. Cold high pressure will move off to the east rather rapidly, with temperatures modifying Wednesday, hitting the middle to upper 70s in many areas away from the lake.The treatment process, which takes a few hours of work on each street, will be done one side at a time, she said. The work is expected to be completed within one week.While neither Hulseberg nor the city of Aurora returned phone calls asking about the situation, Hulseberg posted his new position on the website Linked In this week.The program runs from June 11 through Aug. 10, and the van visits the parks Monday through Friday. The parks and the times the van visits are: from 11 to 11:30 a.m., Lebanon Park, Parker and Douglas avenues; from noon to 12:30 p.m., McCarty Park, New York Street and Park Place; from 1:30 to 2 p.m., Blackhawk Park, Blackhawk Street and Galena Boulevard; from 2:30 to 3 p.m., Arrow Wood Park, Commonwealth Drive and Golden Oaks Street; and 3:30 to 4 p.m., Copley 2 Park, at the end of Beach Street.The proposal brought before the East Aurora school board would prohibit the district or representatives from asking about a childs immigration status. They would be prohibited from requiring a student or parent to produce immigration documentation and from identifying students or families immigration status to ICE officers, unless required by law. Immigration officers would be required to have a criminal warrant to take any enforcement measures on school grounds.720 Ardsley Road, Winnetka: $6,999,000 | Listed: Sept. 13, 2021



This six-bedroom English Tudor home has four full bathrooms, two half baths, built-in features, period millwork and sits on 1.5 acres of rolling landscaped grounds on a private road. The kitchen has hardwood floors, an island, a butlers pantry, custom cabinets, a double oven and space for a table. The home has an office, a library, a Great Room, a Family Room, a Living Room and a Dining Room. Four fireplaces, a wet bar, and a finished basement complete this home, which was designed by the renowned architect Benjamin Marshall. The property also has an in-ground pool, a patio, a hot tub and an attached four-car garage.



Agent: Sarah Elder Lyons, Compass, 847-436-4351



*Some listing photos are virtually staged, meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options.



To feature your luxury listing of $800,000 or more in Chicago Tribunes Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com.



Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news.The new store is one of more than 1,300 nationwide scheduled to be remodeled and expanded by 2020 as part of a $1.6 billion plan. The company said it would invest more than $180 million to improve more than 130 stores in the Chicago area.Since then, he said, theyve added more components to the procession, such as more music, children dropping flower petals ahead of the marchers and stops for prayers at three altars to symbolize the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.Gabel said summer zoo programs are being organized by the Gail Borden Public Library, the Elgin Public Museum and the Elgin Area Historical Society. The city has hired college students to work at the zoo this summer, including Elaine Montgomery, of Elgin, who is studying political science at Northern Illinois University, and Jimmy Sheehy, a resident of Chicagos South Side who is a marine science and biology major at the University of Tampa.This was super scary, way scarier than I thought it was going to be. I hate heights, roller coasters, even swings, she said. And I have to let you know that when I first stood on that ledge 16 stories up and, with great fear, let go of the built structure and leaned back a bit, I was nearly in tears.Evanston police said in the release that on May 28 at around 8:30 p.m., officers were in the 800 block of Hinman Avenue looking for a vehicle that had fled a traffic stop. The officers smelled cannabis and discovered that the odor was coming from a parked vehicle  not the one they sought for fleeing the traffic stop.To help residents concerned about the daytime and nighttime flights over Glenview, the Village of Glenview is seeking explanations and justifications for the changes at OHare, with an ultimate goal of ensuring Glenview does not receive an unfair increase resulting from the new operations at OHare, the statement reads.Shortly before starting a phone poll to gauge which of $185 million in school improvements recommended by a community task force voters would support with a bond referendum, the board added a question to the survey. It asked people whether they favored building additional classrooms at Hinsdale Central to relieve the overcrowding there or changing school boundaries so that all students would go the school that is closer to where they live. Seventy-five percent of respondents said they favored changing school boundaries.Over a decade ago, our department decided to implement a physics-chemistry-biology sequence to better meet the needs of our students, and the data show that it has, said Julie Gaubatz, who teaches advanced placement biology and is chairwoman of Hinsdale Souths science department.I really do believe that the process was what it should be, with everybody coming together and creating a product, Steans said. We still have a lot of challenges in the state of Illinois that we havent yet tackled and I really hope that doing it in this fashion provides a foundation from which we can delve deeply, into those issues.DNA samples were collected at various times from a board officials said was used to beat Foxworth and a can used to pour gasoline on Foxworth, according to authorities. At least some of the samples have been determined to exclude both Williford and the victim. None specifically match Williford, but Fisz has said that some were found to be too small to conclusively exclude him.We keep talking about how we want to get the best, Hall said. We also want them to be minorities. The best for us right now is to get some Hispanic and black teachers in our classrooms. Our students do not have any role models, any mentors, any leaders that look like them. This is what we hear over and over.Naperville North grads receiving scholarships are: Justin Chen, of Lisle, who plans to study medicine at the University of Chicago; Jeffrey Moore ,of Naperville, who plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Sangavi Subramani, of Naperville, who plans to study biological engineering at Purdue University; Sarah Wastek, of Naperville, who plans to study neurosurgery at Arizona State University; and Christina Yu, of Naperville, who plans to study mechanical engineering at Purdue University.The second is that we cannot allow people to become numb to gun violence, Capo said. If people become numb to it, they dont do anything about it. Having the Parkland kids speak, it makes us feel something.In May, the Board of Trustees approved an ordinance banning the sale, manufacture and possession of bump stocks and similar accessories within the village. They also passed an ordinance prohibiting the concealed carry of firearms in businesses where alcohol is sold and can be consumed on the property.The man asked about tobacco blunts or the cheapest cigarettes, and the clerk asked for identification, Lohse said.The man said he didnt have any and that he was not from the United States, the release states. The man told the clerk he came from Michigan or Michigan City  the clerk could not remember  and then left the store, according to the release.Goralczyk presented false bills of sale to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which he obtained for $400 though the value was in excess of $2,500, and for the Ford Focus, which he accepted for free though it was valued in excess of $5,000, according to court documents.With district enrollment that declined to about 5,300 students from more than 13,000 in 2007, the district was looking at ways to cut costs, he said.Priestas allegedly stole the dogs, Mugsy and Marley, from the Winfield home of Brandy Ortiz, a former romantic interest, earlier that morning while no one was home. Ortiz, who has said she received the dogs as a Christmas present from her parents, told investigators that she remembered a male subject who has been trying to date her but she has stayed off his advances, according to court documents.The building owner used the structure to store and restore antique cars, Schulte said, adding at least two were in the building at the time of the fire.The eruption has affected nearly 1.7 million people. More than 3,200 people were evacuated from the villages that were affected the most and were settled in the nine temporary shelters that have been set up.By Dorcas Wong

Last July, the Ministry of Public Security started issuing a new generation of Chinas Green Card. The new Foreigners Permanent Resident Identity Card (FPRID) will gradually replace the old Foreigners Permanent Residence Card (FPRC). While changes to the national legislation relate merely to the design and functionality of the card, cities like Shanghai and Beijing have adopted further policies that expand the eligibility criteria and shorten the overall application time.

The FPRID aims to ease the life of a foreigner in China, and is part of a series of larger reforms aimed at attracting innovative and entrepreneurial talent to China  such as a new national work permit categorization system for foreign employees.

Government officials quoted in the media said the FPRID is designed to provide foreign residents with increased functionality for their IDs, and give a sense of belonging in China.

China issued its first permanent residency permit in 2004. However, these permits have been notoriously difficult to obtain. The Ministry of Public Security records show that in the 10 years after the first permit was issued, only 7,356 foreigners were ultimately successful in obtaining permanent residency status.

Since 2015, the government has progressively introduced measures to ease the requirements of obtaining such a permit. As a result, the authorities granted 1,576 permits in the following year in 2016 a 163 per cent increase from the previous year.

National implementation

The Ministry of Public Security announced that the changes to the new FPRID pertain mainly to the cards operation and design  conditions and channels for applying for the permanent residence permit remain largely the same.

The new cards now closely imitate the second generation of Chinese National ID Cards and are embedded with a chip that holds the foreigners identity information.

The first generation FPRC cards enable the holder to stay in China for an unlimited period of time and permit a holder to enter and leave the country without any visa requirements.

However, this second generation FPRID cards now have additional functions that allow them to be more frequently used through the daily life of a foreigner.

Now a recognized form of identification, foreign residents can use this new card for transactions relating to finance, healthcare, education, transport, telecommunications, tax, social security, property registration, and legal services.

RELATED: HR and Payroll in China: Eight Quick Tips That Can Make a Difference

Provincial implementation

Some regions  such as Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, and Guangdong  have adopted further measures to streamline the eligibility and process of applying for permanent residency. Shanghai was the first city to implement new measures, with the other cities largely mirroring these changes with slight variations.

In 2015, Shanghai expanded its eligibility criteria to include five additional categories of foreigners who meet a certain threshold of expertise or income level. In addition, it also shortened the initial FPRID application duration from 180 days to 90 days  easing access to Chinas green cards as part of a larger scheme to become a world-class sci-tech innovation hub.

In 2016, the Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau implemented new legislation allowing FPRID holders to apply directly for a Shanghai Overseas Talent Residence Permit.

Pursuant to the Administrative Measure of Shanghai Municipality on Overseas Talent Residence Permit (Hu Fu Fa [2015] No. 32), a holder of this permit enjoys benefits like a residential permit, establishment of enterprise, employment by administrative authorities, social security, public education for children, and access to a drivers license.

As a result of these new measures, the amount of permanent residence applications increased by 600 percent from 2015 to 2016.

Disparate progress

Human resource (HR) professionals note that the FPRID has generally eased administrative issues for foreign nationals. According to Fuki Fu, Assistant Manager of the Human Resources team at Dezan Shira & Associates, The new FPRID offers many benefits to foreigners, allowing them to enter and depart China without the time restrictions that are typically associated with holding visas.

However, these reforms have been inconsistently applied across the nation, and benefits are only able to be reaped by a select few. Currently, the policies adopted by large cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chongqing, concentrate on assisting senior-level, wealthy foreigners in the STEM industries (science, technology, engineering, manufacturing) and disregard many young talents that are looking to develop Chinas knowledge or service-led economy.

HR and Payroll Services at Dezan Shira & Associates

The focus on senior level talent perhaps demonstrates some short-sightedness on the Chinese Governments behalf.

While these reforms are indeed a step in the right direction, more should be done to capitalize on young talent coming to China. Both the local and national government bureaus should continue opening up their eligibility criteria and invest in talented junior to mid-level employees who will ultimately be the future driving force behind Chinas dream of becoming a science and technology world power.

Nonetheless, the transparent implementation of the FPRID in Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, and Guangdong means that employers in these locations should carefully review the scheme for their foreign employees. Professional advisors can help ensure the process is managed efficiently, and dialogue with officials in locations that may still be implementing national legislation.A delegation of 37 media agency representatives from SCO countries begin a two-day tour of Shandong province's Qufu, birthplace of Confucius, on Saturday evening. [Photo by Xiang Wenjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

A delegation of 37 media agency representatives from Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries started a two-day tour of Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius (551-479 BC), in Shandong province on Saturday evening.

As a follow-up to the inaugural SCO Media Summit in Beijing a day earlier, the tour was designed to provide opportunities for the media to better explore and understand China through an array of traditional cultural activities.

Priyanka Tikoo, deputy executive editor of the Press Trust of India, transcribes classical quotes from The Analects, a record of Confucius' ideas and sayings. [Photo by Xiang Wenjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

When speaking about a dinner served in the style of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), Priyanka Tikoo, deputy executive editor of the Press Trust of India, said it was the most fascinating part of the tour's first day.

"This place (Qufu) is really amazing. It's beautiful, but the best part of the experience has been the dinner because it took us back through the history of another culture," she said.

Her view resonated among other attendees.The National Museum of China has released five picture books for children to mark Children's Day.

The books, released by the National Museum and the Posts & Telecom Press for children aged 5 and above, introduce China's social development from the perspectives of family, transportation, food, rivers and trade, featuring many artifacts displayed at the National Museum.

One book titled Family, Where Do We Come From talks about the origins of family names and how the ancient Chinese educated children.

The book Trade, From Shells to Silk talks about what types of coins were used in ancient China and how the Silk Road emerged.

How We Went to the World focuses on how the ancient Chinese communicated with the world.

Rivers, Where We Started focuses on the ancient civilizations that emerged along China's major rivers, such as the Yangtze River and Yellow River.

And Dining Table of Our Ancestors provides an insight into the evolution of Chinese cuisines and cooking tools.

Meanwhile, 3 more picture books will be released soon.The Iraqi Ministry of Oil signed on Monday initial contracts with two Chinese companies for the exploration and development of three oil and gas blocks in Iraq.

The ministry signed two contracts with China's Geo-Jade Petroleum Corporation to develop the blocks of Naft Khana in the eastern province of Diyala and Huwieza in the southeastern province of Maysan, said Abdul-Mahdi al-Amidi, director general of the ministry's Contracts and Petroleum Licenses Department.

It also signed a contract with another Chinese company, United Energy Group (UEG), to develop the al-Sindibad block in the southern province of Basra, Amidi told a signing ceremony held at the ministry in Baghdad.

Earlier on Sunday, the ministry signed three contracts with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Crescent Petroleum company to develop the three blocks in Kilabat-Gumar and Khashim al-Hmer-Injana in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, and Khudhr al-Maa in the southern province of Basra.

The six initial contracts will be sent to the Council of Ministers, headed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, for approval before the final signing, Amidi said.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar Luaibi said Iraq has ambitious plans to develop and explore the oil and gas blocks near the border to increase the country's oil and gas reserves.

He said that there are five more oil and gas blocks to be auctioned soon, pointing out that the average production of the six blocks is expected to reach 500,000 barrel per day (bpd) in the future.

Earlier, Iraq invited foreign energy companies to a new bid for the exploration and development of 11 oil and gas blocks near the borders with Iran and Kuwait.

On April 26, the competition in the bidding round ended by awarding six licenses to UAE Crescent and the two Chinese firms to explore and drill for oil and gas in six blocks in eastern and southern Iraq.

April's auction was the fifth in Iraq since the country opened its oil and gas sector for foreign investment in 2009.

Iraq's economy relies heavily on oil, which generates over 90 percent of its revenues. The country wants to increase its crude oil production to more than 5 million bpd from its current 4.35 million bpd.

Early in 2017, it was announced that Iraq's proven oil reserves had increased to 153 billion barrels from the previous estimate of 143 billion barrels.The governments of China and Mozambique signed on Monday agreements of four projects worth US$100 million during the 6th meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic, Technical and Trade Cooperation between the two countries.

Vice Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce Qian Keming and Maria Lucas, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique, co-chaired the meeting. The two sides reviewed the achievements made by the two countries since the fifth meeting of the Joint Committee in 2015 and conducted in-depth discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, and development assistance, and reached broad consensus.

The signed agreements on four projects include the construction of a technical institute in the central province of Sofala, the Xai-Xai Airport, the technical cooperation of the National Stadium and the cooperation and communication of agricultural experts.

Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Jose Pacheco said in his opening statement that the meeting has extraordinary significance, since it is the first meeting after President Filipe Nyusi visited China in 2016 and the relationship between the two countries has been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The foreign minister also said that China has made outstanding contributions to the development of Mozambique's agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and tourism industries.

"China has helped Mozambique overcome many difficulties and has played a vital role in helping Mozambique to achieve sustainable development," said Pacheco, expressing his belief that the joint commission will not only deepen the two countries' economic and trade relation, but also strengthen the two peoples' friendship.

"The Mozambican government will provide all necessary support for the future economic and trade cooperation between the two countries," said the minister.

Qian said in his speech that the economic and trade cooperation between China and Mozambique has great potential and broad prospects. According to Qian, the purpose of this joint committee is to strengthen the effective link between China's Belt and Road Initiative and the Mozambican government's 2015-2019 Five-Year Plan, and to plan for the next phase of bilateral trade and economic cooperation on priority areas and key projects that will improve the welfare of the Mozambican people.

"China is willing to work with Mozambique, and efforts will be made to promote the implementation of China-Africa '10 Cooperation Programs' in Mozambique and promote comprehensive and in-depth development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation," said Qian.

China and Mozambique have agreements on investment protection, and in 2001 they began to implement the economic and trade joint committee mechanism. At present, China has become the largest investment source, the major trading partner, and one of the most important financing sources and builders for infrastructure projects in Mozambique.Chinese companies are expected to invest up to US$10 billion in Peru in sectors including energy and mines, telecommunications, construction and financing over the next three years, an official said.

Jia Guide, China's ambassador to Peru, said even though China is Peru's top trade partner and imports most of the minerals the South American country produces, Chinese companies are keen on investing in the country's other sectors.

His comments came during a signing ceremony with Peru's president last week, when Aluminum Corp of China started work on the US$1.3 billion expansion of its Toromocho copper mine in central Peru.

The investment will increase the mine's copper output by 45 percent by 2020, with the value of production exceeding US$2 billion annually, contributing to the creation of more jobs, tax and welfare facilities, according to Beijing-headquartered Chinalco.

Chinalco, which has been operating in Peru for 10 years, hopes to triple its processing capacity to 157,000 metric tons a day, and to double its annual output of fine copper to 300,000 metric tons sooner or later.

Reuters reported last week that COSCO Shipping Holdings Co, the container shipping and terminal operation unit of China COSCO Shipping Corp, plans to build and operate a US$2 billion port on Peru's Pacific coast, part of US$10 billion upcoming Chinese investments in the country.

The proposed port is located in Chancay, a town 58 km north of the Peruvian capital Lima, and is owned by Peruvian miner Volcan Minera. Volcan said in its earnings statement in May that it was seeking a strategic partner for the Chancay project, according to the Reuters report.

Jia, the Chinese ambassador, also said that China Railway Engineering Corp plans to build a port in the southern town of Ilo, the capital of a copper-rich mining region.

Edgar Patino, director of Peru's National Port Authority, said he was unaware of any proposal by CREC to build a new port in Ilo and that a potential expansion at the current port would be awarded to a company through a public auction.

Patino said the Ilo port would be expanded if a proposed railway to transport goods from Brazil, Bolivia and other countries is built.

Dong Liwan, a shipbuilding professor at Shanghai Maritime University, said the fast goods and commodity exchange between China and markets related to the Belt and Road Initiative had also contributed growth momentum to COSCO Shipping Holdings' terminal business in South America.

"China's continued economic growth and the expanding middle-income earners will also make the country a profitable market for South American companies," he said.



Premier Li Keqiang on Monday said the public should benefit more from the Internet Plus model, which emphasizes applying internet technologies in traditional economic and social sectors.





Li made the call in an inspection tour to the city of Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.





Li said there was huge potential to leverage the Internet Plus model to improve major areas of livelihood for the public, allowing people in poor or resources-scarce regions to gain access to better public services.





While visiting a local hospital, Li learned that online medical services had reached all communities and counties in the region. He even joined an online treatment section held between local community doctors and experts in Beijing.





Li went on to a middle school to inspect Internet Plus education. The premier said it could help children in poor regions to hear lectures from top teachers.





"With broadened knowledge, children might have their life changed," the premier said.





He urged local governments to deal with "stranglehold problems" concerning rural information infrastructure such as slow internet connections and poor funding, and increase investment in this regard.





The premier also toured a startup center, where nearly 500 start-up companies are located. He encouraged entrepreneurs to work hard and use their knowledge to create a good life.





He later visited a resettled community in Yinchuan, which accommodates more than 700 poor families moving out of inhospitable areas. The resettlers, who have now all said farewell to poverty, told the premier about good housing, accessible tap water and rising incomes.You are here: China

An F-16 jet crashed while participating in a military drill in Taiwan on Monday, according to reports from local media.

The single-seat fighter took off from Hualien Air Base but disappeared from radar at 1:43 pm in northern Taiwan, according to the island's United Daily News.

Wreckage of the plane has been found in mountainous areas in the east of New Taipei city, but the pilot remains missing, said the report.

Rescuers are expanding the search.



You are here: China

Chinese police have busted 12 criminal gangs, which produced and sold hi-tech exam cheating devices, since late May amid a reinforced crackdown against cheating ahead of national college entrance exams.

During the operation, more than 50 suspects have been captured and over 100,000 wireless cheating devices confiscated, with the total amount of money involved reaching several hundred million yuan, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Public Security Monday.

Starting from early 2018, the ministry has coordinated local authorities to conduct intensive investigations on the online sales and production network of exam cheating devices.

So far the campaign has seen more than 100 criminal groups busted and over 500 suspects arrested.

"It has ensured the security of national examinations and deterred criminals," the ministry said in the statement.

The ministry pledged a continuous crackdown on the illegal activities, in a bid to safeguard justice, equity and integrity in national exams.



You are here: China

The Zhejiang Provincial Higher People's Court has rejected the appeal of a woman sentenced to death for starting a fire which killed four members of the family she was working for.

Mo Huanjing was attempting to appeal her death sentence for intentionally setting the June 22, 2017 fire in an upscale apartment in Hangzhou which killed Zhu Xiaozhen and her three children.

Mo Huanjing was convicted and sentenced to death in early February, 2018.

The court determined that the nanny intentionally set the fire in the downstairs of the two-story flat with the intention of putting it out herself to try to curry favor with her employer.

Instead, the fire spread more quickly than she had anticipated.

Mo Huanjing fled the apartment without warning the others inside the home at the time.

Investigators say the nanny was struggling with online gambling debts, and hoped her employer would help her financially in gratitude for putting the fire out.



A court of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) sentenced on Monday Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching, two disqualified legislators-elect, and their three assistants to four weeks in prison after they were found guilty of taking part in an unlawful assembly for storming a Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting.

A magistrate of the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court said what Leung and Yau, and their three assistants did, had "directly damaged the legislature's integrity."

The five tried to force their way into a LegCo conference room in November 2016, after Leung and Yau failed to take their oaths of office properly and were banned from the LegCo meeting, according to the court.

They pushed and shoved the security guards who were stopping them from entering the conference room. Six security guards were injured in the chaos and taken to hospital for treatment.

They were convicted last month of taking part in an unlawful assembly.

Acting Principal Magistrate of the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court Wong Sze-lai said in Monday's sentencing that it was a serious case because the defendants' action was premeditated, and despite the security guards' repeated verbal warnings, they used violence which inflicted injuries to some security guards.

The defendants were not exercising their constitutional rights when they used violence, and the sentences must show deterrence and reflect the public's concerns, worries and disgust over the use of violence, the magistrate said.

Leung and Yau used derogatory language insulting the country and nation when taking their oaths at a swearing-in ceremony of the new LegCo on Oct. 12, 2016. The pair were disqualified by the HKSAR High Court in November 2016.







You are here:

"Impressive" is one of the most frequently mentioned words by foreigners, among other descriptions including "miracle," "huge achievement" and "enormous progress," when talking about China's growth over the past decades after the introduction of reform and opening up in 1978.



Robert David Griffiths, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Britain came to Xiaogang village, east China's Anhui province to attend the recently concluded Wanshou Forum themed "Reform, Development and Modernization of State Governance," under the invitation of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, China's ruling Party. This was his fourth official visit to China.

"Even if you come here every half year, you can feel big changes," said Griffiths, holding that China's development is phenomenal and impressive. The changes, in his view, are not only reflected in the improved infrastructure and growing skyline, but also embodied by the ruling Party's openness and inclusiveness.

"China and its ruling Party are willing and ready to share its experience of state governance and to discuss a range of topics including problems with the outside world as well as its own problems like regional imbalance and the income gap," said Griffiths.

Griffiths visited China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in 2004. This time he was in Xiaogang, the birthplace of China's rural reform, together with other representatives from 66 international political parties to discuss issues concerning China's reform and opening up.

"More people should come and see China for themselves," he said, adding, "there is always much to see and learn."

Griffiths thought China's story was an inspiration as it demonstrates, with the right planning and intervention, and support from state and public bodies, a small rural community like Xiaogang, which suffered famine for years, can be transformed and turned into a thriving community.

The National Bureau of Statistics data between 2013 and 2016 show that China contributed around 30 percent to world economic growth, surpassing the combined contribution of the United States, the Eurozone, and Japan, ranking first in the world. It also lifted more than 600 million people out of poverty.

China's reform and opening up not only benefits itself but also the developing and developed countries. "As we can see, China has helped build schools, roads and clinics in the countries that they have invested in, such as countries in Asia and Africa," he said. "Its overseas investment not only brings employment, but also facilities for local people."

Griffiths holds that the quality in China's development is in some ways even more impressive than the quantitative achievements as the Chinese government is always putting people first.



He hoped that there would be more British involvement in China's future economic development.You are here: China

East China's Zhejiang Province has granted permission for the country's first high-speed railway project undertaken by private company, said the provincial economic planner Tuesday.

The railway, 226.56 kilometers long and designed for a maximum speed of 350 kmh, is an intra-provincial route connecting Shaoxing and Taizhou.

The project is jointly invested by private capital led by Fosun Group, state-owned China Railway, and Zhejiang Communications Investment Group Co. Ltd, as well as the local government.

The investment totaled 44.9 billion yuan (7.01 billion U.S. dollars), with private capital led by Fosun Group holding 51 percent of the shares.

Fosun Group signed the agreement with the Zhejiang provincial government in September. The railway is expected to be completed in 2021 and will operate for 30 years.The 18th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) under the helm of Chinese leadership will be held in the coastal city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong province from June 9 to 10.

This year's SCO leaders' summit is going to be "a new milestone in the history of the SCO" in the light of the accession of India and Pakistan, two South Asian rivals, to the prestigious SCO consortium last year, the first ever expansion since its inception in 2001 in Shanghai.

The two-day summit will surely also be attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will carry great significance in promoting the in-depth development of India-China relations under the framework of SCO in the new era.

Thanks to the efforts of its members over the past 17 years, the SCO has made remarkable strides in politics, economics, security, people-to-people exchanges, external exchanges, and other mechanisms in line with the "Shanghai Spirit" which calls for mutual trust and benefit, equality, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development.

As the founding member of SCO, China has maintained momentum with other SCO member countries as well as with its observer states and dialogue partners to jointly build a neighboring community of shared future. For example, under the SCO framework, the 21 cooperation zones that China built with other SCO states have played a role in expanding local employment and raising tax revenues. However, after the ruinous 9/11, the threat of terrorism rose to the forefront and became a major concern for SCO members.

Certainly, India's entry into the SCO family has taken cooperation among member states to new heights. India has enjoyed long-standing relations with Central Asia, which is rich in natural resources, energy and gas. India wants to take advantage of the energy supplies of the Eurasian landmass through transit routes between Russia and China.

India, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan aim to complete the 1,840-km natural gas pipeline and begin pumping natural gas from Turkmenistan's Galkynysh gas fields by the beginning of 2020. In this regard, India should cooperate with China which is famous for building gas pipelines in the rigid Alpine area.

In recent years, international student exchange programs have become a bridge for cultural exchange between SCO member states, as evidenced by the establishment and rapid expansion of the SCO University. China has continued to support education cooperation within the SCO. It has become a win-win situation for China and India to further explore and develop wider cultural exchanges and cooperation that could include tourism, education, science, archaeology, music, drama and even yoga.

It's encouraging to note that in recent years, China has attracted an increasing number of Indian students, making it the fastest growing destination for Indian students for further studies. According to the Chinese Ministry of Education, around 18,000 Indian students are currently studying in China as compared to 765 just a decade ago.

Ever since its formation, fighting terrorism, separatism, and extremism is another important goal of the SCO. 17 years have been passed since the anti-terrorism war was launched by the United States as part of "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan. The U.S. has spent hundreds of billions of dollars on the war in Afghanistan and thousands of people were killed and injured in the war. But still there is no sign of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

It is now much clearer that the stability of Afghanistan cannot be achieved only by the military action of the United States and NATO, but there is a need for greater involvement from China and India in the rebuilding efforts of the war-torn Afghanistan.

During their Wuhan meeting, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi proposed a joint project about developing Afghanistan's infrastructure and the country's vast mineral resources. It is hoped that during the coming summit SCO members should enhance efforts to bring peace, prosperity and stability in Afghanistan under the framework of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group.

However, it should be noted here that while all of the other SCO member states are already beneficiaries or supporters of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India's absence from the BRI is without doubt a bad diplomatic move on the part of India.

President Xi Jinping has repeatedly said that the BRI may be China's idea but its opportunities and outcomes will benefit the world. Surely, the BRI can be a vehicle for the two biggest developing countries to contribute to development and prosperity in the region. There is hope that India should abandon its preconceived view of the BRI when Prime Minister Modi meets President Xi in Qingdao. Exchanges and cooperation between India and China will see new progress in the coming years, especially when the construction of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor starts.

Rabi Sankar Bosu, Secretary of New Horizon Radio Listeners' Club, West Bengal, India





Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash

U.S. President Donald Trump and the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Un, are scheduled to meet at 9:00 a.m. Singapore time on June 12, the White House said on Monday.





At a press briefing, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders also said that the U.S. advance team now in Singapore "is finalizing logistical preparations and will remain in place until the summit begins."





Noting that the U.S. side is "actively" preparing for the meeting, she said that the U.S. delegation in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the inter-Korean border continues diplomatic negotiations with the DPRK delegation.





"The discussions have been very positive and significant progress has been made," she said.





Besides the exchanges in Singapore and the DMZ, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week met with Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the DPRK's ruling Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, in New York.





After meeting Kim Yong Chol who delivered a personal letter from Kim Jong Un, Trump said on Friday that he will meet with the top DPRK leader on June 12 in Singapore as originally scheduled. Flash

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday called for pragmatic cooperation among the five BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.





Speaking at the Formal Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Wang said that, as Chinese President Xi Jinping has put it, the BRICS are like five fingers, each with its own strength; when the BRICS come together, we form a fist that can punch.









Faced with the complex changes in the international landscape, the BRICS countries should firmly stick to the political direction of BRICS cooperation, and send out a powerful message of consolidating unity and cooperation, seeking common development, upholding multilateralism and defending international fairness and justice at the upcoming BRICS summit to be held next month in Johannesburg, he said.





The Chinese state councilor urged the BRICS to deepen pragmatic economic cooperation in order to advance the common development of the five countries.





He also called for political and security cooperation among the BRICS countries to defend international fairness and justice.





Wang also called for efforts to expand the BRICS' cultural and people-to-people exchanges so as to beef up the foundation of their solidarity and coordination.





He also said that the BRICS should continuously expand the circle of friends with the "BRICS plus" model, which is focused on strengthening dialogue and cooperation between BRICS countries and other emerging markets and developing countries.





The Chinese state councilor expressed belief that with the BRICS' concerted efforts, the upcoming BRICS Summit in Johannesburg will surely achieve fruitful outcomes and usher in a good start for the BRICS' second "golden decade." Flash

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May over phone, and discussed the bilateral trade ties, the Iran nuclear issue and the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit.





According to a White House statement, Trump also called for a new and comprehensive deal that addresses all aspects of Iran's alleged "destabilizing" behavior, including in Yemen and Syria.





Trump announced to exit the Iran nuke deal in May, despite European nations' protests.





Trump also "underscored the need to rebalance trade with Europe" and expressed hope for a Brexit deal that does not increase tensions on the Northern Ireland border.





U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union (EU), Canada and Mexico took effect on June 1. Trump has decided not to extend the temporary steel and aluminum tariff exemptions for these three key trading partners. The move followed earlier metals tariffs on countries around the world.





The two leaders also discussed their goals for the upcoming G7 summit on June 8 and 9 in Quebec, Canada, and look forward to Trump's visit to Britain in July.





U.S. Department of State on April 26 confirmed that Trump will pay a working visit to Britain on July 13. The visit would start after Trump attended the NATO summit slated for July 11-12 in Brussels.





Trump made a sudden announcement on Jan. 11 that he has canceled his trip to Britain due to disappointment over the new location of the U.S. embassy in London.





The trans-Atlantic alliance between the United States and Britain has been shaky ever since Trump assumed the presidency last January. His proposal of a strict ban on Muslim immigration has sparked wide controversy in the island nation. Matters got even worse when Trump retweeted video posts of a British ultra-rightist group targeting Muslim immigrants in November.





Trump and May also discussed the upcoming summit meeting between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) slated for June 12 in Singapore. Flash

The Chinese Consulate General in Chicago confirmed on Monday the death of a Chinese student from Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) as a car struck him.





According to Police Department in Wilmington of North Carolina, the 19-year-old Zhao Zishan who spent his vacation there, was hit by a vehicle when he attempted to cross the street where there was no crosswalk.





Jennifer Dandron, a spokesperson with the Wilmington Police Department, said Zhao was hit and killed in the 5600 block of Oleander Drive around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night.





Dandron said Zhao was taken to local medical center and died from injuries a few hours later. She also confirmed no charges will be filed in this fatality.





The Chinese Consulate General was informed by the police and immediately activated the emergency response mechanism, Chinese Deputy Consul General in Chicago Liu Jun said.





Liu said they've contacted parents of the victim and WashU, and let them know that the Chinese Consulate General will offer help needed.





Liu also warned Chinese students studying abroad pay much attention to personal safety, especially during summer vacation.China Aviation Daily | Jun. 05, 2018

Japan Air Commuter Co. Ltd. (JAC) and ATR today announced the conversion into an ATR 72-600 of one of the ATR 42-600s that the airline currently has on order. This conversion means the arrival of the ATR 72 in Japan. The carrier and ATR have previously signed firm contracts for the introduction of nine ATR 42-600s. JAC, a regional subsidiary of Japan Airlines (JAL), introduced its first ATR 42-600 early in 2017 and today operates four of the aircraft. The delivery of the ATR 72-600 is expected before the end of this year.

The converted ATR 72-600 will be configured with 70 seats, adding seat capacity to the overall offer of the airline. Japan has many beautiful islands that both national and foreign tourists visit to enjoy their unique nature and countryside. The ATR aircraft, because of their size and ability to operate in small airfields and short runways, are perfectly suited for these regions. Also, as of today, over one third of the domestic routes in Japan are below 300 nm, a distance optimally suited for ATR's performance and efficiency.

Commenting on the conversion of this ATR aircraft, Hiroki Kato, President of Japan Air Commuter Co. Ltd, declared: "The ATR 42-600 has clearly represented an efficient choice in our operations and its cabin comfortability has been well received by passengers. We are very satisfied with the operational versatility and results of this aircraft. With the conversion of one of our current aircraft on order into an ATR 72-600 we will now benefit from the strong commonality of both models, while further decreasing the operating costs per seat of our fleet. We strongly believe that this aircraft, which brings flexibility and efficiency especially to trunk routes with many business and sightseeing passengers, will be very useful to serve regional communities. We also appreciate the understanding and the support we got from both national and local governments to introduce the ATR 72-600."

Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: "The introduction of the ATR 72-600 in Japan is an illustration of the suitability of the ATR aircraft family for developing and growing new commercial opportunities at the lowest costs. For over one year, JAC has benefitted from the operational versatility and cost-efficiency of the ATR 42-600. The airline will now be able to respond even better to the increasing needs of regional connectivity across the country while remaining a reference of excellence in terms of passenger experience."

Contributed by ATR



It has almost been a year since a Saudi Arabia-led quartet put an embargo on Qatar, but there are still no signs of a solution to the diplomatic crisis, said a Chinese expert.

Indeed, on May 26, Doha said it was banning products originating from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain, as Qatar's Government Communications Office said it was trying to "protect the safety of consumers".

The order came just days before the anniversary of the embargo, which was launched last June when the four countries cut all economic and diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.

Zou Zhiqiang, a researcher from the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, said the crisis may not be effectively alleviated any time soon.

"Both parties have the desire to solve the problem, but none would want to compromise on differences," he said. "Related countries hope to resolve the crisis as soon as possible to reduce the loss of their strategic resources and prestige."

Regional efforts to resolve the dispute continue as the Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has sent envoys with letters to the leaders of Qatar, Oman and the UAE, but there has been no sign of progress on the impasse, according to Xinhua.

"Our mediation has not been easy," said Kuwait's Ambassador to Britain, Khaled al-Duwaisan, speaking at the annual Oxford Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Forum on May 12, while adding that "the issues can and should be settled by negotiations".

Rory Miller, professor of international relations with Georgetown University in Qatar, said in an interview that none of the parties have a real reason right now to make major concessions, according to Xinhua.

Zou also said broader regional issues are complicating the problem.

"There are conflicts on the policies to Gaza's ruling Hamas and Iran. It's hard for Qatar to unilaterally make fundamental changes, adding more impossibility to breaking the ice within a short time."

Lessened impact

In the early days of the embargo, Qatar suffered in terms of its economy, trade, air traffic and foreign relations. But after the short-term shocks and turmoil, Zou said the impact was not as great as expected.

The researcher also said Doha's latest ban shows that the country, to a greater extent, has been economically independent from Saudi Arabia and other countries after its efforts to open up external markets and channels.

"Qatar has strengthened its autonomy in economics and diplomacy, and thus has the courage to take the initiative with 'anti-sanction' measures, and show its attitude of not compromising easily," he said.

liuxuan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 06/05/2018 page12)By Cheng Si in Beijing and Yuan Hui in Hohhot | China Daily | Updated: 2018-06-05 07:18

A fire that broke out in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region's Hanma National Nature Reserve on Friday has spread to neighboring Heilongjiang province, the region's fire authorities said on Monday.

The Hanma reserve covers more than 1,000 square kilometers on the northern part of the Greater Hinggan Mountains' west slope, with its forest coverage reaching 94.8 percent.

Gao Feixiang, a member of Greater Hinggan's fire brigade, said: "Over 600 soldiers and firefighters, with 400-plus members from our brigade, are battling the fire at the reserve, while more than 1,000 police and firefighters are on their way.China Railway's first express freight service linking Shijiazhuang, capital of northern China's Hebei province, with Europe began on Saturday with the departure of a train bound for the Belarusian capital Minsk.

The train was loaded with 41 containers carrying more than 1,100 metric tons of goods worth 32 million yuan ($5 million), according to a statement posted on the Shijiazhuang government's WeChat account on Sunday.

The goods, produced by companies in Shijiazhuang, included mechanical equipment, clothing, shoes and construction materials.Chinese companies are expected to invest up to $10 billion in Peru in sectors including energy and mines, telecommunications, construction and financing over the next three years, an official said.

Jia Guide, China's ambassador to Peru, said even though China is Peru's top trade partner and imports most of the minerals the South American country produces, Chinese companies are keen on investing in the country's other sectors.

His comments came during a signing ceremony with Peru's president last week, when Aluminum Corp of China started work on the $1.3 billion expansion of its Toromocho copper mine in central Peru.With China having already been Alaska's largest export destination since 2011, the governor of the northwestern US state wants seafood deliveries to China to triple "as soon as possible".

"We would love to triple our output. It would be one of our biggest goals in the years to come. I am not sure when it would be achieved, but I would like to have it happen as soon as we can," Bill Walker told China Daily in Shanghai, as he led the state's largest ever trade mission to China.

He is being joined on the 12-day trip by 50 representatives from 30 companies in Alaska, from sectors including fisheries, tourism and investment.John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York of the Church of England has urged the British government and Prime Minister David Cameron that England must do more to help the persecuted religious minorities in the Iraq-Syria area. He urged Cameron that England must provide sanctuary for the Christians who are fleeing from the violence of the Islamic State.

The Telegraph reported that Sentamu had officially written to the Prime Minster concerning this matter, but had not yet received a reply. "In that letter I also raised the issue of asylum recognizing that the granting of asylum will not bring an end to the crisis but is a humanitarian act aimed at relieving suffering," Sentamu told the Telegraph. "I await a substantive reply. I raise this not to embarrass the Prime Minister, for whom I pray, but to urge him and his colleagues to act justly and swiftly in the face of suffering."

He explained that other countries including Germany, France and even Australia have already begun to provide protection and asylum for these fleeing Christians and that now it is Englands turn to do the same.

The Church of England had already made several statements that condemned the ISIS for their violent acts against the religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East as well as their fight against the Iraqi and Syrian governments.

John Sentamu however, was not the first English minister to request the British government to do more concerning the ISIS. Another letter sent over a month ago written by Rt. Rev. David Walker the Bishop of Manchester, still remains unanswered. He described the ongoing silence of the government as deafening.

Although England has been offering a considerable amount of support for the Iraqi and Syrian supporters like the U.S. they have not yet decided to deploy their own troops into Iraqi territory to directly combat the ISIS. The Prime Minster David Cameron had this to say: "We are in the middle of a generational struggle against a poisonous and extremist ideology which I believe we will be fighting for the rest of my political lifetime, We face in ISIL a new threat that is single-minded, determined and unflinching in pursuit of its objectives."After Halting Abortions, Planned Parenthood Birmingham is Attempting to Build a New Facility

Contact: Terry Gensemer, Charismatic Episcopal Church For Life, 205-253-0159



BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 5, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- The same national organization that is currently under federal investigation for the illegal sale of baby body parts is trying to expand its Southeastern profile. Planned Parenthood Birmingham (PPB) announced plans for a new facility after their national umbrella, Planned Parenthood Southeast (PPSE), purchased a new property for them at 1019 1st Ave N.



On Saturday, June 9th at 9:30 a.m., pastors, legislators, pro-life leaders and concerned citizens will gather at 1019 1st Ave N for the city-wide We Say No! Prayer Vigil. Those praying will include:

Fr. Terry Gensemer, Charismatic Episcopal Church For Life



Jim and Joy Pinto, Her Choice Birmingham



Evangelist Scott Dawson (Candidate for Governor)



Alabama Representative Arnold Mooney



Rev. Bob Foust, Sav-A-Life Shelby



Natalie Brumfield of Bound4Life



Deborah Love, Eagle Forum of Alabama



Paul Hughes, Birmingham Prayer Furnace



Cindy Harless, Abortion Recovery Alabama



and many others.

Planned Parenthood of Birmingham has shown all signs of a failing business. Their last deficiency report from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) revealed failures to follow even simple sanitation protocols. It has also been over a year since PPB has been able to provide abortions. Local sidewalk counselors report that hardly any patients have been seen entering the shabby building for months on end, which is currently located at 1211 27th Pl S.



In a recent news article, PPSE openly admitted that PPB's current rundown building is not even worth updating, which raises the question: If the building is truly outdated, why are they still licensed by ADPH? In fact, Planned Parenthood Birmingham's entire sordid history  covering up sexual abuse, selling abortion drugs illegally, even botching abortion procedures  has citizens calling for both the revocation of the facility's current license and a denial of any future license for any new locations.



Mary Ann Vann, a main organizer for the local 40 Days for Life prayer campaign says, "A new building isn't going to make Planned Parenthood suddenly grow a conscience and start following the rules. The body of work following this facility is atrocious, affirmed every day by fewer and fewer clients going through their doors."



Fr. Terry Gensemer, a longtime Birmingham pastor and well-known national leader of the pro-life movement says, "Planned Parenthood holds itself out as a healthcare provider while deceiving citizens, harming women, and killing our children. It's the only abortion clinic left in this city, and it's clearly struggling to find a clientele. People talk about safe spaces. With Planned Parenthood closed for good, Birmingham would become one of the largest and safest metropolitan areas in the country for mothers and children in the womb. How beautiful would that be? Planned Parenthood has been unable to provide abortions for a year. Let's keep it that way."



Gensemer also points out that this new building will sit directly beside the interstate. "When people drive into our city, they can see Vulcan, Regions Field, Railroad Park  all old and new symbols of our great city. Imagine a huge Planned Parenthood sitting front and center to all of that. Do we want abortion to become the first thing people see about Birmingham? I certainly don't. On June 9th, we are going to unite as citizens, as Christians, and pray for God to move on our behalf. We invite every concerned citizen to join us."

General and Former Defense Minister Danjuma Joins President Trump in Decrying Nigeria's Religious Violence Contact: Stephen Enada, 404-988-0611



WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /



General Danjuma addressed the issue of extremism among some Fulani people that has led to horrific attacks on villages that echo Boko-Haram tactics. General Danjuma, who has a reputation for fighting corruption, said, "Evidence is there that President Buhari has failed. Corruption continues and ineffective governance does not confront attacks on villages."



President Trump met recently with Nigeria President Buhari at the White House where he decried religious violence in Nigeria. "We encourage Nigeria's federal, state, and local leaders to do everything in their power to immediately secure affected communities and to protect innocent civilians of all faiths, including Muslims and Christians."



Darius Ishaku, Governor of Taraba State (where Roman Catholic churches have been attacked by Fulani extremists in recent weeks), shared that his own leadership abilities are hampered by the structure of Nigerian governance. He said, "We do not have state or local police ... Governors do not have power or influence to make changes in their own states."



"If chaos continues in Nigeria, refugees will flood over West Africa, then Europe and eventually America  whether you build a wall or not," warned General Danjuma. Also in attendance, Former Congressman Frank Wolf, Sr., Distinguished Fellow at 21Wilbeforce, added that, "Europe can barely handle Syrian and Iraqi refugees so they'd be overwhelmed if Nigeria collapsed."



Recognizing that Nigeria is the lynchpin of regional stability and a strategic partner with the US in the struggle against extremism, General Danjuma and Governor Ishaku asked concerned American organizations to help Nigeria nurture its democracy. "We need 'civilized democracies' like the US to help with our Nigerian democracy in ways that provide security for citizens of every religious affiliation, bring justice to perpetrators of violence, and empower civil society to confront atrocities and stand together to promote peace.



Share Tweet Contact: Stephen Enada, 404-988-0611WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Violence continues to threaten stability in Nigeria, particularly in the agricultural region. Deeply concerned about this crisis, the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), in collaboration with the Heritage Foundation and 21Wilberforce, hosted Nigerian leaders General TY Danjuma and Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku to discuss implications from Nigeria's escalating religious and ethnic violence. Representatives from the U.S. government and prominent NGOs also joined the discussion.General Danjuma addressed the issue of extremism among some Fulani people that has led to horrific attacks on villages that echo Boko-Haram tactics. General Danjuma, who has a reputation for fighting corruption, said, "Evidence is there that President Buhari has failed. Corruption continues and ineffective governance does not confront attacks on villages."President Trump met recently with Nigeria President Buhari at the White House where he decried religious violence in Nigeria. "We encourage Nigeria's federal, state, and local leaders to do everything in their power to immediately secure affected communities and to protect innocent civilians of all faiths, including Muslims and Christians."Darius Ishaku, Governor of Taraba State (where Roman Catholic churches have been attacked by Fulani extremists in recent weeks), shared that his own leadership abilities are hampered by the structure of Nigerian governance. He said, "We do not have state or local police ... Governors do not have power or influence to make changes in their own states.""If chaos continues in Nigeria, refugees will flood over West Africa, then Europe and eventually America  whether you build a wall or not," warned General Danjuma. Also in attendance, Former Congressman Frank Wolf, Sr., Distinguished Fellow at 21Wilbeforce, added that, "Europe can barely handle Syrian and Iraqi refugees so they'd be overwhelmed if Nigeria collapsed."Recognizing that Nigeria is the lynchpin of regional stability and a strategic partner with the US in the struggle against extremism, General Danjuma and Governor Ishaku asked concerned American organizations to help Nigeria nurture its democracy. "We need 'civilized democracies' like the US to help with our Nigerian democracy in ways that provide security for citizens of every religious affiliation, bring justice to perpetrators of violence, and empower civil society to confront atrocities and stand together to promote peace.We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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Elastomeric Infusion System Market report offers Market Size, Dynamics, Regional Market Share, Top Key Players, Latest trends, Growth factors, Industry Stats, Historic Market, Business Intelligence, Business Research Reports, Competitive Intelligence 2013 to 2017 and Forecast 2018 to 2024

The positive growth factors for elastomeric infusion system market is increase in adoption, growing demand for small disposable infusion pumps, and its wide range of application in various fluid drug delivery systems. In addition, increase in number of surgeries as a result of increased rate of hospitalization that ultimately increases the demand for elastomeric pumps for postoperative pain management conditions. Elastomeric infusion pump system offers several advantages over electronic pumps including portability, feasible demonstration, low weight, size, ease of use, and less interference with sleep. However, difficulties in detection of delivery rate accuracy, and abnormal drug delivery are restraining factors for growth of the market. Furthermore, increasing R&D costs and frequent product recalls, mostly due to design flaws, are expected to hamper the elastomeric infusion system market.

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Elastomeric infusion system market has been segmented on the basis of product type, indication and end-user

Based on product type, elastomeric infusion system market is segmented into

 Continuous Rate Elastomeric Infusion System

 Variable Rate Elastomeric Infusion System

Based on indication, elastomeric infusion system market is segmented into

 Pain Management

 Infectious Disease treatment

 Inversional Chemotherapy

 Iron Chelation

Based on end-user, elastomeric infusion system market is segmented into

 Hospitals

 Ambulatory Surgical centres

 Homecare Settings

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Elastomeric infusion system market is expected to show significant growth rate owing to rise in demand for disposable ambulatory infusion pumps. Market players are actively participating in innovative strategies to expand their market share. For instance in April 2017, B. Braun Medical Inc. launched esaypump home infusion therapy app, offers educational content to clinicians and patients on safe usage of B. Braun Medicals easypump elastomeric infusion pump. Furthermore, companies are focusing on collaborations and mergers & acquisitions to expand their market share. For instance, in January 2015, Fresenius Kabi (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA) entered into multiyear distribution agreement with Halyard Health to distribute Halyard Healths disposable elastomeric intravenous infusion pumps. By this agreement Fresenius Kabi expanded the product portfolio.

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Geographically elastomeric infusion system market has been segmented into following regions Viz. North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is largest in terms of value in elastomeric infusion system market followed by Europe. North America accounts highest market share due to increased prevalence of chronic diseases like gastrointestinal complications, abdominal herniae and increased number of surgeries. Asia Pacific expected to show fastest growth rate due to the development of healthcare infrastructure leading to more construction of small and mid-sized hospitals, and increasing number of local players and start-up firms entering this market. The Middle East and Africa region is projected to be a potential market for elastomeric infusion system owing high prevalence rates of chronic diseases that require surgical procedure but less disease awareness among the patients.

Some of the players in elastomeric infusion system Market includes B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG (Braun Melsungen AG.) (Germany), Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA (Fresenius Kabi AG) (Germany), Halyard Health, Inc. (U.S.), Leventon S.A.U (Spain), Ambu A/S (Denmark), Baxter International Inc. (U.S.), Nipro Corporation (Japan), and Woo Young Medical Co. (Jincheon) to name a few.

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About Precision Business Insights

Precision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.

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report offers Market Size, Dynamics, Regional Market Share, Top Key Players, Latest trends, Growth factors, Industry Stats, Historic Market, Business Intelligence, Business Research Reports, Competitive Intelligence 2013 to 2017 and Forecast 2018 to 2024

Heart Valves Market

The heart valves market is growing at a significant CAGR due to increase in geriatric population, and increase in the prevalence of heart valve diseases. The increase in demand for stentless tissue valves, implementation of MI procedures expected to fuel the growth of Heart valves market. Rising in preference for tissue heart valve replacement surgeries among the geriatric population is also boosting the growth of Heart valves market over the forecast period. However, lack of skilled professional, the risk of potential complications with tissue valves, and use of alternate products might hamper the growth of Heart valves market over the forecast period. Similarly, the stringent regulatory framework for product approvals expected to dampen the growth of Heart valves market.

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The heart valves market is segmented on the basis of product type, valve type, harvesting type, and end users

Based on product type, heart valves market has been segmented into the following:

 Stented tissue heart valves

 Stentless tissue heart valves

Based on valve type, heart valves market has been segmented into the following:

 Aortic tissue valves

 Mitral tissue valves

Based on the harvesting, heart valves market has been segmented into the following:

 Autograft

 Homograft

 Heterograft

Based on end-user, heart valves market has been segmented into the following:

 Hospitals

 Clinics

 Ambulatory surgical centers

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Global heart valves market is increasing due to rise in the prevalence of cardiac disorders. The most commonly adopted strategies by industry players include new product launches with technological innovations, acquisitions & mergers, agreements, and collaborations to capture significant Heart valves market share. They acquire other companies to enhance their R&D capabilities for manufacturing innovative devices that meet consumer needs. Acquisition of other companies allows vendors access to the product portfolio of the acquired company. For instance, in December 2012, Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and Cook Biotech Incorporated, have collaborated into a technology licensing and supply agreements for the development of tissue-engineered heart valves and related cardiovascular implants.

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Geographically, heart valves market has been segmented into following regions Viz. North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to hold a dominant share in Heart valves market owing to increase in the prevalence of heart valve diseases, increasing research and development, favourable medical reimbursement policies increase the growth of Heart valves market in North America. Europe region holds second largest share attributed to increases in the prevalence of heart valve diseases because of changing lifestyle. Increasing government funding for R&D, technological advancements are expected to boost the growth of Heart valves market. Asia-pacific region is expected to hold the large share in forecast period due to increase in awareness regarding tissue valves, increasing geriatric population and rising opportunities in medical tourism.

Some of the players in the heart valves market are Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (U.S.), LivaNova PLC (U.K.), Medtronic (U.S.), St. Jude Medical (Abbott Laboratories) (U.S.), Braile Biomedica (Brazil), CryoLife, Inc. (U.S.), and Laboratory Corporation of America (U.S.) to name a few.

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Precision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.

Precision Business Insights mission is to provide high-quality market research reports and generate key insights to our clients. PBIs approachable strategies are to help clients to make key decisions for business growth.

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Hereditary Angioedema Treatment Market report offers Market Size, Dynamics, Regional Market Share, Top Key Players, Latest trends, Growth factors, Industry Stats, Historic Market, Business Intelligence, Business Research Reports, Competitive Intelligence 2013 to 2017 and Forecast 2018 to 2024

Global hereditary angioedema treatment market is mainly driven by increase in R&D to treat angioedema. In addition, increase in prevalence and promising pipeline are expected to boost the hereditary angioedema treatment market. Furthermore, change in lifestyle, improved reimbursement infrastructure, and healthcare spending are expected to bolster the hereditary angioedema treatment market. However, high cost of prophylaxis and misdiagnosis of the condition are expected to hinder the hereditary angioedema treatment market during the forecast period.

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Hereditary angioedema treatment market has been segmented based on type, drug class, and distribution channel

Base on type, hereditary angioedema treatment market is segmented into

 Type-I

 Type-II

 Type-III

Based on drug class, hereditary angioedema treatment market is segmented into

 C1 esterase inhibitors

 Plasma kallikrein inhibitors (Ecallantide)

 Bradykinin receptor antagonists (Icatibant)

 Corticosteroids

 Antihistamines

 Autoimmune drugs

 Blood protein controllers

 Antifibrinolytic agents

Based on distribution channel, hereditary angioedema treatment market is segmented into

 Hospital Pharmacies

 Retail Pharmacies

 Others

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https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/global-hereditary-angioedema-treatment-market/#ulp-c654SbFYO64MsOhu

Hereditary angioedema treatment market has expected to show healthy growth rate during forecast period. The market has many promising pipeline drugs and prophylaxis to treat hereditary angioedema. For instance, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals is in the process of developing a lead molecule known as BCX7353 to prevent an angioedema that attacks especially the patients suffering from hereditary angioedema and it has completed phase-II clinical trials. BioCryst pharmaceuticals received initial regulatory approvals in Europe to initiate the ZENITH-1 (clinical trail to study BCX7353) exploratory clinical trial in 2017. Shire plc is also conducting a post marketing investigation of drug Firazyr in countries where it is approved for hereditary angioedema attacks. Collaborations and acquisitions are key market strategies adopted by the market players. Companies also collaborating with research and non-profit organizations for better outcomes in treatment. For instance, in April 2017, PatientsLikeMe, a patient network and real-time research platform and Shire plc have announced a new collaboration that will support the development of a patient-centered, real world health learning system that expands understanding of patient health and disease. Licensing is also a key strategy in hereditary treatment market. For instance, in August 2016, Pharming Group NV, acquired back all North American commercialization rights to ruconest from Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.

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Geographically hereditary angioedema treatment market segmented into following regions viz. North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America expected to grow at significant growth rate due to lifestyle changes, increase in prevalence and growth in the diagnosis of hereditary angioedema in U.S. region. According to WHO, incidence rate of HAE is 1/10,00050,000 people in United States and Canada in 2015 and Mortality rates are estimated as 1533%. Asia-Pacific expected to be fastest growing owing to increase in awareness about the disease conditions, developing healthcare infrastructure and lifestyle changes.

Some of the players in hereditary angioedema treatment market are BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (U.S), CSL Limited (Australia), Pharming Group NV (Netherlands), Salix Pharmaceuticals (U.S), and Shire (Republic of Ireland) to name a few.

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Market Highlights:

The study reveals that Industrial Access Control is trending in North America region. The rising need for a high level of data and identity security in corporate firms will lead to the growth of this market. In recent times, the need for access control solutions like biometrics and smart cards has increased owing to the recent rise in the number of terrorist attacks and criminal activities. The most corporate employees use their mobile devices to access company data, the demand for access control solutions will increase significantly as these devices are highly vulnerable to attacks.

The study indicates that electronic access control systems offer smart ways to access various commercial and industrial facilities, which are further provided as a solutions which is integrated as a range of electronic access control devices, locks and systems. The various management tools also help to control the access of offices, facilities and operations. Industrial access control market offers the complete support in the layout, installation and assessment of these systems.

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The Industrial Access Control Market is growing rapidly over 10.8% of CAGR and is expected to reach at USD $~1.03 Billion by the end of forecast period.

Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 30 market data tables and figures spread over 100 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on The Industrial Access Control Market Research Report -Forecast to 2023.

Industrial Access Control Market Segmentation

The Industrial Access Control Market has been segmented on the basis of Access type, end -users and region. The Industrial Access Control market is highly centralized by owing to the presence of many small regional suppliers and large multinational vendors. In the forecast period, the established Industrial Access Control vendors is expected to acquire smaller vendors to expand their product and services portfolio and will boost the market shares. The market is also characterized by the presence of numerous well-diversified international and regional vendors.

Major Key players:

The prominent players in the Industrial Access Control Market  Morpho SA (France), NEC Corporation (Japan); ASSA ABLOY AB (Sweden), dorma+kaba Holding AG (Switzerland), 3M Company (US), Allegion Plc (Ireland), Honeywell Security Group (U.S), Napco Security Technologies Inc.(U.S), Keyscan Inc. (U.S) and Johnson Controls International Plc (Ireland) among others.

Market Research Analysis:

On geographic basis, Industrial Access Control market is studied in different regions as Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of world. It has been observed that North America region is leading with largest market share growth in the Industrial Access Control market. In this market, Europe is to be estimated to be the largest market for Industrial Access Control solutions during the forecast period. The increasing security concerns will lead to the high demand for Industrial Access Control among the government and BFSI sectors. Moreover, with the increasing implementation of stringent regulations by the government to ensure security access, the market for Industrial Access Control solution will have a positive outlook in APAC region.

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Table of Contents

1 Market Introduction

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Scope of Study

1.2.1 Research Objective

1.2.2 Assumptions

1.2.3 Limitations

1.3 Market Structure

1.3.1 Global Industrial Access Control Market: By Access Type

1.3.2 Global Industrial Access Control Market: By Service

1.3.3 Global Industrial Access Control Market: By End User

1.3.4 Global Industrial Access Control Market: By Region

2 Research Methodology

2.1 Research Service

2.2 Primary Research

2.3 Secondary Research

2.4 Forecast Model

Continues...

List of Tables

Table 1 Industrial Access Control Market, By Access Type

Table 2 Industrial Access Control Market, By Service

Table 3 Industrial Access Control Market, By End-User

Continues...

List of Figures

Figure 1 Research Methodology

Figure 2 Industrial Access Control Market: By Access Type (%)

Figure 3 Industrial Access Control Market: By Service (%)

Continues...

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Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF) releases nutrients from the fertilizers into the soil. The kinetics of the release is determined by the low solubility of these fertilizers in the soil moisture.

Competitive Analysis

Some of the key players in the Global Controlled-Release Market Fertilizers are BASF SE (Germany), Nutrien Ltd. (Canada), Yara International ASA (Norway), Koch Agronomic Services, LLC. (US), ICL (Israel), AGLUKON Spezialdunger GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), COMPO EXPERT (Germany), Ekompany (Netherlands), Haifa Chemicals Ltd. (Israel), Kingenta (China), and The Scotts Company LLC ( US).

Regional Analysis

The Global Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market is spanned across five regions: Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. North America was the major market for the controlled release fertilizers in 2017, followed by Europe, which is further trailed by Asia Pacific. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America are expected to show a moderate demand for Controlled Release Fertilizers over the forecast period.

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Market Segmentation

The Global Controlled-Release Fertilizers Market is segmented by Type, Mechanism, Crop Type and Region.

On the Basis of the Type, the Global Controlled Release Fertilizers Market is a controlled release of organic fertilizers (CROF), controlled release inorganic fertilizers (CRIF), controlled release coated fertilizers (CRCF), controlled release coated urea (CRCU), and others. CROF are sub-segmented into natural organic compounds (animal manure, sewage sludge etc.) and synthetic organic compounds (urea formaldehyde (UF), isobutylene-diurea (IBDU), urea acetaldehyde / cyclo diurea (CDU)). CRIF are sub-segmented into metal ammonium phosphates (KNH4PO4 and MgNH4PO4), and partially acidulated phosphate rock (PAPR). CRCF is sub-segmented into coated granules and matrix coating. Coated granular CRFs are further segmented to organic polymer coating materials (for instance, thermoplastics, and resins) and inorganic coating materials (including sulfur and other minerals). Matrix coating is further segmented into hydrophobic matrix coating (eg polyole fi n, rubber etc.,) and hydrophilic matrix coating (hydrogels). CRCUs are sub-segmented into CRCUs with a sulfur-based coating material, CRCUs with a polymer-based coating material, CRCUs with a superabsorbent coating materials (hydrogel), and CRCUs with bio-composite coating materials among other. CRCU segment dominated the market owing to advantages of urea-based fertilizer such as high nitrogen content (46%), low cost, and ease of application. and CRCU with bio-composite coating material among other. CRCU segment dominated the market owing to advantages of urea-based fertilizer such as high nitrogen content (46%), low cost, and ease of application. and CRCU with bio-composite coating material among other. CRCU segment dominated the market owing to advantages of urea-based fertilizer such as high nitrogen content (46%), low cost, and ease of application.

On the Basis of the Mechanism of Controlled Release, the Global Controlled Release Fertilizers Market is segmented into the osmosis mechanism and diffusion mechanism. A new version of the market in the first two months of the year.

On the Basis of the Crop Type , the Global Controlled Release Fertilizers Market is segmented into ornamental & nurseries, agriculture, and turf & lawns. The agriculture application for the largest market share under the crop in 2017 is expected to continue growing over the forecast period 2018-2023.

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Big biz super theft

For decades the big banks and insurance companies have had their eyes on the billions of dollars invested in the not-for-profit industry superannuation sector. These industry funds are not-for-profit, and exist to serve their members. They want control of these funds, both the superannuation products and the insurance policies they offer their members. The potential to make a profits killing at the expense of workers is huge.

The pool of superannuation savings under management is now $2.7 trillion and rising. A large proportion of that is in industry funds.

Industry funds were initiated by the trade union movement. Their boards consist of equal numbers of trade union and employer representatives plus an agreed upon independent chair from outside the industry.

The private, for-profit sector, owned by bank subsidiaries, investment houses and insurance companies, want the trade union representatives removed or board membership altered so that trade union representation become a relatively small minority.

In their place, they are pushing for so-called independent board members  read representatives from private investment sector. In other words, they want control of the hundreds of billions of dollars in those funds.

The main aim of the Productivity Commissions (PC) review, Superannuation: Assessing Efficiency and Competitiveness, is to do just that. The PC issued its draft report last week (May 29) and has called for submissions.

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison commissioned the review, setting narrow terms of reference that carefully exclude or pay scant attention to some of the main issues facing workers.

For example, it has little to offer on the question of the non-payment  theft  of superannuation by unscrupulous employers. Consequently the recommendations fail to address such issues as subcontracting and the failure of franchises to pay the statutory amounts. This is having a serious impact on hundreds of thousands of workers.

There review itself is blatantly biased against trade union involvement in industry funds. Nowhere does it provide any argument defending its recommendations to shut trade unions out.

Employers make the contributions on behalf of their employees. If a worker does not choose a fund, which is usually the case, then the contributions are paid into a default super fund known as MySuper. This is usually specified in an enterprise agreement or modern award which has been negotiated with the union.

Super performance

The PC found that, Not-for-profit funds, as a group, have systematically outperformed for-profit funds. Or to put that in other words, the industry funds have systematically outperformed the retail and self-managed funds.

The PC comes to the conclusion that  Higher fees are clearly associated with lower net returns over the long term.! These can involve hefty entry and exit fees and higher ongoing administration fees.

It continues, Fees have a significant impact on retirement balances. For example, an increase of just 0.5 percent a year in fees would reduce the retirement balance of a typical worker (starting work today) by a projected 12 per cent (or $100 000).

Retail super funds are soaking up half of all fees in the superannuation system despite holding only 29 percent of retirement savings, according to research carried out by Rainmaker for Industry Super Australia.

The not-for-profit sector (including industry, public sector and corporate funds) charged a total of $12.7 billion in fees with $9.9 billion of that going to private sector wealth managers to provide insurance and fund management services.

The not-for-profit sector kept only $2.8 billion  nine percent of the fees!

Poorer investment choices that often work in the interests of the insurance company or bank also contribute to poorer results.

Retail funds rip workers off

Not only do they charge higher fees and make smaller average returns for workers on their investments, but the conduct of private funds have left a lot to be desired on occasions. There have been numerous complaints about the retail, for-profit superannuation funds ripping off members.

For example, ANZs superannuation fund Prime Access was forced to refund millions of dollars of fees charged for services not supplied to its members.

The PC ignores this.

Attack on industry funds

The private, for-profit sector funds run by the finance sector have been pushing for a reduction in or complete removal of trade union representation on industry funds have their own representatives in control.

They want control of these funds so that they can bleed members through higher fees and also gain control of the insurance that is offered with superannuation coverage.

The PC proposes that the overriding requirements of board members be financial expertise and other specialist skills. Seen in isolation this sounds like a fine sentiment. But in practice it is meant to promote the rate of profit and displace the union approach of overall advancement of members interests. It also proposes annual reviews of board and individual performance and a whole new bureaucracy to oversee these.

They also want the specification of default funds removed from enterprise agreements and awards. In other words, the PC review comes to the party on the governments agenda of destroying industry funds as we know them.

In an attempt to defend its attack on industry funds the PC claims that A significant minority of members (an estimated one million) are barred from exercising choice even if they wanted to. This is not true. Choice is a statutory right  introduced by the Howard Coalition government.

Continuing in the same vein, the PC says, Proposed legislative changes to prohibit restrictive clauses in workplace agreements on members choice of fund are much needed.

This is misleading to say the least. Award and enterprise agreements do not restrict choice of funds if a worker wishes to exercise that statutory right. They usually specify a default fund.

Locked in for life

Many members find it hard to make comparisons between the large numbers of superannuation products available. The substantial proliferation of investment options in the choice segment (some 40,000) complicates decision-making and increases member fees, without boosting net returns. The choice segment is the non-default segment, the report notes.

This multitude of options creates enormous inefficiencies and duplication in a system that is virtually impossible for a worker to navigate and make an informed choice. That is if the worker is one of a minority who has some understanding of the options or is even aware they exist.

The majority are oblivious to such complexities and happy to go along with the industry funds products. At best they might read the section of the annual statement with the balance in their account and what impact fees have had.

The PC, having emphasised the importance of competition, goes on to propose a system that would lock all new employees into one fund for life!

Default superannuation accounts should only be created for members who are new to the workforce or do not already have a superannuation account (and do not nominate a fund of their own).

To facilitate this, the Australian government and the ATO [Australian Taxation Office] should continue work towards establishing a centralised online service for members, employers and the government that builds on the existing functionality of myGov and Single Touch Payroll. The service should:

allow members to register online their choice to open, close or consolidate accounts when they are submitting their Tax File Number when starting a new job

facilitate the carryover of existing member accounts when members change jobs.

Clearly this is not designed to include industry specific products.

The reports crunch for industry funds then follows:

A single shortlist of up to 10 superannuation products should be presented to all members who are new to the workforce (or do not have a superannuation account), from which they can choose a product. Clear and comparable information on the key features of each shortlisted product should also be presented. Members should not be prevented from choosing any other fund (including an SMSF [self-managed superannuation funds]).

Any member who fails to make a choice within 60 days should be defaulted to one of the products on the shortlist, selected via sequential allocation.

This list would be chosen by a government-appointed independent expert panel.

This panel should select from products submitted by funds that meet a clear set of criteria (established beforehand by the panel) and are judged to deliver the best outcomes for members, with a high weighting placed on investment strategy and performance.

While industry funds consistently make up the top ten superannuation funds, it is unlikely that this hand-picked independent panel of government enablers will select ten industry funds.

Multiple accounts

The PC does pick up on one important point; that a significant number of workers belong to more than one superannuation fund, a result of changing jobs. As a consequence they have more than one insurance policy each with its own insurance premiums and administration fees.

One of the PCs recommendations is for insurance through superannuation to be provided to members under the age of 25 on an opt-in basis. Never mind that young workers may also be injured or even killed in workplaces.

The insurance products offered through industry funds are far cheaper and superior overall to those of the for-profit funds, as the cover and premiums are calculated on a group basis, not an individual basis.

Powerful private monopoly

The PCs recommendations would lead to greater inefficiencies as funds attempt to meet a whole new set of bureaucratic reporting and analysis. With only ten default funds listed, there would be less competition to choose from.

The other funds would be disadvantaged and denied a natural stream of new members. This could have a serious impact on industry funds unless trade unions successfully campaign to direct new employees into those funds.

The PC recommends that all funds with less than $2 billion under management be wiped out in forced mergers with larger superannuation funds. That would affect more than 100 funds: some have a poor track record, but not all be any means.

There are reports that there will be pressure on funds with less than $10 billion under management would be forced to merge.

The government in the May budget announced measures to close inactive superannuation accounts. That would affect around one third of accounts.

The recommendations for the merger of smaller funds would also facilitate the formation of a massive and powerful monopoly in an industry where the parasitic private sector is already bleeding workers through exorbitant fees.

There are a few token measures to strengthen compliance and punish non-compliant employers. Far too many workers do not have cover due to subcontracting arrangements, the churning of casual labour and other forms of superannuation theft.

A better way forward

Trade unions will have a big struggle to prevent the government legislating for the recommendations contained in the PCs report. If they are passed, then the priority will become to build a strong, united movement to protect industry funds and workers retired savings.

Never has it been more important to join the relevant trade union when gaining employment.

Find out your rights. Make sure you join the industry fund. If your employer is not making payments on your behalf, inform your union which can take it up for you.

Support your union in any campaign to defend industry funds and lobby your MP and Senators. Also call for legislation to end the rorting of the superannuation system by the wealthy. The issue of taxation rorts is not addressed, yet their removal would make the system far more efficient.

All workers have a right to security in retirement. They have a right to an adequate income so they can live comfortably and in dignity.

They have a right to expect that their savings will be safely invested, managed well, and invested in socially desirable areas.

Those who have not been able to accumulate savings because of a broken working life, sickness, disability, time off to raise a family, unemployment, etc., also have a right to security in old age.

None of these rights are guaranteed under the private self-provision for retirement policy through superannuation. While industry funds are superior to other types, the present superannuation system is still a gamble with retirement.

Hence the Communist Party of Australia is calling for a National Superannuation fund that workers from any industry could join on a voluntary basis. It would be democratically managed by representatives from the labour movement and other progressive community organisations.

Such a scheme would offer defined benefits, a system that was once common in the public sector. This means a guaranteed income for workers throughout their retirement.

This should be in addition to an age pension funded from central revenue which provides an adequate income.

The fund would be invested in socially beneficial projects such as public transport and other infrastructure, the development of renewable energy sources and public housing.

This removes the risk currently faced by individuals and with one central pool of assets would also result in greater administrative efficiencies. It would provide real competition to the other funds!

Anyone wishing to make a written submission on the draft report has until Friday July 13, 2018. Information on how to make a submission is available on the PCs website.Editorial

Israels fascism

What was the response of the Australian government to the mass murder of unarmed Palestinian protesters by the Israeli military last month? The atrocity perpetrated by the most moral army in the world, that last week, as a symbol of this oppression included the shooting dead of Palestinian volunteer paramedic Razan al-Najjar in Gaza?

The United Nations Human Rights Council, of which Australia is a member, issued a strong rebuke to Israel, voting through a resolution calling on the council to urgently dispatch an independent, international commission of inquiry ... to investigate all alleged violations and abuses ... in the context of the military assaults on large scale civilian protests that began on March 30, 2018. The HRC passed the resolution with 29 votes in favour, two opposed and 14 abstentions.

The two HRC members in opposition were the United States and Australia: thus Australia played its appointed role on the Council, the part of pliant sycophant in service to big power diktat, the US and its military arm in the Middle East, nuclear weapons state, Israel.

And another symbol of oppression is now firmly on the international stage: the military regalia representing the fascist state of Israel.

Najjar was unmistakable as a health worker, wearing a white uniform, when she was gunned down as she treated a man injured by a tear gas canister. The Netanyahu government has, as is now routine, announced its own inquiry into the circumstances of her killing, but we know the result already. And as usual the stock response from Israeli authorities to criticism is to accuse critics of anti-Semitism.

For a military investigator to accurately label this deliberate assassination would call into question Israels entire expansionist colonisation project. That wont happen. Nonetheless, the Israel Defence Force stands condemned by its own Twitter feed: Yesterday we saw 30,000 people; we arrived prepared and with precise reinforcements. Nothing was carried out uncontrolled; everything was accurate and measured, and we know where every bullet landed.

Not a single Israeli soldier been killed or wounded while engaged in sniper practice overlooking the Gaza killing fields.

Najjar was not the only Palestinian paramedic shot that day  three others were wounded. She is not the first to be killed  Moussa Abu Hassanein succumbed to Israels death squads a fortnight ago.

According to the Gazan health ministry, 223 paramedics have been injured during the border protests and 37 ambulances have been targeted.

Presumably, according to the twisted logic of those who defend Israels willingness to drown angry mass civilian protests in blood and justify relentless colonial expansion and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, these were all engaged as decoys to assist terrorist infiltration.

The IDF has often depicted such obviously non-threatening people as being conscious or unwitting human shields used by Hamas or Islamic Jihad.

The human shield logic presupposes a military power instructing its forces to avoid civilian casualties, but when has the IDF shown reluctance to kill unarmed men, women or children?

Palestinians face a choice. They surrender to Israels iron fist occupation, accept that all previous land lost is gone forever and more will go when Israelis demand it, bid farewell to any prospect of an independent Palestinian state and reconcile themselves to future existence in US-style Native American reservations or apartheid bantustans  or they continue to resist.

Even peaceful resistance guarantees bloody repression, but Palestinians reject surrender.

They should be able to rely on the international community to honour and assist their resistance, but imperialist powers, including the US, EU, Britain and Australia, have switched off their moral compasses, content to see Palestinians treated as less than human.

Governments can be defeated by people power, as happened with apartheid South Africa. It can happen too with apartheid Israel.Taking Issue  Con Costa*

Health care as commodity

Privatisation of health is costing us a lot more than merely soaring medical bills if we get sick, cancer, or need surgery. (No wonder euthanasia is gaining in popularity. It became clear on the program that the doctors clinical choices are being influenced by the commodification of health care.)

For example, the urologist who stands to make $20,000 for a prostatectomy is unlikely to refer for further opinion to the radiation oncologist (the schedule rebate is $1,200). And the GP usually refers to the urologist and leaves it up to him/ her. And the patient often has little choice but to follow the advice of the surgeon. So, privatisation not only turns health care into a commodity, it limits peoples choices and access to world class care.

The 30 percent taxpayer funded Private health insurance (PHI) rebate is now shown to be a massive fraud on the Australian people and a colossal waste of money by government and individuals. We are all being slugged by insurance companies and private surgeons as a result of the neo-liberal agenda to privatise health. What is worse, we are losing our right to choice, transparency and the right to a doctor working in our interest without other competing priorities.

Health costs are skyrocketing under the health privatisation agenda. What we saw on the recent ABC 4 Corners program is that privatisation of health system and underfunding/white-anting of Medicare and public system is quickly taking us back to the 1960s when failure to pay medical bills was leading cause of going to jail in SA.

Prostate surgery $30,000; hip or knee replacement $20,000 excluding cost of rehabilitation for 3 to 6 months; $20,000 for breast cancer treatment and reconstruction  so imagine if you have a heart problem and need open heart surgery!

Australians are being coerced into private health by government under the false belief that PHI will cover them when they are sick, but are then slugged big bucks when they need to use the system. Private health has been revealed as a massive confidence trick  and a massive waste of $11 billion of taxpayers money annually.

The Australian people are being frogmarched by their own government into a super expensive and broken private health system.

What wasnt stated in the ABC program is that even most top tier health insurance plans exclude hip or knee replacement surgery. And that a diagnosis of leukaemia or any chronic disease and the private hospital will refuse you entry even with top tier cover, because you may end up staying too long and costing them money (cherry picking).

It is outrageous that the health minister has buried this widespread practice of systematic gouging of vulnerable Australians revealed on the 4 Corners program in a subcommittee which will initially report only at the end of the year and will run over two years  and that health minister Hunt has appointed surgeons and PHI executives in charge of that same committee. The rats in charge of the cheese factory?

The health minister must immediately act to reign in the waste and profiteering in the private health system  and the first step to restore public confidence would be to implement the AMA suggestion that over-charging specialists should lose their right to College membership (and thus the ability to work).

But the government needs to go much further and stop the massive public funding of the private health sector and restore funding to Medicare and public hospitals, including more surgeons working as staff specialists in those hospitals with operating time and privileges at our public hospitals.

This will not only make essential care available to all Australians based on need, but also restore confidence in the doctors to make decisions based on clinical merit rather than on payment, and to have their surgery in a transparent and much safer environment of our major teaching hospitals  rather in the under staffed and fitted out smaller private hospitals.

Unfortunately, the 4 Corners program with Norman Swan seemed to imply that the answer to the fee gouging by some surgeons is to give more power to the private insurance companies to control the greedy surgeons. But the problem is not simply the greedy surgeons, it is the privatisation of the health system that is leading to surgeons profiteering activity.

More power to private insurers would equate to the introduction of US style managed care  where doctors and patients lose their rights to care in the medical system and where we are all at the mercy of private insurance clerks deciding where and when and what care we can access (see how the workers compensation system works in all states) where doctors have to plead with WorkCover insurance clerks to get tests or treatment for their patients but are often refused.

Or in the US you cannot simply go to the casualty department if you are sick e.g. chest pain. You have to ring an insurance clerk who will direct you to their hospital of choice and which may be on the other side of town  just hope it isnt a heart attack where time is of the essence.

Patients are being driven into the private system by right wing ideological governments (and even the Labor Party has at times followed along with this neo-liberal agenda) promoting private health over Medicare. Now they are using the excuse of over-charging surgeons to frighten us into giving more power to the private insurers  asking us to jump out of the PHI frying pan and into the managed care fire, while all the time handing over taxpayers money  which should be going to Medicare and public hospitals  to the private health insurance funds.

The Doctors Reform Society calls on the health minister Hunt and the prime minister to reverse their blind ideological course bent on the destruction of Medicare and the public system before it is too late.

They need to hang their head in shame with the shocking revelations on the 4 Corners program of the effects of their privatisation of health. Blaming the greedy surgeons is to miss the main point  it is the privatisation of health system that is leading to health care becoming a commodity and sold to the highest bidder. In such a system we are all quickly becoming customers of private specialists  not patients. And we are increasingly being funnelled to those same specialists with little support from a family GP because of the Uberisation of GP visits, resulting from the under-funding of Medicare and our world class primary care system.

What the 4 Corners program clearly demonstrated is that we are steadily losing Medicare and our public hospitals and that this is opening up an ugly Brave New World of private healthcare in this country  the Americanisation of our health system. And this is happening despite the enormous popularity and support of the public system by our patients.

* Dr Con Costa is vice-president of the Doctors Reform SocietyRooftop defiance

The defiant rooftop protest on the Green 1 compound of the Christmas Island detention centre ended on May 29 a few hours into the fifth day of protest. The two Iranian asylum seekers came down from the roof and are now being held in the punishment compound, White 1.

Earlier scuffles had broken out in Green 2 as Serco Emergency Response Team guards increased their efforts to physically prevent asylum seekers in that compound getting water and other supplies, including medications, to the protesters.

Serco guards arrested one asylum seeker from Green 2 and took him to White 1. Other detainees in Green 2 had made it clear to the guards that they would keep supplying the roof-top protesters.

A few hours after the arrest in Green 2, the two Iranians came off the roof. One of the protesters, Ali (not his real name) told the Refugee Action Coalition, We did not want other guys being punished for our protest. They [the guards] harassed them too many times. I did not want them to go punishment.

The protest had brought more attention on the conditions on Christmas Island, the Devils Island of the Australias detention regime. Ali has been in detention for six years. My family is broken up. Christmas Island has made me a junky, he said, No-one is normal in here. Everyone has mental problem. Even the guards are not normal people.

The second protester, Ghazi (not his real name), told the Refugee Action Coalition, We are all very tired. I have been in detention over three years.

There are no good doctors. They just play with us. For everything, they give us Panadol. There are no mental health doctors.

When people are in jail, they are relaxed  they know, one year, two years ... they get out. Here you dont know ... Next week? Next month?

There is no excuse for the long-term detention that is being inflicted on the guys in Christmas Island, said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition. It is a form of extra-judicial punishment that is not reviewable by the courts. They are held in worse conditions than a prison and for no crime.

Christmas Island is the crime. It should be closed, and the detainees released.

Meanwhile, the failure of the US resettlement deal was again on display this morning on May 29 as 18 refugees from Manus Island left Port Moresby for the US.

The group comprises 13 Afghans and 5 Rohingyans, all single males. Once again, none from Trumps travel-ban group of countries that includes Iran, Somalia, Iraq, Sudan, were in the group.

The 18 are being settled in Arizona, California, Texas, and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. Seventeen of the group have been waiting in Port Moresby since January; the other one since March.

Another 20 refugees are still waiting for US resettlement  half of them since they were moved to Port Moresby from Manus Island six months ago. The prolonged waiting times are further evidence of the dysfunction that surrounds the US deal.

Since the US deal was announced in 2016, just 103 refugees from Manus and 162 from Nauru have been resettled in the US.

Hundreds of asylum seekers and refugees are left stranded on Manus and Nauru (including around 140 children).

The US deal has degenerated into a farce. It is not even half a deal, said Rintoul. [Immigration Minister] Peter Dutton has admitted that the government has no other countries for resettlement yet refuses New Zealands offer to resettle 150 people.

The suggestion that he would allow refugees to go to New Zealand if they were banned from ever travelling to Australia is completely vacuous. Dutton is pitching for another go at the rejected lifetime ban bill.

Refugees who are resettled in the US will be eligible for visas for Australia as soon as they are US permanent residents; why not New Zealand?

The collapse of the US deal leaves the government bereft of a resettlement option for the asylum seekers that were dumped offshore five years ago, Rintoul noted. As the toll of offshore detention mounts, it is time for the government to evacuate Manus and Nauru and bring the asylum seekers and refugees to safety in Australia.Police power hit list

Following the introduction by the Turnbull government of powers giving police the right to arbitrarily stop and interrogate people in airports (see last weeks Guardian) we publish the following summary of recent legislation in the ongoing process of handing the state apparatus the means to invade and violate peoples privacy and civil liberties.

In 2014 the Senate passed the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 2014, with the full support of the Labor Party and the Palmer United Party Senators. It became law on October 2, 2014. (See ASIO powers: Big Brother gets bigger, Guardian, # 1658, 01-19-2014)

This was followed by the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Bill 2014 which was introduced on September 29 and passed by both Houses by October 30.

The Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2014 was introduced to Parliament on October 29.

The then federal Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull introduced the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2014 on October 30.

The assault is not confined to the federal arena. Also in 2014 the then Victorian Coalition government quietly released its plans to increase police powers and data collection of children as young as 10 if re-elected in the state elections on November 29. Their fingerprints are to be stored on a national database. The proposed powers include covert search warrants for indictable offences carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment or more.

Media gagged

Under the National Security Act anyone (whistle-blowers, journalists, bloggers, etc) who recklessly discloses information ... [that] relates to a special intelligence operation. faces 10 years jail. The Attorney-General unilaterally and in secret determines what is a special operation.

Greens MP Adam Bandt said when speaking against the Bill in the Lower House, warned:

... journalists have rightly said: How do I know if I report on something that I am not inadvertently contravening this section? That tells us two things: one is that whistle blowers and journalists, who now want to act in the public interest and draw attention to failings or mistakes by our security services, face jail themselves for acting in the public interest.

But more worryingly, it is going to have a chilling effect. This provision, if it goes through, will muzzle the media. It will have a chilling effect, because every journalist and every editor will now be worried about whether or not they are going to go to jail if they report on an operation in connection with the security services, and so they are going to be less likely to do it.

This bill also significantly expands the ability of the government agencies and of the government itself to access peoples computers, their mobiles and their tablets, even where they are suspected of having done nothing wrong. Even if you are not a suspect, your computer can be accessed and it can be modified.

The security services can put files onto your computer simply because you happen to be on the same network as someone who is a suspect.

Now, that is just wrong. If you are not suspected of having done anything wrong why should the security services be able to access your computer, phone or tablet? Bandt asked.

Foreign Fighters Bill

The Senate was given less than one day to discuss the Foreign Fighters Bill, as Labor backed the government to gag debate. The legislation is far-reaching, going well beyond the question of Australians fighting for foreign forces or carrying out terrorist activities.

The legislation expands the definition of terrorist organisations, lowers the threshold for arrest without warrant for terrorism offences, extends Customs powers to detain someone and extends existing measures that were due to expire, including control orders, preventative detention orders, federal police stop, search and seizure powers and ASIO questioning and detention powers.

The Bill expands the collection and use of personal identifiers of citizens and non-citizens both arriving and departing from Australia and creates a new offence of entering a declared area overseas where terrorist organisations are active.

The primary purpose of the amendments is to better facilitate ... ASIS providing timely assistance to the ADF in support of military operations, and its cooperation with the ADF on intelligence matters, the Counter Terrorism Bills explanatory memorandum states.

Data Retention Bill

The legislation allows law enforcement agencies to access two years worth of customer metadata without a warrant.

Data retention was rolled back by the European Court of Justice because it was found to violate human rights and because it did not affect authorities ability to do their job, the Australian Greens said.

Data retention will also make a mockery of the ability of journalists to protect their sources. When the government has access to a log of every phone call made in Australia and every email sent, the practice of whistleblowing will cease to exist.

Malcolm Turnbull, who introduced the Bill, had very grave misgivings about data retention, because it was heading in precisely the wrong direction and would create a chilling effect on free speech as well as invade privacy. He was right then. But now in office, at the beck and call of ASIO, his personal views count for naught.

In Australia, John Howards anti-terror laws have been used as a model for laws relating to trade unions, in particular the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

There is nothing to prevent ASIO and other agencies using these new powers against trade unionists, student groups and others, who might express dissent or question the capitalist system. They are wide open to abuse with potential jail sentences for those who expose such abuses.

Terrorism must be taken seriously. Legislation such as the above will do nothing to reduce terrorist activity. The fostering of hatred towards Muslims and Islam and creating divisions in society serves to drive some into the arms of the extremists.

Likewise, bombing Iraq and Syria creates greater hostility towards the US, Australia and other Western powers. Cutting young people off the dole, winding back Medicare, increasing fees for education, slashing wages will result in alienation and more vulnerable and disaffected youth.

The defeat of terrorism lies in ending wars of aggression, foreign occupations, the fostering of hatred and fear and by improving social and economic conditions.Mobilising a secular alliance

The Communist Party of Iraqs Salam Ali talked to Morning Star about how the Sairoun Alliance managed to secure the largest number of seats in countrys most recent parliamentary elections.

The parliamentary election in Iraq a week ago propelled the Iraqi Communist Party to one of the most visible forces in the media not only in Iraq but internationally. The Sairoun Alliance  a trans-sectarian electoral alliance  which brings together forces loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, Iraqi Communist Party and other non-religious parties has gained important results in this election. It won 54 seats (16.4 percent) out of 329 in parliament.

The victory is the outcome of cooperation between democratic activists, including Communists, and the Sadrist movement in the popular mass protests that have continued since July 2015 against the corrupt political system of sectarian-ethnic quota-based power sharing.

The Sairoun Alliances electoral program embodied the aspirations of hundreds of thousands of people who were looking for an alternative and an end to sectarian politics that had catastrophic consequences and even threatened the existence of Iraq itself.

Sairoun called for building a civil state based on the principle of citizenship, where all Iraqis are equal irrespective of their ethnic, religious, confessional or ideological affiliations.

Combating corruption  financial, administrative and political  which is endemic in Iraq is also a top priority as are tackling high unemployment, especially among young people, poor education and health and reviving the national industrial and agricultural sectors.

The electoral sloganeering of the ruling political blocs was exposed as empty words that can no longer deceive the people and the shameful record of the ruling elite has long been exposed as billions of dollars in state revenues were plundered over the past 13 years.

When the current prime minister Haider al-Abadi took over from his predecessor Nuri al-Maliki in late 2014, he publicly revealed that he inherited empty coffers.

Sairoun presented a concrete plan for combating corruption that includes enacting a host of legislative, executive oversight measures to bringing to account those responsible. Reform of and rebuilding the state, providing security and stability, social equality, economic development, defending womens rights and support for culture were also key features of Sairouns political platform.

One distinguishing feature of the alliance was its emphasis on upholding Iraqi national identity, building state institutions and firmly rejecting foreign interference  both regional and international  in the countrys internal affairs.

Ruling blocs have been shamefully subservient to foreign powers  the US, Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia  serving their interests at the expense of Iraqs independence and sovereignty, including direct interference in the formation of previous governments.

Importantly, nearly 99 percent of the candidates fielded by Sairoun were new faces, individuals who had not previously held posts in parliament or government and were not tarnished by corruption and mismanagement. This was in contrast to the old faces of the ruling blocs, many of whom were not re-elected.

Morning Star: Given that electoral blocs favoured by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US  Amiri, Al-Maliki and Haidar Al-Abadi  didnt do as was expected by their backers, could this be a starting point to significantly limiting the influence and interference of external regional and global forces in Iraqs affair?

Salam Ali: The voter turnout was 44.5 percent  the lowest since 2006. In 2014, it was 60 percent. This is indicative of widespread resentment, disillusionment and disaffection with the corrupt ruling elite and their policies and was particularly clear in areas that had been regarded as strongholds of Islamist parties  urban centres, Baghdad and other provinces in central and southern Iraq.

It is an important feature as it marks a change in political awareness and a movement away from identity-based and sectarian politics. Thus boycotting the vote by these sections of the population was an expression of resentment  a protest vote.

The State of Law bloc, led by Nouri al-Maliki, was the biggest loser, with its seats reduced from 92 in 2014 to 26 seats in 2018. The second biggest bloc, however, was Al Fateh (Conquest), led by Hadi al-Amiri, with 47 seats. Supported by members of the Popular Mobilisation Units (Hashd al-Shaabi), it sought to capitalise politically on their role in the battle against terrorist ISIS. Prime Minister Abadis bloc, Nasr [Victory] Alliance came third, with 42 votes.

As pointed out above, the ruling groups had opened the door to foreign interference in Iraqs internal affairs, but, despite their electoral losses, they are not expected to give up their dominant positions of power or the enormous privileges easily or voluntarily.

They will seek the support of their external backers in their political manoeuvres in forming the new government. US and Iranian high-level envoys Brett McGurk and Qasem Soleimani visited Iraq soon after the elections attempting to influence this process.

The US and Iran continue to be major players in Iraq and the whole region, along with Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The recent escalation of tension as a result of Washingtons decision to pull out of the Iran international nuclear deal will further complicate the Iraqi political scene and impact on its stability and security.

The Sairoun has openly rejected such blatant interference. It has stressed the need for a strong independent Iraqi national will, coupled with a principled and rational political discourse that would ensure good relations with all Iraqs neighbours based on mutual respect of national independence and sovereignty.

Putting an end to foreign interference requires concrete steps to remedy the fragile internal situation and the strengthening the societal fabric and national unity.

MS: Are the Sadrists really committed to the slogans advocating a civil, non-sectarian, forward-looking democratic and federal Iraq? Muqtada al-Sadr seems to have reinforced his political position through this election and being seen as the de facto leader of Sairoun Alliance, but, as a leader of one of the largest Shia movements, would he be willing or capable to play an effective role in building non-sectarian political system?

SA: On the political level, all the parties of the Sairoun alliance have generally adhered to its program during the electoral campaign. In the aftermath of the elections, there is close coordination with regard to the next steps, dialogue and negotiations with other blocs.

These negotiations are still in their initial stage and are aimed to explore a common ground regarding the formation of the largest bloc in parliament that would be assigned the job of forming the new government as there was no outright winner with a majority in parliament.

Sairoun, as well as the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al Sadr, have reiterated their commitment to the election campaign promises. The alliance will not accept a return to sectarian-ethnic quota-based power sharing in the formation of the new government. It must be based on an anti-sectarian and anti-corruption platform, in line with basic tenets of Sairouns program.

Agreement on the government program comes first, before discussing who would be the nominee to the post of prime minister and other details. If these objectives are not achieved, then, as already publicly declared, Sairoun will become the main opposition force in parliament.

Its main components and the civil democratic forces will also continue to participate in the mass-protest movement against sectarian politics and corruption, defending human and democratic rights, and mobilising for political reform and change.

MS:What is your assessment of the Iraqi Communist Partys (ICP) performance in this election? According to news released there were only two successful candidates  openly members of the ICP  out of more than 54 seats won by Sairoun Alliance. What were the key factors in limiting its winning more seats? Did this election coalition help the ICP attract more popular attention and visibility in the Iraqi society?

SA: The party organised a big electoral campaign, inside Iraq and abroad, that had a positive impact on its status among the people and enhanced its political prestige. Party activists managed to reach remote areas and mobilise for the alliance as well as present the party views and analysis.

It enabled party organisations and cadres to get closer to the popular masses, develop closer links and build a solid base for future political work and campaigns in defence of fundamental democratic rights and for our national, democratic alternative.

Two party candidates were successful. Comrade Raid Fahmi, the secretary of the central committee, came second in Baghdad and Haifaa al-Amin came third in Thi Qar province in the south. Other party candidates were unfortunately unsuccessful despite an effective election campaign. There were 58 party candidates in 14 provinces.

Initial evaluation and assessment of the party performance and its election results indicate that the overall number of votes for its candidates has increased in comparison to 2014. A further analysis of the results, by the party leadership and all organisations, will help to identify weaknesses, as well as highlight successes and suggest new initiatives.

This will also include the party media campaign, which worked hard despite limited resources, and had to compete with ruling blocs that own dozens of TV stations and spend vast amounts of money on their publicity campaigns.

As confirmed by independent and civil society monitors, the elections were marred by irregularities and there were also accusations of manipulation of final vote counts by the Electoral Commission. This has taken place despite the introduction of electronic vote counting devices to speed up the process and prevent rigging.

Serious questions were raised about the separate special vote for members of the armed and security forces who number about 700,000, as well as for Iraqi communities abroad numbering 179,000. It took a week to declare the final results.

Two very important factors adversely affected the whole process. The first is the so-called Sainte-Lague system [a highest quotient method for allocating seats in party-list proportional representation]. Despite a big campaign by civil democratic forces to amend it, the parliament  dominated by the ruling blocs  kept the same formula with a high threshold of 1.7 [a minimum percentage of votes required to be allocated seats]. The second, is the fact that the Electoral Commission itself was set up on the basis of the sectarian-ethnic quota-based system.

It is therefore one of the priorities of the Sairoun alliance, and of its agenda for a new government, to reform the whole electoral system including the electoral law.

MS: How do you evaluate Ayatollah Sistanis actions and role in this election?

SA: The role of the Shiite religious leader has been positive. Long before the elections he distanced himself from the corrupt politicians in power and on several occasions declared, through his official spokesmen, his support for the just demands of the peaceful protesters in their demonstrations in Baghdad and other provinces across Iraq, against corruption and poor services.

He also refused, in recent months, to receive any of the leading political figures of the ruling blocs at his house in Najaf  as a sign of his disapproval of their policies.

It is noteworthy that the message from Ayatollah Sistani, before the elections, that He who was tried should not be tried was interpreted by his followers as advising them not to re-elect corrupt rulers.

He also stated that it was up to Iraqi citizens to decide to vote or not. On previous occasions he had preached that it was the duty of every Iraqi to vote, which was used by Islamist parties as a pretext to mobilise voters and legitimise themselves as defenders of the sect against its presumed enemies.

MS: Why was Sairoun successful and how has the experience of building alliances for election purposes affected the deep sectarian divide in Iraq?

SA: In addition to the factors contributing to the success of the Sairoun Alliance mentioned above, it was effectively the only new development in political alliances before the elections on May 12.

All the other blocs were a product of previous alliances of sectarian and ethnic identities. Some even attempted to camouflage their real identity by adopting civic titles and slogans.

Sairoun was also able to maintain its unity while other blocs suffered splits and fragmentation.

It can be said that this trans-sectarian approach has been a unique development in an otherwise bleak political landscape. The fact that it actually emerged from the mass protest movement adds to its political significance, as a grassroots dynamic in the formation of alliances.

It has enhanced an all-encompassing Iraqi national identity and contributed to rebuilding Iraqs national unity.

MS: Based on this coalition experience, would ICP consider continuing cooperation or further joint activities with the Sadrists and other coalition members and, if so, on what platform?

SA: The party will continue to work with the Sadrist movement and other members of the Sairoun Alliance on the basis of its program which has adopted and clarified the demands of popular protest movement. It also converges with our partys national democratic program that calls for putting an end to the system of political sectarianism and establishing a democratic state based on the principle of citizenship and social justice.

Achieving this objective requires new forces and alliances that can bring about a real change in the balance of forces. Therefore the success of Sairoun, as a big trans-sectarian bloc of a national and civil character, is a first step in the struggle to break the existing monopoly of political power.

The party will also continue to work with the Democratic Current movement and all other civil and democratic forces. Salam Ali heads the internal department of the Iraqi Communist Party.

This interview was first published in Farsi by Nameh Mardom, the newspaper of the Tudeh Party of Iran

Morning StarFrom the women of Ireland

Saturday was a historic day for Ireland. The 8th amendment introduced in 1983 has finally been removed and the face of Ireland is changed utterly. Contrary to what the Establishment political parties have already started to say, the credit for this victory rests squarely with the women of Ireland.

All women  trans, cis, young, old, gay, straight, and every way in between, workers, students, voters and the women who live in Ireland but couldnt cast a ballot but campaigned endlessly anyway.

The men who supported them and played their part alongside them. These are the heroes and the victors of the Repeal the 8th campaign. This referendum result is a peoples victory. We made our demands and we pushed them on. Now, we need the legislation.

The arguments of why we need repeal do not need to be rehashed again, we can finally lay them to rest alongside all the others that history has deemed redundant.

People understood and recognised the lies of the so-called pro-life side. They agreed that the 8th amendment, which equates the life of woman and foetus as equal, did not only ban abortion but, in practice, made second-class citizens of women when they were pregnant.

The 8th tied doctors hands and prevented them taking action when womens lives and health were in danger. Women were denied chemotherapy, were locked away and threatened with force-feeding, were forced out of the country and ignored.

We were criminalised for daring to take action when we were denied a choice, criminalised for seeking help and medication from women online. No more!

The campaign was difficult, to deny that would be foolish and it would negate the valiant efforts of the campaigners who faced vicious opposition at stalls and during leaflet drops, during canvassing or for voicing their support for choice.

We would say it was the death rattle of old Catholic Ireland but it could be demoralising after a bad day and hard to see a successful end. Now we are vindicated.

People voted for their children, grandchildren, for their friends, for their parents, for themselves, for the named and unnamed killed or hurt by the 8th, for those women who have gone before us and fought for a better country and most importantly, we voted for the future, one where all the people in Ireland will be treated fairly, with dignity and respect.

Support poured in from the trade unions, left-wing parties, individuals and local campaign groups under the Together for Yes campaign and the Repeal the 8th Coalition. Activists picked their battle grounds, be it as a parent, teacher, migrant, witch or trade unionist but we all worked together.

We were unified in action once more, as we had been for marriage equality, the right to water and the anti-war marches. On the hard days  and there were many  we buoyed each other up. We kept each other from being overwhelmed and drowning by sharing the burden.

International support came from the Irish scattered all over the world, often forced there through austerity measures. For them there must have been an immediate connection with the 12 women forced abroad for abortion services every day.

They too were ignored, forced out and had to leave loved ones behind. The return home for the vote was overwhelming and the emotional scenes in the airports of people marching past with repeal T-shirts and Yes badges reduced more than a few seasoned activists to tears.

Women in France, Canada, Australia, Britain, the United States, Chile, Poland and many more countries called out to us across the mountains and oceans with greetings, support, love and solidarity.

They were and are defending the gains of womens struggles or are engaged in similar struggles for the right to abortion and healthcare in their own countries but they saw their fight and ours as one and the same. Their actions are examples of internationalism at its finest.

The women of the Six Counties saw no border when they worked alongside the women in the Republic of Ireland for repeal. We wont either as we stand by them in their own fight for abortion access. The chains of women will be broken across this island.

Divisive forces from inside Ireland and out will try to damage the solidarity built during this struggle but we will not let them.

We cried and fought together and we now celebrate together too. We know those who stood with us and we will not be separated again, our eyes are fixed on the next battle. We have only begun to know our power and we will take the Earth  but we can only do it together.

* Laura Duggan is a member of the trade union campaign to Repeal the 8th amendment and of the Communist Party of Ireland.

Morning StarA matter of life and death

On May 23, a 19-year-old Guatemalan Indigenous woman, Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez, was shot dead by a US Border Patrol agent in the 97 percent Latino town of Rio Bravo, Texas. She had come to the United States without papers because there was no way for her or her family to advance economically in her home country. She wanted to study here so that she could get a degree and help her people.

Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez.

The Border Patrol originally said that their officer fired in defence against immigrants who were assaulting them but subsequently backed off that claim. The matter, now being investigated, is one of many such incidents of violence against immigrants and refugees in recent years.

This incident adds to a mounting sense of horror and disgust in the United States and worldwide at the direction that US immigration policy, never as kind and gentle as some claim, has taken under the presidency of Donald Trump. But to get the full picture, it is necessary to understand whats going on in the countries from which most immigrants crossing the US southern border come.

Guatemala

Ms Gomez came from the Indigenous village of San Juan Ostuncalco in the Quetzaltenango department in Western Guatemala. She belonged to the Mam Indigenous ethnic group, whose language is part of the Mayance (Maya) family of Native American languages. Many of the Mam people do not speak Spanish and the majority are extremely poor rural folk. This is true of other Indigenous groups in Guatemala as well, yet by some ways of counting, half or more Guatemalas population is Indigenous. Between 40 and 60 percent of the population of Guatemala speaks an Indigenous language as their first tongue.

In ancient times, and up to the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, the Mayan people had built prosperous and impressive city states not only in Guatemala, but also in Southern Mexico and neighbouring regions of Honduras.

But the Spanish conquest destroyed all this. Those Indigenous populations that survived colonial genocide were submitted to a regime of inequality and exploitation. Liberal reforms in the 19th and early 20th centuries only made the situation worse. Indigenous communities, in many cases, lost what little agricultural land they had left, and were forced into a situation of dependency on large landowners. On top of this, Guatemalans found themselves under the heel of one bizarre and violent right-wing dictator after another. Generally, these dictatorial regimes were allied with the United States, and protected US investments in the country while oppressing the descendants of the original inhabitants.

From the early 1900s on, the US-based United Fruit Company had massive investments in Guatemala, and consequently a disproportionate influence over the countrys political life. Under dictators such as Miguel Estrada Cabrera (president from 1898 to 1924) and Jorge Ubico Castaneda (1931 to 1944), the Guatemalan military often acted as enforcers of the interests of United Fruit, and the US government had no problem at all with this arrangement.

Things began to change in 1945 after Ubico had been pushed out and an actual election chose a centrist politician, Juan Jose Arevalo Bermejo, as president. Arevalo instituted some modest reforms, but real change seemed to be in the offing when he was succeeded by his Minister of Defence, Jacobo Arbenz Guzman, in 1945.

Arbenz, who had friendly relations with the Communist Party of Guatemala, which up to that point had been banned, laid out a plan of much more radical labour and land reforms. In particular, he wanted to redistribute some of the vast landholdings of United Fruit to poor Guatemalan farmers. This did not sit well with United Fruit, of course, and nor was it acceptable to president Truman and, subsequently Eisenhower administrations in the United States. Eisenhowers Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles and his brother, CIA head Allen Dulles, both had connections with United Fruit; the latter had been a member of its board at one point.

Using McCarthy-era attacks on the communist connections of Arbenz and his government as a pretext, the CIA organised a rebellion of God-fearing army officers which succeeded in throwing Arbenz out and replacing him with Colonel Carlos Castillo Armas, a CIA operative and right-wing military officer.

Not satisfied with mere regime change, to use todays phrase, the US government urged Castillo Armas to carry out mass executions of Arbenz supporters, though Arbenz and his family managed to escape to exile.

Thus began once more the dreary cycle of outrageously repressive military rulers alternating with corrupt civilian regimes. All efforts to help the Indigenous farmers, like the ones in San Juan Ostuncalco, were crushed. Starting in 1960, this led to a civil war in which more than 200,000 Guatemalans, mostly civilians targeted by the military and its allies, were slaughtered. Up to 83 percent of the dead were Indigenous Guatemalans, like Claudia Gomez and her family members.

Comprador collaborators

It is important for all who live, work, pay taxes, and vote in the United States to know that from the first, the United States government was complicit in what is rightly called the Guatemalan genocide. Not only did the US government fail to denounce the repression, but it trained some of the worst offenders and funded the repressive actions, in spite of repeated exposes and denunciations in the US and worldwide.

A peace agreement formally ending the Guatemalan civil war was signed in 1996, but inequality, repression, racism against the huge Indigenous population, and unhealthy military involvement in government and elections are still prevalent. In Guatemala, the military officers cliques are not only linked to acts of repression, but to serious corruption issues also.

The current president, Jimmy Morales, came to power in January 2016 as the result of the conviction and jailing for corruption of his predecessor, US-trained Otto Perez Molina. Morales is an Evangelical Christian and a former TV comedian whose rise to power can be attributed to some of the same military forces that backed previous dictatorships. Now, like Molina, hes in trouble, too. He, his brother, and one of his sons are accused of corruption, and the latter two have been arrested.

In response, Morales has lashed out in various directions. One has been to threaten military action against the small neighbouring country of Belize, with which Guatemala has had a long territorial dispute. Another is to attack the main institution that has been trying, with some success, to combat corruption in Guatemala, the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). The body was set up in a 2006 agreement between the United Nations and Guatemala and has worked with local prosecutorial and police officials to root out corruption since then. Morales now wants it disbanded, and the right wing, both in Guatemala and beyond, is baying for its blood.

What is the US role? As CICIG is an entity set up partly by the United Nations, the US funds part of its work, as do Sweden and the European Union. Now one of our own far-right politicians, Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio, has jumped into the Guatemalan situation and managed to at least temporarily block the US funds for CICIG. Why? Russian interference in Guatemalas internal affairs.

It appears that some Russian citizens  Igor, Irina, and Anastasia Bitkov  were arrested in 2015 as a result of CICIGs investigations of corruption in the Guatemalan immigration office, and so The Wall Street Journal and Rubio have jumped to the conclusion that sinister Russian government forces must be behind the matter.

At the same time, Morales expelled the Swedish Ambassador to Guatemala for criticising corruption in the country, and has replaced the former courageous attorney general, Thelma Aldana, with an inexperienced new figure with no record fighting corruption.

Refugees flow north

Meanwhile, Guatemalan Indigenous and poor people continue to suffer from extreme poverty and violence both from criminal groups and from security forces. This is the reason they continue to come to the United States.

Also, the persecution of such people by the Trump administration continues to worsen. While our government keeps propping up right-wing states in Guatemala, in neighbouring Honduras, and other countries, it at the same time increases the pressure on people fleeing the situations that its own policies create.

The Trump administration has announced that it will prosecute anybody who crosses the US border without authorisation, even if they have a credible case for seeking asylum. Border crossers, even those who can make a good case for asylum, will be separated from their children, who will be kept in separate custody  in prison, essentially. Parents who try to pick up their children from custody will be fingerprinted, a serious threat to those who might themselves be undocumented.

It gets worse. Trump just appointed Ronald Mortensen as Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration. In other words, this individual will now have great power and influence over the way immigrants and refugees are treated in this country. Mortensen is a senior fellow at the Centre for Immigration Studies, an extreme right-wing research organisation whose studies are a mainstay of some of the most extreme anti-immigrant and racist demagogues in the country. (The Mortensen appointment has to be approved by the Senate).

And Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and other figures in the administration continue to spread lies about immigrants and refugees as inveterate criminals, all evidence to the contrary.

There are ongoing protests about the murder of Claudia Gomez, and about the Trump policy of torturing children as a means for punishing their parents for trying to come to the land of the free and the home of the brave. Republican Party politicians also continue to use racist anti-immigrant propaganda in their campaign literature and speeches.

The midterm elections in November will literally be a life and death matter for millions of immigrants and their families in this country.

Peoples WorldItalys crisis and exit talk

Italys current political upheaval has been a step-by-step instruction manual issued by the European Union and its local acolytes on how to turn a drama into crisis. When President Sergio Mattarella used his constitutional power to reject the nomination of Paolo Savona by Prime Minister-designate Giuseppe Conte for the economy portfolio, he made clear that this was because of Savonas previous backing for Italys exit from the eurozone.

Five Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio cheers with supporters during a meeting in Naples.

Savona did indeed call Italys adoption of the euro an historic mistake, which is an opinion shared by growing numbers of people across Europe who feel it has largely benefited German economic expansion.

Membership of the euro is a fundamental choice. If we want to discuss it, then we should do so in a serious fashion, the president pontificated on TV, without explaining how this could be done by imposing a veto.

What is now certain is that Mattarellas action has ensured that there will be a nationwide discussion on euro membership, but the likelihood is that this will be coloured by the anti-German rhetoric of right-wing Lega leader Matteo Salvini.

We dont have a euro in our pockets. We have a German mark which they called the euro, he said in February.

Salvini followed this up by saying: Today Italy is not free. It is occupied financially by Germans, French, and eurocrats. His approach will have been assisted by German Chancellor Angela Merkels assertion that we have principles within the euro area and, of course, there will be difficult questions.

She went on to remind her audience of how the EU treated Greece during its own banker-generated crisis, saying: Look, when there were elections in Greece and Alexis Tsipras was made premier, there were many questions on the table. We spoke with each other over many, many nights, but together we achieved something.

This bland summary of the EU-imposed impoverishment of the Greek working class and mass privatisation  assisted by complicity from the once dubbed radical Syriza government  will have set alarm bells ringing in Italy. A less guarded assessment of Mattarellas decision came from Volker Treier, who is responsible for foreign trade for Germanys Chambers of Industries and Commerce (DIHK).

He welcomed the spiking of the prohibitively expensive Italian coalition agreement put together by the Lega and its larger Five Star Movement electoral partner, calling it a relief for German businesses.

French President Emmanuel Macron, whose own devotion to democracy can be gauged by his decision to rule by decree, praised his Italian counterparts courage and great spirit of responsibility for defending his countrys institutional and democratic stability.

Such sentiments were repeated across the upper echelons of the EU, welcoming the Italian presidents action in putting eurozone interests  effectively, the banks and big business  before the voters choice.

They may well recall former president Giorgio Napolitanos similar action in November 2011 when he appointed EU commissioner Mario Monti to head a government of technocrats to push through EU-approved austerity measures to make Italian workers carry the financial burdens of the banking crisis.

Times have changed and the presidents choice of Carlo Cottarelli  known as Mr Scissors because of his championing of public spending cuts  is unlikely to win parliamentary backing.

He and President Matarella discussed the situation last week, after which Cottarelli claimed new possibilities for the birth of a political government had emerged during his consultations that compelled him to wait for further developments.

Possibilities are boundless, including driving a wedge between Lega and Five Star to produce a rejigged coalition between Lega and its closest right-wing ally, Silvio Berlusconis Forza Italia, but the prospect of early elections cant be ruled out.

Two years ago, when former British PM David Cameron embarked on his EU membership referendum, anticipating a clear Remain majority, he was assisted by a succession of EU worthies explaining why this was the only possible position.

Some flattered while others threatened or sneered that life outside the EU would be unsurvivable.

Even former US President Barack Obama felt entitled to swan over to Britain to tell British voters that Remain was the way to go. Much has been made of the official Leave campaign being led by Tory ministers Michael Gove and Boris Johnson to portray leaving the EU as an indelibly right-wing choice, but two-thirds of Labour-held constituencies backed Britains exit, exposing a gulf between many Labour voters and those elected to represent them in Parliament.

Those who watched a referendum campaign TV program of a dressed-down Neil Kinnock, former Labour PM, returning to his former south Wales stronghold to chat in the local pub about why we want to and have to stay in the EU will remember the stony-faced politeness of his company.

No one mentioned Kinnocks huge earnings as an EU commissioner, his gold-plated pensions, or his rejection of previous antipathy to the House of Lords to take a peerage, but awareness of the disparity between his and their situations was more eloquent for remaining unspoken.

In the event, the all-Labour fortress of the south Wales Valleys, the greatest recipients of EU regional aid in Britain, registered clear Leave majorities, dramatising the disconnect between those working-class areas often described as left behind or, as Trade Union Congress general secretary Frances OGrady puts it more accurately, those shafted by successive governments.

Deindustrialised areas all over Britain  former citadels of mining, steel, docks, and manufacturing that epitomized skilled work, good pay and conditions and, in an obvious link, high levels of trade union membership  have their equivalents across the EU, not least in Italy.

Industrial heartlands in the north where the Italian Communist Party was strongest, boasting in the 1970s 1.5 million members, followed dutifully at first the partys inexorable drift to the right, through various mutations, to appear as the Democratic Party (PD), but they vote increasingly for the Lega now.

Former left-led areas of the south have gone over to Five Star, a populist outfit with an eclectic batch of policies  some progressive, such as its call to end austerity, others not  but including an implacable antipathy to immigration.

Public anger has grown over the blanket refusal of the rest of the EU to assist Italy to deal with economic pressures linked to large numbers of refugees  themselves the result of wars of intervention in Libya and Syria backed by the EU, especially France and Britain  arriving on their shores.

In response, Five Star and Lega declared that their government would expel half a million asylum-seekers from Italy.

Italian voters are being assailed already with scare stories of falling stock market values, economic uncertainty, doubts about Italys credit worthiness, and a generalised forecast that the sky will fall in unless the electorate returns to the orthodoxy of an EU-approved, neo-liberal government, irrespective of party label.

EU budget commissioner Guenther Oettinger made no attempt to disguise this scenario, declaring: The markets will teach Italy how to vote properly.

Neither the Lega nor Five Star has the answers to Italys economic crisis, especially problems afflicting the working class, but using this reality or hysterical assertions that they are somehow fascist to justify the presidents bloodless coup detat, as the increasingly discredited PD has done, is unjustifiable.

As the Communist Party of Italy, the small but growing organisation seeking to regroup dispersed supporters of the late major party, puts it, the PD has revealed itself as the true party of Brussels, the European Central Bank, and the IMF in Italy.

The left-leaning Il Manifesto daily paper has voiced opposition to the presidential coup, warning that it could just as easily be used against a left government in future, advocating political mobilization against reactionary  especially anti-migrant  policies.

Impending elections arent expected to end Italys political crisis but will mark another stage in the development across the EU of an increasingly open contradiction between national democratic accountability and the eurozones economic-political straitjacket.

Morning StarMarxism: More relevant then ever

Communist Party USA leader John Bachtell addressed the international conference Marxism of the 21st Century and the Future of World Socialism, sponsored by the Communist Party of China on May 28 in Shenzhen. This is the text of his remarks.

We enthusiastically join in celebrating Karl Marx on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of his birth and express deep appreciation to the International Department of the Communist Party of China for hosting this event.

Marxism is the worlds most influential body of thought and has changed the course of human history. It is more relevant than ever for addressing humanitys urgent challenges despite the desperate efforts by the capitalist class to bury it.

Among their many discoveries, Marx and his lifelong comrade Frederick Engels showed how capitalism comprised one transitory stage of social development and would be surpassed by higher stages. This couldnt occur without the agency of people, though, and Marx and Engels proclaimed the historic mission of the working class was to lead a revolutionary change to a self-governing society without exploitation.

Marx also revealed exactly how exploitation of labour and capital accumulation occur under capitalism.

Marxism rejects all dogma and its development as a living and creative methodology didnt end with Marx, Engels, and Lenin. It cannot exist without a constant connection to and critique of new experience and phenomena with their many shades, complexities, and contradictions.

Nor can Marxism exist and develop without constant interaction between theory and practice. In the hands of the working class, Marxism is a powerful tool for its self-emancipation  especially through developing revolutionary political strategy and tactics tailored to the specific circumstances of the class struggle of each country.

The world today is a far different place than it was in Marxs time. Even then, however, Marx saw contradictions emerging that would eventually develop into the crises of contemporary capitalism. Capitalist economic globalisation, production on an unfathomable scale and the resulting concentration and centralisation of wealth, and the mass communications, social media, and technological revolutions have created a fundamental contradiction: the economic ability to address all human material needs paired with a crisis of extremes.

Just eight rich men have the same wealth as half the worlds population. The richest 1 percent appropriated 82 percent of new wealth in 2017. In the US, the top 1 percent own more wealth than the bottom 90 percent combined.

This crisis of extremes has special impacts based on race, gender, and nationality and between advanced capitalist economies and developing ones.

The drive for maximum profits and wealth accumulation lead to ever more extensive and destructive crises like the 2008 global financial crisis, mass economic migration, poverty, hunger, disease, and the growing displacement of workers through technological revolution.

Capitalism is incapable of solving these crises. Their resolution demands intervention through the organised might of the working class and people, global working class solidarity, and the radical reorganisation of society.

Capitalist development has generated two existential threats to humanity and nature: the climate crisis and the danger of nuclear war.

The current climate crisis is the most fundamental of multiple ecological crises that reflect the sharpening imbalance between humanity and nature caused by capitalism. It is directly due to the inherent destructiveness of capitalisms productive process and drive for profit, particularly on the part of the fossil fuel industry. Capitalisms need for infinite expansion is colliding with the Earths finite resources and capacity to absorb environmental damage.

Marx understood humans were part of nature and interacted with external nature through the labour process. Capitalism, he argued, causes a metabolic rift between nature and human society; alienating humans from both their own labour and nature itself.

The anarchy of capitalist production, exploitation, and inequality undermine any effort for dealing with this crisis and all other issues of a modern interconnected economy.

To avert a climate catastrophe, all of humanity  irrespective of class, economic system, and country  faces the enormous and urgent challenge of organising a rapid transition to sustainable energy production.

Only socialism can ultimately restore a harmonious relationship between society and nature and between humans and their labour. And the remarkable experience in China shows a socialist-oriented system makes the transition to sustainability on a massive scale possible.

But no matter how quickly this occurs, the climate crisis and its consequences of sea level rise, drought, desertification, extreme weather events, acidification of the oceans, and mass species extinction will worsen and continue to plague humanity for generations to come.

Curbing the climate crisis requires global working class solidarity and cooperation of nations regardless of their economic and social system. Countries must learn to share natural resources, redistribute wealth, and re-order their budget priorities to facilitate a transition to sustainability and adaptation.

Secondly, humanity is threatened by militarism and the growing danger of nuclear war. US society is militarised at every level. Wasteful war spending comprises over half the federal budget. The collapse of the Soviet Union removed the main justification for funding over 800 military bases in 70 countries. Its real reason all along was to ensure U.S. imperialist domination.

A new global nuclear arms race has begun amid heightened capitalist and regional rivalries and between capitalist and socialist-oriented states. The US will spend over US$2 trillion on nuclear modernisation to produce a new class of more dangerous nuclear weapons easier to deploy and use. The risk of nuclear catastrophe is greater now than during the Cold War.

The worlds people, beginning with Americans, must intervene to end the threat of war, demilitarise society, and rid the world of nuclear weapons. Every dollar spent on military production contributes to our nations spiritual and moral death and robs it of funds that could address the climate crisis and our antiquated infrastructure, as well as the crises in health care, education, transit, and housing.

The danger of authoritarianism and fascism has grown in the US and Europe. Trump and the so-called alt-right, or fascists, linked to him pose an unprecedented threat to democracy, peace, and the environment.

The Trump presidency is also a by-product of extreme wealth concentration and the domination of the government by the fossil fuel industry, military corporations, and right-wing social movements. At the same time, there is now a relentless assault on the truth and an erosion of democracy.

Trump is governing as he campaigned  by exploiting fear, economic insecurities, racism, misogyny, anti-immigrant hysteria, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and economic nationalism. He deploys anti-China trade rhetoric to divide the working class domestically and pit US workers against those of other countries.

Trump has assembled a war cabinet whose members have the fantasy of restoring US imperialism as the worlds sole superpower. Leading advisors openly advocate regime change in Iran and North Korea and prefer military might over diplomacy. The danger is growing of a Middle East regional war as well, which could conceivably see the use of nuclear weapons.

Marx foresaw that with the attainment of a bourgeois democratic republic and the universal right to vote, a peaceful path to socialism could be opened for the working class. Under these circumstances, armed insurrection as a form of struggle becomes outmoded. In any case, violence has always been initiated by the capitalist class.

The Communist Party USA, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2019, firmly believes the struggle for socialism in the United States must follow a democratic, peaceful path, committed to defending, expanding, and radically reforming democratic institutions. It must utilise all possible arenas: protest, strikes, boycotts, legislative, electoral, and the battle of ideas.

The fight for racial and gender equity and for a sustainable, demilitarised path of development with a vast redistribution of wealth are central necessities for any transition to socialism in the US.

The victory of socialist revolutions in the 20th century and efforts to build socialism under extraordinarily difficult circumstances  their achievements, mistakes, errors, and even crimes, and subsequent defeats  provided a wealth of valuable if not bitter experience and lessons.

We continue to hold to our belief that there are no universal models for the winning of political power by the working class and its strategic allies, the transition to socialism, or the specific features of that future system. Every country will find its own path to socialism based on its history, traditions, and the realities of its people.

We are convinced that a democratic, peaceful, sustainable socialism is humanitys future. And the ideas of Karl Marx are essential for getting us there.

Peoples WorldCulture & Life

Racism and capitalism

At the end of the 15th century, several factors combined to hasten the demise of feudalism  the prevailing economic and social system based on ownership of land  and its replacement by a system based on possession of material wealth: gold or its equivalent.

One factor was the importation from the east of the secret of gunpowder, which rendered obsolete the use of castles as a seat of power. Another was the collapse of the monolithic Catholic Church with its stultifying grip on learning. Despite its vast wealth, the Church had hypocritically urged its followers to follow a path of poverty and to eschew the pursuit of wealth. When this contradiction became too glaring various figures within the Church began to question its doctrines, notably Jan Hus in Bohemia, Martin Luther in Germany and Calvin in Geneva.

The movement they were part of, the Reformation, saw a revival of learning and a renewed interest in scholarship and the sciences. At the same time these developments were seen as providing new opportunities for generating wealth.

Explorers set out by ship from Spain and Portugal, England and Holland in search of spices and other valuable trade goods. They discovered the East Indies and then the West Indies, and the Americas. Huge quantities of gold and silver as well as spices poured into Europe.

Renewed interest in scientific knowledge coincided with the discovery of steam power and the beginning of the industrial revolution. Cottage industries were replaced by manufactories powered by water at first but soon by the much more versatile steam. Common lands that had sustained the poor were enclosed so the poor had no alternative but to leave their small holdings and drift to the towns, there to seek work in the new factories.

Feudalism in Western Europe collapsed, replaced by a new, more vibrant system based on accumulation of capital by trade or conquest: capitalism. Although this new system required the common people to live in vile, crowded conditions in the cities, and to work in appalling, dangerous conditions in the mines and mills that made money for the capitalists, it also (for a time) brought benefits for the people too. To provide sufficiently skilled workers, capitalism had perforce to provide the people with a system of education and rudimentary health care so that its workforce could be renewed.

And, of course, by bringing large numbers of people together to work for the same employer, sharing their difficulties and injustices, capitalism created its own grave-diggers. However, as soon as the workers began to organise and fight back against the perception that they were little more than beasts of burden who could be ruthlessly exploited, the ruling class moved to shore up its dominant position against this threat from below.

Religion, tradition, even patriotism, were all invoked to make the recalcitrant workers see reason. When that failed, the bosses looked for ways to set the workers against each other. Religion, or religious prejudice, proved useful here too. But a much more useful tool was racial prejudice. Cultural differences that were immediately obvious were simple to exploit and a very useful weapon in the hands of those who sought to divide and conquer the working class.

Slave society had of course preceded feudalism, but it was not dependent on race. Conquered peoples were frequently enslaved but so too were the less fortunate members of dominant societies. Slavery was an economic status in the ancient world before ever it was a racial one.

The discovery of the New World initially meant large quantities of gold and silver flowing into European coffers, but before long the desire to colonise these new lands led to widespread use in the new territories of convict labour from Europe, basically the enslavement of the poor. However, slave labour by convicts was relatively expensive, was of a finite duration and at the same time aroused the ire of those troublesome humanitarians. The Moors had pioneered the enslaving for life of black Africans and that was clearly more economically viable.

The trade in slaves shipped from Africa to the plantations of the New World was so lucrative it persisted even after humanitarians successfully got it banned. It left an economy in the Southern states of the USA that was dependent on the labour of Africans. The contradictions between emergent capitalism (predominantly in the north of the USA) and a plantation economy based on slave labour in the south resulted in a Civil War.

The anti-slavery forces won, but oppression of African Americans continued throughout the USA but especially in the South. African Americans were terrorised by way of lynchings, public burnings and floggings. Racial segregation was the law in the South, a system called Jim Crow. And when Black children attempted to attend a white school, they had to be protected by Federal marshals. Jim Crow officially ended half a century ago, but, despite a brutal civil rights campaign, it continues to manifest itself to this day. So many young Black men have been sentenced to lengthy terms in industrial prisons, where their enforced labour is provided free of charge, that it has been justly characterised as a new era of slavery.

American commentator Billy Corriher has noted that Americas schools are more racially segregated today than theyve been in decades. Between 2001 and 2014, the number of schools that are more than 90 percent low-income students of colour more than doubled. ... More than one in five students attended racially segregated schools last year in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, according to a recent report from Loyola University in New Orleans. A 2014 study from the University of California-Los Angeles found that schools in the South are as segregated today as they were in 1967 [at the start of the civil rights movement].

In fact, says Corriher, civil rights advocates are concerned that the Trump administration is embracing policies that will drive resegregation. ... Trump Education Secretary Betsy DeVos eliminated her departments Opening Doors program, which aimed to encourage voluntary desegregation. Which is no more than the kind of racism one would expect from out and out fascists like Trump and his team.Klingenberg was in command of SS troops taking part in the invasion of Yugoslavia. His orders were to quickly strike and move on to Greece -- the ol' Nazi hit it and quit it -- but 26-year-old Klingenberg decided he may as well take the country's capital, since he was in the neighborhood and all. When the ferry sank after delivering him and a mere six soldiers to Belgrade, Klingenberg sighed and presumably muttered, "Fine. I'll do it myself." He ordered his half-dozen soldiers to patrol the city like they'd always been there, and to shoot anyone who looked at them funny.

The Nazis faced little opposition -- they even managed to rescue a captured drunken German tourist along the way, in what seems like something a screenwriter stuck in there for comic relief. They raised the German flag, and that's when the mayor came out to see what all the commotion was about. Klingenberg decided to spitball. He told the mayor that he and his crew were patrolling the city in advance of a massive offensive assault, and if he didn't radio in and tell his superiors the Yugoslavians had surrendered, there would be a merciless artillery barrage and Luftwaffe strike. Worth noting: Klingenberg didn't have a working radio, or any way to call for backup, and his men were out of ammo and food.

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But the mayor didn't know that, so he quickly surrendered the city to Klingenberg, who presumably didn't wipe that shit-eating grin off his face for the rest of the war.One of the many oddities of the Thorpe/Scott affair was the quantity of characters who employed bogus names.

Norman Scott was born Norman Josiffe, and briefly changed his name to The Hon.

Norman Lianche-Josiffe. Staying with Jeremy Thorpes mother, Thorpe persuaded him to pretend that his name was Peter Johnson.

One of the many oddities of the Thorpe/Scott affair was the quantity of characters who employed bogus names (pictured: Hugh Grant in A Very English Scandal)

Thorpes sidekick and fellow Liberal MP, Peter Bessell styled himself Dr Paul Hoffman when staying in Los Angeles.

He later explained that this was for security reasons.

And the failed hitman Andrew Gino Newton had originally introduced himself to his intended victim, Norman Scott, as Peter Keene.

In 1994, when it was reported wrongly, as it turns out  that Andrew Gino Newton had fallen to his death while climbing the Eiger in Switzerland, it was said that he had been living under the alias Hann Redwin.

At the time I thought that, of all the names to switch to, Hann Redwin was singularly strange.

Was it, I wondered, an anagram? I then got out my pen and paper and worked out that it was: juggle the letters in Hann Redwin, and Winner Hand emerges.

As it happens, in my 40 years as a journalist, this is the only scoop I have ever had. As scoops go, it may not be Watergate, but its better than nothing.

For someone who had just tumbled to his death, Newtons anagrammatic pseudonym struck me then as yet another example of his capacity for making duff choices.

Its been said of Elle Macpherson that Her Men Collapse

But it now seems he went on to live undetected as Hann Redwin for a further 24 years, so I take it back. Perhaps he did, after all, play a Winner Hand, at least until last weekend, when he was traced to Dorking.

Oddly enough, Dorking is itself an anagram of Rink Dog. Spooky!

Rinka, I need hardly remind you, was the name of the Great Dane Newton shot dead in the pitch dark on Bodmin Moor.

Moreover Bodmin Moor is an anagram of Morbid Moon.

Winner Hand, Morbid Moon, Rink Dog: a conspiracy theorist might well conclude that Andrew Gino Newtons destiny has been driven by anagrams.

And what of the name Andrew Gino Newton? It anagrams into the phrases Endanger To Winnow, Wrongdo Went Inane and Denote Own Warning, all of which carry overtones of the event for which he became infamous.

In the Middle Ages, and well beyond, many believed that a persons character or fate could be discovered by finding the anagrams that lay buried in their names.

Over the centuries, some have taken this belief to the extreme.

When a 17th-century Frenchman called Andre Pujom worked out that his name anagrammed into pendu a Riom, or hanged at Riom, he deliberately committed a murder so that he would, indeed, be hanged in the Auvergne, at Riom.

In our own time, there are plenty of people whose names have anagrammed into their characters and destinies.

Oliver Reed was an anagram of Erode Liver and Gore Vidal of I Love Drag.

Marie Osmond has Mormon Ideas. Meat Loaf is O Fat Male. Melinda Messenger has Massed Men Leering. Felicity Kendal is Fine Tickle Lady.

Nigel Havers (pictured) is Girls Heaven and Woody Allen is A Lewd Loony

Equally, its been said of Elle Macpherson that Her Men Collapse.

Nigel Havers is Girls Heaven and Woody Allen is A Lewd Loony, Alec Guinness was Genuine Class, the evangelist Billy Graham was a Big Rally Ham and Chairman Mao could rightly claim I Am On A March.

Michael Grade is deft at the Mega Rich Deal, while Germaine Greer has a tendency to Emerge Angrier.

The ill-tempered Russell Crowe shows that Scowler Rules, while Ian Botham is proud to boast, Oh man, I bat!

Both sides of the great Brexit debate will have their prejudices confirmed by anagrams of Michael Heseltine  He Is The Ill Menace, and Norman Lamont  Not Normal Man.

On the other hand, it would surely be going too far to call Nigel Farage A Leering Fag. And is Peter Mandelson really a Lamented Person?

Wherever Hann Redwin is now, he will be glad to know hes not alone.

After all, his late colleague Peter Bessell, whose testimony as chief prosecution witness the judge condemned as a tissue of lies, anagrams into Tells Beepers.Have you heard about Penka the cow?

Until a few days ago, Penka was known to almost nobody except her owner, a Bulgarian farmer called Ivan Haralampiev.

Then she went missing.

Cows do this sort of thing and are usually soon found grazing on a neighbours flower-beds.

Alas, Penka made the mortal error of stepping outside the European Union (of which Bulgaria has been a member since 2007). She then tried to re-enter the EU.

Alas, Penka the cow made the mortal error of stepping outside the European Union (of which Bulgaria has been a member since 2007). She then tried to re-enter the EU

As a result of which she was sentenced to death because she lacked the correct paperwork.

In one of the more quirky  yet highly telling  political news events of the early summer, Penka is now the talk not just of her village of Kopilovtsi  which, to be honest, is not much of a size  and the province of Kyustendil.

Her name is also on the lips of the most important people in her countrys capital, Sofia.

She is even being discussed in Brussels, headquarters of the European Empire, and Berlin, where she has made the front page of Germanys most popular newspaper.

Here in Britain, a Conservative MEP from Norfolk has taken up Penkas case, while a petition has been started to demand that she be spared her impending execution on the orders of EU-citing jobsworths.

But at the time of writing, they were declining to grant her her freedom, saying only that tests are being done on her in quarantine, and that her fate wont be decided for several days  which doesnt exactly sound like a pardon.

In order to understand this very European farce, we had better start where most farm stories start, which is out in the meadow, down among the cowslips and the dungflies, where ruminants swish their tails and brooks gurgle.

Penka herself is not able to give testimony, her repertoire being limited to bovine backfirings and grunts, but it seems she was minding her own business one mid-May evening, chewing on her well-trimmed acre, when she noticed some rather more lush terrain just over the way.

You know how it is: the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, particularly in western Bulgaria when the temperatures are rising.

Had farmer Ivan accidentally left the gate ajar? Had the latch become loose with age? It happens to us all in time.

Until a few days ago, Penka was known to almost nobody except her owner, a Bulgarian farmer called Ivan Haralampiev

One push from Penkas blunted horns and the gate gave way. She went for a wander.

That night, it seems, she may have been chased by wolves. Cows can move pretty quickly.

They can cover a lot of ground, particularly when baying wolves are snapping at their hind hooves.

Before long, Penka had crossed the border into the neighbouring state of Serbia. Which is not (yet) in the EU.

Farmer Ivan, on finding that Penka had vanished, was distressed.

Officials who work for government departments in dusty cities may not always understand this, but a cow is more than just an animal.

For dairy farmers, a cow can be a friend, a status symbol and an investment, particularly if they are pregnant, as Penka is (she is due to give birth in three weeks).

And so Ivan Haralampiev and his sons went searching for Penka.They cush-cushed, they rang bells, they checked the usual haunts. Nothing.

Being good citizens, they notified the border authorities, the police and mayors in nearby villages. Please, had anyone seen our brown, rather sweet-faced cow?

After two weeks, word came from Bosilegrad, a village a few miles away, just inside Serbia.

Penka had been found! Great was the jubilation. The farmer climbed into his dusty vehicle and went to collect the adventuress.

Great was the back-slapping when he collected Penka and got her into her trailer after a Serbian vet had given her a formal health check and confirmed that she was in a fit condition to return home.

Then the problems started.

When farmer Ivan tried to cross over the border back into Bulgaria, he encountered one of those creatures which are even deadlier than a pack of central European wolves.

He came face to face with .. . an EU border guard with a clipboard and an over-developed, almost priestly regard for The Rules.

Papers! barked this Bulgarian border bossyboots.

Papers? asked Ivan.

I like to imagine that he and Penka at this moment turned and gave one another a mutual look of bewilderment. Certificate! snapped the border guard.

It was explained that under EU Commission guidelines, a certification must accompany animals en route to the EU, when they are presented for entry into the EU at an approved EU Border Inspection Post.

No doubt it is written in the EUs 24 official languages, available in Braille and other formats, and can be found on the website of the relevant EU authorities, if your taste runs to that sort of thing.

Oh come off it, tried Ivan, pushing to the back of his tired head the rather natty hat he favours. It has a multi-coloured ribbon and says BULGARIA on it.

This chap is not one of lifes troublemakers. He is just a patriotic small-town farmer trying to make an honest lev (Bulgarias currency, which by unhappy chance is fixed to the euro). He tried to explain that his cow had gone for a gallop and he was simply retrieving her.

This cut no mercy from the border clipboards. As one of them told the Agence France-Presse: It is not for us to decide  we are only implementing rules that come from Brussels.

As a result of Penkas failure to fill in the right forms, she was herewith sentenced to death.

Go online and you can see Bulgarian TVs coverage. I havent a clue what it says, but Penka looks adorable, farmer Ivan looks a bit hot and bothered (although possibly enjoying his moment in the sun).

And officialdom? It just looks cruel and nasty.

Who is the silly moo here?

A pregnant cow, her rural owner or a supra-national system which is so stiff and unyielding that it cannot see the damage it causes to itself by refusing to bend to basic common sense?

Was it really beyond the border guards nous to use some initiative and allow Ivan Haralampiev and his farm truck to pass through just this once?

Are customs bosses in the province of Kyustendil really so powerless to permit exceptions? Or is it that they, like so many bureaucrats, actually enjoy making life difficult for the citizens they are supposed to serve?

For the European Union, which is currently kicking up a frightful to-do over the future border between Ireland (which is in the EU) and Northern Ireland (which is soon to leave the EU), what does this case show?

There are an awful lot of cows on either side of that border. Local vets may need to ready themselves for a slaughter, if Brussels is going to take this line.

Does the tale of Penka present the EU as a reservoir of practical and amiable administration, or a realm of hectoring, more-than-my-jobs-worth martinets determined above all else to follow the small-print of rules written by remote Brussels legislators?

And is it not just a little rum that a European Union which has been so utterly hopeless at patrolling its borders to prevent illegal migration by humans  indeed, it gaily waved them through in their hundreds of thousands  is now laying down the law and demanding that Penka, with her long eyelashes and maternal bump, have a bolt shot into her brain because she trotted a few hundred yards onto the wrong side of a border into territory they do not yet control?

Thank goodness we are leaving.Transport Secretary Chris Grayling in the House of Commons

Old thriller films would show a hero tied to railway tracks, about to be squashed by an onrushing locomotive.

Cue thrilling music and close-ups of the imperilled fellows frantic, white-as-tripe eyeballs.

He was always cut loose at the final moment, rolling away from the flashing wheels with mere seconds to spare. Much gasping and excitement.

But for Transport Secretary Chris Grayling yesterday there was no such salvation.

Mr Grayling had come to the Commons to make a statement about the foul-up on railways in the North and South-East of England.

An already dicey service has been reduced to calamity after managers tried to introduce a new timetable.

Meetings, hospital appointments and more have been missed. Family get-togethers have been ruined.

And all from a rail industry that is among the most expensive in the world and insists on talking to us as though we are halfwits or toddlers.

Mr Grayling, this Secretary of State being held answerable for a privatised rail service, was like that man in the films.

He was roped to the track. But he was not cut free. He just had to lie there while MPs on all sides ran him over, time and again. Dum-dum, dum-dum, dum-dum, dum-dum.

Each attack from an MP left him a fraction flatter. And there was none of the normal relief to be had in Parliament when a minister is under fire.

A ministers own party will usually rally to his assistance. Not yesterday.

Tory backbenchers, particularly those with affected constituents, hurled verbal bogeys at poor old Grayling.

One has to admire their lack of partisanship. Yet it did not make for easy viewing.

Sir Nicholas Soames (Con, Mid-Sussex) harrumphed as only a former Hussar and member of Whites can.

Having heard Mr Grayling explain that the industrys rail readiness board had cheerfully said the timetabling plans should be fine, Sir Nicholas offered Mr Grayling a respectful suggestion.

The rail readiness board should be taken quietly outside and disposed of, thundered Sir Nicholas.

The Soamesian tone was not entirely one of respect. He spoke to Grayling more like Blackadder addressing Baldrick.

If Sir Nicholas gave us an idea of rail-travel disarray in Sussex, particularly East Grinstead, Sir Oliver Heald (Con, NE Herts) brought news from more northerly parts of the London commuter zone.

It was equally grim. Sir Oliver had been on a railway platform this morning and the locals were revolting (he did not quite put it like that but you get the drift).

There was even a schoolchild in tears, either because it was going to miss school assembly or an exam or because it was intimidated to encounter so imposing a figure as the Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald, a man of almost pontifical grandeur.

He could make the Fat Controller blush, could Heald.

Nadine Dorries wanted delayed commuters to be given six months of free travel by the useless Thameslink company

We braced ourselves as another Tory knight of the shires came puffing over the horizon on the DOWN line. It was Sir Michael Fallon  the Sevenoaks express. Dum-dum, dum-dum, dum-dum.

He shot over Mr Graylings prostrate form without hesitation, telling him firmly that certain villages in his constituency were practically cut off from civilisaton by the cessation of proper services on the railway.

From the Leeds conurbation we heard, via Labours Rachel Reeves, that things were no less hopeless there.

Kelvin Hopkins relayed chaos in Luton.

Nadine Dorries (Con, Mid-Beds) wanted delayed commuters to be given six months of free travel by the useless Thameslink company.

Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron painted a picture of grim travelling in Cumbria.

Crispin Blunt, a Surrey Tory, started speaking with eloquent disgruntlement of the Redhill hump. He was taking it!

Actually, the Redhill hump is something to do with price structures, but the House agreed with him. Furiously.

Labour MPs kept demanding Mr Graylings resignation, saying how complacent he sounded.

Not quite true. He was in a dreadful state, his voice husky, the left of his face twitching terribly.

Helpless, maybe. Entirely miserable. But not, I think, complacent.A talented seven-year-old dancer has wowed actress Kristen Bell, 37, after she showed off her moves on Thursday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Pop and lock dancer Ziqi Li also known as Lil' Mushroom was a guest on the show where she impressed the guest host with both her art skills and some amazing dance moves.

And about halfway through the four-and-a-half minute segment, Kristen asked Lil' Mushroom of Beijing, China, if she would dance for her and the studio audience.

Talent: Pop and lock dancer Ziqi Li also known as Lil' Mushroom was a guest on Thursday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Bust a move: The show was guest hosted by Kristen Bell, 37 who asked the seven-year-old of she would dance for her and the audience

And being the performer that she is, Lil' Mushroom obliged and took the stage where she showcased her dance skills which consisted of the young dancer perfectly executing the pop and lock dance moves, which involve rhythmic contractions to accent the beat.

After she completed her stellar performance, Lil' Mushroom ran to give the Frozen actress, who was thrilled to see her moves a hug.

'You are so fantastic,' Kristen told the young girl. 'And I got you some gifts because I really want you to like me more than Ellen.'

Lil' Mushroom was then gifted with her very own Panda Express because she mentioned earlier that was on her list of restaurants to try in America and her own personal surfboard so she could ride the waves in style.

Born to dance: Lil' Mushroom obliged and took the stage where she showcased her pop and lock dance skills

Ecstatic: After she completed her stellar performance, Lil' Mushroom ran to give the Frozen actress, who was thrilled to see her moves a hug

Passionate: Before she busted a move, Kristen talked through a translator with the young dancer about her love of dance and her other interests

But before she busted a move, Kristen talked through a translator, Grace, with the young dancer about her love of dance and her other interests such as drawing.

She asked : 'So your dance name is Lil' Mushroom and I know that beyond dance, you like to draw right?'

Kristen then held up Lil' Mushroom's self portrait, which just so happened to be a drawing of a mushroom.

Lil Mushroom then explained why she drew herself as a mushroom via translator who said: 'My nickname is Lil' Mushroom and I'm not that good with human faces so I just draw myself as a mushroom because I am a mushroom.'

Lil' Mushroom also drew a picture if Kristen, which depicted the actress as an animal because she was born in the year of the monkey.

Artistic: During the segment, Kristen held up Lil' Mushroom's self portrait, which just so happened to be a drawing of a mushroom

Creative: Lil' Mushroom also drew a picture if Kristen, which depicted the actress as an animal because she was born in the year of the monkey

Trying new things: Lil' Mushroom said that she wants to learn how to surf because 'it gives me a thrill'

Kristen then asked Lil' Mushroom about some of the activities she wanted to do while she was visiting.

Lil' Mushroom said: 'I want to learn how to surf because it gives me a thrill and I also want to get close to the fish but not the big fish because they would eat me up.'

She added: 'I also want to go to Panda Express because I heard the food there is very fast and once you order it, it just comes up.'

This wasn't Lil' Mushroom's first time on the Ellen Show because she has made special appearances February and October of last year where she got to show the host herself some of her dance moves.

Kristen, who filled in for Ellen while she took a vacation day also got the chance to chat with Jamie Foxx about his Fox network game show, Beat Shazam, and of course her Frozen character, Elsa and the upcoming Frozen 2 slated to come out next year.Diane von Furstenberg is ready to be done with fashion after more than 45 years in the industry, but being an icon isn't enough for the powerhouse  she wants to be an 'oracle.'

The 71-year-old designer, who is best known for her iconic wrap dress, launched her business in 1972. After an illustrious career filled with both highs and lows, she is looking to move on and start her 'third act.'

'I dont want to do another color palette,' she told the Washington Post. 'Ive had three acts. The first was the American Dream, the young girl coming to New York, the wrap dress, blah, blah, blah.

Third act: Diane von Furstenberg, 71, is ready to leave fashion after four decades, but she wants to create a legacy that will last long before she is gone

Lasting fashion: The designer (pictured in 1973) is best known for her iconic jersey wrap dress

'The second: I started over,' she continued. 'Now, Ive been thinking, now is the time for the third act. How do I turn this into a legacy, so the legacy will last after me?'

Diane, who married and divorced German prince Egon von Furstenberg at the start of her fashion career, was already famous when she debuted her jersey wrap dress in 1974, but the frock turned her into an iconic figure and gave her the financial independence she was looking for.

'I became an icon. Now I want to be an oracle,' she said of her goal for the future.

Diane wants to use her knowledge and experience to help guide younger leaders; however, that doesn't meant aging is always easy for her.

'Aging is a big deal. I pretend that I think aging is wonderful. And it is. [Yet] I wake up in the morning and say, "Ive changed." Ive lived so fully. I should be 140,' she said.

Next step: 'I became an icon. Now I want to be an oracle,' she said of her goal for the future

Future: Diane, who is planning her 'third act,' said she would like to focus more on philanthropy

Do-gooder: Diane has been involved in a wide range of causes over the years, including human rights, community building, and environmentalism.

The icon has worried about premature death since she was a young mother, but she admitted that she is thinking about her mortality even more now that she is older.

'When you get to my age, its serious,' she said. 'When you get to be 70, then it hits. Youre closer to the end.'

Although she wants to leave the fashion industry and have her third act be about 'fulfillment,' she's not sure what to do with her business. She has considered selling it or taking on an investor, but it's still unclear how she will extricate herself from the brand she has become synonymous with.

Diane hired Scottish designer Jonathan Saunders as chief creative office of her brand in 2016. Although she seemed to be taking a step back while he was in charge, Jonathan resigned in December 2017, telling her the brand 'is so much about you.'

In January, Diane brought back designer Nathan Jenden, who helped reinvigorate her DVF when he started working from her in 2001, not long after he finished fashion school.

Trying to step back: Diane hired designer Jonathan Saunders (center) as chief creative office of her brand in 2016, but he resigned in December 2017

Team: In January, Diane brought back designer Nathan Jenden, who worked for her brand in the early 2000s. They are pictured on the runway together in 2007

Heavenly: Nathan designed the ethereal gowns Diane and her granddaughters Talita von Furstenberg (left) and Antonia Steinberg (right) wore to the Met Gala last month

Next generation: Talita, 19, is the brand's ambassador and Nathan's 'muse.' Diane's granddaughter plans on working for her company in the future

In 2011, Nathan left the brand to start his own eponymous line, which his former boss helped finance. Although he has mostly stayed behind the scenes following his departure from DVF, he was most recently the creative director of the mall brand Bebe.

For the Met Gala last month, Nathan created Diane's pale blue gown, which he painted with celestial clouds to keep with the night's theme: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.

He dressed Diane's granddaughter Antonia Steinberg in an off-the-shoulder, cardinal red gown, but he went all out when designing the frock worn by his 'muse,' Diane's 19-year-old granddaughter Talita von Furstenberg.

Talita, who serves as the brands ambassador, wowed in a pale blue ruffled dress adorned with studded with 48,000 Swarovski crystals.

Although it's unclear what Diane will do with her business, it was said that Talita will definitely work for the company in the future.

On her mind: 'When you get to my age, its serious,' she said of her mortality. 'When you get to be 70, then it hits. Youre closer to the end'

Achievement: Diane was honored with the Swarovski Award for Positive Change at the Council of Fashion Designers of America gala on Monday

In addition to her work in fashion, Diane has been involved in a wide range of causes over the years, including human rights, community building, and environmentalism. After she leaves fashion, she'd like to focus more on philanthropy.

She and her husband, Barry Diller, created the The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation in 1999. The fund supports initiatives such as Friends of the High Line, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

The organization also sponsors the DVF Awards, which recognizes and supports female leaders from around the world.

Diane has chaired the Council of Fashion Designers of America since 2006, and she was honored with the Swarovski Award for Positive Change at its annual gala at the Brooklyn Museum on Monday.

'I was completely taken by surprise when they announced that I was being honored. I was kind of embarrassed because Im a chairperson and Im giving myself an award,' she told designer and activist Ariela Suster during an interview with Vogue.New mothers often feel the pressure to bounce back into shape after giving birth.

But for Australian mummy blogger Constance Hall, she's been embracing her post-pregnancy body just a week after welcoming her son Raja Wolf.

Taking to Instagram, the mother, who already has four young children from her previous marriage, spoke fondly about her baby weight.

'This is my rig,' she wrote alongside a candid picture of herself cradling her newborn son for a mirror selfie as she flaunted her stomach.

Constance Hall has been embracing her post-pregnancy body just a week after giving birth to her baby son Raja Wolf (pictured together)

The mother, who already has four kids from her previous marriage, spoke fondly about her 'rig'

'For the last nine months it's housed the worlds best baby. It's also been the subject of many photos and shown off in tight dresses and midriffs.

'The beautiful rig that stretched to its full capacity and then stretched some more, the skin, fat, muscles and organs that kept me and my baby safe, fed, warm and alive.

'This is the rig that my baby falls asleep on and my husband kisses. The thing is that when the baby comes out comments change from "beautiful belly!!" To "don't worry you'll lose that". But I f***ing love this rig.

'I've worked hard to earn it and I'm proud of it, I'm proud of anything that brought this beautiful baby into the world.'

The outspoken writer and her husband Denim Cooke, who has two sons from his previous marriage, welcomed their first child together on May 28.

Earlier this week, Ms Hall shared a series of candid videos of herself to encourage other mothers to also celebrate their post-pregnancy bodies.

She said new mothers often feel the need to cover up after giving birth - but she wanted to break the stigma by revealing her post-baby tummy.

The outspoken mummy blogger has been documenting her pregnancy journey on Instagram

Earlier this week, Ms Hall (left pregnant with her son and right post-baby body) proudly flaunted her post-baby bump just days after giving birth

The outspoken mother welcomed her baby boy Raja Wolf via a Caesarean-section on May 28

'Do you know what's funny about having a baby? When you're pregnant, you're all like, flaunting and cradling your tummy,' she said.

'And the minute you have your baby, you're like 'hide that s***'. But like, we should cradle our post-birth tummy.'

Ms Hall, who documented her pregnancy on social media, said she will continue to publish intimate pictures and videos of her post-baby body.

'I'm just going to be stroking it and poking out in photos and flaunting it everywhere I go because it's still my tummy, just because there's nothing in it,' she said.

'Well there's a little poo in it, but that's another story that is operation and painkillers, constipation, you name it.

'Anyway, I love you tummy, even though you still look six months pregnant, you made me a baby.'

Ms Hall shared a hilarious photo comparing herself to Kate Middleton after giving birth

Ms Hall and her husband Denim Cooke welcomed their first child together on May 28

Her latest post comes just days after she shared a hilarious photograph comparing herself to Kate Middleton following the birth of her baby boy.

In a tongue-in-cheek post, Ms Hall shared a side-by-side post showing the reality of her birth in contrast to the Duchess of Cambridge, who looked immaculate just hours after welcoming Louis in April.

'Oh god Kate... the things they expect of us royals. I hear ya babe I hear ya,' Ms Hall posted, alongside a photo comparing the two couples.

Ms Hall shared the exciting news of Raja's birth via a Caesarean section on Instagram.

'Raja. Born at 2.46pm 38 weeks 4.2kgs. We couldn't have dreamt a more perfect baby,'Ms Hall wrote alongside a picture of her breastfeeding her newborn son.

'Love you so much Denzy. We are blown away with support from you all.'

The proud parents shared the exciting news of the birth via Instagram after the mother delivered their son Raja via a Caesarean section

Taking to Facebook, the doting father spoke fondly about his wife and their son.

'Raja Wolf Cooke-Hall was born today at 2.46pm. At 9lb 5oz and 56cm tall he is perfect in every way,' Mr Cooke said.

'Con is sitting up in bed breastfeeding him at the moment and I couldn't be prouder of her strength and bravery and throughout this entire pregnancy.

'Raja is absolutely adorable and feeding already and about to nap. He has barely cried and seems really content. Fingers crossed he remains chill.

'Thank you for all the well wishes and thank you to my beautiful wife for this amazing gift ... you are a warrior woman and this child unites our crazy clan.

'I feel so lucky I could jump over the moon. Oceanz [sic] of love to you all.'

On Tuesday, the doting mother, from Perth, shared an adorable photo of her bundle of joy

The mother and her husband Denim Cooke welcomed their first baby together on MondayA British mother has slammed Walt Disney World in Florida as 'disgraceful' after she was forced to lie her severely disabled son on a toilet floor to change him.

Social media manager Laura Moore, 41, and her husband Kevin, 47, from Worthing, West Sussex, took William, nine, to the Orlando attraction for a family holiday in April but were left enraged by the lack of changing hoists in the park's public toilets.

Now, the determined mother says she is campaigning to get the theme park goliath to improve the experience of disabled visitors, saying: 'If they spent a day in their park with me and my son, they would immediately know there was a problem.'

William has battled quadriplegic cerebral palsy since birth, a condition which leaves him unable to stand or sit unaided.

Disney has responded to Moore's complaint, telling MailOnline: 'Were proud of our track record of award-winning services for guests with disabilities, and our restrooms align with all accessibility regulations.'

Laura Moore was forced to change her son William, nine, who was born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, on the floor during a family holiday to Walt Disney World, Florida

Laura, 41, from Worthing, West Sussex, says Disney should have better facilities for the millions of disabled visitors that they entertain at the park, saying: 'If they spent a day in their park with me and my son, they would immediately know there was a problem and they would sort it out.'

Pictured: William with some of the park's most famous cartoon characters during the family's recent holiday

William with his father Kevin during the holiday: the family is now campaigning to get adult-sized changing benches and a hoist system installed at the popular US holiday attraction

And as he's grown, Laura says she has found it increasingly difficult to lift the youngster - who wears nappies but can still let mum know when he needs to go - from his chair onto the toilet without assistance.

Now she is leading a campaign to get Disney to improve their toilet facilities and put at least one 'changing places' toilet facility - complete with adult-sized changing bench and a hoist system to help lift people with complex needs onto the toilet - in each of its six major theme parks.

Laura, of Worthing, West Sussex, said: 'They can make all these amazing rides but they can't put a changing hoist in a toilet.

'It's disgraceful that the biggest theme park on the planet doesn't cater for everybody.

'Disney is one of the richest companies in the world and they work with Make A Wish so disabled people are coming every day.

When you go, you see usually 25 or so children and adults who would need that kind of facility.

'I think if they spent a day in their park with me and my son, they would immediately know there was a problem and they would sort it out.'

The social media manager slammed the theme park as 'disgraceful' saying she couldn't see a changing hoist in any of the disabled toilets that she visited during her holiday to the Orlando theme park

Struggles: William can alert his mother to when he needs to go the toilet but is unable to sit and stand unaided

Cartoon adventures: William pictured at the entrance to the park's Transformer ride

Laura informed Disney of the problem expecting them to remedy it but was shocked when told they would not be making any changes.

And she isn't the only mum pushing for change.

Lauren Senior, 26, an academy ranger with the National Trust, started a petition two years ago urging the multinational to reconsider its position.

They can make all these amazing rides but they can't put a changing hoist in a toilet. It's disgraceful that the biggest theme park on the planet doesn't cater for everybody... Laura Moore

Lauren, of Bridport, Dorset - and her family encountered the same problem when they took her brother Jacob - who has terminal wasting disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy - to Disney World for what they thought would be the 20-year-old's final holiday.

She said: 'We knew before we went that they didn't have the facilities, so we contacted them ahead but they said there was nothing they were willing to do about it.

'He's fully continent, he just needs the hoist to get him out of his clothes and onto the toilet.

'We found it really disappointing. The changes required are a drop in the ocean for Disney but they would make such a huge difference to these children.

'It is hurtful to find out how little they value people like Jacob. It's 2018 so it's shocking that this can still happen.'

Laura said the global company must meet its responsibilities to disabled visitors, saying: 'Disney is one of the richest companies in the world and they work with Make A Wish so disabled people are coming every day.

Laura has consistently used her experiences as the mother of a disabled child to push for better facilities (Laura and William pictured with Simon Cowell)

Disability campaigner Tony Clough CBE has been pushing Disney to install such facilities for years.

But he says he says he's now given up hope after being met with a brick wall of resistance.

He said: 'They won't answer anybody; they won't admit to anything. They're not even entering into a conversation about it.

'It's disgusting. It certainly puts people off wanting to travel with disabled children.

'You just need to look on social media to see the poor responses that people have had from Disney.'

In response to Laura's complaint, Disney said it would investigate her experience, saying it is always looking at ways to improve the experience it provides for disabled customers.

A spokesperson told MailOnline 'Inclusivity and accessibility are hallmarks of our approach to guest service - and everyone should feel welcome and comfortable at a Disney park.

'Were proud of our track record of award-winning services for guests with disabilities, and our restrooms align with all accessibility regulations.

'Beyond that, we also offer facilities with space and privacy for those who may need assistance with their personal care. Our Services for Guests with Disabilities team is always available, and can provide information and assistance before and during a guests visit.'Her father may have run into issues with his British visa, but Roman Abramovich's daughter Sofia doesn't appear to have any concerns as she continues her glamorous lifestyle in London.

Sofia, 23, recently celebrated completing her management degree from Royal Holloway at a graduation ball, donning a daring black dress featuring a thigh-high split for the occasion.

The student partied until the early hours, describing on her Instagram account how she ended the celebrations by 'crying to what I think was Mr Brightside'.

Sofia - one of the oligarch's seven children - regularly shares envy-inducing snaps on social media, which reflect her love of horses, champagne and exotic holidays.

Roman Abramovich's daughter Sofia, 23, regularly shares snaps of her lavish lifestyle online

Sofia celebrates completing her degree at Royal Holloway, wearing a daring black dress

One of Sofia's envy-inducing snaps of her luxurious holidays, taken in a Tokyo hotel

The student is the third child of Chelsea billionaire owner Abramovich and his second wife Irina, and moved from Russia - where she was born - to England with the rest of her family in 2003.

She is believed to be a Russian citizen and has represented the country in showjumping competitions in the past, but her current British visa status is unclear.

Sofia, who grew up at her family's 18million estate in Sussex, and along with her older siblings Anna, 26, and Arkadiy, 24, attended private schools in London charging up to 40,000 a year.

Demonstrating their lavish lifestyle, Anna has previously described how they used to arrive at school by helicopter from their country home in Sussex.

Sofia clearly loves animals and regularly posts pictures with her horses and dogs on Instagram

The oligarch's daughter shared this fun snap while attending Notting Hill Carnival

Sofia also shares pictures of her family, including this portrait with her father Roman

After starting university, Sofia was said to have been chaffeur-driven in a bullet-proof Range Rover to Royal Holloway in Egham, Surrey, from London, where she has the choice of two mansions in Belgravia.

The student regularly shares snaps of her luxurious holidays on Instagram, enjoying trips to Ibiza, the Maldives and Tokyo.

Sofia appears to have formed a strong group of female friends, often sharing group snaps of them together on holiday.

It seems that for father Roman, who is worth 8.7billion, no expense is spared when it comes to his daughter.

For her 18th birthday, he treated her to lavish birthday bash at the Under The Bridge nightclub at Chelseas Stamford Bridge ground, featuring performances from Scouting For Girls and McBusted.

Sofia (left) enjoys a champagne lifestyle with a friend in one of her social media shots

The 23-year-old management graduate poses in a swimsuit on a yacht off Ibiza

The student regularly shares pictures of herself in her back garden, along with her dogs

Sofia is a keen equestrian, posting snaps of her at the stables with her horse Billy Fraulein

Sofia enjoy the student lifestyle, recently sharing this snap of herself downing a glass of cider

The party, attended by 500 friends, is believed to have cost the Chelsea owner around 30,000.

Although she's clearly used to living the high-life, Sofia is not afraid to get dirty, and regularly shares pictures of herself at the stables with her beloved horses, Dora, Billy Fraulein and Zanzibar.

She's completed in competitions around the world, including the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Spain and events in Monaco.

Her father is believed to have paid more than three times the market price for one of her horses- an estimated 500,000 - after it won first prize in its class at the International Horse Show at Olympia.

Sofia often shares pictures taken at home with her dogs, Zeke and Blue - as well as throwback images with her parents and siblings.

Sofia as a baby with her mother Irina, Roman Abramovich's second wife

Sofia is the third child of Chelsea billionaire owner Abramovich and Irina (above)A 24-year-old student mocked by her friends for dating a 'grandpa' has revealed it was 'love at first sight' for her and her 60-year-old beau.

Student Samantha Crosby, from Spokane, Washington, met school teacher Maxie Mills, a thrice-divorced father-of-two, when he was performing a Fleetwood Mac cover on his guitar at a local bar.

The aspiring hair stylist - who is significantly younger than Maxie's children, who are aged 35 and 40 - says she was instantly attracted to Maxie, and intrigued by his musical talent.

The couple have now been together for six months and while Samantha describes it as the 'best relationship she has ever had', Maxie admits they have some obstacles to overcome.

'Love at first sight': Samantha Crosby, 24, of Spokane, Washington, met 60-year-old school teacher Maxie Mills when he was performing a Fleetwood Mac cover on his guitar at a local bar

Despite her friends' and parents' misgivings, Samantha explained that she felt lucky to find a stable, kind and mature man who also shares her love of outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking.

Recalling the moment she spotted him, Samantha said: 'When I saw him playing the guitar, I knew I wanted to approach him at the end. It was love at first sight.

'He was very good looking and I loved hearing him play the guitar,' she added.

'Once we started talking, I realized that he liked all the same outdoorsy things that I do, and he even makes his own kayaks out of wood.'

The student and aspiring hair stylist says she was instantly attracted to Maxi, who is father to two children aged 35 and 40, and intrigued by his musical talent

However she admitted that the age gap is an issue for her friends and family, and added she initially felt uncomfortable after learning she was younger than his children.

'His age freaked me out a little bit in the beginning, especially when I found out that his kids are 35 and 40,' she said.

'My friends used to laugh at me and tell me that I was dating a grandpa. My mom was really uncomfortable with it at first, but now everyone is used to him.

'It hurt my feelings a lot. In my opinion, he's the best out of everyone I've dated, but I couldn't show anyone that because they were all focusing on his age.

The couple have now been together for six months and while Samantha describes it as the 'best relationship she has ever had', Maxie admits they have some obstacles to overcome

Despite harsh criticism from her friends and parents, Samantha explained that she knew it was rare for her to find a stable and mature man who also shares her love for outdoor activities

'He is stable both financially and emotionally and he treats me well.'

Speaking about their first meeting Maxie, who has been divorced three times, said he was drawn to how nice the cosmetology student was.

However, he admitted being discouraged by her young age, and explained that he did not think about her in a romantic way at first.

The school teacher, said: 'She was so nice to me. I didn't even think of her in a romantic sense at first. I just saw her as someone who was really kind.

Speaking about their first meeting Maxie, who has been divorced three times, said he was drawn to how nice the cosmetology student was (seen performing in a bar)

'The age difference scared the hell out of me, but I couldn't just throw away an opportunity to be with someone this great.'

While she makes him happy, Maxie has avoided introducing Samantha to most of his friends because of the fear of judgement.

He said: 'She has not meshed with all of my friends yet. I'm hopeful that time will make that easier.

'I don't have this 100 percent figured out yet, but the lack of pressure from her certainly helps.'

While Samantha has enjoyed the past six months, she admitted she worries that they don't have the same goals, as he already has been married with children.

Samantha said: 'I worry about it sometimes. Part of me is okay with it, but part of me is not.

Maxie added: 'She is 24 and acts it. I am 60 and act it. We allow each other to act our own age.'As queen consorts of their respective countries, they are both known for their impeccable royal wardrobes.

And Queen Letizia of Spain certainly didn't disappoint as she joined Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the opening ceremony of the European Development Days in Brussels on Tuesday.

The annual event brings together members of the development community from around the world, with this year's installment focusing on empowering women in leadership positions.

Letizia, 45, put on a typically stylish display in a red ensemble, while Mathilde, also 45, opted for pale pastel colours as they posed for pictures together.

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Queen Letizia of Spain and Mathilde of Belgium put on a stylish display together at the opening ceremony of the European Development Days in Brussels on Tuesday

Letizia showed off her slim silhouette in a scarlet-coloured trouser suit, making the most of her endless legs and toned waist.

The royal teamed the two-piece with matching red pumps and a clutch bag, completing her look with crimson lipstick and coordinating ruby earrings.

Wearing her hair in a relaxed centre parting, she chatted happily with Mathilde along with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Meanwhile Mathilde opted for more neutral colours, teaming a champagne-pink skirt embellished with leopard print with a semi-sheer high neck chiffon blouse.

The Belgian royal, who recently returned from a tour to the Netherlands, coordinated it with matching nude pumps and wore her hair in loose waves.

Wearing her hair in a relaxed centre parting, Letizia, 45, chatted happily with Mathilde, also 45, at the summit before they posed for pictures together

Letizia showed off her enviable physique in a scarlet-coloured trouser suit, making the most of her endless legs and toned waist

Mathilde opted for more neutral colours, teaming a champagne coloured skirt embellished with leopard print witha semi-sheer high neck chiffon blouse, also taking to the stage later on

She was joined by the EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica as they posed for photographers.

Later, both Queen Letizia and Queen Mathilde took to the stage to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony for the European Development Days.

The organisation focuses on a number of charity projects, and this year one of their campaigns aims to focus on promoting a safer, more inclusive and open world for women.

Queen Mathilde has been married to King Phillipe of Belgium for 19 years, who ascended the throne following the abdication of his father, King Albert II, on 21 July 2013.

Letizia teamed the piece with matching red pumps and a clutch bag, completing the look with red lipstick and coordinating ruby earrings while Mathilde went neutral

Rwandan President Paul Kagame (right) shakes hands with Queen Letizia of Spain during the opening ceremony of the European Development Days on Tuesday

Letizia, 45, put on a chic display in a red ensemble, while Mathilde, also 45, opted for a softer display as they posed for pictures together at the event, joined by EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica

Later Queen Letizia took to the stage to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony for the European Development Days

They are parents to Princess Elisabeth, 16, Prince Gabriel, 14, Prince Emmanuel, 12, Princess Eleonore, 10.

Queen Letizia is mother to Princesses Leonor, 12, and Sofia, 10, with husband King Felipe, 50, who ascended to the Spanish throne in 2014.

Over the years Letizia, a former newsreader, has worked hard to promote causes she is passionate about.

These include education, innovation, rare diseases, and particularly in nutrition, working closely with the UNs World Health and Food and Agriculture Organisations.

The organisation focuses on a number of charity projects, and this year one of their campaigns aims to focus on promoting a safer, more inclusive and open world for women

Queen Letizia is mother to Princesses Leonor, 12, and Sofia, 10, with husband King Felipe, 50, who ascended to the Spanish throne in 201

Over the years Letizia, a former newsreader, has worked hard to promote causes she is passionate about

Letizia has worked on projects covering education, innovation, rare diseases, and particularly nutrition, working closely with the UNs World Health and Food and Agriculture OrganisationsRuth Langsford has said she would help her husband Eamonn Holmes to die if he was diagnosed with a terminal or degenerative illness.

The TV presenter, 58, recently declared that he would commit suicide rather than face life with dementia.

Speaking on Loose Women today, Ruth, also 58, said she would 'want to help' Eamonn to take his own life if that was his decision.

'Because I love him I'd want to help him,' said Ruth, who admitted that it was a 'controversial' topic.

She also called for assisted suicide to be legalised to give terminally ill people the right to die in their own homes.

Ruth Langsford, 58, has admitted that she'd help Eamonn Holmes commit suicide if he wanted to die

Eamonn, who recently received an OBE, has 30 per cent hearing loss, which means he has a higher chance of developing dementia.

Ruth said on Loose Women on Tuesday: 'He's always said ''Just take me somewhere, I just couldn't live like that'' and asked whether I would support that, which I would, because I know that's his wish.

'I'm not saying I would find that easy, I'm sure anybody who ends up having to do that for a family member never finds it easy, but because I know him so well he would find life with a terminal illness just not worth living.

Eamonn recently said he'd prefer to die at an assisted suicide clinic over battling dementia

Ruth said she 'would want to help' out of love for her husband, who has told the whole family his plan

WHAT IS DIGNITAS? Assisted dying is currently legal in several European countries, such as Switzerland - home of Dignitas, and some states in America. The non-profit society was founded in 1998 in the landlocked nation, situated next to France, Germany and Italy. Since the inception of Dignitas, it has reportedly helped more than 2,000 people end their lives. They often have severe physical or mental illnesses. Those wanting to end their lives must not be motivated by selfishness, have to be cleared by an independent doctor and prove they are of sound judgement. Advertisement

'Because I love him I'd want to help him with that. It is a very controversial subject, I know.

In an interview with Best Magazine, Eamonn admitted he had told his family to take him to a euthanasia clinic should he develop the degenerative condition.

He said: 'I genuinely say to all my children and my wife, "take me to Switzerland and press the red button". That is what I want.

'I have no desire to lose my dignity. I just don't want that to happen to me. However controversial that may sound, that is my genuine wish.'

Assisted dying is currently legal in several European countries, such as Switzerland - home of Dignitas, and some states in America.

Ruth called for assisted suicide to be legalised so terminally ill people can die at home with dignity

She said her only concern would be the safety of their son Jack while the practise remains illegal

But it remains outlawed in Britain - despite polls showing up to 80 per cent of the public support a change in the policy - and carries a maximum jail sentence of 14 years.

Ruth, who shares son Jack, 16, with Eamonn, called for a change in the law so the terminally ill could die with dignity in their own homes.

She said: 'I would have to think about Jack because it's illegal assisted suicide.

'I feel people should be able to do that in their own homes if that is their dying wish, they know they're dying they know there's no cure, they know things are only going to get worse.'Kim Kardashian proved her dedication to her own beauty brand when she arrived to the CFDAs wearing only makeup from her own KKW collection.

The 37-year-old arrived wearing KKW Beauty products from head-to-toe which was done by her longtime makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic for the occasion.

Aside from her KKW makeup, Mario, 34, first prepped her skin using a host of products from high-end brand Rodial, applying a staggering $369 worth of skincare to her complexion before moving onto makeup.

Flawless: Kim Kardashian proved her dedication to her own beauty brand when she arrived to the CFDAs wearing only makeup from her own KKW collection

Makeup: The 37-year-old arrived wearing KKW Beauty products from head-to-toe which was done by her longtime makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic for the occasion

Bronze beauty: The KUWTK star was flawless with her long locks pulled up into a ponytail and showing off a bronze makeup look

Skincare: Aside from her KKW makeup, Mario, 34, first prepped her skin using all Rodial skincare which added up to a whopping $370 worth of products

Mario shared that the inspiration for Kim's look was natural but glam, 'I wanted Kim to have her classic "Kim K Glam" look for the event and not veer too far off from what she is known for. To change it up a bit for the CFDAs, I added gloss to her lids and went for a darker lip than we normally go for,' he admitted.

To get Kim's natural look, Mario started by using the $80 KKW Beauty Conceal Bake and Brighten Kit in Shade 7 and then set the concealer using the $18 Baking Powder in shade Bake 2.

Once that was applied, Mario began contouring Kim's face using the $18 KKW Beauty Creme Contour Sticks in Medium I and II - starting off by contouring her cheekbones, then her forehead and jawline.

After everything was blended and set with translucent powder, Mario added highlight to the cheekbones and cupid's bow using the new KKW Beauty Highlighter Palette in Palette I, ($44), then he used the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown ($21), to fill in her brows.

Mario decided a glossy brown eye would be perfect for the occasion so he used a smudge brush, buffed out the shade Loyalty from the $45 KKW x Mario Palette on the lash line to add definition then mixed both Armenia and Loyalty over the eyelids.

KKW: All of the makeup products Kim used were from her own cosmetics line and everything she used added up to a total of $273

Facial: Before the awards show Kim went to see Joanna Czech where she got a customized Oxylight Facial which consists of LED light therapy and negative ionization technology

Skincare: The facial Kim got before the awards increases collagen production and facials start at $500 and are 90 minutes long

To add a glossy finish, he used a small amount of the KKW x Mario Lipgloss ($18) in Super Nude over the shadow.

Mario prepped Kim's face using these products from skincare brand Rodial which added up to a total of $369.

Then, he lined the lips using the new $12 KKW Beauty Lip Liner in Nude 2 which is not currently available but will be released June 8.

After blending the liner with a lip brush, he finished by applying the KKW Beauty Creme Lipstick in Nude 2, ($20).

Before Mario even applied any of Kim's makeup, he began by prepping her face using products from skincare brand Rodial which added up to a total of $369.

He used the $45 Rodial Dragons Blood Cleansing Water followed by the Rose Gold Moisturizer which costs a hefty $250 and treated her skin with $56 Vitamin C Brightening Pads and an $18 Vitamin C Sheet Mask.

Before the awards show Kim went to see Joanna Czech where she got a customized Oxylight Facial which consists of LED light therapy and negative ionization technology which increases collagen production and facials start at $500 and are 90 minutes long.

She's arrived! Kim, who was honored with the Fashion Influencer award, arrived at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York on Monday looking sensational

Funny girl: Kim began her acceptance speech with the quip: 'I'm kind of shocked i'm winning a fashion award when I'm naked most of the time'

The reality TV star received the Fashion Influencer at Monday night's CFDA Fashion Awards and she looked typically sexy as she arrived at Brooklyn Museum in New York in a cream crop top and long skirt by Rick Owens, which showed off her taut tummy and hinted at her equally-daring braless display.

The mother-of-three looked sensational in the two-piece ensemble which accentuated her hourglass figure and adding some Egyptian-style metallic accents, Kim donned two chunky gold wrist cuffs and statement gold rings.

Kim's hair, which was coiffed by her close friend, celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, was pulled back into a high ponytail with plenty of volume and texture.

The reality star's prestigious award comes after not only maintaining a social media following of over 200 million but also running multiple fashion and beauty brands.

Some of the star's ventures include: KKW Beauty, KKW Fragrance, Kids Supply, Kimoji, her app and site.

And Kim began her acceptance speech with the quip: 'I'm kind of shocked i'm winning a fashion award when I'm naked most of the time.'A woman who has spent most of her life fascinated by figurines and the Harajuku style has transformed herself into a living art doll complete with bright pink hair and over the top makeup that takes hours a day to do.

Makeup artist and hair stylist, Toshi Salvino, 24, of Brooklyn, New York, plans out three hours a day to become her doll self and wears her full doll look four to six days a week.

Toshi, who is originally from Pennsylvania, said that her eccentric look is about self expression and using her body as a canvas so she can convey how she's feeling on any given day.

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Doll life: Makeup artist and hair stylist, Toshi Salvino, 24, of Brooklyn, New York, plans out three hours a day to transform herself into a living art doll

Interested: Toshi has spent most of her life fascinated by figurines and the Harajuku style

She said: 'I think my look is really about self expression and I like being a doll because that means I can be whatever I want that day. I am pretty much using my body as the canvas to express how I am feeling.'

'I would like to say that I am a mix up of whimsical fairy tale Harijuku fashion that stemmed from goth, and is running into neon lights, leaving a trail of glitter because I do that in real life!'

'I like to bring other people into my imaginary world with me and I'm glad that I can do that through putting stuff on my face.'

As a child Toshi found others who dressed the way she did while flipping through Japanese fashion magazines. And since then, she said their style has helped shape her own unconventional looks.

Creative: Toshi said that her eccentric look is about self expression and using her body as a canvas so she can convey how she's feeling on any given day

Not herself: Growing up in the 'middle of nowhere' Pennsylvania, Toshi was always told to tone down her style

'I was nine years old or something and I found Fruits Magazine. I was like, "Oh my God there are people who dress like me!" Seeing that as a kid made me really think it's okay to keep doing what you're doing, there is someone out there who gets this and so ever since that, Japan and Harajuku fashion has been super important to me.'

Growing up in the 'middle of nowhere' Pennsylvania, Toshi was always told to tone down her style but now that she's living in New York, she said it's normal to dress in an alternative way, which is one of her favorite things about the city.

The artist shares her love of alternative fashion with twins and best friends Juliana and Alexandra Abene who desribed Toshi has a 'fantasy'.

She said: 'She is what we want to see in the world. It's all so dreary so when you meet someone like her you want to hold her, you want to hold on because she's just a light and it's wonderful we have that in our lives.'

Average fashion: Now that she's living in New York, she said it's normal to dress in an alternative way, which is one of her favorite things about the city

Similarities: Toshi shares her love of alternative fashion with twins and best friends Juliana (right) and Alexandra Abene who desribed Toshi has a 'fantasy'

Artistic: Toshi's look requires her to carefully apply colorful eyeshadows and white liner to create the illusion of wide, doll-like eyes

Juliana added: 'Yeah, especially in New York where everybody is like, I mean look at me, everybody is all black all the time - literally me - so to see something like that is like so exciting.'

Toshi's look requires her to carefully apply colorful eyeshadows and white liner to create the illusion of wide, doll-like eyes.

She also keeps her hair in ever-changing shades of rainbow but she recently took her appearance one step further with the addition of doll joints, complete with screws, tattooed on her knees - she even plans to add matching joints on her elbows.

Toshi said: 'My tattoos, I've wanted them for a really long time. Aesthetically they're doll joints on the knees with screw hinges, which is really meaningful - obviously my whole living doll style is appropriate but also, I have Lyme disease, which is kind of like having arthritis in your entire body.'

Something new: Toshi also also keeps her hair in ever-changing shades of rainbow

Next level: She recently took her appearance one step further with the addition of doll joints, complete with screws, tattooed on her knees

Not required: Toshi said that after getting the tattoos, she feels like she can still carry on her doll-like persona with no makeup

Occupation: Toshi currently works at the Hello Beautiful Salon in Williamsburg with manager Rebecca Faye

'The thing that affects me the most, and is the most painful and probably the most hindering besides my hands, is my knees. So I feel like the screw through the knee is an accurate representation of how it feels sometimes.'

'After getting the tattoos I feel like even with no makeup I can still carry on my doll persona regardless, whereas in the past I wouldn't really feel like myself without having makeup on.'

Toshi currently works at the Hello Beautiful Salon in Williamsburg with manager Rebecca Faye who said the salon was the perfect environment for Toshi 'to be herself'.

Rebecca said: 'The vibe of the salon is why she came to us because it's just full of art, beauty, glitter and lots of hair colors too, so it suited her. It has all the elements she needs to survive. She could be herself here.'

Recluse: Toshi said that if she didn't become a hair stylist, she would just be some weird hermit artist'

Spreading joy: Toshi also regularly performs as a doll or a cyborg for club nights and said she loves using her role as a living art doll to spread light and laughter

Believe: She said that she's happy when a little kid sees her and think she's a fairy

Anyone can do it: Toshi said the she hopes kids believe in themselves enough to become 'one if they want to'

Toshi added: 'If I didn't become a hair stylist, then I would just be some weird hermit, recluse artist, painting alone with cats. Nothing wrong with that but I like to make the colorful magic happen.'

Toshi also regularly performs as a doll or a cyborg for club nights and said she loves using her role as a living art doll to spread light and laughter

She said: 'If a little kid sees me and they think that I'm a fairy and they think fairies are real, then that makes me so happy!'

'I hope that they believe in themselves enough to become one if they want to. I just kind of want to prove that you can do whatever you want and be confident.'She recently returned from an official visit to India.

And back in the Netherlands the Dutch Queen Maxima put on a chic display as she attended the opening of a children's cancer clinic named in her honour.

She wore a cream embellished dress and a wide-brimmed green hat to offically open the Princess Maxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht on Tuesday.

The Dutch royal, 47, was snapped beaming as she greeted the waiting crowds.

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Queen Maxima of the Netherlands put on a chic display as she attended the opening of the Princess Maxima centre for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht on Tuesday

Maxima chose an A-line dress embellished with bloom and cinched in at the waist with a slender olive coloured belt.

She teamed it with a matching clutch and classic nude courts.

Wearing her blonde hair swept into a low bun, Maxima completed the ensemble with a pair of statement earrings.

The Dutch royal, 47, looked elegant in a floral-inspired ensemble, beaming as she greeted the waiting crowds

Making the most of her physique, Maxima slipped into a white A-line dress embellished with white roses and cinched in at the waist with a slender olive belt

The Dutch royal beamed as she was welcomed to the new facility offering hope to children with cancer

Maxima greeted fans outside the facility as she made her way in, before meeting children and families who will benefit from the development.

The Dutch royal is also a UN Secretary Generals Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development and Honorary Patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion.

Appointed to the role in 2009, she advises the Secretary-General, and works worldwide to make financial services accessible to all, including low-income groups.

She teamed it with a wide brim sun hat and matching clutch, accentuating her stature with a pair of court shoes

Maxima trained to be an international financier before joining the Dutch royal family in 2002

An international financier by training, Maxima was born in Argentina and married into the Dutch royal family in 2002, three years after meeting her husband-to-be in Seville, Spain.

Willem-Alexander became king after his mother, Beatrix, abdicated in April 2013 after 33 years as reigning monarch.

Maxima greeted fans outside the facility as she made her way in, before meeting children and families who will benefit from the development

Maxima spent moments with individual families who will benefit from the centre

The centre offers independent hospital functions and an independent research center

The monarch took time to meet with each child using the facilities personally

Wearing her blonde hair swept into a low bun, Maxima completed the ensemble with a pair of statement earringsIvanka Trump was seen catching up with her friends Hugh Jackman and Wendi Deng Murdoch while in New York City on Monday evening.

The 36-year-old first daughter donned a $1,850 sleeveless cream dress from Proenza Schouler, and a pair of black slingback heels for her night out in the Big Apple.

Ivanka gave Hugh, 49, and his wife, Deborra-lee Furness, 62, a hug and a kiss as she walked out of their Greenwich Village apartment building with a friend.

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Out and about: Ivanka Trump donned a cream dress and black slingback heels while out in New York City on Monday evening

Saying hi: The 36-year-old was seen chatting with Hugh Jackman (back right) and his wife, Deborra-lee Furness (front right), as they walked out of the couple's apartment building

Warm embrace: Ivanka reached to give Deborra-lee a hug while on her way out

Hugh and Deborra-lee had their dogs with them, and Ivanka bent down to pat one of the pooches on the head a she made her way out of the building.

The actor and first daughter have been pals for years; in 2015, Hugh posted an image of Ivanka on his Twitter account, referring to her as his 'lovely friend'.

Ivanka wore minimal make-up for the outing, and her long blonde hair was parted in the middle and loose around her shoulders.

The mother-of-three topped off her look with a pin on the bodice of her dress, a gold bracelet, and a red string tied around her left wrist.

Though she hasn't spoken about the purpose of the string, which she has been wearing off and on for about a year, it does bear a resemblance to the type of red string that Kabbalah practitioners wear to ward off the 'evil eye.'

Ivanka carried a black handbag as she and her friend made their way to the SUV waiting outside the apartment building.

Happy to be back: The first daughter had a smile on her face as she chatted with Hugh and Deborra-lee

Crowd: Ivanka was seen leaving the Greenwich Village apartment building with a group of people

All dressed up: Like Ivanka, most of the women had on spring dresses and heels

Pit stop: Hugh and Deborra-lee were on their way out of the building to walk their dogs

Animal lover: Ivanka stopped to pet one of the dogs while chatting with the couple

Accessories: Ivanka carried a black handbag and wore a gold bracelet on her left wrist

On the go: After chatting with Hugh and Deborra-lee, Ivanka and her friend made their way to the SUV waiting outside for them

Au naturel: Ivanka was fresh-faced for her night out in New York City

After the first daughter got into her vehicle, Hugh and Deborra-lee took their dogs outside while chatting with friends who were also leaving the building.

Wendi, 49, trailed out behind them, and Deborra-lee waved at her to say hello; after Wendi had caught up with them, Deborra-lee threw her arm around her before she got into her own car.

The businesswoman donned a ruffled blazer, skinny pants, and black wedge mules for the evening out.

Hugh and Deborra-lee were dressed more casually to walk their pets. Hugh had on a dark button-down top and dark pants, while his wife opted for a black tunic and loose-fitting black pants.

The next day, Ivanka was seen leaving the side entrance of her New York City apartment to evade the photographers waiting outside her door.

Famous faces: Wendi Deng Murdoch, 49, was also seen leaving the building right after her friend Ivanka did

Catching up: Deborra-lee waved at the businesswoman, and she caught up to them to say hi

Style: Wendi wore a ruffled blazer and her dark hair in a ponytail for her evening out

New York minute: Deborra-lee threw her arm around Wendi while they chatted for a bit

Night out: Hugh, 49, and Deborra-lee, 62, were later seen walking their dogs by themselves

The White House senior adviser, who was born and raised in Manhattan, looked chic in a black hooded jacket, black skinny pants, and knee-high black boots.

She wore aviator sunglasses and added a pop of color to her look by sporting a red lip.

Ivanka was seen getting inside an SUV parked in front of her apartment as she made her way to Oon Arvelo Salon and then Oscar Blandi Salon.

The first daughter has been a longtime client of stylist Peter Oon, and she has been getting her hair dyed by Kyle White, lead colorist at Oscar Blandi, for the past couple of years.

Although it is unclear who did what, Ivanka likely spent a good portion of the day getting her hair done; she did, however, find time to pay tribute to designer Kate Spade, who committed suicide, and was found on Tuesday morning.

Ivanka took to Twitter shortly after the news of Kate's death broke, writing: 'Kate Spade's tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know another's pain or the burden they carry. If you are struggling with depression and contemplating suicide, please, please seek help.'

Next stop: Ivanka sported a red lip when she left her New York City apartment on Tuesday

New York chic: The first daughter donned a black hooded jacket, black skinny pants, and a pair of knee-length boots

Touch up? After she left her apartment, she visited Oon Arvelo Salon and Oscar Blandi Salon

Off to work: While Ivanka was in the Big Apple on Tuesday, her husband, Jared Kushner, was seen leaving their Washington, D.C. apartment around 7:30 a.m.

While she was in her old stomping ground, her 37-year-old husband, Jared Kushner, was seen leaving their Washington, D.C. home at about 7:30 a.m. as he made his wy to work.

It's unclear when she arrived in New York City, but the getaway comes on the heels of her family trip to Camp David.

Ivanka, Jared, and her siblings Donald Jr. and Tiffany traveled to the president's retreat in Maryland with their father, President Donald Trump, on Friday.

The first daughter looked incredibly chic in her safari-inspired outfit when she headed to Camp David, but her belted wide-leg trousers were so long they were dragging on the grass.

Retreat: Ivanka and Jared, 37, were seen boarding Marine One with her family on Friday as they headed to Camp David for the weekend

Seamstress for hire: Ivanka donned $1,490 Oscar de la Renta pants, but the trousers were so long the hem dragged across the grass

Family affair: Ivanka and Jared were joined by her half-sister, Tiffany, and her older brother, Donald Trump Jr.

She was wearing a classic white blouse tucked into a pair of $1,490 Oscar de la Renta high-waisted pants when she boarded Marine One with her family in the afternoon.

Standing just an inch shy of six feet, Ivanka is far from short, but her designer pants appeared to be a few inches too long  even with her sky-high heels.

Photos of Ivanka walking across the South Lawn of the White House on Friday with her husband, Jared, show her long pants dragging across the grass as she made her way to Marine One.

It's likely that her heels were sinking into the ground during the walk across the lawn, and while she ended up walking on her trousers, she didn't seem to be worried about grass stains or tripping on her hem.

Ivanka was smiling brightly while walking hand-in-hand with Jared as they boarded the helicopter together.Two high school boys who showed up to school wearing dresses, were suspended even though their outfits complied with the school's dress code.

Seniors Chris Swkyert, 17, and Rodney Dimasso, 18, who attend the Melissa High School in Melissa, Texas, decided to wear dresses during their last month of classes.

'I just wore the dress because I wanted to,' Dimasso revealed to Yahoo Lifestyle.

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Dress code: Rodney Dimasso, 18, a student at Melissa High School in Texas (pictured) was one of two male students suspended for wearing a dress to school

'I was walking down the hallway and the principal told me to follow him. When I went into his office, he was asking me why I wore the dress, and I told him because I wanted to.

'He said it's a distraction and told me I am going to have two days of in-school suspension.'

Despite trying to argue his case by telling the principal that his dress wasn't breaking any official rules because his dress was three inches below his knees, Dimasso was unable to reverse the school's decision and he also wasn't given the opportunity to change into trousers or shorts before being disciplined.

The school's dress code is not gender-specific, and says that it is in place to teach grooming and hygiene, prevent disruption and minimize safety hazards.

It adds: 'Students and parents/guardians may determine a student's personal dress and grooming standards' provided they don't feature sexually oriented or explicit material, refer to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gang or hate slogans or pictures deemed inappropriate by school officials.

Punishment: Chris Swkyert, 17, was also escorted to the principal's office and given a two-day suspension, despite the outfit complying with the school's dress code

Argument: Dimasso tried to argue his case by telling the principal that his dress wasn't breaking any official rules because his dress was three inches below his knees

The dress code also advises students that 'inappropriately worn or distracting clothing' including 'too-tight tops or pants, lycra or spandex'.

However, the incident struck a chord with the student body who vocalized that they found the punishment unfair.

And one student Russell Young brought even more attention to the issue by posing a video of Swkyert being escorted to the principals's office on Twitter.

He captioned the short clip with: 'Two male students at Melissa High School get two days of in school suspension for wearing dresses.. That were in dress code! It's 2018 y'all.'Balancing a busy social life with other commitments can be a challenge, so it is of little wonder many of us rely on a schedule to squeeze everything in each week.

But most of us find this kind of 'over-planning' leaves little room for spur-of-the-moment fun.

A survey of 2,000 adults revealed 56 per cent of Britons feel they have lost all spontaneity.

Balancing a busy social life with other commitments can be a challenge, so it is of little wonder many of us rely on a schedule to squeeze everything in each week. Stock image

Meanwhile a fifth admit they haven't popped out for an unplanned drink with friends in five months, according to the study by Italian spirits brand Aperol.

Fortunately UK-based journalist Kamin Mohammadi, author of Bella Figura: How to Live, Love, and Eat the Italian Way, has revealed eight steps everyone can take to bring more fun back into their lives - and it's all down to being a little more Italian in their approach.

She said: 'In Italy, it's hard not to be immediately struck by their different approach to socialising. It's much more spur-of the-moment than in the UK, starting with a phone call on the day suggesting an aperitivo somewhere as the sun goes down. After that who knows.

'Pre-planning creates a degree of expectation and build up, which can often lead to disappointment; whereas spur-of-the-moment fun is exciting, with no anticipation  releasing inhibitions to see where the evening will take you. This is something Italians do so well.

'The mind is liberated by not making plans weeks in advance, which is why the "Aperitivo Hour" in Italy is such a ritual, it could be a mere pause in the day or the beginning of one of those unexpected evenings, where it is all about pleasure not pressure.' Here, FEMAIL shares Kamin's tips in full...

Set aside one day of the week where you leave yourself open to spur-of-the moment plans, Kamin advises, if you want to be more spontaneous. Stock image

Plan a meet-up an hour in advance

Just 8 per cent of the UK population describes themselves as spontaneous. Social expert Kamin advises taking a leap to change the situation.

She said: 'Call, don't text, a friend right now and arrange to meet in one hour for a drink  ciao, cosa fai adesso?'

Journalist Kamin Mohammadi, author of Bella Figura: How to Live, Love, and Eat the Italian Way, has revealed eight steps everyone can take to bring more fun back into their lives

Introduce 'No Plan Wednesday'

Set aside one day of the week where you leave yourself open to spur-of-the moment plans.

Kamin said: 'Deliberately leave gaps in your diary for the possibility of spontaneous evenings, and see what you fancy on the day.'

Seek out al-fresco social spots

Kamin said: 'Enjoy an al fresco drink in a sunny square, where conversations can be started and new friends can be made. Salute!'

Be friendly and open when you go out

Having friends who are also willing to be spontaneous is crucial if you want to adopt this more relaxed lifestyle.

Kamin advises expanding your social circle by leaving yourself open to the possibility of meeting like-minded people when you're out and about.

'Seek out new connections, approach people in group situations and welcome newcomers, the more the merrier,' she said. 'Who knows where it might take you?'

Kamin advises expanding your social circle by leaving yourself open to the possibility of meeting like-minded people when you're out and about. Stock image

Make the most of long summer evenings

Kamin said: 'Make a list of 'Must Dos' for the next few months, then leave the rest of the diary blank, so you can make the most of the longer evenings and the joy of having no plans.'

Rely on strangers to guide you

It can be difficult to think outside the box when you're not used to it, so why not pick up tips from other people? Try this fun game-like approach from Kamin:

'Next time you see a friend, walk into the nearest bar or cafe to your meeting spot and  after your first drink  ask the staff where you should head to next, and follow their direction to see where the night takes you.'

Rope in your friends

Kamin said: 'Pledge allegiance to spontaneity and convince your friends to join you. As many as half of all Brits are tired of over planning but are too afraid to stop! It's easier if you are in it together'

Embrace the loss of control

'Embrace the opportunity to try something new and unexpected,' Kamin said. 'But if you aren't ready to completely let go, why not let your partner / flatmate / of even your mum take over your diary for a few days and enjoy the surprises.'Kensington Palace has released a photo showing some of the adorable handmade cards received by members of the Royal Family.

The image, shared on the palace's official Instagram account on Tuesday, shows cards marking Harry and Meghan's wedding, Prince Louis's birth and Princess Charlotte's 3rd birthday.

The post also offered insight into the extraordinary volume of post sent to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - revealing that 36,000 pieces have been received in the last month alone.

The image, shared on the palace's official Instagram account on Tuesday, shows cards marking Harry and Meghan's wedding, Prince Louis's birth and Princess Charlotte's 3rd birthday

The post also offered insight into the extraordinary volume of post sent to the royals - revealing that 36,000 pieces have been received in the last month alone

The most popular card seemed to be the one of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, made from a selection of craft items. Pictured, the royal couple at their wedding last month

The adorable hand-drawn cards were a hit on social media, with people describing them as delightful and cute.

The most popular card seemed to be the one of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, made from a selection of craft items.

The Duke was seen with a bushy beard of ginger yarn while his spiky hair was strands of coloured string.

Meanwhile the Duchess was given a stunning crown complete with flower applique.

Instagram user lisaannkat posted: 'Omg look how super cute the pic is of the Duke and Duchess!'

The adorable hand-drawn cards were a hit on social media, with people describing them as delightful and cute

While user srinivasan_varsha wrote: 'They're so beautiful. And that picture of Duke Harry and Duchess Meghan is an absoloutly delightful piece of art.'

Other cards celebrated the birth of Prince Louis, with one reading 'Welcome Prince Louis'.

Another colourful card depicted a young girl and seemed to be dedicated to Princess Charlotte's birthday.

Kensington Palace handles affairs relating to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Some of the cards celebrated Princess Charlotte's third birthday last month. Pictured the princess with her mother the Duchess of Cambridge at the royal wedding last month

Other notes congratulated the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of Prince Louis

Matters relating to Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are directed to Clarence House, while the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's administration is handled by Buckingham Palace.

Members of the public can contact the Royal Family by sending post to the different addresses.

The Queen is shown almost all of her correspondence on a daily basis by one of her Private Secretaries, and is said to take a keen interest in the letters she receives.Everyone wants to cook up a delicious meal for the family in just minutes.

And now, you can whip up the ultimate classic spaghetti carbonara using just four ingredients.

Here, Australian celebrity chef Justine Schofield shared her favourite go-to recipe to create the deliciously authentic Italian dish at home.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia ahead of the Kurrajong Kitchen Cheese Lovers Festival in Sydney, the former MasterChef contestant said all you need is spaghetti, pancetta, egg yolks and pecorino.

Scroll down for recipe

How to make the perfect carbonara: Whip up the classic pasta dish using just four ingredients

Celebrity chef Justine Schofield shared her go-to recipe to create the authentic Italian dish

In April, research found 91 per cent of Australians are making the classic dish incorrectly by adding cream,when traditionally, raw eggs are the key to creating the creaminess pasta.

With so many people making the common mistake, Justine offered her simple and easy to follow recipe to help home cooks make the meal in just 20 minutes.

When making her carbonara, the Everyday Gourmet host starts by cooking the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water.

Next, she fries pancetta or bacon without oil in a large hot pan for two minutes. Meanwhile, she mixes four egg yolks and pecorino in a bowl.

While straining the al dente pasta, she puts aside a little of the water for later. She then tosses the pasta in the pan of pancetta. Next, she takes the pan off the heat and add two tablespoons of the reserved cooking water.

She adds the egg mixture and freshly cracked pepper before tossing the pasta again until all is coated in the yolky mixture and it becomes glossy.

Finish with the remaining pecorino and serve immediately.

The former MasterChef star said all you need is spaghetti, pancetta, egg yolks and pecorino

Justine will be hosting cooking workshops and judging competitions at the Kurrajong Kitchen Cheese Lovers Festival in Sydney on June 16

How to make the perfect spaghetti carbonara Serves 4 Time: 20 minutes 500g spaghetti

200g pancetta or streaky bacon, cut into small baton

4 egg yolks

 cup pecorino, finely grated

Optional: Salt and pepper Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Add the spaghetti and cook per instruction on the packet (this should take approx. 7- 8 minutes). Heat a large saute pan; add the pancetta and fry for 2 minutes. Mix the egg yolks with  cup of the pecorino and a good pinch of salt. Strain the pasta (reserving a little of the water) and toss in the pan of pancetta. Take off the heat and add 2 tablespoons of the reserved cooking water. Add the egg mixture and a good amount of freshly cracked pepper. Toss again until all the pasta is coated in the yolky mixture and it becomes glossy. Finish with the remaining pecorino and serve immediately. Advertisement

Justine will be hosting cooking workshops and judging competitions at the Kurrajong Kitchen Cheese Lovers Festival on June 16.

'Cheese is an important part of my life and heritage, so I'm proud to champion this wonderful ingredient at this unique festival,' she said.

'It's exciting to see the innovation and progress Australia has made to the cheese making industry and my menu will focus on celebrating some amazing Aussie cheese produce with a fun twist on classics.'

For more details about the annual cheese festival, please visit the website.A man's tweet has gone viral after he revealed the correct way to pronounce a popular South Asian drink.

Ahmed Ali Akbar took to Twitter on Monday to share his frustration at the common mispronunciation of the yoghurt-based drink lassi.

The New York-based writer, who is Pakistani, explained that while many people think the drink is pronounced in the same way as Lassie, the famous TV dog, it actually rhymes with 'fussy'.

His tweet quickly racked up thousands of likes and shares as his followers realised their mistake.

Ahmed Ali Akbar, from New York, took to Twitter on Monday to explain how South Indian milkshake Lassi should be pronounced correctly, garnering a surprised reaction on Twitter

Ahmed wrote: 'Hello white people these two items are not pronounced the same way. I am sorry we spelled it 'lassi' instead of 'lussi' but please, you have to stop, I am begging you.'

He even included a demonstration video to make things crystal clear, in which he said: 'So! lassi 101! Lassi rhymes with 'fussy,' not with celebrity dog name.

'The 's' comes at end of the first syllable as well as the beginning of second. Take a listen, class! with your help, we can kill lassie in a generation. Proud of all my eager students'.

The writer from New York busted the common misconception that the drink was pronounced like the famous dog character Lassie, explaining that it in fact rhymes with fussy

Attempting to explain how to pronounce it, he continued in a demonstration video: 'So! lassi 101! Lassi rhymes with 'fussy,' not with celebrity dog name'

And admitting that his own pronunciation may have been affected by being born in America, he added: 'Also im sure there are regional variance in pronounciation and even mine is inflected with being a diaspora kid - but any improvement we make will be better than making it sound like a literal dog drink'.

Referring to the westernised takes on the 'displaced' drink, which often comes in fruit flavours including mango, he then added: 'A whole generation of diaspora cursed by the letter 'a' and some uncles throwing fruit into a sweet lassi'.

And he was quickly inundated with tweets from surprised fans.

'I had no idea it was pronounced 'lussi'! He was quickly inundated with tweets from surprised fans of the drink

'I had no idea it was pronounced 'lussi.' Awesome to learn something new! Thanks for the heads up!' one follower wrote.

Another added: 'Thank you! Our waiters are too polite to correct our attempts. I imagine half the things on the menu are pronounced incorrectly.'

One wrote: 'Thanks! I guess I'm lucky...I learned this years ago from watching 'Goodness Gracious Me'. Hysterical sketch 'Lassi, Come Home' starring the amazing Kulvinder Ghir, one of my fave comedians/actors EVER!'

'I am paralyzed with fear'! And some admitted they were now worried about pronouncing other dishes wrong

What is a lassi drink? Lassi is a traditional curd-base drink that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is a blend of yogurt, water, spices and sometimes fruit with a texture similar to a light milkshake. Advertisement

Some admitted they were now worried about pronouncing other dishes wrong, writing: 'Omg, I was making mental notes, but my local favourite is Nepalese, so now I am paralyzed with fear. Lassi? Lussy? Just like the rest of the menu.'

One confused follower tweeted: 'But wait. It's SPELLED lassi. Why don't they just change the spelling to Lussi. Who the hell wrote it like lassi in the first place? They're diots. I'll be sure to bring a Sharpiepen whenever I see it written.'

Another agreed, writing: 'Can't blame people for pronouncing it like it's spelled. That said, thanks for the lesson, I'm always willing to learn this kind of thing.'Morrisons has unveiled olives infused with gin just in time for summer.

The unusual treat will likely prove popular with shoppers looking to bring something a little different to their next picnic or barbecue.

A 150g packet is retailing for just 2.50 - making them a purse-friendly option for customers.

Morrisons have teamed up with Slingsby to unveill a new range of olives, which have been infused with summer favourite spirit gin just in time for the upcoming picnic season

The supermarket collaborated with artisan gin brand Slingsby to create the alcohol-infused snack.

They use pitted olives sourced from the Halkidiki region of Greece with the added zest of refreshing citrus flavours.

The olives arrived in store in last month ahead of World Gin Day on June 9.

The purse-friendly supermarket is selling the 150g packs of alcohol-infused snacks for just 2.50, and has launched the line ahead of the picnic season

Morrisons recommends serving the olives with dips and other snacks.

Waitrose previously sold pitted green olives in a gin, juniper and lemon zest dressing, listed at 1.99 for 100g, although they are currently sold out online.

It comes after an expert caused outrage upon suggesting that G&T should be served without lemon and lime.

The release comes after an expert caused outrage upon suggesting that G&T should be served without lemon and lime, and with mint and ginger instead

Sam Carter, a senior ambassador at Bombay Sapphire, told Business Insider that the citrus fruits add 'mustiness'.

He said: 'They're left for like a day and have gone brown on the edges and it just adds a real fusty, mustiness to it.

'Just because we did it 10, 20, 30 years ago and our parents did it, doesn't mean we have to do it.'A 15-year-old boy has had an unidentifiable object pulled out of his nose that had been lodged there for five years.

Scottish doctors were left scratching their heads as to how the mass, which was causing a foul-smelling discharge, got into the unnamed teenagers nose because it was too large to do so naturally.

They were also confused about what the 2.5cm by 2.5cm foreign body was. Tests eventually showed it contained tiny fragments of metallic foil.

Medics in Livingston believe the boy put a much smaller object into his nose when he was 10, which grew larger and picked up dust and mucus.

Another theory is the mass, which was lodged in his left nostril, became stuck in the boys nose after a bout of forceful coughing or vomiting.

Scottish doctors were left scratching their heads as to how the mass got into the unnamed teenagers nose because it was too large to do so naturally

The boy had complained about a blockage in his left nostril and a 'foul-smelling' discharge for five years.

NHS otolaryngologists, or ear, nose and throat specialists, shoved a microscope into his nostril to discover what was causing the problem.

They quickly noticed pus from his left middle meatus - one of three passages in the nasal cavity  and they were unable to get past it.

In contrast, the boys right nasal passage was entirely normal, doctors led by Kate Hulse wrote in the BMJ Case Reports.

A CT scan of his sinuses then revealed an irregular mass lodged in his left nasal passage that measured a square-inch. It was eroding his septum.

The boy, who had no learning difficulties, denied having placed anything in his nose.

Ms Hulse and colleagues were forced to push the object into the boys oropharynx because it was so big. They pulled it out through his mouth.

On closer inspection, it was encrusted in dark, friable, carbonaceous material with a solid central core of an unidentifiable nature.

They were also confused about what the 2.5cm by 2.5cm foreign body was. Tests eventually showed it contained tiny fragments of metallic foil

The boy, believed to be from Edinburgh, had complained about a blockage in his left nostril and a 'foul-smelling' discharge for five years (scan shows the blockage)

An analysis of the specimen revealed a dark clot with discrete fragments of copper-coloured metallic foil within, they wrote in the journal.

Ms Hulse and her team added: Unsurprisingly, the patients symptoms were relieved following its removal.

This is an unusual case of a large chronic nasal foreign body with no known history of insertion.

If the patient had indeed had symptoms for the previous five years, this suggests the foreign body was inserted when he was around age 10.

But they added this would be unusual in a child without learning disability.

Ms Hulse and team wrote: What is even more curious is how the object became lodged in the posterior nasal space when it was clearly too large to fit through the nasal passage.

One possibility is that the object was actually ingested and inserted in a retrograde fashion after forceful coughing or vomiting.

Another possibility is that a much smaller foreign body was inserted anteriorly and then acted as a nucleus for rhinolith formation.

Rhinoliths arise when chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa and stagnation of mucus, often caused by a neglected foreign body, leads to deposition of calcium and other mineral salts onto its surface.

This concretion of salts leads to progressive growth of the object, which appears as a hyperdense structure on CT scan.

By this mechanism, it is conceivable that the foreign body was inserted when the patient was much younger and took many years to become symptomatic due to its slow growth.A bride-to-be has been left with a large scar across her nose after a 'clogged pore' turned out to be skin cancer.

Grandmother-of-two Joanne Wall, 48, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was stunned when a doctor told her a raised bump on her nose was skin cancer last March.

Ms Wall who regularly wore SPF 50 sun cream and is due to walk down the aisle this September, had only mentioned the blemish to her doctor in passing while visiting for something unrelated.

One month later, Ms Wall underwent facial surgery to cut out the 3mm basal cell carcinoma nodule and stretch the skin from her cheek across her nose.

The agonising surgery has left her with a bumpy, red scar that has severely affected her self esteem.

Ms Wall, who credits her partner Craig Middlebrook, 49, for helping her through her ordeal, said: 'I went into a shop and a woman asked me if I had been bitten by a dog. It has knocked my confidence.'

Basal cell carcinoma makes up more than 80 per cent of skin cancer cases in the UK. The disease affects less than one per cent of the population.

Joanne Wall (pictured with her grandson Harley Benjamin) was diagnosed with skin cancer when a barely visible 'clogged pore' on her nose turned out to be a sign of the disease

Ms Wall underwent facial surgery to cut out the 3mm basal cell carcinoma nodule and stretch the skin from her cheek across her nose. The agonising surgery required many stitches

Ms Wall (pictured before with her fiance) is due to marry Craig Middlebrook, 49, in September

WHAT IS BASAL CELL CARCINOMA? Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer. Non-melanoma means it does not involve skin pigment cells. BCC often appears as scabs that bleed BCC makes up more than 80 per cent of all forms of skin cancer in the UK, with over 100,000 new cases being diagnosed every year. It is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds. BCC can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and ears. The following people are most at risk: People with fair skin or hair

Those who work outdoors

People who use sunbeds

Those with a personal history of the condition BCC is usually painless. Early symptoms often only include a scab that bleeds occasionally and does not heal. Some appear as flat, red, scaly marks or have a pearl-like rim. The latter can then erode into a ulcer. Others are lumpy with shiny nodules crossed by blood vessels. Most BCCs can be cured, however, treatment is complex if they are left for a long time. Treatment usually involves removing the cancerous tumour and some of the surrounding skin. Source: British Skin Foundation and NHS Choices Advertisement

'It wasn't visible to anybody else'

Ms Wall said: 'I would have lived with this for years if it hadn't flared up during my doctor's appointment. I don't know what would have happened.

'I had had this little blotch visible on my nose for some years - it was so tiny it wasn't visible to anybody else.

'Because it was so small and unnoticeable I didn't think it could be anything bad.

'I used to assume maybe it was a spot that hadn't come through yet. I used to squeeze it. I thought it was a blocked pore and that it would go away.

She added: 'I went to the doctor for something unrelated and I asked him to have a look at it.

'I was a bit panicky with the diagnosis but at the time he did reassure me.

'He said: "I know cancer is a scary word but this one is the best type to get".'

Ms Wall underwent a bilateral cheek-to-nose advancement flap, which involves surgeons cutting out the nodule and stretching the skin across the nose to cover up the gap

Unaware of how invasive it would be, Ms Wall was expecting 'a plaster and a few stitches'

Ms Wall is self conscious of the blemish, claiming it is the first thing people see

Ms Wall (pictured with her grandson Hunter Blake) tries to hide it but still feels self conscious

'The pain afterwards was horrendous'

After a consultant with a specialist, Ms Wall was booked in to have a bilateral cheek-to-nose advancement flap, where surgeons cut out the nodule and stretch the skin across the nose to cover up the gap.

She said: 'I didn't realise the extent of what they were doing. I was expecting a plaster and a few stitches.

'I always thought I had a pretty high pain threshold. But the pain afterwards was horrendous.

'I would sleep sitting up constantly. There was a constant throbbing of my nose and behind my eyes. I've never known anything like it.

'The people that go through rhinoplasty - I take my hat off to them.'

Ms Wall hates looking in the mirror and sometimes thinks she should have waited for surgery

She claims she was once in a shop and a stranger asked her if she had been bitten by a dog

'It's the first thing people see'

Speaking of how the scar has affected her confidence, Ms Wall said: 'My problem at the moment is foundations just settle into the scars and makes it more prominent.

'When it's on your face it's the first thing people see. I went out with it covered up and I realised people were looking at me.

'It's quite a lot to get your head around. 'I do have days where I think to myself "Should I have left it until after the wedding?"

'But although at times I hate looking in the mirror, the unconditional support and love from my partner, who tells me I'm beautiful no matter what, gets me through.

She added: 'I have got one good side of my nose. A few people have commented that it looks like a heart on my nose.

'I am getting married in Turkey in September. I am hoping I will find a good makeup for my wedding.

'My partner isn't really bothered. It's just something that happened. I have got a scar on my nose and that's it. He says until I mention it myself, he doesn't notice it.

'I will always have a funny scar. It's pretty red and raw and bumpy. I will just have to wait and see what happens as it heals.'

'I always used factor 50'

Speaking of how she got skin cancer, Ms Wall said: 'The consultant said it could have been sun damage from when I was a child.

'I was born in 1970 and people weren't really sun aware back then.

'I can never remember my mum buying sun cream or putting sunscreen on me. It's just the way it was in my age bracket. It wasn't the done thing.

'Since then, when I have gone abroad on holidays I have always used sun cream.

'Some of my friends used to laugh at me because I always used to take factor 50 for the first few days and a lower SPF for later on in the holiday.'

Ms Wall (pictured before) credits Mr Middlebrook for his support throughout the ordeal

He tells his fiance she is beautiful and he does not notice her scar until she brings it up

Ms Wall (pictured before) accepts she will have a 'funny scar' for the rest of her lifeOne person dies every five seconds from smoking, a scientist has revealed.

A total of three million people have died due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a lung disorder caused by smoking, according to the most recent statistics from 2016.

This accounted for six per cent of global deaths.

Furthermore, the respiratory disease is expected to become the fourth-largest killer by 2020, behind heart diseases and cancer.

The shocking data was released during a seminar hosted by pulmonologist Syed Zafaryab Hussain, an expert in diseases related to breathing.

Dr Hussain used the findings to reiterate the dangers of smoking, warning that more people die from smoking than from terrorism, and that doctors must inform patients of the dangers.

Scientists have now revealed that a person dies every five seconds because of smoking

A horrible habit

Dr Hussain presented the statistics at a seminar entitled: 'Hazards of Smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The seminar took place in Karachi, Pakistan.

Although more men than women smoke (about 40 per cent of the world's population, versus nine per cent), the number of women smoking has increased and has reached parity in some countries.

He said that there was now a greater responsibility for doctors to explain to patients the dangers of smoking and advise them on how they can quit.

Dr Hussain told the Express Tribune, a Pakistani newspaper, that carbon monoxide from smoking zaps oxygen from the body, which then leads to breathing difficulties.

Furthermore, he believes that many young people are picking up the deadly habit as a 'fashion statement'.

Dr Hussain warned that alternate forms of smoking, like electrical cigarettes and sheesha, can result in a person developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well.

Traditional methods of cooking, such as over an open fire are also dangerous, he added.

A colleague of Dr Hussain's, Dr Faisal Zuberi, warned about the dangers of passive smoke, and that sitting in a surrounding where there is smoke is akin to smoking '200 cigarettes'.

In 2016, three million people died from COPD, which is a lung disorder caused by smoking

Global smoking statistics

Cigarettes are smoked by more than one billion people around the world - almost a fifth of the world population.

The majority of smokers are men: around 942 million, while 175 million women are smokers worldwide.

Smoking rates are decreasing in developed countries. For instance, in the United States, smoking rates dropped by 50 per cent betweern 1965 to 2006, according to the CDC.

More than 80 per cent of smokers now live in countries with low to middle incomes, and the country with the highest rate of smoking is China.

However, Timor-Leste - the eastern portion of an tiny Pacific island - has the highest prevalence of smokers in the world.

Dr Hussain said he was concerned about his native Pakistan, where 171,000 people died due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease each year.

He said that anti-smoking laws made in Pakistan existed but had not been implemented.

WHAT IS COPD (CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE)? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. It includes: emphysema  damage to the air sacs in the lungs

chronic bronchitis  long-term inflammation of the airways COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Many people don't realise they have it. The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit your normal activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control. The main symptoms of COPD are: increasing breathlessness, particularly when you're active

a persistent chesty cough with phlegm  some people may dismiss this as just a "smoker's cough"

frequent chest infections

persistent wheezing Without treatment, the symptoms usually get slowly worse. There may also be periods when they get suddenly worse, known as a flare-up or exacerbation. See your GP if you have persistent symptoms of COPD, particularly if you're over 35 and smoke or used to smoke. Source: NHS Advertisement

Smoking's effect on your body

A recent study found that smoking cigarettes damages the muscles in your body, as well.

The smoke directly reduces the number of blood vessels in leg muscles and limits the amount of oxygen and nutrients they can receive.

This study, conducted by researchers from California, Brazil and Japan, is the first to show the direct impact of smoking on the muscles.

For the study, the team exposed mice to smoke from tobacco cigarettes for eight weeks, either by inhalation or by injecting mice with a solution bubbled with smoke.

In the study, the team found a 34 percent decrease in the capillary-to-muscle fiber ratio of calf muscles in mice exposed to smoke.

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body. A high capillary-to-fiber ratio allows blood to more fully permeate muscle tissue.

However, the study shows that because blood vessels have been diminished, the rate of blood flow to muscles is reduced - depriving them of oxygen and nutrients.

And when muscles are deprived of these two substances to use for energy, they are weakened and unable to perform a great amount of physical activity.

Previous studies have shown that smoking makes muscles weaker because lungs become inflamed by cigarette use, restricting your ability to exercise and perform activities.Even as she struggled to take a single step, Megan King's doctors told her that her inability to walk was all in her head.

King, who was a teenager at the time, was suffering from severe neck pain and joints that would easily dislocate.

But as she hopped from specialist to specialist, she was told she needed psychiatric help or that she had tricked her brain into thinking something was wrong with her.

After four years and visiting 10 different doctors, King was finally diagnosed in September 2015 with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue that supports skin, bones, muscles and other organs.

The now-28-year-old, from Lake Zurich, Illinois, has had to undergo 34 operations to stabilize her joints and, in the process, has lost the ability to move her head, neck, and most of her back.

Megan King, 28 (pictured), from Lake Zurich, Illinois, was told that her inability to walk was all in her head and spent four years trying to get an answer

After visiting 10 different doctors, King (pictured) was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue that supports skin, bones, muscles and other organs

Because her joints are very weak and need to be held together, King (left, with her parents, and right) was fitted for a halo brace in April 2016 that keeps the neck and spine from moving. She wore it until December 2016

EDS is a group of inherited disorders that affect your connective tissues - primarily in your skin, joints and blood vessel walls.

The disorder produces weak or faulty collagen, meaning the tissue can't be connected or held together properly.

Without collagen acting correctly, the body's joints aren't stable. People who have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome usually have overly flexible joints and stretchy, fragile skin.

It is rare and affects only one in 5,000 people worldwide.

WHAT IS EHLERS -DANLOS SYNDROME? Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is the name for a group of rare inherited conditions that affect the connective tissue. Connective tissues provide support in skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, internal organs and bones. Different types of EDS are caused by faults in certain genes that make connective tissue weaker. Depending on the type of EDS, the faulty gene may have been inherited from one paren, or both. Sometimes the faulty gene isnt inherited, but occurs spontaneously. EDS can affect people in different ways. For some the condition is relatively mild, while for others their symptoms can be disabling. Some of the rare severe types can even be life-threatening. It affects one in 5,000 people worldwide. Source: NHS Direct Advertisement

After four years of visiting ten different doctors, a visit to her geneticist in September 2015 finally resulted in a diagnosis.

'My presentation of symptoms was atypical. There were so many doctors who repeatedly told me my symptoms were psychosomatic, that there's nothing wrong with me,' King said.

'It was a mental battle because deep down I knew there was a serious problem due to the pain and symptoms. I had to continually fight to find a doctor to listen and take me seriously.'

The geneticist told King that she could end up paralyzed or worse if she took a fall because her vertebrae would move more than they were supposed to due to her ligaments being too weak to support them.

Because her joints are very weak and need to be held together, King was fitted for a halo brace in April 2016 that keeps the neck and spine from moving.

It was screwed into her skull and it was held in place by two screws in her forehead, and another two above her ears.

King wore the halo brace until December 2016, when it was replaced with a less invasive brace. Then, in February 2017, she developed scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves to the side.

'To this day, I'm still in a neck brace but I can take it off more. I have to wear it in the car, physical therapy, when I'm out and when I'm sleeping,' King said.

She said the surgeries have helped stabilize her spine and she doesn't suffer neurological symptoms such as dizziness, headaches and ringing in the ears.

However, her mobility is severely limited because she is completely fused together from the bottom of her skull to her lower back.

'After the surgeries I have lost further independence. I'll never be able to drive due to my spine and shoulders, and I don't have the ability to move my head, neck, middle back and part of my lower back,' King said.

In total, King has had to undergo 34 surgeries to stabilize her joints, including a 16-hour surgery on her spine

In February 2017, King developed scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves to the side, despite wearing braces previously

King (pictured, left in October 2017, and right in November 2017) said the surgeries have helped stabilize her spine but her mobility is severely limited because she is completely fused together from the bottom of her skull to her lower back

King (pictured, April 2016) has taken to blogging to share her experience and warns others who may be dealing with something similar to trust their gut instinct

In total, she has had to undergo 34 surgeries to stabilize her joints. Of her many surgeries, King's longest one took an astounding 16-hours to operate on the C5-L2 regions of her spine, which extends from the neck to the lower back.

King isn't free of surgery yet and will have to undergo further spinal stabilization and correction.

She has taken to blogging to share her experience and warns others who may be dealing with something similar to trust their gut instinct.

'I just want to help so that people know they're not alone even if they're dealing with different circumstances,' she said.

'You have to listen to your gut when deep down you know there is something very wrong. You have to stay strong if you hear hurtful comments.

'Do your research so you have a better understanding of what's going on with your body and communicate with others who may be going through something similar. Once you find a doctor, cherish them and don't take them for granted.'What are the hallmarks of a good doctor? Skill and technical expertise, of course. But also vital is someone who understands you and someone you trust.

In fact, research has proved that a good relationship with a doctor can actually improve your chances of a successful outcome. But how do you find a specialist who fits the bill?

Thats where this unique series of guides, which started in Saturdays Mail and continues every day this week, can help you out.

We have identified the countrys top consultants  as judged by their peers.

Weve canvassed the views of more than 260 of them, across seven specialities, and asked them this very simple, but key, question: If your own nearest and dearest were to need treatment in your field, to whom would you refer them  and why?

The consultants who earned the most votes from their peers are the ones who made it into our guides.

Patients should bear in mind, though, that this is not a scientific study and there are many superb, highly skilled professionals nationwide who didnt make it on to our list, but who are making a real difference to patients every day.

To help you make informed choices about your own care, or that of your loved ones, weve also talked to experts about the very latest thinking on various treatment options.

Here, we look at the best doctors for heart rhythm problems.

The good doctors guide: Meet the best heart rhythm surgeons in Britain and learn the cutting-edge treatments used to correct flutters

More than two million people in the UK have a faulty heartbeat, or arrhythmia. Unfortunately, up to half-a-million go undiagnosed and, as their condition hasnt been spotted and, therefore, treated, their risk of stroke is significantly raised.

The good news for those who have been diagnosed is that theres been a revolution in the treatment of heart rhythm disorders in recent years.

These disorders occur when the hearts electrical circuits, responsible for keeping it pumping, become scrambled, sending faulty messages that override the hearts natural pacemaker, a cluster of cells known as the sinus node. This problem can be something you were born with or a consequence of coronary heart disease or ageing.

Arrhythmias can range from a slow heartbeat, where the organ cant pump enough blood around the body, to the most dangerous form, ventricular fibrillation the latter can be fatal without rapid emergency treatment.

Symptoms range from the mild to the alarming. Your heart may seem to flutter or skip beats. Or it can race like mad, even though youre just quietly watching TV. Or you might find yourself suddenly exhausted, short of breath and prone to fainting.

The most common arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which causes a fast, chaotic heartbeat. This tends to occur mostly in people over the age of 60 and affects around a million Britons.

Here, random electrical charges cause the upper chambers of the heart (called the atria) to quiver, affecting the hearts ability to pump blood efficiently.

The most serious consequence of untreated atrial fibrillation is stroke, because the hearts feeble pumping action allows blood to pool, causing clots, which can break off and travel to the brain. This is why one of the first steps in treating the condition is blood-thinning medication.

Whatever the type of arrhythmia, medication can be used to try to control or prevent it.

WHAT IS ARRHYTHMIA? More than two million people in the UK have a faulty heartbeat, or arrhythmia. Unfortunately, up to half-a-million go undiagnosed and, as their condition hasnt been spotted and, therefore, treated, their risk of stroke is significantly raised. The good news for those who have been diagnosed is that theres been a revolution in the treatment of heart rhythm disorders in recent years. These disorders occur when the hearts electrical circuits, responsible for keeping it pumping, become scrambled, sending faulty messages that override the hearts natural pacemaker, a cluster of cells known as the sinus node. This problem can be something you were born with or a consequence of coronary heart disease or ageing. Arrhythmias can range from a slow heartbeat, where the organ cant pump enough blood around the body, to the most dangerous form, ventricular fibrillation the latter can be fatal without rapid emergency treatment. Advertisement

Other options include giving a shock to the heart in order to restore a normal rhythm, or implanting a pacemaker or an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator), which gives an electric shock if an abnormal heart rhythm is detected.

A minimally invasive alternative is catheter ablation. This non-surgical procedure is becoming the gold standard way to resolve problems with heart rhythm, particularly atrial fibrillation, says Philippa Hobson, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation.

It is performed by an expert cardiologist, known as an electrophysiologist, and takes between two and four hours. A thin wire with an electrode at its tip is threaded through the veins  usually starting in the thigh  to the heart to create scar tissue, either with heat or freezing, to destroy rogue tissue responsible for sending faulty signals, or effectively block abnormal electrical circuits in the heart.

However, as one leading cardiologist told us, it would be a dreadful shame if the technological demands eclipsed the human side.

Dr Edward Rowland, who is based at St Bartholomews Hospital in London, says that empathy and a caring attitude are important, too  particularly when patients are worried.

Successfully treating patients, he suggests, is not just about the ablation operation, but how the patient is treated in the run-up to it and their aftercare.

When your heart starts going crazy and you think you are going to die, it is not surprising that patients can become very anxious, says Dr Rowland.

Technical expertise is very important  but this has to be accompanied by other human factors to produce the best results possible.

There are some cardiologists who are excellent technically, but you would not necessarily send your closest family to them.

So, how do you find an electrophysiologist equipped with not just the technological nous, but also the bedside manner that can help people conquer a distressing, and sometimes disabling, disease?

We asked 40 consultants across the country who they believe are the top performers. Here, we reveal their choices  along with some of their reasons for selecting them.

GUIDE TO CONSULTANTS compiled by ANGELA BROOKS. Additional reporting by Thea Jourdan.What are the hallmarks of a good doctor? Technical expertise and skill, of course  but someone who understands you, someone you trust, is also vital.

Indeed, research shows that a good relationship with your doctor can actually improve the chances of a successful outcome.

But how do you find a specialist who fits the bill? Thats where this unique series of guides, running every day this week in the Mail, can help.

Weve identified the countrys top consultants  as judged by their peers.

Weve canvassed the views of more than 260 consultants across seven specialties from around the country, and asked them this very simple but key question: If your own nearest and dearest were to need treatment in your field, to whom would you refer them  and why.

The consultants who earned the most votes from their own peers are the ones who made it into our guides. Though patients should bear in mind that this is not a scientific study and there are many superb and highly skilled specialists all over the country who didnt make it onto our list but who spend every day of their working lives making a real difference to patients.

To help you make informed decisions about your care, weve also talked to experts about the latest thinking on treatment.

Here, we look at the best prostate cancer surgeons.

The good doctors guide: Meet the best urologists in Britain and learn the pioneering treatments used in the battle against prostate cancer

Ask most people how prostate cancer is treated and the chances are theyll say surgery. In fact, surgery  removal of the prostate  is just one weapon in the arsenal of procedures.

Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone treatment have as big a part to play for many patients and, increasingly, urologists advocate active surveillance, where patients are regularly monitored to keep tabs on the tumour.

This means they can avoid unnecessary treatment, but it gives them the option to decide on surgery in the event the tumour changes. Active surveillance is earmarked for patients with low-risk cancer which hasnt spread beyond the prostate.

In the past, weve tended to couple cancer diagnosis with treatment, says Anthony Koupparis, a urological surgeon at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

What we are now doing is disconnecting that process so, at the point of diagnosis, we put the brakes on and have a discussion with the patient and explain the type of cancer they have. If its not life threatening, I will tell the patient they genuinely dont need an operation.

Every now and then I will get a man who, despite the very early low-grade nature of their cancer, cannot deal with the thought of living with it, adds Mr Koupparis. I will give him lots to read on the subject and if he returns and says he cant deal with living with an untreated tumour, then I will definitely operate, if thats what he wants.

Avoiding needless treatment is driven by the fact that surgery to remove the prostate (radical prostatectomy) and radio-therapy can leave men incontinent and impotent as a result of damage to muscles and nerves.

Around 15 per cent of prostate cancer patients have surgery. Up to a quarter will suffer temporary urinary leakage afterwards, although only two out of 100 men have major problems with urinary incontinence one year after surgery, according to Cancer Research UK.

Erectile dysfunction can also be a problem. It is realistic to expect some problems with erectile dysfunction after surgery, according to Jane Brocksom, a senior nurse specialist in urology and Vice President of the British Association of Urological Nurses. But most men will have only mild issues and sexual function can return.

However, its important to note that many men may have had such problems before diagnosis.

A lot of prostate patients say that their waterworks and erections are fine, but when we check the questionnaires we ask them to complete, you can see those functions arent normal, says Mr Koupparis.

The risk can be reduced with a technique known as nerve-sparing prostatectomy (which may be possible when the cancer is low grade and hasnt spread beyond the prostate).

Around six out of ten men will be able immediately to have an erection if the surgeon is able to spare the nerves during surgery, says Cancer Research UK. The technique involves protecting the nerves by peeling them away before removing the prostate.

The prostate is removed with a small rim of surrounding tissue and sent to a pathology lab where it is examined under a microscope to see how close to the margins of the gland the cancer has spread.

Surgeons want a cancer-free margin of tissue around the prostate to be certain no cancer cells have been left behind.

WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER? How many people does it kill? More than 11,800 men a year - or one every 45 minutes - are killed by the disease in Britain, compared with about 11,400 women dying of breast cancer. It means prostate cancer is behind only lung and bowel in terms of how many people it kills in Britain. In the US, the disease kills 26,000 men each year. Despite this, it receives less than half the research funding of breast cancer and treatments for the disease are trailing at least a decade behind. How quickly does it develop? Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs someone has it for many years, according to the NHS. If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, a policy of 'watchful waiting' or 'active surveillance' may be adopted. Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages. But if it diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, then it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms. Thousands of men are put off seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects from treatment, including erectile dysfunction. Tests and treatment Tests for prostate cancer are haphazard, with accurate tools only just beginning to emerge. There is no national prostate screening programme as for years the tests have been too inaccurate. Doctors struggle to distinguish between aggressive and less serious tumours, making it hard to decide on treatment. Men over 50 are eligible for a PSA blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk. But it is unreliable. Patients who get a positive result are usually given a biopsy which is also not foolproof. Scientists are unsure as to what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and a lack of exercise are known risks. Anyone with any concerns can speak to Prostate Cancer UK's specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org Advertisement

However, labs take three days to process the result, so in borderline cases  men with larger and more aggressive tumours which might pose a threat to the nerves  the surgeon makes a judgment based on what he can see and scans and tests carried out beforehand.

Does he take a belt and braces approach, and sacrifice the nerves to be sure the cancer is controlled? Or should he spare them to optimise potency?

A new form of nerve-sparing surgery shows promise in helping men preserve their erections without compromising their long-term health.

NeuroSAFE speeds up the pathology process so that conclusive results are given to the surgeon while the patient is still on the operating table. A study at the NHS Lister Hospital in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, where NeuroSAFE is now routinely offered to all patients who stand to benefit, 74 per cent of men who were able to have erections before surgery were still able to a year after, compared with 45 per cent of men not assessed with it.

But the real seismic shift in prostate cancer treatment has been the arrival of the Da Vinci robot  where a surgeon remotely controls three or four robotic arms over the patient lying a few feet away. Robot-assisted prostatectomies now constitute 80 per cent of all prostate removal procedures in the UK.

The 1.5 million cost of a robot has led to prostate cancer treatment shifting to major centres in cities such as London, Bristol, Newcastle and Canterbury. This in turn has reduced complication rates and improved outcomes for patients, because the number of prostatectomies each surgeon performs has soared.

As Declan Cahill, a urological surgeon at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, explains: The link between high volume [large number of operations performed per year] and good outcomes is undisputed.

Professor Chris Eden, a urological surgeon at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, says he wouldnt send my own relative to anyone doing fewer than 100 prostatectomies a year  thats what you need to maintain consistently good results. That may seem unfair to urologists doing fewer, but surgeons have no God-given right to do an operation.

You can check how many prostatectomies each surgeon carries out on the British Association of Urological Surgeons website (baus.org.uk  search under Patients).

Surgeons are also required to submit some of their results on the website. Good urologists will record not just their mortality and complication data but also the functional outcomes  in other words, results for continence and erectile function.

In any event, prospective patients should certainly ask a urologist about their results  and be cautious about anyone who is less than forthcoming.

But what are the other hallmarks of a good urologist? We set out to identify not just those consultants who get consistently good results but those judged to be outstanding by their peers.

We canvassed the views of around 40 urologists from around the country on who are the top performers  here we reveal their choices, with a selection of the personal comments about why they chose them.

GUIDE TO CONSULTANTS compiled by ANGELA BROOKS. Additional reporting by Lucy Elkins and Thea Jourdan.About a quarter of Americans develop acute insomnia every year, and far more may suffer recurrences sleepless nights, a new study reveals.

Insomnia can increase risks of all manner of health conditions, including diabetes, heart attack, stroke and depression.

The World Health Organization has said that we are in the midst of a 'sleeplessness epidemic,' and the new data from the University of Pennsylvania suggests it is far from over.

In fact, the study's findings indicate a 'sharp increase' from previous estimates of insomnia in the US, one expert says.

One quarter of Americans develop difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep in bouts of acute insomnia each year, a new study reveals

We know that 'whether caused by stress, illness, medications, or other factors, poor sleep is very common,' as senior study author Dr Micheal Perlis said.

But his new findings suggest that the problem is getting not just more common, but more severe, as short or unsatisfying night turning into insomniac nights.

According to the new study, which tracked the sleep habits of 1,435 adults, acute insomnia gets resolved for 75 percent of people before it turns into a more serious, constant issue.

The researchers asked the participants how long it took them to fall asleep at night, and on how many nights they struggled to fall asleep on a daily, weekly and monthly basis over the course of the year.

Each participant kept a sleep diary documenting details of their sleep duration and quality, and the researchers assessed their health and the activities of their lives over the course of the study.

Acute insomnia, which is defined as struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep for as three nights or more a week for at least two weeks in a row is a growing problem for Americans.

Once these sleepless nights persist for more than three weeks, insomnia is considered chronic.

Though scientists still don't know exactly what function sleep serves, it seems to give the brain a bit of a 'refresh,' and going without or with too little sleep seems to degrade the bodies overall functioning.

Poor sleep has been closely linked to everything from high blood pressure to obesity, depression, Alzheimer's, stroke and even higher risks of premature death.

The root causes of all of these degrees of sleeplessness or poor sleep, however, are roughly the same.

CAN INSOMNIA BE PSYCHOLOGICAL? Insomnia may be psychological, research suggested in May 2017. Sufferers who take placebo pills feel more rested than those who get no treatment at all, according to a review of 13 studies. According to the researchers, the simple act of taking a pill may ease the anxiety that makes it harder for some insomnia sufferers to fall asleep. Dr Patrick Finan from Johns Hopkins University, who was not involved in the study, said: 'Insomnia is shaped by expectation and perception, so it is not surprising that placebos, which implicitly alter expectation, are effective in improving perceptions of sleep.' The researchers, from the University of Sydney, examined data from a total of 566 insomnia sufferers who were assigned to either receive a placebo that they believed was an active treatment or no pills at all. Placebo patients reported greater improvements in their ability to fall asleep, the total amount of rest they got and their sleep quality. Comparing placebo against recognised insomnia therapies can give inaccurate results as simply believing you are receiving a sleep-inducing treatment can ease the condition. Study author Dr Ben Colagiuri, said: 'The comparison with no treatment means that we can be sure that the improvement we observed was due to a genuine placebo effect, rather than being an artifact of simply taking part in a trial.' Insomnia may be considered a condition of the mind due to one person averaging four hours sleep a night and feeling sufficiently rested, while another may get seven hours and feel the amount or quality of their shut eye is inadequate, Dr Finan explained. Advertisement

Among the primary forces driving sleeplessness is anxiety, which, incidentally is also on the rise in the US, explains Dr Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology specializing in sleep at the University of California, Berkeley.

Nearly 20 percent of Americans - about 40 million people - suffer from an anxiety disorder.

It comes as no surprise to Dr Walker that this proportion is only slightly lower than the number of people who experience bouts of insomnia.

'One of the key mechanisms underlying insomnia is essentially anxiety and its correlative in the brain and body, which is the flight or flight response of the sympathetic nervous system - which, by the way, is anything but sympathetic' he says.

'It's very agitative and that part of the nervous system gets shifted into overdrive.'

When the sympathetic nervous system is over-activated, particularly at night, 'it's as little like a car engine in neutral, but not quietly idling. Instead, your foot is to the floor and the engine is just revving and revving,' Dr walker explains.

'When you're excessively "switched on," it seems to result in a higher heart rate and higher body temperature, as well as the circulation of body chemicals including adrenaline, and, most importantly, cortisol.'

Cortisol is the body's stress hormone, released during the fight or flight response to kick the body into higher gear.

The hormone is crucial to our survival when there is a threat present, but our levels of it are supposed to decline as we prepare to sleep.

'But when you measure it in people with insomnia, they don't get that normal, nice drop right around bed time. Instead, it says high or rises back in the middle of the night,' Dr Walker says.

'This seems to fit both sleep onset insomnia' - difficulty falling asleep - 'as well as sleep maintenance insomnia,' which interrupts sleep, he adds.

Rising rates of insomnia closely track rising rates of anxiety, which leads to the higher levels of cortisol that interrupt sleep, getting to the bottom of anxiety itself is complicated, says Dr Walker.

'It's somewhat unclear [what drives anxiety rates]. There's more job stress and pressure, but also probably more stress surround finances and family,' he says.

The good news for sleeplessness sufferers is that, for most, the problem does not become chronic, but rather is triggered by those various stressors.

To continue to keep acute insomnia from become a chronic issue, Dr Walker says that 'if there is a known trigger,' like relationship trouble, bereavement, or financial stress, 'try to make sure you deal with it - that is obviously critical - either by talking to friends and getting support.'

He adds that our 'sleep hygiene' leaves something to be desired, as constant light - particularly the blue kind from our television and phone screens - keeps our bodies from winding down into peaceful sleep.A woman who spent her final five years at a Bupa-run care home was treated so badly that death would have been kinder, her daughters said yesterday.

Sarah Ann Matthews, who was 91 when she died, allegedly sustained injuries due to negligence.

The family claims doctors said she looked like shed been in a car crash when she was admitted after breaking her leg in a fall. Among other injuries blamed on her dreadful treatment were burns and blisters.

Mrs Matthews, who had Alzheimers, spent five years up until her death in 2010 at Mersey Parks care home in Toxteth, Liverpool, which at the time was run by Bupa. It has since changed ownership.

Sarah Ann Matthews, who was 91 when she died, allegedly sustained injuries due to negligence at the Bupa home in Liverpool

Mrs Matthews, who was widowed at the age of 38 and had worked all her life, was admitted to the home after she was no longer able to look after herself.

Her daughters, Anne Horsley and Emily Ryan, say they are still haunted by the way she was treated. Mrs Horsley claims on one occasion her mother scalded herself because staff gave her hot tea in a cup instead of a beaker. They say she was left to sleep in tea-stained pyjamas that caused blisters the size of oranges.

Mrs Horsley also claims it took three weeks for staff to notice her mother had broken her arm, and she never found out how that injury occurred. People dont know how bad the quality of care really was and I think they should, she said. Even now, I go to bed and I think about it. Its still upsetting so many years later.

It sounds awful but we wish she would have died before she went in there. What sort of way is that to end your life?

Mrs Horsley added that while she complained to care home staff about the treatment, she didnt take it further because she didnt know how.

She said: I dont want any compensation. I just want people to know what really goes on and how my mother was treated.

Deciding to put your loved one in a care home isnt an easy decision to make and me and my sister visited our mum every single day seven days a week to wash her and feed her.

We couldnt look after her 24/7 so we thought we were doing the right thing. We were so naive.

The sisters spoke up after a damning ombudsman report into a complaint by the family of Lillian Caffery, who died at the same home last year.

Last night Bupa said it had offered to contact the family to discuss their concerns but could not comment on the case because it kept records for only seven years. Bupa still operates around 130 homes across the UK.

The Mails Dignity for the Elderly campaign has highlighted the mistreatment of pensioners in care homes and hospitals.

Legion bug tragedy at 1k a week home

Bupa was branded callous yesterday by the family of a great-grandfather who died from Legionnaires weeks after moving into one of its care homes.

Kenneth Ibbetson, 86, picked up the disease from a tap in his 1,000-a-week room at Hutton Village care home in Brentwood, Essex, in 2015. Bupa faces a big fine at Ipswich Crown Court today after admitting health and safety failings.

Mr Ibbetsons youngest daughter, Caroline Peters, 54, said Bupa had shown no compassion.

They have tried to detract from our fathers death in the most brutal and callous way, she said.

Caroline Peters, Vallerie Manning and Elaine Ward attend the hearing after their father Kenneth Ibbetson died from Legionnaire's disease contracted at a Bupa homeThese are the adorable two-year-old triplets at the center of a landmark 'tug of love' case that could change surrogacy laws forever - pitting a glamorous blonde divorcee against a deaf Georgia postal worker.

The three boys were taken from mom Melissa Cook moments after their 2016 birth despite her protesting that the 52-year-old single father was incapable of raising them and had even wanted one baby aborted to save money.

California native Cook has been battling to win back custody ever since, taking her fight all the way to the US Supreme Court in a bitterly divisive case that could alter US surrogacy laws.

The 49-year-old is the most prominent of several women arguing that surrogacy robs children of their constitutional rights and reduces their birth mothers to the status of 'breeders'.

The three boys at the center of a custody battle were seen for the first time with their father as he picked them from a daycare center in Atlanta

The single father, who works as a mail sorter for the US Postal Service, was photographed collecting his kids by DailyMail.com

The father, identified in court documents only as 'CM' has become embroiled in a bitter custody battle after the surrogate of his children claimed he cannot afford to care for them

CM's sister also claimed in an affadavit that the triplets have been living 'deplorable' conditions in the basement of the home of their invalid parents, aged 78 and 80

'The mother-child relationship is the touchstone and core of all civilized society. It has intrinsic worth and beauty for the child,' says Harold Cassidy, the attorney representing them.

'These contracts are inherently exploitative of the women, create a class of women as breeders, and commodifies the children to be manufactured and sold by a brokerage industry.'

Cook's anguish dates back to summer 2015 when she agreed to give a man known in court documents as CM the chance to be a dad using his sperm and three eggs from an anonymous donor.

Three embryos were transferred into Cook but their $33,000 arrangement took a dark turn when she discovered she would be having triplets.

She claims the intended father - who is deaf, mute and lives with his elderly parents - pressured her to terminate one of the fetuses because he couldn't afford to have three children.

Cook, who has four kids of her own, refused and offered instead to raise one baby herself, only to be told he would rather have the unwanted child adopted by a stranger.

After Cook gave birth in February 2016 all three offspring were taken away, with the courts enforcing the contract in line with California's pro-surrogacy laws.

Melissa Cook, 49, had agreed to carry the child of CM using his sperm and three eggs from an anonymous donor for $33,000 in 2016

Cook, who is already a mother of four, has been fighting for parental rights of the children after CM allegedly pressured her to terminate one of the triplets so that he could save money

Her attempts to win back parental rights have been denied at every legal turn since, despite a series of bombshell claims from CM's own sister that he is 'abusing' the kids.

She claimed in an affidavit last year that the triplets were being forced to live in 'deplorable' conditions in the basement of the home of their invalid parents, aged 78 and 80.

She also alleged that CM suffers from 'serious personality and mental problems', accusations his attorney has subsequently dismissed as 'fake news'.

Blissfully unaware of the legal battles raging around them, the three little boys with angelic faces and virtually identical features, turned two in February.

Their four-bed, $450,000 home in an Atlanta suburb is welcoming and well-maintained with a play park on the opposite side of the street.

The boys are enrolled at a local nursery where CM drops them off each morning before going to work as a mail sorter for the US Postal Service.

Our exclusive photos show the cute, brown-haired youngsters greeting their dad as he returns to collect them.

One boy can been seen tenderly clutching a staff member's hand as they all head outside before being strapped into car seats for the journey home.

'They look like three typical toddlers - boisterous, cute, happy to see dad and without a care in the world,' said an onlooker.

'You would like to think it will stay that way as long as possible in spite of what's going down in the courts.'

The three little boys with angelic faces and virtually identical features, turned two in February

Cook had agreed to carry his child using his sperm and three eggs from an anonymous donor for $33,000 in 2016

What the future holds for the three little boys - referred to as A, B and C in the cold, clinical parlance of the court - remains to be seen.

Cook claims she declined the remaining $19,000 that was owed to her when she learned CM wanted to terminate one of them.

But her two-year fight for parental rights has been stymied almost every step of the way, with Californian courts first ruling that the surrogacy agreement was valid and must be honored.

Federal court judges decided it was matter for the state while as recently as January the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said it lacked the jurisdiction to overturn previous decisions.

Cook's latest move was to petition the US Supreme Court in late April, arguing that states should not promote surrogacy and that the process violates the constitutional rights of children.

'I no longer view surrogacy arrangements in the same favorable light I once did,' she said ahead of a May 16 press conference to publicize the case.

'Children derive a special benefit from their relationship with their mother. What is best for the children is always preeminent.

'When a mother knows that their child is entering into a situation that is not in their best interests or, as in my case, downright detrimental to them, they have a right to object.'

Cook, who has previously acted as a surrogate for a same sex couple, says the heart-wrenching dispute began when she was asked to have a 'selective reduction' by CM.

He insists this was to ensure that two of three children would have a greater chance of being born healthy but Cook alleges the request was prompted by financial reasons.

When she refused, Cook says CM warned her he would hold her liable for any medical complications the children suffered at birth.

Cook's latest move was to petition the US Supreme Court in late April, arguing that states should not promote surrogacy and that the process violates the constitutional rights of children

Cook says in court documents they were taken away from her moments later in the delivery room, violating her rights as a mom

He also complained bitterly about the frequency of her hospital appointments 'draining' his finances, according to court filings.

The feud reached a fraught climax on a Los Angeles maternity ward when the babies were born ten weeks prematurely on February 22, 2016.

Cook says in court documents they were taken away from her moments later in the delivery room, violating her rights as a mom.

Two security guards were deployed by the hospital to make sure she couldn't get near her offspring or find out anything about them.

The children spent three months in the hospital during which time Cook claims CM only visited them on a handful of occasions.

She says staff became so concerned about CM's ability to take care of the babies they ordered him to take parenting classes then flew three nurses back to Georgia with him in April 2016 to verify it was a safe environment for infants.

She also states that CM was reported to the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services over his apparent incompetence and unfitness to care for the three babies.

No charges have ever been ever brought against CM, however, and his attorney insists the complaint was unfounded.

Cook's legal team bolstered their case by obtaining a statement from Melinda Burnett, CM's sister who said that when she first heard about her brother's intention to become a dad she hoped it was a joke.

'I have felt sorry for you for years because I can see how lonely you are. But you have to be happy inside your own skin.

'Children will not "make" you happy,' she is alleged to have told him, according to People.

Burnett went on to say in her affidavit that the children were forced to eat food off the floor and that CM changed their nappies infrequently because he had a 'phobia' about spending money.

She reportedly said her brother was socially awkward, prone to fits of rage, and cruel to animals, claiming he had killed several family pets when he was younger.

Burnett declined to elaborate on her accusations when approached by DailyMail.com.

CM's attorney Robert Walmsley said 56-year-old Burnett was estranged from her parents and brother and had no knowledge of what went on in the household.

Walmsley is also the co-owner of the Californian surrogacy firm, Surrogacy International, that matched Cook with CM and drew up their deal.

He suggested searching questions should instead be asked about the motives of the 'extremist, Far Right' groups that he claims are funding Cook's repeated appeals, as well as a string of similar anti-surrogacy cases.

'It is disturbing to me, it's disturbing to the courts and to the federal district court of appeal, that she would embark on a campaign saying that a single man or someone who is deaf is unfit to have children,' he said.

He added: 'She says she's interested in the care of the children, so why would you take someone who supposedly has limited resources and run them through the ringer again and again and again?

'You are simply depleting his money and preventing him from providing the best care possible economically for the children.'Advertisement

Chinese construction workers have built many a formidable bridges in the most impossible places.

But two bridges have shot to fame in the Far East recently not because of their incredible lengths or heights, but their high-tech multi-media spectacles.

The Nanhu Bridge in north-east China and the Xiaolongwan Bridge in eastern China have become a traffic showstopper in their respective city with their rhythmic water waves and artistic neon lights.

Spectacular show: The Nanhu Bridge (pictured) in Changchun, China, has become a popular attraction due to its light show

Dramatic: The 492ft long traffic link is fitted with 280 water sprinklers and 560 LED lights to create an artistic impression

Popular: Throngs of residents flock to the Nanhu Bridge as they wait to see the spectacle that goes on every weekend

The 492ft (150m) long, 84.6ft (25.8m) wide Nanhu Bridge is located in downtown Changchun, the provincial capital of Jilin Province.

Equipped with 280 water sprinklers and 560 LED lights on the two sides, it has become a popular tourist attraction since mid-April with throngs of people flocking to enjoy the dramatic digital display during the weekend, according to Changchun Evening News.

Earlier this month, footage of the Nanhu Bridge show became trending on Chinese video platforms, such as Bili Bili, as viewers praise the creativity of the bridge engineers.

The recently complete Nanhu Bridge took four months to construct. It is built on the site of an earlier bridge which was demolished in June.

The old Nanhu Bridge, complete in 1978, was blown up in just 3.5 seconds in a controlled explosion on June 11 last year.

The management now runs three shows at night every Saturday and Sunday on the new bridge. An observation deck has also been purposely built on each side of the bridge to accommodate the audience.

Surreal: The Xiaolongwan Bridge (pictured) in Nanjing, China, is another bridge that has wowed the public with its neon lights

Extraordinary: Situated in an ancient capital, the 3,490ft long traffic link is seven times longer than the Nanhu Bridge

Breath-taking: Residents in Nanjing's Jiangning District say the Xiaolongwan Bridge makes them feel proud of living here

The Xiaolongwan Bridge in east China stole the show from its northern brother this week as videos of its neon lights flooded the social media.

Crossing the Qinhuai River in the Chinese ancient capital of Nanjing, the 3,490ft (1,064m) long Xiaolongwan Bridge is seven times longer than the Nanhu Bridge. It's fitted with 108 water sprinkles and is situated in the Jiangning District.

Engineers have also installed four large digital screens and a neon-lit passageway measuring 492ft (150m) long to make its light show even more spectacular.

'I love Jiangning': Four large digital screens are installed on the Xiaolongwan Bridge to display slogans about the city

Going green: The Xiaolongwan Bridge in Nanjing puts on beautiful colour after the nightfall lighting up jets of water

Splendid: After building many bridges in difficult locations, Chinese engineers have started creating amazing bridge shows

The Chinese residents are loving their new bridge feature.

A Changchun resident, known by her surname Li, couldn't hold her excitement over the new Nanhu Bridge.

Ms Li told Changchun Evening News: 'I remember in the past, if I went to enjoy the views on the bridge, I would do it very quickly.'

She then added: 'After I saw so many beautiful pictures of the new Nanhu Bridge, I think I will visit it when I have time.'

Commenting on the Xiaolongwan Bridge, one local known as 'YRESTRELLA' said online: 'This is fantastic. I feel so happy to be a Jiangning resident.'

While another resident known as 'Cappuccino--yy' said the bridge has made Nanjing even more beautiful before adding that the show is now so popular that there are simply to many people on the bridge.The billionaire Koch bothers declared war on Trump's trade tariffs on Monday after the President imposed steep levies on foreign aluminium and steel.

Groups backed by the powerful Republican donors said they will champion free trade with a multimillion-dollar campaign.

The move comes ahead of the November congressional elections when Democrats hope to overturn Republican majorities in both houses of Congress.

David (left) and Charles Koch declared war on Trump's tariffs on Monday as groups backed by the pair announced a multi-million dollar campaign to promote free trade

Charles and David Koch made their position clear as Trump pursues aggressive measures against trading partners from China to Canada and U.S. allies in Europe, in line with promises made during his campaign.

An infusion of money into media, grassroots mobilization, lobbying and policy analysis into the domestic debate on free trade could embolden Republican candidates in the November congressional elections to part ways with the President.

Republican lawmakers, already grumbling about some of Trump's trade initiatives, outright condemned the Commerce Department announcement last week on impending tariffs on steel imports and aluminum to be imposed on the European Union, Canada and Mexico.

In a statement, the Koch-backed groups said they would push Trump to lift those steel and aluminum tariffs, the recent tariffs on solar panels and washing machines as well the proposed tariffs for imports from China.

'The Trump administration has taken some incredibly positive steps for the American economy, but tariffs will undercut that progress and needlessly hamstring our full economic potential,' said Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity, a Koch advocacy group.

The groups said they would advocate that Trump reduce or eliminate trade barriers by modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and returning to the negotiating table on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Last week Trump imposed steep tariffs on foreign aluminium and steel, prompting retaliatory moves from Canada, Mexico and the EU

Congress should abolish farm subsidies on crops, commodities and crop insurance and end subsidies for green energy as well as repeal the 'buy America' requirement and the Jones Act, which requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on ships that are domestically owned.

The Koch-funded Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce and the LIBRE Initiative are also involved in the initiative.

The billionaire Koch brothers have been a force in American politics since the 1980s. Their influence has largely been powered by a fortune centered on Koch Industries, the second-largest privately held company in the United States with annual revenues of more than $115 billion from interests in energy, chemicals and other sectors.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, the Kochs kept their distance from Trump. Charles Koch spoke out against Trump's proposed Muslim registry, invoking a comparison to Nazi Germany.

The Koch network did not actively campaign against Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primary or pour money into his campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton. By contrast, the Koch network spent more than $120 million in the unsuccessful 2012 effort to defeat President Barack Obama.

After the 2016 election, however, the Kochs found common ground with the new Republican president on issues including rolling back federal regulations and pulling out of the Paris global climate accord.

'This campaign makes a clear statement: Trade is a major priority for our network. We will work aggressively to educate policymakers and others about the facts,' said James Davis, executive vice president of Freedom Partners. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Caren Bohan; editing by Jonathan Oatis)Fire engineer Rhett Larsen, 39, of Oregon was killed after he crashed into a bear Saturday

An off-duty Oregon firefighter was killed as he was driving his motorcycle on a highway and crashed into a large bear.

The horrific accident took place Saturday evening when Rhett Larsen, 39, struck a bear that suddenly ran onto the highway, causing the firefighter to fly off his motorcycle and slam into a Ford SUV driving in the opposite direction.

The SUV then veered off the road after the hit and rolled onto its side.

Larsen, from Bend, was pronounced dead at the scene at Highway 26 near Warm Springs, according to CBS.

The bear also died in the accident and the female driver of the SUV was flown to a hospital with undisclosed injuries.

The highway was closed for nearly six hours in light of the accident.

The Bend Fire Department lamented his passing on Facebook on Sunday, praising the fire engineer as a 'respected leader'.

ire engineer Rhett Larsen, 39, of Oregon was killed after he crashed into a bear on Saturday

The crash took place here along Highway 26 near Warm Springs near milepost 80

He was a 16-year veteran of the Bend Fire Department and was first hired in 2002 as a firefighter/paramedic and then promoted to fire engineer in the fall of 2016.

The department released a statement saying: 'He was a creative soul with a compassionate heart, an intelligent and well-loved team player. Rhett lived life to the fullest, and he loved his work as a firefighter/paramedic'.

Larsen was a father and husband is is survived by his family.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support his family.

The firefighter was on his motorcycle when the bear ran onto the highway and crashed into him, sending him flying off his bike and crashing into an SUV driving in the opposite direction, pictured above with familyAdvertisement

A former brothel has sold for over $1.3 million to a generous father who plans to gift the five-bedroom bargain to his children.

The quirky new home on 124 George Street in Redfern will be their first, with the new owners aged in their 20s set to move in soon.

Spa baths and mirrors in the bedrooms and a safe hidden in the lounge room floor, are reminders of the property's more sordid past.

A former Redfern brothel has sold for over $1.3 million to a generous father who plans to gift the five-bedroom bargain to his children

The quirky new home on 124 George Street will be their first, with the new owners aged in their 20s set to move in soon

The original written reserve had been $1.4 million, with a low clearance rate of 52.09 per cent, according to CoreLogic auctions analyst Kevin Brogan.

The Castle Cove dad put in a $1.2 million bid: the only bidder out of two registered attendees to place a bid.

The property's size and potential in a recently gentrified area of inner-city Sydney would have made the offer a bargain had it been accepted.

Despite efforts from Belle Property Surry Hills principal and auctioneer Mark Foy to encourage bidding, the only other interested party - a young couple with a bull terrier - never showed their hand.

Spa baths and mirrors in the bedrooms and a safe hidden in the lounge room floor, are reminders of the property's more sordid past

The original written reserve had been $1.4 million, with a low clearance rate of 52.09 per cent, according to CoreLogic auctions analyst Kevin Brogan

Negotiating behind closed doors was needed to get the deal done as the agents convinced the vendor to drop his reserve to $1.35 million.

When the father upped his offer to $1.25 million, the young couple made their first offer of $1.26 million, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

Offers continued with a range of $5,000, $1,000, and $2,000 and at one point the reserve dropped to $1.3 million.

The agents even negotiated a different settlement date.

The original written reserve had been $1.4 million, with a low clearance rate of 52.09 per cent, according to CoreLogic auctions analyst Kevin Brogan

The property's size and potential in a recently gentrified area of inner-city Sydney would have made the original $1.2 million offer a bargain had it been accepted

Offers continued with a range of $5,000, $1,000, and $2,000 and at one point the reserve dropped to $1.3 million

Negotiating behind closed doors was needed to get the deal done as the agents convinced the vendor to drop his reserve to $1.35 millionEssex Police head Stephen Kavanagh

A chief constable has attacked the court system after a thug who injured an officer while high on cocaine escaped with just a 20 fine.

Essex Police head Stephen Kavanagh spoke out after PC Chris Daves was left with a fractured wrist, forcing him to swap front-line work for desk duties.

He said: I ask my officers to run into danger and it is disappointing to say the least when that risk is not recognised.

His comments came after PC Daves complained at the sentence handed out to martial arts fan Jamie Polkinghorn, 27, by Southend magistrates following his arrest after an alleged domestic violence incident in the town.

The defendant admitted resisting arrest on May 4 but was not charged for any drugs offence.

PC Daves argued: He probably spent more on cocaine that night than he had to pay in fines.

'I got him into cuffs but he pushed against me and it was during the melee that I hurt my hand which was later diagnosed as a wrist fracture, an injury Ive had before.

Its had a massive impact on me personally.

'Ive been left unable to drive as Ive been in a cast and its stopped me from doing things with my kids, not to mention the impact its had on my work life.

He added: As police officers we go out and put ourselves in danger and peril to protect the public and the courts arent even backing us up.

'I feel incredibly let down and unsupported by them.

On May 16 magistrates were told Polkinghorn was previously given a conditional discharge and told to pay costs and compensation totalling 150 in 2013 after admitting the racially aggravated harassment of a parking officer.

Southend Magistrates Court, where martial arts fan Jamie Polkinghorn - who injured an officer while high on cocaine - escaped with just a 20 fine

The tattoo artist had a string of other minor offences.

But he was handed only the fine, plus an order to pay a 30 victim surcharge and 200 compensation, after pleading guilty to the latest offence.

Polkinghorn was not available yesterday. But a man who answered the phone at the address where he is listed said: I thought all that was dealt with last month.

Essex Police Federation chairman Steve Taylor said: What kind of deterrent did the bench think this sentence would send?

In December it emerged just one in three convictions for violence ends in a jail term.

Peter Cuthbertson, who wrote a report for the Civitas think tank, said: It shows that only an unlucky minority of violent and non-violent offenders get a prison sentence. Prison is actually very hard to get in to.The couple, inset, have invested in Ethic, set up in 2015 with two Australian friends by Briton Jay Lipman, right, who went to a 37,000-a-year private school in Epsom before moving to New York to work for Deutsche Bank after a gap year where he travelled through India and developed a passion for tuk-tuk racing. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Jay's mother Mayrilyn, 70, who is divorced from his father, said her rugby-mad son was a successful Wall Street banker living a 'lavish' life in New York before moving to California to launch the start-up after telling her he was 'very disgruntled at the fat cats getting fatter'. She revealed she was in the dark about the Sussexes investing in his $1.3billion fund and said: 'I knew something big was happening, but I had no idea that Harry and Meghan were getting involved'. Mrs Lipman, who describes herself as an 'ardent Royalist' revealed that Jay, 33 was introduced to Harry and Meghan more than a year ago in New York through friends. He then continued to meet the Sussexes as a personal and professional relationship developed with them and even visited them at their home in Montecito, California. She said: 'There's great banter between Jay and Harry because they have very similar interests'. Jay's tree surgeon brother, Stef, 37, (left with their mother) who with his younger sibling bears more than a striking resemblance to Prince Harry, revealed: 'Jay and I have always been into nature, saving animals and saving the planet. I would describe myself as a tree hugger, but Jay doesn't have time to hug trees. But he has a huge passion for life, and it would be accurate to say he's a fun-loving hippie banker. He might not say it himself but that's what he is.'A shark has ripped a chunk out of a kitesurfer's board in a terrifying attack - and left its tooth embedded in the fibreglass.

The pictures of the damaged surfboard were first shared on Instagram by the kitesurfer's friend, Rob Rye with the caption: 'Ohhhh la la, Interaction with ocean critters!'

It's believed the incident occurred off Flat Rock in the northern NSW town of Ballina on Sunday.

Social media reports claim the kitesurfer involved in the attack thought he ran over a turtle but later realised the back of his board was missing.

The pictures of the damaged surfboard were first shared on Instagram by the kitesurfer's friend, Rob Rye with the caption: 'Ohhhh la la, Interaction with ocean critters!'

The shark ripped a chunk out of a kitesurfer's board in a terrifying attack and left its tooth in it

The kitesurfer (pictured) compares the size of the shark tooth to his toe after the incident near Flat Rock in the northern NSW town of Ballina

One of the images shared on Instagram is of the surfer comparing the size of the shark tooth to his toe.

The other image shows the shark tooth embedded in the surfboard.

The images gained attention after Mocean Media House owner Ryan Kenny also shared the images to his own Instagram account.

Another comment on the post claims that this is the second incident where a surfer has been lucky with the shark biting their board and not them.

Ballina police have made contact with the surfer after the images were widely shared on Facebook, The Northern Star reported.

The surfboard and the tooth were handed over to the Department of Primary Industries for the identification of the shark species and size.A poster has been put up in a Queensland town attacking backpackers of non-European decent.

The notice, which was found on the shop window of a store in the town's CBD reads: 'Ayr is a backpacker-free zone.

'So unless you are of northern European decent, speak English and you are not a thot or a degenerate.

'F**k off because you are not welcome here.'

A racist poster telling backpackers they're unwelcome has been found in Ary (pictured)

The word 'thot' is misogynistic slang used to criticise promiscuous women.

The poster has been widely condemned by the community with Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin calling it 'vile.'

'We wholeheartedly welcome backpackers to our region, not only for the crucial work they do in our horticultural industries but for the cultural diversity they add to our community,' Cr McLaughlin said in a statement.

'I am appalled by the vile messaging in this poster. The person or persons responsible should hang their heads in shame.

'The poster is certainly not in keeping with the friendly and welcoming nature of our community, which celebrates cultural diversity. Our cultural diversity makes the Burdekin a great place to live and enriches our way of life.'

The anti-backpacker poster is the latest in a string of racist posters in Australia in recent months

The community has condemned the poster, with mayor Lyn McLaughlin calling it 'vile'

In Sydney anti-Asian posters were found outside a busy shopping centre that called for an end to immigration amongst other things. It is unknown who put them up.

Anonymous neo-Nazi group Antipodean Resistance have also continued their campaigns by putting up stickers in Toowomba and Bathursts, in Victoria.

It is unclear if they were responsible for the anti-backpacker poster.

Police are investigating and would like anyone with information to contact them.The family of a woman who drowned in the basement of a hotel during Hurricane Harvey has filed a lawsuit, calling her death 'horrific' and 'preventable'.

Jill Renick's body was found wedged in the basement ceiling at the Omni Houston Hotel 11 days after she disappeared during the hurricane on August 27, 2017.

Renick, 48, was the director of spa services at the hotel and had been staying on the third floor during the hurricane, which killed at least 107 people.

Before her death, Renick had made a frantic cell phone call from the hotel elevator to the front desk, begging for help.

Renick's family have filed a civil lawsuit against Omni Hotels and Resorts and Otis Elevator company, claiming neither did enough to protect guests and employees.

The family of Jill Renick, who drowned in the basement of Omni Houston Hotel during Hurricane Harvey, has filed a lawsuit calling her death 'horrific' and 'preventable'

The lawsuit has revealed new horrific details about what happened to Renick on the day she died.

It states that Renick 'suffered a terrifying and horrific death' that was 'unnecessary and easily preventable'.

'It's just inexcusable for a hotel operation of this size to be that irresponsible,' said Rob Crain, the lead attorney for the family.

The fate of Renick was one of the most perplexing mysteries that came out of Harvey's devastating flooding.

She disappeared in the early morning hours as floodwaters inundated Houston. Her body was finally discovered on September 7 in the ceiling of the hotel's basement.

'I don't want this to happen to anybody again - employee or guest,' said Renick's sister, Pam Eslinger.

Renick's body was found wedged in the basement ceiling at the hotel 11 days after she disappeared during the hurricane in August 2017

Renick, 48, was the director of spa services at Omni Houston Hotel (pictured) and had been staying on the third floor during the hurricane, which killed at least 107 people

Renick, who spent the night with her dog in a room on the hotel's third floor, was called by a staffer around 5.15am and told to 'come downstairs,' Crain said.

'We've asked for more specificity as to what she was told and we were told that that's pretty much it: that she was told to come downstairs,' Crain said.

The third floor does not have access to the service elevator, so Renick would have likely had to access it from the first or second floors.

The lawsuit said there's no indication Renick was told the basement and elevator shafts were flooding, or that she was told to avoid the elevators.

Elevators also weren't disabled amid the flooding, nor were they barricaded to prevent people from entering.

'She was not given any indication that anything was remiss or dangerous for her to go downstairs,' Crain said.

'There was not a coordinated plan that was being implemented.'

The lawsuit said there's no indication Renick was told the basement and elevator shafts were flooding, or that she was told to avoid the elevators. Pictured is flooding at the hotel lobby

Renick's family claims that the hotel was already well aware the basement was flooding and that surveillance footage shows floodwaters coming in at 4.46am

Renick's family claims that the hotel was already well aware the basement was flooding and that surveillance footage shows floodwaters coming in at 4.46am.

In that time period, people who appear to be hotel employees can be seen on the video walking through the accumulating water in the basement.

'Not only was there ample warning of heavy rain accompanying Hurricane Harvey, the Omni knew their basement was flooding that morning,' Crain told KPRC.

'It is unconscionable to leave the elevators operating, to not barricade around the elevators to prevent their use and to not warn Jill and the other guests of this life-threatening danger. In a flood, elevators are death traps.'

Renick made the call for help around 5.40am, telling the front desk that she was trapped in the basement service elevator and that water was coming in.

Employees could not locate Renick and were not able to raise the elevator due to the rising water and power outage.

Hurricane Harvey caused $125million worth of damage in the US and was the first major hurricane to make landfall in the US since 2005

Meanwhile, guests and employees on the first floor could hear Renick 'screaming and clamoring for help'.

Renick was somehow able to exit the elevator into the basement. Video footage provided by the hotel to her family's attorneys shows her coming from the area of the service elevator at 5.44am.

'We see her going against the flow of the floodwaters. We also see her shortly thereafter coming back with the flow of the water,' said Crain.

'It is clearly somebody who is trying to find a way out of this horribly terrifying condition.'

The video ends at 5.45am and Renick isn't seen alive again.

'She knew she had to find air and oxygen and presumably that's why she climbed p the ceiling tiles to get to the last amount of air,' Crain said.

'I cannot even think about putting myself in her shoes at that point and time. Must have been just horrific.'

Hurricane Harvey caused at least 107 confirmed deaths. It is tied with Hurricane Katrina as the costliest tropical cyclone on record

Omni Hotel and Resorts, located near the Buffalo Bayou, has a history of flooding and is located in a flood plain, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also alleges that Otis Elevator, which had a contract with the hotel to maintain and service the elevators, should've installed flood sensors and warned users of the dangers of operating an elevator in flooding.

Spokeswomen for both Omni and Otis said they don't comment on pending litigation.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration in February fined the hotel for a violation, saying that the elevators being kept operational during flooding exposed employees to drowning.

Omni is currently undergoing a $30million renovation and is set to reopen in November.

Eslinger described her sister as the kind of person who 'everybody gravitated to.'

'She was wonderful,' Eslinger said. 'And she's missed terribly every day.'Todd Fisher has opened up about the complicated relationship between 'his girls' - his mother Debbie and sister Carrie - in a brand new memoir.

Fisher describes the book, My Girls: A Lifetime With Carrie and Debbie, as a 'long love letter and thank-you note to the two most pivotal, extraordinary women I've ever known.'

In it he talks about the last time he saw Carrie alive before her unexpected death in 2016 - and losing his mother Debbie the following day after she 'willed herself' to die so his sister wasn't alone.

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Todd Fisher has opened up about the complicated relationship between 'his girls' - his mother Debbie and sister Carrie - in a brand new memoir (L-R: Todd Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher and Carrie's daughter Billie Lourd at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2015)

Fisher describes the book, My Girls: A Lifetime With Carrie and Debbie, as a 'long love letter and thank-you note to the two most pivotal, extraordinary women I've ever known'

Despite their frequent bickering and sometimes tense relationship, he said his mother and sister were incredibly close. So much so that when Carrie died, Debbie didn't so much die of a broken heart, but had refused to let her daughter go into the afterlife alone.

'The common theory about Mom's passing was that, after losing Carrie, Debbie Reynolds died of a broken heart,' he wrote.

'Take it from the son who was there, who knew her better than anyone else on earth  that's simply not true.

'Debbie Reynolds willed herself right off this planet to personally see to it that Carrie would never be alone.'

He added his mother had never wanted Carrie to be alone - even his birth was as a companion to her daughter. After her daughter's death she told him: 'I want to be with Carrie.'

'That had been her driving force all of Carrie's life, including having me so that Carrie wouldn't be an only child, and it continued to be her driving force when Carrie left.

Debbie died following a stroke on December 28, the day after Carrie.

Despite their frequent bickering and sometimes tense relationship, he said his mother and sister were incredibly close. Above Reynolds is pictured with her daughter in 2011 in Los Angeles

When Carrie died, Debbie didn't so much die of a broken heart, but had refused to let her daughter go into the afterlife alone, Todd Fisher said (pictured, L-R: Todd Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher and their half sister Joely Fisher in 2010)

Through the years, Reynolds and her daughter's relationship was rocky, but they had recently become close as they lived right next door to each other in Los Angeles.

He shared that their relationship was a 'magical' love story that had 'many ups and downs, but not at the heart level.'

F isher described the last time he spoke to Carrie face-to-face before her death at her 60th birthday party. The event summed up the complicated mother-daughter relationship the two actresses shared.

His 84-year-old mother, who had suffered a stroke the previous year, had been planning a huge event for Carrie's birthday - against her daughter's wishes.

'Mom was so excited, not just to be orchestrating something very important for Carrie but also to be waking up every morning with a purpose for the first time since her stroke,' Fisher wrote.

'Carrie, in the meantime, wanted absolutely no part of it. She was busy in London filming Star Wars: The Last Jedi, on top of which her book The Princess Diarist was being released. There was no way she was going to squeeze in a quick round-trip from London to L.A. for a birthday party she hadn't asked for in the first place.'

Todd Fisher said that he 'didn't shed a tear' when his father Eddie Fisher (pictured with Debbie and Carrie in 1956) his and Carrie's father, died in 2010 because of the pain he'd caused to his loves ones

Eddie had left Debbie for Elizabeth Taylor in 1959 in a huge scandal of the time, leaving her two raise their two children (Eddie with Debbie, Carrie and Todd as young children)

Debbie, in her 1950s heyday, was notoriously unlucky in love according to her son

Fisher said he was on his mom's side, and didn't 'give a rat's a**' how inconvenient it was for Carrie - he knew all the work Debbie had put and how devastated she'd be if Carrie didn't turn up.

He described the argument with his sister, who came accusing him of always taking their mother's side.

'Typical Todd, doing Mom's bidding, and to hell with what anyone else wants or feels,' she told him, according to the book.

He admitted in another part of the book that he and his mother 'adored each other' and had always had an incredibly close relationship. He even tried to open a museum for Hollywood memorabilia collection which was auctioned off for millions.

In the end, Debbie won and Carrie flew back to LA for the party thrown in her honor in November 2016, although Fisher said she spent most of her time in her bedroom, occasionally wandering through the house to greet guests before heading back to her room.

'Finally it was just Carrie and me, alone in the house, after an evening of paying little or no attention to each other. I was surprised to see that she was in tears. 'I can't do this,' she said. 'I can't have this tension between us.'

Fisher wrote that his sister had regretted coming clean about her affair with Star Wars costar Harrison Ford (pictured on the set of Star Wars: Episode V)

Carrie had kept mum about the three month affair until 2016 (Harrison and Carrie together in 2002)

'She went on to talk about the fact that a day would come when Mom would be gone, when it would be just the two of us, and we were going to need each other more than we ever had in our lives.

'Carrie was my girl, and no matter how much we fought or how p***ed off we might get at each other, nothing would or could ever change that. 'We're good,' I said.'

That would be the final face-to-face conversation Fisher would ever have with his sister, who had bi-polar disorder. The next time he saw her, she was on life support.

Carrie had written about her affair for the first time in her 2016 autobiography 'The Princess Diarist'

The following month, Carrie had been on a transatlantic flight from London to Los Angeles when she suffered a medical emergency. She died in hospital four days later on December 27, 2016.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office listed drug use as a factor in the Star Wars icon's death.

Her brother, like Carrie herself, was candid about her struggle with drug addiction.

'She was self-medicating,' Fisher, 60, said. 'That's what was keeping her in balance. The idea that, at any moment, she could lose control was always a real threat.'

He said that he had brought Carrie to the emergency room on several occasions for drug overdoses in the past.

The actor, director and now author said his mother had been beside herself when she learned that Carrie had been taken for autopsy as the idea of her being alone and dissected by 'some stranger was abhorrent to Mom.'

Fisher also wrote about his sister's regret at coming clean about her affair with Star Wars costar Harrison Ford.

Carrie had written about her affair for the first time in her 2016 autobiography 'The Princess Diarist'.

She revealed that they had a whirlwind three-month-long, drink-sozzled, drug-addled affair while filming the first Star Wars movie at Elstree studios in Hertforshire in 1976. She was an innocent of 19 and Ford a 33-year-old married father of two.

Stronger together: Debbie Reynolds with Carrie and Todd in 1960 on left, and in 1989 on right)

'It was so intense,' she said. 'It was Han and Leia during the week, and Carrie and Harrison during the weekend.'

Carrie, who had kept mum about the affair until 2016, described their first night together while he was still married to his college sweetheart Mary Marquardt.

'I was so inexperienced, but I trusted something about him. He was kind.'

Fisher said that Debbie had no clue about her daughter's affair before she wrote the book and had been against her sharing it.

Carrie later agreed, telling Debbie: ''You're right, I shouldn't have told that story.'

The book also offers a glimpse into the Fishers' incredibly privileged family life.

Carrie and Todd grew up in a household with servants, where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton would pop round for cocktails and where the frequent parties were so lavish, elephants were brought in to transport guests.

But the glamorous lifestyle came to an abrupt end when they discovered Debbie Fisher's second husband Harry Karl, had been stealing her money and frittering it away on a gambling habit.

Fisher, who is now the only surviving child of Reynolds with her first husband Eddie Fisher, said the family is 'happy' that his mother is reunited with Carrie. Above he is pictured with Carrie and her daughter Billie in 2015

Carrie Fisher, pictured in When Harry Met Sally, was very open about her struggle with drugs

And Karl wasn't the only one of Debbie's husbands that fell short.

Todd Fisher said that he 'didn't shed a tear' when his father Eddie Fisher, his and Carrie's father, died in 2010 because of the pain he'd caused to his loves ones.

Eddie had left Debbie for Elizabeth Taylor in 1959 in a huge scandal of the time, leaving her two raise their two children, and was a 'virtual stranger' to his kids when they were growing up, according to the memoir.

And despite popping in and out of their lives as adults, he never quite forgave his father after he 'deeply, deeply hurt both my girls (his mother and sister).'

Todd Fisher was keen to defend his mother's poor taste in men however, saying that no one 'worked harder, tried harder, and loved harder than she did.'

'But she kept getting deceived and robbed blind by men she cared for so much, deeply trusted, and treated with nothing but kindness and respect until the truth of who they really were became unavoidable.'

He also revealed the one true love of Debbie's life; actor Robert Wagner.

In the book, he described how the Singing in the Rain star would sometimes become confused after her stroke.

On one occasion, she told Fisher's wife Cat that Wagner - who she dated before Eddie Fisher - was coming to visit her and she wanted to confess something.

'I want him to know that I'm in love with him.  I've held this in my whole life, and it's high time I say something, don't you think?'

There was no visit from Wagner and Debbie died without ever confessing her love for the actor.

My Girls: A Lifetime With Carrie and Debbie is published on Tuesday.A former marine accused of plotting a Christmas Day terror attack on Pier 39 in San Francisco has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Everitt Aaron Jameson, 26, was sentenced as a part of a plea deal in federal court on Monday.

He pleaded guilty to attempting to aid a terrorist organization, his defense attorney Charles Lee said to the SFGate.com.

Jameson, a father to two young children, was discharged from the Marines after he suffered an allergic reaction to a bee sting and for failing to disclose that he had a history of asthma in 2009.

Everitt Aaron Jameson, 26, was sentenced to 15 years behind bars Monday as a part of a plea deal after he was accused of plotting a Christmas Day terror attack on Pier 39 in San Francisco

It was soon after that his lawyer Lee says 'his personal life began to spiral out of control'.

He converted to Islam and began to post radical messages online. He also got into an incident with his wife where she attacked him with a knife and she was arrested. Jameson also eventually lost custody of his children.

Being isolated from the Marines and his family led him towards plotting the terror attack.

Alarm was raised when he began to post suspicious things on Facebook and liked and loved pro-Islamic and pro-terrorism posts on September 19, 2017.

Undercover agents then began to contact him and one even met with him to talk about plans for a potential attack. During an in person meeting with an undercover FBI agent Jameson suggested an attack at Pier 39.

'Jameson specifically named Pier 39 in San Francisco as a target location because he had been there before and knew that it was a heavily crowded area and that according to Jameson, no reconnaissance or site survey would be necessary,' affidavit documents stated.

Jameson was discharged from the Marines in 2009. Soon afterwards he converted to Islam and later he lost custody of his two young children, setting him on a dark path towards plotting the attack

He is accused of planning the attack for Christmas Day at Pier 39 in San Francisco which is a popular tourist destination, a restaurant on the pier pictured above

Despite planning the attack he told an undercover FBI agent he couldn't go through with it. He was arrested after the FBI raided his home in December 2017

Jameson, a tow truck driver from Modesto, California, was arrested in December 2017 after the FBI raided his home and found a handwritten letter confessing to committing acts against non-Muslims. A second envelope held his 'last will and testament'.

They also found two rifles, a pistol, ammunition and fireworks but his lawyer said they were legally purchased and registered to his stepfather.

The arms were also locked in a cabinet that was inaccessible to Jameson.

'Its understandable, at the time, that he was very distraught and emotional and very susceptible to certain suggestions. Hes in a different place now that theres some distance from those events,' Lee said.

In talks with an undercover FBI agent two days prior to his arrest he said he could no longer go through with the terror plot saying, 'I also dont think I can do this after all. Ive reconsidered.'

When the undercover agent said 'We can only do Allahs will' he reportedly responded saying: 'Inshallah (God willing) one day I can. But I cant.'

'At the end of the day, he told the undercover (informant) that he thought it over and he couldnt go through with it. But at the same time, Mr. Jameson is taking accountability for what he did agree to at one point,' Lee said.

If he had gone to trial, he would have served 40 years in prison.

'Hes at peace with his decision at this point. He hopes to get out and spend time with his family. Whats driving him right now is his thoughts of his family,' he added on Jameson's prison sentence.Police are looking for a man on an arrest warrant, who allegedly kidnapped his ex-partner after assaulting a man in the Lismore area.

Missing woman, Hannah Scofield, 23, has been found safely by police. Her alleged kidnapper, Leon Edward King, 28, is still on the loose.

Mr King was last seen around two in the morning, in the East Ballina area.

On Friday, at about 11.20am, a 28-year-old man was assaulted in Rous Street Goonellabah, in the Lismore area by another male.

Hannah Scofield, 23, has been recovered safely by police overnight after desperate attempts to locate the young woman

The alleged victim was taken to Lismore hospital with head injuries and police established a crime scene.

The police have two outstanding warrants for Mr King.

Mr King has been described as Aboriginal/Torres Strait Island appearance, approximately 185cm to 190cm tall, of a large build, with black hair, with a black beard and moustache.

Police wish to speak to Mr King following the alleged kidnapping and alleged assault.

Police have urged to report any information or sightings of Mr King to Triple Zero (000) immediately. As the alleged attacker is dangerous, do not approach him police said.

Police are looking for Leon Edward King (pictured), 28, after he allegedly kidnapped his ex-partner, following a violent assault in the Lismore area of New South WalesAriana Grande has revealed the Manchester Arena bombing has left her with PTSD and she doesn't think she'll ever be able to talk about it without bursting into tears.

The pop star had just finished performing on stage in on May 22 last year when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device, killing 22 people.

Grande, 24, has now told British Vogue about coping with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder following the attack.

Ariana Grande has revealed the Manchester Arena bombing has left her with PTSD. Pictured: The singer performs on stage during the One Love Manchester remembrance Concert at Old Trafford

The singer said she doesn't think she'll ever be able to talk about the attack without bursting into tears. Pictured: The US star wipes away a tear after the tribute concert last year

She said. 'It's hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss. But, yeah, it's a real thing.

'I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well.

'I check in with Millie [Robson, 15 at the time, left with shrapnel in her legs] often on Twitter.

'Almost every word brings fresh tears.'

'Time is the biggest thing. I feel like I shouldn't even be talking about my own experience - like I shouldn't even say anything.

'I don't think I'll ever know how to talk about it and not cry.'

The pop star spoke about the bombing during an interview with British Vogue. She's due to feature on the cover next month

She told the magazine: 'It's hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss. But, yeah, it's a real thing'

The star looks unrecognisable in her new shoot, with her hair blonde and loose over her shoulders and minimal make-up

Grande features on the cover of the July 2018 issue of the magazine.

The star looks unrecognisable, with her hair blonde and loose over her shoulders and minimal make-up.

Last month Grande revealed a tattoo tribute to the victims of the bombing. She shared a picture of a bee inked behind her left ear, alongside the caption 'forever', which was accompanied by a cloud emoji.

The worker bee is an emblem for Manchester, symbolising the city's industrial past.

See the full feature in the July issue of Vogue, available for digital download now and on newsstands on Friday 8th June. To subscribe and receive exclusive covers visit www.vogue.co.uk/subscribe.Woolworths' chief executive has hit out at critics claiming the company would try and profiteer from the banning of single use plastic bags at supermarkets.

Woolworths group chief executive Brad Banducci said clearing 3.4 billion plastic bags from the business would be a 'headache' - not a source of extra revenue.

'One of the things that actually upset me a little bit at the time was there was sort of an innuendo that we will profiteer, because we will be charging for a 15c or 99c bag,' he said.

Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci (pictured) has hit out at critics who claim the company would try and profiteer from the banning of single use plastic bags at supermarkets

'Actually [with] the incremental amount of time in store to actually service the customer, certainly it is not a profit driver and we never did it as a profit driver. We did it to do the right thing.'

Mr Banducci made the comments during a sustainability event held at the company's Bella Vista headquarters where Woolworths announced it would also phase out plastic straws by the end of 2018.

His statements came after the company announced it will phase out single use plastic bags ten days earlier than its competitors.

Instead, Woolworths will encourage customers to bring their own bags or pay 15 cents per thicker, reusable plastic bag.

Woolworths will also offer canvas bags for 99 cents each.

Other retailers at the sustainability event believe that it is now time for the Federal Government to follow the lead of large retailers who have banned plastic bags

Mr Banducci also spoke about the 'complex balance' of phasing out plastic from fruit and vegetables while also keeping them fresh, news.com.au reported.

Throwing out fruit and vegetables because their wasn't plastic would create a 'false economy' he said, because the use of plastic only makes up '10% of the energy' used to produce fruit and vegetables.

'Very important for us is the journey of taking plastic out of fruit and veg, we know our customers dont like it, we do however know that theres a complex trade-off between keeping the product fresh and [reducing] plastic,' he said.

Other retailers at the sustainability event believe that it is now time for the Federal Government to follow the lead of large retailers who have banned plastic bags.

Harris Farm Markets CEO Angus Harris said his company moved over to paper bags which was received well by 'most' of his customer base and it was time for federal legislation to follow.The lover of an Instagram-obsessed bikie has defended his fighting prowess in an online rant - after he was mocked over a 'pathetic' KFC car park brawl.

Burly former Hells Angel enforcer Ben 'Notorious' Geppert, 26, was filmed allegedly brawling with another man outside a fast food restaurant in Robina, Queensland.

But few blows connected and the men were teased online, with people joking 'the Range Rover was the only one to get a hit in'.

In an online rant, newly bailed Allaina Vader (above) said a viral video allegedly showing her boyfriend Ben Geppert in a violent scuffle had been 'edited'

Ben Geppert and another man were allegedly filmed scuffling at the carpark for KFC, Robina, last month. An adjoining McDonalds was seen in the background

That led his newly bailed girlfriend Allaina Vader to lash out at critics this week.

Ms Vader claimed the video seen by thousands was actually 'edited' and did not give the complete picture of what happened.

'How about you meet up with him, I'll film it, you'll be out cold in 1 second loser,' fumed Ms Vader, also known as Allaina Jones.

'You only seen (sic) the end of the fight that they edited ... cute you think you know what your talking about tho.

'(He's a) 102kg man yeah pretty sure his hit would do damage idiot. Run along'.

In the video, Geppert was allegedly seen charging across a car park as a female accomplice screamed, 'it's your turn now, idiot!'

The pair scuffled and swore at one another ('eat a d**k', one said) until the second man (left) toppled into a white Range Rover

'Do youse want to get done for affray or do you want to leave?' a woman was heard screaming in the video. Geppert is pictured above with girlfriend Allaina Vader (Jones)

Queensland Police arrested Geppert and his girlfriend Allaina Jones during a raid on their Gold Coast weeks ago. When officers arrived, they found Jones (right) naked inside the home

The pair scuffled and swore at one another ('eat a d**k', one said) until the second man toppled into a white Range Rover.

The camerawoman taunted Geppert's nemesis by yelling 'suck s**t' but also tried to defuse the incident by warning police would be on their way.

Geppert was charged with a violent behaviour public nuisance offence, a Queensland Police spokeswoman said. He will appear in court at a later date.

Geppert remains behind bars for separate alleged offences following a police raid on Geppert and Vader's Gold Coast home last month.

A court reportedly heard uniformed officers allegedly tackled a 'naked' Vader during the raid.A tourist has been slammed for pulling a dangerous stunt where another man plunged to his death only weeks earlier.

The tourist was seen hanging his legs over the edge of a 40-metre-high cliff face at The Gap in Albany in Western Australia.

He was filmed taking photos of the drop below.

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The tourist was seen hanging his legs over the edge of a 40-metre-high cliff face at The Gap in Albany in Western Australia

A tourist has been slammed for pulling a dangerous stunt where another man plunged to his death only weeks earlier

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan condemned the man's actions.

'You can't control people being idiots,' he told 7 News.

'If people want to be idiots, it's really tough to stop them.'

Just two weeks ago Ankit, a 20-year-old student studying in Perth, was at The Gap when he went over the designated path and viewing platform.

His friend Sahil Khenchi, who was with him that day, released one of the last photos taken of the Indian exchange student just moments before his untimely death.

Despite the area being guarded by fences and warning signs, commonly, visitors will jump over the barriers to snap some photos near the cliff's edge.

Two weeks ago a man (pictured) died at the same spotA furious driver has used his umbrella as a weapon after a shocking case of road rage turned physical on the side of the road.

Two drivers and a passenger were filmed going head-to-head in a violent confrontation on a median strip in Melbourne Friday afternoon.

Footage of the heated event showed a man in a hooded black jumper facing off against a couple wearing matching grey tracksuits, 3AW reported.

A furious driver has used his umbrella as a weapon after a shocking case of road rage turned physical on the side of the road in Melbourne Friday

The scuffle unfolded next to two silver vehicles, understood to be the cars of the trio involved, parked on Dynon Road, west of the city.

The two vehicles had earlier been 'beeping' at each other, according to a tradesman who was working nearby atop a scissor lift.

'They were just arguing in the car beeping their horns. One of the guys got out of their car and then the other guy got out,' he told Nine News.

The female passenger appeared to attempt to diffuse the situation by getting in between the men, but she too was shoved in the dispute.

A fourth person intervened and the tension appeared to eventually simmer down.

Two drivers and a passenger were filmed going head-to-head in a violent confrontation on a median strip on Dynon Road, west of the city

The attack was the latest in a large stream of road rage incidents for the city in less than seven days.

Police confirmed a call was made to Triple Zero but both parties had left the scene by the time officers arrived.

No formal complaints were made but witnesses have been encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers if they have information.

In a separate incident the day prior, a group of up to six men who 'looked like electricians' allegedly used metal poles to attack a truck driver and smash his windscreen in Port Melbourne.

The two vehicles had earlier been 'beeping' at each other, according to a tradesman (pictured) who was working nearby atop a scissor lift

The incident is believed to have started when the truck driver was allegedly involved in a minor collision with a van just after 8am.

The van - and according to witnesses - then followed the truck for more than 5km before allegedly trapping the driver and pulling him from his vehicle.

'There were three vans. One parked in front of the truck, one behind the truck and one on the side of the truck. They seemed to block him in,' a witness told 3AW.

'They all ran to the cabin, they pulled him out of his truck - they were hitting him in the street and one of the guys was hitting his truck.'

The witness said police arrived 'within seconds' and began arresting the men.Ministers are undermining trust in foreign aid by failing to ensure it is spent on the worlds poorest, MPs have warned.

Projects funded through the 14billion budget include schemes to boost Chinas film industry and to improve its museums.

Britain is legally committed to spending 0.7 per cent of gross national income on foreign aid, but the Commons international development committee called for that money to be focused on poverty reduction.

MPs singled out the 600million Prosperity Fund, a cross-Whitehall pot that is still used to pay for foreign aid schemes in India and China.

MPs singled out the 600million Prosperity Fund, a cross-Whitehall pot that is still used to pay for foreign aid

They raised questions about how it was funding projects in China to reduce tobacco consumption by migrant workers and to lower the salt intake of children.

The MPs said many of the dubious ventures were being run by Boris Johnsons Foreign Office (FCO). Among the FCO-administered Prosperity Fund projects, we found many weaker examples including projects to develop the Chinese film industry, improve the Chinese museum infrastructure and improve the credit bond rating system in China, they said.

The committee said it was unclear how these types of interventions will benefit the very poorest people. It called for a review of existing programmes.

We are concerned to have uncovered Prosperity Fund projects within middle-income countries which show inadequate, or negligible, targeting at improving the lives of the very poorest and most vulnerable communities in these countries, the report said.

Whitehall departments were also condemned for not being open about how they are doling out the 14billion budget.

Although most of the foreign aid budget is used by the Department for International Development (Dfid), other Government departments are increasingly having to help to get the money out the door.

More than a quarter (27.5 per cent) of the aid budget was spent by departments other than Dfid last year.

The report said while Dfid was respected worldwide as an accountable deliverer of aid, there was a lack of transparency elsewhere in Whitehall.

The committee warned that other Government departments were being given aid money to spend without having to explain how they would make sure it was used properly.

The MPs said many of the dubious ventures were being run by Boris Johnsons Foreign Office

The MPs said yesterday: Given the level of spending involved, we are concerned that departments are not publishing fuller details of their... spending as this lack of clarity clouds the publics ability to see good and bad spending.

They highlighted the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), which redacts information and refuses to publish how it uses much of its money.

The MPs added: This lack of clarity undermines trust in the fund.

A Government spokesman said: We have been clear, we must ensure that the aid budget is not just spent well but could not be spent better and standards are raised across Government to achieve value for taxpayers money.Millions of adults who care for sick or ageing relatives will be offered flexible work hours under a landmark Government pledge announced today.

They could start later, finish earlier or have an extended lunch break to help them look after a loved one.

As part of a package of measures, carers will also be entitled to paid carers leave so they can attend hospital appointments or look round care homes.

The length of this leave is still to be determined but charities are suggesting up to ten days a year on top of annual leave for holidays.

Ministers are today promising to do much more to help the estimated one in eight adults in England who are informal carers. Acknowledging how they are selflessly putting their lives on hold, officials are pledging to enable them to stay in work, and receive emotional support.

The length of leave is still to be determined but charities are suggesting up to ten days a year

The fall in levels of care at home has come alongside the development of the 15-minute visit

GPs will be urged to look out for carers among their patients and point them to support groups or counsellors if necessary. Approximately 5.5million adults in England are unpaid carers, 58 per cent of which are women. This figure is expected to rise to 7.5million over the next 20 years as the population ages.

Carers are estimated to be saving the economy 132billion a year and yet they receive very little help. Ministers from six government departments have today published a carer action plan setting out how to support them over the next two years.

It is being led by care minister Caroline Dinenage, who saw her mother care for her ageing grandmother as she was growing up.

Crucially, the action plan promises to allow carers flexible hours in full and part-time jobs. The free hours, before or after work, or during an extended lunch break, would enable them to pop home to check on a relative.

Miss Dinenage said: Its a sad fact that carers too often feel ignored, isolated or taken for granted, and given any one of us could become a carer at some point in our lives, Government and society must do more to support them.

I want to see better recognition of carers across society so that they can get the support they need. As a former business owner I recognise the contribution carers could bring if employed. Why cant more employers offer flexible options that enable carers to work alongside caring, or re-enter the workforce after time off?

My mother cared for my grandmother when she developed dementia and she balanced this with supporting me through the birth of my first child.

Her support was indispensable but it must have been a challenge to balance these responsibilities and still have time for herself.

I like to think she could have benefitted from the plan were now working to roll out to more carers, to help improve and enrich their lives.

Currently, carers have a right to ask for flexible hours from their employer but there is no guarantee they will be granted.

The Department of Health and Social Care is drawing up a scheme  to be published next month  which will explain to companies how to offer flexible working patterns for carers.

More than a quarter of families with someone who needs care said their relative had been unable to cope with washing or dressing, the survey for the Care and Support Alliance found (stock image)

However, employers will still have the right to refuse requests. But at the same time, officials from four Government departments including the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions are considering introducing dedicated employment rights for carers. These would include a right to flexi-time as well as a right to paid carers leave, which charities say should be between five and ten days a year.

There is also minimal financial support at present  some carers can claim 64.60 a week but only if they care for 35 hours a week or more and earn less than 120 a week.

Next month, ministers will publish a long-awaited green paper setting out key improvements to the countrys ailing social care services.

This document will also address how the social care system should be funded, although it is unlikely to make any final recommendations.

Helena Herklots, head of the charity Carers UK, said: The publication of the action plan provides welcome recognition from across Government of the need to put in place practical measures now to improve support for carers.

Increasingly, the Government is recognising that more and more of us are trying to manage this juggling act and we need supportive workplaces and the back up from quality care services.The parents of some of the students slain in the Parkland massacre have reacted furiously to comments by the former sheriffs deputy who lingered outside of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School while gunman Nikolas Cruz slaughtered 17 people inside.

Scot Peterson, the Broward Coward, broke his silence on Monday, saying that he hesitated to enter the school building during Cruzs shooting spree because he thought it was a childish prank involving firecrackers.

That explanation failed to satisfy the bereaved parents who say that Peterson is trying to deflect blame.

Im tired of him trying to paint himself as the victim, Fred Guttenberg told the Miami Herald.

Guttenbergs daughter, Jaime, 14, was one of the 17 students and faculty who were killed during the February 14 shootings.

He is not a victim. He created victims.

Coward cop: Scot Peterson is breaking his silence in an interview with The Washington Post, four months after he failed to engage school shooter Nikolas Cruz

He keeps referring to them as his kids. They are not your kids, Scot Peterson. You let them die!

The 55-year-old Peterson said on Monday that if he had known what I know today, he would have been in that building in a heartbeat...it was my kids.

Peterson said he was only able to track down Cruzs location toward the end of the shooting rampage.

But Guttenberg says he is not convinced.

He keeps mentioning the third floor, he said. If he had done his job, this killing wouldnt have made it to the third floor.

Those people who lost their lives, including my daughter, are victims of his inability to do his job; victims of his failure.

Guttenberg added: This interview makes him even more pathetic than he already was. You failed me and my daughter.

Im tired of him trying to paint himself as the victim, Fred Guttenberg (left), who lost his daughter, Jaime (right), said of Peterson

Another bereaved parent, Andrew Pollack (seen left and right with his daughter, Meadow), criticized Peterson on Monday

Meadow Pollack (above) received a posthumous degree at Sunday's graduation ceremony for the senior class at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

If you are truly sorry, I challenge you to face me.

Andrew Pollack is mourning the death of his 18-year-old daughter, Meadow Pollack.

Pollack said that he, too, doesnt believe Petersons claim that he could not find Cruz until it was too late.

How could he find him if hes hiding behind a wall? Pollack said.

I think the whole country knows he didnt do his job and this interview was his way of him trying to live with it, Pollack told the Herald.

Hes just a liar. Its all on tape.

Pollack is suing both Peterson and Cruz for the wrongful death of his daughter, though he said that the sheriffs deputy is his main target.

He could have stopped it. Could have saved my kid, the bereaved father said.

Nobody should be able to not do their job, received a pension, and ride off into the sunset.

A week after the shooting, Peterson resigned from the Broward County Sheriffs Office after it became apparent he would be fired following an internal investigation.

As part of his severance, Peterson has been receiving an annual pension of around $100,000 a year - which translates into monthly payments of $8,702.35.

Parents of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victims April Schentrup, right, and Max Schachter, second from right, listen as Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan speaks during the presentaion of the Broward League of Cities report on school safety on Monday, June 4, 2018

April Schentrup, whose lost her daughter, Carmen, 16, in the massacre, tweeted on Monday: Scot Peterson, if you really wanted to find the shooter, then you should have gone in the bldg and towards the sound of gunshots'

One bereaved parent, Max Schachter, says Peterson belongs in prison.

I dont understand how he can come out and say that he did do his job, said Schachter, whose 14-year-old son, Alex, was shot and killed.

He did nothing. He stood outside. He knew the guy was inside killing our kids. Its all crap.

Max Schachter's son, Alex Schachter, 14, was one of the students killed on February 14

April Schentrup, whose lost her daughter, Carmen, 16, in the massacre, tweeted on Monday: Scot Peterson, if you really wanted to find the shooter, then you should have gone in the bldg and towards the sound of gunshots.

Not only that, you also prevented others from finding him by telling them to stay away. We LOST OUR kids and loved ones!

Peterson told The Washington Post that after one of the school security guards radioed in to him after hearing gunfire he thought it was just a childish prank.

'Probably a few kids acting like idiots,' remembers Peterson, who had been told by the guard it sounded like a 'possible firecracker.'

Peterson admits however that when he got closer to the building where Cruz was he immediately realized it was not firecrackers, but gunfire.

He still maintains though that despite not going into the building, he did everything he could at the time.

'How can they keep saying I did nothing? Im getting on the radio to call in the shooting,' says Peterson.

'Im locking down the school. Im clearing kids out of the courtyard. They have the video and the call logs. The evidence is sitting right there.'

Openbing up: He will also be interviewed by Today in two segments airing later this week, saying that he regrets not going in to stop Cruz and calling the students 'my kids'

Peterson will also be speaking on Today this week, and on Monday the NBC morning show previewed that interview, in which he could be seen bumbling when asked to explain why he did not go in the school.

'I'm humanin the perfect world, oh, I would have said, "Oh, yeah, I know there was a shooter in there. Let me go to the third floor. Find this person,"' says Peterson.

'You knowat that point if I would have known, I mean, knowing what I know today, I would have been in that building in a heartbeat, I mean, like I said, it was my kids.I didnt knowI wrack my brain. I go, "Why?"'

By the time the first gunshot victim was discovered, six minutes after that report of firecrackers, the massacre was over.

Peterson tells the Post that when he saw his girlfriend Lynda Rodriguez that day he said: 'I couldnt get him. It was my job, and I didnt find him.'

He did not enter the building however to even try and locate Cruz, saying that he had been trying to search for the gunman for most of the massacre and did not near Cruz's location until the end of his deadly rampage.

'I was trying to figure it out,' explains Peterson.

'I was scanning for the shooter, looking over the windows, the sidewalk, the rooftop. I thought maybe it was a sniper like in Las Vegas. I just didnt know.'

He was outside the building for close to a minute.

'I could have come in over here,' says Peterson while watching a simulation of the shooting.

'I could have got him while he was reloading. If Id just heard more shots, maybe I would have known where they were coming from.'

Peterson maintains that he heard only 2 or 3 rounds of shots, despite Cruz having fired off a reported 150 rounds of ammunition.

'They keep saying I did nothing, a coward,' says Peterson at one point in the interview while catching up with a friend.

'I just didnt know. Why didnt I know to go in?'

On the scene: He says that he thought it was 'idiots with firecrackers' after the gunshots were first radioed in, and began looking for a possible shooter (Peterson above on February 14)

Moving out: Peterson also pushes back on the idea that he was a 'coward,' saying he did get to work and try to locate the shooter after that radio call came in

Prior to the shooting, Peterson had by all accounts been a exemplary employee.

An internal memo on Scot Peterson's personnel file shows that he earned the distinction in May 2012, and was given the honor in large part for his work with the students.

'Your district has recognized you as an exemplary deputy who has made a difference in the community where you serve,' reads the memo.

Performance evaluations included in that same file also show that Peterson received glowing performance reviews.

And in March 2017, Peterson was nominated for Deputy of the Year.

'Throughout 2016, Deputy Peterson conducted numerous investigations. He always went the extra step and followed through on each case and conducted thorough follow ups,' wrote the recommending officer.

'The crimes he handled including property crimes, assaults, and batteries, aggravated assaults, and narcotics violations. His investigative skills resulted in numerous arrests and recovered property.'

The recommendation also noted that Peterson 'uses appropriate resources at his disposal, including mental health professionals and investigators from the school board.'

His recommendation for that honor came in the wake of his last annual review.

It also said that Peterson was expected to 'continue to produce the high level of service to the students and staff at his school' while recommending her 'seek specialized training related to his duties as an SRO.'

Deputy Peterson was the only armed guard present on February 14 when the rampage started, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said at he time.

Peterson's actions were caught on video during the massacre, which ranks as the second-deadliest shooting ever at a U.S. public school, carried out by a lone gunman wielding a semiautomatic AR-15-style assault rifle.

'What I saw was a deputy arrive at the west side of Building 12, take up a position and he never went in,' said Sheriff Israel, referring to the building on campus, popularly known as the 'freshman building,' where authorities said the bulk of the shooting occurred.

Israel told reporters the shooting in the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Parkland lasted six minutes, and that Peterson arrived at the freshman building about 90 seconds after the first shots were fired, then lingered outside for at least four minutes.

Asked what the deputy should have done, Israel replied: 'Went in. Addressed the killer. Killed the killer.'

Peterson has not given a reason for why he did not enter the building, Israel said.

Neither the deputy nor any representatives could immediately be reached for comment.

Israel said he would not release the video at this time and may never do so, 'depending on the prosecution and criminal case' against Cruz, the 19-year-old former student who is charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder in the assault.

Authorities have said that Cruz, who was expelled from Stoneman Douglas High last year for unspecified disciplinary problems, made his getaway moments after the shooting by blending in with students fleeing the school for safety.

Police officers arriving on the scene from the adjacent city of Coral Springs thought the gunman was still inside as they searched the building, based on a security camera video feed that they mistakenly believed was showing them real-time images but was actually footage from 20 minutes earlier.French president Emmanuel Macrons chief of staff has been plunged into a corruption scandal.

Alexis Kohler, 45, is said to have used his position to help win contracts for the Mediterranean Shipping Company  a firm connected to his family.

An inquiry is looking into Kohlers four years in Frances economy ministry until 2016.

A spokesman for Mr Macron said the allegations were completely unfounded.

Alexis Kohler, 45, is French President Emmanuel Macron's chief of staff and close adviserSanitary bins could be put in the mens toilets at a university so students who say they are gender neutral can use the loo they feel most comfortable with.

A motion to introduce the bins across Student Union buildings at Newcastle University was unanimously approved, with student officers also now demanding that the university also bring in bins in male toilets within its own buildings.

Union president Ronnie Reid said: On one side it is for students who identify with a range of genders. On the other it is also for students who may have a medical condition, so the bins are not just for menstrual care products.

The bins were approved following a motion by Hannah Fitzpatrick, the Newcastle student unions Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans officer.

A university spokesman said: We will discuss the motion for menstrual care bins in all washrooms. There is a number of gender-neutral accessible toilets around campus, and care bins are provided within gender-neutral and single toilet units.

A motion to introduce the bins across Student Union buildings at Newcastle University was unanimously approvedPolice have been informed of a new email scam targeting Australians and have warned people to immediately delete any suspicious emails.

Emails are being sent to unsuspecting residents telling them they have an infringement notice which requires immediate payment, Win News reported.

The email claims to be sent from 'City Council' and informs the target they have a traffic or parking fine they must immediately address, going so far as to give fake ticket numbers.

Police have been informed of a new email scam targeting Australians and have warned people to immediately delete any suspicious emails

A spokesperson for NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia they don't keep individual figures on people who had been scammed and many people never go so far as to report it to police.

'Our advice for these types of things is to always delete the email,' the spokesperson said.

The email instructs the target to follow the link attached to the email to pay the fine immediately, at which point the target becomes increasingly vulnerable.

The bottom of the email informs the target they will be subject to further and harsher enforcement should they not pay the infringement fine by the due date.A father who tortured and murdered his nine-year-old son went online shopping and surfed porn sites while his son lay on the floor dying.

Canberra man Graham Stuart Dillon was jailed for more than 41 years on Monday over the brutal death of his son, Bradyn, in 2016.

Sickening details of what happened after the attack were revealed in court documents this week.

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A father has been jailed for more than 41 years for killing his nine-year-old son Bradyn (pictured) with 'brutal process of torture' that lasted months

Instead of calling an ambulance, Dillon went online shopping and surfed pornographic websites.

He also Google searched what he should do to help revive his son.

'What does it mean if someone is knock out how do u get them up [sic],' he typed.

When Dillon eventually called for paramedics to come to his Canberra home, nine-year-old Bradyn was carried out shirtless, and rushed to hospital.

He died in hospital from the injuries his father inflicted.

When Dillon appeared in the ACT Supreme Court on Monday, he was jailed for 36 years for the murder, and a further five years for grievous bodily harm charges, including choking and threatening to kill.

Canberra man Graham Stuart Dillon (pictured) pleaded guilty last year to murdering his son Bradyn in 2016

The nine-year-old was repeatedly attacked by his father over a period of months, Nine News reported.

The boy was burnt with cigarettes, punched and tossed across the room in a 'brutal process of torture' inflicted by his father.

His father was punishing him for naughty behaviour including telling lies and eating lollies without permission, the court heard.

Dillon (left) delivered the final blow to his son Bradyn (right) on February 15, 2016 when he punched and kicked the boy until he was unconscious

The boy was burnt with cigarettes, punched and tossed across the room in a series of brutal attacks inflicted by his father Dillon (Dillon's tattoos pictured)

Bradyn (pictured) lay unconscious on the floor of the Jacka home for hours before an ambulance arrived and rushed him to hospital where he later died

Dillon delivered the final blow to his son on February 15, 2016 when he punched and kicked the boy until he was unconscious.

Bradyn was so severely injured in the attack, he suffered bleeding to the brain.

After Dillon was sentenced to 41 years in prison on Monday, he was taken back into police custody.

Dillon will be eligible for parole in 2048.

Bradyn's mother covered her face as she left the courtroom on Monday following Dillon's sentencingKayKay BlaisdellLater this summer, lovelytheband will be hitting the road. The group will kick off the headlining trek in mid-August in Toronto, and wrap things up two months later in Columbus, OH, with some festivals sprinkled throughout for variety.

Fans who attend the tour will be sure to hear lovelytheband's two most recent tracks, "broken" and "these are my friends." "Broken" recently topped Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, making them the third act this year to do that with a debut single. The other two are AJR with "Sober Up" and Alice Merton with "No Roots."

In celebration of the tour, lovelytheband has also released some new merch, which is available for purchase on their official site, lovelytheband.com.

Tickets for the tour will go on sale this Friday, June 8, at 10 a.m. local time.

Here are the tour dates:

8/15 -- Toronto, ON, Canada, Velvet Underground

8/16 -- Montreal, QC, Canada, L'Astral

8/19 -- Asbury Park, NJ, Asbury Lanes

8/21 -- Indianapolis, IN, Hi-Fi (21+)

9/27 -- West Hollywood, CA, The Roxy Theatre

9/28 -- San Francisco, CA, Popscene at Rickshaw Stop

10/3 -- Tempe, AZ, Alt AZ Concert Series

10/10 -- Nashville, TN, The High Watt

10/12 -- Washington, D.C., Rock & Roll Hotel

10/13 -- Cambridge, MA, The Sinclair

10/14 -- Philadelphia, PA, The Foundry

10/15 -- New York, NY, Bowery Ballroom

10/17 -- Pittsburgh, PA, Stage AE

10/18 -- Cleveland, OH, The Agora Ballroom

10/19 -- Columbus, OH, The Basement

And here are the festival dates:

6/29 -- Minneapolis, MN, Go Fest - Cabooze Plaza

7/1 -- Milwaukee, WI, Summerfest

7/29 -- Detroit, MI, Mopop Festival

8/4 -- Grant Park, IL, Lollapalooza Festival

8/18 -- New York, NY, Billboard Hot 100 Festival

8/31 -- Seattle, WA, Bumbershoot Festival

9/21 -- Las Vegas, NV, Life Is Beautiful Festival

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.Rebecca Evans, 27, a charity worker, was eight months pregnant when she died in the crash on the M4

A heavily pregnant mother and her unborn daughter were killed when a BMW driver who finished making a hands-free call only seconds earlier ploughed into her car in a traffic queue, a court heard yesterday.

Rebecca Evans, 27, a charity worker, was eight months pregnant when she died in the crash on the M4.

Her two-year-old son Cian suffered serious injuries including a fractured skull.

Businessman Craig Scott, 51, is accused of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

He did not brake before the collision after failing to notice other drivers had slowed.

Miss Evans was in the passenger seat of a Peugeot 407 driven by her partner Alex Evans when Scott hit the back of the stationary car at around 70mph.

The court heard Mr Evans was in the outside lane of the M4 at Port Talbot, South Wales, when he saw cars in front slowing.

He came to a halt and put on his hazard lights before noticing the BMW looming in his mirror.

In a statement read to Swansea Crown Court, Mr Evans added: Becca was looking down at her phone totally oblivious to what was going on.

I saw this car coming up behind us. I think I said something like Hes coming a bit fast. I dont think hes slowing down. I dont think she was aware of a car coming up too fast behind us.

He described an almighty bang and said the scene was chaos. Witnesses rushed to help.

Mr Evans said: I saw them pull Becca from the car and I saw the blood on her dress. I knew then that our daughter had gone.

I knew that straight away. Not in a million years did I think I would lose Becca. Mr Evans said: I screamed and cried for them both.

Swansea Crown Court, where businessman Craig Scott, 51, is on trial

Cian was flown to hospital where he was found to have bleeding between his brain and skull and a depressed skull fracture. Both his legs were broken.

Miss Evans died on the morning commute weeks before she was due to go on maternity leave from her job at housing charity Shelter.

Mr Evans also worked at Shelter and the couple, who lived in Bridgend, were due to drop Cian, who was in the back of the car, with Miss Evans mother, Meryl, on their way to work.

Scott told police he had been distracted by something on a motorway bridge just before the crash, and ended a hands-free call with work about five minutes before.

But phone data showed the call was actually between 14 and 34 seconds before the tragedy.

A driver who saw the crash in November 2016, Matthew Sutton, said visibility was excellent.

He said: The silver car was completely mangled and I couldnt see who was inside it.

The court heard there was no evidence that the BMW brakes had been applied suddenly.

Scott, of Heath, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. But he denied causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

The trial continues.A highly-invasive exotic ant species that is capable of causing blindness has been confirmed.

The Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) is a pest that can spread very quickly, build super colonies and damage local ecosystems.

They've been claimed as one of the world's most dangerous invaders, spitting formic acid from their abdomen and killing everything from birds to mammals and are now spreading in Lismore, a town on the North Coast of NSW.

The Yellow Crazy Ant has been eradicated from NSW for over a decade, but an outbreak has just hit Lismore

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) confirmed the presence of the species in NSW for the first time in more than a decade since it was eradicated from Goodwood Island in the Clarence River.

The DPI along with North Coast Local Land Services have begun a surveillance and identification operation targeting the species in Lismore.

A member of the local community first spotted the outbreak in street trees, immediately reporting it to the NSW DPI Biosecurity Hotline.

DPI Biosecurity and Food Safety Director Invasive Plants and Animals Andrew Sanger said community action is critical to ensure limits of the outbreak are established.

The exotic ant is a highly invasive pest that spreads quickly, building super colonies and damaging local ecosystems

The pest has the ability to blind animals and even humans as they spray formic acid into the eyes and are difficult to eradicate without help from professionals

WHAT ARE YELLOW CRAZY ANTS? Yellow Crazy Ants are pale yellow in colour

They have unusually long legs and antennae

The name is derived from their frantic movement and changes in direction

They use a formic acid to overpower prey

They're known to build super colonies that have several queens and expand rapidly Advertisement

'If you see these ants - yellow or brownish, about 5mm long, with very long legs and antennae and an erratic walking style - you can report them on the Biosecurity Hotline, the DPI website, or via the Local Lands Services office,' he said.

James Cook University invasive species expert Lori Lack told ABC this outbreak is a serious concern as the species is quite aggressive.

'It does spray formic acid, and although there are other species of ant that also spray formic acid, this acid  either because the ants are so numerous or because there's something potentially potent about their acid  can do quite a lot of damage,' she said.

The farce over the investigation of the plot to murder Jeremy Thorpes ex-lover deepened last night when the prime suspect appeared to be off the hook.

Police had rushed to the home of Andrew Gino Newton, 71, at the weekend after admitting he was not in fact dead  only to discover that he had vanished.

Now it has emerged that he has been told by officers that they have no interest in reinvestigating his role in the scandal and that they are confident there is no basis for a fresh inquiry.

Police claimed to have contacted the accomplished pilot, whose whereabouts are unknown, as his girlfriend joked that he could be on the run on the other side of Paris.

File photo dated 1967 of then Liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe who was caught up in a scandal now being brought to TV by Hugh Grant

Patsy Frankham, pictured leaving her Dorking home, is the partner of Andrew Newton who police are searching for in connection with the attempted assassination of Jeremy Thorpe's gay lover Norman Scott

Fellow aviators said they did not know the location of his Italian-registered motor glider plane, which can travel up to 600 miles on a tank of fuel.

Gwent Police said it spoke to Newton, now known as Hann Redwin, to confirm his status and whereabouts and that he was unable to provide any additional evidence.

The force appeared to be scrambling to shut down an extraordinary farce in which reality and fiction in the form of a BBC TV drama collided.

Newton was at the centre of a police inquiry after he was accused of attempting to kill Thorpes ex-lover Norman Scott, 78, in a conspiracy orchestrated by the former Liberal leader in 1975.

After Thorpes death in 2014, west London petty crook Dennis Meighan said he dropped out of the role of gunman in the 140,000 plot and that Newton took his place. Newton was later convicted of shooting Mr Scotts dog Rinka. Mr Scott said he escaped only when the gun jammed.

But officers from Gwent Police concluded Newton was dead and the Crown Prosecution Service ruled that no further action could be taken.

Newton (pictured) was at the centre of a police inquiry after he was accused of attempting to kill Thorpes ex-lover Norman Scott

Yet at the weekend it was revealed that he is alive and living under a new identity in Surrey as the final episode of A Very English Scandal, starring Hugh Grant as Thorpe, was broadcast.

Last night, the south Wales force insisted the matter remains closed and it will not interview Newton.

Gwent Police said its year-long inquiry focused narrowly on whether police acted corruptly to conceal Thorpes role in the scandal.

A spokesman added: Having confirmed his status and whereabouts, officers from Gwent Police spoke to Mr Redwin, who is unable to provide any additional evidence to that which has already been obtained in the original inquiry.

As Mr Redwins evidence has already been considered by the CPS prior to this matter being closed, Gwent Police is satisfied there is no basis to re-refer the matter to the CPS and the investigation remains closed.

We would like to clarify that at no point has it re-opened the original Jeremy Thorpe investigation.

The police are understood to have based their assessment that Newton was dead on data compiled by a private anti-fraud company. The firm has amassed details of more than 10million deaths that it makes available to public agencies, police and private subscribers. According to its records, Newton, under his new name Hann Redwin, was registered as dead on May 8, 2004. However, no death certificate was ever filed.

If police had Googled his name, they would have discovered evidence of him flying at Redhill aerodrome and posing for photos during a London fetish convention.

Speaking at his 1.3million medieval farmhouse on the edge of Dartmoor, Mr Scott said the matter is in the hands of his lawyers.

Asked whether he would complain to the independent police watchdog, he replied: I am well aware of what I need to do.

He has told friends he is convinced there was a conspiracy to murder and he must see it through to ensure the truth comes out.

At Redwins home near Dorking, his 61-year-old partner Patricia Frankham made light of the extraordinary developments. She said: Mr Redwin does not live here. I live here on my own and he remains a good friend. Hes probably the other side of Paris by now.

She apologised to police whose knock on her door on Sunday went unanswered, saying: I was out.

She added: This story is 40 years old  it didnt happen last night. I actually fell asleep through that programme  it was so boring.

This is a TV programme thats just gone stupid. My life is usually much more quiet, but Im willing to sell my life story for 500,000.Advertisement

The stunning images showcase the hard work of a dedicated diver who spent 3,000 dive hours to capture a rare shark feeding frenzy.

The sharks, which are seen travelling in packs, destruct the fish in their paths as they swim among the stunning natural habitat of the reefs. The images provide a beautiful insight to the food chain, as the imagery shows the sharks dominating the water.

Laurent Ballesta from close to Montpellier, France, 44, spent a total of 21 weeks diving, day and night for over four years, capturing a total of 85,000 images. The dedication to the art has been met with a stunning image set of sharks in their natural habitat.

'Night dives in the middle of the shark pack are very addictive', Mr Ballesta said.

The images provide an up-close and personal reflection of the ocean's natural habitat as the sharks capture their prey, colourful fish of the ocean

The images were taken at the Fakarava Atoll, French Polynesia, where the grouper spawn only once a year under a full moon, some time in June or July, and only for around 30 minutes

The task wasn't met without challenges. Their was a safety risk of getting biten as they didn't use shark cages or protective suits

To understand the importance of the photographs and the hard work, Mr Ballesta said, 'it seemed illogical to distance ourselves from the wild animals we wanted to understand'

Mr Ballesta ventured to Fakarava Atoll, French Polynesia, where the grouper spawn only once a year under a full moon, some time in June or July, and only for around 30 minutes. The success of the images came down to extensive planning and preparation, a committed team and a range of oxygen and gases.

In 2014, Mr Ballesta and his friend Jean-Marc Belin, orchestrated strategies that saw Mr Ballesta return for the next four years. They created a way that allowed the diver to be 65 feet underwater for 24 hours.

Mr Ballesta acknowledged that he was met with challenges, notably, the changing conditions and dark surroundings.

Mr Ballesta wanted to show how in a group, sharks can be strong and powerful, but when on their own they can be weak and clumsy

'It's the same place every night and every year, but everything changes from one night to the other - behaviours change - and you can expect the unexpected. And sharks are very generous,' he said.

Mr Ballesta wanted his images to show the reality of life under water. 'I tried to show a piece of true wild nature, a well-balanced testimony of life, death, innocence and violence and how pristine wild predators can be beautiful even during violence,' he said.

'I tried to figure out how strong and powerful they can be all together, but also to show how weak and clumsy they can be when they're alone.'

The task didn't come without risks as the diver had to be careful to make sure he wasn't bitten. There was no shark cage and no protective suit.

There were no secrets to the images, the successes of the stunning pictures came down to detailed planning, strategy and hard work

Mr Ballesta was proud of their efforts as they didn't feed the sharks, but rather, attained pictures of the sharks in their natural habitats

When speaking about his strategies, Mr Ballesta believed that their approach aimed to be consistent as it was 'careful and progressive'

Mr Ballesta was proud of his efforts as the team did not use bait or chum to persuade the sharks for the the photographs. He called their approach 'careful and progressive', with an ultimate desire for consistency.

'It seemed illogical to distance ourselves from the wild animals we wanted to understand,' he said.

Mr Ballesta said that there was not secret to the photos, but rather, a lot of hard work. He believed that he failed in his first year as he struggled to take photos due to the conditions, and learnt a lesson of modesty.

The photos can be found in a two-book set, 700 Sharks Into The Dark. He believes he will continue to photograph the phenomenon.

The dedicated photographer Laurent Ballesta (pictured), 44, from France implemented strategies that allowed the diver to be 65 feet underwater for 24 hours

This is not the end for the beautiful images as Mr Ballesta believes he will continue to photograph the phenomenon. The photos can be found in a two-book set, 700 Sharks Into The DarkCigarette prices are approaching $40 a packet in Australia, but the country's smokers are using finding clever ways to buy cheap tobacco instead of giving up.

From using 'chop chop' tobacco to buying black market cigarettes sold under the counter, more and more smokers are refusing to pay full price.

Australians have become so adept at finding cheap cigarettes the rate of smoking cessation has slowed to a crawl, lagging behind world leaders.

Cigarette prices are approaching $40 a packet in Australia, but the country's smokers are using finding clever ways to buy cheap tobacco instead of giving up (stock image)

From buying illegal 'chop chop' tobacco to buying black market cigarettes under the counter, the hacks used by smokers are rising faster than the price of a pack (pictured are illicit cigarettes seized in January)

With the latest round of tobacco excise hikes set to bring prices up to $40 a packet within the next year, there is no respite in sight for cash-strapped smokers.

Rather than pay the extra $3 a packet, many Australians are buying 'chop chop' - illegal loose-leaf tobacco, which is often home-grown, instead of the heavily taxed legal products available from shops.

'Price hikes don't bother me,' said one social media user in a discussion about tobacco prices.

'I don't buy smokes from the supermarkets, that's what "chop chop" is for. I'm happy with getting 250 grams for 60 dollars, does me ages.'

Australians have become so adept at finding cheap cigarettes the rate of smoking cessation as slowed to a crawl (pictured are cigarettes seized last year)

Others said the trick to finding cheap smokes is knowing what shop to go to, with one person saying they frequent several different stores.

Illicit tobacco busts in the financial year so far - More than 52,500 detections of illicit tobacco in the 2017/18 financial year to April 30 - The ABF seized 129 tonnes of loose leaf and molasses tobacco - A total of 173 million illicit cigarettes were found - The total duty evaded on these detection is almost $230 million. Source: Australian Border Force Advertisement

'Can get a pack of 20 under the table in Sydney for $10,' said one person.

'I have been enjoying smoking at this price for years.'

While some complained that black market cigarettes smell bad, others disagreed, saying they can find good brands smuggled in from overseas for $12 a pack.

In another clever price hack, young people in particular are switching to rolling tobacco in an attempt to maintain their increasingly expensive habit.

Despite being hit by a tax increase in September last year, smokers of roll-your-own tobacco make up about one third of the nations smokers.

The proportion of rolling tobacco smokers rose from 26 per cent in 2006 to 36 per cent in 2016, boosted by an 82 per cent increase in smokers under 40.

With the latest round of tobacco excise hikes set to bring prices up to $40 a packet within the next year, there is no respite in sight for cash-strapped smokers (pictured are cigarettes seized last year)

The latest tax hike is expected to result in a price increase of about $3 for a typical packet, pushing prices up further still.

Poll Do you think cigarettes in Australia are too expensive? Yes, smokers are paying too much No, smokers should pay more I think tobacco prices are about right Do you think cigarettes in Australia are too expensive? Yes, smokers are paying too much 2345 votes

No, smokers should pay more 179 votes

I think tobacco prices are about right 62 votes Now share your opinion





That means this year's price of 30 Winfield Blues for $35.20 will soon hit $38.20, with more excise hikes on the way in the next financial year.

Although cigarette prices keep rising, Australia recorded a mere 0.2 per cent drop in smokers in three years.

Australia came in at number seven worldwide, with Iceland topping the list with a 12 per cent drop, followed by Norway at seven per cent.

Rising prices have been accompanied by an increase in massive illegal tobacco busts.

In the last month alone the Australian Border Force has seized 20million cigarettes and almost 12tonnes of illegal tobacco.

On June 1 a joint Australian and Taiwanese operation intercepted two sea cargo containers full of black market smokes en route to Australia.

The 20,100,000 illicit cigarettes would have resulted in about $14.2million in lost revenue, according to the ABF.

Rather than pay the extra $3 a packet, many Australians are buying 'chop chop' instead (pictured are cigarettes seized by the ABF)

Just four days earlier ABF officers seized 1.6tonnes of illicit tobacco during a series of raids in Adelaide.

The raids came three days after another bust, this time involving about 10 tonnes of illicit tobacco.

In the 2017/18 financial year to April 30 this year the ABF has made more than 52,500 detections of illicit tobacco.

This includes 129 tonnes of loose leaf and molasses tobacco and 173 million cigarettes. The total duty evaded on these detection is almost $230 million.Australia's largest airline was nearly forced to cancel a long-haul flight after a pilot called in sick, in the latest incident in the nation's pilot shortage crisis.

Qantas sent out an 'urgent request' for a suitably qualified pilot to fill in on a Qantas 747-400 flight to Chile from Sydney on Sunday, Brisbane Times reported.

The flight narrowly avoided being cancelled when a stand-in was found just in time, but travellers faced a delay of 45 minutes as they waited for the issue to be resolved.

Qantas sent out an 'urgent request' for a suitably qualified pilot to fill in on a Qantas 747-400 flight to Chile from Sydney on Sunday

'Scheduling is desperately seeking a first officer or suitably qualified [right-hand seat] captain to crew the QF27,' a Qantas manager of base operations wrote in an email.

'All standby crew have been used and SMS messages sent plus management pilots contacted. There's no one. The flight is likely to be cancelled.'

The desperate email was sent out just three hours prior to the flight's scheduled take-off time, and about two and a half hours after the company sent out a text.

More than 100 pilots were contacted over the phone but none were available to step in.

Several flights bound for Santiago, Chile, leave from Sydney Airport daily.

The close-call highlighted a major shortage of commercial pilots in Australia, which has created pressure for airlines to consider employing internationally trained workers.

The desperate email was sent out just three hours prior to the flight's scheduled take-off time, and about two and a half hours after the company sent out a text (CEO Alan Joyce pictured)

Strong demand for flights and high utilisation of aircraft has placed increased pressure on crewing, subsequently raising the likelihood of disruptions when the airline faces technical issues.

A Qantas A330 flight bound for Bangkok was forced to turn back to Sydney Airport shortly after take off on Friday when one of its two engines suffered a 'high vibration event'.

Passengers bordered a replacement plane but the affected A330 remains grounded as it waits for its engine to be replaced.

Late Friday night a flight from Brisbane to Hong Kong was delayed for three hours because of a flight-control malfunction.

Qantas' deputy manager for Airbus fleet operations warned pilots they should expected their rosters to be disrupted in the days following the two events

Qantas' deputy manager for Airbus fleet operations warned pilots they should expected their rosters to be disrupted in the days following the two events.

Six international flights were delayed by an average of three hours over the weekend, spurring the airline into its 'largest pilot recruitment programs in its history'.

Qantas will recruit 150 pilots in the next financial year and open its own training academy next year with the capability of training 500 pilots annually.

Earlier this year, the government allowed foreign pilots into Australia on two-year visas for regional air routes.

But QantasLink wanted visas extended because experienced pilots were hesitant to move themselves and their families to Australia for less than five years.A place just two hours' drive from Sydney has been confirmed as the coldest city in Australia.

The town with 21,000 people is even chillier than Hobart, despite being a 1,500km ferry and car drive away from Australia's southern-most state capital city.

The city, which is home to a maximum security prison, is even colder than Canberra, too, even though it less than 150km from the coast.

And Australia's coldest town was among the swathes of the nation hit with poor weather today, as a 'rain bomb' exploded over Sydney and the west coast took a battering from fierce winds and sheets of rain.

Scroll down for video

A place only two hours' drive from Sydney is the coldest city in Australia

Torrential downpours and gale force winds smashed Sydney and NSW. Wind, rain and thunderstorms are now expected to cross Western Australia this week

More than a month's worth of heavy rain and wild winds could fall over Western Australia over the coming days

Sky News chief meteorologist Tom Saunders said that based on average temperatures Lithgow, on the western side of the Blue Mountains, was Australia's coldest city with average temperatures of just 12.2C.

'The reason Lithgow is Australia's coldest city is elevation: it is the second-highest city in Australia behind Armidale, the elevation is 950 metres above sea level,' he said.

'We're looking at the average temperature across the entire year so not the absolute coldest temperature and not the average minimum temperature in winter but the average of the minimums and the maximums throughout the year.'

Lithgow, 140km west of Sydney via the Blue Mountains, is even colder than Orange, in the New South Wales central west, which had average temperatures of 12.7C.

'Orange is 'probably the snowiest city in Australia but it does get quite warm in the middle of summer,' Mr Saunders said.

Lithgow, where Ben Chifley worked as a train driver before going into politics and becoming a war-time Labor prime minister during the 1940s, was even colder than frosty Canberra, which had average temperatures of 13.1C.

Sky News chief meteorologist Tom Saunders said that based on average temperatures Lithgow, on the western side of the Blue Mountains, was Australia's coldest city with an average temperatures of 12.2C

Lithgow, 140km west of Sydney via the Blue Mountains, is even colder than snowy Orange, in the New South Wales central west, which had average temperatures of 12.7C

Wind, rain and thunderstorms are expected to cross Western Australia this week with the heaviest rain falling in the state's northwest

The city is even chillier than the Tasmanian cities of Launceston, which had average temperatures of 13C, and Hobart on 12.5C.

Mr Saunders said this made Lithgow Australia's coldest city, when metropolitan and provincial population centres were analysed for average minimum and maximum temperatures.

Hobart and Canberra are still cold, with residents in both cities set to freeze through minimum temperatures of 4C on Wednesday, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts.

Sydney was smashed with torrential downpours on Tuesday morning, as a predicted 'rain bomb' struck.

Motorists battled through challenging conditions as temperatures dropped as low as 12C.

Commuters were seen running for cover as sheets of rain drove them inside of Museum Station to seek refuge from the inclement weather.

Meanwhile, the west coast is taking a battering with 10,000 homes losing power as fierce 125km/h winds and a month's worth of rain bears down on the state.

The town with 21,000 people is even chillier than Hobart, despite being a 1,500km ferry and car drive away from Australia's southern-most state capital city

The small town was even colder than frosty Canberra (pictured), which had average temperatures of 13.1C

Parts of the Central West, Gascoyne and Pilbara districts can expect 'more rain than the region usually receives during all of June, with this type of soaking more common amid monsoon-driven downpours,' Ben Domensino from Weatherzone said.

The north-west of the state could see more than 50mm of rain over a four day period between Monday and Thursday, with isolated totals possibly exceeding 100mm.

The heavy rains and damaging winds in the region forced a severe weather warning to be issued on Monday morning for parts of the Central West and Gascoyne districts.

The severe weather is likely to spread further east during the coming days - the result of a cold front and a low pressure trough passing over the Indian Ocean.

Wind and rain are then expected to spread to the south-west, producing damaging winds and abnormally high tides and prompting a severe weather warning for the area.

Lithgow is even chillier than the Tasmanian cities of Launceston, which had average temperatures of 13C, and Hobart (pictured) where the average temperature is 12.5CA jailed murderer who admitted raping and killing a four-year-old could be released from prison at the end of the month.

Neville Raymond Towner was 23 when he murdered Lauren Hickson at Emu Plains in Sydney's west almost 30 years ago, and was originally given a life sentence.

The State Parole Authority on Tuesday held the latest in a series of review hearings since Towner was resentenced in 2002 and reserved its decision until June 29.

Neville Raymond Towner was 23 when he murdered Lauren Hickson (pictured) at Emu Plains in Sydney's west almost 30 years ago, and was originally given a life sentence

A jailed murderer (pictured, centre) who admitted raping and killing a four-year-old could be released from prison at the end of the month

Outside Parramatta West Trial Courts Lauren's mother Jurina Hickson described her daughter as having the face of a 'beautiful little angel', The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

'If she was alive today she would've been 33, so therefore we didn't get to see her get married or have children,' she told reporters.

'We've been denied grandchildren, things that families do when their loved ones, children grow up. Neville Towner took all of that away.'

Although parole was opposed by NSW Corrective Services Commissioner, the court heard the Corrective Services Serious Offenders Review Council disagreed.

Michelle Simpson, solicitor for Towner, said the convicted murderer was being treated for mental health issues in Long Bay jail.

If Towner is released he will likely be required to wear an electronic anklet and move into a Community Offender Support Program housing facility.

The State Parole Authority on Tuesday held the latest in a series of review hearings since Towner (pictured) was resentenced in 2002 and reserved its decision until June 29

Towner, 51, a family friend and baby sitter, bashed Lauren (pictured, left, right) with a rock to stifle her screams and then drowned her in the Nepean River on May 17 1989

Towner, 51, a family friend and baby sitter, bashed Lauren with a rock to stifle her screams and then drowned her in the Nepean River on May 17 1989.

The day after Lauren went missing a huge police search discovered her body lying by the river 500metres west of the caravan park where she lived.

Forensic examinations found debris in Lauren's lungs and blood in her stomach, and showed the four-year-old had suffered bruising to her face and neck.

Pathologists found a 2.5cm tear to Lauren's vagina and a fractured skull. She had another cut on her forehead which had penetrated to the bone.

Towner, who had hit Lauren over the head with a rock before attempting to rape her, was charged with murder and intent to sexually assault a child under the age of ten.

Towner, who had hit Lauren over the head with a rock before attempting to rape her, was charged with murder and intent to sexually assault a child under the age of ten

Jurina Hickson, the mother of Lauren Hickson, leaves the Parramatta West Trial Courts with her husband Derek following Tuesday's parole hearing for her daughter's murderer Neville Towner

A New South Wales Supreme Court judge in 2002 ruled Towner would be eligible for parole from 2009 after resentencing him to a 20-year minimum term (pictured is Lauren Hickson)

Towner tried to kill himself by slashing his wrists two days after he was charged.

He again attempted to take his own life after an appearance at Penrith Local Court where an angry crowd wanted him dead.

A New South Wales Supreme Court judge in 2002 ruled Towner would be eligible for parole from 2009 after resentencing him to a 20-year minimum term.

Parole was refused in 2009, 2010 and 2015, but at his latest review hearing in Parramatta on Tuesday the State Parole Authority reserved its decision until June 29.

A Change.org petition demanding Towner remain behind bars has gather over 150,000 signatures.

'I just don't want him coming after my family again... He's a ticking time bomb,' Ms Hickson said outside court.Three people have been stabbed during a birthday party overnight and one male remains in intensive care.

The gruesome images show that the party turned sour as blood was found dripping in the apartment elevator.

Police entered the apartment to find a woman, 28, lying on the floor, suffering from a stab wound to her side and buttocks.

Three people were stabbed in a reported stabbing frenzy as blood is found throughout the elevators (pictured) of the Sydney suburb, Asquith

One resident told Nine News that he saw a woman covered in blood on the floor of the elevator

Blood was found outside the Asquith apartment (pictured) after the birthday party took a gruesome turn

A 32-year-old woman and 33-year-old man were also found, with initial reports that they were both uninjured.

Police reported, however, that the 32-year-old, birthday girl, had a minor wound.

At about 10.30pm on Monday night, police attended the apartment after reports of people arguing.

Kuring-Gai Superintendent Jenny Scholz said 'there was a large amount of blood in the common areas of the apartment building.'

The scenes were confronting to residents, with one man questioning the safety of the building in an interview with Nine News.

'I came out from our door to find this lady totally covered in blood and riding on the floor of the elevator car,' another man told Nine News.

Paramedics treated the injured woman at the scene and took her to Hornsby Hospital.

The birthday girl suffered minor injuries from the incident while another two have been treated in hospital. One man, 33, is in intensive care

Police were called to the Asquith apartment (pictured) around 10.30pm after reports of an argument

Police were notified that another man, also 33, with a critical stab wound to his stomach and upper torso had presented himself to Hornsby Hospital. He remains in intensive care.

The 32-year-old woman and 33-year-old man have been arrested for the alleged attacks as investigation continues.

Superintendent Scholz said that the four people were all known to each other.

Birthday girl, a 32-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man have been arrested following the alleged stabbing frenzyCasey Anthony (above) may face a civil trial over a defamation suit from the meter reader her lawyers tried to implicated in the death of two-year-old Caylee

Casey Anthony may face a civil trial over a defamation suit from the meter reader her lawyers tried to implicated in the death of two-year-old Caylee.

Attorneys for Ron Kronk, who reported finding a skull in the woods in Orlando, Florida near Anthony's house on December 11, 2008, filed a motion in the case on Monday in federal bankruptcy court, WKMG reported.

Anthony was acquitted of murdering Caylee in a widely publicized 2011 trial, and part of her defense involved pointing the finger at Kronk, claiming he had a history of abusing women and implying he had something to do with the toddler's death.

Kronk filed his defamation suit just four months after the trial ended, but it has been hung up in bankruptcy court since 2013 as a judge decides how to handle Anthony's debts.

Now Kronk's attorneys have asked the bankruptcy judge to send the suit before a jury in Orlando - raising the possibility of a sequel to the 'social media trial of the century', as the murder trial was dubbed.

Meter reader Ron Krock (above) found the girl's body in December of 2008, and part of Anthony's defense at trial involved implicating him in her death

Caylee (above) went missing in June of 2008 and was only discovered six months later

'There are disputed issues of fact that preclude summary judgment on the defamation issues, and because those issues cannot be tried by the Bankruptcy Court,' wrote Kronk's attorney, Howard Marks.

'(Kronk) should be allowed to return to the Orlando state court to obtain a single adjudication of all issues by jury trial, especially now that there are no remaining countervailing bankruptcy issues that would weigh against abstention,' Marks continued.

A cross marks the spot where Caylee's body was found in December 2008

It is not the first defamation suit to be leveled against Anthony, who made a series of spectacular and contradictory claims about what happened to her daughter Caylee after the girl disappeared in June of 2008.

Her initial claim to police that Caylee was with a nanny named 'Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez' led to a lawsuit from a real woman named Zenaida Gonzalez, which a judge dismissed in 2015.

Kronk has filed other defamation suits in the case, and earlier this year won a $250,000 judgment against Leonard Padilla, Anthony's celebrity bail bondman, over remarks Padilla made about Kronk's connection to the case in TV interviews.

In 2015, a circuit court judge dismissed a defamation case Kronk filed against the publisher of The National Enquirer over a tabloid article titled Meter Reader Killed Caylee.Queensland are reeling after reports winger Dane Gagai suffered a finger injury at Tuesday's closed Maroons training session at the MCG.

Gagai is believed to be in major doubt for Wednesday's State of Origin opener after reportedly going down with a compound finger dislocation.

Brisbane's Anthony Milford and Newcastle's Kalyn Ponga flew into Queensland camp on Monday night as cover for the injury-hit Maroons.

Queensland are reeling after reports winger Dane Gagai (pictured with partner Kelly Turner) suffered a finger injury at Tuesday's closed Maroons training session at the MCG

Gagai is believed to be in major doubt for Wednesday's State of Origin opener after reportedly going down with a compound finger dislocation

The Maroons were only just getting their head around losing 29-Origin fullback Billy Slater, who made a shock withdrawal on Monday with a hamstring injury.

If Gagai is ruled out Queensland are set to slot pivot Cameron Munster into fullback for Slater, Will Chambers to the wing, utility Michael Morgan to centre, Milford to five eighth and put Ponga on the bench.

Morgan trained at fullback for Slater at Tuesday's session before media were asked to leave.

Brisbane's other injury concerns halfback Ben Hunt (thigh) and lock Josh McGuire (ankle) moved freely at their match-eve training session at the MCG.

Slater was present at the training session along with former skipper Cameron Smith.

Queensland begin a new era on Wednesday as they start life without retired greats Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.

Slater was present at the training session along with former skipper Cameron SmithPolice have released a photo of the vengeful divorcee suspected of gunning down up to six people related to the bitter court battle with his ex-wife, before he turned the gun on himself

Dwight Lamon Jones, 56, killed himself when police surrounded his Scottsdale motel room on Monday morning.

Cops released a police sketch of the suspect over the weekend, which appeared to show a white man with heavy eye bags and wrinkles, wearing a cap. Today, authorities released the Jones', who is African American, driving license photo which appeared quite different from the sketch.

Law enforcement sources named the suspect as Dwight Lamon Jones after the 56-year-old killed himself when police surrounded his Scottsdale motel room on Monday

Authorities on Monday revealed they had strong evidence that linked Jones to the killings of a Jonbenet Ramsey forensic psychiatrist on Thursday, two paralegals on Friday and the death of a hypnotherapist on Saturday.

Police have since found two more bodies in the town of Fountain Hills, Arizona that they believe might be related to his killing spree.

Investigators have not yet confirmed a motive for the initial four slayings but sources told NBC they may be linked to Jones' eight-year divorce battle from his wife.

Court records show his wife filed for divorce in 2009. The case was finalized in 2011 but it continued to drag on until last year because they couldn't agree on alimony payments and child support.

A suspect who may be linked to a series of murders in Arizona in recent days was surrounded by police at the Extended Stay Hotel in Scottsdale on Monday morning (above)

Dr Steven Pitt, a prominent forensic psychiatrist who assisted in high-profile murder cases including the JonBenet Ramsey mystery, was found dead near Scottsdale on Thursday

Veleria Sharp (left) and Laura Anderson (right) were shot dead on Friday at the law office where they work, which focuses exclusively on mediation and family law litigation

A fourth professional, Marshall Levine, was found shot inside a Scottsdale office building shortly after midnight Saturday

Dr Steven Pitt, the psychiatrist in the Ramsey case, had carried out a court-mandated mental health test on Jones in the early years of his divorce battle.

Pitt was the first victim found dead near Scottsdale on Thursday and witnesses reported hearing a loud argument and gunfire outside his office.

According to court records, Jones' wife was represented during their divorce by Elizabeth Feldman. The local attorney is a partner at the law firm where the two paralegals were killed.

Feldman was not believed to be at the office when paralegals Veleria Sharp, 48, and Laura Anderson, 49, were gunned down.

The suspect was also believed to be seeing a therapist at the same location where the fourth victim, Marshall Levine, was found shot dead on Saturday night. It is not clear if the 72-year-old was Jones' therapist.

Police were trying to make contact with the suspect at the motel when he opened fire on them

Police managed to track the suspect to the Extended Stay Hotel where he had been living for some time on Monday.

Authorities were trying to make contact with him when he opened fire from his room.

They gassed the motel room and sent in a robot where officers found the suspect had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Phoenix police Sgt Vince Lewis said officers were in the process of evacuating the surrounding motel rooms when the suspect started shooting.

None of the officers returned fire.

The hotel raid came after authorities identified a fourth professional found fatally shot in the three-day span of killings.

Police had initially confirmed the first three murders were related but were working to find a connection to the fourth.

Police had earlier said Pitt's killer was described as a bald man wearing a dark-colored hat with a short brim. They released a sketch of the suspect.

Law enforcement sources told ABC News that police gassed the motel room and sent a robot. Police said once the robot entered they found the suspect had committed suicide

Police surround the hotel where the suspect wanted in multiple killings was staying on Monday morning

Sharp and Anderson were shot Friday inside a law office. Police say one of the women managed to walk to an intersection to seek help despite a gunshot wound to her head. She was taken to a hospital where she died.

Officers followed a blood trail back to the office and found the other woman. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

In the Levine case, Scottsdale police received a call Saturday about a man found fatally shot inside an office. Hoster did not identify the caller but said the person knew the victim.

The killing occurred in an office park that houses mostly therapists and counselors.

Pitt, the first victim to be killed, had assisted in the investigation of the 1996 death of six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey, who was found dead at her home in Boulder, Colorado.

A decade later, he helped Phoenix police in the Baseline Killer investigation as they sought a man who was later convicted of killing nine people.A Connecticut woman angrily smacked a Wendy's cashier with her burger after a server mishandled her order.

Holly Bartolotta, 50, of New Britain was arrested on Friday after she allegedly hit the fast food chain employee with her sandwich.

She has been charged with second-degree breach of peace for her disturbance, according to the CT Post.

Holly Bartolotta, 50, of New Britain, Connecticut was arrested on Friday after she smacked an employee with a burger after her order was mishandled, the restaurant pictured above

She allegedly yelled, swore and threw the sandwich at the server causing a disturbance at the restaurant along with another person she knew.

The incident unfolded at the Wendy's located on Route 66 on Washington Street.

Police said Bartolotta became angry after the employee got her burger wrong, inciting her wrath.

She also allegedly hit another customer during her fit.

Bartolotta told police that she was upset about the mistake but also with how the Wendy's employees tried to resolve the issue.

The police report added that she had recently had to put her dog down and was still emotional about it.

She was issued a summons to return to Middletown Superior Court on June 15.One of Australia's Bali Nine drug traffickers has died after 13 years behind bars, sources said.

Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, one of the seven remaining jailed members of the drug smuggling ring, was serving a life sentence in an Indonesian prison.

Daily Mail Australia understands the 34-year-old from Brisbane died in recent weeks following a battle with terminal cancer.

The son of Vietnamese migrant bakers, Nguyen had been serving time at Malang prison, in East Java, where he shared a cell with drug mule Martin Stephens.

Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen - known as the 'forgotten Bali Nine' prisoner - has died following a long battle with illness, sources said

Mr Nguyen (left, in police photo) had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, believed to be cancer. He wrote a powerful letter to supporters in 2015 (right)

Bali Nine: Nguyen (second from right), was arrested with fellow smugglers Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen in April 2005

He was rushed to hospital in mid-2017 following an episode where a fellow prisoner had to carry him to a medical bay.

Supporters of the Australian prisoners, including pastor Rob Buckingham, knew Nguyen had been ill for some time.

Nguyen had been planning to transport heroin to Australia

Nguyen and two others - traffickers Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen - were arrested at the Melasti Hotel in Kuta on April 17, 2005.

They had been planning to transport heroin to Australia.

In a message to supporters from prison three years ago, Nguyen wrote: 'Am I guilty? Yes.

'Am I sorry? More than anyone will ever know.'

In a previous interview with Daily Mail Australia, Nguyen said: 'No one wishes death.

'I have a life sentence, that means life in Indonesia.

'That's death by a different means'.

Mr Nguyen, above, was sentenced to death in Indonesia - but escaped with a life sentence

A letter written by Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen in 2015 where he asked for a 'second chance'

Myuran Sukumaran (left) and Andrew Chan (right) were put to death by firing squad in 2015

Nguyen said his family visited when they could, but the years-long Indonesian ordeal had been hard on them financially.

The family spent their savings on Tan's legal costs, he claimed, and the shame and stress he caused his family were one of his biggest regrets.

'I live with that regret every single morning when I wake and every night in my noisy bare jail cell as I try to sleep,' he said.

'I tell you now, there isnt any code of honour among drug dealers and in the end it will destroy you and everyone around you.

Two members of the Bali Nine, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, were executed by firing squad in April 2015.

The other seven members were sentenced to jail terms.

Seven of the 'Bali Nine' appear in an Indonesian holding cell in December 2005

In 2006, Nguyen's sentence was upgraded to death on appeal. But a further appeal restored his original life sentence.

Fellow smuggler Renae Lawrence expects that she could be released from prison this year.

After questions about Mr Nguyen's death, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokeswoman confirmed an Australian man had died from terminal illness in Indonesia.

'(The department) has been providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died of a terminal illness in Indonesia,' the DFAT spokeswoman said.

Consular assistance may include support and guidance to families and liaison with authorities to assist with funeral arrangements or repatriation of remains. Mr Nguyen's fiance declined to comment.A handcuffed man in prison clothes sent police on a wild hunt after he escaped from custody.

The 19-year-old, who was caught after the extensive search, slipped away from officers as he was being transferred to the watch house at the Bundaberg Police Station Tuesday morning.

Acting Inspector Michael Bishop told NewsMail that at about 10.30am police were moving the prisoner to the watch house after appearing in the Magistrates Court.

An 19-year-old QLD man has escaped police custody after appearing in court (pictured)

'Upon the process of taking the prisoner to the watch house, he has managed to break free from police... he has ran from the scene,' Act Insp Bishop said.

'Police conducted a search of the area - a large block directly at the rear of the Bundaberg Police Station.'

A witness said that the man was handcuffed and wearing brown prison clothing when he fled from the police van.

Act Insp Bishop said the between 30 and 40 police assisted with the man hunt that went for several hours.

The officers managed to contain him within several streets near the court, closing off the area completely.

He was found after residents spotted him hiding in some bushes.

He slipped away from the Bundaburg police while he was being transferred from the court (pictured)

The 19-year-old was initially facing court over charges relating to assault and obstruction to police.

He will now be facing one count of escaping lawful custody.

Act Insp Bishop said police thanked the public for their assistance in the search.

'We will certainly conduct a review of the processes which occurred and the officers' actions will be examined along with our existing procedures.'A fisherman has died after discharge from a dam floodgate sucked his boat underwater.

A.J. Re', 23, was killed in the freak boating accident on Saturday while fishing below the Fort Loudoun Dam in eastern Tennessee, the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency confirmed.

Two friends in the boat with him survived. They were identified as Donald McCorkle, 49, and his son Clint McCorkle, 22. All three men were from North Carolina.

The three fishermen were in a 22-foot boat that got too close to the downriver side of the dam, which was discharging through its floodgates, at around 10am on Saturday, the TWRA said in a statement.

The 22-foot boat got too close to the downriver side of the Fort Loudoun Dam (pictured)

'Witnesses say that the boat appeared to be attempting to reach an area towards the middle of the dam where only one floodgate out of eleven was not spilling water,' the agency said.

'As the boat got too close, it was pulled into the falling water and forced under sending all three occupants overboard.'

The Tennessee River was crowded with weekend fishermen, and other boats rushed to the submerged boaters' assistance, officials said.

Authorities believe all three men were wearing life-jackets, but that some of them were torn off due to the tremendous force of the water.

Clint McCorkle said on Sunday that he and his father had been released from the hospital and were home recovering.

Clint McCorkle (left) said on Sunday that he and his father had been released from the hospital and were home recovering, and asked for prayers for Re's family

'Thank everyone for their prayers,' he wrote on Facebook. 'Me and a Dad are home and doing well. We would have never made it if it werent for the awesome EMTs and paramedics.'

'Please continue to pray for AJs family. Rest In Peace, I love you man.'

Officials issued numerous warnings to boaters in the days before the fatal accident, which they reiterated after the death.

'Due to recent heavy rainfall, many of Tennessees waterways are very treacherous with high volumes of flowing water,' said the TWRA on Saturday.

'Please exercise extreme caution when boating in moving water, especially where water is being discharged from floodgates and spillways.'James Wright, 25, pictured, has been jailed for life for murdering father-of-three Craig McClelland. He had been illegally at liberty for six months at the time of the attack for breaching a tagging order

A father of three was stabbed to death in the street by a serial knife thug breaching a soft touch home curfew sentence.

James Wright was unlawfully at large for almost six months because he had not been arrested and sent back to jail despite ignoring a tagging order.

He murdered 31-year-old Craig McClelland at random, leaving his young children in pain, sobbing, crying, his heartbroken partner said.

An experienced paramedic almost broke down in court as she relived her efforts to save the university student, who was begging her not to allow him to die.

Sentencing Wright to a minimum of 20 years in prison yesterday, Lord Matthews said that questions will be asked about why the killer was not recaptured after he had breached his home detention order.

Last night, critics branded the case appalling and warned the SNP is letting dangerous offenders off the hook.

Mr McClellands distraught partner Stacey, the mother of his children, also criticised the criminal justice system after Wright was sentenced.

She wrote on social media: The justice system completely failed to protect an innocent man. The law must change.

Wright, 25, who had 16 previous convictions, including two for knife crimes, had been released early from Low Moss Prison in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, on a Home Detention Curfew (HDC).

This allows criminals to serve part of their sentence in the community wearing a tag.

The details of the case emerged yesterday when Wright was sentenced to life for murdering Mr McClelland in Paisley last year.

In a heart-wrenching impact statement, Miss McClelland, the mother of his boys  aged six, three and one  said: I have to watch our three sons in pain, sobbing, crying, asking questions I cannot answer; my three-year-old on his birthday built his daddy out of Lego; the despair in my six-year-olds eyes when I couldnt build a Lego set for him, not in the same way daddy did; the devastating sound of my baby searching for his daddy in the night  constantly shouting on him  the way he flaps his arms in excitement whenever he sees a picture of his daddy, it completely breaks my heart.

Wright had been jailed for carrying a sharp implement in public on October 21, 2016, and released early on February 13 last year.

Home Detention Orders are made at the discretion of prison governors and have been labelled armchair custody that puts public safety at risk.

Mr McClelland's widow Stacey, pictured with her husband, said the law must change because it 'failed to protect' him

The 31-year-old father-of-three was stabbed to death by Wright in Paisley, Scotland, after he asked him for a light for his cigarette

Wrights licence was revoked 11 days later after he breached the conditions of the curfew by trying to tamper with his tag.

G4S, which has the tagging contract, alerted Police Scotland, which says it made efforts to trace him.

But Wright remained at large until he stabbed Mr McClelland on July 23, after asking him for a light.

The High Court in Glasgow heard there was no explanation for the murder in Tweed Avenue, Foxbar, Paisley, other than Wrights blood lust.

Sentencing him to life with a minimum of 20 years, Lord Matthews said he had no idea why he had not been recaptured.

Lord Matthews told Wright: I note that you have a number of previous convictions, including two for carrying a sharp implement in public. I note also that your last sentence, for just such an offence, was imposed on October 21, 2016.

On February 13, 2017, you were released early from that sentence and placed on a Home Detention Curfew, involving the use of an electronic tag.

You breached that curfew and it was revoked 11 days later but you remained unlawfully at large for nearly six months, during which time you committed this awful offence.

I have no doubt that questions will be asked about that but I am afraid I have no answers.

Whatever sentence you are ordered to serve will be wholly inadequate compared to the grief you have caused.

Mr McClelland, pictured left and right, called for the ambulance himself and said to paramedics 'Don't let me die'

During Wrights trial, the jury heard he stabbed Mr McClelland twice, after stopping him in the street and asking him for a light.

Mr McClelland called for an ambulance himself at 11.20pm and as paramedics tended him, he told them the names of his partner and children and begged them: Dont let me die.

At the High Court in Livingston yesterday, Lord Matthews said of the victim: He was sailing through university and had everything to live for. On July 23, 2017, he left his partner and children to visit his brother to play the Xbox.

He was never to reach his destination or to return home. He was brutally stabbed in the street for no reason brought out in the evidence other than blood lust.

Sometimes in this court the awful realities with which we deal become sanitised when reduced to mere words. In this case, however, the words in one of the victim impact statements which I read may serve to some extent to bring home the enormity of this crime.

Mr McClellands partner, mother, father and brother shared what his loss meant to them.

Lord Matthews added: I dont know if I will ever forget the sight of a paramedic almost breaking down in court as she relived her efforts to save Mr McClelland.

Solicitor advocate John Scott, defending, said: He lost his father when he was ten  that seems to have had a significant impact on him, his education and his behaviour.

Miss McClelland posted a message of thanks on a JustGiving page set up after the murder which raised 5,335 for her and her sons.

She said: If I could speak for Craig he would be overwhelmed with all the kindness of people trying to help his family in the worst imaginable circumstances. He would also be speechless at how much people cared/loved him. From the bottom of my broken heart I thank you all.

Politicians have slammed the justice system for 'negligently' releasing Wright early from his sentence

A police spokesman said: Police Scotland was alerted of the status of James Wright having breached the terms of his monitoring conditions.

'An extensive briefing was provided to all officers working across the divisional area at the start of each shift and efforts were undertaken to trace him.

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: This case is so appalling even the judge seems to have been lost for words.

Heres a clearly dangerous individual, released virtually negligently early from his sentence, and trusted to go about his business.

Now a mans paid for this ineptitude with his life. The SNPs soft-touch drive to empty prisons is letting dangerous offenders off the hook. So long as this continues, more incidents like this will occur.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: This was a dreadful crime and we note and welcome the sentence imposed.

HDC is an established part of the process of preparing people for full release back to the community and operated across the UK.

Decisions on whether or not to grant HDC rest with the Scottish Prison Service. A risk assessment is undertaken, which includes a report from local authority criminal justice social workers.

If a prisoner released on an HDC licence breaches any of the licence conditions, he or she may be recalled to custody by the SPS.Sharks are enough to scare people from the beach.

But a sign at Harry's Hills Beach in Byron Bay, Queensland, has warned visitors of not one but eight deadly dangers.

A picture of the confronting sign was uploaded to Reddit on Tuesday.

A picture of the confronting sign was uploaded to Reddit on Tuesday

It warns visitors of strong currents, shallow water, sudden drops, submerged objects, submerged obstacles, sharks and snakes.

And to top it off the dangerous beach has no lifesaving service.

'Warning this beach may be dangerous. Watch out for hazards to yourself and people around you,' the sign reads.

The Reddit post has attracted a number of comments.

'Ha-ha yeah or re-name it Harry's Death Beach,' one person said.Mohamed Amin, 39, preyed on the 18-year-old after seeing her drunkenly leave a Cardiff nightclub

An asylum seeker was jailed for 14 years for raping a young woman on a night out while she was celebrating her 18th birthday.

Mohamed Amin, 39, preyed on the 18-year-old after seeing her drunkenly leave a Cardiff nightclub.

Amin then took the young woman back to his house - where he raped her despite her telling him to stop.

He denied rape saying that sex was consensual but he was found guilty by a jury at Cardiff Crown Court.

He fled to Ireland, but was brought back to face justice. The judge ordered Amin to be deported back to Egypt after being jailed.

The jury heard the teenager was 'too drunk' to consent to sex and Amin 'took advantage' of her condition.

The victim was visiting Cardiff on a shopping weekend with a friend in January 2015 when they went out for dinner and later to a nightclub.

But Amin approached her when she left the Pryzm club for a cigarette. He pretended to help her look for his lost phone she dropped down a drain - but took her back to his house in a taxi.

She told police: 'I was telling him to stop but he would not stop.'

Prosecutor Heath Edwards said: 'It was there, despite her objections, that the defendant had sexual intercourse.

'She did not consent to the act of sexual penetration and he did not reasonably believe that she consented. He took advantage of her drunk condition.'

The woman phoned police later that night to say she had been raped.

In an impact statement, his victim said she blamed herself for the attack and considered ending her life because she felt 'dirty and abused'.

Mohamed Amin, 39, preyed on the 18-year-old after seeing her drunkenly leave a Cardiff nightclub

He denied rape saying that sex was consensual but he was found guilty by a jury at Cardiff Crown Court

He said she developed an eating disorder which she believed would have killed her if it had not been for the support of her family and friends.

'This will stay with me for life. I do not know when my mind will escape from this trauma, or when I will be able to get a full night's sleep,' the statement said.

Ruth Smith, defending, said Amin had no previous convictions and a family in Egypt he had not been able to provide for following his arrest.

Sentencing at Newport Crown Court, Judge Thomas Crowther said he 'presented a serious risk of causing further significant harm to women'.

He added: 'You spotted a very distressed young woman and manipulated her into a position where she thought you were an ally or a friend, and having done so you took advantage of her.'Drink driving does not just involve vehicles, it can also include a horse.

A 51-year-old Logan woman was charged with drink driving after she allegedly rode a horse to a bottle shop last night whilst more than four times over the legal alcohol limit.

The woman appeared heavily intoxicated while allegedly riding the horse through the drive through section of the tavern, according to police.

Springwood officers were called to the tavern on Wembley Road at Logan Central around 11:30pm as the woman refused to leave the premises.

She was then arrested and taken to Logan Central Police Station.

She allegedly provided a positive blood alcohol content level of 0.226 per cent - the legal BAC limit for driving is 0.05 per cent, according to reports.

The woman was then charged with being in charge of a horse whilst under the influence of liquor.

She is due to appear in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on June 26.A murder investigation has been launched after a woman's body was found at a home in Melbourne's east.

She was discovered at Box Hill South just shortly after midday on Tuesday at the Canterbury Road property.

The homicide squad is investigating whether the death is suspicious.

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A woman's body was found at a Box Hill home (pictured) in Melbourne's east on Tuesday

She was discovered about midday on Tuesday at the Canterbury Road property

The body had been there for a few days and was found by a family member

It is understood that the body had been there for a few days and was found by a family member.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Belinda Batty said officers are still establishing the facts.

'The exact circumstances around the woman's death are yet to be established and the investigation is ongoing,'

Neighbour Steve Hood told 7 News the circumstances were upsetting.

'It's very distressing  to find out that someone next door has come to grief. She was a very lovely lady.'Theresa May laid down the law to Boris Johnson today as she faces a major Tory mutiny over Heathrow expansion.

The Prime Minister warned the Foreign Secretary he must not publicy pursue his long-held opposition to the third runway project as she insisted it could be a symbol of post-Brexit Britain.

But despite vowing safeguards including a 2.6billion package to protect residents and the environment, the government is facing a revolt from potentially dozens of Tories including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Justine Greening.

A cross-party coalition of MPs is gearing up to try to derail the plan in a Commons vote next month.

Critics warned that the project, which was first mooted more than 15 years ago, amounted to taxpayers signing a 'blank cheque' that would pollute the air and disrupt communities.

An artist's impression of how Heathrow Airport would look with the third runway added

The Prime Minister said the huge project at Heathrow (pictured) was part of the overhaul needed to ensure the UK can 'thrive' outside the EU

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced the Heathrow plans had been approved in a statement to MPs today. Former education secretary Justine Greening claimed a promise had been made of a free vote and said Mr Johnson should be allowed to 'represent his community'

Tory whips fear the result could be close and are expected to order the party's MPs to back the proposal - to the fury of opponents who believe they were promised a free vote.

Speculation has been mounting over the position of the Foreign Secretary, who once pledged to 'lie down in front of bulldozers' to prevent the expansion.

Defying a three-line whip would normally mean a minister has to resign.

However, Mr Johnson - whose constituency is close to the flightpath - could simply be out of the country when the vote happens over the coming weeks.

Mrs May has written to ministers to say that those with long-standing objections to a third runway at Heathrow will be permitted to restate their views at a local level - but not campaign actively against the decision.

She said: 'Today's decision to support Heathrow expansion demonstrates this government's commitment to jobs and deliver major infrastructure that this country needs to thrive as we leave the EU.

Boris Johnson a lonely voice in Cabinet against Heathrow expansion plans Boris Johnson is thought to be a lonely voice in the Cabinet speaking against Heathrow expansion. The Foreign Secretary once pledged to 'lie down in front of bulldozers' to prevent the third runway project going ahead. Mr Johnson himself previously backed a new development in Kent, having criticised the economic and environmental case while Mayor of London. But since joining the government he has largely kept quiet on the subject, despite maintaining that he has not changed his mind. His main ally on the subject, Putney MP Justine Greening, was sacked in a reshuffle last year. Mrs May has sent Mr Johnson a warning, writing to ministers to say that those with long-standing objections to the third runway can restate their views at a local level - but must not campaign actively against the decision. Outside the Cabinet, trade minister Greg Hands - MP for Hammersmith - is thought to be privately against the plans. Advertisement

'This runway will give us the tools to ensure the UK remains one of the best connected and most outward looking countries in the world.'

In a statement to the Commons this afternoon, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said there would be a 2.6billion compensation fund for environmental measures, compensation for residents, and improvements to local amenities.

'Heathrow is already full and the evidence shows the remaining London airports won't be far behind,' he said. 'Despite being the busiest two-runway airport in the world, Heathrow's capacity constraints means that it is falling behind its global competitors, impacting the UK's economy and global trading opportunities.

'Expansion at Heathrow will bring real benefits across the country including a boost of up to 74 billion to passengers and the wider economy. This is a project with benefits which reach far beyond London.'

Mr Grayling acknowledged the concerns of people living around the airport, but said there was a 2.6billion package for local communities towards the costs of compensation, noise insulation and improvements to public amenities.

He said the scheme - including 700million for noise insulation for homes and 40 million to insulate schools and community buildings - was comparable 'with some of the most generous in the world'.

He said that he also expected to see for the first time a six-and-a-half hour ban on scheduled night flights, and would be encouraging Heathrow and airlines to work with local communities to propose longer periods of respite during a further consultation on night flight restrictions.

What are the alternatives to the expansion of Heathrow Airport? Here are some of the alternatives to expanding Heathrow Airport which have been put forward: Don't do anything: Some say Britain should stop fuelling endless airport growth. But critics warn that not increasing UK airport capacity will harm trade. Boris Island: One of the more eye-catching suggestions, Boris Johnson has suggested a floating airport built in the Thames Estuary should be built. This would mitigate issues of noise, air pollution and space would all be mitigated. It would also provide the chance to close Heathrow entirely - solving the problem of noisy flight paths that have plagued West London and allowing new development of the area. Expansion of Gatwick or Stansted: Fewer people live near Gatwick and Stansted airports meaning that airport development will be far less controversial. Combine Gatwick and Stansted into a super hub airport High speed rail links could join the two airports - providing a super hub that would eliminate the need for Heathrow to be London's main hub airport. Increase capacity at local airports: Regional airports elsewhere in the UK have more spare to build on. These could be expanded eliminating the need for a large hub airport. Advertisement

'I hope the House will be ready to work together - acting on an issue that is in our shared national interest - in order to create a positive legacy for the future. I hope members will get behind it,' he said.

He said the move signalled 'our commitment to securing global connectivity, creating tens of thousands of local jobs and apprenticeships, and boosting our economy for future generations by expanding Heathrow Airport'.

He added: 'My department has met with local residents and fully understands their strength of feeling but this is a decision taken in the national interest and based on detailed evidence.'

Mr Grayling batted off questions about whether there would be a free vote, saying it was a matter for individual parties.

But he said he believed there was 'huge support from regional airports and regional business groups for the expansion of Heathrow'.

Mr Grayling went on: 'This a way of making sure our citizens, the people we represent, the businesses we work in have access to the strategic routes for the future they will need in the post-Brexit world.

A proposal for expanding the airport was first set out by the Labour government.

But the ideas have since gone through a tortuous process, with many believing the runway will never happen.

Supporters say it is the best and most cost-effective option to increase capacity and boost the national economy.

Critics warn the plan is 'expensive and complex' and bad for the environment, with some saying Gatwick airport should be made larger instead.

Mr Johnson himself previously backed a new development in Kent, having criticised the economic and environmental case while Mayor of London.

Mr Rees-Mogg has suggested a 'Heathrow Hub' scheme which would merely extend the existing runway capacity 'has lower costs, is faster and has lower landing charges'.

Richmond MP Zac Goldsmith said he feared the expansion plan would merely mean the taxpayer writing a 'series of blank cheques'.

Mr Grayling (pictured left) and Boris Johnson (right) were among those at the Cabinet meeting this morning

Supporters say the Heathrow plans (pictured) are the best and most cost-effective option to increase capacity and boost the national economy. But critics say the plans are 'expensive and complex' and bad for the environment

The plans for expanding Heathrow Airport have been in development for more than a decade

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell made clear he was still 'implacably opposed' to the third runway at Heathrow

John Stewart, chair of campaign group Hacan, warned that communities would 'face a tsunami of noise'.

What happens now with the Heathrow expansion plans? The Cabinet has agreed the National Policy Statement (NPS) on Heathrow expansion this morning. Outline planning consent will be given by Parliament if it approves the NPS setting out objectives and requirements for the scheme. A Commons vote should take place within 21 sitting days of the government decision. The airport hopes to begin construction in early 2021, with the runway completed by the end of 2025. Advertisement

'This is a bad day - many people under new flight paths will find their lives changed forever,' he said.

The Aviation Environment Federation said the extra runway would cause 'unavoidable environmental damage' for little economic benefit.

But Slough Borough Council, whose residents live within a few miles of the airport, said it was 'the right decision'.

It had long been thought that Conservative MPs would be given a free vote on the issue.

Two years ago, under David Cameron, rebel ministers who had longstanding objections to Heathrow were given permission to campaign against expansion in their constituencies.

But one senior source dismissed that suggestion last night.

'There wasn't a free vote on [railway] HS2, which arguably was more disruptive to MPs' constituencies. This is a clear manifesto commitment,' the source said.

One option for the Heathrow development would see the runway built over a widened M25 (computer generated image)

'It's not a matter of conscience. Nor is it up to the House of Commons to determine government aviation policy.'

Former education secretary Justine Greening claimed a promise had been made of a free vote and said Mr Johnson should be allowed to 'represent his community'.

'I think, for ministers involved in this, there has always been a special dispensation for them to be able to represent their local communities. That's always been very clear-cut, actually,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Ex-minister demands MPs are given a free vote on Heathrow plan Former Cabinet minister Justine Greening today demanded Theresa May honours a pledge to give MPs a free vote on Heathrow. The Tory MP for Putney in West London has been a long-term campaigner against the third runway plans. Granting a free vote would mean politicians could vote with their conscience without risk of disciplinary action. However, with the result potentially tight there are signs that the government will whip Conservative MPs to back the plans. Ms Greening said she was ready to defy the orders, and insisted current ministers who oppose expansion, such as Boris Johnson, should be allowed to 'represent their community'. 'I think, for ministers involved in this, there has always been a special dispensation for them to be able to represent their local communities. That's always been very clear-cut, actually,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'Boris has got a long-standing position on this, as I have, and I hope that he is allowed to represent his community and his views when the vote comes in to Parliament. 'I think in the past there have been assurances that this would be a free vote - I hope they're stuck to.' Advertisement

'Boris has got a long-standing position on this, as I have, and I hope that he is allowed to represent his community and his views when the vote comes in to Parliament.

'I think in the past there have been assurances that this would be a free vote - I hope they're stuck to.'

'A lot of MPs who fundamentally believe this is a bad thing will be left with no choice but to vote against a government whip.'

When he was elected MP for Uxbridge in 2015 Mr Johnson said he was prepared to 'lie down in front of bulldozers' to stop expansion.

Trade minister Greg Hands, MP for Hammersmith and Fulham, is also believed to be opposed to a third runway.

Labour is also deeply split on the Heathrow issue, with shadow chancellor John McDonnell among the MPs against the plan.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, whose Twickenham seat stands to be affected by expansion, branded the scheme 'ill-conceived'.

However, there is thought to be a majority across the House in favour.

In October 2016 the Government announced that a third runway at the west London hub is its preferred option for increasing airport capacity in south-east England.

The Cabinet agreed the National Policy Statement (NPS) on the expansion this morning.

Outline planning consent will be given by Parliament if it approves the NPS setting out objectives and requirements for the scheme.

A vote should take place within 21 sitting days of the government decision.

Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe with 78 million passengers in 2017.

A third runway would allow hundreds of thousands more flights a year.

The airport hopes to begin construction in early 2021, with the runway completed by the end of 2025.

Chancellor Philip Hammond (left) and Brexit Secretary David Davis were at Downing Street for the full Cabinet meeting today

Campaigners are worried about the potential environmental impact the runway might have

The proposals for a third runway at Heathrow have been controversial for many yearsA woman who wanted to 'surprise' her husband with breast enlargement surgery has died after falling into a coma for more than a year.

Galina Rakushina, 30, was the latest in a spate of fatalities linked to plastic surgery in Moscow clinics.

A criminal case was launched into the mother-of-two's death 13 months after she went for the breast operation.

Galina Rakushina, 30, died after slipping into a coma when she was given anaesthetic for a breast enlargement surgery in a Moscow clinic

She leaves behind a daughter Milena, 10, and a six-year-old son, having wanted to surprise her husband with the surgery after having children

As in other cases, investigators were probing the quality of anaesthetic and drugs used amid concerns over the regulation of plastic surgery clinics in the city.

The woman from Lipetsk 'wanted to surprise her husband by enlarging her breasts after having her children', a friend said.

'She had secretly saved money for the operation,' she said.

Ms Rakushina was given anaesthetic on April 17 last year and her heart stopped soon afterwards.

Then 29, she was not monitored for several minutes and although her heart was restarted 'her brain was without oxygen for too long', according to Ren TV.

'Her heart was not beating for more than three minutes when doctors started reanimation,' the report said.

Ms Rakushina was given anaesthetic on April 17 last year and her heart stopped soon afterwards

Then 29, she was not monitored for several minutes and although her heart was restarted 'her brain was without oxygen for too long'

An ambulance rushed her to a major medical hospital, but she was in a coma from which she never awoke despite living another 13 months.

'All of us believed in a miracle and hoped for it,' her friend Kristina Korostina said.

'God has taken you - please know that we loved you. Rest in peace.'

Her husband Alexander Rakushin, with whom she shared daughter Milena, 10, and a six-year-old son, has not commented on her death.

The Russian Investigative Committee, which probes serious crime, launched criminal case into unsafe medical services by the clinic, which was not named.

A separate probe is underway into deaths at a clinic called MedLounge where Natalia Orlova, 54, a well-known Moscow stock exchange trader, died last month.

Ms Rakushina's daughter Milena was just 10 when her mother died from the operation

She is left with her little brother and heartbroken father after her mother never came out of her coma

She was the fourth patient to die in mysterious circumstances in a few weeks amid fears an 'angel of death' nurse was to blame.

Ms Orlova had a facelift but afterwards suffered acute spinal pain followed by liver and kidney failure.

She died three weeks after her operation at the MedLounge clinic as an urgent criminal probe was already underway into three other suspicious deaths of women plastic surgery patients.

Orlova's daughter Rada said she was told by three separate medics that an unknown substance used at the clinic had poisoned her mother.

'I heard from doctors (that) some agent, a poisonous substance which was in the anaesthetic or in other medicines, has been seized by the investigators,' she told Moscow 25 TV.

'It acts like a chemical warfare agent. I was told this by three doctors.'

Criminal investigators have not commented on her shock claim.

Reports at the end of April already pointed to an 'angel of death' nurse with a possible mental condition being under suspicion at the clinic after three other deaths.

An ambulance rushed her to a major medical hospital, but she was in a coma from which she never awoke despite living another 13 months

The Russian Investigative Committee, which probes serious crime, launched criminal case into unsafe medical services by the clinic, which was not named

Beautician Marina Kushkhova, 29, died in April after sinking into a coma following an operation to alter the shape of her nose.

The same month, a Canadian woman, aged 41, died after travelling to the Russian capital for breast implant surgery at the same MedLounge clinic.

Another woman who died soon after plastic surgery treatment here has not been named.

Two other patients remain in 'grave' conditions in intensive care. Yulia Kurilko-Ryumina, 37, had surgery on her nose.

'She suffered sepsis and kidneys failure. Life support machines are keeping her going,' Her husband Ilya Koshevev said.

Another patient, named as Svetlana, 28, is also fighting for life.

Other criminal cases were launched after deaths at different clinics.Advertisement

The enormity of the Normandy landings has been brought to life in striking colourised images as the world commemorates the 74th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

Iconic photos of brave Allied troops storming the beaches, driving tanks off ships and hiding them under buses are visible in brilliant colour.

Striking shots show men storming French beaches under ominous grey skies for the invasion, glider pilots on landing craft, and British Airborne Pathfinders at Harwell checking their watches on the night of June 5, 1944, hours before the battle commenced.

Men of the British 22nd Independent Parachute Company in the 6th Airborne Division are seen being briefed for the big day, while others huddle on landing boats and in trenches.

On the other side of the conflict, photos show German General Erwin Rommel inspecting his defences and a German Tiger I Tank camouflaged in the undergrowth in Villers-Bocage.

More than 150,000 Allied troops were involved in the landings of five beaches across Normandy on June 6, 1944, and 1.4 million in the operation that eventually liberated France and defeated Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany.

They assembled a massive armada of ships that sailed for the coast, while planes dropped bombs and parachuted troopers on to the ground behind enemy lines.

The original black and white photographs were painstakingly colourised by electrician Royston Leonard, 55, from Cardiff, each snap taking between four and five hours to bring to colour.

Iconic photos of troops storming beaches on D-Day, June 6, 1944, are visible in brilliant colour for the first time, 74 years later. The landings began the Allied invasion of Europe that beat the Germans and ended Adolf Hitler's regime. Pictured are 48th Royal Marines at Juno Beach where thousands of British and Canadian troops landed, only suffering 340 dead and 574 wounded before they began a push south the next day, beating off a determined German counter attack and joining up with Gold Beach to form a continuous front

A massive armada of ships drop off troops, tanks, vehicles, and equipment on Utah beach, one of five beaches invaded by the Allies. Landing parties took it on June 6, 1944, with just 197 casualties as resistance was light. This photo was taken after the beach was taken and shows reinforcements arriving. The bulk of the fighting for those involved took place in the weeks later as they pushed deeper into France. The original black and white photographs were painstakingly colourised, each snap taking between four and five hours to bring to colour

On the other side of the channel, soldiers load artillery equipment, vehicles, and troops aboard landing ships fitted to carry tanks in Brixham, England, on June 1, 1944, in preparation for the invasion. They later sailed over to Normandy with the fleet dodging Germany aircraft and dropped everything off on the beaches for the massive invasion

American soldiers calmly walk on to a beach in Normandy, either because it was already taken or it was one of the areas where the secret invasion caught the Germany unawares and there was no resistance. Codenamed Operation Neptune, the landings were the largest seaborne invasion in history

A landing craft form the USS Samuel Chase lands troops of US Army First Division on Omaha, the most famous and easily the bloodiest landing of the Normandy invasion where up to 4,700 of the 43,000 Allied troops were cut down by the defending Germans as they rushed ashore with heavy fire from gun emplacements overlooking the beaches, and the shore was mined and covered with obstacles such as wooden stakes, metal tripods, and barbed wire, making the work of the beach-clearing teams difficult and dangerous

U.S. troops are towed into Utah beach, with a squad of medical trucks in the background making their approach. The troops don't appear concerned, indicating the beach was already captured by this time. Allied infantry and armoured divisions began landing on the coast of France at 6.30am. The target 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast was divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword

Glider crews on landing craft head back after landing ahead of the invasion force, ready to be sent in again farther behind enemy lines to attack positions from behind along with airborne parachute troops

The U.S. Coast Guard manned USS LST-21 unloads British Army tanks and trucks onto a Rhino barge during the early hours of the invasion on Gold Beach, a relatively easy landing where only 30 were killed

British Airborne Pathfinders at Harwell check their watches on night of June 5, hours before they would be dropped behind enemy lines before and during the time when their infantry comrades would storm the beaches miles north of them. They wanted to be sure they all had the same time to coordinate jumps. The airborne assault involved 24,000 American, British and Canadian troops jumping shortly after midnight

Men of the British 22nd Independent Parachute Company in the 6th Airborne Division being briefed for the invasion on June 4 or 5. The invasion was originally scheduled for June 5 but postponed for a day by bad weather. These men landed behind enemy lines under cover of darkness and needed briefings to know their role as they would be separated

British troops land on Sword Beach, the easternmost of the beaches chosen for the invasion. It was a relatively easy landing with a few hundred casualties but the going got tougher after the beach as they were attacked from heavily-defended German position and a counter-attack by a tank division on the way to Caen

British troops dig in after taking Sword beach and prepare to advance to the strategic city of Caen. One soldier appears to be operating a radio that uses a hand crank for power. At Gold, Juno, and Sword, several fortified towns were cleared in house-to-house fighting, and two major gun emplacements at Gold were disabled, using specialised tanks

German Tiger I tank form the Panzer VI division camouflaged in the undergrowth in Villers-Bocage, a town well inland from the landings. These hidden positions proved decisive in ambushing advancing British troops seeking to take the town and forcing them to retreat after many vehicles were destroyed

U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division troops collapse exhausted after taking Utah beach before the even harder work of pushing south into France begins, with the port city of Cherbourg their objective. Strong winds blew the landing craft east of their intended positions, particularly at Utah and Omaha

Reinforcements not involved in the initial landings arrive to strengthen captured Allied positions and push farther into France, among a force of more than 1.4 million troops. Only two of the beaches (Juno and Gold) were linked on the first day, and all five beachheads were not connected until June 12, however, the operation gained a foothold which the Allies gradually expanded over the coming months

German General Erwin Rommel inspects defences in Normandy, which he considered to be woefully under-defended considering they were a potential invasion spot. He had concrete gun emplacements placed at strategic points along the coast, and installed wooden stakes, metal tripods, mines, and large anti-tank obstacles on the beaches

Britain to finally open a memorial to D-Day fallen in 2019 Britain will finally open a dedicated D-Day memorial in Normandy 75 years after the landings where 22,000 troops died and many more were wounded in the biggest amphibious invasion ever. No such memorial currently exists to the British fallen, even though the U.S., Canada and France already have their own. Some are remembered in cemeteries or on smaller monuments scattered across the region. Many, though, are not. A 20 million memorial will be built on a 50-acre site overlooking the sea at Ver-sur-Mer above Gold Beach, the most central of the five Allied landing sectors and one of three attacks led by the British. It will have the names and ages of every single combatant under British command who fell in the Battle of Normandy engraved in polished stone. Two busloads of veterans visited the site on Tuesday to give it their blessing. This time next year, the main section should be ready for the 75th anniversary. The project was driven by veterans themselves, with a 20 million government grant. From this memorial site, you look directly across to the craggy remnants of Mulberry, the ingenious temporary harbour which the Brits towed across behind the invasion fleet. It was so robust that vast chunks of it still protrude from the water. Advertisement

Lesley George Robinson, 98, the last survivor of the RAF veterans who landed at Omaha Beach, lays a wreath as fellow Normandy veterans attend a wreath laying ceremony at the Tactical Air Force Memorial besides Omaha Beach at Vierville-sur-Mer in Normandy on June 4, 2018

The handful of veterans still alive who were involved in the invasion reunited to pay respects to fallen comrades 74 years on. German casualties on D-Day have been estimated at 4,000 to 9,000 men. Allied casualties were at least 10,000, with 4,414 confirmed dead

Mr Robinson speaks at the wreath laying ceremony alongside representatives from the U.S., France, Britain, Canada, and other nations involved in the landings

The old men were still able to make a few jokes at the somber occasion as they put down their canes and sat for the ceremony

Mr Robinson shakes hands with standard-bearers representing France. The Free French, who escaped being controlled by the German occupation and the Vichy France puppet regime, also fought alongside the Allies

Pipers play at the ceremony as veterans arrive to begin the ceremony marking 74 years since they landed on the beaches of Normandy

Denys Hunter, who was in the Hertfordshire Yeomanry and landed on Gold Beach on D-Day, speaks to a young child his wheelchair is seated beside before the wreath ceremony

World War II re-enactors talk with Normandy veterans attending a wreath laying ceremony at the Tactical Air Force Memorial besides Omaha Beach at Vierville-sur-Mer in Normandy on June 4, 2018

Mr Cattini speaks with Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight D Eisenhower at a restaurant in Carentan in Normandy after the wreath laying ceremony. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe and planned the D-Day landings with other generals

Veterans stand as the wreath laying ceremony gets underway in Normandy to mark 74 years since the invasion

A descendant of a Normandy veteran speaks to the handful of survivors who made the journey back to the beaches

Vera Hay, 96, (right) who was a nursing sister in the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service and landed on Gold Beach shortly after D-Day talks with Major Liz Hulley from the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps at a memorial in Pegasus Bridge in Normandy

World War II paratrooper Tom Schaffer, 92, drinks a toast as he attends a ceremony at the Pegasus Bridge Museum

Ray Shuck, 95, who was a paratrooper on D-Day and was later shot in the head by a German sniper, poses for a photograph on the original Pegasus Bridge as he attends a ceremony at the Pegasus Bridge Museum

Mr Shuck speaks with school children from Bushy Hill Junior School in Guildford on the original Pegasus Bridge as he attends a ceremony at the Pegasus Bridge Museum

Normandy Veterans attend a ceremony at the Pegasus Bridge Museum on the way to Caen, where Allied troops fought their way from Sword beach to take the strategic city after days of tough fighting

Pegasus Bridge was a major objective for British airborne troops who dropped in ahead of the D-Day landings. Just a few hundred soldiers, sappers and engineers in gliders landed and took the bridge in 10 minutes

The attack on Pegasus Bridge came just after midnight and was the first engagement of the invasion and Lieutenant Den Brotheridge was the only one shot dead, becoming the first soldier to die by enemy fire on D-Day

A veteran is wheeled to the ceremony by his family and a big crowd assembles around the bridge

Omaha Beach in Normandy where the worst of the fighting occurred and thousands were mowed down as they ran across the sand towards German fortifications

People look at the German guns at the battery at Longues-sur-Mer in Normandy that shot at advancing soldiers as they swarmed the beaches

The concrete gun installations were the major defences on the shores of France and took the lives of many Allied soldiers to capture so they could take the beach. This one on Omaha would have been particularly damaging in the bloody landing

Bill Pendall, 96, who landed as a courier, from the 11th Armored Division, on D-Day at Gold Beach and Joe Cattini 95, who was in the Hertfordshire Yeomanry and also landed on Gold Beach on D-Day joke as they get on the coach that will take them to Normandy in France on June 3, 2018 in Portsmouth, England, for the ceremony

Ray Shuck, 95, who was a paratrooper on D-Day and was later shot in the head by a German sniper, sits on the deck of the Brittany ferry from Portsmouth to Caen as he travels to Normandy for the ceremony

Mr Shuck smokes a cigarette as he would have done making the same journey the first time as he sailed into battle on June 6, 1944

John Dennett, from the Royal Navy who was a on a landing craft that landed on Gold Beach on D-Day, attends a wreath laying ceremony on the deck of the Brittany ferry from Portsmouth to Caen

Normandy veterans attend a wreath laying ceremony on the deck of the Brittany ferry from Portsmouth to Caen as they travel to Normandy on June 3 for another ceremony near the beaches they and their comrades fought on

John Quinn, Royal Marine who was a coxswain on a landing craft that landed on Gold Beach on D-Day throws a wreath into the sea to remember those who died in its waters as their ships were sunk on the way to the invasionWest Ham United's new manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed how he fought with armed robbers who attacked him and his wife in Chile.

The couple were mugged on Saturday evening as they headed to a restaurant with friends in the Chilean capital Santiago.

The men stole a handbag thought to belong to Carola Pucci, Pellegrini's wife, before shooting at cops who tried to stop them and speeding off in a stolen Porsche Cayenne later found abandoned by police.

The terrifying incident happened near a shopping mall called Casa Costanera in an upmarket suburb of the Chilean capital called Vitacura.

Pellegrini, 64, has since revealed how he 'threw himself' on one of the men before a gang member aimed a gun at his chest and then fired in to the sky.

West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini (pictured) and his wife are recovering after being held up by armed robbers who shot at police before escaping

According to The Sun, he said: 'I parked the car, walked for about 40 metres, then two masked men got out of a car and jumped on my wife to grab her handbag, then came over to me and I reacted.

'I threw myself on the guy, and that made him stop, but then he came back to me and pushed his gun on me, pointed it at me and fire into the air. The bullet hit a building.

'If he had pushed the gun into me first, I wouldn't have moved. But by luck he pointed it at me but then decided to shoot it into the air, perhaps because he could hear the police running towards us, or because the other guy told him not to shoot, or because he recognised me, I don't know.'

The former Manchester City manager said his actions, rather than being courageous, were 'just a reaction of self-defence'.

One of the couple's three children, Juan Ignacio, 29, said his parents carried on to enjoy their evening out - despite their ordeal.

He said the robbers had struck at random and that it was not a targeted attack on the manager and his wife.

No-one was hurt in the drama, despite the violence shown by the armed robbers who threw road spikes down to stop police chasing them after one fired his weapon.

A police helicopter was mobilised in the hunt for the criminals, whose car was eventually found in a suburb of Santiago called Conchali.

Officers also recovered the handbag they stole, which reportedly belonged to Pellegrini's wife although police would only confirm it belonged a woman and would not say if it was Carola's or the female friend she and her husband were with.

They also confirmed the Porsche, taken just a fortnight ago, had false numberplates and said they suspected it had been stolen to order so it could subsequently be used to commit other crimes.

The West Ham manager and his wife were targeted seconds after they parked their car and started walking towards the unnamed restaurant where they were due to have dinner.

The couple were mugged on Saturday evening as they headed to a restaurant with friends in the Chilean capital Santiago (file picture)

Pellegrini and his friends are said to have tried to calm the criminals down while they pointed their weapon at them and demanded their valuables.

The armed robbers were intercepted by police as they tried to run to their car.

Local police chief Gonzalo Munoz confirmed: 'They fired two shots at officers and threw road spikes down to stop them following as they sped off which resulted in a police car being damaged.'

No arrests have yet been made.

The owner of the stolen Porsche told local media on Sunday: 'I can't understand how these sorts of things are happening and you can't even go out for dinner without being robbed like this. It's very serious.'

Pellegrini, appointed as West Ham's new manager in May, thanked Chilean police who are known as Carabineros - in a tweet.

He said: 'Congratulations to @Carabdechile for their speedy and brave reaction.

'I'm also thankful for the help of locals. I hope they give the Carabineros more resources to solve the problem of delinquency as soon as possible.'

Local Pedro Hernandez replied: 'Criminality has bee out of control in Chile for some time. That's the perception citizens like me have.'Edward Snowden says he has 'no regrets' five years after he leaked reams of classified NSA data to the press.

Snowden, who now lives in exile in Russia, believes 'everything has changed' since he exposed government schemes to collect phone data from millions of people.

While he acknowledges that mass surveillance still exists, he says now that people know about it they are beginning to fight back.

Edward Snowden says he has 'no regrets' about leaking classified NSA data to the press, five years after he exposed shadowy government surveillance schemes

Speaking to The Guardian, Snowden said: 'People say nothing has changed: that there is still mass surveillance. That is not how you measure change. Look back before 2013 and look at what has happened since. Everything changed.

'The government and corporate sector preyed on our ignorance. But now we know. People are aware now. People are still powerless to stop it but we are trying. The revelations made the fight more even.'

Asked if he had any regrets he said 'no', before adding: 'If I had wanted to be safe, I would not have left Hawaii.'

Hawaii is where Snowden was living while he worked as a contractor for the NSA.

It was there that he acquired the data he would later leak, before fleeing America for Hong Kong and subsequently settling in Russia.

In response to the anniversary Jeremy Fleming, head of British spy agency GCHQ, renewed calls for Snowden to be 'accountable' for his actions.

He said: 'What Edward Snowden did five years ago was illegal and compromised our ability to do that, causing real and unnecessary damage to the security of the UK and our allies. He should be accountable for that.'

Snowden says 'everything changed' following the leak and while he admits that government surveillance still exists, he says people are now fighting back because they are aware of it

Meanwhile intelligence chiefs in America have also renewed their criticisms of Snowden, saying that his leaks will continue to cause problems for years to come.

Revelations from the documents Snowden leaked are still emerging, including recent reports on a mass surveillance program run by close US ally Japan.

A further report revealed how the NSA targeted bitcoin users to gather intelligence to support counterterrorism and to combat narcotics and money laundering.

Both pieces were run by The Intercept, an investigative publication run by Glenn Greenwald, the former Guardian journalist who helped publish the original leak.

A top U.S. counterintelligence official said journalists have released only about 1 per cent of the data taken by the 34-year-old American.

'This past year, we had more international, Snowden-related documents and breaches than ever,' Bill Evanina, who directs the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, said at a recent conference.

'Since 2013, when Snowden left, there have been thousands of articles around the world with really sensitive stuff that's been leaked.'

On June 5, 2013, the first story based on Snowden's disclosures appeared.

It revealed that a secret court order was allowing the U.S. government to get Verizon to share the phone records of millions of Americans.

Later stories, including those in The Washington Post, disclosed other snooping and how U.S. and British spy agencies had accessed information from cables carrying the world's telephone and internet traffic.

Snowden's defenders maintain that the U.S. government has for years exaggerated the damage his disclosures caused.

Greenwald said there are 'thousands upon thousands of documents' that journalists have chosen not to publish because they would harm peoples' reputation or privacy rights or because it would expose 'legitimate surveillance programs.'

'It's been almost five years since newspapers around the world began reporting on the Snowden archive and the NSA has offered all kinds of shrill and reckless rhetoric about the "damage" it has caused, but never any evidence of a single case of a life being endangered let alone harmed,' Greenwald said.

U.S. intelligence officials say they are still counting the cost of his disclosures that went beyond actual intelligence collected to how it was collected.

Evanina said intelligence agencies are finishing their seventh classified assessment of the damage.A champion surf lifesaver injured in the sea while catching waves with friends was able to use her expertise to instruct rescuers how to treat her.

Jessica Collins was left paralysed after a freak accident when she fell off a paddleboard on the Gold Coast last Thursday.

The 24-year-old crashed into a sand bank, fracturing her C5 vertebra and damaging her spinal cord.

Jessica Collins (pictured) has the spirit of a fighter as she embarks on her spinal rehabilitation with determined energy and concentrated focus to fully recover

The champion surf lifesaver was injured in the sea while surfing waves (pictured with family)

Jessica Collins (pictured) was left paralysed after a freak accident on the Gold Coast

Her sister Emma told Daily Mail Australia that Jessica never lost consciousness and was telling the lifesaver how to help her from the moment it happened.

'She was lucky that she was surfing with five of her friends and they are all lifesavers who responded so quickly to her.

'From there the lifeguard on duty and the paramedics took over - but her friends are the definition of angels in disguise in our eyes.'

Their father Peter Collins said that Jessica was aware that once a person loses consciousness and goes below the surface there is a possibility they will not be found.

'She knew she had to hold her breath as long as she could because once she exhaled, she was dead,' Mr Collins told the Sydney Morning Herald.

The 24-year-old (left) fell from a paddleboard, crashing into a sand bank last Thursday

'She said once she hit the bottom that 'thank God I stayed conscious'.

Despite the harrowing prospect of never walking again, Mr Collins says she is grateful to have survived the ordeal and is optimistic about her recovery.

'She is an amazing girl. You just can't believe how strong she is in terms of her will and determination. She's proved that with her sporting expertise and in life. She will never give in on anything that she needs to work on.'

In a post on Facebook, her sibling Emma explained Jessica had successfully undergone spinal surgery to fuse the bone back together and will now start a long road of spinal cord rehabilitation.

She is remaining optimistic and strong as she begins spinal cord rehabilitation

'At present she has no feeling below the shoulders but she is the strongest, most persistent and stubborn person and she will not let this beat her,' she wrote.

Ms Collins said hospital staff adore Jessica's strength of will and positive attitude.

'We are lucky to have her here and she has such a positive outlook on life and just loves life as we all know.'

The family have launched a GoFundMe page to go towards Jesss recovery and rehabilitation 'in the hope that one day she will again stand tall and face the sun, just like a sunflower.'Jeremy Corbyn today accused Theresa May of 'appeasing' Donald Trump and failing to stand up to him over punishing steel tariffs.

In a speech to the GMB union, the Labour leader branded Mrs May 'too weak' and insisted her response has been 'timid'.

The Prime Minister spoke to the US President last night to protest the imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on all steel made in Europe, including in the UK.

Mr Trump's swingeing tariffs are intended to hit back at China for dumping cheap steel on the global market, while re-balancing trade between the US and Europe.

Jeremy Corbyn (pictured today at the GMB conference) accused Theresa May of 'appeasing' Donald Trump and failing to stand up to him over punishing steel tariffs today

At the GMB Congress, Mr Corbyn insisted a Labour government would 'upgrade' the economy instead of pursuing trade deals

Her Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, has criticised the tariffs but urged the EU not to take immediate retaliatory action to give Mr Trump time to change his mind.

Mr Corbyn insisted a Labour government would 'upgrade' the economy instead of pursuing trade deals.

Mr Corbyn said: 'US President Donald Trump's latest unilateral steel tariffs are wrong. The Trump tariffs risk hurting workers in the United States and around the world by sparking tit-for-tat retaliation.

'But US workers, whether in steel or any other industry, are not wrong to want a government that actively supports them and the real, everyday economy.

'For 40 years, they've seen a completely rigged system shift more and more power and wealth to a tiny financial and political elite.

'Donald Trump's government doesn't support workers. Trying to hold back the tide with one hand and giving eye-watering handouts to the super rich with the other is no substitute for a government taking a proactive role in modernising and upgrading industry so that it's cleaner, more efficient and works for the many not the few.'

The Prime Minister (pictured in Southwark on Sunday) spoke to the US President (pictured at the White House this week) last night to protest the imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on all steel made in Europe, including in the UK.

He added: 'The next Labour government will work with the real experts - workers, technicians, engineers and designers, their unions, consumers and communities - to upgrade our economy by taking on the power of the tiny elite that's holding us back with their failed free market fundamentalism.

'Theresa May is appeasing Donald Trump in the hope of getting a race-to-the-bottom trade deal with the US after we leave the European Union. The Trump trade tariffs show that's a Tory pipe-dream.'

A study by GMB today named five constituencies at most risk from job losses in the steel industry - Aberavon, Scunthorpe, Newport East, Corby and Rotherham.

The steel industry supports more than 34,000 jobs, with annual wages of more than 1 billion, and 230 million paid in tax and national insurance contributions, said the union.

The steel industry supports more than 34,000 jobs, with annual wages of more than 1 billion, and 230 million paid in tax and national insurance contributions, said the GMB (file image)

General secretary Tim Roache said: 'These figures hammer home the potential harm of Donald Trump's tariffs, which could have a devastating impact on jobs, steel communities and the wider UK economy.

'The Government needs to stand up for our steel industry and UK manufacturing, not leave us at the whim of a protectionist president who will only ever put America first.'

What are tariffs and why has Trump's plan to impose them been met with such criticism? Tariffs are charges which governments can slap on certain goods or products imported into the country. Taxing items coming into a country makes them more expensive  and people less likely to buy them as a result. Imposing such tariffs makes people more likely to turn to local products instead  theoretically protecting domestic jobs. However, Governments usually try to negotiate minimum tariffs so that goods can be traded freely around the world. This is because for many years most politicians have agreed that free trade leads to greater wealth and makes products cheaper to buy in the shops. The US says the balance had shifted because China has massively ramped up the amount of steel it has produced in recent years and dumped it cheaply on the market. This global steel glut has made it far harder for steel industries in other countries to compete - prompting plant closures and job losses. Donald Trump has responded to domestic anger by imposing his hefty tariffs in a bid to protect the American steel industry. But critics around the world have blasted the move - warning this will result in a tit for tat trade war which will only push up prices in the long term. Advertisement

Last night, Mrs May told Mr Trump his steel tariffs are 'unjustified and deeply disappointing' in a phone call.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the 30-minute call was 'constructive' and said they agreed to discuss the issue further at the G7 summit in Canada later this week.

It was the first time the two leaders have spoken since the US President imposed his the 25 per cent levies.

The PM's official spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister raised the US decision to apply tariffs to EU steel and aluminium imports which she said was unjustified and deeply disappointing.

'She said the US and UK and EU are close national security allies and we recognise the importance of the values of open and fair trade across the world. The prime minister also underlined the need to safeguard jobs.'

The US President has imposed the hefty tariffs in an attempt to curb China's aggressive steel dumping.

Beijing has spent years shovelling steel into the global market at knockdown prices.

It has forced down the price of steel in both the United States and Europe, causing a loss of jobs in the so-called rust belt of America - a key constituency for Mr Trump.

The dumping prompted Mr Trump to invoke national security as his justification for imposing the tariffs.

Mr Trump ran on an 'America First' manifesto which pledged to impose big tariffs to hit back at China.

But some of America's closest allies - including Britain and the EU - have been caught in the trade war.

Brussels has threatened to hit back by imposing a wave of tariffs on US goods including motorbikes, jeans and orange juice within weeks.

This has fuelled fears the world is set to lurch into a trade war which will push up prices.

Trump's tariffs explained: What are they, how has the world reacted and what are the implications for Britain and global trade?

By Jane Denton for This is Money

Donald Trump's administration imposed new trade tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the US on the EU, Canada and Mexico.

Here we explain all the key issues and the implications at stake.

New tariffs: Donald Trump's government has imposed new trade tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the US from the EU, Canada and Mexico

What has Donald Trump's government done?

The US government has announced it will begin imposing steel and aluminium tariffs on US allies Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

Canada, Mexico and the EU together exported around 17billion worth of steel and aluminium to the US in 2017, equating to nearly half of the total steel and aluminium imports.

What does 'imposing a trade tariff' really mean?

That any steel and aluminium imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico to the US will be slapped with a 25 per cent and 10 per cent tax respectively.

The tariffs will hit a wide range of products, including plated steel, slabs, coil and rolls of aluminium, all of which are used extensively within the US manufacturing, oil and construction sectors.

Big business: Canada, Mexico and the EU together exported around 17billion worth of steel and aluminium to the US in 2017

When do the new tariffs take effect?

The new tariffs imposed on Canada, Mexico and the EU took effect at midnight on Thursday 31 May.

Why has Trump done this?

Trade played a major role in Trump's presidential campaign back in 2016. During that campaign, he blamed unfair global trade deals on job losses within the US.

Since 2000, 50,000 jobs have been lost in the steel industry and 40,000 in the aluminium factories.

Speaking at a metals recycling facility in Monessen, Pennsylvania, in June 2016, Trump said: 'We tax and regulate and restrict our companies to death and then we allow foreign countries that cheat to export their goods to us tax-free. How stupid is this? How could it happen? How stupid is this?'.

He added: 'We are going to put American steel and aluminium back into the backbone of our country.'

During the speech, Trump warned he would impose taxes and tariffs on foreign countries importing their products into the US.

Airing his views: Trade played a major role in Trump's presidential campaign back in 2016

Before this week, what tariffs had Trump already introduced?

On 1 March, Trump announced he was introducing a 25 per cent charge on steel imports and a 10 per cent charge on aluminium imports. In total, the tariffs would have an impact on around $48billion worth of trade.

Trump was primarily taking aim at China, which had been dubbed by the president as the 'bad guy' of global trade. The tariffs were supposed to come into force the following week.

After a backlash, Trump then initially suspended the tariffs for Argentina, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, Canada, Mexico and the EU from the tariffs, pending further negotiations.

If those negotiations did not make sufficient progress in Trump's eyes, then the tariffs would be imposed at a later date. This is what has ended up happening.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has said talks with the EU, Canada and Mexico had not made enough progress to warrant a further reprieve, meaning the geographical reach of the tariffs has been extended.

Also in March, Trump scheduled $50bn worth of tariffs on hundreds of Chinese industrial goods to come into force in June - but talks are ongoing in Beijing to avert a possible trade war (see below).

Industry: Around 7 per cent of the UK's steel output, 350,000 tonnes, was exported to the US last year

What are the implications for Britain?

Around 7 per cent of the UK's steel output, 350,000 tonnes, was exported to the US last year. For this reason, the industry fears the tariffs could cause serious damage.

The UK's steel sector remains a major employer, despite having shrunk significantly in recent decades.

The director of trade body UK Steel, Gareth Stace, said he was 'very, very worried' about the potential impact of a 'double whammy' on British producers from the Trump administration's decision.

UK steel producers could be shut out of an American market where they sold around 350million of exports last year, while also facing increased competition from a 'tsunami' of cheap steel diverted away from the US, he said.

Mr Stace told BBC Radio 4's World at One it was too early to speculate on the likely impact on jobs, but said: 'At worst, we could fall straight back into the crisis we suffered in 2015/16, which was the worst steel crisis in a generation.

'We are heading for a trade war, which is going to be all losers - there will be no winners. The US economy will suffer as much as any other economy.'

Mr Stace said the EU should activate 'safeguard measures' to prevent European markets being disrupted by a surge of as much as 25million tonnes of steel diverted from the US.Jeremy Corbyn demanded an investigation into Islamophobia in the Conservative Party today - despite an outcry over his failure to tackle anti-Semitism in Labour.

The Labour leader waded into the row after Home Secretary Sajid Javid dismissed claims of a widespread problem in the Conservatives.

Mr Corbyn has been under intense pressure over a wave of anti-Semitism among activists which has caused fury among his own MPs.

But last night he insisted that the Tories should hold an inquiry to 'deal with' accusations of Islamophobia.

Jeremy Corbyn (pictured on a visit to a London mosque last night) has been under intense pressure over a wave of anti-Semitism among Labour activists

'I think if there are allegations made then an inquiry should be held and it should be addressed and it should be dealt with,' Mr Corbyn told the Press Association on a visit to a west London mosque.

'Islamophobia, as with anti-Semitism, as with any other form of racism, has no place whatsoever in our society or in any of our political parties. Nobody should be condoning it, nobody should be hiding it, everybody should be exposing it.'

He added: 'Let's dedicate ourselves, during Ramadan, to say we will drive out Islamophobia from our society.'

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) demanded an inquiry into 'racists and bigots' in the Conservative Party last week, highlighting a series of alleged incidents involving activists.

Former Tory chair Baroness Warsi has also backed an investigation, complaining that the party tended to 'shrug its shoulders' over such claims.

But asked about the issue on the BBC's Andrew Marr show over the weekend, Mr Javid pointed out that he had been made Home Secretary in a Tory government - and questioned whether the MCB was a legitimate voice for the muslim community.

'I have got a lot of time for Baroness Warsi, but I am afraid I don't agree with her,' he said.

'As you just described me, I am Sajid Javid, I am the Home Secretary in this country...

Mr Javid - who is from a muslim background but non-practising - said the government and the previous Labour administration had a policy of not 'dealing with' the MCB

'The MCB does not represent muslims in this country. You find me a group of muslims that are represented by the MCB.'

Mr Javid - who is from a muslim background but non-practising - said there were issues of 'anti-muslim hatred' as well as anti-Semitism in the UK.

But he said the government and the previous Labour administration had a policy of not 'dealing with' the MCB.

He suggested members of the council had made 'favourable' remarks about extremists in the past.

Mr Corbyn was speaking at the Al-Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre in Westbourne Park after an evening meal for Muslims to end their daily Ramadan fast.MI5 spies posed as an ISIS commander to trick Britain's youngest female terrorist into discussing a plot to attack London tourist hotspots.

Safaa Boular, 18, was yesterday found guilty of planning a machine gun and grenade assault on the British Museum and the MI6 headquarters as part of an all-female 'hit squad' alongside her mother Mina Dich, sister Rizlaine, 22, and family friend Khawla Barghouthi, 21.

Boular had been radicalised online by British Pakistani national Naweed Hussain, who joined ISIS in Syria in June 2015 and urged her to commit atrocities in the UK before marrying her in an internet ceremony when she was 16.

Hussain, whom Boular had never met, died in a drone strike last year but had previously spoken to MI5 officers posing as eastern European ISIS converts, who then reached out to his 'wife'.

Safaa Boular, left, was caught out plotting a terror attack at the British Museum by MI5 officers after her 'husband' Naweed Hussain's death in a drone strike in Syria last year. Then 17, Boular was approached by the agents who posed as Hussain's ISIS commander and a jihadi widow, and convinced her to discuss details of her plan to assault the museum with a gun and grenades

Boular, 18, has become the youngest woman convicted of a terror plot in the UK and jurors saw chilling photos from her phone including a picture taken outside the MI6 building, with the court hearing the sisters were deciding which buildings to target

Safaa, pictured here on CCTV while on 'reconnaissance' around London, also wanted to attack the British Museum with a machine gun and grenades

According to the Times, they then posed as his unit commander and a jihadi widow to convince Boular to discuss obtaining weapons for the British Museum plot.

She was already on MI5's watchlist along with her sister over their plans to travel to Syria and the teenager, then 17, was arrested and had her passport seized.

Boular has also been caught on CCTV taking a selfie near the MI6 headquarters during a chilling 'reconnaissance' mission.

Even after Safaa was arrested she made phone calls to her sister from behind bars urging her to carry on the plot through coded messages about a 'Mad Hatter's tea party'.

Rizlaine, 22, was later shot by anti-terror officers as she and friend Khawla Barghouthi were arrested last year in a raid in Harlesden, north west London.

Now all face jail when they are sentenced over the coming weeks, with Safaa set to return to the dock in six weeks and the other three due in court on June 15.

Mother Mina Dich, left, helped with reconnaissance trips and bought knives and sister Rizlaine, right, planned to carry on the terror attack plans after Safaa was arrested

Boular made no reaction in the dock as she was found guilty by a jury after two days of deliberations.

Judge Mark Dennis QC put off sentencing for around six weeks for a report to be compiled.

The schoolgirl originally plotted to join him in Syria where they would don suicide belts and 'depart the world holding hands.'

But the plans were foiled when her passport was seized after she was arrested at the airport after a family holiday in Morocco.

She was kept in custody as police uncovered details of her plans to carry out a kamikaze attack at the British Museum with grenades and firearms.

Family friend Khawla Barghouthi, right, admitted failing to disclose information on an act of terrorism is to be sentenced on June 15

Following her arrest, Safaa encouraged her older sister Rizlaine, 22, to pick up her mantle and launch a knife attack at the Palace of Westminster.

Her mother, 44-year-old hardline fundamentalist Mina Dich, also encouraged her daughters to carry out atrocities and even drove Rizlaine around tourist hotspots and bought a selection of knives and a rucksack.

Rizlaine was shot and wounded by armed police as she and a friend were arrested at an address in Harlesden, north London, on 27 April last year.

Dich was arrested as she visited Safaa at a Kent detention centre later the same day.

The mother and Rizlaine admitted engaging in preparation for terrorist acts while another woman, Rizlaine's friend Khawla Barghouthi, 21 admitted failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism.

Safaa normally wore a full-body burka but donned Western clothes throughout her trial in an attempt to convince jurors she had spurned the twisted fundamentalism that made her a so-called 'Sister of Terror'.

Her mother had brought up Safaa and Rizlaine up as strict Muslims in a home that was 'all Islam,' the Old Bailey heard.

Safraa had never met ISIS fighter Hussain face to face, but he persuaded her to send him intimate pictures of herself and they were set to marry in a bizarre Skype ceremony.

He instructed her to stab strangers outside the 'cultural jewel and most popular of tourist attractions.'

When it became clear they would never meet after police seized her passport following an airport stop, their focus switched to an attack in the UK.

The sisters, pictured left at a younger age before they were radicalised. A picture was found on her phone that is thought to show all four women posing in burkas

Safaa Boular (left), 18, has been convicted of being part of an all-woman terror cell with her mother and older sister. Safaa was trained online by her fiancee Naweed Hussain (right), a British Pakistani national who joined ISIS in Syria in 2015 only to be killed in an air strike

Meanwhile, she had contact with a de-radicaliser in December 2016 and signed a form promising not to contact her sister or Hussain, although she secretly continued to speak to both.

In March 2017, just one month before Rizlaine Boular's planned knife attack, the teenager was heard laughing at the Westminster Bridge atrocity, although she denied it.

Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Dean Haydon described Boular as mature for her age, confident and devious in the way she secretly plotted.

But since being held in custody at Medway Secure Training Centre, Boular insisted she had changed.

She told jurors she has turned her back on her radical past and taken to wearing Western dress.

Safaa normally wore a full-body burka but donned Western clothes throughout her trial in an attempt to convince jurors she had spurned the twisted fundamentalism that made her a 'Sister of Terror.'

Her mother had brought up Safaa and Rizlaine up as strict Muslims in a home that was 'all Islam,' the Old Bailey heard.

The girls were allowed to wear just headdresses with Western clothes - until Safaa was caught chatting to boys on her mobile phone when she was 13.

The enraged mother forced her to wear a full-length burka and took her phone away.

Pictures of a gun and grenades sent to her by Hussain were found on Boular's phone

Boular also plotted knife attacks along with the gun rampage, and Sainsbury's kitchen knives were seized by police after they were bought by Rizlaine and her mother

Safaa called Childline and ran away from home in 2014 after feeling 'crazy, jealous' at schoolfriends who could talk to boys and 'wear what they wanted'.

But by now Rizlaine had become increasingly radicalised in the toxic atmosphere home where it was normal to blame the sins of the world on the 'kafir' and the decadence of the West.

Two months after Safaa ran away from home in August 2014, Rizlaine was stopped in Istanbul and flown back to the UK after she tried to join ISIS there.

By the time of the Paris attacks in November 2015 Safaa too was fully radicalised and in contact with prolific ISIS recruiter Umm Isa Al-Amriki who was living there.

Al-Amriki was part of a team who were persuading young women from around the world to join them in Syria as fighters and mothers of a new generation of jihadis.

'As I was covered up I faced a lot of discrimination and a lot of people calling me names in the streets here like ninja, umbrella and postbox,' said Safaa.

'But there, the women are the same.

'She showed me videos where it was Eid in Islamic State and they would give sweets to children and the children were very happy and they were well looked after and everyone was equal.'

Among the hundreds of online ISIS friends she developed was British jihadi Hussain, whom she first got in touch with around three months before being stopped at the airport.

They never met face-to-face but chatted extensively over social media, with Hussain sending dozens of photos, including images of himself at the scenes of executions.

Boular said she was 'flattered' when Hussain confessed his undying love.

Pictures have also been found on Boular's phone showing inside the various properties the women used including homes in Harlesden, Lambeth and Clerkenwell

A wall-mounted television screen can also be seen within the living room of one of the properties where the plots against Western culture were made

'IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE A TEA PARTY': THE CODED PHONE CONVERSATIONS BEHIND PLOT Recorded telephone calls between the siblings whilst Safaa was behind bars showed her encouraging Rizlaine to 'carry the torch forward in her stead' Several chats made reference to 'a party' - basic code for an attack. Rizlaine told her younger sister on 24 April: 'It's going to be like me and a few sisters and stuff and we're just gonna have fun. 'It's basically gonna be like a tea party and stuff.' She added: 'It's gonna be fun it's going to be on erm Thursday we're gonna have this party.' The prosecutor said the girls went on to make several references to 'Jannah', or paradise, and 'referred to a Mad Hatter's Tea Party and Alice in Wonderland.' Rizlaine later claimed a friend 'knows a few recipes for some amazing cakes'. 'So hopefully we can have it really fancy, proper like English tea party, kind of thing,' she added. Safaa could then be heard suggesting the 'Alice in Wonderland theme'. Dich drove her eldest daughter around major London landmarks near Westminster Bridge in her silver Vauxhall Astra as the pair carried out 'hostile reconnaissance' the following day. On 26 April, the pair were seen buying knives and a rucksack on Wandsworth Road, southwest London. Dich then carried out a series of U-turns in an attempt to throw counter terror officers off her trail as she drove home to Armada House in Lambeth. Rizlaine travelled to her friend Barghouti's home in Harlesden the following day where they discussed and practised carrying out a knife attack. She voiced concerns that she would be too small to target a group of males and would opt instead for women or a man on his own. Rizlaine also told Barghouti: 'If I get tasered I'm asking that Allah gives me a heart attack.' Barghouthi then asked: 'How are you going to do it? What if they are faster than you?' Boular replied: 'I'll put the knife into (inaudible) heart instead.' Police moved in to arrest the pair and Rizlaine was shot and injured. Advertisement

She explained that her marriage to Hussain consisted of 'this kind of online ceremony' involving two witnesses and a Sheikh acting as her guardian because she had no say.

'It was something I didn't really understand and I just went along with it,' she added.

Hussain had sent some of the same images to a Page 3 girl he had also tried to lure to Syria.

But it was Safaa's intention to meet up Hussain and 'to offer her services, together with her life, to engage in acts of terrorism'.

They openly discussed Safaa wearing a suicide belt to use if threatened by non-believers.

'Don't eva b hesitant 2 pull da pin ok,' he instructed.

'Ur honour is worth more than any kaafirs life.'

The teenager later asked 'is it us' versus an image of President Obama, prompting Hussain to call him a 'filthy kalb', or dog.

Referring to former US President Barack Obama, he asked her: 'How will y kill him. If u had da choice.'

Boular claimed she would 'shake my hand with Mr president' accompanied by two explosion emojis.

The pair also bonded over their shared love of TV quiz shows 'Deal Or No Deal' and 'The Chase.'

Around 3,000 was sent to Rizlaine to fund the journey of both women to Syria.

Safaa was interviewed after she was stopped at the airport on 19 August 2016 and told police she had intended to go to Syria and live under sharia law

Her passport was seized and during a search of her home in Vauxhall officers confiscated a phone she said she had been using to contact Hussain.

Two days later Dich alerted the police to report Safaa and Rizlaine missing.

Rizlaine and her mother bought the kitchen knives during a shopping trip alongside innocuous items including a cake taster, pictured

More pictures from Boular's phone show gym equipment and a messy kitchen

Given the fact that both girls had previously expressed a desire to travel to Syria, officers quickly mounted a search and located them at a northwest London hostel.

By the end of the year MI5 had deployed role players to chat first with Hussain and then, following his death last April, Boular.

Without travel documents Safaa turned her attentions to plotting a terror attack in Britain.

Both Hussain and Safaa spoke of planning an ambush in involving grenades and guns.

Safaa wanted to cause carnage at the British Museum and in December 2016, she was spotted in full Islamic dress carrying out reconnaissance outside the MI6 building near her home, strolling up and down past the entrance and snapping a selfie.

The family was bugged at their home and they were recorded laughing about over the Westminster Bridge attack.

Safaa giggled as she sarcastically that she wanted to take flowers to the site where five people died on March 22, 2017.

Dich guffaws as her daughter says: 'Mum, if they put flowers there can we go and put flowers there as well and candles?'

Boular was told of Hussain's death by a trained role player from the security services claiming to be his commander in Syria.

All three women can be heard wailing and crying at the news before one of them says: 'Rejoice! He is a martyr.'

Rizlaine then tells her sister: 'Hey listen, many people envy you. You should be jealous of what he had.'

All three can also be heard praying in Arabic, with Dich heard commenting that Hussain 'is in Paradise'.

Rizlaine told her sister and: 'He's waiting for you' and Dich told the sobbing teenager that they were 'so proud' of her.

She said her daughter 'should be happy' that Hussain had been martyred.

The teenager replied that she was.

'Thanks to God,' she said, adding: 'I love him so much.'

She was charged over her failed attempt to go to Syria just over a week after Hussain's death, on 12 April, and remanded into secure accommodation at Medway Secure Training Unit in Kent.

A subsequent search of her home revealed a secret phone stashed inside a cushion which had been delivered by Hussain's sister, Tahzeem, in a heart-shaped box from her home in Coventry.

Rizlaine told police back in August 2016 that she had intended to travel to Syria with her younger sister but she was formally dropped from the investigation in December of that year.

There was no indication Dich had played any part in Safaa's radicalisation or activity and investigators considered her to be just like any other concerned mother when she reported the girls missing.

But they then found extremist material on her phone in late 2016 and it quickly became apparent she not only encouraged but took an actively role in her daughters' terrorist plots.

Recorded telephone calls between the siblings whilst Safaa was behind bars showed her encouraging Rizlaine to 'carry the torch forward in her stead'

Several chats made reference to 'a party' - basic code for an attack.

Rizlaine told her younger sister on 24 April: 'It's going to be like me and a few sisters and stuff and we're just gonna have fun.

Knives were found inside the rucksack seized by police after Rizlaine was arrested

'It's basically gonna be like a tea party and stuff.'

She added: 'It's gonna be fun it's going to be on erm Thursday we're gonna have this party.'

The prosecutor said the girls went on to make several references to 'Jannah', or paradise, and 'referred to a Mad Hatter's Tea Party and Alice in Wonderland.'

Rizlaine later claimed a friend 'knows a few recipes for some amazing cakes'.

'So hopefully we can have it really fancy, proper like English tea party, kind of thing,' she added.

Safaa could then be heard suggesting the 'Alice in Wonderland theme'.

Dich drove her eldest daughter around major London landmarks near Westminster Bridge in her silver Vauxhall Astra as the pair carried out 'hostile reconnaissance' the following day.

On 26 April, the pair were seen buying knives and a rucksack on Wandsworth Road, southwest London.

Dich then carried out a series of U-turns in an attempt to throw counter terror officers off her trail as she drove home to Armada House in Lambeth.

Rizlaine travelled to her friend Barghouti's home in Harlesden the following day where they discussed and practised carrying out a knife attack.

She voiced concerns that she would be too small to target a group of males and would opt instead for women or a man on his own.

Rizlaine also told Barghouti: 'If I get tasered I'm asking that Allah gives me a heart attack.'

Barghouthi then asked: 'How are you going to do it? What if they are faster than you?'

Boular replied: 'I'll put the knife into (inaudible) heart instead.'

Police moved in to arrest the pair and Rizlaine was shot and injured.

Dich was arrested as she visited Safaa at the Medway detention centre later the same day.

Boular, of Lambeth, southwest London, denied two counts of engaging in preparation for terrorist acts but was convicted of both charges by the jury.

She remains in custody and will be sentenced at a later date in around six weeks pending reports.

Rizlaine Boular, of Clerkenwell, central London, admitted preparing for an attack in the UK using knives or other weapons.

Hussain, pictured, was killed in an air strike before he could meet Boular but his 'fiancee' believed he was in 'paradise'

The British Pakistani national joined ISIS in 2015 and met Boular online where he convinced her to send him illicit images of herself

Dich, of Lambeth, southwest London, admitted assisting her in preparation of such an attack.

Barghouthi, of Harlesden, northwest London, admitted failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism.

Those three will be sentenced on 15 June.

Sue Hemming, Head of the CPS Counter-Terrorism Division, said: 'Safaa Boular's intention was to cause serious injury and death.

'She first planned to do this in Syria by detonating a suicide belt with her fiance by her side.

'When she was prevented from travelling her focus switched to an attack on the British Museum where there would be a large crowd.

'Once Safaa was remanded in custody her sister Rizlaine Boular took forward the plan with the help of Mina Dich and Khwala Barghouthi.'

She added: 'They all present a danger to the public and will be sentenced for their actions.'

Meanwhile authorities failed to steer Britain's youngest female terrorist plotter away from the clutches of Islamic State recruiters despite some clear alarm signals.

Prevent, the community counter-terrorism programme, did not become involved with Safaa Boular when her older sister Rizlaine tried to become a jihadi bride in 2014, when the defendant was aged 14.

Counter-terrorism chief Dean Haydon said: 'We did consider Prevent at that time but when she (Rizlaine) came back from Turkey. She then married and settled down and had a young baby and as a result of that she changed her life around.

'Because she was becoming more stable in the UK she turned her attention from travelling. We had no evidence she was either seeking to travel or getting involved in activity.'

The British Museum, pictured, was another tourist attraction targetted by Boular and her family

A knife seized by police during their raids on the all-female terror cell in London

Mr Haydon, who is senior national coordinator for counter terrorism, said Prevent and social services did not become involved in Safaa Boular's case until two years later.

By then, Boular had already been radicalised online and was living in a 'dysfunctional' family.

Boular, then aged 16, had an online marriage ceremony with IS fighter Naweed Hussain and had been persuaded to exchange explicit naked selfies with him.

In August 2016, police considered her mother Mina Dich as a concerned parent after she helped stop her daughters from travelling to Syria.

But by December, it became clear from the contents of her phone that Dich held extremist views of her own, and social services were called in to act.

Mr Haydon said: 'As a family unit, they are pretty dysfunctional.

'On the evidence we can see they had access to a vast amount of extremist material.

'There was a major safeguarding issue we had to manage. It did involve social services, local authorities, schools, education and family courts trying to safeguard the wider family.

'But despite all that activity it was quite clear Safaa was still continuing with her attack plans.'Three teenage students cheated death after they were mown down by a car while waiting at a pedestrian crossing.

A Peugeot 307 rammed into the group head-on, hurling them in the air, with two landing some 40 feet from the initial impact.

The car careered onto the pavement, striking two of the boys a second time after they fell under the wheels as they landed, a shocking video shows.

The woman driver was seen getting out the car at Domodedovo on the outskirts of Moscow on Monday evening.

All suffered fractures and two have head injuries but they will all survive.

Three teenage students cheated death after the were mown down by a car while waiting at a pedestrian crossing

She then appeared to freeze in shock when she saw the three lying motionless on the pavement.

A second video shows young people gathering around the boys giving first aid before ambulances arrive.

A white Renault Logan had turned in front of the 40 mph Peugeot after the driver went through a red signal, causing the horrific accident, say witnesses.

Two of the victims are 17, the other 18. They had been waiting to cross the road at a pedestrian crossing when they were hit.

A police source said: 'Looking at the impact it is a miracle the three teenagers were not killed.'

Victims Denis Elchi and Danil Novikov are pictured in the hospital after being struck by the car

Danil Novikov (pictured left) has a broken knee and a head injury and Denis Elchi (right) has head injury, a broken finger and leg injuries

Vladimir Gerasimov (far left) was also injured along with Denis Elchi (right) in the crash

Denis, one of the teenagers, said later at hospital: 'The car hit us and threw me for at least five metres. All three of us were hit. We are alive.'

Distraught mother Viktoria Novikova said: 'My son Danil and two of his friends were hit in the crash.

'All had X-rays and at first the doctors said that my friend's pal called Vladimir had no fractures, despite it being obvious that he did.

Bystanders are seen tending to the boys after the car careered onto the pavement, striking them

The driver of the Peugeot 307 was seen getting out the car at Domodedovo on the outskirts of Moscow on Monday evening after the incident

All three of the students suffered fractures and two have head injuries but they will all survive

'His furious parents insisted on a second X-ray which showed double fractures.

'My son is still at the treatment room, so I don't know how badly he was hurt.

'What kind of doctors are here that they can miss such injuries?'

An eye-witnesses said: 'This biggest miracle of the day is that they all survived. Please recover soon.'

The crash scene was in Moscow region close to one of Moscow's major airports, Domodedovo, used by British Airways

The mother of another victim, Vladimir Gerasimov, said: 'He has a double fracture in his lower leg.

'He has multiple fractures of his face and arms, he is to have a surgery soon.'

'Danil has a broken knee and a head injury. He is having surgery, too. Denis has head injury, a broken finger and leg injuries.'

The crash scene was in Moscow region close to one of Moscow's major airports, Domodedovo, used by British Airways.

The driver has not been identified.

An eye-witnesses said: 'This biggest miracle of the day is that they all survived'The head of the CPS has apologised again after nearly 50 sex case prosecutions were stopped because vital evidence was withheld from defence lawyers.

A nation-wide review was launched earlier this year after a series of rape cases collapsed in quick succession when it emerged that police and prosecutors had failed to pass key information to lawyers representing the men accused.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed today that issues with disclosure have now been identified in 47 cases in England and Wales following a review in January and February.

Alison Saunders, whose controversy-dogged time at the CPS is due to end in October, apologised for her organisation's failings when she was grilled by MPs on the Justice Committee today.

CPS chief Alison Saunders accepted her organisation has been 'reacting too late' to issues when she was grilled by MPs on the Justice Committee

The committee's chairman Robert Neill MP told her: 'You've been director since 2013. Since 2013 the Lord Leveson review of efficiency said that there was a major issue of failure to meet disclosure deadlines for both the police in the CPS.

'Mr Horwell QC 2017 it was said that disclosure problems have blighted the criminal justice system for too long and the joint inspectorate report alerted to extensive issues and they said it's nothing new.

'What has happened on your watch? Why did it take high profile cases for it to get some attention?'

Ms Saunders insisted disclosure of evidence was not only a problem during her time as director, but admitted: 'I would accept now that we've been reacting too late in the process.'

She added: 'I feel every single failure. It's not something that we want. We have been very clear about where our failings are. We will apologise for those.'

Richard Holden, the parliamentary aide cleared of sexual assault in the most recent case to come under fire, said the prosecutions stopped are the 'tip of the iceberg'. He is pictured with his girlfriend Charlotte Ivers

The stopped cases revealed today included five where disclosure was the primary reason why the case had to be stopped.

In the remaining 42 cases there were additional reasons including communications data such as text messages, emails and social media being examined too late; or new evidence emerging after charge.

A total of 14 defendants were being held in custody at the time the decision was made to stop their cases.

It comes amid growing anger over a failure to divulge potentially crucial information to defence lawyers ahead of trials.

In December and January a string of rape cases collapsed when it emerged that vital evidence had not been handed over.

The trial of Liam Allan was halted at Croydon Crown Court on December 14, and the prosecution of Isaac Itiary collapsed at Inner London Crown Court a few days later.

The following month the case against Samson Makele, 28, was halted at Snaresbrook Crown Court after his defence team unearthed key images from his mobile phone which had not previously been made available.

And Oxford student Oliver Mears, who had spent two years on bail, had the case against him dropped days before he was due to go on trial.

This sparked a national review by prosecutors of all live rape and serious sexual assault cases to see how many were affected by the same issues.

Other cases have been hit since the review began. Two weeks ago, parliamentary aide Richard Holden blasted an 'appalling' police investigation after he was cleared of groping a Westminster colleague.

Today, he insisted the cases stopped by the review were just the 'tip of the iceberg'.

Mr Holden tweeted: 'What about all the cases, like mine, where police just didn't pursue 'reasonable lines of inquiry' to get evidence?'

A review of ongoing sex cases was launched after cases against Liam Allan (left) and Isaac Itiary (right) collapsed. In Mr Allan's case, a computer disk containing 40,000 messages revealed the alleged victim had pestered him for 'casual sex'. In Mr Itiary's case, text messages proved a 15-year-old alleged rape victim repeatedly lied and said she was 19

Where were the sex cases halted? The issue of disclosure is affecting cases around the country, CPS figures reveal. Of the 47 stopped cases, two were in Wales, four in the East Midlands, 23 in London and four in Merseyside and Cheshire. A further two cases were in the North East, four were in the North West, three in the South West, two in the West Midlands and three in Yorkshire and Humberside. Advertisement

The CPS said a total of 3,637 were reviewed.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Prior, Disclosure Lead for the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), said: 'We've got to realise that this is about real people.

'Whether that is a person reporting a matter to us, whether it be a person as a witness, or whether it be somebody accused of an offence. That's incredibly traumatic, whatever aspect you look at.

'We've got to get disclosure right. We cannot allow mistakes to impact so greatly on people's lives as has been played out in the media over the past few months.

'Our whole criminal justice system is based on fairness - fairness of investigations, fair trials and we have to strive and provide that for all the people who come into the criminal justice system. We have got it wrong in too many cases.'

Gregor McGill, CPS director of legal services, refused to say if any lawyers are facing disciplinary action over the stopped cases, while Mr Prior said for officers or police staff it would be a matter for individual forces.

When asked about potential compensation claims, Mr McGill said 'Just because a case has been stopped doesn't necessarily mean that anyone is at fault'.

Collapsing trials and suicide: The blunders on Alison Saunders' watch THE DISCLOSURE CRISIS In 2014 Mrs Saunders promised to halt the decline in rape convictions. But four years on, all rape and serious sex assault cases are under review following the collapse of several high-profile prosecutions due to disclosure blunders. In the lead-up to criminal trials, police and prosecutors have a duty to disclose evidence that might either assist the defence case or undermine the prosecution's case. But in a series of recent cases, evidence has not been handed over. The crisis unfolded after the rape trial of criminology student Liam Allan, 22, was halted by a judge when it emerged his accuser had sent messages to friends about her rape fantasies. The number of prosecutions that have collapsed due to disclosure errors has soared by 70 per cent in the past two years. Yet Miss Saunders has insisted there is no one innocent in jail after being wrongly convicted because of mistakes in disclosure. THE RAPE CLAIM SUICIDE Eleanor de Freitas, 23, was devastated when the man she accused of sexual assault launched a prosecution against her for allegedly lying. Terrified at the prospect of intimate details of her personal life being picked over in court, the vulnerable graduate killed herself at her family home in Fulham, West London, in April 2014  just three days before she was due to face a crown court. Miss de Freitas had accused wealthy Chelsea financier Alexander Economou, 35, of raping her just before Christmas 2012, but detectives decided not to proceed with the case. Mr Economou then brought a private prosecution against her for perverting justice. Mrs Saunders was forced to apologise after her decision not to prosecute Lord Janner was overturned LORD JANNER Mrs Saunders was forced to apologise after her decision not to prosecute Lord Janner was overturned. A report by High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques later found police and prosecutors missed three chances to charge Lord Janner over historic sex abuse claims after allegations first surfaced in 1991. In April 2015 the CPS announced that the peer should not be charged as he was suffering from dementia, but this was overturned by a review two months later. A judge then ruled that he was unfit to stand trial and instead ordered a 'trial of the facts' to be heard at the Old Bailey. These proceedings were dropped when he died in December 2015. Mrs Saunders has said it was 'a matter of sincere regret' the allegations were never heard by a jury. OPERATION ELVEDEN The 20million probe dubbed the 'biggest witch-hunt against journalists in memory' ended in failure as prosecutors failed to secure a single conviction in the largest investigation in criminal history. Operation Elveden saw 34 journalists and editors arrested over alleged payments to public officials and 29 were charged. But their cases were either dropped or they were cleared. Some of those accused had spent years on bail. Press Gazette editor Dominic Ponsford said that it was 'a shameful episode in the history of this country's criminal justice system'. But Mrs Saunders hit back saying: 'I'm not here to make popular decisions.' FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION In 2014, the DPP declared FGM a priority saying: 'We are very keen to make sure that wherever possible we are looking at FGM cases.' But last month prosecutors failed for the third time to secure Britain's first conviction for the offence as a lawyer was cleared at the Old Bailey of ordering his daughter be cut as punishment. AdvertisementMPs have demanded a Commons vote on summoning Vote Leave boss Dominic Cummings to give evidence on whether the Brexit campaign flouted referendum rules.

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee wants Mr Cummings to address claims Vote Leave coordinated spending with other Brexit campaigns.

Last month he refused to accept an invite to give evidence, insisting MPs' questions clash with inquiries by Electoral Commission and Information Commissioner's Office.

In response, the MPs today accused Mr Cummings of obfuscation and delay in a damning condemnation of his refusal to attend.

Committee chairman Damian Collins was today backed by his committee to call for a Commons vote to enforce an 'order' for Mr Cummings to attend.

If the vote passes and Mr Cummings still fails to appear, he is likely to be held in contempt of Parliament - primarily a political sanction and one with no actual punishment, as theoretical powers to fine or imprison are antiquated.

Dominic Cummings (pictured in Parliament) has refused to give evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, which is investigation alleged wrongdoing in the referendum campaign

Mr Collins said: "We need Dominic Cummings to appear before our committee as a witness, so that he can clarify evidence received by the committee about digital advertising during the EU referendum campaign.

"As the email correspondence attached to the report shows, we have made repeated, reasonable requests for him to appear, but so far he has refused to do this.

"The next stage in the process is for the committee to seek the support of the whole House to order him to attend and give evidence.

'It is now a matter for the Speaker to consider our request for the motion to be debated."

A report from the committee today said: 'Following Dominic Cummingss failure to comply with the Order of the Committee to attend on 22 May we offered him a final opportunity to agree a date on which he will present himself. He has failed to do so.

What can happen to someone found in contempt of parliament? MPs have the power to hold people in contempt of Parliament if they defy them. Strictly speaking, individuals found in contempt could be fined or veen imprisoned. But both these sanctions have not been used in many years and the more likely outcome is that they will get a slap on the wrist by Parliament. Two News International executives found in contempt over misleading evidence to a select committee were admonished by the House in 2016. Advertisement

'In our view this constitutes a serious interference with the ability of this Committee to discharge the task assigned to it by the House and a flagrant contempt of the House.

'We will therefore be seeking, as a matter of privilege, an Order of the House requiring Dominic Cummings to agree a date on which he will appear before the Committee.

'If Mr Cummings were to refuse to comply with that Order, the Committee will seek to invite the House to refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges for a recommendation on what next steps should be taken.'

Last month, Mr Cummings hit back at the MPs, accusing them of 'grandstanding' in taking the steps.

The rows is the latest twist in the ongoing saga which has seen Brexit campaigners accused of flouting electoral rules in the EU referendum campaign.

The select committee is probing claims made by Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie that the Facebook data of millions of users was illegally harvested and used to sway the Brexit vote.

Tory MP and culture select committee chairman Damian Collins (pictured in Parliament) said he was `disappointed by Dominic Cummings refusal to give evidence

Mr Collin has repeatedly requested that Mr Cummings come before his committee to answer questions about how the campaign was run.

Mr Cummings has refused to give evidence, but said he will after once an Electoral Commission inquiry into the conduct of the 2016 EU referendum was over.

What are the accusations against Cambridge Analytica? Who are Cambridge Analytica? Cambridge Analytica has been thrown into turmoil after finding itself in the middle of Facebook data harvesting The firm, which has offices in London, New York and Washington, boasts to clients that it can 'find your voters and move them to action'. What are their ties to Aleksandr Kogan? The controversy centres around their use of the GSR app, developed by the Cambridge University research Dr Aleksandr Kogan. Facebook users used the app to answer a personality survey which plundered the data of 100million users. How was Cambridge Analytica used in the Brexit and Trump campaigns? It has been claimed that Cambridge Analytica used the information to assess peoples' personalities and come up with political strategies to sway voters to back Brexit and Donald Trump. The firm has insisted it did no actual work for the Brexit campaign - although it did pitch for work with Leave.EU. But whistleblowers say that Arron Banks - the co founder of Leave.EU - used the ideas gleaned from the itch to pursue his own CA-style model to predict and influence voters' behaviour in the EU referendum. Mr Banks denied the allegations Cambridge Analytica suspended its chief executive, Alexander Nix, after recordings emerged of him making a series of controversial claims. Why was Vote Leave embroiled in the scandal? It is also claimed that campaign chiefs at Vote Leave - the official pro Brexit campaign group - may have broken the law in the campaign. It is claimed that they donated 650,000 to the other pro Brexit group BeLeave in the final days of the campaign and told them to spend it on data advertising by the Canadian firm Aggregate IQ - breaking election rules. Whistleblowers have claimed that Cambridge Analytica has undisclosed links to the Canadian digital firm AggregateIQ Advertisement

He claims that lawyers have advised him to 'keep my trap shut' until the conclusion of an Electoral Commission probe, but was happy to give evidence after this.

The issue of a summons amounted to the committee 'demonstrating their priority was grandstanding PR, not truth-seeking', he said.

Speaking on May 17, he added: 'I said that if they issued a summons instead of discussing possible dates like reasonable people, then it would be obvious they are not interested in friendly co-operation to uncover the truth.

'So I will not give evidence to this committee under any circumstances. I may to other committees depending on behaviour.'

Mr Collins said Mr Cummings had been issued with a formal summons to appear on May 22 and answer questions about the conduct of the Vote Leave campaign.

He added: 'We are disappointed that Dominic Cummings has not responded positively to our requests for him to appear.'

The Tory MP dismissed Mr Cummings' claims lawyers have told him he cannot give evidence - pointing out that Cambridge Analytica boss Alexander Nix and AIQ boss Jeff Silvester have both agreed to give evidence.

Mr Collins added: 'Reporting the matter to the House is a first step which could result in a decision that a contempt of Parliament has been committed, a very serious outcome for the individual.'

The row comes as it emerged that Mr Nix has agreed to return to Parliament to give evidence about alleged misuse of Facebook users' private data.

Mr Nix appeared before the committee in February when he denied any involvement in the referendum beyond 'exploratory' discussions with rival Brexit campaign Leave.EU.

But the committee later summoned him to return to explain 'numerous inconsistencies' in his evidence, and he will face a further grilling at Westminster on June 6.

Cambridge Analytica has been accused by whistleblowers of misusing millions of Facebook users' personal data to target ads in Donald Trump's campaign for the US presidency.

The company folded in May amid massive controversy over its methods.

Vote Leave used online ad firm AggregateIQ to target its messages during the referendum.

Alexander Nix, the ex head of Cambridge Analytica, which closed in the wake of allegations it harvested the data of many millions of Facebook users to influence how they voted, will give evidence to the committee again

The Canadian firm's chief operating officer Jeff Silvester told the committee on Wednesday that it had previously worked for CA's parent company SCL, but denied any link with CA itself.

A report from the DCMS Committee could result in a debate in the House and an inquiry by the Commons Privileges Committee.

That committee could recommend further action, but only the House itself can impose sanctions.

It is not clear what punishment the House could impose if it decides Mr Cummings is in contempt.

In theory, the Commons can order imprisonment or issue fines, but neither of these sanctions has been used for years and a 2012 report said its powers were 'untested in recent times'.

Two News International executives found in contempt over misleading evidence to a select committee were admonished by the House in 2016.Italy's newly sworn-in prime minister Giuseppe Conte declared Europe's immigration policy a 'failure' and demanded for it to be renegotiated.

In a wide-ranging speech on Tuesday, he vowed to 'put an end to the immigration 'business' which has grown out of control 'under the guise of solidarity'.

He also outlined a heavy-spending policy agenda of the country's populist 'government of change' and called for an end to sanctions on Russia - but clamping down on migration was at the heart of his message.

Conte, who leads a new anti-EU coalition of Populist and far right parties, made the comments while seeking a confidence vote in the upper house Senate after being sworn into his first political office on Friday.

He then won the first of two parliamentary votes to confirm his populist government. A second parliamentary vote on Wednesday in the Chamber of Deputies, where the two parties also enjoy a majority, will officially confirm the new cabinet.

Italy's newly sworn-in prime minister Giuseppe Conte (pictured) has promised to put an end to the immigration 'business' after making his first address to parliament

The government is set to win despite both former premier Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party - a campaign ally of the League - and the outgoing centre-left Democratic Party saying that they will not vote in favour.

Conte responded to concerns about the xenophobic League's rhetoric, insisting that Italy 'isn't racist' and accepts its responsibilities to welcome and integrate legitimate refugees.

But he said the rest of the European Union must take on a greater burden of accepting refugees, as well as negotiating with migrants' home countries and helping send back those who don't qualify for asylum.

Conte also called for the 'obligatory' and 'automatic' redistribution among EU member states of asylum seekers being processed in Italy.

Under existing rules, countries where migrants first arrive are required to process asylum requests. Italy, Greece and Spain are the main entry points to Europe.

In his first policy address, Conte readily acknowledged that the coalition government made up of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and right-wing League marks a radical shift from the Italian status quo.

'The truth is that we have created a radical change and we're proud of it,' Conte told the Senate.

He outlined the League party's demand for a crackdown on the human smuggling networks and organized crime that has infiltrated Italy's migrant welcome centers, Conte declared: 'We will put an end to the business of immigration that grew disproportionately under the cloak of a pretend solidarity.'

Meanwhile, the prime minister called for the lifting of European Union sanctions on Russia, citing Moscow's strategic role internationally and the risk that sanctions will crush Russian civil society.

'We will be advocates of an opening towards Russia, a Russia which has consolidated its international role in recent years in various geopolitical crises.

'We will promote revising of sanctions, starting with those that demean Russia's civil society.'

Italy's new anti-EU coalition is set to flex its muscles for the first time today with a hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini (pictured yesterday) opposing asylum seeker reforms in Brussels

It comes as Mr Putin made a visit to Austria, one of the few EU nations not to expel its Russian diplomats following the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter.

Conte was interrupted nearly three-dozen times during his 75-minute speech to the Italian Senate ahead of a confidence vote on the new government later on Tuesday.

He is to deliver a similar address on Wednesday before Parliament's lower Chamber of Deputies.

Between them, the 5-Star and League have a slight parliamentary majority that is expected to give the government the votes it needs to start governing.

Conte, a law professor at the University of Florence until he was tapped to as premier, noted the historic nature of the first confidence vote, which caps a week that saw the installation of Western Europe's first populist government after three months of political and financial turmoil in Italy.

He also sought to assuage fears elsewhere in Europe that the euroskeptic attitude the League and 5-Star displayed on the campaign trail and in drafts of its government policy paper will transfer into government policy.

'Europe is our home. It is the home of all of us,' Conte said.

But he added that as a founding member of the EU, Italy has the absolute right to demand a better deal on financial and immigration regulations.

'If `populism' is the attitude of leaders to listen to the people, ... and if `anti-system' means introducing a new system that removes the old privileges of power, then this government deserves both these descriptions,' said the premier.

In a weekend interview, German Chancellor Angela Merkel (pictured yesterday with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) thought it likely that it 'will take several more weeks' to seal a deal, without excluding one at the summit

European ministers are meeting to try to break a two-year deadlock over an overhaul of the so-called Dublin rules to create a permanent mechanism to deal with migrants in the event of a new emergency.

Hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini said separately the proposed reforms condemn Italy and other Mediterranean countries to continue bearing the burden of an unprecedented migration crisis for the 28-nation bloc.

EU leaders in December set an end-of-June deadline for an overhaul of the so-called Dublin rules to create a permanent mechanism to deal with migrants in the event of a new emergency.

Under those rules, the countries where migrants first arrive are required to process their asylum requests. Italy, Greece and Spain are the main entry points to Europe.

EU cooperation deals with Turkey and Libya, the main transit countries, have helped to slow, at least for now, the flow of migrants to Europe since peak arrivals in 2015.

Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have either refused outright or resisted taking in refugees since the Commission first pushed through temporary quotas in 2015 as a way to ease the burden on frontline states Italy and Greece.

The summer of that year saw a surge in mass drownings in the Mediterranean as Europe's worst migration crisis since World War II peaked with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and elsewhere.

But ministers will today hear Bulgaria's new compromise proposals on how to close an east-west rift over reforms before a June 28-29 summit in Brussels.

'We will strongly call for the Dublin Regulation to be overhauled in order to obtain respect for a fair distribution of responsibilities and to achieve an automatic system of compulsory distribution of asylum seekers', Conte told senators in a general policy speech after which he will ask for parliament's confidence.

Yesterday, Italy's far-right interior minister Salvini denounced the draft reforms and said his delegation would 'say no' insisting it would 'penalise Italy and other Mediterranean countries in favor of the countries of the North and East Europe.'

'Italy and Sicily cannot be Europe's refugee camp,' new hardline interior minister Salvini said Sunday in Sicily's port of Pozzallo, a migrant landing point.

The reforms, he said, condemn Italy and other Mediterranean countries to continue bearing the burden of an unprecedented migration crisis for the 28-nation bloc, which peaked in 2015.

'Italy and Sicily cannot be Europe's refugee camp,' new hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini said Sunday in Sicily's port of Pozzallo, a migrant landing point

EU leaders in December set an end-of-June deadline for an overhaul of the Dublin rules.

In a weekend interview, German Chancellor Angela Merkel thought it likely that it 'will take several more weeks' to seal a deal, without excluding one at the summit.

Addressing the new Italian government, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the EU 'will only manage to settle the issue by working together,' on protecting borders and agreeing on asylum rules.

EU cooperation deals with Turkey and Libya, the main transit countries, have helped to slow, at least for now, the flow of migrants to Europe since 2015.

But the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, warns asylum reform is all the more pressing because the crisis could flare anew.

Under an emergency plan, EU member countries agreed to relocate to other parts of the bloc 160,000 Syrians and other refugees from Italy and Greece within two years.

Only 34,690 people have been relocated as most people made their own way to Germany and other wealthy northern countries amid the chaotic EU response to the crisis.

According to documents seen by AFP, Bulgaria calls for 'alleviating (the) burden from the front-line' states like Italy and 'curbing secondary movements' of asylum seekers who land in one EU country and travel to another.

More than 50 migrants drowned in the Mediterranean on Sunday, the majority off the coasts of Tunisia and Turkey. The Tunisian coastguard is pictured on patrol off the northern town of Bizerte in May

Eastern countries place a priority on stopping secondary movements, which caused so much chaos in recent years that countries in Europe's passport-free Schengen zone re-established border checks.

In a nod to Rome and Athens, the Bulgarian proposals call for the compulsory relocation of asylum seekers, but only as a last resort.

At the outset of a crisis, financial and other support are supposed to kick in automatically under the plan.

EU capitals like Budapest, which has spearheaded opposition to Muslim and other migrants, have stood firm against mandatory relocation.

As a further sop to the eastern countries, people will be relocated only in exceptional cases and member states will have the 'flexibility' to reduce some of the numbers allotted to them.

Under the proposal, front-line states face increased 'responsibility' to register arrivals.

It would also speed up procedures to determine which countries must process genuine asylum seekers or expel those who are not.

The Bulgarian proposals amount to a 'good starting point for a compromise' among member states, a diplomatic source said.

'But it will probably not budge the lines' dividing the member states for the last few months, according to the source.Leading German politicians have called for the new US ambassador to be expelled after the staunch ally of Donald Trump was accused of meddling in domestic politics and aggravating already tense ties.

Richard Grenell took up his post on May 8 and immediately sparked anger by tweeting the same day that German firms should stop doing business with Iran as Trump quit the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.

He stoked further outrage last weekend by speaking of his ambition to 'empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders'.

Grenell also raised eyebrows with his plan to host a lunch on June 13 for Austria's arch-conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, described by the US envoy as a 'rock star'.

'What this man is doing is unheard of in international diplomacy,' Martin Schulz, former chief of the Social Democratic Party and an ex-European Parliament president, told national news agency DPA.

Richard Grenell took up his post on May 8 and immediately sparked anger by tweeting the same day that German firms should stop doing business with Iran as Trump quit the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic

'If a German ambassador were to say in Washington that he is there to empower the Democrats, he would have been kicked out immediately.

'I hope that Kurz's visit will lead Mr Grenell's tenure as ambassador in Germany to be short,' added Schulz, playing on the German word for short 'kurz'.

Schulz had earlier tweeted that the US envoy did not behave like a diplomat but like a 'far-right colonial officer'.

Amid the row, Germany's foreign ministry is seeking clarification from Grenell about his comments, with the topic to be raised at a pre-arranged meeting Wednesday between the envoy and senior official Andreas Michaelis.

'There will certainly be a lot to discuss and that's why it's good that the ambassador will be a guest tomorrow of state secretary Michaelis,' said Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

But the opposition far-left Die Linke party's chief Sahra Wagenknecht said Grenell had disqualified himself as ambassador.

'Someone like US ambassador Richard Grenell, who thinks he can lord over Europe and determine who is governing here, can no longer stay in Germany as a diplomat,' Wagenknecht told Die Welt daily.

Ex-European Parliament president Martin Schulz said that 'what this man is doing is unheard of in international diplomacy'

'If the government takes the democratic sovereignty of our country seriously, then it shouldn't just invite Grenell to a chat over coffee, but expel him immediately,' she added.

The appointment of Grenell, a hawkish supporter of Trump's 'America First' stance, was long held up by US senators who objected to his allegedly disparaging tweets on female politicians and apparent refusal to take seriously claims of Russian meddling in the US election.

The storm comes as ties between Germany and the United States are strained after Trump ditched the Iran nuclear deal and imposed punishing tariffs on European aluminium and steel.

Underlining the souring transatlantic relationship, Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that Europe can no longer rely on the US to protect it and must 'take its destiny into its own hands'.

Politicians in the US too baulked at Grenell's comments.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy tweeted that the envoy's interview with Breitbart was 'awful - ambassadors aren't supposed to "empower" any political party overseas'.

For Juergen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman of Merkel's centre-right bloc, Grenell is simply seeking to weaken the EU.

The US wants to prevent 'the European Union from further integrating and becoming a stronger political and economic power', Hardt told broadcaster hr-Info.

Although Merkel herself belongs to the conservative camp, commentators said Grenell was not trying to bolster the chancellor's party base, but rather its opponents from the far-right.

'It is bad enough if that's what he is thinking, let alone saying it,' said the daily Berliner Zeitung.

Media outside Germany also weighed in, with Washington Post columnist Anne Applebaum arguing that Grenell clearly intended to back 'nativist, pro-Russia and anti-pluralist' forces in Europe.

Grenell had certainly fulfilled his task if he was sent to Germany to destabilise Merkel's coalition or the Atlantic alliance, she said, 'but if those are not his orders... then a different set of questions has to be asked'.

'Why is the US ambassador in Germany giving an interview to Breitbart? Why is he involving himself in partisan politics? For that matter, why is he an American ambassador at all?'

The Financial Times urged Berlin to respond to Grenell's 'undiplomatic behaviour' by holding its line on adhering to the Iran nuclear deal, responding firmly to US tariffs as well as stepping up to its defence responsibilities.A research firm that pitched Donald Trump Jr a plan to help his father win the presidential election may be involved in intelligence-gathering operations on behalf of foreign governments, it has been reported.

Wikistrat, which is being probed by Robert Mueller as part of his investigation into foreign influence in the 2016 election, markets itself as a crowdsourced geopolitical research firm.

But former employees and leaked documents suggest the firm's operations go beyond simple research and cross the line into intelligence collection.

Wikistrat also employs former Israeli intelligence officials at the top of the organisation, documents show.

Wikistrat advertises itself as a crowdsourced geopolitical research firm, but former employees say it was actually involved in intelligence gathering while leaked documents show most of its clients were foreign governments

James Kadtke, a former senior analyst for Wikistrat, told The Daily Beast that it was obvious to him from the get-go that the company was engaged in more than just research.

Speaking about his initial job interview with two Wikistrat executives, he said: 'It was clear to me that both of these guys had intelligence backgrounds, intelligence professionals, not academics or analysts.

'They were using their experts for tacit information going on in various parts of the world. I got the impression they were doing things outside of Wikistrat. It seemed mysterious.'

Despite his reservations Kadtke took the job and joined the firm in 2016, though working there did not clear up any of his suspicions.

In retrospect, Kadtke believes Wikistrat was more about intelligence gathering than research.

Leaked Wikistrat documents show the company uses 'in country... informants' and 'on-the-ground' data collection as part of its business model.

Speaking about the company's founder, Israeli Joel Zamel, a second anonymous employee told The Beast: 'Could he have done this? Yes, by all means.'

Documents leaked to The Daily Beast also reveal that 74 per cent of Wikistrat's revenue came from clients that were foreign governments.

Zamel himself studied counterterrorism and homeland security at an elite Israeli school and has strong links to the Israeli intelligence community.

Robert Mueller has quizzed Wikistrat founder Joel Zamel over his links to the Trump campaign after it was revealed that he met Donald Trump Jr at Trump Tower before the election

He counts former head of the [Israeli] intelligence directorate, Amos Yadlin, among his personal contacts.

Meanwhile another figure at the heart of Wikistrat, Elad Schaffer, is described in company documents as a former 'counterterrorism officer for Israeli intelligence.'

Another company document lists Shay Hershkovitz, a former 'major in [an] elite Israeli intelligence-analysis unit,' as chief security officer and director of analytic community.

Sources told The Beast that Zamel was a highly secretive man who kept most of Wikistrat in the dark about what the company was doing.

If anyone ever proposed taking a group photo he would leave the room, the sources said. On Wikistrat's website, Zamel's picture is the only one not to appear in the 'senior management' section.

In 2016, Zamel was one of three men who attended a meeting in Trump Tower with Donald Trump Jr in an effort to help Trump Sr win the election, the New York Times reported.

While it is not clear if the plan went ahead, Trump Jr responded approvingly and Zamel was reportedly paid up to $2million shortly thereafter.

In April, the Wall Street Journal reported that Mueller's team had 'met informally' with Zamel when he was asked about his relationship with George Nader, an adviser to the United Arab Emirates who also attended the Trump Tower meeting.

Mueller's team also asked about Zamel's work for certain clients, the report added.

Elad Schaffer, the Wikistrat CEO who succeeded Zamel this year, did not respond to a request for comment.A Virginia man who told an FBI undercover employee he wanted to commit jihad has been sentenced to five years in prison for passport fraud and making false statements in his application to join the U.S. military.

A U.S. attorney's office news release says 28-year-old Shivam Patel, of Williamsburg, was sentenced Monday. He was also ordered to pay $4,000 in fines.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that Patel, who was raised Hindu before converting to Islam a few years ago, left his job teaching English in China to fly to Jordan, where he talked about joining the Islamic State group. Prosecutors say Jordan moved to deport him, so he returned to the U.S. in September 2016.

Shivam Patel (pictured) of Williamsburg, Virginia was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for lying on his military applications

He met an FBI informant in Detroit on his way back to Virginia, and said he went to Jordan to try and connect with like-minded Muslims.

He said he wanted to do something 'bigger, better and more purposeful' with his life, like dying for Allah.

The two continued to stay in touch after Patel returned to Virginia, where at one point Patel expressed admiration for an Army officer who had killed 13 soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas.

Nine weeks later, Patel started applying to various branches of the military.

While expressing support for a terrorist organization or an attacker is not illegal, Patel fell in trouble with the law when he failed to disclose his overseas trips on his military applications.

According to court documents, Patel lied about his travel history, saying he only left the country once in the past seven years, to go to India with his family in 2011 and 2012.

When an Army recruiter asked to see Patel's passport to back up his claims about his overseas travels, he said he could bring it by the office. But then two days later he called the State Department and said that had lost the document and needed a new one.

In a letter to the court, Patel said he struggled with mental health problems and had changed his views on religion several times over the years.

After returning to Jordan, Patel said he started going to Hindu services with his family again.

He says he started applying to jobs in the military, and with local police departments, because his parents were trying to arrange a marriage for him and he wanted to be an attractive candidate for potential brides. He majored in criminal justice at Virginia State University, a degree popular with prospective law enforcement officers.

But the judge said Patel's conversations with the FBI source and the timing of his applications to the military were 'clearly some reason for concern'.

'Its all very troubling,' U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis said.A foreign student who filmed his naked female housemates while they showered has avoided jail.

Rico Auliaputra, an Indonesian national studying at NSW's Wollongong University, hid behind his dark sunglasses after pleading guilty to the offence on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old used a household sponge in the bathroom to hide a recording camera, Nine News reported.

Scroll down for video

Rico Auliaputra pleaded guilty to filming his naked female housemates in the shower

The student hid the camera inside a sponge with a cord connecting to a battery pack in the bathroom's vanity unit

Footage showed the student hiding behind dark glasses, a black hoodie and his backpack before leaving court in a car.

The court heard his housemates discovered a green flashing light inside the sponge on the bathroom floor.

The camera had a cord attached to it connecting to a battery pack in the vanity unit.

He was sharing his unit with three women in Wollongong, the same town he attended University.

Police investigating were unable to locate the camera's SD card containing the images because the student had thrown it from the balcony and then lost it.

The student admitted it was now 'hard to be trusted', and regrets his actions, Nine News reported.

'I regret what I did because I betrayed my friends. It's hard now to be trusted because of the mistake I did,' he reportedly said.

Prosecutions argued he deserved time behind bars due to it being a serious offence and breach of trust.

Magistrate Cate Follent told the student his behaviour was calculative and exploitative.'

'What you did was reprehensible, abusing the significant trust of your friends. It was calculative and exploitative for your own gratification.'

She considered his guilty plea and character in sentencing him to 250 hours of community service, but he avoided jail.The Metropolitan Police Commissioner today warned ministers are 'naive' if they think police cuts have not fuelled violent crime in the capital.

Cressida Dick told MPs that austerity was one of several reasons for a bloody wave of violence in London that has seen dozens of killings so far this year.

Knife and gun crime has surged in London, leaving the murder rate higher than in New York. At least 69 people have already been killed on the streets of the capital in 2018.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick (pictured in Parliament today) warned ministers are 'naive' if they think police cuts have not fuelled violent crime in the capital

Ms Dick told the Home Affairs Committee today that 'reduced numbers of officers' had definitely had an impact.

A surge in cocaine sales, driven by middle class users taking the drug at dinner parties, is another major factor the Commissioner said.

What areas which have lost the highest proportion of their police since 2010? Cleveland: Lost 25.5% (441 officers) Staffordshire: Lost 24.7% (535 officers Durham: Lost 24% (363 officers) Nottinghamshire: Lost 23.7% (572 officers) Hampshire: Lost 22.7% (852 officers) Greater Manchester: Lost 22.4% (1,830 officers) Leicestershire: Lost 22.2% (515 officers) Lancashire: Lost 21.8% (799 officers) Merseyside: Lost 21.6% (978 officers) West Midlands: Lost 21.6% (1,870 officers) Advertisement

Ms Dick told MPs: 'A whole series of social issues will have contributed to the changes and the increases [in violent crime].

'I answered a radio interview in which I said, in effect, of course austerity has probably had something to do with it, by which I mean, of course, the other services as well as the police.

'But I would be naive to suggest that reduced numbers of officers on the street, for a whole variety of reasons, including - and Im talking across the country here - reduced officer numbers overall, have had no impact.

'Im sure its had an impact, together with a whole series of other things.'

Last month, a study uncovered by Mail Online laid bare research that revealed forces across England and Wales have lost over 20,000 officers since 2010.

Ms Dick told the Home Affairs Committee (pictured at today's hearing) that 'reduced numbers of officers' had definitely had an impact

In England and Wales overall, the number of deployable officers across the 43 forces plummeted from 143,734 in March 2010 to 123,142 in March 2017.

Three of Britain's biggest forces lost nearly 2,000 officers each other the seven years.

The West Midlands shed a massive 1,870 officers, while Greater Manchester Police Force lost 1,830 officers - going from 8,148 to 6,318 officers.

The Metropolitan Police, the country's largest force which takes the lead on counter terrorism as well as policing the capital, lost 1,850 officers over the same period.Firebrand Dutch far-right MP Geert Wilders says he will fly to London to join a 'free Tommy Robinson' protest this weekend because 'it is a disgrace he is still in jail'.

Wilders, 54, who was banned from Britain in 2009 only to get it overturned, is heading to the UK after the EDL founder was jailed for 13 months ten days ago.

Robinson was jailed after he pleaded guilty to contempt of court and breaching the terms of a suspended sentence he was handed last May for a similar offence.

His supporters have gathered in huge numbers at a series of protest outside Downing Street, Leeds Crown Court and even outside British embassies in Europe.

593,000 people have also signed a petition urging Theresa May to intervene and set him free.

Firebrand Dutch far-right MP Geert Wilders says he will fly to London to join a 'free Tommy Robinson' protest after his arrest (right) and imprisonment almost a fortnight ago

Hundreds of Tommy Robinson's supporters have gathered outside Leeds Crown Court to protest the former EDL leader's jail sentence

Another protest led to Tommy's supporters climbing the gates of Downing Street but there were no arrests

Wilders has called Robinson a 'staunch freedom fight' and compared him to Winston Churchill ahead of a new protest on Whitehall in London he plans to attend personally.

Judge: If the jurors saw Robinson's video I would be asked to discharge them The judge who jailed Tommy Robinson told him his Facebook Live could have collapsed a six-week trial if the jurors saw it. Mr Justice Marson QC said that Robinson had failed in his 'responsibility to exercise freedom of speech within the law'. Within five hours of his arrest Robinson was jailed for 13 months after pleading guilty to contempt in relation to an ongoing trial. He also admitted breaching the terms of a suspended sentence he was handed in Canterbury last May for a similar offence. Mr Justice Marson QC said: 'No one could possibly conclude that it would be anything other than highly prejudicial to the defendants in the trial. I respect everyone's right to free speech. That's one of the most important rights that we have. 'With those rights come responsibilities. The responsibility to exercise that freedom of speech within the law. I am not sure you appreciate the potential consequence of what you have done. 'If the jurors in my present trial get to know of this video I will no doubt be faced with an application to discharge the jury. If I have to do that it will mean a re-trial, costing hundreds and hundreds and thousands of pounds.' Advertisement

He told Breitbart: 'Tommy Robinson was arrested on May 25 outside Leeds Crown Court after using social media to broadcast details of an ongoing trial which was subject to reporting restrictions.

'He was arrested, brought before a judge, and sentenced within five hours. The judge ordered a media ban on his arrest and imprisonment, even forcing British publications to delete their articles about the case.

'Such measures are common practice in North Korea and Saudi Arabia. It is sad to see how Britain, the cradle of Western democracy and the rule of law, is fast descending into tyranny'.

He added: 'Tommy is a hero. It is a disgrace that he is still in jail. I have been invited to a major protest demonstration in London next week, and I will be coming. Free Tommy now'.

Right-wing activists in America have also rushed to support Robinson, after restrictions ordered by a judge initially prevented his court case and jail term being reported.

A host of conspiracy theories in the US then began claiming that he was imprisoned as part of a plot to silence the right.

Around 500 protesters chanted 'let Tommy out' at police officers outside Leeds Crown Court last Friday.

The march saw Robinson's supporters brand police officers a 'disgrace', as chants of 'you ought to be ashamed of yourselves' broke out.

The event was organised by the group Proud British, which claims on Facebook that its purpose is to 'voice freedom of speech' and 'stop the strain on the NHS, schools and our public services'.

On the previous Saturday, May 26, supporters flocked to Downing Street to demand the release of Robinson.

They waved '#FreeTommy' and 'Free the truth teller' placards as others branded St George's flags and banners with 'Make Britain Great Again' on them.

Some managed to mount the gates surrounding the Prime Minister's home, but the Metropolitan Police told MailOnline there were no arrests made.

Wilder arrived in the UK in 2009 (pictured) only to be turned back and put on a flight to Amsterdam as he tested a ban on visiting Britain. He later won the right to visit

Robinson, 35, was jailed for 13 months on Friday May 25 for contempt of court after broadcasting on Facebook Live outside Leeds Crown Court  putting the major trial at risk of collapse.

The court heard how Robinson had filmed himself and people involved in the case, in footage that was watched around 250,000 times within hours of being posted.

Robinson, who was listed by his real name Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon on court documents, was sentenced to 13 months in jail on the same day as his arrest.

He was given 10 months in jail after pleading guilty to contempt of court, and an additional three months for beaching a previous suspended sentence.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC told Robinson at the time: 'Everyone understands the right to freedom of speech but there are responsibilities and obligations.'

He added that if the jurors had seen his Facebook Live he would have been asked to end the trial.

A reporting restriction had initially prevented the media from reporting his conviction, but this was lifted at the same court four days later after an appeal by the media.Advertisement

Terrifying footage shows the moment a moped gang armed with zombie knives and hammers stormed a luxury jewellers in the heart of London today as a violent crimewave engulfs the capital.

Stunned shoppers and tourists watched on as three of the thugs run out of the watch shop and jump onto mopeds, while another fled on foot.

Brave bystanders managed to wrestle a fifth raider to the ground, with police later confirming they had arrested a man outside Watches of Switzerland in Regent Street, London.

Today's raid comes amid a surge in violent crime across the country, with crime stats revealing that 60 robberies on powered two wheel vehicles are happening every day in the capital alone.

Less than 24 hours earlier, comic Michael McIntyre had a 15,000 Rolex watch stolen by moped thugs as he picked up his ten-year-old son from school.

Thugs wielding machetes were seen attacking a motorist in Birmingham yesterday, while a 24-year-old woman was left fighting for her life later that night after she was punched by moped muggers during a struggle over her phone and bag in north London.

New figures obtained by MailOnline from the Metropolitan Police revealed there were 22,025 powered two-wheel vehicle crimes in London between June 2017 and May 2018, which works out as just over 60 per day. In the previous 12 months, there were 14,699 crimes a year, or 40 per day.

Last month alone, there were 1,154 scooter crimes, down from 1,206 in April.

A sledgehammer is shown lodged in the glass of a Rolex display cabinet at Watches of Switzerland on Regent Street

A large knife is seen lying on the pavement outside Watches of Switzerland in Regent Street, London following today's raid

A forensics officer is pictured examining a glove left by one of the robbers at the scene

Police officers set up a cordon outside Watches of Switzerland (pictured), where raiders made off with several jewels before they were chased away

Officers said a number of weapons were recovered from the scene alongside a moped. Pictured are police at the scene

Woman, 24, fighting for her life after being punched by moped muggers A woman was left fighting for her life after she was punched by moped muggers during a struggle over her phone and bag. The woman, aged 24, was walking along a tree lined residential street when she was approached by two thugs on a moped in north London just after 9pm last night. They tried to grab her bag and phone and in the struggle the pillion passenger punched the lone woman knocking her off her feet. As they sped away they left the woman lying in the street in Edgware with a serious head injury. Detective Sergeant Richard Lewsley said: 'This was a horrific attack, the victim had her bag on her shoulder when the males approached her. 'She resisted for some time until the pillion passenger punched her, causing her to fall backwards. 'She is currently in a critical condition and we need to catch these males before they strike again.' Advertisement

This year is also proving to be one of the deadliest yet in London, with detectives opening their 70th murder case last week as gun and knife-related crime goes through the roof.

The London Assembly told MailOnline that knife crime offences were up 18.3 per cent for the year up to April, with 14,811 incidents in 2018 compared with to to 12,515 during the same period in 2017.

Steve OConnell, chairman of the Police and Crime Committee, told MailOnline: 'We continue to see a depressing rise in shocking crimes which leave Londoners vulnerable to the most harmful types of criminality which can leave people scared and with a legacy of emotional and physical problems.

'We are determined to find out what is working and what is not in the battle against violence in London.'

Today's raid is the third heist at the Watches of Switzerland's West End stores in three months, as police made their first arrest since gangs began targeting the Regent Street and Oxford Street branches three months ago.

An eyewitness in Regent Street told the Evening Standard that she saw several men trying to smash their way into the store and staff ushered customers to safety.

She added: 'Staff on the doors of shops very swiftly got people in from the street. Some of the public managed to wrestle the guys to the ground.'

The same store was attacked by masked moped raiders in March, with thieves using knives, sledgehammers and a Samurai sword-style blade to break in.

A number of weapons were recovered from the pavement outside, with a picture on Twitter showing a blade resembling a samurai sword lying outside the shop.

Watches of Switzerland also has branch on nearby Oxford Street, which was also raided by moped thugs in April.

Metropolitan Police said that the thugs were still able to make off with a selection of jewels before they were scared off by members of the public

The brown leather glove, pictured, was swabbed before being sealed in a evidence bag

The gang had attempted to smash their way into the store but we forced to flee on their mopeds, leaving on of the bikes strewn across the road (shown)

A second moped was abandoned inside the door of the jewellers, after members of the public chased the gang away

A photograph shows the entrance to the shop, as well as what appears to be one of the weapons used during the raid

Using a red scooter as a battering ram, they forced open the shop doors before ransacking the shop.

In shocking footage, one of the group paces across the pavement waving a two-foot-long sword at passers-by.

Two of the group were able to enter while the other four remained on the street. However, those two became trapped behind the door.

Those outside are seen trying to open the doors so they can escape from the smoke-filled shop, before the group flees the scene.

Watches of Switzerland also has branch on nearby Oxford Street, which was raided by moped thugs in April (pictured)

No arrests have been made in either of the previous two raids, Met Police confirmed to MailOnline.

It comes after a spate of violent raids on motorists including comedian Michael McIntyre, who was mugged by two men on a moped yesterday.

The comic was sitting in his Range Rover when thugs smashed his car window and stole his 15,000 Rolex watch as he waited to pick up his son in north west London.

A spokesperson for the Met Police told MailOnline: 'Police were called at 10.18am to reports of a robbery at a jewellery store in Regent Street, W1.

'Officers attended. It was reported that a number of suspects on scooters armed with knives and hammers entered the store and stole several items of property.

'One male was arrested at the scene on suspicion of robbery. He has been taken to a central London police station. Enquiries continue to trace the outstanding suspects.

'Anyone with information or footage of the incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 2179/05JUN or Tweet @MetCC.'

The same store was attacked by masked moped raiders in March (shown), with thieves using knives, sledgehammers and a Samurai sword

How London's never-ending toll of moped thefts, robberies and attacks keeps rising The spotlight was thrown on moped crime following a spate of acid attacks and robberies last year, including one attempt to steal the phone of former Chancellor George Osborne. The apparent impunity with which gangs stole mobile phones, wallets and watches from victims led to police vowing a crackdown on the crimes. But a steady stream of shocking offences has continued into this year, with every region of the capital being affected by the crime plague. The map below shows just some of the attacks reported so far in 2018. 1. January 10 - Moped thieves carrying knives rob a Tesco Express in Belsize Road, Swiss Cottage before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash. 2. January 24 - Two moped riding thieves spend an entire day robbing people in Cambridge Heath Road and Mile End Road, Tower Hamlets. 3. January 29 - Members of the public, including an 80-year-old grandmother, intervene when would-be robbers attempt to steal the moped of a man in Crouch End. 4. February 4 - Man is stabbed after he fought back against moped robbers in Oxford Street. 5. March 7 - Investment banker tackled moped thief to the ground after hearing him breaking into his car outside his apartment in Beaufort Street, Chelsea. 6. March 18 - Moped gang armed with sledgehammers and knives attack watch shop in Regent Street. 7. March 21 - Simon Jordan, the chairman of Crystal Palace Football Club, is robbed of his 100,000 watch by moped thieves in Sumner Road, Croydon. 8. March 22 - Gang armed with angle grinder attempt to steal 100,000 BBC cameras set up on Putney Bridge and Barnes Bridge to record the University Boat Race. 9. April 5 - Delivery driver is dragged from his moped and stabbed during a brutal attack in Ronnie Lane, Manor Park. Group of teenagers make off with his bike. 10. April 7 - Moped gang armed with metal bars break into shop on Oxford Street before stealing luxury watches. 11. April 19 - Two men on a motorbike armed with a machete confront 17-year-old on Marlborough Road, Sutton and steal his moped. 12. May 2 - Five masked youths demanded mobile phones and money from boys in Albert Road Recreation Ground, Muswell Hill. 13. May 10 - Masked youths on three mopeds drove at parents on the school-run in The Avenue, Muswell Hill in attempt to rob them. 14. May 11 - Courier is forced to fight off two would-be motorbike thieves after they attacked him in a side street in Shepherd's Bush. 15. June 4 - Comedian Michael McIntyre is robbed of his watch as he sits in his car in Golders Green. 16. June 5 - Members of the public intervene to tackle gang of robbers raiding a watch shop on Regent Street. Advertisement

How moped crimes are rising in London with 60 robberies a day Sitey Mairuf (pictured) was jailed along with three others for a series of robberies In the past 12 months, moped gangs carried out 60 robberies a day across London and are known to have been holding training sessions on how to snatch phone before they hit the streets. Figures obtained by MailOnline from the Metropolitan Police revealed there were 22,025 powered two-wheel vehicle crimes in London between June 2017 and May 2018, which works out as just over 60 per day. In the previous 12 months, there were 14,699 crimes a year, or 40 per day. In May 2018, there were 1,154 scooter crimes alone - down from 1,206 in April. There were 4,842 scooter crimes in February 2018 to May 2018, a reduction from 7,874 crimes between October 2017 to January 2018. Up to 50,000 offences a year are being committed by thieves on scooters and mopeds in the capital, while some teenage thieves are being arrested up to 80 times but not sent to jail. Most of the muggings are committed by gangs on stolen vehicles and officers have seen a spike in moped thefts which has rocketed by 41 per cent in the last 12 months to February 2018. In December, a gang of knife-wielding moped robbers led by a talented teenage singer was locked up for more than 13 years. Sitey Mairuf and three other teenagers muggers wore skull masks while targeting South London commuters on their way to work between December 2016 and March this year. They stole six scooters as well as laptops and phones from their victims - which included a police officer - in Victoria, Mitcham, Herne Hill, Kennington and Camberwell. Now police are warning it is dangerous to get your phone out in public and they are advising pedestrians to use hands free headsets instead to deter criminals. Scotland Yard superintendent Mark Payne claimed that moped muggers are snatching 20 phones an hour. The robbers, who usually operate with a pillion passenger, are capable of recognising a mobile phone in a target's pocket from 100 feet away. Advertisement

Did moped gang stalk Michael McIntyre? Hammer-wielding muggers steal comic's 15k Rolex as he picked up his son, 10, from school

Michael McIntyre has been left 'very shaken' after masked moped riders armed with hammers smashed the driver's window of his 120,000 Range Rover and ripped the 15,000 Rolex from his wrist in front of his terrified son.

The comedian, 42, who is worth 38million, was waiting outside a school in north London, when he was robbed at around 2pm yesterday.

Police are investigating whether the moped gang followed him from his 5.7million Hampstead mansion with the aim of grabbing his Rolex or if he was the victim of a random attack because he was driving a luxury car in a wealthy London suburb.

Michael McIntyre (pictured with his ten-year-old son) was mugged by two masked moped robbers yesterday as he prepared to drive away from school with his boy in North West London

As the thugs fled, the 42-year-old rushed round to the passenger side of the vehicle to comfort his son (pictured), who is understood to have been in the car at the time of the attack

The father-of-two was picking up Oscar, 10, who with his brother Lucas, 13, are the source of a lot of his material in his much-loved stand-up routines.

Journalist Jane Moore, who is married to the comic's agent Gary Farrow, believes Michael may have been targeted as soon as his son was in the car knowing the star would not risk them harming him.

She told ITV's Loose Women: 'How terrifying - his 10-year-old son is in the front seat of the car, and this guy pulls up alongside and he's got a hammer.

To smash a window like that it takes about 10 or 15 goes. Can you imagine how terrified?

'They probably targeted him because he had a child in his car, because as a parent you're not going to take anybody on, you're going to say, "have whatever you want, don't hurt me or my child".

She added: 'Somebody please do something about these gangs'.

A fellow panelist Anna Richardson said father and son should seek counsellling and revealed she had needed help after she was robbed in a hotel room in 2016.

Mr McIntyre was in the Range Rover with his ten-year-old son in the front passenger seat at the time.

One witness told the Mail, and the star fell out of the driver's side and appeared to try to fight off the robbers during the 30-second attack.

He then rushed round to the passenger side of the vehicle to comfort his shaken up son and give him a hug.

A friend said today Michael, who is currently on the UK leg of his Big World Tour, is 'very shaken by the whole experience' but was uninjured.

Mr McIntyre wears his valuable Rolex most of the time (circled) but was seen without it on his wrist in the aftermath of the terrifying moped attack

Where are the Met Police's moped-fighting Scrambler bikes? Scotland Yard unveiled a new weapon in the battle against moped thugs rampaging across London in October, in the form of scrambler bikes. The four specialist BMW scrambler bikes were to be used to chase moped riders who use alleyways to evade chasing police cars. However moped crime seems as rampant as ever, with the latest figures suggesting that up to 54 moped robberies occur in London each day. Scotland Yard unveiled a new weapon in the battle against moped thugs rampaging across London in October, in the form of scrambler bikes The force said it was also bringing in wider use of remote-controlled stinger devices and so-called 'DNA sprays' in a bid to stop the up to 8,000 'moped-enabled' crimes tacking place in the capital each year. More than 8,000 offences were carried out by criminals on mopeds in London last year. The figure is 16 times what is was five years before ago. Thugs favour the bikes because they are easy to get away on and, if they remove their helmets, police can be reluctant to chase them in case the criminals are hurt. The force said it was also bringing in wider use of remote-controlled stinger devices and so-called 'DNA sprays' in a bid to stop the up to 8,000 'moped-enabled' crimes tacking place in the capital each year Advertisement

Police officers are scared to chase suspects for fear of hurting suspects and ending up in court THEMSELVES Police officers fear being taken to court if they chase suspects on scooters in case suspects are injured in a chase. New figures given to MailOnline by the Metropolitan Police revealed there were 22,025 powered two-wheel vehicle crimes in London between June 2017 and May 2018, which works out as roughly 60 per day. In the same period a year earlier, there were 14,699, or 40 crimes per day - a jump which equates to 50 per cent more moped crimes in the space of a year. The Police Federation, the union which represents officers, criticised the government for slow reaction to the growing problem. The current law means officers can be prosecuted for dangerous driving in the same way as ordinary motorists if there is an accident. The Home Office is currently undertaking a review into the law. At the moment, the law current applies the same legal test for careless and dangerous driving offences to police officers as the general public. Officers can therefore be prosecuted in the same way. New consultation has proposed new standards which would allow officers to break speed limits and hit suspect vehicles if the tactics are 'appropriate and both necessary and proportionate'. Any changes to the law would come into force across England, Wales and Scotland, the Home Office told Newsbeat. PC James Ellerton was charged with dangerous driving after knocking a criminal off his scrambler bike in Liverpool. He developed mental health problems following his 14-month suspension from front-line duty. He told Newsbeat: 'They (officers) are petrified to chase these vehicles through fear of the consequences. 'You've only got to look at what I've gone through, they could be faced with losing their liberty, going to jail, losing their careers.' The Metropolitan Police in London has recently bought new scrambler police bikes to follow suspects on scooters. A National Police Chiefs' Council spokesman said: 'Some police forces have seen increases in crime using mopeds and motorcycles, predominately in metropolitan areas, to enable a range of criminal activities including theft and assault. 'Police forces are working with the government and other partners to develop new tactics to address this kind of crime.' Advertisement

'21st century highwaymen!': Teenage moped thugs with 'blood lust' who stabbed charity worker, 28, to death and stole his iPhone during knife-point robbery spree are convicted of murder

Two teenage robbers likened to '21st century highwaymen' have been found guilty of stabbing a charity youth worker to death during a violent spree on a moped.

Nathan Gilmaney, 19, and Troy Thomas, 18, tried to rob as many people as possible, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake on October 16 last year.

Abdul Samad, 28, handed over his iPhone and other valuables when he was confronted by the teenagers in Paddington, west London - but they killed him anyway.

Nathan Gilmaney (pictured left), 19, and Troy Thomas (pictured right), 18, have been found guilty of the murder of charity woker Abdul Samad, 28, in west London last year

Gilmaney got off his moped and stabbed the charity worker in the chest, leaving him for dead before committing another eight robberies at knifepoint.

The victim staggered back to his home and collapsed on the doorstep in front of his horrified parents.

He later died in hospital having received a devastating wound to the heart.

Gilmaney and Thomas stabbed three others in their four-hour violent spree around Little Venice, west London.

The Old Bailey heard the defendants were unmoved by the plight of their victim and his 'traumatised' family, and prowled the streets for their next target minutes later.

The pair, from Maida Vale, west London, were convicted of murder following a lengthy trial.A clueless French tourist casually rode his bicycle into one of Sydney's busiest tunnels during heavy traffic.

The tourist can be seen on CCTV peddling a hire bike without a helmet into the Eastern Distributer tunnel.

The footage was captured by transport operators and released on 9News on Tuesday.

'Our control room contacted him over the PA system asking him to move himself off to a safe place so we could come and pick him up,' said Transurban Eastern Distributor Manager Louise Beer.

Footage has been captured of the moment a French tourist casually rides a bike into one of Sydney's busiest tunnels during heavy traffic

'Our control room contacted him over the PA system asking him to move himself off to a safe place so we could come and pick him up,' said Eastern Distributor Manager Louise Beer

The man, however, ignored the instructions announced over the intercom and continued riding further into the tunnel and swerving dangerously close to traffic.

He slows down the flow of traffic as vehicles begin to queue behind him and eventually a vehicle is sent in to rescue him.

Authorities have issued a warning that it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.

'We are seeing an increasing number of rental bikes and food delivery cyclists,' Ms Beer said.

The man was cautioned by police but let off without charge.A Commonwealth Bank employee has been hospitalised after coming into contact with an unknown substance which made his lips numb.

Commonwealth Bank in Altona, in Melbourne's south-west, was evacuated about 5.30pm on Tuesday after the worker discovered the chemical.

The 35-year-old came in contact with the unknown substance and then 'complained of numbness to the lips,' Sydney Morning Herald reported.

A Commonwealth Bank employee has been hospitalised after coming into contact with an unknown substance which made his lips numb

Firefights wearing hazmat suits entered the building and retrieved a sample of the substance to sampling

Victoria Police spoke to Daily Mail Australia and said they were called to conduct safety checks as a precaution.

'Police were called to a business on Pier Street in Altona about 5.30pm to conduct safety checks,' a police spokeswoman said.

'The building has been evacuated as a precaution.

'The incident is ongoing.'

Firefights wearing hazmat suits entered the building and retrieved a sample of the substance to sampling.

'He has been decontaminated as a precaution by MFB crews and handed over to Ambulance Victoria,' an MFB spokesman told the publicaition.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Commonwealth Bank for comment.Iran's Supreme Leader has ordered the increase of his uranium enrichment capacity to improve the country's nuclear capability 'in case it's needed'.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the move in a speech last night vowing to preserve the country's nuclear programme.

European powers have been scrambling to preserve a landmark nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic ever since US President Donald Trump announced Washington's withdrawal from the treaty in May.

Iran has already told the UN nuclear watchdog it will boost its nuclear enrichment capacity within the limits set by the agreement with world powers.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) has ordered the increase of his uranium enrichment capacity to improve the country's nuclear capability 'in case it's needed'

European powers have been scrambling to preserve a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic ever since US President Donald Trump (pictured) announced Washington's withdrawal from the treaty in May

'If conditions allow, maybe tomorrow night at Natanz (plant), we can announce the opening of the centre for production of new centrifuges,' said Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, according to conservative news agency Fars.

'What we are doing does not violate the (2015 nuclear) agreement,' he said, specifying this was just the start of the production process and 'does not mean that we will start assembling the centrifuges'.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed it had received a letter from Iran, which Salehi said was submitted on Monday and outlined Tehran's plans.

The EU said Tuesday that a 'first assessment' indicated that Iran did not breach its commitments under the beleaguered 2015 nuclear deal.

Under the 2015 nuclear agreement that Iran signed with world powers, it has the right to build and test certain centrifuges, though detailed restrictions exist for the first 10 years on the types and quantities of the machines.

Salehi also emphasised that these moves 'do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed.'

Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for Iran's nuclear agency, was quoted by state TV as saying a letter was submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) detailing the move.

He said: 'The leader [Khamenei] meant that we should accelerate some process ... linked to our nuclear work capacity to move forward faster in case needed.'

Israel's intelligence minister called for a military coalition against Iran if the Islamic Republic were to defy world powers by enriching military-grade uranium. Iranian Revolutionary Guards are pictured in a parade in Tehran

Iran has said it has the option of resuming industrial-scale enrichment now that the US has withdrawn from the deal.

The agreement set strict limits on Iran's uranium enrichment - a critical component for both civil nuclear power generation and military nuclear weapons - in return for the lifting of US and international sanctions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted swiftly to Salehi's announcement, declaring that the Islamic republic's aim was 'unlimited enrichment of uranium to create an arsenal of nuclear bombs' to destroy his country.

On Sunday, Khamenei repeated the long-standing view from Iran that Israel is 'a malignant cancerous tumour in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated'.

It comes as Israel's intelligence minister called for a military coalition against Iran if the Islamic Republic were to defy world powers by enriching military-grade uranium.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured left, with French president Emmanuel Macron) reacted swiftly to Salehi's announcement

Yisrael Katz spoke out after in Netanyahu began visiting European leaders to discuss Iran's regional involvement and nuclear programme, both seen by the Jewish state as grave threats.

Katz addressed Tehran's threat to restart uranium enrichment at an 'industrial level' if the 2015 pact falls apart.

'If the Iranians don't surrender now, and try to return' to unsupervised uranium enrichment, 'there should be a clear statement by the President of the United States and all of the Western coalition,' he said.

'The Arabs and Israel surely would be there too.'

The message should be that 'if the Iranians return' to enriching uranium that could enable them to build a nuclear bomb, 'a military coalition will be formed against them,' Katz told Israeli public radio station Kan.

Khamenei on Monday warned European leaders to drop their 'dream' of Tehran continuing to curb its nuclear programme despite renewed economic sanctions.

The Iran deal paved the way for the partial lifting of international sanctions against the country, in exchange for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme for several years.

Israel argues the lifting of sanctions under the nuclear deal allowed Iran to expand its presence in the Middle East, both through its own forces and with proxy groups.

It also says the time limits on the accord do not guarantee Iran will not eventually obtain nuclear weapons, while it also wants to see restrictions on Iranian missile development.

Iran denies the pursuit of an atomic programme for military purposes.

In his Monday meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Netanyahu warned that Iran was 'seeking nuclear weapons to carry out its genocidal designs.'

'It's important to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. We commit, and I commit again, that we will not let that happen,' he said.

Netanyahu met French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday and will meet British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday.Jeremy Thorpe's gay lover will go to Britain's police watchdog after a bungled investigation appeared to let the hitman suspected of trying to murder him off the hook.

Norman Scott is set to call for a review after Gwent Police said it has axed its inquiry into the 1979 alleged murder plot despite wrongly concluding suspect Andrew Newton had passed away in 2004.

But MailOnline revealed on Friday that Newton was alive and living as Hann Redwin in Surrey.

Detectives came to his girlfriend's Dorking house on Sunday to find him gone but Gwent Police still insists the matter remains closed and it will not interview Newton.

Last night Mr Scott, 78, has said he was likely to go to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to complain about how his case has been handled.

Norman Scott is set to call for a review after Gwent Police said it has axed its review into the 1979 alleged murder plot because they wrongly said Andrew Newton passed away in 2004

Norman Scott, pictured arriving at the Old Bailey trial of his former lover Jeremy Thorpe in 1979, after he claimed Thorpe ordered his murder but the hitman only manage dto kill his dog Rinka

He told the Telegraph: 'I am well aware of what I need to do.'

The farce over the investigation of the plot to murder Jeremy Thorpe's ex-lover deepened last night when the prime suspect appeared to be off the hook.

Police had rushed to the home of Andrew 'Gino' Newton, 71, at the weekend after admitting he was not in fact dead  only to discover that he had vanished.

He was at the centre of a police inquiry after he was accused of attempting to kill Mr Scott on Exmoor in a conspiracy orchestrated by the former Liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe in 1975.

Newton shot dead Mr Scott's dog Rinko but his owner insists he was the intended victim and only survived because the gun jammed.

Now it has emerged that he has been told by officers that they have no interest in reinvestigating his role in the scandal and that they are confident there is 'no basis' for a fresh inquiry.

Police claimed to have contacted the accomplished pilot, whose whereabouts are unknown, as his girlfriend joked that he could be on the run on 'the other side of Paris'.

Fellow aviators said they did not know the location of his Italian-registered motor glider plane, which can travel up to 600 miles on a tank of fuel.

Gwent Police said it spoke to Newton, now known as Hann Redwin, to 'confirm his status and whereabouts' and that he was 'unable to provide any additional evidence'.

The force appeared to be scrambling to shut down an extraordinary farce in which reality and fiction in the form of a BBC TV drama collided.

Andrew Newton  the man who allegedly tried to kill Liberal leader Thorpe's gay ex-lover Norman Scott  is living under the alias Hann Redwin in Surrey. He is pictured last week

Andrew Newton (left in 1976) is suspected of trying to kill Liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe's gay ex-lover. In 2004 - the year police said he died - he was photographed wearing a thong, top hat and tails (right), at the Skin Two Rubber Ball fetish convention

Newton was at the centre of a police inquiry after he was accused of attempting to kill Thorpe's ex-lover Norman Scott, 78, in a conspiracy orchestrated by the former Liberal leader in 1975.

After Thorpe's death in 2014, west London petty crook Dennis Meighan said he dropped out of the role of gunman in the 140,000 plot and that Newton took his place. Newton was later convicted of shooting Mr Scott's dog Rinka. Mr Scott said he escaped only when the gun jammed.

Patsy Frankham has been seeing Andrew Newton for at least three years - but she insists they are just 'good friends' and he doesn't live with her

But officers from Gwent Police concluded Newton was dead and the Crown Prosecution Service ruled that no further action could be taken.

Yet at the weekend it was revealed that he is alive and living under a new identity in Surrey as the final episode of A Very English Scandal, starring Hugh Grant as Thorpe, was broadcast.

Last night, the south Wales force insisted the matter remains closed and it will not interview Newton.

Gwent Police said its year-long inquiry focused narrowly on whether police acted corruptly to conceal Thorpe's role in the scandal.

A spokesman added: 'Having confirmed his status and whereabouts, officers from Gwent Police spoke to Mr Redwin, who is unable to provide any additional evidence to that which has already been obtained in the original inquiry.

'As Mr Redwin's evidence has already been considered by the CPS prior to this matter being closed, Gwent Police is satisfied there is no basis to re-refer the matter to the CPS and the investigation remains closed.

'We would like to clarify that at no point has it re-opened the original Jeremy Thorpe investigation.'

Ben Whishaw, pictured centre, playing Norman Scott in A Very English Affair

Hugh Grant played Jeremy Thorpe in the recent BBC drama A Very English Scandal, which concluded on Sunday night

The police are understood to have based their assessment that Newton was dead on data compiled by a private anti-fraud company. The firm has amassed details of more than 10million deaths that it makes available to public agencies, police and private subscribers. According to its records, Newton, under his new name Hann Redwin, was registered as dead on May 8, 2004. However, no death certificate was ever filed.

If police had Googled his name, they would have discovered evidence of him flying at Redhill aerodrome and posing for photos during a London fetish convention.

Speaking at his 1.3million medieval farmhouse on the edge of Dartmoor, Mr Scott said the matter is in the hands of his lawyers.

Asked whether he would complain to the independent police watchdog, he replied: 'I am well aware of what I need to do.'

He has told friends he is convinced there was a 'conspiracy to murder' and he must 'see it through' to ensure the truth comes out.

At Redwin's home near Dorking, his 61-year-old partner Patricia Frankham made light of the extraordinary developments. She said: 'Mr Redwin does not live here. I live here on my own and he remains a good friend. He's probably the other side of Paris by now.'

She apologised to police whose knock on her door on Sunday went unanswered, saying: 'I was out.'

She added: 'This story is 40 years old  it didn't happen last night. I actually fell asleep through that programme  it was so boring.'

'This is a TV programme that's just gone stupid. My life is usually much more quiet, but I'm willing to sell my life story for 500,000.'Two workers helped rescue a man from a burning flat in a Mayfair street where apartments sell for 1.5million today.

The daring handymen helped the man escape the first floor of the building through a window and were caught on camera guiding him down a ladder as smoke billowed through the opening.

Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters and officers were called to the incident in Bourdon Street, Mayfair.

According to London Fire Brigade, half of a flat on the first floor and part of a flat on the second floor were alight, although the blaze is now under control.

Two handymen rescued a man from a flat fire in Mayfair today, pictured, and helped him down a ladder

The rescue was filmed and the have-a-go heroes helped him down a metal ladder in front of a Bentley on the street where flats can sell for 1.5million

After being helped out of the window, which still had smoke billowing through it, the man appeared relieved as he reached the ground in a dishevelled state

Firefighters pictured battling the blaze in a block of flats in Mayfair, pictured, this afternoon

Eight appliances were at the scene and London Fire Brigade says the fire is affecting half of a first floor flat and part of a second floor apartment

London Fire Brigade also confirmed there were no serious injuries with two people treated for smoke inhalation.

A spokesman said: 'The Brigade was called at 1122. Fire crews from Soho, Euston, Lambeth, Dowgate and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.

'The Brigade's 999 Control Officers have taken 12 calls to the fire.

'The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.'An outback Queensland policeman's successful appeal on assault and deprivation of liberty convictions has been dismissed.

The Queensland Court of Appeal has thrown out a District Court decision quashing the conviction of Senior Constable Stephen Flanagan in February last year for assaulting motorist Lee Povey outside Longreach in May 2015.

Flanagan was captured on dash-cam video screaming 'f***ing pull over now, c***' and drew his gun on Mr Povey as he threatened to 'put a f***ing hole in you'.

He was originally fined $1500 by Brisbane magistrate Paul Kluck for the incident.

An outback Queensland policeman's successful appeal on assault and deprivation of liberty convictions has been dismissed

The Queensland Court of Appeal has thrown out a District Court decision quashing the conviction of Senior Constable Stephen Flanagan for assaulting motorist Lee Povey

Mr Kluck's decision and sentence now stands, and Flanagan's only remaining avenue to appeal is through the High Court.

Mr Kluck found Flanagan was suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and motivated by anger during the incident rather than a belief that Mr Povey had a gun or that the car was stolen.

In the District Court last June, Judge Julie Ryrie found in Flanagan's favour after his barrister Jeff Hunter QC argued the initial decision was not based on the 'critical facts' of the case.

Mr Hunter said his client was required to make a 'split-second decision' about whether the car was stolen or the driver likely to be carrying a weapon.

But the Court of Appeal has ruled Judge Ryrie was mistaken when she decided the prosecution had to prove Flanagan's actions were more than reasonably necessary.

Flanagan was suspended without pay over the incident.

AAP has contacted police to confirm his employment status.

Lee Povey, who was assaulted, and partner leaving courtOne of Harvey Weinstein's rape accusers met with prosecutors in New York on Monday over her claims that the law firm representing the shamed mogul used shady tactics to scam evidence from her.

Melissa Thompson, who says Weinstein raped her at a hotel in the city in 2011, was pictured on her way to the District Attorney's office in Manhattan alongside her lawyer Beth Fagen.

She then held a two-hour closed-door meeting with lead prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon to discuss her claims against law firm Brafman and Associates, which is now representing Weinstein.

Melissa Thompson, who claims Harvey Weinstein raped her at a New York hotel in 2011, held a two-hour closed-door meeting with prosecutors over allegations that she was duped into handing key evidence to the law firm representing the shamed mogul

Harvey Weinstein is pictured in court in Manhattan on May 25 with his attorney Benjamin Brafman (right). Brafman denies deceit and says that he did not know his former associate Alex Spiro was ever in contact with Thompson

Thompson claims she was introduced to Alex Spiro, a former lawyer at Brafman and Associates, by a friend in 2017 after multiple claims against Weinstein surfaced.

She says a friend called Paolo Zampolli, who introduced Melania Trump to Donald, convinced her that the legal firm was dealing with several other women making claims against the movie producer.

Thompson says she sent Spiro a video of Weinstein harassing her in his office, before it emerged that the legal firm was actually representing him.

Prosecutors are considering whether Brafman should be allowed to continue working on Weinstein's case given the conflict of interest.

Sources told Page Six that Illuzzi-Orbon conducted more than half the interview with Thompson  a sign the DAs Office is taking her allegations seriously.

Thompson is one of three plaintiffs named in a class action lawsuit filed on Friday against Weinstein, Miramax, The Weinstein Company and a host of other defendants.

Also named as plaintiffs are Caitlin Dulany and Larissa Gomes. Dulany says Weinstein assaulted her in a hotel room in the South of France in 1996. Gomes alleges that she was sexually assaulted and battered by Weinstein in a separate incident.

Thompson alleges that the movie mogul raped her at the Tribeca Grand hotel in 2011 after harassing her during a meeting at his offices. A full description of the alleged incident can be read at the bottom of this article.

The lawyers she is accusing of deceit is Weinstein's current criminal attorney Benjamin Brafman, who stood with him in court as he was arraigned on sexual assault and rape charges last week over his alleged treatment of other women, and Alex Spiro, an attorney who worked for Brafman at his firm between 2013 and 2017.

Neither lawyer is named as a defendant and they both adamantly denied the woman's allegations that they deceived her in multiple separate statements, instead pointing to a chain of events in which Spiro left the firm before he was ever introduced to Thompson and before the claims against Weinstein emerged in October 2017.

Thompson had stayed quiet about her alleged experience with Weinstein until then but claims in her lawsuit that she confided in 'friend', Paolo Zampolli, Melania Trump's former modeling agent who introduced her to the president, at the time.

In 2011, she had been sent to Weinstein's office to pitch him a technology platform he could use to market films. During that meeting, she says he first brushed his hands up her legs and tried to massage her. It was caught on video, she said.

Afterwards, she claims he invited her to the Tribeca Grand hotel where he 'raped' her' on the bed after cornering her.

After the alleged assault, Thompson claims she told Zampolli about it. She says he replied: 'these things happen in business and she would need to deal with it.'

Mr. Zampolli denied ever saying as much when contacted by DailyMail.com on Saturday.

In October 2017, Thompson says she sent a video of Weinstein allegedly sexually harassing her to Alex Spiro (above). Spiro never took her case and they never met in person but they spoke over email, calls and texts about her allegations

Spiro worked as an associate at Brafman & Associates for four years between 2013 and 2017. He told DailyMail.com that he left the firm in September 2017, before being contacted by Thompson about her Weinstein claims, and that he was only using his email address there while transitioning to his new job

Thompson says that in 2017, once the other Weinstein allegations emerged, Zampolli got back in touch with her and urged her to contact prominent New York attorney Benjamin Brafman.

She says that in phone calls she recorded because she was 'suspicious', Zampolli told her Brafman was representing two other 'girls' who claimed to have been assaulted by Weinstein and encouraged her to join them.

He, she claimed, said he knew of women who were told they had to 'f*** Weinstein or suck his d***' in exchange for career success and that he had his own feud with the movie mogul who, along with Hillary Clinton, was waging war on him and Donald Trump.

Thompson alleged in her lawsuit that it was Trump-friend and businessman Paolo Zampolli (pictured) who put her in touch with Alex Spiro, claiming that Zampolli believed Brafman was representing other Weinstein victims. Zampolli denied her claims as 'fake news' on Saturday

Zampolli is said to have then introduced her to former Brafman & Associates attorney Alex Spiro who, Thompson claims, she then corresponded with through texts, emails and phone calls but whom she never met.

When contacted by DailyMail.com on Saturday, Zampolli gave a vague statement in which he said: 'All the other statements are FAKE NEWS.'

He fumed: 'THIS is not normal' in response to being asked about Thompson's allegations.

Despite never hiring him directly, Thompson says she sent Spiro a video of Weinstein harassing her in his office before the alleged rape.

Spiro, she claims, urged her to 'stick with' him but then referred her on to another attorney, Judd Grossman. It is not clear why he decided not to take the case himself. Spiro has since been hired by another Weinstein accuser, Ambra Ballantina.

When it was announced in November 2017 that Benjamin Brafman, Spiro's old boss, was representing Weinstein, Thompson says she contacted him upset and demanded answers.

He replied to her that he did not work for Brafman & Associates and that he had never represented anyone involved in Weinstein's side of things.

She deduced from the chain of events that Spiro and Brafman had conspired to hear her version of events before Brafman agreed to defend Weinstein criminally - a bold accusation which both Spiro and Brafman vehemently deny.

In her lawsuit, Thompson's lawyers said: 'Brafman and Alex Spiro used deceptive tactics to cause her to believe that Brafman and Spiro were working for the victims in order to entice her to turn over visual and audio evidence of Weinstein's actions which she did.'

Neither Brafman nor Spiro are named as defendants in the class action lawsuit.

Both have denied Thompson's chain of events and offered the explanation that Spiro was indeed in consultation with her about the case in October but that he had already left Brafman's firm, that his old boss had no idea about their contact and that he was merely using his old email address during his transition to his new job and not because he still represented it his old firm.

In a statement to DailyMail.com on Saturday, Spiro said: 'I never have and I never would represent Harvey Weinstein, I left the Brafman firm well before Brafman ever represented Weinstein, and, in fact, I represent one of the key victims, but Ms. Thompson has never been a client.'

He said Ms. Thompson's claims that she gave him the footage before he left the firm were 'not true'.

Thompson says she was left feeling 'dirty and ashamed' by Weinstein

'I resigned from the Brafman firm in late September, 2017.

'After I resigned, my email account at the firm remained active for a transition period so that I could receive and forward emails and so that individuals seeking my help could contact me.'

He would not confirm being sent the video and said that while he'd been in talks with Ms. Thompson, it never amounted to formal representation.

'When people contact me who need help, I try to speak with them. Sometimes, I end up representing them. Sometimes, I refer them to other attorneys, which I did here as to one individual.'

He said that he passed her on to Judd Grossman and that Grossman included him in his retainer without his knowledge or consent. (Judd Grossman had not yet replied to DailyMail.com's questions about his involvement in the case at the time of publication.'

Brafman gave the same version of events on Friday.

He said that if Spiro had ever been in touch with Thompson or either of the other two women who are plaintiffs in the class action, it was not while he was acting on behalf of his firm.

'Alex Spiro was never a partner of this firm; he was one of many associates and left this firm in or about Sept 2017.

Co-plaintiffs: Caitlin Dulany (pictured left), claims she was sexually assaulted, battered, threatened and falsely imprisoned in Weinstein's hotel suite during the Cannes Film Festival in 1996. Larissa Gomes (right) says she went to discuss work opportunities but ended up imprisoned in Weinstein's hotel room, threatened, battered and assaulted

'To the extent he spoke with or met with any of these women, he did so on his own time after he had left this firm and was already employed by (another firm).

'In addition, while at this firm, he never met with Mr Weinstein nor did he have any responsibility whatsoever in connection with our representation of Mr Weinstein in any matter,' he told USA Today.

Neither of them has addressed why Paolo Zampolli thought that Brafman was representing Weinstein victims and Mr. Zampolli did not give detailed answers to DailyMail.com's questions on Saturday morning.

When asked for the recordings of her phone calls with Zampolli and for her emails or text exchanges with Spiro, Thompson's lawyers declined to give them, telling DailyMail.com: 'We are not sharing evidence at this time but have quoted it in our complaint.'

They were not included in the lawsuit which was filed on Friday in New York City.

Weinstein has denied any allegations of non-consensual sex.

His attorney Phyllis Kupferstein said in a statement to DailyMail.com about Thomson's suit: 'This lawsuit was filed by the same lawyers who filed the Geiss class action case. We have filed a motion to dismiss the Geiss case and this new case suffers from the same lack of merit.'The head of Scotland Yard's anti-terror unit has vowed to follow 'every possible lead' to track down whoever poisoned Russian double agent Sergei Skripal.

Around 100 counter terrorism officers remain in Salisbury examining over 4,000 hours of CCTV footage, tracking 14,000 vehicles seen on the day of the attack and searching more than 176 different locations.

Meanwhile Wiltshire Police's response to the nerve agent attack is expected to cost the taxpayer 7.5million, the force area's police and crime commissioner has said.

The British government has insisted Vladimir Putin's regime was behind the 'novichok' nerve agent attack on former spy Mr Skripal, which also hospitalised his daughter, Yulia, and policeman Nick Bailey.

Police in radiation suits examine the bench in Salisbury where Russian double agent Sergei Skripal was found in March. A Scotland Yard chief today vowed to follow every lead in the case

Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia (right) were saved by medics after being poisoned with nerve agent novichok at his home in Salisbury

Giving an update on the case today, Deputy Assistant Commissioner and counter terrorism co-ordinator Dean Haydon said: 'Clearly this is a very unusual case - both in its scale and complexity. We have said from the start that this investigation was going to take some time as we rigorously follow the evidence.

'We continue to deal with a number of unique and complex issues in what is an extremely challenging investigation.'

He said the city of Salisbury 'continues to recover from the incident' and thanked locals for their patience.

He continued: 'With such a sensitive and complex investigation, I am sure the public will appreciate that there are still a number of lines of inquiry being progressed that we cannot discuss at this stage.

'What I am able to say is that the team working on the investigation remain completely committed to finding out what happened and continue to follow every possible lead.

'Our enquiries are focused around the people and vehicles that were in the vicinity of the Skripal's address and leading up to where they fell ill in The Maltings.'

It is thought Mr Skripal came into contact with the nerve agent after it was smeared on the handle of the front door of his Salisbury home. The trail of poison led around the Wiltshire city

Scotland Yard today said around 250 counter-terror detectives have been involved in the attempted murder investigation and more than 2,300 exhibits have been recovered.

More than 850 of those are having to be stored at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory because of contamination issues.

The global chemical weapons watchdog today announced it is to stage a special conference on the banned armaments following a request from the UK.

Britain's request to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons came after attacks in Syria, Iraq and Salisbury.

It was backed on Monday by more than the 64 countries required to trigger a special session of the OPCW's Conference of the States Parties.

The OPCW announced that the session will be held in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 26-27.

Moscow has repeatedly denied responsibility for the Salisbury attack, with Vladimir Putin saying the UK's explanation 'is not possible'.

Today's update comes after Miss Skripal spoke of her horror at the poisoning that left both her and her father fighting for life.

She broke her silence to tell of her shock at the 'assassination attempt' after she and her former Russian spy father were exposed to the nerve agent.The final resting place of a missing WWI soldier has finally been found after 100 years and now bears his name - thanks a three-year quest by a British historian.

Major Octavius Darby-Griffith was listed as lost in action after he was killed fighting in the Third Battle of the Aisne, on May 27 1918.

He was buried in a military cemetery with a headstone which simply read: 'Unknown Major, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment'.

The final resting place of a missing WWI soldier has finally been found after 100 years and now bears his name - thanks a three-year quest by a British historian

Major Octavius Darby-Griffith was listed as lost in action after he was killed fighting in the Third Battle of the Aisne, on May 27 1918

But now the gravestone finally carries his name after historian David Tattersfield spent three years piecing together the soldier's final weeks and days.

A rededication service was held at Ville-aux-Bois-les-Pontavert cemetery in Rheims, France, which was attended by British Embassy officials and local dignitaries.

Major Darby-Griffith was born on 2 September 1871 in Monmouth, South Wales, but spent most of his life on the Channel Island of Jersey.

He enlisted in the British Army as a 'boy soldier' aged 15, going on to serve for more than two decades, the majority of which was spent on the island when it was militarised.

In 1910, when he left the army after 23 years of 'exemplary' service, he was attached to the permanent staff of the 2nd Royal Militia, Island of Jersey.

He took over the Forester's Arms at Beaumont and the 1911 census records show him living at the pub with his wife and their three daughters.

He was buried in a military cemetery with a headstone which simply read: 'Unknown Major, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment'

A rededication service was held at Ville-aux-Bois-les-Pontavert cemetery in Rheims, France, which was attended by British Embassy officials and local dignitaries

When war broke out in 1914, even though he was 43, he enlisted and rose though the ranks from Honorary Lieutenant to acting Major in the 9th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment by April 1918.

He saw action across the Western Front, including at the Battle of the Somme and in the Ypres Salient, and was wounded three times.

But he was killed during the Third Battle of the Aisne and his final resting place remained a mystery.

He had been buried in a grave marked 'unknown Major, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment'.

The simple inscription was a great help to David, vice-chairman of the Western Front Association.

When war broke out in 1914, even though he was 43, he enlisted and rose though the ranks from Honorary Lieutenant to acting Major in the 9th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment by April 1918

He had been buried in a grave marked 'unknown Major, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment'

He researched army and national archive records to convince officials that the grave belonged to Major Darby-Griffith before they would agree to change the headstone.

David attended the service, along with the military attache from the British Embassy in Paris, Col Christopher Borneman, representatives from the Royal British Legion and the CWGC and the Mayor of Ville-aux-Bois-les-Pontavert.

He said: 'It was an honour to represent the Western Front Association at this very unusual ceremony, as it is not often that the graves of unknown soldiers are identified after 100 years.

'While it was very pleasing that the Major Darby-Griffith grave has the appropriate headstone, there are many thousands of other unknown soldiers whose final resting-places remain unknown.'

The Western Front Association is a UK based charity with over 50 branches in the county.

They are dedicated to remembering those from all sides that served their countries in the Great War.The teenager was charged with aggravated assault in San Antonio, Texas

A teenager has allegedly stabbed a 54-year-old man moments after performing oral sex on him, after the victim complained he was not doing it right.

Job Israel Davila-Rangel, 17, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

He was booked into Bexar County Jail, San Antonio, Texas, on a $75,000 bond, according to My SanAtonio.

Police told reporters that the victim was taken to Brooke Army Medical Centre, after he was cut across the neck from ear-to-ear.

He is in a stable condition.

The teenager has been accused of stabbing the older man, who he had been performing oral sex on, according to a preliminary police report.

Police said the victim, 54, was taken to Brooke Army Medical Centre, above

He is alleged to have told officers that he was engaged in the act at about 2.30am on June 2 when the man decided what he was doing was not right.

The report said: [Davila-Rangel] said something came over him, and he began to stab [the victim] repeatedly.

Officers said that as 17 years of age is considered an adult, the man who was stabbed will not face charges for having sex with the teenager.Advertisement

Tourists have been pictured 'gambling with their lives' by danging over a 200ft crumbling cliff edge high above jagged rocks in East Sussex, in the same area a student fell to her death while jumping in the air for a selfie last year.

The thrill seekers were caught on camera playing on top of the dangerous Seven Sisters cliffs in Newhaven, seemingly unaware of the perils of the fragile terrain and sheer drop below.

Despite giant cracks in the rock, groups of tourists have been dicing with death on the edge of the limestone edifice forcing police to intervene and move them away with a stern telling off.

Tourists are 'gambling with their lives' by danging over a 200ft crumbling cliff edge high above jagged rocks in East Sussex. One woman was pictured standing perilously close to the fragile cliff edge just inches from a 200ft drop below. One local said police were soon called to move the tourists away, but he explained that it is an all too common occurrence in Seaford

Dangerous: One shocking picture shows a smiling tourist letting her legs dangle over the edge as he captures the perfect picture. With no fencing or safety measures, the woman would face certain death should the cliff edge crumble, locals say

In 2017, South Korean student Hyewon Kim, 23, had asked a passerby to take a picture of her during a trip to Cuckmere Haven, within the same national park as Seaford. As she jumped into the air for the shot, she lost her footing and fell 200ft, an inquest was told.

Despite the media attention over the dangers of tourists standing near to cliff edges at the time, pleasure-seekers have seemingly ignored the advice and continued in search of the perfect selfie.

Newhaven resident Wayne Spring, 51, took the series of pictures on Sunday, at Seaford Head in Seaford, East Sussex.

The photographer said: 'If any of them had lost their footing, they would have been gone.

'You're not surviving that drop - the jagged rocks at the bottom make sure of that. I've seen that cliff crumble before, and I've seen way too many people stood at the edge.

Despite giant cracks in the rock, groups of tourists have been dicing with death on the edge of the limestone edifice forcing police to intervene and move them away with a stern telling off. Spotting the tourists from far below the cliff edge, locals watched on horrified, fearing that at any moment one person would fall to their death

Newhaven resident Wayne Spring, 51, took the series of pictures on Sunday, at Seaford Head in Seaford, East Sussex. The photographer said: 'If any of them had lost their footing, they would have been gone. You're not surviving that drop - the jagged rocks at the bottom make sure of that. I've seen that cliff crumble, and I've seen too many people stood at the edge'

Mr Spring said: ''They do it to take selfies and pictures - but they are gambling with their lives. It was good to see the officers come and tell off those tourists though. Hopefully they'll learn'. Despite his remarks, the woman, wearing a long blue t-shirt seemed undisturbed by the prospect of falling and stood happily near the edge for a series of photographs

'They do it to take selfies and pictures - but they are gambling with their lives. It was good to see the officers come and tell off those tourists though. Hopefully they'll learn.'

One of the heart-stopping images Mr Spring took was of a young woman with her legs dangling off the edge of the cliff - while an older man took pictures.

For years there have been calls to install security fences at the top of the cliff to prevent people falling off the sheer drop.

For years there have been calls to install security fences at the top of the cliff to prevent people falling off the sheer drop. But tourists have always been able to venture towards the edge in near of a dramatic selfie - including this woman who spread her arms making a 'Titanic' pose for the camera

Photographer Mr Spring hit out at selfish tourists who risk their lives on the shores. He said: 'They do it to take selfies and pictures - but they are gambling with their lives. It was good to see the officers come and tell off those tourists though - hopefully they'll learn'

Mr Spring added: 'If you fence it off you might spoil the area but you can't rely on people to use their common sense. I don't want the natural environment to be spoilt by a few idiots but if a fence stops them then so be it. I think they're uninformed. If you are not from the area you will not know about the dangers but people just need to use their common sense.'

Mr Spring added: 'If you fence it off you might spoil the area but you can't rely on people to use their common sense any more.

'I don't want the natural environment to be spoilt by a few idiots but if a fence stops them then so be it. I think they're uninformed. If you are not from the area you will not know about the dangers but people just need to use their common sense.'

But the South Downs National Park Authority who maintain the Seven Sisters cliffs in Newhaven, East Sussex, have said that fences are impractical because of erosion.

One of the heart-stopping images Mr Spring took was of a young woman with her legs dangling off the edge of the cliff - while an older man took pictures. In another, four people stood inches from the edge and peered over the side to see the dramatic fall

A couple were pictured together with their legs dangling over the side, enjoying the romantic view when police arrived to spoil their party and, possibly, save them from harm. The cliffs, are in the same national park that saw a South Korean student plunge to her death after asking a fellow tourist to take a picture for her yards from the edge. She lost her footing and fell, an inquest heard at the timeA milk company has created a new product specifically for Chinese babies to stop the flow of infant formula from Australia to China.

The a2 Milk Company will sell Chinese A2 directly into the Asian market to stop expats from emptying local supermarket shelves to send the product back home.

The drastic move comes after baby formula retailing for $25-35 for a kilogram in Australia were being bought in bulk and shipped to China where they were on-sold for more than $100 a tin.

Peter Nathan, CEO of a2 Milk Company Asia-Pacific explained Australasia was widely perceived to have the best source of diary in the world.

The product was only available online when first launched but will now be sold in supermarkets across China.

The new product, however, will cost Chinese families almost 50 per cent more than formula shipped from Australia.

Mr Nathan said the new A2 formula would also be made available to Australian families.

'Any mother in Australia who wants to buy A2 product, we guarantee we will provide them by an online facility within 24 to 48 hours,' Mr Nathan said.

Nestle, the world's largest dairy company, and others are expected to join the Chinese infant formula market.

With demand growing 20 per cent a year, fears remain within the industry that the increased supply will not stop the demand in Australia.



EU nations that have yet to legalise gay marriage will be forced to give same-sex couples the same residency rights as heterosexual partners - a European court has ruled.

The bloc's top court ruled on Tuesday that same-sex couples should be allowed to live in any EU member state - even in countries where same-sex marriage is still banned.

EU laws on freedom of movement extend to the non-European spouses of EU citizens and the European Court of Justice judgement means this also includes same-sex partners.

The decision, based on a case from Romania, risks further embittering relations between more socially tolerant member states to the west of the EU and conservative countries to the east.

The European Court of Justice ruling was made during the case of American Clai Hamilton (right) and Romanian Adrian Coman (left)

Adrian Coman had been battling for his partner's right to reside in the EU in a lengthy court case

The ECJ ruling on Tuesday means that any same-sex couple will be afforded the same residency rights as heterosexual couples in the EU

In a case which has highlighted social differences between western Europe and a more conservative, ex-communist east, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Romania must accept the validity of the mens' 2010 Belgian marriage and treat American Clai Hamilton as Adrian Coman's spouse under EU law.

The case did not touch on the freedom of member states to set their own matrimony laws, although campaigners have called on Brussels to push states to legalise same-sex marriage as a fundamental human right. Rather it upheld rights of EU citizens to move freely across the bloc along with their families.

'Although the member states have the freedom whether or not to authorise marriage between persons of the same sex,' the judges said, 'They may not obstruct the freedom of residence of an EU citizen by refusing to grant his same-sex spouse, a national of a country that is not an EU member state, a derived right of residence in their territory.'

The case arose because Hamilton's right as a non-EU citizen to live in Romania permanently was dependent on his status as Coman's spouse. Coman challenged a Romanian decision to limit Hamilton's residence to a three-month visa and a Romanian court referred the matter to the ECJ in Luxembourg.

The case came about because Hamilton's right as a non-EU citizen was dependent on his status as Coman's spouse

Adrian Coman (Center, back) and his father watch a video call of Coman's husband Clai Hamilton on Tuesday after the victory

Coman welcomed the ruling: 'We can now look in the eyes of any public official in Romania and across the EU with certainty that our relationship is equally valuable and equally relevant for the purpose of free movement within the EU,' he said.

The deputy leader of the liberal bloc in the European Parliament, Sophie in 't Veld, said: 'This is fantastic news and a landmark opinion for rainbow families.

'Freedom of movement is a right of all EU citizens. It cannot be restricted because of whom they love.'

The European Commission insisted that the ruling was not part of a push from Brussels to force social change in the bloc.

'Member states are in charge - but this is a useful clarification in terms of avoiding discrimination,' spokesman Margaritis Schinas told reporters when asked about opposition to same-sex marriage in parts of eastern Europe, where governments have also clashed with the EU executive over other civil rights.Advertisement

Belgium has paid final tribute to two policewomen murdered in a jihadist attack in the eastern city of Liege.

Several hundred police officers from all over the country attended a sombre procession which followed the flower-strewn hearses of Lucile Garcia, 54, and Soraya Belkacemi, 44.

The gathered police force saluted as the two women's caskets entered the funeral.

Police officers from all over Belgium paid tribute to Lucile Garcia and Soraya Belkacemi who were killed in last week's jihadist attack

The caskets of Lucile Garcia and Soraya Belkacemi were carried in flower-strewn hearses in Liege, the city they were killed

Members of the police stand to attention as the hearses carrying Lucile Garcia and Soraya Belkacemi enter the funeral service

A retired officer said: 'Every time we lose an officer it's like losing a family member. All we can do is to be there for each other'

The victims Soraya Belkacemi (left) and Lucille Garcia (right) seen in their uniforms in an undated photo by Liege Police

The brazen shooting a week ago, claimed by the Islamic State, shocked the nation and raised the spectre of a fresh wave of attacks two years after twin suicide bombings killed 32 people in Brussels.

'We are a police force, every time we lose an officer it's like losing a family member,' retired police officer Jean-Claude Bertrand said.

'The only thing we can do is to be there for each other.'

Officers stood to attention as the hearses passed. Some had covered their orange armbands with a black mourning band.

Alongside Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel stood several ministers and a representative of King Philippe.

Members of the public were seen in orange armbands at the funeral of the two policewomen

Officers salute as the caskets of Soraya Belkacemi and Lucille Garcia are pulled from the hearses

An unidentified woman fainted during the service before being escorted by colleagues

On Monday, several hundred people turned out for the funeral of student Cyril Vangriecken, attacker Benjamin Herman's third victim.

Friends and family of the 22-year-old walked behind the hearse dressed in white through the streets of Vottem near Liege ahead of the funeral, also attended by Michel.

The funerals follow a procession Sunday of nearly 3,000 people who marched to the scene of the attack and laid white roses in memory of the three victims.

Herman carried out his rampage on May 29, repeatedly stabbing Garcia and Belkacemi with a knife before taking their service pistols and shooting them.

He then killed Vangriecken who sat in the passenger seat of a parked car.

The attacker Benjamin Herman brandishing two firearms that he stole from Belkacemi and Garcia on his rampage

The two female police officers were stabbed and then shot dead with their own weapons in last Tuesday's attack

Special forces next to the body of the attacker who shot himself outside a high school

Several hundred people turned out for the funeral of student Cyril Vangriecken, the gunman's third victim, yesterday

The attacker holed up in a nearby school, briefly taking a cleaner hostage before bursting out to confront police and being killed in a hail of bullets.

Belgian police who are treating the murders as a terrorist attack have identified Herman as a drifter who spent a decade in and out of prison for acts of violence and petty crimes.

The Islamic State group claimed one of its 'soldiers' was responsible for the latest attack, through its Amaq propaganda agency.

IS said 'he led the attack in response to calls to target the countries of the US-led international coalition,' which is fighting the jihadist group, mainly in Syria.

Prosecutors confirmed that Herman's method of assault was a known 'modus operandi' of IS, which also claimed the deadly attacks in Brussels in 2016.

Amateur footage obtained by AFP showed the gunman shouting 'Allahu akbar' (Arabic for 'God is greatest') as he walked through the streets during the rampage.President Trump blamed Democrats on Tuesday for border apprehension policies that have broken up families.

The Republican president who has aggressively pursued stricter immigration policies and security reforms designed to tamp down illicit border crossings claimed rules changes that would help families are being blocked by the opposing party.

'Separating families at the Border is the fault of bad legislation passed by the Democrats,' he tweeted. 'Border Security laws should be changed but the Dems cant get their act together! Started the Wall.'

Democrats and Republicans have been unable to come to an agreement on an overhaul of the immigration system that Trump can stomach. Attempts on two occasions over the last year to force reforms have failed, and a third push now is off to a sputtering start.

President Trump blamed Democrats on Tuesday for border apprehension policies that have broken up families

The Republican president who has aggressively pursued stricter immigration policies and security reforms designed to tamp down illicit border crossings claimed rules changes that would help families are being blocked by the opposing party

cant get their act together! Started the Wall.' Democrats and Republicans have been unable to come to an agreement on an overhaul of the immigration system that Trump can stomach. Attempts on two occasions over the last year to force reforms have failed, and a third push now is off to a sputtering start

Members of the president's own party were struggling this week to come up with enough votes in the House of Representatives to allow for a free-flowing discussion on the topic.

A discharge position that would kick off a discussion was said to be on the verge of passing on the shoulders of Democrats after ultra conservatives in Congress said they could not support it.

Trump backs compromise legislation that includes a pathway for citizenship for the 'Dreamers,' children brought to the U.S. illegally, but conservatives in his party do not.

'Negotiations are ongoing, but  I do not believe that the American people elected Republicans to create any type of special pathway to citizenship for the DACA individuals,' the House Freedom Caucus' Jim Jordan told Politico. 'So were trying to work around that. That to me is a real concern.'

Some Democrats were also wary of the petition being pushed GOP leadership.

'Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy, they don't want to deal with immigration, they want to push it aside,' Congressman Jimmy Gomez, a California Democrat, told DailyMail.com.

Gomez said GOP leaders only want to consider legislation favorable to the hard right.

In addition to DACA protections, Trump wants any proposal to include funding for his border wall, which experts say could cost up to $25 billion. Democrats oppose the barrier.

After Trump's Tuesday morning tweet mentioning border security, Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley shot back that it was the 'Trump administrations inhumane policies' that caused thousands of children to be 'ripped from their mothers arms.'

'Outrage is not enough  we must dismantle @realDonaldTrumps deportation machine,' Crowley tweeted.

Another Democratic congressman, Gerry Connolly, said he intends to fight back with an amendment that would prohibit family separations. 'We must stop this cruel practice,' he stated.

Democrats have been outraged since the new policy was announced by the administration earlier this month that separates parents and children who enter the U.S. illegally.

Trump blamed Democrats for the origins of that policy, asking them to change a 'horrible law' he says required children to be separated from parents who enter the country illegally.

There is no law specifically requiring that action by the government.

Gomez said that Trump's slam on Democrats was 'nonsense' and the president's 'just trying to use this as a campaign issue to help drag our his base and act tough on immigration.'

'What he's trying to do, as he's always trying to do, is trying to give red meat to his base on immigration,' Gomez said, 'and all our problems would be solved if Democrats would get out of the way.'

He referred back to Trump's own attorney general's comments that family separation is a policy of this administration and that it's meant to be a deterrent to illegal immigration.

'So they cant even get their story straight on why they're doing what they're doing,' Gomez, who represents part of Los Angeles, stated.

President Trump criticized Democrats for tweeting this photo over the weekend, accusing them of trying to make him 'look bad' on immigration. The picture was taken in 2014, when Barack Obama was president.

President Trump slammed Democrats on immigration in an early morning tweet Tuesday but White House counselor Kellyanne Conway would not answer the DailyMail.com's question on whether the president was trying to restart DACA talks.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions warned last month that parents who cross the border illegally with their children will have them taken away.

'If you cross the border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you -- it's that simple. If you smuggle illegal aliens across our border, we will prosecute you,' he said during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has also defended the Trump administration's practice of separating children and parents when the family is being prosecuted for entering the U.S. illegally.

She told a Senate committee in May that removing children from parents facing criminal charges happens 'in the United States every day.'

If a person crosses the border illegally, she said: 'We will refer you for prosecution. You've broken U.S. law.'

A conviction for illegal entry carries a maximum penalty of six months in custody for first-time crossers - though they usually do far less time - and two years for repeat offenses.

Trump has also accused Democrats of trying to make him 'look bad' after they tweeted a photo of immigrant children in cages that turned out to be from 2014 - when Barack Obama was president.

'They thought it was recent pictures in order to make us look bad, but backfires,' the president charged in a tweet a week ago on Tuesday.

The picture, published by the Arizona Republic, showed two children lying on green mats behind a chain-link fence.

The picture circulated on social media and was tweeted by former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau and other liberal activists.

Several people deleted their tweets when the photo was revealed to be four years old.

Favreau defended the Obama administration, saying children were held because they were unaccompanied minors who tried to cross the border illegally.

He tweeted: 'These awful pictures are from 2014, when the government's challenge was reconnecting unaccompanied minors who showed up at the border with family or a safe sponsor.'

Democrats are outraged over a Trump administration policy that would separate children from their parents when they come into the U.S. illegally.

The president was reportedly furious when the number of illegal border crossings doubled in April when compared to the same month in the previous year.

The image, separation policy and calls from Trump allies in the U.S. Senate to pass reforms before the midterms have sparked a new effort in Congress to strike an immigration deal.

Trump is also said to have been furious when the number of illegal border crossings doubled in April compared to the same month the the previous year.

He was said to give Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen a 30-minute tongue lashing. Nielsen then reportedly considered her resignation.

The administration is working with Southern states to dispatch more National Guard troops along the border and is also looking at housing children separated from their parents in military bases.

Additionally, Nielsen has ordered federal prosecution against any person caught crossing the border illegally.

Between May 6 and May 19, 638 adults were referred for prosecution for illegally crossing the border. They brought with them a total of 658 children, all of whom were separated from those adults.

During a surge in children from Central America in 2014, under the Obama presidency, Health and Human Services temporarily used military bases in California, Oklahoma and Texas to house the kids.

Nearly 1 in 4 Border Patrol arrests on the Mexican border from October through April was someone who came in a family. That means any large increase in prosecutions will likely cause parents to be separated from their children while they face charges and do time in jail.Lisa Spearman was permanently injured when a watertight door slammed into her hand as she lunged to help a nurse who had stumbled during the safety procedure

A Royal Caribbean worker has won a $20.3million payout after her hand was crushed in a sliding door during a fire safety drill.

Marketing and revenue officer Lisa Spearman was seriously and permanently injured when the watertight door slammed into her hand as she lunged to help a nurse who had stumbled during the safety procedure.

The New Zealander was left unable to properly move the fingers in her right hand and now suffers from chronic pain syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The incident happened in August 2008 on-board the US-based company's Voyager of the Seas while it was docked in Barcelona, reported the Miami Herald.

The watertight door was being locked during the drill when the ship's nurse - who was unaware the procedure was happening - tried to open it with a handle while Spearman stood on the other side.

The nurse stumbled, prompting Spearman to put her hand on one of the handles to try and keep the door open.

Spearman lunged to try and open the watertight door (left) after a nurse fell into it. However, the door slid back into its door socket (right) crushing her hand between the door and its frame

At this point the door slid back into its recess pocket on the wall, crushing Spearman's hand into a tiny space between the handle and door frame.

The door lurched back a further three times, breaking her index finger and middle finger and ripping the nails from their cuticles.

Her legal team argued Royal Caribbean had not trained staff how to use the doors and failed to inform the nurse the drill was taking place.

They also complained that the company had referred Spearman to a Spanish doctor who mistreated her by splinting her fingers in the wrong position.

The door lurched back a further three times, breaking her index finger and middle finger and ripping the nails from their cuticles. Pictured: Her hand after the incident

Spearman was dismissed from her job in 2010 and sued in 2016 for negligence, failure to provide proper medical care, and breach of contract over her discharge for a non-performance related reason.

A court found Royal Caribbean at fault for the accident and ordered bosses to pay for lost wages, damages, and medical expenses.

The company intends to appeal.More than 100 migrants drowned when a rickety, overcrowded boat sank off the coast of Tunisia in the worst death toll this year.

At least 180 people were crammed onto the vessel when it went down about 16 nautical miles off the coast of Sfax province.

The converted fishing boat began taking on water about 10.45pm on Saturday, about two hours into its voyage from the Kerkennah Islands.

People retrieve the bodies of more than 100 migrants who drowned when a rickety, overcrowded boat sank off the coast of Tunisia in the worst death toll this year

The Coast Guard pulled 52 bodies from the water with dozens of others missing, the presumed death toll rising to 112.

Interior Ministry spokesman Khalifa Chibani said identified bodies included 36 Tunisians and 12 'foreigners', meaning people from sub-Saharan Africa.

A total of 68 survivors, including 60 Tunisians, have been rescued since search operations began early on Sunday.

Survivors said the captain bailed out as soon as the boat was stricken in an effort to avoid arrest by authorities for people smuggling.

Wael Ferjani, a migrant who was rescued, said the boat's capacity was '75 to 90 people maximum, but we were between 180 and 190 on board'.

The Coast Guard pulled 52 bodies from the water with dozens of others missing, the presumed death toll rising to 112

The converted fishing boat began taking on water about 10.45pm on Saturday, about two hours into its voyage from the Kerkennah Islands

'Water was coming into the boat. Those who could escape fled, others drowned. We stayed there until almost 5am, then fishermen came to help us, and then the army arrived,' he said.

Search efforts continued Tuesday, with a helicopter flying over the island chain.

Police deployed across the islands ahead of an anticipated visit later Tuesday by Prime Minister Youssef Chahed.

On Monday, Chahed called for greater efforts to quickly dismantle the 'criminal networks that profit from these young people looking to emigrate and putting their lives in danger'.

People wait to receive the bodies of loved ones in the Tunisian town of Sfax on June 4, 2018

Tunisian authorities were hunting for eight suspects, all of whom are from Kerkennah, the interior ministry said.

The shipwreck is the deadliest in the Mediterranean since February 2, when 90 people drowned off the coast of Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Tunisians and other migrants regularly try to cross the Mediterranean to seek a better future in Europe.

In March, 120 people, mostly Tunisians, were rescued by the navy as they tried to reach the Italian coast.Former president Bill Clinton doubled down Monday night on his view that he doesn't owe Monica Lewinsky a person-to-person apology for taking advantage of her when she was a White House intern.

He said during a book-tour event in Harlem, as he had the day before in an interview broadcast on NBC, that the blanket mea culpa he offered in 1998 should have been enough.

'The suggestion was that I never apologized for what caused all the trouble for me 20 years ago,' Clinton said Monday night  not mentioning the trouble it caused Lewinsky.

'I did,' he said. 'I meant it then, I meant it now. I apologized to my family, to Monica Lewinsky and her family and to the American people before a panel of ministers in the White House, which was widely reported.'

'So I did that. I meant it then and I mean it today. I live with it all the time.'

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS

Former president Bill Clinton doubled down Monday night on his insistence that his 1990s blanket apology to Monica Lewinsky was enough, and that he's already said he's sorry 'what caused all the trouble for me' in the 1990s  without mentioning the trouble it caused her

Clinton said in an NBC interview airing Monday that he's never personally apologized to Lewinsky for how their sexual affair turned her life upside down  and he doesn't owe it to her

The former president carried on a lengthy affair with Lewinsky, often trysting with her just steps from the Oval Office

Watch part one of @craigmelvin's interview with Bill Clinton and James Patterson pic.twitter.com/UC8KAQw8Ge  TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 4, 2018

Clinton was referring to the 1998 National Prayer Breakfast, where he said he was sorry for the affair that nearly ended his political career.

He mentioned Lewinsky and her family at the time, plus 'my family, my friends, my staff, my cabinet.'

On Monday night the former president painted himself as a supporter of the #MeToo movement, a public groundswell of women who have come forward to tell their stories of sexual abuse and harassment at the hands of powerful men.

At least four women maintain such accusations against Clinton, including one, Juanita Broaddrick, who claims he raped her decads ago in an Arkansas hotel room while he was the state's married governor.

'I support the Me Too movement,' he said, adding that he believes 'it is long overdue.'

'And I have always tried to support it in the decisions and policies that I advanced. Beyond that, I think it would be good if we could go on with the discussion' about his book.

Lewinsky's adult life has been defined by Bill Clinton's successful sexual advances and the global scrutiny that followed. But Clinton's new book, co-authored with fiction writer James Patterson, has him engaged for the first time in a no-apologies tour about his past conquests.

'No I do not' owe her an apology, he told NBC in an interview airing Monday on the 'Today' show. 'I have never talked to her. But I did say publicly on more than one occasion that I was sorry.'

'I apologized to everybody in the world,' Clinton said, implying that was enough.

Her too: Lewinsky has emerged as an anti-bullying activist and now says Clinton engaged in a 'gross abuse of power' by seducing her

Clinton is now on a book tour with co-author James Patterson but got pointed questions from NBC in an interview that aired Monday morning

The flustered former president, more famous for his Don Juan-like seductions than for his policy legacy, portrayed himself, not Lewinsky, as history's victim in the mass-media's retelling of the 1990s saga.

'A lot of the facts have been omitted to make the story work,' he declared, 'I think partly because they're frustrated that they got all these serious allegations against the current occupant of the Oval Office and his voters don't seem to care.'

And Clinton complained in the interview that he left the presidency financially ruined because of the costs associated with the legal consequences of his actions.

'Nobody believes that I got out of that for free,' he said. 'I left the White House $16 million in debt,'

He's worth about $80 million today, aided by an aggressive schedule of speaking events  many of which paid him six-figure fees for individual appearances.

In a March essay for Vanity Fair magazine, Lewinsky wrote that 'what transpired between Bill Clinton and myself was not sexual assault, although we now recognize that it constituted a gross abuse of power.'

Clinton, pictured denying his May-December affair when he was president, was already noted at the time for his lothario habits

But decades later, she's still traumatized by the aftermath of being identifed globally as the your woman the President of the United States kept on the side and used for his own pleasure just a few feet from the Oval Office.

'Im sorry to say I dont have a definitive answer yet on the meaning of all of the events that led to the 1998 investigation,' Lewinsky wrote of the public humiliation that played out in seeming slow motion.

'I am unpacking and reprocessing what happened to me. Over and over and over again.'

Clinton is launching a book tour to promote 'The President is Missing,' a fictional political thriller co-written with the famed author James Patterson.

He accused interviewed Craig Melvin of 'ignor[ing] gaping facts in describing this, and I bet you don't know you don't know them.'

'This was litigated 20 years ago. Two-thirds of the American people sided with me.'

Lewinsky is pictured on September 21, 1998 meeting with then-president Bill Clinton at a White House function

If he were president today, he said later, his most famous extramarital affair wouldn't 'be an issue, because people would be using the facts instead of the imagined facts.'

Patterson, too, defended Clinton  by comparing his sexual affairs in office with those of two preceding Democratic presidents.

'It's 20 years ago, come on!' he blasted Melvin. 'Let's talk about JFK. Let's talk about, you know, LBJ. Stop already!'

Clinton piled on.

'You think President Kennedy should have resigned? Do you believe President Johnson should have resigned? Someone should ask you these questions because of the way you formulate the questions,' he jabbed. 'I dealt with it 20 years ago, plus.'

Suddenly philosophical and seeming to take a longer view of history, Clinton said: 'I have tried to do a good job since then with my life and with my work. That's all I have to say to you.'Port bosses said today they can make a new customs system work in time for the end of the Brexit transition but only if they know how it will work by exit day in March next year.

Officials who run ports in France and Belgium warned the 'clock is ticking' to be able to have a working system by the end of transition on December 31, 2020.

Brexit will mean new laws and systems to process goods moving in and out of the UK from the end of the transition because the Government has promised to leave both the single market and the customs union.

But the Government is deadlocked over what sort of customs arrangement to try and negotiate with Brussels - meaning officials running ports have little idea what will be needed.

Port bosses said today they can make a new customs system work in time for the end of the Brexit transition but only if they know how it will work by exit day in March next year (pictured at the Treasury committee today are from left Joachim Coens, CEO, Port of Zeebrugge, John Keefe, Director of Public Affairs, Getlink and Benoit Rochet, Deputy CEO, Port of Calais)

Asked if his port would be ready by 2021, Mr Rochet said there was no choice but to ensure it would be

Benoit Rochet, deputy chief executive officers at the Port of Calais, told the Treasury committee: 'The most important problem is we know that there is Brexit but we don't exactly know what Brexit means.'

Asked if his port would be ready by 2021, Mr Rochet said there was no choice but to ensure it would be.

But he warned: 'The clock is running, time is running.'

Joachim Coens, chief executive officer of the Port of Zeebrugge, said it was vital that an agreement on future customs arrangements was in place by the time the proposed transition period kicks in next March.

He said: 'The transition period of two years if fine, provided we know from the beginning of that transition period what we have to do.

'If this transition period means uncertainty during the transition period, then we will never be ready, never. It is not possible.'

John Keefe, director of public affairs at Getlink, which runs the Channel Tunnel, said they were still waiting for clarity from the Government.

The Commons Treasury Committee (pictured during today's hearing) grilled the port chiefs on how customs needed to work after Brexit today

John Keefe, director of public affairs at Getlink, which runs the Channel Tunnel, said they were still waiting for clarity from the Government

'In order to make our contingency planning we need to have a direction to go in,' he said.

Mr Keefe said his organisation had 'very clear guidance' on what would happen in a no deal scenario.

'We are preparing for that as much as we can,' he added.

The tunnel spokesman said there was a lot of very good smart border technology in existence that could be used.

'We have been looking at smart borders for something in the region of five to six years. We believe it is the way to go because of traffic growth, never mind the actual relationship we have.

'And, we believe it is the way to go in immigration terms and in the movement of freight.'

Work needs to be carried out on the specification that would be needed before the system could be built, the committee was told.

'We are in a bit of a vacuum at the moment because we don't know what the specification is,' Mr Keefe added.

Brexit will mean new laws and systems to process goods moving in and out of the UK (including through the Channel Tunnel, file image) from the end of the transition because the Government has promised to leave both the single market and the customs unionTheresa May's popularity with Tory activists has crashed as she struggles to thrash out a compromise on Brexit, according to a poll today.

The Prime Minister had seen her standing with the party's grassroots rally after her strong handling of the Salisbury nerve agent attack.

But it has now tumbled from +56.4 to -9.5 in the latest ConservativeHome survey - meaning she is less popular than every Cabinet member apart from Philip Hammond.

Meanwhile, new Home Secretary Sajid Javid has seen his ranking surge to +70.4, just behind Michael Gove who was in top spot on +72.5.

The Prime Minister had seen her net rating among the party's grassroots rally after her strong handling of the Salisbury nerve agent attack - but it has now slumped again

The grim findings come as Mrs May faces mounting criticism over her handling of Brexit - with anger at her 'negative' approach and negotiations with the EU apparently deadlocked.

Brexit Secretary David Davis also saw his score plunge from +62.8 to +43.5.

But Mr Javid's star appears to be on the rise, gaining a net 10 approval points according to the survey of party members carried out last month.

The new Home Secretary has won plaudits for his response to the Windrush scandal since taking over from Amber Rudd.

Over the weekend former Cabinet minister Priti Patel accused the PM of 'negativity' as she raised doubts about her approach to Brexit.

Mrs Patel told The House magazine that the Conservatives had become 'lazy' and she heard 'too much relentless talking down' of Britain's economy.

Asked if having Remain supporters Mrs May and Chancellor Philip Hammond at the top of government was part of the problem, she said: 'I have to say, originally I thought it wasn't. But I think it's fair to say that there's something in that. There is absolutely something in that.'

Mr Gove, pictured left out running in London yesterday, who has seen a dramatic revival in his fortunes since his leadership campaign flopped in 2016. Sajid Javid (right) has seen his popularity surge since becoming Home Secretary

A separate ConHome poll this week asked grassroots Tory members if and when Theresa May should announce her resignation

A separate ConHome poll this week asked grassroots Tory members if and when Mrs May should announce her resignation.

Some 24 per cent of the 1,188 who responded said she should go immediately - up 11 points on last month - while 45 per cent said she should depart before the country votes again.

Just 37 per cent said Mrs May should not resign, down from 34 per cent last month - with 2 per cent saying they were not sure.

The combined figure of 69 per cent wanting Mrs May to quit by 2022 is nearly as high as the 71 per cent recorded in the aftermath of the disastrous snap election last June.A $24million contract to install new refrigerators on the presidential fleet has been cancelled.

Rep Joe Courtney, a Connecticut Democrat, first revealed the contract cancellation in a statement issued on Monday.

'The Air Force, working with the White House Military Office, recently reviewed the investment for the VC-25A chiller replacement and jointly decided to terminate the effort,' Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, said in a statement.

Wilson said the plan to replace the refrigerators still exists, but the 'progress on the VC-25B program weighed against the cost of the chiller effort makes termination the most prudent fiscal sense for the government'.

A $24million contract to install new refrigerators on the presidential fleet has been cancelled. Boeing won the contract with the Air Force in December 2017, with the cost covering design and installation of the custom chilling units on the two Boeing VC-25As

Rep Joe Courtney (pictured), a Connecticut Democrat, first revealed the contract cancellation in a statement issued on Monday

The Air Force and White House Military Office will need to reevaluate this effort, Wilson said.

Courtney, who is the ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, said he supports the decision.

'Clearly, the Air Force is making the right decision [to] cancel the previously announced sole-source contract and hit restart on this process,' Courtney said in a statement.

Boeing won the contract with the Air Force in December 2017, with the cost covering design and installation of the custom chilling units on the two Boeing VC-25As that make up the presidential fleet.

'Air Force One' is a colloquial designation that refers to any plane carrying the president.

There are currently two planes in the presidential fleet, which are 747-200s that have been heavily altered, and are known by the military classification VC-25A.

Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, said the Air Force and White House Military Office will need to reevaluate this effort. Wilson also said the plan to replace the refrigerators still exists. President Donald Trump is seen boarding Air Force One in October 2017

Experts told Defense One in December that the price is actually reasonable for the job, which is bigger than it sounds, but Courtney disagreed.

'Even with the understanding that the Air Force One mission brings with it unique requirements and challenges, a $24 million sole-source contract just didn't pass the smell test,' Courtney said.

The Air Force has notified Boeing of the government's intention to cancel the subject contract.

Air Force One fridges must be able to store 3,000 meals to feed staffers and crew for up to 10 days, in the event the presidential plane is kept aloft as a flying command post in a national emergency.

Five 'chillers' on each plane would cool a total of 26 climate-controlled compartments, according to the Air Force.

Boeing's contract was to replace two of the chillers, which cool eight of the compartments.

AIR FORCE ONE SPECS Specification for the two VC-25As that serve as Air Force One: Crew: 26 (passenger+crew capacity: 102) Engines: General Electric CF6-80C2B1 Thrust: rating 56,700 pounds/engine Long-range mission takeoff gross weight: 833,000 pounds Maximum landing weight: 630,000 pounds Fuel capacity: 53,611 gallons Range: 7,800 statute miles Wing span: 195 feet, 8 inches Length: 231 feet, 10 inches Height: 63 feet, 5 inches Service ceiling: 45,100 feet Source: Boeing Advertisement

The current refrigeration units in Air Force One were installed in the 1990s, when the planes went into service.

Officials said the work on the replacements would have been performed in Oklahoma City and San Antonio, Texas, with a completion date of October 30, 2019.

The current aircraft in the presidential fleet are also due to be replaced with a pair of Boeing 747-8s.

In December of 2016, then President-elect Donald Trump blasted the estimated $4billion replacement cost as 'out of control', adding 'Cancel order!'

The replacement plans have continued, however.

In an effort to save costs, the Air Force in August acquired two commercial 747-8s that had been ordered by a Russian airline, but were never delivered after the airline went bankrupt.

In September, Boeing was awarded a $599,999,999 contract to conduct preliminary design work for upgrades to the two 747-8s, which are currently being stored at the Southern California Logistics Airport in the Mojave Desert.

The design round is set to be complete by the end of 2018, and then upgrade work will begin.

When complete, the resulting upgrades will include 'a mission communications system, electrical power upgrades, a medical facility, an executive interior, a self-defense system, and autonomous ground operations capabilities', the Air Force said.The ex-wife of an Arizona man suspected of murdering six people who were linked to his bitter divorce case has revealed in an unexpected twist that her new husband was the one to make the connection to the victims.

Dwight Lamon Jones, 56, killed himself on Monday when police closed in on the hotel in Scottsdale, just outside Phoenix, where he was staying following his four-day crime spree.

His victims included the JonBenet Ramsey forensic psychiatrist who testified against him in court in 2010, two paralegals who worked for the law office that represented his ex-wife, a marriage-and-divorce counselor who was apparently targeted in a case of mistaken identity and another man and woman who have not yet been identified.

The suspect's ex-wife Connie Jones said her current husband Richard Anglin, who is a retired police detective, made the connection between her divorce and the crime scenes and notified police of his suspicion Saturday night.

Dwight Lamon Jones, 56, killed himself on Monday when police closed in on the hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he was staying following his four-day crime spree. Jones targeted his victims given their connections to his bitter divorce from ex-wife Connie Jones

Jones killed himself on Monday when police closed in on the hotel in Scottsdale, just outside Phoenix, where he was staying following his four-day crime spree

Connie, who is a radiologist in the Phoenix area, said she was 'deeply saddened' by the slayings carried out by her ex-husband.

'He was a very emotionally disturbed person as the court records will confirm,' she said in a statement.

'Personally, I have feared for my safety for the past nine years. I cannot express the emotions I feel for the innocent families touched by this senseless violence.

'My husband, Richard Anglin (a retired Phoenix police detective), recognized the connection to my divorce and the three crime scenes and he notified the Phoenix Police violent crime unit on Saturday night. I also contacted the Scottsdale Police Department on Sunday morning.'

Scottsdale assistant police chief Rich Slavin said they started to notice that Jones was visiting his victims 'in an effort to right some wrong'.

The slayings began on Thursday with the fatal shooting of Dr Steven Pitt, who, according to court records, had evaluated Jones and testified in 2010 that he had anxiety and mood disorders and symptoms of a paranoid personality.

Dr Steven Pitt, a prominent forensic psychiatrist who assisted in high-profile murder cases including the JonBenet Ramsey mystery, was found dead near Scottsdale on Thursday

Veleria Sharp (left) and Laura Anderson (right) were shot dead on Friday at the law office where they work, which focuses exclusively on mediation and family law litigation

A fourth professional, Marshall Levine, was found shot inside a Scottsdale office building shortly after midnight Saturday

Pitt said Jones did not conform to social norms and acted impulsively and aggressively. Records also stated that he lacked remorse and close friends and required excessive admiration.

The testimony was cited in the couple's 2010 divorce, which granted Jones' wife sole custody of their now 21-year-old son.

Phoenix Police released a sketch of the suspect prior to tracking him down at the hotel on Monday

Court records show Connie had filed for divorce in 2009. The case was finalized in 2011 but it continued to drag on until last year because they couldn't agree on alimony payments and child support.

The 59-year-old psychiatrist was well known in his field and assisted in high-profile murder cases, including the JonBenet Ramsey mystery in Colorado and a notorious Phoenix serial killer investigation.

According to court records, Jones' wife was represented during their divorce by Elizabeth Feldman. The local attorney is a partner at the law firm where the two paralegals were killed on Friday.

Feldman was not believed to be at the office when paralegals Veleria Sharp, 48, and Laura Anderson, 49, were gunned down.

Police say one of the women managed to walk to an intersection to seek help despite a gunshot wound to her head. She was taken to a hospital where she died.

Officers followed a blood trail back to the office and found the other woman. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Scottsdale assistant police chief Rich Slavin (above on Monday) said investigators started to notice that Jones was visiting his victims 'in an effort to right some wrong'

Police said Jones had been staying at the hotel in Scottsdale (above) for nine years prior to him being cornered on Monday

The suspect has also been linked to two additional killings in Fountain Hills. A man and woman were found dead inside the home on Monday shortly after Jones killed himself

A police investigator arrives at a home where police say two additional killings took place on Monday that have been linked to Jones

Counselor Marshall Levine, 72, was found dead on Saturday after he was seemingly mistaken for someone else who once occupied the same office.

At one time, the space was used by a counselor who saw Jones' son as part of the divorce. Levine, who took over the space, was not involved in the divorce case.

The suspect has also been linked to two additional killings in Fountain Hills. A man and woman were found dead inside the home on Monday shortly after Jones killed himself. Those victims have not been named publicly.

Jones, who was seen driving around the Fountain Hills area, was later seen dumping a .22-caliber gun stolen from the home.

Police would not speculate why Jones tracked down people connected to his divorce so long after it happened. They say he had been living in extended-stay hotels for the past nine years.

As new details on the case emerged on Monday, the funeral for Dr Pitt was held at a chapel in Scottsdale. Pitt's sons Asa and Beau are pictured embracing at the memorial service

Darryl Pitt speaks at the memorial service for his brother in Scottsdale on Monday

Investigators said analysis of shell casings found at Pitts' office, the law firm and Levin's office confirmed that the victims were all killed with the same gun.

DNA evidence linked Jones to the casings and traffic cameras showed a vehicle fitting the description of his gold Mercedes near the law firm about 30 minutes before the double murder.

As new details on the case emerged on Monday, the funeral for Dr Pitt was held at a chapel in Scottsdale.

He was remembered as a perfectionist in his work on major cases and a loving man who doted on his fiancee and family members.

Phoenix police Lt. Bryan Chapman, who had become a close friend during their work on criminal cases, said Pitt volunteered countless hours to help investigate many lesser known crimes.Al Gore never forgave Bill Clinton for 'betraying' him over the Monica Lewinsky scandal and costing him the 2000 election, a new book reveals.

A new book claims that Gore felt Clinton's 'impeachment cast a permanent shadow on their joint accomplishments' and ruined his chance of succeeding him as president.

Gore's camp thought that Clinton 'did not want Gore to succeed' against George W Bush after he was impeached following his affair with Lewinsky.

First In Line: Presidents, Vice Presidents and the Pursuit of Power gives fresh insight into the dark tensions at the heart of the relationship between Gore and Clinton.

First in Line, by author Kate Andersen Brower, claims that Al Gore felt Bill Clinton's 'impeachment cast a permanent shadow' on their accomplishments and ruined his chance of being elected president. Clinton and Gore are pictured above at the Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden in 1992

The book gives fresh insight into the dark tensions at the heart of the relationship between Gore and Clinton, pictured at a re-election campaign rally for Clinton in the 1990s

While the men were like brothers at the start of Clinton's presidency, their friendship turned to animosity over the years. Clinton and Gore are pictured above in August 2009

The two men were like 'brothers' but their friendship turned to animosity in part due to Hillary Clinton clashing with Gore as she built her own power base in the White House.

As Gore sees it there has been 'no closure' on the feud and he only endorsed Hillary in a Tweet four months before the 2016 election amid panic from Democrats.

Clinton's legacy as president is being re-examined in the #MeToo era, and earlier this week he was challenged about the Lewinsky affair on NBC's Today show.

First in Line, by New York Times bestselling author Kate Andersen Brower, takes a different track and looks again at his relationship with Gore.

The book, published by HarperCollins, says that Clinton chose Gore as his vice president because he 'reminded him of Hillary: strong, organized, smart, and loyal'.

During their first term Clinton, the former Arkansas governor, and Gore, a Senator from the neighboring state of Tennessee, formed a telegenic foursome with Hillary and Gore's wife Tipper.

Clinton was 45 years old and Gore was 44 years old at the time, and the two men shared Southern roots; they also shared problems with their weight and their love of donuts.

Elaine Kamarck, who worked in the White House from 1993 to 1997, said that you 'couldn't get at the donuts for Clinton and Gore stuffing their faces'.

Gore's camp thought that Clinton 'did not want Gore to succeed' against George W Bush after he was impeached following his affair with Lewinsky. Clinton and Lewinsky are pictured together above at a White House function

As Gore sees it there has been 'no closure' on the feud between him and Clinton, according to the book. Gore is pictured after losing the 2000 presidential election

She said: 'They both were like little porkers who ate too much and then tried to jog to get rid of the pounds.'

Gore was perceived by many as being incredibly dull but he was good at getting Clinton - who is famously easily distracted and disorganized - to focus, and the president liked his dry sense of humor.

Gore was to say in his own book: 'For almost all those eight years the relationship was one between brothers - that may be a cliche and I run the risk of overstatement, but really we became extremely close.'

First In Line suggests that Gore is overstating their closeness - and the reality is that their relationship began to go 'Shakespearean' as the presidency went on, in no small part due to Hillary.

Gore found himself facing off with 'the most powerful first lady in American history', who did not want to play second fiddle to him in the West Wing.

Even in 1992, when Clinton and Gore and their wives went on a campaign bus trip, Hillary's close friend and scheduler Susan Thomases tried to kick the Gores off the bus.

Roy Neel, Gore's chief of staff in the Senate, said that Hillary was 'dismissive of then-senator Gore during a conference call, basically calling Al's idea to continue the bus trip 'stupid'.

During their first term Clinton, the former Arkansas governor, and Gore, a Senator from the neighboring state of Tennessee, formed a telegenic foursome with Hillary and Gore's wife Tipper. The four are pictured above on the presidential campaign trail in October 1992

The book claims that Clinton chose Gore as his vice president because he 'reminded him of Hillary: strong, organized, smart, and loyal'. Hillary, Gore, Clinton, and Tipper Gore are pictured above at a rally in Monroe, Michigan, in August 2000

The book says: 'The two (Gore and Hillary) fought over turf almost like a brother and sister fighting over their father's attention.'

'It was a team of rivals,' said one former Gore aide. Hillary had her own team in the White House, the so-called Hillaryland, a group of mostly female advisers.

'She was so often surrounded by adoring staffers vying for her attention that Hillary would joke and say "Mommy, am I pretty?" mocking their desperate attempts for her approval.'

When asked in an interview for the book what it was like working with Hillary, Gore 'declined to answer and said facetiously he thought the interview might have to be cut short', Andersen Brower writes.

Unlike former President Barack Obama and his Vice President Joe Biden, who grew closer over time, Gore and Clinton's relationship 'grew more strained as the years went by'.

A constant source of tension was Gore's insistence on a weekly meeting with the president, which caused tension in Clinton camp because they thought he was giving away the time for nothing.

Matters came to a head after the Lewinsky scandal erupted in 1998 and engulfed Clinton's Presidency.

According to the book, Hillary and Gore 'fought over turf almost like a brother and sister fighting for their father's attention'

Tipper Gore (pictured right with Hillary) felt 'disgust' about Clinton's repeated denials over his affair and was 'furious' that he finally came clean - he only told Gore the truth a week before he told the American people

Gore felt like he was Clinton's 'heir apparent and had served as a dutiful vice president, only to have his presidential ambitions quashed by the president's affair with twenty-two-year-old intern Monica Lewinsky', the book says.

Gore's chief of staff in the Senate Neel said: 'The Lewinsky revelation basically froze the (Gore) presidential campaign. (Gore) had to come to the aid and defense of the president at that point. That really knocked us for a loop for a long time.'

First In Line says that 'maybe, some in Gore's camp speculated, Clinton did not want Gore to succeed'.

Tipper Gore felt 'disgust' about Clinton's repeated denials over his affair and was 'furious' that he finally came clean - he only told Gore the truth a week before he told the American people.

The book says that on August 10, 1998, in a limousine in Chicago, Clinton came clean and Gore told him: 'Well, this is the first time you have apologized to me personally.'

The book says: 'After his confession, Clinton was in good spirits but Gore emerged from the car upset, offended, and conflicted about what it all would mean for his own presidential ambitions.'

Gore became 'mad' about the whole affair because it meant he could not run on Clinton's record in the 2000 election, meaning he would have to rely even more on his wonkish personality.

Gore only endorsed Hillary in a Tweet four months before the 2016 election amid panic from Democrats

Former President Bill Clinton said in an NBC interview airing Monday that he's never personally apologized to Monica Lewinsky for how their sexual affair turned her life upside down  and he doesn't owe her a mea-culpa

After Clinton was impeached, Gore did not defend him and issued a tepid public statement saying he was 'proud' of his friend.

The book said: 'Privately, Clinton bristled at his vice president's judgment and moralizing. Gore watched part of the House impeachment vote with Clinton in the private study off of the Oval Office.

'"It's not fair, what they've done to you," Gore told Clinton. But he was deeply worried about the damage Clinton's indiscretions would have on his own future.'

Kate Anderson Brower's book First in Line: Presidents, Vice Presidents and the Pursuit of Power hit shelves on Tuesday

When Gore lost to Bush it was partly because the Clintons 'were in charge' of the Democratic party.

As Donna Brazile, who was Gore's campaign manager in 2000 and chair of the Democratic National Committee during Hillary's 2016 Presidential run, puts it: 'The Democratic Party was in the hands of the Clinton machine and when Gore lost it meant that the party stayed loyal to Clinton.

'They blamed Gore for not embracing Clinton, the fact that Gore lost was a validation that he should have run with Clinton and not away from Clinton.'

After the Supreme Court handed Bush the election, Clinton and Gore barely spoke until the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Their relationship has been so cool since then that Gore's late and unenthusiastic endorsement of Hillary's presidential run was hardly surprising.

The words spoken by George W Bush on his inauguration day were probably still ringing in Gore's ears.

According to Andersen Brower, as Bush arrived in the Blue Room of the White House for coffee with Bill Clinton in January 2001 he told the butlers, many of whom had served his father when he was president: 'Told you I'd be back!'Heading back to their hotel after a boozy night out, this is the moment two British holidaymakers are pickpocketed in Magaluf by muggers posing as street traders.

One of the tourists tries to stop his food from being taken, but as he does so, the thief grabs him, turns him round and, in one quick movement, dips into his pocket.

Barely a second later the thief walks off with what looks like a wallet or a phone as the confused holidaymaker stumbles forward, unaware he has been robbed.

The shocking CCTV footage, taken in the early hours of Sunday on Magaluf strip, was given to MailOnline by bar owners who say criminal gangs who traffic prostitutes and rob holidaymakers are turning Magaluf into a tourist no-go zone.

Shocking footage shows a gang of pickpockets mugging two British holidaymakers in the early hours of Sunday in an example of how crime gangs are putting off tourists, according to locals

Gangs of trafficked Nigerian and Senegalese women, pictured right as a group of holidaymakers (left) walk past, are luring drunk men into sex only to then rob them, locals say

A group of vigilante business owners and ex-pats protesting about street prostitutes and muggers talk to police about the problem they say is turning Magaluf into a tourist no go zone

The mob have set up a Facebook group called 'Clean up Magaluf' with 2,600 members and have taken to the streets to drive out prostitutes they say are frightening away British tourists

Magaluf has long been a favourite holiday hotspot for British tourists, although visitor numbers are down more than seven per cent on last year, which locals blame on crime caused by prostitutes and their gang masters posing as street traders who pickpocket and mug victims

Gangs of trafficked Nigerian and Senegalese women are luring drunk men into sex only to then rob them, the locals say.

The women are brought over from impoverished cities in West Africa by gang masters often without the money to pay for their journey and are forced to work to pay off their debt to the traffickers, according to investigators.

Protestors have clashed with the women they accuse of driving holidaymakers away - as tourism in Magaluf has fallen seven per cent in the last 12 months.

The traffickers, like the thieves in the video, pose as street traders - known as 'looky looky' men  who wander the streets hawking goods like sunglasses or novelty hats.

The men also target either lone or drunk tourists walking back to their hotels in the early hours along the strip.

A British bar owner, from London, who asked not to be named said: 'The pickpockets and prostitutes are part of the same gang who hang around outside the bars in the early hours picking off stragglers.

'The women pretend to be prostitutes and throw their arms around these young lads, clearly worse the wear for drink, and when they're distracted they pickpocket them.

'The men pretend to be 'looky looky' sellers and operate in the same way, distracting their victims and then rifling through their pockets.

'I've been here for years so I know who the genuine 'looky looky' men and they are decent hard-working individuals who are trying to earn a bit of cash.

'The bogus ones, like the two in that video, take advantage of the fact that most tourists happily interact with the street-sellers and are not at all wary of them.

'The police don't seem to do anything about it so it's got to the point where bar owners won't bother sending them CCTV footage anymore.

Police on quad bikes patrol the beach at Magaluf where protestors have been clashing with street prostitutes and their gang masters, who they says are driving holidaymakers away

The sex workers, pictured right, are brought over from impoverished cities in West Africa by gang masters often without the money to pay for their journey

The women, pictured, are then forced into prostitution and work to pay off their debt the traffickers, according to investigators

A British bar owner who asked not to be named said: 'The pickpockets and prostitutes are part of the same gang who hang around outside the bars in the early hours picking off stragglers'

Gangs of African prostitutes, as many as 50-strong, have been plaguing Magaluf for the last 15 years. Locals say some of the women have no intention of having sex with their victims as they lure them into secluded spots and rob them of their money

Another tactic is for the girls, pictured here being spoken to by police on Monday night, to group around drunken men and pickpocket them while they are distracted

Two African men were arrested last night after police spoke to groups of men and women lurking outside a Pizza Hut restaurant on the popular night spot at Avenida de Magaluf

'Last year there was a guy who threatened a bar worker with a knife and it was all caught on camera.

'The images were shown to the police along with a photograph of the knifeman but the officers said there was nothing they could do as he hadn't injured anyone. That is why we've taken things into our own hands.'

Gangs of African prostitutes, as many as 50-strong, have been plaguing Magaluf for the last 15 years.

They take advantage of the fact the sun-kissed resort in Mallorca is a magnet for young Britons who take advantage of the cheap alcohol and raucous nightlife.

Victims are reportedly lured into dimly areas away from the bars and restaurants and then ambushed by either men or groups of other women and robbed.

Another tactic is for the girls to group around drunken men and pickpocket them while they are distracted.

But locals have finally had enough and are fighting back as latest figures show there were 1.6million foreign visitors to the island in April this year, a drop of more than seven per cent compared to April 2017.

Recently a Facebook page was set up called 'Cleaning Up Magaluf' which has already attracted more than 2,600 members and posts regular updates on where the prostitutes gather.

Using the social networking site, organisers set up a public demonstration which saw about 100 of them confront about 20 African women who complained to police they were being harassed and intimidated. Five British ex-pats were later held on suspicion of hate crime.

The women have told authorities in Spain that they are trafficked by gangs out of poverty in Nigeria and Senegal to cities like Barcelona and Valencia.

From there, they are taken by people traffickers and gang masters to Mallorca to target tourists.

The women - often too poor to pay for their journey - are 'brainwashed with voodoo rituals' and face threats from organised mafia gangs, according to investigators.

This morning, just before 2am another demonstration erupted as a group of around 35 taxi drivers, bar workers and shop staff confronted 10 Nigerian women, who they accused of being muggers.

Guardia Civil held extendable batons and warned the crowd to move back.

Just before 2am today another demonstration erupted as a group of around 35 taxi drivers, bar workers and shop staff confronted 10 Nigerian women, who they accused of being muggers

One Nigerian girl, aged in her mid twenties, refused to say where she was from - but told MailOnline: 'We are not here to cause problems, we don't want to fight with locals'

The women, who pulled hoods over their heads and turned away from cameras, had been lurking outside a Pizza Hut restaurant on Avenida de Magaluf.

The police later arrested two African men although they would not reveal on what charges.

Watching the drama unfold, a Nigerian toilet attendant at a nearby bar said the women come from Benin City in Nigeria's Edo State.

'They are brought here and warned to target tourists. They are not actually prostitutes though but thieves, muggers,' he said.

'You could offer these girls any job and they wouldn't take it. They are told what to do and they do it.

John Carr, living in Mallorca for ten years, complained: 'The girls are not prostitutes. They are muggers, plain and simple.'

'The gangs warn them that they will harm their families if they don't do what they say.'

One Nigerian girl, aged in her mid twenties, refused to say where she was from - but told MailOnline: 'We are not here to cause problems, we don't want to fight with locals.'

Standing on the other side of the street an older woman shouted to a man holding a mobile phone: 'Why don't you take some pictures of my backside?'

Ten minutes later a woman with a head band and large afro hair was stopped and searched by police after being accused of stealing from a tourist.

Alexander Khviadkhevya, from Belarus, told the officers that the girl had taken 60 from his wallet.

He later said: 'I was walking with my friend and these girls surrounded us and offered us oral sex.

'I turned them down but this girl then put her hand into my pocket and took my wallet. I managed to get the wallet back but the money was gone.'

One of those involved in the protest this morning was 32-year-old events manager John Carr, from Glasgow, who has been living in Mallorca for ten years.

He said: 'The girls are not prostitutes, they are muggers, plain and simple. They target mainly young guys, late teens or early twenties, and those who have had too much to drink.

'Sometimes they do offer sexual services but it's nothing more than a distraction so an accomplice can sneak up and try and pickpocket them.

'We know they carry pepper spray and anecdotally we've heard of victims being stabbed.

In the CCTV taken at 6.30am on the Magaluf strip, one of the tourists tries to stop his food from being taken, but in doing so the thief grabs him and steals something from his pocket

In footage given to MailOnline by locals angry that West African crime gangs are taking over their streets, the Brit tourists have no idea they have been robbed by the male pickpockets

Police in Magaluf are struggling to contain locals clashing with the gangs of women they say are giving the resort a bad reputation because they are mugging and robbing holidaymakers

'They used to operate in and around an old shopping precinct where most of the businesses are either shut down permanently or are closed in the evening.

'There is a covered walkway they take their victims to which is quiet and secluded or there is a car park at the back.

'But this has been happening regularly, almost nightly every summer for the last 15-years and been allowed to go on.

John added: 'It's important to point out, though, that this is nothing to do with race.

'We've all got the same colour blood. It doesn't matter where you're from, it matters what you do. 'And these people have been preying on the vulnerable for too long.'

The local council, Ajuntament de Calvia, were unavailable for comment.Stewart Weldon was arrested in October last year after taking on nine cops who saw him beating a woman in the street. In December, he was released on bail. He is pictured in his May 27 mugshot

Police released suspected Springfield serial killer from their custody in December, seven months before the bodies of three women were found on his property, after arresting him for beating a woman in the street, it has been revealed.

In October 2017, Stewart Weldon was arrested after trying to flee police who watched him beat an unidentified woman in the street at 9.30pm.

It took nine police officers armed with batons and stun guns to subdue him and he bit one of them as they wrestled him into handcuffs.

He spent two months in jail on charges of assault but was released in December after posting $2,500 in bond and pleading the Probation Department to be allowed out so that he could witness the birth of his child.

He was granted bail and was fitted with an electronic ankle monitor which he cut off in February this year.

They never tracked down the woman they watched him hit in the street.

Details of his October arrest were obtained by Mass Live on Tuesday as the scale of Weldon's criminal past and the number of chances police may have had to snare him became clear.

On May 30 and 31, police discovered the bodies of America Lyden, 33, Ernestine Ryans, 47, and Kayla Escalante, 27, at the home where he lived with his mother.

Could they have been saved? America Lyden (left) was reported missing in December, the same month Weldon was released. Kayla Escalante (right) also disappeared around the same time. Both were found dead on his property on May 30 and 31

They were alerted to it after she called them to report a foul smell.

Weldon was already in custody after being arrested days earlier following a high speed car chase when began with police trying to pull him over for a broken tail light.

Ernestine Ryans, 47, was the third woman found dead. She had been missing since March

The chase ended with him crashing into a police cruiser. Once he was in handcuffs, a woman who was in the passenger seat told police they had saved her life.

She had 'grotesque' injuries including stab wounds to the abdomen and a possible fractured jaw.

The woman, who is 25, told officers that Weldon had been keeping her as a slave and that he raped her repeatedly.

She said she had been held by him for at least a month. It is not clear why police did not go immediately to the home where the bodies were found after this arrest.

When they searched the property on May 30 and May 31, they also found a child living there.

Weldon's mother, whose name the property is in, has not been charged and he is yet to be charged in relation to the bodies found at the home.

Weldon is pictured in court on Monday as he faced a second kidnapping charge for a fifth woman who is yet to be named. It involved a February 1 incident

Weldon is pictured in a 2006 mugshot. His criminal background is extensive

After his May 27 arrest, he was charged with kidnapping and rape to assault.

On Monday, he returned to court to face a second kidnapping charge, this time in relation to a fourth adult woman who he is alleged to have mistreated in February this year.

No details of that case were released on Monday other than that he has been also charged with sexual assault to rape.

Weldon's arrest in October last year was not his first. He has a lengthy criminal history which dates back to his teenage years.

Police in Springfield have been somewhat tight-lipped on their investigation into Weldon and the bodies found at his home.

Police are pictured searching the man's home on May 31. Weldon was already in custody after being pulled over for a broken taillight. He had a woman in the car who said she was his hostage

His aunt told DailyMail.com last week that he had been 'off his meds' and that 'something snapped' in him prior to his arrest.

Lyden was reported missing in December but she had been missing since last June.

Escalante, a mother-of-one, is believed to have vanished in December. It is not clear how long Ryans was missing.

Their families are yet to make public comment about their deaths.The woman at the centre of an alleged 'dine-and-dash' scam has been warned by a judge of her future if she is found guilty.

Lois Loder has been hit with more than 50 charges, including stealing, for allegedly fleecing thousands of dollars from businesses across Perth.

The 44-year-old is facing 33 fraud charges, while her alleged co-offender and boyfriend, Chiminh Phun, was hit with a number of charges also including stealing.

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The woman (pictured) at the centre of an alleged 'dine-and-dash' scam has been warned by a judge of her future if she is found guilty.

Lois Loder (pictured) has been hit with more than 50 charges, including stealing, for allegedly fleecing thousands of dollars from businesses across Perth

Ms Loder's (right) alleged co-offender and boyfriend, Chiminh Phun (left), was hit with a number of charges also including stealing

'If she is coming to court with 'just a fine mentality' then that should be disavowed ... she is looking squarely at a prison term if she is convicted,' Magistrate Robert Young said according to Perth Now.

The Western Australian woman fronted Perth Magistrate Court on Tuesday and attempted to loosen her bail conditions so she could contact Mr Phun - which she is currently banned from doing.

Ms Loder also asked if her curfew could be lifted but Magistrate Young denied the request after hearing a number of her alleged crimes were committed during early morning hours.

Earlier, the court heard Ms Loder gave incorrect residential details and failed to report to police, Nine News reported.

The 44-year-old's lawyer claimed last week she wrote her wrong address and wasn't given her bail conditions so wasn't aware she had to report to police.

But prosecutors argued stricter conditions were warranted, and didn't rule out prison if she was convicted.

The Western Australian woman fronted Perth Magistrate Court on Tuesday and attempted to loosen her bail conditions as she is banned from contacting Mr Phun

Ms Loder (right) asked if her curfew could be lifted but Magistrate Young denied the request after hearing a number of her alleged crimes were committed during early morning hours

Ms Loder and her alleged accomplice were accused of racking up bills in the thousands on various visits to ritzy hotels and restaurants in Perth.

She also faces a bevy of charges for various other allegations including not paying for fuel at a service station, using a false credit card to buy alcohol and book a hotel room, and driving a car with stolen number plates.

A police prosecutor said it would be alleged Ms Loder had a severe drug addiction, and the acts of fraud were exploited to support her habit.

Her charges followed several Perth's businesses posting online claiming Ms Loder and her partner left without paying their bills, which were often in their hundreds.

Ms Loder is expected to face court again in two weeks.An ice-addict who sliced a man's arm with a chainsaw during a violent carjacking has begged a judge for a light jail sentence because he's 'scared' behind bars.

Storm Piacentino grabbed a chainsaw and cut a man's arm during the robbery of the luxury BMW in Melbourne in February last year.

At a pre-sentencing hearing for Piacentino on Wednesday, his lawyer' appealed for a lighter sentence due to his fears of living in jail, Nine News reported.





Ice-addict Storm Piacentino (pictured) sliced a man's arm with a chainsaw during a violent carjacking

The network reported Piacentino and friend Omar Altae approached the man sitting in his BMW on February 28, 2017.

When he refused to surrender the car, Piacentino used a chainsaw to smash the window and the victim's arm was cut.

The victim then ran into a nearby shop and to cry for help, but Altae revealed what appeared in CCTV footage to be a gun, and the man gave up his car.

Altae then crashed into the Laverton Club Hotel the following night after the victim surrendered the car.

Piacentino and Omar Altae have both pleaded guilty to armed robbery

The horrifying moment the BMW crashed into the Laverton Club Hotel in Victoria was captured on CCTV.

Police then charged the men and they have both pleaded guilty to armed robbery.

The court heard Piacentino, an ice-addict, was impacted by drugs at the time but did not initiate the robbery.

His defence argued he had 'difficulty thinking things through' and was frightened in jail.

He will remain behind bars as he awaits sentencing.The widow of the late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has filed a $16.5million lawsuit accusing his brothers of mismanaging her husband's estate and the family business.

Renata Ford's civil complaint names Doug Ford, who is currently running for office in Ontario as the Progressive Conservative candidate, his brother Randy and their company, Deco Labels.

The lawsuit, which was filed in Ontario Superior court on Friday on behalf of Renata and her two children, a son and daughter, claims that Doug Ford has deprived his late brother's family of millions of dollars in his capacity as a trustee of Rob's estate.

Family feud: Rob Ford's widow Renata has filed a lawsuit on her own behalf and on behalf of her children (left), accusing her brother-in-law Doug Ford (right) of mismanaging her late husband's estate and the family business

Deceased: Renata's husband, former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, passed away in 2016 after an 18-month battle with a rare form of cancer

The complaint also accuses both Doug and Randy Ford of poorly running the family business, and by doing so decreasing the value of his niece and nephews shares in Deco Labels, which was founded by their late grandfather in the 1960s.

According to the lawsuit, Doug has prevented Renata and her children from collecting on Rob's $200,000 life insurance policy that he and Randy Ford 'improperly retained and withheld.'

Doug Ford denied any wrongdoing, saying in a statement to the Toronto Star that the claims against him and Deco Labels are false and accusing his sister-in-law and her lawyers of trying to shake him down for money.

Renata Fords mother-in-law, Diane, also released a statement to the paper defending her family against what she called false and baseless allegations.

As a family, our one goal is to ensure Robs children are cared for and their financial futures are secure, she said. Renata has serious struggles with addiction, and our hope is that she will accept help for the sake of herself and my grandchildren.

Denials: Both Doug Ford (left) and his mother, Diane (right), denied any wrongdoing and labeled Renata's allegations as false

Renata Ford was arrested in December 2016 on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Rob Ford passed away in 2016, aged 46, after an 18-month battle with cancer.

He was elected mayor of Toronto in 2010 but gained international notoriety in 2013 after a shocking video emerged purporting to show him smoking crack cocaine with suspected criminals.

Following weeks of intensifying media scrutiny Ford eventually admitted smoking illegal drugs while in office, buying the drugs and driving while drunk, but refused to resign his position.

In early 2014 Ford was believed to have checked into a treatment clinic to deal with his alcohol and drug problems, before re-emerging and announcing his intention to run for re-election as mayor.

Rob and Renata had been married for 16 years. Pictured: the couple are sharing a kiss in 2014

Bereaved: Renata and her children are pictured at her husband's funeral in March 2016

Shortly afterwards he was diagnosed with pleomorphic liposarcoma, a rare and hard-to-treat cancer found in soft, fatty tissue of the body, after he was admitted to a hospital with abdominal pain.

That diagnosis led to Ford calling off his bid for the mayor's seat, though he did run again for his old council seat in an election, which he won.

After 27 days of radiation and five rounds of chemotherapy treatment Ford had the tumor removed in September 2015.

However, just a month later doctors discovered another two tumors on his bladder, leading to another five rounds of chemotherapy, which intimately proved unsuccessful.

The lawsuit alleges that after Rob's passing, Doug approached his sister-in-law offering to settle his estate without the involvement of attorneys and suggesting that she sell her shares in Deco Labels. She refused to do either.

The complaint goes on to claim that after taking over the company, Doug and Randy proceeded to 'negligently and improperly' mismanage the family business, all the while drawing 'extravagant' salaries, bonuses, travel allowances and other benefits.

Between 2010-2017, while Doug and Randy stood at the helm of the company, Deco Labels lost $5million of its value, the lawsuit claims. Prior to that, the company had been profitable.Mainly Democratic California goes to the polls Tuesday for 'jungle' primaries ahead of November's crucial midterm elections, with a glut of progressive candidates possibly giving the unexpected upper hand to Republicans in some districts.

Voters in seven other U.S. states are casting ballots on primary day, but the eyes of the nation are looking at the most populous state in America where results could indicate if Democrats have the momentum to retake control of Congress.

In what is being called a 'jungle' primary, all candidates run on one ballot in California, irrespective of party, rather than the more traditional system of party primaries. Voters registered with a particular party can vote for whoever they want.

The top two vote getters advance to a head-to-head contest in November.

In a crowded and competitive race  and there are many  it's possible that two candidates from the same party advance to the runoff in some districts, leaving the other party with no candidate on the November ballot.

Republicans in California could pull rabbits out of hats in several California primary races Tuesday by using pairs of candidates to capture the top two spots and freezing more scattered Democrats out of general-election runoffs

President Donald Trump tweeted support on Tuesday for several California Republicans, even trying to generate enthusiasm for the GOP's John Cox  who could make the November election a real contest if he can outdraw either of the two Democratic front-runners

That's a nightmare scenario for Democrats in particular, who claim momentum in some suburban districts but feature packed fields in many cases where a balanced GOP duo could outdraw every Democratic hopeful in an ambitious gaggle of five or six.

National Democrats have spent more than $7 million trying to avoid that fate in districts opened by Republican Ed Royce and Darrell Issa's retirements and in the district where Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher is facing challenges from the left and the right. That's money that Democrats would have preferred to save for this fall.

There are about 20 people looking to succeed Democratic Governor Jerry Brown, and more than two dozen looking to replace veteran US Senator Dianne Feinstein.

And in the race for California's 53 seats in the US House of Representatives, the slate of candidates features a plethora of novice Democrats looking to make a statement against Republican President Donald Trump and his anti-immigration, anti-environment policies.

California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom is leading a pack of about 20 people who want to succeed Democratic Governor Jerry Brown

Antonio Villaraigosa is in second place in the gubernatorial primary race and would be eliminated if he can't defeat every Republican on Tuesday's ballot

'California is one of the most prominent anti-Trump states in the country,' Elaine Kamarck, an expert at the Brookings Institution in Washington, told AFP. 'There's every reason to believe that the Democrats should do well this time around.'

But she warned that the 'jungle' format has the 'potential to create chaos.'

'The worry with so many enthusiastic Democrats running for Congress is that the Democrats will split up the Democratic vote and you'll end up with one or two Republicans in the top two slots.'

Trump tweeted early Tuesday to drive Republicans to the polls.

He urged: 'In High Tax, High Crime California, be sure to get out and vote for Republican John Cox for Governor. He will make a BIG difference!'

'Get the vote out in California today for Rep. Kevin McCarthy and all of the great GOP candidates for Congress. Keep our country out of the hands of High Tax, High Crime Nancy Pelosi,' Trump added, referring to the House Democratic minority leader.

Pelosi, the House Democratic leader, hopes to reclaim the speaker's gavel if her party regains control of the chamber in November.

Trump also encouraged voters in the Golden State to back the embattled Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

'Vote for Congressman Devin Nunes, a true American Patriot the likes of which we rarely see in our modern day world,' he tweeted, saying Nunes 'truly loves our country and deserves everyones support!'

In the race for the California governor's mansion, former San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom  who gained attention for allowing same-sex unions before the legalization of gay marriage  has a strong lead in opinion polls.

Former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, also a Democrat, is in second place, but he could be outrun by Republican businessman John Cox, if other fringe Democratic candidates earn votes.

Republicans in California have seized on a strategy of limiting their candidates to just two in the hope of outperforming a more scattered Democratic field

Some also think Villaraigosa has counted too heavily on the Latino vote, notoriously unpredictable in the primaries, and has failed to mobilize wider support.

In the Senate race, Feinstein is leading, followed by Democratic challenger Kevin de Leon, but again, the number of candidates in the race could throw a spanner in the works for the party.

In the House races, Democrats are focusing on seven districts currently in Republican hands, but which voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and could flip this year.

But in at least five of them, progressive candidates could split the vote, leaving a path for Republicans to make the November runoff.

The Democratic Party 'tried to winnow out some of the candidates, but the same excitement and energy that led them to run in the first place makes them unlikely to listen to the national party,' said Louis DeSipio, a professor of political science at University of California, Irvine.

Polls close in California at 8:00 p.m. local time.The spoon in the underwear tactic is being used as a last-ditch effort to save girls from forced marriage

Girls travelling in Gothernburg are being told to tuck a spoon in their underwear if they fear being taken abroad for forced marriage or female genital mutilation (FGM).

Airport staff at Sweden's second-largest city have been told how to respond in such circumstances.

'The spoon will trigger metal detectors when you go through security checks,' said Katarina Idegard, who tackles honour-based violence there.

'You will be taken aside and you can then talk to staff in private.'

Airport staff in Gothenburg have been trained to respond if the alarm is raised

'It is a last chance to sound the alarm,' Idegard added.

She said a national hotline received 139 calls last year about child marriage or forced marriage.

Activists will encourage other cities to follow Gothenburg's lead and adopt the spoon initiative to protect girls.

The idea comes from British charity Karma Nirvana, which said the tactic had already saved a number of girls in Britain from forced marriage.

Last month they called for tougher penalties on forced marriages after police revealed there had been more than 3,500 cases in the past three years.

The charity said hiding a spoon in their underwear was a safe way for girls to alert the authorities which can be difficult if they were surrounded by family.

Forced marriage and FGM are illegal in Sweden, even if carried out abroad, and punishable by prison terms.

Over 100 cases of child marriage or forced marriage were reported in Gothenburg last year

In 2016, a father was convicted of forcing his daughter to marry against her will after tricking her into making a trip to Afghanistan.

In a 2014 case, a 14-year-old girl whose father had taken her to Ethiopia to marry an older cousin was rescued after asking a school counsellor for help via Facebook.

Idegard said a 2015 study found up to 38,000 girls and women living in Sweden may have undergone FGM  with victims including women born in Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Egypt and Gambia.An intellectually disabled rapist with a long history of sexual assault has been given the green light to work with children.

The man, whose identity is suppressed but is referred to in court proceedings as VTN, will be allowed to work with children after he successfully appealed the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

After an eight year fight VTN, who has a decades-long history of sexual violence, was granted permission by the Supreme Court of Victoria.

An intellectually disabled rapist with a long history of sexual assault has been given the green light to work with children after a Supreme Court of Victoria (pictured) ruling

The convicted rapist has an IQ of 66 and previously spent time in prison for sexual assault crimes where he had an alcohol problem and smoked cannabis daily (stock image)

The convicted rapist has an IQ of 66 - the average is anywhere between 80 and 120 - and previously spent time in prison for sexual assault crimes, Herald Sun reported.

The father reportedly raped his ex-partner in an 'extremely serious case of sexual violence' in 2005 after a similar attack just weeks earlier.

When the man was 19, he pleaded guilty to indecent assault of a minor and rape of a 14-year-old teenager he was in a relationship with.

Despite the repeat sex offenders vile assault history, Supreme Court justice Melinda Richards dismissed the appeal on Monday, according to the publication.

'Reading the reasons as a whole, I am positively satisfied to the contrary,' she said.

'I am not satisfied that VCAT failed to give paramount consideration to the protection of children from harm.'

Authorities opposed the decision for the man, who reportedly had a drinking problem and smoked cannabis daily, to be given the right to work with children.

In Victoria, sex offenders who apply to work with children must be denied however the decision can be appealed.Advertisement

Travellers who were evicted from a site close to the M1 motorway where fly-tipping is so bad an underpass has been completely blocked have set up camp just half-a-mile away.

A mound of more than a hundred tons of waste had built up under Junction 12 for Flitwick in Bedfordshire on Monday afternoon, forcing Highways England to move a group of travellers on.

However, by today they had trundled just a few minutes away to Junction 11A, and joined up with another set of families who were evicted from nearby land on Friday.

Now, there are between 20 and 30 caravans set up on a field in Sundon, Bedfordshire, along with trailers, vans, animals and trucks.

Travellers have arrived in a field in Sundon in Bedfordshire just one day after they were evicted from an underpass half-a-mile down the road

The group are believed to have contributed to a huge mess at Junction 12: This monster-fly tip turned an underpass into a rubbish-filled cave but the travellers who were caught living there on Monday were allowed to move on

The travellers who were evicted broke onto the land in Luton Road, Sundon just hours later - and the number of caravans appeared to have dramatically increased

It is not just one set of travellers on the field. The travellers at Junction 11A were joined by other members of their community who were also evicted elsewhere in Bedfordshire on Friday. The two groups have formed one camp in the field near Luton

It is not very clear how they managed to get in. Road blocks were in place around the field in Sundon which is believed to be owned by Highways England. Pictured: The field the travellers moved into, behind a set of road blocks

The blocks were in place all along the road to stop people getting into the fields and setting up camps - however, the travellers managed to get in some time between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning

The travellers who moved into the field and have also brought their animals with them, including horses. But they will be told tomorrow they have 48 hours to leave, Highways England said

Building waste has already begun to gather around the new site on Tuesday, although it is not clear who dumped it there. The council has been asked by MailOnline what action they will take

Together, the groups have managed to circumnavigate road blocks to get into the privately owned fields and set up another makeshift camp.

A spokeswoman for Central Bedfordshire Council said this will now be dealt with by the landowners.

She said: 'We understand this is probably the same group if caravans in Sundon which were moved on by Highways England yesterday, having joined up with another group which were moved on Friday.

'Highways England is believed to be the owner of the land, again, and will have to begin proceedings all over again to remove them. '

It still remains unclear whether or not the traveller families will be investigated over the monster fly-tip.

Many councils have worked day and night to track down fly tippers, but a group living around the mess were allowed to drive away, apparently not under suspicion for the criminal offence.

Taxpayers will pay thousands of pounds to clear the underpass.

The north of England will see thousands of travellers from the communities all over Britain arrive this weekend for the Appleby Horse Fair.

The event, which has been going for decades, is one of the biggest in the travelling calendar.

Highways England said the eviction process will start again.

A spokesman said: 'Theyve now moved to junction 11a.

'As such we have contacted our bailiffs and instructed them to begin the process of a common law eviction (which theyll likely serve tomorrow). This will then instruct the travellers to leave the site within 48 hours.'

Highways England said the M1 underpass will take around a week of work to clear.

Trailers and caravans are now spread across the field which is owned by Highways England. The camp is filled with families which the council will visit if they have welfare concerns

Hours after the eviction from Junction 12, half-a-mile away, piles of rubbish are already being collected in the field in Sundon where the travellers arrived on Tuesday

A pile of debris sits in the centre of the field where the large group of travellers has joined together. Highways England will start eviction proceedings again, MailOnline was told

The mountainous rubbish pile filled up an entire underpass under the M1 motorway in Bedfordshire. It will take about a week to clear, landowners saidFacing jail: Christof King leaving Isleworth crown court, West London, yesterday

A man who pleaded guilty to stalking TV presenter Christine Lampard faces jail after sending her 'very nasty' tweets, a judge has said.

Christof King, 39, of Brent, in north west London, pleaded guilty to stalking last week, but he disputed the sending of the tweets.

King, who wanted career advice from Lampard, sent tweets and letters and turned up at her house on more than one occasion, causing her to hide in a bedroom with the housekeeper.

After a Newton hearing on the matter of the tweets, Judge Robin Johnson ruled on Tuesday at Isleworth Crown Court that King did indeed send tweets to Lampard.

He said: 'There is clear evidence that he has delusional tendencies.

'In my judgment I accept that Mrs Lampard is truthful and accurate.

'I accept that she received tweets from Christ-of-King in 2015 and that these included some very nasty remarks.

'It follows that I reject the defendant's account. I am satisfied that having been blocked and having felt frustrated by the repeated non engagement with him by letter or tweet that he found the only way of engagement was by repeated visits to the house.

'Having come to these conclusions and taking into account all the evidence and submissions that I have heard I am sure that the Crown's version of events is accurate and accordingly I reject the basis of plea.'

Horrific: Christine Lampard, pictured left outside court yesterday and right behind partner Frank, described the impact King's stalking has had on her

The judge said he would consider Lampard's assessment of the tweets - which she described as 'dark' - an understatement.

'He is clearly someone who swings in mood during the course of a letter for instance,' he said of King.

'I don't rule out a sentence of imprisonment,' the judge added.

TV presenter Christine Lampard and her footballer husband Frank pictured at Isleworth Crown Court ahead of the latest appearance of her stalker King, who denied ever sending the tweets

Christine Lampard, left, and husband Frank, attended court yesterday where the pregnant television presenter told a court how stalker Christof King had been sending her harassing and threatening Tweets since late 2015

King, who changed his name by deed poll from Jon Dunningham in April 2016, said he did not set up the account that Lampard said the tweets came from and insisted that he did not send the tweets.

He denied ever creating or using the account under the name @Christ-Of-King, and said the only account he has ever had is @Christof-King.

Christof King thought he and the TV host were 'destined' to be together

Giving evidence from behind a curtain on Monday, Lampard said several tweets were 'incoherent waffle', with some tagging her employer ITV and her husband Frank Lampard.

'Several tweets became quite sinister and dark,' she added.

Lampard said these tweets made her pay attention, adding that another reason she noticed his tweets was because 'there was so many of them'.

One tweet he is alleged to have sent said: 'I can hear the scratch of nails as I sharpen them ahead of your crucifixion.'

The court heard another tweet said: 'I am planning the words that will go on your gravestone.'

Lampard said she remembered the word 'tombstone', adding that she paid a 'great deal' of attention to his Twitter profile picture.

'Because the tweets were so disturbing, to the extent that I showed it to my husband as well and shared my concerns,' she said.

'I wanted to make sure I memorised his face,' she told the court.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, prosecutor Nicholas Dunham said King was 'imploring' Lampard to reply in one of his letters.

Ms Lampard, pictured with her husband at the weekend, had to hide in a bedroom when King visited her home, a court heard

The letter said he was 'pissed off' about what was happening in his life and said Lampard and her 'mates' at ITV and in the media should be 'ashamed', especially her.

Mr Dunham said it was never made clear why Mr King blamed Lampard for the situation he found himself in.

Mr Dunham said: 'There is no doubt that Mr King was utterly obsessed with Mrs Lampard.'

He said the most obvious example of this was King's visit to Belfast one Christmas in the hope of meeting Lampard.

King was bailed and the judge adjourned sentencing until July 27.A vigilante veterans group claim to have discovered a child sex trafficking camp with an underground bunker, a so-called 'rape tree', and a branch with the name 'Maddie' carved into it.

The abandoned camp near Tucson, Arizona, was uncovered by Veterans On Patrol, which helps ex-servicemen who have become homeless.

The veterans believe the site was used to confine and sexually abuse children, although police say they have carried out a full inspection and believe it was solely used as a homeless shelter.

Scroll down for video.

The group believe this bunker, accessed through a small hole held up by a tire, was used to confine and sexually abuse children, although police say they have carried out a full inspection and can find no evidence of this theory.

Children's toys and clothes were uncovered at the site by Veterans on Patrol, which helps homeless ex-servicemen. Pictured: An old Barbie doll

Police say the landowner has not given permission for the veterans to be on the site and has ordered them to leave so the camp can be dismantled

Craig Sawyer, a former Marine and Navy SEAL turned documentary-maker who has visited the camp, believes it was last occupied around two weeks ago

The bunker can only accessed by a small opening and was found stuffed with children's clothing and toys. The veterans claim this was where children were locked up and held captive.

Meanwhile, Jon McLane, 35, chaplain of Bravo Base, a nearby homeless camp, found a tree with hand restraints and a swing, which he described as a 'rape tree'.

The name 'Maddie' is also written across a tree trunk in child-like writing, while reporters who visited the scene found pornography and lubricant.

Tuscon police officers have visited the site and say there is no evidence that human trafficking has taken place there.

Cops also brought a cadaver dog along amid rumors there were bodies buried at the site, but the search turned up nothing.

There is no suggestion the landowner was involved in any alleged illegal activity on the site.

But Jon McLane, chaplain of the group which found the camp, says there is little doubt in his mind that trafficking victims were kept here.

Soiled underwear and an asthma inhaler were also found scattered around the camp

Another tree with binding attached which the veteran's group say was used to restrain people

The entrance to the underground 'cell' was covered over with logs and bedding to keep it hidden from the view of passersby

He told The Sun: 'I've been a homeless advocate for a decade and I have seen hundreds of camps and Ive been homeless myself and Ive never seen a camp like this.

The camp is located near an abandoned cement factory around seven miles from central Tucson

'It had an improvised jail and due to the items that were in there it certainly looked like an improvised jail for children.

'From everything I saw I couldnt imagine this site being anything but what we think it is - which is a child sex trafficking camp.'

The camp is located near a disused cement plant located just off the I-19 freeway, around seven miles from central Tucson.

Craig Sawyer, a former Marine and Navy SEAL turned documentary-maker, was invited to the site by Veterans on Patrol shortly after it was discovered.

He said: 'I never expected to see something his heinous and inhumane this close.

'I've heard of rooms full of kids in houses and basements and things like that, but nothing underground like this, like an underground cell, it's pretty creepy.'

Volunteers have called police to the site to investigate, but officers say there is no evidence of any criminal activity there, including sex trafficking

More children's toys discovered at the camp along with hair dye and other beauty products

The name Maddie was found carved into a tree trunk in child-like writing. Veterans say they were tipped off to the location by homeless people last week

Children's toys were among many items of rubbish found littering the floor of the camp

Another disturbing part of the camp shows what social media users have dubbed a 'rape tree' which has restraints attached to it

Tucson Police Department said: 'Officers, detectives, and command staff conducted a thorough inspection of the site, spoke to the reporting parties, and collected evidence,' it said in a statement.

'Based on the department's investigation to this point, there is no indication this camp is being used for any type of criminal activity, including human trafficking.

'Yesterday, an unsubstantiated assertion was made that a body might be buried at the site. A cadaver dog was used to check the area with negative results.'

Dailymail.com has contacted Tucson Police Department, the FBI and Veterans On Patrol for comment.

The group claims that they have found items including children's hair brushes with blonde hair caught between the combs at the camp (pictured, inside the 'cell')

A veteran's group from Arizona claims to have uncovered what they describe as a child sex trafficking camp on the outskirts of Tucson. Pictured here is the entrance to an underground enclosure they believe was used to imprison children

Veterans on Patrol, which discovered the camp, say the entrance to the cell is only large enough for a child to fit through and can be locked from the outside. Inside (pictured) is a small chest of drawers and some empty packets of foodA Tory MP choked back tears today as she told of the 'incredibly hard decision' she took to have an abortion - as she joined calls for it to be decriminalised in Northern Ireland.

Heidi Allen joined politicians from across the political divide to urge Theresa May to defy her DUP backers and step in to change the law in the province.

The PM is facing pressure to legalise abortion after the Irish Republic voted to in a landmark referendum last month - but the DUP MPs propping her up in No10 are vehemently opposed.

Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt hinted that No 10 could intervene in the future warning Northern Ireland 'must take responsibility' or MPs will.

Ms Allen, the MP for South Cambridgeshire, became visibly upset as she revealed that she took the heart-wrenching decision to have an abortion while she was ill.

In an emotional speech she said: 'I was ill when I made the incredibly hard decision to have a termination.

'I was having seizures every day, I wasn't even able to control my own body, let alone care for a new life.

'So are you seriously telling me that in a civilized world rape, incest of a foetus that is so sadly deformed that it could never live are not sufficient grounds for a woman to have the power to decide for herself - that she shouldn't make that decision.

'No. Enough. Very suddenly and unexpected we have a window before us....This has become their moment and they will have my unequivocal support.'

Heidi Allen, the MP for South Cambridgeshire, became visibly upset as she revealed that she took the heart-wrenching decision to have an abortion while she was ill

MPs said women are risking their lives by taking abortion pills online or having back-street procedures because they do not have legal rights of termination as they debated calls to decriminalise abortion (pictured today)

Labour MP Stella Creasy (pictured in parliament today) said the referendum to legalise abortion in the Irish Republic was an historic moment that should usher in change in Northern Ireland

The International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt hinted that Westminster could intervene on the question of abortion in Northern Ireland i the future if the province does not act itself

Her moving words came after other MPs had stood up to warn that women are risking their lives by taking abortion pills online or having back-street procedures because they do not have legal rights of termination.

Ms Allen said abortion was a 'hard and emotive topic', and asked: 'Northern Ireland is a devolved administration, so is it our business?'

She continued: 'I am a modern, progressive woman in this country and I am proud that this country is my home.

'As a woman who believes passionately in equality, in choice and an individual's right to determine their own destiny, and as a woman elected to be the Member of Parliament for South Cambridgeshire in the 21st Century, who stood yesterday to support (Stella Creasy's) request for this debate, because she is standing up for all the women in the UK, but mostly because I have been there, I am making it my business.'

She added: 'How can it be that Northern Ireland will soon be the only part of Great Britain and Ireland where terminations are to all intents and purposes outlawed?'

Labour MP Stella Creasy said the referendum to legalise abortion in the Irish Republic was an historic moment that should usher in change in Northern Ireland.

She compared the current laws in Northern Ireland to the dystopian Republic of Gilead in the novel a Handmaid's Tale where women's reproductive rights are controlled by the state.

What is the current abortion law in Northern Ireland and why are there calls to change it? Northern Ireland now has the most restrictive abortion laws in the UK after the Irish Republic voted to legalise it. Under current laws, known as the Offences against the Persons Act 1861, abortion is unlawful in Northern Ireland. This means a woman cannot get one - even in cases of rape, incest or foetal abnormalities. Abortion is legal only when a woman meets limited criteria - these are: To preserve the life of the woman The impact on the woman's mental or physical health must be a 'real and serious' and must also be 'permanent or long-term'. The pregnancy must be under 9 weeks 4 days of gestation However, there are mounting calls for the law to be changed after the Irish Republic voted to legalise the practice. Campaigners have warned that it is unfair for women in Northern Ireland to have fewer rights over their own body than those in other parts of the UK. As the devolved government in Stormont has been suspended for nearly 18 months , many MPs are calling for No10 to step in and act directly by calling for a referendum on the issue. Advertisement

She said: 'As the residents of Gilead has shown us - its fundamental to human rights.... this is not Gilead and we should not be frightened to speak up for the rights of women - to do so would put the rights of women at risk.'

Ms Creasy ad her allies are urging No10 to intervene directly as a devolution crisis has left the Stormont assembly suspended for nearly 18 months.

But Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley shot down calls for change - saying she personally backs a change in the law but its is not right for Westminster to impose it.

She is joined by MPs across the political divide who are calling for ministers to repeal the law which makes abortion illegal in Northern Ireland.

But the thorny issue risks creating a major political headache for Mrs May, who is propped up in No10 by ten DUP MPs who are ardently against changing the law.

Opening the debate in the Commons today, Ms Creasy told ministers: 'We don't protect women by criminalising them.'

She said: 'It's about a particular dignity  the dignity of women to be able to choose what to do with their own bodies.'

She said the referendum to legalise abortion in the Republic of Ireland was a 'key moment' in the debate.

Ms Creasy added: 'It's now time for us to offer our hands to the women of Northern Ireland.'

Under current laws it is illegal for women in Northern Ireland to get an abortion unless her life is in danger and the foetus is under nine weeks.

Ms Creasy pointed out that women who seek a termination after getting raped face longer prison sentences than their attackers.

She added: 'Stopping the provision of abortion does not stop them happening  but increases the risk of women having to make lonely journey to seek one abroad and the prospect of prosecution if something goes wrong with the pills and she needs medical treatment.'

She said that DUP leader Arlene Foster has called for the rights of men and women in Northern Ireland to be the same as those in the UK - but there is a big gap in how women are treated on abortion.

She urged ministers to repeal the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 which makes abrtion illegal in Northern Ireland and 'set a date' for the change to come in.

But DUP members were quick to stand up and warn of their strict opposition to the change - saying it would ignore the rghts of the unborn child.

And they pointed out the issue is a devolved matter, and the Northern Irish Assembly voted against it in 2016.

While Tory MP Maria Miller , head of the women and equalities select committee, urged caution.

She said that the British government has a duty to ensure the human rights of women are protected.

But she added: 'We ruled on devolution...we cannot ride roughshod over that.'

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson warned the change would not have the backing of his party which has 'always been pro life'.

DUP MP Jim Shannon said: 'Let's not forget the rights of the unborn child....life is precious.'

But the thorny issue risks creating a major political headache for Theresa May (pictured at the weekend) who is propped up in No10 by ten DUP MPs who are ardently against changing the law

Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley (pictured in parliament today) shot down calls for change - saying that the PM believes the Northern Ireland Assembly must vote for it

Ms Bradley told MPs that the PM will not intervene directly in the issue as it is a devolved matter.

She said: 'Abortion has always been a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and it would not be appropriate for Westminster to seek to impose its will.

'The Government believes that any future reform in Northern Ireland must be debated and decided by the people of northern Ireland and their elected politicians.'

She added: Personally, I want to see reform in Northern Ireland - but it's a matter for the people of Northern Ireland.'

Labour backed a change in the law with the party's shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Tony Lloyd saying: 'Humanity deserves a change in the law.'

Tory MP and former Cabinet minister Justine Greening said the disparity in abortion law between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK is no longer tenable, but added that MPs must be 'sensitive' to devolution.

Tory MP Anna Soubry told Mrs May's DUP backers 'you impose you views on other women.'

She added: 'Your laws are cruel, repressive and do nothing for the advancement of women and have to change.'

She added: 'Get it sorted out because his will not be tolerable any longer in our nation. ...get that Assembly up and running and do the right thing.'A Houston family is suing the previous owner of their home, alleging his use of the property as a marijuana grow house caused mold and left both their children in hospital.

Andrew Nguyen was arrested in 2012 when police found nearly 100 pounds of marijuana being grown in 'every room of the house', Chron.com reported.

A police release said: 'in every room of the house which included the living room, the kitchen, the family room and numerous bedrooms, a plant like substance... recognized to be marijuana by its smell and by its appearance was being grown, cultivated, harvested, or processed for distribution'.

Images from the scene showed plants in tubs in multiple rooms, and harvested crops laid out on tables, with smaller fragments laying around the kitchen, lying on the floor, and pouring out of garbage bags.

In 2015, Michelle and Vinny Nguyen (left) bought a home in Houston, before renting it out to their daughter Gabrielle (right) and her family

The family were outraged to learn their dream family home was once a marijuana grow house (pictured)

In 2012, former owner Andrew Nguyen was arrested after police found 100 pounds of marijuana in his home (pictured)

The plants were in 'every room of the house' police said, and harvested crops were laid out on the floor and other flat surfaces

Gabrielle Nguyen and Jimmy Phan had to rush both their children to hospital shortly after moving in as they developed respiratory conditions

Pictured: What police found in Andrew Nguyen's house when he was arrested for possession of marijuana

The home was sold to Vinnie and Monique Nguyen, who moved in during 2015, and then rented the property to their daughter Gabrielle and her family.

Pictures from the home's advertisement show a transformed home, flaunting its benefits as a place to raise a family, with carpet replaced for wood flooring and not a drug to be seen.

George Edwards III, who is representing the family, said just months after the young family moved in, their son and daughter were hospitalized with breathing difficulties.

The family were left puzzled as to what had happened, and it was not until they began to renovate the home that its sordid history was uncovered.

Mold had infested the inside of the walls, the ceiling and under the floor, which is believed to have caused respiratory problems with their children.

After the growhouse incident, the house was renovated (pictured in 2015 before Michelle and Vinny Nguyen bought the property)

The carpet in the home was torn up and it appears the house was given a fresh coat of paint

Far from its sordid past, the home appeared to have been marketed as a family residence

Where marijuana once coated the floor and a coffee table was protected by a garbage bag, a rug and leather couches were seen

The Nguyen family say they had no idea about the home's history when they bought it

As they began to look more into the history of the home, they discovered it was once a grow house - something neither Gabrielle or her parents had been aware of.

The family say they were not aware of the vast amounts of mold and are now suing Nguyen for failing to 'disclose their awareness of previous water penetration onto and into the property'.

Mitchell Katine, lawyer for Andrew Nguyen, said his client had offered full inspections, and had cut down the price of the home by $6,000.

'They did not cover anything up,' he said. 'They offered the buyers any inspection they wanted.'

'There is no evidence that the marijuana growing caused any mold.'

The family decided to sue after discovering mold in the walls, ceiling and floor, which is believed to have caused the children to be hospitalised

They allege the growth of marijuana caused the damage to the walls, ceiling and floor

But legal representation for Andrew Nguyen said the family were offered any inspection of the property before purchasePresident Donald Trump put public pressure on the Justice Department's inspector general to hurry up and finish his report on the FBI's handling of the Clinton email investigation  and said he hopes it isn't being made 'weaker.'

The independent IG's office had said it was pushing to complete the report by the end of May. The release of the potentially explosive document is highly anticipated on Capitol Hill  with the Senate Judiciary Committee planning for and then scratching a hearing where the IG would testify on it.

'What is taking so long with the Inspector Generals Report on Crooked Hillary and Slippery James Comey,' Trump Tweeted, without providing the requisite question mark.

'Numerous delays. Hope Report is not being changed and made weaker! There are so many horrible things to tell, the public has the right to know. Transparency!

President Donald Trump asked why it was 'taking so long' for the Justice Department's IG to complete a report on the 2016 elections. ''Numerous delays. Hope Report is not being changed and made weaker!' he wrote

'We don't have any comment on that,' said a spokesman for the IG.

IG Michael Horowitz has completed his draft report and has already solicited comment from the FBI and the Justice Department.

It is a typical comment period that follows the release of any IG report, where affected agencies get a chance to provide comment, or in the case of sensitive information, push for redactions.

Trump's call for 'Transparency!' could be an effort to push the IG not to shield material the FBI may try to conceal. There have been similar internal battles over the release of information about the origins of the FBI's Russia probe between the FBI and congressional Republicans.

PRESSURE: The president said he hoped the report wasn't being made 'weaker'  a likely reference to the comment period where the Justice Department and FBI get the chance to make comments or dispute conclusions

Amid growing interest in the report, the Senate Judiciary Committee last week gave notice that on June 5, it would hold a hearing titled: 'Examining the Inspector Generals First Report on Justice Department Decisions Regarding the 2016 Presidential Election.'

It postponed the hearing.

'We are not going to hold the hearing until the report comes out,' said a Judiciary panel spokesman.

Horowitz told a House Oversight hearing late last year his office was 'aiming to release the report in late winter/early spring  hopefully in that March/April time period.'

WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG? The president asked why Michael Horowitz, inspector general of the Justice Department, hadn't completed his report.

There is no official deadline for the release of an IG report.

One person the IG interviewed in the course of his investigation was Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who on Sunday said he provided satisfactory assurances that he did not have inside information on the FBI reopening the Clinton email investigation after a tranche of new emails were discovered on the laptop belonging to disgraced ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner.

Asked if he expected to be identified in the report as getting leaked information from the FBI, Giuliani told NBC's 'Meet the Press': 'Oh no, no, absolutely not. No. Impossible. I didn't get any leaked information from the F.B.I.'

Giuliani said he had 'no idea that Weiner was involved in this at all. Had no idea they were going to reopen it. Now when I say that, I-I speculated based on the fact that I knew there was a lot of turmoil within the F.B.I.,' he said.

'I was questioned once, and they were very satisfied with the answer,' Giuliani continued.

Horowitz is examining former FBI Director James Comey's decision to reveal the reasons not to charge Hillary Clinton in the email investigation

Giuliani in advance of the FBI's surprise move had touted 'some pretty big surprise,' telling Fox News: 'You'll see.'

He told NBC he was referring to a major TV ad buy, 'where we were going to buy a tremendous amount of time unlike anything we had ever done before.' He says he was able to 'show them a memo, a contemporaneous memo I have' about it.

Asked by host Chuck Todd if he had a head's up, Giuliani replied:

'Right, no heads up. I had a speculation.'

Rudy Giuliani, attorney for U.S. President Donald Trump, said he had 'no head's up' that the FBI would reopen the Clinton email probe during the 2016 campaign

Horowitz has spent a year culling through documents and interviewing officials as he examines the FBI's unusual handling of the case.

One area for review is former FBI Director James Comey's unusual decision to announce in July of 2016 the decision not to charge Clinton, while also chastising her for extreme carelessness.

He then informed Congress the FBI was looking at new information after additional emails were located on the laptop of disgraced former Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner, then announced the matter was closed once again just days before the election.A South Carolina mother has claimed that her baby monitor was hacked so it could peer over her bed as she breastfed her three-month-old son.

Jamie Summitt, 24, said she discovered the glitch while her son Noah was sleeping at their Charleston home last week.

The first-time mother bought the Fredi monitor on Amazon because it could be used on WiFi and controlled via a phone app.

The app allows the user to control the movement of the camera remotely.

Jamie Summitt, 24, bought the Fredi baby monitor on Amazon because it could be used on WiFi and controlled via a phone app but claims someone hacked in so they could spy on her

Summitt said she was sitting in her living room keeping an eye on Noah via the baby cam last week when she spotted the camera moving.

'All of a sudden I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the camera was moving... and it was panning over to our bed,' Summit said in a lengthy Facebook post.

'The exact spot that I breastfeed my son every day. Once the person watching realized I was not in bed, he panned back over to Noah asleep in his bassinet.'

'My heart immediately sank into my stomach. I realized that this morning the camera was facing our bed when I had last left it facing away from our bed and over at Noah in his bassinet.'

Summit said she initially thought it might have been her husband logging onto the app from work. She said he often did so to check in, but he said he hadn't accessed the camera that day.

Summit said she discovered the glitch while her three-month-old son Noah was sleeping at their Charleston home last week

The first-time mother claims that her baby monitor was hacked so it could peer over her bed as she breastfed her three-month-old son

'I feel so violated. This person has watched me day in and day out in the most personal and intimate moments between my son and I. I am supposed to be my sons protector and have failed miserably,' Summit said.

The couple tried calling and emailing the company behind the monitor but the number listed was out of service.

They also called police but were told there was nothing they could do.

'Once we tried to open the app back up after the incident it gave us an error message 'insufficient permissions' and locked us out,' Summit said.

'This was also after we had an officer in our home looking at the monitor This leads me to believe that the app had been hacked and whoever was watching saw that we had figured out it was hacked.'

The incident prompted the couple to change all their passwords and increase with WiFi security.Jacqui Lambie has told the Catholic Church to 'suck it up' and sell some of their buildings so they can properly compensate victims of sexual abuse.

On Monday night's episode of Q&A, the former Tasmanian senator answered an audience members probes about the differences in compensation available to victims of crime or family abuse to those abused within an institution.

Almost $4 billion will be allocated to the national redress scheme for people who were sexually abused as children while in the care of institutions.

As it stands a person who has suffered at the hands of an institution can seek $150,000, whereas victims of crime are set to receive under $10,000 in compensation.

Jacqui Lambie (pictured) told the Catholic Church to 'suck it up' during Q&A on Monday

'There is inequality going on here. Somebody needs to set the standard amount for any sort of abuse that's going on,' she said on the ABC show.

'As for the institutions, I can tell you what, it's taken them long enough to come up and first of all their apology was way too long and they just sat there as if nothing was happening.

'Then they're still out there crying because they have to sell some of their churches up or whatever. Suck it up.

'It was your fault these people are living in the nightmares they're living. If it means you have to sell some of that property off, then you have to, because you have to pay for your sins. Someone please tell the Catholic Church that.'

She said they should sell buildings to compensate victims of sexual abuse within institutions

Her words were supported on social media by many who got behind her straight-up approach

'Then they're still out there crying because they have to sell some of their churches up or whatever. Suck it up,' she said on Q&A on Monday

Her words were supported on social media by many who got behind her straight-up approach.

'The compensation cap is disgusting. Yes, sell all of their churches and give the money to abuse survivors,' wrote one woman.

'Jacqui Lambie teaching the Catholic Church about sin has made my Monday,' said a man on Twitter.

Currently a person who has suffered at the hands of an institution can seek $150,000 whereas victims of crime are set to receive less than $10,000 in compensation

'Jacqui Lambie teaching the Catholic Church about sin has made my Monday,' said a man on TwitterYoung people have stayed away in droves from a tweet-a-thon with their fearless champion Auntie Maxine in an embarrassing snub to the so-called influencer.

Maxine Waters, 79, organised a Meet & Greet Tweet-a-thon in an attempt to show how popular, and in touch she is with millennials.

The event was billed as a coming together to amplify congresswoman Walters voice and highlight her many achievements throughout her career.

It was a lonely-looking Waters taking to the microphone at Sundays event, as a video posted on her Twitter account showed about 11 millennials in attendance

Auntie Maxine's invitation

Young people were asked to join top social media influencers for a tweet-a-thon in support of Auntie Maxine come energized and ready to get out the vote.

But it was a lonely-looking Waters taking to the microphone at Sundays event, as a video posted on her Twitter account showed just 11 millennials in attendance.

She told them: You can say whatever you want to say.

'Tell us what you are thinking about, what would you like to see, not only in this election but politics in general, with your elected officials. What are you thinking?

One spoke of the importance of having a continued role of representation of people standing up for black people.

Empty tables were in evidence

As a camera showed empty tables, the congresswoman, of the 43rd District of California, told the small group, Were going to take back the House.

Afterwards, she took to Twitter to thank all of the #millennials who supported our tweet-a-thon today.

After Time magazine honoured her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Black-ish actor Yara Shahidi said that she was adored and admired by people who care about social justice particularly the white men of Congress who dare test her acumen.

In April this year, Waters called upon Donald Trump to please resign. So that I wont have to keep up this fight of your having impeached because I dont think you deserve to be here. Just get out.A firefighter in Texas has been arrested and charged with bigamy, the felony crime of being married to more than one person at once.

Nathaniel D'Amato appeared in probable cause court overnight between Monday and Tuesday in Harris County, where bond was set at $10,000.

D'Amato had just married a woman from Cypress, Texas in April when it came to light he may already be married to a Michigan woman, and possible more women, Constable Mark Herman told ABC News.

'During the course of this investigation, a couple of other ladies' names came up, and we are in the process of communicating with them and just making sure that there aren't any other violations of state law in regards to bigamy,' he said.

Texas firefighter Nathaniel D'Amato has been arrested and charged with bigamy, the felony crime of being married to more than one person at once

D'Amato is shown here in a photo provided by the Montgomery County Police

Soon after D'Amato's April wedding, his new wife told authorities that a woman from Michigan had contacted her saying she was already married to her husband.

She also told Herman's office that several women had emailed, also claiming to have been married to D'Amato.

The Cypress woman reported all of this to the constable's office, and then kicked D'Amato out of the house.

The Michigan woman has been married to D'Amato since 1998, authorities said.

Further investigation is underway to determine whether what are now presumed to be several ex-girlfriends who may have developed common-law marriages with D'Amato were actually married.

D'Amato was taken into custody on Monday afternoon at the Magnolia fire station.

D'Amato was taken into custody on Monday afternoon at the Magnolia fire station

D'Amato has been volunteering as a firefighter for the past two years with the Magnolia Fire Department.

Police believe he was looking for a place to hide out and may have been on the run when he showed up to the station on Monday.

Bigamy is a second degree felony in the state of Texas. If D'Amato is convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 99 years in prison.

D'Amato is also a full-time firefighter with Needham Fire & Rescue in Conroe, Texas.

The Needham Fire Department is located about 30 miles north of Houston.This is the moment a fisherman thought he had caught a huge fish - only to reel in a human corpse.

The angler, named Safari, was among hundreds of contestants at a match fishing competition on the Citarum River in Bandung, Indonesia, on Sunday afternoon.

He hooked something large but after two minutes of wrestling with what he thought was a large catch - a dead man's hand pierced the surface.

Safari recoiled in horror after realising that the catch was actually the body of a man that had sunk to the bottom of the river.

A fisherman thought he had caught a huge fish during a competition - only to reel in a human corpse. Pictures show the corpse being brought to shore

Police arrived at the event and helped to drag ashore the body of the man, who had curly hair and was wearing blue jogging bottoms and a white t-shirt.

Officers are now trying to identify the person fished from the river and appealing to residents for more information. They believe he had only recently fallen into the river.

Bandung Police Chief Senior Commissioner Indra Hermawan said: 'The corpse was first discovered by one of the participants in the fishing contest while waiting for his fishing bait to be eaten.

Safari recoiled in horror after realising that the catch was actually the body of a man that had sunk to the bottom of the river. Pictured: Police descend on the scene

Soon, there seemed to be a burden on his hook. The witness though he fish was heavy but actually it was a dead body.

'The victim has been taken to Sartika Asih Hospital for an autopsy. From the preliminary investigation, what is certain is that there is no trace of violence in the victim's body.

'The age was about 20 to 30 years old, he was wearing blue trousers, white shirt and had short curly hair. He was 160cm tall. The corpse was in the water and it had not been floating.'A police dog left to die after having his throat slashed by a criminal was spared when a fellow service canine gave a third of his own blood in a life-saving transfusion.

New Zealand Police operational patrol dog Kosmo was discovered lying in a pool of blood after being stabbed in the neck in Christchurch last Thursday.

The four-year-old German Shepherd was responding to a family harm incident with handler Constable Regan Turner when he stopped returning to calls.

Patrol dog Kosmo was on the job when he had his throat slashed by a fleeing perpetrator

Constable Turner struggled to find his pup in the dark after he stopped returning to calls

Kosmo received a 1.5 inch (4cm) cut to the jugular vein in his throat after tracking an alleged offender through rural land.

The Alsatian has been on 'thousands' of call outs during its two years on the job

The cut narrowly missed his carotid artery.

When Constable Turner discovered his four-legged companion, who has attended thousands of crimes in his two years on the job, 25 minutes later.

The pooch had already gone into shock from blood loss.

'I thought he was going to die,' said Turner, who stars in the current series of NZ police dog documentary Dog Squad.

'It's not a feeling I want to experience again.

'Because it was dark and we couldn't see, I'd run back and forth past him a couple of times where he was tucked up.

'It would have been a hard pill to swallow if we'd found him in the daylight and I'd been right there beside him.'

Turner called out for Kosmo who didn't have enough energy to move.

'They tell me if we found him a little bit later it probably wouldn't be the same outcome.'

Kosmo has been milking the attention and 'feeling sorry for himself' said Constable Turner

When Turner arrived he immediately 'jammed [his] thumb in the hole in his throat' to stem the bleeding.

The pup was airlifted to a 24-hour vet in Christchurch by rescue helicopter.

It was there that fellow cop dog Oza, handled by Constable Craig Moore, donated 550ml of blood, nearly a third of his own supply.

Kosmo will have a few weeks off to recover, but Turner said the 'usually very boisterous and licky' dog was planning to milk the attention.

'Kosmo's saved me on a few occasions and I can't thank him enough for what he did.

'It was either him or me, unfortunately.'

Joshua Luke Cooper, 29, has been charged with intentionally wounding Kosmo.

He was remanded in custody and will reappear in the Christchurch District Court on June 18.Police say the suspect Domenic Micheli, accused of killing his gym owner boss with a hatchet in Nashville, limped into an urgent care facility in a nearby town less than two hours after the attack.

Metro Nashville Police on Tuesday tweeted photos of Micheli walking into and out of a Gallatin urgent care facility Monday morning. Police say he was limping from a left leg injury.

Police are still looking for the 36-year-old, who will be charged in the murder of his former boss, Joel Paavola, 46, who had fired him last year.

In yet another twist in the case, the Secret Service said on Tuesday that they had arrested Micheli near the White House in April.

Domenic Micheli limped into Gallatin urgent care facility on Monday just two hours after he allegedly killed his former boss with a hatchet. Police are still searching for Micheli

Surveillance video from the urgent care facility shows Micheli limping in and out, and police are requesting the public's help in locating him. They say he will be charged with murder

Domenic Micheli, 36, (pictured left and right) is suspected of stabbing his former boss Monday morning. The Secret Service says Micheli was arrested in April

Joel Paavola, the owner of The Balance Training Center gym leaves behind his wife and five children (pictured with one of his children) and was well respected in the community

The Secret Service revealed that they had arrested 36-year-old Micheli in April for driving his car to a checkpoint near the White House and refusing directives to move.

Micheli is suspected of stabbing Paavola to death at The Balance Training center before 7am, while Paavola was assisting clients with a workout.

Nashville Police are still searching for Micheli.

Police believe Micheli is still driving an older model small silver Toyota Prius or Yaris.

Micheli was reportedly fired from the gym 14 months ago by Paavola and went to the west coast before returning. It is unclear if he returned to Nashville and then went to Washington D.C., or if he continued his time away with the trip to the White House.

Security footage from the area of the Nashville gym shows Micheli pacing back and forth in the parking garage below the shopping center where the gym is located before carrying out the attack.

'Just a senseless, brutal, violent attack this morning on Mr. Paavola as he was there in the business,' Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said.

Authorities say that Micheli went to the Belle Meade shopping center to target Paavola with a hatchet and another 'cutting instrument'.

Nashville police tweeted that Micheli will be charged with murder.

Paavola was considered a fitness guru who would give speeches about living a healthy lifestyle.

'I went through boot camp twice with Joel. He was one of the nicest, most dedicated human beings,' Randy Rayburn told Tennessean.

'Joel was one of the most enthusiastic and well-rounded people I've ever known in my life. I worked out with him for a couple years (at another gym). He was just a wonderful father and human being.'

Paavola leaves behind his wife, and five children.

A post from Micheli's Facebook page posted Friday said he considered himself the 'Sun of God.'

He was last seen driving an older model silver Toyota Yaris

Police say he used a hatchet to kill gym owner Joel Paavola, 46, in Belle Meade, who runs The Balance Training center

The Secret Service says Micheli was arrested in April for trying to breach a White House security check point

In photos posted on the Nashville Police's Twitter account, Micheli appears to be a white man with a dark beard and glasses.

Police say he was last seen driving an older model silver Toyota Yaris.

They are asking for anyone with information on Micheli's whereabouts to please call 615-862-8600.President Trump says his face-to-face will Kim Jong-un 'will hopefully be the start of something big' between the U.S. and North Korea.

In a Tuesday morning tweet, he noted that either way, 'We will soon see!'

The message served to further lower the bar for what the White House hopes to achieve out of the historic meeting that Trump previously predicted would be a 'big success.'

His White House once hoped the meeting would result in an immediate agreement to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, but it has since cast the talks next week as a 'getting-to-know-you' function for the two governments.

Trump last week told North Korea the process could go slow or fast, claiming he'd always said an accord would take time.

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President Trump says his face-to-face will Kim Jong-un 'will hopefully be the start of something big' between the U.s. and North Korea

The White House is pressing on with a summit between the two leaders that is set to take place next week in Singapore

Senior White House officials similarly attempted to tamp down expectations of a deal, suggesting that getting the two leaders to Singapore in and of itself was a success.

Larry Kudlow, head of the National Economic Council, on Sunday said, 'Now, as we head into the negotiations, I think the president is being very realistic and it's going to take a period of time.'

The White House is pressing on with the summit between the two leaders that is set to take place next week in Singapore.

On Monday, the president's spokeswoman revealed that the first of what is anticipated to be at least one day of meetings, if not more, would take place at 9 am on June 12 local time, when it will be 9 pm in Washington.

'The advance team in Singapore is finalizing logistical preparations and will remain in place until the summit begins,' Sarah Sanders said in a progress report.

President Trump will also meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday at the White House for a second round of talks since April before flying to Canada the next day to meet with leaders of the G7.

Trump played host to a delegation of North Korean officials last Friday at the White House who hand-delivered a letter from Kim.

Sanders on Monday declined to reveal the contents of a letter that apparently made all the difference in talks. After an Oval Office meeting with Kim's point-man, Trump put the once cancelled summit with North Korea back on.

The president's press secretary echoed Trump's claim on Friday, which came before he ever opened the envelope, that it had been an 'interesting' read and said that preparations are 'continuing to move forward.'

What the large letter said exactly, is still unknown.

President Trump and Kim Yong Chol pose in the Oval Office after Trump accepted a letter from Kim Jong-un on Friday. Trump told reporters afterwards that it was a 'nice letter' but then said he hadn't yet read it

The officials came to Washington, after spending several days in New York, to hand-deliver a letter from Kim to the U.S. president as the two sides worked to come to an agreement on the broad strokes of the deal they intend to hammer out next week, and possibly after that, during formal talks.

'This was a letter presentation that ended up being a two-hour conversation,' Trump told reporters on the South Lawn following the Oval Office meeting with North Korea's Kim Yong Chol, the point-man for North Korean nuclear talks.

Trump said that the meeting stretched out, 'Because we found the whole subject matter very interesting. And because I really think they want to do something.'

'This is a very good meeting. This was a meeting where a letter was given to me by Kim Jong-un. And that letter was a very nice letter. Oh, would you like to see what was in that letter! Would you like it? How much? How much? How much?' he said, pretending to be an auctioneer taking bids from reporters.

Trump accepts the personal letter written by Kim Jong-un from envoy Kim Yong Chol. Trump used both hands to take the letter, as is the polite tradition in Korean culture

Trump meets with Kim Yong Chol (far right) and Kim Ju Sung, (second from right) an interpreter with North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after the letter ceremony on Friday

The Oval Office confab with Kim Yong Chol stretched out 'Because we found the whole subject matter very interesting. And because I really think they want to do something'

Several minutes later he seemed to reverse himself, claiming that he had not opened the envelope. 'No I didn't. I haven't seen the letter yet. I purposely didn't open the letter. I haven't opened it,' he told a journalist.

'I said, "Would you want me to open it?" He said, "You can read it later,"' said Trump, apparently referring to the North Korean envoy.

'I may be in for a big surprise, folks! So long, everybody,' he said, retreating back to his office.

After a week of uncertainty over the June 12 summit, the afternoon's events locked in Trump and Kim Jong-un for a historic meeting next week in Asia.

'We'll be in Singapore. It will be a beginning,' Trump said.

'I don't say, and I never said it happens in one meeting. You're talking about years of hostility, years of problems, years of really hatred between so many different nations,' he asserted. 'But I think you're going to have a very positive result in the end.'

North Korean envoy Kim Yong Chol talks with U.S. President Donald Trump as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looks on after a meeting at the White House

Trump said Friday after receiving the delegation of North Korean officials that he would move forward with a June 12 nuclear summit in Singapore

COME BACK NOW REAL SOON: President Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo say goodbye to Kim and other North Koran officials

We'll be in Singapore. It will be a beginning,' President Trump told reporters on the South Lawn after the foreign officials' departure

A week ago, Trump called off the summit in a terse letter to Kim after the dictator's regime assaulted the vice president and attempted to dramatically shift the terms of a pact with the U.S.

Trump on Friday said that both he and his counterparts are 'over that, totally over that, and now we're going to deal.'

'We're meeting with the chairman on June 12. And I think it's probably going to be a very successful, ultimately a successful process. We'll see,' the U.S. president added.

Former North Korean spy chief Kim Yong Chol led the North Korean delegation that met in the Oval Office with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump.

They spent just over an hour at the White House before the president personally escorted Kim and his associates to their vehicles, pausing several times as he did for photo ops, before delivering an update to the press.

Former North Korean spy chief Kim Yong Chol led the North Korean delegation that met in the Oval Office with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump this afternoon

They spent just over an hour meeting at the White House before the president personally escorted Chol and his associates to their vehicles and paused for a photo op before speaking to press

The warm display indicated that Trump planned to resume talks with Kim on June 12 in Singapore

The warm display indicated that Trump planned to resume talks with Kim Jong-un after abruptly halting them.

Moments after their departure he said the face-to-face would happen as planned.

'You people are going to have to travel, because you'll be in Singapore June 12,' he told assembled press.

Trump said the initial face-to-face would be more of 'a get-to-know-you kind of a situation' for he and Kim, who met on two prior occasions in Pyongyang with Pompeo.

'And I think we would be making a big mistake if we didn't have it,' he said.

The U.S. has stipulated that any deal with North Korea has to have a baseline of complete and verifiable denuclearization.

'I think they want to do that. I know they want to do that. They want other things along the line,' Trump on Friday said.

Kim is seen approaching the Oval Office on Friday alongside White House Chief of Staff John Kelly

The North Korean delegation arrived at the White House via a back entrance

Kim is seen entering the building through the president's private living quarters behind Kelly

Trump said last Thursday that that he'd 'like to see a total denuclearization in as quick a period of time as is practicable.'

'You're talking about machinery, you're talking about things that can't necessarily happen immediately but they can happen in as rapid a fashion as they can happen. That's what I want to happen,' he said.

He commented that just one sit-down with the communist country may not be enough to ensure it doesn't pose a nuclear threat, lowering expectations for what might come out of the summit.

'I want it to be meaningful. It doesn't mean it gets all done at one meeting. Maybe a second and third and maybe we'll have none,' he said. 'It's in good hands. That I can tell you.'

Asked Monday about the possibility that denuclearization would be a phase-in process, Sanders would not go further, telling reporters, 'I'm not going to go ahead and predict a meeting that hasn't even taken place yet, and I can't get into the ongoing diplomatic talks.

'But I can tell you that they've been positive, and we're looking forward to the meeting in Singapore.'

Trump tweeted that his administration is having good meetings with representatives of North Korea on Thursday

The president is expected to meet June 12 with dictator Kim Jong-un in Singapore, and he said Thursday that the summit will 'hopefully' happen as scheduled

Kim Yong Chol is the most senior North Korean official to visit the United States since 2000, when Vice Marshal Jo Myong Rok traveled to Washington to meet with then-President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office.

U.S. officials also met with their counterparts last week in demiliterized zone between North and South Korea and in Singapore.

'Discussions have been very positive, and significant progress has been made,' Sanders on Monday said.

The timeline for denuclearization and how inspections would be carried out were among the largest sticking points as Trump looked ahead to the nuclear summit.

Sanctions relief for North Korea was also in question.

'Our policy hasn't changed, and as the president stated, we have sanctions on, they're very powerful, and we would not take those sanctions off unless North Korea denuclearized,' Sanders on Monday said.

Senate Democrats had warned earlier in the day on a call with reporters that while Trump has 'broad discretion to lift sanctions' on North Korea that he can expect the opposing party to fight him tooth-and-nail if he tries to implement a 'ham-fisted deal' that does not necessitate permanent denuclearization and an end to North Korea'a ballistic missile program

'If the deal doesn't live up to these standards, then the president should not expect Democratic support in the Senate if he tries to lift sanctions to implement the agreement,' Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said.A heavily armed SWAT team from the Broward County Sheriffs Office this morning descended on the home of Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg in response to a hoax call reporting a hostage situation.

A news helicopter from Local10 was over the scene in Coral Springs as multiple officers and sheriff's deputies surrounded the home.

The unidentified caller who sparked the 'swatting' claimed that a stabbing had occurred and that someone was barricaded inside Hoggs home.

Swatted: Police vehicles and SWAT officers are pictured on Tuesday morning outside the Florida home of Parkland survivor David Hogg

Prank: Someone called police falsely claiming that a stabbing had occurred at the Hogg residence, followed by a hostage situation

Heavily armed SWAt units responded to the address, but soon determined the report was not credible

Officers who responded to the scene determined that there was no hostage situation and the scene was cleared at around 10am.

NBC Miami reported that a local elementary school was placed on lockdown as a precaution for over an hour while police investigated the bogus hostage report.

Hogg, 18, on Sunday graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which in February became the site of a mass shooting that claimed 17 lives.

He and several other survivors, among them Emma Gonzalez, Cameron Kasky and Jaclyn Corin have emerged as outspoken advocates of stricter gun control laws and fierce opponents of the National Rifle Association, staging rallies and using social media to weigh in on the polarizing issue.

Hogg was not home at the time of the swatting incident: he and his mother were in Washington DC to accept the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award for his activism.

David and his mother, Rebecca Boldrick (left and second left) were in Washington DC accepting an award for his activism (pictured with his sister and dad)

A day earlier, Hogg (center) took part in a rally, announcing a national bus tour to register young voters

The 18-year-old Parkland shooting survivor has emerged as an outspoken advocate of stricter gun control laws. Pictured left at the March For Our Lives in March and right with his schoolmate Emma Gonzales at the 2018 Time Gala in New York in April

On Monday, Hogg took part in a March For Our Lives rally, where he and other school shooting survivors announced that they will spend their summer crisscrossing the country to register young voters and educate them about gun laws.

Hogg helped organize a massive voter registration drive last week at 1,000 schools in 46 states. He and other students are advocating for tighter regulations on guns, including universal background checks and training for people who own AR-15s and similar semi-automatic rifles.

Also last week, Hogg helped stage a 'die-in' at a Publix supermarket in Coral Springs over its support of a pro-NRA gubernatorial candidate.

Over the past five months, Hogg and other Parkland survivors have been subjected to a steady stream of abuse on social media, including death threats.

In March, the teen's family contacted the FBI after his mother, Rebecca Boldrick, saw a comment on her Facebook page from an NRA suppers , which read: You can change your settings, but you can never change your faces, your whole family is exposed because of your piece of s*** kid, btw his whole plan has backfired on him, im sure his birthday celebration will be an interesting event f*** you and him God Bless the NRA and the right to bear arms, wrong crowd to f*** with idiotsticks.

Last week, Hogg helped stage a 'die-in' at a Publix supermarket in Coral Springs over its support of a pro-NRA gubernatorial candidate

Another commenter said Boldrick should have had an abortion and urged her to 'drive the whole family over a cliff.'

Around the same time, firebrand Fox News host Laura Ingraham mocked Hogg for being rejected by four colleges.

After 11 advertisers pulled out of her show, Ingraham tweeted an apology for her remarks.

As recently as last week, Coconut Creek police officer Brian Valenti was suspended without pay for writing on Facebook that David Hogg should be run over with a car during the Publix 'die-in.

As of late Tuesday morning, Hogg, who is a prolific tweeter users with more than 819,000 followers, has not publicly commented on the 'swatting' incident at hhis family's home.The distraught relatives of three women whose bodies were found at the Springfield 'serial killer's' house of horrors last week have spoken out to tell of their shock and grief.

America Lyden, 33, Kayla Escalante, 27, and Ernestine Ryans, 47, were identified on Monday as the women whose bodies had been discovered on May 30 and May 31 at the home of Stewart Weldon in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Ryans had been missing since March, Lyden since December and Escalante is believed to have gone missing around the same time.

America Lyden (left) was reported missing in December, the same month Weldon was released. Kayla Escalante (right) also disappeared around the same time. Both were found dead on his property on May 30 and 31

Weldon was arrested on May 27 after being found with a woman in his car who claimed he'd kidnapped her. She had been stabbed in the stomach and told police she thought she was going to die.

Ernestine Ryans, 47, was the third woman found dead. She had been missing since March

On Tuesday, as prosecutors continued to build their case against him (he has been charged with two counts of kidnapping but is not yet facing charges in relation to the bodies), the victims' families urged authorities to take harsh and swift action.

'She didnt deserve for her life to end in the manner in which it did.

'And thats the hardest part for us that she died alone and we couldnt be there to help,' Ernestine's brother Anthony told NBC Connecticut on Tuesday.

Escalante filed a police report in December but that is thought to be the last record of her being alive.

The 27-year-old was a mother-of-one.

America Lyden, who also went by America Canales, was reported missing by her family in December but she had not been seen by them since last June.

Police are pictured searching the man's home on May 31. Weldon was already in custody after being pulled over for a broken taillight. He had a woman in the car who said she was his hostage

On Monday, her cousin paid tribute to her saying: 'America was loved by her family very much, very deeply, unconditionally.'

Stewart Weldon was arrested in October last year after taking on nine cops who saw him beating a woman in the street. In December, he was released on bail. He is pictured in his May 27 mugshot

Her sister Mari said the discovery of her body was a devastating end to months of searching for her.

'This is clearly not the outcome many of us had hoped and prayed for.

'As most of you know, America had been missing for many months.

'Friends and family along with Springfield police had been searching for her since last December,' she said.

She later told The Republican that her sister was 'sweet' and was a mother to two daughters.

'My sister was a good human being.

'She was just going through her struggles,' she said.

She told how they had last spoken a year ago and that her sister was known to go offgrid at times.

Escalante's family has not yet spoken out.The outgoing head of the Armed Forces today said he is 'uncomfortable' at the many investigations into the actions of British soldiers during the Troubles in Northern Irleand.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach - who steps down as Chief of the Defence Staff next week - said it was a political decision as to whether there should be a statute of limitations on inquiries into past events.

But speaking at the Policy Exchange think tank in London, he made clear that he was concerned at the way such investigations could play out.

His intervention came after Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood broke ranks with the official Government position over the weekend to back calls for a time limit for investigations into historical events.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach (pictured with Theresa May in 2016) - who steps down as Chief of the Defence Staff next week - said it was a political decision as to whether there should be a statute of limitations on inquiries into past events.

A current consultation document issued by Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley on dealing with the legacy of the Troubles does not include provision for a statute of limitations, to the anger of many Conservative MPs.

Asked if he thought there should be a statute of limitations, Air Chief Marshal Peach said: 'That question as posed is a political decision.

'My position as Chief of the Defence Staff is very clear. We in the Ministry of Defence will continue to support the veterans with legal and other support.

'That is an absolutely unequivocal clear position.

'If you ask me as Stuart Peach as I depart as Chief of the Defence Staff, I am deeply uncomfortable about some of this as to the way in which it could be interpreted.

Veterans including Dennis Hutchings (file image) still face possible prosecution over the Troubles

'I am uncomfortable with what is happening.

'It is for the Government to decide things like statute of limitations and how the law is understood and framed.

'As Chief of Defence Staff all I am allowed to do within my terms and conditions is to insure - which I give you my word that we do insure - that our veterans are properly supported if they are called forward for due process.'

He added: 'It is not just about one place.

'The way, through common law, this could play out makes me discomfited as well as uncomfortable about the plight veterans might find themselves in.'

Mark Francois, a Conservative member of Commons Defence Committee, said there was growing dismay at the prospect of veterans facing investigation over events which may have occurred almost half a century ago.

The intervention came after Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood broke ranks with the official Government position over the weekend to back calls for a time limit for investigations

'A number of us on the Defence Select Committee are extremely concerned about how this is playing out in practice - the idea that what a young man did in a ditch in Crossmaglen in 1971 is now going to be played over and crawled over nearly 50 years later, partly at the behest of Sinn Fein,' he said.

In his valedictory address, Air Chief Marshal Peach said the forces would have to be more flexible in their approach to recruitment if they were to attract the skills they needed for the future - such as relaxing the medical requirements for cyber warfare specialists.

'I am quite relaxed about having cyber warriors who don't deploy overseas. Their work is here.

'I am quite relaxed about medical conditions being relaxed because they are not deploying overseas. We need to think about this in a different way,' he said.British Taliban fighter's mother reported him to police just hours before attack

Khalid Ali appears at the Old Bailey. He was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and preparing acts of terrorism after being detained by heavily-armed cops in Whitehall in April last year

The frightened mother of a British Taliban fighter reported him to police just hours before he allegedly set out to cause carnage in Westminster, the Old Bailey heard today.

Khalid Ali, 28, spent five years making bombs in Afghanistan before returning home to deliver a 'message' to Parliament armed with three knives, jurors were told.

The trained plumber was arrested in Parliament Square on April 27 last year intending to murder police officers and politicians, just four weeks after the murderous attack by Khalid Masood.

Prosecutor Brian Altman QC said police were called to Ali's home in Edmonton, north London, to a report of a man armed with a knife just after midnight that day.

Officers found the front door open and Ali's mother, Fadumo Faji Adam, waiting for them, clearly upset.

Mr Altman told jurors: 'She said that she had found knives in her son's bedroom and that she was scared he was going to kill the family.

'She showed the police three large black-handled knives, which some of the officers thought looked shiny and new, while others thought them dull or used.'

Khalid Mohammed Omar Ali, 28, (pictured) was planning to stab police officers and politicians when was intercepted by armed officers just yards from Downing Street, jurors were told. His mother alerted police hours before his attack after finding large knives hidden in his room

Ali calmly told police he had no idea why his mother had called them, Mr Altman said.

Asked if she wanted him to be arrested, his mother said: 'No, no, no. I just want him to leave.'

The court heard that Ali had bought the knives two days before at The Mighty Pound in Ealing, west London, and had been seen by surveillance officers to throw away the packaging.

After leaving his mother's house, Ali set about re-arming himself, the Old Bailey heard.

He travelled back to Ealing where he bought an 8in chef's knife and two 3.5in paring knives from Wilko.

He also purchased a rucksack emblazoned with a Union Jack and London logo, jurors heard.

Khalid Ali was spotted speaking to officers outside the gates of Downing Street on March 18, 2017

Handout CCTV still issued by the Metropolitan Police of Khalid Ali (left) carrying out reconnaissance in Whitehall during a march on March 18, 2017. Another CCTV image showing Khalid Ali in Berwick Street

The court heard he cut himself as he disposed of packaging in the changing room of a gym before taking the Tube to Victoria.

He deliberately dropped his mobile phone into the River Thames minutes before he was arrested by armed police in Parliament Square, jurors heard.

The knives were retrieved from his jacket pockets and the waistband of his tracksuit bottoms.

When he was apprehended, Ali was asked if the public were in danger and he told officers he did not care about them.

On whether there was a risk to anyone else, he allegedly replied: 'You lot are carrying weapons, so you must know you are in danger.'

Earlier, Ali had been captured on CCTV carrying out 'hostile reconnaissance' around Downing Street, Parliament and the MI6 headquarters.

Undated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of detonators used in bomb making in Afghanistan allegedly by British fighter Khalid Ali

Photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of parts used in bomb making in Afghanistan allegedly by British fighter Khalid Ali who left his family to make bombs for the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2011

Khalid Ali who left his family to make bombs for the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2011 and passed to the FBI with his fingerprints on which were shown to the court during his trial at the Old Bailey

Ali spent five years making bombs in Afghanistan before returning home to deliver a "message" to Parliament armed with three knives, jurors were told

In his police interviews, Ali said he had left the UK because he was under pressure to marry and felt trapped as MI5 and counter terrorism police tried to recruit him.

When asked if he had returned for jihad, he said: 'Jihad is what we do. We are Mujahideen. And I am here to let you know the reason why I have come with the message, for you to make the right decisions, if not ... we have a lot of time. UK is next on the list.'

He told police he carried knives for protection to deliver his message to decision-makers in Westminster.

Mr Altman told jurors: 'It is, you can conclude, no coincidence that the defendant was apprehended in Whitehall.

'Whitehall was one of a number of sensitive, high-profile areas where the defendant had engaged in hostile reconnaissance both on 18 March 2017 and on 22 April 2017, just days before what the prosecution allege, had it not been thwarted, was to be a murderous terror attack.'

Ali denies two charges of possessing explosives with intent abroad in 2012 and one charge of preparing terrorist acts in Britain

The trained plumber was arrested in Parliament Square on April 27 last year, four weeks after Khalid Masood's attack on Westminster

Undated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of transmitters used in bomb making in Afghanistan allegedly made by Ali

More bomb parts allegedly used by Ali in Afghanistan, which were showed to courtAn asylum seeker who was filmed using laughing gas on a BBC documentary was caught selling the banned substance to students just a year later.

Siavash Taheri, who is now an Uber driver, was filmed inhaling the psychoactive substance on BBC documentary Inside Out back in February 2016 before it was made illegal.

A year after the footage was filmed, the 43-year-old married dad was caught selling a batch of the drug, from his car, to a student outside Northumbria University in the early hours of the morning.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the undergraduate, who knew Taheri as 'nossman' and had him stored in her phone under that name, had handed over 40 for four boxes, which each contained 24 canisters, as well as a bag of balloons to use for inhaling, in May last year.

Taheri was filmed using nitrous oxide on the BBC documentary Inside Out back in February 2016

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Taheri was known as 'nossman' and had 12,000 worth of the drug when police searched his home

When police searched his home, they found 61 large boxes, containing a total of 36,600 canisters, worth around 12,000 on the streets, as well as balloons and 33 boxes of whipping cream.

The student was questioned and confirmed she had bought boxes from Taheri 'four to five times before' and said they were always ordered by text and then handed over in a white carrier bag.

Security officers had also noticed Taheri's car around the university campus on previous occasions.

Prosecutor Emma Dowling said Taheri had claimed to police he had sold the gas canisters at markets and street stalls for 'whipping cream for cakes and coffees' and denied it was for human consumption.

Miss Dowling added: 'There is footage from a BBC documentary where he is seen explaining how to use the substance recreationally.

'He made no comment.

'The BBC documentary was at a time when it didn't appear it was illegal.'

Taheri, of Benwell Hall Drive, Newcastle, admitted supply and possessing a psychoactive substance.

Miss Dowling said Taheri pleaded guilty on the basis he 'didn't know there was anything wrong with what he was doing' as the substance had been just recently criminalised.

Tony Cornberg, defending, said Taheri, who arrived in the UK in 2006 and was assisted by a Farsi interpreter in court, left his homeland after being shot and tortured by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Core for intervening in a neighbour issue.

Taheri was said to have arrived in the UK from Iran in 2006 after being shot and tortured by the country's Revolutionary Guard

Mr Cornberg said since Taheri was granted asylum, he has worked hard and had been selling nitrous oxide legitimately at markets.

He added: 'There is various legitimate uses for nitrous oxide and he was engaged in selling this product for those legitimate purposes.'

Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced Taheri to nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements.

The judge told him: 'A documentary the police were able to find from 2016 shows that you knew and always had known the use to which nitrous oxide was put.

'It is, of course, important to note that at that time it was not illegal to sell it for that purpose.'

Judge Mallett said Taheri, who has never been in trouble before, is likely to lose his taxi licence as a result of the conviction.

The judge told him: 'The students were found to be in possession of a large quantity of nitrous oxide, for which you had been paid 40.

'The exchanges that led to that have been seen in texts.

'They were spoken to and identified that they had bought them off someone they described as noss man, noss being nitrous oxide.

'The student had your number and said she had had it for about four months and had used it on four or five occasions.'A three-year-old girl died in a hot car in Indiana after a church trip with her family.

Hannah Grace Miller was found inside the car Sunday evening after a day out with her parents and siblings.

Madison County Coroner Marian Dunnichay said that Hannah's family went to church, ate breakfast and bought groceries.

Three-year-old Hannah Grace Miller died in a hot car in Indiana on Sunday evening after a church trip with her family. Her parents thought the child was sleeping inside their home at the time

Madison County Coroner Marian Dunnichay said that Hannah's family went to church, ate breakfast and bought groceries. When the family returned home, the parents carried the groceries inside and thought their children had gone inside as well

When the family returned home, the parents carried the groceries inside and thought their children had gone inside as well.

They believed Hannah had entered their home with her two brothers and that the three siblings were sleeping.

But when the boys awoke two hours later, they discovered Hannah missing, according to The Herald Bullentin.

Their father found her in the car, submerged her in water and performed CPR.

Hannah had a high core body temperature when she was pronounced dead at a hospital Sunday evening, according to Dunnichay.

There were no signs of trauma, she said, but the results are pending toxicology reports.

Police are investigating the circumstances of Hannah's death.

'This is a medical emergency that resulted in a death,' Anderson Police Department spokesman Maj. Joel Sandefur told the Bullentin.

'This is a medical emergency that resulted in a death,' Anderson Police Department spokesman Maj. Joel Sandefur (pictured) said. Police are investigating the circumstances of Hannah's death

So far, Hannah is reportedly the eighth child who has died in a hot car this year. A nine-month-old girl who died on Monday became the ninth death after she was found in a hot car in Texas. Pictured is the area near where Hannah was found inside the hot car

'The girl was in the car for approximately two hours,' he said, adding that it's too early to tell whether or not the child's death was a tragic accident.

The temperature in Anderson was in the low 80s on Sunday.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, when the outside temperature is 80 degrees, the inside of a car can reach 110 degrees in 20 minutes and may be greater than 120 degrees after 60 minutes.

On average, 37 children have died from child heatstroke fatalities in the US per year since 1998, according to NoHeatStroke.org.

Last year, 42 children tragically died. So far, Hannah is reportedly the eighth child who has died in a hot car this year.

A nine-month-old baby girl died after sheriff's deputies in Texas found her alone inside her family's scorching-hot car.

The Harris County Sheriffs office received a 911 call on Monday afternoon reporting an unresponsive infant inside of a vehicle parked at Baytown Country Place Estates on Jones Road.

Deputies who responded to the mobile home park at 2pm rescued the baby from the vehicle and rushed her to San Jacinto Hospital, where she passed away a short time later.

The nine-month-old baby is the ninth child to died in a hot car this year.The Archbishop of Canterbury faced the wrath of Brexiteers today after he hailed the EU as 'the greatest dream realised for human beings since the fall of the Western Roman Empire'.

Justin Welby deliver the gushing assessment in a speech in Serbia at the weekend, saying the bloc had 'brought peace, prosperity, compassion for the poor and weak'.

While admitting that Brexit would not 'bring about the downfall of Europe', he suggested that the fate of Christianity was linked to the unity of the continent.

The comments came at the General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) on Sunday.

Justin Welby deliver the gushing assessment in a speech in Serbia at the weekend, saying the bloc had 'brought peace, prosperity, compassion for the poor and weak' (file picture)

Mr Welby said Brexit was 'only one of a number of challenges that Europe is facing, and may well not be the most serious'.

'There is no sense in which I suggest that Brexit or other crises currently around will derail the European Union or bring about the downfall of Europe,' he said.

But he effusively praised Brussels, saying: 'The EU has been the greatest dream realised for human beings since the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

'It has brought peace, prosperity, compassion for the poor and weak, purpose for the aspirational and hope for all its people. It has always been challenged and always will.'

Mr Welby added that 'in its search for unity the Church challenges the divisions of our societies'.

But Tory MP Nigel Evans told MailOnline: 'I think the Greek, Spanish and Italian young unemployed might care to differ - as clearly did the majority of UK citizens at the referendum.

'Most Church of England parishioners tend to be older who were the ones who most voted leave.

'I think the Archbishop has a widely distorted view if he doesn't see this wasteful expensive and dictatorial protectionist racket for what it is.'

Mr Welby revealed before the EU referendum in 2016 that he planned to vote Remain, but said he had 'desire to tell others how to vote'.

Mr Welby revealed before the EU referendum in 2016 that he planned to vote Remain, but said he had 'desire to tell others how to vote'



A prominent Indian politician faces 10 years in jail for allegedly helping his wife commit suicide, four years after her death shocked the country.

Shashi Tharoor, 62, was formally charged by a court on Tuesday after police said three weeks ago they finally had enough forensic evidence to prosecute him.

His wife Sunanda Pushkar, 51, was found dead in a five-star Delhi hotel room in January 2014 and doctors labeled her demise 'unnatural' and 'sudden'.

Prominent Indian politician Shashi Tharoor, 62, faces 10 years in jail for allegedly helping his wife Sunanda Pushkar, 51, commit suicide

Mr Tharoor was formally charged by a court on Tuesday after police three weeks ago said they finally had enough forensic evidence to prosecute him

Days earlier it was revealed he was having an affair with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar, which his wife exposed by hacking into his Twitter.

Ms Pushkar posted screenshots of romantic messages between the pair to his two million followers, igniting a media firestorm.

The former Indian minister and one-time UN Secretary-General candidate rejected all notions that he was involved in her death and even sued a media outlet.

Mr Tharoor is formally accused of cruelty towards his wife and abetting a suicide, which carries a 10-year jail term in India.

A warrant has not yet been issued to Mr Tharoor, who is on a book tour of Britain, is in no danger of being arrested, but must attend a hearing on July 7.

The opposition Congress Party member said the charges were 'preposterous and baseless' and a 'malicious and vindictive' campaign against him.

The former minister said the charges were 'preposterous and baseless' and a 'malicious and vindictive' campaign against him

Ms Pushkar was found dead in January 2014 and doctors labeled her demise 'unnatural' and 'sudden', later ruling she was poisoned

Days earlier it was revealed Mr Tharoor was having an affair with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar, which Ms Pushkar exposed by hacking into his Twitter

'I will continue to vigorously contest these charges and maintain my steadfast conviction that ultimately the truth will prevail through the judicial system that we are privileged to have in our country,' he said.

Mr Tharnoor also posted on Twitter: 'No one who knew Sunanda believes she would ever have committed suicide, let alone abetment on my part.'

The Congress Party also said it 'completely rejected' the charges against its former rising star.

'They have hounded him, they have persecuted him, they have maligned him. They have carried on a media trial against him,' it said.

The couple were married for less than seven years, prompting an automatic investigation that found she was poisoned.

Ms Pushkar was taking medication for various illnesses and early post-mortem results suggested she may have overdosed on antidepressants and sleeping pills.

But experts ruled she was 'neither ill nor had any disease prior to her death' and a 'normal healthy individual', but could not identify the poison used

Ms Pushkar was found dead in this five-star Delhi hotel room in January 2014

Her son Shiv Menon also rejected the possibility of suicide after her funeral, instead blaming her medications.

'It was an unfortunate combination of media stress, tensions and a wrong mix of different medications,' he said.

But experts later ruled she was 'neither ill nor had any disease prior to her death' and a 'normal healthy individual', but could not identify the poison used.

'Medical board reserved the comment on specific poison/chemical since there is a lot of limitation on viscera report,' the 12-page report said.President Donald Trump smacked down his attorney general yet again on Tuesday, criticizing Jeff Sessions for not telling him he planned to recuse himself from the investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 election and hinting he could have ended the probe.

The president appeared to blame Sessions for the fact the investigation still going on, indicating it could have been finished by now if Sessions had not recused himself.

"The Russian Witch Hunt Hoax continues, all because Jeff Sessions didnt tell me he was going to recuse himself...I would have quickly picked someone else. So much time and money wasted, so many lives ruined...and Sessions knew better than most that there was No Collusion!," the president wrote.

President Donald Trump smacked down Attorney General Jeff Sessions yet again on Tuesday

President Trump appeared to suggest Jeff Sessions could have squashed the investigation

Trump's tweet also appears to suggest Sessions could have squashed the investigation under his authority as attorney general and that he has some kind of insider knowledge that there was no collusion.

Trump has been hounding Sessions for recusing himself from the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller in what is seen by many as push by the president to get Sessions to quit the top Justice job.

The investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign was opened by the FBI under President Barack Obama in July 2016, which was months before Trump won the election and long before he nominated Sessions to be his attorney general.

Sessions recused himself from the probe because he was an adviser to the Trump campaign during the time period being examining.

His move came after reports surfaced that he met twice with Russias then-ambassador to the U.S. during the 2016 presidential campaign, which contradicted his testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearings, in which he said he had not met with any Russians.

The New York Times reported last week that at March 2017 dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Trump asked Sessions to reverse his decision about the recusal.

Sessions refused.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein took oversight of the investigation under his role as the Number Two at Justice,.

Rosenstein appointed Mueller, who is a Republican, as the special counsel overseeing the investigation in May 2017. Mueller took over from the original FBI investigators.

Mueller is also investigating whether Trump tried to obstruct the probe and is reported to be interested in Trump's request of Sessions to reverse his recusal.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein oversees the Russia investigation

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is said to be interested in President Trump's criticism of Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the investigation

The attorney general was interviewed by investigators in January, the Times reported.

Sessions was one of Trump's most vocal early supporters and was one of his most prominent Washington D.C. supporters.

The two had a strong friendship during the campaign but are said to now barely speak outside of Cabinet meetings.

Sessions has supported the president in other areas, particularly in enforcing strong anti-immigration policies which includes federal prosecution of those who try to enter the country illegally.

Last week, Trump tweeted that he wished he had picked someone other than Sessions to be his attorney general.Michael Rice, 25, was jailed for six years at Liverpool Court Court today

Shocked diners at a busy Liverpool restaurant watched in horror as armed police moved in on a driver armed with a loaded Glock pistol and bullets.

Police swooped in on the silver Audi in a high profile sting operations in front of the Tavern on December 4 last year.

Dave Price, a manager at the Tavern, said at the time: 'It was quite a scary moment.

'Some of the customers were shocked and scared, some went behind their chairs as the guns were quite daunting... others went straight to their phones, the cameras were out taking pictures.'

Officers were tracking the movement of Michael Rice, 25, and found him with a semi-automatic weapon, four magazines of ammunition and a firearm cleaning kit all hidden inside a Tesco bag.

Covert operations carried out by police led to them finding Rice carrying a bag with the weapon out of the house of Shaun Devonport, 28, in Toxeth, Liverpool.

Rice, of Toxeth, pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon and possession of ammunition.

Devonport denied charges of selling or transferring a prohibited firearm and possessing ammunition but was convicted by a jury on Monday.

Police were tracking Rice's movements from 9am that day and eventually snared him just before 1pm.

Henry Riding, prosecuting, said: 'At 11.46am he took a call from Shaun Devonport. That call lasted for just under ten minutes.

'Mr Devonport conceded that neither of them had the other's telephone number stored. The telephone billing evidence showed that that was the very first contact between them.'

Rice was seen entering the house empty handed but then left with a Tesco carried bag.

Armed police swooped on Michael Rice while diners at at the Tavern Restaurant in Liverpool

Riding said: 'When he returned he was carrying what turned out to be a Tesco carrier bag, which was clearly weighted, in his left hand, as he returned to the car and got into it.'

The court heard Rice was a passenger in the back of the car. Mr Riding said: 'Within ten minutes the vehicle was detained by armed police officers in south Liverpool, in the busy thoroughfare of Smithdown Road.

'That incident was filmed by any number of members of the public.

'On the seat alongside Michael Rice there was a Tesco bag in which there was a Glock 9mm pistol with four bullets, a number of other magazines and a weapons cleaning kit.

'Michael Rice's fingerprints were found on the bag. So too were Shaun Devonport's.'

Diners were said to be shocked when they saw the police sting in operation

The weapon, which had not been used in the country, was part of a haul of similar weapons brought into the UK from the US in 2010.

Rice did not reveal what the gun was intended for, and it is not known if he was planning to use it himself or was entrusted to transport it.

During his trial, Devonport claimed the paid had been friends for ten years and Rice had sent him a message on Instagram asking for his number.

William England, defending Devonport, admitted there were no excuses for possessing a loaded firearm but protested that his client had no previous firearms convictions.

He said: 'There is no suggestion this firearm has been used in the past in any crime, that must be a positive point to make on behalf of this defendant.

'For whatever reason, this was his first foray into firearms.'

Oliver Cook, defending Rice, said he had pleaded guilty in January, before evidence of him being observed by police was presented in court.

Rice was sentenced to six years in jail and Devonport to 12 years by Judge Anil Murray, who described their meeting as a 'business transaction'.

Michael Rice did not disclose why he bought the gun to police

Judge Murray said: 'It is clear to me that the two defendants were not friends but instead Michael Rice had been put in touch with Shaun Devonport as someone who could supply him with a firearm.

'These are very serious offences. This was a lethal weapon being supplied onto the streets of Liverpool and carried in a car.

'Gun crime is a serious problem in society. Too many firearms are available in Liverpool and too many used with devastating effects to the victim and the community in general.

'The protection of the public is the predominant consideration of the court and deterrent sentences are needed.

'Michael Rice has not disclosed his purpose in having this gun but having genuine firearms on the street can only lead to serious injury or death, whether in his hands or the hands of someone else.'

The case against two other males who were arrested in connection with the incident was discontinued.A nine-month-old baby girl has died after sheriff's deputies in Texas found her alone inside her family's scorching-hot car on Monday.

The Harris County Sheriffs office received a 911 call on Monday afternoon reporting an unresponsive infant inside of a vehicle parked at Baytown Country Place Estates on Jones Road.

Deputies who responded to the mobile home park at 2pm rescued the baby from the vehicle and rushed her to San Jacinto Hospital, where she passed away a short time later.

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Harris County Sheriffs deputies on Monday discovered a nine-month-old baby inside this white vehicle parked outside her family's mobile home in Baytown, Texas

The infant died after spend at least three hours trapped inside the boiling-hot car

It is unclear how long the baby was left inside the overheated car, but Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told KTRK her family had returned home from running errands that morning at around 11am.

Temperatures in Baytown were in the 90s on Monday, but the sheriff said it was much hotter inside the locked car.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez (pictured) said the baby's death could have been prevented

When interviewed by law enforcement officials, the victim's parents said they had been going to various medical appointments for one of their other children, who has special needs, and they mistakenly thought someone had brought the baby inside the house.

The name of the infant has not been made public. So far, no charges have been filed against the parents in connection to the girl's death, but the investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

I hate this, Sheriff Gonzalez tweeted Monday in reference to the babys hot-car death. These deaths are preventable.

According to the website KidsAndCars.org, on average 37 children die in the US each year from heatstroke after being left inside vehicles.

Data shows that 43 children succumbed to vehicular heatstrokes in 2017, and there have been nine confirmed cases so far this year.Seven-month-old Emma Grace Kennedy has been found safe in North Carolina after a two day hunt was underway for her and her sex offender father Carl Kennedy, who is now under arrest.

A two day manhunt has ended after Kennedy, 51, the sex offender father who abducted his seven-month old daughter at knife point in Virginia Sunday, was found by police in North Carolina, according to NBC Charlotte.

Emma was also found and is safe and appears to be in good health, and is being evaluated at a local hospital. Her mother, Krysten Murphy, has been made aware that her daughter has been recovered.

The FBI, the Secret Service and the Randolph County Sheriff's Office were involved in the search.

Police had issued Amber Alerts in Virginia and North Carolina, which lead police to various potential sightings of Kennedy driving through the states.

An update from police on Monday night said Kennedy could have been heading to Oak Island on the North Carolina coast.

Police said the baby was in extreme danger with Kennedy.

Carl Kennedy (right) allegedly kidnapped his daughter Emma (left) from her mother at a gas station in Danville, Virginia, armed with a knife

Emma's mother, Krysten Murphy (together) described her three-year relationship with Carl as abusive but would not call police out of fear for her family

Surveillance footage shows the moment a North Carolina man kidnapped his seven-month-old daughter on Sunday

Carl did not have custody of Emma.

Authorities said he is registered as a sex offender in Asheboro, North Carolina.

An Amber Alert in Virginia was issued at 3am Monday morning, following the Sunday night kidnapping.

According to the alert, Carl was armed with a knife when he assaulted the infant's mother at a Kwik Stop in Danville and took the girl around 7:55pm.

Carl was already out of jail on a $250,000 bond for drug distribution, and was supposed to appear in court on those charges this week, according to WFMYNews2.

Emma's mother says she was with Carl for three years, and the relationship was abusive, but she never called the police on him, because she feared for the safety of her family.

Above is the type of car that Kennedy was believed to be driving at the time, as well as a possible license plate numberAdvertisement

When lava meets seawater it creates a smoke called laze, made up of hydrochloric acid and small particles of glass

Roads surrounding Hawaii's Kilauea volcano have been closed off, and as lava continues to spew, the area is getting more difficult to access at all.

But some keen tourists have found another way to see the huge eruption - via boat.

Pictures show adventurous tourists using a boat to approach the point where lava is sliding into the ocean, their vessel seemingly just yards from the thick smoke.

The adventure doesn't come without danger though. When lava hits water it sends up a smoke known as laze, which is filled with fine glass particles and hydrochloric acid.

In the images, tourists are seen holding up cameras as they approach the smoke, and in some it appears the group are in the midst of it all.

Big Island's mayor, Harry Kim, has warned people to 'stay away from any ocean plume to prevent harmful health effects' after the lava inundation.

Currently, most boats must keep away from a 300 meter radius of where the lava hits the water.

A spokeswoman for the US Coast Guard told DailyMail.com the area was decided on by the USGS, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory and the Coast Guard, and that there was a second, closer number for some tour operators.

Brave tourists were very close to the phenomenon during a boat tour on Monday (pictured)

While it is not known how close the group were, at some points it almost appeared they were engulfed in the smoke

With many roads closed off and residential areas being evacuated, boat tours allow exclusive access to a close up view

Tourists were seen with their cameras out, documenting the moment lava from Kilauea hit the Pacific Ocean

Only one operator is currently believed to be running the tours as many others have been affected by the devastation of the eruption

She said because the volcano had affected so many locals, only one operator was currently believed to be running, and confirmed they had a waiver from the safety zone.

'[The operator] has permission to approach closer because they have proven they have the proper equipment and experience to operate closer to lava,' she said.

'But, they must still remain a safe distance away. There is still risk involved, but it's a mitigated risk.'

The spokeswoman said the Coast Guard and scientific bodies working on preventing any avoidable harm from occurring during Kilauea's eruption.

She said there was great interest from people wanting to see the phenomenon, and all three organisations wanted to see it done safely and with the absolute minimum risk.

Lieutenant John Bannon told DailyMail.com the distance operators with a waiver could travel towards the smoke changed constantly, but was quite lenient.

'Based on the lava hazards, we have allowed approved operators the discretion to get as close to the lava as they feel safe,' he explained.

'At other times we've restricted access to various distances... it's a moving line based on the lava activity, or threat of a bench collapse.'

Lieutenant John Bannon told DailyMail.com depending on the current risk, operators with a waiver were allowed to go in as close to the lava as they felt comfortable

When there was extra risk though, the Coast Guard would create a set safety line for operators with a waiver

It is not known how close the tour group managed to get towards the point where lava met the ocean on Monday

A spokeswoman from the US Coast Guard told DailyMail.com many tour operators were currently suspending their tours as they had lost their homes in the eruptions

Pictured: Lava flows into the Pacific Ocean in the Kapoho area, east of Pahoa, during ongoing eruptions of Kilauea

Applying for a waiver is a difficult job, with operators needing to provide detailed information on their safety system, mariner background, their vessel and the safety equipment on board.

Lt. Bannon said he was not too concerned about letting vetted operators head in towards the lava, considering the high standards they needed to meet.

'It's the paddle boarder, kayaker, wanting to get that selfie, that becomes our next search and rescue case,' he said.

The tour company believed to own the boat pictured has been contacted for comment but did not respond by the time of publication.

Kilauea has been erupting for a month, with lava now moving faster than before and consuming much of the residential areas.

Early on Tuesday morning, a tremor rocked the volcano, sending ash spewing up to a mile high.

Luckily, the small size of the earthquake meant there was no threat of a tsunami, another danger of being in the ocean while the area is so unstable.

The lava has consumed 176 structures on the island, and thousands have been evacuated over the past month

When lava meets the ocean, it explodes, creating the toxic, thick smoke (pictured)

Lt. Bannon said he was not too concerned about letting vetted operators head in closer towards the lava, considering the high standards they needed to meet

Similar events are expected to continue for 'months', Cindi Preller, geologist and duty scientist at the Oahu office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told ABC News.

'The volcano is active and when these eruptive sequences get underway it's doing exactly as it's supposed to do, behaving as it should,' she said.

On Sunday, the National Guard airlifted two man and a woman from an isolated area to safety after they became surrounded by fast moving lava.

Nearly 400 evacuees stayed at shelters on Saturday night, including people from Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland, with cell service not working in the area.

On Saturday, National Guard troops, police and firefighters ushered evacuees from homes on the eastern tip of the island, hours before lava cut off road access to the area, officials said.

Big Islands mayor, Harry Kim, warned of volcanic gas emissions, including sulfur dioxide being high in the fissure system. He added: 'Residents in the area and downwind should take precaution to limit exposure. Stay alert and be prepared to evacuate with little notice

In its most recent update, the USGS reported that the situation in Hawaii was dynamic with vent locations changing, fissures starting and stopping. Earthquake activity at Kilauea Volcano summit has been high, with a moderate earthquake of magnitude 5.5 occurred over the weekend, as a result of a volcanic explosion

Northern edge of the fissure 8 flow front on the night of June 1, as it approached the intersection of Highways 132 and 137. All areas abutting Highway 137 between Four Corners and Isaac Hale Park have been ordered to evacuate

Jessica Ball, USGS volcanologist said on Sunday that lava was continuing to fountain from fissure 8, 'and is feeding a lava flow that has wrapped around the Kapoho Crater to the north and has entered the Vacationland neighborhood.

'Lava entered Green Lake at about 10am (June 2), forming a large steam plume, and by 1.30pm lava had filled the lake and boiled off all the water.

'At 7am on June 3, the flow front had entered Kapoho beach lots and was about 50 yards from the ocean.

'We estimate that the flow front is moving roughly 250 feet per hour, but be advised that this could become faster or slower at any time. There is now no access to Vacationland, Kapoho, or Highways 132 and 137. There was a weak flow from fissure 16, but it has not advanced far beyond the vent.

'At the summit, earthquake activity was low and ash emissions from the Halema'uma'u crater were weak. However, gas emissions remain high and we expect small explosive events to continue.'Dr Vaishnavy Laxman, 43, should have given the 30-year old patient an emergency Caesarean section as the premature infant was in a breech position at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

A senior NHS gynaecologist who caused an unborn baby to be accidentally decapitated inside its mother's womb will be able to return to work.

Dr Vaishnavy Laxman, 43, was yesterday found culpable of medical failures after a tribunal revealed she should have given the 30-year old patient an emergency Caesarean section as the premature infant was in a breech position at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

But she instead attempted to carry out the delivery naturally and tragedy struck when the doctor urged the patient to push whilst herself applying traction to the baby's legs.

The maneuver caused the infant's legs, arms and torso to become detached, leaving the head still in his mother's womb.

Two other doctors subsequently carried out a C-section on the woman to remove the infant's head.

The baby's head was 're-attached' to his body so his mother could hold him before she said goodbye.

It is believed the child was already dead before he was decapitated during the bungled 15 minute delivery.

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester, consultant Laxman - who qualified in Chennai, India - denied wrongdoing. Today the service said there was no impairment of Dr Laxman's fitness to practise and cleared her to return to work at another hospital.

The tribunal cleared Dr Laxman of misconduct and said her fitness to practise was not impaired.

It ruled the decision to proceed with a natural birth was 'negligent and fell below the standards ordinarily to be expected' but did not amount to serious misconduct.

The panel's written decision said: 'The failing which the tribunal has found proved was not sustained, persistent or repeated, but rather a single error of judgement made in very difficult circumstances.

'The tribunal was satisfied that throughout the attempted delivery of baby B, Dr Vilvanathan Laxman believed that she was acting in both patient A's and baby B's best interests, and that she genuinely believed that proceeding with a vaginal delivery was the optimum course to take in the circumstances which existed at the time.'

Dr Laxman said she believed the baby would have died had a Caesarean section been carried out.

But at a finding of facts hearing, panel chairman Tim Bradbury said: 'It was Dr Laxman's decision in this regard that was to dictate her subsequent actions and the course of events which ultimately led to Baby B being decapitated.

'The Tribunal was in no doubt that throughout her involvement in the attempted delivery of Baby B, she was endeavouring to achieve the best outcome for Patient A and Baby B.

'However the central issue in this case is whether Dr Laxman's decision to attempt a vaginal delivery of Baby B rather than an immediate caesarean section under general anaesthetic was clinically indicated or whether the only proper course in the circumstances would have been to proceed to an immediate Caesarean section.

'Dr Laxman had not sufficiently addressed in her mind the risk to Baby B by proceeding with a vaginal delivery - namely the risk of head entrapment and the delay this complication would inevitably cause.

Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where the woman, 30, went to have her baby delivered when she went into premature labour

'Further, the Tribunal found that she embarked upon a vaginal delivery without a proper basis for concluding that a delivery was imminent or that there were any characteristics present that might be regarded as favourable to a vaginal delivery.

'The Tribunal did not accept that in these circumstances a caesarean section was the appropriate mode of delivery for foetal wellbeing. The Tribunal did not accept that the circumstances were such that Dr Laxman should have assumed that a caesarean section would have no prospect of success.

'The Tribunal determined that at this time Dr Laxman's priority was a live delivery and there was also a reasonable prospect that Baby B could have survived following an immediate caesarean section under general anaesthetic.

'The decision to proceed with vaginal delivery represented a failure in her clinical decision-making on the evidence available to her at the time.'

In today's tribunal decision, the panel added: 'The tribunal is satisfied that Dr Vilvanathan Laxman has expressed genuine and appropriate remorse for what happened, and she candidly accepted responsibility as the consultant in charge in theatre that day.

'The events in question are likely to have had a profound impact on Dr Laxman, as they surely will have for all others who were present in theatre that day. She has learnt from this unfortunate episode and that the likelihood of it being repeated is extremely remote.

'Further, at no point has Dr Vilvanathan Laxman sought to blame others for what happened or to minimise her actions.'

It was ruled that Dr Laxman should not receive a formal warning over the case and an interim order on her medical registration has now been revoked.

The report said: 'In all the circumstances, the tribunal has concluded that Dr Vilvanathan Laxman's conduct did not fall so far short of the standards of conduct reasonably to be expected of a doctor as to amount to serious misconduct.

'In respect of patient safety, the tribunal was satisfied that Dr Vilvanathan Laxman does not currently present a risk to patients.

'Dr Vilvanathan Laxman's wrong decision related to an isolated, single incident in an otherwise unblemished career.'

The panel concluded: 'Nothing in this determination should detract from the fact that on March 16 2014 Dr Vilvanathan Laxman made a significant error of judgement which had serious consequences and a profound impact upon patient A and for which Dr Vilvanathan Laxman bears a heavy responsibility.'

The tragedy occurred on March 16 2014 whilst Laxman was working at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with a team of other doctors.

The woman's waters had broken early at 25 weeks and upon examination her unborn baby was found to have a prolapsed cord, was in a breech position whilst the mother's cervix was between 2-4cm dilated. It can be 10cm fully dilated and the patient was told by doctors she might have to undergo a C-section.

Laxman had started work at 8.30am the previous day and went home at 6pm for five hours before returning to the hospital at 11pm.

She was told about the patient at 2am and was subsequently paged at 8.30am to take a look at her when her condition became more critical.

Later, whilst discussing the method of delivery, Laxman told a colleague: 'We are not doing a C-section - you would never do a C-section of a 25-weeker.'

She then carried out a vaginal examination of the woman and told her 'to push.'

Mr Bradbury added: 'Initially the body of Baby B descended without difficulty however, the arms were raised and the hands were behind the head which required manipulation by Dr Laxman for their delivery.

'Thereafter, Baby B's head became trapped in the uterus with his neck within Patient A's cervix.

'There then followed what was to become, in the Tribunal's view, an increasingly desperate attempt to deliver Baby B's head.

'Because of the pain and distress that Patient A was by this time experiencing the decision was made to administer a general anaesthetic following which further attempts were made to incise Patient A's cervix and extract Baby B by means of traction.

'While Patient A was under general anaesthetic, Dr Laxman continued to make attempts to deliver Baby B by traction and ultimately Baby B's head became detached from his body.

'The evidence suggests, and the Tribunal accepts, that by the time that Baby B's head became detached from his body he had already died.

'Even on her own initial assessment that Patient A's cervix was 4cm dilated this should have indicated to Dr Laxman that this was insufficient to deliver Baby B's head.

'She should have appreciated that there would be a real and significant risk of complications arising during delivery, namely head entrapment, having had regard to the likely diameter of the baby's head at this gestation.

'Dr Laxman made a decision which was not clinically indicated, in that she failed to perform an immediate delivery by caesarean section under general anaesthetic and instead proceeded with a vaginal delivery.

'Her conduct set in train a course of events which ultimately resulted in the decapitation of Baby B and to this extent contributed to that decapitation.

'But for Dr Laxman's error of judgement in this regard, the decapitation would not have occurred.'

Laxman will now face further disciplinary hearings which will decide whether she could be struck off.

She told the hearing: 'I was trying to deliver a live baby, I was trying really hard, possibly too hard.

'I did not intend to harm mum or the baby. I am distraught at the outcome and I am very sorry it did not come out the way I meant it.'Members of a stag party who were blamed for cancelling an easyJet flight to Prague were abusive to staff, swore in front of children and urinated on the ground, claims a fellow passenger.

Nathan Rees and his friends caused such a disruption on the flight from Bristol to the Czech city that 140 passengers had to be thrown off the aircraft.

The rowdy men were accused of 'treating the plane like a nightclub' in the incident on Friday.

A man, 32, from Merthyr Tydfil was arrested on the flight before he was released under investigation.

Although Mr Rees claimed his stag party was not at fault for the cancellation, an unnamed witness insists the group's behaviour was 'nothing short of disgraceful.'

Members of a stag party that were blamed for cancelling an easyJet flight to Prague were abusive to staff, swore in front of children and urinated on the ground, claims a fellow passenger

Nathan Rees is set to marry long-term girlfriend Stephanie Lewis, 31 (pictured together)

Speaking to Wales Online, the passenger who wished not to be named said: 'They had managed to urinate before the flight took off, but did so over the bathroom floor at the front of the plane, causing it to come under the door near the food storage area.

'When the flight attendant clarified that general manners would be required to get the flight off the ground, saying the flight would be dry, the reaction of the affected party was to verbally abuse the flight attendants.'

The fellow passenger continued: 'The attendant said upon the ejection of one very drunk individual that there had been reports from other passengers that they had been swearing loudly with no regard for families of children on board, and had been play fighting with each other.

'Once the party was ejected from the plane, almost every single one verbally abused the flight attendant on disembarking.

'In short - drunk stag do has ruined the flight for many, then has audacity to blame the staff for their actions.'

Mr Rees' raucous stag party (pictured on a boat trip in the Czech capital after the incident) was blamed for an easyJet flight from Bristol to Prague being cancelled

The fellow passenger added: 'In short - drunk stag do has ruined the flight for many, then has audacity to blame the staff for their actions'

The stag party didn't let the incident stop them having a good time as they can be seen holding cans of beer and giving the thumbs up in the Czech capital on a boozy boat trip.

But Mr Rees posted a tweet to easyJet on Friday night saying he would be taking legal action against them.

He slammed easyJet for 'destroying' his stag do, and said that the head of their cabin crew should be sacked.

Landscape worker Mr Rees, from Cardiff, Wales, posted on Twitter on Friday night: '@easyJet your cabin crew and head cabin lady need to be sacked.

'Made a mountain out of a mole hill on the flight to Prague yesterday evening that got cancelled.

'Destroyed my stag and also hundred of others trip to Prague. Legal action is been taken. Joke.'

Mr Rees slammed easyJet for 'destroying' his stag do, and said that the head of their cabin crew should be sacked

And he went on to respond to other passengers who had tweeted about the incident - telling one man to 'get off your high horse' and 'wind your neck in'.

Writing to private pilot Joe Roberts, Mr Rees said: 'No one was shouting and swearing you tool of a guy. Wind your neck in. Got no time for your opinions.

'If you honestly can say we deserved to get thrown off that plane well so be it. We have a number of people who are going to stand in our corner for this.

'One member of staff was on a power trip and caused this. A number of people took our side on this and have made a formal complaint about the staff of EasyJet.

'Mate get off your high horse, can't be dealing with you this morning.'

Mr Rees also responded to a tweet from PhD student Richard Bellis, who was a passenger on the cancelled flight.

Police officer, Nick Falconer, tweeted these pictures of the police operation. The images show several police cars and officers at the side of the runway

Richard wrote: 'Absolute nightmare start to my weekend sampling beers in Prague as my @easyJet plane hasn't moved for 2 hours.

'They've been kicking a stag do off for pretty much the whole time. Arrggghhh.'

Mr Rees responded: 'Hi mate was my stag party. Gutted on what happened.

'Sorry about the flight but we all know that head flight attendant had a big stick up the a**e and didn't want us on the flight from the word go. #joke.'

However, it seems that Mr Rees did eventually make it to Prague to celebrate his stag do, just a day later than planned.

On Saturday, Mr Rees' friend Ben Grzesica, 31, wrote on Facebook: 'Well we finally got here, let's get this stag trip underway #take2.'

Mr Rees is set to marry long-term girlfriend Stephanie Lewis, 31, from Treharris in Wales.Jeremy Corbyn has sparked fury among his MPs by ruling out backing a Brexit Bill amendment to keep the UK in the EU single market.

The Labour leader has faced growing calls from his backbenches to back the Lords amendment to keep the UK in the European Economic Area (EEA) - the so-called Norway option.

But he tonight said that he will table an alternative change calling for the UK to negotiate a new deal which keeps 'full access' to the market.

It is understood that Mr Corbyn wants a deal which would mean Britain does not have to keep free movement rules and state aid stipulations which limit state aid.

But Remain-backing Labour politicians hit out at the move - saying Mr Corbyn wrongly thinks he can 'have his cake and eat it' if he thinks the EU will give Britain such a generous deal.

Labour backbencher and leading Remainer Chuka Umunna tore into the decision in a series of Twitter posts warning that the 'overwhelming majority' of Labour supporters want EEA membership.

Theresa May faces a huge battle to overturn the 15 Brexit Bill wrecking amendments when it returns to the Commons next week.

Jeremy Corbyn (pictured today at the GMB conference in Brighton) has decided that the Labour Party will not back a Brexit Bill wrecking amendment to keep the UK in the EU single market

Instead, Labour is calling for Britain to get a deal which retains 'full access' to the EU's single market.

Labour said it is tabling this amendment as 'a more credible and effective approach to the Lords' amendment, which seeks to bind the UK to signing the EEA  in short adopting the 'Norway Model'.'

But Mr Umunna said: 'The only way of realising the objectives set out in the amendment, short of EU membership, is through the UK being part of the European Economic Area, as a minimum.

What are the 15 Brexit wrecking amendments passed by peers Here are the 15 Brexit Bill defeats inflicted by peers: Forces minsters to try to seek a customs union with the EU Keeps EU law relating to employment, consumer and environmental protections Keeps the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights Removes right of ministers to challenge EU law kept by the UK Allows Britons to bring legal cases when their rights, enshrined in EU law, are flouted Limits the scope of the Government's so-called Henry VII powers Gives Parliament a meaningful vote at the end of talks Gives parliament a veto on the Government's negotiating position Ministers must report on what they are doing to ensure refugee families reunited within Europe Ministers must abide by 1998 Good Friday Agreement Reaffirms that the UK can keep EU laws and stay in EU agencies Gives parliament a veto on the exit day Ministers must try to keep the UK in the EEA and therefore the EU single market Extends how EU laws will be trawled through by Parliament Enshrines EU environmental protections Advertisement

'Like the Tory Government and hard-Brexiters this amendment seeks 'access' to the EU's Single Market but this is nowhere near enough. What the overwhelming majority of Labour members and supporters want is so much more.

'To be part of the framework of protections for workers, consumers and the environment which being part of the European Economic Area uniquely offers to non-EU members.

'All the way through the passage of this Bill, the only amendments which have commanded support on both sides of the House and passed are cross party backbench ones.

'So, if we are serious about 'protecting full access to the internal market of the EU' and ensuring 'no new impediments to trade', logic dictates Labour MPs should be whipped to support the cross party EEA amendment sent to us by the House of Lords.'

Labour MEP Catherine Stihler, who is a member of the anti-Brexit group Best for Britain, said: 'The only way to secure the exact same benefits of the Single Market is for the UK to remain a member of the Single Market.

'We can't have our cake and eat it, and it's time for the party to be honest about this.

'The Norwegian model is not ideal, but nor is any deal where we're not at the top table.

'The best deal, for jobs and the economy, is being part of the EU. That's why the Labour Party should support a people's vote on the final Brexit deal with an option to remain.'

The Labour frontbench is also tabling amendments that would demand ministers make sure Britain adopts common minimum standards, rights and protections, shared UK-EU institutions and regulations, and no new barriers to trade.

Labour says the proposal would protect jobs and avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland.

Keir Starmer, Labour's Shadow Brexit Secretary, said: 'Labour will only accept a Brexit deal that delivers the benefits of the Single Market and protects jobs and living standards.

'Unlike the Tories, Labour will not sacrifice jobs and the economy in the pursuit of a reckless and extreme interpretation of the referendum result.

'Existing Single Market agreements that the EU has negotiated with third countries, including Norway, are bespoke deals negotiated with the EU to serve the best interests of those countries.

Labour backbencher and leading Remainer Chuka Umunna (pictured) tore into the decision in a series of Twitter posts warning that the 'overwhelming majority' of Labour supporters want EEA membership

'We need to learn from them and negotiate our own more ambitious agreement, which serves our economic interests and which prevents a hard border in Northern Ireland.

'Two years on from the referendum it is clear that the Government has no plan for how it will protect jobs and the economy, and guarantee no hard border in Northern Ireland.

'Labour's amendment, along with a commitment to negotiate a new comprehensive customs union with the EU, is a strong and balanced package that would retain the benefits of the Single Market. Parliament should have the opportunity to debate and vote on it.'

The EU Withdrawal Bill will be debated in the Commons for a mammoth 12-hour session next Tuesday.

The PM is facing the tricky task of trying to overturn all 15 changes to the Bill lodged by Remainer peers.President Putin, with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz standing on his left hand side, listen to Alma Deutscher playing the piano

Alma Deutscher performed for the Russian President and the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz when the two leaders met in Vienna.

In Putin's first foreign visit since he won a landslide re-election in March, he met Kurz and President Alexander Van der Bellen.

She brought a smile to the face of the normally inscrutable Russian leader's face as he watched her perform on the piano.

The 13-year-old was dubbed the 'Little Mozart' when in 2016 her opera version of the classic tale Cinderella was performed in in Vienna.

Almas German-language production was staged at the famous Casino Baumgarten theatre in the Austrian capital.

The skilled young musician not only composed the piece but also took part in the performance by playing musical interludes on the piano and then accompanying Cinderella on the violin.

Alma revealed that quite a few of her melodies and themes for this opera came while I was skipping.

She became a classical sensation after writing her first opera, The Sweeper of Dreams, in 2012 - three years after her first violin concerto, and six after writing her first piano sonata.

The gifted 13-year-old brought a smile to the face of the Russian president after she performed for him in Vienna

Alma became a classical sensation after writing her first opera, The Sweeper of Dreams, in 2012

Alma was dubbed 'Little Mozart' when in 2016 her opera version of the classic tale Cinderella was performed in in Vienna

Almas father Guy, an Israeli-born linguist and amateur flautist, said he realised his daughter had a connection with music when she was a baby.

She was given her first violin for her third birthday and in less than a year she was playing Handel sonatas.

Mr Deutscher and his wife, who was an organ scholar at Oxford, moved with Alma and her younger sister Helen from Oxford to Surrey so that they could be closer to the specialist Yehudi Menuhin School in Cobham.

Meanwhile President Putin has said he is not embarrassed of the many topless photos of him on holiday that have been released over the years.

The Russian leader was being interviewed by the Austrian broadcaster ORF ahead of an official visit to the country.

Over the summer, Putin is photographed in some form rugged pose, often fishing, with a gun or on horseback, in pictures widely seen as an attempt to cultivate an image as a man of action.

Putin is seen riding a horse while traveling in the mountains of the Siberian Tyva region

But he made light of a question about what was the 'true story' behind the 'half naked' pictures.

'You said "half-naked" not "naked", thank God. When I am on vacation I see no need to hide behind the bushes, and there is nothing wrong with that,' he said.

In the interview, the Russian leader also said he wants to build bridges to Europe.

'It is not our aim to divide anything or anybody in Europe,' Putin said.

'On the contrary, we want to see a united and prosperous European Union, because the European Union is our biggest trade and economic partner.

'The more problems there are within the European Union, the greater the risks and uncertainties for us.'

Putin with a hunting rifle. The pictures of him holidaying in the wilds of Russia are seen as an attempt to cultivate a macho image

The topless President showing off his catch against the backdrop of the Siberian mountains

The Russian leader was asked about him being regularly photographed topless, in a series of macho poses

Putin replied that he saw 'no need to hide in the bushes' while on holiday and was happy with the world seeing him shirtless

As well as the Chancellor and President, Putin Heinz-Christian Strache, whose far-right Freedom Party entered the government in December as the junior coalition partner.

Strache - whose party has ties with the main Kremlin party, United Russia - called for the EU to lift sanctions against Russia.

Austria will take over the 28-nation EU's rotating presidency for six months in July.

Putin's sixth official visit to traditionally neutral Austria marks the 50th anniversary of the start of Soviet gas deliveries to the country.

The United States, the European Union and other Western allies imposed sanctions against Moscow over its 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine who are fighting the government.

Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen and Putin review a guard of honor after the Russian leader's arrival at Hofburg palace

President Putin said lifting sanctions against his nation would be in the benefit of both Russia and the West

Coupled with a drop in oil prices, the sanctions contributed to Russia's two-year recession.

The Russian economy has rebounded, however, and Putin emphasized that lifting the sanctions would answer common interests.

Over the weekend, Strache - whose party has ties with the main Kremlin party, United Russia - called for the EU to lift sanctions against Russia.

Unlike many other EU countries, Austria didn't expel Russian diplomats over the nerve agent poisoning in Britain earlier this year of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter.He had said 'never again' after he swam solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1998

Long-distance swimmer Ben Lecomte has embarked on his historic attempt to become the first man to cross the Pacific Ocean as he was waved off by his children.

The Frenchman, 51, was joined on the beach near Choshi, Japan by son Max and daughter Ana as he set out on his six-month, 5,500 mile journey to San Francisco.

Lecomte, who is no stranger to mammoth swims, having completed the 4,000 miles Atlantic crossing in 1998, will battle sharks and rough seas as he attempts to complete the gargantuan feat.

Despite the obvious dangers, however, his family seemed in good spirits as they bade farewell to the adventurer - even joining him for a quick dip in the water.

Scroll down for video

Ben Lecomte, 51, on the start line with his family - wife Trinh (second right), daughter Ana (right) and son Max (second left)

Lecomte comforting his wife Trinh as he prepares to enter the water in his full-length wetsuit

Lecomte paddling in the waters of the Pacific with his son Max and daughter Ana (right)

According to Lecomte, who celebrated his 51st birthday two days ago, he is undertaking the journey as part of a scientific research project aimed at raising awareness about plastic pollution.

On his journey he will be crossing a patch of ocean known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area three times the size of France where large amounts of garbage and plastic waste have collected.

'Pollution of the ocean has a big impact,' said the father-of-two, who will be gathering oceanographic and medical data for 27 scientific organisations, including NASA.

'When I was little and I was with my father walking on the beach, I didn't see any plastic, or hardly any.

'Now every time I go with my kids, we see plastic everywhere,' added Lecomte, who will also wear a device to test levels of radioactive material from the tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant.

'It made me think what (the) future for my kids is going to be like. It's a problem we created and there is a very easy solution to start reversing it - single-use plastics for example, if we stop using them that will make a big change.'

The Frenchman had previously vowed he would never do a long-distance swim again after crossing the Atlantic in 1998

Lecomte swims off into the distance away from the massed crowds on the beach at Choshi, Japan

Lecomte plans to swim for eight hours a day, burning more than 8,000 calories.

The rest of the time he will rest, sleep and eat on the 67-foot support boat Discoverer that will drop him back in the water at the same spot he exits every day.

The Frenchman encountered sharks and stingrays on his 1998 Atlantic crossing - but will be equipped with a shark-repellent bracelet on this occasion.

After successfully completing the Atlantic swim, Lecomte vowed 'never again' to set off on a long-distance sea journey.

'I am very anxious to start right now,' Lecomte said as he prepared to take to the waves.

'I am not an Olympic swimmer, but I am an adventurer in the way that I push my limits,' he added.

The French swimmer adjusting his wetsuit on the beach as the world's media capture the historic moment on cameraA nun admitted mistreating orphans and described another sisters alleged actions as 'cruel' after children accused her colleague of putting urine-stained sheets on bed-wetters.

The 77-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said youngsters at Nazareth House in Aberdeen would be smacked or hit with a hairbrush while she was there between 1963 and 1973.

She said at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry that her care for a number of children at the home and Nazareth House in Lasswade, Midlothian, amounted to them being 'mistreated'.

A nun admitted mistreating orphans at Nazareth House in the 1960s and 1970s, when the orphanage was in this building

Parts of a second statement submitted by the nun on Friday were read out by Colin MacAulay QC, senior counsel to the inquiry.

It said she acknowledged some children 'were mistreated when they were in my care' at Nazareth House in Aberdeen and Nazareth House in Lasswade.

Mr MacAulay also asked her how those being naughty would be punished.

The witness said: 'They might get a smack. Probably on the legs or the bottom.'

She said she and the children were frightened of another nun, who she said would use a hairbrush to hit the youngsters with.

The witness added it was this other nun who was in charge of dealing with children who wet the bed.

Helen Holland, with her therapy dogs Pippa and Willow, outside the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry in Edinburgh where she described years of 'sadistic' treatment at the Catholic-run Nazareth House orphanage

Helen Holland (pictured during her time at the academy) claims she was raped at the orphanage

'The children used to say they put the sheets on them but I never saw that,' she said.

'If it was one of sisters punishments, I never intervened. It was nasty, I thought it wasnt nice.'

Mr MacAulay then asked her if she would describe the treatment as cruel and she replied: 'I would now.'

Sister Bridget Cunningham also spoke at the inquiry and said the children at Nazareth House in Aberdeen were not 'the type that would want you to be hugging (them). They were quite aloof and they had their own problems.'

The 76-year-old - who was at the orphanage between 1963 and 1964 - said she would have reported any humiliation or beatings for wetting the bed to the Mother Superior, if she had witnessed any such treatment.

She added: 'I never seen anything like that.'

It comes after former resident Helen Holland told the inquiry she was raped by a priest after confiding in him about being abused by a nun.

The 59-year-old waived her right to anonymity to describe years of 'sadistic' treatment at the Nazareth House home in during the 1960s and 1970s.

She said the abuse began when she was just eight years old as she addressed the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry today.

Ms Holland claimed the nun had told her the 'the devil was inside' her and assaulted her with a hand brush. The inquiry before Lady Smith in Edinburgh continues.Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz took a dig at President Trump by saying there is a 'very big difference' between someone who has run a global public company and someone who never had to answer to a corporate board.

Schultz, who is stepping down from his job running the coffee empire and will become chairman emeritus at the end of the month, is refusing to say whether he is planning a run for president  but says he intends to be a 'great American citizen.'

He blasted the Trump administration's 'vitriolic behavior,' but acknowledges Trump made it possible for someone to be able to leap directly from business to the White House.

Asked about the concept of a CEO president, Schultz, 63, told CNBC's 'Squawk Box' on Monday, 'There is a bifurcation between when you say a CEO. I have run a public company for 26 years as a fiduciary. The current president ran a private company where from what I understand, he's running a private company with  I don't know if there was a board,' Schultz said.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz blasted the Trump administration's 'vitriolic behavior' but wouldn't commit to his own presidential run

'I don't know what responsibilities he had to other shareholders. Bob Iger has run a public company,' he said, referencing the Disney CEO who said he had considered a run of his own.

'So when you're talking about a CEO in terms of public office, there is a very big difference between someone who has run a global enterprise like myself, who has traveled to China probably more than any other CEO in the last 10 years  who understands those issues, versus someone who has a run a private company with very little fiduciary responsibility to other shareholders,' he said.

Schultz also slammed where he said Trump was taking the country. He cited the 'lack of dignity, the lack of respect. The vitriolic behavior coming rom this administration. I think we can do much better.'

CUTS LIKE A KNIFE: 'I have run a public company for 26 years as a fiduciary. The current president ran a private company where from what I understand ... I don't know if there was a board,' Schultz said. Here Trump and his children Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony during a news conference to mark the opening of the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Toronto April 16, 2012

WAKE-UP CALL: Howard Schultz, Executive Chairman of Starbucks visit the Seeds&Chips Summit on May 7, 2018 in Milan, Italy

He also blasted Trump on trade, as the administration slaps tariffs on China, Europe, and North America, and allies threaten retaliation in the trade war.

'This rhetoric about all these trade wars that are now being engaged with China, with Mexico, with Canada. And this might sound like a trite line, but it's important. We should not be in the business of building walls,' Schultz said.

'We should be in the business of building bridges, with our neighbors and allies. And our standing in the world today is not what it should be and we have to advance America's values around the world and we have to deal with the systemic domestic issues in the country.'

He called for ''servant leadership. We have not had servant leadership in government in a long time where we are working in service of the American people,' he said.

OUTREACH: Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz greets employees and others at the coffee shop around the corner from the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church June 19, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina. Schultz came to comfort and support the employees who work at the store in the wake of a shooting that left nine people dead at the church Wednesday

GET A BOARD: Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz speaks at the coffee company's annual shareholders meeting in Seattle. Starbucks Corp. says Schultz is stepping down as executive chairman later this month of the coffee chain he joined more than 30 years ago. He went after Trump by saying he never had to contend with a board of directors

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. The Starbucks chief took a shot at Trump, saying, 'We should not be in the business of building walls'

Starbucks Chairman, President and CEO Howard Schultz speaks at Starbucks biennial investor meeting in Seattle, Washington December 4, 2014

WHO WILL BE TOP OF THE TICKET? Howard Schultz (L), CEO of Starbucks, applauds on stage next to surprise guest Oprah Winfrey during the company's annual shareholders meeting in Seattle, Washington March 19, 2014

Schultz said he is writing a book, and delayed his planned departure from the company after a blowup over black patrons who got booted from a Philadelphia store.

'What we're really talking about is leadership. Authentic leadership,' he said. 'I think the country is longing for truth ... We're all in this together,' he said. 'What kind of a country do we want to live in? We can't live in a country in which we're divided we have to love our fellow countrymen.'

He also called out the rise of the vocal strength of the left forces in the Democratic Party  forces that happen to have major sway in party primaries.

'It concerns me that so many voices within the Democratic Party are going so far to the left,' he said. 'And I ask myself how are we going to pay for all these things in terms of things like single payer.' He went after those who make 'false promises.'

Schultz was non-committal about his plans.

BOARD MEETING: Donald Trump and Eric Trump

Opening of Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery, Charlottesville, America - 14 Jul 2015

"There's a lot of things I can do as a private citizen other than run for the presidency of the United States," he told the program. 'Let's just see what happens'  a favorite phrase of Trump's.

"I don't know what that means right now," he continued. "But my concern for the country and the standing in the world, the lack of dignity, lack of respect coming from the administration. I think we can do much better."

'I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for," he said.

On immigration, he said: 'I think we need border security. But there's a lot of non-truths. As an example, two-thirds of the undocumented people were talking about are not people that have crossed a border. They're here because their visa has expired."A Florida woman has been arrested over what police are calling 'one of the worst animal cruelty cases' after she allegedly let her puppy rot to death inside her home.

Terri Redstone, 49, was taken into custody on Saturday after the Indian River County Sheriff's Office received a call about a foul smell coming from the woman's home.

The caller reported not seeing Redstone for several days, adding that there was a 'pungent odor emitting from the home and insects gathering on the inside of the windows'.

Terri Redstone (pictured with the dog), 49, of Florida, has been arrested over what police are calling 'one of the worst animal cruelty cases' after she allegedly let her puppy Rottweiler (pictured) rot to death inside her home

According to authorities, the one-year-old Rottweiler had been locked in a crate (pictured) and its body was in advance stages of decomposition

Police dashcam footage shows officers interviewing the dog's owner outside her home located along the 1700 block of Sixth Avenue. Redstone admitted to not feeding or caring for the Rottweiler for more than two weeks

'[She] doesn't stay in a crate all the time. But a good majority of the time,' Redstone told the officers

Video courtesy of WPTV

Responding officers said they observed, through a window of the home, a small whippet running through the home as well as the decomposing body of a Rottweiler puppy.

According to authorities, the one-year-old Rottweiler had been locked in a crate and its body was in advance stages of decomposition.

At the time, Redstone was still not home and upon reaching her, the deputies requested she return to the residence.

Police dashcam footage shows officers interviewing the dog's owner outside her home located along the 1700 block of Sixth Avenue.

Redstone admitted to not feeding or caring for the Rottweiler for more than two weeks, despite their being several bags of dog food inside and outside the home.

'[She] doesn't stay in a crate all the time. But a good majority of the time,' Redstone told the officers.

Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar (pictured) stated: 'This is one of the worst animal cruelty cases we have seen'

Detectives estimated that based on the decomposition and insect activity, the Rottweiler had been dead for three to four weeks inside Redstone's home (pictured)

Authorities said they were forced to use respiratory protection while entering the home because of its deplorable living conditions. Video also showed trash and feces all over the home

Redstone was arrested and charged with two felony counts of cruelty to animals

Deputies said Redstone had intentionally neglected the dog in the crate.

Video also showed trash and feces all over the home.

Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar stated: 'This is one of the worst animal cruelty cases we have seen.

'She intentionally neglected this one year old Rottweiler, leaving it in the crate for several weeks to die. No animal should have to suffer such a death.'

Detectives estimated that based on the decomposition and insect activity, the Rottweiler had been dead for three to four weeks.

Authorities said they were forced to use respiratory protection while entering the home because of its deplorable living conditions.

Redstone was arrested and charged with two felony counts of cruelty to animals.

She was released on $5,000.00 bond. The whippet was removed from the home by animal control.Another mystery surrounding Melania Trump has surfaced.

New York Post gossip queen Cindy Adams reported that the first lady spent four days in Trump Tower before her kidney surgery.

Reportedly Melania met with fashion designers and was there without son Barron, who attends a school in Maryland.

Adams speculated the first lady was planning a wardrobe that would make her 'outsparkle Markle' - as in Meghan Markle, the actress who married Prince Harry last month and is now known as the Duchess of Sussex.

Melania Trump made her first public post-surgery appearance on Monday evening

Melania Trump wore a powder blue, custom Ralph Lauren dress to her husband's inauguration

She wore Valentino on a trip to France

She wore a custom Karl Lagerfeld suit in her first White House appearance after inauguration

She wore a white Dior pants suit to the State of the Union address

'Without husband. Without son. Without family. But with wardrobe designers and collection couture,' Adams wrote in a column that was published on May 14, the same day Melania Trump under went a kidney procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The first lady often appears at official White House events in designer clothes and sky-high stilettos.

She reportedly relies on the advice of Herve Pierre, a stylist and designer who has made pieces for her, when it comes to dressing.

She tends to favor high-end European designers like Dolce and Gabbana, Chanel, Gucci, Givenchy, and Christian Dior but has worn American staples like Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Calvin Klein.

But the first lady's wardrobe hasn't inspired the kind of sell-out madness that Markle's choices have brought fashion designers.

Melania Trump has yet to spark a fashion trend like her predecessor Michelle Obama did, when Obama famously barred her toned and fit arms in addition to show-casing American designers.

The first lady has been subject to multiple conspiracy theories after she was out of public view for nearly a month after she underwent a kidney procedure.

She returned to the public eye on Monday but will not be at the president's 'Celebration of America' event on Tuesday, according to her office, although she will attend a hurricane preparedness briefing with him at FEMA on Wednesday.

She acknowledged the chatter in a May 30 tweet, when she needled the media for speculating about her whereabouts.

'I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I'm doing. Rest assured, I'm here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!'

However, the tweet only brought more questions, as President Trump has been known to use phrases like 'working overtime' in his own tweets.

The White House has swatted down some conspiracy theories that have popped up  including one that held she wasn't even in the White House.

She wore a custom Asian-inspired Dolce and Gabbana gown on a trip to China

She wore Chanel to the first White House state dinner

She wore a $51,000 Dolce and Gabbana coat to the G7 meeting last year in Italy

She wore Erdem to a New Year's Eve party in Mar-a-Lago

The blog Showbiz411 quoted a source as saying the reason the first lady hasn't been seen in public in 21 days is because her mother, Amalija Knavs, is very ill.

A source told the gossip website: 'She's taking care of her mother,' who is battling a pretty serious illness.

'They're all at Bedminster,' the source said. 'Melania, her parents, Barron when he's not in school. She's (Melania) not in the White House.'

However, the first lady's office knocked down the report as 'false.'

'Everything about that blog is false and incorrect,' first lady communications director Stephanie Grisham told the Dailymail.com.

But reports of the various theories being bandied about include: She's moved back to New York City, she's cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller, she's living with the Obamas, working on a tell-all book or she had a secret nip and tuck that she's healing from.

Melania Trump did make her first public appearance in 25 days on Monday at a White House event honoring military families.

Her inaugural ball gown was by Herve Pierre

She wore a Michael Kors suit and Herve Pierre hat to welcome the French president to the White House

She wore Dolce and Gabbana to a G7 event last year in Italy

She wore a Doir suit to the Invictus Games in Canada last year, where she sat with Prince Harry

She wore a Stella McCartney floral coat to the turkey pardoning

Entering the event alongside President Trump, the first lady appeared well as she was videoed walking in, despite the White House saying no press coverage of the event would be allowed.

She was wearing a black dress and six-inch black heels, several attendees told the DailyMail.com.

Speculation had been rife about the whereabouts of Mrs. Trump ever since she went in for an operation on her kidney on May 14.

Laughing off the rumors that have spread around Washington like wildfire, Trump refuted speculation the couple have split, saying it was a no-go, 'Isn't that right, honey?'

The first lady will not accompany President Donald Trump to the G7 summit in Canada on Friday or to his historic summit in Singapore on June 12.

Before Monday evening, Melania Trump was last seen in public on May 10, when she joined her husband to welcome the return of three Americans who were being held captive in North Korea.

The first lady underwent an embolization procedure on Monday, May 14, likely to remove a cyst from her kidney. Her office said it was benign, or non-cancerous.

She spent a week in the hospital recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

She returned to the White House on Saturday, May 19. Some medical professionals said the five-day hospitalization was long for such a procedure.Officers who violently arrested a 20-year-old mother at New Jersey beach on Memorial Day will not face charges, prosecutors say.

Video both from police body cam and onlookers shows officers brutally arresting mother-of-one Emily Weinman, as she kicks and spits back at them.

The footage caused controversy over who was in the right, but Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland says he made his decision after his office investigated using statements and both available videos of the incident.

'As County Prosecutor, I recognize that the video footage has raised a lot of questions regarding the officers actions. A decision such as this is not based on emotion; it is based upon applying the proper laws, policies and directives that govern law enforcement,' he said in a statement.

'It was determined by the Cape May County Prosecutors office that the actions of the arresting officer(s) did not meet the evidentiary standards to warrant criminal charges.'

The beachgoer's video showed an officer punching the Philadelphia woman twice in the head as she was prone on the sand, her legs flailing.

Wildwood officials have said the videos show Weinman assaulted the officers first, while her lawyer has said police overreacted.

Weinman then yells at the officers as they approach her and she begins to confront them

Police have identified the officers involved as Thomas Cannon, John Hillman and Robert Jordan, and the Wildwood Police Department's Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an administrative investigation.

Meanwhile, Weinman faces several charges, including aggravated assault on a police officer.

The fracas broke out after an officer as he confronted and argued with Weinman over the discovery of alcoholic iced tea drinks in her possession.

Video from the onlooker and video from police bodycam show two different parts of the argument, with the release of the bodycam adding context to the shocking scenes captured by the beachgoer.

The first video shows one of the officers approaching Weinman and a friend who are suspected of underage drinking.

The officers then ask Weinman to take a breathalyzer test

An officer confronts Weinman and a friend about underage drinking and makes her take a breathalyzer test.

After Weinman blows her breath into the breathalyzer machine, she grows agitated.

'Is there a problem?' she says to the officers. 'Mind your business.'

At one point, as the officers handcuff Weinman, she turns around and spits at one of them

Weinman then tells the officers: 'I know that didn't come out positive. I didn't take a drink of anything.'

One of the officers then asks the friend to take a breathalyzer. At the same time, Weinman is seen dialing a phone number and making a telephone call, presumably to her aunt.

When the breathalyzer comes back negative for both Weinman and the friend, one of the officers says that he will ask the two women to empty their alcoholic beverages on the beach.

In the next video, Weinman and the officers begin to argue over whether there were any laws broken.

In New Jersey, anyone under the age of 21 is not allowed to 'purchase, consume or possess' an alcoholic beverage in a 'place of public assembly, public place or public conveyance.'

Weinman argues that because the beverages were unopened, that means she wasn't breaking the law.

But the officers responded that the beverages were 'in open display' and could be seen.

One of the officers is seen taking down the information of Weinman's friend.

At this point, things begin to escalate between Weinman and the other officer, who accuses her of 'not cooperating.'

'I didn't disrespect you, I didn't do anything to get written up, did I?' Weinman tells the officer.

Weinman continues to profess her innocence as she is being led away by officers

She then asks the officer if he intends on arresting her for obstruction even though she was at the beach with her 18-month-old daughter.

The officer tells Weinman she is 'causing a scene' after she refuses to give her last name and identify herself.

'I'll give you one more chance to give me your last name,' the officer tells Weinman.

The officers then ask the woman where her aunt is, to which she replies: 'She's on her way.'

'You could wait here,' she tells the officer. 'Just like you wasted your time coming over here, you could wait here for her.'

The officer then asks: 'OK, what's your last name?'

'You don't need my last name,' Weinman says.

'OK, that's it,' the officer says. 'I'm done with you.'

When the officer asks his partner if he has handcuffs on him, Weinman reacts angrily and begins to walk away.

'Get over here,' the officer says.

'Don't f*****g cuff me,' Weinman replies as she steps away from the pursuing officer.

'You're about to get dropped,' the officer says.

As the officer walks toward her, Weinman puts her hands up and appears to touch the camera.

The video then turns off.

The officers have claimed that Weinman was the first to attack them by kicking one of them in the groin, which is not seen in the video

'My daughter is right there seeing this,' Weinman screams. 'I didn't do anything wrong!'

Weinman 'forcibly struck' the officer in the torso, causing the camera to turn off, Police Chief Robert Regalbuto told NJ Advance Media.

The officers would later claim that it was at this point that Weinman kicked one of them in the groin, which ignited the more violent confrontation that was seen right afterward in the 30-second clip uploaded to social media.

Weinman shared the clip to Facebook and said the incident started when the cops approached her on their four wheelers and asked her and her friend for their ages because there was alcohol near them.

'I had alcohol, its Memorial Day weekend and 90 percent of people are underage drinking on the beach, without a doubt,' she wrote.

The pair cooperated with the officers and gave them their ages before getting breathalyzed.

'It came back negative. I told them I wasnt drinking and the alcohol was clearly closed/sealed, which the cops seen,' she wrote on Facebook.

Weinman said the cops still stayed near them, with one even following her when she walked away to make a phone call.

'I asked them dont they have something better to do as cops than to stop people for underage drinking on the beach, saying that theres so much more serious stuff going on...the cop said, "I was gonna let you go but now Ill write you up" and he asked my name.'

Weinman said that she didn't 'do anything wrong and anything couldve been written down on that paper so I wouldnt give it to him'.

She said the officers told her that they were going to arrest her despite her telling them that she was at the beach with her 18-month-old daughter.

'He told me hes arresting me and started coming towards me to put handcuffs on me. I cautiously was backing up from him (facing him) and yelled for my daughter's father,' Weinman wrote.

Weinman said that she 'tripped and fell and the cop tackled me to the ground and smashed my head into the sand'.

This shocking video shows the moment a New Jersey officer repeatedly punched Emily Weinman in the head during an arrest on Memorial Day weekend

Within moments, Weinman said she blacked out and tried to get up and push the officer off of her.

'That's when he head locked me by [putting] his arm around my neck, punched on me in my head and then he head locked me again but this time choking me, I was gasping for air,' Weinman claims.

The video, which has been viewed more than a million times on social media, shows one of the officers wrapping his arm around Weinman's neck.

He then punches her twice in the head before body slamming her on her back as the other officer screams 'Stop resisting!'

'I'm not resisting. I didn't do anything wrong,' Weinman is heard saying as she kicks her legs at the officers.

'You're not allowed to hit me and choke me like that,' she can also be heard saying.

Weinman has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault by spitting bodily fluids on a police officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction, and being a minor in possession of alcohol.Florida elementary school teachers, Justin Pinto and Samantha Wilhide, were caught having sex in a classroom by the school's principal.

The principal of Heights Elementary in Fort Myers, had been alerted to early morning liaisons between the 5th grade teachers after another teacher noticed the door to a classroom closed, with the lights out, and was unable to see through the door's window.

Pinto, who was still under his one-year probation with the district, was fired. Wilhide who has been working in the district for four years, thought it was unfair she was in trouble because the trysts were off the clock.

After being busted in the act, an incredulous Wilhide told the principal, 'I am doing this on my own time and not being paid,' according to Fort Myers News-Press.

Elementary school teachers Samantha Wilhide (pictured at a fundraiser) and Justin Pinto, were caught having sex in his classroom, by their principal

The teachers were found in Pinto's classroom, which was locked. The principal unlocked the door and found Wilhide in just her bra seated on a desk, while Pinto was pulling up his pants

Principal Doug Palow walked into the classroom just before 7am and found the door locked.

With his keys, Palow unlocked the door and found Wilhide sitting on a desk wearing only a bra, while Pinto was pulling up his pants.

'I went to Justin's classroom and when I walked by the classroom door, the lights were out and I could not see anyone through the window,' Principal Doug Palow wrote in a Lee County school district investigative report.

'I told both of them to put their clothes on and meet me at my office.'

In the meeting with their principal, Pinto did not respond to Palow's query about what led to the romp, and only responded with an I'm sorry.'

Wilhide said it was the first time they ever engaged in a sex act, however school surveillance showed that Pinto and Wilhide met in Pinto's classroom on multiple occasions before the start of classes at 6:45am.

Because Pinto was still on his probationary term with the district, they were able to fire him, however Wilhide was reassigned to the School District of Lee County's administrative office.

'Our contract employees that are probationary ... can be excused at any time for any reason,' Rob Spicker, a school district spokesman told the News-Press.

Wilhide and Pinto were seen on school's surveillance cameras going into his classroom early in the mornings on several occasions, though Wilhide says it was the first time they had sex

Principal Palow at Heights Elementary School in Fort Myers found the teachers in states of undress in Pinto's classroom

However Wilhide's case is different, as she was beyond her probationary period.

'She is entitled to due process,' Spicker said. 'In fact, her hearing has not even happened.

'So rather than simply suspending employees with pay, they get reassigned to the district. We are paying them anyway, so we have them come down here and work.'

'Additionally, multiple female colleagues reported that Mr. Pinto made inappropriate comments and/or sexual advances toward them during the 2017-18 school year,' according to a school district reporting document that contained several text exchanged between Pinto and his female colleagues.



Advertisement

Palestinians are sending kites loaded with flammable materials across the border with Israel in an effort to torch farmland.

The kites are loaded up with coal embers or burning rags suspended from a string and sent floating into Israeli territory where they have been igniting massive wildfires on farms.

The crude tactics have angered Israeli politicians, with Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan calling for the kite-flyers to be subjected to 'targeted assassinations'.

But Palestinian protesters have lauded the practice as 'simple but effective' having already burned thousands of acres of Israeli pastures.

A Palestinian protester shows off the flammable attachment doused in oil which has been joined to the bottom of a kite by a thin string

A group of Palestinian protesters launch a flaming kite from behind an embankment on their side of the border in Gaza

The kite-flyers launched the projectiles bearing messages written in Arabic that carry statements about the deadly border dispute

A kite in full flight with a large string dangling below it with a package, usually filled with coal embers or burning rags, dangling from the end

As well as kites, protesters have started to use balloons with flammable attachments to torch Israeli farms near the border

'The idea is simple: use the simplest tools to cause damage and losses on the Occupation (Israel),' said Shadi, 19, a Palestinian protestor.

'It began spontaneously. We never thought we would achieve such good results,' he added.

No one has been hurt by the fires, but some 2,250 acres (910 hectares) of fields and nature reserves, already parched after a dry winter, have been burned by flames stoked by Mediterranean winds, causing $2.5 million in damage, Israel's government said.

Israel has drafted in civilian drone enthusiasts as army reservists, instructing them to fly their remote-controlled aircraft into the kites, an Israeli general said.

The army has also fitted larger surveillance drones with weighted fishing lines or blades that can snag or slash kite strings in mid-air.

'If their drone ends up getting lost in the process, we compensate them,' the general said.

But he acknowledged the limitations of such measures, saying: 'We'll probably end up having to shoot kite-flyers too.'

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan had earlier said Israeli snipers should shoot the kite flyers.

'I expect the IDF (Iraeli army) to handle these kite-flyers exactly as they would any terrorist, and the targeted assassinations must also apply to these kite-flyers,' Mr Erdan said.

A Palestinian kite is caught by a series of wires laid across the Israeli border to stop the incoming projectiles from Palestinian territory

An Israeli firefighter drags his hose towards the blaze as the fire rages across the dry wheat fields on the border with Palestine

A firefighter wearing only a smattering of protective clothing hoses the scorched ground where the kites landed in the field

Some 2,250 acres (910 hectares) of fields and nature reserves have already been torched in the kite attacks on Israeli farms

Israeli Public security Minister Gilad Erdan (left) has called for the protesters flying kites to be killed using 'targeted assassinations'

An Israeli soldier shows off a drone which has intercepted a package of flammable material in a device which was connected to balloons sent across the border

Two Israeli soldiers practice flying a small drone which the army have drafted in to try and deal with the rising number of kite and balloon ambushes

A drone flies metres away from an Israeli convoy on the Gaza border as the pilot searches out Palestinian projectiles to take down

The Israeli military has brought in a system of using larger drones with large wires suspended beneath to stop Palestinian kites and balloons coming across the border

The flammable material left behind by one of the rogue balloons burns out in the sand on the Israeli side having been taken downEnvironmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt's is facing fresh allegations that he abused his power and taxpayer resources following a revelation that he used his government position to secure a source of income for his wife.

Pruitt approached conservative non-profit Concordia and fast food company Chik-fil-A about gigs for his wife, Maryln, The Washington Post reported.

In the case of Chik-fil-A, the Trump administration official had his scheduler set up a call with the head of the company for the purpose of discussing a 'potential business opportunity.' In a subsequent conversation, Pruitt brought up his wife's desire to open up a Chik-fil-A franchise.

Mrs. Pruitt started but did not finish the paperwork, a spokesperson for the company told The Post.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt's is under fresh scrutiny for abuse of power and taxpayer resources following a revelation that he used his government position to secure a source of income for his wife.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Tuesday afternoon that she had not talked to President Trump about the latest blow to Pruitt's credibility. She said as she did on Monday when DailyMail.com asked about Pruitt that the White House would look into the charges.

'I haven't had a chance to speak with the president directly about the Washington Post's new report,' Sanders told a reporter. 'We continue to have concerns and look into those and we'll address them.'

A day prior Sanders said the White House was looking into a claim from two Democratic members of Congress that Pruitt used a government aide to help him shop for apartments and for a used luxury mattress at President Trump's Washington hotel.

'Certainly looking into the matter,' Sanders said during a White House briefing, quipping: 'I couldn't comment on specifics of the furniture used in his apartment.'

The two top Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee had made the revelation in a letter that outlined the unusual duties of taxpayer-funded scheduling assistant Millan Hupp.

That letter was obtained by The Washington Post, which also revealed Hupp's role in the Chik-fil-a set up.

Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings and Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly wrote to the panel's chairman, South Carolina Republican Trey Gowdy, demanding that he issue a subpoena for EPA records.

The Oversight committee is investigating Pruitt's management of the agency.

Two Republican senators have since joined in on the Pruitt bashing - but for another reason.

Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley told reporters that Pruitt had betrayed the president's position on ethanol.

The state's junior Sen. Joni Ernst as hit Pruitt with a slam that he's 'about as swampy as you can get' in Washington.

Their complaints, plus the Washington Post's reporting, prompted new questions about Pruitt's position.

Scott Pruitt is under fire for multiple questionable uses of taxpayer money during his tenure at the Environmental Protection Agency; Pruitt staffer Millan Hupp (right) was tasked with helping him purchase a used luxury mattress, among other unusual duties

'Certainly looking into the matter,' Sanders told DailyMail.com on Monday about Pruitt's situation, quipping: 'I couldn't comment on specifics of the furniture used in his apartment'

Pruitt directed Hupp, his director of scheduling and advance, to help him purchase a Trump Home Luxury Plush Euro Pillow Top mattress, according to Cummings and Connolly.

A standard queen version of the luxury mattress, without a box spring, costs $1,399 before tax and shipping. A standard king costs $1,750.

It was one of many unique tasks Hupp performed for her boss, which saw her scout apartments in D.C. neighborhoods and arrange his family vacation to California over the New Year's holiday so the Pruitts could watch the Oklahoma Sooners play in the Rose Bowl.

Hupp's sister, Sydney, is the one who set up a call for her boss with Chik-fil-A exec Dan Cathy.

'The subject of that phone call was an expression of interest in his wife becoming a Chick-fil-A franchisee,' representative for the company, Carrie Kurlander, told The Post.

Pruitt personally approached Concordia head Matthew Swift about his wife, the news outlet reported, and the conservative group ultimately paid the EPA administrator's wife $2,000 to organize the non-profit's annual conference. Concordia also covered her travel expenses.

Pruitt is under fire for multiple questionable uses of tax payer money during his tenure at the EPA, including $3.5 million on his own security, $10,000 to redecorate his office, using his security detail's flashing lights and sirens to make a dinner reservation at a posh D.C. restaurant, and and building a $43,000 soundproof booth in his office.

Millan Hupp described her work in an interview with congressional investigators as including an array of personal tasks, including booking non-work flights with Pruitt's personal credit card.

Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. opened in September 2016, but its brisk business appears to have resulted in cast-off mattresses already

She said she remembered Pruitt 'has spoken with someone at the Trump Hotel who had indicated there could be a mattress he could purchase, an old mattress he could purchase,' and that the administrator 'had expressed interest in securing a matter' to her.

Hupp said she did not recall if Pruitt got his bedding but asked to confirm that 'it was not for use at EPA,' she replied, 'Not to my knowledge.'

The Trump International Hotel does allow guests to buy Trump-branded furnishings, but it does not appear to sell used mattresses. A receptionist referred a Post reporter to Tempur-Sealy corporate offices, which sells the same ones used at the Trump Hotel by mail order.

SCOTT PRUITT'S SCANDALS IN BRIEF Ex-Oklahoma attorney-general Scott Pruitt had never lived in Washington D.C. until he became EPA Administrator last year. But his scandals now include how he: Paid just $50 a night to stay in a condo owned by an energy lobbyist's wife but only when he was in town (and called it 'market rent');

Had his door battered down by Capitol Hill Police because he wasn't responding and claimed he was 'napping' - on a weekday afternoon;

Allegedly demanded flashing lights and sirens to get through traffic because he was late for dinner;

Also allegedly demanded a bulletproof SUV with run-flat tires - and a bulletproof desk;

Got a desk 'bigger than the Resolute' and a soundproof phone booth to stop officials hearing his calls;

Had his security chief reassigned, allegedly for questioning his demands;

Allegedly had other officials moved or reassigned for questioning his spending;

Claimed to know nothing about pay raises given to two key aides he brought with him from Oklahoma; when the White House turned them down, officials found a loophole;

Booked private jet flights and got authorization afterwards when it was too late to turn them down;

Used flights through hubs so he could then get home to Oklahoma more cheaply from there;

Got first class flights, with officials claiming he had 'threats' and needed to be kept from ordinary passengers - but only concrete example was someone shouting 'you're f***ing up the environment' in Atlanta Airport;

Officials looked into getting him $100,000-per-month private jet from NetJets;

His spokesman falsely claimed he had a 'blanket waiver' to fly in first;

Missed a flight en route to Morocco and spent a day and a night in Paris instead;

Took his round the clock security detail on his vacation to the Greek islands and Turkey;

When he was questioned about his $50-per-night deal by Fox News said it was 'unfair to ask.'

Used an aide to help him shop for a used luxury mattress at the Trump International Hotel in Washington Advertisement

Hupp has been at the EPA since March 2017, according to her LinkedIn profile, and before that was a political consultant in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Barely three years ago, she worked at an Embassy Suites hotel near the Nashville airport.

She now makes $114,590 in Pruitt's personal office, The Washington Post reported in April. She got a 33 percent raise after the 26-year-old staffer oversaw an extensive housing hunt for Pruitt.

At times, she did this work office hours, a former EPA employee and others who interacted with her told the Post. Ethics experts say that kind of activity constitutes a violation of federal rules.

Pruitt told a House panel Hupp performed the apartment hunt 'on personal time,' but she told investigators she did some of it during work hours and used her official agency email at times in her search.

She said she was not compensated for this service.

Pruitt is under investigation for renting a Capitol Hill condo  for which he paid $50 a night whenever he was in town - from a lobbyist who worked on energy issues.

She was also protective of Pruitt's public image.

In May, Hupp insisted that a town hall event in Nevada, Iowa, for farmers, that was open to press and the public, should not include any questions from the audience.

Organizers objected that the event was marketed to the public as a townhall meeting.

'With a crowd of 300 people plus open press, we have to stick with the questions we currently have,' Hupp replied via email.

Pruitt described Hupp in his congressional testimony as 'a longtime friend,' and she told investigators 'I would consider him a friend of mine, yes.'

But federal rules bar a federal employee from making 'a donation or a gift to an official superior' and bar a federal official from accepting 'a gift from an employee receiving less pay than himself.'

Asked if she took leave from work when she occasionally looked at apartments during office hours for Pruitt and his wife, Hupp told committee staffers, 'I did not.'Britain is in the grip of a violent crime wave as thugs run riot on mopeds and motorbikes.

Shocking figures released yesterday show the armed thieves are striking more than 60 times every day.

In a chilling illustration of the crisis, a young woman was fighting for her life last night after her mobile was snatched by moped-riding thieves. And a motorcycle gang targeted yet another luxury store in London yesterday.

Campaigners and politicians warned the attacks were matched by disturbing rises in stabbings, drug crime and gang violence.

London now has a higher murder rate than New York, with more than 70 killings so far this year. Knife crime has also led to the deaths of a 17-year-old boy in Ipswich and of 15-year-olds in Sheffield and Wolverhampton.

Britain is in the grip of a violent crime wave as thugs run riot on mopeds and motorbikes. Pictured: Scene of thugs breaking into a jewellers in central London on Tuesday

As an MP said parts of the country were becoming 'like the Wild West':

Scotland Yard has logged 22,025 motorcycle muggings in 12 months  a rise of 50 per cent;

Officers revealed that city gangs had set up 650 'county line' networks to sell drugs in towns and villages;

Police were hunting moped robbers who targeted comedian Michael McIntyre;

A rank-and-file police leader said officers were wary of chasing them for fear of possible disciplinary action;

A think-tank said shop theft cost 6.3billion last year  or 270 for every household.

Violent crime soared by 21 per cent last year, with 1.3million offences recorded by police. The figure was the highest since records began in their current form 15 years ago.

Knife crime rose by 22 per cent, robberies by a third and sex attacks were up by a quarter as police recorded 5.4million offences, 13 per cent up on the previous year.

'It is alarming that violent crime in England is rising so fast,' said Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman. 'People are telling me they no longer feel safe in their own communities.

'For some areas it's fast becoming like the Wild West with criminals no longer afraid of getting caught. The blame rests squarely at the feet of this Government. Theresa May was responsible for slashing police budgets and even now she appears to be resisting calls for extra spending on police.'

The robbers used hammers to destroy the driver's window and demanded his silver watch, worth around 15,000

David Green, of the Civitas think-tank, said: 'A fall in police numbers combined with increasingly violent drug gangs has meant some parts of our cities resemble TV's The Wire. Violent crime is rising and knife crime is rising as gangs fight over drug territories.'

Experts believe a booming illicit drugs market  notably in crack cocaine  is fuelling much of the violence. They have also highlighted the middle-class appetite for regular cocaine.

The Metropolitan Police figures showed that crimes committed using mopeds, scooters and motorcycles soared by 50 per cent in the year to May, to 22,025.

The 24-year-old who is fighting for her life was attacked by two thugs on a moped in Edgware, north London, just after 9pm on Monday. She suffered a head injury and was found unconscious on the ground.

McIntyre was also targeted in north London, while picking his son up from school on Monday. The moped muggers made off with his watch and are thought to have been watching his movements.

Horrifying footage has captured the moment a masked thug wielding a machete (pictured) tried to smash a motorist's window in Birmingham

A silver BMW repeatedly collides with the car and rams it into a parked vehicle in the congested residential street in Handsworth, Birmingham

Rory Geoghegan, of the Centre for Social Justice, called on frontline police to get a grip. The think-tank published a report today highlighting how heroin, crack cocaine and synthetic drugs drive shop thefts.

'Our criminal justice system is in desperate need of a fix,' he said.

The Police Federation called for the bringing forward of legislation to protect police from claims if they pursue crooks.

Sergeant Tim Rogers said many officers still feared being charged with careless or reckless driving.

Central London: Moped robbers in raid on West End watch shop

Shoppers wrestled a knife-wielding moped robber to the ground during a ram raid at a luxury jeweller yesterday.

The masked thug was pinned to the ground until police arrived at Watches of Switzerland in the West End of London.

CCTV footage shows the gang wielding knives and hammers as they attempt to fend off members of the public. Three thugs could be seen running out of the watch shop and jumping on to mopeds as another fled on foot and the fifth was caught.

A sledgehammer is shown lodged in the glass of a Rolex display cabinet at Watches of Switzerland on Regent Street

A large knife is seen lying on the pavement outside Watches of Switzerland in Regent Street, London following today's raid

They are believed to have made off with watches worth tens of thousands of pounds. They left a sledgehammer embedded in a Rolex display cabinet.

A red scooter was abandoned inside the doors to the store and a second motorcycle was left in the street. Both are thought to have been stolen. A short distance away a large knife and a glove were left on the pavement. It was the third attack on the firm's central London stores in just three months.

One witness said: 'Staff on the doors of shops very swiftly got people in from the street. Some of the public managed to wrestle the guys to the ground.'

Police said one suspect was in custody.

North London: Were bike muggers waiting to target McIntyre?

Michael McIntyre may have been watched by the motorcycle thieves who stole his Rolex in a hammer attack.

Police suspect the masked attackers may have followed the comedian after he left his 5.7million home in Hampstead, north London.

They believe the offenders are a 'cut above' the smash-and-grab moped gangs causing misery across the capital.

Pictures taken shortly after the attack show the driver's side window smashed and damage to Mr McIntyre's door

Pictures show stunned comic Michael McIntyre speaking with police moments after he was robbed by a moped gang

Investigators are trying to piece together witness accounts, CCTV footage and other clues in a bid to identify the culprits.

McIntyre, 42, was the victim of a 30-second attack in which the men smashed the windows of his Range Rover and stole his watch. He had just picked up his ten-year-old son Oscar from school when the attackers struck on Monday afternoon. Photographs showed him comforting the child as onlookers gathered around to check they were not injured.

Last night, the multi-millionaire insisted he was 'fine' and would still take the stage in Dublin tomorrow night as part of his Big World Tour.

A serious looking Kitty McIntyre, wife of Michael McIntyre, was photographed leaving the family home in North London this morning and said her husband is 'fine'

Speaking outside his home, McIntyre said: 'I can't really say what's happening, we're in the process of sorting this out. There's been an incident and we're dealing with it. I need to find out the best thing to do here, I can't say anything. This is not a wind up, it's ongoing and I can't share the details.' Earlier, his wife Kitty, also 42, an aromatherapist, said: 'He is fine.' Asked if the couple were concerned about the family's safety, she replied: 'No.'

More than 24 hours after the attack, more details emerged of how McIntyre fell out of his car as he tried to fight off the robbers. It appears he was targeted while he waited outside the school for second son Lucas, 13.

One witness said: 'The guy at the front of the moped started to hit the driver's window about ten to 15 times and it eventually cracked. He opens the door and gets Michael out of the car. He fell but he was still trying to put up a fight.

'And then within seconds they were gone down the hill. It was all so quick  the whole thing must have taken 30 seconds.'

Another resident added: 'It seemed as if Michael was their target - there are a lot of celebrities in this area and the parents of the schools have been targeted in the past.'

Birmingham: Masked gang in attack on car

This horrifying footage shows the moment a masked gang rammed a car in broad daylight before smashing the driver's window with a machete and hammer.

A balaclava-clad male is seen repeatedly attacking the Toyota Yaris which has been blocked in by a BMW on a residential street.

Another man then appears to launch a hammer (pictured) at the car windscreen before fleeing with his accomplice

The silver BMW then repeatedly smashes into the Toyota, pushing it back into parked cars with its rear wheels off the ground, as a second masked and armed man runs up from behind. He throws a hammer at the windscreen and appears to ready himself to strike at the Toyota with the machete in his left hand. But the 20-second clip then shows him stop and run away with the other assailant.

The shocking attack happened on Saturday evening in Handsworth, Birmingham. It was captured on the dashcam of another motorist.

The clip has been viewed more than 20,000 times on social media.

It is not known what lay behind the attack.Jose Ernestor da Silva (pictured) was attacked yesterday afternoon and had his penis ripped off by a shark as he swam in the sea in Brazil

Shocking new footage has emerged of lifeguards jumping into shark-infested waters with no regard for their own safety to save a teen who died after his penis was bitten off in a shock attack.

Jose Ernestor da Silva was fatally attacked on Sunday afternoon while bathing in waters off the Piedade beach near Recife, on Brazil's north-east coast.

The shark struck just as lifeguards stationed on the beach had told the 18-year-old to come closer to the shore.

Lifeguards rushed into the water to save him and drag him onto the sand.

He later died in hospital after having suffered two heart attacks on the way.

The youngster had his left leg amputated and had veins re-attached to his penis in a three-hour operation as doctors tried to stem his blood loss but the victim died hours later.

He had been ordered by his mother not to go to the beach following a horrendous shark attack in April in which a 34-year-old tourist lost an arm and a leg.

Shocking new footage has emerged of lifeguards jumping into shark-infested waters with no regard for their own safety

The shark struck just as lifeguards stationed on the beach had told the 18-year-old to come closer to the shore

The youngster lies limp and unresponsive on the sand and gasps for air as a concerned helper holds his head and tells him to 'keep breathing', while another lifts his leg in a desperate effort to keep him alive.

Despite undergoing emergency surgery, the victim had lost part of his penis and a huge chunk of his thigh had been ripped out by what is believed to be a tiger shark, according to medics.

The Director General of the hospital, Miguel Arcanjo, told reporters: 'He arrived unconscious, with an extremely serious injury. After the surgery he was taken to the Intensive Care Unit.

'He lost a lot of blood, which was replaced, but he suffered hypovolemic shock and passed away.'

Rodrigo Matias, from Recife's fire department, said Mr Ferreira was swimming with his brother and friends in deep waters near the shore, in an area marked by signs warning of shark attacks.

Seeing that the group was drifting further out, lifeguards called for them to return to shallower waters.

The youngster was dragged onto the beach and later had his left leg amputated and had veins re-attached to his penis in a three-hour operation

He said: 'At the exact moment in which the lifeguards asked for them to come closer to the beach, he was bitten.'

Ambulance medic Wagner Monteiro said Mr Ferreira had a heart attack after arriving at the local Aeronautica Hospital, and another as he was being transported to the Restauracao Hospital in the centre of Recife.

Jose's mother Elisangela dos Anjos, 42, told Brazil's JC Online website that he had gone to the beach without her knowing, and she only knew about after his his brother Ezequiel, who was with him, called her from the beach following the attack.

Locals try to come to the teenager's rescue after the shark attack on Piedade Beach

Jose's mother Elisangela dos Anjos, 42, reacts in shock after her son's horrific shark attack

Speaking from the hospital, she said: 'He would go in secret, because he knew that I thought it was dangerous. I wasn't worried because I thought he was somewhere around the house.

'When I heard about it I went crazy, all the neighbours heard me screaming.'

The victim's father also said his son, who is one of five siblings, went to the beach without telling relatives where he was going.

Emergency services respond at the beach in north-east Brazil after the tiger shark pounced

It is the second time in less than two months that a shark attack has left a swimmer in a critical condition at the same beach in the Jabotao de Guararapes district of greater Recife.

On April 15, 35-year-old Pablo de Melo had to have a leg and a hand amputated after being attacked by a shark at almost the exact same spot.

The holidaymaker was admitted to hospital in a critical condition after being bitten in the arm and leg in waist deep water.

Jose Ernestor da Silva is carried away from the beach after suffering the horrific injuries

The latest incident is the 65th shark attack registered along the coast of Brazil's Pernambuco state since 1992.

Some 80 per cent of the incidents have occurred along the 18-mile stretch of beach in the region of Recife, a popular holiday resort for foreign tourists.

More than 110 warning signs have been installed along the coastline where the attacks have taken place.The U.S. Senate's Republican leadership on Tuesday scrapped most of the chamber's August recess, claiming it needs the extra time to approve President Donald Trump's pending nominations for key posts after obstruction by Democrats.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that instead of taking the entire month of August off ahead of November's mid-term elections, as originally planned, senators will be in their home states for the first week of the month, then return to Washington.

'I think we have enough work to do for the American people that we should be here during these weeks,' McConnell told reporters. 'It's inconceivable to me that we can't use these weeks.'

US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has cancelled all but one week of the chamber's August recess

Trump tweeted early Wednesday morning: 'Mitch McConnell announced he will cancel the Senates August Recess. Great'

McConnell cited the 'historic obstruction of Senate Democrats of the president's nominees.'

Trump has routinely accused the opposition party of slow-walking Senate confirmation of his nominees.

The Senate confirmation process has become a partisan battleground in recent years. The White House claims a record number of unconfirmed posts, but critics also say Trump has yet to appoint nominees to several positions.

Trump tweeted early Wednesday morning: 'Mitch McConnell announced he will cancel the Senates August Recess. Great, maybe the Democrats will finally get something done other than their acceptance of High Crime and High Taxes. We need Border Security!'

In addition to nominations, the Senate must approve government and military spending bills for fiscal year 2019, which begins on October 1.

Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, are likely worried that a full five-week break would leave insufficient time to hammer out spending, increasing the possibility of a crippling government shutdown at the height of campaign season.

McConnell cited the 'historic obstruction of Senate Democrats of the president's nominees'

McConnell's dramatic decision was seen by some as an effort to squeeze vulnerable Senate Democrats, many of whom would prefer to be back home campaigning in August ahead of the November election.

Of the 35 Senate seats up in 2018, 26 are held by Democrats.

But the Democratic Party's leaders expressed support for working through August.

'We Democrats welcome this additional time' to focus on health care, an issue that is increasingly at the forefront for American families, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Insurance 'premiums for the American people will be rising across the country,' due to policies put forward by Trump and congressional Republicans, Schumer said. 'The summer is the time to act.'

Republicans have long sought to dismantle Obamacare, the health care reforms enacted during Barack Obama's presidency.

Several steps have been taken during Trump's tenure to weaken the law, but Republicans have failed to kill it outright.

Schumer said that with the Senate in session during August, Trump should remain 'here in Washington working with us as well, because he caused a lot of these problems.'Members of the White House staff have been taking notice of U-turns and clumsy explanations being offered by by President Trump's legal team and trying to keep their distance.

Even as he derides the 'Russia hoax' of the Mueller probe, President Trump brought on former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliana, saw White House lawyer Ty Cobb and personal lawyer John Dowd leave his legal team, while keeping First Amendment lawyer Jay Sekulow and adding a pair of Florida attorneys.

Axios reported that several White House aides said the current iteration of Trump's team has been 'incompetent and sloppy  and the aides have no idea what Rudy Giuliani is going to say next."

The report stated that a vast majority of the staff serving Trump, including senior staff, are watching the bizarre show like the rest of the public."

Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani appeared on CNN Monday night, where he said of another Trump lawyer's claim Trump didn't dictate a statement about a Russia meeting: 'It was a mistake, I swear to God'

In just the latest legal headache, the newest Trump lawyer, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, on Monday night tried to defend inaccurate statements by another lawyer, Jay Sekulow, by calling it a 'mistake.'

Sekulow had claimed Trump did not dictate a statement from Air Force One issued by Donald Trump Jr. about an infamous 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Russians. A 20-page filing by his legal team stated that Trump did, in fact, dictate it.

'You think maybe somebody could have made a mistake? Giuliani tried to explain to CNN host Chris Cuomo, who responded saying that's a 'lot of mistakes.'

Former Trump lawyer John Dowd

Why is it always you think Jay Sekulow lied?' as Cuomo looked on in shock.

'Maybe he just got it wrong like I got a few things wrong at the beginning of the investigation. This is a complex investigation. First week or so, I got a few things wrong, and then it was clarified in a letter, and thats the final position.'

Giuliani continued: 'It was a mistake, I swear to God. It was a mistake, the guy made a mistake and then he corrected it.

Countered House Intelligence panel ranking member Adam Schiff: 'It's only a mistake if you consider deliberate lying to be a mistake.'

None of the lawyers' lives have been made easier by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who is under criminal investigation.

In an earlier appearance, Giuliani said Trump repaid Cohen for his payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, who reached a settlement with Cohen. Daniels claims she had a affair with Trump.

Trump later turned in a new financial disclosure form that listed 'reimbursement' to Cohen.

STORMY WEATHER: Ty Cobb, White House special counsel, holds an umbrella while walking near the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, May 17, 2018. He has now left his post

Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow is facing pressure for his statements about Trump's role in a statement about a Russia meeting

The Axios report says staff assume Giuliani and Trump are coordinating, and are doing all they can to be able to say 'I know nothing.'

At Tuesday's press briefing, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said close to that, as she tried to avoid her own past statements that Trump did not dictate the statement his son issued about the meeting that included a Kremlin-linked lawyer promising dirt on Hillary Clinton.

'I think you all know I'm an honest person,' Sanders said. 'But I'm not going to engage on matters that deal with the outside counsel.

'Frankly I think that my credibility is probably higher than the media's,' she said.

Trump's earlier White House lawyer, Ty Cobb, gave repeated assurances of when the Mueller probe would wrap up, starting with last Thanksgiving. Each of them were wrong.

Now Giuliani says Mueller should end the probe by September.The bodies of two teenagers have been discovered at a creek in Georgia on Tuesday, according to local officials.

Bryant Wade and Cameron Smith, both 18 years old, went underwater at The Falls of Oconee on Friday.

The boys are thought to have drowned after Smith dived in to try and rescue Wade. They are not thought to have known each other.

Bryant Wade and Cameron Smith, (left and right) both 18 years old, went underwater at The Falls of Oconee on Friday

The boys are thought to have drowned after Smith dived in to try and rescue Wade. Pictured: The Falls of Oconee

Their bodies were discovered 100 yards apart after a search by the Georgia State Patrol and deputies in Madison County, officials told WSBTV 2.

Wade's grandfather warned others to stay away from the creek.

'If you're going to swim, go to the beaches, go to the lakes. Go somewhere where you got your lifeguards,' Roger Smart told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Wade's family has set up a memorial fund to benefit his parents. Donations can be made at any First American Bank location.

Wade and Smith did not know each other, according to local officials in GeorgiaDetroit, Michigan holds the dubious title of being the countrys worst city to live in, according to a new report ranking Americas 50 most unappealing places to call home.

Detroit has just the right combination of poverty, unemployment, crime and other factors to hold its first-place position, followed by Flint, Michigan and St. Louis, Missouri.

The rest of the cities that made the list span from New England to the Pacific Ocean and everywhere in between, 24/7 Wall Street reported.

A study weighing nine factors, including unemployment and crime ranks Detroit the worst city in America to live in

The site compiled the list using U.S. Census data on the roughly 600 cities that had populations of more than 50,000 in 2016, the most recent year available.

Each city was given a rating based on nine categories: crime, demography, economy, education, environment, health, housing, infrastructure, and leisure.

Other factors included property prices, poverty and unemployment rates, availability of public transportation and air quality.

The statistics were given points and weighted, and final scores handed out to each of the cities to establish the final ranking.

Below are the top ten worst cities. The full list can be found at the bottom of the page.

Detroit, Michigan is the number one worst place to live in America

1. Detroit, Michigan

Population: 672,829

Median home value: $43,500

Poverty rate: 35.7 percent

Population with at least a bachelors degree: 14.9 percent

With its shrinking population and highly impoverished citizens, Detroit, Michigan was ranked worst city in the country to live in.

At its peak in the 1950s, the city was home to 1.8 million residents, but now that has dwindled to fewer than 700,000.

With one in every three Detroit residents living below the poverty line, low incomes and a nearly 11 percent unemployment rate factored highly in this city's placement on the list.

The city is also famously dangerous, with more than 2,000 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents in 2016.

Flint, Michigan is the second-worst place to live in America, according to a new study

2. Flint, Michigan

Population: 97,379

Median home value: $28,200

Poverty rate: 44.5 percent

Population with at least a bachelors degree: 10.5 percent

Flint is ranked second worst city to live in in the U.S., based largely on the profound poverty of the area.

Nearly 45 percent of the population lives below the poverty line - the highest rate of any city in the country.

Flint also has an unemployment rate of roughly 10 percent. High crime rates make it a difficult place to run a business, and only 10.5 percent of city residents have a bachelor's degree, making for an under-educated job force.

Rounding out the grim picture is the violent crime rate of 1,587 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2016.

St. Louis, Missouri ranks third on the list of worst places to live in America

3. St. Louis, Missouri

Population: 311,404

Median home value: $125,800

Poverty rate: 23.8 percent

Population with at least a bachelors degree: 34.1 percent

St. Louis came in third nationwide for worst places to live, with violent crime being a major factor in the city's ranking.

The city had 1,932 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents in 2016, the third-highest of any city in the country - and five times the national crime rate.

The city is also very poor, with nearly 24 percent of residents living below the poverty line.

St. Louis is also seeing a major decline in its population, with a decrease of 11.2 percent over the past decade.

Las Vegas comes in fourth place on the list of worst places to live in America

4. Las Vegas, Nevada

Population: 632,916

Median home value: $228,300

Poverty rate: 15.6 percent

Population with at least a bachelors degree: 23.0 percent

With 2,136 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents, Las Vegas is the most dangerous city in the U.S. - a major indicator that placed the city in fourth on the list of worst places to live in America.

Another major factor for Sin City's ranking was property crimes - including larceny, burglary and motor vehicle theft. The city had 7,268 property crimes for every 100,000 residents in 2016.

If Las Vegas had lower crime rates, other factors would likely elevate the city off of the list of worst places to live.

A new study ranks Memphis the fifth-worst place to live in America

5. Memphis, Tennessee

Population: 652,752

Median home value: $96,800

Poverty rate: 26.9 percent

Population with at least a bachelors degree: 25.6 percent

Quality of life in Memphis is dramatically impacted by high poverty levels and crime rates, all elements that placed this city fifth on the list of worst cities in America.

Nearly 27 percent of residents are living below the poverty line - more than in any other city in the state.

Memphis also has a crime problem, with 1,830 violent crimes in the city for every 100,000 residents in 2016 - nearly five times the U.S. violent crime rate.

Cleveland, Ohio is the sixth-worst place to live in America, according to new study

6. Cleveland, Ohio

Population: 385,810

Median home value: $66,800

Poverty rate: 35.0%

Population with at least a bachelors degree: 16.3 percent

Cleveland's mix of poverty, crime and unemployment helped land the city in sixth place on the list of worst places to live in America.

The city has a poverty rate of 35 percent - more than double the national rate. And the city's unemployment rate of nearly 7 percent contributes to that problem, with the second-highest unemployment rate of any city in the state.

Cleveland is also losing its population, with a decline of 2.4 percent in the last decade.

Violent crime is another problem, with 1,633 reported in the city for every 100,000 residents in 2016.

Wilmington, Delaware ranks seventh on the list of worst places to live in America

7. Wilmington, Delaware

Population: 71,455

Median home value: $145,600

Poverty rate: 27.7 percent

Population with at least a bachelors degree: 25.6 percent

Delaware's low income levels, coupled with a high cost of living contributed to the city place seventh on the list of America's worst cities to live in.

The average household earns just $36,435 a year  significantly below the median income of $57,617 nationwide. In addition, nearly 28 percent of the city lives below the poverty line, nearly double the national rate.

Despite that, the cost of living in Wilmington is about 17 percent more expensive than the the national average.

Crime is a factor, too: Wilmington had 1,798 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents in 2016.

Albany, Georgia ranks eighth on the list of worst places to live in America

8. Albany, Georgia

Population: 74,904

Median home value: $88,800

Poverty rate: 32.5 percent

Population with at least a bachelors degree: 20.1 percent

Albany, Georgia is losing residents faster than most other cities on this list - its population declined nearly 5 percent over the past five years.

The hoards of people moving away is likely due, in part, to the limited economic opportunities in the region.

Nearly a third (32.5 percent) live in poverty, and 7 percent of workers are unemployed - one of the highest rates of any city in Georgia.

Springfield, Missouri ranks 9th place on the list of worst places to live in America

9. Springfield, Missouri

Population: 167,313

Median home value: $115,900

Poverty rate: 24.6 percent

Population with at least a bachelors degree: 25.7 percent

Springfield is a dangerous city, with violent crime a key factor placing it in ninth place on the list of worst places to live.

The city had 1,345 violent crimes for every 100,000 city residents in 2016, more than triple the nationwide rate. Springfield residents are also plagued by property crimes, with 8,518 for every 100,000 people in 2016, the third highest property crime rate in the country.

Solidifying Springfield's place on the list is the fact that one in every four residents live below the poverty line - more than any other city in the state of Missouri.

Baltimore ranks 10th place on the list of worst places to live in America

10. Baltimore, Maryland

Population: 614,664

Median home value: $153,500

Poverty rate: 21.9 percent

Population with at least a bachelors degree: 30.8 percent

Poverty coupled with cost of living helped land Baltimore on the list of worst places to live in America.

The city has a median household income of $47,350, and Baltimore residents pay 12 percent more for goods and services than the nationwide average.

Baltimore is also home to some of the most congested roadways in the country, contributing to a diminished quality of life. The average commute is more than 30 minutes, longer than in most other parts of the country.Triple axe murderer Henri van Breda smiled in court as he waited to learn his fate after killing his family in South Africa

Triple axe murderer Henri van Breda smiled in court as he waited to learn his fate after being found guilty of hacking his parents and brother to death.

The former Perth student, whose sister was the sole survivor of the frenzied attack, appeared nonchalant as he fronted the High Court in Cape Town on Tuesday.

His sentencing was postponed until Thursday, with South African Judge Siraj Desai considering showing the 23-year-old some mercy, despite his heinous crimes.

The judge said he was searching for some 'human factor' that diminishes, to some degree, the gruesome nature of the attacks by van Breda, who in 2015 murdered his wealthy family at their estate in Stellenbosch, a scenic town in a wine-growing area.

The former Perth student appeared nonchalant as he fronted the High Court in Cape Town on Tuesday

Pictured: Martin Van Breda, right, wife Teresa, and eldest son Rudi, centre, and Marli, left

'There must be something, or the only inference is that he acted in total wickedness,' said Desai, who appealed to defence lawyer Pieter Botha 'to put before me some reason for these attacks.'

The judge even asked Botha if he wanted a court adjournment to discuss the matter with van Breda, but the lawyer said his client maintains his innocence and therefore can't express remorse for the crime.

The defence also noted in the Western Cape High Court that van Breda was a young man and a first-time offender.

'I cannot take it any further,' Botha said.

Van Breda is pictured in court on Tuesday. He sentencing was postponed until June 7

Marli van Breda survived a severed jugular but was unable to testify against her brother due to memory loss

Desai said van Breda's youth was not a strong factor in any argument for leniency in sentencing, and that his parole chances when he reaches his 40s could be affected by whether he gets more than one life sentence.

The grisly murders attracted international attention, including in Australia, where the van Breda family lived for some years.

Van Breda was also convicted of the attempted murder of his sister at the time of the attacks.

She suffered severe head injuries. The court said van Breda inflicted injuries on himself to try to mislead police. He was also convicted of obstructing justice.

Henri van Breda is seen arriving at the Western Cape High Court, in Cape Town on June 5

Van Breda walks towards the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday, when his sentencing was postponed until June 7

Van Breda had claimed a masked intruder killed his 21-year-old brother Rudi and parents Martin, 54, and Teresa, 55, and butchered his sister Marli. Van Breda claimed he fell unconscious and survived.

Van Breda showed little emotion as the verdict was delivered last month, saying only 'I do' to confirm that he understood he was being held in custody until sentencing.

He was handcuffed from behind and tried to say a few words to his sobbing girlfriend before he was led into the basement of the court from the dock.

Van Breda claimed his brother Rudi, 21, and parents Martin, 54, and Teresa, 55, were killed by a masked intruder with an axe, who also wounded his sister Marli, then aged 15

Last week, the convicted triple murderer was attacked by five inmates while making his way back to the hospital section of the Cape Town jail.

Another prisoner ripped a metal condom dispenser from a wall and used it as a weapon to fend off Van Breda's attackers.

'Henri said [his attack] was a terrifying, horrible experience,' said Van Breda's attorney Lorinda van Niekerk after visiting the murderer on Friday morning.

Van Breda was also convicted of the attempted murder of his sister at the time of the attacks

The grisly murders attracted international attention, including in Australia, where the van Breda family lived for some years

'But he is coping well after being counselled by nursing staff.'

Pollsmoor Prison, located 22km outside of Cape Town, is notorious for overcrowding, poor health conditions, gang violence and rape.

Conditions there were recently described as 'profoundly disturbing' by a constitutional judge.

Van Breda and his girlfriend Ms van Rensberg, who supported the killer throughout the murder trial

Van Breda showed little emotion as the verdict was delivered last month, saying only 'I do' to confirm that he understood he was being held in custody until sentencingFollowing an anonymous tip, police rescued a kidnapped 7-month-old girl and arrested her father at a mobile home in North Carolina, nearly two days after he took the infant from her mother at knifepoint in Virginia, authorities said Tuesday.

A sheriff's deputy entered the mobile home and 'immediately grabbed her up and shielded her with great care,' Randolph County Sheriff Robert Graves told reporters hours later.

Emma Grace Kennedy 'had a great smile on her face and appeared to be in good shape and certainly a great smile on our deputy's face as well,' Graves said.

Her father, 51-year-old Carl Kennedy, was arrested and his four-door Suzuki vehicle, was seized after a two-day manhunt.

Emma Grace Kennedy is seen holding her pacifier as she is being held by Randolph County Sheriff Deputy Jimmy Butler on Tuesday in Randleman, North Carolina

Her father, 51-year-old Karl Kennedy, was arrested and his four-door Suzuki vehicle, was taken in

Her mother, Krysten Murphy, has been made aware that her daughter has been found.

The FBI, the Secret Service and the Randolph County Sheriff's Office were involved in the search.

Police had issued Amber Alerts in Virginia and North Carolina, which led police to various potential sightings of Kennedy driving through the states.

An update from police on Monday night said Kennedy could have been heading to Oak Island on the North Carolina coast.

Police said the baby was in extreme danger with Kennedy.

Carl Kennedy (right) allegedly kidnapped his daughter Emma (left) from her mother at a gas station in Danville, Virginia, armed with a knife

Emma's mother, Krysten Murphy (together) described her three-year relationship with Carl as abusive but would not call police out of fear for her family

Surveillance footage shows the moment a North Carolina man kidnapped the baby on Sunday

Carl did not have custody of Emma.

Authorities said he is registered as a sex offender in Asheboro, North Carolina.

An Amber Alert in Virginia was issued at 3am Monday morning, following the Sunday night kidnapping.

According to the alert, Carl was allegedly armed with a knife when he assaulted the infant's mother at a Kwik Stop in Danville and took the girl around 7.55pm.

Carl was already out of jail on a $250,000 bond for drug distribution, and was supposed to appear in court on those charges this week, according to WFMYNews2.

Emma's mother says she was with Carl for three years, and the relationship was abusive, but she never called the police on him, because she feared for the safety of her family.

Above is the type of car that Kennedy was believed to be driving at the time, as well as a possible license plate numberBoris Johnson was effectively gagged by Theresa May over Heathrow last night as No 10 insisted Tory rebels would not be allowed to campaign against a third runway.

After the long-delayed airport expansion finally received Government approval, the Prime Minister took a hard line with ministers who have opposed the project.

Those with long-standing views will need to seek permission from No10 in advance even to comment to their local paper, officials said. Downing Street also confirmed it would impose a three-line whip on a vote on the plans, meaning any ministers who want to vote against will be forced to resign.

An artist's impression of how Heathrow Airport would look with the third runway added

The Prime Minister said the huge project at Heathrow (pictured) was part of the overhaul needed to ensure the UK can 'thrive' outside the EU

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced the Heathrow plans had been approved in a statement to MPs today. Former education secretary Justine Greening claimed a promise had been made of a free vote and said Mr Johnson should be allowed to 'represent his community'

Both the Foreign Secretary and Greg Hands, the International Trade minister, are expected to be absent from the vote on overseas trips to spare their blushes.

In the Commons, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling confirmed the third runway project had at last been given the green light. MPs will vote on the plans within three weeks.

The runway is expected to cost 14billion and be running by 2026. It will deliver at least 260,000 extra flights a year, giving Heathrow the capacity for dozens of new routes to trade hubs and tourist destinations.

Mr Grayling confirmed there would be a six-and-a-half-hour period at night when flights would be banned, to protect residents living in the flight path. Up to 2.6billion will be spent by the airport on compensation for residents, noise insulation and improvements to the local area, he said.

He argued that the runway would provide an estimated 74billion boost to the economy over 60 years and better connect the UK to the world with an extra 16million long-haul seats available by 2040. It will also provide more flights to regional airports.

Mr Grayling (pictured left) and Boris Johnson (right) were among those at the Cabinet meeting this morning

Mrs May hailed the decision, which is backed by business leaders, as a boost for Brexit Britain. She said: [It] demonstrates this Governments commitment to deliver the jobs and major infrastructure that this country needs to thrive as we leave the EU. This new runway will give us the tools to ensure that the UK remains one of the best-connected and most outward-looking countries in the world.

Mr Grayling said: The time for action is now. Heathrow is already full and the evidence shows the remaining London airports wont be far behind.

The decision was approved yesterday morning by a Cabinet sub-committee, but at a later meeting of the full Cabinet, Mr Johnson apparently restated his opposition.

Supporters say the Heathrow plans (pictured) are the best and most cost-effective option to increase capacity and boost the national economy. But critics say the plans are 'expensive and complex' and bad for the environment

The plans for expanding Heathrow Airport have been in development for more than a decade

On the question of whether the Uxbridge MP  and former Mayor of London  would be allowed to speak out, Mrs Mays official spokesman said: No minister will be permitted to campaign actively against the Government position, nor publicly criticise or call into question the decision-making process itself. Ministers will not be permitted to speak against the Government in the House.

Several backbench Tories have indicated their intention to vote against expansion. Former Cabinet minister Justine Greening said: Its a really bad proposal for the British economy which will create the most uncompetitive airport in the world as our hub airport.

Jacob Rees-Mogg backed an alternative plan to extend the second runway, saying it would be cheaper.

One option for the Heathrow development would see the runway built over a widened M25 (computer generated image)

However, despite the opposition, the vote is likely to sail through the Commons as Labour is split.

The project has wide support among its MPs in the North and Midlands and is backed by the unions, although Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, said he was implacably opposed to a costly, environmental and social disaster that will never be built.

Heathrow hopes to begin construction in 2021. But the project will inevitably face legal challenges from residents, environmental groups and local councils. A key concern is the M25, which the new runway will cross, with one plan to create a road tunnel and another to give the runway a slight gradient.A judge ordered President Donald Trump to sit for a seven-hour deposition by Jan. 31, 2019, in a defamation case brought by former 'Apprentice' contestant Summer Zervos.

Trump's legal team moved quickly to keep the deposition from becoming part of a wider inquiry on any allegations against the president.

Trump attorney Marc Kasowitz said he would try to block Zervos from asking the president questions about other women who have alleged they were harassed or sexually assaulted by the president.

Trump's legal team had tried to get Zervos' defamation lawsuit dismissed or delayed until after his presidency.

A judge ordered President Donald Trump to sit for a seven-hour deposition by Jan. 31, 2019, in a defamation case

Former 'Apprentice' contestant Summer Zervos accused Donald Trump of rubbing his genitals against her, which he said was fiction and she then sued for defamation

Summer Zervos is seen above on The Apprentice in 2006

During the 2016 election, Zervos accused Trump of rubbing his genitals against her in an incident at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 2007.

He called her allegations 'fiction' and she sued him for defamation.

Zervos' lawyer, Mariann Wang, indicated she was interested in obtaining information from other women who have accused the president of inappropriate conduct.

Lawyers for each side were in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday to set deadlines for the case, which included depositions for Trump and Zervos.

After neither side could agree, the judge set a schedule.

Each side has until July 13 to make demand for documents and has to respond to such demands by October. They're due back in court in September and the case is scheduled for trial sometime after June 7, 2019.

The deposition could last up to seven hours.

The president's lawyers reminded the judge that Trump is a busy man with many demands on his time.

'We will do our best to abide by those dates and deadlines,' Kasowitz said, adding that 'there are significant attendant duties that the president must perform,' so he may need to ask for adjournments.

Earlier the judge denied Kasowitz's request to delay the case until the U.S. Supreme Court can determine whether the president is immune from state civil lawsuits while he is in office.

Zervos, a California restaurateur, appeared in 2006 on Trump's former reality show, 'The Apprentice.' She says he subjected her to unwanted kissing and groping when she sought career advice in 2007.

She was among more than a dozen women who came forward late in the 2016 presidential campaign to say that Trump had sexually harassed or assaulted them.

He denied all the claims, saying they were '100 percent fabricated' and 'totally false' and his accusers were 'liars.' He specifically contested Zervos' allegations in a statement and retweeted a message that included her photo and described her claims as a 'hoax.'

Zervos says his words hurt her reputation, harmed her business and led to threats against her. She is seeking a retraction, an apology and compensatory and punitive damages.

Trump's attorneys have said his statements were true, and also that his remarks were 'non-defamatory opinions' that came amid the heated public debate of a national political campaign.

Besides the campaign records, Zervos' lawyers have subpoenaed other information including any 'Apprentice' material that features Trump talking about Zervos or discussing other female contestants in a sexual or inappropriate way.

Trump's lawyers, meanwhile, are seeking a court order to keep some documents and information private. The details are yet to be worked out.

Such confidentiality agreements, meant to facilitate the exchange of information between opposing sides, aren't uncommon. Wang said Trump's lawyers initially signaled they wanted to seal a swath of filings in the case, but Kasowitz said Tuesday they would narrow their request.

But Kasowitz said they are mindful of media interest and might seek additional protections if it 'intrudes on the interests and rights of the litigants or looks like it would impair the ability to have a fair trial.'The identification of a mummified body has brought an end to a ten-year mystery for a grieving family.

Just moments after watching a news report about the grisly discovery of a rotting body in a Sydney hoarder home, Tracy Trudgitt heard a knock at the door.

A homicide squad detective then told Ms Trudgitt the body had been identified as her long-lost big brother, Shane John Snellman.

The identification of a mummified body has brought an end to a ten-year mystery for a grieving family (pictured is Shane John Snellman)

Just moments after watching a news report about the grisly discovery of a rotting body in a Sydney hoarder home (pictured), Tracy Trudgitt heard a knock at the door

A homicide squad detective then told Ms Trudgitt the body had been identified as her long-lost big brother, Shane John Snellman (pictured are police at the scene of the discovery)

When she was told her brother had died, Ms Trudgitt reacted with horror, and remembered thinking the body must have been somebody's husband or brother.

'I screamed and just fell to the floor. I'm still in shock. I can't believe this has happened,' Ms Trudgitt told The Australian.

She had last seen her brother on a visit to jail ten years earlier, but said he had 'never been forgotten'.

Mr Snellman, would who have been 55 had he lived, is believed to have suffered a fatal gunshot wound about six years ago.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Snellman suffered 'numerous injuries' and significant trauma.

He was known to police for a number of crimes, and had convictions for drug supply firearms possession, theft, larceny, break and enter and malicious injury.

The body was on Tuesday named as Shane John Snellman, 30, who was known to police for multiple crimes

A gun and an old Nokia mobile phone may unravel the mystery of how a mummified body was left rotting inside a house for more than 10 years

No missing persons report was lodged with authorities, New South Wales Police said on Tuesday.

Mr Snellman's father John described his son as a 'good boy' with a rebellious streak which often led to trouble with the police.

'He would work at different stages and we had him with us for a while but then he would get the wanders and away he would go,' Mr Snellman said.

About 15 years ago Mr Snellman searched jails for his son after he went missing but was unable to find him.

Unbeknownst to his family, Shane Snellman wound up dead in the run down home of reclusive hoarder Bruce Roberts on Greendale Street, Greenwich, on Sydney's lower north shore.

A mobile phone, believed to be an older model Nokia, will also be examined for clues to Mr Snellman's fate

A gun was recovered from the property during the search and is being tested by forensic experts, AAP understands.

A mobile phone, believed to be an older model Nokia, will also be examined for clues to Mr Snellman's fate.

Mr Roberts died of natural causes in the home in July 2017 and his body was discovered shortly after local shop attendants realised he had stopped going on grocery runs.

The piles of rubbish and junk which fill the home apparently meant Mr Roberts' body was removed without anyone noticing Mr Snellman's corpse in the living room.

The piles of rubbish and junk which fill the home apparently meant Mr Roberts' body was removed without anyone noticing Mr Snellman's corpse in the living room

The executor of Mr Robert's estate sent cleaners to the run-down home last Tuesday where they discovered the partly-skeletal remains under a pile of debris.

Mr Roberts was reportedly a familiar sight pacing about the leafy suburb.

While he would quietly exchange pleasantries with neighbours and passers-by, he has been described as a 'loner' and 'child-like' while police confirmed he had mental health issues.

It now seems investigators are being forced to consider whether Mr Roberts was living for years alongside Mr Snellman's body.Fire chiefs defended their controversial stay-put advice yesterday, claiming it would have saved lives before flammable cladding was installed at Grenfell Tower.

The London Fire Brigade said the Grenfell Tower Inquiry should consider whether immediate evacuation was feasible given the tower had only one staircase, no fire alarm and no system for giving an evacuation alert.

The speed and spread of the fire posed an unprecedented set of challenges never seen by modern firefighters, it said.

The 700 firefighters tackling the blaze were likely to have faced difficult choices about whether to advise residents to stay in their flats with relatively clean air or urge them to escape via hazardous and toxic conditions, the brigade added.

According to the fire brigade, the policy was not abandoned until 2.47am - two hours after the blaze started

The stay-put advice would have been fine if the fire-proof cladding had not allowed the blaze to spread

On the night of the inferno, terrified residents were instructed to stay in their flats by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) even as flames spread to the top of the 24-storey building in just 12 minutes.

Fire safety expert Dr Barbara Lane said the advice was already questionable within 21 minutes of the first 999 call at 12.54am. By 1.26am it was redundant as the inferno raged out of control.

Despite this, the policy was not formally abandoned until 2.47am  almost two hours after the fire started.

In a statement to the inquiry, the LFB said: There are numerous examples... of rapidly changing conditions within the building, by which smoke, toxicity and visibility radically changed... sometimes in seconds. Advice to residents... involve assessments of risk which are not straightforward.

It said advising whether to stay or go involved substantial risk either way.

Stay-put advice was suitable for Grenfell Tower when it was originally built in the Seventies because a fire would have been contained in one flat.

But flammable cladding added to the building during a refurbishment in 2016 allowed the fire to spread at an alarming rate.

Fire and rescue workers at a one minute silence by Grenfell Tower in West London after the tragedy

The LFB added: What is less clear is the extent to which maintenance programmes and refurbishments have undermined the integrity of the original design and construction principles from a fire safety perspective.

However, critics say the delay in switching to an evacuation plan could have cost lives.

Last month, the LFB suspended the stay-put policy for buildings with flammable cladding.

Lawyers for the bereaved told the inquiry that advice given to residents by 999 operators was confusing, dangerous and too often fatal. Even firefighters themselves emphatically queried the logic of maintaining the stay-put advice for almost two hours after the start of the blaze. The decision to maintain the policy was criticised in some of 250 statements taken from crews.

Survivor Marcio Gomes said delays in getting his family to safety cost the life of his unborn child. Danny Friedman QC, representing almost 300 survivors and relatives, said: This was not a fire to tell people to stay put in.

The response failed to realise quickly enough that this was a fire that could not be fought and required an evacuation that could not be delayed.

He said the LFB then sent too many firemen and equipment inside the towers narrow stairwell  the only escape route  meaning it became impassable.

Mr Friedman said firefighters statements revealed a lack of experience or training for a fire of such magnitude and significant communication problems that amounted to systemic failure. Mr Gomes said in a statement that his wife Andreia was seven months pregnant when the family was trapped on the 21st floor.

Their babys heart stopped and he was stillborn that night.

Flammable cladding added to the building during a refurbishment in 2016 allowed the fire to spread at an alarming rate

He added: I have nothing but praise for the firefighters who rushed into that tower and risked their lives to save people like us.

However, those in charge are a different issue for me. Someone was clearly telling fire brigade operators to tell us firefighters were coming to rescue us. The delay in telling us to evacuate nearly killed us and did kill my baby son. I have no doubt of that.

Kensington and Chelsea council, which owned the tower, was warned by London Fire Brigade two months before the inferno that the new cladding might not meet building regulations.

But Mr Friedman said the council did not change its fire safety policy or recognise any risk posed by cladding.

The LFB issued the warning to all London councils about the risks of external cladding following a fire at a high-rise in 2016.

The LFB urged them to review the use of cladding and take action to mitigate the fire risk.

Mr Friedman said: That warning stands as eerily prophetic, but appears to have gone unheeded.Passengers could face higher fares to help cover the costs of expanding Heathrow, officials have admitted.

In documents published yesterday, the Government also confirmed that holidaymakers who drive to the airport could be hit with a congestion charge in an effort to curb pollution.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling insisted yesterday that Heathrows expansion will be privately funded, but critics fear the airport will raise the amount it charges airlines for landing slots to help fund the project  with costs then passed on to passengers in the form of higher fares.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced the Heathrow plans had been approved in a statement to MPs yesterday

Mr Grayling repeated his 2016 commitment to keep charges close to current levels, while Heathrow has vowed to oblige.

But documents published by the Government have fuelled concerns that passengers could still end up being hit. Following pressure from the Commons transport committee, the Department for Transport said the Civil Aviation Authority could not be bound by any cap on charges.

And the documents also claim that the introduction of a congestion or access charge for road vehicles should be considered.

IAG, which owns British Airways, said the Government had missed an opportunity to provide the UK with the airport it needs at a price it can afford.Images of the home where the bodies of three women were found after they were killed by a suspected serial killer surfaced for the first time on Tuesday.

The photos show the interior and backyard of a home in Springfield, Massachusetts before it was purchased by the mother of Stewart Weldon.

Weldon, 40, was arrested by police for kidnapping but has not been charged in connection with the deaths of three women whose bodies were found on the property.

The photos of the interior were provided by the realtor site Zillow.

The exterior of the home at 1333 Page Blvd. in Springfield from 2016 before Stewart Weldon's mother purchased it

The lawn and landscaping at the home on Page Boulevard was pristine in this 2016 photo. Investigators remained at the home June 4 where they dug rectangular holes in the overgrown yard

Police discovered three corpses 'in and around' the home. This is a photo from 2016 before Weldon's family owned the home

A photo of the backyard is seen in the image above. It has been reported that the backyard has been dug up in a search for evidence

One of the home's three bedrooms is seen in the image above

The photo above shows the main living room as it appeared before Weldon moved in

The home's kitchen is seen in the image above. Weldon's mother, Constance White, purchased the home in May 2016 for $125,000

The images on the left and right show the inside of a bathroom at the property

The images above show the kitchen inside the home in Springfield, Massachusetts

The above room appears well furnished and the walls are painted purple

The value of the property jumped considerably in just a span of three years. In 2012, the estimated value of the home was $70,000

Another of the three bedrooms in the home is seen above. Rental would have cost a tenant approximately $1,300 a month, according to Zillow

The distraught relatives of three women whose bodies were found at the Springfield 'serial killer's' house of horrors last week spoke out to tell of their shock and grief.

America Lyden, 33, Kayla Escalante, 27, and Ernestine Ryans, 47, were identified on Monday as the women whose bodies had been discovered on May 30 and May 31 at Weldon's home in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Ryans had been missing since March, Lyden since December and Escalante is believed to have gone missing around the same time.

America Lyden (left) was reported missing in December, the same month Weldon was released. Kayla Escalante (right) also disappeared around the same time. Both were found dead on his property on May 30 and 31

Weldon was arrested on May 27 after being found with a woman in his car who claimed he'd kidnapped her. She had been stabbed in the stomach and told police she thought she was going to die.

Ernestine Ryans, 47, was the third woman found dead. She had been missing since March

On Tuesday, as prosecutors continued to build their case against him (he has been charged with two counts of kidnapping but is not yet facing charges in relation to the bodies), the victims' families urged authorities to take harsh and swift action.

'She didnt deserve for her life to end in the manner in which it did.

'And thats the hardest part for us that she died alone and we couldnt be there to help,' Ernestine's brother Anthony told NBC Connecticut on Tuesday.

Escalante filed a police report in December but that is thought to be the last record of her being alive.

The 27-year-old was a mother-of-one.

America Lyden, who also went by America Canales, was reported missing by her family in December but she had not been seen by them since last June.

Police are pictured searching the man's home on May 31. Weldon was already in custody after being pulled over for a broken taillight. He had a woman in the car who said she was his hostage

Flowers and candles are left with a message, "I love you Yakla" on Page Boulevard outside the home

Diamond Matos Canales, left, Marco Martinez, center, stand as a neighbor offers her condolences to the sibilings and their mother, Mardeli Canales, sitting, sister of America Lyden Canales, one of Weldon's victims

Marco Martinez, nephew of America Lyden Canales, one of Weldon's victims, stands near his mother and sister of America, Mardeli Canales, near the home in which her body was found

On Monday, her cousin paid tribute to her saying: 'America was loved by her family very much, very deeply, unconditionally.'

Weldon was arrested in October last year after taking on nine cops who saw him beating a woman in the street. In December, he was released on bail. He is pictured in his May 27 mugshot

Her sister Mari said the discovery of her body was a devastating end to months of searching for her.

'This is clearly not the outcome many of us had hoped and prayed for.

'As most of you know, America had been missing for many months.

'Friends and family along with Springfield police had been searching for her since last December,' she said.

She later told The Republican that her sister was 'sweet' and was a mother to two daughters.

'My sister was a good human being.

'She was just going through her struggles,' she said.

She told how they had last spoken a year ago and that her sister was known to go offgrid at times.

Escalante's family has not yet spoken out.Grenfell Tower was turned into a death trap by firms that now refuse to admit responsibility, the inquiry heard.

Lawyers for hundreds of bereaved families and survivors criticised inhumane companies that offered meaningless condolences but stayed silent when asked to explain how the fire spread so fast.

They accused bosses of putting lives at risk by failing to provide answers that could prevent other tower block fires, and of trying to derail the independent inquiry.

Cost-cutting during a 9million refurbishment meant fire-proof cladding was replaced by a type costing 300,000 less that caught light more quickly than dropping a match into a barrel of petrol, they said.

Companies are accused of cutting corners and producing 'shoddy' refurbishment work to the building

A total of 71 people died as the fire ripped through the multi-storey tower block near Latimer Road last year

Residents fears about shoddy work were ignored and whistleblowers were fobbed off. The inquiry was urged to pursue firms that carried out the refurbishment and not let them blame firefighters. Stephanie Barwise QC said there was evidence of failures at every level of design and construction.

She claimed the firms have no desire to assist this inquiry, even though their participation could save lives in future, adding: It is inhumane to remain silent when so many seek understanding and answers.

The inquiry has warned the firms it will not tolerate a merry-go-round of buck-passing. Several refused to comment until they had seen all the evidence  which may not be available for months.

Miss Barwise accused them of being disingenuous because they did not want to incriminate themselves.

Police investigating the fire said they would consider possible criminal charges, including corporate manslaughter.

Expert reports identified cladding installed on the building as the main reason the flames shot up the side of the tower.

Protestors gathered outside the Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall in the wake of the tragedy

But the cladding supplier, Arconic, said it should have been obvious to construction bosses that its panels would burn.

In a statement, it said its panels were at most a contributing feature to the fire, adding: The panels did not render inevitable the catastrophe which ensued. The main contractor, Rydon, said critical decisions were taken before it became involved in the refurbishment. It said Kensington and Chelsea council, which owned Grenfell, closely supervised and inspected the entire project and signed it off.

The original refurbishment plan specified fire-resistant cladding but it was replaced by the combustible cladding after the council asked Rydon to give cheaper options.

A lawyer for another group of Grenfell victims, Sam Stein QC, said building regulations had become a cosy industry cabal.A child suffering from cancer has pleaded on national television in China for his mother's return after she left him mid-treatment.

10-year-old Chengcheng has not been able to reach his mother after she went missing a month ago and took all the donations intended for his treatment with her.

The total amount of the funds amounted to 220,000 yuan (25,690), according to Beijing Youth Daily.

10-year-old Chengcheng from China has not been able to reach his mother after she went missing a month ago and took all the donations intended for his treatment with her

Little boy holds up a handwritten piece of note with the words 'Mum, please come back soon'

The boy sent the plea through a TV report last week as he said: 'Mum, please come back!'

He then added: 'If my mum comes back, I won't blame her.'

Chengcheng was diagnosed last November with acute lymphocytic leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

'He was coughing very badly and had trouble breathing when he was admitted to intensive care unit,' said Dr Qu Lijuan, a specialist at Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital in east China.

His condition improved greatly after undergoing seven treatments of combination chemotherapy in six months.

'Right now, he is in a very stable condition,' Dr Qu said.

With his parents separated, Chengcheng's mother is the only person that has been taking care of him.

'I have never seen his mother rest, she had been such a good caretaker for the little boy,' Dr Qu said.

The family was able to raise 60,000 yuan (7,033) through a charity for Chengcheng's medical expenses.

His school also donated 130,000 yuan (15,239) to the family and they also received 30,000 yuan (3,516) from the Civil Affairs Bureau.

The funds were kept by the boy's mother.

Chengcheng's mother had been the only person taking care of her son before she disappeared

Doctors said Chengcheng is in stable condition but remains very upset over his missing mum

Dr Qu Lijuan at Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital said Chengcheng was coughing very badly and had trouble breathing when he was admitted to intensive care unit at the hospital

However, about a month ago in late April, she asked Chengcheng's uncle, Zhou Bin, to take care of him for a few days as she had injured her hand.

Mr Zhou agreed to help out and took the boy to Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital for a check-up, and when he contacted his mother for the funds to pay the medical bill, he could not reach her.

Chengcheng also tried texting and calling his mother, but she was nowhere to be found.

Left without a choice, Mr Zhou finally reported her missing on May 10.

Ms Wang, one of Chengcheng's teachers, said she did not believe his mother bailed on him.

'I tried calling his mum and she picked up my phone call,' Ms Wang said. 'She told me it was all a misunderstanding and that she is with Chengcheng now.'

She later realised that the mother never returned to her son and could not reach her again.

Chengcheng's uncle Zhou Bin agreed to take him to Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital for a check-up, and when he contacted his mother for the medical funds, he could not reach her

Mr Zhou says he owes the hospital about 900 yuan (105) and does not have anymore money

Video footage of the heart-breaking incident released by Kan Kan News shows a frail Chengcheng wearing a mask and begging for his mother to return.

'Mummy, if you're seeing this on television, please come back,' he pleaded.

'Don't leave me here,' he said.

He was filmed holding up a handwritten piece of paper with the words: 'Mum, please come back soon.'

Chengcheng remains under the care of Mr Zhou, who said that he had spent more than 20,000 yuan (2,336) on his medical treatment, according to the report.

He owes the hospital about 900 yuan (105) and does not have anymore money.

Right now, Chengcheng said his biggest wish is for his mother to come back.Advertisement

It's every parent's wish to see their children excel in life, and for millions of students in China, it all comes down to this one particular exam.

Starting Thursday, nearly 10 million Chinese students will take the annual national college entrance exam, a gruelling test known as gaokao - 'the high test'.

Thousands of concerned parents crowded the streets of Maotanchang town in east China to wish their children luck in a massive send-off ceremony on Tuesday.

Residents and parents crowd the streets to send students off for the annual national college entrance exam in east China

Bus is marked 'Maotanchang Middle School gaokao bus'. A total of 11 buses are carrying 15,000 students to the exam centres

An enthusiastic father holds up a banner that reads 'Get No. 1' to wish his child success in the upcoming exams

Video footage of the exuberant send-off shows thousands of high-spirited parents cramming the streets near the entrance of Maotanchang Middle School in Anhui Province.

'Good luck! Good luck! Good luck to all children!' They chanted while waving mini red flags with the words 'wishing all students success in gaokao'.

One enthusiastic parent was seen holding up a large red banner with a couplet written in Chinese calligraphy to wish his child the very best.

'My child will sit in the gaokao tomorrow,' he said. 'I hope that he will be No.1 in his class!'

Led by a police escort, 11 buses carrying 15,000 students from 127 classes then departed the town for the city's exam centre in Liu'an, according to GB Times.

A team of policemen is dispatched to ensure the safety of the parents and local residents in the massive send-off

Thousands of high-spirited parents cram the streets near the entrance of Maotanchang Middle School in Anhui province

Students are sent off to attend their college entrance test for two days in a bid to get into top universities in the country

Some Chinese students spend hours studying for the test with some revising up to 16 hours a day in extreme cases

Parents are seen waving mini red flags with the words 'wishing all students success in gaokao' during the send-off

In the country, the gaokao is widely considered to be one of the most significant tests in a young person's life, if not the most important. It is often dubbed the 'world's hardest exam' in the media.

The results of the exam dictates which university each high school graduate would attend, making it an 'all or nothing' challenge for many families.

The notoriously competitive exam lasts for nine hours over the course of two days in most of the provinces and incorporates mathematics, science, English, physics, chemistry, geography, history and Chinese.

Some other provinces including Xinjiang, Hainan and Zhejiang host the exams over a span of three days.

A total of 9.8 million students are expected to take the gaokao this year, 350,000 more than last year, according to China's Education Ministry.

Pupils would often spend hours studying for the test with some revising for 16 hours a day without a break in extreme cases.

Maotanchang Middle School (pictured) boasts an unrivalled history in helping students enter top universities in China

Teenagers study as long as 16 hours a day continuously and without a single day off at Maotanchang Middle School (pictured)

The middle school in Maotanchang has been known for its 'cram school' industrial model - that yields results - among Chinese parents.

Many families have moved to the town from across the country and paid up to 48,000 yuan per semester (5,604) in order to get their children a place at the school, a cult institute among success-thirst Chinese parents which boasts an unrivalled history in helping its students enter top universities.

Last June, it had a team of 780 teachers overseeing 200 classes and more than 25,000 students enrolled in the school, according to the report.

Lectures and practice exams are held every day from 6:10 am to 10:50 pm, with only two 30-minute meal breaks and one hour of relaxation time in between.A tanker lorry exploded just feet away from a petrol station after catching fire in a collision with a truck in south-east China on Sunday.

The explosion sent huge plumes of smoke in the air following a loud bang. Police cordoned off the area as firefighters were sent to put out the flames.

The tanker was reported to be empty and not loaded with any chemicals. The incident in Guangdong province did not caused any casualties, according to China News.

A tanker lorry catches fire after crashing into a loaded truck near a petrol station in China

The fire breaks out and the tanker explodes, sending huge plumes of smoke in the air

Mobile phone footage taken by passers-by captured the tanker and the lorry already up in flames after the collision at about 6:32pm.

The large vehicles crashed right outside the petrol station near the G325 Guangnan Highway in Zhanjiang city.

Moments later, the tanker suddenly exploded with a loud bang, spewing black smoke into the air.

It's said that the tanker lorry was meant for transporting ammonia.

Although the tanker was not loaded with the chemical at the time, it's not clear if the smoke would pose any potential harm to the locals.

It's not clear if the smoke would pose any potential harm to the locals after the lorry exploded

Firefighters rush to the scene to put out the fire after sealing off the surrounding areas

The accident didn't cause any injuries, according to Chinese state media China News

The fire department and police were alerted to the scene. They immediately sealed off the road and evacuated people in the petrol station.

The fire was put out and no injuries were reported.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident.Google Lens is now available as a standalone app  allowing anybody the chance to use the all-seeing recognition software for the first time.

Lens uses the smartphone camera to scan and identify real-world objects.

It can recognise species of flower, translate menus in a foreign language, and add phone numbers from physical business cards into the contacts app on a phone.

Until now, the feature was only available on smartphones that had been updated to include support for Lens within the native camera app.

However, Google has now launched a standalone app in the Play Store, enabling anybody with an Android smartphone access to the AI recognition features.

The standalone app has exactly the same functionality as those phones which have Google Lens built directly into the operating system.

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Google Lens can recognise species of dog, translate menus in a foreign language, and add phone numbers from physical business cards into the contacts app on a smartphone

Opening the Lens app for the first time brings up the viewfinder through which Lens can 'see' and identify nearby objects, landmarks and text.

'If you run into something and you want to know what it is, you can point your phone at it,' Google CEO Sundar Pichai explained when he announced Lens last month.

The AI software powering Google Lens is able to recognise different species of dog, and even log onto a Wi-Fi network simply by pointing the phone at the password.

Google Lens also lets smartphone owners copy-and-paste text from the real-world into their handset, allowing them to quickly grab a recipe from a book, or a gift card code.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai first unveiled Google Lens and a slew of new features for Android during the Google I/O keynote address at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View

Another tool called Style Match lets users hold their camera up to store mannequin or clothing item and Google will surface options for similar items to buy online.

'With Google Lens, your smartphone camera won't just see what you see, but will also understand what you see to help you take action,' Google clams.

So far, Google Lens has been included in the native camera app of a number of smartphones, including the Google Pixel and the Pixel 2, Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact, OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 5.

Smartphone manufacturers including LG, Motorola, Xiaomi, Nokia, TCL, and Asus have pledged to integrated Google Lens into their camera apps in future, although they have so far stayed tight-lipped about when the update will materialise.

Until then, any of these smartphones running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or newer can download the standalone Google Lens app.

According to The Verge, some users have experienced compatibility issues with the standalone app, with some models, including Nokia 7 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S8, unable to open Google Lens at all.

MailOnline has reached out to Google for comment, and will update this article with their comments on any issues running Google Lens on certain phone models.

Google Lens is now available as a standalone app, allowing anyone with an Android smartphone to run the AI recognition software for the first time

iPhone owners are also able to access Google Lens, however, this is handled within the Google Photos app rather than a dedicated Lens one.

Unlike on Android devices, Google Lens on the iPhone does not work in real-time.

Instead users will need to open a saved photo inside Google Photos (updated to version 3.15 or higher) and tap on the square Google Lens button at the bottom of the screen to start a scan.

If users have their web and app activity setting switched on, Google says it will store some information from their Google Lens activity.

However, details from these scans can be deleted at any time by heading to the My Activity page in the Google settings hub.

Google first unveiled its Lens technology at its annual developer conference, Google I/O in Mountain View, California last year.Nasa will hold a press conference to reveal its latest findings from Mars this week.

Few details have leaked about the mysterious new announcement, which will be streamed online from 7pm BST (2pm EDT) on Thursday 7 June.

Nasa is staying tight-lipped about what it has discovered on the red planet, but it has confirmed the announcement will feature new science results from Nasa's Mars Curiosity rover.

Curiosity was sent to Mars in August 2012 to to study its climate and geology as well as investigate whether the planet could sustain life or has liquid water.

It is possible the new 'science results' from the rover could relate to Martian life.

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Nasa's Curiosity rover pictured taking a selfie on the Vera Rubin Ridge, which it has been investigating for the past several months. The rover is now 11 miles (18 km) from the original landing site where it touched down in August 2012

Nasa has not announced where the event will be held, but it is likely the agency will host it at its headquarters in Washington, DC.

Given that Curiosity recently started to drill into the Martian surface for the first time in 18 months, it is also possible the announcement relates to something unearthed by the rover.

Curiosity was forced to abandon plans to take samples from the surface of the planet after mechanical issues took its drill offline back in October 2016.

However, Nasa engineers developed a new technique to restore the robotic explorers drilling ability, using its robotic arm to push the drill bit forward as it spins, much like a human might operate a drill.

The new drilling technique, dubbed Feed Extended Drilling (FED), keeps the drill bit extended beyond the stabiliser posts, which were previously used to steady the drill against the rocks.

Engineers developed the technique using an exact duplicate of the Curiosity rover on Earth.

It took almost a year to devise the method, which was successfully used on Mars on 20 May.

Nasa will hold a press conference to reveal new science results from Nasa's Mars Curiosity rover on Thursday 7 June at 7pm BST (2pm EDT)

The new drilling technique is known as Feed Extended Drilling (FED), and keeps the drills bit extended beyond the stabiliser posts that were previously used to steady the drill against the rocks, NASA explains

Ashwin Vasavada, project scientist at Nasas Mars Science Laboratory at JPL  the official title for the Curiosity rover's 1.9 billion ($2.5 billion) mission, is scheduled to take part in the press conference later this week, further fuelling speculation the announcement relates to something uncovered by Curiosity.

Michelle Thaller, assistant director of science for communications in Nasas Planetary Science Division, based at its headquarters in Washington DC, will host the event.

Also on the bill is Paul Mahaffy, Solar System Exploration Division Director at Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Jen Eigenbrode, a research scientist at Goddard.

Curiosity rover was forced to abandon plans to take samples from the surface of the planet after mechanical issues took its drill offline back in October 2016 (CGI Render By Nasa)

Chris Webster, a senior research fellow at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, will also be on the panel on Thursday.

Nasa will live stream the event on its Nasa TV channel, as well as Facebook Live, Twitch TV, Ustream, YouTube and Twitter.

Viewers will be able to put questions to the panel by using the social media hashtag #askNASA.

THE NASA MARS CURIOSITY ROVER LAUNCHED IN 2011 AND HAS IMPROVED OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE RED PLANET The Mars Curiosity rover was initially launched from Cape Canaveral, an American Air Force station in Florida on November 26, 2011. After embarking on a 350 million mile (560 million km) journey, the 1.8 billion ($2.5 billion) research vehicle touched down only 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away from the earmarked landing spot. After a successful landing on August 6th, 2012, the rover has travelled about 11 miles (18 km). It launched on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft and the rover constituted 23 per cent of the mass of the total mission. With 80 kg (180 lb) of scientific instruments on board, the rover weighs a total of 899 kg (1,982 lb) and is powered by a plutonium fuel source. The rover is 2.9 metres (9.5 ft) long by 2.7 metres (8.9 ft) wide by 2.2 metres (7.2 ft) in height. The Mars curiosity rover was initially intended to be a two-year mission to gather information to help answer if the planet could support life, has liquid water, study the climate and the geology of Mars an has since been active for more than 2,000 days The rover was initially intended to be a two-year mission to gather information to help answer if the planet could support life, has liquid water, study the climate and the geology of Mars. Due to its success, the mission has been extended indefinitely and has now been active for over 2,000 days. The rover has several scientific instruments on board, including the mastcam which consists of two cameras and can take high-resolution images and videos in real colour. So far on the journey of the car-sized robot it has encountered an ancient streambed where liquid water used to flow, not long after it also discovered that billions of years ago, a nearby area known as Yellowknife Bay was part of a lake that could have supported microbial life. Advertisement

The Mars Curiosity rover was initially launched from Cape Canaveral, an American Air Force station in Florida, on November 26, 2011.

The rover was initially intended to be a two-year mission to gather information to help answer if the planet could support life or has liquid water, as well as study the climate and the geology of Mars.

However, due to its success, the mission has been extended indefinitely and has now been active for over 2,000 days, sending back thousands of pictures during its lonely mission.

The 1.8 billion ($2.5 billion) rover has since travelled about 11 miles (18 km) on the Martian surface.

Curiosity will be superseded by a new Nasa rover in 2020, which will collect Martian soil in up to 31 pen-sized canisters which will be sent back to Earth for analysis.

The ambitious plan also involves a rover developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) called ExoMars, which is set to reach the red planet in 2021 and will simultaneously drill deep into the surface to look for evidence of life.

ExoMars will be capable of drilling as far down as 6.5 feet (two meters).

The second step of the joint Nasa-ESA mission will launch a fetch rover, which will retrieve the samples from the other rovers.

Then, it would return to its lander and place the samples in a small rocket dubbed a Mars Ascent Vehicle.

EUROPE AND RUSSIA ARE WORKING TOGETHER ON THE EXOMARS MISSION TO SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF MARTIAN LIFE The main goal of ExoMars is to find out if life has ever existed on Mars - it will do this through a series of instruments on the surface and in orbit. This includes an orbiting spacecraft called the Trace Gas ORbiter (TGO) that carries a probe to study trace gasses such as methane around the planet. Scientists believe methane, a chemical that on Earth is strongly tied to life, could help identify areas where life does or could have once existed. The second part of the ExoMars mission, delayed to 2022/2023 due to coronavirus, will deliver a rover to Mars' surface. The rover is being built in Stevenage, UK and is named after British scientist Rosalind Franklin. It will be the first with the ability to both move across the planet's surface and drill into the ground to collect and analyse samples. The rover will include a technology called the Mars Organic Molecule Analyser (MOMA) that will allow it to analyse samples and send data back to Earth. Advertisement

This will launch the container holding the samples to Mars orbit, where it will be collected by a spacecraft  which would require its own separate launch from Earth.

After gathering the samples and loading them to an Earth entry vehicle, the craft would return to Earth with the Martian soil.

The opportunity to analyse Martian soil would provide unprecedented access to the red planets history and its potential to host life.

Previous Mars missions revealed ancient streambeds and the right chemistry that could have supported microbial life on the red planet, said Thomas Zurbuchen, NASAs Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate.

A sample would provide a critical leap forward in our understanding of Mars potential to harbour life.Plummeting demand for fossil fuel and an increase in demand for clean energy could trigger a 'carbon bubble' that researchers say could trigger a global financial crisis.

New research has found that an expected dramatic decline in demand for fossil fuels before 2035 could cause a loss of one to four trillion dollars, and warns it will happen regardless of any new climate policies.

The 'carbon bubble' bursting will cause losses greater than the 2008 financial crisis, and the US and Canada will be hit the hardest, the chilling report warns.

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New research has found that a dramatic decline in demand for fossil fuels before 2035 could cause a loss of one to four trillion dollars, and it will happen regardless of any new climate policies

For comparison, a far smaller loss of $0.25 trillion triggered the crash of 2008.

The carbon bubble exists because technological change in the global power and transportation sectors will lead to a dramatic decline in demand for fossil fuels.

Individual nations cannot avoid the situation by ignoring the Paris Agreement or burying their heads in coal and tar sands

This would leave companies with vast reserves of fossil fuels as stranded assets, abruptly shifting from high to low value.

'Our analysis suggests that, contrary to investor expectations, the stranding of fossil fuels assets may happen even without new climate policies, said Prof Jorge Vinuales, study co-author and founder of Cambridge University's Centre for Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Governance (C-EENRG).

WHAT IS THE CARBON BUBBLE? A sharp slump in fossil fuel price could cause a huge 'carbon bubble' built on long-term investments to burst. The International Energy Agency projected prices rising until 2040, and major governments have been rowing back on the Paris Agreement, creating further investor confidence in fossil fuels. Research has found that advances in energy efficiency and renewable power will cause a dramatic decline in demand for fossil fuels before 2035. The decrease in demand and continued production would wipe $4 trillion US dollars off the global economy. A loss of $0.25 trillion triggered the crash of 2008 by comparison. The dramatic decline in demand would leave companies with vast reserves of fossil fuels as stranded assets, abruptly shifting from high to low value. Advertisement

''Individual nations cannot avoid the situation by ignoring the Paris Agreement or burying their heads in coal and tar sands,' he said.

'For too long, global climate policy has been seen as a prisoner's dilemma game, where some nations can do nothing and get a 'free ride' on the efforts of others. Our results show this is no longer the case.'

The International Energy Agency projected prices rising until 2040, and major governments have been rowing back on the Paris Agreement.

However, the study's findings suggest that a plummet in demand is no longer dependent on government actions or policies around the world.

The demand drop is expected to take place even if major nations do not change climate policies, or reverse previous commitments.

OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, is a group of 14 oil-producing nations whose members account for about 44 percent of the world's production and 73 percent of its proven reserves, giving its leaders enormous power to flood or starve the markets

Technological advances in energy efficiency and renewable power have made clean energy cheaper and more efficient than many fossil fuels.

Japan, China and many EU nations currently rely on high-cost fossil fuel imports to meet energy needs.

Major carbon exporters with relatively high production costs, such as Canada, the United States and Russia, would see domestic fossil fuel industries collapse.

Researchers warn that losses will only be exacerbated if incumbent governments continue to neglect renewable energy in favor of carbon-intensive economies.

The 'carbon bubble' bursting will cause losses greater than the 2008 financial crisis, and the US and Canada will be hit the hardest

The authors say that by 2035, up to $1 trillion dollars could be wiped off the economy if new actions to keep warming to less than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit are taken.

One of the most alarming possibilities found in the study comes with a sudden push for climate policies combined with a decline in fossil fuel demand but continued levels of production.

This would cause an initial $4 trillion of fossil fuel assets to vanish.

'If we are to defuse this time-bomb in the global economy, we need to move promptly but cautiously,' said Hector Pollitt, study co-author from Cambridge Econometrics and C-EENRG.

'The carbon bubble must be deflated before it becomes too big, but progress must also be carefully managed.'

THE KEY GOALS OF THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT The Paris Agreement on Climate Change has four main goals with regards to reducing emissions: 1) A long-term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels 2) To aim to limit the increase to 1.5C, since this would significantly reduce risks and the impacts of climate change 3) Goverments agreed on the need for global emissions to peak as soon as possible, recognising that this will take longer for developing countries 4) To undertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with the best available science Source: European Commission Advertisement

If the OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, countries in the Middle East 'sell out', that would contribute to tumult from fossil fuel stranding.

OPEC is a group of 14 oil-producing nations whose members account for about 44 percent of the world's production and 73 percent of its proven reserves, giving its leaders enormous power to flood or starve the markets.

'If OPEC nations maintain production levels as prices drop, they will crowd out the market,' said Pollitt.

'OPEC nations will be the only ones able to produce fossil fuels at the low costs required, and exporters such as the US and Canada will be unable to compete.'

China would gain the most from fossil fuel stranding, the study found.

'China is already a world leader in renewable energy technologies, and needs to deploy them domestically to tackle dangerous levels of pollution,' Vinuales said.

'Additionally, stranding would take a higher toll on some of its main geopolitical competitors. China has a strong incentive to push for climate policies.'

The authors argue that initial actions should include the diversifying of energy supplies as well as investment portfolios.

'Divestment from fossil fuels is both a prudential and necessary thing to do,' said Dr Jean-Francois Mercure.

'Investment and pension funds need to evaluate how much of their money is in fossil fuel assets and reassess the risk they are taking.'

'A useful step would be to expand financial disclosure requirements, making companies and financial managers reveal assets at risk from fossil fuel decline, so that it becomes reflected in asset prices,' Mercure said.The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is trialing a new facial recognition technology at US borders aimed at keeping track of people as the enter and exit the country.

Called the Vehicle Face System, the project is being spearheaded by Customs and Border Protection at the Anzalduas Border Crossing, located at the southern tip of Texas, in August, according to the Verge.

Sophisticated cameras will take photos of people arriving and departing the US and match them with government documents like visas and passports.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is trialing a new facial recognition technology at US borders aimed at keeping track of people as the enter and exit the country

The cameras are expected to remain in operation at the crossing for a full year.

A customs spokesperson told the Verge that the purpose of the project will be to 'evaluate capturing facial biometrics of travelers entering and departing the US and compare those images to photos on file in government holdings'.

In the past, facial recognition technology struggled to correctly identify individuals behind a windshield due to glares and other obstructions.

But the cameras at the crossing use technology that works in multiple focal lengths, which could allow the system to discern between people and reflections.

They're also fitted with ambient light sensors, range finders and remote speedometers.

'Specific technologies to be used may include digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras in the visible and infrared, range finders, ambient light sensors and speedometers,' a document explaining the project states.

Called the Vehicle Face System, the project is being spearheaded by Customs and Border Protection at the Anzalduas Border Crossing, located at the southern tip of Texas, in August

HOW DOES IT WORK? The US Department of Homeland Security is testing facial recognition cameras at the Anzalduas Border Crossing, located at the southern tip of Texas. It's being developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee in partnership with Homeland Security. The cameras will take photos of people arriving and departing the US and then officials will match the photos with visas and passports. Few details about the cameras have been released, but they reportedly draw on light sensors to reduce the glass barrier. This is possible because the cameras work in multiple focal lengths, which could allows it to discern between people and reflections in a car's windshield. Hector Santos-Villalobos, a scientist who leads the work in ORNL's Electrical and Electronics Systems Research division, helped develop the plenoptic camera Scientists at ORNL developed a 'plenoptic camera' that can capture photos of someone in motion, thanks to sophisticated lenses that show several elements in focus at once, unlike traditional cameras that typically show one object in focus. The camera is also fitted with a ray-tracing algorithm that can capture the iris of subjects, an extremely accurate biometric identifier, even under challenging conditions. Officials hope that the facial recognition system can take photos of people inside cars, even if they're wearing hats or a driver wasn't looking at the camera. Cameras are also fitted with ambient light sensors, range finders and remote speedometers. Advertisement

'Visible images will be collected for different optics (e.g. focal lengths) and filters (e.g. attenuation and polarizers)'.

News of the trial comes after DHS announced in 2017 that it was looking for facial recognition technology to be used at the border.

Specifically, they hoped to devise a system that could take photos of people inside cars, even if they're wearing hats or a driver wasn't looking at the camera.

At the time, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) said the system would make it so that fewer cars would have to stop at border crossings, reducing 'significant traffic delays'.

In the past, facial recognition technology struggled to correctly identify individuals behind a windshield due to glares and other obstructions. However, these cameras works in multiple focal lengths and could be able to discern between a person and their reflection

However, the photos would also be uesd to 'validate the identities of the occupants and document their entry or exit from the United States'.

The work is part of a wider biometric data project, which involved installing facial recognition systems at various airports across the country, including New York, Los Angeles and six other cities.

It's also not the only novel technology being tested at the border.

Last October, Border Patrol said that it's considering implementing a surveillance balloon that would quickly spot illegal activity, as part of an effort to see if more eyes in the sky translate to fewer illegal crossings over the border.

Agents in Texas recently finished a 30-day trial of the camera-toting, helium-filled balloon made by Drone Aviation Holding Corp.

The work is part of a wider biometric data project, which installed facial recognition systems at various airports across the country, including New York, Los Angeles and six other cities

Naturally, privacy advocates worry about how facial recognition technology at the border will be implemented and what, if any, impacts it will have on privacy.

'This is a way for the federal government to track people -- monitoring who goes where and and what they do there,' ACLU attorney Mitra Ebadolahi told the Verge.

'In a free society, we should all be able to safely live our lives without being watched, and targeted by the federal government'.'Smart' teddy bears that have listened to the voices of children and parents have been pulled from Amazon's online stores after researchers said they were riddled with security flaws.

Walmart and Target stopped selling the online toy CloudPets last week. Amazon then removed the toys on Tuesday morning.

Mozilla contacted Amazon yesterday to alert the firm of research that shows new vulnerabilities on CloudPets.

'Smart' teddy bears that have listened to the voices of children and parents have been pulled from Amazon's online stores after researchers said they were riddled with security flaws

'In a world where data leaks are becoming more routine and products like CloudPets still sit on store shelves, I'm increasingly worried about my kids' privacy and security,' Ashley Boyd, Mozilla's vice president of advocacy, said in a statement.

CloudPets are a soft toy that allows parents and children to record voice messages to one another through a microphone installed in the bear.

An app on a parent's phone allows for messages recorded through the bear to be received remotely by the parent.

The parent can then respond by recording a message through their phone which is then sent to the bear.

Messages sent through the bear or app went through the internet and were stored online as audio files by toy company Spiral Toys.

Consumer advocates have raised alarms about children's smart toys' insecure wireless connections, which could leave them open to attack by hackers or strangers

In 2017, hackers were able to access the online database and obtain email addresses, passwords and voice recordings from children, which cybercriminals then held for ransom at least twice.

WHAT ARE CLOUDPETS TOYS? CloudPets are a soft toy that allows parents and children to record voice messages to one another through a microphone installed in the bear. An app on a parent's mobile phone allows for messages recorded through the bear to be received remotely by the parent. The parent can then respond by recording a message through their phone which is then sent to the bear. Messages sent through the bear or app went through the internet and were stored online as audio files by toy company Spiral Toys. They could now be in the hands of cyber criminals. Advertisement

More than 800,000 people were affected by the breach.

The voice messages were not stored in the exposed user database itself, but were easily accessible via a separate data 'bucket' that didn't require any authentication to access.

Additionally the app allowed users to create weak passwords such as '12345' or 'cloudpets' making it easy for cyber criminals to log into user accounts and listen to their messages.

Mozilla worked with a cybersecurity research firm called Cure53 to test vulnerabilities after the original breach in 2017.

They found that the Bluetooth vulnerabilities that led to the first attack were still open, according to CNET.

'The company clearly does not care about their users' security and privacy being violated and makes no effort to respond to well-meaning attack reports, further facilitating and inviting malicious actions against their users,' the researchers wrote in their report.

Researchers also found that their mobile app refers users to a website called 'mycloudpets.com/tour', a domain that is for sale and could be accessed by potential criminals.

In 2017, hackers were able to access the online database and obtain email addresses, passwords and voice recordings from children, which cybercriminals then held for ransom at least twice. More than 800,000 people were affected by the breach

The toys effectively speak and play with children based on messages transmitted over the airwaves through tiny Bluetooth or Wi-Fi aerials. Which? found that the Bluetooth connection on the four toys had not been secured

CloudPets also had a third vulnerability, researchers said, that would allow hackers to install firmware to the toy without any security checks to stop them.

This would allow them to take control of the toy, along with any data that passed through it.

'We also urge you to consider putting in place new or improved systems to ensure that products you stock, especially those that collect the information of children, have basic practices in place to respect the trust that consumers place in them,' Mozilla said.A group of Google employees and shareholders are calling for the search giant to link executive compensation with its ability to meet diversity goals.

They will present a proposal for that policy at Google parent company Alphabet's annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday.

All this despite the fact that Alphabet has already voiced its opposition to the proposal, saying it's not in the best of the company or its shareholders.

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A group of Google employees and shareholders are calling for the search giant to link executive compensation with its ability to meet diversity goals

The move caps off several months of controversy at Google, largely surrounding the firm's decision to take part in a partnership with the Pentagon, where its TensorFlow software would be used in its AI drone program, called Project Maven.

Ultimately, Google announced it wouldn't renew its contract with the Pentagon when it expires in 2019, after thousands of employees wrote an open letter urging it to do so, while others resigned over the firm's involvement.

Now, employees are banding together to get the firm to increase its focus on racial, ethnic and gender diversity at the company.

'We had exhausted our resources internally, and we felt that, No. 1, we are legally able to do this without getting fired and, No. 2, it was the right tool to apply to this issue,' Liz Fong-Jones, a Google site reliability engineer, told USA Today.

'We are frustrated that executives don't really seem to have a clear strategy here'

'They dont seem to have the right set of incentives and they, as a result, tend to pursue their other business objectives first and foremost and treat diversity and inclusion as an afterthought,' she added.

The move caps off several months of controversy at Google, surrounding its decision to take part in a partnership with the Pentagon's AI drone program, called Project Maven

Google said it wouldn't renew its contract with the Pentagon when it expires in 2019, after thousands of employees wrote an open letter urging CEO Sundar Pichai (pictured) to do so

Google has faced scrutiny in the past for its lack of diversity. Recently, it was sued by former staffers and investigated by the Department of Labor for its pay disparities against women, USA Today noted.

Google continues to argue that it pays women equally and maintains a diverse workforce.

In the firm's annual diversity report, it said Google staff is 69% male and 56% white.

The company was also cast into the spotlight when it fired one of its engineers, James Damore, for circulating a controversial memo saying that gender differences were the reason behind the lack of female engineers at the company.

What's worse, employees have said in recent months that their peers have had personal information leaked after they pursued diversity issues at the company, something that they claim Google failed to address.

'Google has not done a very good job at responding and dealing with this in a way that protects employees from this kind of malicious behavior,' Google software engineer Tariq Yusuf told USA Today.

Google was also cast into the spotlight when it fired one of its engineers, James Damore, for circulating a controversial memo saying that gender differences were the reason behind the lack of female engineers at the company

WHAT IS PROJECT MAVEN? The U.S. military has been looking to incorporate elements of artificial intelligence and machine learning into its drone program. Project Maven, as the effort is known, aims to provide some relief to military analysts who are part of the war against Islamic State. These analysts currently spend long hours staring at big screens reviewing video feeds from drones as part of the hunt for insurgents in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. The Pentagon is trying to develop algorithms that would sort through the material and alert analysts to important finds, according to Air Force Lieutenant General John N.T. 'Jack' Shanahan, director for defense intelligence for warfighting support. A British Royal Air Force Reaper hunter killer unmanned aerial vehicle on the flight line February 21, 2014 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Military bosses say intelligence analysts are 'overwhelmed' by the amount of video being recorded over the battlefield by drones with high resolution cameras 'A lot of times these things are flying around(and)... there's nothing in the scene that's of interest,' he told Reuters. Shanahan said his team is currently trying to teach the system to recognize objects such as trucks and buildings, identify people and, eventually, detect changes in patterns of daily life that could signal significant developments. 'We'll start small, show some wins,' he said. A Pentagon official said the U.S. government is requesting to spend around $30 million on the effort in 2018. Similar image recognition technology is being developed commercially by firms in Silicon Valley, which could be adapted by adversaries for military reasons. Shanahan said he' not surprised that Chinese firms are making investments there. 'They know what they're targeting,' he said. Research firm CB Insights says it has tracked 29 investors from mainland China investing in U.S. artificial intelligence companies since the start of 2012. The risks extend beyond technology transfer. 'When the Chinese make an investment in an early stage company developing advanced technology, there is an opportunity cost to the U.S. since that company is potentially off-limits for purposes of working with (the Department of Defense),' the report said. Advertisement

'Google is very good at responding when someone leaks something about a product, but not when it comes to these issues'.

Alphabet has argued that the executive compensation proposal wouldn't have any meaningful impact, according to Gizmodo.

Still, shareholders including Zevin Asset Management say Google's failure to address diversity and inclusion issues could create risks for its parent company Alphabet.

The executive compensation proposal wouldn't just apply to Alphabet CEO Larry Page, but also Google boss Sundar Pichai and other relevant executives.

'Alphabet faces serious human capital risks if its inclusion strategy is not working,' Pat Miguel Tomaino, the director of socially responsible investing at Zevin, told Gizmodo.

'We are concerned about the companys ability to attract and retain the most talented people, no matter where they are or what they look like'

'These companies are really just containers for brains and they have to get the best brains inside them,' Tomaino added.When I was little, I longed to fly. But it took Ras Al Khaimah (also known as RAK) in the United Arab Emirates to fulfil that ambition, courtesy of the world's longest zipline, 1.75 miles long and more than a mile above sea level.

So, here I am, trussed up like a clingfilmed penguin, hung by cables in a horizontal 'superman' position, staring down into the valley from the top of Jebel Jais, the Emirates' tallest mountain.

My mouth is dry, my heart pounding, and the screams of those who have been launched before me on the Jebel Jais Flight hang in the air.

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Cleared for take-off: The daredevil Jebel Jais Flight zipline in the United Arab Emirates

Then - whoosh - I'm off, flying over the chasms and lakes at 93mph in a dramatic journey that takes just a few minutes.

I feel like a giant bird of prey - though with a top speed of 240mph, the falcons patrolling these mountains dwarf my efforts.

And I'm not trying to catch dinner. I also can't flap my arms (that would slow me down), so they're clasped behind my back.

Fearless: Jo travelled at speeds of up to 93mph, for a distance of 1.75 miles

The Jebel Jais Flight, which opened a few months ago and has been certified by the Guinness World Records, cost more than 4 million and can terrify up to 240 people a day.

Now RAK, one of the seven UAE states, is using it to spearhead a drive to become the adrenaline capital of the region. It's certainly a contrast to Dubai, around an hour's drive south, with its glitzy skyscrapers and shopping malls.

RAK is all arid desert, with undulating sand dunes and sweeping, empty beaches. It's desolate in some places, but in others indescribably lovely. The sunsets are romantic and glorious.

Thrillseekers: Ras Al Khaimah is striving to become the adrenaline capital of the UAE

During my brief sojourn, I bash my way across the dunes in a 4x4, kayak among mangroves, visit a Bedouin camp (more Disney than Lawrence of Arabia) and stroll about the abandoned pearl fishing village of Jazirat Al Hamra, where Brad Pitt filmed the movie War Machine.

Each night, I return to the comfort of the DoubleTree by Hilton, a 720-room resort with a clutch of excellent international restaurants on the manmade Marjan Island.

But the highlight, without doubt, is the one that fulfils that childhood fantasy and knocks the breath out of me.Airbus has been dealt a fresh blow to its business after it was revealed that the first A380 jumbo jets are to be broken up - just a decade after their debut.

A German investment company confirmed it would strip two unwanted superjumbo passenger planes for parts after failing to find an airline willing to keep them flying following a decision by Singapore Airlines not to retain them in service.

The decision by Dortmund-based Dr Peters Group will be a set back to Airbus efforts to maintain market interest in the double-decker, barely 10 years after it went into service hailed by heads of state as a symbol of European ambition.

A German investment company has confirmed it will strip two unwanted A380 planes for parts after failing to find an airline willing to keep them flying following a decision by Singapore Airlines not to retain them in service

Despite strong reviews for its quiet and spacious cabin, demand for the 544-seater has fallen as many airlines drop the industry's largest four-engined aircraft in favour of smaller twin-engined ones that are more efficient, and easier to fill.

Howard Wheeldon, a UK-based aerospace analyst, said: 'Psychologically it is not good for Airbus, but this is a very large aircraft with a very small second-hand market.'

'It's too big. There was a battle for airline fashions and it lost out.'

However, Airbus says the iconic jet will eventually prove itself as travel demand saturates airport capacity at major cities.

An Airbus spokesman said: 'We can't comment on the decision by Dr Peters, which is the owner of the aircraft.

'We remain confident in the secondary market for the A380 and the potential to extend the operator base.'

Singapore Airlines launched A380 services amid fanfare in December 2007, but returned the first two aircraft to their German financiers when leases expired some 10 years later.

The two discarded aircraft were repainted and flown to Tarbes in the French Pyrenees to be stored, and since then their fate has been uncertain as their owner looked for other takers.

In a statement to Reuters, Dr Peters Group said: 'After extensive as well as intensive negotiations with various airlines such as British Airways, HiFly and IranAir, Dr Peters Group has decided to sell the aircraft components and will recommend this approach to its investors.'

The planes will not be scrapped entirely, but their huge frames will be combed for valuable components such as landing gears and electronics, a Dr Peters official told Reuters.

Their engines have already been removed and leased back to manufacturer Rolls-Royce for use as spares.

Singapore Airlines launched A380 services amid fanfare in December 2007, but returned the first two aircraft to their German financiers when leases expired some 10 years later

US-based VAS Aero Services will be responsible for extracting and selling parts.

Dr Peters said the deal would yield a positive return for investors in funds used to finance the jets.

It operates a number of boutique funds targeted at wealthy individuals and has two more A380s in Singapore that could face the same fate.

While dismantling the first two passenger-carrying A380s will embarrass Airbus and dismay the plane's 3,800 workers, later examples of the flagship jet may not be as vulnerable.

Early copies of a new plane tend to be less efficient and Singapore Airlines recently ordered some new A380s.

However, overall demand is thinner than Airbus expected, forcing it to slow production to a trickle while looking for more business.

Still, Emirates, the largest A380 customer, is keeping faith with the jet which brings millions of passengers a year through its Dubai hub and is associated with the airline's global brand.

Throwing the loss-making programme a lifeline for a decade, Emirates recently ordered up to 36 more A380s and set out plans on Tuesday to install 56 Premium Economy seats.

Airbus has been working for months to try to stimulate a second-hand market for the A380 to encourage new airlines to take the risk of investing in the plane, knowing the asset would be worth the right amount when they decide to sell it on.

When it was launched, the A380 boasted highly customised interiors to help airlines promote a luxury feel, but the cost of replacing such bespoke fittings is now seen as a handicap.

'The problem is the cost of reconfiguration. It is $40 million or more per plane,' a senior industry source said.Advertisement

Most people would say they've never heard of the 'Land of Many Rabbits', the 'Place of Pomegranates' or the country called 'Hippopotamus'.

But it turns out they are actually the literal translations of Spain, Grenada and Mali.

They all appear on fascinating maps that have revealed the original names of countries from around the world, giving a surprising insight into some of the early settlers there.

A map showing the literal translation of country names in Europe including Spain, which means 'Land of Many Rabbits' and Monaco, which means 'Single House'

In North America, more bizarre literal translations are Grenada, which means 'Place of Pomegranates' and Canada, which translates as 'The Village' despite its large size

A map of the literal translation of country names in Oceania, including Australia, which means 'Southern Land' and New Zealand, which translates as 'Land of the Long White Cloud'

Some of the names are fairly obvious such as Scotland meaning 'Land of the Scots' and the name France being derived from 'Land of the Franks'.

The name Frank comes from the Old German word franka, meaning fierce, which also makes France the Land of the Fierce.

Other places in Europe map the trails that people used. Norway simply means The Way North, or The Northern Way, making reference to an old Viking route.

Meanwhile in Africa, country names reveal a history of indigenous cultures and colonisation.

Asian place names are reflected in the rich diversity of culture and history. Korea means 'High and Beautiful' while China simply means 'Centre Kingdom'

For example the map, created by Credit Card Compare, reveals that Malawi means Land of Flames, which is thought to reflect the local habit of burning off dead grass to prepare the land for cultivation.

The continent has had its fair share of explorers land on its shores. Portuguese explorer Fernando Poo travelled along the river Wouri in 1472, finding an abundance of shrimp along the way.

He discovered and named Rio dos Camaroes River of Prawns', but its now known as Cameroon.

Elsewhere, Asian place names reflect a rich diversity of culture and history.

For instance the Koryo dynasty ruled its kingdom from 935 to 1392 CE, overseeing a country that was forming its own distinct cultural traditions.

The colonisation of Africa is reflected in its country names. Unusual ones include Mali, which means 'Hippopotamus' and Cameroon, which translates as 'River of Prawns'

That country is now known as Korea, which can be translated as high and beautiful.

Many are also named after geographic features, such as Iraq. Its name refers to its location astride the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers.

It comes from the Arabic al-iraq, which translates to beside the water.

In North America, country names tell a story of European colonisation.

The name America itself may come from Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who was the first person to realise that continent was a separate landmass and not on the east coast of Asia.

Many of the countries in South America are named after geographical features. Guyana is derived from an indigenous Amerindian language and means Land of Many Waters', while neighbouring Venezuela is named after the city of canals, Little Venice

Mexico, colonised by Spain, is the simplified Spanish translation of a Nahuatl name for the Aztec capital, said to mean In the Navel of the Moon.

Spanish explorers also reached much of Central America and the Caribbean, where they found gems like the Land by the Water - Nicaragua - and the aforementioned 'Place of Pomegranates'.

In South America, Guyana is derived from an indigenous Amerindian language and means Land of Many Waters', while neighbouring Venezuela is named after the city of canals, Little Venice.

In Oceania, the literal translation of Australia is 'Southern Land' while Samoa translates to Sacred Centre, as legend has it that this is where Samoan God Tagaloalagi of the heavens created the world.Advertisement

The world's best tall buildings have been named and they include a leaf-clad skyscraper hotel in Singapore and a New York high rise with a sky bridge containing a swimming pool.

The Council On Tall Buildings And Urban Habitat (CTBUH) hands out awards to the high-rises that it believes are creatively designed and enhance the cities and the lives of their inhabitants.

Scroll down to see the stunning skyscrapers from around the world that have scooped gongs.

Best Tall Building Worldwide - Oasia Hotel Downtown Singapore

The visually-striking Oasia Hotel Downtown in Singapore, left. It stands out among the grey and blue high-rises of Singapore with its plant-covered facade, right

The OSO Ristorante, an Italian eatery located on the 27th floor of the Oasia Hotel Downtown, which has been named the best tall building in the world

The Cin Cin bar, which is also inside the Oasia Hotel. It offers close to 100 different gins, sourced from around the globe

The stunning infinity pool that is housed in the Oasia Hotel Downtown in Singapore. The pool is reserved for club guests only

The visually-striking Oasia Hotel Downtown stands out among the grey and blue high-rises of Singapore with its plant-covered red-and-green facade.

Landscaping is used extensively on the exterior of the buildings, with a total of 54 species of plants climbing along the aluminium mesh facade screen.

The judges praised the building for providing a 'substantial commitment to outdoor communal space through the incorporation of skyspaces along its height, the tower provides respite and relief to its occupants, neighbours, and city'.

Best Tall Building Americas - American Copper Buildings, New York

Standing on the banks of New York City's East River, the American Copper Buildings won the Americas gong

The American Copper Buildings are clad in copper on the north and south facades and over time these will turn blue-green

One of the stand-out features of the buildings is the three-story skybridge, which connects the East and West towers

Inside the skybridge is a large swimming pool, which allows people to swim 300-feet in the air with views of the East River

Standing on the banks of New York City's East River, the American Copper Buildings have been named the best tall buildings in the Americas.

The facade is clad in copper on the north and south facing exterior walls that will eventually turn blue-green like the iconic Statue of Liberty in later years.

However, the stand-out feature of the skyscraper is the three-story skybridge, which connects the East and West towers. It includes a pool that allows people to swim 300-feet in the air.

Best Tall Building Europe - The Silo, Copenhagen

The Silo in the Nordhavn area of Copenhagen, which has been named the best tall building in Europe by the annual awards

The Silo has been transformed from a grain container in the formerly industrial Nordhavn area of Copenhagen into a contemporary residential high-rise.

The interior has been preserved as much as possible, while a facade made of galvanized steel has been installed on the exterior to create a climate shield.

The architects say the Silo embodies the importance of restoring original structures in cities, as a matter of environmental sustainability, as well as an ethical and visionary approach to cultural heritage.

Best Tall Building Africa and the Middle East - Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town

Located on the downtown waterfront of Cape Town, South Africa, the Zeitz MOCAA, which was formerly a grain storage, was named best tall building in Africa and the Middle East

Zeitz MOCAA building is a former grain storage and silo complex on the downtown waterfront of Cape Town, South Africa.

The top portion of the taller building was transformed into a luxury hotel, while the bottom section of the elevator building and the storage annex is Africa's first international museum dedicated to contemporary African art.

From the outside, the greatest visible change to the original structure is the addition of glass windows, which by night transform the building into a glowing beacon on Table Bay.

Urban Habitat Award - The World Trade Center

The Urban Habitat Award was given to the World Trade Center Master Plan for creating a 'welcoming and open space' in downtown Manhattan

The World Trade Center Master Plan in New York City forms a welcoming and open space that is meant to foster the democratic values of public assembly that played a pivotal role in the city's collective response to the attacks of September 11, 2001.

At the centre of the space are two reflecting pools that deeply puncture the vast flat expanse of the plaza, forming empty vessels that delineate the location of the former towers.

Judges were impressed saying 'the design knits the site back into the urban fabric, allowing the site to be a living part of the city once again'.

Construction Award - The EY Centre, Sydney

The EY Centre in Sydney's Circular Quay won the the construction award due to its 'world-first timber-and-glass closed-cavity facade system'

The EY Centre in Sydney's Circular Quay employs a 'world-first timber-and-glass closed-cavity facade (CCF) system'.

This is made possible by innovation in digital technologies that helps the building achieve impressive sustainability standards while creating an approachable office space for tenants, CTBUH said. Attention to detail was critical in the project's delivery, it added.

A team used a 3D modeling platform to create an exact replica of the triangular timber soffit and awning, which could be meshed with as-built survey information to allow for prefabrication and high quality pre-assembly directly from the 3D models, the judges said.

10 Year Award (2007 Completions) - New York Times Building, New York

Winning the 2007 Completions award is the New York Times Building in Manhattan, pictured, which judges said stands out in the busy skyline thanks to a distinctive grille of white ceramic brises-rods wrapping around the structure

The awards also recognise tall buildings that are still impressive, long after being completed.

Wininng the 2007 Completions award is the New York Times Building in Manhattan, which judges said stands out in the busy skyline thanks to a distinctive grille of white ceramic brises-rods wrapping around the structure.

These elements help the building achieve a high level of transparency while reducing the heat load to a point where the building is energy-efficient and yet has the great luxury of floor-to-ceiling, water-white glass.

The facade includes a first-of-its-kind shading system that automatically adjusts to block glare, and the lights dynamically adjust to dim or turn off if the natural light is sufficiently bright.

10 Year Award (2008 Completions) - Shanghai World Financial Centre

The Shanghai World Financial Center opened in 2008. It won an award for still impressing, ten years after it debuted

Shanghai World Financial Center is a symbol of commerce and culture as the city emerges as a global financial capital, CTBUH said.

The tower's boldest feature, a 43-meter-wide portal carved through its upper levels, is dramatic, but also services a distinct structural function  it relieves the enormous wind pressures on the building, the judges added.

They continued: 'This design boldness has allowed the SWFC to endure as an indelible feature of the city's skyline 10 years later.'As the first 11 Love Island contestants continue to settle in, the villa was shaken to its core on Tuesday night as two sexy new housemates burst into the show.

Rosie Williams, a 26-year-old solicitor from South Wales, and Georgia Steel, 20, a student from York, spoke exclusively to MailOnline ahead of their arrival in the villa.

The legal professional made a shock confession as she revealed she has previously dated Ex On The Beach star Jordan Davies, and had not told her law firm about Love Island, while Georgia confessed her brutal honesty could cause explosive rows.

On to the Love Island! Rosie Williams (pictured), a 26-year-old solicitor from South Wales, and Georgia Steel, 20, a student from York, spoke exclusively to MailOnline ahead of their arrival in the villa

Rosie revealed in her interview that bosses at her law firm are being kept in the dark about her appearance on the show as she said: 'I havent actually told my firm that Im going on here, I just told them I was moving back to Wales for a little bit.

'So yeah, I think theyre all going to be a bit shocked when they see me on TV! I dont think theyll be surprised with me, Im quite unpredictable! Theyll be fully supportive, theyre a great bunch of people.'

Although joining Love Island doesn't seem like the most straightforward career move for a young professional, Rosie says she hasn't made a choice about what she'll be doing after the show.

'I havent made any decisions, Im the kind of person that likes to see how things go and take things as they come, so one step at a time and when I come out Ill see what the situation is.

Hot stuff! The legal professional made a shock confession as she revealed she has previously dated Ex On The Beach star Jordan Davies, while Georgia (pictured) confessed her brutal honesty could cause to some explosive rows in the villa

Smouldering: Rosie wowed in a skimpy bright orange two piece for her first promo shot as she revealed in her interview that bosses at her law firm are being kept in the dark about her appearance on the show

'I mean Ive made it, Ive worked hard to get it - no one can take it from me and Im proud I did achieve it, but who knows what the future holds.'

Rosie previously dated Ibiza Weekender star Jordan Davies, and says the reality star cheated on her - but they're friends now.

The wise contestant says that she tries not to take past issues into new relationships: 'Im quite chilled out when it comes to trusting somebody.

'I think everyones different and everyone deserves a chance, I mean if they hurt you or break that chance, then thats on them - but you should never take your issues from someone else to the new relationship.'

Former love: Rosie previously dated Ibiza Weekender star Jordan Davies, and says the reality star cheated on her - but they're friends now

An honour: 'Camilla is obviously a great woman and made a lot of people probably think "oh this show could be for me". Love Island is brilliant in the way that theres such a range of personalities and different people that go in there - there should be someone for everyone'

She added that she admires past contestant, Camilla Thurlow, who was known for both her brains and beauty on the show.

'Camilla is obviously a great woman and made a lot of people probably think "oh this show could be for me". Love Island is brilliant in the way that theres such a range of personalities and different people that go in there - there should be someone for everyone.

'I dont think its something you could really regret doing - just like Camilla hasnt.'

Having also joined the villa, Georgia said she doesn't have time for pettiness: Im very confident, the way I am is Im very very real and my outlook on life is you either like me or you dont. If you dont like me, you know where the door is, because I dont have time for that.

Admiration: She added that she admires past contestant, Camilla Thurlow (pictured), who was known for both her brains and beauty on the show

I don't know! Georgia poses in a chic Ann Summers bikini for her promo shot as she explains that she doesn't know if she'll have sex while on the show

'My intention would never ever be to upset anybody or hurt anybody, the way that Ive been brought up in life is to be very very honest and sometimes, [for] people who havent been around honesty, it can upset them - because sometimes the truth does hurt doesnt it?'

Georgia explains that she doesn't know if she'll have sex while on the show: 'To be honest with you Ive not gone in there yet, so I wouldnt know how to answer that question.

'I think it can be really difficult for people to make judgments on that question as well without actually being through the experience themselves.

'My family accept me for who I am, and Im not ruling out anything and Im not not saying anything would happen, but I feel like because youre in there with somebody one-on-one for such a long time and you do really have a connection, you just dont know.'

Love Island is on ITV2 tonight at 9pmHis frail appearance stunned and concerned fans in equal measure while touring Russia and Germany with band The Hollywood Vampires.

But Johnny Depps loyal followers claim his notable weight loss could be the result of his recent role as a terminal cancer patient in forthcoming film Richard Says Goodbye.

The 54-year old plays a jaded college professor who decides to live his lie with reckless abandon after being given the devastating diagnosis.

Gaunt: Johnny Depp's frail appearance stunned and concerned fans in equal measure while touring Russia and Germany with band The Hollywood Vampires

The film, which also stars Zoey Duetch and Rosemarie DeWitt, is currently in post-production following a location shoot in Vancouver, and fans insist the challenging role is the cause of his worryingly slender physique.

Taking to Twitter, one wrote: 'Hes in post production for #richardsaysgoodbye which is about a terminally ill man. Hes fine.'

Another added: 'He had to lose weight because his character was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

New role: But Johnny's loyal followers claim his notable weight loss could be the result of his recent role as a terminal cancer patient in forthcoming film Richard Says Goodbye (the actor is pictured with a fan in St. Petersburg)

All good: Despite an onslaught of concern over the actor's appearance including fears that he may be 'ill', a source tells DailyMail.com that he has no health problems

'As this movie is still in post-production maybe that's the reason for him is so thin. So he is not sick!'

Others believe the star has slimmed down in order to appear in a widely rumoured remake of HG Wells' The Invisible Man.

The book, which was originally adapted for the screen in 1933, follows a scientist known only as Griffin and his successful attempt to make himself invisible to the outside world.

The character famously hides his face with bandages and wears a fake nose In the book, with his body only becoming visible after he is brutally killed.

Frail: The actor has looked frail in pictures taken during his recent tour of Europe with Hollywood Vampires

Referencing his rumoured appearance in the film, another fan tweeted: 'I bet Johnny has lost all the weight for The Invisible Man. It won't be because he's unwell.'

Despite an onslaught of concern over the actor's appearance including fears that he may be 'ill', a source tells DailyMail.com that he has no health problems.

Depp himself has not commented since photographs which were taken in St. Petersburg last week emerged.

In them, he appeared smiling with two Russian fans in the lobby of the Four Seasons hotel.

They were posted innocently by the women who appear in them but quickly went viral as others picked up on his stark appearance.

Depp is currently touring Europe with his band the Hollywood Vampires. On Monday night, he will play in Berlin at the Zitadelle museum.Kanye West wasn't kidding when he said he planned on dipping his toes into the architecture world.

The 40-year-old rapper last month revealed on Twitter that he created Yeezy Home.

'We're looking for architects and industrial designers who want to make the world better,' he tweeted.

Affordable housing: Kanye West, shown in August 2016 in New York City, last month announced his Yeezy Home architecture arm and first renderings have surfaced

Renderings for a low-income housing scheme just surfaced with construction involving prefabricated concrete components that offer affordable living quarters.

The austere look has a similar design aesthetic to the Yeezy studio in Calabasas, California.

The structure's design team consists of West, Petra Kustrin, Nejc Skufca, and Vadik Marmeladov.

Photos of the social-housing project appeared on Instagram on Sunday giving rise to suggestions that it will be the initial project from Yeezy Home. The image was released by fashion designer Jalil Peraza, who previously worked on West's DONDA label.

Instagram: Fashion designer Jalil Peraza posted the first photos of the Yeezy Home social-housing project on his social media page Monday

It depicts a concrete building arranged around a courtyard, with an opening to the room in the background with a fire burning.

Peraza's caption described it as a 'low income housing scheme, made of prefabricated concrete', and credited himself and West as part of a design team.

Other photos show the large windows to the yard bringing plenty of natural light into the interiors.

Keeping things the same: The white walls and exposed flooring and black window frames of the housing are similar to the stripped-back styling of West's Yeezy fashion label

The white walls and exposed flooring and black window frames are similar to the stripped-back styling of West's Yeezy fashion label.

Prefabrication would help the team construct the housing quickly and cheaply.

It follows a similar strategy used by Peraza's company Face Modules, which provides prefabricated volumes for spaces, including shops, offices, and yoga and design studios.

Dreams: Kim Kardashian's husband has been vocal about his passion for architecture in interviews and on social media for many years

Kim Kardashian's husband has been vocal about his passion for architecture in interviews and on social media for many years.

During a visit to Harvard Graduate School of Design in 2013, the performer told students that 'the world can be saved through design'.

Yeezy Home is a part of the Yeezy fashion company that the American rapper developed in collaboration with sportswear brand Adidas, and launched in 2015.

The collections have been very popular and usually sell out immediately.

Busy body: It's been quite the hectic month for Kanye so far because he just dropped his eighth album, 'Ye'.

It's been a busy month for West, who just dropped his eighth album, Ye.

He has been making headlines for his controversial comments about slavery, Donald Trump and whatever else you can imagine.

He was also just recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

On Thursday, the star opened up in an interview with radio host Big Boy and explained: 'I had never been diagnosed until I was 39.'

During the interview, 'Ye admitted to going back and reworking the album after his controversial TMZ appearance where he said: 'slavery is a choice.'

'It was just too sensitive,' he explained.

Drama: Kim Kardashian's man has been making headlines for his recent controversial comments about slavery and Donald Trump, too.

He added that he felt 'so blessed and privileged because think about people that have mental issues that are not Kanye West, that can't go and make [an album] and make it feel like it's all good.'

'Think about somebody that does exactly what I did at TMZ and they just do that at work, right? But then Tuesday morning, they come in and they lost their job and they can't go back and make that. That's why God put that on me at age 40,' he continued.

West's new album Ye currently ranks number one in 41 countries and seven songs from the album on Monday were at the top of the Apple Music and Spotify track lists.She is the quintessential example of Spanish beauty.

And on Monday, Penelope Cruz looked absolutely amazing as she attended the SAG-AFTRA Foundation event, Conversations: The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, in New York.

The 44-year-old, who stars as designer Donatella Versace in the series, was there as part of a Q&A for the FX drama.

Spanish beauty: On Monday, Penelope Cruz, 44, looked absolutely amazing at a SAG-AFTRA Foundation event New York

For the event, the mother-of-two wore a figure-flattering, asymmetrical dress.

The black-and-white frock featured a tassel front, along with a high split on one side.

Penelope accessorized with a coordinating TODS Mini Quilted Sella Bag and two rings. She topped off her look with a set of black-and-gold platform heels.

For make-up, Penelope highlighted her brown eyes with dark liner and added a soft flush to her cheeks, and lips.

Outfit of choice: For the event, the mother-of-two wore a figure-flattering, asymmetrical dress. She added a TODS Mini Quilted Sella Bag

Glamorous: For make-up, Penelope highlighted her brown eyes with dark liner and added a soft flush to her cheeks, and lips

Work trip: The brunette beauty, who stars as designer Donatella Versace in the series, was there as part of a Q&A for the FX drama

The actress stars as designer Donatella Versace in the FX series, the Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

The drama tells the story of the murder of Donatella's brother, Gianni Versace. The famed Italian designer was fatally shot by serial killer, Andrew Cunanan, in 1997.

Although Penelope took on a lead role in this television series, she is most known for her film work.

The drama tells the story of the murder of Donatella's brother, Gianni Versace. The famed Italian designer was fatally shot by serial killer, Andrew Cunanan, in 1997

Silver screen star: Although Penelope took on a lead role in this television series, she is most known for her film work

Past work: In 2008, Penelope starred in the film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The movie was written and directed by Woody Allen, who's currently being accused of sexual abuse

In 2008, Penelope starred in the film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The movie was written and directed by Woody Allen, who's currently being accused of sexual abuse.

Penelope and Woody would later reunite in 2012 for his film, To Rome With Love.

The actress spoke of the director and his allegations, in a recent interview with Vanity Fair.

'The only answer that I can give you with common sense that is not about a headline is, the case has to be looked at again,' she began.

'The important thing is, if there is a case anywhere in the world that isn't clear, then why not look at it again? I am in favor of that.'

Teaming up again: Penelope and Woody would later reunite in 2012 for, To Rome With LoveBridget Malcolm has revealed her secret battle with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a condition that results in extreme bouts of 'anxiety, lethargy and debilitating emotional pain' in the two weeks before a period.

On Monday, the Victoria's Secret model, 26, confessed she was 'unknowingly' suffering from the disorder during a swimwear photo shoot.

She captioned a behind-the-scenes snap on Instagram: 'During this shoot I was battling PMDD unknowingly. Everyone on set was absolutely amazing, so sweet and the trip went well. I am so thankful for that. However, I was an anxious wreck, second guessing myself and terrified of the dark.'

Scroll down for video

'I was an anxious wreck, second guessing myself and terrified of the dark': Bridget Malcolm has revealed the secret health crisis she experienced during a bikini photo shoot

'It has been a hellish couple of weeks for my anxiety and general mental well-being. But I finally have a diagnosis - PMDD,' she added.

Bridget explained that she is currently 'struggling' with the condition that affects three to eight per cent of women.

'I am struggling. It is OK to admit that. It is when we hit the dark, rock bottoms that we are forced to find a new way, and to stop living life in a reactionary state. I love my life. And I will get it back,' she continued.

In a separate blog post, the Australian-born, New York-based model delved deeper into her PMDD symptoms.

'My mental state gets hijacked by darkness:' In a separate blog post, the Australian-born, New York-based model delved deeper into her Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) symptoms

What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and what are the symptoms? While most women with PMS find their symptoms uncomfortable, a small percentage have symptoms severe enough to stop them living their normal lives. This is the result of a more intense type of PMS known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The symptoms of PMDD are similar to those of PMS, but are more exaggerated and often have more psychological symptoms than physical ones. Symptoms can include: feelings of hopelessness

persistent sadness or depression

extreme anger and anxiety

decreased interest in usual activities

sleeping much more or less than usual

very low self-esteem

extreme tension and irritability As depression is a common symptom of PMDD, it's possible that a woman with PMDD may have thoughts about suicide. PMDD can be particularly difficult to deal with as it can have a negative effect on your daily life and relationships. Source: NHS choices Advertisement

'Basically, for two weeks out of every month (during the luteal phase of my cycle), my mental state gets hijacked by darkness; this shifty shadow sits on my shoulder, and tells me I am a terrible human who doesn't deserve anything good,' she explained.

Bridget continued: 'It also drums up some epic anxiety, lethargy, a lot of sleeping, catastrophic thoughts and anxiety attacks. Each morning during this time, I get handed this platter of debilitating emotional pain, and I have to navigate my way through.'

In late April, Bridget opened up about another health battle - body dysmorphia.

She revealed that even at her skinniest, she still thought she needed to lose weight.

'I was portraying this image of me being fit and healthy and full of life, when in reality, I was breaking down. I was anxious, struggling with food and struggling with everything,' she told The Morning Show in April.

Bridget was living on steamed vegetables and protein shakes and her perception of herself was so distorted that she could not tell what she really looked like.

'Your weight should be objective. You know how you look, and that's that. When I was struggling, what I saw in the mirror was not the reality.

'Even when I was at my smallest, I still thought I needed to lose weight. It's tricky to explain, because if you don't experience it, you can't really understand it,' she added.She is in a relationship with her daughter's movie star father Bradley Cooper.

But 31-year-old Irina Shayk went solo to the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City on Monday, flashing her cleavage in front of a Swarovski backdrop.

Balancing on sky-high black stilettos, the model slipped into a backless leopard-print dress that allowed her to show off her taut legs.

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When you got it: Irina Shayk went solo to the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City on Monday, flashing her cleavage for the cameras

Though the dress was cut above the knee at the front, it flowed down nearly to the floor at the back, culminating in a curved hem.

The stunner's outfit featured cut outs over her shoulders, and her frilled sleeves were cuffed slightly above her wrists.

Accentuating her features with minimal makeup, she tucked her wavy dark hair behind her ears and let it tumble down over her shoulders.

Irina and Bradley, who is directing a remake of A Star Is Born and will then helm a Leonard Bernstein biopic, have been a couple since 2015.

Animal magnetism: Posing in front of a Swarovski backdrop, the model slipped into a backless leopard-print dress that allowed her to show off her taut legs

Smoldering: Balancing on sky-high black stilettos, the model slipped into a backless leopard-print dress that allowed her to show off her taut legs

Beauty: Accentuating her features with minimal makeup, she tucked her wavy dark hair behind her ears and let it tumble down over her shoulders

She first ignited pregnancy rumors when she flashed her midriff and sauntered down the catwalk at the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris.

Lea De Seine was born on March 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, according to People, who reported on the news that April and cited the baby's birth certificate.

Bradley is not only directing but also co-starring in his remake of A Star Is Born, with Lady Gaga as his leading lady.

Though the original 1937 film was not a musical, the subsequent versions have been, and this upcoming Gaga version is going to be as well.

Stylish: The stunner's outfit featured cut outs over her shoulders, and her frilled sleeves were cuffed slightly above her wrists

Fashionista: Though the dress was cut above the knee at the front, it flowed down nearly to the floor at the back, culminating in a curved hem

Co-written by none other than Dorothy Parker, the original film starred Janet Gaynor as an ingenue whose career goes from strength to strength, while her older and more established movie star love interest (Fredric March) desiccates.

Both Fredric and Janet received Oscar nominations for the film.

George Cukor's 1954 remake starred Judy Garland and James Mason, both of whom also received Academy Award nods for it.

That film introduced the world to Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin's song The Man That Got Away, which became one of the most enduring staples of Judy's repertoire.

Glam: The Russian beauty is one of the world's leading models

Never off: Even when she was relaxing, Irina looked sensational

Three years on: Irina and Bradley Cooper, who is directing a remake of A Star Is Born and will then helm a Leonard Bernstein biopic, have purportedly been a couple since 2015

A 1976 version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson was directed by Frank Pierson.

Though neither Barbra nor Kris got an Oscar nod for acting in the film, Barbra and Paul Williams did win Best Original Song by writing Evergreen for it.

Bradley's remake, which according to Deadline will see Gaga credited under her Christian name Stefani Germanotta, is due out in October.

After A Star Is Born, Bradley is planning to direct himself playing legendary composer Leonard - he of West Wide Story and Candide - per Deadline.Anna Heinrich and Tim Robards are in Italy with their family and friends for their upcoming wedding.

And the bride-to-be appears to be having the time of her life ahead of the big day.

The 31-year-old criminal lawyer took to Instagram on Monday to share a photo of herself sunbathing.

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'Seriously chilled!' The Bachelor's Anna Heinrich looked relaxed on Monday as she posed for yet another sun-kissed snap ahead of her Italian wedding to Tim Robards

She appeared very relaxed while soaking up the southern Italian sun.

The blonde socialite wore an elegant one-piece swimsuit with denim mini shorts and a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses.

She wrote in the caption: 'Seriously chilled'.

Any day now! The original Bachelor couple recently arrived in Italy, along with their family and friends, ahead of their much-anticipated wedding

Anna's Instagram followers, meanwhile, shared their excitement about the wedding in the comments section.

'Cant wait for your wedding youre gonna look absolutely amazing!' wrote one fan.

Tim, 35, recently dropped several hints about the nuptials, sharing a photo of himself carrying a pair of suitcases with the Italian town of Matera in the background.

So exciting! Guests, including Tim's groomsmen Luke Khoury (left) and Dean Stannard (right), have already arrived in Italy for what is expected to be the Australian wedding of the year

Guests, including Tim's close friends and Anna's family, have already arrived in Italy for what is expected to be the Australian wedding of the year.

Groomsmen Luke Khoury and Dean Stannard recently jetted into Europe, as have Anna's parents, Les and Judith Heinrich.

The original Bachelor couple have stayed tight-lipped about details of the ceremony, but it looks like it could take place any day now.He's the frontman of one of Australia's most popular rock bands.

But the journey to being a rock star hasn't been easy for David Le'aupepe, 26, who opened up about his mental health battle in an emotional Instagram post on Monday.

The Gang of Youths frontman shared a photo of himself flashing a peace sign, along with an open letter detailing how he tried to take his own life exactly four years ago.

'4 years ago, I tried to kill myself': Gang of Youths frontman David Le'aupepe shared an emotional Instagram post on the fourth anniversary of his suicide attempt

David paid a powerful tribute to his friends and loved ones who saved him and help keep him going 'every day.'

The rocker wrote: '4 years ago, I tried to kill myself. There was this moment, where the belief that there would never be anything more than the s*** and p*** in everything overwhelmed me for a moment, and I made a decision to make it all stop for good.

'On that day, even though I believed I was s*** and p***, my friends didn't. My friends saved my life. And they continue to do so every day.'

Overwhelming: David opened up about his struggles and how his friends helped saved his life

Known as one of the most charismatic performers on the live stage, David also talked about how his job leaves him suffering from sleepless nights, anxiety, and stress.

'Every day can still be hard and weird. My job leaves me depleted and often sleepless, ridden with anxiety and worry. Often, I am not worthy of the platform onto which I've stumbled. Often I feel like letting the dark swallow me up,' he wrote.

David also praised his wife Cort Bray as being a rock of support throughout his emotional turmoil.

'Miraculous': The Gang of Youths frontman praised his wife Cort Bray for her love and support during his emotional struggles

He also thanked his friends and his band for helping him cope through all his struggles.

'Every year, I think back to June 3rd, 2014. The day where my friends let me know that I am not s*** and p***,' he wrote.

'I am reminded that my wife, the band, my loved ones, my family and you who care about what we do in GOY have given me more reasons to get up out of bed than I could enumerate.'

Rock of support: David thanked his friends, loved ones, his band, and all his fans for helping him cope through his struggles

The popular frontman then thanked all his fans for all their love before imploring all of them to look after one another during all the difficult times.

'So thank you all for helping save me, little by little, day by day. Look after each other, say sorry to each other, forgive each other, talk to each other. Let the world know you will not yield, and that your spirit will not kneel today.'

He concluded his heartfelt Instagram by telling everyone he loves them and that he's happy to still be here.

'I am glad I am still here,' he wrote.

For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14.

For further support contact Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 and MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.

Optimistic: David concluded his heartfelt letter with a loving: 'I'm glad I'm still here'



He recently burnt a wad of $100 bills while he soaked in a bathtub in a bizarre video clip.

And on Tuesday, the son of respected television journalist Terry Willesee, Jesse Sunset, 30, put on another feigned gangster display in California.

Taking to Instagram, the flamboyant musician was captured pouring a can of Corona all over his face and body.

Is everything OK? Terry Willesees gold-toothed rapper son Jesse Sunset showers in beer in his latest troubling display after burning $10,000 cash in the bathtub

While standing in a shower, the socialite cracked open a can of ale and proceeded to dowse the contents of the beverage all over his head.

The aspiring rapper wore a retro colour-block ski jacket, a bandana, an oversized gold necklace and a pair of multi-coloured shades in the video.

As liquid amber cascaded over his visage the quirky star was seen shouting a bunch of trite platitudes to his legion of followers in an American twang.

'This Summer...turn your dreams into reality!' As liquid amber cascaded over his visage, the quirky star was seen shouting a bunch of trite platitudes to his legion of followers in an American twang

'This Summer...turn your dreams into reality!' Jesse announced in the clip.

'Make it real, baby!' the self-confessed 'accidental playboy' exclaimed.

Eccentric Jesse proceeded to pretend the Corona can was a phone.

Hoppy life ?Jesse raised the beer can to his ear and was seen convincingly speaking into the tinnie like it was a smartphone

Jesse raised the beer can to his ear and was seen convincingly speaking into the tinnie like it was a smartphone.

'Hello!' he said to the Corona can.

In a nod to rapper, Eminem's 1999 hit, he captioned the video: 'Life. By Marshall Mathers.'

Late last month, Jesse took to Instagram used a lighter to ignite a wad of $100 bills believed to total $10,000.

While lounging in a bubble bath in Los Angeles, Jesse proudly told his social media followers: 'This is for all my broke boys and girls!'

'This is for all my broke boys and girls!' Last month, Jesse burned $10,000 while boasting about his sex life in the bath

Jesse wore a blue du-rag on his head and a trendy pair of sunglasses while rapping about his wealth and active sex life.

He began: 'I be broke and burning fat stacks, that's facts, hows that? This is for all my broke boys and girls who ball out when they're broke.'

Jesse then waved around the large wad of money before using the lighter's flame to set it ablaze.

'Doesn't burn very well, but I still be burning it': The flamboyant musician used a lighter to ignite a wad of $100 bills believed to total $10,000

In February, Jesse hit back at social media critics, who claimed that his obnoxious display of wealth was simply because of his father's fortune.

He revealed that he had, in fact, made a tidy sum purchasing Bitcoin shares and had even gifted his father a BMW X3, which is worth approximately $68,900 in Australia.

Jesse explained on Instagram how Bitcoin success enabled to finance his lifestyle, which includes a fleet of vehicles and a pricey new apartment with gold furnishings.

'Quite frankly, I'm rich b***h. I've been thinking of legally changing my name to Lil' Bitcoin,' he said at the time.

'Quite frankly I'm rich, b***h': In February, Jesse hit back at social media critics who claimed that his obnoxious display of wealth was simply because of his father's fortune

Proud dad! Jesse revealed that he had, in fact, made a tidy sum purchasing Bitcoin shares and had even gifted his father a BMW X3, which is worth approximately $68,900 in Australia

The Willesee family legacy is well-known, with Jesse's uncle Mike Willesee, 75, creating Channel Nine's A Current Affair and helping launch Paul Hogan's career.

Mike's younger brother and Jesse's father Terry, 72, first moved to America in 1992 to anchor A Current Affair Extra, returning to Australia three years later.

Their late father Don Willesee was a longtime member of the Australian senate and Whitlam Government minister.

Raised in the affluent Northern Beaches enclave of Avalon, Jesse Willesee has now adopted the moniker 'Jesse Sunset' in an attempt to launch his career in rap music.She is a highly sought after model and actress.

And on Monday night, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley appeared at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York wearing a midriff baring black and white ensemble.

The 31-year-old former Victoria's Secret Angel looked divine as she posed along the red carpet.

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Golden: On Monday night, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley appeared at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York wearing a midriff baring black and white ensemble

Huntington-Whiteley's top exposed one shoulder as well as half her torso and she added a pair of billowy black pants with sections of intricate, white floral knitwork.

Lorraine Schwartz 18 karat white gold and diamond drop earrings cascaded down the sides of the Transformers: Dark of the Moon actress' neck.

She matched a pair of pointed black and white shoes to complete her outfit.

The majority of the model's blonde tresses were pulled back into a loose bun as she left various wavy strands in front to fall and frame her face.

She was one of a variety of stars to appear at the awards show, which honors excellence in fashion design.

Angelic: The 31-year-old former Victoria's Secret Angel looked divinein Lorraine Schwartz 18 karat white gold and diamond drop earrings as she posed along the red carpet

Sections: Huntington-Whiteley's top exposed one shoulder as well as half her torso and she added a pair of billowy black pants with sections of intricate, white floral knitwork

The CFDAs, which stands for Council of Fashion Designers of America, takes place in New York every year.

The council includes designers Carolina Herrera, Diane von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren and Zac Posen.

Actress Issa Rae will be hosting Monday night's event, marking the first time a person of color has emceed the ceremony, which has seen past hosts such as comedians Seth Myers and James Corden.

It's also the first time a woman has hosted the event since Tracey Ullman in 2009.

The night will see awards dished out for a variety of categories including designer of the year for womens wear, mens wear and accessories, and an emerging designer of the year for a newcomer.

Giving a wave: The superstar was seen arriving with a wave at the New York event

In shape: Rosie has been working had on her fitness regime following the birth of her son

Notable attendees this year include Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong'o, and Claire Danes who will all be presenting.

Then there are also six special honorees, for lifetime achievement, media, good works (officially known as the Swarovski Award for Positive Change), contributions to the industry (the Founders Award), international designer (Donatella Versace is getting it this year), and Fashion Icon.

Kim Kardashian will be honored with the Fashion Influencer award.

The evening is also a fundraiser for the CFDA which is the trade and lobbying organization for the fashion industry, and its various programs.

Tickets cost $10,000 and tables go for an eye-watering $70,000. Last year's event raised $4 million.Suffragettes With Lucy Worsley

Rating:

Versailles

Rating:

Yesterday marked 105 years since suffragette Emily Davison was killed after falling under the Kings horse at Epsom.

Its an event that even those who know very little about the suffragette movement are aware of.

Last nights Suffragettes With Lucy Worsley (BBC1) set out to tell the story of the votes for women campaign, detailing how things escalated from using peaceful means to terrorist tactics.

Unlike other, stuffier, historians, Ms Worsley isnt afraid to dip into the dressing up box and immerse herself in the narrative.

Yesterday marked 105 years since suffragette Emily Davison was killed after falling under the Kings horse at Epsom

Laced up in a corset as an Edwardian lady, she took us back to 1903 when the Womens Social and Political Union (WSPU) was formed.

By then, 19 Bills on votes for women had been put before Parliament  and dismissed.

When it became apparent that peaceful leafleting and rallies were producing no results, the WSPU decided to up their game.

Throughout last nights documentary it was hard not to be impressed by just how savvy these women were in publicising their cause.

They printed their own newspaper, they wore branded sashes and invited sympathetic journalists to work with them  the sort of campaign todays celebs would pay a PR agency a small fortune for.

In 1907, they made imprisonment their aim.

The idea of middle-class ladies in Holloway jail was shocking and attracted the press coverage they so desperately needed.

But how to ensure they would be incarcerated? Simple. They assaulted policemen to get arrested and then didnt pay their fines.

By 1909, they went on political hunger strike, which led to them being force fed.

Much of the story was told through the diaries of the Suffragettes and hearing them talk of the torturous experience of force feeding was one of the most powerful moments in the film.

They described the sensation of drowning, of their eyes feeling like they were going to burst.

No wonder a group of 117 doctors wrote to Prime Minister Asquith urging him to stop this beastly and revolting procedure.

By 1913, terrorist tactics were being used and it took the outbreak of World War I for a truce to be called.

There is something so charmingly engaging about Lucy Worsley  who wasnt afraid to criticise the Suffragettes for their violence.

She certainly makes history come alive but at 90 minutes the programme was way too long.

And, despite trying hard, it still felt like a history lesson were all familiar with  not least because the BBC had a glut of documentaries on the suffragette movement in February.

If factual storytelling is your thing then youd do well to swerve the new series of Versailles

If factual storytelling is your thing then youd do well to swerve the new series of Versailles (BBC2).

The programme makers have landed themselves in hot water over the graphic sexual scenes.

So last night the nudity was toned down and held back until the very end, a risky gamble as its probably the reason most people tune in.

King Louis XIV (George Blagden) was buoyant after his victory over the Dutch but  more importantly  because work had finished on the lavish Hall of Mirrors at his palace.

He celebrated by taking two mistresses. Dont pity the Queen, she was enjoying the attentions of Leopold of Hungary.

As the King and his courtiers lived in splendour, the Parisian peasants were living in squalor. But, most bizarrely, they were all speaking with broad Lancashire and Yorkshire accents.

Versailles is glamorous, highly camp and corny.

And, despite the dodgy accents, it does have a strange allure  even if it does feel more like a Carry On film than a historical drama.Stars flocked to the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City on Monday.

Among them was model and coder Karlie Kloss, who sizzled in a backless white Jason Wu gown as she stood for the cameras with the designer himself.

At over 6 feet tall, the 25-year-old towered over Jason, playing up the the height difference in one photo by resting her forearm on the top of his head.

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Star wattage: Karlie Kloss dazzled at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City on Monday

Karlie swept her platinum blonde hair back into a ponytail, playing up her supermodel features with makeup including a shock of scarlet lipstick.

She added a bit of dazzle with a pair of glittering earrings, and her outfit was cinched around her waistline to emphasize her enviably trim figure.

The Chicago native stuck out her sculpted left leg through the dangerously high thigh-slit of her floor-length gown, revealing her black ankle-strap stilettos.

Only the best for Karlie: The model and coder sizzled in a backless white Jason Wu gown as she stood for the cameras with the designer himself

Side by side: At over 6 feet tall, the 25-year-old towered over Jason, playing up the the height difference in one photo by resting her forearm on the top of his head

Smoldering: Karlie swept her platinum blonde hair back into a ponytail, playing up her supermodel features with makeup including a shock of scarlet lipstick

Jason, who used to run womenswear at Hugo Boss and whose work includes both of Michelle Obama's inauguration outfits, arrived in black tie.

He kept his look impeccably formal, buttoning a black suit over a classic white dress shirt and pulling on a gleaming pair of black dress shoes.

In addition to getting snapped inside the event, Karlie and Jason were also glimpsed walking arm in arm outdoors as they turned up to the event.

Hand at the waist: She added a bit of dazzle with a pair of glittering earrings, and her outfit was cinched around her waistline to emphasize her enviably trim figure

Over the shoulder: The Chicago native stuck out her sculpted left leg through the dangerously high thigh-slit of her floor-length gown, revealing her black ankle-strap stilettos

Diversifying: Karlie has also started an organization called Kode With Klossy that runs a summer camp with the purpose of teaching coding to teenage girls

Karlie, who rose to fame as a Victoria's Secret Angel, returned to the brand's annual fashion show last year when it was held in Shanghai.

The China-based edition of the fashion show was the first time the extravaganza - often held in such cities as New York and London - took place in Asia.

She has also started an organization called Kode With Klossy that runs a summer camp with the purpose of teaching coding to teenage girls.

Duo: Jason, who used to run womenswear at Hugo Boss and whose work includes both of Michelle Obama's inauguration outfits, arrived in black tie

Sauntering along: In addition to getting snapped inside the event, Karlie and Jason were also glimpsed walking arm in arm outdoors as they turned up to the eventLove Island fans were less than impressed on Monday's launch as they claimed newbie Laura Anderson, 29, was ripping off last year's star Olivia Attwood's style.

The Scottish beauty was seen wearing similar outfits and hairstyles to Olivia - with the Surrey blonde even pointing out the lookalike ensembles herself on Twitter.

Just hours after the launch, Olivia chatted to Capital Breakfasts Roman Kemp and Vick Hope about last night's show as she insisted she may need protection against the fellow blonde and her copycat ways.

Copycat? Laura Anderson has been accused by viewers of imitating last year's contender Olivia Attwood

The evening of the launch, Olivia writing for fashion company New Look as part of a live Twitter blog during the first episode, Olivia wrote: 'Wait my heads gone. Laura's come in last like me, wearing my exact outfit.'

The flabbergasted reality star, 27, added: 'Is Laura wearing MY hair do? OK, Im calling fraud prevention.' And the former contestant wasn't the only one to notice with social media users quick to react.

With her hair scraped into a half ponytail, half curled star, the lithe beauty was uncanny between the duo as they posed side by side.

On the radio the following morning, Vick cheekily said: 'All the contestants went in last night, so first impressions, and Ive gotta say straight up, theres someone in there called Laura', to which Olivia replied: 'My Twitters going mad!

Who's who? The reality TV star, 26, added: 'Is Laura wearing MY hair do? OK, Im calling fraud prevention'

Former star: The Surrey blonde even pointed out the lookalike ensembles herself on Twitter

Eek? Laura's style was certainly coordinating with her predecessor

While Vick said: 'She looks like you, shes copying you!', Olivia was stating: 'I feel like I need to, like, call for protection! Like, shes got my hair No, do you know what, I quite like her. Shock!'

The previous night one viewer wrote: 'Laura is just an Olivia clone. The hairdo, the glasses', with another adding: 'Nice of them to send Olivias mum in.'

Others said: 'Producers have literally just gone for carbon copies of last years cast.... Laura is like a Scottish Olivia. Like theyve literally cloned her... Im getting bad vibes from Laura, I feel like shes trying to be like Olivia TOO much.'

Laura was paired with nuclear systems design engineer Wes Nelson, 20, but admitted that she wouldn't mind coupling with gym-owner Adam Collard, 22.

Help me! While Vick said: 'She looks like you, shes copying you!', Olivia was stating: 'I feel like I need to, like, call for protection! Like, shes got my hair No, do you know what, I quite like her. Shock!'

Reaction: The former contestant wasn't the only one to notice with social media users quick to react

Matchy matchy! The likeness was uncanny as fans were keenly observing

She revealed: 'I really like Adam. For me, I need to get in there. He is looks wise pretty much dead on what I would like. I don't want to like the same person.'

It's been one of the most highly anticipated opening episodes for a TV series this year. Yet Love Island viewers were left frustrated with the turn of events at the end of the first show.

Geordie Adam was seen standing in front of the five fresh-faced couples ready to pick which beauty he wanted to be paired with.

But then the scene cuts off before he can reveal who he has chosen, leaving fans gobsmacked and annoyed at the juicy cliff-hanger.

Love? Laura, 29, was paired with nuclear systems design engineer Wes Nelson, 20Cate Blanchett stepped out in an award-worthy ensemble at the famed 'Oscars of fashion' on Monday in New York.

The two-time Oscar winner cemented her sartorial credentials as she sparkled in a silver embellished black number at the CFDA Fashion Awards.

The 48-year-old Australian beauty showed off her incredible physique as she posed in the sleek skirt suit at the star-studded event in the Big Apple.

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Silver siren! Cate Blanchett sparkles in embellished black ensemble as she arrives at CFDA Fashion Awards in New York

The designer garb featured a number of impressive highlights, including silver embellished cuffs, folded silky-smooth lapels and an edgy asymmetrical hemline.

The ensemble's low-cut design gave onlookers a glimpse at Cate's youthful decolletage.

The screen siren accentuated her killer calves by donning a pair of pointed black high heels.

Taking the plunge! The ensemble's low-cut design gave onlookers a glimpse at Cate's youthful decolletage

Shining star! The blonde star also adorned her earlobes with glitzy bling

The blonde star also adorned her earlobes with glitzy bling.

Cate styled her trademark blonde bob into loose curls, which fell loosely around her face.

She opted for a dramatic makeup palette consisting of a smoldering smokey eye, bold lashes and peach lips.

Blonde bombshell: Cate styled her trademark blonde bob into loose curls, which fell loosely around her face

Cate joined a stellar list of notable attendees at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lupita Nyong'o and Claire Danes.

The evening is also a fundraiser for the CFDA,.which is the trade and lobbying organization for the fashion industry.

Tickets cost $10,000 and tables go for an eye-watering $70,000. Last year's event raised $4 million.On Sunday, she walked in Alexander Wang's show in New York.

And on Monday, Kaia Gerber was a walking commercial for the Taiwanese-American designer as she arrived at the CFDA Fashion Awards in Brooklyn.

The 16-year-old daughter of Cindy Crawford paired a logo'd striped shirt buttoned at the collar with logo'd silky patterned shorts.

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Logo'd up: On Monday, Kaia Gerber was a walking commercial for the Taiwanese-American designer Alexander Wang as she arrived at the CFDA Fashion Awards in Brooklyn

The shirt was cut-out at the front to reveal a swathe of the teen's tummy and belly button.

She added black tights that also had the designer's name running down the side and black heels and carried a sparkly silver purse.

Kaia wore her hair with a center parting and was made-up with black eye-liner and mascara and red lip color.

Designer duds: The 16-year-old daughter of Cindy Crawford paired a striped shirt buttoned at the collar with silky patterned shorts and bared her belly button in the ensemble

Leggy: The teen added black tights that also had the designer's name running down the side. She stepped out in barely there black shoes with silver heels and carried a sparkly silver purse

No need to ask who she's wearing: Every item of clothing as well as the purse showcased the brand

She's his muse: She was accompanied to the event by Wang, 34, who wore shorts that matched her shirt along with a tuxedo jacket, and socks and sneakers

Kaia has become a sought after model after launching her career when she turned 16 last September.

Having a mother who is one of the world's top supermodels has clearly been a boost for the young star.

Cindy revealed to Harper's Bazaar last year the one piece of advice she'd imparted to her daughter as she launched herself into the industry.

Celebrity offspring: Kaia, the daughter Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, has become a sought after model after launching her career when she turned 16 last September

'I told Kaia that some designers will tell you not to have expression, but my advice is that people love seeing personality,' the 52-year-old explained.

'When you're walking down that runway, you should look like, 'This is the best dress I've ever worn, I feel great in it and don't you wish you had it,' because in the end, we are trying to sell dresses.'

It's not just Kaia who is following in her mom's footsteps; her older brother Presley, 18, is also a model.

Their father is Cindy's husband of 20 years, tequila businessman Rande Gerber.

Feeling good: Kaia beamed widely for cameras as she headed home from the event later onAs guests of one of fashion's biggest nights, they surely wanted to live up to the invite.

And on Monday, Ashley Graham and Sara Sampaio opted for simple elegance at the CFDA Fashion Awards in Brooklyn.

The stunning brunettes focused on a neutral color palette for the evening, each choosing their version of nude.

Beauties: On Monday, Ashley Graham and Sara Sampaio, 26, opted for simple elegance at the CFDA Fashion Awards in Brooklyn

Ashley, 30, chose a flesh-toned, floor-length gown complete with matching shoes and accessories. The sleeves of her evening wear were sheer, except for a bandage-like piece at her elbows.

The supermodel and social media sensation brought attention to her lips with a bold shade from Revlon.

Ashley's hair was coiffed into an effortlessly elegant style by GHD brand ambassador Justine Marjan, who noted that the 'glamorous, polished look' was inspired by the 'simple, chic design of Ashley's dress'.

'To create the look, I prepped damp hair with Tresemme Tres Two Extra Hold Mousse and Repair & Protect 7 Pre-Styling Spray and then blow-dried the hair using the GHD Air Hair Dryer to create a smooth, silky texture,' Justine explained.

'Then, I added in extensions so we could create huge voluminous waves on Ashley.

'Next, I used the GHD Curve soft curl iron and curled the mid-length to ends of the hair, pinning the curls back to let them cool.

'To finish, I removed the pins and sprayed a hairbrush with hairspray, then brushed through the curls to created a polished and relaxed finish.'

Ashley chose a flesh-toned, floor-length gown complete with matching shoes and accessories

Different look: The sleeves of her evening wear were sheer, except for a bandage-like piece at her elbows

Sara's shade of nude was closer to blush pink.

The Victoria's Secret beauty, 26, chose a deep V-neck gown, complete with a ruffled bottom. The dress with lined with rose gold fabric.

The blue-eyed beauty kept her make-up natural, choosing soft eye-shadow shades and a low-key, pink lip.

Feminine frills: Sara's shade of nude was closer to blush pink. The Victoria's Secret beauty, 26, chose a deep V-neck gown, complete with a ruffled bottom

Better together: Joining the star on the black-and-white carpet was designer Gilles J. Mendel

Prior to their prestigious event arrival, both women took to social media to include their followers in their event prep.

Sara shared clips of herself getting her hair and make-up done, complete with an animal Snapchat filter.

The Portuguese stunner revealed her completed look while on the way to the Brooklyn Museum, where the event was held.

For her followers: Sara shared clips of herself getting her hair and make-up done, complete with an animal Snapchat filter

All done: The Portuguese stunner revealed her completed look while on the way to the Brooklyn Museum, where the event was held

Having fun: The model and her designer companion let loose before the event

Like Sara, Ashley also showed off her make-up and hair process.

The Revlon brand ambassador stayed true to the company with the use of their lip shade, Passion.

While at the event, the Lincoln, Nebraska native caught up with fashion designer extraordinaire, Vera Wang.

Looking fantastic: Like Sara, Ashley also showed off her make-up and hair process

Good work: The Revlon brand ambassador stayed true to the company with the use of their lip shade, Passion

Elegance: Ashley also showed off her pretty, nude nailsSonia Kruger has teared up during a reading with celebrity medium Harry T.

The 52-year-old sat down for a session with the psychic on Tuesday's episode of Today Extra.

She became particularly emotional when he channeled her father Adrian Kruger, who died in June 2015.

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'He is saying don't regret anything!' Sonia Kruger has teared up during a reading with celebrity medium Harry T as he channeled her late father Adrian

'He is saying don't regret anything. Live life. Live life. He is talking to you, giving you advice,' he emphasised to her.

Harry added that he feels his presence around her, 'I almost think he visits your home, and there are things he does in your home, and you think that's dad because he's showing me that he does that.'

The revelation caused Sonia to well up, likely confirming her own thoughts about reminders from her father in her present life.

Emotional: The 52-year-old became particularly emotional when he revealed her father's advice to her, saying 'He is saying don't regret anything. Live life. Live life. He is talking to you, giving you advice'

'He is saying he is so proud of you as a mum, and he is around - I don't know if it is your daughter or son, I know you have got a kid - but he is showing me he is around your family,' the physic noted.

Sonia revealed to Harry that her daughter Maggie, who is now three, was six months old when her father had died.

He chimed in: 'So he met her. That's why he is happy. He is like he is saying he is proud of you as a mum.'

Happy he met her: Sonia revealed to Harry that her daughter, Maggie who is now three, was six months old when her father had died. He chimed in: 'So he met her. That's why he is happy. He is like he is saying he is proud of you as a mum'

Proud: The psychic added: 'He just went you are doing well, and you need to hear that. He loves you so much, he is so proud of you and he said now you know that I've everywhere where you go,' (Sonia's father Adrian pictured)

The psychic added: 'He just went you are doing well, and you need to hear that. He loves you so much, he is so proud of you and he said now you know that I've everywhere where you go.'

Reality TV fiends may recognise Harry, who has previously starred on Channel Seven's First Dates and Foxtel's cooking show Come Dine With Me.

Beyond television, Harry is a fixture on the social scene, and has been spotted strutting red carpets with celebrity pals like The Bachelor's Laurina Fleure and Zilda Williams, Real Housewives star Pettifleur Berenger, and countless others.

Harry is currently preparing to start his Messages From Beyond tour with Married At First Sight's Sarah Roza, who will be hosting the live audience shows.Two weeks ago, she had sinus surgery and got around the hospital in a wheelchair.

And when she swung by the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City on Monday, Busy Philipps looked sprightly and fully recovered.

The 38-year-old Cougar Town scene-stealer cut a dazzling figure in a turquoise and aquamarine Christian Siriano trouser suit with flared hems.

Weeks after surgery: When she swung by the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City on Monday, Busy Philipps looked sprightly and fully recovered

Her outfit featured embossed swirls, with a neckline that plunged far enough to offer a generous glimpse of cleavage as she stood for the cameras.

She accentuated her features with a makeup job by Lena Koro, who was responsible for Lena Dunham's complexion at the Catholic-themed Met Gala last month.

Coiffeur Caile Noble, whose clientele has included Sofia Richie, slicked Busy's blonde hair tightly back into a high ponytail.

Aglow: The 38-year-old Cougar Town scene-stealer cut a dazzling figure in a turquoise and aquamarine Christian Siriano trouser suit with flared hems

The Freaks And Geeks alumna, who shares two children with her screenwriter husband Marc Silverstein, modeled a Tiffany's necklace and pair of earrings.

Busy slid into a pointed-toe pair of Stella Luna heels, holding a glinting Jeffrey Levinson clutch that appeared to be his $1,550 mirrored sea glass bag.

While at the event, she posed alongside a midriff-baring Kim Kardashian, who held up the trophy she won that night for being an Influencer.

Blue trouser suits were apparently en vogue for the CFDA Awards, inasmuch as French model Constance Jablonski also opted for one in the form of a bright blue FRAME ensemble.

Hello, gorgeous: Her outfit featured embossed swirls, with a neckline that plunged far enough to offer a generous glimpse of cleavage as she stood for the cameras

Radiant: She accentuated her features with a makeup job by Lena Koro, who was responsible for Lena Dunham's complexion at the Catholic-themed Met Gala last month

The Lille-born 27-year-old, who became an Estee Lauder brand ambassador in 2010, flashed quite a bit of decolletage and wore her blonde hair down.

Hostessed by Issa Rae, the CFDA Fashion Awards welcomed a star-studded guest-list.

Kim, Naomi Campbell, Donatella Versace, Lupita Nyong'o, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld and Erika Jayne were among the attendees.

Side by side: While at the event, she posed alongside a midriff-baring Kim Kardashian, who held up the trophy she won that night for being an InfluencerHe's one of the fashion industry's most in-demand models.

And Jordan Barrett was rubbing shoulders with some major players on Monday night when he arrived at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York.

The Byron Bay local, 22, cut a stylish and confident figure as he posed on the red carpet alongside respected photographer Laurie Lynn Stark.

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Well, he does like older women! Fashion 'bad boy' Jordan Barrett cut a dapper figure alongside photographer Laurie Lynn Stark at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York on Monday

Jordan dressed in all-black, posing for the cameras in a long coat with a coordinating shirt and trousers.

He completed his look with a pair of heavy duty Dr. Martens boots and accessorised with a chunky silver bracelet.

The so-called 'bad boy of fashion' wore his blond hair in slightly dishevelled style.

Making a fashion statement: Jordan dressed in all-black, posing for the cameras in a long coat with a coordinating shirt and trousers

Meanwhile, Laurie looked glamorous in a teal wrap-around dress that offered a glimpse of her toned legs.

The artist and Chrome Hearts co-owner kept her accessories to a minimum and let her ensemble do the talking.

She added some height with a pair of bejewelled ankle strap heels and displayed a deep, golden tan.

Professional poser: He completed his look with a pair of heavy duty Dr. Martens boots and accessorised with a chunky silver bracelet

Jordan has been romantically linked to countless female models and socialites, many of whom are significantly older than him.

In January 2015, he denied rumours he was dating Paris Hilton, 37, after they were spotted getting cosy at the Cavelli Club in Milan.

And In May 2016, he was photographed holding hands with Lara Stone, 33, when they left a Vogue party in London.

More recently, he was linked in the tabloids to Bella Hadid - however, she later clarified that they were just friends.Hilary Duff was stunned to learn on Monday's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? that she's related to the most important king in Scottish history.

The 30-year-old actress went into TLC ancestry show knowing that her dad Robert Duff came from a prominent, well-off family, but knowing little of her mother Susan Colleen Cobb's 'poor Southern roots.'

Experts amazingly managed to trace her history to the other side of the pond  discovering that her 21 times great grandfather was royalty in the 13th century and one of the most important figures in Scottish history, the King of Scots, Robert the Bruce.

Family history: Hilary Duff was stunned to learn on Monday's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? that she's a descendant of the most important king in Scottish history

Deemed one of the most famous warriors of his country, he led his nation's knights in two separate wars at the same time  both a civil war as well as one against English rule, ultimately victorious and leading to the independence of Scotland.

'If this was the 13th century you would be a princess,' genealogist Nick Barratt told her as she visited Scotland, adding: 'I feel I should bow!

'You're a royal. And not only that, Robert the Bruce for me is the superhero of the medieval kings.'

The Lizzie McGuire star got to walk in Dunfermline Abbey where Robert the Bruce walked himself.

Medieval king: The 30-year-old actress walked in Dunfermline Abbey where Robert the Bruce walked himself centuries ago

Scottish king: English genealogist Nick Barratt showed Hilary her family tree dating back to Robert the Bruce, King of Scots

She also viewed his burial spot, saying: 'Crazy to think I've gone my whole life never hearing of this man, and now I'm finding out that he's my 21-times great grandfather and also such a huge important part of history and such a brave man.'

Centuries later, some of her family met a gruesome end in Scotland  with her nine times great grandfather Sir Robert Spottiswoode being publicly beheaded as part of what Barratt called a 'very bloody civil war.'

'He was the king's man so he gambled everything on the king winning the war. And the king didn't,' Barratt told her.

Burial spot: The Lizzie McGuire star also viewed the burial spot of Robert the Bruce in the abbey

Famous warrior: Robert was a famous warrior and is revered in Scotland as a national hero

The family astonishingly continued to play a crucial part in history once one relative arrived in America  leading the fight against the real-life Pirates of the Caribbean, including the man Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow was modeled on.

After the civil war forced them from Scotland, Sir Robert's grandson Alexander Spotswood  Hilary's seven times great grandfather  was sent to America by English aristocracy to be the lieutenant governor of the colony of Virginia, effectively running Virginia for British royalty.

'He had to balance the will of the crown and the interests of the people of Virginia,' Warren Hofstra, professor of history at Shenandoah University, told her. 'He was also responsible for the defense and the safety of the colony.'

American history: Dr. Warren Hofstra of Shenandoah University informed Hilary that her family played a crucial role in US history, too

Virginia governor: Hilary's seven times great grandfather Alexander Spotswood was sent to America by English aristocracy to be the lieutenant governor of the colony of Virginia, effectively running Virginia for British royalty

His prominence meant there were still copies of letters he wrote in 1716 through 1718 where he started warning of the threat of what Hofstra insisted where the 'pirates of the Caribbean.'

'That's insane!' Hilary said, adding: 'I think I feel proud of him.'

Letters and ancient English newspaper articles showed how his warning eventually led to a 1717 proclamation by the King of England where the governor was 'charged with capturing them and he can use whatever means he likes.'

Pirates problem: Letters written by Alexander Spotswood in 1716 through 1718 were made available for Hilary to read

Another historian, Professor of History Douglas Burgess, explained: 'They can be captured and killed anywhere they're found by anyone that finds them. And they'd be rewarded for it.'

The historical material showed how the actress's ancestor was focused on trapping a pirate known as Captain Thatch, or Blackbeard, who was deemed the biggest threat with at least 400 men aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge.

'Tough and stubborn and scary as hell. All I can think of is Jack Sparrow right now,' Hilary laughed, with Burgess saying: 'That is not an accident.'

Infamous pirate: Letters showed Alexander dealing with the infamous pirate Blackbeard

'Blackbeard is actually the inspiration for Johnny Depp's character.'

She learned that it eventually led to a deadly battle with Blackbeard's men, one in which the notorious pirate was eventually killed, beheaded  and with his head mounted on the front of one of the victorious boats to be shown off when it reached land weeks later.

'It was probably pretty macabre,' the historian admitted as Hilary looked disgusted and said: 'Gross!'

The actress was understandably stunned to learn her family's important history.

'It just gets crazier and crazier,' she said. 'I feel honored.'

Crazy history: Hilary was shocked to learn of her crazy family history

She also felt particularly thrilled to be able to share it all with her son, Luca, now six, saying: 'I couldn't dream this stuff up and now I get to hold these stories close to my heart and share them with my son.

'He's loved pretending to be a knight, and now I get to tell him that actually in our blood and in our history his grandfather was a king.

'His favorite thing in the world is going to bed and me telling his stories, so now I have really cool, interesting stories to tell him that are true about his family.

Family stories: The actress said she was looking forward to telling her six-year-old son Luca about his grandfather being a king

'There are so many stories and so much to be proud of. To be able to share that with Luca and maybe him being able to learn of the long line of truly brave and courageous and respected people will instill him wanting to do something himself like that.'

She also seemed thrilled that it all came from her mother's side of the family.

Before making all her discoveries, she had admitted: 'I know that my dad was born into money and I think it was a hard thing for my dad's mother to accept my mom right away because she didn't come from money.

Family portrait: Hilary said that her father Robert was born into money but her mother Susan was from 'super poor' Southern roots

'My whole life, all I've ever heard is that my mom grew up super poor and on the rough side of town. I don't think it was an easy upbringing.'

Saying it made her mom a 'spitfire' who 'fought' and 'worked hard' as she wanted better, it also meant she had a 'big loss of information' from her mother's side of the family while all the historical stories stemmed from her paternal side.

She seemed thrilled that her history with powerful, strong-willed relatives could explain some of their character, with her saying: 'I think of maybe my mom or maybe myself of having those qualities of, ''Go get 'em, we can do this.''

Mom's side: The singer was excited to learn that her mother's side of the family had roots tracing back to Scottish royalty

'I feel really excited for my mom's side of the family. Knowing her poor Southern roots, it's a really cool bow to tie around the story.'

Before her amazing discoveries on the show, Hilary had said: 'My parents always told my sister and I that we were a Heinz 57  just made up of a bunch of different stuff, like Dutch and Scottish and Irish and German.'

Afterward she said: 'We are still Heinz 57, but here's more specifics. I mean, really it's an amazing family tree.'

Tears in her eyes, she also said her family's history of bravery 'will be a really good secret weapon to use on myself' whenever she feels scared.He was a familiar face to fans of NBC's The Office.

And on Monday the sitcom's stars Rainn Wilson and Steve Carell paid tribute actor Hugh Dane who passed away at the age of 75.

'RIP Hugh Dane, aka Hank the security guard. He was one of the greats. So kind, funny, talented. We will all miss him,' tweeted Wilson.

In reply to Wilson's post, Carell tweeted: 'What a terrific guy.'

Remembering: He was a familiar face to fans of NBC's The Office. And on Monday, sitcom star Rainn Wilson paid tribute via Twitter to actor Hugh Dane who passed away at the age of 75

Wilson's co-star Steve Carell also chimed in, tweeting that the actor was 'a terrific guy'

Mindy Kaling, whose role on The Office launched her Hollywood career, remembered Dane as 'one the funniest actors ever'

Dane's death was first noted on the website of the Los Angeles' Inner City Cultural Center in which it announced a memorial for the actor will take place on Saturday.

He is reported to have died on May 16.

Mindy Kaling, whose role on The Office launched her Hollywood career, remembered Dane as 'one the funniest actors ever.'

'I loved writing and acting with him. ,' she tweeted.

Dane got his first TV role in 1990 in an episode of TV series Hunter and continued to be cast in minor roles right up until 2017 with an appearance on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm and ABC's The Mayor.

Dane played security guard Hank and appeared in 22 episodes of the sitcom between 2005 and 2013. . He is reported to have died on May 16

Dane's death was first noted on the website of the Los Angeles' Inner City Cultural Center in which it announced a memorial for the actor will take place on Saturday

He starred as security guard Hank in 22 episodes of The Office between 2005 and 2013.

Other more high profile parts he undertook were as a barber on the Fresh Prince of Be-Air and as Fred on the 90s sitcom Roc.

He also appeared on the big screen in Bridesmaids and Little Fockers.She walked the runway on Sunday for Alexander Wang - her first since giving birth to her second child in February.

And one day later, Behati Prinsloo was spotted arriving at LAX after a flight from New York City.

The 29-year-old model donned a white T-shirt with black leggings and an oversized jacket.

So pretty: Behati Prinsloo was spotted arriving at LAX after a flight from New York City; pictured on Monday

Behati showed off her toned legs in her spandex bottoms, adding a high-neck neutral top.

She had a black and red accented jacket draped over her elbows with bright green sneakers.

The mother of two wore a gray scrunchie in her hair with small framed sunglasses to round out her look; she sported layers of jewelry with hoop earrings.

Behati made her return to the catwalk for an Alexander Wang show in New York.

Flawless: The 29-year-old model donned a white T-shirt with black leggings and an oversized jacket

Gorgeous: Behati showed off her toned legs in her spandex bottoms, adding a high-neck neutral top

The Namibian beauty flaunted her post-baby figure in a black blouse with cut out panels and semi sheer fabric paired with baggy black harem pants for the runway show.

The Victoria's Secret Angel is married to Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, 39.

They share two daughters, Dusty Rose, born in September 2016, and baby Gio Grace, who arrived on February 15.

Wow factor: Behati Prinsloo made her return to the catwalk for an Alexander Wang show in New York on Sunday a little over three months after birth of her second child

Striking: The 29-year-old Namibian beauty flaunted her post-baby figure in a black blouse with cut out panels and semi sheer fabric paired with baggy black harem pants

Beauty: The Victoria's Secret Angel walked the runway with her hair loose and with minimal makeup, showcasing her natural beauty

Prinsloo and Levine began dating in 2012 and wed in 2014 before welcoming their first little one together in September 2016.

Last month, the rocker took to Instagram to send a glowing message to his wife for her birthday, writing: 'The Queen turns 30 today. Shes a legend. Shes THE baddest.'

He added: 'In just a few years we have laughed and loved harder than most. I wake up every morning thankful that it wasnt all a dream. Heres to a thousand more years. I love you @behatiprinsloo with everything I got.'

Mom of two: Prinsloo is married to Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine. They share daughters Dusty Rose, born in September 2016, and baby Gio Grace, who arrived on February 15

Top model: Prinsloo became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2009 and has walked in nine consecutive Victoria's Secret Fashion ShowsIn November 2017, a judge ruled that Tyrese Gibson and ex-wife Norma should share custody of their daughter Shayla following an acrimonious legal battle.

But now the Fast And Furious star is back in court seeking primary custody of the 10-year-old.

The actor argues in new legal documents, seen by TMZ, that Shayla will have a better life if she moves to live with him in his new Atlanta mansion rather than remaining with her mother in Los Angeles.

Wants his kid: Tyrese Gibson is back in court seeking primary custody of his 10-year-old daughter Shayla with ex-wife Norma after a judge ruled last year they should share custody

The 39-year-old Tyrese accuses his ex of restricting his time with his daughter and argues that he will provide a 'stable and loving' environment for her in his seven-bedroom, nine-and-a-half bath Georgia home.

The Transformers star says he will send her to a top private school and she will be less bothered by paparazzi if she's away from Tinseltown.

Tyrese and Norma were married from 2007 to 2009.

Dispute: The Fast And Furious star, 39, left, and Norma, right last September, went through an acrimonious legal battle over Shayla after they split up. They were wed from 2007 to 2009

Famous: The Transformers star says he will send his daughter, pictured with him in 2016, to a top private school and she will be less bothered by paparazzi if she's away from Tinseltown

Luxury living: Tyrese says in court documents that he will provide a 'stable and loving' environment for his daughter in his seven-bedroom, nine-and-a-half bath Georgia home

Last year, the LA native tied the knot with New Jersey-born Samantha and they announced in April that they are expecting a baby together.

The child is due in September.

Speaking to People last year, Tyrese said of his court battle with his ex: 'Unfortunately as entertainers and public figures, you have to go through very private matters publicly sometimes.'

Samantha said earlier this year that she believes her pregnancy has come at the 'right time.'

'There was a lot that happened last year - everyone is aware of that - and so to have the opportunity to  really start a new chapter in the way that has happened, I just look to God and I'm like, 'Wow, I can't believe that you would plan it this way and you do it so perfectly,' she explained to People.Kevin Bloody Wilson was once revered as a mouthpiece for middle Australia, celebrated locally for his rule-bending exploits on the international stage.

It's no secret that the global shift towards political correctness has been unkind to the crown king of Kalgoorlie - a fact that made his rare public appearance on Tuesday extra special for his loyalists.

Kevin (real name Dennis Bryant) popped up on fellow living legend Shannon 'Nollsy' Noll's Instagram account, offering a middle finger salute for good measure.

The 71-year-old was pictured alongside the former Australian Idol star, the pair looking equally excited to be in one another's company.

Nollsy wore a shearling-lined coat and a cheesy grin, wrapping his arm around one of his idols.

Kevin kept a low profile in a cap and glasses, although he couldn't resist flipping the bird.

'Great to catch up with my mate Kevin Bloody Wilson. Absolute legend!' Nollsy wrote in the caption.

Gone for good: His rare sighting comes at a low-point in the icon's career, at a time when comedy has faced renewed scrutiny and calls for censorship

His rare sighting comes at a low-point in the icon's career, at a time when comedy has faced renewed scrutiny and calls for censorship.

'I cant go on TV anymore as its so bloody PC (political correct) ... or do The Sydney Comedy Festival. The audience is too mainstream and gets offended,' he told News Corp last month.

'Banks, corporate bosses dont book us anymore for fear we might offend staff.'

Rare is better than not at all! It's no secret that the global shift towards political correctness has been unkind to the crown king of Kalgoorlie - a fact that made his rare public appearance on Tuesday extra special for his loyalists

There was a time when local media proudly cited the nation's laid-back nature when staunchly defending him in the face of international audiences calling for his head.

In fact, one of Kevin's most famous tracks sprang from an act of rebellion - the kind the likes of Shane Warne and David Boone would once win sponsorship deals over.

Prior to his first ever Canadian tour, the funnyman was reportedly given explicit instructions not to use the C-word onstage.

Heard, but not seen: 'I cant go on TV anymore as its so bloody PC (political correct) ... or do The Sydney Comedy Festival. The audience is too mainstream and gets offended' he said last month

He quickly sought solace to make urgent, last-minute modifications to his set - scrapping his planned opener to debut a new track, titled 'You Can't Say C*** In Canada.'

Locally, he was a hero - but while international media scurried to catch-up, his album sales grew, and so did the capacity of the venues he would play.

Sadly, it's a different story these days: 'I still sell out but you have to visit the RSLs to see me. Ill always open my show saying, "This is a PC-free zone,"' he told News Corp.

Not so merry: There was a time when local media proudly cited the nation's laid-back nature when staunchly defending him in the face of international audiences calling for his headThey're the hot new stars of the Netflix revamp of Queer Eye for the Straight Eye.

And the Fab Five looked every inch the part while Down Under filming for season two, and their highly-anticipated Australian celebrity makeover.

Taking to Instagram Story on Tuesday, the show's stars Jonathon Van Ness and Antoni Porowski wasted no time hitting-up the gym.

Breaking a sweat! Queer Eye cast members Jonathon Van Ness (left) and Antoni Porowski wasted no time hitting the gym together after landing Down Under

Visiting the country's capital Canberra, the hunky men-of-style were joined by their equally handsome co-stars, Bobby Berk and Karamo Brown.

Cast member Tan France also made cameos in Jonathan and Bobby's Instagram stories.

The Queer Eye fashion expert was enjoying a meal at an eatery in Canberra's inner city, only for Jonathan to start filming him.

Working hard: The Queer Eye cast members taking to Instagram Story to show of their fit, gym-honed physiques

The Fab Five continued their tour of Australia's capital and managed to land a selfie with a female police officer.

Long-haired Jonathan enthusiastically remarking in the caption: 'I stan a lady police officer and a country with sensible gun control!'

While promoting the show Down Under, the Fab Five have teased fans about their plans to give a local celebrity one of their famous makeovers.

Lost and yet to be found: Bobby (left) and Karamo are also enjoying their time in Canberra despite Bobby losing his luggage at the airport

Fans have speculated the celebrity could be One Nation senator Pauline Hanson or former Nationals leader, Barnaby Joyce.

In addition to the secret celebrity makeover, the cast will also be busy doing press for the upcoming season of their hit reality show.

The second series of Queer Eye will premiere on Netflix on June 15.

Tasty: The Fab Five are enjoying the all the sights that Canberra has to offer them. Pictured is Antoni Porowski

'Just two Brits in Australia': The Queer Eye cast have teased a secret Australian celebrity makeover for weeks, though it is not known who will receive an image overhaul

'I stan a lady police officer': The Fab Five have been enjoying their tour of Canberra before their Queer Eye season two press tour kicks offSean Thomsen was brutally dumped by Tracey Jewel just three weeks before she confirmed she was back together with her ex-boyfriend, Patrick Kedemos.

And on Tuesday, the Married At First Sight star took a swipe at his former love interest.

Sean threw shade at Tracey, 35, by calling co-star Davina Rankin a 'saint' in comparison to his ex.

'Davina, you are a saint in comparison': MAFS' Sean Thomsen takes a swipe at Tracey Jewel... after being dumped for former fling Patrick Kedemos

Hard feelings? Sean threw shade at Tracey by calling 'villain' co-star Davina Rankin a 'saint' in comparison to his ex girlfriend

Davina was coined Married At First Sight's 'villain' thanks to her 'cheating' scandal with Tracey's 'husband' Dean Wells on the show.

'Davina, you are a saint in comparison,' Sean overwrote a screenshot of one of Tracey's recent Instagram stories.

He also added: 'Have to laugh at yourself', accompanied by a series of laughing face emojis.

Tracey previously posted a 'tick the box' image to her social media page, which offered the three options: single, taken and who cares.

Rekindled love: On Sunday, Tracey gushed over her reconciled romance with Patrick in a heartfelt post shared to Instagram

Sending an indirect stab at her former beau, Tracey proudly ticked the 'who cares' box.

On Sunday, Tracey gushed over her reconciled romance with Patrick in a heartfelt post, just three weeks after ending her relationship with Sean.

She poured her heart out to her 140,000 followers and said their reunion was 'meant to be,' but strangely also pleaded for privacy.

Bizarre: She poured her heart out to her 140,000 followers and said their reunion was 'meant to be' but strangely also pleaded for privacy

The ex files: Tracey dumped Sean at the airport last month after five months of dating

'I recently reunited with my ex-partner Patrick Kedemos in Cairns at the Tony Robbins 'Date With Destiny' seminar it could not have been better named,' she wrote.

'After everything I've been through with MAFS, it seems true love always finds its way back into our lives I've had a few detours but I now know where my heart always belonged.

She added: 'If two people are meant to be together then they will always find a way! We wish our relationship to be as private as possible; Patrick and I are just delighted to be together again  we feel blessed to have each other. Thank you for your love and support.'

Dropping hints: Prior to confirming their reconciliation, Tracey and Patrick sparked speculation there was something going on between the pair after both attended the Tony Robbins' Date With Destiny seminar at Cairns Convention Centre. They are pictured here in Perth in November 2016

She added the hashtags: 'x #trueloveneverdies #togetheragain #happyending #foreverafter #datewithdestiny #gratitude @patrick_kedemos.'

Last week, an insider told Woman's Day that Tracey and Patrick are considering moving back in together.

'There's already talk of them moving back in together,' a source said.

The exes began dating in 2016, but reportedly split in late June 2017 before Tracey's appearance on Married At First Sight.

Patrick, a former honorary consul for France in WA, previously told News Corp that he met with Tracey on several occasions after their split.

He claimed they saw each other between October and December 2017, while she was filming Married At First Sight with her TV 'husband' Dean Wells, 40.

Throwback romance! Patrick and Tracey began dating in 2016, but reportedly split in late June 2017 before Tracey's appearance on Married At First Sight

The self-proclaimed 'relationship expert' has previously denied Patrick's claims.

She told PerthNow in March that her split with Patrick took an emotional toll.

'Breakups never end well, and in breakups you've always got my version of a breakup, their version of a breakup and the truth is somewhere in the middle,' she said.

'I have had some public relationships that haven't gone to plan and the reasons why those breakups have happened, I've chosen not to print those stories or comment on that, because that's private.'

She added: 'I'd hoped that they'd have the same respect for me.'Embattled 2Day FM breakfast host Em Rusciano has recently faced mounting calls to be sacked over complaints she made about her co-hosts Grant Denyer and Ed Kavalee and network bosses last month.

Now the 39-year-old's likely replacement has been revealed in an online poll conducted by Radio Today last week.

Hit Network National Nights host Ash London was deemed the most popular choice (out of a list of nine media candidates) to replace the contentious broadcaster, pulling virtually 24% per cent.

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The Carrie Bickmore radio show? Embattled 2Day FM breakfast host Em Rusciano's likely replacements REVEALED

Australian comedian and media mainstay, Celia Pacquola secured the second spot on 17.43 per cent outperforming the former Bachelorette and The Project host.

Sophie Monk, who has previously worked for 2Day FM alongside Jules Lund, Merrick Watts and Mel B in 2014, garnered a favorable response from survey respondents, raking in 13.49 per cent of the total vote.

Meanwhile Carrie Bickmore who currently co-hosts the Carrie And Tommy radio show on the Hit Network narrowly made the top five, attracting a modest 8.33 per cent.

New time slot? Hit Network National Nights host Ash London was deemed the most popular choice to replace the contentious broadcaster, pulling virtually 24% per cent

Battle of the blondes: Sophie Monk garnered a favorable response from survey respondents, raking in 13.49 per cent of the total vote. While, Carrie Bickmore narrowly made the top five, attracting a modest 8.33 per cent

No breakfast for you! Carrie Bickmore who currently co-hosts the Carrie And Tommy radio show on the Hit Network narrowly made the top five, attracting a modest 8.33 per cent

The poll comes after the Em, Grant & Ed show enjoyed a modest 0.5 per cent boost in the third ratings survey for 2018.

It was good enough to secure a 4.9 per cent share of the overall Sydney FM breakfast market - however, a slight dip couldn't knock longstanding leaders The Kyle and Jackie O Show off the top spot.

The drama that followed Em's controversial complaints about co-hosts and network bosses' in an interview with Wil Anderson's Wilosophy podcast in May, has clearly not negatively impacted the numbers.

Does this change things? After reports alleged the 39-year-old could be sacked following comments she made about co-hosts Grant Denyer and Ed Kavalee last month, the trio's Sydney breakfast show was up a modest 0.5 percent in the third ratings survey for 2018

The former reality star told Wil that the Hit Network's decision to hire Grant and Ed came out of the blue, leaving her with the intimidating task of generating chemistry with two people she'd never met.

'It was hectic. It was the Em Rusciano Radio Show - it was my show!' And then all of a sudden Ed's anchoring and the show's called 'The 2Day FM Breakfast Show,' she said.

A source subsequently told Daily Mail Australia Em had been called in to a meeting with senior management regarding her conduct.

Unconfirmed reports alleged Em may be axed from the show, with media personality Ash London tipped as her replacement.

It's unclear whether the promising result from Tuesday's survey would be factored into any network decision regarding the personality's employment.

No press is bad press? The drama that followed Em's complaints about co-hosts and network bosses' in an interview with Wil Anderson's Wilosophy podcast in May has clearly not negatively impacted the numbersThey have been close friends for years and were romantically linked last year.

And Winnie Harlow and Lewis Hamilton put on a cosy display as they stepped out at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City on Monday.

The rising fashion model, 23, and Formula One driver, 33, looked close as they posed up a storm together arm-in-arm, with Lewis cracking a radiant smile at his stunning pal.

Close pals: Winnie Harlow and Lewis Hamilton put on a cosy display as they stepped out at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City on Monday

Beauty Winnie looked sensational in a shimmering navy blue Grecian style gown which featured an elegant one-shoulder design.

Cinching in at her slender waist, the gown flowing into an elegant flowing skirt with a perilously high-split, which flashed the model's toned legs.

She added extra height to her statuesque frame with silver, sequin embellished stilettos.

Her raven tresses were styled in tumbling waves, parted on the side while her pretty features were enhanced with smoky blue eyeshadow, fluttery lashes and a slick of rose lipgloss.

Happy: The rising fashion model, 23, and Formula One driver, 33, looked close as they posed up a storm together arm-in-arm, with Lewis cracking a radiant smile at his stunning pal

Leggy display: Beauty Winnie looked sensational in a shimmering navy blue Grecian style gown which featured an elegant one-shoulder design

Toned: Cinching in at her slender waist, the gown flowing into an elegant flowing skirt with a perilously high-split, which flashed the model's toned legs

Lewis, who is known for his quirky sartorial displays, looked dapper in a fitted black suit and maroon suit with silk lapels.

He added a touch of sparkle with silver bracelets and chains, and finished his look with patent leather boots.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for the pair for comment.

They were originally linked romantically in 2016, after they were seen leaving the GQ Men Of The Year Awards in London in September.

But at the time, Lewis denied they were dating.

Chic: Her raven tresses were styled in tumbling waves, parted on the side while her pretty features were enhanced with smoky blue eyeshadow, fluttery lashes and a slick of rose lipgloss

Dapper: Lewis, who is known for his quirky sartorial displays, looked dapper in a fitted black suit and maroon suit with silk lapels

Glowing: Winnie, real name Chantelle, showed off her model prowess as she smouldered for the camera

Winnie and Lewis then reignited romance rumours when she was spotted caressing his neck at the glamorous amfAR gala during the Cannes Film Festival in May 2017.

At the bash, Winnie was seen wrapping an affectionate arm around Lewis' neck as he whispered into her ear, and even leaned in for a kiss during the dinner.

She was then spotted supporting him track-side at the Monaco Grand Prix the following week.

Winnie found fame on ANTM in 2014, where she was kicked out in the second week of finals, before returning to a comeback series where she finished 6th.

Since then she has soared to fame in the industry and fronted campaigns for Desigual, Diesel and Swarovski atop a host of magazine covers.

Earlier in April, the catwalk stunner discussed the changes in the modelling industry in an interview with ELLE Magazine.

She explained: 'There is a big shift happening in the fashion industry in terms of beauty standards, and I feel Im part of that shift.

'I remember on Americas Next Top Model, Tyra Banks asked me if a photographer told me to cover my skin for a shoot, would I do it? I said no. I dont care who it is, or who thinks I should. Im going to stay true to myself.

She recently lashed out at being branded 'a sufferer' of pigment disease Vitiligo, as she penned on Instagram: '"I'm not a 'Vitiligo Sufferer" I'm not a 'Vitiligo model.' I am Winnie. I am a model. And I happen to have Vitiligo. Stop putting these titles on me or anyone else.'

Fashion forward: Lewis and Winnie joined Tommy Hilfiger and Dee Ocleppo at the event

Worn out: Following a night of partying, Lewis made a low-key exit from the bash in a much more comfortable ensemble

Casual: The sport superstar sported a comfy hoodie and jeans combo covering up in a checked coat and camel lace-up bootsLove Island's hotly-anticipated 2018 series started on Monday - and while it appears to be a rating's success, viewers have been poking fun at some of the contestants.

They accused them of 'cloning' people from previous shows; from their looks, to their sayings, to the way they spoke - in a ruthless bid for fame.

Twitter was alight with comments like: 'This year's contestants are copycats of last year's, just not as good looking. Adam is Jamie, blonde girl Olivia, etc #LoveIsland.'

The social media site had more than twice the number of tweets compared to this time last year, with around 565k posts.

Spot the difference: Twitter has been poking fun as contestants are accused of 'CLONING' very successful 2017 line-up in a ruthless bid for fame

'And can they stop trying to put copycat copies of everyone every year pls #LoveIslanduk.'

Olivia Attwood, 26, and Chris Hughes, 24, were one of the stand-out couples from last year, even getting their own reality show before they split.

So it comes as perhaps no surprise that Laura Anderson, 29, has been accused to copying Olivia and Niall Aslam, 23, has been accused of mimicking Chris.

Copycat? Laura Anderson has been accused by viewers of imitating last year's contender Olivia Attwood

Seen her before? Olivia (right) has even noticed that Laura is remarkably like her, copying both her poses and her looks

Help me! While Vick said: 'She looks like you, shes copying you!', Olivia tweeted: 'I feel like I need to, like, call for protection! Like, shes got my hair'

Down to the ponytail: With matching hairdos, memes have appeared which spot the similarities between the two pretty blondes

Same but different: Twitter went wild for all the similarities on this year's show

While they haven't paired up at all yet - could it be just a matter of time?

Scottish beauty Laura was seen wearing similar outfits to Olivia - with the Surrey blonde even pointing out the lookalike ensembles herself on Twitter.

Writing for fashion company New Look as part of a live Twitter blog during the first episode, Olivia wrote: 'Wait my heads gone. Laura's come in last like me, wearing my exact outfit.'

Compare and contrast: Many Love Island viewers noticed Niall Aslam's [L] similar personality traits to 2017 star Chris Hughes [R] while watching Monday's debut episode

Is he doing it on purpose? Viewers wondered why Niall sounds exactly like Chris

The reality TV star added: 'Is Laura wearing MY hair do? OK, Im calling fraud prevention.'

She also appeared on Capital on Monday morning, where she said: 'I feel like I need to, like, call for protection! Like, shes got my hair No, do you know what, I quite like her. Shock!'

And Niall has taken off Chris' way of speaking, even picking up some of his phrases, (hello, someone get the boy a lucrative line of slogan tees).

Twitter went wild for the comparison. One viewer wrote: 'I cannot get out of my head that Niall sounds exactly like chris and that hes doing it on purpose #loveisland.'

Memes can come true: People were shaking their heads over the blatant attempts by this year's contestants to copy former stars of the show

Others said: 'Close your eyes and swear #niall on #loveisland is last years Chris? Either a coincidence they sound so similar or hes acting up big time.'

'Why does that niall guy sound EXACTLY like Chris from last year??? #loveisland.'

Not content with being a clone of one Love Island alum, Kendall Rae, 26, has been accused of being just like two, both 2016 star Kady McDermott, 22, and 2017's Amber Davies, 21.

'It's her secret sister!': Fans were shocked by Kendall Rae-Knight's 'uncanny' resemblance to former contestant Kady McDermott (R) during Love Island's return on Monday night

Striking: However, many were instead distracted by her striking looks - which they claimed were 'scarily' similar to that of Kady (R) from the second series of the show

And another: Not stopping there, others claimed both Kendall (L) and Kady (centre) also looked similar to last year's winner Amber Davies (R)

Ridiculous: Fans were stunned by the 'clones', comparing Kendall Rae to Kady McDermott among others

If it works: Kendall was also compared to last year's Amber Davies

Twitter went wild once again, with comments like: '@LoveIsland think the show has a type. Kendall is on the line of kady and Amber.'

'Kendall is a mixture of Amber & Kady too .....'

'Is it just me or does Kendall look like Amber and Kady had a baby #LoveIsland2018.'

But if she has the same taste in men as Amber, then she'll be in luck as there is also a Kem Cetinay, 23, lookalike and that's 22-year-old Eyal Booker.

'Eyal looks like a smart price kem. #LoveIsland.'

Twins? Eyal Booker (right) is a dead ringer for last year's Kem Cetinay (right)

Matchers: More comparisons of past and present contestants were posted online

Staggering: People wondered if Kem had popped back up on the show, but alas, he hadn't

'Hi Im Eyal, Im a model from London and Im Kem this year. #LoveIsland2018 #trueintroductions.'

'Is it me or does eyal and kem look so alike?'

And heart throb Jack Fincham, 26, has been likened to both 2016's Nathan Massey, 25, and 2015's Jon Clark, 28, two former stars who have both gone on to star in TOWIE, (you hearing this, Jack?)

Twitter wrote: 'Eyal = Kem, Laura = Olivia, Kendall = Kady = Amber, Jack = Jon Clark #LoveIsland.'

'Jack reminds me of Jon Clark...just a bit #LoveIsland.'

'Jack is basically Jon Clark, Geezerrrr.'

Wow: Jack Fincham, 26, has been likened to both 2016's Nathan Massey, 25, and 2015's Jon Clark, 28, two former stars who have both gone on to star in TOWIE, (you hearing this, Jack?)

He sees it! 2016 contestant Nathan Massey even saw the resemblance between himself and Jack, sharing this comparison snap

Someone tweeted: 'Jack is basically Jon Clark, Geezerrrr,' who appeared on the 2015 show

Nathan himself even retweeted a post in which someone had compared him to Jack on Twitter.

22-year-old Samira Mighty's personality has been likened to 2017's Montana Brown, 22, namely when she speaks in the Beach Hut.

People wrote: 'Samira reminds me of Montana so much #LoveIsIand.'

'Wonder if samira will be another Montana. Somewhere in the show someone will come in and pick her? Maybe? #LoveIsland.'

'Samira is good looking, shame shes gonna get played on the show.'

Will she find love, though? 22-year-old Samira Mighty's personality has been likened to 2017's Montana Brown, 22, namely when she speaks in the Beach Hut

Double trouble: Samira has already been compared to 2017's unlucky-in-love Montana Brown from 2017He scored a career high when he took home his first ever British Soap Award for his harrowing portrayal of David Platt's rape ordeal in Coronation Street.

And Jack P.Shepherd celebrated his Best Actor gong as he jetted off on a romantic Grecian getaway with new girlfriend Hanni Treweek on Monday.

The talented actor, 30, who has been dating Hanni, 29, since November, flew to Mykonos with his beautiful blonde girlfriend just hours after partying with his Corrie co-stars following an unprecedented night of success for the ITV soap.

Stunning: Jack P.Shepherd celebrated his Best Actor gong as he jetted off on a romantic Grecian getaway with new girlfriend Hanni Treweek (above) on Monday

Cute couple: The talented actor, 30, who has been dating Hanni, 29, since November, flew to Mykonos with his beautiful blonde girlfriend just hours after partying with his Corrie co-stars

Sharing a stunning snap of ITV media officer Hanni flaunting her fabulous figure and toned legs in a khaki swimsuit, Jack wrote: 'Day one and she looks like she's been here a month.'

Holding a fruity cocktail Hanni cracked a radiant smile as she revealed her cleavage and taut midriff, while accessorising with a straw hat and dark shades.

Further idyllic snaps taken at the lavish 225-a-night hotel show the couple enjoying a refreshing drink and a shisha pipe as they revelled in some quality time together.

Jack and Hannah have gone from strength to strength over the five months since they made their romantic affections known in November.

Mykonos magic: Further idyllic snaps taken at the lavish 225-a-night hotel show the couple enjoying a refreshing drink and a shisha pipe as they revelled in some quality time together

Idyllic: The smitten actor shared a beautiful shot of the Grecian vista to Instagram

The television star has mended his heartache since his 15-year relationship with his childhood sweetheart and mother to two of his kids Lauren Shippey ended in October.

Former flames Jack and Lauren raised their two young children Nyla, aged eight, and Reuben, aged four, at their home.

Jack fathered a child Greyson, now six, with sales executive Sammy Milewski during a one-night stand in 2010.

The holiday came hours after the soap star scooped the coveted Best Actor gong after his hard-hitting male rape storyline, in which he was spiked and attacked by Josh Tucker.

Happy; The television star has mended his heartache since his 15-year relationship with his childhood sweetheart and mother to two of his kids Lauren Shippey ended in October

Acclaimed: The holiday came hours after the soap star scooped the coveted Best Actor gong after his hard-hitting male rape storyline, in which he was spiked and attacked by Josh Tucker

Heartbreaking: Jack won praise from fans and critics alike for his stunning portrayal of David Platt's rape ordeal

Jack beat off stiff competition from the likes of his fellow co-star Connor McIntyre, who plays Pat Phelan, Emmerdale's Ryan Hawley - who plays Robert Sugden and Michael Parr - who plays Ross Barton, as well as Hollyoaks' Theo Graham - who plays Hunter McQueen.

Since the hard-hitting scenes aired, which inevitably left viewers divided, Coronation Street boss, Kate Oates, quit the ITV soap amid backlash over the controversial plot choice, following several other gritty storylines and a number of Ofcom complaints.

Jack appeared to address the backlash as he gave his acceptance speech and thanked Kate for the opportunity.

He said: '[Thanks to] Kate Oates for giving me this storyline. Thank you, she has been a great producer. We will miss her dearly.'

Jack started smiling, while his fellow cast members laughed, as he added: 'The research department of Corrie, they've been brilliant, they've been great.'

Meanwhile, it was an incredible evening for Coronation Street as the ITV soap swept the board with a total of six wins, including the Best British Soap gong.



Also taking home awards were soap stars Lucy Fallon, Connor McIntyre and producer Kieran Roberts.Em Rusciano has had a tumultuous few months - but it seems things are finally on the up for the breakfast radio host.

The 39-year-old was embroiled in a scandal over comments she made about her co-hosts Grant Denyer and Ed Kavalee last month.

But her boss, Southern Cross Austereo's Hit Network head of content Gemma Fordham, has dismissed controversy as a 'storm in a teacup'.

'A storm in a teacup!' Radio boss Gemma Fordham (left) has stood by controversial radio host Em Rusciano following claims the embattled personality is 'toxic' to work with

She told news.com.au: 'I was a little bit flabbergasted as to how something became such a beat-up.'

'Her intention was never to reflect on the current team, her comments were about how she had struggles last year and how that was a big thing for her and her ego to deal with.

'It didn't go as well as she had hoped ratings wise last year and that was hard for her to deal with, which it would be for anyone.'

'Her choice of words were probably not the smartest, but her intention was not in any way to reflect on her current team,' she said.

She's here to stay! Em Rusciano's 2Day show sees shock BOOST in third radio ratings survey despite off-air drama... as a slight dip in listeners can't keep KIIS' Kyle and Jackie O off top FM spot

It was recently rumoured that Em is facing the sack after her disastrous interview with Wil Anderson's Wilosophy podcast in May.

But the Em, Grant & Ed show enjoyed a modest 0.5 per cent boost in the third ratings survey for 2018.

It was good enough to secure a 4.9 per cent share of the overall Sydney FM breakfast market.

The rise in listeners comes after former the American Idol and The Project star told Wil that the Hit Network's decision to hire Grant and Ed came out of the blue, and she had to 'create chemistry' with two strangers.

'It was hectic. It was the Em Rusciano Radio Show - it was my show!' And then all of a sudden Ed's anchoring and the show's called 'The 2Day FM Breakfast Show,' she said.

Cheers! The broadcast personality has cause to celebrate, after the Em, Grant & Ed show saw a 0.5 per cent boost in the third ratings survey for 2018

A source subsequently told Daily Mail Australia Em had been called in to a meeting with senior management regarding her conduct.

Last month, an intsider told news.com.au the radio host creates a 'toxic work environment' at 2DayFM.

'She seems really insecure. She portrays this really confident, 'I think I'm the greatest!' image but I think it stems from a really deep-seeded insecurity, which is really sad,' the source added.Last year, Jess Shears was accused of cheating on now-fiance Dom Lever with her co-star Mike Thalassitis upon their unceremonious exit from the Love Island villa.

And the Devon-born stunner, who has always staunchly denied the claims, came under fire again on Monday after she gushed over hunky contestant, Adam's good looks - leading to a storm of criticism from Twitter followers.

Her initial message read: 'Adam is fit but his eyebrows are so over plucked', leading to a critic claiming she would 'stray in a heartbeat' - after which she hit back by stating that she posted the message while cosied up to her beau.

Shocking: Jess Shears came under fire again on Monday after she gushed over hunky contestant, Adam's good looks - leading to a storm of criticism from Twitter followers

As fans went wild for the new season of the show, Jess was sharing a host of tweets throughout the episode as she weighed in on all elements on the show, including the ladies of the villa's figures, the couplings and Adam's good looks.

After posting her fairly innocuous message, she was met with a furious message from one of her 222,000 followers, which read: 'And you have a boyfriend hun. Youd stray in a heartbeat I bet. Poor @_DomLever...

'Who you trying to convince hun? You never show any affection for Dom. I actually really like you but dont think youre genuine with Dom'.

She was quick to hit back at her critics with an acerbic message reading: 'Err Im sat here cuddled up with him watching the show - I can have an opinion on other boys looks without it being an issue - its called being a grown up'.

Slammed: Her initial message read: 'Adam is fit but his eyebrows are so over plucked', leading to a critic claiming she would 'stray in a heartbeat' - after which she hit back by stating that she posted the message while cosied up to her beau

Hitting back: After posting her fairly innocuous message, she was met with a furious message from one of her 222,000 followers, which read: 'And you have a boyfriend hun. Youd stray in a heartbeat I bet. Poor @_DomLever'

Fans threw their support behind the message, penning: 'I totally agree... What is wrong with some people... just because we're off the market doesn't mean we have to walk around blind!... Ignore them! They are JEALOUS of you, you are stunning.'

Jess was a delayed entrant to last year's show, while Mike joined half way into the ITV2 show in June last year, but was dubbed 'Muggy' Mike when he caused a stir by flirting with Olivia Attwood while she was coupled up with Chris Hughes.

He was dumped from the villa six days after going in with fellow dumpee Jessica, and caused uproar when it was claimed that he slept with the glamour model.

Hunky: As fans went wild for the new season of the show, Jess was sharing a host of tweets throughout the episode as she weighed in on all elements on the show, including the ladies of the villa's figures, the couplings and Adam's good looks

Moving on: Last year, Jess was accused of cheating on now-fiance Dom Lever with her co-star Mike Thalassitis upon their unceremonious exit from the Love Island villa

Happy days: He was dumped from the villa six days after going in with fellow dumpee Jessica, and caused uproar when it was claimed that he slept with the glamour model

Both Mike, who is now dating Ex On The Beach and TOWIE star Megan McKenna, and Jess vehemently denied the claim, but fans of the show were left unconvinced after a string of 'awkward' interviews between the pair.

Hitting back at the time, she said: 'Sex with Dom was mind-blowing, I would never cheat on him.' She explained that she did spend a night with Mike and his friends, but insisted that the pair were 'never alone'.

She added: 'After leaving the show we were in separate rooms in a villa with our chaperones before being flown back to the UK. Nothing happened then.'

Explaining that she was trying to set Mike up with her friend, Jess added that a group of five of them went clubbing before going to her hotel to order room service. When Mike left, he left with all his mates, we were never alone in the hotel room together.'It's the controversial love triangle that has Love Island fans talking.

And on Tuesday, Kim Hartnett, 22, weighed in on Grant Crapp dumping Cassidy McGill for Tayla Damir.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday, Kim explained that she believed Grant and Tayla are a good match but that Grant could have gone about transitioning to a new woman in a better way.

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EXCLUSIVE: On Tuesday, Kim Hartnett, 22, weighed in on Grant Crapp dumping Cassidy McGill for Tayla Damir

'I think Tayla and Grant genuinely do have feelings for each other and I think they are very happy being together,' Kim said.

'I don't think there is anything wrong with them. I think it would of been wrong if they didn't get together.'

'But I think they could of gone about it, and especially Grant, should of gone about it - a little bit more honest (sic).'

Controversial new romance: Grant, 22, ditched Cassidy for Tayla, 21 (pictured)

In the middle of it: It's the controversial love triangle that has Love Island fans talking (pictured is Cassidy)

'But that's everybody's opinion in the villa, even Cass. She said it's not the fact that they're together, it's more how he went about it.'

Kim - who was close to Cassidy, 23, on the show - said she was 'so proud' of the way that Cassidy handled the situation.

'I'm so proud of the way she's handled it,' she said.

Kim added that she hopes Cassidy finds love on the show.

Case of the ex: Kim - who was close to Cassidy, 23, on the show - said she was 'so proud' of the way that Cassidy handled the situation

'Obviously feelings can't just die overnight,' she said.

'I'm hoping the next guy that walks through the door blows her away!'

On Love Island on Sunday, Grant broke Cassidy's heart when he got together with Tayla during the recoupling ceremony.

The new couple wasted no time in getting up close and personal, putting on an amorous display almost instantly.She's previously ruled out moving Stateside to join her TV presenter husband Mark Wright in Los Angeles.

But Michelle Keegan has done a U-turn on her plans during an appearance on BBC Radio 1 on Tuesday morning.

Appearing to backtrack on her past comments claiming she would never want to live across the pond permanently, the actress, 31, told Breakfast Show host Nick Grimshaw she will 'never say never' to moving to America.

Backtrack: Michelle Keegan has done a U-turn on plans to relocate to Los Angeles to join husband Mark Wright, saying she'll 'never say never' to moving (pictured January 2017)

Michelle bashed down the rumours, explaining: 'That's not true - I wouldn't say it's false, but it's not true.'

On whether she would ever consider giving up her home in the UK, the former Coronation Street star said: 'I would never rule that out, never say never, but at the minute, I like going backwards and forwards.

'I like the option, I like going out for a month, coming back for a few weeks, going out again.'

When asked about how reality TV husband Mark, 31, is fairing in LA after bagging a correspondent role on Extra TV, Michelle described how the former TOWIE star has fallen in love with his new home.

Emotional: The actress, 31, admitted she is missing her hunky Our Girl co-star and screen fiance, actor Luke Pasqualino, 28, after his character Elvis Harte was killed off the BBC series

Changing her mind? Michelle also appeared on This Morning on Tuesday and admitted husband Mark, 31, has fallen in love with his new home in America

Tough: The former soap star spent eight long months away from her beau while shooting military drama Our Girl in South Africa

'Oh yeah he loves it' the actress divulged. 'I think it's the lifestyle, the weather. It's such a nice place and everyone is just really positive out there.'

Michelle spent eight long months away from her beau while shooting military drama Our Girl in South Africa.

Despite the long distance while away filming, Michelle insisted she would never join her husband by making a permanent move to Los Angeles while discussing Our Girl on BBC's The One show last week.

'I'd love to work in America but I couldn't see myself living out there full time,' she said. 'I'm a home bird.' She clarified. 'It won't be permanent. Definitely not.'

On the move? Michelle previously insisted she would never join her husband by making a permanent move to Los Angeles (pictured February 2017)

Mellow yellow: Michelle turned heads in her pretty bright yellow floral tiered dress, which she teamed with a quilted leather biker jacket and nude strappy sandals

Little Miss Sunshine: The former Coronation Street star teamed her striking outfit with a leopard print box bag and dark shades as she made her way inside the AOL building in London

Natural beauty: The Mancunian star appeared in good spirits as she went about her busy day of interviews, travelling between Radio 1, This Morning and AOL

The actress, who hails from Stockport, also explained the Los Angeles natives found it difficult to understand her thick accent  often mistaking her for being Australian.

'When I've been out in Los Angeles, even if I'm ordering a coffee or something they think I'm Australian,' she explained. 'I have to slow down a lot and pronounce my words to make it a bit easier.'

The beauty admitted during her appearance on ITV1's This Morning later on Tuesday that she is missing her hunky Our Girl co-star and screen fiance, actor Luke Pasqualino, 28, after his character Elvis Harte was killed off the BBC series.

She said: 'At first, it was really strange not working with him. But because the show is so fast paced you just have to get on with it! But no, we miss him!

Talented: Michelle returns as Lance Corporal Georgie Lane in Our Girl on BBC One at 9pm on Tuesday

Misunderstanding: The actress, who hails from Stockport, explained the Los Angeles natives found it difficult to understand her thick accent  mistaking her for being Australian

Speaking about what was next for Lance Corporal Georgie Lane, she said: 'She's gone back home, she has six months bereavement then we pick her up going to Nigeria on tour. I need to be careful what I say, I always give spoilers away!'

The actress was far away from home for several months while filming the hit series, but credited FaceTime for keeping her family and friends close during her time away.

'The first episode, we were in South Africa and then we went to Malaysia to film the rest of the series.' the actress continued.

'We were away for eight months in total. Because we are all together, we are all going through the same experiences. Luckily, we have FaceTime, that makes it easier.'

Michelle returns as Lance Corporal Georgie Lane in Our Girl on BBC One at 9pm on Tuesday.Tracy Grimshaw was caught cringing after A Current Affair aired a bizarre interview with former The Sullivans actress Susan Hannaford on Tuesday.

During the segment, reporter Brady Halls conducted an eyebrow-raising interview with the Beverly Hills-based blonde, who currently lives on Billionaire's Row in LA.

But in an embarrassing gaffe for Channel Nine, studio cameras cut back to the Gold Logie-nominated journalist who appeared to be mid-wince.

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That's awkward! A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw was caught cringing after the Nine show aired a highly-anticipated interview with ex- The Sullivans star, Susan Hannaford

Known for her cool demenour, Tracy has hosted the prime-time current affairs show for 13-years.

Despite the reason for Tracy's cringe being unknown, the segment was titled 'Kitty Bites Back.'

During her interview, Susan- who played mild-mannered Kitty in the iconic 1970s show- opened the door in a tight-fitting black dress.

Having recently appeared on rival current affairs program Sunday Night, she wanted to clear up what she believed was misinformation about herself.

Hitting back! During the interview, the former actress hit out at an interview she did with Seven's Sunday Night program, claiming factual errors

In the interview, Susan cleared-up that her 92-year-old mother was still alive, and that she was launching a $100 million lawsuit for claims about her wealth.

The 65-year-old veteran star claimed she was 'set up' during a sit-down at her Beverly Hills home, for which she was paid $100,000 for, earlier this year.

'I am angry about what has been done to me,' she told ACA. 'I think it is appalling. I think it is absolutely appalling.'

Re-inventing herself! During the interview, the 65-year-old spoke about her multimillion-dollar property portfolio , with the platinum blonde residing in a $9 million Beverly Hills mansion

Susan, who looks markedly different from her days on The Sullivans, also denied she owed $14 million in the US and that the story was 'invented'.

Susan vanished from Australia without a trace after being evicted from her lavish waterfront home in Sydney, which was sold by her financiers in April 2013 for $3.15 million.

The star now owns numerous properties dotted around Los Angeles and Las Vegas, she also resides in a $9 million mansion in Beverly Hills with her family.Brody Jenner has released his official wedding photo with Kaitlynn Carter.

On Tuesday - just three days after saying 'I do' on the island of Nihi Sumba in Indonesia - the son of Caitlyn Jenner and Linda Thompson posted a romantic photo to Instagram where he is holding his new bride.

Unfortunately, Caitlyn could not attend the wedding as she had already committed to a ball in Austria.

In love: Brody Jenner has released his official wedding photo with Kaitlynn Carter. On Tuesday - just three days after saying 'I do' on the island of Nihi Sumba in Indonesia - the son of Caitlyn Jenner and Linda Thompson posted a romantic photo

His caption read, 'Well this happened over the weekend.  @mitchpohl.'

Brody looked handosme in a light beige suit by Stitched with white shirt. He was barefoot.

His bride wore a long sleeved white dress with a French veil and was barefoot too as she held onto her gold sandals.

Her photo: His wife shared a photo of them at sunset next to a fire pit. She said, 'Parting is such sweet sorrow'

His wife shared a photo of them at sunset next to a fire pit.

She said, 'Parting is such sweet sorrow.'

And Jenner also shared a video from the resort he stayed at, saying, 'Just want to thank @nihisumba and all of the amazing staff for creating one of the most incredible and memorable experiences of my life. You guys truly deserve being the #1 resort in the world the past 2 years . Thanks to all my friends and family that came out to celebrate with @kaitlynn and I. Love you all  Till next year!!'

Scene of the ceremony: The two wed on the beach with stunning views of the ocean

According to TMZ, Brody is 'deeply hurt' that the person formerly Bruce Jenner did not make the wedding

The 68-year-old former Olympian was reportedly 'too busy' to attend the nuptials as she has been in Austria, where she attended the Life Ball with gal pal Sophia Hutchins, 21.

According to TMZ, Brody is 'deeply hurt' that the person formerly known as Bruce Jenner did not make the wedding.

It did not appear that half-sisters Kylie or Kendall Jenner were there either and no Kardashians attended.

'It wasnt in the cards for Kendall and Kylie to come as Kylie is a new mom and this is a more intimate affair [and its a] big ordeal to fly all the way to Bali for the celebration,' a source told UsWeekly.

But Brody has said he was very happy to walk down the aisle with the pretty blonde even if several members of his family were not there to support him.

'I'm looking forward to living the rest of my life with Kaitlynn,' Jenner told the site earlier.

'Hopefully not too much changes. But having the ring and the commitment, that's really exciting.'

Nice location: The Nihi Sumba resort looked idyllic and romantic with luxurious grass-roofed huts that had floor-to-ceiling windows

A place to unwind: The bedroom was roomy with a bed, two chairs and writing table

After the wedding, he gushed to People magazine that marriage 'feels awesome. I honestly feel like weve been married for five years already!'

He added, 'I am the luckiest man on earth to have Kaitlynn by my side.'

Kaitlynn dished to the magazine about the reception, where Indonesian cuisine was served: 'It was the most dreamy, incredible night ever.'

The blushing bride confided in People: 'We were out until 4 a.m.! It was so much fun.'

So much to celebrate: Caitlyn's ex-wife Linda Thompson shared this image from the festivities before the actual wedding

There had been four days of festivities before the big ceremony.

The resort looked idyllic and romantic with luxurious grass-roofed, wood floor huts that had floor-to-ceiling windows.

'We're just excited to celebrate spending the rest of our lives together,' Jenner told People weeks before the wedding. 'I can't wait to marry Kaitlynn.'

Heading home: Brody and his wife ere seen on their airplane heading back to LA on Monday evening after several days in Indonesia

The two met at a party in 2013.

'I was going after her,' Jenner said. 'She's an amazing girl.'

Added Carter: 'He was really honest about what he wanted, no messing around, and I found that really charming and refreshing. Pretty soon after we started dating, I thought it could be for life.'

In 2016, Jenner proposed at the same resort on Nihi Sumba where they would wed.

'I'm glad we took our time to get to know each other,' said Carter of the long engagement. 'We know for sure that we can work through things and that we want to be together.'She recently dropped a whopping two stone, taking her from a size 16 to a tiny size 8.

And Sophie Kasaei continued to flaunt her impressive weight loss on Saturday night as she headed out to party in London.

The Geordie Shore star, 28, displayed her newly-slim figure in a saucy black jumpsuit as she fiercely posed for cameras in the capital.

Slim down: Sophie Kasaei continued to flaunt her impressive two stone weight loss on Saturday night as she headed out to party in London

The reality star turned heads in the slinky one-piece, which featured a plunging neckline and sexy side cut-outs, to tease at her braless cleavage and toned frame underneath.

Cinching in at the slim waist, the flared jumpsuit then skimmed her long legs to the floor, where it met chic heeled sandals.

Sophie accessorised with a glittering gold necklace, to further allude to her cleavage, but opted for a natural hair and make-up look to keep all eyes on her figure.

Turning heads: The Geordie Shore star, 28, displayed her newly-slim figure in a saucy black jumpsuit, complete with plunging neckline and side cut-outs, as she posed for cameras

It is no wonder Sophie was the picture of confidence in front of cameras - having dropped a huge two stone and four dress sizes in recent months.

Previously a size 16, Sophie has admitted to feeling insecure beside the other, slimmer girls on MTV reality show Geordie Shore in the past.

Speaking to Be last month, Sophie confessed: 'For a long time I was always the bigger girl out of the other Geordies and I was always compared to them.

'So, the likes of Charlotte [Crosby], Vicky [Pattison] and Holly [Hagan] all had mega transformations where everyone was talking about them [and how] amazing they looked.'

Transformed: It is no wonder Sophie was the picture of confidence in front of cameras - having dropped a huge two stone and four dress sizes following her split from Joel Corry in December

She also revealed her slim down was sparked by her split from beau of six years Joel Corry, as it made her realise she wanted to be healthy and happy in her own skin.

She told MailOnline in January: 'Maybe because I was in a relationship for all those years, I didn't really want to change.

'But it wasn't like I was happy and fat, I was obviously very low. I didn't think there was a way out so I sort of accepted that I was that fat girl. Being single now has made me more focused. It's helped me focus on what I want.'

Sophie has since moved on with Australian hunk Alex MacPherson, who she met while filming the MTV series Down Under.Lea DeLaria is known for her iconic role of Big Boo on the ground-breaking Netflix show, Orange Is The New Black.

But the 60-year-old has revealed the she almost quit show business before landing the role.

Appearing on The Project on Tuesday night, the sassy performer confessed to a 'hissy fit' before being written into the show.

Scroll down to video

'I had a little hissy fit': Actress and comic Lea DeLaria, 60, has revealed how she nearly quit showbusiness before getting the role of Big Boo on hit show, Orange Is The New Black

'There was no Big Boo when they first did the show,' she said.

'And then when they saw my audition for several different parts, first I was too old for one...then they said, 'There is no part for you.'

'I had a little - I had a fit. I know it's hard to believe that. I had a little hissy fit,' she confessed.

'I said 'If you are telling me that there is a show that takes place in a woman's prison, and there isn't a part for me, I quit, I quit showbusiness.'

The performer, who started her career as a stand-up comic, said she had moved to London when she received a call from her manager.

'And then when they saw my audition for several different parts, first I was too old for one': The actress said it was a hard road to get her big break on the hit Netflix show

'I got off the plane, he was - there were all these messages - from him going, you had your dyke fit and they have written a part for you.'

Turning to politics, the outspoken performer hit out at American President Donald Trump and the US Supreme Court's recent ruling in favour of religious liberty.

'I say God Bless America. God Bless America because I can stand up and call the President every everything I think he is,' she said.

'I got off the plane, he was - there were all these messages': Lea revealed she had packed up and moved to London after she thought she wouldn't get the role

Host Carrie Bickmore then referenced the current fracas with the President's daughter Ivanka Trump and comedian, Samantha Bee.

'Are family off limits?' she asked.

'Family, you know, I think all bets are off and as a comedian, I personally feel that nothing is off limits.'Michelle Keegan was her own ray of sunshine on Tuesday as she rocked two sensational yellow outfits for a slew of media appearances.

The 31-year-old actress went from a delicate yellow layered frock to a chic checked jumpsuit for appearances on Radio 1, This Morning and AOL Build.

Michelle was doing the rounds to talk all-things Our Girl ahead of the BBC drama's new series, and also confessed earlier in the day that she wouldn't rule out moving to Los Angeles with husband Mark Wright.

Amazing: Michelle Keegan, 31, was a ray of sunshine on Tuesday as she sported two bright yellow outfits for a slew of media appearances from Radio 1 to This Morning to AOL Build

Michelle was oozing summer chic as she travelled across London to chat on Radio 1, This Morning and AOL Build, first sporting a beautiful yellow frilled dress with a white floral print.

The ex-Coronation Street star added a rocker edge to her look by covering up in a black biker jacket, accessorising with a leopard-print cross-body bag and finishing with nude strapped heels.

As she headed to her chat on AOL Build, Michelle then drastically changed into a black and yellow checked jumpsuit, accessorised with comfier brown sandals.

Mellow yellow: Michelle turned heads in her pretty bright yellow floral tiered dress, which she teamed with a quilted leather biker jacket and nude strapped sandals

Little Miss Sunshine: The former Coronation Street star teamed her striking outfit with a leopard print box bag and dark shades as she made her way inside the AOL building in London

Natural beauty: The Mancunian star appeared in good spirits as she went about her busy day of interviews, chatting about the new series of war drama Our Girl

Michelle rocked the statement one-piece as she sat down in the studio with co-star Ben Aldridge, as they chatted about the new series of the war drama.

Leaving the studio later that day, Michelle flashed a beaming smile as she strolled into the capital, again sporting her black biker jacket and leopard printed bag.

The raven-haired beauty had her silky tresses in half-up half-down style, and highlighted her flawless complexion with barely-there makeup.

Stunning: Later that day for an appearance on AOL Build, Michelle changed into a black and yellow checked jumpsuit

Chic: The screen star had her glossy tresses in a half-up half-down style for the latest chat about her BBC drama which returns on Tuesday (June 5)

TV duo: Michelle appeared on the Build series with co-star Ben Aldridge, who plays Captain Charles James

Hilarious: The pair appeared to a share a giggle or two as they talked about the drama

Michelle recently made a dramatic U-turn on her recent claims that she would never move to LA with husband Mark, telling Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Nick Grimshaw she will 'never say never' to moving to America.

Michelle bashed down the rumours, explaining: 'That's not true - I wouldn't say it's false, but it's not true.'

On whether she would ever consider giving up her home in the UK, the former Coronation Street star said: 'I would never rule that out, never say never, but at the minute, I like going backwards and forwards.

'I like the option, I like going out for a month, coming back for a few weeks, going out again.'

Sensational: Michelle was later seen leaving the London studio in her eclectic look which sported a quirky black and yellow tartan print

So good: Still sporting the same jacket and bag, Michelle added some comfort to her look by sporting flat brown sandals

Summer girl: Michelle's appearance came after she made the surprise revelation that she's not longer against moving to LA with husband Mark Wright

When asked about how reality TV husband Mark, 31, is fairing in LA after bagging a correspondent role on Extra TV, Michelle described how the former TOWIE star has fallen in love with his new home.

'Oh yeah he loves it' the actress divulged. 'I think it's the lifestyle, the weather. It's such a nice place and everyone is just really positive out there.'

Michelle spent eight long months away from her beau while shooting military drama Our Girl in South Africa.

Despite the long distance while away filming, Michelle insisted she would never join her husband by making a permanent move to Los Angeles while discussing Our Girl on BBC's The One show last week.

'I'd love to work in America but I couldn't see myself living out there full time,' she said. 'I'm a home bird.' She clarified. 'It won't be permanent. Definitely not.'

Emotional: The actress also admitted she is missing her hunky Our Girl co-star and screen fiance, actor Luke Pasqualino, 28, after his character Elvis Harte was killed off the BBC series

Changing her mind? Michelle also appeared on This Morning on Tuesday and admitted husband Mark, 31, has fallen in love with his new home in America

Tough: The former soap star spent eight long months away from her beau while shooting military drama Our Girl in South Africa

On the move? Michelle previously insisted she would never join her husband by making a permanent move to Los Angeles (pictured February 2017)

The actress, who hails from Stockport, also explained the Los Angeles natives found it difficult to understand her thick accent  often mistaking her for being Australian.

'When I've been out in Los Angeles, even if I'm ordering a coffee or something they think I'm Australian,' she explained. 'I have to slow down a lot and pronounce my words to make it a bit easier.'

The beauty admitted during her appearance on ITV1's This Morning later on Tuesday that she is missing her hunky Our Girl co-star and screen fiance, actor Luke Pasqualino, 28, after his character Elvis Harte was killed off the BBC series.

She said: 'At first, it was really strange not working with him. But because the show is so fast paced you just have to get on with it! But no, we miss him!

Talented: Michelle returns as Lance Corporal Georgie Lane in Our Girl on BBC One at 9pm on Tuesday

Misunderstanding: The actress, who hails from Stockport, explained the Los Angeles natives found it difficult to understand her thick accent  mistaking her for being Australian

Speaking about what was next for Lance Corporal Georgie Lane, she said: 'She's gone back home, she has six months bereavement then we pick her up going to Nigeria on tour. I need to be careful what I say, I always give spoilers away!'

The actress was far away from home for several months while filming the hit series, but credited FaceTime for keeping her family and friends close during her time away.

'The first episode, we were in South Africa and then we went to Malaysia to film the rest of the series.' the actress continued.

'We were away for eight months in total. Because we are all together, we are all going through the same experiences. Luckily, we have FaceTime, that makes it easier.'

Michelle returns as Lance Corporal Georgie Lane in Our Girl on BBC One at 9pm on Tuesday.

Helpful: Michelle was far away from home for several months while filming the hit series, but credited FaceTime for keeping her family and friends close during her time awayThe Shark Tank panel aren't exactly known for being the most cheerful characters on television.

But the five fearsome entrepreneurs couldn't help but laugh at a peculiar pitch on Tuesday night's episode.

Contestant Rachel had presented her wacky product, EarSox, to the investors and wanted $350,000 for 25 per cent of her business, which she valued at $1.4million.

'Is that it?' Shark Tank judges were left baffled by a female contestant's wacky 30-second pitch for a 'condom-like product for your EARS' on Tuesday night's episode

Unlike other Shark Tank hopefuls, Rachel didn't deliver a long-winded speech about the commercial potential of her product.

Instead, her pitch was just one sentence long.

'EarSox protects you from dye water and chemicals running into your ear canals,' she explained.

No glove, no love! The judges observed that the quirky product resembled a condom

Don't be silly, wrap up your... ear! Steve Baxter struggled to use the protective cover

The investors - Janine Allis, Andrew Banks, Steve Baxter, Dr Glen Richards and Naomi Simson - immediately burst into laughter.

Naomi asked in disbelief: 'That's it?'

Rachel explained that her product was 'fairly simple,' which is why it didn't require a more detailed explanation.

'Is that it?' Janine Allis and Naomi Simson shared a laugh with budding businesswoman Rachel, but both chose not to invest in her unusual product

'You gave us a 30-second pitch, if we're lucky!' chuckled Steve.

The Sharks shared even more giggles as they struggled to get to grips with the device.

None of the experts successfully managed to fit the condom-like product over their ears, but they appeared to enjoy trying.

'Practicing safe Sox': Meanwhile, viewers on Twitter were equally amused by the product

Meanwhile, viewers on Twitter were equally amused.

'Practicing safe Sox,' one fan tweeted. Another wrote: 'Condoms for your ears. Love it.'

Andrew claimed the $80,000 Rachel had invested into her idea was 'dead money', before joking that he couldn't invest because he would get an 'earful' from his wife.

The rest of the Sharks joined Andrew in choosing not to invest, but Steve offered to introduce her to a haircare wholesaler who could help her out.Nicky Hilton was back to business shortly after her brother Barron's fancy wedding in St. Barths Sunday.

The 34-year-old sister of Paris Hilton was spotted out and about on a solo outing in New York City on Tuesday.

She was dressed in a long, blue, boho dress with a light brown sunhat.

Spotted: Nicky Hilton, the 34-year-old sister of Paris Hilton, was photographed out and about on a solo outing in New York City on Tuesday

The heiress' signature blond locks were tied to the side and were braided. She had simple, rounded sunglasses on.

She wore gladiator sandals on her feet, while a cream colored round purse hung off her shoulders.

The mother-of-two wore simple jewelry around her neck on wrists and held her cell phone in her hand.

Nicky has been quite the busy lady lately.

Over the weekend the socialite posted rare photos with her husband-of-three-years James Rothschild on social media. She shares daughters Lily Grace Victoria Rothschild, aged one, and, Teddy Rothschild, aged five months, with him.

The family was in St. Barths for Barron's wedding to socialite Tessa Grafin von Walderdorff.

Fashionable: While at the wedding Nicky was stylish in light blue lace minidress that made the most of her incredible post-baby curves. The fashion book author added strappy gold heels and put her hair in Swedish braids

While at the wedding Nicky was stylish in light blue lace minidress that made the most of her incredible post-baby curves. The fashion book author added strappy gold heels and put her hair in Swedish braids.

It was a big family get together for Barron and Tessa. At the wedding were not only Nicky and Paris, but also their parents Kathy and Rick.

Kyle Richards did not attend, her sister Kim did and she brought several of her daughters.They're in the midst of their thrilling No Filter UK and Ireland tour.

But before he wowed the crowds, Ronnie Wood, 71, was on daddy duty ahead of The Rolling Stones' Old Trafford Stadium gig on Tuesday as he left his hotel cradling one of his twin girls, Alice, alongside wife Sally Humphreys, 40.

The acclaimed musician showcased his rockstar fashion credentials as he sported a pair of trademark aviator shades while making his way to his waiting car.

Daddy duty: Ronnie Wood, 71, was on daddy duty ahead of The Rolling Stones' Old Trafford Stadium gig as he left his hotel on Tuesday cradling one of his twin girls, Alice

Working his signature quiff, the Wild Horses hitmaker donned black raincoat over a blue loose-fitting shirt and grey T-shirt.

Ronnie was sure to make the occasion a family affair as he carried his little one Alice, who showed her support for his gig in her No Filter T-shirt, a pair of pink joggers and cowboy boots.

Meanwhile, his wife Sally looked radiant in a vibrant red mini dress with ruffle detailing as she carried their other twin daughter Gracie, two, who also donned a No Filter T-shirt for their gig.

The raven-haired beauty continued her red theme as she sported a bold red lip and accessorised with a gold necklace.

Red alert: Meanwhile, his wife Sally looked radiant in a vibrant red mini dress with ruffle detailing as she carried their other twin daughter Gracie, who also donned a No Filter T-shirt for their gig

No Filter: The acclaimed musician showcased his rockstar fashion credentials as he sported a pair of trademark aviator shades while making his way to his waiting car

The married couple of five and half years, who tied the knot in December 2012, raise their two young twin daughters together.

Ronnie is also father to Jesse, 40, whom he shares with his late first wife Krissy. The former flames were married from 1971 to 1978.

The music legend shares daughter Leah, 39, as well as sons Tyrone, 34, and Jamie, 43, with his second wife Jo Wood, whom he was married to from 1985 to 2008.

Meanwhile, The Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards, 74, and drummer Charlie Watts, 77, were also pictured at the same hotel in their signature threads.

All smiles: Charlie Watts, 77, smiled as he got into his car ahead of the anticipated gig

After Manchester, the group will storm the stage imminently at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and London's Twickenham Stadium.

They will then fly to Berlin, Marseille, Stuttgart, Prague and Warsaw to finish off their European tour in style.

Ahead of the tour, Mick said: 'This part of the No Filter tour is really special for the Stones. We are looking forward to getting back on stage and playing to fans in the UK and Ireland.

'It's always exhilarating going to cities we havent played for quite a while  and also some new venues for us like Old Trafford and The London Stadium.'She's rumoured to be played a villain in the new James Bond film.

And Helena Bonham Carter, 52, looked every inch the silver screen star as she was spotted arriving at JFK airport in New York on Tuesday.

The actress was ready for the summer weather in a button-down black dress dotted with a peach floral print.

Leading lady: Helena Bonham Carter, 52, looked every inch the Hollywood star as she was spotted at JFK airport in New York on Tuesday

Double Oscar nominee Helen wore a pair of comfortable black trainers with the outfit with taffeta trimmed socks, and toted a cross body leather bag.

Never one to hold back on the accessories, she added a pair of ruby sunglasses and a fascinator, alongside a sparkling pair of earrings.

The star could be set to take on a fiendish new role after it was claimed she is being tipped to play the villain in the new James Bond film, reports The Mirror.

She is said to be at the top of the producer's wish list for the 25th untitled Bond movie, which is due out in November 2019.

Summer loving: The actress was ready for the summer weather in a button-down black dress dotted with a peach floral print

Comfortable: Double Oscar nominee Helen wore a pair of comfortable black trainers with the outfit with taffetta trimmed socks, and toted a cross body leather bag

New venture; Helena could be set to take on a fiendish new role after it was claimed she is being tipped to play the villain in the new James Bond film, reports The Mirror

A source told the website: 'Everyone thinks Angelina Jolie is going to get the part but bosses want Helena more. At the moment they are just finalising the cast.'

Helena has previously terrified fans with her sadistic turn as evil witch Bellatrix Lestrange in the final four Harry Potter films.

She has also taken on villainous roles in films by her ex Tim Burton including 2010's Alice In Wonderland and 2007's Sweeney Todd.

Here he is again: The 52-year-old double Oscar nominee is said to be at the top of the producer's wish list for the 25th untitled Bond movie, which is due out in November 2019

Supervillain: Helena has previously terrified fans with her sadistic turn as evil witch Bellatrix Lestrange in the final four Harry Potter films

MailOnline previously contacted a representative for Helena for comment.

This comes after Daniel Craig confirmed he will 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 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

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.

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.Johnny Depp emerged from his Berlin hotel on Tuesday afternoon amid escalating fears for the Hollywood stars health.

The celebrated actor made his way towards a waiting car outside the German city's Hotel Regency, where he has been staying with band The Hollywood Vampires during their current European tour.

Holding a paperback copy of Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Depp, 54, greeted his driver as he climbed inside.

Stepping out: Johnny Depp emerged from his Berlin hotel on Tuesday afternoon amid escalating fears for the Hollywood stars health

The actor's notably frail appearance during recent outings has sparked concern among fans.

But Depp is said to be in 'good health' and there is no reason for fans to be concerned about him, sources close to the star say after he was pictured in Russia looking worryingly thin and pale last week.

Despite an onslaught of concern over the actor's appearance including fears that he may be 'ill', a source tells DailyMail.com that he has no health problems.

Make way: The celebrated actor made his way towards a waiting car outside the German city's Hotel Regency, where he has been staying with band The Hollywood Vampires

Good read: Holding a paperback copy of Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Depp, 54, greeted his driver as he climbed inside

Depp himself has not commented since photographs which were taken in St. Petersburg last week emerged.

In them, he appeared smiling with two Russian fans in the lobby of the Four Seasons hotel.

They were posted innocently by the women who appear in them but quickly went viral as others picked up on his stark appearance.

Frail: Depp is pictured in St. Petersburg over the weekend. It is the latest in a string of photographs of the star in which he appears pale and gaunt but despite his drastic new appearance, sources close to him say he is in good health

Depp is not believed to be filming for any forthcoming project.

Speculation that his drastic weight loss may have been due to his participation in Fantastic Beasts 2.

The production wrapped in December but Depp had to shave his head and bleach his eyebrows to play Gellert Grindelwald.

Another suggestion was that he looked so different because he was not wearing his signature 'guyliner' but in the photographs it appears as though he is just not to the same heavy-handed standard fans may be used to.

Depp is currently touring Europe with his band the Hollywood Vampires.

On Monday night, he will play in Berlin at the Zitadelle museum.

Say cheese: In a newly surfaced photograph with a fan, Depp appears in the same t-shirt but a different hat

Hollywood idol: This was the image which shocked fans when it emerged on Saturday. It was posted by Russian fan Ekaterina Kurta

Afterwards, the tour will travel to Sweden, where the band will play two shows, before moving on to Denmark, Finland, Poland, Prague, and Germany before going to the UK at the end of the month.

They will play three shows there then will go back to Germany before finishing in Rome in July.

The tour began on May 17 in upstate New York.

Not long before the St. Petersburg pictures were taken last week, Depp was seen in Moscow posing happily with staff at a state museum after a low-key visit between shows.

They seemed unconcerned about his appearance and happily shared photographs of his visit online.

Popular: Depp is pictured with another fan at the Four Seasons in St. Petersburg last week

Possible explanation: Depp shaved his head and bleached his eyebrows to reprise his role as Grindewald in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. It wrapped filming in December and he has scarcely been seen since then . The film comes out in November

In videos of him performing, he appears to be in fine form.

Depp's shocking appearance comes after a month of accusations of bad behavior including claims of sustained drug abuse and alcoholism.

In a lawsuit against the star filed last month, two former bodyguards described having to act as babysitters for him. One claimed that he had to once wipe a 'substance' from the actor's face in a nightclub.

It was also claimed that he spent the day 'smoking and drinking' on the set of City of Lies, formerly known as LAbyrinth, in which Depp plays a LAPD detective investigating the deaths of rappers Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur.

Gaunt: Depp looked frail as he posed for snaps with fans on the Russian leg of a world tour this week

Main man: During his visit in Moscow, Depp also visited the Mayakovsky museum where, in one image, he looked happy and healthy as he posed with staff

Arm in arm: A third image, taken in Moscow earlier in the week during a visit to a state museum, provoked more concern. Depp is pictured with one of the museum's staff

The production wrapped filming last year and Depp was praised by some for his conduct on set including a handful of extras who said he 'couldn't have been nicer'.

It was however alleged that he asked a production staffer to punch him during one incident.

According to sources cited by Page Six, Depp allegedly asked the staffer to punch him and said he would give him $100,000 to do so.

His representatives did not comment at the time.

Old times: Depp is pictured in June, 2017, at Glastonbury festival in England when he had a full head of hair and fuller faceJohnny Depp is feeling healthy and happy on tour with his band, a source revealed following concerns over his health.

The 54-year old was spotted today walking out of the five-star Hotel Regent holding a book and a cup of coffee before being ushered into a waiting SUV by minders.

It comes after photos of the star looking thin and gaunt while touring with The Hollywood Vampires caused concern when they surfaced online over the weekend.

The 54-year old was seen walking out of the five-star Hotel Regent holding a book and a cup of coffee before being ushered into a waiting SUV by minders

Today's appearance comes after photos of the star looking thin and gaunt while touring with The Hollywood Vampires caused concern when they surfaced online over the weekend

On Tuesday, Depp left the hotel in a brown jacket and faded denim jeans with a guitar slung on his back

'Johnny is having a great time on the tour playing with the guys,' a source told People.

Depp's fans claimed his notable weight loss could be the result of his recent role as a terminal cancer patient in forthcoming film Richard Says Goodbye.

The actor plays a jaded college professor who decides to live his lie with reckless abandon after being given the devastating diagnosis.

On Tuesday, Depp left the hotel in a brown jacket and faded denim jeans with a guitar slung on his back.

In his left hand Depp held Sapiens, a book on human history by Israeli author Yuval Noah Harari.

It comes as footage emerged of a saucy film trailer showing Depp with his ex, Amber Heard.

The trailer for London Fields shows Heard in a white bikini playing the clairvoyant temptress Nicola Six.

The Martin Amis adaption is due to screen in August after filming was plagued by feuds and the break-up between Depp and Heard.

Depp is pictured in St. Petersburg over the weekend. It is the latest in a string of photographs of the star in which he appears pale and gaunt but despite his drastic new appearance, sources close to him say he is in good health

Concerns about Depp were sparked by two photographs that were taken in St. Petersburg last week.

In them, he appeared smiling with two Russian fans in the lobby of the Four Seasons hotel.

They were posted innocently by the women who appear in them but quickly went viral as others picked up on his stark appearance.

Depp is not believed to be filming for any forthcoming project.

Speculation that his drastic weight loss may have been due to his participation in Fantastic Beasts 2.

The production wrapped in December but Depp had to shave his head and bleach his eyebrows to play Gellert Grindelwald.

Another suggestion was that he looked so different because he was not wearing his signature 'guyliner' but in the photographs it appears as though he is just not to the same heavy-handed standard fans may be used to.

In a newly surfaced photograph with a fan, Depp appears in the same t-shirt but a different hat

This was the image which shocked fans when it emerged on Saturday. It was posted by Russian fan Ekaterina Kurta

Depp is currently touring Europe with his band the Hollywood Vampires.

On Monday night, he will play in Berlin at the Zitadelle museum.

Afterwards, the tour will travel to Sweden, where the band will play two shows, before moving on to Denmark, Finland, Poland, Prague, and Germany before going to the UK at the end of the month.

They will play three shows there then will go back to Germany before finishing in Rome in July.

The tour began on May 17 in upstate New York.

Not long before the St. Petersburg pictures were taken last week, Depp was seen in Moscow posing happily with staff at a state museum after a low-key visit between shows.

They seemed unconcerned about his appearance and happily shared photographs of his visit online.

Depp is pictured with another fan at the Four Seasons in St. Petersburg last week

Possible explanation: Depp shaved his head and bleached his eyebrows to reprise his role as Grindewald in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. It wrapped filming in December and he has scarcely been seen since then . The film comes out in November

In videos of him performing, he appears to be in fine form.

Depp's shocking appearance comes after a month of accusations of bad behavior including claims of sustained drug abuse and alcoholism.

In a lawsuit against the star filed last month, two former bodyguards described having to act as babysitters for him. One claimed that he had to once wipe a 'substance' from the actor's face in a nightclub.

It was also claimed that he spent the day 'smoking and drinking' on the set of City of Lies, formerly known as LAbyrinth, in which Depp plays a LAPD detective investigating the deaths of rappers Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur.

Depp looked every inch one of the undead as he posed for snaps with fans on the Russian leg of a world tour this week

During his visit in Moscow, Depp also visited the Mayakovsky museum where, in one image, he looked happy and healthy as he posed with staff

A third image, taken in Moscow earlier in the week during a visit to a state museum, provoked more concern. Depp is pictured with one of the museum's staff

The production wrapped filming last year and Depp was praised by some for his conduct on set including a handful of extras who said he 'couldn't have been nicer'.

It was however alleged that he asked a production staffer to punch him during one incident.

According to sources cited by Page Six, Depp allegedly asked the staffer to punch him and said he would give him $100,000 to do so.

His representatives did not comment at the time.

Depp is pictured in June, 2017, at Glastonbury festival in England when he had a full head of hair and fuller faceThomas Ravenel and Kathryn Dennis reunited for their daughter's dance recital on Sunday.

The Southern Charm stars put on a united front and enjoyed a silly dance party before sharing the memories to Instagram the next day.

The co-parenting fun and games comes just weeks after the politician was hit with some very serious sexual assault accusations by two women last month.

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Co-parenting pros! Thomas Ravenel and Kathryn Dennis reunited for a dance party on Sunday after their daughter's dance recital

Ravenel and Dennis share two children together; daughter Kensie, four, and son St. Julien, two.

Ravenel, 55, shared a clip of the former couple dancing around a living room to a mix of Britney Spears' Hit Me Baby One More Time.

'Kathryn & I having fun on Sunday with the kids' Ravenel captioned the album which also included two photos of the family.

Dennis, 25, also shared a lovely photo of the co-parents crouching down beside their little girl after her recital.

'What matters most? My daughters happiness,' she captioned the photo.

Kensie looks adorable in her dance costume as she holds a bouquet of flowers.

Letting loose: The former couple showed off their moves to Britney Spears' Hit Me Baby One More Time

'Kathryn & I having fun on Sunday with the kids' Ravenel captioned the album which also included two photos of the family

Wearing a white dress and a pop of red with matching sunglasses and lipstick Dennis looks summer chic with her red locks styled in soft waves.

Ravenel and Dennis dated for a few years but ultimately called it quits in 2016.

Ravenel was accused of rape by two women, including his children's former nanny, last month.

Dawn Ledwell, known to fans of the Bravo reality show as 'Nanny Dawn', was the second woman to come forward and accuse Ravenel of sexual assault following Ashley Perkins who claimed Ravenel sexually assaulted her mother Debbie.

Ravenel has denied the allegations.

Former couple Thomas and Kathryn share two children together; daughter Kensie, four, and son St. Julien, two

'What matters most': Dennis, 25, also shared a lovely photo of the co-parents crouching down beside their little girl after her recital

Dennis addressed the allegations during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live.

'Well, I'm waiting until the investigation is complete before I comment on anything. And right now my kids are my main focus.'

It was initially rumored that Ravenel had been fired but it seems his job on the show is safe.

A source close to Bravo told People: 'No decision has been made yet and the investigation is still ongoing,'

The fun and games came after Ravenel was accused of sexual assault by two women, including his children's former nanny, last month. He is pictured on the Bravo show

Accusations: The former South Carolina State Treasurer has denied the allegations and the investigation is ongoing

As the father-of-two was hit by allegations his attorney defended him in a statement: 'My client enjoys a certain degree of fame, which has unfortunately made him a vulnerable target for such claims. The person this woman describes is simply not the man that I know.

'My client is a loving father, successful businessman, and upright member of the community. He is appalled and hurt by these allegationsand is committed to defending his reputation in the appropriate legal forum.'

Ravenel is currently dating Ashley Jacobs and while she was missing from Sunday's activities she did gush about her boyfriend on Instagram on Monday.

'When your bf brings you dinner after a long days work #HesTheBest,' Jacobs wrote.

Southern Charm airs Thursdays on Bravo at 9pm ET.She's one of Hollywood's most beloved actresses.

But Sandra Bullock revealed that sexism in show business almost made her leave acting during a Tuesday interview with USA Today.

The Ocean's 8 actress, 53, explained how certain experiences caused her to think about a career change, telling the paper 'I was like, "Wow, maybe I need to step out of here. Maybe I need to do something else for a living."'

Unbearable: Sandra Bullock (above May 24) revealed how sexism made her think about leaving show business, telling USA Today she told herself 'Wow, maybe I need to step out of here. Maybe I need to do something else for a living'

Sandra credited her start to being lucky, saying: 'My career has been a domino effect of people who said, "I would like this person to fill this role."

'And not just in the industry, but people in my life. My mother raised me like, "You don't need to get married, you forge your own path. You make your own money, and be your own person."

'And I literally went out into the world thinking there was no disparity, that everyone was equal, and I can do whatever a man can do.'

But Hollywood provided a rude awakening, especially since she was raised to be strong and independent.

Right place, right time: Sandra (with her Ocean's 8 castmates Mindy Kaling and Sarah Paulson, above) credited her start to being lucky, saying: 'My career has been a domino effect of people who said, "I would like this person to fill this role"

Independent: The Ocean's 8 actress (above May 30 in LA) talked about how her mother raised her to be 'her own person'

'It was hard for me, because I walked with blinders on through life and got to where I (felt) like I was less than because I was a woman.'

'And that was a hard pill to swallow. I had a lot of sadness from that. I was like, "Wow, maybe I need to step out of here. Maybe I need to do something else for a living."

'And that was in the middle of when I was getting work ?' I didn't want to be a part of that world where there was that experience.'

Sandra also talked about the prevalence of harassment in all women's lives during an interview with InStyle last month.

Harsh reality: Because of her empowered upbringing, Sandra said her first experience with sexism 'a hard pill to swallow.' Above she's seen with her fellow Ocean's 8 starlets Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway and Mindy Kaling on May 8

'I can safely say there is not one person I know who hasn't experienced some form of (harassment) or doesn't know someone (it's happened to),' the Miss Congeniality actress told the magazine.

'It happened to me when I was 16. And you're paralyzed to a degree, thinking, "Will anyone believe me?' And at that time? No. Up until recently it was the victim who was shamed, not the perpetrator.'"

Bullock has supported the Time's Up movement from the star, donating $500k to the legal defense fund spearheaded by a legion of women in Hollywood.She's been showcasing her grueling health and fitness routines ahead of the bikini season.

And it seems as though Britney Spears is ready for summer, stepping out in a bright top and short shorts in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old flaunted her incredibly toned legs during the outing, even accessorizing with a sweatband for any unwanted perspiration.

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Bikini body ready! Britney Spears appeared ready for summer on Tuesday when she stepped out flaunting her toned legs in LA

Britney stunned in a peplum yellow singlet top that made the most of her famous curves.

The Piece Of Me songstress paired her shirt with cut off green shorts to her sunny look.

She added extra height to her 5ft4in figure with tan platform heels that gave a look at some of her foot tattoos.

Bright! The Piece Of Me songstress paired her shirt with cut off green shorts to her sunny look

Cheese and crackers! And fueling up for the day ahead, the mom-of-two was seen picking up a pack of Lunchables

Britney's blonde hair featured dark roots and was tied back into a high ponytail.

She appeared to be wearing a bit of makeup with dark liner around her eyes.

And fueling up for the day ahead, the mom-of-two was seen picking up a pack of Lunchables.

Who's the lucky guys? Britney's solo outing comes after she was seen last week in a corset while standing between two handsome men

Britney's solo outing comes after she was seen last week in a corset while standing between two handsome men.

While it's not certain whether she was shooting a music video or campaign, she confirmed she was having a great time.

'It's been way too long since I've seen these boys! Had an amazing time on set,' she captioned.

Drama: The child star is also currently in a spousal support battle with her ex-husband Kevin Federline, 40 over child support pay increases of their sons Sean Preston, 12, and Jayden, 11

The child star is also currently in a spousal support battle with her ex-husband Kevin Federline, 40.

The Fresno native is the full legal guardian of their two sonsSean Preston, 12, and Jayden, 11.

He is asking for pay increase from $20,000 a month to $60,000 a month. TMZ has reported that former backup dancer only brings in $3,000 on his own each month.Angry Love Island fans mercilessly tore into Adam Collard, branding him a 'snake', after he stole Kendall Rae-Knight from Niall Aslam in the villa, Mallorca, on Tuesday.

Despite claiming Dani Dyer was his type on Monday, the muscle-bound hunk hand-picked the 'happiest' Islander for his summer soulmate in an unexpected twist.

Social media was awash with fuming rants as viewers vented their outrage that Adam had snatched Kendall away from Niall  a couple people were rooting for.

Love Island 2018: Furious fans blasted Adam Collard a SNAKE for snatching 'happy' Kendall Rae-Knight from Niall Aslam

Some fans refused to believe this was the end for Kendall and Niall's love story as they called for a 'reunion'.

'Imagine choosing a girl that has clearly told you shes interested in someone else and wants to be with them. What a SNAKE #loveisland,' one fan wrote, leading the troops on social media.

Having to wait a whole 24 hours to find out who the single hunk was going to couple up with, fans were left raging with Adan's 'unexpected' choice.

Tense scenes saw Niall, who had previously voiced his concern about Adam and his 'abs', looking visibly upset after he lost his ladylove.

Kendall shed a flurry of tears alone in the Beach Hut as she detailed the awkwardness of the situation as she became embroiled in a bitter love triangle.

Reaction: Social media was awash with fuming rants as viewers vented their outrage that Adam had snatched Kendall away from Niall  a couple people were rooting for

Heartache: Kendall shed a flurry of tears alone in the Beach Hut as she detailed the awkwardness of the situation as she became embroiled in a bitter love triangle

However, over the course of the episode, the dark-haired beauty began to warm towards Adam and the lovebirds shared the show's first kiss during their date.

Although she was warming to the idea, fans took to social media to pen their anger as they watched the drama unfold.

Another remarked: 'Adam is such a massive snake you'd find him in the rainforest trying to hunt Mowgli #LoveIsland.'

Following suit, fans wrote: 'Adam is a pure snake. Luv u niall #loveisland'; 'Well Adam the slytherin snake #loveisland'; 'snakes dont hiss they steal nialls girl.'

Others remarked: 'Am I the only one who thinks Adam is a creep and a snake?' 'Snakes dont hiss, they pick Kendall when she said she was happy with Niall.'

'Who the hell does Adam think he is little snake that was soooo unexpected Kendall even told him she liked Niall #LoveIsland literally ew.'

Fuming: Angry Love Island fans mercilessly tore into Adam Collard, branding him a 'snake', after he stole Kendall Rae-Knight from Niall Aslam in the villa, Mallorca, on Tuesday

'What a snake Adam is. Kendall was literally the only one who said she was happy as she is.'

'I said it last night Adam isn't for me and tonight I think he is a snake #LoveIsland.'

'Snakes dont hiss they steal Kendall from Niall #loveisland.'

Moving on: However, over the course of the episode, the dark-haired beauty began to warm towards Adam and the lovebirds shared the show's first kiss during their date

Ouch! Although she was warming to the idea, fans took to social media to pen their anger as they watched the drama unfold

'Some snakes don't hiss they break up the best couple #LoveIsland.'

'Snakes dont hiss they say dani is their type and then go and pick kendall #loveisland.'

'Niall is taking snake bites but then he's like "I'll suck the poison out, then swallow it, that'll help" #LoveIsland.'

'Kendall and Niall will be reunited Adam you snake! #LoveIsland.'

'Knew from the beginning that Adam was snake!!! #loveisland.'

'Whole country watching #loveisland just shouted WHAT!!!! WHAT A LITTLE SNAKE!!'IMG Model Paris Jackson went topless for a good cause in a new Life Ball advert raising awareness for HIV/AIDS testing she shared with her 4.6M social media followers on Tuesday.

In it, the 20-year-old socialite painted her already heavily-tattooed 5ft9in form with phrases like 'resistance,' 'warrior,' 'love,' and 'survivor.'

The Beverly Hills-born heiress famously got the majority of her tatts and piercings after turning 18 during her 10-month relationship with much older drummer Michael Snoddy.

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IMG Model: Paris Jackson went topless for a good cause in a new Life Ball advert raising awareness for HIV/AIDS testing she shared with her 4.6M social media followers on Tuesday

Jackson wore little more than jewelry and a pair of unbuttoned denim cut-offs selected by stylist Sonia Young for the public service announcement.

Hairstylist Giannandrea coiffed Paris' brunette locks while make-up artist Jo Baker made sure she was ready for her close-up in the commercial.

The millionaire hippie-at-heart then said to the camera: 'I am, I give, and I refuse to accept love but I am a warrior. I know my story. I know my status.'

The Gringo actress' post came three days after she presented a LIFE+ Award to the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance Malawi Director Joyce Jere onstage Vienna's City Hall.

Graffiti: In it, the 20-year-old socialite painted her already heavily-tattooed 5ft9in form with phrases like 'resistance,' 'warrior,' 'love,' and 'survivor'

Hot Topic phase: The Beverly Hills-born heiress got the majority of her tatts and piercings after turning 18 during her 10-month relationship with much older drummer Michael Snoddy

Attention-getting get-up: Jackson wore little more than jewelry and a pair of unbuttoned denim cut-offs selected by stylist Sonia Young for the public service announcement

Pretty eyes: Hairstylist Giannandrea coiffed Paris' brunette locks while make-up artist Jo Baker made sure she was ready for her close-up in the commercial

The millionaire hippie-at-heart then said to the camera: 'I am, I give, and I refuse to accept love but I am a warrior. I know my story. I know my status'

Paris attended the Sound of Music-themed HIV/AIDS fundraiser as a 'prominent congratulator' on behalf of her late godmother's The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

'It was such an honor to share the life ball stage and celebrate the incredible Joyce Jere for the immeasurable difference she is making on the ground in Malawi,' Jackson wrote on Monday.

'Through funding from ETAF, the GAIA Elizabeth Taylor Mobile Health Clinics, which provide healthcare and HIV testing for people faced with extreme poverty living in rural villages, over 1.5 million patients have been treated free of charge...I'm proud to be apart of this and to do what I can in continuing her work until we reach an AIDS free generation.'

The Joker's Wild guest star - whose godfather is Macaulay Culkin - looked stunning on the red carpet clad in a strapless black Dolce & Gabbana gown for the Austrian festivities.

Charitable: The Gringo actress' post came three days after she presented a LIFE+ Award to the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance Malawi Director Joyce Jere (2-R) onstage Vienna's City Hall

Representing: Paris attended the Sound of Music-themed HIV/AIDS fundraiser as a 'prominent congratulator' on behalf of her late godmother's The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation

'I'm proud to be apart of this': Jackson - whose godfather is Macaulay Culkin - looked stunning on the red carpet clad in a strapless black Dolce & Gabbana gown for the Austrian festivities

Her late father Michael Jackson and the lavender-eyed Oscar winner were longtime friends having bonded over their immense fame, childhood stardom, and humanity.

Paris was only 10 years old when the legendary King of Pop succumbed to 'acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication' in 2009.

Jackson now receives $8M annually from her estimated $100M inheritance as well as additional bonuses at ages 33 and 40 - according to Page Six.

Meanwhile, it's unclear when the nepotistically-privileged millennial last visited her mother, dermatology nurse Debbie Rowe, who was battling breast cancer last year.She's gearing up for the premiere of her latest film, the female driven Ocean's 8.

And there was no slowing down Cate Blanchett on Tuesday when she stepped out in New York City.

A vision of blue, the 49-year-old actress showcased her impeccable style while flaunting her trim physique.

Stylish: Cate Blanchett was a vision of blue as she steped out in New York ahead of Ocean's 8 release on Tuesday

Cate opted for a fashionable baby blue look for the outing.

She wore a polka dot shirt with neck tie underneath a power suit. The beauty's high-waisted trousers fell to just above her ankles and was complemented with white pumps.

Cate accessorized with a Soft Stella Bag from Tod's and peach tinted shades.

She means business: She wore a polka dot shirt with neck tie underneath a power suit

Stylish: Cate accessorized with a Soft Stella Bag from Tod's and peach tinted shades

Her short blonde locks were styled out into an effortless wave and was parted over to one side.

The Thor: Ragnarock star appeared to be wearing light makeup coverage that featured a healthy sweep of blush and nude lip.

Free flowing: Her short blonde locks were styled out into an effortless wave and was parted over to one side

Complete glam: The Thor: Ragnarock star appeared to be wearing light makeup coverage that featured a healthy sweep of blush and nude lip

Cate's stroll around the Big Apple comes after she was seen at Monday night's CFDA Fashion Awards.

The mom-of-two's Monse garment featured silver embellished cuffs and an edgy asymmetrical hemline.

The latest film from the Australian native is the female driven Ocean's 8.

Making heads turn! Cate's stroll around the Big Apple comes after she was seen at Monday night's CFDA Fashion Awards

Also staring Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling, Aquafina, Helena Bonham Carter, Dakota Fanning and Rihanna along others, it's predicted to be a hit.

According to Deadline, the star-studded female heist flick - which is a spin-off of the George Clooney led Oceans 11 trilogy - is tracking for an opening weekend between $30 million and $45 million.

Ocean's 8 will be in all cinemas from Friday June 8.She joked about being in her 'happy place' in an Instagram with friends Tuesday.

But Kim Kardashian had different feelings during Monday's CFDA awards, where she admitted she was brought to tears by one of the songs on husband Kanye West's new album Ye while talking to Extra.

The reality starlet explained her emotional reaction to her rapper hubby's song Wouldn't Leave, where Kanye raps about her reaction to his now-infamous slavery comments on TMZ, saying: 'I cried because it is a lot of what we went through.'

Happy camper: While Kim Kardashian wrote that she was in her 'happy place' in an Instagram photo with friends Tuesday, the night before she opened up about how one of husband Kanye West's new songs brought her to tears

The lyrics in question contained the rhyme: 'Wife calling screaming saying were about to lose it all / I had to calm her down cause she couldnt breathe.

'I told her she could leave me now but she wouldnt leave / This is what they mean for better or for worse, huh?'

Ye's rhymes resonated with his wife who said: 'I cried because it is a lot of what we went through.'

'I know my husband has the best intentions. He has the biggest heart. I know his heart, so I know he'll always have that chance to explain himself when the time is right.'

Stand by your man: The reality starlet explained her emotional reaction to her rapper hubby's song Wouldn't Leave, where Kanye raps about her reaction to his now-infamous slavery comments on TMZ

Calm down: The star admitted her initial reaction to Kayne's kerfuffle wasn't so staid, telling Extra: 'This time I wasn't so calm I know what he meant so ultimately, after a week, I was calm'

But her initial reaction wasn't so staid, telling Extra: 'This time I wasn't so calm I know what he meant so ultimately, after a week, I was calm I think he explained it well in the song.'

The starlet appeared to be in a decidedly cheerier mood on social media Tuesday, sharing a sport yet sexy selfie of her and a group of friends hiking in Wyoming.

'Happy place' she captioned the picture, which featured her friends fitness model Amanda Lee, WAGs persona Olivia Pierson and actress Natalie Halcro.

Laugh out loud: The social media favorite joked about her penchant for barely-there ensembles while accepting the inaugural Influencer honor, telling the audience 'I'm kind of shocked i'm winning a fashion award when I'm naked most of the time'

Kim was joined by sisters Kourtney and Kendall at last night's CFDA Awards in LA.

The social media favorite joked about her penchant for barely-there ensembles while accepting the inaugural Influencer honor.

'I'm kind of shocked i'm winning a fashion award when I'm naked most of the time,' she quipped.Petrol prices have hit a four-year high, with motorists urged to shop around for the best deal ahead of the long weekend.

The cost of unleaded petrol jumped 5.1 per cent to an average 142.5 cents a litre in most capital cities during the past three months, a survey by comparison website comparethemarket.com.au found.

The increase pushes prices to their highest level since mid-2014, with some drivers paying as much as $1.60 a litre, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

ACCC chairman Rod Sims says concern about the global supply of crude oil had pushed up oil prices, with those rises being passed on at the pump.

"Unfortunately, the international factors pushing up wholesale petrol prices mean that these higher prices are being passed on to Australian motorists at the petrol bowser," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Drivers were urged to use fuel price websites and apps to shop around.

* Average unleaded petrol prices in major capital cities March-June

- Sydney 140.0 cents per litre

- Melbourne 141.1

- Brisbane 144.4

- Adelaide 140.0

- Perth 140.9

- Canberra 148

(Source: comparethemarket.com.au)Queensland's Housing Minister has attacked Gold Coast City Council over plans to evict elderly residents from their homes at a council-owned caravan park.

Mick de Brenni visited the Kirra Beach Tourist Park on Monday and met with permanent residents who have been told by council they will be phased out of their homes over ten years to make way for tourists.

"All the residents I met were elderly pensioners, and they're desperately worried about where they're going to live in the future," Mr de Brenni told AAP.A man has pleaded guilty to the shooting murder of a Gold Coast father on the morning his trial was due to begin.

Taylor Ruatara was expected to defend allegations he fatally shot Jason Boyd, 41, at his Carrara home in December 2016 but will now be sentenced over the murder in Brisbane Supreme Court.

During initial court appearances in the same month, Ruatara's lawyer Michael Gatenby said he found the gun at the property while attending a party, and didn't realise it was real.

Ruatara claimed the gun belonged to Mr Boyd and "accidentally discharged", Mr Gatenby said.

Following the murder Ruatara went on the run with co-accused Renee Moseley but later handed himself in.

She was charged with offences including unlawful use of a motor vehicle and sentenced to a year in jail.

Ruatara will learn his punishment in Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday.A man has appeared in a Brisbane court, charged with murdering a five-month-old boy on the city's bayside.

Kozan Samual Thomas Ware, 32, from Woodridge, south of Brisbane, appeared briefly in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He is accused of murdering the baby who died at a Russell St home in Cleveland after being found unresponsive on the morning of March 28 last year.

Ware and the child were known to each other and they have the same last name.

His death sparked a joint investigation by two police child protection units before Ware was arrested and charged on Monday.

Ware was not allowed to apply for bail on Tuesday and the case was listed to return to court for committal on July 2.The same man could be responsible for sex attacks on two women in the West Australian Goldfields town of Leonora.

A woman in her 40s was sexually assaulted outside her home between 12:30am and 1:30am on Monday, police said.

Her attacker is believed to be in his 20s, about 183cm tall, with dark skin and was wearing dark clothing.

Police say that a woman in her 70s was also sexually assaulted by a man of a similar description in her home in the early hours of Tuesday.More than two-thirds of Australians support an increase to the Newstart allowance, which has not been raised in real terms for 24 years.

The Newstart allowance for a single person with no children is about $270 per week.

The federal government argues the vast majority of people on the jobless allowance receive other types of welfare payments, such as family and rental supports.

However, half of voters surveyed for an Essential poll at the weekend thought the unemployment benefit was too low.

Labor and Greens voters, as well as people earning less than $1000 a week, were most likely to share this view.

A quarter of the 1025 respondents thought the allowance was "about right" and nine per cent believed it was too high.

Young Liberal and National supporters, and people earning more than $2000 per week, were most likely to think the payment was about right or too generous.

Some 68 per cent of respondents supported an increase to the Newstart allowance, with 19 per cent opposed and 13 per cent unsure.

Cassandra Goldie, from the Australian Council of Social Services, urged parliament to take heed of the polling and raise the Newstart allowance by at least $75 per week.A Gold Coast cosmetic surgeon convicted of sexually assaulting a patient has been granted a retrial.

Cesidio Colagrande was sentenced to nine months in prison, wholly suspended for 18 months, after being found guilty by a District Court jury of assaulting the 24-year-old female patient in 2015.

Colagrande was granted the retrial on Tuesday after the Queensland Court of Appeal ruled his legal team could have been disadvantaged by prosecutors not passing on until too late into the trial a statement by the patient that she was unwilling to proceed with the complaint.People who threaten or incite violence against others based on race, religion or sexuality could be jailed for up to three years under proposed laws in NSW.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the existing NSW Anti-Discrimination Act was "ineffective" and allowed some people to escape punishment for vile acts that encouraged violence.

"We're not saying people can't have opinions or express their views, but if they cross the line into threatening and inciting violence they will not go unpunished," Mr Speakman said in a statement on Tuesday.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14A NSW beef farmer is questioning the morality of selling cattle she's been advised not to eat in case they were exposed to toxic chemicals spilled into a nearby creek.

Michelle Viola's beef and hay farm in Maitland in the NSW Hunter Valley region sits along Swamp Creek, which was exposed to the contaminant PFAS after heavy rainfall in March.

The chemical is believed to have washed into Swamp and Stony Creek from a nearby derelict industrial site.

Ms Viola says she didn't find out until a week ago, on May 30, and as a result "hasn't been diligent" about keeping her 20 or so cattle away from the creek.

"It should have been an instant notification so we can make arrangements to protect ourselves ... we feel we've been exposed and we don't know to what level," she told AAP.

During the warmer months, Ms Viola sells lucerne hay and in winter the mother-of-three relies on selling cattle to keep her farm going.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority last month warned residents to avoid using water from Stony and Swamp Creeks for domestic and livestock use and issued precautionary advice for residents near Stony, Fishery and Wallis creeks to avoid eating home-slaughtered livestock.

Ms Viola questioned how she can sell cattle that she's been advised not to eat.

"They (the EPA) said they can go to market, through the industry because it gets dispersed which is a whole other moral obligation I'm not comfortable with," she said.

"We have to sign product-disclosure information when we sell cattle to say they're fit for market - now I can't really say that."

She's urged the NSW government to install a temporary fence around the creeks and to test the livestock to see if they have been exposed.

The state government, however, told AAP on Tuesday it won't erect barriers.

PFAS was detected at the now-derelict refinery, previously owned by Truegain, at Rutherford two years ago, with the government issuing precautionary advice to residents at the time, the EPA said.

The EPA is working with the owners of the site to ensure future discharges don't occur and has started a tender process for the site's clean up.

PFAS is a group of chemicals used in firefighting foam, which at least one US health agency says may increase the risk of cancer.

The NSW government says there is no conclusive link.The benefits of a Victorian government plan to sell nine public housing estates to developers, who will replace them with a mix of public and private housing, have been called into question by a parliamentary committee.

It is "not clear" that selling the land will deliver a large benefit to public housing tenants, the state's legal and social issues committee said in a report released on Tuesday.

The committee has also found there is "no clear evidence" of the benefits of mixing public and private housing on the sites, as the government intends.An outback Queensland policeman who successfully appealed against assault and deprivation of liberty convictions has had that decision overturned.

The Queensland Court of Appeal has thrown out a District Court decision quashing the conviction of Senior Constable Stephen Flanagan in February last year for assaulting motorist Lee Povey outside Longreach in May 2015.

Flanagan was originally fined $1500 for the incident in which dash-cam footage showed the officer pulling out his gun and screaming: "F***ing pull over now, c***" to Mr Povey.Parramatta's spiralling season has been given a lift after Jarryd Hayne, Tim Mannah and Corey Norman were all named to return from injury for Saturday's NRL clash with North Queensland.

In other team news, Canterbury star Kieran Foran has been ruled out for up to a month with a toe injury, with Jeremy Marshall-King moving to five-eighth and Michael Lichaa recalled at hooker.

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson is also set to make his long-awaited return from injury in their match-up against Manly on Saturday.The NSW opposition is calling for an investigation into allegations the deputy premier failed to disclose a relationship with a political donor who could benefit from a controversial policy to protect feral horses.

Labor leader Luke Foley wants parliamentary debate on a bill to ban the culling of brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park suspended until Nationals leader John Barilaro is cleared of any conflict of interest.

He used question time on Tuesday to ask the government if Mr Barilaro had disclosed "significant" political donations from the owner of a horse trekking business in the Snowy Mountains, Peter Cochran.

Mr Foley also questioned what role Mr Cochran had in drafting the legislation.

The opposition claims Mr Cochran, the former member for Mr Barilaro's seat of Monaro, has donated more than $10,000 to Mr Barilaro's campaigns.

"Until a full investigation has been completed it would be appropriate to suspend the parliament's consideration of the bill," he said in a statement.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian labelled the accusations "grubby" and the questions inappropriate.

She told parliament everything relating to the bill was "above board".

"The government made its decision based on facts, based on community views," she said.

Mr Barilaro, who introduced the legislation in May, insisted the proposal went through proper government processes.The presence of more than 1500 US marines in Darwin should be welcomed and is a "really positive engagement", Defence Minister Marise Payne says.

Senator Payne made the comments after viewing a computer simulation exercise involving Australian and US forces in which bombs explode in Darwin's Cullen Bay and the troops respond during a visit to Robertson Barracks in the Top End.

The simulator can be used for mission rehearsal exercises for any scenario before going to an "operational or live firing environment", Australian Army's Major Max Williams told the minister.

The number of US marines in Darwin has been gradually increasing to 2500 since first being stationed in 2012.

There are 15 different joint training exercises planned over the next six months.

Opponents such as the Chinese government say Australia should not be welcoming foreign troops and siding with the US to contain China.

Others support the idea that the forces will contain China and its aggressive military build-up in the South China Sea including the construction of artificial island bases.

"Australia has been very clear about its position ... for examples we have encouraged all claimants, it is important to remember that there are multiple claimants, to resolve those issues peacefully in accordance with international law and according to a rule-based global order," the minister told reporters on Tuesday.

The meeting comes at a time of increased tension between China and both the US and Australia.

The US withdrew an invitation to China to attend the Rim of the Pacific naval exercises this year and US Secretary of Defence James Mattis warned Beijing during a speech in Singapore last weekend of consequences over its aggression in the South China Sea.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said this week the government wanted to be the "partner of choice" for Pacific island nations, in what was seen as a message to China over its increasing ties in the region.

Senator Payne also viewed Australian and US troops conducting artillery exercises and met with US Lieutenant General David Berger and commanding general of marine forces in the Pacific and Australian Major General Rick Burr.

"This year, just looking in front of us, it is a pretty phenomenal example of what an alliance really actually means. I am grateful for it, it is tremendous seeing the training going on this morning ," Gen Berger told reporters.A member of the Bali Nine convicted drug smugglers, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, has reportedly died in his prison cell in Indonesia.

Nguyen was given a life sentence after being arrested for trying to smuggle heroin through Bali in 2005.

He died from cancer in a Jakarta hospital, media reported on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to AAP on Tuesday night that they were providing support to an Australian man who died in Indonesia from a "terminal illness".

Nguyen is the third member of the Bali Nine to die after Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed by firing squad in 2015.A fourth person has been charged over the alleged murder of a Victorian father whose body was found in a shallow grave on the Mornington Peninsula.

A 46-year-old Elwood woman is expected to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with the murder and false imprisonment of 39-year-old Jade Goodwin last year.

Brendan McDowall, Shane Heiberg, and Natalie Dalton were previously charged with killing Mr Goodwin at Hastings in October, five days before his body was found buried in a shallow grave at a Tyabb property.The latest report into the health of the Great Barrier Reef has found a steep decline in coral health, separate from recent bleaching events.

The Australian Institute of Marine Science released its annual report this week showing median coral cover in the central section of the reef had declined from 22 per cent in 2016 to 14 per cent in 2017/2018.

The report also found the northern section of the reef had the lowest median coral cover on record.

And because the individual sections of the reef are only reviewed by AIMS every two years, that finding didn't take into account the major coral bleaching event in 2017, nor the effect of tropical cyclone Debbie.

"It is unprecedented in the 30-plus year time series that all three regions of the GBR have declined and that many reefs have now very low coral cover," the report reads.

Imogen Zethoven from the Australian Marine Conservation Society says the report is the latest in a long line of scientific evidence that the reef is suffering from the effects of climate change.

She's urged the federal government to do more to preserve the reef before it's too late.

"How many times does the alarm bell have to ring before the government takes action?"

"The Great Barrier Reef supports 64,000 jobs, they need to be protected, and to protect them, we need to see action on climate change."

Ms Zethoven said while there was no coming back from major bleaching events in 2016 and 2017, the government could preserve the reef into the future if it took action soon.

The federal government announced last month it would spend $500 million to help restore and protect the reef in the coming years, including improving water quality.Don't know which way to vote on a controversial policy affecting women in NSW? Ask Facebook.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Philip Donato has set up a Facebook poll to determine which way he will vote on a bill to provide safe access zones around NSW abortion clinics.

The proposed laws will provide a 150-metre exclusion zone around clinics and make it an offence to film staff and patients without their consent.

The bill passed the state parliament's upper house last month and is expected to be debated in the legislative assembly on Thursday.

While government MPs have been given a conscience vote, Mr Donato has turned to his electorate and social media for inspiration.

He posted a poll to his Facebook page on Tuesday evening with two options, 'support bill' and 'oppose bill'.

"I believe this is a matter of conscience and the views of my electorate should supersede my own," Mr Donato said in a Facebook post.Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, a member of the infamous Bali Nine, has died after a battle with cancer.

Nguyen, 34, passed away in a Jakarta hospital, media outlets reported on Tuesday night.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed they are providing assistance to the family of an Australian man who died from a "terminal illness".

Nguyen was serving life in prison for his role in attempting to smuggle heroin from Bali into Australia in 2005.

Nguyen is the third member of the Bali Nine to die after Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed by firing squad in 2015.

Renae Lawrence has been the only Bali Nine member to have her jail time cut after receiving a reduction on her 20-year sentence in 2017.

The remaining Bali Nine members will spend life behind bars in Indonesia.A major report into the influence of donations on political parties is set to be released on Wednesday.

A parliamentary select committee has spent the past 10 months looking at why donations are made to political parties and candidates, the use of shell companies and trusts to hide the source of money and how to improve the donations regime.

The inquiry heard evidence that a national system was needed, rather than state-by-state regimes, for regulating political donations and that disclosure thresholds needed to be lowered.

The NSW ICAC told the committee it believed organisations and individuals using political donations to get favourable government decisions, or access to decision makers, caused "serious damage to representative democracy".A former jihadist who now works with the UK Home Office could be denied entry to Australia for a speaking engagement in Hobart.

Muhammad Manwar Ali is due to appear on a panel to discuss "Sanctioned Killing" alongside a former Tamil Tiger and an elite Australian soldier on Sunday as part of the annual Dark MOFO festival.

He's also listed to speak to a group of 12 people at an "intimate" Sunday dinner session.

However, the now-teacher and peace activist appears to be stuck in London as the Department of Home Affairs decides whether to grant him a visa, The Mercury reported on Wednesday.

The department has been asked for comment.A $6000 diamond ring allegedly stolen from a Sydney home on the weekend has been recovered in northern NSW, with a man charged over the incident.

The ring, a $15,000 motorbike reportedly stolen from a Schofields property in Sydney's west last year, as well as high-end electronic equipment was discovered at a rural home on the outskirts of Kempsey on Tuesday, police said.

A 29-year-old man wanted on outstanding arrest warrant was at the home and since been charged.

Police allege the Lismore man also broke into a veterinary practice near Byron Bay in April.

He's been granted conditional bail and is due to face Kempsey Local Court on June 18.Pakistan's military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor says "there is nobody else happier" than the military that the country's latest parliament has run its full term

Pakistan's military hit back at mounting criticism of its long campaign against militancy and stressed its support for upcoming elections in a major public relations offensive on Monday.

The push comes one day after a rights group clashed with Taliban-linked militants in the country's northwest, sparking fresh claims the military was backing proxy forces based in Pakistan that are fighting in Afghanistan.

Sunday's fight between activists from the Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM) and miliants during a rally Sunday left at least two dead and dozens injured on the Afghan border, according to a local official.

PTM has been calling for investigations into disappearances and extrajudicial killings by Pakistan's security establishment, while also echoing accusations that the military allowed extremists a safe haven from which to launch attacks in Afghanistan.

But in a wide-ranging press conference, chief military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor slammed accusations that the country was harbouring militants and accused PTM of being manipulated by "enemies of Pakistan".

He went on to defend the conduct of Pakistan's fight against insurgents, noting that thousands had lost their lives in the country's battle against extremism.

"War is a cruel action and not a fair game, more than 70,000 Pakistanis and 16,000 soldiers have been killed and wounded in this war," said Ghafoor during a press conference in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Ghafoor was also at pains to emphasise the military's support for elections set in July, as tensions mount following the ousting of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court on corruption charges last year.

Since being removed from power Sharif has become increasingly confrontational with the military, repeatedly accusing them of unfairly targeting him and his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party.

Ghafoor said the military stood by Pakistan's political development ahead of what is likely to be only the second democratic transfer of power in the nation's 70-year history.

"There is nobody else happier than the army over the completion of parliament and government's tenure," Ghafoor said.

Pakistan has been under direct military rule for almost half of its existence, with at least 15 heads of states deposed before completing their term, often at the behest of the country's powerful armed forces.Investigators found that a US official from the defense agency had regular meetings with Chinese intelligence agents that he never reported, used cellphones provided him by Chinese sources and retained classified

An official from the US Defense Intelligence Agency was charged Monday with selling US secrets to China in exchange for at least $800,000.

The Justice Department said Ron Rockwell Hansen, 58, of Syracuse, Utah, was taken into custody on Saturday while on his way to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Washington state to board a flight to China, carrying classified information.

It was just the latest in a series of arrests of American officials on charges of spying for Beijing.

Hansen, the charges said, was retired from the US army where he worked in signals intelligence.

Fluent in Mandarin and Russian, he was recruited in 2006 to work for the DIA as a case officer, someone who recruits and manages foreign intelligence assets.

Based out of a commercial office in Beijing, Hansen made contacts with Chinese intelligence, and over several years tried to pitch himself to the DIA and FBI as a double agent who would act ultimately for the Untied States, the indictment said.

Investigators found that he had regular meetings with Chinese intelligence agents that he never reported, used cellphones provided him by Chinese sources and retained classified information to which he was not supposed to have access.

They also discovered that Hansen was in deep financial trouble from 2013 to 2016, with debts of several hundred thousand dollars.

During and after that time, he received more than $800,000 in payments from China, often cash that he hand-carried to the United States, that he could not explain.

By early this year, the FBI learned that Hansen was seeking from American colleagues information on the US position on North and South Korea, as well as its military operations plan against China, to be sold to his Chinese contacts.

"His alleged actions are a betrayal of our nation's security and the American people and are an affront to his former intelligence community colleagues," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers.

In January, former CIA agent Jerry Chun Shing Lee was arrested on charges that he sold information to China. He is reportedly suspected of having provided information on the CIA's network of informants that was brought down by Chinese between 2010 and 2012.

Former State Department official Kevin Mallory was arrested last year for spying for China.

And another US diplomat, Candace Marie Claiborne, was also arrested for taking money from Chinese intelligence officials, though she was not directly accused of supplying information in exchange.Twenty-five people were wounded in clashes with security forces during opposition protests in Mali's capital Bamako on June 3

The European Union urged Mali's government Monday to respect "freedom of expression" and "show restraint" after dozens of people were hurt in banned opposition protests two months ahead of presidential elections.

"The EU stresses the importance of the respect of fundamental freedoms, and in particular the freedom of expression, during election time," the European Union said in a statement released late Monday.

"The protests need to happen in a peaceful manner and all actors, including law enforcement agents, are called upon to show restraint," the statement read.

The EU said the presidential ballot scheduled for July 29 needed to "take place in peaceful, credible, transparent and inclusive conditions in order to reinforce Mali's stability".

Brussels vowed to stay "fully engaged" and deploy electoral observers to the West African country. Next month's poll will see 73-year-old premier Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga face more than a dozen challengers.

Twenty-five people were wounded in clashes with security forces in the capital Bamako on Saturday, medical sources said.

The violence prompted a call for calm late Saturday from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who had visited the country just days earlier.

Mali's government on Sunday condemned as "false and slanderous" claims by the opposition that live ammunition was used against the protesters.

Most protests are banned as the nation has lived under a near-constant state of emergency since an attack on a hotel in Bamako in November 2015 left 20 people dead.Woody Allen said that he was frustrated he was being bracketed with abusers exposed by the #MeToo movement

American filmmaker Woody Allen has backed the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and said he would have been a "poster boy" for the cause if he hadn't been unfairly maligned.

"It is a good thing they are exposing them," Allen told Argentina's Canal 13 television network.

The publication of bombshell articles about movie mogul Harvey Weinstein in October has triggered a watershed moment that has since felled the careers of dozens of powerful men across a variety of industries.

"I should be the poster boy of the MeToo movement. I've worked in movies for 50 years, I've worked with hundreds of actresses, and not a single one has ever suggested any kind of impropriety at all," he continued, adding that the women working in production in his films had all been paid the same as men.

The 82-year-old actor and director said that he was frustrated he was being bracketed with abusers exposed by the movement over allegations he molested his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, in 1992 when she was seven years old.

He was cleared of the charges, first leveled by his then-wife Mia Farrow, after two separate monthslong investigations.

"People who have been accused by 20 women, 50 women, 100 women of abuse and abuse and abuse, and I -- who was only accused by one woman in a child custody case, which was looked at and proven to be untrue -- I get lumped in with these people," Allen said.

"This is just so crazy. This is something that has been thoroughly looked at 25 years ago by all the authorities, and everybody came to the conclusion that it was untrue. And that was the end, and I've gone on with my life.

"And now, for it to come back now, it's a terrible thing to accuse a person of. I'm a man with a family and my own children. So of course it's upsetting."

The allegations resurfaced in the wake of the #MeToo movement, leading a string of actors Allen has worked with to distance themselves from him.

Moses Farrow, the adopted son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, released a lengthy personal essay last month, disputing the story and accusing his mother of abuse.US Senator Jeff Flake, left, and Google board member Eric Schmidt visited Cuba

Eric Schmidt, a board member of Google's parent company Alphabet, met Monday with Cuba's new president to discuss improving Cuban internet connectivity, one of the world's lowest.

"The benefits of the internet to the world are extraordinary. And it's important that Cubans have access to the internet at the same level or even better than everyone else," said Schmidt, who stepped down from his post as executive chairman early this year.

He met with Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel about seeking a dialogue even though US-Cuban relations have worsened under American President Donald Trump.

Alongside US Senator Jeff Flake -- a supporter of ending the US trade embargo on Cuba, the Americas' only one-party Communist state -- Schmidt said internet connectivity is key to Cuba's future.

"It's important for the development of the country," he stressed.

Diaz-Canel and Schmidt discussed US-Cuban relations and possible areas of cooperation, Cuban officials said.

Theirs was the first US delegation to meet with the new Cuban president, who was sworn in April 19.

Just over four million Cubans, under half the population, have limited internet access through public screens and wi-fi areas.

The state telephone company says it is in testing on adding data service to smartphones.

Ties between Havana and Washington have cooled considerably since Trump took office in January 2017.

The Trump administration has tightened restrictions on US travelers to Cuba.

And the State Department said it will permanently scale back its mission in Havana, which had already been operating with reduced staff since September 2017, when diplomats and relatives were evacuated over a health incident.Qantas is the latest international company to fall in line with Beijing's definition of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao

Qantas chief Alan Joyce on Tuesday defended the carrier's move to list Taiwan as part of China on its websites after Australia's foreign minister said private firms must be able to conduct business "free from political pressure".

The Chinese Civil Aviation Administration sent a notice to 36 foreign airlines in April, asking them to comply with Beijing's standards of referring to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau as Chinese territories.

Despite Taiwan having been governed separately for around seven decades, with its own government and own military, China considers the democratic island a renegade part of its territory to be brought back into the fold, by force if necessary.

In late May, AFP found several foreign airlines were still listing Taiwan as a country, including Qantas.

Joyce told reporters at an annual meeting of global airlines in Sydney that "our intention is to meet the requirements", but there were some technical delays.

He defended the decision to comply with Beijing's demands, stressing that "it's not airlines that define what countries are, it's governments".

"And at the end of the day, the Australians, like a lot of countries, have a 'One China' policy," Joyce added.

"So we're not doing anything different than (what) the Australian government is doing in that case and I think that's the case for a lot of airlines."

Qantas International chief Alison Webster said the carrier had been given an extension to make the changes.

"We have some complexity to work through," she said.

"The IT and technology that underpins our websites and the connectivity takes time for us to get to grips with changes that need to be put into the programming stages of that."

Qantas' decision comes amid souring relations between Canberra and Beijing.

Australia has introduced a raft of reforms to espionage and foreign interference legislation, with China singled out as a focus of concern.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Tuesday acknowledged that the website was a matter for Qantas, but said: "Private companies should be free to conduct their usual business operations free from political pressure of governments."

Air Canada chief executive Calin Rovinescu said that his carrier, which has made the changes, was "not a government" and was "not making any kind of a political statement".

"We do, like so many of the other airlines, take the same view that when we operate into the various jurisdictions, we'll comply with the requirements of the various jurisdictions," he said.

"As difficult and sensitive a decision as this is, our view is that we would comply with the Chinese government requirement."

Beijing has in recent months renewed its push to force Western companies to comply with its naming standards -- which Washington has labelled "Orwellian" -- or risk losing access to China's huge market.

Clothing supplier Gap and hotel chain Marriott have also come under pressure to amend websites or products that were perceived as slights to China's sovereignty.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a three-day European tour in Berlin, meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned German Chancellor Angela Merkel Monday that Iranian meddling in the Middle East could touch off massive new refugee flows to Europe, as they clashed about the future of the nuclear deal with Tehran.

At the start of a three-day European tour dominated by strategic differences on Iran, Netanyahu charged that Tehran has been able to bankroll a growing military presence in countries such as Syria and Yemen because sanctions had been lifted in exchange for its halt in nuclear enrichment activities.

Iran wants to "basically conduct a religious campaign in largely Sunni Syria but try to convert Sunnis," he said at a joint press conference with Merkel.

"This will inflame another religious war -- this time a religious war inside Syria and the consequences will be many, many more refugees and you know where exactly they will come," he said.

More than one million asylum seekers, with Syrians making up the biggest group, arrived in Germany since 2015, creating deep new political divisions in the country and shrinking Merkel's ruling majority in her fourth term.

Germany, France and Britain are three of the signatories of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between world powers and Iran, aimed at keeping Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu, who has long railed against the deal, will continue on to Paris for meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday and British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday.

All three countries have vowed to try to salvage the hard-fought accord since President Donald Trump announced the US withdrawal from it last month.

The European powers argue it is the best way to head off a regional arms race and have vowed with Russia and China, the two other signatory countries, to keep it alive.

- 'Malignant cancerous tumour' -

Merkel insisted that the Europeans and Israel were "united by the goal that Iran must never get a nuclear weapon" but acknowledged deep differences with Netanyahu on "how we can best achieve this".

She defended the nuclear accord as ensuring "at least for a certain time, that Iran's activities are under control" noting that Tehran had been "on the brink of having a nuclear weapon" before the deal was signed.

But she acknowledged that a supplementary deal with Tehran covering its ballistic missile programme as well as its interventions in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen was needed.

"But we believe that this can be achieved with tough negotiations," she said.

Asked about Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments on Twitter Sunday calling Israel a "malignant cancerous tumour", Merkel said Germany and its partners had "repeatedly and with great clarity told Iran that we will stand up for Israel's right to security".

Western powers view Iran's involvement in its neighbours' affairs as destabilising for the region while Israel sees it as a direct threat to its existence.

Foes Iran and Israel have been kept at bay for decades. However, an unprecedented May 10 escalation in Syria that saw Israel bomb alleged Iranian targets after blaming Tehran for a rocket barrage has sparked fears of open war.

Israel is considered the leading military power in the Middle East and believed to be the only country in the region to possess nuclear weapons.

- Far-right 'minimising Holocaust' -

The visit to Germany, traditionally Israel's closest European ally due to the enduring responsibility Berlin accepts for the Holocaust, comes at a time of further diplomatic tensions.

Merkel has repeatedly criticised expanding Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory as destructive to long-thwarted hopes for a two-state solution.

She nevertheless defended Israel's right to retaliate against rocket attacks from Gaza amid the worst military flare-up in the beleaguered Palestinian enclave since a 2014 war.

Netanyahu thanked Merkel for her efforts to fight a resurgence of anti-Semitism in Germany stemming from homegrown extremists and the massive influx of Muslim asylum seekers since 2015.

Alexander Gauland, a leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany, the biggest opposition party in parliament, unleashed a storm of protest at the weekend when he described the Nazi period and the Holocaust as little more than a "speck of bird shit in over 1,000 years of successful German history".Azmi Bishara in Cairo, 22 April 2007. He resigned that day from his position as a Knesset lawmaker, giving his notice at the Israeli embassy in Egypt's capital.

A controversial Arab Israeli former legislator who fled his homeland over a decade ago, Azmi Bishara is now among the key diplomatic players in the crisis that estranges Qatar from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf peers.

Once a Knesset black sheep over his pro-Palestinian stance, Bishara left Israel in 2007, accused of advising Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, a charge he denied.

A former Marxist and founder of Balad, an Arab Israeli political party, Bishara has since reinvented himself as an Arab public intellectual, close to Qatar's circles of power.

He is an Israeli Arab, defined as descendants of Palestinians who remained on their land when Israel was created in 1948. They account for around 17.5 percent of Israel's population today.

Bishara is a major personality in Qatari media and has a Twitter following of more than 1.4 million.

Critics of the 61-year-old Christian from Nazareth accuse him of permanently shifting alliances -- politics that have seen him labelled a supporter of "terrorism", along with his host Qatar.

- 'Qatar's Rasputin' -

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt all cut ties with Qatar a year ago, accusing the country of links to Sunni Islamist extremists and supporting Shiite Iran.

Iran is the key regional ally of Lebanon's Hezbollah, and Saudi Arabia's arch nemesis.

"Bishara plays a key role in Qatar's approach to the region and the world through media and research," said Theodore Karasik of the Gulf State Analytics research group.

"His role is indisputable," Karasik told AFP. "Given the harsh intra-Gulf fight, and the likelihood of a permanent cleavage, the Palestinian intellectual is likely to continue to find safety in Doha".

On social media and regional TV broadcasts considered close to Saudi Arabia and its allies, Bishara has been slammed as "Doha's Rasputin", a Mossad agent and the "godfather of terrorism".

"What has been written about Bishara in the Gulf media has been widely exaggerated," said Andreas Krieg, a defence expert at King's College London who has consulted for the Qatari government.

"He is a Christian Palestinian who used to have an Israeli passport. He once was a socialist but has changed his political views over time," Krieg said.

"To call him a godfather of terrorism makes no sense."

- Continuing controversy -

Bishara was a controversial figure long before his involvement into Qatari politics.

He resigned from the Knesset in 2007, amid investigations into his alleged role alongside Hezbollah in the war with Israel the year before.

He was also stripped of parliamentary immunity over what authorities said were anti-Israeli comments and ties to Syria.

His books are banned in Saudi Arabia and in 2014 Riyadh demanded Qatar shut down the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, a high-profile, Doha-based think tank headed by Bishara.

"Since the UAE and Saudi view any form of dissidence and opposition as a threat to the state, the liberal narratives of Bishara's centre and media outlets run counter to policies in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh promoting the myth of authoritarian stability," said Krieg.

Other critics say the mustachioed politician has only his personal interests at heart.

And no matter the outcome of the Gulf crisis, analysts say he will likely survive politically.

"If Qatar changes path then, of course, Bishara will run somewhere else," said Karasik.has come a long way since he started out wheeling a trolley in a dim sum restaurant, earning his place as the first chef in his adopted home of Taiwan to win three Michelin stars

Ken Chan has come a long way since he started out wheeling a trolley in a dim sum restaurant, becoming the first chef in his adopted home of Taiwan to win three Michelin stars.

Hong Kong-born Chan, 53, worked through tough apprenticeships back home before rising through the ranks on Taiwan's culinary scene over the past three decades to become executive chef at luxury five-star hotel restaurant Le Palais in Taipei.

Serving mainly Cantonese cuisine as well as Sichuan, Fuzhou and Taiwanese dishes, Le Palais became the first and only restaurant in Taiwan to receive three stars when Michelin launched its Taipei guide earlier this year, describing the food as "truly outstanding".

Chan's menu is relatively affordable compared with three-star restaurants in the rest of the world, with dishes ranging from steamed prawn dumplings and baked barbecue pork buns, priced from Tw$250 ($8), to an eight-course set including lobster salad, bird's nest soup, braised abalone with goose foot and steamed tiger grouper at Tw$6,980.

Taiwan's most-recognised chef, Andre Chiang, famously gave up the two Michelin stars attached to his eponymous Restaurant Andre in Singapore, closing it in February to focus on other projects, including his Taipei restaurant RAW.

But Chan says he believes receiving the stars will boost the island's burgeoning foodie credentials.

"It inspires everybody to aim higher and higher," he told AFP.

Chan attributes his accolade to "luck", but it is also testament to perseverance.

After dropping out of school in Hong Kong aged 12, Chan began working in a restaurant in the city, pushing a dim sum trolley around the tables from which customers would choose dishes.

Ken Chan worked through tough apprenticeships in Hong Kong before rising through the ranks on Taiwan's culinary scene over the past three decades

He already had a love of cooking passed down from his mother and remembers how she would give him two Hong Kong dollars to buy ingredients in the market to feed the family, as she was working full-time to make ends meet.

Having to carefully think how to spend the money to create the best meal has influenced his approach in the kitchen now, says Chan.

"I told my staff 'You shouldn't just aim to finish the job but should do it well, as if you were cooking for your parents,'" he said.

- A dying art? -

Life in the Hong Kong restaurant business was far from glamorous.

Chan was tasked with washing the underwear of a chef he worked under and recalls being hit on the head with a spatula when his "master" was in a bad mood, even being thrown into a river for making mistakes.

"Back then if you wanted to learn something, you had to beg the master to teach you," he said.

"I had to buy drinks and fruit to treat my masters so they would casually teach me one or two steps."

Ken Chan worries that traditional skills in Cantonese and Taiwanese cooking will eventually be lost as the old masters age and young chefs struggle to create the same flavours

Chan believes young people now are too pampered and unable to handle pressure.

"I have to ask them to learn," he said.

With just HK$270 ($34) in his pocket, Chan began a new chapter in Taiwan 30 years ago at the age of 23, after his mother died and his girlfriend dumped him.

His first job was as a chef in a vegetarian restaurant and he recalls feeling isolated because he only spoke Cantonese, the dominant language in Hong Kong, not Mandarin which is spoken in Taiwan.

But he says a sense of pride made him stay and he began to build a reputation for his Cantonese cuisine.

Chan worked up to becoming head chef at another five-star hotel restaurant in Taipei, before taking the executive chef position at Le Palais in 2010.

Ken Chan says he believes receiving the three Michelin stars will boost Taiwan's burgeoning foodie credentials

At the time, the restaurant had only been open for a few months and Chan was despondent over the lack of customers on his first day.

"I didn't go home that night and locked myself in the office to ponder over how to run the restaurant," he remembers. He came up with a new menu of 27 dishes and replaced around a third of the staff as part of a major overhaul.

Chan worries that traditional skills in Cantonese and Taiwanese cooking will eventually be lost as the old masters age and young chefs struggle to create the same flavours.

But for now, he says his own goal is to keep reinventing himself.

"I don't see myself as a veteran chef," he told AFP.

"My mentality is that I am like a child just learning to walk and I have to constantly learn new things."A motion submitted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller said that Paul Manafort had contacted witnesses by phone and encrypted messaging for the purpose of securing "materially false testimony"

US prosecutors on Monday accused Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who is facing multiple charges of money laundering, bank fraud and illegal lobbying, of attempting to tamper with witnesses.

A motion submitted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is heading up the main investigation into alleged Russian election meddling, said that Manafort had contacted witnesses by phone and encrypted text messaging for the purpose of securing "materially false testimony."

It added that such activities amounted to a violation of his bail terms, which "triggers the statutory presumption in favor of detention," meaning he could face jail time ahead of his trials.

Manafort has been under home confinement since he was indicted in October.

According to the court document, he had sought to suborn perjury from witnesses who would be called to testify regarding the activities of the so-called "Hapsburg group" which allegedly carried out unlawful lobbying for Ukraine.

In February, the 69-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering, illegal lobbying and lying, setting up the first trial to result from Mueller's investigation, due to begin on September 17.

Then in March he pleaded not guilty to charges of bank and tax fraud, setting up a separate trial for July 10.

Mueller's investigation has now entered its second year, and continues to dominate US politics while menacing Trump's presidency.

So far the investigation has issued 22 indictments -- of which 16 were for Russian individuals and companies associated with online meddling in the 2016 election.

The remaining include Michael Flynn, Trump's erstwhile national security advisor, who admitted guilt to one count of lying to investigators on December 1; Manafort's longtime partner and deputy campaign chair Rick Gates and campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos.

All three worked out plea deals and have pledged to cooperate with the investigation.

Earlier Monday, Trump downplayed Manafort's role in his election campaign and complained the FBI should have informed him that his chairman was under investigation.

"As only one of two people left who could become President, why wouldn't the FBI or Department of 'Justice' have told me that they were secretly investigating Paul Manafort," he asked.

"Paul Manafort came into the campaign very late and was with us for a short period of time (he represented Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole & many others over the years), but we should have been told that Comey and the boys were doing a number on him, and he wouldnt have been hired!"Lee Myung-hee's release from police custody was a rare piece of good news for the family, who have found themselves the object of public anger following a series of scandals

A Seoul court has turned down a request from prosecutors to arrest the matriarch of the troubled Korean Air dynasty over multiple assault charges, sparking public anger.

Lee Myung-hee, the wife of Korean Air chairman Cho Yang-ho, was released from police custody late Monday after the Seoul Central District Court refused to issue an arrest warrant for her.

It was a rare piece of good news for the family, who have found themselves the object of public anger following a series of scandals.

Lee's two daughters, who held management positions at South Korea's national carrier, became viral sensations for temper tantrums which were dubbed the "nut rage" and "water rage" scandals online.

Her older daughter Cho Hyun-ah made global headlines in 2014 for kicking a cabin crew chief off a Korean Air plane for being served macadamia nuts in a bag rather than a bowl. She later served a short prison sentence.

Earlier this year, her younger sister Cho Hyun-min was accused of throwing a drink at an advertising agency manager's face in a fit of rage during a business meeting.

Their father, Cho Yang-ho, issued a public apology over the "immature" behaviour of his offspring and removed his two daughters from their management roles.

Authorities have since launched a flurry of official probes into the family's reported abuse of workers, as well as allegations of smuggling and violations of immigration law.

Cho Hyun-ah was questioned for 15 hours until early Tuesday by tax authorities as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations she used Korean Air flights to smuggle foreign luxuries.

Lee, 69, faces multiple allegations of assault against drivers and housekeepers from her personal staff as well as construction workers renovating her home and building a Korean Air-affiliated hotel.

The alleged abuses range from cursing and screaming at employees to kicking, slapping and even throwing a pair of scissors at them.

A video that emerged last month showed a woman, reportedly Lee, shoving a female construction worker and throwing a pile of documents on the ground.

But the court said there was a low risk of Lee fleeing or seeking to destroy evidence, and that the charges were disputable.

"I'm sorry for causing trouble," Lee said as she left a police station in Seoul.

But a torrent of criticism of the court decision was posted online.

"If Lee Myung-hee curses at you, judge, and throws a pair of scissors at you, would you likewise refuse to issue an arrest warrant?" read one, drawing more than 1,000 likes.

The presidential Blue House website was also flooded with angry objections, with one writing: "The court has become a puppet for chaebol" -- the name for the family-run conglomerates that dominate the South Korean economy.Dark past: A new play about massacres in the 1980s has stirred traumatic memories of abuses under Robert Mugabe

A muscular man in military fatigues and a red beret stands holding a hunting rifle over a prone woman.

The actress playing the helpless villager wakes up, letting out a piercing scream.

"Finish them," shouts another soldier to gasps from the stunned audience as a summary execution is played out before their eyes.

A new play, "1983: the Dark Years," is rekindling memories of one of Zimbabwe's most painful episodes: the "Gukurahundi" massacres, in which thousands of people were slaughtered at the height of the Mugabe era.

That the play is being performed in Zimbabwe at all testifies to the free expression that has blossomed since former president Robert Mugabe resigned last November.

Since then, theatres have staged audacious productions that have both poked fun at officials past and present as well as seeking to shine a light on their alleged misdeeds.

Previously such productions would have been harassed by the government and its supporters or banned outright.

But the fact that a play about Gukurahundi -- a term that means "the rains which wash away the chaff" -- has been tolerated by officials is even more striking.

Mugabe's successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is widely held to have been involved in the bloody campaign.

Emmerson Mnangagwa was once a key figure in the Mugabe regime. This file picture from 2009 shows Mnangagwa, left, being congratulated on his appointment as defence minister

The operations, supervised by Mnangagwa who was then the security minister, were intended to crush dissidents in the Midlands and Matabeleland provinces but spiralled into a series of civilian massacres.

The 1982-87 crackdown was widely seen as an effort by then-prime minister Mugabe to vanquish his ally-turned-foe, the ethnic Ndebele liberation leader Joshua Nkomo.

Mugabe always refused to apologise for the killings -- 20,000 mostly Ndebele victims according to some estimates -- by the army's now-disbanded North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade, describing it merely as "a moment of madness".

- 'Talking about this is trouble' -

Past mentions of the violence, including a report into the killings by the Catholic church and an art installation, drew angry reactions and bans from the government.

Mnangagwa in January insisted that Zimbabwe should look to the future, not the past, when asked about the killings during an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"1983" begins with a female character played by 28-year-old actress Proficience Cadder digging into her past after learning that she is the daughter of a soldier who raped her mother at the height of the violence.

"Talking about this is trouble enough already my daughter," she is warned by her uncle who was there to witness the atrocities. "Forget about it."

He then described in graphic detail how the soldiers forced the mother of Cadder's character to kill her own baby.

"You may never know your father unless and until he comes here to this village and says 'where are my children'," said the uncle.

The play unusually blends the distressing narrative with elements of song, dance and even humour to recount the dark period of Zimbabwe's history.

Written by Bhekumusa Moyo in 2011, the play was banned by the government the following year and was only unbanned following Mugabe's resignation.

- 'We are listening' -

"There are so many children from Matabeleland who, up to today, they do not know their backgrounds. It affects their living," director Adrian Musa told AFP.

"Many children from Matabeleland were affected by Gukurahundi -- even now they are affected."

Audience member Bester Moyo, who grew up in Matabeleland's largest city Bulawayo, said the play had brought back bitter memories of the suffering she endured along with her family.

Little by little, the taboo surrounding the Gukurahundi massacres is lifting. The site of the former Bhalagwe barracks in Matabeleland has a monument next to graves of victims

"We were so troubled during that time as a family that we fled to live in the bush in pits, our property was destroyed. We became destitute," she said.

"I was young but I still have the vivid memories... it is not enough to say I am sorry."

Davies Guzha, a director of Harare's Theatre in the Park where the play was staged, said that Gukurahundi needed to be discussed openly.

The Theatre in the Park was also responsible for staging "Operation Regasi", a comic play that mocked Mugabe's final months in power.

"We believe we are doing the right thing. We believe that the discussion around Gukurahundi was long overdue," he said.

During one performance of "1983", Guzha introduced the audience to Sello Nare -- a retired judge who will chair the government's recently-announced national peace and reconciliation commission that will investigate the Gukurahundi massacres.

"We are listening. We have heard what has been said and all what the play is all about," said Nare.Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein's career imploded in a blaze of accusations of sexual misconduct

Fallen movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was expected to plead not guilty Tuesday to rape and sexual assault charges in New York, opening a legal battle for the #MeToo movement that dreams of seeing him behind bars.

The 66-year-old Weinstein was charged with rape and another sex crime in New York late last month, nearly eight months after his career imploded in a blaze of accusations of sexual misconduct.

Weinstein was due in a Manhattan court at 10 am (1400 GMT) for a formal reading of the charges: he has been indicted for allegedly forcing a woman to perform oral sex on him in 2004, and for allegedly raping another at a Manhattan hotel in 2013.

If convicted, that crime could put him in prison for as many as 25 years.

Two women are named in this indictment. But nearly 100 have said since October they were harassed or sexually abused by Weinstein over several decades.

That has turned the one-time toast of Hollywood into the catalyst of the MeToo movement.

Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie are among more than two dozen actresses who say they were sexually harassed by the producer. A few, including Asia Argento and Rose McGowan, said they were raped.

The fall of Weinstein triggered a tsunami in US society as many women came forward with similar accusations against other powerful men in the entertainment world, the media and government.

- New lawsuits -

Benjamin Brafman, Weinstein's lawyer, is one of America's most celebrated criminal defense attorneys. His past clients include former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who escaped criminal prosecution for alleged sexual assault in 2011.

No details about the identity of the two accusers were given by the prosecutor.

Brafman said the rape complaint came from a woman who had a 10-year affair with Weinstein, but the information was not confirmed.

The accusation of forced fellatio comes from Lucia Evans, a marketing consultant who, in 2004, was an aspiring actress. She told her story in October to the magazine The New Yorker.

Her story resembles many other reports of unwanted contact from stars such as Ashley Judd or Paltrow.

But especially countless were young unknown or just emerging stars who hoped to see the revered producer make them Hollywood stars.

Evans tells how he spoke of a possible place in his show for aspiring models "Project Runway", before forcing her into oral sex, and then went about the day as if nothing had happened.

The prosecutor will still have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Weinstein committed illegal acts, and with these two women specifically.

No one, however, expects the lawsuits will be dropped, as was the case for Strauss-Kahn.

Indeed, it is the same Brafman who defended the former IMF director against the same Manhattan prosecutor, Cyrus Vance.

Last week three actresses filed a new lawsuit against Weinstein alleging sexual assault. They urged other victims to come forward and join the complaint.

Melissa Thompson, one of the women filing the class action lawsuit, said she was sexually assaulted by Weinstein during a 2011 meeting to discuss a new marketing tool.

Following public revelations last year about his predatory behavior, Thompson said she was referred to Brafman and another attorney at his firm, Alex Spiro.

"Thompson was led to believe that Brafman and Spiro were representing victims against Weinstein," said the law firm representing her, Hagens Berman.

"Deceptive tactics were used to entice her to turn over her visual and audio evidence of Weinstein's conduct (which she did)," it said.

"Melissa did not learn that Brafman was actually then or would later be Weinstein's lead criminal defense attorney until after turning over the video as evidence."The spotlight is now on Rosmah Mansor, the luxury-loving ex-PM's wife, as anti-graft officials investigate a massive financial scandal involving Malaysia's state sovereign wealth fund

The wife of Malaysia's ousted prime minister Najib Razak was on Tuesday questioned for more than three hours by the nation's anti-corruption agency over a massive financial scandal involving a state sovereign wealth fund.

The spotlight is now on Rosmah Mansor after police last month raided two condominiums linked to Najib and his family as part of an investigation into his role in the 1MDB scandal -- seizing bags of cash, jewellery and hundreds of designer handbags.

Rosmah, 66, is widely reviled in Malaysia for her reported luxurious tastes and imperious manner. She last month issued a statement lashing out at media coverage of the police raids, calling them a "premature public trial".

Known for her love of luxury clothes and handbags, Rosmah arrived for questioning in a three-car convoy.

Following her departure from the agency headquarters, her lawyers said anti-graft investigators had completed recording her statement after a session lasting over three hours during which she gave her "utmost cooperation".

The nature of the questioning was not made public.

But Abdul Razak Idris, former investigations and intelligence director at the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), earlier told AFP that Rosmah would likely "be asked to reveal her bank accounts and explain about the source of the cash and jewellery found by police in two condominiums recently."

Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the 1MDB fund -- founded by Najib -- in a sophisticated fraud that stretched from Singapore to Switzerland, with the money used to buy items ranging from Picasso artworks to high-end real estate.

Both Najib and the fund have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

- Luxury-loving -

Rosmah spent nearly five hours in the building before leaving in a silver Mercedes Benz.

"Our client will extend further cooperation as and when sought by the agency," lawyer K. Kumaraendran told gathered media in a prepared statement.

Former prime minister Najib has seen a swift fall from grace since he was defeated by a reformist coalition led by his former mentor, Mahathir Mohamad, in elections last month.

Voter anger at claims of corruption tied to Najib and a rise in living costs were among major factors in the shocking defeat of the ruling coalition, which had been in power for over six decades.

Najib himself was questioned by anti-graft officers twice last month. Both he and his wife have been banned from leaving the country.

The luxury-loving Rosmah is often compared with Imelda Marcos, who left behind more than a thousand pairs of shoes after her husband, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, was ousted in 1986.

In 2015, Rosmah told a public gathering that she paid 1,200 ringgit ($300) to colour her hair, angering Malaysians as the minimum wage was then just 900 ringgit a month.A WHO report named Kanpur as the city with the world's worst air pollution

Soot turned the white handkerchief around Abhash Kumar Sharma's face to black as the police officer tried to direct gridlocked traffic in the Indian city with the world's dirtiest air.

It was all he had to ward off the pollution blamed for filling Kanpur's hospital beds with growing numbers of chronic lung and cancer cases.

"It is the same story for everyone who spends such long hours out in this city," said Sharma, who does not get a mask for his duties.

"The pollution gets into your eyes and it often stings."

The city of three million people has been smarting since a World Health Organization (WHO) report last month put it at the head of 14 Indian cities in the world's top 15 with the dirtiest air.

The pain has building up for much longer, but as the world marks Environment Day, the fallout has reached crisis point for many in Kanpur.

Sunil Dahiya, senior campaigner with Greenpeace India, said "the models available to us make it certain that hundreds of thousands of people are dying in India each year because of air pollution".

A senior doctor at the Murari Lal Chest Hospital, Anand Kumar, said the number of patients has jumped from about 40,000 in 2015 to 64,000 last year.

- 'Where are the trees?' -

"More than 50 percent of these patients, maybe more, come with breathing-related issues," the doctor told AFP.

Hospitals say they have seen a rise in the number of patients with breathing-related problems

"Even the severity is worsening. Many who earlier recovered in a day or two now need days and much stronger medication to get better."

The number of chronic pulmonary disease and lung cancer cases is rising among non-smokers, particularly women, he added. "There is no reason for it (other) than primarily atmospheric pollution."

Children under five are also suffering more, he added.

In one overcrowded ward, 74-year-old Ram Lakhan, who spends long periods in hospital barely able to breathe, blamed his suffering on cars.

"Where are the trees now? We only have vehicles, pollution and traffic jams.

"With all the greenery gone, we are only breathing what is available -- pollution," he said.

"I've never had it this bad before. I only used to feel breathlessness and discomfort in bad winters, when there was smog. But it has been hard even in summers for the last two or three years," he added.

In the crippling traffic, it took an hour to drive the seven kilometres (four miles) from the hospital to the Uttar Pradesh state pollution control office where chief officer Kuldeep Misra also took aim at the 1.15 million vehicles on city roads.

"This is an industrial city but vehicles here pollute more than industry," he said.

Misra was sceptical about Kanpur being the world's dirtiest city as the UN report was based on "old data".

"The report caused ripples," he acknowledged. "But we're not sure about the tag."

- 'No magic wand' -

The WHO report was based on 2016 Indian data on the number of particles under 2.5 micrograms -- the smallest and most dangerous.

Doctors at the Murari Lal Chest Hospital blame atmospheric pollution for the rise in chronic lung disease cases

It said Kanpur had an average PM2.5 concentration of 173 micrograms per cubic metre -- about seven times the normal safe level.

Misra believes Kanpur's water pollution is worse than the air because of its huge leather industry and tanneries.

The tanneries are often blamed for polluting the revered Ganges river, which passes through the city.

Misra said the authorities planned to take action, but it would take time.

"There is no magic wand," he added.

Time may not be on the side of 50-year-old Shiv Kumari, a patient at the overcrowded chest hospital who wears an oxygen mask to help her breathe.

"Pollution, dust or smoke makes me breathless. I feel that I am choking. I cough and feel as if something sharp is pinching my throat," she told AFP.

"It has become too difficult to live in this kind of an atmosphere. Look at this machine," she said, pointing to her automatic breathing aid that cost more than $1,500.

"How can a poor person afford something like this, especially when it's so important for survival in this pollution?"

"The government should do something to fix this," she added before readjusting her mask as she started feeling breathless again.As the incendiary US president and ruthless North Korean leader prepare for their first meet, some analysts predict the two will strike up an unlikely rapport

When Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un sit down in Singapore next week it will be among the most improbable diplomatic summits in history, with principals who could not be more different -- but who also share some surprising similarities.

Trump was the oldest US president ever to take office when he was sworn in last year, and will turn 72 two days after the meeting.

The North Korean leader is still in his mid-thirties and remains among the youngest heads of government in the world -- but has already been in power for more than six years.

He has overseen a rapid advance in Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, bringing the US mainland within the range and sending tensions soaring last year as the two men exchanged personal insults and threats of war -- Trump promising "fire and fury", and Kim describing him as a "mentally deranged US dotard".

But recent months have seen an about-turn in their rhetoric -- last-minute summit cancellations and reinstatements notwithstanding.

"I think they are going to get on well," predicts John Delury, a professor at Yonsei University in Seoul. "The kind of counter-intuitive thing is I think they are going to listen to each other."

Both Trump and Pyongyang are renowned for incendiary commentary, but Kim has displayed a marked tendency to listen to his counterparts in his new-found diplomatic role -- until earlier this year he had not left the North since inheriting power from his father.

He had a long conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on a beach in Dalian, and at the first inter-Korean summit in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula, attentively heard out the South's President Moon Jae-in as they chatted over tea in the open air for more than half an hour.

Trump too has asked questions and listened carefully to the answers on his trips to China and South Korea, Delury added.

"They are going to get in the room, they are going to ask good questions, open-ended questions. It's not going to be Trump gets in there and says 'Give me your nukes or else', but as Trump says it's a relationship, we are building a relationship, we are changing a relationship."

"And to do that you ask probing questions, you listen, and then you come back. So that's my optimistic view."

- Parallel lives -

Trump reached the White House via a career in property development and reality television, followed by an unprecedentedly populist presidential campaign that upended the US political establishment

In contrast, Kim Jong Un was the chosen heir, groomed for years to take his place at the top of Pyongyang's political pyramid, and has no need to worry about re-election or tomorrow's media headlines -- or responding to them on Twitter.

But the two leaders share some parallels.

Both have appointed trusted family members to key positions.

Dynastic descent from the North's founder Kim Il Sung is the basis of Kim's personal legitimacy -- Pyongyang's propaganda promotes the similarities between them in looks, mannerisms and even handwriting.

His sister Kim Yo Jong has emerged as one of his closest aides, acting as his envoy to the Winter Olympics in the South, spending almost the whole of the first Panmunjom summit at his side and accompanying him on his trip to Dalian.

In Washington, Trump's daughter Ivanka is an assistant to the president and her husband Jared Kushner is a close adviser, while his son Donald Jr was part of his election campaign.

The two leaders are also uncompromising in their demands for personal loyalty.

In the month from February 28 Trump sacked or lost the services of his White House communications director Hope Hicks, chief economic adviser Gary Cohn, national security adviser HR McMaster, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and veterans affairs secretary David Shulkin.

The latest North Korean changes of personnel emerged at the weekend, with reports that the defence minister and chief of the general staff had been replaced, after Kim appointed a new director of the military's General Political Bureau described as a "highly trusted" lieutenant.

- Holding the hands of history -

Kim has shown uncompromising ruthlessness -- he had his uncle Jang Song Thaek executed for treason in 2013, unmistakably asserting his authority over the old generals who surrounded him, and his half-brother Kim Jong Nam was murdered at Kuala Lumpur airport last year in a killing widely blamed on Pyongyang.

But according to people who have interacted with him, Delury said, in meetings he is "really well prepared, he knows his brief, he's got his notes but then he looks up from them, he's not someone who's going to just read the riot act and then stare at you blankly."

And as well as nuclear weapons, a long hand clasp could be high on the agenda in Singapore.

Both men have shown a predilection for grasping the palms of their fellow leaders, Trump with the likes of French President Emmanuel Macron and, more awkwardly, with British prime minister Theresa May.

In turn, Kim held hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in for several minutes at a farewell ceremony at the end of their first summit.First Lady Melania Trump will not accompany President Donald Trump to the G7 Summit or the North Korea nuclear summit

Melania Trump attended a White House event for military veterans on Monday, ending a 25-day absence from the public eye that had sent the rumor mills into overdrive.

The US first lady, known for her privacy and independence, had not been seen in public following a surgery last month.

In pictures posted on her official Twitter account, she was seen sitting next to President Donald Trump at a private reception for families of US soldiers killed in action.

She and Trump "were honored to pay tribute to our fallen heroes. Thank you to the Gold Star families that joined us in celebration & remembrance," the tweet said.

Melania, 48, had not been spotted since May 10, when she joined the president in greeting three American hostages released by North Korea.

Shortly afterwards, she entered Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what the White House said was a benign kidney procedure.

Despite the operation's routine nature, Melania remained there for five days, returning to the White House on May 19.

On Sunday, her spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham confirmed that the first lady will not accompany the president to the G7 summit in Canada or the North Korea nuclear summit in Singapore.

Melania Trump is known to cherish her privacy, and has often broken with her husband's schedule

Her recent schedule has seen a noticeable shift from the weeks prior to the surgery, when she engaged in several high-profile events.

In April, she represented the Trumps at former first lady Barbara Bush's funeral, rolled out her "Be Best" awareness campaign to help children, and orchestrated an elaborate state dinner for the Macrons of France.

Following the surgery, Melania's absence at events where the public has come to expect her alongside the president was well documented, leading her to take to Twitter to castigate reporters.

"I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I'm doing," she tweeted last week, assuring she was "here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard."

The tweet sparked a conspiracy theory that Trump himself may have written Melania's message, given that "working overtime" is a favorite phrase of the president when he tweets about the press.

Spokeswoman Grisham dismissed the media speculation as "nonsense."

"Mrs. Trump has always been a strong and independent woman who puts her family and certainly her health above all else, and that won't change over a rabid press corps," she told Fox News.

- Imagination 'running wild' -

White House silence, including about why Melania spent five days in hospital for a routine procedure, only fueled the speculation.

Melania Trump had been out of public view for weeks

Some said Melania had moved back to New York or was cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller, head of the main investigation into alleged Russian election meddling that President Trump has branded a "witch hunt."

Others offered she may be healing after some secret plastic surgery.

Such a weeks-long disappearance by a modern-day first lady is indeed rare, said Ohio University history professor Katherine Jellison, an expert on presidents' wives.

"I'm amazed Mrs. Trump has been able to do it," she told AFP.

The first lady is not an elected position, and Melania Trump is under no obligation to keep the American people abreast of her health, activities or whereabouts.

Several 19th century first ladies spent long periods out of view. But over the past half century, it has become the expectation that people know the basic narrative of the first lady's activities.

Melania Trump, never one to obsess like her husband about media attention, has laid low before.

She went quiet in March as a media storm raged about revelations that her husband's lawyer paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 before the 2016 election to keep silent over her alleged affair with Trump years earlier.Qatar Airways chief Akbar Al Baker sparked disbelief when he said his airline was led by a man because 'it is a very challenging position'

Qatar Airways' chief sparked disbelief Tuesday by saying his carrier was led by a man because "it is a very challenging position" -- even as airline bosses admitted more women should be in top roles.

Akbar Al Baker said his airline had taken steps to address gender equality, but when asked why it was led by a man, he replied: "of course it had to be led by a man because it is a very challenging position."

He later defended the carrier, saying it was the first Middle Eastern airline to have a female pilot and that other women were in senior roles.

"We actually encourage women and we see that they have huge potential in... senior management positions," Baker said at the close of IATA's two-day annual meeting in Sydney -- during which he was anointed chairman of the global industry body.

"IATA also has a similar position on promoting gender equality."

The organisation currently has just two female CEOs on its 31-member board -- Christine Ourmieres-Widener of British budget airline Flybe and Air Europa's Maria Jose Hidalgo Gutierrez, who was added Tuesday.

IATA's chief executive Alexandre de Juniac acknowledged that having more women in senior positions was a "long-standing issue" that required further efforts from airlines and the industry body.

It released figures in March showing just three percent of CEOs in the industry were female, compared with 12 percent in other sectors.

Leading carriers in North America and Europe had the highest representation of women in senior roles at 16 percent and 14 percent respectively, IATA said.

African, Asia-Pacific and South American airlines were at about eight percent, with the Middle East having the worst at four percent, the data showed.

Qantas chief Alan Joyce said at the same press conference that the Australian carrier had achieved a strong turnaround in profits partly due to its pursuit of diversity, with women making up 40 percent of senior management.

But he said it was "going to take a long time to fix some of the issues that are inherent in our society", such as girls not studying science and technology in schools, which impacted their numbers in engineering and flying roles.Children wave flags during a protest near the prime minister's office in Amman, Jordan, on June 4, 2018

Jordan's King Abdullah II has warned that the country is "at a crossroads", after a week of anti-austerity protests that continued overnight despite the prime minister's resignation.

Around 2,000 protesters gathered close to the prime minister's office in central Amman, hours after premier Hani Mulki stepped down on Monday.

The king blamed the country's economic woes on regional instability, the burden of hosting hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and a lack of international support.

"Jordan today stands at a crossroads: either it can come out of the crisis and provide a dignified life to our citizens, or, God forbid, it can go into the unknown -- but we have to know where we are going," he told a group of journalists late Monday, according to the official Petra agency.

A protester offers sweets to police officers during a demonstration in Amman, Jordan, on June 4, 2018

Protesters gathered overnight under a heavy police presence near the premier's office shouting slogans against the government and the International Monetary Fund, which has demanded economic reforms.

Some brought along children and others presented trays of sweets to security forces.

Last month, the government proposed a new income tax law, yet to be approved by parliament, aimed at raising taxes on employees by at least five percent and on companies by between 20 and 40 percent.

They are the latest in a series of measures since Amman secured a $723-million three-year credit line from the International Monetary Fund in 2016.

Since January, Jordan -- which suffers from high unemployment and has few natural resources -- has seen repeated price rises including for staples such as bread, as well as extra taxes on basic goods.

Jordanian police officers secure the office of the prime minister during a demonstration in the capital Amman late on June 4, 2018

The price of fuel has risen on five occasions since the beginning of the year, while electricity bills have shot up 55 percent since February.

The measures have sparked some of the biggest economic protests in five years.

Jordan, a key US ally, has largely avoided the unrest witnessed by other countries in the region since the Arab Spring revolts broke out in 2011, although protests did flare late that year after the government cut fuel subsidies.Robert Wood has vowed to stop Syria from pushing through any reform aimed at normalising the regime during its rotating presidency of the global disarmament body

The United States said it would boycott Tuesday's session of the Conference on Disarmament amid fears that Syria is using its presidency of the body to "normalise" the regime.

"Based on Syria's repeated attempts last week to use its presidency of the Conference on Disarmament to normalise the regime and its unacceptable and dangerous behaviour, we are not participating in today's session," Robert Wood, the US ambassador to the Geneva-based body, said in a statement.

"We will continue to defend United States' interests" in the disarmament body, he added.

Syria last week took over the body's rotating, four-week presidency, which according to a decades-old practice among its 65 member states follows the alphabetical order of country names in English.

Wood was present during the first plenary session on Syria's watch a week ago, when he took the opportunity to lead a number of countries to protest what he described as "a travesty".

Despite the mechanical nature of Syria's arrival at the helm of the disarmament conference, following Switzerland and Sweden, a number of countries voiced their outrage that a representative of Damascus was presiding over the body that negotiated the chemical weapons ban.

Syria's ambassador Hussam Edin Aala meanwhile slammed last week's protest as "sensational propaganda" and "characterised by double-standards."

More than 350,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since Syria's civil war began in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

After hundreds of people died in chemical attacks near Damascus in 2013, a deal with Russia was struck to rid Syria of chemical weapons, staving off US air strikes.

But the United Nations and Western countries have accused Damascus of carrying out a number of chemical attacks since then.

A suspected chlorine and sarin attack in the Syrian town of Douma on April 7 this year triggered punitive missile strikes against alleged chemical weapons sites in Syria by the US, Britain and France.

- Special chemical weapons meeting -

Last week, Wood had briefly walked out of the room when Edin Aala took the floor, before returning to deliver a scathing speech.

"Today marks a sad and shameful day in the history of this body," he told the assembly on May 29.

He vowed at the time that throughout Syria's presidency, the United States would be represented "in this hall to ensure that Syria is not able to advance initiatives that run counter to the interests of the United States."

That was a promise the US has now backed away from, with no American representatives present during Tuesday's session.

But other nations were represented, with diplomats continuing to slam Syria over chemical weapons use.

The use of such weapons "under any circumstances is abhorrent and must be rigorously condemned," the representative for the European Union, Anne Kemppainen told the gathering.

"It is a war crime and may amount to a crime against humanity," she stressed.

British representative Simon Cleobury meanwhile said his country, along with Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Romania and the United States, had therefore called for "a special session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention."

The meeting, he said, would "be a key moment for the international community to consider ways to strengthen the OPCW", or the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The global chemical arms watchdog meanwhile said the special session would take place in The Hague on June 26 and 27.Nearly 160 Jaguars were inducted into the Indian Air Force in the early 1980s

An Indian Air Force pilot was killed Tuesday after his fighter jet crashed near the country's border with Pakistan, officials said.

Sanjay Chauhan was on a routine training mission in the remote Kutch desert region of Gujarat state when he crashed, air force officials said.

"The pilot died in the crash and we have ordered an inquiry in the accident," an IAF official told AFP.

It was not immediately clear what caused the single-seat Jaguar jet to crash.

More than 30 fighters have crashed in India since 2012, with most accidents blamed on ageing jets. More than 170 Air Force pilots have died in accidents in the past three decades, mostly in incidents involving Soviet-era MiGs -- unflatteringly dubbed "flying coffins".

Last May, two air force pilots were killed after their Russian-made jet crashed near the border with China.

The nearly 160 European-made Jaguars in the Indian Air Force's active fleet were mostly inducted in the early 1980s.

India is investing billions of dollars in modernising its air force as fears grow over increasing cooperation between its arch-rival Pakistan and China.

New Delhi has signed a contract to purchase 36 Dassault Rafale fighters from France for $8.8 billion. The jets are expected to be delivered in 2019.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu address a press conference after a meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin on June 4, 2018

Israel's intelligence minister called Tuesday for a military coalition against Iran if the Islamic Republic were to defy world powers by enriching military-grade uranium.

Yisrael Katz's remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began visiting European leaders to discuss Iran's regional involvement and nuclear programme, both seen by the Jewish state as grave threats.

European powers have been scrambling to preserve a landmark deal over Tehran's nuclear programme since US President Donald Trump announced Washington's withdrawal from the treaty in May.

Katz addressed Tehran's threat to restart uranium enrichment at an "industrial level" if the 2015 pact falls apart.

"If the Iranians don't surrender now, and try to return" to unsupervised uranium enrichment, "there should be a clear statement by the President of the United States and all of the Western coalition," he said.

"The Arabs and Israel surely would be there too."

The message should be that "if the Iranians return" to enriching uranium that could enable them to build a nuclear bomb, "a military coalition will be formed against them," Katz told Israeli public radio station Kan.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday warned European leaders to drop their "dream" of Tehran continuing to curb its nuclear programme despite renewed economic sanctions.

He also called Israel a "malignant cancerous tumour" that should be removed.

The Iran deal paved the way for the partial lifting of international sanctions against the country, in exchange for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme for several years.

Israel argues the lifting of sanctions under the nuclear deal allowed Iran to expand its presence in the Middle East, both through its own forces and with proxy groups.

It also says the time limits on the accord do not guarantee Iran will not eventually obtain nuclear weapons, while it also wants to see restrictions on Iranian missile development.

Iran denies the pursuit of an atomic programme for military purposes.

In his Monday meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Netanyahu warned that Iran was "seeking nuclear weapons to carry out its genocidal designs."

"It's important to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. We commit, and I commit again, that we will not let that happen," he said.

Netanyahu will meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday and British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday.The meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) was the third between the pair in Paris in a year

French President Emmanuel Macron warned of the risk of "conflict" in the standoff with Iran after Tehran announced plans to boost its uranium enrichment capacity as Europe scrambles to save a beleaguered nuclear deal.

At a press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the French leader called on "everyone to stabilise the situation and not give into this escalation which would lead to only one thing: conflict."

He said that the Iranian decision to expand its nuclear infrastructure did not constitute grounds for quitting a 2015 deal designed to stop Iran getting a nuclear bomb.

The deal hangs by a thread after the US withdrew last month -- a move applauded by Iran's arch-foe Israel -- but so far fellow signatories France, Britain, Germany, China, Russia and the EU, have stood firm.

In a rebuke of the US pullout Macron said that Iran's riposte "simply shows that when you decide to unilaterally end an accord it does not encourage the other party to respect it."

Netanyahu, who has vigorously opposed the accord, said he had not attempted to convince Macron to abandon it.

"I did not ask President Macron to leave the deal. I think that economic realities are going to decide this matter," he said, referring to the prospect of renewed US nuclear sanctions on Iran, and the repercussions for European countries that continue to do business in the Islamic republic."

"What we focused on, and what I focused on, is how to stop Iranian aggression in the region," he added.

- Warning to Europe -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pursued his strident attacks against Iran during his trip to Europe

He claimed Tehran was using the "cash bonanza" from sanctions relief to build up its forces in Syria and using the war-torn country as a platform for attacks on neighbouring Israel.

Accusing Tehran, a Shia power, of a plan to flood Syria, a mainly Sunni country, with fighters he declared: "What that will do is spark another religious war, another civil war... and where will the refugees go? They'll go to one place, to here (France) or to Germany or to Europe."

On Monday, he had issued a similar warning to Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Netanyahu has been emboldened by Trump's decision to pull out of the deal -- and the threat of reprisals against foreign firms that do business in the US who choose to remain in Iran.

His meeting with Macron was the third between the pair in Paris in a year.

It came hours after Iran said it had notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it would soon open a new centre for producing new centrifuges to increase its uranium enrichment capabilities.

Nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said the moves were allowed under the accord, and "do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed".

In a video posted on social media, Netanyahu reiterated his claims that the new enrichment capacity was aimed at producing nuclear weapons "to destroy the State of Israel".

- 'No cause for celebration' -

Netanyahu's European tour comes as relations between Israel and the European Union show signs of strain over the killing of 123 Palestinian protesters in Gaza by Israeli forces since March.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe cancelled a planned trip to Israel last month.

Macron on Tuesday repeated his condemnation of the violence against civilians while noting Israel's security concerns.

Several hundred protesters took part in protests against Netanyahu in cities across France, with three journalist unions calling his visit "intolerable" after the killing of Palestinian journalists.

Against the backdrop, attempts to broker an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have fallen to the wayside, not least after Trump broke with decades of protocol by recognising Israel's claim of Jerusalem as its capital.

Macron took a swipe at the US, which opened its new embassy in Jerusalem on the same day dozens of Palestinians demonstrators were killed in Gaza.

"When you celebrate such an event and there are people dying I do not consider it cause for celebration," he said.

burs-cb/eclAn International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspector in January 2014 disconnects cascades for 20 percent uranium production at the nuclear power plant of Natanz, some 300 kilometres south of Tehran

Iran has notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it has launched a plan to increase its uranium enrichment capacity, nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Tuesday.

"If conditions allow, maybe tomorrow night at Natanz, we can announce the opening of the centre for production of new centrifuges" for uranium enrichment, said Salehi, a vice president and head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, according to conservative news agency Fars.

"What we are doing does not violate the (2015 nuclear) agreement," he said, adding that a letter was submitted to the IAEA "yesterday regarding the start of certain activities".

He specified that this was just the start of the production process and "does not mean that we will start assembling the centrifuges".

Under the 2015 agreement, Iran can build parts for the centrifuges as long as it does not put them into operation within the first decade.

Salehi also emphasised that these moves "do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed."

European governments have been trying to salvage the agreement ever since the United States announced its withdrawal last month and said it would reimpose sanctions on foreign companies working in the Islamic republic by November.

The other parties -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- have vowed to stay in the accord but many of their companies have already started to wind down Iranian operations.

On Monday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the Europeans that "Iran will never tolerate both suffering from sanctions and nuclear restrictions" and called for preparations to speed up uranium enrichment.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian uses only, but opponents in the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia accuse it of seeking to build an atomic bomb.A picture taken during a tour organised by Yemeni loyalist fighters on June 2, 2018 shows an armoured vehicle on a main road in the Hodeida province, 50 kilometres from the port city of Hodeida

The UN envoy for Yemen said Tuesday he was "very concerned" over fighting for the rebel-held port of Hodeida, as government forces close in on the main gateway for aid into the war-torn country.

Martin Griffiths was speaking as he wrapped up a three-day visit aimed at reviving talks between Saudi-backed loyalist forces and Huthi rebels.

"Apart from the avoidable humanitarian consequences of such a battle, I am also very concerned about the impact (on) chances of a political settlement of this conflict," he told reporters in the capital Sanaa.

The envoy, appointed to the post in February, told reporters at Sanaa airport that his talks had been "positive" but warned of the impact of the Hodeida fight on civilians.

"My aim is to restart negotiations which have not taken place for a very long time -- for too long -- and I want that to restart in the very near future," he said.

Multiple rounds of United Nations-brokered talks between Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels and the country's government, allied with Saudi Arabia, have failed to find a solution to the Yemen war.

A picture taken during a tour organised by Yemeni loyalist fighters on June 2, 2018 shows an armoured vehicle on a main road in the Hodeida province, 50 kilometres from the port city of Hodeida

Three years of fighting have claimed 10,000 lives and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

The battle for Hodeida port, controlled by the Huthis, has killed more than 100 soldiers and insurgents in less than a week, medics and military sources close the government say.

The rebels, who have so far refused to withdraw from the port, claim 418 loyalist fighters have been killed.

- 'Finger on trigger' -

Griffiths is due to report to the Security Council on June 18 on his peace efforts.

The UN recognises the cabinet of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi as the legitimate government of Yemen.

The Iran-backed Huthis have regularly accused the international body of bias.

In Yemen, Griffiths met with Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Huthis' political council, and representatives of the General People's Congress -- a party founded by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, killed in December.

Boats dock at Yemen's rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida on November 7, 2017

From 2014, Saleh was allied with the Huthis in the fight against the government, but he shifted allegiances last year and was killed by the rebels.

Mashat was quoted by rebel news agency Saba as saying that "just as our finger is always on the trigger to defend the sovereignty, security and unity of our homeland, our other hand is always extended to peace if all parties are committed to it."

- Conditions for withdrawal -

Yemeni political sources say the Huthis have put in place a list of conditions in return for their full withdrawal from the Hodeida port.

These include paying military and civilian employees in areas controlled by the Huthis, reopening the international airport in Sanaa and allowing commercial traffic to flow through Yemen's many ports.

"The Huthis have taken a tough stance and have set conditions that would prevent any political solution," a senior Yemeni government official told AFP.

The UN has warned that any operation aimed at seizing Hodeida itself would disrupt the entry of aid shipments to Yemen, 70 percent of which flow through the rebel-held port.

A Yemeni fighter loyal to the Saudi-backed Yemeni president flashes the victory gesture as he walks on a road leading to the town of Khokha, south of Hodeida, on December 10, 2017

The port has been a point of contention in Yemen's war since Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened on behalf of the government in 2015 after the rebels seized Sanaa.

Hodeida is crucial for aid deliveries as Yemen teeters on the brink of famine.

Saudi Arabia says it is an entry point for weapons to the rebels, which it accuses regional rival Tehran of supplying.

The Hodeida offensive is spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

A spokesperson for the Saudi-led alliance on Tuesday said government forces were only nine kilometres (six miles) from Hodeida.Qataris write comments on a wall bearing a portrait of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on July 06, 2017

On the first anniversary of a bitter Gulf diplomatic rift, Qatar's foreign minister on Tuesday declared his country stronger than ever and said it was open to dialogue with its regional rivals.

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani also rebuked Qatar's foes for "imaginary victories" against the small Gulf state, the target of a Saudi-led boycott.

"One year on and Qatar and its people are stronger," Al-Thani, one of the most prominent voices in the region's worst diplomatic crisis for years, wrote on Twitter.

"(There's) a lot of talk about imaginary victories and isolating Qatar, but after one year, the reality proved the opposite as Qatar emerged as an international partner that can be trusted."

On June 5, 2017, a Saudi-led alliance including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran.

Qatar soon found its only land border closed by Saudi Arabia, its state-owned airline barred from using neighbours' airspace, and residents expelled from the quartet's countries.

Despite hopes that the rancorous rift between the former allies -- which include some of the richest countries on earth -- would be resolved quickly, the crisis has endured.

Qatar claims the dispute is an attack on its sovereignty and punishment for pursuing an independent foreign policy.

Diplomatic efforts led by Kuwait and the United States have so far stalled though there are tentative plans for talks in September.

Al-Thani said the "door is still open for dialogue" between the Gulf rivals.

However, he also told Qatar state-funded broadcaster Al Jazeera on Tuesday that Doha would continue with its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence missile system.

Saudi leaders have asked French President Emmanuel Macron to intervene to prevent the deal going ahead, raising fears of military action in the dispute.

Raising the military stakes yet further, Qatar's defence minister Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, said Tuesday that Doha wanted to join NATO.

"The ambition is full membership if our partnership with NATO develops and our vision is clear," he told the official magazine of the Qatari defence ministry, Altalaya.

- 'Smear campaign' -

Despite the impact of the crisis, many in Qatar view the past year's events as a victory for Doha.

Qatari papers were jubilant on Tuesday, with headlines such as "Triumphant Qatar stays united" and "Qatar shines as smear campaign against it fails".

Taxi companies offered customers free rides and some in Qatar have even called for June 5 to be made a national holiday.

Meanwhile, Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) released a report claiming more than 4,000 human rights abuses had been committed against Qataris by the Saudi-led alliance in the past year.

Qataris have been exposed to arbitrary arrest and routinely denied freedom of movement, according to the report by the government-appointed body detailing alleged abuses including one case of forced disappearance.

"From the beginning, all the blockading countries have tried to use the people to achieve their political goals," NHRC chairman Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri said.

There was no immediate reaction from the Saudi-led bloc.

In August, Saudi Arabia will welcome millions of Muslim faithful for the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam.

The Saudi government on Tuesday confirmed Qataris wishing to undertake the umrah pilgrimage to Mecca were welcome, but accused the Qatari authorities of a "negative attitude".

Since the start of the crisis, Qatar has accused Saudi Arabia of politicising religious pilgrimages to Mecca, including the hajj, one of Islam's five pillars, which every able-bodied Muslim who can afford the journey is obliged to undertake at least once.Jordan has been hit by angry rallies against IMF-backed economic reforms that have brought repeated price hikes

Jordan's King Abdullah II called for a review of a controversial draft tax law Tuesday as anti-austerity protesters staged another night of demonstrations in Amman and trade unions vowed to hold a general strike later Wednesday.

For nearly a week, the capital and other cities have been hit by angry rallies against reforms backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that have brought repeated price hikes.

Prime Minister Hani Mulki stepped down on Monday in an effort to quell the unrest but his departure -- and King Abdullah's call to review the law -- appear to have done little to reduce public anger.

On Tuesday evening, protesters held another mass rally in Amman after breaking their Ramadan fast, jostling with police and waving Jordanian flags. Trade unions said the law review was a "positive" step but nonetheless called for a general strike on Wednesday.

Many demonstrators said they wanted more than Mulki's departure.

"We want new people who really want to bring in reforms, we do not want politicians from the same circles who only want to solve the IMF's problems by stealing money from the people's pockets," one male protester, who declined to give his name, told AFP.

Another, who gave his first name as Khalil, said Jordan's political system, which grants the monarchy vast executive powers, should become more democratic and accountable.

"We must elect the government, so that when errors are made they will be responsible to the people who elected them," he said.

Resource-poor Jordan suffers from high unemployment and poverty

In a letter charging new premier Omar al-Razzaz with forming a government, King Abdullah II said it "must carry out a comprehensive review of the tax system" to avoid "unjust taxes that do not achieve justice and balance between the incomes of the poor and the rich".

Late Monday, the king had warned Jordan was "at a crossroads", blaming the economic woes on regional instability, the burden of hosting hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and a lack of international support.

Protesters on Monday night chanted "we want rights and duties, not tips and handouts!" and "down with the IMF!" as they gathered under a heavy police presence.

Last month, the government proposed a new income tax law, yet to be approved by parliament, aimed at raising taxes on employees by at least five percent and on companies by between 20 and 40 percent.

It was the latest in a series of austerity measures since Amman secured a $723-million loan from the IMF in 2016.

Since January, resource-poor Jordan, which suffers from high unemployment and poverty, has seen repeated price rises including for staples such as bread, as well as extra taxes on basic goods.

Jordan has largely avoided the unrest witnessed by other countries in the region since the Arab Spring revolts broke out in 2011

Fuel prices have risen five times since the start of the year, while electricity bills have surged by 55 percent since February.

The measures have sparked some of the biggest economic protests in five years.

After a two-hour meeting Tuesday afternoon, head of the trade unions' council Ali al-Abous called on Jordan's new premier to "open a constructive dialogue" with the unions and civil society groups "to get out of this impasse that the draft income tax law has put us in".

The head of Jordan's Bar Association, Mazen Arshidat, said the unions "were determined to withdraw" the tax reform bill.

- Resignation 'not enough' -

Jordan, a key US ally, has largely avoided the unrest witnessed by other countries in the region since the Arab Spring revolts broke out in 2011, although protests did flare late that year after the government cut fuel subsidies.

King Abdullah has blamed Jordan's economic woes on regional instability, the Syrian refugee crisis, and a lack of international support

The latest protests started last week when unions called for nationwide demonstrations.

They have rocked several other cities, including Irbid and Jarash in the north, Zarqa in the east, and the southern city of Maan, which saw deadly riots in the 1980s over rising food prices.

"When the protests began, they weren't just directed against Mulki as a person, they were against the income tax draft law and the price hikes," said Bushra Abu Jabbara, a 34-year-old pharmacist.

"We want the government to respond to our demands and withdraw the bill, which hasn't happened yet."

A majority of deputies -- 78 out of 130 -- have said they will vote against the draft legislation.

"The income tax draft law is almost certain to be dropped now," Jordanian political analyst Samih al-Maitah said.

The bill is one of a tranche of measures aimed at slashing Jordan's public debt from over 90 percent of gross domestic product to 77 percent by 2021.

King Abdullah said gas supply cuts due to attacks on an Egyptian pipeline to Israel and Jordan had cost the kingdom some $5.6 billion (4.8 billion euros).

He added that the closure of the borders with the kingdom's main export markets, war-torn Syria and Iraq, and the cost of securing those frontiers had added to Jordan's economic woes.India, the world's top defence importer, had been in talks with Russia to buy S-400 long range surface-to-air missile systems when US sanctions were announced

India's defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Tuesday that US sanctions on Russia military exports would not impact long-standing ties between New Delhi and one of its key arms suppliers Moscow.

US President Donald Trump in August signed a law threatening sanctions on any country doing business with Russia's defence and intelligence sectors.

The sanctions regime affects American allies like India, which has purchased Russian military hardware and expertise for decades.

India, the world's top defence importer, had been in talks with Russia to buy S-400 long range surface-to-air missile systems when the sanctions were announced.

There had been speculation last year when the sanctions were signed into law that the $6 billion weapons deal could be scuttled.

But Sitharaman said the long-running negotiations "have reached the final stage".

"I like to make it clear here that in all our engagements with the US, we have very clearly explained how India and Russia's defence cooperation is something which has been going on for a very long time," she told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the sanctions.

"It is a time tested relationship. And India has got quite a lot of defence assets from Russia. Assets, spares, servicing -- we have a continuous relationship with Russia.

The sanctions "cannot be impacting on us on this particular characteristic of India's Russia defence co-operation".

India has increasingly turned to the United States and France for arms purchases in recent years, but is still reliant on Russia hardware and expertise to maintain its existing arsenal.US officials apologised after the window of a US military helicopter fell onto the grounds of a school near the Futenma base on the Japanese island of Okinawa in December 2017

The commanding officer at a US Marine base on the Japanese island of Okinawa has been fired over a "loss of trust", the US Marines said Tuesday.

A brief statement said Colonel Mark S. Coppess had been relieved of duty as commanding officer of the Futenma base "due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead his command."

There was no immediate comment or further detail from the Marines on why Coppess had been dismissed, but a US defence official told AFP it had nothing to do with a string of accidents that have plagued military aircraft in Japan.

In February, the commander of the Marines' Japan-based Osprey squadron was fired after several accidents involving the hybrid aircraft.

The most serious, in 2017, involved the crash of an MV-22 Osprey off the east coast of Australia.

The issues involving US military aircraft in Japan have stoked tension over the US military presence in the country.

Okinawa hosts the bulk of some 47,000 US troops based in Japan, and their presence has been a source of friction with residents.

The prefecture was the site of a major World War II battle that was followed by a 27-year US occupation of the island, and it would serve as a launchpad for any American military activity in Asia.-

A limit on the number of uranium-enriching centrifuges is at the heart of a hard-won 2015 deal between Tehran and world powers aimed at controlling Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Under the accord, Iran agreed to greatly reduce its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of punishing international sanctions.

Signed by Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, it ended a 12-year standoff over concerns that Tehran was developing a nuclear bomb.

But the US withdrew from the deal in May, and Iran said Tuesday it is launching a plan to boost uranium enrichment with new centrifuges.

Here is some background:

- What is a centrifuge? -

Centrifuges are used for spinning uranium gas at supersonic speeds to make it suitable for power generation and medical uses but also, at high purities, for a bomb.

- Accord reduced capacity -

Under the 2015 accord, Iran agreed to reduce its nuclear capacity, including centrifuges and stocks of enriched uranium, for several years.

The aim was to make it impossible for Iran to make a nuclear bomb while allowing Tehran, which denies any military goal, a civil nuclear capacity.

Tehran agreed to slash the number of centrifuges by more than two-thirds to 5,060, maintaining this level for 10 years.

Iran also agreed to redesign and rebuild a heavy water research reactor in the industrial city of Arak to ensure it does not produce weapons-grade plutonium, the alternative to uranium for a nuclear weapon.

Iran got rid of 98 percent of its enriched uranium stockpile, and allowed intensive monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

It has the right to enrich uranium to 3.67 percent, well below weapons-grade levels of around 90 percent.

The measures left Iran with a "breakout time" -- the time needed to accumulate enough fissile material for an atomic bomb -- of one year, up from two to three months.

- Rebuilding capacity? -

On Monday, Iran notified the IAEA that it has launched a plan to increase its uranium enrichment capacity by producing new centrifuges.

Uranium enrichment

Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi, however, said the plan to open a centre for the production of new centrifuges did not mean they would immediately be assembled, and would not constitute a violation of the 2015 agreement.

The accord provides detailed rules on which types of centrifuge, and how many, Iran can build and test. These restrictions start to ease after eight-and-a-half years and disappear completely after 10 years.

However, restrictions on its uranium stockpile and level of enrichment remain in place until 2030.

Surveillance of its centrifuge production sites is due to continue until 2035 and of uranium mills and mines until 2040.Larry Kudlow, Director of the National Economic Council, pictured here at the White House on April 4, 2018

President Donald Trump is "seriously contemplating" making separate trade deals with Canada and Mexico, in place of the two-decade-old North American Free Trade Agreement, and has broached the idea with Ottawa, a White House official said Tuesday.

"He prefers bilateral negotiations and he is looking at two much different countries," Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Fox News.

Kudlow said he is awaiting a reaction from top Canadian officials to whom he relayed the idea on Monday.

"I'm waiting to hear what their reaction is going to be frankly. I spoke yesterday to one of their top people, right next to the prime minister. He will probably get back to me sometime today," Kudlow said, expressing hope the response will come "as soon as possible and move the whole process forward."

Kudlow noted that the talks to revamp the North American Free Trade agreement have "dragged on" so separate deals "might be able to happen more rapidly."

Trump "is seriously contemplating a shift in the NAFTA negotiations ... (and) he asked me to convey this," he said, adding that the president "believed bilateral is always better. He hates large treaties."

Trump on Friday first floated the idea of having individual agreements to replace NAFTA, which he again called "a terrible deal."

Trump at one point threatened to pull out of the three-nation pact. Talks to revise and modernize the deal have been underway since late 2017, but became hung up on US demands to increase American content in duty-free NAFTA autos, as well as a five-year sunset clause.

Negotiations are now in suspense due to the coming elections in Mexico and the United States.

"The important thought is he may be moving quickly towards these bilateral discussions instead of as a whole," Kudlow said, but noted it is not clear how soon that would happen.

However, Kudlow said Trump "will not withdraw from NAFTA. He will try a different approach."

The NAFTA talks are just one facet of Trump's confrontational, multi-front trade policy, which includes imposing steep tariffs on steel and aluminum coming from chief US allies -- Canada, Mexico and the European Union -- which has prompted sharp retaliation.President Donald Trump last month withdrew the United States from a hard-won accord that it and other world powers signed with Iran in 2015 to control its nuclear programme.

Here are key developments since then.

- Washington quits -

Trump pulls the United States out of the landmark nuclear pact on May 8, reinstating US sanctions on Iran and companies having links and new contracts with the Islamic Republic.

"The Iran deal is defective at its core," he says in a televised address.

It is a major blow to an agreement reached after two years of negotiations between Iran and Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

The deal had paved the way for painful sanctions on Iran to be lifted in return for guarantees it would not be able to build an atomic bomb.

In withdrawing, the United States also gives foreign firms months to wind down existing operations in Iran.

Tehran's regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Israel applaud Trump's decision.

- Trump move under fire -

In swift reactions, Britain, France and Germany say they are "determined" to save the Iran nuclear deal and the economic benefits for Iran.

Trump is "trampling on the norms of international law", adds Russia.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warns Iran could resume uranium enrichment "without limit" if negotiations with Europe, Russia and China on saving the accord do not produce positive results.

On May 9, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calls on the European signatories to the deal to give Iran "real guarantees".

- Israel hits Iran in Syria -

On May 10, Israel carries out deadly strikes against alleged Iranian targets in Syria, where Tehran is helping the government confront a multi-faceted uprising involving rebels and jihadists.

It is a dramatic escalation of tensions in the region.

Israel says the raids were in response to Iranian missiles fired at its forces in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

- Diplomatic marathon -

On May 12, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says that Tehran is preparing to resume "industrial-scale" uranium enrichment "without any restrictions", unless Europe provides solid guarantees that it could maintain trade ties.

He starts a diplomatic tour the next day to save the accord.

On May 16, the European Union launches work on an economic plan to keep the Iran nuclear deal alive. On May 18, the EU begins moves to block the effect of US sanctions on Iran.

- 'Strongest sanctions' -

Washington warns on May 21 that Iran will be hit with the "strongest sanctions in history" unless it abides by stricter nuclear terms.

On May 24, the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, says that Iran continues to respect the terms of the 2015 accord.

A day later in Vienna, signatories of the Iran nuclear deal meet without the United States in a bid to save the agreement. Tehran says it wants guarantees by the end of May.

On May 30, the United States places several Iranian state groups on its sanctions blacklist, accusing them of serious human rights abuses and censorship. They include the semi-official paramilitary group Ansar-e-Hezbollah and state television Irib.

- Iran notifies nuclear watchdog -

On June 4, Iran notifies the IAEA that it has launched a plan to increase its uranium enrichment capacity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embarks on a European tour to seek a tougher line on Iran.

On June 5, Netanyahu charges that the Iranian plan is aimed at producing nuclear weapons to be used against Israel.A television network owned by the family of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was suspended by the island's telecom regulator Tuesday

A television network owned by the family of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was suspended by the island's telecom regulator Tuesday, worsening a power struggle in the fractious ruling coalition.

The closure of Telshan Network comes days after the station criticised President Maithripala Sirisena, who promised to end an era of draconian restrictions on the country's media.

Sirisena, who rules in an unsteady coalition with Wickremesinghe, has specific oversight of the telecom regulator and the decision has aggravated frictions between the men.

The network, owned by Wickremesinghe's eldest brother, was shut after the regulator accused its owners of defaulting on licence fees.

The network has denied the allegations, insisting it has paid its dues.

Wickremesinghe's allies from his United National Party -- which backed Sirisena to election victory in 2015 -- protested the decision in parliament.

"This is not something that we can accept. We are looking into this," said media minister Mangala Samaraweera, who said he was kept in the dark about the decision.

The closure is regarded as the first act of censorship of a broadcaster by Sirisena.

In November he blocked Sri Lankans from being able to access the London-based Lanka E News website after it published an expose alleging graft in his office.

Soon after being elected, Sirisena had lifted the internet censorship and media restrictions used freely by his predecessor, strongman president Mahinda Rajapakse.

Some 17 journalists and media employees were killed in Sri Lanka during Rajapakse's regime, which also blocked pro-opposition websites.

Sirisena's commanding position has waned as ties with his erstwhile ally have soured. The president has accused Wickremesinghe's party of corruption, while the UNP says Sirisena has obstructed reforms.

The gulf between the leaders has widened since their coalition was thumped in local elections in February, and hit a new low in April when Sirisena loyalists unsuccessfully sought to oust Wickremesinghe.The attacks occurred late Monday in the regional Niger capital of Diffa (pictured), a frequent target of the Boko Haram jihadist group, the official told AFP

Three suicide bombers killed at least six people in separate attacks in the southeastern Niger city of Diffa near the border with Nigeria, shattering several months of calm in the troubled region.

The attacks occurred late Monday in the city, a regional capital that is a frequent target of the Boko Haram jihadist group, the interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Shortly before midnight, three terrorists blew themselves up in the Diffa Koura neighbourhood, leaving six people dead and 37 wounded, including eight seriously," the ministry said.

It added that the attackers, a man and two girls, also died "on the spot".

A local official speaking on condition of anonymity had told AFP earlier that nine people had been killed, including the three attackers.

Ibrahim Amadou, a resident, said the three detonations were "almost simultaneous" in Koura, an old district of the city, with one near the Koranic school, one near a mosque and the third by a shop.

People are afraid, "but they aren't giving in to panic," Amadou said.

Another resident, Ari Maman, said he and others were surprised the attacks happened in the heavily secured city of around 600,000. "We expect attacks across the region, except in the heart of the city," he told AFP.

Security forces have cordoned off the sites and were carrying out search operations throughout the city, a security source said.

The attacks came as Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou arrived in Paris for an official visit Monday. He was to continue to Brussels Tuesday.

They also follow several months of calm in the Diffa region which since February 2015 has suffered numerous attacks by Boko Haram based across the border in northeast Nigeria.

- Pipeline project delayed -

In late April, Niamey announced a military operation against Boko Haram in the region of Lake Chad, which links Niger, Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon.

Niamey hopes its military operation will allow thousands of people to return home to the islets of Lake Chad which Boko Haram uses as rear bases for attacks

The group, which is seeking an Islamic state based on Sharia law, has caused the deaths of at least 20,000 people since it took up arms in 2009 in Nigeria.

Some 2.4 million people have been displaced in northern Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

Niamey hopes to allow thousands of people to return to the islets of Lake Chad which Boko Haram uses as rear bases for attacks.

In late January, UNHCR launched an appeal for $156 million (127 million euros) to help people displaced by the Boko Haram campaign of violence.

The conflict in the Diffa region has caused delays in the construction of a pipeline for exporting Niger's crude oil to Cameroon via Chad. Niamey recently said work would begin late this year.

In addition to Boko Haram attacks in the southeast, Niger faces repeated attacks by other Islamist groups in the north and west.Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province where large deposits of natural gas have been found offshore, has suffered a spate of suspected jihadists attacks

Suspected jihadists hacked seven people to death with machetes and torched dozens of homes on Tuesday in northern Mozambique, a region that has suffered a spate of similar attacks, police said.

The area, Cabo Delgado province which is expected to become the centre of a nascent natural gas industry after several promising discoveries, has seen a number of deadly assaults on both security forces and civilians since October.

"The bandits used machetes to kill the seven persons. We think this group is likely part of the (one) that beheaded 10 (people on) May 27," police spokesman Inacio Dina told AFP, referring to an attack last month in the same region that was also blamed on jihadists.

The assailants in a dawn raid on Tuesday burnt down 164 houses and destroyed four cars during the assault on the village of Naude in the Macomia district, the spokesman said.

Police reinforcements had previously been sent to the region to step up security.

Dina suggested that the group might also have been linked to the nine "insurgents" killed by security forces over the weekend who were subsequently found to be carrying assault rifles and Arabic-language documents.

"This group is very fragmented in small groups (and) they try to resist police attacks," he said.

The May 27 bloodshed occurred in two small villages close to the border with Tanzania and not far from Palma, a small town gearing up to be the country's new natural gas hub in Cabo Delgado.

Alex Vines, an analyst on Mozambique for the London-based Chatham House think-tank, said anticipation of a gas boom had increased the sense of inequality in Cabo Delgado.

"A series of recent studies have concluded that this has been one of the drivers for growing youth militancy -- particularly among young men," Vines told AFP.

Two of those killed in the gruesome dawn raid were boys aged 15 and 16.

- 'Al-Shabaab-style ideology' -

In October, armed men targeted a police station and military post in the town of Mocimboa da Praia in what was believed to be the first jihadist attack on the country.

Two officers died and 14 attackers were killed.

The group, described by locals and officials as "Al-Shabaab", has no known link to the Somali jihadist group of the same name.

In the following weeks, at least 300 Muslims, including Tanzanians, were arrested and several mosques were forced to close.

The latest suspected jihadist attack took place in Nande leaving seven people dead

The increase in attacks in the north of the country could pose a problem for Mozambique, which holds general elections next year and hopes to cash in on the recently discovered gas reserves.

The vast gas deposits discovered off the shores of Palma could transform the impoverished country's economy.

Experts predict that Mozambique could even become the world's third-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.

But the country's north has largely been excluded from the economic growth of the last 20 years, and the region sees itself as a neglected outpost, creating fertile ground for radical Al-Shabaab-style ideology.

Vines, the analyst, said that it was vital that the government did not itself fan the flames of the violence seen in recent months with a heavy-handed response.

"It's urgent that the government... does not overreact to the new armed crisis in Cabo Delgado," he said, adding that organised criminal networks had also played a role in the sudden mushrooming of jihadist cells in the country.

Mozambique last month passed an anti-terrorism law that punishes terror activity with prison sentences of more than 40 years.Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein enters Manhattan criminal court in New York, where he pleaded not guilty to rape and sex assault charges

Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges in a New York courtroom Tuesday -- the next step in a high-stakes legal battle that the #MeToo movement hopes will end with the disgraced Hollywood mogul behind bars.

The 66-year-old producer, whose career imploded in a blaze of accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse from dozens of women that triggered a global reckoning about harassment in the workplace, could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Weinstein, who appeared in court in a dark blazer, jeans and a tie, uttered only a few words at the brief arraignment hearing in Manhattan. He has steadfastly denied all accusations of nonconsensual sex.

"Not guilty," he said in a barely audible voice when asked for his plea on the three counts he is facing. He also replied "Yes" several times as the judge reiterated the conditions of his monitored release.

Weinstein, the onetime Tinseltown powerbroker whose films earned dozens of Oscars, was charged with rape and another sex crime in New York late last month, nearly eight months after the first public allegations against him surfaced.

The twice-married father of five has been indicted for allegedly forcing a woman to perform oral sex on him in 2004, and for allegedly raping another at a Manhattan hotel in 2013.

- 'We intend to fight' -

Weinstein leaves Manhattan criminal court with his lawyer Benjamin Brafman (R) -- one of America's most celebrated criminal defense attorneys

Benjamin Brafman, one of America's most celebrated criminal defense attorneys, did most of the talking for the mogul at his hearing.

"Mr Weinstein is presumed innocent... however reprehensible the crime may be, it is also reprehensible to falsely accuse someone of rape," Brafman said.

"We intend to fight this in the courtroom."

Brafman says the rape complaint came from a woman who had a 10-year affair with Weinstein, but the information was not confirmed.

The accusation of forced oral sex comes from Lucia Evans, a marketing consultant who, in 2004, was an aspiring actress. She told her story in October to The New Yorker.

Evans says Weinstein spoke to her about a possible role as a model on television reality show "Project Runway," before forcing her into oral sex.

- Dozens of allegations -

Weinstein: The fall of a Hollywood mogul

Since October, nearly 100 women have said they were harassed or sexually abused by Weinstein over a period of more than two decades.

Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie are among more than two dozen actresses who say they were sexually harassed by the producer. A few, including Asia Argento and Rose McGowan, say they were raped.

The #MeToo movement has seen people around the world come forward with cases of sexual mistreatment, leading to the downfall of powerful men across industries, including Oscar winner Kevin Spacey.

Comedian Bill Cosby was convicted in April of sexual assault. He will be sentenced later this year.

For Bennett Gershman, a law professor at Pace University in New York and a former federal prosecutor, Weinstein is the "worst of the worst."

"Everything that's come out makes him the most despicable of these people who have been exposed for their sexual misconduct," he said.

Director Brian de Palma recently told French newspaper Le Parisien he plans to tackle Weinstein's story -- as a horror film, with a similar protagonist.

Weinstein has reportedly spent months in treatment for sex addiction. His fashion designer wife, Georgina Chapman, has left him.

He remains free, having posted $1 million bail. He is wearing a GPS monitoring device, and his travel is restricted to the states of New York and Connecticut.

- New lawsuits -

Weinstein already faces a slew of civil lawsuits, is reportedly under federal investigation and his former studio has filed for bankruptcy.

He is also under criminal investigation in London and Los Angeles, but the criminal charges in New York were the first to be lodged.

Last week, three actresses filed a new lawsuit against Weinstein alleging sexual assault. They urged other victims to come forward and join the complaint.

Even though Weinstein has largely been convicted in the court of public opinion, could he walk free from the courtroom? Experts are divided.

"It is hard to predict the outcome," said Columbia University law professor Suzanne Goldberg.

"Regardless of what's happening in the #MeToo movement, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Weinstein engaged in these unlawful acts with these particular women."

Gershman said Weinstein faces an uphill climb.

"Even the best lawyer -- and Brafman is one of the best -- can't work magic. The evidence is the evidence," Gershman said.One of US President Donald Trump's more than 37,000 tweets

The US Justice Department has said it will appeal a federal judge's ruling that President Donald Trump cannot legally block Twitter users who disagree with him.

The appeal notice, filed Monday before the US appellate court in New York, refers to the original May 23 ruling by federal district Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald.

She ruled that the blocking of Trump critics violated the free speech rights of those users guaranteed in the Constitution's First Amendment.

The president's @realDonaldTrump account has more than 52 million followers and is his favorite public communication tool, in the face of what he calls "fake news" media which publish investigative articles about him and his administration.

Buchwald's ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Knight First Amendment Institute, which is based at Columbia University in New York and works to defend free speech.

The case was filed in the name of seven individual plaintiffs who said they were blocked from the @realDonaldTrump account after posting tweets critical of his policies.

Although they were still able to see the tweets without logging in to Twitter, and to quote Trump's tweets in their own messages, their comments were excluded from the threads that make up a public "conversation" involving the president and his Twitter followers.

After Buchwald's ruling, the White House unblocked the plaintiffs' Twitter accounts, their lawyer Jameel Jaffer said.

One of them, Maryland sociology professor Philip Cohen, was blocked in June 2017, 15 minutes after he reacted to a Trump tweet by accusing him of being "Corrupt Incompetent Authoritarian."

"We whined. We complained. We sued. We won our First Amendment lawsuit in federal court. And now @realDonaldTrump has unblocked me. Wow!," Cohen tweeted on Monday.

The Knight Institute said "many others are still blocked."Vehicles of the US-backed coalition forces in the northern Syrian town of Manbij, in May 2018

The United States and Turkey have agreed a "road map" to withdraw Kurdish forces from a flashpoint Syrian town, but the search for a lasting political settlement will be long.

US officials briefed reporters Tuesday amid conflicting reports over the deal reached a day earlier between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his Turkish counterpart Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

The People's Protection Units (YPG), Syria's leading Kurdish militia and the backbone of the US-backed forces fighting the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria, said Tuesday it is withdrawing from Manbij.

Their decision appears to reduce the threat of clashes in a town where US and French troops are keeping a wary eye on the line separating US-backed Kurdish fighters from Turkish-backed units.

Turkey regards the YPG as a terrorist group, affiliated with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that fights within its own borders, and had demanded that it pull back from the frontier.

For months, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to march on Manbij against the YPG, threats which raised fears of a clash between Turkish and American troops -- both members of the NATO alliance -- that talks have tried to mollify.

Ankara said that, under the deal, joint US and Turkish patrols would begin in Manbij shortly, and the town would get a new local council after that.

Cavusoglu suggested this strategy will be applied to other areas along war-torn Syria's northern border: "We will apply the road map for Manbij, and then we will start implementing road maps for other cities."

US officials confirmed the broad outline of the plan, but were keen to stress that no time-line had been fixed, that each stage of implementation would be "conditions-based" and that much work lies ahead.

"The actual implementation of this will require details that remain to be negotiated," a senior US official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

"They will need to be mutually agreeable, and the implementation will be timed based on developments on the ground."

A second US official said the deal came as part of an undertaking given the Turks that Kurdish forces involved in the anti-IS fight would be withdrawn to the east of the Euphrates river.

In Manbij, he said, all the parties are seeking a "sustainable outcome" where the area can develop its own ruling council and local militia pending a final deal to end the long-running Syrian civil war.

Separately, Pompeo issued a statement hailing an offensive by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which include YPG units, against IS hold-outs in Dashisha, near the Iraqi border.People receive the bodies of loved ones in the Tunisian town of Sfax on June 4, 2018, after more than 50 migrants drowned in the Mediterranean the day before while trying to reach Europe

The Tunisian navy has recovered seven more corpses from a shipwreck of migrants at the weekend, bringing the overall number of dead to 55, the interior ministry said Tuesday.

"The search team has succeeded in recovering seven corpses, bringing to 55" the number of bodies found, the ministry said in a statement.

Ministry spokesman Khalifa Chibani earlier on Tuesday said the dead identified so far were "36 Tunisians and 12 foreigners", referring to migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.

A total of 68 survivors -- including 60 Tunisians -- have been rescued since search operations began early Sunday off the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia's southern city of Sfax.

Survivors said there were at least 180 people on board when the overloaded fishing vessel began to sink late Saturday night near Tunisia's Kerkennah Islands off Sfax.

Search efforts continued Tuesday, with a helicopter flying over the island chain, according to an AFP journalist on site.

- 'Frustration and despair' -

In a visit to the area, Prime Minister Youssef Chahed said "social reasons pushed these young people into this adventure, compounded by a state of frustration and despair".

On Monday, the premier had called for greater efforts to quickly dismantle the "criminal networks that profit from these young people looking to emigrate and putting their lives in danger".

Map of Tunisia locating the city of Sfax and Kerkennah island, close to where the bodies of many migrants were recovered

Tunisian authorities are hunting for eight suspects, all of whom are from Kerkennah, the interior ministry said.

The shipwreck is the deadliest in the Mediterranean since February 2, when 90 people drowned off the coast of Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration.

On Monday the IOM said "at least 112 people died" in the weekend wreck, with dozens still missing based on survivors' accounts of passenger numbers.

The UN refugee agency said it was "deeply saddened at this latest tragedy in the Mediterranean."

Spokesman William Spindler expressed concern over "the high number of people dying on the Central Mediterranean route," with more than 700 people recorded as dead or missing so far this year.

The Sfax sinking came as Italy's new hardline Interior Minister Matteo Salvini visited the Italian island of Sicily -- one of the main landing points for migrants attempting to reach Europe from Tunisia and Libya.

Salvini used the trip on Sunday to promote his anti-immigration stance, saying he would not allow Italy to become "the refugee camp" of Europe.

Tunisians and other migrants regularly try to cross the Mediterranean to seek a better future in Europe.

In March, 120 people -- mostly Tunisians -- were rescued by the navy as they tried to reach the Italian coast.Opposition protestors have been occupying Antananarivo's main square for more than two months

Madagascar's opposition was divided on Tuesday after it emerged that a party which had been protesting against the government had recommended a new "consensus" prime minister to the president.

The Indian Ocean nation has been rocked by protests initially called against new electoral laws the opposition said aimed at barring their candidates from taking part in elections scheduled for later this year.

But the demonstrations have turned into demands for the president to step down.

Opposition parties have until now set aside differences in their campaign to force out President Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

But the TIM party, led by former president Marc Ravalomanana, reacted angrily after opposition Mapar party had suggested 57-year-old technocrat Christian Ntsay, who is not a member of a political party, to be new prime minister.

"We will continue our protest even if we have a new prime minister," Hanitriniaina Razafimanantsoa, a TIM lawmaker, told demonstrators gathered in Antananarivo's central May 13 square.

"We are concerned by the process of nominating the new prime minister," said Guy Rivo Randrianarisoa, another TIM lawmaker present in the protest camp.

The dispute transformed the normally united demonstration into a factional spat, with Mapar supporters trading barbs with TIM members.

"There are some MPs who seem to be trying to betray the process," said Razafimanantsoa.

"You have already proposed a prime minister without consulting us, it's a fait accompli that has now reached us in the May 13 square to be agreed on," he added, apparently seeking to avoid further damage to the opposition's unity.

Ntsay was due to be sworn in as prime minister at a ceremony in the capital on Wednesday that will likely be attended by his predecessor, Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana, who resigned Monday.

The Constitutional Court had ordered Rajaonarimampianina to form a government of national unity with a "consensus prime minister" to avert a full-blown crisis.President Buhari is seeking a second four-year term in February next year

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari does not have to reveal the cost of his treatment for an undisclosed illness that incapacitated him for several months, a judge ruled on Tuesday.

Buhari, 75, spent a large part of last year in London but the exact nature of his condition remains a mystery. He has said only that it involved multiple blood transfusions and tests.

His absence from the helm of Africa's most populous nation prompted speculation about his fitness to govern -- as well as whether Nigerian taxpayers footed his private medical bill.

Civil society group the Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative made a freedom of information request to the Central Bank of Nigeria for details.

When the request was denied, trustees took the CBN and its governor Godwin Emefiele to court.

Judge John Tsoho said the Freedom of Information Act provided for an exemption where personal information is not publicly available and the individual has not consented.

"There is no evidence of the president having consented to disclosure of personal information relating to his health and the information is certainly not publicly available," he said.

"I therefore hold that the information sought by the applicant... is exempt," he told the Federal High Court in Abuja in a ruling.

"On the whole, the applicants' suit is not sustained and it is struck out."

The judge said the applicants should have sought the information from the office of the president's chief of staff but he would likely have refused for the same reasons.

Representatives from the civil society group made no comment afterwards, according to an AFP reporter.

The group previously sought an injunction to stop Buhari being sworn in as president after his election victory in 2015.

Buhari is seeking a second four-year term at polls in February next year.Palestinian mourners carry the body of 21 years old Razan al-Najjar during her funeral after she was shot dead by Israeli soldiers, in Khan Yunis on June 2, 2018

The Israeli army on Tuesday said its troops did not deliberately shoot a young Palestinian medical volunteer killed last week in violence on the Gaza border.

Razan al-Najjar, 21, was fatally shot in the chest on Friday near the southern Gaza town of Khan Yunis.

The Palestinian Medical Relief Society said she was hit "as she was attempting to provide first aid to an injured protester", adding that three other first responders were also hit by live fire on the same day.

An army statement in English said initial findings of its inquiry revealed "that a small number of bullets were fired during the incident, and that no shots were deliberately or directly aimed towards her."

It did elaborate on how she may have been killed, but said investigations were continuing and conclusions would be passed to the Military Advocate General's department.

Following Najjar's death, the UN envoy for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, said in a tweet that "Medical workers are #NotATarget!" and that "Israel needs to calibrate its use of force and Hamas need to prevent incidents at the fence."

Gazans have since March 30 been holding border protests demanding the return of Palestinians to land they fled or were expelled from during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation, now inside the Jewish state.

The demonstrations are accompanied by smaller clashes as youths hurl stones at Israeli soldiers and attempt to breach the border fence, at times laying explosive devices on the fence or throwing grenades.

At least 125 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire on the border since March 30.

No Israelis have been killed.

On Tuesday there was relatively muted protest with about 100 demonstrators gathering in the northern Gaza Strip near the Erez border crossing into Israel, AFP correspondents said.

There were minor clashes in Khan Yunis and central Gaza involving dozens of protesters.

In Bureij in central Gaza, young men attached flaming plastic containers to kites hoping to set crops alight on the other side of the frontier.

The protests had been called Tuesday to coincide with the 51st anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War when Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza.

Organisers said larger numbers were now expected Friday, which coincides with Israel's 1967 capture of Palestinian east Jerusalem.

Palestinians today claim the sector as the capital of their future state.

Israel accuses Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas of controlling the protests and seeking to use them as cover to carry out attacks.Protesters at a demonstration in San Francisco against the Trump administration's policy of separating immigrant families who cross the border illegally

The United Nations on Tuesday urged Washington to immediately halt its controversial practice of separating asylum-seeking immigrant children from their parents at the southern border.

The UN rights office said it was "deeply concerned" over the "zero tolerance" policy introduced by the administration of US President Donald Trump in a bid to deter illegal immigration.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said information received from US civil society groups indicated that several hundred children had been separated from their parents at the border since October, including a one-year-old.

"The US should immediately halt this practice," she told reporters in Geneva.

In Washington, the White House made no immediate comment on the UN statement. But in a tweet, Trump, who demanded the separation policy be enforced at the beginning of May, blamed opposition Democrats for it.

"Separating families at the Border is the fault of bad legislation passed by the Democrats. Border Security laws should be changed but the Dems can't get their act together!," he said.

And Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the Trump administration's top law enforcement official, said the policy was legal and necessary.

"If people do not want to be separated from their children, then they should not bring them with them," he added.

Trump is under attack at home and internationally over the policy, which aims to stifle illegal immigration, especially by people fleeing violence in Central America who arrive at the border and immediately turn themselves in to officials, requesting asylum.

In the past, the applications were mostly accepted for review and the applicants, individuals and families, were released into the United States to wait for a decision.

- Policy a 'serious violation' -

In Early May, however, Sessions announced that all those detained for crossing the border without papers, including asylum seekers, would be immediately placed under arrest and charged with a crime.

Under that policy, parents must be separated from children, and the children are handed over to a separate agency where they are then supposed to be placed in the charge of other US guardians.

Shamdasani condemned the separations as a human rights violation.

"The practice of separating families amounts to arbitrary and unlawful interference in family life, and is a serious violation of the rights of the child," she said.

"The use of immigration detention and family separation as a deterrent runs counter to human rights standards and principles," she said.

"The child's best interest should always come first, including over migration management objectives or other administrative concerns," she said.

The US says the policy aims to stem a surge of poor families mostly from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

Citing the daily violence in their home countries, thousands each week cross the US-Mexico border and ask for asylum.

In an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday, Sessions defended the policy.

"You can't be giving immunity to people who bring children with them, recklessly, and improperly, and illegally," he said.

"The law requires us to keep children in a different facility than one for adults."Gavin Newsom (C) -- the current California lieutenant governor and former San Francisco mayor -- is the frontrunning Democratic candidate for governor in the state's primary elections

Voters cast ballots in eight US states for key primary elections on Tuesday, with all eyes on California, where the outcome could swing the balance of power in Congress.

Democrats in the country's most populous state are battling to ensure they come out on top in several congressional districts that voted for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

However, given the state's unusual election system in which the two top vote-getters move on to the general election in November, regardless of party affiliation, Democrats fear they may give Republicans the upper hand in some districts where they have a glut of candidates.

"The worry is that with so many enthusiastic Democrats running for Congress, the Democrats will split up the Democratic vote and you'll end up with one or two Republicans in the top two slots," said Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Brookings Institution.

"So there's quite a bit of concern that this would backfire and that congressional districts that would elect a Democrat in the end would be given only the choice of Republicans."

- 'Turnout always the uncertainty' -

The race drew huge attention nationwide, especially given how solidly Democratic California has been, but it is unclear whether the high stakes will spur voters to cast ballots.

"Turnout is always the uncertainty in primary elections," said Louis DeSipio, a political science professor at the University of California at Irvine.

"If Democrats are as energized in California as they have been in some other states, they can move into the general election with no viable Republicans running statewide.

"This seems unlikely, but is a possibility."

Officials said tabulating final results for the vote may take several days, or even weeks, given that many of the 19.4 million registered voters are casting their ballots by mail.

There were 27 candidates looking to succeed Democratic Governor Jerry Brown, and more than two dozen looking to replace veteran US Senator Dianne Feinstein.

The race for governor will now be between deputy governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and Trump-backed Republican John Cox, a businessman who is not well known, according to results published late Tuesday on the state government website.

In the end Feinstein survived and will be on the ballot for the midterm elections in November, results showed.

Newsom is seen as the likely favorite in November.

"I will do anything to fight Trump," Arthur Aguirre, a 76 year old artist, said at a polling station in Hollywood. "He is destroying our democracy."

And in the race for California's 53 seats in the US House of Representatives, the slate of candidates featured a plethora of novice Democrats looking to make a statement against Trump.

Kamarck said that although Democrats in the most prominent anti-Trump state in the country would be expected to fare well, the "jungle" format of the election could create chaos.

- 'High Crime Nancy Pelosi' -

Trump tweeted early Tuesday urging Republicans to head to the polls.

"Get the vote out in California today for Rep. Kevin McCarthy and all of the great GOP candidates for Congress. Keep our country out of the hands of High Tax, High Crime Nancy Pelosi," Trump said, referring to the 78-year-old House Democratic minority leader.

In the race for the governor's mansion, former San Francisco mayor Newsom -- who gained attention for allowing same-sex unions before the legalization of gay marriage -- has a strong lead in opinion polls leading up to Tuesday's voting.

Trump supporter Jennifer Martinez joins a 'Make California Great Again' rally to support Los Angeles County's Republican candidates in the state's primary

In the House races, Democrats are focusing on seven districts currently in Republican hands that voted for Clinton in 2016 and could flip again this year.

But in at least five of them, progressive candidates could split the vote, leaving a path for Republicans to make the November runoff.

The Democratic Party "tried to winnow out some of the candidates, but the same excitement and energy that led them to run in the first place makes them unlikely to listen to the national party," DeSipio said.

Nationwide, Democrats must clinch at least 23 seats from Republicans to wrest control of the House of Representatives.

Apart from California, voters also cast ballots Tuesday in Alabama, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota.Investigators established that Dwight Jones, 56, had a link to his victims as a result of divorce proceedings almost a decade ago

An Arizona man who committed suicide Monday evening after being tracked down by police officers is suspected of killing six people linked to his contentious divorce.

Investigators established that Dwight Jones, 56, had a link to his victims as a result of divorce proceedings almost a decade ago.

The first murder, committed Thursday afternoon, saw a prominent psychiatrist and legal expert named Steven Pitt shot in front of his Phoenix office.

Pitt, a world-renowned forensic psychiatrist, had been charged with carrying out a psychological evaluation of Jones, Scottsdale police chief Richard Slavin told a press conference Monday.

The doctor had also worked on a number of high-profile cases, including the murder of child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey in 1996, and the Columbine school shooting in 1999.

On Friday, police were called to a law office where two employees in their 50s -- Valeria Sharp and Laura Anderson -- had been shot dead.

They found the same gun had been used in all three killings.

Dwight's ex-wife had been represented by one of the firm's lawyers, who was not in the office that day.

The following night, marriage counsellor Marshall Levine's body was discovered. Authorities established that Jones' son had seen a specialist who shared Levine's office for a consultation.

By combining DNA analysis, field investigations and shooting expertise, police then identified Jones, 56, as the prime suspect.

"He had a divorce situation back in 2009 and 2010. And during all of that time he was related to all the victims in some way," Slavin said.

That kickstarted a huge manhunt involving forces across the region -- with officers locating Jones at a hotel close to Scottsdale, a suburb of Phoenix, on Monday evening.

After opening fire on officers -- causing no injuries -- Jones turned the gun on himself.

Police added that during initial surveillance, Jones was seen dumping a handgun stolen from a resident of Fountain Hills.

That resident was later found dead at his home in the Phoenix suburb alongside a woman, bringing Jones' total suspected killings to six.The overall CEO Economic Outlook index showed strong concern about the Trump administration's trade policies, according to the Business Roundtable

Worries among US businesses over President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies are beginning to affect CEOs' outlooks on hiring and capital spending, according to a survey released Tuesday.

The survey by the Business Roundtable, which represents giant US corporations, still showed broad confidence in the US economy. But the index fell for the first time in Trump's presidency in the second quarter, with an overwhelming number of respondents expressing worries on trade.

"The administration's trade policy is a huge concern to almost every member of our organization," Business Roundtable president Josh Bolten said in a conference call with reporters.

"The Business Roundtable has a good working relationship with this White House. We feel like we get a good hearing, but the president so far has rejected much of our advice about trade policy as have some of advisors and we're going to stay at it."

JPMorgan Chase chief executive Jamie Dimon, who serves as chairman of the group, cautioned that the uncertainty is not good for business.

"This trade stuff is not only directly affecting decisions, but it also creates uncertainty and uncertainty of course is not a friend of the economy," Dimon said.

A White House official said Tuesday the administration is contemplating separate bilateral trade deals with Mexico and Canada as an alternative to the North American Free Trade Agreement, since talks to revamp the pact have lately stalled.

But NAFTA is only one of the high-profile trade spats dominating headlines. Trump last week angered allies by imposing tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from the European Union, Canada and Mexico. Trump has also embarked on a risky tit-for-tat series of threats against China.

That has prompted threats of retaliation from key US allies, and Mexico on Tuesday published a list of American products that will be subject to harsh import duties, including a long list of steel products, cheeses, fruit, pork and bourbon.

Frustration among US allies broke out into the open at a G7 meeting last weekend, with finance ministers united in condemning Washington's aggressive protectionism ahead of this weekend's summit of G7 leaders in Canada.

The Business Roundtable report, based on a survey of 132 CEOs over a two-week period in May, showed the CEO Economic Outlook index fell to 111.1 in the second quarter from 118.6 in the first quarter, the first drop in nearly two years, even though it remains well above the historical average of 81.2.

All three components of the outlook fell: sales, capital spending and employment.

It showed 61 percent of companies expect an increase in capital sales over the next six months, down from the 68 percent in the first-quarter survey.

- Downside risk to economy -

A whopping 89 percent of CEOs described a decline in US economic growth as a "moderate" (58 percent) or "serious risk" (31 percent) from the Trump's administration's trade policies.

Trump administration trade policies also were cited as a risk in a survey released Tuesday by the National Association for Business Economics, which showed a "stark" shift in overall sentiment compared with the prior survey in March.

In the March survey, over 75 percent said the 2018 business outlook was "largely weighted to the upside." But in the May survey, 57 percent said the balance of risk to growth was to the downside.

NABE attributed the change to the shift in policy from tax cuts and fiscal policy to tariffs and potential trade wars.

During the conference call, Bolten said he understood Trump ran his presidential campaign based on correcting agreements he considered unfair to US workers and interests.

But Bolten said some of Trump's measures went beyond the campaign and put US interests at risks. He pointed in particular to the use of national defense to justify the harsh steel and aluminum tariffs.

"It's a very damaging way to go about pursuing trade policy because it's an invitation to our trade partners to use their national security exemptions to block any of our exports to them and the president never campaigned on anything like that," he said.

"It may have been a convenient tool they found, but it's a mistake."

Dimon, meanwhile, dismissed as "absurd" comments from US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer calling the US trade deficit a benefit to US corporations that strangles workers.

"I think you want to be careful about blanket statements that cover everything because they are generally inaccurate and I find that one in particular a little rude."Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, pictured on June 3, 2018, said Qatar wanted to become a full member of NATO

Qatar's defence minister said on Tuesday that his country's long-term strategic "ambition" is to join the Western military defence alliance NATO.

Speaking on the anniversary of a year-long bitter Gulf diplomatic dispute, which has seen Qatar separated from its former regional allies, Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah said Qatar wanted to become a full member of the 29-country alliance.

"Qatar today has become one of the most important countries in the region in terms of the quality of armament," Attiyah told the official magazine of the Qatari defence ministry, Altalaya.

"Regarding the membership, we are a main ally from outside NATO.. The ambition is full membership if our partnership with NATO develops and our vision is clear."

He added that there was a growing relationship between Qatar and the alliance, and Doha could host "NATO's units or one of its specialised centres".

His remarks come at a politically sensitive time in the region.

Exactly a year ago, on June 5, 2017, a group of countries including Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran.

For the past year, Qatar has been isolated by its neighbouring former allies with its only land border closed by Saudi Arabia and its residents expelled from the quartet's countries.

Qatar claims the dispute is an attack on its sovereignty and punishment for pursuing an independent foreign policy.

Diplomatic efforts have proved fruitless and the crisis threatens to undermine one of the previously most stable regions in the Arab world.

Although there have been no outright hostilities, the shadow of military action has darkened the rift.

Earlier this month it emerged that Saudi leaders threatened 'military action' and asked French President Emmanuel Macron to intervene to prevent Qatar's proposed purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence missile system.US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell said he was seeking to "empower" European conservatives opposed to the political status quo, prompting calls for him to be ousted

The United States defended the right of its ambassador to Germany to speak his mind about European politics Tuesday, after an outspoken interview sparked calls for him to step down.

Germany has asked the State Department to clarify US ambassador Richard Grenell's comment in an interview that he was seeking to "empower" European conservatives opposed to the political status quo.

At least one member of Angela Merkel's coalition government has accused the envoy of interfering in Germany's internal affairs, and figures on the left have called for him to be sent back to Washington.

But State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert stood by the ambassador, insisting the United States has good relations with Germany and that Grenell had a right to make his views known.

"Ambassadors have a right to express their opinion," Nauert told reporters who asked whether Grenell had been expressing the views of President Donald Trump's administration.

"They're representatives of the White House, whether it's this administration or other administrations, and we hear them voicing their opinions," she said.

"And they're sometimes opinions that people may or may not like. And there is the right to free speech as well."

In an interview with news website Breitbart over the weekend, Grenell said he had seen a wave of support in Europe for conservative causes "because of the failed policies of the left."

"I absolutely want to empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders," he said. "There's no question about that and it's an exciting time for me."

Grenell does not criticize Merkel's government, but dubs himself a "big fan" of neighboring Austria's "rock star" chancellor Sebastian Kurz, leader of a coalition of conservative and right-wing parties.

In a tweet sent from his personal account after controversy erupted, Grenell denied that he had been as US ambassador endorsing any European candidates or parties.

But he added: "I stand by my comments that we are experiencing an awakening from the silent majority -- those who reject the elites and their bubble. Led by Trump."

On Wednesday, Grenell is due to hold a pre-arranged meeting with senior German official Andreas Michaelis.The kidnapping comes one day after the military held a press conference warning that it is monitoring citizens who criticise Pakistan

A British-Pakistani activist known for her criticism of Pakistan's military was briefly abducted late Tuesday by unknown men in the eastern city of Lahore, her family said, prompting fears she had been forcibly disappeared.

Gul Bukhari, 52, was detained for several hours by unknown men one day after the powerful military held a press conference warning that it is monitoring citizens who criticise Pakistan, amid a growing crackdown on free speech in the country.

Bukhari was on her way to a television news station in Lahore where she was due to appear as an analyst on a late night show when she was stopped, her husband Ali Nadir told AFP.

"She left around 10:40 pm for Waqt News but was apparently picked up on the way. It seems to be plainclothes people but we don't have any more info," he said in a WhatsApp message.

He later confirmed that she had been freed, but could not immediately provide further details.

Sources at Waqt News said the kidnapping had taken place inside an army-controlled part of the city.

Bukhari released a statement hours after being released, thanking friends and colleagues for their support during the ordeal.

"I would like to express my deep gratitude and love to my friends, family, colleagues & supporters in civil society, journalism and politics across the board, for coming together in solidarity in concern for my well being last night," read the statement.

"I am well, and would request privacy at this stage.

The British High Commission in Islamabad said Wednesday that it was aware of the reported incident and "reaching out with consular assistance".

"We are very concerned at reports of Gul Bukhari's abduction last night," the High Commission said in a statement posted on Twitter.

News of her abduction caused a furore on social media.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif, daughter of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said it was "extremely disturbing" and the "worst kind of oppression".

Newspaper editor and analyst Raza Ahmad Rumi tweeted: "Dissenters are not a threat. Healthy societies allow critical voices to foster/retain a pluralist culture."

And the Committee to Protect Journalists said it was "alarmed" by the report of her abduction.

"Pakistani journalists have seen enough tragedy," the watchdog tweeted.

Bukhari is known for advocating human rights online and is also a prominent columnist whose articles are often highly critical of the military and its policies.

- Monitoring social media -

Pakistan has had a history of enforced disappearances over the past decade, mainly confined to conflict zones near the Afghanistan border or to the restive southwestern Balochistan province.

However, in recent years, a growing number of such abductions have taken place brazenly in major urban centres such as Karachi, Lahore and even the capital Islamabad.

They have also increasingly targeted activists and journalists critical of the state and the military's policies, largely seen as a red line few dare cross.

The military routinely denies being involved.

Some of those who have been released in the past have described being tortured, though many remain reluctant to name their abductors.

Others remain missing, like activist Raza Khan who disappeared in December 2017.

However, a burgeoning civil rights movement by the country's ethnic Pashtuns and recent comments from former PM Sharif have increasingly criticised the security establishment and its policies, including disappearances.

During a press conference Monday, the military issued a veiled warning to online critics.

"We have the capability to monitor social media as to who is doing what," military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said.

He also briefly flashed an image on screen showing what appeared to be Twitter handles and names, including of at least one prominent journalist, but refused to elaborate further.Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, pictured in April 2018, wants to host peace talks for South Sudan

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has offered to host peace talks in Khartoum between South Sudan's bitter rivals President Salwa Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar, a foreign ministry official said Tuesday.

Bashir's offer was delivered to Kiir by a Sudanese delegation that visited Juba on Tuesday, and comes just days after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution that gave South Sudanese warring sides one month to reach a peace deal or face possible sanctions.

The Sudanese delegation was led by Foreign Minister Al-Dierdiry al-Dhikheri and included Salah Ghosh, the chief of Sudan's powerful National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

"The delegation delivered a verbal message from President Omar al-Bashir to President Salwa Kiir regarding an initiative to support efforts to achieve peace between the conflicting parties in South Sudan," Sudanese foreign ministry spokesman Garib Allah Khadr said in a statement.

Bashir offered to "host a meeting between Kiir and South Sudanese opposition leader Riek Machar," he said.

"President Kiir welcomed the initiative and affirmed his government's readiness to participate in the meeting."

Khadr did not say when a meeting was scheduled or whether Machar had agreed to it.

Bashir's offer comes even as the regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) group is mediating peace talks between Kiir and Machar.

South Sudan, the world's youngest nation formed after splitting from the north in 2011, descended into war in December 2013 when Kiir accused his former deputy Machar of plotting a coup.

A peace deal was signed two years later but collapsed in July 2016 when fresh fighting in the capital Juba forced Machar into exile. The renewed violence spread across the country, and numerous new armed opposition groups have formed, further complicating peace efforts.

Efforts to revitalise a 2015 peace agreement resulted in a ceasefire in December which lasted just hours before warring parties accused each other of breaking it.

Tens of thousands have died and nearly four million South Sudanese have been driven from their homes, while millions are going hungry amid a massive humanitarian crisis.

Last week the UN Security Council gave the two warring sides a month to reach a peace deal or face sanctions.

South Sudan won independence from Sudan with critical backing from the United States, which remains Juba's biggest aid donor.

But Washington has grown increasingly frustrated with Kiir's government as the brutal war grinds on, now in its fourth year.Richard Allen Grenell has sparked uproar just weeks into his posting as US ambassador to Berlin

A member of the German government on Tuesday accused the new US ambassador in Berlin of meddling in domestic politics and aggravating already tense ties, as left-wing parties called for the staunch ally of Donald Trump to be expelled.

Richard Grenell took up his Berlin posting on May 8 and immediately irked Germany when he tweeted the same day that German companies should stop doing business with Iran as Trump quit the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.

He stoked further outrage last weekend with reported comments to right-wing news website Breitbart of his ambition to "empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders."

Grenell also raised eyebrows with his plan to host a June 13 lunch for Austria's arch-conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, described by the US envoy as a "rock star."

The ambassador "is interfering in our internal affairs," said Peter Beyer, coordinator for transatlantic cooperation in Angela Merkel's government, in an interview with regional newspaper the Rheinische Post.

"He should pay attention to the fact that we consider his start as ambassador to be difficult," added the conservative politician, who will be present on Wednesday for a visit by the diplomat to the foreign ministry.

Former chief of the Social Democratic Party and ex-European Parliament president Martin Schulz told national news agency DPA: "What this man is doing is unheard of in international diplomacy.

"If a German ambassador were to say in Washington that he is there to empower the Democrats, he would have been kicked out immediately.

"I hope that Kurz's visit will lead Mr Grenell's tenure as ambassador in Germany to be short," added Schulz, playing on the German word for short -- "kurz."

Schulz had earlier tweeted that the US envoy did not behave like a diplomat but rather like a "far-right colonial officer."

Amid the row, Germany's foreign ministry is seeking clarification from Grenell about his comments, with the topic to be raised at a pre-arranged meeting Wednesday between the envoy and senior official Andreas Michaelis.

"There will certainly be a lot to discuss and that's why it's good that the ambassador will be a guest tomorrow of state secretary Michaelis," said Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

- 'Awful interview' -

But in Washington, the Trump administration was standing by its controversial envoy.

"Ambassadors have a right to express their opinion," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters who asked whether Grenell had expressing the views of the administration.

"They're representatives of the White House, whether it's this administration or other administrations, and we hear them voicing their opinions," she said.

"And they're sometimes opinions that people may or may not like. And there is the right to free speech as well."

The appointment of Grenell, a hawkish supporter of Trump's "America First" stance, was long held up by US senators who objected to his allegedly disparaging tweets on female politicians and apparent refusal to take seriously claims of Russian meddling in the US election.

The controversy comes as ties between Germany and the United States are strained after Trump ditched the Iran nuclear deal and imposed punishing tariffs on European aluminium and steel.

Underlining the souring transatlantic relationship, Merkel has warned that Europe can no longer rely on the US to protect it and must "take its destiny into its own hands."

Politicians in the US too baulked at Grenell's comments.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy tweeted that the envoy's interview with Breitbart was "awful -- ambassadors aren't supposed to 'empower' any political party overseas."

- 'Why is he ambassador'? -

For Juergen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman of Merkel's centre-right bloc, Grenell is simply seeking to weaken the EU.

The US wants to prevent "the European Union from further integrating and becoming a stronger political and economic power," Hardt told broadcaster hr-Info.

Although Merkel herself belongs to the conservative camp, commentators said Grenell was not trying to bolster the chancellor's party base, but rather its opponents from the far-right.

"It is bad enough if that's what he is thinking, let alone saying it," said the daily Berliner Zeitung.

Media outside Germany also weighed in, with Washington Post columnist Anne Applebaum arguing that Grenell clearly intended to back "nativist, pro-Russia and anti-pluralist" forces in Europe.

Grenell had certainly fulfilled his task if he was sent to Germany to destabilise Merkel's coalition or the Atlantic alliance, she said, "but if those are not his orders... then a different set of questions has to be asked."

"Why is the US ambassador in Germany giving an interview to Breitbart? Why is he involving himself in partisan politics? For that matter, why is he an American ambassador at all?" Applebaum added.

The Financial Times urged Berlin to respond to Grenell's "undiplomatic behaviour" by holding its line on adhering to the Iran nuclear deal, responding firmly to US tariffs as well as stepping up to its defence responsibilities.WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on first lady Melania Trump (all times local):

7:35 p.m.

First lady Melania Trump has attended a White House event honoring Gold Star families in her first appearance in more than three weeks after a kidney procedure.

FILE - In this Saturday, May 27, 2017, file photo, first lady Melania Trump sits as President Donald Trump addresses U.S. military troops and their families at the Sigonella Naval Air Station, in Sigonella, Italy. Melania Trump won't be joining her husband at the 2018 G7 summit in Quebec or accompanying him to the meeting planned with North Korea's leader in Singapore following the G7. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

Mrs. Trump joined the president at a reception Monday to honor families of those killed during military service.

Video posted on Twitter showed the first lady wearing a sleeveless black dress and strolling into the East Room accompanied by President Donald Trump. The president showed her to a seat in the front row before he headed for the stage.

Mrs. Trump had not been seen in public since May 10, when she and the president welcomed home three Americans freed from North Korea. Four days later, the White House announced she had been hospitalized to treat a benign kidney condition.

___

2 p.m.

Melania Trump is scheduled to appear at her first official engagement since dropping out of sight 24 days ago.

The first lady was joining the president at a White House reception Monday evening for Gold Star families. Such families have loved ones who were killed during military service.

It will be Mrs. Trump's first official engagement in weeks, though the event is private and closed to news media coverage.

The first lady last appeared in public on May 10 when she and the president welcomed home three Americans who had been released from captivity in North Korea.

The White House announced May 14 that she had been hospitalized to treat a kidney condition described as benign.

She has stayed out of public view since returning home on May 19.EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) - A pilot and a passenger safely ejected before their single-engine turboprop crashed during a test flight Monday in Southern California's Mojave Desert, a spokesman for the plane's developer said.

Both occupants are OK after successfully deploying their parachutes before the GA10 aircraft crashed about 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of Edwards Air Force Base, according to Earle Boyter, a North American official of Australia's GippsAero.

The 10-seat experimental utility plane was likely destroyed, Boyter said.

It had taken off from Mojave Air and Space Port, about 85 miles (136 kilometers) north of downtown Los Angeles.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector was dispatched to the crash site, said agency spokesman Ian Gregor. The National Transportation Safety Board will also investigate.

GippsAero manufactures single-engine utility aircraft. The firm based in Morwell, Australia, is owned by Indian conglomerate Mahindra Group.BEIRUT (AP) - An international human rights group on Tuesday accused the U.S. and its allies of showing little regard for civilians' lives while attacking the Syrian city that was once the de-facto capital of the Islamic State extremist group, an allegation denied by the American military.

Amnesty International said the U.S.-led coalition's 2017 assault on Raqqa killed hundreds of civilians and reduced sections of the city to rubble.

Researchers for Amnesty interviewed more than 100 residents and visited 42 coalition targets in the city in a two-week period in February. They published their findings in a report titled "War of Annihilation," in a reference to the language used by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in the lead-up to the campaign.

FILE -- In this July 26, 2017 file photo, a U.S. soldier stands near Syrian children on a road that leads to Raqqa, Syria. Amnesty International, in a report Tuesday, June 5, 2018, accused the U.S. and its allies of showing little regard for civilians' lives while attacking the Syrian city that was once the self-styled capital of the Islamic State group. The report said that the U.S.-led coalition's 2017 assault on Raqqa killed hundreds of civilians and reduced sections of the city to rubble. A coalition spokesman calls the allegations "absurd and grossly inaccurate." (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

"When so many civilians are killed in attack after attack, something is clearly wrong," said Donatella Rovera, one of the researchers who visited the city.

U.S. Army Col. Sean Ryan, spokesman for the coalition, called the assertions "grossly inaccurate." He said the coalition and allied Syrian forces organized safe passages for residents to flee, but IS militants trapped them inside to use as human shields.

"When you have an enemy that uses noncombatants as collateral damage, it's very difficult when you fight an enemy like that to completely avoid any casualties," Ryan said.

Army Col. Thomas Veale, another spokesman for the coalition, accused Amnesty of a "failure to check the public record and get facts straight."

Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon by videoconference from Baghdad, Veale disputed what he said was the group's assertion that the coalition had violated international law.

"In other words, they are literally judging us guilty until proven innocent," he said. "That's a bold rhetorical move by an organization that fails to check the public record or consult the accused."

Benjamin Walsby, another investigator on the Amnesty team, said the coalition should have adjusted its strategy.

"If you rely on long-range tactics like artillery and airstrikes, then civilians are very likely to pay the price, and that appears to be what happened in Raqqa," he said.

The battle for Raqqa, once a city of 200,000 people, played out over four harrowing months in 2017, with the coalition playing a supporting role as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces fought street by street.

The coalition unleashed wave after wave of airstrikes and shell fire until the last of the militants left Raqqa in October 2017.

Command Sgt. John Wayne Troxell of the U.S. Army said in January that U.S. Marines had fired 30,000 artillery shells on the city.

When The Associated Press visited in April, it found Raqqa in ruins and its streets smelling of rotting bodies. Civil workers had pulled nearly 500 corpses from the rubble and were still finding more six months after the fighting.

Residents complained that the coalition bombing was indiscriminate and demanded compensation. According to the Raqqa Civil Council, which took over the administration of the city, 65 percent of homes had been destroyed.

IS militants booby-trapped the city, leaving streets and homes too dangerous for immediate reoccupation.

In its monthly casualty reports, the coalition has acknowledged responsibility for 32 civilian deaths in Raqqa between June and October, while saying it is still investigating open cases. Ryan, the coalition spokesman could not say whether officials were interviewing relatives of the deceased as part of their investigations.

Amnesty International's report says hundreds of civilians were killed, while the Airwars monitoring group says it has evidence of 1,400 fatalities.

Amnesty investigators called on the coalition to release strike data and details on the decision-making process behind target selection. They said the coalition rebuffed requests for information.

"It doesn't matter how precise your strikes are. They are only as precise as the information behind them, and if the information isn't right you're going to shoot at the wrong things," Walsby said, adding that a thorough investigation could build a case for a war crimes trial.

The State Department said in a release that the coalition applies rigorous standards to its targeting process.

It "has been transparent about its process for conducting strikes and assessing any allegations of civilian casualties that may have resulted from those strikes," it said.

Ryan said the coalition was never contacted by Amnesty.

The coalition maintains that it relied on precision weapons and selected targets with the best information available and that it did everything it could to minimize civilian casualties.

"I would put the blame on ISIS for destroying the city," Ryan said. "We liberated the city of Raqqa. The city deserves better and we're going to try to provide that."

___

Associated Press writers Robert Burns and Josh Lederman in Washington contributed.

FILE - In this July 26, 2017 file photo, Syrians look at a U.S. armored vehicle convoy on a road that leads to Raqqa, northeast Syria. Amnesty International, in a report Tuesday, June 5, 2018, accused the U.S. and its allies of showing little regard for civilians' lives while attacking the Syrian city that was once the self-styled capital of the Islamic State group. The report said that the U.S.-led coalition's 2017 assault on Raqqa killed hundreds of civilians and reduced sections of the city to rubble. A coalition spokesman calls the allegations "absurd and grossly inaccurate." (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

FILE -- In this July 27, 2017 file photo, U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces fighters prepare to fire a mortar shell, at one of the front lines, in Raqqa, northeast Syria. Amnesty International, in a report Tuesday, June 5, 2018, accused the U.S. and its allies of showing little regard for civilians' lives while attacking the Syrian city that was once the self-styled capital of the Islamic State group. The report said that the U.S.-led coalition's 2017 assault on Raqqa killed hundreds of civilians and reduced sections of the city to rubble. A coalition spokesman calls the allegations "absurd and grossly inaccurate." (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

FILE - In this July 26, 2017 file photo, black smoke rises from a coalition airstrike which attacked an Islamic State militant position, on the front line on the eastern side of Raqqa, Syria. Amnesty International, in a report Tuesday, June 5, 2018, accused the U.S. and its allies of showing little regard for civilians' lives while attacking the Syrian city that was once the self-styled capital of the Islamic State group. The report said that the U.S.-led coalition's 2017 assault on Raqqa killed hundreds of civilians and reduced sections of the city to rubble. A coalition spokesman calls the allegations "absurd and grossly inaccurate." (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

FILE -- In this Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 file photo, a frame grab made from drone video shows damaged buildings in Raqqa, Syria. Amnesty International, in a report Tuesday, June 5, 2018, accused the U.S. and its allies of showing little regard for civilians' lives while attacking the Syrian city that was once the self-styled capital of the Islamic State group. The report said that the U.S.-led coalition's 2017 assault on Raqqa killed hundreds of civilians and reduced sections of the city to rubble. A coalition spokesman calls the allegations "absurd and grossly inaccurate." (AP Photo/Gabriel Chaim, File)

FILE -- In this July 27, 2017 file photo, a U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces fighter looks through a window from inside a destroyed apartment on the front line, in Raqqa, Syria. Amnesty International, in a report Tuesday, June 5, 2018, accused the U.S. and its allies of showing little regard for civilians' lives while attacking the Syrian city that was once the self-styled capital of the Islamic State group. The report said that the U.S.-led coalition's 2017 assault on Raqqa killed hundreds of civilians and reduced sections of the city to rubble. A coalition spokesman calls the allegations "absurd and grossly inaccurate." (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Tuesday:

1. TRUMP: 'ABSOLUTE RIGHT' TO PARDON MYSELF

The president's declaration is part of an extraordinarily expansive vision of executive authority that is mostly untested in court and could portend a drawn-out fight with the prosecutors now investigating him.

Scottsdale Police Department Sgt. Ben Hoster speaks to the media after local police surrounded a local hotel where a suspect wanted in four killings was staying Monday, June 4, 2018, in Scottsdale, Ariz. According to police, the suspect killed himself as police closed in on the hotel. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

2. IN GUATEMALA, GRIM WORK GOES ON

Rescuers pull survivors and bodies from the charred aftermath of the powerful eruption of the country's Volcano of Fire, as the death toll rises to more than 60.

3. JUSTICES SIDE WITH COLORADO BAKER

In a limited decision, the Supreme Court rules for the baker who wouldn't make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.

4. SUPER BOWL CHAMPS DISINVITED

Trump cancels the Philadelphia Eagles' visit to the White House because some players disagree with his views on standing for the national anthem.

5. SUSPECT IN ARIZONA SLAYINGS TAKES OWN LIFE

As police close in, a man suspected of gunning down four people, including a prominent psychiatrist, shoots himself to death.

6. WHERE FIRST LADY RESURFACED

After 24 days out of sight, Melania Trump co-hosts with the president a reception for families of those killed during military service.

7. SAUDI WOMEN GET SET TO TAKE WHEEL

Saudi Arabia issues its first driver's licenses to 10 women as the kingdom prepares to lift the world's only ban on women driving.

8. WHAT MADE BILL CLINTON UNCOMFORTABLE

The ex-president bristles at questions over whether he should have resigned 20 years ago over his relationship with a White House intern and whether the #MeToo movement has changed his perspective.

9. SERENA WILLIAMS OUT AT FRENCH OPEN

After injuring a chest muscle, the superstar American calls off her Grand Slam comeback shortly before she was to face Maria Sharapova.

10. HOW AP COVERED RFK ASSASSINATION 50 YEARS AGO

Hollywood reporter Bob Thomas was on a one-night political assignment in June 1968 to cover Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's victory in the California presidential primary when mayhem unfolded before his eyes.

A firefighter carries the body of a child recovered near the Volcan de Fuego, which means in Spanish Volcano of Fire, in Escuintla, Guatemala, Monday, June 4, 2018. A fiery volcanic eruption in south-central Guatemala sent lava flowing into rural communities, killing dozens. (AP Photo/Oliver de Ros)Nearly two dozen demonstrators were arrested Monday at legislatures in North Carolina and South Carolina as part of a national movement highlighting what organizers call injustices to the poor.

An official with the General Assembly Police in North Carolina says 13 people were led away in zip ties from outside the offices of House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger. Those arrested were charged with second-degree trespassing.

Chief Martin Brock says the charges came after officers responded to noise complaints. Over 150 people attending a Poor People's Campaign rally outside the building had come inside. Since weekly demonstrations began on May 14, police have either cited or arrested 87 people in Raleigh.

Protestors with the Poor People's Campaign are seen outside South Carolina Statehouse, Monday, June 4, 2018. The protestors called for a "moral revival" of the health care system and an immediate expansion on Medicaid. (AP Photo/Christina Myers)

About a dozen people were arrested at the South Carolina Statehouse after staging a "lie-in" and blocking a highway.

Nearly two dozen people participated in the protest, calling for a "moral revival" of the health care system and an immediate expansion of Medicaid. Following the "lie-in," about a dozen demonstrators blocked U.S. Highway 1 in front of the capitol and were arrested by Columbia police. Those arrested were holding two signs, "Death Runs the Statehouse" and "Our Blood Your Hands!"

Monday's rally was the fourth in Columbia and among several held at state capitols nationwide. Demonstrators this week focused on environmental and health care issues. They demanded Medicaid expansion, the elimination of fracking and energy entirely from renewable resources.

The 40-day nonviolent national campaign will conclude in two weeks with a rally in Washington.WASHINGTON (AP) - A man accused of conspiring to riot during President Donald Trump's inauguration has been acquitted by a Washington, D.C., jury.

News outlets report 29-year-old Casey Webber, of the district, was found not guilty Monday on several charges. The jury continued to deliberate on charges against Webber's three co-defendants Monday.

The Washington Post reports the trial in D.C. Superior Court is the second involving defendants charged in connection with protest on Jan. 20, 2017, that turned destructive. The first trial resulted in not-guilty verdicts for all six co-defendants.

Prosecutors have dropped charges against more than 150 other defendants, including some dismissed last week after a judge found the U.S. Attorney's office failed to turn over video to their defense. Prosecutors say charges are pending against more than 40 defendants.MEXICO CITY (AP) - While financial markets fret about left-leaning candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the man himself is calmly cruising toward what polls say is a likely victory in Mexico's July 1 presidential election, seemingly impervious to attacks - and without the angry tone that marked his previous two runs for the top job.

The graying, slow-spoken Lopez Obrador, known to devotees and detractors alike as AMLO, lights up when he tells supporters at campaign rallies that they are about to make history.

"This is going to be a peaceful, orderly change, but at the same time, it will be radical," Lopez Obrador said recently, drawing cheers and cries of "Presidente! Presidente!" from a crowd in the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende.

Presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, known as AMLO, speaks to supporters at a campaign rally in Mexico City, Sunday, June 3, 2018. Mexico will hold general elections on July 1. (AP Photo/Anthony Vazquez)

Markets wonder whether a President Lopez Obrador would cause the Mexican peso to tank - experts say probably not - or reverse the openings to private oil companies - Lopez Obrador says he probably won't. But it's hard to judge things based on his policy platforms, because they are prone to change, often seemingly overnight.

That distaste for policy details, along with Lopez Obrador's penchant for playing to his base and making big promises while keeping his own advisers guessing as to what he really means, has drawn parallels to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Analysts say both men view truculence and obstinacy as political virtues and as such could probably understand one another, though Trump once referred obliquely to some Mexican candidates as "not that good" in an apparent nod at Lopez Obrador.

"I think that both share a sense of populism," political scientist Jesus Silva-Herzog said. "I think they both belong to this historic moment of the rise of populist politicians who are ... uninterested in the details of public policy."

But where the Trump brand is associated with brass name plates and glitz, Lopez Obrador's is endowed with a deep sense of history and destiny after a dozen years on the outside as a perennial opposition candidate. After serving as Mexico City mayor in 2000-2005, he returned to his roots as the irreverent, man-of-the-people rally leader that he was from 1988 to 2000 in the oil fields of his home state, the Gulf coast swamps of Tabasco.

Lopez Obrador, 64, sees his movement as changing the history of Mexico, touts himself as a savior of the poor and argues that corruption is the country's biggest problem. Beyond that, policies come and go.

After losing to conservative Felipe Calderon by a razor-thin margin of just 0.56 percent in 2006, and coming in second again in 2012 behind current President Enrique Pena Nieto, this time around that formula may be enough to win.

His two main rivals, Ricardo Anaya and Jose Antonio Meade, are champions of the technocrats, the kind of market-oriented policy wonks who have run Mexico since at least 1982. But the growth and economic stability they promised hasn't emerged, and violence has skyrocketed.

Fed up with those and other domestic ills such as corruption, the Mexican electorate is ripe for change, and Lopez Obrador has a way of explaining his vision for change with striking clarity and simplicity.

He likes to draw a parallel to one of the most important transformations in Mexican history: Generations of dying Roman Catholics had willed their lands and fortunes to the church, tying up much of Mexico's wealth for perpetuity and strangling the economy. Then President Benito Juarez expropriated much of the church's holdings. Now, Lopez Obrador says, he wants to free up the economy by reducing the influence well-connected business magnates hold over the federal government.

"Just as Juarez separated the church and the state, so will I separate economic power from political power," he told a crowd in Mexico City recently.

Lopez Obrador's connection with his followers is deeply personal - something that has eluded Meade of the governing Institutional Revolutionary Party and Anaya, who heads a left-right coalition

The other main contenders have campaigned in part on dire warnings about a Lopez Obrador presidency, and Anaya has tried to project the image of an optimistic and modern tech CEO a la the late Steve Jobs.

With his rumpled appearance and distinctive regional accent - think Bernie Sanders south - Lopez Obrador inspires those tired of slick, well-heeled politicians.

Javier Quijano, a lawyer who represented Lopez Obrador when then President Vicente Fox tried to prevent him from running in 2006, described Lopez Obrador as a "supremely frugal" man who often met him for breakfast or lunch at the candidate's tatty, middle-class apartment on Mexico City's south side.

"It was very humble, very simple, and he was always attentive and well-mannered to people who work for him," Quijano recalled. "Just the very fact that an honest man with rectitude would win the presidency, that is enormous progress."

Lopez Obrador promises to regenerate the millions of small farms whose main output over the last 25 years has been a steady stream of migrants to Mexico's big cities and the United States. He would also need to reverse a severe decline in Mexico's oil industry, with the country now importing most of its gasoline from the U.S.

Supporters say he is at least challenging what he considers a cruel neoliberal order that keeps Mexico down.

"You feel it at every rally, that on July 2 we are going to be celebrating. You feel people are overflowing with emotion," 30-year-old computer programmer Antonio Arroyo Ceron said at a recent campaign gathering in the capital. "We have a hope that the country will change its entire mentality."

Lopez Obrador's crowds tend to trend older - people like retired tailor Ruben Lopez who have lived all their lives under the long-ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, except for a 12-year interval at the beginning of new century.

"During the 80 years of the PRI, they never did anything to improve the country," said Lopez, 74. This election "will be the first moment of joy ever for this country," he added.

Beyond the enthusiasm, neither Lopez Obrador nor his challengers have yet put forth a credible plan to lower homicide rates that have reached levels unseen in decades.

Lopez Obrador has offered a vague plan to offer an amnesty for some criminal convictions, which apparently could mean anything from cancelling felonies after sentences have been served to sentence reductions for cooperating witnesses to freeing poor farmers jailed for growing drug crops.

Regardless, a Lopez Obrador victory would probably mean a large dose of symbolism and an even larger dose of pragmatism.

Antonio Sola, a Spanish political consultant who helped design the "Lopez Obrador is a danger" campaign that swung the 2006 election against him, now says that "this is not the Andres Manuel I competed against in 2006."

"This is a candidate who has evolved and moderated," Sola said, comparing Lopez Obrador to Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a one-time socialist firebrand who won election on his fourth try and proved a business-friendly president even while expanding social programs.

In 2006, Mexican business leaders sought to hurt Lopez Obrador's campaign by likening him to socialist President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. After the narrow loss to Calderon, Lopez Obrador responded angrily, claiming fraud and mounting a months-long blockade of Mexico City's main boulevard.

This time around he has been taking it all in stride, at least publicly. Despite railing frequently against what he calls the "mafia of power," Lopez Obrador responds to even the most vicious political attacks by repeating what has become almost a mantra - "peace and love" - and by deflecting them with humor.

After some suggested without proof that he may have benefited from Russian election tampering, Lopez Obrador filmed a video by the side of a harbor in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz joking that his name was actually Andres Manuelovich and saying he was waiting for a Russian submarine bringing him gold from Moscow.

Even Meade called that a brilliant bit of politics.

Supporters of presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, known as AMLO, attend his campaign rally in Mexico City, Sunday, June 3, 2018. Mexico will hold general elections on July 1. (AP Photo/Anthony Vazquez)

Presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, known as AMLO, speaks to supporters at a campaign rally in Mexico City, Sunday, June 3, 2018. Mexico will hold general elections on July 1. (AP Photo/Anthony Vazquez)

A supporter of presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, known as AMLO, shades herself with an AMLO mask during his campaign rally in Mexico City, Sunday, June 3, 2018. Mexico will hold general elections on July 1. (AP Photo/Anthony Vazquez)TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Democratic voters, undeterred by a federal corruption case U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez had faced until it was dropped earlier this year, picked the two-term incumbent on Tuesday to represent their party in the fall campaign against a Republican former pharmaceutical executive.

Primary victories by Menendez and former Celgene Corp. chief executive Bob Hugin set the stage for New Jersey's only statewide race in November as President Donald Trump and national Republicans defend a narrowly divided Senate.

Menendez and Hugin spent the primary campaign season offering a preview of the general election, hurling insults at one another while raking in millions of dollars in campaign contributions.

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez talks with people at a ribbon cutting ceremony at Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology in Newark, N.J., Monday, June 4, 2018. With the opportunity for at least two pickups, Democrats' road to controlling any part of Congress could cut through New Jersey this fall - but first primary voters will have their say. Incumbents face challenges in the Senate contest, where Democrat Menendez will face a well-funded former pharmaceutical executive, if both survive the primary. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Menendez wasted no time attacking Hugin after their victories Tuesday, continuing with the "greedy CEO" moniker he used throughout the primary, a reference to Hugin's firm agreeing to pay $280 million last year over allegations it promoted cancer drugs that weren't approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

"My opponent, greedy drug company CEO Bob Hugin, is going to have to answer for his record of driving up prices for cancer patients while making millions for himself," Menendez said.

Hugin, whose company did not admit liability, appeared alongside Trump at the White House last year but has distanced himself from him since then and on Tuesday promised to be an "independent voice" in the Senate if elected.

"I am pro-choice, pro-marriage equality, and I strongly support equal pay for equal work," he said. "I believe we, as a party and as a country, need to fix our immigration system in a comprehensive and compassionate way."

Menendez is running for his third six-year term after facing little primary competition previously. On Tuesday, he defeated publisher Lisa McCormick, who mounted a campaign for governor last year before backing another candidate

Hugin, who headed Celgene until this year, is largely self-financing his campaign and had broad GOP support against Brian Goldberg, an information technology professional and construction company executive.

Democratic voters picked Menendez weeks after the Senate Ethics Committee rebuked him for accepting valuable gifts and failing to report them while using his position to advance the donor's personal business interests.

The issue was a factor for some Democratic voters, who said they couldn't back Menendez.

"That was the ultimate pay to play," said financial planner Leonard Cautelo, 60, in Montclair. "So I saw somebody was running against him so I voted for (her)."

The admonition and the criminal corruption trial against Menendez, which ended in a mistrial before prosecutors dropped the charges, have fueled Hugin's attacks. In one campaign ad, Hugin showed washed-out images of Menendez with the word "disgrace."

Menendez was indicted on charges he accepted lavish gifts from longtime friend Dr. Salomon Melgen in return for help settling a Medicaid billing dispute. He maintained his innocence.

Hugin, a former Marine and Princeton University graduate, could face headwinds in Democrat-leaning New Jersey, where Trump is unpopular. Menendez has promoted himself as a check on Trump.

The race is sure to garner attention from outside the state because control of the U.S. Senate is up for grabs. Republicans hold 51 seats, and Democrats control 49, including two independents.

Unofficial returns showed Menendez getting over 60 percent of the vote, which Monmouth University Polling Institute Director Patrick Murray called "a real wake-up call."

He added that Trump will be a big factor in November, giving Democrats an edge, but said Hugin has an opening.

Voters on Tuesday also were choosing the state's 12-member congressional delegation, including selecting party nominees to replace two Republican incumbents retiring from the U.S. House: U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo in the 2nd District and U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen in the 11th. Democrats got their favored candidates in both of those races, with state Sen. Jeff Van Drew winning in the 2nd and former Navy pilot and prosecutor Mikie Sherrill victorious in the 11th.

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Associated Press writer David Porter, in Montclair, contributed to this report.

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Bob Hugin, a Republican candidate running in New Jersey primary election for U.S. Senate, gestures while exiting a polling booth after casting his vote in the New Jersey Primary Election, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at the Lincoln-Hubbard School in Summit, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Bob Hugin, a Republican candidate running in New Jersey primary election for U.S. Senate, gestures while exiting his polling place after casting his vote in the New Jersey Primary Election, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at the Lincoln-Hubbard School in Summit, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Bob Hugin, left, a Republican candidate running in New Jersey primary election for U.S. Senate, kisses his wife Kathy after they casted their votes in the New Jersey Primary Election, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at the Lincoln-Hubbard School in Summit, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez greets people at a ribbon cutting ceremony at Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology in Newark, N.J., Monday, June 4, 2018. With the opportunity for at least two pickups, Democrats' road to controlling any part of Congress could cut through New Jersey this fall - but first primary voters will have their say. Incumbents face challenges in the Senate contest, where Democrat Menendez will face a well-funded former pharmaceutical executive, if both survive the primary. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New Jersey senator Bob Menendez attends a ribbon cutting ceremony at Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology in Newark, N.J., Monday, June 4, 2018. With the opportunity for at least two pickups, Democrats' road to controlling any part of Congress could cut through New Jersey this fall - but first primary voters will have their say. Incumbents face challenges in the Senate contest, where Democrat Menendez will face a well-funded former pharmaceutical executive, if both survive the primary. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)WASHINGTON (AP) - Barreling toward a historic summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, President Donald Trump has his sights set on a nuclear deal, leaving allies and advocates worried that he may give short shrift to human rights abuses and regional security concerns.

With a week to go before the June 12 meeting in Singapore, Trump has largely kept his focus on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, recently stressing that it may take more than one meeting to achieve that goal. That singular focus could mean Trump looks past a range of troublesome actions by the regime as he promises Kim "protection" in exchange for giving up a nuclear program that could pose a direct threat to the U.S. mainland.

Critics have started invoking the Iran nuclear deal that Trump recently exited as a cautionary tale. Republicans and some Democrats objected to the 2015 agreement for not doing more to halt that country's ballistic missile program and support for Hezbollah and other extremist groups.

President Donald Trump talks with Kim Yong Chol, former North Korean military intelligence chief and one of leader Kim Jong Un's closest aides, as they walk from their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, June 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

"We want to make sure the president's desire for a deal with North Korea doesn't saddle the United States, Japan and South Korea with a bad deal," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters Monday.

White House officials say the plight of the North Korean people, who live under one of the world's most repressive governments, is not a priority for the summit.

In a meeting that lasted more than an hour Friday with one of Kim's top deputies, Kim Yong Chol, Trump said he did not raise the issue of human rights. Trump did say he "probably" would bring up human rights when he meets with the North Korean leader - "and maybe in great detail."

As for other concerns, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders last week wouldn't say whether Trump would bring up the North's extensive chemical and biological weapons programs since the priority is the nuclear question. Kim Jong Un's half brother was fatally poisoned with VX nerve agent in a Malaysian airport last year in an attack the U.S. attributes to the North.

Meanwhile, U.S. allies in the region are privately pressing the administration to maintain pressure on the North over its regional missile program out of concern that Trump could boost the security of the U.S. at the expense of its partners. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is meeting Trump at the White House on Thursday to advocate for his country's interests at the talks.

Senate Democrats on Monday released a letter to the Trump administration outlining the parameters of what they believe constitutes a satisfactory agreement - including a call for a permanent end to the North's nuclear, chemical and biological programs, a suspension of ballistic tests, and anytime-anywhere inspections.

The delicate balancing of U.S. needs and alliances with the promotion of human rights abroad has long bedeviled American leaders. And Trump is not the first U.S. leader to concentrate on a nuclear issue at the expense of other matters.

But Trump has eschewed the path of his predecessors, who explicitly declared the promotion of human rights to be in the national interest, even if they were forced to make Faustian bargains with unsavory actors.

The president's national security strategy, released in December, said little on the subject. And it was left to his vice president, Mike Pence, to elevate the issue during a February trip to the region.

Addressing the subject with the North is particularly difficult given that Kim's government is believed to view the raising of human rights as tantamount to advocating regime change. So bringing it up could make it harder to make progress on eliminating North Korea's weapons program.

While Trump has made gestures toward human rights issues in North Korea, those efforts have largely been designed to increase pressure on the country's government. That was the case when Trump recognized a North Korean defector during his State of the Union address in January and hosted a group of North Korean escapees in the Oval Office.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said that while the summit presents the opportunity for a denuclearized peninsula, "I urge the Trump administration to also prioritize human rights and hold accountable the North Korean dictatorship for being one of the world's worst human rights abusers."

Kim is on a Treasury Department blacklist for human rights abuses and is likely to seek removal from the list as a concession.

The U.S. imposed those sanctions two years ago as part of the Obama administration's effort to isolate North Korea, but it came as the Kim government rapidly developed its nuclear program. It was the first time that Kim had been personally sanctioned and the first time that any North Korean officials had been blacklisted in connection with rights abuses. Announcing the sanctions, the U.S. accused North Korea of cruelty and hardship, "including extrajudicial killings, forced labor and torture."

White House officials have pushed back publicly against the notion that Trump has deprioritized international human rights. They point to Trump's rollback of his predecessor's opening with Cuba and his comments about the devastation wrought by the Islamic State group and Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

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Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Matthew Pennington contributed to this report.Eight states cast midterm primary ballots Tuesday, with implications for control of the House and Senate and for several governor's races.

Votes are being tallied in Alabama, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota.

Some of the highlights:

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks to supporters in Albuquerque, M.M., Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Grisham won the Democratic nomination for governor. (AP Photo/Juan Antonio Labreche)

WOMEN IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

In a record-setting year for female candidates across the country, women moved closer to more milestones. Voters gave Michelle Lujan Grisham the Democratic nomination for New Mexico governor, giving her a shot at becoming the first Latina Democratic governor in U.S. history.

Lujan Grisham, a congresswoman, is trying to succeed the nation's first Latina Republican governor, Susana Martinez. Republicans also nominated a member of Congress, Rep. Steve Pearce, to run for the job.

Another congresswoman, South Dakota's Kristi Noem, won her state's Republican gubernatorial primary. She would become the first female governor in South Dakota history.

Voters in Alabama and Iowa had opportunities to set up all-female matchups for governor in November.

Alabama's Republican Gov. Kay Ivey avoided a runoff despite several primary challengers. But Democrats chose Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox over Sue Bell Cobb, a former state Supreme Court chief justice.

In Iowa, labor leader Cathy Glasson couldn't pull off an upset against businessman Fred Hubbell for the Democratic nomination. Hubbell will take on Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who had no party opposition.

Both Reynolds and Ivey are vying for their first full terms after succeeding men who resigned. Reynolds is Iowa's first female governor. Ivey is the second woman to helm Alabama government, but the first in five decades.

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SENATORS ADVANCE

It was also a good night for incumbents in the Senate. Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey got a surprisingly strong primary challenge after a hung jury spared him a conviction in a federal bribery trial. But Menendez held on, to the delight of Republicans who want to use his troubles to tar every Democrat in the state. Menendez will face Republican Bob Hugin, a pharmaceutical executive, in the fall.

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein stood her ground against criticism from the left. The 84-year-old Democrat advanced to the November ballot with a huge lead over more than two dozen challengers, including liberal state Senate leader Kevin de Leon. Incomplete returns showed de Leon still trying to fend off Republicans for the second spot on the November ballot.

In Montana, the GOP establishment's choice for Senate, State Auditor Matt Rosendale, won a competitive primary over a former state judge for the chance to face Sen. Jon Tester in November. Tester is facing a tough race in a red state and Rosendale is likely get a big push from the national party.

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BATTLE FOR HOUSE CONTROL

Democrats are looking to New Jersey and California as key states in their efforts to gain at least 23 more House seats and become the majority when Congress convenes next year.

There are five New Jersey GOP House seats targeted by national Democrats and establishment Democrats got their picks in a couple on the list. Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor Mikie Sherrill claimed the Democratic nomination in a district left open by the retirement of Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen. Republicans nominated state Assemblyman Jay Webber.

In southern Jersey, a conservative Democratic state senator, Jeff Van Drew, dispatched more liberal competitors in a Republican-leaning district now held by Frank LoBiondo, who is retiring. Republicans tapped Seth Grossman, an Atlantic City attorney who says he will forcefully defend Trump's agenda.

A former Obama administration aide, Andy Kim, will take on New Jersey GOP Rep. Tom McArthur, and Democrat Tom Malinowski, an appointee in the Obama State Department, won the nomination to take on vulnerable Republican Rep. Leonard Lance.

California's outcomes probably won't be decided Tuesday because the state allows mail-in ballots to be postmarked through primary day. But the focus is on seven House districts where President Donald Trump trailed Hillary Clinton in 2016.

In three of those districts, all in southern California, Democrats faced the possibility of being shut out of the top two spots because they have so many candidates. Early returns showed Democrats remained at risk of being shut out in two of the three.

In Alabama, a Republican incumbent who criticized Trump as a candidate in 2016 is headed for a runoff. Rep. Martha Roby led her GOP competitors but fell shy of a required majority. She'll face former Rep. Bobby Bright, whom she defeated in 2010. Bright was then a Democrat.

An Iowa state lawmaker, meanwhile, has taken the next step toward becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Abby Finkenauer, 28, won the Democratic nomination in a northeast Iowa district. She will face Republican incumbent Rod Blum.

And in New Mexico, Debra Haaland won the Democratic nomination in the congressional district opened by Lujan Grisham's run for governor. Haaland will be a heavy favorite this fall as she tries to become the first Native American woman to serve in Congress.

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CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR

California Republicans dodged a bullet with Republican business executive John Cox qualifying for a November matchup in the governor's race against Democrat Gavin Newsom, the former San Francisco mayor and current lieutenant governor.

Avoiding a runoff shutout gives the state GOP an important voice at the top of the ticket in the fall. That could help drive turnout in down-ballot races, even though Newsom will be the clear favorite for the state's top job.

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Follow Barrow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP

Kristi Noem gives her acceptance speech after winning the Republican gubernatorial primary, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in downtown Sioux Falls, S.D. (Briana Sanchez/The Argus Leader via AP)

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey gives the thumbs up to supporters at her watch party after winning the Republican nomination for Governor of Alabama at the Renaissance Hotel, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)GRAND RONDE, Ore. (AP) - Tribal artifacts that have been hidden away in the archives of the British Museum in London for nearly 120 years are being returned to a Native American tribe for an exhibit at its own museum - a facility the tribe expanded and upgraded in part to reclaim these pieces central to its complicated heritage.

The 16 objects will go on display Tuesday on a small Oregon reservation after a decades-long campaign by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde to bring them back from Europe.

The intricate bowls, woven baskets and other pieces were collected by the Rev. Robert W. Summers, an Episcopal minister who bought them from destitute tribal members in the 1870s and sold them to a colleague. The colleague later gifted the objects to the British institution.

In this May 23, 2018, photo, a water-tight woven basket collected by the Rev. Robert Summers from the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde in the 1870s is photographed for research purposes on May 23, 2018 in Grand Ronde, Ore., in preparation for an exhibit at the tribe's newly expanded museum. Tribal artifacts hidden away in the archives of the British Museum in London for nearly 120 years are being returned to the Oregon tribe and go on display Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

The "Rise of the Collectors " exhibit, on display at the Chachalu Tribal Museum & Cultural Center in Grand Ronde, also includes basketry collected by Dr. Andrew Kershaw, who worked on the reservation in the 1890s as a doctor and agent for the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. Grand Ronde is about 70 miles (110 kilometers) southwest of Portland.

Together, the two collections are part of a larger plan by the Grand Ronde to reclaim and examine its history for future generations - a mission that echoes efforts by other tribes around the U.S. Two years ago, a Parisian auction house withdrew a ceremonial shield from an auction after the Acoma Pueblo, a tribe in rural New Mexico, moved to halt its sale. And tribes from Alaska to Connecticut have used a U.S. law passed in 1990 to reclaim Native American remains and sacred or funerary objects.

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde wanted the objects back permanently but worked out an initial yearlong loan because a full return of items from the British Museum requires parliamentary action, said David Harrelson, manager of the tribe's cultural resources department.

The tribe never made a formal request to have the objects repatriated and instead chose to work with the European institution. The temporary exhibit is regarded as a first step to more collaboration between the Grand Ronde and the British Museum.

"It's a real privilege to be a part of this, where this material heritage is coming back to this community," said Amber Lincoln, curator of the Americas section of the British Museum. She and a colleague traveled to Oregon with the objects.

"This is what we work for, to bring people together ... so that we all learn."

In Oregon, the U.S. government in 1856 forced members of nearly 30 tribes and bands onto a new reservation to clear out land for white settlement. The mass relocation created a jumble of peoples who brought with them traditions and languages from what is now Northern California to southern Washington, a 350-mile (563-kilometer) span.

The government terminated treaties with those tribes about a century later and restored them in 1983, marking an end to a turbulent period that remains a fresh wound for many here. The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde now has 5,100 members.

Around the same time, tribal members still in Oregon first learned of the Summers collection and mounted a campaign to repatriate the objects.

The federal law passed to help tribes reclaim artifacts from American museums didn't apply to overseas institutions, so tribal representatives traveled to London, hosted British Museum officials in Oregon and pursued talks over a period of years. The museum was welcoming, but the tribe lacked a secure space to keep the objects.

After the tribe opened a casino in 1995, it had the funds to build a tribal museum - a key requirement for hosting the objects that led to the loan agreement last year. A small museum opened on tribal land in 2014, and an expanded space with a special security vault for the artifacts was completed last month.

"In my heart, I felt like, 'Those are ours, and we need repatriate - whatever means we can to have those returned here,'" said Cheryle Kennedy, chairwoman of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. "It's really the spirit within our people that I felt crying out."

Summers was passionate about collecting tribal artifacts and focused on finding items made before contact with Europeans - which means many of the objects on display were created before the tribes were forced onto the reservation, said Travis Stewart, interpretive director for the exhibit and a tribal member who selected the items on loan from the British.

That makes their temporary return even more symbolic, said Stewart, whose ancestors appear posing with basketry in a photograph in the exhibit.

"There are spiritual teachings we lose, there are cultural teachings we lose," he said. "The fabric, the materials that these things are made of are from those people's homes."

Summers was intent on preserving that heritage through his collecting, a topic he returns to repeatedly in detailed notes also featured in the exhibit.

He made many trips to Grand Ronde while stationed at a church in the nearby town of McMinnville, but ultimately sold his collection to the Rev. Selwyn Charles Freer as Summers' health failed. Summers' wife, Lucia, created a hand-illustrated catalog of the collection after her husband's 1898 death.

Freer in 1900 gifted the hundreds of items, as well as Lucia Summers' illustrations, to the British Museum.

Now, the tribe hopes the loan - as well as its newly expanded museum space - will give it the track record it needs to secure similar loans from other institutions.

"I'm hopeful," said Kennedy, the tribal chairwoman. "The healing of our people is happening."

___

Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/gflaccus

In this May 23, 2018, photo, Assistant Collections Manager for the British Museum Cynthia McGowan, left, handles a woven basket in Grand Ronde, Ore., that was collected from the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde in the 1870s. Looking on are tribal chairwoman Cheryle Kennedy, right, tribal council member Kathleen George, center, and tribal attorneys Rob Greene and Jennifer Biesack. Tribal artifacts hidden away in the archives of the British Museum in London for nearly 120 years are being returned to the Oregon tribe from the British Museum and go on display Tuesday, June 5. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

From left; , Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde council member Kathleen George, tribal chairwoman Cheryle Kennedy and tribal council administrative assistant Shannon Simi admire objects on May 23, 2018 in Grand Ronde, Ore., that were collected in the 1870s by the Rev. Robert Summers. The objects go on display Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at the tribe's newly expanded museum after being hidden away in the archives of the British Museum in London for nearly 120 years. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

In this May 23, 2018, photo, a purse collected by the Rev. Robert Summers from the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde in the 1870s sits on a table in Grand Ronde, Ore., in preparation for an exhibit at the tribe's newly expanded museum. Tribal artifacts hidden away in the archives of the British Museum in London for nearly 120 years are being returned to the Oregon tribe and go on display Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

In this May 23, 2018, photo, the bone handle of a canoe carving adze collected by the Rev. Robert Summers from the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde in the 1870s sits on a table in Grand Ronde, Ore., in preparation for an exhibit at the tribe's newly expanded museum. Tribal artifacts hidden away in the archives of the British Museum in London for nearly 120 years are being returned to the Oregon tribe and go on display Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

In this May 23, 2018, photo, Alex Nyers, of Northwest Archaeometrics, completes 3-D modeling in Grand Ronde, Ore., of a hunter's cap collected from the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde in the 1870s by the Rev. Robert Summers. Tribal artifacts hidden away in the archives of the British Museum in London for nearly 120 years are being returned to the Oregon tribe and go on display Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

In this May 23, 2018, photo, collecting notes written by the Rev. Robert Summers about a horn bowl are shown in Grand Ronde, Ore., during preparation for an exhibit in the newly expanded exhibit hall at the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. Tribal artifacts hidden away in the archives of the British Museum in London for nearly 120 years are being returned to the Oregon tribe by the British Museum and go on display Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)MIAMI (AP) - A Florida man has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for conspiring to illegally export military-grade equipment to Russia.

A U.S. Attorney's Office news release said Monday that 32-year-old Vladimir Nevidomy was sentenced in Miami federal court to 26 months in prison. He pleaded guilty in March.

Authorities say Nevidomy arranged to send night vision rifle scopes, thermal monoculars and ammunition primers to Russia in 2013.

Prosecutors say the devices required authorization from the U.S. Department of State before being exported since they were on the U.S. Munitions List. A certified license history check revealed that neither Nevidomy, a Ukraine-born naturalized U.S. citizen, nor his associates ever applied for an export license.PARIS (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron held a joint news conference Tuesday yet stuck to their opposing views on Iran and the 2015 deal that curbed its nuclear program.

Talking to reporters in Paris after meeting the French leader at the Elysee Palace, Netanyahu said his main focus now was how to push Iranian forces out of Syria.

Netanyahu also called Tehran having nuclear weapons "the greatest threat to the world."

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, welcomes Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prior to their meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Netanyahu is meeting France's President Emmanuel Macron as part of his European tour, in an effort to rally support from allies over Iran. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

"The nuclear archive that we uncovered recently proves that Iran lied to the world about its nuclear weapons program. And I believe now is the time to apply maximum pressure on Iran, make sure that their nuclear program doesn't go anywhere," he said.

Macron said France will continue to work with the existing deal, which it considers the best way to control Iran's nuclear activity. The French president said he doesn't see how exiting the nuclear deal would help improve regional stability.

How can one "think that a total absence of controls and commitments is better than the 2015 framework?" he asked.

Netanyahu was a staunch opponent of the deal, and welcomed the Trump administration's decision last month to withdraw from it. Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China, which also signed the Iran nuclear agreement along with the United States, have said they want to preserve it.

Iran informed the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Tuesday that it will increase its nuclear enrichment capacity within the limits set by the 2015 agreement.

Macron on Tuesday also raised the issue of the Palestinian territories, expressing his "condemnation of any form of violence toward civilians and in particular, these past few weeks in Gaza."

Both leaders then headed to the nearby Grand Palais to inaugurate an exhibit on Israeli innovations, as part of a series of events commemorating the 70th anniversary of Israel's founding.

A few dozen protesters appeared on the city's Champs-Elysees Avenue near the exhibit site to demand the cancellation of the events and to denounce what they called Israel's "war crimes."

French police were out in force around the Grand Palais, breaking up groups of protesters.

Netanyahu started his European trip in Berlin on Monday. After his French visit he heads to Britain to meet with Prime Minister Theresa May in an effort to rally support from allies against Iran.

___

Thomas Adamson and Oleg Cetinic in Paris contributed to the story

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, welcomes Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prior to their meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Netanyahu is meeting France's President Emmanuel Macron as part of his European tour, in an effort to rally support from allies over Iran. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, welcomes Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prior to their meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Netanyahu is meeting France's President Emmanuel Macron as part of his European tour, in an effort to rally support from allies over Iran. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - A Bahrain appeals court on Tuesday upheld a five-year prison sentence for human rights activist Nabeel Rajab amid the island kingdom's clampdown on all dissent, a verdict that has been widely criticized internationally.

Rajab did not attend the hearing before the Bahrain High Criminal Court of Appeal over his case involving tweets that criticized the Saudi-led war in Yemen and alleged abuses in Bahraini prisons.

He is already serving a two-year prison sentence for television interviews he gave that included criticism of Bahrain

FILE- In this Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015 file photo, Nabeel Rajab, one of Bahrain's best-known human rights activists, walks toward the courthouse to attend his appeal hearing in Manama, Bahrain. A Bahrain appeals court has denied an appeal by human rights activist Nabeel Rajab of his five-year prison sentence. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali, File)

Bahrain's constitution guarantees its citizens freedom of speech. However, Rajab was prosecuted under laws making it illegal to offend a foreign country, spread rumors at wartime or "insult" a government agency. Bahrain described his February sentencing by saying Rajab was "found guilty of undermining that security."

Rajab can still appeal to Bahrain's Court of Cassation, its highest judicial body, or possibly be pardoned by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, which happened in a previous case in 2015 when the activist faced health problems.

However, that appears unlikely given today's political climate in Bahrain, an island off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, as well as in other Gulf Arab nations.

In the years since its 2011 Arab Spring protests, Bahrain has rolled back some of the reforms it made. It has dismantled opposition political parties, imprisoned activists and forced others into exile. The kingdom also has revoked the citizenship of over 700 people since 2012, including 115 in a mass terrorism trial in May.

Amid the crackdown, local Shiite militant groups have carried out several attacks on security forces.

The United States previously pushed back against Bahrain on human rights matters, using its influence as the island's defense guarantor with over 7,000 U.S. troops attached to a sprawling base in Manama that hosts the Navy's 5th Fleet. Britain also recently opened a naval base there.

However, President Donald Trump's administration has approved a multibillion-dollar sale of F-16 fighter jets to Bahrain without the human rights conditions imposed by the State Department under President Barack Obama. Meanwhile, Bahrain's allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have made their own arrests.

___

Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jongambrellAP . His work can be found at http://apne.ws/2galNpz .NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A Tennessee sheriff's sergeant fatally shot while responding to a call was remembered Tuesday in a ceremony that offered some closure after a 48-hour manhunt for the suspect charged with pulling the trigger.

Relatives and fellow officers remembered Dickson County Sgt. Daniel Baker as an admired officer and devoted friend, father and husband during a service held in the First Baptist Church in Dickson.

Authorities say the 32-year-old Baker was found dead in his patrol car Wednesday after responding to a call about a suspicious vehicle. He's survived by his wife and daughter.

This photo provided by the Dickson County Sheriff's Office shows Sgt. Daniel Baker. A manhunt continued Thursday, May 31, 2018 in the slaying of a Baker, a Tennessee sheriff's deputy who was fatally shot during a traffic stop. (Dickson County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In a letter read at the funeral, Baker's mother, Veronica Bryan, called him a soul who brought joy and fulfillment to many, and whose legacy will live on forever.

"You tell God thank you for me, and tell him how grateful, lucky and privileged I was and continue to be to be your mom, and in the end, I hope I made you both proud," Bryan wrote in the letter.

A district attorney said the state will seek the death penalty against two suspects scheduled to appear in court Friday on first-degree murder charges. Police have said Steven Joshua Wiggins shot and killed Baker and Erika Castro-Miles was in the car when he did it.

After responding to the call Wednesday, Baker couldn't be contacted for some time, but the deputy's car was eventually tracked by GPS to a wooded area 2 or 3 miles (3 to 5 kilometers) away and he was found dead inside it.

Citing the ongoing investigation, authorities have revealed little to answer lingering questions, including how the shooting unfolded, how the patrol car ended up where it was found, and whether Wiggins was armed when he was caught.

Dickson County Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe has said the patrol car was moved "by the suspect's actions," but he would not elaborate.

At the funeral, Jeremy Etheridge, a Cheatham County sheriff's deputy, noted how Baker asked him to shave his back with electric clippers before his first date with the woman he eventually married, Lisa Schrock Baker. He obliged.

Baker was on a mission to do what he had to do to get Lisa, Etheridge said.

"There is a saying, 'Friends help friends,'" Etheridge said, evoking laughter when he added, "But real friends will shave another's back - only if there's alcohol involved."

Sheriff Bledsoe reminisced about nicknaming Baker "Daniel-san," a nod to The Karate Kid.

In honor of Baker, Bledsoe said he is going to ask government leaders to look into changing a legal system in which crime victims, including officers, and their relatives can spend decades waiting for justice.

"Defendants have rights," Bledsoe said. "But where are the rights of the victims and families?"

Dickson County Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe wears a black band with the number 95 on it over his badge during a news conference in Dickson, Tenn., after the capture of Steven Wiggins, Friday, June 1, 2018. Wiggins is accused of killing Dickson County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Daniel Baker onWednesday. Baker's badge number was 95. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - The European Court of Justice on Tuesday ruled that a gay Romanian-American couple is entitled to the same residency rights as other married couples in the European Union.

Romanian Adrian Coman and his American husband, Claibourn Robert Hamilton, have fought a six-year legal battle to get their 2010 marriage in Belgium legally recognized in Romania.

The Luxembourg-based court ruled that EU members "may not obstruct the freedom of residence" of EU citizens by refusing to grant residence for the same-sex spouse. However, members retain "the freedom whether or not to authorize marriage between persons of the same sex."

FILE - In this Friday, July 22, 2016 file photo, Clay Hamilton, left, and Adrian Coman, an American-Romanian gay couple who were married in Belgium and seek legal recognition of their status in Romania, smile during an interview with the Associated Press in Bucharest, Romania. On Tuesday, June 5, 2018 the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg ruled that the gay couple is entitled to the same residency rights as other married couples in the European Union. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)

The ruling has implications for at least tens of thousands of same-sex couples in Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Latvia, which don't currently offer legal protection to same-sex couples.

Coman, a 46-year-old gay rights' activist, said he was overwhelmed by the ruling.

"Today's decision means that I can finally look in the eyes of any Romanian or EU clerk with the certainty we are a family and the state recognizes what we are," while Hamilton, also 46, speaking by video link from New York, said: "We are one step closer to being recognized as a family and I am truly elated."

Iustina Ionescu, a human rights' lawyer, said the ruling meant that the couple would "be legally recognized in Romania and the other EU states (and can) freely move around and settle in any of the member states."

Practically, the ruling means that Hamilton as a non-EU citizen will have employment rights and health benefits, previously denied to him, as Coman's spouse. The couple lives in New York.

Opposition to same-sex relationships is often fierce in Romania, where homosexuality was only decriminalized in 2002.

Coman's father, Liviu Coman, told The Associated Press he was pleased at the ruling which would make some aspects of their lives easier.

However, he said he was most gratified as a parent that: "They are happy together and get on well."BEIJING (AP) - State-owned Air China will resume flights to North Korea's capital on Wednesday, an airline employee said, amid preparations for a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Air China's decision in November to suspend flights to Pyongyang, blaming lack of demand, deepened the North's isolation as U.N. sanctions aimed at ending its nuclear and missile programs were tightened.

"The flights from Beijing to Pyongyang will be resumed due to market reasons," said the employee of the airline's press office, who would give only his surname, Zhang. He gave no other details.

FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2011, file photo, North Korean officials wait for passengers to board an Air China flight at Pyongyang airport in Pyongyang, North Korea. State-owned Air China will resume flights to North Korea's capital on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, an airline employee said, amid preparations for a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. (AP Photo/Greg Baker, File)

The Air China website showed flights available on Wednesday, Friday and the following Monday.

Diplomats are preparing for a possible June 12 meeting between Trump and Kim in Singapore.

China was long North Korea's diplomatic protector but has supported the latest rounds of U.N. sanctions. Beijing has cut off imports of North Korean seafood, minerals, textiles and other products and imposed an annual cap on oil sales to the isolated nation.AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - The Latest on the crisis in Jordan (all times local):

1:45 p.m.

Jordan's King Abdullah II has appointed Cabinet member Omar Razzaz, a leading reformer and former senior World Bank official, as the country's new prime minister.

Jordanian gendarmes and Jordanian security forces are on high alert in the capital of Amman, early Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday accepted the resignation of his embattled prime minister and reportedly tapped a leading reformer as a successor, hoping to quell the largest anti-government protests in recent years, which are also seen as a potential challenge to his two-decade-old rule. (AP Photo/Raad al-Adayleh)

The royal court announced the appointment on Tuesday.

Razzaz will replace Hani Mulki, who resigned Monday amid widening protests over the government's austerity measures, including a planned tax increase.

Despite Mulki's resignation, daily street protests continued, with organizers saying they would not quit until the tax bill has been scrapped.

Razzaz served as education minister in the outgoing Mulki government. The king has the final say on all policy issues, and it's not clear how much of a reform mandate Razzaz will receive.

___

8:35 a.m.

Anti-government protests have resumed in Jordan despite the resignation of the country's prime minister who had led the push for austerity measures.

Several thousand Jordanians marched toward the office of outgoing Prime Minister Hani Mulki overnight and into early Tuesday, demanding the government scrap proposed tax increases which critics say mostly target the poor and the middle class.

Riot police scuffled with some of the marchers, trying to keep them away from the building, but the fifth street protest in as many days was largely peaceful.

Mulki resigned on Monday, as Jordan's King Abdullah II tried to get a handle on the biggest protests in the kingdom in several years.

The monarch, who has the ultimate say on policy decisions, promised change, but gave no specifics on possible reforms.

FILE - This Jan. 15, 2017 file photo, shows then newly appointed Education Minister Omar Razzaz, following a meeting at the Royal Palace, in Amman, Jordan. A government-linked daily said Monday, June 4, 2018, that Razzaz, a leading reformer, has been tapped as Jordan's next prime minister. The Al-Rai newspaper reported that the Harvard-educated Omar Razzaz, currently serving as education minister, would succeed Hani Mulki in the post. (Khalil Mazraawi, Pool via AP, File)

Jordanian protesters shout slogans and raise a national flag during a demonstration outside the Prime Minister's office in Amman early Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday accepted the resignation of his embattled prime minister and reportedly tapped a leading reformer as a successor, hoping to quell the largest anti-government protests in recent years, which are also seen as a potential challenge to his two-decade-old rule. (AP Photo/Raad al-Adayleh)

Jordanian gendarmes and security forces are on high alert in Amman, early Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday accepted the resignation of his embattled prime minister and reportedly tapped a leading reformer as a successor, hoping to quell the largest anti-government protests in recent years, which are also seen as a potential challenge to his two-decade-old rule. (AP Photo/Raad al-Adayleh)

Protesters offer sweets to police officers standing guard during a protest in Amman, Jordan, early Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday accepted the resignation of his embattled prime minister and reportedly tapped a leading reformer as a successor, hoping to quell the largest anti-government protests in recent years, which are also seen as a potential challenge to his two-decade-old rule.(AP Photo/Raad al-Adayleh)

Jordanian gendarmes and Jordanian security forces are on high alert in Amman, early Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday accepted the resignation of his embattled prime minister and reportedly tapped a leading reformer as a successor, hoping to quell the largest anti-government protests in recent years, which are also seen as a potential challenge to his two-decade-old rule.(AP Photo/Raad al-Adayleh)

Jordanian riot police and security forces scuffle with protesters during a demonstration outside the Prime Minister's office in Amman, early Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday accepted the resignation of his embattled prime minister and reportedly tapped a leading reformer as a successor, hoping to quell the largest anti-government protests in recent years, which are also seen as a potential challenge to his two-decade-old rule. (AP Photo/Raad al-Adayleh)

Protesters gather for a demonstration outside the Prime Minister's office in Amman, early Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday accepted the resignation of his embattled Prime Minister Hani Mulki and reportedly tapped a leading reformer as a successor, hoping to quell the largest anti-government protests in recent years, which are also seen as a potential challenge to his two-decade-old rule. (AP Photo/Raad al-Adayleh)

Jordanian riot police and security forces scuffle with protesters during a demonstration outside the Prime Minister's office in Amman early Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday accepted the resignation of his embattled prime minister and reportedly tapped a leading reformer as a successor, hoping to quell the largest anti-government protests in recent years, which are also seen as a potential challenge to his two-decade-old rule. (AP Photo/Raad al-Adayleh)WASHINGTON (AP) - An American-backed Syrian Kurdish militia said Tuesday it will leave the strategic town of Manbij under a delicate U.S.-Turkey deal that could ease tensions between the NATO allies and force a realignment of troops along the volatile Syria-Turkey frontier.

Illustrating the fragility of the arrangement, the United States and Turkey offered differing descriptions of what the deal entailed, how it would be carried out and when. But ultimately, the Kurdish militia known as the YPG is expected to retreat to east of the Euphrates River, meeting a long-standing demand by Ankara, which considers the militia a terror group tied to a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey's borders. Ethnic Kurds live on both sides of the border, in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria.

Turkish officials suggested an ambitious plan had been hashed out under which the withdrawal would be complete within six months, with Kurdish fighters giving up their weapons as they leave Manbij. A Turkish official said Turkey would review the withdrawal before a new council is set up to administer the multiethnic town, which has been run by the Manbij Military Council for several years.

FILE - In this March 28, 2018 file photo, a Syrian fighter from the Kurdish police, guards the entrance of the Manbij Military Council the Kurdish led militia group that defending Manbij, north Syria. The People's Protection Units, known by their Kurdish acronym YPG, said in a statement Tuesday, June 5, 2018, that it's pulling out of the key northern Syrian town of Manbij, potentially easing a serious rift between the United States and Turkey. They said that its advisers had completed their mission to train the Manbij Military Council, to defend the town of Manbij. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)

The U.S. wouldn't discuss whether the Kurdish troops would have to give up weapons, and insisted the plan included only "estimated timelines" based on events on the ground and no hard deadlines. First, joint U.S-Turkish patrols will be dispatched along a pre-existing demarcation line around Manbij, senior State Department officials said, in a sort of trust-building exercise to pave the way for a withdrawal.

After the YPG removes its forces, the Manbij Military Council will be reconstituted, with the Kurdish elements removed and the remaining membership made up of "locals" who are "mutually agreeable" to the U.S. and Turkey, the officials said. The officials from both countries spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the deal publicly.

The YPG - Kurdish initials for "People's Protection Units" - acknowledged that it planned to pull its military advisers out of Manbij, describing it in a statement as the consequence of having completed their mission to train the Manbij Military Council to defend the town.

Shervan Darwish, a current member of the council, said residents were "anxious" about the news. He estimated that 1 million people live in Manbij and the surrounding countryside, many of them displaced from fighting elsewhere in the country.

What seems certain is that Manbij will remain beyond the reach of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government in Damascus, which has been forced to surrender much of its authority in northern Syria to Turkey and the U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish militia as it fights rebels elsewhere in the country.

For the U.S., the deal allows the military focus in Syria to return more fully to defeating the last remnants of the Islamic State group, a top priority for President Donald Trump as he seeks a rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops. Turkish military operations against Kurdish-held areas in Syria had become a distraction, forcing U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters who have been the most effective force against the IS group to retrench as they defended against the Turks and allied opposition groups.

For Turkey, it could allow more control over part of its border with Syria west of the Euphrates River. It averts a potential confrontation with U.S. forces if President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had followed through with his threat to expand its operations in Syria to Manbij, where the U.S. has stationed troops as a deterrent. The deal also allows Erdogan's government to claim success on a key national security issue ahead of high-stakes presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkey.

So even though the details remained vague and elusive, both the U.S. and Turkey sought to cast the agreement as a win.

"The strategic ambiguity has been a lifesaver for the Turkish side," said Aykan Erdemir, a former opposition member of Turkish parliament now at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "It basically bought Turkey time until the second round of elections on July 8. At home now, the Turkish government can spin this as a victory."

The U.S. and Turkey have been at odds over the future of north Syria since the U.S. began supporting the YPG to fight back against the rapidly expanding Islamic State group in 2014. In 2016, the militia helped capture Manbij, to the dismay of Turkey, which has been pushing the U.S. to expel them ever since. In the tense front around Manbij, the Kurdish forces have exchanged gunfire with Turkish and Turkish-backed Syrian forces.

Despite the near defeat of the IS group, the U.S. has kept 2,000 forces stationed in north Syria, and it operates airstrips and outposts in the Kurdish-administered territory that stretches across Syria's north and east of the Euphrates River. Manbij lies west of the river.

American support for Kurdish fighters in Syria has become a major sore point in relations between the U.S. and Turkey. The two have also been at odds of late over detained Americans, Turkey's response to a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey and plans for Turkey to buy Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems in violation of new U.S. sanctions targeting Moscow.

Wess Mitchell, the top U.S. diplomat for Europe, said Tuesday that the Trump administration was trying to "stabilize the relationship" with concrete, near-term steps, in hopes of avoiding a wider breach that he warned could "do multigenerational damage" to ties between the allies. Still, he put Ankara on notice that its partnership with the U.S. on the F-35 fighter jet program could be imperiled if it goes through with the Russian purchase.

"We will abide by the law," Mitchell said at the conservative Heritage Foundation, adding that "if they move forward with a sophisticated Russian weapons platform, they can expect to see it have a ripple effect for their participation in U.S. military industrial projects, and I think that includes F-35."

___

Issa reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, Sarah El Deeb in Beirut and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

FILE - In this April 4, 2018 file photo, a U.S-backed Syrian Manbij Military Council soldier passes a U.S. position near the tense front line with Turkish-backed fighters, in Manbij, north Syria. The People's Protection Units, known by their Kurdish acronym YPG, said in a statement Tuesday, June 5, 2018, that it's pulling out of the key northern Syrian town of Manbij, potentially easing a serious rift between the United States and Turkey. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - When the Miss America pageant started in 1921, having young women parade around in bathing suits seemed like a great way to get tourists to come to the Atlantic City Boardwalk after Labor Day.

But how America views women has changed drastically since then, and the Miss America Organization is run by women who don't think it's such a hot idea.

Accordingly, when the pageant is held this September, nearly a year into the #MeToo era, it will no longer have a swimsuit competition.

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2015, file photo, contestants wear swimsuits as they compete in the 2016 Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J. The Miss America Organization is dropping the swimsuit competition from its nationally televised broadcast, saying it will no longer judge contestants in their appearance. Gretchen Carlson, a former Miss America who is head of the organization's board of trustees, made the announcement Tuesday, June 5, 2018, on "Good Morning America." (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

"We're not going to judge you on your appearance because we are interested in what makes you you," Gretchen Carlson, a former Miss America and the new head of the organization's board of trustees, said in making the announcement Tuesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

For decades, women's groups and others had complained that the swimsuit portion was outdated, sexist and more than a little silly.

Carlson, whose sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes led to his departure, said the board had heard from potential contestants who lamented, "We don't want to be out there in high heels and swimsuits."

The announcement came after a shake-up at the organization that resulted in the top three positions being held by women. The overhaul was triggered by an email scandal last December in which Miss America officials mocked winners' intelligence, looks and sex lives.

Instead of showing off in a bathing suit, each contestant will interact with the judges to "highlight her achievements and goals in life and how she will use her talents, passion and ambition to perform the job of Miss America," the organization said.

Carlson said the evening-wear portion of the competition will also be changed to allow women to wear something other than a gown if they want. The talent portion of the contest will remain.

"It's what comes out of their mouths that we care about," Carlson said.

Leanza Cornett, Miss America 1993, supported the dropping of the swimsuit competition.

"I hated it," she said. "I always felt awkward and uncomfortable."

She added: "In the climate of #MeToo, I think it's a really wise decision. We're living in a different era now, and when we move forward for the empowerment of women, we will be taken much more seriously, and I think that's huge."

But Kendall Morris, who competed in 2011 as Miss Texas, said the swimsuit competition taught her how to eat healthy and exercise, "not just for 15 seconds on stage but for a lifetime. It taught me a lifelong discipline beyond the Miss America stage."

Carlson said she is not worried ratings for the nationally televised broadcast, set for Sept. 9 on ABC, might suffer. She said that the swimsuit portion is not the highest-rated portion and that viewers seem more interested in the talent competition.

The Miss America pageant is not the cultural event it once was. The 1988 broadcast was seen by 33.1 million viewers, according to the Nielsen company. Last year, 5.4 million people watched.

Because many of the state and local competitions that decide the Miss America finalists have already begun, the dropping of the swimsuit portion will not take effect at those levels until next year's competition, the organization said.

Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss America 2013, was a particular target of the emails, many of which ridiculed her weight gain after she won the title. In a Facebook video Tuesday, Hagan said she weighed 124 pounds when she was crowned. She said she is now 164 pounds, which she said most people would consider normal.

She is running for Congress in Alabama as a Democrat.

"There are tons of women across this country who are not 'swimsuit-ready' who are doing some really bad-ass stuff in their communities," she said. "We should be honoring them, and that doesn't involve putting on a two-piece bathing suit and walking on stage in heels."

___

Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryACNEW YORK (AP) - Anthony Ray Hinton, wrongly imprisoned for nearly 30 years, can hardly believe how his luck has changed.

Hinton's memoir, "The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row," is Oprah Winfrey's latest book club pick, a dream for virtually any writer and beyond the imagination for a man who was once confined to a 5-by-7-foot cell. Tuesday's announcement comes three years after Hinton's release from Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham, Alabama. He had been convicted for two 1985 murders in Birmingham, where he still lives.

Hinton, during a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press, called Winfrey's endorsement "the second biggest surprise" of his life.

FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2017 file photo, Oprah Winfrey arrives for the David Foster Foundation 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala and Concert, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Winfrey's next book club pick is,,"The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row," a memoir about a wrongful murder conviction and the long fight to win acquittal. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

"The biggest surprise was being charged with a crime I didn't commit."

Published in March, Hinton's book tells of his conviction for killing two fast-food restaurant workers during separate robberies, and his decades spent on death row. His efforts to overturn the conviction reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 2014 unanimously ruled he had been denied a fair trial. Hinton was freed after new ballistics tests contradicted the only evidence - an analysis of crime-scene bullets - that connected Hinton to the slayings. When he finally got out, the words he spoke to loved ones greeting him - "The sun does shine" - became his memoir's title.

Winfrey's book club has created dozens of best-sellers and within hours of Tuesday's announcement "The Sun Does Shine" was No. 1 on Amazon.com, displacing the Bill Clinton-James Patterson thriller "The President is Missing." On Monday night, it was No. 6,861.

Hinton, 61, likened himself to Job as a man who lost everything, but eventually saw his life restored. Speaking of his time in jail, he said, "Every day was hell, every night was hell, every waking moment was hell." But upon leaving, "The sun was shining brighter than I could ever remember it shining."

Hinton's legal case was taken on by the Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative and its director, Bryan Stevenson, whose 2014 book "Just Mercy" is considered essential reading about the criminal justice system. Stevenson provided the foreword to "The Sun Does Shine," which Hinton wrote with Lara Love Hardin. Her other credits include co-writing "The Book of Forgiving" with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu.

In a promotional video released Tuesday, Winfrey noted that most of her picks over the past 20 years have been works of fiction. But she said "The Sun Does Shine" was a worthy exception.

"This story reads like an epic novel and it is all true," Winfrey said. "You will, throughout the book, try to imagine yourself - falsely accused, and in a 5-by-7 cell for 30 years. He is a remarkable storyteller and when you read it you'll be swept away."

Winfrey's interview with Hinton will air Sunday on her OWN network. Her "O'' magazine will highlight "The Sun Does Shine" in its July issue. In February, Winfrey chose a novel that also focuses on a man jailed for a crime he didn't commit, Tayari Jones' "An American Marriage."

___

Online:

http://www.oprah.com/app/own-tv.html

http://www.oprah.com/app/o-magazine.htmlWASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is falsely claiming that "bad legislation passed by the Democrats" has forced his administration to separate children from their families at the border, even though no such law exists.

TRUMP'S TWEET

Trump tweeted Tuesday: "Separating families at the Border is the fault of bad legislation passed by the Democrats. Border Security laws should be changed but the Dems can't get their act together! Started the Wall."

President Donald Trump gestures as reporters shout questions on his way to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, May 29, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

THE FACTS

No law mandates that parents must be separated from their children at the border, and it's not a policy Democrats have pushed or can change alone as the minority in Congress.

Children are probably being separated from the parents at the border at an accelerated rate because of a new "zero tolerance policy" being implemented by Trump's own administration. Announced April 6 by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the policy directs authorities to prosecute all instances of illegal border crossings, even against people with few or no previous offenses.

Administration officials are quick to note that Sessions' policy makes no mention of separating families. That is correct. But under U.S. protocol, if parents are jailed, their children are separated from them because the children aren't charged with a crime.

So while separating families might not be official U.S. policy, it is a direct consequence of Sessions' zero-tolerance approach. (Worth noting too is that John Kelly, now Trump's chief of staff, spoke in 2017 about possibly separating parents from children as a way to dissuade parents from trying to cross the border.)

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, more than 650 children were separated from parents at the border during a two-week period in May.

The U.N. human rights office has called on the Trump administration to "immediately halt" the separations, saying "detention is never in the best interests of the child and always constitutes a child rights violation."

Trump might be referring to a 2008 law passed unanimously by Congress and signed into law by Republican President George W. Bush, but that legislation is focused on children who illegally cross the border without a guardian, known as unaccompanied minors. That law calls for releasing children into the "least restrictive setting" - often to family or a government-run shelter - while their cases slowly wind through immigration court.

___

Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd

Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheckCAIRO (AP) - The radio announcer who claimed Egyptian troops had reached Tel Aviv when they had actually suffered a crushing defeat in the Six Day War with Israel has died at the age of 93.

Ahmed Said, who died Monday, worked for the Voice of the Arabs, a Cairo-based station used by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser to whip up Arab nationalism.

During the 1967 war, Said told listeners that Egypt had shot down dozens of Israeli warplanes. In reality, Israel had destroyed nearly all of Egypt's air force on the tarmac.

In just six days, Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza from Egypt, the West Bank and east Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria.

Said was buried Tuesday, the 51st anniversary of the start of the war.LOS ANGELES (AP) - U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein cruised to first place in California's primary on Tuesday in her bid for a fifth full term in Washington.

In a video statement delivered from Washington, Feinstein pledged to "protect California" in "difficult and contentious times."

With about 2.2 million votes counted, Feinstein had 44 percent. Fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon, the heavy favorite to finish second and advance to the November runoff, was next with 10 percent and had a slight lead over little-known Republican James Bradley.

FILE - In this May 17, 2018 file photo, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., departs after a vote on Gina Haspel to be CIA director, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Feinstein is facing a challenge from fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon, currently California state Senate president pro tem, in the upcoming California Primary on June 5. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

California sends the two highest vote-getters to the general election regardless of party. Feinstein heads to November with more than $7 million in the bank.

A Feinstein-de Leon general election would be California's second U.S. Senate contest featuring two Democrats. In 2016, then-state attorney general Kamala Harris defeated U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez.

Feinstein won her U.S. Senate seat in 1992 after serving as San Francisco's mayor and running unsuccessfully for governor. At 84, she is the chamber's oldest member. She's also one of the most well-known politicians in California and has a sizeable war chest to communicate her message.

She's highlighted her successful 1994 effort to ban assault weapons, which has since expired, and legislation to protect the environment as evidence that she understands Californians' priorities. She pledged in her victory statement to fight for a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour, women's reproductive rights and universal health care.

She's staking her claim as a champion of core Democratic priorities as de Leon attempts to paint her as too deferential to President Donald Trump.

Early returns showed de Leon in a neck-and-neck battle for second place against Bradley. De Leon is considered Feinstein's most credible challenger given his history leading the state Senate and authorizing the "sanctuary state" legislation, among pushing other Democratic priorities.

Bradley, meanwhile, has never held elected office and raised less than $5,000. He generated some interest among Republicans after a one-off poll showed him close behind de Leon, helping him win the endorsement of a conservative San Diego radio host leading the GOP effort to repeal the state's gas tax increase.

Regardless of the challenger, Feinstein is the heavy favorite heading into November. She has heavy name recognition across California and considerable clout in the Senate, where she serves as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee.

But activists denied her the California Democratic Party's endorsement in February, highlighting frustrations among some of the most liberal members about Feinstein's interactions with Trump and stance on issues such as immigration.

De Leon has sought to seize on that vulnerability by making the case that he better represents California's values in the Trump era.

"This race is a fight for California's future," de Leon told supporters Tuesday night.

He stopped short of declaring himself the second-place finisher, but knocked Feinstein for allegedly coming late to a handful of liberal issues, highlighting her recent reversal on her decades-old support for the death penalty.

"Real leadership is doing the right thing even when no one is watching - or running against you in an election," he said.

Sue Regan, a 66-year-old retired psychiatrist, said she voted for de Leon because Feinstein is "too old" and too conservative on certain issues. Feinstein would turn 90 in her next term if re-elected.

"Feinstein's time is up," said Regan, a registered Democrat from Sacramento. "I know that Kevin de Leon would not have the power that she has in the Senate, it would take him some time to develop that, but I think he's very liberal, and I support the causes that he does."

But Feinstein's age didn't stop 82-year-old Jay Smith, a registered Republican, from casting his vote for her.

"I went to Stanford and so did Dianne Feinstein," he said. "I don't care how old she is."

FILE - In this May 3, 2018 file photo, California state Senate President pro tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, poses for photos in his campaign office in Los Angeles. In the California Primary election, de Leon is challenging fellow Democrat, incumbent U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, for her Senate seat. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2017 file photo, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks during a Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Feinstein is facing a challenge from fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon, currently California state Senate president pro tem, in the upcoming California Primary on June 5. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2018 file photo, state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, calls on lawmakers to approve his tax plan in Sacramento, Calif. De Leon is challenging fellow Democrat, incumbent U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, for her seat in the upcoming June 5 California primary. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

FILE - In this March 27, 2018 file photo, Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein addresses reporters after hosting a roundtable discussion on gun safety with gun violence survivors, family members, activists and medical personnel at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Feinstein is facing a challenge from fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon, currently California state Senate president pro tem, in the upcoming California Primary on June 5. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)JERUSALEM (AP) - The Latest on developments In the Israel-Palestinians conflict (all times local):

7:05 p.m.

The Israeli military says the shooting of a female paramedic last week was unintentional.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem Sunday, June 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, Pool)

Razan Najjar, a 21-year-old volunteer paramedic, was fatally shot as she tried to help evacuate wounded near Israel's perimeter fence with Gaza. She was the second woman among more than 115 Palestinians who have been killed by Israeli army fire since Gaza border protests began in late March.

The military says Tuesday that an initial examination determined that "no shots were deliberately or directly aimed at her." The investigation was ongoing, the military said.

Israel says it has aimed only at instigators and fired at their legs. But the high casualty count has drawn heavy international criticism. Most of the Palestinian casualties have been unarmed.

___

4:40 p.m.

A senior Israeli official has called for Israel to kill Palestinians who launch flaming kites into Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Protesters have begun sending the kites, laden with flaming rags or small explosives, during mass demonstrations near the Israeli border in recent weeks.

Israel's high-tech army has not been able to figure out a way stop the primitive kites. Some 200 have floated across the border, torching over 2,000 acres (809.40 hectares) of farmland.

During a tour of the border area, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan called on the army to treat kite launchers "just like any other terrorist" and called for "targeted killings" against them.

He also said Hamas commanders should be targeted as punishment for the kites.

___

11:10 a.m.

Israel's Shin Bet security service says it has uncovered a plot to target Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Shin Bet says a resident of a Palestinian refugee camp in east Jerusalem is among those in custody for his involvement in the plot, orchestrated from Syria, to harm Netanyahu and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

It said on Tuesday that Mahmad Rashdeh had also collected intelligence on his Syrian handler's behalf to target the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem and visiting Canadian officials. It says the plan involved sneaking in an operative from Jordan and "significant terrorist activity" was foiled.

Barkat said he was kept in the loop throughout the investigation and had not changed his routine at all. He says "no threat will deter us."

There was no immediate comment from Netanyahu.CAIRO (AP) - The U.N. human rights office has voiced concern over a recent wave of arrests of activists and bloggers in Egypt.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani says Tuesday the arrests indicate a "significant escalation in the crackdown against the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly."

She says arbitrary detention has become a "chronic problem" in Egypt.

Egypt has intensified a long-running crackdown on dissent since President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's re-election in March.

Among those arrested are blogger Wael Abbas, pro-democracy activist Shady el-Ghazaly Harb, young comedian Shady Abu Zeid and activist Amal Fathy. They face an array of charges, including disseminating false news and belonging to an outlawed group.WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on primaries being held Tuesday in Alabama, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota (all times local):

3:35 a.m.

California Democrats have been denied their supermajority in the state Senate.

FILE - In this May 15, 2018 file photo, Judge Aaron Persky poses for a photo with a sign opposing his recall in Los Altos Hills, Calif. Northern California voters are deciding on Tuesday, June 5 whether to remove Persky from office for the first time in decades because he sentenced a former Stanford University swimmer convicted of sexual assault to a short jail sentence instead of prison. Persky would be the first California judge recalled from office since 1932 if a majority of voters choose to remove him on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Democrats temporarily lost their supermajority in February when a lawmaker accused of sexual misconduct resigned. They likely would have gotten it back in a special election in August.

But then they lost another seat on Tuesday, when voters in an Orange County district recalled Democratic Sen. Josh Newman from office over his vote to raise gas taxes last year.

Former Republican Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang won the seat, meaning Senate Democrats won't hold the two-thirds majority needed to pass tax and fee increases.

___

2:40 a.m.

Northern California voters have recalled a judge from office after he sentenced a former Stanford University swimmer convicted of sexual assault to a short jail sentence instead of prison.

Santa Clara County Judge Aaron Persky was targeted for recall in June 2016 shortly after he sentenced Brock Turner to six months in jail for sexually assaulting a young woman outside a fraternity house on campus. Prosecutors argued for a 7-year prison sentence.

Critics say the sentence was too lenient.

The case gained national prominence after the victim read an eloquent statement in court before Turner's sentence. The statement circulated widely online and was read on the floor of the U.S. Capitol during a congressional session.

The recall election was also viewed as one of the first electoral tests of the #MeToo movement's political clout.

___

2 a.m.

Business community favorite London Breed is leading in the race for San Francisco mayor in a competitive contest that has not yet been called.

Breed's two fiercest competitors and more liberal Democrats, Mark Leno and Jane Kim, were trailing in second and third place.

The 43-year-old Breed would make history as the city's first African-American female mayor. The president of the Board of Supervisors was raised by her grandmother in San Francisco public housing, graduated from public schools and is touted as a local success story.

Breed had about 36 percent of the vote with 123,000 ballots counted Tuesday night.

Leno, a former state senator who would make history as the city's first openly gay mayor, was in second place with 26 percent of the vote. Kim, a San Francisco supervisor and daughter of Korean immigrants, had 21.5 percent.

___

1:35 a.m.

Former state Democratic Party leader Debra Haaland has won the party's nomination for a congressional seat in New Mexico as she tries to become the country's first Native American congresswoman.

Democrats are looking to maintain control over the Albuquerque-based seat in November. Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo, finished ahead of a crowded field that included former career prosecutor Damon Martinez, former law professor Antoinette Sedillo Lopez, attorney Damian Lara and business consultant Paul Moya.

Haaland will face former Republican state lawmaker Janice Arnold-Jones and Libertarian candidate Lloyd Princeton in the general election.

During the campaign, some fellow Democrats accused Haaland of not doing enough to address claims of misconduct while leading the state party. Haaland argued that she adopted a statewide sexual harassment policy for the party during her tenure.

___

1:30 a.m.

Montana State Auditor Matthew Rosendale has won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in the race to challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Tester in November.

Rosendale defeated three other candidates in Tuesday's GOP primary. The 57-year-old has support from deep-pocketed Republican donors who want to deny Tester a third term.

The campaign grew heated when former District Judge Russ Fagg said Rosendale would go easy on "illegal immigrants who commit murder." Political committees backing Rosendale hit back with attacks on Fagg's judicial record.

The race between Rosendale and Tester will be under a spotlight. President Donald Trump vowed to make Tester pay for sinking his nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump's remarks prompted a flood of outside money on ads blasting Tester and propping up Rosendale.

___

1:25 a.m.

Republican John Cox has won the second spot for the November election in the race for California governor.

Cox's second-place finish in Tuesday's primary ensures Republicans won't be shut out of the race. But the San Diego businessman faces long odds against Democrat Gavin Newsom in a state where Democrats are increasingly dominating.

Cox got a major boost from President Donald Trump's endorsement, which helped solidify his support among Republicans and push him past Democrats Antonio Villaraigosa, John Chiang and Delaine Eastin.

Trump's endorsement was a blow to Republican Assemblyman Travis Allen of Huntington Beach, who portrayed himself as the candidate most loyal to the president.

Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown is barred by term limit laws from seeking re-election.

___

12:15 a.m.

Democrat Gavin Newsom has secured the first of two slots in the November election to replace Jerry Brown as California's governor.

The lieutenant governor and former San Francisco mayor defeated rivals from both parties in Tuesday's primary.

It's too early to say who will take the second slot and advance to the general election.

Newsom was the first candidate to announce a bid for governor more than three years ago. He leaned heavily on his decision in 2004 to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in San Francisco, touching off years of debate over gay marriage in California and around the country. He says the move shows he's willing to take bold steps on liberal priorities.

He's been open about his desire to face a Republican in the November runoff.

___

12:05 a.m.

Democrat Gavin Newsom and Republican John Cox have taken an early lead in the race to replace Jerry Brown as California governor.

Newsom narrowly led Cox with about 30 percent of the vote in early returns from Tuesday's primary, while Republican Travis Allen and Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa (vee-yah-ry-GOH'-sah) trailed.

Because of California's so-called jungle primary, the top two vote-getters - regardless of party - advance to a runoff in November.

Newsom is California's lieutenant governor and the former mayor of San Francisco. He was strongly favored to come in first in a race he began almost four years ago.

Cox is a businessman from the San Diego area who has never held elected office. President Donald Trump tweeted his support for him Tuesday.

___

Midnight

Early results show voters favoring the recall of a Northern California judge over a sexual assault sentence that garnered national attention.

Santa Clara County's voter registrar reports the first returns Tuesday night show 59 percent of voters favoring removing Judge Aaron Persky from office, with 40 percent opposed.

Persky sentenced former Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner in June 2016 to six months in jail instead of prison after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman outside a fraternity house. The recall campaign launched shortly afterward.

The campaign gained national prominence after the victim's powerful courtroom statement lamenting her treatment by the judicial system was circulated widely online.

___

11:35 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem has won the Republican primary for governor in her bid to become the first woman elected South Dakota governor.

Noem beat Attorney General Marty Jackley on Tuesday, becoming the first GOP woman to win the nomination. The campaign soured at the end as the candidates sought to break out.

Noem overcame criticisms that she turned the race negative and broke several congressional campaign promises. Noem - who was first elected to Congress in 2010 - touted her role negotiating Republicans' recent federal tax cuts with President Donald Trump and her farming and ranching background.

Noem will face Democrat Billie Sutton, a state senator and former professional rodeo cowboy, in the general election. Sutton avoided a primary, allowing him to bank cash.

___

11:30 p.m.

Former Miss America Mallory Hagan of Opelika has won the Democratic nomination in an Alabama congressional race.

She defeated Adia Winfrey of Talladega and will face U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers in the fall.

Hagan was crowned Miss America in 2013 and until recently worked as a news anchor at WLTZ-TV in Columbus, Georgia. She says many people feel unheard after nearly four terms of Rogers holding the seat.

Winfrey is a psychologist who said she was inspired to run by the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She was a volunteer in Sen. Doug Jones' successful Democratic campaign last year.

Rogers is unopposed for the GOP nomination. He's from Anniston.

___

11:25 p.m.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has won first place in the California primary, easily moving to the general election as she seeks a fifth full term.

Feinstein's opponent hasn't yet been determined.

California runs a primary system where the two highest vote-getters move on, regardless of party. That means Feinstein could face a fellow Democrat in November.

The 84-year-old Feinstein was first elected to the Senate in 1992 after serving as San Francisco mayor and running unsuccessfully for governor.

She is the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

___

11:15 p.m.

Twenty-eight-year-old state legislator Abby Finkenauer has won a Democratic congressional primary in Iowa and is fighting to be the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. House.

Finkenauer won the nomination Tuesday over three other candidates by stressing her blue-collar roots and support for policies intended to support working families.

She now will face two-term Rep. Rod Blum, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary.

Finkenauer frequently notes she's running for Congress while still paying off student loans.

Finkenauer is serving her second term in the Legislature. She has called for improving health care through the Affordable Care Act, supported more infrastructure spending and questioned federal tax cuts she argues primarily helped corporations and the wealthy.

Republican Elise Stefanik of New York became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress in 2014 at age 30.

___

11 p.m.

California polls have closed and results are trickling in in hundreds of contests across the state that could solidify Democratic dominance and reshape the fight for control of the U.S. Congress.

Traffic at polling stations was light Tuesday because many people voted in advance in races setting the stage for the November election.

Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is the front-runner in the race for governor. President Donald Trump tweeted support for Republican businessman John Cox in the governor's race.

The secretary of state's office said more than 2.5 million people had voted by mail as of Monday night.

___

10:55 p.m.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox has won the Democratic primary in Alabama's race for governor.

Maddox defeated former Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and other candidates in the Tuesday race.

Maddox has been the mayor of Tuscaloosa since 2005. His platform includes establishing a state lottery to fund a mixture of college scholarships, prekindergarten programs and financial assistance for the state's poorest and struggling schools.

In seeking the Democratic nomination, Maddox obtained valuable endorsements from Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and the Alabama Democratic Conference, which is the state's largest African-American political organization.

Alabama hasn't elected a Democrat to the governor's office since 1998. Energized by the December victory of U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the party is seeking a resurgence in state politics.

___

10:50 p.m.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has clinched the Republican nomination for governor without a runoff.

Ivey was declared the winner Tuesday night after beating back a field of GOP challengers. She is seeking to win the office in her own right after becoming governor 14 months ago when her scandal-battered predecessor, Robert Bentley, resigned.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, evangelist Scott Dawson and state Sen. Bill Hightower did not collectively pull enough votes to force Ivey into a runoff. She will face the Democratic nominee in November.

In her campaign, Ivey emphasized the state's robust economy, falling unemployment rate and the quieting of the scandal that had engulfed the state's previous governor.

Her challengers had condemned her refusal to debate and indirectly questioned whether the 73-year-old governor could complete a four-year term.

___

10:45 p.m.

David Baria and Howard Sherman are headed to a June 26 runoff in Mississippi's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Six candidates ran in Tuesday's primary.

The Senate seat has been held since 2007 by Republican Roger Wicker. Mississippi last had a Democrat in the Senate in 1989.

Baria, of Bay St. Louis, is an attorney and served one term in the state Senate before being elected in 2011 to the Republican-led Mississippi House, where he's now the Democratic leader. He criticizes Republicans for cutting taxes and refusing to expand Medicaid.

Sherman is a venture capitalist and the husband of actress Sela Ward. They raised their two children in Los Angeles, where he grew up, and the couple now lives near her hometown of Meridian, Mississippi.

___

10:40 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Martha Roby has been forced into a runoff in Alabama's Republican primary after challengers blasted her 2016 criticism of Donald Trump.

Roby faces Bobby Bright in a July runoff in Alabama's conservative 2nd district - where Trump loyalty has been a central issue.

Roby is a four-term incumbent. In campaigning for Tuesday's primary, she emphasized her record and working relationship with the White House.

In 2016, Roby criticized Trump after a 2005 recording surfaced of him making lewd comments about women, saying the behavior made him an unacceptable candidate and suggesting he step away from the presidential ticket.

Bright is a former Montgomery mayor who represented the district for two years as a Democrat before losing in 2010 to Roby. He ran an ad with footage of Roby's Trump comment.

___

10:35 p.m.

Retired Des Moines businessman Fred Hubbell has won the Iowa Democratic primary and a chance to face Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds in November.

Hubbell hasn't been elected to office but has held numerous business positions he says make him well-positioned to lead state government. Those jobs include executive roles at Younkers department stores, Equitable Life Insurance and the ING Group.

Hubbell's victory in Tuesday's primary over four other candidates followed a campaign in which he outspent all of his opponents. Much of Hubbell's campaign was self-funded, with him contributing $2.1 million of his own money in 2018.

Hubbell says his priorities include improving wages, health care and education.

A sixth candidate on the ballot, state Sen. Nate Boulton, dropped out of the race after allegations of sexual misconduct.

___

10:10 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham has won the Democratic nomination for New Mexico governor and will take on Republican congressman Steve Pearce in November for the state's top job.

The three-term congresswoman defeated state Sen. Joseph Cervantes and former media executive Jeff Apodaca in a campaign focused on improving the state's lagging economy and public education.

Lujan Grisham leads the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and his immigration policies.

She previously led state public health agencies under three former governors, including Democrat Bill Richardson. Her campaign received endorsements from an array of labor unions, progressive advocacy groups and several tribal governments.

State law prevents Republican Gov. Susana Martinez from seeking a consecutive third term.

___

10:05 p.m.

Polls have closed in Iowa and Montana on a night when eight states are holding primaries.

In Montana, races were called at closing time Tuesday for the unopposed incumbents, Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte.

They and other candidates running unopposed advanced to the Nov. 6 general election.

In Iowa, election officials say there appeared to be record turnout Tuesday, fueled in part by a five-way race for the Democratic governor nomination. The winner will face incumbent Gov. Kim Reynolds, who wasn't opposed for the Republican nomination.

There also were contested Democratic primaries for three of Iowa's four U.S. House seats.

Republican Rep. Steve King was the only incumbent who was challenged in the primary.

___

9:25 p.m.

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez has fended off a primary challenger and will be the Democratic nominee in New Jersey's only statewide race this fall.

The 64-year-old on Tuesday defeated publisher Lisa McCormick in his push for a third term.

Menendez is heading into the general election after federal criminal corruption charges against him were dropped and he was rebuked by the Senate's ethics panel.

Republican challenger Bob Hugin (HYOO'-gihn) has been pummeling Menendez over the allegations he accepted gifts in exchange for helping a friend with personal and business matters. A jury couldn't reach a verdict on the charges last year, and federal prosecutors decided not to retry the case.

Menendez has denied he did anything wrong and has cast himself as a check against President Donald Trump in a year when the Senate could be up for grabs.

___

9:20 p.m.

Los Angeles County officials say the names of more than 118,000 voters were omitted from voter lists because of a printing error, but residents can still cast their ballots.

The county's registrar-recorder's office says registered voters can cast provisional ballots in Tuesday's primary election.

They say the issue involves 118,522 voters in Los Angeles County.

They say poll workers have been instructed to offer provisional ballots to every voter whose name doesn't appear on the poll site's roster.

The county says votes cast on provisional ballots will be counted once the voter's registration is confirmed.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff tweeted Tuesday: "Don't let this affect the election results. Make sure your vote is counted!" Democrats need a good day in California to have much hope of seizing the House majority this fall.

___

9:10 p.m.

Polls are closing in New Mexico as voters decide on a Democratic candidate for governor and major-party nominees for two open congressional seats.

More than 92,000 votes were cast as the race narrows to succeed Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, who cannot run for a consecutive third term. In all, eight states are holding primaries Tuesday.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham is competing against state Sen. Joseph Cervantes and former media executive Jeff Apodaca, the son of a former governor.

The winner will face the sole Republican candidate, U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, in the November general election.

___

8:55 p.m.

A wealthy former biopharmaceutical executive and Marine has won New Jersey's Republican Senate primary.

Bob Hugin defeated Brian Goldberg on Tuesday. Hugin ran Celgene until this year and is a first-time candidate spending millions of his own fortune to finance his race.

He says he's running as an independent Republican in a state with roughly 900,000 more Democrats than Republicans.

Hugin barely concentrated on Goldberg, a former IT professional and construction firm executive.

Hugin's entrance into the race buoyed Republicans, who have been on a downswing in statewide politics since Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy won last year.

Hugin has loaned his campaign at least $7.5 million and has pledged to restore dignity to the state.

That's a ding at Democratic incumbent Bob Menendez, who defeated federal corruption charges after a hung jury last year.

___

8:50 p.m.

Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi has won his party's primary, months after being endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Mississippi is heavily Republican. It last had a Democrat in the Senate in 1989.

Wicker said in a recent fundraising appeal that he wants to help the president "enact his America-first policies." In Tuesday's primary, he defeated one opponent, Richard Boyanton. Boyanton ran a low-budget campaign.

Wicker served nearly 13 years in the U.S. House before he was appointed to the Senate when fellow Republican Trent Lott resigned in late 2007.

Six people were competing Tuesday in Mississippi's Democratic primary for Senate. They include state lawmakers David Baria and Omeria Scott and venture capitalist Howard Sherman, who is married to TV and movie actress Sela Ward.

___

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San Francisco mayoral candidate London Breed speaks to supporters during an election night party Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in San Francisco.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Deb Haaland, center, speaks with campaign organizers during the Democratic Primary elections at the Haaland headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico Tuesday afternoon June 5, 2018. Haaland, a tribal member of Laguna Pueblo, is aiming to become the first Native American woman in Congress. (AP Photo/Juan Labreche)

Matt Rosendale, a candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, speaks with a supporter Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Helena, Mont. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP)

Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox speaks to reporters at a San Diego Republican Party election gathering Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in San Diego. The intrigue in the race to replace departing California Gov. Jerry Brown isn't who wins - it's who comes in second in Tuesday's primary, one of hundreds of contests across the state that could solidify Democratic dominance and reshape the fight for control of the U.S. Congress. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

FILE - In this May 31, 2018 file photo Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom smiles at a campaign stop at Stakely's Barber Salon in Los Angeles. Newson is expected to easily top the field in the race for govenor, but former Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang are among the Democrats hoping to box out Republican John Cox and make it a one-party showdown in November for the state's highest office.(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

FILE - In this May 15, 2018 file photo, Judge Aaron Persky poses for photos in Los Altos Hills, Calif. Persky says he would handle the sexual assault case of former Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner the same way today as he did almost exactly two years ago, even though it's the reason why he is the target of a June 5 recall election in Santa Clara County. Persky sentenced Turner to six months in jail. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Resolution Board Members count ballots at the County Admin Extension building in Sioux Falls, S.D., Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (Briana Sanchez/The Argus Leader via AP)

Voters arrive to cast their votes during the Alabama's primary election at Huntingdon College, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

FILE - In this May 17, 2018 file photo, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., departs after a vote on Gina Haspel to be CIA director, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Feinstein is facing a challenge from fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon, currently California state Senate president pro tem, in the upcoming California Primary on June 5. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Voters fill out primary ballots at a Polk County polling place at East Side Library in Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Five Democrats are competing for their party's nomination to oppose Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, and big fields of Democrats also are running for U.S. House seats, reflecting that three of the four districts are held by Republicans. (AP Photo/Scott Stewart)

Nikko Johnson reviews the California Primary election guide at San Francisco City Hall Tuesday, June 5, 2018. The 40-year-old nurse was waiting for her mother to arrive at the polling station so they could vote together. (AP Photo/Lorin Eleni Gill)

Voters arrive to cast their ballots during the Alabama Primary election at Huntingdon College, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey casts her vote in Alabama's primary election at Huntingdon College, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Montgomery, Ala. The Democrats running for governor on Alabama's primary ballot Tuesday are hoping to build on the victory of U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, while Gov. Kay Ivey wants voters to affirm she belongs in the office she took over amid last year's scandals on the Republican side. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Howard Sherman, Democratic candidate for his party's nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, and his wife, actress Sela Ward, pose with a couple of employees at Gloria's Family Restaurant in Jackson, Miss., during a campaign working lunch, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Sherman and his wife campaigned through central Mississippi, stumping for votes in today's party primary. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell casts his ballot in the Iowa Primary, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

New Mexico state Rep. Carl Trujillo, left, stands with Alan Feldman, a volunteer for the Democratic gubernatorial campaign of Michelle Lujan Grisham, as they greet voters outside a precinct in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 5, 2018. The state has wide-open primary races for New Mexico governor and two congressional seats. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)WARREN, Ohio (AP) - Police say they've solved a shooting in Ohio that left a man wounded.

The oven did it.

The Vindicator in Youngstown reports 44-year-old Robin Garlock received wounds to both shoulders while trying to retrieve a handgun he'd hidden inside the broiler unit of his oven.

Warren police say Garlock put the gun in the broiler because children were coming over.

His girlfriend, unaware of the gun's presence, turned on the oven Sunday to bake. Police say she called out to Garlock when she thought she heard a gunshot fired outside. Police say Garlock was struck by bullets or bullet fragments when they exploded inside the gun.

Warren is 60 miles (97 kilometers) southeast of Cleveland.

No charges have been filed against the oven.SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota businessman and philanthropist said Tuesday he is donating $100 million to the National University System, a nonprofit that focuses on education and philanthropy initiatives.

The donation by T. Denny Sanford is the largest in the nonprofit's history and comes a year after Sanford gave $28 million to the network, which supports students looking for alternative ways to learn.

The new gift will expand the system's Sanford Harmony program, which aims to help preschool through elementary school students learn to work together and respect one another by decreasing stereotyping, bullying and aggression.

FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2018, file photo, businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford speaks at P.S. 282 to celebrate over 200,000 students served by the Sanford Harmony program in the New York metro area in Brooklyn, N.Y. Sanford said Tuesday, June 5, 2018, he is donating $100 million to the National University System, a nonprofit that focuses on education and philanthropy initiatives. The donation by Sanford is the largest in the nonprofit's history and comes a year after Sanford gave $28 million to the network, which supports students looking for alternative ways to learn. (Amy Sussman/AP Images for Long Island University and National University System, File)

"Denny's vision of creating a better world starts with addressing these issues at the youngest ages, and it could not come at a more crucial time when the nation faces increasing challenges in our schools, homes and in the workplace," said Michael Cunningham, chancellor of the National University System.

System officials say the Sanford Harmony program could reach up to 30 million students nationwide and around the world. It emphasizes diversity, inclusion, empathy, critical thinking, communication, problem-solving and peer relationships. The objective, Sanford said, is for students to carry those qualities through life and to ultimately reduce the divorce rate.

"It really creates harmony among the kids," Sanford said. "But as I said, the long-term goal is harmony among adults. Preventative medicine is the purpose of the whole program."

Sanford is best known for donating about $1 billion to the Dakotas-based health system that carries his name.

Sanford has supported two other programs to the system. Sanford Inspire aims to help teachers inspire students and the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy provides education and training programs for nonprofits.

Sanford's gift brings total funding to National University System programs to about $170 million, from various sources.WASHINGTON (AP) - Melania Trump is planning her first public appearance outside the White House in nearly a month.

The White House says she will join President Donald Trump for a hurricane briefing at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington on Wednesday. It would be Mrs. Trump's first appearance outside the White House since May 10.

Since then, the first lady spent five days in the hospital following a kidney procedure and has stayed out of public view for more than three weeks.

FILE - In this Saturday, May 27, 2017, file photo, first lady Melania Trump sits as President Donald Trump addresses U.S. military troops and their families at the Sigonella Naval Air Station, in Sigonella, Italy. Melania Trump won't be joining her husband at the 2018 G7 summit in Quebec or accompanying him to the meeting planned with North Korea's leader in Singapore following the G7. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

She re-emerged Monday at a private White House reception she and the president hosted for military families.

Mrs. Trump joined Trump on multiple trips last year to survey hurricane damage in parts of Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Poland's president on Tuesday expressed his country's disapproval of a planned Russian-German gas pipeline during a visit by the German president.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said at a joint news conference with Frank-Walter Steinmeier that he believes Nord Stream 2 would undermine the energy security of central and eastern Europe.

The project has become a deeply divisive issue in Europe, with Germany insisting it is purely a business deal.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender lays a wreath at the monument to the ill-fated 1944 Warsaw Uprising of Poland's resistance Home Army against the occupying Nazi German troops, during his visit to Poland for talks on European unity, defense and economic security, in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 5, 2018.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Running on the Baltic Sea bed, Nord Stream 2 would double the amount of natural gas that Russia can send directly to energy-hungry Germany and other countries in western Europe from newly tapped reserves in Siberia. The pipeline would intentionally skirt eastern European nations like Poland and Ukraine.

Another point of difference between the two presidents was rule of law in Poland, which the European Union says is under threat from the current right-wing government.

Steinmeier told reporters it was an issue he was raising with Duda.

At a later conference on the role of Poland and Germany in Europe, Steinmeier urged Poland to observe EU rules that it adopted when it joined in 2004. He said the EU would be strong and its members sovereign only when they follow the principles they have set for themselves.

Polish President Andrzej Duda, 2nd right, and the first lady, Agata Kornhauser-Duda, right, welcome German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, 2nd left, and his wife Elke Buedenbender, left, for a visit in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender after laying a wreath at the monument to the ill-fated 1944 Warsaw Uprising of Poland's resistance Home Army against the occupying Nazi German troops, during his visit to Poland for talks on European unity, defense and economic security, in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 5, 2018.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Polish President Andrzej Duda, 2nd right, and the first lady, Agata Kornhauser-Duda, right, welcome German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, 2nd left, and his wife Elke Buedenbender, left, for a visit in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Polish President Andrzej Duda, front 2nd right, and the first lady, Agata Kornhauser-Duda, front right, welcome German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, front 2nd left, and his wife Elke Buedenbender, front left, for a visit in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier after laying a wreath at the monument to the ill-fated 1944 Warsaw Uprising of Poland's resistance Home Army against the occupying Nazi German troops, during his visit to Poland for talks on European unity, defense and economic security, in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 5, 2018.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier lays a wreath at the monument to the ill-fated 1944 Warsaw Uprising of Poland's resistance Home Army against the occupying Nazi German troops, during his visit to Poland for talks on European unity, defense and economic security, in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 5, 2018.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)LINDSIDE, W.Va. (AP) - Three protesters from Massachusetts were arrested after binding themselves to equipment in West Virginia to halt the construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

State police Sgt. C.K. McKenzie tells news outlets that they attached themselves to a tunnel and earth-moving machinery Monday.

Charges of trespassing, obstructing an officer and resisting arrest were filed against 18-year-old Sydney Patricia White, 21-year-old Evin Tyler Uger and 25-year-old Maxwell Harry Shaw. McKenzie described their resistance as "passive," saying it took almost two hours to free them.

In this Monday, June 4, 2018 photo, a protester is arrested at a Mountain Valley Pipeline worksite near Lindside, W.Va. Three protesters from Massachusetts were arrested after binding themselves to equipment at the site in West Virginia to halt the construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. (Charles Boothe/The Daily Telegraph via AP)

It's unclear whether they have lawyers. Each was released on $1,500 bond.

Legal and regulatory challenges, tree-sits and other acts of resistance have failed to stop construction of the 300-mile (480-kilometer) natural gas pipeline.LONDON (AP) - The inquiry into Britain's Grenfell Tower fire should consider whether racism contributed to the deaths of 72 people in the blaze, a lawyer for survivors said Tuesday.

Imran Khan said it's "vital ... that race, religion and social class are considered" by the judge-led inquiry.

The inquiry is investigating causes of the June 2017 high-rise blaze to prevent future tragedies. But some survivors want a wider scope. They accuse officials of ignoring safety concerns because the public-housing block was home to largely to immigrant and working-class residents.

FILE - In this Friday, June 23, 2017 file photo, the burnt Grenfell Tower after the recent fire in London. An inquiry into the fire that tore through London's Grenfell Tower high-rise almost a year ago, killing 72 people, began evidence hearings Monday June 4, 2018, with a lawyer vowing it would address the "overwhelming question: Why?" The judge-led inquiry, which is expected to last about 18 months, aims to find the causes of Britain's deadliest fire in decades and to prevent future tragedies. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

Khan, who represents some of the bereaved and survivors, said that unless race and class are considered, "we will be putting at risk the lives of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people from black and ethnic minority communities who are over-represented in high-rise blocks across Britain."

Expert reports commissioned by the inquiry have said that a 2016 refurbishment that added flammable external cladding to the tower helped the braze spread from a four-floor apartment to engulf the building.

A lawyer for another group of survivors, Danny Friedman, said the refurbishment had turned the building into a "death trap."

The inquiry will hear from companies involved in the refurbishment and the management company that oversaw the tower. In opening statements, they urged the inquiry not to rush to judgment.

Arconic, a company that supplied aluminum cladding panels to Grenfell, said the cladding was "at most, a contributing feature to the fire."

"The panels did not render inevitable the catastrophe which ensued," the company said.

This is a June 14, 2017 handout grab taken from video issued by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, timestamped at 01.26, showing the fire spreading up the tower. Residents of London's Grenfell Tower high-rise were wrongly told to stay in their apartments as fire raged through the building, aided by flammable external cladding and a host of fire-safety failings an expert report said Monday, June 4, 2018. (Grenfell Tower Inquiry/via AP)MANHEIM, Pa. (AP) - A family-owned Pennsylvania energy company has abruptly shut down as it faces a potential fraud involving tens of millions of dollars after the brief disappearance of its CEO.

Worley & Obetz, based in Manheim, closed its doors Monday after 72 years in the residential heating oil, propane and HVAC business, leaving about 250 workers unemployed, LNP reported.

"It's horrible beyond belief," co-owner Seth Obetz said. "We have such a great team who didn't do anything wrong other than work hard and take great care of customers. We have great customers who don't deserve this."

Last week, the company announced layoffs of more than 100 workers and the shuttering of its commercial operations, saying the actions were "due to potentially fraudulent activity" and that the layoffs followed the "disappearance of our CEO, Jeff Lyons." Lyons had been reported missing May 15 but was found days later and subsequently fired. A message seeking comment from him at a home phone listing wasn't returned Tuesday.

Seth Obetz told LNP he doesn't know Lyons' whereabouts, but he never returned to the company and was terminated "with cause."

The company said the FBI is investigating the alleged fraud, along with local authorities. No one has been charged.

A restructuring plan to keep Worley & Obetz afloat was rejected by lenders.

Obetz told the newspaper he and his father, Bob Obetz, both resigned Monday as part of the closure process.

Four local banks have told the Securities and Exchange Commission they'll have multimillion-dollar losses over fraud committed by an employee of Worley & Obetz, according to American Banker. They are Fulton Financial, based in Lancaster; Univest, based in Souderton; S&T Bancorp, based in Indiana, Pennsylvania; and Franklin Financial Services, based in Chambersburg. Their combined losses could be more than $60 million.

Fulton Financial was the lead lender in the participation loan, and said it doesn't typically identify customers but in this case the client had been "independently confirmed."

"Fulton is saddened by the events that its longtime customer has experienced, and by the fact that those events caused that business to be unable to continue to operate," Fulton spokeswoman Laura Wakeley told LNP.

___

Information from: LNP, http://lancasteronline.comWASHINGTON (AP) - Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt had an agency staffer reach out to Chick-fil-A on government email about a "potential business opportunity," emails show. The opportunity, according to one former EPA senior staff member, was exploring the possibility of a Chick-fil-A franchise for Pruitt's wife.

It was the second disclosure in as many days of Pruitt asking agency staff to do personal tasks for him. Democratic lawmakers released a transcript Monday of an interview with a top Pruitt aide who said the EPA chief asked her to reach out to the Trump International Hotel about buying a used mattress.

Federal ethics rules bar government employees from using their positions for private gain and prohibit supervisors from directing their subordinates to carry out personal errands.

This Sept. 21, 2017 file photo shows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Building in Washington. The Government Accountability Office has agreed to examine the legality of a politically-tinged tweet from the official Environmental Protection Agency account. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

EPA mails obtained by the Sierra Club under the Freedom of Information Act show Sydney Hupp, then Pruitt's scheduler, reaching out to Chick-fil-A executive Dan Cathy on May 18, 2017, for a meeting, at Pruitt's request, she wrote in the email.

"The administrator didn't mention a specific topic but I will touch base with him to see if there is one," Hupp said in one email.

She followed up the next day. "The administrator would like to talk about a potential business opportunity."

Former EPA deputy chief of staff Kevin Chmielewski said in an interview Tuesday that Millan Hupp, also a top aide to Pruitt, told him that the administrator was inquiring about the possibility of his wife acquiring a franchise with the chain.

He said Pruitt, Millan Hupp and "the Oklahoma people" were doing what they could to find a job for Marlyn Pruitt in the Washington area.

Pruitt and his aides also put out feelers among government and private contacts about interior decorator work for Pruitt's wife, according to Chmielewski, who says he was fired from the agency after challenging some of Pruitt's spending.

Neither the EPA or Chick-fil-A officials returned requests for comment.

Chick-fil-A representative Carrie Kurlander told The Washington Post, which first reported the story, that Pruitt had been interested in his wife becoming a franchise owner.

"Administrator Pruitt's wife started, but did not complete, the Chick-fil-A franchisee application," the Post quoted her as saying.

Pruitt's alleged use of his EPA position to help job-search for his family is improper because he put aides to work, and because "by using his staff he brought in the imprimatur of the agency, he invoked the authority of the agency," said Virginia Canter, ethics counsel with the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington nonprofit. "Under no circumstances is it appropriate to do that."

Asked about the latest disclosures, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday, "We continue to have concerns and look into those and we'll address them."

Separately Tuesday, the Government Accountability Office said it had agreed to a Democratic senator's request to examine the legality of a politically tinged tweet from the EPA.

The GAO will conduct a legal review of the April 13 tweet from the EPA's official Twitter account, spokesman Charles Young said.

The EPA tweet noted the Senate approval of Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist who also served in the EPA under President George H.W. Bush, as the agency's new second-in-command.

The tweet added, "The Democrats couldn't block the confirmation of environmental policy expert and former EPA staffer."

Democratic Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico asked for the GAO review, calling the tweet "partisan taunting." Udall contended the dig by the EPA-run Twitter account violated a law barring use of government appropriations for publicity or propaganda.

The review becomes the latest in a succession of federal investigations of Pruitt and his agency by the EPA's inspector general, the GAO, the White House Office of Management and Budget, and Congress.

Questioned by Udall about the EPA tweet in a Senate hearing last month, Pruitt said: "I was unaware of the tweet and that shouldn't have occurred. The agency should not have done that."

Asked for comment Tuesday, the EPA forwarded a May 23 letter by a different federal agency, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, finding the tweet did not violate a separate law, the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity on the job.NEW YORK (AP) - Kate Spade, a fashion designer known for her sleek handbags, was found dead in her Park Avenue apartment Tuesday in an apparent suicide, police said. She was 55.

News of her death shocked the fashion world and led to an outpouring of tributes from her legions of fans.

A housekeeper discovered Spade's body hanging in her bedroom, police said. While investigators were still in the early stages of their inquiry, the department's chief of detectives, Dermot Shea, said evidence including a note pointed to "a tragic suicide."

FILE - In this May 13, 2004 file photo, designer Kate Spade poses with handbags and shoes from her next collection in New York. Law enforcement officials say Tuesday, June 5, 2018, that New York fashion designer Kate Spade has been found dead in her apartment in an apparent suicide. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

Shea wouldn't discuss what was in the note, but law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that, among other things, it contained a message to Spade's 13-year-old daughter, saying it was not her fault. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

"We are all devastated by today's tragedy," Spade's family said in a statement through a spokesman. "We loved Kate dearly and will miss her terribly. We would ask that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this very difficult time."

The body was found not long after 10 a.m., police said. Her husband and business partner Andy Spade was in the apartment at the time. The couple's daughter was at school

It's not clear how long she had been dead. The medical examiner will perform an autopsy.

A crime scene truck was parked outside Spade's building on Manhattan's Upper East Side, and barriers had been set up to keep back reporters and gawkers who were arriving to the building.

The company she founded and later sold, Kate Spade New York, now has over 140 retail shops and outlet stores across the U.S. and more than 175 shops internationally.

Julia Curry, a spokeswoman for the company, said that "Kate will be dearly missed" and "our thoughts are with Andy and the entire Spade family at this time."

Neva Hall, executive vice president at Neiman Marcus Stores, said the news was devastating.

"Her creative light and bright mind will be greatly missed," Hall wrote in a statement.

Kate Spade was born Katherine Brosnahan and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri.

She was working as an accessories editor at Mademoiselle magazine when she launched her company with husband Andy in their New York apartment in 1993. She started the company based on six shapes of bags that she thought every working woman needed. It created a smash.

"I grew up in the Midwest, where you have to have it (a fashion item) because you like it, not because you're supposed to have it," she told the AP in 2004. "For our customers, fashion is in the right place in their life. It's an adornment, not an obsession."

From the original boxy handbags, she expanded into shoes, luggage and other accessories, as well as a home line, stationery, and three books. Spade won multiple awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and was named a "giant of design" by House Beautiful magazine.

"As an accessory, a great bag that takes the outfit somewhere else is interesting," she told the AP in a 2000 interview.

She walked away from the company in 2007, a year after it was acquired from the Neiman Marcus Group for $125 million by the company then known as Liz Claiborne Inc.

Coach, now known as Tapestry, bought the Kate Spade brand last year for $2.4 billion, seeking to broaden its appeal.

Meanwhile, Spade and her husband - brother of comedian David Spade - started a new handbag company a few years ago, Frances Valentine. And she changed her name to Katherine Noel Frances Valentine Brosnahan Spade.

"I will never forget the first Kate Spade bag I got for Christmas in college," Jenna Bush Hager tweeted. "She was a trailblazer. Her life and death are a reminder that pain doesn't discriminate. Sending love to her family."

FILE - In this May 13, 2004 file photo, designer Kate Spade poses with shoes from her next collection in New York. Law enforcement officials say Tuesday, June 5, 2018, that New York fashion designer Kate Spade has been found dead in her apartment in an apparent suicide. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

Kate Spade fashions are shown in the fashion designer's Madison Avenue store, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in New York. Law enforcement officials say Kate Spade has been found dead in her apartment in an apparent suicide. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Kate Spade fashions are shown in the window of the fashion designer's Madison Avenue store, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in New York. Law enforcement officials say Kate Spade has been found dead in her apartment in an apparent suicide. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

A woman leaves the Kate Spade Madison Avenue store, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in New York. Law enforcement officials say New York fashion designer Kate Spade has been found dead in her apartment in an apparent suicide. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

The Kate Spade logo is shown at her Madison Avenue store, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in New York. Law enforcement officials say Spade has been found dead in her apartment in an apparent suicide. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

The body of fashion designer Kate Spade is removed from her Park Avenue apartment Tuesday, June 5, 2018 in New York. Law enforcement officials say Spade apparently hanged herself in the bedroom of her apartment. The officials say she was found by housekeeping staff and left a note at the scene. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

The body of fashion designer Kate Spade is removed from her Park Avenue apartment Tuesday, June 5, 2018 in New York. Law enforcement officials say Spade apparently hanged herself in the bedroom of her apartment. The officials say she was found by housekeeping staff and left a note at the scene. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

A residential building at 850 Park Avenue, the home of fashion designer Kate Spade, appears on Tuesday June 5, 2018, in New York. Spade was found hanged in the bedroom of her apartment Tuesday in an apparent suicide, law enforcement officials said. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)WAGONER, Okla. (AP) - A man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty in the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy whose body was found on fire in northeastern Oklahoma.

District Attorney Jack Thorp says 23-year-old Joshua Herrington pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on Monday in the death of Brennon Davis.

Davis' bullet-riddled body was found burning on Jan. 11, 2017, near Fort Gibson Lake, 48 miles (77 kilometers) southeast of Tulsa. Authorities used dental records to identify his remains.

Thorp says Herrington pleaded guilty after the victim's family approved. Defense attorney Misty Fields says Herrington pleaded guilty in part to spare Davis' family from hearing painful testimony about the details of his death.

Thorp says a co-defendant, 24-year-old Cody Thompson, is scheduled to be tried for first-degree murder in October.MIAMI (AP) - An invasive and destructive pest has been identified in the farmlands near Miami, Florida agriculture officials said Tuesday.

Three male Oriental fruit flies have been found in traps in south Miami-Dade County since Friday, said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

The state is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to eradicate the flies. They are considered one of the world's most serious agricultural pests because of their potential economic harm.

The Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) lays eggs in more than 430 different fruits, vegetables and nuts. An infestation could be particularly damaging for growers of mangoes, lychees and other tropical fruit crops that were battered by Hurricane Irma in September.

"South Dade County is home to our tropical fruit industry in the state of Florida. It's a $2 billion industry just in Miami-Dade County," Putnam said after making the announcement at a USDA research station.

"The risk is, you would have a quarantine if we find a female or evidence of a breeding population. A quarantine would mean that crops currently being harvested would not be allowed to leave the area, and that would cause economic devastation to these growers who are still recovering from Irma."

To eradicate the pest, bait is being spread on utility poles, trees and other objects throughout a 1.5-square-mile (4-square-kilometer) area around the traps where the first flies were found. The flies die after feeding on the bait.

Nearby homeowners with fruit trees in their yards also are being asked not to take that fruit off their properties.

Investigators are trying to determine how the flies arrived in the county.

"Unfortunately, the state of Florida is a magnet for pests and disease because of our subtropical climate and the international travel that takes place in and out of our state," Putnam said.

Oriental fruit flies are native to a broad area from Pakistan and India, across southeast Asia and into Malaysia and the Philippines. They have been found in Florida several times since the 1960s. An infestation in 2015 in Miami-Dade County took six months to eradicate.PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Disgraced ex-Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been moved from a federal prison in Oklahoma to a federal detention center in Philadelphia.

The Detroit News reports that the 47-year-old Kilpatrick was transferred Monday. Kilpatrick was sentenced in 2013 to 28 years in prison for extortion, bribery, conspiracy and other crimes during his years in office.

He had been housed at the Federal Correction Institute at El Reno, located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Oklahoma City. Kilpatrick's release date is Aug. 1, 2037.

FILE - In this May 25, 2010 file photo, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick sits in a Detroit courtroom. Kilpatrick has been moved from a federal prison in Oklahoma to a federal detention center in Philadelphia. The 47-year-old Kilpatrick was transferred Monday June 5, 2018. Kilpatrick was sentenced in 2013 to 28 years in prison for extortion, bribery, conspiracy and other crimes during his years in office. He had been housed at the Federal Correction Institute at El Reno, west of Oklahoma City. Kilpatrick's release date is Aug. 1, 2037. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

The Bureau of Prisons website says the Philadelphia detention center houses nearly 1,040 inmates. No reason was listed on the website for Kilpatrick's transfer. The Associated Press left messages Tuesday seeking comment from the Bureau of Prisons.

Kilpatrick first was elected mayor in 2001. He resigned in 2008 following a text-messaging sex scandal involving his chief of staff. He also was charged with lying during a civil trial and jailed.DENVER (AP) - A Colorado baker's insistence that his religious beliefs justified his refusal to make a wedding cake for a gay couple created trouble for the state's civil rights commission long before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it had made a mistake.

The high court on Monday found that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission failed to adequately consider Jack Phillips' religious beliefs when it ruled against him for refusing to make the cake at his Masterpiece Cakeshop.

Without explicitly citing the case, Republicans who control the state Senate tried to add more pro-business seats on the commission - one of the first such panels in the nation - when it came up for reauthorization during the 2018 legislative session.

Baker Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, manages his shop Monday, June 4, 2018, in Lakewood, Colo., after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that he could refuse to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple because of his religious beliefs did not violate Colorado's anti-discrimination law. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

In the end, lawmakers changed the composition of the seven-member commission to add a business representative and, among other things, ensure no political party has an advantage on the panel.

The agreement also confirmed Senate authority to reject gubernatorial appointments to the commission, whose mandate was extended until 2027.

"For me, the Masterpiece case was a symptom of the problem of imbalance in the commission," said Bob Gardner, a Colorado Springs Republican senator who negotiated a renewal. "We avoided steadfastly injecting this case into the debate simply because it was such a lightning rod."

Senate President Kevin Grantham said the Supreme Court decision opens the door to follow-up reforms.

But Gardner noted that November's elections - which could keep the governor's office in Democratic hands and give Democrats both chambers of the Legislature - also will play a major role in its fate.

"We have an election, and the governor we elect this November will make the next three appointments," Gardner said.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Polis hopes to become the first openly gay governor in Colorado. He has three competitors in a June 26 primary to choose a GOP candidate in the race to replace Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper, who is term-limited.

"We can and must provide LGBTQ people with abundantly clear protections from discrimination in law," Polis said after the Supreme Court ruling.

In their 7-2 ruling, the justices found that Colorado's commission violated Phillips' First Amendment rights when it ruled in favor of Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins. The court said some commission members used speech exhibiting anti-religion bias in their deliberations.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote the majority opinion, said anti-discrimination laws "must be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion."

But the court stayed out of the thornier issue of whether people can avoid providing services to same-sex weddings because of religious beliefs.

The decision frustrated both sides in the debate.

"The court didn't change the legal landscape at all. It said that you must take religious claims seriously, which you should have been doing before," said Lisa Sorenon, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based State and Local Legal Center.

The center had filed an amicus brief supporting Colorado.

Democratic Rep. Leslie Herod, the first African American LGBTQ person elected to public office in Colorado, said she assumes lawmakers who traditionally bring forward anti-LGBTQ legislation will do so again, using the Supreme Court ruling.

Hickenlooper said the Supreme Court ruling is being taken seriously.

"We have no doubt that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission will meet that standard as they listen, respectfully, to all sides of the matters that come before it," he said.

Baker Jack Phillips, right, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, hugs an unidentified man who was in Phillips' shop Monday, June 4, 2018, in Lakewood, Colo., after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that he could refuse to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple because his religious beliefs did not violate Colorado's anti-discrimination law. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Charlie Craig, front, and David Mullins talk about a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that sets aside a Colorado court decision against a baker who would not make a wedding cake for the same-sex couple as they meet reporters Monday, June 4, 2018, in Denver. The Court has not decided on the larger issue in the case, however--whether a business can refuse to to serve gay and lesbian people. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)A former couple from Michigan are locked in a legal battle over the fate of 10 frozen embryos, which the woman wants to use to cure their daughter's sickle cell disease against her ex-boyfriend's wishes.

Gloria Karungi believes if she can bear another child with one of the embryos, bone marrow cells from the umbilical cord of her ailing daughter's healthy sibling could save the seven-year-old.

But the girl's biological father, Ronaldlee Ejalu, must give his consent, according to a contract with an in vitro fertilization clinic, and he's not interested. Karungi and Ejalu never married and broke up in 2013.

Frozen: Gloria Karungi and Ronaldlee Ejalu are locked in a legal battle over the control of their 10 frozen embryos, which the woman wants to use to try and save her sick daughter

Even though they were no longer in a romantic relationship, in 2015 the parents entered into an agreement with an in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic for the preservation of their embryos, according to court documents.

Karungi's lawyer has filed a motion seeking to appoint a guardian over the embryos while the case is winding its way through the court system.

Oakland County Judge Lisa Langton last year said she didn't have the authority to wade into the embryo dispute; she was simply determining financial support and parenting time for the couple's daughter.

But the Michigan appeals court sent the case back to Langton for more work, including an evidentiary hearing if necessary.

Karungi 'wants to cure her daughter and is seeking the embryos to that end. ... Without the embryos coming to term, that child has no ability to be cured,' the woman's attorney, Dan Marsh, said in a court filing.

Ejalu's lawyer, Dan Weberman, said he will argue again that a Family Division judge has no role in what's basically a contract dispute.

He also said it is misleading for Karungi to claim that cells from a sibling are the only cure the seven-year-old's genetic blood disorder.

'They want to paint a picture like she's on her death bed,' Weberman told The Associated Press. 'She's in school. She's a happy girl. She gets treatment once a month.'

Ejalu no longer believes that using frozen embryos is a good idea.

'He doesn't feel ethically that a life should be created for human tissue harvesting. That's somewhat mind-boggling,' Weberman said.

Under orders from the appeals court, Langton on June 20 again will hear arguments on whether she has jurisdiction over contested property held by unmarried parties.

But in the meantime, the judge has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday on Karungi's request to have a lawyer appointed as guardian over the embryos.

Karungi's legal team believes it got a boost in April when the state Supreme Court declined to intervene at this stage of the case. Justice Bridget McCormack added her own postscript to the one-sentence order, saying Langton shouldn't sidestep 'whether frozen embryos are persons subject to a custody determination.'

No other justice joined her remarks. Weberman said they were 'gratuitous and irrelevant.'NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - The Latest on the suspected kidnapping of an infant girl at knifepoint in Virginia (all times local):

5:25 p.m.

Three different people called 911 within five minutes of each other to report seeing the North Carolina sex offender who police say kidnapped his 7-month-old daughter from a Virginia gas station.

This undated image provided by the Virginia State Police shows Emma Grace Kennedy, who police say was abducted Sunday, June 3, 2018, by a registered sex offender at a gas station in Virginia. (Virginia State Police via AP)

Two 911 calls released Tuesday hours after the baby was found safe came from a North Carolina woman who said Carl Kennedy called her to help get diapers and formula.

A third came from a man who saw him changing a tire on a car spray-painted black on the side of the road and the fourth 911 call was from a friend of a neighbor who saw the 51-year-old man and child.

The tips led Randolph County deputies to a home in Randleman where Kennedy was arrested and the baby was found safe.

The baby's aunt, Amy Wyatt Metzger, says the mother and daughter were reunited at the hospital and doctors said the girl was fine.

___

3:20 p.m.

Authorities say a tip led them to a trailer in North Carolina where they found a kidnapped 7-month-old girl and her father, who'd taken her at knifepoint.

Randolph County Sheriff Robert Graves told reporters at a news conference Tuesday that an officer entered the mobile home and "immediately grabbed her up and shielded her with great care."

The sheriff says Emma Grace Kennedy "had a great smile on her face and appeared to be in good shape and certainly a great smile on our deputy's face as well."

Police in Danville, Virginia, say Carl Ray Kennedy abducted his daughter at knifepoint from the girl's mother at a gas station there Sunday night.

Virginia State Police had issued an Amber Alert saying the infant faced "extreme danger." Graves says Kennedy painted his gold Suzuki black to try to evade police.

___

1:20 p.m.

Authorities say a 7-month-old Virginia infant who had been kidnapped by her sex offender father has been found safe.

The Danville Police Department in Virginia says in a Tuesday news release that Emma Grace Kennedy has been found in North Carolina and her father has been arrested.

The release says the girl appears to be in good health and was being evaluated in a hospital.

Police say Emma was taken by her father, 51-year-old Carl Ray Kennedy, at a convenience store in Danville on Sunday. Kennedy is registered as a sex offender in North Carolina

Virginia State Police had issued an Amber Alert saying the infant faced "extreme danger."

___

11 a.m.

Authorities in North Carolina and Virginia are following up on tips as they search for a 7-month-old girl they say was abducted at knifepoint from the baby's mother.

Police in Danville, Virginia, said Emma Grace Kennedy was taken by her father, 51-year-old Carl Ray Kennedy at a convenience store near the North Carolina state line.

Virginia State Police issued an Amber Alert saying the infant faces "extreme danger."

An update Monday night said Kennedy may have been spotted in Seven Springs, southeast of Raleigh, and could be headed to Oak Island on the North Carolina coast.

Authorities said Carl Kennedy is registered as a sex offender in Asheboro, North Carolina.

In this image provided by the Randolph County Sheriff, Randolph County Sheriff Deputy Jimmy Barnes holds 7-month-old Emma Grace Kennedy after her father Carl Ray Kennedy was arrested Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Randleman, N.C. The child, who was abducted by her sex offender father, appeared to be in good health and was being evaluated at a hospital, the Danville, Va., Police Department, said in a news release. (Randolph County Sheriff via AP)

This undated photo provided by the Virginia State Police shows Carl Kennedy. An Amber Alert was issued for a 7-month-old girl who police say was abducted by Kennedy, a registered sex offender at a gas station in Virginia. (Virginia State Police via AP)

In an image from video provided by the Danville Police Department from a gas station surveillance camera, a man snatches an infant from a car at a Kwik Stop in Danville, Va. Authorities in Virginia and North Carolina are searching for Carl Ray Kennedy, a convicted sex offender and the infant's father, who kidnapped 7-month-old Emma Grace Kennedy from her mother at knifepoint, police said Monday, June 4, 2018. An Amber Alert has been issued. Police said the infant is believed to be in "extreme danger." (Danville Police Department via AP)NEW YORK (AP) - The New York City Opera has commissioned "Stonewall" by British composer Iain Bell to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in 1969.

The company said Tuesday the work will premiere on June 19, 2019, nine days prior to the anniversary of the riots sparked by a police raid of the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village section of New York. The demonstrations are viewed as the key event in the gay liberation movement in the United States.

Mark Campbell is writing the libretto and Leonard Foglia will direct. The commission is part of the company's pride initiative, which began with Peter Eotvos' "Angels in America" last year and Charles Wuorinen's "Brokeback Mountain," which completed a run Monday.

The company will open its 75th anniversary season on Sept. 6 with Robert Ward's "The Crucible," a City Opera commission that won the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for music. Based on the Arthur Miller play, the opera will be presented in a Francesca Zambello staging first seen at the 2016 Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, New York.

Both operas will be shown at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater. The company plans to announce the rest of its 2018-19 season at a later date.BOSTON (AP) - An advocacy group is renewing calls to rename Boston's historic Faneuil Hall because its namesake owned slaves.

The New Democracy Coalition requested in a Monday letter to the Boston City Council that it hold hearings to gather public feedback on the idea.

The downtown meeting house was built in 1742 and was where Samuel Adams and other American colonists made some of the earliest speeches urging independence from Britain.

But the landmark was built for the city by Peter Faneuil (FAN'-yul), a wealthy merchant who owned and traded slaves.

Kevin Peterson, the coalition's founder, raised the issue last summer. He suggested the "Cradle of Liberty" could instead honor Crispus Attucks, a black man considered the first American killed in the Revolutionary War.

City Council President Andrea Campbell didn't immediately comment.MEXICO CITY (AP) - Rescuers searching Tuesday for seven people missing after a dam containing mineral tailings burst at a mine in the northern Mexican border state of Chihuahua found one body that was not yet identified, state officials said.

Some 150 people joined the search over a 7-mile (12-kilometer) course through the mountains where the contaminated water rushed after the dam broke Monday at the Rio Tinto mine complex, the state government said in a statement.

In addition to those missing, two people were reported hospitalized in stable condition.

Gov. Javier Corral visited the site Tuesday and said the state's priorities were finding the missing and protecting the Tubares river at the bottom of the watershed.

Later, Luis Cuauhtemoc Guerra Chacon, state civil protection coordinator, said the mining residue was successfully diverted and had stopped about three miles (6 kilometers) from the Tubares river. The water supply was not at risk, according to the statement.

Mexico's federal environmental prosecutor's office said in a statement that it was investigating at the scene to determine how much material was released.

In an aerial inspection, investigators saw that the flow stopped naturally several miles before reaching the Fuerte river. The area's rough terrain makes about three-quarters of the streambed where the material flowed inaccessible, the statement said.

The release on Monday morning carried away heavy equipment, vehicles and workers who were involved in a containment project, the statement said. The mining company told environmental investigators that the released material was not dangerous, but the statement said testing would be conducted to verify that.

The Chihuahua state prosecutor's office said it had opened an investigation to determine what caused the release.

The gold and silver mine is in Cieneguita in the municipality of Urique. Aerial photographs provided by the state government show a white residue coating a long winding course through the mountains. Video captured at the scene showed a thunderous torrent of water rushing down a steep mountainside.

The mine's owner, Cluster Minero de Chihuahua, did not respond to requests for comment.NEW YORK (AP) - Fordham law professor Zephyr Teachout launched her Democratic campaign for New York attorney general outside Trump Tower on Tuesday with a promise to crack down on potential conflicts of interest in President Donald Trump's sprawling business empire.

Teachout said she would use the vast power of the office to litigate aggressively against the president, calling previous actions by the state too defensive.

"I will use law as a sword," she said, "not just a shield."

Zephyr Teachout points to Trump Tower while announcing her Democratic Party candidacy for the New York State Attorney General, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in New York. Teachout faces several candidates in the attorney general race, including New York City Public Advocate Letitia James. James won the endorsement of state Democrats at their convention last month. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Teachout, who garnered 34 percent of the vote in a 2014 gubernatorial primary loss to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, faces a similarly uphill battle in the Sept. 13 primary for attorney general. New York City Public Advocate Letitia James won the endorsement of state Democrats at their convention last month and has the support of Cuomo.

Teachout is a former board member of a watchdog group that has taken Trump to court alleging he has broken the emoluments clause of the Constitution prohibiting the president from accepting gifts and payments from the foreign governments without the consent of Congress.

The group called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington argues events thrown by diplomats at Trump's hotel down the street from the White House are a violation of the clause, and that the president should have divested his holdings before taking office.

Trump's lawyers argue that the constitutional ban does not extend to commercial transactions in which a service is provided in exchange for pay.

In her speech, Teachout said that Trump has used the presidency to benefit his business, and turn "democracy into a kleptocracy."

She noted a Chinese state-owned bank is still renting offices in Trump's namesake tower more than a year into his presidency.

"Every dime of rent paid to him by China is a violation of our sacred Constitution," she said.

Former New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman, who resigned last month after allegations he abused women he dated, had filed numerous lawsuits challenging the administration's policies, and used the office against Trump even before the election.

In 2012, he initiated legal action against Trump University, claiming the school to teach Trump's real estate investment techniques had defrauded students. The suit and others were later settled for $25 million.

He also launched an investigation into the Trump Foundation after news reports that Trump used the charity to settle lawsuits, make a $25,000 political contribution and purchase a painting of himself.

Teachout said in her speech that she is pregnant and that has made her more determined to run for office.

"I feel the future growing inside me," she said, "and with every kick I feel more determined, and with every stretch, I am more committed to fighting for freedom and justice."

___

This story has been corrected to show that Teachout is a former board member of CREW, not one of its current leaders.

Zephyr Teachout announces her Democratic Party candidacy for the New York State Attorney General while standing across from Trump Tower, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in New York. Teachout faces several candidates in the attorney general race, including New York City Public Advocate Letitia James. James won the endorsement of state Democrats at their convention last month. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Zephyr Teachout announces her Democratic Party candidacy for the New York State Attorney General while standing across from Trump Tower, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in New York. Teachout faces several candidates in the attorney general race, including New York City Public Advocate Letitia James. James won the endorsement of state Democrats at their convention last month. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Zephyr Teachout announces her Democratic Party candidacy for the New York State Attorney General while standing across from Trump Tower, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in New York. Teachout faces several candidates in the attorney general race, including New York City Public Advocate Letitia James. James won the endorsement of state Democrats at their convention last month. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)DAYTON, Ohio (AP) - Authorities say a 13-year-old Ohio boy who accidentally shot and killed his 2-year-old brother while playing with a gun has been charged with reckless homicide.

The Dayton Daily News reports the toddler killed Monday afternoon at a home in Harrison Township was Jvonte (jay-VON-tay) Johnston. His brother had a denial plea entered on his behalf Tuesday during a juvenile court hearing.

Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer says Tuesday that Jvonte's father, 34-year-old Jamahl (jah-MAL') Evans, has been charged in federal court with being a felon in possession of a gun. Evans has appeared in court, telling a judge he wouldn't be hiring his own attorney.

Plummer says investigators found two guns and marijuana prepared for sale inside Evans' home.

___

Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.comJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A transgender woman filed a discrimination lawsuit Tuesday against the state of Alaska, saying she was denied coverage for medically necessary surgical treatment.

The federal lawsuit, filed on behalf of Jennifer Fletcher, claimed the state health insurance plan excludes coverage for surgical treatment for gender dysphoria.

The lawsuit stated that because the only people who require medically necessary care to treat gender dysphoria are transgender, denying coverage discriminates against transgender people.

Fletcher, 36, works as a legislative librarian in Juneau. She has been forced to pay thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for health care expenses not covered by her insurance plan, said the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages.

The lawsuit also wants a judge to find that the state violated Fletcher's rights.

Cori Mills, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Law, said in an email that the department will review the complaint and respond accordingly, once served.

Similar lawsuits have been filed in other states, including Wisconsin.

Fletcher's lawsuit argues that an exclusion of coverage for transition-related care dates to at least 1979, "when understanding of transgender people was far more limited."

Peter Renn, a senior attorney with Lambda Legal and one of Fletcher's attorneys, called the policy "antiquated, irrational and downright cruel."

"Imagine if you were limited to health care treatment from 40 years ago. That would be unthinkable," he said. He noted the state medical plan has recently started covering transition-related hormone therapy as medically necessary.HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - Georg von Tiesenhausen, the last of the German rocket team that launched the U.S. space program, has died at his Alabama home. He was 104.

U.S. Space & Rocket Center spokeswoman Pat Ammons confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that von Tiesenhausen died Sunday.

Von Tiesenhausen started his career in 1943 at the German Rocket Center in Peenemeunde, Germany, where he held the position of section chief. It was there that his career in rocket development began.

In this May 13, 2009 photo, Dr. Georg von Tiesenhausen, center, is hugged by his son, Dr. Georg von Tiesenhausen Jr., during a surprise birthday celebration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. The senior von Tiesenhausen died June 4, 2018 at the age of 104. He was the last of the German rocket team that launched the U.S. space program. (Glenn Baeske/The Huntsville Times - AL.com via AP)

The famed scientist worked alongside Wernher von Braun during World War II in Germany. Several years after the war, von Tiesenhausen joined von Braun in Huntsville, Alabama. While there, von Tiesenhausen proved instrumental in forming the backbone of the U.S. space program, ultimately aiding in the launch of the first U.S. satellite and the first U.S. astronauts. While at the Marshall Space Flight Center, von Tiesenhausen designed and created the famous lunar rover that accompanied the last three Apollo missions in 1971 and 1972.

Von Tiesenhausen developed the reputation as Marshall's resident dreamer, working tirelessly to achieve his goal of establishing a permanent lunar base and then one on Mars.

The rocketry pioneer was presented a lifetime achievement award in 2011 by Neil Armstrong at the rocket center in Huntsville. Von Tiesenhausen was fondly known as "Von T" by his colleagues, including Armstrong.

"He is and has been a person who imagines what can be, and he has the skills to convert that imagine into reality," Armstrong said in 2011. The award acknowledged von Tiesenhausen as an innovative space designer and an engaged man who still worked with students.

In 1986, von Tiesenhausen announced his plan to retire from Marshall after a career that spanned more than four decades. After his retirement, he continued working with the center, specifically with the center's space camps where he taught space campers.

"He will be missed," Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle told Al.com. "He's the last of a generation that was always reaching for the stars."

In this undated photo, Dr. Ernest Stone, educator; Georg von Tiesenhausen, NASA scientist; Andrea Wolter from Germany and George Perdikis, from Greece stand together during an international rocket forum in Jacksonville, Ala. Dr. von Tiesenhausen died Sunday, June 3, 2018 at the age of 104. He was the last of the German rocket team that launched the U.S. space program. (The Birmingham News via AP)

FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011 file photo, Neil Armstrong, left, and Dr. George von Tiesenhausen enter the Davidson Center walking past a group of space campers at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for Education to Tiesenhausen. At 104, Tiesenhausen, the last of the German rocket team that launched the U.S. space program, died at his Huntsville residence Sunday night, June 3, 2018. (Bob Gathany/The Huntsville Times via AP)WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats are trying to make an anti-corruption case ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, accusing Republicans of allowing themselves to become beholden to corporate interests during the Trump presidency.

The message, articulated Tuesday in speeches from two potential 2020 presidential candidates, aims to undercut President Donald Trump's argument that he has taken steps to "drain the swamp" in Washington and rein in the influence of lobbyists.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren issued a stark warning about Trump's efforts to deregulate the federal government, calling it a deceptive way to help the nation's wealthiest Americans and corporations. Warren said corporate interests and Republican allies were working to roll back rules to protect consumers and attacking the consumer financial agency she helped develop during the Obama era.

FILE - In this June 1, 2018, file photo, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks at the 2018 Massachusetts Democratic Party Convention in Worcester, Mass. Democrats are driving an anti-corruption message ahead of the 2018 mid-term elections, accusing Republicans of allowing themselves to become beholden to giant corporate interests during the Trump presidency. Warren warns about Trump's ridding of regulations, calling it a "scam" that helps the wealthy and corporations. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

"Back in 2016, Candidate Trump made big promises, promises to drain the swamp, promises to fight for working people, promises to ignore lobbyists, promises to stand up to Wall Street," Warren said at the Coalition for Sensible Safeguards symposium. "It's clear now that those promises were just part of the scam - a scam that has paid off handsomely for Wall Street."

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat who was re-elected in 2016 even as Trump won his state by 20 points, used a speech at the Center for American Progress to promote ways of reducing the influence of big money in politics.

"Money in politics is fundamentally eroding American democracy and what it should or used to stand for, a government of the people and by the people and for the people," Bullock said.

Trump is planning a blitz of several Republican-leaning states with Democratic senators on the ballot this year, including Montana, where Sen. Jon Tester is seeking re-election. Part of the president's strategy involves warning that Democrats would undo his sweeping tax overhaul and negate his slashing of regulations that he says has helped the economy.

"They're energized," Trump said of Democratic voters in a Monday conference call with supporters. "And not for good - they're energized for a lot of bad things to happen."

Bullock, who recently made his first trip to Iowa, home of the nation's first presidential caucuses, pointed to his role as the state's attorney general in challenging the 2010 Citizens United case. The landmark Supreme Court ruling allowed corporations and labor unions to spend freely in elections, as long as they did so independently of candidates.

After the Supreme Court overturned Montana's century-old ban on political spending by corporations, Bullock said he worked with both parties to approve a new state law requiring more disclosure of political committees' contributors and spending. "We didn't give up and it has made a meaningful difference," he said.

Bullock said he plans to sign an executive order this week that requires the recipients of certain government contracts to disclose their political donations, including contributions to so-called "dark money" groups not required to disclose their donors.

The speeches signaled how Democrats plan to make ethics and campaign finance reform a point of emphasis as they challenge Republicans this year amid the backdrop of the Russia investigation and oversight of Trump's Cabinet. The money in politics message has served as an early litmus test.

Warren said she would soon introduce "sweeping anti-corruption legislation to clean up corporate money sloshing around Washington." Several potential 2020 Democratic candidates, including Warren, Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, have said they won't accept campaign donations from political action committees connected to corporations. Bullock noted he hasn't taken corporate PAC money to his federal PAC.

Democrats are also seeking to place a spotlight on members of Trump's administration. Scott Pruitt, Trump's administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, has been under scrutiny since revelations that he rented a Capitol Hill condo tied to a prominent oil and gas lobbyist for $50 a night. Warren said "corruption oozes out of his office," but also pointed to his rolling back of environmental rules, along with similar efforts by several Cabinet members.

"Strong government rules matter. We cannot - we must not - accept a government that works only for a privileged few," Warren said.

__

On Twitter follow Ken Thomas at https://twitter.com/KThomasDC/SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) - A lawyer for a black Detroit-area woman says Target employees falsely accused her of stealing a bikini and forced her to expose parts of her body.

Attorney Jasmine Rand said Monday 20-year-old Ashanae Davis was shopping at a Target May 22 in Southfield. A security worker grabbed her arm, another handcuffed her and she was walked to a room, where she was told to lift her shirt and pull down her pants.

Rand says employees in the room were a white man, black man and white female manager.

Minneapolis-based Target says the woman was originally stopped because she had a swimsuit with tags in her bag that was later determined to have been purchased elsewhere. Target says the first security guard who confronted the woman has been fired.

Rand says that's not enough and that other black women with similar complaints have contacted her firm.BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A North Dakota charity has opened an emergency center for burn victims and orphaned children in Guatemala following the recent volcanic eruption in the Central American country that killed dozens of people.

The Bismarck-based God's Child Project opened the shelter at its facility in Antigua, Guatemala. Hannah Tollefsrud, the organization's community engagement coordinator, tells the Bismarck Tribune that the group converted the Casa Jackson Hospital for Malnourished Infants into a temporary triage center.

She said the organization expects to feed, clothe, shelter and provide medical assistance to thousands of people in the coming weeks.

"We will do everything in our power to help everyone that we can," she said.

The volcanic eruption Sunday surprised residents in remote mountain communities, which had little time to evacuate. At least 69 people were killed, though Guatemalan authorities expect the death toll to rise.

God's Child Project is able to provide immediate assistance with medicine and medical supplies donations from Sanford Health and Mid-Dakota Clinic that were already stored at the facility in Guatemala.

Tollefsrud said the organization also recently received hundreds of free shirts that were transported to Guatemala a few months ago. Those are now being distributed from the emergency shelter.

"For people affected by the pyroclastic flow and ash, those clean clothes are vital," Tollefsrud said.

The organization's buildings were also damaged by the searing ash and mud that will need extensive repair after the group provides emergency care.

___

Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.comCINCINNATI (AP) - Cincinnati says it's placing its 911 center under civilian control during an overhaul after a 16-year-old boy died in a minivan parked near his school.

Student Kyle Plush died April 10 despite placing 911 calls for help.

Acting City Manager Patrick Duhaney says Tuesday that Jayson Dunn, who oversees technology for the city, will take over the job temporarily.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Duhaney told City Council and Mayor John Cranley it's important to have the city's best resources on hand to ensure the overhaul's success.

Police Capt. James Gramke had overseen the center since March. He will move to another job within the department.

Police union chief Dan Hils says he's shocked, calling Gramke the potential remedy for problems at the center.

___

This story has been corrected to fix Patrick Duhaney's name on second reference in 4th graph. It is not Dunhaney.

___

Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.comSUGAR LAND, Texas (AP) - Nearly 100 unmarked graves near Houston believed to contain the century-old remains of imprisoned African-Americans will be exhumed after workers building a school discovered the gravesites.

A judge on Monday gave the Fort Bend Independent School District permission to begin a monthslong process, at a cost of upward of $1 million, to exhume the graves.

Bones were found this year as the ground in Sugar Land was being prepped for a $59 million career and technical center for the district's students.

The area is near the Old Imperial Farm Cemetery, which contains 31 marked graves for primarily white guards and prisoners on land once part of the Imperial State Prison Farm.

University of Houston anthropology professor Kenneth Brown said someone with a specialized knowledge of African-American history needs to examine the remains. Experts must determine the demography of those buried there, he said, but that step and other fundamental ones were interrupted as the school district chose to continue with construction work on other parts of the land.

"Part of my concern is: Why in the world did it take so long to find those graves?" asked Brown.

Cemetery guardian Reginald Moore, who has argued for years that the area was the burial site for unnamed black prisoners who died under harsh working conditions in the years after the Civil War, has criticized the school district for moving ahead with plans to build there.

"These people were used, abused, neglected and taken advantage of without any recognition," Moore previously told the Houston Chronicle. "I feel like it was an atrocity and somebody had to speak up for them."

District spokeswoman Veronica Sopher said school officials share Moore's concerns and want to determine who was buried there and under what circumstances.

"Obviously as an educational institution we want to use this as a learning opportunity, not only for our students but for our community," Sopher said Tuesday, later adding, "It's important for us that this process be handled in the most dignified manner possible."

The district is planning to keep its timetable for the center to open in fall 2019, she said.

The area is known historically for its sugar cane crops and sugar mill that gave rise to the Imperial Sugar Co., based in Sugar Land. The prison system in the decades after the emancipation of slaves in 1865 leased out black prisoners to plantation owners and others, according to the Texas Historical Commission.

The Imperial State Prison Farm and other Texas prisons were known for their harsh treatment of prisoners and living conditions before public outcry brought about reforms in the early 1900s, according to the commission.

Brown said one of the things that must be determined about the unmarked graves is whether they were part of a long-forgotten plantation cemetery or a prison cemetery.

"The convict labor system was heavily geared to black workers," he said. "They were put to work on sugar cane because that's what they had previously been doing."MUNCY, Pa. (AP) - A woman convicted of killing a fellow parishioner in a suburban Philadelphia church a decade ago has died in prison.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections confirmed Tuesday that 75-year-old Mary Jane Fonder died of cardiac arrest Monday at the State Correctional Institution in Muncy.

Fonder was sentenced to life in prison in Bucks County in the January 2008 death of 42-year-old Rhonda Smith, who was shot as she worked in the office at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Springfield Township. At sentencing, Fonder said she "did not do this terrible thing."

Authorities have said she also was the prime suspect in the disappearance of her father a quarter-century ago. On May 22, investigators used ground-penetrating radar to search the Kintnersville home the Fonders shared at the time.

___

This story has been corrected to show it's Kintnersville, not Kintersville.After Kate Spade's death by apparent suicide on Tuesday, fans mourned the designer and thanked her for fashion that marked formative moments in their lives.

For some, Spade's purses posed as protection from outside scrutiny. For others, they were an anecdote in greater love stories, a gift that represented so much more. For still others, they were a first splurge after getting a raise, or rewards for a job well done.

Celebrities weighed in, too, with former first daughters Jenna Bush Hager and Chelsea Clinton sharing their purse origin stories as tributes to the late designer.

The Kate Spade logo appears on one of her handbags, in her store in New York's Soho neighborhood, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Spade was found hanged in her apartment Tuesday in an apparent suicide, law enforcement officials said. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

"My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college," Clinton tweeted. "I still have it."

"I will never forget the first Kate Spade bag I got for Christmas in college," Bush Hager posted.

From fitting in to standing out, here's a look at what a single designer accessory meant to women across the country.

THE RIGHT REWARD

Writer Melanie Hauser, who writes as Melanie Benjamin, always felt a Kate Spade bag was aspirational - just out of reach.

She promised herself that if she ever had a New York Times Bestseller, she'd buy one. After she earned the accolade for "The Aviator's Wife," she made good on that deal.

She landed on a subtle beige tote that to her screamed "serious author."

Today, Hauser has other Kate Spade purses that are more colorful and fun. She said that Spade's brand is a go-to reward for success, and the designer's look became synonymous with strong femininity.

"She kind of puts the power in girl power, in a way," Hauser said.

KATE SPADE FOREVER

Tracy Russo is a political consultant living in Florence, Italy. But in the '90s, she was still an American teenager with jobs at the mall and movie theater.

As she worked for minimum wage, she saved every penny for one of Kate Spade's iconic Sam bags, which cost hundreds of dollars. It was her first big investment, and the most expensive clothing item she owned.

"I knew I would have it forever," Russo said. "I knew it was a piece that I just loved."

She still stores her Sam bag in her parents' closet stateside. And as she strolled the Amalfi Coast Tuesday, she carried another Kate Spade purse with her.

For Russo, Spade was not only a designer. She was a business owner who empowered women in the workforce.

"I think it's about more than the fact that she's created pretty things," Russo said.

A NEW YORK EXPERIENCE

Cindy Pon stood alongside other 20-somethings as they waited for a glimpse at the merchandise. Back in the '90s, it seemed that everyone who worked in the admissions office at New York University had a black Kate Spade purse - everyone except her.

For a 26-year-old California girl, New York came as a culture shock. Surrounded by hip co-workers who wore designer labels, Pon knew she needed something to make her look less out of place.

So when she heard the designer was holding a sample sale, she felt it was her time to get in on the trend.

With only $300 in cash, the graduate student followed a long line of women as they walked through a bag buffet. There were enough buyers to trail out the room.

"It was like Disneyland for Kate Spade purses," remembered Pon.

She ended up with two purses and a wallet, and remains a customer to this day.

___

Villarreal reported from Philadelphia.

A woman leaves the Kate Spade Madison Avenue store, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in New York. Law enforcement officials say New York fashion designer Kate Spade has been found dead in her apartment in an apparent suicide. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

This May 13, 2004 photo shows designer Kate Spade during an interview in New York. Spade was found dead in an apparent suicide in her New York City apartment on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

In this 2013 photo provided by Dennis Hauser, his wife Melanie Hauser, who writes as Melanie Benjamin, shows off her first bag designed by Kate Spade, posing for a photo at their home in Glen Ellen, Ill. After Spade's death by apparent suicide on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, fans mourned the designer and thanked her for fashion that marked formative moments in their lives. Melanie, who has since moved to Chicago, said she has other Kate Spade purses that are more colorful and fun. (Dennis Hauser via AP)

A woman carries her Kate Spade shopping bag outside the fashion designer's Madison Avenue store, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in New York. Law enforcement officials say Spade was found dead Tuesday in her new York apartment of an apparent suicide. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

A woman walks by the Kate Spade store in New York's Soho neighborhood, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Spade was found hanged in her apartment Tuesday in an apparent suicide, law enforcement officials said. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)WASHINGTON (AP) - Key Senate Republicans are pushing longshot legislation that would require Congress to sign off on President Donald Trump's import tariffs, a rare attempt to stand up to the administration on a bedrock issue that once defined the GOP.

Congressional Republicans are mostly at odds with what they view as Trump's protectionist instincts on trade. Despite much hand-wringing, prospects for any bill to challenge him remain uncertain. Many Republicans are hesitant to confront Trump in a legislative showdown that could end badly for them. Doing so could court a veto and bruise their standing with Trump voters they need in midterm elections.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., indicated he was not interested in spending too much time on the effort presented behind closed doors Tuesday by its chief proponent, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., saying he preferred to focus on "getting bills passed." And the second-ranking Republican, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, said he hoped Republicans concerned about the tariffs could prevail on the president to reverse course. He was heading to the White House later Tuesday for talks.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., tells reporters he intends to cancel the traditional August recess and keep the Senate in session to deal with backlogged tasks, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

"Not everything we do has to be legislative. Part of this job is persuasion," said Cornyn. He said lawmakers would "continue to make the case" with the president and his staff, which he noted is divided.

Trump took office promising to rip up trade deals and crack down on unfair trading practices. But that campaign slogan is at odds with Republicans' longstanding preference for free markets and open trade. The standoff is raising an uncomfortable question: If Republicans can't confront Trump on trade, can they challenge him on anything?

"For Republicans, this is who we are," said Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. "If we believe our own rhetoric - on trade, tariffs and congressional prerogative - I hope it does come to a vote."

The idea being pursued by Corker, Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and others who have been meeting privately - and with Democrats - would be narrowly crafted legislation requiring congressional approval of the tariffs Trump has imposed in the name of national security.

They're targeting Trump's reliance on the so-called 232 authority, named from Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allowed the administration to impose tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on imported aluminum from Mexico, Canada and the European Union, some of the U.S.'s top allies. The senators are also hoping to halt Trump's threat to slap tariffs on auto imports, including those from Japan.

Corker says there's "no way" automobiles and the other imports are a national security threat. It's not just Trump, the senators say, but past administrations that have leaned too heavily into the national security provision they now want to subject to congressional oversight.

"When you can just name anything as a national security issue then basically you undermine the whole trade agreement process," Corker said Tuesday.

Corker's trying to hitch the legislation to a big annual defense bill making its way through the Senate that includes must-pass pay raises for the troops and other provisions.

Senate Republicans have warned administration officials that the tariffs could dampen the economic gains from the GOP tax cuts.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he spoke to Corker about the legislation Tuesday. "I believe there is some Democratic support for it," Schumer said.

But Corker acknowledged the difficulty in passing legislation despite "tremendous concern" among lawmakers in both parties. "My guess is the administration may have some resistance," he said.

Time and again, Republicans in Congress have been reluctant to put guardrails around Trump as the administration has veered from GOP orthodoxy in policy or as the president interprets the law, as he did earlier this week, to assert the special counsel probe is unconstitutional and that he has the power to pardon himself.

Flake is one of the few Republicans who repeatedly take on Trump, and he has separately offered a bill that would reverse the steel and aluminum tariffs, with support from Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota.

Farm-state senators are particularly concerned about retaliatory tariffs that would close off foreign markets to pork and key crops like soybeans and corn. "It isn't as if the dog has not barked," said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

But it's unclear what lawmakers are willing to do besides bark. Challenging Trump comes with its own risks, from alienating his supporters to taking voters' attention off a healthy economy before the midterm elections, which will determine control of the House and Senate.

Asked if Congress will act on trade, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., a member of GOP leadership, answered simply: "No."

___

Follow Mascaro on Twitter at https://twitter.com/LisaMascaro and Freking at https://twitter.com/APKFrekingA soldier was told to keep his helmet and body armour on as there was a risk of being hit by a ricochet bullet during a training exercise in which another soldier was shot dead, a court martial heard.

Thomas Pell said an instructor told him not to take off his kit as he could be shot by a weapon fired from a nearby drill.

Mr Pell was taking part in an exercise at the Castlemartin Training Area in Pembrokeshire in May 2012 when Ranger Michael Maguire, 21, was shot in the forehead by a round fired from a GPMG machine gun.

Ranger Michael Maguire

Rgr Maguire, 21, from County Cork, Ireland was serving with the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment when he died.

Two officers and a sergeant are facing court martial in Bulford, Wiltshire in connection with the soldiers death.

Captain Jonathan Price, 32, now of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish, is accused of the manslaughter by gross negligence of Rgr Maguire through his failure to set up and supervise a safe exercise.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Bell, 45, and Warrant Officer Stuart Pankhurst, 40, are both accused of negligently performing a duty.

Mr Pell said after firing a GPMG he was told to wait in the rest spot but keep his body armour and helmet on because there was a risk of being hit by a ricochet from an adjacent area.

It was one of them running the GPMG range. I cant remember who told me that, said Mr Pell, who was then serving with the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

They said Keep your body armour and helmet on because the switch position is over there.

Catherine Bradshaw, representing Sgt Pankhurst, suggested to Mr Pell that rather than being told that by one of his supervisors it was in fact chit chat in the rest area.

On that day, as well as today, you are saying that you were told there was a risk of you being shot? she asked.

Mr Pell replied: Yes. It didnt cross my mind, I didnt think anything of it. I got told to take cover behind the mound because there could be ricochets.

Miss Bradshaw asked: You didnt want to get shot that day. I am going to suggest that if you really had been told that you wouldnt have just sat there.

The prosecution allege Capt Price failed to attend a recce of the range when preparing a Range Action Safety Plan (Rasp), that he placed targets too close together and he failed to deconflict the two exercises.

Lt Col Bell, the senior planning officer, is accused of failing to review or counter-sign the Rasp produced by Capt Price and failing to supervise or support him.

Staff Sgt Pankhurst, who was supervising the exercise involving Rgr Maguire in area 10A, is accused of failing to express any caution or concern despite having attended the recce and having knowledge of the extent of the adjacent shooting in area 10B.

All three defendants deny the charges and the trial before a board of seven senior officers continues.The US-led coalition campaign to liberate the Syrian city of Raqqa from the clutches of Islamic State killed hundreds of civilians and injured thousands, a charity has claimed.

Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the start of the offensive, Kate Allen, the director of Amnesty International UK, said Britain needs to come clean over its role in this carnage.

War Of Annihilation: Devastating Toll On Civilians, Raqqa, published by Amnesty on Tuesday, claims coalition air and artillery strikes detailed within it appear either disproportionate or indiscriminate or both and as such unlawful and potential war crimes.

Civilians in Raqqa have suffered grievously at the hands of IS, but theyve also been imperilled by the coalitions disproportionate aerial attacks, Ms Allen said.

The coalitions operations in Raqqa have killed hundreds and injured thousands of civilians and the UK needs to come clean over its role in this carnage.

Having conducted more than 200 airstrikes in Raqqa, the UK needs to be able to show that its targeting was proportionate and that it took proper measures to avoid unnecessary civilian casualties in its joint operations with the US and others.

Instead of repeating a mantra about there being no evidence of civilian casualties from UK airstrikes, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) should publish proper data about its Raqqa attacks  dates, times, locations, weapons used and intended targets.

Crucially, ministers should explain how the UK has investigated the impact of its attacks in both Raqqa and Mosul.

Unexploded bombs in Raqqa, Syria (Amnesty International/PA)

In response, coalition spokesman US Army Colonel Sean Ryan invited Ms Allen to leave the comforts of the UK and to head to Syria and Iraq to see how they are fighting an enemy that does not abide by any laws, norms or human concern.

There, she can personally witness the rigorous efforts and intelligence gathering the coalition uses before any strike to effectively destroy IS while minimising harm on civilian populations, he told the Press Association.

She can see firsthand our enemy using civilian non-combatants as shields against (the) coalition in order to sadistically claim that the coalition is killing civilians.

Finally, she can see the painstaking efforts we make to assess allegations of civilian casualties.

He said Amnesty International has not contacted the coalition for details on how strikes are conducted, or if their processes meet the requirements set out in international treaties and agreements, which he said they do.

Col Ryan said the findings collated in the report which claim strikes were disproportionate or indiscriminate are more or less hypothetical, and stressed that any non-combatant death or injury is a tragedy with meticulous processes in place to ensure we do everything possible to avoid them.

In 2014 IS blitzed across Syria and seized Raqqa, before spreading into north and western Iraq, to capture Mosul  they even advanced to the edges of Baghdad.

The UK is just one country that makes up the Global Coalition of 75-members joined together in a commitment to eradicate IS  with the RAF so far carrying out more than 1,600 strikes as part of Operation Shader.

Last month the MoD admitted for the first time that a civilian on a motorbike had been unintentionally killed in eastern Syria as a result of an RAF Reaper drone strike on March 26.

Col Ryan said the conflict was started by IS and their fake caliphate, at the expense of many thousands of lives killed in service of fanatical and selfish purposes.

Buildings in Raqqa which have been damaged in the conflict (Amnesty International/PA)

He also called on Amnesty for their thoughts on the countless innocent lives that could have been lost had the coalition not intervened against the extremists which murdered, pillaged, raped and stole their way to gaining full control of swathes of areas in Iraq and Syria.

The four-month coalition military operation to eradicate the terror group from Raqqa, the capital of their so-called caliphate, began on June 6 and was declared over on October 17 last year.

During the course of the operation homes, buildings and much of the city and its infrastructure were damaged beyond repair after tens of thousands of strikes, the report states.

Across two weeks Amnesty researchers visited 42 coalition airstrike sites and interviewed 112 survivors and witnesses  who told of the destruction caused by the aerial bombardments.

The charity said the harrowing stories and recollections of immense family losses stand in stark contrast to the coalitions claims that they took great pains to minimise civilian casualties.

Despite acknowledging that IS exacerbated the challenges inherent to urban combat by operating amongst civilians and using them as human shields, Amnesty said these tactics were well known.

And it conceded how the dress code imposed on IS fighters and civilians made it even more difficult for Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the coalition to distinguish between them.

The report also suggests a deal negotiated between tribal leaders in Raqqa and the SDF to allow IS fighters to leave the city safely and with impunity could not have been possible without coalition agreement.

Questioning why the city was blitzed in light of the truce, Amnesty International Middle East researcher Benjamin Walsby said: What possible military advantage was there in destroying practically an entire city and killing so many civilians?

Col Ryan denied the coalition was in the business of making deals with IS, and said there was still active fighting happening throughout the city during that time, and to characterise the city as peaceful during those discussions is a clear misstatement.

An MoD spokesman said: Keeping Britain safe from the threat of terrorism is the objective of this campaign and throughout we have been open and transparent, detailing each of our nearly 1,700 strikes, facilitating operational briefings and confirming when a civilian casualty had taken place.

We do everything we can to minimise the risk to civilian life through our rigorous targeting processes and the professionalism of the RAF crews but, given the ruthless and inhuman behaviour of Daesh, and the congested, complex urban environment in which we operate, we must accept that the risk of inadvertent civilian casualties is ever present.Advice to Grenfell Tower residents to stay put during the catastrophe and comedian Michael McIntyre getting robbed on the school run make headlines on Tuesday.

Several papers lead with evidence heard by the Grenfell inquiry that orders for residents to remain in their flats as fire spread may have made all the difference between life and death.

There is also a show of unity in papers across the north of England over the rail crisis.

What the papers say

The Guardian says the Grenfell inquiry heard how serious safety breaches on the night of the disaster included the presence of more than 100 non-compliant fire doors, a malfunctioning firefighting lift and the stay put policy.

The Daily Telegraph reports on evidence that victims had more than half an hour to escape the tower before the stairs filled with smoke, but were told to stay in place.

The Independents digital front page carries an image of the flat where the blaze began alongside its lead report on the Prime Ministers plans for Brexit revenge over the House of Lords.

The Sun leads with a report on hammer-wielding robbers attacking McIntyres Range Rover as he went to pick his children up from school in north-west London.

Tomorrow's front page: Moped thugs target Michael McIntyre in hammer attack on school run https://t.co/BS8JtC4lyn pic.twitter.com/Wvkq6djdfe  The Sun (@TheSun) June 4, 2018

The incident also makes the front page of the Daily Mirror, which says the comedians 15,000 Rolex was stolen by two mask-wearing thieves on a moped.

Also on Tuesday, newspapers across the north of England have joined forces to call on Theresa May to get a grip after chaos continued on the rail network.

Some 25 titles called on the PM to lead an emergency summit in Downing Street this week to find a solution to the crisis, and urged a review of rail franchising.

The Yorkshire Post, and quality regional news brands across the North of the country, unite tomorrow in an historic show of unity: fed up of being let down; fed up being treated as second class; fighting for better, now! #OneNorth #tomorrowspaperstoday #Skypapers #BBCpapers pic.twitter.com/uc4fN01J3Y  James Mitchinson (@JayMitchinson) June 4, 2018

In other news, The Times reports on the case of Safaa Boular, Britains youngest female terror plotter, who was convicted after an operation involving MI5 agents posing as Islamic State operatives.

Tomorrow's front page: Isis plotters caught in undercover MI5 sting #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/nI2O4V30tt  The Times (@thetimes) June 4, 2018

The Daily Mail leads on plans for three British women to have womb transplants in a UK first.

The i leads with the story of a woman who appears to have been cured of advanced drug-resistant breast cancer after doctors harnessed her own immune system to fight the disease.

The Financial Times leads with the announcement that the Government will offload 2.6 billion of Royal Bank of Scotland shares, which will see the taxpayers stake in the lender reduced from 70.1% to 62.4%.

Just published: front page of the Financial Times, London edition, Tuesday 5 June https://t.co/CCAi2pXpcy pic.twitter.com/mE0UUw53j9  Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) June 4, 2018

The Daily Express leads with warnings that more than 160,000 of Britains pensioners and disabled people are trapped in debt.Tribal artefacts that have been hidden away in the archives of the British Museum for nearly 120 years are being returned to a Native American tribe for an exhibit at its own museum.

The 16 objects will go on display on a small Oregon reservation after a decades-long campaign by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde to bring them back from Europe.

The intricate bowls, woven baskets and other pieces were collected by the Rev Robert W Summers, an Episcopal minister who bought them from tribal members in the 1870s and sold them to a colleague.

The colleague later gifted the objects to the British institution.

Tribal Artifacts

The Rise of the Collectors exhibit, on display at the Chachalu Tribal Museum and Cultural Centre in Grand Ronde, also includes basketry collected by Dr Andrew Kershaw, who worked on the reservation in the 1890s as a doctor and agent for the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Together, the two collections are part of a larger plan by the Grand Ronde to reclaim and examine its history for future generations  a mission that echoes efforts by other tribes around the United States.

Two years ago, a Parisian auction house withdrew a ceremonial shield from an auction after the Acoma Pueblo, a tribe in rural New Mexico, moved to halt its sale.

And tribes from Alaska to Connecticut have used a US law passed in 1990 to reclaim Native American remains and sacred or funerary objects.

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde wanted the objects back permanently, but worked out an initial year-long loan because a full return of items from the British Museum requires parliamentary action, said David Harrelson, manager of the tribes cultural resources department.

Tribal Artifacts

The tribe never made a formal request to have the objects repatriated and instead chose to work with the London institution.

The temporary exhibit is regarded as a first step to more collaboration between the Grand Ronde and the British Museum.

Its a real privilege to be a part of this, where this material heritage is coming back to this community, said Amber Lincoln, curator of the Americas section of the British Museum.

She and a colleague travelled to Oregon with the objects.

This is what we work for, to bring people together  so that we all learn.Visas European chief executive Charlotte Hogg faces the prospect of being hauled in front of MPs over a systems failure that caused card payment chaos last week.

MP and head of the influential Treasury Select Committee Nicky Morgan has written to Ms Hogg about the debacle on June 1, which left a number of UK and European cardholders unable to complete transactions.

Ms Hogg is a former Bank of England rate setter, whose brief stint as deputy governor ended last year when she was forced to resign from the role.

Ms Morgan said the incident at Visa led to widespread inconvenience for both consumers and businesses, and is calling on Visa to give details on when the company and its chief were first aware of the failure.

She has also asked Visa to specify how many cards were ultimately affected and if any customers saw money leave their accounts despite transactions not being completed.

The MP is calling for details over the nature of the hardware failure, what controls have been put in place to prevent similar incidents, and why processing was not switched to a backup site.

Ms Hogg has been given until the end of June 15 to respond to the queries, but still risks being hauled in front of the Treasury Select Committee to answer further questions.

Ms Morgan said: A third of all spending in the UK is processed by Visa. Its deeply worrying, therefore, that such a vital part of the countrys payment infrastructure can fail so catastrophically.

The consequences were sudden and severe. Many consumers and businesses were left stranded on Friday, unable to make or accept payments, with chaos reported in shops.

The Committee has asked Ms Hogg to answer its questions on the disruption. If it is not satisfied with the response, the Committee may consider asking Ms Hogg to provide oral evidence.

Visa apologised for the system failure which affected customers across the UK and Europe, saying it fell well short of its goal to ensure cards work reliably at all times.

The payment system was said to be operating at close to normal levels by 10.30pm on Friday, but Visa Europe posted a statement on its website in the early hours of Saturday to say the problems had been resolved.

David Hall court case

The issue was not associated with any unauthorised access or cyber attack, the statement added.

It is understood the Bank of England was in touch with Visa about the problem.

The embarrassment comes just over a year since Ms Hogg was forced to resign from her post as deputy governor at the Bank of England.

She had come under fire for breaking the Banks code of conduct by failing to declare that her brother worked for Barclays.

Her resignation last March came shortly after the Treasury Select Committee published a report stating that her professional competence had fallen short of the standards required to fulfil her role as the Banks deputy governor for markets and banking.

The fiasco prompted the Bank to overhaul its internal structures and launch a review to ensure its most senior levels abide by the code.Andy Murray is aiming to compete at Wimbledon after admitting his near year-long recovery from a hip problem has taken longer than anticipated.

The 31-year-old former world number one has not played since exiting the Wimbledon quarter-finals last July, but is aiming to return for the imminent grass court season.

Its been very slow, Ive been out getting close to a year now which is a lot longer than I expected at the beginning, Murray said in a video posted by The Guardian.

Andy Murray has not played since losing the 2017 Wimbledon quarter-final to Sam Quarrey

Im getting closer to playing again, Ive started training a few days ago, hoping to make my comeback during the grass court season.

Murray has twice won Wimbledon, in 2013 and 2016, and also won the 2012 US Open.

He underwent hip surgery in January after travelling to Australia in a bid to play in the Australian Open which failed to materialise.

On the All England Club tournament, he said: Im hoping Ill be there. Roger Federer has got a phenomenal record on grass, has won seven times at Wimbledon, hell definitely be up there as one of the favourites.

Not the sort of trip I envisaged on the way over here...was pumped to get back competing @AustralianOpen but ended up getting hip surgery and doing crosswords with my mum heading home positive about the future  Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 17, 2018

Murrays mother Judy on Monday said her son was back on the practice courts.

She told BBC Sport: Hes doing the rehabilitation. Hes been back on the court in the last couple of days.

His goal was always to try and be ready for the grass-court season and that is still his goal, so fingers crossed.

He will be guided by his body and how he feels. He is the only person who knows how he feels.

The most important thing is he gets fit again for the long term and any top athlete would tell you they would not come back until they felt they could give 100 per cent, especially in a major like Wimbledon.

Murray announced his planned return to the ATP Tour would be in the Libema Open in Holland, starting next Monday.

He is still on the entry list on the tournaments official website, but can pull out at any time before the event begins.A man who pleaded guilty to stalking TV presenter Christine Lampard faces jail after sending her very nasty tweets, a judge has said.

Christof King, 39, of Mowbray Road, Brent, in north west London, pleaded guilty to stalking last week, but he disputed the sending of the tweets.

King, who wanted career advice from Lampard, sent tweets and letters and turned up at her house on more than one occasion, causing her to hide in a bedroom with the housekeeper.

After a Newton hearing on the matter of the tweets, Judge Robin Johnson ruled on Tuesday at Isleworth Crown Court that King did indeed send tweets to Lampard.

He said: There is clear evidence that he has delusional tendencies.

In my judgment I accept that Mrs Lampard is truthful and accurate.

I accept that she received tweets from Christ_of_King in 2015 and that these included some very nasty remarks.

It follows that I reject the defendants account. I am satisfied that having been blocked and having felt frustrated by the repeated non engagement with him by letter or tweet that he found the only way of engagement was by repeated visits to the house.

Having come to these conclusions and taking into account all the evidence and submissions that I have heard I am sure that the Crowns version of events is accurate and accordingly I reject the basis of plea.

The judge said he would consider Lampards assessment of the tweets  which she described as dark  an understatement.

He is clearly someone who swings in mood during the course of a letter for instance, he said of King.

I dont rule out a sentence of imprisonment, the judge added.

Christof King

King, who changed his name by deed poll from Jon Dunningham in April 2016, said he did not set up the account that Lampard said the tweets came from and insisted that he did not send the tweets.

He denied ever creating or using the account under the name @Christ_Of_King, and said the only account he has ever had is @Christof_King.

Giving evidence from behind a curtain on Monday, Lampard said several tweets were incoherent waffle, with some tagging her employer ITV and her husband Frank Lampard.

Several tweets became quite sinister and dark, she added.

Lampard said these tweets made her pay attention, adding that another reason she noticed his tweets was because there was so many of them.

One tweet he is alleged to have sent said: I can hear the scratch of nails as I sharpen them ahead of your crucifixion.

The court heard another tweet said: I am planning the words that will go on your gravestone.

Lampard said she remembered the word tombstone, adding that she paid a great deal of attention to his Twitter profile picture.

Because the tweets were so disturbing, to the extent that I showed it to my husband as well and shared my concerns, she said.

I wanted to make sure I memorised his face, she told the court.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, prosecutor Nicholas Dunham said King was imploring Lampard to reply in one of his letters.

The letter said he was pissed off about what was happening in his life and said Lampard and her mates at ITV and in the media should be ashamed, especially her.

Mr Dunham said it was never made clear why Mr King blamed Lampard for the situation he found himself in.

Mr Dunham said: There is no doubt that Mr King was utterly obsessed with Mrs Lampard.

He said the most obvious example of this was Kings visit to Belfast one Christmas in the hope of meeting Lampard.

King was bailed and the judge adjourned sentencing until July 27.The Prince of Wales has spoken out against the global plastics plague which is threatening the oceans and humanity.

Charles also highlighted his support for efforts to tackle the waste in oceans in a pre-recorded video message broadcast at a major Cardiff summit on the issue.

The conference is part of a number of events that marked the arrival of yachts in the Welsh capital taking part in the global challenge, the Volvo Ocean Race.

Prince of Wales

On #WorldEnvironmentDay, here's Prince Charles, H.R.H Prince of Wales, giving an exclusive heartfelt address to our #VolvoOceanRace Cardiff Ocean Summit 



Is 2018 the year we Turn the Tide on Plastic? Take the #CleanSeas pledge now https://t.co/bowX1VpvKz @clarencehouse pic.twitter.com/1pdFqkAV8z  The Ocean Race (@theoceanrace) June 5, 2018

Charles said in his message: Over the past months we have seen, at last, some decisive action taken by a range of individuals, private companies and governments in response to the growing concern about how a global plastics plague is threatening not only our seas and the wealth of biodiversity they support but also ourselves.

Ladies and gentlemen, we simply must maintain that level of pressure if we are, to use what I understand is the name of one of your boats, going to turn the tide on plastic.

It is not just those of us who have an affinity with the sea, but all of us who inhabit this planet who must surely share your concerns over how we have reached this crisis point.

The prince went on to say: We simply cannot allow the current rate of degradation of our oceans to continue.

Charles highlighted how the competitors would be gathering vital data about the state of the waters around the continents as they raced against each other.

Buoys released by the yachts will collect information about surface temperatures, while on-board systems will provide readings on chlorophyll and carbon dioxide.Turkey has said Iraqis have nothing to fear from the filling of an upstream reservoir on the Tigris River, saying sufficient quantities of water would continue to flow to the neighbouring country.

Ambassador Fatih Yildiz told reporters in Baghdad that it will take nearly a year to fill the reservoir behind Turkeys Ilisu dam.

The level of the Tigris River has visibly dropped since the filling began on Friday, with Iraqis able to cross the river on foot in some places.

The Tigris and the Euphrates, which has also been affected by upstream Turkish dams, are Iraqs main source of water.

The recent shortages have also been blamed on dams built on tributaries in neighbouring Iran.

Turkish ambassador to Iraq Fatih Yildiz

The volume of the Tigris in Iraq has dropped by eight billion cubic metres since last year, clocking in at 17 billion cubic metres as the scorching summer sets in.

Iraqs minister of water resources has nevertheless sought to downplay fears of drought, saying there will be enough water for drinking and for half the normal summer irrigation.

Hassan al-Janabi told Al-Sumaria TV on Sunday that there had been an unfair and organised defamation campaign to spread panic among Iraqis.

He said Iraq and Turkey reached a fair agreement whereby Turkey will release 75% of the rivers volume while keeping the rest to fill the dam over the next six months.

The minister said the two sides are set to meet again on November 1.

However, when asked about it at the press conference, the Turkish ambassador denied any agreement had been reached.

A prolonged reduction of the river would not only affect Iraqs supply of water, but also reduce the amount of electricity it gets from hydroelectric dams and cut into farming, forcing the country to import more food.

The shortages could also affect Iraqs southern marshes, which were declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2016.

Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had drained the marshes in retaliation for a failed uprising in 1991, but they have gradually recovered in recent years.Firms involved in refurbishing Grenfell Tower faced a barrage of criticism at the public inquiry as it was claimed corporate silence could endanger lives in future.

Several sub-contractors who worked on parts of the refit refused to comment on their work until they had full disclosure of documents, the probe was told on Tuesday.

Stephanie Barwise QC, representing survivors and the bereaved, said the move was inhumane, a view echoed by another advocate, Pete Weatherby QC, who warned them not to play cat-and-mouse.

The work carried out on Grenfell Tower was criticised in withering terms by lawyers speaking on behalf of those affected.

Grenfell Tower before and after refurbishment

Danny Friedman QC said Kensington and Chelsea council oversaw a refurbishment of a social housing high rise tower block in such a way as to render it a death trap.

He added: Those who escaped owe their lives primarily to chance rather than risk assessment and contingency planning by either the council or the fire brigade.

Polyethylene cladding was wrapped around the west London block during the work, a material now openly described by some in the industry as petrol, his colleague Ms Barwise said.

She told the hearing at Holborn Bars that CEP, the sub-contractor which purchased and fabricated the panels, Harley Facades, which installed it, and architects Studio E had all said they cannot yet participate.

These parties make no comment on the detailed criticism of their work, nor do they even comment on drawings that they themselves drafted, she told the hearing.

Grenfell Tower

Significantly, they do not indicate how they proposed to achieve compliance (to building regulations), assuming, that is, that they ever applied their minds to that question.

Expert reports released on Monday identified the cladding system installed on the building as the main reason the flames shot up the side of the tower block with such speed.

Ms Barwise hit out at the corporate bodies over their alleged behaviour.

She said: These contractors should not be allowed, by their deliberate refusal to participate, to derail determination of the compliance issue even though we are concerned with blatant non-compliance.

Despite their words of condolence to the victims, these corporates have no desire to assist this inquiry, even though their participation could save lives in the immediate future.

The corporate silence deprives the families of the degree of resolution and understanding to which they are entitled and has only served to increase their pain and uncertainty.

It is inhumane to remain silent when so many seek understanding and answers  answers which are within the corporates gift.

Mr Weatherby later agreed: This is a public search for the truth. It is not a game of cat-and-mouse, nor is it a matter of smoke and mirrors.

A statement provided by the Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) was also scrutinised during Tuesdays hearing.

The TMO ran the building and oversaw the doomed refurbishment that finished a year before the fire.

Sam Stein QC, representing several bereaved and survivors, said: The TMO say this: Why combustible cladding was used on Grenfell Tower is something this inquiry will have to consider.

As the commercial client, it is, we suggest, extraordinary that their opening statement suggests that the TMO is waiting for the inquiry to tell it why it wrapped Grenfell Tower in combustible material.

The TMO was not a small management organisation  they managed 10,000 homes.

Grenfell Tower

At the end of the day, it was suggested by one advocate that the council, TMO and firefighters could be guilty of institutional racism.

Imran Khan, who once represented the parents of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence, said the current terms of reference should be broadened to see if race, religion or social class played any part in the disaster.

Descriptions of Grenfell Tower residents in the firefighters witness statements from the night suggests unconscious or some conscious racism, Mr Khan said.

He said those in the block from black or minority backgrounds were not described by their clothes or features, but ethnic origin.

He went on: If that is the case we simply ask the question  did it have any impact on the way individuals were treated on that night?Theresa May has given ministers with long-standing objections to Heathrow expansion a licence to restate their views at a local level, but made clear they will not be allowed to campaign nationally against the decision to go ahead with a third runway.

The decision to press ahead with expansion of the airport was announced to the House of Commons by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, who said that after years of wrangling and delay the time for action is now.

But the Prime Minister was immediately warned she faces a court battle if MPs approve the decision, including from the local council in her own Maidenhead constituency.

Mrs May, who chaired the Cabinet sub-committee which finally gave the green light to the Heathrow plans on Tuesday morning, said the expansion would ensure that the UK remains one of the best-connected and most outward-looking countries in the world after Brexit.

Her decision to offer a partial exemption from the principle of collective ministerial responsibility appears to be tailored specifically for Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who was the only minister to take advantage of a similar arrangement in 2016 and repeated his opposition to the third runway in Cabinet on Tuesday.

(PA Graphics)

Tory sources confirmed that MPs would be subject to a three-line whip for the vote.

Rumours are rife that Mr Johnson  who once said he would lie down in front of bulldozers to stop the controversial development  may find a way to be away from Westminster when MPs vote on the decision.

Despite the strong opposition of a number of Tory MPs with constituencies around the airport, ministers appeared confident of winning the vote, which must take place by July 11.

Although the Labour leadership reacted cautiously to the announcement, the plan  which is backed by some of the big unions  was welcomed by many of the partys MPs, while it also has the support of the SNP.

A more significant hurdle could come from local councils who are threatening to take the case to the courts unless concerns of residents around the airport were properly addressed.

Simon Dudley, the leader of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, said it was among four authorities considering legal action along with the environmental group Greenpeace.

Lets be clear here, if it doesnt satisfactorily address concerns, then if MPs vote in favour of adopting this National Policy Statement, that opens up a six-week window to a legal challenge and there will be a legal challenge, he told BBC Radio Berkshire.

In his Commons statement, Mr Grayling was keen to stress that Heathrow expansion would bring benefits across the country, with a boost of up to 74 billion to passengers and to the wider economy.

The time for action is now. Heathrow is already full and the evidence shows the remaining London airports wont be far behind, he said.

Despite being the busiest two-runway airport in the world, Heathrows capacity constraints means that it is falling behind its global competitors, impacting the UKs economy and global trading opportunities.

In a statement released by Downing Street, Mrs May said: Todays decision to support Heathrows expansion demonstrates this Governments commitment to deliver the jobs and major infrastructure that this country needs to thrive as we leave the European Union.

This new runway will give us the tools to ensure that the UK remains one of the best-connected and most outward-looking countries in the world.

Mr Grayling said local communities would receive a 2.6 billion package towards the costs of compensation, noise insulation and improvements to public amenities that was among the most generous in the world.

(PA Graphics)

He expected to see for the first time a six-and-a-half hour ban on scheduled night flights, and said the scheme would only go ahead if ministers were satisfied it would not impact on the UKs clean air obligations.

Mr Grayling would not be drawn on the whipping arrangements for the Commons vote, although in an apparent reference to Mr Johnsons opposition, he said there had been almost entirely universal support for the plan at Cabinet.

Former transport secretary Justine Greening, whose Putney constituency lies under the Heathrow flight path and who also opposes the plan, said she did not expect the vote to be whipped.

I think the Prime Minister is very clear, this is not a party political issue. These are local MPs who need to represent our local communities, she told the Today programme.

Ministers who want to restate their opposition to the third runway at a local level will be required to write to the PM to ask for a waiver, said Number 10.

No minister will be permitted to campaign actively against the Government position, nor publicly criticise or call into question the decision-making process itself, said Mrs Mays official spokesman.

Ministers will not be permitted to speak against the Government in the House.

The announcement comes after the independent Airports Commission concluded in 2015 that a new north-west runway for Heathrow was the best option for delivering extra airport capacity  a decision endorsed by ministers in October 2016.A Conservative MP has revealed her incredibly hard decision to have a termination as she gave an emotional speech in the Commons.

Heidi Allen spoke of how she was ill when she made the decision to have an abortion, during a debate on reforming the law in Northern Ireland.

The South Cambridgeshire MP appeared emotional as she said: I was ill when I made the incredibly hard decision to have a termination: I was having seizures every day, I wasnt even able to control my own body, let alone care for a new life.

Heidi Allen

She said abortion was a hard and emotive topic, and asked: Northern Ireland is a devolved administration, so is it our business?

She continued: I am a modern, progressive woman in this country and I am proud that this country is my home.

As a woman who believes passionately in equality, in choice and an individuals right to determine their own destiny, and as a woman elected to be the Member of Parliament for South Cambridgeshire in the 21st Century, who stood yesterday to support (Stella Creasys) request for this debate, because she is standing up for all the women in the UK, but mostly because I have been there, I am making it my business.

Ms Allen said the Irish referendum result spoke volumes, and asked: How can it be that Northern Ireland will soon be the only part of Great Britain and Ireland where terminations are to all intents and purposes outlawed?

She went on to question how rape, incest or a fatal foetal abnormality are not sufficient grounds for a woman to have the power to decide for herself.

Very suddenly and unexpectedly we have a window of opportunity before us, she told MPs.

Ms Allen said for the women of Northern Ireland: This has become their moment and they will have my unequivocal support.The Government is set to receive an official request to pass laws paving the way to compensate abuse victims in Northern Ireland within weeks.

The head of civil service in the region, the man effectively running public services amid the powersharing crisis, has confirmed legislation currently being drafted by his officials will be finalised this summer.

David Sterling said if powersharing is not restored by then he will formally ask Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley to take the legislation through the Westminster parliament.

David Sterling

We owe it to the survivors to do all we can for them, he said.

The collapse of the Stormont executive has hampered efforts to implement the recommendations of a major inquiry into historical institutional abuse in the region.

The Government has so far resisted calls from victims and campaigners to implement the recommendations, including a redress scheme, in the absence of devolution.

Mr Sterling said he will ask Mrs Bradley to action two of the main recommendations of the inquiry team led by retired judge Sir Anthony Hart  the establishment of a Redress Board and a Commission for Survivors of Institutional Child Abuse.

It is understood the Northern Ireland Office could be handed the draft legislation as early as July.

Addressing a charity event in Belfast this week, Mr Sterling said he was aware of the impact the powersharing crisis was having on society, with so many decisions left in limbo due to the absence of either Stormont or direct rule ministers.

And, in particular, I am thinking now of the survivors of historic institutional abuse, he said.

Personally, this is one of the most difficult issues I have faced in my Civil Service career.

Published in January 2017 after a four-year public inquiry, the Hart report arrived in The Executive Office (TEO) just before the dissolution of the Executive.

By statute, this report was to be delivered to the Executive for their consideration with ministers to take the key decisions on its recommendations.

Despite the obvious public interest and political commentary to find a resolution for the survivors, decisions rest with ministers, and not officials.

But that does not mean we are doing nothing.

I have instructed officials in TEO to produce draft legislation that would allow for the Redress Board and the Commission for Survivors of Institutional Child Abuse to be put into place, two of Harts key recommendations.

When drafted  which will be no later than the summer  and if we have no Executive in place, I will be asking the Secretary of State to take that legislation through Parliament.Guatemalas disaster agency has ordered new evacuations from areas around the Volcano of Fire because of increased volcanic activity which raises the threat of further flows of searingly hot gases and ash.

An Associated Press journalist near the volcano has reported a new column of smoke rose into the sky as police and other rescuers were quickly withdrawn from the area.

The disaster agency said earlier that at least 70 people had died from Sundays eruption of the volcano west of Guatemala City.By Eric Onstad, Christoph Steitz and Esha Vaish

LONDON/FRANKFURT/STOCKHOLM, June 5 (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is looking at launching battery production in Europe, joining Asian rivals aiming to cash in on a green car revolution and threatening attempts by Brussels to nurture a home-grown industry.

Keen to capture a European car battery value chain that will be worth an estimated 250 billion euros ($290 billion) by 2025, the European Commission launched an alliance of local companies last year aiming to build 10-20 huge battery factories.

But only Sweden's Northvolt http://northvolt.com and Germany's TerraE https://www.terrae.com have plans for large lithium-ion battery factories in Europe so far and some leading European carmakers have already struck deals with Asian suppliers setting up in Hungary and Poland.

"We are considering cell production outside of China and that includes Europe," Julia Chen, Global Sales Director at BYD Batteries, told Reuters, speaking about the production of both automotive and home storage batteries.

BYD, which also makes electric buses, cars and solar panels, said it was not clear where in Europe a battery site might be. "It would be possible wherever there's a market."

The company, which is backed by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, joins Korea's SK Innovation, Japan's GS Yuasa Corp and China's Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) in looking to locate battery plants in Europe.

South Korea's LG Chem, Samsung SDI both have European factories due to open soon while China's GSR Capital already produces battery cells at a UK plant it bought from Nissan.

While Asian electric vehicle (EV) cell battery factories in Europe would bring jobs, Brussels is concerned companies in the bloc are missing out on a growth industry and risk becoming dependent on foreign technology.

"We have to move fast because here we are in a global race. We need to prevent technological dependence on competitors," European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic said at the launch of the European Battery Alliance's https://ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/policy/european-battery-alliance_en action plan in May.

But some investors say they are wary of backing European EV battery suppliers after seeing local solar panel firms founder in the face of cheap Chinese imports over the past decade.

European battery companies would need billions in EU support to rival Asian firms that have received similar state subsidies and Brussels may be better off promoting next-generation solid-state EV batteries instead, investors say.

"I don't believe anyone in Europe can be competitive with the Asians," said Gerard Reid, founder of Alexa Capital, which advises firms in the energy, technology and power infrastructure sectors. (For a graphic showing European EV battery supply and demand: https://tmsnrt.rs/2JnDSOX)

'GREEN' BATTERIES

Electric and hybrid vehicles are expected to account for 30 percent of the global auto market by 2030, according to metal consultants CRU https://www.crugroup.com, up from 4 percent of the 86 million vehicles sold last year.

Global automakers plan to invest at least $90 billion in electric cars and batteries, the most expensive component in the vehicles, to finance hundreds of new models over the next five years.

For now, carmakers in Europe have been importing batteries from Asia, but as production ramps up that will become less viable. Setting up production in Europe would cut shipping costs by a quarter, consultancy P3 Group https://www.p3-group.com/en estimates.

But some carmakers are not waiting for a European industry, instead signing contracts with Asian firms coming to the region.

German's BMW said it was not involved in the European alliance while Europe's biggest automaker, Volkswagen , said it plans to get batteries from LG Chem's Polish factory due to open this year. Mercedes maker Daimler has awarded a contract to CATL.

The European Commission's plan https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:0e8b694e-59b5-11e8-ab41-01aa75ed71a1.0003.02/DOC_3&format=PDF calls for 110 million euros in battery related research, help for projects from a 2.7 billion euro EU innovation fund and the development of an EU "green battery" trademark.

Supporters of the initiative argue Europe can carve out a niche by selling green batteries produced with renewable energy and ethically sourced raw materials.

FINANCING ROUND

Northvolt, which has held talks with European automakers, aims to launch its $5 billion gigafactory in late 2020 and produce 32 gigawatt hours of battery capacity each year by 2023.

But investors have been cautious about pouring money into new European battery ventures.

Northvolt's first financing round, intended to raise 80 million euros to 100 million euros to help set up a test factory, took slightly longer than expected, a spokesman said.

In the end, the bulk of the financing was provided by the Swedish Energy Agency http://www.energimyndigheten.se/en and the European Investment Bank http://www.eib.org, which provided a loan of up to 52.5 million euros.

Much of the profit from the battery value chain is generated by producers of raw materials, such as cobalt and lithium, and those who assemble cells into complex systems, experts say.

"There's been a bit of imbalance in that value chain and that's one of the reasons you see a limited amount of players in Europe," said Northvolt founder and Chief Executive Peter Carlsson. "But we think that the model that we're applying is changing this."

Carlsson, who used to work for U.S. electric car pioneer Tesla, says Northvolt can make a profit through economies of scale, by using cheap hydropower and controlling the processing of raw materials.

But Northvolt and TerraE will probably need about $2 billion each in government funding to build their gigafactories - given the state support provided for similar projects in Asia and the United States, said Asad Farid, an associate director at private bank Berenberg https://www.berenberg.de/en who specialises in battery technology.

Four months after the European alliance launch the world's biggest automotive supplier, Germany's Robert Bosch abandoned plans to make battery cells, saying it was too risky.

SOLID-STATE SOLUTION?

Investors are wary because of their experience with solar panel manufacturers as well as rapid advances in technology that are slashing the price of battery packs, which consultants Arthur D Little http://www.adlittle.com puts at $190-250 per kilowatt hour now.

"In battery manufacturing ... it's very much about scale. So the established producers in Korea, China and Japan have clear advantages over new entrants," said Simon Webber, lead portfolio manager on the global & international equities team at Schroders http://www.schroders.com.

Tim Crockford, who manages Hermes Investment Management's Impact Opportunities Fund https://www.hermes-investment.com/uki/capabilities/equities/impact-opportunities, said he was more interested in European firms researching cathode technology, areas with major barriers to entry in terms of research and development.

"The attraction of the industry decreases as you move further down the value chain. Things like battery manufacturers and the battery pack assemblers, it's much more fragmented market with lower barriers to entry," said Crockford.

While Hermes has avoided companies mass-producing EV cell batteries it has taken stakes in a lithium producer and a company that makes materials for battery cathodes, he said.

The lithium-ion batteries used now are also likely to be overtaken in a matter of years by so-called solid-state technology that is expected to produce even cheaper batteries with higher energy density.

"The development cycle and the speed of technology progress in batteries is so huge at the moment, there's an opportunity for new and additional players to enter," said Timo Moeller, head of the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility https://www.mckinsey.com/features/mckinsey-center-for-future-mobility/overview in Cologne.

Developers in Europe believe that gives the region an opportunity to catch up.

"Everybody is developing solid-state batteries so the gap (with Asia) will be narrower and narrower as we go along," said Diego Pavia, CEO of InnoEnergy http://www.innoenergy.com, a sustainable energy company that has invested in Northvolt. ($1 = 0.8543 euros)

(Additional reporting by Laurence Frost and Bate Felix in Paris and Tom Daly in Beijing; editing by David Clarke)Sati means mindfulness in Pali. Its most basic and practical definition is; retaining awareness every moment, on purpose, without judgment, being in the present moment and not thinking of the past nor dreaming of the future. That is being here and now. This type of presence in the present moment allows an individual to remember what was heard or done long time ago. This ability will aid all educational endeavours, among other things.

The programme aims at introducing a universal, non-sectarian mindfulness practice in all Sri Lankan schools, irrespective of ethnicity and religion. This programme is conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Education. The programme isnt limited to the Buddhist community, but its target population includes Tamils, Muslims, Christians and also those who are non-religious. This initiative makes Sri Lanka the first ever developing country to have introduced a non-religious approach to mindfulness at the national level.

The founder of Sati Pasala is Ven. Uda Eriyagama Dhammajiva Maha Thera. The monk gets actively involved when leading the programmes conducted for schools and is assisted by a team of facilitators. The priest is the present abbot and chief meditation master of Meetirigala Nissarana Vanaya Forest Hermitage.

Sati Pasala is important in many respects. It is an exceptional project in the country and its work has captured the attention of countries worldwide.

How and why did a Buddhist monk- committed to meditation and hailing from a strict Vinaya (Discipline) tradition, belonging to a group of forest monks known for their secluded lifestyles, committed to attaining Nirvana in this very life-come out into the society with an apparently non-Buddhist approach to mindfulness?

Couldnt such a move, on the part of a forest monk, be perceived as forsaking of the ultimate goal in favour of social engagement? Isnt this a watering down of the Buddhas teachings and making them fit the consumerist societys need for consumption? Is this a modernist and missionary move in disguise, riding on the wave of the mindfulness thats sweeping over Western and Asian countries?

We attempt to look into the backdrop, challenges and the potential of this project and for that we interviewed the monk himself.

Following are excerpts of the interview.

Q How did the vision of Sati Pasala come to you, Venerable Sir?

I am a product of 100% free education in Sri Lanka, Kandy, up-to post graduate level. I learned or picked the idea of mindfulness at the age of 25 plus as an undergraduate. I tried my best to practise it full-time as a forest monk in Nissarana Vanaya in Sri Lanka and at Panditarama in Myanmar during the past four decades, under the guidance of masters from both these meditation monasteries. My intention is to make the younger people be aware of mindfulness, at least before they reach age 25. First the thought and vision was to share the subject of mindfulness with Sunday school children, who are Buddhist. But my original proposal was rejected at the local Sangha (monks) meeting reportedly because Sunday school children are not free. This may be due to these students having tuition classes on Sundays. Eventually I got an opportunity to put to test the same proposal with the children of the close-by Buddhist temple Sunday school. That gave rise to the idea of taking mindfulness to the nearby Government school and gradually, with the success of the initiative, we introduced it as Mindful School- Sati Pasala. This school, catering to students at the grassroots level, was established at Meetirigala Village near Nissarana Vanaya.

Q How does a typical Sati Pasala programme unfold during the school term? What do you do with the children?

With this limited experience in 2016 I discussed this question with Sri Lankan expatriate families in Perth, Australia, and we refined the idea as follows:

(1) Write a book to introduce Sati as mindfulness, as well as how to practise through sitting and walking, in day-to-day activities and with the help of mindful games. At this first phase the programme is somewhat theoretical with teaching taking place at classroom level (for both the children and the class teachers).

(2) This must start at the grassroots level rather than coming in a top-bottom way.

(3) Once this concludes and after receiving an invitation from a school, mindful facilitators make a visit and conduct a 90-minute session (of sitting, walking and some mindful games) with the participation of the teachers on a voluntary basis.

(4) We must obtain the feedback from the children who participate in order to assess the impact.

Q Could you say something about Sati Pasala Foundation, the core project team and your mindfulness facilitators? How do you operate internally and during your outreach efforts?

With the above-mentioned points being discussed further in Melbourne, Australia, a decision was taken to formulate a plan.

The first stage, which comprises sessions at the classroom level where theory is taught, might continue for one year. The second stage comprises the organizing of mindful camps, conducting of mindful games and the practical sitting and walking sessions. The third stage comprises a plan to introduce this programme to the school curriculum with the help of the Education Ministry.

Discussions back at home led us to formulate Sati Pasala Foundation. We seek the assistance from the retreat organizers, those who meditate at Nissarana Vanaya Meditation centre, locals and those who are abroad. All Mindfulness Facilitators (MFs) are regular mindfulness meditation practitioners, who possess the experience of retreat-based practice. The programme was later expanded to international level, still with volunteering being the main feature.We specially trained facilitators/teachers in Sati Pasala to work with children using a handbook containing 20 essays, which are printed in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Trained MFs visit selected schools and introduce students to mindfulness with the help of school teachers. These sessions are done as pilot projects with the consent of the Minister of Education in some chosen districts.

According to the Buddhist conception, the underlying tendencies connected with passion (raga) and aversion (dosa) as well as ignorance (moha) and the other fetters that bind to samsaric existence (samyojanas) are already present in the case of a newly born baby. These facts are applicable to even an infant which is not yet capable of conceiving and conceptualising the corresponding notions; as implied for example by one of the Buddhas discourses, the Mahamalunkya-sutta in the Majjhima-nikaya. In Buddhist terms, childhood and youth are after all relative concepts, given that we are all senior citizens of Samsara. Young children are therefore not considered as so innocentand they still need to develop and purify their minds in wholesome ways in order to become incapable of unwholesomeness. This will help them reach the zenith of human potential.

Q What is your observation of the mental and personal development of children who have participated in the Sati Pasala training?

At first a childs attitude towards parents, specifically towards the mother, changes even at a very early stage when the second child is born to the family. This can be termed as jealousy!Thats why children, even at the age of five, say that they feel relaxed after sitting simply, despite paying little attention; something that the teacher or facilitator cannot believe!

Q We think of how such a young and innocent child can experience mental conditions like relaxation or tension?

If the child has a terminal disease or is born to parents addicted to substance use-leaving aside street children- the situation we are faced with is worse. Such situations are hard for us to comprehend. We have limited experience dealing with such sections of the society. This is because suffering is universal.

Q May I be permitted to ask how old you are Venerable Sir? What was your childhood like?

Thats an unwanted question! Anyway I am 66 years young. I am still in my childhood. Children are my teachers and facilitators who teach me rejuvenate me. Sati Pasala started that rejuvenation and accelerated the process. Please come and join us and play mindful games to remain young!

Q What have you learned by working with the children? How has their company affected your own spiritual life?

This is a common question we ask ourselves while actively engaging in the work of Sati Pasala. All volunteers, including me, accept that we are learning at the same time and learning how to receive grace from children in a graceful manner. I wish to invite you all to volunteer and hope the reader who reads this article rethinks about mindfulness!

Q How would you position the Sati Pasala approach in relation to the heated debate concerning the Buddhist versus non-Buddhist character in the contemporary mindfulness movement that exists at present? How does religious identity help or else interfere with developing mindfulness, especially in a country subject to religious polarisation such as Sri Lanka?

One of the declared features in our Sati Pasala Foundation is its non-sectarian and non-religious nature in all activities. Mindfulness as such is a birth right of human beings that the Buddha acknowledged 2600 years ago. There is no doubt about that.

In our interfaith forum of Sati Pasala all the main religious leaders and teachers in Sri Lanka accepted Sati Pasala unanimously. This is a token of its future success. They attended our Global Mindful Summit held in February 2018 in Colombo and have already shared their views. Please visit the website www.globalmindfulnesssummit.org

The point worth highlighting here is the preventive purpose of mindfulness that we prescribe in Sati Pasala in comparison to the mindfulness practised in contemporary society.

That is definitely a much better thing to do in a non-religiously identified context, since the idea that prevention is better than cure is held in common by all humans, and not limited to a sect.

Im sure the world at large would follow this method of mindfulness taught by us.

Q What does non-religious mindfulness have to offer our country? Can it truly lead to reconciliation and community regeneration?

Presently were working with well-established organizations like Sarvodaya in Sri Lanka and discuss this question openly in a productive way in the presence of other religious leaders and teachers. So far, we have had a number of such meetings and conferences. So far so good. Arigatou is another international organization closely knitted with Sati Pasala and were progressing towards our goal in keeping with time. My experience is that mindfulness can be a potent unifier  a practice that, when nurtured, has the capacity to bring diverse people together, in amity with harmony. I often use the phrase: mindfulness is like a thread that can join a string of flowers resulting in a beautiful garland.

Our hope is to introduce this practice if possible, as a positive model, under the agenda of Sustainable Development Goals to the United Nations.

(More details on Sati Pasala can obtained by logging on to https://www.satipasala.org)Asia Pacific Healthcare and Medical Tourism Awards

Hospital of the Year (APAC) Award for 2018

Parkway Hospitals Singapore Flagships Garner Record Breaking 10 Awards

Mount Elizabeth Hospital along with Gleneagles Hospital Singapore, flagship brands of Parkway Hospitals Singapore, have broken their 2017 record, winning 10 awards at the 2018 Asia Pacific Healthcare and Medical Tourism Awards held on May 4 2018 at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.



Mount Elizabeth Hospitals Hospital of the Year in Asia Pacific award, marks its third consecutive win, a milestone in the category. The hospital also garnered the Cardiology Service Provider of the Year for the third time, as well as awards in other specialties including Neurology, Gastroenterology, ENT and Best Health Screening Provider. Gleneagles Hospitals, Singapore took home the Transplant Service Provider of the Year in Asia Pacific (second consecutive year) and SMART Hospitals of the Year in Asia Pacific.



Mount Elizabeth Hospitals Chief Executive Officer Dr Noel Yeo attributes the hospitals success, to continuous commitment to medical and service excellence for patients. Mount Elizabeth has more than 40 years of track record and reputation for going the extra mile for international patients; providing dedicated medical evacuation, concierge services and multi-lingual interpretation.



Receiving the trust of our patients and partners is very important as it is a testament of our reputation as the leading private healthcare provider in Singapore and Asia Pacific. Our patients are our strongest advocates as many of them seek treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospitals through word-of-mouth recommendation, Dr Noel Yeo said.



Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore, were presented the following awards:



Mount Elizabeth Hospital Singapore



1. Hospital of the Year in Asia Pacific (third consecutive year)

2. Cardiology Service Provider of the Year (third consecutive year)

3. Hospital of the Year in Singapore

4. Neurology Service Provider of the Year in Asia Pacific

5. ENT Service Provider of the Year in Asia Pacific

6. Gastroenterology Service Provider of the Year in Asia Pacific

7. Best Health Screening Provider of the Year in Asia Pacific



Gleneagles Hospital Singapore



1. Transplant Service Provider of the Year in Asia Pacific

2. SMART Hospital of the Year in Asia Pacific



The 2018 Asia Pacific Healthcare & Medical Tourism Awards recognises companies in healthcare and medical tourism across Asia Pacific who have delivered and maintained high levels of services to healthcare seekers from all around the world.



Parkway Pantai



Parkway Pantai is one of Asias largest integrated private healthcare groups operating in Singapore, Malaysia, India, China, Brunei and United Arab Emirates. For over 40 years, its Mount Elizabeth, Gleneagles, Pantai and Parkway brands have established themselves as the regions best known brands in private healthcare, synonymous with best-in-class patient experience and outcomes.



Leveraging its global track record for medical excellence and managing world-class hospitals, Parkway Pantai is committed to making a difference in peoples lives through excellent patient care, steadily expanding its reach in markets where demand for quality care is strong and growing.



Parkway Pantai is a leading healthcare player in its home markets of Singapore, Malaysia and India and key growth markets of China and Hong Kong.



It is part of IHH Healthcare, the worlds second largest healthcare group by market capitalisation. IHH operates more than 10,000 licensed beds across 50 hospitals in 10 countries worldwide, offering the full spectrum of integrated healthcare services from clinics to hospitals to quartinary care and a wide range of ancillary services including medical education.



In Singapore, Parkway Pantai is the largest private healthcare operator with four JCI-accredited, multi-specialty tertiary hospitals - Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital and Parkway East Hospital. It also owns Parkway Shenton, a large network of primary healthcare clinics and services, Parkway Health Radiology, Parkway Health Laboratory and Parkway College.

Mount Elizabeth Hospitals Chief Executive Officer Dr Noel Yeo attributes the hospitals success, to continuous commitment to medical and service excellence for patients



In Malaysia, Parkway Pantai is the second largest private healthcare provider operating ten Pantai Hospitals, four Gleneagles Hospitals and ancillary healthcare services including Pantai Integrated Rehab and Pantai Premier Pathology.



India is now its third home market following the acquisition of Continental and Global Hospitals in 2015. Today, Parkway Pantai has a network of 7 hospitals and 3 feeder centres in the key cities of Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.



Parkway Pantai also has more than 20 patient assistance centres across the globe, providing patients with seamless patient care and a one-stop referral source to its hospitals and services.



In Sri Lanka Parkway patient assistance centre located at 389, High Level Road, Nugegoda, is dedicated to provide patients with seamless experience in Singapore for their healthcare. They could be reached on +94 773460000.Who would have thought President Maithripala Sirisena was not in agreement with the 100-day-programme marketed by those who toiled to see him as the President following the 2015 election? This has been the case, according to the President himself, who broke the news last week.

President Sirisena dumbfounded the entire country, perhaps including his family members, at a function held last Wednesday at the Sri Lanka Foundation to commemorate the 76th birth anniversary of the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, when he questioned as to who compiled the 100-day-programme. He said with only 47 UNP MPs in Parliament, a programme was prepared in calendar form to be implemented within 100 days. He said the right thing that should have happened was to have dissolved Parliament the very next day he was sworn in.

He baffled the entire country by implying he was oblivious to the 100-day-programme. It is a well-known fact that the Presidential election campaign was purely planned and put in practice by the United National Party (UNP) leadership and therefore, there may be some truth in what the President says. The UNP might have strategized the course of action without the knowledge and consent of their common candidate, but in belief there was no reason for him to oppose it. And also the UNP, during its two tenures under Presidents of other parties, had been exercising the habit of bulldozing through the latters wishes and it might have ignored the President as he implies.

Yet, why did he wait for so long (three and a half years) to speak this truth to his countrymen? It is unlikely that people would believe what he said as the programme seemed to have had his blessings and the support of the SLFP group that paralyzed former President Mahinda Rajapaksas leadership along with him, throughout the 100 days when some of the 100 points of it were implemented. The President rightly boasted on Wednesday that it was he who gave necessary Parliamentary support as head of the SLFP to give effect to the main components of the 100-day-programme such as the mini-Budget with so many concessions to the people in the first month of his administration and the 19th Amendment which was passed in Parliament in April 2015. Did he mean support was given to implement a programme which he did not agree with?

The common Presidential candidate of the opposition, Maithripala Sirisena had announced on the first day of his candidature that he would appoint UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister immediately after his election; he readily kept that promise. If he had not expected some programme  100-day or else -- to be implemented in days to come, why did he appoint a Prime Minister and board of ministers without dissolving the Parliament straightaway?

One has to accept the important point he articulated about the role of the SLFP under his leadership in bringing in democratic reforms after the so-called Yahapalana Government came to power. There were 142 MPs who had accepted the leadership of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa then, and without their support no reforms could have been brought in by the UNP which had only 47 MPs. The President used his SLFP chairmanship to make his party members support those reforms. The fact that he is not only the SLFP Chairman but also the Executive President of the country might have worked towards this end.

However, his outburst points out that bickering between the UNP and the Presidents group in the government is worsening. And neither party seems to be giving in which has already adversely affected the country. They have to put up with each other for the next 18 months as the law does not allow people to replace the incumbent government with another. Hence, circumstances demand leaders from both ruling parties to act responsibly.Presidents Secretary Austin Fernando should be summoned to Parliament and questioned over the missing part of the Presidential Commission Report on the Central Bank Bond Scam, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) and Centre for Human Rights and Research Sri Lanka (CHR) Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon said yesterday.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said all the MPs had been inconvenienced and were facing embarrassment due to Austin Fernandos move to prevent a vital part of the report from being exposed to the public domain.

"Fernando's move to seek the Attorney General's opinion on releasing the full report is the attempt to defend the individuals, who have obtained funds form Arjun Aloysius, Tennakoon said.

He has misled everybody by not allowing the annexure of C 350 which contained some vital records related to the bonds fraud to disclose to the public access," Tennakoon said.

"Citizens of this country have the right to get to know as to what really happened in the bond scam. Although most of them are not knowledgeable of the bond scam, at least they should know who the perpetrators are," Tennakoon added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)The joint opposition today challenged Minister Malik Samarawickrama to a debate on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore and urged President Maithripala Sirisena to suspend the FTA.

JO MP Bandula Gunawardana told a news conference said Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama or Ministry Secretary Chandani Wijewardana could fix a date for a debate at which the JO would reveal the truth about the Singapore FTA.

This FTA should not be allowed to function, as it had betrayed Sri Lanka. The minister says anyone can access the FTA online. But only the English version is available so far. Therefore, people are not aware of its content. As far as we know, 13 ministers had submitted amendments to the FTA but none of them had been accepted, he said.

The MP said the minister did not even bother to present the FTA to Parliament and that it was the JO which presented it to Parliament.

"If the FTA is not suspended immediately, the President will have to take the responsibility for betraying the country, the MP said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Video by SanjeewaCID has questioned the personal security officers of 24 MPs who had reportedly encashed cheques given by PTL owner, joint opposition MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage told Parliament today.

He said his party wanted the names of those MPs who transacted business with Mr. Aloysius so that if any of them were members of the COPE, they could be removed from it. We have said earlier that COPE members who had transacted business with the PTL Chief should be removed, the MP said.

State Minister Ajith P. Perera who responded said, MPs such as Mr. Aluthgamage cannot afford to talk on the bond scam because they are facing various charges and involved in court cases. I suggest that MPs who had transacted business with PTL should not be allowed to be in any of the Committees, he said.

Mr. Aluthgamage said Mr. Pereras personal security officer had also questioned by the CID. I accept there are court cases against me but I would like to say that the state minister's personal security officer had also questioned, he said. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)This item is available in full to subscribers.

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Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.A man was killed Monday evening, June 4, when he walked in front of a northbound Coaster train in Solana Beach and was struck, a sheriffs official said.

The pedestrian was hit on the tracks about a half mile north of the Solana Beach Transit Center around 7:20 p.m. The train was traveling about 40 mph, said sheriffs Deputy Christopher Campbell.

The train engineer put the train in emergency braking, but was unable to avoid striking the man, Campbell said. The man died before he could be taken to a hospital.

Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call the Sheriffs Department (858) 565-5200.

--Karen Kucher is a reporter for The San Diego Union-TribuneThe new era of GPU computing has arrived

NVIDIA's GPU Technology Conference (GTC) Taiwan attracted more than 2,200 technologists, developers, researchers, government officials and media last week in Taipei. GTC Taiwan is the second of seven AI conferences NVIDIA will be holding in key tech centers globally this year. GTC is the industry's premier AI and deep learning event, providing an opportunity for developers and research communities to share and learn about new GPU solutions and supercomputers and have direct access to experts from NVIDIA and other leading organizations. The first GTC of 2018, in Silicon Valley in March, hosted more than 8,000 visitors. GTC events are showcases for the latest breakthroughs in AI use cases, ranging from healthcare and big data to high performance computing and virtual reality, along with many more advanced solutions leveraging NVIDIA technologies.

GTC 2018 in San Jose debuted the NVIDIA DGX-2 AI supercomputing system, a piece of technology that AI geek dreams are made of. The powerful DGX-2 system is an enterprise-grade cloud server that combines high performance computing with artificial intelligence requirements in one server. It combines 16 fully interconnected NVIDIA Tesla V100 Tensor Core GPUs for 10X the deep learning performance compared with its predecessor, the DGX-1, released in 2017. With a 1/2 a terabyte of HBM2 memory and 12 NVIDIA NVSwitch interconnects, the DGX-2 system became the first single server capable of delivering 2 petaFLOPS of computational capability for AI systems. It is powered by NVIDIA DGX software stack and a scalable architecture built on NVSwitch technology.

In this interview, Marc Hamilton, NVIDIA's Vice President of Solutions Architecture and Engineering, talks about GTC and the development of Taiwan's technology ecosystem. He and his engineering team work with customers and partners to deliver solutions powered by NVIDIA artificial intelligence and deep learning, professional visualization, and high performance computing technologies. From many visits to ecosystem partners and developers, Hamilton is very familiar with the pace of AI development in Taiwan.

AI is dealing with HPC-class scaling problems

AI technologies elevate the enterprise by transforming the way we work, increasing collaboration and ushering in a new era of AI-powered innovation. AI solutions are rapidly moving beyond hype and into reality, and are primed to become one of the most consequential technological segments. Enterprises need to rapidly deploy AI solutions in response to business imperatives. The DGX-2 system delivers a ready-to-go server solution that offers the path to scaling up AI performance.

DGX-2 is designed for both AI and HPC workloads and simplifies the speed of scaling up AI with flexible switching technology for building massive deep learning compute clusters, combined with virtualization features that enable improved user and workload isolation in shared infrastructure environments. With this accelerated deployment model and an open architecture for easy scaling, development teams and data scientists can spend more time driving insights and less time building infrastructure.

For example, running HPC applications for weather forecasting means dealing with the massive scale of computation nodes. Forecasts are created using a model of the Earth's systems by computing changes based on fluid flow, physics and other parameters. The precision and accuracy of a forecast depend on the fidelity of the model and the algorithms, and especially on how many data points are represented. Computing a weather forecast requires scheduling a complex ensemble of pre-processing jobs, solver jobs and post-processing jobs. Since there is no use in a forecast for yesterday, the prediction must be delivered on time, every time. The prediction application is executed on a server node and receives reports from the monitoring programs distributed over the compute nodes.

Typically, these would be large distributed memory clusters, made up of thousands of nodes and hundreds of thousands of cores. Many HPC applications work best when data fits in GPU memory. The nature of the computations is built on interaction between points on the grid that represents the space being simulated, and stepping the calculated variables in time. It turns out that in today's HPC technology, the moving of data in and out of the GPU is more demanding in time than the computations performed. To be effective, systems working with weather forecasting and climate modeling require high memory bandwidth and fast interconnect across the system.

NVSwitch maximizes data throughput between GPUs leveraging NVLink

Memory is one of the biggest challenges in deep neural networks (DNNs) today. Memory in DNNs is required to store input data, weight parameters and activations as an input propagates through the network. Developers are struggling with the limited memory bandwidth of the DRAM devices that have to be used by AI systems to store the huge amounts of weights and activations in DNNs.

Having long relied on PCI Express, when NVIDIA launched its Pascal architecture with the Tesla P100 GPU in 2016, one of the consequences of their increased server focus for Pascal was that interconnect bandwidth and latency became an issue. The data throughput requirements of NVIDIA's GPU platform began outpacing what PCIe could provide. As a result, for their compute focused GPUs, NVIDIA introduced a new interconnect called NVLink.

With six NVLink per GPU, these links could be teamed together for greater bandwidth between individual GPUs, or lesser bandwidth but still direct connections to a greater number of GPUs. In practice this limited the size of a single NVLink cluster to eight GPUs in what NVIDIA calls a Hybrid Mesh Cube configuration, and even then it's a NUMA setup where not every GPU could see every other GPU. Utilizing more than eight GPUs required multiple systems connected via InfiniBand, losing some of the shared memory and latency benefits of NVLink and closely connected GPUs.

In a DGX-2 system, there are 16 Volta GPUs in one server. So NVIDIA introduced NVSwitch, which is designed to enable clusters of much larger GPUs by routing GPUs through one or more switches. A single NVSwitch has 18 full-bandwidth ports, three times more than a single Tesla V100 GPU, with all of the NVSwitch ports fully connected with an internal crossbar.

The goal with NVSwitch is to increase the number of GPUs that can be in a cluster, with the switch easily allowing for a 16 GPU configuration with 12 NVSwitch interconnect (216 ports) in the system to maximize the amount of bandwidth available between the GPUs. NVSwitch enables GPU-to-GPU communications at 300GB per second, which already has double the capacity from the DGX-1 (and the HGX reference architecture it's based on). This advancement will drive hyper-connection between GPUs to handle bigger, more demanding AI projects for data scientists.

NVIDIA wants to take NVLink lane limits out of the equation entirely, as using multiple switches should make it possible to build almost any kind of GPU topology in theory.

Deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow don't need to understand the underlying NVLink topology in a server thanks to NVIDIA's NCCL (NVIDIA Common Collectives Library), which is used by TensorFlow and all leading DL frameworks. NVIDIA's AI software stack is fully optimized and updated to support developers using DGX-2 and other DGX systems. This includes new versions of NVIDIA CUDA, TensorRT, NCCL and cuDNN, and a new Isaac software developer kit for robotics. Hamilton highlighted the release of TensorRT 4.0, a new version of NVIDIA's optimizing inference accelerator. TensorRT 4.0 integrates with the TensorFlow 1.7 framework. TensorFlow remains one of the more popular deep learning frameworks today. And NVIDIA engineers know their GPU well and make TensorRT 4.0 software to accelerate deep learning inference across a broad range of applications through optimizations and high-performance runtimes for GPU-based platforms.

Hamilton mentioned lots of TensorFlow users will gain from the highest inference performance possible along with a near transparent workflow using TensorRT. The new integration provides a simple API that applies powerful FP16 and INT8 optimizations compiling TensorFlow codes using TensorRT and speed up TensorFlow inference by 8x for low latency runs of the ResNet-50 benchmark.

In edge computing, TensorRT can be deployed on NVIDIA DRIVE autonomous vehicles and NVIDIA Jetson embedded platforms. Deep neural networks on every framework can be trained on NVIDIA DGX systems in the data center, and then deployed into all types of edge devices. With TensorRT software, developers can focus on developing advanced deep learning-powered applications rather than taking time for fine tuning performance for inference deployment.

HGX-2 server platform as a reference design for cloud data centers

The DGX-2 server is expected to ship to customers in Q3 2018. Meanwhile, bringing together the solution expertise of Taiwan's ecosystem partners and global server manufacturers, NVIDIA announced the HGX-2 cloud-server platform with Taiwan's leading server makers at GTC Taipei. The NVIDIA DGX-2 server is the first system built using the HGX-2 reference design.

The server industry has been one of the few industries that have remained strong for Taiwan ODMs and increased opportunities in the AI field will help Taiwan system makers. NVIDIA engineering teams work closely with Taiwan ODMs to help minimize the development time from design win to production deployments. The HGX-2 is designed to meet the needs of the growing number of applications that seek to leverage both HPC and AI use cases. Those server brands and ODMs are designing HGX-2-based systems to build a wide range of qualified GPU-accelerated systems for hyperscale data centers.

The HGX-2 server reference design consists of two baseboards. Each comes equipped with eight NVIDIA Tesla V100 32GB GPUs. These 16 GPUs are fully connected through NVSwitch interconnect technology. With the HGX-2 serving as a building block, server manufacturers will be able to build full server platforms that can be customized to meet the requirements of different data centers.

NVIDIA AI collaboration in Taiwan

Hamilton says the areas of AI collaboration in Taiwan include hands-on training of 3,000 developers on leading applications of deep learning and providing high-level internship opportunities for Taiwanese post-doctoral students to work with NVIDIA engineering teams. The first AI hospital in Taiwan, sponsored by the LEAP program, which is supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), is making it possible for doctors to see disease earlier and better understand it through advanced breakthroughs in AI.

Another case Hamilton highlighted is AI helping semiconductor foundries to identify wafer defects. The solution focused on using AI to sharpen the domestic semiconductor market's competitive position. The wafer defects detection system uses physics-based Instruments to examine the images of wafers by leveraging NVIDIA GPU-based optical neural network. The same idea has been modified for use in the printed circuit board (PCB) industries to make visual inspection of PCBs more accurate and give production line mangers a significant edge in discovering and resolving product issues.

NVIDIA HGX-2 cloud server platform

DIGITIMES' editorial team was not involved in the creation or production of this content. Companies looking to contribute commercial news or press releases are welcome to contact us.Taiwan handset shipments dip in 1Q18, says Digitimes Research

Shipments of handsets by Taiwan's brand vendors and ODMs totaled 17.8 million units in the first quarter of 2018, down 27.8% on quarter but up 17.5% on year, according to Digitimes Research.

The Foxconn Group led all brand vendors and ODMs in unit shipments in the first quarter despite a cutback in both smartphone and feature phone orders from HMD Global (Nokia). Asustek Computer and HTC managed to retain their second and third rankings in the quarter although both saw their shipments decrease.

ODMs Compal Electronics and Arima Communications took the fourth and fifth positions, respectively, in unit shipments.

Digitimes Research expects combined handset shipments by Taiwan's brand vendors and ODMs to expand 24.2% sequentially in the second quarter, as Foxconn is set to ramp up its shipments thanks to a rebound in orders from HMD Global, and Asustek will see a significant shipment growth in the quarter amid the increasing availability of its new models.Save my User ID and Password

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Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site.Consistent user experience: Q&A with Gigabyte sales and marketing chief Eddie Lin

Following a business re-organization in the second half of 2017, Gigabyte Technology is now looking to unifying all its products under the Aorus gaming brand, seeking to bring a consistent user experience, according to Gigabyte's Sales and Marketing Center vice president, Eddie Lin.

To expand Aorus' penetration, Gigabyte also recently entered several new component and product business segments and will release a series of devices for each of them to answer customers' demand. Digitimes recently had a chance to chat with Lin about the company's operation, the company's plans for the gaming businesses, and the cryptocurrency business opportunity.

Q: What is the latest status of Gigabyte's Aorus gaming product lineup?

A: Although Gigabyte has just gone through a business re-organization, the company actually has not changed much in terms of the basic business structure. Most of the changes are in the business culture.

In the past, Gigabyte's product development strategy focused on individual projects: we would complete one project before moving on to the next. We identified features and technologies our gaming customers would want and implemented them into our devices.

Now, the new strategy is to think how our products can echo one another all under our Aorus gaming brand. For example, our motherboards, graphics cards, mice and keyboards should all have a unified industrial design to build up the feel they belong to the same series, and the same concept also applies to our software user interfaces and user experience.

Most importantly, this feel of a unified series should also echo what our customers are seeking in their gaming products. Simply put, we want to let our customers feel that their positive experiences using Gigabyte's products are consistent, so whatever values they are seeking in any of Gigabyte's devices can also be found in any of our other products.

Since Gigabyte has already merged the desktop and all its component businesses into a unified gaming business group, we expect the process of synchronizing our product lines to be much easier than before.

For Aorus, in addition to our existing product lines including notebooks, motherboards, graphics cards, keyboards, mice and other peripherals, we have expanded the brand's product portfolio to include new devices such as monitors, solid state drives (SSD) and DRAM.

As for the desktop, Gigabyte continues focusing on developing its Brix series mini-PCs.

Q: What are the company's goals for Aorus gaming products in 2018?

A: The year 2017 was the beginning year of our Aorus gaming brand and for the second year, Gigabyte's main targets are to further refine the series by listening to and understanding the needs of our customers; to work with the customers to enrich the gaming ecosystem; and to expand the series both horizontally and vertically.

For the vertical expansion, we have been strengthening our marketing resources and approaches to improve related contents and materials. We also have created a mascot to represent the Aorus spirit.

For the horizontal expansion, cultivating deeper into each region is Gigabyte's main focus. For example, the company has opened several Gigabyte flagship stores in China for demonstrating and selling Gigabyte's hardware. We are also partnering with Internet cafes in China, decorating them with Aorus themes as a form of promotion.

Meanwhile, Gigabyte continues taking aggressive approaches to supporting e-sport events and is scheduled to host Aorus Open PUBG Tournament 2018 in June and July with gaming competitions to take place in several major regions including China, Taiwan, South Korea, Germany, the US and France.

The company is also increasing its resources for sponsoring e-sport activities in 2018. Gigabyte sponsored a total of nine major gaming events in 2017 and the number will rise to 12 this year.

In addition to sponsorships for downstream e-sport players, Gigabyte also has new partnerships with Intel and Nvidia. Gigabyte is currently working with Intel to push Core i+ series motherboards that natively support Optane Memory. These motherboards all come with 32GB of Optane Memory for enhanced CPU performance.

Customers will also continue seeing Gigabyte's exclusive technologies including RGB Fusion with Digital LEDs, ESS Sabre reference DAC music chip with audiophile Grade capacitors and Ultra Durable components in their favorite Gigabyte motherboards.

However, we are not satisfied by simply adopting the best components into our products. Our target is to study customers' usage habits and improve our components to meet the habits.

Despite the business re-organization and the management changes, Gigabyte is still the same Gigabyte and our user-oriented business culture and emphasis on product quality remain the same.

We have also been forming partnerships with other enterprises for some interesting gaming-related projects. Apart from Arous Open PUBG Tournament 2018, which has helped us established partnerships with several enterprises, we have also collaborated with Electronic Arts (EA) to release an energy drink in Germany with Aorus and EA product images on the can.

We also have been in talks over many other projects, but it is not yet time to reveal the details about them.

In addition to physical products, we have many cooperation cases with game streamers worldwide for product promotions and are also investing resources to launch marketing campaigns with upstream and downstream partners.

In the past, Gigabyte's promotion activities focused mainly on traditional channels, but since 2017, we have started to use more diverse types of marketing in different channels. With Gigabyte having integrated all its gaming-related businesses under the Aorus brand and the fact that we have shown our determination of running the Aorus brand, we have earned many invitations from worldwide businesses and gamers for gaming-related cooperation.

Q: What innovations or technologies will be unveiled or showcased at Computex 2018?

A: We do not have any new products for Computex 2018 as our upstream platform partners have not prepared any new products for the show.

However, we are showcasing our extended peripheral product lines under the Aorus brand including SSDs and memory and are displaying the full series of our existing Aorus brand products at our Computex booth.

Q: What is Gigabyte's thought on cryptocurrencies? Will ASICs have some impact on graphics card demand from the cryptocurrency industry?

A: Cryptocurrencies are one of the applications of the blockchain technology and the technology is becoming a popular topic in the IT industry. To fairly distribute the cryptocurrencies to users, mining has become one of the main methods for the system to give out the digital currencies.

However, mining is not the only way as there are also cryptocurrencies that have adopted other type of distributing methods.

In my personal view, blockchain actually has a lot potential and because of the technology's characteristic of creating records in multiple terminals. It is able to significantly limit a trading system's dependence on a center machine and eliminate many of the recording flaws seen on traditional systems. Compared to blockchain business in general, opportunities from cryptocurrencies are not as stable.

As for the rise in demand for cryptocurrency ASICs, I believe the growing popularity of ASICs will have some impacts on the cryptocurrency industry's demand for graphics cards, but the problem will not be as serious as many market watchers expect.

As I said before, cryptocurrencies are a rather unstable business. Each ASIC is created specifically for the calculation of one particular type of cryptocurrency and cannot be switched to support other cryptocurrency mining. This will give advantages to graphics cards, which can widely support any kind of cryptocurrency mining process. Most miners will be wary of the risks of switching all its machines to ASICs.

Eddie Lin, Gigabyte's Sales and Marketing Center vice president

Photo: Joseph Tsai, Digitimes, May 2018Subscriber content preview

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP)  An Oregon appeals court has agreed with a state board that Jackson County improperly approved a large solar farm planned for prime agricultural land outside Medford.

The Capital Press reports that Jackson County commissioners last year approved the project proposing nearly 40,000 solar panels on 80 acres of prime farmland.





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Nutriad organises mini-symposium at ISFNF in Spain



The 18th edition of the International Symposium on Fish Nutrition and Feeding (ISFNF) will be held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, on June 3-7.



The event will be celebrating more than 40 years of research. Nutriad is a proud sponsor and organises a mini-symposium on June 7 under the theme "Functional feed additives in aquaculture - How to add more?"



The organisers expect the participation of over 400 delegates from academia as well as prominent aquafeed, ingredients, and fish producers. This bi-annual conference reviews the status of fish nutrition research and development, but also pinpoints new frontiers and further research needs in the field of aquaculture nutrition.



The event will cover all aspects of nutritional science, from precise quantification of requirements for specific production performance criteria, assessing the value of novel feed ingredients and additives of nutritional or technological interest.



The contributions will stress the importance of nutrition and feeding on health and physiological well-being of aquatic organisms affecting production performance and the quality and safety of farmed seafood. This conference will show how fish nutrition science has taken advantage of the technical advances in nutrigenomics, metabolomics, epigenetics, and big data processing.



Nutriad sponsors ISFNF 2018 and organises a mini-symposium on June 7 titled "Functional feed additives in aquaculture - How to add more?"



Alexander van Halteren, Nutriad's business development manager for aquaculture nutrition, will review the different mode of actions behind the beneficial effects of bovine bile salts for shrimp, including nutritional, digestive and/or metabolic enhancement.



Dr. Waldo Nuez-Ortin, lead scientist (aquaculture) for Nutriad, will present on the role of functional feed additives in disease prevention in aquaculture.



"This mini-symposium provides an excellent opportunity for our partners and customers to learn about current market developments and new findings regarding the application of our functional feed additives for fish and shrimp," said Dr. Peter Coutteau, Nutriad's business unit director for aquaculture.

"Nutriad has a strong focus on bringing innovation to aquaculture producers across the world. Therefore, we continue to invest in people and research and dedicate time to engage with scientists and industry professionals at events like ISFNF and directly in the field, as we convert global knowledge into local solutions," concluded Nutriad CEO Erik Visser.Andrea Morawski/EIB

Polands Katowice hosts Upgrade your City conference on how to create modern and inclusive urban environments

With EUR 205 million direct loans over 20 years, the EIB has sustained the citys transition to a low-carbon economy

In Poland, the EIB has invested EUR 2.7 billion in urban projects over the past four years, benefiting 28 cities and 9.3m people, and new projects are expected to target environment, mobility, housing, health, education and energy efficiency

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is back in Katowice today with a high-level conference on smart urban investments organised jointly with the municipality. This Polish city of approximately 300 000 people, the capital of Upper Silesia, was the first Polish municipality to sign a loan with the EIB 20 years ago, spearheading a successful transition from a troubled coal-mining town to a vibrant place offering new business opportunities and a healthier environment for its citizens.

Katowice is a role model for Poland and for the European Investment Bank, said Vazil Hudak, Vice-President of the EIB who supervises operations in this country. The city is a demonstration of a successful, ongoing transition to a low-carbon economy. The EIB is proud to have contributed to the citys regeneration and the restoration of its cultural heritage, and we are now ready to support further innovative urban projects, in Katowice and elsewhere in Poland.

New urban projects under consideration by the EIB are expected to target the environment, mobility, affordable housing, health, education and culture and energy efficiency. Planning-led and innovative technology solutions that can make cities smarter and more inclusive are also welcome.

Marcin Krupa, President of Katowice, said: Our excellent cooperation with the European Investment Bank has allowed us to boost and accelerate the multifaceted transformation from a purely industrial city to a fast developing capital of a metropolitan area home to over two-million people. The initial loans helped us to modernise roads and sewage. The subsequent funds allowed us to build the magnificent headquarters for the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and regenerate the neighbouring area. The latest agreement with the EIB allows us to improve public transport by building four transfer hubs. Our citys transformation has been noticed worldwide. Today, we are the UNESCO Creative City of Music and this year in December we will host the COP 24 Climate Summit, with the EIB being part of this success.

The Minister of Investment and Economic Development, Jerzy Kwiecinski, said: The Governments Strategy for Responsible Sustainable Development not only focuses on support and promotion of the smart city concept, but also emphasises that being smart is more than just implementing the latest technologies. It is also about caring for the environment and the urban space, allowing residents to co-decide and benefiting from the experience of others. The Ministry of Investment and Economic Development runs two projects on urban development: the Cities Partnership Initiative and Human Smart Cities. Minister Kwiecinski stressed the very good cooperation with the European Investment Bank: In the last 4 years, the EIB supported 28 Polish cities with 49 loans. That brings obvious benefits for residents and teaches us one important thing: by using EIB funds, we all learn to use financial instruments such as loans, whose significance will grow in the coming years, he added

Todays conference  Upgrade your city: Investing in smart and sustainable municipal infrastructure  focuses on bridging financing gaps in urban development and planning the city of the 21st century.

More on the conference can be found here: http://www.eib.org/infocentre/events/all/upgrade-your-city.htmDear @IlhanMN,



I hear you plan to go on a fact-finding tour of Israel. In fact, Israel is doing pretty well. Its, Somalia, your native country, that could truly use your formidable skills. Maybe you could use your frequent flyer miles and swing by.Written by ACM



*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- An Absolute Majority, (of about 48 MPs out of a Total of 90), in Slovenia's Parliament can be, normaly, reached by the Center-Right, Headed by the Experienced former Twice Prime Minister Janez Jansa, (and former EU President in office: See Infra), whose "SDS" Party came Clearly 1st in Today's National Elections for the Period of 2018-2023.



The move is closely Watched both by European and Global Players, as it seems also Related to Wider, New Political Trends, during the run up to the Forthcoming, Crucial EU Parliament's Elections, scheduled in Less than a Year's Time, on May 2019, and to Different Strategy Options, currently "Hotly" Debated throughout Many EU Member Countries, (See Infra).



----------------------------------



>>> Indeed, according to the Full Results, Jansa's Center-Right Party "SDS", which came 1st currently by the Biggest Number of MPs (25+), may Lead an Absolute Majority Coalition that could be Formed f.ex. with the "ChristianDemocrats/New Slovenia" ("NSI") Party which has now 7 MPs, and the so-called "Rightists" (in fact Atypical Right) of the "SNS" Party (which just re-Entered Parliament after years of absence) with 4 MPs, Extended to an a priori Logical Deal with the Centrists of the "SMC" Party (10 MPs). I.e. resulting into a Group of 46 MPs, out of the 90 that has in Total the Slovenian Parliament.



+ Moreover, given also the Links between the Slovenian Right with the Hungarian Right of Victor Orban, and the Italian new "Atypical" Coalition between the "5 Stars Movement" and Mateo Savini's "Lega" (mainly at the North, and particularly in the NE Region around Venice's Adriatic Coasts), it seems Probable that Jansa might also receive the Endorsement of the + 2 Italian and Hungarian Minority MPs, thus making his Coalition Grow up to a Stronger 48 (out of 90) MPs Absolute Majority.



++ Last, but not least, Slovenian People's 2018 Real Choice for the Right Side of the Political Spectrum, in Fact, Goes even Further : The Biggest Number of Votes among those Parties which did Not Cross the 4% Threshold required in order to Enter the Parliament went, by far, to the Conservative "Slovenian People's Party" (SLS : which had won MPs in Coalition with the "ChristianDemocrats" in the Past, f.ex. on 2008), Getting 2,7% with 23.131 Votes, (while, among Various Others, in Comparison, f.ex. the "Greens" got Only 1% and 9.407 Votes, and the "Left Unity" Only 0,5% and 4,933 Votes, etc)...



Interestingly, the "SLS"' Conservatives, (after Reaching a Pic High in the 1996 Elections with 19 MPs), they have Already succesfully Cooperated with the "Christian Democrats" of "New Slovenia" ("NSI") Party, as Early as since 2000, in the National Parliament Elections, (when they had got 8 MPs), and again in the 2014 European Elections, when they Won, Together, about 17 % of the Votes, (Holding, Since then, 2 MEPs in EU Parliament).



Concerning that "ChristianDemocrats-New Slovenia" ("NSI") Party, it has just Won +2 MPs more, (Getting 7 MPs in all), as it Regularly does, already during the 3 Latest elections : 2011, 2014 and 2018. It is represented in EU Parliament also by the former Prime Minister of Slovenia (1996-1998) Aloisj Peterle, himself a former Foreign Minister and Prime Minister, recently Top MEP and Head of EU - FYROM Delegation, who has given various Responses to "Eurofora"s Questions on Topical Issues, (including on our Project for EU Citizens Debates with MEPs Before they take Decisions affecting their Lives ad/or Society at large, (See, f.ex., at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/topmeppeterleoncitizensdebatesbeforeeudecisions.html, etc).



-------------------------------------------



* However, it's also true that an Exceptionaly Big Number of Various, even "Original", Political Parties took part in this 2018 Elections : 26 in all (10 with MPs and 16 WithOut), among which, were Included Also 10 "New" Parties, (9 withOut MPs, and 1 with MPs).



Among them, those Small Parties which were Excluded from Parlementarian Representation (16), just Because they didn't cross the Threshhold with a required Minimum of 4%), got, in Total, some 12,69% of the Votes !



I.e. even More than the SECOND BIG Party in Slovenia, (12,66% : "LMS"), a New one, which bears the Name of a former Comedian, recently Mayor of a Village and shortly Failed Candidate for the Presidency, reportedly in favor of Private Pensions, Abortion, Homosexuality and Legalizing Cannabis, etc, Marjan Sarec, for whom Left-leaning "NYT" Establishment's Newspaper sees "Prime Ministerial" Ambitions...



Sarec is on record for having Excluded any Coalition with "Populists" (as those of the former Twice Prime Minister and current Winner of the 2018 Election, Jansa), and even for Calling to Aggravate even Further the above-mentioned, Record-High Exclusion of Small Parties from the Parliament (about 12,7% of People's Votes), by Imposing an Even Higher Threshhold Level, Before they might be Allowed to have any MP.



But the Non-Represented Small Parties, which, taken together with the Invalid/Blanc Votes, Gathered Now More than 116.000 + Registered Voters, (i.e. Higher even than the 2nd Big Party, LPSarec's Votes : some 111.000), Include not only 9 New Parties, Totaling almost 13% of the Casted Votes, but also Many "Atypical" Parties, such as, f.ex., "for a Healthy" or "Fair Society", "Good Country", anOther "Journalist ...Pozar", "Save ...from Elite and Tycoons", "Pirate Party", etc. : I.e. a Lot of Converging Facts which Clearly Indicate a Currently Growing Popular Trend for Citizens to Search for Something New, Original and which would be Really Able to Protect and Promote the People's Main Interests Nowadays.



A Recent Phenomenon, which was also Oberved, until now, Not Only in Slovenia, but Also Elsewhere in Europe, f.ex., among Others, also in Greece (between 2011 - 2017+), in the Czech Republic, (particularly in the Latest Elections there : See ...), etc.



=> Therefore, Frontrunner Janez Jansa, Leader of the currently 1st Bigger Party "SDS", from the Center-Right, should be Well Advised, (even, and particularly, in case of eventual New Elections, if a Stable Majority might, perhaps, be Not Found this time), to Search Well for any Real Possibility for Coalition with Like-Minded People, Now and in the foreseeable Future, even if, a priori, they might, eventually, Appear to be of this or that kind of "Atypical" trend, in surface : In Fact, what Counts Most is the Substance of the Main Issues, (as, inter alia, f.ex., the recent Italian New Government Coalition between the Atypical "5 Stars Movement" and "Lega", Based on an Agreed Joint Program Focused on Key Issues, also shows, in one way or another).



------------------------------------



Jansa is well Known personaly to "Eurofora", already since his role on Past rotating EU Presidency as Early as already since 2008, (particularly via EU Parliament in Strasbourg), but also during his frequent Participations to the ChristianDemocrats/EPP Party's Summits until recently in Brussels, (See, inter alia, also, f.ex. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/eustrategyongreeceshengenmediterranean.html, etc).

He was notoriously Supported, this time, also by the popular, 3-times in a row re-Elected Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban (in his 4rth Term since 2000), particularly on the Topical European Issue of recent Mass Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants since 2015/2016 mainly through Turkey, etc, and other Topical matters.



And, by a in interesting Topical Coincidence, this June 2018 Slovenian Election's Results came just a Few Days After "Eurofora" had, precisely, Raised the Question of Victor Orban's Popular Choices in certain Key Policies Nowadays, in view of the Fothcoming, crusial EU Parliament's Elections of May 2019, to the Experienced President of the ChristianDemocrat/EPP Party (HeadQuartered in Brussels), former Long-Time Strasbourg's Top MEP, Joseph Daul, on May 29, (See: ...).



But the overall Electoral Victory of the Slovenian Center-Right will certainly be Welcomed, inter alia, also by USA President Don Trump's Wife Melania, who personaly stems from Slovenia...This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon!

Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page?You may want to look into GEHA as an option. GEHA treats all your Thai expenses as if you are treated by in-network provider and just file the expenses and the exchange rate on the date the expense occurred. If covers worldwide. If you end up back in US and need treatment, it automatically covers. If you travel around the world, GEHA will cover that too. Just need to file the expense report for each incident.IT was again a case of Sussex success at the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Challenge with a team of Sussex-Angus cross taking out this years top prize.

At the awards night held last Friday, it was announced that Sandy and Narelle Lyon, Willyung Farms, Willyung, had taken out the $5000 first prize in this unique competition.

Their win followed on from last years event where Sandys parents Alister and Doreen Lyon won the competition with a team of pure Sussex cattle.

Now in its fourth year, the Gate 2 Plate Challenge assesses cattle performance from farmgate to consumers plate.

Competitors enter a team of three owner-bred cattle (two steers and a heifer).

All cattle go into a feedlot on the same day and fed on the same ration in the same pen (separate pen for steers and heifers).

Heifers go on feed for 76 days and steers for 89 days and on arrival at Harvey Beef for processing, they are all processed on the same day and graded on the same day, by the same grader.

The data collected is based on factors that affect profitability for the feedlot and the processor, as well as MSA grading, which affects eating quality for the consumer.

Each animal is individually scored with 50 points allocated to performance in the feedlot, 50 points for processing and 25 points for MSA grading.

This gives each team a total of 375 points they can be scored for.

This years competition saw a record number of entries with 61 in total (183 animals).

After finishing as runners-up in last years competition, Sandy and Narelle Lyon were obviously over the moon with their win, but also admitted to some slight embarrassment, given it is their feedlot where the animals are fed for the duration of the competition.

Mr Lyon said one of the pleasing aspects of the win was the recognition it provided to the Sussex breed.

Dad and mum have been breeding Sussex for a long time now and to see the breed performing so well in a competition like this is some reward for their dedication, Mr Lyon said.

Teams with Sussex breeding have placed in the top 10 in every year of the Gate 2 Plate which is a good achievement for a small breed.

Mr Lyon said his selection criteria of calves focused on trying to pick animals that would fit into the right weight range.

The animal has to have the ability to put weight on with a good frame and a carcase that you can hang weight off, he said.

Mr Lyon said to be closely involved with the competition in general was positive for their farming operation.

You get to see a number of different breeds and how they perform and interact with many cattle producers from across WA, he said.

You are receiving real feedback on how your cattle are performing and it is information you can use within your farming operation.

The Lyons winning team scored 224.868 points out of the possible 375.

It achieved 53.635 out of a possible 150 points in the feedlot performance category, 114.261 out of 150 for processing performance and 56.972 points out of a possible 75 for MSA grading.

The team was 57.089 points above the overall competition average and in what was a very close result, finished just 0.921 points in front of the second placed team.

The winning team had an average intake weight of just under 325kg and finished the competition at an average weight of just over 508kg, providing an average weight gain of 184kg across the three animals.

This equated to an average daily gain of 2.36kg for the heifer and 2.03 and 2.31kg for the two steers and this performance correlated to an average profit per head of $100.12 across the team.

The team was ranked fourth for feedlot performance, eighth for processing performance and 20th for MSA performance.

The heifer in this team performed strongly, gaining 97.291 points, ranking it the third best performing heifer overall.

In terms of processing performance the teams carcases dressed out at a 266.23kg average, with the overall competition average sitting at 253.38kg.

The animals had an average dressing percentage of 52.3 per cent, which was below the 53.07pc overall average.

The team averaged 60.77 on the MSA index and 75 for EMA.

Finishing in second place to Willyung Farms was a team of purebred Limousins entered by the Nettleton family, Unison Limousin stud, Boyanup.

The heifer and one steer in the team were sired by Maryvale Kingsman, while the other steer was sired by Maryvale Karkoo.

The Unison cattle finished on 223.947 points overall and in the breakdown scored 60.400 points in the feedlot category, 104.564 in processing performance and 57.503 in the MSA category.

The heifer in the team was ranked the fifth best heifer in the competition with total points of 91.464.

The Unison Limousins entered the feedlot at an average liveweight of 303.33kg and exited at 447kg, meaning a total average gain of 143.67kg to provide an average daily weight gain total of 1.74kg.

The carcases dressed out an average of 257.23kg providing a significant 57.55pc dressing percentage.

They recorded an average 61.34 on the MSA index, 72.67 for EMA and 310 for MSA marbling.

The team returned an average profit per head of $115.51.

After competing in the Gate 2 Plate every year since its conception, Kevin Nettleton said he was delighted with this years performance.

We have been around the mark every year, except last year we bombed but we learnt from that and I think that helped with our selection of animals this year, Mr Nettleton said.

We never expected to perform this well, we inspected the animals at the field day in March and they werent looking that great, but really took off in the last couple of weeks on feed and we are ecstatic with how they ended up.

Mr Nettleton said the overall competition was pleasing from the Limousin breed aspect, with pure Limousin cattle in three of the top five placed teams.

Limousin breeders in WA have invested a lot in the breed over the years and there has been some great genetics introduced to this State in recent years, he said.

This has really improved the performance of the breed and I think results such as this prove that.

It is tremendous to be involved in this competition because it is industry driven and based on pure data and statistics.

The data is there for all to see and assess and the level of statistical analysis you receive from it is mind blowing.

Congratulations should also go to the organising committee for running this competition in such a professional manner and for giving up their time to volunteer to put this together is something everyone should appreciate.

Finishing in third place on 223.754 points was a team of Murray Grey-Angus-Sussex cross cattle entered by Stewart and Sheena Smith, Narrikup.

This team accumulated 56.783 points for feedlot performance, 111.348 for processing and 55.622 for MSA.

The heifer in the team was a standout performer gaining 112.087 points overall to make it the highest ranked heifer in the competition.

The Smith team had a total average weight gain of 167.67kg and dressed out at an average of 54.28pc.

In fourth place on 209.953 points was a team entered by Murray and Jenny Fouracres, Manjimup.

The pure Limousin cattle were ranked first for feedlot performance with 64.140 points, while also gaining 89.770 points for processing and 56.044 for MSA.

First-time entrant to the competition, the Kupsch family, Tara Limousin stud, Allanooka, certainly made its mark in its first year with its team of pure Limousins finishing in fifth place on 199.347 points.

In the individual categories as mentioned, it was Murray and Jenny Fouracres that took first place in the best feedlot performance category, with Unison Limousin stud finishing second in this category on 60.40 points, while Stewart and Sheena Smith were third in this category on 56.78 points.

In the best processor performance category it was Bruce and Gaye Campbell, Keysbrook, who took first place with a team of Charolais-Angus cross cattle that gained 120.924 points.

This team gained an average of 135kg at an average daily gain of 1.64kg.

The cattle had an average carcase weight of 257.08kg and a dressing percentage of 53.60pc, with a MSA marbling figure of 366.67.

Running second to the Campbells in this category was a team of Angus-Droughtmaster cross cattle entered by Mountain Valley Livestock, Albany.

This team finished on 120.633 points, while in third place on 118.900 points was a team of Speckle Park-Murray Grey cross cattle entered by Tungamah Speckle Park stud, Gingin.

Tungamah also performed very well in the MSA performance category, taking first place with 58.875 points.

This team had an average MSA index of 62.80 points, an average EMA of 75.33 and 323.33 for MSA marbling.

In second place in this category was a team entered by Peter and Merryl Johnston, Boyup Brook.

This team consisted of two pure Angus cattle and an Angus-Shorthorn animal and finished on 58.575 points, while in third place on 58.284 points was a team of pure Angus cattle entered by Hugh and Andrew Smith, Torbay.

In other awards, best newcomer went to the Tara Limousin stud, while the most improved team award went to Stewart and Sheena Smith.

The school accumulating the most points was the WA College of Agriculture, Denmark, while the best performing team sired by a Blonde d Aquitaine went to the D Manning Family Trust, Mardella.

The best performing team sired by Angus award was won by Stuart and Sheena Smith, while Talawa Grazing, Woogenellup, won the award for the best performing team sired by a Summit Gelbvieh bull.

Representing major sponsor Harvey Beef, its general manager of livestock Kim McDougall applauded the competition and the results it provided to entrants.

Once again we have been extremely impressed with the quality of the entrants, as it shows their unwavering commitment to producing great quality beef for consumers, Mr McDougall said.

Our congratulations to Willyung Farms on winning this competition, they have been a long term supplier of Harvey Beef and we are delighted to see their hard work rewarded.

Mr McDougall also thanked the volunteers for their outstanding contributions to making this event happen.

The Albany Agricultural Society and the organising committee have once again delivered a fantastic competition and we thank them for their contributions to WA agriculture, he said.THE MARKET share of tracked-tractors and machinery in Australia has been on an upward trajectory for some time.

Driven by demand to reduce compaction and foot print across the paddock, more brands and models are available in tracked variants.

At CRT Farmfest, Kingsthorpe, Queensland, on Tuesday, June 5 to Thursday, June 7, New Holland Australia will release two new SmartTrax variants to farmers, the 404 kilowatt (542 horsepower) T9-615 and the 453kW (608hp) T9-670.

New Holland product manager Marc Smith said the quad-tracked, T9 SmartTrax were a welcome addition to the New Holland offering.

Over the past five years, tracks have gained in popularity, Mr Smith said.

The uptake of tracks, compared to wheels, has risen by about 30 per cent.

As more manufacturers have come onboard with a solution it becomes more appealing in comparison to a wheeled machine.

Mr Smith said there were many advantages to a tracked-tractor.

Mainly flotation and traction, which is quite important to some growers, he said.

A tracks primary design is for mud, which we dont have a huge problem with over here.

But it also lends itself well to loose sandy conditions.

Mainly it is for farmers who want to get the smallest footprint they can, with the maximum traction and the least amount of pressure on the ground.

Mr Smith said the SmartTrax were variants of the wheeled models, with the same base specifications, with some changes.

The track modules themselves are about 2.5 tonne each, Mr Smith said.

They are only available in the 16 speed power-shift transmission.The conditions the shipment endured over those few fateful days delivered a totally unacceptable voyage outcome and I, like many others, was distressed at the footage and this should not be allowed to ever happen again.

There are lessons to be learnt from this exercise, but curtailing or banning the trade is not one of them.

The company at the centre of this issue, Emanuel Exports, continues to be unfairly targeted for its role, when in fact the vessel was not owned by them, nor chartered by them.

This vessel is a relative newcomer to the trade having been launched in 2014.

To be eligible to carry Australian animals it had to comply with the Australian Maritime Safety Authoritys (AMSA) Marine Orders 43 regulation, the worlds most stringent regulatory authority for livestock vessels.

It would have had to pass numerous tests including the efficacy of its ventilation system and since that time would have had all its livestock services regularly audited by AMSA on return calls to Australian ports.

Under the governments livestock export regulation, yes the exporter was duly responsible, but where do you draw the line?

Ever caught a taxi and been involved in a crash or been on a bus when it has broken down?

You hired the taxi or paid a fare to be on the bus, are you the culpable party for this outcome?

Arabian Gulf politics and a combination of weather systems became a cocktail of precursors that delivered the vessel to Qatar and into the midst of an extraordinary heat event that impacted the ship and parts of its ventilation system.

As a result, a large number of animals died in circumstances that could largely have been avoided it seems if the exporters voyage scheduling and heat mitigation plans had enabled the ship go to Kuwait as first port of discharge, before arriving back to Qatar.

It was not the entire ship, nor the entire cargo affected as some might like to say and have us believe.

The voyage investigation is on the governments website, if you care to take the time to research it.

Take nothing away from the enormity of this in terms of a disastrous animal welfare event and the need for steps to be taken to prevent it from happening again.

However the continued labelling of the exporter as the miscreant in all of this is not deserved.

If you choose to take the time and research the governments website, you will see the exporter has a very good level of performance, having exported more than six million sheep in the past five years, with a delivery success rate of 99. 31 per cent, which in fact exceeds the industry average over the same period.

We would all like to see far fewer mortalities occur in delivering shipments to our customers as these are not good for business.

The industry, through research and development, has been making substantial progress in this area for a good number of years now and will continue to do so.

The numbers here from my own experiences as a farmer are much less in accumulated terms than we could ever hope for, through attrition out in the paddock.

What we have seen since the 60 Minutes revelation  including the groundswell of public opinion who call for more abattoirs to be built and more boxed meat exports all of which are fanciful, unviable and unsatisfactory replacements for the live trade  is a political mindset that says ban everything that will affect a State or Federal parliamentary incumbents chance of re-election.

Representatives of government on both sides have launched a tirade of accusations at the live export industry, much of it based on total misinformation.

Liberal Minister Sussan Leys recent claims are far from the truth and none more preposterous were those expressed by the Seven Networks political editor Mark Riley (The West Australian May 19, 2018), when he claimed Middle East importers fatten up Australian sheep for a couple of months to be placed on the market to be sold at massive profits to third countries, where they are slaughtered and marketed as meat.

How does Mark know this?

Because two cabinet ministers confided in him that this is what happens.

Amongst many facts that ridicule this statement is the governments own Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) 0regulation and the inability for this to occur, and secondly, any importer feeding sheep for months in the Middle East would simply go broke.

The newly-appointed Federal Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud, like all good politicians, flew into panic mode, and while not wanting to repeat the Labour governments knee-jerk response of 2011 by overnight closing the cattle trade with Indonesia and bringing on major economic disruption and business loss for northern Australian cattle producers, has and will be responsible for the process ahead that will have the same impact for WA sheep producers and all those who rely on the trade for their livelihoods.

The Australian sheep industry has been in decline for over more than decades now, primarily as a result of the 1991 cessation of the Reserve Price Scheme for Wool, too many to count bad seasons and shifting farm enterprises to grain growing.

The live sheep trade in all of this has been the one constant farmers can rely on where they have been able to readily sell, year round, come drought, fire and floods any number of and class of sheep to live exporters for very good prices.

WA farmers today are experiencing the best live sheep, sheep meat and wool returns on record and there are no signs of this pulling back, however take live exports out of the equation and the handbrake goes on, prices will drop significantly and more sheep producers will leave the industry.

Mr Littleproud is now imposing a raft of regulation on live exporters, the results of a four-week desktop study of the trade.

The outcomes here will have two affects  some would probably say have been the governments intent for a long time now  and will either regulate exporters out of the business or cost them the business.

Either way there will be no winners and certainly not back at the farmgate.

While understanding that more space onboard live export vessels will likely improve an animals wellbeing, the government is adopting the McCarthy Review outcomes by reducing carrying capacities of livestock vessels able to load sheep by 28 per cent.

While this exponentially increases the landed price of Australian sheep in the Middle East to a level that is likely to see them quickly become uncompetitive, it will certainly put into question the economics of shipping sheep from Australia for importers and vessel owners.

Sheep producers should also be seriously concerned about this, not only because it will mean reduced demand for their sheep and much lower prices, the same sort of regulation could in fact be forced on them in time as welfare activists drive the government to enact similar requirements for the road transport of sheep and cattle.

To say nothing of not being able to transport them on days when it might be a bit warm for the fear of heat stress.

The government has also surreptitiously changed the rules to suit its own agenda.

AMSA has just rescinded an agreement with livestock vessel owners/operators on which the ink was barely dry for what was to be a five-year phase out period for two-tier designed sheep carrying vessels amongst a number of other agreed to compliance requirements.

Owners have now been given 19 months to comply.

This ruling could see up to 50pc of the tonnage available to load sheep from Australia off the Australia Middle East run by the end of 2019.

With the governments continued flip-flopping over live export regulation, it is hard to imagine anyone rushing in to build a new vessel at $100 million to service the Australian trade.

These vessels, all having plenty of serviceable life left in them, wont go to scrap  they will simply be deployed to other supply points around the globe where animals for Middle East markets can be sourced from without any regulatory impost.

There goes even more lost market share for Australian livestock in overseas markets.

It probably wont be long either before the animal welfare activists force farmers into being able to only carry sheep in cattle trailers, as four deckers will be considered in-humane for sheep transport.

The folly of Mr Littleprouds calls in this space have already started to hit home with overseas governments and buyers of Australian sheep, taking offence at the Australian governments approach to an issue that seriously affects their countries food security and social harmony.

After being castigated by these respective countries ambassadors in Australia on this, Mr Littleproud quickly flew out of Australia 10 days ago to visit and see first-hand what access to Australian live sheep meant for these countries and the level of investment that has gone into supporting this business by operators in the trade.

No doubt frank words were delivered by Middle East government officials and the importers themselves about Australias age-old rhetoric of telling the market how and when it can have Australian live sheep and that its customers really should be taking it in a box or bag.

I am sure these markets have had enough of the righteousness of Australian politics and can play the same game when it comes to buying our carcase and boxed sheep meat, grain and other food stuffs exported daily from Australia to the region.

These countries will have no compunction but to find other sources and they will if the trade balance on this issue doesnt correct itself.

There is simply no one to blame for what occurred on the vessel back in August, but to now use the event to better the trade for its future sustainability.

The cheap political point scoring and claims that farmers and exporters are to blame has to stop.

The public and many of the media commentators, all far removed from where their food comes from and those who we help feed, will have an overwhelming say on this matter, but thats typical when they have nothing to lose other than higher meat prices going forward.

Vale live exports if common sense does not prevail and sensible regulation is allowed to be debated and constructively put in place.East met West at the Erasta Aksin Cinema in Fethiye last weekend.

A Star Wars celebration

Students from Scotland and Turkey joined together to put on a display of Cosplay to celebrate the showing of the film Solo  a Star Wars Story with most of the Star Wars characters depicted in full costume.

Ten students, from various local schools and backgrounds, joined together to work on their outfits for this event.

The students, aged from 16 to 20, were Garreth Iain (Arif) Rous (Scotland),

Anl Basat Birben (TR), Recep Ali Birben (TR), Eren Erdal (TR), Makbule Sultan Can (TR), Ata Aytekin (TR), Boran Avc (TR), Erva Dundar (TR), Hakan Demirci (TR) and Sencer Soy (TR).

The purpose of this event was to spread inspiration in the youth of Fethiye and Mugla, and to be the spark to ignite the fire of creativity, a key component to the development of young minds.

Team founder, Garreth Iain (Arif) Rous, said It has taken a long time and a lot of work but we got here. It all started at the previous Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi, where I made my first costume for the film. I was met by a great many positive responses, so much so that several of my friends, who I frequently go to the cinema with, came to me and asked if they could also make costumes and join me for the next movie. From there it spread, with young people, from many different backgrounds, joining me in this project. After an 11 month process of costume making we arrived at Erasta Aksin Cinema and enjoyed the two days of madness, along with members of the public who couldnt wait to get their photos taken with the Star Wars characters.

Other members stated that it was two of the best days of their lives. This feeling was shared by families, teachers and tourists, as well as the local traders in the Erasta AVM, and plans are already underway for the next project!

If you would like more information about Cosplay, pease contact Garreth Iain (Arif) Rous at: multiplelegoboy12345@gmail.com

All you need is an open mind and a determination to enjoy creativity.

This article was written for Fethiye Times by Garreth Rous with photographs by Norman Clark.Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-CategoryBlueVine, a Redwood City, CA-based fintech company, closed $60m in Series E funding.

The round was led by Menlo Ventures, with participation from new investors SVB Capital and major existing investors.

The company, which has raised more than $500m in equity and debt funding, intends to use the funds to expand its invoice factoring and business line of credit products, explore new products catering to small and medium-sized businesses, and accelerate R&D hiring.

Founded in 2013 and led by CEO Eyal Lifshitz, BlueVine provides flexible working capital financing to small and medium-sized businesses, giving them quick access to funds needed to purchase inventory, cover expenses, or expand operations. The company also offers Flex Credit, a business line of credit financing issued by Celtic Bank, a Utah-chartered Industrial Bank, Member FDIC, which is based on 6-month and 12-month payment terms.

BlueVine recently doubled its invoice factoring credit line to $5m, increased its business line of credit line limit from $150k to $250k, has secured more than $300m in debt financing over the past year.

The companys total funded volume since inception is expected to top $1 billion in 2018.

FinSMEs

05/06/2018Hailo, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based company developing a proprietary chip for deep learning on edge devices, completed a $12.5m Series A funding round.

Backers included Ourcrowd.com, Maniv Mobility, the Drive accelerator fund: Next Gear; as well as angel investors Hailo Chairman Zohar Zisapel and Delek Motors CEO Gil Agmon.

The company, which has raised $16m in total funding, will use the funding to further develop its deep learning processor.

Led by Orr Danon, CEO, Avi Baum, CTO, and Hadar Zeitlin, Chief Business Development Officer, Hailo provides a deep learning processor which will be able to run embedded AI applications on edge devices that are installed in autonomous vehicles, drones, and smart home appliances such as personal assistants, smart cameras and smart TVs, alongside IoT, AR and VR platforms, wearables and security products.

The company is currently collaborating with major players in the industry who are examining the use of its technology. Initial samples are expected to enter the market in H1 2019.

FinSMEs

05/06/2018JLL Spark, a San Francisco, California-based division of JLL (NYSE: JLL), a professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management, has launched a new $100m fund.

Led by Mihir Shah and Yishai Lerner, JLL Spark Global Venture Fund plans to invest up to in companies focused on leveraging technology to transform the real estate industry. The fund will direct its efforts to technology startups with products that can help JLL investor and occupier clients, or that can be used by JLL businesses to better deliver their services.

The new fund will focus on seed and Series A investments, as well as select later stage rounds and will also support entrepreneurs and their companies by connecting them with JLLs business lines and clients for insightful feedback and distribution of their products.

Typical investment size will range from a few hundred thousand to several million dollars.

Led by Christian Ulbrich, Global CEO, JLL is a Fortune 500 company with nearly 300 corporate offices, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of 83,500 as of March 31, 2018.

FinSMEs

05/06/2018Innoactive, a Munich, Germany-based provider of VR/AR software, secured 4.4m in funding.

The round was led by Unternehmertum Venture Capital Partners with participation from Capnamic Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to expand technology/product development and the sales team.

Led by Daniel Seidl, founder and CEO, Innoactive develops virtual and augmented reality enterprise software for players in the automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical and retail industries to simplify the creation and use of collaborative VR/AR planning, simulation and training applications. The platform enables central content management and provides a central entry point for all employees to meet virtually together and improve their workstations, regardless of where they are located.

Customers include Volkswagen, MediaMarktSaturn, Carl Zeiss, Deutsche Bahn, Audi and Continental, among others.

FinSMEs

04/06/2018.           ,       ,    ,       .             ", "   .        ,     . ...Apple announced the watchOS 5 update for the Apple Watch at WWDC earlier today. With the update, Apple is very clearly doubling down on health and fitness features as it tends to be one of the most popular use cases for smartwatches. Theres much more to the update though. Lets take a closer look.

One of the more intriguing additions is the new Walkie Talkie feature that lets you talk directly to family members using an Apple Watch. With a tap of the wrist, you can fire off a voice clip directly to another watch user. The feature works over both WiFi and LTE.

While the Apple Watch lets you stream your favorite music while out for a run, Podcasts have been notably been missing. Users can now ask Siri to play the latest episode of their favorite podcasts. The current listening position will be synced across iOS devices over iCloud. In addition to Podcasts, apps like Pandora, Audible and 10% Happier can now sync audio data to the Apple Watch for untethered playback. WatchOS 5 now lets third-party audio playback apps run in the background.

Fitness tracking is one of the biggest talking points for the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch gains automatic workout detection in watchOS 5. In case you forget to switch on the dedicated fitness tracking mode during your workout, the watch is able to identify most popular workouts and gives retroactive credits for your activity competitions and rings. Talking about workouts, Yoga and Hiking are some of the new additions in terms of dedicated workout types. Running modes get a few new features including a rolling mile pace metric that shows the pace for the immediately preceding mile.

A new watch face based on Siri Shortcuts was also announced. The watch face uses machine learning to offer predictive shortcuts throughout the day based on your location, routines and more. Be it offering the commute time back home when the watch detects that you are stepping out of office or showing your heart rate after a workout, the Siri Watch face will also show content from third-party apps. On a side note, you can now simply raise your wrist and ask Siri to perform an action instead of having to invoke the Hey Siri hotword.

Apple has partnered with a number of universities to allow the Apple Watch to be used as a Student ID card. By adding the Student ID card to the wallet app, it can be used to gain access to areas like the library, dorm and even pay for snacks and more. The following universities will support Student ID cards on an Apple Watch by the end of the year, Duke, the University of Alabama and the University of Oklahoma, Johns Hopkins University, Santa Clara University and Temple University.

watchOS 5 will be available later this year as an update for the Apple Watch Series 1 and later. The original Apple Watch will not be receiving the update.This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.Police in New Jersey are searching for a suspected car burglar who left something behind.

But he wasnt being generous.

The alleged crook was caught on a security camera defecating in the driveway of a North Plainfield home.

In a black and white video posted to the local police departments Facebook page, the hoodie-wearing man can be seen taking off his jacket and backpack before the clip ends abruptly. Police wrote that we edited the video as it was graphic, you get the picture.

The incident occurred on Rockville Terrace around 2:30 am on May 27, and police said that the same man was spotted on other cameras in the neighborhood successfully burglarizing a car at a different location. He is also suspected of attempting to burglarize several other vehicles nearby on the same day.

The North Plainfield police department is asking the public for any tips that will help them crack this case.Debbie Reynolds didnt die from a broken heart a day after daughter Carrie Fisher passed away in December 2016, her son Todd Fisher reveals in his new memoir about the two actresses.

In the book My Girls: A Lifetime With Carrie and Debbie published Tuesday, Fisher divulges details about the day Reynolds died, his relationship with his mother and sister and Carrie Fishers regret when writing her 2016 book The Princess Diarist.

Todd Fisher says his mother couldnt bear the thought of his sister being alone that she willed herself to die a day after the Star Wars actress passed away, according to excerpts released by USA Today. He recalls his mother saying, I want to be with Carrie.

The common theory about Moms passing was that, after losing Carrie, Debbie Reynolds died of a broken heart. Take it from the son who was there, who knew her better than anyone else on earth  thats simply not true, Fisher writes. Debbie Reynolds willed herself right off this planet to personally see to it that Carrie would never be alone.

CARRIE FISHER SENT COW TONGUE TO HOLLYWOOD PRODUCER WHO ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HER FRIEND

Carrie Fisher, 60, died on Dec. 27, 2016, four days after suffering a cardiac emergency on a flight to Los Angeles, Calif. The coroners office said sleep apnea and other undetermined factors contributed to her death. One day later, Reynolds died from a stroke.

Todd Fisher says it was his mothers driving force to make sure Carrie Fisher wasnt alone.

He also reveals his sister admitted she shouldnt have written about her affair with Harrison Ford, who was married at the time, while they were filming the 1977 Star Wars movie. Fisher was 19 and Ford was 33.

HARRISON FORD REMEMBERS CARRIE FISHER DURING MARK HAMILL'S WALK OF FAME STAR CEREMONY

Todd Fisher said his mother was against making the affair public, to which the actress replied: Youre right, I shouldnt have told that story.

Unlike Reynolds tumultuous relationship with her daughter, Todd Fisher says he and Reynolds always adored each other.

Wed had a rare connection from the moment I started growing in her belly, he writes.

He also says Reynolds called actor Robert Wagner, who she once dated before Eddie Fisher, the love of her life.A music executive revealed Monday that he asked Drake not to release his overwhelming response to Pusha Ts diss track.

J. Prince, the owner of the Houston-based Rap-A-Lot Records, said in an interview on Sway In The Morning that he stepped in personally to stop Drake from releasing the track, which would have taken aim at Kanye West as well.

After speaking with Kanye, I spoke with the brother, and he didnt want this. I saw this going to a place that I feel would have ended his career if Drake wouldve put out this song that he had on him, Prince said. And definitely wouldve hurt families and were not in it for that. Thats not Drakes character to tear a man down to that extent.

Drake's response to Pusha Ts The Story of Adidon would have taken the feud to a new level, Prince said.

The ingredients was overwhelming. I know for a fact that it would have been bad for Kanye and my man, he said. It just wouldnt be good. Its beyond music at that point. Its going to affect the livelihood. Its going to interfere with his whole lifestyle from that moment.

Prince said he didnt think the Drake track would leak prematurely.

While things appear to have settled down between Drake and Pusha T, West appeared to chime in on the beef in a tweet Friday.

Ive never been about beef  Im about love  lines were crossed and its not good for anyone  so this is dead now, West tweeted.

Drakes only response to Pusha Ts diss was a statement explaining why he appeared in blackface for a photo shoot.Lester Holts embattled Nightly News program hit a new low last week -- finishing behind ABC's World News Tonight with David Muir among the key demographic for the second consecutive week while continuing its overall losing streak.

Its the latest sign that Holt has never recovered from the presidential debate he moderated in the fall of 2016, when he badgered Donald Trump, angering some NBC viewers. Holt also was the object of global ridicule earlier this year when visited North Korea and appeared to be badly duped by the dictatorial regime there.

Its particularly embarrassing for NBC to lose again in the key demographic of viewers ages 25 to 54. While NBC News' two major broadcasts, Nightly News and Today, have been consistently losing to ABC News in recent years in total viewers, the Peacock Network has been clinging to victories in the key demographic as a sign that its news division still has juice. In a recent press interview about NBC News problems, a spokesperson claimed the networks shows were all number one, presumably referring to the demo wins.

Nightly News has now lost the total viewer crown to ABC for 16 straight weeks and 32 of the 36 weeks of the current season. During the week of May 28, World News Tonight averaged 8.2 million viewers compared to 7.6 million for NBCs struggling newscast. Among the key demo, ABC narrowly prevailed by averaging 1.66 million demo viewers compared to 1.64 million for Holts newscast.

Last month, Holt embarked on what one NBC insider called a desperation tour, hosting his broadcast from different cities where NBCs audience research experts believed he can score some new viewers. NBC billed the promotional venture as NBC Nightly News: Across America, and made stops in Portland, Chicago, Denver, Pittsburgh and Raleigh.

CBS Evening News with Jeff Glor finished third, as usual, in both total viewers and the demo amid a New York Post report that Tiffany Network executives could soon look to replace its unknown anchor as panic mode sets in.

Last month, Media Research Center Vice President Dan Gainor told Fox News that ABC, NBC and CBS are all suffering because none of their anchors has the name, the reputation and the gravitas of previous anchors, pointing to Holt as an example of the problem.

I bet if you did man-on-the-street interviews, not one person in 10 could name any of the evening news anchors, Gainor said. Personality and pizzazz are viewed as important.

ABCs WNT recently topped Nightly News as the most-watched newscast in the first quarter of 2018, marking the first time ABC won a Q1 in 19 years. ABC averaged over 500,000 more viewers than NBC on a nightly basis, the largest viewer advantage over Nightly News in 22 years, according to TVNewser.

Critics often point to Holts widely panned performance moderating a presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in Sept. 2016 for the decline in Nightly News viewers. During the debate, Holt questioned Trump aggressively about the racially charged issue of police stop and frisk policies while, critics say, he lobbed softballs at Clinton.

Holt also suffers from Nightly News being part of the same operation that runs MSNBC. As more NBC News stars such as Chuck Todd and Andrea Mitchell embrace MSNBCs left-wing ethos, its been harder for NBC News (and Holts broadcast, by extension) to maintain any pretense of objectiivity.

The slumping Nightly News is the latest black eye for embattled NBC News Chairman Andy Lack, whom Comcast honchos reportedly want to replace by the end of the year after a series of public relations debacles. Lack has faced a laundry list of problems in recent memory, ranging from criticism that his department was oblivious to Matt Lauers sexual misconduct after an internal review to MSNBC star Joy Reid coming under fire for homophobic and hateful entries on her now-defunct blog.

Lacks department also famously refused to publish Ronan Farrows investigation of Harvey Weinstein this past fall, which ultimately appeared in the New Yorker and won the coveted Pulitzer Prize.

Farrow has said he will finally tell his side of the story in an upcoming book called, Catch and Kill, which is sure to create a whole new batch of negative headlines for the once-proud NBC News.Nyna Giles wanted to set the record straight about her mother, an American top model and onetime royal bridesmaid of Grace Kelly, who at one point became homeless as she fell victim to an undiagnosed mental illness.

Giles teamed up with journalist Eve Claxton to publish a memoir titled The Bridesmaids Daughter, which chronicles the life of Carolyn Scott Reybold. Reybold died in 2007 at age 79.

PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE'S WEDDING PHOTOS

Giles told Fox News her mother first arrived in New York City from Ohio in 1947, and she was quickly discovered for her head-turning looks.

When Eileen Ford was asked about her, she would refer to [my mother] as a golden girl, as one of her most successful junior models during that time period, said Giles. She was enormously successful for eight years.

"She did a lot of work for Seventeen Magazine, Mademoiselle, Glamour, Junior Bazaar It was a very brave thing she did, going to New York at such a young age. And I look at the pictures, the way she posed and her expressions, she was just very good at what she did.

The then-19-year-old brunette booked a one-way ticket to the big city before being scouted by a fashion photographer. She resided at the Barbizon Hotel for Women where she met a round-faced teenage girl with light brown hair named Grace Kelly.

Reybold and Kelly, an aspiring actress from Philadelphia, became fast friends and the pair bonded over Louis Armstrong records and the ballet. However, their relationship allegedly changed when Hollywood came calling for Kelly, who transformed into one of director Alfred Hitchcocks icy blondes.

When Reybold accompanied Kelly to one of her film premieres, the screen star allegedly became angry when a photographer asked to take a picture and, instead of stepping aside, the model posed and smiled for the camera. Still, it was Kelly who introduced Reybold to future husband Malcolm, a friend of a former beau.

And when Kelly later became engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, Reybold was chosen to be one of the coveted bridesmaids.

It was the first wedding of its kind which was televised, said Giles. It was a big deal. And the amount of press was just astounding. After the bridesmaids were announced, they were contacted by all the top fashion designers and houses to wear their clothes. They were flooded with constant engagements and events There was a lot of attention on them during the months leading up to the royal wedding.

Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier in 1956.

I think probably for all of the bridesmaids, they knew when they said goodbye to Kelly and came back to New York, it was going to be difficult, said Giles. [Kelly] was in another country. I think for my mother, there was a bit of sadness with that because they were such close friends. I know that when Grace would come back to New York, she would visit But it just became more difficult.

Reybold had her own challenges to face. By the time Giles was born in 1959, Reybold wasnt a sought-after model in New York City anymore. Instead, she was married and living in Long Island, away from the glamorous life she once enjoyed.

It represented a huge change, said Giles. It would have meant definitively she was not going to be modeling again. By living out there, it would have been impossible. It meant leaving the culture of New York City. All the things she loved.

"Tippi Hedren came to visit us and many of her friends during the first couple of years. And then it started to wane and they werent coming out as much. Her friends had moved on. And I dont think she really made new friends.

Giles also believed her mother was faced with postpartum psychosis, which would only be the beginning of numerous problems she would face for the rest of her life.

I was a 10 lb. 10 oz. baby, said Giles. She was 54. It was her third caesarian. And she had a hysterectomy. Theres no way a woman could go through that and not experience some form of postpartum depression, at least.

"And then on top of that, to be isolated and not have people around you so they could see the changes that were taking place in her She looked like a different person. Theres no life in her. Its something that got progressively worse over time.

Mental health officials later told Giles that while postpartum psychosis is a serious condition, it is treatable. But her mother, who didnt get the appropriate care she needed, never recovered. Instead, she would be plagued with paranoid delusions.

At one point, Reybold believed her daughter was too sick to attend school.

To be clear, I only had the equivalent of one full year at school, said Giles. Kindergarten through sixth grade. The absences were massive But I really believe that she loved me There was never any doubt about that. I think she was protecting me within her delusion.

Giles said Kelly suspected something was wrong with her friend. Then came tragedy.

Giles sister Robin died from a car crash in 1979. Then in 1982, Kelly was also killed in an automobile accident.

[The deaths] impacted her tremendously, said Giles. To quote Eileen Ford, Everything at that point just disappeared for her. She was very close to my sister Robin. And I think she had hope in Grace [coming back] because Grace was possibly talking about getting an apartment in New York that fall when she died.

"A lot of people have asked me if I thought Grace would have been able to help her But its very difficult to help someone whos so mentally ill But I think it would have been helpful to have a friend, somebody who knew her from the past.

Giles would later marry and have children of her own while she kept in close contact with her mother. But in 1989, Giles spotted a tabloid that revealed her mother was living in a New York City shelter.

She wasnt down on her luck, said Giles. She was severely mentally ill and refusing treatment. Theres a big difference But we paid a deli she was comfortable going to so she could have her meals there and go whenever she wanted with no limit I was always in touch with her. But at that point, I was trying to reason with her. She was offered places to live. But she wanted to be in the city. The city was where she was the happiest and she found a way to make it work for her.

She would go to Lincoln Center and listen to classical music on headphones. She would watch free ballet performances. She had her little square on 58th street where she would go and pray every day because she thought the park would be elevated to a shrine for humanity if she sat there every day I forced myself to visit the shelter and look at the space where she slept with 100 women. I entered her world instead of being afraid of it.

In 1998 Giles moved Reybold to an adult home in Long Island.

I dont know if she was happier, admitted Giles. I certainly slept well at night because I knew she was in a safe place. But for her, there was nothing there. She was on medication and taken care of She was calmer and there were fewer distractions.

Giles hopes her mothers story will raise awareness on mental health issues impacting mothers today.

The most important thing is early intervention, said Giles. She needed to be treated after I was born. At the point where she was at the shelter, [it] was very far down the road to be able to turn things around My mothers life and my entire familys life wouldve been very different if she was treated early on.Harvey Weinstein entered a not guilty plea at a New York courthouse on Tuesday where he was arraigned on rape and criminal sex act charges.

The hearing in Manhattan comes after a grand jury indicted the former movie mogul last week on charges involving two women.

One alleged victim, who has not been identified publicly, told investigators that Weinstein cornered her in a hotel room and raped her. The other accuser, former actress Lucia Evans, has gone public with her account of Weinstein forcing her to perform oral sex at his office in 2004. The Associated Press does not identify alleged victims of sexual assaults unless they come forward publicly.

Dozens more women have accused him of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to assault.

The 66-year-old Weinstein has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, has challenged the credibility of his alleged victims and says his client is confident he is going to clear his name.

Brafman called the rape allegation "absurd," saying that the accuser and Weinstein had a decadelong, consensual sexual relationship that continued after the alleged 2013 attack.

Weinstein walked past a group of photographers and into the courthouse with Brafman after stepping gingerly out of an SUV.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. has said it was predictable that Weinstein's camp would attack the integrity of the women and of the legal system.

Vance, a Democrat, came under public pressure from women's groups to prosecute Weinstein after declining to do so in 2015, when an Italian model went to police to say Weinstein had groped her during a meeting.

Police set up a sting in which the woman recorded herself confronting Weinstein and him apologizing for his conduct. But Vance decided there was not enough evidence to bring charges.

Weinstein is out on $1 million bail.

Fox News' Marta Dhanis and The Associated Press contributed to this report.Harvey Weinstein's sexual assault trial began in New York on Jan. 6, 2020.

The disgraced movie mogul turned himself in to the New York City Police Department in May 2018 -- nearly eight months after an explosive expose sparked a cataclysm of women who have publicly accused the disgraced movie mogul of sexual assault, harassment and rape.

He was charged with rape, criminal sex acts, sex abuse and sexual misconduct on two women by the NYPD on May 25, 2018. However, hes been accused by dozens of women since late 2017 of harassment, sexual assault and rape.

Weinstein, 66, has repeatedly denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.

Heres a look back at when Weinstein was first accused and whats happened to his life since.

The allegations start

On Oct. 5, 2017, The New York Times reported that Weinstein had reached at least eight settlements with women -- including actresses, assistants and models -- who accused him of sexual harassment and misconduct.

According to The New York Times, Weinstein was supposed to have a business meeting with Ashley Judd, but when she showed up, he was in a bathrobe and asked her to give him a massage, she said. On another occasion, a female assistant was pressured into giving Weinstein a massage which left her crying and very distraught, colleague Lauren OConnor said in a memo obtained by The Times.

After that initial report, the list of women who accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct and rape grew; it included actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Rosanna Arquette, to name a few.

HARVEY WEINSTEIN SEX SCANDALS: DETAILING THE ALLEGATIONS

Lucia Evans, an aspiring actress when she met Weinstein, told The New Yorkers Ronan Farrow when she first met the famed movie mogul, he belittled her and commented on her weight. Eventually, though, he assaulted me, she claimed, alleging that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him.

I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont, she 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.

I just sort of gave up, she continued. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault.

Italian actress Asia Argento also accused Weinstein of assault, saying he forcibly performed oral sex on her when she was 21 years old. She described the encounter as a nightmare and said she was afraid he would crush her if she had reported him.

The fallout begins

A month after the accusations began, The New Yorker reported that Weinstein hired private security in an attempt to silence the women coming forward. But even still, the fallout from the allegations was swift.

Shortly after the stories came to light, Weinsteins wife, Georgina Chapman, announced she was leaving him. The couple had been married for 10 years.

Less than 10 days after The New York Times report, Weinstein was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. The board of the Academy said well in excess of the required two-thirds majority of the 54 member organization voted to remove Weinstein. He was also kicked out of the Producers Guild of America.

HARVEY WEINSTEIN ASKS JUDGE TO TOSS ASHLEY JUDD'S SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DEFAMATION LAWSUIT

Harvard University rescinded the W.E.B. Du Bois medal it awarded to Weinstein in 2014. The medal, according to the Harvard Crimson is the highest honor one could receive from the university for contributions to African and African-American culture.

He was also sacked from The Weinstein Company film studio, which he founded in 2005. The company would file for bankruptcy.

In February, the British Academy Film Awards permanently banned Weinstein.

Weinstein allegedly spent some time at a rehab facility in Arizona that deals with sex addiction issues.

Criminal investigations

By November 2018, the New York Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department and the Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom had opened investigations into Weinstein.

Weinstein turned himself over to police on May 25, 2018 and was charged with rape, criminal sex acts, sex abuse and sexual misconduct on two women.

The NYPD thanks these brave survivors for their courage to come forward and seek justice, the police department said in a statement to Fox News.

On June 5, 2018, Weinstein entered a not guilty plea.

Eric Schneiderman, who was New Yorks attorney general before he resigned facing his own physical and sexual assault allegations, sued The Weinstein Company in February 2018, accusing officials of being complicit in his alleged abuse and harassment.

HARVEY WEINSTEIN'S CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER, BENJAMIN BRAFMAN, WITHDRAWS FROM CASE

Positive signs for Weinstein?

Amidst mounting accusations, Weinstein did exhibit small signs of good luck when several claims against him were dismissed.

In January 2019, part of actress Ashley Judd's claim were dismissed by a California judge.

Judge Philip S. Gutierrez of United States District Court in Los Angeles ruled that the actress' sexual harassment claim did not fall within the scope of a California statute, but he noted that Judd may proceed to trial with separate allegations against Weinstein of defamation and economic interference.

Judd alleged that Weinstein defamed her to "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson after she rejected his sexual advances two decades ago.

Furthermore, actress Lucia Evans had her claims dismissed after she reportedly offered differing accounts of her sexual assault story to a witness and prosecutors, according to BBC.

HARVEY WEINSTEIN ACCUSERS COULD GET LESS THAN $60G EACH IN SETTLEMENT

Weinstein pleads not guilty

In an August 2019 court appearance, Weinstein pleaded not guilty to an indictment that added two new charges of predatory sexual assault to his New York trial.

Prosecutors had said the new indictment was needed to lay the legal foundation for "Sopranos" actress Annabella Sciorra to testify against Weinstein. She claims he raped her in 1993.

The disgraced movie mogul was also admonished by the judge for taking his cell phone out during the proceedings.

After being warned not to do that again, Weinstein said, "Your honor..." before he was cut off by the judge who said, "It's a court order. Don't talk to me. Talk with your lawyers."

HARVEY WEINSTEIN'S LAWYERS AFTER HIM FOR NEARLY $500G

Rose McGowan files lawsuit against Weinstein

Actress Rose McGowan filed a lawsuit against Weinstein and his ex-attorneys, Lisa Bloom and David Boies, as well as the spy and intelligence firm Black Cube Strategies in October 2019.

The actress alleges that Weinstein and his attorneys conspired to suppress her claims that Weinstein raped her in 1997 while the two were at the Sundance Festival. She contends the former executive did everything in his power to discredit her allegations.

This case is about a diabolical and illegal effort by one of Americas most powerful men and his representatives to silence sexual assault victims, the complaint, obtained by Fox News, states. And it is about the courageous women and journalists who persisted to reveal the truth.

Back then  as Weinstein had done with other women he assaulted or otherwise abused  Weinstein paid McGowan money as a settlement and expected her to go away and keep her mouth shut, the 72-page complaint reads.

ROSE McGOWAN WANTS HARVEY WEINSTEIN'S FORMER ADVISOR LISA BLOOM DISBARRED

Former assistants speak out

In a November 2019 interview with BBC, Weinstein's former assistants Rowena Chiu and Zelda Perkins spoke out about the former movie executive's alleged misconduct. Chiu revealed that Weinstein attempted to rape her and, in turn, wore two pairs of tights for protection.

"It at times appeared to be a sort of game where I bought time, and my two pairs of tights bought time," she said in the interview. "There was a sense that I was a slow boiling frog."

Furthermore, Perkins added that she felt guilty for putting Chiu in that position.

"I knew, you know, how Harvey was coercive, because I'd spent three, four years working for him. When Rowena told me the following morning, I mean, I was completely shattered because I never believed that he had it in him to use any form of physical force," she said. "... as far as I was concerned, Rowena was my responsibility because she was working directly for me and I had put her in that room."

HARVEY WEINSTEIN DOCUMENTARY 'UNTOUCHABLE' COMING TO HULU

Massive settlement emerges as bail increases

By December 2019, Weinstein reached a tentative $25 million settlement with a number of his alleged sexual misconduct victims, according to The New York Times.

As a part of his big money settlement, Weinstein would not be required to admit any wrongdoing on his part or make any out-of-pocket payments to any of the alleged accusers. The settlement has already gotten proper approval from all major parties involved, lawyers familiar with the case told the Times.

Weinsteins total payout is said to be $47 million, with a large amount covering legal fees.

Around the same time, Weinstein's bail was upped from $1 million to $5 million over allegations that he violated bail conditions through mishandling his electronic ankle monitor. Judge James Burke, however, rejected prosecution calls to put the disgraced movie mogul in jail over the alleged violation.

Weinstein retaliates, blames charges for ruining legacy

In a December 2019 interview with the New York Post, Weinstein blasted the sexual assault charges brought against him and claimed that he was the first to create female-led films.

"I feel like the forgotten man," the disgraced film producer told the outlet. "I made more movies directed by women and about women than any filmmaker, and I'm talking about 30 years ago. I'm not talking about now when it's vogue. I did it first! I pioneered it."

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But in the same breath, Weinstein blamed the dozens of sexual misconduct allegations against him as the reason his career has fallen off.

"It all got eviscerated because of what happened," Weinstein lamented. "My work has been forgotten."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.The world is mourning yet another fashion icon, as news broke Tuesday that designer Kate Spade  known for her famous handbag, clothing and accessories line  was found dead in an apparent suicide at her New York City apartment.

The 55-year-old's sudden death came as a shock to those in the industry.



However, Spade isnt the first designer to be taken all too soon. Read on for a look at other icons who tragically lost their lives over the years.

LWren Scott

LWren Scott, a popular designer and stylist, committed suicide by hanging in 2014 at the age of 49. Scott, the longtime girlfriend of Mick Jagger, reportedly suffered from anxiety, depression and debt.

Alexander McQueen

Famed British fashion designer Alexander McQueen committed suicide in 2010 at his London home after taking several drugs before his mothers funeral. He was 40 years old at the time of his death.

In his suicide note, McQueen asked his family to look after my dogs. He left more than $87,000 of his $26 million fortune to his dogs in his will.

Isabella Blow

Isabella Blow, a magazine editor known for her penchant for hats and discovering fashion talent, died in 2007 at the age of 48. She told doctors she had ingested weed killer. Her death was ruled a suicide.

Blow reportedly had attempted suicide multiple times and was close to Alexander McQueen.

Helmut Newton

Famed Fashion photographer Helmut Newton died in 2004 at the age of 83. Los Angeles police told The Associated Press Newton died shortly after losing control of his car and crashing it into a wall outside of a hotel.

Christa Worthington

Christa Worthington, a 46-year-old fashion writer, was found raped and stabbed to death in her Massachusetts home in 2002. Her 2-year-old daughter was found clinging to her body.

Christopher McCowen, a trash collector, was convicted of the crime. Although he was given three life sentences, consecutively and without parole, McCowen has continuously declared his innocence, according to ABC News.

Gianni Versace

Designer Gianni Versace was fatally shot in front of his Miami home in July 1997. Police say he was murdered by Andrew Cunanan, who killed five people before he took his own life.

Versace was 50 years old.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.Celebrities and members of the fashion industry took to social media after news of fashion designer Kate Spade's sudden death from an apparent suicide broke Tuesday. The 55-year-old was reportedly found dead in her Manhattan apartment with a note.

Rosie O'Donnell first reached out to Spade's brother-in-law, David, to offer her condolences.

"@DavidSpade - all my love to u dave -" O'Donnell tweeted.

American fashion designer Liz Lange called Spade the "nicest woman" and creator of the "most iconic brand."

"The first person to compliment me on Liz Lange Maternity when I first started. ... I am heart broken by this news," Lange tweeted.

Chelsea Clinton recalled getting her first Kate Spade handbag from her grandmother when she was a college student.

"I still have it," Clinton wrote on Twitter. "Holding Kates family, friends and loved ones in my heart."

Plus-size model Tess Holliday said she was "crushed" by the news.

"Kate Spade & her brand have always been so kind to me the past couple years. ... Suicide isnt 'the easy way out' and shouldnt be mocked. My heart goes out to her family & team today," Holliday commented.

Singer Josh Groban offered his "love" to Spade's family.

"Depression does not discriminate and comes without warning. RIP Kate Spade. Love to her family," he tweeted.

"The Real Housewives of New York City" star Bethenny Frankel also took to Twitter.

"Some people are just completely tormented despite meds & friends & support. Some simply cannot deal & it is part of their DNA. Some can cope. Its truly tragic to imagine the pain taking you there," Frankel wrote.

Fashion designer Kenneth Cole also tweeted about Spade.

'I believed that I could, so I did.' She alone didnt change the handbag world but she was an inspiring accessory. #KateSpade #RIP," he wrote in a tweet that was apparently later deleted.

Talinda Bennington, widow of Linkin Park singer Chester, who committed suicide, offered her "deepest condolences to Kate Spades family and friends."

Ivanka Trump said the designer's "tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know anothers pain or the burden they carry."

The Kate Spade New York Twitter account posted a statement online about her death.

"We honor all the beauty she brought into this world," it read.

Read on to see other reactions to Spade's death.Ed Asner has never been afraid to share his beliefs.

In late 2017, the 88-year-old published a book about the Constitution titled The Grouchy Historian and has remained dedicated to the Democratic Party. The actor hails himself as an old lefty.

MARY TYLER MOORE'S HUSBAND SPEAKS OUT

Theres a great deal of injustice in the world, he recently told Closer Weekly. I like to call out injustice and remark on it when I see it, and its very easy to see. And easy to open your mouth, though not a lot of people are willing to because there are repercussions for that, which I found out with Lou Grant.

...After I stumbled through that disaster, I figured the damage was done, so I might as well continue the performance. I dont lead cavalry charges down Pennsylvania Avenue, but Ill make comments. And with the president weve got now, how can you not comment on this evil? Its an unbelievable aberration. And its not because of him, its what he represents that enormous core of self-seeking, discriminating, angry, racist people in the United States.

Asner said "Lou Grant" allowed him to address hot-button topics, but it eventually became "too political" for its network and the show ultimately got the boot.

Speaking his mind in Hollywood isn't a new concept for the star. When The Mary Tyler Moore Show launched in 1970, its cast wondered if they would last on television  except Asner.

The sitcom, which explored the lives and trials of a young single woman and her friends, thrived on television until 1977. During its seven-year run, the series, which starred Mary Tyler Moore, took home 29 Emmy Awards.

Asner insisted he wasnt surprised audiences fell in love with the comedy so quickly.

That show definitely had the stamp of approval, he told the magazine. It was a good show. I can remember when we first started out and the rest of the cast, the other guys, were saying Will we make it? Will we make it? What I said is, I dont give a s---. If I just keep doing scripts this good, thats all I care about. Whether they cancel us or not isnt important. The fact that weve got this good stuff to do is all that matters.

I think that quality work is more important than anything. People talk about the show in terms of a revolution for television, but I didnt think in those terms. Its just that it was well done. You just need to do good work. Of course, you never know that so much as when youre doing good stuff and thats over. Then the s--- comes in.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show was such a success that even after the series came to an end, producers gave Asner the opportunity to continue his character in the spinoff Lou Grant.

That series was created and produced by Mary Tyler Moores Allan Burns and James L. Brooks, as well as Gene Reynolds of M*A*S*H.

Asner admitted he wondered if the series would offer the same magic to viewers with a different cast, but his concerns were soon put at ease.

I grudgingly accepted this new ensemble, he admitted. I was looking to see how merited they were, and as time went on, I realized that each in their own way was as valuable, if not more so, than anyone on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. When you look at the cast of Lou Grant, it was a brilliant ensemble.

Bobby Walden was perfect, Lindsay Kelsey became the belle ideal, Nancy Marchand was the best actress in the country, Mason Adams was perfect. It very quickly felt like home again, and I was very proud of their work. They, in their own way, was achieving a perfection that was equal to the Mary Tyler Moore cast at least.

Lou Grant, which explored the day-to-day life of a former television station manager, turned newspaper city editor, and his journalist staff, aired from 1977 until 1982.

Asner revealed that for the hour-long series, his character needed to make a mark in a completely different way.

I very much felt a connection with Lou Grant, and I based him very much on my two older brothers on the comedy, he explained. I regarded them as clowns. But when I started to do the hour show, that particular way wasnt working for me. I found that I couldnt come up with what I needed, so then I reverted more to yours truly and used the sadder part of my nature. My somber self.

At least I used to be; not sure if I still am, because people even find my anger funny these days. But there were all kinds of overlaps of the character between the two shows. I wont say that it was a total erasure and reinstallation, but I had to think it out better, think it out more because it wasnt a situation where I could depend on the jokes.

He revealed he received feedback from an unlikely source.

 The show debuts in the fall, and I was in therapy at the time, he explained. On my visit to the therapist after the show opened, I said, What do you think? He never spoke much, but he did say, Why do you grimace so much? And it hit me like a sledgehammer. On the comedy, every time we had a potential laugh line, I grimaced. That was my key to the audience, This is a laugh line. You can laugh at home. Of course I stopped, but what a schmuck.

Lou Grant tackled current issues, including Vietnam veterans and homelessness.

 There wasnt a thing we didnt touch, I said at the time, other than, you know, school busing  which was a hot topic  abortion and gun control, he said. They turned out to be things that we couldnt touch.

However, Asner and CBS ultimately didnt see eye to eye.

 [CBS] ended up canceling the show, because it got too political for them and I, in my personal life, got too political for them, said Asner. It just became one of the shows to get its wings clipped by the network.

You know, when they came forward with the proposal for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, they had written her as having been divorced and the network said, No! So it was an engagement that was broken off, not a marriage. That was another idea they werent ready for; you didnt find divorced people on primetime TV.

But Asners career wasnt over after Lou Grant. In fact, he has stayed busy over the years pursuing his passion for acting and has zero plans to slow down.Mainstream media members jumped the shark and took Trump Derangement Syndrome to new heights by concocting tales of domestic abuse when trying to determine first lady Melania Trumps whereabouts before she showed up to a White House event on Monday night.

Melania Trump was painted as missing in action when news broke on Sunday night that the first lady, who is fresh off an operation for a kidney condition, will not join her husband on a pair of international trips. CNN even aired a graphic of a calendar, placing question marks on each date since the first lady was last seen on May 10  but CNNs coverage turned out to be less appalling than some conspiracy theories floated on Twitter.

Rolling Stone senior writer Jamil Smith wrote, I wish that I didnt suspect that the prolonged, poorly explained public absence of Melania Trump could be about concealing abuse. I wish that it was a ludicrous prospect.

Media Research Center Vice President Dan Gainor told Fox News that CNNs calendar graph was sickening, but to see a Rolling Stone writer claim the absence was possible domestic violence is demented.

The Atlantic senior editor David Frum also insinuated that domestic violence was the reason why Melania Trump laid low for a few weeks.

Suppose President Trump punched the first lady in the White House (federal property = federal jurisdiction), then ordered the Secret Service to conceal the assault. POTUS has Article II authority over Secret Service. Is that obstruction? Under Sekulow/Dowd, apparently NO, Frum tweeted.

Media analyst Jeffrey McCall told Fox News that it really is sad that some corners of the media world so easily engage in unsubstantiated speculation, simply to bash the president.

Imagine the outrage if that had happened during the Obama years. This is how low the left is willing to go, straight out of the gutter and into the sewer, Gainor said.

McCall added that, It is bad enough when this happens with regards to policy matters, but it is really out of line when it deals with somebody's personal behavior. This kind of toxic and polarized public dialogue damages the public sphere in so many ways.

Smith and Frum did not immediately respond when asked if they will issue an apology. Rolling Stone and The Atlantic did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pundits who have engaged in such wild rumoring should, indeed, apologize, but I don't think that is likely to happen, McCall said. The moral compasses of pundits who would engage in such unsupported allegations are so out of whack that a public apology would not cross their minds.

The conspiracy theories were debunked when Melania Trump attended a scheduled White House event honoring Gold Star families Monday evening. Videos of the first lady at the event were quickly posted on social media, showing the first lady wearing a sleeveless black dress and strolling into the East Room accompanied by President Trump.

Conservative strategist and media watchdog Chris Barron told Fox News, The left-wing media has engaged in tin foil hat conspiracy theories in regards to the first lady that make the Obama birther garbage look like childs play.

The first lady had not been seen in public since May 10, when she and the president welcomed home three Americans freed from North Korea. Four days later, the White House announced she had been hospitalized to treat a benign kidney condition.

A spokeswoman for Melania Trump on Monday slammed a rabid press corps for the wanton speculation about her condition and whereabouts.

Mrs. Trump has always been a strong and independent woman who puts her family, and certainly her health, above all else, and that wont change over a rabid press corps, Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for the first lady, told Fox News. Shes confident in what she is doing and in her role, and knows the rest is just speculation and nonsense.

Fox News Gregg Re contributed to this report.Parenthood star Erika Christensen opened up about her relationship with Scientology and defended the religion amid recent criticism from documentaries and, most notably, from former member Leah Remini.

Christensen, 35, told ex-Parenthood co-star Dax Shepard during his podcast Armchair Expert on Monday how she got involved in Scientology. She explained it started with her parents.

"It's hard to raise someone as a Scientologist because it's something that you do, it's not something that you believe. My parents definitely are Scientologists, approached parenting from a Scientology viewpoint," she told Shepard.

"I can see that in the way that they approached me as a kid and really tried to do what I'm doing now, which is trying to temper absolutely necessary discipline and rules and structure with fostering independent thought and freedom of personality. It has to be true for you."

"I want to consider that I'm always driving towards my best self, she continued.

ARIANA GRANDE OPENS UP ABOUT MANCHESTER BOMBING POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS

Christensen explained her parents never forced her to go to church but asked her to research Scientology and see how she felt about it.

"I was a kid, I was like, 'Sounds cool to me, fine,'" she recalled. "When I was 12, I started doing a bunch of the little introductory courses that they still have now that are maybe a few hours each."

Shepard asked why Christensen did not watch award-winning HBO documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, which followed former Scientologists and their experiences with the religion.

The actress said there was no relevance in what theyre saying.

"It honestly doesn't have anything to do withanything that I've ever learned about the group or organization. To be specific about [Going Clear], if somebody has read a book, read Dianetics or some Scientology book and wants to philosophically tell me what they disagree with, cool. That is a totally different thing. But specifically with that documentary, the documentary was based on a book. The book was not even published in some English-speaking countries because the libel laws are stricter than they are here," she shared.

"There's so much that is actuallytalking about sources. They have proved themselves to be irrelevantThere's no relevance in what they're saying, she said.

DEBBIE REYNOLDS WILLED HERSELF TO DIE ONE DAY AFTER CARRIE FISHERS DEATH, TODD FISHER SAYS



Scientology has come under scrutiny following Going Clear and the A&E docuseries Leah Reminis Scientology and the Aftermath, which focuses on former Scientologists and the experience they had after leaving the church.

Remini, who was a Scientologist for about 30 years, has been a vocal opponent of the religion since leaving it 2013.Famed fitness guru Richard Simmons along with his live-in caretaker and driver Theresa Reveles have filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles private detective Scott Brian Mathews, accusing the investigator of placing a tracking device on the vehicle Reveles uses to transport Simmons.



According to The Hollywood Reporter, the suit claims that the tracking device was planted on Reveles vehicle for more than a year, and Simmons and Reveles discovered the device back in December.

According to the lawsuit, Mathews placed the device on the vehicle in an effort to gain insight on Simmons and to find out if he had visited any hospitals that provide services for gender re-assignment. The device was allegedly placed around the time when The National Enquirer and Radar Online ran stories claiming Simmons was transgender. The star shot down the reports calling them false and fabricated.



Simmons sued the outlets, however the case was thrown out, citing the First Amendment. He was ordered to pay their attorneys fees and American Media, their publisher.

Simmons lawsuit against Mathews also alleges that the tracking device was leased from a company called Live View GPS, which allegedly ended its contract with Mathews after learning of the unapproved device.

The lawsuit also cites a California law which prohibits the use of GPS trackers without consent, with the exception of law enforcement. Simmons and Reveles are seeking punitive and treble damages for invasion of privacy and trespassing.

A person working at Mathews' firm told Fox News Mathews is currently in Florida and has not been served with court paperwork. The firm claimed Mathews has no knowledge of the lawsuit.

Simmons has made headlines in recent years for his reclusive nature. A podcast created by his former friend, titled "Missing Richard Simmons," went viral in 2017, leading fans to question how the once public icon is spending his time. Police have done several wellness checks on the star over the years, and Simmons insists he is fine.Engaged lovebirds with a penchant for pizza can try their luck at winning a pizza bouquet and boutonniere sure to bring a whole lot of flavor to their big day through a saucy sweepstakes.

Villa Italian Kitchen announced this week that couples tying the knot ahead of Sept. 30, 2018 can say pie do and enter to win an exclusive Pizza Bouquet and Boutonniere, which the chain claims will be the first-ever of its kind.

The wedding day must-haves will be sent free of charge to a randomly selected, limited number of lucky couples, as long as they place their requests online by June 15.

Pizza lovers anxious about the contest wont walk away empty-handed, however  all entrants will receive a coupon for a free slice of the chains Neapolitan cheese pizza, redeemable for a limited time.

WEDDING CRASHER STEALS GIFT ENVELOPES INTENDED FOR BRIDE AND GROOM, DISAPPEARS

The unique pizza bouquets and boutonnieres are not just any ordinary edible arrangement, but beautiful and delicate floral details handcrafted by New York City food stylist Jessie Bearden, Villa Italian Kitchen said in a press release obtained by Fox News.

Both will be made from freshly prepared pizza dough, 100 percent whole milk mozzarella, fresh California tomatoes and zesty pepperoni.

CRAYFISH SEVERS OWN CLAW TO ESCAPE BOILING SOUP IN UNBELIEVABLE VIDEO

These delicious floral accessories are perfect for pizza-loving couples looking to spice up their wedding with one-of-a-kind designs, Mimi Wunderlich, director of communications and digital marketing, said in a statement.

We are looking forward to celebrating the marriages of some of our most loyal fans by gifting them a set of their own, just in time for their wedding!

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Sure to be a hit with millennial newlyweds-to-be, the saucy stunt isnt the first time that unique wedding bouquets have made headlines. In recent months, puppy bouquets and doughnut bouquets were carried happily down the aisle by beaming brides, too.Surprisingly, the owners of a Wisconsin ice cream shop claim they arent upset after Fast and Furious actor Vin Diesel walked off with one of their ice cream dishes.

However, in all fairness, we wouldnt be looking to pick a fight with Vin Diesel, either.

The 50-year-old action star was spotted enjoying a sundae at the Scoop de Ville ice cream shop in the city of Hartford last week, but witnesses say he walked off with the tulip-style glass dish the dessert was served in, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported.

SEE IT: AMAZON CUSTOMER SHOCKED TO DISCOVER OREOS WERE SENT IN ENORMOUS BOX

Diesel, born Mark Sinclair, was reportedly in town visiting family when he walked into Scoop de Ville with a couple of regulars who frequented the shop a couple times a week, according to Scoop de Ville co-owner Carrie Stelzer, who spoke with the Washington County Insider.

After ordering a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and nuts  and reportedly delighting the staff and clientele with his mere presence  Diesel was spotted walking off down the road with his sundae dish still in hand. A photo snapped by witness Lana Primus Gonzalez appears to show that Diesel took the spoon, as well.

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But Carrie, along with her husband and business partner Ray, werent peeved in the slightest, according to the Journal-Sentinel  even though comparable dishes are selling for around $3.66 apiece online (not to mention the spoon). Instead, they merely hope Diesel considers a return visit the next time hes in town.

Everybodys talking about it and its kind of exciting, Carrie told the Insider of Diesels visit. Its just a very nice experience to have somebody like that in here.A report from Denmark details a case involving a 69-year-old patient who allegedly remained awake while doctors attempted to revive him with CPR for 90 minutes.

The patient, who was not identified, allegedly sought medical attention at Herley Hospital in Copenhagen after complaining of indigestion.

Dr. Rune Lundsgaard, an anesthesiologist who presented the case at the Euroanaesthesia Congress in Copenhagen, said the mans heart started to race while he was being admitted, and then it stopped, CTV News reported.

OPIOID OVERDOSE ANTIDOTE RECALLED OVER PARTICULATE MATTER

Lundsgaard said that by the time medical personnel started CPR, the patients eyes were open and he had movements of head and limbs. The team continued chest compressions and were forced to administer several shots of epinephrine but the mans heart did not restart.

Lundsgaard said the team faced an ethical dilemma in determining when to stop compressions because the patient was still conscious once the resuscitation was terminated.

An autopsy determined that the man had suffered an aortic dissection, CTV News reported. Lundsgaard called for more research into patients levels of consciousness during CPR, and whether sedation is necessary.Professional distance swimmer Ben Lecomte set off from Japan to San Francisco on Tuesday in an attempt to become the first person to swim across the Pacific Ocean.

Spokesman Alexandre Borreil said Lecomte left at 8 a.m. on Tuesday from Choshi, Japan, which is northeast of Tokyo in neighboring Chiba prefecture. He is expected to swim eight hours daily on a journey that could take six to eight months and will cover about 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles).

WOMAN GRADUATES COLLEGE 21 HOURS AFTER GIVING BIRTH

"For the moment we know he left and everything went well," Borreil said.

Organizers say Lecomte completed a similar swim across the Atlantic in 1998.

He's doing this swim to raise awareness about the health of the world's oceans and the threat of pollution.

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Scientific teams accompanying Lecomte will collect more than 1,000 water samples and study plastic pollution, mammal migration and the effect of extreme endurance events on the human body.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Weve come a long way from harmless playground jibes like your mother wears combat boots, to those of today from the likes of Samantha Bee and other leftist entertainers who say things about President Trump and his family that are so vulgar they cant be printed in a newspaper or quoted on television.

Some of President Trumps critics blame his harsh rhetoric for the language they use to attack him. Perhaps he bears some responsibility, but that is poor justification for bad behavior from others who might set a better example. People of a certain age may recall what their mothers told them: If Johnnys mother told you to jump off a building, would you do it?

While setting a good example would be a better way to go, some liberals appear to feel so threatened that their failed ideology is being exposed, that all they can do in response to the president is haul out hateful retorts. When you are losing on issues, the last stop is name-calling.

The right is not immune to this horrendous behavior either, as evidenced by the crass, sexist, violent vitriol Trump supporters hurled at Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign. It has to stop.

Does anyone seriously believe any Republican president, including one who used the Kings English in ways acceptable to polite company, would be free of harsh rhetoric from the left? Remember Death of a President, a movie about the imagined assassination of President George W. Bush? Bush endured many pointed slurs during his presidency. Ditto Ronald Reagan.

Among other examples of disgusting labeling and rhetoric is one from Google, which listed Nazism as the ideology of the California Republican Party. That posting came less than a week before the California primary.

The double standard applied to entertainers who insult the president and those who support him became glaringly evident in the differing responses to Roseanne Barrs racist tweet about former Obama aide Valerie Jarrett and Bees vulgarity against Ivanka Trump, for which she was eventually forced to tender an apology. As New York Times reporter John Koblin wrote: The different consequences for the two politically minded entertainers  Ms. Barr is an outspoken supporter of the president, while Ms. Bee is a full-throated opponent of the Trump administration  provided conservatives with a fresh opportunity to accuse the media industry of having a liberal bias.

The president says he is still waiting for an apology from Disney CEO Bob Iger for insults directed at him by people on various ABC programs, insults that mocked Christianity and accused the White House of supporting white supremacists, among other slurs.

Trump shouldnt hold his breath waiting for that apology.

Among other examples of disgusting labeling and rhetoric is one from Google, which listed Nazism as the ideology of the California Republican Party. That posting came less than a week before the California primary. Google later told The Daily Caller News Foundation that it happened because sometimes people vandalize public information sources, like Wikipedia, which can impact the information that appears in search.

Two White House statements summed up the outrage over the increasing number of insults from the left. This from Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, herself the target of recent attacks by supposed feminists about her personal appearance: The language used by Samantha Bee  is vile and vicious. The collective silence by the left and its media allies is appalling. Her disgusting comments and show are not fit for broadcast, and executives at Time Warner and TBS must demonstrate that such explicit profanity about female members of this administration will not be condoned on its network.

Stephanie Grisham, spokesperson for first lady Melania Trump, said: The double standard is truly astounding. Time and again the Trump family and members of this administration are subjected to false reporting, hateful rhetoric and outrageous lies all in the name of freedom of speech or comedy, yet the mainstream media stays silent.

As talk radio host Chris Plante is fond of saying, If the left did not have double standards they would have no standards at all.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Over the past year, President Trump has reportedly considered and then denied intentions to find a way to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller and stop his investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, allegations that the Trump campaign worked with the Russians, and other topics.

Mullers investigation has so far led to more than a dozen criminal indictments and three guilty pleas, including by President Trumps former national security adviser and his former deputy campaign manager. Presumably, President Trump is calculating whether getting rid of Mueller could save the president from further legal and political scrutiny, including of his financial dealings.

Firing Mueller would trigger a constitutional crisis like we havent seen since Watergate. But such an action would nevertheless leave two dozen key players intact.

These key players include the 23 ordinary Americans making up the federal grand jury charged with evaluating the evidence that Mueller has been presenting to them for months. The 24th player is Chief U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Beryl A. Howell, who impaneled the grand jurors and is the only person who can discharge them.

These 24 individuals are precisely the kind of people our nations founders wanted to hold powerful officials to account and protect their fellow citizens from wrongdoing.

A new Issue Brief by my organization, Constitutional Accountability Center, explores the evolution of the federal grand jury in America from its placement in the Bill of Rights as a key component of the Fifth Amendment, through its role in the present day.

Its true that grand juries no longer have or exercise the power they once did. But todays grand juries  including the group assessing the evidence presented by Special Counsel Mueller  have a latent potency that, with the permission of Chief Judge Howell, could play a surprising role in how the investigation ends, even without the special counsel.

At the founding of our nation, grand juries had broad authority to investigate possible crimes by public officials and others, and could issue indictments that prosecutors were bound to pursue.

As James Wilson  one of the architects of our Constitution, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence  once explained: The grand jury are a great channel of communication, between those who make and administer the laws, and those for whom the laws are made and administered. ... They may expose to publick inspection, or to publick punishment, publick bad men, and publick bad measures.

A prominent example of grand jury power at the state level was exercised in 1872, at the expense of the corrupt Tweed Ring of New Yorks Tammany Hall.

William M. Boss Tweed and his ring controlled nearly every lever of power in New York City  and used their power to funnel public money for their own personal gain. It was a grand jury that brought them down.

Using its broad authority to subpoena witnesses and books and obtain evidence (of corruption) in spite of the elaborate efforts of Tammany politicians to hide their operations, this grand jury performed the function that founders like Wilson envisioned.

Almost 80 years after that, however, Congress changed the federal Rules of Criminal Procedure governing the operation of federal grand juries, curtailing their power to independently indict.

In the decades since, federal grand juries have been far less likely to carry out their own investigations or to write reports about their findings, mostly due to the increasing complexity of criminal law. Importantly, however, these traditional powers have not been eliminated.

Chief U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia John Sirica, we must remember, presided over a grand jury investigating the Watergate scandal in 1974 that wrote a report on its findings. The grand jurors requested that Sirica release their report to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration as part of its impeachment proceedings against President Nixon.

Sirica did just that, concluding that grand jury prerogatives extend to the presentation of documents that disclose evidence the jury has gathered but which do not indict anyone, and that grand juries have historically published reports on a wide variety of subjects.

That is the model that President Trump and his advisers should keep mind when considering whether to fire Mueller. A grand jury without Mueller might still have amassed enough evidence over the months to produce a report of its own that would be an important compilation of the information grand jurors learned, with any conclusions they could draw from it.

In turn, Howell has the power to release such a report in an appropriate manner. She could, for example, release it to the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is running its own investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, co-led by Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina and Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia.

As a result, if Mueller is fired, what happens with the investigation hes been running will largely be up to people President Trump cannot fire: the grand jurors and Chief Judge Howell.

While modern federal grand jury rules curtail their options to a degree, the actions of the grand jurors nonetheless could be incredibly potent. Before firing Mueller, President Trump would do well to remember that. Try as he might, he might find that he has no choice but to face the music  one way or another.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

President Trump is scheduled to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un June 12 in Singapore. The Wall Street Journal reports that planning is underway for a possible summit between the U.S. president and Russian President Vladimir Putin. To prepare for these meetings, President Trump can learn lessons from decades of high-profile summits between U.S. presidents and Kremlin leaders.

Beginning with the wartime 1943 Tehran conference and continuing into the 21st century, participants in these summits have had successes, but have also learned lessons the hard way.

Lesson One: Personal charm and persuasive skills have limits. In an effort to build trust with Soviet leader Josef Stalin, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stayed at the Soviet embassy at the Tehran conference and flattered Stalin at the 1945 Yalta conference. But at both sessions Stalin achieved most of his goals. At the 1985 Geneva summit, however, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and President Ronald Reagan began developing ties that may have aided later progress. Charm can also work in the other direction. At the 2001 Slovenia summit, President George W. Bush gushed he was able to get a sense of Putins soul, and found him trustworthy.

Lesson Two: Summits tend to ratify, not alter, the realities of power. Yalta conferees called for a more broadly based government in Poland, but British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Roosevelt were later frustrated in their hopes for free elections, because the country was under Soviet occupation. At the 1987 Washington summit, Gorbachev and Reagan signed the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. This treaty eliminated land-based missiles in the 500 to 5,500-km range. Beset by internal crises, Gorbachev acceded to the U.S. double-zero position after opposing it and linking conclusion of an INF ban to the end of a missile defense program that President Reagan refused to abandon.

Lesson Three: Risks increase when relations worsen. On May 1, 1960, a high-altitude U-2 aircraft was lost over Russia, and Washington claimed a weather plane had gone astray. After Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev displayed the pilot, President Dwight Eisenhower conceded that the aircraft was spying. On May 16 at a four-power Paris summit Khrushchev threw a tantrum and stormed out, causing the meeting to collapse and embarrassing Eisenhower.

Lesson Four: With Moscow, accords are easier to reach on arms control than on regional disputes. Even as the INF Treaty was signed at the 1987 Washington summit, the two sides remained at loggerheads over the Soviet war in Afghanistan and support for the Sandinista regime in Nicaragua. The Kremlin has favored arms control deals that reinforce perceptions of parity with the U.S.

Historic accomplishments such as the INF and START Treaties were the product of detailed expert negotiations, plus leaders determined to reduce nuclear risks and improve relations. Whether these are priorities of Kim Jong Un and Putin is uncertain. Both are known for nuclear bluster.

Lesson Five: Inadequate preparation heightens the risk of summit failure. President John F. Kennedys advisers worried that he was ill-prepared for the 1961 Vienna summit with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. President Kennedys stature had been weakened by the failure six weeks earlier of the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. After the summit, Kennedy conceded that Khrushchev savaged me. Two months later construction began on the Berlin Wall. For the 1987 Washington summit, Reagan was better prepared, and the meeting yielded not only a major treaty, but also engendered optimism. Both Gorbachev and Reagan gained in stature.

Lesson Six: U.S leaders should bring Congress along. At the 1974 Moscow summit, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and President Richard Nixon signed the Threshold Test Ban Treaty, limiting the size of underground nuclear tests. It had glaring verification deficiencies, so the Senate rebuffed it. At the 1979 Vienna summit, Brezhnev and President Jimmy Carter signed the SALT II Treaty, which sought to slow the growth of long-range nuclear arms but was controversial. Again, the Senate balked. Reagan learned from these failures. In 1985 he invited the Senate and House to create arms control observer groups, which often visited nuclear negotiations in Geneva. Aided by their work, the Senate approved INF and START, a treaty that halved long-range nuclear forces.

Several of these factors might affect President Trumps summit with Kim Jong Un. As with Khrushchev at the 1960 summit, the potential for surprise may be high. The short lead time and near absence of prior substantive negotiations by experts may hamper summit preparations. North Korea has made a determined effort to acquire nuclear weapons and is not eager to give them up. If any deal with North Korea requires U.S. military concessions, the Senate will likely insist on tight verification, as with other nuclear arms treaties.

Tense U.S.-Russian relations might dim prospects for a Trump-Putin summit. Russia is waging war in eastern Ukraine, has interfered in U.S. elections and is propping up Syrias brutal Bashar Assad regime. If there is to be progress at the summit, an agreement to extend the New START Treaty may be more likely than one to end the fighting in Ukraine.

Historic accomplishments such as the INF and START Treaties were the product of detailed expert negotiations, along with leaders determined to reduce nuclear risks and improve relations between their countries. Whether these are priorities of Kim Jong Un and Putin is uncertain. Both are known for nuclear bluster.

Michael Haltzel is senior fellow at Johns Hopkins Universitys Center for Transatlantic Relations, and was Democratic staff director for Europe on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and adviser to then-Sen. Joseph R. Biden.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Palestinians in Gaza said they planned to try to cross the border into Israel Tuesday for a new round of protests to mark the 51st anniversary of the Six-Day War, when Israel was attacked by Arab armies and took control of Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsula. Israel completed its withdrawal from Sinai in 1982 and returned the area to Egypt, and withdrew from Gaza in 2005.

The promised Palestinian action Tuesday follows seven weeks of protests backed by Hamas, the terrorist group that seized control of Gaza in 2007 from the Palestinian Authority.

Hamas and the terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad have launched dozens of rockets, mortar shells and kites carrying firebombs over the Gaza security fence in recent weeks. Israeli troops have killed over 100 Palestinians and injured thousands who tried to breach the fence.

Two Hamas terrorists attempted to breach the border fence with an axe Monday and Israeli forces shot one dead. One Hamas mortar shell landed in the yard of an Israeli kindergarten last week, shortly before the preschoolers were set to arrive. The attacks on Israel from Gaza are part of Hamas relentless campaign to destroy the Jewish state.

But while Hamas poses the most immediate threat to Israeli security, promoting stability and peace also depends on dealing with organizations such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which professes good intentions yet creates the conditions in which Hamas can thrive.

The Trump administration has been sharply critical of UNRWA, the U.N.s special refugee agency devoted to Palestinians, and chose to withhold $300 million of the annual U.S. contribution to the agency.

UNRWA must stop hiring terrorists, stop letting its facilities be used by terrorists, stop glorifying martyrdom, stop erasing Israel from maps, and stop encouraging Palestinians to hold onto a right of return that actually undermines a potential two-state solution.

After the extensive violence in Gaza in the past few weeks, some influential Europeans are also speaking out, including Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis of Switzerland, UNRWAs eighth-largest donor.

By supporting UNRWA, we are keeping the conflict alive, Cassis said. It provides ammunition to continue the conflict, he explained, by fueling unrealistic hopes that all Palestinian refugees will someday live in what is now Israel.

The foreign minister has a point. In April and May, tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered in Gaza for the Great Return March, an intermittently violent attempt to overrun the border with Israel. While Hamas deserves most of the blame, we should not ignore the role played by UNRWA.

The marchers were not interested in a two-state solution or in preventing the U.S.s embassy move to Jerusalem. What they want is to reclaim physically every square inch of Israel  not just lands Israel took in 1967  that UNRWA has taught them is theirs.

On the final day of the march, organizers falsely claimed that Israeli soldiers were fleeing, even as they were reinforcing their positions, while Hamas officials lied about the border fence being breached.

Hamas led Palestinians to charge into a military zone, risking death and injury. UNRWA never literally encouraged Gazans to storm the border  as Hamas and march organizers did  yet its indoctrination motivated them to march to their deaths.

The Palestinian dream of a mass return to Israel is just that: a dream. Israel will never consent to an influx of millions of aggrieved Palestinians.

Nonetheless, UNRWAs mandate directs it to worsen this tension by preserving the Palestinians refugee status, rather than resettling them in neighboring countries  the preferred approach of the U.N.s primary refugee agency, the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Furthermore, UNRWA treats Palestinians as refugees even if they are living in Palestinian-controlled lands. It also incentivizes them to live in UNRWA camps rather than becoming self-sufficient. Thus, refugee camps pepper the landscape in Gaza and the West Bank, the territories that would constitute a Palestinian state under any likely peace agreement.

Maintaining these refugee camps undermines the prospect of a two-state solution by offering Palestinians false hope that they will return to Haifa, Jaffa and Jerusalem, and encourages Palestinians to hold out for their maximalist demands. It also justifies Israeli fears that the Palestinians would not be content with a return to the 1967 borders that existed before the Six- Day War.

Further impairing prospects for peace, UNRWA extends refugee status to those who claim to be descendants of the original Palestinian refugees from 1948. From an initial refugee population of around 700,000, according to UNRWA, the current number of Palestinians receiving UNRWA aid has ballooned to 5.4 million.

In fact, Foreign Minister Cassis noted: The word refugee in this case no longer corresponds to the meaning we attach to it. Palestinian refugees in Jordan, which he visited, are third-generation families with Jordanian passports, living in cities called refugee camps.

Bringing all these Palestinians to Israel would make Jews a minority in the worlds only Jewish state. It would dramatically increase the prospect of future conflict reminiscent of the wars of ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Rwanda.

Education, a major component of UNRWAs aid program for Gaza, has become a means of encouraging Palestinian obduracy. UNRWA textbooks, schools, and teachers entrench maximalist Palestinian demands, including the right of return to land that has been part of Israel since the Jewish state gained independence from Britain in 1948.

IMPACT-Se, an organization that monitors and evaluates school textbooks across the Middle East, produced a damning report on the Palestinian Authority textbooks used by UNRWA in Gaza. Last years report found that the Palestinian Authority curriculum promotes a Palestinian right of return, martyrdom, violence, demonization of Israel and religious bigotry.

Anti-Israel and anti-Jewish indoctrination of Palestinian children begins very early in both UNRWA and non-UNRWA schools. As Fox News reported this week: A shocking video recently surfaced that allegedly shows a play at a preschool in the Gaza Strip where children dressed up as commandoes and performed a mock hostage-taking and execution of an Israeli soldier.

The Fox News story links to the chilling video, which is clearly designed to produce a new generation of Palestinian terrorists.

UNRWA has a lot of work to do in order to justify the restoration of U.S. funding, which amounted to approximately a quarter of the agencys budget.

UNRWA must stop hiring terrorists, stop letting its facilities be used by terrorists, stop glorifying martyrdom, stop erasing Israel from maps, and stop encouraging Palestinians to hold onto a right of return that actually undermines a potential two-state solution.

Until then, UNRWA will be aiding and abetting the Palestinians march towards national disaster.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Politicians and pundits are scrambling to understand what the recent primary results imply for the upcoming midterm elections on Nov. 6. While reactions have been mixed, many see positive signs for Republicans.

Notable journalists have remarked: Democrats are divided, Republicans, despite being on the defensive, sent a signal of strong support for President Trump, and Pennsylvania primary results show surprising Trump strength. Take heart, GOP!

We think Republicans have much more to be worried about than these comments suggest. A look at 30 years of public opinion data as well as prominent theories of congressional elections suggest that Democrats currently have a major advantage heading into the midterms.

First, Republicans are at a disadvantage because the presidents party tends to lose seats in midterm elections. But this is just the beginning. When presidents are viewed positively their party tends to do better in midterms; when they are viewed negatively, their party does worse.

President Trumps historically low approval ratings put Republicans at a huge disadvantage. We used data from the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research to show how President Trumps approval ratings correspond with the past four presidents in April and early May of their second year in office.

President Trumps average approval rating is about 10 percentage points below President Obamas ratings during the same period before the Republican landslide of 2010. What should be even more concerning to Republicans is the fact that Trumps highest rating is below the lowest rating of any of the four previous presidents in April and early May of their second year. Furthermore, President Trumps approval ratings look similar throughout his entire time in office.

Equally important is the fact that more people report that they strongly disapprove of Trump than report they approve and strongly approve combined.

As a result, Democrats can count on their base being highly energized, leaving them free to focus on local issues or on the unpopular GOP tax cut and effort to repeal ObamaCare. They can follow Conor Lambs example  centrist in tone, relatively liberal in substance. His victory in a special election for a Pennsylvania congressional district rested on energized liberals, union members and appeals to moderates.

Tailoring their messages while not dampening liberal energy could help Democrats in Rust Belt districts, suburban districts, and in Republican-held districts carried by Hillary Clinton.

Another indication of the challenges facing Republican candidates comes from a survey questions that asked: If the elections for Congress were being held today, which party's candidate would you vote for in your Congressional district?

Relying on data from the Roper Center, we compared the percent who say they would vote Republican during May before each midterm election. The current Democratic advantage (47.3 percent Republican support) is the same as Republicans (52.7 percent Republican support) before 2010, when Republicans gained 63 seats in the House.

Considering President Trumps approval is lower than President Obamas at the time, Republicans have even more cause for concern. The only midterm election that looked worse for Republicans at this time was in 2006 (43.2 percent), when Democrats gained control of the House and Senate.

Other factors also favor Democrats. The Cook Political Report lists eight Republican-held seats as likely or leaning Democratic, plus 22 toss-ups; no Democratic-held seats are leaning Republican. In special and state elections Democrats have outperformed expectations on average by 13 points.

And then there is the unprecedented number of Republican retirements: incumbents retire when they expect to lose or have diminished influence in Congress (the number Democratic retirements, by contrast, look quite typical).

Still, Democrats are in no position to rest easy. Working against them is the incumbency advantage: it is hard to defeat those already elected into office, although Republican retirements and the large number of qualified candidates Democrats are fielding should help Democrats.

More important is that even if Democrats win a majority of votes they are not guaranteed a majority of seats in Congress. Because districts have been drawn in a way that gives substantial advantages to Republicans, Democrats likely need somewhere between a 7 and 11 percent margin of victory in order to win a majority in the House.

Things are even more challenging in the Senate, which has been called the most malapportioned legislature in the world. Only a third of Senate seats are contested each cycle, and the seats up for re-election this year happen to be extremely favorable to Republicans.

What does all this mean? If the election were held today, Democrats would likely win a majority of the votes and make sizeable gains in Congress. Whether this would be enough for Democrats to overcome the disadvantages against them  and take control of the House or Senate  remains to be seen.



Peter K. Enns, is associate professor and executive director of the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Cornell University.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

When President Trump announced Friday that his historic summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un was back on for June 12 in Singapore, he didnt restate his demand that the North agree to some sort of denuclearization pledge as a precondition for the meeting.

The Trump administration is still insisting that it will continue economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure on North Korea to pressure Kim to get rid of his nuclear weapons  what can only be called a containment strategy.

But it was clear Friday that President Trump had a different tone following his meeting in the Oval Office with Kim Yong Chol  a vice chairman of North Koreas Central Committee and one of Kim Jong Uns most trusted advisers.

Why the big change from just a few days before, when President Trump had canceled the summit?

It may be that President Trump toned down his rhetoric to give Kim Jong Un space to deal with hardliners in his government and military who oppose making nuclear disarmament a reality.

Recent headlines point to such a possibility. Multiple news organizations report that over the weekend Kim Jong Un fired or deposed three top army generals  officers who would likely be upset over North Korea potentially giving up its atomic insurance policy.

If Kim wants to agree to a denuclearization deal, he will need domestic support. To get that support, he will need to show he is getting something in return from the U.S. and not simply caving to President Trumps demands.

What could have happened, either in meetings with (Secretary of State Mike) Pompeo, or in the Oval Office, is that North Korean officials explained to the administration they have a problem, a former senior national security official who served in George W. Bush administration told me, speaking on background.

North Korean officials may have explained they are committed to CVID (complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization) but were afraid of domestic opposition, either in the military or in the highest circles of Kims regime, the former official told me.

The official speculated that the North Koreans may have said to President Trump: We need some time to shift our nations and our governments internal thinking on this  we need some diplomatic space to do it.

That would explain the change in tone from President Trump as well as what Kim Jong Uns decision to purge the three generals. Kim might have been sending a signal to internal audiences: get onboard with better relations and denuclearization  or else, the official said.

The former U.S. official went on to say: Kim needs to know there wont be a coup when he is in Singapore if he makes a nuclear deal with Trump. And that might explain why Kim was so obsessed with security arrangements for the summit when he spoke to Pompeo the last time in Pyongyang. The regime might not be as secure as we think.

While it is always a challenge to make any predictions when it comes to any events inside North Korea  and especially the hermit kingdoms internal politics  we do know for a fact how much Pyongyang has emphasized the achievement of building and deploying nuclear weapons in its propaganda.

For the Kim regime, its so-called treasured sword of nuclear weapons is a crowning achievement, something that defines the impoverished nation of 25 million  what one senior Trump official recently described to me as a Fourth World nation with nukes.

Pictures of missiles and nuclear weapons are splattered across billboards around North Korea, placed on stamps and are part of countless news and radio programs. They are displayed proudly, as something that Pyongyang would never, ever give up. North Korea has even gone so far to place keeping its nuclear weapons in its constitution  so staying a nuclear power is clearly something hard to walk away from.

Here is where things could get dangerous. As we all know, the Kim regime is not exactly an honest broker, and could be just using domestic challenges as an excuse to stall for time.

Just a cursory review of Americas past diplomatic attempts to craft a better relationship with North Korea show a 100 percent track record of failure for one reason: the Kim regime never, ever, keeps its word  going back to the current dictators father and grandfather who ruled before him.

We should be leery that Pyongyang could once again be using its old diplomatic playbook, albeit with a fresh cover. The Kim regime will do anything it can to stall for time, seeking to hold onto its nuclear weapons and to make them more powerful.

It is also important to remember that Kim purges officers in his military quite regularly, and the timing of the most recent purge just could be a coincidence.

In fact, in a recent letter reportedly authored by Kim Jong Un to his foreign ministry, he discussed protecting our nuclear power  not exactly a ringing endorsement of nuclear disarmament.

The Trump administration must be very cautious, explained another former senior U.S. official who served in the George H.W. Bush administration. While it is very possible North Korea could very well need some cover domestically, we cant give them forever. They need to commit to something on nuclear weapons or we are just repeating the mistakes of the past  and that would be a real shame.

Indeed, the Trump administration must begin to truly press North Korea now on a nuclear weapons pledge  to be declared right before or during the summit  or we run the risk of making an even grander mistake than other administrations in dealing with the Kim family.

Giving Kim a summit with the president of the United States and getting nothing to show for it would be a colossal mistake by the Trump administration that history would not look kindly on.NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

In the zeal to prosecute President Donald Trump, the special counsel may not encroach upon the Constitution. Recently, a confidential letter Trumps legal team sent to Special Counsel Robert Mueller in January was leaked. The letter was a response to Muellers request to question the president about his possible obstruction of justice. No dice, explained Trumps team, but did agree to provide written answers to any questions Muellers team provided.

Of course, this made liberals apoplectic, but Trumps lawyers made the argument that the President of the United States has broad authority under the Constitution to supervise investigations (or terminate any investigation). After all, he is the head of the Department of Justice. Specifically, they say, It remains our position that the Presidents actions here, by virtue of his position as the chief law enforcement officer, could neither constitutionally nor legally constitute obstruction because that would amount to him obstructing himself, and that he could, if he wished, terminate the inquiry, or even exercise his power to pardon if he so desired.

And guess what? In spite of all the overreaction on the left, his attorneys are absolutely right.

Trump can absolutely terminate any investigation. He can direct the Attorney General to stop an investigation. Since Jeff Sessions has recused himself, he could direct Deputy Attorney Rod Rosenstein to end the investigation. If Rosenstein refuses, he could fire Rosenstein and hire a Deputy Attorney General who will. (Or, he could fire Sessions and hire an Attorney General who will not recuse, then direct him or her to terminate.)

In other words, he has the constitutional authority to end these investigations. Period. Full stop.

The left keeps looking for a magic bullet to end the Trump presidency but no such bullet exists. Elections have consequences, including Congressional elections.

And before you guys get hysterical over this, take a deep breath. This is the framework created by our Founding Fathers. The primary remedy for the abuse of power by a chief executive is impeachment, not indictment. That doesnt mean Trump is above the law. If he was impeached, he would no longer be president and would therefore be subject to prosecution just like any citizen. But theres a tremendous practical problem with investigating the boss of the investigative agency. That problem is solved through effective Congressional oversight, over which the president has no practical control. To make the Department of Justice independent of the president would require a Constitutional amendment, not a special counsel.

Make no mistake. I dont think the president should be impeached. But, lest anyone think impeachment is an insufficient remedy, let me remind you: impeachment represents the ability of one branch of government to remove from office the head of another branch.

Its the supreme check. So state your case or stop wasting our time.

If the special council believes the president has abused his power, sufficient to the removal of office, he should state his case and let the Congress decide this is what the Founders intended.

The left keeps looking for a magic bullet to end the Trump presidency but no such bullet exists. Elections have consequences, including Congressional elections. For Democrats, the lawful path to removing President Trump is the same path of removing virtually every other president in American history.

And thats the ballot box.Senior officials in the White House communications office have decided to cancel the large morning meetings, attended by lower-ranking staffers, after a leak during a previous meeting ensnared communications aide Kelly Sadler in a controversy after inappropriate comments regarding Sen. John McCains brain cancer.

A White House official confirms to Fox News, a story first reported by the New York Times, that since the blow up over Sadlers remarks not only has the larger meeting been cancelled, but also the meetings now only consist of the higher-ranking staff and have omitted the lower-ranking staff and middle ranking staff that some in the West Wing blame for the current leaking of information that have made the White House look poorly in recent months.

Periodically, we streamline our operations to better communicate the presidents message, Deputy White House press secretary Lindsay Walters said in a statement about the restructuring of the meetings.

Earlier this week, senior administration officials told Fox News that the controversy surrounding the comments by Sadler are overblown  and one of the main reasons they were disheartened by it, is that they believe some internally purposely are trying to cause chaos and dissension among the ranks with these leaks on Sadler, even after the aide called Meghan McCain to apologize.

Sadler, a White House communications official, was overheard talking about the Arizona Republicans opposition to President Donald Trumps pick to lead the CIA, Gina Haspel.

Sadler said, It doesnt matter, hes dying anyway.

Sadler has not issued a public apology.

The 81-year-old McCain was diagnosed in July with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

The Senate voted 54-45 Thursday to confirm Haspel, with six Democrats supporting and two Republicans defecting.

A lack of staff discipline, one official said on background.

We need to make changes at our core, another official said to Fox News.

One senior administration aide told Fox News exclusively to expect staff changes because of this Sadler fallout.

On Monday, Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway  who has taken on more of a leadership role in the White House communications shop after former Communications Director Hope Hicks departure  was asked by Fox News host Martha MacCallum on The Story whether she expected personnel changes as a result.

I do, Conway responded. Actually, yes I do. 

Fox News' Martha MacCallum and The Associated Press contributed to this report.The Democratic Partys ambitious midterm plan to regain control of the House of Representatives faces its biggest test yet in Tuesdays California primaries  where candidates are tripping over each other for the chance to flip Republican-held districts.

The big question facing the party, however, is whether their candidates enthusiasm could backfire. So many Democratic contenders have jumped into key races  largely running on an anti-Trump platform  that the overload threatens to split the vote and boost Republicans.

But the state nevertheless offers Democrats a wealth of opportunities to swipe seats. California's House races, meanwhile, are just a fraction of the action taking place on Tuesday, the biggest primary day so far this cycle. With eight states voting, an array of contests will reveal how each party is trending as the midterms near:

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR

Californias jungle primary is set up to advance the top-two finishers to the general election regardless of party. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a liberal Democrat, is the clear front-runner in the gubernatorial race, according to recent polls. But the fight for the second spot on the ballot is being fought among a handful of hopefuls  notably former Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Republican businessman John Cox, who appears to be surging after an endorsement from President Trump.

MONTANA SENATE

Republican candidates are lining up to challenge Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who represents a state President Trump easily won in 2016. Among the GOP challengers in Tuesdays primary: state auditor Matt Rosendale, Judge Russ Fagg, state Sen. Albert Olszewski and combat veteran Troy Downing. Fox News Power Rankings rate the Montana race as one of eight Senate toss-ups this year.

CALIFORNIA SENATE

Longtime incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., remains the front-runner in the states Senate race despite her failure to secure the California Democratic Partys endorsement in February. The fight for the second spot on the ballot is between the more liberal Democratic state Sen. Kevin de Leon and Republican James P. Bradley, among others.

NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR

Democrats are hoping to turn New Mexico blue in this years gubernatorial race. Susana Martinez, the current GOP governor, is term-limited. For the Democrats, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, state Sen. Joseph Cervantes and entrepreneur Jeff Apodaca are contending for their partys nomination. For Republicans, Rep. Steve Pearce is running unopposed.

CLICK FOR MORE PRIMARY RACES TO WATCH

But the most consequential races Tuesday are the House battles playing out in California, with control of Congress at stake.

Democrats need to flip 23 GOP-held seats to wrest the House majority from Republicans this fall, and the party is targeting 10 districts in the Golden State alone.

States Voting June 5

Alabama

California

Iowa

Mississippi

Montana

New Jersey

New Mexico

South Dakota

Thats why Tuesday is so important.

Among the targeted Republican seats is one held by Republican Rep. Mimi Walters.

No Democrat has ever represented Walters 45th District in Orange County, but four Democratic candidates are competing for a chance to challenge her in November.

Walters dinged House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for the surge of would-be challengers.

SENATE RACE RATINGS AND FULL MIDTERM COVERAGE

This is really her only chance to flip the House, Walters said. So shes taking on members like myself who typically she wouldnt in the past.

Kia Hamadanchy, one of the hopefuls trying to capitalize on what he calls the Obama coalition of young voters and immigrants, argued that a progressive message is the path to victory.

Hamadanchy joins Democrats Katie Porter, Dave Min and Brian Forde on the ballot Tuesday, and hopes that highlighting Walters vote in favor of the GOP-engineered tax reform bill will resonate.

'It doesnt look like theres a blue wave. Its turning into a bit of a blue trickle.'  GOP congressional candidate Scott Baugh

One thing they tell you as a Republican in Orange County is never raise taxes, and one of the things shes done is voted to raise taxes on all her constituents, Hamadanchy said.

Walters disputes any liability from her vote to reform the tax code. Republicans argue that the legislation largely resulted in tax cuts.

I think people in my district are very happy with the tax reform package, Walters said.

Republican lawmakers in Orange County, meanwhile, are hoping that Democrats crowd themselves out in some of Tuesdays races.

In the 48th district, for instance, which includes Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, Democrats face a potential scenario where two Republicans  and no Democrats  advance to November.

The seat is currently represented by GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, whos faced criticism over Russia-friendly rhetoric. But if Democrats split the vote too many ways on Tuesday, Republicans could grab the first and second ballot spots under the jungle primary system.

Weve got eight people on the ballot, said Harley Rouda, a Democratic candidate hoping to challenge the longtime GOP incumbent. The issue is the jungle primary in California, and what sounded like a great idea, just the top-two vote getters move forward, has turned into all sorts of gamesmanship.

Rouda has the support of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is working to warn voters about the possibility that they might not have any Democratic options in November.

While the top-two problem certainly presents challenges for Democrats, its really important that folks get out and vote over the next couple of days, said Andrew Godinich, west regional press secretary for the DCCC.

Scott Baugh, a former state lawmaker, is the Republican hoping to snag that second slot and challenge Rohrabacher in November.

If I come in second  the Republicans dont have to spend any money to defend the seat, its already a Republican seat, he noted.

Baugh, who argues that Rohrabacher hasnt been productive enough during several decades in Congress, believes that if Tuesdays primary leaves Democrats without a candidate on the ballot, their national strategy will suffer.

It doesnt look like theres a blue wave, Baugh said. Its turning into a bit of a blue trickle or a blue drought or something.

But over in Californias 49th district, Democrats see another opportunity in the seat soon to be vacated by retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa.

Every week for 67 weeks, rain or shine after Trumps inauguration, there were protesters that arrived outside Darrell Issas office, hundreds at a time, said Democratic candidate Mike Levin. And they represented every demographic, every age, all backgrounds in our community.

Levin is banking on support from constituents frustrated by a lack of attention to environmental issues.

Our district has 52 miles of coastline from north to south, we care very deeply about clean air and clean water, clean beach, getting the nuclear waste off our coast. Darrell Issa has been our member of Congress for 17 years, he hasnt solved the problem, Levin said.

One leading Republican is countering arguments like that with a platform that closely mirrors the Trump agenda.

Taxes are huge, said candidate Diane Harkey, hoping to help the party hold the Issa seat. So is the sanctuary state, the catch-and-release programs -- I mean everything thats happened out of Sacramento is hitting this state really hard, and unfortunately all the Democrats are offering is resist.Special Counsel Robert Mueller claimed in a court filing Monday that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort tried to tamper with two potential witnesses in his upcoming trial while under house arrest.

Prosecutors working for Mueller made the claim in a request that the judge overseeing the case revoke or revise an order for Manafort to be placed on pretrial release. They also said an associate of Manafort's tried to contact a potential witness more than once.

A Manafort spokesman fired back, saying: Mr. Manafort is innocent and nothing about this latest allegation changes our defense. We will do our talking in court.

But according to documents filed in federal court in D.C., Manafort reached out to the would-be witnesses in February after a superseding indictment was unsealed. Among other claims, the indictment accused the 68-year-old of secretly paying European ex-politicians to lobby on behalf of Ukraine's pro-Russian government in the U.S. without registering. This coterie allegedly was dubbed the "Hapsburg" group by Manafort.

Mueller says the individuals Manafort tried to contact -- referred to only as "D1" and "D2" -- were "principals of a public-relations company [who] acted as intermediaries between Manafort ... co-defendant Richard Gates, and the Hapsburg group."

According to Mueller's request, Manafort tried to make at least three phone calls and sent at least two encrypted text messages to D1 "in an effort to secure materially false testimony concerning the activities of the Hapsburg group." Specifically, Manafort allegedly told Person D1 on Feb. 26, "We should talk. I have made clear that [the Hapsburg group] worked in Europe."

The message was accompanied by a link to a Business Insider story with the headline: "Former European leaders struggle to explain themselves after Mueller claims Paul Manafort paid them to lobby for Ukraine."

The document said that D1 was trying to avoid contact with Manafort and "understood Manafort's outreach to be an effort to 'suborn perjury'" because he believed from his experience that the Hapsburg Group lobbied in the United States and knew that Manafort knew that as well.

The documents added that a longtime Manafort associate, referred to as "Person A," tried to contact D2 in the days after the superseding indictment was unsealed.

In earlier filings, Person A has referred to Konstantin Kilimnik, a longtime Manafort associate who prosecutors have said has ties to Russian intelligence.

"My friend P is trying to reach [Person D1] to brief him on whats going on," Person A texted Person D2 on Feb. 28, adding: "Basically P wants to give him a quick summary that he says to everybody (which is true) that our friends never lobbied in the U.S., and the purpose of the program was EU."

Mueller adds Person A messaged Person D2 again in April to ask for help connecting Manafort with Person D1.

"I tried [Person D1] on all numbers," Person A said, according to the documents.

According to the documents, Person D2 told investigators that Manafort wanted him and Person D1 to "relay a message to the Hapsburg group: if the members of the Hapsburg group were contacted by anyone, they should say that their lobbying and public relations work was exclusively in Europe."

The special counsel says Manafort's actions violate federal law, and therefore violate the terms of his pretrial release.

Manafort faces multiple felony charges in two federal cases, including conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, failing to register as an agent of a foreign principal, giving false and misleading Foreign Agents Registration Act statements and providing other false statements.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Fox News' John Roberts and The Associated Press contributed to this report.Tuesday kicks off primary elections in multiple states across the country, including Alabama, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota.

From close primary races to districts Democrats hope to turn blue in the midterms, read on for a look at five races to watch -- that arent in California.

New Mexico governor

Democrats are hoping to turn New Mexico blue with the gubernatorial race this year with an electorate that has been tilting progressive. Susana Martinez, the current Republican governor, cannot seek re-election due to term limits.

For the Democrats, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, state Sen. Joseph Cervantes and entrepreneur Jeff Apodaca are contending for their partys nomination. Both Lujan Grisham and Apodaca come from political families in the Land of Enchantment state.

Lujan Grisham, seen as the frontrunner among Democrats, has already secured endorsements from Planned Parenthood, EMILYs List and a bevy of local labor unions, according to her campaign website. Shes also been endorsed by state Attorney General Hector Balderas.

Lonna Atkeson, a University of New Mexico political science professor, told the Albuquerque Journal that Grisham could have an edge, as she's the only woman in the race.

For Republicans, Rep. Steve Pearce is running unopposed. Pearce is known in Congress as a reserved, low word-count guy. Hes voted about 85 percent of time in agreement with President Trump -- although hes publicly opposed the border wall.

Pearces campaign has placed an emphasis on job creation as New Mexico has the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation.

Democrats already control much of New Mexico politics, including the legislature and other statewide offices. A win for Democrats in this race could shut out Republicans from redistricting decisions made in 2021.

Clinton took New Mexico with 48 percent of the vote, compared to Trump's 40 percent.

Montana Senate

Although incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, has emphasized his record of voting for more than a dozen bills signed into law by Trump, Novembers general election is considered a toss-up by Fox News.

Four Republicans are vying for the Republican nomination to take on Tester in the fall: combat veteran Troy Downing, Judge Russ Fagg, state Sen. Albert Olszewski and state auditor Matt Rosendale.

All four GOP candidates, even Fagg, who is considered to be a favorite among the more establishment-type Republicans, have aligned themselves with the president.

Its all been a competition to see who can be the most aligned with Trump. Its a reflection of where these candidates think the Republican Party is in Montana, Dr. Robert Saldin, a University of Montana political science professor, told Fox News.

Trump won Montana with about 56 percent of the vote in 2016. In comparison, 2008 Republican nominee John McCain garnered about 50 percent.

Although none of the four Republican candidates have star name recognition, Saldin said a Tester loss shouldnt be ruled out.

Anytime youre running as a Republican in Montana statewide, youve got a shot, he said.

With endorsements from Sens. Mike Lee, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, Rosendale has emerged as a frontrunner in the primary, Dr. David C.W. Parker, a Montana State University political science professor told Fox News.

South Dakota governor

Rep. Kristi Noem and state Attorney Gen. Marty Jackley are facing off in the Republican gubernatorial primary in South Dakota.

Although it started off cordial, the Republican primary has turned a bit volatile, The Argus Leader reported -- especially in campaign ads and a recent debate. Jackley has painted Noem as a Washington insider, while Noem has touted her relationship with Trump.

The primary is a close one: a recent poll from The Argus Leader and KELO-TV has Noem ahead by only one percentage point.

Whoever wins the GOP primary will likely face state Sen. Billie Sutton, a Democrat who is running unopposed. The seat is currently held by Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who is term-limited.

In the presidential election, Trump won 62 percent of the vote, compared to Hillary Clinton, who won 32 percent.

Iowa congressional race

One of several competitive races where Democrats are hoping to flip a seat is the 1st congressional district in Iowa.

Rep. Rod Blum, a Republican, faces a tough re-election campaign in what Fox News has labeled a toss-up election. Hes running unopposed in the primary, but a group of energized Democrats are vying to take him on in the general election. His seat is one targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

For Democrats, state Rep. Abby Finkenauer, Thomas Heckroth, Army veteran George Ramsey and aerospace engineer Courtney Rowe will face off in Tuesdays primary election.

Seen as the frontrunner among Democrats, Finkenauer has already gotten the endorsements of EMILYs List, NARAL and several state lawmakers. She has also raised the most money with nearly $1.3 million, the Des Moines Register reported. Finkenauer, 28, would be the youngest woman elected to Congress if she wins. (Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., became the youngest woman to be elected in 2014 at the age of 30.)

The Democratic Party is ready and welcoming a challenging race in November, especially after Trumps election. Linn County Democratic Party Chairman Bret Nilles previously told Fox News that hes seen more enthusiasm since the election results than we had prior to the presidential election.

Nilles also said he hopes Blums support for Trump will help Democrats in November. Trump won about 51 percent of the vote in Iowa in the 2016 election -- compared to Clintons 42 percent -- but according to the Des Moines Register, no party voters make up a huge difference in the 1st congressional district. About 32 percent of voters in the district are registered Democrats, 29 percent are Republicans and the rest arent affiliated with a party, the newspaper reported.

"No Party" voters hold the secret to understanding why incumbents do well in the district and why a conservative Republican continues to win a district in which Democrats outnumber Republicans, Christopher Larimer, a University of Northern Iowa political scientist, wrote in a book about the district, according to the Des Moines Register.

Blum, 63, was first elected to the seat in 2014.

New Jersey Senate

This Senate seat is almost sure to remain safely in the hands of Democrats -- but expect Sen. Bob Menendezs corruption and bribery case to play a big role.

Fox News ranks the New Jersey Senate race as likely Democrat.

Brian Goldberg, a business owner, and Bob Hugin, a former pharmaceutical executive, are facing off in the Republican primary Tuesday in an effort to take on Menendez. Hugin, who is expected to win the primary, has distanced himself from Trump. Goldberg, who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 2014, has embraced Trump, on the other hand -- even holding a Supporters of President Trump Rally in April.

Clinton took New Jersey with 55 percent of the vote; Trump won 41 percent.

Whoever Menendez faces in the general, its sure to be a nasty election cycle, Peter Woolley, a Fairleigh Dickinson University politics professor, told The Morning Call newspaper.

When the candidates go negative before the primary is even held, you can look forward to more of the same in the general election," he said.

Menendez faces a primary challenger in publisher Lisa McCormick who has said shes running just to give New Jersey Democrats another option. He is expected to beat her in the primary.

Menendez was accused of accepting a plethora of donations and gifts from a wealthy friend in exchange for political influence. His case ended in a mistrial last year after a jury failed to deliver a verdict. He was formally admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee earlier this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.The judge who sentenced a former Stanford University swimmer to six months of prison for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman could be recalled today as Californians head to the polls.

Judge Aaron Persky followed the recommendation of the county probation department when he sentenced Brock Turner, who was 19 years old at the time of his arrest. The ruling set off a nationwide debate about campus sexual assault and whether the nations judicial system takes the crime seriously enough -- even before the height of the #MeToo movement.

In January 2015, two graduate students from Sweden caught Turner assaulting a woman who was passed out behind a dumpster. The students tackled him and held him until police arrived. Turner, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted on three charges: two counts of digitally penetrating an unconscious person and one count of assault with intent to rape, according to the Los Angeles Times.

It was in June 2016 that Persky, 56, sentenced Turner to six months in jail and ordered him to register as a sex offender. Prosecutors wanted a six-year sentence. Turner was released from prison after serving only half of that sentence.

JUDGE IN STANFORD RAPE CASE IS SUBJECT OF RECALL VOTE

Michele Dauber, a Stanford University law school professor, started a campaign to recall Persky. Dauber is an outspoken on-campus activist who helped push through more stringent sexual harassment and abuse reporting and investigation policies. She is also a family friend of the victim.

We feel its important to respond strongly with a message of accountability for elected officials like Judge Persky who do not take sex crimes and violence against women seriously, Dauber said. Many eyes around the country are going to be on Santa Clara County as a model for how to respond to bias against women in the legal system.

The recall campaign has raised about $1.2 million -- about half as much as supporters of the judge, The Associated Press reported. If Persky is recalled, he would be the first judge to be removed from office in California in more than 80 years.

According to the Mercury News, this recall effort has been the most divisive issue on the ballot, with death threats accumulating on both sides.

The problem with this recall is it will pressure judges to follow the rule of public opinion as opposed to the rule of law.  Judge Aaron Persky

VOTERS WILL CONSIDER RECALL OF JUDGE IN STANFORD RAPE CASE

The legal community has largely opposed the recall effort, including Sajid Khan, a Santa Clara County public defender. He warned against recalling Persky, telling Mercury News that doing so could open the door to a future that will mostly harm lower-income racial minorities.

"It sets a bad precedent to recall a judge for issuing a lawful sentence that wasn't mean enough," Meaghan Ybos, executive director of People for the Enforcement of Rape Laws, a criminal justice reform advocacy group, told Fox News. "And it does nothing to improve outcomes for rape victims."

Persky, too, told The Associated Press the recall effort is fundamentally unfair. He said he is fighting against the effort, instead of vacating his seat, because recalling judges over unpopular rulings threatens the integrity of the judiciary.

To get justice from a judge, they need someone who follows the rules. The basic rule is the rule of law, Persky said. The problem with this recall is it will pressure judges to follow the rule of public opinion as opposed to the rule of law.

Turner is expected to be back in a San Jose court later in June. He has appealed the jury conviction, saying he was not awarded a fair trial because character witnesses were not permitted to testify about his scholastic success, honesty and swimming career.

Persky has four years left in his six-year term, the Los Angeles Times reported. Since the Turner predicament, Persky has worked as a night judge from his home, where he issues orders and warrants in domestic violence cases. He no longer hears criminal cases, according to the newspaper.

Should he be recalled, two female lawyers -- Cindy Hendrickson and Angela Storey -- are on the ballot to replace him, according to the Palo Alto Daily Post.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.Peter Strzok, who was pulled off Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigative team last year, played a more central role than previously known in both the Russia and Hillary Clinton email probes, a lawmaker familiar with the matter told Fox News Tuesday.

The lawmaker's assessment of Strzok's role in both investigations was based on the most recent records and testimony, including a closed-door interview with FBI espionage chief Bill Priestap.

Priestap was interviewed Tuesday as part of an ongoing joint investigation by the House Judiciary and Oversight committees. Priestap was Strzok's supervisor and oversaw both the Russia and Clinton investigations.

The lawmaker described Priestap as a very cooperative witness, but added that unanswered questions remained about Priestap's overseas travel. One line of questioning Tuesday concerned a trip to London by Priestap in May 2016 and whether it was connected to the Russia case.

The trip was referenced by Strzok in a May 4, 2016 text message to FBI lawyer Lisa Page that said "Bill" would be "back from London next week."

On Jan. 30 of that year, Strzok emailed Priestap and another FBI colleague expressing dismay about statements made by then-White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest claiming Clinton was not a target of the FBI probe into her private email server that she kept while secretary of state.

"Below not helpful," Strzok wrote. "Certainly the WH is going to do whatever it wants, but there is a line they need to hold with regard to the appearance of non-interference."

Strzok was reassigned to the FBI's human resources division following revelations that he was romantically involved with Page and exchanged politically charged text messages. An FBI spokesperson told Fox News last month that Page had "resigned" to "pursue other opportunities."

In addition to his work on the Mueller probe, Strzok was the lead agent on the Clinton email case known inside the bureau by the code name "Mid Year Exam" or MYE.

Lawmakers are scheduled to interview two other FBI officials later this month: Michael Steinbach, former head of the agencys national security division; and Steinbachs predecessor, John Giacalone. They are also expected to interview Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who is due to release a report on the FBI's conduct in the Clinton investigation.

Late Tuesday, Trump claimed on Twitter that texts exist between Strzok and Page "referring to a counter-intelligence operation into the Trump Campaign dating way back to December, 2015.

"SPYGATE is in full force!" the president added.

Fox News' Pamela K. Browne and Cyd Upson contributed to this report.Democratic National Committee deputy Rep. Keith Ellison announced Tuesday that hes running for Minnesota attorney general, a move that will likely require him to leave his party post as well as Congress.

The firebrand lawmaker announced his candidacy on Twitter as he filed papers for his campaign.

I am announcing my candidacy to be the Peoples Lawyer, and to protect and defend all Minnesotans as your next Attorney General, Ellison tweeted.

The decision followed a last-minute political shift in his home state of Minnesota, as incumbent Lori Swanson jumped into the governor's race on Monday. This opened the door for Ellison.

Its not clear whether Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, will resign his House seat early or retire at the end of his current term, if he advances past the primary. However, he likely will need to resign his post with the national party, where he is vice chairman.

Fox News has reached out to Ellisons office for clarification on his plans with regard to the DNC.

A recent Politico report suggested Ellison might have been looking for a way out of the DNC. The report noted hes been chafing in his role as deputy to Tom Perez, who beat him for the chairmanship in party elections.

The same article also noted that he may be attracted to the role state attorneys general have had taking on various Trump administration policies.

Ellison seemed to hint at those ambitions in his full statement posted to Twitter.

No one  not even a President  is above the law, he said, citing fights against immigration and environmental policy decisions.

Ellison is in his sixth term representing a reliably Democratic Minneapolis-area seat. Hell face competition, though, in the state attorney general primary. According to The Star Tribune, he faces former Attorney General Mike Hatch, state Rep. Debra Hilstrom and Matt Pelikan, an attorney.

Republicans, meanwhile, were gloating in the run-up to Ellisons candidacy announcement. An overnight Republican National Committee email blast questioned whether the decision means Ellison has strong doubts about Democrats ability to take back the House this fall. The email also noted Ellison represents the progressive and Bernie Sanders wing of the party and questioned whether those activists will feel theyve lost a seat at the table, causing more headaches for Perez.

Ellison has been controversial in his own right. Earlier this year, he faced scrutiny after Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan claimed Ellison had visited him in Farrakhan's Washington, D.C. office. Ellison maintained that he has not met with or spoken to the anti-Semitic minister since 2013.

"I do not have and have never had a relationship with Mr. Farrakhan, but I have been in the same room as him, he wrote on Medium.

Fox News Chad Pergram and The Associated Press contributed to this report.The Justice Department on Monday promised to appeal a federal judge's ruling that said President Donald Trump-- possibly the world's most famous Twitter user-- could not block Twitter users from his account because it violated their right to free speech.

U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in May ruled against the Justice Departments argument that denying Trump the ability to block followers infringed on his own First Amendment rights, Reuters reported.

The lawsuit was filed in July 2017 by several Twitter users and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, the report said. The plaintiffs varied from professors to a police officer in Texas.

The lawsuit was filed after Trump blocked users from @realDonaldTrump, a 9-year-old Twitter account with over 50 million followers. Each of the plaintiffs tweeted a message critical of Trump or his policies in reply to a tweet he sent.

After a hearing, the judge had suggested that Trump mute rather than block some of his critics. At the time, a Justice Department attorney agreed that muting would enable Trump to avoid a tweet he doesnt want to read.

Jameel Jaffer, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, told Reuters that Trumps Twitter handle on Monday unblocked his seven plaintiffs. The White House did not immediately respond to the report. The Justice Department confirmed that the plaintiffs had been unblocked.

Twitter users can block people, which prevents them from seeing the users feed while logged in. Or they can mute the person, which keeps the user from seeing that persons tweets and reply messages in their feed.

Philip Cohen, a sociology professor at the University of Maryland, reportedly tweeted, We whined. We complained. We sued. We won our First Amendment lawsuit in federal court. And now @realDonaldTrump has unblocked me. Wow!

The Associated Press contributed to this reportKelli Ward, a top contender in the hotly contested Arizona Republican Senate primary, told supporters last month that President Donald Trump once told her that Joe Arpaio shouldnt get in the Senate race.

The Arizona Republic obtained video of the former state senator addressing supporters on May 24. She recalled a conversation with Trump last year at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

Ward said she was with her husband and daughter and was introduced to Trump. She said he recognized her and basically knew everything that was going on in Arizona and in the race.

You know, he had his opinions, she said. He was like, 'You're up 15 points on Martha (McSally), and, you know, Joe shouldn't get in'  he had a few other things to say about that. I'll keep that to myself."

Republican Rep. Martha McSally is on the ballot and currently represents Arizonas second district in Congress.

There is clear frustration over Ward and former Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio potentially splitting the conservative vote. Arpaios campaign alleged last month that Wards camp offered the former sheriff a job with a pro-Trump superPAC if he dropped out of the race. The Ward campaign denies it made the offer.

Arpaio, 85, said the offer was offensive. I dont like to be intimidated by anyone, the former six-term sheriff said in an interview. Its no secret that a lot of people want me out of the race. My response is Im not leaving.

Arpaio, pardoned by Trump last year after being convicted of contempt of court in a racial profiling case, roiled the race in January by jumping in. He has raised only $500,000, the least among the three major Republicans.

Constantine Querard, an Arizona conservative strategist who has long been friendly toward Arpaio but backs Ward, told The Associated Press earlier that, Whoever convinced Joe to run didnt do the movement any favors because the movement has a tremendous affection for Joe, but he splits the movement.

The candidates are vying for the seat held by Sen. Jeff Flake. Flake is retiring after Ward pummeled him in his initial primary. She accused Flake of being too soft on immigration and not supportive enough of Trumps agenda.

McSallys filing makes her the sixth candidate in the race across three parties. She could benefit from the tight race between Ward and Arpaio.

The White House press office did not respond to the paper's request for comment on Ward's account of the conversation. Wards campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News for comment.

Chuck Coughlin, a more centrist Arizona Republican strategist, told The AP: Hes (Arpaio) not in it to win it, hes just in it to keep Kelli Ward from winning.

The Associated Press contributed to this reportKelly Sadler has left the White House where she served as a communications aide, officials confirmed to Fox News on Tuesday evening.

Kelly Sadler is no longer employed within the Executive Office of the President," White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said in a statement.

It was unclear whether Sadler's departure was specifically tied to her comment about Arizona Sen. John McCains brain cancer, which triggered widespread backlash.

During a closed-door meeting in May with about two dozen White House communications staffers, Sadler was overheard talking about McCain's opposition to President Trumps pick to lead the CIA, Gina Haspel, saying that his opinion is irrelevant because "hes dying anyway.

McCain, 81, was diagnosed last year with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Neither Sadler nor the White House issued a public apology for the remark even after it attracted widespread condemnation. Sadler reportedly called McCain's daughter, Meghan, to privately apologize.

Speaking on ABC's "The View" last week, Meghan McCain briefly discussed the episode.

"I was promised an apology by Kelly Sadler, publicly, to my family," she said. "I did not receive that."

WH CANCELS DAILY COMMS MEETING AFTER SADLER'S COMMENT LEAKS

The news of Sadler's departure came shortly after Fox News learned that several White House communications staffers were informed in closed-door meetings that a major purge of their ranks was imminent.

Chief of Staff John Kelly and Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway were among those who delivered the news to staffers in mid-May, sources told Fox News.

Senior officials in the White House communications office also decided to cancel the large morning communications team meetings, attended by lower-ranking staffers, in an apparent effort to clamp down on leaks.

Fox News' John Roberts and Serafin Gomez contributed to this report.Seven months after Vice President Pence vowed to stop funding ineffective United Nations-led recovery efforts in northern Iraq and provide U.S. support directly to persecuted Christians and other minorities who suffered ISIS-directed genocide, and are now struggling to reclaim their homes, much of the promised additional U.S. support has not appeared.

Although the beneficiaries have not yet been named, some of the most direly afflicted Christian groups, embedded in the region for nearly two millenia, say they have already been told by USAID that projects they submitted for financing have been vetoed, without explanation.

The rejected proposals were aimed at providing jobs and economic security, and also the means of cultural survival, for the ancient communities, whose numbers are eroding as the lack of assistance forces them to leave Iraq in order to survive.

Meantime, private-sector donations that the Christian organizations had previously relied on have apparently dried up, as donors assumed U.S. assistance would be quickly forthcoming.

As Archbishop Bashar Warda, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church in the northerly, Kurdish area of Erbil, told Fox News: We are left with still many thousands of families to care for and services to provide, and not a penny with which to do it. In this sense, we are worse off now than we were two years ago.

The only support for these displaced people comes from the church, and now it seems everyone is turning away from us.

Archbishop Wardas church relief organization has often been the sole pillar of support for some 60,000 brutalized Christiansin a region that once held upwards of one millionwho fled waves of murder, rape, displacement and plunder inflicted by ISIS, and the ensuing war to dislodge the Islamic extremists.

His new cries of dismay are a pointed reminder that political promises, even those of a vice president, are subsequently filtered through stodgy and often recalcitrant layers of bureaucracy.

These have the final say, despite assurances in January from the White House and USAID, two months after Pences initial avowal, that assistance would speedily be focused on Iraqs battered and deprived minorities, including through newly reprogrammed and highly supervised efforts by the U.N.

The continued reliance on the U.N., which already contradicted Pences initial promise, was seen months ago by U.S. officials as a necessary compromise: U.N. organizations, already on the ground in Iraq, were still believed to be the fastest and most efficient way to deliver aid to the minorities that had been, as one USAID official delicately put it, overlooked previously, mostly by the U.N. itself.

In fact, numerous exposes have documented U.N. neglect was far more widespread than accidental, ostensibly the outcome of high-minded aid policies that claimed to be uninfluenced by religious status or minority identityexactly the characteristics, in other words, of those most savagely repressed by ISIS.

Due in part to extensive U.N. collaboration with Iraqi government officials and other majority-Muslim interest groups, U.N. reconstruction efforts almost entirely favored a majority of returning Muslims who had fled the same conflicts, and Christian properties were often handed over to their majority neighbors.

One of the rejected proposals from Archbishop Wardas Catholic University of Erbil, jointly submitted with an organization of Iraqs equally persecuted non-Christian Yazidi minority, specifically called for the creation of a property rights program to protect minorityproperty rights against illegal seizures in the post-ISIS period.

All that was supposed to change in the renegotiated deal with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which has been the lead actor on most of the international reconstruction work. About $75 million in U.S.-provided stabilization funding was to be refocused on areas that were ancient homelands for hundreds of thousands of Christians, as well as the Yazidis, who were equally hated by ISIS.

Most of that money was still focused on infrastructure projects that would benefit persecuted minorities and their Muslim neighbors equally, as their battered communities are rebuilt. But more communities in previously Christian areas were targeted. Additional monitors and auditors were added to the plans ensure that the stronger focus on those persecuted would remain in place.

Under the deal, another $75 million was allocated as follow-up spending, to be released once UNDPs initial efforts were deemed to be on target.

The reformed U.N. efforts are underwaybut so is the evaluation.

We are still assessing, a senior USAID official told Fox News. We want to make sure the efforts are ongoing. We are getting them [UNDP] to take a look at every single activity. There will be a decision in the next month or so.

IRAQI CHRISTIAN HITS POPES 'SUBMISSIVE' POLICY ON TOLERANCE FOR ISLAM, OTHER RELIGIONS

UNDER THREAT? IRAN'S QUIET INFILTRATION OVER IRAQI CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

That may be no time at all in Washington, but can easily be a lifetime in the poverty-stricken and ravaged Iraqi territories.

An even bigger cause of concern among the beleaguered minorities is some $35 million in fresh funds that bypasses the U.N., through an allegedly innovative USAID mechanism known as the Broad Agency Announcement, or BAA.

The blandly named initiative is intended to give the victims more input in a speeded-up relief effortand, the victims of genocide thought, more direct influence on how the resulting money was awarded.

Five months after USAID officials announced the BAAs use in northern Iraq, the outcome of the much-advertised innovation is still grinding along in the bowels of USAID bureaucracyexcept for those proposals that already have been summarily rejected.

Specific financial awards under the BAA will likely be formalized in the next couple of months, according to a senior USAID officialwho added: We are very eager to get this done.

Maybe. To call the BAA a simple and decisive tool for cutting through and red tape would be very misleading.

Nor is it quite a novelty. According to officials in non-government humanitarian officials consulted by Fox News, the BAA, a consultative mechanism that indeed bypasses normal USAID procurement bureaucracy, has been in use at the agency for at least five years, and is now being used with increasing frequency.

Its virtues include the fact that it invites organizations of all kinds to present their best proposals for solving specific problems without a lengthy preliminary assessment by USAID, which can adopt the proposals a la carte if they seem promising.

In the case of northern Iraq, this was done at a special co-creation meeting held in March in Baghdad, to which Christian and minority groups, including Archbishop Wardas relief organization, was invited.

So were, among others, the U.N.s International Organization for Migration (IOM), the U.S. government-funded United States Institute for Peace, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the globe-spanning Catholic relief organization. Two staffers from Pences staff also attended the session.

Under BAA rules, USAID can encourage organizations to form coalitionswhich by their nature are likely to favor bigger international organizations, with substantial resources to cover elaborate U.S. funding requirements for extensive accounting and oversight.

The drawbacks of the BAA include the fact USAID can adopt its favorite proposals without giving any money or a contract to the organization that came up with the well-received notion.

You literally are giving away your best ideas, one U.S. development expert who is familiar with the BAA process told Fox News. To make matters worse, they dont give a debrief to tell you what went wrong. You cant improve an idea for the future.

I have heard nightmare stories where they have had workshops, and USAID has taken ideas and given them to another implementer, the expert said.

Bill OKeefe, CRS vice president for government outreach and advocacy, told Fox News his organizations proposals had been green-lighted for further consideration in the BAA, and called the process really competitive

Its not surprising that many groups are not getting funded, he said. It happens to us all the time. With total annual revenues last year of nearly $1 billion, however, CRS can clearly roll with many punches.

As Archbishop Wardas church discovered, along with offering no reasons for a veto, the BAA methodology does not include nor grounds for appeal.

Moreover, even top officials at USAID are not necessarily privy to how BAA proposals are finally analyzed and judged. Those decisions are made at the level of USAID missions abroadin this case, Fox News was told by a source briefed on some of the details, a five person group in Baghdad selected by the USAID head of mission.

Long terrorized by ISIS fanatics, their injustices ignored by local governments and ignored for years by ostensibly neutral, U.N.-managed relief efforts, it is perhaps unsurprising that those championing Iraqs barely-surviving minorities could see something sinister in the dashing of their hopes for U.S. support.

As Archbishop Warda told Fox News, It is very clear to us that many people within the [U.S.] government are opposed to this.

That accusation drew a stiff rejoinder from the White House, where an official told Fox News we believe the administration is making a difference in aiding and resettling victims of religious persecution in Iraq. Tens of millions of dollars have been directed at the crisis, including 150 specific projects in the Ninewa Plain [a Christian heartland] identified by the U.S. and our partners, including faith-based NGOs.

We hope that the initiatives will be judged by results and positive impact on these vulnerable populationsnot by what organizations are awarded the money.

In context, however, the millions of dollars and multiple projects mentioned by the official were the money committed so far under the reformed UNDP initiativewhich is still being evaluated.

As for UNDP, a spokesperson told Fox News new projects are being added to the pipeline every week in minorities communitiesas of late May, 415 in all, with half completed, covering areas like health, water, electricity, housing and education.

In some minority areas, the spokesperson added, priorities have involved discussion with religious leaders and UNDP works closely with them to ensure these are met.

The spokesperson reeled off a list of 10 towns in areas that have significant Christian populations where projects were prioritized by community leaders not necessary religious leaders - as well as increased activities in historically-Yazidi areas.

A source deeply familiar with conditions in the minority communities, however, told Fox News the quality and outcome of the projects, completed or not, varies at best.

Moreover, the source alleged, the work is all being done by Kurdish or Arab Muslim contractors for USAID/UNDP. Christians are not involved in either the work, or the planning of the work orders. The quality of the work is poor since those doing the work have no interest in the communities themselves.

In one center specifically cited by the UNDP spokesperson for its restoration work, Batnaya  formerly an overwhelmingly Christian enclave north of the re-conquered ISIS stronghold in Mosul  a local source related that a small group of Christians starting to return to the town were forced to flee again by hostile Iraqi government forces and local militias.

According to that source, the Christians now believe Batnaya is being repaired so it can be inhabited by Muslims from Mosul who are still homeless.

According to Nina Shea, director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the conservative Hudson Institute, the murkiness of the USAID process and the frustration felt by Iraqi Christians and minorities point to the need for an inter-agency genocide aid coordinator to handle the issue more decisively, something she has long advocated.

Such a coordinator could have taken into account all the complexities, gathered pertinent information, kept principals apprised and parried the obstacles to keep the reform policy on track. Without one, Shea fears, there simply is no hope.

Or at least, not much. Christian concerns, as well as those of other persecuted minorities, will get a wider audience at a June 14 hearing of a subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ).

Smith is the author and longtime supporter of a bill that would specifically support the transfer of U.S. government funds to faith-based and other groups doing humanitarian relief and reconstruction work in both Iraq and Syria. The bill has passed the House and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but has never reached the Senate floor.

Generally speaking, the presumption has been that if an indigenous entity wanted to use USAID money directly, it was not able to do the work and requisite accounting and reporting to our standards, Smith told Fox News. Its an attitude that he thinks Pences initial promise was intended to change.

But the policy is seen [by bureaucrats] as being political. Which means they are more or less ignoring the policy.

Concurs Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee: If the United States does not step up to help these Christians then who will?

Both USAID and administration officials have told Archbishop Wardas clients, in effect, to try again next time.

Said a White House official: The Administration has not defined or declared an end to assisting victims of persecution in Iraq.

The U.S. government, however, may have more time available that the victims.

Historically speaking, notes Philip Jenkins, a world-renowned authority on the early history of Christianity who teaches at Baylor University, the collapse of Christianity in Iraq and even more so in neighboring Syria is a catastrophe that mirrors the earlier disappearance of far-flung Jewish populations from the region.

Jenkins passed on a grim Jewish observation about the fate of the two religions in the region: after Saturday comes Sunday.

Meaning: after the disappearance of far-flung Jewish communities across the Middle East, the Christian minorities will be next.

The question may be whether the U.S. wants to continue to attempt a rebuttal.New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, who avoided conviction in a corruption and bribery case last year but was "severely" admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee, survived a challenge from a fellow Democrat and won his partys nomination for another term as senator, as eight states across the country held primary contests Tuesday.

On a busy night of elections, voting also took place in Alabama, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Dakota, Iowa and Montana. But the most consequential races Tuesday were the House battles playing out in California, with control of Congress at stake.

In New Jersey, former pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin won the Republican nomination to face Menendez in November. Menendezs corruption and bribery case  where he was accused of accepting a plethora of donations and gifts from a wealthy friend in exchange for political influence  is expected to play a starring role in the general election, with Republicans calling him "Bribin Bob."

In Mississippi, Republican Sen. Roger Wicker defeated Richard Boyanton, a veteran and businessman. In a tweet earlier Tuesday, Trump praised Wicker for having done everything necessary to Make America Great Again.

The Democratic Senate primary in Mississippi is headed for a runoff, as neither candidates David Baria or Howard Sherman received more than 50 percent of the vote.

In Alabama, Republican Gov. Kay Ivey avoided a runoff, as she beat back challenges from several three GOP opponents. Ivey, who was the states lieutenant governor, became governor last year after then-Republican Gov. Robert Bentley resigned over an extramarital affair he had with a staffer. Walt Maddox won the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

In one closely-watched House race in Alabama, Rep. Martha Roby, one of a handful of Alabama Republicans who criticized Trump during his presidential campaign, was forced into a July runoff for the GOP nomination for her seat. Roby will face Bobby Bright, a former Democratic congressman, in the runoff in the state's 2nd congressional district, a conservative swath where loyalty to Trump became a central issue of the midterm primary.

In New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham won the state's Democratic gubernatorial primary. Grisham will run in the general election against Rep. Steve Pearce, who was unopposed in Tuesday's Republican primary.

Former state Democratic Party leader Debra Haaland has won the party's nomination for a congressional seat in New Mexico as she tries to become the country's first Native American congresswoman. Haaland will face former Republican state lawmaker Janice Arnold-Jones and Libertarian candidate Lloyd Princeton in the general election.

5 PRIMARY RACES TO WATCH TUESDAY THAT AREN'T IN CALIFORNIA

In Iowa, retired businessman Fred Hubbell won Tuesday's Democratic gubernatorial primary and will face off against incumbent Republican Governor Kim Reynolds.

In South Dakota, Rep. Kristi Noem defeated state Attorney General Marty Jackley in the state's Republican gubernatorial primary. Noem will advance to the general election in November, when she will face off against Billie Sutton, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

In Montana, State Auditor Matthew Rosendale has won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in the race to challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Tester in November. Rosendale defeated three other candidates in Tuesday's GOP primary. The 57-year-old has support from deep-pocketed Republican donors who want to deny Tester a third term.

The race between Rosendale and Tester will be under a spotlight. President Donald Trump vowed to make Tester pay for sinking his nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Democrats need to flip 23 GOP-held seats to wrest the House majority from Republicans this fall.

In California, Tuesday's primaries were seen as a big test of the Democratic Partys plan to regain control of the House.

TRUMP TWEETS PRIMARY DAY ENDORSEMENTS

The big question facing Democrats in California was whether their candidates enthusiasm could backfire. So many Democratic contenders have jumped into key races  largely running on an anti-Trump platform  that the overload threatens to split the vote and boost Republicans. Because of the state's unique election laws, results from some of the races may take days or weeks to finalize.

Californias jungle primary is set up to advance the top-two finishers to the general election regardless of party.

Republican Rep. Mimi Walters easily advanced to the November election in her Orange County district that has been targeted by Democrats. The second spot remained up for grabs early Wednesday.

In California's 48th district, which includes Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, Democrats face a potential scenario where two Republicans  and no Democrats  advance to November.

The seat is currently represented by GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, whos faced criticism over Russia-friendly rhetoric. But if Democrats split the vote too many ways on Tuesday, Republicans could grab the first and second ballot spots under the jungle primary system.

Over in Californias 49th district, Democrats see another opportunity in the seat soon to be vacated by retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa. They are also eyeing the seat of outgoing Republican Rep. Ed Royce, the chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, who has represented the states 39th district.

As for statewide races, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a liberal Democrat, will take one of the two top spots in California's gubernatorial primary, Fox News can project. He will face Republican businessman John Cox, who surged in the polls after an endorsement from the president. Newsom is widely expected to prevail against the GOP challenger in November.

Longtime incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., will finish first in the states Senate race despite her failure to secure the California Democratic Partys endorsement in February, Fox News can project. The fight for the second spot on the ballot is between the more liberal Democratic state Sen. Kevin de Leon and Republican James P. Bradley, among others.

Fox News Peter Doocy in California, Kaitlyn Schallhorn and The Associated Press contributed to this report.Who is Joseph Mifsud? And who, if anyone, was he working for when he helped ignite the Russia probe?

The story of the professor from Malta is an important, mysterious and curiously undercovered part of the Russia investigation.

While Mifsud is far from a household name, investigators say he was the one who told then-Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos in April 2016 that the Russians had dirt that could damage Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign.

Over drinks in London, Papadopoulos then told Australian diplomat Alexander Downer about his conversations with Mifsud. As the story goes, Downer informed U.S. officials, leading the FBI to open its Russia investigation during the 2016 election.

It has long been suggested -- in court documents filed by Special Counsel Robert Muellers team, by Democrats on Capitol Hill and in the media -- that Mifsud was connected to Russian intelligence.

But that assumption -- that Mifsud was working on behalf of the Kremlin and reached out to Papadopoulos on the Trump campaign to tell him about hacked Clinton emails -- is now coming under fresh scrutiny.

The most fishy parts of the story are: Is Mifsud really a Russian agent? former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy said Monday on Fox and Friends.

No evidence has been presented to support the claim, investigative journalist Lee Smith also wrote in a lengthy story about Mifsud for RealClearInvestigations. Although Mifsud has traveled many times to Russia and has contacts with Russian academics, his closest public ties are to Western governments, politicians, and institutions, including the CIA, FBI and British intelligence services.

Court documents from the special counsels office refer to Mifsud as an overseas professor with substantial connections to Russian government officials.

The Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee, in their report on Russias attempted interference in the election released in April, described Mifsud as Kremlin-linked.

But Mifsud also had Western ties at academic institutions like the Link Campus University in Rome, the University of Stirling in Scotland, the London Academy of Diplomacy and the London Center for International Law Practice.

If Mifsud wasnt working for Russia when he approached Papadopoulos, then who -- if anyone -- was he working for?

Fox News was unable to reach Mifsud, who has vanished from the public eye since his name surfaced in stories about the Russia investigation.

But Smith even raised the possibility that Mifsud may have actually been working with Western intelligence.

While most media accounts have simply repeated official claims that Mifsud is a sketchy character whose visits to Russia and academic contacts suggest he is working for Russian intelligence, a look at the available evidence challenges that narrative, Smith wrote. It also raises the possibility that Mifsud [may]have actually been working for Western intelligence agencies.

But that doesn't mean his conversation with Papadopoulos was part of any plot. In fact, Lee also suggested it is possible Mifsud wasnt working for anyone, and rather was a man who wanted to seem important by repeating a rumor hed heard to another man who also wanted to seem important.

In a recent piece for National Review, McCarthy also floated the possibility that Mifsud is little more than a Maltese academic who had no real Kremlin ties and no inside information about whether Russia actually possessed damaging information about Clinton, in the form of emails or otherwise.

In any case, Mifsud has become an important figure in Muellers probe.

Papadopoulos, who was 28 when he worked on the Trump campaign, pleaded guilty in October to lying to the FBI about his conversations with Mifsud.

A February memo released by the Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee said the intelligence passed on by the Australians about the diplomats meeting with Papadopoulos triggered the opening of an FBI counterintelligence investigation in late July 2016 by FBI agent Pete Strzok.

But Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos, the wife of the former Trump aide, told Fox News' Tucker Carlson that the discussion with Mifsud was little more than a "gossip conversation." She openly appealed to President Trump for a pardon if her husband faces prison.

The questions about Mifsud come as Trump is drawing attention to reports that the FBI used another individual as a confidential informant in connection with the Russia case. The informant met with several campaign officials, including Papadopoulos, during the 2016 race.

House Republicans have pressed for more information about that informant, asking who asked him to reach out to campaign officials.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.The summit between President Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un will take place at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island in Singapore on June 12, according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.

Sanders released a statement on Tuesday via her Twitter account detailing accommodations for the highly-anticipated summit slated for next week.

UPDATE: The venue for the Singapore summit between @POTUS and Leader Kim Jong Un will be the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island. We thank our great Singaporean hosts for their hospitality, Sanders tweeted Tuesday.

Sanders announcement comes after contradictory reports over the weekend on whether the U.S. would pay for Kims hotel in Singapore. The Washington Post reported that the U.S. was open to covering the costs for Kims travel.

A White House official denied that the U.S. would pay, according to CBS News. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert also denied that the U.S. would pay for the accommodations.

The U.S. is not paying for any accommodation costs for the North Korean delegation in Singapore, Nauert told Fox News.

The summit between Trump and Kim comes after days of talks between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean officials.

Last month, Trump canceled the summit following threatening language by Kim and North Koreans. The president penned a letter to Kim, notifying him of the cancellation.

But last week, former North Korean military intelligence official Kim Yong Chol met with Pompeo in New York City. Pompeo said he was confident that negotiations with the rogue regime were moving in the right direction.

Pompeo and Kim Yong Chol traveled to the White House to meet with the president, and hand-deliver him a letter from Kim.

After the meeting in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters the meeting for June 12 in Singapore was back on, calling the meeting with Kim Yong Chol a great start.

Fox News Alex Pappas contributed to this report.Two men are accused of swiping historical artifacts from a Royal Navy warship that sank in the Dover Strait at the beginning of WWI, the BBC reported Monday.

The HMS Hermes was sunk by a German submarine in the English Channel at the start of the war. UPI reported that the warship was designed to carry sea planes and was Britains first prototype aircraft carrier.

Authorities told the Canterbury Crown Court that the men used winching equipment to haul huge pieces of wrecks from the seabed.

John Blight and Nigel Ingram deny the fraud charges that stemmed from the alleged commercial exploitation of shipwrecks. The report said prosecutors said a torpedo hatch, launch panel and chinaware were found at Ingrams home.

The items were not declared, the report said. Similar items were reportedly found at Blights home.

Kent Police officers launched an investigation in August 2015 after being informed that a number of historical artifacts "had been reported missing from the wreck."

Ingram, 57, of Kent, reportedly told authorities that he took a condenser from the vicinity of the wreck, but did not believe it was from the actual ship. Blight, 58, from East Sussex, allegedly said he dove at the site but did not take anything.

Sky News reported that the wreck is considered a protected site because 44 souls died there.Experts have worked out how the ancient people of Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, were able to place massive stone hats on the islands famous statues.

A team of researchers that includes experts from Binghamton University, State University at New York, worked out that the islands inhabitants used a technique called parbuckling that uses ropes and a ramp.

"Of the many questions that surround the island's past, two tend to stand out: How did people of the past move such massive statues (moai) and how did they place such massive stone hats (pukao) on top of their heads?" said Carl Lipo, a professor of anthropology at Binghamton University, in a statement.

EASTER ISLAND'S ANCIENT CIVILIZATION WAS NOT DESTROYED BY WARFARE, EXPERTS SAY

With limited resources at their disposal, archaeologists have wondered how the islanders were able to move the cylindrical pukao, which weigh 13.2 tons (12 metric tons), across long distances.

After taking photos of the pukao, 3-D modeling was used to reveal key details of the giant stone hats, which are carved from red scoria, or volcanic rock.

Experts found that pukao were most likely rolled from the quarry to the location of the moai, and rolled up large ramps using the parbuckling technique.

PART OF EASTER ISLAND MYSTERY SOLVED

"In parbuckling, a line would have been wrapped around the pukao cylinder, and then people would have pulled the rope from the top of the platform," said Lipo. "This approach minimizes the effort needed to roll the statue up the ramp. Like the way in which the statues were transported, parbuckling was a simple and elegant solution that required minimum resources and effort."

Previous theories about pukao transport include sliding the stone hats up a ramp or gradually building a pile of stones beneath them.

"Easter Island is often treated as a place where prehistoric people acted irrationally, and that this behavior led to a catastrophic ecological collapse," said Lipo. "The archaeological evidence, however, shows us that this picture is deeply flawed and badly misrepresents what people did on the island, and how they were able to succeed on a tiny and remote place for over 500 years."

Experts from Penn State, the University of Oregon and the University of Arizona also participated in the research. The pukao studt was published in The Journal of Archaeological Sciences.

EASTER ISLAND ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT DIGS UP ISLAND'S SECRETS

The remote Pacific island, which is located more than 2,000 miles off the coast of Chile, continues to be a source of fascination for historians. In 2016, research conducted on artifacts from the island questioned the theory that the ancient civilization there was destroyed by warfare.

Experts, also from Binghamton University, studied hundreds of ancient items found on the shores of Easter Island. Previously, the artifacts were thought to be spear points, but analysis reveals that they were likely general purpose tools.

Carved from obsidian, or volcanic glass, thousands of the triangular objects, known as mata'a, litter the surface of the island.

Some scientists have estimated, that, at its height, Easter Islands population may have been as high as 20,000, but fell over centuries after the islands trees and palms were cut down to build canoes and transport its famous giant statues. One theory suggests that the deforestation led to soil erosion, impacting the islands ability to support wildlife and farming, and the collapse of its civilization.

When the Dutch arrived at the island in 1722, its population was 3,000 or less. Only 111 inhabitants were living on Easter Island by 1877.

However, other experts have questioned whether Easter Island ever supported a large population, citing instead the arrival of Europeans, who brought diseases and took islanders away as slaves.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogersIf you visit Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, beware: Portuguese men-of-war have been spotted along the shore, officials say.

In a Facebook post, the Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue warned beachgoers to avoid the creatures, as stepping on one or touching its tentacles can deliver a sharp sting.

According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, a washed-up man-of-war on the beach (even if it looks dried out) remains highly venomous: it should be treated respectfully and care should be taken to avoid touching the tentacles.

If you see these creatures lying on the beach please do not touch them. Please inform the lifeguard services or one of our beach patrols and we will make sure that it gets disposed of properly, the Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue wrote, adding that some men-of-war have been spotted on the north end of the beach.

Despite the way it looks, a man-of-war is not a true jellyfish the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said, nor is it a single animal.

Instead, the sea creature is a colony of numerous organisms called polyps (or zooids) that are so specialized that they cannot live without each other, according to the department.A nearly complete fossil of a mystery dinosaur thought to be 150 million years old was sold for nearly $2.4 million at an auction in Paris on Monday.

The dinosaur skeleton, which is largely intact, belongs to a yet-unknown species of dinosaur and has paleontologists and scientists buzzing about what it could be.

The skeleton is 70 percent complete, paleontologist Eric Mickeler and valuation expert for French auction house Aguttes told ABC News in an interview. This is remarkable to have such a large amount of original fossilized bones."

THE AGE OF DINOSAURS WAS LIKE A REAL LIFE 'GAME OF THRONES'

The mystery carnivore was once thought to be an allosaurus, Mickeler added, but noted that after an in-depth examination was done, "the skeleton presented major anatomical differences from known allosaurs  notably more teeth and distinctive bones."

The unidentified 150 million-year-old skeleton was discovered at the Morrison Formation site in Wyoming in 2013, Fox 23 reported. The remains of the ancient beast are 30 feet long and 9 feet high and Mickeler said this particular dino "died at an old age."

The buyer has so far remained anonymous, but told auctioneer Claude Aguttes that if they were to win the bidding, they would present it to the public, Reuters reported. The final price topped estimates, which were initially put at $2.1 million.

Some of the proceeds from the auction will go toward charities working with endangered species, Reuters added.

DINO-KILLING ASTEROID IMPACT WARMED EARTH'S CLIMATE FOR 100,000 YEARS

Aguttes, who later identified the seller only as a British businessman, said that the difficult-to-describe dino would "soon be lent to a museum, it will be studied by scientists, everything is perfect.

It's unclear who will eventually name the dinosaur, though the French auction house said the mystery buyer may be able to name the fossil.A small asteroid about the size of a boulder slammed into Earth's atmosphere Saturday (June 2), incinerating itself in a brilliant fireball caught on video.

Scientists discovered the asteroid, called 2018 LA, early Saturday. After a closer look at the space rock's trajectory, it "was determined to be on a collision course with Earth, with impact just hours away," NASA officials said in a statement. The asteroid hit Earth's atmosphere over the southern African nation of Botswana at 12:44 p.m. EDT (1644 GMT) while hurtling down at a whopping 38,000 mph (61,155 km/h). That's 10 miles (or 17 kilometers) every second!

Astronomers with the Catalina Sky Survey near Tucson, Arizona, were the first to discover the asteroid. The space rock was very faint, with observations suggesting it was just 6 feet (2 meters) across  small enough to burn up completely during its fiery plunge through the atmosphere, NASA officials said. [Asteroid Threat: Potentially Dangerous Space Rocks in Pictures]

"The discovery of asteroid 2018 LA is only the third time that an asteroid has been discovered to be on an impact trajectory," Paul Chodas, manager of the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, said in the statement. "It is also only the second time that the high probability of an impact was predicted well ahead of the event itself."

The asteroid's fiery demise was caught on camera by spectators, who later posted their footage to YouTube. In one video, from a farm between Ottosdal and Hartebeesfontein in South Africa, the asteroid appears as a brilliant streak that flares up into a spectacular fireball on the horizon.

Asteroid 2018 LA was nearly as far away as the moon (which is typically about 239,000 miles, or 384,600 km, from Earth) when it was discovered on Saturday, NASA officials said. It looked like little more than a streak in long-exposure images by the Catalina telescope.

"This was a much smaller object than we are tasked to detect and warn about," Lindley Johnson, NASA's planetary defense officer, said in the statement. "However, this real-world event allows us to exercise our capabilities and gives some confidence our impact prediction models are adequate to respond to the potential impact of a larger object."

Catalina Sky Survey astronomers reported the asteroid finding to the Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which managed to calculate a preliminary trajectory for the asteroid. That trajectory plot was the first hint that 2018 LA could hit Earth.

The Minor Planet Center then reported the asteroid to CNEOS. JPL's automated Scout system, which tracks asteroids, confirmed 2018 LA was on a collision course with Earth and sent observation alerts out to asteroid observers to try spotting it.

While this isn't the first time a small asteroid has been spotted just before it hit Earth, it certainly isn't that common. Only two other instances come to mind, according to JPL.

On Oct. 7, 2008, the 13-foot (4 m) asteroid 2008 TC3 hit Earth over northern Sudan. That asteroid was spotted 19 hours before impact, enough time for scientists to plot a precise trajectory for the falling space rock. Later expeditions used that trajectory to find meteorite fragments of 2008 TC3.

The second event occurred Jan. 1, 2014, when the asteroid 2014 AA was spotted just a few hours before it fell over the Atlantic Ocean.

All three asteroids were discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey while astronomer Richard Kowalski was overseeing observations, NASA officials said. NASA scientists and astronomers around the world regularly observe the sky for any signs of potentially dangerous asteroids that could pose an impact threat to Earth.

Neither asteroid 2018 LA nor its two predecessors were large enough to cause the type of damage seen in 2013, when an asteroid about 56 feet (17 m) wide exploded over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk. The fireball shattered windows and damaged thousands of buildings, leaving more than 1,200 people injured.

Original article on Space.com.NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has apparently found something intriguing on Mars, and the space agency will unveil the discovery Thursday (June 7).

The space agency revealed few details about what will be announced Thursday, but the "live discussion" will feature "new science results from NASA's Mars Curiosity rover," according to a NASA announcement. Why all the secrecy? "The results are embargoed by the journal Science until then," NASA wrote in the statement.

That means NASA won't release any details until the press conference, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT) on Thursday. You can watch the Mars announcement live on Space.com, courtesy of NASA TV. The space agency did reveal the list of scientists who will be discussing the Mars discovery. [See Curiosity's Greatest Mars Discoveries (So Far)]

According to NASA, Thursday's Mars science discussion will be hosted by Michelle Thaller, the assistant director of science for communications in the agency's Planetary Science Division. Presenters will include:

Paul Mahaffy, director of the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland

Jen Eigenbrode, a research scientist at the Goddard center;

Chris Webster, a senior research fellow at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California;

Ashwin Vasavada, NASA's Mars Science Laboratory project scientist at JPL. (Mars Science Laboratory is the full name of the Curiosity rover's $2.5 billion mission.)

NASA will webcast Thursday's Curiosity Mars rover discussion on its NASA TV channel, as well as Facebook Live, Twitch TV, Ustream, YouTube and Twitter/Periscope. You'll be able to ask questions of the panel via social media using by tagging your posts with #askNASA.

The Curiosity rover has been exploring Mars since it landed in August 2012. The rover recently began drilling into the Martian surface for the first time in 18 months. It is steadily climbing Mount Sharp, a 3-mile-high (5 kilometers) mountain in the center of a region known as Gale Crater.

Visit Space.com Thursday for complete coverage of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity announcement.

Original article on Space.com.The Pentagon has completed initial draft plans for several emerging low-yield sea-launched nuclear weapons intended to deter potential attackers and add new precision strike options to those currently possible with the existing arsenal.

While final requirements for both a low-yield sea-launched nuclear cruise missile and long-range sub-launched low-yield warhead are still in development, Pentagon officials tell Warrior Maven the process has taken several substantial new steps forward.

The Nuclear Weapons Council has met and approved the draft plan moving forward. The NWC agreed to allow the National Nuclear Security Administration to begin developing scope, schedule and costs for this activity, Lt. Col. Michelle Baldanza, Pentagon spokeswoman, told Warrior Maven.

Citing the administrations Nuclear Posture Review released earlier this year, Baldanza said a new set of identified low yield requirements is currently being used as the basis for initial study work and as the baseline for the program.

The new lower-yield nuclear weapons are intended to give command authorities a wider range of attack options should they be needed to hold potential adversaries at risk amid high-threat confrontations, Secretary of Defense James Mattis told Congress earlier this year.

Many of the particular technical configurations are still to be determined, however the Pentagon planners have outlined an initial sketch of what these weapons might include, Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project, Federation of American Scientists, told Warrior Maven.

One of the proposed options, he explained, might involve a first-of-its kind low-yield option wherein a different warhead would be configured onto existing nuclear armed Trident II D5 submarine launched nuclear missiles. Low-yield is as it sounds - smaller, more surgical and less destructive than most nuclear weapons.

"There are currently over 1,000 nuclear warheads in the US arsenal that have low-yield options. A yield is considered low if its 20 kilotons or less," an essay from the Federation of American Scientists states.

The Trident, currently launched from ballistic missile submarines, carry a W-76 thermonuclear warhead carried inside a Mk-4 re-entry vehicle. It primarily functioned in the 80s a Cold War weapon and has since been upgraded many times.

The Trident could be modified to low-yield by disabling or preferably replacing the uranium canned sub-assembly to only the primary- the plutonium trigger  detonates with the relatively limited yield of 5-6 kt, Kristensen explained. That is much less complicated than building an entirely new warhead.

(An essay from the "Arms Control Association" describes a canned sub-assembly as the secondary part of a nuclear explosive package comprised of uranium and lithium-deuteride. Plutonium is used during the primary stage, )

The principle advantage of this kind of weapon, is that it would offer a yet-to-exist long-range low-yield sea launched weapon. The existing Trident II D5 has a massive 100-kiloton yield, bringing massive destructive power to large swaths of territories  entire cities and well beyond.

We dont have a low-yield warhead on a long-range ballistic missile; and we have never had that, Kristensen said.

A massively smaller 5-or-6 kt warhead on a Trident would still bring the advantage of long-range attack, yet afford smaller scope, and therefore less destructive, attack possibilities. --To Read Warrior Maven's Trident II D5 Modernization Report CLICK HERE --

A low-yield Trident W76-2 warhead would be harder to defend against than a warhead delivered by a bomber or a cruise missile, Kristensen said.

The 130,000-pound Trident II D5 missile can travel 20,000-feet per second, according to Navy figures. The missiles cost $30 million each.

The "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists" further describes the weapon -- "The Trident D5s carry three types of warheads: the 100-kiloton W76/Mk-4, the 100-kiloton W76-1/Mk-4A, and the 455-kiloton W88/Mk-5 warhead, the highest-yield ballistic missile warhead in the U.S. arsenal."

This low-yield nuclear missile option does appear to add something not currently present in the US arsenal. While the emerging B-21 will be configured to fire lower-yield, more precise B61 Mod 12 weapons, a sub launched nuclear weapon bring newer avenues of attack and long-range strike without having to be over or near heavily defended areas from the air. The newer B61 Mod 12, Kristensen said, will bring even greater levels of precision than other lower-yield weapons such as the new W76-2 warhead for the Trident. --- To Read Warrior Maven's Report on Arming the F-35 With the B-61 Mod 12 CLICK HERE.

Also, the now-in-development Air Force Long-Range Stand-Off weapon, an air launched nuclear cruise missile, will bring additional airborne attack options  particularly when it comes to areas well-defended by advanced, high-tech air defense systems, where stealth aircraft might have more difficulty operating.

The LRSO, which could also be launched at farther stand-off ranges, is also designed for extremely high-risk areas armed with advanced air defense systems.

Some Russian-built air defenses, the S-400 in particular, currently leverage new digital networking technology and faster computer processing speeds designed to enable the detection of some stealth aircraft in certain scenarios. At the same time, the Air Forces B-21 is being engineered with a new generation of stealth technology intended to elude any defenses anywhere in the world.

Regardless, sea-launched low-yield weapons would bring attack options without placing air crews in harms way.

The other proposed nuclear weapons application, according to those identified by the NPR, is a shorter-range sea-launched cruise missile. Nuclear cruise missile options, potentially fired from a submarine or ship, can bring even more precision than a Trident configured with a low yield weapon, Kristensen said. -- To Read Warrior Maven's Report on Navy Plans to Add a Nuclear Weapon to Virginia-Class Attack Submarines CLICK HERE ---

A sea launched cruise missile could include a handful of possibilities. The Pentagon previously had a nuclear armed Tomahawk missile, which was retired in 2011. In addition, Kristensen said that a W80-1 warhead currently configured on the Air Launched Cruise Missile (to be replaced by the LRSO), could be adapted to fire on a Tomahawk.

A weapons level of precision is often described in terms of whats called Circular Error Probable (CEP). CEP stands for the area or radius of a circle in which 50-percent of the rounds will strike or land. Kristensen explained that while a low-yield Trident II D5 can bring a CEP of about 130-180 meters, an ALCM W80-1 is more precise, hitting a CEP of 30meters. A sea-launched cruise missile, therefore, would offer even greater levels of pinpoint attack, bringing more targeted or limited destruction.

Some have raised the question as to whether a sea-launched nuclear cruise missile could be fired from Vertical Launch Systems on board a surface ship such as a Navy destroyer. The answer, Kristensen said, is yes  but with many difficulties.

That would require modifying a warhead and incorporating it into a cruise missile. The ship or attack submarine would then have to be upgraded with a nuclear-certified launch control system and communications, and the crew would have to be trained and certified to carry out the mission, he said.

When testifying before Congress earlier this year, Secretary Mattis and other senior Pentagon leaders explained the NPR and its rationale for adding new low-yield nuclear attack weapons.

They stressed that neither of these new nuclear weapons recommendations in the NPR require developing new nuclear warheads or will result in increasing the size of the nuclear stockpile. NPR DoD advocates further stressed that the addition of these weapons does align with US non-proliferation commitments.

Lower the Threshold to Nuclear War

Mattis and other senior leaders seem aware that elements of the NPRs strategic approach may reflect a particular irony or paradox; in response to questions from lawmakers about whether adding new low-yield nuclear weapons could lower the threshold to nuclear war and therefore introduce new elements of danger, Mattis told Congress that increasing offensive nuclear-weapons attack capability will have the opposite effect, meaning the added weapons would improve deterrence and therefore enhance prospects for peace.

Specifically, Mattis explained that a new, low-yield Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile could likely provide pressure on Russia to a point where they might be more inclined to negotiate about adhering to the INF treaty they have violated.

We have an ongoing Russian violation of the INF. We want our negotiators to have something to negotiate with because we want Russia back in compliance, Mattis told lawmakers earlier this year.

Furthermore, Russias recently announced new nuclear cruise missile is of course not lost on anyone at the Pentagon.

A nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile and the modification of a small number of existing submarine launched ballistic missile warheads to provide a low-yield option  will enhance deterrence by ensuring no adversary under any circumstances can perceive an advantage through limited nuclear escalation or other strategic attack, Gen. Paul Selva, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters earlier this year, according to a DoD transcript.

Deterring Russia is a specific focus outlined in the NPR. While many observers see adding low-yield weapons as an "escalate to de-escalate" type of approach, the Federation of American Scientists writes that Russia's nuclear posture is potentially more aggressive - something which can be described as "escalate to win."

From the Nuclear Posture Review:

-----Russias belief that limited nuclear first use, potentially including low-yield weapons, can provide such an advantage is based, in part, on Moscows perception that its greater number and variety of non-strategic nuclear systems provide a coercive advantage in crises and at lower levels of conflict. Recent Russian statements on this evolving nuclear weapons doctrine appear to lower the threshold for Moscows first-use of nuclear weapons ---

This article originally appeared on Warrior Maven.A Canadian woman says she was just checking the time, a police officer says her mind wasn't fully on driving, and an Ontario judge has sided with the cop.

The National Post reports Victoria Ambrose was found guilty of breaking a distracted-driving law, after a University of Guelph police officer whose vehicle was stopped next to hers at a red light in April says he noticed a "glow" in her car from an electronic device, per his testimony in front of Justice of the Peace Lloyd Phillipps.

The cop added he saw Ambrose glance up and down about four times and that she was slow to start moving when the light turned green.

(Gizmodo notes unless the Apple Watch is in "Wrist Raise" mode, the user needs to tap the display once to activate it to check the time, then tap it again to deactivate.) The cop says he had to shine a light to get her to go, at which point he pulled her over and ticketed her.

The case came down to Ontario's anti-distracted-driving law, which bans driving "while holding or using a handheld wireless communication device." Although Ambrose tried to argue the Apple Watch shouldn't be considered a handheld device, Phillipps said the watch was "no less a source of distraction than a cellphone taped to someone's wrist" and that it was "abundantly clear," based on the cop's testimony, that Ambrose was distracted.

Gizmodo points out various studies that lend credence to the judge's decision, with research suggesting not only are hands-free devices in general not safer than handheld devices while driving, but also that smartwatches in particular slow down driver response timeand were found to be even more distracting than a regular smartphone.

Ambrose was hit with a $400 fine for her time check. (An Apple Watch turned out to be a lifesaver for this Brooklyn man.)

This article originally appeared on Newser: Cop Pulled Up to a Light. In the Car Next to Him, a 'Glow'From the publisher: The Emmy award-winning news anchor of Outnumbered Overtime with Harris Faulkner and co-host of the talk show Outnumbered shares the lessons she learned growing up in a military family paying homage to the military ideals that shaped her and showing how everyone can benefit from bringing the wisdom of military service into their lives.

Born into a military family, Harris Faulkner revered her father, a decorated career officer who served three tours of duty in Vietnam and raised his children with the values and ideals of the U.S. military. Accompanying him from posting to posting, young Harris experienced firsthand how success in life was rooted in the knowledge, integrity, and leadership that came from her military surroundings. Indeed, these formative lessons in leadership and work ethic became the guiding principles for her career as a journalist, lessons she credits with her rise to become one of the top hosts on FOX News.

Now, she shares the advice, wisdom, and tools that she absorbed through her military upbringing, examining how these ideals have shaped her professional and personal outlook and how everyone can incorporate them into their own lives. Using her fathers career as the backdrop to her experience, she explores the lessons in courage, duty, patriotism, and responsibility that helped her succeed, demonstrating the truth to the axiom that in military families everyone servestogether. Along the way she also interviews current and former military families, generals and other officers, and tells stories from her fathers career to illuminate how and why the message and mission of the military is so effective at changing lives both on and off the battlefield.

Illustrated with sixteen pages of never-before-seen photos of her early life and career, this instructive book, part memoir, part motivational life guide, reminds us of our most important valuesthe keys to a successful life.One British mother is chastising Walt Disney World for a disgraceful lack of adequate public restroom facilities, a frustrating discovery made during a recent trip to the Orlando, Fla. theme park with her 9-year-old-son with quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Now, the vocal mom is petitioning the park to make its restrooms truly accessible for all.

In April, Laura and Kevin Moore were disheartened to realize early on in their vacation to Disney World with son William that there were no adult sized changing beds and lifting hoists in any of the parks public bathrooms, the Daily Mail reported on June 5.

DRAGON FLOAT CATCHES FIRE DURING DISNEY WORLD PARADE, PARK OFFICIALS SAY

William uses a wheelchair and cannot sit or stand unaided, but can alert his parents when he needs to go to the bathroom. His mother says it has become increasingly difficult to lift her son from his chair to the toilet as he has grown, with the parks lack of hoists making their getaway from Worthing, West Sussex, all the more complicated.

"It's disgraceful that the biggest theme park on the planet doesn't cater for everybody."  Laura Moore

If they spent a day in their park with me and my son, they would immediately know there was a problem, Laura told the outlet. They can make all these amazing rides but they can't put a changing hoist in a toilet. It's disgraceful that the biggest theme park on the planet doesn't cater for everybody.

Disney is one of the richest companies in the world and they work with Make A Wish [Foundation] so disabled people are coming every day, she further mused. When you go, you see usually 25 or so children and adults who would need that kind of facility.

Laura contacted Disney officials and was shocked to hear that the park would investigate her complaint, but did not immediately commit to initiate changes.

Disney did not return Fox News request for additional comment on the request.

Disney returned Fox News' request for comment with the following statement:

Inclusivity and accessibility are hallmarks of our approach to guest serviceand everyone should feel welcome and comfortable at a Disney park. Were proud of our track record of award-winning services for guests with disabilities, and our restrooms align with all accessibility regulations," a representative said.

"Beyond that, we also offer facilities with space and privacy for those who may need assistance with their personal care. Our Services for Guests with Disabilities team is always available, and can provide information and assistance before and during a guests visit."

WOMAN GRADUATES COLLEGE 21 HOURS AFTER GIVING BIRTH

Meanwhile, the Moores are not the only family feeling irate with the megaparks lack of accessible restroom facilities. Lauren Senior of Bridport, Dorset told the Mail that her family was left fuming over the same disappointing issue when they realized that Disney Worlds restrooms could not fully accommodate the needs of her disabled brother during a recent visit.

We knew before we went that they didn't have the facilities, so we contacted them ahead but they said there was nothing they were willing to do about it, Senior said of her familys efforts to coordinate accommodations ahead of their trip for her 20-year-old brother Jacob, who has terminal wasting disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He's fully continent, he just needs the hoist to get him out of his clothes and onto the toilet, she explained.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

We found it really disappointing. The changes required are a drop in the ocean for Disney but they would make such a huge difference to these children, she added. It is hurtful to find out how little they value people like Jacob. It's 2018 so it's shocking that this can still happen.

Disneys website page for services for guests with disabilities features the following information on restrooms & companion restrooms:

Restrooms at the theme parks offer facilities designed for access by Guests with mobility disabilities. Companion-assisted restroom facilities are also available at various locations in each theme park, a statement reads. Theme park First Aid locations have facilities with additional space and privacy for individuals who may need assistance from a member of their party with their personal care needs.Police officer and firefighters in Arkansas joined forces to help celebrate a teenager's birthday after only three people showed up to his party.

Bradley Butler of Russellville, Arkansas turned 15 last week. In light of the event, his father, Ben, decided to throw a birthday party for the boy, who has autism, at a local arcade. While 30 people said they would be there, only a few actually showed, Ben told Fox 16.

"We had about 30 people R.S.V.P but only three people showed; two of Bradley's friends and one adult," he said.

Thats when Ben decided to call longtime friend Sgt. Mark Frost with the Russellville Police Department, asking if he could help out. But he never expected what happened next.

"Next thing I knew we had about 8 officers, 7 patrol cars, the Russellville Fire Department," Ben told the news station. Frost told Fox 16 birthdays are important for kids, adding that they need to celebrate with people.

Bradley was happy the firefighters and police officers were able to help him celebrate.

"It made me sad, but I had all my close friends with me, so that's all I needed," Bradley told Fox 16.

On Facebook, the police department said its members were proud that we were able to make this party a little bit brighter for the birthday boy.

We even invited the Russellville Fire Department to crash the party with us. Thanks to all who made this possible, the Russellville Police Department added.Authorities are seeking the publics help to identify a baby, no more than two weeks old, who was found floating in the water off the Florida coast.

Off-duty Boynton Beach firefighter Chris Lemieux found the child floating about 100 feet off the Boynton Beach Inlet while he was fishing with two friends. He initially thought the baby girl was a doll when he spotted the body in the water.

A big piece of what we need right now is the parents, Capt. Steven Strivelli said at a Monday news conference. Its gut-wrenching and we hate seeing it, and we really, desperately want to get to the bottom of what happened.

Details about the baby remain a mystery, including her race and ethnicity. Police said the baby was found naked, appeared to be a healthy weight, and had black hair and dark skin. There were no other identifying marks  stumping investigators trying to identify the child.

"We have actually tried our best to identify the nationality of the child, but we cannot rule out any one," Stravelli said.

DNA testing will be conducted to help identify the child. An autopsy will also be done to determine if the baby had died before she entered the water or had drowned.

Authorities also released an artist rendering showing how the baby may have looked like when she was just born.

Stravelli said it's also unclear whether the baby was placed in the water from a boat, by someone wading into the water or tossed from shore or a nearby bridge.

He said it is also possible she had been on a boat bringing immigrants illegally from Cuba, Haiti or elsewhere. The area is a frequent landing spot. Detectives have some theories, but would not provide further information.

Lemieux told the Palm Beach Post on Friday it was too late for him to save the baby girl when he found her on Friday.

We couldnt have done anything to help the baby. It was beyond help, Lemieux told the newspaper.

Stravelli said anyone with information should call 561-688-4155.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.Jack Phillips, the unlikely plaintiff in a case that went all the way to the highest court in the land, said he's ready to get back into the wedding industry.

"It was a big win for us," said Phillips in an interview with Fox and Friends the day after the ruling. "And now we're just looking forward to hopefully being back in the wedding business and we'll see how the court ruling affects that."

When word came down Monday morning that U.S. Supreme Court Justices sided with him in his six-year fight defending his right to deny a wedding cake to a same-sex couple, Phillips was relieved.

Phillips lost 40 percent of his business after the initial lawsuit was filed six years ago. He has since been forced to lay off workers. He said he hopes the ruling will boost business.

But the way in which the 7-2 opinion was grounded leaves much in the air, according to Fox Senior Judicial Analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano.

There will be many more of these cases filed because the problem with the decision yesterday is it doesnt resolve the issues, he said. It invites challenges and litigation on these issues and I think youll see those beginning to pop up all over the country.

In 2012, fiances Charlie Craig and David Mullins attempted to order a cake to celebrate their upcoming wedding, from the Masterpiece Cakeshop, in Lakewood, Colo. Phillips, the owner, told them he would sell them any other baked goods in his store, but would not design a wedding cake because it was in conflict with his Christian beliefs.

Craig and Mullins filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which ruled in their favor, as did the Colorado Court of Appeals.

In its determination in favor of Phillips, the high court did not alter Colorado's anti-discrimination law, instead the case turned on the way in which the baker was treated by the commission.

Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote, "...some of the commissioners at the commission's formal, public hearings endorsed the view that religious beliefs cannot legitimately be carried into the public sphere or commercial domain, disparaged Philips' faith as despicable and characterized it as merely rhetorical, and compared his invocation of his sincerely held religious beliefs to defenses of slavery and the holocaust."

Craig, Mullins, and the ACLU, which assisted in the case, agreed, on that part of the decision.

"We never disagreed about his religious convictions, Craig said. We just think when you open the doors to the public, you have to serve everyone equally."

Kristen Waggoner, Phillips attorney, insists this isn't about discrimination, but religious freedom, which she said the high court affirmed.

Jack loves and serves anyone who walks into this store, all walks of life but he's never promoted all messages through his cakes. He's declined a number of different cakes  Halloween messages, cakes that would celebrate divorce."

With the ruling so specific to failed transaction between the parties, and the way in which one was treated by the commission, it leaves opportunity for Phillips to receive an almost identical request, should he begin designing cakes for weddings, once again.

"It's my understanding if another same sex couple walks into this job, he still has to serve him just like he has to serve anybody else, " Craig said.

Napolitano says SCOTUS may soon see a similar case on its docket.

There is nothing to stop the same couple or a similarly situated couple to trigger the same process, he said. In fact, I would imagine that plans are afoot as we speak to trigger the same process with the same baker.A Florida teacher has been fired and another reassigned after their principal allegedly walked in on them having sex inside an elementary school classroom about an hour before the days opening bell.

"I told both of them to put their clothes on and meet me at my office," Heights Elementary School Principal Doug Palow was quoted as writing in a recent investigative report sent to district officials in Fort Myers.

Palow said he made his way inside the locked classroom around 6:53 a.m. on May 4, and found Justin Pinto, 24, shirtless while pulling up his pants, and Samantha Wilhide wearing nothing but a bra, the Fort Myers News-Press reported.

Wilhide, while talking to Assistant Principal Karen Wood, claimed that it was the first time that she had sex with Pinto in the classroom  but also questioned why she was in trouble, the report adds.

"She said, 'I am doing this on my own time and not being paid,'" Palow wrote, according to the Fort Myers News-Press.

A district spokesman told the newspaper that Wilhide will receive a hearing with officials regarding the allegations and that she has been reassigned to their administrative office for the time being.

Pinto, a first year teacher at the district, has been fired.

"Justin did not say anything but 'I am sorry,' as he left my office," the report said after Palow met with him on May 4.

A district report reviewed by the Fort Myers News-Press said additionally, multiple female colleagues reported that Mr. Pinto made inappropriate comments and/or sexual advances toward them during the 2017-18 school year.

Palow also claimed that surveillance footage shows the two teachers meeting in Pintos classroom numerous times in the early morning hours.

He said he was tipped off to the alleged incidents by a fellow teacher who became suspicious, and later watched the teachers, through a hallway security camera, go into the classroom on May 4.A Kentucky high school valedictorian was giving an inspirational speech to his graduation class on Saturday and decided to pull a trick out of his cap.

Ben Bowling, 18, the valedictorian of Bell County High School in Pineville, left the packed crowd with an inspirational quote he said was attributable to President Trump.

Dont just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table  Donald J. Trump.

The crowd cheered and applauded the quote, but instantly fell silent when Bowling revealed who actually said the statement.

Just kidding. That was Barack Obama, he said. The room quickly fell silent and a boo was heard.

"The crowd erupted in applause and before they could even finish clapping I said I was kidding and the applause quickly died," Bowling told the Louisville Courier-Journal.

MAN WOUNDED AFTER POLICE SAY HE FIRED AT KENTUCKY OFFICER

The quote Bowling gave to the audience was one Obama made during a commencement speech in 2012 at Barnard College.

Bowling said he didnt mean anything bad by trolling the crowd. He said he meant it to be funny.

I just thought it was a really good quote, Bowling explained. Most people wouldnt like it if I used it, so I thought Id use Donald Trumps name. It is southeastern Kentucky after all.

The school, located in Bell County, overwhelmingly supported Trump in the 2016 election with nearly 80 percent voting for the commander in chief.

Despite the silence, Bowling said he has not received any backlash from the speech and some members of the audience found it funny.

"Y'all, no lie - the valedictorian just quoted Trump and everyone cheered ... then he told us that it was actually an Obama quote. Best part of the day. I'm rolling," Alisha Russell, a law student who attended the ceremony, tweeted.

LARGE EXPLOSION AT KENTUCKY UPS FACILITY LEAVES 2 WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES, OFFICIALS SAY

Bowling said he will be attending the University of Kentucky in the fall and plans to study biology.

"I'm really excited to go to college," Bowling said. "There's more freedom in college and there's also way more places to eat in Lexington."A Scottish man trying to sail across the Atlantic by himself in a custom-built rowboat made landfall just days into his voyage  but in a place thousands of miles away from his intended destination.

Duncan Hutchison, of Lochinver, had to be rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday after bad weather caused his boat to drift around 20 miles east of Barnegat Light along the New Jersey coastline. He had set sail from Jersey City last Thursday, hoping to travel more than 3,000 miles in 90 to 100 days and raise money for Water Aid  a charity that aims to deliver clean water to underdeveloped countries.

"It was great to use my skills as a surfman to navigate the heavy seas and wind, and my crew did an outstanding job making this a successful rescue," Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Thornton said following the rescue, according to Fox 5 New York. "We highly recommended always checking the weather before departing on any ocean excursion because conditions can change instantly."

The 52-year-old, on his website, described being out in the ocean as his passion and said he built the boat himself and named it Sleipnir, after an 8-legged horse from Norse mythology "legendary for his strength, courage and speed."

The Atlantic Row will involve rowing at least for 12 hours, each day, for 3 months as well as coping with the various hazards the North Atlantic Ocean can present such as Hurricanes/ Shipping/ Debris/Icebergs, he wrote.

Hutchison hoped that currents in the Atlantic would set him on his way, but according to GPS data of his journey, he and the boat veered sharply back to land Saturday night along the Jersey Shore before he radioed the Coast Guard for help. The boat eventually ran ashore.

"I am doing this to prove that normal people can build a boat and row it across the Atlantic," Hutchison told the BBC before he had set out on the voyage. "That is the idea, to prove that normal people can do unusual things."

A Facebook page tracking his progress said Hutchison hopes to try again soon. However, he is not the only one from Scotland trying to sail this route to raise money for charity  Niall Iain Macdonald, of Stornoway, is currently on his third attempt. He set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, nearly two weeks ago.A Michigan State University health physicist was charged Monday on two counts of sodomy for allegedly committing bestiality, The Lansing State Journal reported.

Joseph Hattey, 51, was released from Ingham County Jail on a personal-recognizance bond following his arraignment, FOX 2 reported.

When asked by a FOX 2 reporter about the accusations as he left the jailhouse, Hattey said I don't want to be on camera, no comment.

WARNING GRAPHIC DETAILS

Hattey is accused of penetrating a basset hound with both hands and penis, the newspaper reported. The charges came down after a joint investigation by the Ingham County Sheriffs Office and the citys animal control.

Hattey, who has been suspended by the university since April 17, is accused of having sex with the hound for a period between January and March of this year, the station reported.

The dog is now in the custody of the citys animal control.

Hattey was suspended by the school on April 17 after it learned about a criminal investigation into the alleged acts of sodomy with a dog, the report said.

The university said in a statement that Hattey worked with the Environmental Health and Safety Unit, noting the position does not work with students, patients or animals.

The university has been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials on this matter, Emily Guerrant, an MSU spokeswoman, said in a statement. MSUPD is providing digital forensic support in the investigation.

Authorities and university officials said the alleged crime did not take place on campus, nor did it involve animals associated with the school.

Hattey pleaded not guilty, according to mlive.com. He is due back in court on June 14, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, the station reported.

Michigan State University is still reeling from the aftermath of former team doctor Larry Nassar, who was convicted in January of numerous sex crimes. The university reached a $500 million settlement in May for the hundreds of victims who said Nassar molested them.New Jersey police officers connected to the dramatic beach arrest last month of a 20-year-old suspected of underage drinking will not be hit with criminal charges, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

A preliminary investigation into the violent May 26 altercation, which was captured on video, found that "the actions" of the Wildwood police officers who arrested Emily Weinman did not meet the evidentiary standards to warrant criminal charges, under state law, a news release from the Cape May County Prosecutors Office said.

The office said they came to the conclusion after reviewing police body camera video of the arrest and video shot by a beachgoer, as well as interviews from multiple witnesses and other related materials.

NJ OFFICER SEEN PUNCHING WOMAN IN THE HEAD DURING ARREST AT POPULAR BEACH; POLICE INVESTIGATE

Initial video of the incident captured a Wildwood police officer punching Weinman twice and placing her in a chokehold before she was arrested.

In body camera video released by police, Weinman refuses to provide authorities with her last name after taking a breathalyzer test and being told by an officer that he's going to have her pour out the alcohol. As officers try to arrest her, she runs away, shouting profanities and telling them not to handcuff her.

Weinman resists arrest and as the officer continues to approach, she "forcibly struck" him in the torso, Police Chief Robert Regalbuto said  an action he claimed turned the officer's body camera off. It was apparently reactivated as the two struggled in the sand.

The officer punches the woman twice  as voices in the background could be heard shouting "stop resisting"  before Weinman spits in the direction of one of the officers.

Following the altercation, the involved officers were reassigned to administrative duty.

WILDWOOD POLICE RELEASE BODYCAM VIDEO OF VIOLENT ARREST

As County Prosecutor, I recognize that the video footage has raised a lot of questions regarding the officers actions, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland said in the news release. A decision such as this is not based on emotion; it is based upon applying the proper laws, policies and directives that govern law enforcement.

Amid the prosecutors offices decision, the Internal Affairs Unit of the Wildwood Police Department will hold an administrative investigation, the office said.

Fox News Frank Miles, Nicole Darrah and The Associated Press contributed to this report.A North Dakota charity has opened an emergency center for burn victims and orphaned children in Guatemala following the recent volcanic eruption in the Central American country that killed dozens of people.

The Bismarck-based God's Child Project opened the shelter at its facility in Antigua, Guatemala. Hannah Tollefsrud, the organization's community engagement coordinator, tells the Bismarck Tribune that the group converted the Casa Jackson Hospital for Malnourished Infants into a temporary triage center.

She said the organization expects to feed, clothe, shelter and provide medical assistance to thousands of people in the coming weeks.

"We will do everything in our power to help everyone that we can," she said.

The volcanic eruption Sunday surprised residents in remote mountain communities, which had little time to evacuate. At least 69 people were killed, though Guatemalan authorities expect the death toll to rise.

God's Child Project is able to provide immediate assistance with medicine and medical supplies donations from Sanford Health and Mid-Dakota Clinic that were already stored at the facility in Guatemala.

Tollefsrud said the organization also recently received hundreds of free shirts that were transported to Guatemala a few months ago. Those are now being distributed from the emergency shelter.

"For people affected by the pyroclastic flow and ash, those clean clothes are vital," Tollefsrud said.

The organization's buildings were also damaged by the searing ash and mud that will need extensive repair after the group provides emergency care.

___

Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.comAn Oregon man on drugs stole a car in front of deputies and thought he was in a real-life version of the video game Grand Theft Auto when he led authorities on a 40-mile chase Saturday, police said.

Anthony Clark, 23, of Grant Pass, told police he had taken LSD when he got into a Toyota Camry that two Jackson County deputies were waiting to tow after an unrelated DUI stop, the sheriffs office said.

The sheriffs office said Clark sped through multiple towns, crashed through a fence, ran over spike strops twice and drove down several roads the wrong way, according to The Oregonian.

Clark was arrested after ramming into another police cruiser, fleeing into a mobile home park and trying to steal another vehicle, police said. The sheriffs office said no one was hurt during the chase, according to the newspaper.

Clark admitted to taking drugs and hallucinating while he was being interviewed by officers, the sheriffs office said. The Oregonian, citing a probable cause affidavit, reported Clark got into the Toyota after getting out of the passenger side of a truck nearby and told a deputy that he was going to steal the car.

The man is facing a bevy of charges from three different law enforcement agencies, according to KDRV-TV.

Clark was charged by the Jackson County Sheriffs Office with attempting to elude an officer in a vehicle, attempting to elude an officer on foot, driving under the influence of intoxicants, unauthorized use of a vehicle, reckless driving, and reckless endangering another person.

He was charged by the Ashland Police Department with recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving, first-degree criminal mischief, attempting to elude an officer in a vehicle, second-degree criminal trespass and unlawful entry into a vehicle. Oregon State Police charged Clark with recklessly endangering another person and third-degree escape.An Oregon man broke a womans arm, beat her and then attacked her fiancee in a bitter road rage attack Friday night, police said.

Jay Allen Barbeau, 49, of Redmond, was arrested on three counts of assault and single counts of criminal mischief and reckless driving, according to The Oregonian. He is being held in Deschutes County Jail.

Megan Stackhouse and Lucina Mann were both injured in the attack at a traffic circle in Bend, The Oregonian reported. The couple had just left a carnival when they were trying to merge into heavy traffic and pulled in front of a truck.

The truck, which Barbeau was allegedly driving, tailed the women for blocks, Stackhouse told the newspaper. She said she pulled over on a road to let the man pass, but instead he got out of his car and attacked them.

Barbeau shattered the couple's rear window with his fist and then reached into the car, grabbed Stackhouses arm through the open drivers side window and bent it until it snapped, she said.

It was a compound fracture, Stackhouse told The Oregonian.

Mann then tried to run around to stop the attack when Barbeau threw her down head first onto the concrete, knocking her unconscious, according to the newspaper. Stackhouse said she recalled a female passenger who was with Barbeau urge him to flee the scene.

Officers arrived on the scene before Barbeau could flee.The registered sex offender who abducted a 7-month-old girl in Virginia sparking a massive search over the weekend was caught by police on Tuesday.

Danville Police posted on Twitter that the child, Emma Grace Kennedy, was found safe and her father, 51-year-old Carl Ray Kennedy, is now in custody.

Investigators found the pair on Tuesday in Randleman, N.C., and said the toddler -- who is being evaluated at a local hospital -- appears to be in good health. Her mother has been notified and an Amber Alert issued in the search for her has been canceled.

Police earlier released photos of the vehicle they believed Kennedy was traveling in. Virginia State Police said Kennedy took the girl from her mother after assaulting her with a knife at a Kwik Stop in Danville on Sunday.

Carl Ray Kennedy was possibly sighted in the area of Seven Springs, North Carolina at around 6:30 PM Monday (June 4) and may possibly be headed to Oak Island, North Carolina, state police earlier posted on Facebook.

Newly-released images from police show the abduction in progress, as Kennedy is pictured walking around a gold 2007 Suzuki Forenza with the toddler in his arms.

Kennedy is registered as a sex offender in North Carolina, and is currently out of jail on a $250,000 bond for drug distribution.

Fox News Ryan Gaydos and the Associated Press contributed to this report.Heavily-armed cops swarmed the home of Parkland school shooting survivor David Hogg Tuesday morning in response to a call of a barricaded person and hostage situation that turned out to be a hoax.

Hogg, who became an outspoken gun control advocate after the Valentines Day shooting a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was not at home at the time.

Members of the Broward Sheriffs Office SWAT team arrived at the home after deputies received a call around 8:30 a.m. claiming someone with an AR-15 rifle broke into Hoggs home and was holding the family hostage, WSVN reported.

The officers found the house empty. Officials said Hogg was the victim of a prank, called swatting, that sends police to an address where no crime is happening.

Hogg  who was in Washington to plan the next phase for the March for Our Lives  told WSVN the prank call was a distraction from his gun control agenda.

[Theyre] trying to distract people from the March for Our Lives Road to Change, which we announced yesterday, Hogg said. [Its] a push to get the highest numbers of youth voters ever in American history turn out to vote come this November.

Police said the call was under investigation.Authorities say a 13-year-old Ohio boy who accidentally shot and killed his 2-year-old brother while playing with a gun has been charged with reckless homicide.

The Dayton Daily News reports the toddler killed Monday afternoon at a home in Harrison Township was Jvonte (jay-VON-tay) Johnston. His brother had a denial plea entered on his behalf Tuesday during a juvenile court hearing.

Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer says Tuesday that Jvonte's father, 34-year-old Jamahl (jah-MAL') Evans, has been charged in federal court with being a felon in possession of a gun. Evans has appeared in court, telling a judge he wouldn't be hiring his own attorney.

Plummer says investigators found two guns and marijuana prepared for sale inside Evans' home.

___

Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.comAuthorities in Tennessee are searching for a man who allegedly hacked his former boss to death with a hatchet and another sharp object while he was leading a workout routine at as Nashville-area fitness center.

Metro Nashville Police said Domenic Micheli, 36, was seen on surveillance video pacing back and forth in a parking garage beneath The Balance Training center at a shopping center in the Belle Meade community before going inside and attacking 46-year-old Joel Paavola around 7 a.m. Monday.

"Micheli brutally, savagely attacked Paavola at the front of the business," Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron told reporters.

Micheli struck his former boss several times with the hatchet and another weapon, a possible second hatchet or large knife, before fleeing the shopping center in an older model small silver Toyota Prius or Yaris, according to police.

"It's just a senseless, violent, brutal attack this morning on Mr. Paavola as he was there in the business," Aaron said Monday.

Nashville police said Tuesday that after the attack, Micheli went to an urgent care facility in Gallatin, located about 30 miles northwest of downtown Nashville.

The 36 year told was "limping from a left leg injury," according to police.

Officials said Micheli was arrested on April 27, 2018 for driving his car to a checkpoint near the White House and refusing orders to move. The judge subsequently ordered a mental evaluation and treatment when there was questions about whether Micheli was mentally fit to stand trial, FOX17 reported.

The 36-year-old is also known to have been in Oregon in August 2017, police said.

MOM CARRYING BABY IN SAN FRANCISCO SHOVED FROM BEHIND, SUFFERS LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES

Micheli's Facebook page contains posts written in short sentences arranged in the form of a poem where he frequently he calls himself the "'Sun' of God."

He also bragged about keeping a hatchet and two knives in his car, according to FOX17.

Authorities said that Paavola had fired Micheli about 14 months ago.

Paavola, who managed the business, died on the way to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and was remembered as a fitness guru who gave speeches about healthy lifestyle choices. A GoFundMe account was set up for Paavola, who was married with five children, and has raised over $78,000 as of Tuesday morning.

Nashville restaurateur Randy Rayburn told The Tennessean that he worked out with Paavola for a few years at another gym and was heartbroken about his death.

"I went through boot camp twice with Joel," Rayburn said. "Joel was one of the most enthusiastic and well-rounded people I've ever known in my life. He was just a wonderful father and human being."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.A Texas firefighter was arrested Monday after his current wife found out he may still be married to multiple other women, police said.

Nathaniel Joseph DAmoto, 46, a Houston-area firefighter, faces charges of bigamy and second-degree felony. He was placed in Harris County Jail and his bond was set at $10,000, the Houston Chronicle reported.

DAmotos current wife, who was not named, discovered he was married to a few other women following their April wedding. The woman contacted authorities after women reached out to her via email and claimed they were married to DAmoto. She reportedly kicked out her husband following the allegations.

FISHERMEN CATCH 12-FOOT HAMMERHEAD OFF COAST OF TEXAS

Officials said DAmoto was married to a woman in Michigan since 1998. He allegedly has a few ex-girlfriends with whom may have had common-law relationships, ABC 13 reported.

"During the course of this investigation, a couple of other ladies' names came up, and we are in the process of communicating with them and just making sure that there aren't any other violations of state law in regards to bigamy, Constable Mark Herman of the Harris County Precinct 4 Constables Office said.

SEVERAL PEOPLE SHOT, INCLUDING PREGNANT WOMAN, AT TEXAS FOOTBALL GAME, POLICE SAY

DAmoto was arrested at the Magnolia Fire Department where he served as a volunteer firefighter.

Herman believed the volunteer firefighter was on the run when he went to the firehouse. He could face up to 99 years in prison if convicted.A truck driver from Wisconsin who admitted to using a slingshot and ball bearings to damage vehicles on an Illinois interstate may be involved in similar incidents across four states, officials said Monday.

Illinois State Police said in a news release that 53-year-old Kevin Lee Casey, of Janesville, Wis., was arrested Friday on suspicion of criminal damage to property, aggravated battery in a public place and aggravated battery to a child.

"This investigation was truly like finding a needle in a haystack," Illinois State Police Investigative Commander Jason Henderson said at a news conference.

Authorities said they have received 45 reports of vehicles being damaged since March 30, but Casey's charges relate to just four in Champaign County, Illinois. The 53-year-old admitting to shooting at the vehicles while driving his semi-truck, according to The News-Gazette.

One of those incidents took place on May 3, when a 3-year-old boy was injured by broken glass. The driver in that case told authorities she heard a loud pop when something hit her minivan window, shattering it and spraying her son with glass.

"It's very mind-boggling that he wasn't a kid, that he wasn't a kid and that as old as he is, you think he would know better," Jennifer Elam told WCIA.

Illinois State Police were able to capture Casey after troopers caught in him the act of using a slingshot to shatter the window of a minivan on Interstate 74 around 7 p.m., according to WCIA. Officers pulled the 53-year-old over and found a slingshot and ball bearings inside his truck.

GEORGIA SHERIFF HIRES COP FIRED AFTER HITTING SUSPECT WITH HIS PATROL CAR

Henderson, while not giving specific details, said during a news conference that investigators were able to determine most incidents took place on Wednesdays and Fridays, and that minivans were the typical target.

"We take these acts very seriously as they represent a clear and present danger to the public," he said.

In addition to the damage reports in Champaign County, authorities said there were incidents reported in Vermilion, Piatt, and DeWitt Counties in Illinois, and also in Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia.

Last week, two women told FOX59 their vehicles were struck while traveling on Interstate 65 in Boone County, Indiana.

There was a loud bang I felt something hit the side of my face, driver Jessica Hill told FOX59. Im sure there was a scream in there because it was very startling.

Casey previously spent 15 years in a Wisconsin jail for sexually assaulting a child, WCIA reported. The 53-year-old appeared before a judge on Monday, where bail was set at $2 million.

Authorities said they are continuing to investigate related incidents across other states see if they can link them to Casey.Guatemalas most violent volcanic eruption in more than 100 years sent lava flowing into rural communities Monday, leaving at least 65 people dead. The eruption left emergency personnel scrambling to rescue those in the surrounding area.

The bodies of those who died in the Volcan de Fuego, or "Volcano of Fire," were recovered after Sunday's eruption. Only 13 of those who were found have been identified.

At least 46 others were injured, and authorities said the death toll could rise with the number of people unaccounted for.

Guatemalas disaster agency said 3,200 people have evacuated nearby communities and ash from the eruption was affecting about 1.7 million people. Shelters were open for evacuees.

Currently the volcano continues to erupt and there exists a high potential for (pyroclastic) avalanches of debris, said Eddy Sanchez, director of the countrys seismology and volcanology institute.

The Volcan de Fuego exploded in hail of ash and molten rock blanketing nearby villages with heavy ash at around noon. Lava began flowing out of the volcano and down toward the mountains flank and across homes and roads around 4 p.m.

Dramatic video showed a fast-moving lahar slamming into a bridge on a highway between Sacatepequez and Escuintla. Lahar is described as flow of pyroclastic material and slurry.

HAWAII VOLCANO ERUPTION: HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE KILLED BY VOLCANOES?

Sanchez said the flows reached temperatures of about 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Not everyone was able to get out. I think they ended up buried, Consuelo Hernandez, a resident of the village of El Rodeo, told the newspaper Diario de Centroamerica.

Hundreds of rescue workers, including firefighters, police and soldiers, worked to help any survivors and recover any more bodies amid the still-smoking lava.

Rescue operations were temporarily suspended due to weather conditions, municipal firefighters spokesman Cecilio Chacaj said.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said he would ask Congress to approve a state of emergency declaration and urged residents to heed warnings from emergency officials.

One of Central America's most active volcanoes, the conical Volcan de Fuego reaches an altitude of 12,346 feet above sea level at its peak.

Fox News' Nicole Darrah and The Associated Press contributed to this report.A retired American couple was found fatally shot inside their Mexico home after a botched robbery Saturday, authorities said.

Jo Anne Butler, 69, and Ray Ball, 72, of Prescott, Ariz., were killed in their Bahia de los Angeles home, about 380 miles south of the U.S. border on the Gulf of California, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

It was an attempted robbery, and an individual went to defend his property, and thats when they shot him, Octavio Lopez, a top local government official, told the Union-Tribune. This is the first time weve had something like this happen.

Neighbors told the newspaper they believe they were killed over a dispute involving a 22-foot-long fishing boat at the property. A neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said they heard gunfire at around midnight and saw an SUV pulling a boat toward the water. However, the thieves were unable to successfully move it.

Another neighbor, identified by the newspaper as former off-road racing champion Roger Mears, discovered the pairs bodies. Authorities said Ball had 18 gunshot wounds and Butler had two in her legs.

We have no memory of having a shooting here, Tom Mitchell, an American who also has a home in Bahia de los Angeles, told the Union-Tribune. This has taken it to a level that no one here has experienced.

Authorities have not released details into what may have led to the shooting. Neighbors told the newspaper that Ball may have heard a noise outside and took his bat to investigate when he was shot as he opened the back door of his home.

This was so out of character for our community, Mitchell said. These guys didnt hesitate to kill. They basically murdered both of them.

Authorities have not named any suspects in the couples killings. No arrests have been made.An investigation commissioned by Austria's defense minister has concluded there was no wrongdoing by Austrian peacekeepers in a 2012 incident in which smugglers ambushed Syrian secret police in the Golan Heights.

The probe followed the leaking of a video apparently filmed by Austrian U.N. peacekeepers, who were in the area on a United Nations mandate and were overheard discussing whether to warn the officers that they suspected an ambush. Nine Syrian secret police officers were later killed.

The Austrian commission found the soldiers had strict instructions not to behave in any way that could be interpreted as an intervention.

The Austria Press Agency reported that defense ministry general secretary Wolfgang Baumann said "the firefight could not be prevented by the soldiers on the ground, however they had behaved."A Bahrain appeals court on Tuesday upheld a five-year prison sentence for human rights activist Nabeel Rajab amid the island kingdom's clampdown on all dissent, a verdict that has been widely criticized internationally.

Rajab did not attend the hearing before the Bahrain High Criminal Court of Appeal over his case involving tweets that criticized the Saudi-led war in Yemen and alleged abuses in Bahraini prisons.

He is already serving a two-year prison sentence for television interviews he gave that included criticism of Bahrain

Bahrain's constitution guarantees its citizens freedom of speech. However, Rajab was prosecuted under laws making it illegal to offend a foreign country, spread rumors at wartime or "insult" a government agency. Bahrain described his February sentencing by saying Rajab was "found guilty of undermining that security."

Rajab can still appeal to Bahrain's Court of Cassation, its highest judicial body, or possibly be pardoned by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, which happened in a previous case in 2015 when the activist faced health problems.

However, that appears unlikely given today's political climate in Bahrain, an island off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, as well as in other Gulf Arab nations.

In the years since its 2011 Arab Spring protests, Bahrain has rolled back some of the reforms it made. It has dismantled opposition political parties, imprisoned activists and forced others into exile. The kingdom also has revoked the citizenship of over 700 people since 2012, including 115 in a mass terrorism trial in May.

Amid the crackdown, local Shiite militant groups have carried out several attacks on security forces.

The United States previously pushed back against Bahrain on human rights matters, using its influence as the island's defense guarantor with over 7,000 U.S. troops attached to a sprawling base in Manama that hosts the Navy's 5th Fleet. Britain also recently opened a naval base there.

However, President Donald Trump's administration has approved a multibillion-dollar sale of F-16 fighter jets to Bahrain without the human rights conditions imposed by the State Department under President Barack Obama. Meanwhile, Bahrain's allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have made their own arrests.

___

Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jongambrellAP . His work can be found at http://apne.ws/2galNpz .China apparently removed surface-to-air missile systems from the contested islands in the South China Sea, new satellite images show.

The initial move to place the weapons on the island, first reported by Fox news, angered U.S. officials who immediately disinvited China from the Rim of the Pacific Exercises.

Satellite images taken on May 20 showed two new launchers on the northern shore of the disputed island, next to a radar system, all covered by a camouflage net.

US DISINVITES CHINA FROM MILITARY EXERCISES AFTER COUNTRY CONTINUES 'MILITARIZATION' OF DISPUTED ISLAND

But recent images taken on Sunday by ImageSat International show that the HQ-9 systems and the camouflage nets have been removed.

It is unclear if this is a drill, or a reaction to the U.S. efforts to stop the Chinese militarization of the Island.

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said the Trump administration's recent decision to disinvite China from a multinational naval exercise this summer was an "initial response" to Beijing's island activity. Mattis called the U.S. action a "relatively small consequence. He said China could face more severe punishment in the future.

"Despite China's claims to the contrary, the placement of these weapons systems is tied directly to military use for the purposes of intimidation and coercion," Mattis said during a speech at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue.

CHINESE LAND BOMBER IN SOUTH CHINA SEA, POTENTIALLY ESCALATING TENSIONS OVER DISPUTED ZONE

The Pentagon said the provocative move by China raised tensions in the region years after Chinas president pledged not to militarize the disputed islands.

"We have strong evidence that China has deployed anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, and electronic jammers to contested features in the Spratly Islands region of the South China Sea," Marine Lt. Col. Christopher Logan, a Pentagon spokesman.

"China's landing of bomber aircraft at Woody Island has also raised tensions."

A Washington think tank, CSIS, said the bomber had landed on Woody Island, the largest of the Paracel Islands in South China Sea that is also claimed by Taiwan and by Vietnam.The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg has ruled that a gay Romanian-American couple is entitled to the same residency rights as other married couples in the European Union.

Romanian Adrian Coman and his American husband, Claibourn Robert Hamilton, have fought a six-year legal battle to get their marriage legally recognized in Romania.

The court ruled that EU members "may not obstruct the freedom of residence" of EU citizens by refusing to grant residence for the same-sex spouse. However, members retain "the freedom whether or not to authorize marriage between persons of the same sex."

The ruling has implications for tens of thousands of same-sex couples in Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Latvia, which do not currently offer legal protection to same-sex couples.Police in Berlin say they are evacuating pupils and teachers from a primary school in the Germany capital, citing a suspected "threat situation."

In statements on Twitter, police said Tuesday the school in Berlin's Gesundbrunnen area was being cordoned off and searched.

Police couldn't immediately be reached for further information.Israeli security service Shin Bet announced Tuesday the arrest of three Palestinians that were part of an alleged terror cell planning to attack Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

One of the suspects allegedly also planned attacks against the U.S. Consulate in East Jerusalem, a senior Canadian security delegation who train Palestinian security forces in the West Bank as well as other senior Israel officials, including Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

The Shin Bet said the plot was orchestrated from Syria and it involved sneaking in an operative from Jordan and significant terrorist activity. The Israel security service said they began collecting intelligence on their targets over the past few months and the arrested were made in April.

A Shin Bet official told Fox News the leader of the group, 30-year-old Mohammad Jamal Rashda, was acting under Syrian orders. However, the official said, the operatives never met, no money was transferred and, no arms were purchased.

During the investigation, Rashda reportedly admitted that he planned to bring reinforcement from Jordan as the plan moved along. Rashda had already served three years in an Israeli prison for terror-related offenses.

Barkat said he was kept in the loop throughout the investigation and had not changed his routine at all.

Our Shin Bet is one of the finest organizations in the world, he said in a statement. When the Shin Bet is involved and the police are on the ground, I can trust them and sleep quietly and safely.

There was no immediate comment from Netanyahu, who is currently on an official visit to France.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.The Latest on Europe's migrant crisis (all times local):

1 p.m.

European Union countries remain deeply divided over how to reform the bloc's asylum system as an end of June deadline approaches for updating rules central to handling mass influxes of refugees.

Well over 1 million people, mostly Syrians fleeing conflict, entered Europe in 2015, overwhelming Greece and Italy. Their entry strained relations among EU neighbors and fueled anti-migrant sentiment.

Dutch Migration Minister Mark Harbers said in Luxembourg that there are "a lot of member states that still have points of discussion" with the latest proposals. EU leaders want the problem resolved this month.

Germany's deputy interior minister, Stephan Mayer, says "there are still considerable deficits" in the proposals.

Belgian Migration Minister Theo Francken says that if no solution is found to managing migrant arrivals, "Europe will end, and we will never get out of this crisis."

___

10:45 a.m.

Authorities in southern Germany have arrested two Syrian men on suspicion of people smuggling.

Prosecutors in Stuttgart say the two men, aged 31 and 33, were arrested in the nearby Ludwigsburg region.

Police also searched 10 premises in two German states.

Prosecutors said Tuesday that their investigation is focusing on nine men aged between 29 and 52. Five are said to be Syrian, with the others hailing from Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and Germany.

The 33-year-old is accused of helping Syrians and Iraqis illegally enter Germany. Prosecutors discovered the smuggling ring while investigating him for alleged past membership of Syria's Nusra Front.

The 31-year-old is alleged to have provided fake documents for migrants and obtained fraudulent loans.

The unnamed men are accused of trying to establish "a long-term source of income."The Latest on the Syria conflict (all times local):

2:20 p.m.

A Russian force that deployed on Syria's border with Lebanon has reportedly withdrawn and been replaced by Syrian troops.

The Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV, which has reporters throughout Syria, says the Russian force withdrew Tuesday from the border area on the outskirts of the town of Qusair, a stronghold of the Lebanese Hezbollah group. Russia and the Iran-backed Hezbollah are both fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces.

Al-Mayadeen and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Russian troops had deployed to the area on Monday. Neither provided details as to why they left.

The rare deployment of Russian forces near the border came amid repeated Israeli warnings about Iran's growing military presence in Syria. Israel is widely believed to have been behind an airstrike on Qusair last month that killed and wounded Hezbollah fighters.

___

2:15 p.m.

A Syrian Kurdish militia says it's pulling out of the key northern Syrian town, potentially easing a serious rift between the United States and Turkey.

The People's Protection Units, known by their Kurdish acronym YPG, said in a statement on Tuesday that its advisers had completed their mission to train the local forces, the Manbij Military Council, to defend the town of Manbij.

The development follows an announcement Monday from Turkey, saying it had reached an agreement with the U.S. over the future of the town.

Both the YPG and the Manbij Military Council are backed by the U.S., straining Washington-Ankara relations.

Ankara considers the YPG a terror group tied to a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey and has demanded the Kurdish fighters leave Manbij for over a year.next Image 1 of 2

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French President Emmanuel Macron isn't disclosing details of his phone call last week with U.S. President Donald Trump, after an unnamed source told CNN television it went badly.

Macron instead repeated the famous line attributed to 19th century German statesman Otto von Bismarck about laws and sausages: "It's best not to see them being made."

The French leader told reporters Tuesday he doesn't like to comment on "how things went, if that's hot, if that's cold, if that's warm, if that's terrible. We do (things) and we move forward."

He promised a "frank and direct discussion" with Trump at an upcoming summit in Canada.

The French presidency says Macron told Trump during a call last week that new U.S. tariffs on European, Mexican and Canadian goods are illegal and a "mistake."The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board says leaking fuel that touched a hot surface caused the August 2016 fire that injured dozens aboard the Caribbean Fantasy ship that grounded near Puerto Rico.

Officials said Tuesday the fire caused some $20 million in damage and spread quickly because fuel and lube oil valves were intentionally blocked open. They also blamed the failure of firefighting systems, a poor safety culture and a lack of inspection to ensure the safety management system was working.

The board said more than 45 of the 511 passengers and crew were treated for minor injuries. Six other injuries were reported as serious.

The fire burned for three days aboard the combination cruise and ferry vessel that was traveling from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico.With the long-anticipated meeting with between President Trump and North Koreas Kim Jong Un now back on for next week, the Singapore Mint unveiled three commemorative coins on Tuesday for the historic summit.

The three gold, silver, and base-metal medallions commemorate the summit as a "momentous step to world peace" and show Singapore's role as a "neutral host, and an economic and security gateway between the East and the West," according to a news release from the mint.

"The obverse design of the medallion features an affirmative handshake between the two leaders, minted with high-relief minting technique, and the national flags of both countries," according to a description from the mint. "North Koreas national flag is depicted on the left, while the United States national flag is depicted on the right, aptly representing both countries position on the political spectrum."

Each medallion features the inscription "World Peace" on the back, in addition to a dove and olive branch motif. The national flowers of the United States and North Korea, rose and magnolia sieboldii, are also located on the rear of the coin.

Singapore's commemorative coins, of which only a few thousand pieces have been made, were available to pre-order from the mint on Tuesday and cost more than $1,300 for the gold version, $118 for the silver, and $36 for the base-metal version.

The minting of the Singapore coins comes almost two weeks after the White House released commemorative coins.

TRUMP-KIM COMMEMORATIVE COIN SALE CRASHES WHITE HOUSE GIFT SHOP WEBSITE

The commemorative item features the silhouettes of Trump and Kim, according to the gift shop website. The coin comes in a black velvet case with a plastic protective cover set.

The White House has said it didnt create the coin and the gift shop notes that the token is different from the one created by the White House Communications Agency.

When Trump first canceled his long-anticipated meeting with Kim, collectors crashed the White House Gift Shop website trying to buy the post-summit coin.

On Friday, Trump said that a high-stakes summit between him and Kim Jong Un is back on for June 12, following a lengthy meeting with a top North Korean official in the Oval Office.

We'll be meeting on June 12 in Singapore," the president told reporters after the North Korean emissary left the White House.

He called Friday's meeting with North Korea's Kim Yong Chol a "great start.

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos and Alex Pappas contributed to this report.next Image 1 of 2

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A South African judge says he is searching for some reason to offer a measure of mercy when sentencing a 23-year-old man convicted of the ax murders of his parents and brother.

Judge Siraj Desai on Tuesday appealed to the lawyer for Henri van Breda to provide a "human factor" that diminishes the gruesome nature of the attacks "to some degree."

Desai, who will announce the sentence Thursday, says van Breda's parole chances in a couple of decades could be affected by whether he gets more than one life sentence.

Van Breda was also convicted of the attempted murder of his sister at the time of the 2015 attacks at an upscale housing estate in Stellenbosch.

The court said van Breda inflicted injuries on himself to try to mislead police.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.You can bet with NYRA Bets from Florida but Gambling911.com recommends Americas Bookie for all your horse betting needs .

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With this in mind, many folks have opted to place bets with alternative horse wagering sites accessible to those in Florida.

There are certainly great benefits to betting with NYRABets.com. In some cases, the payouts are swifter, though with cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, gamblers can be paid out in under a few hours with many of the top international racebooks.

Those 18 and up can place bets at Americas Bookie.

- Ean Lamb, Gambling911.comYou can bet with NYRA Bets from California as of 2021. It is important to understand that licensed U.S. racebooks will require your social security number and submit your tax information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). With this in mind, many California residents have opted to play at internationally-licensed online racebooks , which require little in the way of documentation outside of proof of identity, and these sites will NOT report your winnings.

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- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com"No more deaths! No more violence against women!" the statesman expressed during Monday night's address to the nation from Lima-based Government Palace.

Likewise, he reiterated violence against women is unacceptable . Thus, his administration has recently announced a series of measures to face this scourge.Alliance for sustainability : Bonn Lord Mayor becomes president of cities network

Bonn Lord Mayor of Bonn Ashok Sridharan has been voted president of the international cities network for sustainability (ICLEI). He follows Lord Mayor Park Won-soon from Seoul (South Korea), who has held the presidency since 2015.

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As ICLEI President, Sridharan is supported by the First Vice-President, Cathy Oke, a city councillor from Melbourne (Australia) as well as two Vice-Presidents  Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan from Catbalogan (Philippines) and Frank Cownie, mayor of Des Moines, Iowa (USA). Sridharan will be officially inaugurated into his new office at the ICLEI World Congress on 19 June in Montreal (Canada).

Bonn has been a member of the ICLEI, in which around 1500 cities worldwide are organised, since 1999. Since 2010, Bonn has also been the headquarters of the ICLEI World Secretariat, which now has more than 40 employees. The climate section already moved to Bonn in 2009.

Bonn has also been the venue for the Resilient Cities conference series since 2010, which brings together some 400 participants from cities, scientific organisations, development cooperation and the UN annually. Sridharan has been a member of the ICLEI Global Board (GexCom) since 2015 and has been First Vice-President since 2016. He represents ICLEI primarily at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn.

Original text: Peter GassnerStorms in Bonn : Lightning causes significant damage to St Josefs church in Beuel

Bonn The consequences of last weeks storm have been more severe than anticipated in Beuel. Lightning struck the Oberlinger organ and caused significant damage to St Josefs church.

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Dean Wilfried Evertz is trusting by profession. But even all the priests prayers did not help in this case. Last Fridays violent storm had worse consequences for the parish of St Josef and Paulus than originally thought. It has been clear since Monday that the parish church on Hermannstrae is showing significant signs of damage to the electrics and the electronics of the church despite it having a lightning conductor and a surge protector. After initial calculations, Father Evertz is assuming damages of up to 10,000 Euros.

The lightning strike was so strong that I felt the vibrations very clearly in my adjoining apartment. I immediately knew that the storm would have unfortunate consequences for us, Evertz told the GA.

The parishs damage report reads as follows:

Tower clock: The stopped clock in the bell tower is visible from a distance. The movement is obviously defective and permanently shows 3.15pm.

Oberlinger organ: The world famous organ of St Josef, on which the best-known organists from all over the world have performed, can no longer be played. The choir organ is also broken.

Carillon: The famous bell chimes, built to a height of around 60 metres in the church tower, can no longer make a sound. With 62 bells, the Beuel carillon is the third largest carillon in Germany. It weighs a total of 10,200 kilogrammes.

After several phone calls on Friday to Orgelbau Gaida, a company which makes organs, organ expert Gerd Rech arrived in Beuel on Monday from Saarland and inspected the damage. The damage to the Oberlinger organ is seriousThe repairs will certainly take several days.

Father Evertz is also concerned about pastoral work in his parish. Both the telephone and the internet are cut off. We are therefore difficult to reach. In urgent cases, parishioners must come into the parish office.

The priest now hopes that all the damage will be repaired in time for the parish festival on Sunday, 8 July. The heating in the church is also damaged, but its not important at the moment, says Evertz.

According to the forecast from the German Weather Service, the Bonn region must also expect thunderstorms again from Thursday. Thursday will be mostly bright to begin with. During the day it will get cloudier with heavy showers and hail at times in the southwest. There will be localised danger from storms because of heavy rain and hail. The maximum temperature will be 25 to 29 degrees.Muslim Group Gives Falz 7-Day Ultimatum To Withdraw 'This Is Nigeria' Video

clarajancita at 5-06-2018 02:12 PM (3 years ago) (f)

Falz may be facing legal actions for his video This Is Nigeria as The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked him to withdraw the video and apologize to Nigerians.

Falz may be facing legal actions for his videoas The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked him to withdraw the video and apologize to Nigerians. In the recently released video, some girls dressed in hijab were seen dancing the shaku shaku dance.



Responding to criticisms that trailed the video, Falz explained that the girls were a representation of the abducted Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity. But MURIC, in a statement by Ishaq Akintola, its director, said the dancers in the video in no way depict the situation of the girls. The group also condemned In the recently released video, some girls dressed in hijab were seen dancing thedance.Responding to criticisms that trailed the video, Falz explained that the girls were a representation of the abducted Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity. But MURIC, in a statement by Ishaq Akintola, its director, said the dancers in the video in no way depict the situation of the girls. The group also condemned Quote a character that dressed like a Fulani man, who suddenly abandoned his traditional guitar and beheaded a man featured in the video.



Describing the video as thoughtless, insensitive and highly provocative, MURIC said it could brew religious and ethnic crisis.



It also said the video is spiteful and intended to denigrate Islam and Muslims.

featured in the video.Describing the video asMURIC said it could brew religious and ethnic crisis.It also said the video is spiteful and intended to denigrate Islam and Muslims. Quote MURIC rejects Falz explanation that the girls in hijab in his Shaku Shaku dance symbolize the Chibok girls because nothing in the video indicates that the girls represent the Chibok girls, the statement read.

At least none of the Chibok girls have been seen dancing like a drunkard. They are always in pensive mood. Do they have any cause to be dancing? Are they happy?



The video manifests ethnic bias against Fulanis while it ignored the criminal activities of an ethnic militia of the Middle Belt who have also massacred Fulanis and rustled their cattle in their thousands. It is a hate video. This video has the potential of causing a religious crisis of unprecedented dimension.



It is an assault on the self-dignity of every Muslim. It is freedom of expression gone haywire. We, therefore, demand its withdrawal and an apology to Nigerian Muslims within seven days or the authors and their agents will face legal action if they fail to comply.

Only the scenes portraying police brutality and the money-swallowing snake in the video are near the truth.



The group called on security agencies and the National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to clamp down on the video.

The group called on security agencies and the National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to clamp down on the video. Quote We call the attention of security agencies to this hate action, the statement continued. We remind Nigerians of the outcome of similar provocative actions in the past and their unpalatable outcomes.



The National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB), a regulatory agency set up by Act No. 85 of 1993 to regulate films and the video industry has a case to answer. Shaku Shaku video was shot and released under its watch.

Instead of going violent, Nigerian Muslims should take those behind the Shaku Shaku video to court in order to serve as a deterrent to others.

We, therefore, give notice of impending legal action against the artist behind the Shaku Shaku video unless the latter is withdrawn and an apology is widely published within seven days.



Falz should know just how to counter this as he himself is a legal practitioner and also his father, famous human rights lawyer Femi Falana. Falz should know just how to counter this as he himself is a legal practitioner and also his father, famous human rights lawyer Femi Falana.

Post Reply I am a metro reporter on Gistmania, I have been publishing news materials for over 5 years Posted: at 5-06-2018 02:12 PM (3 years ago) | Hero

mgiwa6 at 5-06-2018 02:43 PM (3 years ago)

(m) Religions have affected the mentality of people, Nigerians especially. I don't see anything wrong with the video. Are they dancing naked? Posted: at 5-06-2018 02:43 PM (3 years ago) | Upcoming Religions have affected the mentality of people, Nigerians especially. I don't see anything wrong with the video. Are they dancing naked? Reply

Henrybobo at 5-06-2018 03:12 PM (3 years ago)

(m) Nonsense Posted: at 5-06-2018 03:12 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac Nonsense Reply

crocatum at 5-06-2018 03:33 PM (3 years ago)

(m) nonsense, he has done absolutely nothing wrong. Posted: at 5-06-2018 03:33 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac nonsense, he has done absolutely nothing wrong. Reply

crocatum at 5-06-2018 03:34 PM (3 years ago)

(m) I am interested in what the so-called group intends to do. Posted: at 5-06-2018 03:34 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac I am interested in what the so-called group intends to do. Reply

owieelov25 at 5-06-2018 03:35 PM (3 years ago)

(m) only if CAN say so! if u (MURIC) tink u can threaten anybody with ur lies u are deceiving ursef. falz is 100% right fulani herdsmen are on killin spree in the country and d govt of the day is silent, an dey (fulani's) are muslims, if u say they are nt muslims then prove it beyond reasonable doubt, he also depicted Church and Christian clergy men too,for fraud and sexual abuse or u think they cant get provoked?, what about the police "commission transmission statement"? what about sars?. if anytin happen to falz u will be held responsible mr muric chairman or whatever u call urself, are muslim girls not dancing shaku!, shaku!! with hijab? they even posted fotos of demselves in saudi dabin why didnt u wag ur mouth then? yeye d smell... Posted: at 5-06-2018 03:35 PM (3 years ago) | Upcoming only if CAN say so! if u (MURIC) tink u can threaten anybody with ur lies u are deceiving ursef. falz is 100% right fulani herdsmen are on killin spree in the country and d govt of the day is silent, an dey (fulani's) are muslims, if u say they are nt muslims then prove it beyond reasonable doubt, he also depicted Church and Christian clergy men too,for fraud and sexual abuse or u think they cant get provoked?, what about the police "commission transmission statement"? what about sars?. if anytin happen to falz u will be held responsible mr muric chairman or whatever u call urself, are muslim girls not dancing shaku!, shaku!! with hijab? they even posted fotos of demselves in saudi dabin why didnt u wag ur mouth then? yeye d smell... Reply

crocatum at 5-06-2018 03:38 PM (3 years ago)

(m) Quote from: owieelov25 on 5-06-2018 03:35 PM

only if CAN say so! if u (MURIC) tink u can threaten anybody with ur lies u are deceiving ursef. falz is 100% right fulani herdsmen are on killin spree in the country and d govt of the day is silent, an dey (fulani's) are muslims, if u say they are nt muslims then prove it beyond reasonable doubt, he also depicted Church and Christian clergy men too,for fraud and sexual abuse or u think they cant get provoked?, what about the police "commission transmission statement"? what about sars?. if anytin happen to falz u will be held responsible mr muric chairman or whatever u call urself, are muslim girls not dancing shaku!, shaku!! with hijab? they even posted fotos of demselves in saudi dabin why didnt u wag ur mouth then? yeye d smell...

this person could be more than just a group, they could have support from Saudi Arabia or some radical support, this can be seen in their attempt to control the flow of facts, this is not an Islamic republic with dirty impositions. Posted: at 5-06-2018 03:38 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac this person could be more than just a group, they could have support from Saudi Arabia or some radical support, this can be seen in their attempt to control the flow of facts, this is not an Islamic republic with dirty impositions. Reply

crocatum at 5-06-2018 03:42 PM (3 years ago)

(m) we should speak more and louder about the facts and realities, it's unacceptable the attempt of some groups in society to control expression, he has done wonderfully, I am proud of his music, infant I am interested in his music. Posted: at 5-06-2018 03:42 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac we should speak more and louder about the facts and realities, it's unacceptable the attempt of some groups in society to control expression, he has done wonderfully, I am proud of his music, infant I am interested in his music. Reply

slimber at 5-06-2018 03:45 PM (3 years ago)

(f) Withdrawing the video solve the suffering in the country jobless people Posted: at 5-06-2018 03:45 PM (3 years ago) | Hero Withdrawing the video solve the suffering in the country jobless people Reply

crocatum at 5-06-2018 04:05 PM (3 years ago)

(m) if Muslims what to control this country with force then it's better I learn how to shoot for defense, I won't die like a sheep. Posted: at 5-06-2018 04:05 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac if Muslims what to control this country with force then it's better I learn how to shoot for defense, I won't die like a sheep. Reply

fineboy77 at 5-06-2018 04:26 PM (3 years ago)

(m) Anything wey these idiots wan do,make dem do sef,nawa o,e don too much for muslims and their control strategy !!,in fact,cant anybody,christians or any other religion decide to dress like dat?,abi Falz write muslim for their faces?....he has no case to answer,those girls were not muslims,PERIOD. And if anything should happen to Falz,the Police should know exactly who to arrest !!! What is the color beneath your skin? Posted: at 5-06-2018 04:26 PM (3 years ago) | Hero Anything wey these idiots wan do,make dem do sef,nawa o,e don too much for muslims and their control strategy !!,in fact,cant anybody,christians or any other religion decide to dress like dat?,abi Falz write muslim for their faces?....he has no case to answer,those girls were not muslims,PERIOD. And if anything should happen to Falz,the Police should know exactly who to arrest !!! Reply

crocatum at 5-06-2018 04:40 PM (3 years ago)

(m) seriously, we should also have bombs, then we will enjoy together. Posted: at 5-06-2018 04:40 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac seriously, we should also have bombs, then we will enjoy together. Reply

crocatum at 5-06-2018 04:44 PM (3 years ago)

(m) the facts are, you cant force people to engage in your views, if they use violence, then we should become experts in violence Because of them i want to learn and become an expert so that I can deal with evil with evil. Posted: at 5-06-2018 04:44 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac the facts are, you cant force people to engage in your views, if they use violence, then we should become experts in violence Because of them i want to learn and become an expert so that I can deal with evil with evil. Reply

crocatum at 5-06-2018 04:46 PM (3 years ago)

(m) we should learn from them how they use intimidation and violence, and even get better. Posted: at 5-06-2018 04:46 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac we should learn from them how they use intimidation and violence, and even get better. Reply

Jeonleon at 5-06-2018 05:57 PM (3 years ago)

(m) Falz attacked Christianity too. But we aren't complaining, because he told the truth!



Goan sidown!!! Haba! We no go hear word for dis country again, because Buhari nah president!! Posted: at 5-06-2018 05:57 PM (3 years ago) | Upcoming Falz attacked Christianity too. But we aren't complaining, because he told the truth!Goan sidown!!! Haba! We no go hear word for dis country again, because Buhari nah president!! Reply

CHRISETTE at 5-06-2018 06:47 PM (3 years ago)

(f) Their are stupid in that association, rubbish! Posted: at 5-06-2018 06:47 PM (3 years ago) | Hero Their are stupid in that association, rubbish! Reply

SOGaiya at 5-06-2018 10:30 PM (3 years ago)

(m) fanaticism Posted: at 5-06-2018 10:30 PM (3 years ago) | Gistmaniac fanaticism ReplyThe German government is set to deport about to 30,000 Nigerians seeking asylum in the country. This was disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, at a programme;

Quote



Germany said it has about 25,000 to 30,000 Nigerians seeking asylum and they cant guarantee they will get it. So, there is every possibilities that they will be returned to Nigeria, Developing a mixed migration strategy for UNHCR Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.Germany said it has about 25,000 to 30,000 Nigerians seeking asylum and they cant guarantee they will get it. So, there is every possibilities that they will be returned to Nigeria,

She said the German government alleges that the reasons for asylum by the Nigerians were not genuine, Daily Trust writes.

Quote

Some who are from the East and West are saying they are running away from Boko Haram while some others say they are gays and were having challenges expressing themselves in Nigeria.

Germany has set up a team working with the ministry of foreign affairs to see how the whole process [of deportation] can be made easier, s

he said.She enjoined young Nigerians to take advantage of scholarships and easier process of regular migration for Nigerians offered by the German government.

Quote

We are looking at the option of reverse migration also where you can actually stay in your country and enjoy everything you are migrating abroad to get,

Hon. Dabiri Erewa stated, adding that irregular migration was no longer working as the foreign countries were also having their own challenges now.13:19 | Washington D.C. (U.S.), Jun. 5.

In statements to RPP radio and TV station, he said a meeting with Latin American migratory authorities will be held in the Peruvian capital on June 15 as part of a Lima Group 's decision to discuss measures aimed at addressing the massive exodus of Venezuelans in the region.bohlah at 5-06-2018 08:47 PM (3 years ago) (m)

Women, shipped in from Nigeria and Senegal, are reported to be preying on drunk tourists with promise of sex. Many of them are owned by people trafficker gang masters who have moved them to Magaluf ( a resort town on the Spanish island of Majorca) where they must work to pay off their debt. The women  who patrol the Magaluf strip  lure drunk men offering sex only to then rob them, the locals say



The gang masters also work as pickpockets as footage has emerged of them stealing from two British tourists on Sunday morning.

Women, shipped in from Nigeria and Senegal, are reported to be preying on drunk tourists with promise of sex. Many of them are owned by people trafficker gang masters who have moved them to Magaluf ( a resort town on the Spanish island of Majorca) where they must work to pay off their debt. The women  who patrol the Magaluf strip  lure drunk men offering sex only to then rob them, the locals sayThe gang masters also work as pickpockets as footage has emerged of them stealing from two British tourists on Sunday morning.

According to DailyMail, the traffickers like thieves pose as street traders  known as looky looky men  who wander the streets hawking goods like sunglasses or novelty hats. The men also target either lone or drunk tourists walking back to their hotels in the early hours along the strip.





A British bar owner, from London, who asked not to be named said: The pickpockets and prostitutes are part of the same gang who hang around outside the bars in the early hours picking off stragglers. The women pretend to be prostitutes and throw their arms around these young lads, clearly worse the wear for drink, and when theyre distracted they pickpocket them.



The men pretend to be looky looky sellers and operate in the same way, distracting their victims and then rifling through their pockets. Ive been here for years so I know who the genuine looky looky men and they are decent hard-working individuals who are trying to earn a bit of cash.





The bogus ones, like the two in that video, take advantage of the fact that most tourists happily interact with the street-sellers and are not at all wary of them.



The police dont seem to do anything about it so its got to the point where bar owners wont bother sending them CCTV footage anymore. Last year there was a guy who threatened a bar worker with a knife and it was all caught on camera.



The images were shown to the police along with a photograph of the knifeman but the officers said there was nothing they could do as he hadnt injured anyone. That is why weve taken things into our own hands.



Gangs of African prostitutes, as many as 50-strong, have been plaguing Magaluf for the last 15 years.





Victims are reportedly lured into dimly areas away from the bars and restaurants and then ambushed by either men or groups of other women and robbed.African Prostitutes From Nigeria And Senegal Said To Be Causing Problems In Spain According to DailyMail, the traffickers like thieves pose as street traders  known as looky looky men  who wander the streets hawking goods like sunglasses or novelty hats. The men also target either lone or drunk tourists walking back to their hotels in the early hours along the strip.A British bar owner, from London, who asked not to be named said: The pickpockets and prostitutes are part of the same gang who hang around outside the bars in the early hours picking off stragglers. The women pretend to be prostitutes and throw their arms around these young lads, clearly worse the wear for drink, and when theyre distracted they pickpocket them.The men pretend to be looky looky sellers and operate in the same way, distracting their victims and then rifling through their pockets. Ive been here for years so I know who the genuine looky looky men and they are decent hard-working individuals who are trying to earn a bit of cash.The bogus ones, like the two in that video, take advantage of the fact that most tourists happily interact with the street-sellers and are not at all wary of them.The police dont seem to do anything about it so its got to the point where bar owners wont bother sending them CCTV footage anymore. Last year there was a guy who threatened a bar worker with a knife and it was all caught on camera.The images were shown to the police along with a photograph of the knifeman but the officers said there was nothing they could do as he hadnt injured anyone. That is why weve taken things into our own hands.Gangs of African prostitutes, as many as 50-strong, have been plaguing Magaluf for the last 15 years.Victims are reportedly lured into dimly areas away from the bars and restaurants and then ambushed by either men or groups of other women and robbed.African Prostitutes From Nigeria And Senegal Said To Be Causing Problems In Spain

Post Reply I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist Posted: at 5-06-2018 08:47 PM (3 years ago) | Addicted HeroEnglish Lithuanian

Siauliu Bankas AB (hereinafter referred to as the Bank), company code 112025254, domicile address Tilzes st. 149, Siauliai, Lithuania.



The General Police Commissariat of Klaipeda district has been investigating the circumstances of the credit issued by the Bank 6 years ago relating to the possible unlawful conduct of businessman Vladimir Romanov as well as related natural persons and legal entities.

In 2012, prior to the announcement of Ukio bankas bankruptcy, the Bank issued a credit to the company associated with V. Romanov, repayment of which was secured by a real estate mortgage. At the moment, the credit agreement has expired and will have no impact on the results of the Bank's performance.

In the course of the investigation, the General Police Commissariat of Klaipeda district expressed suspicions to several employees of the Bank's administration. The allegations are likely to be brought on the basis of the testimonials of persons related to V. Romanov and the suspects in this investigation.

It should be emphasized that in 2012 issuing the credit the Bank complied with all requirements and procedures set out for credit institutions relating to issue of credits.

The ongoing process does not affect the continuity of the Bank's performance and its daily operation. The Bank meets all the requirements and standards set out for the Bank's activities and the obligations assumed with regard to the clients are and will be fulfilled. The Bank has informed the Bank of Lithuania about the ongoing investigation.

The Bank is collaborating with the investigative institutions, it considers the expressed allegations as a formal procedural event carried out by the law enforcement authorities and believes that investigation of the situation and required necessary investigative actions carried out by the law enforcement authorities will lead to the elimination of suspicions against the employees.

In accordance with the legislation on pre-trial investigations, the Bank cannot disclose more information during the process of investigation until the relevant authorities have given the respective permission.

Chief Executive Officer Vytautas SiniusThe marine environment is critical to Grenadas economy and closely linked to the islands income generating tourism sector. Grenadas tri-island ocean state is not just a hub of maritime activity, but also home to unique marine biodiversityEl canciller Nestor Popolizio expreso hoy en la Asamblea General de la OEA, la profunda preocupacion del Peru por la situacion del pueblo de Venezuela.Foto: ANDINA/DifusionSiding with the Trump administration Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated a lower court's order that allowed a teenage immigrant to have an abortion in October while she was being detained in Texas after illegally crossing the border with Mexico.The court, however, declined a U.S. Justice Department request to discipline the immigrant's attorneys over allegations that they had misled government lawyers about the timing of the 17-year-old's abortion, denying a chance to block the procedure on appeal.The long-awaited ruling, a unanimous but unsigned five-page opinion, determined that the matter was moot because the teen, identified in court records as Jane Doe, had already received an abortion.Justice Department lawyers, supported by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, sought to void the appeals court order allowing Doe to have an abortion, arguing that it "should not be left on the books," where it could help in legal battles by pregnant teen immigrants in a similar situation.Paxton praised the ruling to vacate an order, saying it could have created "a right to abortion for anyone who enters the U.S. illegally.""The previous ruling not only cost a life but could have paved the way for extending American citizens' rights to all unlawfully present aliens with no substantial connection to this country. Texas will not become a sanctuary state for abortions, and will continue the fight to protect and promote fetal life," Paxton said.Officials with the American Civil Liberties Union, which led Doe's legal fight, said Monday's ruling will have no impact on on their Central American client or on a related but wider effort to overturn the Trump administration's policy of refusing to let pregnant minors leave federal immigration custody to obtain an abortion.At the ACLU's request, a federal district court in Washington, D.C., issued a preliminary injunction in March that blocked the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is responsible for unaccompanied minors in federal detention, from continuing policies that strip teen immigrants "of their right to make their own reproductive choices.""The district court has blocked the Trump administration's cruel policy of obstructing unaccompanied immigrant minors' access to abortion while the case continues, and we won't stop until we strike it down once and for all," said Brigitte Amiri, deputy director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project.In Monday's ruling, the Supreme Court declined to wade into allegations that ACLU lawyers lied about the timing of Doe's abortion to avoid an appeal that could have blocked the procedure.Administration attorneys accused Doe's lawyers of indicating that her abortion was scheduled for Oct. 26 after a state-mandated counseling session at the clinic Oct. 25.Instead, Doe's Oct. 25 appointment was moved from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 a.m. when her original abortion doctor became available. Because Doe already had the counseling session with that doctor in preparation for an earlier, canceled abortion, she was able to have the procedure a day earlier than expected, the government lawyers said.The misdirection thwarted plans to try to block Doe's abortion with an appeal to the Supreme Court, the Justice Department said.ACLU lawyers argued that their notice to the Justice Department complied with federal and state law, adding that they were under no obligation to delay Doe's abortion so the government could have time to appeal.Although Monday's opinion acknowledged that the Supreme Court takes allegations of ethical violations by lawyers seriously, it said there was no need to delve into the dispute to decide whether the lower court's order for Doe's abortion was moot."On the one hand, all attorneys must remain aware of the principle that zealous advocacy does not displace their obligations as officers of the court," the ruling said. "On the other hand, lawyers also have ethical obligations to their clients, and not all communication breakdowns constitute misconduct."David Cole, national legal director of the ACLU, said he was gratified that the court rejected the request to discipline his lawyers."In protecting a woman's access to abortion, the lower courts did what they are supposed to do. And the ACLU did what lawyers are supposed to do -- namely, pursue the best interests of our clients," he said.From 'witch hunt' to 'wrong'

'He was a pawn'

Veteran state Sen. John Courson, R-Richland, resigned from office Monday, pleaded guilty to one count of willful misconduct in office and agreed to cooperate with an ongoing investigation into public corruption at the S.C. State House.Courson, a former Senate president pro tempore, became the fourth Republican legislator to resign and plead guilty as part of that investigation, led by special prosecutor David Pascoe and State Law Enforcement Division agents.Courson's plea, announced Monday morning in a Richland County courtroom during a seven-minute hearing, brought an end to a 33-year Senate career. Courson's trial was about to start when the deal was announced to a crowded courtroom, full of SLED agents, lawyers, media and members of the public.Courson, 73, could face a 10-year prison sentence. However, state Circuit Court Judge Carmen Mullen deferred sentencing until a later date. How much prison time, if any, Courson gets depends on how much he cooperates.After the hearing, Courson -- who had a reputation as one of the Senate's more courteous, accessible members -- met with reporters, answering their questions."I accepted responsibility for an error that I've committed," Courson told reporters. He said he has been encouraged by expressions of support that he has received but added, "I agree that what I did was in error, and I apologize for that."Pascoe said after Monday's hearing that Courson, who had entered into a "cooperation agreement," might be called before the state grand jury investigating State House corruption. The prosecutor declined to say if and when more indictments might be forthcoming.Fourteen months ago, when Courson was indicted, his attorney, Rose Mary Parham of Florence, said the charges were the result of a "witch hunt" by Pascoe. Until Monday, Courson had insisted he was innocent of any wrongdoing.But Monday morning, after studying the prosecution's case and noting his attorney had been in plea negotiations with Pascoe, "I came to the conclusion that what I did -- as far as the reporting component -- was wrong," Courson told reporters.Pascoe was planning to put before a jury evidence that Courson had accepted some $159,000 over six years from the Richard Quinn & Associates political consulting and strategy firm.Between 2006 and 2012, Courson "willfully failed" to comply with the State Ethics Act by having an "agreement" with RQA whereby Courson would pay the Quinn firm from his campaign account and that firm would give Courson money back, Pascoe told the judge.The arrangement amounted to Courson's getting "kickbacks," Pascoe said in an earlier Courson hearings.Courson, elected to the state Senate in 1984, was one of the Legislature's longest-serving members. He was known as a moderate, pro-environment Republican representing a district that includes the University of South Carolina.Courson had been suspended from office since his indictment last year. A special election now will be held to fill the District 20 Senate seat.Courson was the first member of the more genteel Senate to be swept up in the State House corruption probe.Courson originally was charged with misconduct in office, criminal conspiracy and converting campaign money to his personal use by taking kickbacks from RQA.According to the indictment and public statements by Pascoe in court, Courson paid Quinn's Columbia firm sizable political consulting fees to handle campaign expenses on various occasions. Then, within days, the Quinn firm would write Courson a personal check for under $10,000. Courson would take that check to a Bank of America branch where he had an account and cash it, leaving the bank with thousands in cash.In all, Courson paid the Quinn firm $247,829 from 2006 to 2012. Then, the firm paid Courson $159,000 "though multiple transactions," according to indictments.By getting checks from the Quinn firm for less than $10,000, Pascoe has said, Courson avoided a law that requires banks to report all transactions of more than $10,000 to federal law enforcement authorities.Courson's explanation for the transactions was that he was getting reimbursements for legitimate campaign expenses. The Quinn firm advised him the transactions were fine, Courson told reporters.But Pascoe said he could have shown a jury otherwise."Even if they were legitimate reimbursements, you can't do it through a third party. That violates every tenet of the Ethics Act," Pascoe said.Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant, the Anderson Republican who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor, was even more blunt."It's another manipulation of the Quinn mafia," said Bryant. "I like John Courson. Everybody likes John Courson. I feel like he was a pawn and he was manipulated. ..."It's just unfortunate that these political consultants manipulate their clients the way they do and use them as pawns for their personal gain."Richard Quinn, too, initially faced criminal charges in connection with Pascoe's investigation into influence-peddling at the General Assembly. However, as part of a December plea-bargain deal, Pascoe dropped all criminal charges against Quinn. In return, Quinn's firm agreed to pay a fine for illegally lobbying the Legislature, and Quinn agreed to testify before the state grand jury.Founded in 1978, the Quinn firm had strong ties to numerous prominent S.C. GOP politicians, including Gov. Henry McMaster, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson. Its clients also included the late President Ronald Reagan and the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond.Pascoe told Judge Mullen on Monday that two other charges against Courson -- statutory misconduct in office and criminal conspiracy -- will not be dismissed until he has finished cooperating,"If the State believes Mr. Courson has cooperated fully and truthfully, the State will dismiss those charges," Pascoe said.Supreme Court sidesteps major ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop case [Washington Blade]

Here are 5 important things you need to know about todays Supreme Court ruling in the gay wedding cake case [RawStory]

3 years after same-sex marriage ruling, protections for LGBT families undermined [USA Today]

In bakers case, neither side has much reason to rejoice [The Washington Post]

A win for Masterpiece Cakeshop but it aint over yet [Fox News]

The Supreme Court's missed opportunity in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case [Washington Examiner]

The Supreme Court ruled narrowly Monday for a Christian baker who refused to make a same-sex wedding cake, deciding that he was a victim of religious bias on the part of the state's civil rights commission.But the 7-2 ruling, written by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, stressed the importance of maintaining equal rights for gays and lesbians.Here are some hot takes and analysis of the ruling from around the web:From the outlet that describes itself as "America's LGBT news source."Read this for a bullet-point breakdown of the ruling's implications. Bullet No. 1: "The ruling does not allow discrimination against same-sex couples, LGBT people, or anyone else. It changes no laws and sets no precedents."Reporter Susan Miller breaks down the backlash to the Supreme Court's 2015 decision to legalize gay marriage. Since then, states have added barriers for LGBT couples to adopt, win parental rights in divorce cases, and use their spouses' employment benefits.Columnist Jennifer Rubin: "Both proponents of gay rights and defenders of Christians who refuse to provide certain services to gay couples will, no doubt, read much more into the decision handed down today than is warranted."Columnist Todd Starnes: "Mondays ruling should give some comfort to Christian business owners who primarily service the wedding industry  gay rights do not necessarily trump everyone elses rights. ... But the fight goes on and we must be watchmen on the wall, forever diligent in the battle to protect and defend our nations first freedom."Attorney Gabriel Malor: "Instead of resolving the broad legal questions, the majority seized on two peculiarities of this particular case to reverse the Colorado Court of Appeals decision punishing the baker."The tweet came from the official, verified account of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. It was directed at Secretary of State Kris Kobach, in reference to his controversial appearance at a parade with a large replica machine gun."Hey Kris, I think you are a bad guy with a gun. Also, maybe worse, you a dumb guy with a gun," the tweet said.The message, posted Sunday, was deleted within about a half-hour. Later in the day, state officials said the Twitter account had been hacked and that it was the insulting post that alerted them to the breach.The tweet referenced Kobach's appearance Saturday in the Old Shawnee Days parade in Johnson County, where the Republican candidate for Kansas governor rode in a Jeep with a large gun mounted in the back.The sight of Kobach with what appeared to be a .50-caliber machine gun stunned some onlookers and sparked criticism on social media. The city of Shawnee issued a public apology for the "concern and frustration" sparked by Kobach's appearance.A spokeswoman for Kobach said the gun was a replica and defended its use in terms of the Second Amendment."The Secretary says those who use the excuse of school violence to restrict the right to bear arms are deeply misguided," Kobach spokeswoman Danedri Herbert said in a text message Saturday."We need to stand up for our Second Amendment rights and recognize the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."On Sunday, after the tweet knocking Kobach was posted and deleted, the Adjutant General's Department, which oversees the Division of Emergency Management, sent out a written statement saying the tweet was the result of a hacker."The Adjutant General's Department has deleted the tweet and has taken the necessary measures to fix the breach," the statement said.Though the tweet was deleted, The Star retained a screen shot of the message.The Division of Emergency Management is an arm of the Adjutant General's Department, which reports to the governor.Description

GIS 05 June, 2018: Let us all join hands to wage war against plastic pollution. Every action that we can do as an individual to take charge of protecting the environment is important. We also need to realise the severity of plastic usage in daily life and therefore use plastic judiciously. Let us all join hands to wage war against plastic pollution. Every action that we can do as an individual to take charge of protecting the environment is important. We also need to realise the severity of plastic usage in daily life and therefore use plastic judiciously.

This appeal was made this morning by the Acting President of the Republic, Mr Paramasivum Pillay Vyapoory, at the launching of activities in the context of the World Environment Day 2018 held at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in Moka. The Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr Etienne Sinatambou, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Representative, Mrs Christine Umutoni, as well as other eminent personalities were present.

Mr Vyapoory recalled how each year more than eight million tons of plastic end up in the oceans, wreaking havoc on marine wildlife, fisheries and tourism, and costing at least $8 billion in damage to marine ecosystems. Up to 80 per cent of all litter in our oceans is made of plastic, he added.

In view of the severity of the situation, the Acting President appealed to the population to protect the environment for future generations. He underlined that it is necessary to adopt more sustainable ways of living so as to reverse the trend and to change our mindset and way of life. The whole world, he stated, is in the grips of climate change, and it is imperative to change our existing behaviours relating to the use of plastics.

For his part, the Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr Etienne Sinatambou, further urged every individual to make simple changes in their lifestyle to reduce excessive use of plastic. He added that together we can build a healthier and more sustainable future if we reduce the use of plastic and rethink our consumption patterns.

He highlighted that with plastic making up ten per cent of the total waste generated, half of it is disposable or single-use. This presents a major problem as it is non-renewable and its manufacture and destruction exposes individuals and environment to many toxins, including carcinogens, he added.

Referring to statistics from the United Nations, Minister Sinatambou pointed out that at the rate items such as plastic bottles, bags and cups are being dumped after a single use, by 2050 oceans will carry more plastic than fish and an estimated 99 per cent of seabirds will have ingested plastic. Plastic waste is a risk to public health as it enters our food chain, creates congestion problems in drains, causing flooding, ends up in river beds and oceans, depleting ecosystems and marine biodiversity, and makes solid waste management more expensive as landfills and open incineration do not provide an acceptable solution for disposal, he said.

Mr Sinatambou stated that Government is determined to encourage the population to develop healthier consumption behaviours and to reduce use of plastics. The introduction of regulations to ban the sale and use of plastics is one such example stated the Environment Minister while appealing to everyone to make a pledge to make Mauritius cleaner, greener, better and safer.

Activities

To mark World Environment Day 2018, the eco-bin project was launched today through the donation of eco-bins to 57 Social Welfare Centres and 12 Local Authorities for plastic bottles collection. The general public, including the school community, will be encouraged to deposit the plastic bottles from their home at the nearest collection point. The plastic bottles will, thereafter, be sent to plastic recyclers.

A prize giving ceremony was also held to reward winners of the painting competition launched last year on the World Environment Day. Posters and pamphlets on the negative impacts of plastic on the environment were also launched.

Other activities which will be organised include: an exhibition on 7 and 8 June 2018 at the City Council of Port Louis to sensitise the public on the impacts of plastic inland and at sea. Private companies as well as non-governmental organisations will be invited to participate in the exhibition through the display of eco-friendly alternatives; a strengthened enforcement for one week from 4 to 16 June 2018 by officers of the Department of Environment and Police de LEnvironnement as well as by officers of the Municipal and District councils. This operation will consist of tracking illegal distribution of plastic carry-bags at places such as markets and sales outlets around the island.

Furthermore, a one-day cleaning of the beach and lagoon at the Flic-en-Flac public beach will be organised in collaboration with the District council, National Coast Guard and NGOs.

World Environment Day 2018

World Environment Day is a call for awakening of individuals to take charge of protecting their environment and to realise the severity of plastic usage in daily life. Under the theme Beat Plastic Pollution, World Environment Day 2018 is issuing a call to action to individuals, governments, the public and the private sector to examine joint solutions to reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution on our natural places, our wildlife and our own health.Description

GIS  05 June, 2018: Grants to the tune of Rs 2078000 were handed over to four Regional Committees and 1 029 Womens Associations yesterday during a ceremony held at the Paul Octave Wiehe Auditorium in Reduit. Regional Committees received cheques amounting to Rs 5 000 each, and the Womens Associations obtained a grant of Rs 2 000.

The ceremony is a yearly event organised by the National Womens Council (NWC) to provide budgetary allocations to those Associations and Committees which are affiliated with the Council. The aim is to enable Womens Associations and Regional Committees across Mauritius to bring forward their respective work agenda and activities to further promote women empowerment.

In her address the Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, Mrs Roubina Jadoo-Jaunbocus, pointed out that it is important to give Womens Associations and Regional Committees a new boost by reviewing their objectives so that they are aligned with those of the NWC.

Given that the National Women's Council Act was voted in 2016 and promulgated on 8 March 2018, the Minister said that there still remains a lot of work that needs to be done in terms of initiating a revamping process to advance the cause of women and render them more autonomous.

Womens Associations, she pointed out, have a key role to play and it also crucial to enlist womens active participation not only in the social and economic progress of the country but also in the political sphere. Women are ready to take such responsibilities and they have the potential and therefore, it necessary to hear womens voices not only at the level of local government but also at national level, she stated.

Speaking about empowerment and womens abilities, the Minister pointed out that women empowerment depends on women themselves. She called for women to encourage one another and act together in a cohesive manner as the future of the country lies in their hands. The Mauritian Government and the world at large recognise that a woman is the embodiment of strength not only for the socioeconomic development of any country but also in creating a balance within the society, she recalled.

A woman is an anchor, whether it is in the society or at home, she is the pillar and she has and is continuing to contribute to the economic advancement of Mauritius, she said.

Moreover, Mrs Jadoo-Jaunbocus announced that, in the wake of the promulgation of the National Women's Council Act, a series of awareness campaigns will be organised across the country to explain the implications of the legislation. All existing Womens Associations will have to register themselves once again to remain aligned with the NWCs objectives.

The Council has as objectives to promote women empowerment and gender equality; ensure the active participation of women in the social, economic and political fields in order to further their overall empowerment; and provide a platform for women to voice out their needs, concerns and aspirations.(TNS)  OTTUMWA  As technology advances and students become more dependent on it, schools are forced to find ways to regulate the use of electronic devices. Ottumwas school board discussed cellphone rules during Thursdays meeting before approving new handbooks for the middle school and high school.Last year Evans Middle School banned the use of cellphones during lunch periods in an attempt to cut down on cyberbullying. Thursday, Evans Principal Steve Zimmerman explained that next year cellphones must be turned off and kept in student lockers during the day.The 2017-2018 handbook says that there may be times when students may be allowed to use their devices for educational purposes, but Zimmerman said that with the new Chromebooks purchased by the school, students wont need their phones for access to apps or Internet.Board member Bill Allen took issue with the word may in both the current policy and the revised one. The handbook should say that the cell phone will be confiscated if a student is caught using a cellphone or device without permission, Allen said.Students may feel a great loss if they dont have their phones, but thats what they need if they are to learn to follow the rules, Allen said. Consequences need to be swift and painful.There is no may, said Zimmerman. They are confiscated.The handbook should say will be confiscated so that students know what to expect, Allen said, but teachers can still decide not to confiscate the phone under extenuating circumstances.However, Superintendent Nicole Kooiker said that if the handbook says will, teachers must confiscate the phone and cannot act with discretion.The only example Zimmerman could think of in which a student might be allowed to keep a phone after a violation of the rule is if the need for a phone is listed in the students Individualized Education Program, a document listing special needs for students with special education requirements.Upon second and subsequent violations of the policy, a parent or guardian is required to pick up the phone; it will not be returned to the student, the handbook says.Student safety will trump the rule, however, Zimmerman said. If a student has to walk home after school or after an activity and the parent wants the child to have a phone during that time, the school may return it to the student.Thats sometimes where the mays and shalls come in, said High School Principal Cory Johnson. The wording gives teachers flexibility.Board Member Nancy Manson asked if the school confiscates a lot of cellphones. At the start of the year we do, Zimmerman said, but most students stop violating the rule after losing their phone once.The board discussed the electronic device section of the high school handbook as well.Board member Gary Granneman said that some teachers ignore the rules. Students know which teachers will let them have cellphones and which wont, Granneman said. The policy is about the same as five years ago, but its not enforced consistently.Some changes in policy are due to changes in the way people use technology, Johnson said. Things like smart watches are now an issue. Teachers may now confiscate smart watches during tests to keep students from checking answers on the watch.Earlier this year some students used devices to order lunch from an outside source for delivery to the school, Johnson said, which violates federal laws regulating school lunches. The school quickly put a stop to the practice.(TNS) - A technical glitch was to blame for an all-clear message that suggested Fridays lockdown at Clark College, in Vancouver, Wash., was a drill, the schools chief security official said Monday.The good news is that everything else went right after a suspicious person was reported on campus, said Michael See, the community colleges director of security, safety and emergency management.Our real success on Friday was the response by the college community. We asked them to lock down, and they did, See said. Thats where I really appreciate it. Our plans are working as intended.Clark College went into lockdown for about 10 minutes Friday afternoon after, Vancouver police say, 22-year-old Damian Daniel Rodriguez called 911 to report he was armed and had killed two officers on campus.Rodriguez was not armed, and Vancouver police arrested him on suspicion of two counts of third-degree assault on an officer. He was supposed to make a first appearance Monday in Clark County Superior Court but was too sick to appear, court records show. Rodriguezs hearing was set over to this morning.According to an affidavit of probable cause, police responded to the campus at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way and found the suspect, later identified as Rodriguez, walking north on Fort Vancouver Way. When they contacted him, he immediately shoved his hands into his sweater pockets and said he had two handguns and would kill them.Rodriguez refused to remove his hands from his pockets, and when he finally did, he pointed at officers pretending to hold a handgun in each hand. He then dropped his hands and charged at one of the officers, according to the affidavit.Two officers used their Tasers on Rodriguez as he ran at them, but the shocks didnt faze him. Police said that as Rodriguez charged, he waved what was later determined to be a ballpoint pen and crushed soda can in his hands, court records say.One of the officers hit Rodriguez and threw him to the ground, and he was detained, according to court documents.The campus was locked down from about 3:30 to 3:40 p.m.Social media posts, emails, text messages and intercom notices from Clark College alerted people to the lockdown as intended, See said. But the all-clear message issued over the campus intercom system as the incident ended said the drill is over, when it wasnt a drill at all, See said.Shortly afterward, See sent a campuswide email explaining that the confusing all-clear message was the result of a technical glitch that is being resolved through the colleges technology department.The way See explains it, the glitch is a side-effect of a fortunate problem: Its rare the school declares real lockdowns. See said he cant remember the last time the all-clear notice was issued outside of a drill.Were working on resolving that audio, he said. That small little glitch in our system didnt put anyone at risk.During a lockdown, people on campus are supposed to go into the nearest building, lock the doors behind them, close the blinds and basically do their best to disappear, See said.Do everything you can to not appear like the room is occupied, See said. Thats what we did. We got a very high level of cooperation.2018 The Columbian (Vancouver, Wash.)Visit The Columbian (Vancouver, Wash.) at www.columbian.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.(TNS) - Legislation that calls for school districts to adopt safety plans for their schools and file those plans with a statewide school safety committee was signed into law on Monday.Under the law signed by Gov. Gina Raimondo, both the existence of the Rhode Island School Safety Committee and the process for the safety plans are codified. The districts must provide the plans to the safety committee every three years for the committee's review and recommendation."It's another step to ensure the safety of our students in schools," said the chairman of the safety committee, state police Capt. Derek Borek. "Anything we can do to ensure the safety of our children in our schools is the goal of the safety committee."Borek emphasized that the committee believes there are lots of simple, inexpensive things that schools can do to enhance safety and slow down an active shooter.The safety-assessment process, already completed by 17 school districts, aims to help school administrators address weaknesses that are simple to deal with, he said."We're not looking at it so a School Department needs to spend $200,000," Borek said.The legislation was introduced by House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello and Sen. Hanna M. Gallo.State officials, including Raimondo, made some public outreach to the safety committee following a mass killing at a Florida school in February.The new law calls for all school districts to perform the assessments, which are based on a form developed by the committee, for each school building. The assessments must be done within 30 days of when the law takes effect and then every three years after that.The law also establishes that the state police superintendent will designate the chairperson of the 12-member committee. The law calls for representatives of various state agencies and organizations, from the Rhode Island School Superintendents' Association to the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, to sit on the committee.Rhode Island has 36 school districts. The committee, said Borek, will have a lot of work to do as all of the assessments flow in."Our job now is to review those and list any recommendations we have or offer any assets we have to that school district," Borek said.2018 The Providence Journal (Providence, R.I.)Visit The Providence Journal (Providence, R.I.) at www.projo.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.AI is taking off

Just a tool

(TNS)  Youve heard it before. Artificial intelligence is here to take your jobs and steal your privacy.With the advent of facial recognition technology in products like iPhones, and recent data breaches at major companies such as Facebook, concern over the effects of AI in daily human life is as strong as ever.A survey released last week by Washington-based Brookings Institute shows Americas fear of automation is alive and well.The national study, which polled more than 1,500 adults aged 18 or older, showed serious concerns about AI, a technology that has a growing presence in a number of industries.Of those polled, 39 percent expressed worry about the overall impact of AI, while 38 percent said AI will lead to fewer jobs for humans.Much of the apprehension, however, came from worries about data security, with 49 percent of respondents saying AI will lead to diminished privacy.Brookings conducted the survey from May 9-11 using Google Surveys. Respondents were asked for their gender, age and the U.S. region in which they live. A chunk of those polled also didnt answer some questions or responded that they didnt know the answer.Those surveyed from Southern U.S. states, including Texas, showed lower but still strong opposition to AI. About 35 percent of respondents in the region said theyre worried about AI, and 46 percent answered that AI will reduce privacy.The doubts about where AI might be taking us are sparked in part by the swift growth of the technology.Artificial intelligence is taking off in a variety of areas, said Darrell West, author of the study.This includes industries like finance and health care, with many stocks now being traded automatically and health care providers using AI technology to perform functions like CT scans. At some restaurants and automated stores, such as the new Amazon Go store in Seattle, customers can check out on tablets or their phones. Daily use of AI is accelerating rapidly as competition within different industries surges.Evidence of automation is kicking in, and people are starting to wonder what that means to them, West said.The evolving use of AI has come with its vulnerabilities, but experts say its also led to a renewed focus in cybersecurity, with tech hubs like Austin helping to lead the way.Charlie Burgoyne, founder of Austin-based AI consultancy Valkyrie, said continual study and research of new AI systems has become an industry standard. At Valkyrie, Burgoyne said, a quarter of the companys time is devoted to monitoring how AI is changing. Valkyrie has developed predictive models and other AI technology for clients in industries such as investment and telecommunications.As AI advances, more simple tasks will be automated, Burgoyne said. AI will be able to better recognize patterns.Valkyrie is one of numerous Austin-based companies delving into the AI space. The metro area has become a hub for online security startups, with the market featuring companies such as SailPoint Technologies, SpyCloud, Factom and SparkCognition, to name a few.Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before the Senate judiciary and commerce committees on Capitol Hill over the social media data breach, on April 10, 2018 in Washington, D.C.Many in the tech industry also say worries about AI are overblown.They point to products such as Amazons Echo home assistant, which features some of the newest AI technology that, while impressive, is far from apocalyptic.There is a big difference between the long-term version of AI seen in some movies or television shows and the real AI that exists now in peoples phones, computers and cars, said Anita Schjll Brede, an AI expert on the faculty of tech think tank Singularity University.There is still a lot of confusion as to what AI is, and isnt, she said. AI can be used for good or bad. It is just a tool, and we use it as we want.Do we need to discuss it? Yes. Do we need to worry about it? Not to the level media is portraying.Still, concerns about AIs role have led to calls for stronger government regulation, particularly around data privacy on the internet. In the Brookings study, only 17 percent of respondents said government should not regulate AI.Both federal and state lawmakers have taken some action in that respect.Weeks ago, U.S. senators questioned Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in an open hearing about the inner workings of his social media company.At the hearing, Zuckerberg said federal regulation of internet companies, many of whom use AI at the core of their work, is inevitable. For the time being, most private data protection in the U.S. centers around personal health and financial records, and records of children.Experts say increased regulation around AI is likely to first be seen in industries that are responsible for financial transactions, or in assuring that AI systems arent built to discriminate.Some AI proponents such as Burgoyne, the Valkyrie founder, say they are optimistic that younger generations will more easily attune to AI.But if the Brookings survey is any indication, thats not guaranteed. In many of the questions asked, younger respondents indicated similar concern as older ones, at times even displaying more angst about the future.In the aftermath of the Facebook hearings, people are becoming more aware of how their data is being used, West, the Brookings study author, said.People are seeing how AI is being applied, and they are starting to worry.War is kill or be killed. And war is politics and politics is war. And, in both, the rules are the same. And the objective is to win at all costs, by hook ...(TNS)  Well, that was fast.It took Gov. Rick Scott's administration two months to formally apply for $19.2 million in election security money. It took the feds one day to approve the request.The U.S. Election Assistance Commission on Monday released a letter it sent to Sen. Marco Rubio that said the EAC "has reviewed Florida's disbursement request and approved the request in one working day. We expect funds will be in Florida's account this week." Read the letter:The money will be divided among the state and all 67 counties to improve security procedures to help detect threats to voting systems, such as the attempted phishing emails in at least five counties in 2016 that a federal agency said was the work of Russian hackers.UPDATE: In a statement, Rubio said: "We know that Florida is a target for Russian cyber-attacks, and I commend EAC for promptly approving much-needed funding to improve election security. State officials should quickly put this money to good use. It is critical that Floridians have confidence going to the polls and participating in our democratic process."The feds' announcement completes a stunning reversal from less than two weeks ago, when Scott's chief elections officer, Secretary of State Ken Detzner, said "the answer is no" when asked if the money, which was announced in late March, would be available for use in this election.After seeing Detzner's remarks, Scott overruled him and ordered the state to apply for the money.The state's three-page application reached D.C. late last week.Detzner's office said Monday that it will work quickly with the Legislature to provide funding to supervisors "as well as bolster state efforts to enhance the security and integrity of our elections." At Scott's urging, the agency also is hiring five cyber-security specialists.The clear implication of the EAC's letter is that Florida would have had the money long ago if it had applied for it faster. Sixteen states requested the money before Florida did, and as of Monday 23 states have applied.In Monday's letter, EAC Executive Director Brian Newby wrote: "Florida has some of the most dedicated election administrators in the nation, and the EAC looks forward to sharing Florida's best practices in the areas of election security."Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux, who learned of the action from the Times/Herald, said counties are compiling lists of how they would spend the money and now will work closely with Detzner's office to get the funds flowing. "There's a real need for this money," Lux said.(TNS)  Lewis County, Wash., is putting extra focus on preventing cyberbreaches, following a dramatic uptick in threats, Information Technology Services Director Steve Wohld told area leaders Friday.Theres an over 300 percent increase in endpoint user attacks [on agencies in Washington state] Wohld said. The attacks on Lewis County are significant and much higher than they ever were.Wohld spoke to leaders from throughout the county at Fridays Mayors Meeting, a monthly event hosted by the Board of Lewis County Commissioners, urging them to make sure their cities and agencies are using safe cybersecurity practices.Since last year, Lewis Countys IT Services department has moved from spending 10 to 15 percent of its time on cybersecurity to devoting 40 percent of its time to the issue. Part of the concern is that hackers are increasingly not just going after networks, but targeting county employees to try to infiltrate the system.The point is getting this out in front and letting our users know that the target has changed, Wohld said. The primary target now is the endpoint user.In other words, county employees who use unsafe passwords, click on dubious email links or plug in untrusted USB devices could be exposing the entire network to risk. One risk that has become more common is ransomware, in which a hacker takes over a system and demands payment to regain access or data.The city of Atlanta recently failed to pay a $50,000 ransom and ended up paying $2.6 million in efforts to recover compromised systems. That case is an extreme version of a problem that has also hit Washington state.Agencies across the state are paying out serious money recently, and were trying to avoid that, Wohld said.Recently, Lewis County Treasurer Arny Davis received a suspicious email from a treasurer in another county whose account had been hacked. He notified IT Services instead of opening the link in the email.If Arny would have clicked on it, his account would have been compromised, Wohld said.That was among many stories mentioned by Wohld and others about the importance of being vigilant. Commissioner Edna Fund said she had recently received an email on a work account from a personal friend whose email had been hacked. She also received notice of false charges on her account, only to be led to a site that tried to obtain her Social Security number. She logged onto Facebook, only to find another account claiming to be her.Im becoming very vigilant, she said. From all different vantage points, I was getting hit.Even as he warns county employees to be more careful, Wohld conceded that the increased threats will likely cause the county issues, although it hasnt lost any data yet.Weve had some close calls, he said. I really think its a matter of time. We will have a loss; we will have a failure.IT Services is preparing for such a compromise, storing physical backups of data in a vault. And its working to educate [county employees] on how to think differently about their computer and the power it has over the rest of us.Long-term, the department is implementing the Center for Internet Securitys 20-step series of Critical Security Controls. This years priorities include creating an inventory and control of hardware and software assets, establishing continuous vulnerability management and controlling use of administrative privileges.Wohld said it will take three to five years to implement the full list of controls. He told the assembled local leaders to bring cybersecurity awareness back to their employees, and to communicate if they believe theyve been compromised, which can prevent the problem from infiltrating more agencies.We really need people to be honest and come forward, he said. Its not about shaming anybody, its about responding.Vietnam looks set to join Miami as a new grand prix on the calendar in the near future.

Liberty Media's Chase Carey has said he wants Europe to remain the bedrock of F1 whilst expanding further into America and Asia.

"Vietnam is a very exciting country," Carey is quoted by L'Equipe as saying at an event in Manila.

"It's a country that speaks to our imagination and we want to go there."

It is believed that while Miami will join the calendar next year, Vietnam will follow in 2020.

Carey also said Liberty Media wants to look at the existing races on the calendar and improve them.

"First of all we want to make sure they are suitable tracks for great racing," he said.

"Realistically, there are circuits where we probably need to intervene."

(GMM)Daniel Ricciardo may not have escaped the threat of looming penalties this weekend in Canada.

Last week, we reported that after the Red Bull driver nursed his malfunctioning MGU-K unit to victory in Monaco, the technology seemed to have survived.

"It looks like there will be no grid penalty for us in Montreal," Dr Helmut Marko confirmed.

But Adrian Newey, Red Bull's technical boss, does not agree.

"He's probably going to have a penalty in Montreal, but we don't know how many places," he is quoted by France's L'Equipe.

"Depending on whether the battery has been touched or not, the penalty could be heavier," Newey added. "We are waiting for news from Renault, but the MGU-K will be replaced for sure."

(GMM)Within the first three months of 2018, a total of 346 thousand 458 inbound visits were recorded in Armenia, showing a 16,1% increase to compare with the indicated period of 2017.

June 5, 2018, 09:38 The number of tourists visiting Armenia grew by 16% this year

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 5, ARTSAKHPRESS: The National Statistical Service informed that 52 thousand 651 tourists or 26,3% of the total number accommodated in hotels, while the rest stayed at houses of relatives or rented apartments.

According to the released data, in the first trimester of the ongoing year 300 thousand 832 people left Armenia for tourism purposes, which is 13% increase to compare with the date of the previous year.

To note, according to the official data, 1 million 494 779 tourists visited Armenia last year, constituting a 8.7% growth against the number of the year 2016.Guest post by John Antal:



F oresight is one of the most critical skills of

a leader. Foresight is the capacity to accurately focus on the key factors

of a rapidly changing and chaotic situation without losing sight of the big

picture. The best leaders anticipate and develop an ability to see beyond

the immediate and are able to visualize and plan several moves ahead of their

opponent. Foresight helps leaders act in a manner that addresses problems in

the short term and solves them in the long run. In war, foresight is as

valuable as it is rare.



In December 1940, Adolf Hitler was considered

by many to be a leader with exceptional foresight. In 1938, he had bluffed the

Allies at Munich and annexed portions of Czechoslovakia and eventually took the

entire country without a fight. In 1939, Hitlers forces attacked Poland while

the French and British, who had pledged to fight if Poland was attacked, did

little to help. The Poles fought and died alone and Hitler won another victory

for the Reich. In 1940, Hitler unleashed a lightening war against Norway,

Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and France. All these countries

surrendered to Hitlers armies. In 1941 Hitlers legions seized Yugoslavia,

Greece and Crete. In Africa, Rommels Deutsches

Afrikakorps,

was nearing the Suez Canal. By late 1941, Hitlers empire stretched from the

shores of France to the Parthenon in Greece and from the sands of Libya to the

gates of Moscow.





On December 7, 1941, Nazi Germanys ally, the Empire

of Japan, executed a surprise attack on the United States at Pearl Harbor,

Oahu, Hawaii. The Japanese attack badly damaged the US Pacific Naval Fleet,

sinking, among others, four battleships. American naval and aircraft losses

were heavy. All eight American battleships anchored at Pearl Harbor, the pride

of the US Navy, were damaged, with four being sunk, along with the loss of

three cruisers and three destroyers. Although the US Navys aircraft carriers

escaped the attack, 188 Army and Navy aircraft were destroyed. Most tragically,

2,403 Americans were killed, with another 1,178 wounded. That same day, the

Japanese attacked US forces in the Philippines, and Guam, while simultaneously

attacking British and Dutch forces across the Pacific.





The surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor

crippled Americas fighting forces in the Pacific and shocked the American

people. In response, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his address to

Congress on December 8, 1941, stated: Hostilities exist. There is no blinking

at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave

danger. With confidence in our armed forceswith the unbounding determination

of our peoplewe will gain the inevitable triumphso help us God.





Those were brave words, but in 1941, the United

States was not ready for war. The US Army was ranked 19th in the world and was

smaller than the army of Romania. Only three divisions in the US Army were

considered combat ready and these lacked the modern equipmentespecially

tanksthat was the key ingredient of the German Armys (the Wehrmachts)

success. The Army Air Corps (the United States Air Force did not become a

separate service until 1947, after World War II) was struggling to train pilots

on mostly obsolete aircraft. Only the United States Navy was truly a force to

be reckoned with and now the Japanese had delivered a devastating blow to the

American fleet.





Hitler watched as Japan conducted its Pacific

blitzkrieg. The Japanese seemed poised to knock the US out of the war. Hitler

expected America to cower and beg the Japanese for terms, just as the British

and French had done at Munich. He waited a few days after the Japanese attack,

searching for an opportune time to maximize the propaganda effect and announce

his support for Imperial Japan. Then, on December 11, 1941, four days after the

Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hitler gave a speech at the Reichstag and, to

the surprise of his generals, declared war on the United States.







When Hitlers Generals heard their Fuhrer declare war on the

United States their jaws dropped. Japan had not informed Germany of its plan to

attack Pearl Harbor. Hitler had not consulted the Wehrmacht high command that

Germany would take on the Americans. The German Army was fully committed to the

titanic struggle in Russia. It was true that the United States had inadequate

military forces and was unprepared for war, but it seemed unnecessary to add

another enemy to an ever-increasing list of enemies. Germany was not bound by

the Axis Tripartite Pact to declare war on the United States.

Nevertheless, victory for the Axis was in the air. Hitlers forces were

expected to take Moscow in the spring. Japan had just smashed the American

Navy. Hitler was sure that the decadent bourgeois Americans could

not fight.





On December 11, 1941, the Fuhrers

foresight still seemed infallible and Americas ability to fight a

global war against the Axis powers of Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany looked

impossible. Impossible, however, was not a word in the American dictionary and

America rose to the challenge. Almost immediately after the Pearl Harbor

attack, Americans shook of isolationism, rolled up their sleeves, and decided

on courage. They decided to lead. It took tremendous effort, organizational

skills, and sacrifice by a united America to raise the Army, Army Air Forces,

Navy, Marines and Coast Guardsmen required to turn the tide against this

vicious totalitarian onslaught, but that is what they were determined to do.

Remember Pearl Harbor was their rallying cry.





One thousand, two hundred and seventy-seven

days later, on June 6, 1944, the Allies under the leadership of General Dwight

D. Eisenhower, landed on the beached of Normandy, France, in the greatest

amphibious operation ever attempted. The Allies cracked open Hitlers Fortress

Europe and started the march toward Germany. D-Day was a vital step in the

destruction and surrender of Nazi Germany, and it started at Pearl Harbor, on

December 7, 1941. For the ancient Greeks, the name Prometheus means

foresight. Adolf Hitlers hubris and lack of foresight on December 11, 1941,

when he declared war on the United States, was, thankfully, one of biggest

strategic blunders of WWII.





John Antal is a Soldier,

historian, author, leadership expert and master storyteller . He has published

thirteen books and hundreds of magazine articles on his historical and

leadership subjects. His latest book, 7

Leadership Lessons of D-Day: Lessons from the Longest Day, June 6, 1944,

was published in October 2017 and is available at You can learn more about John

Antal and his books at www.American-Leadership.com.Switzerland-based energy storage company Leclanche SA has secured new additional funding from FEFAM, Leclanches largest shareholder. In addition to CHF 75 million (US$76 million) committed corporate funding, FEFAM has agreed to provide a conditional CHF 50 million (US$51 million) funding facility for acquisitions and joint ventures. The facility shall operate on the basis of a Right-of-First-Offer (ROFO) for FEFAM.

The new funding follows Leclanches full year 2017 results announcement on 3 May 2018 that it is expected to be EBITDA positive by 2020, supported by an order book of over 50 MWh, contributing CHF 40-50 million of revenue in 2018, and a milestone of 100MWh of energy storage systems in operation by 2018.

Further, as indicated on 1 March, Leclanche confirms that it has signed a non-binding term sheet with a potential strategic investor to increase its overall corporate funding to between CHF100 million (US$102 million) and CHF125 million (US$127 million). The company said that it anticipates that negotiations will be completed, and a final agreement will be executed, by Q4 2018.During the upcoming June 6-7 visit to Moscow, Armenian foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan will also touch upon the issue of finding an alternative to the only land connection between Armenia and Russia  the Lars road.

June 5, 2018, 14:35 Armenian FM to discuss alternative option for only land connection with Russia in Moscow visit

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 5, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: Foreign ministry spokesperson Tigran Balayan told reporters that the first side which is interested in having an alternative connection with Russia is Armenia.

We will do our best in order for the opening of that road to take place as soon as possible, he said.

He said there are different sides in this issue  some contribute to the opening of that road, while others attempt to disrupt it.On 5 June Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan received head of the General Staff of the Republic of Armenia Armed Forces Artak Davtyan.

June 5, 2018, 14:58 President of Artsakh met with head of General Staff of Armenian Armed Forces

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 5, ARTSAKHPRESS: President Sahakyan congratulated General Davtyan on his appointment to the responsible post wishing him efficient work.

Presitent's press service also informed that issues related to army building and cooperation between the two Armenian states in the sphere were on the discussion agenda.

Artsakh Republic defense minister Levon Mnatsakanyan was present in the meeting.There is no agreement on a meeting of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the moment, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tigran Balayan told reporters at a briefing on Tuesday, Panorama.am reports.

June 5, 2018, 15:44 No agreement on Armenian, Azeri leaders meeting at the moment  spox

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 5, ARTSAKHPRESS: He also said no meeting is planned between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers as well.

Commenting on the upcoming visit of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to Armenia, the spokesman said it would in fact be the first interaction between the mediators and the new Armenian authorities.

Balayan also touched upon Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyans expected visit to Russia on 6-7 June, adding the most important meeting on the agenda is the one between the Armenian and Russian FMs, which comes after the May 14 talks between Pashinyan and Putin.

He said the meeting will focus on issues on combing the efforts of the two states on bilateral and multilateral platforms, as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict settlement, with the FMs summing up the outcome of talks at a joint news conference.

The spokesman added in addition to the talks with his Russian counterpart, Mnatsakanyan is also scheduled to meet with the representatives of Russian parliament, as well as the Armenian students studying in Moscow.

Balayan says Armenia will continue deepening and enhancing ties with Russia, meantime developing the relations with the Western countries and its partners from different continents.The tlayuda with lard, house quesillo, refried beans, and salsa de pipicha. Photo: Melissa Hom

Pizza and tacos are two of the worlds great foods. So why not cook both? is more or less the question chef Justin Bazdarich asked himself. His restaurant Speedy Romeo is one of Brooklyns most popular new-school pizzerias, popular enough for him and his partner to open a second branch on the Lower East Side. Bazdarich and his crew cook every dish at both in the wood-fired oven  even the chicken parm  and hes something of a culinary pyromaniac. Back in December, Grub spilled the beans that at his next restaurant thered be no margheritas, just margaritas: serving, he told Grub then, wood-fired Mexican. Located in Greenpoint and called Oxomoco, that restaurant opens for business today.

Id sort of written a menu that was my vision and fantasy, Bazdarich says, before he was helped in refining by his chef de cuisine Matt Conroy, who worked at Empellon Cocina, and a hand from consultant Kaelin Ulrich, who Bazdarich says kind of grew up in Oaxaca. What kind of brought things together is that weve taken all the best of Mexico and put it into one menu.

The menu is a grab bag of Mexican dishes: It traverses from Tijuana (via the Caesar salad, for which theyre grilling half the romaine) to Ensenada (from which theyve borrowed their style of tostadas) to Oaxaca (tlayuda with lard) over to the Yucatan (skewered swordfish achiote with habanero salsa for tacos). Theres also a nod to modern Mexican cooking in the tuna tostada, the style of the famous Contramar. Everyone has sort of ripped off their tuna tostada, Bazdarich says.

Here, its served with mashed avocado, thinly sliced radish, yellowfin tuna thats brushed with soy sauce, and then topped with a smoky, sesame-based salsa macha and toasted sesame seeds. Speaking of toasting: Were just trying to make sure everything touches the grill somehow in some element of a dish, Bazdarich says, an approach hes imported from his pizzeria. Just as they make mozzarella at Speedy Romeo, theyre making giant balls of quesillo at Oxomoco, as well as a Valentina-like house hot sauce of arbol and guajillo chilies, vinegar, garlic, and salt.

Tuna tostada with avocado, radish, soy sauce, salsa macha, and toasted black and white sesame seeds. Photo: Melissa Hom

The Cihuacoatl with tequila reposado, Cynar, grapefruit, and canela. Photo: Melissa Hom

For the drinks, theyve brought on one of the cocktail worlds big names: Eben Klemm, the biologist turned bartender, whose consulted here on a mezcal, rum, and tequila heavy set of drinks. The kitchens emphasis on incorporating grilled things carries over to drinks like the Hue Hue, a mix of bourbon, mezcal reposado, fernet, and smoked mole. Orgeat is usually made with almonds, but for the rum-based Teo Teo, Klemm has instead prescribed a pumpkin-seed orgeat. There are also wines, including some from Mexico, and both American craft beers and Mexican macrobrews, as well as nonalcoholic agua frescas like tamarind tepache and cucumber-mint-kiwi-lime.

What originally attracted Bazdarich and his business partner Chris Walton to this space was its giant skylights, which flood the room with plenty of natural light. Theyve built a hanging plant shelf inside of the skylights and decorated the room with plants, but its otherwise an uncluttered space. Its sort of a very minimal, Art Deco, Mexican-style design that youd see in Mexico City in the 20s or so, Bazdarich says. We didnt want any bright pops of color. We want the food to be the color in the room.

Grilled black bass with mole amarillo, hoja santa, spring greens, and fingerling potatoes. Photo: Melissa Hom

Pork-cheek carnitas taco with avocado-tomatillo salsa and chicharron. Photo: Melissa Hom

Grilled asparagus taco with morel, chipotle gribiche, and ramp salsa verde. Photo: Melissa Hom

The Savage Detective with mezcal, vermouth, and pear. Photo: Melissa Hom

Bright and sunny! Photo: Melissa Hom

Oxomoco, 128 Greenpoint Ave., nr. Manhattan Ave.; 646-688-4180



Haiti - FLASH : In favor of Venezuela, Haiti could be the target of the Trump administration





The 48th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) is being held in Washington DC (June 4-5) to establish Venezuela's status in the Organization.



Despite pressure from the international community and the severe US economic measures against Venezuela, the President of the Bolivarian Republic Nicolas Maduro, can always count on the support of several Caribbean countries, while others hesitate for fear of to be the next target of American retaliation ...



Among the countries likely to pressure and be the target of the US, Haiti, whose abstentions on the Venezuelan issue to the OAS and the positions of Jovenel Moise, acting Presidnet of the OAS in favor of Venezuela, frustrate and increasingly annoy the Trump administration and some US lawmakers.



Recall that already in March 2017, while fifteen countries of the OAS had voted for sanctions against Venezuela: Haiti, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic had voted against and supported on the contrary Venezuela at a meeting of OAS https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20505-haiti-politics-tensions-within-the-oas-on-venezuela-haiti-dismayed.html The US Senator Marco Rubio had qualified on his Twitter account the vote of Haiti and the other two countries of "Shameful Votes"



Last April, Jovenel Moise met with Acting US Secretary of State John Sullivan and Senator Marco Rubio who asked him to take a stand as CARICOM President ai, but evading the issue, Moses had instead suggested to server as mediator because of his good relations with the Venezuelan in an attempt to restore relations between the two countries, a response that had not satisfied Senator Rubio at all.



"Venezuelan problems must be solved by Venezuelans. This is the only way to reach a lasting solution," said Chancellor Antonio Rodrigue in his address to the 48th General Assembly Monday, calling on Venezuelans" to seek the path of dialogue and consultation with a view to finding a solution harmonious and peaceful solution to the political and socio-economic situation faced by this brother country." Recalling the duty of mutual assistance that must prevail among OAS member countries. The Chancellor reaffirmed Haiti's support for President Maduro's regime, which is becoming increasingly isolated within the organization.



Monday at the end of the first day, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on member states to take a resolution to suspend Venezuela's participation in the OAS.



Tuesday's vote will be an important test for diplomats in Latin America and the Caribbean who have so far been reluctant to take punitive action against any of their members.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20505-haiti-politics-tensions-within-the-oas-on-venezuela-haiti-dismayed.html



SL/ HaitiLibre

















Armenias delegation led by Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Mayor-General Artak Davtyan visited the Defense Army on June 4-5 within the framework of the Armenia-Artsakh military cooperation and action plan, Artsakhs defense ministry said.

June 5, 2018, 15:53 Chief of General Staff of Armenias Armed Forces highly values Artsakh Defense Armys combat readiness level

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 5, ARTSAKHPRESS: Accompanied by Defense Army commander, Lieutenant-General Levon Mnatsakanyan, Mayor-General Artak Davtyan visited several directions of the frontline.

During the visit the ongoing issues and development prospects of the mutual partnership, the possible actions of the adversary and the further effective ways to adequately response to them were discussed.

Artak Davtyan highly appreciated the current combat preparedness level of the Defense Army and the consistent steps aimed at developing the military-technical capacities, as well as assured that Armenias defense field representatives will provide practical assistance to issues on further improving the Defense Armys combat potential.

At the end of the tour the military officials outlined the future actions in the context of bilateral cooperation.



Haiti - ALERT : Warning for US citizens





Monday, the "American Citizen Service" (ACS) of the United States Embassy in Haiti has issued an alert for US citizens living in Haiti and those of passage as tourist, business, humanitarian trip or others, informing them about the insecurity situation prevailing in the area of Toussaint Louverture International Airport.



ACS stresses that because of a continuing high number of violent armed robberies against U.S. citizens after departing the airport, the Embassy recommends to American citizens the application of precautionary measures to avoid attacks :



"- Arrange to have your host or organization meet you at the airport upon arrival, or pre-arrange airport to hotel transfers.

- Be aware of your surroundings.Make sure you are not being followed as you leave the airport. Drive to the nearest police station or other safe location immediately if you notice you are being followed.

- Be judicious about providing your destination address in Haiti. Do not provide personal information to unauthorized individuals located in the immigration, customs, or other areas inside or near the airport.

- Keep a low profile.

- Do not display signs of wealth, such as jewelry or watches.

- Do not resist a robbery attempt."



Embassy of the United States in Port-au-Prince : 011-509-2229-8000



Email : acspap@state.gov



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24009-haiti-flash-the-pnh-launches-the-protection-operation-welcome-to-haiti.html



HL/ HaitiLibre





















Haiti - Politic : Miami donates 7 garbage trucks for Port-au-Prince





Sunday, Guy Andre Junior Francois, the Minister of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) returning from his tour in Argentina and Chile and the Mayor of Port-au-Prince Ralph Youri Chevry welcomed at the Airport International Toussaint Louverture, the arrival of Miami District 5 Municipal Commissioner, Keon Hardemon leading a delegation, as part of a twinning program between the City of Miami and Port-au-Prince, Cite Soleil and Saint-Louis du Nord



Monday in his equipment center, Mayor Chevry received from the city of Miami a donation of 7 trucks specialized in the collection of waste. The opportunity for the Mayor of Port-au-Prince to remind the people of his commune the communal decree on the collection of waste and the penalties provided for https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24489-haiti-flash-ranking-of-the-shame-port-au-prince-the-dirtiest-city-in-the-world.html claiming that several people have already been arrested for offenses and transferred to court.



Keon Hardemon, expressed the solidarity of his administration towards the Haitians in general and the inhabitants of Port-au-Prince in particular recalling "Just as the Miami City Council works to improve the people of its jurisdiction, the City Council of Port-au-Prince strives to improve the living conditions of the citizens of the capital."



Minister Francois, thanked the Miami city councilors who facilitated this donation of materials as well as the recognition and official recognition of the Haitian district "Little Haiti" and its geographical delimitation on the map of Miami-Dade https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17571-haiti-politic-little-haiti-officially-recognized-as-a-miami-neighborhood.html



In addition to these 7 trucks for the city of Port-au-Prince, the city of Miami donated an additional truck to the town of Saint-Louis du Nord and another to the Town Hall of Cite Soleil.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24489-haiti-flash-ranking-of-the-shame-port-au-prince-the-dirtiest-city-in-the-world.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17571-haiti-politic-little-haiti-officially-recognized-as-a-miami-neighborhood.html



HL/ HaitiLibre





















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Vladjimir Legagneur, "The investigation continues..."

82 days after the disappearance last March 14 of the journalist, Vladjimir Legagneur, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23931-haiti-security-the-mystery-remains-around-the-disappearance-of-journalist-legagneur.html in reporting to Grande Ravine (neighborhood Martissant), the investigation has not yet provided any element to understand what happened.



The wife of the journalist Fleurette Guerrier Legagneur was heard Monday for nearly 4 hours by the Judge Jean Wilner Morin. Mrs. Legagneur hopes that the investigation will not continue indefinitely See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24299-haiti-flash-3-suspects-apprehended-by-the-police-in-the-disappearance-of-vladjimir-legagneur.html



Inaguration postponed

The Ministry of the Environment announces the postponement to Thursday, June 7th of the inauguration of the Fruit and Forest Germplasm Center of the Nippes scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, 2018, to Fonds-des-Negres https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24496-haiti-news-zapping.html . Aware of the damage that this change can cause to the concerned, the Ministry of the Environment apologizes.



Fuego Volcano : Message from Moise

"It is with great emotion that Haiti learned the magnitude of the damage caused by the eruption of the Fuego Volcano, which left at least 65 dead. I offer my sincere condolences and those of my wife to President Jimmy Morales and the Guatemalan people, as well as to the families of the victims," President of Haiti, Jovenel Moise



Waste : Mayor Chevy Applies sanctions

According to the Mayor of Port-au-Prince, Ralph Youri Chevry, several individuals have been arrested in connection with the implementation of the communal ordinance on waste management in the capital See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24489-haiti-flash-ranking-of-the-shame-port-au-prince-the-dirtiest-city-in-the-world.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24586-haiti-politic-miami-donates-7-garbage-trucks-for-port-au-prince.html



Did You Know ?

Port-au-Prince owes its name to the boat "The Prince" commanded by the Captain of St. Andrew, who had dropped anchor in the harbor in the area called at that time "The Hospital".



3,000 volunteers follow training sessions

The Directorate of Civil Protection (DPC) is mobilizing all its structures across the country to deal with all eventualities, says its Director Jerry Chandler who states that about 3,000 volunteers follow additional training sessions to rescue the population in case of need.



HL/ HaitiLibre

















Defra Brexit negotiator steps in as SWA industry director

By Rob Brown

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has appointed a former top government Brexit negotiator as its new industry director.

Dagmar Droogsma joins the SWA from Defra, where she played a leading role in formulating the departments position ahead of the Brexit negotiations. In her new role, she will oversee the SWAs work on operational issues, alcohol policy, taxation and industrial strategy.

Im absolutely thrilled to have joined the SWA, she said. Im excited about using my experience and skills to drive the sustainable growth of the whisky sector through and beyond Brexit.

In the past 25 years, Droogsma has held senior positions for professional bodies such as the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. As a lawyer, she has advised the Dutch government and worked for the UN and EU.

Im delighted that Dagmar is joining the SWA team, said SWA chief executive Karen Betts. She will bring a wealth of experience from her previous roles, both inside and outside government. She will strengthen the Associations expertise at a busy time, as the industry works to ensure that Scotlands national drink continues to thrive.

Droogsmas appointment comes a month after the SWA appointed Gerry McFall  former director of global affairs & communication campaigns at Italian aerospace company Leonardo Helicopters  as its new director of strategy & communication.

Scotch whisky is the UK biggest food & drink export and hit a new high of 4.37bn in 2017. That represents an increase of 8.9% on volumes up 1.6%. The equivalent of 1.23 billion bottle were shipped globally last year, according to data from HMRC.Cannabis the big green elephant in the room for drinks sector claims report

By Rob Brown

The global alcoholic drinks industry is facing a moment of reckoning as cannabis laws across the world continue to be relaxed.

Thats according to the author of a report that claims global drinks volumes have hit a five-year high, driven in part by a recovery in demand from China and Russia.

The category reaching a five year high shouldnt be seen as a reason for complacency, said Euromonitor International alcoholic drinks industry manager Spiros Malandrakis.

The biggest disruptor on the horizon is what I call the big green elephant in the room  the legalisation of cannabis. Were starting to see hybrid products in the US that contain cannabis and alcohol. This will be the big question for the industry in the next 10 years.

Canada is expected to ratify a bill legalising recreational use of marijuana on Thursday 7 June.

Constellation Brands December acquisition of a minority stake in Canopy Growth, the worlds only publically traded cannabis company, and Blue Moon Brewing Co founder Keith Villas new alcohol-free cannabis beer venture Ceria add weight to this prediction.

Today, the opportunity and the demand are here, inviting Americans to enjoy a more social way of consuming cannabis  by drinking rather than by smoking it or through ingestion of edibles, Villa said in April.

Its not just in the US. Uruguay became the first country to legalise recreational cannabis use back in 2013 and laws are being relaxed from Australia to Europe (although in most cases recreational use is still prohibited).

UK parliament is due to debate the issue this week following a proposal that the drug should be partially legalised for medicinal purposes. Right wine think tank the Adam Smith Institute estimates that up to 1bn could be generated in tax if cannabis were regulated like alcohol.

Euromonitor International estimates that global drinks volumes hit 252.8 billion litres in 2017, up 1% on the previous year. Spirits volumes increased by 1.5%, driven in part by the continuing growth of gin. Wine volumes grew 1.4%.But we were being educated too. The first thing I learned was that Bihute is not a formal school. There is neither formal curriculum, no established class structure and no planned content to teach. And as you might expect the inmates had widely varying education and literacy levels.

Dr Luke Apa, Joram Seth and I were deployed to Bihute prison camp - 30 minutes drive from the university - to supervise a group of trainee students who would be teaching inmates.

The program includes private schools, technical and vocational schools and primary and secondary schools. And, in the case of two other supervisors and me, it included Bihute Correctional Service Institute.

GOROKA  At the University of Goroka the professional and liaison office headed by senior lecturer Joseph Kerpei has been busy organising schools around Papua New Guinea to enable trainee teachers to gain practical experience in addition to their classroom learning.

The first encounter was supposed to be an observation of three lessons by Bihute teachers to gain insights before the trainees had their turn. Well we could not implement that as there was no teacher or trainer to demonstrate a lesson.

However liaison officer Corporal James stepped forward to take one class and asked me to take another. There was no plan to deliver a demonstration class but I had two minutes to think of a topic and quickly decided on a social issue related to problem solving.

The message was that problems have not just one but a number of causes. Our student inmates were taught how to address the individual causes of a problem rather than addressing the problem itself.

Towards the end of the lesson, inmates were grouped into four to apply the problem-solving concept to a personal problem they had encountered in real life. The inmates delivered interesting presentations in their groups and both our teacher trainees and inmates were enthusiastic about the topic.

In the teacher trainee group I supervised, there were two female trainees with health specialisations and a male with an agricultural background.

One of the health trainees was teaching about the different types of sexual transmitted infections including mode of transmission and prevention measures. The liaison officer granted permission to teach the lesson as planned. As a supervisor, I encouraged my trainee to be brave and teach the truth in the lesson.

She was calm and confident in her delivery despite the sensitivity of the subject. Confidence was part of the assessment.

The trainee used pictures and had to name the private parts of males and females in front of the inmates who listened enthusiastically and attentively. She did this successfully and was commended by the liaison officer. The inmates were also happy that the trainee delivered the lesson well and without hesitation.

The other trainee taught hygiene, especially hand and kitchen hygiene, while a home economics lesson from another female trainee was on cake baking - how to bake banana cake.

The only male trainee in my supervisory group was teaching topics on agriculture and at the end of the week he issued them with seedlings to materialise the theory they had learnt.

All the lessons were interesting and practical and the student inmates were kept engaged and participated in the activities.

On the last day an inmate thanked us and assured supervisors and trainees that the lessons were practical and meaningful and were of benefit.

The health lessons, especially on sexual transmitted infections, was powerful. You are hitting the bulls eye! said the liaison officer. The hygiene lesson was also useful to prevent typhoid and related diseases in the camp.

The message to us was that the inmates were not in prison but in a correctional institute. Such lifeskills training and educational information will help the men to settle better in society upon their release.

To conclude, anybody can have content knowledge but if it is not delivered effectively it is of no use to learners.

The University of Goroka is embarking on developing teachers with content knowledge, teaching and practical skills and the professionalism to be called a teacher.2018s Safest States in America

From WalletHub, June 5, 2018

With every new headline about a mass shooting, terrorist attack, hate crime or natural disaster, many of us fear for our safety and that of our loved ones. Just in 2017, four hurricanes struck the mainland U.S., killing over 100 people and devastating Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Puerto Rico. And Louisiana led the U.S. in the homicide rate, averaging 11.8 per 100,000 people. Each state is safe from some dangers but falls prey to others.

Safety is a basic human need. We require some form of it, such as personal and financial protection, in every part of daily life. But were likely to feel more secure in some states than in others.

In order to determine the safest states in America, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 48 key safety indicators grouped into five different categories. Their data set ranges from assaults per capita to unemployment rate to total loss amounts from climate disasters per capita

read  Full Report

HawaiiShanghai (Gasgoo)- Shanghai has applied autonomous driving technologies in some certain scenarios, largely for commercial use, such as intelligent valet parking, self-driving logistics delivery in industrial park, vehicle self-charging, etc., according to local media.

In March this year, SAIC Motor and NIO got the China's first batch of licenses that allow them to test ICVs (intelligent-connected vehicle) on public roads. In the past three months, the road tests have been conducted under safe control without any collision or serious traffic accidents happened. In the near future, the total length of open road for test will extended to 12km from 5.6km, adding several new road sections with more abundant testing scenarios.

By the end of this year, the open road for test will be lengthened to 47km, involving a total of 58 intersections, according to Chen Hailin, general manager of Shanghai International Automobile City. Besides, autonomous trucks and sanitation vehicles are expected to be used in some certain scenarios like port.

Currently, autonomous vehicles can only be tested or used with some limitations on range, speed and scenarios, etc. Finding the proper scenario is especially important to accomplish the application of this emerging technology. Highway and low speed are two key words when the industry describes the scenarios that testing companies mostly favor. Highways have rather simple transportation environment with few pedestrian, traffic light and turning. It makes it earlier for the driving system to judge and analyze data when the vehicle is running. In addition, at a "low speed", a vehicle will have more time to analyze and judge the information from the surroundings and handle the interaction with vehicles, pedestrians or non-motorized conveyances. Apart from that, these scenarios require relatively plain infrastructures in terms of intelligentization.

Some automakers has currently explored the application in "highway" and "low speed" scenarios, for example, autonomous minibus has run in some industrial parks in Jiading District and autonomous trucks have been put into use in Yangshan Port.(HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced that New York-based investment adviser deVere USA, Inc. has agreed to pay an $8 million civil penalty related to its failure to disclose conflicts of interest to its retail clients. The settlement will result in the establishment of a Fair Fund for distribution of the penalty to affected clients. The SEC also announced the filing of a litigated action against two deVere USA investment adviser representatives, one of whom was the CEO of the firm.

According to the SECs order, deVere USA failed to disclose agreements with overseas product and service providers that resulted in compensation being paid to deVere USA advisers and an overseas affiliate. The SEC order finds that the undisclosed compensationincluding an amount equivalent to 7% of the pension transfer valuecreated an incentive for deVere USA to recommend a pension transfer and particular product or service providers that were obligated to make payments. The order also finds that deVere USA made materially misleading statements concerning tax treatment and available investment options.

The SEC separately filed charges against the former deVere USA CEO, Benjamin Alderson, and a former manager, Bradley Hamilton. The SECs complaint, filed in federal district court in Manhattan, alleges that Alderson and Hamilton misled clients and prospective clients about the benefits of pension transfers while concealing material conflicts of interest, including the substantial compensation that Alderson and Hamilton personally stood to receive.

Investment advisers have an obligation to disclose direct and indirect financial incentives, said Marc P. Berger, Director of the SECs New York Regional Office. deVere USA brushed aside this duty while advising retail investors about their retirement assets, and todays settlement will result in a Fair Fund distribution to deVere USAs retail clients who were deprived of important information.

Without admitting or denying the SECs findings, deVere USA consented to the SECs order, which finds that the firm violated the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, including the antifraud provisions, and imposes remedies that include an $8,000,000 penalty and engaging an independent compliance consultant. The SECs complaint against Alderson and Hamilton alleges that they violated the Investment Advisers Act and seeks an injunction, disgorgement plus interest, and civil money penalties.

The SECs investigation was conducted by Michael Ellis, Haimavathi Marlier and Wendy Tepperman in the New York office. Assisting the investigation was Roseann Daniello in the New York office. The litigation against Alderson and Hamilton will be led by Ms. Marlier and Mr. Ellis, and the case is being supervised by Lara Shalov Mehraban. The SEC examination that led to the investigation was conducted by Michael Devine, Phillip Ma, Edward Perkins, and Joseph DiMaria of the New York office. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority.

###I feel like the National Coalition has sold almost all of its principles along the way, he stated in an interview on YLE TV1 on Monday .

The National Coalition seems to have compromised almost all of its principles in attempting to push through the social, health care and regional government reform, slams Jan Vapaavuori (NCP), the Mayor of Helsinki.

The National Coalitions key principles of managing government finances soundly, overcoming the sustainability deficit, listening to urban residents, preparing laws responsibly and thoroughly, and conducting sound assessments have all be sold along the way. Now theres a risk that not much will be left of the freedom of choice, he elaborated.

Vapaavuori also estimated that the odds of the reform being abandoned have increased following the statement issued last week by the Parliaments Constitutional Law Committee.

Its still hanging in there somehow, up in the air, but this is starting to look very good indeed, he commented. No one really has confidence in it any more, except for a few members of the government, although Im not so sure about them either. This is ever closer to collapsing.

The National Coalition has yet to comment officially on the statement of the Parliaments Constitutional Law Committee.

The statement and subsequent debate are likely to influence the views of the party members who have yet to make up their mind about the reform, Vapaavuori assessed adding that there is no way to portray the reform as a win for the National Coalition.

Both Elina Lepomaki (NCP) and Susanna Koski (NCP) have already declared their intention to vote against the reform bill in the Parliament.

The National Coalition will convene for its party conference in Turku, South-west Finland, on 810 June.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Vesa Moilanen  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi SuomiAN appeal has been launched to help people in Somaliland, where the town of Borama has a friendship link with Henley, after it was hit by a tropical cyclone.

Cyclone Sagar, which is described as the strongest ever recorded in the Horn of Africa, also affected Djibouti and Somalia. Estimates of the dead in Somaliland vary from 16 to 60.

In addition, livestock have drowned and crops, homes and infrastructure have been destroyed. The worst affected area is Adwal province, part of the region administered by Borama.

A charity called Samasons Relief, which was set up by Somali refugees living in the UK, is collecting donations.

Henley Mayor Glen Lambert, who is president of the Henley-Borama Friendship Association, said: Many people may not be aware of the friendship association between Henley and the Borama region of Somalia.

However, they may have noticed that the road to the Regal Picturehouse is called Borama Way or they might have been in Mill Meadows for the annual Borama Comes to Henley event.

Unfortunately, the Borama region in Somalia has suffered a devastating cyclone that has claimed many lives. Anyone who would like to donate to help the relief effort is encouraged to do so.

Malcom Page, who helped establish Henleys friendship link with Borama in 1982 after living there, said: It is very devastating  the casualty figures are not yet absolutely confirmed but there is something like 60 people dead and a lot of livestock killed.

The town is much more developed now than it was and that has been physically damaged and, for some people, it will take years to rebuild their stocks.

In 1982, Borama was about the same size as Henley but it has since grown substantially. It is in the former British Protectorate of Somaliland, which was part of Somalia and ruled from Mogadishu.

Following civil war from 1988 to 1991, Somaliland claimed independence from Somalia but this has not been recognised by the international community.

You can donate directly into the Samasons Relief account, using reference HBFA: Sort code 30 97 76; Account number 16002660; Account name Samasons Relief, registered charity number 1144235.

You can also donate via https://

mydonate.bt.com/charities/

samasonsU.S. weighs Taiwan Straits warship passage

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The United States is considering sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait, US officials say, in a move that could provoke a sharp reaction from Beijing at a time when Sino-US ties are under pressure from trade disputes and the North Korean nuclear crisis.Due to his deeply flawed arguments, Taylor has been referred to as the most destructive general in American history.

Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor had a greater influence than any other military officer on Americas decision to go to war in Vietnamand on the early strategy to fight that conflict. The strategic framework he helped establish, and the key assumptions upon which it was based, cast a long shadow over U.S. military operations all the way through to 1975.

When Taylor retired from the military in July 1959, after serving as the chief of staff of the U.S. Army, he was one of the most well-known generals in America. The commander of the 101st Airborne Division when it jumped into Normandy on June 5-6, 1944, Taylor, along with Matthew B. Ridgway and James M. Gavin, formed a trio of legendary airborne generals. Throughout the 1950s, all three were leading voices among the Never Again bloc of senior military leaders who had seen the disastrous experience of the Korean War and vowed that the United States should never again fight a ground war on the Asian mainland.

As Army chief of staff in 1954, Ridgway had dissented from a Joint Chiefs of Staff proposal to use American air power to save the French garrison in Vietnam at Dien Bien Phu, under attack by Viet Minh forces fighting for independence from France. Ridgway, a four-star general, and Gavin, a lieutenant general, remained critics of the Vietnam War right until the end, and some detractors branded them dove generals. Taylor, however, changed course in the early 1960s to become the chief military enabler of American involvement in Vietnam.

All three generals had something else in common during the 1950s. They were staunch critics of the New Look national defense policy of their former wartime commander and the current president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Focused on containing defense costs, New Look shifted the national emphasis from conventional ground forces to air and nuclear-capable forces, embodied in the Strategic Air Command. The resulting doctrine of massive retaliation was based on the premise of more bang for the buck, but it was really an all-or-nothing strategic straitjacket.

Ridgway opposed Eisenhowers plans to reduce the size of the Army, arguing that air power and nuclear weapons did not eliminate or even reduce the need for robust ground forces capable of seizing territory and controlling populations. The tensions between the Army chief of staff and the president rose to such a point that Eisenhower did not retain Ridgway for a second two-year term in officehe picked Taylor as his new chief of staff in June 1955.

Gavin, too, was a staunch critic of massive retaliation. During an appearance in January 1958 before the Senate Armed Services Preparedness Subcommittee, chaired by Texas Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, he was asked for an estimate of casualties in a nuclear war and gave a shocking answer: 425 million. Gavin saw the need for other types of forces. As the Armys chief of research and development during the mid-1950s, he was an early advocate of highly mobile and air transportable forces, the modern air cavalry. His vision became the foundation for the Army UH-1 Huey helicopters and airmobile units in Vietnam.



Joint Chiefs Chairman Taylor and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, just back from a trip to Vietnam, update President John F. Kennedy on Oct. 2, 1963. (Bettmann Getty Images) Joint Chiefs Chairman Taylor and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, just back from a trip to Vietnam, update President John F. Kennedy on Oct. 2, 1963. (Bettmann Getty Images)

During Taylors four-year tenure as chief of staff, he remained critical of Eisenhowers defense strategy, but he played his cards close to the vest. Once he retired from the Army, however, Taylor became far more vocal in his criticisms of Eisenhowers New Look policy. His 1960 book, The Uncertain Trumpet, was met with widespread critical acclaim. Printed boldly on the books dust jacket, General Taylor Contends:

 That the doctrine of massive retaliation has endangered our national security.

 That our military planning is frozen to the requirements of general war.

 That the weaknesses in the Joint Chiefs of Staff system have left the planning of our military strategy to civilian amateurs and the budget makers.

In line with the thinking of Ridgway and Gavin and other senior generals of the 1950s, Taylor quite correctly argued that America needed a far broader range of military resources to give it a flexible response capability, rather than an all-or-nothing reliance on massive retaliation.

His book had considerable influence on the Vietnam policies of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, but not necessarily in the ways Taylor might have envisioned. As Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster detailed in his important 1997 book, Dereliction of Duty, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and his Whiz Kids of systems analysts and bean counters corrupted the concept of flexible response into the incremental response that used escalations of military force to send the North Vietnamese signals of the U.S. commitment to South Vietnam. Taylor ultimately supported that policy. The piecemeal application of force, the hallmark of American strategy in Vietnam, is one of the cardinal sins of warfare that military strategist Carl von Clausewitz warned against 200 years ago.

Taylors book got the attention of Massachusetts Sen. John F. Kennedy during his 1960 presidential campaign. In one of his early acts as president, Kennedy appointed Taylor to head a special study group to investigate the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in April 1961. The panels final report confirmed the new presidents suspicion that he had been ill-served by the advice the Joint Chiefs had given him. To ease his reliance on them, Kennedy recalled Taylor to active duty in July 1961 and appointed him to the newly created position of military representative to the president. There was no precedent or constitutional foundation for the position.

In his book, Taylor had detailed many legitimate problems with the Joint Chiefs of Staff system, but his position as the presidents military eminence grise only made those problems worse. Taylor usurped the Joint Chiefs, cutting them out of the decision-making process and widening the gap between the nations military and civilian leadership, a problem that remained throughout the Vietnam years.

By the spring of 1961, Southeast Asia loomed ever larger on the list of international crises facing the administration. American military advisers had been in Vietnam in small numbers since President Harry S. Truman deployed them in 1950 to assist the French. At the start of 1961, when Kennedy came into office, there had been about 900 American advisers in Vietnam. By the end of that year, the number had ballooned to 3,205. But no combat forces were in Vietnam.

Kennedy had inherited from Eisenhower a Vietnam policy that the Pentagon Papers called limited risk. Kennedy, however, came into office with a far more muscular vision of Americas role in the world. In his inaugural address, he had declared that America was prepared to pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

A goal of spreading liberty and democracy throughout the world sounds good, but there was notnor still isany universally accepted definition of what those two principles really mean. South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem, whose repressive government tried to squelch political opposition, obviously had views on the matter that were radically different from those espoused by most of the Kennedy administrations Best and Brightest.

The new presidents foreign policy vision soon ran up against reality. Not only had the Bay of Pigs operation been a fiasco, but Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev was increasing pressure on the United States to withdraw from West Berlin. During the June 1961 Kennedy-Khrushchev Summit in Vienna, the old and wily Soviet apparatchik roughly handled the young and inexperienced president. When Kennedy returned to Washington, he told James Reston, Washington bureau chief of The New York Times, We have a problem in making our power credible, and it looks like Vietnam is the place. A little more than two months later, on Aug. 13, the Berlin Wall started going up.

In October 1961 Kennedy sent Taylor and Deputy National Security Adviser Walt Rostow to Vietnam on a fact-finding mission. Taylor recognized that the United States was facing a double-crisis of confidence in Vietnam. First, there were grave doubts about Americas determination to hold the line against communist expansion in Southeast Asia. Second, there was widespread skepticismboth inside and outside of Vietnamthat Diems government could defeat the communists.

On his way back to the United States, Taylor put his initial thoughts in a Nov. 1 cable he sent to Kennedy from the Philippines. It began: This message is for the purpose of presenting my reasons for recommending the introduction of a US military force into SVN [South Vietnam]. I have reached the conclusion that this is an essential action if we are to reverse the present downward trend of events in spite of a full recognition of the following disadvantages.

Taylor noted first that Americas strategic reserve forces were already spread paper-thin with missions throughout the world, and he was concerned about committing any of those forces to a peripheral area of the Communist bloc, where they might become pinned down. That peripheral area was Southeast Asia, a characterization that would certainly change within a few years, but Taylor wrote his cable less than three months after the Berlin Wall went up, and tensions in Europe were running high.

The strain on the U.S. military from its global commitments, which intensified during the Vietnam War, should have been remedied by at least a partial mobilization of the Reserve forces, with some being put on active duty in Vietnam. But political leaders, especially Johnson, when he became president, could never bring themselves to make that decision. As a result, U.S. forces assigned to NATO in Europe were progressively stripped to skeleton formations to feed the troop buildups in Vietnam, making NATO perilously vulnerable to aggressive Soviet actions.

In his memo, Taylor also pointed out that by committing ground forces to Vietnam, the United States would be staking even more of its international prestige on the conflict there. After the bloodshed of the communists Tet Offensive in 1968 turned more Americans against the war, the original U.S. objectivehalting the spread of communism and ensuring the sovereignty of the Republic of South Vietnamwas replaced with a new goal: get out of there while saving face. In the end, the United States didnt even achieve that objective.

Additionally, Taylor warned that if the first contingent of U.S. ground troops proved insufficient to stabilize South Vietnam, there would be pressure to reinforce them with more men, which would be difficult to resist and might mean no limit to our possible commitment (unless we attack the source in Hanoi). As the Pentagon Papers document, up through the Tet Offensive, the United States had, in fact fallen into a policy of unlimited commitment, something far different from limited risk policy of the Eisenhower administration.

In his final caveat, Taylor said the introduction of American combat units could increase regional tensions and lead to a massive Chinese intervention, witnessed a decade earlier in Korea. Fortunately, Vietnam did not spin out of control to become World War III-East, but it turned out to be a larger war than Koreaexactly the type of war on the Asian mainland that Taylor and the Never-Again bloc had once warned against.

Taylor, however, did not envision the type of large force that eventually characterized Americas commitment in Vietnam. He made clear the primary functions of his recommended combat force:

1. Provide a military presence to raise South Vietnamese morale and demonstrate Americas intention to prevent a communist takeover of Southeast Asia.

2. Support flood relief operations in the Mekong Delta, which was the fundamental fig leaf for the entire intervention.

3. Conduct necessary combat operations for self-defense.

4. Provide an emergency reserve for the South Vietnamese.

5. Act as an advance party for the introduction of any follow-on American forces that the situation might require. It was this function that ultimately served as the mechanism for America taking over the war.

Even in the beginning, a light, token combat force would not suffice, Taylor said, but he suggested that 8,000 troops would be enough to secure his stated missions. The proposed American force would not be used to clear the jungles of Viet Cong guerrillas, he said. That should be the primary task of the Armed Forces of Vietnam, which would be organized and trained for that mission, with ample support from U.S. advisers down to the battalion level. Although the American troops were operating in an advisory role, they could be called upon to engage in combat to protect themselves, the general added.

In support of his recommendation, Taylor made several strategic and tactical assessmentswhich proved to be stunningly wrong, but haunted U.S. operations throughout the conflict. For example, Taylor incredibly claimed that South Vietnam was not an excessively difficult or unpleasant place to operate. While the border areas are rugged and heavily forested, the terrain is comparable to parts of Korea where U.S. troops learned to live and work without too much effort. Most Americans who served in ground combat units in Vietnam would be hard-pressed to agree with his characterization of the country as not an excessively difficult or unpleasant place to operate.

Dismissing his previously stated warning about actions that could lead to a major ground war in Asia, Taylor wrote: The risks of backing into a major Asian war by way of SVN are present but are not impressive. He supported his argument with two strategic assessments that turned out to be completely wrong, but which were widely accepted then and continued to handicap American decision-makers into the late-1960s.

First, North Vietnam was extremely vulnerable to conventional bombing, a weakness which should be exploited diplomatically in convincing Hanoi to lay off SVN. A belief in the overwhelming force of American air power was an article of faith among the nations political and military leadership. Air Force Gen. Curtis LeMay famously said that North Vietnam should be bombed back to the stone age. There was a fatal flaw in LeMays logic: Industrially and economically, North Vietnam was not that far removed from the Stone Age. There were few worthwhile strategic targets in the country.

From the early days of the Operation Rolling Thunder air campaign (March 1965-November 1968), as the Pentagon Papers make clear, most of the U.S. intelligence community believed the bombing was having very little real effect, physically or psychologically, on the North Vietnamese. Yet most political leaders, McNamara foremost among them, continued naively to believe that the North Vietnamese would get the message with just a little more pressure.



An A-4 Skyhawk takes off from an aircraft carrier in 1966 during Operation Rolling Thunder. Taylor and many other political and military leaders believed the bombing campaign would quickly force the North Vietnamese communists to retreat from South Vietnam. (Getty Images) An A-4 Skyhawk takes off from an aircraft carrier in 1966 during Operation Rolling Thunder. Taylor and many other political and military leaders believed the bombing campaign would quickly force the North Vietnamese communists to retreat from South Vietnam. (Getty Images)

In Taylors second erroneous assessment, he contended that both the North Vietnamese and their Chinese backers would face severe logistical difficulties as they tried to maintain strong forces in the field. American troops faced the same difficulties, Taylor acknowledged, but by no means to the same degree. He again reinforced his argument with the air power fallacy: There is no case for fearing a mass onslaught of Communist manpower into SNV and its neighboring states, particularly if our airpower is allowed a free hand against logistical targets.

Events, of course, proved otherwise. No matter how long and hard American aircraft pounded the Ho Chi Minh Trail, men and the materiel flowed, almost without interruption, from the north to south. A typical American division, with its heavy equipment and massive logistical tail, could never endure hundreds of miles of jungle and mountain trails and emerge an effective fighting force. But a mobile and lightly equipped North Vietnamese division, trained to live off the land, was a different beast entirely.

Taylors recommendation to send combat troops to Vietnam received wide acceptance among Washingtons senior policymakers, especially McNamara, but there was one key exception: the president himself. Kennedy would not make such a commitment at the time. However, the proposal remained on the table, along with the flawed supporting arguments in Taylors cable.

Kennedy eventually tried to resolve the conflicts between Taylors ambiguous position as military representative to the president and the authority of the Joint Chiefs by making Taylor chairman of the Joint Chiefs in October 1962. That move, however, did little to heal the political-military breach. Taylor intentionally and continually misrepresented the views of the Joint Chiefs to the secretary of defense and kept the other chiefs at a distance from the political decision-making process, according to McMaster.

Contrary to the beliefs of the other chiefsthat it was their duty to provide the civilian leadership with objective military adviceTaylor apparently thought his job was to support the secretary of defenses policy positions, including McNamaras theories about the incremental escalation of military force. The experience of the four-star generals entire career should have shown him the fallacy of such a strategy.

To his credit, Taylor did not support the Nov. 2, 1963, coup that resulted in Diems assassination. Less than three weeks later, Kennedy fell to an assassins bullet. Johnson retained virtually all of Kennedys national security teamas well as the dysfunctional and toxic political-military divide that came with it. But Taylors credibility with Johnson was so strong that in July 1964 the president sent him to Saigon as U.S. ambassador to manage the growing crisis.

Taylors recommendation for his successor as chairman was Army Chief of Staff Gen. Earl Wheeler, a talented and experienced staff officer who had almost no combat and little command experience.

Taylors relationship with the increasingly corrupt and self-serving Saigon government proved rocky at best. First, he supported Gen. Nguyen Khanhs coup against Gen. Duong Van Minh, but then helped engineer the removal of Khanh as prime minister. With each step, America increasingly assumed ownership of the war.

Joining 23,000 American advisers already in Vietnam, the first U.S. ground combat troops, consisting of 3,500 Marines, arrived on March 8, 1965. The underlying logic for their deployment had changed little, except that the internal situation in South Vietnam was now far worse.

That initial force turned out to be exactly what Taylor had described in his 1961 cable: an advance party for follow-on American forces. At the wars peak in 1968, more than 500,000 U.S. troops were in Vietnam.

Johnson and McNamara were convinced that Taylor would make the perfect senior partner to Gen. William Westmoreland, Taylors longtime protege who had recently assumed command of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, which oversaw all combat forces in South Vietnam. But the Taylor-Westmoreland dream team turned out to be anything but harmonious. Despite his original recommendation to commit combat troops, Taylor retained a limited vision for their role and mission, while Westmoreland advanced a far more aggressive approach that led to the United States taking over responsibility for the war.

However, Taylor, Westmoreland and McNamara all clung to their beliefs that U.S. air power could bomb the North Vietnamese leadership to the negotiating table and that the communist troop and supply lines to the south could be strangled.

By the time Taylor was replaced as ambassador in July 1965, the United States was already beyond the point of no return on its slippery slope to a strategic quagmire. Unfortunately, the tragedy had seven more years to run. Today, Westmoreland is castigated as the general who lost Vietnam. Perhaps that is a more accurate description of Taylor, whom Tom Ricks, in his 2012 book The Generals, said was arguably the most destructive general in American history.

Retired Army Maj. Gen. David T. Zabecki is Vietnam magazines editor emeritus.George got the headlines, but Tom often outdid him on the battlefield

Although it seemed he would always be relegated to serve in the giant shadow cast by his famousand much more calculatedly ostentatiousbrother George, Thomas Ward Custer actually succeeded in upstaging his older sibling on several Civil War battlefields. George had a three-month head start on Tom, entering the war at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861, and then using his high-level connections to Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan and others to manipulate his way to the top of the Union Army cavalry hierarchy. Tom enlisted in September 1861 and served reliablywithout the headlinesbefore finally outdoing George in grand fashion during the Appomattox Campaign. By valiantly capturing two heavily defended Confederate battle flags at Namozine Church on April 3, 1865, and then Sailors Creek on April 6, he was awarded Medals of Honorin that era the only gallantry award the U.S. Army was able to present. Even then, Tom remained doomed to live and die second fiddle to George. The two perished together fighting at Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876, but the Custers Last Stand label stamped on that inglorious defeat refers exclusively to George Armstrong Custer.

Thomas Custer was born in New Rumley, Ohio, on March 15, 1845, nearly six years after George, whom Tom preferred to call Armstrong. Just 16 in September 1861, Tom received his parents permission to enlist in the 21st Ohio Infantry. George had graduated from West Point in the war-accelerated Class of June 1861, emergingjust barely, with a record total of 726 demeritsas a cavalry branch officer. Tom, meanwhile, began as a private and had to earn his way up the ladder of rank one hard rung at a time.

During the Civil War, battle flags were of the utmost importance in battlefield communications and signaling, and they played a pivotal role in rallying the morale of the soldiers in the ranks of both sides. At a time when Rally round the flag! was, quite literally, a command and represented much more than a mere catchphrase, regimental flags served as a source of fierce pride to soldiers and officers alike, and these banners inspired men to perform beyond their own expectations. As such, they were zealously protected in battle, with the flag-bearer revered and often protected unto death by his mates. The capture of an enemy battle flag represented one of the most daunting challenges of Civil War combat, requiring boundless initiative, extraordinary courage and extreme luck.

Tom was an officer on the staff of Colonel Henry Capehart of the Army of the Potomacs 3rd Cavalry Division when he captured a 2nd North Carolina Cavalry flag at Namozine Church, at the outset of the Appomattox Campaign. Reportedly, he leapt his horse over a barricade, tore the flag out of the hands of a standard- bearer, and demanded the immediate surrender of the Rebels around him. Eleven soldiers and three officers complied. Although his horse was shot, Tom miraculously emerged without a scratch.

After the battle, a justifiably proud Brevet Maj. Gen. George Custer, commanding the 3rd Division, wrote to his wife, Libbie: God has blessed us with victory.Tom in the most gallant mannercaptured the battle flag of the Second North Carolina Cavalry. He then presciently predicted Tom would receive a Medal of Honor.

Tom repeated the feat at Sailors Creek three days later, charging on his horse while under heavy fire against entrenched infantry of Lt. Gen. Richard Ewells Corps and engaging several Rebels with only his pistol. Upon seeing a standard-bearer whose colors were serving as a rallying point, he redirected his efforts. As Colonel Capeheart wrote to Libbie Custer:

Having crossed the line of temporary works in the flank road, we were confronted by a supporting line. It was from the second line that he wrested the colors, single-handed, and only a few paces to my right. As he approached the colors he received a shot in the face which knocked him back on his horse, but in a moment he was upright in his saddle. Reaching out his right arm, he grasped the flag while the color bearer reeled. The bullet from Toms revolver must have pierced his heart. As he was falling, Captain Custer wrenched the standard from his grasp and bore it away in triumph.

In his youthful exuberance, the wounded Tom galloped back toward his own lines waving his trophy. An officer of the 3rd New Jersey Cavalryconcerned that Tom might be mistaken for an advancing Rebelshouted, For Gods sake, Tom, furl that flag or theyll fire on you! Still waving the enemy colors, and bleeding copiously from his wound, Tom rode up to his brother and commanding officer, shouting, Armstrong, the damned Rebels shot me, but Ive got my flag!

With Tom preparing to reenter the fray, his shaken older brother ordered him to report immediately to the field surgeon. When Tom gave every indication of ignoring the command, George ordered him arrested and conveyed under guard to the field hospital. The wound was bloody but proved not fatal, the bullet having traversed from his lower jaw to his ear without severing any major arteries. It was serious enough, however, to require further treatment, and it would leave Tom with a noticeable scar for the remainder of his short life.

For Tom Custer, the war was over, a scant three days before Lees final surrender at Appomattox. By wars end, he had been promoted to brevet lieutenant colonel, and his Sailors Creek heroics led to a second Medal of Honor. He was the first American soldier to receive the medal twice, and one of only 19 in the nations history.

Remaining in the Army, Tom went on to serve with distinction in the West. His service included the Indian Wars 1868 Washita Campaign (in which he was again wounded), and in the 1873 Yellowstone and 1874 Black Hills expeditions. He was well liked, and highly respected by his men. By all reports, the hard-drinking officer played as enthusiastically as he soldiered, carousing with sporting women, ardently hunting buffalo and antelope, and keeping such exotic creatures as rattlesnakes and wolves as pets. Tom was instrumental in the arrest of Sioux Chief Rain-in-the-Face (who later claimed to have cut out Toms heart at Little Bighorn in revenge), and for reasons that have long since become obscure, conducted a long-standing feud with former cavalry scout, sometime lawman, and much-feared pistoleer James Butler Wild Bill Hickok, widely acclaimed the most dangerous man on the frontier.

In May 1876, when Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer led the 7th Cavalry out of Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory, on its fateful march toward Little Bighorn, Captain Thomas Ward Custerthough nominally in command of the regiments C Companyrode beside George as his aide-de-camp, still in his big brothers shadow.

Ron Soodalter is a regular contributor to Americas Civil War.Vegetarians look away now Having wowed the carnivorous masses for the first time last year, Guinness X Meatopia returns to Dublins Open Gate Brewery from July 6-8 with some of the worlds leading fire chefs grilling, broiling and smoking their wares to perfection. The food is pared with bold tasting beers and some equally tasty live music.

Normally poster boys for self-denial, we have to confess we eat ourselves into a near coma last year and are still having dreams about those beer-braised ribs. As you may already have gleaned, there are absolutely no vegan or macrobiotic options. Tickets are available from guinnessopengate.com/meatopia.

An enthusiastic Hot Flavours bravo! goes to Etto, which won best eatery last week at the Irish Restaurant Awards in Dublin. We regularly troop out to Merrion Row, D2 for their 25 Three-Course Weekeday Lunch, which includes a particularly wicked Braised Short Rib with Cavolo Nero, Pickled Walnuts & Polenta. As for the Deer Carpaccio with Artichoke, Pickled Pear & Juniper, dont get us startedThe Rapper has now cancelled his upcoming tour of New Zealand and Australia on foot of the allegation made against him.

An Australian woman named Eliza Stafford recently stepped forward to claim on Facebook that she was raped by "by a man whose stage name is RiFF RAFF' back in 2013.

Since claiming she was raped by the raper, a second woman named Kelsey Doucette has also come forward to alleged that she too was sexually assaulted by the rapper some three years ago.

Eliza wrote: I was offered a shot from a (branded) vodka bottle that was sitting on the table. I was offered a 60 ML party shot. I took the shot, it was syrup and I immediately asked what it was. RiFF RAFF and his support act told me that it was codeine and started laughing. I dont remember anything from that point.



Eliza Stafford also wrote: Another girl who had been backstage with me told them that I had been coerced to get in to a car with Riff Raff and his support act.

I woke up as Riff raff was pulling out of me and getting in to the shower. I crawled  truly, on all fours -out of the hotel room and managed to get outside where I booked a taxi who wouldnt take me because I was 'too drunk.'"

She concluded: If you are planning on attending the Riff Raff show at the corner next week I urge you to reconsider.

Riff Raff has yet to publicly comment about the rape claims. One venue that immediately cancelled one his upcoming gigs stated: "The Corner & High Fi Events take allegations of sexual assault very seriously, and we have therefore cancelled Riff Raffs upcoming show.

"As a venue, we prioritise a safe and inclusive environment and we want anyone who has experienced any incident of sexual harassment or assault to know that we are listening and will support you.



The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) has ) issued a call for applications for the first Creative Arts Summer School, which will take place in Dublin from Monday, 25th to Friday, 29 June 2018.

Funded by the Department of Education and Skills Progression for Access to Higher Education (PATH) fund, the summer school is a collaboration between NCAD, Trinity College Dublin, Marino Institute of Education, UCD, and IADT.

The initiative seeks to raise awareness of the higher education opportunities in the creative arts in Dublin, and the five colleges will offer workshops in art, design, fashion, animation, dance, TV & broadcasting, portfolio preparation, 3D design, writing and illustration, and performance.

The deadline for applications is on Friday, 8th June. Free lunches, course materials and transport between the colleges will be provided.Operated through the Access Services in the participating colleges, the summer school encourages applications from those currently under-represented in the colleges, with priority given to applicants who meet one of the following criteria:

 Individuals who have completed FETAC & PLC courses;

 Individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds or a community from where there is a low progression to further or higher education;

 Members of the Traveller community;

 People with disabilities;

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 Mature applications;

 Lone parents;

 Individuals who attended DEIS brand schools.

Commenting on the summer school, Director of NCAD, Sarah Glennie said: We are delighted to participate in this wonderful initiative, which offers those interested in pursuing a career in the creative industries the chance to meet like-minded people and try out different artforms across the five colleges in an exploratory and fun way.

Participants will have the opportunity to spend one day on each campus, partake in two creative arts workshops every day and find out about application processes, entry requirements, support services and career opportunities.

"We encourage all those thinking about studying the creative arts to submit their application online by Friday, 8th June.

More information about the Creative Arts Summer School, including the programme of workshops, is available here: http://www.ncad.ie/students/support-services/cass/.

Applications have to be submitted online before 5pm on Friday, 8th June 2018.Goth-pop act, Pales Waves, have announced four Irish shows as part of a UK and Ireland tour.

Earlier this year, the group played to a sell-out Grand Social and fresh after the release of new single Kiss, the Manchester quartet will play their biggest headline shows to date, including a night at The Academy, Dublin.

Their dark pop sound - heavily indebted to dreamy '80s synth-pop acts like the Cure and the Cocteau Twins - has garnered the young band a cult-like following.

Dirty Hit signed Pale Waves in 2017 and issued their debut single, "There's a Honey," produced by members of The 1975 - their label-mates. Along with frequent touring, Pale Waves offered up second single "Television Romance" and worked toward a debut album.

Tickets are priced ar 22.90 and go on-sale Friday, June 8 at 9am from Ticketmaster.

The show is also an over-14s event

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Below you can find Pale Waves' Irish dates:

Fri, October 5 2018  Elmwood Hall, Belfast

Sat, October 6 2018  Cyprus Avenue, Cork

Sun, October 7 2018  Dolans Warehouse, Limerick

Mon, October 8 2018  Academy, DublinAs an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content.

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Les compagnies aeriennes exhortent a la prudence en matiere de privatisation des aeroports (pdf)

Las aerolineas piden precaucion ante la privatizacion (pdf)

Companhias aereas pedem cautela na privatizacao de aeroportos (pdf)



Sydney - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 74th Annual General Meeting (AGM) urged governments to take a cautious approach when considering airport privatization. In a unanimously passed resolution, IATA members called on governments to prioritize the long-term economic and social benefits delivered by an effective airport ahead of the short-term financial gains provided by a poorly thought-out privatization.

"We are in an infrastructure crisis. Cash-strapped governments are looking to the private sector to help develop much needed airport capacity. But it is wrong to assume that the private sector has all the answers. Airlines have not yet experienced an airport privatization that has fully lived up to its promised benefits over the long term. Airports are critical infrastructure. It is important that governments take a long-term view focusing on solutions that will deliver the best economic and social benefits. Selling airport assets for a short-term cash injection to the treasury is a mistake," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO.

Currently about 14% of airports globally have some level of privatization. As they tend to be large hubs, they handle about 40% of global traffic.

"IATA research shows that private sector airports are more expensive. But we could not see any gains in efficiency or levels of investment. This runs counter to the experience of airline privatization where enhanced competition resulted in lower pricing to consumers. So we don't accept that airport privatization must lead to higher costs. Airports have significant market power. Effective regulation is critical to avoiding its abuseparticularly when run for profit by private sector interests," said de Juniac who also noted that five of the top six passenger ranked airports by Skytrax are in public hands.

Informed Decision-Making

IATA member airlines resolved to urge governments considering airport privatization to:

Focus on the long-term economic and social benefits of an effective airport

Learn from our positive experiences with corporatization, new financing models, and alternative ways of tapping private sector participation

Make informed decisions on ownership and operating models to best protect consumer interests, and

Lock-in the benefits of competitive airport infrastructure with rigorous regulation.

"There is no one-size-fits-all solution. A broad range of ownership operating models exist that can meet a government's strategic objectives without a transfer of control or ownership to the private sector. Globally, many of the most successful airports are operated as corporatized entities of governments. Governments need to evaluate the pros and cons of different models taking into account interests of all stakeholders, including airlines and customers. The most important thing is that airports meet the needs of customers and airport infrastructure users, at a fair price. And to do that, user consultation must be an integral part of the consideration process," said de Juniac.

Safeguarding consumer interests when pursuing privatization

Recognizing that when airport privatization is pursued, a key determinant of success is the effective balance of the interests of consumers, airlines, investors, citizens and economies IATA's member airlines called for:

Governments to protect consumer interests by establishing robust regulatory safeguards to ensure cost efficiency in charges and improvements in investments and service levels

Expectations for performance improvement to be set in consultation with airport users and the consumers

Periodic monitoring of airport privatization through public consultation, with corrective action taken to ensure benefits are realized for the passengers, for airlines and for cargo consumers.

"Efficient and economical air transport contributes directly to a community's prosperity. Poorly thought-out airport privatizations put this at risk. The balancing role of effective and strong economic regulation is essential," said de Juniac.

Read full airport privatization resolution (pdf)

For more information, please contact:

Corporate Communications (Sydney)

Email: corpcomms@iata.org

Notes for Editors:Please note that the dates initially announced in this press release were changed from 2-4 June to 1-3 June 2019.

Sydney  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Korean Air will host the 75th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Seoul, South Korea, from 1-3 June 2019 (initially announced as 2-4 June). This will be the first time that the South Korean capital hosts the global gathering of aviation's top leaders.

"The aviation industry is looking forward to meeting in Seoul for the 75th IATA AGM. South Korea has a great story to promote. Strategic planning and foresight has positioned the country as a global hub for transport and logistics. I am confident that Korean Air will be a great host as Seoul is transformed into the capital of the global aviation industry during the AGM. We are also delighted to be in Seoul in the same year Korean Air celebrates its 50th anniversary," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO.

IATA's member airlines welcomed Korean Air's invitation to host the AGM in 2019 at the close of the 74th AGM in Sydney, Australia. Korean Air has been a member of IATA since 1989.

The 74th AGM and World Air Transport Summit in Sydney attracted 1,000 aviation leaders from IATA member airlines, industry stakeholders, strategic partners and members of the media.

For more information, please contact:

Corporate Communications (Sydney)

Email: corpcomms@iata.org

Notes for Editors:We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. We also use cookies for advertising purposes. Please see our privacy policy and cookies help page for complete information.State Sen. Adam Hinds led Quentin Palfrey on a tour of the city's downtown.

Following Democratic Convention Win, Palfrey Heads To Pittsfield



Hinds showed Palfrey both the positive steps in the city's longtime effort to build its downtown and the challenges that the downtown still faces. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Fresh from receiving the endorsement of the state Democratic Party, Quentin Palfrey was out for a stroll in downtown Pittsfield.

Palfrey is seeking a spot as lieutenant governor on the ticket this fall. The party's delegates at the weekend convention endorsed him over his competitor Jimmy Tingle by 59-41 percent. He is looking to build on that win as he looks forward to the primary.

"We were really gratified. I am a first-time candidate and I was thrilled to get the endorsement of the Democratic Party on Saturday. We've been working really hard to build a grassroots campaign from the Berkshires to Cape Cod and I think that came through at the convention," Palfrey said following a tour of the downtown led by state Sen. Adam Hinds, who endorsed him the day before the convention.

Hinds led Palfrey from Dotties to Otto's, pointing out the investments made in downtown market-rate housing, places like Mission, Framework, Methuselah, and Hotel on North.

But he also walked Palfrey through the Columbus Avenue garage, which is failing so badly that the top floor has been closed off to vehicles and limits the development of more downtown housing and businesses. Hinds pointed out the Intermodel Center and elaborated on how rural transportation is difficult and how even with the jolt of economic tourism the proposed Berkshire Flyer could bring, there is a lack of ways to get from the center of Pittsfield to other destinations. He showed him the Juvenile Court, which Hinds had attempted to get the state to move off North Street.

Hinds hammered home a point that there are some fundamental infrastructure needs that aren't in place here in the Berkshires and that is holding the county back from further successes. He said the needs of Berkshire County are often very different from the needs in eastern Massachusetts.

"We want to take advantage of showing him some of our needs out here. He's been really responsive and very aware of what we are confronting and our challenges related to transportation, housing and jobs, and the need for regional equity," Hinds said.

"It is good to start working with him already. We have a lot of issues that we have been working on at the state level my entire term. To have an ally in that is critical. It is a demonstration of his support for the region that he's already been out here and he continues to come out here."

Palfrey said it is tours like this that will provide him with a stronger base heading into the election and, if he wins the office, he hopes to be a lieutenant governor focused on the needs of individual communities.

"I want to be a lieutenant governor who really cares about local issues all across the commonwealth, who spends time in the Berkshires, and is responsive to local issues," Palfrey said. "One of the things I think happens too often on Beacon Hill is a shortsightedness about the challenges that face people all across the state."

Palfrey said his top issue is income inequality but solving that takes addressing multiple issues concurrently. He is pushing for more funding for education to make sure districts aren't laying off teachers and have enough to ensure a proper education to those with special educational needs or those learning English as a second language. He wants to finish up the last-mile broadband effort, connecting every corner of Massachusetts to high-speed internet. He wants economic development programs to focus not just on the Boston metro area, but also in Western Massachusetts.

"I want to make sure I am a voice for people who are getting left behind in an economy that is increasingly plagued by inequality. In order to do that, I think you need to understand regional differences and understand the particular needs of communities like Pittsfield and the Berkshires and understand the ways of which economic development, education, transportation, college affordability, criminal justice reform, and the opioid crisis affect ordinary people's lives," Palfrey said.

He is looking to push economic prosperity by raising the minimum wage and instituting paid family leave.

"The issues I care about the most are poverty and inequality. We're pushing hard on raising the minimum wage to $15, paid family leave, passing the millionaire's tax and taking those resources and investing in education and transportation, some of the projects Sen. Hinds was pointing out to me today fit very neatly into that set of challenges," Palfrey said.

But Democrats have a difficult task ahead in convincing voters to make a change at the top. Incumbent Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has routinely received high approval ratings. He's been considered the most popular governor not only in Massachusetts but in the entire country.

Yet, Palfrey doesn't quite see it the same as polling numbers do.

"If you ask people what they like about Gov. Baker you will often hear them say that he's kind of a nice guy and he's not as conservative as Donald Trump and other Republicans across the country. But if you ask them how they feel about his leadership on the issues that really affect them, whether that is education or transportation or climate change, those numbers really drop significantly. People have trouble pointing to areas where he is leading and do not rate his performance on the issues that affect them as highly as his overall approval ratings," Palfrey said.

Palfrey said Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito has shown a "lack of leadership" when it comes to addressing the big issues he believes people care about. And, if he wins the primary, his plans will be to compare the Democrat's vision on the issues with what Baker and Polito have done.

"We've got a governor who won't tell us who he voted for in the most important election of our lifetime, who won't tell us where he stands on the minimum wage and paid family leave, who has a lieutenant governor who stood in the way of the right to choose and LGBTQ rights, who won't raise revenue to invest in education or transportation or solving the opioid crisis," Palfrey said.

Palfrey continued to say that while Baker's numbers are favorable, he sees an "enthusiasm gap." He said people don't have very strong feelings toward the governor one way or the other. At the same time, Palfrey said there is a "blue wave" of Democrats getting active. The voter turnout, he said, is going to be the key factor in taking back the corner office.

"If you see Charlie Baker's numbers, there is an enthusiasm gap. There are very few people who have very strong positive feelings about Charlie Baker. There are also relatively few people who have strong negative views about Charlie Baker," Palfrey said. "It's not that we have to convince passionate supporters to vote against him. It is that you have to take people who do not dislike him but do not passionately support him and say, we present a better alternative."

Palfrey spoke those words before meeting with Indivisible Pittsfield, one of the many liberal organizations that formed following the election of Donald Trump. A number of groups have been created and more younger voters have been getting active in politics.

Palfrey said 22 percent of the delegates at the convention were there for the first time. He said college and high school Democratic groups have been created. He believes the Democrats just need to focus that energy into the governor's race because there is a greater number of people who tend to sit out the non-presidential elections who will now head to the polls.

"We're seeing a blue wave building across the country. We've seen it in other states -- in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Alabama -- but we are also starting to see it in Massachusetts," Palfrey said, citing a big upset in the Attleboro special election for state representative.

But first things first. Now that the convention is out of the way, Palfrey said he needs to focus his own attention on getting not just party delegates on his side, but Democratic voters throughout the state to choose him to be on the ticket.

The winner between Palfrey and Tingle will join either Jay Gonzalez, who was endorsed by the Democratic Party on Saturday as well, or Bob Massie for a run at the governor's office.

"I would be honored to serve with either of them. I think there is a real difference between the vision for Massachusetts that Jay and Bob and I have been articulating and where Baker and Politio have failed to lead on the issue that affects ordinary people," Palfrey said.

"Whether it is Jay or Bob who wins the nomination, we will have a strong leader who's going to really lead on the issues that affect ordinary people, who is going to really lead on climate challenges, who is going to really lead on solving the opioid crisis."The nurses picketed the hospital back in October during its first strike.

BMC Registered Nurses Plan to Strike Again

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The nurses' union has re-issued its plans to strike after lengthy negotiations Monday.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association's Berkshire Medical Center chapter and the hospital have been attempting to settle a contract for more than a year and a half after the last contract expired in September 2016. In October, the nurses went on a one-day strike that was followed by a four-day lockout.

In February, the nurses again issued a strike notice but withdrew it at the last minute as progress was seemingly made. After multiple negotiation sessions since, with the latest being on Monday, no settlement was reached and the union has again re-issued its notice for a strike. The strike is planned for June 18.

"Our nurses have said it loud and clear: We will not stop fighting for staffing improvements that help keep our patients safe. We have demonstrated our unity with three separate votes and have persisted despite the length of our fight and managements divisiveness, said Alex Neary, co-chair of the nurses local bargaining committee.

"Today management offered proposals that do not make sufficient improvements for us to provide our patients with the care they deserve."

Officials at Berkshire Medical Center said once again it will take steps to ensure a continuity of care during the strike.

"A willingness of our registered nurses to walk out on our patients and community is, of course, regrettable. However, we have made arrangements  as we did in October and had in February if the threatened winter strike had occurred  for a seamless continuation of the quality of care that our community has rightly come to expect of us. No services will be interrupted and no patients should be concerned about the climate or quality of care they will find at the hospital during the job action period that our registered nurses have apparently chosen to embrace," reads a letter penned by hospital spokesman Michael Leary released Tuesday morning.

The main divide between the two sides is how to handle staffing. The nurses have been calling for increased staffing levels and guidelines to limit the number of patients a nurse has at a given time. Most recently, the union had asked for charge nurses to start shifts without having to also care for patients. That also called for specific reasons for which a charge nurse should take on assignments but that didn't alleviate the hospital's concern of getting contractually locked into certain arrangements which may not be possible.

"The union demanded that dozens of 'charge nurses' in the hospital be largely free from patient assignments. The hospital responded by demonstrating that such assignments, driven by patient census changes and unanticipated nurse absences, occur only a small fraction of the time, but, nonetheless, in response to the union's stated concerns, the hospital offered to add resource nurses to further minimize the times when charge nurses have to care for assigned patients," Leary wrote.

"Over that same period, the union sought substantial increases in nurses' pay and the hospital agreed to increases amounting to 14 percent over a four-year period and upward adjustments in night shift and other differentials."

The union had hoped to push the issue by offering what it considered a compromise in which the union had agreed to accept the hospital's plan to raise the percentage nurses to pay for individual health insurance premiums by 10 percent  moving from a 90/10 split to an 80/20 split to align with other employees in the building. The union said it would agree to that but also asked to push off the increase until 2020, and stood firm that the pay package would help mitigate the impact on the workers.

The hospital didn't see that as much of a compromise.

On Monday, the hospital added a fifth year to the offer it had on the table as well as adding a 3 percent pay increase with an additional 2 percent adjustment for the nurses at the top of the scale, bringing a 19 percent pay increase over the course of the five years, according to hospital administrators.

"For the past four months, the hospital has, at every opportunity, made clear to the union and to the registered nurses it represents that if they did not timely accept the hospital's offer or if they chose to deliver another strike notice, the offer would be withdrawn," Leary wrote.

"The hospital's reasoning is not punitive, but rather the result of its obligation to redirect hospital resources that could have benefited the nurses and use them instead to maintain quality hospital services during disruptive and pointless nurses strike. The hospital regrets that the registered nurses and their union have chosen a confrontational course that results in the generous offer being withdrawn and those resources diverted to strike preparation.

"Berkshire Medical Center holds its registered nurses in the highest regard and acknowledges that they are an essential part of a broad patient care team that has made possible the nationally award-winning care available here at home. Nevertheless, the hospital cannot agree to contract terms that put the rest of the care team and hospital operations themselves at serious risk over time. A new strike cannot and will not change that fact."Note: This is post #81 in a weekly video series on basic economics.

How did Germany and Japan achieve record economic growth following World War II? A primary reason is physical capital.

In this video by Marginal Revolution University, Alex Tabarrok explains two specific concepts that deal with physical capital and the success of Germany and Japan. The first is the iron logic of diminishing returns which states that, for each new input of capital, there is less and less output produced. The second concept well cover is the marginal product of capital. This concept is the output created by each new unit of invested capital.

(If you find the pace of the videos too slow, Id recommend watching them at 1.5 to 2 times the speed. You can adjust the speed at which the video plays by clicking on Settings (the gear symbol) and changing Speed from normal to 1.25, 1.5 or 2.)

Click here to see other videos in the Introduction to Economics series.Finance & Development, March 2018, Vol. 55, No. 2 PDF version

Straight Talk

A Regulatory Approach to Fintech

We must guard against emerging risks without stifling innovation



Christine Lagarde

In the 19th century, when Alexander Graham Bell was awarded a patent for the telephone, the only way to communicate rapidly over long distances was by telegraph. The dominant company in that market dismissed Bells invention as a useless toy and rejected an opportunity to buy his patent. The rest, as they say, is history.

This anecdote illustrates the disruptive and unpredictable nature of technological innovation. Today, some enthusiasts say crypto assets may represent the beginning of a similar breakthrough. Others condemn crypto assets as little more than a fad or a fraud. We should not dismiss them so lightly.

Crypto assets are just one example of how new technologies are being used to deliver financial servicesFintech for short. In Kenya and China, mobile payment systems have brought millions of previously unbanked people into the financial system. In Latvia, Brazil, and elsewhere, peer-to-peer lending has opened up a new source of credit for small businesses that have trouble borrowing from a bank.

Around the world, advances in artificial intelligence promise to extract more value from data that is ever more abundant and ubiquitous. Its applications in the realm of financial services include enhancing fraud protection and regulatory compliance, potentially expanding access to financial services, and deepening financial inclusion.

Fintech offers considerable promise, but it also poses risks. Consider distributed ledger technology, which underpins crypto assets. It can enable faster and cheaper transactions, from trading securities to sending money to relatives abroad. It can be used to securely store records such as diplomas and real estate deeds and to automatically execute so-called smart contracts. But clearly the technology has also been used for illicit purposes.

How should regulators respond? Their task isnt an easy one. On the one hand, they must protect consumers and investors against fraud and combat tax evasion, money laundering, and the financing of terrorism, ensuring that risks are thoroughly understood and managed. They must also protect the integrity and stability of the financial system.

On the other hand, they must beware of stifling innovation that responsibly and sustainably benefits the public. By constructively engaging with market participants at the center of financial innovation, regulators can stay abreast of the benefits of new technologies and quickly identify emerging risks. Developing a forward-looking regulatory framework calls for creativity, flexibility, and new expertise.

Crisis lessons

As I see it, the experience of the financial crisis and its aftermath yielded three important lessons that can guide us as we seek answers.

Lesson number one: trust is the foundation of the financial system, but it is a fragile foundation that can easily be shaken. How can we reap the benefits of the new technologies while maintaining trust?

Lesson number two: risk accumulates in unexpected places. The years preceding the global financial crisis saw the emergence of financial instruments, such as collateralized debt obligations, that were poorly understood by investors. Will a more decentralized financial system be more stable, or less? Will risk be more dispersed? Will the diminished role of traditional intermediaries mean that emerging risks are more likely to go undetected?

Lesson number three: in a globalized world, financial shocks quickly reverberate across national boundaries. Responding to a crisis requires concerted action on a global scale; in other words, we are all in this together. Will the evolving global financial system transmit shocks more quickly? How can resilience be strengthened? What can be done to enhance international cooperation?

Global action

So far, national authorities have reacted with varying degrees of regulatory stringency. If this uncoordinated response continues, activity will simply migrate toward more lightly regulated jurisdictions in a race to the bottom. Because crypto assets know no borders, a global approach is vital.

Such an approach is taking shape. The Financial Action Task Force, a global standard-setting body, has already provided guidance to its members on how they should address money-laundering and terrorist-financing risks associated with crypto assets. The Financial Stability Board (FSB), which coordinates financial regulation for the Group of 20 (G20) largest advanced and emerging economies, is studying ways to monitor the growth of crypto assets with an eye toward identifying emerging threats to stability.

In March, I flew to Buenos Aires to participate in a meeting of G20 central bankers and finance ministers. The G20 agreed with the FSBs assessment that crypto assets do not currently pose a threat to stability. They also agreed that crypto assets could pose a threat at some point in the future. They asked the FSB, along with other standard-setting bodies, to continue their work on crypto assets and report on their progress.

IMFs role

Here at the IMF, we can serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas and a catalyst for forging consensus. It is our job to monitor the economies and financial systems of our 189 members, help them build institutional capacity, and offer advice on improving policies and regulatory structures. That gives us a unique global perspective.

To do our jobs properly, we must understand the innovative technologies, learn from them, and perhaps even adopt some of them to improve regulation, supervision, and surveillance. In some cases, it will be enough to apply existing regulations. In others, new approaches may be required as new risksincluding cybersecurityemerge and as distinctions between entities and activities break down.

One thing seems certain: we shouldnt put off action until the answers become completely clear. Instead, we must begin to consider the regulatory framework of the future. We must do so in a manner attuned to the rapid pace of change, and with the awareness that unexpected new opportunities and risks may emerge. One approach, undertaken in Hong Kong SAR, Abu Dhabi, and elsewhere, is to establish regulatory sandboxes where new financial technologies can be tested in a closely supervised environment.

Above all, we must keep an open mind about crypto assets and financial technology more broadly, not only because of the risks they pose, but also because of their potential to improve our lives. When in doubt, just think of Alexander Graham Bell and his telephone.

PHOTO: IMF

Opinions expressed in articles and other materials are those of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect IMF policy.Mahmoud and his son Nour, 7, join the protest to denounce President Donald Trump's executive order that bans immigration from predominantly Muslim countries. The U.S.-Mexico border in Laredo, Texas is the largest entry point for undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh to enter the country, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. (G. Morty Ortega/Getty Images)Security is enhanced in violence-hit areas of Shillong where a curfew was relaxed for seven hours June 3. An indefinite curfew was imposed in areas under the Lumdiengjri police station and Cantonment Beat House June 1. (IANS photo)The Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, believes that APC will rule Nigeria forever.

Alhassan said this in Abuja on Monday while addressing journalists shortly after the inauguration of state chairmen of the party.

She maintained that despite the wide-ranging rancour in the party, nothing would stop it from retaining power in 2019 and beyond. Crisis is normal in a big party like APC, she said.

Once we can do our national convention, then we face the opposition PDP and I assure you that APC will win more states like Taraba in 2019.

I will make sure that in my zone, I follow up and by Gods grace Gombe and Taraba will be taken over in 2019. And dont even talk about Nigeria because its already APC and it will continue to be APC forever.

Alhassan who contested for governor in the state in 2015, said she will recontest in 2019.

I will re-contest the election again in 2019 if God keeps me alive and well. It is God that gives power to whoever he desires, I won the election 2015, but God did not give me power. I will keep trusting in him and the grassroots people of Taraba and God willing, I will win the election. she said

Leave a Comment

commentsThe Nigerian Army on Monday said it had rescued 148 hostages from Boko Haram, including 58 women who were being used as sex slaves. Apart from the women, 15 men and 75 children were rescued from the terrorists by troops of the 21 Brigade supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, a statement by the army said.

According to the statement by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, of Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, the troops rescued the hostages in Modu Kinetic, a remote village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

They were freed on Sunday while the soldiers were carrying out an extensive clearance operation to rid the general area of Bama, Modu Kimeri and Gulumba Gana of fleeing elements of Boko Haram terrorists.

The rescued hostages, comprising 15 men, 58 Women and 75 Children revealed during a joint profiling and interrogations by troops of operation Lafiya Dole and other security agencies, that the Boko Haram terrorists had sexually violated the females and used them as sex slaves, the army said.

Two pregnant teenage girls are among the rescued persons.

While the women were used as sex slaves, the men were used for forced labour.

-NANThe German government is set to deport about to 30,000 Nigerians seeking asylum in the country.

This was disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, at a programme; Developing a mixed migration strategy for UNHCR Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.

Germany said it has about 25,000 to 30,000 Nigerians seeking asylum and they cant guarantee they will get it. So, there is every possibilities that they will be returned to Nigeria, she said.

She said the German government alleges that the reasons for asylum by the Nigerians were not genuine, Daily Trust writes.

Some who are from the East and West are saying they are running away from Boko Haram while some others say they are gays and were having challenges expressing themselves in Nigeria.

Germany has set up a team working with the ministry of foreign affairs to see how the whole process [of deportation] can be made easier, she said.

She enjoined young Nigerians to take advantage of scholarships and easier process of regular migration for Nigerians offered by the German government.

We are looking at the option of reverse migration also where you can actually stay in your country and enjoy everything you are migrating abroad to get, Hon. Dabiri Erewa stated, adding that irregular migration was no longer working as the foreign countries were also having their own challenges now.

-DailyTrustThe Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, has asked the Nigeria Police Force to henceforth apprehend defaulters of the ban on tobacco products including Shisha.

The Health Minister gave the directive at a press conference in Abuja to mark the 2018 World No-Tobacco Day today June 4th.

Let me stress that the ban on tobacco products with characterising flavours is still in place and the ban includes shisha because it has flavour. I, therefore, urge the Consumer Protection Council and the law enforcement agencies to intensify arrest of defaulters. he said

According to the British Heart Foundation, Shisha smoking is a way of smoking tobacco, sometimes mixed with fruit or molasses sugar, through a bowl and hose or tube.

Leave a Comment

commentsPunch

The new Peoples Democratic Party bloc in the All Progressives Congress has kicked against the linking of Saraki and Ahmed to the Offa banks robberies.

Vanguard

Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, has said that the Federal Government has intensified efforts to ensure early completion of all abandoned road projects in Niger- Delta region by the previous governments in the country and all ongoing road projects in the region for the benefit of the people of the region.

The Sun

The Nigerian Army says its soldiers on counter-insurgency operations, in the North East, have rescued 148 persons held hostage by the Boko Haram terrorists group. Thisday

Illegal encroachment and a lack of maintenance has led to the destruction of the citys historical barrier

Daily Times

Tell Them To Shut Up ! I am a big boy, just like Tinubu and Uzor Kalu  Fayose JUNE 5, 2018 Governor Fayose of Ekiti State has told his critics to shut up because they are not of the same age.

Daily Trust

The Mumuye, tribesmen of a former Governor of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame, took to the streets in Jalingo yesterday to protest the 14-year jail term slammed on him by a high court.

Tribune

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has cautioned his Ondo State counterpart, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, to tread with caution on his support for former Governor Kayode Fayemis governorship ambition on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the July 14 election, urging him to avoid things that could cause problems in Ekiti.

The Nation

Senate President Bukola Saraki will no longer visit the police over the April 5 Offa, Kwara State bank robbery, it was learnt yesterday.An amateur photographer captured a stunning photo of a cloud formation that looks like the hand of God reach down to earth.

30-year old Louise Taylor took the spectacular photos on her iPhone after spotting the bizarre formation while out in the Highlands of Scotland.

Louise, from Kinlochewe in the north west Highands, was in near Tore as she travelled to Dingwall in 2016 when she saw the remarkable sight and instantly whipped out her mobile phone.

She said:

The photos were taken on an iPhone while travelling. It formed before a major wind storm hit Scotland.

Its a form of twisted lenticular cloud. The oddest cloud Ive ever seen thats for sure. Being in the weather photography game for a while, I know people prefer the strange and lets say religious meaning of clouds rather than what they actually are. Im fantasising about a big hand coming down scooping billions of midges up.

After posting one of the pictures online, the celestial vision has sparked a slew of comments online.

Ana Maria Cerrudo said: Looks like an arm coming down with a hand, palm up.

Andy Houliston wrote: The Scottish version of a fist full of dollars. A handful of clouds.

Source: The Sun UK58 women including two pregnant teenagers, used as sex slaves by Boko Haram, have been rescued, the Nigerian Army reports. Onyema Nwachukwu, deputy director public relations, theatre command, operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed this in a statement, said the captives were liberated in Modu Kimeri, Bama local government area of Borno state..

Nwachukwu said the women were rescued by troops of 21 brigade supported and members of the civilian joint task force deployed in Operation Lafiya Dole.SAUBLE BEACH, Ont.  June 4, 2018  Andrew Gresel battled through a frustrating day and damage to his McRobert Fuels No.81 Ford Fusion to claim a 10th-place finish in the Interstate Batteries 100 at Flamboro Speedway on Saturday night.

Gresel timed in fifth quickest, but lined up third on the starting grid after the top-10 inversion on points. In the opening laps, Gresel fell back to fifth as he simply looked to save his equipment and tires for the end of the race. He then made his way up to third by lap 12 before taking second from Shawn Chenoweth on lap 22.

We practiced on old rubber all day, so the car was a little tight to start at the beginning of the race, Gresel said. Around lap 20 it started coming in a lot better. The car was good, it was consistent and it felt a lot better. We could really hang on the outside like we showed on some of the restarts. The longer the race went, the car was getting better and better.

Following a trio of restarts, Gresel hung tough in the outside lane with leader Brandon Watson. The restarts on lap 43 and lap 45 were both followed by yellow flags again. In both instances, Gresel appeared to have led Watson across the start-finish line, but officials did not award him the top spot and the inside lane for either restart.

I could get a good run off the outside, Gresel said. If he wasnt able to run up to the wall, he didnt really have much of a lane. His car was pretty tight too down low. We needed to start on the inside of him. We would have rode around with him, but we would have cleared him and it would have meant a big change for the race and the end of the day for us. I think we would have been able to make the pass, but they kept putting us to the outside. I dont know how many times you have to clear a guy to get your spot.

After the restart on lap 46, Gresel got shuffled back to third and then had an unfortunate incident with young driver Treyten Lapcevich.

In the middle of three and four he gave us a good punt and moved us up a lane and got underneath us, which was fine if he was that fast, Gresel said. Then coming out of turn two, he squeezed us right up to the wall and I had nowhere to go. He put me in a spot where I dont have a choice. Either I hit the wall or I try to turn him. By that time he had me pissed off, so I turned left and there was nothing I could do.

The end result was Gresel losing the nose cone to his No.81 and Lapcevich spun to the outside wall. Both cars went to the pit area and Gresel was able to return on the lead lap after his crew thrashed quickly to get the car back on track with a much uglier appearance than how it started the night.

It was a close call, Gresel said of making it back on track on the lead lap. We were running out of laps (under yellow). Maybe they gave us an extra lap, but they were working hard and I have to thank those guys. It was good to get back out on the lead lap and finish 10th tonight. I think that was the best we could do tonight with what we had. The car was pretty bad at the end of the race. It had just been hit too many times.

Gresel felt he had a car capable of winning the race. While he battled back from the wrecks to salvage a 10th-place finish, he was disappointed he was not able to convert the effort into a win.

Its just too bad things didnt go our way, Gresel said. There was a lot of carnage. When you get into some wrecks like that, the steering gets knocked out of place and nothings turning right for you.

Gresel and his team will now turn their attention to the Hy-Grade Roofing 100 at Peterborough Speedway on Saturday, June 16.

I like that speedway and I like racing there, Gresel said. Hopefully its a bit cleaner of a night.

For additional event information on the Hy-Grade Roofing 100, visit www.apcracingseries.com and www.peterboroughspeedway.com.

SEASON STATS

Pro Late Model  2 Starts: 0 Wins, 1 Top-5s, 2 Top-10s

Limited Late Model  0 Starts: 0 Wins, 0 Top-5s, 0 Top-10s

SAUBLE FALLS RACING MEDIA

Website: www.saublefallsracing.com

Facebook: facebook.com/saublefallsracing

Twitter: @SaubleFalls81

Andrew Gresel and the Sauble Falls Racing team are proud to partner with several dedicated marketing partners for the 2018 race season, including McRobert Fuels, Sauble Falls Tent & Trailer Park, CUSW  Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, Hy-Grade Roofing, London Recreational, Gallinger Ford Lincoln, F1 Freight Systems, Ron OBrien Remax, Barrys Construction and Raden Givari at Ehomes.The 2018 Celebrate America Concert will feature the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) Band from Redstone Arsenal and a 80-voice choir from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Concert times will be at 4 and 6 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1804 Sparkman Drive NW in Huntsville. The concerts are free and open to the public.

Local civic and military leaders will narrate the patriotic concert and local veterans will be honored. "I am particularly moved each year when veterans are recognized for their service to our country. The first year, a WWII veteran stood with dignity in the very uniform he had worn during the war. He, along with a few others, received a long and deserving standing ovation. I felt a great sense of gratitude to each of them and all the other men and women that have served through the years to preserve our freedoms." event organizer, Keith Draughon shared.

The AMC Band has performed at the concert for five consecutive years, with this performance being their last. Sadly, The Army Band is being deactivated at the end of June. "The Huntsville-Madison community is truly one of the most supportive communities I have been involved with in my career. It is always sad to deactivate a band, but the military has to make the tough choices of putting the right assets in the right places to maximize support for the whole nation. This assignment will be among my fondest memories as a band commander." Shared Chief Warrant Officer, James Bettencourt. His next assignment will be taking over the NATO Band at SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) in Mons, Belgium.

The AMC Band serves soldiers and civilians stationed all over the world. Commander Bettencourt explains, "Currently the band has about half of its 24 members deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas. Working with people from these areas as well as supporting the troops by bringing a small piece of home to them is a rewarding experience. We all have had different, yet equally rewarding experiences. Most recently, in March and April 2018, six of the AMC Band Soldiers traveled to Kuwait and Jordan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve."

"While a few soldiers will be retiring this summer or leaving the Army as their contract ends, most of the AMC Band's personnel will be moving to the other twenty-two active duty Army band locations." According to SGT David Dorfman, Public Affairs NCO for the AMC Band. "Examples of these locations include Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Camp Zama, Japan. An additional two soldiers will become Army recruiters."

Performing with the band are choir members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints representing 15 congregations in north central and northeast Alabama, including Madison and Huntsville. Both concerts will have limited walk-in seating, so organizers recommend reservations, which are available at wecelebrateamerica.org.

After the Celebrate America concert, the AMC Band will present its final 2 concerts for the public on June 25th at 6:30 PM in Big Springs Park and on June 26th at 7 PM in Bob Jones High School Auditorium. The concerts are free and will be fun for all ages! No tickets are necessary. For more information, follow the AMC Band on Facebook.

Celebrate America Concert Narrators (in alphabetical order by last name):

Representative Mike Ball

Congressman Mo Brooks

Dr. Joe Fitzgerald

Fran Fluhler

Margo Gray

Deputy Chief Corey Harris

Commissioner Craig Hill

Colonel Thomas P. Holliday

Mary Scott Hunter

Colonel (Ret.) Bill Marks

Brenda Martin

Dr. Jennie Robinson

Representative Howard Sanderford



For photos and media information

contact Wendy Reynolds @ Wendyreynolds430@gmail.comCarbon emissions

Taxation could prove to be a key method for combatting global warming

Global revenue from carbon pricing rose by 50% in 2017 compared to 2016, says a new report from the World Bank. While companies can expect green taxes to keep rising, this statistic doesn't quite tell the whole story.

The report, said that 45 national jurisdictions and 25 sub-national jurisdictions have adopted carbon pricing initiatives, raising $33 billion in 2017  50% up from the $22 billion raised in 2016.

China is set to enact its emissions trading scheme (ETS) in 2018, which will make a big difference to the numbers, and this could contribute to the total annual value (not revenue) of carbon pricing initiatives rising 58% from $52 billion to $82 billion in 2018.

"Governments at all levels are starting to see the effectiveness of carbon pricing in their efforts to cut harmful carbon pollution while also raising revenues for climate and other policies, including environmental action," said John Roome, World Bank senior director for climate change.

"As countries take stock of their Paris Agreement commitments and set a path towards increased ambition, carbon pricing mechanisms with robust pricing levels are proving to be essential elements of the toolkit."

The global environmental tax take will continue to rise

A key accelerator of growth is the rise of carbon tax rates in jurisdictions that already have such policies in place, most notably France. France's carbon tax was first introduced on April 1 2014 at a rate of 7 ($8.20) per tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent. The tax rose incrementally to 14.5/tonne in 2015, 22/tonne in 2016 and then 30.50/tonne in 2017.

Such increases are particularly significant as at lower levels there is no direct price impact for companies as France's domestic consumption tax (DCT), of which the carbon tax is a component, is already higher than the carbon tax and the two components do not 'stack'.

France's carbon tax will continue to rise, having already jumped to 44.60/tonne for 2018, to 55/tonne in 2019, 65.40/tonne in 2020, 75.80/tonne in 2021 and 86.20/tonne in 2022.

"That's going on an upward, quite ambitious path," Kurt van Dender, head of the tax and environment unit at the OECD, told International Tax Review. "They [France] increased it in 2017 and 2018 and will keep doing so. That will have a big effect."

Van Dender said that he is not surprised by the 50% rise in global carbon tax/ETS revenue, but cautioned that "it's a big percentage change of a very small number". In the example of France, the senior tax economist said: "That's a high tax, and if you start from a low base then it's a big percentage change."

Another key driver of rising green tax revenues is the implementation of new initiatives in jurisdictions in the Americas such as Chile and Colombia, as well as the US states of California, Massachusetts and Washington and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and oil-rich Alberta.

"Off the top of my head, all of these taxes are certainly below 7 per tonne," said van Dender. "Often, these taxes are set with the ETS price of 7 in mind. So these are very, very low numbers."

"But given that all of the other carbon taxes and ETSs also show quite low numbers, it's still quite a big percentage change."

In December 2017, China announced a plan to phase in its national emissions trading scheme (ETS). This would be done sector by sector, in a similar manner to which the country brought in VAT, and the power sector will be the first to come under the ETS.

EU emissions trading scheme

Another driver for increased carbon pricing revenues will be the EU's ETS. The scheme, which Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway also take part in, operates on a 'cap and trade' principle. Companies receive or buy 'emission allowances', which they can trade among themselves. Having a market-based system means, theoretically, that emissions will be cut most where it costs least to do so.

The EU ETS is in its third phase, spanning from 2013 until 2020. In this phase, more industry sectors are included and auctioning emission allowances, rather than giving them out for free, is the standard. Both of these changes increase the tax intake.

It's also worth noting that carbon dioxide emissions rose in the EU in 2017, in tandem with the economy grew.

"As the economy does better, the cap becomes more stringent  that's quite an important effect, an important explanation, in terms of the upward pressure on prices in emissions trading systems and how they actually work," said van Dender.

But, despite companies having to pay a higher market rate for emission allowances, as they are buying from each other in a market system this does not lead to an increase in revenue from the ETS, just in its 'value'.

California, which emits the most carbon dioxide of any US state apart from oil-rich Texas, is among the jurisdictions which has brought in an ETS recently.

"You'll also have higher prices in the emission trading scheme in California beginning to show in 2017 and probably more strongly in 2018," said van Dender. "There's a bit more trading there."

Emission trading schemes are also part of the World Banks report

Excise taxes dwarf carbon taxes and ETSs

Where the 50% increase in green taxes figure becomes misleading is that there are other taxes  excise taxes, mainly  which have the same economic effect as taxes usually considered 'green' or 'environmental' taxes on carbon.

"You have carbon taxes and ETSs, which are instrumental for putting taxes on carbon," said van Dender. "But then, you can also look at excise taxes on energy, which can also put a price on carbon."

"Even if they're not introduced with that intention, they still have the same economic effect. That's what we here at the OECD call the effective carbon rate," he continued. "The effective carbon rate, to us, is the sum of: specific excise taxes on energy use, carbon taxes and ETSs."

The global excise tax take on carbon-related goods is $421 billion, according to the OECD, dwarfing the $33 billion sum of carbon pricing initiatives.

As the $421 billion figure remained effectively static in 2017, the $11 billion increase in carbon-related tax take can be expressed as a far more modest 2.6 percentage point increase.

"If you really think of excise taxes  as we should, from an accounting point of view  as being part of the overall carbon pricing system, excise taxes completely dominate the picture compared to carbon taxes and ETSs," said van Dender.

In addition, in many jurisdictions VAT/GST is charged on goods after excise rates are applied, compounding the price effect.

Carbon taxation in the future

This is not to say, however, that progress in the carbon pricing arena is negligible. Van Dender expects changes to become more significant in numerical as well as percentage terms in the coming years, for many of the reasons explained above.

He also adds that China's roll-out of its ETS, starting this year with the power sector, "will make a huge difference".

If revenues from such initiatives continue to rise, they could even be a shot in the arm for government revenues in the context of falling corporate tax rates around the world.

The material on this site is for financial institutions, professional investors and their professional advisers. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws.  2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQ.

Share this articleVancouver, British Columbia - June 5, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) SilverCrest Metals Inc. (TSXV: SIL.V; OTCQX: SVCMF) ("SilverCrest" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that at its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on May 31, 2018 in Vancouver, B.C., shareholders voted in favour of all items of business, including the appointment of Mr. Pierre Beaudoin to the Board of Directors of the Company.

Mr. Beaudoin is a precious metal mining executive with more than 30 years of diversified mining, mineral processing, design, construction and start-up experience. He recently led construction, start-up and operation of Detour Lake Mine, Canada's largest Gold operation. Mr. Beaudoin is bilingual and led valuation studies for several of Barrick's large assets (Chile, Africa and USA).

N. Eric Fier, CEO, stated: "Pierre brings a wealth of technical and corporate expertise from a 34-year career with emphasis on mine construction and mineral processing. His success on technical and corporate matters further enhances our current Board. As the Company's exploration and development progresses at the Las Chispas Project in Mexico, Mr. Beaudoin's skill set in project development, design and construction will be a critical complement for continued success."

The Company granted stock options under its Stock Option Plan to Mr. Beaudoin for the purchase of 100,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $2.69 per share for a five year term expiring May 31, 2023. The stock options vest as to 25% of the Optioned Shares on each of August 31, 2018, November 30, 2018, February 28, 2019, and May 31, 2019, respectively and are subject to any necessary regulatory approvals.

ABOUT SILVERCREST METALS INC.

SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on new discoveries, value-added acquisitions and targeting production in Mexico's historic precious metal districts. The Company's current focus is on the high-grade, historic Las Chispas mining district in Sonora, Mexico. SilverCrest is the first company to successfully drill-test the historic Las Chispas Project resulting in numerous discoveries. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metal mining sector, including taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production.

N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng

Chief Executive Officer

SilverCrest Metals Inc.

For Further Information:

SilverCrest Metals Inc.

Contact: Michael Rapsch, VP Corp. Comm.

Telephone: +1 (604) 694-1730

Fax: +1 (604) 357-1313

Toll Free: 1-866-691-1730 (Canada & USA)

Email: info@silvercrestmetals.com

Website: www.silvercrestmetals.com

570 Granville Street, Suite 501

Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. More disclaimer info: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. Disclosure: Investorideas.com is compensated by SilverCrest Metals Inc for annual news publishing effective January 2017.

Additional info regarding BC Residents and global Investors: Effective September 15 2008 - all BC investors should review all OTC and Pink sheet listed companies for adherence in new disclosure filings and filing appropriate documents with Sedar. Read for more info: http://www.bcsc.bc.ca/release.aspx?id=6894. Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country.

Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.aspTORONTO - June 5, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Canadians are expected to spend as much as $7.17 billion on cannabis products in 2019 and increase their overall consumption by up to 35 per cent once recreational cannabis is legalized later this year, according to a new report by Deloitte. Legal recreational cannabis sales could generate up to $4.34 billion in sales, accounting for more than half of total cannabis sales, but the illegal market could still be worth more than $1 billion a year.

The report, A society in transition, an industry ready to bloom, says current cannabis consumers are likely to move nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of their purchases to legal channels, even though they expect to have to pay up to 10 per cent more per gram after legalization. Deloitte's research suggests, however, that consumers could be persuaded to completely abandon their illegal suppliers through the right mix of quality, price and safety.

"Most current and likely cannabis consumers want a variety of products offered at reasonable prices from suppliers who can vouch for the safety and origin of those products," said Jennifer Lee, Partner, Cannabis National Leader, and Consumer Advisory and Analytics Practice National Leader. "Cannabis companies will need to have secure supply chains to protect the quality and integrity of their products, and retailers will need to meet consumer expectations, including providing a positive, engaging retailing experience and protecting the privacy of their customers, especially online."

Governments at all levels will need to establish a strategy to encourage the cannabis industry to develop in a safe, healthy, secure, well-regulated and professional manner, according to Deloitte, in part to reduce the stigma surrounding cannabis consumption so that people move their purchases away from the illegal market. It's also to protect the consumer and public at large.

Deloitte says retail fundamentals will still apply: customer insight and data is critical. Cannabis retailers will have to execute modern retail fundamentals just as effectively as more traditional retailers to be successful. For retail stores, that means having staff with strong product knowledge, clearly and prominently displaying prices for all products, and offering convenient hours and locations. Online retailers should endeavour to provide free shipping, quick delivery and organized product groupings, and to ensure their customers' privacy is protected and data is secure.

"Canada is in a unique position as the first G7 country on the cusp of legalizing recreational cannabis," said Mark Whitmore, Vice Chair and Global Leader Deloitte Private. "The move to legalize recreational cannabis has sparked a wave of innovation and entrepreneurship, similar to Canada's technology sector, which will create jobs for Canadians, new opportunities for businesses and revenues for governments."

Other notable findings in the Deloitte report include:

The legal recreational cannabis market is expected to generate sales of up to $4.34 billion in 2019, the medical cannabis market will account for between $770 million and $1.79 billion, and the illegal market will generate a further $510 million to $1.04 billion

There is considerable interest in cannabis-based edible products, even though these will not be available for at least a year after legalization. Six out of 10 likely consumers are expected to choose edible products

Current and likely cannabis consumers are expected to purchase the majority of their products through physical retail locations, while about one-third will also buy products online through approved retailers' websites

Legalization of recreational cannabis will create a new type of cannabis consumer who is older than today's typical consumer (aged 35-54 versus 18-34), better educated (university or graduate school education versus high school or college education), less of a risk taker and likely to consume cannabis less frequently (less than once a month versus several times a week)

A society in transition, an industry ready to bloom is the second report by Deloitte on the opportunity that legalizing cannabis presents to the Canadian economy. Its inaugural report, Recreational Marijuana, insights and opportunities, evaluated the total industry potential with a view to understanding public opinion, consumption trends and retail opportunity. This most recent report examines how cannabis consumption levels may change after legalization, what kinds of products consumers would be interested in, and how and from where they'd be inclined to purchase-in short, what consumer demand means for the cannabis industry.

For more information and to read the full Deloitte 2018 cannabis report, please visit: www.deloitte.com/ca/Deloitte2018Cannabisreport

About the study

A sample size of 1,500 adult Canadians were surveyed online across the country between March 6 and March 20, 2018. The sample includes representation from every Canadian province.

About Deloitte

Deloitte provides audit & assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four out of five Fortune Global 500 companies through a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories bringing world-class capabilities, insights and service to address clients' most complex business challenges. To learn more about how Deloitte's approximately 264,000 professionals-9,400 of whom are based in Canada-make an impact that matters, please connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.

Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.

For more information, please contact:

Jeannie Tsang

Deloitte

416-643-8084

jeatsang@deloitte.ca

Caitlin Stidwill

Deloitte

416-775-7144

cstidwill@deloitte.ca

More Info:

This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders

Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions.

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Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.aspPt. Roberts, WA; Delta, BC - June 5, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) www.Investorideas.com, a global news source covering leading sectors including marijuana and hemp stocks and its "potcast" site, www.potcasts.ca release today's edition of its series, Investorideas.com potcastsCM - cannabis news and stocks to watch plus insight from thought leaders and experts.

Listen to the podcast:

http://www.investorideas.com/Audio/Podcasts/2018/060518-StocksToWatch.mp3

Investor Ideas #Potcasts; #Cannabis Stocks on the Move; TSX:TGOD, TSXV:ICC, TSXV:SCYB, CSE:CROP, CSE:MYM, CSE:MDM

Subscribe to the new cannabis podcast series

Today's podcast overview/transcript:

Good afternoon and welcome to another Investorideas.com potcast - looking at cannabis news, stocks to watch as well as insights from thought leaders and experts. Today we are looking at announcements from The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX::TGOD) , ICC Labs Inc. (TSXV:ICC), Scythian Biosciences Corp. (TSX-V: SCYB) , CROP Infrastructure Corp. ( CSE: CROP) , MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. (CSE: MYM) and Marapharm Ventures Inc. (CSE: MDM).

Cannabis stocks were generally trading up today due to company announcements and a recent report from Deloite. Stocks like MDM traded up at $0.50, MYM up at $1.40 and TGOD up at $7.09.

Deloite reported that Canadians are expected to spend as much as $7.17 billion on cannabis products in 2019 and increase their overall consumption by up to 35 per cent once recreational cannabis is legalized later this year. Legal recreational cannabis sales could generate up to $4.34 billion in sales, accounting for more than half of total cannabis sales, but the illegal market could still be worth more than $1 billion a year.

The Green Organic Dutchman Ltd. announced that it has entered into an engagement letter with Canaccord Genuity Corp., acting as co-lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters including PI Financial Corp and Mackie Research Capital Corporation in which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase 3,910,000 special warrants of the Company, at a price of $6.40 for gross proceeds of approximately $25 million. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on June 26, 2018.

ICC Labs Inc announced that it has entered into a presale agreement with a Colombia based company, Hlessing Industries to supply CBD and THC derivatives for medicinal purposes in Colombia.

Colombia is the third country in the Latin American market where ICC Labs has now taken steps to commence sales, after Mexico and Brazil, opening up large potential markets with a total population of approximately 380 million people.

As well, construction continues as planned for the 124,000 sq. ft. Colombian cannabis cultivation greenhouse, which is expected to be completed by the end of June 2018.

Scythian Biosciences Corp. TSXV:SCYB announced that the Company will be changing its name from "Scythian Biosciences Corp." to "SOL Global Investments Corp." The Company will put the name change resolution before its shareholders at its next scheduled annual general meeting, which will be sometime in August 2018. The name change is also subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

CROP Infrastructure Corp. announced that it has entered into a Membership Purchase Agreement dated June 4th, 2018 with Wheeler Park Properties LLC a Washington State limited liability company. CROP has agreed to advance up to US$2,500,000 to The Park for equipment purchase and retro-fit upgrades of the licensed Cannabis Greenhouse complex in return for a 30% interest.

The greenhouse facility has 5 flowering bays that are designed to yield tenant growers over 10,000 pounds of high quality cannabis on an annual basis.

MYM Nutraceuticals Inc announced that it has finalized the purchase of 329 acres in the township of Weedon, Quebec to build its 1.5 million square foot state-of-the-art medicinal cannabis greenhouse facility.

In addition to the greenhouse facility, the project will include the multipurpose CannaCentre complex that will house a museum, auditorium, learning centre, restaurant, bookstore, hotel, and cannabis research and innovation centre. These projects will both generate revenue for the Company and serve as a meeting place and sharing centre for the benefit of cannabis research and development.

Finally, Marapharm Ventures Inc. reported that the mandatory 72-hour testing of its environmental control equipment in Las Vegas, Nevada, as reported in a news release on May 24, 2018, has been completed successfully.

Concluding the test was the final inspections of all electrical connections, equipment mounting, controls and system wiring to assure that all work has been completed to meet the requirements for the final Building Code Inspection.

Investor ideas reminds all listeners to read our disclaimers and disclosures on the Investorideas.com website and this podcast is not an endorsement to buy products or services or securities. Investors are reminded all investment involves risk and possible loss of investment

Subscribe to the new cannabis podcast series:

http://www.investorideas.com/rss/feeds/Podcasts-Cannabis.xml

Or visit http://www.investorideas.com/Audio/Potcasts.asp

Or www.potcasts.ca

To hear more Investorideas.com podcasts visit: http://www.investorideas.com/Audio/.

Investorideas.com podcasts are also available on iTunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher and Tunein.

Potcasts is now a certified word mark Trademark on the blockchain through Cognate, Inc. CM Certification-Registration Number: 10468217708

About Investorideas.com - News that Inspires Big Ideas

Investorideas.com is a meeting place for global investors, featuring news, stock directories, video, company profiles, interviews and more in leading sectors.

Investorideas.com cannabis/marijuana and hemp content now includes http://cannabisstocknews.blogspot.com on Blogger.com: the Investorideas.com news and stock directory pages, a cannabis investor group on Linkedin.com , the 420 Cannabis Investor ideas www.420cannabisinvestorideas.com, and the new AI site Global Cannabis Investing at www.Globalcannabisinvesting.com

Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. More disclaimer info: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp .

Additional info regarding BC Residents and global Investors: Effective September 15 2008 - all BC investors should review all OTC and Pink sheet listed companies for adherence in new disclosure filings and filing appropriate documents with Sedar. Read for more info: http://www.bcsc.bc.ca/release.aspx?id=6894 . Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country.

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800-665-0411Allianz  an international insurance firm headquartered in Europe  publishes an annual Risk Barometer.

According to the report, globally, Business interruption ranks as the most important global risk for the sixth year in a row (42% of responses), due to its tremendous effect on revenues.

Drilling down into the Americas specifically, in 2018, the top 10 risks identified in the Americas region are:

Cyber Incidents Business Interruption Natural Catastrophes Market Developments Fire and Explosion Changes in Legislation and Regulation Loss of Reputation and Brand Value New Technologies Climate Change and Weather Volatility Talent Shortage

Its a good list, and Supply Chain Risk Management weaves through all of it. Logisticians ship, receive, and store things all over the world, so supply chain leaders have to worry about taking a hit in any one of these dimensions. At the moment, were all riding the uncertainty on the domestic regulatory dimension, while chatter about a trade war looms on the horizon.

The immediate tends to occupy our attention. Thats natural. The academics call it selection bias. We focus on whats in front of us, and have a tougher time thinking about what might be around the corner.

But hurricane season has officially started, unemployment is under 4% so key positions go unfilled, block chain is disrupting traditional business networks, volcanos are being disagreeable in Hawaii, and the FBI is telling us to reboot our servers because of some insidious Russian virus. And thats just off the top of my head. Take a moment and make a list of the significant supply chain management risks for your business.

Take a look at your operation through this holistic lens. Where are your vulnerabilities? What are your countermeasures? Do you have a plan? Are you even capable of executing the plans you have?

Be honest about it, be a little bit intimidated, and then get to work.More than 100 lawmakers on Capitol Hill have sent Betsy DeVos a letter calling on her to correct her comments last month to the House education committee that its up to schools whether to report undocumented students to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In the June 4 letter, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., who questioned DeVos about undocumented students and ICE in that committee hearing, claimed that DeVos comments were not only inaccurate, but dangerous. He also brushed aside DeVos subsequent clarifications following the committee hearing as inadequate.

During the May 22 committee hearing, Espaillat asked DeVos whether she thought teachers and principals had a duty to report such students to ICE. I think thats a school decision, its a local community decision, DeVos told Espaillat. We have laws, and we also are compassionate. And I urge this body to do its job and address and clarify where there is confusion around this. Immigration and civil rights advocates quickly denounced her statement, saying that the Plyler v. Doe decision protected undocumented students from being discriminated against by school districts.

DeVos said the day after the hearing that she believed schools must abide by Plyler, and also that she had no plans to rescind Obama-era guidance and letters to schools designed to protect those students. But this didnt satisfy Espaillat and his colleagues on the Hill.

Left uncorrected, your testimony leaves immigrant communities fearful of interaction with public schools, the lawmakers wrote in their Monday letter. Left uncorrected, your testimony could do irreparable harm to educational opportunity for undocumented children.

Both ranking members of the congressional education committees, Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., signed onto the letter. DeVos is headed back to the Hill on Tuesday to testify before the Senate subcommittee on education appropriations about Trumps fiscal 2019 budget request. So we might get more questions about this issue from Democratic lawmakers very soon.

Read the full letter from Espaillat and the other lawmakers below:

Cant get enough of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos? Check out some of our best coverage:

Photo: A giant television screen projects an image of the proceedings as Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos testifies before a House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing on May 22 in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)A rookie Republican lawmaker from Michigan will soon gain new prominence in the push to expand school choice on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-Mich., will serve as co-chairman of the Congressional School Choice Caucus on the House side with Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind., the caucus current chairman in the House, through the end of this year. (Messer will leave Congress at the start of next year, having made an unsuccessful run to be the Republican nominee to challenge Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., in November.) Mitchells already a member of the choice caucus.

Parents should have the right to choose which educational model works best for their children. The needs of individual families and children are unique, and they should have increased access to schools that have adapted to best serve them, Mitchell said in a statement announcing that he will co-chair the caucus.

Mitchell was first elected in 2016 to represent Michigans 10th District in the House. Hes quickly become a big fan of National School Choice Week, which includes events to promote the issue in Washington. He promoted his attendance at last years event on Capitol Hill, after cutting a video about school choice and School Choice Week in 2017:

And in case youre wondering, Mitchell received contributions from Betsy DeVos before she became education secretaryas well as from other members of the DeVos family during his successful House campaign in 2016, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics. DeVos is a Michigan native.

Elsewhere, Mitchell has emphasized homeless children as well as those in foster care . Last month, he introduced legislation to amend TRIO, which supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds, to make services for those two groups of students a priority for TRIO programs.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., leads the choice caucus in the Senate.

Photo: Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-Mich., in a 2013 photo before he was elected to Congress. (David Eggert/AP)

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .

remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.The European Court of Justice (ECJ) [official website] ruled [judgment] Tuesday that even if an EU countrys government has not authorized same-sex marriage, same-sex couples must still be offered the same residency rights as heterosexual couples.

The issue arose because EU law [materials] permits the spouse of an EU citizen to obtain a residence permit for any member state where the spouse resides. But Romanian authorities refused to honor a request of a same-sex couple, Relu Adrian Coman, a Romanian, and Robert Clabourn Hamilton, an American, who were married in Brussels in 2010. The couple challenged the decision in Romanias constitutional court, which then referred the case to the ECJ.

In January EU Advocate General Melchior Wathelet advised [opinion] the ECJ that the rights of same-sex spouses must be recognized [JURIST report] by every member of the EU.

A statement [press release, PDF] from the Court of Justice said:

The term spouse within the meaning of the provisions of EU law on freedom of residence for EU citizens and their family members includes spouses of the same sex. Although the Member States have the freedom whether or not to authorise marriage between persons of the same sex, they may not obstruct the freedom of residence of an EU citizen by refusing to grant his same-sex spouse, a national of a country that is not an EU Member State, a derived right of residence in their territory.

The Romanian Courts are left to make a final judgment but must take the EU judgment into account.The US Supreme Court [official wWebsite] delivered two rulings on Monday, in Hughes v. United States and Koons v. United States [opinions, PDF], related to when a prison sentence can be reduced through 18 USC 3582(c)(2) [text].

In Hughes, the court ruled that 3582(c)(2) applied to a Type-C plea agreement. In Koons, the court ruled 3582(c)(2) cannot be used to reduce a sentence if the Federal Sentencing Guidelines [text, PDF] range did not play a relevant part [in] the framework the [sentencing] judge used in imposing the sentence.

Prison sentences can be reduced through 3582(c)(2) if the the Federal Guidelines sentencing range is reduced retroactively if the term sentence is based on a sentencing range that has subsequently been lowered by the Sentencing Commission.

The court also ruled in Hughes that absent clear demonstration, based on the record as a whole, that the court would have imposed the same sentence regardless of the Guidelines, the defendant would be eligible for a sentence reduction under 3582(c)(2). In Koons, the defendant was not eligible for the prison sentence reduction because the sentencing court scrapped the ranges in favor of the mandatory minimums and never considered the ranges again.

The opinion in Hughes was supported by a vote of 7-2 while Koons was unanimous.

The court had previously ruled [JURIST report] in June 2010 that Federal Sentencing Guideline changes do not affect modification hearings.Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson [official website] filed lawsuits on Monday against Google and Facebook [complaints, PDF] for failing to disclose information about who purchased political ads that were displayed on their platforms.

Both companies are accused of violating RCW 72.17A, which requires that political campaign and lobbying contributions and expenditures be fully disclosed to the public and that secrecy is to be avoided. Both companies are accused of negligently and/or intentionally fail[ing] to maintain documents and books of account specifying required information for political advertising sponsored in Washington state elections from 2013 to 2018 and for fail[ing] to make such documents and books of account open for public inspection.

Both lawsuits cite attempts of Eli Sanders, Associate Editor of the biweekly Seattle newspaper The Stranger, to obtain information related to political advertising for the August 1, 2017, primary election and November 7, 2017, general election in Seattle.

The attorney general is seeking civil penalties against the companies and all costs associated with the investigation and trial. He is also seeking injunctive relief.

Both Facebook and Google have previously been targets of lawsuits related to their advertisement practices. In March 2017 Facebook settled [JURIST report] a class action lawsuit for violating privacy laws due to Facebook practices associated with targeted advertising. Also in March 2017 a federal judge rejected [JURIST report] a settlement with Google in a lawsuit related to Googles practice of scanning emails for the purposes of targeted advertising.iStock/Thinkstock(INDIANAPOLIS) -- A 13-year-old girl was shot seven times in the face, neck, chest and hand at her Indiana middle school last month, her family said Monday.



Ella Whistler was in science class at Noblesville West Middle School on May 25 when a classmate allegedly walked in with two handguns and opened fire, authorities said. The teacher, Jason Seaman, immediately tackled the gunman, according to officials. Both Ella and Seaman were shot.



Ella underwent emergency surgery for suffering life-threatening injuries -- collapsed lungs, a broken jaw, ribs, clavicle and multiple vertebrae, and significant nerve damage -- her family said in a new statement on Monday.



Last week Ella was upgraded from critical to stable condition, her family said.



"Ella's parents are proud of her incredible bravery and strength in facing this unspeakable tragedy," the family said Monday. "She continues to make progress but faces a long road to recovery."



The teen will remain hospitalized "for the foreseeable future," the family said, but "she hopes to eventually return to her favorite activities of volleyball, cheerleading, and show choir."



Seaman, meanwhile, hailed by the school district as a hero, was quickly released from the hospital after the shooting.



"I can't say enough of how proud of Ella I am," Seaman told reporters last week. "Her courage and strength at such a young age is nothing short of remarkable."



"We will spend the next days and weeks processing what happened and why," Ella's parents said in a statement on the day of the shooting, according to ABC affiliate WRTV in Indianapolis.



"We'd like to thank everyone across the country who prayed for our family," they continued. "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."

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos team is working on guidance to help districts and states puzzle through changes to a key spending ruleknown as supplement-not-supplant"in the Every Student Succeeds Act, multiple education advocates say.

DeVos and company have made it their mission to right-size the department , which they say became too powerful and too intrusive during the Obama and Bush years. For that reason, theyve been reluctant to issue new guidance on a variety of topics. Instead, theyve focused on getting rid of guidance and regulations from past administrations that they see as duplicative, outdated, or overly prescriptive .

ESSA made some key changes to supplement not supplant that says federal Title I funds targeted at low-income students must be in addition to, and not take the place of, state and local spending on K-12. And districts and states have questions about how those changes are supposed to work.

The Education Department did not respond to multiple requests to confirm that it would be issuing new guidance on ESSA spending.

Supplement-not-supplant, which has been part of the underlying law, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, for decades, went through some changes under ESSA. Specifically, the law no longer requires each individual cost for Title I activities for disadvantaged students to be itemized to show that its in compliance with the rule. The law only requires districts to show that schools are getting the same state and local funds they would otherwise get without any federal Title I aid.

These changes were originally supposed to take effect two years after ESSAs enactment (which would have been Dec. 2017). But the department extended the deadline to the start of this coming school year (2018-2019). Some districts and states are unclear about how to meet the new requirements.



This spending provision and ESSA have a sticky political history. The laws Republican authorsparticularly Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennesseesay the new language in ESSA was intended to provide more flexibility to districts to meet the requirements of supplement-not-supplant, or SnS as it is known affectionately among K-12 spending geeks.

But, in 2016, the Obama Education Department upset Republicans applecart by pushing districts to ensure they were spending nearly equal amounts of state and local dollars on Title I schools (those with large shares of students from low-income backgrounds) and non-Title I schools .

The department wrote draft regulations that gave districts a few options for meeting the requirement, all designed to shift more resources to relatively resource-poor schools. State leaders, district administrators, and Republican education leaders in Congress were very unhappy with this approach, while civil rights advocates were huge supporters.

After President Donald Trumps surprise presidential victory, the Obama administration opted not to finalize this draft rule , figuring that Republicans in Congress would toss it through the Congressional Review Act or CRA. (And indeed, thats what happened to the Obama teams ESSA accountability regulations.)

But that still left districts and states without clear direction on how to proceed with the SnS changes in ESSA. Which is why the department appears to be working on guidance to help clarify the law. Importantly, guidance doesnt have the same force as regulations.

Want more? Check out Andrews very smart post explaining the ramifications of a world without SnS guidance. And head over to this FutureGen blog post, where Raegan Miller, the researcher director, offers advice on how to handle SnS .

Image: Getty Images

Want to learn more about the Every Student Succeeds Act? Heres some useful information:

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Even as the nations high school graduation rate reaches an all-time high of 84 percent, a troubling phenomenon is taking shape: The number of schools with low graduation rates is actually growing.

The change is reported in the latest version of Building a Grad Nation, an annual report that tracks high school graduation. Between 2015 and 2016, the number of schools defined by federal law as low-graduation-rateschools of 100 or more students where fewer than two-thirds earn diplomas in four yearsrose from 2,249 to 2,425.

Thats right: in just one year, 176 additional schools qualified as graduation danger zones.

Johns Hopkins University researcher Robert Balfanz, one of the reports co-authors, said that most of the change is explained by a rise in the number of alternative schools. In 2016, the most recent year of data available, there were 878 alternative high schools with low graduation rates. Only two years earlier, in 2014, there were 677.

Shifts like these are important to note as the country struggles to understand how well its high schools are serving students. Thats not as easy task, as cause for celebration and skepticism compete for our attention.

Federal data released in December show the highest graduation rate in history . But investigations and audits are stacking up that show schools, districts or states playing a variety of games with their graduation-rate calculations.



Alternative Schools to Evade Graduation-Rate Accountability?

Part of that picture is a question about the extent to which high schools move their struggling students into alternative schools. They might do this with the best of intentions, believing that those students will be better served, Balfanz said. But they can also benefit by scrubbing their books of students who might bring down their graduation rates.

Part of the underlying story is that at some level, graduation-rate accountability has propelled the growth of alternative schools, Balfanz said.

Sending struggling students to alternative schools creates a hyperconcentration of need that makes on-time graduation even more unlikely, Balfanz said.

Federal law allows states to factor five- and six-year graduation rates into their accountability systems, in recognition of the added time that many struggling students need to finish high school. But the law requires them to assign less weight to five- and six-year rates than to their four-year rate.

UPDATED Using those longer timelines is the most appropriate way to evaluate how well alternative schools are doing with a very challenging student population, said Russell Rumberger, who focuses on graduation-rate issues as a professor emeritus of education at the University of California-Santa Barbara.

But even with that allowance, he said, policymakers should keep an eye on the rise in the numbers of alternative high schools.

It means that districts are creating more of these options, and theyre generally viewed as not the best environment for kids, Rumberger said. They vary a lot in quality, and they account for a disproportionate number of dropouts.

The growing role of alternative settings is only one piece of a changing landscape of high school completion. Building a Grad Nation also points to another shift worth watching: Good graduation rates can mask large numbers of students who arent graduating on time.

One analysis in the new report looks at schools with graduation rates above the national average of 84 percent. It asks what proportion of students at those schools earn diplomas in four years instead or five or six. And it turns up some surprising results. Many schools considered to be high-performing are harboring large numbers of students who wont earn diplomas in four years.

In 13 states, more than half of the students who dont graduate in four years are enrolled in schools with graduation rates of 84 percent of better, according to Grad Nation. In Iowa, 64 percent of the students who dont graduate on time go to such schools. In Arkansas, its 59 percent. In Kentucky, 53 percent.

One of the drivers behind those numbers is demographic shifts in inner-ring suburbs that bring more low-income families into schools that arent prepared to support them, Balfanz said.

Where Are the Low-Graduation-Rate High Schools? It Might Surprise You

Research has shown that certain types of schoolscharters, alternative, and virtual schoolstend to have lower graduation rates than traditional high schools. But the new report shows surprising variations in that picture.

Looking at low-graduation-rate schools and students in three states offers an example of the variation:



In Georgia, 28 percent of the students who dont graduate in four years attend regular or vocational schools with low graduation rates. Three percent go to alternative schools, and none attend virtual schools.

By contrast, in Florida, only 4 percent of the students who dont finish on time attend regular or vocational schools. Thirty-one percent are in alternative schools, and 1 percent are in schools for special education students.

Michigans distribution of students who dont graduate on time is very different. Twenty-four percent of its students who dont graduate in four years are in alternative schools, while 8 percent attend regular or vocational schools and 6 percent are in virtual schools.

The message in the numbers, the reports authors write, is that each state will need to examine its own unique patterns of schools with low graduation rates and fashion its own solution.

Thats particularly important as the Every Student Succeed Act shifts more responsibility for school improvement from the federal level to the states, said John Bridgeland, another Grad Nation co-author.

States cant just look at their overall graduation rates and leave it at that, he said. They have to embrace this challenge and dig deeper into their data to see whats actually happening, school to school and district to district.

Photo: Students from St. Joseph High School arrive for graduation ceremonies on June 4 in St. Joseph, Mich.

--Don Campbell/The Herald-Palladium via AP

Get High School & Beyond posts delivered to your inbox as soon as theyre published. Sign up here . Also, for news and analysis of issues that shape adolescents preparation for work and higher education.By guest blogger Alex Harwin

Nationwide, 28 percent of teachers were absent for more than 10 school days during the 2015-16 school year. Thats more than 901,500 pre-K-12 teachers who were not at work when they would have otherwise been expected to be, according to an analysis by the Education Week Research Center of recent federal data.

The federal Civil Rights Data Collection counts days that are taken off for sick or personal leave when defining teacher absences, but does not include professional development, field trips, or other off-campus activities. Its difficult to know how those absenteeism rates compare with other professions since teacher absenteeism is the only educational professional role included in that data set. But some different data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that workers in education, training, and library occupations are more likely to be absent compared to the majority of other professional and related occupations. Educators are more likely to be absent than professionals in computer and mathematical, architecture, and engineering; social science; legal; and art-based and media occupations. The only two occupational groupings with seeminglly higher absence rates than educators are community and social service and health-care practioners and technical occupations, according to that data set.

Among the states in the Civil Rights Data Collection, Nevada had the highest percentage share of teachers, with nearly half of all teachers in that states schools taking more than 10 days off, followed by Hawaii (48 percent) and Rhode Island (41 percent). In South Dakota, the state with the lowest rate of teacher absenteeism, only 18 percent took more than 10 days off.

The overall percentage of teachers has slightly increased from 2013-14 when 27 percent of teachers were frequently absent. Nevadas rate this time around was the same since the 2013-14 data collection. Hawaiis rate represents an improvement from the last time around. The state went from having the highest percentage of teachers chronically absent to now being second to last after Nevada.

What are these states intending to do about this issue? Hawaiis Department of Education referred that question to its human resources department, which said it could not confirm whether the data was correct or not. Nevada Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Dena Durish noted that currently, the state does not have a tracking system in place to evaluate teacher absenteeism.

Students Face Schools With Absent Teachers

Additionally, the Education Week Research Center found nearly a quarter of a million students attended schools where most teachers were deemed to be chronically absent. In other words, more than 1 out of 10 schools were places where most teachers missed 10 or more days of school. Explore the database below to find schools that were identified as having most teachers being absent by state or school name:

Nearly the majority of these 12,000-plus schools housed students in grades K-5. They were more likely to be schools that specialized in students with disabilities than not. And they were less likely to be charter schools; less than 4 percent of charter schools had most teachers who were chronically absent.

Charter Data Raise Additional Potential Issues

The Education Week Research Centers findings correspond with findings by the Fordham Institute analyzing the 2013-14 Civil Rights Data . That analysis showed that teachers in regular public schools were more than twice as likely to be chronically absent compared to teachers who work in charter schools.

However, this data needs further examination, especially with regard to charter school absenteeism. Over 43 percent of charters were documented as having zero cases of teachers not showing up to work when expected, in comparison to only 14 percent of all other schools. States with the highest percentages, where over 62 percent of schools noted zero teacher absentees, included: New Hampshire, Florida, New Mexico, Idaho, and Arizona. This raises questions about why we see this pattern.

After removing the schools that reported zero teacher absenteeism from the sample, the share of charters increases only to 18 percent, the same as South Dakotaand still not on par with the national rate. Even so, the number of schools that were listed with zero teacher absenteeism was three times higher in charter schools than in all other schools. You can find out which charters in your state document having zero cases of teacher absentees the database below.



Alex Harwin in a research analyst with the Education Week Research Center.

Source: Education Week Research Center analysis of Civil Rights Data, 2018

Note: More than 1,000 schools, out of over 95,000 schools nationwide, were removed from the analysis due to missing teacher and student information.

Related:

Want more research news? Get the latest studies and join the conversation.A local task force unveiled 90 pages of safety recommendations for Broward County, Fla., schools Monday in response to the Feb. 14 school shooting in the districts Stoneman Douglas High School.



That task force, assembled by the Broward County League of Cities, included local leaders, teachers, and parents of two of the 17 people killed in the shooting. The recommendations come as a state commission is also exploring the districts response to the shooting to recommend changes.

Among the local task forces recommendations :



Installing metal detectors in all of the countys schools

Limiting entrance points to schools

Reviewing site-level safety plans and sharing them with outside law enforcement

Updating hardware to allow classroom doors to lock automatically, and

Updating security protocols for campus arrival and dismissal times

The task force also called for more counselors and student support staff and student safety drills within the first two weeks of the school year.

The local recommendations are divided into immediate, near term, and longer term categories. It also urged further discussions about its ideas.

These consensus recommendations and the complex issues surrounding some of the school and community public safety issues demand greater dialogue, the report says. In fact, this Initial Report and Recommendation could not be, in the time allotted, the end point of the community discussions. In many ways, even with two months of intense meetings and gathering information, the issuance of this Initial Report and Recommendation is the beginning point for honest and meaningful conversations which must occur and partnerships which must be created or reinforced if we are to protect our schools, students, teachers, staff, families and community.

The report comes a few days after the Broward County district updated parents on its safety plans. Those plans include:



Contracting with an independent firm to review district safety plans and procedures

Providing at least one school resource officer or safety officer for each school by the new school year, a requirement created by a new Florida law

Reinforcing existing safety rules regularly. This includes requiring students and staff to wear identification badges while on campus at all times and visitors to wear a school or District form of identification while on campus; locking classroom doors at all times; locking and securing exterior doors and gates throughout the day; being vigilant in monitoring the campus throughout the day; and conducting emergency preparedness training for faculty, staff and students on a regular basis.

Working to develop new active assailant training for schools

Updating surveillance cameras

Providing expanded mental health services through the next school year

Reviewing student discipline policies and improving implementation. As an immediate first step, school leaders and administrators have been directed to ensure that all discipline incidents are properly reported, the letter to parents says. Finally, school audits will now include a review of compliance with our student code of conduct and discipline policies.

While students and victims families have taken positions on both sides of a national gun debate that followed the shooting, most are united in calling for changes to school policies and practices as a result. There were some overlaps between the task forces recommendations and the districts plans, including plans to publicize methods for students to report safety concerns to adults.

Their work comes as U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos chairs a White House task force to explore school safety issues on a national level following the shooting in Parkland and more recently, the shooting at Sante Fe High School in Texas that killed 10 people. That task force will hold public hearings on the issue this week.

Photo: Crime scene tape runs outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., a few days after a Febuary shooting there that left 17 people dead. --Gerald Herbert/APIllinois new budget, which Republican Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law this week, features the states latest attempt to tackle the growing debt in its teacher pension fund.

The Teachers Retirement System is the largest pension system in the state, and it also carries the most debtits underfunded by $71 billion, according to the 2017 report from the Illinois Department of Insurance .

Under the current pension system, districts can raise teachers salaries by 6 percent annually in the last four years of their careers, which increases the income they receive from their pensions. The new law lowers this yearly increase to 3 percent. Districts could still offer more, but they would be required to supplement pension costs.

This modification to the retirement system, and other changes to state pensions in the new budget, have put balance in reach for the state budget, said Rauner in a statement.

But the Illinois Education Association, a teachers union in the state, asserts that the move devalues experienced educators and discourages new teachers from entering the profession. A lower cap on raises could dissuade veteran teachers from furthering their education if they know their salary would not raise commensurately, the IEA argued.

At a time when Illinois is facing a teacher shortage, this is a short-sighted and disrespectful move, said Kathi Griffin, the associations president, in a statement.

The new budget decision is the latest in a series of attempts to revive the states underfunded pension system. In 2011, the state attempted to address the already-growing gap by placing new teachers on a Tier II pension plan with a longer vesting schedule and a higher retirement age .



See also: Ill. Pension Woes Destabilizing Teaching Profession, Analysis Says

This new plan offered beginning teachers less security than their colleagues who had started working in the state before 2011. Almost 25 percent of teachers on the Tier II plan will never fully vest in the states teacher pension fund, and more than three quarters of these teachers wont even receive as much in pension payments as they have contributed into the system, according to a 2016 analysis from Bellwether Education Partners .

Illinois is far from the only state tackling the challenge of underfunded teacher pensions: Nationally, teacher pension debt totals more than $516 billion , according to the National Council on Teacher Quality .



Kentuckys underfunded pension system was a major driver of teacher walkouts in the state. It was a pension reform bill that galvanized the walkouts, spurring teachers in more than 20 school districts to protest at the Capitol building. The state legislature had proposed reducing yearly cost-of-living increases for retired teachers and moving new teachers to a hybrid pension plan.

See also: Costly Pension Plans Are Fanning the Flames of Teacher Unrest

The factors contributing to the national pension debtincluding longstanding financial mismanagement and a surge of Baby Boomer retirementsare long-term challenges, and experts say pension funding issues will likely continue to cause problems for states .



Photo: Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner displays the signed Illinois state budget for fiscal year 2019 during a ceremony on June 4 in Chicago. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun Times via AP050618HAKENA COMDEMNS ACTIONS

New Dawn FM News



Bougainvilles strong human rights advocator, HELEN HAKENA has condemned the activities that led to Air Niugini diverting its plane to TOKUA yesterday.

Speaking on New Dawn FM last night she said these types of activities will eventually pull Bougainville down if not controlled or stopped.

MS HAKENA said that there are proper ways of addressing these issues not on the streets and not by using force.

She said these service providers must appoint representatives who can act on their behalf instead of using mob rule to force authorities to bend rules to satisfy their interests.

MS HAKENA said that she does not want these activities to go on as it also frightens women and children on how they will vote in the coming referendum.

She said if our men cannot protect the women and children then whats the point supporting them.

050618PENIAI DENIES ACTING FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS

New Dawn FM News



Former ABG Speaker, NICK PENIAI has disassociated himself from representing the service providers in the incident that spilled to the Buka airport yesterday.

He made these comments when commenting on New Dawn FM news on facebook yesterday that called him as the Service Providers agent.

He said he was authorised by the Peace Agreement Implementation Secretary JAMES TANIS to look for funds outside of the system to pay outstanding debts.

He has also stopped from making any more deals for them and will now allow all negotiations through the ABG.

This now puts to rest our story on this issue.

EndsFIVB: Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, June 5, 2018 - Kim Yeon Koung showcased her impeccable leadership skills to ensure Korea overcame a tenacious Thailand on Tuesday and end a four-game losing streak in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League.

The inspirational Korean captain was the standout performer in her team's 3-1 (25-16, 25-18, 20-25, 26-24) victory over hosts Thailand, who continue to sit near the foot of the overall rankings but competed hard to provide plenty of cheer for their passionate fans.

Kim made several clutch plays when her team appeared to be melting under the pressure deep in the fourth set after crumbling during a lacklustre third stanza. She was ably supported by Heejin Kim, while middle blocker Kim Su Ji was sensational late in the fourth set.

Thailand, who were sitting a lowly 14th coming into the contest, were led by wing spiker Onuma Sittirak and captain Pluemjit Thinkaow in an improved performance after coming off a winless phase three in Bangkok.

Korea, who are now 5-5, struggled in the third phase but were favoured having dominated Thailand at the major world level in recent times.

From the get-go the match was a high-octane affair with Kim hammering a spike to immediately silence the boisterous crowd as Korea - through strong serve - skipped ahead to a quick 8-4 lead before the first technical timeout.

Thinkaow tried to fuel her team with a high-flying spike which brought spectators to their feet, but Korea had the answers with strong blocking at the net repelling a slew of attacks. A high-flying Heejin was deadly around the net and showed exquisite touch as a confident Korea looked the far more organised team.

Tenacious defending from Nootsara Tomkom complemented by an aggressive Malika Kanthong kept the hosts in the contest much to the delight of their beloved fans but Korea held their nerve with Kim producing some timely clutch play to ensure her team claimed a decisive first set.

In a bold attempt to get into the contest, Thailand started the second set determined to fight for every point but Korea countered with stellar serving, while Heejin continued to showcase precision with her spikes.

In a mirror image of the first set, Korea skipped out to an early four-point buffer with Kim's aerial pyrotechnics proving mesmerising and ensuring the stadium remained eerily silent.

There were some memorable rallies as the standard rose during a pulsating stretch highlighted by one notable exchange capped off by brilliance from Jin Yang Hyo as Korea seemed a level above their mismatched opponents.

Even though they lacked their opponent's polish, Thailand conjured points through sheer effort as veteran wing spiker Onuma found her range to ensure a more than competitive spectacle. Cunning serving from Hattaya Bamrungsuk reduced the margin to one point as bedlam erupted inside the stadium as the faithful could sense Thailand's surging momentum.

However, Lee Daeyong, Kim and Heejin restored Korea's order through timely spikes as the visitors eventually claimed the second set and a stranglehold of the contest.

In a bid to finish the match and not let the crowd regain its spark, Korea started the third set strongly with Su Ji dominating at the net as the result appeared to be a formality. However, Korea were unable to shake off their pesky rivals as the roof almost came off the stadium when Thailand won a thrilling 42-second rally to cut the deficit to 12-10 as the match tightened.

For the first time in the match, Korea was threatened deep in the set as scores were deadlocked on several occasions before a sizzling serve from Hattaya gave Thailand the lead as the crowd erupted in delight.

The play rose a level and peaked during a memorable 38-second rally that was punctuated by a booming block from Jin Yang but Thailand would not be denied highlighted by desperation from a diving Wilavan Apinyapong as the hosts astoundingly won seven straight points to claim the third set.

The absorbing contest continued into the fourth set with the teams trading points and marked by Korea desperate to regain the initiative in a determined bid for the match to not go into a deciding stanza.

A blistering spike from Onuma locked the scores at 13 apiece and shortly after Thailand took the lead as Korea appeared to be wilting amid the swirling anticipation permeating through the crowd.

Much like the backend of the third set, Korea's confidence was shaken as they made several errors to fall in a three-point hole before successive Kim spikes reduced the deficit to 20-19. Another Kim spike gave Korea their fourth straight point and, more importantly, the lead but Thailand mounted another fightback to earn set point at 25-24.

However, Korea held their nerve - which had been numerously tested - and a resounding block from Jin Yang ended the contest sparking scenes of jubilation from the Korean players contrasted by despair from Thailand and their loyal home fans.

Thailand will be looking to break their home drought when they play the formidable Turkey on Wednesday, while Korea faces Japan.A dominant start to the South American Games.

World record holder Sara Lopez topped the compound womens ranking round at the South American Games in Cochabamba, Bolivia, before Colombia won gold medals in three of the four team competitions.

Lopez scored 704/720 points to lead qualification.

I started nervous and that cost my five points in the first two ends. I had to fix the mistakes and although the score was not as high as I was expecting, it was still good, she said.

Camilo Cardona qualified first in the mens event, also with 704, and the Colombian duo were the only two compound athletes to top 700 points on the 72-arrow 50-metre round.

Daniel Pinedas 674 led recurve mens qualifying to make it three top seeds for Colombia, while the recurve womens pole went to Graziela Paulino of Brazil, with 645.

Paulinos recurve womens squad from Brazil was also the only team to prevent a Colombian sweep, taking gold against the top-seeded nation, 5-3, in the final. Colombia won the recurve mens team and two compound team events.

Lopez, who didnt compete at stage two of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Antalya, Turkey, dropped back down to second in the world rankings after some of her points expired.

A win in Cochabamba might be enough to push her back into the lead.

This is my first time at the South American Games and one of my goals is to win as many different medals as I can, said Lopez.

My main rivals are Alejandra [Usquiano], Nora [Valdez] and Eugenia Gonzales from Argentina, whos a very good archer. It wont be easy but I will do my best.

The 2019 South American Games took place on 2-6 June in Cochabamba, Bolivia.BROOKINGS, Ore.  The family of a Brookings man who has been missing for months are now offering a reward for any information that might lead to him. Max Greenfield was last sighted at the Lucky 7 Casino in Smith River, California on March 18.

Tonya Brown, Greenfield's sister, says that the family are offering $5,000 to anyone who can locate Greenfield or his body. The man's family are afraid that at this point, Max is no longer alive.

Greenfield was shown on surveillance footage outside of the Lucky 7 Casino before walking through the parking lot and disappearing out of the frame. No one has seen him since.

"Unfortunately we have nothing new on Max," said Brown.

CLICK HERE to see our previous article, including that security camera footage.

Greenfield is described as a white adult male, about 6' tall, 150-160 pounds, with brown hair, green eyes, and a skeleton key tattooed on his left forearm. He was last seen wearing black jeans, a dark t-shirt and black jacketas well as a dark knit stocking cap and a black duffel bag.By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER , Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP)  Lava from the Kilauea volcano destroyed hundreds of homes in a mostly rural area on the Big Island of Hawaii overnight, a county spokeswoman said Tuesday. The destruction is the largest number of destroyed homes since the eruption began last month.

No injuries were reported in the area, which had previously been evacuated.

"We don't have an estimate yet, but safe to say that hundreds of homes were lost in Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland last night," said Janet Snyder, a spokeswoman for Hawaii County.

A morning overflight confirmed that lava completely filled Kapoho Bay, inundated most of Vacationland and covered all but the northern part of Kapoho Beach Lots, scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said.

Lava early Tuesday destroyed Big Island Mayor Harry Kim's second home in Vacationland, Snyder said.

County Managing Director Wil Okabe said his own vacation home in Kapoho Beach Lots was also threatened. Okabe described the area as a mix of vacation rentals and year-round residences.

"For us it's more of a vacation area, but for those who live there permanently, they're trying to figure out where they're going to be living," he said.

"He was very depressed," Okabe said of how Kim felt about losing his vacation home. Kim and Okabe live in Hilo, the county's seat, which is more than an hour drive from the Kapoho area.

Thousands in the Puna area had to evacuate after lava fissures started opening in neighborhoods a month ago. Officials had issued mandatory orders for residents of Leilani Estates and those in Kapoho Beach and Vacationland to leave by last Friday or risk being trapped and unreachable by emergency crews.

Homes in Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland are on smaller lots and are closer together than in other parts of the Puna district. Okabe estimated there are several hundred homes in each of the two subdivisions.JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. -- Josephine County has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state. Over 400 students in the Grants Pass school district are not vaccinated, according to the district school nurse.

While schools are required to educate parents about the vaccination regulations here in Oregon, they can't make parents vaccinate their children. As long as an exemption is filed within the timeline, children can attend school without any vaccinations.

"It's concerning because they aren't immunized." says district nurse, Martha Covrig, "It increases their risk of getting those illnesses. Some of them have pretty serious consequences."

Some parents decide against vaccinations out of concern of possible side-effects. Another fear is that vaccinations increase the chances for autism, however that hasn't been proven.

"Autism has been in the news over a number of years but from my understanding and reading, there's not any medical research that has proven that," said Covrig.

In order to opt out of required vaccinations, parents must complete a training that explains the benefits and risks involved in the vaccinations. All exemptions must be filed by January 1st.

"We do encourage parents to immunize however we dont you know if they choose not to its a personal choice like I said before and they have their options of how they can opt out," explains Covrig.Remember When  What kind of sound brings you into a reflective or peaceful place? Maybe the wind blowing the leaves around or...

Wheres the voters fraud? As a resident of Davison Township, I see township clerk campaign signs saying Stop Voter Fraud. What is she talking...

Kids need additional supports outside the classroom now more than ever For the first time in a year and a half, the majority of Michigans kids are back in the classroom,...A Hudson's Bay Co. store sign is shown at its Toronto flagship store on July 29, 2013. Hudson's Bay Co. posted a loss of $400 million in its latest quarter compared with a loss of $221 million a year ago. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteElizabeth Wettlaufer is escorted by police from the courthouse in Woodstock, Ont., on June 26, 2017. A public inquiry examining the circumstances that allowed a long-term care nurse to kill elderly patients in her care is set to get underway this week. The probe will examine the systemic factors that allowed Elizabeth Wettlaufer to inject more than a dozen patients with overdoses of insulin while working at long-term care homes and private residences in southwestern Ontario for nearly a decade. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave ChidleyPrime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump take part in a joint press conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., on February 13, 2017. Donald Trump's leading economic adviser says the U.S. president wants to strike separate bilateral trade deals with Canada and Mexico rather than continue renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean KilpatrickCarolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, speaks as she is joined by Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, left, and Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, during a press conference at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in response to the Interim Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the Commission's request for an extension THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean KilpatrickPrime Minister Justin Trudeau walks to Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, June 4, 2018. Climate experts say Canada's decision to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline puts added pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to deliver a solid plan on climate change and the Paris agreement at the G7 later this week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin TangMembers of the RCMP stand outside the La Loche Community School in La Loche, Sask. Monday, Jan. 25, 2016. A young man who shot up a school and a home in northern Saskatchewan when he was a teenager is appealing his sentence.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan HaywardFILE - In this March 29, 2018 file photo, fighters from the U.S-backed Syrian Manbij Military Council stand behind a sand barrier as they look toward Turkish-backed fighters' position at the front line of Halawanji village, north of Manbij town, Syria. The People's Protection Units, known by their Kurdish acronym YPG, said in a statement Tuesday, June 5, 2018, that it's pulling out of the key northern Syrian town of Manbij, potentially easing a serious rift between the United States and Turkey. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)In this June 1, 2018, photo, President Donald Trump walks to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, as he heads to Camp David for the weekend. Lawyers for President Donald Trump and Summer Zervos, a former AuApprenticeAu contestant who sued the president for saying her sexual misconduct claims were lies, are scheduled to be in court Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)Dave Mullins hugs a supporter after a rally in Denver to address the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of a baker who refused to make a cake for Mullins' same-sex wedding Monday, June 4, 2018. Craig said Monday he will continue to fight against discrimination. He told supporters during the rally at the Colorado Capitol that he and his partner brought the case "because no one should have to face the shame, embarrassment and humiliation of being told 'we don't serve your kind here.'" (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 file photo, Rupert Murdoch waits for the start of the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament between Rafael Nadal, of Spain, and Kevin Anderson, of South Africa, in New York. BritainAos culture secretary threw Rupert MurdochAos 21st Century Fox a lifeline Tuesday June 5, 2018, in its 11.7 billion-pound ($16.4 billion) bid to buy the 61 percent of the U.K. satellite broadcaster Sky it doesnAot already own, saying he would accept the sale of Sky News as a way to address public interest concerns on the sale. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)In this 2013 photo provided by Dennis Hauser, his wife Melanie Hauser, who writes as Melanie Benjamin, shows off her first bag designed by Kate Spade, posing for a photo at their home in Glen Ellen, Ill. After Spade's death by apparent suicide on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, fans mourned the designer and thanked her for fashion that marked formative moments in their lives. Melanie, who has since moved to Chicago, said she has other Kate Spade purses that are more colorful and fun. (Dennis Hauser via AP)In this Wednesday, June 7, 2017 photo, an exhibition technician works on a whale skeleton replica to be displayed at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History in Tel Aviv, Israel. Israel is opening a new national natural history museum in Tel Aviv in the wake of a public debate over evolution. The ultra-modern facility houses over 5.5 million specimens of species from around the world, and aims to raise public awareness about the natural world and environment, with especial emphasis on the local ecology. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)This undated photo provided by KYUK Public Media in Bethel, Alaska, shows retired talk show host John Active. Active, an Alaska Native broadcaster who helped preserve the Yup'ik language and culture one story at a time, died Monday, June 4, 2018. He was 69. (Katie Basile/KYUK Public Media via AP).Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, leaves the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Office in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Rosmah was questioned Tuesday by the anti-graft agency over alleged theft and money-laundering involving the 1MDB state investment fund, as Najib's lawyers said they had pulled out. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., tells reporters he intends to cancel the traditional August recess and keep the Senate in session to deal with backlogged tasks, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)Harvey Weinstein, second left, accompanied by his attorney Benjamin Brafman, third left, arrives for his appearance in Supreme Court, in New York, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Weinstein pleaded not guilty Tuesday to rape and criminal sex act charges in New York. The hearing in Manhattan comes after a grand jury indicted the former movie mogul last week on charges involving two women. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)The Pope said he is praying for the eternal repose of the deceased .

Author: Linda Bordoni | Source: Vatican News

In a telegramme addressed to the Apostolic Nuncio in Guatemala Pope Francis has assured his prayers for those killed, injured and displaced following the eruption of a volcano.

Pope Francis said he is praying for the dead and for all those affected by a powerful volcanic eruption in Guatemala in which at least 69 people have died.

A telegramme addressed to Archbishop Nicolas Thevenin, the Apostolic Nuncio in Guatemala by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Pope, said Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the news of the violent eruption of the Volcano of Fire, which has claimed numerous victims, caused enormous material damage and affected a significant number of people who live in the area.

In it the Pope said he is praying for the eternal repose of the deceased and conveys his condolences to family members mourning the loss of their loved ones.

He also assured his closeness to the wounded and to those who are working tirelessly to help the victims while asking the Lord to bestow upon them all the gifts of solidarity, spiritual serenity and Christian hope.

Meanwhile Guatemalan authorities confirmed the death toll from Sundays eruption of the Volcano of Fire at 69, but said only 17 of the dead have been identified so far.

Over 3,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the region south-west of the capital, Guatemala City where the local Caritas organization has set up three camps for the displaced, and organized a collection for the 10 June, during which medicine, clothes and food will be accepted and distributed.

Caritas Guatemala on the ground

According to the Executive Secretary of Caritas Guatemala aid workers have been unable as yet to reach some of the most populous areas of the affected region and he fears the scenario could be even more catastrophic.

One million seven hundred thousand people are affected, and that number could rise  he said  there is serious damage to infrastructure, especially roads and bridges, so communications are very difficult.Here is the upcoming agenda for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission:

Opening Comments & Announcements (Chairman)



II. Subdivision Plats & Variances



Variances None



Preliminary Plat None



Preliminary/Final Plats



1. SD2018-045 Revised Jackie McKinney Subdivision, Lots 1-3, 9213 Snow Hill Road

(Hamilton County District 9)

STAFF: Approve



Final Plats

1. SD2018-047 Hawks Landing PUD Subdivision, Phase II, Lots 69-110, 3200 block Gavin Way

(Hamilton County District 7)

STAFF: Approve with conditions



2. SD2018-048 Woodbury Subdivision, Lots 1-42, 7300 block Greenwood Road (Hamilton County District 9)

STAFF: Approve with conditions



3. SD2018-049 Millstone Cottages PUD Subdivision, Lots 1-45, 5440 Mountain Creek Road

(City of Chattanooga District 1, Hamilton County District 2)

STAFF: Approve





4. SD2018-050 Thrasher Trace Subdivision, Phase 1, Lots 1-21, 1900 block Thrasher Pike

(Hamilton County District 3)

STAFF: Approve with conditions



III. Old Business None



IV. New Business



A. Rezonings, Closures/Abandonments, Special Permits, Condition Amendments



1. 2018-103  Alliance Realty Services  3500 and 3502 St.





Elmo Avenue and 3525, 3535, and 3545 Broad Street - City of Chattanooga  Rezone from UGC Urban General Commercial Zone to C-2 Convenience Commercial Zone(City of Chattanooga District 7, Hamilton County District 6)STAFF: Deny2.2018-095  John Wise Jr. and Sr.; Wise Properties TN, LLC  1701 Reggie White Blvd  City of Chattanooga  Rezone from U-CIV-6 Civic Zone to U-CX-4 Commercial Mixed Use Zone(City of Chattanooga District 6, Hamilton County District 7)STAFF: Approve3.2018-096  Joey Forrest  5634 and 5642 Hunter Road  Hamilton County  Rezone from A-1 Agricultural District to R-1 Single-Family Residential District (Hamilton County District 9)STAFF: Approve4.2018-098  Bryan Bledsoe, Assurance Land Development, LLC  2514 Ooltewah- Ringgold Road  Hamilton County  Rezone from A-1 Agricultural District to R-1 Single-Family Residential District(Hamilton County District 7)STAFF: Approve5.2018-110  Bryan Bledsoe, Assurance Land Development, LLC  2514 and 2606 Ooltewah-Ringgold Road  Hamilton County  Special Exception Permit:Residential Planned Unit Development (Hamilton County District 7)STAFF: Approve6.2018-100  J. Stephen Rich  3900 Calhoun Avenue  City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-2 Residential Zone to C-2 Convenience Commercial Zone (City of Chattanooga District 7, Hamilton County District 4)STAFF: Approve with conditions7.2018-101  Russell Bigham and James Walker  3204 Harrison Pike  City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone to R-3 Residential Zone(City of Chattanooga District 5, Hamilton County District 4)STAFF: Approve****WITHDRAWN 8. 2018-104  Lashun Sanderfer and 4620 Kemp Drive, LLC  4620 Kemp Drive  City of Chattanooga  Special Permit: Residential Handicapped and/or Aged Person(City of Chattanooga District 5, Hamilton County District 5)9.MR 2018-105  John Sullivan  Unnamed Right-of-Way  City of Chattanooga Mandatory Referral: Abandonment of Unopened Right-of-Way (City of Chattanooga District 7, Hamilton County District 6)STAFF: Approve10.2018-106  Asa Engineering C/O Allen Jones, and Austin Renegar  109 Guild Street  City of Chattanooga  Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone to R-T/Z Residential Townhouse Zero Lot Line Zone(City of Chattanooga District 1, Hamilton County District 6)STAFF: Approve with conditions11.2018-107  Cavett, Abbott and Weiss, LLC  4510 Old Mission Road and 140 Sequoia Drive  City of Chattanooga  Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone to R- 3 Residential Zone(City of Chattanooga District 5, Hamilton County District 5)STAFF: Deny12.2018-108  Sanford Britt and Don McEwen  8044 Standifer Gap Road  Hamilton County  Rezone from R-2A Rural Residential District and R-1 Single- Family Residential District to C-3 General Business Commercial District (Hamilton County District 7)STAFF: Deny13.MR 2018-109  Pratt and Associates, C/O Ben Mies,  5424 Cassandra Smith Road  City of Chattanooga  Mandatory Referral: Sewer Easement Abandonment(City of Chattanooga District 3, Hamilton County District 3)STAFF: Approve14.2018-111  MAP Engineers, LLC, and Jooma Developers, LLC Bentwood Cove Drive  Hamilton County  Rezone from A-1 Agricultural District to R-1 Single-Family Residential District (Hamilton County District 7)STAFF: Approve15.2018-112  Chattanooga Engineering Group, C/O Shannon Kelly, and Crown Interiors, C/O Daniel Coronado  6218 Vance Road  City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone to M-1 Manufacturing Zone (City of Chattanooga District 6/Hamilton County District 5)STAFF: Deny applicant request, Approve a portion16.2018-113  ALC Holdings LLC, RTB Holdings LLC, C/O Chris Anderson  1335 and 1336 Mercer Street  City of Chattanooga  Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone and M-1 Manufacturing Zone to R-T/Z Residential Townhouse Zero Lot Line Zone(City of Chattanooga District 2/Hamilton County District 2)STAFF: Deny applicant request, Approveportionwith conditions17.MR 2018-114  Chattanooga Engineering Group, C/O Shannon Kelly, Wise Properties, C/O John Wise  1188 Pineville Road  City of Chattanooga  Mandatory Referral: Closure and Abandonment of a Portion of Right-of-Way (City of Chattanooga District 1/Hamilton County District 6)STAFF: Approve18.2018-115  Title Guarantee and Trust, C/O Terry Wall and Gordon Mosley, Chris Anderson, and Delbert Skidmore  100 Block of Sunnyside Drive  City of Chattanooga  Special Exceptions Permit: Residential Planned Unit Development(City of Chattanooga District 5/Hamilton County District 5)STAFF: Approve with conditions19.2018-117  City of Chattanooga  1001 Reads Lake Road  City of Chattanooga Rezone from C-2 Convenience Commercial Zone to C-2 Convenience Commercial Zone with Conditions(City of Chattanooga District 1/Hamilton County District 2)GOVERNMENT MANDATORY REFERRALS20.MR 2018-099  City of Chattanooga, C/O Gail Hart  105 Cedar Lane  City of Chattanooga  Mandatory Referral: Surplus Property(City of Chattanooga District 5/Hamilton County District 5)STAFF: Approve21.MR 2018-102  City of Chattanooga, C/O Gail Hart, and Cleon Coleman Jr.  2109 Wilson Street City of Chattanooga  Mandatory Referral: Acquisition of Property(City of Chattanooga District 8/Hamilton County District 4)STAFF: ApproveVI.Public Comments on Non-Agenda ItemsVII.Approval of Planning Commission Minutes of May 14, 2018VIII.AdjournChattanooga Navy Week sails into the River City June 11-17 for a week-long celebration, in conjunction with the Annual Chattanooga Riverbend Festival, which attracts more than half a million people.

Chattanooga Navy Week will bring sailors from different units around the world to conduct focused outreach events with members of the local community. The week will feature sailors representing a multitude of specialties in an effort to display the multi-faceted nature of todays force.

"Our sailors are extremely excited to visit Chattanooga and showcase just a small portion of the Navy the nation needs to the American public," said Lt. David Carter, lead planner for Chattanooga Navy Week. "The pride and professionalism they'll display is just a snapshot of the larger U.S. Navy force that stands ready daily to carry out our nation's work across the globe."

Explosive Ordnance Disposal units, the Navys Office of Small Business, Navy Medicine, USS Constitution, U.S. Fleet Forces Band, Navy Operational Support Center Chattanooga, Navy Meteorology and Oceanography units, Navy Recruiting, sailors from Tennessees submarine namesake, USS Tennessee and even sailors from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123, an E-2C Hawkeye squadron on the east coast are all scheduled to participate during the weeks events.

The Navy Weeks senior representative will be Rear Admiral Paul Pearigen, commander, Navy Medicine West, a Memphis native who will participate in a variety of events and meet with local leaders.

Its an honor to participate in Chattanooga Navy Week and be able to share Navy Medicines role in keeping the Navy and the Marine Corps family healthy, ready and on the job, said Rear Admiral Pearigen.

Rear Admiral Pearigen will speak at venues and civic organizations across the city, visit medical facilities, interview with local television and radio stations, and participate in Riverbends Military Appreciation Night celebration.

The U.S. Fleet Forces Band, known as The Finest of the Fleet and the Brass Band Uncharted Waters, have several performances scheduled throughout the week.

"At Fleet Forces Band we are getting ready to visit the beautiful city of Chattanooga this year as they host one of only 14 Navy Weeks happening across the nation this year, said Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick J. Cotter. There are hundreds of concerts this year, and now we'll be bringing our music to Chattanooga at locations throughout the city, where we'll meet people and tell the story of the Navy and the nation.

In addition to sharing the story of what Americas Navy is doing around the world, sailors will be making an effort to give back to the local community through a series of community service events, working with organizations like Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and the Ronald McDonald House.

Connecting with the public and being part of local projects that are meaningful to the local community is always a highlight of our visit, said Lt.Carter. Service is inherent to our culture in the Navy and our Sailors are extremely adaptable, so if theres a project we can be part of while were in town, well find a way to get it done.

Sailors operate on, above and below the water, and next week, the Chattanooga community can see a little bit of each. Navy Day at the Tennessee Aquarium is scheduled for Thursday, June 14, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A team of Navy divers and dive qualified explosive ordnance disposal technicians will be diving into the aquariums tanks to feed fish, clean the aquatic habitats, and interact with aquarium visitors. When not in the tank, the divers and EOD technicians will be available to speak to visitors about life in the Navy and what it is like being a Navy diver or an EOD tech.

There will also be an opportunity to connect with most of the visiting units at the Creative Discovery Museum during their Free Family Night, Thursday night.

Tennessee has 9,000 active duty sailors, including sailors from Chattanooga, which is a wonderful representation of the state and the city.

Chattanooga Navy Week is a week-long series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.

For more information and a full schedule of public events, visit http://www.outreach.navy.mil/.



Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/navyoutreach and www.twitter.com/navyoutreach.



#NavyWeekALBERT LEA, Minn.  A man has been arrested after concerning Facebook posts had people contacting the Albert Lea Police Department.

Albert Lea police say Keith Rogge, 36, was arrested on probation violation and disorderly conduct related to Facebook posts.

Around a half dozen people from around the country who saw Rogges Facebook posts contacted Albert Lea Police voicing concerns about its content.

The posts contained violent tendencies, police said.

On a social media post published Sunday night, the Albert Lea Police Department said the following.

The Albert Lea Police Department became aware of an individual posting open ended threats via social media on 06/02/2018. Since that time, ALPD has investigated the complaint and have made contact with the individual. The subject was taken into custody on an unrelated matter this afternoon, the post said.

The department said it received numerous phone calls and Facebook messages reference these threats through the night and day.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Recreational vehicle manufacturer Winnebago Industries says it is buying boat maker Chris-Craft to expand beyond motor homes and travel trailers and create a diversified outdoor lifestyle products company.

Winnebago, based in Forest City, hasn't disclosed details of the transaction but said Monday it would finance the deal with cash and debt.

Chris-Craft is a recreational boating brand dating back to 1874. It's been owned by London-based investment firm Stellican Ltd. since 2001.

Winnebago CEO Michael Happe says he sees a significant intersection between the RV and marine lifestyles and views the boat business as a natural addition to its existing outdoor recreation portfolio, with similar customer demographics and ownership crossover.

Stephen Heese will stay on as Chris-Craft president and Winnebago expects to maintain the boat manufacturer's Sarasota, Florida headquarters.NORTHWOOD, Iowa  A man wanted in connection to a Northwood stabbing has been arrested and is facing charges for attempted murder, first-degree burglary and criminal mischief.

Trapp Trotter, 31, turned himself into authorities Monday in relation to the stabbing Saturday night.

The criminal mischief charge is listed as a hate crime, according to court documents.

During that incident, 25-year-old Andrew Nodtvedt, of Manly, suffered multiple stab and slashing wounds. He was transported to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa and has since been treated and released.

The victim was at the residence when a male he didnt know chased him into the apartment and stabbed him, documents state. A female who arrived on scene was able to identify Trapp.

Trapp also chased the victim down the street and said, Youre going to die tonight, white boy, according to court documents.

The victims car was located in front of the apartment where the windshield was found shattered and there was blood on the vehicle and on the ground. Jewelry found at the crime scene matched jewelry that Trapp had posted on social media, authorities said.

Related: Northwood still a "quiet little town" despite weekend stabbing.OSAGE, Iowa  A Minnesota man is pleading not guilty to drug charges in Mitchell County.

James Earl Ogden, 36 of Blooming Prairie, was arrested after a traffic stop on April 28 on Highway 218. Law enforcement says Ogden was caught with nearly a pound of marijuana, marijuana wax, prescription pills believed to be morphine, and more than $5,000 in cash.

Ogden pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to possession with intent to deliver marijuana, and two counts of failure to use a drug tax stamp. His trial is now set to begin on July 18.The annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will soon take place in the city of Manchester, Tn. Since its beginning in 2002, the four-day, multi-stage event continues to be one of the most popular live music festivals in the country, attracting thousands of attendees. To fully enjoy the varied lineup of performers and musical styles that Bonnaroo has to offer, festivalgoers from all over the country camp out on a 700-acre Middle Tennessee farm, making it their temporary home for four days. As in years past, tens of thousands of music lovers are expected to attend the 2018 Bonnaroo festival, which kicks off Thursday night and winds down Sunday night.

During the Bonnaroo Festival, the area in and around Manchester sees increased traffic volume as festivalgoers make their way into the festival site. As Manchester prepares to welcome a multitude of visitors, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are gearing up for the extra traffic expected in the area. TDOT and THP are working closely with the Manchester Police Department, the Coffee County Sheriffs Department and festival promoters to keep traffic moving on I-24 while also getting Bonnaroo attendees to their destination.

TDOT has once again coordinated with our partners at THP and other agencies to ensure safe, efficient travel during the Bonnaroo festival, said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. The main objective is to keep through traffic moving smoothly on I-24 while getting festivalgoers safely into and out of the Bonnaroo site. Because of advance planning, we feel certain that we can successfully minimize traffic delays throughout the weekend as we have in past years.

This year, Bonnaroo will officially open all its gates on Wednesday at 8 p.m. CDT to allow more time for vehicles to enter the campgrounds. State troopers will be on-the-job 24 hours a day, beginning Wednesday evening, patrolling on the ground and by air. Also, drivers should keep in mind that if they need the assistance of a state trooper while traveling anywhere in Tennessee, they can simply dial *THP (*847) from their cell phone. They will be automatically connected to the nearest THP dispatch office and the operator will send a state trooper to their location.

The number one goal of the Tennessee Highway Patrol is to reduce traffic related incidents and fatalities, said THP Colonel Dereck Stewart. I have emphasized a statewide priority to our captains the importance of working closely with TDOT and our public safety partners. So think twice if you are planning to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, because troopers and local law enforcement will be looking for you. Always wear your seatbelt, and do not drive distracted. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is committed more than ever to reducing crashes and saving lives on Tennessee roadways.

During Bonnaroo 2017, Troopers logged nearly 6,240 man-hours, worked six traffic crashes (zero fatal, three injury, and three property damage crashes), and wrote 1,066 citations (moving 381, non-moving 685) and issued zero warnings. A breakdown of all THP-issued citations during last years festival period is included in this release.

TDOT HELP units will assist with traffic management during the festival and will aid any motorists who require assistance. In addition to having HELP trucks on-site, TDOT and other agencies will be taking the following steps beginning Wednesda through Monday:

Efforts will be concentrated on keeping I-24 traffic flowing.

Exit 111 (SR 55) will be used as the main festival exit. Exits 97, 105, 112 (temporary exit on westbound side only), 117 and 127 are alternate exits if congestion occurs on the interstate.

TDOT maintenance units will be posted throughout the festival region, and maintenance personnel will be on call all weekend.

TDOT will provide variable message signs to warn drivers of delays.

There will be no construction-related lane closures on I-24 near the Bonnaroo festival area between 6 a.m. on Wednesday through 7 p.m. on Monday.

Median crossovers will be guarded to prevent motorists from parking in the crossovers and blocking emergency vehicles.

Festival traffic will be kept in the right lane and/or on the shoulder of the interstate, allowing through traffic to utilize the left travel lane unimpeded.

Emergency vehicles will use county roads that will be kept at low volume.

Bonnaroo promoters issued early news releases to the trucking industry and other sources to alert the traveling public to festival times, location, and alternate routes.

Temporary communication towers are in place to improve emergency communications.

During the festival, motorists should call 511 from any mobile or land line phone for traffic updates or visit the TDOT website at www.tn.gov/tdot where they can also find information on alternate routes. From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest traffic information and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. TDOT is also on Twitter. For statewide traffic tweets follow TN511 or for regional traffic information follow Nashville511, Chattanooga511, Memphis511 and Knoxville511.



THP Issued Citations







OSAGE, Iowa  The cases of the final two defendants in a Mitchell County drug bust have come to an end.

Victor Ivan Vargas Morales, 27 of Osage, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana-1st offense and received a deferred judgment. Hes been ordered to spend six months on probation and pay a $250 civil penalty. If Vargas Morales meets the terms of his probation, this conviction will be removed from his record.



Dalton Toupal Dalton Toupal

A charge of possession of marijuana against Danelis Del Valle Aponte, 22 of Osage, has been dismissed by the Mitchell County Attorneys Office in the interest of justice.

Those two were arrested with along with Dalton J. Toupal, 22 of Osage, after authorities made a probation check of Toupals apartment on October 18, 2017. Officers said they found pot and drug paraphernalia in the home.

Toupal previously pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and received one year of probation and a $250 civil penalty. He also got a deferred judgment and the conviction will be wiped from his record if he fulfills the terms of his probation.FOREST CITY, Iowa  A plea deal has been reached in a Winnebago County sex abuse case.

Sean Patrick Perkins, 18 of Olathe, Kansas, has pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury for an incident in a Waldorf University dorm room on November 12, 2017. Perkins was accused of having sex with a woman against her will.

In exchange for his guilty plea, a charge of 3rd degree sexual abuse was dismissed. The Winnebago County Attorneys Office says while it believes Perkins victim in credible and honest, there is insufficient evidence to go to trial on the sex abuse charge and the victim consented to this plea deal.

Perkins case will be continued for one year. If he remains law abiding during that time, successfully completes a domestic violence intervention program, and has no contact with his victim, the assault charge against him will be dismissed.GARNER, Iowa  A Mason City man is facing a charge of child abuse in Hancock County.

Charles Pennington, 33, is accused of spanking a 4-year-old child with a belt on March 12. Authorities say the child had one-inch-wide red bruises on the lower back and bruises and the butt and lower legs that were black, blue, and purple in color.

According to court documents, the child told social workers from the Iowa Department of Human Services the bruises were from being hit with a belt and other children in the household reportedly confirmed that was a typical punishment.

Pennington was arrested on May 27 and booked into the Winnebago County Jail for child endangerment.NORTHWOOD, Iowa - A stabbing over the weekend sent one person to the hospital and has authorities looking for a person of interest.

Worth County deputies say on Saturday night, they found a victim with multiple stab wounds in the 600 block of 7th Street North in Northwood. The victim of the stabbing was transported to Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa. Police have not yet identified that person, but their injuries are described as non-life threatening.

For some, it hits close to home.

John Deean and his wife live a block south of the Schoolside Apartment complex, where the stabbing took place. He's originally from Memphis and moved around to different cities across the county and seen his fair share of crime. But in Northwood, he says it really doesn't happen that often.

"This is a quiet...quiet little town. We like it that way. That's the reason we settled here and retired here."

He credits law enforcement for part of that.

"We have pretty good law enforcement here in town. They constantly patrol this whole city, which it doesn't take long for one officer to drive around this whole town."

Saturday's incident reminds him of what happened 5 years ago, when the town was rocked by the stabbing death of Justina Smith. Since that time, Deean says that the town has moved forward, and feels that the town will likely do the same after last weekend's incident.

"It's a shame that something like this has to happen in a small community of less than 2,000 people, but I don't know how anyone could avoid a situation like that. Because even with a small town, eventually a bad thing will happen. You just have to live with it."

Fringe and Lace owner Brittany Low has lived in Northwood for about 10 years. Despite what happened on Saturday, she isn't fearful.

"I don't feel that the town is dangerous and there's tons of criminals running around wanting to stab each other. I don't see that. It's normal living for everybody."

Though authorities have been called to the complex before, including for another stabbing in 2013, Low notes that there is a general feeling of safety in the town of nearly 2,000 people.

"I hope that everybody can sleep well at night knowing that it is a safe town and law enforcement's doing what they can to keep the crime minimal."GARNER, Iowa  A woman accused of stealing lottery tickets pleads guilty to a lesser charge.

Kelly Lee Ann Berg, 38 of Forest City, has entered a guilty plea to one count of 5th degree theft, a simple misdemeanor. In exchange, the Hancock County Attorneys Office agreed to a charge of lottery forgery or fraud, a felony.

Authorities say Berg stole eight lottery tickets from the Caseys General Store where she worked. Her sentencing is scheduled for August 11.WINNESHEIK COUNTY, Iowa  An incarcerated man attempted to flush his jail-issued uniform down the toilet and also urinated all over his cell block, destroying his mattress and pillow, authorities said.

Samuel Melver, 31, of Cresco, is facing charges for fifth-degree criminal mischief related to the incident.

The mattress, pillow and uniform were all destroyed, according to court documents.

Melver was arrested June 1 for domestic abuse assault in Howard County for allegedly dragging a woman into the front lawn and attempting to smash her head into a semi-truck.GARNER, Iowa - It was a learning experience for many.

I dont exactly know what a lawyer does, said Middle School Student Nataly Castillo.

That is why six Garner middle school students got an eye-opening experience Monday at the Hancock County Courthouse to learn what an attorney does.

Collin Davison, a lawyer with Hieny Law Firm in Mason City, said many kids like Jonah Pringnitz and Nataly Castillo only have an opportunity to see lawyers on TV, which is why he wants to give them a sneak peak of his daily work as a way to inspire them to one day go to school to be a lawyer.

Im thinking about a job Id like to do when Im older, said Pringnitz.

But Davison said TV lawyers only show part of what he does and a lot more goes into it.

Anything from client meetings to research to a lot of writing, said Davison. This job requires people skills but also requires the ability to think analytically to write well and effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

The issue, however, is larger than just showing that there is more to an attorney than meets the eye. Davison said lawyers in Iowa are growing in age and they need to teach younger students the benefits of working in rural Iowa.

Theres plenty of work to be done and what we do know is that with the aging demographic it is only going to become worse unless we get people to replace some of the retiring attorneys, he said.

The hope is one day these students can fill the shoes of attorneys retiring in the near future.

It seems like kind of an interesting how they can figure out what youre supposed to do and what the best choice is, said Castillo.ROCHESTER, Minn.  Tim Pawlenty visited five Minnesota communities on Monday, including Rochester, starting off his campaign trail to be the next Minnesota governor.

He was joined by his running mate, current Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach.

This comes after Pawlenty and Fischbach chose to forego the convention over the weekend and not even try for the GOP endorsement. Instead, theyll go right to the Primary on Aug. 14.

The former Minnesota governor said it was unrealistic to go to the convention after announcing Fischbach as his running mate at the end of May. He also noted the convention as being a closed system.

I think it's really important to democratize that decision-making, Pawlenty said, and I think the primary represents an opening up of the system in a way that's going to invite in and allow more grass roots activists, and voters, and other people to weigh in on the choice.

Pawlenty said hes looking to the August primary, where he will face Jeff Johnson who won the GOP endorsement in the governors race.

The DFL Party endorsed Erin Murphy as their gubernatorial candidate. Despite not getting the Democratic partys endorsement, U.S. Congressman Tim Walz is still in the race. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson also jumped into the race for governor.

Wacky is just one word Pawlenty used to describe his DFL opponents in the race for governor.

It's pretty clear that the Democrats believe that money grows on trees, that good-paying jobs aren't worth keeping in the state of Minnesota, that you can spend through the roof, Pawlenty said.

Pawlenty went through his campaign visions including tax relief for Minnesotans. He said this would start with ending taxation on Social Security benefits. The former governor also mentioned cracking down on illegal immigration and revitalizing vocational and technical training as a part of higher education.MASON CITY, IA  June 5th marks election day for primaries in Iowa.

Perhaps the most competitive and high-profile race is the race for Governor of Iowa. On the Republican ballot, Gov. Kim Reynolds is seeking to complete her first full term as Governor. She entered the position after Gov. Terry Branstad was appointed to Ambassador to China.

Its a crowded Democratic Ballot. On it: Fred Hubbell, Cathy Glasson, Andrea McGuire, John Norris, Ross Wilburn.

Heres a quick rundown of the Democratic candidates:

Fred Hubbell  A successful business man whose family settled in Iowa back in the mid-1800s. Part of his business resume include Chairman of Younkers retail business and President of Equitable of Iowa, a life insurance company.

Cathy Glasson  A nurse in Iowa.

Andrea McGuire  raised in Waterloo, Iowa, McGuire is the former chair of Iowas Democratic Party from 2014-2016. Previously she was a doctor and a Chief Medical Officer.

Ross Wilburn  Wilburn is the Diversity Officer in Community and Economic Development for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. He is a former council member and Mayor of Iowa City.

John Norris -Norris is the Co-Owner of a public policy firm. He as a resume in politics including working for former Iowa U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, Chair of Iowa Democratic Party, Chair of Iowa Utilities Board, Chief of Staff for Tom Vilsack.

Nate Boultons name will also appear on the ballot despite suspending his campaign a few weeks ago after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced.

Democrats want to take back some control in the state during these midterm elections. Iowa currently has a Republican governor, and GOP -led state house and senate.

The stakes are high, The Des Moines Register is reporting this gubernatorial race as one of the most expensive races in Iowas history.

On the county level, voters in Cerro Gordo County are voting for party candidates for County Supervisor District 2, County Treasurer, County Recorder, and for County Attorney.

Polls will be open from 7am-9pm with the new voter ID law in effect.

To learn about what you need to have at the polls with the new voter ID law, click here.Jericho Brass, a British-style brass band based in Chattanooga, will be in concert on Sunday, June 24, 4 p.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 North Moore Road. Admission is free.

The concert will celebrate the end of its twentieth season of performing brass music and saluting its British Brass Band Heritage with music by composers William Walton, Gustav Holst, and George Allen.



FOREST CITY, Iowa  A trial is scheduled for a Wisconsin man accused of drug and gun crimes in Winnebago County.

Jeffrey Allen Walkowiak, 48 of Superior, WI, is charged with possession with intent to deliver of methamphetamine, promoting a gathering where drugs are used, carrying weapons, possession of marijuana, and failure to use a drug tax stamp.

Walkowiak was arrested on May 14 in Lake Mills. Police say a search of his van turned up 33.27 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, and two loaded handguns.

Walkowiaks trial is now set to begin on August 15.Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Heidelberg University expand their successful cooperation in research and add the promotion of young talent, teaching, and innovation to the activities of the shared scientific institution Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership (HEiKA). Thus, the research cooperation becomes a strategic partnership. The President of KIT Professor Holger Hanselka and the President of Heidelberg University Professor Bernhard Eitel signed the framework cooperation agreement. The new Heidelberg Karlsruhe Strategic Partnership will continue under the short name HEiKA.

Our long-standing successful cooperation of trust with Heidelberg University offered us ideal conditions for developing the research partnership as part of HEiKA, says President of KIT, Professor Holger Hanselka. Within this research group, we have made considerable progress in the last few years in achieving our common vision of creating a unique research and development setup unrivaled on the national stage and with international visibility. We want to continue on this path with this new cooperation agreement.

Making use of the complementary strengths of both institutions through a privileged and close cooperation that is of benefit to both of us  this will be the focus of the planned expansion of our long-standing partnership, says the President of Heidelberg University, Professor Bernhard Eitel. Heidelberg University and KIT have agreed on continuing our close collaboration and on making use of our complementary strengths as partners. Students as well as research, industry, and society will profit from our Heidelberg Karlsruhe Strategic Partnership.

Scientific contacts between Karlsruhe and Heidelberg have a decades-long tradition. In 2011, they were institutionalized through the establishment of HEiKA that was to pool the specific expertise of both institutions for internationally visible cutting-edge research in pioneering fields of work. Since then, the partners have worked closely together on jointly defined subject areas within several cooperation projects which are combined in currently six research bridges. Two HEiKA cluster proposals of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Heidelberg University have made it into the next round of the Excellence Strategy competition.

The signed new agreement expands HEiKA cooperation into a strategic partnership of a much wider scope based on existing structures. In the longer term, it is planned to establish joint research institutes, study programs, and graduate schools. Work in the areas of innovation and transfer also will be intensified, with the already existing InnovationLab, an application-oriented research platform for technology transfer operated together with businesses, serving as an example.

HEiKA Symposium on Dark Matter

DUNKLE MATERIE  UNSICHTBARE WELTEN (dark matter  invisible worlds) will be the topic of the next HEiKA symposium on June 8, 2018 in Heidelberg. HEiKA aims to address students, scientists, and the general public with this symposium; the event is open to everyone. High-caliber speakers will look at the subject of dark matter from different perspectives.

For more information, click http://www.heika-research.de/english/index.php

Being The Research University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 9,600 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 23,300 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico imposed wide-ranging tariffs on American products ranging from steel to pork and bourbon on Tuesday, responding to President Donald Trumps metals tariffs and taking aim at Republican strongholds ahead of U.S. congressional elections in November.

Mexicos retaliation further raises trade tensions between the two countries, which have been echoed in dealings between Washington and Ottawa. Trump last week rattled some of the closest U.S. allies by removing an exemption to tariffs on imported steel and aluminum that his administration had granted to Mexico, Canada and the European Union.

Meanwhile, Trump advisor Larry Kudlow revived the possibility on Tuesday that the president will seek to replace the trillion dollar North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with bilateral deals with Canada and Mexico.

Following news of the new Mexican tariffs, which take effect immediately, the peso MXN=MXN=D2tumbled to its weakest level since February 2017, leading losses among major currencies.

Mexicos retaliatory list included a 20 percent tariff on U.S. pork legs and shoulders, apples and potatoes and 20 to 25 percent duties on types of cheeses and bourbon, the Mexican economy ministry said in the governments official gazette

A range of U.S. steel products will be hit by 15 percent to 25 percent tariffs. Mexico is a net importers of U.S. steel.

Separately, Mexico opened a tariff-free quota for pork imports from other countries.

It was not immediately clear where Mexican importers would buy pork from under the quota, which it said was opened to avoid an increase in the price of the meat used in many traditional dishes. No. 2 supplier Canada enjoys duty free access to Mexico under NAFTA, while the European Union was already gearing up to export more to Mexico under a recently reworked trade pact.

Brazil is another potential beneficiary.

Mexicos trade negotiators designed the list, in part, to include products exported by top Republican leaders states, including Indiana where Vice President Mike Pence was formerly governor, according to a trade source familiar with the matter. Bourbon-producing Kentucky is the home state of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Mexico announced its response to Trumps move late last week, with a focus on products from congressional districts that Trumps Republican party is fighting to retain in Novembers mid-term elections. It did not provide details of tariff levels or a full list of products at the time.

Mexicos Economy Minister Ildelfonso Guajardo said last week that products were chosen to hit districts with important lawmakers who had been warning Trump not to mess with Mexico. He estimated the U.S. tariffs would affect $4 billion in trade between the two countries.

Pork exporter Iowa, where incumbent Representative Rod Blum is seen as vulnerable, is an example of a place Mexicos reaction could hurt Trumps party.

Trumps administration imposed tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum in March, citing national security grounds. Last week Washington said it was moving ahead with the metals tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union, ending a two-month exemption.

Mexicos economy ministry said on Monday it would start a dispute settlement process at the World Trade Organization over the U.S. tariffs, joining the European Union in seeking WTO involvement against the new measures.LONDON (Reuters) - Gold jewelry sales in number one market China are finally picking up after years of decline, but consumers are still shying away from platinum.

Chinese jewelry sales are a key component of global demand for both physical gold and platinum, accounting for 14 percent and 16 percent of consumption respectively. Since peaking in 2013, both have fallen by around a third.

Analysts and jewelers report that a lack of trust in platinum, as well as the higher cost of exchanging platinum pieces for cash, make it a less appealing store of value for older buyers.

Meanwhile fashion-conscious young consumers are favoring lower purity gold for day-to-day wear.

Chinese people traditionally prefer gold, said Mrs Wang, a sales associate in central Beijing at Caibai Jewelry, which has stores across Chinas northern regions, and who declined to give her first name.

Gold sales are much better than platinum because it is a hard currency that can be changed into cash at any time, if there is an emergency.

According to World Gold Council data, Chinese gold jewelry sales rose 7 percent in the first quarter, having climbed in 2017 after three years of decline brought on by a shift in consumer spending to other areas like foreign travel, and as luxury goods demand dried up in the face of a crackdown on graft.

Early reports suggest Chinese platinum jewelry purchases fell by a similar degree in the first quarter, after extending a run of annual declines into a fourth year last year.

reut.rs/2L9qU4n

OUTDATED PLATINUM

Chinese consumers, particularly in rural areas, do not have the strong cultural affiliation with platinum that they have with gold.

Shops arent advertising platinum enough, said Mr Hu, who manages another Caibai Jewelry store on the outskirts of the capital, and who also declined to give his first name. Sales of platinum products used to be much better two or three years ago.

Platinum retails at a lower price than pure gold, making it attractive to younger buyers with less disposable income.

But analysts say those consumers are also favoring 18-carat gold, with a cultural preference for gold metal over white persisting.

At a presentation for London Platinum Week in May, Platinum Guild International attributed lower Chinese platinum jewelry demand to a preponderance of outdated pieces in shops.

Chinese jewelers admit the inventory overhang is a problem.

It is a headache, Mr Hu said. We are not planning to remodel it. We will just keep selling it, or we will leave it in storage.

Reworking platinum, a notoriously hard metal, is a much tougher process for jewelers than remodeling more pliable gold, a problem for those who buy pieces as a store of value.

Jewelers charge a workmanship fee to exchange old platinum products for new of 32 yuan per gram, compared to 18 yuan for gold.

That makes it harder for consumers to recoup the original cost of a platinum piece - a big issue for those who see jewelry as a source of ready cash.

Consumers can take an old (platinum) piece back to trade for a new piece (or) for cash, but the bid-ask spread is 3-5 percent, compared to gold at around 1 percent, GFMS analyst Samson Li said.

Li is forecasting a further drop in platinum jewelry sales this year, but says the picture is not necessarily much rosier for gold, in spite of its first-quarter increase, due to uncertainty about Chinese economic growth.(Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are trading near unchanged in quieter U.S. trading early today. Metals traders are looking for some new fundamental news to help drive prices. August Comex gold futures were last down $0.40 an ounce at $1,296.80. July Comex silver was last down $0.011 at $16.42 an ounce.

World stock markets were mixed to firmer overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward modestly higher openings when the New York day session begins. The U.S. stock indexes are at 2.5-month highs as traders and investors are in upbeat, risk-taking moods at present. The lack of risk aversion in the marketplace at present is bearish for safe-haven gold and silver markets.

So far early this week, the marketplace is mostly looking past U.S. tensions with its major trading partners that threaten to boil over into a worldwide trade war.

In overnight news, Australias central bank left its monetary policy unchanged at its regular meeting Tuesday.

The key outside markets today find Nymex crude oil prices slightly weaker and trading around $64.50 a barrel. The U.S. dollar index is weaker today on a corrective pullback from recent gains that last week pushed prices to a 10.5-month high.

U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Goldman Sachs and Johnson Redbook retail sales reports, the U.S. services purchasing managers index (PMI), the ISM non-manufacturing report on business, the IBD/TIPP economic optimism index, and the global services PMI.

Technically, August gold bears still have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are still in a seven-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart. Gold bulls' next upside near-term price breakout objective is to produce a close above the May high of $1,332.40. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is pushing prices below solid technical support at the May low of $1,286.80. First resistance is seen at $1,300.00 and then at Mondays high of $1,302.30. First support is seen at last weeks low of $1,293.10 and then at the May low of $1,286.80. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.5

July silver futures bears have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $17.00 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the May low of $16.07. First resistance is seen at last weeks high of $16.615 and then at $16.74. Next support is seen at last weeks low of $16.31 and then at $16.19. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.5.(Kitco News) - Despite recent resiliency in equities, the market is moving closer to a turning point and one quantitative investment strategist says now is the time for investors to get a little defensive and add broad-based commodities to their portfolios, including gold.

In an interview with Kitco News, Scotty George, chief investment strategist at Alexander Capital, said that his firm is currently overweight commodities, which included a small position in gold as the firm gets more defensive in the marketplace.

Right now our basic material portion is well over 10% of our overall asset allocation, he said. We are probably more invested in defensive equities, including gold, than we have been at any time since 2008.

George said that right now, the firms focus is on capital preservation as he sees signs that the equity markets are extremely overvalued. He added that markets are in the midst of a transition and along with the firms defensive positioning, it is also holding about 24% of its assets in cash that is waiting to be deployed.

We are raising more cash as the market peters at the top. We are going to keep our powder dry until we see a capitulation and then we will have sufficient resources to go in and complete our rebalancing, he said. We are not at the end of the market top just yet.

As market sentiment is starting to shift, George said that growing geopolitical risks could be the spark that ignites the next downturn in equities. His comments come as concerns grow over the threat of a global trade war as U.S. President Donald Trump levies tariffs on steel and aluminum from Mexico, Canada and the European Union. All three regions have said they are going to implement tariffs against the U.S. in retaliation.

One of the things I was taught from a great mentor is that changes in market secular conditions, from bull to bear, dont usually occur organically, they occur politically. I think what is going to take this market down is either an irrationality or a failure to understand political rhetoric, he said.

While a downturn in financial markets will also impact commodity markets, George said that he is looking past any near-term weakness. He added that growing demand for raw commodities will ultimately be bullish for the sector.

He noted that not only will commodity markets see growing demand in the years to come, but consumers will also have to deal with dwindling supply of finite resources.

Whats occurring in the short term is the imposition of the political conversation on the long-term fundamentals of commodities and tangible assets, he said. We are trying as best we can to ignore whats occurring in monetary policy in the Europe Union and what is occurring in fiscal policy in the United States.

Looking at the gold market, while some investors have been frustrated with golds inability to break above $1,400 an ounce, George said that he hasnt been disappointed at all with the price action. He noted that gold is building a base, which has allowed investors to increase their exposure to the safe-haven asset.

Its quite exhilarating to think that weve had this much time to accumulate an asset that has so much potential, he said.

George said that he sees the potential for gold prices to move higher through the long term as global market volatility picks up as investors question the health of the global marketplace. He added that he prefers to hold commodity equities more than the raw commodity.

Currently, gold futures continue to struggle to hold gains above the critical psychological level around $1,300 an ounce. August gold futures last traded at $1,299.10 an ounce, up 0.14% on the day.LONDON (Reuters) - European Union attempts to supervise American financial firms as a condition of access to the blocs markets would be firmly rejected, a top U.S. securities exchange official said on Tuesday.

Mark Hemsley, president of the European arm of U.S. exchange CBOE, said EU regulators were trying to map out future working relations with their UK counterparts after Britain leaves the bloc next March.

Brussels has proposed joint supervision of foreign clearing houses that want access to EU customers - or else clearing in euro-denominated contracts, currently dominated by LCH (LSE.L) in London, must relocate to the bloc.

This has raised concerns among regulators in the United States, where clearing houses handle dollar-denominated transactions for EU customers.

Hemsley, president of CBOE Europe, the regions biggest pan-European share trading platform and based in London, said the bloc must tread carefully.

Britain may take some elements of information sharing and cross supervision with EU regulators to win the prize of continued access to Europe, and European firms having access to the Britain, he said.

But they have got to do that in a way that doesnt mean that the European regulators are going to try and regulate the DTCC, or CBOE US or CME because U.S. firms and regulators will say go jump, its not going to happen, he told the annual FIA IDX derivatives conference.

The EU grants financial market access if it deems a foreign or third country firm is complying with rules that are strict at those enforced in the bloc.

Brexit has prompted the bloc to review its equivalence regime as it was not intended for a foreign global financial center on its doorstep, as London will become after next March.

Thats the framework they are trying to work out. How do you manage a big third country without trying to reach into things which will never happen like regulating Japan, regulating the US, Hemsley said.

Then youve got Switzerland, which is going to be probably a receiver in whatever happens in the UK environment.

The EUs euro clearing draft law builds on its equivalence system by including on-going supervision.

France is also calling for much tougher equivalence conditions for foreign investment banks and trading platforms that want to trade securities on behalf of EU customers.WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a shift in the effort to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement to separate talks with Canada and Mexico, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Tuesday.

He is very seriously contemplating kind of a shift in the NAFTA negotiations. His preference now, and he asked me to convey this, is to actually negotiate with Mexico and Canada separately, Kudlow said in an interview with Fox News.

He may be moving quickly toward these bilateral discussions instead of as a whole.The East Tennessee Purchasing Association is bringing its annual tradeshow event to Chattanooga. The event will be held at Stratton Hall, 3146 Broad St. this Wednesday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.



This annual event, typically held in Knoxville, is for all East Tennessee businesses, small and large, to meet purchasing officials in local government and learn about the opportunities available to them.



There are various ways to participate:

 Free Business Attendees can meet with government agencies and tradeshow vendors.

 Attend the networking lunch ($30) from noon-1 p.m.

and hear from local economic and community development professionals.The ETPA anticipates at least 25 government agencies to take part in the event, plus up to 300 vendors in attendance, with multiple opportunities for individuals to participate.Register at www.etpnews.orgSenate education Chairman Lamar Alexander on Tuesday praised Education Secretary Betsy DeVos request for $50 million to modernize how students apply for, manage, and repay their federal student loans.

If you can buy an airplane ticket on your smartphone and a book with one click on Amazon, a student should to be able to use his or her smartphone to find out how much scholarship and grant aid they might be eligible for or how much they have left to repay, Senator Alexander. The federal government doesnt have a very good track record with innovative technology, and the Obamacare exchanges are a good example of that, but theres no reason government cant do it. I am glad to see Secretary DeVos is moving forward on a way to modernize how students and families apply for and pay back their federal student loans.

Senator Alexander made his comments at todays Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee hearing.

The full transcript is below.

Senator Alexander: Under the new Every Student Succeeds Act, replacing No Child Left Behind, every state submits a plan to you for approval in order to receive over $18 billion of federal funding for Titles I, II and IV. I have some questions on that because its been suggested by some, not me, that youre not following the law in approving those plans. How many state plans have been approved so far?

Secretary DeVos: Forty six state plans.

Senator Alexander: Do you believe it is a requirement of the law that states collect, report and use data on the performance of all students and each subgroup of students?

Secretary DeVos: Yes, indeed.

Senator Alexander: Do all the state plans that you have approved thus far propose to look at data from all students and each subgroup of students?

Secretary DeVos: Yes, indeed.

Senator Alexander: Do you believe it is a requirement of the law that states identify schools with consistently underperforming subgroups?

Secretary DeVos: Yes, indeed.

Senator Alexander: After the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, Secretary Duncan reportedly said, Candidly, our lawyers at the Department of Education are much smarter than many of the folks who are working on this bill. Are any of those smart lawyers still at your department?

Secretary DeVos: Indeed, they are. Probably most of them.

Senator Alexander: Do those smart lawyers agree that the plans you approved meet all the requirements of the law?

Secretary DeVos: They do.

Senator Alexander: Thank you Madam Secretary. Now let me ask you this. It seems we've had a lot of discussion in our authorizing committee about trying to make it simpler for students to apply for, and pay back where they need to, their federal student aid -- $100 billion in loans each year, $30 or so billion in Pell grants. It seems to me that applying for federal aid for college should be as simple as buying a plane ticket on your phone or buying a book with one click. I mean, this [cell phone] has been invented and we use it for all sorts of things now. You have asked for $50 million in the budget in order to modernize the system by which students apply for and pay back their federal financial aid. What can you tell us about that? How do you plan to spend the money and why do you think you'll be successful doing this when we were so unsuccessful in technology when we dealt with the Obamacare exchanges, which turned into a big mess.

Secretary DeVos: Thanks Senator for that question. I'm really excited about the effort to modernize federal student aid, both the process and the experience. We believe that students should have a world class experience when applying for and then subsequently paying down their student loans. And the framework and infrastructure for this has not been modernized and has not been It's been sort of patched over the last 20 some years. And so our approach is to completely restructure and make that experience one that will be seamless for students, one that we can complete the Federal Student Aid Application on your smartphone. And, again, have the world class experience that we've come to expect in every other area of life. The confidence I have in being able to do that is that we have the right leadership in place to be able to ensure

Senator Alexander: Who is that? Why do you think that?

Secretary DeVos: Well, we have Dr. Wayne Johnson, who comes from the financial services field with much experience and lots of entrepreneurial activity in that field. In fact

Senator Alexander: Has he ever done anything like this before?

Secretary DeVos: He has indeed. Some of you may recall years ago, when you get new credit cards in the mail, they'd come without an activation code because that was just how it was done and strangely enough, many of those cards disappeared in the process of getting from the origination point to your mailbox. Well, he developed the 1-800 number that now, I mean now we just call or just go online to activate, but the 800 number was his invention and it would become ubiquitous across the financial services industry. So very forward thinking, and a very deep knowledge of that field and that process and that experience. So we are committed to having the first steps completed for a pilot test in July of this year and we'll be able to in the fall, hopefully by October 1st, have the full thing being able to roll out so that student aid applications for the next fiscal or the next school year, will be able to be completed online and in one sitting.In this file photo taken on April 5, 2017, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump talks with students during a visit with Jordan's queen to the Excel Academy Public Charter School in Washington, DC. She will not accompany her husband to the Group of Seven summit in Canada, nor to planned North Korea nuclear talks in Singapore. / AFP



U.S. First lady Melania Trump isn't joining her husband at the G7 summit in Quebec this week or planning to accompany him to the expected meeting with North Korea's leader in Singapore the week after, spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Sunday.

Mrs. Trump's decision not to go to Quebec is a departure from last year, when she made an international summit debut at the G7 meeting in Italy and followed up at the forum of G20 industrialized and developing nations in Germany. Spouses typically get together at events of their own during the meetings of world leaders.

The first lady stayed behind Friday when President Donald Trump, his daughters, eldest son and son-in-law went to the Camp David retreat for the weekend. She hasn't made a public appearance since before her five-day hospital stay in mid-May for treatment of a kidney condition the White House only described as benign.

Grisham said earlier that the first lady has been meeting with staff and working on projects. Mrs. Trump is scheduled to join the president Monday in hosting a reception, closed to the press, for Gold Star families.

''She will not attend the G7 and there are no plans for her to travel to Singapore at this time,'' Grisham told AP.

The G7 summit will be held in Quebec on Friday and Saturday. The president plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore, the first leaders' summit between two countries that are still formally at war. (AP)





Preparations for a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are going well, and the two are tentatively scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Singapore time on June 12 (10 a.m. Korea time), the White House said on Monday.



The announcement of the timing for the first meeting between the two leaders came just three days after Trump hosted a senior North Korean delegation at the White House bearing a letter from Kim.



Trump, who had previously canceled the summit, abruptly announced the meeting was back on. Asked about the contents of Kim's letter, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders declined to "get into the specifics of the letter" but added "we feel like things are continuing to move forward and good progress has been made."





When U.S. President Donald Trump announced in March that he would meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the news set off a flurry of diplomacy -- not only between Washington and Pyongyang, but also throughout Asia.

China, South Korea, Japan and Russia -- neighbors with a vested interest in the outcome of any Trump-Kim talks -- have been jockeying for influence, meeting with senior North Korean leaders and among themselves to promote their own hopes for what happens in Singapore.



SOUTH KOREA



South Korean President Moon Jae-in met with Kim at a historic summit in April in Panmunjom, located in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that has divided North and South Korea since the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice agreement.



Moon has long advocated dialogue as the best option for resolving the tense stand-off over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. During their summit, Seoul and Pyongyang declared their commitment to "a new era of national reconciliation, peace and prosperity" and "the common goal of realizing, through complete denuclearization, a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula."



With the U.S. being a guarantor of South Korean security, and the main driver of sanctions on North Korea, the Trump-Kim meeting could bring the attainment of these goals one step closer.



CHINA



China, arguably Pyongyang's closest ally and main trading partner, has long advocated for talks between the U.S. and North Korea.



As recently as Saturday, Beijing praised the renewed preparations for a Kim-Trump summit. China is "happy" for the possibility of the summit, which it sees as "crucial to denuclearization and lasting peace on the peninsula," the Foreign Ministry said.



China's security is directly related to North Korea's, as the two countries share a border. Beijing wants to avoid the collapse of the Kim regime, which could bring a U.S. ally to its borders and drive thousands of North Korean refugees into China.



The Chinese government sought a major role in the peace talks by hosting Kim twice in the past three months. Kim first visited Beijing in March -- his first known trip abroad in seven years of power -- and then met again with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May in the north-eastern city of Dalian.



Xi on that occasion praised Kim for building up momentum for regional peace talks. Xi said China supports North Korea's "strategic focus on economic development."



_ Shangri-La, Sentosa designated as 'special event areas'







By Kim Jae-kyoung







SINGAPORE _ The U.S. delegation for the June 12 summit with North Korea will be unpacking their bags at the Shangri-La Hotel, a hotel official said Monday.







Located in one of the more luxurious residential areas of the city state, the hotel had been considered one of the most likely places for the historic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.







"Most rooms have been booked by the U.S. embassy for the period of June 8 to 14, and the hotel has blocked reservations during that period," the official told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity.







But she said it was still unclear whether Trump will also stay at the hotel.







"We haven't got a detailed itinerary and names yet but I can say that the U.S. delegation will be staying here," she added. "We haven't heard from management that our hotel has been chosen as the venue but we are preparing anyway."







The remark by the Shangri-La official was supported by a Singapore-based travel operator.







"Under our room availability screening, rooms at the Shangri-La for that event period are open but when we call to book rooms, the hotel say there are no rooms available at all," an official at the operator said.







"It seems that some hotels do not lock reservations on their computer system because they don't want people to assume that they have been chosen as the venue due to a flurry of inquiries."







The U.S. embassy's reservation has raised the possibility the Trump-Kim summit will take place at the Shangri-La, the 792 room five-star hotel sitting on land off Orchard Road, which has a proven track record for hosting prominent events,.









By Kim Bo-eun







The leaders of North Korea and the U.S. may have multiple meetings to discuss Pyongyang's denuclearization, after the White House called the planned June 12 summit the "first meeting," indicating the nuclear disarmament talks may take some time to be concluded.







The expectation is that the leaders may agree on a big framework at the first meeting and discuss details in following talks







In the announcement that the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump will begin at 9 a.m., June 12, in Singapore (local time), the White House implied that this would be the starting point of a process.







White House press secretary Sarah Sanders referred to the June 12 summit as the "first meeting." This is in line with Trump's remarks after he met with top North Korean official Kim Yong-chol last week.







After the meeting in Washington, D.C., at which Kim delivered a letter from the North Korean leader, the U.S. president said the leaders "won't sign something" June 12, and that they were "going to start a process."







Trump referred to the summit as a "getting-to-know-you meeting, plus."







The White House said working-level meetings between North Korea and the U.S. at the truce village of Panmunjeom were going well.





By Lee Min-hyung



With Russian President Vladimir Putin inviting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to his country, expectations are that leaders from the two Koreas may meet in Russia this fall for the first time in a third country.



The Kremlin said Monday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov delivered Putin's letter of invitation to Kim for an upcoming economic forum set to take place in Vladivostok in September. This came during the minister's visit to Pyongyang last month when he met with the regime's leader to discuss the ongoing denuclearization drive on the Korean Peninsula and Russia's role to realize the goal.



"Details and time will be further coordinated through diplomatic channels (for Kim's possible visit to Russia)," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He said the forum is one of the options that will allow Kim's possible trip to the country.



Nothing has been confirmed yet about whether Kim will join the Eastern Economic Forum, and as usual, North Korea did not report anything about the invitation and Kim's upcoming schedule.





Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte / Reuters



Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will visit South Korea next month to promote bilateral ties and cooperation, Seoul officials said Friday.

He will make an official visit from June 3-5 and hold a summit with President Moon Jae-in on June 4 focusing on trade, infrastructure and the defense industry, according to the presidential office.

Duterte will be the first head of state from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to visit South Korea since Moon took office in May last year.

The two leaders last met in the Philippines in November on the sidelines of the ASEAN+3 Summit and East Asian Summit (EAS).

Seoul hopes his visit will boost momentum for Moon's New South Policy aimed at strengthening ties with fast-growing Southeast Asian countries.

"The government is seeking to expand cooperation with ASEAN," presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said. "The New South Policy is expected to gain traction on the back of Duterte's trip to Seoul and President Moon's March visit to Vietnam," he added. (Yonhap)By Hallie Bradley







Vineworks, an interactive wine, food and culture tasting community in the heart of Sangsu-dong, hosts a monthly book club for recreational and avid readers to discuss books over wine.



Host and owner Ian Ashworth prepares regional dishes and chooses select wines with whatever connection he can make to the tale chosen.



The book club recently announced Jonathan Lethem's "Motherless Brooklyn" as the book for June. It is about Lionel Essrog, a detective in Brooklyn who has Tourette's and works for mobster Frank Minna.





Participants should finish the book by 2 p.m. Sunday, June 24, to join in the fun and conversation. Vineworks is near exit 1 of Sangsu Station on Line 6. Visit

for more information.





Southeast Asia has become one of the top tourist destinations for people living in South Korea, and among its best attractions in the ASEAN region are its delicious and diverse cuisines. The ASEAN-Korea Centre will operate a booth promoting gastronomy tourism to the region at KINTEX in Ilsan from Friday to Sunday.







This booth will feature stories and information about 20 dishes from all 10 ASEAN member countries, including Vietnamese escargot noodle soup, Indonesia's spicy meat dish rendang and the Philippines' sour sinigang soup. Various other travel tips, activities and gifts will also be offered, including "ASEAN Snack Drawing" and "ASEAN Quiz."







Meanwhile, the center will also hold the ASEAN-Korea Tourism Investment Seminar on Friday at Lotte Hotel in Seoul to provide information on the investment environment and opportunities in the region's tourism industries.







"Last year, 9.5 million Korean travelers, accounting for over one-third of the country's entire outbound tourists, visited 10 ASEAN member states," ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Lee Hyuk said. "The ASEAN region became the most popular travel destination for Koreans with its divine nature and unique cultures."



By Kang Aa-young





A Chinese man who allegedly stabbed another Chinese man to death in Daerim-dong turned himself in to police on Thursday.





Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said the man, 35, was booked and arrested.





He surrendered to police in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, after fleeing from the crime scene.





According to the police, the victim, 27, was the suspect's supervisor. The suspect told police he committed the crime in a fit of anger in an argument over late pay.





The suspect said he was owed 300,000 won ($28) and payment two days overdue.



Korean tourists are duped into buying latex products made with hazardous chemicals during their visit to Thailand. / Graphics by Cho Sang-won



By Kim Jae-heun



A woman, identified only by her surname Kim, went to Phuket for her honeymoon about three years ago.



There, she bought latex products worth nearly 4 million won ($3,736). The problem she found out later was they generate hazardous anions.



Kim had purchased a whole set of mattresses and pillows for herself and her husband, and for the child she was expecting at the time.



She never realized such products could contain life-threatening chemicals.



Anions _ negatively charged ions _ were over the past two decades thought to have effects that can kill bacteria and help purify air.



This was first brought up in Japan in the 1990s, leading to an anion-product sales boom in Korea and China.



"At first, I thought they were a little too expensive. But if they generate anions and they last long without losing their form, I thought the price was worth it," Kim said.



Not a single study has been released to prove products containing anions are healthy.



Scientists argue that anions are found in thousands of substances, and it is nonsense that anions can create a certain effect by themselves, whether it be beneficial or harmful.



However, a substance with anions can be hazardous to health, they said.



Tourists exposed to 'deadly' latex



A deadly level of radiation has been detected from anion-contained latex products sold in a number of tourist destinations in Thailand, including Phuket, Krabi, Bangkok and Pattaya, according to industry sources.



Those products were found to include monazite powder. Monazite is an ore containing radioactive thorium to boost the anion production _ but it can raise levels of radon emitted. This, in a worst case scenario, could cause elevated risks for cancer.



"I would say 95 percent of the anion latex products sold here are made with monazite. Monazite is a cheap mineral that has a large amount of anions. It generates a massive amount of radiation at the same," said an industry insider on the condition of anonymity during an interview with The Korea Times. "There are other substances that generate anions. But monazite is the cheapest material that leaves a big margin for retailers."



On Jan. 30, the Korea Far Infrared Association (KFIA) tested a sample of anion latex products sold in Thailand.



The result showed a queen-size mattress made of anion latex has 1,108 times higher level of radiation dose than the maximum standard of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).



The ICRP advises a person not to be exposed to the radiation of over 20,000 microsieverts per year.



An anion latex sample size of 7-by-7-by-5 centimeters produced 0.31 microsieverts of radiation per hour.



A queen-size mattress is 150-by-200-by-5 centimeters in length and width.



Assuming a person has been sleeping on a queen-size mattress that generates radiation dose of 126.53 microsieverts per hour for eight hours every day a year, they would be exposed to 1,108,408 microsieverts of radiation.

T'way Air jet / Courtesy of T'way Air



By Kim Jae-heun



T'way Air, the country's third largest low-cost carrier (LCC), is embroiled in a controversy as it imposed a light punishment on a pilot who allegedly harassed a female first officer.



This is expected to deal a blow to its corporate image as one of the top three LCCs.



The pilot in command allegedly caressed his first officer's thigh and touched her breast during a flight last September.



The captain also made improper comments, harassing the first officer by pointing at her breasts.



The captain has only a few years left until his retirement.



The female officer immediately reported the case to the company when she returned to Seoul.



However, the airline only made the captain apologize and cut his wages for three months.



Some observers said T'way Air did not take sufficient action to protect the female officer and was reluctant to resolve the problem.



"Other senior captains at the company complained about the first officer, saying she was being too sensitive. The company too was reluctant to resolve the issue and played a part in making the case a bigger problem," an anonymous informant said.



The airline, however, said it took immediate action after the officer filed a report.



The company said it listened to both sides and tried to protect the woman by allocating her different flights.



"It is not true that we tried to wrap up the case quickly," a T'way Air official said.



The female officer resigned and sued the male captain.



Meanwhile, T'way Air recently rose to become the No. 3 LCC by sales.



The airline was established in 2010.



Jeju Air ranks at the top followed by Jin Air in second.



T'way Air launched new international routes from Daegu, and now operates the most flights from the city.



It is currently preparing to go public, becoming the third airline to get listed on the Korea Exchange.

By Kwon Bong-woon





William Shakespeare(1564-1616) is known as one of the greatest playwrights in English literature. Although "Hamlet" was written about 400 years ago, it is a popular play and is part of many high school and university English literature courses. Shakespeare's masterpieces provide invaluable wisdom, applicable to various problems and issues that people face in their lives. "Hamlet" is a tragedy that begins with a fratricide for the purpose of usurping a king's throne.



Claudius, wanting to become king, has murdered his elder brother King Hamlet by pouring poison in his ear. After the murder he marries Queen Gertrude, King Hamlet's widow. The fratricide eventually leads to the death of nine people. The play deals with several themes. One is the danger of indecision. Prince Hamlet, the dead king's son and main character in the play, encounters his father's ghost and learns that his dead father wants him to avenge his murder.



To unearth the truth, Hamlet pretends to be mad. He behaves like a madman and is especially insulting to his girlfriend, Ophelia. Finally, Hamlet has a chance to kill Claudius but hesitates because of his weak will. This fear of taking action remains a matter of incessant debate. Another theme in "Hamlet" is the relationship between the fate of a country and the corruption of its rulers. Marcellus, guarding the castle, remarks that something is rotten in the state of Denmark. He is saying that under King Hamlet's reign, Denmark was a healthy and prosperous kingdom, but the rule of the malicious and ferocious King Claudius, it is now rotten to the core.



Polonius, King Claudius's senior adviser and the father of Ophelia and Laertes, gives his son some advice just before Laertes leaves for France. If someone reproaches Laertes, Polonius advises, he should not be rash and should neither speak nor act immediately but should give the matter judicious thought first. He also counsels Laertes that lending money to a friend will mean the loss of both the money and the friendship. He goes on to tell him to listen more than he speaks, and that If he wants to be a good person he will be a great friend. He concludes by saying that his son should always adhere to his values and should display honorable behavior. We should all do well to follow Polonius's advice. Flowers and herbs are important symbols in the play. Ophelia, Polonius' daughter and Hamlet's love gives flowers to people but not before Hamlet, after her father's death, drives her mad.



Rosemary stands for faithfulness and remembrance, and the daisy in the play symbolizes Ophelia herself. The willow is an emblem of misfortune and grief. It also represents forsaken and her unhappy love for Hamlet. Thistles are rich in imagery, suggesting Christ's crown of thorns. After all this, Ophelia drowns herself and Laertes confesses to plotting with Claudius to kill Hamlet with poisoned wine and a poisoned sword. After accepting Laertes' challenge to a dual, Hamlet and Laertes are both wounded by Laertes' poisoned sword.



Eventually Hamlet and Laertes both die, but not before Hamlet kills Claudius and avenges his father's death. Before dying, Hamlet asks his friend Horatio to tell the whole truth about what has occurred.





The writer(kbw8234664@naver.com)lives in Dongjak-gu in Seoul.

By Trudy Rubin





In April, I visited Russia to learn more about the Kremlin's campaign to influence the U.S. election in 2016. But the more I learned about Kremlin techniques, magnified by social media, the more similar those techniques appeared to President Donald Trump's modus operandi.



The Kremlin has more tools, and U.S. citizens still have more independent news sources. Yet Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are both waging information wars that rely on confusing their opponents with an endless barrage of conspiracy theories and fake "facts." They push favored narratives over and over ("Spygate" anyone?) until these narratives sink into public consciousness. They are repeated not just by supporters but even by those who know them to be false.



No one understands Russian techniques better than Clint Watts, a fellow at Philadelphia's Foreign Policy Research Institute, who is also a former army officer, FBI special agent and counterterrorism expert. He is also the author of a fascinating new book, "Messing with the Enemy: Surviving in a Social Media World of Hackers, Terrorists, Russians and Fake News," which details the way Putin and Trump boost each other's narratives.



"Russia's method represents not an information war, but a war on information itself," says Watts, "Trump has the same approach."



Watts worries that "Americans still don't grasp the information war Russia perpetrated against the West, why it works, and why it continues." The KGB's has been using "active measures"  efforts to undermine the West by means other than military  for decades.



But the advent of social media exponentially expanded Russia's ability to amplify its "active measures" with little manpower. It's not just things you already know  that Kremlin cutouts stole Democratic emails, and passed them to Wikileaks, which then strategically released them an hour after the release of the "Access Hollywood" tape, eclipsing Trump's "grab 'em by the pussy" grossness.



The bigger danger is that Russia's cyber efforts go beyond helping one candidate or hurting another. They are more broadly aimed at exacerbating existing divisions in our democracy and spreading disruptive conspiracy theories  often those put forward by Trump or the websites he promotes. Social bots  false social media accounts designed to push our high volumes of information  can make such falsehoods go viral.



One example: a Russian-influence account labeled @TEN-GOP and posing as a Tennessee GOP account gathered 136,000 followers while repeating bogus voter fraud charges. Fox News quoted it, top Trump campaign officials tweeted it, every major conservative website repeated it. And this was just one of thousands of accounts operated by Russia in the lead-up to the election.



Watts believes the Kremlin had no need to engage in direct collusion with the Trump team. It was easily able to find team members (Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, etc.) to do its bidding. Moreover, Trump's unending promotion of Putin has led to an astonishing shift of support to Putin on the American right. A February 2017 Gallup poll shows a 166 percent rise in Putin's favorability rating among Republicans just since 2015.



Thus the Kremlin has ripe targets for disinformation on alt-right and white supremacist websites that support Trump, along with some far left sites. Says Watts: "They infiltrate key audiences then direct them on strategic themes and messages."



Example: Watts says he's seen "routine regurgitation of Russian propaganda" on Infowars, one alt-right site praised by Trump, that promotes the most ugly conspiracy theories  like claims the Sandy Hook massacre was staged. Trump and his team often retweet claims by such sites.



And here's what's really scary: It's hard to challenge the Kremlin's messaging  aimed at undermining NATO, the European Union, America's role abroad, and the free Western press  when Trump enhances their message.



"He echoes what Putin says on every issue which is why we can't change the narrative," says Watts. Even more disturbing, Trump still refuses to mount a unified U.S. government pushback against Russian cyber espionage.



Instead, the president's attacks on U.S. institutions (the FBI, the CIA, the Justice Dept., the mainstream media) maximize Putin's game plan. And Trump's constant promotion of false conspiracy theories gives Putin's info warriors rich material to package for the Russian home crowd as examples of America's decline.



Case in point: Trump's lie that the FBI infiltrated his campaign with spies. Even conservative Congressman Trey Gowdy said, on Fox news, that the FBI was justified in sending an informant (to check out Trump staffers who were consorting with known Russian intelligence agents). But Trump keeps tweeting "Spygate"  a canard repeated by Russian TV and social media.



"Before the social media age, there was a filter on conspiracy theories from Congress and the mainstream media," says Watts, "but today people choose their information sources and Trump's conspiracy claims are repeated." Canards become accepted as reality by Trump supporters. Meantime, Trump opponents are deluged with so fake claims that it becomes exhausting to refuge them.



These techniques, says Watts, are right out of the Kremlin playbook. But the reason the Russia's information war has been so successful is not because the Kremlin is so brilliant. The answer is simpler: It's because Putin has a (witting or unwitting) helpmate in Trump.





Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial-board member for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her article was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By Choi Sung-jin





At last, a landmark meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has become a certainty  unless, of course, Trump changes his mind once again.



With the successful mission in Washington last week by Kim's right-hand man Kim Yong-chol with nuclear bargaining, the U.S. and North Korea seem to have agreed on a framework that will become official in Singapore, June 12. What's left is an 11th-hour tug-of-war over details, ranging from specific action plans and their timetable to minuscule but symbolically meaningful protocols, including even who enters the room first and how they sit.



It's a relief in this regard that President Trump has realized he cannot denuclearize North Korea in one fell swoop but take a phased, gradual approach.



That is because the nuclear negotiation between Washington and Pyongyang will be about how to maintain equilibrium in the course of exchanging atomic weapons and security guarantee simultaneously.



Contrary to the allegations of hawks in Washington and Seoul, it was the failure of this word-for-word, action-for-action implementation  not the North's cheating  that destroyed the 1994 Agreed Framework. Both sides are to blame for the breakup, meaning the U.S. has to take at least half of the responsibility.



For similar reasons, not many watchers of the U.S.-North Korea relationship here are holding their breath this time around, either. Most are skeptical of the early resolution of the crisis less because Trump and Kim are whimsical, unpredictable leaders than because there are too many disrupters of detente between the longtime adversaries.



There may be hundreds of reasons for doubting the genuine intention of the North and its leader. Suffice it to say, however, Kim's notable shift to a low profile faced with Trump's threat to cancel their meeting reflects the young leader's dire wish for the summit to happen.



Provided Trump is earnest in his efforts to bring about peace on the Korean Peninsula  either for his presidential legacy or personal ambition or both, he will have to surmount various obstacles.



First, there are hard-line conservatives, such as Trump's national security adviser John Bolton and Vice President Mike Pence, who believe any meaningful change of status can, and should, be through regime change in North Korea by external maneuvering and/or popular revolt. These successors of neocons under the George W. Bush administration will try to torpedo the negotiated settlement whenever there are hiccups in the process.



Second is the usual suspect  the U.S. military-industrial complex.



It is not sure whether Trump can, or will, go as far to fight against the enormous lobbying power of defense contractors. These merchants of death, who need military conflicts in many part of the world anytime, are reportedly able to thwart any bona fide efforts of their chief executive.



Some U.S. experts say, however, Korea is too small a market for the complex to do its best to hinder the U.S. leader's peacemaking efforts. I can only hope these pundits are right. These gurus, including John Feffer, director of Foreign Policy in Focus, note the third, and most formidable, obstacle instead is the U.S. foreign policy establishment.



If true, most of U.S. career diplomats and politicians well versed in international affairs do not believe in settlement of the North Korean nuclear problem through talks. Backing up this theory seems to be a recent story aired by the Voice of America, which said all of the 30 U.S. experts surveyed did not believe Pyongyang would abandon its nuclear weapons altogether.



Citing the North's track records, some say the upcoming summit is another ploy for Pyongyang to gain time, win political concessions and economic aid, and complete its nuclear development program. Others believe the isolationist regime may be more sincere than ever but will stick to its atomic weapons as long as it can.



From North Korea's standpoint, however, the U.S. administration is the last thing it can trust. Pyongyang's diplomats think, with reason, the U.S. put forth new demands not agreed on previously and dragged its feet in the supply of heavy oil before dropping the entire agreement upon the change of political power, about two decades ago. Washington is still the only government in the world that blithely walks out of international accords, multilateral or bilateral.



More objectively, one needs to think who will lose the most if the summit next week ends in less than satisfactory ways. President Trump has only to give up his ambitions for the Nobel Prize. The mid-term elections in November, as with most, if not all, U.S. elections, will be more about domestic issues, including the livelihood of poor Americans, than foreign policy issues.



Kim Jong-un, however, will lose opportunities to rebuild the beleaguered economy, not to speak of his face as a leader with near absolute authority. Unlike most foreign watchers' views, the summit's failure, not its success, will speed up the Kim regime's collapse.



President Moon will be another big loser, ending up as a leader more eager than expert in seeking inter-Korean reconciliation and harmony.



All this points to the dire need for the two Korea's leaders to show to the international community their intentions to bring about peace and prosperity on this peninsula is not just for Koreans but for East Asia and the whole world.



Giving Kim Jong-un the benefit of the doubt once more would do far more good than harm. Ratcheting up tension is worst and maintaining the status quo can be no alternative, at least for Koreans. Succeed or fail, the summit in Singapore should change Korea in ways no other event in recent memory has done.





Choi Sung-jin is a Korea Times columnist. Contact him at choisj1955@naver.com.

By Tong Kim





Writing on U.S. President Donald Trump's potential meeting with Kim Jong-un has been difficult because of the question of what to make of Trump's constant shifting and deliberate oscillation between on-again and off-again positions. Trump supporters call it strategic maneuvering as part of his "art of the deal" and critics call it his unstable element of danger in the art of diplomacy.



Last week, Kim Yong-chol, Pyongyang's point man for the U.S., delivered a letter from Kim Jong-un to President Trump at the White House on June 1. The letter would be treated as a reply to Trump's May 24 letter that cancelled the June 12 summit, in which Trump asked the North Korean leader to "call him or write," if he had changed his mind.



Trump's letter was never intended to be final. It was conditional, and it has appeared that the conditions were being mended through a flurry of meetings with the North Koreans. The neighboring countries around the peninsula including Japan, China and Russia are also busy trying to protect their interests regarding the Trump-Kim meeting. They don't want to be left out.



As of now, Trump's summit is back on. Since Trump accepted the summit on March 8, there have been more positive, rather than negative, indications including Trump's eagerness in favor of holding a historic summit, as the world hopes it can avoid war and achieve denuclearization.



A final announcement is yet to come from Trump himself within a matter of days. Even if the expected summit happens on schedule or even on a later date which is still possible, Trump knows that he will not be able to win everything he wants. He seems to be learning more about what is involved in making a nuclear deal with North Korea. He is now talking about the possibility of more than one meeting to denuclearize the North and he mentioned the physical necessity of a phased resolution.



When all the preparations are completed at the working levels, the details of any possible agreement on a denuclearization path and its implementation, or how to guarantee the security and economic assistance to the North, will not be made public before the summit. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the North Koreans are still "contemplating" whether to make a strategic decision to give up their nuclear weapons in exchange for a brighter path of a normal state.



Since Trump's cancellation of the summit, much has happened at a hectic pace. A conciliatory statement from the North, saying that their "anger and hostility" Trump had cited as a reason to cancel the summit was "only a reaction" to hawkish statements from Washington and they were open to resolve the issues at any time, in any format.



South Korean President Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met for the second time at Panmunjeom in less than a month since they first met and agreed to work together for a successful U.S.-North Korea summit. Moon is even seeking a trilateral summit among the U.S and the two Koreas to declare an end to war in Korea, in reinforcement of a U.S. security assurance to North Korea.



Also at Panmunjom, a U.S. team led by Sung Kim, U.S. ambassador to the Philippines and a former negotiator on the nuclear issue and a North Korean team headed by vice foreign minister Choi Son-hui, had held meetings on two separate days to discuss the agenda and a general path to denuclearization to prepare for their leaders' "expected" meeting.



In Singapore, another set of summit preparation talks has been underway to arrange the logistical, protocol, and security details for the summit. The U.S. advance team is headed by White House deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin and the North Korean team by Kim Chang-sun, chief secretary to the Korean leader. This particular set of meetings is expected to proceed more cooperatively than the other meetings that tackle the substance of what will actually be discussed at the summit.



While no satisfactory agreement on how to resolve the denuclearization issue seems to be in place, these discussions must have contributed to mutual understanding of what each side's demands are and what is acceptable or not acceptable by each side. As Trump says, we will see what happens



Tong Kim (tong.kim8@yahoo.com) is a Washington correspondent and columnist for The Korea Times. He is also a fellow at the Institute of Korean-American Studies.

Doosan Bobcat, a South Korean construction equipment maker, said Tuesday it is aiming for a market share of over 10 percent in India's backhoe loader market by 2024.

Last month, Doosan Bobcat completed the process of acquiring a backhoe loader production facility in India from John Deere, a U.S. heavy equipment company. The 8,000-unit-a-year plant had been idled before it was taken over by the Korean company, a company spokesman said over the phone.

The company didn't disclose the acquisition price.

Doosan Bobcat plans to produce backhoe loaders at the plant from the second half of 2019 to lure local customers, the company said in a statement.

India's small construction equipment market is worth 1.3 trillion won ($1.2 billion), ranking third after the United States and China. In particular, backhoe loaders account for 80 to 90 percent of India's small construction market, it said.

Doosan Bobcat is 55 percent owned by Doosan Infracore, a construction equipment affiliate of Doosan Group. (Yonhap)Hansae Chairman Kim Dong-nyung

Chairman suspected of 'indirectly' empowering heirs



By Park Jae-hyuk



Hansae Yes24 Holdings has been embroiled in controversy recently, following its May 18 announcement that each of two babies born to the owner family last year acquired company stocks worth over 400 million won ($374,356).



According to the Seoul-based firm's regulatory filing, Tuesday, Kim Si-yun born Feb. 8, 2017, and Kim Kyu-jun born June 19, 2017, each hold 50,000 shares in the company  0.13 percent of the total. Hansae Yes24 Holdings' stock price is around 8,300 won.



An official of the company confirmed the two are grandchildren of Hansae Chairman Kim Dong-nyung.



The regulatory filing showed Kyonggi University emeritus professor Cho Young-soo, the chairman's wife, gave a portion of her 928,740 shares in Hansae Yes24 Holdings to the two infants on May 15.



Industry officials regard the grandmother's recent handover as the chairman's attempt to empower heirs and ensure the succession of management rights within the owner family.



Kim Seok-hwan, the chairman's oldest son, became a representative director of Yes24 in March last year, and Kim Ik-hwan, the chairman's second-oldest son, has served as CEO of Hansae Co. since June last year.



Hansae Yes24 Holdings is the holding company of the Yes24 online bookstore and Hansae Co., an original equipment manufacturer for international labels such as H&M, Zara, Gap and Nike. The holding firm is the largest shareholder of the two subsidiaries.



The oldest son, the largest shareholder of Hansae Yes24 Holdings, owns a 25.95 percent share in the holding firm, while his brother holds 20.76 percent, the second-largest shareholder.



The chairman's grandchildren are expected to increase their shares to consolidate their fathers' power.



The case of Kim Ji-won, the chairman's youngest daughter, backs industry officials' expectations.



She is an executive director at Hansae MK, the holding firm's domestic affiliate having its own brands, such as TBJ, Andrew and Buckaroo.



The heiress was appointed director of the affiliate last August, three months after the company announced her son, Park Geon-hee born Jan. 20, 2011, holds 120,000 shares worth 1.6 billion won. Park had bought all his shares on the stock market since November 2016.



The boy's "purchase" has been regarded as the chairman's indirect method to give control of Hansae MK to his daughter.



Hansae MK's largest shareholder is Hansae Co., which holds a 50 percent share in the clothing company. Kim Ji-won holds a 5.19 percent share in Hansae Yes24 Holdings and a 0.77 percent share in Hansae Co.



Some observers suspected Hansae has already been preparing for the grandchildren's eventual takeover of management.



Hansae has been known as a company that has prepared for management succession over the long haul, as the chairman's two sons have been acquiring their shares since the early 2000s.



The company, however, has denied the claims and alleged illegality of the recent handover. "As we made a public announcement, the chairman and his grandchildren will pay gift taxes," the company official said.



According to the law, each of the two babies will likely "pay" 100 million won in taxes.

Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Mostly cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 75F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.Can a 16th Century Priest Teach Us Anything About Modern Spiritual Conversion? New book about Saint Ignatius of Loyola shows how some lessons are timeless



Contact: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276,



SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2018 /



Saint Ignatius was a nobleman, and his background was one of swordsmanship, castles and the duties of medieval knighthood. One might wonder how his story can possibly be relevant to our 21st century problems. But while his specific day-to-day life might look very different from ours, the underlying issues he struggled with, that of self-doubt, disappointment over unfulfilled dreams and worry over one's direction in life, are things that everyone has dealt with in one way or another.



ON THE IGNATIAN WAY is a guide to Ignatius' experiences of conversion, healing and freedom. It includes several essays recounting the experiences of various pilgrims who have embarked on the nearly 435 miles of the Ignatian Way. It also offers guidance for planning a similar pilgrimage, showing how to use the Spiritual Exercises to aid in the journey. But anyone can use this book, even if they never leave their home. For, as Ignatius says, the primary goal of the pilgrim is to come into contact with his inner source of light and happiness: God the Creator.



"Pope Benedict XVI said the Christian faith is not a matter of following rules or merely giving assent to a set of ideas but rather entering into 'an event,'" says Fr. Christopher Collins, S.J., assistant to the president for mission and identity at Saint Louis University. "This book gives a wonderful pathway into this event by an ancestor in faith who referred to himself first and foremost as 'The Pilgrim.'"



For more information, to request a review copy, or to schedule an interview with Christ Lowney, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or



Share Tweet Contact: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276, KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Saint Ignatius of Loyola, who is popular for his "Spiritual Exercises," also is known for his pilgrimage to Manresa, Spain. The new book by Father Jose Luis Iriberri, S.J. and Chris Lowney, ON THE IGNATIAN WAY: A Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, explains how this type of journey can be fruitful still today.Saint Ignatius was a nobleman, and his background was one of swordsmanship, castles and the duties of medieval knighthood. One might wonder how his story can possibly be relevant to our 21st century problems. But while his specific day-to-day life might look very different from ours, the underlying issues he struggled with, that of self-doubt, disappointment over unfulfilled dreams and worry over one's direction in life, are things that everyone has dealt with in one way or another.ON THE IGNATIAN WAY is a guide to Ignatius' experiences of conversion, healing and freedom. It includes several essays recounting the experiences of various pilgrims who have embarked on the nearly 435 miles of the Ignatian Way. It also offers guidance for planning a similar pilgrimage, showing how to use the Spiritual Exercises to aid in the journey. But anyone can use this book, even if they never leave their home. For, as Ignatius says, the primary goal of the pilgrim is to come into contact with his inner source of light and happiness: God the Creator."Pope Benedict XVI said the Christian faith is not a matter of following rules or merely giving assent to a set of ideas but rather entering into 'an event,'" says Fr. Christopher Collins, S.J., assistant to the president for mission and identity at Saint Louis University. "This book gives a wonderful pathway into this event by an ancestor in faith who referred to himself first and foremost as 'The Pilgrim.'"For more information, to request a review copy, or to schedule an interview with Christ Lowney, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com ) of Carmel Communications.Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 77F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening. A steady rain arriving overnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.Facebook Sharing User's Personal Information Leads to Crowdfunding Project to 'Protect People's Personal Data' and 'Save the Internet'



SAN JOSE, Calif., June 5, 2018 /



"Everyone's personal data must be protected, valued and never shared or sold as Facebook has been reported to do," said Steven Andrew. He is the Silicon Valley technology and Christian leader who founded USA.Life social network.



"USA.Life solves the Facebook and Twitter censorship and bias issues by having a Pro-America Algorithm (TM) that unites the nation," said Andrew. This new network "aligns with the Founding Father's values of God-given rights of life, liberty and happiness."



"Users get privacy and freedom with USA.Life," Andrew said.



He said, "people are signing up fast for their free account" at



"As soon as people hear about USA.Life, many are happy to



The rewards range from a "keepsake American Hero Postcard" for $10 to having one's name credited in the computer code for $25, and from getting a lifetime "pro-account" for $100 to having their name or business listed on the founders wall for $1,000 or more.



"As a Christian company, USA.Life does not believe in sharing user's personal information with other companies. It is against our American values to spy on people or give away someone's data," he said. "Our values to respect others and having openness are a huge difference between USA.Life and Facebook."



Andrew is also building the 1776Free search engine that protects your data, promotes American values and gives "better results than Google."



"Privacy and freedom could be lost forever without USA.Life and 1776Free. However, we can save the Internet if 63,500 people give $10, or if 6,350 supporters give $100, or if 635 generous donors give $1,000. If people want protection and safety, it is at USA.Life and 1776Free," Andrew said.



More information, an FAQ and where the funds go are available at



Share Tweet Contact: Steven Andrew, USA.Life , 877-585-7729SAN JOSE, Calif., June 5, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Facebook faces another setback after the New York Times reported Facebook gave at least 60 companies - from Apple to Amazon - access to personal data on users and friends. Yet, this presents a perfect opportunity for the ambitious Christian Silicon Valley start up, USA.Life, to capture Facebook's market. Having a stated goal to "protect people's personal data and privacy," USA.Life hopes to release this summer. The project is being crowdfunded and needs to raise a remaining $635,000 to launch."Everyone's personal data must be protected, valued and never shared or sold as Facebook has been reported to do," said Steven Andrew. He is the Silicon Valley technology and Christian leader who founded USA.Life social network."USA.Life solves the Facebook and Twitter censorship and bias issues by having a Pro-America Algorithm (TM) that unites the nation," said Andrew. This new network "aligns with the Founding Father's values of God-given rights of life, liberty and happiness.""Users get privacy and freedom with USA.Life," Andrew said.He said, "people are signing up fast for their free account" at www.USA.Life to get preferred usernames before they are gone and to get updates."As soon as people hear about USA.Life, many are happy to chip in $10 or $100 to save the Internet and to get a special thank you reward," he said.The rewards range from a "keepsake American Hero Postcard" for $10 to having one's name credited in the computer code for $25, and from getting a lifetime "pro-account" for $100 to having their name or business listed on the founders wall for $1,000 or more."As a Christian company, USA.Life does not believe in sharing user's personal information with other companies. It is against our American values to spy on people or give away someone's data," he said. "Our values to respect others and having openness are a huge difference between USA.Life and Facebook."Andrew is also building the 1776Free search engine that protects your data, promotes American values and gives "better results than Google.""Privacy and freedom could be lost forever without USA.Life and 1776Free. However, we can save the Internet if 63,500 people give $10, or if 6,350 supporters give $100, or if 635 generous donors give $1,000. If people want protection and safety, it is at USA.Life and 1776Free," Andrew said.More information, an FAQ and where the funds go are available at www.USA.LifeResearchers, during an advanced physics study, have yielded the firmest piece of evidence to date of sterile neutrinos, weird particles that can travel through the matter with no interplay with it whatsoever.

The particle was first spotted in the mid-1990s in an experiment that left scientists baffled.

So, by itself, the MiniBooNE result is not really a discovery in of itself.

(In LSND, the insulator was water; in MiniBooNE, it's a Value-Added Tax of oil.) And they carefully count how many neutrinos of each type strike the detector. As you read this, trillions of neutrinos are travelling through your body.

As waves of neutrinos stream through space, they periodically "oscillate", jumping back and forth between one flavor and another, she explained. And the best explanation for this mysterious abundance is the existence of a hypothetical type of neutrino, called the "sterile" neutrino.

'That would be huge; that's beyond the standard model; that would require new particles ... and an all-new analytical framework, ' Kate Scholberg, particle physicist at Duke University told LiveScience.

After almost three decades of experimentation, science finally caught wind of the elusive sterile neutrino for the second time.

The experiment took place at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory near Chicago and aimed to monitor how many muon neutrinos morph into electron neutrinos.

Earlier MiniBooNE results turned up an excess of electron neutrinos and antineutrinos, which had physicists intrigued, but sceptical; the new result is much more pronounced. Titled "Observation of a Significant Excess of Electron-Like Events in the MiniBooNE Short-Baseline Neutrino Experiment", the paper's abstract says: "The MiniBooNE data are consistent in energy and magnitude with the excess of events reported by the LSND".

The oscillation rate is predictable, so even a few extra electron neutrinos would be a result.

In the '90s, at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, the researchers carried out a study and discovered the presence of some puzzling new particles, namely, the sterile neutrinos which possess the astonishing property of traveling through matter with no interplay with it whatsoever.

'We have two very different detectors...and we have the same results, ' MiniBooNE physicist En-Chuan Huang said.

Researchers working on the MiniBooNE believe neutrinos are oscillating into hidden, heavier, sterile neutrinos which are impossible for the detector to identify, before they oscillate back into the detectable realm.

Up to now these latest results are just Printed about the pre-print server arXiv, therefore while there has not been some peer review nonetheless, the physics community is currently digging into find out more.

If these results are confirmed, it could help to explain the existence of dark matter. Unlike the other three, it doesn't interact with matter at all, despite having mass.

Also known as inert neutrinos, sterile neutrinos are essentially a non-charged, non-active type of neutrinos that can pass through matter without interacting at all. Electron neutrinos were recorded during the observation of flashes of light arising from the interaction of particles with antiparticles.

Scientists believe the gravitational effects of an unseen mass, slowing the speed of the stars at the edge of the spiral galaxy, could explain the perplexing phenomenon. Other major neutrino experiments, like the underground Oscillation Project with Emulsion-Tracking Apparatus experiment in Switzerland, haven't found the anomaly that both LSND and MiniBooNE have now seen. Some of the physicists, however, still can not be sure of the particles being neutrinos.

Researchers working in Antarctica performed two independent analyses which determined with 99 per cent certainty that the eV-mass sterile neutrino does not exist.

Sterile neutrinos weren't a rejected idea, Scholberg said, but they weren't accepted science.

'There was this collection of hints, and theorists were convinced it exists'.

But this lack of interaction also means sterile neutrinos can't be directly detected with a neutrino experiment like LSND or MiniBooNE, which use photomultiplier tubes to detect the minute flashes of light produced by neutrino interactions.

Although this discovery still needs to be corroborated by further research, it has stirred quite an excitement in the world of particle physics.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5)  The country had about 620,000 more workers in April than in the same period last year, bringing down the unemployment rate to 5.5 percent.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recorded more than 40.89 million employed Filipinos in April, or 0.2 percent increase from 40.27 million workers in the same period last year.

The service sector comprised the highest number of workers or 56.4 percent of the total employment, followed by agricultural sector with 23.9 percent, and industrial with 19.7 percent.

The PSA said Tuesday employment rate in April reached 94.5 percent. This "reflects the country's economic growth," according to National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon.

"We're very happy with the results," Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno said in a press briefing in Malacanang.

Lowest unemployment rate

The unemployment rate dipped also by 0.2 percent from 5.7 percent in April 2017, with the National Capital Region having the highest unemployment rate this year.

"This is actually the lowest unemployment rate recorded for all the April rounds of the labor force survey in the past decade," Edillon said.

The rate of underemployment went up from 16.1 percent in April 2017 to 17 percent in April 2018.

Edillon said the government is investing in human capital to address the increasing underemployment rate. "What really needs to happen is for the workers to improve their employability, so that they get into the more remunerative jobs. It's a job that gives you wages," she said.

She added government also plans to address the mismatch between labor force supply and the demand from companies.

Over 60 percent of 71 million employable Filipinos, from 15 years old and above, have jobs in April. The labor force participation rate slightly decreased from 61.4 percent in the same period last year.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5)  Celebrity endorser Kris Aquino has challenged blogger-turned-government official Margaux "Mocha" Uson to meet her face-to-face for besmirching her deceased parents' legacy just to defend President Rodrigo Duterte from criticisms for kissing a Filipino woman at a public gathering in South Korea.

"This is a direct challenge to you. Face me. Face me anywhere... Name the place name the location. Let's carry it live. Bring all your followers I can stand alone," Aquino said in a live video statement posted Tuesday evening.

The statement comes after Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Uson reposted an old clip on Monday of her late father, former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. being kissed by female supporters moments before he was escorted by soldiers out of a plane and assassinated in 1983.

The elder Aquino led the opposition against strongman Ferdinand Marcos and his assassination sparked massive protests that led to a "people power" revolt that catapulted his widow, Corazon Aquino, to the presidency in 1986. Known by their nicknames  Ninoy and Cory  are considered heroes by many Filipinos for their contributions to the return of democracy in the Philippines. Their son, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III was the country's president from 2010 to 2016, immediately before Duterte.

Uson used the video to hit back at critics of Duterte, who kissed a woman during a meeting with the Filipino community in South Korea.

The clip showed both videos of Duterte's controversial kiss and Ninoy being kissed before his assassination. On top of the videos were the texts "Masagwa daw ito??? (video of Duterte), pero ito hindi??? (video of Ninoy), paki-explain??? ."

[Translation: This is malicious??? but this is not??? Please explain???]

Kris Aquino, the youngest daughter of Ninoy and Cory Aquino, begged Uson to attack her instead of her family because unlike her deceased parents, she is alive and ready to defend herself and their legacy. She repeatedly said that neither her brother Noynoy nor her parents have ever disrespected the Asec.

"Stop doing this to two people who have never hurt you. Hindi ka nila binastos dahil patay na sila. Hindi ka rin binastos ng kapatid ko (Noynoy). Labas siya sa usapan na 'to kasi buhay siya kaya niyang ipagtanggol ang sarili niya pero hindi kaya ng nanay at tatay ko, pero ako buhay na buhay," she said.

[Translation: They have never disrespected you because they're dead. My brother never disrespected you. He's out of the question because he's alive and he can defend himself but my parents aren't. I am very much alive.]

Uson has repeatedly called critics of the current administration "dilawan" [yellow] in reference to the color of ribbons, streamers and shirts used by the opposition against Marcos, and also the color representing Noynoy Aquino's political party.

"Sobra ka na eh yung ginawa mo, ang mga sinaktan mo, mahal na mahal ko. Diretsahan na. Gusto mo ng kaaway ako I'm ready anytime, anywhere, harapan. Gusto magdebate? I'm ready," she added.

[Translation: You're too much. What you've done, the people you've hurt are my loved ones. This is the last straw. If you want someone to fight, I'm ready anytime, anywhere, face-to-face. You want a debate? I'm ready]

Aquino said she is speaking to the public, not as the known celebrity, but as the daughter of two people who valiantly defended the country to their graves.

"Tintanggal ko po yung Kris Aquino na naging celebrity... Anak ako at nanay ako[I am a daughter, I am a mother]...This is really not about me. This is about the legacy of two people I really love. This is about Ninoy Aquino and Cory Aquino, and this is about the a woman who never knew them but who continues na hindi tumitigil na bastusin ang pangalan ng mga magulang ko [Who never stops disrespecting my parents' name]. Tama na girl ako na lang kayang kaya ko [Enough girl, attack me instead, I can take it]," she said.

Uson has yet to respond to Aquino's latest statement.

In an earlier statement posted on Instagram, Aquino said her anger intensified against Uson because she relived the loss of her father through her attacks.

"Alam mo ba kung ano ang ginawa mo? Sinariwa mo ang sugat sa puso ng isang batang 12 years old nung pinaslang ng walang kalaban-laban ang kanyang ama [You know what you did? You opened the wounds of a girl who was only 12 years old when her father was killed defenselessly]," her caption read.

Duterte on Kris-Mocha rift

Upon his arrival in Manila, Duterte said early Wednesday that "with all due respect, patay na 'yung tao [the man is dead]."

But he was not direct if he agreed with Uson's way of defending him and suggested that the two are "woman" enough to settle the issue.

"The logical answer is to ask my daughter if she was also hurt," he said, referring to Davao City Mayor "Inday" Sara Duterte-Carpio.

"I expect my second daughter to say something about it in front of me. Kaya ayaw ko muna umuwi, pakalmahin muna natin. [That's why I don't want to go home yet. Let's wait for her to calm down]," Duterte added, referring to youngest daughter Veronica "Kitty" Duterte.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  Your vehicle's motor oil, it is said, is considered as its lifeblood. With the engine's numerous moving parts, keeping it well lubricated is a must.

And while you may hear and read a load of information about motor oil, keep in mind that not everything you take in is true. There are some myths out there that tend to mislead people into thinking that these are the right things to do. Which ones are they, you ask?

1. It has been said that one should change oil every 5,000kms. The truth of the matter is that the interval varies depending on the vehicle type: make and model. While some makes do require a 5,000km interval between oil changes, there are marques that extend this to 10,000kms. It would be best to check your owner's manual and service booklet to see which one your vehicle needs.

2. It has also been said that you don't need to change your oil filter when getting an oil change. This is absolutely false. The simple logic behind this is to help prevent contaminants from seeping into the fresh oil that is now in your engine.

3. Another myth that most motorists tend to believe is that once the engine oil is black, it's time to flush out the system. While this may have been true before, this doesn't necessarily apply today. Dark colored engine oil is a sign that the oil has been absorbing dirt that would otherwise have been deposited in the engine. This is what most modern motor oils are designed to do-to clean the engine. So relax and simply follow your owner's manual for the recommended oil change interval.

4. When it comes to using fully synthetic motor oils, there is this notion that switching back to regular, conventional oil is not advisable as it will damage your engine. Again, this is not true. It is okay to switch back and forth between fully synthetic and conventional oils. Do make sure, however, that the viscosity is the same and meets the requirements specified in the vehicle's owner's manual.

5. Speaking of synthetic engine oils, those old enough may recall that this type of motor oil used to cause seals to shrink, thus leading to oil leaks. This, of course, is not the case with today's modern engine oils. While they do clean the powerplant, they won't harm the seals and keep them intact. If, however, you drive an older vehicle that is at least 15 years of age, be wary about using fully synthetic oil as this can wash out sludge in the seals. As this is used as a blocker to compensate for any cracks in the engine, this can lead to oil leakage. Better ask a mechanic first to check your car's compatibility with the right synthetic oil.

6. It has been said that the "W" in the package stands for weight. Of course, any gearhead knows that "W" is short for Winter. And yes, the two numbers before and after the letter "W" represent the viscosity or the thickness of oil. The number before the letter "W" represents the viscosity of the oil at low temperature. The second number that comes after the "W" represents the viscosity of the oil at normal operating condition. The higher the number, the more viscous or thicker the oil is. It is important to follow the correct viscosity grade required by your car as indicated in its manual. Choosing too low viscosity grade may not provide the required engine protection as the oil can get too thin. Choosing too high viscosity grade could also hamper oil circulation as oil is too thick thereby reducing fuel efficiency.

So there you have it. Get to know your engine oil like you would your vehicle. After all, your vehicle can't run without it.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5)  The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas commemorated World Environment Day on Monday with the inauguration of their project, "Environmental Jesus."

"Environmental Jesus" is a statue of a crucified Jesus Christ created from confiscated materials culled during police operations and debris from disasters that hit the region.

The image was made to be symbolic of the region, their police officers' commitment to protect the country, and the nation's plight against environmental issues.

The six rifles molded into the image represent the six provinces in Eastern Visayas. The two chainsaws represent the PNP 8's to uphold humanity and despise against man-made destruction.

Meanwhile, the five mufflers used on the image represent the five environmental problems in the country, namely, pollution, global warming, overpopulation, natural resources depletion, and waste disposal.

The statue was created by metal sculptor Lucky Salayog, from Aurora, Isabela.

Salayog used mortar and rifle grenades to create the nails for the image while the body of Jesus was made of retrieved pistols.

The sculptor also recycled axes, saw mill blades, bolo, a water tank, chain, dynamite, barbed wire, engine parts, fishing troll, and fine fish nets to create the rest of the statue.

"Environmental Jesus" is open for public viewing. The statue is erected at the top of the mountain inside the police regional office in Camp Kangleon, Palo.

Tacloban-based correspondent Wilmark Amazona contributed to this report.Main entrance of the former Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard. Los Angeles Public Library photo by Gary Leonard.



By Stephen Sachs

Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of the shooting of Robert Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. I was nine years old on June 4th, 1968. The morning RFK died two days later, the teachers and staff of my elementary school ushered all students out of our classrooms and lined us up to stand before the flag pole in our school courtyard, the flag at half-mast, in his honor.

Even so, another day twenty years later is more vivid for me.

On a sunny afternoon in 1989, I was a young actor in LA driving eastbound on Wilshire Blvd. As my beat-up blue Camaro crossed Normandie Avenue, I glanced to my right. The old Ambassador Hotel loomed ahead, its once glamorous sheen long faded and worn down like a relic from a distant age. The hotel once glistened as a crown on 23 acres of lawn lined with palm trees, the sweeping driveway curving toward the fabled entranceway where legendary movie stars once stepped out of long black limousines to drink, dine and dance at the Coconut Grove. Now, the stately Ambassador Hotel was closed to the public and empty. The property had just been purchased by Donald J. Trump, a brash hotel and casino magnate from Manhattan, who planned to demolish the historic Ambassador and construct a 125-story Trump office tower.

Although I had never seen it, the Ambassador Hotel was imprinted in my imagination and part of my family conversation at the dinner table for years. My father had reported on the Sirhan trial as a CBS newsman in 1969. I had closely studied dozens of photographs with my father of The Embassy Ballroom where Kennedy gave his final speech, and the kitchen pantry where the fatal shots were fired. I knew the ground plan of the Ambassador like the back of my hand. But I had never been inside.

I yanked the steering wheel of my Camaro to the right and pulled into the long curving driveway bending up toward the storied hotel. I quickly parked, cut off the engine and hopped out. Eyeing the front entrance, the enormous landmark seemed empty. Pickup trucks and construction equipment stood outside, but not one soul in sight. The front doors were open.

Even with the afternoon sun streaming in, the old lobby was dark and musty. The ornate front desk curved to my left, crystal light fixtures laced with dust hung above. A beefy workman in a white hard hat strode toward me, a load of metal piping hoisted on his shoulder. I strutted by him with purpose. He ignored me, assuming I belonged there. I did belong there. And knew exactly where I was going.

The heavy wood doors of the Embassy Ballroom groaned with a weathered ache as I pushed them open. The large hall was empty. Quiet. Three stately chandeliers still hung from the curved ceiling. The surrounding walls still curtained, masking the dull mirrors behind.

My footsteps echoed as I crossed the cavernous ballroom toward the stage where Kennedy gave his final speech. I stepped onto the platform, walking to the front of the stage to the spot where Bobby stood at the podium in the glare of TV cameras after winning the California primary ("And now it's on to Chicago, and let's win there"). From the stage, even peering out into a dark, empty ballroom, it was easy to see the hall packed with hundreds of jubilant campaign workers with balloons, waving signs, cheering with shouts of hope.

That night, in what would be his final public words, Bobby said, "What I think is quite clear is that we can work together. And that what has been going on in the United States over the period of the last three years -- the division, the violence, the disenchantment with our society, the division, whether it's between black and white, between the poor and the more affluent or between age groups or over the war in Vietnam -- we can start to work together. We are a great country and a selfless country and a compassionate country. And I intend to make that my basis for running in the next few months."

I then turned from the stage, as he did, and walked to the rear of the stage and out the door on the right to the kitchen. I passed through the door and stepped down a narrow ramp into the pantry. The kitchen was vacant, dirty and dilapidated like the galley of a sunken ocean liner. But there, to the right, was the row of ice machines and the spot where Bobby fell. The pantry, once exploding with terrified shrieks of pandemonium, was now as silent as a tomb.



LAPL photo by Tom Zimmerman.



Shortly after my pilgrimage to the Ambassador, Donald Trump announced his scheme to tear down the hotel and build, he boasted to the press, "the biggest building in the world." The world-record skyscraper would overshadow everything else in the neighborhood, a towering testament to Trump's ambition.

Trump's plan for the property was opposed by the Los Angeles Board of Education and the Los Angeles Unified School District, who wanted to build a much-needed school on the site. Harkening back to the militant 1960's, protesters outside the Ambassador in the 1990's chanted "Dump Trump" and carried signs saying, "Public need over private greed." After a decade of legal and financial battling, the District got the land and Los Angeles got its school. Today Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools, a kindergarten-through-12th-grade campus, is there. Not a towering shrine to Donald Trump.

Fifty years is a long time ago. But 1968 and 2018 seem much the same. We are still a divided nation, ensnared in an endless war overseas we can't seem to escape. Racism, poverty, and the environmental issues are more urgent than ever. And the man who wanted to turn the place of Robert Kennedy's death into a colossal skyscraper named after himself is now President of the United States.

"If there is one overriding reality in this country, it is the danger that we have an erosion of a sense of national decency," Kennedy said. "Make no mistake. Decency is at the heart of the matter.... Poverty in this country is indecent. Illiteracy is indecent. The death or maiming of brave young men in the swamps of Asia, that is also indecent." Our nation lost more than a candidate in that hotel pantry fifty years ago. Its voice of youthful moral conscience and hope for change was silenced.

Today, decency and compassion are hard to find in Washington. Civility in government has gone missing. Hate-speak replaced eloquence on the campaign trail long ago. What would Robert Kennedy make of our world of politics today?

From the ashes of Bobby's murder site, a campus giving hope to our city's children has risen. From evil, can come good. The truth is simple but not always easy.

"What we need in the United States is not division, "Bobby Kennedy said two months before he died. "What we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country."

"This, in my judgment, in the year 1968, is a time to create, not to destroy. And that is why I run for President of the United States."

The time to create, not to destroy, is now.Metro Manila (CNN Philipines, June 5)  The Philippines conducted 85 diplomatic actions on the South China Sea dispute since President Rodrigo Duterte took office, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

However, the DFA did not specify what incidents the actions covered, as well as if all these actions were directed to China.

DFA Undersecretary Ernesto Abella in a statement said 35 of the 85 actions were undertaken by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. Cayetano took over the DFA post after Perfecto Yasay's appointment was rejected last year by the Commission on Approintments due to questions about his citizenship.

READ MORE: Duterte gov't filed 'dozens' of protests vs. China's activities in South China Sea, officials say

"We asserted our rights numerous times in bilateral consultations, in face to face meetings and in written documents," Abella said.

Abella added the DFA supports Cayetano and Duterte's recent statements on fighting for the country's sovereign and territorial rights in the contested waters.

China has refused to observe the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which largely ruled in favor of the Philippines' maritime rights and rejected China's position that it has historic rights over virtually the entire South China Sea. Last month, several Chinese bomber planes conducted landing and take-off exercises on China's outposts in the South China Sea.

"It is important to understand that in diplomatic engagement, it is the content that matters, in whatever form it is conveyed," he said.

The DFA has not disclosed the details of these protests despite calls from critics and lawmakers for them to be made known to the public to allay concerns.

"While some critics may nitpick, it is important that our gains are not only conserved but that our national interest thrives, as a careful accounting will show," the statement added.

Increasing Chinese activity in the waters has prompted the United States to sail two warships in the area. Amid verbal tensions between Washington and Beijing, Duterte has opted not to take sides, in line with warmer ties with China.More than 10 years ago Liz Clark left Southern California aboard a 40-foot sailboat. She had recently graduated from UCSB with a degree in environmental studies and was headed south to Panama and then across the Pacific Ocean to Tahiti. She sailed with friends and family at times but was mostly alone  eventually joined by a cat. Once she arrived in the South Pacific she spent several years sailing and surfing among the islands. She met fellow travelers and local families and became increasingly aware of the fragility of the marine environment. Her sailing log became the foundation for a memoir, Swell: A Sailing Surfer's Voyage of Awakening, published this year by Patagonia. She also produced a short documentary, Steer With Your Heart: A Film from the Voyage of Swell. Clark agreed to discuss her voyage and how she put together a written and visual memoir.

Q: Steer With Your Heart: A Film from the Voyage of Swell flows through topics in a stream-of-consciousness fashion. Did you have this film in mind when you set out?

A: Not really; I was more into writing about my experiences than filming them when I set out. I liked the way I could be fully present in an experience and then write about it later, versus having a camera rolling with me all the time. I did capture footage from time to time, but I didn't know how to edit or make films, so I was accumulating this footage for almost nine years until my friend Teva Perrone, who lived on the island where I was writing my book, wanted to help me turn it into a short film.

Q: What were some of the challenges of documenting something so personal?

A: I'm an introvert, so sharing my truest self in front of the rolling camera is not something that comes easily to me, but I tried to see this like any of the other challenges of the voyage and do my best to share my authentic self in hopes of inspiring others to hear their hearts calls. But beyond this, the challenges of documenting my voyage are many. As a captain, my first priority is making sure the boat is well-maintained, that we are safe. I must be vigilant at sea, deal with sail changes, navigation, route planning, etc. So film documentation gets a back seat to all of those things. But I realized that visual media touches a different spectrum of people than writing and can spread inspiration in a whole new way. So I did my best to gather footage of these amazing experiences little by little, in hopes of creating something that would convey some of what I was seeing and learning and feeling out there. But it's not like you get to go back to a hotel at night and shower up, charge your camera batteries for the next day, and get a good night's sleep  the adventure is nonstop, sometimes there's not enough power from the solar panels to charge the camera batteries, I'm constantly battling corrosion from being in such a harsh environment, trying to capture cool shots can be dangerous, and it's tough just trying to motivate myself to pick up the camera when I'm super exhausted from overnight passages.

"My voyage was born out of passion to surf the world and find a way to live lighter on the planet," writes Liz Clark.

Q: In the film you express being a part of the wildness and magic of the world. Was there a moment that sticks out that first helped you connect to that?

A: I think it was more of a gradual understanding that came out of living so close to nature and often at her mercy  frequent encounters with wildlife, the oceans moods, being alone out there and learning myself and my truths. And feeling freed from the norms of modern society that often felt constricting. Chasing this dream put me in so many vulnerable situations, but I always found a way through it, and that helped me understand the magic of following your heart.

Q: Do you have any thoughts for people working with video gear on sailboats or in marine environments?

A: For an amateur like me, sticking to simple, rugged equipment was essential to me actually getting the camera out to film. Almost all of the footage for this film was shot with a GoPro camera. The GoPro cameras are easy to work, they take up virtually no space, and they have always endured well in the harsh marine environments I expose them to, plus they produce high-quality images. So I would say going with a compact camera that will be easy to have with you often has its benefits.

Q: You mention in the film how you came to feel very connected to the world as a result of all the help and smiles you got along the way. Were you wary of people at the outset of the voyage? Do you remember a particular point in which you began to feel confident that you would receive the support from people you encountered?

A: Being raised in Southern California I was brought up with a healthy caution of strangers. And when I worked as a bartender in Santa Barbara before leaving on the trip, I heard every sort of horror story and reason that I should not try to go out and live this dream. I was constantly being warned of pirates, thieves, bad men. But right after crossing the border into Mexico, I encountered very friendly, helpful people. Mexican people showed me kindness and generosity and grace at every turn down the west coast. Plus, the boating community is always looking out for one another, and neither of these experiences changed as I moved through Central America and into the South Pacific. I took simple precautions like not going out alone at night in a new place, and dressing like a tomboy so not to attract extra attention, and moving away from any situation that didn't feel right, but I quickly realized that the overwhelming majority of people I met were going to be kind and supportive.

Swell under sail. Jody MacDonald

Plastic pollution on a remote beach in French Polynesia. MacKenzie Clark

Q: Both the book and the film describe an environmental awakening. You had an academic background in science and the environment but it does seem as though your awareness of environmental issues sharpened over the course of the voyage. Can you describe some things you encountered that influenced your perception of the environment?

A: I constantly saw plastic pollution in bays and ports, as well as out at sea. Every sort  bigger items like plastic bottles, balloons, discarded fishing nets and buoys, along with smaller bits of broken down plastics that would swirl in the borders of currents. I saw overfishing and decline of fisheries  from giant tuna purse seiners, to smaller boats poaching in marine protected areas, to disregard for fish size or breeding times by local fishermen. It made me realize how selective we must be as seafood consumers if we want our grandchildren to be able to enjoy seafood. Ive watched coral reef health decline in the Pacific  drastically in the last five years with the bleaching events from our warmer, more acidic oceans due to climate change. And Ive witnessed sea levels rising, and island populations having to mitigate higher tides and salt water contaminating their groundwater sources, to facing having to leave altogether. These are all reasons that Ive chosen to use my voice more and more for activism for our planet and for these people who are being affected, but don't have a voice to influence change. Not everyone can experience what I've seen first-hand, so I feel a responsibility to spread awareness and be a leader in the movement for sustainable, earth-conscious living.

Q: Many coastal sailors consider longer voyages. You actually did it and have faced a multitude of dangerous moments  and mechanical issues. Have your fears eased with experience? Was it helpful to sail with friends and family in the beginning?

A: Yes and no. Im certainly more confident as a captain and I know the ins and outs of my boat now, which makes going to sea less scary. And I've proven to myself that I will find a way to deal with whatever comes up mechanically or otherwise in terms of equipment. But my sea miles have also taught me that it's important to maintain a sincere respect for the ocean. Without this healthy dose of fear I think people can get too comfortable and cut corners. I've seen how quickly things can go wrong, which keeps me on my toes, making sure to prevent problems and prepare as much as possible before leaving safe harbor. And yes it was super helpful to have different friends and family with me at the beginning as I was gaining confidence as a captain.

Learning to sail Swell upwind. Shannon Switzer Swanson

Facing fears at Teahupo'o,Tahiti. Tim McKenna

Q: You sailed to Tahiti, paddled out at Teahupoo and describe a wonderful session with Raimana. Thats pretty amazing. What was the most surprising thing about Teahupoo?

A: Yea, having Raimana's encouragement was everything out there. The most surprising thing to me about Teahupoo was the amount of water that moves through the wave and lineup  it's incredible  and how the swell just seems to spring up like mountains out of nowhere just in front of the break because of the way they hit the reef shelf out of very deep water.

Q: Both the book and the film relate a voyage that is enlivened by personal growth. Was there a point when the narrative became clear to you?

A: Early on in the voyage, I realized that I wouldnt succeed at my sailing and surfing dream unless I faced the things about myself that I needed to work on, so personal growth became a big focus of the journey. Living on the edge of safety and certainty all the time pushed me to seek to understand my connection to the universe and alignment with my truth. In seeking self-awareness and doing the work on myself, I felt connection to something greater than myself that binds all of us together, and soon intuitively felt that my growth was/is a big part of my purpose here on Earth, and everyone's purpose. So it felt right to make this a significant part of the narrative.

Q: Can you describe your writing process?

A: My writing process for the book started with a lot of procrastination, haha ... and by looking back through my blogs and personal journals and chronologically piecing together significant stories that either played into the personal growth theme, or into the adventure, surfing, sailing, love, or the story lines about my relationship with my parents, etc. Thankfully I worked with a fabulous editor, Sharon Avrutick, who really helped me shape and structure the narrative and chapters effectively. Getting going was really a challenge. I had a huge amount of writing that I just squashed together and then had to trim and edit, and fill in here and there to make it connect and flow. I wrote the book mostly on my boat, and at a desk in the forest that my partner built for me. I would surf in the morning, then try to write until I couldn't sit still anymore.

Heading home in the inflatable car. Jody MacDonald

Q: You describe overcoming significant relationship issues and being scared for your physical well-being. You solved it with courage and the support from those around you. How did that experience affect you?

A: That experience affected me enormously. It gave me so much compassion for other women (and men) in that kind of situation, because if someone as independent and capable as me can find myself in that nightmare, anyone can. It helped me stop judging people I cross in everyday situations because I realized that I can never really know what someone is going through. This experience also helped me understand what it really means to love myself, and love someone else too. I also gained a huge amount of compassion for other beings in situations of vulnerability. It was one of the reasons I stopped fishing and became vegan (I only eat fish very rarely now), because I couldnt bear to put another being through the fear that I experienced in my situation  even a fish. Going vegan is by far the best thing I've ever done for my own heart, for the animals, for the earth, the ocean, and for my health, so I'm grateful this gave me the extra push to stop eating meat just because it tastes good. I understand what it's like to feel like I'm at the mercy of someone's violence, and don't wish that upon any being. Eating in alignment with my truth has made my life so much richer!

Q: What are your plans for the future?A vote to kick Tesla Chairman and Chief Executive Elon Musk out of his chairmans seat failed at Teslas annual shareholder meeting Tuesday. So did a push to reject three board members who were up for reelection to new terms.

The company said the votes failed by a super majority but offered no numbers. The final tally will be revealed in government filings within four days, the company said.

CtW Investment Group, which backed the proposals, was quick to respond. Tesla must release a detailed vote tally as quickly as possible, CtW Executive Director Dieter Waizenegger said via email. Given the substantial insider holdings, these results are not a surprise. Only once we have the specifics will it be possible to interpret the expectations of Teslas unaffiliated investors.

Meantime, Elon Musk told shareholders that the troubled Model 3 electric sedan will hit a production rate of 5,000 a week by the end of June. The last several months, he said, were the most hellish in his life. A new third assembly line Tesla is building at the companys Fremont, Calif., plant should help achieve the goal, he said.

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While he discussed his own production problems, he also laid into other automakers.

It may sound cheesy, he told shareholders, but we build our cars with love. Competing cars, he said, are created based on the needs of automakers finance and marketing departments with no soul.

The sooner Musk can boost production, the easier it will be to try to raise new cash from debt or equity investors to keep the company solvent.

Musk said Tuesday he wont need to raise incremental equity or debt this year. But most analysts say hell need billions of dollars more by the end of 2019 to avoid drastically reducing his ambitions for the company. Tesla plans an electric semi truck, a crossover vehicle and a new manufacturing plant in China.

Although Musk said we dont want to make an announcement exactly, he said Tesla will offer details on the new factory as soon as next month.

On the vote for directors, James Murdoch, Antonio Gracias, and Kimbal Musk, Elons younger brother, won new three-year terms. A nonbinding advisory proposal to depose Musk as chairman failed.

Shareholder activist Jing Zhao had introduced the chairman measure, having maintained that the company is too big to have one person serve as both chairman and chief executive.

CtW, which offers investment advice and services for union pension funds, sought to push out the directors. The group said that Musk and Murdoch  the 21st Century Fox chief executive who also serves on three other boards  are spread too thin.

Musk is famous for his wide array of interests. His roles include chairman and chief executive at Tesla; chairman and chief executive of rocket-maker SpaceX; chief executive of Neuralink, a developer of brain-computer interfaces; and founder of Boring Co., a tunnel transportation company.

Opponents contended that venture capitalist Gracias, officially the boards lead independent investor, is not really independent, in part because hes done business with the company.

Musk is under heavy pressure to boost production of the make-or-break Model 3. For years hed been forecasting an annual production rate of at least 400,000 Model 3s by now. While the company said it is getting its manufacturing act together, only about 8,000 Model 3s were sold in the first quarter of this year.

Although the company sells the luxury Model S and Model X, along with storage batteries and solar power systems, its future depends on high-volume sales of the Model 3. Production has been hobbled by what Musk has conceded as an over-aggressive attempt to automate the companys Fremont car assembly plant and its battery factory in Sparks, Nev.

One of the biggest mistakes we made was making things that are super easy for a person to do but super hard for a robot to do, Musk said Tuesday.

The Fremont plant has suffered labor unrest, and Model 3 owners have complained about a wide variety of quality problems.

Short sellers, investors who bet a companys stock will plunge, say a failed Model 3 will drive the stock price toward zero.

Plenty of current stockholders disagree. The companys market value of $49 billion puts it higher than Fords. Teslas stock price closed down 1.9% on Tuesday, to $291.13, before the vote results and Musks comments. In after-hours trading, the shares rose 1%.

The company in May reported that demand remains high for the Model 3, with 450,000 reservations made in the form of refundable $1,000 deposits. On Monday, however, a company called Second Measure that analyzes credit and debit card purchase data estimated that 23% of all Model 3 deposits in the U.S. had been refunded.

Tesla said its own numbers differ but declined to reveal them.

Musk also said body shops are being added to Tesla repair facilities. Tesla online forums are filled with complaints from new owners about body panels that dont fit.

russ.mitchell@latimes.com

Twitter: @russ1mitchell

UPDATES:

5:23 p.m.: This article was updated with a comment from CtW Investment Group.

4:25 p.m.: This article was updated with additional information from Elon Musks question-and-answer session with shareholders.

This article was originally published at 9:55 a.m.Billionaire conservative icon David Koch is stepping down from the Koch brothers network of business and political activities.

The 78-year-old New York resident is suffering from deteriorating health, according to a letter that older brother Charles Koch sent to company officials Tuesday morning.

Charles Koch wrote that he is deeply saddened by his brothers retirement. David has always been a fighter and is dealing with this challenge in the same way, he wrote.

David Koch is leaving his roles as executive vice president and board member for Koch Industries and a subsidiary, Koch Chemical Technology group, where he served as chairman and chief executive. Koch is also stepping down as chairman of the board for the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, the charity related to the brothers primary political organization.

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Charles Koch had assumed a more visible leadership role in the brothers affairs in recent years. He will continue to serve as CEO of Koch Industries and the unofficial face of the networks political efforts.

Democrats have assailed the Koch brothers for their outsized influence in conservative politics over the last decade. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid regularly attacked Republicans for what he called a Koch addiction.

The Kochs have also clashed with the Trump administration at times.

Citing concerns about Donald Trumps style and substance, the network refused to endorse either presidential candidate in the 2016 election. And while the brothers have praised Trumps policies on taxes, deregulation and healthcare, they have aggressively attacked the Republican administrations trade policies. On Monday, the Koch network announced a multimillion-dollar campaign to oppose Trumps tariffs and highlight the benefit of free trade.

Using the money they made from their Kansas-based family business empire, the Koch brothers have created what is probably the nations most powerful political organization with short- and long-term goals. Their network has promised to spend $400 million to shape the 2018 midterm election. They have also devoted significant time and resources to strengthening conservative influence on college campuses, in the Latino community and in the nonprofit sector.

David Koch, who served as the Libertarian Partys vice presidential candidate in 1980, had begun to focus more on philanthropy in recent years.

The Manhattan resident donated $150 million to New York Citys Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 2015, the largest gift in the organizations history. He has also given $185 million in total donations to MIT, his alma mater.

In an April interview with the Washington Examiner, Charles Koch said of his younger brother: David is much more political than I am.

Charles continued: David is a much better engineer than I am and is much more into the arts and social life. Obviously hes got to be or he wouldnt live in Manhattan. And David is much more into elective politics than I am.

In Tuesdays letter, Charles Koch said his brothers guidance and loyalty, especially in our most troubled times, has been unwavering.

David has never wanted anything for himself that he hasnt earned, as his sole desire has always been to contribute, he wrote.Republicans are considering a fix to a provision in their new tax law that they acknowledge could inadvertently penalize victims of sexual harassment in the workplace.

But congressional gridlock before midterm elections in November means theres no guarantee that the problem will be corrected quickly, if at all.

President Trumps tax overhaul eliminates the deduction that companies could take when they settled sexual harassment cases and included nondisclosure agreements, which generally keep details secret as a condition of the payout. A misplaced word by Republican tax writers may mean that victims accusing people such as Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misdeeds also lose the ability to deduct their legal expenses.

A senior House Republican aide who works on tax policy acknowledged the provision has unintended outcomes and is being discussed as a technical correction to the tax law. A senior Senate Republican aide said lawmakers are examining the issue. Both aides were granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.

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In the meantime, plaintiffs attorneys are buzzing about how the laws ambiguity is worrying their clients, who fear that coming forward about sexual harassment could come at a much greater cost.

Theres this concern that because of the 2017 tax act, that somehow were going to get back to that original system which obviously penalizes, to an extraordinary extent, against the victim, said Genie Harrison, who represents one of Weinsteins former personal assistants in a sexual harassment lawsuit.

Thats not what the law was supposed to do. Republican lawmakers on the Senate Finance Committee agreed in mid-November to include an amendment from Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to help make the use of nondisclosure agreements less attractive after a flurry of sexual misconduct allegations.

The backlash against nondisclosure agreements has been fueled by examples such as Weinstein and former Fox News anchor Bill OReilly, where the contracts helped hide allegations of misconduct.

Weinstein scandal puts nondisclosure agreements in the spotlight 

California, Alaska and Washington are among more than a dozen states considering laws that prohibit confidential settlements entirely or add new limits.

So far, about 300 executives and other high-profile people, mostly men, have been accused of sexual harassment or other improper behavior related to the #MeToo movement, according to New York crisis counseling company Temin & Co., based on an ongoing count of actions pulled from media coverage and other public information. That number doesnt include actions taken that werent made public, according to Temin.

The original provision made clear that the deduction change applied only to the company, not to the victim, according to Steven Sandberg, a spokesman for Menendez. Republican tax writers used the word chapter rather than section in the amendment, which could be interpreted as broadly applying the elimination to victims.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is continuing to meet with committee members to address any concerns with the new law and examine potential technical corrections, should they be needed, said Julia Lawless, a spokeswoman for the panel.

Menendez is trying to get an amendment through the Finance Committee or a new law passed to make that clear, Sandberg said in an email. The proposed bill to clarify that victims writeoffs are exempt is called the Repeal the Trump Tax Hike on Victims of Sexual Harassment Act of 2018.

Funding bill

With the midterm elections looming, the prospects of a technical revision to the tax law  passed without a single Democratic vote  are far from certain. Republicans control 51 seats in the Senate, and 60 votes would be required for a bill to correct any errors. Democrats have signaled theyre reluctant to approve any legislation that would fix a tax bill they never signed on for  much like Republicans did after Democrats tried to modify the Affordable Care Act. Or they may ask for something in return that Republicans are unwilling to provide.

Another option may be tacking a fix onto the government funding bill that has to pass by the end of September to avert a government shutdown. The previous funding bill, which Trump signed in March, included a correction to a measure in the tax law affecting farmers  so far, the only other time Republicans have highlighted a specific provision in need of a change. Some Democrats agreed to back the spending bill since it included other changes viewed as policy victories for both parties.

If the rule isnt clarified soon, theres a risk future victims will stay silent, said Harrison, who practices in Los Angeles. Theres less incentive if winning the case means an untenable tax burden, she added.

For example, in a $100,000 settlement, costs and fees might take $45,000, with $55,000 going to the victim. Without the deduction, the victim would pay taxes on the entire $100,000, which may mean a tax bill equal to or larger than their payout, she said. Defendants this year have said they arent willing to add additional money to compensate for the potential added tax penalty, Harrison said.

Other claims

Its also unclear what happens in cases that include both sexual harassment and other claims, such as pay bias or gender discrimination, said Bruce Schwartz, a benefits and tax law attorney at Jackson Lewis in White Plains, N.Y. Legal costs associated with settlements for other forms of bias should still be tax deductible, but the ratio may be unclear, he said.

Trying to change behavior through tax law isnt a new idea, nor is it usually very effective, said Schwartz. When voters were upset about high salaries paid to chief executives, lawmakers limited the deductibility of CEO pay to the first $1 million. Companies then just shifted more of the compensation away from salary, he said.

Its what I would call Congress legislating in response to newspaper headlines and using the Internal Revenue Code to enforce social policy, Schwartz said. To use the Internal Revenue Code to do that is useless.

Even if the nondisclosure ambiguity is fixed by Congress, the broader rule could still keep many victims quiet. Thats because it will be more expensive for a company to keep the details of the case confidential  an option some victims may actually prefer, said Elisa Lintemuth, an employment lawyer at Dykema Gossett in Grand Rapids, Mich., who represents companies in cases.

I do think it will change how cases are litigated and settled, said Lintemuth, who discussed uncertainty on a recent conference call with company clients. If a company can no longer deduct its settlement and attorney fees, they might be more likely to roll the dice and proceed with litigation even if attorney fees will be more expensive. They can have the option of being vindicated in court and deduct all their fees.

Green and Kapur write for Bloomberg.The myriad problems with the U.S. healthcare system arent the fault of any one person. But every so often, an industry executive spouts something so wrong-headed, it shines a helpful light on what were up against.

Heather Bresch, chief executive of the drug company Mylan, maker of EpiPens, stepped into it Monday in a CNN podcast.

After about 40 minutes of benign, getting-to-know-you questions, interviewer Poppy Harlow finally got around to asking about the lingering stink that surrounds Bresch having jacked up the price of life-saving EpiPens by more than 400%.

Mylan didnt invent the devices. It bought the rights to sell them in 2007.

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Bresch tap danced a little, talking about how the price hike was justified because of a brand-awareness campaign and a package redesign. She then slid past her money-grubbing behavior and focused instead on her companys sensitive and caring response to public outrage.

After hearing that people were angry about Mylan raising the price of a two-pack of EpiPens from about $100 to more than $600, Bresch said Mylan didnt hesitate to bring out a generic version of the EpiPen that sold for just $300.

The public needed a solution and wanted a solution, she said. And so before we did anything else, before I testified in Congress, before I did anything, we came to the market with a generic and cut the price in half.

This is bogus on many levels.

First off, the outrage had been building for months, especially among families who relied on EpiPens to keep children with severe allergies alive. Momentum picked up after Bloomberg ran a story on the price increases in September 2015.

Things didnt really take off, though, until the following summer, in July 2016, when more news outlets started comparing Mylans egregious EpiPen price hikes to the actions of disgraced drug-industry exec Martin Shkreli.

Hes the guy who shamelessly raised the price of a six-decade-old anti-infection drug called Daraprim from $13.50 to $750 a pill.

Shkreli became the poster boy for industry avarice in February 2016 when he refused to testify in Congress, invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination and smirking all the while at frustrated lawmakers.

In August of that year, members of Congress started asking Mylan about the more than 400% markup of EpiPens.

A week later, it was reported that Breschs total compensation as CEO soared by nearly 700%  from $2.5 million in 2007 to almost $19 million in 2015  as EpiPens grew more and more expensive.

It was at this point that Bresch announced an authorized generic EpiPen  that is, manufactured by the same company that makes the name-brand version for twice the price.

When it was released to the public in December 2016, Bresch patted herself on the back for taking decisive action and unprecedented action to help American families.

I asked Mylan if it cared to comment on Breschs version of events. No one got back to me.

Be that as it may, lets just think about that lower-cost alternative, shall we?

If youre catching hell for more than quintupling the price of a drug for which you did no research to create, do you really get points for merely tripling the price? I dont think so.

Moreover, Mylan was profitably selling EpiPens in Canada and Europe for a fraction of the U.S. price.

Again, the company had done no R&D. All it did was purchase the rights to the device.

Yet Mondays CNN podcast gave Bresch plenty of room to define herself as a strong, damn-the-torpedoes corporate leader, the kind of person who wont hesitate to do whats right.

She described the EpiPen scandal as a defining moment that left her a better person.

There is no question it strengthened me, Bresch said. Things happen for a reason.

What reason is that? Unfettered corporate greed?

No. Bresch painted herself as a victim of a broken system.

I wasnt going to be apologetic for operating in the system that existed, she said. What I decided to do was put my effort and energy to  talk about what needed to be fixed.

Bresch added that she hopes she can be part of the solution as President Trump seeks to fulfill repeated pledges to reduce drug prices, although he hasnt announced a single meaningful move.

As for her sky-high increase in pay as she was gouging patients, she said people should be happy that a woman in the drug industry was making as much as the guys. #YouGoGirl.

Id love to say that CNN called Bresch on all this nonsense, but it didnt. It gave her an hours worth of podcast time to sing her own praises and rewrite history.

Harlow wound things up by saying, Finish this sentence for me: I will have succeeded when ...

Bresch didnt hesitate. I will have succeeded when I have done everything I can possibly do to impact how healthcare is delivered.

Last August, Mylan finalized a $465-million settlement with the U.S. Justice Department to resolve claims it overcharged the government for EpiPens by misclassifying them as a generic rather than a branded product. This resulted in the company making smaller rebates to state Medicaid programs.

Mylan misclassified its brand name drug, EpiPen, to profit at the expense of the Medicaid program, acting U.S. Atty. William D. Weinreb said at the time. Taxpayers rightly expect companies like Mylan that receive payments from taxpayer-funded programs to scrupulously follow the rules.

The company admitted no wrongdoing.

Things happen for a reason.

David Lazarus column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5 and followed on Twitter @Davidlaz. Send your tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com.The UCLA Hammer Museums much-anticipated biennial survey of new art produced in the city has just opened its fourth iteration. Made in L.A. 2018 is the best one yet.

Part of the reason comes from simple, dramatic contrast. Since the shows last outing in 2016, American society has been plunged into a period of destructive nastiness and malice. Art is inherently its opposite.

Artists have been responding. These 33  up from 26 last time  were chosen with a keen attention to the resonance of their work within our socially disturbed time. Rather than art with partisan political agendas, Hammer curators Anne Ellegood and Erin Christovale have chosen smart work that, for the most part, feels acutely attuned to our beleaguered moment.

Emblematic is the big mural that wraps the stairwell at the museums front entry. At first look, you might not notice how.

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In a palette of breezy pastels and tertiary hues, Eamon Ore-Giron painted hard-edge, geometric shapes that seem to fuse landscape elements represented as natural, industrial and schematic. In one lovely mural passage, a precision sequence of disks that evokes factory mass-production within a diagrammatic modern setting also conjures the phases of the moon.

Muralism has a long and venerable history in Los Angeles, home to landmark examples from the 1930s by David Alfaro Siqueiros and Jose Clemente Orozco. (The latters fiery Prometheus at Pomona College, an explosive burst of Expressionist fervor, is the first modern fresco in the United States.) Mexican muralism banished tasteful public decorum for blunt social agitation, essential to its Great Depression era.

Ore-Girons impressive mural interrupts that venerable tradition, responding to its public purpose and commitment in a novel way. The sleek formal rhythms of the Hammer mural are neither monolithic nor combative. Instead, they look to South America and Concrete art, with its cross-fertilization of imported European and indigenous modernisms. The forms draw on diverse pictorial legacies  say, a Uruguayan abstractionist like Joaquin Torres-Garcia and a Swiss one like Max Bill or a Russian like El Lissitzky.

Eamon Ore-Giron, Angelitos Negros, 2018, acrylic (Christopher Knight / Los Angeles Times )

Daniel J. Martinez, The Soviet memorial park in the district of Schonholz..., 2017, digital print (UCLA Hammer Museum )

Apparent influences also include commercial graphic design, the flat and patterned color of Peruvian painter (and occasional muralist) Josue Sanchez Cerron and the aural syncopation of folk and popular music. Right now, in the face of Americas reactionary narrow-mindedness, the works insistent cross-cultural heterogeneity feels joyfully subversive.

One response to a divisive power that clamors for building walls is to refuse by orchestrating artistic border crossings. The refined comeliness of Ore-Girons painting is one seductive method.

Narrative is another. Daniel Joseph Martinez traveled the length of the old Berlin Wall, which once kept Soviet-dominated East Germans from emigrating to democratic West Germany. He photographed himself at 80 spots holding aloft processional banners adorned with the face of Ulrike Meinhof, the Red Army Faction militant, shown at different stages of life  schoolgirl, ingenue, slain terrorist.

Martinezs large-scale photographs are printed in luxurious silvery grays, nodding toward Gerhard Richters great 1988 painting cycle on the brutal Baader-Meinhof gang, as the RAF was also known. The Berlin Wall is long gone, but the indelible memory of the cruelty and persecution that it represented and enforced inevitably invokes the Trump administrations incessant mantra of building a border wall between Mexico and the United States.

Martinez, who is Mexican American, has fashioned a Meinhof processional placard that recalls Catholic saint-banners, which derive from the military standards once carried into battle. Rather than triumphant, these photographs seem to propose that cruel division only serves to create martyrs.

Ore-Girons abstract painting and Martinezs representational photographs occupy very different points on the shows broad spectrum, but both refer back to the alarming social context to which the 2018 biennial is attuned. The only political position staked out is for commitment to deep cultural awareness  to acknowledging that artists are citizens too.

As always, the biennial emphasizes emerging and established but often lesser-known artists. These 33 range in age from 29 to 97  the youngest (textile artist Diedrick Brackens) born in the immediate aftermath of the Reagan Revolutions rightward jolt, the oldest (painter Luchita Hurtado) in the wake of the blistering brutalities of the First World War. Just five were born in Los Angeles, while eight are foreign-born. Urbanisms vigorous cosmopolitanism stands front and center.

Video installations are prominent (there are nine), partly reflecting the easy accessibility now of inexpensive digital equipment. Subjects and formats could not be more diverse.

Among the strongest are Gelare Khoshgozarans quasi-documentary rumination on the strange, pseudo-Middle East towns erected in the California desert as test sites for U.S. military maneuvers; Neha Choksis achingly poetic, four-channel lamentation for the ongoing, perhaps irreversible degradation of Mother Earth (and a yearning to escape it); and, a wicked satire of self-improvement rituals for women who, in Freuds foolish but pervasive misconception, are inherently lacking, by the team of Jade Gordon and Megan Whitmarsh.

James Benning, Still from Found Fragments (scorched earth, Ash 01, RED CLOUD), 2016 (UCLA Hammer Museum )

Christina Quarles, Forced Perspective (And I Kno Its Rigged, But Its tha Only Game in Town), 2018, Acrylic on canvas (Christopher Knight / Los Angeles Times )

Among the elegiac Found Fragments of lost life in James Bennings installation is a ravishing, wall-projected video image of a sun-dappled forest, shot after a devastating recent wildfire. The landscape image, almost completely still, becomes a nearly abstract meditation on life-cycles and the mutability of fearsome tragedy and exquisite beauty.

Dance is seamlessly integrated into a line of six wall-mounted flat-screen video monitors by choreographer Flora Wiegmann. A virtual mural of shifting viewpoints, it exploits camera-work as bodily movement matching that of the depicted dancers. The two-dimensional screens compose a visual field corresponding to the amorphous white space through which the dancers move. All that is solid melts into an aesthetic sensation of pixilation.

Including Ore-Giron, half a dozen compelling painters are here. The complex, hands-on demands of painting perhaps stand as an indicator of a continuing reaction to todays gauzy, enveloping digital ether.

John Houck began as a photographer, but now he is composing abstractions in which camerawork and painting masquerade as one another. The illusions in two-dimensional imagery are contradicted by flat surfaces that hes folded, spindled and otherwise mutilated.

Linda Stark, Self-Portrait with Ray, 2017, oil on canvas over panel (UCLA Hammer Museum )

Luchita Hurtado, Untitled, circa 1976, oil on canvas (UCLA Hammer Museum )

Similarly, several of Linda Starks textured relief paintings fuse female body parts and floral motifs within a physically mottled surface that looks like synthetic skin. A witty self-portrait focuses just above watery eyes onto her forehead, its third eye a picture of her cat inside a pink aura. No iconic pussy hat is shown, but as an image of wisdom implanted squarely in the forehead of a deity, the marvelously eccentric picture is a delight.

Seven lovely Surrealist landscape paintings from the 1970s by Hurtado seem informed by outer-space exploration. A circle of cloud-filled sky surrounded by voluptuous brown hills inverts the famous Apollo 17 photograph of Earth as a big blue marble floating through space. Here, its a void in the Earth that becomes an erotically suggestive spatial atmosphere.

A charming grunge imbues Celeste Dupuy-Spencers clotted pictures  a toppled Confederate statue crumpled like a corpse; a crude man anxiously reading a love letter; smokers indulging their simple, deadly pleasure while idling in a car parked in a trash-filled alley; and, a tightly clustered crowd drowning in a turbulent sea, unable to grasp a nearby lifeline, its arabesque almost decoratively baroque. The quirky paintings, touchingly civilized, are a gentle but firm avowal of humanity during extraordinarily trying times.

Celeste Dupuy-Spencer, Durham, August 14, 2017, 2017. Oil on canvas (UCLA Hammer Museum )

Lauren Halsey, The Crenshaw District Hieroglyph Project (Prototype Architecture), 2018, gypsum, cardboard, acrylic paint (Christopher Knight / Los Angeles Times )

Finally, Christina Quarles paints trompe loeil paintings onto flower-bedecked wallpaper that she has also made, interrupting domestic space with knockout images of nude women entwined with their own and each others bodies, pushing against physical norms. Barely out of art school, she hasnt shown much in L.A., so Quarles ranks as perhaps the biennials most exciting discovery.

Also impressive is Lauren Halseys The Crenshaw District Hieroglyph Project (Prototype Architecture), an imposing square room built of faux-marble walls cobbled together from ordinary gypsum, cardboard and off-white acrylic paint. In this white cube, humility equals grandeur.

As with Halseys current fine installation downtown at the Museum of Contemporary Art, which spins off the Classical motif of Platos Cave, this piece also looks to an ancient source  the Egyptian form of a cenotaph, or empty tomb. The list etched into interior walls includes Trayvon Martin, Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland and Philando Castile, plus dozens of unfamiliar names. A war memorial for 90 bodies buried elsewhere, the monument gathers shades.

At the other end of the spectrum, grim humor marks Charles Longs installation, titled paradigm lost, which mixes sculpture and painting. Clusters of tree stumps appear both petrified and phallic. They are cleverly infused with sly visual references to a Surrealist and Expressionist pantheon of male artists  Munchs face screams, Dalis watches droop, Brancusis torso is another stump, Giacomettis lopsided chariot would only run in circles. Within Longs ruined art-forest, nature and culture pass into history.

Its a sobering sight, until an odd and pleasant realization arises: One-third of the artists in the splendid Made in L.A. 2018 are men, two-thirds are women. Not so long ago, a ratio of women far outnumbering men in a survey exhibition would have been a topic of stunned and enthusiastic comment.

Now its just a number. Women have long outnumbered men in the artist ranks, but institutions have been a drag on reality. Progress has finally been made! A quiet revolution has happened, with its own profound resonance amid todays social strife.

         

Made in L.A. 2018

Where: UCLA Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood

When: Through Sept. 2; closed Mondays

Information: (310) 443-7000, www.hammer.ucla.edu

christopher.knight@latimes.com

Twitter: @KnightLAT

MORE ART:

Iranian art at LACMA: The past wrestles with the present

A Native artist finds his place at the Autry

A preview of the future home of Orange County Museum of ArtMetro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5)  President Rodrigo Duterte allayed fears of South Korean businessmen who want to invest in the Philippines, saying they would be safe in the country.

Speaking at an event in Seoul Tuesday, the President acknowledged the apprehensions of investors, specifically their misgivings about the country's law and order situation.

"I must admit there were some incidents in the past that did not augur well for people to even consider Philippines as an investment area. Like just any other country, we're facing numerous law and order problems including my own national police," he said.

The case of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo grabbed headlines in 2017, after it was discovered that he was killed and cremated right inside police headquarters.

At the event, Duterte assured investors there would be law and order.

"I will not promise you anything but I will force the issue with everybody," he saod.

However, he asked to be given time to enforce changes in the Philippine National Police, saying he would "go to the extreme if he had to."

Duterte also mentioned two government offices which said were the country's "purgatory"  the Customs and Internal Revenue Bureaus.

The President underscored that he has pushed against corruption since he came into office, and has fired many officials because of corruption.

He told businessmen that the chiefs of both agencies are men he trusted and have known for a long time.

He also added investors could call out anyone asking for money.

"Do not give anything. Maybe you can slap him and say, 'Look idiot. I spent money to come here to invest. I have incurred expenses. Do not do that to me because your President says I can kick you in the  in the a**," Duterte said.

Any incidents of such nature could be reported to the ambassador, and the President said "I will do the rest."

He added, "You know what, you think of investments in the Philippines and you need an agent in the Philippines maybe to do some work, consider the President of the Republic of the Philippines as your agent."Mika Brzezinski apologizes for homophobic insult of Pompeo By Tracy Brown Morning Joe co-hosts Mika Brzezinski, left, and Joe Scarborough. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski has apologized for referring to Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo as wannabe dictator President Trumps butt boy. During a segment discussing the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on the MSNBC show Wednesday morning, Brzezinski questioned whether Pompeos comments were the words of a patriot. I understand that Donald Trump doesnt care.  He doesnt care, said Brzezinski. But why doesnt Mike Pompeo care right now? Are the pathetic deflections that we just heard when he appeared on Fox & Friends, is that a patriot speaking? Or a wannabe dictators butt boy? Critics were quick to point out the homophobic nature of the insult, and Brzezinski promptly apologized on Twitter for her super bad choice of words. (While sometimes referring to a person eager to please for personal gain, a butt boy is also understood as a derogatory term for gay men.) I should have said water boy like for football teams or something like that, tweeted Brzezinski. So Sorry! And its not the first time Trumps critics have been called out for relying on homophobic jokes in their efforts to mock the president. Totally agree with you -SUPER BAD choice of words .. I should have said water boy... like for football teams or something like that.. apologize to @SenatorDurbin too! SO SORRY! https://t.co/zIqsGdK3Tk  Mika Brzezinski (@morningmika) December 12, 2018 Facebook

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Baby, Its Cold Outside bites back as fans embrace embattled holiday song Fans are pushing back against the Baby, Its Cold Outside backlash, driving the song to surge in both sales and streaming. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press) Baby, Its Cold Outside got a chilly reception on some airwaves earlier this year, but the seasonal favorite is heating up the charts, thanks to loyal fans who are pushing back against, well, the backlash. The tune has grown controversial in recent years, due to a changing cultural climate and conversations cropping up in the wake of #MeToo, prompting some radio stations to remove the song from airplay. But the tide appears to be turning for Baby, Its Cold Outside. On Monday, San Francisco-area radio station KOIT-FM (96.5) announced that it had returned the song to its rotation after a vast majority of listeners in an online poll voted to have it reinstated. KOITs listeners have spoken, and the overwhelming message is they do want to hear Baby, Its Cold Outside on our station, as they have throughout the years, KOIT program director Brian Figula said in Mondays statement. The radio station was one of several that had excised the song from their playlists, is now among those that reversed their original decision after fan outrage. And its not just on the radio where Baby is gaining ground. Billboards Holiday Digital Song Sales chart for the week of Dec. 15 feature three different versions of the song, with Dean Martins 1959 rendition at No. 2, Idina Menzel and Michael Bubles 2014 duet reentering the chart at No. 29, and Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanels 2003 duet from the Elf soundtrack debuting at No. 41. As for radio stations, they remain dedicated to giving the audience what it wants. More than seven out of every ten listeners who responded said although some lyrics of the song may reflect a different era and a different sensibility than today, still they love the tradition and history of the song, and want to hear it as part of their holiday season, Figulas statement added. At KOIT, we always listen carefully when our listeners take time to comment. In this case, it was very obvious what they wanted us to do. Facebook

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Selena series based on the life of the Tejano singer ordered at Netflix By Los Angeles Times Staff The late Tejano singer Selena was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Grammys. (Photo by Rick Corrales) Netflix is ready to Bidi Bidi Bom Bom. The streaming platform has ordered a new scripted series about the life of famed Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla. Selena: The Series will follow the coming-of-age of a young Selena as her dreams of becoming a professional singer come to fruition, forcing her and her family to make life-changing personal and professional choices. The family of the late singer is involved with the project and will serve as executive producers. Moises Zamora (Star, American Crime) is attached to write and executive-produce the series, which hails from Campanario Entertainment. Selena will always have a lasting place in music history and we feel great responsibility to do justice to her memory. With this series, viewers will finally get the full history of Selena, our family, and the impact she has had on all of our lives, Suzette Quintanilla, Selenas sister, said in a statement. We are excited to partner with Campanario and Netflix to give fans a never-before-seen glimpse at our story and highlight why Selena will remain a legend for generations to come. Selena rose to fame in the late 80s and early 90s with hits like Bidi Bidi Bom Bom and Como La Flor. She was shot and killed in 1995 at the age of 25 by her former fan club manager. Her death came months before she was slated to release her first crossover English-language album, which featured the hit singles I Could Fall in Love and Dreaming of You. Jennifer Lopez famously played the singer in a 1997 biopic, which marked one of Lopezs early breakout roles. More recently, Selena served as the inspiration for a posthumous makeup line for MAC cosmetics that launched in 2016. There is no premiere date yet for the series. Facebook

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Heres how to watch the SAG Award nominations on Wednesday By Nardine Saad Hump day might be a lot more enjoyable this week thanks to Awkwafina, Laverne Cox and the Screen Actors Guild. Cox (Orange Is the New Black and Bad Hair) and Awkwafina (Oceans 8 and Crazy Rich Asians) are teaming up to announce the nominations for the 25th SAG Awards on Wednesday and will hopefully enliven the typical awards-show announcements with their sass and comedic chops. The acting nominees will be revealed at 7 a.m. Pacific time at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. The announcement  being made on TNT, TBS and truTV  will also be carried live on each outlets website and social media pages, as well as the SAG Awards site. Heres when and how to watch: Live on TNT, TBS and TruTV and their websites and social media pages

tntdrama.com/sag-awards

truTV.comsagawards.org

TNTs Facebook, Twitter @TNTdrama and YouTube channel

TBS Facebook, Twitter @tbsnetwork and YouTube channel

The SAG Awards homepage Actresses Awkwafina, left, and Laverne Cox will announce the Screen Actors Guild Award nominees on Wednesday. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris will introduce Awkwafina and Cox. Before that  at 6:50 a.m. Pacific  nominees in the the stunt ensemble categories will be announced by SAG Awards Committee chair JoBeth Williams and committee member Elizabeth McLaughlin during a live webcast on TNT and the SAG Awards websites. The 25th SAG Awards ceremony will be simulcast live on Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. Pacific on TNT and TBS and on the networks mobile and smart TV apps. Facebook

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Hoda Kotb in tears after Kathie Lee Gifford announces Today exit By Nardine Saad Hoda Kotb, left, and Kathie Lee Gifford have co-anchored the Today show since 2008. (Nathan Congleton / NBC) Kathie Lee Giffords announcement that shes leaving NBCs Today show reduced her on-air BFF Hoda Kotb to a sea of tears on Tuesday, and their life preserver was the box of tissues that a prop master dropped from the ceiling. Kotb, who knew about Giffords departure before the live announcement, was still emotional afterward, telling her longtime co-host that she had changed her life. The minute you stepped into my life with both feet, everything changed, Kotb said through tears, prompting the tissue-box drop. You chose me and thats how it started, she added. I was thinking about everything good thats happened in my life has happened since you came. "Its bittersweet, as these things always are@kathielgifford announces she will be leaving TODAY on her 11th anniversary in April 2019. pic.twitter.com/YsHIq6c9ev  TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 11, 2018 Kotb, who has become a fan favorite since co-hosting the freewheeling 10 a.m. hour of the program with Gifford since 2008, said Gifford hiring her enabled her to meet husband Joel Schiffman and adopt their daughter, Haley Joy Kotb. Gifford also invited Kotb to meet her family when she first joined the Today team. Everything happened.  How does one person step in your life and change it like that? And you did that for me, Kotb said. Gifford, who will officially sign off the show in April, referred to Kotb as a beautiful Egyptian goddess and thanked their viewers for sticking with them from their disastrous early days as a nothing burger outside on the plaza. You start sharing life, and your friendship shows up on the air, Gifford said. We werent colleagues very long. We became friends and now were going to be friends for the rest of our lives. Im grateful to God for you, Gifford added. Gods used you in my life every bit as much as hes used me in yours, sweetie. Thats the way it goes. No crumbs on his table. Gifford has co-anchored Todays fourth hour with Kotb for the last decade and is retiring from the program to pursue other creative endeavors. I had a chance to work with a legend... not something many people get to say in their lifetime.. but thanks to you @KathieLGifford .... I get to xxxx https://t.co/sXGdwmq7vm  Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb) December 11, 2018 Facebook

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Times Person of the Year? Four journalists and a newspaper, guardians in the war on truth By Associated Press (Time magazine) Times Person of the Year recognition for 2018 is shining a collective spotlight on guardians in what the magazine calls the war on truth. The group is made up of four journalists and a newspaper that Time says are representatives of a broader fight by countless others around the world. Read More Facebook

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Carol Burnett to receive inaugural Golden Globe award for TV achievement Carol Burnett will need to clear some space on her crowded mantel: At next months Golden Globes ceremony, she will pick up yet another award honoring her long and distinguished career in television. The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. announced Tuesday morning that Burnett will receive the inaugural Carol Burnett Award, a new prize honoring lifetime achievement in television. The award was teased at last weeks nominations announcement for the Globes; its meant to be a bookend prize to the HFPAs Cecil B. DeMille Award for film achievement. A five-time Golden Globe winner, Burnett is also the most decorated honoree of all time in the TV category, according to the organization. For more than 50 years, comedy trailblazer Carol Burnett has been breaking barriers while making us laugh, HFPA President Meher Tatna said in a statement Tuesday. She was the first woman to host a variety sketch show, The Carol Burnett Show. She was also the first woman to win both the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and Kennedy Center Honors. And now we add another first to her running list: the first recipient  and namesake  of the new Golden Globe top honor for achievement in television, the Carol Burnett Award. Burnett, 85, will receive the award at the Golden Globes ceremony, which NBC will broadcast live from coast to coast on Jan. 6 from the Beverly Hilton hotel. Facebook

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Andy Serkis revives Gollum as a Brexit-obsessed Theresa May By Tracy Brown As if British Prime Minister Theresa May werent in enough of a Brexit bind, now she has to deal with a biting Andy Serkis impersonation thats making the digital rounds. Literally biting because its Serkis via his immortal rendition of Gollum. The Lord of the Rings actor reprised a version of the One Ring-obsessed character in a new video posted by We Wants It. Much like the Gollum of the film series, Serkis May has her own fixation: the Brexit withdrawal agreement. Oh, Precious, our agreement, says a blue-suit clad Serkis. This is it. Our deal  We takes back control: Money, borders, laws, blue passportses. But another May personality quickly rebuts: No. It hurts the people. Makes them poorer. The parody features the two sides of May arguing with herself and its somehow both hilarious and terrifying. One personality only cares about how much she wants the juicy and sweet deal, while the other recognizes that there are plenty of people opposed to the idea. They hates the deal, all of them hates it. They wants a peoples vote, Gollum/May says to herself. The Peoples Vote refers to the efforts of those in the U.K. calling for a public vote on whether Britain will leave or remain in the EU based on the terms of the final exit agreement. On Monday, the real May delayed the parliamentary vote for the Brexit plan because she feared it did not have enough support to pass. The vote had been scheduled for Tuesday. While May has defended the deal (that EU leaders have said is the only one on the table), it has been slammed by both Brexit-backers and remainers who oppose leaving the 28-nation bloc. As of now Britain is scheduled to leave the EU on March 29, 2019. Facebook

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Sarah Hyland of Modern Family opens up about second kidney transplant By Nardine Saad Sarah Hyland (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) After her body rejected her first kidney transplant, Modern Family star Sarah Hyland underwent dialysis last year and had to have a second transplant, she revealed Monday in an interview. Recovery from that surgery has been relatively smooth, but the 28-year-old has contended with a spate of other medical issues that resulted in additional procedures. After the second transplant, she had surgery to mitigate her endometriosis and another to repair a hernia. The chronic illnesses have resulted in six surgeries in the past 16 months, she told Self magazine, where she opened up about her tumultuous medical journey. Im stable. Im thriving. Im super happy with life, the 28-year-old actress said. .@sarah_hyland was born with kidney dysplasia. She went into kidney failure, and needed a transplant. In 2012, her dad gave her one of his. What Hyland hasnt been ready to share until now is that in 2016, her body began to reject the donated kidney. https://t.co/iAw8rdXJ1z pic.twitter.com/rR0xqZPiGy  SELF (@SELFmagazine) December 10, 2018 Hyland was born with kidney dysplasia, which causes the organs to grow debilitating cysts. She had a kidney transplant in 2012, with her father giving one of his kidneys to his daughter. But in October 2016, her body began rejecting the transplant and  under the scrutiny of social media and the public eye  Hylands weight dropped, her face swelled due to immunosuppressant drugs and fluid retention and her blood pressure spiked, damaging her vision, the mag said. The candid star said she began dialysis in February 2017 to filter her blood because her kidneys couldnt. However, the treatment fell short and the transplanted kidney had to come out. Doctors removed it that May, then in September of that year transplanted a kidney donated by her younger brother, Ian. I was very depressed, she told the magazine. When a family member gives you a second chance at life, and it fails, it almost feels like its your fault. Its not. But it does. Hyland felt completely helpless, she said, and for a long time contemplated suicide. I didnt want to fail my little brother like I failed my dad, she said. I had gone through [my whole life] of always being a burden, of always having to be looked after, having to be cared for. The thoughts subsided after she reached out to a friend, and she encouraged others to do the same. Its not shameful, she said. For anybody that wants to reach out to somebody but doesnt really know how because theyre too proud or they think that theyll be looked upon as weak, its not a shameful thing to say. Its not a shameful thing to share. Hyland said on Instagram on Monday that she shared her story so others might feel like theyre not alone. Hopefully those that are lucky enough not to experience this will learn about something new and take a moment to appreciate their health, she wrote. Facebook

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New Godzilla: King of the Monsters trailer features the titan fights youre craving When the first trailer for Godzilla: King of the Monsters was released in July, it delved deep into the lives of its human characters  which was fine  and was accompanied by Debussys Clair de Lune  which was awesome  and everyone seemed happy to see that the titular titan seemed to be doing OK for himself. It was arty and magnificent. But there wasnt any fighting. And there was barely any destruction. And if youre coming in here to sell me a Godzilla film, then by gosh, it had better be apocalyptic. Luckily, most of that appears to be rectified in the second trailer for Godzilla: King of the Monsters, which was released Monday morning. While the humans are still hanging out in the background, wringing their hands and staring in mute disbelief, far more of the footage is given over to the wrath of the titans. Heck, Godzilla even takes on King Ghidorah head-to-head(-to-head-to-head) and it looks amazing. See what it looks like when the world burns, but this time the old gods are to blame. Godzilla: King of the Monsters is scheduled to stomp its way into theaters May 31. Facebook

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New Stranger Things teaser reveals totally 80s episode titles By Nardine Saad Its summer 1985 and things are still pretty strange in Hawkins, Ind. Netflix on Sunday unveiled a teaser for Season 3 of Stranger Things, giving fans a list of eight episode titles to mine for clues about the sci-fi series new season. The new season will reunite viewers with Chief Hopper (David Harbour), Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and their gang of middle-school outcasts, who find themselves at the center of the peculiar happenings in their small town. The streaming giant also confirmed a 2019 release for the new season, which will center on the already announced arrival of the Starcourt shopping mall, which makes the finale episode title all the more foreboding. (Check out that earlier teaser below.) Heres the title list: Suzie, Do you Copy?

The Mall Rats

The Case of the Missing Lifeguard

The Sauna Test

The Source

The Birthday

The Bite

The Battle of Starcourt In March, Netflix announced that Priah Ferguson would return as Lucas Sinclairs (Caleb McLaughlin) younger sister Erica, and Maya Hawke was cast in the new role of Robin. Last week, the Emmy-winning show earned a Golden Globe nomination for dramatic television series and a supporting actor nod for Harbour, who in addition to playing the town sheriff is now Elevens adoptive father. Facebook

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Americans, Gianni Versace and Dannemora lead Critics Choice TV nominees By Libby Hill The Broadcast Film Critics Assn. clearly has a thing for crime, with Mondays announcement of the TV nominees for the 24th annual Critics Choice Awards revealing lots of love for shows about skirting the law. The Americans, famous for its super sneaky Russian spies; The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story and its depiction of the murder and aftermath; and Escape at Dannemora, with its tale of a real life jailbreak, lead all television nominees with five mentions apiece. Gianni Versace and Dannemora are competing in limited series, with Americans in drama, but all four projects were buoyed by their performances, which got four nominations each. Read More Facebook

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The Favourite and Black Panther lead film nominees for Critics Choice Awards By Libby Hill The Broadcast Film Critics Assn. announced its film nominees for the 24th Critics Choice Awards on Monday, with period black comedy The Favourite earning 14 nominations, just ahead of box office blockbuster Black Panther, which scored 12. Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz all garnered nominations for their performances in The Favourite, with Yorgos Lanthimos also nominated for direction and editing. Nipping at the heels of the two front runners are Damien Chazelles First Man with 10, Mary Poppins Returns, A Star is Born and Vice all nabbing nine nominations each and Roma with eight notices. Read More Facebook

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Times Person of the Year shortlist includes Meghan Markle, director Ryan Coogler, President Trump and separated families By Nardine Saad Actress-turned-duchess Meghan Markle is on Time magazines short list for 2018 Person of the Year. (Gareth Fuller / Associated Press) Actress-turned-duchess Meghan Markle and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler joined Donald Trump, separated families, Robert S. Mueller III and Christine Blasey Ford on Time magazines shortlist for the 2018 Person of the Year. Selected by the magazines editors since 1927, the title is bestowed on a person  or people  who most influenced the news and the world, for better or for worse, during the last year. On Monday, the magazine revealed the top 10 candidates on NBCs Today show, which will also name the titleholder on Tuesdays show. Markle and Coogler were the only entertainment figures represented during another contentious news year. Last year, the Silence Breakers who spoke out against sexual assault and misconduct earned the magazines cover spot. Heres the shortlist for @TIMEs Person of the Year #TIMEPOY pic.twitter.com/kHAmF8A3ut  TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 10, 2018 Heres who made the shortlist this year: Donald Trump: The tweet-happy U.S. president was named the 2016 Person of the Year when he was president-elect. Last year, when he also made the shortlist, Trump tweeted he had passed on the nominal title, though Time disagreed Separated families: Despite weathering the fallout of putting a crying Honduran child who had not been separated from her family on its magazine cover earlier this year, Time still selected migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border as candidates for its Person of the Year, again highlighting the battle over immigration in the U.S. Vladimir Putin: The Russian president was named Person of the Year in 2007 and has continued to make headlines due to Russias alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election, and his relationship with Trump. Which brings us to ... Robert Mueller: The special counsel appointed by the Justice Department, who has been investigating allegations of Russian meddling in the election and Trumps ties to Russia, has become a foil to the bombastic leader. Though the investigation has ensnared Trumps former personal attorney Michael Cohen, his former campaign Chairman Paul Manafort and several others, Trump has repeatedly decried it as a witch hunt for evidence of collusion with Russia. Ryan Coogler: The Black Panther director and screenwriter turned a lesser-known superhero into a cultural phenomenon with his groundbreaking film, which became a critical darling and broke a bevy of box-office records while boasting a predominantly black cast. Christine Blasey Ford: The university professor who accused U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers brought the nation to a standstill with her emotional testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in September, throwing Kavanaughs shoo-in appointment into question for weeks. Jamal Khashoggi: The Saudi journalist was killed soon after he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, and his disappearance led to widespread criticism of the Arab nation, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is believed to have ordered Khashoggis murder. March for Our Lives activists: The teenagers who survived the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Fla., assembled to take on gun control and march on Washington, D.C., to speak out against gun violence. Moon Jae-in: The South Korean president, who helped host the Olympic Games this year, mounted a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, officially bringing about an end to the war between the two countries. Meghan Markle: The Suits actress who hails from California became the Duchess of Sussex when she married Britains Prince Harry in May, offering a fairy-tale reprieve from pressing conflicts around the world. In October, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child, who would be seventh in line to the British throne. Facebook

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Saturday Night Live finds DeNiros Robert Mueller in Eric Trumps closet Robert De Niro and Alex Moffat on Saturday Night Live this week. (NBC) After a week full of new revelations from the Robert Mueller investigation, it was probably no surprise that Robert De Niro got the call to reprise his role as the special counsel for this weeks Saturday Night Live, which was hosted by Jason Mamoa with the musical guest Mumford and Sons. With the always-on news cycle of 2018, the cold open is typically a feast-or-famine affair that benefits from standout, vaguely surreal moments  Kanye West in the White House, for example. With so much news this week surrounding the legal affairs of the presidents inner circle, SNL imagined the FBIs special counsel as the boogeyman in Eric Trumps closet. Dont be scared, its just me, De Niro assured him, your dads friend from work. Alex Moffat as a clueless Eric and Mikey Day as Don Jr. has been a solid pairing on Weekend Update, and they were natural choices given the news cycle. Still, the segment lacked the sort of standout snap that makes the cold open the usual talking point for the episode, apart from its closing exchange. People say youre the worst thing that happened to my dad, Moffats Eric Trump told De Niro. No, getting elected president was the worst thing to happen to your dad, he countered. Watch a clip below. "Its just me, Robert Mueller. Your dads friend from work." #SNL pic.twitter.com/xsLhnSg1oe  Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) December 9, 2018 Facebook

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Times Up congratulates Crazy Rich Asians star Constance Wu on Golden Globes nomination Constance Wu is nominated for her first Golden Globe award for Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros. ) Approaching the one-year anniversary of the movements birth, Times Up congratulated the women who earned 2019 Golden Globe nominations, including Crazy Rich Asians star and activist Constance Wu. We celebrate all of our sisters who were nominated for Golden Globe awards this year, including Constance Wu who became the first Asian woman to be nominated for best actress in more than 40 years, the organization said in a statement to The Times. (While few women of Asian descent been nominated for best actress in the awards 75-year history, Hailee Steinfeld, who is part Filipino, was nominated in 2017 for Edge of Seventeen.) As far as Asian Americans go, not Asian-Asians, there have been two others [in the comedy/musical category], Wu told The Times on Thursday morning, reacting to her nomination for Crazy Rich Asians, the first contemporary-set all-Asian studio film in 25 years. It is especially meaningful to receive a nomination for a leading role in an Asian American-centered story, Wu added. In its Globes nominations kudos, Times Up also called out the lack of female filmmakers among this years all-male directing nominees. We are thrilled to see some progress in the diversity of artists recognized, but, once again, the best director category lacks a single woman nominee, the statement read. The body of work directed by women this year deserves acknowledgement. The Times Up movement was first announced Jan. 1, unveiling an initiative to battle sexual harassment in industries including Hollywood, which included a legal defense fund to help underprivileged women. The movement called for supporters to wear all black to the glitzy 2018 Globes ceremony and speak out against harassment and gender inequality. As of Thursday, Wu was not yet sure if there will be a repeat of last years red carpet call to action or similar coordinated show of solidarity. I dont know if its going to be a clothing statement, but the solidarity and the sisterhood that we have is always there and is growing every day  so it will 100% be there at the Golden Globes, she said. Maybe not in terms of wardrobe, but in terms of passion? For sure. Read the full Times Up statement below: Statement from TIMES UP on the 2019 Golden Globe Nominations We celebrate all of our sisters who were nominated for Golden Globe awards this year, including Constance Wu who became the first Asian woman to be nominated for best actress in more than 40 years. We are thrilled to see some progress in the diversity of artists recognized, but once again the best director category lacks a single woman nominee. The body of work directed by women this year deserves acknowledgement. While we greatly admire the excellent work honored yesterday, we are also reminded of the vast imbalances that still exist across our industry and many other industries, and remain committed to our collective work. Facebook

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Kevin Hart shouldnt have stepped down from Oscars gig, GLAAD chief says: He should have stepped up By Christie DZurilla Comedian Kevin Hart decided not to host Februarys Academy Awards. (Willy Sanjuan / Associated Press) GLAAD would rather Kevin Hart hadnt quit as Oscars host, with its leader expressing disappointment Friday morning on social media and on CNN. Kevin Hart shouldnt have stepped down; he should have stepped up, tweeted Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of the LGBTQ advocacy group. Harts apology to LGBTQ people is an important step forward, but he missed a real opportunity to use his platform and the Oscars stage to build unity and awareness. Ellis said the group would still welcome that conversation with the 39-year-old comic. Hart, who got the job only Tuesday, walked away Thursday night rather than cave to internet trolls for old anti-gay tweets that had resurfaced after he deleted them. He later did an about-face and offered an apology to those he had hurt, saying he was stepping down because he didnt want to distract from the awards themselves. We were hoping that this was going to turn into a teachable moment, Ellis told CNN on Friday morning. GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis on why she was hoping Kevin Hart wouldnt step down as Oscars host:



We were hoping that this was going to turn into a teachable moment  [and] to use the Oscar stage ... to help build unity and awareness. https://t.co/Kt5qT05hAA pic.twitter.com/PNijmSM2Vv  New Day (@NewDay) December 7, 2018 Ellis said Hart could have become an ally of the community if he had faced it, explained he had evolved and was willing to lead moving forward. It wasnt the conclusion that I think everybody would have liked, Ellis said. The academy has yet to respond to Harts public exit or announce a replacement host. (But we have some ideas about who should get the gig.) We would still welcome that conversation with him. The Academy has recently made significant strides in featuring diverse talent onstage and they should now double down on that commitment as they look for a new host.  Sarah Kate Ellis (@sarahkateellis) December 7, 2018 Facebook

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Marvel drops Avengers 4' trailer, reveals title By Los Angeles Times Staff Chris Evans as Captain America. (Marvel Studios) The end is near. Or more precisely, the endgame. On Friday, Marvel Studios unveiled the official first trailer for the latest Avengers film. The clip also confirmed the title for the project, Avengers: Endgame, and an April 26 release. Endgame picks up where the events of Avengers: Infinity War, released in April, left off. The beginning of the trailer focuses largely on Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) in solitude before moving the focus to Captain America (Chris Evans) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). The new footage also shows the return of Jeremy Renners Hawkeye, who did not appear in Infinity War. He was last seen in Captain America: Civil War. Watch the trailer below. Facebook

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Justin Timberlake postpones Man of the Woods tour, citing bruised vocal cords By Nardine Saad Justin Timberlake. (Amy Harris / Invision/Associated Press) Justin Timberlake is sorry that the remainder of his Man of the Woods tour has now been postponed to next year while the singer recovers from bruised vocal cords, a problem that has dogged him since October. My vocal cords are healing but they are not all the way back to normal yet, so my doctors want me to continue to rest my voice, the 37-year-old wrote on Instagram Wednesday night. That means hell hold off on singing until next month. Im really sorry, Timberlake wrote. I want to be back on the stage and I am doing all I can to get there quickly. Live Nation, the producer of the tour, confirmed on Thursday that the tour would resume in January, and tickets for the originally scheduled shows will be honored at the 2019 events. Timberlake, whose tour accompanies his folksy fifth studio album, Man of the Woods, first canceled his Madison Square Garden show in New York in late October and had since postponed a slew of dates. (Though that didnt derail his silent interview on The Tonight Show to promote his memoir Hindsight shortly after.) The North American tour will now resume in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 4, according to Live Nation. Timberlakes Los Angeles stop at the Staples Center  originally set for Nov. 27  is now slated for March 10, Live Nation said. Hes also been rescheduled to play the Honda Center in Anaheim on Feb. 22. Additional appearances in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Fresno and Oakland have also been pushed back to March, and tickets for the previously scheduled concerts are valid at the respective new dates in each city. Refunds are also available at point of purchase. (A full list of the rescheduled shows can be seen here.) Facebook

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Faye Dunaway returning to Broadway to play Katharine Hepburn in Tea at Five By Nardine Saad (Lionel Cironneau / Associated Press) Oscar winner Faye Dunaway is returning to Broadway to play four-time Oscar winner Katharine Hepburn. The Bonnie and Clyde star will embody the legendary actress with a devil-may-care personality in Matthew Lombardos Tea at Five, marking the shows Broadway debut and Dunaways return to the Great White Way after 35 years, producer Ben Feldman said in a statement on Thursday. Lombardo has created a new version of the one-woman-show, which took audiences to 1938 as Hepburn awaited word on the final casting for the role of Scarlett OHara to 1983, where they witness the sunset of her health and career. The new show will be directed by Tony Award nominee John Tillinger and will have a limited engagement in summer 2019. Additional information, including the complete creative team, dates and theater, will be announced early next year. Dunaway made her Broadway debut in 1961 with A Man for All Seasons and followed it up with appearances in After the Fall and The Changeling. However, her breakthrough happened off-Broadway when she appeared in Hogans Goat, which led to her casting in 1967s Bonnie and Clyde. (She later earned her Academy Award for the 1976 drama Network.) The 77-year-old actress last appeared on Broadway in 1982 in the original play The Curse of an Aching Heart. Facebook

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Father John Misty rallies musician friends for wildfire benefit concert Father John Misty announced that he will host a benefit concert for victims of Californias recent wildfires. (Suzanne Cordeiro / AFP/Getty Images) Father John Misty, the singer, songwriter and occasional Chateau Marmont pianist, announced Thursday morning the California Wildfire Benefit Concert, an evening of music to benefit victims of the recent fires. Misty, the stage name of Josh Tillman, is teaming up with Los Angeles-based concert promoter Goldenvoice and has scrolled through his contacts for a coterie of special guests, including Haim, Mac DeMarco, Lucius, Tim Heidecker, Rostam, Jonathan Wilson, Rivers Cuomo and Weyes Blood, among others. Set for Dec. 18 at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in L.A., the night promises to be an intimate affair: an all-acoustic session of songs from some of the areas most accomplished songwriters, with a Steinway & Sons-donated piano to add some class. The benefit is the latest to raise money for those affected by the devastating fires. Over the weekend, Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani and Robin Thicke raised a reported $1 million as part of the One Love Malibu Benefit Concert. Last week, garage rocker Ty Segall and friends took over Zebulon in Frogtown to make money for those in need. Proceeds from Tillman & Co.s event will go to the Southern California Disaster Relief Fund, created by the United Way of Greater Los Angeles in partnership with United Way of Ventura County. In a statement Thursday morning, organizers explained that the fund is directed at low-income families whose lives and livelihoods are affected by the current wildfires in Southern California. Specifically, the fund focuses on longer-term support to help individuals and families in need to rebuild their lives. Bonus opportunity: Fans will be able to bid on front-row tickets to the concert through CharityBuzz. The high-bidder will also get a commemorative poster signed by participating artists and a room at the Ace Hotel. Tickets for the all-ages concert range from $59.50-$199.50 and go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Pacific. Facebook

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A Star Is Born: Peter Buck turns 62 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Joe Pugliese / Los Angeles Times) Everyone I know has enough bad times and struggles in their lives to draw upon for a lifetime. Peter Buck, 1996 FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Lowdown on Hi-Fi Facebook

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Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg to co-host 2019 Golden Globes By Nardine Saad Andy Samberg, left, and Sandra Oh will co-host the 2019 Golden Globes. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times; Micha Theiner / Los Angeles Times) Killing Eve will meet Brooklyn Nine-Nine at the 76th Golden Globe Awards next month now that Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg have been announced as co-hosts of the annual show. They bring wit, charm and style to a room filled with the very best of film and television. Its sure to be another unforgettable fun-filled night, said NBC co-chairmen Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks in a statement on Wednesday. The party-like ceremony, hosted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. at the Beverly Hilton hotel, will honor the best in film and television and marks the official kickoff of the 2019 awards-show season. The three-hour telecast will air live, coast to coast, on NBC on Jan. 6 at 5 p.m. Pacific time. Golden Globes nominations preview: 5 things to watch for, including Mary Poppins Returns vs. Roma  The nominees will be announced early Thursday across 25 categories  14 in film and 11 in television  and the winners are voted on by members of the HFPA. Were excited to welcome Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg as co-hosts of Hollywoods Party of the Year, said HFPA President Meher Tatna in a statement. Both Golden Globe Award recipients have continually showcased their talents in film and television, and we cant wait see what their undeniable chemistry will bring to the Golden Globes stage. Oh, who famously starred as Dr. Cristina Yang on ABCs Greys Anatomy, won a 2006 Golden Globe for performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television; a Screen Actors Guild Award for the role and five Emmy nominations for supporting actress in a drama. Her role as an MI5 officer hunting down a female assassin on BBC Americas Killing Eve earned her another Emmy nomination earlier this year. As for Samberg, the Saturday Night Live alum won two Golden Globes in 2014 for his work on the cop comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which recently landed at NBC after being canceled on Fox. It wont be the first time for him to host a major awards show either: The comedian previously emceed the Primetime Emmy Awards as well as the Film Independent Spirit Awards. The duo take over hosting duties from recent hosts Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, and Ricky Gervais. Facebook

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Natalie Portman apologizes to Jessica Simpson for bikini-shaming her By Nardine Saad Actress Natalie Portman, left, in a recent interview alluded to a bikini photo of Jessica Simpson. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times, left; Evan Agostini / Invision/Associated Press, right)) Oscar winner Natalie Portman hears you, Jessica Simpson, and agrees that women should dress and behave however they like without judgment. Thats a different tune than the one Portman appeared to sing in a USA Today profile published on Tuesday  one that prompted a lengthy statement from Simpson calling out Portman for shaming her, particularly amid the Times Up era that Portman helped usher in. Portman plays a pop star in the upcoming film Vox Lux, which explores the underbelly of the music industry, and in discussing the topic, she lauded Madonna but appeared to throw shade at Simpson and the industry that touted the virgin/vixen paradigms around the millennium. I remember being a teenager, and there was Jessica Simpson on the cover of a magazine saying Im a virgin while wearing a bikini, and I was confused. Like, I dont know what this is trying to tell me as a woman, as a girl, Portman, 37, told the publication. Simpson. 38, read those words Wednesday morning and, in a missive posted on Instagram and Twitter, said she was disappointed, but did not indicate what magazine cover Portman was referring to. As public figures, we both know our image is not totally in our control at all times, and that the industry we work in often tries to define us and box us in, the fashion designer wrote. However, I was taught to be myself and honor the different ways all women express themselves, which is why I believed then  and I believe now  that being sexy in a bikini and being proud of my body are not synonymous with having sex, Simpson added. Simpson, who made no secret of losing her virginity after she wed 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey in 2002, had said that shes always embraced being a role model to women by letting them know they can look and wear whatever they want and choose to have or not have sex whenever they want. The power lies within us as individuals, Simpson wrote. Addressing Simpson directly (and publicly) in the comments section of the post, Portman thanked her and said she she completely agrees with her. I only meant to say I was confused  as a girl coming of age in the public eye around the same time  by the medias mixed messages about how girls and women were supposed to behave, Portman wrote. The actress said she didnt mean to shame Simpson and is sorry for any hurt her words might have caused. I have nothing but respect for your talent and your voice that you use to encourage and empower women all over the globe, Portman said. UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: This story was updated with Portmans apology. This story was originally published at 11:52 a.m. pic.twitter.com/zBLuyF3a8p  Jessica Simpson (@JessicaSimpson) December 5, 2018 Facebook

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Surviving R. Kelly screening evacuated after anonymous threats By Christie DZurilla Singer R. Kelly. (Noam Galai / Getty Images) Phoned-in threats cleared the house at a screening of the Surviving R. Kelly documentary Tuesday night in New York City, leaving the singers ex-wife Drea Kelly more fired up than deterred. [S]everal anonymous threats were called in, Lifetime said in a statement to The Times. As a precaution, the network elected to evacuate the building. The incident was investigated and concern about a gunman in the house was determined to be unfounded, a New York Police Department spokeswoman told The Times. The R&B singer has been accused of abusive and controlling behavior toward women, especially younger ones, allegations R. Kelly has denied. Those allegations are detailed in the three-part documentary series. Tuesdays screening was attended by alleged victims Jerhonda Pace, Kitti Jones, Assante McGee, Lisa Van Allen and Lizzette Martinez, in addition to Drea Kelly. Also there were #MeToo activist Tarana Burke, radio host Angela Yee and former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. Burke and Yee were to have been part of a panel with Lifetime executive producer Brie Miranda Bryant. They thought they were putting us out; they just put gasoline on a fire and now were just gonna burn longer and stronger. You actually helped us when it was meant to harm us [because] this did nothing but unite us even more, Drea Kelly told Rolling Stone. The incident lets me know were on the right track. Were causing people to listen. Were getting peoples attention and were getting attention from the one who thought that he was invincible and untouchable, she said. Surviving R. Kelly airs Jan. 3-5 on Lifetime. Facebook

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Cardi B announces split from Offset a year after they wed By Nardine Saad Offset, left, and Cardi B arrive at the American Music Awards in October. (Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press) A little more than a year after they secretly wed, rappers Cardi B and Offset have split, according to Cardi B, who announced the break-up in an Instagram video on Tuesday night. Things just havent been working out between us for a long time. And its nobodys fault, its just like I guess, we grew out of love, the Okurr-trilling, I Like It rapper said. Were not together anymore. It might take time to get a divorce, but Im always gonna have a lot of love for him because he is my daughters father, she added. Cardi and Offset, a member of the rap trio Migos, secretly wed in Georgia in September 2017 before the arrival of their daughter, Kulture, whos now nearly 5 months old. Cardi, 26, real name Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, said that they remain good friends and business partners who got a lot of love for each other. Offset, also 26, real name Kiari Kendrall Cephus, very publicly proposed to the Bodak Yellow MC in October and the two often discussed their plans for a blowout celebration. Then news of their actual marriage  and marriage certificate  leaked in June and the two welcomed their baby girl in July. Reps for Cardi and Offset did not immediately respond to additional requests for comment. Facebook

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Kevin Hart to host the 2019 Academy Awards Kevin Hart will be hosting the Oscars next year. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Stepping into what is often considered one of the most difficult  and at times thankless  gigs in Hollywood, Kevin Hart is set to host the 91st Academy Awards. The stand-up comedian and actor made the announcement himself Tuesday on Instagram, promising, I will be sure to make this years Oscars a special one. For years I have been asked if I would ever Host the Oscars and my answer was always the same, Hart wrote. I said that it would be the opportunity of a lifetime for me as a comedian and that it will happen when its suppose to. In tapping Hart, who has starred in box-office hits like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Central Intelligence and who boasts a massive social media following and large base of young fans, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is hoping to stem a steady decline in ratings for the telecast. In each of the past two years, under host Jimmy Kimmel, the ratings dipped, with Marchs show reaching a record-low audience of 26.5 million viewers. Facing perennial criticism over what many have decried as the sometimes tedious length of the Oscars, the academy has vowed that this coming years show, which is being produced by Donna Gigliotti and Glenn Weiss, will not run over three hours. To trim the proceedings down, some awards will be given out during commercial breaks rather than live on air. In an ultimately fizzled gambit to bring in a wider audience for the all-important telecast, the academy earlier this year announced the creation of a new award recognizing outstanding achievement in popular film. But after weeks of blowback, the academys board of governors reversed itself and decided to shelve the idea, at least for the time being. Hart has previously served as emcee of the MTV Movie Awards along with his Central Intelligence co-star Dwayne Johnson. The Oscars will air on ABC on Sunday, Feb. 24. Facebook

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2018 AFI Awards honorees include Black Panther, Atlanta, Roma and The Americans By Sonaiya Kelley Viggo Mortensen, left, and Mahershala Ali star in Green Book, which is among the AFIs top 10 films of the year. (Universal Pictures / Asssociated Press) The American Film Institute announced 10 films and 10 television shows as honorees of the 2018 AFI Awards this morning. BlacKkKlansman, Black Panther, Eighth Grade, If Beale Street Could Talk, The Favorite, First Reformed, Green Book, Mary Poppins Returns, A Quiet Place, and A Star Is Born were recognized as culturally and artistically significant films by the institute. Netflixs Roma, a Spanish-language film not eligible for the main list, was also recognized with an AFI Special Award which honors films outside the Institutes criteria for American film. On the television side, FXs The Americans, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Atlanta and Pose, HBOs Barry and Succession, AMCs Better Call Saul, Netflixs The Kominsky Method, Amazon Primes The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and NBCs This Is Us were all recognized. The AFI Awards will be presented at an annual private luncheon on Jan. 4, 2019, in Los Angeles. Facebook

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Terry Crews, Danai Gurira, Leslie Mann and Christian Slater to announce Golden Globe nominees Terry Crews, left, Danai Gurira, Leslie Mann and Christian Slater will announce the Golden Globe nominees on Thursday morning. (Ricardo DeAratanha, left, Carolyn Cole, Michael Nagle, Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) There are four Hollywood stars who are guaranteed to be awake bright and early for this years Golden Globe Awards announcement, regardless of whether they have a nomination in the offing. Terry Crews, Danai Gurira, Leslie Mann and Christian Slater have been tasked with presenting the Golden Globe nominees at Thursdays annual news conference, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. announced Tuesday. The HFPA also said a major announcement regarding the Golden Globes schedule would be made prior to this years nominees. Joining Crews, Gurira, Mann and Slater will be newly minted Golden Globe Ambassador Isan Elba (also the daughter of actor Idris Elba), HFPA President Meher Tetna and Golden Globe executive producer Barry Adelman. The Golden Globe nominations announcement will take place on Thursday at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills. Live-stream coverage of the event begins at 5:05 a.m., with the first categories announced at 5:15 a.m. and a second and final group of categories revealed shortly thereafter. Facebook

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SNL star Pete Davidson says he wont give in to online bullying; Ariana Grande chimes in By Christie DZurilla Pete Davidson (Angela Weiss / AFP/Getty Images) Pete Davidson says no matter what you do to him, hes not going to kill himself. Wait, what? Yes, exactly what you just read. Online trolls cant bully him to death, he says. And he wonders why theyre getting away with such abusive behavior. Ive been getting online bullied and in public by people for 9 months. Ive spoken about BPD and being suicidal publicly only in the hopes that it will help bring awareness and help kids like myself who dont want to be on this earth, the Saturday Night Live actor said bluntly Monday on Instagram. I just want you guys to know. No matter how hard the internet or anyone tries to make me kill myself. I wont. The Saturday Night Live actor, who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, was presumably referring to his break from pop star Ariana Grande. The two met in March and became an item toward the end of May, got engaged just weeks into the relationship and then split up in October. She has got around 137 million Instagram followers, some of whom have apparently been talking to  or at  Davidson online. He has no verified Twitter or Facebook accounts. He said he has kept his mouth shut about the online bullying to this point and hasnt mentioned any names  nor does he drop any names in the post. Im trying to understand how when something happens to a guy the whole entire world just trashes him without any facts or frame of reference, Davidson wrote. Especially in todays climate where everyone loves to be offended and upset it truly is mind boggling. Pete Davidson just posted a touching note about mental health to his Instagram pic.twitter.com/nAudS7NdmU  Alexis Benveniste (@apbenven) December 3, 2018 Davidsons missive comes on the heels of the new video for Grandes hit song thank u, next, whose title echoes a Twitter comment involving the actor. The singer put Davidsons statement and a comment of her own on her Instagram story around midnight, urging her many fans to change their behavior. [I] really dont endorse anything but forgiveness and positivity. i care deeply about pete and his health. im asking you to please be gentler with others, even on the internet, Grande said, in part. Later in the statement, she got a bit more specific. [P]lease let whatever point youre trying to make go. I will always have irrevocable love for him and if youve gotten any other impression from my recent work, you might have missed the point, she said. Heres Grandes statement in full: i know u already know this but i feel i need to remind my fans to please be gentler with others. i really dont endorse anything but forgiveness and positivity. i care deeply about pete and his health. im asking you to please be gentler with others, even on the internet. ive learned thru my own mistakes not to be reactive on socials so i do understand. but you truly dont know what anybody is experiencing ever. regardless of what they choose to display on social media or how they may appear in public. i can promise u that. so please let whatever point youre trying to make go. I will always have irrevocable love for him and if youve gotten any other impression from my recent work, you might have missed the point. Borderline personality disorder is marked by an ongoing pattern of varying moods, self-image and behavior, according to the National Institute of Mental Health website. Symptoms can often result in impulsive actions and relationship problems, with people experiencing intense episodes of anger, depression and anxiety that last for hours or days. People with BPD tend to experience things as all good or all bad, and according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the risk of self-harming behavior or suicide is an extreme risk. UPDATE Dec. 4, 10:18 a.m.: This post was updated with the statement from Grande. This post was originally published on Dec. 3 at 12:37 p.m. Facebook

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Kanye West apologizes after being called out for his behavior at The Cher Show By Christie DZurilla Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West at the opening night of The Cher Show on Monday. (Evan Agostini / Associated Press) Kanye West really, really liked The Cher Shows opening night on Broadway. But at least one performer couldnt tell, cause Ye apparently was messing with his phone the whole time. Hey @kanyewest so cool that youre here at @TheCherShow!, cast member Jarrod Spector tweeted at the rapper shortly after things got rolling on Monday night. If you look up from your cell phone youll see were doing a show up here. Its opening night. Kind of a big deal for us. Thanks so much. West might as well have taken a flash photograph  he was so busted. Hey @kanyewest so cool that youre here at @TheCherShow! If you look up from your cell phone youll see were doing a show up here. Its opening night. Kind of a big deal for us. Thanks so much.  Jarrod Spector (@jarrodspector) December 4, 2018 West must actually read his mentions  at least the ones that blow up  because he replied with an apology a few hours later. And he apparently really did dig the show. The dynamics of Cher and Sonnys relationship made Kim and I grab each others hand and sing I got you babe, he wrote. Please pardon my lack of etiquette. We have so much appreciation for the energy you guys put into making this master piece. the dynamics of Cher and Sonnys relationship made Kim and I grab each others hand and sing I got you babe

please pardon my lack of etiquette. We have so much appreciation for the energy you guys put into making this master piece.  ye (@kanyewest) December 4, 2018 But West might not have behaved as awful as all that. A Kanye source told TMZ that the rapper loved the show so much he was actually taking notes on his phone. Still rude, but at least he didnt tweet that apology halfway through the show. Facebook

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Red Bull Music Festival sets 2019 lineup, including Red Dead Redemption 2' live gig Swae Lee of Rae Sremmurd in October. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times ) Liquid adrenaline manufacturer Red Bull has announced the lineup for the 2019 Red Bull Music Festival Los Angeles, which will focus nearly as much on sight as on sound. Most notably, the multi-event program will feature the first live performance of music from the blockbuster action-adventure game Red Dead Redemption 2. It will be the centerpiece of a festival that aims to explore how music intersects with gaming, film and photography. Attendees will experience live Red Dead Redemption 2 performances by composer Woody Jackson, Indonesian duo Senyawa and others featured in the game in whats billed as a reimagining of the score as a unique auditory installation. The festival, happening at various locations across multiple February dates, will also present the first U.S. stops on Swedish pop powerhouse Robyns upcoming North American tour. Hitting the States to promote her new album, Honey, Robyn will perform her first Los Angeles shows in eight years on Feb. 22 and 23 at the Hollywood Palladium. The festivals Feb. 7 opening event will aim a much-deserved spotlight on the performer San Cha. Shell be introducing a new original piece, according the notes, based around the telenovela programs of her childhood, and will feature artists from a range of L.A.s creative disciplines. On Valentines Day, the Tupelo, Miss., rap team Rae Sremmurd will host an event described in release notes as an eclectic show inspired by the golden age of Hollywood. Along with surprise guests, hosts Slim Jxmmi and Swae Lee will marry their hits with covers of iconic love songs of past and present, putting a contemporary slant on classic silver screen romance. The party will take place at the Reserve, which is in a historic bank vault in downtown Los Angeles. On Feb. 16, the skate, film and art collective Illegal Civilization will take over the Pink Motel in Sun Valley  most visible these days as a setting in the Netflix show GLOW  for a daylong installment called Illegal Civ Movie Motel. The group is headed by Mikey Alfred, best known for his work with Jonah Hill on Mid90s, and Alfred and his peers will entangle skating, film screenings and a swap meet with music performances by affiliates including Show Me the Body, Tierra Whack and Tommy Genesis. Throughout February the festival will take over the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Koreatown to present Center Channel, a film series with a mission to explore the most compelling intersections of sound and film. In conjunction with Los Angeles curators and tastemakers, programmers have scheduled not-yet-announced premieres, screenings, panels and live performances. Tickets for all events go on sale Wednesday at noon. Facebook

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New Captain Marvel trailer teases Carol Danvers backstory and cosmic fights By Tracy Brown The new trailer for Captain Marvel features a little something for everyone: additional details about the story, fight scenes in outer space and a cute cat. The second trailer for the Marvel Studios film debuted Monday night, and it sends a clear message that Carol Danvers, a.k.a. Captain Marvel, is the hero everyone has been waiting for. At least according to Disney. While the first trailer hinted that Carol (played by Brie Larson) is trying to piece together what seems to be her forgotten past on Earth, this new promo provides more information about who she has become. Carol explains to Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) that she is Kree, an alien race of noble warrior heroes. But then the trailer immediately reveals that wasnt always the case. It turns out that after somehow stumbling upon an injured and memory-less Carol, the Kree turned her into one of them. This gave her enhanced strength, a prolonged lifespan and various other superpowers. And these powers appear to be no joke. The trailer shows Captain Marvel handle everything from hand-to-hand combat against what appears to be an elderly woman (but is likely an enemy in disguise) to flying around in space while taking out spaceships with energy blasts she shoots from her hands. Looks like there is definitely hope for the remaining Avengers to save the universe following the events of Avengers: Infinity War after all. Captain Marvel is scheduled to hit theaters March 8, 2019. Check out the new poster and tune-in to @ESPNs Monday Night Football to see the brand new trailer for Marvel Studios #CaptainMarvel. pic.twitter.com/43EPkcTBET  Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 3, 2018 Facebook

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Queen announces Rhapsody Tour with Adam Lambert By Christie DZurilla Brian May, left, and Adam Lambert perform at the Forum in 2014. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times) Bolstered by the success of the new biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen is going back on tour in North America next summer. And Adam Lambert will take the mic once again in place of the late Freddie Mercury, the band announced Monday. The Rhapsody Tour will take place from mid-July to late August 2019 and feature (in the bands words) 23 giant shows. Theyll play the Forum in Inglewood on July 19. Tickets go on sale Friday, with pre-sale codes sent to fan club members and QueenOnline.com subscribers on Tuesday. The soaring success of Bohemian Rhapsody  the Freddie Mercury/Queen movie that is set to become the biggest-grossing music biopic of all time  has proven that the publics love for Queen remains as strong as ever, the band said in a release. We are ready for America and raring to get back in the saddle, drummer Roger Taylor said in the statement, with lead guitarist Brian May adding: This is a great opportunity. Our last tour featured our most ambitious production ever and got us our best notices ever. So we decided to rip it apart and get even more ambitious! Lambert has been touring with the band since 2012 after sharing the stage with them during the 2009 American Idol finale. Completing the tour lineup are longtime collaborator Spike Edney on keyboards, Neil Fairclough on bass and Tyler Warren on percussion. See the full list of dates here. Were excited to announce Queen + @adamlambert will be debuting the brand new Rhapsody touring show across 23 North America dates July-August 2019. Read all the details here:https://t.co/rBI0jbxQRb



Photographer: Bojan Hohnjec

 Miracle Productions LLP pic.twitter.com/s0LTa128Ey  Queen (@QueenWillRock) December 3, 2018 Facebook

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Halsey calls out Victorias Secret Fashion Show over trans exclusion By Christie DZurilla Halsey, left, performed at the 2018 Victorias Secret Fashion Show, recorded last month. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images) Halsey, who performed at the 2018 Victorias Secret Fashion Show that aired Sunday night on ABC, posted a lengthy note on social media at the same time regarding the shows perceived lack of trans inclusivity. I have adored the Victorias Secret Fashion Show since I was young. Performing this year alongside other amazing artists, and hardworking models/friends was supposed to be the best night of my year. However, after I filmed the performance some comments were made regarding the show that I simply cannot ignore, she wrote. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have no tolerance for a lack of inclusivity. Especially not one motivated by stereotype, continued the 24-year-old singer, who is out as bisexual. She then directed followers to the GLSEN website and said she had made a big donation to the organization, which champions LGBTQ issues in K-12 education. The show featured 49 female models of various races and skin colors from at least 14 countries and six continents. However, a comment from a Victorias Secret executive in a Nov. 8 Vogue article  which ran the same day the show was taped  upset some transgender people and their allies, and appears to have sparked Halseys post. There was also discussion in the article about the absence of plus-size models on the VS catwalk. Its like, why doesnt your show do this? Shouldnt you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I dont think we should, Ed Razek, chief marketing officer for Victorias Secret owner, L Brands, told the magazine. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. Its a 42-minute entertainment special. Thats what it is. It is the only one of its kind in the world, and any other fashion brand in the world would take it in a minute, including the competitors that are carping at us. And they carp at us because were the leader.  @GLSEN - https://t.co/XdQMPro0KC pic.twitter.com/agOzSYREkX  h (@halsey) December 3, 2018 Victorias Secret did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The quote was in the context of a larger discussion about criticism of the show on social media, which had ramped up ahead of the show. Halsey, for one, wasnt having it. If you are a trans person reading this, and these comments have made you feel alienated or invalidated please know that you have allies. We stand in solidarity, and complete and total acceptance is the only fantasy that I support, she said in her Sunday post. Also performing at the fashion show were Shawn Mendes, Rita Ora, the Chainsmokers, Bebe Rexha, Leela James, Kelsea Ballerini, and the Struts, most of whom posted generic social-media reminders to watch the show. None of them talked about trans exclusion. Rexha, however, had a bit more to say, and added a video of her performance Monday on Twitter so followers could see it  in some cases, again. It has always been a big dream of mine to perform at @victoriassecret Fashion Show and its finally happening tomorrow!! So dont you miss it!!!, she posted Saturday on Instagram. Watch me strutting my curvy ass body unapologetically down that runway.  I cant believe this happened. Dream come true. https://t.co/lHJMfI7OhM  Bebe Rexha (@BebeRexha) December 3, 2018 Facebook

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Kennedy Center Honors celebrate Cher, Wayne Shorter, Reba McEntire and Philip Glass  plus the creators of Hamilton By Christie DZurilla Wayne Shorter, front left, Cher, Reba McEntire, Philip Glass; back, Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Andy Blankenbuehler, Alex Lacamoire. (Greg Allen / Associated Press) The Kennedy Center Honors, which once again were not attended by President Trump, included tributes Sunday night to the late former President George H.W. Bush, who died Friday at age 94. I think its appropriate to recognize the passing of a wonderful man who dedicated his life to service and who graciously attended this event many times during his administration, laughing, applauding, singing along and even shedding a tear from right up there in the presidential box, host Gloria Estefan said to kick off the evening at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington. She recalled being invited to the White House and how Bush literally spent 45 minutes patiently talking to my 8-year-old son about how government worked. Estefan was recognized last year; this year, the lifetime artistic-achievement honors went to jazz great Wayne Shorter, pop diva Cher, country star Reba McEntire and composer Philip Glass, with a unique award of distinction going to the team behind Hamilton: Andrew Blankenbuehler, Thomas Kail, Alex Lacamoire and star Lin-Manuel Miranda. Their names, like the other nominees, were first announced this summer. In recognizing Hamilton and its co-creators, Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement at the time, the Kennedy Center is making an unprecedented statement about an unprecedented work  a work that transcends cultural boundaries and tells Americas story in a powerful and contemporary way. On Sunday, comic Whoopi Goldberg introduced Cher and friend Cyndi Lauper sang If I Could Turn Back Time. Kelly Clarkson paid tribute to McEntire with a version of Fancy, the Bobbie Gentry song McEntire turned into a hit in 1990. Jason Moran, the Kennedy Centers artistic director for jazz, said Shorters sound over a six-decade career holds a special place in the galaxy, adding that he could safely say that somewhere in the galaxy right now, a band is playing one of his pieces. And previous award winner Paul Simon did the honors for Glass, whom he praised for never settling into one particular style, always developing and exploring. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who also missed last years event after several honorees threatened a boycott, returned in the wee hours Sunday from the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. Though Bush attended most years and continued to do so after his presidency, he  like other heads of state, including Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton  missed a year due to major events. Trump is the first president to decline an invitation twice. You can watch the Kennedy Center Honors when they are broadcast on CBS on Dec. 26. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Facebook

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Grammy Awards nominations delayed over Bushs memorial services By Christie DZurilla (Julio Cortez / Associated Press) The Recording Academy said Monday morning it would delay its announcement of the 61st Grammy Award nominees to avoid competing with memorial services and public viewings for former President George H. W. Bush, who died Friday. The organization had planned to announce nominees early Wednesday morning but will now share nominees in select categories on Friday at 5:30 a.m. PST via CBS This Morning and Apple Music. A full nominations list across 84 categories will follow at 5:45 a.m. PST on Friday at Grammy.com  the academys website  as well as all of its social-media platforms. Nominations cover recordings released between Oct. 1, 2017, and Sept. 30, 2018. Facebook

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A Star Is Born: Lucy Liu turns 50 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) For me, I want to be the best person for the job  not the best color for the job. That to me would be the most ideal thing. Lucy Liu, 2006 FROM THE ARCHIVES: Versatility in action Facebook

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Alec Baldwin, Ben Stiller open a Saturday Night Live that features a Kendrick cameo and a Robert Mueller holiday jingle Alec Baldwin and Ben Stiller open the Dec. 1 episode of Saturday Night Live. (NBC) After a few weeks off for some legal trouble involving a parking dispute, Alec Baldwin was back in the pursed-lip saddle as President Donald Trump this week on Saturday Night Live. Playing off the G20 summit in Argentina and recent revelations surrounding the Russia investigation, SNL found Baldwins Trump isolated and calling his Mikey Coco Puffs in attorney Michael Cohen, who was again played by Ben Stiller. Nostalgic for the late-night talks with Cohen and vacations to Moscow, the sketch found Trump sad to see his lawyer going to prison, and told him he was like a son to me. Then whyd you make me do such much illegal stuff? Stillers Cohen asked. Thats cause you were like a son to me, Baldwins Trump countered. The sketch went on to nod toward Baldwins troubles as Trump hung up and Baldwin said he hadnt been so mad since he flipped out over that parking space. Fred Armisen also appeared in the sketch as Saudi Arabias Mohammed bin Salman, Cecily Strong as Melania Trump and Kate McKinnon as a wild-eyed Rudy Giuliani. The Russia investigation received another callback at the end of the episode with McKinnon and Strong joined by Aidy Bryant, Leslie Jones, Melissa Villasenor, Heidi Gardner, and newest cast member Ego Nwodim for a performance of All I Want for Christmas Is You dedicated to Robert Mueller in the hopes of an indictment for the president. All they want for Christmas is you, Mueller  #SNL pic.twitter.com/bYtpwM0moN  Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) December 2, 2018 Still, thats unlikely to be the nights most talked about musical moment. Those honors likely go to Oxnard native Anderson .Paak, whose third album (which is named after his hometown) was released in November. .Paak performed Who R U along with his single Tints, which featured an assist from Kendrick Lamar, who performed a few verses next to .Paaks drum riser. It wasnt a recast of a Christmas song, but it made a strong impression nonetheless. Facebook

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Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson make beautiful music together on Nothing Breaks Like a Heart Miley Cyrus brings the bling in the video for Nothing Breaks Like a Heart, a new collaboration with Mark Ronson. (Vevo) Its been a minute since Miley Cyrus released new music, but much like Los Angeles, the drought is over. Cyrus, in collaboration with British DJ and producer Mark Ronson, released Nothing Breaks Like a Heart on Thursday, the first single from Ronsons upcoming album, his first solo effort since 2015. Its the first new music from Cyrus in more than a year. Cyrus brings her huskiest growl to the tale of love gone wrong, singing, This world can hurt you, it cuts you deep and leaves a scar / Things fall apart, but nothing breaks like a heart. The accompanying video features Cyrus in a low-speed chase with a bevy of cop cars, smashing through walls as if she were a wrecking ball  or the Kool-Aid Man. In the world outside, cultural references play out in disconnected fashion, as football players kneel and children visit a gun range, all while Cyrus looks on. Also, she goes to a strip club, so watch the video at your own risk. However, the video does end with a stunning sequence of a car wreck that features Cyrus still inside the vehicle singing, as gold and glass float through the air around her, in what appears to be an obvious homage to Julie Taymors gold dust bus crash in 2002s Frida. The video is worth watching for those stylish seconds alone. Facebook

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Hugh Jackman is hitting the road  and the Hollywood Bowl  with 2019 world tour Hugh Jackman starred in The Greatest Showman last year and is now taking to the stage to see if he can match the hype. The Logan actor appeared on Today on Thursday to announce his 2019 world tour, The Man. The Music. The Show. The tour will feature Jackman performing hits from The Greatest Showman, Les Miserables and other stage and screen roles. Im on the back nine of my life right now, Jackman said on Today, explaining the impetus for the show, and this is about the best parts of the front nine. The tour launches with a 12-date European leg in May, beginning in Hamburg, Germany, and concluding with two shows in London. The U.S. tour begins June 18 in Houston and wraps up with two shows at the Hollywood Bowl on July 19 and 20. Fans of comic-book culture will notice that those Los Angeles dates coincide with San Diego Comic-Con, leaving Jackman either plenty of time for a jaunt south for a guest appearance at SDCC or a built-in excuse for the Wolverine actor to skip out altogether. Tickets for a handful of Jackmans tour dates go on sale Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. PST on HughJackmanTheShow.com. Tickets for the Hollywood Bowl appearances do not yet have an announced sale date. pic.twitter.com/iO5NLSDE8G  Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) November 29, 2018 Facebook

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Quentin Tarantino marries singer-model Daniella Pick in L.A. By Christie DZurilla Quentin Tarantino and Daniella Pick in 2016. (Jean-Philippe Ksiazek / AFP/Getty Images) Once upon a time in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino married Daniella Pick, the Israeli singer-model hes been engaged to since last year. The two tied the knot in Los Angeles in an intimate ceremony, People reported exclusively Wednesday, ahead of a larger gathering that was planned for that night. Tarantino, 55, and Pick, 35, met in 2009 when he visited Israel to promote Inglourious Basterds, but they had been dating steadily only for about a year when he popped the question in summer 2017. Theyd been on and off before that. Its a first marriage for the director, who explained his take on marriage to GQ in 2009. When Im doing a movie, Im not doing anything else. Its all about the movie, he said. I dont have a wife. I dont have a kid. Nothing can get in my way.  Im not saying that Ill never get married or have a kid before Im 60. But Ive made a choice, so far, to go on this road alone. Because this is my time. This is my time to make movies. Tarantino said at a conference in 2016 that he was going to retire after he had directed 10 movies. His Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is in post-production now, while an untitled Star Trek project looms. That latter one would be his 10th full-length effort. Just Married! Congrats Quentin Tarantino & Daniela Pick!

 Curtis Dahl / @people pic.twitter.com/uFBk94kvyS  Quentin Tarantino Fan Club (@TarantinoFC) November 29, 2018 Facebook

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SpongeBob fan lobbies for Empire State Building to glow yellow to honor Stephen Hillenburg By Christie DZurilla A SpongeBob SquarePants balloon floats over Central Park West last week during the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez / Associated Press) A fan of the Nickelodeon show SpongeBob SquarePants has started an online petition asking that the Empire State Building be lit up in yellow to remember series creator Stephen Hillenburg, who died Monday of ALS at age 57. As Nickelodeon Studios is based in New York, I felt it fitting to ask the Big Apple to show its love for Stephen by embracing SpongeBobs classic yellow glow, fan Alison P. said in her petition on the Care2 website. She said she started the petition as a way to honor Hillenburg and also to drive awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a degenerative neurological condition also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. The petition had closed in on its 3,000-signature goal by early Wednesday afternoon. Stephen Hillenburg at the world premiere of The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water in 2015. (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images) SpongeBob SquarePants has taught his audience not only about friendship but helped to drive awareness around the importance of ocean conservation, Alison P. said. It was Stephens genius that was able to invent a character who could connect with kids and adults to deliver such an important message in a fun and charming way. Though Hillenburg left the series in 2002 after about 60 episodes, it has continued on through 12 seasons so far and amassed a loyal fan base that includes both young and old. There have been two SpongeBob movies, with one more on tap for 2020. Hillenburg went public with his ALS diagnosis in March 2017. READ MORE: Stephen Hillenburg, creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, dies at 57 Facebook

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Bobby Brown sues Whitney: Can I Be Me distributors, including Showtime and the BBC By Christie DZurilla Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown in 1997. (Rene Macura / Associated Press) Bobby Brown and the estate of Bobbi Kristina Brown are suing Showtime and other distributors of the unauthorized 2017 biopic Whitney: Can I Be Me, alleging the defendants used more than half an hour of old footage of both Browns, plus his other children, without permission. The suit, which seeks at least $2 million in damages, was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York, where defendants Showtime, the BBC and Passion Pictures all have offices. The named defendants  which also include Tracey Baker-Simmons, Wanda Shelley, B2 Entertainment and Simmons Shelley Entertainment, based in Atlanta  are accused of distributing footage including some shot for the 2005 reality show Being Bobby Brown, thereby violating the Browns privacy rights in pursuit of financial gain. Though Brown was contacted by the filmmakers, the suit says, to be interviewed for Can I Be Me, he declined. A mention in the films credits suggests Browns production company OKd the use of the Being Bobby Brown footage, including footage of Bobbi Kristina Brown, but the complaint says no such permission was given. The footage was actually recorded prior to the divorce in 2007 between Brown and Houston. Brown never signed or executed a release for the material that appears in the film, the lawsuit says. The footage of Brown is approximately fifteen (15) years old. The Los Angeles Times review of Can I Be Me noted that some voices were absent from the film, which was co-directed by Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal. (Neither director is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.) Broomfield, for his part, was hampered by the fact that he was not able to interview key people in Houstons life, including ex-husband Bobby Brown, her closest friend Robyn Crawford, and Clive Davis, the Svengali who began her career, Times critic Kenneth Turan wrote. Showtime and the BBC declined to comment on Wednesday. And an email sent to Tracey Baker-Simmons was not immediately returned. Bobbi Kristina Brown died in July 2015 from undetermined causes. Facebook

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Sundance 2019: Get an inside look at the feature film lineup and the festivals early trends By Los Angeles Times Staff People walk past the Egyptian Theatre, a landmark venue showing films during the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Mindy Kaling. Alec Baldwin. Naomi Watts. Pete Davidson. Awkwafina. Emma Thompson. Shia LaBeouf . Those are just a few of the many names headed to Park City, Utah, in January for the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. On Wednesday, the Sundance Institute unveiled the full lineup of feature films from all over the world set to premiere at the annual festival. To mark the official lineup reveal, festival director John Cooper and programming director Kim Yutani visited the Times video studio for a livestream discussion. Joined by Times film reporter and The Reel host Mark Olsen, the two offered their instant analysis on the lineup and what trends to watch for come January. Read our full report on the titles selected, and press play on the video below to watch a replay of the livestream. The 2019 Sundance Film Festival runs Jan. 24 to Feb. 3. For full coverage, make sure to bookmark latimes.com/entertainment and follow @latimesent on Twitter, @latimesent on Facebook and @latimes_entertainment on Instagram. Facebook

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Mac Miller singles released posthumously on Spotify By Christie DZurilla Rapper Mac Miller died Sept. 7 of an accidental overdose. (Owen Sweeney / Associated Press) Spotify has released a couple of new tunes from the late rapper Mac Miller. A recording of his song Dunno and a cover of Billy Prestons 1974 hit Nothing From Nothing are part of a Spotify Singles playlist that came out Tuesday on the streaming platform. They were recorded live in New York City before Millers death on Sept. 7. Miller appears to get emotional about an ex-girlfriend  perhaps Ariana Grande?  in the wistful Dunno, from his 2018 album Swimming. And he puts a smoky, introspective spin on Nothing From Nothing. Listen to songs below. Miller, who was 26, died from an accidental overdose of alcohol, cocaine and fentanyl, the Los Angeles County coroners office concluded. The unexpected nature of his death left many strings untied, including a Halloween concert date at the Greek Theatre that became the peer-loaded tribute concert Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life. Facebook

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Margaret Atwood announces Handmaids Tale sequel to be released in 2019 Margaret Atwood announced Wednesday that a sequel to her iconic 1985 novel, The Handmaids Tale, is coming next year. (Patrick T. Fallon / Los Angeles Times) In the surest sign yet that we are living in the age of reboots, revivals and sequels, Margaret Atwood announced Wednesday that a sequel to The Handmaids Tale, her prescient 1985 novel, is in the works. Titled The Testaments, the new novel is set 15 years after the protagonists final scene in The Handmaids Tale, and is narrated by three female characters. Atwood revealed the news in a tweet Wednesday morning and said the book is set to be published next year. The Handmaids Tale and its dystopian tale of life in Gilead, a patriarchal society overseen by fundamentalist zealots with a singular obsession with womens reproductive rights has seen renewed cultural significance in recent days. The books continued relevance is thanks in part to the high-profile Hulu adaptation, along with plenty of other contributing factors. Dear Readers: Everything youve ever asked me about Gilead and its inner workings is the inspiration for this book. Well, almost everything! Atwood wrote in her tweet. The other inspiration is the world weve been living in. Yes indeed to those who asked: Im writing a sequel to The #HandmaidsTale. #TheTestaments is set 15 years after Offreds final scene and is narrated by three female characters. It will be published in Sept 2019. More details: https://t.co/e1umh5FwpX pic.twitter.com/pePp0zpuif  Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) November 28, 2018 I have published Margaret Atwoods work since 1976  her poetry, fiction and nonfiction, publisher Nan A. Talese said in a statement Wednesday. A manuscript from her is always a reason for joy. She writes wonderfully and has a mind like a steel trap. This new book is no exception. Beyond the timeline and the narrators, little else has been revealed about the sequel. The book is not, however, in any way connected to Hulus current adaptation. The Testaments is scheduled for release on Sept. 10, 2019, by Nan A. Talese/Doubleday with a first printing of 500,000 copies. Facebook

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A Star Is Born: Alfonso Cuaron turns 57 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times) I think it is vital for filmmakers to have their feet firmly planted in their countrys cultures. ... But the theme must be universal. Alfonso Cuaron, 2002 FROM THE ARCHIVES: A New Mexican Revolution Facebook

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Amanda Bynes makes triumphant return on cover of Paper magazine Actress Amanda Bynes, pictured in 2013, battled several problems that played out in public for a few years. (Neilson Barnard / Getty Images) Former child star turned cautionary tale Amanda Bynes has resurfaced on the cover of Paper magazine looking happy, healthy and ready for a comeback. Bynes broke through on Nickelodeons sketch comedy show All That before scoring a series of her own at age 13 with The Amanda Show. Her star continued to rise through the early 2000s with movie roles aplenty, including What a Girl Wants, Shes the Man and Hairspray. But eventually, Bynes said in a new sit-down interview with Paper, self-image issues fueled her burgeoning drug habit and led to her abandoning acting altogether. The actress recounted a moment on the set of Hall Pass, when, after seeing herself on a monitor, literally tripping out and thinking my arm looked so fat because it was in the foreground or whatever and I remember rushing off set and thinking, Oh, my god, I look so bad. According to Bynes, it was a combination of image issues and Adderall abuse that resulted in her eventually leaving Hall Pass. Shortly thereafter, she found herself in a similar situation while watching her performance in Easy A. Amanda Bynes on the cover of Paper magazines Break the Internet issue. (Danielle Levitt / Paper) I literally couldnt stand my appearance in that movie, and I didnt like my performance, she said. I was absolutely convinced I needed to stop acting after seeing it. Bynes is clear that any bad behavior in previous years was spurred by drug use and not by psychological issues, saying that once she quit acting, her days were filled with little beyond getting high and self-destructing online. Im really ashamed and embarrassed with the things I said. I cant turn back time, but if I could, I would, Bynes said. And Im so sorry to whoever I hurt and whoever I lied about because it truly eats away at me. It makes me feel so horrible and sick to my stomach and sad. Everything I worked my whole life to achieve, I kind of ruined it all through Twitter, she said. In the interview, Bynes also discusses her four years of sobriety and educational pursuit at Los Angeles Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, as well as her potential return to acting. Facebook

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Aubrey Plaza to host 2019 Spirit Awards By Sonaiya Kelley Aubrey Plaza, a Spirit Award winner herself, will host the 2019 Spirit Awards ceremony. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Film Independent announced on Tuesday that Aubrey Plaza will host the 2019 Spirit Awards. The search for a great Spirit Awards host is never easy, Film Independents president, Josh Welsh, said in a release. This year we said, Lets find someone funny, smart, a cinephile  being a great actor wouldnt hurt and it would be an added bonus if theyve previously won a Spirit Award. Then we realized, Oh wait, thats Aubrey Plaza! I am truly honored and delighted to host the Spirit Awards this year, said Plaza in the release. It is a dream come true to host a show that celebrates my greatest loves: independent film, the people that make them possible and live television. Plaza starred opposite Elizabeth Olsen in last years Ingrid Goes West, which she also produced. As a producer, she received a Spirit Award for best first feature for that film. She currently stars in FXs Legion series, which is based on a Marvel comic of the same name. Season 3 of the show will premiere in 2019. She is also well known for her role on the Emmy-nominated series Parks and Recreation and will next appear in Lars Klevbergs Childs Play remake with Brian Tyree Henry, scheduled for release on June 21, 2019. The Spirit Awards are the primary fundraiser for Film Independents year-round programs. Nominees were announced on Nov. 16. Among this years best feature nominees are Eighth Grade, First Reformed, If Beale Street Could Talk, Leave No Trace and You Were Never Really Here. The 34th Independent Spirit Awards will broadcast live on IFC on Feb. 23, 2019. The ceremony will be held on the beach in Santa Monica. Facebook

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Bruce Springsteen teases Netflixs Springsteen on Broadway with a new trailer By Christie DZurilla One step up and two steps back? More like one door closing and another one opening. So it is with Bruce Springsteen, whos bringing Springsteen on Broadway to small screens the day after his autobiographical show closes following more than a year at New York Citys Walter Kerr Theatre. This is what Ive presented to you all these years as my long and noisy prayer, as my magic trick, Springsteen says to kick off the trailer released by Netflix on Tuesday, not quite three weeks ahead of the specials debut on the streaming service. Think of it as a two-hour reward for resisting the urge to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a ticket to the gig, which opened in October 2017. Heavy on serious theatricality, the trailer offers a low-key taste of the nearly solo show  staged in a theater that seats fewer than a thousand  which on most nights has included Springsteens wife, Patti Scialfa, on a couple of songs. Its a hybrid, but clearly not a Bruce concert. Far from it. Unlike his raucous arena shows, there are no massive singalongs by the crowd. It doesnt stretch to 3 or four hours, though its apparently grown longer with time. Its a coming-of-age story, and I want to show how this  ones coming of age  has to be earned, Springsteen told EAs the first president to issue policy directives, retorts to criticism and just about whatever crosses his mind via Twitter, Donald Trumps social-media feed is in many ways as close a snapshot of his thinking as were likely to get.

Its an idea that in part led Comedy Centrals The Daily Show With Trevor Noah to create the Donald J. Trump Presidential Twitter Library, a satirical cross between a museum and presidential library that debuted in New York City for three days last year. The museum has lived on with a book version planned for July and pop-up stops in Chicago as well as last weekends Clusterfest in San Francisco. Now, its coming to Southern California.

The library will pop up for two consecutive weekends starting Friday, June 8 through June 10 and June 15-17 in a former storefront at 631 N. Robertson Blvd. in West Hollywood. On opening day this week, the library will be open from noon until 10 p.m., and for the rest of the run the hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free.

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Ive always said I think the best person on Twitter is Chrissy Teigen, and then a close second is Donald Trump, Noah told The Times between appearances at Clusterfest Friday. I think he used Twitter in many ways to become president of the United States. Thats why the Twitter library is so magical for me.

Hes been so prolific over so many years and has written so many things that you cant possibly hold them all in your head, Daily Show executive producer Steve Bodow told The Times in 2017. And you go, Oh, yeah, these things were all written by the guy who is president of the United States, which is a simple declarative statement, but also astonishing.

In the tradition of previous Daily Show endeavors outside TV such as America (The Book), the Twitter library succeeds for its commitment to the concept. Ornate gilded frames wrap around a selection of significant 140-character missives from Trump the president and private citizen.

Many feature deadpan, gallery-styled explanations on nearby cards, while others are grouped under headings such as Sad! A Retrospective and Trumps Greatest Battles, which features recordings from past presidential targets such as Seth Meyers, Stephen King and Kathy Griffin.

In response to a 2014 tweet calling the name of the show black-ish as racism at the highest level, series creator Kenya Barris says the accusation from Trump made him feel on the right side of history.

Other continuing attractions include a magnetic make-your-own-tweet board, a Commander in Tweet replica of the Oval Office where attendees can sit on a golden toilet, and a glossy black memorial to tweets that were deleted but not forgotten.

Given the nature of Twitter (and, frankly, the president), the museum has expanded to allow for new material since its 2017 debut, such as the triptych of Trumps very stable genius tweets posted in January and, special to Los Angeles, a collection of his thoughts about the Emmys.

I remember the first time I walked into the space. It was like walking into an FBI profile of a killer, Noah said with a smile. You know, where they break someones personality down? You can understand Donald Trump completely just from his tweets.

While a deep dive into the Trump psyche may sound like an intense endeavor for some, the creators of the library have  much like The Daily Show itself  aimed to give equal time to darkness and light.

You will remember to laugh, and you will remember to be outraged and you will remember to be disgusted  I hope, at times or disappointed, Noah said. It isnt overwhelming.

If anything think of it like this, Noah continued. We found a way to take a really spicy dish and intersperse moments of ice to just cool your palate.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

chris.barton@latimes.com

Follow me over here @chrisbarton.

ALSO:

The Daily Show honors the tweeter in chief with the Donald J. Trump Presidential Twitter Library

Jon Stewart defends Samantha Bee in return to stand-up at San Franciscos Clusterfest

The Trump era may have raised the stakes, but Clusterfest (and comedy) goes onFrom pastrami in Pasadena to a Filipino taco pop-up, heres whats happening in our food and drink world:

Pasadena pastrami

Canters Deli is one of 15 restaurants that will operate a kitchen out of the new Kitchen United food hub and kitchen rental space in Pasadena. The Fairfax deli plans to open a satellite at the hub by June 15, when it will begin making food for Postmates, Grubhub and other delivery apps that will deliver the food within a five-mile radius. So, yes, that means Canters pastrami sandwiches in Pasadena. Youll also be able to visit the hub and order food from any of the restaurants there to take home or eat in a commissary area. Some of the other restaurants expected at the hub include the Pizza Plant, Mama Musubi and the Lost Cuban (a fast-casual Cuban restaurant from Cedar Rapids, Iowa). Kitchen United also has a retail space off Madison Avenue in Pasadena that sells products made by the 20 companies renting kitchen space. 561 E. Green St., Pasadena, www.kitchenunited.com

Filipino tacos

Chef Michael Hung is once again on the move. Hung, who was most recently the co-owner/chef at the now-closed XO restaurant and market on Beverly Boulevard (he has also cooked at Faith & Flower and Mama Lion restaurants), has started a new pop-up dinner called Chilolas with his Ardour Hospitality partner Abby Gavino.

Its basically a mashup of Mexican and Filipino food, and whenever I cook for us at home, a lot of times it has a blend of both cultures, Hung recently told The Times. Hung says he was inspired by his family s Filipino cooking and Gavino s Mexican family background. Its fun and casual. Were not trying to do fine dining with this.

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Some of the highlights include an adobo chicken taco and al pastro lumpia (Filipino spring rolls). The name Chilola was Gavinos mother Lolas nickname growing up. Although the plan is to eventually make this a bricks-and-mortar restaurant, Chilolas is operating as a pop-up restaurant through the website Feastly. Hung will also have a Chilolas booth at the Arroyo Seco Weekend Festival at the Rose Bowl June 23 and 24. www.ardourhospitality.com

Fairfax dahi poori

A location of Badmaash, the downtown L.A. Indian restaurant from chef Pawan Mahendro and his sons Nakul and Arjun, is now open in the Fairfax district. For now, the menu is the same as at the downtown location, but Nakul says they plan to make additions in the future.

We believe in the idea of a neighborhood Indian restaurant, Nakul recently told us. Its an entirely different neighborhood than downtown. We want to learn what the neighborhood wants and then cater to that neighborhood.

The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and plans to expand its hours to include lunch and weekend brunch. 418 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, www.badmaashla.com

Bring on the udon

Marugame Udon, the Japanese restaurant from Kagawa, Japan, known for its Sanuki-style udon noodles, plans to open a location at South Coast Plaza this fall. The noodles are made-to-order hot or cold, and you can customize them with tempura and musubi add-ons. The 3,000-square-foot restaurant will be on the lower level near Sears. Marugame Udon also has a location on Sawtelle Boulevard in Los Angeles and in San Francisco. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, marugameudon.com

Downtown oysters

Nick Erven, the chef behind the now-closed Erven in Santa Monica, is at the helm of the new Rappahannock oyster bar at the ROW DTLA restaurant and retail complex in downtown L.A. The restaurant is owned by cousins Ryan and Travis Croxton of the Rappahannock Oyster Co. in the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. (The company was established by the Croxtons grandfather in 1899.) Rappahannock in Los Angeles opened for lunch in early May and will start dinner service on Friday. You can expect to see hamachi with plums and shiso; shrimp and grits; and a potato latke with caviar to go with all those oysters. The 2,000-square-foot space has an open kitchen, a marble seafood counter and a patio. 787 Alameda St., No. 154, Los Angeles, (323) 435-4004, www.rappbardtla.com

jenn.harris@latimes.com

Instagram: @Jenn_Harris_Just like hes done every morning and afternoon for the last year, Ike Iloputaife took his two exotic borzoi dogs for a 90-minute walk in his San Diego County neighborhood in the early morning hours of May 16.

Little did the 55-year-old Nigerian-born innkeeper know he was walking into one of the most frightening experiences of his adult life.

Seven hours after he and his 3-year-old dogs, Lars and Luvkiy, walked down Monte Vista Drive in Vista that day, a house on the street was burglarized by three young black men.

Six days later, the San Diego County Sheriffs Department issued a press release with surveillance photos of the three suspects as well as a grainy photo of a person of interest. It was a picture of Iloputaife, who is also black, walking his dogs through the neighborhood on the morning of the burglary.

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A woman who lived around the corner from the burglarized home had snapped the photo of Iloputaife that morning when he walked past her house because, she told investigators, he was a stranger on her street. It was taken from behind at a significant distance. After the burglary, the woman  whose identity is unavailable  shared the photo with investigators.

Although the still-unidentified Iloputaife was billed in the press release as looking similar to Suspect 2 in the burglary, their only similarity is skin color. Suspect 2 is listed in the release as 20 to 35 years old, 6 feet to 6-feet-5 and weighing 260 pounds. Iloputaife is 5 feet, 9 inches, is in his mid-50s and weighs 195 pounds.

In a post to neighbors on the Nextdoor App on Friday afternoon, Iloputaife said its disturbing that he was photographed by someone and sucked unwittingly into a criminal investigation simply because he was walking his dogs on a street near the Sunrise Drive home he shares with his husband, Jim Watson.

In this persons head I became a person of interest because of my skin color, Iloputaife wrote. Asking to call the police on a black person in this highly charged political and cultural environment can be a danger for the black person.

But the Vista station of the County Sheriffs Department, which has since removed Iloputaife as a person of interest, said they took great care in deciding to release the photo to the press.

Lt. Jack Reynolds said the decision was based on the severity of the crime  several rifles, handguns and a safe were stolen  and the lack of leads in finding the suspects.

With a crime where we have no leads other than surveillance footage, were going to look at all information that comes in as a potential lead, Reynolds said. Are they going out to do surveillance on potential targets, maybe sending someone out on foot?

Reynolds said investigators hoped neighbors would recognize the dogs in the photo, not the dog-walker, and dozens of neighbors did. Some reached out to law enforcement and others posted on Nextdoor defending Iloputaife as a well-known presence in the neighborhood.

Watson said hes disappointed that the Sheriffs Department didnt take more time to ask around the Alta Vista/Foothill neighborhood before posting the photo.

They took this extreme action on such little information, Watson said. I believe in Neighborhood Watch and communities looking out for themselves. But they need to think seriously about what its like to  make someone a suspect with so little information.

Justin Brooks, director of the California Innocence Project at California Western School of Law in San Diego, said bad IDs are the leading cause of wrongful convictions in America. And most of the exonerations hes worked on over the last 20 years involve bad IDs by witnesses with a different racial background than the defendant.

When you look at the studies, we are absolutely terrible at identifying humans who are not of our own race, Brooks said.

Despite the flaws in the system, Brooks said the public and juries put great stock in witness testimony and photos on fliers.

Sometimes we make mistakes and those kinds of mistakes can devastate peoples lives and leave their reputation in tatters, Brooks said.

Iloputaife and Watson were on vacation in Yosemite when the press release appeared on local TV stations and the sdcrimestoppers.com website May 22. A neighbor gave the couple the news when they returned home May 25.

Friend and neighbor Laurie Gilbert said its been hard watching Iloputaife and Watson go through this experience over the last week.

To suddenly feel unwelcome and afraid to go out and walk your dogs is awful, said Gilbert. There isnt a bad bone in either of their bodies; theyre good, kind, loving people.

Iloputaife came to the U.S. in 1981 to study aerospace engineering and was a competitive sprinter. He was living in Los Angeles volunteering for a national AIDS charity in 1994 when he met the Texas-born Watson, who was the foundations fundraiser at the time.

In 1995, they moved to Provence, France, where they owned and operated a bed and breakfast as well as other real estate in Europe. When Watson became ill two years ago, they decided to move back to California to be closer to family. They chose Vista because the hills reminded them of France and Italy and they found a home with a big yard where their dogs could run.

Watson said in all their years in France, they never experienced any prejudice over their mixed-race partnership or sexuality. But just a month after they moved to Vista in June 2017, Iloputaife said a man driving a truck past him in their neighborhood shouted slurs out the window.

Iloputaife, who has dual U.S. and French citizenship, said the experience over this last month has made him consider moving back to France.

It does make me think, he said. Im here because my spouse is here. If he werent here I would go back to France. There are racial and political issues in France, but theyre less acrid there.

Over the last week, Iloputaife has spent hours meeting with detectives and calling, emailing and writing to local TV stations and news sites asking that his photo with the dogs be removed from stories about the suspects. His photo was still on sdcrimestoppers.com until noon Monday when a reporter called to ask about it. It was removed in the afternoon.

Iloputaife said hes been frustrated that deputies wont return his calls and why he has had to work so hard to clear his own reputation. People have suggested he file a lawsuit, but hes not interested.

I hate courts and have never sued anyone in my life. All I want from them is an apology saying, We screwed up and were sorry, he said.

Bill Jacobs, a friend who often walks Lars and Luvkiy whenever Iloputaife travels to France on business, said hes been impressed by how Iloputaife has handled the situation with calm and grace.

Hes very disappointed, but his first response was to say, Lets defuse the situation, Jacobs said. Nobody wants to be in that situation, white or black, but its much more dangerous being black.

Kragen writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com | Twitter: @pamkragenA Superior Court judge has ruled in favor of L.A. County in its fight with the owner and operator of an illegal landfill, where officials have been trying to halt dumping at the unpermitted site in an ecologically sensitive area in the hills above Chatsworth.

In his ruling, issued Friday, Judge Stephen P. Pfahler agreed with county officials that Wayne Fishback, Charles Lee, ABC Waste Management Corp. and Cepheid LLC continue to violate his 2015 order preventing the transport and deposit of concrete and demolition debris on the property.

For years, the volume of trucks heaving along the twisty 3.2-mile Browns Canyon Road, stretching toward Michael D. Antonovich Regional Park and Fishbacks property, prompted endless complaints from neighbors about noise and environmental destruction.

Now, opponents laud Pfahler for banning all Class 6 trucks and higher from entering the hillside properties.

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I applaud the courts decision to finally put an end to the illegal dumping, the hundreds of trucks a day on Browns Canyon Road, and the general nuisance our local communities have had to endure for far too long, said L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose district includes the dump and its potential hazards.

She added that officials will immediately talk with law enforcement, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and regulatory agencies to help vigorously enforce the court order.

Pfahler, who issued a preliminary injunction in December 2015, also ordered the defendants to post no dumping signs on the property, which occupies one of the last patches of prime wildlife habitat in the north San Fernando Valleys Santa Susana Mountains.

The ruling appeared to have caught Fishback by surprise.

I dont know anything about it, he said Monday. I havent heard anything about it.

Deborah Fox, an attorney representing Los Angeles County, called Pfahlers ruling a great victory for the county and for our communities. The destructive parade of trucks has been absolutely awful for residents and they want it gone.

At times, as many as 100 trucks a day have poured tons of construction debris into a steep ravine. Earthmovers have leveled the mounds, slowly filling the canyon where Fishback hoped to build atop the acres he named Liberty Ranch  constructing a big, beautiful park not just for horse lovers and hikers, but also adding domed housing units, which he said were a potential solution for sheltering the homeless.

Fox, though, countered that homeless shelters are not allowed on land zoned for heavy agriculture. She and her team plan to soon submit a proposal for a modified injunction to the judge. Before the ruling, she said officials were confident about the injunction violations, thanks to overwhelming evidence from drone photos and materials presented in 500-plus exhibits.

anh.do@latimes.com

Twitter: @newsterrier

Times staff writer Louis Sahagun contributed to this report.Chatsworth High School has been placed on lockdown after someone called to threaten a shooting, police said Tuesday.

A caller contacted the school and made the threat around 10:15 a.m., according to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman.

Officers with the LAPD and the Los Angeles Unified School District Police Department are searching the school, authorities said. In a tweet, the LAPD confirmed there was a report of a threat, but nothing credible.

There have been no confirmed sightings of a shooter and a gun has not been found on the campus, the spokesman said. No one has been reported injured.

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james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a pair of alleged sexual assaults in New York City.

Weinstein was flanked by cameras as he entered a lower Manhattan courthouse Tuesday morning alongside attorney Benjamin Brafman. Weinstein was indicted by a grand jury last week on two counts of rape in the first degree, rape in the third degree and committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree in incidents involving two women in 2004 and 2013.

Attorney Gloria Allred, a longtime champion of womens rights who has represented many of the women accusing comedian Bill Cosby of sexual assault, was in the courtroom, seated in the gallery.

Weinstein has repeatedly denied engaging in nonconsensual sex with women, and his attorney has called the charges in New York constitutionally flawed.

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As terrible a crime as rape is, it is equally reprehensible to be falsely accused of rape, and since Mr. Weinstein has denied these allegations, thats where we are, Brafman said on Tuesday.

Weinstein will return to court Sept. 20, when a judge will rule on motions Brafman is expected to file, according to a spokesman for the Manhattan district attorneys office. Brafman has said he plans to file a motion to dismiss the charges. On Tuesday, he said he may also file a motion to have the cases against Weinstein severed, meaning the mogul would face separate trials on the allegations made by each woman.

Prosecutors and Weinsteins lawyer are also expected to battle it out over efforts by the district attorneys office to potentially use evidence from additional accusers who are not included in the indictment. Brafman will fight to keep out such evidence, which was used in the conviction of Bill Cosby in his sexual assault trial.

A grand jury is continuing to hear evidence in ongoing investigations into Weinstein. On Monday, Melissa Thompson, a technology sales executive who has accused Weinstein of rape, met with prosecutors. She alleges a colleague of Brafmans duped her into turning over evidence related to the alleged attack. Brafman said that he never met with her and that the lawyer she cited had already left his firm.

Weinstein, 66, surrendered to police last month, when he was marched in handcuffs past a throng of reporters outside the New York Police Departments 1st Precinct. His arrest marked a significant victory for the #MeToo movement, which was born after dozens of women came forward to accuse the film mogul of using his power and influence to sexually exploit young women, including many aspiring actresses.

Prosecutors have not named the victims in the New York case, though one is believed to be a woman who accused Weinstein of sexual assault in an October article in the New Yorker magazine.

A judge last month ordered Weinstein to submit to round-the-clock GPS monitoring and to restrict his travel to New York and Connecticut. Weinstein also surrendered his passport, and one of the alleged victims has obtained a restraining order against him.

Brafman told reporters after Weinsteins arrest May 25 that he believed his client would be acquitted at trial as long as the jury is not consumed by the movement that seems to have overtaken this case.

The charges in New York are the first to surface in the months since more than 80 women came forward to accuse Weinstein of a range of misconduct, from harassment to rape. Those accusations directly sparked the #MeToo movement, which has seen countless victims come forward to accuse powerful Hollywood figures, entertainers and others of sexual exploitation and assault. A raft of notable personalities, including comedian Louis CK, former news anchor Matt Lauer, actor Kevin Spacey and former Sen. Al Franken, have been ensnared by such accusations in recent months.

As the case in New York proceeds, authorities in Southern California and London are continuing to investigate allegations against Weinstein.

The Los Angeles County district attorneys office is currently reviewing five investigations into the 66-year-old  two by Beverly Hills police and three by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Law enforcement sources have told The Times that one particular case in Los Angeles, an Italian actress allegation of rape in 2013, is promising for prosecution. The woman told her story to three people, including a priest, relatively soon after the alleged attack, the sources said. Detectives also have evidence the woman was a guest at the Beverly Hills hotel where she alleges 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.

james.queally@latimes.com

richard.winton@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT & @LACrimes for crime and police news in California.

UPDATES:

4:30 p.m: This article was updated with additional information on the hearing and legal issues.

10:35 a.m.: This article was updated with additional information from the district attorneys office.

8:45 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from Weinsteins attorney.

This article was originally published at 7:20 a.m.A former Monterey Park police officer convicted of sexually assaulting three women during traffic stops was sentenced Tuesday to nearly eight years in prison and required to register as a sex offender.

Prosecutors say Israel Sanchez  who faced up to 11 years in prison  forced the women to expose themselves during the summer of 2014 and groped two of them. The female drivers were ages 19 to 28.



For the record: An earlier version of this article misspelled the name of Israel Sanchezs sister as Gabriel Leyva.

A district attorneys employee read letters from two of the victims, including one who wrote that she was too afraid to face Sanchez  the man who she said had devastated her self-esteem and changed her view of law enforcement.

He took advantage of me, she said. He is a sick man.

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Sanchez, 42, denied wrongdoing in a statement he read to the judge and said he had suffered physical and emotional scars from serving as a Marine in Iraq. He insisted one of the women voluntarily exposed herself.

But Superior Court Judge Douglas Sortino stressed that the former officer had taken advantage of a position of trust.

The victims were particularly vulnerable, Sortino said, adding that he found the evidence in the case convincing. The judge added that Sanchezs comments to the court on Tuesday seemed to be an attempt at minimizing his actions.

The sentencing followed Sanchezs conviction in March on five counts of sexual battery by restraining, five counts of assault under the color of authority, three counts of false imprisonment by violence and one count of soliciting a bribe. L.A. County Deputy Dist. Atty. Hyunah Suh argued that Sanchez told one of his victims, If you do this for me, I wont tow your car, according to a district attorneys spokeswoman.

At trial, Sanchezs attorney, Michael Goldfeder, tried to poke holes in the victims accounts, arguing that the women made up allegations to retaliate against his client, who previously arrested one of them on a drug charge.

There are no crimes in this case, Goldfeder said to jurors.

Suh said Sanchez had a habit of needlessly insisting on searching women during traffic stops and of using a specific word  nice  to describe their body parts. The prosecutor shot down the defense claim that Sanchez was framed, telling jurors that the women  who told similar stories  didnt know one another.

The investigation began, Suh said, after one of the victims, whose father works for the California Highway Patrol, reported Sanchez to authorities. Suh added that the other two women had to be tracked down.

At a hearing after the conviction, Sortino granted the defense attorney time to hire an expert to assess how Sanchezs deployment as a Marine in Iraq affected him. The judge noted that Sanchez had seen a colleague die and been injured himself. After the hearing, Sanchezs older sister Gabriela Leyva cried in the hallway as she spoke about her brother. She believes hes innocent  the trial evidence, she said, didnt convince her.

The things I heard, thats not Israel, Levya said. While her brother can be stern, Leyva said shes confident he would never abuse his power.

On Tuesday, Sanchez walked slowly into the courtroom dressed in an orange jail uniform with a chain around his waist.

He sat at the defense table as the district attorneys employee read the letters from his victims into the record. One was from his youngest victim, the highway patrolmans daughter, who was 19 when Sanchez approached her car.

This man took more than just my dignity, she wrote.

For a long time, she said in the letter, shed dreamed of following in her fathers footsteps and when she got to college, she enrolled in criminal justice courses. But after the attack, everything changed, she wrote. She often had flashbacks during class and had to walk out. Eventually, she decided to switch studies to civil law.

The sight of a police car at night still makes her body tense and her heart pound. In the years after the attack, she drank until she blacked out and burst into tears whenever her boyfriend touched her or gave her a hug, she wrote. She thought about killing herself, she said, about intentionally crashing her car.

I lived in complete darkness, she wrote, adding that she felt great solidarity with Sanchezs other victims.

Earlier in the year, when she learned of his conviction, she felt a rush of relief, but also sadness. She couldnt help but think of Sanchezs wife and children.

They didnt ask for this, she thought.

A few minutes later, Sanchez stood to address the court. He said hed dedicated his life to service and paid a price for his time in the military. Hed been trying to help all three women, he said, noting that in one instance his fatherly instinct had kicked in and he felt compelled to give the young woman advice and in the other two cases, hed been trying to steer the women clear of using drugs. He acknowledged it was wrong to lecture them.

He vehemently denied inappropriately touching the women or having pressured any of them to expose themselves. In one case, he said, a woman chose to expose herself and in another instance a woman asked him to give her a hug.

My heart has always been in the right place, your honor, Sanchez said.

The judge explained that hed read a written assessment from a doctor, who found that Sanchez exhibited many signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. Goldfeder told the judge that his client had fought in battles in Fallujah in 2005 and 2007 and received a Purple Heart after getting injured.

Sortino stressed that it was an excruciating sentencing decision, noting that he has deep respect for combat veterans  a group he said often doesnt get enough respect. The judge said he believes that Sanchezs PTSD in some way contributed to his criminal actions.

The doctor who evaluated Sanchez, the judge said, noted that after returning from combat Sanchez engaged in risk-taking behavior, such as skydiving. Sortino said Sanchezs actions in the case  which involved turning off body-camera and dash-camera videos before his interactions with the women  could also be characterized as risk-taking behavior.

Although he had weighed the doctors report and considered Sanchezs combat history, the judge stressed that the defendant had committed very serious and aggravated crimes.

After announcing the prison sentence  seven years and eight months  the judge turned to the defense table.

You are to register as a sex offender, Mr. Sanchez, for the rest of your life, the judge said.

Sanchez stared expressionless. His family members cried softly in the audience.

marisa.gerber@latimes.com

For more news from the Los Angeles County courts, follow me on Twitter: @marisagerberFor the second time in barely a week, a U.S. ambassador has managed to anger lawmakers in his assigned country as well as in Washington with political statements critics called inappropriate.

Richard Grenell, who was confirmed last month as U.S. ambassador to Germany, sparked the latest spat when he told an interviewer that he hoped to empower conservative political forces throughout Europe.

He also praised visiting Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who rules with Austrias far-right Freedom Party, as a rock star and met with him. It is unusual for a U.S. ambassador to entertain the leader of a country where he is not posted.

Grenells comments sparked anger in Berlin and in Washington.

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Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said it was as unacceptable for a U.S. ambassador to attempt to interfere in another countrys political affairs as it would be for a foreign power to meddle here.

An ambassadors most critical responsibility is to advance our national interests by developing relationships and trust with their host country, she said. If Grenell wont refrain from political statements, she said, the administration should recall him.

Grenell, 51, later tweeted that his comments had been misinterpreted.

Grenell was a frequent commentator on Fox News and a longtime spokesman for U.S. ambassadors at the United Nations, including John Bolton, currently Trumps national security advisor.

Several German politicians demanded Grenell be expelled. Relations between Washington and Berlin already are strained because of tensions between Chancellor Angela Merkel and Trump.

Last month, David Friedman, the U.S. ambassador to Israel and one of Trumps former bankruptcy lawyers, infuriated Democrats in Washington when he claimed Republicans were a better friend to Israel than Democrats.

Heather Nauert, the State Department spokeswoman, on Tuesday defended what she called the envoys right to express opinions.

We think more voices should be heard, not fewer, she told a press briefing.

She refused to be drawn into whether it was appropriate for a diplomat to make partisan statements.

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on TwitterA simple two-lane bridge spans the Rio Grande between Ciudad Miguel Aleman, Mexico, and Roma, Texas, sleepy sister cities that have long accommodated a steady flow of traffic back and forth across the border.

Regulars still cross daily, but lately they have encountered something new and disturbing.

Dozens of families from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Peru, some with babies only a few months old, have spent weeks living on the Mexican side of the bridge, waiting to be admitted to the United States as asylum seekers.

By Tuesday, nearly 50 people had camped on the bridge sidewalk coming from Mexico, half of them children. There was little shade, and in the afternoon, temperatures climbed above 100 degrees.

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Bridge crossers weaved among sleeping babies, stepping over a Peppa Pig lunch box, a Moana coloring book, and dwindling stacks of bread and diapers. Fathers doled out powdered milk mixed with water in bottles to whining toddlers. Mothers strung underwear up on the cyclone fence sides of the bridge to dry in the strong wind blowing off the Rio Grande.

Those seeking asylum say they presented their documents to U.S. Customs officials on the bridge. But the officials said the families have to wait on the Mexican side of the bridge. (Molly Hennessy-Fiske / Los Angeles Times )

Every morning we come, we wait in line, said Marco Estrada, who was a grocery clerk in Honduras. He arrived with his 2-year-old daughter nine days ago, hoping to reach relatives in North Carolina. A gang had threatened him in Honduras, he said.

Maria Jose Alvarez extracted two Honduran birth certificates from the pocket of her jeans: her own and that of her 3-year-old daughter, Mitzy.

Were here in the street waiting, day and night, said Alvarez, 20, before dawn Tuesday.

Those seeking asylum say they presented their documents to U.S. Customs officials on the bridge. But the officials said the families have to wait on the Mexican side because there isnt enough space for them to be processed.

On Tuesday evening, Customs officials agreed to allow the first immigrants to cross into the U.S. from the bridge in nine days, those who had been waiting the longest: a Peruvian mother with two children and an unaccompanied 16-year-old from El Salvador, Estrada said. The next two families in line, both single mothers from Honduras traveling with children, were told they would be allowed into the U.S. late Tuesday or early Wednesday, Estrada said.

Requesting asylum in Mexico wasnt an option, said those on the bridge: They would have more trouble finding work there, and they feared crime in Mexico as much as in their home countries in Central America.

The bridge delay arose as the Trump administration has moved to implement a new zero tolerance policy of charging those who cross the border illegally in federal criminal court, instead of processing them administratively in immigration court. Parents charged have been separated from their children, who have been placed at increasingly crowded federal shelters.

Many on the bridge said they paid $1,000 to get there because they thought that if they requested asylum they would be allowed to stay in the U.S. legally.

We heard if you cross in the river they will separate you from your family, said Estrada, 25, as he stood near the plaque marking the dividing line between the two countries. Thats why we came on the bridge.

Ruben Garcia, founder of the El Paso-based advocacy group Annunciation House, said the delays appear to be part of a strategy to block asylum seekers.

They are using the pretext [that] we have to be judicious in recognition of our resources, our facilities are not set up to accommodate a lot of people, we can only receive them as we have space. They are using that tactic as a way to push people out and deny people asylum, Garcia said.

Boundary marker on the bridge between Ciudad Miguel Aleman and Roma, Texas. (Molly Hennessy-Fiske / Los Angeles Times )

The sudden influx is unusual for the bridge between Ciudad Miguel Aleman and Roma, which stands alongside an abandoned suspension bridge that previously served as the border crossing. The cities have a combined population of about 30,000 and see a brisk flow of legal crossers at dawn and dusk, mostly workers and families.

This week, some bridge regulars didnt spare a glance at those clustered at their feet. Others donated clothing, food and water.

Immigrants who make asylum claims at a port of entry are supposed to be given a court date so a judge can determine if their asylum claim is credible. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, anyone who is physically present in the United States has a right to apply for asylum. But they have to cross to the U.S. side of the bridge first.

Two uniformed U.S. Customs officials are stationed under a tent just on the U.S. side of the bridges dividing line, ensuring that none of the families pass. They referred questions to an agency spokesman.

The spokesman, Richard Pauza, in Laredo, Texas, said immigration officials ability to process applicants varies based on the complexity of the cases, resources available, medical needs, translation requirements, holding/detention space, overall port volume and enforcement actions.

Pauza said Customs officials at the various Rio Grande bridges are taking a proactive approach to ensure that arriving travelers have valid entry documents in order to expedite the processing of lawful travel and are processing people as expeditiously as possible.

During a visit to the border in South Texas on Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan emphasized that U.S. policy and procedure for receiving asylum seekers at the bridges has not changed.

We are not denying people approaching the U.S. border without documents. We are asking them to come back when we have the capacity to manage them, he said.

McAleenan said it was too early to gauge whether the Trump administrations zero tolerance policy had deterred families from crossing, since it can take 25 to 30 days for those smuggled from Central America to reach the border. About 50,000 people were caught or turned themselves in at ports of entry at the border in May, he said, consistent with the previous two months.

[On Wednesday, two days after McAleenan spoke, Customs officials released new statistics showing that 51,902 people were caught or turned themselves in on the southern border in May. The figure for April was 50,968. The tally in March was 50,298.]

Immigrants who make asylum claims at a port of entry are supposed to be given a court date so a judge can determine if their asylum claim is credible. But they have to cross to the U.S. side of the bridge first. (Molly Hennessy-Fiske / Los Angeles Times )

Huddling nearby under a blue blanket strung to the side of the bridge like a tent, Honduran Katy Trochez worried about her 3-month-old daughter. She was healthy and wriggling, but the nights had been cold. Other children were getting sick.

I came for political asylum, but they dont listen to us, said Trochez, 19, repeating a common refrain among the bridge dwellers: They fled gangs, she said, including the notorious MS-13 and 18th Street, which had threatened to kill them and their children.

Help us, understand us, she pleaded in Spanish.

Pro bono lawyers have accompanied asylum seekers on other bridges, presenting their paperwork to officials and pressing their cases until they were allowed to apply for asylum and cross. Last year, the American Immigration Council filed a federal lawsuit in California challenging what it called the Trump administrations efforts to block asylum seekers. The case is pending.

No lawyers were on the Ciudad Miguel Aleman bridge this week. As those on the bridge watched, others tried to cross the river below illegally in rafts. A few made it to the other side only to be rebuffed by Border Patrol agents on shore. Roma is one of the hottest spots on the border for illegal crossings, and the surrounding Rio Grande Valley leads the nation in the smuggling of both drugs and people.

Garcia, the El Paso-based advocate, said he worried the bridge delays could lead desperate people to try to cross the river illegally.

Its happening through all the border crossings, he said. Youll see the same thing in El Paso, in Nogales, in Laredo, Calexico  its a border-wide policy.

Garcia tried accompanying families to talk to U.S. customs officials on one of the El Paso bridges but was told they did not have room.

You ask them When can we come back? And they say When we have room, Garcia said.

The Arizona-based Florence Project said it received reports of families seeking asylum stopped on bridges there this week and was sending lawyers to help them.

Mitra Ebadolahi, Border Litigation Project staff attorney at the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, said her organization became aware of people being stopped on the bridge to San Diego late last week and is monitoring the situation border-wide.

These are people who are trying to follow the rules and present themselves as required, she said.

The governments response is quite clearly unlawful, said Denise Gilman, director of the University of Texas at Austin School of Laws Immigration Clinic. The lack of detention bed space does not take away the obligation under the law to process people seeking asylum. You shouldnt need a lawyer. There is no fair access to the asylum process right now, which is a clear violation of U.S. and international law.

Congressional lawmakers are starting to intervene. U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke (D-El Paso), who is challenging Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, tweeted his office phone number and urged those stopped on local bridges to reach out so he can make sure those seeking asylum are not being turned away or denied their right to request asylum.

Its not clear how long families stranded on the bridges can last.

After eight days on the bridge, single mother Wendy Yorlenis Orsoto Zambrano said her 5-year-old son was tired.

He just says, When are we going to move from here? I tell him, Tomorrow, she said.

Estrada, a fellow Honduran, said he has not been eating, saving bread and other donated food for his daughter, Violet. Hes unwilling to return to Mexico and just as opposed to crossing into the U.S. illegally, which he knew would result in the pair being separated.

So they waited. When Violet ran down the bridge hand in hand with a new friend, he trailed behind. When she cried, he lifted her into his arms. Her mother was back in Honduras with a new boyfriend. For the past year, it had been the two of them, working toward entering the U.S. The weather forecast for the next week was bleak, all 100-degree days, the high Tuesday expected to reach 109. Still, they waited.

Im confident we will have the opportunity, Estrada said. Ill wait as long as it takes.

molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com

@mollyhf

UPDATES:

9 a.m., June 7: This article was updated with new statistics on immigration enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border.

4:50 p.m., June 5: The article was updated to report that some immigrants were allowed to cross into the U.S. to apply for asylum.

The article was originally published at 11:35 a.m. on June 5.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5)  Oral arguments on a petition by Opposition senators to stop the country's withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was set by the Supreme Court on July 24.

Supreme Court Spokesman Teodoro Te said the decision was reached by the justices in an en banc session Tuesday. The High Court also ordered Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Teodoro Locsin, and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo to comment on the petition within ten days of notice.

Six senators -- the Liberal Party's Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Bam Aquino, and Leila de Lima, Akbayan Party's Risa Hontiveros, and Antonio Trillanes of the Nacionalista Party -- filed the petition on May 16.

In the petition, they asked the SC to "declare as invalid and ineffective the withdrawal of the Philippines from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court without the concurrence of at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate."

They said the government should inform the UN that it was canceling or revoking the instrument of withdrawal from the ICC "for being inconsistent with Philippine law."

The ICC, an intergovernmental organization that investigates cases of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression, was established by the Rome Statute, which was enforced in 2002.

The Philippines signed the Rome Statute of the ICC in 2000 and ratified it in 2011, becoming its 117th State Party.

Withdrawing from the ICC

On March 14, President Rodrigo Duterte said the country would withdraw from the ICC "effective immediately," slamming efforts to use the organization "as a political tool against the Philippines."

The ICC is looking into the government's drug war after Jude Sabio filed a communication before it in April 2017. Sabio is the lawyer of self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato who had testified in the Senate of killing people in Davao City on orders of then-Mayor Duterte.

Sabio accused Duterte of "repeatedly, unchangingly, and continuously" committing mass murder. He said 1,400 individuals were killed by the so-called Davao Death Squad headed by Duterte, and 7,000 others were killed in the government's war on drugs since Duterte became President.

The ICC earlier clarified the preliminary examination was not an investigation but a process to see if there was basis to proceed with a probe.

The President initially welcomed the ICC probe and said he would speak to an ICC representative one-on-one.

He later changed his tune, accusing the UN and ICC of violating due process and the constitutional presumption of innocence.

Duterte stressed that the Rome Statute was neither effective nor enforceable in the Philippines since it had not been published in the Official Gazette as instructed by the New Civil Code.

Locsin delivered the government's letter of withdrawal to UN Chef de Cabinet Maria Luiza Viotti on March 15.

According to Article 127 of the Rome Statute, however, "a state may, by written notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, withdraw from this Statute. The withdrawal shall take effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification, unless the notification specifies a later date."

It added that a state party's withdrawal should not affect its cooperation with the Court on criminal investigations and proceedings initiated prior to the effectivity of the state's withdrawal.The challenges that Michel Moore will face if he is confirmed to be the next chief of the Los Angeles Police Department crystallized soon after his selection was announced Monday, as he called for a new beginning for officers who could step forward and be heard again  and as his appointment by Mayor Eric Garcetti was blasted by community activists as a continuation of an LAPD culture of violence against nonwhite communities.

Moore currently serves as the departments second in command under outgoing Chief Charlie Beck, and over the course of his 37-year career he has served in almost every leadership capacity. He will certainly be one of the most prepared people to serve as chief. But his success will depend on whether he can earn the trust of groups and communities that have vastly different ideas about policing.

Officers complain of low morale under Beck, who they blame for imposing unfair discipline. Activist groups, including the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter, hold Beck responsible for police killings of African American and Latino residents. They called for Becks firing at weekly Police Commission meetings and claimed credit when Beck announced earlier this year that he would step down on June 27, his 65th birthday, well before the expiration of his second and final five-year term. Moore acknowledged that one of his primary tasks would be to provide police officers with the best tools and training to both make the right split-second decision on whether to use deadly force, and to be able to survive the encounter.

Much of the job of chief is, in fact, a delicate balancing act. Redeploy officers to crime hot spots and leave other parts of town underpoliced? Protect law-abiding residents of high-crime areas but intrude on their dignity with stops and searches? Crack down on officer misconduct but lose the trust of the rank and file?

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Anyone who lived through the videotaped police beating of Rodney King in 1991 knows that excessive uses of police force, especially against unarmed African American men, are nothing new. But in retrospect, the King beating was mild compared with the killings caught on video in more recent years and viewed by millions of people around the world. Moore will lead a department that has expressed a commitment to transparency in the investigation of such actions.

A successful police chief has to be better than good and must be more than right. A chief must be a visionary, a diplomat, an ambassador. A chief must be politic, without being dismissed by officers and communities as a mere politician with stripes and a badge. Policing necessarily involves questions of race, equity and politics  and it will not go unnoticed that Moore was chosen over two other finalists, one Latino and the other African American.

Yet, questions of ethnicity are as complex as the citys people. Moore, whose birthname is Sanchotena, is the child of an immigrant from the Basque region of northeastern Spain, and Moore is listed in department records as Hispanic. (He wont be the regions first law enforcement leader of Basque descent. Eugene Biscailuz, L.A. County sheriff in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, was the son of an immigrant from the Basque region of France and the descendant of a Spanish soldier stationed at Mission San Gabriel).

A successful police chief has to be better than good and must be more than right.

Moore is a member of La Ley  the Latin American Law Enforcement Assn.  which sued the LAPD for discrimination against Latino personnel in promotion decisions. So is he Latino, and more to the point, does his heritage alone garner him or the department any support from the citys Mexican American or immigrant communities?

Its more likely that Moore will have to earn support the hard way, with outreach to communities around the city.

He said Monday he has already begun to do that, and that he has heard support for the department  but he also said he had heard people call on the LAPD to be more engaged and invested in the communities it serves.

Anyone watching Moore humbly accepting the mayors nomination can be forgiven for thinking the new chief is a bit of a softy. People who have worked with him know better. He is thoughtful yet tough, a bit wonky yet demanding.

Whether he likes it or not, his job will be to lead not just the Los Angeles Police Department but policing, nationwide, as an honorable profession and culture that require constant updating and reevaluation. It is a demanding task. He deserves thanks for taking it on, even as he prepares to be scrutinized for how well he does it.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook

UPDATES:

4:03 p.m: This article was updated with additional details.Donald Trump once said during the 2016 presidential campaign that he could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot someone, and still not lose any voters. And who knows? He may have been right.

Now that hes president, could he also be protected from prosecution for pulling the trigger? Trump seems to believe so. Thats the essence of his assertion Monday morning that he has the absolute right to pardon himself.

Of course the context of his tweet was not a New York shooting but the ongoing special investigation into alleged Russian interference in the election. But the claim would seem to be no more or less valid for one presidential action than any other. If federal prosecutions are merely extensions of the presidents executive power, and if he could pardon himself as readily as he could pardon Joe Arpaio or Dinesh DSouza, then its hard to see how he could be held to answer for breaking any federal law. Prosecute me, Trump seems to be saying, and I will just pardon myself and well move on. So why bother prosecuting me in the first place?

In this view the president is like kings and emperors of ages past. By definition, he cannot violate the law. Its not that he is above the law. As president, the argument goes, he is the law.

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That notion is foreign and unpardonable  a structurally monarchical presidency constrained by nothing but the president himself. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders later statement that no one is above the law offers little comfort, given that the president apparently believes that he is.

Its not that he is above the law. As president, the argument goes, he is the law.

Trump is correct when he says that there are some legal scholars who back his assertion that the president can pardon himself. It is a claim not yet vetted in the courts because there has never before been a president willing to push the question very far. Richard Nixon fired his prosecutor but ultimately resigned because he knew he faced impeachment, not because of impending criminal prosecution. President Gerald Ford did pardon Nixon and shielded him from criminal accountability for his actions, but by then Nixon was out of the White House, no longer a danger to the nation or a threat to the rule of law or the checks and balances of government.

So perhaps impeachment, replete with the trappings of legal procedure but at heart a political action, is the proper check on the otherwise unfettered power of a president over how, or even whether, the law is enforced? But then there is no check at all on any president who is sufficiently popular that he can, say, shoot someone on Fifth Avenue without fear from Congress, because its not in the political interests of the GOP majority to stand up to him. That would make us a nation of men (and women) and not of laws. And thats not what we are.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and FacebookIn conservative circles, few arguments are more triggering than those that begin: The Founding Fathers never could have imagined  .

There are several reasons conservatives dont like this line of reasoning, but chief among them is that it gives license to progressives to exceed constitutional restraints. Because the founders never could have imagined air travel, AR-15s or Twitter, the logic goes, we are free to come up with laws that violate the text or intent of the Constitution.

The conservative response is that the Constitutions guidelines are timelessly applicable in most cases, and that when they are not, we should amend the Constitution rather than read things into it that are not there. As a rule, I subscribe to this view. But I am really struggling with the latest challenge to this worldview emanating from the White House.

President Trump and his team have staked out two positions. First, that the president can pardon himself for any federal crime. Second, that a sitting president cannot be indicted while in office for any reason.

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Thus, even if Trump did fire former FBI Director James Comey to obstruct the Russia probe, that couldnt be obstruction of justice because the president essentially is the Justice Department. In an interview with the Huffington Post, Rudy Giuliani went so far as to claim that even if the president murdered Comey, Trump couldnt be indicted for obstruction without first being impeached and removed from office.

It is at least arguable that the founders anticipated the possibility that a president might pardon himself.

Now, believe it or not, there are credible arguments behind both of these claims. The Department of Justice has long held as a matter of policy and constitutional interpretation that a sitting president cannot, or should not, be indicted, because the presidency is bound up in a single person.

As for Trumps pardon power, it is at least arguable that the founders anticipated the possibility that a president might pardon himself. As my National Review colleague, former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy, noted last year: The Pardon Clause says that while the president may pardon any federal offense, this does not extend to Cases of Impeachment. The Framers thus expressly considered a presidents potential use of the pardon power to benefit himself.

When the Constitution was written, there were only three federal crimes: piracy, counterfeiting and treason. In that context, the pardon power was an important tool of statecraft. Pardoning is an act of forgiveness, and one can imagine presidential magnanimity might foster social peace in a young nation full of revolutionary hotheads. The first presidential pardon, issued by George Washington, forgave two men of treason during the Whisky Rebellion.

Heres my dilemma (and I cringe to write these words): The Founding Fathers never imagined that the federal government would grow into the behemoth it is today. For good reasons and bad, weve set up a vast national legal apparatus with sweeping police powers. The government cannot even give a definitive answer to the question of how many federal crimes there are today. (Recent estimates range from 3,600 to 4,500.)

The president retains the power to pardon anybody who runs afoul of the federal government. Thats probably a good thing, given how opportunities to abuse authority have multiplied along with the number of federal crimes.

But the founders also imagined an assertive and independent Congress that would investigate crimes by the executive branch, not by the executive branch in the form of the DOJ or FBI (established in 1870 and 1908, respectively). Some of Muellers critics are right when they decry the fact that the executive branch is really serving as a fact-finding organ for a (Democratic) House impeachment committee.

The idea that the president cant obstruct justice is predicated on a power that the founders did not fully intend for the executive branch to have in the first place.

Also, Im unconvinced that the president can use the pardon power on himself. Pardoning is essentially a judicial act, and as James Madison wrote in the Federalist No. 10: No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity.

I could be wrong, but it seems we are way outside what the founders had in mind. I have a hard time believing they would shrug at a president assassinating an inconvenient FBI director and then pardoning himself for the crime.

jgoldberg@latimescolumnists.com

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or FacebookSomething looks awry about the Supreme Courts 7-2 decision in one of the most closely watched cases of the term, Masterpiece Cakeshop vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

The court, in an opinion authored by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, reversed a Colorado decision that compelled a baker to make custom cakes for same-sex marriages. Kennedys opinion might be read as a victory for those who object to gay unions.

Wait a minute. Can this be the same Justice Kennedy who has made a lasting legacy for himself with rulings recognizing the rights of same-sex partners in a series of landmark decisions? Did the avatar of same-sex constitutional protections have a late-career fundamental change of heart?

The answer is no, and in fact Kennedys opinion for the court, carefully read, is very much of a piece with his four prior opinions in support of equal treatment for gays and lesbians.

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The basics of Masterpiece Cakeshop are these: Lakewood, Colo., baker Jack Phillips protested that being forced to create a cake for a same-sex wedding would violate the 1st Amendment in two ways: It would transgress his right of free expression because it would carry an artistic message with which he disagreed, and it would violate the free exercise of religion because he disagreed with the message on religious grounds.

In his opinion, Kennedy calls out the difficult and delicate question of how to reconcile two apparently competing freedoms: the nondiscrimination principle policed by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the freedom of religion and speech claims of the baker.

The high courts reversal is narrow, procedural, fact-bound. It in no way disparages the constitutional liberties of same-sex couples.

Kennedys language makes clear that each side is entitled to the neutral and respectful consideration. The flaw in the commissions decision, and the reason for the reversal, is evidence in the record that the commissioners addressed the claims of the baker with narrow-mindedness and even scorn: A commissioner opined that freedom of religion has been used historically to justify discrimination. And to me, he said, it is one of the most despicable pieces of rhetoric that people can use.

Kennedy, as well as Justice Elena Kagan in her concurring opinion, focused on this excess to find that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission was neither tolerant nor respectful of Phillips religious beliefs; it failed to accord full and fair consideration to his religious beliefs.

The high courts reversal is narrow, procedural, fact-bound. It in no way disparages the constitutional liberties of same-sex couples. In fact, the decisions legal analysis begins with the ringing declaration that our society has come to a recognition that gay persons and gay couples cannot be treated as social outcasts or inferior in dignity or worth.

One way of analyzing the courts approach is that it permitted seven justices with disparate substantive views about free exercise of religion and freedom of expression to come to some sort of conclusion about an exceedingly difficult case.

Thats not inaccurate. But its also true that Kennedys opinion reads the Constitution as incorporating a principle of fair play and civility. Advocates who fail this test of civic virtue may find that the court wont even address their substantive concerns.

This ideal of common respect and treatment of warring stakeholders as equals fits well with the rest of Kennedys judicial legacy. It forms part of the foundation of his earlier decisions that came down on the side of gay plaintiffs.

There is something of Atticus Finch in Kennedy. He is the son of a small-town lawyer who took over his fathers legal practice before being elevated to the court of appeals at age 39. He has built his constitutional jurisprudence atop a platform of personal decency based on the idea that even the bitterest political disputes can be fought civilly.

Some might find off-putting, even condescending, this sort of civics lessons coming in the form of Supreme Court opinions. The courts job, after all, is to interpret the law. (One imagines the ghost of Justice Antonin Scalia writing a biting dissent mocking Kennedys piety, goading the court to decide the legal issues once and for all and keep its trap shut about civic values and the worth of both sides of the case.)

Yet its worth comparing Kennedys, and the courts, decision-making in this case with that of the political sphere in the Trump era. The political branches of government are supposed to work together, debate civilly and arrive at tolerable compromises. They arent working that way right now, however.

The Masterpiece Cakeshop decision  consensus-driven, limited, respectful of competing sides  seems the antithesis of the polarizing, slash-and-burn approach of our politics, right down to the fact that the court has done its job of resolving a dispute, while the House and Senate mostly fight bitterly to no end.

Masterpiece Cakeshop vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission leaves to another day broad constitutional questions, but it resolves the case before it, keeps the peace and points the way forward for compromise among bitter opponents. A fair and characteristic outcome for the Kennedy court.

Harry Litman, a former United States attorney and deputy assistant attorney general, teaches constitutional law at UC San Diego. He clerked for Justice Anthony M. Kennedy during the 1988-89 Supreme Court term.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand FacebookWhen Donald Trump won the presidency, his relationship with the rest of the Republican Party looked like a potentially shaky marriage. But the GOP is Trumps party now.

Were full swing into primary season for the midterms, and where are the Republican voices offering any alternative to Trumpism? Traditionalist conservatives have been shuffled off the stage. Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona decried Trumps regular and casual undermining of our democratic norms and ideals. Hes retiring. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, who called the White House an adult day care center, is retiring too. And Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who denounced Trumps half-baked, spurious nationalism, is dying of cancer. Mitt Romney, who once called Trump a fraud, is running to be the next senator from Utah; now the harshest thing hell say is that the president isnt a role model for my grandkids.

The collapse of other Republicans ability to push back against Trump is the most worrisome political development of the last year, say political scientists. Thats right, the biggest long-term threat to the health of the nation, they say, is not tax cuts favoring the wealthy, not trade wars and not radical deregulation  but the hostile takeover of the GOP.

The biggest change for the worst is the performance of the Republican Party, Harvards Steven Levitsky, coauthor of How Democracies Die, told me recently. At first, it seemed there was a faction in the Senate that would draw a line. But thats much weaker now. (Other institutions have done better, he noted. The response of the courts has been surprisingly robust, he said.)

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Its striking how much Trump has captured the party, agreed Yascha Mounk, author of The People vs. Democracy.

Case in point: Trumps recent crusade  deliberate, sustained and relentless  against special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election, during which the president has impugned his own attorney general, deputy attorney general and the FBI.

These midterms will be how the Republican Party decides if it wants more Trump or less.

Last month, Trump accused the FBI of planting a spy in his 2016 campaign and said such an action would be illegal, and a scandal to boot! No Republican leader in Congress stood up to correct him. Instead, several agreed with Trump that the FBIs conduct should be formally investigated. Only a few backbenchers spoke up, including Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina  who also has decided to retire.

Its not unusual for party members to rally around their president, even if they privately question his decisions  which many of Trumps putative allies do. But when they worry that a headstrong president is heading in the wrong direction, congressional leaders normally try to rein him in. This time, though, Senate leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan  another early retiree!  appear to have given up trying.

There is no Republican Party; theres a Trump party, former House Speaker John A. Boehner observed. The Republican Party is kind of taking a nap somewhere.

During that nap, Trumps popularity has ticked upward over the last six months  largely, pollsters think, because the economy is on a roll. This week, the Real Clear Politics websites average of polls calculated Trumps job approval among all voters at 45%, up from 40% in January. (Thats still worse than every other recent president at this point in their terms, with the exception of Jimmy Carter.)

Among Republican voters, however, Trumps support is stratospheric. The Gallup Poll reported last week that 87% of GOP voters approve of what hes doing. As a result, Republicans who want to survive their primaries wont say a word against the boss in public.

Trump also appears to be radicalizing Republican voters  shaping their views to follow his. The polling organization YouGov reported last month that 75% of Republican voters agree with Trump that the Mueller investigation is a witch hunt, and 61% think the president is being framed. Those numbers have gone up as Trump has pressed his case against the FBI.

And that brings us to this years midterm elections, including Tuesdays primaries in California. Long term, the outcomes will determine more than which party holds the majority in the House or Senate. The vote will also hold a message for every Republican officeholder: Was Trump a boost or a burden?

If the party holds on to its House and Senate majorities, many of its candidates, officeholders and strategists will conclude that Trump has been right all along. The GOP will continue remolding itself in the image of Trump  populist, authoritarian, anti-immigrant.

Only if a blue wave of Democratic votes sweeps not just California, but also swing states, will the party open the question of whether Ohio Gov. John Kasich or someone else should run against Trump to be the GOP nominee in 2020.

These midterms will be an important signal to the GOP as it considers if it wants more Trump or less  and whether choosing a volatile populist as its nominee turns out to be a one-time anomaly or a pattern for the future.

Im not so worried about Donald Trump as a threat to American democracy, because hes not very competent, Mounk said. Im more worried about what would happen if at some point we were to elect a more competent version.

Doyle McManus is a contributing writer to Opinion. mcmanus.columns@gmail.com Twitter: @DoyleMcManus

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand FacebookTo the editor: It is sad to see op-ed article writer Cathy Young blame other women for the plight of young men in our culture. But even more troubling is Jordan Pedersons patriarchal, regressive message to our sons, brothers and grandsons that in order to be real men, they need to lord it over their sisters, because apparently healthy women do not marry their equals.

As a former competitive swimmer in Australia, a marriage and family therapist, a married woman, mother and grandmother, I have known real men. They are not afraid of intelligent, strong women. They are the brothers who know that their sisters are as smart as they are, and they feel confident enough in their own manhood to fight for social and economic equality.

Some even call themselves feminists.

Hendrika de Vries, Santa Barbara

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..

To the editor: The coarse language that Young says has become accepted in workplaces at the same time as feminisms rise is not necessarily harassment, and modern society has largely and rightly rejected the concept that women are frail little flowers who cant deal with it. But remarks that reduce women (or men) to sexual playthings rather than colleagues who bring intelligence and abilities to the workplace are definitely harassment.

Workplace flirtation is not necessarily harassment, but the moment someone, male or female, tells you your flirtation is not welcome, you should cease and desist.

Peterson puts down women so men can feel good about themselves. I cant think of any reason for feminists to listen to him.

Trudy Ring, Sherman Oaks

..

To the editor: Given Petersons traditionalist argument that healthy women want men who outclass them in intelligence, dominance and status, this second-wave feminist will never lend credence to anything he says about women.

Feminism is defined, quite simply, as the pursuit of equality for all; Petersons own words make it clear that he opposes equality.

Self-respecting women know a sexist when we see one. Young should too.

Marcy Miroff Rothenberg, Porter Ranch

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and FacebookThe Supreme Court resolved the case of a Christian baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple by ruling the government may not show hostility to religion.

As Justice Anthony M. Kennedy put it: The Free Exercise Clause (of the 1st Amendment) bars even subtle departures from neutrality on matters of religion. He cited the comments of one member of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission who had lectured baker Jack Phillips about the role religion has played throughout history to justify bigotry, slavery and the Holocaust.

Such words suggested that religious beliefs and persons are less than fully welcome in Colorados business community, Kennedy wrote, adding the state had violated its duty under the 1st Amendment not to base laws or regulations on hostility to a religion or a religious viewpoint.

But the majoritys condemnation of what it saw as the commissions lack of respect for Phillips Christian beliefs raises questions about another big pending case: Is President Trumps travel ban based largely on hostility toward Muslims?

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Lawyers who closely follow the court were quick to say that Kennedys insistence on strict neutrality toward religion should spell trouble for the president and his legal team in defending entry restrictions imposed on citizens of several Muslim-majority countries.

If the court is serious about what it said, it should rule the entry ban violates the 1st Amendment because the process that resulted in the ban was infected by the presidents expressed animus and hostility toward Muslims, said Leah Litman, a law professor at UC Irvine and a former law clerk for Justice Kennedy.

In recent years, two entirely separate claims of religious discrimination have moved through the courts. On the right, social conservatives have sued and sought religious exemptions from laws that call for equal treatment for gays and lesbians or require the dispensing of contraceptives. Their lawyers contended traditional beliefs were under attack, and those concerns have been echoed by some of the conservative justices.

When the court upheld same-sex marriages three years ago, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. said he feared the ruling will be used to vilify Americans who are unwilling to assent to the new orthodoxy. ... They will risk being labeled as bigots and treated as such by governments, employers and schools.

Meanwhile, on the left, liberals have voiced concern over bias against Muslims and other minorities. Those worries grew with the rise of Donald Trumps presidential campaign. In December 2015, he called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States and said later, I think Islam hates us. In his first week in the White House, he issued the first of three proclamations to block visitors and travelers from several Muslim-majority nations.

The Supreme Court this term was asked to resolve religious bias claims from both sides. The case of the Christian cake maker was brought by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a social conservative group based in Arizona.

Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union and immigrants rights advocates won rulings on the West Coast and the East Coast that declared Trumps travel ban unconstitutional because it discriminated based on religion. The court heard the administrations appeal in April and will rule by the end of this month on Trump vs. Hawaii.

Neal K. Katyal, the Washington lawyer who argued for those challenging the travel ban, told the court that the 1st Amendment forbids the government from enacting policies that denigrate or exclude members of a particular faith. Yet any reasonable observer who heard the presidents campaign promises [or] read his thinly justified orders would see they were targeted at Muslims.

Until Monday, it was expected that the bakers case would be decided on free speech grounds, not religion. His lawyers had argued he was a cake artist, and as such, should not be forced to express a message to celebrate a same-sex marriage that conflicted with his religious beliefs.

By a 7-2 vote, the court opted for a narrow ruling that held the Colorado civil rights commissioners had displayed hostility to religion in some of their comments.

The ACLUs legal director, David Cole, said the courts opinion should lead to a ruling striking down the travel ban.

If the justices express this level of concern about a few, offhand comments by a member of a low-level state commission, then they should have a much greater concern about a president who made much more explicitly anti-religious statements. And he put them into practice, precisely what he promised he would do, Cole said. I dont how they could reconcile that the Masterpiece [cake maker] case is about religious intolerance, but the Muslim ban is not.

But Stanford law professor Michael McConnell, an expert on religion and the 1st Amendment, applauded Mondays ruling. In these days of intense culture conflict, the 7-2 majority demonstrates that concern about hostility and intolerance toward religious views is not a right-wing distraction, as some people say, but a broadly held and fundamental part of our constitutional values.

He added, however, that the cake makers case differed fundamentally from a dispute over campaign statements about Muslims. Courts and commissions have a special obligation of neutrality to the parties, he said.

During the oral argument in April, the courts conservatives showed little interest in whether the travel ban reflected bias.

U.S. Solicitor Gen. Noel Francisco defended the presidents order and argued it could not be fairly described as a Muslim ban. It applied to only five Muslim nations  Iran, Yemen, Libya, Syria and Sudan  and they were targeted because of national security concerns, he said. He also urged the court to toss out the underlying suits on the grounds that aliens abroad have no legal right to seek entry to the United States.

Litman agreed there are various ways the court or particular justices could try to wrangle out of it, including deference to the president with respect to immigration or national security. But the principle the court articulated [on Monday] and its mode of analysis should lead it to invalidate the entry ban on 1st Amendment grounds.

The latest from Washington 

More stories from David G. Savage 

david.savage@latimes.com

Twitter: DavidGSavageJust 129 votes separate the two Democrats vying to take on Rep. Dana Rohrabacher

Democrat Hans Keirstead, shown in 2017, is running to unseat Rep. Dana Rohrabacher. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Its pretty much certain that a Democrat will make it on the November ballot to challenge GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, but as of Friday we still dont know who.

In the latest tallies released by Orange County elections officials Thursday, stem cell scientist Hans Keirstead was just 129 votes ahead of fellow Democrat and real estate investor Harley Rouda.

Thats an increase in the lead for Keirstead, who had been ahead by just 45 votes the day before.

While national Democrats cheered the fact that their candidates appear to have advanced through Californias top-two primary in all of the key House districts they hope to flip, it would be something of a strategic failure for them if Keirstead makes it onto the November ballot.

Thats because the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the national partys arm to help candidates win House races, stepped in at the last minute to explicitly back Rouda, dropping $400,000 on joint TV and cable ads with Roudas campaign.

It was a clear indication that they believe Rouda, a former Republican with endorsements from a dozen House members including Nancy Pelosi, to be better positioned to take on Rohrabacher in the fall.

The committee also spent more than $1.7 million attacking Republican challenger Scott Baugh, who threatened to keep both Keirstead and Rouda out of the the November contest by snagging the second-place spot on Tuesday. That investment seems to have paid off: As of Thursday, Baugh was trailing both by more than 1,200 votes and has already conceded and endorsed Rohrabacher for the fall.

It may be days before the final winner of the second ballot spot becomes clear. As of Thursday, Orange County officials still had more than 168,000 ballots left to count and voters in the 48th District make up about a quarter of registered voters there.

On Tuesday, the Rouda campaign made a statement declaring victory, but by Thursday afternoon was asking his donors to contribute to a Harley Rouda Recount Fund. Rouda campaign manager Mike McLaughlin said the fund was the legally responsible thing to do as the vote canvass continues and that the campaign is using the funds to pay several attorneys who are observing the countys vote-counting process.

Well retain every right to pursue all options here to make sure that everything happens legally, McLaughlin said. We fully intend to be ahead on the count by the end of this.

In a statement provided by his campaign, Keirstead said hes committed to protecting the integrity of the vote, but that regardless of the outcome, a Democrat gets to face Dana in the fall.

DCCC spokesman Andrew Godinich also pointed out another bright spot for Democrats: Rohrabacher received just 30% of the primary election vote, the lowest share of any congressional incumbent in California. Keirstead and Rouda both had about 17%.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5)  Australian nun Patricia Fox on Tuesday maintained she did not violate the terms and conditions of her missionary visa.

"All I can I say is I'm hopeful that this will be given due consideration in the case," Fox said at the Justice Department as she filed her reply to the Immigration Bureau's comment on her appeal to overturn the decision for her to leave the country.

Fox explained she's doing missionary work by helping the oppressed and the marginalized, pointing out she has been faithfully accomplishing her role by "teaching religion" and immersing herself with the poor.

She added her presence in the country is the truest meaning of what it means to be a missionary: to be with the poor and "to listen to their anguish."

Fox also reiterated her alleged involvement in "political activities" is an exercise of her right to freedom of expression.

On May 25, the Australian nun's camp petitioned the Justice Department to reinstate her missionary visa and let her stay in the country.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI), which is under the Justice Department, forfeited Fox's visa on April 23 and ordered her to leave by the end of May. On May 23, the bureau denied Fox's appeal.

Fox was accused of engaging in partisan political activities, which the government deemed as a violation of the terms of her stay in the country.

In junking her motion for reconsideration on Wednesday, the BI dismissed Fox's claim of lack of due process and that there was no evidence to allegations she engaged in political activities.

Authorities said she was seen in a rally organized by Kilusang Mayo Uno and Gabriela at the Coca-Cola distribution center in Davao City on April 9.

President Rodrigo Duterte admitted on April 18 that he ordered the probe on Fox, which led to her overnight detention for questioning.

CNN Philippines' Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.Welcome to a special Tuesday edition of Essential Politics.

As people in the political business are fond of saying, the only poll that matters is the one taken on election day, so its very exciting that it has formally arrived. Of course, people have been voting for nearly a month, and it might take the rest of the week  or more  to count votes, but you get the idea.

First things first: Stick with the Los Angeles Times and well have you covered with everything you need to know. Well have live election results and a special primary news feed capturing everything that happens throughout the day and after the polls close.

Sign up for the free Essential Politics email newsletter 

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If you have election-related news tips for The Times, drop us a line and well check things out.

THE LAST DASH

Gubernatorial front-runner Gavin Newsom said he felt confident about his chances, but was taking nothing for granted as he greeted voters at a diner in Inglewood on Monday.

Republican candidate for governor John Cox expressed similar confidence, and predicted hed face Newsom in November.

Im energized and if the polls are right, Im going to get the chance to make my case to the voters that Gavin Newsom is going to raise your taxes, Cox said in an interview after greeting GOP voters at a luncheon in San Diego.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa, while campaigning in San Pedro and Los Angeles, acknowledged that his fate in the election rests on high turnout among his bases of support, including Latinos and Los Angeles voters. Both groups tend to vote in low numbers in primary elections, and far below voters in the Bay Area, a major base of support for Newsom, the former mayor of San Francisco.

Heres a look at the final day on the campaign trail, from Seema Mehta and Phil Willon.

John Chiang and Delaine Eastin, making a pitch to female voters in one of the last campaign stops, framed their candidacies as having a larger symbolic meaning.

The other major statewide contest has gotten less attention, in part because Sen. Dianne Feinstein is widely expected to take first place in Californias U.S. Senate primary. That leaves the main battle to be over who will join her on the November ballot.

Christine Mai-Duc previews the critical congressional contests, and how Democrats could be shut out of the fall election in a handful of races.

CALIFORNIAS VOTING FUTURE BEGINS NOW

In five counties, the most important change to California elections in a long time comes to a conclusion today. Those communities have implemented whats called the California Voters Choice Act, which trades polling places for a smaller number of all-purpose vote centers. And it means mailed ballots to every voter.

John Myers writes that how the system fares will go a long way to determining how many more counties switch over to it in 2020.

He also detailed five important voting rules for the primary.

BIG SPENDING IN CROWDED HOUSE RACES

Californias competitive crowded House races are getting pricey  more than $108 million has been spent so far this cycle to help elect candidates to Congress, double what was spent at roughly this point in the 2016 election cycle.

Why is 2018 so much more expensive than the last election? Javier Panzar reports that more political actors  wealthy candidates, committees, parties  are spending more money earlier than they have in previous cycles. Thats largely in an effort to game the system, which advances the two highest vote-getters to the general election regardless of their party.

YOUR DIGITAL VOTING GUIDE

Heres a quick primer on everything you need to know for Tuesdays primary. Read it while youre waiting to vote!

Start here with our special election page.

Looking for a cheat sheet of which returns to track for a sense of California politics at this moment? Weve got you covered.

See where the candidates for governor stand on the issues.

We have been tracking the money spent in the contest for governor and found outside groups hoping to help or hurt candidates chances have spent $32 million, by far the most ever before a gubernatorial primary. Find out who they are and what theyve done with their money.

Learn about the five state propositions on the primary ballot.

Watch our video explainer on how Californias top-two primary could upend Democratic attempts to win back control of the U.S. House.

Peruse all of our coverage of the race to replace Gov. Jerry Brown.

The Times Editorial Board (completely separate from the newsroom) issued all of these endorsements for the primary.

Well be back tomorrow with the newsletter, but you can check for live updates throughout the day. Make sure to sign up for breaking news alerts.

AN ESSENTIAL LIGHTNING ROUND

-- Special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs team has accused Paul Manafort of witness tampering.

-- President Trump uninvited the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles from visiting the White House.

-- Just days after the chairwoman of Californias campaign watchdog agency abruptly quit, an internal power struggle came to a head Monday with its governing board restructuring itself to transfer powers from the chairperson to other members.

Get the latest about whats happening in the nations capital on Essential Washington.

LOGISTICS

Essential Politics is normally published Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

You can keep up with breaking news on our politics page throughout the day for the latest and greatest. And are you following us on Twitter at @latimespolitics?

Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com.

Did someone forward you this? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox.Voters appeared to approve the recall of a Southern California state senator Tuesday, with significant support for removing Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) from office in all of the counties in his district.

With more than half of all precincts in Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties reporting, Newman appeared headed for defeat in the District 29 recall election. Republican challenger Ling Ling Chang appeared slated to replace the freshman legislator based on the early returns.

Detailed election results 

The state Republican Party targeted Newman over his support last year for Senate Bill 1, which increased the gas tax and vehicle fees to pay for road and bridge repairs and mass transit improvements.

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Newman was one of 81 legislators who backed the measure, but Republicans sought to tap voter discontent over the higher levies in this district, a longtime GOP stronghold previously represented by termed-out Republican Sen. Bob Huff.

The election was also a proxy battle between the states Democratic and Republican parties and a new Republican representative will hurt Democrats ability to regain a supermajority in the state Legislature.

Carl DeMaio, a former member of the San Diego City Council who organized the recall, has said Newman was selected for a recall because of his narrow victory over Chang, a former Assemblywoman. Newman won that race by fewer than 2,500 votes out of nearly 318,000 cast.

DeMaio has called the move to target Newman the gazelle strategy, which focuses on seemingly vulnerable Democrats.

Recalls are rare in California. Just five elected officials have been recalled since 1913.

The last legislator removed from office was Doris Allen, who represented Orange County communities not that far from Newmans home until she was ousted in 1995.

Newman spokesman Derek Humphrey said in a statement late Tuesday that the campaign was anticipating a long night as more votes were counted.

The Republicans spent a lot of money lying to voters to get this on the ballot, Humphrey said. And they got exactly what they wanted  a re-do of the 2016 election but with only half the number of voters participating. Thats the definition of an undemocratic special interest power grab.

Live coverage of Californias primary 

The recall election also tapped into voter discontent about Senate Bill 1.

A recent USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times statewide poll found that 51% of California voters want to repeal increases to the states gas tax and vehicle fees. Those numbers are higher in Orange and San Diego counties and the Inland Empire, where 64% support a repeal. The question will appear on the November ballot, and potentially be a turnout driver for GOP voters.

District 29 mostly falls in Orange County, but also includes some of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Democrats have a slight edge over Republicans when it comes to registered voters  36.2% compared with 33.4%  and 26.2% of voters claim no party preference.

The state Republican Party has spent more than $1.2 million on the recall election, including more than $490,000 to back Chang. Party spokesman Matt Fleming accused Newman of being out of step with his district.

Democratic leaders, including Gov. Jerry Brown, helped raise more than $4 million to fight Newmans recall. Also, the Senate Democratic Caucus allowed the state Fair Political Practices Commission to lift a $4,400 cap on contributions to Newmans anti-recall campaign from other senators.

In recent weeks, campaign workers for Newman dressed up in bull costumes and stood on busy intersections in the district, holding signs that read: The recall is bull.

Everything you need to know about the June 5 primary 

dakota.smith@latimes.com

Twitter: @dakotacdsmith

UPDATES:

11:30 p.m.: This article was updated with results after polls closed.

This article was originally published at 12:30 p.m.Polls close across California at 8 p.m. Tuesday, marking the end of one of the states most unconventional primary elections. Simply put, there has been a lot to watch.

Although the top-two primary has been in effect since 2012, its impact has never been more consequential. The system, which awards one spot on the November ballot to only the two candidates in each race with the highest number of votes, has made national headlines for its potential effect on the races for governor, U.S. Senate and several key races for the U.S. House.

As the returns start to come in, a few snippets of electoral data are worth watching closely to better understand the story of this political season in the Golden State.

When it comes to voter turnout, its Los Angeles vs. San Francisco

Few elections in recent times have felt more like a contest between Californias iconic cities. And with good reason: The leading Democratic candidates for governor  Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom  count their time as mayors of Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively, as significant qualifications for the job of governor.

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Villaraigosa began with a significantly larger electoral base than Newsom. There are 5.1 million registered voters in Los Angeles County, one of the largest constituencies in the nation. But turnout here often is much lower than voter participation in San Francisco and the neighboring (and overwhelmingly Democratic) Bay Area counties. The discrepancy between the two metropolitan areas is one reason Northern California politicians have done so well in statewide elections.

Complete California primary election coverage 

And so a key question is how many L.A. County voters show up. No primary election for governor in the last two decades has seen more than 38% of its voters cast a ballot, a percentage routinely topped in Newsoms home territory to the north.

Recent polling in the race has shown no real dominance in Los Angeles by Villaraigosa, who left the mayors office in 2013. (Another major candidate, state Treasurer John Chiang, also hails from the Los Angeles region.) Newsom, by comparison, seems to be doing well in the Southland in recent surveys.

Theres another X-factor to consider, too: Voter turnout in San Francisco could be especially high Tuesday due to a hotly contested mayors race.

Republicans are more reliable voters in nonpresidential primaries. Will that trend hold?

As election day arrives, the ballots cast by mail and already in the hands of elections officials tell a fascinating story: a higher percentage have been cast by Republicans relative to the GOPs share of the registered electorate.

Through late Monday, Republicans had cast about 34% of the states absentee ballots submitted while representing only 25% of Californias registered voters.

Simply put, no single part of a candidates election strategy is more important than turning out like-minded voters. Democrats may stumble if Republicans are more motivated to show up.

This is especially true in Californias battleground congressional races. The higher the GOP turnout, the more likely the party can mute some of the anger about President Trump that Democrats are counting on to move some of these seats into their column. Another wild card is whether unaffiliated independent voters see a reason to show up in numbers consistent with their growing dominance in voter registration.

Californias ballots wont all be counted quickly, and thats normal 

How many statewide races will voters simply skip, and how would that affect the rest of this political season?

When voters dont know enough about the list of candidates in any given race, or just dont see a favorite, they skip that contest. Thats been more of a noteworthy point of reference in the era of the top-two primary; there are 32 candidates for the U.S. Senate in this election, and there were 34 in the primary in 2016.

Republicans have no official standard-bearer in the Senate race, which raises the question of whether some GOP voters may simply move on to the next page of the ballot. Or in races that have garnered little attention  from lieutenant governor to state insurance commissioner  there could easily be fewer total votes cast. This could also be true of the five statewide ballot propositions, few of which have generated any noticeable politicking.

The political potency of the gas tax could lead to the first legislative recall in 23 years

Voters in the states 29th Senate District will provide the first real glimpse into one of the California Republican Partys key strategies for surviving the 2018 election cycle. There, the political fate of a freshman legislator, Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), is on the line.

While his term is supposed to run through 2020, Newman is the subject of a recall election. Voters in the district, which stretches from Anaheim to Diamond Bar, will be asked two questions: Should Newman be removed from office and, if so, which of six replacement candidates should succeed him in Sacramento?

Recalls rarely succeed; the last legislator removed from office was Doris Allen, who represented Orange County communities not that far from Newmans home until she was ousted in 1995. Allen had cut a political deal to become Assembly speaker, but one that nominally kept Democrats  led by the iconic former Speaker Willie Brown  from losing their power.

Newmans recall election also is highly partisan. Other than winning a seat in 2016 that had previously been held by a Republican, the special election is all about Californias recent gas tax increase, part of a $52-billion transportation plan for which Newman voted.

Republicans also financed a signature campaign to place a full repeal of the gas tax on the November ballot, which will probably qualify for the fall election in the next few days. If they succeed in giving Newman the boot, some political watchers think it could help GOP incumbents in a few regions of the state hang on to their jobs.

For the political pulse of California, keep an eye on tiny San Benito County

Its name dates back to the decision by a Franciscan missionary to name a local river in honor of St. Benedict, the Christian patron saint of marriage. And for some two decades, San Benito County has been a faithful political spouse to just about every major statewide election  where one goes, so goes the other.

Why the county, running to the east and south of Salinas, would be such a good bellwether for California elections is unclear. Even so, its political affiliations  46.6% Democratic, 26.9% Republican and 22% unaffiliated  are within arms reach of statewide registration. A local business leader told The Times in 2006 that the community was small enough for its citizens to avoid bitter political partisanship. But its also a part of the state where urban trends  being just south of Silicon Valley  mingle with coastal and agricultural priorities.

If history is any guide, not only will San Benitos voters pick the top candidates in statewide races and ballot measures but will report margins of victory that are very close to the percentages reported for the state as a whole.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics PodcastRoughly six months after a tide of sexual misconduct allegations and resignations swept through Sacramento as the #MeToo movement began to rock institutions of power across the nation, Los Angeles County voters cast their judgment on the accused at the ballot box Tuesday.

Democrat Tony Mendoza, who resigned from his state Senate seat amid misconduct charges earlier this year, did not succeed in his quest to win back the seat for the remainder of the current term, placing third in a field of 11 candidates, with 26% of precincts reporting Tuesday night.

In a separate vote, Mendoza was in fifth place in a field of 10 candidates in the primary election to win the next four-year term starting in 2019 representing the same swath of Southeast Los Angeles County with 26% of precincts reporting Tuesday night.

Republican Rita Topalian led the race to fill Mendozas 2018 term with 26% of the vote while Democrat Vanessa Delgado was in second with 15% of the vote and Mendoza was in third with 13%.

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Topalian also claimed 25% in the race to serve in the seat for the next term. Democrat Bob Archuleta came in second with 18% and Delgado had 15% in that concurrent contest.

Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, whose accuser has appealed a sexual harassment investigation that found his claim to be unfounded, was in first place with 29% of the vote while Republican Mike Simpfenderfer who had 27% of the vote with 27% of precincts reporting.

Both districts are overwhelmingly Democratic and would favor that party in November.

Also Tuesday, voters in the San Fernando Valley replaced two Democrats who resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations with fresh-faced Democratic hopefuls.

Democrat Raul Bocanegra resigned his Assembly seat shortly before the Los Angeles Times published an article featuring six women who said they faced unwanted sexual advances or unwelcome communication from him over several years.

Democrat Luz Rivas was leading the runoff to replace Bocanegra with 63% of the vote, besting Republican Ricardo Benitez who had 36% of the vote with 11% of precincts reporting,

And voters in the western end of the Valley picked a replacement for Democrat Matt Dababneh, who resigned from the Assembly after he was publicly accused of masturbating in front of a lobbyist and other inappropriate behavior.

Democrat Jesse Gabriel claimed 60% of the vote compared with Republican Justin Clark who had 39% of the vote, with less than 1% of precincts reporting results.

Both Gabriel and Rivas were the top vote-getters in the primary races to win a full term.

Live coverage of Californias primary 

(Los Angeles Times )

Mendoza looked to be the biggest loser Tuesday night.

Mendoza resigned in February moments before his colleagues sought to formally expel him after a series of sexual misconduct accusations.

Two outside law firms found it was more likely than not that Mendoza behaved in a flirtatious or sexually suggestive manner toward staffers, a Senate investigation found.

That hasnt stopped Mendoza from running for the remainder of the current term and also for another six-year term. He faces eight other Democrats and two Republicans. He faces a tough fight and his fund-raising has dried up.

Garcia was a leader of the #MeToo movement in Californias Capitol, who forcefully criticized male colleagues accused of inappropriate behavior, only to face similar accusations of harassment and misconduct herself not long after their resignations.

The completion of a legislative investigation into her conduct enabled her to return from a three-month voluntary leave of absence last month.

The controversy could affect her reelection prospects and her influence in Sacramento, particularly after being removed from all legislative committees by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount).

She is facing a well-funded opposition campaign from typically Democratic allies and damaged relationships with many of her colleagues in Sacramento.

Interest groups have aggressively mounted a campaign to oust Garcia, who has never before faced significant spending against her from outside groups.

The state building trades union  which represents construction workers  has been the primary driver of the opposition. The labor group has spent $589,811 leading up to the primary on anti-Garcia television ads, mailers and phone banking.

A campaign group representing charter school backers spent $389,781 against Garcia and $770,329 in favor of one of the Democratic challengers, Frine Medrano, a staffer for state Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles).

A spokesman for California Charter Schools Assn. Advocates, a political action committee, pointed to legislation Garcia introduced this year that would ban Teach for America educators from teaching in low-income public schools.

Garcia faced six fellow Democrats and a Republican in the heavily Democratic 58th Assembly District, which stretches across southeast Los Angeles County from Montebello to Downey and Pico Rivera. The crowded field is a far cry from her last two reelection campaigns, when no one even appeared on the primary ballot to challenge her candidacy.

Everything you need to know about the June 5 primary 

javier.panzar@latimes.com

Twitter: jpanzar

UPDATES:

11:05 p.m.: This article was updated with results after polls closed.

This article was originally published at 2:25 p.m.Tuesdays election featured seven statewide contests besides the governors race, including a barnburner for state attorney general in which incumbent Xavier Becerra took a big lead in early vote returns against three challengers to see who will face off in November for Californias top cop job.

Those competing with Becerra for two spots on November ballot for attorney general were retired El Dorado County judge Steven C. Bailey, a Republican who had the second highest number of votes in early returns, followed in the tally by Republican attorney Eric Early and then Democrat Dave Jones, who is the state insurance commissioner.

Becerra was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown more than a year ago after the previous office-holder, Kamala Harris, was elected to the U.S. Senate. A former 12-term congressman, Becerra is in his first statewide election.

Becerra has grabbed the national spotlight and drawn criticism from the Republican candidates for filing more than 30 lawsuits challenging policies of the Trump administration on subjects including immigration, the environment and health.

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Are you feeling as good as I am? Becerra asked a cheering crowd at a Sacramento election party after the first vote tallies were posted. He reminded that there is still work to do in the November runoff.

Job one for the attorney general is to have your back, to make sure that Im protecting everything that you value, Becerra told the supporters at the event hosted by Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.

Bailey also sounded a confident note: I will be in the top two, and when Californians hear our message, they will vote out the incumbent attorney general.

Tuesdays ballot also features crowded fields of candidates for lieutenant governor, treasurer, controller, secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction and a replacement for Jones as insurance commissioner.

With Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom forced out by term limits and running for governor, the crowded, 11-person race to fill his current post features some high-profile candidates, including state Sen. Ed Hernandez, and fellow Democrat Eleni Kounalakis, a businesswoman and former U.S. ambassador to Hungary, and Jeff Bleich, an attorney and former U.S. ambassador to Australia.

Early returns had Kounalakis in a tight race for first with Hernandez running in second followed by Republican Cole Harris, an entrepreneur.

Kounalakis said as the polls closed that she felt good about talking to a lot of voters during the campaign. One thing became clear: Californians are ready to fight to protect our California values and to make sure our economy works for everyone, she said.

The post often is described as governor lite because there are not many powers. The lieutenant governor fills in when the governor leaves the state, can break a tie in the state Senate, and serves as a University of California regent, a trustee of the California State University, a member of the state Lands Commission and chairman of the Commission for Economic Development.

Live election results 

Secretary of State Alex Padilla, a Democrat, led in early returns for his reelection bid and faces seven challengers. Republican election law attorney Mark P. Meuser had the second most votes in early returns, followed by Democrat Ruben Major, a paramedic and businessman.

Incumbent state Controller Betty T. Yee also jumped out to an early lead in vote tallies as she seeks reelection, with Republican challenger and entrepreneur Konstantinos Roditis receiving the second highest vote in early returns, followed by Peace and Freedom Party candidate Mary Lou Finley, a retired educator.

With state Treasurer John Chiang also running for governor, those seeking to succeed him include Democratic state Board of Equalization member Fiona Ma, who had a lead in early returns, with Republican businessman/CPA Greg Conlon, getting the second most votes early.

Live coverage of Californias primary 

Jones, the attorney general candidate, is prevented by term limits from running for reelection as insurance commissioner.

Businessman Steve Poizner, who held the insurance commissioner post as a Republican from 2007-2011 and is running as a no-party-preference candidate, was leading in early returns.

Democratic state Sen. Ricardo Lara had the second most votes in early returns, followed by Democrat and physician Asif Mahmood, teacher and then Peace and Freedom Party candidate Nathalie Hrizi.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is prevented by term limits from seeking reelection, and four candidates are seeking that post in the nonpartisan contest.

Candidates include Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, who has backing from teachers unions, is battling fellow Democrat Marshall Tuck, an education consultant backed by charter schools, with early returns showing no one with the majority vote needed to avoid a runoff in November.

Thurmond was running just behind Tuck. The superintendent runs the California Department of Education, and implements policies set by the state Board of Education.

Four seats elected by districts on the state Board of Equalization also are on Tuesdays ballot a year after a scandal led the Legislature and governor to take away most of the panels responsibility over taxes, including the hearing of taxpayer appeals.

Everything you need to know about the June 5 primary 

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com

Twitter: @mcgreevy99

UPDATES:

9:30 p.m.: This article was updated with results after polls closed.

This article was originally published at 10 a.m.The neighborhood polling place, a staple of American elections, has disappeared as election day arrives in five California counties  the first sites to transition to a sweeping new system dependent on absentee ballots and a limited number of all-purpose voting centers.

It is a major change, far beyond the tinkering in years past. And when it spreads to Californias most populous cities and communities in 2020, the new system probably will lead to a rethinking of what it means to conduct an election.

Forget everything you know about the voting process and create an all-new one, said Alice Jarboe, Sacramento Countys interim registrar of voters.

The new system, crafted by state lawmakers in 2016, is intended to give voters more choices on when and how they cast ballots. Supporters say a focus on a single day for elections makes little sense in the hustle and bustle of 21st-century lives.

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The counting of Californias primary ballots will take time, and thats as expected 

Dubbed the California Voters Choice Act, the law builds on two growing political realities. First, most voters already have migrated to voting by mail. Fifty-nine percent of ballots were cast somewhere other than a polling place in the 2016 primary. Two decades earlier, it was only 23%.

Second, voting equipment across California is rapidly aging and public dollars to replace it are scarce. In Sacramento County, the largest jurisdiction embracing the new system this year, some 550 neighborhood polling places have been replaced by 78 vote centers. All of the countys 741,260 voters were mailed a ballot.

The law sets specific guidelines for the number of centers based on voter population. As election day approaches, additional locations are added to keep up with expected voter demand. A similar system is used statewide in Colorado but is untested in many other parts of the nation.

The locations offer more than just in-person voting. Citizens also can check their registration status there or have a new ballot printed if they misplaced the one mailed to them. In some counties, they can visit a center to register to vote on election day.

Californias electoral future is rooted in the old-fashioned absentee ballot 

I think the younger generation is going to enjoy the flexibility, said Sharon Wurst, a Sacramento voter who stopped by one of the citys suburban locations last weekend while running errands. This is much more convenient.

The implementation of the new law, said Jarboe, has cost Sacramento County less money. About 600 people have been hired to run the vote centers, down from almost 2,500 poll workers in a traditional election. Transition costs were a little more than $3 million  substantially less than the $12 million the county spent to update polling place equipment in 2004.

Thats where the big price savings is, Jarboe said.

Sacramento joined four other Northern California counties  Napa, Nevada, Madera and San Mateo  in switching to the new system for this election. Los Angeles County can join them in 2020. As more counties sign on, the change will prompt important questions about how voters who still like polling places will react.

Its not just about voter turnout, said Mindy Romero, director of the California Civic Engagement Project at UC Davis. We need to understand, independent of turnout, how people are thinking about and experiencing these vote centers.

Romeros research to date, including statewide polling by age and ethnicity, has found notable worries. There were a lot of folks at the local level who did not know this change was coming, she said.

Even so, community outreach is mandated by the law. Sacramento County voters were sent two postcards alerting them to the change before receiving a ballot in the mail, which came with a map of the vote centers and 53 ballot drop-boxes sprinkled in locations such as libraries and community centers.

We have seen a lot of good work in the five counties that have adopted the model, Romero said. I think registrars and community groups get the importance and significance of this change.

Voters who are unused to receiving their ballot early may ultimately find it gives them time to be more informed. I think this will get people to look through the voting information more carefully, said Pam Waldrep, a Sacramento voter who quickly dropped off her ballot over the weekend. It makes you a better voter.

How many counties will ultimately adopt the new voluntary law remains to be seen. While five counties implemented it for 2018, nine others were eligible but opted out. Last June, Orange County supervisors scuttled detailed plans drafted by local elections officials who had hoped to sign on to the effort.

The limited rollout of the new system in June may prove to be a blessing, as voter turnout is expected to be substantially higher in November.

Given this is an absolutely new voting system for us, we dont have any data on how it will unfold, Romero said. Theres just been a huge learning curve at the local level.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics PodcastLaguna Beach officially welcomed the citys 19th fire chief during a badge pinning ceremony Monday at City Hall.

Michael Garcia, a 32-year fire service veteran, took the helm of the Laguna Beach Fire Department on April 30. He replaced former chief Jeff LaTendresse, who retired in August after serving in the post since 2012.

Garcias wife, Laura, pinned the chiefs badge on her husband during Mondays ceremony, which was attended by city and fire officials and Garcias three children.

Before arriving in Laguna Beach, Garcia worked for the Long Beach Fire Department for 28 years, holding various command staff positions.

I am honored in being selected to lead the Laguna Beach Fire Department and I am humbled in becoming a part of such a great city team, Garcia said in a statement earlier this year. I couldnt ask for a better group of caring professionals, and I look forward to working with them as we plan for the future while continuing to provide excellent and responsive service to the community.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCNThe Huntington Beach City Council on Monday approved its 2018-19 budget, which dedicates 55% of the general fund to public safety and 15% to infrastructure.

The City Council OKd the spending plan with minimal discussion. Officials would have adopted the proposal last month but decided to continue the matter to get input from council members Erik Peterson and Lyn Semeta, who were absent.

The budget for all funds totals $373.1 million, a 3.27% increase from 2017-18. The general fund, which funds the majority of city services, is up 2% to $228.4 million. The fiscal year begins July 1.

City officials project a modest 1% increase in general fund revenue from taxes, fees and other sources, said City Finance Manager Carol Molina-Espinoza.

Revenue from property and hotel occupancy taxes will continue to grow, Molina-Espinoza said, but money from licenses and permits may begin to drop as developments, such as the Pacific City, fill out.

In public safety, the Police Department is slated to receive $3.55 million more  a 1.5% increase. The Fire Department will see a 2.1%, or $773,000, spike.

A large chunk of public safety money will go toward replacing vehicles and equipment, upgrading aircraft, refurbishing marine safety rescue boats and replacing a lifeguard tower.

The proposed budget doesnt fund requests for an additional police detective and four new officers.

Employee pension costs will continue to strain annual budgets, Molina-Espinoza explained, but added that plans the city implemented four years ago  including paying an extra $1 million a year beyond the required minimum toward pension obligations  are helping.

Semeta was bummed to learn the city couldnt continue to pay the $1 million into unfunded liabilities and said they will look at ways to do a better job at that in the future.

Councilwoman Jill Hardy called the extra payments toward pensions a top priority.

On a positive note, Semeta said she was pleased certain infrastructure projects, such as renovations to Central Park, would receive financial backing.

Windward development project moves forward

In other business, the council approved a second reading of an ordinance that forwards a proposed development project on the Bolsa Chica mesa to the California Coastal Commission for review.

The proposal allows several amendments to the land-use and zoning classification on half of the 5-acre Windward site to allow 36 town homes. Hardy dissented.

Mondays vote marks another hurdle cleared by developer Signal Landmark, which has been in discussions for years with city staff and the nonprofit Bolsa Chica Land Trust to try to reach an agreement on the proposed project.

Signal would dedicate 8.7 acres of the surrounding mesa to public open space; that would include the other half of the Windward site.

The plan would go into effect only if the nonprofit Trust for Public Land cant raise enough money to buy all of the roughly 11 acres from Signal in order to preserve it.

Priscella.Vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @vegapriscellaThe student pilot who was practicing flying a fixed-wing, single-engine airplane Friday afternoon sent out a distress call while soaring over the Huntington Beach Pier before making an emergency landing on Hamilton Avenue.

In a tense call to John Wayne Airports control tower, the woman flying a Cessna 172 told controllers she needed to land the plane, according to a recording obtained at LiveATC.net, a website that streams and archives air traffic control audio.

Mayday, mayday, mayday! the pilot said in a strained voice. Emergency landing.

Put it down wherever you can, the tower told the pilot. We have help on the way.

 Pilots mayday call before landing small plane on Huntington Beach street.

Just before 5 p.m., the 2014 Cessna touched down on Hamilton Avenue between Newland Street and Seaforth Lane. No one was injured, police said.

Radio discussions among tower officials indicate the pilot may have been a student at Orange County Flight Center, a flight school at John Wayne Airport.

Let the instructor know her student landed off field and they are safe, according to the recorded audio.

An Orange County Flight Center employee declined to comment when reached by phone Monday.

The plane had taken off from John Wayne Airport and was returning after a practice run when it lost power, according to airport and Federal Aviation Administration officials.

The FAA is investigating what went wrong.

Surveillance video showed a vehicle avoiding the plane as it touched down and sped along Hamilton Avenue, passing several other vehicles as it continued down the street.

The pilots name has not been released. FAA records show the plane is registered to JG Capital Holdings LLC, an equity research firm in Los Angeles. JG Capital Holdings could not be reached for comment Monday.

Amazing job by pilot putting down her plane during an emergency landing on Hamilton Street in HB, Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy wrote on Twitter.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCNA 20-year-old Whittier man was arrested late last month by Glendale police for allegedly using a fake gun to rob a man at an ATM.

Frankie Ortega was arrested May 25 after the Glendale Police Department linked him to the robbery of a man the evening of April 26 at a Bank of America in the 3800 block of San Fernando Road.

Sgt. Dan Suttles said the man was withdrawing money when he was approached by a trio of strangers. One of the men lifted up his shirt, revealing a handgun  which authorities later determined to be a toy  tucked into his waistband.

Suttles said the victim was punched in the face. The trio robbed him of the $60 he had withdrawn. The group fled in a nearby vehicle.

Glendale police investigators tracked the vehicle used in the robbery to its owner, Ortega, Suttles said.

Ortega was then taken into custody. He remains imprisoned in lieu of $120,000 bail.

The robbery remains under investigation.

andy.nguyen@latimes.com

Twitter: @Andy_TrucMetro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5)  Regional officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) filed on Tuesday criminal complaints against its former chief and a former Health Secretary.

Three counts of malversation, falsification, and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were each filed against former PhilHealth interim President Celestina Dela Serna and former Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complaints detailed Dela Serna's allegedly anomalous travel and accommodation expenses, which were certified by Ubial.

The billing statements showed Dela Serna traveling to and from her head office in Metro Manila and her hometown in Bohol.

The complaints state that being the chief of the agency, Dela Serna "cannot claim and misrepresent to be on travel and avail of hotel expenses and personal travel expenses back to her hometown in Bohol."

While the PhilHealth Board Resolution No. 2325, s. 2017, provides and authorizes reimbursement for Dela Serna's travel and accommodation expenses, the complaints stated such authorization applies only to "true, legal, and legitimate" travels.

Executive Assistant Designate and Social Insurance Specialist Arlissa Arceo was also accused in one of the complaints to have issued a certification for Dela Serna. It added Arceo had no authority to do so.

Dela Serna has been under investigation after the Commission of Audit (COA) revealed in an audit observation memorandum a total of 923,174.21 in PhilHealth expenditures which it flagged as irregular. Over 600,000 of which were reimbursed local travel expenses.

The audit report adds to PhilHealth's issues as it takes a hit for a hefty net income loss worth 8.92 billion in 2017 from 251 million in 2016.

Dela Serna, however, said there was nothing irregular with the expenses.

"With the justification or supporting documents we submitted to (the Commission on Audit), I am confident that this will all be cleared," Dela Serna earlier said. "To the public, I assure you that no money of the public is being used anomalously."

In a letter dated June 1, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Dr. Roy Ferrer as the new acting President of PhilHealth, replacing Dela Serna.Two newly minted La Canada High School graduates and a UC Berkeley student were recently feted at a Boy Scout Troop 509 court of honor after each achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Zach Nash, who earned 26 merit badges during his Scouting years, chose for his Eagle Scout project improvements to the library at South Los Angeles Ascension Catholic School.

The improvements involved finishing previously donated bookshelves; sorting, shelving and collecting donations of additional books for the library; and building milk-crate benches that serve both for both storage and seating in the library.

A Pasadena resident who graduated from the Waverly School before matriculating to UC Berkeley, the 18-year-old is the son of Melora Larson and Alfred Nash.

The band hallway on the La Canada High School campus benefited by the Eagle project chosen by Andre Der Sarkissian, 18, a member of the schools marching and jazz bands. Over a two-day period, 14 volunteers recruited by Der Sarkissian spent about 80 man hours painting the hallway.

During his Scouting career, Der Sarkissian earned 24 merit badges and, like the other two new Troop 509 Eagle Scouts, participated in numerous Boy Scout camping trips over the past several years.

Miles Moody Haxton, 18, took on the task of re-landscaping a slope on the campus of the church he attends, Lutheran Church in the Foothills. He cleared and re-graded the area, installed sprinklers and valves, and re-planted with a drought-tolerant ground cover. He was assisted by 14 other Scouts and adults.

The son of Lori Moody and David Haxton, and a recent graduate of La Canada High, he earned 22 merit badges during his years in Scouting. Hes also served as his troops webmaster for the past two years.

Troop 509, sponsored by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge, is known for its many outdoor activities. It draws Scouts from this community as well as neighboring cities. Members who become Eagle Scouts are recognized at ceremonies held in JPLs von Karman Auditorium.

carol.cormaci@latimes.com

Twitter: @CarolCormaciAustralia wants you to visit its glorious Outback  and is giving you a free airline ticket to go. U.S. travelers who book a flight to Australia will receive a one-way ticket to Darwin, Alice Springs or Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock.

The deal: The offer by Tourism Northern Territory aims to get visitors out of the usual tourist cities such as Sydney and Melbourne and into the spiritual heart of the Outback. Travelers qualify for the free ticket by booking a trip to Australia and staying at least two nights in the Northern Territory.

When: The offer is good through July 31 for travel before Dec. 31.

Details: For this deal, you have to book your flight through the tourism agencys partner, including Qantas Vacations, Down Under Answers and Goway. As an example of savings, I found nonstop one-way flights from Sydney to Ayers Rock Airport on random August dates costing $200 to $230. How this deals fits into your journey depends on how much you want to see the more remote and historic parts of Australia.

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Info: Tourism Northern Territorys Fly Free to the Outback

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Worlds longest passenger flight, from New Jersey to Singapore, to start in October

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travel@latimes.com

@latimestravelA Syrian Kurdish militia says its pulling out of a key northern Syrian town, potentially easing a serious rift between the United States and Turkey.

The Peoples Protection Units, known by their Kurdish acronym YPG, said in a statement Tuesday that its advisors had completed their mission to train the local forces, the Manbij Military Council, to defend the town of Manbij.

The development follows an announcement Monday from Turkey, saying it had reached an agreement with the U.S. over the future of the town.

Both the YPG and the Manbij Military Council are backed by the U.S., straining Washington-Ankara relations.

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Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist group tied to a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey and has demanded for over a year that the Kurdish fighters leave Manbij.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5)  The Supreme Court (SC) ordered Solicitor General Jose Calida on Tuesday to comment on the appeal filed by Maria Lourdes Sereno against her ouster "within the non-extendable period of five days from notice".

This, according to SC Spokesperson Theodore Te in a press briefing Tuesday.

Sereno's camp on May 30 filed a 205-page motion for reconsideration, saying the High Court's May 11 ruling should be declared "null and void," as it violated her right to due process as the top judge.

The appeal also reiterated that the six associate justices  Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam, Samuel Martires and Teresita Leonardo-de Castro  should have inhibited themselves from hearing and voting on Sereno's case for being partial.

All six justices voted against Sereno, resulting in a 8-6 vote that unseated her. Their basis was her alleged lack of integrity for failure to file her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth prior to her appointment as Chief Justice in 2012.

If only two of the justices changed their minds and voted in favor of Sereno's motion for reconsideration, the earlier ruling would be reversed, allowing Sereno to return as chief magistrate.

The Supreme Court's granting of Calida's quo warranto petition against Sereno is highly contested, as senators and many in the legal community maintain that impeachment is the only way to unseat a Chief Justice. An impeachment was underway in Congress, but the SC decision considered it moot.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5)  A day after a special task force was created to probe the death of another prosecutor, the main suspect in her killing is now under police custody.

Angelito Avenido Jr., a 31-year-old jeepney barker, was arrested in a hot pursuit operation Monday by Quezon City Police and the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. He was presented to the media on Tuesday.

Avenido is facing criminal complaints of robbery and homicide related to the death of Assistant Special Prosecutor Madonna Joy Ednaco-Tanyag, who worked under the Office of the Ombudsman.

Avenido had two of Tanyag's identification cards, cash worth 9,000, two purses, and a mobile phone.

In a video after his presentation to the media, Avenido admitted to the crime, but claimed it was an accident he killed Tanyag when he was trying to steal her wallet.

"Aksidente 'yun, aksidente [It was an accident.]," he said.A Bethlehem man's threats to crash into a city high school during an argument with his mother led to a lockdown Tuesday morning, city police said.

Joshua McClammy, 26, will face charges of making terroristic threats, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

McClammy on Tuesday morning had an argument with his mother, police Chief Mark DiLuzio said in a news release.

The mother left to drop off her 17-year-old daughter at Liberty High School for graduation rehearsal.

While the mother was at the school, McClammy began texting her threats, first that he would flatten her tires and smash her car, police said.

McClammy then threatened to steal a car and crash it into the teacher's entrance at the high school, according to police.

The mother reported the threats to Bethlehem police. The high school off Linden Street was placed on lockdown, while police responded to McClammy's home in the 1900 block of Brookside Drive in West Bethlehem.

After a brief foot chase, McClammy was arrested, according to police.

"If you make a threat against any school in Bethlehem, you will be prosecuted. Period," DiLuzio said in the news release.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.A Bethlehem Township woman faces charges after allegedly refusing to leave her daughter's hospital room then scuffling with officers who tried to remove her.

Aameenah Sarfeyyan, of the 4600 block of Concord Circle, was charged Sunday morning with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, and two counts of simple assault.

The 55-year-old Sarfeyyan was free on $15,000 unsecured bail.

Efforts to get in touch with Sarfeyyan were not successful, and an attorney has not yet entered an appearance for her.

Bethlehem Township police said Sarfeyyan's daughter was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in the township early Sunday morning.

Staff allowed Sarfeyyan in the daughter's hospital room to help calm her daughter down, but instead the daughter began screaming and thrashing when her mother came in, according to police.

Staff began to try to give medication to the daughter, when Sarfeyyan allegedly hindered them and prevented them from caring for her child.

Staff asked Sarfeyyan multiple times to leave the room, and she allegedly refused. After six attempts to get her out, the hospital called police to remove Sarfeyyan from the room.

Sarfeyyan refused police officer's orders for her to leave and, when they tried to escort her out, she became "violent" and started throwing punches, police said.

Officer Brian Kirchner was scratched on the forearm, and Sarfeyyan was removed from the room, police said.

Once outside the room, the mother reportedly took a fighting stance and told officers, "Let's (expletive) go! I'm going to (expletive) you up!" before she was arrested.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.A former Pennsylvania Department of Transportation executive is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for department contracts, the state attorney general announced.

Nicholas Martino, of Norristown, was charged Monday with a felony count of conflict of interest for allegedly accepting payments from an unidentified PennDOT contractor.

Prosecutors allege the 53-year-old Martino took bribes for years, and then re-upped the contractor's deal with PennDOT, even after the business did not perform the work.

Martino turned himself in Monday, and was arraigned and waived his preliminary hearing in Montgomery County Court. He is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.

A message left for Martino's attorney, Benjamin Cooper, was not immediately returned.

Martino served as PennDOT District 6's assistant district executive for maintenance between 2006 and 2014.

The attorney general's office began investigating in 2013, when a tipster reported corruption in the southeast PennDOT office. The office uncovered widespread abuse within the Highway Occupation Permit Program (HOP) in District 6, which covers Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Chester and Bucks counties.

After a statewide investigating grand jury, 10 PennDOT managers and employees were charged with over-billing the state transportation agency by millions over a three-year period in exchange for kickbacks from contractors.

Many of those defendants were accepted into a first-time offender program called accelerated rehabilitative disposition program, or ARD.

The office of Attorney General Josh Shapiro said a cooperating witness provided evidence against Martino, leading to Monday's charges.

Besides looking the other way when work wasn't done, Martino is also accused of getting a Bucks County inspector fired for refusing to approve the unfinished work.

Prosecutors did not name the contractor who allegedly bribed Martino.

Employees with two regional consulting firms, Construction Methods and Coordination Inc. (CMC) and CZOP Spector Inc. (CZOP), were previously charged in the probe.

In 2015, CMC agreed to pay more than $1.3 million to reimburse state and federal transportation departments for losses connected to the bridge inspectors fraud.

Christopher Czop, president of CZOP, pleaded guilty to bid rigging related to contracts to inspect road-maintenance and bridge-cleaning projects. He was sentenced this past January to one to three years of probation, according to court records.

Contractor Thanh Nguyen, who owned V-Tech Services and Utility Line Clearance, was also charged, accused of stealing at least $3.6 million by submitting false invoices, after receiving $26 million in PennDOT maintenance contracts.

Nguyen pleaded guilty in 2016 to corrupt organizations and theft by deception, but is still awaiting sentencing in the case. He is free on 10 percent on $50,000 bail.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.Science Emotions and Gender: Combination of Patients



05.06.2018 11:40:44 - and Therapists Gender has Impact on Psychotherapy  Including Erotic Feelings



(live-PR.com) - Current research findings by Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences to be integrated into curriculum



Krems, 5 June 2018  Gender can have an influence on psychotherapy. This is backed up by the latest analysis and long-term research carried out by the director of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Science BA-degree programme at Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences in Krems - Current research findings by Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences to be integrated into curriculumKrems, 5 June 2018  Gender can have an influence on psychotherapy. This is backed up by the latest analysis and long-term research carried out by the director of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Science BA-degree programme at Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences in Krems (KL Krems). The results show that gender identity affects the emotions of both patients and therapists. This can give rise to specific dynamics in the therapeutic relationship, for instance in terms of power, and can also lead to sexualised atmospheres. A recent publication focusing on psychotherapeutic practice describes how such developments can come about.



Psychotherapy is all about emotions regarding patients of course, but also their therapists. They need to resonatewith their patientsfeelings and react on the basis of their own emotions. In an article in the latest edition of the journal Psychotherapie im Dialog, published by Thieme Verlag, Prof. Brigitte Schigl, director of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Sciences degree programme at Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL Krems), outlines the significance of this point for day-to-day practice.



Doing Gender

Her analysis is based on a theory known as doing gender, which has become a key component of social sciences over the past few decades. According to this theory, people are creating their gender identities  i.e. femininity or masculinity, or another gender identity  by means of interaction with others. This process usually occurs subconsciously, and has a strong influence on our behaviour. Classifying the person we are interacting with as masculineor feminine, for example, gives us indications as to how we should behave, and this also applies to therapeutic processes.

As Prof. Schigl points out: Therapists respond emotionally to patients, and vice versa. Analysing this interaction in terms of doing gender gives us a better understanding of therapeutic processes.In her recently published article, Prof. Schigl describes examples of situations that highlight potential problems, which in turn can be explained using the perspective of doing gender.

For instance, male therapists can encounter emotional resistance from male patients if the latter perceive them as being too emotional, and therefore too feminine. This behaviour does not fit with the masculine constructand can even be seen as a threat in the eye of some male patients. However, an all-female therapy situation brings together two individuals who have been socialised to be sensitive to feelings. This can create a strong emotional interaction and lead to a sense of trust. But it can also make it harder to deal with confrontation, resistance and detachment.



Eroticism and Psychotherapy

In mixed-gender situations  but not only in such contexts  erotic or sexualised atmospheres can play a part,explains Prof. Schigl, referring to another problem associated with doing gender. Female therapists often speak about challenges they face from male patients who flirt with them. They find it unpleasant and many of them first feel helpless.In contrast, male therapists generally see flirtatious atmospheres with female patients as less problematic. This setting of female patient and male therapist actually entails the highest risk of sexual assault, as Prof. Schigl notes in her article.



Prof. Schigls latest research findings and the results of her analysis of gender- and diversity-related aspects over the years have recently been published in the second edition of Psychotherapie und Gender. Konzepte. Forschung. Praxis. (Springer Verlag, second revised edition, 2018)  widely regarded as the definitive text on the subject. One of Prof. Schigls main priorities is that this knowledge also feeds into degree programmes at KL Krems. The universitys Psychotherapy and Counselling Sciences BA-degree programme places a particular emphasis on gender- and diversity-based health. It aims to promote the development of gender-sensitivity in the psychotherapeutic work as well as students research-related skills.



Original publication: Ko-respondenz macht Gefuhle und Gender farbt sie ein. Der Einfluss von Gender auf Emotionen in der psychotherapeutischen Beziehung.B. Schigl. PiD  Psychotherapie im Dialog 2018; 19: 5660. DOI 10.1055/s-0043-123294

Information about the Psychotherapy and Counselling Sciences BA-degree programme:



About Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences

Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL) is a pioneer for innovation in medical and health sciences education and research, and a catalyst for groundbreaking work which will benefit society at large. Research at KL focuses on niche fields in bridge disciplines such as biomedical engineering, psychodynamics and psychology, as well as topics including water quality and related health issues. Study programmes include health sciences, human medicine, and psychotherapy and counselling and have full European recognition. A network of university hospitals in St Poelten, Krems, and Tulln provides students with quality-assured, research-led education; it enables them to do top-class clinical research that is recognised worldwide. Karl Landsteiner University received accreditation by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria) in 2013.



Scientific Contact

Prof. Brigitte Schigl

Programme Director Psychotherapy- & Counselling Sciences

Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Strae 30

3500 Krems / Austria

T +43 / 2732 72090 430

M +43 / 664 / 889 558 39

E brigitte.schigl@kl.ac.at

W www.kl.ac.at/



Karl Landsteiner University of Health Science

Barbara M. Peutz

Communications, PR & Marketing

Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Strae 30

3500 Krems / Austria

T +43 2732 72090 230

M +43 664 889 558 49

E barbara.peutz@kl.ac.at

W www.kl.ac.at/



Copy Editing & Distribution

PR&D  Public Relations for Research & Education

Ira Paschinger

Mariannengasse 8

1090 Vienna / Austria

T +43 / 1 / 505 70 44

E paschinger@prd.at

W www.prd.at/

(KL Krems). The results show that gender identity affects the emotions of both patients and therapists. This can give rise to specific dynamics in the therapeutic relationship, for instance in terms of power, and can also lead to sexualised atmospheres. A recent publication focusing on psychotherapeutic practice describes how such developments can come about.Psychotherapy is all about emotions regarding patients of course, but also their therapists. They need to resonatewith their patientsfeelings and react on the basis of their own emotions. In an article in the latest edition of the journal Psychotherapie im Dialog, published by Thieme Verlag, Prof. Brigitte Schigl, director of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Sciences degree programme at Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL Krems), outlines the significance of this point for day-to-day practice.Doing GenderHer analysis is based on a theory known as doing gender, which has become a key component of social sciences over the past few decades. According to this theory, people are creating their gender identities  i.e. femininity or masculinity, or another gender identity  by means of interaction with others. This process usually occurs subconsciously, and has a strong influence on our behaviour. Classifying the person we are interacting with as masculineor feminine, for example, gives us indications as to how we should behave, and this also applies to therapeutic processes.As Prof. Schigl points out: Therapists respond emotionally to patients, and vice versa. Analysing this interaction in terms of doing gender gives us a better understanding of therapeutic processes.In her recently published article, Prof. Schigl describes examples of situations that highlight potential problems, which in turn can be explained using the perspective of doing gender.For instance, male therapists can encounter emotional resistance from male patients if the latter perceive them as being too emotional, and therefore too feminine. This behaviour does not fit with the masculine constructand can even be seen as a threat in the eye of some male patients. However, an all-female therapy situation brings together two individuals who have been socialised to be sensitive to feelings. This can create a strong emotional interaction and lead to a sense of trust. But it can also make it harder to deal with confrontation, resistance and detachment.Eroticism and PsychotherapyIn mixed-gender situations  but not only in such contexts  erotic or sexualised atmospheres can play a part,explains Prof. Schigl, referring to another problem associated with doing gender. Female therapists often speak about challenges they face from male patients who flirt with them. They find it unpleasant and many of them first feel helpless.In contrast, male therapists generally see flirtatious atmospheres with female patients as less problematic. This setting of female patient and male therapist actually entails the highest risk of sexual assault, as Prof. Schigl notes in her article.Prof. Schigls latest research findings and the results of her analysis of gender- and diversity-related aspects over the years have recently been published in the second edition of Psychotherapie und Gender. Konzepte. Forschung. Praxis. (Springer Verlag, second revised edition, 2018)  widely regarded as the definitive text on the subject. One of Prof. Schigls main priorities is that this knowledge also feeds into degree programmes at KL Krems. The universitys Psychotherapy and Counselling Sciences BA-degree programme places a particular emphasis on gender- and diversity-based health. It aims to promote the development of gender-sensitivity in the psychotherapeutic work as well as students research-related skills.Original publication: Ko-respondenz macht Gefuhle und Gender farbt sie ein. Der Einfluss von Gender auf Emotionen in der psychotherapeutischen Beziehung.B. Schigl. PiD  Psychotherapie im Dialog 2018; 19: 5660. DOI 10.1055/s-0043-123294Information about the Psychotherapy and Counselling Sciences BA-degree programme: www.kl.ac.at/en/study/psychotherapy-and-counselling-sciences-bachelor-programme About Karl Landsteiner University of Health SciencesKarl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL) is a pioneer for innovation in medical and health sciences education and research, and a catalyst for groundbreaking work which will benefit society at large. Research at KL focuses on niche fields in bridge disciplines such as biomedical engineering, psychodynamics and psychology, as well as topics including water quality and related health issues. Study programmes include health sciences, human medicine, and psychotherapy and counselling and have full European recognition. A network of university hospitals in St Poelten, Krems, and Tulln provides students with quality-assured, research-led education; it enables them to do top-class clinical research that is recognised worldwide. Karl Landsteiner University received accreditation by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria) in 2013.Scientific ContactProf. Brigitte SchiglProgramme Director Psychotherapy- & Counselling SciencesDr.-Karl-Dorrek-Strae 303500 Krems / AustriaT +43 / 2732 72090 430M +43 / 664 / 889 558 39Karl Landsteiner University of Health ScienceBarbara M. PeutzCommunications, PR & MarketingDr.-Karl-Dorrek-Strae 303500 Krems / AustriaT +43 2732 72090 230M +43 664 889 558 49Copy Editing & DistributionPR&D  Public Relations for Research & EducationIra PaschingerMariannengasse 81090 Vienna / AustriaT +43 / 1 / 505 70 44 Author:

Till C. Jelitto

e-mail

Web: http://www.prd.at

Phone: +43 - 1 - 505 70 44 05.06.2018 11:40:44 -

Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this article please contact the author. Please do not contact Live-PR.com. We are not able to assist you. Live-PR.com disclaims content contained in this article. Live-PR.com is not authorized to give any information about content and not responsible for content posted by third party.Business Engage in Learning products prominent at two London exhibitions

Chris Horseman, of Engage in Learning.

05.06.2018 11:50:35 - The latest in generic online learning programmes, along with a look at an impressive learning management system (LMS), will be on display, in June, at two events in Londons Olympia  courtesy of Engage in Learning.



(live-PR.com) - The latest in generic online learning programmes, along with a look at an impressive learning management system (LMS), will be on display, in June, at two events in Londons Olympia  courtesy of Engage in Learning.



The UK-based supplier of e-learning courses and solutions focusing on helping organisations improve their safety, compliance and performance, will be exhibiting at the Learning Technologies - The latest in generic online learning programmes, along with a look at an impressive learning management system (LMS), will be on display, in June, at two events in Londons Olympia  courtesy of Engage in Learning.The UK-based supplier of e-learning courses and solutions focusing on helping organisations improve their safety, compliance and performance, will be exhibiting at the Learning Technologies Summer Forum, at Olympia on 12th June. Designed to further develop the key learning themes from February's Learning Technologies exhibition and conference, this event explores the most popular topics from the Learning Technologies 2018 event held in February.



Engage in Learning will also be exhibiting at the CIPDs HR Software and Recruitment Show (HRSS), which takes place at Olympia on 13th and 14th June. According to the CIPD  the UK-based professional body for experts in people at work  HRSS is a major showcase for the latest HR and recruitment products, services and innovations.



Chris Horseman, Engage in Learnings Managing Director, said, In addition to our most recently published programmes on Unconscious Bias and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), well be showing our extensive range of health & safety, compliance, leadership & management, business skills and IT/ project management programmes at these events. For those looking for a reliable LMS to host and manage these programmes, we recommend the Totara platform  and we can talk about this to visitors to our stand, too.



The latest Engage in Learning product to be launched in one on Noise Awareness, which is scheduled to be published in June.



High levels of noise at work can seriously affect peoples general health and safety, as well as their overall wellbeing.



Damage to hearing is permanent, irreversible and can be debilitating for the sufferer. So, noise levels - and peoples exposure to noise at work  need to be kept to a minimum.



The Engage in Learning Noise Awareness programme outlines the risks posed by noise; explores the damage that exposure to noise can do to a persons hearing, and provides strategies to keep work-based noise emissions as low as possible.



Of course, anyone can provide learning content on any subject, Horseman added. Whats important is that this content is relevant, engaging and, therefore, used.



Our growing client list tells us that Engage in Learnings content not only meets these criteria but its well-designed and affordable as well.



While our programmes are certainly cost-effective, their very nature means that they can be accessed anywhere or any device. So, from an environmentalist point of view, they reduce the need for bringing people together for a training event and, thus, reduce carbon dioxide levels associated with travel, said Engage in Learnings development Director, Kim Whitmore.



Consequently, we provide e-learning that works and that doesnt cost the Earth.



For details of the two events where Engage in Learning will be featuring - the Learning Technologies Summer Forum (stand 36) and HRSS (stand I2) please visit these events websites.



About Engage in Learning

A UK-based supplier of eLearning courses and solutions focusing on helping organisations improve their safety, compliance and performance, Engage in Learning aims to provide engaging and affordable learning thats practical and effective in an organisational setting.



Further information from:

Chris Horseman, Engage in Learning, +44 (0)20 3758 9530,

Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0)1727 860405,

Summer Forum, at Olympia on 12th June. Designed to further develop the key learning themes from February's Learning Technologies exhibition and conference, this event explores the most popular topics from the Learning Technologies 2018 event held in February.Engage in Learning will also be exhibiting at the CIPDs HR Software and Recruitment Show (HRSS), which takes place at Olympia on 13th and 14th June. According to the CIPD  the UK-based professional body for experts in people at work  HRSS is a major showcase for the latest HR and recruitment products, services and innovations.Chris Horseman, Engage in Learnings Managing Director, said, In addition to our most recently published programmes on Unconscious Bias and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), well be showing our extensive range of health & safety, compliance, leadership & management, business skills and IT/ project management programmes at these events. For those looking for a reliable LMS to host and manage these programmes, we recommend the Totara platform  and we can talk about this to visitors to our stand, too.The latest Engage in Learning product to be launched in one on Noise Awareness, which is scheduled to be published in June.High levels of noise at work can seriously affect peoples general health and safety, as well as their overall wellbeing.Damage to hearing is permanent, irreversible and can be debilitating for the sufferer. So, noise levels - and peoples exposure to noise at work  need to be kept to a minimum.The Engage in Learning Noise Awareness programme outlines the risks posed by noise; explores the damage that exposure to noise can do to a persons hearing, and provides strategies to keep work-based noise emissions as low as possible.Of course, anyone can provide learning content on any subject, Horseman added. Whats important is that this content is relevant, engaging and, therefore, used.Our growing client list tells us that Engage in Learnings content not only meets these criteria but its well-designed and affordable as well.While our programmes are certainly cost-effective, their very nature means that they can be accessed anywhere or any device. So, from an environmentalist point of view, they reduce the need for bringing people together for a training event and, thus, reduce carbon dioxide levels associated with travel, said Engage in Learnings development Director, Kim Whitmore.Consequently, we provide e-learning that works and that doesnt cost the Earth.For details of the two events where Engage in Learning will be featuring - the Learning Technologies Summer Forum (stand 36) and HRSS (stand I2) please visit these events websites.About Engage in LearningA UK-based supplier of eLearning courses and solutions focusing on helping organisations improve their safety, compliance and performance, Engage in Learning aims to provide engaging and affordable learning thats practical and effective in an organisational setting.Further information from:Chris Horseman, Engage in Learning, +44 (0)20 3758 9530, chrishorseman@engageinlearning.com Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0)1727 860405, bob.little@boblittlepr.com Contact information:

Engage in Learning



Kestrel Court, Waterwells Drive, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 2AT, UK



Contact Person:

Chris Horseman

Managing Director

Phone: +44 (0)333 259 9012

eMail: eMail



Web: http://www.engageinlearning.com

Author:

Bob Little

e-mail

Web: http://www.boblittlepr.com

Phone: 00 44 (0) 1727 860405 05.06.2018 11:50:35 -

Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this article please contact the author. Please do not contact Live-PR.com. We are not able to assist you. Live-PR.com disclaims content contained in this article. Live-PR.com is not authorized to give any information about content and not responsible for content posted by third party.Computer & Technology Gopher Protocol (OTCQB: $GOPH) Announces Successful Phase One Completion of Decentralized Mesh Network Testing



05.06.2018 17:38:10 - Gopher Protocol Inc. (OTCQB: GOPH) ("Gopher"), a company specializing in the creation of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence enabled mobile technologies, is pleased to announce that it has completed the first phase of its Decentralized MESH system architectural functionality simulation.



(live-PR.com) - Tech News: Gopher Protocol (OTCQB: $GOPH) Announces Successful Phase One Completion of Decentralized Mesh Network Testing



SAN DIEGO, CA - June 5, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Gopher Protocol Inc. (OTCQB: GOPH) ("Gopher"), a company specializing in the creation of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence enabled mobile technologies, is pleased to announce that it has completed the first phase of its - Tech News: Gopher Protocol (OTCQB: $GOPH) Announces Successful Phase One Completion of Decentralized Mesh Network TestingSAN DIEGO, CA - June 5, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Gopher Protocol Inc. (OTCQB: GOPH) ("Gopher"), a company specializing in the creation of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence enabled mobile technologies, is pleased to announce that it has completed the first phase of its Decentralized MESH system architectural functionality simulation.



Read this in full at



These simulations tested Gopher's unstructured MESH network, performing node and gateway communication scenarios while observing timing and performance. The team was able to successfully simulate "node to node" and "node to gateway" network communication, within a defined range.



A wireless mesh network is a communications network made up of radio nodes (telephones or other connected devices) organized in a mesh topology (random dispersion across a given area). MESH refers to rich interconnection among devices or nodes. Wireless mesh networks typically consist of mesh clients (users) and gateways (internet access points).



The Gopher Decentralized MESH network will be a mobile network, which adds additional complexity as the nodes move frequently. The main challenge of developing Gopher's MESH network is updating routes of data considering that nodes are moving within the MESH. Managing these nodes is achieved by our time division based electronic hardware combined with Gopher's Avant! Artificial Intelligence engine that is cognitively learning about the dynamic GEO locations of nodes and gateways in order to control the unstructured mesh network.



"This is a very significant stage for us," stated Danny Rittman, Gopher's CTO. "We successfully conducted a node hopping simulation which we believe is one of the key technological hurdles in creating a MESH network. In addition, we also performed "node to gateway" communications and multiple "node hopping" all the way to a gateway. The results were successful for a defined range and beyond. We are now constructing testing boards to further analyze the technology in order to identify methods of improvements and advancements."



"We are also working on our Avant! AI engine, providing it with the mathematical knowledge with the goal of developing it to a point to control the entire system. Unstructured networks are particularly difficult to control without the involvement of highly mathematical models and algorithms," continued Dr. Rittman.



Gopher believes the development of a mesh network and technology is crucial to the creation of a communications network that disrupts the incumbent Internet and data providers that are the gatekeepers of communication access for the developed world. Gopher intends to bring connectivity to the hundreds of millions that cannot easily afford the current global cost of connectivity and to make the rapidly growing internet of things more affordable for all.



About Gopher Protocol Inc.

Gopher Protocol Inc. (OTCQB: GOPH) (Gopher) (



Corporate Site:

Press page/ press kit -

Consumer and product website for Guardian Patch:



About Guardian Pet Tracker

The Guardian Pet Tracker (Sphere Internal name - the "Sphere") system is a derivative technology of Gopher's Guardian Patch technology. The Sphere is designed to provide its users with local tracking capability using a re-chargeable/replaceable battery source. Gopher intends to release pre-production units in limited test in the near future.



GOPH disclosure: More info: SEC link /technology abstract:



Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors as disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission located at their website (



Contact:

Dr. Danny Rittman, CTO

Gopher Protocol Inc.

VM Only 888-685-7336

Media:



Gopher Protocol, Inc. (OTCQB:GOPH) is a featured tech stock on

Investorideas.com



More info on GOPH at Investorideas.com Visit:



Get News Alerts on Gopher Protocol Inc. GOPH



This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders



Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Disclosure: GOPH is a PR, social media and publishing client and compensates Investorideas.com (effective April 4, 2016 - three thousand five hundred per month) Amended February 2018 five thousand per month. More disclaimer info:



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Decentralized MESH system architectural functionality simulation.Read this in full at www.investorideas.com/CO/GOPH/news/2018/06051MeshNetworkTesting.asp These simulations tested Gopher's unstructured MESH network, performing node and gateway communication scenarios while observing timing and performance. The team was able to successfully simulate "node to node" and "node to gateway" network communication, within a defined range.A wireless mesh network is a communications network made up of radio nodes (telephones or other connected devices) organized in a mesh topology (random dispersion across a given area). MESH refers to rich interconnection among devices or nodes. Wireless mesh networks typically consist of mesh clients (users) and gateways (internet access points).The Gopher Decentralized MESH network will be a mobile network, which adds additional complexity as the nodes move frequently. The main challenge of developing Gopher's MESH network is updating routes of data considering that nodes are moving within the MESH. Managing these nodes is achieved by our time division based electronic hardware combined with Gopher's Avant! Artificial Intelligence engine that is cognitively learning about the dynamic GEO locations of nodes and gateways in order to control the unstructured mesh network."This is a very significant stage for us," stated Danny Rittman, Gopher's CTO. "We successfully conducted a node hopping simulation which we believe is one of the key technological hurdles in creating a MESH network. In addition, we also performed "node to gateway" communications and multiple "node hopping" all the way to a gateway. The results were successful for a defined range and beyond. We are now constructing testing boards to further analyze the technology in order to identify methods of improvements and advancements.""We are also working on our Avant! AI engine, providing it with the mathematical knowledge with the goal of developing it to a point to control the entire system. Unstructured networks are particularly difficult to control without the involvement of highly mathematical models and algorithms," continued Dr. Rittman.Gopher believes the development of a mesh network and technology is crucial to the creation of a communications network that disrupts the incumbent Internet and data providers that are the gatekeepers of communication access for the developed world. Gopher intends to bring connectivity to the hundreds of millions that cannot easily afford the current global cost of connectivity and to make the rapidly growing internet of things more affordable for all.About Gopher Protocol Inc.Gopher Protocol Inc. (OTCQB: GOPH) (Gopher) ( gopherprotocol.com/) is a development-stage company which consider itself Native IoT creator, developing Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence enabled mobile technology. Gopher has a portfolio of Intellectual Property that when commercialized will include smart microchips, mobile application software and supporting cloud software. The system contemplates the creation of a global network. The core of the system will be its advanced microchip technology that can be installed in any mobile device worldwide. Gopher envisions this system as an internal, private network between all enabled mobile devices providing shared processing, advanced mobile database management/sharing and enhanced mobile features.Corporate Site: gopherprotocol.com Press page/ press kit - gopherprotocol.com/?page_id=228 Consumer and product website for Guardian Patch: www.guardianpatch.com/ About Guardian Pet Tracker www.guardianpettracker.com/ The Guardian Pet Tracker (Sphere Internal name - the "Sphere") system is a derivative technology of Gopher's Guardian Patch technology. The Sphere is designed to provide its users with local tracking capability using a re-chargeable/replaceable battery source. Gopher intends to release pre-production units in limited test in the near future.GOPH disclosure: More info: SEC link /technology abstract:Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors as disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission located at their website ( www.sec.gov) . In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, governmental and public policy changes, the Companys ability to raise capital on acceptable terms, if at all, the Companys successful development of its products and the integration into its existing products and the commercial acceptance of the Companys products. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of the press release.Contact:Dr. Danny Rittman, CTOGopher Protocol Inc.VM Only 888-685-7336Media: press@gopherprotocol.com Gopher Protocol, Inc. (OTCQB:GOPH) is a featured tech stock onInvestorideas.comMore info on GOPH at Investorideas.com Visit: www.investorideas.com/CO/GOPH/ Get News Alerts on Gopher Protocol Inc. GOPHThis news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leadersDisclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investment involves risk and possible loss of investment. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Contact each company directly regarding content and press release questions. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Disclosure: GOPH is a PR, social media and publishing client and compensates Investorideas.com (effective April 4, 2016 - three thousand five hundred per month) Amended February 2018 five thousand per month. More disclaimer info: www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Additional info regarding BC Residents and global Investors: Effective September 15 2008 - all BC investors should review all OTC and Pink sheet listed companies for adherence in new disclosure filings and filing appropriate documents with Sedar. Read for more info: www.bcsc.bc.ca/release.aspx?id=6894 . Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country.Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Contact information:

Gopher Protocol Inc.



San Diego, CA



Contact Person:

Danny Rittman

CTO

Phone: 888-685-7336

eMail: eMail



Web: http://gopherprotocol.com

Author:

Dawn VanZant

e-mail

Web: http://www.investorideas.com

Phone: 800-665-0411 05.06.2018 17:38:10 -

Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this article please contact the author. Please do not contact Live-PR.com. We are not able to assist you. Live-PR.com disclaims content contained in this article. Live-PR.com is not authorized to give any information about content and not responsible for content posted by third party.Stock Market News

Europe midday: Shares extend gains, Draghi still ahead 05-06-2018 11:39



Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.ukUh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 6)  President Rodrigo Duterte has responded to the backlash he received over the controversial kiss he shared with a Filipina in South Korea.

Speaking to the media upon his arrival Tuesday, the President said there was no malice in the kiss.

"It was (a) showbiz and everybody enjoyed. If you're asking for malice, I do not do it in public if there is malice. I would pull the woman somewhere along the empty halls," he said.

The kissing incident was widely criticized. Many expressed disgust on social media, saying the act was an "unpresidential behavior."

The President took the matter lightly, adding he's been kissing women since his days as mayor of Davao City.

He said, "There are people here from Davao. During the campaign of my mayorship days, I kissed every woman there lips to lips...hindi lang yan smack. Ang ibang babae gusto talaga ng romance. Style ko yan eh. Maghanap kayo ng style ninyo."

[Translation: There are people here from Davao. During the campaign of my mayorship days, I kissed every woman there lips to lips...and it wasn't a smack. Some women really want romance. That's my style. Go look for your own.]

Duterte said he didn't understand why people made such a fuss about the incident.

"There is nothing wrong with a simple kiss...Inggit lang yan sila. Sabihin mo sa kanila palitan nila pustiso nila," he said.

[Translation: There is nothing wrong with a simple kiss...They're just jealous. Tell them to go change their dentures.]

When asked how his common-law wife Honeylet Avancena reacted to the incident, the President dodged the question.

"Hindi yan tanong. Tanong yan ng mga pervert [That's not a question. That's something a pervert would ask]. Why do you have to dwell on the kissing?" he said.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5)  A police officer was killed while nine others were wounded in an encounter with armed communist rebels in Sagada, a popular tourist town in Mountain Province, police said Tuesday.

The regional police has yet to report on the number of casualties on the side of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPA) that has waged nearly five decades of insurgency.

The firefight comes as representatives of the government and the rebels are discussing the possible resumption of peace negotiations, more than six months after President Rodrigo Duterte walked away from the talks.

Duterte issued Proclamation 360 in November 2017 ending the on-off negotiations with communist rebels. Both sides accused each other of launching attacks against the other in violation of earlier interim ceasefire declarations.

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Are you already an Managing IP subscriber? Login hereKochi : A wide range of protest erupted after the police on last day arrested the owner of a theatre, where a 10-year-old girl was sexually molested by a businessman on April 18, for alleged delay in informing the authorities about the incident. The assembly session turned uproar over the police action with the opposition boycotting the assembly.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made it clear that he can only comment on the issue after receiving a report from the Director General of Prosecution regarding its legitimacy.

Malappuram district police chief Prateesh Kumar told PTI that the owner, Sateesh, was arrested as there was a delay of at least eight days in informing police about the incident.

Also, the childline had been told about the crime first instead of the police, he said. The owner was called to the police station for recording his statement and later arrested. He was later let off on bail. A case was registered under The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) against him, Kumar said. ( With PTI inputs )BI nabs fake Korean journalist

posted June 05, 2018 at 11:10 pm by Vito Barcelo June 05, 2018 at 11:10 pm

Immigration authorities arrested a fake Korean journalist who swindled two Korean women of more than 42.2 million won or equivalent to P2.7 million. The Korean, identified as Yun Jong Sik was nabbed in Guadalupe, Makati City by operatives from the bureaus Fugitive Search Unit. Yun is wanted for a string of fraud cases in his country. BI Spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said Yun is the subject of four outstanding arrest warrants issued by Korean courts where he was charged with defrauding large sums of money. He has been hiding in the country for almost 10 years.One of his pending cases is his alleged swindling of two female Koreans whom he enticed to give him money via the Internet by introducing himself as a journalist who graduated from a prestigious US university. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente issued the Mission Order for Yuns arrest at the request of the Korean Embassy which informed the BI about his outstanding cases.

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1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand.

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.Over the past week, US imperialism has escalated its levels of aggression against the Venezuelan government. These escalations include the accusations of drug trafficking against Maduro and 13 senior officials of the Venezuelan state, a new plan of terrorism and assassination carried out from Colombian territory, and the Trump administration's announcement of a new transitional plan in our country  without Maduro and without Guaido  with a gradual lifting of economic sanctions. We can now add to this list the deployment of naval forces near Venezuelan coasts in the Caribbean, under the excuse of an "anti-drug operation."PITTSFIELD -- Unionized nurses at Berkshire Medical Center notified management Monday they are planning a 24-hour strike over two days later this month.

The strike will run from 7 a.m. on Monday, June 18 and to 7 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19, according to the notice.

The 800 registered nurses represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association have been negotiating a contract with Berkshire Medical Center and parent Berkshire Health Systems since September 2016, according to a news release.

There was a nurses strike in October 2017. A planned strike in February was called off.

At issue is the nurse's call for minimum staffing requirements -- something nurses have asked for in contract disputes elsewhere.

Management has balked, saying that writing such language into a contract makes it hard to move resources around and efficiently manage a hospital.

"Our nurses have said it loud and clear: We will not stop fighting for staffing improvements that help keep our patients safe. We have demonstrated our unity with three separate votes and have persisted despite the length of our fight and management's divisiveness," said registered nurse Alex Neary, co-chair of the bargaining committee of the local union, in a news release. "Today management offered proposals that do not make sufficient improvements for us to provide our patients with the care they deserve."

The Massachusetts Nurses Association has settled contract disputes with Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield and Baystate Noble in Westfield.

The Baystate Franklin contract goes to a ratification vote Monday, June 11.

In Pittsfield, Berkshire Health Systems spokesman Michael Leary said management's most recent proposal was a fifth year of the new contract. Included in that year is a 3 percent pay increase, with an additional 2 percent adjustment for its top-of-scale nurses.

That brought the proposed raise to at least 19 percent over five years.

Leary said Berkshire Medical Center has made arrangements to staff the hospital during the strike. No services will be interrupted, Leary said.LANESBOROUGH -- The beleaguered Berkshire Mall just north of Pittsfield has until June 18 to pay $942,000 in taxes it owes to the town and to the entity that owns and maintains a connector road, according to The Berkshire Eagle.

The road district, known as the Baker Hill Road District, successfully took mall owner Mike Kohan of Berkshire Mall Realty Holdings LLC over $240,000 in unpaid taxes.

If the owners don't pay, the municipalities could end up owning the property.

The newspaper learned of debit through legal notices placed by the town.

Business has been rough at the mall for years.

The mall went dark twice this winter after Eversource cut off power -- probably for nonpayment of the bill although the utility wouldn't confirm that.

Target and a movie theater are the mall's remaining anchors. Best Buy closed in 2015. Macy's closed in 2016. JC Penney and Sears closed in 2017.

Kohan has said he's trying to reinvigorate the mall and recently announced that a flea market, The Berkshire Mall emporium, will open June 23 in 60,000 square feet that was once JC Penney.

Springfield's Eastfield mall has also gone a similar route with the Markets at Eastfield.

Eastfield Mall learned last week that its Sears store, which opened when the mall was new in 1968, will close in September.

Mall owner Mountain Development, based in New Jersey, plans to buy the Sears buildings -- department store and auto center.A 27-year-old Haverhill man was ordered held without bail after he entered a not guilty to a single charge of murder in Haverhill District Court Monday the Boston Globe reported.

Eddy Manuel Almonte is accused of shooting Nike Colon as he sat in a pickup truck near Haverhill City Hall the afternoon of Thursday, May 17.

Police investigators accuse Almonte of pulling up alongside the Dodge truck in a Honda SUV, and opening fire on the passenger side of the vehicle at about 5 p.m.

Colon was wounded in the gunfire and was transported first to Holy Family Hospital, then airlifted to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston where he was later pronounced dead.

Almonte fled the area and was arrested during a traffic stop in Winchester, Virginia on Friday, May 29. Almonte waived rendition and was transported back to Haverhill for arraignment.A man allegedly tried to flee police by swimming across the Charles River Monday night.

At about 9:30 p.m. on Monday, a state trooper tried to ask a "disorderly man" at JFK Park on Memorial Drive in Cambridge, according to a statement by Massachusetts State Police. The man then allegedly began to run away on foot toward Ash Street and jumped into the Charles River. Police say the man then tried to swim across the river.

State Police called the Marine Unit, and a trooper aboard a patrol vessel pulled the suspect out of the water. At the shore, Cambridge Police gave the man Narcan, or the opioid-overdose medication naloxone.

The man, who has not yet been identified, was then transported to Mount Auburn Hospital for treatment.An appeal filed by victims of convicted child rapist Wayne Chapman was denied, clearing the way for the 70-year-old Massachusetts man's release.

Chapman, who is believed to have attacked at least 100 children, was deemed safe to be around kids by mental health examiners. The examination revealed he was "no longer sexually dangerous" because he is too old and frail to attack again.

The state's Supreme Judicial Court denied a petition filed by Boston attorney Wendy Murphy that would've delayed the level 3 sex offenders release.

Associate Justice Scott Kafker wrote there was "no substantial claim of substantive rights" was present in the petition, according to

.

"In sum, the Commonwealth has correctly acknowledged that the statutory and regulatory requirements governing Chapman's release have been complied with and petitioners have not presented any information or argument to the contrary," Kafker wrote.

Chapman was convicted of raping two Lawrence in 1975 and has been in prison for more than 40 years. He has admitted to raping as many as 100 children.

He's also a suspect in the 1976 disappearance of 10-year-old Lawrence boy Andy Puglisi.SPRINGFIELD - "It's highly significant," said Dr. Deborah Katz of the results of a 10-year study that indicates breast cancer survivors with a certain intermediate risk for recurrence do not need to be treated with chemotherapy.

"It allows us to eliminate chemotherapy with its toxicity in a lot of people and a lot of extra cost in the medical system," said Katz, a veteran medical oncologist with Baystate Regional Cancer Program who specializes in the treatment of breast cancer and brain tumors.

"It's a huge benefit."

Dr. Vatsala Kirtani, a medical oncologist and hematologist at Mercy Medical Center's Caritas Cancer Center, also had similar words for the study.

She said its results have been "long awaited" and would impact a "significant percentage" of the center's breast cancer patients in terms of clarifying who will benefit from the addition of chemotherapy and who receives hormonal (endocrine) therapy alone to prevent recurrence.

"Chemotherapy, while it can be lifesaving or life prolonging in many patients, can certainly adversely affect the quality of life. It can cause hair loss, nausea and vomiting, damage to nerves or heart and fatigue. It also affects blood counts and makes it easier to have infections or bleeding. Occasionally, side effects can be life-threatening," Kirtani said.

"Also, chemotherapy can cause the patient psychological distress and take a toll on the family as well. By avoiding chemotherapy, patients can be spared the side effects. Moreover, chemotherapy can be very expensive, and cause a significant financial burden to the patient."

Baystate patients were participants in the study, "Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment," whose results were announced Sunday during a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago, and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The trial began in 2006 and enrolled women ages 18 to 75 with stage 1 and early stage II estrogen-receptor-positive, HER2-protein-negative invasive breast cancer. A gene test called Oncotype DX was used to analyze tumor samples for risk recurrence over a 10-year period and whether chemotherapy would lessen that risk.

Baystate has routinely use the Oncotype DX test for years to rule out chemotherapy where a low risk score indicates such therapy would not be effective and to rule it in for high risk scores.

Dr. Grace Makari-Judson, who chairs the Baystate Health Breast Network and who was in attendance at the Chicago meeting where the study's results were announced, noted Baystate's participation and its use of the test in an email reply from the meeting about the study.

"I am grateful to the women from Western Massachusetts who enrolled in this landmark trial," Makari-Judson said.

"We have been using molecular testing with the Oncotype Dx test for several years to help us decide about the relative additional benefit of chemotherapy above and beyond hormone therapy alone. The study results help us further refine our discussion with patients. The bottom line is that no decision is made purely on one test result, rather an integration of tumor related factors and patient related factors to truly personalize medicine."

Mercy, too, has been using the Oncotype DX test as one of several genomic tests to predict the benefit of chemotherapy on the basis of the genes expressed in the tumor cells.

The focus of the TAILORx study were the 6,711 participants receiving an intermediate score between 11 and 25 as data on the benefit of chemotherapy for this score has been least known. After surgery and radiation, these participants were randomly divided into two groups with one receiving a combination of chemo as well as endocrine (hormone) therapy and the other only endocrine therapy.

"Endocrine therapy either interferes with or reduces estrogen in the body," Kirtani said.

"Hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer cells require some estrogen in order to grow and will die without it. Several hormonal therapies have been shown to decrease risk of relapse after surgery."

The nine-year rates of invasive disease-free survival were around 84 percent for both groups.

"This is the data that is new. We have known how to deal with the low and high risk for recurrence in terms of chemotherapy, but this study shows us that chemo-endocrine therapy in intermediate risk is equal to endocrine therapy," Katz said.

"It has been a more challenging conversation about chemotherapy for the intermediate risk group because we did not have the same quality of data. Now we have the quality of data to help."

Chemotherapy drugs are given to kill rapidly growing cancer cells, but Katz noted the fact these drugs can have damaging side effects is why knowing "someone who is a sufficiently high risk for recurrence of cancer" will benefit from administering the drugs to them is important as well as "sorting out the people who won't benefit from it."

She added treating estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer is particular challenging in terms of long-term prevention as it can recur many years after the original diagnosis.

She also noted that the study indicated that women under 50 with early stage breast cancer may benefit from both therapies.

"This is worth a discussion with people to review the risks and benefits of either strategy. The big trend in cancer medicine is to avoid unnecessary treatment," Katz said.

Kirtani, too, cautioned, "The fact that the study did not show an additional benefit of chemotherapy" for the participants of intermediate risk "does not guarantee that a relapse could not occur."

"The data showed that over 80 percent of the women did not have any relapses in over nine years of follow-up, and that about 95 percent of the women did not have the more dangerous distant relapses," Kirtani said.

The leader of the study, Dr. Joseph A. Sparano of Montefiore Medical Center in New York, told the New York Times that its findings would apply to about 60,000 women a year in the United States.

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 268,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer in 2018 in the country, and 41,400 breast cancer deaths.HOLYOKE -- Children living with HIV/AIDS can get grants to pay for summer camp thanks to a community service organization.

"Nueva Esperanza is proud to announce the creation and availability of a 'campership' fund for this youth population throughout all of Western Massachusetts," Nelson R. Roman, executive director of Nueva Esperanza Inc. ("new hope"), a community service organization at 401 Main St., said Monday.

"Children living with HIV/AIDS in Western Massachusetts experience a hard time as they struggle to have a care-free childhood. This disease's physical afflictions, financial struggles, difficult treatments and rampant stigma can be devastating to a child's life," Roman said.

"Generous donations" have positioned Nueva Esperanza to be able to provide $400 per child to attend a summer camp of their choice, he said.

"While other places assign specific camps for children to go to, the Nueva Esperanza campership does not have a predetermined camp that applicants are expected to attend. The freedom to choose is what makes camperships different and unique from other programs. However, due to the program's demand, the number of applicants depends on donations and who applies first," he said.

The campership fund is available to children up to 18 years old in Western Massachusetts whose parents are living with HIV/AIDS, or who are living with the disease themselves, he said.

"The funding for this program is ongoing and although Nueva Esperanza can recommend camps that specifically welcome children with chronic illnesses, families are encouraged to choose the camp that is right for them," Roman said.

To get applications, make a donation or for more information, call 413-437-7666 or send an email to info@nuevaofholyoke.org or NelsonRoman@nuevaofholyoke.orgA high court ruling this week allowing the release of serial sex offender Wayne Chapman to go forward has Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker focusing on a bill to prevent future releases of similar convicts.

"We now have a Supreme Judicial Court decision that basically says Wayne Chapman's rights under the current law would permit him to be released," Baker said Tuesday. "That obviously speaks to current law, which is obviously a big part of the problem."

Baker plans to file legislation this week to increase penalties on serial child rapists and change the review process for their potential release.

Two forensic psychologists determined that Chapman, 70, was no longer sexually dangerous. Before their determination, Chapman served 30 years in prison for the rapes of two boys, and he was then civilly committed as sexually dangerous.

Baker said he hopes state lawmakers act quickly on his bill once he files the legislation.

"The fact that somebody who has admitted to somewhere between 50 and 100 rapes of a child, I mean, this guy should never get out," Baker said. "And I think it's unfortunate, disgraceful in some respects, that we find ourselves in this position. But if we don't learn from this experience and make adjustments so it can't happen in the future, shame on us."

The bill would not have an effect on the Chapman case.

"But we will be able to make it effective with respect to cases going forward, and I think that's equally important," Baker said.SPRINGFIELD -- Massachusetts State Police cited 21 people with trespass on state property Monday afternoon after some 70 demonstrators from a rally on Court Square marched to the State Office building at 436 Dwight Street.

The Rally for the Right to Health and a Healthy Planet: Ecological Devastation and Health Care drew an estimated 150 to 200 people to the Court Square area in a call for economic, environmental and healthcare justice early Monday afternoon.

However, later in the day the State Police estimate some 70 demonstrators marched to the Dwight Street state office building to continue the protest there.

State Police spokesman Sgt. Paul Sullivan said 21 people entered the building and were asked to leave. When they did not, each was cited for trespass and escorted from the premises.

The demonstrators will be summoned to court at a later date.The five newest Massachusetts State Police troopers accused of overtime abuse filed paperwork to retire.

Massachusetts State Police spokesman David Procopio confirmed to MassLive that the five troopers recently flagged because of "alleged discrepancies between overtime pay received and hours worked" filed paperwork to retire Monday.

A final audit of overtime shifts for Troop E in 2016 also identified seven more troopers who had a number of "overtime shifts, or partial shifts that warrant further investigation," Procopio said.

These seven troopers will remain on active duty as an investigation continues. Procopio noted the seven troopers are separate from the five troopers announced last week.

The five troopers were flagged because of a higher volume of overtime shifts.

Any members of the department who retire while under investigation do not receive an honorable discharge and can still be investigated by the state's Attorney General's Office, which is examining the State Police internal investigation into alleged overtime abuse.

A federal grand jury is looking into the overtime abuse scandal within the State Police.

An audit of overtime shifts worked by the now-defunct Troop E discovered alleged discrepancies in pay between hours worked and pay received. The review of all overtime shifts for Troop E came after several troopers were either suspended or retired in connection with "no-show" shifts during Accident Injury Reduction Effort patrols, known as AIRE patrols, on the Massachusetts Turnpike in 2016.

Some members of Troop E are accused of filing for overtime shifts they did not work in 2016. Their ranks include trooper, sergeant and lieutenant. AIRE patrols were eliminated in 2017.

The recent discovery of discrepancies for former Troop E members came as State Police audited overtime shifts worked by members of the troop.

Duty status hearings were set to take place this week for these newest five troopers, but the hearings appear to be canceled now that they retired. The names of these five troopers have not been released.

The matter was under investigation by the State Police Internal Affairs Section.

"In March, the department announced initial alleged discrepancies that were uncovered in certain Troop E overtime payments for 2016 and we made clear that our review would continue into other types of overtime shifts, other calendar years, and other Troops," said Colonel Kerry Gilpin in a release last week.

The alleged discrepancies announced last week occurred during special traffic enforcement overtime shifts run in 2016 by Troop E for patrolling the Massachusetts Turnpike and the Metropolitan Tunnel System.

"Most of the shifts in question were known as 'X Patrols' and '55 Team' patrols and were intended to combat aggressive and speeding drivers," State Police said. "The department discontinued 'X Patrols' in February 2017 and discontinued '55 Team patrols' in March of this year."

The five troopers who filed for retirement this week are in addition to the nearly 30 active and retired troopers under investigation for the AIRE overtime shifts. Many of those troopers are suspended without pay.

The state Attorney General's Office will receive the results of the audit for review and to determine if criminal charges will be sought.

State Police completed the review of all overtime shifts worked by Troop E in 2016 and will now review shifts worked in 2015.

The department conducted an audit of overtime shifts worked in 2016 by all other Troops besides the former Troop E, and found no discrepancies.AMHERST - More than 14 years after University of Massachusetts nursing student Maura Murray disappeared, friends and family are still hoping for answers.

Last month, they created a GoFundMe page hoping to raise money to use ground-penetrating radar to search areas of interest.

The Hanson resident was a junior nursing student when she disappeared on Feb. 9, 2004. The 21-year-old packed up her dorm room and emailed her professors to tell them she was going home for the week because of a death in the family, but there was no death in the family.

She disappeared on Route 112 in Haverhill after crashing her car into a tree. A witness told police Murray was unharmed after the accident, but when police arrived minutes later she was gone.

The family has been helped by the Molly Bish Foundation and the Licensed Private Detectives Association of Massachusetts Inc., which help families dealing with unsolved crimes. The Murray family lives in various places in Massachusetts.

Friends of Maura Murray launched the GoFundMe drive on what would have been Murray's 36 birthday, May 4.

Organizer Maggie Freleng, an investigative journalist and who went to UMass, and former U.S. Marshal Art Roderick investigated the case and created the documentary "The Disappearance of Maura Murray."

Freleng wrote this past weekend, "My eyes were opened to how many people from across the country are interested in Maura's story and are looking for answers. I met people from Newfoundland to Australia to Alabama to London spreading the word and inquiring about Maura."

Besides money for testing, they are also raising "additional reward money for information leading to Maura. The money will be held by us until someone comes forward to claim it. With confirmation by the police that this person has indeed provided information leading to Maura, we will give them the money, as is standard protocol. If it is not claimed in two years we will donate it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children."

"Someone knows something," Freleng wrote.

People leaving messages on the site wrote about how Murray is in their thoughts every day and how they hope there will be "closure" for her family.

As of Monday night, 212 people had contributed $6,940 to the fund. The organizers set a $10,000 goal.-- With hurricane season underway, the community service organization Nueva Esperanza Inc. Monday launched an effort to raise $25,000 each for the Puerto Rican towns of

Loiza and Yabucoa.

"We will maintain a direct line of communication and contact if, in the event any disasters will happen, and directly focus our relief efforts on these two communities," said Nelson R. Roman, Nueva Esperanza executive director.

The Nueva Esperanza-Puerto Rico Emergency Preparedness Project was announced with Las Mujeres a la Vanguardia of Springfield ("Women on the Vanguard"), the South Holyoke Neighborhood Association and the Puerto Rican / Afro Caribbean Cultural Center of Holyoke, he said.

Much of Puerto Rico remains devastated from September's Hurricane Maria.

According to information Roman said he received from the towns' officials:

637 Loiza residences still are without roofs

the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied a majority of home repair claims due to lack of proof of home ownership documents

water filtration in Loiza is nonexistent

90 percent of municipal structures in Yabucoa were damaged or ruined by the hurricane

35 percent of residents in Yabucoa are still without electricity

over 900 homes in Yabucoa are without roofs.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 with peak activity between mid-August and late October.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a 70 percent likelihood that five to nine of the heavy storms that are forecasted could become hurricanes. That means they would pack winds of at least 74 mph. Of the total, one to four could become major hurricanes, which are those with winds of at least 111 mph, the federal agency said.

An average hurricane season produces six hurricanes, including three major ones, the federal agency said.

The Nueva Esperanza-Puerto Rico Emergency Preparedness Project will include sending money as it comes in via Paypal to Loiza and Yabucoa and collecting Home Depot gift cards to be mailed to the towns monthly, Roman said.

Also, two trips to both communities will be made and the organization is seeking skilled laborers, carpenters, electricians and other volunteers willing to help in repairing homes, he said.

Nueva Esperanza also will be collecting school supplies for children in the two towns, he said.

A press conference announcing the effort was held at the Nueva Esperanza offices at 401 Main St. and included remarks by Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse, Puerto Rican officials and Roman, he said.

Those who want to help can send an email to info@nuevaofholyoke.orgLUDLOW -- A son has been charged in connection with a deadly domestic incident involving his father, according to Ludlow police, who continue to investigate.

Shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a domestic disturbance at 306 Sewall St., where they "encountered an incapacitated victim," said Jim Leydon, a spokesman for Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni.

John Goncalves, 54, was transported to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where he was pronounced dead. His son, Joao Goncalves, 27, was taken into custody and charged, Leydon said.

The son pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and single counts of assault and battery and malicious damage to a vehicle at his arraignment Monday in Palmer District Court.

He is being held on $50,000 cash bail and is due back in court July 3.

Leydon did not identify the weapon used in the incident, which remains under investigation by Ludlow police, state police detectives assigned to Gulluni's office, and the Chief Medical Examiner's office.

The DA issued a statement offering his sympathies to the victim's family "during this difficult time."Within roughly six hours, a Massachusetts man was busted twice for driving under the influence of drugs.

Everett Chief of Police Steven Mazzie said officers responded to a report of a gasoline tank truck driver slumped over the steering wheel around 8 a.m. on Monday. The truck was at the intersection of Ashland and Beacham streets in Everett.

Officer Patrick Johnston removed the keys from the truck and checked the driver, identified by police said 50-year-old Kenneth Davis of Foxborough.

Davis was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a possible drug overdose. He was then charged with driving under the influence of drugs.

A few hours later, around 2:25 p.m., Officers Johnston and Joseph Gaff headed to 67 Beacham St. for a report of a head-on crash.

The officers recognized the driver of a Chevy Monte Carlo involved in the crash. It was Davis, police said.

Police say Davis was again under the influence of drugs.

"He was allegedly operating a Chevy Monte Carlo and drifted over the line into oncoming traffic causing the collision," police said.

Davis was charged with driving under the influence of drugs for a second time.

Police sent a notice to the state Registry of Motor Vehicles in order to take action against Davis' driver's license.

Davis was arraigned in Malden District Court on Tuesday.On the heels of a federal grand jury looking into the overtime abuse scandal within the department, Massachusetts State Police face another investigation. New revelations show that the State Police has additionally failed to pay taxes on tens of millions of dollars in commuting perks for troopers since the 1970s.

The Boston Globe reported that some troopers had been receiving up to $40 a day tax-free - up to $13,000 each year - if they drove their own vehicle to work. A state-wide investigation of untaxed perks given to public employees began as a result of the report.

Comptroller Thomas Shack's office started examining the payrolls of 151 state departments on May 27, reviewing the payrolls of more than 96,000 employees. Taxes from the commuting benefit have been withheld by Shack's office during the investigation.

This scandal follows a history of commuting perks for Massachusetts state employees. In 2016, a report by the state inspector general's office showed that Massachusetts lost more than $500,000 in revenue over six years when free transponders were given to around 400 Massachusetts Department of Transportation employees for their personal vehicles.

Shack, the state's chief financial officer, said that the review of the State Police will likely take months.

This review comes while the State Police is also being investigated for fraud by a federal grand jury regarding alleged overtime abuse scandals.

Over 30 former members of Troop E, the troop that patrolled the Massachusetts Turnpike before being eliminated as part of a series of reforms, have been linked to inconsistencies between overtime they have been paid for and actual hours they have worked.

Gov. Charlie Baker responded to the overtime abuse scandal saying, "People who don't work shifts that they say they worked, they're not only violating their oath as a trooper, but they're also stealing from the Commonwealth, and from the taxpayers, and the toll payers."

Baker is also quoted saying that, although the overtime scandal was just recently revealed, officials believe that the alleged scam was going on for many years.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey's office is currently investigating the alleged overtime abuse in addition to the federal grand jury. Healey has the authority to bring criminal charges against the former troopers.

In March, the State Police faced yet another scandal when payroll data for State Police Troop F was made public, revealing extensive overtime pay going to employees.

Thomas Coffey, a detective lieutenant, received $351,773 in total pay in 2017 including $137,091 in overtime.

Neil Calnan, a sergeant with the state police, also received more than $300,000 in 2017 including $157,281 in overtime - more than $23,000 above his annual salary.

Michael Fiore, another state police sergeant, received $164,607 in overtime pay, contributing to the just under $300,000 he received in total pay. Fiore was listed as having an annual salary of $134,132.

Troop F, which polices Boston Logan International Airport and Boston's Seaport District, made this payroll data available for public viewing after coming under fire for not disclosing them publicly.

The latest scandal regarding un-taxed commuter perks could result in a large tax bill for the state. Several tax specialists told the Globe that the state's use of per diem payment as an expense reimbursement appeared to go around federal rules. At the close of the investigation, the Internal Revenue Service will be able to demand the unpaid taxes from the state, in addition to penalties.Authorities are investigating a rollover crash that claimed the life of one person on Interstate 495 in Bolton early Tuesday morning.

WHDH 7News reports that the crash happened around 12:10 a.m. near Exit 28 on I-495 south. The car landed on its roof and one person, who has not been identified, was killed.

Both lanes of the highway were closed as State Police investigated the rollover. Authorities are expected to provide further details on Tuesday, according to The Boston Globe.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.Massachusetts officials are looking into how many state employees got tax-free advantages, a practice possibly going back decades, and how much the state may owe to the IRS as a result.

"The comptroller is conducting a review to determine if people have received benefits that should've been on an after-tax basis instead of a pre-tax basis, and if the commonwealth, or the people who received those benefits, owe money as a result of the comptroller's work, then we're going to make sure they get paid," Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters Tuesday.

"It dates back years and years and years, in some cases, decades," Baker added. "And that's the unfortunate part. But we're going to work with the comptroller to make sure that as much of this as possible that can get cleaned up does get cleaned up, because it should be."

The probe comes after the Boston Globe reported that some State Police troopers received up to $40 a day, tax-free, to drive their vehicle to work. That could "put the state in line for a potentially massive payment to the IRS," the newspaper said.Mari Canales included the image above in a Facebook post after her younger sibling went missing in 2017.She gave him every signal she wasn't interested in sex, but he did not listen, the victim told police.

She told him she was gay; she fended off his kisses; when he climbed on top of her, she ordered him to stop, she said.

He refused, she said, leading to a sexual assault case that could now reshape how withdrawal of consent is viewed in Massachusetts courts.

After the rape, she went to Salem Hospital, told medical staff she had been sexually assaulted and gave her account to responding police officers. Her actions had swift results; Richard Sherman Jr., of Salem, was arrested that night.

And her testimony proved convincing. Sherman was convicted of rape in a jury trial last October, with Salem Superior Court Judge Joshua Wall saying the case was a clear-cut example of rape.

"She told you to stop, repeatedly," Wall told Sherman at his sentencing, according to the Salem News. "I've just never seen a case in which a victim said no so many times and in so many ways."

But now the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is being asked to evaluate whether Sherman should receive a new trial -- and along with it, the way that victims must withdraw consent to support charges of sexual assault.

Sherman, who maintains that the encounter was consensual, has filed an appeal arguing that Wall should have instructed the jury that a consensual sexual encounter can only turn into rape if a victim clearly communicates that he or she no longer consents.

"It remains unclear how consensual sex legally becomes rape when the victim changes her mind in the midst of sex and the defendant persists with intercourse," Sherman's attorney Edward Crane wrote in his application for SJC review. "It is critically important that the Court provide some clarification. As the instant case and many of the cases cited above demonstrate, juries frequently raise the question as to whether initially consensually sex can become rape if the victim revokes her consent during intercourse."

Crane did not return request for comment.

Colby Bruno, senior legal counsel for the Victim Rights Law Center, said in an interview that setting a legal standard for withdrawal of consent is a thorny and intractable issue, and that her organization had not yet formulated an official position on the lawsuit.

But she raised concerns that, if successful, Sherman's lawsuit could harm legitimate rape prosecutions by placing requirements on scared victims.

"If you say that a victim has to clearly communicate withdrawal of consent, what you're saying is the burden of consent shifts to the victim," Bruno said. "That's a problem, unless you can show that there was active and trusting consent."

The SJC accepted the case on May 16, and is now seeking amicus briefs from outside experts, setting up a ruling that could redefine how Massachusetts law draws the line between consensual sex and rape.

In an interview, Northeastern School of Law Professor Daniel Medwed said the SJC could be using the case to re-examine the legalities of consent, as the #MeToo movement continues to force a cultural reckoning with issues of sexual coercion and assault.

"It's not just the classic stranger rape case. I think historically a lot of people thought of sexual assault as the stranger in the bushes scenario, and that's very rare," Medwed said. "Maybe the SJC just wants to take this opportunity to reevaluate and clarify the standard for consent in Massachusetts."

While Sherman's appeal focuses on sexual encounters that start consensual, his case does not neatly fit into that category. Rather, according to his victim, the assault was forcible and never consensual -- an argument that convinced the judge in the case, who gave Sherman a prison sentence above prosecutors' recommendations.

According to Sherman's application for SJC review, he and the victim met at Murphy's bar in Salem after midnight on Oct. 14, 2014. They had mutual friends, and struck up a conversation about music; at one point, the victim told Sherman that she was attracted to women.

After the bar closed, Sherman asked the victim if she wanted to hang out and they exchanged numbers. He texted her later that night, asking her to come over. She agreed to hang out, but attempted to bat down his sexual advances, repeatedly telling him that she was was into women.

"Hey, man. I'm down to chill, but I like girls," she texted him.

Around 2 a.m. the victim showed up at Sherman's apartment. She later told police that a conversation about music transitioned into increasingly aggressive advances from Sherman, which she rejected.

"The defendant tried to kiss her on the cheek and she put her hand up to stop him," the application for SJC review said. "The victim reiterated that she was gay and that she was 'not going past just hanging out'."

But Sherman would not stop, eventually pinning her to the bed and raping her as she told him over and over that she did not consent, the victim told police.

Sherman claims that the entire encounter was consensual and that the victim never said no, making the case an odd test for the laws over withdrawn consent. But while the jury at Sherman's trial was deliberating, jurors asked the judge "is it rape if it started consensual and she changed her mind."

Wall responded that consensual sex can turn into rape, if the prosecution can prove a lack of consent -- a standard interpretation in Massachusetts rape cases. But Sherman's appeal argues that withdrawn consent requires a higher standard to prove guilt, and cites similar case law in California, Kansas and Illinois.

"It is the defendant's position that, in this situation, the Commonwealth must also prove that the victim communicated her withdrawal of consent to the defendant," the appeal says. "Without proof of this element, the defendant cannot be found guilty of rape."

The dissonance between the narratives given at trial and the basis of the appeal makes the case a long-shot, Medwed said, even if the justices do change the standard for proving withdrawn consent.

"Even if the courts say the construction here was flawed, it would probably be a harmless error, because the evidence suggests that consent was denied throughout the encounter," he said.

But the justices could use the case to set new standards that reflect society's increasingly sophisticated understanding of consent, which can legally be revoked at any point during a sexual encounter, Medwed said.

"Taking a step back from this particular case, there is a problem with the popular definition consent and the legal definition if it and the reality on the ground. All three of those things are not always in alignment," he said. "The SJC might be more interested in this case not because of the particularities of the case, but because it's a nice vehicle to reevaluate consent instructions."

Bruno also said that Sherman's conviction is not a good test case for establishing a new standard for withdrawal of consent.

"From the get-go, it's clear to me that there was no consent," she said. "This is the wrong case to decide that issue."Time is doing what Nazi artillery could not. It is inexorably causing courageous Allied personnel from D-Day to vanish - not from the pages of history, but from everyday American life.

More than 156,000 Allied forces reclaimed France and Europe from Adolph Hitler's Germany in 1944. The great amphibious invasion in world history was a precisely calculated and organized assault, but also a bold gamble and to some extent, a leap of faith - so much so that General Dwight Eisenhower prepared a statement in advance, taking responsibility in case the invasion failed.

The attack forever stamped June 6, 1944 into history's annals. it succeeded on the courage and strength of armed force personnel who charged the beaches and attacked on land, sea and air, knowing many were doomed but willing to risk that sacrifice so that others - and freedom - could win.

What has been called "The Longest Day" has become one of the most inspiring stories in the history of humankind. Today, the youngest D-Day survivor is 92 (presuming the age of 18 at the time of the battle). A British survey in 2014 found that of the 61,000 Brits who participated, fewer than 500 were alive - and there are much fewer today, four years later.

Identifying the number of survivors from among 73,000 Americans at Normandy is even more inexact. Best-guess answers say "a few thousand," and very likely fewer. The average American soldier at that battle was between 22 and 26, which would make the range of those survivors between 96 and 100 today.

As the years have passed, D-Day survivors have openly wondered if their contribution to history is being forgotten. The battle returned to awareness with the release of the movie "Saving Private Ryan," a film that captured the horror and bravery of war so graphically that many veterans called it the most realistic war movie (and therefore the best) they'd ever seen.

But that movie was released 20 years ago, and while available to new generations, it is not on their topics of the day. There is no holiday for D-Day.

Some schools and communities commemorate the event but others do not. The decision is often based on whether living D-Day survivors are found within the community, and those ranks are literally thinning out every day.

What has always been remarkable about D-Day has not been just the observations of those who witnessed it and survived, but in how varied those stories are. They represent a panorama of backgrounds, experiences and emotions that combine to describe a moment of human history hanging in the balance - an all-out fight for freedom that guaranteed gut-wrenching sacrifice but did not come with the assurance of victory we tend to assume in hindsight.

We should remember that the great sacrifice of Americans was shared by forces from 12 other nations, one of which was "Free France," a group of freedom fighters from their Nazi-occupied nation.

How can Americans honor the courage, sacrifice and triumph of D-Day? By letting the surviving veterans know they have not been forgotten.

By remembering that June 6 is not just another day on the calendar. By respecting the great commitment of military personnel then and now, and how conflict is not a scripted Hollywood production with protected heroes and certain endings but a call for greatness that thousands have answered, each knowing their every contribution to freedom might be their last.

The 1944 invasion of Normandy represents all of those things. No American should forget - while the surviving veterans are here, and long after they have all passed - what that day and that moment in history meant to freedom, this country and the world.The governor's task force on hate crimes will hold its first of three listening sessions Thursday in Springfield.

The task force is holding listening sessions to seek input from communities about hate crimes, hate events and bias in schools and educational settings. It wants to hear more about best practices for identifying hate crimes, major obstacles facing educators and administrators related to hate crimes, and suggestions for addressing these incidents in school communities.

The June 7 event will be held at the Springfield State Office Building, 436 Dwight St., from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Other listening sessions will be held June 11 in Boston and June 12 in Worcester.

Gov. Charlie Baker established the task force in November 2017. Led by Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett, it is focused on preventing hate crimes and developing ways to support victims of hate crimes.A Pioneer Valley radio station that provides newspaper reading and accessible programming for the blind and visually impaired is at risk of having its funding cut off for the second year in a row -- a result of changes in the state budget and an internal dispute between the main Boston area program and five regional affiliates.

Barbara Loh, executive director of Valley Eye Radio, said the program may have to downsize. "We've been able to do what we've done by dipping into reserves, and that can't go on much longer," Loh said.

The 40-year-old Massachusetts Reading Network is a network of radio programs featuring volunteers who read local newspapers out loud. They also create independent programming to appeal to people who are visually impaired.

Talking Information Center in Marshfield is the hub of the program. It records programs aired and distributed for free to five local affiliates in Springfield, the Berkshires, Worcester, Cape Cod and the North Shore.

Anna Dunbar, acting executive director of Talking Information Center, said the organization records 100 programs per week with 200 volunteers, which make up about 80 percent of the programming used by the regional affiliates.

The regional affiliates supplement that material with local interest programs. Valley Eye Radio has volunteers who read The Republican, the Greenfield Recorder and Daily Hampshire Gazette, as well as local obituaries and supermarket circulars. Loh said the radio station has also started creating some of its own programming -- for example covering an elder care conference.

Listeners can tune in online or on their phones -- or, they can acquire a special radio that only carries the accessible radio program. It is not available on a commercial radio station.

From fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2015, Talking Information Center received around $750,000 from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. According to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, that money came from federal dollars.

In fiscal 2016, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind decided to no longer give those federal dollars to the organization, but state lawmakers replaced the money with a $650,000 state appropriation each of the next two years.

In fiscal 2018, there was no legislative earmark, and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services decided to halve the money given to the organization to $325,000, with the expectation that the nonprofit will find other sources of revenue.

Elissa Snook, a spokeswoman for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, said the organization was established in 1978, and as technology has evolved, so have consumer practices. There are now additional options available for individuals who are blind or have low vision to access news.

Currently, lawmakers are considering earmarks of $250,000, in the House version of the budget, or $325,000, in the Senate version of the budget, for fiscal 2019.

Compounding the state budget cuts is a shift in policy by Talking Information Center. Until last year, the organization distributed money to each of the regional affiliates.

Loh said Valley Eye Radio was getting $40,000 a year -- which made up about half the organization's total budget. But when the state funding was halved, Talking Information Center decided to keep all the money and not distribute anything to the affiliates.

Loh said the decision coincided with a change in leadership at Talking Information Center, and the new leader "seemed more interested in only making sure that TIC was fully funded and left the other five affiliates across the state to fend for themselves, somehow balance their budgets, and keep their broadcasts on the air."

Dunbar, at Talking Information Center, said when state funding was cut in half, the appropriation was no longer enough to cover the organization's operating costs. "Therefore, we were unfortunately unable to distribute any funds to local affiliates across the state," Dunbar said.

Dunbar said if Talking Information Center only gets $325,000 or less this year, she anticipates the organization will keep all the money again. Talking Information Center's operating budget is around $450,000. She noted that each affiliate is its own nonprofit, and TIC is the main contact for the state.

The state contract does not specify how Talking Information Center should distribute the money. The House version of the state budget amendment includes language that would require all the regional affiliates to get some money.

Loh said the cut comes at a time when the organization has been expanding by going out into the community and doing interviews, rather than just reading newspapers. It is getting free rent from WGBY. "We've become more dynamic," Loh said.

Loh said she has been seeking grants and donations. "If the state no longer supports us, it's going to be a challenge, and it will jeopardize potentially what we're able to offer to those who can no longer read for themselves," she said.

Sal Garozzo, executive director of UCP of Berkshire County, which runs the Berkshire Talking Chronicle, said the Berkshire affiliate reads the Berkshire Eagle, brings in people from the community and people with special needs to do programming, and recently finished a documentary on families with children in the Belchertown mental institution.

Last year, it got $6,000, down from $40,000 in previous years. This year, the station is looking for state funding to move its radio tower, since the high school that was hosting the tower is moving.

"It's tough to absorb the costs of putting together a brand new tower without funding from the state," Garozzo said.

If no state money is forthcoming this year, Garozzo said, "It certainly puts the radio station in jeopardy."

Rep. John Scibak, D-South Hadley, who sponsored the House amendment, said he is trying to make sure there is "an equitable distribution of funding" for all the programs around the state. Scibak said it was frustrating to see Talking Information Center keep all the money, rather than sharing it with the programs in Springfield and elsewhere. Scibak said the state funding cut should have affected all the affiliates proportionally.

"I don't think we should be picking and choosing, and I don't think that blind constituents in one region of the state are necessarily more deserving than individuals who live in other parts of the state," Scibak said.

"It's just astonishing to me that (TIC) would take it all and say to the other programs if you want money, it's up to you to advocate," Scibak said.

Both Loh and Scibak said although there are other options for blind people to get information, many consumers of accessible radio programs are senior citizens who may not have internet access.

"It's important that those people be served," Scibak said.

This story was updated with information from Garozzo.BOSTON - U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, said Monday that President Donald Trump has committed "attacks on the fundamentals of democracy."

Warren singled out as "worrisome" Trump's attacks on voting, on an independent judiciary and on the press. "This is shocking stuff," she said.

Warren spoke for more than an hour to a progressive business group, the Alliance for Business Leadership. Her speech, and a question-and-answer period, provided the liberal Democrat with an opportunity before a friendly audience to criticize the Republican president and Republican policies.

Warren opened her talk with a critique of trickle-down economics. She argued that Republicans want to cut regulations and cut taxes for the wealthy. Once revenues decline, they will cut investments in education, health care and infrastructure. She painted Democrats as the party that favors everyone paying their "fair share" in taxes to create opportunities by investing in research, education, the minimum wage and other policies that help working class families.

Most of the questions were about how Democrats could get their message out and win the mid-term elections in November.

Asked about the split between more progressive and more centrist Democrats, Warren, a leader in the progressive movement, said people have to remember that "a race in Massachusetts doesn't look exactly like a race in Indiana." "Part of what we have to remember to have tolerance for is there are different ways Democrats may be describing what's going on," Warren said.

She said Democrats are united in opposing the recent federal tax changes, maintaining access to health care and addressing opioid addiction.

Although the economy is doing well today, Warren, asked about the federal tax policy, told reporters after the event, "Many of the national statistics no longer represent the reality for a lot of hard working middle class families."

"We need an America that doesn't just work for a thin slice of those at the top, we need an America that works for all of us," Warren said

During her talk, Warren praised the growing liberal activism that has become a backlash to Trump, with marches by women, scientists and other groups that oppose Trump's policies. Referring to the 2017 March for Science, Warren quipped, "You know you're in trouble when the nerds leave their labs and come out."St. Ignatius, Mont.  S&K Aerospace, LLC (SKA) http://www.skaerospace.com/ was named the Small Business Administrations (SBA) 2018 Regional & Montana 8(a) Graduate of the year. SKA President Anthony Amadeo & S&K Technologies, Inc. (SKT) CEO Chad Cottet received the awards at the annual Montana SBA awards held May 3rd, 2018 at the Camelot Ranch in Billings Montana. The event was hosted by Montana Small Business Administration, & Big Sky Economic Development Corporation. The Montana SBA awards celebration highlighted 11 categories to recognize Montanas top small businesses, entrepreneurs, small business advocates, and champions.

By Brian TannerNew or expanded cryptocurrency  or Bitcoin  mining operations could be limited in Missoula County under temporary emergency interim zoning that will be discussed during the commissioners June 14 meeting.

On Monday, commissioners said they dont know what action, if any, theyll take on the measure. But they hope that public comments made at the meeting will help chart a path forward amid concerns over noise, the amount of energy used by the cryptocurrency mining operations, and how that energy consumption could affect consumers.

EVE BYRON [email protected]

http://missoulian.com/news/local/missoula-county-looks-to-limit-bitcoin-operations/article_e392915e-8b78-55d3-b335-a422f9dace1f.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1"For too long, global climate policy has been seen as a prisoners dilemma game, where some nations can do nothing and get a free ride on the efforts of others. Our results show this is no longer the case."

This bodes ill for countries who rely on carbon exports to prop up major parts of their economies  including Canada, Russian and the United States.

By Matthew RendaJoin our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.Videos

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.Jonas Cullwick, a former General Manager of VBTC is now a Senior Journalist with the Daily Post. Contact: [email protected]. Cell # 678 5460922Nacogdoches, TX (75965)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High near 85F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.GRANDVILLE - Having lived in the United States for a little more than four decades now, Grandville resident Trong Nguyen, originally from Vietnam, will turn 100 years old this month.

The mother of seven children, grandmother of 27, great-grandmother of 43 and great-great-grandmother of one, Nguyen was born on June 6, 1918, in a village in central Vietnam.

She would eventually have four boys and three girls with her husband, Su H. Tran, a Vietnamese government official who died in a car accident in 1959. Though three of her sons served in the South Vietnamese army during the Vietnam War, none were killed or seriously injured in combat.

In 1975, after the North Vietnamese army launched the Spring Offensive, Nguyen fled the country with her second daughter's family. They were eventually rescued by the U.S. Navy and thereafter sponsored to Michigan, where -- with the exception of the two years she spent in Austin, Texas -- Nguyen has lived ever since.

She worked as a child care provider for some time before retiring at age 60 and currently lives with her firstborn son, Thuan Tran, and her grandson's family in Grandville. She has family living in other parts of the U.S., as well as in Vietnam and Australia.

"All her life, she has been a devoted Catholic to her church, a faithful wife to her husband and a dedicated mother to her children," Tran said of his mother. "She always sacrifices herself to the benefits of her family members."

The family plans to celebrate Nguyen's 100-year milestone with a 10 a.m. service on Sunday, July 15, at Our Lady of La-Vang Parish, located at 2019 Porter St. SW in Wyoming.A blog about life under, and resisting, a dictatorshipANN ARBOR, MI - More than a year after the Ann Arbor City Council voted to sell a downtown property to a Chicago developer, the city and developer have finalized a purchase agreement.

City Administrator Howard Lazarus announced at the City Council meeting Monday night, June 4, that the city and developer Core Spaces have signed a purchase agreement for the Library Lot, which is the parking lot atop the city's underground parking garage off Fifth Avenue next to the downtown library.

The city intends to sell the lot to Core Spaces for $10 million to allow the developer to build a 17-story high-rise including a hotel, apartments, office/retail space and an outdoor plaza.

The finalization of the purchase agreement comes just days after the city clerk's office determined a grassroots citizens group known as the Ann Arbor Committee for the Community Commons has turned in enough petition signatures to put a proposal on the November ballot seeking to block the sale and keep the lot in public hands.

The question now going before city voters in November is whether to add a section to the city charter stating all city-owned land on the Library Lot block, which includes both the Library Lot and Liberty Plaza, must be retained in public ownership in perpetuity and developed as an urban central park and civic center commons.

The committee for the commons believes the fact that its proposal is on the ballot now means the city must hold off on selling the Library Lot until voters have had an opportunity to vote.

City Attorney Stephen Postema has not yet publicly offered an opinion on the matter.

The City Council voted 8-3 in favor of selling the Library Lot to Core Spaces in April 2017. The city attorney's office has since worked to finalize the purchase agreement with Core Spaces.

City officials have declined to say why it took so long to finalize the agreement, which outlines terms of the city's intended sale of the lot to Core Spaces. The sale hasn't been fully executed yet, as it hasn't gone to closing yet.

The developer still has to finalize designs and submit a site plan to the city for review and approval before a development can proceed.

Alan Haber, one of the leaders of the committee for the commons, spoke out at Monday night's meeting, saying what his group calls "the center of the city" should be kept in public ownership and developed as an urban central park and civic center commons.

He criticized city officials for trying to keep the question from going to voters in the past, referring to the City Council's votes against putting the question on the ballot and the city's rejection of the group's previously submitted petition signatures.

Haber said the community has an opportunity to do something beautiful on the Library Lot and he considers the city's desire to sell the property almost irrational.

He said the real question now is whether the city will allow the people to vote and have their voices heard.

The Ann Arbor News is awaiting the city's response to a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of the purchase agreement and recent written communications between the city and Core Spaces.ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor's attempt to raise awareness about gun violence was met with criticism Monday night, June 4, for his refusal to mention killings in Gaza.

As the mayor read a proclamation observing Gun Violence Awareness Day at the start of the City Council's meeting, joined by members of the local chapter of Moms Demand Action, a group of demonstrators behind them held signs reading "Boycott Israel."

Ann Arbor resident Mozhgan Savabieasfahani, one of the demonstrators, urged the mayor to speak out about the Israeli military's killing of Palestinians.

"Say something about Palestine," she told the mayor. "You have a chance. Say something about it."

Taylor declined, saying after the meeting that he doesn't think what's happening in Gaza is a matter for the city to address.

"Our primary focus is to engage issues that impact members of the Ann Arbor community," he said.

"It is not our place or appropriate for us to engage international injustices, wherever they may be."

Taylor added he does not support the protesters' call for a boycott of Israel. He said there are complicated conflicts all around the world and his focus is on improving services and quality of life in Ann Arbor.

Savabieasfahani questioned how the mayor could stand against gun violence yet ignore what she called a massacre.

"How does it feel, Mr. mayor, to be silent at a time of a genocide, yet say that you are against gun violence?" she asked, calling Israel a racist state supported by the United States.

"It's a shame that you can't even talk about it," she said. "The world is talking about it. There is a global boycott, divestment and sanction movement against Israel, yet you sit quietly and say not a word as Israel massacres people. Shame on you."

Anti-Israel protesters have been coming to City Council meetings for many years, calling on the council to hold a public hearing on a resolution to boycott Israel. They believe such resolutions approved by government bodies can help put a stop to violence in Gaza.

Council members over the years have declined to take up the issue, some fearing it would divide the community for the city to take a side in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and not have much real effect.

Members of the Jewish community have said the anti-Israel protesters are only telling one side of the story and they don't mention the rockets being fired at Israel by Hamas.

The University of Michigan's Central Student Government, after hours of intense debate, voted 23-17 last fall to call on university leaders to investigate divestment from companies that do business with Israel.

A university spokesman quickly responded afterward to say UM bases its investment decisions solely on financial factors such as risk and return, and that approach isn't expected to change.

Six of the eight UM Board of Regents members signed a joint statement in December, indicating they strongly oppose any action involving the boycott, divestment or sanction of Israel.

Ann Arbor resident Blaine Coleman, another one of the anti-Israel demonstrators, once again urged City Council members Monday night to hold a public hearing on the matter.

"We demand boycott against Israel because Israel has been massacring Palestinians for all the years we have come in here. We have been coming to this City Council since June of 2002 demanding boycott against Israel," Coleman told the council.

He called specific attention to Razan al-Najjar, the 21-year-old Palestinian medical nurse shot dead by an Israeli sniper during protests last week. CNN reported that al-Najjar's death comes after weeks of Palestinian protests, known as the Great March of Return, during which more than 100 Palestinian protesters have been killed by Israeli fire.

She is the second medical worker to die, and more than 200 others have been injured, CNN reported on June 3.

"Israel just murdered this nurse, this paramedic, Razan al-Najjar, who was wearing her white nurse's uniform, three days ago," Coleman said, arguing Israel is shooting unarmed human rights marchers.

"So we say boycott Israel."

The proclamation the mayor read Monday night focused on gun violence in the United States.

He said 96 people are killed by gun violence every day, countless others are injured, and Americans are 25 times more likely to be murdered with guns than people in other developed countries.

Taylor urged residents to wear orange to show support in the belief that there is more to be done to end gun violence.

"We in America have a gun problem," he said. "It's a legal problem and it's a cultural problem. It has resulted in the death by violence, by self-harm and by accident -- and the injury by same -- of hundreds of thousands in our cities, states, and throughout the country."

Taylor said it's his responsibility as mayor to protect public safety in the community he serves and he feels an obligation to fight against gun violence, the gun lobby and gun culture. He noted many people in Ann Arbor are taking action, including local school students.

"I've been really proud of those students. I've talked to a lot of them in formal settings and informal settings and they're getting their voice, and it's an impressive and inspirational one," he said.

"I think the youth have a moral clarity about this issue that is necessary and I'm just so glad to hear it expressed."

As for the anti-Israel protesters who encouraged him to broaden the scope of his gun violence remarks Monday night, Taylor said people have a First Amendment right to speak at City Council about topics that matter to them, but in this case he thinks their time and energy would be better spent lobbying at the federal level.

"I think the people who come to speak to us about international matters are not using their time particularly efficiently," he said, noting the city doesn't have jurisdiction over international matters. "We in Ann Arbor, we're focused on Ann Arbor."

Ann Arbor resident Alan Haber told council members Monday night he thinks they should allow a public hearing on the matter.New technology that would give traffic signal priority to public transportation vehicles is being tested this week on a Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) bus in Macomb County as part of a pilot program, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials announced on Monday

Vehicle-to-infrastructure technology is being tested at six intersections of Groesbeck Highway between Masonic Boulevard and Metropolitan Parkway, using dedicated short-range communication devices.

Vehicle-to-infrastructure technology uses wireless data and signals to communicate safety, mobility, or environment-related conditions between, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Devices installed along the roadways will transmit information to the bus via an on-board unit that will notify the driver of signal timing changes and potential red-light violations.

"Collaboration is vital, and Michigan again is where the technologies of tomorrow are being tested today," MDOT Director Kirk T. Steudle said in a news release. "This testing is the first step in making public transit safer and more efficient, and these first steps are being taken right here in southeast Michigan."

Plans are being made to install these resources along dedicated transit lines on M-3/Gratiot Avenue and M-53/Van Dyke Avenue/in Macomb County, according to a news release.

"One of SMART's goals is to look for innovative ways to improve our transit service, especially along our busiest and most congested corridors," said John C. Hertel, general manager of SMART. "To be a part of the Michigan's first public transit pilot with connected vehicle technology is a great opportunity."

Danlaw Inc. is providing the on-vehicle dedicated short-range communication devices.

"This joint effort between MDOT, Macomb County, SMART, and all the suppliers shows how this technology can directly improve the lives of residents by enabling on-time public transportation," said Andrew Donaldson, Danlaw program manager.YPSILANTI, MI - A lawsuit filed by a former director of Eastern Michigan University's School of Engineering Technology accuses administrators of engaging in "concerning financial transactions" and "unlawful discrimination."

Mohamed El-Sayed, who took the position leading the School of Engineering Technology in July 2017, alleges he was stripped of his title and denied pay for the summer 2018 term when he reported wrongdoing to the U.S. Department of Labor, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Monday, June 4 in Washtenaw County Circuit Court.

The university denies the allegations.

El-Sayed, who is the father of Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed, alleges he observed "potential discrimination and harassment" by EMU College of Technology Dean Mohamad Qatu and Interim Dean Mary Brake, including disparate treatment and favoritism, according to the lawsuit.

El-Sayed claims Qatu and Brake were circumventing established faculty search procedures, according to the lawsuit. Brake, El-Sayed claims, was not the member of a search committee for a mechanical engineering faculty position, viewed a list of 14 candidate names and decided that 13 should be excluded.

Additionally, El-Sayed alleges he observed a number of "concerning financial transactions" involving Qatu using EMU funds paid without proper approval and without indication of where the money was being spent.

EMU Spokesman Geoff Larcom responded Tuesday that El-Sayed's claims were false.

"There is no merit to this lawsuit, and the University plans to vigorously defend itself," Larcom said in a statement. "The underlying facts as alleged in the complaint are incorrect, and the legal claims are without merit. The plaintiff remains a tenured full professor at the University, with salary and benefits."

Among the transactions in question, El-Sayed alleges Qatu used EMU funds to renovate and furnish his office suite before immediately moving and renovating a second office, the lawsuit states. He also alleges Qatu used the school's service, supplies and materials account to pay the school's secretary a $700 honorarium without explanation.

Brake, the lawsuit alleges, hired a close associate to create a marketing magazine at a cost of $20,000 "during a time of budget cuts."

After his demotion, El-Sayed alleges he still received financial reports indicating Qatu and Brake made multiple purchases on their secretary's EMU purchasing credit card without proper approval to Jimmy Johns, Grand Traverse Pie Company, Kroger and Sam's Club, the lawsuit states.

El-Sayed claims that when he brought the "financial irregularities" to Qatu, the dean prevented El-Sayed from further viewing his department's budget and suspended his EMU credit card.

The lawsuit states El-Sayed met with EMU Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs David Woike on Feb. 1, 2018 to address the alleged discrimination and "budgetary irregularities," but no action was taken.

El-Sayed continued to pursue the issues by contacting human resources personnel two weeks later. His complaint was forwarded back to Woike, who responded that he did not have the authority to report his concerns to anyone but his office, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit says El-Sayed demanded the university look into his allegations, threatening to turn to the U.S. Department of Labor if the issues continued to be ignored. El-Sayed filed the complaint with the Labor Department on March 13, the lawsuit states.

After filing the complaint, Woike informed El-Sayed in an email he would be taking no action regarding either the allegations, informing him it was "the role of the Dean's office in managing college and school budgets," according to the lawsuit. He also demanded El-Sayed meet with him the following day, when Woike removed him from his position as director of the School of Engineering Technology.

El-Sayed was placed on paid administrative leave. Woike later met with El-Sayed on May 2 to discuss his return to the faculty, presenting him with a release that would hold the university harmless from any "claims, damages or liabilities" associated with his return, according to the lawsuit.

The following day, El-Sayed, through counsel, claimed Woike's attempt to make him sign the release violated federal law. Following the complaint to EMU's general counsel, Woike informed El-Sayed that following his return to the faculty on May 1, he would "receive no pay during the summer" 2018 term, El-Sayed claims.

El-Sayed's attorney Joseph Michaels said the case is "a classic example of an employee who did everything within his power to do the right thing and alert his superiors about potentially unlawful activity."

"I am confident that a Washtenaw County jury will find that these actions were taken in direct retaliation against Dr. El-Sayed for his strenuous refusal to stand idly by while EMU engaged in discrimination and potentially illegal financial practices," he said in an email.

El-Sayed's lawsuit claims violations of the Whistleblower's Protection Act and the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. He is seeking a monetary judgement in excess of $25,000 against the defendants, which include EMU, Qatu and Woike.BURTON, MI -- A single felony charge has been filed against the Burton city clerk for her role in a property transaction.

Teresa Marie Karsney, 51, of Hubbard Lake, faces a single charge of violating Michigan's Notary Public Act involving real property, according to a statement from Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.

An investigation by Burton police revealed that Karsney notarized a signature that was made outside of her presence and concerned a transaction involving real property, the statement said.

"Her alleged action gives rise to probable cause that this statutory crime was committed," Leyton said in the statement.

A police report obtained by MLive-The Flint Journal through the Freedom of Information Act Request showed Deputy Clerk Racheal Ervin-Boggs agreed in July 2016 to purchase property on McLean Street from another resident.

Karsney allegedly signed documents in connection with the deal when all the people were not present.

MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Karsney's attorney Matthew L. Norwood for comment on Tuesday, June 5.

Karsney has been on administrative leave since the investigation, MLive-The Flint Journal reported in October.

Karsney and Ervin-Boggs were placed on administrative leave in October following a citizen complaint about a land deal. The leave initially included pay, but it has since been changed to unpaid leave, according to the mayor's chief of staff.

The criminal investigation came after Ervin-Boggs had agreed in July 2016 to purchase property on McLean Street from another resident, according to a police report obtained by MLive-The Flint Journal through a Freedom of Information Act request.

There was a dispute regarding the sale.

The property owner allegedly told police he agreed to payments for the parcel but was not paid in full. Ervin-Boggs said she paid $1,000 -- the agreed amount -- but the property owner said she owed $500 more. Ultimately, Ervin-Boggs backed out of the deal.

The owner later discovered Ervin-Boggs had paid taxes on the property and a quitclaim deed for the property was notarized by Karsney and filed with the Genesee County Register of Deeds on behalf of Ervin-Boggs, the police report said.

A quitclaim deed is used to transfer ownership of property from one person to another.

The owner claimed he never signed the deed and Karsney was not involved in the transaction, according to the police report.

Ervin-Boggs allegedly told police a lease agreement was signed but she broke off the deal after the owner repeatedly asked her to pay an additional $500. She claimed to not have seen the property owner since the agreement and the quitclaim deed was signed -- on the same day.

Police said Ervin-Boggs could not provide an explanation to police on how Karsney could have notarized the signatures if the owner never went to Burton City Hall. A notarization is required to take place with all parties involved present, the report claims.

Ervin-Boggs told police she didn't remember if she'd asked Karsney for a favor in notarizing the quit claim deed, but she alleged it was "commonplace" for them to notarize items for each other.

In a follow-up interview with police, Ervin-Boggs told an investigator the deed "was simply brought into Teresa who stamped it and notarized it without all parties being there or having positively identifying them or having them sign the deed in her presence."

Rik Hayman, the mayor's chief of staff, was sworn in as the acting clerk and human resources director Sue Warren is serving as deputy clerk.

Karsney has filed a lawsuit against the city claiming the investigation was retaliation for for speaking out against misdeeds allegedly occurring within the city government.

MLive-The Flint Journal could immediately reach Zelenko on Tuesday for comment.LAKE HURON, MI -- The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a man suffering from severe abdominal pain while working on a cargo ship in Lake Huron.

The 630-foot Cleveland-based Manitowac vessel was 15 miles northeast of Harbor Beach when the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit received the call at about 1:15 p.m. on Friday, June 1, according to Lt. Ben Chamberlain.

The man was suffering from severe abdominal pain for more than a day, Chamberlain said.

Coast Guard officials decided the man needed to be transported via helicopter to the nearest hospital.

A medivac from Coast Guard Air Station Detroit based at Selfridge Air National Guard base in Clinton Township flew out to the ship and transported him from Lake Huron to Huron Medical Center for further medical care, Chamberlain said.

The Coast Guard could not provide an update on the man's condition.FENTON, MI - A redevelopment project at the former Kmart in Fenton is slated to bring four new storefronts to the shuttered building.

The Fenton planning commission has approved Wixom-based K2 Retail Construction Services' plans for the project that is set to bring in a TJ Maxx, Petco, Five Below and Michaels into the retail space.

Mike Reilly, the city's building and zoning administrator, said the developer plans to take 100 feet off the back of the building and pave the area.

The building previously housing Kmart closed in late 2016.

Kris Krstovski, president and founder of K2 Retail Services, did not respond to calls by MLive-The Flint Journal for comment on the project.

It was one of five Genesee County and one Lapeer County locations -- including Flint, Burton, Grand Blanc, Lapeer, and Flint Township -- the retailer has decided to close since November 2012.

Some of the former Kmart locations witnessed some new development, including a Family Farm and Home store now occupying a portion of the former Belsay Road site in Burton, while other remains vacant.

Three stores -- Michaels, Dunham's Sports, and Marshalls -- now fill the former Lapeer Kmart in the Lapeer Pointe Plaza off M-24.

The new stores are expected to begin opening by mid-2019, Reilly said, while noting another development is in the works in Fenton.

A conceptual review was presented to the city's planning commission that would place a five-story, mixed-use building near the intersection of Adelaide Street and Silver Lake Road.MONTROSE, MI -- A fundraiser by Hill-McCloy High students raised $5,500 to help a Montrose family purchase a headstone and donate money towards suicide prevention in the wake of their loss.

Brandon Tyree, 18, died May 20 after committing suicide, roughly two weeks prior to graduation.

Several of Tyree's fellow seniors and friends helped organize a May 31 fundraiser at Carie's Caboose to raise money for their classmate's headstone.

Joann Lincoln, Tyree's grandmother, said the turnout "way exceeded our expectations," as a constant stream of people came to the event to donate and share their support for the family.

She talked of a line wrapped around outside the business and donations having come in from as far as California.

"The support from the community and surrounding area was just amazing," Lincoln said. "I mean thank you is not a good enough (phrase) for the support that we've had."

Tanner Ruiz, one of eight seniors that helped put on the gathering, said he was "very surprised" at the number of people that came out to offer their help to Tyree's family but it taught him something about residents in city.

"It showed that in hard times our community, even though it's small, can make a huge impact on people's live," he commented.

Lincoln has said many of those students came forward and shared stories at Tyree's funeral and visited his mother's home following his death.

"It hit us all pretty hard," Devin Quast, 17, one of Tyree's friends, previously said. "He was our best friend and a great person to everyone."

Those students and others from the senior class surrounded Tyree's 10-year-old brother during Friday's graduation ceremony, Lincoln said, where the family was presented with Brandon's diploma.

While the family is still reeling at Tyree's death, Lincoln added they hope to speak with others about their experience in honor of her grandson that enjoyed amusements parks, Rubik's Cube competitions, and skateboarding.

"It helps keep his memory alive," she said.FLINT, MI -- A Genesee County District Court judge won't decide whether a criminal case against the state's chief medical examiner goes to a jury trial for at least a few more weeks.

Judge William Crawford told attorneys for Dr. Eden Wells and special prosecutor Todd Flood Tuesday, June 5, that he won't schedule oral arguments in the preliminary examinations until transcripts from the 17-day proceedings are complete.

Wells is charged with obstruction of justice and lying to a peace officer, and Flood has said he'll also ask Crawford to bind her case over for trial in Genesee County Circuit Court on an additional charge of involuntary manslaughter.

The charges are related to Wells' involvement as the state's chief medical executive in the Flint water crisis, particularly how Legionnaires' disease outbreaks in the county were handled.

Attorneys met with Crawford privately and briefly Tuesday before the judge said it was impossible to set a date for closing exam arguments until the transcripts are completed.

Steve Tramontin, an attorney for Wells, said it's expected to be four to six weeks before oral arguments.

The judge said written briefs can be filed by attorneys up to three days before and seven days after oral arguments.

Crawford must decide whether prosecutors have shown that there is probable cause to believe the alleged crimes were committed and that Wells committed them.KENT COUNTY, MI -- Kent County officials have given Grand Rapids an ultimatum on the proposed 911 merger: either agree before August or they walk away.

"This is kind of a go or no-go point for the city," Kent County Undersheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young told county commissioners Tuesday. "If there's any consolidation (after this), it will be years to follow."

Regardless of where the city of Grand Rapids stands on the idea right now -- something LaJoye-Young declined to give her "opinion" on -- Kent County commissioners unanimously approved moving ahead on planning and bidding construction work necessary for the merger at their Tuesday, June 5 finance and physical resources committee meeting.

Grand Rapids Interim City Manager Eric DeLong did not respond to calls for comment.

One county commissioner likened construction work planning to "putting the cart before the horse," but the county is under a tight deadline to start work on the estimated $2.5 million addition to its existing dispatch center, and officials are already months behind.

County officials want the addition operational by July 2019, before they and the city upgrade their dispatch radio technology to a costly 800 MHz frequency system that fall. The add-on would house extra equipment and about 46 new employees from the merger.

If they city stalls talks and that deadline is missed, it could add another $300,000 onto the estimated $3.2 million price tag of the merger overall, according to LaJoye-Young.

Architectural work for the addition will take, ideally, four months, according to Kent County Facilities Management officials. The construction itself is pegged at just under 11 months.

Add that together and it's September 2019.

Officials haven't yet worked out who is taking how much of the price tag burden or even how it will be paid for. Last month, Michigan set down $500,000 in grant funds for the proposed merger. The county sought the full estimated cost of $3.2 million.

The proposed merger is expected to save Grand Rapids around $720,000 a year, according to an October 2017 study by accounting firm Hungerford Nichols.

Nonetheless, talks have been "challenging," said Kent County Administrator Wayman Britt.

The most vocal opposition to the merger has come from members of the Grand Rapids Police Department. They argue city residents will have worse service.

Grand Rapids is the only municipality in Kent County which has a separate dispatch center. In 2016, Wyoming reached an agreement with the county, leaving only Grand Rapids outside the county's dispatch region.

Talks of a dispatch merger between the county and city have been on and off over the years.

Discussions picked back up last year between Stelma, DeLong and former City Manager Greg Sundstrom. LaJoye-Young said the city sparked the renewed discussions.

City police and fire officials and city commissioners were informed of the talks in February 2018. The delayed involvement of city first responders and dispatchers drew criticism.

Britt said talks with the city will resume next week.Last week the U.S. Navy selected the Norwegian Naval Strike Missile (NSM) developed by Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace to provide the fleet of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) of the U.S. Navy with an Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) capability engaging hostile ships and land targets at ranges of 200 and beyond.

The current award worth US$14.8 million funds the procurement of missiles, launchers and control systems for the first ships of the classes. Acquisition of follow-on sets will be procured as part of options, potentially bringing the contract value to $847.6 million. Designed and built by the Kongsberg Group in Norway, the NSM has been fielded at sea in 2012 on the Norwegian Navy Skjold corvettes and by the Polish coastal defense forces.

Raytheon plans to manufacture missiles and their components in the USA and has already begun production of the missile launchers at its factory in Louisville, Kentucky. Raytheon and Kongsberg are providing the Navy with a proven, off-the-shelf solution that exceeds requirements for the over-the-horizon mission, said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. Because it is operational now, NSM saves the United States billions of dollars in development costs and creates new high-tech jobs in this country.

Adding an offensive over-the-horizon capability is essential for the LCS to address the US Navys Distributed Lethality (DT) strategy. The Navy defines DT as the capability to strike from any ship and at any place in the world. The Navy considers that deploying offensive weapons on as many U.S. ships as possible would complicate an enemys ability to attack.

The missile will deploy on the two classes of LCS in service  the Freedom and Independence. Both classes were designed as modular vessels that can be prepared for multiple missions by quickly changing mission packages (MP) that come in kits of vehicles, sensors, and weapons, and contained in standard ISO containers carried in the aft.

The littoral combat ship was designed to carry out multiple missions in littoral areas, assuring maritime access for other forces. As such, its tasks were to search and engage diesel submarines, locate sea mines, combat piracy and repel attacks by fast attack boats. But the vessel was not designed to face large combatants of any kind. Its surface warfare (SUW) MP relies on short-range weapons, including the Longbow/Hellfire missiles that can be launched from the MH-60R armed helicopter operating on board, or from containerized missile launchers (this capability is expected to become operational in 2019). Two Mk 48 30mm guns turrets are also part of the SUW-MP, along with the 57mm deck gun that is a standard issue for that ship. With these weapons, the LCS has a limited offensive capability to face more challenging threats over the horizon.

The lack of offensive capability for the LCS was obvious when the DT strategy was introduced brought the U.S. Navy to study possible enhancements for the vessel. Based on the successful evaluation of the Norwegian missile in 2014 under the Foreign Comparative Test Program, when Raytheon teamed with Kongsberg demonstrated the NSM on the LCS USS Coronado. As part of these enhancements, the evaluated several missiles, including a surface-launched variant of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) and advanced version of the Harpoon. Unlike the two U.S. systems that required significant developments (that also offered many advantages) the Norwegian missile was based on a mature product that promised to have the lowest risk meeting the tight schedule for fielding with the LCS fleet.

The 407 kg missile uses a low-observable design to minimize its radar signature, through the use of low-observable shapes made of composite materials, eliminating detection from long range. Its cruising speed is 0.7 Mach, accelerating to 0.95 Mach in the terminal phase of the flight. The enhanced high explosive warhead weighs 227 kg (500 Lb.), over half of the weight is the explosive charge. The titanium casing, perforated steel fragmentation layers, and programmable fuse make the rest of the weight. The missile uses an advanced seeker and automatic target identification technology to assure a high probability of mission success. Highly accurate INS provides precise navigation in a satellite-denied environment. Through the terminal phase of flight, the missile flies a low-altitude sea-skimming flight profile to evade enemy detection.

The missile uses a high-resolution infrared seeker to ensure a high probability of target detection and identification, its high maneuverability enables effective evasion techniques even at the terminal phase of flight. The use of an imaging seeker enables the user to designate specific hit points on the target. Through the testing phases, the missile has demonstrated the capability to hit anywhere within two feet of the designated target.

A unique feature embedded in the NSM its the scalable effect. Prior to launch, at the mission planning phase, users can determine the effect they want to inflict on the target. Such setting will determine the location of the hit, fusing delay, attack angle and other parameters that contribute to determining the weapons lethality and effect.ROCKFORD, MI -- Testing has found extremely high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in Rogue River foam below the Rockford Dam, a popular fishing spot in northern Kent County.

Total PFAS in a foam sample from April 13 hit 296,584 parts-per-trillion (ppt), according to data collected by state contractors and publicly disclosed on Tuesday, June 5.

The levels prompted a warning from state and local health officials to avoid ingesting the foam, which tested at 4,200 times the federal advisory level for PFAS in drinking water.

"It's high," said Steve Kelso, spokesperson for the Kent County Health Department. Although few are likely to eat river foam, there are concerns about incidental exposure to people who might get some in their mouth while boating or fishing.

"Those numbers were such that we thought we needed to issue an advisory," Kelso said. "We'd be remiss if we saw levels like that and didn't seek to inform people's behavior."

The foam is downstream of the former Wolverine World Wide tannery site in Rockford, where extremely high PFAS levels are confirmed in shallow groundwater just steps from the riverbank.

Wolverine used PFAS-laden 3M Scotchgard for decades at the tannery to waterproof leather for Hush Puppies shoes.

Samples were taken from the river immediately south of the dam in a shallow area popular with fishermen where foam gathers.

Wolverine has been a suspected source of "surfactant" foaming on the river dating back to the mid-1990s, according to state documents.

1996 @MichiganDEQ report of a "surfactant" on Rogue River near @WolverineWW Rockford tannery. Anonymous complaint, but that's a technical term a layman wouldn't typically know. PFOS, once-key ingredient in @3M Scotchgard, is a surfactant: https://t.co/PQAQajQ55I pic.twitter.com/t3VzlaTwMp  Garret M. Ellison (@garretellison) January 23, 2018

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Scott Dean said the DEQ is working closely with state and local health agencies related to the foam and plans to conduct more testing up and downstream of the dam.

"It's caught our attention," Dean said.

On Tuesday, Wolverine said it's working with the DEQ on a plan to "intercept and treat groundwater from the former tannery site" that would prevent PFAS from reaching Rum Creek or the Rogue River.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the DEQ are overseeing site testing at the tannery this summer.

"While additional testing will be conducted and sources of PFOS in the river and foam are still being identified, we are doing our part to address it," the company posted on its blog. "Wolverine expects that the interception and treatment of groundwater at the former tannery site will help reduce PFOS levels in this foam."

The Rogue River is now the second Michigan surface water body with an advisory related to PFAS foam. Last fall, health officials issued a similar advisory after high levels were discovered in foam on Van Etten Lake in Oscoda Township.

The lake is polluted with PFAS coming from the adjacent Wurtsmith Air Force Base and has become a regular blight on the lake that drains into the Au Sable River and Lake Huron. A July 2017 test showed PFOS in the foam at concentrations up to 165,000 parts per trillion.

In Rockford, testing shows the foam is primarily comprised of PFOS, a long-chain PFAS compound that bioaccumulates in fish and persists in the environment. PFOS in the foam tested at 261,000-ppt; about 1.5 times the concentrations found thus far in Oscoda.

Although the state does not have enforceable standards specific to PFAS in foam, the PFOS level in Rockford Dam foam is 21,750 times higher than the 12-ppt standard for PFOS in Michigan surface waters.

Testing of the actual river water by Wolverine's consultant Rose & Westra GZA found lower Total PFAS concentrations of 28-ppt.

Fourteen different PFAS compounds were detected in the foam samples taken at the Rockford Dam. PFOS made up the majority of the total concentration, according to the lab results, followed by the compound EtFOSAA, which tested at 28,000-ppt.

Other PFAS compounds testing at various levels in the foam include PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFHpS, PFNA, PFDA, PFOSA, MeFOSAA, PFDS, PFUnA, PFDoA and PFTrDA.

The Concerned Citizens for Responsible Remediation (CCRR) in Rockford, a local watchdog group that alerted the DEQ to Wolverine's historic use of Scotchgard, requested the state take foam samples from the Rogue River in February.

According to a June 4 letter from state toxicologist Deborah MacKenzie-Taylor, ingestion of foam is the primary concern because current science suggests PFAS compounds, as a class, do not readily absorb into a person's skin, "although the extent to which they do cross the skin depends on the chemical's characteristics, and some PFAS are more readily absorbed than others."

There are existing PFAS fish consumption advisories on the river. The state plans to test bass, trout and catfish in the Rogue River this year at 12 Mile Road, the Rockford Dam and several other sites.

Exposure to PFAS has been linked in human studies to some cancers, thyroid disorders, elevated cholesterol and other diseases.GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Grand Rapids officials are considering adopting a violence prevention model that's been used in big cities like Chicago, New York City and Baltimore.

City commissioners approved paying $7,500 for an initial assessment from Cure Violence at their Tuesday, June 5 meeting.

The Cure Violence Health Model addresses violent crime as if it were a disease.

"These disease control methods work by 1) interrupting transmission of the disease, 2) reducing the risk of the highest risk, and 3) changing community norms," according to the organization's website.

Community members are trained as "interrupters" -- which means detecting an imminent violent situation and talking people out of retaliatory shootings. It's a part of the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. The program began in 1995 in Chicago, and since has been used across the world. Multiple studies have produced empirical data showing the model's effectiveness, said Police Chief David Rahinsky.

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said city leaders have been trying to adopt a violence reduction strategy for the past five years.

"It's long overdue," Bliss said.

The $7,500 assessment would include an analysis of violent crime data and geographic areas of the city that need more attention, as well as meetings with community organizations and stakeholders to develop a strategy specific to Grand Rapids, Rahinsky said.

In Grand Rapids, shooting deaths hit a four-year high in 2017.

"The numbers are up slightly but we look at 20-year totals for a bigger picture," Rahinsky said in October 2017. "So, the last few years have been lower than normal. I don't want us to return to historic norms; I'd like the historic lows to continue but as we grow as a city we need more officers out there."

This spring Rahinsky has again asked the city commission to hire more police officers to help improve community-police relations, as the department's staffing is below national averages. The police department has 295 sworn officers, which is about 1.5 officers per 1,000 residents. That's less than the 2016 national average of 2.4, according to FBI data. It's less than the 2016 Midwest average ratio of 1.6, and Detroit's ratio of 3.5.

The commissioners have chosen to delay any hiring decisions until after approving their budget for fiscal 2019, and until they hear recommendations from a consultant and task force reviewing the department's policy and procedures for racial bias.

Not all of the commissioners agreed with funding the assessment -- though the body ultimately voted unanimously to award the money.

"Why are we spending $7,500 for them to give us a sales pitch?" First Ward Commissioner Jon O'Connor said, advocating for skipping the assessment and just paying for a full contract. "Let's move on and stop talking about this and actually do some things."

O'Connor's First Ward counterpart, Commissioner Kurt Reppart, agreed on the need to move quickly.

"The best time to improve community-police relationship is in the summer time," Reppart said. "Can we approve this and get working on this now?"

Third Ward Commissioner Senita Lenear said she thought approving money for the assessment was premature, as the commission hadn't yet discussed whether it would grant the chief's request for more officers.

Bliss said she would schedule an upcoming work session for the commission to have that debate.

The Cure Violence model is a separate effort from the city's Grand Rapids Police Policy and Procedure Task Force, launched in response to a traffic stop study that showed racial bias in the police department. The task force is working with its own consultant, 21st Century Policing. A report from the task force will be presented at a public meeting 7 p.m. June 6 at the Goei Center.MANISTIQUE, MI - One man was killed, and another was injured in a kayaking incident on Lake Michigan.

According to the Michigan State Police St. Ignace Post, troopers were dispatched to Schoolcraft County's Thompson Township around 3:15 p.m. on Monday, June 4 to assist two men who had been kayaking in Lake Michigan off South Barques Point Trail.

Upon arrival, troopers learned that a Department of Natural Resources conservation officer used his jet ski to reach and rescue one of the men and transport him to safety on land, but another man had gone underwater and was missing. The rescued man was taken by ambulance to Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital.

According to the MSP, the CO and a Manistique Public Safety officer had attempted to reach and rescue the second man but were unable to locate him.

During the rescue attempt, the Manistique Public Safety officer was injured and sought treatment at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital for water inhalation.

The Schoolcraft County Sheriff's Marine Division, with assistance from the conservation officer, later located the man's body which was retrieved by a MSP dive team.

No foul play is suspected, but alcohol is believed to be a factor, police said.

The Schoolcraft County Sheriff's Department, Manistique EMS, Sault Tribal Law Enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard also assisted at the scene.LANSING, MI - State lawmakers could vote this week to approve a legislative initiative eliminating the state's prevailing wage for public construction projects.

Michigan's prevailing wage law has long set union-level wages for job sites for public projects, like schools and public buildings. A ballot initiative called Protecting Michigan Taxpayers, funded largely by the group Associated Builders and Contractors, would eliminate the prevailing wage requirement.

After a legal battle the Board of State Canvassers approved signatures for the ballot measure last Friday, giving the legislature 40 days to either approve it themselves or send it to the ballot.

Legislative leaders say the legislature is set to take it up instead of sending it to the ballot.

"I fully anticipate we will likely take this up next week," House Speaker Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, said last week.

He said local school districts are overspending on building projects because of the labor costs pushed up by the prevailing wage requirement.

That's not how Democrats see it. House Democratic Leader Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, said last week he was surprised by the support for repealing prevailing wage at a time when the state had labor shortages in the building trades.

"Why you'd want to gut the wages of those workers at the same time doesn't make a lot of sense to me," Singh said.

He'd rather see it go to the ballot.

"I've been trying to make the case to my colleagues in the House that this doesn't make sense. Let the voters make that decision. I think the voters will be hopefully more informed than the legislature, at least the talking heads that have been saying that this is something that needs to happen," Singh said.

Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, called repealing prevailing wage "the exact wrong thing to do."

But Leonard said the skills of Michigan's workers are valuable on the free market without prevailing wage.

"I will put our workers up against any worker not just in the country but in the entire world. And I believe when you get government out of the way, when you allow the free market to work, when you allow everybody to compete, that is good for all of our workers," Leonard said.

Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, said he'd like to act on it very quickly because it means savings taxpayer dollars on public projects.

"it's always been about the taxpayer, always," Meekhof said.

Protecting Michigan Taxpayers, the group behind the language, urged lawmakers to take it up after the Board of State Canvassers approved it last week.

"We look forward to legislative leaders acting on this proposal in the near future and finally restoring fiscal accountability and equal opportunity to all Michigan workers by repealing this special interest carveout," said President Jeff Wiggins.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 22 states do not have state prevailing wage laws.

The proposal has met with opposition from some groups, including the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association. Executive Director Mike Nystrom urged lawmakers in a letter to vote against the measure.

"The policy is critical to recruit and retain the best workers to our state. Michigan is already in a skilled worker shortage. Repealing prevailing wage will send our best workers to other states, turning the current shortage into a full-blown crisis, harming our businesses and harming the economic comeback," Nystrom wrote.

"We fear a prevailing wage repeal will replace today's highly skilled workers with poorly-trained workers who have no stake in Michigan's future."

Gov. Rick Snyder supports the current prevailing wage, but said last week he was not actively urging lawmakers to vote against the repeal.

"I've made my opinion known, and so legislators can look at that. I'm not actively communicating on the issue," he said.

Snyder typically has to sign bills for them to take effect. But with the initiated law process, he doesn't get that input. Only both chambers, not the governor, would have to approve the measure for it to become law. Snyder said he thinks that is one of the reasons pro-repeal people used the process of initiated law.JACKSON, MI - Jackson police are investigating a shooting that wounded a 31-year-old Jackson man, but lack details on what might have happened.

The victim arrived Monday afternoon at Henry Ford Allegiance Health with a gunshot wound to the left leg, said Elmer Hitt, Jackson director of police and fire services. An acquaintance took him there and hospital staff summoned police shortly after 2 p.m. June 4.

The man said he was around Fourth and Franklin streets when he heard a gunshot, and discovered he had been hit, but authorities believe he was shot in a home in the 900 block of First Street, near Morrell Street. The circumstances are unclear.

The victim has not been forthcoming, Hitt said.

Police have not made an arrest and do not have any suspects.JACKSON, MI - Jackson police have identified the man they believe was involved in two theft crimes within a few hours over the weekend at Prison City Physique.

About 5 a.m. Sunday, June 3, the man attempted to steal a vehicle by taking keys within the gym at 1708 S. Jackson St., but was apparently unable to drive it because it has a manual transmission, said Elmer Hitt, Jackson director of police and fire services. The owner found the man in the car and the man fled on a bicycle.

Less than four hours later, shortly after 8:30 a.m., police were again summoned to the business because someone had removed and taken the cash drawer from the register. A worker arrived and discovered it missing.

Because there was no damage, it appeared the alleged thief was able to circumvent the lock. The gym has a key fob system allowing members to enter at any time, but records did not show a key fob entry at the time of the incident, Hitt said.

The culprit had not yet been located and arrested; police planned to ask the prosecutor's office to issue a warrant.

"He stole items and vandalized the gym," the business wrote on its Facebook page and posted clear surveillance pictures of the man in an Adidas T-shirt.JACKSON, MI - Before construction begins, the Michigan Department of Transportation is taking questions from residents about the upcoming I-94 project through Jackson County.

MDOT's open house goes from 1:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 11 at Blackman Township Hall, 1990 W. Parnall Road. Presentations are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The $100 million project spans nine miles of I-94 through Jackson County, from Sargent Road to M-60. The two-year project includes bridge replacements, road reconstruction and other repairs.

Work is scheduled to begin this summer, although tree trimming began this spring to allow for widening of the expressway in some spots.JACKSON, MI - Jackson County boys have an opportunity to participate next month in a five-day program that will give them a taste of what it takes to become a Michigan State Police trooper at the department's school in Lansing.

State police are looking to fill about 20 spots in the first-ever Michigan Youth Leadership Academy, beginning July 8, for Jackson-area 14- and 15-year-olds.

The residential program, offered at no cost to students, has previously been organized for children in Benton Harbor, Flint, Ypsilanti, Detroit and elsewhere. More than 1,100 have attended since 2005.

Boys, given an experience similar to a state police recruit, will wake at 5:30 a.m. and go to bed at 10 p.m. at the training academy, 7426 N. Canal Road. Scheduled activities and classes will fill every hour in between, said Community Services Trooper Travis Fletcher, assigned to the Jackson post.

They will learn interviewing and public speaking skills and first aid; participate in team- and character-building exercises; and take part in physical fitness and military drills.

Gang violence, alcohol and drugs, and domestic violence awareness are among the subjects to be addressed.

Students also will tour Michigan State University in East Lansing and the State Capitol.

Involved in the lessons will be several state troopers, a Jackson County Sheriff's deputy, a Jackson police officer and a Blackman-Leoni Township public safety officer. The idea is to develop law enforcement relationships and establish mentors and familiar faces where they live, Fletcher said.

A wide range of students are welcome. The intent is to attract some from lower-income areas who have limited access to resources or lack certain figures in their lives, Fletcher said.

Boys do not necessarily have to be interested in law enforcement careers and must be 14 by July 8. Only a few had secured spots by early this week.

"It is definitely a great experience for the students. It kind of widens their horizons," Fletcher said.

They will be given tools to "step up to the plate as young gentlemen."

Other communities have seen success, gauged by surveys and future community involvement. "We are super excited we got the funding to do it in Jackson," Fletcher said.

Students will return July 12 to Jackson to take part in a community service project that has not yet been decided. It could involve cleaning a city park or trail.

A graduation is planned for the same day at the Martin Luther King Center, 1107 Adrian St.

Clothing, food and transportation are provided for the academy, funded through a U.S. Department of Justice grant.

Anyone with an interest is encouraged to contact Fletcher at 517-930-1829 or by email at FletcherT@michigan.gov.MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MI - A proposal for Muskegon Heights to take over Muskegon's fire department could increase the number of firefighters on duty, but would cost Muskegon as much as it's currently paying, according to details unveiled Monday.

The proposal presented to the Muskegon Heights City Council calls for Muskegon to dismantle its fire department and contract fire service from Muskegon Heights. The plan was devised by Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson and Muskegon Heights City Manager Jake Eckholm, who say it could be a mutual benefit for both cities.

READ MORE: Muskegon may contract fire department services from Muskegon Heights

The proposed cost to the city of Muskegon averages $3.6 million for each of the first three years, compared to the approximately $3.5 million the city currently pays for its own fire department. But there also would be more firefighters on duty working in the two cities.

On Monday, Eckholm and Muskegon Heights Fire Chief Christopher Dean presented details of the plan during the council's regular work session.

The council is expected to consider the proposal at its June 11 meeting.

The presentation included the basics of the agreement, including a budget covering the first three years of service and projected staffing levels. It also touched on what would become of Muskegon firefighters, should the plan go through.

A metro fire service

Muskegon Heights is proposing a 10-year service contract with the city of Muskegon to create the "Muskegon Heights Metro Fire Department" that would provide coverage across both cities. All equipment, including fire engines, would be branded with this name.

Dean would oversee fire operations and Eckholm would oversee the administrative aspects of the contract, taking over oversight and administrative duties from Muskegon Director of Public Safety Jeff Lewis and Peterson.

All Muskegon fire stations would stay open, but the equipment would be owned by the city of Muskegon Heights. Each station would be responsible for equipment maintenance with oversight from Dean.

There was talk early on of closing at least one of Muskegon's three stations, but Dean said he vetoed that measure to preserve response times. Dean said he hopes response times would get even better throughout the district with more hands on deck.

He also expects fire insurance ratings to stay the same or improve with a fully staffed metro department.

However, none of this is set in stone because the Muskegon Heights council could make recommendations to amend the proposal on June 11. Even if some version passes in Muskegon Heights, the Muskegon City Commission could reject it outright, or propose counter-amendments that would send it back to the Muskegon Heights City Council.

Staffing levels and new hires

The new metro department would have a total of 62 staff members, with 61 of them being certified firefighters. That means a mix of 15 full and part-time firefighters on duty to cover 24 square miles per 24-hour shift, Eckholm said.

That's an increase of between three and six firefighters on duty in the two cities compared to the numbers now working.

Muskegon's fire department currently budgets nine firefighters on duty at any given time, though on some shifts there are as few as six on duty due to time off, according to the proposal. The Muskegon Heights Fire Department currently staffs three per shift.

The city of Muskegon operates three fire stations with a total of 25 firefighters to cover 18 square miles. Muskegon Heights operates one station with a total of nine full-time and three part-time firefighters covering less than 4 square miles.

The metro fire service agreement would require Muskegon Heights to hire:

18 new full-time firefighters

14 new part-time firefighters

Nine new lieutenants

Three new captains

One deputy fire chief

Cost for service

Muskegon Heights is requesting the city of Muskegon pay an average of $3.6 million each year over the next three years.

In year one, Muskegon would pay a little more than $3.5 million, and the cost would increase by $100,000 in each of years two and three.

Muskegon's current fire department budget is set at $3.5 million, give or take, Peterson told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle in a separate statement. Peterson was not present at Monday's meeting in Muskegon Heights.

The budget provided Monday only covered the first three years of the 10-year agreement because they represent working estimates, Eckholm said. All costs presented are based on the current Muskegon Heights fire service wages and do not include expenses like training, holiday pay and equipment costs, according to the proposal.

Final costs and any annual increase would be itemized in the final 10-year contract, according to the proposal.

What happens to Muskegon fire?

Muskegon Heights would maintain the metro department's budget and day-to-day operations, collaborating with Lewis only for big downtown events and other special circumstances.

Muskegon firefighters would also be offered the chance to interview for a position with the metro department, a move that Eckholm encouraged to keep Muskegon fire's institutional knowledge on board.

However, Muskegon firefighters would not be guaranteed positions because all new hires would be required to apply and pass physical and psychological exams. All new hires - including any firefighters from Muskegon - would be covered by the Muskegon Heights fire union's contract, Eckholm said.

Veteran service members from Muskegon would not be able to carry over their seniority under the current plan.

Questions from council

Some Muskegon Heights council members had questions about the proposal, but seemed open to the idea.

Councilman Andre Williams wasn't convinced, saying the plan benefited Muskegon greatly, but didn't add any benefit for Muskegon Heights besides added revenue.

"Why is this something Muskegon Heights should even be involved with?" Williams asked.

Dean said the arrangement benefits Muskegon Heights by having more fire personnel available to respond to calls. A portion of the revenue gained from Muskegon would also go toward maintaining and improving service for Muskegon Heights, he added.

Williams also questioned whether Dean would be up to the task of managing such a large department.

Dean said to look no further than the legacy of former-Muskegon Heights Fire Chief Kenneth Lay, who left Muskegon Heights to manage a considerably larger fire department in Tennessee.

"It is not unheard of for small town fire chiefs to scale up to a larger department," Dean said. "Chief Lay, my mentor, is a perfect example of that."MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI -- Two Muskegon area residents have been chosen as winners of the 2018 Governor's Service Awards.

Mary Payne won "Senior Volunteer of the Year" and John Noling won "Mentor of the Year." Gov. Rick Snyder awarded 38 people this year.

The two were to be honored at the Governor's Service Award Ceremony Tuesday, June 5, at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing. The ceremony is hosted by the Michigan Community Service Commission.

Payne, 91, a retired teacher focusing on social justice, has dedicated her time to volunteering at organizations focusing on women and children and the under-represented, according to a post about Payne on the Michigan Community Service Commission website.

Payne recently started an initiative to bring playgrounds to inner-city housing, as well as music and art to underprivileged children.

She also has been active with mediation and restorative services.

"She trained as a mediator in 1993 as part of the first class, and has volunteered for it ever since. In her role with the United After Work retiree group, she is an inspiration to her younger peers, showing them the importance of volunteering, advocating and giving to the community," the post reads.

She has served as chairwoman of the League of Women Voters and the Community Corrections Board, the post states.

John Noling (Dave Alexander| MLive.com)

Noling, also a retired teacher, has belonged to the Muskegon Rotary Club since 2006. He began forming youth Rotary Clubs in schools, with a goal to help children develop leadership skills.

More than 150 students are now involved with the Rotary Clubs, according to a post about Noling on the Michigan Community Service Commission website.

"The goal of the program is to encourage youth to take action and build international understanding, as they discover the power of Service above Self. To develop the program, John recruited students, helped fundraise, and led many youth international service trips to increase access to clean water and latrines and build multi-generational houses in other countries," the post says.Engineers are working diligently to reduce the weight Marines and soldiers carry in action, but engineers at the U.S. Army Research lab took a different approach  adding limbs to improve soldier lethality. Dan Baechle, a mechanical engineer at the lab constructed a device that better distributes the weapons load, stabilizing the weapon when entering fire positions, enabling the soldier to aim and shoot as quickly and accurately as possible. Unlike other, complex exoskeletons, the device produced by Baechle is made of composite materials that are lightweight and does not requires batteries to operate.

Called the Third Arm, the 4 pound (1.814 kg) device helps to reduce the weapons weight off of the Soldiers arms and better distribute it through the skeleton. The weight of the apparatus is less than four pounds.

It can help stabilize the weapon and take the load off of their arms, he said. Its made from composite materials to make it as light as possible, but also to ensure the range of motion that Soldiers need. Weve actually tested it with the M249 and M240B machines guns. The M240B weighs 27 pounds (12.25 kg), and we were able to show that you can take the weight of that weapon completely off of the Soldiers arms, Baechle said, adding that they also look at heavier weapons. In 2017, the lab conducted a small pilot study of active-duty troops using Third Arm in live-fire trials. The results showed the device can improve marksmanship, reduce arm fatigue and muscle activation for some Soldiers.

Baechle was able to improve the design by testing it with soldiers using the Third Arm prototype with various weapons and in different positions. At a recent test with a Soldier at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain site at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, a sergeant wore the device with an M-4 type weapon and dove into a prone fighting position from a sprint. The Third Arm provided immediate stabilization to improve marksmanship for the Soldier.

Baechle said that the Army modernization priorities include Soldier lethality that spans all fundamentals  shooting, moving, communicating, protecting and sustaining. Further documentation specifically mentions the fielding of load-bearing exoskeletons. The Third Arm falls in line with the direction that the Army wants to be heading in the future, Baechle said. We get comments from Soldiers who tell us different things about the way it feels on their body about the way it redistributes the load. Some like it, some give us tips about the ways it could be improved, and were using that input to improve the device and improve the design so that it not only works well, but it also feels good.

Were using that small study to motivate a larger study this year with more Soldiers taking a look at dynamics, shooting scenarios, Baechle said. Were still refining the device. A Las Vegas woman was seriously injured and had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital after a mother elk attacked her behind the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel on Sunday in Yellowstone National Park.

Charlene Triplett, 51, was off-duty from her job at the hotel when she was attacked.

"The elk was protecting a calf bedded down roughly 20 feet away and hidden by other cars. It's not known if Ms. Triplett saw the calf or the elk prior to the encounter," the park staff said.

The mother elk reared up on her hind legs and kicked Triplett several times with its front legs. The woman suffered injuries to her head, torso and back.

She was airlifted to the trauma center at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Yellowstone is largely located in Wyoming, but some of it spills into Idaho and Montana as well. The national parks sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer. And while it has bears and wolves in addition to elk and other wildlife, more visitors are injured by the park's volcanic hot springs than by animals, the park said.

After Sunday's attack, park rangers were stationed in the area to warn others about the elk and her calf.

Park staff is reminding people to use caution around elk during calving season. They recommend staying at least 25 feet away from the animals.The Vegas Golden Knights have lost consecutive playoff games for the first time in this postseason and must avoid a three-game losing streak or face a 3-1 deficit in the Stanley Cup Final.

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, the most important player for the Golden Knights, hasn't been as sharp in this series, posting a 3.43 goals-against average and .875 save percentage in three games.

Former Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Tatar is expected to make his series debut in place of David Perron. Tatar hasn't played since Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, on May 16. He has one goal in six playoff games.

Tomas Nosek, another ex-Red Wing, has three goals in three games in this series and four goals and six points in 15 playoff games.

After five goals in the series opener, Washington goalie Braden Holtby has stopped 58-of-61 shots the past two games.

Capitals vs. Golden Knights

* What: Stanley Cup Final, Game 4

* Where: Capital One Arena in Washington

* When: 8 p.m. tonight

* TV: NBC

* Complete series schedule

Join the conversation in the comments belowIs your state still fully taxing retirement pay? MOAA National serves in an advisory capacity for state-specific issues such as income tax exemption. Please contact your local MOAA council as state legislation must originate at the state level.

Military retirees in Colorado scored a big victory last month when Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a law extending income-tax deductions for those under the age of 55.

The bill, which is designed to encourage veterans to stay in Colorado after leaving the military, allows retired servicemembers who aren't yet 55 to claim deductions in staggered amounts over four years.

Before this move, Colorado had been one of 10 states without any state income tax deductions for military retirees.

The goal was to keep ... and attract veterans to Colorado, said Shelly Kalkowski, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who works on the Colorado Councils and Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America. If they're Colorado residents [who] join the military, they want to live here but said it's too expensive to come back. This gives them a little more leeway in their disposable income to come here.

Other states that tax military retiree compensation include California, Georgia, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia. Last month, MOAA called on California lawmakers to offer deductions to military retirees after servicemembers there asked for help.

MOAA believes no state should fully tax military retirees.

Related reading: MOAA Calls for California to Stop Fully Taxing Military Retirement Pay

Colorado's bill works on a four-year phase-in, allowing individuals under 55 to claim deductions. Those tax deductions will be made in an amount equal to an individual's military retirement benefit not to exceed $4,500 in the first year, $7,500 in the second year, $10,000 in the third year and $15,000 in the fourth year.

The bill requires renewal in the fifth year.

There are about 400,000 veterans in Colorado, according to U.S. Census data. Many come from the five Air Force bases and one Army installation there: Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora; the Air Force Academy and Cheyenne Mountain and Peterson Air Force Bases in Colorado Springs; and Schriever Air Force Base and Fort Carson Army Base in El Paso County, Colo.

Kalkowski worked with the United Veterans Committee of Colorado - a nonprofit coalition of 50 military service organizations, including MOAA - to get the bill to the governor.

States value retired military members because they bolster the state economy by bringing retirement income and non-taxed VA benefits, like the GI Bill, she said. They also make large purchases, such as homes and vehicles, Kalkowski added.

In California, researchers found the economic impact of exempting retired military pay from taxes would be significant after 10 years. According to a study partially funded by MOAA, researchers determined there would be 12,600 more jobs, $830 million added to total personal income, $1.27 billion added to gross state product, and $2 billion added to business sales.

Retirees are also likely to start a second career - tapping into their military skills and knowledge to complement the local workforce or start their own business, she said

People now recognize veterans - and especially retired military who already have a vast amount of experience in a lot of different areas - bring a lot of workforce experience that's valuable to the communities, Kalkowski said. We're an asset. I think a lot of states are recognizing that having military retirees come to their state is an asset to their economy and workforce.

State Rep. Jessie Danielson, one of the bill's sponsors, said the bill will benefit thousands of veterans across Colorado.

This tax break for military retirees honor veterans' service and goes a long way towards making Colorado the most veteran-friendly state in the country, she said.

Amanda Dolasinski is MOAA's staff writer. She can be reached at amandad@moaa.org. Follow her on Twitter @AmandaMOAA.Dirul in front of a shipping container fitted with solar panels

Solar panel at D-Town Farm

For as long as he can remember, Ali Dirul has been interested in science and computers. "It's something that's always been in my nature," he says.But that affinity alone wouldn't have caused him to start Ryter Cooperative Industries (RCI). That decision had as much to do with his belief that communities have the capacity to build a cleaner, healthier, more empowering future through technology  RCI is just there to help."We're looking to change the framework of how communities deal [with energy] in this current economy," says Dirul, founder and executive director of RCI. "And look towards shifting and growing this towards a newer type of sustainable economy."Founded in 2015, the Detroit area project management company specializes in energy-oriented engineering solutions with a particular focus on solar power. It takes special pride in finding ways to make those resources useful and accessible to community residents and organizations.For its most recent project, completed May 11, RCI installed a state-of-the-art solar smart pole at the Parker Village community resource center in Highland Park. The innovative device provides light, Wi-Fi, LED signage, and on-site security to the area around the community center. It's the first of a series of smart poles RCI wants to bring to Detroit and Highland Park.As the company's name suggests, Ryter Cooperative depends on the cooperation of many different people to get its work done. But the heart of it has always been Dirul. The 32-year-old, who grew up on Detroit's West Side, is one of those folks who felt the pull of of technology early on.Homeschooled by his mother until the fifth grade, he rounded out his early education at two Detroit African-centered schools, Nsoroma Institute and Aisha Shule/W.E.B. DuBois Preparatory Academy, where he received mentoring from folks like activist and educator Malik Yakini and former Detroit City Council Member Kwame Kenyatta. From there, he went on to study mechanical engineering and physics at the University of Detroit-Mercy  an education that included co-op jobs in the automotive industry working with Daimler and Detroit Diesel  and later earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering and alternative energy systems from Oakland University in Rochester.During his time at Oakland, the seed that became RCI began to grow. First, Dirul helped conduct a study assessing net-zero energy homes, which piqued his interest in applying the technology to Detroit neighborhoods. Then he was contacted by D-Town Farm , a seven-acre organic farm located at Detroit's Rouge Park, to help with a project that was tailor-made for his skillset.D-Town, which operates under the direction of his former school mentor Yakini, needed his help building a solar-powered charging station that could be used to power up phones, walkie-talkies, power tools and other devices used on the grounds of the farm.Eventually Dirul put together a team assembled from the the extended family of people around D-Town Farm and together they started assembling a power plant out of a 40-foot shipping container, 10 donated solar panels, and an assortment of recycled parts."We had engineers on the team that were basically donating their time to inspect batteries, come up with designs for racking and figure out how to get things connected to the container," says Dirul. "We really wanted to showcase how renewable energy could be used in a practical type of way, to demystify it, so people could see that there's literally a power station on this farm that wasnt there before."Completed with some assistance from DTE in 2015, the three-kilowatt station, known as Dirul Energy Station, is Detroit's first fully off-grid solar power generation plant. Since setting up the station, RCI has also implemented solar technology throughout the farm and several substations for farm workers to recharge electrical devices.The work at D-Town served as a galvanizing force for Dirul. With a team in place, he saw the potential of what they could do together and incorporated RCI in January 2015. Inspired by the power of writing to bring ideas into reality, he dubbed the new enterprise Ryter Cooperative Industries.The worker-owned low-profit LLC now consists of a core group of around a dozen people with talents ranging from engineering to information technologies, some working full-time and others part-time. Their efforts are complemented by an outer circle of skilled individuals that help out with projects and an even wider network of people the company draws upon for expertise and assistance.RCI's COO Karanja Famoudou, who's been with the company since the beginning, oversees its installation projects. He praises Dirul's forward-thinking stewardship of the organization."I'm thankful that we were able to connect," says Famadou. "He's a great leader, very visionary. And he's dedicated and developed himself to achieving the things he wants to see for the community."As for RCI's work, Famoudou describes its mission as "bringing power to the people.""Our efforts are really built around educating our community, bringing back some sovereignty in terms of power, employing people in the community, and developing skills that allow people access to the resources they need."Over the last few years, the company has been involved in a bunch of intriguing projects. It's built solar charging kiosks for the African World Festival, which was held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. It's educated Detroit public school students about renewable energy. And it's partnered with the energy democracy group Soulardarity on several initiatives, including installing solar and solar smart lights in Highland Park, creating a solar-powered lawn mower for community residents, and establishing the solar bulk buying program Power Up to give residents inexpensive access to solar equipment for alley and security lighting.Although Dirul does much of the big-picture visioning for RCI, he still enjoys doing hands-on projects. In fact, he says the most exciting part of his work is seeing the smiles on people's faces when see their solar-powered lights flicker on. Dirul likens RCI's work to a principle taught at the African-centered institutions he attended called Sankofa, which he says means: "going back to your roots and giving back.""You get this education to be able to serve, not just get the education and run off," he says. "Maximizing the meaningfulness of providing energy resources  I feel this is giving back to the community which I came from."As for RCI's direction, Dirul couldnt be more excited. He says the company has been growing, as has public interest in the work they're doing. Right now, hes currently looking to acquire a building, so RCI will have a permanent space to conduct research and hold renewable energy demonstrations. Beyond that, Dirul also wants to expand the work the company is doing locally to include other areas of the United States and even other countries where people are dealing with energy disparities."Our vision is to provide sustainable solutions to the world. The community can be as large as we want, even the entire world," says Dirul. "We're living on this blue marble together, so all of us have a vested interest in its success."This article is part of " Detroit Innovation ," a series highlighting community-led projects that are improving the vitality of neighborhoods in Detroit, while recognizing the potential of residents to work with partners to solve the most pressing challenges facing their communities.NORRISTOWN  Nearly $3 million was awarded last week in contracts by the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. The types of services spanned across a number of departments including assets and infrastructure, public safety, and information and technology. Of note, a $679,856 agreement between the Montgomery County Department of Assets and Infrastructure and Mortech Manufacturing, of Azusa, California, covered the...Effects of COVID-19 on children the focus of first Pennridge Community Partnership eventBy By:

Dr. Francis R. Souder, 85, formerly of Telford, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 in the skilled nursing unit of Peter Becker Community, Franconia Township. He and his wife Marion R. (Parker) Souder celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in July.

Born in Souderton, he was a son of the late Elvin B. and Mary (Rittenhouse) Souder.

A 1938 graduate of Souderton High School, he received his undergraduate degree in 1941 from the University of Pennsylvania where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Souder went on to receive his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College in 1944 and completed his internship at Hahnemann Hospital from Oct. 1944  July, 1945.

He served with the U.S. Navy Medical Corps for 30 months in San Diego and Long Beach, Calif. during WW II and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant prior to his discharge. He entered his second tour of duty during the Korean War where he served in Panama City, Fla. as the medical officer for the Panama City Naval Air Station and the Tyndal Air Force Base.

Dr. Souder owned and operated his family practice on Main Street in Telford from 1947-1989. He served on the staff of Grand View Hospital, and as its president, and taught at the Grand View Hospital Nursing School. He was a member of the Pa. Medical Society, the Bucks County Medical Society, Diplomat American Academy of Family Practices, and served on the board of trustees at Grand View Hospital, Sellersville.

He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Telford, where he sang in the church choir. He was also a member of the MacCalla Lodge #596 in Souderton, the Raja Shrine, and Lehigh Consistory.

In addition to his widow, he is survived by a son, Dr. Ronald L. Souder, and his wife Susan L. of Green Lane; a daughter, Susan J. Souder, and her husband Stephan Russo of New York, N.Y.; five grandchildren: Jennifer A. Souder of Philadelphia; Emily E. Souder of Philadelphia; Kathryn A. Souder of Washington, D.C.; Noah Russo of New York, N.Y., and Rebekah Russo of New York, N.Y., and two brothers: Attorney Elvin B. Souder of Souderton and Dr. Lawrence Souder of Souderton.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m. in Trinity United Church of Christ, 101 S. Main St., Telford, with calling hours following the service.

Interment will be private in Trinity UCC Cemetery Telford.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grand View Hospital, 700 Lawn Ave., Sellersville, Pa. 18960.

Arrangements are by Sadler-Suess Funeral Home, Telford.June 05, 2018 John Bolton Wants No Deal With North Korea Or Iran - But Is There Any Other Choice? U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton nearly succeeded in sabotaging talks with North Korea. But the summit train is back on its tracks. Trump will meet Kin Jong-un on on June 12 in Singapore. The South Korean President Moon rescued the situation. Secretary of State Pompeo helped. Pompeo managed to keep Bolton away from the negotiations with North Korea. Bolton's attempt to derail talks with North Korea by citing the "Libya model" failed. But Bolton will be back. He will try to torpedo any agreement with 'hostile' countries - be it North Korea or Iran. He is now building up his power for the upcoming bigger fight. When the North Korean envoy Kim visited the Oval Office to hand an oversized letter to Trump John Bolton was not present: Pompeo told Trump it would be "counterproductive" to allow Bolton to attend the Oval Office meeting with visiting North Korean official Kim Yong Chol, two people familiar with the matter said, citing an escalating feud between the top diplomat and Bolton. A big letter

A bigger letter :-) Pompeo can take credit for moving Trump away from his demand of immediate and complete de-nuclearization of North Korea. It is obviously unachievable. Any move towards disarmament will have to be reciprocal and step by step. Completely dismantling North Korea's nuclear program, which is unlikely to ever happen, would anyway take ten to fifteen years (pdf). North Korea has already shown that it is willing to seriously negotiate. It has thereby gained fresh backing from its allies. The sanction regime is already breaking down. Air China is again flying to Pyongyang. North Korean coal is again delivered to Chinese ports and oil comes in from Russia. China as well as Russia have called for a phased approach. Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov emphasized that during his recent visit to North Korea: This cannot be achieved at one go, [Lavrov] added. There can be no immediate denuclearisation, this should be done step by step and all sides should go half-way during every single phase of this process. Trump will have to follow that reasonable advice. Otherwise no agreement will be found and the sanction regime against North Korea will break down. Trump would be back at square one but without international support for further action.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un is cleaning his house. He replaced three of the highest military with younger people according to the South Korea's Yonhap news agency: No Kwang-chol, first vice minister of the Ministry of People's Armed Forces, replaced Pak Yong-sik as defense chief, while Ri Myong-su, chief of the KPA's general staff, was replaced by his deputy, Ri Yong-gil, according to the source. These changes are in addition to Army Gen. Kim Su-gil's replacement of Kim Jong-gak as director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army. Such announcements by South Korean media must be taken with some salt. In February 2016 South Korean officials and media had claimed that Ri Yong-gil, the new chief of staff, had been executed for corruption: Ri [Yong-gil] appears to be one of the most senior officials executed to date, according to a U.S. defense official. The official said the execution continues a brutal consolidation of power by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The 'brutally consolidated' younger generals will presumably be more loyal to Kim Jong-un than the old guard. The move will give him more flexibility in the upcoming negotiations without risking trouble at home.

Bolton may not be able to derail talks with North Korea as long as Pompeo is protecting those. But the real talks and processes will only start after the Donald Trump - Kim Jong-un summit in Singapore. They will be detailed and will take a long time. Bolton will continue his attempts to derail any agreement by inserting some demand with which North Korea is unable to agree. That is at least what he did the last time when such talks were held and then failed. It is likely that Bolton will again succeed. The most useless Democrat, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, will help Bolton to achieve his aim. Schumer wrote to President Trump and set out requirements for lifting sanctions on North Korea that are impossible to achieve: The letter presented five conditions for North Korea: Dismantle and remove all of its nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

End the production and enrichment of uranium and plutonium for military purposes, and permanently dismantle its nuclear weapons infrastructure. This includes destroying all test sites, nuclear weapons research and development facilities and enrichment facilities.

Suspend all ballistic missile tests and disable, dismantle and eliminate all of its ballistic missiles and programs.

Commit to robust compliance inspections including a verification regime for its nuclear and ballistic missile programsand chemical and biological weapons. The regimes must include anywhere, anytime inspections and snap-back sanctions if North Korea is not in full compliance.

Agree that any deal must be permanent. That letter could have been written by Japan's revanchist Prime Minster Abe or by John Bolton himself (which may indeed have been the case). The Democrats would rather see a failure of peace and disarmament talks than allow Trump to succeed with them. Meanwhile John Bolton added two of his loyalists to the NSC. Sarah Tinsley and Garrett Marquis will be responsible for 'strategic communication', i.e for spreading rumors and disinformation: Before joining the administration, Tinsley worked at the John Bolton political action committee and the Bolton-run nonprofit, the Foundation for American Security and Freedom. Marquis formerly worked as a managing partner at the public affairs firm Prism Group, but was known in Washington as Bolton's spokesman. An even more important hire is the islamophobe Fred Fleitz as chief of staff for the NSC: Fleitz has worked for before as Bolton's chief of staff in the State Department under President George W. Bush. Bolton is consolidating his position and surely has plans to use it. His main target is not North Korea but Iran. We can expect an onslaught of fake 'intelligence' claiming that Iran is building THE BOMB here, there and anywhere. Pompeo and Trump himself will join him in that campaign. When Trump ended the nuclear agreement with Iran the Europeans declared that they would stick to it. U.S. sanction would not deter them from upholding their part. But the French oil company Total stopped its operations in Iran and yesterday the French car maker PSA announced that it would end its cooperation with Iran's main auto maker Khodro: Last year PSA sold nearly 445,000 vehicles in Iran, making the country one of its biggest markets outside France. The Chinese will be happy to replace the Europeans in Iran's growing market. Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei had warned that one can not trust the Europeans. They again proved to be poodles who do whatever the U.S. says. Yesterday Khamenei gave order to restart the production of centrifuges for Uranium enrichment. As long as the new centrifuges do not enrich Uranium the move is still within the frame work of the nuclear agreement. But the announcements demonstrates that Iran is willing and able to respond. The Israeli nutters are back at playing their usual game. After sabotaging the nuclear deal that severely restricted Iran's enrichment capabilities they now demand war on Iran should it again expand its activities: Israel's intelligence minister called Tuesday for a military coalition against Iran if the Islamic Republic were to defy world powers by enriching military-grade uranium. Yisrael Katz's remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began visiting European leaders to discuss Iran's regional involvement and nuclear programme, both seen by the Jewish state as grave threats.

...

Katz addressed Tehran's threat to restart uranium enrichment at an "industrial level" if the 2015 pact falls apart. "If the Iranians don't surrender now, and try to return" to unsupervised uranium enrichment, "there should be a clear statement by the President of the United States and all of the Western coalition," he said. As the U.S. and the Europeans are not upholding their part of the nuclear agreement with Iran, Iran has no reason to hold up its part. It will again run its civil nuclear program at full speed. Iran will hopefully allow the IAEA inspection regime to stay in place. That can help to assure China, Russia and other powers that its program is a legitimate and civil one and not an attempt to establish Iran as a nuclear weapon state. But keeping the IAEA in place will not refrain Israel or Bolton. They will continue to scream about Iran's non-existing nuclear bomb. Facts do not matter to them. But in the end Iran is, just like North Korea, military unassailable. It can retaliate to any attack and create huge and lasting damage to U.S. (and Israeli) interests. As neither Iran nor North Korea can be moved or reasonably attacked I do not understand what endgame, if any, Bolton has in mind. Posted by b on June 5, 2018 at 17:47 UTC | Permalink CommentsWelcome to Morningstar.co.uk!

You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details.The most notable feature of the current trading week continues to be its lack of notable features. There isn't much data on tap (ISM Non-Manufacturing today, but that's about it). There aren't any major economic/monetary events that have markets speculating (those come next week). We haven't seen any big market-moving headlines, nor do we expect them. With the Fed coming up next Wednesday and the ECB a day later, that's when we would be more likely to see bigger things happening for bigger reasons.

Nonetheless, we can still tune in to 2 of the voices in my head to set the stage for what may happen between now and then.

Voice 1 is basically a slightly bearish realist who feels that all of the recent gains were propped up by European bonds (thanks to the likes of Italian drama). This voice tells us that with the Italian drama on the outs, we need to be cautious about a return up and over the 2.915% gap, and that a token bounce this morning shouldn't be taken as a sign of lasting resilience. He might point out how stochastics look very different this time around when compared to the last time yields looked to be bouncing around 2.915 (i.e. they look much more bearish now whereas they had all kinds of bounce potential last time).

Voice 2 thinks voice 1 is a big, grumpy whiner who worries way to much about what could be bad for bonds instead of focusing on what might be good. He's definitely a bit more of an idealist, but not blindly so. Part of his rationale is that voice 1 has way more friends who agree with the bearish stance. In other words, most market participants are on board with the mindset that big-picture headwinds mean rates should continue to move gradually higher. Voice 2 knows that an imbalance of sentiment on one side of a debate can make for the best opportunities on the other side.

Voice 2 also might point out that, while the Italian drama is waning, it nonetheless served as a wake up call regarding the fragility of 3%+ 10yr Treasury yields. After all, bonds didn't need some big policy change out of the Fed or major shift in economic data to find sufficient buying demand for sub-2.8% yields. Moreover, if bonds are always trying to price in their best guess about the future, and if more and more discourse is emerging on "the next recession," perhaps it's not so silly to hope for a bounce after all. Voice 2 would be quick to point out that there's even some chart-based support for such a notion.

If I were moderating this debate ("I" being my least-biased self--"voice zero" if you like), I might point out that any pause or acceleration around this 2.915% gap is really just a sideshow in the bigger picture. Returning here does more to tell us that the wilder portion of the Italy reaction is over and that we can return to our regularly scheduled programming.

If yields move lower, we can conclude they were likely to move lower from 3.12% anyway, with or without the help of Italy. If they move higher, we can expect to see a lot of debate and anxiety about whether they can/should break to new long-term highs this summer or simply use recent highs as an upper boundary for consolidation before making a bigger move heading into the Fall months.Azat Arshakyan: The situation in Artsakh is better than in Armenia and the Diaspora

It is good that there is so much concern about the events in Artsakh, but we do not know who we are dealing with, member of Parliament Azat Arshakyan expressed such an opinion today. "In fact, we must know that Artsakh is an example of democracy. I do not see danger in chains of civil action." According to Azat Arshakyan, the supreme power of Artsakh has prestige and Bako Sahakyan's power has not been questioned. People just turned to him so that he organizes the inner circles. "The situation in Artsakh is better than in Armenia and the Diaspora. 2-3 hooligans can not destabilize the glorious homeland. Artsakh is very well protected. We are protected from outdoor bats." According to the Supreme Council deputy, the negative pressure coming from Armenia was removed from Artsakh. It was a test for Artsakh to make sure it is up-to-date.Ruben Grigoryan: Solariums are evil (video)

"As a result of the ozone layer measurements, if the ultraviolet (UV) radiation index is found to be 6, it means that from 11:00 to 17:00 direct sunlight should be avoided," says Anna Tsarukyan, head of the study of the upper layer of the atmosphere of the RA Ministry of Emergency Situations and Hydrometeorological Service, "More than index 6 is already dangerous. I have often noticed that in kindergartens children are taken to the yard in the afternoon and subjected to a solar bath, which is very dangerous." "The ozone layer studies have been carried out in 1990-95 but this does not prevent the population from informing the changes in the ozone layer. Armenia's highest ultraviolet radiation index is registered in Armavir region and Lake Sevan basin," says Anna Tsarukyan. "Our skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays, which in its turn causes melanoma - skin cancer," says Ruben grigoryan, head of the Department of Environmental Hygiene SNCO National Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the RA Ministry of Healthcare. According to the Ministry of Healthcare, the growth of melanoma has recently been recorded. "Solariums are evil. The UV-index in the Republic of Armenia is high, and the solarium is contraindicated. The surplus of UV rays decreases activity, reduces the immune system, as a result of which the illness becomes inevitable," concludes Ruben Grigoryan.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A judge Tuesday ruled Florida must put a plan in place to allow medical marijuana patients to get smokable products.

Judge will lift smokable medical marijuana stay June 11

Orders the state of Florida to get a plan together

It will still take months before dispensaries can fill those orders

PREVIOUS STORY: John Morgan to Floridians: Tell Gov. Scott to allow smokable medical marijuana

Judge Karen Gievers ruled the state's ban on smoking medical marijuana was unconstitutional last month. But the state appealed the ruling on public health concerns. The appeal placed an automatic stay on Gievers' ruling.

On Tuesday, the judge lifted that stay, giving the state until June 11 to put a plan together. Gievers said the state's ban caused irreparable harm to patients who could not get the treatment recommended for them.

Gievers also said there was no likelihood that the state would be successful in its appeal of her ruling.

One of those patients, Cathy Jordan, suffers from ALS and says smoking the plant is the only way she gets any relief because it dries excess saliva, increases her appetite and acts as a muscle relaxer.

Florida voters approved medical marijuana in a constitutional amendment in 2016. Jordan's attorney, John Morgan, who spearheaded the effort to get the provision on the ballot, said the amendment's original language did not allow for marijuana smoking in public, implying that it should be allowed privately.

Morgan has argued that smoking the drug is the only way some people can get relief for their symptoms.

"Give the people what they voted for by 72 percent and allow them to have access to their medication," Morgan said Wednesday.

Morgan expects the state will appeal again.

"We anticipate the state will do what it does and that is delay as long as possible," he said. "They obviously have to comply with the court's ruling. They have to come up with a way to get this flower, this plant, to the people, and we'll see what they do."

The state has argued that the issue was a matter of public law and that Gievers' ruling last month goes against the intent of the Florida Legislature, which imposed the smoking ban.

Chris Keith said years of working in construction has taken a toll, making it sometimes difficult for him to do his job.

"Sometimes my muscle spasms are so bad, I can't move my muscles at all," Keith said.

Keith visited an Orange County medical marijuana dispensary Wednesday. He hopes to get a prescription.

"I believe it will help me out, because it will cure a lot of muscle spasms," Keith said.

Keith hopes medical marijuana will help him feel better -- and stay on the job. He thinks the judge's decision is a good one.

"They should always have more than one option available for anybody," Keith said.

Even with the ruling, it could take several months to get the rules in place before dispensaries can fill recommendations for smokable cannabis. The Governor's Office said it's reviewing the judge's decision.

Spectrum News 13 reporter Jeff Allen contributed to this article.Vilen Galstyan: I am sorry that Khachatryan wrote only three operas, instead of ten or fifteen

Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater will present "Spartacus", "Gayane" and "Masquerade" ballets on the 8th, 11th and 13th jubilee events of the 115th anniversary of Aram Khachatryan. The author of the initiative is Konstantin Orbelyan. "The three ballets are wonderful, the pride of our nation, each of them is unique," says ballet dancer Ruben Muradyan, "And I am sorry that Khachatryan wrote only three operas, instead of ten or fifteen." "When I had to play "Gayane "on our opera stage in 1973 , I decided to change libretto," says the main ballet master of the theater Vilen Galstyan. "I turned to Silva Kaputikyan, then to Paruyr Sevak, but after all, with their advice I wrote it by myself. But I am not a good librettist. The important thing was that at least I eliminated many absurdities from the plot." On July 24, 60 years later, "Gayane" ballet will be presented at the Great Theater of Moscow on the initiative and with the support of the Armenian Embassy in Russia. Vilen Galstyan spoke with great regret that, unfortunately, the government was unable to allocate money to stage the "Masquerade" in St. Petersburg during the tour.S&P Improved the Outlook on Ameriabank to Positive

Ararat Mirzoyan to visit to Minsk

Foreign Minister of India visits the Memorial of Armenian Genocide

1217 new cases

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group

At UCOM only: Tv sets at 10% discount + 1 month free UMIX package + 4k tv channel

Ameriabanks Special Offer for New Clients of Hrazdan Branch

"Fall forward": Gurgen Khachatryan, the Co-Founder of the Galaxy Group of Companies, addressed a message to young people in Armenia

UCOM hosted interns of Russian CBOSS corporation for a month

The 20-episode Bloody bet thriller to be broadcast on Ucom's Armenia Premium TV channel

Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group

UCOM offers affordable gadgets at bigger discount

Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to New York

Governments preventing publication of Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper during state of emergency

UCOM prolongs the unlimited internet offer for the level up 4700 and level up 5500 subscribers

Google Ad

Ucom employees received recognition for their services to the homeland

Karen Vardanyan has allocated 105 million AMD to rescue the Yerevan Botanical Garden.

"The Power of One Dram" to overcome childhood cancer

Generation A 13  your chance to be the change

President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan met with Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovayev

"uDays" special offer at Ucom: discounts for all smartphones and accessories for 2 days only

For more than 3 hours, 50 or more Azerbaijani servicemen have blocked the interstate road

Call on the international community for an adequate response against azerbaijani aggresssion

Transformation and trust are important for success in modern banking. Artak Hanesyan

UCOMS LEVEL UP 1700 REGIONAL TARIFF PLAN USERS TO RECEIVE MORE THAN THOSE IN YEREVAN

Joint statement

Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group

Covid-19: 163 new cases in ArmeniaBy IANS

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat's former Deputy Inspector General of Police D G Vanzara on Tuesday told a special court that the CBI wanted to arrest then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and then Minister of State for Home Amit Shah in the Ishrat Jahan fake shootout case.

Arguing for Vanzara in a discharge petition filed in the CBI court presided over by J.K. Pandya, his counsel V.D. Gajjar claimed that though the Central Bureau of Investigation intended to arrest Modi and Shah, "fortunately" it did not happen.

While Modi is now the Prime Minister of India, Shah is the President of Bharatiya Janata Party.

Vanzara, who is out on bail in the case, had earlier submitted in the same court that Modi was secretly questioned by the case Investigating Officer when he was the Chief Minister.

The CBI had given a clean chit in 2014 to Shah on grounds of "insufficient evidence".

Ishrat Jahan. (File | PTI)

In June 2004, Mumbai-based 19-year-old Ishrat Jahan, her friend Javed alias Pranesh, and Pakistani nationals Zeeshan Johar and Amzad Ali Rana were gunned down by a team of Vanzara's men in a gun battle on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

Ishrat Jahan and her friends were dubbed terrorists out on a mission to assassinate the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. However, subsequent CBI investigation concluded that the shootout was fake.

ALSO READ | Naroda Patiya massacre: Gujarat High Court acquits former

Minister Maya Kodnani

Vanzara's lawyer on Tuesday claimed that the charge-sheet against his client in the case was "concocted" and that there was no prosecutable evidence against the former police officer.

He also said that the testimony of witnesses could not be believed as some were earlier among the accused in the case.

The CBI opposed the discharge plea of Vanzara. Another co-accused and senior police official N.K. Amin too has filed a discharge plea in the same court and hearing on it concluded last month.

In his final submission in the court, Amin, a retired SP and now a practicing lawyer, claimed that Satish Verma, the Gujarat cadre IPS official who assisted the CBI in the investigations, had "tampered with the evidence" and maintained that he had "never fired from his gun".

Both former police officers had also sought parity with former in-charge DGP P.P. Pandey, a co-accused who was discharged by the court.

The court posted the matter for next hearing on June 15.By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to take steps and measures to ensure peaceful screening of Rajinikanth-starrer Tamil movie Kaala, slated to be released on Thursday in select theatres across the state, even as Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said although his government would obey the court directions, his personal opinion as a Kannadiga was against the release of the movie in Karnataka.

Justice G Narendar passed the interim order after Additional Advocate General A G Shivanna made a categorical statement before the court that there was no decision to impose a ban on the movie yet, and that the State was ready to provide security to exhibitors of movie if the petitioners furnished the details along with the place of the movie screenings and timings.

Though none of the state-based exhibitors were forthcoming about their plans on the screenings, a source in Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) confirmed that at least 150 screens, mostly in multiplexes across the state, will see Kaala released on Thursday. It will be released directly by actor and Rajnikanths son-in-law Dhanushs own Wunderbar Films without going through distributors.

READ | Karnataka HC clears decks for release of Rajinikanth's 'Kaala' in state

Recently, Rajinikanth had iterated that the Karnataka government should implement the Supreme Courts order on Cauvery water in letter and spirit without getting into technicalities of whether it is going to be an authority or a board.

Rajinikanths remarks had irked pro-Kannada outfits and even KFCC took a firm stand of not exhibiting Kaala in any of the theatres of the state.

Kumaraswamy, after a meeting with KFCC representatives, said that it was the responsibility of the State government to abide by the High Court order. However, my personal opinion as a Kannadiga  and not as Chief Minister  is that the movie should not be released, he said.However, South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce in a statement said it was in touch with KFCC for the unhindered release of the movie.By PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The World Health Organisation has paid glowing tributes to Kerala's young nurse Lini Puthussery, who died of Nipah virus last month, after treating one of the patients.

Lini died on May 21 after being infected by a patient, whom she treated initially at the Perambra Taluk hospital, where she was a nurse.

ALSO READ | Nipah-affected nurse Lini's letter from deathbed of Perambra Taluk Hospital goes viral

In a tweet, WHO'S Health Workforce Director Jim Campbell said: "Remember them, lest we forget: Razan al-Najjar (Gaza); Lini Puthussery (India); Salome Karwah (Liberia). #WomeninGlobalHealth, #NotATarget. A 28-year-old mother of two young boys, Lini died at the Kozhikode Medical college hospital days after being infected. The young nurse in a poignant letter scribbled from her deathbed to her husband Sajeesh had said 'am almost on the way. I don't think I can meet you again."

The letter had evoked an emotional response from across the world after it went viral on the social media.

The Kerala government has offered her husband a government job and financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to her sons aged five and two.

Razan al-Najjar was a 21-year-old paramedic who was shot and killed, allegedly by Israeli soldiers on June 3 while trying to aid wounded protestors in Gaza.

Salome Karwah from Liberia, who was named by Time Magazine as 'Person of the Year' in 2014 for her work fighting Ebola in West Africa, died in February last year from childbirth complications in a hospital in Liberia after hospital staff allegedly refused to help her due to the stigma that still surrounds the disease.President Emmerson Mnangagwa has assured local and foreign investors that his administration will protect their rights by making conditions conducive for investment.



He made the pledge yesterday in Harare while officially opening a Water Infrastructure Investment Conference where he also launched the National Climate Policy and Climate Smart Agriculture Manual for Agriculture Education in Zimbabwe.



The conference was meant to mobilise funding for the development of over 30 water infrastructure projects that on completion will bring water storage capacity to over 70 billion cubic metres.

The projects showcased during the conference were given National Project Status.





This will ensure the economy remains competitive in line with the Sadc industrialisation strategy.

The conference, hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate, was attended by Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, Minister of State for Harare Cde Miriam Chikukwa, Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, senior Government officials, captains of industry and prospective investors.





President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had other areas of investment beyond water infrastructure development, ranging from mining, tourism, roads infrastructure, agriculture to energy, and was willing to partner with investors.





We are ready to embrace investors as we seek to improve our status as a player in the regional, continental and international socio-economic affairs, he said. As Government, we are committed to honour the rights of investors, including the protection of their investments at law.

Under the new political dispensation, we observe and respect the rights of investors and property rights. As Government we are prepared to listen to investor concerns and address them with the aim of producing win-win solutions. This is a commitment we lodge, never to drift from.

President Mnangagwa said water infrastructure development had been one of the Governments key priorities since 1980.





He said the advent of climate change gave a sense of urgency to the need to invest in the development of the sector.





We are aware that the limited water infrastructure inhibits the investments of productive capital, raises production cost and leads to the loss of production time due to water shortages, resulting in high prices of finished goods, said President Mnangagwa.





Limited water infrastructure is, therefore, a major threat to any envisaged economic growth and competitiveness. To this end, investment in the water sector has become more imperative now than ever before. Water infrastructure development is part of our broader response to climate change.

President Mnangagwa said Government was aware of the connection between water availability and upholding of human dignity, poverty eradication, gender equality, hunger eradication, good health, climate change and sustainable communities.





He said there was need for urgent mitigation and adaption initiatives to address the effects of the global climate change phenomenon.





This investment conference will undoubtedly go a long way towards harnessing both domestic and foreign direct investment into water infrastructure development in our quest to address multi-faceted challenges and needs in the water sector, said President Mnangagwa.





I am optimistic that the conference will stimulate funding for water infrastructure projects and proffer insights into how the country could mitigate the impact of climate change through the building of water storage capacities and devising strategies for the efficient utilisation of available water bodies.





I am pleased that we are also launching the National Climate Policy which spells out how we can plan to mitigate the effects of climatic change on our environment, human, animal and plant life.





My Government under its agriculture programmes needs at least 350 000 hectares of arable land under irrigation. To achieve this, we need adequate water bodies throughout the country which will assure national food security, as well as beneficiation and export of surplus produce.





Investment in water infrastructure will hasten the modernisation of our agriculture and complement our renewed mechanisation drive; facilitate the development of our aquaculture under Command Fisheries, Livestock and general cropping programmes as we seek to increase productivity.

President Mnangagwa said adequate water supply would enable the country to establish greenbelts in the provinces and establishment of agriculture-based Special Economic Zones.





To this end, Government urges that water infrastructure development must be seen within the context of the broader economic vision of our country, he said.





Furthermore, the need for safe and clean water cannot be over emphasised as lives have been lost to water borne diseases and economic opportunities restricted due to limited water infrastructure.





President Mnangagwa said women and children were the most affected by water shortages as they ended up walking long distances in search of the commodity.





In urban areas, the growing population continues to exert pressure on the limited water resources infrastructure resulting in some neighbourhoods going for days without water, he said.





President Mnangagwa said water infrastructure development would assist the country to raise its great vision of becoming a middle class income economy with a capita of $3 500, increased investment, decent jobs, broad-based empowerment, free from poverty and end corruption by 2030.





Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said over the past years, Government had been the principal financier of water infrastructure projects with private players participating as contractors.





She said this hindered and eroded the countrys ability to invest in water infrastructural development.

Minister Muchinguri Kashiri said the new political dispensation had initiated a fast track programme to attract investors. For the past 37 years, our country has been on a slow economic trajectory characterised by a myriad of challenges ranging from economic sanctions to international isolation, she said.





Government has, therefore, organised this conference and launch the national climate policy to attract and mobilise the necessary investment needed for the development of the countrys water resources, as well as to provide broader framework on how the country will build resilience against climate change.





The conference was held under the theme, Unlocking Zimbabwes Water Resources Potential for Economic Development. HeraldWHO Wants to

Trace Pandemic

to Its Beginning(Newser)  After learning his 25-year-old daughter had gone missing from her apartment in Swampscott, Mass., Steven Mendez raced from his home in Maine to the office park where Jaimee Mendez's jacket had been found. She had been missing two days, having last been heard from in an ominous phone call on the night of Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014. And what greeted Steven unnerved him: "They weren't calling anyone or putting up fliersthey were searching the forest floor with dogs," writes Evan Allen for the Boston Globe. It wasn't a search for a missing person, but for a body. That body would ultimately be found, with Jaimee's bones washed up onto King's Beach months later in late January, tangled in lobster traps. Who killed her would become clear, too. But then the clarity stopped.

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Jason Fleury pleaded guilty to manslaughter in exchange for a 17-year sentence; the deal meant there was no trial, and Jaimee's remains were too decomposed to reveal much, leaving her family to wonder how he killed her, and why. The Globe was able to get the evidence in the case released, giving the "best glimpse" into Jaimee's final night. She had gotten into a van with Fleury, someone she had bought drugs with a handful of times in the past; a Percocet prescription tied to a diabetes-related condition had snowballed into a heroin addiction. About 30 minutes later, she called a friend, telling her Fleury was coked-up and acting like a "freak"; an hour later, she placed a final fearful call to another friend, saying she needed help and could he pick her up. When he arrived at the location she specified, she wasn't there. Read the full story for more on the case against Fleury and the questions that linger. (Read more Longform stories.)(Newser)  Monsanto, a name many critics equate with genetically modified crops and the heavy use of herbicides, will be rebranded once German pharma leader Bayer takes the helm, NPR reports. Bayer announced in 2016 it would acquire the agri-chemical business and this week said, following the takeover, "Monsanto will no longer be a company name." Per the AP, Bayer said Monday that it plans to complete its purchase of US seed and weed-killer maker after receiving all the required approvals from regulators. Along with the politically charged name, Bayer will be shedding much of Monsanto's agriculture arm. Regulators directed Bayer to divest assets such as vegetable oils, seeds and seed treatments to ensure fair competition and prevent price spikes after the massive agriculture business deal goes through. The assets will be sold to BASF, a German chemical company. (Read more Bayer stories.)(Newser) 

Hupp, the EPA administrator's director of scheduling who came to Washington with Pruitt, said she did not know what Pruitt planned to do with any mattress, but added, "It was around the same time that he was moving." President Donald Trump has stood behind his embattled EPA chief , but this is the first time an ethical question surrounding Pruitt has touched on part of the president's business empire. Asked Monday about the mattress, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said they are looking into it. "I couldn't comment on the specifics of the furniture used in his apartment," she said. Democratic Reps. Elijah Cummings of Maryland and Gerald Connolly of Virginia called the errands a violation of federal law on gifts from subordinates and asked the majority to subpoena agency records they said were being withheld. They are the top Democrats on the House oversight committee and a subcommittee on government operations, respectively.(Newser)  A former Defense Intelligence Agency case officer who allegedly sought out a new career as a double agent working for Beijing didn't catch his flight from Seattle to China on Saturday. Ron Rockwell Hansen, 58, was arrested by the FBI as he attempted to leave the country, reports Reuters. Hansena Utah native who is fluent in Mandarin and Russianis charged with selling US secrets to China for at least $800,000, AFP reports. According to an indictment, Hansen, who served in signals intelligence in the US Army, was based in Beijing for his work as a case officer handling US agents, but he failed to report meetings with Chinese intelligence agents and sought information on American military operations to sell to his Chinese contacts.

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The indictment states that Hansen was in deep financial trouble, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, between 2013 and 2016, The 15 charges against Hansen include acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China and attempting to gather or deliver national defense information to aid a foreign government, the BBC reports. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she didn't have any information on the case. "But certainly of late there have been some issues between China and the United States," she said, per Reuters. "We think China and the US are two major countries and both sides should do more things that strengthen cooperation and mutual trust." (Another American accused of spying for China was lured back to the US with a fake job.)(Newser)  A suspect who killed himself as police closed in Monday is now believed to have killed six people in the Phoenix area, police sayand at least four of them were linked to his bitter 2010 divorce. Police believe 56-year-old Dwight Lamon Jones, who shot himself at a Scottsdale motel early Monday, killed all six people in around 96 hours starting early Thursday, the New York Times reports. Police say Jones started the spree when he killed prominent psychiatrist Steven Pitt, whom he'd been required to see as part of divorce proceedings. On Friday, he allegedly killed Veleria Sharp and Laura Anderson, two paralegals at the firm his wife used during the divorce. Hours later Jones allegedly killed Marshall Levine, a marriage counselor who used the same office as a counselor Jones' son saw during the divorce.

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Police believe Jones also killed Mary Simmons, 70, and Bryon Thomas, 72, in Fountain Hills, around 15 miles away from the other shootings, but their connection to him is still unclear. Jones left around 10 hours of YouTube video in which he outlines an alleged conspiracy to steal custody of his son, who's now 21 years old, the Arizona Republic reports. Ex-wife Connie Jones says Jones was a "very emotionally disturbed person" and she divorced him after he hit her and threatened to kill her. She was granted sole custody of their son. The AP reports that Jones says her new husband, a retired police detective, was the one who made the connection between the divorce and the shootings and told police of his suspicions. (Read more Arizona stories.)(Newser)  Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort made several attempts to tamper with witnesses in his ongoing criminal cases, prosecutors said Monday as they asked a federal judge to consider revoking his house arrest. In a court filing, prosecutors working for special counsel Robert Mueller wrote that Manafort and one of his associates "repeatedly" contacted two witnesses in an effort to influence their testimony earlier this year. Court documents do not name Manafort's associate, but they refer to him as "Person A" and note the pseudonym is consistent with previous filings in the case. In earlier filings, Person A has referred to Konstantin Kilimnik, a longtime Manafort associate who prosecutors have said has ties to Russian intelligence, reports the AP. The two witnesses are also not named in court filings.

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But prosecutors say they worked with Manafort in organizing a group of former European officials, known as the Hapsburg Group, who promoted Ukrainian interests in Europe as well as the US, reports the AP. According to the court filing, Manafort began messaging and calling one of the witnesses in February, while Manafort was confined to his home and shortly after a federal grand jury in Washington returned a superseding indictment against him that included allegations of unregistered lobbying related to the Hapsburg Group. Some of the specific allegations:

In one call, the agent wrote, Manafort said he wanted to give the person a "heads-up about Hapsburg." The individual then hung up "because he was concerned about the outreach," according to the affidavit.

On Feb. 26, Manafort sent the person a series of messages through an encrypted application, including a link to a Business Insider story with the headline: "Former European leaders struggle to explain themselves after Mueller claims Paul Manafort paid them to lobby for Ukraine."

Another message sent to the person said, "We should talk. I have made clear that they worked in Europe." The person believed from his experience that the Hapsburg Group lobbied in the United States and knew that Manafort knew that as well, the agent wrote. The person told investigators that he interpreted Manafort's efforts to reach him as a way to influence his potential statements.

(Read more Paul Manafort stories.)(Newser)  Former President George HW Bush has left a Maine hospital after more than a week of treatment for low blood pressure and fatigue. A Bush spokesman tweeted Monday that the president "deeply" appreciates the care and good wishes he has received. Spokesman Jim McGrath also told the AP that Bush is "back to his old self" and looking forward to a summer with family and friends. The 93-year-old Bush was admitted to the hospital on May 27 and was released Monday. The 41st president posted a picture of himself Friday reading the book George & Barbara Bush: A Great American Love Story. Bush said the book is "a wonderful walk down memory lane." His wife, Barbara Bush, died in April at age 92. They had been married 73 years. (Read more George HW Bush stories.)(Newser)  Finally, Melania Trump has reappeared. After more than three weeks out of the public eye, the first lady strolled into a White House event Monday for military families and swept away the wild speculation that she was incapacitated or had otherwise vanished. The White House did not allow journalists to cover the Gold Star event out of respect for the families, which meant Mrs. Trump was seen in person only by the 40 or so families and administration officials who attended. Others had to keep an eye on social media, the AP reports. Video posted on Twitter showed the first lady, who wore a black sleeveless dress and her trademark stilettos, strolling into the East Room accompanied by President Trump.

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"She looked beautiful," says retired Sgt. 1st Class Diana Pike. Pike's son, Chief Petty Officer Christian Pike, of Peoria, Ariz., died in 2013 from injuries suffered in Afghanistan. "She just looked so beautiful." Trump joked about all the speculation that his wife had supposedly left him but said she was doing fine, Pike says. Jena Greene from the Daily Caller tweeted that Trump said: "Melania had a little problem a couple weeks ago but she wouldnt miss this for anything." The first lady later tweeted several photos of the event, including two of her seated alongside the president. Mrs. Trump was last seen publicly during the overnight hours of May 10 when she and the president welcomed home three Americans who had been detained in North Korea. (She will not be joining the president at the G7 summit in Quebec.)(Newser)  Police in Nashville are looking for a man they say killed his former boss with a hatchet at a strip-mall fitness facility. Domenic Micheli, 41, remains at large after Monday's attack on 46-year-old Joel Paavola inside The Balance Training, reports Fox17. Paavola fired Micheli 14 months ago, and video shows the suspect pacing in the strip mall's parking garage before the attack. Micheli killed Paavola with a hatchet and some other type of cutting instrument, say police. Another scary twist: The Secret Service arrested Micheli in April after he drove his car to a White House checkpoint and refused to leave, reports the Tennessean.

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In a Facebook post just a few days ago, Micheli seemed to refer to himself as the "Sun of God." One part reads: "I've sensed there has been some/Confusion about things recently/Amongst the people./Some people, even the strong faithful/Have indeed waivered in their belief of/Me as being the Sun of God/And their leader." Police say he was driving an older-model silver Toyota Yaris. See this police post for more images of him and the vehicle. (Read more hatchet stories.)(Newser)  Park ranger may not be a deadly occupation in America; the same can't be said for the Democratic Republic of Congo. After the deaths of at least a dozen rangers in the country's Virunga national park over a span of just 10 months, the park will be closed to visitors for the remainder of the year, the Guardian reports. The news comes after the highly publicized May kidnapping of two British tourists who were ambushed while being driven to their accommodations in the nearly 3,000-square-mile park, which is famously home to more than half of the planet's mountain gorillas; the female ranger accompanying them was shot dead. Rachel Makissa Baraka, 25, is believed to be the first female ranger killed in the national park, which, having been established in 1925, is the continent's oldest.

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That incident spurred the park's closure until Monday, at which time the park's director announced the "profoundly difficult" decision not to reopen until 2019 so as to have time to put in place "much more robust measures" regarding safety. "This will require a very significant investment," Emmanuel Merode wrote in a letter, per Reuters. Virunga's history is a bloody onesome 180 rangers have lost their lives over the past two decadesand the Guardian details the current threats it faces, among them the Mai Mai militia and other armed groups, poaching, smuggling, and illegal charcoal production. (A beach Leonardo DiCaprio made famous that tourists flocked to has also been closed.)(Newser)  Mickey Bryan's 1985 murder rocked the small town of Clifton, Texas. She was a beloved elementary school teacher married to the equally beloved principal of the town's high school. And their love for each other was well known: The two were seen nearly nightly, "strolling hand in hand down the town's wide residential streets, absorbed in conversation," reports Pamela Colloff in the first of a two-part investigation for ProPublica and the New York Times Magazine. On the Oct. 15 morning that the 44-year-old didn't show up to teach, Joe was 120 miles away at a conference; he had called her from the hotel at 9pm the night prior. After being told Mickey had been found shot dead, he cried during the full two-hour drive home. The crime was a bloody one, with blood splattered on all four walls of the bedroom she was found in. The blood would come to matter.

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After arriving in town after his sister's murder, Charlie Blue borrowed Joe's car. When he opened the trunk to find something to clean off a pair of muddy shoes, he said he found a flashlight whose lens appeared to be flecked with blood. A lab showed it to be type OMickey's typeand a chemist thought a small plastic particle on the lens was similar to the birdshot shells found at the scene. On Oct. 23, Joe was arrested. Prosecutors had no witnesses who saw Joe travel to Clifton that night (an eye condition made it tough for him to drive in the dark, and rains that night hampered visibility), no forensic evidence placing him at the scene, and no motive. But they had the flashlight and Robert Thorman, a bloodstain-pattern analyst who "claimed that the particular pattern on the lens had deep significance" and essentially testified the killer was holding it during the crime. Joe was found guilty and sentenced to 99 years. Read all of Part I for many more details on the trial. (Read more Longform stories.)(Newser)  When Richard Grenell began serving as US ambassador to Germany in May, he was accused of offending his hosts on his very first day with a tweet about how German businesses should get out of Iran. A month later, Grenell has once again raised the ire of German politicians, this time over an interview he gave to Breitbart News. The ambassador's critics say Grenell is getting too political instead of remaining diplomatically neutral with comments like this one: "I absolutely want to empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders," he told Breitbart. "I think there is a groundswell of conservative policies that are taking hold because of the failed policies of the left."

A hypothetical: Some German politicians are calling for Grenell to be removed from his post, reports Politico. It notes that former Social Democrats leader Martin Schulz tells a newspaper that "what this man is doing is unprecedented in international diplomacy." Schulz then provides an analogy: "If a German ambassador in Washington said, 'I'm here to strengthen the Democratic Party,' he would be thrown out immediately."

Some German politicians are calling for Grenell to be removed from his post, reports Politico. It notes that former Social Democrats leader Martin Schulz tells a newspaper that "what this man is doing is unprecedented in international diplomacy." Schulz then provides an analogy: "If a German ambassador in Washington said, 'I'm here to strengthen the Democratic Party,' he would be thrown out immediately." Context: Grenell is a staunch supporter of President Trump, and he has previously criticized German Chancellor Angela Merkel's immigration polices as too lax, notes CNN. In the Breitbart interview, he said, "I think the election of Donald Trump has empowered individuals and people to say that they can't just allow the political class to determine before an election takes place, who's going to win and who should run."

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Sample criticism: "A cardinal rule of diplomacy is that Ambassadors must not interfere in the domestic politics of the countries to which they are accredited," tweeted Nicholas Burns, a former US ambassador himself. Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy called the interview "awful" and said ambassadors "aren't supposed to 'empower' any political party."

"A cardinal rule of diplomacy is that Ambassadors must not interfere in the domestic politics of the countries to which they are accredited," tweeted Nicholas Burns, a former US ambassador himself. Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy called the interview "awful" and said ambassadors "aren't supposed to 'empower' any political party." Grenell's own defense: He's accusing critics of distorting his message. "The idea that I'd endorse candidates/parties is ridiculous," he tweeted. "I stand by my comments that we are experiencing an awakening from the silent majority - those who reject the elites & their bubble. Led by Trump."

He's accusing critics of distorting his message. "The idea that I'd endorse candidates/parties is ridiculous," he tweeted. "I stand by my comments that we are experiencing an awakening from the silent majority - those who reject the elites & their bubble. Led by Trump." Merkel shrugs it off: A leading member of Merkel's party downplayed the kerfuffle, reports the AP. Grenell may not be acting like a typical ambassador, but "if the American ambassador understands his work a little differently, it's up to him," says Volker Kauder. "You have to take it how it is."

A leading member of Merkel's party downplayed the kerfuffle, reports the AP. Grenell may not be acting like a typical ambassador, but "if the American ambassador understands his work a little differently, it's up to him," says Volker Kauder. "You have to take it how it is." Clarification sought: Despite the muted response from Merkel's political circle, the German foreign ministry has asked Grenell to clarify his remarks, reports the Guardian. "The question to ask is whether Grenell in his Breitbart interview was explaining the US government's position, or that of the Republican party," says James Bindenagel, who worked in the German US embassy in the 1990s.

Despite the muted response from Merkel's political circle, the German foreign ministry has asked Grenell to clarify his remarks, reports the Guardian. "The question to ask is whether Grenell in his Breitbart interview was explaining the US government's position, or that of the Republican party," says James Bindenagel, who worked in the German US embassy in the 1990s. 'Rock star': Another part of the interview drawing attention is Grenell's praise of Austria's far-right chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, who's a fierce critic of lenient immigration policies, per CNN. Grenell called Kurz a "rock star" and said he is a "big fan." In fact, Grenell has invited Kurz to lunch at the US embassy in Berlin next week, which Reuters describes as a "further breach of protocol" given Kurz's vocal criticism of Merkel's refugee policies.

(Read more Richard Grenell stories.)(Newser)  Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty Tuesday to rape and criminal sex act charges in New York, reports the AP. Weinstein quietly answered a series of yes and no questions from Judge James Burke asking if he understood his rights at the hearing in Manhattan after a grand jury indicted the former movie mogul last week on charges involving two women. The New York Times notes that the grand jury hasn't finished hearing evidence, so it's possible additional charges could be forthcoming, and reports prosecutors are also investigating whether any financial crimes occurred. The Guardian describes the halls outside the courtroom as teeming with photographers. As for Weinstein, he "walked in with a limp, looking pale and taking in his surroundings."

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The charges he pleaded not guilty to related to two women: One alleged victim, who hasn't been identified publicly, told investigators that Weinstein cornered her in a hotel room and raped her. The other accuser, former actress Lucia Evans, has gone public with her account of Weinstein forcing her to perform oral sex at his office in 2004. The 66-year-old Weinstein has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, has challenged the credibility of his alleged victims and says his client is confident he is going to clear his name. Weinstein is out on $1 million bail.

(Read more Harvey Weinstein stories.)(Newser)  David Hogg, the Parkland school shooting survivor who has been called an actor by a GOP aide and a liar by a political candidate, bullied by conspiracy theorists, mocked by Laura Ingraham, called rude names by Sylvester Stallone's brother, and threatened by a TV commentator, endured more fallout from his outspoken gun-control activism Tuesday morning when someone "swatted" his family's Florida home. The prank involves calling in a fake report to 911 and giving the victim's address, thus causing law enforcement to respond. In this case, someone called in a hostage situation to the Broward County Sheriff's Office and deputies responded to the 18-year-old's home before determining the call had been a hoax, Local 10 reports. The sheriff's office is investigating who was behind the call, WSVN reports.

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Hogg, who graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Sunday and was in Washington with his mother to accept the RFK Human Rights Award when his home was swatted, told the news station when asked about the prank that "I think it's really a distraction from what we're trying to fix here, which is the massive gun-violence epidemic in this country." Local 10 has video of the Hogg home during the incident, in which police cars, motorcycles, and a helicopter were deployed to the neighborhood. At least one local elementary school was placed on lockdown as a result, USA Today reports. Hogg said this is "evidence of the fact of how many people are trying to stop us from what we're trying to do, which is stop these kids from dying." Even so, he said, "Nothing will stop us." (The Parkland students' March for Our Lives activist group is going on a bus tour.)(Newser)  The latest odd revelation in the saga of Scott Pruitt's activities since becoming the head of the Environmental Protection Agency: Pruitt at one point attempted to use "his official position and EPA staff" to get his wife a job, as the Washington Post puts it. That job? Chick-fil-A franchisee. As emails recently released under a Freedom of Information Act request reveal, Pruitt had his executive scheduler email the fast food company's chairman and president in May 2017 to ask if he'd be willing to meet with Pruitt and discuss "a potential business opportunity." Eventually, Pruitt talked to a rep from Chick-fil-A's legal department and explained that what he had in mind was his wife becoming a franchisee, a Chick-fil-A rep confirms to the Post. That never ended up happening, though Marlyn Pruitt did begin the franchisee application.

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The FOIA request also reveals Scott Pruitt got in touch with the CEO of New York nonprofit Concordia and asked him to call his wife; the group ended up paying Marlyn Pruitt $2,000 and travel expenses for help organizing a conference at which Scott Pruitt spoke, though the CEO says the couple never "solicited a position for Mrs. Pruitt." Current and former EPA aides say Pruitt mentioned his eagerness for his wife to make money and his frustration with the increased cost of having two homes, one in Oklahoma and one in DC. It is a violation of federal ethics laws for a public official to use his position or staff for private gain or to have a staffer handle personal tasks, and a former head of the Office of Government Ethics says Pruitt's behavior on his wife's behalf could be a misuse of public office. Also Tuesday, the Government Accountability Office said it would investigate whether a tweet sent from the official EPA account constituted "partisan taunting," the AP reports. (Read more Scott Pruitt stories.)New Delhi:

The Path, perhaps, has taken the dusky beauty forward to pick Needle in a Timestack. Indian star Freida Pinto, indeed, has come a long way since she began her journey in Hollywood with the hit Slumdog Millionaire.

This time around, Frieda will be seen together with actor Orlando Bloom in the time-travel drama. The other cast of Needle in a Timestack include Leslie Odom Jr and Cynthia Erivo.

Bron Studios is set to produce the project, and John Ridley will direct the movie, which is an adaptation from a short story by Robert Silverberg.

The Needle in a Timestack is about a couple struggling to save their marriage in a world where time travel is possible, and the past and present are fluctuates.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Days after Delhi Archbishop's letter on 'turbulent political atmosphere' in the country, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Father Filipe Neri Ferrao, has echoed similar sentiments, stating that India's democracy was in "peril" and Constitution in "danger".

In a letter to his parishioners, Father Ferrao raised concerns about the newly emerging trend of monoculturalism and said that the human rights in India were under attack while the democracy appeared to be in peril.

"In recent times we see a new trend emerging in our country, which demands uniformity in what and how we eat, dress, live and even worship; a kind of mono-culturalism. Humans rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril. The various minorities fear for their safety. In short, respect for law is frankly on the decline in this country," Ferrao said.

The top Goa-Daman priest said that most people in the country were living in an atmosphere of insecurity and asked the Churches to stand by the values of secularism and freedom of speech enshrined in the Constitution.

"Our Constitution is in danger, it's a reason why most of people live in insecurity. Having this concern in mind, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India has recently declared in its Plenary Assembly that the Church in India should diligently promote and stand by values like secularism, freedom of speech and freedom to practice one's religion enshrined in Indian Constitution," he said.

The Goa Archbishop said that with 2019 general elections approaching the country, people should better understand the Constitution and work harder to protect it.

"Particularly as general elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our Constitution better and work harder to protect it," he said.

Earlier, Delhi Archbishop Anil Coutos called upon the Christian community to hold a "prayer campaign" ahead of the 2019 general elections, stating that there was a turbulent political atmosphere in the country.

We are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere which poses a threat to the democratic principles enshrined in our Constitution and the secular fabric of our nation, Cuoto said in a circular.

The Cuotos remarks had triggered a massive controversy and the ruling BJP termed the move politically motivated. Criticising the Delhi Archbishop, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi asked him to think with a progressive mindset.

The PM is working towards inclusive growth without discriminating while breaking barriers of religion and castes. We can only ask them to think with a progressive mindset, Naqvi said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

A Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (AIF) crashed in Gujarat's Kutch district on Tuesday. The pilot of the jet, Air Cmde Sanjay Chauhan, failed to eject on time and died in the crash.

The aircraft was on a routine training mission from Jamnagar and crashed near a village in Kutch. The jet reportedly hit the cattle grazing in the field where it crashed. The Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.

"Today morning a Jaguar aircraft on a routine training mission from Jamnagar crashed around 10:30 am," defence spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Manish Ojha said.

The SEPECAT Jaguar is an orthodox single-seat, twin-engine attack aircraft which was used by the British Royal Air Force and the French Air Force in the close air support and nuclear strike role. An upgraded version of the Aircraft is still being used by the Indian Airforce.

The aircraft is equipped with a navigation and attack system and can bear an external weapons load of up to 4,500 kg with abilities to penetrate deep behind the enemy lines on bombing runs.

(More details awaited)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday questioned businessman Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty in connection with the Rs 2,000-crore GainBitcoin case.

According to officials, the ED interrogated Kundra about his involvement in the trade, termed illegal by the government.

Though ED officials did not elaborate further regarding the interrogation process, they found some instances of Kundra's involvement in the Rs 2,000-crore money laundering case and hence asked him to record his statement.

Later in the day, addressing media persons, Kundra said that he was summoned by the ED as a witness and is not a suspected in the Bitcoin case.

"ED called me as a witness. There is an Amit Bhardwaj, who is s involved in some scam. He had purchased poker team from our poker league but did not make payment so we expelled his team. I have given my statement," ANI quoted the businessman as saying.

ED called me as witness. There's an Amit Bhardwaj, who's involved in some scam. He had purchased poker team from our poker league but didn't make payment so we expelled his team. I've given my statement: Raj Kundra, Businessman who was called by ED in connection with Bitcoin scam pic.twitter.com/nQIuS2iNPc  ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2018

Also Read | Shashi Tharoor to face trial as accused in wife Sunanda Pushkar death case

Earlier in April, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), registered a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against GainBitcoin, its owner Amit Bhardwaj, his brother Vivek and seven others. The case was filed following an FIR by the Maharashtra Police in this case.

They allegedly cheated about 8,000 investors, who lost about Rs 2,000 crore funds by transacting on several portals, launched by them. Bhardwaj and his brother are also accused of diverting funds to China, Dubai and Hong Kong where they claimed to have crowd-funded cryptocurrency mining business.

Bhardwaj, who reportedly was behind ventures like GainBitcoin, GBMiners, MCAP and GB21, earlier was arrested by the Pune police from Delhi along with his brother.

Earlier, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced that government does not consider cryptocurrencies legal tender and will take all measures to eliminate the use of these crypto assets in financing illegitimate activities or as part of the payment system.

Also Read | Aircel-Maxis Case: Court extends P Chidambarams interim protection from arrest till July 10

The declaration came during Jaitley's annual budget speech on February 1.

The Centre had also cautioned investors to be wary of virtual currencies such as bitcoin, saying they are like Ponzi schemes with no legal tender and protection.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

In wake of continuous shelling and firing from across the border, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday gave a stern warning to Pakistan, saying that though India honours ceasefire agreement, it will not hold back if the neighbouring country provoked.

When it is an unprovoked attack the Army was given the right to retaliate. We honour the ceasefire but of course, a margin was given to us when there is an unprovoked attack, Sitharaman said in press conference in Delhi.

The defence ministers statement came after fresh firing from Pakistan in Nambh and Sher village areas of Jammu and Kashmirs Nowshera sector on Tuesday morning.

On being asked whether India will reach out to Pakistan for talks amid the restraint shown by the central government in Kashmir in the month of holy Ramzan, she said, Terror and talks cannot go hand in hand.

In May 2018, hundreds of people living along the international border and Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir had to leave their homes due the intermittent firing and shelling from Pakistani rangers.

Till May 31 this year, there were 1,252 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan, which left at least 12 people, including two BSF jawans and an infant, dead and scores others injured.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

In yet another IED explosion, an Army vehicle was damaged by a group of militants on Tuesday in Sopore area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.

An army vehicle damaged in an IED blast in Yemberzalwai in outskirts of Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, the news agency ANI reported.

However, no injuries have been reported in the incident so far. Following the IED blast, the area has been cordoned off. The army has also launched a search operation to capture the hiding militants in and around Baramulla.

In a separate incident, an army post and a police station in Bandipora's Hajin were attacked by terrorists.

Around four to six terrorists came from 2 sides of army camp of 13 Rashtriya Rifles and Hajin police station and fired around 8 rounds of Under-barrel Grenade Launcher towards the Army and the police.

"Army retaliated the terrorists' fire and heavy exchanges are now going on in the area," a police official said.

However, the army post and the police station are claimed to be safe. The area has been cordoned off and the army has started combing operations.

Another group of militants tried to snatch weapons from a police post in downtown Srinagar. The police personnel, however, thwarted the attempt by terrorists, who have managed to escape the spot.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will face trial in wife Sunanda Pushkaras death case as an accused, a Delhi court said on Tuesday. The court summoned Tharoor and asked him to appear before it on July 7.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal said that there were sufficient grounds to proceed against Tharoor for the commission ofA offencesA in the case.

The courtas order came after the Delhi police on May 14 filed a nearly 3,000-page charge sheet, naming Tharoor as the only accused in the case.

The police accused Tharoor, a Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, of abetting the suicide of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, who was found dead in a Delhi hotel on January 17, 2014.

The Congress leader has been charged under sections 498 A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the police, Pushkar had sent an email to her husband on January 8, nine days before her death. She had written, "I have no desire to live...all I pray for is death."A The police have taken her last emails and social media messages as her dying declaration.

Tharoor terms chargesA "preposterous and baseless"

Reacting to the court's order, Tharoor termed the police charges "preposterous and baseless" and said that they were the product of "malicious & vindictive campaign" against him.

In a press note released on his Twitter handle, the Congress parliamentarian said that he will continue to cooperate with the investigators as he believes that the truth will prevail through the judicial system.

Read Shashi Tharoor's full statement here:

My statement on today's news. pic.twitter.com/5zWf4PR9ue a Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 5, 2018





For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

After 16 days of relentless fuel price hikes, the government's decision to reduce the rate in paise had left many a people stunned.

While people across the country are busy staging agitation to mark their protest, a Telangana man on Tuesday perhaps gave the most befitting reply to the Narendra Modi-led NDA government.

Mocking the cutting rates in petrol and diesel prices, V Chandraiah, from Sirsilla district, has donated a '9 paisa cheque' to Prime Minister's relief fund and marked his protest in 'out of the ordinary' way.

Chandraiah handed over the cheque to the district collector and said, "You reduced 9 paise in fuel price. The amount I saved from the drop-in petrol price, I am donating to the PMs relief fund. Hope my donation will be used for a good cause."

Also Read | Petrol price down by 15 paise in all metro cities, diesel by 14 paise in Delhi

Earlier in May, both the petrol and diesel prices touched a record high of Rs 76.24 and Rs 67.57 per litre respectively. The PSUs had decided four weeks of the relentless rise as they incurred a loss of Rs 35 crore per day during the 19-day pre-Karnataka poll hiatus in fuel price hikes.

Telangana collects a stupendous 35.2 per cent VAT on petroleum products and made prices of petrol and diesel go sky high in the state.

Also Read | India's per capita income grows 8.6% to Rs 1.13 lakh in Fiscal 2017-18

On Tuesday, petrol and diesel prices in Delhi were cut by 13 paise and 9 paise respectively for the seventh consecutive day. According to the new price chart, issued by Indian Oil, Petrol was notified to be sold at Rs 77.83 per litre and diesel at Rs 68.88 per litre in the national capital on Tuesday.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

To mark the occasion of 43rd edition World Environment Day 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed an event observed by the United Nations on 5 June every year to spread awareness for the protection of our environment.

This year, the theme for the World Environment Day 2018 is 'Beat Plastic Pollution' and India is the global host.

Special representatives from theA United Nations, environment ministers, including members from various industries, will attend the event to mark the occasion. Modi will also visit the World Environment Day exhibition set up at the Rajpath lawns.

LIVE Updates:

# 06:47 PM:A We are proud to be the global host of World Environment Day. Our motto is more crop per drop. We are already the 5th largest producer of Solar energy in the World. Not also this we are the 6th largest producer of renewable energy in the World: PM Narendra Modi.

We are proud to be the global host of #WorldEnvironmentDay. Our motto is more crop per drop. We are already the 5th largest producer of Solar energy in the World. Not also this we are the 6th largest producer of renewable energy in the World: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/UWciFnm9GC a ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2018

# 05:21 PM:A Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends an event on World Environment Day in Delhi.

#09:50 AM: Modi wishes on World Environment Day:A "Greetings on World Environment Day. Together, let us ensure that our future generations live in a clean and green planet, in harmony with nature," Tweets Modi.

#09:40 AM: Do you know?A Humans represent just a hundredth of a per cent of the Earthas biomass, but weave driven down the biomass of land animals by 85 per cent and marine mammals by about 80 per cent.

#09:30 AM:A Trumpas abandonment of Paris climate deal to cost U.S. economy trillions:A A new study from Stanford finds that failure to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Accord will cost the U.S. economy several trillion dollars in the coming decades a and cost the world economy tens of trillions of dollars.A

#09:20 AM: Take a look at the small documentary byA Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation:A 2018 is an important year. Never have issues like protecting our environment and our climate been more urgent than now. Watch this video to learn more about LDFas mission and how you can join us in supporting this critical work.

#09:00 AM: Hello and welcome to the News Nation LIVE Updates on World Environment Day 2018. This year, India is hosting the event observed by the United Nations to spread awareness for the protection of our environment. The UN has set aA Beat Plastic Pollution as this year's theme. Modi will address the event marking theA World Environment Day 2018. For all the latest updates on this, keep reading this space.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Bengaluru:

Star Wars of the real kind is being played out in this southern state of Tamil Nadu with its two superstars  Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan slugging it out, livening and spicing up the political space with their stage presence, dialogue delivery and punches, thrown at each other and the political establishment that they seek to replace.



Both, contemporaries and competitors alike in the South Indian film industry, fancy themselves as the potential chief minister of Tamil Nadu, a state that has seen three film personalities as chief ministers  megastar MG Ramachandran his protege J Jayalalithaa and script writer par excellence M Karunanidhi.



Both have declared intentions to join electoral politics and are ranged on the opposite sides of the political spectrum  while Rajinikanth is perceived to be ideologically closer to the ruling party at the centre, the BJP, Kamal Haasan has declared that he will never have anything to do with the Sangh Parivar and hobnobs with Left and left of the centre forces.



Rajinikanth, who has friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to go along with the BJP at the right time during the general elections, Kamal Haasan has made it clear that he was plunging into politics to offer an alternative to the two Dravidian parties that have ruled Tamil Nadu since 1967 when national party, Congress was ejected from the state.



If Rajinikanth dubbed Sterlite protesters as anti-social elements, sparking off an outrage across Tamil Nadu, Kamal Haasan hit back at his competitor that if the Sterlite protesters, among whom 13 were shot dead by police, were anti-social elements I am also anti-social. Rajinikanth for the present is facing trouble from people in Tamil Nadu for his comments on protesters and in Karnataka his film is being opposed for his views on Cauvery.



Haasan was in Bangalore on to call on Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, for a courtesy call, but refrained from making any intervention on behalf of his good friend Rajinikanth for his film. When media persons pressed him for comments on the protests against Rajinikanth starrer Kaala in Karnataka, he chose to keep mum.



Clearly, both the superstars are aiming at the same political space and clearly have chosen different political ideology to achieve their objective  of being the alternative to the Dravidian parties. But how realistic are their chances?



Even in film-crazed Tamil Nadu, the days of film heroes and heroines turning super successful politicians seem to be over. Rajinikanth may have mass following and Kamal Haasan an equally popular and accomplished actor with great fan following, their sudden entry into the political arena at the fag-end of their film career does not cut much ice with the voters.



Yes, they come and watch the tamasha, but surely people of Tamil Nadu are not fools to elect film stars just like. If you take the case of an MGR or Karunanidhi or Jayalalithaa, they cut their teeth in politics, stayed in politics for a long time, serving the party in different capacities and leveraged their popularity with hard core political activity on the ground.



This cannot be said about both Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, who are living in a bubble of their own making.



Rajinikanth flirted on the side lines of politics and tried to influence it for two decades before taking the plunge last December. Kamal Haasan on the other hand just one fine day got up and began to make noises about entering politics. Film stars down south always felt powerful and take to politics as their stardom gives easy entry to politics. But in case of Rajinikanth, he is an outsider and will have to overcome this identity crisis, which most pro-Tamil organisations will not allow people to forget.



Whether it was MGR or Karunanidhi or Jayalalithaa, they all worked in politics for a long time before becoming successful in politics. Associated with Dravidian politics for a long time, Karunanidhi was extremely popular as a scriptwriter and was responsible for some of the onscreen persona as a do-gooder of MGR. His protege Jayalalithaa, had to wage a bitter war against his widow, Janaki, to become MGRs successor.



Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are para-trooping into politics without sufficient experience in the field. Look at Vijayankanth, another film hero who worked hard for five years before launching his party and worked for five more to become leader of opposition. And , he is nowhere.



Tamil Nadu still continues to be dominated by the two Dravidian parties, the ruling AIADMK and the opposition DMK and the fight will be between these two. The two superstars could end up as zeros after their first electoral test, opines Bharat Bhushan, a political analyst who follows Tamil Nadu closely. Look at Chiranjeevis plight. He is no lesser star than Rajinikanth in AP. He cut a sorry figure, merged party with the Congress and has bowed out, along with the Congress.



Prof. Ramu Manivannan of Madras University is harsher on Rajinikanth. He has no political future at all, especially since the perception is gaining ground that he is fronting for the BJP.New Delhi:

The Indian state of Kerala recently came under the attack of deadly Nipah Virus and at least 16 people lost their lives. The puzzling viral attack continued to wreak havoc in the state with no antidote available to contain the outbreak.

This was just one case but there are many others mosquito, tick and flea-borne illnesses which were on the rise across the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, the reason behind this rise is warming temperatures and changing rain patterns.

Since 2004, there was a three-fold rise in the diseases caused by mosquitos, ticks and fleas. However, the report didnt mention climate change as a cause behind this but experts claimed the changing climate patterns were in part to blame,

With temperatures and rain patterns changing due to climate change, some disease-carrying insects like mosquitos and ticks can spread into wider territories rapidly.

Climate change is causing sea level rise

Due to the soaring CO2 emission, the rising water of our oceans will continue to accelerate inundating all the coastal cities of the world. Carbon burning is adding extra heat to the world which causes it to warm up and when water warms up, it expands.

Also the ice sheets on land in Greenland and Antarctica were melting rapidly due to the soaring temperature, adding more water to the oceans.

Mountains matter

The mountains are not just tourist and adventure junkies attraction but half the worlds population depends on mountain ecosystems. Yet, the climate change is threatening the continued existence of its ecosystems. For the sake of our future generations, its time for us to protect the worlds mountains.

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Bahrain is a top priority for the United Kingdom, read on to know why

Bahrain is a top priority for the United Kingdom, read on to know why

Economic ties between Bahrain and Britain are set to grow in the coming years, said British Ambassador to Bahrain Simon Martin yesterday.

Both countries are benefitting from the economic ties and we should enhance it to boost the opportunities for people belonging to both nations, he said.

The ambassador observed that the Bahraini economy has been showing remarkable progress owing to various reforms undertaken by the government.

The recent discovery of oil and gas is going to further boost this growth. There are a lot of infrastructure development programmes being carried out across the Kingdom, which will deliver big results in the years to come, he remarked, adding that many British companies are contributing in a big way to boost the Kingdoms infrastructure.Central Japan Railway Co. showed a new shinkansen bullet train model to the media during a test run on Tuesday.

The railway operator known as JR Tokai started daytime test runs of the new N700S series Monday, having conducted test runs at nighttime starting in March.

The latest model features a distinctive nose shape for superior aerodynamic performance compared with the current N700 series.

The model was shown to the media at Mikawa-Anjo Station in Aichi Prefecture during a test run involving a 600-km round trip between the company's Hamamatsu plant in Shizuoka Prefecture and Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka Prefecture.

The test run was mainly conducted to check acceleration, braking and swaying when passing oncoming trains.

The train was set to make stops at Toyohashi, Mikawa-Anjo, Nagoya and Kyoto stations during the test run. - Japan TimesFernando Alonso

"After a disappointing race in Monaco, Im already looking forward to heading to Canada. Its a great track and a real test for the driver and the car. Its claimed many top drivers in the Wall of Champions and the Safety Car often plays a role in the outcome of the race.

"Ive always enjoyed racing in Montreal. It has the best combination of a great track, challenging street circuit characteristics, and its a fun city to visit. Ive enjoyed some great races in Canada and I won there in 2006, so its a special place for me. Even more so this weekend, when Ill be celebrating my 300th grand prix.

"This will certainly be a tough circuit for us, but were making progress with our package race-by-race. A little bit of the drama or changeable weather conditions weve seen in Canada so many times in the past could offer us some opportunities  its up to us to take advantage of every possibility."

Stoffel Vandoorne

"I really enjoyed racing in Canada for the first time last year, and I feel well prepared to tackle the streets of Montreal again. Its a completely different track to Monaco, but a lot of the principles are the same  narrow streets, close barriers and tight racing. I hope we can have some fun this year and get in the mix.

"I feel that were improving step-by-step, and I hope we can show this in Canada. We had an unfortunate situation in quali in Monaco where we had no choice but to send the car out with a small issue, and it influenced our grid slot and then the rest of the weekend. As well as solid preparation, we need a little bit of luck on our side this weekend, for both myself and Fernando.

"I love street tracks  theyre the circuits I enjoy racing on most as theyre the biggest challenge for a driver. There are definitely more overtaking opportunities in Montreal than in Monaco, so theres more chance of capitalising on any action that happens. Well be working hard in every area to bring everything together for race day, hopefully along with some points."

Eric Boullier

"Canada has been a great race in McLarens history, and we all love going racing there. The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is a great street track, unlike any that we see on the calendar today, and is a really tough challenge for the engineers, mechanics and drivers.

"Its a circuit that is notoriously unpredictable, and all the teams work hard to set up their cars for its demanding characteristics. Even then, a lot is still left to chance, which is why the drivers, teams and fans alike are huge fans of this grand prix.

"We know it wont be an easy weekend for us, but its important we focus on getting ourselves in the most representative grid slots we can to be able to fight on Sunday. Weve had a couple of difficult weekends, so hopefully in Montreal well be able to see further progress and bring home some points  and the raft race trophy!"President Muhammadu Buhari has thrown his weight behind the return of the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, in the partys forthcoming National Convention.The endorsement of Buni candidacy by President Buhari was given at a breaking of fast meeting the President had with State Governors on Monday evening at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.Sources at the meeting confirmed that the President requested the governors to go and work for Mala Bunis return.The President endorsement of the APC scribe for another tenure according to one of the sources privy at the meeting was as result of a report to him that Governors of the Northeast, to which the post was zoned to unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the National Secretary of the party.The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has restated that the ongoing Operation Last Hold in Borno North and Lake Chad Basin is primarily aimed at relocating IDPs to their communities.Buratai made the remark when he inaugurated a 20-man committee for the 2018 Nigerian Army Day Celebration  NADCEL billed to hold between July 1 and July 6 in Borno North.The committee is also to work towards the success of the ongoing operation.It is chaired by Maj-Gen. David Ahmadu, the Chief of Training and Operations, with one member each from Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.The four-month long operation last hold was launched on May 1.Let me state here that operation last hold is primarily aimed at relocating IDPs from their various camps to their country home.We want to quickly see that they re-establish their lives again through the reconstruction of their homes which the Nigerian army engineers will give them the support.We will also support them to clear their farms and provide security, while going to and fro their farms.I want you to take particular note of the need to be very fast in executing this very important assignment, the NADCEL in conjunction with the operation last hold.The rainy season is fast approaching and the need for us to move quickly to resettle the people back in their ancestral homes is very, very critical at this point.We want them to take advantage of the rainy season to plant the crops, Buratai charged members of the committee.On NADCEL, the army chief noted that members were selected based on their positions, as well as competence and charged them to make the 2018 edition the best so far.According to him, the Nigerian armys innovative exploits will be showcased during the celebration through a trade fair.We are also going to display our capabilities in terms of our equipment holding, he said, adding both local and international military equipment manufacturers would exhibit their wares during the celebration.The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked Folarin Falz Falana to withdraw his This is Nigeria video and apologise to Nigerians, or f...

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked Folarin Falz Falana to withdraw his This is Nigeria video and apologise to Nigerians, or face legal action.

In the recently released video, some girls dressed in hijab were seen dancing the shaku shaku dance.





Responding to criticisms that trailed the video, Falz explained that the girls were a representation of the abducted Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity.





said the dancers in the video in no way depict the situation of the girls. But MURIC, in a statement by Ishaq Akintola, its director,said the dancers in the video in no way depict the situation of the girls.





The group also condemned a character that dressed like a Fulani man, who suddenly abandoned his traditional guitar and beheaded a man featured in the video.





Describing the video as thoughtless, insensitive and highly provocative, MURIC said it could brew religious and ethnic crisis.





It also said the video is spiteful and intended to denigrate Islam and Muslims.





MURIC rejects Falz explanation that the girls in hijab in his Shaku Shaku dance symbolize the Chibok girls because nothing in the video indicates that the girls represent the Chibok girls, the statement read.





At least none of the Chibok girls have been seen dancing like a drunkard. They are always in pensive mood. Do they have any cause to be dancing? Are they happy?





The video manifests ethnic bias against Fulanis while it ignored the criminal activities of ethnic militia of the Middle Belt who have also massacred Fulanis and rustled their cattle in their thousands.





It is a hate video . This video has the potential of causing religious crisis of unprecedented dimension.





It is an assault on the self-dignity of every Muslim. It is freedom of expression gone haywire.





We therefore demand its withdrawal and an apology to Nigerian Muslims within seven days or the authors and their agents will face legal action if they fail to comply.





Only the scenes portraying police brutality and the money-swallowing snake in the video are near the truth.





The group called on security agencies and the National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to clamp down on the video.





We call the attention of security agencies to this hate action, the statement continued.





We remind Nigerians of the outcome of similar provocative actions in the past and their unpalatable outcomes.





The National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB), a regulatory agency set up by Act No. 85 of 1993 to regulate films and the video industry has a case to answer. Shaku Shaku video was shot and released under its watch.





Instead of going violent, Nigerian Muslims should take those behind the Shaku Shaku video to court in order to serve as a deterrent to others.





We therefore give notice of impending legal action against the artist behind the Shaku Shaku video unless the latter is withdrawn and an apology is widely published within seven days.



The National Assembly Tuesday resolved after a 3-hour joint sitting of the upper and lower chambers to invoke its powers against the execu...

The National Assembly Tuesday resolved after a 3-hour joint sitting of the upper and lower chambers to invoke its powers against the executive arm of government if nothing was done to end the ongoing harassment and humiliation of perceived political opponents by the police.





It also said President Buhari must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and, must ensure a strict adherence to the rule of law.





Parts of the resolution reads: That security agencies must be given a marching order to curtail the killings across the country and protect lives of innocent Nigerians, the president, government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption.





It was further resolved that the sanctity of the National Assembly must be protected and, to pursue those who invaded the National Assembly and hijacked the mace of the Senate. The lawmakers also agreed to liase with the ECOWAS parliament, EU, UN, Civil Society Organization to save the countrys democracy.





The legislature also stated that urgent measures must be taken to curtail the growing state of unemployment in the country. The National Assembly, in addition, affirmed a vote of no confidence on the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.



Despite the security challenges being witnessed in parts of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said Nigeria under his wat...

He said since the first thing tourists all over the world looked out for was security, Nigeria was now open for tourism.According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said this while receiving the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.Buhari said the security situation in the country before the inception of his administration would have made it inconceivable to host an international tourism conference in Abuja like it was being done now.The 61st UNWTO Commission for Africa conference is holding in Abuja.The President said, I am pleased that the country is now sufficiently safe and secure, and the message should go out to the world for all tourists and business travellers.The first thing tourists look out for is security and I am happy we have it now.Minister Lai Mohammed has been trying to convince the world that Nigeria is safe and has great potential for tourism and investment.I am glad that you and your team have come here to see things for yourself.Highlighting the nexus between tourism and sustainable development, the President said Nigeria would not be left behind in ensuring that communities and businesses benefit from tourism development.In his remarks, Pololikashvili commended Nigeria for the successful hosting of the conference which brings together African Ministers of Tourism, principal executives of the global tourism body and other stakeholders in the tourism sector.The UN tourism chief told Buhari that Nigeria had huge potential to develop the tourism sector considering its large economy.We can do it in Nigeria, we can create, convert Nigeria to the main tourist destination in Africa. There is a huge potential here. Culture, nature, food, you have everything here.You are investing in agriculture, improving seamless travel through visa-on-arrival programme, reforming the economy and doing so much on security. Nigeria is safe, Pololikashvili said.The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said 166 delegates, including 26 tourism ministers from Africa were attending the UN tourism conference, holding from June 4 to June 6 in Abuja.Q. If someone passes away, is the executor of the will responsible for paying off the credit card debt? What if they decide not to pay it off?

- Executor, maybe

A. Paying off debt is one of the most important jobs of an executor.

The executor is required to marshal the assets of the estate and pay the deceased person's debts, including credit card debt, before assets are distributed to the beneficiaries of the estate, said Shirley Whitenack, an estate planning attorney with Schenck, Price, Smith & King in Florham Park.

Whitenack said under New Jersey law, if the assets are insufficient to pay all of the claims against the estate, payment must be made in the following order:

Reasonable funeral expenses. Estate administration expenses. Reasonable services rendered to the deceased person by the New Jersey Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults. Debts and taxes with preference under federal or New Jersey law. Reasonable medical and hospital expenses of the deceased person's last illness including compensation for those attending that person. Judgments entered against the deceased person. All other claims.

Creditors must present their claims to the executor in writing and under oath within nine months from the date of the deceased person's death, she said.

"If a claim is not presented within that time, the executor will not be liable to the creditor with respect to any assets which may have been paid to other claimants or distributed to beneficiaries," Whitenack said.

The executor has three months from the time she is presented with a claim to dispute it by giving written notice, then the creditor has three months after receiving notice of the dispute to file a lawsuit against the executor, she said.

So if there's not enough money to go around and you have made the payments in order, you should be fine. But if you're trying to avoid paying debt so there's more for the beneficiaries, you could end up in trouble.

Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com.

Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.com's weekly e-newsletter.Former Wildwood Mayor Gary DeMarzo was not surprised at the actions of town police officers who hit a woman during an arrest on the beach Memorial Day weekend.

He says the police department has a history of violence.

DeMarzo, a former Wildwood police officer himself, reached out to NJ Advance Media with claims that the incident involving 20-year-old Emily Weinman was not isolated, citing excessive force cases of the past including one allegedly involving current Chief Robert Regalbuto.

"When people ask me what the culture of the department is like and is it fair, I look to the administration and who these men are. I worked with these men and they're not honest men," DeMarzo said.

DeMarzo is currently involved in a lawsuit against former Cape May County prosecutor Robert Taylor for malicious prosecution, stemming from a 2013 case in which DeMarzo was indicted on charges of misusing funds.

All three charges were dismissed, and DeMarzo claims he was indicted in an attempt to silence him after he subpoenaed tapes that allegedly show physical abuse of an inmate by Chief Regalbuto, who was a police captain at the time.

DeMarzo claims the prosecutor's office - when Taylor was in charge - never completed the investigation into Regalbuto's alleged assault.

"When you have a violent police department that looks the other way when you do certain things, those are the things that grow out of it," DeMarzo said.

On the Saturday before Memorial Day, police officers confronted Weinman about unopened alcohol on the beach.

That confrontation turned physical, and lead to a viral video of a Wildwood officer hitting Weinman twice in the head.

Weinman was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault by spitting on an officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and being a minor in possession of alcohol.

The officers were placed on administrative duty while internal affairs completes the investigation that includes the review of body camera footage that has since been released to the public.

Current Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano said he had no response to DeMarzo's claims, calling the allegations "too personal."

"I wouldn't touch that with a 10-foot pole," Troiano said, adding that there was "no love lost" between he and DeMarzo.

(DeMarzo became the town's mayor in 2009 following a recall of Troiano DeMarzo supported. Troiano regained his seat in 2011 - from DeMarzo.)

Troiano publicly commented on the Weinman arrest before the body camera footage was released saying he believed the officers did a good job in handling the altercation.

DeMarzo on Monday said Troiano's comments against Weinman were unfair.

"It shows his credibility, that he already set the plate that these two cops did nothing wrong and that she was deserving of what happened. Now does Emily get a fair shake?," DeMarzo said.

NJ Advance Media reached out to Wildwood Police Chief Robert Rugalbuto for comment on DeMarzo's reaction. The calls were not immediately returned.

Staff Writer Gianluca D'Elia contributed to this article.

Alexis Johnson may be reached at ajohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @alexisjreports. Find nj.com on Facebook.A 63-year-old man was arrested Monday morning after holding up a sign that claimed he had a bomb as he sat in his car in the parking lot of a supermarket in Wildwood.

Charles Weber, of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, was charged with creating a false public alarm, Wildwood police said in a statement Monday night.

Police were called to the parking lot of the Acme on Park Boulevard around 7 a.m. after getting a report of a man in a car "acting in an alarming manner."

When officers arrived Weber displayed a handmade sign in the front window of the car, authorities said. Weber obeyed officers' orders to get out of the car and he was taken into custody, according to police.

The Atlantic City bomb squad searched the vehicle for explosives but found nothing.

Weber was brought to Cape Regional Medical Center to be evaluated after being booked.

The FBI, the Cape May Prosecutor's Office, the county sheriff's office and the Wildwood Fire Department also assisted.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.No one congregates here anymore. There are no pews and no organ projecting hymns here every Sunday.

But even though it has been recently renovated and on the market for $550,000, this Cream Ridge home, enclosed by bright stained-glass windows, still has the feel of a church, and it may just be one of the most distinct looking homes on the market in New Jersey.

And to no surprise, the longtime church turned two-bedroom, two-bathroom home has an interesting backstory.

According to a previous Asbury Park Press story on the home, after a fire destroyed the previous church, the Upper Freehold Baptist Church raised $10,000 to rebuild in 1904.

To put the finishing touches on the new place of worship, legendary philanthropist Andrew Carnegie stepped in and put his money into purchasing the stained-glass windows, some of which are taller than 20 feet, and a new pipe organ, according to the APP.

More than 100 years later, declining numbers eventually led to the Upper Freehold Baptist Church, which started in 1737, disbanding. The congregation put the 5,900-square-foot church on the market, according to the APP, allowing Dennis Murphy and his parents to swoop in and buy it for $110,000.

Murphy told the APP his family had put $750,000 into renovations to make the church habitable. According to the listing, the home has a new gourmet kitchen, new hardwood floors, new electrical system, new well and septic system, and a new heating and air conditioning system.

Inside, the home proves a church without pews is really the ultimate open floor plan, offering a vast amount of space in the now-home, which is located on more than an acre.

It also received a bright coat of paint. (No, the first settlers of Middletown did not worship in a purple church.)

But luckily for the next owner, Murphy, a Colts Neck resident, didn't touch the home's most stunning asset, which is scattered throughout the space.

"People actually ask, are we going to take the windows out?" Murphy told the APP. "That's half the beauty of this place. It looks different in all the different lights. The window in my room looks pink right now, but when the sun goes down in looks blue. It changes."

Property taxes were $2,609 in 2017. After Murphy bought the home for $110,000 in March 2016, the home first hit the market May 15 for $575,000 before its asking price was reduced at the end of the month.

A phone call to the listing agent for the home was not immediately returned.

Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on FacebookA weed-choked lot in Newark's Central Ward is expected to become the home of the city's very first Wawa but a neighborhood group is trying to block it.

The neighborhood association has filed suit against the Newark Planning Board and Tonymar, LLC, which owns the lot and wants to build the 24-hour iconic convenience store.

Lisa Gray, president of the neighborhood group, says the WaWa wouldn't only bring different varieties of coffee, made-to-order quesadillas and fresh salads, but also increase the amount of crime and prostitutes in an area that has been prone to those problems. Gray said the city might also find a better business for this "up and coming" area.

"It's a high crime neighborhood already, weed, heroin. A big 24/7 store coming to a neighborhood like this with no security is ridiculous," she said. "We're not asking for a Saks 5th Avenue, but we can sustain a Trader Joes over here."

City officials celebrated the news back in 2017 when the Philadelphia-based company first announced plans to build on the lot. The move, officials said, showed that a national retailers was willing to make an investment in Newark's neighborhoods.

Now, officials don't want to talk about the project. Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins, who represents this neighborhood on city council, didn't return calls for comment. And Councilman Augusto Amador says he supported the WaWa, but declined to comment about his support.

WaWa also didn't immediately return calls for comment. Michael Oliveira, attorney for TonyMar LLC in Elizabeth declined to comment as well.

Gray, who said she has fought to keep prostitution and drugs of the neighborhood's streets, filed the complaint in Essex County Superior Court on May 22. The suit contends that the planning board approved the project even though a majority of the panel's members didn't vote to approve it.

From Transforming the Central Ward Through Political Action July 26 Wow my phone is blowing up about the WAWA meeting.... Posted by Broad Street Neighborhood Association on Thursday, August 10, 2017

When the planning board voted on the WaWa project on Oct. 30, 2017, three of the eight members voted yes. One voted no, three abstained and one was absent.

The association also argued that when neighbors spoke against the project at the public hearing, the planning board chairman cut them off.

And they contend in their lawsuit that the plan should be considered by the city's zoning board, since the company is asking to open a 24-hour business. And that the board of adjustment should take a look at the project because it has a wide driveway. A senior city planner says, however, that the area is already zoned for that type of business.

If the WaWa is ever built, it will include 58 parking spaces and 16 gasoline pumps.

This is not the first time Gray has fought against development she thinks would contribute to her neighborhood's demise.

In 2016, Gray fought back against Family Dollar opening up in the neighborhood.

Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ladytiamoyo. Find NJ.com on FacebookEAST RUTHERFORD -- Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has received a positive prognosis after being diagnosed with lymphoma, according to a statement released by the team.

Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in cells that are part of the body's immune system, according to the American Cancer Society.

Gettleman, 67, was hired in December to turn around the Giants, where he headed the pro personnel department from 1999-2012. He built the Panthers into a Super Bowl team during his five-year run as general manager.

If Gettleman needs to take a step back for his recovery, Kevin Abrams has 16 years experience as Giants assistant general manager and was the interim general manager after Jerry Reese during the 2017 season.

There is a school of thought that Abrams will be groomed to be Gettleman's successor when the day comes.

Here is Gettleman's full statement released Monday:

"Recently, I underwent an annual physical, during which it was discovered I have lymphoma. Over the past week, I have undergone more testing to determine the course of treatment, which is scheduled to start in the very near future.

"The doctor's outlook for the treatment and the prognosis is positive, and so am I.

"I will continue to work as much as the treatment process will allow, and as they know, when I am not in the office, I will be in constant communication with Pat (Shurmur), Kevin (Abrams) and the rest of our staff.

"I am thankful to John Mara and Steve Tisch and our organization for their support and encouragement, and to Ronnie Barnes for his guidance and assistance. And, of course, to my wife Joanne and our children for their love and support.

"And I want to thank you in advance for respecting my privacy and that of my family as we work our way through this. I look forward to being back at full strength and devoting all my energy to helping make this 2018 New York Giants team the best it can be."

Some experts say the Giants had the best offseason of any NFL team.

Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.Two south Jersey hospital chains announced Tuesday they have agreed to merge, in a deal that will give them an edge in the competitive South Jersey-Philadelphia market.

Virtua Health, which owns three hospitals in Burlington County, has agreed to acquire the two hospitals in the Lourdes Health System in Camden and Burlington, according to an announcement Virtua released on behalf of both systems.

"As representatives of the community, we are constantly thinking about how Virtua can improve the health status of the people of South Jersey," says David Kindlick, chairman of the Virtua Board of Trustees.

"Virtua and Lourdes offer complementary services. Bringing our organizations together creates a more fully integrated network offering greater access and care options for our patients. It just makes good sense."

Virtua spokesman Kathy McLaughlin declined to answer questions about the merger's impact on the hospitals' employees.

The Lourdes facilities are owned by Maxis, a division of Trinity Health, one of the nation's largest hospital chains operating 93 hospitals in 22 states.

The state Health Department must give its approval before any merger is complete, department spokeswoman Donna Leusner said.

"At Lourdes, we are thrilled to be joining with Virtua, Reginald Blaber, president of Lourdes Health System said in a statement. "Their passion and visionary approach to care is completely aligned with the Lourdes Health System, and we are looking forward to a bright future ahead."

The deal continue a decade-long pattern of mergers and acquisitions in New Jersey and across the country, driven in part by the Affordable Care Act's emphasis on hospitals and doctors curbing long hospital stays. Hospital CEOs also believe the larger the organization, the greater negotiating power the institutions will have with insurance carriers.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation concluded prices and insurance premiums rose after hospitals merged and gained more negotiating power, according to a 2012 report analyzing consolidations across the country.

In January, Penn Medicine -- the corporate name for the University of Pennsylvania Health System -- acquired University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro.

In October, Kennedy Health's hospitals in Cherry Hill, Washington Township and Stratford were acquired by Jefferson Health in Philadelphia and renamed.

Last December, Cooper University Health abandoned its plans to acquire the Lourdes hospitals s well as St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton. In a lawsuit Cooper filed to recoup $15 million it had placed in escrow, it abandoned the deal over concerns about record alteration, ongoing litigation and compliance issues at the Maxis hospitals.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.JERSEY CITY -- Decorated Jersey City Police K-9 Astro died suddenly Sunday after serving the city for about eight years, leaving a hole in the heart of his partner, Officer George Crispina, and the officer's family as well.

"He was the absolutely best K-9 anyone could ask for -- that's for sure," Crispina, 37, said Monday. "He was kind, he was funny, and just always happy. There was never a dull moment at work with him and he made it so much better. He loved kids. People all over the city knew him."

Crispina said Astro, wo was 9, lost consciousness at work Sunday and was rushed to an animal hospital, where they learned he had a tumor in his spleen that had spread. It was not treatable.

The 15-year veteran of the department said there had been no prior symptoms, and it was the type of illness that "You find it when it's too late."

Crispina and his family got to spend some time with Astro before he was euthanized at 2 p.m. He said his 12-year-old son Isaiah cried. His 4-year-old daughter Victoria said, "I'm sad Daddy."

When he asked her why, she said "Because Astro is going to heaven and I won't be able to play with him."

During his career, the JCPD awarded the explosives and patrol dog a commendation and a excellent police service award. He was also cited by the Union City Police Department for recovery of a gun and the arrest of two people wanted on carjacking charges there.

The German Shepherd had his paw in several arrests that made newspaper headlines and made it into Crispina's scrap book. Crispina said the bond between a police officer and his K-9 partner is extremely close and he could tell by Astro's mannerisms when danger was around the corner.

"When he went to work he knew what his job was, but when he got home and you took that collar off, he was a friend," Crispina said. "I'm in the house and it's quiet. The house is empty without him. You can say your career started when you graduate from the academy, but my career started when I got him."

Crispina said Jersey City Police Chief Michael Kelly went to the animal hospital Sunday to support his officer. The North District officer said the support he has received from numerous people and agencies "is truly humbling to say the least, and nothing I have ever experience in my life."

Astro was born in Hungary on July 28, 2008.Raised as a Democrat in Hudson County, Patrick Murphy was always told who to vote for by his grandfather, a politician. Now, however, he's doing it in his own way.

"(Menendez) is a disgrace to the Democratic party," Murphy said, noting that he hadn't voted yet on primary day. "I observed his character -- I, cannot say whether he is guilty or not guilty of any of the crimes -- however, he is an unpleasant person and I will never vote for him."

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who spent the end of 2017 in court on federal bribery charges before his case ended in a hung jury, is being challenged by Lisa McCormick. The winner will face the winner of today's Republican primary, either Bob Hugin or Brian Goldberg, in the November election.

"I vote with my heart and my head," Murphy said. "And right now, it's important, that I believe, to block what's going on in the White House by putting more people that feel the same way I feel."

The Jersey City resident called voting the "basis of our democracy." But instead of voting for who someone tells him to; or blindly for the Democratic Party, he places his ballot based on research.

"I think a lot of people make decisions based on what they believe their political party is," he added. "And I don't go for any of that."

Not everyone feels so strongly.

A voter at the polling station at Liberty High School on Sip Avenue said he rarely votes because he doesn't trust politicians. Another man interviewed on Duncan Avenue said he doesn't vote because his voice doesn't matter.

Voter turnout for the primary is expected to be low, especially in Hudson County, where, except for Harrison, there is no opposition in the municipal primary races. In Harrison, the incumbent mayor is facing a challenger and the four council seats have two candidates.

The polls close at 8 p.m.

Liberty High School on Sip Avenue in Jersey City will also be serving as a polling station from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a master's student at Saint Peter's University wasn't aware of Tuesday's primary elections. He added that he took a voting class during his undergraduate studies at the university and, since then, thinks it's a fraud.

Nonetheless, a Hudson County resident, who voted early Tuesday morning, said that "politics is politics" and commented on how it seems like the rich continue to add to their wealth while the poor remains the same.

He just hopes to see a change.NEWARK -- A Bayonne man already serving more than two decades for sexually exploiting a teenage girl will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for producing child pornography.

Gregory Schaffer, 39, was sentenced to another 40 years for filming his sexual assault of two young girls in Hudson County in 2010, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

According to the complaint, Schaffer sexually abused a 12-year-old girl in a Union City towing office and then abused a 14-year-old girl in a hotel room. In both cases, he filmed the assault without the girls knowing and stored the video on his computer. Other explicit images were also found on his computer.

He was convicted by a jury of two counts of producing child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography in October and was sentenced on those charges Tuesday morning.

In 2012, Schaffer, who sometimes posed as a Navy SEAL online, lured a 15-year-old girl looking for a job to his Jersey City office. He photographed her undressing while trying on provocative swimsuits, touched her inappropriately, and then had her sign what the teen believed was an employment contract.

Schaffer, instead, said she agreed to have sex with him and threatened to sue her and her grandmother if she did not comply. He agreed to let her out of the bogus contract if she had sex with him, which she complied to out of fear.

He was convicted of enticement to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity, enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, attempted enticement to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity, and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Schaffer was sentenced to 25 years in prison in that case, according to court records.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.JERSEY CITY -- A 54-year-old Jersey City man has been charged with stabbing a FedEx driver in the head and torso last month in an apparent road rage incident on a busy Jersey City street, officials said.

Khalil Salley, of the 200 block of Randolph Avenue, appeared in court on Thursday on the charges of aggravated assault and weapons offenses related to a knife with a six-inch blade, officials said.

The incident occurred at 10:15 a.m. on May 18, a Friday, on Montgomery Street between County Prep and Ferris high schools, Jersey City public safety spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said.

Salley and the driver got out of their vehicles and were arguing when Salley began to choke the victim, stabbed him and then fled, Wallace-Scalcione said.

Doctors used four staples to close the wound to the victim's left side, the criminal complaint says, adding that the wound to his head required no staples or stitches.

Salley made his first appearance on the charges on Thursday in Criminal Justice Reform Court in Jersey City via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny.

At the hearing, the state moved to detain Salley through the course of his prosecution. A detention hearing is scheduled for Tuesday before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City.The Millburn Township Green Schools Team is excited to announce that 18 gorgeous Colorado Blue Spruce trees have been donated by the Downtown Millburn Development Alliance to the Millburn Township Schools.

These trees were originally installed by the DMDA in planters throughout the town to enhance the outdoor atmosphere and "decor" of downtown Millburn. This is a great example of collaboration between the township and our schools, not to mention an awesome "green" solution to finding a happy home for these trees!

Based on school requests, the High School and Middle School each received four and Washington, Hartshorn, Glenwood, Wyoming and Deerfield each received two.

Jim Mancini of Mancini Landscaping Associates in Warren generously donated his time, labor and crew to install 12 of the trees. These "babies" are small now but are expected to grow to heights of 30 feet tall and will grace our schools for decades to come!

Big thanks to the DMDA, the Green Team, Director of Buildings and Grounds, Carlos Edmundo, volunteer landscaper, Jim Mancini and Millburn Township Forrester, Tom Doty, for making this happen.

Submitted by The Millburn Township Green Schools TeamUnion City police arresting a 77-year-old Kearny woman on shoplifting charges found there is also a warrant for her arrest on similar charges from two decades ago.

The Schuyler Avenue woman is charged with stealing $21 in merchandise from a Palisade Avenue business on Thursday, the criminal complaint says.

When she made her first court appearance on the charges on the same day, the judge notified her that there is a 20-year-old warrant, out of Jersey City, for her arrest on a similar charge.

In most cases like this, the accused would be issued a summons and released on their own recognizance. The 77-year-old, however, was arrested on a warrant complaint -- likely because of the 20-year-old warrant -- meaning by law she had to be taken to Hudson County jail.

The judge remanded both matters to Union City Municipal Court and the woman was released with conditions of supervision.Authorities seized $45,600 worth of heroin -- about 228 bricks -- during an undercover narcotics investigation that lasted six weeks, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday morning.

Detectives identified a heroin distribution network being run by Santeeno Grant, 29, of Trenton, and purchased a total of 1,650 packets of the narcotic throughout the investigation, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri announced.

Authorities arrested Grant on May 31 after watching him drive a black Chevrolet Impala from his Elm Street home to the area of Home Avenue , where detectives saw him approach a Volkswagen Beetle and retrieve a black plastic bag.

Markese Phillips (left), Santeeno Grant

During a search of Grant's Impala, detectives found 19 bricks of heroin in the black bag, as well as two loaded handguns and a California driver's license in Grant's name, the prosecutor's office said.

A search of the Beetle led officers to discover 73 bricks of heroin in a shoebox on the passenger seat.

An M1 assault rifle and more heroin were found in Grant's home on Elm Street.

Grant faces charges for second-degree drug and weapon offenses.

Markese Phillips, 40, of Trenton, was also arrested in connection to the investigation, and faces charges for second- and third-degree drug offenses. Police found 130 bricks of heroin, 15 grams of cocaine, and $638 in cash in his car.

Grant is detained in police custody, but Phillips was released.

Both men have prior felony convictions in New Jersey, court records show.

Gianluca D'Elia may be reached at gdelia@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @gianluca_delia. Find NJ.com on Facebook.UPDATE: Authorities ID murder-suicide victims as married couple

The deaths of a man and woman in a Robbinsville home appear to be the result of a murder suicide, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said Monday afternoon.

The victims - both adults - were found in a home on Robbinsville-Edinburg Road at about 2:30 p.m., prompting a significant police presence at the house.

The prosecutor's Homicide Task Force is investigating at the home, and the office said more information would be provided at a later time.

"There is not an imminent public safety threat and we refer all inquiries regarding the investigation to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office," said Township Mayor Dave Fried, who is also public safety director.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.A 20-year-old New Jersey man traveled to Virginia to sexually assault a child he met using social messaging app Kik, authorities said.

Matthew J. Essen, of Marlboro, is being held in the Monmouth County jail as he awaits extradition to Loudoun County, the sheriff's office there said Monday.

Essen allegedly went to the Ashburn, Virginia, area on May 20 to meet the child, whose age and gender has not been disclosed. Essen recorded some of the sex acts, according to officials.

The child reported the assault the next day.

Essen, who turns 21 on Saturday, is charged with two counts of carnal knowledge, two counts of production of child pornography, indecent liberties with a child and online solicitation of a minor.

"We are fully investigating the matter and plan to vigorously defend Mr. Essen both here in New Jersey and in Virginia on the new allegations," his attorney Richard Lomurro wrote in an email.

Essen was booked into the Monmouth County Jail on Friday on a charge of being a fugitive from justice, according to the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office website. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office's Computer Crimes Unit and a detective from Loudoun County arrested Essen at his home, a prosecutor's office spokesman said.

Essen's extradition hearing is Thursday.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.A 34-year-old New Jersey man has been sentenced to seven to 21 years in prison for a high-speed drunk driving crash on a New York City highway last summer that left two of his passengers dead and seven others badly hurt.

Andrew D. Shakespeare of Roselle was convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide in April for causing the four-vehicle crash on his way home from a wedding July 16. He was sentenced on Monday in Queens County Supreme Court, the district attorney there said in a statement.

Shakespeare was driving a BMW X5 west on the Grand Central Parkway at speeds as high as 117 mph following a wedding when he lost control of the luxury SUV while attempting to pass a Nissan. Shakespeare then sideswiped that Nissan before crashing into a a different Nissan. The impact send both the X5 and second Nissan careening through the center guardrail that separates the two sides of the road.

The BMW overturned several times before being struck by an eastbound Mercedes SUV, whose driver unsuccessfully attempted to avoid hitting Shakespeare's vehicle. The Mercedes also flipped multiple times.

Akeam Grant, 16, was found lying in the roadway near the 188th Street Exit in Jamaica and pronounced dead at the scene. Layon Campbell, 34, who was sitting in the front seat of the BMW, had to be cut out of the car and was later pronounced dead at an area hospital. Both lived in Brooklyn, New York.

Photos show the aftermath of the deadly Grand Central Parkway crash in Queens https://t.co/mj0IMG6SON (WARNING: GRAPHIC) pic.twitter.com/Q3ND0xzFz6  New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) July 16, 2017

Two other passengers in Shakespeare's vehicle were also hurt as were five others in the three other cars.

Shakespeare refused to allow his blood to be tested for alcohol after the 6:30 a.m. crash. Investigators got a court order and were able to test his blood five hours later -- it registered a .10, still above the legal limit. He was charged at the time with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated, reckless endangerment and reckless driving.

After Shakespeare finishes his prison term, he will be required to have an interlock ignition device installed on any car he drives, Queens Supreme Court Justice Gia Morris said. That apparatus is designed to keep him from driving while under the influence.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.The officers involved in the Memorial Day weekend beach arrest that went viral, and in which a woman was hit twice in the head, will not face criminal charges, the Cape May County Prosecutor's office said Tuesday.

Prosecutor Jeffery Sutherland said in a statement Tuesday the investigation determined that the actions of the arresting officers did not meet the evidentiary standards to warrant criminal charges.

"As County Prosecutor, I recognize that the video footage has raised a lot of questions regarding the officers' actions. A decision such as this is not based on emotion; it is based upon applying the proper laws, policies and directives that govern law enforcement," Sutherland said.

The preliminary investigation consisted of reviewing body camera footage from the arresting officer, review of footage taken by beachgoers, internal affairs interviews with several witnesses as well as written arrest reports, summons and complaints, officials said.

Emily Weinman, 20, of Philadelphia was approached by Wildwood police officers on May 26 for having unopened alcohol on the beach.

The confrontation escalated into a violent arrest that was caught on video and shared millions of times worldwide.

Weinman was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault by spitting on an officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and being a minor in possession of alcohol.

Margate attorney Stephen Dicht said Tuesday that Weinman was disappointed but not surprised to hear that no officers would be charged.

"I think it's terrible. It ignores the plain evidence," he said. "You look at that video, you see three people, maybe four people. One of them's getting beaten on her head, and she's the one who got charged."

Dicht said the officer's video-recorded statement as he approaches Weinman -- "You're about to get dropped" -- clearly signaled that he wasn't thinking about using a reasonable amount force.

"What else does it mean? Besides he's going to drop her?" he said. "What had she done up to that point?"

Weinman had refused to give her last name. A person is required to give their name to an officer writing a summons, but Dicht said that the officer did not communicate clearly that that's what he was doing, so she was legally not required to give her last name.

Part of their conversation is missing in the videos because the officer turned off his camera briefly, and because the department redacted the audio during the beginning of the conversation.

Dicht said that he is now working with Weinman and her family about the best way to fight the criminal charges, which she will have to answer to in Cape May County Superior Court June 15.

Asked about the possibility of a lawsuit, Dicht said, "Right now we're not focusing on that."

The prosecutor's announcement Tuesday does not mean the end of the review of the incident. Wildwood police will now conduct an administrative investigation with monitoring by the prosecutor's office.

The officers involved in the arrest, patrolmen Thomas Cannon, John Hillman and Robert Jordan, are Class II special law enforcement officers. It's not clear which officer actually punched the woman.

Calls to Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. -- who has said the officers acted appropriately -- did not return a call for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Alexis Johnson may be reached at ajohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @alexisjreports. Find nj.com on Facebook.Four days after setting off from Jersey City on a planned transatlantic voyage in a rowboat he built himself, a 52-year-old Scotsman had to be rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard 20 miles off the coast of Barnegat Light.

Duncan Hutchison departed from Manhattan Yacht Club in Jersey City on Thursday morning but his journey ended early Monday, hours after he radioed for help when he encountered bad weather, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

Duncan Hutchison is shown in his rowboat after pushing off from Jersey City on Thursday. He was rescued by the Coat Guard on Monday four days into his planned transatlantic journey to Scotland. (Photo courtesy Duncan Hutchison)

The Coast Guard sent a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Barnegat Light and found Hutchison's rowboat, the Sleipnir, struggling to stay upright thanks to 8-and-a-half foot seas and winds of 21 knots.

"Thankfully the operator was well prepared and hailed us on his VHF marine radio on channel 16," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Thornton, the coxswain on the rescue boat. "We were able to pinpoint his location by using our Rescue 21 radio system, and that saved his life."

An online post written by Hutchison explains the purpose of the 3,500 mile trip was to raise money for WaterAid, a nonprofit that attempts to help the poor get better access to clean water. The longtime volunteer crew member for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution described his boat as a "self-built, clinker style skiff converted for ocean rowing." His efforts raised more than $9,600.

Hutchison previously said he expected the journey to Lochinver Harbour in northwest Scotland to take 90 to 100 days.

Update- not really! Yesterday was so down then coastguards went to retrieve boat and it had drifted out of there area... Posted by Duncanadrift on Tuesday, June 5, 2018

On Tuesday morning, Hutchison posted an update on Facebook using a borrowed iPad saying the Coast Guard was unable to find his boat on Monday. He added that his laptop, phone and passport are still aboard the rowboat.

Anyone who can help Hutchison look for his boat is asked to contact him via Facebook or email.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.By Fraidy Reiss

Clearly Assemblyman Gary Schaer doesn't know that when I was a teenage bride in the Orthodox Jewish community, I endured a physical examination to confirm my virginity.

That's the only rational explanation for why Schaer, D-Passaic, invoked Orthodox Judaism on May 24, when he blocked legislation to end child marriage in New Jersey.

Schaer must have no idea that, shortly before my wedding, I also was forced to strip naked and immerse in a ritual bath of rainwater. Or that the attendant who inspected me before the immersion berated me for keeping one toenail too long, where it might block the rainwater from purifying a tiny section of my toe. She proceeded to snip the toenail painfully short, while I stood hunched over and trembling, my arms crossed over my chest.

Schaer must be unaware that these terrifying preparations were ahead of my arranged marriage to a stranger with whom I had never been allowed to be alone in a room or to have any physical contact. A stranger who, I discovered a week after my wedding, was violent.

I assume Schaer is clueless about the other abuses I suffered before, during and following my marriage at age 19 in Brooklyn, including after my then-husband and I moved to Lakewood, New Jersey. About the similar abuses suffered by women across the U.S. who are forced to marry in any culture or religion.

About why those abuses are even more horrific when perpetrated on a child.

At 19, if I had sought help, perhaps I could have gotten it. But children not yet 18, the age of adulthood, are nearly powerless to say no to a marriage, before or after it happens. They cannot easily leave home, enter a confidential shelter, retain an attorney or bring a legal action. It's unclear whether a child can even file for divorce in New Jersey.

Most of the girls under 18 who reach out to Unchained At Last, the nonprofit I founded to help women in the U.S. to escape forced marriages, attempt suicide when they learn of their limited options.

The marriage age in New Jersey is 18, but children age 16 or 17 can marry with parental "consent," which is often parental "coercion." And children under 16 can marry with judicial approval, even though a child who's forced to marry also is forced to lie to the judge about it.

Forced or not, marriage before 18 leads to such devastating consequences for girls that the U.S. State Department has called it a "human rights abuse." Some 3,600 children as young as 13 were subjected to this human-rights abuse in New Jersey since 1995, according to state health-department data. Almost all were girls wed to adult men.

That's why I helped to write commonsense legislation to eliminate the dangerous loopholes that allow marriage before 18. The bill passed last year with overwhelming support, before then-Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed it. This year, the bill again passed easily in the senate and was poised to sail through the assembly, where 42 of 80 members have signed on as sponsors.

And then Schaer took a stand against ending child marriage. He insisted it would harm the Orthodox Jewish community.

Apparently Schaer is unaware that Jewish law does not require child marriage - unless he's referring to a long-abandoned biblical interpretation that required a rapist to marry his victim and pay her father 50 shekels. Further, Schaer must be unaware that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld legislation that incidentally forbids an act required by religion, provided the legislation doesn't target religious practice.

Schaer suggested setting the marriage age at 16 instead of 18. He must not know that 95 percent of the children who marry in New Jersey are 16 or 17. With his proposed amendment, the bill would fail to protect 95 percent of the people it is intended to protect.

Schaer cannot actually believe the state should pass such nonsense legislation to encourage the same abuse of underage brides that I survived at 19. I was trapped in my abusive marriage for 12 years, with no reproductive or financial rights and limited legal rights: Under Orthodox Jewish law, only a man can grant a divorce.

When I finally escaped with my two daughters, my family and community shunned me. More than a decade later, they still consider me dead.

Surely that's not the life - and death - Schaer wants for girls in New Jersey.

Fraidy Reiss is a forced-marriage survivor and the founder of Unchained At Last, which helps women and girls in the U.S. to escape forced marriages and works to end forced and child marriage in America.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.President Donald Trump on Monday said that although he had committed no wrongdoing, he has the "absolute" power to pardon himself, echoing arguments by his lawyer, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

"The constitution gave the president the right to pardon himself," Giuliani said Sunday, adding that Trump would not need to because "he didn't do anything wrong."

On Monday, Trump tweeted: "As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?"

The assertion comes as U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and possible illegal obstruction of that probe by Trump has enters its second year.

The Constitution is silent on the issue of whether the president's broad power to grant pardons extends to himself, and some lawyers say that supports Trump's position. But many legal experts disagree.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on CNN on Sunday that he did not think a president should pardon himself.

Giuliani said that a move by Trump to pardon himself would likely trigger blowback that could lead to his impeachment.

And many legal experts say the president's actions could be considered obstruction if prosecutors can show he acted with "corrupt intent."

Regardless of what the law says, do you think Trump should be allowed to pardon himself?

Vote in our informal and unscientific poll and tell us why in the comments.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.It seems almost quaint today. But back when Barack Obama was president, Republicans strenuously objected to his expansive use of executive orders to maneuver around Congress on issues like climate change and immigration. The practice, they said, broke the Constitution's restraints on presidential power.

"We don't have a monarchy in this country," Rep. Steve Scalise, now the majority whip, said in 2015.

We remain safe from that threat. President Trump has not asserted the right to hand power to his eldest son, as a king would.

But he is halfway there. He now asserts the right to break the law without consequence, even to commit murder. That is the shocking takeaway from a 20-page memo drafted by his lawyers, which was leaked to the New York Times.

The memo confirms our worst fear, that Trump is willing to trash our democracy to save his skin. What was implied is now explicit.

The memo asserts that a president has the right to shut down any federal investigation, even one examining his own conduct. It says Robert Mueller has no right to demand that Trump answer a single question. And it claims that a president can pardon himself, for any crime, and "no matter his motivation."

The bottom line: Trump is warning that he will never allow Mueller to bring him down. He will burn the house down first.

It seems impossible that America could turn into the kind of country where a president can break the law with impunity. But that's exactly the legal precedent that Trump is trying to establish.

Even his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, now claims that "in no case can he be subpoenaed or indicted" while in office, even "if he shot James Comey," unless he is first impeached. Hyperbole or not, the imagination runs amok.

The question is how to stop him. If he asserts these powers, it will likely provoke a Constitutional crisis and land before the U.S. Supreme Court.

If that reassures you, you may be thinking of the unanimous 1974 ruling that forced Richard Nixon to hand over the White House tapes. It was an inspiring moment, a test our democracy passed.

But can we trust the court to be as non-partisan today, in the wake of outrageous rulings like Bush v. Gore, which handed the presidency to George W. Bush by blocking a full recount of the presidential vote in Florida? And whatever the court demands, can we trust Trump to comply, as Nixon did?

Maybe. But these are not sure bets.

This could fall to Congress in the end, which underscores the need to flip control of the House to Democrats in November.

Because if we take Trump's memo seriously, then the only check on Trump's bad behavior is the prospect of impeachment, and removal from office. And while the Senate investigation of Trump has been credible and bipartisan, only the House has the power to open impeachment hearings.

House Republicans have failed spectacularly when it comes to checking Trump's misbehavior. The Intelligence Committee prematurely shut down its inquiry into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election, clearing the president of any wrongdoing. It has since turned to sabotaging Mueller by demanding details about the investigation, including the identity of an informant.

Ask yourself: If Trump were to fire Mueller and pardon himself, could we trust this same crowd to stand up in defense of democracy?

These are scary times. We have a president who doesn't give a damn about the rule of law. We have a Supreme Court that can't be trusted to do the right thing. And we have a Republican Party that has lost its way.

Say a prayer if it helps. But either way, be sure to vote in November.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or call (973) 836-4909. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.By Ed Potosnak

By unilaterally withdrawing from the Paris climate accord a year ago this week, President Donald Trump alienated the U.S. from the rest of world and abdicated our role as a leader in the march toward a sustainable future.

This moment marked the blatant and direct repudiation from our world-class climate scientists and experts warning of the grave consequences of climate change.

With a lack of leadership in Washington D.C., states such as New Jersey are more important than ever and on the front line of advancing clean-energy initiatives that reduce harmful air pollution and address climate change.

Make no mistake, the scientific consensus is in agreement: Human-caused climate change is occurring and will have vast impacts around the world. For New Jersey communities along our shore, primary hazards are sea-level rise and flooding, only to be exacerbated by increased frequency and strength of storms. As we have seen in our state, unusually warm months have outnumbered unusually cold months 35-0 since 2000, and the planet's three hottest years were 2016, 2015 and 2017 respectively, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 138-year climate record.

New Jerseyans want action.

Recent polling by the Monmouth University Polling Institute and the Urban Coast Institute found that 83 percent of coastal residents believe climate change is real, and more than half of those respondents believe the government should be doing more to deal with the impacts of sea-level rise.

Murphy has met this call to action. Since taking office, he has advanced an aggressive environmental agenda and has made environmental protection a priority in his governorship.

He has committed New Jersey to meet the goals of the Paris accord by joining the U.S. Climate Alliance. In addition, the governor rejoined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, protected the Delaware River Watershed and Atlantic Ocean from fracking, established the nation's largest commitment to offshore wind energy at 3,500 megawatts by 2030, and banned oil and gas exploration and infrastructure off the Jersey Shore.

His most recent accomplishment occurred when he signed the landmark Clean Energy Bill that ensures New Jersey receive more than half of its energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2030 and protects customers with a cap on the cost. This is a fourfold increase in renewable energy in the next 12 years over the progress made since 2001. In addition, he also signed an executive order directing the Board of Public Utilities to put together a plan to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2050, getting one step closer to meeting one of his signature campaign promises.

The Clean Energy Bill also requires the state to establish an energy-efficiency program to reduce energy usage by 2 percent a year, saving consumers approximately $200 million annually and decreasing harmful emissions equivalent to removing 75,000 cars from the road per year. In addition, this legislation triples the number of residents working in energy efficiency, to nearly 100,000.

It's clear Murphy's actions have propelled New Jersey to become one of the greenest states in the country -- while saving money and creating good local jobs, demonstrating the important role states are playing as our federal government ignores these pressing issues.

The impacts of climate change should not be understated and require urgent, comprehensive mobilization and action. While the United States has abdicated its role as a world leader in climate action, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters is proud of our state, under the leadership of the Murphy administration, in joining the rest of the world in combating climate change. Together, states can ensure we don't lose ground in the battle for cleaner air and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Ed Potosnak is executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.Former Gov. Chris Christie called any suggestion that he's been asked to prep President Donald Trump for a possible interview related to a special-counsel investigation "dead wrong."

Christie, a longtime ally and adviser to the president, tweeted Monday night in response to a report from The Washington Post that suggested he would help the president for any interaction with special counsel Robert Mueller.

The report quoted Rudy Giuliani, the president's lawyer, saying Christie was among the people being considered to have practice sessions with the president.

Christie would "be willing to do it as [a] volunteer," Giuliani said, according to The Post.

Mueller is investigating Russia's efforts to help elect Trump, whose legal team is weighing whether to agree to sit down with the special counsel.

"I'd like to bring Chris Christie in," Giuliani told the newspaper, adding Christie "is willing to do it." Trump "and Chris get along, and Chris is a lawyer, so you have attorney-client privilege."

Not so, said New Jersey's former governor, contradicting Giuliani's remarks.

"The WaPo story tonight saying I have been asked to help prepare @realDonaldTrump for any interview with Bob Mueller is dead wrong. I have not been asked by anyone to do anything of the sort. The story is wrong," Christie tweeted.

The WaPo story tonight saying I have been asked to help prepare @realDonaldTrump for any interview with Bob Mueller is dead wrong. I have not been asked by anyone to do anything of the sort. The story is wrong.  Governor Christie (@GovChristie) June 5, 2018

After he left office in January, Christie took a job as a news analyst for ABC News.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.Gov. Phil Murphy is set to leave New Jersey on Tuesday night for a quick trip to Paris.

The governor will be in France for a graduation ceremony for his daughter, Murphy spokesman Mahen Gunaratna confirmed to NJ Advance Media.

Murphy will return Thursday, making the trip less than 48 hours.

Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver will serve as acting governor in that time. Oliver takes over whenever Murphy leaves the state.

The trip comes amid tense state budget negotiations between Murphy and his fellow Democrats who lead the New Jersey Legislature. If they don't agree to a budget by June 30, that will trigger a second straight state government shutdown in New Jersey.

Murphy and legislative leaders are expected to meet again Friday, according to sources.

Murphy began Tuesday in New Jersey. He voted in the state's primary elections early in the morning at an elementary school in Red Bank.

The Murphys are no strangers to Europe. Murphy was a top executive in Germany for Wall Street banking firm Goldman Sachs and he later sent four years as U.S. ambassador to Germany. The family owns homes in Berlin and Italy, as well.

Murphy's Paris trip was first reported by New Jersey Globe.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.It's 6 a.m., New Jersey. Do you know where your sample ballot is?

Polls open Tuesday for the 2018 primaries, which this year include Congressional races that could sway the balance of power between Republicans and Democrats in Washington, as well as some key local races.

Make sure you get to the polls by 8 p.m. Here's what you need to know.

WHAT'S UP FOR GRABS?

New Jersey might be a blue state, but its representation in Congress is pretty purple. While both sitting Senators are Democrats, five of the state's 12 current members of the House of Representatives are Republicans.

That could soon change.

Most of the state's Republican-held seats are considered in play this fall, and Democrats are eying New Jersey as they attempt to flip the House as we head into mid-term elections in November.

Meanwhile, freshman Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who ousted former Rep. Scott Garrett from the historically Republican 5th district, is up for reelection, with two Republicans seeking the party's nomination to unseat him.

Then there's the Senate, where incumbent Democrat Robert Menendez -- fresh off a mistrial for federal corruption charges -- is expected to face an aggressive challenge from Republican Bob Hugin, a former drug company executive. But before the pair face off, they'll have to overcome primary challengers from their own parties.

Here's a closer look at New Jersey's Congressional races.

All of New Jersey's 21 counties will host county-wide and municipal primaries Tuesday. In addition to many non-contested races on both sides of the aisle, some municipalities and counties will see fierce fights to decide on candidates for the November election.

Contested local elections include the mayor's race and two council seats up for grabs in Roseland after incumbents have opted not to seek reelection. The town has been hit with several controversies -- one last year in which two councilmen were caught sending racist texts (one of whom has decided not to run this year), and a scandal earlier this year in which another councilman, not up for election, was charged with criminal misconduct.

In Piscataway, a battle is brewing between longtime council incumbents and challengers, with a proposed gun sale ban factoring into the election.

Speculation about the possibility of power changes has also brewed in several places throughout the state -- like the mayor's race in Linden and the freeholder primary in Sussex County -- where incumbents are facing fierce challengers.

SO WHO CAN VOTE?

Primaries in New Jersey are largely for members of the big political parties, but it's not too late for you to crash.

New Jersey has nearly 2.4 million unaffiliated voters, and any of them can walk into a polling place on Tuesday and request a Republican or Democratic ballot to cast their primary vote.

The only catch? Doing so automatically enrolls you under that party affiliation.

Here's more information on that process.

WHERE DO I VOTE?

Primary elections happen at the same polling place you go to for a regular election. Not sure where that is? The state Division of Elections lets you look it up by entering your home address at nj.gov/state/elections.

If you run into trouble voting you can contact the Division of Elections at (609) 292-3760.

WILL I GET A STICKER?

We get this question every election season. According to the Department of State, it's up to your county election board to provide the "I Voted" stickers, so it depends on where you live.

Staff writers Jessica Mazzola, Jonathan D. Salant and Matt Arco contributed reporting.

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise of Old Jefferson championed President Donald Trump's approach to two east Asian issues in an appearance Tuesday (June 5) on the Fox Business television channel. The House Republican whip backed the GOP president on taxing imports from China and on rapprochement with North Korea.

"Everybody already knows that China has been dumping, and that China goes around and violates the rules of trade agreements," Scalise said. "The fact that he's actually saying we're not going to take this anymore, I think that's a good sign.

"Ultimately, you don't want to see a trade war. But if you see that the president is standing up for our country, I think that's going to help us with other trade deals."

Trump is scheduled to meet North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, in an unprecedented summit June 12 in Singapore. When asked to define a successful summit, Scalise said it's establishing relationships between the United States and North Korea and between North Korea and South Korea, and taking steps toward removing nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula.

Trump says North Korea summit back on as scheduled

"I don't think he has to walk away with all the nukes in a cargo plane, but let's at least see some movement toward denuclearization in a way for us to verify that," Scalise said.

Scalise also discussed the competition to succeed House Speaker Paul Ryan and immigration legislation. See Fox Business' full interview.

. . . . . . .

Drew Broach covers Jefferson Parish politics and Louisiana interests in Congress, plus other odds and ends, for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: dbroach@nola.com. Facebook: Drew Broach TP. Twitter: drewbroach1. Google+: Drew Broach.Raymond Griffin left Louisiana for Colorado in 2010, his charter fishing business all but sunk by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and a couple of hurricanes. By the time he found his way home in April 2017, the self-proclaimed "lost Cajun" had transformed a hole-in-the-wall gumbo shop near Breckenridge into a rapidly-growing national restaurant chain that is soon to open its first location in the New Orleans area.

The Lost Cajun, which serves gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, etouffee, beignets and other such Louisiana fare, will open its doors in Slidell's Fremaux Town Center in July and there are plans to establish a location in western St. Tammany Parish by the end of the year, Griffin said. The restaurant chain has also moved its corporate headquarters to Covington.

The Slidell restaurant will take over the space in the Fremaux Center previously occupied by Felipe's Mexican Taqueria, which closed in October of 2017 in order to focus efforts on its New Orleans and Florida markets.

The Lost Cajun chain currently has 17 restaurants, including eight in Colorado, seven Texas and one each in Tennessee and South Carolina. Griffin said seven more are due to open this summer, including the Slidell location.

"This is just one of those amazing things that has really taken off," said Griffin, who learned to cook Cajun food while operating a fishing lodge in Barataria.

Griffin said Lost Cajun establishments are casual, family-friendly restaurants that aim to make guests feel like they are having dinner at a friend's house. There are no white tablecloths. Patrons sit at handmade wooden tables and food is served in baskets lined with paper.

"I tell people all the time, my food ain't pretty, it just tastes good," Griffin said.

The restaurant franchise is known for its "sample paddle boards" that provide newcomers with small portions of signature gumbos, etouffee and bisque.

Griffin said he ran a fishing lodge in Barataria for a number of years before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the BP oil spill made things extremely difficult for this business. At the same time. his late wife Belinda was battling breast cancer.

St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Having been worn out by the string of setbacks, the couple decided to pull up stakes. Griffin sold the fishing lodge and they moved to Colorado at the behest of his wife, who wanted to live in the mountains "to be closer to God."

Soon after arriving in Frisco, Colo., about 10 miles northwest of Breckenridge, the Griffins went in search of some Louisiana food. Finding none, Belinda said, "It's a shame that a couple of lost Cajuns can't find home food." A light went off and Griffin decided to put his hospitality and Cajun cooking skills to use in the restaurant business.

The first Lost Cajun restaurant opened in Frisco in October of 2010, occupying a 850-square-foot building with 20 seats and bringing a taste of Louisiana culture to ski country. In 2012, the year that Belinda Griffin died, Raymond Griffin's best friend and fishing buddy Jon Espey joined him to open a Lost Cajun in Breckenridge. By 2013, the franchising effort began.

Griffin said he's amazed at how many Louisiana ex-patriots live in the cities where Lost Cajuns have opened, many venturing in for a taste of home. "They seek us out. Maybe they come in expecting to be disappointed, but they aren't."

The company decided to move its headquarters, which employs three people, to Covington because many of the companies that supply the chain with its products and spices are located in south Louisiana, said Griffin, who moved his residence to Eden Isle last year.

When a friend first approached Griffin about locating a Lost Cajun restaurant in Slidell, the founder's reaction was anything but enthusiastic. "I felt like we never wanted to open a Cajun restaurant in the area. There's such good food here."

But after studying the Slidell market, Griffin said he came to believe that locals would welcome the unique Cajun dining option - a laid back eating experience with a Zydeco music soundtrack.

The Slidell location will be operated by Keith and Carolyn Williams, who eventually plan to open additional locations in the Mandeville/Covington area. Griffin said a location in downtown New Orleans is also being considered.

"I can't compete with the great restaurants of New Orleans," said Griffin who considers himself a Cajun cook, not a chef. "But I know that with a name like the Lost Cajun, tourists will flock there."The Mandeville-area's Fire District 4 has been given a Class 1 rating, becoming the first in the parish and one of six statewide holding the top distinction, the fire department announced Monday (June 4).

The rating from the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana, on which homeowners' fire insurance premiums are based, takes effect July 9, the department said in a news release. The department improved from a Class 2 rating.

"This incredible honor is something to be proud of and could not have been achieved without the hard work of each and every employee of the district," the release said.

"It's an accomplishment by everybody," Fire Chief Kenneth Moore said.

The insurance association - a private, non-profit organization made up of all insurance companies licensed to write property coverages in the state - rates fire departments on a 1-to-10 scale, with 1 being the best.

St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The ratings are based on three main categories: fire department operations (50%), water supply (40%), and communications (10%), said Jeremy Windom, public information officer for Fire District 4. Fire departments are rated based on their overall performance in each category, he said.

The other departments in the state with a Class 1 rating are: Jefferson Parish Eastbank Consolidated Fire Department, Baton Rouge Fire Department, Shreveport Fire Department, Monroe Fire Department and West Monroe Fire Department.

Fire District 4 covers 70 square miles from the Tchefuncte River to an area east of Mandeville near Lacombe, and from Lake Pontchartrain to Louisiana 36 near Abita Springs. The department has four stations and about 110 assigned to fire suppression, Windom said.

The department encouraged homeowners and business owners to contact their insurance companies to advise them of the new rating for a possible decrease in premiums.Eight months after Hurricane Katrina had mauled New Orleans with a storm surge that overwhelmed the federal levees and deluged the city, President George W. Bush was in south Louisiana on April 4, 2006, to pound a few nails at a reconstruction site in the 9th Ward and repeat his plea for Congress to approve additional money for housing and flood protection in the state.

Bush also used the occasion to highlight the city's fragile recovery efforts and to urge more volunteers to join the battle.

"The leaders down here tell me they could use 2,500 more volunteers," Bush said. "Well, if you're interested in helping the victims of Katrina, if you want to help them get back on their feet, then come on down to New Orleans. It's a chance to give something back to your country too."

Although it was Bush's 10th visit to south Louisiana since Katrina had made landfall, it is important to note that he was still being harshly criticized for his administration's initial response to the disaster that had left thousands stranded on rooftops, along roadways, in their homes, hospitals and in ill-equipped shelters. Many lacked access to food, shelter and medical care for days.

Noting that many of those victims were poor and black, American rapper, songwriter and record producer Kanye West had famously pronounced that, "George Bush doesn't care about black people."

So what are we to make of the fact that a little more than eight months after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, leveling 70,000 homes and leaving 3.3 million people without power or water, that very few people -- and certainly not President Donald Trump -- seem to care about a disaster that is worse than even imagined.

A study last week by researchers from Harvard and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center calculated that 4,645 people may have died as a result of the storm, a 70-fold increase from the official total of 64. The number is not an actual count, but it's safe to say that the number will be much higher than the current estimate.

That extreme disconnect from reality may have, in fact, played into the lack of attention that Puerto Rico has received as the Trump administration sought to downplay the disaster.

"We've saved a lot of lives," he said during his one visit to Puerto Rico in October. "If you look at the -- every death is a horror. But if you look at a real catastrophe like Katrina, and you look at the tremendous -- hundred and hundred and hundreds of people that died. And you look at what happened here with really a storm that was totally overpowering. Nobody's ever seen anything like this. And what is your death count at this point, 17?"

The confirmed number of deaths at that point, a week after the storm hit the island, was actually 16. The estimate for Katrina is 1,833, not that we want to get into macabre comparisons. Katrina was a "real catastrophe" and so was Maria.

And Katrina survivors well remember the exasperatingly slow recovery, the tangle of bureaucratic red tape, the debate over who gets to rebuild and where and the fear that things would never return to normal, especially as another hurricane season had just begun.

Things are the same in Puerto Rico, where some are fleeing the island and others are struggling with sporadic and incomplete services and essentials.

A significant portion of the island -- at least 11,000 customers -- are still without power, which has been a royal calamity made worse by difficult logistics and an inadequate government contract. More than 1.4 million homes and businesses across the island lost electricity in April when workers removing a fallen tower hit a high transmission line.

Trump's only visit to Puerto Rico was for about four hours on Oct. 3, 2017. A week later he seemed to suggest that it was time for the federal government to pull out, tweeting "... We cannot keep FEMA, the Military & the First Responders, who have been amazing (under the most difficult circumstances) in P.R. forever!"

No one knows better than Katrina survivors how long it takes to recover and rebuild after something like Maria. The city, the state and the people of this nation -- including thousands of volunteers over the years -- would not let that happen.

We should not let it happen to Puerto Rico. This cannot become the new normal for how this nation responds to natural disasters.

Tim Morris is an opinions columnist at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. He can be reached at tmorris@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter @tmorris504.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.Miss America is ending the swimsuit and evening gown portions of its competition, the organization announced Tuesday morning (June 5). Contestants now will be judged on "who you are as a person from the inside of your soul," according to reports.

"We are no longer a pageant," Miss America chairwoman Gretchen Carlson said on "Good Morning America." "We are a competition."

Miss America 2018 Cara Mund added on Twitter, "We're changing out of our swimsuits and into a whole new era #byebyebikini #missamerica2019"

Instead of the swimsuit segment, contestants will do a live interactive session with the judges, according to ABC News.

Instead of the evening gowns, contestants will wear attire that "makes them feel confident, expresses their personal style and shows how they hope to advance the role of Miss America," ABC reported.

"Who doesn't want to be empowered, learn leadership skills and pay for college and be able to show the world who you are as a person from the inside of your soul?" Carlson told ABC. "That's what we're judging them on now."

On Tuesday, MissAmerica.org and its social media accounts were promoting "Miss America 2.0," with the tagline, "New show. New experience."

The changes start this year, with Miss America airing live on ABC on Sept. 9.

The Miss America pageant is run by a non-profit organization in New Jersey. It differs from Miss USA, a competing pageant once owned by Donald Trump. He later sold it to WME/IMG.

Like Miss America, the Miss USA pageant has historically featured swimsuit and evening gown presentations, along with an onstage interview question and a longer interview during preliminaries. The difference? Miss America also has contestants present a talent, like singing, dancing or playing an instrument.

--

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune reporter Chelsea Brasted contributed to this story.

Carlie Kollath Wells is a morning reporter at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Have an early-bird tip? Send it to her: cwells@nola.com or Twitter @carlie_kollath.Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 74F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds light and variable.Privacy Policy

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Mytel is the fourth telecom operator, the three other operators being Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications with 42% of market share, Norways Teleenor with 35% and Qatars Ooredoo with 23%.





The infrastructure and services provided by Mytel exactly reflect the motto D-A-T-A, standing for D-igital & new services, A-dvanced technology, T-rustworthy, A-ffordable & various services.

It is projected to invest more than 7,000 4G base transceiver stations (BTSs) and over 30,000km of fiber cable in the very first year of operation, thus becoming the first and only mobile network in Myanmar to provide 4G service nationwide.

Meanwhile, big cities are choices for other service providers, then expanding to smaller ones and rural areas as well.

In the first period, Mytel will provide calling and texting at 50% of current rates and data at 37% less than market rates. Calling will be billed in 1-second blocks instead of 15 or 20-second blocks.

On this occasion, it offers the Mite Tal (meaning super cool in Burmese) strategic fee package. For 4,000 Myanmarese Kyat (around USD3), subscribers will get 5GB and 250 minutes of calling within the Mytel network in 30 days; 1.5 GB and 150 minutes in three months plus 100% bonus on top-up value every day and calling rates billed in 1-second blocks after the free calls are used up.

Major General Le Dang Dung, Viettels Deputy General Director, said while Myanmar has experienced rapid economic growth, mobile phone density in the country has remained low, creating opportunities for the telecommunications sector in general and Viettel in particular.

We aim to have at least 2 -3 million subscribers by the end of 2018 he said.

Mytel is the brand name of Telecom International Myanmar - a joint venture between Viettel Global, a Viettel subsidiary, and its two partners in Myanmar, Star High Public Company and Myanmar National Telecom Holding Public (MNTH). It has a total investment capital of USD1.5 billion, accounting for up to 66% of Vietnamese-registered capital into Myanmar.

With the project, the nation jumped from the 10th to 7th position among 49 countries and territories investing in Myanmar, and is the second largest ASEAN investor in the country (by June 2018).

In only three years of opening its economy, from having the lowest mobile phone usage rate in the world (higher only than the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea), Myanmar has experienced a stunning growth in per capita mobile phone SIM usage from 10% to 90%. The total number of subscribers has risen from 600,000 to over 16 million.

According to the International Monetary Fund, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar could increase its economys scale four-fold to USD200 billion by 2030.

For finance, banking, energy, telecommunications, and IT sectors, foreign investors also have the most opportunities in both market potential and human resources./.Representatives of businesses speaking at the event (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the conference, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh affirmed that Vietnam-Cambodia relations are developing well in many fields, including economics, trade and culture.

Vietnamese entrepreneurs in Cambodia are an important bridge in strengthening the traditional friendship between the two countries, greatly contributing to creating jobs and the development of the country.

In addition, Vietnamese businesses have also positively contributed to the development of the homeland and as a bridge to connect with domestic businesses.

The ambassador said that conference shows the attention of the government of Vietnam for its entrepreneurs in Cambodia. Moreover, this was also an opportunity for the entrepreneurs to contribute their ideas to help build a support policy and gather Vietnamese businesses in Cambodia to operate more effectively in the coming time.

In fact, over the past time, the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economics and trade has gained outstanding achievements. Vietnam ranks 6th among countries investing in Cambodia, with significant presence in the fields of agriculture, service, banking, insurance and consumer goods production.

The conference also recognized advantages and disadvantages of the businesses in investment, development and desired that through the embassy, the difficulties they are facing will be soon solved by ministries and sectors of the two countries, so businesses will be confident to continue to invest in Cambodia./.YUNUS MAS MASABA is a young man on a mission. At just 28 years, he has rubbed shoulders with several high-profile business and inspirational personalities. Most importantly, he has achieved so much as an entrepreneur, motivational speaker and mentor. Moses Mugalu tracks down his inspirational story.

Mas, as he is commonly known, is the founder and chief executive officer of Mas group of companies. He has set the path for success in GPS tracking security services in Uganda. Previously, this sector was a preserve of foreign firms, especially from South Africa and Europe.

Yunus 'Mas' Masaba

But through his company, TRACK24 Ltd, which he founded two years ago, Masaba has hit the ground running. Using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology, Masaba assembled a team of telecom engineers and programmers, who developed Track24, a mobile tracking application. The app is compressed in small devices, which can be installed on any mobile assets and merchandise.

In the era of increased car, motorcycle (boda bodas) and electronics theft, Track24 has come in handy. Once an individual installs Track24 device, they will be able to monitor movement and location of their car, boda boda and even assets such as parcels.

Masaba says Track24 has also become one of the most sought-after security systems on the local market because of its fuel monitoring facility. For instance, transporters use the app to monitor their drivers against stealing fuel.

By connecting a GPS tracker to onboard computer or installing fuel level sensor in the fuel tank, vehicle owner can identify drivers who waste and steal company fuel. The solution generates a detailed report and sends an email or SMS to the owner.

In case a driver attempts to tamper with the tracking device, the system detects and notifies the owner. Compared to the market rates, Track24 systems are affordable. They range from Shs 150,000 to Shs 300,000 per unit for a boda boda and car respectively.

In the last two years, more than 1,200 clients, mostly boda boda riders, have installed Track24 devices.

Passionate

TRACK24 is one of Masabas five companies under the Mas Group. Masaba, who started out in business while still a student, has been outstanding in his endeavours and passionate about challenging the status quo in society for the past eight years.

I always believe I will win, says the 28-year-old, who studied economics at Makerere University and added an ordinary diploma in Law at the Law Development Centre.

If we went to war and I was the army commander, I would burn my armys boats. That way they would know its a do-or-die mission, he adds.

Masaba (R) shares a light moment with employees

His other ventures are in renewable energy with Khainza Energy, which has been recognised globally for its efforts in production and packaging of biogas for low-income earners as a substitute to firewood and charcoal. Khainza Energy was named among the top 50 companies in Africa by the African Entrepreneurship Award 2017 held in Morocco where it was among the finalists in the awards.

He has also consulted for both local and international companies seeking penetration in new markets in Uganda under his consultancy firm Mas Consults & Associates. He is passionate about entrepreneurship and women involvement in economic growth.

Named the Young Employer of the Year in 2014 by the Federation of Uganda Employers during the Employer of the Year awards gala, Masaba has gone on to inspire youths that anything is possible and passion plus determination are what have kept him focused.

His business conglomerate Mas Group was named the Gold Winner of the SME category for the Employer of the Year awards in 2015 organised by the Federation of Uganda Employers.

In 2015, Masaba was among the five entrepreneurs chosen to represent Uganda at the 6th Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Kenya, which was attended by the president of the United States of America, Barack Obama, Us artiste Akon and many other high-profile business captains.

However, all has not been a bed of roses for Masaba. In 2015, he founded an online portal, YoSupermarket.com, in an attempt to provide delivery services for e-commerce businesses. It folded last year due to stiff competition and expensive data costs.

To share story at UK Diaspora investment forum

He will share his journey of entrepreneurship achievement at the Ugandan United Kingdom Diaspora-organized investment convention on September 15 at the Troxy, Commercial road, London.

The annual forum attracts more than 1,000 delegates, who include private business owners in Uganda and the United Kingdom as well as government officials from either country.

Event organizer Willy Mutenza says the convention is designed specifically to promote bilateral trade between the UK and the diaspora with Uganda and facilitate foreign direct investment in Uganda.

It also provides a platform for businesses to expand into new markets and promote British businesses exporting to Uganda.

Masaba will not only be inspiring especially young Ugandans in the UK but also give an insight on how to successfully run a business in Uganda with all the hurdles. He will share tips, challenges and the no-go areas.

mugalu@observer.ugInjured member of parliament for Youth in northern Uganda has been airlifted to International Hospital Kampala (IHK) for further treatment.



Oscar Omony and his wife Denise Atimango were airlifted from the military airbase in Gulu yesterday at around 5:22p.m. The couple who had earlier sought treatment at Gulu Independent Hospital, sustained fractured legs following a nasty afternoon motor accident at Palenga bridge in Palenga town council in Omoro district along the Gulu-Kampala highway.

Wreckage of MP Omony's car after the accident

At the time of the transfer, Omony was wearing a cervical collar but medics said he was out of danger. Omony said he had serious pains in the neck and chest. They were traveling from Gulu to Kampala in a Mitsubishi car registration number UAW 260Q at the time of the accident.

It is alleged that they were involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle registration number UAR 436Y belonging to Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra). Maj. Gen Charles Otema Awany, Omony's father declined to speak to press from the military airbase where members of his family and relatives had gathered.



Christopher Okot, Omony's driver remains hospitalized in Gulu Independent Hospital. He could not be transferred by plane due to over bleeding after he sustained multiple fracture to his legs. A maid identified only as Joyce aged 17 was also injured during the accident while three-month old Esther Litesi, Omony's daughter escaped unhurt.



Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak South member of parliament told the press that Omony had a head-on collision with a double cabin pickup belonging to Unra which had veered off towards the legislator's side. The pickup vehicle was traveling to Moyo district via Gulu with five people on board.



Patrick Jimmy Okema, the Police spokesperson for Aswa River Region identified the occupants of the pick up as Godfrey Ojok, Denis Jagenda, Silver Osimai, Patrick Omara and John Rogers Matovu. They are receiving treatment in St. Mary's Hospital Lacor and their conditions remain unclear.



Last week Charles Angiro Gutumoi, the Erute North MP was injured at Karuma township while traveling to Kampala in his official motorcar. About two weeks ago 23 people lost their lives in a Gaagaa bus accident in Kiryandongo.Government is set to borrow $200 million (about Shs 758bn) from the World Bank in the next financial year to renovate health centre IIIs and improve facilities in government schools across the country.



State minister for Finance and Planning, David Bahati disclosed this during a visit by ministry of Finance officials at the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital Naguru in Kampala.





Bahati explained that the money will be used to supplement the budget of ministry of Health for the next three years. The Health ministry is set to bag Shs 2.3 trillion in the 2018/2019 financial year compared to Shs 1.8 trillion allocated this financial year.



Health centre IIIs are part of the government's referral health system. Every sub-county is expected to host one HCIII led by a senior clinical officer backed by 17 medical workers.



They run outpatient clinics, maternity ward and laboratory. According to Bahati, government will use part of the money to improve facilities in government funded secondary schoolsOrdering a bag of herbal tea on the internet sounds harmless enough, but, as one young Russian man learned a couple of years ago, it can sometimes land you in prison for a very long time.

Alexei Novikovs incredibly sad story began in September of 2015. The 34-year-old man was going to pick up his wife and daughter, who were living in Russias Samara region at the time, and decided to hitchhike instead of taking the bus. To cut his trip short, Novikov decided to cut through neighboring Kazakhstan, and in order to avoid any unnecessary trouble, he headed to the Isikul Road border post. Once there, he asked the border guards if he could cross the border on foot, but before answering him, they demanded that he present his backpack for inspection. And thats when everything started going downhill for Novikov.

Photo: Rilke/Wikimedia Commons

While searching through the backpack, the border guards found a plastic bag labeled Diabetisan containing a blend of different dried plants. Alexei explained that as both the name of the product suggested, this was an all-natural herbal tea for the prevention of diabetes. The bag even featured a description in Spanish, which read six unique herbs for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, and the man even encouraged the suspicious guards to brew some and try it for themselves. They didnt take him up on his offer. Instead, they called a cynologist and a sniffer dog.

Not having smelled anything dubious in the bag, the Cocker Spaniel turned away indifferently from the tea. The border guards didnt write this in their report, but the surveillance footage later requested by Novikovs lawyer clearly showed that the dog did not detect any narcotics.

Alexei Novikov was allowed to cross the border, but the bag containing a dark green substance of vegetable origin with a characteristic smell of mint tea (as noted in the report) was confiscated in the presence of a witness. The 34-year-old did not object, but tried to explain that he had imported the tea from Peru as a health supplement. That didnt seem to interest anyone, but at least he was free to go. Unfortunately, that was not the end of it.

Photo via Radio Liberty

Three months after the border crossing incident, Alexei Novikov was put on Russias criminal wanted list, and on January 29, 2016, he was detained, charged with illegal acquisition of narcotic drugs as well as drug smuggling and taken 800 km away from his home to a maximum security detention center. In November of 2016, Novikov was sentenced to 10 years and one month in a strict regime prison colony.

Alexeis lawyer claims that the case is a disgrace to the Russian justice system, and claims that there is clear proof that the prosecution presented forged evidence in court. For example, the tag used to seal the bag seized from his client was not the one presented in court  the first had the signature of the senior officer present at the border crossing at the time of the confiscation, while the one examined by a state expert is signed by another officer, who had finished his shift before Alexei arrived at the border post.

Furthermore, the bag presented in court did not feature the aforementioned Spanish description of the contents, and in the report of the border guard who inspected Alexeis backpack, the line dark green substance with a mint smell was replaced with a brown substance with a sharp, specific smell.

Photo via Radio Liberty

Andrei Vlasov, Novikovs lawyer, claims that Judge Beloborodov from the Isilkul Town Court didnt even consider all this proof of evidence tampering, and since the experts report concluded that the confiscated substance tested positive for synthetic cannabinoids also known as Spice, she convicted Alexei to over a decade in prison.

Despite all the issues highlighted by Novikovs lawyer in court, he has been rotting in prison ever since the judges verdict. His lawyer appealed to higher courts, and produced even more proof of faulty evidence from the prosecution, including the narcotic experts report.

The expert did not substantiate why he referred the substance to narcotics  there are no descriptions, graphs, no references to scientific data, although the federal law requires that the experts conclusions be scientific, repeatable, verifiable. In addition, the study was conducted on unchecked equipment  there is no information that the gas chromatograph, used by the expert, passed, as it should, an annual check. I insist that this is not an expert conclusion, but speculation that the court did not check, Yulia Kopeikina, a lawyer working with Vlasov, told Novaya Gazeta.

Photo via Novaya Gazeta

How could Novikov know or suppose that there are narcotic substances in the tea that he bought on the Internet? He did not hide from the border guards, and he went to the checkpoint by naivety, and did not try to hide the package, kept it in a backpack in a conspicuous place and showed it at the first request, lawyer Sergei Eremin added. The article on which he was convicted suggests direct intent, and if he is not, then there can be no crime. Both the city court of Isilkul and the Omsk regional court violated the fundamental principle of a civilized state  the presumption of innocence.

Last month, Alexeis lawyer managed to get his case reviewed by another panel of judges, who dismissed the charge of acquisition of narcotic drugs but maintained that of smuggling of drugs. They decided to leave the accuseds prison sentence unchanged  10 years and one month.

Alexei Novikovs case has become a central focus of Russian human rights activists who have vowed to seek a repeal and file another complaint to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.

Photo: Jubair1985/Wikimedia Commons

In the meantime, Novikov is stuck in prison, his wife has been stripped of parental rights and their daughter is now in the care of her grandmother. So the next time youre in Russia and happen to be carrying anything that could draw the attention of customs or border officers, maybe just throw it away, just to be sure

Sources: Radio Liberty, Novaya Gazeta, Om1Lawyers are all over the media these days, many of them clearly there for the purpose of pushing a PR agenda on behalf of some client.

There is widespread agreement, for example, that Rudy Giuliani isnt acting as the presidents lawyer so much as his flack, pursuing political and public relations strategies instead of a legal one, trying to influence public opinion rather than building a coherent case.

Other high-profile clients in crisis have taken on PR advisors, either because their lawyers have bungled communications tasks or simply because the job has gotten too large and complex for a law firm to handle.

A recent profile of crisis PR maven Michael Sitrick in the June 2 New York Times illustrates this trend. According to the Times, prominent lawyers turn to the Sitrick firm when the crisis roulette ball hits their number.

While noting that high-profile clients such as Harvey Weinstein comprise only about 10 percent of Sitricks crises business, the Times article makes this statement:

One advantage to being retained by lawyers for a client rather than by the client himself is that Mr. Sitrick is technically a member of the legal team, and therefore protected by attorney-client privilege. And though he is not a lawyer, Mr. Sitrick views himself as a litigator in the court of public opinion.

Taken at face value, this description might cause some PR practitioners to think: Okay, Im on the legal teama litigator. So Im protected. Cool! 

They would do so at their peril. Court rulings on attorney-client privilege (hereinafter known as ACP) for PR advice are all over the place, with judges making opposite rulings within six months of each other.

Nevertheless, there is a consistent principle that emerges from commentary on the case law: There must be a clear, fact-based connection between PR advice and legal strategy, demonstrating that an attorney is relying on the PR firm in order to give legal advice, just as he or she might rely on a jury consultant or a CPA.

In the Big Tobacco litigation of more than two decades ago, courts held that only discussions of legal matters were shielded by the ACP.

Lawyers (or non-lawyers) giving advice about strictly PR matters were not protected. Nor were discussions about PR in which an attorney was merely present.

It is worth noting that on June 4, according to Reuters, Barbara Jones, the court-appointed special master reviewing the documents [seized from Trump lawyer Michael Cohen], said in the filing in Manhattan federal court that out of 291,770 items found on two phones and an iPad, she agreed with lawyers for Cohen, Trump or the Trump Organization that 148 were privileged.

Jones said that out of 639 items found in eight boxes of hard-copy materials, she agreed that 14 were privileged," Reuters reported.

That is a tiny fraction, and Michael Cohen is a lawyer. Can a PR person expect better?

This means that if a client asks what you think of the media coverage so far, or about a particular publication or reporter (as a certain tangerine-topped resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is wont to do), dont expect your answer to be protected by ACP.

Obviously, crisis communication is full of unforeseen complexities, heightened by the pressure cooker of breaking news. You will need to keep your wits about you and act quickly.

If you are asked by a law firm to contract with them to represent a client, what should you do?

First, gather all the research you can on the client and the situation. If necessary, ask to meet with the client so you can see whom you are dealing with. If the law firm says NO, walk away.

Second, obtain a written agreement specifying exactly what you will do, with emphasis on facilitating legal strategy. The agreement should also cover reporting relationships, communications with the law firm and the client, and sharing confidential information. Ask if they will indemnify you against actions arising from the engagement. If they give a flat NO, walk away.

Next, consult a qualified attorney of your own choosing about the agreement and ask for an assessment of potential pitfalls and liability.

Finally, send a bill to the law firm for a large retainer, and continue to send bills regularly to establish that you are working with them.

This sort of crisis work can be a stimulating professional challenge, and you can learn a lot from working on issues with a top-drawer law firm. It can also be a giant pain in the neck and expose you to liabilities and expenses you never dreamed possible.

Go into it with your eyes open and your judgment sharp, and remember the old adage: If you sleep with dogs, . . . .

***

Bill Huey is president of Strategic Communications, a corporate communications and marketing consultancy, and author of "Carbon Man," a novel about greed.The Japanese Embassy hired all-Republican CGCN Group to provide strategic counsel, arrange introductions to members of Congress/administration and to conduct intelligence gathering in the nation's capital.

President Trump's tariffs and overtures to North Korea have strained US-Japan relations.

The Japanese finance minister Taro Aso on June 1 blasted the US tariffs on steel and aluminum as "deeply deplorable."

Prime minister Shinzo Abe worries that Trump may cut a face-saving deal with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un that could ban missiles that could hit the US but leave in place those that threaten Japan.

The South China Morning Post reported June 4 that once-staunch US ally Japan feels "sidelined" by Trump's focus on dealing with North Korea, its long-time foe.

CGCN, according to Politico, has built a "reputation for knowing how to talk to party hardliners who used to be called insurgents, but now, in Trump's Washington, are ascendant."

Its heavyweight line-up includes founder Steve Clark (former VP-government affairs at Ameritech regional phone company), Sam Gedulig (ex-aide to John Boehner before he rose to House Speaker), Juliane Sullivan (policy director for former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay) and Ken Spain (one-time corporate and external affairs chief at Koch Industries).

CGCN's one-year Japan pact is worth $164K.Black Skinhead: Vic Mensa And The Distortion Of The Skinhead Subculture Elijah C. Watson Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When

Vic Mensas black skinhead look is a reminder of the subcultures true origins.

Black skinhead. Aside from being the name of a 2013 Kanye West song, the phrase has been perceived as oxymoronic. A pairing of words that arguably dont belong together, considering the latters association with white supremacists and neo-Nazis.

This association wasnt always like this. The skinhead subculture was born out of racial unity, a term used to describe a group of people brought together by fashion and music in London, England in the 1960s. But the subculture transformed into something entirely different following its inception, so much so that the skinhead aesthetic  short hair, boots, a white t-shirt, jeans, and suspenders  became synonymous with white nationalist values.

Vic Mensa hit the stage in New York last night with a fresh cut after removing his dreads pic.twitter.com/fVYUzb190e  XXL Magazine (@XXL) June 3, 2018

Recently, a picture of Vic Mensa performing live at New York Citys Bowery Ballroom began to circulate on Twitter, with a number of fans comparing his appearance to American History Xs Derek Vinyard (famously portrayed by Edward Norton). In the film, Norton is a neo-Nazi skinhead whose violent acts against black people land him in prison and contribute to his younger brothers death.

Nah mensa hit the stage and look like Derek from American history x pic.twitter.com/FrKK6AjtBV  Darrius (@Darrius_Lamarr) June 4, 2018

https://twitter.com/SpacemanTheJinn/status/1003742895738966021

The black skinhead aesthetic isnt new for Mensa. Last year, he practically wore the same wardrobe seen in the photo for his OMG video. Theres also an old Instagram post from the video shoot captioned with Black Skinhead. However, the comparisons to Norton came with this picture, most likely because of Mensas newfound build and bald head.

black skinhead A post shared by VALENTINO (@vicmensa) on Jun 30, 2017 at 11:24am PDT

But its fascinating to note just how synonymous the aesthetic and the term skinhead has become with white supremacy, considering both have its origins in black culture.

The skinhead subculture was originally tied to working-class youths in London, England in the 1960s. Considered the first wave, this iteration of the movement was an offshoot of another youth subculture called mod. Skinheads were categorized as such because of their close-cropped or bald heads, but their fashion was inspired by mod as well as the Jamaican rude boy subculture.

Jamaica has a storied history with the United Kingdom, the island country serving as a British colony between 1655 and 1962. Following World War II, a mass migration of Jamaicans to the UK occurred, with many of them filling up vacant jobs throughout the country. Along with sharing the same jobs with British people, Jamaican immigrants also inhabited the same working-class and poor neighborhoods as them. Being in such close proximity to each other the rude boy and skinhead youth subcultures were bound to converge.

Black Jamaicans brought with them music such as dub, ska, rocksteady, and reggae, as well as fashion items such as striped suits, thin ties, and pork pie or Trilby hats  both of which were a part of the rude boy subculture that rose to prominence in Kingston, Jamaica, in the early 1960s. A name used to describe rebellious and violent youth frustrated with poverty and inequality throughout Jamaican shantytowns, rude boys became an integral part of the skinhead subculture.

The look of the skinhead was as cool as it was intimidating. The work boots, straight-leg jeans, trousers, suspenders, and button-down shirts a practical clothing style that reflected their economic circumstance.

The clean-cut, neatly pressed delinquent look owed at least as much to the rude boys as it did to the formalized and very hard stereotypes of the white lumpen males, Dick Hebdige wrote in his 1979 book Subculture: The Meaning of Style.  through consorting with the West Indians at the local youth clubs and on the street corners, by copying their mannerisms, adopting their curses, dancing to their music

In his 2016 BBC Documentary The Story of Skinhead, Don Letts  a black Jamaican  explored the relationship between the two, with skinheads acknowledging how influential the rude boys subculture was.

It was unique and it was a bond we had with our black friends, Tony Haddow said. It was something we could all share in. I mean even what we were wearing  the trousers up high and things like that  that all came from Jamaica I would say rather than the state.

As the skinhead subculture rose to prominence, Jamaican artists created a new genre dedicated solely to the group  skinhead reggae. Desmond Dekker, the Skatalites, Symarip  these artists and bands catered to the British and Jamaican skinhead alliance. However, with skinheads rise came its commodification. The subculture was mutating into a trend as well as a tactic to enlist white youth into far-right political groups.

Throughout the 1970s, groups such as the National Front and the British Movement took advantage of disaffected youth, using them to promote their fascist ideology.

We were trying to think about race wars, Joseph Pearce, a former National Front member, said in The Story of Skinhead. Our job was to basically disrupt the multicultural society, the multi-racial society, and make it unworkable.

[Our goal was to] make the various different groups hate each other to such a degree that they couldnt live together, Pearce added. And when they couldnt live together you end up with that ghettoized, radicalized society from which we hoped to rise like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes.

The politicization of the skinhead subculture as well as its adoption in the burgeoning punk scene distorted it from its roots even further. By the late 1970s, the general public had come to view the skinhead subculture as how its perceived today across the world  a group that promotes racism and neo-Nazism.

Although this doesnt seem to be Mensas intent to shed light on the origins of the skinhead subculture, its a way to highlight how this groups multicultural roots were appropriated into something entirely different. Aside from the viral wardrobe, the artist wore another outfit reminiscent of the subcultures early beginnings.

 A post shared by VALENTINO (@vicmensa) on May 28, 2018 at 11:08am PDT

The striped outfit, the tie  the button on his right is even a direct nod to the rude boy subcultures influence on the skinhead aesthetic, with the item reading Rude Boy in all caps.

Mensa has always utilized punk signifiers throughout his career. However, its this most recent iteration that has gained the most attention because of its association with skinhead subculture. But its important to note that what Mensa might be doing  whether intentional or not  is a form of reclaiming. A reminder  and introduction  to an aesthetic that didnt originally belong to violent white nationalists, but working-class British and Jamaican people celebrating each others culture.Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (R) in Pretoria, South Africa, June 3, 2018. China and South Africa on Sunday agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in face of a complex and changing international landscape. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

PRETORIA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- China and South Africa on Sunday agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in face of a complex and changing international landscape.

During a meeting with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country has always viewed its relations with China from a strategic perspective and expects to further strengthen bilateral cooperation under the current complex and changing international circumstances.

For his part, Wang said that at a time when socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era and South Africa's national development has entered a new stage, China-South Africa relations are presented with a historic opportunity that is inheriting the past and ushering in the future.

The two sides should strengthen coordination, enhance strategic mutual trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, Wang said.

Faced with an international landscape that is undergoing complicated changes, their comprehensive strategic partnership should not only safeguard the common interests of the two countries and those of developing countries at large, but also strive to be more pragmatic, more effective and to bring more benefits to the people, said the Chinese state councilor.

Wang stressed that China firmly supports South Africa in its endeavor to grow and become stronger, which is not only in line with South Africa's interests, but also will be conducive to the strengthening of the power of developing countries at large.

During their meeting, Ramaphosa asked Wang to convey his warm greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying that the whole country welcomes President Xi to come to South Africa in July to attend the BRICS Summit and pay a state visit to the country.

It is believed that the visit will surely be successful and provide a new opportunity for and inject strong impetus into the deepening of South Africa-China comprehensive strategic partnership, said Ramaphosa.

South Africa will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China policy, said Ramaphosa, adding that he is pleased his country will be the only guest of honor from Africa at the China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai in November.

Wang conveyed President Xi's warm greetings to President Ramaphosa, noting that this year is of great significance in China-South Africa relations and China-Africa cooperation.

Wang said the two sides should take President Xi's visit to South Africa and President Ramaphosa's visit to China as an opportunity, and support each other in ensuring the success of the BRICS Summit hosted by South Africa and the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) hosted by China, in order to advance China-South Africa relations into a new stage and lift China-Africa cooperation to a new level.

Wang also held talks with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu on Monday.

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]LONDON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Engineering group China Electronics Technology Corporation (CETC) has signed a collaboration agreement that will see it carrying out research at one of the world's best-known radio telescopes, Jodrell Bank, in Britain.

The agreement opens a new frontier for radio astronomy technology, the University of Manchester said in a statement Monday.

The university announced that CETC has entered into a collaboration agreement with the university's School of Physics &Astronomy, and School of Electronic &Electrical Engineering to focus on research and development of technologies relating to radio astronomy.

The agreement paves the way for the formation of a new joint research laboratory for Radio Astronomy Advanced Instrumentation Research (RAAIR), the announcement added.

"CETC's multi-million investment in RAAIR over the next three years will fund state-of-the-art scientific and technical research projects, researchers and international exchanges with the aim of fostering a long-term relationship with the university," said a spokesman for the University of Manchester.

Professor Tony Brown, of the Microwave and Communication Systems Group (School of EEE), was the original driving force behind the new collaboration.

The Director of the new RAAIR laboratory is Prof. Michael Garrett, Director of the Jodrell Bank Center for Astrophysics (JBCA) and Sir Bernard Lovell chair of astrophysics.

"The initiative builds on over seven decades of continuous world-leading radio astronomy technology development at Jodrell Bank," the spokesman added.

Garrett said: "We look forward to jointly developing technologies that will have a major impact on next generation radio telescope projects, including the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)".

Professor Brown said: "The RAAIR moves our collaboration to a new level and will deliver world leading research in advanced technology for radio astronomy."

The university's Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Science &Engineering, Professor Martin Schroeder welcomed the University of Manchester's commitment to closer relations with Chinese science and engineering, and said benefits have already resulted from this.

CETC is a Global Top 100 company, with over 140,000 employees. The company has a strong background in research and development, and beyond radio astronomy it has expressed interest in the coming future in broad cooperation in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data &Advance Materials.

[ Editor: WPY ]HAVANA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez met with visiting U.S. Senator Jeff Flake and Google's former CEO Eric Schmidt on Monday to discuss the setbacks in ties between the United States and the Caribbean nation.

The three had a "productive meeting" in which they discussed U.S.-Cuba relations and the negative impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's revival of Cold War-era policy, according to a statement from the ministry.

Rodriguez thanked Flake's interest in improving ties between the two countries.

Though Flake is a Republican, like Trump, the Arizona senator has traveled to Cuba on numerous occasions and supports several legislative initiatives to lift the U.S. economic embargo against the island nation and end travel restrictions on U.S. citizens who want to visit the Caribbean nation.

Also participating in the meeting were the U.S. charge d'affaires in Cuba, Philip Goldberg, and Google's senior consultant for Cuba, Brett Perlmutter.

In 2015, the United States and Cuba reestablished diplomatic relations after decades of hostility. Then U.S. President Barack Obama visited the island in 2016.

However, the White House has scaled back relations and cooperation to a minimum since Trump decided last year to revert to Washington's former foreign policy towards Cuba.

[ Editor: WPY ]Politburo member Minh made the remarks while hosting a reception for Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan in Hanoi on June 4, during which he voiced his belief that Sajjans visit would contribute significantly to enhancing Vietnam-Canada defence ties in the time ahead.

The deputy PM asked the Canadian side to further support Vietnam in training and peacekeeping, agreeing that both sides should expand collaboration in the fields of addressing post-war consequences, developing the defence industry, and improving the capabilities of maritime security forces.

Vietnam welcomes Canadas foreign policy in consolidating connections with the world and the Asia-Pacific regions, while attaching importance to facilitating relations with Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he stated.

The two sides expressed delight at the active and comprehensive developments in Vietnam-Canada ties, especially since the two countries agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership during Canadian PM Justin Trudeaus official visit to Vietnam in November 2017, when he attended the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Da Nang city.

They reached consensus on further strengthening bilateral cooperation, both regionally and internationally in the time to come, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, while pledging closer coordination in some important multilateral forums and mechanisms, such as the United Nations and APEC, and in cooperation with ASEAN and within the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Expressing his impression of Vietnams vigorous development after 30 years of Doi Moi (Reform), Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan spoke highly of Vietnams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and diversification and multilateralisation of relations, as well as its increasing position in the international arena.

Canada considers Vietnam as an important partner in the region, and wishes to foster friendly relations and long-term cooperation with Vietnam, including in defence cooperation, he said. The minister pledged Canadas continuous support for Vietnam in training and improving the capabilities of its UN peacekeeping forces.

In terms of regional and international issues, the two sides highlighted the significance of maintaining regional peace and stability, affirming their stances of supporting the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea, without using or threatening to use force, while respecting diplomatic and legal processes, in accordance with international laws, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).Drew Angerer/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein Tuesday pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges in a New York City courtroom.



Weinstein, 66, wearing dark jeans, a blazer and white shirt, answered "not guilty" in a soft voice when asked how he pleaded to the indictment by a Manhattan grand jury last week.



Weinstein was accompanied by defense attorney Benjamin Brafman and was surrounded by court officers during the brief hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court and answered a series of questions from the judge.



He intends to vigorously defend this case, Brafman said.

Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.The Government leader made the remark during a reception for Vojtech Filip, Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic and President of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM), in Hanoi on June 5.

He highlighted the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, stating that Filips visit would contribute significantly to strengthening the traditional friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Expressing his delights at the active developments of Vietnam-Czech political relations over the past few years, PM Phuc recommended both sides further their efforts to boost and expand bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation.

Vietnam will always create favourable conditions for cooperation projects with the Czech Republic, he affirmed, calling on the Czech side to promote cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of aviation and automotive manufacturing.

The PM applauded the outcomes of the recent sixth meeting of the Vietnam-Czech Inter-governmental Committee for Economic Cooperation, stating that the Vietnamese Government will work closely with the Czech Government in implementing the cooperation deals reached at the session, thus contributing to facilitating bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields off Vietnams demand and the Czech Republics strength, such as energy, mining, infrastructure, environmental protection, and food safety and hygiene.

The two sides agree to simplify visa procedures for each other's citizens. (Photo: VGP)

PM Phuc called for the Czech Republics support of Vietnams bid for a non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure, as well as the countrys comprehensive cooperative partnership with the European Union (EU), towards the prompt signing of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Vietnam is willing to support the Czech Republics efforts to enhance its ties with ASEAN and its member nations, the leader said, asking the Czech side to simplify the visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens to arrive in the country for the purpose of tourism and labour.

Speaking highly of the finely growing relations between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Parliament of the Czech Republic, PM Phuc favours the exchange of delegations between the two sides, aiming to share experience with regards to legislative and inspection activities.

For his part, Vojtech Filip called on Vietnam to promptly apply a more open visa policy towards Czech citizens, noting that the Czech side always creates favourable conditions in terms of visa procedures for Vietnamese people to travel for the studying, sight-seeing and labour purposes.

He suggested that the two sides strengthen cooperation in the areas of aviation technology and pilot training, and in the transfer of technology in operating light transport aircrafts.

The Czech side backs Vietnams candidacy for a nonpermanent membership of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure, the guest said, adding that the Czech parliament also supports and hopes for the prompt signing of the EVFTA.

He asked the Vietnamese Government to support the launching of a direct air route between the two countries, aiming to boost trade promotion, cooperation, and cultural exchange between the people and businesses of both sides.Centennial High School students won several thousand dollars to finance their food pantry and upgrade school computers in a national community service competition.

The Future Business Leaders of America chapter at Centennial High was one of 50 student teams selected as winners in the Lead2Feed Challenge. The goal was for students to demonstrate leadership by developing a service project to address a need in their community.

Centennial High's team won a $5,000 grant for a nonprofit of their choice and $1,000 for technology.

For their project, which they deemed "Hygiene for Humanity," the Centennial students compiled hygiene care packages for fellow students. They made the choice after learning there are 400 homeless students in the school district, which covers portions of East Portland and Gresham. The packages included items such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby wipes, hairbrushes and feminine pads. The group compiled the products through donations by students and community members as well as using funds they raised at a carnival.

"We created 410 care packages -- 200 for girls and 210 for boys," said Centennial High junior Makaila Susi, 17, who participated in the challenge. "We gave the care packages to staff members and counselors who requested them, and then they distributed them to the students."

The $5,000 prize will go to a nonprofit the group established in 2014 that operates a food pantry run out of a converted school bus called "Food for Families," Susi said. The bus, stationed at the high school, serves as a "market" where community members in need can pick from a selection of food with the help of volunteers. The $1,000 will be used to fix school computers or buy new ones.

"I think we were all just very shocked and humbled to win," said Susi. "We didn't really think that out of all the projects, ours would be recognized. But it's great to know that we won and that our contribution made a difference."

-- Corlyn VoorheesAt the talks, the two sides exchanged their views on global and regional issues of shared concern, reviewed their bilateral defence cooperation over the past years, and discussed the orientations and measures to bolster their defence ties in the future.

They focused on various potential cooperation fields such as training, participation in United Nations peacekeeping activities, marine security, defence industry, and military medicine.

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence welcomes Canadas continued support for the Southeast Asian nation in training and engaging in UN peacekeeping activities, Minister Lich said.

At the end of the talks, the two ministers witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the Military Training and Cooperation Programme of Canada. This memorandum is expected to help Vietnamese officers to have more chances to take part in diverse training courses in Canada.

It is considered an important development in the bilateral defence relations, creating favourable conditions for both sides to promote other potential cooperation areas.

Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan is paying an official visit to Vietnam from June 4 to 6.

The trip is significant in terms of the friendship between the Governments, armies and people of the two countries, as well as the growth of their defence ties in line with the newly established Vietnam-Canada comprehensive partnership. It is also a practical contribution to the 45th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations (August 21, 1973).Last week, the Portland City Council was considering whether to challenge the Clark County Sheriff's Office plan to release a 1992 Portland Police report on child sex abuse, in response to a public records request. At one point in debating the unusual request, City Commissioner Dan Saltzman asked City Attorney Tracy Reeve who was seeking the information.

Tellingly, she hedged. "We believe based on the information available to us" that it's the perpetrator of the sex abuse, Reeve said. Not surprisingly, the response provoked a visceral reaction. City Commissioner Amanda Fritz grimaced, noting, "that's even worse," before the council unanimously voted to challenge the record's release unless Clark County makes redactions allowed by Oregon law in addition to those under Washington state law.

That hedging? Turns out that the person seeking the report is a Multnomah County public defender, representing the perpetrator on a current charge of failing to register as a sex offender.

Oregonian editorials

Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom. Members of the editorial board are Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, Mark Katches and John Maher.

To respond to this editorial, post your comment below, submit an OpEd or a letter to the editor.

If you have questions about the opinion section, email Laura Gunderson, editorial pages editor, or call 503-221-8378.

The distinction is important. Telling commissioners - and the public - that the requester is the perpetrator is an easy way to turn sentiment against disclosure. But hearing that it's a record sought as part of an attorney's efforts to prepare a legal defense would have reminded everyone in the room that police reports are official government documents used in legal forums. Withholding such records should be allowed only for reasons that outweigh the public's interest. As unsympathetic as a convicted sex offender is, the city shouldn't be seeking to block a defendant from accessing a public record that may possibly be relevant to his defense.

Reeve, in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board, defended the omission. "I do not believe that is a material difference," she wrote, adding that "the attorney is requesting the records on behalf of the perpetrator." It's material if you value transparency. The city attorney, transparently, does not.

- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial BoardBY NANCY HAQUE

Portland State University sophomore Liam Posovich was in third grade when the Oregon Equality Act passed, which created legal protections for LGBTQ Oregonians.

When Liam came out as transgender during his junior year, he was among the first generation of LGBTQ Oregonians to grow up with the security knowing he would be protected from discrimination in law. This meant that when he took his first job as a parking lot attendant, he knew he could not be denied a job because of his gender identity. And when he rented a house as an adult last year, he was legally protected from housing discrimination. And it means he cannot be denied service when he walks in a restaurant or store because of who he is or whom he loves.

Oregon is among 19 states, plus Washington D.C., to provide non-discrimination protections in employment, housing and public accommodations based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

While we are deeply disappointed with the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of a lower court ruling in the Colorado case where a baker refused service to an LGBTQ couple based on his religious beliefs, the decision does not change Oregon law. The Supreme Court decision focused on a narrow issue specific to that case.

It does, however, illustrate how much work we still have to do to ensure that Liam and all of us are treated with dignity and respect.

Since we began winning the freedom to marry, an increasing number of bakers, florists and photographers across the country are cynically denying services to LGBTQ couples as they prepare for one of the most important events of their lives--their wedding day. This includes the Gresham bakery, Sweet Cakes by Melissa, which refused to sell a cake to Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer, who wanted to marry and build a secure home for the two kids they had just adopted.

Too many LGBTQ people are hearing the words, "we don't serve your kind here."

Oregon's ugly history around equality requires us to remain vigilant. In the 1980s and 1990s, our beloved state was ground zero for anti-LGBTQ ballot measures. A group called the Oregon Citizens Alliance pushed countless measures trying to criminalize our existence.

In 1996, business leaders joined community activists to form Basic Rights Oregon, so we could defend against these attacks and push for proactive policies to protect our community. Twenty-two years later, Oregon is regarded as one of the most LGBTQ friendly states in the country.

Oregon's turnaround took years of heart-wrenching conversations, coming out stories, pro-active policy campaigns, legal battles and electing leaders willing to fight for LGBTQ equality.

As we mark our 48th annual Pride month, these cake cases send a clarion call to fair-minded Oregonians--our work is far from over.

We need to double down with faith communities to strengthen our resolve to fight for the best of our spiritual traditions.

We must continue to share our stories openly and honestly with our neighbors, family, friends and colleagues.

We must continue to support the thousands of small businesses like ?Por Que No? Taqueria and Morel Ink who model what it means to operate a truly inclusive business.

We must continue to elect leaders like Gov. Kate Brown whom we can trust to defend our community no matter what.

We built a welcoming state together, and it's incumbent on all of us to make sure it stays that way.

Nancy Haque is the co-executive director of Basic Rights Oregon.A Grants Pass man told police he'd taken LSD and thought he was living a real-life version of video game "Grand Theft Auto" when he stole a car in front of patrol deputies and led them on an over 40-mile-long chase through Jackson County on Saturday, authorities say.

Two county deputies were awaiting a tow truck to haul away a 2003 Toyota Camry along Oregon 66 and Emigrant Lake Road after arresting the driver on an unrelated drunken driving case, when 23-year-old Anthony J. Clark got inside around 8:25 p.m., according to the sheriff's office. He then drove off, evading one deputy's efforts to stop him.

While speeding through Ashland, Talent and Phoenix, Clark crashed through chain link fences off the roadway, ran over spike strips twice and drove the wrong way down several roads, the sheriff's office said. After several attempts, a patrol car managed to bump the rear of the Toyota and cause Clark to spin out in Medford.

Clark tried hitting a patrol car, then ran from the Toyota. He fled into a mobile home park and was arrested by police as he was trying to steal another car, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office reported no one being hurt during the chase.

Clark admitted to the drug use and apparently hallucinating while being interviewed by authorities, the sheriff's office said. According to a probable cause affidavit, Clark initially got into the Toyota after getting out of the passenger's side of a pickup stopped nearby.

A Jackson County deputy wrote in the affidavit that Clark walked up to him and told him he was stealing the car. He got into the Toyota before the deputy was able to stop him and used the keys left in the door to start the car.

The deputy managed to open the door and grab onto Clark's shirt, but then the driver accelerated away, the affidavit said. He nearly dragged the deputy and almost hit the pickup he arrived in.

Clark is accused of driving under the influence of intoxicants, second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree escape, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, attempting to elude a police officer, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, interfering with a police officer, reckless endangering, reckless driving and offensive littering.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBaileyA deranged driver broke a woman's arm with his bare hands, pummeled her repeatedly and then knocked her fiancee unconscious during a road rage eruption in central Oregon, according to cops and the battered couple.

Jay Allen Barbeau, 49, faces felony assault charges in the brutal Friday night attack that left Megan Stackhouse and Lucinda Mann wounded and reeling at a roundabout in Bend.

"The whole thing was absolutely horrifying," Stackhouse, 34, told The Oregonian/OregonLive  shortly after doctors inserted pins, screws and plates into her fractured right radius.

Mann, 26, remains rattled days later. "He was relentless," she said.

Barbeau, a Redmond resident who used to live in Oregon City and Aloha, was arraigned Monday in Deschutes County court on three counts of assault and single counts of criminal mischief and reckless driving. He remains lodged in Deschutes County Jail, records show.

The recently engaged couple had just left a carnival thrown by the AVID Cider Company and was trying to maneuver their Kia Soul through heavy traffic when they pulled in front of a truck on Southwest Bond Street around 8 p.m.

The truck, which police say was driven by Barbeau, gunned its engine and tailed the women for blocks, driving so close behind them that Stackhouse could not see its headlights or license plate, she said.

Eventually, she said she pulled over at a roundabout where Southwest Brookswood Boulevard and Southwest Reed Market Road meet in order to let the man pass them.

Instead he pounced, according to the women and the Bend Police Department.

The hulking, 245-pound man hopped out his truck and rushed toward the women's car, shattering its rear window and left tail light with a flying fist, Stackhouse and Mann said.

Barbeau then darted over to the Kia's driver side window, which was rolled down, and snatched Stackhouse's right arm, she said. He began to bend and twist it until the arm snapped, she said.

"It was a compound fracture," Stackhouse said. "It was visibly broken."

Barbeau then started punching her repeatedly in the face, which broke the glasses she was wearing, Stackhouse said.

That's when Mann said she got out of the passenger seat and ran around the car toward Barbeau to try and subdue him.

Mann said Barbeau violently grabbed her and thrust her head-first into the concrete. The impact knocked her unconscious and later left her with a concussion, according to the women and court records.

Barbeau began to head back to his truck, where a female passenger who was with him urged they flee the scene, Stackhouse recalled.

Officers arrived and arrested the man before he could, police said. Multiple people witnessed the incident, said Lt. Clint Burley, a Bend police spokesman. Stackhouse and Mann were both taken to the hospital.

As Stackhouse recovers from her injuries, she said one thing keeps running through her mind.

"What would have happened if he had a gun?" she said.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh

skavanaugh@oregonian.com

503-294-7632 II @shanedkavanaughUpdated at 6:53 p.m.

The White House accused Sen. Jeff Merkley of "smearing" law enforcement on Monday, a day after the Oregon Democrat posted video showing he had been denied entry to a Texas detention facility for migrant children.

The Facebook video went viral and had more than 1.3 million views by Monday evening.

White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley accused Merkley of "irresponsibly spreading blatant lies." Gidley asserted Monday that the senator's refusal to back President Donald Trump's hard-line agenda allowed criminals to enter and remain in the United States.

"No one is taking a public safety lecture from Sen. Merkley, whose own policies endanger children, empower human smugglers and drug cartels, and allow violent criminal aliens to flood into American communities," the spokesman said in a written statement.

Merkley's office fired back Monday afternoon, accusing the White House of "smearing" Merkley because "they can't defend their indefensible policy of snatching children from their parents."

Im going to try to enter a facility in Brownsville, TX run by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. I am told that this former Walmart may currently be housing hundreds of refugee children who have been separated from their parents. Posted by Senator Jeff Merkley on Sunday, June 3, 2018

Ray Zaccaro, the senator's communications director, said Merkley and his staff saw "children in cages" at a federal processing center Sunday morning in McAllen, Texas. The group then traveled 59 miles to Brownsville, where Merkley was barred from entering the detention facility.

Merkley said upward of 1,000 children are being held in the Brownsville center. "This is just not America," he told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Monday night. "We've never treated people in these circumstances seeking asylum as criminals. And we certainly have never separated children from their parents and exposed them to prison-like settings."

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced in early May that the federal government would refer for prosecution all people suspected of crossing the border illegally, including asylum seekers. The announcement sparked immediate controversy, as it would lead to families being split apart.

Democrats have ripped the policy as draconian and damaging to young children, while Trump administration officials have sought to blame Democrats for allowing illegal immigration to flourish with lax policies.

The Brownsville facility is located in a former Walmart store and operated by Southwest Key Programs, which according to its website runs 27 shelters for immigrant children in Texas, Arizona and California.

The video shows Merkley was made to wait at the door, which had its glass panes blacked out, while an employee tried to track down a supervisor. Police arrived just as a supervisor came outside. The supervisor said he was not authorized to discuss the issue and referred Merkley to company administrators. He did not explain why the senator could not tour the facility.

The White House is attacking me because their cruel policy of stealing children from parents has no defense. They continue to hide what's happening in the detention centers. Americans deserve to know how innocent children are being traumatized in their name & w/ taxpayer dollars.  Jeff Merkley (@JeffMerkley) June 5, 2018

The operator of the Brownsville detention center told Merkley's people beforehand that he likely wouldn't be allowed to enter the facility. Instead, they asked for several weeks to prepare for a visit.

"If they're restricting access unless they get several weeks of notice, my question is, what are they hiding?" he said. "I have no desire to inspect some sort of Potemkin Village."

On Monday, Tyler Houlton, a Department of Homeland Security spokesman, said Merkley inquired about access to the facility, but that the request "presented obvious and serious privacy concerns" and could have disrupted operations.

The department contends that it worked to provide Merkley access to the building, and that the senator's entourage protested its inability to film the children housed there.

"Contrary to any misinformation campaign, the safety of children is paramount for DHS," Houlton said.

The war of words with the White House could further raise the profile of a senator who's more than once been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate. Speculation intensified in March when Merkley headlined a meeting of the New Hampshire Democratic Party's executive committee in March. New Hampshire is traditionally the nation's first primary state.

--Jeff ManningA Gresham company called Vetsource, which provides prescription technology services to veterinarians, said Tuesday it has taken a $50 million investment led by private equity firm Bain Capital.

Bain's money comes from the Boston firm's venture arm. Vetsource said it will use Tuesday's funding to invest in marketing and technology.

Vetsource, founded in 2005, provides online prescription tools to veterinarians and enables shipping to customers' homes. It also offers an email marketing program for vets and an online scheduling tool to remind clients when their pets need regular visits.

Vetsource employs 250, 200 of them in Gresham, and said it plans to add another 50 Oregon jobs this year. The company said it plans to move into a new corporate headquarters close to Portland International Airport.

Vetsource had previously raised $37 million. It said Bain's stake constitutes less than half of the business.

Bain formerly owned Portland-based Viewpoint Construction Software, which sold in April to a Silicon Valley company for $1.2 billion.

Prior Vetsource investors include VCA Animal Hospitals, Patterson Animal Health and MWI Animal Health.

-- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699ICE agents arrested a Guatemalan man after he appeared in court Friday at the Washington County Courthouse, an official has confirmed.

Carissa Cutrell, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman, said the agency arrested the man for illegally reentering the U.S. He was previously removed from the country in 2006 and 2010, Cutrell said, and had a court appearance Friday on four felony charges.

The man hasn't been publicly identified. A struggle ensued as agents tried to arrest him inside the courthouse, records show.

Three Washington County sheriff's deputies were among those at the courthouse when the struggle broke out. One of them, Mitchell Pereira, said in a written report two plainclothes officers were "escorting" the man to the ground and kept yelling, "Police, stop resisting." Another plainclothes officer showed up, and they continued to yell for the man to stop resisting.

The man "passively" resisted arrest, Pereira said, "and kept his arms underneath him." He was also crying and screaming.

Deputy Andrew Beat said in another written report that he initially heard "sounds of a scuffle" before getting involved. Beat said that he tried to help the officers but distanced himself from the situation after he learned the officers were ICE agents.

Oregon has long had state law preventing law enforcement agencies from cooperating with immigration officials.

Pereira said he "stood by and made sure no one else would approach us."

"After the male was taken into custody, I noticed the plain clothes officers were ICE Agents," Pereira said. "Throughout the entire situation, I did not hear them identify themselves as such, only 'Police.' After Deputy Beat and I learned they were ICE Agents, we distanced ourselves and walked back towards the courtroom."

Cutrell, the ICE spokeswoman, said in a statement that ICE officers showed their badges and identified themselves as police while arresting the man.

"Court deputies also advised bystanders that the officers were with ICE," she said.

A third deputy who was working court security said in a report that a man approached him earlier Friday, identified himself as an ICE agent and said he had permission to take someone into custody.

The agent asked the deputy, Frank Ward, if that was all right.

Ward asked if he had a choice. "Of course you do it's your courtroom," the agent responded, according to Ward.

"'Ok?'" Ward said. The agent came and went a few times but ultimately left the courtroom, Ward said.

Ward said he later heard a commotion, opened the courtroom door and saw several people, including the ICE agent, on top of someone. Pereira, who was in uniform, Beat, who was not, and "at least another uniformed officer from another agency" were also assisting, he said.

The incident comes about four months after the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon sued the federal government in an attempt to find answers to the mysterious presence of immigration enforcement agents around Oregon's courthouses.

Public officials have said they're concerned that the presence of immigration agents has had a "chilling effect" on immigrant communities.

ICE also drew ire in 2017 when two plainclothes immigration officers mistook a Latino man for a criminal suspect near the courthouse. An ICE official later said the officers didn't racially profile the man.

A Washington County Sheriff's Office spokesman said the agency is evaluating the incident and looking into best practices and measures it can take to keep the courthouse safe for everyone.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

Aimee Green and Everton Bailey Jr. of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this reportPresident Quang warmly welcomed the Canadian Defence Minister, saying his visit to Vietnam takes place at a time when the two countries are implementing agreements to foster the Comprehensive Partnership, which was set up in 2017, and celebrating the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties (August 21, 1973).

Vietnam is keen on developing the Comprehensive Partnership with Canada, he reiterated, adding that the two nations have maintained a good relations and together made efforts to promote common goals and economic growth and increase trade exchange. The president also cited the fact that Vietnam is now Canadas biggest trade partner in ASEAN while Canada is among Vietnams large investors.

The Canadian Defence Minister, for his part, informed his host on outcomes of the talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Ngo Xuan Lich during which the two sides agreed to step up partnership in areas of mutual interest, including defence industry, personnel training, UN peacekeeping missions, marine security and military medicine. The ministers also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Military Training and Cooperation Programme of Canada, allowing Vietnamese officers to take part in diverse training courses in Canada.

Sajjan spoke highly of the Vietnamese community in Canada, saying some 14,000 Vietnamese students who are studying in Canada would play a significant part in consolidating and developing the two countries relations.

Furthermore, he emphasised that as an Asian-Pacific nation who looks to promote cooperation to maintain the regional stability, Canada supports the rule of law and observance of international law in the settlement of territorial disputes, particularly in the East Sea.

President Tran Dai Quang highly valued the outcomes of the talks between the two ministers. He asked the two defence ministries to closely work together to effectively implement the agreements in a bid to make the defence ties a pillar of the two nations relationship.

The Vietnamese top leaders also appreciated Canadas stance in the East Sea issues and thanked the Government and people of Canada for facilitating Vietnamese citizens, including 14,000 students, to live and study there, saying they are bridges for strengthening the bilateral ties.

Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan is paying an official visit to Vietnam from June 4 to 6 at the invitation of Minister of National Defence Ngo Xuan Lich.Tran Quoc Vuong, Politburo member and permanent member of the CPV Central Committees Secretariat, made the suggestion during a meeting in Hanoi on June 5 with Vojtech Filip, Vice Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and Chairman of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia.

Politburo member Vuong affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always attach importance to developing traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with the Czech Republic.

He spoke highly of cooperative ties between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic as well as relations between the CPV and the KSCM.

The CPV official applauded the two sides for closely cooperating and mutually supporting at international and multilateral forums.

Politburo member Vuong also proposed the legislatures of Vietnam and the Czech Republic continue exchanging delegations and experience in law-making.

Filip briefed his host about the Czech Republics situation and the KSCMs activities.

The Chamber of Deputies and the KSCM always treasure and support Czech leaders policy on enhancing cooperative relations with Vietnam in different spheres such as politics, economy, science-technology, culture, education-training, tourism and consular affairs, he said.

Filip also stressed that the Chamber of Deputies and the KSCM will make greater efforts to further promote cooperative ties between the two parties and nations in the coming time in a more practical and effective manner.Speaking highly of the sound political ties between the two nations in the past time, particularly after they set up diplomatic relations on September 22, 1995, the top legislator thanked the Federated States of Micronesia for supporting Vietnams bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2008-2009 tenure.

As the two nations hold huge potential to develop cooperative ties in the fields of economy, trade, investment, culture, and tourism, they should ink cooperation deals in the fields of their strengths, she suggested.

NA Chairwoman Ngan noted that mutual support to deal with consequences of natural disasters are vivid illustration for the friendship between the two countries.

In the context of complex developments of the regional and international situation, Vietnam and the Federated States of Micronesia should coordinate and support each other at regional and multilateral forums and organisations, especially the United Nations, she stressed.

For his part, Simina appraised the importance of relations with Vietnam, stating that the ongoing visit to the Southeast Asian country affirms the Federated States of Micronesias commitment to bolstering bilateral relations, particularly when the two countries are celebrating the 23rd founding anniversary of diplomatic ties.

The bilateral parliamentary diplomacy has been promoted in recent years, he said, lauding Vietnams proactive participation in and hosting of the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 2015 and the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in 2018.

He underlined that the Micronesian Government and Congress will do their utmost to accelerate cooperation with Vietnam in agriculture, aquaculture and tourism.

Currently, small businesses of the Federated States of Micronesia are interested in landing investment in Vietnam, he said, adding that both nations are enjoying fruitful cooperation in environmental and climate change issues.

The Vietnamese NA leader affirmed that Vietnam always backs the Federated States of Micronesia as well as other South Pacific island countries in fostering relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), thus opening up new cooperation prospects and interest for ASEAN as well as regional countries.

She suggested that the Federated States of Micronesia support Vietnams candidacy for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.

Affirming that both Vietnam and the Federated States of Micronesia are coastal countries, NA Chairwoman Ngan held that the East Sea issue is the shared interest of all countries, while highlighting Vietnams goodwill and constant policy of maintaining friendship with all regional countries, and dealing with disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures in line with international law, the UN Charter and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 as well as other regional commitments.

Regarding the relationship between the two parliaments, both sides showed their delight at the growth of bilateral legislative cooperation both bilaterally and at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).

On the occasion, NA Chairwoman Ngan lauded Siminas role as the Chair of the Asia-Pacific Group at the 138th Assembly of the IPU in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 24-28. During the event, participants welcomed the report by Vietnam in the role of a member of the IPU Executive Committee.

She proposed that in the coming time, the two sides should increase the exchange of high-ranking delegations and people-to-people exchanges, while setting up mechanisms of cooperation and negotiation, heading to the signing of agreements on investment protection and double-tax avoidance as well as in technical cooperation.

Besides, the two sides should promote trading in agricultural products, consumer goods and agricultural machineries.

The Vietnamese top legislator stated that Vietnam can share its experience with the Federated States of Micronesia in growing rice and industrial crops, ensuring food security, processing industrial trees products, infrastructure construction and tourism development.

She said that Vietnam has dozens of thousands of fishing vessels as well as experience in aquaculture, which are a great advantage in boosting cooperation with the Federated States of Micronesia, a country owning giant territorial waters.Sign up to receive daily headline news from Ottawa Citizen, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.

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The next issue of Ottawa Citizen Headline News will soon be in your inbox.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.Deputy FM Dung joined foreign officials of the 10 ASEAN countries at the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in Singapore on June 5, which focused on cooperation between the association and partners as well as preparations for the upcoming events, including the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in August 2018.

The ASEAN SOM is the opening event for a string of meetings within the ASEAN, ASEAN Plus 3, East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) that run from June 5-7.

Participants recognised the outcomes of the implementation of key and prioritised works, including the realization of an initiative to form an ASEAN Smart City Network, the implementation of ASEAN Law Academy training programme with an aim to enhance regional countries capacity and harmonise their legal systems, as well as coping with challenges such as terrorism, violence and extremism.

Alongside, ASEAN will continue implementing UN Sustainable Development Goals and integrate the goals with the associations development programmes and plans. At the same time, with a hope to strengthen communications and improve peoples awareness, participants proposed the implementation of regulations in consular support for ASEAN citizens in a third country and set up an award to honour individuals and collectives with outstanding contributions to ASEAN growth.

On the occasion, they also considered proposals of some countries to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in East Asia (TAC).

They agreed on the need to continue fostering affiliation with partners, as well as ensure the effectiveness of existing action plans and programmes, taking advantages of contributions for peace, stability in the region and supports to the ASEAN Community building, together with measures to improve cooperation process and forms.

In the coming time, the countries will continue applying renovation in high-level meetings and the Foreign Ministers Meeting with partners this year, thus optimizing the time and effectiveness of the events.

Participants also discussed the possibility of organising a high-level meeting between ASEAN and partners, including commemorative summits. They also considered the proposal of some countries outside the region on establishing partnership with ASEAN, as well as initiatives to reinforce the EAS.

On the table was the preparations for the 24th ASEAN-China Senior Officials Meeting scheduled for June 8 and the 15th ASEAN-China Senior Officials Meeting on the implementation of Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (SOM-DOC) slated for June 27 in Hunan province, China.

The involved parties affirmed ASEANs reached principles on the East Sea issue, in which the ASEAN and China must make efforts to fully and effectively carry out the DOC, and will soon finalise a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Speaking at the conference, Deputy FM Nguyen Quoc Dung lauded the cooperative achievements within the ASEAN bloc and between the ASEAN and its partners from the outset of the year.

He noticed recent developments in the East Sea, saying these violated the DOC and affected the progress of COC, and calling on ASEAN countries to enhance solidarity and contribute to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

The nations should be consistent in realising the agreed principles, including demilitarisation, and joining hands with China to implement the DOC and build a comprehensive COC in line with international regulations.

On the sidelines of the conference, Deputy FM Dung had bilateral meetings with deputy foreign ministers of the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand, discussing issues of mutual interests.

The ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials Meeting and the East Asia Summit will be organised on June 6.Addressing the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Le Cong Thanh, appreciated the signing of the code of conduct which was initiated by the Canadian Embassy, saying that it is a meaningful action to collaborate with the Vietnamese Government in protecting the environment and responding to climate change.

Thanh noted that to observe World Environment Day, the ministry has implemented a series of activities across the country to call on the people to reduce the use of plastic products in order to protect the earth.

Vice Chairman of Hanoi municipal People's Committee, Nguyen The Hung, said that in response to this World Environment Day, themed Resolving pollution caused by plastic and nylon waste, Hanoi has also carried out various environmental educational activities to appeal to people to join hands for a green economy and a clean and liveable city.

Hung also spoke highly of contributions by Embassies and international organisations to assisting Vietnam in protecting the environment while affirming that Hanoi pledges to create favourable conditions for international organisations to deploy environmental protection activities.

Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam, Ping Kitnikone, said that through the signing of the code of conduct, international organisations were committed to making assessments of single-use of plastic products in their offices, encouraging their staff and partners to reduce the use of plastic products, and beginning to change their way of operations to reduce plastic waste.If fashion is a high school where no one ever graduates, then the CFDA Awards are its de facto commencement ceremony; perhaps mostly for "the parents," with a few unexpected and thrilling moments every once in a while. This year's ceremony, held at the Brooklyn Museum, had some surprises and tears (the good kind), and a requisite buzz of fabulosity that only comes from Whoopi Goldberg and Donatella Versace being in the same room. From Carolina to Campbell, we offer you below the highs and sighs of fashion's big night.

Hostess With The Mostess Issa Rae, the Insecure creator and actress, was quick to point out that she was not only the first woman to host the CFDA in 10 years, but the first person of color ever to host, setting a high bar which she cleared with aplomb. After wowing on the red carpet in Pyer Moss (with a belt heard round the world), she was resplendent on stage and brought a delicious roast-like quality to the proceedings. Ask her back, it was fun!

OMG Oprah! Surprise! It's Oprah! The Queen of Media opened the awards with a surprise appearance to present Edward Enninful, the EIC of British Vogue, with the Media Award. Winfrey, in exquisite body-hugging Brandon Maxwell, called the Ghanaian-British editor "bodacious" and noted his already groundbreaking work in his first year at the helm of the UK title.

Isn't It ironic? Upon accepting her CFDA Influencer award ( the first of its kind), the reigning queen of social, Kim Kardashian, in diaphanous Rick Owens, said this already iconic line: "I'm kind of shocked I'm winning a fashion award when I'm naked most of the time." Queen of Irony! Related | Break the Internet: Kim Kardashian

Not-Fashion Fashion Much hay will be made about the implications of Supreme winning the award for Menswear Designer of the Year especially given the founder, James Jebbia's speech: "I've never considered Supreme to be a fashion company or me a designer." At the very least debatable (and almost a troll?), there has been no brand in the last five years who has changed the fashion landscape more. From the instantly sold-out ready-to-wear collabs, to the inveterate lines snaking around the SoHo store with every new product, Supreme is where any brand, hi or lo, in the industry wants to be. How long they stay there is another thing but you can't talk about fashion in 2018 without Supreme to be sure.

American God In a fitting tribute from his equally one-named peers (Calvin, Donna, Thom, Vera, Tommy, etc.) who gathered on stage to praise the Emperor of American fashion as DVF put it, Ralph Lauren, was honored with the Member's Salute Award. After 50 years on the fashion stage, it's hard to think of another person and brand that has contributed more to the world on behalf of American fashion than RL. The scene on stage with Ralph and his equally iconic colleagues was poignant proof in the power of big dreams and creative community.

Thank You, Narciso In one of the more emotional moments of the evening, designer Narciso Rodriguez was honored with the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, with a heartfelt tribute from friend and muse, Claire Danes. The actress recounted how Rodriguez designed an Oscar look for a teenage Danes (while he was at Cerutti) and also when he did her wedding, matching different fabrics to each bridesmaid's individual skin tone (omg?). Rodriguez has quietly over the decades elevated the idea of simple yet impeccable American ready-to-wear, taking the precepts of his forbears and bosses, Donna Karan and Calvin Klein, and refining them to his own singular, masterful effect. Here's to you, Narciso!

Icon! If anyone on planet Earth is worthy of the CFDA Fashion Icon Award, it is one Naomi Campbell. After 32 years in the industry, her work with every iconic photographer, covering every major magazine, and part of most every memorable runway moment, she more than anyone else lives up to the trophy's nameplate. In her speech, the model/actress/activist talked about living with Christy Turlington in their first New York apartment (136 Grand St.) at 17, shooting with Steven Meisel as a teenager, and of course the loss this past year of her mentor and papa, Azzedine Alaia. In ravishing Raf Simons for Calvin Klein, she did add a moment of levity when she apologized for her, shall we say, notoriously generous view of punctuality. All is forgiven, queen! Related | Is Naomi Campbell the Most Powerful Person in Fashion?

Look, a Kennedy! Who doesn't love a Kennedy, tbh? Honoring Carolina Herrera with the CFDA Founders Award, Caroline Kennedy lovingly remembered how Mrs. Herrera was a deft guide during the tedium of bridal preparations (Herrera designed Caroline's wedding dress in 1986 as well as her daughter, Tatiana's, last year). Caroline's mother, the inimitable Jackie O, was perhaps the greatest ambassador of American fashion in her own lifetime and it's fitting to see her daughter honoring another woman of equal impact and glamour.

Fashion + Reality An important lesson fashion is learning is that in order to survive it must reckon with the real world around it, no matter how bleak and uncertain. And when Delaney Tarr, an activist and survivor of the Parkland shooting last February, walked onstage to present Diane Von Furstenberg with the Swarovski Award for Positive Change, this was never more clear. The poise and determination of Tarr was moving and certainly transcends fashion, but for the people in the room whose entire life is centered around capturing the present and anticipating the spirit of the future, it was right in front of them.Acclaimed New York-based designer Kate Spade was found dead by suicide Tuesday, the Associated Press reports. She was 55.

Spade was known for her namesake handbags and other high-end womenswear.

Spade leaves behind her husband of 24 years, Andy, and a 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade.

If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Outside of the U.S., visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for resources.



Image via GettyIt's being reported today taht Japan's Sharp will buy Toshiba Corp's personal computer business and issue $1.8 billion in new shares to buy back preferred stock from banks, highlighting a swift recovery under the control of Foxconn. Sharp said it will take an 80.1 percent stake in Toshiba's PC unit on Oct. 1, and will retain its Dynabook brand.

The acquisition of the PC business for $36 million marks a return by Sharp to a market it quit eight years ago, even if its comparatively low cost underscores dwindling demand in a world where many consumers spend more money on their smartphones.

The Osaka-based electronics maker will be able to use the scale of parent Foxconn, the world's biggest contract manufacturer, to produce PCs more cheaply - just as it has done with TVs.

Hiromi Yamaguchi, senior analyst at Euromonitor International told Reuters that "This acquisition will prove a further catalyst for more Sharp and Foxconn synergies."

Source: Reuters





About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.The New York-based business magazine has run an article by Anna Frazzetto - a leading expert on digital technology and technology solutions working for the recruitment consultancy and IT outsourcing service provider Harvey Nash - said that Vietnam is emerging as a potential IT outsourcing centre.

The prestigious US magazine described Vietnam as a small but mighty outsourcing powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific, saying that it is a country few would think to equate with Silicon Valley but one with a tech spirit and talented population that reminds many of the industrious beginnings of Americas storied technology epicenter.

The fact is, IT outsourcing in Vietnam is fairly young, Forbes stated. More than a decade ago, a few multinational technology corporations, including Intel and Oracle, began tapping into the growing tech workforce in Vietnam. In addition to developing new policies which appealed to tech businesses, the Vietnamese government had invested heavily in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, and the result was a workforce rich in skilled technologists.

Since then, the Vietnamese tech and outsourcing industries have grown steadily. In 2017, Vietnam rose five places in the Global Services Location Index, a ranking of software outsourcing services from consulting firm A.T. Kearney. The countrys outsourcing success has become a competitive concern for other IT outsourcing giants, such as India, as companies like Intel, IBM, Samsung Display, Nokia and Microsoft continue to invest in Vietnam.

Rapid change has defined the Vietnamese economy, which has evolved from its agrarian foundations to become a modern, business-driven marketplace. Vietnam joined the World Trade Organisation in 2007 and has strived to make it easier for Western companies to establish a footprint in Vietnam. Western investment is widely seen as good for economic growth, the article wrote, adding that cultural comfort with change has yielded a highly adaptive IT workforce.

Vietnam is considered a bright star in IT outsourcing. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Technology specialists in Vietnam are comfortable with quickly becoming a natural extension of global clients, ready to challenge norms and bring innovative ideas to the table, Forbes assessed. Along with that, the education system is striving to ensure English becomes a second language at universities rather than just a foreign language, sending a strong signal that English proficiency is important for Vietnam.

One factor considered favourable for IT development in Vietnam is that Vietnamese employees are usually very loyal to their employers, reflecting the powerful loyalty the culture places on family bonds. Vietnamese workers are expected not only to provide for their immediate families but also to give support to their extended families. Its a cultural distinction that often keeps Vietnamese professionals close to home and loyal to good employers.

For that reasons, Vietnam is a hub of business process outsourcing along with IT outsourcing, the article stated. According to the author of the article, the sectors most frequently leveraging outsourced IT talent in Vietnam include technology, financial services, media, gaming, software integrators, and businesses looking to cost-effectively explore emerging trends such as AI, machine learning and blockchain.

The article also pointed out the main IT outsourcing challenge in Vietnam for most businesses that is adapting to having a skilled innovation team that sits 5,000 to 10,000 miles away. Its an adjustment best overcome with training and communication. Training an offshore team in the same way as internal staff sets a foundation for success, establishing common processes for collaborative work, Forbes noted.

It suggested that as with other Asia-Pacific outsourcing hotspots like Cambodia and Thailand, Vietnam needs to maintain its diligence in cultivating talent. Sustained government investment in STEM education and expanding the footprint of multinational corporations will fuel both the workforce and marketplace in Vietnam, Forbes concluded.World must withstand law-breaking US behavior: Iran Foreign Minister

06/04/18

Source: Press TV

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says all members of the international community must stand up to US law-breaking behavior, bullying and disregard for the rule of law after Washington announced it was withdrawing from a landmark nuclear deal Iran signed with the P5+1 group of countries in 2015.



Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

@JZarif

In separate letters to his counterparts in various countries, Zarif warned of the dangerous consequences of the US "illegal and unilateral" move to pull out from the nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and called for international condemnation of Washington's extremism.



"Illegal withdrawal of the US government from the JCPOA, especially bullying methods used by this government to bring other governments in line, has discredited the rule of law and international law at international level while challenging the goals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and efficiency of international bodies," the Iranian foreign minister said.



He added that the US withdrawal from the JCPOA was the country's biggest effort aimed at violating and weakening the nuclear accord and the UN Resolution 2231, adopted in July 2015 to endorse the historic deal.



He emphasized that the agreement's scope, regulations and time frame were the outcome of "accurate, sensitive and balanced multilateral" talks and it is impossible to make any change or hold new negotiations about them.



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 United States, 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.



Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.



Zarif further said the conclusion of the JCPOA put an end to an "unnecessary crisis" which lasted for more than one decade.



"The JCPOA does not belong only to its signatories in a way that one side will be able to arbitrarily and irresponsibly reject it based on its domestic policy or political differences with a former ruling administration," the top Iranian diplomat added.



He emphasized that despite the US acts of sabotage and incomplete implementation of the JCPOA, the Islamic Republic has remained fully committed to its obligations under the deal.



If the nuclear accord is to continue to stand, the remaining parties and other trade partners must give assurances to Iran that they would make up for the US withdrawal without any conditions and through national, regional and international measures, he pointed out.



Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi on May 15 said European signatories to the landmark nuclear agreement should compensate for the United States' decision to pull out of the deal.



"If the Europeans do not give assurances, we are ready to return to much more advanced conditions than before the [signing of the] JCPOA," Iran's nuclear chief said.



Later on May 20, Zarif told the European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Miguel Arias Caete and his accompanying delegation in Tehran that the European Union's "political support" for the nuclear agreement is not enough, urging the bloc to take more practical steps to boost economic cooperation with Iran.



"The [European] Union must take more practical steps to continue its economic cooperation with Iran and boost its investment in Iran," Zarif added.



In his letters, Zarif also pointed to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's threat of imposing the "strongest sanctions in history" on Tehran and said such remarks were in violation of the JCPOA, Security Council Resolution 2231 and international law as well as Washington's obligations under the 1981 Algiers Accords.



Speaking weeks after the United States' move to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement, Pompeo said Washington will increase the financial pressure on Iran by imposing the "strongest sanctions in history" on the Islamic Republic if Tehran refuses to change the course of its foreign and domestic policy.



He laid out 12 tough conditions for any "new deal" with Tehran. The conditions included withdrawal of Iran's military advisors from Syria, who have been helping the country's legitimate government in its anti-terror fight against terrorist outfits, which have been mostly aided and abetted by the US and its Western and regional allies.



Elsewhere in his letters, Zarif reiterated Iran's right to respond to US illegal moves.



He said if the existing approaches fail to meet the Iranian people's demands, the Islamic Republic reserves the right to adopt proportionate measures in response to the US illegal moves, particularly its decision to pull out from the JCPOA and to re-impose all unilateral sanctions on Tehran.Ardeshir Zahedi, Shah-Era Iranian Diplomat, Warns Against Creating 'Another Iraq'

06/05/18

By Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL

The tough U.S. line on Iran and speculation that Washington is pursuing regime change in Tehran have prompted a shah-era foreign minister to warn from Swiss exile against "turning [Iran] into a mess," citing the example of neighboring Iraq.



Ardeshir Zahedi

Eighty-nine-year-old Ardeshir Zahedi, a former Iranian ambassador to the United States, was following up on a New York Times piece last week in which he challenged U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent list of a dozen "simple requirements" of the Iranian regime as "bewildering and saddening."

Pompeo's list came on the heels of the U.S. abrogation of the Iranian nuclear deal, and included moves ranging from coming clean on its previous covert nuclear activities, to ceasing missile development, withdrawing forces from Syria, and ending its support for "terrorist" groups like Hizballah or Hamas or the Taliban in Afghanistan, as well as Huthi rebels in Yemen.

"I don't want another Iraq to be created," Zahedi told RFE/RL's Radio Farda, suggesting that Iraq -- where U.S. forces led an international coalition that deposed Saddam Hussein -- had turned "into a mess."



Listen to Zahedi's interview with Radio Farda



Pompeo had vowed in his speech to destroy Iran's economy and "crush" its operatives and proxies around the world, with some interpreting the message as return to the goal of regime change -- although Pompeo and other U.S. officials have said Washington is merely trying to change Tehran's behavior.

"As the head of foreign policy and of a great power, and previously as the director of the CIA, he should be better informed about Iran, its people, and its history," Zahedi's letter in The New York Times said.

U.S. President Donald Trump entered office pledging to scrap the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, which traded a curb on atomic activities for international sanctions relief. He has called it a bad deal and cited Tehran's alleged support for terrorist groups, meddling in regional conflicts, ballistic and other missile efforts, and rights violations.

"Bullying rarely succeeds and has never succeeded against the nation of Iran," Zahedi wrote, adding that Iran "has never stooped and bowed to foreigners and has always remained united in the face of adversity."

Is 'Regime Change' Back?

The so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed by the United States and Iran, plus China, France, Germany, the European Union, and Russia, was seen as a major step toward allowing Tehran back into the international diplomatic and trade arena.

Polls in Iran are largely unreliable, but Tehran has long asserted that the issue of a peaceful nuclear program has popular support and therefore unites Iranians of various political persuasions.

But the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Western governments warn that Iranian officials have lied in the past about nuclear activities -- including Tehran's conduct of a covert, military atomic program in the past.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently on a European tour in which he is trying to persuade German, French, and British leaders to follow Trump's abandonment of the nuclear deal.

Pompeo, in his remarks last month, warned, "I'd remind the leadership in Iran what President Trump said: If they restart their nuclear program, it will mean bigger problems -- bigger problems than they'd ever had before."

Zahedi said Pompeo, or indeed the United States, "does not have the right to threaten to crush my country," and added, "If from outside someone wants to return and [push for regime change] --and the money doesn't come from Arab countries, Israel, and the CIA -- if that individual has a plan, he should announce it to the people."

'My Blood, My Everything'

Zahedi's letter has variously received praise and condemnation.

Some have called the former diplomat a "patriot" defending Iran's national interest, while others blasted him as a "traitor" whose judgment has been clouded by his old age.

"I have nothing to do with the [Iranian] establishment," Zahedi told RFE/RL in response to whether his public stance was lending support to the clerical establishment that emerged in Iran after a religiously fueled revolution ousted the U.S.-backed shah in 1979.

"My blood, my life, my everything is Iran," he said. He said he considered Iran's 82 million or so people to be "my sisters and brothers" and said he couldn't sit idly by "while they're being subjected to injustice."

Another former Iranian president, Abol Hassan Bani Sadr, who fled Iran in 1981 after his dismissal, claimed recently in an interview with The Washington Post that "new sanctions and the threat of war will only help the Iranian regime to solidify itself."

Pompeo pledged that U.S. efforts would be aimed at "advocat[ing] tirelessly for the Iranian people," adding: "The regime must improve how it treats its citizens. It must protect the human rights of every Iranian. It must cease wasting Iran's wealth abroad."

Pompeo, who previously headed the CIA, cited recent protests in Iran as evidence that "the Iranian people are deeply frustrated with their own government's failures."

Iraq remains mired in deep political divisions and security woes 15 years after the U.S.-led coalition unseated Saddam Hussein, and is currently emerging from a three-year war to defeat Islamic State (IS) militants.

Baktash Khamsehpour of RFE/RL's Radio Farda interviewed Ardeshir Zahedi



About the author:



Golnaz Esfandiari is a senior correspondent with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. She can be reached at esfandiarig@rferl.orgIran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Orders Resumption Of Enrichment 'Within JCPOA Frameworks'

06/05/18

Source: Radio Farda

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered the country's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) to start enriching uranium at a 190,000 SWU level from Tuesday June 15, "within the frameworks of the JCPOA," Iran's nuclear deal with the West.

Khamenei, who was speaking on the anniversary of Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini's death, also called on the IAEO, "to make other preparations President Hassan Rouhani had ordered earlier."



Iran's ability to do 190,000 SWU enrichment was one of its red lines before reaching the nuclear agreement with the West in 2015. SWU is the unit that measures Uranium isotopes separation.

Immediately after the United States' withdrawal from the JCPOA, Rouhani ordered the IAEO "to get ready to enrich Uranium at industrial level without any limitations."



However, Rouhani had said that he would wait for a few weeks to make sure other signatories to JCPOA would remain in the deal.



Nevertheless, Iran's Uranium enrichment would be limited to 5060 old P-1 centrifuges for ten years based on JCPOA. Iran's initial intention was to use 120,000 centrifuges.



The Iranian government's spokesman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht had said on May 15 that Iran would raise its enrichment level to 20% and higher in case Europe leaves the nuclear deal.



IAEO Chief Ali Akbar Salehi had also said earlier that Iran was capable of resuming 20% enrichment at its Fordo site within four days.



In an interview with Radio Farda, Nuclear Scientist Behrouz Bayat has termed the comment an exaggeration, saying that "20% enrichment is not impossible, but it cannot be done within a few days."



Before the nuclear deal, Iran used to enrich Uranium at 3.5% although it increased the level to 20% for a short while.



Based on the JCPOA, Iran is committed to stop enrichment higher than 3.5 percent.



In his Monday's speech, Khamenei said Europeans expect Iran to tolerate both the sanctions and nuclear limitations.



Addressing European governments, he said "This dream of yours will not come true. Iranians will not tolerate this," adding "Some countries wish to impose on Iran a defective form of JCPOA, and some others inside Iran warn us about an upcoming war, but that is not true. That is propaganda for the enemy."Iranian Lawyers, Barred from Security Cases, Rebuke Tehran

06/05/18

By Michael Lipin and Shahram Bahraminejad, VOA

Some of Iran's most prominent lawyers have accused their government of acting unfairly by blocking the vast majority of their profession from handling national security cases.

In a Monday report, Iran's state-run Tasnim news agency published a list of 20 lawyers authorized to represent clients accused of national security offenses. It said judiciary chief Sadeq Amoli-Larijani approved the list in the last few days, based on Article 48 of Iran's penal code.

The report by Tasnim, affiliated to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also quoted Iran Bar Association head Isa Amini as criticizing the way the list was drawn up. The Bar Association, founded before Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, is the main Iranian organization for lawyers with more than 20,000 members. Its board elected Amini to head the association in April.

In an interview with Tasnim, Amini criticized the Iranian judiciary's decision to limit national security cases to 20 vetted lawyers as discriminatory. Amini said the judiciary did not consult his association in drafting the list and did not obtain the consent of some of the 20 lawyers before naming them.

The ability of Iranians to choose their own lawyer is a fundamental right and upholding it enhances the credibility of the judicial system, Tasnim quoted Amini as saying.

Two other independent Tehran-based lawyers interviewed by VOA Persian for Monday's NewsHour program criticized the government's decision in stronger terms.

"Article 48 of the penal code violates the Iranian constitution, which gives people the right to access the lawyer of their choice," said Hossein Ahmadiniaz. The attorney represents an Iranian Kurdish dissident, Ramin Hossein Panahi, facing execution for alleged militant activity, and other clients charged with security offenses. Ahmadiniaz is not among the 20 lawyers included in the government list.

Iranian lawyer Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, also not on the government list, said the Article 48 used to create the list was introduced to the penal code "illegally" in 2013. He also said the clause only enables the vetting of lawyers for national security cases in the preliminary investigation phase of such cases.

But, Aghasi said two of the three Iranian courts dealing with national security issues have unilaterally expanded that vetting to later phases of judicial proceedings, such as court appearances and appeals.

As an example, Aghasi told VOA Persian that he is representing a client charged with security offenses in the appeal phase of a trial. He said he went to an appellate court on Monday as part of the process but was told he could not continue representing the client.

Aghasi said judicial authorities also told him that he could be added to the list of 20 vetted lawyers, provided he returned to the court in the coming days for an interview to determine his qualifications. He expressed annoyance at the need for an interview based on his years of experience.

"The judiciary has done this because they want to limit people's choices of lawyers, and we as lawyers are opposed to this," Aghasi said.

Last month, Iranian state media quoted Tehran provincial court chief Gholam Hossein Ismaili as saying the yet-to-be-published list of vetted lawyers for national security cases would not remain closed. But, there has been no official word on when or how many names will be added to it.



Reza Salmasi of VOA's Persian Service contributed to this report.

About the author: Michael Lipin covers international news for VOA on the web, radio and TV, specializing in the Middle East and East Asia Pacific. Follow him on Twitter @Michael_LipinThe Executive Director of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, was over the week slapped with a GH700 fine by an Accra Labour Court in his case with the Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST).



Mr Amoah received the sanction after failing to file relevant documents since the last hearing.



Presiding Judge, Gifty Dekyem, was worried about the failure of Mr Amoah to file the documents as the case delays by such action.



She, therefore, set Monday, June 25, as the next date to hear the case.



The two are in court over claims by Mr Amoah that the BOST MD, Alfred Obeng Boateng, had plotted to have himkilled in 3 days.

Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoPhoto taken on June 1, 2018 shows Wusi Square in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. The 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit is scheduled for June 9 to 10 in Qingdao. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will chair the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, which is scheduled for June 9 to 10 in Qingdao, a coastal city in east China's Shandong Province.

It will be the first SCO summit since its expansion when India and Pakistan were accepted as full members at the Astana summit in Kazakhstan in 2017.

The SCO has undergone an extraordinary development process and become a comprehensive regional organization with vast influence since its inception 17 years ago.

Member states have promoted cooperation in various areas and played constructive roles in regional and international issues, and therefore set an example of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation.

-- Who will attend the summit?

Leaders of the eight SCO member states and the four observer states, as well as heads of international organizations will attend the summit to exchange their views on cooperation.

The SCO's full members are China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. Its observer states are Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia.

-- What is on agenda?

Xi will chair the summit and invite the guests to a welcome banquet and a fireworks display.

Participants will sum up the development experience of the SCO, advocate the "Shanghai Spirit," and discuss measures to fight the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism, drug trafficking, and cybercrime.

The summit will also focus on issues like improving global governance and consolidating the multilateral trade system, and lay out new plans to enhance the synergy of development strategies of member states, especially promoting the construction of the Belt and Road to lift regional economic cooperation.

On the sidelines of the summit, the presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan will pay state visits to China, and the Iranian president will pay a working visit to China.

Xi will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders during the event.

-- Consensus to be reached

The summit will issue the Qingdao Declaration to summarize the development experience of the SCO and promote the "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of common development.

It will ratify a five-year outline for the implementation of the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, and approve more than 10 cooperation deals covering areas including security, economy, and people-to-people exchanges.Some Junior High School (JHS) candidates partaking in the 2018 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) within the Greater Accra region have expressed confidence in the final exams which commenced today, Monday, June 4, 2018.



Students from some private and public schools during an interaction with GhanaWeb revealed that their anxiety prior to this years BECE was put to rest after they encountered easy questions in the English Language exams, the first paper for today.



They intimated their nerves were calmed after the test and prayed they encounter similar easy questions in their subsequent examinations.



A number of invigilators who monitored the students also applauded the candidates for their composure and conduct as no cases of examination malpractice was recorded.



Over 500,000 candidates from public and private basic schools across the country are sitting for the BECE which is expected to come to an end on Friday, June 8, 2018.







The Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, was on tour Monday, at some examination centres across the capital including the Accra Academy Senior High School, to monitor activities there and wish them good luck.The West African Examination Council (WAEC), coordinators of the exam, is using 546 centres across the country for the examination. Parliament has urged the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to ensure that the exams run smoothly without any hitches.There had been an uproar concerning the inability of students to select their preferred Senior High Schools prior to the examinations. However, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has urged the public to be assured that candidates sitting for the exams will be allowed to select their preferred Senior High Schools under the school selection and placement policy despite the unusual delay.According to the GES, the delay is a result of a new policy guideline it has introduced into the school selection policyGES has said that candidates who sit for the exams will be given three weeks after their exams to select their schools.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









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Featured VideoAn Accra Circuit Court has on Monday convicted a businesswoman in her 50s for defrauding a lady pastor of GHC487,192.00 under the pretext of securing her 150 parcels of land.



Elizabeth Borquaye pleaded not guilty to fraudulent transaction and defrauding by false pretense but she was found guilty after trial.



However, sentence was deferred and Borquaye has been remanded into prison custody to reappear for sentencing on June 11.



Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Adjei told the Court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Essandoh that Pastor Susan Hanson, the prosecution witness resides at Oyarifa whilst Borquaye resides at Nungua all suburbs of Accra.



He said in February 2010, Pastor Hanson acquired 150 plots of land at Ashiyie from the convict and made part payment of GHC487,192.00 through the convicts Ghana Commercial Bank, Fidelity and Pro-credit accounts.



The convict in return, gave the Pastor an indenture and site plan covering the lands.



ASP Adjei said when the complainant started developing the land she was prevented by the Lakeside Estate Company who claimed ownership.



Borquaye then relocated the complainant to a different parcel of land at Oyibi and that also came out that the convict did not own it.



Prosecution said, the Pastor then reported the convict to the Nungua Traditional Council which set-up an arbitration committee before which she confessed that the two lands did not belong to her.



Armed with this information, the Pastor reported the matter to the Police on December 7, 2015, leading to the arrest of Borquaye.



Police further probe at the Lands Commission revealed that the first parcels of land belonged to the Lakeside Estate company and others.



In her caution statement, Borquaye admitted that the lands did not belong to her.



After investigations, she was charged and put before court.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoThe Ashanti Regional Police Command is holding three soldiers and four civilians for allegedly conspiring to extort money from four suspected illegal miners at Adakwai, a farming community in the Fomena District of the Ashanti Region.



The suspects are Sgt Ansah Larbi Issac, with serve number 197513; Corporal Frank Acheampong, with service 196613  both serving soldiers attached to the Base Workshop at Burma Camp in Accra.



The others are WO1 Michael Akapame, Philip Anane, Henry Prempeh, Samuel Bruce, Antwi Maxwell, a journalist and Yaw Mensah, a civilian electrician.



They were said to have held the victims captive in a move akin to kidnapping.



They were arrested on the premises of Cozy Lodge in Kumasi, where they were lodging after information about their purported illegal activities got to Commander Rear Major Sosu at Armed Forces Central Command in Kumasi through Colonel Amoasi, the Commander of Operation Vanguard.



A group of policemen from the Anti-Robbery Unit of the Ghana Police Service earlier picked up WO 1 Michael Akapame, Philip Anane, Henry Prempeh and Samuel Bruce before the others were apprehended.



The Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSP Juliana Obeng, confirmed the arrest of the suspects, but would not give details, saying her outfit would brief the media.



But DAILY GUIDE gathered from a reliable source that on Sunday, June 3, 2018 the suspects on board a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado vehicle reportedly raided the mining site, claiming to be national security operatives and arrested the four alleged illegal miners namely, Bright Amponsah, 24; Isaac Donkor, 48; Karim Abu, 24; and Opare Maxwell.



The so-called national security operatives allegedly armed with a pistol grabbed the miners, claiming that someone had contracted them from Accra to arrest them for mining on his concession.



It was gathered that the suspects demanded GH20,000 or GH10,000 and 10 pounds of gold from one Mr. Aboagye, as the condition for the release of the four alleged miners, the source said.



The security agencies are not ruling out kidnapping as the suspects reportedly kept the miners at the back of the vehicle for hours waiting for the money they requested to be paid.



WO 1 Akapame reportedly said he was lured into the act by Henry Prempeh, a civilian suspect, and after they assisted him to arrest the miners they disassociated themselves from the other suspects and were waiting to return to Accra.



The soldiers denied requesting for money as a condition for the release of the miners.

Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoA 5-member delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of Parliament led by the Chairman of the Committee and MP for Nsawam/Adoagyiri, Hon Frank Annor Dompreh has embarked on a visit to the country's mission in South Korea as part of the oversight duties of Parliament.



Other Members of the delegation are: Hon Kwaku Ampretwum Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the Committee and MP for Mampong; Hon Dr Francis Bawaana Dakura, MP for Jirapa; Hon Dr. Clement Apaak MP for Builsa South and Hon Patrick Yaw Boamah MP for Okaikwei Central and Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation.



The delegation discussed a wide range of issues with officials of the country's mission such as economic diplomacy, staff welfare and attitude towards work, rendering efficient service to Ghanaians in South Korea and ensuring proper maintenance of the country's properties at the missions .



Speaking at the meeting, Hon Frank Annor Dompreh said the President Nana Akufo-Addo has the interest of Ghanaians in the diaspora at heart.



"The President is working tirelessly to address concerns of Ghanaians living abroad such as the high cost of clearing goods at the port," he added .



He therefore advised Ghanaians abroad to give the President their maximum support to realise his vision for the country.



"There is the need for the country to acquire its own properties (buildings) in countries where it has strong bilateral relations rather than renting buildings for its missions in those countries," Hon Frank Annor Dompreh added.



He also suggested to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take steps towards a review of the conditions of service of staff of the country's missions which have remained same for the past 25 years .



The delegation has already paid similar visits to Ghana's missions in Belgium, France and the United States of America and will be embarking on similar visits to the country's missions in China, Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda as part of the oversight duties of Parliament.











Source: Emmanuel Akorl/Parliamentary Correspondent, Peace FM









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Featured VideoAudio Attachment: Listen to Major Boakye Gyan.

One of the architects of the June 4th uprising, Major(RTD) Osahene Boakye Gyan has described former President Jerry John Rawlings as a 'foolish', but a very honest and truthful man.



Major Boakye Gyan who spoke on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme on the commemoration of the June 4th uprising explained that Jerry John Rawlings was brought in to lead the June 4 after they (Osahene Boakye Gyan and other high ranking officers in the military) had led a successful uprising.



"He invited me for a meeting at the Continental Hotel where he told me about the need to go and takeover, and I said takeover what?" Major Boakye Gyan recalled on Okay FM.



According to Major Boakye Gyan, he asked him to stop the careless talk otherwise he will be a "cannon fodder".



" . . one thing about him (Rawlings) is that he doesn't lie . . . he's a fool but he doesn't lie," he told Kwame Nkrumah.



Major Boakye Gyan who was asked to withdraw his detestable comment by the host (Kwame Nkrumah Tikese) noted that he has been charitable with him looking at the comments Rawlings made during the time.



Commenting on the June 4 uprising, Major Boakye Gyan noted that the uprising was for the whole African continent.



He added that though Nkrumah fought for the liberation of the whole African continent, they were still under the rule and control of the colonial masters.



"We used to have quiet meetings, so we needed to give it a political spin.



"Africa was not free though Nkrumah had led the independent struggle. We still were struggling to develop as a country and as a continent.



"Though we had been put in a commodity situation where annually we were free, we were not free to determine the prices of cash crops like cocoa and other commodities.



"We therefore decided to set up a secret movement know as the Free Africa Movement (FAM) which is what drove June 4 uprising," he explained.



History



The June 4th Revolution[1] or June 4th Uprising was a violent uprising in Ghana in 1979 that arose out of a combination of corruption, bad governance, frustration among the general public, and lack of discipline and frustrations within the Ghanaian army.



It was sparked when the then military government of the Supreme Military Council (SMC II) of General F K. Akuffo put then flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings on public trial for attempting to overthrow the government on May 15th 1979.



This happened because Rawlings was a junior soldier in the Ghanaian Army who with other soldiers were refused to be given their salaries.



Rawlings turned the trial against the government by accusing it of massive corruption and requesting that his fellow accused be set free as he was solely responsible for the mutiny.



He was incarcerated for sentencing. His diatribe resonated with the entire nation as there was massive suffering.



In the night of June 3rd 1979, junior military officers including Major Boakye Djan broke into the jail where Rawlings was being held and freed him, and ostensibly marched him to the national radio station to make an announcement.



The first time the public heard from Rawlings was a now legendary statement that he Rawlings had been released by the junior officers and that he was under their command.



He requested all soldiers to meet with them at the Nicholson Stadium in Burma Camp in Accra.



The entire nation went up in uproar. The soldiers rounded up senior military officers including three former heads of states, General F. K Akuffo, Ignatious Kutu Acheampong and Afrifa for trial. They were subsequently executed by firing squad.



Aftermath



Rawlings was appointed the head of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) by the revolting Junior military officers to run the country until the ongoing election was completed.



Rawlings handed over Power to Dr. Hilla Limann in September 1979. But Rawlings again overthrew Limann on 31 December 1981. Though the June 4th became a noted date in Ghana's history. it has been said to be a date that brings a lot of pain to people who either lost loved ones, lost businesses or had to flee the country.

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured VideoFormer President JJ Rawlings at the 39th-anniversary durbar to mark the June 4 uprising, said NDC has almost become a clone of what the other side used to be. Elitism and gross display of affluence have almost engulfed us and as I stated in 2017, we are still at the crossroads.



According to him, unfortunately, we have consistently distorted the history of June 4 and 31st December mainly for parochial reasons a great deal of the distortion of facts concerning the history that eventually gave birth to our party the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has come from our own, from within.



Read full speech below



ADDRESS BY H.E. FLT LT JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS AT THE 39TH ANNIVERSARY DURBAR OF THE



JUNE 4 UPRISING



MONDAY JUNE 4, 2018



Comrades,

Invited Guests,

Members of the media,

Ladies and gentlemen,



Thank you for braving the odds to converge here. Mondays are busy working days and your presence here defines what you stand for and confirms your commitment to the values we celebrate today.



Thirty-nine years ago today the people of Ghana rose up against a decade that led to the countrys decay, brought it to its knees and led to Ghana being described as a collapsed state.



Many do not remember that the whole country was crying for an end to the decadence that had engulfed the country. Many do not remember that though the uprising was led by the ranks and junior officers, it was successful because the mass of the people was spiritually supportive in ensuring that June 4 happened, to give the country a new lease of life.



June 4 1979 and 31st December 1981 were not about individuals or a small group of people. They came about as a result of a deterioration of all that Ghana stood for. The freedom and justice that we so proudly tout as our national motto had been lost on us. The house-cleaning exercise that occurred in 1979 led to many sacrifices. Sacrifices that today some choose to distort for their selfish political ends.



I speak of the history of June 4 because it stood for the restoration of the values of freedom and justice, probity and accountability, transparency and integrity and a dedication to the truth.



Unfortunately, we have consistently distorted the history of June 4 and 31st December mainly for parochial reasons. There is no doubt that our political rivals and a few of our original comrades have played their part in the distortion by authoring books and telling stories that deliberately lie about the circumstances that led to the eruption. However, a great deal of the distortion of facts concerning the history that eventually gave birth to our party the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has come from our own, from within.



Some people with deeply malicious motives within our party have over the past 12 years especially, consistently spewed falsehood about our own history and attempted to downplay the story of June 4. Indeed, many of these personalities have shamelessly disassociated themselves from our history in a bid to create the impression that it is a blot on the image of the party. It is that suicidal tendency that has brought us to where we are today.



Today, the social democratic credentials that gave birth to the party are lost on many of us. Our party has almost become a clone of what the other side used to be. Elitism and gross display of affluence have almost engulfed us and as I stated in 2017, we are still at the crossroads.



Ladies and gentlemen, June 4 represents a force that cannot be erased. June 4 is not about the semantics of probity, accountability, freedom, justice, truth and integrity. It is about a unified force and power that can move mountains. It is a force that defies negativity and revolves on a fulcrum of ordinary peoples power. It was the energy that led to the eruption of 1979. That energy was like the force of a gas explosion ignited by the gross disrespect and abuse of people to the point where the bottled up anger exploded in full force and took no prisoners.



As our party attempts to pick up the pieces of what led to our deplorable loss in 2016 we have once again decided to employ the same tactics that led to us losing power. Some are still sponsored to denigrate those who are bold to speak the truth. Some aspiring candidates are abused by some national executives who are supposed to be non-aligned at least publicly, elections at the grassroots are fraught with complaints of varying degrees and we are still pursuing an agenda that further alienates us from the core values of why we exist.



Ironically the party that was seen as elitist and detached from the grassroots rather associated itself with the grassroots to win the last elections while we chose the elitist route and lost miserably.



The NDC needs to rise up from the ashes of 2016. But for us to be able to take the first steps to a resurgence, we have to be ready to defend and practice the social democratic principles that defines who we are supposed to be. We cannot continue to celebrate opulence and mediocrity and count ourselves as a viable alternative to the current government.



When we make reference to unity, it should not be a parochial agenda aimed at marketing some individuals. The unity drive should be all-encompassing, driven by the passion and desire to repair the cracks that led to 2016. A unity drive should not further widen the cracks and alienate many of the valuable talent we have in the party that can help to elevate it back to the heights that our rivals were envious of. Potential candidates deserve to be treated with respect and equity. Our backbone were the grassroots, the youth and millions of women out there who were given the opportunity to serve their country in diverse ways thanks to the efforts and painful sacrifices of many of our comrades including Nana Konadu Agyeman.



The survival of the NDC is not hinged on individuals. It is not hinged on Jerry Rawlings. It is hinged on the core values that the theme for today refers to. If we do not re-embrace the values and continue to pay lip service to it but practice the exact opposite, we will deceive ourselves into further embarrassing defeats.



Our rivals in government have their own challenges. Doubts have been raised about transparency in the issuance of certain contracts, questions have been raised about the size of government and its potential effect to the national purse, there are concerns about the commitment to anti-corruption as attempts are made by one or two individuals to counter potentially damaging undercover investigations.



Ladies and gentlemen, when we had the chance we made an outcast of one our own, allowing our rivals to recognize his true worth and offer him such a sensitive national anti-corruption role. What does that make of us?



In spite of all these issues let us as a party not overlook the challenges plaguing our party. If we forget to clean our house well and spend our energies only attacking our rivals it will not portend anything positive for our future.



I call on the youth of our party to strive to be different. I urge you to educate yourselves about the core values of the party. Those values are not about Rawlings. Men and women sacrificed their lives to give meaning to these values. Our youth are the future of the party, the future of the values of what we stand for. Our youth have to rise above factionalism created by some to perpetuate their own agenda. Factionalism and intolerance of potential rivals will lead to disunity instead of the unity we clamour for.



Ladies and gentlemen, when we speak of factionalism let me repeat here as I conclude, that Jerry John Rawlings is not a faction and will never be. Love me or hate me, but for our party to survive, the core values of what I stand for have to be respected and embraced. I am what I am because of those values. And the NDC rose to national relevance due to those values. Re-organizing towards those core values is the best bet towards our resurgence.



Thank you and God bless us all.

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 former Head of Technology and Executive Secretary, Mr Osei Kwame Griffiths of the National Identification Authority (NIA) says the amount involved in the 'Ghana card' project is 'hugely overpriced'



How can Ghana with a population of at most 30 million spend $1.2 billion for this exercise over a 15 year period? he queried.



According to him, "speaking as an expert, I wish to pronounce that once established, a National ID System can be a cash cow for the nation through the sale of recognition services. Also, no solution for a country with a population of between 27  30 million should exceed 150 Million USD. Upon completion of the project (which NIA has indicated they could do in 13 months), revenue from the project within the first two years should be able to pay for the initial cost while simultaneously offering the needed funds to run the Authority...NIA has indicated that; The NIS project to deliver ID cards to all Ghanaians is over a period of one year. Within this period, the state is committed to $124m while the project partner is committed to $169m. The total project cost for the delivery of the Ghana cards is therefore $293m..part of the revenues that NIA will be raking in by virtue of the daily use of the card, will be used to manage NIAs operational cost and pay off the investments that the partners would make over a period of 15years. This is projected to be 1.2bn USD over the lifecycle of the project..



He has therefore urged the NIA to "review this contract from its technical and operational perspective in the interest of the good people of Ghana. In its current form, I have serious doubts the contract will pass a value for money audit; the contract is hugely overpriced and a PPP approach is highly inappropriate"





Read full statement below



PRESS RELEASE BY OSEI KWAME GRIFFITHS, FORMER EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY



I have come across a Press Release by the Corporate Affairs Department of the National Identification Authority titled NIA Response to Frequently Asked Questions on the Cost of the NIS Project dated 30th May 2018. As a former Head of Technology, a former CEO of the Authority, an expert in the field of Biometric Technology and a Ghanaian, I feel it is my patriotic duty to point out blatant inaccuracies in the Press Release.



Speaking as an expert, I wish to pronounce that once established, a National ID System can be a cash cow for the nation through the sale of recognition services. Also, no solution for a country with a population of between 27  30 million should exceed 150 Million USD. Upon completion of the project (which NIA has indicated they could do in 13 months), revenue from the project within the first two years should be able to pay for the initial cost while simultaneously offering the needed funds to run the Authority.



Now to the Press Release:



NIA has indicated that; The NIS project to deliver ID cards to all Ghanaians is over a period of one year. Within this period, the state is committed to $124m while the project partner is committed to $169m. The total project cost for the delivery of the Ghana cards is therefore $293m..part of the revenues that NIA will be raking in by virtue of the daily use of the card, will be used to manage NIAs operational cost and pay off the investments that the partners would make over a period of 15years. This is projected to be 1.2bn USD over the lifecycle of the project.



My comments:



If the above claim by the NIA is anything to go by, then there was absolutely no need for a PPP with a private entity. This is because the $124m indicated as NIAs contribution alone is enough to execute the project. Indeed, prior to leaving office, some of the offers we had from solution providers (the credible ones among the lot) were as follows:



-Multimedia Glory of Malaysia was willing to do it for less than $50m



-Madras Security Printing of India was willing to do it for less than $100m



-CIDC of China was willing to do it for $115m



-EDAPS of Ukraine was willing to do it for 123m for registration through to card issuance (including field operations).



Others who expressed interest came from countries like France (Safra Morpho), India (4G ID Solutions) and Serbia (Vlatacom).



The average cost of issuing ID Cards - from registration to card issuance (technical solution plus field operations) - is $5 per registrant. In April 2016, India crossed the one billion mark and has spent less than $2 per registrant, translating into less than $2 Billion in total so far. How can Ghana with a population of at most 30 million spend $1.2 Billion for this exercise over a 15 year period? In any case, once the system is set up and cards are issued to even a reasonable size of the population, revenue starts trickling in. The question that begs for answer is why the fifteen-year arrangement? By industry standards, the life span of ID Cards is usually ten years. Is the fifteen years contract intended to ensure a vender lock-in even beyond ten years?



NIA has indicated that The NIS Project Cost (one year within which cards will be delivered to all Ghanaians) will be borne by government and the partner.



My Comment:



At the risk of sounding repetitive let me reiterate that, if NIA could raise that amount then why was there a need for a PPP arrangement? The claim that the private partner is going to invest $678m while Government of Ghana doles out $531m as its share of the burden (making $1.2 Billion) is to say the least ridiculous.



According to NIAA Public Private Partnership arrangement that comes with the requirements of Built, Maintain, Operate and Transfer. The contract terms and pricing are consistent with the Foreigner Identity Management System (FIMS) Pilot Project agreement executed between NIA and IMS in 2012, and the Feasibility Study Report for the present expanded project, which received two approvals by the Public Private Partnership Agreement Committee (PPPC) of Ministry of Finance in 2014 prior to the 2018 Final Approval







My Comment:



is not a preferred means of procuring the registration of Ghanaians, since the registration of a countrys nationals is a national security issue. This is further echoed by a resolution passed by ECOWAS in Niamey, Niger in February 2014 that issues of National Identification, be considered a matter of National Security. It is also important to note that IMS is a partly owned Danish company. Wouldnt Denmark find it unacceptable for a partly owned Ghanaian company to partner their National ID Institution to provide ID Cards for their nationals?



On the 2012 FIMS contract between NIA and IMS, let me place on record that the FIMS was not a pilot project for the registration of nationals. Any claim that it was a pilot project is a palpable falsehood. Enough documentation was given to the current Ag. Executive Secretary to demonstrate that FIMS was not a pilot project. If FIMS was a pilot project for the registration of nationals then why will NIA, Ministry of Finance and The Office of the President be working with CIDC of China to register nationals years after the signing of the FIMS contract.



The claim that the prices under the IMS contract for the registration of Ghanaians were consistent with the FIMS Agreement is unacceptable since audit reports and other documentation in NIA point to the fact that the value for money audit for the FIMS project was conducted by a company owned by a director of FIMS now IMS. This constitutes a serious case of conflict of interest. I have no doubt in my mind as an expert in the field that FIMS contract was hugely

overpriced.



Another point of interest is the case of under delivery of the FIMS scope. Instead of the 350 Mobile Registration Workstations (MRWs) required under contract, IMS had supplied only 50. Also, instead of a card printing facility valued at $5 million, IMS had delivered just 10 SP 75 printers at a cost of $7,200 each (a total investment less than $100,000). Furthermore, instead of issuing multi-purpose identity smartcards capable of deploying e-ID, e-Driving License and e-Registration, compliant with international industry standards with secure match on high technology to verify identity of holders, IMS by the time of leaving office still issued 2D barcode cards.



All these issues and many more were captured in various documents handed over to the current Ag. Executive Secretary including Audit Report by PriceWatherhouse, NIA Internal Audit Report, report from Audit Service, report by Inter-ministerial Committee, made up of the Ministers of Finance, Communication and Justice & Attorney General, etc.



Indeed, the inter-ministerial Committee Report was written with the assistance of directors from the Ministries of Finance and Communication and three state Attorneys from Ministry of Justice & Attorney Generals Department and it clearly stated that the PPP did not have final approval to proceed. It is therefore blatant falsehood for NIA to indicate in a press release that there was a PPP approval in 2014 for the registration of Ghanaians by IMS.



NIA further states that These costs have undergone Value-For-Money (VFM) audits by the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and have also been thoroughly assessed by the Public Investments Division of the Ministry of Finance.



As an expert in the field of Biometric technology, let me state categorically that the PPA, lacks the required exposure, expertise and competence to conduct value for money audit for an AFIS System. During NIAs dealings with the Chinese firm, CIDC, Crown Agents was contracted in 2013 to conduct Value for Money and it turned out that even the $115 million the Chinese had proposed as the total cost for the entire solution, was overpriced by about $30 million. It is my view that all documentation relating to the current $1.2 billion NIS contract be submitted to Crown Agents for a competent Value for Money review.



If the Government of Ghana is unable to pay for $30,000 or so for this exercise, I, Osei Kwame Griffiths, a citizen of Ghana will be more than happy to launch a crowdsourcing campaign to raise money from the public to enable Crown Agents competent Value for Money review .



NIA has indicated it will issue 2D Barcode for the Ghanaians below 15 years and a high specification smartcard for those above 15 years.



I wish to comment as follows:





For the 2D Barcode cards, there are enough blank cards, printing technology and consumables to print them for the age bracket below 15 years. The six MX6000s printers, owned by NIA either require upgrades to current version or could be traded in for the newer one. The six printers are capable of a combined throughput of 9000 cards per hour. This is enough to print cards for the whole of the African continent.



In the case of the high specs smartcard for the population above 15 years of age, the specifications are not so different from those received from companies mentioned above except for the memory, which among the offers were mostly between 80-128K . One will therefore wonder what is so different that will lead to a cost that is so prohibitive.



In conclusion, I strongly urge the NIA to review this contract from its technical and operational perspective in the interest of the good people of Ghana. In its current form, I have serious doubts the contract will pass a value for money audit; the contract is hugely overpriced and a PPP approach is highly inappropriate.



Osei Kwame Griffiths



Former CEO of NIA



Proud Citizen of Ghana

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Featured VideoNational Vice Chairperson of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Madam Anita De-SoSo has come out to deny bleaching after the founder of her party, former President Jerry John Rawlings during the celebration of June 4 on Monday told her to stop bleaching.



According to the NDC former Womens Organizer, it was due to the work of the Holy Ghost anointing working at the place that made the founder of NDC to see her so special and to conclude that she was bleaching.



"She is getting too fair. Y3ngyai sa samina no na 3ny3, to wit, let us stop using that soap because it is bad. She said I am his father and so let me tell her what I want to say, Former President Rawlings told De-SoSo at the 39th anniversary of the June 4th uprising ceremony held at the Madina Social Welfare School Park, Monday.



But the daughter [De-SoSo] of former President Rawlings on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning show sarcastically responded to her father [President Rawlings] saying ..maybe it was due to the Holy Ghost anointing working at that place that made the founder to see me so special.



The NDC big shot however expressed her happiness on how the event of the 39th anniversary of June 4 turned out as the founder of NDC instead of pouring out his anger in the party rather turned the heat on her skin colour.



She reiterated that her apology was ordained from God, butressing that to be why Mr. Rawlings dropped his earlier intention to give a boom speech on the rot in NDC as promised.



I believe my action was ordained from God because he [Mr. Rawlings] accepted my apology even though he was looking elsewhere but at the end of the day, my kneeling down and begging worked. It is normal for a father who is hurt by his children to look elsewhere while his children apologise to him but it does not mean he has not accepted the apology, she asserted.



Delivering a speech at the 39th anniversary of June 4th uprising, held at the Madina Social Welfare School Park in Accra, Anita De-SoSo recounted the help that Mr. Rawlings has done her.



She therefore believed she had shown gross ingratitude to Mr. Rawlings therefore going on her knees to ask the party founder for forgiveness.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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Featured VideoFormer NPP Member of Parliament for Bantama constituency, Henry Kwabena Kokofu has said that ex-President Jerry John Rawlings will not stop barking at the NDC if the current leaders do not make up their mind to work per the regulations of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council [AFRC] system.



According to him, the National Democratic Congress [NDC] is a direct beneficiary of the [AFRC] legacy, therefore, its leader can never be happy with those in charge of the party when they dont want to follow those principles under which the party was formed.



 . . Indeed, former President Rawlings will continue to have problems with you if you refuse to perform your duties per reference to the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council [AFRC], Kokofu said on UTV.



Speaking on UTVs Adekye Nsroma programme, Kwabena Kokofu strongly stated that he believes there will be no need to beg the founder of the party if they had changed their attitude.



"What will be the difference if you beg him but keep behaving in the manner that your first leader has warned you against? he asked.



He thinks the present leaders of the party should talk and train the younger ones on how to address issues and be mindful with their choice of words.



He added that it will be very difficult for the NDC to comeback into power since they have refused to know where they hail from.

Source: Elizabeth Semiheva Bedi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Featured VideoThe President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says towards his governments goal of reaching gender equality, a directive has been issued to the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) to ensure that 50 percent loans disbursed are given to women engaged in small-scale farming and businesses.



According to President Akufo-Addo, Government has also put in place a deliberate policy of strengthening the capacity of local businesses by ensuring that 70% of all government-funded contracts or projects are awarded to local contractors.



Out of this, initially 30% of the contracts or projects are being awarded to women, he said.



President Akufo-Addo made this known on Tuesday, 5th June, 2018, when he delivered an address at the 2018 Women Entrepreneurship Summit, organised by the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), at the Movenpick Hotel.



Again, with Ghanas farming population consisting of greater numbers of women than men, the President stated that it is certain that more and more women will be involved in governments flagship programme of Planting for Food and Jobs.



Women empowerment has been given a tremendous boost by the implementation of our Free Senior High School policy. Last year, ninety thousand more students, the majority of whom were girls, entered senior high school, than in 2016, he said.



He continued, Our educational reforms are encompassing also the scaling up of technical and vocation education training, which will benefit many young girls, to equip our youth with the skills necessary for the construction of a modern economy.



Whilst his government concentrates on economic and educational reforms aimed at women empowerment and entrepreneurship, the President stated that his government is not overlooking the critical importance of enhancing womens participation in the governance of the country.



We are making systematic efforts to meet our goal of gender parity in the distribution of public offices, both at the centre and at the districts, for we see the two sides of political and economic reform as two sides of the same coin for promoting gender equality and women empowerment, he said.



On the restructuring of the NBSSI undertaken by Government, President Akufo-Addo noted that Ghanaians will shortly see an institution with a renewed drive on providing first class enterprise development services to MSMEs.

It will co-ordinate all programmes designed to integrate the MSMEs into agricultural and industrial value chains with market linkages to investment opportunities, being promoted by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, under our flagship One District, One Factory initiative, and other industrial initiatives, and by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture under the programme for Planting for Food and Jobs, he said.







Realisation of SDG No. 5





As co-Chair of the SDG Advocates Group of Eminent Personalities, President Akufo-Addo noted that the realisation of SDG No. 5, by the target date of 2030, requires all government to work towards gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.



The reality in Ghana is that, despite some significant progress, we still have some way to go towards the realisation of this goal. Indeed, the role and participation of women in the economic and political landscape have not been to the desired levels, he said.



The President noted that, in spite of this, over the past decade, the number of women entrepreneurs has increased considerably.



Be they in agro-processing, creative arts, textile or clothing design, the financial or trading sectors, women entrepreneurs have become an important part of the entrepreneurial landscape, with latest figures from the NBSSI indicating that 44% of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are owned by women, he added.



President Akufo-Addo was confident that this number can be increased if more women entrepreneurs are given the maximum push and support in their endeavours.



Womens economic empowerment is one of the worlds most promising areas of investment with almost instant results, i.e. the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty and widespread unemployment, he stressed.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Featured VideoWASHINGTON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Un, are scheduled to meet at 9:00 a.m. Singapore time on June 12, the White House said on Monday.

At a press briefing, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders also said that the U.S. advance team now in Singapore "is finalizing logistical preparations and will remain in place until the summit begins."

Noting that the U.S. side is "actively" preparing for the meeting, she said that the U.S. delegation in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the inter-Korean border continues diplomatic negotiations with the DPRK delegation.

"The discussions have been very positive and significant progress has been made," she said.

Besides the exchanges in Singapore and the DMZ, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week met with Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the DPRK's ruling Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, in New York.

After meeting Kim Yong Chol who delivered a personal letter from Kim Jong Un, Trump said on Friday that he will meet with the top DPRK leader on June 12 in Singapore as originally scheduled.A rivalry for the affections of a girl between two freshman boys at a Pa. high school turned bloody and violent Monday, as one of the boys waited for the other in a school stairwell, then stabbed him multiple times.

As 6ABC reports, it happened in a stairwell of Upper Darby High School in Delaware County, Pa., just before noon Monday as final exams were wrapping up and students were going home early.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood tells 6ABC one freshman boy was waiting for the victim as he entered a stairwell in order to violently settle the dispute over the girl:

"As he goes into the stairwell, apparently he is assaulted by another student. He's stabbed at least one time in the back, pretty significant stab wound, and then he's got a cut on the back of his neck and a cut on the back of his head," Chitwood said.

The victim was taken to Lankenau Hospital for treatment; the wounds were not considered life-threatening.

Police believe the weapon was a knife, although it had not been recovered at last report.

Surveillance cameras helped officials quickly identify the suspect, who was picked up later outside of school. The boy has not been identified.

Chitwood said this to 6ABC:

"Can happen any time anywhere. It's tragic. Fortunately, they've got great video in the school, they have great cameras and we have a great working relationship with them."Gary Logan knew what he was facing as he stood before Dauphin County Judge Deborah E. Curcillo on Tuesday morning.

Two months earlier, the 34-year-old Harrisburg man had pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for fatally shooting another man during a dispute at Third and Herr streets.

He had a deal for a 3- to 6-year state prison sentence.

Yet the strain was visible on Logan's face as he turned to speak to Mia Davidson, the mother of Christian Chase, the man he had killed.

"I truly am sorry for everything that has happened," Logan told her. "I truly was trying to protect my family."

"I've been praying for you and for your family," he added. "I pray that you will forgive me one day. I would never want to hurt anybody."

Senior Deputy District Attorney Jack Canavan said Logan's plea deal, which involves a guideline prison sentence, was struck under the doctrine of "imperfect self-defense."

Logan mistakenly believed he was defending himself and his family when he shot the 28-year-old Chase during a confrontation over child support Logan's ex-girlfriend, who was dating Chase, owed to Logan, the prosecutor said. He said Logan's mother, young daughter and pregnant girlfriend were present during the shooting.

"Mr. Logan after the shooting did stay on the scene and try to render aid to Mr. Chase," Canavan said. "He cooperated with the police."

"He admitted he did not see a gun" on Chase, Canavan added. "He said he saw Mr. Chase reaching for his waistband."

Still, the prosecutor said, "This is in no way blaming Christian Chase for what happened."

"This is a tragedy," Defense attorney Brian Perry said. "We wish it never would have happened, but it did."

"Yes, Mr. Chase is dead, and his family will never be the same. But Mr. Logan and his family are never going to be the same," Perry said.

If Logan was hoping for forgiveness from Chase's mother, he didn't get it.

Through heaving sobs, Davidson told Curcillo she advised other family members not to attend the sentencing hearing because it would be too traumatic. "I'll take the pain," she said.

Her son was getting ready to leave Logan's ex, she said. Davidson insisted Chase was being manipulated in a psychological battle between Logan and his ex-girlfriend.

"It was a cruel game that was being played, and he was caught in the middle," she said.

"My son is being made out to be the bad guy," Davidson lamented.

"I don't think anyone is making him out to be a bad guy," Curcillo replied. "This was a horrendous situation that escalated nonsensically."

Davidson said her son's killing has left her with nothing but an urn full of ashes. "That's all I have left of my child," she said.A Pennsylvania judge on Tuesday denied a request from individuals named in a grand jury investigation report into child sex crimes across Catholic dioceses seeking to amend the report or bar its publication.

Unsealed court documents obtained by PennLive from the state Office of Attorney General indicate that unidentified individuals or entities named but not indicted in the investigation report sought to have evidentiary hearings prior to the release of the report. The individuals argued that "the reputation interest of the non-indicted named persons will be harmed by the release of the report."

The individuals noted that such hearings are required by due process.

The opinion filed and unsealed by Norman Krumenacker, a judge on the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas, denies the request for a stay on the report.

All six bishops who represent the dioceses targeted by the 18-month-long investigation earlier this month received a copy of the findings ahead of its release to the public.

In writing his opinion denying the motion to stay the findings, Krumenacker noted overriding public interest: "the Commonwealth's substantial interests to prevent child abuse, to provide justice to those abused children, and to protect abused children from further abuse by identifying abusers and those individuals and institutions that enable the abuses to continue abusing children."

A grand jury panel earlier this year concluded an investigation into child sex crimes across the dioceses of Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Scranton, Erie and Greensburg. Attorney General Josh Shapiro has indicated he will make public the findings by the end of June.

The individuals or entities who filed the motion for a stay are not named; and, as the opinion states, were named "but not indicted" in the findings of the 40th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury Report.

The motion sought to have evidentiary hearings prior to the release of the report arguing that such hearings are required by due process as "the reputation interest of the nonindicted named persons will be harmed by the release of the Report."

In response, the Office of Attorney General said it provided due process by ensuring "named nondicted person be informed of the existence of the critical language in the report."

Tuesday's opinion marks the first time a judge involved in the proceedings has weighed in in the public sphere. Until now, with one exception, the bishops have weighed in via statements from their offices. Bishop Lawrence Persico, of the Diocese of Erie, has widely granted media interviews on the topic.

The Rev. Nicholas S. Vaskov, spokesman for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, in a written statement to PennLive said: "There is no pending motion by the Diocese of Pittsburgh to stay the release of the Grand Jury report. We made that promise several weeks ago and are honoring that promise."

Similarly, the office of Erie Bishop Lawrence Persico announced that he did not file any motions with the court and was unaware of any motions being filed until the opinion became public today.

Constitutional lawyer Marci Hamilton on Tuesday speculated that the individuals who filed the motion were the bishops themselves.

"They are the only ones who have the report," she said. "Attorney General Josh Shapiro is being extremely careful with this."

Hamilton, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, has long advocated on behalf of victims of clergy sex abuse and for reform of state laws.

"It's a safe assumption that this came from the bishops, at least the unindicted bishops," Hamilton said. "They wanted to test the evidence before the report became public. They were swinging for the fences on the due process hearing. It leads me to conclude that the report does not put them in the most positive light... which is only fair."

Previous grand jury reports into clergy sex abuse out of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown named dozens of priests and church officials in the findings.

Rep. Mark Rozzi, a Berks County state lawmaker, who is advocating for reform to child sex crimes, said he was initially taken back by the idea that individuals might try to bar publication of the findings.

"Initially I was shocked, oh my God are they going to actually to try and stop this," said Rozzi, a survivor of clergy sex abuse. "And then I thought what if Pope Francis knew about what was going on over here. He's becoming more and more vocal and otuspoken against this process of what happened. If the pope knew, would he ask our bishops to resign?"

Rozzi said he was pleased that the judge "ruled in favor of transperancy."

To date, one priest, David Poulson, of the Diocese of Erie, has been arrested as a result of the investigation.

40th GJ - Opinion Pre-Depravation Hearings by PennLive on ScribdPennsylvanians residents buying 2019 health insurance on the electronic marketplace that's part of the Affordable Care Act will see average premium increases of about 5 percent -- considered low by health care standards.

For small groups, the average plan will cost about three percent more, according to Jessica Altman, Pennsylvania's insurance commissioner, who released preliminary information about the plans, which will go on sale this fall.



However, because of federal tax credits intended to help people afford coverage -- about 80 percent of ACA customers in Pennsylvania qualify -- the premiums paid by most people will remain the same. "The majority of consumers will be shielded from the increase," Altman said.



President Donald Trump has not been supportive of the ACA, commonly known as Obamacare, and has taken assorted steps which critics say will "sabotage" the coverage and cause price increases. In light of that, and in light of figures from other states, Altman said she is surprised and pleased by Pennsylvania's rates.



She said, "the modest rate requests and increased competition are further indications that the ACA is working in Pennsylvania."



While some states have seen insurers stop selling ACA plans, most of the insurers selling coverage in Pennsylvania will stay in the market for 2019. In 31 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, more insurers than last year will be selling coverage, according to Altman. Moreover, the number of counties with only one insurer offering coverage has fallen from 20 to eight.



About 389,000 people in Pennsylvania have ACA plans purchased through the marketplace, down from a peak of about 425,000.



Altman said Pennsylvania's uninsured rate has fallen to an all-time low of 5.6 percent. About 1.1 million people in Pennsylvania gained coverage as a result of the ACA, with roughly 700,000 covered as a result of the state's acceptance of the expanded Medicaid program that's also part of the ACA.



The insurance department said Tuesday it wouldn't immediately release figures on average premium prices. Altman said that's because insurers can still adjust their rates, and she doesn't want to release "competitive" information that could impact final premiums. Premiums vary according to county, age and tobacco use.



The amount of deductibles and co-pays also vary by plan, with the various types of plans, such as gold, silver or bronze, having fixed levels of cost-sharing, and with bronze plans typically having lower premiums but higher cost sharing.



Altman said on Tuesday her department hadn't delved into the numbers enough to comment on the level of affordablility after cost-sharing.



She said full details of premiums and cost sharing will be available on July 23. People will be able to begin enrolling in plans in November.



While Altman said Pennsylvania ACA health insurance is strong and supplying "robust coverage," said also said "I never forget it is still expensive coverage."

Antoinette Krauss, a Pennsylvania advocate for affordable coverage, said "While this news is better-than-expected, out-of pocket costs for Pennsylvanians who purchase their health insurance through the marketplace remain extremely high. We must end the partisan bickering in Congress and continued attempts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act by the Administration and work toward bipartisan solutions that will make healthcare more affordable for all Americans."An officer on patrol witnessed the crash Monday afternoon in Lebanon County between a school bus and pickup truck, according to the South Lebanon Township Police Department.

The crash occurred at about 2:15 p.m. at Birch Road and Metro Drive near the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center, police said.

The officer was at the intersection observing traffic because of recent complaints of stop sign violations, police said.

The pickup truck driven by Matthew L. Crocker, of Lebanon, collided with the Graybill Inc. school bus driven by Stephanie Jo Mcvey, of Manheim, police said.

A student and two pre-school aged children were on the bus that flipped over as a result of the crash, police said.

The student was being taken home and the two pre-school aged children were children of the bus driver, police said.

All three children were taken to local hospitals for treatment of minor injuries.

Police said Crocker was taken to a hospital for treatment "pertaining to a medical condition not directly involving the motor vehicle crash."

Police said they are continuing to investigate the crash.

No other details were provided, although police added that charges are pending.

NOW: Bus carrying 1 Lebanon County Career and Technology Student and the bus drivers 2 children flipped onto its side in accident. Metro Dr and Birch Ave. Children to hospital as precaution. @WGAL pic.twitter.com/92d2cK1kP6  Matt Barcaro (@MattBarcaroWGAL) June 4, 2018WARRINGTON, Pa. (AP) -- Authorities say a worker with a tree care company was killed when a tree fell on him at a Pennsylvania home.

The York County Coroner's Office says Jason Covert-Kohler was working with other company employees when the accident occurred around 2:30 p.m. Monday in Warrington. The 35-year-old Dover man was taken to a hospital but died there a short time later.

Authorities say Covert-Kohler died from blunt force head and neck trauma. His death has been ruled an accident.

No other injuries were reported in the accident. But authorities say it's not yet known what caused it.

According to the York Daily Record, the man worked for Out on a Limb Tree Care Inc. of Dover, and the incident has been reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.A Denver woman is accused of taking a dead person's car and other belongings, police say.

August Amber Schmuck

August Amber Schmuck, 34, of the 400 block of Walnut Street, Denver, is accused of entering a home in the first block of Agape Drive, Ephrata, on June 3, taking a car and other items that belonged to someone who recently died.

She was stopped driving the vehicle by East Cocalico poilice, and was arrested on an outstanding unrelated warrant.

Items belonging to the deceased person who were found in the car, and Schmuck was charged today with burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy. She is in Lancaster County prison awaiting arraignment.Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell isn't holding back when it comes to President Donald Trump's decision to dis-invite the Eagles to the White House.

The president's decision was "bordering on idiotic," Rendell told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

"The president should have expected this when he called some of the players 'sons of bitches' and saying they were dishonoring the military," Rendell told the newspaper. "This has nothing to do with the military."

Rendell also slammed Trump for what he saw the president's move to punish players for exercising their First Amendment right to free speech, the newspaper reported.

"If he's using this to gain political advantage, shame on him," Rendell said.Hundreds of new college majors on cutting-edge science will be available to college freshmen, which is expected to help narrow China's talent gap in high-tech fields, expert said.

The Ministry of Education approved in March a total of 2,311 new majors, including those on data science, robotic engineering, artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber security. Many will be available the coming fall term, chinanews.com reported.

A data science and big data technology major will be available in 250 universities and colleges in China, including Nankai University, Tongji University and Xiamen University.

A major in robotic engineering will also be available in 60 schools.

"The country is experiencing a technological transformation, and the new majors echo the trend," Xie Zuoxu, an education professor at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Monday.

It is estimated that the AI industry will grow past 150 billion yuan ($23.4 billion) by 2020, which is also expected to drive a growth of a trillion yuan in related industries, West China City Daily said.

A talent gap of 1.5 million exists in fields such as big data, AI and cloud computing. That could soar to 9.5 million by 2050, the report said.

Taking Xiamen University as an example, six big data research institutes in different fields including healthcare, material and higher education have been established in the past years, but talent is still urgently needed, Xie said.

"Research institutes in different fields and universities should focus on cultivating talent and teachers. However, this project takes time and cannot be achieved overnight," Xie added.

Increasing innovation is the higher education institutions' primary task, according to a notice on the 13th Five-Year plan (2016-20) released by the Ministry of Education in 2016.

Colleges and universities should cultivate strategic scientists and talent in high-tech fields and wherever a talent shortage exists, it read.

About 9.75 million high school seniors will take China's college entrance examinations from Thursday to Saturday.Julie Tomaino is shown in this undated handout photo. A little over a year ago, Julie Tomaino had a stroke that affected both sides of her brain, leaving her "locked in" - conscious but unable to speak or move for about 10 days. While stroke at her age isn't all that common - the average female victim is close to four decades older - her story illustrates a message the Heart and Stroke Foundation is trying to bring to public awareness with a report released Tuesday showing how stroke can affect women differently than men. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Heart and Stroke FoundationChina has developed its first elevator emergency response vehicle, Science and Technology Daily reported Monday.

Developed by a technology company in Qinhuangdao, north China's Hebei Province, the vehicle is equipped with 18 monitoring devices. With spatial vector data acquisition technology and GPRS wireless communication, it can identify any maintenance issues with urban elevators and provide early warnings to increase elevator safety.

(Photo/Xinhua)

Chen Zhonglin, president of the company, said when the vehicle drives along a road, it can receive information from all nearby elevators equipped with a "black box," which holds key data and information about what is happening to the elevator. After analyzing operating data and finding any issues, the maintenance crew travelling in the vehicle can fix the problems.

(Photo/Xinhua)

The vehicle also carries about 30 pieces of rescue equipment, including life-detection instruments, so that if it receives a distress signal, people trapped in the elevator can be rescued as soon as possible.

In recent years, elevator accidents have occurred frequently and raised public concern in China. Li Shoulin, head of the National Elevator Inspection and Testing Center, said the vehicle is a breakthrough that could improve the efficiency of elevator emergency rescue.Chinese student from Washington University killed in car accident in U.S.

CHICAGO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Consulate General in Chicago confirmed on Monday the death of a Chinese student from Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) as a car struck him.

According to Police Department in Wilmington of North Carolina, the 19-year-old Zhao Zishan who spent his vacation there, was hit by a vehicle when he attempted to cross the street where there was no crosswalk.

Jennifer Dandron, a spokesperson with the Wilmington Police Department, said Zhao was hit and killed in the 5600 block of Oleander Drive around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night.

Dandron said Zhao was taken to local medical center and died from injuries a few hours later. She also confirmed no charges will be filed in this fatality.

The Chinese Consulate General was informed by the police and immediately activated the emergency response mechanism, Chinese Deputy Consul General in Chicago Liu Jun said.

Liu said they've contacted parents of the victim and WashU, and let them know that the Chinese Consulate General will offer help needed.

Liu also warned Chinese students studying abroad pay much attention to personal safety, especially during summer vacation.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 Oil rises Tuesday on expected stockpile drop, but U.S. output, possible OPEC increase drag

By Jane Chung

SEOUL

Petroleumworld 06 05 2018

Oil prices rebounded on Tuesday on expectations that inventories in the United States may decline, but increasing U.S. production and concerns that OPEC may raise output continue to weigh on sentiment.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 added 25 cents, or 0.33 percent, to $75.53 a barrel by 0717 GMT, after settling down 2 percent at $75.29 on Monday.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 was up 44 cents, or 0.68 percent, at $65.19 a barrel. It finished the previous session 1.6 percent lower at $64.75.

It's all about supply, whether it's OPEC raising output or U.S. increasing production, all roads lead to higher global oil supplies, which is leaving oil traders shaking in their boots, said Stephen Innes, head of trading for Asia-Pacific at futures brokerage OANDA in Singapore.

Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao said Brent may test a support at $75.05 a barrel, while WTI may test a support zone of $64.33-$64.41.

The gains are seen to be a technical rebound from the last session's losses, but the market's focus is on the OPEC meeting and how much Saudi Arabia and Russia would increase output, said Kim Kwang-rae, commodity analyst at Samsung Futures in Seoul.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is due to meet in Vienna on June 22 to decide whether the group and non-OPEC producers, including Russia, will raise output to ease concerns over potential supply shortfalls from Iran and Venezuela.

Over the weekend, OPEC and non-OPEC Arab oil ministers agreed on the need for continued cooperation to balance global supply, Kuwait's state news agency KUNA reported.

Despite signs of an impending rise in OPEC production, for the moment the output will remain low, ANZ bank said in a note on Tuesday.

Global oil supply has tightened with the OPEC-led production cuts that began in early 2017.

Crude stocks in the United States, the world's biggest oil consumer, were forecast to fall about 2.5 million barrels on average in the week ended June 1, according to five analysts polled ahead of the reports. [EIA/S]

But increasing U.S. crude oil production has also put pressure on oil prices.

In March, U.S. crude output rose to 10.47 million barrels per day, the highest on record, according to a monthly report by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The number of rigs drilling in the United States was up by two in the week to June 1, bringing the total to 861, the most since 2015, General Electric Co's ( GE.N ) Baker Hughes energy services said on Friday.

Industry group American Petroleum Institute (API) is due to release its data for last week's U.S. crude oil inventories at 2030 GMT on Tuesday. The EIA report is scheduled at 1430 GMT on Wednesday.

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Hit your target - Advertise with UsGuyana Govt ducked info on ExxonMobil contractors refused company's openness to be audited  Jagdeo

By Guyana Times

GEORGETOWN

Petroleumworld 06 05 2018

refused company's openness to be audited  Jagdeo

The revelation from ExxonMobil itself that it gave Government the list of local companies it is using is not going down well with the parliamentary Opposition. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is expressing surprise that Government had hid these details from the Guyanese public.

On Monday, Jagdeo called out' Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman on the Government's reluctance to come clean, given that ExxonMobil had given Government information on the company's local content commitments.



Guyanese would recall that, last month, when asked about his failure to make the disclosure, Minister Trotman was flippant in saying that he did not know why Exxon had not released the names' of the local companies it engaged. It is only over the past several days that Guyanese became aware that Minister Trotman was in fact in possession of the information, Jagdeo said.



He added that he feels firmly that Trotman is hiding behind the Chairman of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources as another excuse for not making the information public. It is a flimsy excuse and it exposes his reluctance to act. There is nothing stopping his release of the names of the local companies.



Jagdeo went on to reiterate his call for the Government to release the list of 309 local companies used by ExxonMobil in 2017, as well as the 227 used during the first quarter of 2018.

Pre-contract cost

Government's acceptance of a pre-contract cost of US$460 million in the Production Sharing Agreement it signed with Exxon has been a sore point between Government and civil society for quite some time.



Guyana will have to audit and verify cost oil claims ExxonMobil will make on its revenue. Exxon is expected to use revenue from its production in order to recoup its capital investment. Whatever remains of this is the profit oil' Guyana will have to split with the oil company and its associates.



According to Annex C of the PSA, pre-contract cost shall include four hundred and sixty million, two hundred and thirty seven thousand and nine hundred and eighteen United States Dollars (USS 460,237,918) in respect of all such costs incurred under the 1999 Petroleum Agreement prior to the year ended 2015.



The fact that this is money Exxon will have to recoup at the expense of revenues that would have actually been retained by the Government during that time period has caused outrage. However, ExxonMobil is not opposed to the audit, but the Government simply did not audit it.



The Opposition Leader, in addressing this issue on Monday, said he has noted ExxonMobil's position in saying that audits of pre-contract costs are expected and customary in the oil sector.



In doing so, I think it is clear, again, that the Coalition Government failed the Guyanese people in the re-negotiation of the oil contract, Jagdeo stated.



If ExxonMobil is open to an audit, why wasn't this done? Why did the Coalition Government not audit the pre-contract costs before including it in the re-negotiated contract? Why was there no verification done? There was clearly no push-back from ExxonMobil. Given this state of affairs, there is reason for alarm regarding the quality of representation Guyanese received from the Coalition Government in this re-negotiation, Jagdeo declared.



Jagdeo recalled that he had, in June, declared that fair questions had been asked by civic-minded Guyanese about the pre-contract costs. He reiterated his call for these questions to be answered.



I reiterate my call for the Government to resist its proclivity towards secrecy and ensure that the answers to these questions are given, he stated.

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Concessions to Exxon's foreign workers proof of Guyana Govt's neglect for locals By Kaieter News GEORGETOWN

Petroleumworld 06 05 2018 The Government has a responsibility to local workers first and must not be swayed by foreign interests.



This was the assertion of President of the National Mine Workers' Union of Guyana, Sherwyn Downer. He was at the time responding to reports which have surfaced that Government has granted concessions to expatriate employees of ExxonMobil here.



Government has clearly shown that they are not interested in the welfare of local workers because of this very strange move to grant employees of ExxonMobil concessions. We condemn in the strongest possible terms this decision by the Government, Downer stated.



Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo recently highlighted that the Government has allowed ExxonMobil to bring a driller or someone to drive a tractor, but because that person is a foreigner, he gets duty free concessions.



The presence of ExxonMobil in our country has caused our leaders to be distracted from the real issues facing Guyanese workers. This is evident by the concessions we are giving up to the company's foreign workers. We are deeply disappointed that our Government has granted preferential treatment to foreign workers, Downer stated.



He explained that what is astounding is that local workers will work alongside locals doing the same work. In many cases, he said, the same work for less pay.



Jagdeo has indicated that such concessions should not be part of any agreement. He stated that this was the case with Omai Agreement.



You cannot bring in a foreman and he gets all these concessions over a Guyanese foreman, Jagdeo stated.  ________________________ Twitter: @petroleumworld1 Petroleumworld.com



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Story by Kiana Wilburg from Kaieter News.



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Gubkin University, Moscow

SPE Student ChapterOTTAWA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Four were seriously wounded and 20 others sustained non-life-threatening injuries after a tour bus carrying 37 Chinese tourists crashed in Prescott area in Canada around 3:30 p.m. Monday, according to CBC.

A spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa said that the embassy is in contact with the relevant Canadian authorities to verify the situation.Trinidad & Tobago reports $40.5 million in card fraud last year

By Julien Neaves

PORT SPAIN

Petroleumworld 06 05 2018

IN 2017 the number of reports of card fraud was close to 1,694 which amounted to about $40.5 million, said acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Harold Phillip.

He was speaking as the Police Service met with the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on the Cybercrime Bill in Parliament yesterday.

He said there were several prosecutions for fraudulent use of cards, trafficking in counterfeit cards and using card-making equipment. He said for 2017 there were 78 prosecutions, with some cases involving one person being prosecuted for multiple offences.

Phillip said there were substantial reports of people responding to emails asking for identification information and accounts being hacked as well as the recent cases of people inserting empty envelopes into fast-deposit ATMs, having their accounts credited and withdrawing money.

Yes we have commenced investigations and we have been successful in a few prosecutions so far. But we continue also to get reports of fraudulent use of credit cards...and to date we would have had about 747 such reports.

Phillip said the Police Service's suggestions for the bill included: expanding the definition of harm to include physical, financial, intellectual and social distress; having damage and access defined; providing password and key access to the police; and for offences to be arrestable whether summary or indictable.

Given the fact that cybercrime is a very well known phenomenon internationally and it is a very serious crime we would want to ensure that when we look at the penalties and so on we are also of the view that...the penalty should in fact reflect an arrestable offences which is five years or more.

Phillip said currently there were two and three years penalties which were not indictable. He also said, given the skill sets required to pursue investigations, the police may need to have external resources.

The police called for the Cybercrime offences to be included under the Anti-Gang Act and acting Assistant Superintendent Organised Crime Intelligence Unit Kerwin Francis gave the example of two people involved in credit card fraud being considered a gang.

Cybercrime Unit Inspector Amos Sylvester also spoke about a difficulty experienced with local internet service providers (ISPs) last year regarding malware that was being hosted through their services. He said both ISPs said the police had no right to ask them to take it down but they communicated with the clients. He added that about two clients took down what was causing the problems but another two did not understand and left it.

The police were powerless to do anything.

Earlier as the American Chamber of Commerce TT (Amcham) met with the JSC Amcham President Nirad Tewarie said the issue of phishing was very pervasive and the chamber had reported an incident of phishing amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.

We wrote to the TTPS and it took months to get an acknowledgement of that. And that matter is not yet resolved. And so passing the bill is one thing; having the ability to implement is another.

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Industrial nations spend $100 bln a year on fossil fuels despite climate pledges

By Thomson Reuters Foundation

LONDON

Petroleumworld 06 05 2018

The world's major industrial democracies spend at least $100 billion each year to prop up oil, gas and coal consumption, despite vows to end fossil fuel subsidies by 2025, a report said on Monday ahead of the G7 summit in Canada.

Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States - known as the Group of Seven (G7) - pledged in 2016 to phase out their support for fossil fuels by 2025.

But a study led by Britain's Overseas Development Insitute (ODI) found they spent at least $100 billion a year to support fossil fuels at home and abroad in 2015 and 2016.

Governments often say they have no public resources to support the clean energy transition, the study's lead author Shelagh Whitley told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

What we're trying to do is highlight that those resources are there (but) it is being used inefficiently.

The G7 have pledged to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, but they don't have any systems in terms of accountability to meet the pledges - they don't have road maps or plans, added Whitley, head of the ODI's climate division.

Researchers scrutinised and scored each country against indicators such as transparency, pledges and commitments, as well as their progress towards ending the use, support and production of fossil fuels.

France was ranked the highest overall, scoring 63 out of 100 points, followed by Germany (62), Canada (54) and the UK (47), the report said.

The United States scored lowest with 42 out of 100 points due to its support for fossil fuel production and its withdrawal from a 2015 global pact to fight climate change.

President Donald Trump announced a year ago he was ditching the deal agreed upon by nearly 200 countries over opposition from businesses and U.S. allies.

The 2015 Paris agreement committed nations to curbing greenhouse emissions and keeping the global hike in temperatures well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times.

Britain scored the lowest on transparency for denying that its government provided fossil fuel subsidies, even though it supported tax breaks for North Sea oil and gas exploration, the report said.

We do not subsidise the production or consumption of fossil fuels, a spokesman from Britain's treasury said in emailed comments to the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

We are supporting other countries in phasing out their own fossil fuel subsidies, as part of our commitment to the G20 and G7 pledges, he added.

The study, which was co-authored by Oil Change International, the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the Natural Resources Defense Council, urged G7 governments to set concrete plans to end fossil fuel subsidies by 2025 as pledged.

"What should be a low-hanging fruit in terms of moving public resources away from fossil fuels is not happening, or where it is happening, it's not happening fast enough," said the ODI's Whitley.

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Petrobras wants to scrap daily gasoline price changes

By Reuters

SAO PAULO/RIO DE JANEIRO

Petroleumworld 06 05 2018

The new management of Brazilian state-led oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, headed by interim Chief Executive Officer Ivan Monteiro, has agreed to discuss ditching daily gasoline price changes, a newspaper reported on Monday.

The company has imposed two conditions: that Petrobras' prices stay in the range of international prices and that the company be protected against imports when its prices are artificially lower than foreign competitors, paper Valor Economico said, citing government sources.

An 11-day truckers' strike to protest high fuel prices in late May put a stranglehold on Brazil's economy, and drew pledges from the government to roll back some market-based initiatives that have been implemented at Petrobras in recent years.

It also led to the departure of CEO Pedro Parente, who resigned on Friday in the midst of increasing government interference in the company. He was replaced by Monteiro, the chief financial officer.

The government's communications have varied widely in recent days. Brazilian President Michel Temer has already announced measures to change the frequency of diesel price changes, while also saying there will be no interference in the company's pricing policies.

Petrobras did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

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Enel pay $1.48 bln for Electropaulo, buys more than 70 pct of shares

By Luciano Costa

SAO PAULO

Petroleumworld 06 05 2018

Italy's Enel SpA acquired 73 percent of the shares of Brazilian power company Eletropaulo on Monday, paying about 5.55 billion reais ($1.48 billion) to become Brazil's largest electricity distributor.

The offer on Monday, accepted by Eletropaulo shareholders, was a formality after Enel won a bidding war with Spain's Iberdrola SA last week for Eletropaulo, Brazil's largest power distribution company by revenue.

Enel paid 45.22 reais per share, according to local exchange B3, which oversaw the auction and final offer. It also pledged to make a capital injection of 1.5 billion reais in Eletropaulo.

With the deal, Enel overtakes CPFL Energia, which is controlled by China's State Grid, to lead the Brazil market.

Enel's client base in power distribution in Brazil will jump to 17 million from 7 million.

The company's final price for the Brazilian company represents a 164 percent premium over the value of its shares in March, when the Italian firm first showed interest.

Besides Iberdrola, local company Energisa SA also contested the auction.

($1 = 3.7377 reais)

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PDVSA says cannot meet full supply commitments to crude buyers in June

By Mary Mogollon



CARACAS

Petroleumworld 06 05 2018

Leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador extended his double-digit opinion poll lead to claim half of voter support ahead of Mexico's July 1 presidential election, a voter survey showed on Monday.

Lopez Obrador, who has consistently ranked in the lead in major polls, has 50 percent of voter support, 26 percentage points ahead of his nearest rival, according to the poll published in newspaper El Financiero.

The former Mexico City mayor's support rose from 46 percent in a May survey by the same pollster.

Lopez Obrador has promised to run an austere government and to combat corruption, aiming to contrast with the deeply unpopular ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which has held power for most of the past nine decades.

Right-left coalition leader Ricardo Anaya followed in second place, dropping 2 percentage points to take 24 percent of voter support, Monday's poll showed.

The PRI's Jose Antonio Meade, a former finance minister, remained in third place but increased two percentage points to 22 percent.

Jaime Rodriguez, the only independent candidate since former first lady Margarita Zavala dropped out of the race last month, lagged far behind with 4 percent of voter support.

El Financiero said it conducted face-to-face interviews with 1,201 people between May 24 and 28, registering a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points.

The survey found that Lopez Obrador, 64, now making his third presidential bid, was stronger than other candidates in addressing corruption, a major election theme. He ranked weakest in addressing Mexicans' concerns about security compared with his rivals.

More than half of voters who said they would support Lopez Obrador said they were very convinced they would cast ballots in his favour, the poll also said.

The most recent major voter poll, published last Thursday by polling firm Parametria, produced similar results, giving Lopez Obrador a 25 percentage point lead over Anaya.

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OPEC is holding oil production steady even as it debates an increase

Group pumped 31.9 million barrels a day in May, survey shows. Saudi Arabia, Russia have signaled they will raise supply - Play Video - " Oil Mega Producers Signal More Supply Is Coming "

By Grant Smith, Julian Lee, and Wael Mahdi

LONDON

Petroleumworld 06 05 2018

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries pumped 31.9 million barrels a day last month, unchanged from revised levels for April, according to a Bloomberg News survey of analysts, oil companies and ship-tracking data. April's output was the lowest in a year.

OPEC and its allies are discussing whether to revive output after supply curbs they agreed to in late 2016 succeeded in clearing a global oil glut and prices rose to a three-year high. Saudi Arabia and Russia, the biggest two producers in the accord, have signaled that more oil will flow later this year to make up for potential declines in Iran and Venezuela. Still, they will have to convince others in a 24-nation alliance, some of whom prefer the higher prices.

The steady production levels last month owed as much to luck as design, with seasonal increases in Saudi Arabia countering unplanned losses in Nigeria.

Saudi output, which typically soars in the summer to meet power demand for air conditioning, increased by about 110,000 barrels a day to just over 10 million barrels a day. The kingdom's production held just above 10 million for most of last summer.

Production in Nigeria slumped to the lowest in more than a year following disruptions at key pipelines. Supplies fell 190,000 barrels a day to 1.62 million.

Venezuela Crisis

A slump also continued in Venezuela as an escalating economic crisis takes its toll on the country's oil industry. It produced 1.44 million barrels a day, which barring a temporary collapse in 2002 and 2003, is the lowest in decades.

The Latin American nation's unraveling has played a large part in eliminating the oil surplus OPEC set out to clear, and it's part of the reason why the group is now deliberating whether to relax its supply curbs.

Prices of Brent crude, the global benchmark, hit $80 a barrel last month, a level that threatens to hurt global fuel demand and has drawn criticism of OPEC policy from U.S. President Donald Trump. It's also sparked protests from Brazil to Siberia . Saudi Arabia has said OPEC is focused on allaying consumers' anxieties.

Ministers from some key OPEC countries involved in the supply-curb accord met in Kuwait on June 2, where they emphasized the need for healthy market conditions and stable oil supplies, according to a statement issued Sunday.

All the 24 nations in the alliance will gather in Vienna later this month.

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Twitter: @petroleumworld1Monteiro takes over as Petrobras CE0, shares rebound

Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP



Monteiro oversaw a reduction in the company's total debt. Company's stock fell after former CEO said he was leaving. - Play Video - "How Petrobras Became Brazil's Strike Scapegoat'

By Peter Millard and Alex Nussbaum

RIO DE JANEIRO

Petroleumworld 06 05 2018

Petroleo Brasileiro SA jumped on news that its chief financial officer is taking over as interim CEO, offering some continuity to investors rattled by political pressure at the state-controlled oil producer.

Ivan Monteiro was named after the resignation Friday of Pedro Parente, as Brazilian politicians called for a chief executive officer more focused on the good of the nation than pleasing the market. He'll be nominated for a board vote as a permanent replacement, Brazil President Michel Temer said on Friday.

Petrobras rose as much as 8.5 percent in Sao Paulo, after a tumultuous week that saw shares rise and fall by double digit percentages. Shares are still down by a third since a trucker strike protesting high fuel prices brought the Brazilian economy to a halt.

While Monteiro has gained Temer's nod for a permanent job, everyone is a placeholder, with a presidential election looming in October, said Fernando Valle, a Bloomberg Intelligence energy analyst in New York.

The Parente resignation was about appeasing a little bit of the ill will that had built against Petrobras in the community, Valle said. By naming Ivan as successor, they are trying to say we are going to keep the same policies, within reason.' Most of all it shows continuity.

Temer has said the company will retain its autonomy in setting fuel prices under Monteiro. Investors have been concerned that Petrobras won't be fully compensated for subsidizing diesel prices, despite reassurances from the government and company.

Parente's resignation highlights the erosion of support for market-friendly policies after two years of austerity under Temer.

Monteiro has been intimately involved" in changes at Petrobras, Valle said. It's fair to say that Pedro was the lead and potentially the architect, and Ivan was doing the executing, be it on the financial front of renegotiating loans or closing some of the deals."

Monteiro has been CFO since 2015 and previously served in the same role at Banco do Brasil SA. Since joining Petrobras, he oversaw a reduction in the company's total debt, resumed regular financial statements after reaching an agreement with auditors and successfully extended the company's debt payment schedule.

In December, he led the initial public offering of Petrobras Distribuidora SA , the country's biggest IPO since 2013.

Despite today's rally, I don't think promoting this guy changed anything," said Muhammed Ghulam, a Raymond James & Associates analyst in Houston. The government has shown that when push comes to shove, they will side with consumers over whatever is best for Petrobras and its investors."

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Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will participate in the upcoming joint military drill dubbed Peace Mission 2018 to promote mutual trust, cooperation and coordination against terrorist threats and to maintain regional peace and stability, Chinese experts said.

The drills command post exercise will take place at the Chebarkulsky training ground in the Ural Mountains region in August, the Russian Federations ministry of defense said in an online statement on May 29. Chiefs of general staff of the SCO nations will also hold a meeting during the joint military drills, it said.

The exercise will follow the 18th SCO Summit, scheduled for June 9 and 10 in Qingdao, Shandong province.

The exercises are biannual, multinational drills with the goal of enhancing counterterrorism coordination and cooperation among the eight member countries, which include China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The drill does not target any third party.

The last exercise was held in Kyrgyzstan in September 2016. The 2018 exercise will be the first for India and Pakistan since becoming full members of the SCO in 2017.

It also will be the first time India and Pakistan take part in a military exercise together since their independence, though their militaries have previously worked on United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a news conference on Thursday that defense and security cooperation under the SCO has been smooth and effective in recent years.

China is willing to continue with exchanges and cooperation in defense and security with SCO member countries based on mutual trust and benefit and to improve the capacity to jointly cope with new challenges, Ren said.

Founded in 2001 in Shanghai, the SCO upholds the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development.

The SCO member states now account for about 40 percent of the worlds population, one-third of the worlds GDP and about 80 percent of Eurasias land mass, making it the biggest regional organization promoting effective cooperation in politics, security, economy, culture and other areas, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Li Xing, a professor of international relations at Beijing Normal University, said adding India and Pakistan to the joint exercise represents a new height in security cooperation through the SCO.

India and Pakistan have had many conflicts, but the SCO exercise can facilitate positive interactions between the two militaries and help ease tensions between the two countries, Li said.

Li Li, a researcher of South Asian countries at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said many exchange mechanisms between Pakistan and India have been halted due to constant border tensions.

It is very rare for the Indian and Pakistani militaries to interact with each other, she said. The SCO is a great platform for member nations to build mutual trust, improve their ability to tackle terrorist threats and maintain regional peace and security.The Vanguard Group leases about one million square feet of office space from Liberty Property Trust in Malvern. Read more

People familiar with Vanguard Group's IT operations have told me in recent days that the $5 trillion-asset investment giant, which has 11,000 employees at its Malvern-area headquarters and nearby office sites, plus temps and contract workers, has scouted places in northern Virginia for its next data center.

"There are plans for a new data center, but I cannot confirm its size or location," Vanguard spokesman John Woerth told me.

"I can say that the new data center offers a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility that will position the organization for continued global scalability," he added. "Vanguard's IT Division will continue to operate our data centers from our Malvern locations. However, we are still determining if a small number of Vanguard crew will be needed on-site at the new location."

Woerth also referred to remarks in a Vanguard statement earlier this year: "We are investing considerable resources in people, technology, and infrastructure to protect our clients' assets and data; to enhance fund performance; and to improve the overall investing experience at Vanguard." He added, "The new data center is part of that effort."

As customer assets have topped $5 trillion in recent years, ranking Vanguard among the largest U.S. investment managers, and its index funds have made it the largest shareholder for many U.S. companies, Vanguard has grown faster outside its home state. The company says it employs 16,600 people, including 11,000 in Pennsylvania, or almost two-thirds of the total. In the late 2000s, the company said it employed around 12,000 people, including 10,000 in Pennsylvania, or 5 out of 6.

Besides the Malvern location, Vanguard has U.S. office centers in North Carolina and Arizona, and sales offices, trading desks and other facilities in New York, London, Hong Kong, and other financial and investing centers.

Vanguard grew since its 1975 founding by John C. Bogle as a company focused on technology to avoid some of the costs associated with traditional investment sales and services. While rivals such as Fidelity Investments opened a network of local walk-in offices in major markets, Vanguard preferred customers correspond by mail, use its toll-free phone lines, and communicate by email. The company has since the early 2000s automated much of its customer service, and in recent years set up "robo-advisory" services in which customers pay fees for advice that is delivered through largely automated systems.

All that software requires updates, security, and tech-savvy employees and contractors. In a sign the company may be tapping out the Chester County and King of Prussia area tech labor market, last year Vanguard opened an office in central Philadelphia in hopes of attracting a new tech team and other young urban professionals by helping them avoid the hour-long commute out to its Malvern campus.

Vanguard ranks with Merck, Comcast, and Wawa among the largest private, for-profit employers in the Philadelphia area.

State economic development employees and Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D., Chester) said the company had not requested aid lately in exchange for expanding in Pennsylvania.

Last year, Vanguard's marketing unit said in a public filing that it was trying to get a $6.5 million refund on Pennsylvania state income taxes.Cathedral Village, in the Upper Roxborough section of Philadelphia, is where Herbert R. McMaster Sr., the father of former national security adviser H.R. McMaster Jr., die on April 13. Read more

A call from the White House to the Philadelphia Police Department kicked off a criminal investigation into the April 13 death of Herbert R. McMaster Sr. at Cathedral Village, according to testimony Tuesday at the preliminary hearing for Christann S. Gainey, a licensed practical nurse who was charged in McMaster's death.

Albert Chu, deputy chief medical examiner, testified that Lt. Philip Riehl called him April 16 and told him the White House had called the homicide department regarding the death of McMaster, the 84-year-old father of former national security adviser H.R. McMaster Jr.

"I don't know when the White House contacted Lt. Riehl," Chu said during cross-examination by Gainey's lawyer, Sharon Piper. He said there was no attempt to influence his autopsy report, which concluded that McMaster died from the "blunt-force trauma" of hitting his head when he fell late on April 12. The internal bleeding was significant "enough to distort the surface of the brain," Chu said.

A homicide detective was assigned to the case on April 19.

Christopher Jason, a deputy in the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General who is prosecuting the case against Gainey along with Nathan Guinta, said in court that he had not previously known about the call from the White House. It was documented in a supplement to Chu's autopsy report. H.R. McMaster Jr. was fired in March and replaced in April.

The state Attorney General's Office on May 10 charged Gainey, 30, who was employed by a Plymouth Meeting temp agency, with neglect of a care-dependent person, involuntary manslaughter, and falsification of records, alleging that Gainey did not perform any of the required neurological checks on McMaster after his fall.

Tuesday's preliminary hearing before Municipal Court Judge Karen Y. Simmons provided some additional details on conditions at Cathedral Village during the last night of McMaster's stay. The retirement community in the Upper Roxborough section of Philadelphia includes a nursing home that is open to nonresidents. McMaster went there for care following a stroke.

One of three nursing assistants scheduled to work the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift that started on April 12 was two hours late for work and then took a two-hour nap during the shift, Piper alleged, limiting the amount of care available for the 39 patients on the first floor of Cathedral Village's rehabilitation wing.

Because McMaster had four falls between 9:45 p.m. on April 9 and 1:55 a.m. on April 12, he was supposed to have one-on-one care, testified Syreeta Carter, who was Cathedral Village's assistant director of nursing at the time. Yet, McMaster's fall late on April 12, that allegedly led to his death, was not witnessed.

Equipment that could have been used to automatically track McMaster's vital signs was not working.

Two recent Pennsylvania Department of Health inspections, including one following McMaster's death, found significant problems with the care at the facility, which has been owned by the nonprofit Presbyterian Senior Living since 2015.

In a report on McMaster's death, the state department found that Cathedral Village did not properly investigate the four earlier falls, did not complete all the required neurological checks, and failed to develop plans to prevent additional falls. In an earlier report, the health department said Cathedral Village provided lax oversight of temporary staff.

A Philadelphia police spokesman declined to comment. Vanessa Morrone, White House director of regional communications, said Tuesday evening that she was still trying to gather information on the phone call.

The preliminary hearing will be continued July 9. Simmons must decide whether there is enough evidence against Gainey, who attended Tuesday's hearing, for the case to go to trial.Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden will become part of Virtua Health under a deal announced Tuesday. Read more

Trinity Health, one of the nation's largest Catholic health systems, said Tuesday that it expects to record a loss of $75 million to $100 million on the sale of Lourdes Health System to Virtua Health.

The definitive agreement, reached Monday, includes Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden; Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, Willingboro; Lourdes Medical Associates, and Lourdes Cardiology Services. The two nonprofit health systems had announced a preliminary agreement in March. Financial terms were not disclosed.

In the nine months ended March 31, Lourdes had a loss of $20.1 million on $400.5 million in revenue, compared to a loss of $15.6 million on $397.4 million in the same period a year earlier. The sale includes the transfer of $99 million in property and equipment.

Trinity previously had a deal to sell Lourdes and St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton to Cooper University Health Care, which backed out of a nonbinding letter of intent in December, alleging that during due diligence it found problems that would have put it at risk financially. Cooper was going to pay $150 million to Trinity, which Trinity was going to use to pay debts and other obligations of Lourdes and St. Francis.

The combined Virtua and Lourdes operations would have about $1.8 billion in annual revenue and about 1,500 beds in five hospitals.

Virtua and Lourdes officials declined to comment beyond a news release. The transaction required regulatory and canonical approvals.Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses the Formal Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo: Li Yingyan)

Pretoria  The world today is undergoing profound changes never seen before. In terms of challenges, there are three types of deficit problems, said Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister while speaking at the Formal Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria, South Africa on Tuesday.

The first issue is the global governance deficit. Today, humans face serious challenges from increasing global problems, and yet there is not an effective global response solution. The rise of unilateralism and protectionism continues to attack the system of international governance currently in place.

The second issue is the trust deficit. International competition and friction continues to rise, and geopolitical games are serious Cold War ideas, and these tools are being used again. The foundation built on trust and cooperation within the international community is eroding.

The third issue is deficit development. Imbalances in global development, especially in areas such as income distribution and space are the biggest problems the international community faces, and have already created social unrest in a few countries.

Wang stressed that BRICS countries have an international responsibility to uphold world stability and promote common development.

We should strengthen the importance of political settlement and resolve hotspot issues through dialogue and consultation. We must uphold the principles of fairness and justice, while upholding the basic norms of international governance. We should strengthen multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations in international affairs," he said.

"Under the current circumstances, BRICS should join hands and tackle new threats and challenges. Creating a stable environment is not only for their own development, but also the worlds, said Wang.New congressional districts in Southeastern Pennsylvania could be changed if Harrisburg acts (or not) on redistricting reform. Read more

Good-government efforts to end Pennsylvania's historic gerrymandering have hit a snag created (oddly) by good-government groups.

Not good timing.

It comes as a compromise redistricting reform bill is positioned for votes in the Senate  a rare if not unprecedented moment  as soon as next week.

Yet 14 activist left-leaning organizations, including Keystone Progress, the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, the NAACP, and Planned Parenthood just announced opposition to the bill on the ground it makes things worse, not better.

So much for compromise. So much for unity.

Although there's likely a reason hard-left progressives want to keep redistricting as is rather than support change. More on that in a bit.

Marc Stier, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center director, says the compromise bill "has loopholes you could put a fairly large elephant through.  It eliminates the governor and the [state] Supreme Court from the process, and it gives the legislature even more control."

Ah, a split among those most often seeking reform.

That sends a mixed-message to lawmakers. It could well reduce already-long odds of getting anything done.

"We're frustrated," says Carol Kuniholm of Fair Districts PA, the grassroots group that spent two years in statewide education and advocacy efforts to end gerrymandering. She supports the compromise bill.

"We're at a point where we're actually moving forward. The bill is going to be amended. Let's wait and see what the bill actually is.  To stop this process now is shortsighted," she says.

At immediate issue is Senate Bill 22, crafted by Sen. Mike Folmer (R., Lebanon). It creates a citizens' commission to draw both congressional and legislative maps. Currently, maps for Congress are done by legislation; maps for the legislature are done by legislative leaders.

(Remember, despite the state Supreme Court this year controversially creating new congressional districts, the same redistricting process that produced the old, outlawed districts remains in place. And, unless altered, that process is up to bat again after the 2020 census.)

Thus, there's been a push for a citizens' commission aimed at reducing partisan politics in the process.

S.B. 22's 11-member map-drawing citizens' commission is to reflect the state geographically, politically, gender-wise and racially. But selected members must be confirmed by a two-thirds majority of the House and Senate. Same with final maps if the commission can't reach agreement.

That legislative final say is at the root of arguments against S.B. 22.

Stier says he has great respect for work done by Fair Districts but adds, "I think they're a little naive."

Kuniholm argues there will be no reform "if we choose an avenue the General Assembly won't sign off on." And, she says, there's an amendment to be offered allowing the Supreme Court, if the commission can't agree, to choose among redistricting options created by the commission, rather than the court again creating its own maps.

These and many more details remain in limbo and up against a ticking clock that  due to rules regarding constitutional amendments  means unless reform legislation passes by July 6, there can be no constitutional change in time for the 2020 census.

But it's clear there are progressive that want no such change. They see a Democratic-majority state Supreme Court. They expect Democratic Gov. Wolf's reelection. And they assume that combination would stop any further overt gerrymandering by what's likely to continue to be a Republican legislature.

It is, therefore, more than preferring purer legislation over possible legislation. It's also betting the present process favors Democrats next time around.

Sort of ironic. A GOP redistricting edge that brought gerrymandering to public consciousness and set the stage for change could end up turning into a Democratic redistricting edge setting the stage for no change.

Unless, of course, the thought of that spurs GOP action.

I'd note House Republican Leader Dave Reed has a redistricting change bill just referred to the House Rules Committee. This means it avoids certain death in the State Government Committee, where such bills normally end up, chaired by change-averse Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R., Butler).

Confused? Don't be. Dealing with redistricting, the virtual heart of politics, means dealing with a complex mess.Deputy Fire Commissioner Gary Loesch (L) and Craig Murphy were on the scene four years ago when the Salvation Army building collapsed, and they remember vividly what that day was like. They think of the collapse every time they pass 22nd and Market. Read more

On Tuesday, the city will dedicate a park on the site of one of the worst disasters in Philadelphia's history: the collapse of the Salvation Army Thrift Store at 22nd and Market Streets. The slender corner oasis  to be christened the June 5th Memorial Park in recognition of the collapse on that date in 2013  aims to remind us of the heartache that happens when we put greed before human life.

Two men who will never need the nudge are Philadelphia Deputy Fire Commissioners Gary Loesch and Craig Murphy. They were battalion chiefs at the time  Loesch was in fire operations; Murphy was with special operations. With hundreds of other fire, rescue, police and other city personnel, they sped to the scene when the wall came down.

They think about that day every time they pass 22nd and Market, their memories as vivid as if the catastrophe happened five minutes ago, not five years.

Their brand of humble heroism is the only good thing that happened that day. Everything else was awful, serving only as evidence of how craven developers are dazzled by dollars  and risk the lives of the public and those who protect us.

"I raced down Broad Street with an aide  the reports were coming in so fast," recalls Loesch, 56, a 32-year veteran of the department. "I've been on hundreds of incidents and fires in my career. But I've got to tell you, when I got there, I went numb for a minute. The size of the footprint of the site, the chaos of it, took my breath away."

Murphy, who flew down I-95 from his headquarters near the Philadelphia Police Academy on State Road, had an idea of what was in store for his workers. As one of 18 members of the Philadelphia Fire Department who worked with first responders in New York on 9/11, he'd spent nine days helping to recover the dead and stabilize the pile of rubble the World Trade Center had become.

"When I got to Market Street, I did a 360-walk around the site, to see where we should start the rescue," recalls Murphy, 56, a 31-year veteran who as deputy commissioner oversees planning and risk reduction. "Right away, you could see there were unsupported walls in danger of collapse. We had to stabilize the site before we could begin rescue."

He had to literally pull firefighters off the pile, so frantic were they to rescue victims, one of whom was screaming for help.

"All day long, firefighters were begging me to put them to work," says Loesch, who was charged with site safety that day. "I said, I have to hold you back in case a second collapse happens. I'll need you to rescue the guys in there."

At many points throughout the operation, says Murphy, all machinery had to be shut down, generators turned off, overhead choppers banished so that rescuers could call out to victims and listen for a response.

"You need silence," says Murphy. "All that noise can work against you."

Eventually, families began showing up, fearful that missing loved ones were in the rubble. They provided rescue workers with photos and described sections of the store where their kin were likely to have been working or shopping. The FBI was able to access some victims' cell phones and make them ping, giving rescuers a clue where to dig.

"It was tedious work to de-layer the pile," says Murphy. "We didn't want to bring heavy machinery directly onto it; we didn't want to crush the remains of victims who had not survived. Their families deserved to receive them intact. It was very emotional. "

He praises the L&I worker who painstakingly worked the grabber claw of an earth mover alongside the pile, moving debris with skilled micro-movements.

"It was like the claw was his own hand," marvels Murphy.

Both Murphy and Loesch will be at the dedication of the memorial. Murphy knows it will not be his last visit. He's drawn to the places he can't forget.

"Every five years, I visit the 9/11 site," Murphy says. "It feels like the least I can do."

Loesch doesn't stay in touch with those he has helped, nor does he know any firefighter who does.

"We have to stay detached to do what we have to do," says Loesch. He's still haunted by images of two children he was unable to save in a pre-Christmas fire. They held his arms as Loesch worked frantically to remove window bars that trapped them in a burning house. "It would be too much of a burden."

Bless Loesch, Murphy and all first responders who'll never need a park to remind them of such tragedies  not when they see them clearly in their memories.Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef will perform his one-man show, 'The Joke is Mightier than the Sword,' on Wednesday as part of the Kimmel Center's Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. Read more

The last time Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef was in Philadelphia, he was a budding surgeon taking his United States Medical Examination at a local testing center, as he told the Inquirer and Daily News in a recent phone interview. Now, he returns as "the Egyptian Jon Stewart," as he often is called, with his one-man show, The Joke Is Mightier Than the Sword.

The path for Youssef, 44, from surgeon to comedian and TV host was a complicated one. It began in early 2011 during the Egyptian revolution, when Youssef was inspired to begin hosting The B+ Show, a short, Daily Show-style satirical news program, from his laundry room thanks to his love of Stewart's shtick. By September that year, the show evolved into Al Bernameg ("The Show"), an Arab-language satirical news program.

With Al Bernameg, Youssef attacked Egyptian political figures like former President Mohamed Morsi, as well the country's media, inspiring both his Stewart-based nickname and a serious amount of politically charged trouble. In 2013, he was investigated by the Egyptian government for his work on Al Bernameg and turned himself in after an arrest warrant was issued. He was later freed on bail.

The persecution continued, and in 2014, Al Bernameg ended. In November that year, Youssef fled to Dubai, and eventually landed in Los Angeles with his wife and children. His story was chronicled in the 2016 documentary Tickling Giants.

Since then, he has organized his experience into The Joke Is Mightier Than the Sword, which comes to Philly on Wednesday as part of the Kimmel Center's Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. We caught up with Youssef ahead of the show, and discussed his experience in Egypt, how President Trump compares to the authoritarians the comedian is used to, and how close our political climate is to Youssef's home country. Check out the interview below:

What can people expect from the show?

It has all. I mean, it has it all except me stripping onstage. It is giving people a different perspective of what happened in the Middle East, and follows my journey as an immigrant in Trump's America. It is a show for all, and it is a show actually designed for American people. I'm not just speaking to my base.

How is it designed for American people?

The beats, the rhythm, the cadence  it's pretty much American. As a matter of fact, I have more complaints from Arabic-speaking people, and it's like, "Speak more Arabic!" No, it's a show in English because we are telling America our story. We need to speak to everybody, not just ourselves.

What was the path from surgeon to TV host and comedian like for you?

I had a very stable career as a heart surgeon for 17 years, and then the revolution came, and suddenly I did these YouTube videos because of what I had seen in the streets. It was totally different from what you saw in the media. It was like a brainwashing machine happening. I was a huge fan of The Daily Show, so I re-created the show in my old laundry room not expecting that this would go anywhere, and it just blew up.

Why was news satire like what you did in Egypt problematic for the government there?

Because authoritarian regimes anywhere, authoritarian figures do not like to be made fun of. They build their whole legacies on fake respect and fake achievements, and fear. When you laugh at these people, you take that away from them. It doesn't work anymore. They change from being the most feared, the most revered, and the most respected into the most ridiculed.

So humor destabilizes authoritarians views of themselves, as well as the public perception.

They build their whole rhetoric on the image of the leader, the one who can cause no harm. If you just sit back and make fun of them, it just destroys them.

That sounds a little like our current president.

Someone like Trump, who is in a democratic system but is not himself democratic, he gets ped when people speak about him or make fun of him. He even disinvited himself from the [White House] Correspondents Dinner. He doesn't take it. He doesn't take humor well, because for him, humor is disrespect. He is not strong enough to take it.

Did that type of approach make life dangerous for you in Egypt? Were you worried you would be harmed?

It ranged from harassment and tarnishing my reputation to lawsuits and sending people to put my future under siege. I didn't really care about my safety so much as I wanted to do a good show. That was the most important thing for me.

How does your work in Egypt compare to someone like Jon Stewart of Stephen Colbert, as far as risk/reward goes? Here, public outcry is pretty much the extent of consequences theyd face.

Where I come from, that treatment is sanctioned. Right now, I cannot go back to Egypt. In the last four weeks, three or four of my friends were detained and taken from their houses. This is the type of consequences we have.

What are your thoughts on the political climate in America currently?

Like, Trump vs. the world? It proves that no one is immune from populists. The question is, will populism change the dynamics of the country and destroy democracy? There was a backlash for Trump. The Trump-like mentality will not go away  as a matter of fact, it might increase. The good thing about the dynamics in America is that people can reorganize themselves with elections and stop that flow. This is the beauty of democracy.

How has Trump affected comedy in America?

The problem is that he provides plenty of material, but he makes it difficult for people to upstage that. People will have to be more creative, I guess. You know how I got comedy from Trump? I bring comedy from my own part of the world  you cannot imagine how horrible it is. How incredibly insane it is. Trump is like a walk in the park next to us.

Does the climate here feel similar to when you were doing your show in Egypt at all?

Honestly, I make fun of the similarities in my stand-up because it's fun. Realistically, no, it's not like Egypt because you don't have the government coming in and shutting down the show. Let me put it this way: You are still stuck in your own dictatorship. You still have a long way to go. Good luck, guys.

COMEDY

Bassem Youssef: The Joke is Mightier than the SwordLast month, a Pennsylvania high school student made headlines after she toted a life-size cardboard cutout of New Jersey's own Danny DeVito to her prom. Now, DeVito has returned the favor.

>> READ MORE: Pennsylvania teen takes Danny DeVito cardboard cutout to prom

As Rob McElhenney tweeted Monday, a cardboard cutout of Carlisle High School student Allison Closs, 17, made its way to the set of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which is preparing to enter its 13th season. Closs previously told PennLive she was "having trouble finding a date" to the dance, and settled on DeVito's cardboard visage as her arm candy.

"Hey Allison  I heard you took cardboard Danny to prom. What a coincidence. He took cardboard Allison to Paddy's" McElhenney wrote on Instagram of the teen's "appearance" on set. An accompanying image showed DeVito posing with her cutout.

Closs responded online that she was "shooketh" by her cardboard self's set visit. Previously, she told PennLive that she hoped to appear on the Ellen DeGeneres Show thanks to the stunt, but would "settle for a nice tweet."

Closs' mock date with DeVito last month went viral online, eventually catching the attention of the official It's Always Sunny Twitter account. As the account tweeted, "Frank > any other date."

DeVito, meanwhile, is still riding high off his recently established Danny DeVito Day in his hometown of Asbury Park. Fans like Closs till have time to prepare for that one, considering it doesn't come until Nov. 17  DeVito's birthday.For many Muslims, Ramadan brings a month of inward reflection, a time to get along with one's fellow man and perform charitable acts. The holy month is also when many Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, breaking the fast each night with dinners that can celebrate any number of cultural or spiritual traditions.

Naveen Mohiuddin owns two Halal Guys franchise restaurants, in Northeast Philadelphia and King of Prussia, that serve simple Middle Eastern-Mediterranean food, like gyros, falafel, rice platters, and hummus. Though most of their customers aren't Muslim, Mohiuddin said Ramadan is one of the busiest times of year due to requests to cater dinners for family and friends.

"The bigger the group, the better," he said. "There's nothing like breaking a fast with 30 hungry people."

Mohiuddin, who with his family owns several Burger King stores, was approached two years ago by New York's Halal Guys company to expand to Pennsylvania. A third Halal Guys location, not owned by Mohiuddin, opened in Chinatown Square in late 2016.

Community leaders estimate at least 200,000 Muslims live in Philadelphia, with more in the surrounding region. But when it comes to Ramadan, which ends later this month, misconceptions abound. Some people think you don't eat for 30 days, Mohiuddin said. Others assume practicing Muslims dread the holiday.

"Most Muslims look forward to Ramadan," he said. "It's a very peaceful, self-reflective time. It's like a fresh start. There's a personal goal  can I commit myself to doing it? You start to look at different parts of your life."

Certain traditions, such as eating a date to break the fast, are universal. Others, particularly the foods enjoyed at dinner, depend on the background of the family hosting the meal. Mohiuddin, who grew up in Lansdale, is Indian; his wife is Egyptian.

The pre-sunrise meal during Ramadan is often a high-carbohydrate dish to curb the appetite throughout the day, as well as lots of water, which is also forbidden during daylight hours. Mohiuddin prefers to start with bananas, along with rice and eggs for protein.

Halal Guys' customers often seek out platters of chicken and rice for dinner, or hummus. To break the evening fast, Mohiuddin's family might serve butter chicken and rice, fruits, and yogurt drinks. His wife makes her own version, an "upside-down rice" dish cooked in a pot with layers of meat and vegetables, as well as an Egyptian hummus-like dish of mashed fava beans and spices served with bread.

Other traditional offerings could include crispy falafel patties made from chickpeas or fava beans, or chicken and beef wrapped into a warm pita with vegetables and tangy sauces that ooze out with every bite. Perhaps a few sweet, flaky pieces of baklava for dessert.

On the first few nights of Ramadan, Mohiuddin said, it's not out of the ordinary for him to load up three dinner plates. As the month goes on, he finds he needs less.

"You learn that you don't really need all this food to make it through the day," he said. "Especially if it's nutritional."

It's not easy in the beginning, he said, particularly in years such as this, when the new moon signaling the start falls in a summer month with a later sunset. And there are exceptions: pregnant women, children, the elderly, and the sick.

Ramadan ends on the evening of June 14 with the last night of the holy month and the start of Eid al-Fitr, the biggest holiday of the year. Many families hold large parties and give presents to children. At Halal Guys, Mohiuddin said, he has the managers put out dates for customers to enjoy, and he extends the hours for people who want to come late.

"Last year we stayed open until 4 a.m.," he said. "They just kept coming."On May 7, the Inquirer reported on the story of patient Steve Zangla, who went to Riddle Hospital in Media for sharp and distressing abdominal pain.

As is the case with most emergency patients, Zangla chose the hospital closest to him. As is the case with every patient who presents to any emergency department, he received a full medical evaluation without regard to his insurance coverage. In his case, the diagnosis was a kidney stone. Several weeks later, he received another painful jab: a $666 doctor's bill that was denied by his insurance company  Alabama Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)  which received Zangla's bill through a BCBS affiliate in Pennsylvania.

The bill was processed incorrectly as an out-of-network expense by his insurance company, and so he received a "balance bill" from the provider.

All that was revealed when his wife contacted the Inquirer, which as part of its Health Costs project has been asking readers to share their medical billing experiences. By then, the Zanglas figured they had no alternative but to pay the bill.

How can a mistake like this happen?

Well, it's complicated.

Insurance companies are making their networks narrower, creating coverage gaps that lead to surprise bills. Patients are facing high deductibles and being provided with little information on the out-of-pocket cost of their medical care.

>>SHARE YOUR STORY WITH PHILLY HEALTH COSTS: Please check out our online home, or email us at healthcosts@philly.com

Health costs are becoming more transparent. Locally, the Inquirer's Philly Health Costs lists cash prices for shoppable procedures at all the Philadelphia-area hospitals. Nationally, the Fair Health database is an independent database run by a nonprofit group that has compiled more than 26 billion claims collected from insurance companies.

Narrow networks can most impact rural areas, where there are not a sufficient number of providers in the network for any given specialty. Since 2010, two rural hospitals have closed in Pennsylvania. Although insurers contend that the charges are too high, physicians note that reimbursement at a fair rate, for services already provided, is a part of the insurance coverage that patients have paid for.

There is some reason to hope.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering new rules to protect patients from surprise charges, generally intended to hold patients harmless in the event of a surprise bill by requiring insurers and providers to work out billing issues among themselves. Medical organizations such as the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians are working to ensure providers receive fair reimbursement from insurers when patients are not able to choose the provider, and emergency visits are prominent example of this.

The decision to go to the emergency room can be tense and full of uncertainty from a medical perspective. Chest pain could be harbinger for a blood clot. Feeling short of breath may represent a devastating pneumonia.

Providing medical care is expensive. Hospitals must purchase high-end medical equipment, hire well-trained physicians, and maintain safe workplace conditions in which to deliver high-quality care. These areas require sustainable funding and a fair reimbursement standard so that hospitals can keep their doors open and provide access to care for patients across Pennsylvania.

We need to act now as health systems become increasingly stressed.

The number of ED visits continues to grow much faster than the growth of the U.S. population, with ED visits increasing by 14.8 percent from 2006 to 2014 (compared with a 6.9 percent growth in the overall U.S. population in this same period). A central tenet of emergency medicine is to care for all patients in their time of need, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Emergency departments are the health-care safety net of our communities, the only place where everyone can receive care regardless of their condition or insurance coverage. It is reasonable to think that insurance companies should fairly reimburse emergency medicine providers while shielding patients from surprise, out-of-pocket bills.

Now is the time to contact your lawmakers, share your story, and join the movement of Pennsylvania emergency medicine physicians who want to end surprise billing and coverage gaps. Your health is too important to settle for anything less.

Erik J. Blutinger, M.D., M.Sc., is a resident in emergency medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.Biologist Ben Kilham interacts with Qian Qian, a giant panda that was artificially bred and released into the wild in China. He and other scientists affiliated with Drexel University are featured in a new documentary on the project. Read more

Drexel University environmental scientist James R. Spotila cofounded a nonprofit group in 2007 to develop collaborations with researchers in China, and before long he was invited to visit a facility that was intertwined with that country's very identity: a breeding program for giant pandas.

He asked if climate change posed a threat to the black-and-white bears, listed at the time as an endangered species. Not yet, the Chinese scientists responded. The real problem was getting artificially bred animals to survive in the wild.

Spotila knew of another U.S. scientist who had pioneered a method for introducing orphaned black bears into the wild. Perhaps it could work with the pandas as well?

The project that resulted is featured in the new IMAX documentary Pandas, showing Thursday in a sneak preview at the Franklin Institute.

The movie is narrated by Kristen Bell, of NBC's The Good Place and films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but the real star is Qian Qian, a 4-year-old panda whose name translates loosely as "Pretty Girl."

Previously, China's artificially bred pandas were released into the wild abruptly, and some did not survive. Qian Qian, on the other hand, was introduced gradually to the outside world under the supervision of Chinese and U.S. scientists.

She lived at first in a pen, nursed by a surrogate mother and later bottle-fed by the scientists. At 7 months, she moved to a 12-acre enclosure, initially returning to the pen at night. In 2016, at 2 years of age, she graduated to a 100-acre enclosure, and soon after was turned loose in a mountainous region in southern China's Sichuan province.

At each stage, a small group of scientists kept a protective eye on the bear as she explored her environment and learned to forage for food  primarily bamboo.

"It's in their genes to be a panda," Spotila said. "But you have to not feed them. You have to let them explore."

This "soft release" was patterned on a black-bear release method developed in New Hampshire by biologist Ben Kilham, who joined the panda project at Spotila's invitation.

At first, Chinese scientists were skeptical that the method would work on pandas, so they traveled to New Hampshire to watch Kilham in action with the black bears. Another crucial element in persuading them was the involvement of Sheri Yi, a native of China who is married to Spotila's brother, John.

A longtime organizer of professional and education exchange programs between the U.S. and China, Yi spoke to the Chinese scientists on behalf of the Spotila brothers and Kilham, and she established a level of trust.

"I'm not only playing a role of translating, but I'm using my judgment to communicate," she said.

The goal is to boost the wild panda population, which has dipped below 2,000 bears as development encroaches on their habitat. To avoid further losses, and to ensure there is enough room to accommodate the influx of artificially bred animals, the Chinese government has established nature preserves.

But nature can be an unforgiving place. Like the abrupt-release method before it, the soft-release approach has suffered setbacks. He Sheng, a second panda that went through the soft-release program, died of an infection after being attacked by unknown animals.

Qian Qian also suffered injuries in some sort of attack. But the scientists saw from the bear's GPS transmitter that she was not moving, and came to her rescue in time.

Wenlei Bi, a Drexel Ph.D. student who is from China, climbed a tree to give medicine to Qian Qian. He and team member Jacob Owens, who earned his doctorate from Drexel in 2013, eventually persuaded the bear to climb down and took her back to the 100-acre enclosure to recover.

She is expected to be released to the wild once again this summer, said Kilham, who earned a Ph.D. from Drexel in 2015.

The scientists will compare the soft-release method with the traditional Chinese "hard-release" approach to see which one is more successful, but it seems clear that Qian Qian would not have survived had she not been willing to accept aid from her Drexel-trained overseers, Spotila said.

Yet could too much familiarity with humans have unforeseen consequences? That issue merits careful study, said Joseph Clark, a research ecologist and bear expert with the U.S. Geological Survey who is not involved with the panda project.

The Drexel-China team says so far there is no cause for concern. In every respect, Qian Qian acts like a wild animal and steers clear of humans other than the handful of scientists who monitor her, Spotila said.

When the movie had its Los Angeles premiere in March  at the landmark TLC Chinese Theater, of course  narrator Bell was on hand. But her furry co-star was in a nature preserve half a world away, presumably looking for bamboo.

The sneak preview of "Pandas" is Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Franklin Institute's Tuttleman IMAX Theater. Limited tickets are available online at eventbrite.com. (In the bar at the top of that web page, search for "pandas.")Bill Shick, left, a farmer who works for the Chester County Food Bank, works with John Landes, a volunteer from Univest, to harvest garlic scapes on a West Chester farm for people in poverty. Read more

In cool morning fog, bank employees knelt in the mud of a Chester County farm to plant peppers that will feed people living in poverty in the richest county in Pennsylvania.

Office talk died down soon enough, and the only sounds were the wind rippling through still-young corn stalks and the thunk-slide repetition of spades being thrust into dirt.

The farmers for a day  from Univest banking and insurance in Souderton and other locations  were among a legion of volunteers who work on the West Chester farm throughout the growing season for the Chester County Food Bank. The land has been owned by the Quaker-run Westtown School since the 18th century.

Farmer Pete Flynn, who leases 200 acres from Westtown, allows a six- to 10-acre parcel to be used by the food bank free of charge. The food bank  Flynn is a board member  attracts thousands of volunteers a year, many of who are corporate types who rotate in and out of the farm to plant and harvest food, specifically for county residents in need.

Flynn's largesse has its roots in gleaning, a biblical instruction taken from Leviticus that admonishes farmers to leave crops for people in poverty.

Now 60, Flynn started working on the farm when he was 12, taking time out to get a degree in animal husbandry and dairy science from Michigan State University. His parents, civil rights activists who preached social justice, conferred upon Flynn an understanding that even if you work a solitary job in a green field, you're still part of a community that owes the less fortunate your sweat and diligence.

"It's frustrating to live amidst all this wealth and see people hungry," said Flynn, whose county's residents enjoy an annual median household income above $90,000. Referring to Chester County's farmland  said by agriculture scientists at the University of Pennsylvania to be among the most nutrient-rich in America  Flynn added: "Hunger shouldn't happen here, with this soil. We have enough resources to make this problem go away."

>>READ MORE: They overcame: 3 stories of hope from women who'd endured hell

Economists tell us the stock market can reward investors and still leave those in poverty behind. In Chester County, as the overall economy has improved, poverty has risen from 6.5 percent in 2013 to 7 percent today, U.S. census figures show. By comparison, Philadelphia's poverty rate has dipped from 26.3 percent to 25.7 percent during that same period, according to federal data.

High rents, low-paying service-sector jobs, and the unavoidable expense of keeping a car in a place with little available public transportation rank among the reasons poverty persists in Chester County, experts say.

Still, because the county is synonymous with pastoral beauty and gracious living, "it's hard for people who live here to know there's poverty," said Larry Welsch, executive director of the Chester County Food Bank. That's why he's grateful to Flynn for allowing his agency to pull 200,000 pounds of fresh produce a year from the ground to fight hunger and promote health.

"Our focus is not just on feeding people, but on feeding people well," Welsch said. "We don't want to look like some other food banks, the domain of canned corn and peanut butter."

Much of the work of cultivating Flynn's donated parcel falls to Bill Shick, 40, a Downingtown native who once helped carve a farm of sorts out of the sparse dirt on Hunting Park Avenue in Philadelphia for the Share Food Program, a nonprofit that supplies hundreds of food cupboards.

"I joke that I miss the police helicopters," Shick said.

Out on the Westtown land, Shick has more room to operate amid the vegetables, thousands of identical plants lined up in undeviating rows. He's as devoted as Flynn and Welsch to the core mission. "Our goal is non-hunger," he said.

But, he acknowledged: "There will always be hunger. We are here treating the sickness. It's education and jobs that address the root causes of poverty."

Along with planting and harvesting, Shick must also wrangle the volunteers, who may lack agricultural chops but who often compensate with tireless enthusiasm.

"I love volunteering," said Michelle Gazdik, 44, branch manager of the Univest bank in West Chester, as she handled pepper plants with increasing adroitness. "It gets me out of the office for the day.

"And this is what we can do, our little part. I'm pretty proud."

Philadelphia Media Network is one of 19 news organizations producing "Broke in Philly," a collaborative reporting project on solutions to poverty and the city's push toward economic justice. Read more at brokeinphilly.org or follow @BrokeInPhilly.The F.W. Winter building is pictured under the Ben Franklin Bridge in Camden. Some local residents oppose the proposed erection of a 16-story digital billboard on the site by Interstate Outdoor Advertising CEO Drew Katz. Read more

For the second time, a South Jersey company that wants to erect a billboard at the base of the Ben Franklin Bridge in Camden has asked the city to delay a hearing on the controversial proposal.

Interstate Outdoor Advertising, based in Cherry Hill, asked the city to postpone a hearing Monday before the zoning board seeking a variance, said CEO Drew Katz. A reason for the delay was not provided.

"We are not going forward today," Katz said in a text message, declining additional comment. "I have nothing to add right now."

With opposition mounting, the latest delay cast doubt over the proposal to build a 167-foot-high billboard in North Camden near the Delaware River waterfront. A new hearing was scheduled for Sept. 10, said city spokesman Vince Basara.

Liberty Property Trust, which is spearheading a $800 million project underway to remake the Camden waterfront, has concerns that the billboard would hamper economic development in the area and mar the Philadelphia skyline, said John Gattuso, senior vice president of the developer.

"The City of Camden has worked very hard  to really move forward and reinvent itself as a place that is a compelling environment for people to work, live and be entertained," Gattuso said. "I don't think that kind of billboard is keeping with that kind of environment."

Cooper's Ferry Partnership, which is overseeing redevelopment in Camden, also has misgivings about the proposal, said Kris Kolluri, chief executive officer.

"It certainly doesn't sound like it's the right location for a billboard," Kolluri said in an interview Monday. "I know others have expressed the same concerns."

Until now, the plan, announced by Katz in April, has mostly come under attack from residents and community groups who say the billboard would drastically change the architectural landscape of the area and create an eyesore for commuters, bridge runners and walkers, and residents who live nearby in North Camden and the Cooper Grant neighborhood.

Under the proposal, messages on its two digital screens would target thousands of commuters who travel across the bridge daily from New Jersey into Philadelphia. It would cost about $800,000 and take about six months to build, Katz has said.

In what is believed to be the first venture of its kind in the country, proceeds from advertising sales, about $200,000 annually, earmarked for nonprofits in the city. Katz said the billboard would be used to create a permanent funding source for charitable groups.

Katz, the son of Lewis Katz, a Camden native and philanthropist who gave millions to his hometown, said he came up with the billboard proposal as a way to carry on his father's legacy. The elder Katz, a co-owner of the Philadelphia Media Group, publisher of the Inquirer and Daily News, died in a plane crash in May 2014.

But the company needs a zoning variance from the city to proceed with the proposal. The redevelopment plan for the parcel of land at Elm Street and Delaware Avenue where the billboard would be placed prohibits billboards.

In late April, Katz asked the city to delay a May hearing with the zoning board and said additional meetings would be held with community groups and residents to allay concerns about the billboard. The company has obtained a state permit for the project and reached an agreement with F.W. Winter Inc., a metal and alloy manufacturer that owns the land where the billboard would be built, he said.

It was unclear why Interstate has now requested a three-month delay. The zoning board has meetings scheduled in July and August. Edward Williams, the city's planning director and zoning officer, did not respond to a telephone message.

The Camden Lutheran Housing Inc., a nonprofit in North Camden, has not been contacted by Interstate, said Betsy Clifford, executive director. The group has gathered hundreds of signatures on a petition opposing the billboard proposal, she said.

"Our position has not changed," Clifford said. "We do not want the billboard in North Camden."

The Cooper Grant Neighborhood Association, which met with Interstate officials in May, voted unanimously to oppose the proposal, according to resident Benjamin Saracco.

Under the proposal, nonprofits would be eligible to apply for grants from a nonprofit board that would be created to disburse revenues generated from billboard ads, Katz said.

"Our motivations are only pure here," Katz said previously.Jack Thompson Phillips, 23, of Malvern, a recent college graduate who aspired to a career in environmental science, died Monday, June 4, of complications from brain cancer at his home.

Mr. Phillips was the son of Nell Rose and Michael Phillips, longtime residents of Malvern. He graduated from West Chester East High School in 2013. While there, he was a member of the National Honor Society and a pole vaulter and distance runner on the track and field team.

He earned a bachelor's degree in 2017 from Penn State University. His major was geoscience, the study of the earth and factors that affect the environment.

"He never got a chance to get started," his grandfather, Gene Foreman, former managing editor of the Inquirer, said of his grandson's aspirations. "He wanted to have a favorable impact on the environment. He wanted to become an environmental protector."

As part of Mr. Phillips' course work, he took a field trip during the summer of 2017 to the Rockies, Foreman said, and was thrilled to be in the mountains.

After receiving his degree in August 2017, Mr. Phillips and his girlfriend, Liz Snell, went on a dream trip to Thailand, a treat before plunging into adulthood. Just 10 hours into the trip, though, Mr. Phillips experienced an excruciating headache and lost the feeling on his left side.

The illness came "out of nowhere," his mother wrote online.

Mr. Phillips was rushed to a hospital in Bangkok, where doctors diagnosed him with advanced brain cancer and performed emergency surgery to remove a large tumor that had hemorrhaged. Their quick action saved Mr. Phillips' life, his mother wrote.

His parents flew to Thailand to be by their son's side. A month later, once his condition stabilized, Mr. Phillips, his parents, and Snell flew back to the United States.

For a while, early this year, Mr. Phillips appeared to be recovering and life was returning to normal, his mother wrote.

"We have been enjoying Jack gaining strength and beginning to get his life back," his mother wrote on CaringBridge.org. "Things have been humming along nicely. He went on a couple of dates with Liz and started his neighborhood walks."

Mr. Phillips was able to show his family the cooking skills he had learned while working as a shift manager at the Qdoba Mexican Eats restaurant in State College during his junior and senior years at Penn State. "He was proud of that," his grandfather said.

But the multiple surgeries and treatments with radiation and chemotherapy at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital that were needed to address the glioblastoma took their toll. Fluid collected on his brain and caused pressure, his grandfather said.

At Eastertime, Mr. Phillips began experiencing sinus pain and headaches, and his condition deteriorated. Mr. Phillips fought bravely and never lost hope of recovery, his mother and grandfather said.

Over Memorial Day weekend, though, doctors advised that the best course of action was hospice care, so his parents took him home to be with his family and two dogs.

An uplifting moment had come just before on May 25, when the Phillips' neighbors and students and teachers from the East Goshen Elementary School, which he had attended, turned out for a walk  "Jack's Journey"  to raise funds for cancer research.

"Jack is feeling very special and loved," his mother wrote online.

Mr. Phillips was remembered as a person who was "a friend for life," Foreman said. He kept in touch with fellow students from grade school, some of whom were present when he died.

Kristie Wining, proprietor of Qdoba Mexican Eats in State College, where Mr. Phillips was a shift manager in the evenings, said that she has seen many students work at the restaurant in the last 14 years, but that he was special.

"He was always happy. Being around him just made your day better. Not one time did he think this was going to beat him. He was an all-around great kind of kid.  In the time he had, he touched many people's lives," Wining said.

In addition to his parents and grandfather, Mr. Phillips is survived by siblings Christopher, Nicholas, Noah, and Olivia; and a grandmother, Harriet Phillips.

Funeral arrangements were pending.The death toll from a volcanic eruption in Guatemala rose to 69, said officials. Rescue work continues and the number of deaths is expected to rise.

Guatemala's national disaster agency, Conred, increased the death toll as more bodies were pulled from the debris around the village of El Rodeo, which was hard hit by the eruption. Just 17 had been identified so far because the intense heat of the volcanic debris flows left most bodies unrecognizable.

It is very difficult for us to identify them because some of the dead lost their features or their fingerprints from the red-hot flows," Fanuel Garcia, director of the National Institute of Forensic Sciences, said. We are going to have to resort to other methods ... and if possible take DNA samples to identify them.

Guatemalan authorities say they had been closely monitoring the Volcano of Fire, one of Central Americas most active, after activity picked up around 6:00 a.m. Sunday.

The volcano has registered a number of minor eruptions over the years, and no evacuations were ordered as scientific experts reported the activity was decreasing.

Conred, issued a number of standard precautions, advising people to wear protective face masks, clean their rooftops of ash once the eruption was over and cover any food and water intended for human consumption. It also said to heed any recommendations from authorities. Guatemala Citys international airport was closed due to the danger to planes.

Conred spokesman David de Leon said that around 2:00 p.m. the volcano registered a new, more powerful explosion.

Soon, searing flows of lava, ash and rock mixed with water and debris were gushing down the volcanos flanks, blocking roads and burning homes.

Authorities scrambled to issue an evacuation order. Some communities emptied out safely. But in places like Los Lotes and the village of El Rodeo, about 12 kilometers downslope from the crater, it was too late for many.

The fast-moving flows overtook people in homes and streets with temperatures reaching as high as 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit (700 Celsius), and hot ash and volcanic gases that can cause rapid asphyxiation.

Rafael Letran, a resident of El Rodeo, criticized Conred for not evacuating communities earlier.

When the lava was already here they passed by in their pickup trucks yelling at us to leave, but the cars did not stop to pick up the people, Letran said. The government is good at stealing, but when it comes to helping people they lack spark.

De Leon said the disaster agency followed protocol.

As soon as we received the information around 6:00 a.m. that the volcano was in an eruptive phase, the protocol was initiated to verify with different sectors and also talk to the communities, to community leaders. ... We had the information from our scientific service, and they told us the trend was that the activity was diminishing, he said.

In El Rodeo on Monday, heavily armed soldiers wearing blue masks to avoid breathing in ash stood guard behind yellow tape cordoning off the disaster scene. Helmeted workers carried bodies away on stretchers, and smoke was still rising from some parts of the ashen landscape strewn with boulders and other debris.

President Jimmy Morales traveled to survey the disaster area.

Emergency crews in helicopters managed to pull at least 10 people alive from areas cut off by the flows. Conred said 3,271 people had been evacuated.

More than 1,000 people were being housed in temporary shelters and over 1.7 million have been affected.A group of mushroom phorid flies lie dead on a sticky trap inside a mushroom-growing facility in New Garden Township, Chester County. Over the last three years, the flies have come to swarm inside residential communities, leaving homeowners desperate to find a way to get rid of them. Read more

On Thanksgiving 2015, Margo Woodacre had to send her family home on empty stomachs. A month later, Barbara and David Runkle were unable to put up their Christmas tree. In the years since, neighbors have worn out vacuum belts, spent untold amounts of money on black lights, and become amateur experts on homeopathic pesticides.

All because of a species of fly whose proliferation has stumped researchers. A fly inherently tied to mushrooms, the cash crop that serves as the backbone to Chester County, to the tune of nearly $400 million in the last fiscal year.

Now, thanks to a $90,000 grant from the state, scientists at the local Pennsylvania State University extension office will embark on a new, experimental method of combating the flies: the hiring of a hybrid researcher/community liaison.

"People have moved away. People are selling their homes, taking a loss," said Barbara Runkle, a resident of Harrogate, a retirement community near the Delaware state line in Landenberg. "When it's 'high-fly season,' you can't even turn the lights on. We came here to live our lives, and this is an all-encompassing issue."

Reports of mushroom phorid flies harassing people in the county have been persistent for three years now. Horror stories abound about thousands of flies being vacuumed off windows, coating sticky traps placed in basements, and pushing families to spend as little time at home as possible.

The insects' eggs are usually laid in fertile mushroom soil, and the flies grow alongside the crop. They've been reported in other states where mushrooms are grown, but never in these numbers, researchers say. In Chester County, they're in full force by midsummer, peaking sometime around September.

"The folks at Penn State have a scientific process, they have to test their hypotheses, and find conclusions," said Joe Miscione, another Harrogate resident. "That's all well and good, but that takes five years. We need an answer now of what we can do to alleviate some of this."

The Harrogate residents have been particularly vocal, but they're not alone: Their counterparts in Kennett Square, Lower and Upper Oxford Townships, and Lincoln University have all made similar complaints since the insects started crawling around in record numbers.

Those reports have all made their way, in one form or another, to Tom Baker and Nina Jenkins, researchers and professors of entomology at Penn State. Sometimes as dead flies delivered to their mailbox in State College.

And while the two have received funding in years past to study the flies' ecology and behavior, this latest grant is unique, the first of its kind that the two have seen in their decades of work studying insects.

"We have all our research mapped out over the next couple of years, but meanwhile residents are living with this problem," Baker said. "What we have never had funding to do, or the infrastructure for, is communicating with residents and assisting them with their concerns."

The 10-month grant from the state Department of Agriculture, announced last week by the university, funds the hiring of the new entomologist and helps cover the cost of producing educational material for residents, according to Baker. It also opens the door for further funding of this nature in years to come.

They envision this new entomologist  whom they hope to hire by July  as an "expert voice," one who can have a consistent presence in the community. Because, as much as Baker and Jenkins have tried to attend the various community meetings about the phorid fly issue, their main focus has been on their research.

"Whenever there's a discussion about mitigating the flies, different residents say they've had different success with different methods," Jenkins said. "But if there are methods that do seem to be working for multiple residents, this person could guide those conversations. And because that person is a scientist, they could police those discussions to make sure the methods are reliable and not just smoke and mirrors."

Since 2015, which residents generally agree to be the arrival of the worst of the phorid flies, those community meetings have gotten progressively more involved. The residents of Harrogate formed the Phorid Fly Action Committee, drawing the attention of State Sen. Andrew Dinniman, State Rep. David Roe, and local township officials. It's a collaborative effort, with mushroom growers also having a seat at the table.

And while the eclectic group can all agree that flies are a nuisance, no one seems clear on why they're swarming in the homes. But theories abound.

Phorid flies are always present, in some capacity around mushroom farms, according to Eric Toedter, the manager of research and development at Southmill Mushrooms in Kennett Square.

He's seen them in Chester County since he arrived in 2010, and his company has records of their presence going back to at least 2006. Their exponential increase in the region comes suspiciously close to the Environmental Protection Agency's ban on diazinon, a pesticide used to control various species of flies.

The EPA banned the substance for residential and commercial use in 2004, and halted all agricultural use in 2012, according to Laura Phelps, a consultant for, and former president of, the American Mushroom Institute. The agency deemed it too harmful, not for consumers or the mushrooms themselves, but to the workers in the houses.

Others in Chester County think the flies' arrival is owed to development. Some residents in Harrogate say the worst of the flies came when construction began on Harlow Point, another, similar community yards away from their own.

But none of this is definitive, according to the Penn State researchers. What everyone can agree on, however, is that it's an issue worth investing time and resources into.

"It's not just Harrogate that has this problem," Margo Woodacre said. "We love this neighborhood. This is not an issue that's just here. This is a Chester County issue."Radnor Township uses parking kiosks that ask drivers to type in their parking space numbers. Some residents get confused and end up parking for the wrong spot. Read more

Steven Noland arrived for work on a Tuesday afternoon in Wayne, found a parking space, and typed the three-digit number of his space on the kiosk's keyboard to park there for two hours. Or so he thought.

Noland returned later to find a ticket, issued half an hour after he had left. He had paid for space 229. But he was parked in spot 230.

"The way the spots are marked, it's kind of misleading," said the 45-year-old West Philadelphia resident, a health-care services contractor who was working at Genesis HealthCare. He drove right to the Radnor Township police station to explain his mistake, but he was told his only option was to fight the ticket in court.

"It was ludicrous," he said.

"We hear a lot of complaints," said Bob D'Amicantonio, co-owner of Angelo D'Amicantonio & Son men's shoe store in Wayne, which serves many elderly customers. "They blame the merchants," said Dale Hunt, owner of the Antique Store in Wayne.

But the township, police, and the merchants association say Radnor's park-by-number system and the kiosks represent a dramatic improvement over the old coin-only meter.

"We're extremely happy with them," said Christopher Flanagan, the Radnor police superintendent, adding that the department has heard "a lot of positive comments."

Both the irritation and enthusiasm aimed at the kiosks that have sprouted throughout the region seem to stem from the same fundamental principle: People don't like change  in both senses.

Technology continues to evolve to make paying for parking more convenient with kiosks that accept cards replacing coin-only meters, and smartphone apps replacing or complementing kiosks. Radnor has just under 1,000 numbered spaces and about 40 kiosks it installed a few years ago, said Flanagan.

He said the township is proud of its technologically advanced kiosks, which accept cards, cash and coins; can be turned off for special events; and offer 10 minutes of free parking. They're an alternative to the parking mobile app the township started using a year or two ago, and they don't clutter sidewalks like meters did. The kiosks draw power from solar panels on their heads.

Most drivers have used the kiosks without incident, but some feel left behind or make mistakes. Those who have had problems with them  including some seniors  are vocal in their opposition.

"Most of my customers are still using flip phones," said Hunt, owner of the antiques shop.

Several merchants in Wayne said they often go out to help elderly people who get confused or can't make out the writing on the kiosk screens. Sometimes they pay for their customers' parking. Several business owners also observed that some people are intimidated by the kiosks.

Hunt said a customer from out of town told him he'd never come back to his store. Hunt said he has gone to district court hearings with customers to fight their tickets.

It's not a gripe exclusive to Wayne.

Haddonfield installed parking kiosks a decade ago in parking lots and still gets occasional complaints about them, said Deborah Fesi, a parking enforcement officer there for 18 years. She said she is used to hearing excuses and abuse. "I've pretty much heard it all," she said.

"People, no matter what, are going to complain," said Chris Todd, owner of and chef at Christopher's A Neighborhood Place and president of the Wayne Business Association. "People hated the meters when they were here."

Todd said he had a customer who was having trouble with a kiosk and "wanted to punch the thing." Todd walked her through the instructions. "By the end, I had her laughing," he said.

Customers no longer ask his cashiers to make change for parking. He said the updated system is "a lot more convenient."

"The rest of the world is going to kiosks," Todd said.

Jonathan Stone, who owns a dental practice on West Lancaster Avenue around the corner from the restaurant, said that sometimes his patients "don't even know there are kiosks."

"They don't see a sign or a meter, so they park and walk away," he said.

Kathy Middleton, a receptionist at Stone's office, said: "You feel bad, because it's an innocent mistake."

Middleton said that, one day, a kiosk took her money but didn't confirm the transaction. She called the police to explain what happened, and she didn't get a ticket. Similarly, Radnor police said that anyone who taps in an incorrect space number and notifies police right away won't get a citation.

Flanagan said the township tries to work with people to resolve problems, such as when it adjusted the brightness on the kiosks' screens to fight sun glare in response to complaints. "We want to make the experience of coming to Radnor the best as possible," said Flanagan.

As for Nolan, the contractor, last week, seven months after he got his ticket, he finally got his chance to explain the mix-up to a judge. He waited with his parking receipt in district court with about a dozen drivers cited for speeding, including a young man who had driven a Subaru more than double the speed limit in a 55-mile-per-hour zone.

District Judge Leon Hunter III immediately dismissed Noland's case, because no one from the township's parking department came to court. That's the rule rather than the exception: The parking attendant who wrote the ticket has to be present at the hearing, and that rarely happens.

Hunter said he gets about 10 parking hearing requests a week, more than he ever got when the township used meters.

He said that Noland was in good company: "Ninety-nine percent of them are upstanding citizens who made a mistake."Family members and friends gather around three granite monuments dedicated in memory of the six people killed in the Salvation Army building collapse at 22nd and Market Streets on the fifth anniversary of the tragedy Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Read more

The three 8-foot-high black granite monumental stones unveiled Tuesday at the site of the deadly Salvation Army thrift store collapse face inward, away from the busy Center City intersection of 22nd and Market Streets.

Engraved on the stones are the names of the people killed in the June 5, 2013, collapse. On that bright, beautiful morning, a three-to-four-story wall of an adjacent building that was being demolished collapsed onto the thrift shop, killing six and injuring 13 others.

On Tuesday  another lovely June morning  hundreds attended an hour-long anniversary ceremony dedicating the June 5th Memorial Park. Mayor Kenney was among the speakers.

The park project was spearheaded by former City Treasurer Nancy Winkler and her husband, Jay Bryan. Their daughter, Anne Bryan, a 24-year-old aspiring artist, was among the victims that day.

"My daughter, Anne, was crushed to death right here," Winkler told those gathered.

The others killed at the site were: Anne Bryan's childhood best friend, Mary Simpson, 24; Roseline Conteh, 52, a nurse from Sierra Leone; Kimberly Finnegan, 35, a cashier working her first shift at the thrift store; Borbor Davis, 68, a Salvation Army employee from Liberia; and Juanita Harmon, 75, a retired secretary at the University of Pennsylvania.

Among the injured were Danny C. Johnson, 59, a truck driver who died 23 days later, and Ukrainian immigrant Mariya Plekan, who was buried under rubble for 13 hours and whose legs had to be amputated.

"The city was shocked by the level of greed and indifference to human life and safety demonstrated by so many people who were aware of the dangerous demolition but did nothing," Winkler said in her remarks.

She spoke of the need for continued vigilance by the city of safety standards. "Demolitions are dangerous," she said, noting a building collapse in North Philadelphia Monday morning that killed a demolition worker, Harvey Figgs.

A brother of Harmon's, Charles Harmon, 87, said he hoped his sister's death "will inspire commercial workers to make sure that they do the proper things when they construct sites."

Zhee Carr, a daughter of Davis', told those gathered that "it has been difficult at times," but that she knows that her father is "in a better place." After the ceremony, as family members gathered for a photo in front of her father's name on one of the granite stones, she said she wanted to return to the site when it's quiet.

"I will try to come around here when no one else is here," said Carr, of Newark, Del., as she stood near her mother, Maggie Davis, and siblings Maryann Mason and Joseph McClain.

Building a reflective space was a goal of the memorial created by architect Scott Aker and artist Barbara Fox. "The idea for the memorial was to create something that was both public and private," Fox said after the ceremony.

The three vertical stones curve inward like "arms wrapping around" to embrace the victims' families, she said.

"This is a sacred space," Winkler said afterward as she stood in front of the granite stones, where the bodies of her daughter and the other victims were found by first responders. Closer to the street corner, an Amur Maackia tree was planted to honor the responders.

Winkler chose the Emily Dickinson poem "Unable Are the Loved to Die," which is quoted on one of the stones.

"Anne loved Emily Dickinson," Winkler said, adding: "We're here to say, in a way, these people still live in our hearts, and love is the most important thing."

Staff writer Claudia Irizarry-Aponte contributed to this article.Salvatore DiNubile, left, and Caleer Miller, right. The two teens were shot dead in South Philadelphia in October 2017. Their accused shooter, Brandon Olivieri, will be tried as an adult. Read more

A Philadelphia judge limited access to her courtroom Tuesday and more than a dozen police officers and sheriff's deputies had to patrol the hallway after a scuffle erupted at the Criminal Justice Center among friends and relatives of two 16-year-old victims and the accused teenage shooter from a double homicide in South Philadelphia last fall.

The brief melee began about a half-hour before the scheduled court proceeding for Brandon Olivieri, 17, accused of killing Salvatore DiNubile and Caleer Miller in October during an Instagram-fueled confrontation. Although it was not immediately clear who started the shouting and shoving match at the courthouse, Common Pleas Court Judge Kathryn Streeter Lewis subsequently said that due to "safety concerns," she would allow only selected family members, lawyers, two reporters, and court staff into her courtroom, despite a sizable presence of potential spectators outside.

In the hallway, more than 12 law enforcement officers sought to contain interactions among relatives of DiNubile, Miller, and Olivieri, although tensions occasionally flared as new supporters arrived on the courthouse's 11th floor. When several of Olivieri's relatives walked toward the courtroom, for example, some DiNubile supporters cursed at them and screamed, "Murderer!" Relatives of DiNubile said Olivieri's family members waved shirts in their face proclaiming Brandon's innocence.

From the bench, Lewis referenced the chaos in the hall, but said simply: "This courtroom will be conducted with order."

At issue was whether the 17-year-old Olivieri would be tried as a juvenile or an adult in his murder case, a matter that proved perfunctory as Olivieri agreed to let the prosecution move forward in the higher court.

Still, the afternoon's theatrics seemed to overshadow the legal developments  and proved to be the latest example of the ongoing pressures that have enveloped the case since the killings.

Olivieri's lawyer, James Lammendola, said of the scuffle: "To tell you the truth, I have to sort it out myself." As for the decision to proceed in adult court, he told Lewis he did not want sympathetic victim-impact statements to be read into the record. Proceeding with the hearing, he told Lewis, would be "an exercise in futility."

The shooting last Oct. 24 quickly reverberated throughout the city and has had an aftermath marked by simmering tensions and accusations of threats and taunts among friends and relatives of the two victims and Olivieri.

At a preliminary hearing in December, prosecutors said Olivieri, Miller, and at least one other friend had been wandering around South Philadelphia looking to fight when they came across DiNubile at 12th and Mifflin Streets. DiNubile and the teens allegedly had been feuding on Instagram, although prosecutors did not specify what the dispute was about.

Olivieri is accused of pulling a gun and shooting DiNubile, then mistakenly shooting his friend Miller during a scuffle. Both DiNubile and Miller died that night.

Hundreds of friends subsequently mourned the teens at makeshift vigils and at their funerals.

After police identified Olivieri as a suspect  but before he was arrested  his family's South Philadelphia home was riddled with bullets, causing the police commissioner to publicly worry about tensions spiraling out of control.

In the months since, emotions have remained raw.

DiNubile's father, also named Salvatore, was arrested in March and charged with threatening a friend of Olivieri's. He is awaiting trial on charges including terroristic threats and simple assault, according to court records.

The elder DiNubile and his relatives, meanwhile, have said that Olivieri's friends have antagonized them, gloating on social media about the 16-year-old's death and calling for Olivieri to be released from prison.

A friend of Olivieri's, Marc Malerba, was charged in April with discarding the alleged murder weapon and telling a witness not to cooperate. Malerba, 20, is in custody awaiting a preliminary hearing on charges including witness intimidation and conspiracy, according to court records.

Olivieri's relatives also have said they received threatening letters and Facebook messages, forcing them to move out of the city. After the hearing Tuesday, several of his family members said he was innocent.

In a victim impact statement that DiNubile's sister, Ciarra Bianculli, had prepared for Tuesday's hearing, she wrote: "Life without Sal now is depressing, it is dark, it is unbearable: We sit in silence, eat in silence, and move in silence, to simply get through each day, as each day brings us one day closer to him." She did not read it due to Olivieri's decision to move forward in adult court.

Lewis, the judge, said that other victim impact statements suggested Miller shook the hand of one of DiNubile's friends in an apparent gesture of peace before gunfire rang out. As she ended the hearing, she implored the adults in the room to remember the example.

"If that had prevailed  none of us would be here," she said. "In recognition of that, can we at least endeavor to do the same?"Alexandria Santa-Barbara, 39, has been charged with selling fentanyl-laced heroin to a man who later died of an overdose from the drug. Read more

A Chester woman was charged Tuesday with knowingly selling fentanyl to her neighbor, who later died of an overdose from the synthetic opioid.

Alexandria Santa-Barbara, 39, faces multiple criminal offenses in the case, including drug delivery resulting in death and involuntary manslaughter, according to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office. She was arraigned Tuesday morning and remained in custody at the county prison in lieu of $50,000 bail, court records show.

The investigation into Santa-Barbara began March 29, when police responded to a report of a man unconscious at a home on Avon Road.

Upon arrival, officers found the victim, 51, unresponsive in the home's master bedroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene, with the county medical examiner later determining he died of an accidental "acute fentanyl intoxication." Police recovered bags containing trace amounts of the narcotic from the bedroom.

Witnesses later told investigators that the victim had been seen outside his home earlier that day with two neighbors. One of them was Santa-Barbara, who lives across the street from the victim, according to police.

Santa-Barbara had told a friend about the overdose, admitting that she "gave the guy across the street a bad bag" and felt guilty, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Detectives interviewed Santa-Barbara themselves on May 16, during which she admitted she sold the drugs to the victim, authorities said.

The drug-delivery charge she faces carries a statutory maximum 20-to-40-year sentence in prison. In recent years, it's become an increasingly popular tool in the fight against opioid addiction.

Prosecutors in rural York County have taken to using it against drug dealers in their jurisdiction. Since 2013, it's been brought forward 45 times by investigators there.

"We know that opioids are tearing families apart across Pennsylvania and in Delaware County, and that these drugs are more deadly than ever since they are often laced with fentanyl or are pure fentanyl, which causes an instantaneous fatal overdose," said Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland. "In the case of Alexandria Santa-Barbara, because of her actions, one life has been unjustly taken, and her own life has been destroyed. For families affected by opioids, holding drug dealers accountable for their actions is one way to help prevent such future tragedies."Mary Jane Fonder, center, is escorted by a Pennsylvania State Trooper to her arraignment hearing in 2008. Fonder, 79, died Monday in prison. Read more

The newly revived investigation into the disappearance of Edward Fonder III was complicated Monday by the death of his daughter  the last person to see him alive 25 years ago.

Mary Jane Fonder, 75, was pronounced dead of cardiac arrest at the state correctional facility in Muncy, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office. Fonder had been incarcerated at the prison since 2008, when she was convicted of killing Rhonda Smith in a bizarre murder that drew national media to her quiet corner of upper Bucks County.

Fonder's name was thrust back into the headlines in May, when investigators from the District Attorney's Office began to look more closely into her father's disappearance. Their renewed focus came after John Brunner, a longtime neighbor of the Fonder family who purchased their long-empty home on Winding Road in Springfield Township, gave detectives "unfettered access," according to District Attorney Matthew Weintraub.

During a visit to the property on May 22, investigators were unable to find any definitive sign of the elder Fonder by using ground-penetrating radar. Weintraub promised that the probe would continue, a point he echoed Tuesday, saying in a statement that his office "is still concerned about returning the remains to the family for closure and a proper burial."

After being granted access to the Fonder house, investigators approached Mary Jane Fonder anew, but she declined to speak with them.

Neighbors and sources close to the case recalled her recently as a polite if eccentric woman who kept to herself and had a knack for sculpting and painting, often making gifts of her artwork for friends. She moved in with her parents in Springfield Township in 1987 to help care for them after losing her job as a bookkeeper in Philadelphia, she told the Inquirer in 1994.

Over the years, her relationship with her father grew especially strained. And when he walked out of his home for the last time in 1993, she bristled at what she called "harassment of the highest order" by police probing his still-unresolved disappearance.

A decade later, she left rambling, often incoherent voicemails for Gregory Shreaves, the Lutheran preacher she believed Smith was having an affair with. Fonder later told investigators she had "very sexual [and] warm feelings about" him.

After Smith's slaying, Fonder threw herself at the younger woman's family, baking them pies and writing heartfelt letters of condolence. The gestures seemed especially strange when, months later, detectives cracked the case after recovering a pistol registered to Fonder in nearby Lake Nockamixon, a pistol with ballistics that matched the fatal wounds dealt to Smith.

Even after her conviction, Fonder maintained her innocence.

"I'm sorry, so very sorry this poor woman was murdered," she said at the end of her jury trial in 2008. "But in the name of God  I did not kill Rhonda Smith."An Upper Darby High School freshman has been charged in the Monday morning stabbing that sent a classmate to the hospital, Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said.

The 14-year-old was being held Tuesday at Delaware County's Juvenile Detention Center, facing charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threat, and possessing an instrument of a crime. Video cameras from inside the school show the student "lying in wait" for the victim, a 15-year-old freshman, in a rear hallway, authorities said Monday. The 14-year-old then stabbed the classmate in the back and cut him on his head, neck, arm, and hand, according to police.

Chitwood said the attack may have been caused by "an ongoing thing over a girl."

Officials will not be identifying either student because they are minors.

The victim was released from the hospital Monday evening, Chitwood said.

The alleged attacker insists he used a pencil in the stabbing, not a knife, Chitwood said. The boy told police he threw the pencil away near Landsdowne Avenue and State Road, down the road from the school, but Chitwood said investigators had not been able to locate one in that area. Police also had not recovered a weapon in the school, Chitwood said.

The victim's injuries, however, were not consistent with a pencil attack, Chitwood said.

"There was a tremendous amount of blood at the scene," Chitwood said. "I'm shocked he didn't bleed out."President Trump delivers remarks during the "Celebration of America" event he hosted at the White House instead of celebrating the Eagles' Super Bowl win. Read more

Fewer than 24 hours before the Super Bowl champion Eagles were set to appear at the White House for what has become a traditional celebration, President Trump abruptly rescinded the invitation Monday. Here are a few things to know about the situation.

The cancellation

 The White House said Monday night that Trump canceled the event because the whole team did not plan to attend and because members of the team "disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart."

 In a statement Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders blamed an attempt to by the Eagles to reschedule the event for the cancellation. The statement did no address any issue involving the national anthem.

 A team source said fewer than 10 Eagles players planned to attend along with owner Jeffrey Lurie, who, in a recording that was made last year and became public in April, had called the Trump's presidency "disastrous."

>> READ MORE: Trump dumps Eagles because, to him, size matters | Marcus Hayes

>> READ MORE: Eagles players Zach Ertz, Chris Long rip Fox News over misleading segment on national anthem protests

The background

 In the 2017 season, no Eagle took a knee during a regular season or playoffs. Malcolm Jenkins raised his fist as a form of protest, but stopped midway through the regular season.

 The White House visit had been a sensitive topic since the Eagles won the Super Bowl in February, and it wasn't clear they were going to be invited until last month. Since then, the team has released little information about preparations for the visit.

What happened Tuesday

 Instead of honoring the Eagles at 3 p.m., the White House staged a "Celebration of America" featuring the Marine Corps Band and the U.S. Army Choir.

 Instead of visiting the White House, the Eagles practiced as part of the offseason's voluntary Organized Team Activities. Players are scheduled to speak to the media Wednesday.

 Before he hit the field, Chris Long video-chatted with a group of middle school students about a charity the class raised money for.

>>READ MORE: The Eagles won't visit the White House. Here are 15 ideas for what they should do instead.

The reaction

 Democratic politicians in Pennsylvania reacted to the the cancellation of the event by blasting Trump, with Mayor Kenney calling the president "a fragile egomaniac."

The impact on other teams

 The NBA Finals could be decided as soon as this weekend. Will the eventual champion visit the White House? Stars of both teams told the media Tuesday that they weren't interested.

 Speaking of other White House visits: the Villanova men's basketball team has yet to be invited after winning the 2018 NCAA men's title. If they get an invite, will they go? In previous statements, coach Jay Wright has been diplomatic.

What our columnists say

 Will Bunch is disappointed. He wanted Carson Wentz to go to the White House and teach Donald Trump about leadership.

 George Parry, on the other hand, thinks Trump made the absolute correct call about the Eagles' visit.

 Solomon Jones thinks Trump should just leave the Eagles out of his political theater  after all, haven't Eagles fans suffered enough?

 But in the end, Mike Newall writes, Trump can't ruin this for Philly. Go Birds.File Photo: Signs outside the polling place at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church In Cherry Hill on June 6, 2017. Read more

New Jersey voters picked their party nominees Tuesday, setting up the fall's general election contests.

The results suggested that the state could be a political battleground in a November election for the first time in a long time. Seven other states also held primary elections Tuesday.

Here is a recap of the results:

Jay Webber wins Republican nomination, Mikie Sherrill wins Democratic nomination in 11th Congressional District

Webber and Sherrill will face off to take the seat of Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, a moderate Republican and incumbent who announced his retirement earlier this year. Politico reported in January that Frelinghuysen was "caught between the Trump wing of the GOP and a growing Democratic New Jersey electorate."

The 11th District includes Morris County in North Jersey. The open seat, prompted by Frelinghuysen's retirment, led to competitive primaries in both parties.

 READ MORE: wins Democratic nomination

Van Drew is seen by national Democrats as having a relatively clear path to election to the House in one of several districts in New Jersey that might combine to help Democrats take control of Congress.

Though party strategists say Van Drew is a good fit for the district, some Democrats think he is little better than a Republican. Van Drew has voted against tougher gun laws and same-sex marriage.

Sprawling across South Jersey, the Second supported Barack Obama twice, but President Trump carried it by 5 percentage points in 2016.

Bob Menendez wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate

Menendez, who survived a federal corruption trial last year after jurors deadlocked on bribery charges against him, won the Democratic nomination Tuesday to seek a third term on Capitol Hill.

He defeated Lisa McCormick of Rahway, 49, publisher of a community news website. She said she ran to give voters "more and better choices" and attacked Menendez for having "disgraced" New Jersey.

Menendez will face Republican Bob Hugin in the fall.

Leonard Lance wins Republican nomination, Tom Malinowski wins Democratic nomination in Seventh Congressional District

The district will be competitive come November, with Lance considered a vulnerable GOP incumbent.

Joshua Welle wins Democratic nomination in Fourth Congressional District

Welle is a veteran Navy officer and founder of a technology software company. He faced off against Jim Keady, a liberal activist and former Asbury Park councilman most famous for the time former Gov. Chris Christie told him to "sit down and shut up" as he protested the state's response to Superstorm Sandy in 2014.

Welle will now take on incumbent Rep. Chris Smith, a long-serving Republican considered newly vulnerable by the national Democratic Party.

The Fourth includes parts of Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer counties.

Bob Hugin wins Republican nomination for U.S. Senate

Hugin, a millionaire former pharmaceutical CEO, won the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, giving what party leaders believe is a fighting chance in a deep blue state. He'll challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez in November.

Donald Norcross wins Democratic nomination in First Congressional District

The incumbent  who is the brother of Camden powerbroker George Norcross  handily beat Rob Carlson, a Collingswood information technology director, and Scot J. Tomaszewski, an electrician from Cherry Hill.

The First, which contains most of Camden County, a sliver of Burlington County and part of Gloucester County, is overwhelmingly Democratic.

In the Third Congressional District, its Republican U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur versus Democrat Andy Kim

The two will face off come November.

Neither candidate was challenged in the primary for the competitive district, which includes most of Burlington County and swaths of Ocean County. MacArthur, for whom Trump held a fundraiser at his Bedminster golf course last summer, and Kim, a former national security adviser in the Obama administration, already have been trading jabs.

Polls close; results trickle in

Results are beginning to come in across New Jersey. We will update this story with the latest.

New Jersey isn't the only state to hold midterm primary elections today. Seven other states  California, Mississippi, Alabama, Iowa, Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota  are also voting to determine party nominations ahead of November's midterm elections.

Teenager who confronted Van Drew votes for his opponent

A teenager who confronted state Sen. Jeff Van Drew earlier this year about the lawmaker's record of receiving NRA donations tweeted Tuesday that she had voted for one of his opponents Will Cunningham  in the Democratic primary for the Second Congressional District.

This was the confrontation back in February.

Gauging turnout

Early reports indicate a low turnout.

Primary voting in New Jersey is typically light. The lowest in recent years came in 2015, when only 5 percent of registered Democrats and Republican cast ballots in races for State Senate and General Assembly.

The biggest turnouts are in presidential election years, with turnout hitting 35 percent in 2008 and 26 percent in 2016, but only 11 percent in 2012.

There are 5.8 million registered voter in New Jersey with unaffiliated voters, numbering 2.5 million, forming the largest bloc. There are about 2.1 million registered Democrats and 1.2 million Republicans.

Voting for themselves

Two people who came out early to vote, for themselves no doubt, were Jeff Van Drew and Will Cunningham  candidates for the Democratic nomination for what has been a Republican-controlled House seat in South Jersey's Second District.

Van Drew took a moment time to comment on what has suddenly become a hot topic in South Jersey: President Trump's decision to rescind the invitation to the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles to visit the White House. But his "I was disappointed" statement was low key in comparison to what Democrats in Pennsylvania were saying.

Election Day primer and forecast

Positions up for consideration include the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Robert Menendez, who is running for re-election, and all 12 of the state's seats in the House of Representatives. Increasing chances that New Jersey will be in position to deliver anywhere from two to five Democratic victories in U.S. House districts now held by Republicans have elevated the state's usually sleepy primary to center stage.

A number of county and municipal nominations are also up for grabs.

>> READ MORE: Voter guide for the New Jersey primary

Voters must be affiliated with the Democratic or Republican parties to cast ballots in each party's primary. Unaffiliated voters, however, can declare a party affiliation at their regular polling places.

While the day is off to a sunny start, the weather forecast calls for a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon into the evening.Zhou Libo (Photo/Chinanew.com)

A New York state judge ruled on Monday that Chinese comedian Zhou Libo was exonerated of weapon and drug charges.

Teresa K. Corrigan, Acting Supreme Court Justice, announced the decision at the Nassau County Court in the US state of New York.

Zhou, together with his wife and lawyers, appeared at the hearing session on Monday. Zhou was charged with illegal possession of a handgun, possession of a controlled substance identified as crystal methamphetamine and driving while using a cellphone.

The court dismissed the weapon and drug charges. Meanwhile, Zhou pleaded guilty of the charge of traffic violation.

Stephen Scaring, the defendant lawyer, said after the hearing that they were satisfied with the ruling and would not file further appeals.

"We are pleased with the results ... the only charge that remain is a minor traffic infraction. It was not in his best interest to go to trial on that, we need to bring this thing to a conclusion," said Scaring.

On January 19, 2017, Zhou Libo was stopped by police in the town of Lattingtown, New York, for his abnormal driving behavior. The police later found a black pistol holster, a pistol and a loaded magazine, and two transparent plastic bags containing drugs in his vehicle.

Zhou was arrested on the spot and was released on bail the next day.

Zhou Libo is a Chinese talkshow host and comedian. He became the first non-musical Chinese artist to perform at the Carnegie Hall in New York in July 2016.Federal prosecutors accused former Trump presidential campaign chairman Paul Manafort of witness tampering late Monday in his tax and lobbying case and asked a federal judge to consider revoking or revising his release pending trial.

In a late Monday filing in Washington, prosecutors accused Manafort and a longtime associate they previously linked to Russian intelligence of repeatedly contacting two members of a public-relations firm since February to secure false testimony about their collective work involving a group of former senior European politicians.

The group, informally called the "Hapsburg group," was secretly retained in 2012 by Manafort to take positions favorable to Ukraine, for whom Manafort was working, prosecutors charged.

In court documents, including an affidavit by FBI agent Brock Domin, prosecutors with special counsel Robert Mueller allege Manafort and his associate tried to contact the two witnesses by phone and through an encrypted messaging program. Court documents do not name Manafort's associate, but they refer to him as "Person A" and note the pseudonym is consistent with previous filings in the case. In earlier filings, Person A has referred to Konstantin Kilimnik, a longtime Manafort associate who prosecutors have said has ties to Russian intelligence.

Manafort, 69, has been on home confinement pending trial.

Domin said that one of the public relations firm executives, identified as Person D1, told the government he "understood Manafort's outreach to be an effort to 'suborn perjury,' " and cause someone knowingly to tell a falsehood in the case by saying the group worked mainly in Europe and to minimize its U.S. work.

According to the court filing, Manafort began messaging and calling one of the witnesses in February shortly after a federal grand jury in Washington returned a superseding indictment against him that included allegations of unregistered lobbying related to the Hapsburg group.

Manafort messaged and called one of the witnesses the day after his codefendant and business partner, Rick Gates, pleaded guilty and continued reaching out over the next several days, according to a sworn affidavit filed by an FBI agent in the case.

In one call, the agent wrote, Manafort said he wanted to give the person a "heads-up about Hapsburg." The individual then hung up "because he was concerned about the outreach," according to the affidavit.

On Feb. 26, Manafort sent the person a series of messages through an encrypted application, including a link to a Business Insider story with the headline: "Former European leaders struggle to explain themselves after Mueller claims Paul Manafort paid them to lobby for Ukraine." Another message said, "We should talk. I have made clear that they worked in Europe."

The person told investigators that he interpreted Manafort's efforts to reach him as a way to influence his potential statements. The person believed from his experience that the Hapsburg group lobbied in the United States and knew that Manafort knew that as well, the agent wrote.

Manafort has pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy, money laundering, and bank and tax fraud in connection with his work for a pro-Russian Ukrainian politician and political party.

Spokesmen for Manafort and the special counsel's office declined to comment on the filings.

This article contains information from the Associated Press.Outspoken Eagle Chris Long isn't visiting the White House today. Instead, he told a boy in seventh grade that he is decidedly against pineapple as a pizza topping.

Well, that wasn't all.

The defensive end spent part of his Tuesday morning video-chatting with about 100 Marlton seventh graders who for two weeks this spring raised money for Long's charity Waterboys, a nonprofit that aims to bring clean water to families in East Africa. He talked to the kids largely about how the organization will use the $775 they raised: It'll go toward supporting an African family with a solar-powered well.

But these were middle-school students. So, in a moment of levity during a short question-and-answer session, pizza came up. Still, the conference left students feeling as if they were "walking on air," according to DeMasi Middle School social studies teacher David Austin, who organized the call.

>> READ MORE: What typically happens when a team is invited to the White House

"It's been kind of magical," Austin said in a phone interview Tuesday morning.

National attention fell on the Eagles Monday after President Trump released a statement uninviting the Super Bowl champions from attending a scheduled meet-and-greet at the White House this afternoon. The president indicated he was dismayed by a "small delegation" that had elected to attend  apparently fewer than 10 players were planning to show. (The Birds scheduled a Tuesday practice that's closed to reporters.)

Long, 33, said just after the Super Bowl that he wouldn't attend the White House if invited, due to comments the president made after a white-nationalist rally took place in Charlottesville, Va., last year. The defensive end attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

>> READ MORE: 5 reasons Trump should fear how Eagles fans might respond to canceled White House visit

The conversation with DeMasi students had been in the works for several days, Austin said, and was facilitated by a parent of one of his pupils. Austin  who has been teaching for nearly four decades  said he has for years incorporated into his curriculum lessons about the scarcity of drinking water in African countries. He said students this year read the novel A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park that includes a true story about a lost boy in Sudan, plus tales of young girls and women who spend their days retrieving water for their families.

>READ MORE: The Eagles won't visit the White House. Here's 15 ideas for what they should do instead.

During the Eagles' season, the teacher discovered Long's charity, which seemed like a perfect fit for a service project. Students raised funds by placing water jugs in classrooms throughout their school to collect cash and spare change, and four girls  without prompting  organized a Saturday car wash that netted $300 for the cause. Austin said he was "absolutely stunned."

So Tuesday morning, Long spent a few minutes telling the students about the genesis of his project, which was a 2013 trip to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. And despite the sidebar about pizza toppings, he spent most of the session thanking the students for their work on behalf of Waterboys and explaining how their money would be used.

>> READ MORE: You can't ruin this for us, Donald. Go Birds | Mike Newall

Austin said his students were thrilled they spoke to a Super Bowl champion. And he's thrilled his students earned it.

"Don't underestimate the power and enthusiasm of a middle-school child," he said. "When you give a kid a cause and a reason, the kid will step up."Longtime California Sen. Dianne Finestein, seen here in 2013 with former President Barack Obama, faces a Democratic challenger in Tuesday's primary election. California is among eight states holding primary elections on Tuesday. Read more

New Jersey isn't the only state that held midterm primary elections on Tuesday. Seven other states  California, Mississippi, Alabama, Iowa, Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota  also voted to determine party nominations ahead of November's midterm elections.

>> READ MORE: Recap of New Jersey primary results

In California, nearly 120,000 voters in Los Angeles County were mistakenly omitted from voting rosters due to a printing error, according to Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan. Those voters were directed to cast provisional ballots.

Among those left off the voter rolls was actor Henry Winkler, best known for playing Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli in Happy Days.

Here are four key takeaways from Tuesday's primaries:

 In California, Democrats avoided being forced off the ballot in seven Congressional districts won by Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, increasing the party's chances of winning back the House in November.

 Also in California, longtime Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein easily fended off a primary challenge by state Sen. Kevin de Leon from Los Angeles. But due to California's unusual primary system  dubbed a "jungle primary"  the two will face off in the general election after de Leon ended up with more votes than first-time Republican candidate James Bradley.

 In South Dakota, Rep. Kristi Noem won a highly contested Republican primary for governor, allowing her to continue her bid to become the first female governor in the state's history.

 In Missouri, Democrats easily claimed victory in a special election for a Republican-held state Senate seat. It is the 42nd seat Democrats have flipped from Republican control since President Trump took office.

Here's a brief rundown of the results in most interesting and noteworthy primary races from across the country.

California

As of early Wednesday morning, many of California's key races remained undecided. Mail-in ballots and crowded primary fields mean the final results in some of California's most tightly contested races could still be days away. But Democrats appear to have averted disaster by at least finishing second in primary voting in every competitive district in southern California, allowing them to compete for the Republican-held seats in November.

As many as 10 House races are expected to be competitive in the general election, with Democrats targeting seven congressional districts currently held by Republicans (CA-10, CA-21, CA-25, CA-39, CA-45, CA-48 and CA-49) that Hillary Clinton won during the 2016 election.

The two most vulnerable GOP incumbents in the state  Rep. Ed Royce in the 39th Congressional District and Rep. Darrell Issa in the 49th Congressional District  were among the growing number of Republicans who announced they would not seek re-election in November. As of Wednesday morning, former Republican Assemblywoman Young Kim was up by more than 2,000 votes in the 39th Congressional District, followed by Democratic philanthropist Gil Cisneros. In the 49th Congressional District, Republican Diane Harkey, a Board of Equalization member, and Democrat Mike Levin, a lawyer, finished in the top two and will face off in the general election.

In the 48th Congressional District, incumbent GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher remains unpopular in a district Hillary Clinton narrowly won in 2008. But as expected, Rohrabacher ended the night with the most votes in the race. As of Wednesday morning, two Democrats  businessman Harley Rouda and biomedical researcher Hans Keirstead  were both more than 1,000 votes ahead of a second Republican in the race, keeping Democrats' hopes alive of flipping the district in November.

Then there's Feinstein, who has served as a senator for California since 1992. Feinstein easily won her primary fight with de Leon, the former president pro tempore of the California Senate. But due to California's unusual primary system, the two will face off in the general election after de Leon ended up with more votes that first-time Republican candidate James Bradley.

Iowa

According to the Washington Post's Dave Weigel, Iowa is one of just six states that has never elected a woman to the House. That might change following the results of Tuesday's primary.

In the First Congressional District, it looks like state Rep. Abby Finkenauer, who received the endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday, easily took home the Democratic nomination. Finkenauer, who at 28-years-old would be the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, will take on two-term Republican Rep. Rod Blum in a district that Democrats hope to flip in November.

In the Third Congressional District, businesswoman Cindy Axne defeated two challengers to take home the Democratic nomination. Axne will face off against incumbent Rep. David Young in a race that's expected to be competitive in the general election.

Montana

In Montana's only congressional district, first-term Republican Rep. Greg Gianforte will face off in November against former state Rep. Kathleen Williams, who narrowly defeated attorney John Hennan in the Democratic primary. Despite Democratic enthusiasm, the Cook Political Report rates the seat as "likely Republican."

As far as the Senate is concerned, Democratic Sen. Jon Tester had no primary challenger, but will face a tough re-election battle in a state Trump won by 20 points in 2016. Tester's challenger will be state auditor Matt Rosendale, who narrowly defeated retired state Judge Russ Fagg in the Republican primary.

New Mexico

With incumbent Republican Gov. Susana Martinez forced out by term limits, Democrats hope to turn the seat blue in 2018. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is leaving behind her safe seat in Congress, easily defeated two challengers to win the Democratic primary. Grisham will take on Republican Rep. Steve Pearce, who is also leaving Congress in an attempt to become the state's next governor.

As far as House races are concerned, only the Second Congressional District is expected to be somewhat competitive in November. Water attorney Xochitl Torres Small easily secured the Democratic nomination, while State Rep. Yvette Herrell fended off three Republican challengers to win the GOP primary.

South Dakota

The most interesting race in the Mount Rushmore State Tuesday night was the Republican primary for governor. Rep. Kristi Noem, who is attempting to become the first woman ever elected governor in South Dakota, defeated Attorney General Marty Jackley to secure the Republican nomination. Noem will face Democratic state Sen. Billie Sutton in November.

Mississippi

The Magnolia State isn't expected to have any competitive House races come November. Two Democrats  state Rep. David Baria and venture capitalist Howard Sherman (who is married to Emmy-winning actress Sela Ward)  will face a runoff after neither garnered enough votes to secure a primary victory outright. The winner will face incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, who is expected to easily defeat whichever Democrat opponent he ends up facing.

Alabama

Like Mississippi, no elections in Alabama are expected to be close in November. But in the Second Congressional District, incumbent Republican Rep. Martha Roby failed to win the nomination outright and will face a primary runoff against former Rep. Bobby Bright. Roby, who is hoping to avoid becoming the next congressional incumbent to lose a primary, has been taking heat in the race over her criticism of then-candidate Trump following the release of the 2016 Access Hollywood tape.FILE  In this Feb. 4. 2009 file photo, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives at the State Capitol, is seen in Harrisburg, Pa. From New Hampshire to Minnesota and down to Alabama, Republicans knocked Democrats out of the majority in key state legislative chambers, making historic gains and seizing critical power to redraw district maps and influence elections for a decade to come. Pennsylvania voters handed control of the state House to the GOP. Republicans also held their majority in the state Senate and gained the governorship with Tom Corbett's win. (AP Photo/Bradley C Bower, File) Read more

If the Pennsylvania legislature doesn't vote to end gerrymandering by July 6, residents can not only forget about a citizens' redistricting commission but also can pretty much give up on the hope of any needed government reforms.

As it is now, Pennsylvania's congressional and state legislative districts are among the most gerrymandered in the nation. Legislators from the party in power manipulate boundaries to dilute the power of voters of other parties. It's how they've gotten away with ignoring equitable taxation and fair school funding, failing to pass gun safety laws that most residents want, and passing budgets that are built on solid financial footing and not fake gambling revenue projections. They don't have to respond to diverse interests because they draw legislative districts filled with enough like-minded voters to keep them in office term after term.

>> READ MORE: Did your Democratic State Rep. vote for Pa.'s gerrymandered congressional map?

But the time to fix this is right now . Under convoluted rules, both houses of the state legislature must pass bills by July 6, or we have to wait another decade to address redistricting changes. A truly independent citizens' commission would draw state legislative and congressional district lines based on principals of fairness after the 2020 Census. They would do it in the open and not in some dark corner of the Capitol where political deals are cut. The commission wouldn't slice and dice towns to dilute minority party's voters or reach far into the hinterlands to create majority districts for the party in power.

They'd have to respect county and municipal boundary lines to ensure that people of similar interests, not political leanings, can choose representatives who understand the issues of their regions. Districts would be politically diverse enough that representatives would have to get used to considering differing viewpoints to come up with the best solutions to our problems.

>> READ MORE: Pa. gerrymandering's surprise co-conspirators: Democrats

So far, the Senate State Government Committee released a compromise bill by Sen. Mike Folmer but some advocates say the commission would not be independent enough. There has not been a full Senate vote on it. The House, under the leadership of Speaker Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny), is where the most tortured form of depriving the public its due process is occurring. On April 11, Butler County Republican Rep. Daryl Metcalfe's State Government Committee gutted a bill that would have created a citizens' commission and replaced it with an even more partisan committee than now exists.

Meanwhile, supporters of fair districts introduced an independent commission bill and House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R., Indiana) also has sponsored a fair district bill. They could fly only if Turzai assigns them to a committee that would pass them. That's possible if the 24 House Republicans and eight Senate Republicans, who signed on as co-sponsors to independent commission bills, pressure Turzai to do the right thing. They can't hide behind GOP leadership anymore. They have to stand up or be considered hypocrites who talk reform but when it matters, play possum.

Find their names and contact information at fairdistrictspa.com. Tell them to push Turzai and Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R., Jefferson) to move the citizens' commission forward.

What are they afraid of? Democracy?Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie was right to accept the invitation to visit President Donald J. Trump at the White House. It doesn't mean all the Eagles players need to attend as well. Read more

Good morning Philadelphia and happy Tuesday. Eagles Nation is waking up from an emotional night after President Trump cancelled the Super Bowl champions' visit to the White House. Many fans were unhappy with the president's decision, to say the least, while politicians and players jumped in to scorn Trump. There were certainly some memes involved. In other news, District Attorney Larry Krasner is building his own list of tainted police officers who might make problematic witnesses. But, unlike his predecessor, he's going to share it with defense lawyers, a move sure to shake up past, present, and future cases. Let's dig in.

Reading this online? Sign up here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox every morning.

 Aubrey Nagle (@aubsn, morningnewsletter@philly.com)

 READ MORE: Trump cancels Eagles White House celebration

The Eagles  well, fewer than 10 of them, according to a source  were going to visit the White House today to celebrate their Super Bowl win. But it seems once President Trump got wind of the team's "smaller delegation" he decided to rescind the invite.

In his official statement and on Twitter, Trump alluded to Eagles players' protests during the national anthem, though they had stopped protesting in November. Columnist Marcus Hayes says the move proves the "celebration" was always meant to be a prop for the President. As reporter Jonathan Tamari explains from Washington, the decision is another example of Trump's status as "divider-in-chief."

Local politicians had some strong words for Trump in the aftermath. Mayor Kenney issued a statement calling Trump a "fragile egomaniac," while former governor Ed Rendell said the rescinded invite was "bordering on idiotic." Naturally, players and fans on social media had some strong words, too. This is Philly, after all.

 READ MORE: Larry Krasner wants a comprehensive list of tainted cops

This March the office of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner was ordered to release a secret list of tainted police officers, created by his predecessor, whom prosecutors had sought to keep off the witness stand. It included 29 officers on a "do not call" list whose serious misconduct had made them problematic witnesses.

Now, in a new interview with the Inquirer and Daily News, Krasner has said he's looking to create and share his own comprehensive list of police who have lied while on duty, used excessive force, racially profiled, or violated civil rights. To do so, he's asked the Police Department for nearly a decade's worth of records of serious violations by its officers.

 READ MORE: Supreme Court rules in favor of baker who turned away gay couple

Back in 2012, Colorado baker Jack Phillips refused to sell a gay couple a wedding cake due to his religious beliefs, setting off a chain of events that led all the way to the Supreme Court.

On Monday the Supreme Court sided with the baker, ruling that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission showed hostility towards his beliefs.

But that doesn't mean businesses can simply deny service to same-sex couples on religious grounds. Instead, it means claims of religious beliefs must have a fair hearing.

What you need to know today

Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly

That's just precious, @blinckphotography!

Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and we'll pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out!

Thats Interesting

Opinions

"The main reason that Trump violates long-standing norms and established rules, or tells so many easily disprovable lies from the presidential podium, is because he knows that no one will stop him."  Columnist Will Bunch on  Columnist Will Bunch on how President Trump went "full dictator" and has no sense of presidential forbearance.

Jerry Jordan, the President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, asks the city to make tough choices (including new tax legislation) in order to protect local students from toxic schools.

Considering the extent to which the opioid epidemic has spread across the country, Big Pharma deserves more than a slap on the wrist for its contribution, writes the Inquirer Editorial Board.

What were reading

Your Daily Dose of | Happy Endings

One Philly couple is thanking its lucky stars and a helpful cast of characters after a man lost his grandfather's wedding ring down a sewer grate  and got it back.Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) celebrated the opening of its newest prisons. Called SCI Phoenix, the project took more than a decade to complete, cost more than $400 million dollars, and will house almost 4,000 people. It is the second most expensive construction project in Pennsylvania's history.

Over six years ago, before the walls and razor wire went up, I was arrested  along with others  for trying to physically block the project from moving forward. And I was one of thousands of people, inside and outside of prison, who took action to stop the expansion of Pennsylvania's prison system.

>> READ MORE: Pennsylvania's newest, most expensive prison is finally ready  and inmates are dreading it

The controversial prison construction was initiated more than a decade ago by then-Gov. Ed Rendell, and seems a perfect symbol for Pennsylvania's destructive and devastating relationship with mass incarceration. Over the last three decades, the state has invested massively in putting its own residents in cages  from about 8,000 people in 1980 to about 50,000 today. The corrections budget now tops $2.6 billion. Families and communities across the state are suffering because loved ones are behind bars.

How did we get here? Not because Pennsylvanians were committing more crimes, but because lawmakers in Harrisburg were more invested in political expediency than in actual justice. They passed mandatory minimum sentencing policies and harsh penalties for a wide variety of offenses, and approved seemingly endless funding for prison construction. These policies disproportionately targeted poor people and people of color.

Mass incarceration has come at a terrible cost to Pennsylvania's communities. Rather than keeping people safe, these policies fuel cycles of violence. Philadelphia has an alarmingly high incarceration rate, but hundreds of people are killed by gun violence every year. Clearly, prisons are not an effective response. They neither address the needs of survivors of harm nor alleviate the root causes of violence.

Phoenix faced mass opposition before ground was even broken. Thousands of people implored their state legislators, the governor, and the DOC to cancel the project. Many people incarcerated at Graterford and elsewhere spoke out against the proposal. Even the Department of Corrections' own projections indicated that the prison population was decreasing; after years of "tough-on-crime" policies, there was finally modest momentum around sentencing reform. It seemed like an ideal time to not build new prisons.

In 2011, sweeping cuts were announced to public education, general assistance, and other critical social services. Despite massive movements demanding that the state fund schools, not prison expansion, politicians refused to stop construction.

>> READ MORE: SCI Phoenix: New boss, late fixes as Pa.'s $400M prison nears opening

Finding no traction in Harrisburg, Decarcerate PA  a grassroots campaign that was formed to stop prison expansion and work toward decarceration and community reinvestment  decided to take a more direct approach. In November of 2013, several of us blockaded the access road to the prison construction site using school desks, a model school house, and our bodies.

While we stopped the construction for only a few hours, the action raised the visibility of the project and generated public outrage. Several months later, protesters marched 113 miles from Philadelphia to Harrisburg to demand cancellation of the project. We met with legislators, community leaders, journalists, and people across the state. And still, construction continued.

Now, the doors of Phoenix are about to open. Or more accurately, they are about to shut behind the 3,830 people who will be imprisoned there.

When this prison expansion project was proposed more than a decade ago, it was presented as a solution to the urgent needs of an overcrowded prison system. But time-intensive infrastructure projects do not provide immediate solutions. They are blueprints for the kind of future we envision.

>>READ MORE: Latest in string of Graterford prison suicides reportedly sought psychiatric help a day before his death

What if, in 2008, we had not asked "how do we create space to warehouse more prisoners," and instead posed the question, "how do we end this crisis of mass incarceration"? If instead of spending more than $400 million on razor wire and concrete, we had invested that money in programs that addressed the root causes of violence? If politicians had the courage to imagine a future that did not need more cages, if we had invested in a future that honored the rights and dignity of all people, where could we be in 2018?

It's too late to change the past. But our efforts to change the way Pennsylvania thinks about prisons continue. We've built a strong movement that has pushed for  and won  real changes in Pennsylvania's criminal legal system. We've seen longtime activists from behind the walls come home from prison and join the work out here. We stopped construction of a new jail in Philadelphia, and now the mayor has committed to closing House of Correction  though he has yet to commit to demolishing it.

SCI Phoenix is a tragedy, and one we must make sure is never repeated. These must be the last new prisons Pennsylvania ever builds. Let's invest in the future we want to inhabit.

Layne Mullett is a founding member of Decarcerate PA, a grassroots organization working to end mass incarceration in Pennsylvania.There are 1,128 time-honored brands in China with an average history of around 140 years, according to statistics issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM).

The brands, such as the Beijing-based pharmaceutical company Tongrentang, Chinese medicine maker Yunnan Baiyao, roast duck restaurant chain Quanjude and alcohol retailer Moutai Liquor, imply both Chinese traditional business culture and national history.

Criteria for evaluation of the brands are strict. A company must have been created before 1956, inheriting unique products, techniques or services, and be widely recognized by society.

The brands are distributed in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China, with most in coastal and inland developed areas. For instance, Shanghai has 180 time-honored brands, topping all areas across China, followed by Beijing with 117.

Some brands have been weeded out for reasons such as market competition, a backward marketing approach and lack of innovation, while others are actively adapting to cater for todays market and consumers.

For example, many time-honored brands have already established their own websites or joined e-commerce platforms to promote and sell their products, which in turn help them attract lots of consumers, said brand expert Yin Jie.

In addition, the Chinese government released supporting policies to advance brand development.

A MOFCOM report indicated that Chinas time-honored brands achieved a sales revenue of about 9.03 trillion yuan ($1.41 trillion) in 2016, a year-on-year growth of 6 percent, with a profit of 765.8 billion yuan.According to statistics issued by the National Working Commission on Aging (NWCA), by the end of 2017, the population in China aged 60 and above hit 240 million, meaning that nearly four working people now have to support one senior. By 2020, that figure is projected to exceed 255 million, cctv.com reported.

That puts the traditional family-based support system for the elderly under enormous pressure. Normally, Chinese couples born after the 1970s who are the only child in their family have to shoulder the responsibility of supporting four seniors and raising a child.

The Chinese society is aging alongside societal changes such as urbanization, informatization and agricultural modernization, which adds to the fact that more children are financially unable or have little time to take care of their parents.

To cope with the aging population and implement a family-based support system, China is adopting new policies and fostering a social environment in which senior citizens are respected, cared for and can live happily throughout their golden years.

Li Zhihong, deputy head of NWCAs policy research office, said the commission is working toward a number of targets, firstly that 30 percent of all nursing care beds should be for the elderly, a proposed 90 percent of elderly people will be covered by basic pension schemes and more than 95 percent of the elderly population are to be covered by basic medical insurance.

East Chinas Shandong province has created a model that launches medical care at elderly care centers and opens old-age care centers within hospitals. Wu Lian, a county in Shandong, plans to build more than 120 health centers which will help around 150,000 people.

Taking care of a disabled senior costs a considerable amount of money for a family. Since 2016, China has piloted long-term elderly care insurance in 15 cities, covering 48 million people.

In Nantong in east Chinas Jiangsu province, disabled seniors who are covered by social insurance are able to receive an allowance whether they live at a care center or at home.

Long-term elderly care insurance has already been introduced in Shanghai, Chongqing and Changchun, where 50,000 people are currently covered, with the reimbursement rate reaching 70 percent.KAMPALA: Government is back to the drawing board in its search for an investor to manage the highly indebted Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) after the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) disqualified all seven companies that had expressed interest in managing and capitalising the state-owned telecom firm, PML Daily can exclusively report.

President Museveni in April tasked FIA, a government agency established to monitor, investigate, and prevent money laundering in the country, to assess the financial position of the seven companies that emerged out of 17 others, which had bid to manage the government telecom company that is on the brink of collapse over a Sh200 billion debt.

And now, this website has seen an FIA report to the President, indicating that the seven shortlisted companies, which are Bayliss Consortium, Afrinet Kenya Limited, Mauritius Telecom, Teleology Holding Limited, Neubacher Montage LLP, Hamiliton Telecom Limited and Telecel Global, do not have the required finances to capitalize the ailing UTL.

The detailed May 23 report by FIA Executive Director Sydney Asubo to the President indicates that one of the bidders, Teleology Holdings Limited, which has links to Nigerian shareholders, is already struggling to pay a loan of $1.2b which it got from different banks while taking over 9mobile, which is regarded as Nigerias fourth largest telecom company.

In the report, FIA also said it did not manage to trace the financial statements of Bayliss Consortium, Neubacher Montage LLP and Afrinet Kenya Limited.

FIA also said it was not able to see records of the financial performance of Telecel Global, a Lebanon-based company, to be able to gauge its financial strength.

Although the FIA report indicated that Mauritius Telecom has a good financial standing, the report insists the money is not enough to run UTL. Mauritius Telecoms total assets are worth Rs15.6b (about Shs1.7 trillion) and 30 per cent owned by the Mauritius government but government insists this is not yet enough to capitalize UTL.

For years now, government has been struggling to restore the glory of UTL which saw its downfall after a Shs366 billion liability outstripped its total asset base of Shs220 billion, according to an audit report in 2015.

Recently, the President welcomed a partnership with a Chinese company, Xinlan to start manufacturing phones in Uganda. Cabinet has also gifted the National telecom company with an extension of its license by 20 years, especially when it gets a competent investor to upgrade its network.

It was also agreed during the Cabinet meeting that UCC allows UTL to expand its frequency bandwidth so long as it can prove that it will use it efficiently to cover the whole country and provide better quality service.

RelatedIZUMISANO/JAPAN: Foreign Affairs minister Sam Kutesa on Sunday arrived in Japan for a five-day visit. Mr Kuteesa was received by his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono, with whom he held a meeting and discussed a wide range of issues.

The two ministers reaffirmed their desire to strengthen cooperation, both bilaterally and internationally, based on universal values such as freedom, democracy, the rule of law and good governance.

Minister Kono congratulated Mr Kutesa for the conferment of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun in spring 2017. Mr Kutesa expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the decoration. The two Ministers confirmed their intentions to work hand in hand to further develop the long-standing friendly and cooperative relationship.

Mr Kutesa expressed his appreciation towards Japans important role and contribution to African development through TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development) process, which is an open, inclusive and transparent forum. Minister Kono expressed his appreciation for the active engagement of Uganda in the TICAD process, including President Musevenis attendance at the past five TICAD Summit Meetings. The two Ministers affirmed to collaborate for the success of TICAD ministerial meeting in 2018 and TICAD7 in 2019.

Recalling the outcomes of the Japan-Uganda Public Private High-Quality Infrastructure Conference held twice in 2017 as well as the Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum held in May 2018, the two Ministers shared the view on the importance of promoting private sector investment in Uganda through improvement of the business environment. In this regard, they underlined the significance of a bilateral investment treaty in the future to facilitate more investment from Japan to Uganda.

Minister Kono expressed his willingness to support Ugandas Vision 2040 through quality infrastructure development and capacity building. Minister Kutesa highly appreciated Japans support for improvement of electric transmission system in Kampala and construction of a new bridge across River Nile in Jinja. The two Ministers underscored the importance of promoting quality infrastructure in accordance with international standards such as openness, transparency, economic efficiency and financial viability of recipient countries.

Recognizing the importance of achieving universal health coverage (UHC), Minister Kutesa highly appreciated Japans support for the Project for the Improvement of Regional Referral Hospitals in Northern Uganda to improve the health care service. Minister Kono expressed Japans intention to continue supporting improvement of living conditions in Uganda.

The two Ministers shared their view on the role of education and vocational training as the foundation for nation-building and economic development. Minister Kutesa expressed his satisfaction with the progress of vocational training projects in various fields including automotive and electric industry. He also appreciated that 23 young Ugandans benefited from the African Business Education Initiative (ABE initiative) for the youth.

Recognizing the high potential of agriculture in Uganda, the two Ministers stressed the importance of improving agricultural production and productivity. Minister Kutesa expressed his satisfaction with Japans contribution in the field of rice cultivation. Minister Kono reiterated Japans intention to continue supporting Uganda in this area, making full use of its experience and know-how. Moreover Minister Kutesa expressed his gratitude for the food assistance provided by Japan, stressing that the assistance helped to mitigate the impact of the influx of refugees.

The two Ministers reaffirmed the importance of promoting people to people exchanges. The two Ministers welcomed the decision by the City of Izumisano and the Town of Tateshina to become host-towns for Uganda on the occasion of Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The two Ministers also noted with satisfaction the partnership launched last year between the cities of Izumisano and Gulu.

The two Ministers emphasized that a free and open international order based on the rule of law is the foundation for peace, stability and prosperity of the international community. Minister Kutesa reiterated Ugandas appreciation for Japans post-war contributions made as a peace-loving nation s well as its support for Japans policy of Proactive Contribution to Peace based on the principle of international cooperation.

Minister Kono paid tribute to the efforts for peace and stability in Africa in particular the stabilization of Somalia with the contribution of the largest number of troops to the African Union Stabilization of Somalia with the contribution of the largest number of troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), its active engagement in the political process in South Sudan, as well as hosting of over 1.4 million refugees.

Minister Kutesa expressed his appreciation for Japans support for refugees in Uganda, including capacity development of local host communities. Minister Kono reaffirmed Japans intention to continue its support as expressed at the solidarity Summit for Refugees held in June 2017 in Kampala. Minister Kutesa expressed his appreciation for Japans continued support to the United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE).

The two Ministers reaffirmed the importance of a comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) including the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories of its membership, in order to make it more legitimate, effective and representative, reflecting the realities of the international community in the 21st century. In this regards, Minister Kono expressed his appreciation for the strong leadership that minister Kutesa exercised for the reform as the President of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly from 2014 to 2015. The two Ministers also expressed their determination to continue engaging constructively in the work of the intergovernmental negotiations towards an early realization of the reform. The two Ministers underscored the necessity of moving the process forwards during the 72nd session of the General Assembly and affirmed the importance of continuing dialogue among the concerned groups.

The two Ministers appreciated all the efforts to date by the international community towards the current developments surrounding North Korea. The two Ministers welcomed Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula issued at the Inter-Korea Summit in late April 2018, which confirmed their common goal of the complete de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula, and expressed strong hope that the planned US-North Korea Summit in June would deliver North Koreas concrete actions for such a goal. The two Ministers called on all countries to fully implement relevant UNSC resolutions, including resolution 2397, and reaffirmed their commitment to urge North Korea to take concrete actions in accordance with these resolutions. The two Ministers also called on North Korea to resolve the abductions issue.

The two Ministers shared the intention to strengthen cooperation in addressing a wide range of global issues such as non-proliferation, counter-terrorism and violent extremism, climate change, disaster risk reduction and gender equality, with a view to realizing African Unions Agenda 20163 as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on the concept of human security.

The two Ministers reaffirmed their intention to maintain close cooperation between Japan and Uganda in various multilateral frameworks.

Finally, Minister Kutesa expressed his appreciation to Minister Kono and the Government of Japan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to his delegation during his visit.

RelatedSHEEMA/IBANDA: The minister for Science and Technology, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, has won the hotly contested NRM party primaries for the Sheema Municipality parliamentary seat.

Dr Tumwesigye polled 9,371 votes, representing 36% while his closest challenger, Mr Raymond Kamugisha, polled 4,596 votes (17.7%). Jonas Tumwine came third with 2,986 (11.5%), Joseph Mwebesa was fourth with 2,926 votes (11.3%) while Polly Kataate got 2,055 (7.9%). David Kamukama got 1,581 (6.1%) and Jonathan Bagonzya got 1,257 (4.9%) in the election that was conducted on Monday.

The minister is now expected to relinquish the Sheema North MP seat he is currently holding to be nominated as the NRM flag bearer for the newly created municipality seat.

Dr Tumwesigyes decision to contest for the seat drew protests from his fellow contenders who had threatened to drag him to court, claiming that he could not seek election in an another area while holding another MP seat.

He is now expected to face off with candidates from other parties such as Dr Mesarch Katusiime, the former Vice Chancellor of Ankole Western University and Ambrose Mwesigye, the former Deputy RDC Hoima, who are expected to contest as Independents.

In the NRM party primaries for the municipal mayoral seat, Abel Atucungwire Kahara emerged winner, with 1,2691 (49%), beating his closest rival Yese Mubangizi Kamanyire who got 6,955 (27%). Peter Kabagambe came third with 5,601 votes, representing 21%.

The winners were declared by NRM electoral commission chairman Tanga Odoi.

Dr Tanga asked Dr Tumwesigye, who is the NRM district chairman, to reconcile with the candidates he contested with.

People have deep hatred for one another here, I saw it in the meeting we had on Sunday; the candidates were so much touched by the coming of Dr Elioda because he had promised when we met in stakeholders meeting that he would not come in the race; but he reconsidered his position and that is what human beings are; they change positions and he came. They did not accept but I want to request Dr Elioda to do his best to win over those other candidates because they have voters and we shall not benefit if he stands aloof and thinks he has won after the election, Dr Tanga said.

The NRM flag for Ibanda Municipality MP seat was taken by Mr Tarsis Bishanga Rwaburindoore, who defeated 10 candidates. Mr Rwaburindoore polled 6,621 votes (29 per cent) followed by Mr Deus Rogers Mulinde who got 6255 votes (27.4 per cent). Mr Peter Agaba polled 4,394 votes, Ignatius Igunduura 1,439 votes, Bernard Mazirwe Kakwene 628 votes, John Mugenyi Kasule 168 votes, Mwine Bakamuhara 1,449 votes, Arthur Rwomushana Nuwagaba 577 votes, Lawrence Nuwagira 217 votes, Fred Spanner Sajjakambwe 260 votes and Leticia Tuheebwe Muwesi 567 votes.

Mr Apollo Mwine Kibeherere has been elected the NRM flag bearer Ibanda Mayoral seat. He polled 10,655 votes (47.1 percent). He defeated other three contenders

RelatedThe suspect in four recent murders that shocked the legal community in the Phoenix, AZ, area, was found dead on Monday morning of a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police standoff at a Scottsdale hotel, reports the Phoenix New Times.

Scottsdale and Phoenix police, with the help of state and federal authorities, tracked the suspect to the hotel.

Before the tactical team made entry to the suspect's room, shots were fired inside the suspect's room, according to Phoenix Police Sergeant Vince Lewis, who addressed reporters at the scene on Monday morning.

The suspect was soon identified as Dwight Lamon Jones, 56, who had been going through a divorce and child support battle in a case that began in 2009. Jones represented himself while his wife had hired lawyer Elizabeth Feldman. Feldman's office was one of Jones' targets.

Thursday, nationally known forensic psychiatrist Steven Pitt was shot and killed at his Phoenix office, which was followed by the murders of Veleria Sharp and Laura Anderson, two paralegals at the downtown Scottsdale law firm of Burt, Feldman, Grenier.

On Saturday, pressure to find the outstanding suspect increased with the discovery of the body of hypnotherapist and anger management specialist Marshall Levine at his Scottsdale office.

Lewis told reporters that Levine's murder was likely linked to the other three. Additional murders in the area may also be related, but the investigation is ongoing, authorities said.Has social media brought major changes to brand-building?

What should a modern entrepreneur focus on to build a really strong brand? Should you go for revitalizing and old brand or rebrand completely? How important customer experience is? Has social media brought major changes to brand-building? Christian Majgaard, former Head of Global Brand & Business Development at LEGO, gives you answers to these questions and more, in an interview with Portfolio ahead of the HVCA-Portfolio Investment Conference 2018 coming up on 12 June.

: Getting new owners, often implies new corporate strategy and hence new brand strategy. New brand strategy, by the way, should never stand alone. New owners often bring new spirit and new competences, that can raise the quality of the analysis and discussions around the brand strategy.There is no given answer to that question, - it depends on the situation, i.e. I recommend follow the sequence: analysis, diagnosis, cure-plan. For brands with a high awareness but a dusty image, it is most often easier to lift the image of such a well-known brand, than it is to raise the awareness of a completely new brand. Innovation of product and service is often an overlooked, yet highly important prerequisite for e.g. changing advertising strategy.New owners can (should!) request proper brand analysis and bring people on board who know about brand building. Too often ideas about brands are not rooted in analysis or competency.It depends on whether the turn around was designed with a better customer experience in mind or only was a short-term number cruncher - exercise, aimed at saving the bottom line.It depends on which other values that are joining the investment, such as potential alliances, access to skilled people, possible co-branding etc.I am not a sector analyst nor a macro economist, but new innovative technology often fosters many more new brand-building opportunities outside the circles of the pure R&D /invention scene. Think of the invention of plastic or aluminum or the chip! In my city alone (250,000 inhabitants) there are more than 100 new robotic companies. Robotic technology in its core was about programming a chip and getting signals from sensors, but on the stage of applications we see many new brands (mostly B2B).

Among consumer brands I think Gorenje in Slovenia and Skoda in Czech Republic have come a long way. Cities, such as Prague and Budapest, are certainly also strong tourist brands.

Christian Majgaard will hold the keynote speech at the HVCA-Portfolio Investment Conference 2018 in Budapest on 12 June.

Chopin is in a way a strong Polish brand although mixed up with Paris, and Swarovski a strong Czech brand.It has certainly become main stream to talk about and to cherish entrepreneurship. Numerous conferences and prizes throughout Europe are dedicated to entrepreneurship.I sense there is a lot of spirit and energy in favor of innovation. I sometimes hope there would be more corporate locomotives per industry sector leading the way for other start-ups.Yes and no.Yes" in the sense that the brand owner is no longer controlling the dialogue about his own brand. And yes in the sense that the communication parameter has changed a lot.No" in the sense, that the customer experience during use /consumption still is the key to brand building in most cases.Whether modern or not, I recommend focusing at the customer experience.Reports from our previous conferences organised jointly with the Hungarian and Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (HVCA):24 HOURS IN LISBON, PORTUGAL

WHAT & WHERE TO EAT, STAY, SEE, AND DO

Summer is nearly upon us in the Northern Hemisphere which, for the adventurous but time-pressed, means sun-soaked city breaks. No continent is better suited for a little in-out than Europe.

But first; an anecdote that may go some way to explaining my too much gene. A few weeks ago mummy dearest travelled all the way from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (where we are from) to London...just for the Chelsea Flower Show. Upon realising that crossing 8 time zones over a 13 hour flight just to look at some plants seemed like much ado about nothing, she decided to make the most of being on my side of the world by visiting a country shed never been to before - Portugal. And so, we spent a week in

; which I can assure you was far more fulfilling than perusing peonies or contemplating chrysanthemums (oh, and did I mention that I suffer from severe hayfever? Kill me). I digress. Whether or not you have EXTRA AF family & friends visiting or just fancy nipping over for a change of scenery, here is my guide on

.The Longines Master Collection: the Moon on her... The Longines Master...

Elegance, character and purity are the pillars of The Longines Master Collection, which is aimed at those who love the exceptional

Elegance, character and purity are the...It has been several years since Lapo Elkann, Founder and Artistic Director of Italia Independent and Garage Italia, and Hublot were discussing about a nautical-related watch. From his earliest childhood, Lapo was cradled by the movement of the waves, thanks to his iconic grandfather who was himself passionate about sailing. Lapo even won the Fastnet, with his brother aboard the mythical Stealth.

Lapo Elkanns grandfather, LAvvocato, Gianni Agnelli, had indeed an all-consuming passion for sailing. This was to such an extent that he was responsible for creating Azzurra, the first Italian team and challenge to win the America's Cup. During his enthralling life, he had several yachts built so that he could indulge in his favourite sport.

Lapo Elkann  Hublot

In the mid-1990s, he ordered from the naval architect German Frers an exceptional, unique sailing boat whose name Stealth was a nod to the American Air Forces F-117 fighters which were capable of avoiding radar detection. Like these aircrafts and thanks to the visionary Gianni Agnelli, this superyacht displayed the technical characteristic, a first at the time, of the wide use of Kevlar carbon and other composite material. The yacht was characterised by cutting-edge geometrical shapes, which together with the carbon fiber black sails would have a great influence on Lapo Elkanns work as a designer.

This new project made us aware of the unsuspected links between the world of sailing and our watchmaking expertise, including, for example, the use of materials and techniques that are at the forefront of innovation we have managed to combine with traditional teak wood, says Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot. A perfect match between technology and tradition, or the very meaning of the Art of Fusion! Here, our partnership with Lapo Elkann and his brand Italia Independent takes on an emotional, creative and technical dimension.

Based on the Big Bang Unico chronograph, the Big Bang Unico Teak Italia Independent uses the style codes of the yachts of the late Gianni Agnelli, Azzurra, Agneta, Extra Beat, Stealth and particularly the Tiketitoo, whose hull was stained a warm golden colour. The case and the push-pieces are machined in King Gold, a unique alloy of gold and platinum developed by the Hublot manufacture. On the dial, the indexes are in orange while its bezel is cut out of teak, a precious wood usually adorning the deck of the finest boats. With a 45-mm diameter and water resistance to 100 metres, the watch encloses the UNICO HUB1242 calibre house chronograph movement, which has a 72-hour power reserve and is visible through the sapphire glass mounted on the back of the watch.

Big Bang Unico Teak Italia Independent  Hublot

Each model of the Big Bang Unico Teak Italia Independent has two straps. The first, inspired by the world of regattas, is cut out of a real boat sail in Kevlar carbon with a rubber base. The second, which is orange and striped, is made entirely of rubber. The watch is fitted with the revolutionary One Click system which means that both straps are interchangeable at whim.

The 100 pieces of the Hublot Big Bang Unico Teak Italia Independent watches will be delivered in a case containing a pair of Italia Independent sunglasses whose frames uses the same teak wood as the bezel of the watch.As Steve noted here, the Supreme Court ruled today in favor of Jack Phillips, the Colorado cake baker who refused to make a custom cake for a same-sex couple because he believed that doing so would violate his religious beliefs. Phillips victory wasnt narrow. He won 7-2. However, the opinion that accompanied the victory was quite narrow.

Amy Howe of SCOTUSblog explains:

Although Phillips prevailed today, the opinion by Justice Anthony Kennedy rested largely on the majoritys conclusion that the Colorado administrative agency that ruled against Phillips treated him unfairly by being too hostile to his sincere religious beliefs. The opinion seemed to leave open the possibility that, in a future case, a service providers sincere religious beliefs might have to yield to the states interest in protecting the rights of same-sex couples, and the majority did not rule at all on one of the central arguments in the case  whether compelling Phillips to bake a cake for a same-sex couple would violate his right to freedom of speech.

Thus, a state human rights agency, for example, can get around the Courts ruling by concealing its contempt for religious views like those of the baker and pretending neutrally to balance them against the imperative, as Justice Kennedy sees it, that gay persons and gay couples [not] be treated as social outcasts or as inferior in dignity and worth.

If the state human rights agency, or other defendant, succeeds in this concealment and pretense, it will be an open question whether a cake baker, or other commercial provider, must deploy his skills to help celebrate a gay wedding. The Supreme Court leaves the resolution of that question for another day.

Or perhaps other days. Justice Kennedys opinion suggests that the outcome may vary depending on the nature of the provider and his services. Thus, these disputes may have to be decided case-by-case for all types of wedding vendors. Courts can become wedding planning review boards.

It might not be as easy as it sounds for outfits like the Colorado civil rights agency to mask their contempt for Christian views when they are asserted in opposition to the left-wing agenda. That contempt often runs deep. However, I think we can expect these bodies to rise to the occasion.

I hope that when this issue returns to the Supreme Court, it will be decided by a more conservative group of Justices.

UPDATE: David French notes that one of Justice Kennedys reasons for finding Colorado was motivated by anti-religious animus in its ruling against the baker is that Colorado has protected the right of bakers to refuse to create cakes with explicitly anti-gay messages. This portion of the majority opinion will make it difficult in some wedding vendor cases for states to navigate their way around todays decision.Ive written before about the Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act (FIRST STEP). Passed by the House with overwhelming support and backed by President Trump, FIRST STEP is backdoor sentence reduction legislation.

Indeed, its big-time sentencing reduction. Former federal prosecutor Thomas Ascik demonstrates this in an article for The Hill. He shows that most federal prisoners could serve close to 40 percent of their prison sentences in pre-release custody  that is, home confinement or a halfway house  instead of prison:

Eligible inmates would receive 10 days of time credits for every 30 days of successful participation in evidence-based recidivism reduction programming or productive activities. They could receive an additional five days of time credits every 30 days if prison staff determines they are minimum or low risk for recidivating.

What is an evidence-based recidivism reduction program that a prisoner need only participate in successfully, not complete? They are group or individual activities that include, inter alia, social learning and interpersonal skills, classes on morals or ethics, other life skills, family relationship-building, academic classes, art classes and substance abuse treatment.

Ascik points out that the bill introduces nothing new about those kinds of activities, which are widely available in federal prisons. They are included in the bill as purported rationales for reducing sentences.

There is no evidence that they reduce recidivism levels of the federal prison population, a hardened group, to anything approaching acceptable levels. Nor, for that matter, did the House hold open hearings on research regarding the efficacy of evidence based recidivism reduction programs. Apparently, calling something evidence based in good enough these days.

Home confinement is a joke. Authorities rely on ankle bracelets to monitor and supposedly restrict the activities of released federal and state prisoners. But an ABC News program showed how easy it is to compromise the bracelets, which routinely give off false alarms, and how monitoring officials sometimes fail to respond to alarms. ABC News documented 50 cases nationwide of murders committed by prisoners who were supposed to be confined to home with ankle bracelets.

FIRST STEP does not appropriate enough money to build new half-way houses. Because federal prisoners already are routinely sent to them before release, there wont be enough room in existing ones to accommodate the FIRST STEP crowd. Thus, its clear that, as Ascik says, the default and cheaper version of pre-release custody will be home confinement.

FIRST STEP also grants inmates 54 days of good time per year for every year sentenced, and grants it at the time the sentence is imposed. Thus, a criminal sentenced to five years immediately gets a 270-day sentence reduction. This credit for good behavior before there is good behavior changes current law, which awards good time at the end of a period of good behavior.

What would a five-year federal sentence often look like under FIRST STEP. Ascik tells us:

A prisoner is eligible for 180 days of time credits  15 days/month, per year. Thus, at the end of the first year, he has earned 450 days, or 1.25 years, off his sentence: 180 days to home or community confinement, and 270 days of automatic good time. By the end of his second year, he has earned another 180 days of time credits, making the sentence 3.25 years. With more time credits allotted at the start of the third year, he will be relocated to pre-release custody before the end of that year.

As noted, pre-release custody will typically mean home confinement. And as ABC News demonstrated, that can mean back on the street and free to commit crime up to and including murder.

In an upcoming post, Ill have more to say about the lack of evidence that evidence based recidivism reduction programs actually reduce recidivism in any meaningful way.The real challenge that the populist coalition in Italy poses to the EU is one of policy, not of democracy. So writes Angelos Chryssogelos of Chatham House.

I think the same can be said of populism in most Western democracies, but lets keep the focus on Italy. What are the policy challenges that the populist coalition there poses to the EU?

There are two: the economy and migration. Chryssogelos explains:

Italy is a country where the two major EU crises of previous years cross paths. Italy has suffered both from long-standing economic malaise, made more acute in the years of the eurozone crisis, and a mounting migration crisis in the Mediterranean. In both cases, Five Star and the League have fostered the perception of many Italians that the EU not only failed to help but outright harmed Italy by imposing upon it punishing economic reforms and leaving it without help to manage the influx of refugees on its shores.

The first perception  that the EU has harmed Italy by imposing punishing economic reforms  is probably valid. The second  that the EU has not helped with the influx of refugees from Africa  is clearly true, in my opinion.

One might hope that these perceptions would, in Chryssogelos words, concentrate the attention of EU elites on the effort to overhaul Europes economic governance and management of its external frontier, with an eye to developing more sustainable and equitable policies. After all, Italy is indeed the final frontier of the decade-long governance crisis of the EU: a founding EU member, its fourth-largest country and traditionally a pro-European society. And it faces very real policy challenges that are seen by its electorate as closely intertwined with its membership of the EU and the eurozone.

Instead, says Chryssogelos, the EU elites largely dismiss the Italians policy concerns by labeling them populist  just one more episode in the long, unsavory march of populism in Western democracies. For them, it is. . .easier to philosophize about the future of liberal democracy from Brussels, Berlin or The Hague than to admit that, for many parts of Europe, participation in structures of economic and migration policy cooperation will soon be politically and socially untenable unless the EU seriously reforms its functioning in the direction of more burden-sharing and solidarity.

Chryssogelos concludes:

Given the size of its economy, popular dissatisfaction with domestic and European elites, and the urgency of the migration crisis on its shores, Italy is the biggest test yet for this elite tactic of dismissal and diversion  moving the discussion from popular frustration to an often barren and prevaricating debate about the future of democracy. The question is whether the EU can realize the stakes in time and engage with the real policy failures that lie at the heart of the current democratic malaise in Europe.

I doubt that it can.There are plenty of reasons to be generally skeptical of President Trump, and especially to be critical of his trade policy and the recent announcement of seeking to require electric utilities to buy electricity from coal and nuclear power plants (though this particular thing requires separate comment). But Max Boot abuses the privilege.

Heres his tweet related to his latest Washington Post column attacking Trumps abandonment of traditional Republican lip service to free markets:

The longer version in the column itself is even worse:

Trump doesnt care that Canadian soldiers have fought and bled alongside Americans for a century. In Afghanistan, Canada lost 158 troops in a U.S.-led NATO mission. All of that counts for nothing with a president who is determined to rearrange the economy according to his own mad whims. . .

So . . . I guess Max boot has never heard of the U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber imports from previous administrations that are estimated to have cost nearly 10,000 Canadian jobs. Did Trumps predecessors also not care about Canadian soldiers? How about President Obama? Did he also not care about Canadian sacrifice when he blocked the Keystone pipeline for eight years?

Also this from Boots column:

My heart went out to Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland when she said on Sunday: So what you are saying to us, and to all of your NATO allies, is that we somehow represent a national security threat to the United States.  Seriously?

Funny, thats very close to the complaint Margaret Thatcher made in 1982 of Ronald Reagans sanctions on European banks and companies (which Reagans own secretary of state opposed) that were building the Soviet natural gas pipeline (a policy that largely failed in the long run, incidentally, enabling some of Putins natural gas extortions todayirony alert!). Thatcher publicly called Reagans treatment of NATO appalling, and a lesson in how not to conduct alliance business.

Trumps tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum are bad policy, likely to be counter-productive. Why not just argue the economic merits of the case? Never Trumpers who default to hysterical rhetoric do themselves no favors. Boot ought to get a grip. Or get the boot.As we previewed yesterday, Minnesota Fifth District Rep. Keith Ellison has chosen to give up his sinecure in Congress to run for the office of Minnesota Attorney General. There is now a scramble among Democrats for both offices and for the office of governor as well. It is only sketched out by the Star Tribune story here.

State representative Ilhan Omar is among those who will seek the DFL endorsement to replace Ellison in Congress. Also filing today in the primary race for Ellisons seat are state senators Patricia Torres and Bobby Joe Champion as well as former state House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher. Those of us thinking desperate thoughts may hypothesize that Kelliher sort of fills the sane Democratic niche that I anticipated materializing in a multicandidate primary. Nevertheless, shes probably not where Fifth District Democrats are anymore.

What we have here is a case study in the civil war on the left that Steve has chronicled in 60 parts so far. Those of us viewing this part up close cannot enjoy the show. Minnesota has never seen a major party candidate for attorney general with Ellisons shady past. That he might serve as the states chief law enforcement officer is a sick joke out of a dark satire. Minnesota has seen a major party candidate for Congress like Omar before  that would be Ellison  but she is even so something else again.

The prospect of the election of Ellison and Omar to the respective offices they seek is akin to the prospect of being hanged in a fortnight, as Samuel Johnson put it. It concentrates the mind wonderfully.On May 14 our local Fox affiliate (Fox 9) broadcast Jeff Baillons striking report Millions of dollars in suitcases fly out of MSP, but why? The report drew a connection among rampant fraud in a massive state program (i.e., funding of daycare in Minnesotas Somali community), cash flown overseas in suitcases out of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to Somalia and possible funding of the the al Shabab terrorist group in Somalia by such cash.

The story reverberated in our legislature at the end of the legislative session. Former Department of Human Services investigator Scott Stillman had been one of Baillons key sources. Stillman testified in a hastily called state senate hearing. Kim Crockett of the Center of the American Experiment covered the hearing featuring Stillmans testimony here.

The principal reverberation created by the Fox 9 story, however, is a media backlash. Baillons story had gaps in its reporting (Dave Orrick here at the Pioneer Press). Stillman is an unreliable source (Matt Sepic here at Minnesota Public Radio). My favorite story in the backlash featured the ordeal of the Somali daycare providers (brought to us by the Star Tribune, of course).

Has the Star Tribune or any other media outlet followed up on Baillons story to explore the underlying facts? Its an important story. I wrote about it in the City Journal column Mogadishu, Minnesota. Last week I made the round among law enforcement sources and the state agencies. Based on my survey, I think the media are averting their eyes from the substance of Baillons story. Thats the way it goes in Minnesota.

Baillons story cited the illustrative case of Fozia Ali, a Minneapolis daycare provider who pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding the daycare program and was sentenced to prison earlier this year. As I sought to follow up on Baillons reporting, I was struck by how little information had been reported about Alis case (to take just one element of Baillons story), a case which is a matter of public record. I cant even find a Star Tribune story reporting Alis plea and sentencing. This is the first in a series of brief posts on the Minnesota daycare fraud story that will conclude with a look at Alis case.Those of you with subscriptions to the Wall Street Journal may enjoy my op-ed appearing this morning on Climate Change Has Run Its Course, which is causing indigestion amongst the climatistas. Its already up to more than 600 comments, which is rather a lot before Ive even finished my second cup of coffee out here on the Left Coast.

As the article is behind the Journals robust paywall, Ill summarize and share a little bit. My thesis is a variation of the old idea of apocalypse fatigue, but goes a step further in using the framework of a famous political science article by Anthony Downs from 1972 on Up and Down with Ecology: The Issue-Attention Cycle. Downs described a five-stage process through which the publicand the mediabecome bored with an issue and move on. That, I submit, is where we are today with climate change. At one point I mention that climate change is now like a blaring car alarman annoyance that most everyone is tuning out.

The launch point is noting how the climate racket has been subsumed by identity politics:

A good indicator of why climate change as an issue is over can be found early in the text of the Paris Agreement. The nonbinding pact declares that climate action must include concern for gender equality, empowerment of women, and intergenerational equity as well as the importance for some of the concept of climate justice.  Another is Sarah Myhres address at the most recent meeting of the American Geophysical Union, in which she proclaimed that climate change cannot fully be addressed without also grappling with the misogyny and social injustice that have perpetuated the problem for decades.

One of Downss stages is described as the euphoria phase when activists see an issue as a means of human redemption:

The second stage typically includes a large amount of euphoric enthusiasmyou might call it the dopamine stageas activists conceive the issue in terms of global peril and salvation. This tendency explains the fanaticism with which divinity-school dropouts Al Gore and Jerry Brown have warned of climate change.

I always like to note when I can that both Gore and Jerry Brown are ex-divinity students (as was Gary Hart I believe), which explains a lot about their unctuous political style.

And my concluding paragraph:Yesterday afternoon, in Does anyone really know what time it is? (Minnesota DFL edition), I noted the rumors that Deputy DNC Chairman/Minnesota Fifth District Rep. Keith Ellison would leave his House seat to run for statewide office as Minnesota Attorney General. Ellisons departure from Congress would create an opening for state representative Ilhan Omar, among others, to run for his seat in Congress. I thought what I heard about Ellison was solidly sourced, but I still find it hard to believe.

Last night Politicos Isaac Dovere confirmed: Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) is expected to make a last-minute entry into the race for Minnesota attorney general on Tuesday, according to two people familiar with his plans.  Ellison has been in Congress since 2007, and served as deputy chair of the [DNC] since last year, as a leader of the Bernie Sanders wing of the party. But hes been chafing for months at both roles: being in the minority in Congress and being subsumed [sic] to DNC Chairman Tom Perez, who beat him for the top job.  [A]ttorneys general have taken on major significance within the Democratic resistance to the Trump administration, and Ellison is eager to be a leader in that fight.

The deadline for filing arrives at 5:00 p.m. this afternoon. We will know before long.

Via Politico Playbook.

UPDATE: Star Tribune state politics reporter Patrick Coolican is not on board. He advises that Ellison is still debating the move and that former Attorney General Mike Hatch has filed to discourage him.Przepraszamy!

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Inne oferty, ktore mogy byc w kregu Twoich zainteresowan:Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, Transport Minister Hisham Arafat and Alexandria Governor Mohamed Sultan decided on Monday to begin work on the project to upgrade Alexandria's 150-year-old tramway system next year, Al-Ahram Arabic website reported.

During the meeting, PM Ismail reviewed executive procedures on initiating the project to upgrade the tramway system, which is the oldest in Africa and one of the oldest in the world.

The project, which is set to be completed in early 2022, aims to increase passenger capacity to between 250 - 300,000 riders per day and is estimated to cost about 360 million euros.

Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city with 4.5 million people, does not have an underground metro system and relies solely on above-ground means of transportation.

According to the governor, the tram's track, which stretches from the Victoria area to Mansheya Square, is 13.7 km long and passes through 28 stations.

The Alexandria tram system began operation in 1863 and is used by 12 percent of the city's commuters daily.

Governor Sultan explained in the meeting that the project aims to construct overpasses and electronic light signals, as well as to replace old tram units with modern ones.

The governor said that the project aims to upgrade facilities, stations and vehicles to increase the tram's capacity in order reduce traffic congestion in the city.

The officials decided to begin the project after approving studies made by consulting offices on urban transport in Alexandria.

A new company will manage the project with the support of foreign advisors.

In 2017, the Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation signed a 100 million euro deal with the French Development Agency (AFD) to upgrade Alexandria's Raml tram line, known as the Blue Tram, which connects the city's western and eastern sections.

AFD will cover 100 million of the new project's total budget of 360 million euros, with another 180 million provided by the European investment bank.

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Vodafone & visa torollout irresistable offers on i-Roamfree

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Discounts worth Rs 500 and Rs 750 on Vodafone i-RoamFREE 10 day and 28 day packs exclusively for VISA Travel Prepaid Cardholders with a Vodafone Postpaid number.



- Enjoy worry-free international roaming experience across 65 countries



Mumbai, 4th June 2018: The journey before travelling abroad is quiet a hectic one. Booking flight tickets, looking for hotels, arranging for forex  The list is endless. Vodafone believes that International roaming should be a truly worry-free and delightful experience right from planning till the final journey.







Vodafone India now makes International roaming delightful through its latest partnership with Visa. Vodafone post-paid customers who use their Visa Travel Prepaid Card, can now get discounts of Rs. 500 to Rs. 750 on Vodafone i-RoamFREE packs with 10 days and 28 days validity.







Vodafone i-RoamFREE plan for 28 days covers 65 countries and is priced at Rs. 5000. Visa Travel Prepaid Cardholders with a Vodafone postpaid connection can get a discount of Rs. 750 on this plan, thus getting this service for just Rs. 4250. Vodafone i-RoamFREE plan for 10 days is priced at Rs 3500 and Visa Travel Prepaid Cardholders with a Vodafone postpaid connection can get a discount of Rs 500, effectively making the service available @Rs. 3000.







Vodafone i-RoamFREE plans cover 65 countries. It offers Unlimited Data & calls in 20 countries like USA, Europe, UAE, UK, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, New Zealand and unlimited free incoming calls and free data in 45 other countries. Whats more? Customers can also reach out to customer care free of cost if they need any assistance during their travel abroad.







Inviting all Vodafone postpaid customers travelling overseas to make the most of the Vodafone-Visa partnership, Avneesh Khosla, Associate Director  Consumer Business, Vodafone India, said Vodafone i-RoamFREE plans bring to the table an unparalleled combination of exclusive benefits, high speed experience, worry-free roaming and great connectivity. Our tie up with Visa further strengthens our value proposition of Best Ever International Roaming plan. So now, whether one is backpacking across Europe, visiting family in the US, shopping in Dubai or attending conferences in Singapore  one can enjoy free calls and data and travel worry-free with the best-in-class prepaid travel card option







As a recent Visa survey pointed out, 97% of Indian travellers want to stay connected to the internet while travelling, which is the highest compared to their global peers. Our association with Vodafone will ensure that the Indian traveler now has an added incentive to stay connected to the internet and in touch with their loved ones even while on travel across the world, said, Murali Nair, Vice President & Head of Client Relationship Management, India for Visa.







Vodafone i-RoamFREE partnership with Visa will shortly be extended to Vodafone prepaid customers too.





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Your Comments ! Share Your OpenionEgypt condemned on Tuesday the "heinous" the terrorist attack in Kabul which left 14 dead, statement by Egypt's Foreign Ministry read.

"Egypt strongly condemns the attack carried out by the terrorist organization Daesh on the Grand Council of Muslim Clerics in the Afghan capital," the statement read.

On Monday, a motorcycle suicide bomber killed 14 people near a gathering of Muslim clerics in the city, the latest in a series of attacks to hit Kabul.

The foreign ministry statement expressed sincere condolences to the families of the martyrs and wished the speedy recovery of the injured.

The statement also stressed that the Egyptian government and people stand with the government and people of Afghanistan to counter terrorism which threatens the security and the stability of the country.

The bomb killed seven Muslim clerics, four security officers and three people whose identities were unknown, a senior government official said.

The statement stressed that this "disgraceful" crime took place after the clerics' council had issued a fatwa against suicide bombings.

"These [terrorist] groups have nothing to do with the teachings of Islam and all countries must unite to confront them," the statement read.

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Egyptian English literature professor Mona Prince has been suspended from her job at Suez Canal University, more than a year after a video of her dancing sparked controversy online.

A copy of a decision by university head Al-Sayed Al-Sharqawy, which Prince shared online on Tuesday, showed that the university's disciplinary committee ordered her be suspended from her position three weeks ago. However, her dismissal was only announced and reported by local media on Tuesday.

Last year, the university launched investigations into Prince after she shared a video online of herself dancing on the rooftop of her home. The video, as well as other photos of Prince in a bikini, brought her under fire, with many calling her behavior inappropriate.

Following the decision, Prince pledged on Tuesday to take the matter to court.

"In the first incident of its kind in Egypt, the Arab world and the whole world, a university professor has been dismissed from her post, not because she accepts bribes, or sexually harasses her students or colleaguesor leaks exams[but] because of the professor's pictures in a swimsuit and a video while dancing in a galabeya on her own Facebook page," Prince wrote on her Facebook page.

"Meet you in court, University of Suez," she added.

Prince had drawn criticism earlier this year when she announced that she would run for the March presidential elections, in which President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi won a second term by a landslide. However, she did not officially submit her candidacy.

The professor has repeatedly dismissed criticism against her, saying her behaviour is a matter of personal freedom that harms no one.

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SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Thunkable, the platform that enables anyone to build their own native mobile apps, today announced the launch of Thunkable X.

Thunkable X is a cross-platform app builder, which means that all apps built on the platform work for both Android and iOS devices.

On Thunkable X, non-coders can easily design beautiful apps, program powerful functionality with drag & drop blocks and upload apps to the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store.

"Traditionally, building a sophisticated app requires hundreds of thousands of dollars and two teams of engineers--one team for Android and one team for iOS. But now, non-coders can easily build their own apps on one platform, and these apps will work on Android devices, iPhones and iPads," said Arun Saigal, Co-Founder and CEO of Thunkable.

According to Forrester Research, the market for low-code/no-code platforms will reach $16B in 2020. And within this growing market, Thunkable is already well positioned to become the global market leader in DIY app building.

There are currently over 500K users on Thunkable who have built more than 1M apps. And apps built on Thunkable have more than 16M MAUs, across 195 countries.

What sets Thunkable apart in the no-code/low code space, is that its visual drag & drop programming language is easy enough to use for non-coders, yet robust enough to build unique, beautiful and powerful apps. This approach was pioneered by researchers at Google and MIT, where Thunkable was incubated.

"Billions of people have powerful smartphones, but only a handful of engineers can program them. We're focused on empowering all smartphone users to create their own mobile technology." -Weihua James Li, Co-Founder and CTO of Thunkable.

Thunkable users can choose from a variety of features and integrations for their apps, including Google Maps, Microsoft Image Recognition, payments through Stripe, and other APIs.

To date, Thunkable has raised $3.3 million in funding from Lightspeed Venture Partners, NEA, SV Angel, Y Combinator, PJC, Mandra Capital, Joe Montana's Liquid 2 Ventures and ZhenFund.

About Thunkable



Launched in 2015, Thunkable is the platform that enables anyone to build their own native mobile apps. Thunkable was incubated at Google Research and MIT. To learn more, please go to thunkable.com

Media Contact:

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[email protected]

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SOURCE ThunkableINDORE, India, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

- On 5th June, occasion of World Environment day, Carbon Credits will be provided

- A sincere effort to reduce Carbon Emission during the movements/travel of National Leaders

- 5 Carbon Credits will be presented to the respected dignitaries/VIPs

- India to host the 'World Environment Day' for the first time

On June 5th, the 'World Environment Day', EnKing International who are working to help Clean Energy producer & Energy Efficient Companies, have started a campaign as a mark of respect to protect to the environment. In this campaign, 5 Carbon Credits will be presented to premier dignitaries on this day. Carbon Credit is an authority (permit) to the nation or institute for emission of Carbon in a particular restricted quantity and in case of a surplus it can be traded.

Detailing more in the matter Mr. Manish Dabkara, MD EnKing International, stated, "Global warming and changes in seasons is a matter of concern for the entire world. All developing or developed nations are committed to reduce the Green House Gases (GHG) emissions under Kyoto Protocol and subsequent Paris Agreement. One of the easy way to reduce emissions is to buy Carbon Credits which is very common at industrialized nations, it will help Emission Reduction projects to get fast return on investment and so many similar projects may come up."

The prime objective of EnKing International is to resolve the issue related to global warming by helping GHG mitigation projects like Wind, Solar, Hydro, Biomass, Energy Efficiency etc. to get Carbon Credits issued from United Nations and sell it into Carbon Markets.

One among the many such efforts by EnKing International, it has launched a new campaign called 'The Green Initiative'. The aim of this campaign is to highlight the issue of carbon emission/global warming, narrate the impact of everyday human activities on the environment and spread awareness about protecting the environment using elementary measures by organizations. EnKing International wants to draw the attention of Indians towards how the environment can be saved and made better with slight modifications in routine.

Keeping the major environmental concern of global warming in mind, EnKing International is presenting carbon credits on the World Environment Day on June 5th, 2018. This is the first occasion when the World Environment Day is being hosted in India. Thus as a token of celebration, EnKing International is gifting 5 carbon credits to prominent Indian dignitaries in order to part neutralize year 2018 Annual Travel Emissions. Mr. Manish Dabkara, said, "Carbon Credit Cancellation certificates have been requested to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) located at Germany, to set off part emissions to happen due to travel of these politicians." He further added, "All national policies should be drafted in such a way that Carbon Footprint due to implementation of those policies should be very low or Carbon Neutral."

The list of dignitaries to receive these credits includes Hon'ble President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Ministers (in Central Government) and Chief Ministers of Indian states.

About EnKing International:

EnKing International helps Clean Energy producer & Energy Efficient Companies to determine their Carbon (Air Emission) Footprint and sell their Carbon Credits to earn additional revenue stream. EnKing International is India's largest Carbon Credit project developer and supplier. EKI also helps private and government organizations to implement ISO and ZED standards, it has client base of 800+ at 40+ countries. To know more visit us at http://www.enkingint.org.

Media Contact:

Manish Dabkara

[email protected]

+91-9907534900

EKI Energy Services Limited



SOURCE EnKing InternationalEgyptian president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has said he acknowledges that the country's economic reforms are "very tough" but promises that Egyptians will see "great achievements" in the coming days.

Egypt has introduced a series of painful economic reforms aimed at stabilising an economy that has struggled since the 2011 uprising, which include fuel and electricity subsidy cuts, imposing a value-added tax, and a currency flotation.

"The economic reform phase has been very tough, I admit that," El-Sisi said in a televised address during an iftar gathering held on Tuesday. He urged Egyptians to continue to support his measures in tackling the country's economic and political woes.

"We have a deal between me and you and between you and Egypt that we will face the challenges and overcome them together," he said.

The president pledged on Tuesday to make overhauling the country's education and health systems, and administrative reform a priority in his second term, three days after he was sworn in.

He pledged that Egyptians will see "a number of great achievements" in the coming few days, saying that new projects will be inaugurated later this month, after the Islamic holiday of Eid El-Fitr. He did not elaborate what those achievements would be.

"I have great hope that in two years, you will see Egypt in a different place, God willing," he said.

El-Sisi was sworn in for a second term on Saturday, almost two months after he won a landslide victory in a March election.



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MUMBAI, NEW DELHI and NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) today launched a CEO Water Alliance (CEWA) initiative to bring together CEOs and other stakeholders to address India's water challenges. Founding members of the CEWA include the leaders of Tata Steel, Cargill India Pvt. Ltd., 3M India, WestRock India, PepsiCo India and Nalco Water, an Ecolab company.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/700609/USISPF_Logo.jpg )



(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/609785/Ecolab_Logo.jpg )



CEWA brings together CEOs and other diverse stakeholders by providing a unique platform to address water challenges in India by exchanging best practices; implementing technology solutions; and promoting policies for the sustainable use of water.

Water scarcity is impacting several countries across the globe today. In India, estimates predict that the nation will be water scarce by 2025. It is estimated that $114 billion in annual sustainable water management investments are needed over the next 15 years to ensure availability of this finite resource.

USISPF believes it is a corporate imperative to conserve water for business continuity and for the benefit of local communities in a fast-growing economy like India. USISPF member companies created the CEWA initiative to work toward these goals and align with the work with the Government of India to establish an effective policy framework that will ensure a sustainable water future for India.

USISPF President and CEO Dr. Mukesh Aghi said, "Water scarcity is a major social and economic problem being faced by all countries. The recent water crisis in Cape Town, South Africa, captured the attention of governments around the world. The need to act, to protect our most coveted natural resource, is now. And industry needs to be a partner to the government on this. USISPF looks forward to working with our member companies, in a spirit of collaboration, to address this serious problem and prepare for a more sustainable future."

He further added, "The recent spill of molasses from a sugar mill into the Beas River in Punjab had a devastating impact on the surrounding ecosystem and affected drinking water in neighbouring districts. A fine has been imposed on the mill by the state pollution control board for negligence, but such incidents should serve as a reminder that industrial organisations must follow the procedures and protocols for containment." CEWA will work towards preventing incidents that have a detrimental impact on the environment by promoting best practices within and around industrial corridors.

Mukund Vasudevan, Managing Director of Ecolab India (Nalco Water is the water solutions Division of Ecolab), said, "It's time for the CEOs of India's most reputed companies to set the tone on water. By adopting best practices, leveraging cutting-edge technologies, and utilizing the power of digital and data, Indian Industry can reduce their water usage by over 20%, enough to satisfy the drinking water needs of all Indians for a year. We want CEWA to be the catalyst for such an effort."

The formation of this CEWA initiative is an outcome of the CEO roundtable event in November 2017, hosted by the U.S. Embassy and Nalco Water, an Ecolab company to promote the importance of water for business continuity, the exchange of best practices and technologies for smart water management. A takeaway from this event was the need to form an alliance of India's business leaders to work individually and collectively, to set tangible goals for reducing water use.

About the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF):

The U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum is committed to creating the most powerful strategic partnership between the U.S. and India. Promoting bilateral trade is an important part of our work, but our mission reaches far beyond this. It is about business and government coming together in new ways to create meaningful opportunities that have the power to change the lives of citizens.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., USISPF has offices in New York, Silicon Valley, Mumbai, and New Delhi.

For more details, please visit http://www.usispf.org. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact:

USISPF

Nina Anand

[email protected]

Communicaitons, USISPF

Ecolab- India

Anupama Bhardwaj

[email protected]

+91-915-899-8147

SOURCE USISPF and Nalco Water India LimitedCAMARILLO, California, June 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

BNK Petroleum Inc. (the "Company") (TSX: BKX) is providing an update on the Glenn 16-2H and WLC 14-1H wells.

The Glenn 16-2H well has been producing for over two months and has a 60 day initial production (IP) rate of 594 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOEPD), with over 500 barrels being oil from its one mile lateral. The well is currently producing an average of 508 BOEPD of which 414 barrels are oil. This slightly exceeds the possible type curve prepared by our outside reserve evaluators at the end of last year.

The WLC 14-1H well started flowing back but was shut in last week to retrieve a part that was lodged in the lateral and was likely restricting the flowback. The part has been successfully removed and flowback is expected to resume this week. The start of the 30 day IP rate will begin after the flowback has recommenced.

At the current price of oil at over $65 USD a barrel, our incremental netbacks for these wells are estimated to be approximately $35 USD a barrel which represents a substantial contribution to the Company's cash flow.

About BNK Petroleum Inc.

BNK Petroleum Inc. is an international oil and gas exploration and production company focused on finding and exploiting large, predominately unconventional oil and gas resource plays. Through its subsidiaries, the Company owns and operates shale oil and gas properties in the United States. Additionally, the Company is utilizing its technical and operational expertise to identify and acquire additional unconventional projects. The Company's shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the stock symbol BKX and on the OTCQX under the stock symbol BNKPF.

Cautionary Statements

In this news release and the Company's other public disclosure: The references to barrels of oil equivalent ("Boes") reflect natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil. Boes may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A Boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 Bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value. Possible reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves. There is a 10% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of proved plus probable plus possible reserves. Readers should be aware that references to initial production rates and other short-term production rates are preliminary in nature and are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery. Readers are referred to the full description of the results of the Company's December 31, 2017 independent reserves evaluation and other oil and gas information contained in its Form 51-101F1 Statement of Reserves Data and Other Oil and Gas Information for the year ended December 31, 2017, which the Company filed on SEDAR on March 14, 2018. Netback per barrel, net operating income and funds from operations (collectively, the "Company's Non-GAAP Measures") are not measures recognized under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP. The Company's Non-GAAP Measures are described and reconciled to the GAAP measures in the management's discussion and analysis which are available under the Company's profile at http://www.sedar.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding the timing of and expected results from planned Caney wells development. Forward-looking information is based on plans and estimates of management and interpretations of data by the Company's technical team at the date the data is provided and is subject to several factors and assumptions of management, including that that indications of early results are reasonably accurate predictors of the prospectiveness of the shale intervals, that required regulatory approvals will be available when required, that no unforeseen delays, unexpected geological or other effects, including flooding and extended interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions, equipment failures, permitting delays or labor or contract disputes are encountered, that the development plans of the Company and its co-venturers will not change, that the offset operator's operations will proceed as expected by management, that the demand for oil and gas will be sustained, that the price of oil will be sustained or increase, that the Company will continue to be able to access sufficient capital through financings, farm-ins or other participation arrangements to maintain its projects, and that global economic conditions will not deteriorate in a manner that has an adverse impact on the Company's business, its ability to advance its business strategy and the industry as a whole. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the risk that any of the assumptions on which such forward looking information is based vary or prove to be invalid, including that the Company or its subsidiaries is not able for any reason to obtain and provide the information necessary to secure required approvals or that required regulatory approvals are otherwise not available when required, that unexpected geological results are encountered, that equipment failures, permitting delays or labor or contract disputes or shortages are encountered, the risks associated with the oil and gas industry (e.g. operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration and development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks, including flooding and extended interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions), that the offset operator's operations have unexpected adverse effects on the Company's operations, that completion techniques require further optimization, that production rates do not match the Company's assumptions, that very low or no production rates are achieved, that the price of oil will decline, that the Company is unable to access required capital, that occurrences such as those that are assumed will not occur, do in fact occur, and those conditions that are assumed will continue or improve, do not continue or improve, and the other risks and uncertainties applicable to exploration and development activities and the Company's business as set forth in the Company's management discussion and analysis and its annual information form, both of which are available for viewing under the Company's profile at http://www.sedar.com, any of which could result in delays, cessation in planned work or loss of one or more concessions and have an adverse effect on the Company and its financial condition. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.

Wolf E. Regener, +1-(805)-484-3613, Email: investorrelations@bnkpetroleum.com, Website: http://www.bnkpetroleum.com

SOURCE BNK Petroleum Inc.NEW YORK, June 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Trident Maritime Systems ("Trident"), a portfolio company of an investment affiliate of J.F. Lehman & Company, announced today the completion of the acquisition of Newsystem srl ("Newsystem").

Trident is a leading provider of turnkey marine systems and solutions for government and commercial vessel new construction, retrofit and repair both in the U.S. and internationally.

Newsystem is a provider of outfitting systems and solutions for the cruise ship new construction market. The company is located near Bergamo, Italy and operates in shipyards throughout Italy.

"Since our acquisition of the company in 2011, Trident has demonstrated strong growth by diversifying and expanding its specialized systems and solutions offering and geographic footprint. Newsystem is Trident's seventh add-on acquisition and represents another successful step in executing this element of Trident's strategy," said Alex Harman, Partner at J.F. Lehman & Company.

Tom Eccles, Chief Executive Officer of Trident, said, "We are very pleased to welcome Newsystem to the Trident family. The addition of Newsystem demonstrates our commitment to the Italian cruise ship new construction market and will allow us to better serve our customers."

About J.F. Lehman & Company, Inc.

J.F. Lehman & Company is a leading middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on the aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental sectors. The firm has offices in New York and Washington, D.C.

For more information about J.F. Lehman & Company, please visit www.jflpartners.com.

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SOURCE J.F. Lehman & Company(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/700745/Pisano_Logo.jpg )

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Ozkan Demir, CEO of the Customer Experience Management Company Pisano, expressed that recently customer experience has been a top priority for financial institutions and Isbank is one of the leading banks utilizing customer experience technologies and solutions. "Our collaboration with Turkey's largest private bank, Isbank, reflects their focus and determination on providing excellent customer experiences which is really exciting for us. We love working with customer-oriented companies and the results are great sources of motivation for us," said Demir. Adding that Pisano is "Determined to expand the Customer Movement in the EMEA Region."

"Isbank and Pisano's collaboration is one of the best examples of our initiatives in the process of digital transformation. Pisano's customer experience management platform is enabling instant feedback for our customers. As a result, we observe a rapid increase in feedback volume and quality," said Isbank Digital Banking Head H. Mete Gunes. "Through Pisano kiosks, our branch employees simultaneously see the customers' feedback and if needed they take the action instantly." Gunes also added "With Pisano's real-time reporting features, our branch managers can easily analyze the results in minutes. The positive customer feedback responses are also important sources to motivate our employees."

About Pisano

As a customer experience management platform, Pisano helped more than 250 global brands in 8 countries, engage with their customers to better understand and perfect their journeys. For detailed information about Pisano, please visit http://www.pisano.co.

Follow Pisano:

Web: http://www.pisano.co

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/PisanoEN

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pisano

Twitter: @pisano_en

SOURCE PisanoThe United States warned governments and the private sector on Tuesday to crack down on what it described as Iranian efforts to exploit them to fund its support for terrorism, destabilizing actions in the region and rights abuses at home.

The appeal, in a speech by the senior U.S. Treasury official for terrorism and financial intelligence, follows U.S. President Donald Trump's May 8 decision to abandon the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and to reimpose U.S. sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

"You must harden your financial networks, require your companies to do extra due diligence to keep them from being caught in Irans deceptive web, and make clear the very significant risks of doing business with companies and persons there," Under Secretary of the Treasury Sigal Mandelker said.

"Companies doing business in Iran face substantial risks, and those risks are even greater as we reimpose nuclear-related sanctions," she added. "We will hold those doing prohibited business in Iran to account."

The U.S. decision to leave the pact, under which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions, has antagonized its other parties: Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia.

With U.S. sanctions returning between now and Nov. 4, it is not clear how enthusiastic U.S. allies or other nations such as China may be to comply with those sanctions, particularly those requiring foreign firms to reduce their imports of Iranian oil.

The weight of the U.S. financial system and the reality of companies having to choose between selling to Iran or to the vast U.S. market, is likely to force many private firms to comply.

"To those in the private sector, I urge you to also take additional steps to ensure Iran and its proxies are not exploiting your companies to support their nefarious activities," Mandelker said. "You have to do more to make sure your compliance programs are airtight."

"The Iranian regime will deceive your companies, undermine the integrity of your financial systems, put your institutions at risk of our powerful sanctions, all to fund terrorism, human rights abuses and terrorist groups," Mandelker added.

She repeated U.S. threats to increase financial pressure unless Iran ceases actions such as supporting proxy forces hostile to the United States in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen.

"Our powerful economic authorities will give the regime a clear choice: Change its unacceptable support for terrorism, destabilizing activities and human rights abuses, or face economic calamity," Mandelker said.

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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Housing Hand has announced today that, following a surge of international students looking for accommodation, it is launching its guarantor service in Ireland.

Ireland has seen a spike in international students following Brexit, with the highest number of students were recorded at the University College Cork, where applications from non-EU students are up by 40%. There was also a 26% rise at the University College Dublin, while Trinity College Dublin has also recorded significant increases.

A rise in purpose-built student accommodation (PBRS), together with more investment in private halls across Ireland is also fuelling demand for a guarantor service in Ireland.

Jeremy Robinson, Managing Director of Housing Hand comments: We are expanding into Ireland to meet the demand from both the student halls and international students themselves.

We know there is a growing requirement for a guarantor service in Ireland to cope with the rising numbers of international students. We will be partnering with universities across Ireland, as we have done with UK universities, but with specific offerings to meet the needs of the Irish market.

We will work with Irish universities to create a bespoke model to suit the requirements of both the accommodation departments and their students. Housing Hand and the universities will then actively promote the service to their students and we provide integration, full customer service and credit control support. We help students throughout the rental process and mediate when a tenant has an issue with a tenancy. Center for Hospice Care Mishawaka Campus Master Plan

Center for Hospice Care (CHC) is in the midst of a five-year comprehensive campaign called "Cornerstones for Living: The Crossroads Campaign." The centerpiece of the Crossroads Campaign is the construction of a new 12-bed inpatient care facility overlooking the St. Joseph River. Thanks to a generous lead gift from Ernestine Raclin, the noted community philanthropist and Chairman Emeritus of 1st Source Corporation, the inpatient care facility will be named the Ernestine M. Raclin House.

Half of all deaths in America occur when people are receiving hospice care and that number is increasing each year. At CHC, 25% of the 35,000 patients weve cared for over 37 years were seen in just the last four years alone, said Mark Murray, President/CEO of Center for Hospice Care and the Hospice Foundation, the supporting foundation responsible for raising funds for the new facilities.

The Ernestine M. Raclin House, along with a new clinical staff building currently under construction, will be the focal point for providing hospice care throughout much of CHCs service area. When you consider the first of the 76 million baby boomers began signing up for Medicare seven years ago, the need for hospice care will only escalate dramatically over the next 20 years. This Crossroads campaign is all about CHC putting the infrastructure in place today to meet this need of our communities tomorrow, said Murray.

For more information or to RSVP for this special event, please visit foundationforhospice.org/groundbreaking.

About Center for Hospice Care and the Hospice Foundation

Established in 1978, Center for Hospice Care is an independent, community-based, not-for-profit organization, improving the quality of living through hospice, home health, grief counseling, and community education. With offices in South Bend, Plymouth, Elkhart, La Porte and Mishawaka, CHC serves Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, LaGrange, LaPorte, Marshall, Porter, St. Joseph and Starke counties in northern Indiana.

The Hospice Foundation is committed to supporting the work of CHC through community outreach and education, fundraising activities and other special events. The Foundation helps CHC keep its promise that no one eligible for hospice services will be turned away, regardless of their ability to pay.Seal Software today announced the general availability of version 6 of its award-winning solution for the discovery, extraction, and analysis of contracts and other types of legal agreements. The latest release of Seal Content and Analytics provides several new AI-driven innovations to help the enterprise more easily reveal hidden insight from unstructured content. The new version builds on Seals longstanding approach to AI (artificial intelligence), analytics and machine learning to improve content contextualization across disparate sources, streamlining compliance and simplifying governance of contracts at Global 2000 companies,

Our customers, who have achieved remarkable results using Seal in their legal and procurement departments, are now looking to repeat this success across additional business units and processes. said Ulf Zetterberg, co-founder and CEO at Seal Software. Todays enterprise is looking for faster and deeper analysis of unstructured content, which is greater in volume and variety than ever before. Seal helps these companies integrate this analysis with existing business processes to fuel real and practical digital transformation.

Version 6 of the Seal platform addresses three critical pillars that support businesses looking for the kind of intelligence that improves overall business performance. With significant new features that extend these capabilities, Seal Content and Analytics now facilitates a more extensive range of use cases across different business departments and industry sectors.



Scalability  With 2X performance enhancements, smart installers and multi-node support the new platform handles

a full range of document sets  from thousands to tens-of-millions.



Extensibility  A new semantic engine adds speed and versatility including support for third-party document sets such as DocuSign envelope and documents.

Insight Acceleration  A new Seal Integration Engine extends the capabilities of Seals Logic Engine, enabling plug-and-play integrations with third-party apps such as DocuSign.

Having a clear vision into contractual relationships is critical. While knowing the risks, obligations, and opportunities related to third parties is required for dealing with business, legal, and regulatory changes, this clarity is also a valuable and often untapped source of intelligence for the enterprise and large matrix organizations. Version 6 of the Seal platform makes it possible to more quickly and easily lower the costs, improve the quality, and reduce the risks associated with finding and managing contracts.

We have been successfully deploying Seal analytics into large customers for several years now, not just for contracts, but for other document types, said Jim Wagner, managing director at Apogee Legal Services, a Seal partner. The V6 platform builds on this momentum. These enhancements will drive faster and broader adoption of AI-based content analysis across the enterprise.

About Seal Software

Seal Software is the leading provider of contract discovery, data extraction, and analytics. With Seals machine learning and natural language processing technologies, companies can find contracts of any file type across their networks, quickly understand what risks or opportunities are hidden in their contracts, and place them in a centralized repository. Based in San Francisco, Seal empowers enterprises around the world to maximize revenue opportunities, reduce costs, and mitigate risks associated with contractual documents, systems, and processes. For more information, visit Seal Software at seal-software.com.

Contact:

Thomas Morelli

Spark

+1 253 777 3543

seal(at)sparkpr(dot)comFrom Disgrace to Dignity: an awe-inspiring book on the authors amazing transformation after getting to know God. From Disgrace to Dignity is the creation of published author, Reggie Longcrier, the chaplain of Catawba Correctional Center in Newton, North Carolina, since 1989.

Reggie shares, The next day, I bought a car, tags, insurance, and headed straight to New York to pick up several quarters of heroin. I bought some quinine, benita, and milk sugar for cutting the heroin. I got strainers, plastic measuring spoons, bags, and other paraphernalia then went to a hotel room on the Black Horse Pike in Atlantic City. I bagged up forty to fifty twenties to sell and gave out some samples just to let folk know that I was back in business. I had one last bit of business to attend to, and that was to pick up Little Gary. He would help me bag and move the rest of my dope. When I picked up Little Gary, I was on my wayor so I thought. Fate had other plans. As we headed up town on Baltic and Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City, a city trash truck bolted out and hit my car. Here we go once again! I thought. God must be trying to tell me something.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Reggie Longcriers new book is a touching account of how God can transform anyoneeven those who cause great disgracefrom not upholding moral and social ideals to being law-abiding and godly citizens.

Longcriers life itself is a living testimony of recovery from heroin addiction that had went on for twenty-five years, making him a credible source of success stories like this book. Through his story, he emphasizes that God continues to perform miracles and give breakthroughs in this world.

View a synopsis of From Disgrace to Dignity on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase From Disgrace to Dignity at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, Kobo or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about From Disgrace to Dignity, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.Ecotech Institute, a college focused solely on preparing graduates for careers in the energy industry, is pleased to invite the community to the Energizing Women to Power symposium on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. Free and open to both women and men, the symposium will feature presentations by some of the energy industrys top female leaders who will share valuable insights into meaningful career opportunities that exist for women in this booming field.

WHAT: Energizing Women to Power, a special symposium dedicated to highlighting the important roles women play in todays clean energy sector and empowering women to explore careers in the energy industry.

WHO: The symposium will include a keynote speaker, a panel discussion, and a Q&A session featuring:



Amelia Rose Earhart, President of the Fly With Amelia Foundation, renowned pilot, published author, and reporter for Colorados Channel 9 News

Annette Meredith, Colorado C3E (Clean Energy, Education and Empowerment) Project Advisor for the City of Fort Collins

Sandra Halvatzis, Programs Manager at The Alliance Center

Nancy Johnson, Arapahoe County Commissioner District 4

Sharon Kenner and Yvette Alley, Ecotech Institute Graduates

WHEN: Tuesday, June 19, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. MST.

WHERE: Ecotech Institute, 1400 South Abilene Street, Aurora, CO 80012.

RSVP: The event is free and open to the public. RSVP here, or contact Laura Leitner at 720.213.2601 ext. 4601. for more information.

MEDIA: To request interviews, photos or to cover the event, please contact: Vlad Drazdovich at 954.379.2115 ext. 5 or via email at vlad@redbanyan.com.

All attendees will also have an opportunity to tour Ecotech Institutes campus and facilities both before and after the event and learn more about the variety of programs and classes the school offers, including Wind Energy Technology, Solar Energy Technology, Power Utility, and Electronics Technology programs.

About Ecotech Institute

Ecotech Institute is a college solely focused on renewable energy education. Located in Aurora, Colo., Ecotech Institute offers an array of practical diploma programs that prepare students for careers in the energy industry, with an emphasis on the fields of renewable energy, sustainability and energy efficiency. Through flexible programs designed to meet diverse career goals, students get the hands-on training they need to be successful in these high-tech industries. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit ecotechinstitute.com or call (303) 586-5290."Pineapple Sunshine is a childrens clothing brand for newborn to four years old."

Shanlee Johnson, owner of Little Birdies Boutique in Georgetown, D.C., announced that she is premiering her new line, Pineapple Sunshine. Pineapple Sunshine is a childrens clothing brand for newborn to four years old. The new brand released its Spring/Summer 2018 collection last month. With a winning track record of being named Best Childrens Store in D.C. by Washingtonian Magazine and Washington City Paper, the company is expecting the clothing line will be just as popular.

Using her design degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Johnson set out to create high quality, soft, and washable clothing. She designed Pineapple Sunshine for fashionable parents and their children. The line features crochet trimmed onesies, smocked knit dresses with ruffle bloomers, zip front footies in custom prints, rompers with contrast trims, and matching blankets, all of which are made of 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton, the softest cotton available on the market. The cotton is silky against your babys delicate skin, while being easy to wash.

"Each style evokes an 'oh my goodness, I have to have it' reaction," says Johnson. "They are just too fun to pass up."

For each product sold, Pineapple Sunshine will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Global Lyme Alliance, a non-profit organization whose mission is to conquer Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through research, education, and awareness. Lyme Disease is close to Pineapple Sunshines heart, so this is a wonderful opportunity for the brand to help people become more informed about the disease itself, as well as prevention and treatment.

ABOUT PINEAPPLE SUNSHINE

Bringing sunshine and happiness to children's clothing! Based in Georgetown, D.C., Pineapple Sunshine is designed for fashionable parents and their children, from newborn to four years old. Each purchase gives back to the non-profit Global Lyme Alliance.

WEBSITE: http://www.pineapplesunshine.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Pineapple-Sunshine-555356354801917

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pineapplesunshinekids

###Johns Hopkins Medicine logo Leading healthcare organizations such as Johns Hopkins Medicine recognize the benefits that a comprehensive communication platform can bring to care team collaboration and ultimately patient care.

Voalte, the leader in healthcare communication technology, today announced that Johns Hopkins Medicine, an $8 billion integrated global health enterprise and one of the leading healthcare systems in the United States, will implement Voalte smartphones for clinical communication starting at two of its hospitals: Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and Sibley Memorial Hospital. The implementation of Voalte Platform includes voice calling and secure text messaging for care team communication and collaboration, as well as integrations to receive notifications from nurse call, physiological monitoring, and nearreal-time waveforms via Connexall middleware.

Leading healthcare organizations such as Johns Hopkins Medicine recognize the benefits that a comprehensive communication platform can bring to care team collaboration and ultimately patient care, said Trey Lauderdale, Founder and CEO of Voalte. Were pleased to work with this pioneer in healthcare to advance clinical communication and alarm management, and we look forward to further collaborations.

About Voalte

Voalte develops smartphone solutions that simplify caregiver communication. Ranked number-one and named 2017 Category Leader in the Best in KLAS: Software & Services report for the Secure Communications Platform segment, Voalte is the only company to offer a comprehensive Mobile Communication Strategy that enables care teams inside and outside the hospital to access and exchange information securely. Founded in 2008, Voalte is a privately held company based in Sarasota, Florida. Voalte solutions are now available to more than 215,000 caregivers throughout the United States. For more information, visit voalte.com or follow @Voalte on Twitter.Mahendra Vora, Founder and Managing Director We are thrilled to have ShakeDeal as part of our portfolio, our first significant acquisition in India.

Vora Ventures, a US based private equity firm specializing in building B2B information technology companies, today announced that it has acquired ShakeDeal (http://www.shakedeal.com ), Indias first B2B bulk sourcing online marketplace for Industrial Goods, Supplies, and Raw Materials. The investment will be used to support the ongoing growth and expansion of ShakeDeal into new vertical markets and product lines and to make it a preferred destination for businesses in India to purchase supplies, tools and raw materials.

ShakeDeal is expected to grow at a significant rate, triggered by technology improvements to its proprietary sourcing software and by the addition of complementary services and products," said Akshay Hegde, Co-Founder & Managing Director, ShakeDeal. The traction gained in the last 12 months is an indicator that demand for bulk sourcing, inter-state and global trading is set to increase multi-fold. This partnership unlocks an opportunity for ShakeDeal to introduce a sophisticated negotiating environment and state-of-the-art logistics management that benefits B2B buyers in India," added Mr. Hegde.

"We are thrilled to have ShakeDeal as part of our portfolio, our first significant acquisition in India", said Mahendra Vora, Executive Chairman at Vora Ventures, We believe that the B2B market in India is poised for explosive growth supported by the recent liberalization of regulations and taxation by the Government. ShakeDeals established network, trusted brand and committed team will benefit from our global resources, strategic and infrastructural support and business development expertise as we expand into additional verticals over the next 12 months," he added.

Vora Ventures group portfolio companies span B2B software, services, and infrastructure solutions, employing more than 2,000 associates worldwide. The acquisition of ShakeDeal boosts the Voras pool of intellectual property and brings together an exceptional leadership team. Vora owns one of the fastest growing B2B Procure-to-Pay provider Aquiire.com. Aquiire has traditionally focused on B2B commerce enablement market, including enabling marketplaces like ShakeDeal. With ShakeDeal, Vora enters into direct deals and transactions from just enablement and further strengthens its leadership in the B2B commerce.

About Vora Ventures

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Vora Ventures is a privately held equity group that specializes in building innovative IT companies worldwide. Founded by industry veteran Mahendra Vora, the group portfolio consists of companies in the B2B software, services and infrastructure solutions space. Vora Ventures provides resources, advice and state-of-the-art infrastructure to its portfolio companies, as well as management of financial and compliance systems, acquisition and recapitalization services, and strategic mergers.

Vora Ventures was a finalist for the 2017 Greater Cincinnati Healthiest Employers Award. The company was also named in the Deloitte Cincinnati USA 100, a list of the top 100 privately held businesses in the greater Cincinnati area. In 2016 Vora Ventures was named as #1 New Business Participant for its charitable work with the United Way of Cincinnati. In 2015, Vora Ventures was named the Technology Company of the Year by the Cincinnati Business Courier. More information at http://www.VoraVentures.com.

About ShakeDeal

ShakeDeal is a web and mobile-enabled B2B Bulk Sourcing Marketplace for Industrial Goods, Supplies, and Raw Materials. ShakeDeal enables procurement through its proprietary negotiation software along with on-demand aggregate buying to provide a fillip to millions of SMEs and businesses in their sourcing efforts for reselling or consumption.

Focused on Indian market, ShakeDeal offers multiple tools for businesses to manage behind-the-curtain sourcing events, negotiations, and continuously improves its patent pending product for bulk buying.A fire broke out early Tuesday morning in a residential house near the Ottoman-era Sabil-Kuttab (water fountain and school building) of Um Mohamed Ali Al-Sagir, located in Al-Gabroni alley behind Al-Fath Mosque on Ramses Street in downtown Cairo.

Gamal Mustafa, head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Department at the Ministry of Antiquities, told Ahram Online that the residential house was engulfed in flames and collapsed without any casualties, but causing minor deterioration to parts of the isolation layer and that wooden beams from the ceiling of the Kuttabs right wing were found to have fallen onto the Sabils second floor.

He said that the fire was extinguished and an archaeological committee was assigned to inspect every part of the Sabil-Kuttab to write a full detailed report of the incident to give to the minister of antiquities and collaborate with all relevant ministries and Cairo governorate. The projects sector of the Ministry of Antiquities has started the required procedures to consolidate the edifice and secure it.

Mustafa said that the Sabil-Kuttab belongs to the Ministry of Endowments and is rented to several organizations, including Al-Ahram and Al-Akhbar newspapers and others, for commercial storage, residence and industrial security.

Sabil-Kuttab was put on Egypt's Heritage List in line with ministerial decree 188 of 1989. The Ministry of Antiquities has asked the Ministry of Endowments several times to discontinue the rentals because they are threatening the monumental edifice, but they never reply to our request, Mustafa told Ahram Online.

The Sabil-Kuttab was built by Ziba Kaden, the mother of Mohamed Ali Pasha in 1869. It was designed by architect Hassan Pasha Fahmy and includes a ground floor for the Sabil and a higher level for the Kuttab.

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"These awards are a testament to our team members and our clients who desire to create learning solutions that transform individual learner potential into lasting organizational strength," says Ron Zamir, AllenComm CEO

AllenComm has been highlighted as one of the pre-eminent corporate content and training companies by Training Industry, the Omni Awards, and the Telly Awards. AllenComm, the leader in custom corporate training solutions, has been named on the prestigious Training Industry Top 20 Content Development Company list for the fourth year in a row. In addition, the company has won three Omni Awards, and 17 Telly Awards for sales enablement, compliance, brand, and onboarding trainings built for their clients.

"It's an honor to partner with world-class companies to create learning solutions that push the envelope of training design and technology innovation, and to see those efforts recognized with these awards," said Ron Zamir, CEO of AllenComm. "These awards are a testament to our team members and our clients who desire to create learning solutions that transform individual learner potential into lasting organizational strength whether via a custom compliance solution or an organization-wide brand training portal."

The 20 awards AllenComm took home for their nine clients include two gold Omni Awards, three gold Telly Awards, two silver Telly Awards,12 bronze Telly Awards, and one bronze Omni Award for custom corporate training courses. Clients honored in these awards include LEGO, Akamai, NRA, DepartSmart, Intuitive Surgical, Association for Health Environments, and the Institute for Health Metrics Evaluation. These companies were among hundreds who competed for top honors at both the Omni Awards and Telly Awards.

The judges for these awards selected the best-in-class training courses from AllenComm for categories relating to education, health and wellness, use of animation, and motion graphics. These awards are a testament to AllenComm's commitment to providing the highest quality custom corporate training for the nearly 40 years.

Previously, the Telly Awards gave out their Silver Telly as the highest honor. This year, the Telly Awards were reimagined to add a gold level for their awards. The three gold awards won by AllenComm clients is an additional honor never available to receive until this year.

"It is exciting to see how perfectly this year's winners capture the innovation and energy of the rapidly changing video and television industry that we rebuilt the Telly Awards to recognize," said Telly's managing director Sabrina Dridje, who was tapped last year to lead the revitalization of the awards. "They are an exciting culmination to an ambitious year-long effort that has re-established The Telly Awards as a trusted benchmark for the industry."

About AllenComm

AllenComm is a leading custom training solutions provider. AllenComm partners with the nation's top brands to create unique and innovative learning solutions. A combination of deep instructional design experience, innovative learning technologies, and agency-level creative teams, coupled with a design and development system enables AllenComm to understand clients and their learners needs and objectives. Go to http://www.allencomm.com to learn more.

About Training Industry

Training Industry is the most trusted source of information on the business of learning. They are an expert resource for learning professionals seeking information about best practices and innovative approaches and create an environment for trust and information sharing among learning professionals, including those in the learning and development function, and experts from companies serving the training industry.

About the Omni Awards

The Omni Awards exist to recognize outstanding media productions that engage, empower, and enlighten. The judging process is rigorous. Patterned after the Emmy Awards, the Omni Awards committee uses a panel of three peer professionals who independently judge each entry based on a standard set of criteria for the specific category. Companies represented by the awards committee include the Olympic organization committee, CNN, NBC, ABC, PBS, US Army, Cartoon Network, Disney, and Associated Press, among many others.

About the Telly Awards

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding content for TV and Cable, Digital and Streaming, and Non-Broadcast distribution. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.Hanley Wood, the premier information, media, event, and strategic marketing services company serving the residential, design and commercial construction industries, is again teaming up with KB Home, one of the largest homebuilders in the United States, to produce the KB Home ProjeKt: Where Tomorrow Lives. The project will represent the ultimate exploration of health, wellness and sustainability in a volume homebuilding framework. The best-in-class home will be revealed January 2019 in Las Vegas.

The BUILDER Concept Home derives value from exploring a topic to reveal both the issues and challenges, and the solution, says Peter Goldstone, CEO of Hanley Wood. Only through the expertise of the builder and the collaboration of the partners can we create a platform that informs the industry on such a critical topic. In this case, the KB Home ProjeKt offers a look at the future of healthier living through design and building science, and, more importantly, how to make it practical for the average homebuyer.

As a leader in sustainable homebuilding, KB Home will be leveraging its previous ProjeKt home experience to create a residence that incorporates new research and thinking from a variety of collaborators, including KTGY Architecture + Planning, AndersonBaron, Delos Labs, the National Renewable Energy Labs and a number of supplier partners. A core objective of the new KB Home ProjeKt is to inform the public of the important daily health and wellness issues that can be addressed and/or improved within the home environment. At the same time, the KB Home ProjeKt will bring new insight to the professional building community on how to design, engineer and construct an attainable and cost-effective healthy home.

We know the best way to predict the future is to build it, said Jeffrey Mezger, KB Homes chairman, president, and CEO. Our practice is to anticipate today what our homeowners will want and need in the future and to find the most efficient and sustainable way to bring those ideas into reality. In the ProjeKt home, we will explore materials, processes and systems that will influence homebuilding in the future. Our goal is to build higher performance homes that also promote sustainable and healthier living, and provide flexible home designs that can adapt to homeowners changing needs.

The new KB Home ProjeKt will also spotlight key health and wellness matters, such as the quality of air and water, circadian lighting, noise reduction, resilient technologies, and sound sleep support. These will be addressed through a close collaboration of the several partners that will bring the KB Home ProjeKt to life.

Current sponsors of the new KB Home ProjeKt include:



Title Sponsor: Whirlpool Corporation

Founding Sponsors: Carrier, Eldorado Stone, Entekra, MiTek, Timberlake Cabinets, and Weyerhaeuser

Alliance Sponsors: Allura Fiber Cement Products, Kohler, Kwikset, SeaGull Lighting, Square D by Schneider Electric, and ZIP Systems Sheathing & Tape

Supporting Sponsors: AeroBarrier, Cox Communications, Emser Tile, Greyter Water Systems, Kingspan Insulation LLC, Ply Gem Building Products, Rainbird, Shaw, Sherwin Williams Company, Therma-Tru, Uponor/Phyn, and Western Window Systems

Project partners include AndersonBaron and KTGY Architecture + Planning. The National Renewable Energy Lab and Delos Labs are participating as project contributors.

The KB Home ProjeKt: Where Tomorrow Lives home will be revealed in the Inspirada master-planned community in Henderson, Nevada in January 2019. Visit http://www.builderonline.com/kbhomeprojekt to stay up-to-date with the KB Home ProjeKt developments.

About KB Home

KB Home (NYSE: KBH) is one of the largest homebuilders in the United States, with more than 600,000 homes delivered since our founding in 1957. We operate in 35 markets in 7 states, primarily serving first-time and first move-up homebuyers, as well as active adults. We are differentiated in offering customers the ability to personalize what they value most in their home, from choosing their lot, floor plan, and exterior, to selecting design and decor choices in our KB Home Studios. In addition, we are an industry leader in sustainability, building innovative and highly energy- and water-efficient homes. We invite you to learn more about KB Home by visiting http://www.kbhome.com, calling 888-KB-HOMES, or connecting with us on Facebook.com/KBHome or Twitter.com/KBHome.

About Hanley Wood

Hanley Wood is the premier company serving the information, media, and marketing needs of the residential, commercial design and construction industry. Utilizing the largest analytics and editorially driven Construction Industry Database, the company provides business intelligence and data-driven services. The company produces award-winning media, high-profile executive events, and strategic marketing solutions. To learn more, visit hanleywood.com.Andrew Dunbar, GM Europe, Appnovation We are committed to further expanding our already established European workforce and client base, and this appointment will ensure that such growth is in experienced hands. Additionally, Andrew will spearhead the ongoing diversification of our digital offerings and services

Digital services and solutions provider Appnovation this week announced the hiring of Andrew Dunbar as the new General Manager and Vice President for the companys European region.

With over 20 years of experience in digital platforms, marketing, business development and operational leadership, Mr. Dunbar comes into the role with an extensive background in his field.

As GM of Europe, Mr. Dunbar will oversee the alignment of the European region in line with the Appnovation global strategy, the building of the company in that region, identifying strategic growth opportunities, and positioning the company as the chosen partner for current and new clients. Arnold Leung, Appnovation founder and CEO, outlined the importance of this new role:

We are committed to further expanding our already established European workforce and client base, and this appointment will ensure that such growth is in experienced hands. Additionally, Andrew will spearhead the ongoing diversification of our digital offerings and services

Prior to joining Appnovation, Mr. Dunbar was the Chief Operating Officer for Mirum Agency, in the European region. He was brought on board to help drive rapid growth path in the UK office, along with aligning and developing the wider European capability. The role also involved the creation of delivery and financial reports, as well as building a leadership team to successfully grow the UK business.

Before his successful stint at Mirum, Mr. Dunbar served as Chief Operating Officer for Brilliant Basics, a global product studio that came from start-up to being bought by Infosys in 2017. Additionally, he led his team across multiple markets, from the UAE to Singapore, developing new business, creating operational controls, and executing the companys growth plan.

Since the acquisition of European firm Wunderkraut Benelux, Appnovation has continued to grow their presence in the continent. The GM appointment represents another step towards further expansion in terms of clients, service offerings, and a larger employee base in the region.

About Appnovation

Appnovation is a global digital solutions and managed services provider, delivering strategy, application development and enterprise integration on leading open technologies.

Appnovations in-house experts strategize, build, and deploy high-performing, secure digital experiences across many industries, while also offering a wide range of creative capabilities, with 24/7 support and maintenance.

The firm boasts an impressive, cross-industry client roster ranging from Start-Ups to Fortune 500, government entities, non-profit organizations and beyond.

Since its inception in 2007, Appnovation has worked with thousands of clients, delivering a multitude of projects, achieving international recognition for development, innovations, and business success.

Open Digital Delivered.

Visit appnovation.com today.Mark Sullivan, AIA, recently named Partner with Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design (JZA+D) Mark has established himself as a creative force and a client-focused leader. [His] knowledge and experience have helped build on our recent success and growth.

The full-service architecture-and-interiors studio Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design (JZA+D) has announced that Mark A. Sullivan, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C has been named a Partner with the firm. The move represents a concerted effort to continue the firms growth into several market sectors, in particular the planning and design of academic facilities, where Sullivan is a noted expert.

Since joining the firm in 2013, Mark has established himself as a creative force and a client-focused leader, says Joshua Zinder, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, founding principal of JZA+D. Whether directing one of the diverse range of projects in his portfolio, providing mentorship and guidance to members of our team, or communicating goals and strategies with our clients, Marks knowledge and experience have helped build on our recent success and growth.

Zinder adds, Mark and I also share common experiences. We understand and appreciate each other, making his appointment to a partnership a natural fit. He is also a close friend of many years.

Sullivans experience spans more than 25 years as an architect leading a broad array of design and project management assignments for commercial, institutional, residential and government building clients. Prior to joining JZA+D, he worked for 11 years as a Senior Associate with Michael Graves & Associates  including several years when he and Zinder worked there concurrently  and for eight years as an Associate with Hillier Architecture.

A member of the Society of College and University Planning (SCUP), Sullivan has also served as a visiting critic at University of Maryland, the University of Kansas, and Syracuse University, where he studied architecture and earned Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees.

Prior to being named partner, Sullivan had been serving as studio director for JZA+D, leading and organizing the studio and staff on complex project efforts, and nurturing client relationships. Sullivan has contributed leadership and design expertise while working on a number of notable projects from the JZA+D portfolio, including facilities design for Rutgers and Princeton Universities, workplace projects for Boston Properties, worship space design for Temple Tikvah in New Hyde Park, NY, and the adaptive reuse of an iconic gas station into the unique eatery Nomad Pizza.

Great projects come from great teams working well together, says Sullivan, and communication is essential to realizing each projects full potential. Successful design solutions depend on close client relationships, and successful execution and project delivery depend on the architects ability to coordinate and rally design team members and project team partners.

Im honored to join Joshua as a partner in the firm he founded, he adds. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the advancement JZA+Ds success and of our clients, and to the development of our talented staff. ###Learning.com celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week 2018 by recognizing digital literacy teachers across the country in a special contest that honored educators who teach technology. School administrators were encouraged to nominate a teacher superhero at their schools who goes above and beyond to equip their students with digital literacy skills needed for success on online assessments, in college, and in their future careers.

Nominees included classroom teachers, technology specialists, media specialists and school librarians. Heartfelt entries were written and submitted online by principals who praised their nominees efforts and recognized the contributions they have made to the students at their schools. Comments from the winning entries included teacher achievements in integrating digital literacy in the classroom such as uses a variety of tech tools and programs, embraced digital literacy this year with passion, and because of him our students are able to use technology.

The winning educators will receive a free, one-year classroom subscription to EasyTech, Learning.coms award-winning digital literacy curriculum for grades K-8. Their free access begins July 1, 2018.

Congratulations goes out to these winners:



Jessica Alonzo, Amerigo A. Anastasia, New Jersey

Michael Brennan, Bordentown Regional High School, New Jersey

Kelsie Chrisco, Cunningham Elementary, California

Jessica Clifford, Visitation Catholic School, Illinois

Ligia Comanescu, Logos Christian Academy, Illinois

Jennifer Daniels, Willard School, Maine

Stephanie Droddy, Huebner Elementary, Texas

Glory Fox, St. Christopher, New York

Sophie Gousset, Austin International School, Texas

Josh Grosskreutz, Manvel Public School, North Dakota

Gloria Harris, O'Bannon Elementary, Mississippi

Kathy Hayes, Whitehall Elementary, Pennsylvania

Judith Hill, Perkins Bass, Illinois

Nickie Irby, N. H. Pilate Middle School, Mississippi

Monica Moore, Gunstream Elementary School, Texas

Teresa Pritchard, West Feliciana Middle School, Louisiana

Alexandria Saclarides, John F. Kennedy Middle School, Tennessee

Niki Sarver, Wadsworth Elementary, Indiana

Lesa Searles, Service Valley Charter Academy, Kansas

Dr. Molly Smith, Saint Joseph School, Pennsylvania

David Staal, Lake Michigan Academy, Michigan

Heather Vick, Casady School, Oklahoma

Kristina Waara, Arvoon Township Elementary, Michigan

Kimberly Zavala, Kingwood Middle, Texas

WHEN: Winners selected Wednesday, May 30, 2018

WHY: In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, the Learning.com teacher superhero contest gave school administrators an opportunity to recognize the teacher superheroes at their own schools who they see working to help prepare students for success in our increasingly digital world. Providing the winning teachers with a free subscription to EasyTech is Learning.coms way of demonstrating its appreciation for the dedication, resources and creativity it takes to deliver quality digital literacy instruction to students.

For more information, press only: Shaun Wiley, L. Wolfe Communications, 847-644-0237, swiley@lwolfe.com.We are pleased to partner with NARI to raise funds to help people return to their homes as quickly as possible following the hurricane, said Steve Kleber, President of the NRF.

Des Plaines, Illinois: The National Remodeling Foundation (NRF) is pleased to announce a donation to Rebuilding Together of $7,330 as a result of our partnership with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) in early 2018. The money is earmarked to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey and serves as yet another reminder of the impending hurricane season ahead.

We are pleased to partner with NARI to raise funds to help people return to their homes as quickly as possible following the hurricane, said Steve Kleber, President of the NRF. It is important that funds go directly to the victims. Rebuilding Together provides an excellent conduit to ensure that as many people are helped as possible.

Hurricane Harvey tore through parts of southeast Texas in late summer of 2017 leaving more than $125 billion in destruction in its wake. NARI has 4 chapters in Texas, serving the Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas, which were all either directly in Harveys path or provided immediate aid to displaced residents. Chapter leaders saw the need and asked NARI and the NRF to help raise funds.

The NRF and NARI members nationwide heard the call-to-action following landfall and launched a fundraising campaign in October, 2017, raising in excess of $7,000 through individual donations and chapter fundraisers.

About NRF: The National Remodeling Foundation (NRF) is a charitable organization with the mission to advance professionalism through education of future industry leaders and the population at-large regarding the remodeling industry. Collaboration with a number of remodeling organizations, the building community, corporations, and industry leaders is key to making the difference that the organization co-founders Bill Greene and Jack Brock envisioned. http://www.nationalremodelingfoundation.org.

About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the medium for business development, a platform for advocacy and the principal source for industry intelligence. NARI connects homeowners with its professional members and provides tips and tricks so that the consumer has a positive remodeling experience. NARI is a nationwide network of nearly 6,000 member companies and their employees. http://www.nari.org.

About Rebuilding Together: Rebuilding Together is a leading national nonprofit in safe and healthy housing with more than 40 years of experience. Together, with our corporate and community partners, we transform the lives of low-income homeowners by improving the safety and health of their homes and revitalizing our communities. Rebuilding Togethers local affiliates and nearly 100,000 volunteers complete about 10,000 rebuild projects nationwide each year. Learn more and get involved at rebuildingtogether.org.Mosaic 451, a bespoke cybersecurity services provider and consultancy, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Mosaic451 to its 2018 Solution Provider 500 list. The Solution Provider 500 is CRNs annual ranking of the largest technology integrators, solution providers and IT consultants in North America by revenue.

The Solution Provider 500 is CRNs predominant channel partner award list, serving as the industry standard for recognition of the most successful solution provider companies in the channel since 1995. The complete list will be published on CRN.com, making it readily available to vendors seeking out top solution providers to partner with.

CRN has also released its 2018 Solution Provider 500: Newcomers list, recognizing 26 companies making their debut in the Solution Provider 500 ranking this year.

Founded in 2011, Mosaic451 offers a unique blend of deep technological experience and operational discipline. Mosaic451 protects and maintains critical infrastructure for Energy, Finance, Education and the U.S. Government.

Focused on the triad of people, process and technology, Mosaic451 offers its clients security services combining the best in advanced technology and personnel representing decades of experience in various cybersecurity, military and IT fields. Mosaic451 recognizes that while adoption of advanced and emerging technology is an important part of sound security strategy, no amount of technology can secure an environment without a strong foundation of smart, experienced, operationally minded humans to design, operate and optimize the technology. Mosaic451's Hybrid solution combines 24/7 off-site monitoring with dedicated on-site personnel that act as a full security operations team to provide the most comprehensive level of information security.

CRNs Solution Provider 500 list spotlights the North American IT channel partner organizations that have earned the highest revenue over the past year, providing a valuable resource to vendors looking for top solution providers to partner with, said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. The companies on this years list represent an incredible, combined revenue of $320 billion, a sum that attests to their success in staying ahead of rapidly changing market demands. We extend our sincerest congratulations to each of these top-performing solution providers and look forward to their future pursuits and successes.

We do not take this honor for granted, said Cat Baker, Principal of Mosaic451. Our undivided commitment to maintaining the highest level of security for organizations across the country is reflected in CRNs recognition, and we are very proud to have found a place on the SP 500 list.

Mosaic451 has won numerous awards and been featured in InformationWeek/Dark Reading, USA Today, Harvard Business Review, CRN, Inc. Magazine, CIO.com, The Next Web and dozens of other media outlets.

The complete 2018 Solution Provider 500 list will be available online at http://www.crn.com/sp500 and a sample from the list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine.

About the Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. http://www.thechannelco.com

About Mosaic451

Headquartered in Arizona, Mosaic451 is a bespoke cybersecurity service provider and consultancy with expertise in building, operating and defending some of the most highly secure networks in North America. Its Mosaic Hybrid is an industry first solution, providing monitoring service through its operations centers as well as specialized staff onsite during business hours to work alongside clients' in-house technology and security staff. This hybrid model gives Mosaic451 the unique ability to empower security analysts to provide advanced data analysis and determine threat vectors, threat actors and intelligent root causes for every incident. Mosaic451 aggregates and empowers intelligent humans in the service of information security and IT operations excellence for our clients. For more information, visit http://www.mosaic451.com.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Rodriguez

Firecracker PR

jennifer(at)firecrackerpr.com"Earning this acknowledgment these past four years speaks to the hard work and dedication our team puts forth every day to provide the highest level of quality service to our client partners." - Tim Gleeson

Novasyte, the innovative outsourcing leader for device, diagnostic and drug manufacturers, today announced the organization has earned a finalist ranking on the San Diego Business Journal's Fastest Growing Private Companies 2018 list for the fourth consecutive year.

This annual list is compiled by the San Diego Business Journal and is determined on the basis of rapid expansion. Novasyte placed on the list of 100 highlighted organizations for sustaining a three-year growth rate of 70 percent. This growth can be attributed to the work Novasyte's expanding corporate and field teams perform to support a number of the largest, global device, diagnostic and drug manufacturers.

"Our entire team could not be more honored to be recognized alongside the other companies on this list," said Tim Gleeson, Novasyte CEO and co-founder. "Earning this acknowledgment these past four years speaks to the hard work and dedication our team puts forth every day to provide the highest level of quality service to our client partners."

The San Diego Business Journal will be hosting an invitation-only awards reception to honor the finalists on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. More information on the award and the other finalists can be found here.

About Novasyte

Novasyte partners with device, diagnostic and drug manufacturers, offering outsourced commercial service teams and technologies. Our flexible model enables us to build, deploy and manage teams that expand and contract to meet our clients' customer-facing needs. Program success is tracked and measured with our real-time business intelligence analytics that provide our clients with critical insights into their most important resources  their people and their customers.Federic Arnold 1922 - 2018

Fredric Arnold, the last P-38 combat fighter pilot of his Class of 42-J Group died at 96, but not before finishing the most ambitious and meaningful work of his life. Arnold devoted his life to helping people appreciate the incalculable human cost of war. A life-long artist, he created a monument to honor the US Airmen killed in WWII. It was fitting that he passed away on May 28th, 2018... Memorial Day.

Only Arnold and one other pilot of their original group of 14 pilots survived combat. The two remained close following the war. They vowed the last one standing would do something to honor their fallen buddies. Arnold fulfilled that vow 70 years later.

His monumental sculpture, "Lest We Forget: The Mission", now on display at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver, honors the more than 88,000 US Airmen killed during the war. Arnold completed the seven-year project at the age of 94.

A life-long artist, Arnold appreciated beauty wherever he found it. He had no desire to go to war, but answered the call when the need arose. The horrors of the war scarred him deeply and he vowed to honor the twelve out of fourteen of his original Group and the countless others killed in war. He created the monumental bronze sculpture of twelve airmen in a mission briefing to depict what he called the quiet heroism of deciding to go on yet another mission, knowing it was Russian Roulette and that some would not return.

One of many statements in support of Arnold and his passion to remember his fellow airmen includes a joint statement by three former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs:

Fredric Arnold is truly a national treasure, both as a Fighter Pilot of WWII who survived 50 combat missions and as a talented sculptor. His Lest We Forget: The Mission sculpture will be an important national monument to the Aviators of WWII. Now is the time to step up and memorialize the more than 88,000 Airmen who gave their all. We fully support the deep significance of this work which conveys the quiet courage of the young airmen who fought in the skies of WWII  those to whom we owe so much.

General Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (1989 -1993)

General Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (2001 - 2005)

General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (2005  2007)

Dr. Nick Mueller, former CEO, National WWII Museum wrote, Fredric Arnold had a full life of service to his country, to his art and to his creative genius. He was a great man. We all feel privileged to have known him here at the National WWII Museum.

John L. Barry, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret), President and CEO, Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Denver, Colorado, wrote, Major Arnold was an amazing patriot and we were honored to have known him, his work and his story. I offer him a respectful salute from a fellow warrior. He continued, Godspeed sir: Now you can truly reach out and touch the face of God!

David Pottruck, former Co-CEO, Charles Schwab, wrote: Courage isnt the absence of fear, it is the ability to overcome fear and rise to the occasion and perform. Fredric Arnold was the epitome of courage. We dont celebrate Memorial Day, we honor it and honor the men and women who have sacrificed for our country. Fredric was one of those men and Memorial Day will never again be quite the same for me.

About Fredric Arnold

Arnold survived 50 combat missions in North Africa, ending his tour as squadron leader. He was the recipient of numerous medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Nine Oak Leaf Clusters. Following combat, he was assigned to the Office of Flying Safety and, in that capacity, wrote and illustrated the first official flight manuals for the P-38, P-51, P-47 and XP-80. He was promoted to the rank of Major at the young age of 23.

Following the war, he led a full and varied life as an inventor (creator of the aluminum folding chair), businessman (several successful companies), actor (appearing in more than 20 movies), writer (best-selling autobiographical novel: Doorknob Five Two), public speaker (lecturing to hundreds of groups) and prolific artist (in varied media ranging from sand sculptures to fine art).

Fredric Arnold (formerly Fredric Kohn) is survived by his loving wife, Natalie, of 73 years, his three children, Marcie, Dana and Marc, his five grandchildren and a circle of friends and supporters that span the globe. Arnold was buried in a traditional Jewish service in Boulder, Colorado.

Those who wish to honor his memory are invited to visit http://www.LestWeForgetSculpture.org, take a moment of your day to appreciate the debt we owe to the countless young airmen of WWII. Arrangements are in place to relocate the sculpture to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Arnold dreamed of seeing two of his sculptures exhibited to the public, one in Denver, the other in New Orleans. If you are moved to do so, you may make a contribution through the website to help fund a second casting of the sculpture.

Contact:

Marc Arnold

Member, Steering Committee

Lest We Forget: The Mission Sculpture Project

http://www.LestWeForgetSculpture.org

(303) 652-6066 / (303) 589-2542 cell

Marc.Arnold(at)LestWeForgetSculpture(dot)org

High resolution photos available upon requestThere is so much to be excited about with this new offer from VisibilityOne

VisibilityOne Corp, the Los Angeles based startup developing the next generation monitoring solution for the Unified Communications (UC) industry, today announced a development partnership with Plantronics. The goal of the partnership is to allow for Plantronics Manager Pro data to be visible within VisibilityOne to provide enterprises the ability to monitor and manage their entire unified communications and collaboration (UCC) infrastructure, including audio headsets, from one view.

"We are excited to be teaming up with Plantronics," said Jose De La Paz, CEO, VisibilityOne Corp. "Incorporating Plantronics Manager Pro data within VisibilityOne simplifies audio headset monitoring across the UCC infrastructure in one data-rich view."

VisibilityOne is a patented monitoring solution that replaces siloed monitoring tools with a single view that provides real-time performance and actionable insights into devices, applications and the operating environment. VisibilityOne helps monitor and manage all voice and video on the UCC network, including device usage, firmware updates, real-time status and notifications allowing IT teams to anticipate and resolve device issues before users are impacted. With the addition of Plantronics Manager Pro, IT teams can manage, monitor and maintain Plantronics audio headsets. VisibilityOne will be available at http://www.visibility.one and through approved channel partners.

There is so much to be excited about with this new offer from VisibilityOne, said Virginia Anderson, Director, Global Enterprise Channel Marketing Programs, Plantronics. First, its great to see how theyre using Plantronics Manager Pro and associated APIs for incorporation into their monitoring solution. This will help them provide a cost-effective and simplified solution to their customers for managing UC&C endpoints. Also, VisibilityOne is deemed an Integrator Track growth partner for Plantronics. As an Integrator, they will have the expertise through our Plantronics Manager Pro partner certification to ensure they are able to recommend the right solutions to their customers within the software offering. Its rewarding to see this valued partner understand the value of expanding their business as market needs change to ensure they are focusing on area where they can provide even more value to their existing and future customers.

The highly anticipated beta registration announcement for VisibilityOne will be at Infocomm 2018 in Las Vegas on June 6, 2018. VisibilityOne Corp is exhibiting at Infocomm 2018 where they will be demonstrating VisibilityOne at booth number N2732. Stop by to be among the first to register for a free trial of this exciting new solution.

About VisibilityOne Corp

VisibilityOne is singularly focused on ensuring flawless communication and collaboration experiences. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, VisibilityOne helps enterprises see things differently. Our patented technology replaces siloed monitoring tools with a single view of the entire unified communications and collaboration (UCC) infrastructure providing real-time performance and actionable insights into devices, applications and the operating environment. VisibilityOne's plugin architecture allows users to easily integrate with leading UCC device management, cloud meeting, collaboration and notifications platforms. Learn more at http://www.visibility.one.Sovereign nation helping sovereign nation; its just the right thing to do, --Johnny Winokur, CEO of Willapa Bay Enterprise Corporation

A rural Washington State Indian Tribes longtime dream of owning their own casino is coming to life this summer thanks to a helping hand from another Tribe more than five-hours away from them.

Rurally nestled in the North Cascades Mountain Range, the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe has engaged the help of Willapa Bay Enterprise Corporation, the economic development arm of the Tokeland Washington based Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.

Sovereign nation helping sovereign nation; its just the right thing to do, explained Johnny Winokur, CEO of Willapa Bay Enterprise Corporation (WBE).

The Sauk-Suiattle casino project is being guided by Winokur, who is highly-regarded as a masterful operator of casinos in multiple jurisdictions, including his home town of Las Vegas.

We put WBE back on the map with the massive successes of our own casino and other economic projects, and our incredible board has decided to spread that success to other Tribes interested in in Nation to Nation partnerships, he continued.

In addition to his own WBE and personally-trained Shoalwater Bay Casino teams, Winokur has brought the Sauk-Suiattle an impressive lineup of expertise from WBE partners. Renowned leadership consultant Tina Hagedorn (of Hagedorn & Associates) originated the project between the two Tribes; and construction guru Josh Coit (of American General Construction) is leading the design and construction.

To add to his already formidable gaming expertise, Winokur also called on his old friend Gary Green, who brought along his own CEO, pioneering Indian Gaming attorney Buddy J. Levy, and the entire development team from Gary Green Gaming Inc.

We have joined in this partnership with WBE as a labor of love, as well as profitability, to facilitate a number of these amazing Tribe-to-Tribe ventures added Gary Green, who is the star of the network television series Casino Rescue and author of the bestselling Indian Casinos book Osceolas Revenge  the Phenomena of Indian Casinos.

Winokur, whose hands-on shirt-sleeve style is near-fabled in casino circles, has taken personal leadership of the day-to-day development process to fast track an opening before summers end.

The Tribe-to-Tribe sharing that we are providing opens doors to economic development possibilities that otherwise might have been overlooked, Winokur added.

The new casino, bingo hall, and cafe are set to open in August at 5318 Chief Brown Lane in Darrington, Washington.Bikram Yoga Mile High This form of yoga has numerous benefits, like the ability to heal diseases, illnesses, and even injuries.

Bikram Yoga Mile High, a Denver-based yoga studio that specializes in Bikram Yoga, known as a 90-minute series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises, this week excitedly announced they just celebrated their 10-year business anniversary.

To honor their accomplishment, the studio will be hosting a party on Saturday, June 9th starting at 6:30PM with food and beverages provided. Bikram Yoga has become an increasingly popular form of yoga among yogis today.

Officially opening our doors to the Denver community over a decade ago, we cant believe were already celebrating our 10-year anniversary, said Samantha Phung, Founder and Owner of Bikram Yoga Mile High. Believing in the physical and mental power of Bikram Yoga, we have helped thousands of people align their mind, body, and spirt while witnessing far-reaching, sustainable benefits.

Taking place in a room that is heated to a minimum of 105F to keep muscles warmed while flushing toxins and improving circulation, Bikram Yoga systematically moves fresh, oxygenated blood to every cell, working with the muscle, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, and glands in the proper sequence. The resulting postures synergize the mind, body, and spirit for optimal health.

This form of yoga has numerous benefits, like the ability to heal diseases, illnesses, and even injuries, said Phung. Scientifically, it comes with a rejuvenating and energizing effect that can be witnessed both mentally and physically. Most impressively, this form of yoga is highly therapeutic for people of all fitness levels  and even ages.

Bikram Yoga is consistently recommended to individuals who suffer from chronic injuries, have fallen out of shape, or live with a range of medical problems that hinder their quality of life.

Some of the most notable Bikram Yoga benefits include: proper weight sustainment, increased energy levels, stress and anxiety reduction, expanded lung capacity, flushed lymphatic systems, balanced endocrine systems, improved spinal strength, strong heart health, lubricated joints, strengthened bones, and increased mental clarity and well-being.

The case for Bikram Yoga is indisputable, which is why our entire team is incredibly passionate about providing a soothing, quality, and safe space for our yogis to practice in today, said Phung. Spread the word on our forthcoming celebration, and come join us as we reflect on 10-years of community immersion here in Denver."

Visit their: Facebook

Visit their: Website

Visit their: YoutubeWinning in Naturals - a new study by CLEAR The Winning in Naturals study demonstrates that brands that establish their natural credentials across the customer experience can tap in to a more affluent, more engaged audience who are willing to pay more for the all-natural experience.

Global marketing strategy and transformation business CLEAR (https://clearstrategy.com) today announced the findings of the inaugural Winning in Naturals study. Across the three markets covered, leading whole grain cereals and plant-based foods manufacturer Kashi topped the ranking of most natural brands as defined by consumers. In the UK, Green & Blacks, the premium ethically sourced chocolate brand, led the way, whilst international whisky brands dominated in the Chinese market. The study, based on an online survey of more than 3000 consumers across the US, UK and China, ranks 470 brands across 12 categories based on their perceived naturalness.

SOME OF THE KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT INCLUDE:



Natural is valuable: 52% of consumers will pay more for natural products

Artificial is over: 65% of consumers are worried about artificial ingredients and their negative effects

Natural feels safe: 72% of women believe natural products are safer for them and their families

Natural means quality: 66% of consumers believe natural products are better quality

The Winning in Naturals study demonstrates that consumers really do care about how natural the products they eat, drink, wash and clean with are, says Damian Symons, Global CEO at CLEAR. Brands that establish their natural credentials across the customer experience can tap in to a more affluent, more engaged audience who are willing to pay more for the all-natural experience. But authenticity matters  this audience is more informed, more engaged and more cynical than ever  so its no longer enough to be non-GMO or have some natural ingredients  to win in naturals, brands need to commit across every touchpoint.

Winning brands are united by their all-in approach to naturals. They invest beyond the ingredients and communicate clearly and carefully about their production processes, care for the environment, consumer health and their supply chains. They deliver experiences that match the expectations they set in their communications.

The study also highlighted that the sophisticated use of natural cues has become a table stake in mature natural categories like Infant Nutrition in the UK & US and Whisky in China, making differentiation much more difficult. In others, like Coffee and Fizzy Drinks, there are still significant global opportunities for brands to establish strong, differentiated natural credentials  and win new consumers.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:



Kashi takes the top spot globally and in the US market in this inaugural study  and scores well across the entire spectrum of naturalness  from ingredients to experience, packaging to purpose.

Green & Blacks tops our UK ranking  proving that whilst chocolate is an indulgence, consumers still care about its ethics and sourcing. This is despite the brand recently launching its first non-Fairtrade certified Velvet Edition range in November 2017.

Scotch whisky brands dominate the Chinese ranking  with consumers instinctively associating the product with naturalness due to the relative scarcity of key aged bottlings; traditional, ancient production methods and Scotlands own natural heritage.

In the US & UK, naturalness is a non-negotiable requirement for brands operating in Infant Nutrition. Competition is fierce and is driving the best brands in this category to invest heavily in naturals at every level.

The British county of Dorset is a hub for natural brands, with two of the UK top 10 LUSH and Dorset Cereals based in the county.

Independent cereal and snack bar producer Natural Balance Foods have two entries in the UK top 10  proof that a single-minded approach to sourcing, ingredients, packaging, processes and communications pays off with UK consumers.

69% of Chinese consumers are willing to pay a premium for a completely natural product  theyre all-in on naturals.

Portfolio players like Kelloggs and Clorox have made smart acquisitions  with Kashi and Burts Bees demonstrating that natural is scalable for the mass market.

THE 'WINNING IN NATURALS' TOP 10 BRANDS BY MARKET

US

1. Kashi*

2. Sprout

3. Seventh Generation

4. Burt's Bees

5. The Honest Co.

6. Tiger Balm

7. KIND

8. Health Valley

9. Milk

10. Love Child

UK

1. Green & Black's

2. Nakd Bar

3. Ecover

4. Dorset Cereals

5. Bear Snacks

6. Lush

7. Burt's Bees

8. Glenfiddich

9. The Body Shop

10. Trek

China

1. Glen Garioch

2. Dalmore

3. Nikki Yoichi

4. Port Ellen

5. Nongfu Spring

6. General Mills

7. Suntory Yamazaki

8. Edradour

9. Blue Label

10. Yunnan Baiyao

*Overall global leader in naturals

MOVING BEYOND A LIST OF INGREDIENTS

Everything in balance. Whats true in the natural world is true in the world of naturals.

CLEAR has uncovered six cross-category levers that brands can pull to improve their natural perceptions. Whilst ingredients remain a vital driver of natural perceptions, the leading brands are going further - effectively balancing packaging, brand promise, impact on society, production processes and more to create strong natural advantage.

Consumers are keen to understand more about how products are made, where they come from, what theyre packaged in and what the brand stands for. Its clear that many brands are not using these levers powerfully enough to unlock natural strategic advantage. Whether naturalness is a hygiene factor in a category or the category has extremes of natural and artificial  it remains crucial to view natural as more than just ingredients  and to use that knowledge to optimise return on marketing investment.

Our Winning in Naturals study highlights the myopia of some brands when it comes to naturals, says Adam Garrett, CLEARs new Managing Director, US. Instead of altering one ingredient in the hope of success  a la Coke Life  brands need to wake up to the fact that consumers care about the how, the where and the who of the brand, as well as the whats in it. Kashi, Nakd, Burts Bees and the rest of our top performers recognise this  and are reaping the rewards.

To download the full report, visit http://naturals.clearstrategy.com

# # #

ABOUT THE 'WINNING IN NATURALS' REPORT

To determine how brands are winning and losing the battle for revenues and relevance in Naturals, CLEAR fielded an online survey with 3,055 respondents in three countries to gather perspectives on natural products and how different categories and brands are perceived from a naturalness perspective. During the study, respondents rated a total of 470 brands.

To determine the Naturalness score for each brand, respondents were asked to rate how natural they considered the brands that they had purchased in the past three months. The scale rated brands from extremely unnatural to extremely natural, This was then converted to a numerical value between 1  100. CLEAR consultants used input from past surveys, market knowledge and existing third-party research to select a representative set of brands that respondents would be likely to know and purchase, along with some smaller developing brands. Unfortunately, we are unable to report on brands for which we could not collect sufficient responses.

The research was conducted in March & April 2018.

ABOUT CLEAR M&C SAATCHI

CLEAR is a global marketing strategy consultancy that empowers ambitious marketing leaders to achieve transformational business results through the combination of rigorous insight, robust strategy and inspiring creative. This unique combination of skills helps our clients access significant value through category leadership, brand development and creation of more innovative and superior experiences across touchpoints. We believe great strategy is impossible without rigorous insight; in a world filled with unsubstantiated opinions, clarity has never been more powerful.

CLEARs consultants create transformational brand experiences and marketing strategies that have clear impact on our clients careers, businesses and categories. Since 2002, weve been delivering transformational strategies for leading businesses, brands and individuals in a diverse array of sectors. We have offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, Dayton, Singapore and Shanghai, but were willing to fly wherever were needed.

We bring clarity to our clients' toughest transformation questions. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn or learn more at https://clearstrategy.com.

CLEAR is a division of M&C Saatchi, one of the worlds leading marketing services groups. The company is headquartered in London, England, with offices throughout the world.

CONTACT:

Geraint Jones

Global Marketing Director, CLEAR

geraint.jones@clearstrategy.com

+44 (0) 203 735 1810

+44 (0) 738 741 1314

SOURCE: CLEAR

RELATED LINKS:

http://Naturals.clearstrategy.com

https://Clearstrategy.com

# # #

ENDSMark Colonnese, sales & marketing director, Aquarium Software.

Aquarium is at the forefront of delivering technology solutions to the travel and pet insurance sectors. And according to Aquarium Softwares Mark Colonnese, DevOps is likely to be this years buzzword, driving the debate on the rapid collaborative deployment and the pace of innovation in the insurance technology sector. More from Mark http:// here.

TINTech is a great show for us to meet the IT community from within the insurance sectors in which we operate, said Aquarium Software Director, Mark Colonnese. We go to TINtech each year because the quality of the delegates we meet with their IT specialisation is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our technology and to find out what the hot issues of the day are, and to debate them with colleagues and peers, he said.

The hot topic at TINTech 2018 for me is likely to be around the whole DevOps question, added Colonnese. Companies are looking at how they can innovate more quickly and a DevOps approach; increasing an organisations ability to deliver solutions at high velocity, is at the heart of that. We are working with a number of clients to help them go down that road and that will be a key discussion for Aquarium, added Mark.

Aquarium is seeing increasing demand for its products in the UK and overseas. Intelligent cutting edge process automation is now joined by the challenges and opportunities of mass personalisation. Aquarium will be addressing these key issues, and many more besides. Delegates should come and talk to us because were at the forefront of developments when it comes to insurance solutions in the pet and travel sector. Were in the process of launching some really nice added value tech for some really impressive clients, and very excited to be attending TINTech, concluded Colonnese.Nuspire, a state-of-the-science Managed Network Security Services Provider for some of the largest and most distinctive companies around the world, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has added Nuspire to its 2018 Solution Provider 500 list. The Solution Provider 500 is CRNs annual ranking of the largest technology integrators, solution providers and IT consultants in North America by revenue.

The Solution Provider 500 is CRNs predominant channel partner award list, serving as the industry standard for recognition of the most successful solution provider companies in the channel since 1995. The complete list will be published on CRN.com, making it readily available to vendors seeking out top solution providers to partner with.

At Nuspire, we are dedicated to providing technology and solutions that are well above industry-standard to ensure the security of our customers data, said Maria Graham, director of business development at Nuspire. Were honored to be named a 2018 Solution Provider for the second consecutive year. Being included on this list is a true testament to our unique, state-of-the-science solutions.

CRN has also released its 2018 Solution Provider 500: Newcomers list, recognizing 26 companies making their debut in the Solution Provider 500 ranking this year.

CRNs Solution Provider 500 list spotlights the North American IT channel partner organizations that have earned the highest revenue over the past year, providing a valuable resource to vendors looking for top solution providers to partner with, said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. The companies on this years list represent an incredible, combined revenue of $320 billion, a sum that attests to their success in staying ahead of rapidly changing market demands. We extend our sincerest congratulations to each of these top-performing solution providers and look forward to their future pursuits and successes.

The complete 2018 Solution Provider 500 list will be available online at http://www.crn.com/sp500 and a sample from the list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine.

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

About Nuspire

Nuspire is a state-of-the-science Managed Security Service Provider with nearly two decades of industry experience, providing network management, monitoring, and security services for some of the largest and most distinctive companies in the world. Beyond the classic monitor and support models, Nuspire utilizes big data, cloud-driven technologies, custom-built and integrated threat intelligence, and human analytics to meet the managed security needs of enterprise organizations with geographically dispersed networks. Solutions are delivered with service level commitments for network security, performance and compliance. With its custom-built monitoring systems, a team of experts available 24/7/365 and a deep security knowledge and expertise, Nuspire is the benchmark for managed security services and maintains unparalleled cybersecurity technologies deployed globally. To learn more, visit http://www.nuspire.com

About the Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. http://www.thechannelco.comThe Magellan International School Magellan sets the standard for language acquisition in Austin, whether it is Spanish, Mandarin, Math, Music, or Design. Scott Hibbard is exactly the right leader to take Magellan to the next phase.

The Magellan International School, an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Central Austin, has announced that Scott Hibbard, will become its new Head of School on August 1, 2018. Hibbard has over 25 years of experience in education, serving institutions across the world.

As Head of School at The Magellan International School, Hibbard will serve as chief executive of the non-profit International Baccalaureate School serving students in PreK-3 through 8th grade, providing leadership and strategic direction to the school community. Im honored to join the Magellan International School community as the next Head of School said Hibbard. The Magellan community is uniquely multicultural, and Im looking forward to leading a school that is committed to creating a better world one child at a time. My family and I are also very excited about moving to a beautiful, dynamic and forward-thinking city like Austin.

Hibbard comes to The Magellan International School with over 25 years of experience teaching and leading schools all over the world. His current school, Colegio Menor - with campuses in Quito and Samborondon, Ecuador - is a private bilingual school educating 2,190 students in grades PreK3 through 12th grade in English and Spanish. Scott Hibbard was our first choice for the job because of his deep experience leading incredible international schools, said Scott Francis, President of Magellans Board of Directors and CEO of BP3 Global. He understands the Magellan community, and he knows how to build on what weve started here: an innovative educational program that relies on proven best practices in international schools and a school that is a perfect fit for the Austin community. We are creating the talent that will drive our future.

Hibbard will succeed The Magellan International Schools founding Head of School, Maria Isabel Marisa Leon, who successfully established the school in 2009. She grew the school to more than 450 students from the original 47. Leon will join the Stockholm International School in Sweden as Director this fall. Scott Hibbard is a dedicated educator, committed to internationalism, inquiry-based learning and best practices in teaching and learning said Leon. He is not only a visionary educational leader, but also an open-minded human being, making him the perfect fit for our MIS community.

Scott Francis shared his thoughts on Magellans future: In my opinion, Magellan sets the standard for language acquisition in Austin, whether it is Spanish, Mandarin, Math, Music, or Design. We have a goal to extend that language acquisition to include tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation. We are just beginning to fulfill the dreams we have for the new i.Lab for Design + Making, with a goal of Entrepreneurship, Design, and Innovation becoming a core part of the curriculum. Scott Hibbard is exactly the right leader to take Magellan to the next phase.

About The Magellan International School

The Magellan International School is an independent, not-for-profit school educating students in preschool through 8th Grade. The School prepares students for a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive world while inspiring creative thinking, passion and purposeful action. Magellan features the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program curriculum with immersion language learning in English and Spanish and instruction in Mandarin during the elementary years. Magellan's middle school offers the IB Middle Years Program and is open to students regardless of prior foreign language experience. For more information visit http://www.magellanschool.org.

Magellan International School Media Contact

Christen Wilson, Director of Advancement, Marketing and Communications, Christen.Wilson(at)magellanschool(dot)org.

About the International Baccalaureate Organization

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit educational foundation, motivated by its mission, focused on the student. The IBOs three programs for students aged 3 to 19 help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Founded in 1968, IBO currently works with 3,019 schools in 139 countries to develop and offer three challenging programs to over 845,000 students aged 3 to 19 years. To learn more about the International Baccalaureate Organization, visit http://www.ibo.org. Information about the Texas International Baccalaureate Schools Organization can be found at http://www.texasibschools.org.The Libman Company, a leading North American manufacturer of household and high-power cleaning products, is taking to the highway for a third straight year with its Embrace Lifes Messes Tour that will travel to 255 retail locations in the U.S. and Canada. This is the first year the tour will extend into Canada, primarily in the Ontario region. Over the course of 13 weeks, the company will give away products and special prizes during the retail store visits to encourage consumers to embrace lifes messes by letting Libman help do the work.

The Libman Embrace Lifes Messes tour will kick off in South Louisville, KY on June 6 and end in Columbus, Ohio on September 1. At the helm of the tour is a team of two, Yen and Derek, serving as Libman brand ambassadors, who will drive the Libman-branded Ford Transit van to store openings, and retail locations. At the retail stops, shoppers will have the opportunity to see in-store product demos and as well as participate in games to win Libman prizes.

The tour will be documented throughout the 13 weeks with blog posts, photos and videos of the duos adventures on social media sites and on http://www.embracelifesmesses.com. Additionally, Libman will concurrently run the Embrace Lifes Messes Sweepstakes where over the course of those 13 weeks, consumers can spin the online animated wheel every 24 hours for the daily chance to win a Libman Wonder Mop, or the grand prize, a Libman Move-In Cleaning Kit, which contains essential cleaning products needed by those moving in (or out) of a house or apartment. The Embrace Life s Messes Sweepstakes runs from June 6 to August 31, 2018.

The 13-week Embrace Lifes Messes tour is an extension of Libmans television and print ad campaign that reminds consumers to Remember the Moment and Forget the Mess. Whether its making cupcakes together, playing with the family pet, or dabbling in arts and crafts projects, the message Libman wants to send is that Libman has consumers covered so they can enjoy the moment rather than fret about the mess.

The Libman Company was founded in 1896 with one mission: to make the finest, most durable wire-wound corn brooms. The family left Lithuania for the United States in the 1890s, landed in Chicago, and started life in the New World by peddling sundries from a pushcart, selling everything from brooms to clothes-pins. The old-fashioned corn broom was a top seller.

Today, Libman has a 1.4 million square foot facility located in Central Illinois. With the fourth generation of Libmans who have come on board, they are as committed as their predecessors to providing high-quality, American-made cleaning products including mops, brushes, cleaning tools, and brooms.

To enter the Spin to Win sweepstakes or to see the Embrace Lifes Messes tour schedule, visit http://www.embracelifesmess.com.

About The Libman Company

The Libman Company is a family-owned company that has been making quality cleaning tools since 1896. The company manufactures products from brooms and mops to more specialized tools for kitchen and bathroom cleaning and industrial uses. Libman proudly manufactures most of their products in North America, including the companys well-known Wonder Mop. For more information about the Libman Company, please visit http://www.libman.com.The people of San Francisco are very lucky to have this excellent library at their fingertips, and the library profession is lucky to have it as a model and inspiration.

San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) is the 2018 Gale/Library Journal Library of the Year. Under the leadership of recently retired City Librarian Luis Herrera and now Acting City Librarian Michael Lambert, SFPL is a library system that actively promotes San Franciscos values of inclusion, diversity and equality and creates programs and policies to support those democratic values.

The San Francisco Public Library plays a crucial role in supporting our citys values and policies, wrote Mayor Mark Farrell. Their open doors, immigration and citizenship programs, compassionate staff and community connections reflect our longstanding commitment to being a Sanctuary City.

As the 2018 Library of the Year, SFPL will receive a cash prize of $10,000, is featured on the cover of Library Journals (LJs) June 15, 2018 issue, available in print and online, and will be honored at a reception at ALA 2018 in New Orleans. Established in 1992, each year the Library of the Year Award celebrates the library that most profoundly demonstrates service to the community, creativity and innovating in developing specific community programs or has seen dramatic increase in library use and leadership in creating programs emulated by other libraries. To learn more, visit: https://lj.libraryjournal.com/2018/06/awards/2018-galelj-library-year-san-francisco-public-library/.

The SFPL story builds on the transformational leadership of Herrera, the 2012 LJ Librarian of the Year, who retired this past February after 13 years.

I feel as though Ive had an Ivy League education working with Luis Herrera. Luis was a transformational leader. He created an amazing culture of service and innovation here, but it is also a family culture for the staff. We care about one another, and we celebrate each other, Lambert said.

We have an incredible talent pool at SFPL, Lambert continued. Four years ago, we set out to be the premier urban library in the country, and our staff have bought in. We launched an initiative called Service Excellence, and every staff member, custodian, page, security staff, our librarians, our managers, everybody goes through service excellence training. People have committed themselves to the patron focus service model, and they have committed to being a safe and welcoming library, a preferred destination [for] all San Franciscans.

More than 6.6 million customers used SFPLs library facilities in 2017, including the Main Library in the Civic Center, 27 neighborhood branches and four mobile outreach vehicles. The library system enjoys extraordinary political and fiscal support thanks to a voter led initiative that mandates an annual funding set aside from the citys property tax revenues, resulting in an annual budget of $126 million or $144 per capita. Every SFPL library is open seven days a week and all 27 neighborhood branches are open a minimum of 50 hours each, with some open 55 and the Main Library open 60 hours.

In his support of SFPLs nomination for 2018 Library of the Year, author, publisher, philanthropist and San Francisco resident, Dave Eggers said, This library has real energy. It has real passion. They move quickly on initiatives and they say yes. Contrary to some large institutions, that can be burdened by their own size and history, and which have the alacrity of a cruise ship, the SFPL is nimble, creative, and always inclined to find a way to make things happen.

The people of San Francisco are very lucky to have this excellent library at their fingertips, and the library profession is lucky to have it as a model and inspiration, said Rebecca T. Miller, editorial director of Library Journal and School Library Journal. San Francisco Public Library is truly a national leader in developing models of inclusion, demonstrating bold approaches to serving the diverse and underserved segments of it community, and redefining how urban libraries can and should be responsive to the national dialog on democracy.

Also featured in the June 15, 2018 issue of Library Journal are two other libraries honored with special mentions in the 2018 Library of the Year Award program. They are:

Chicago Public Library, honored for the second consecutive year, under the leadership of Commissioner and CEO Brian Bannon

Cuyahoga County Public Library, Ohio, under the leadership of Executive Director Sari Feldman

A team of LJ editors winnowed the competitive nomination pool to a group of semi-finalists. Each of those was evaluated by a panel of qualified industry professionalsincluding Kent Oliver, director of Nashville Public Library, 2017 Gale/LJ Library of the Year, and Lance Werner, executive director, Kent District Library, Michigan, 2018 LJ Librarian of the Year.

For award guidelines, visit http://lj.libraryjournal.com/awards.

About Library Journal

Founded in 1876, Library Journal is one of the oldest and most respected publications covering the library field. Over 75,000 library directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries read LJ. Library Journal reviews over 8,000 books, audiobooks, videos, databases, and websites annually, and provides coverage of technology, management, policy, and other professional concerns. For more information, visit http://www.libraryjournal.com. Library Journal is a publication of Media Source Inc., which also owns School Library Journal, The Horn Book, and Junior Library Guild.

About Gale

Gale, a Cengage company, provides libraries with original and curated content, as well as the modern research tools and technology that are crucial in connecting libraries to learning, and learners to libraries. For more than 60 years, Gale has partnered with libraries around the world to empower the discovery of knowledge and insights  where, when, and how people need it. Gale has 500 employees globally with its main operations in Farmington Hills, Michigan. For more information, please visit: http://www.gale.com.Perry Pabich, Steele Solutions COO

Perry Pabich has joined industrial mezzanine manufacturer Steele Solutions Inc., in the newly created position of chief operating officer.

Pabich has extensive experience in management and operations with manufacturers in Wisconsin and Illinois, including companies in the material handling industry.

I admire how the owners of Steele Solutions have worked to make this company the industry leader for material handling mezzanines and work platforms, and am looking forward to supporting continued growth initiatives, Pabich said.

Steele Solutions has grown each year since its founding in 1996.

As Steele Solutions continues to grow rapidly, our ownership team needs to spend more time on planning and strategy, said company President Kevin ONeill. With Perrys strong management and operational experience, our day-to-day operations are in excellent hands.

Prior to joining Steele Solutions, Pabich held management positions with responsibilities for profit and loss, product development, department operations, safety compliance, sales channel development, and marketing.

About Steele Solutions

Steele Solutions, based in the Milwaukee suburb of Franklin, Wis., is the nations leading designer and manufacturer of mezzanines and equipment platforms used in the material handling industry, as well as catwalk and crossovers for safe access, and steel structures used to support equipment in a wide variety of other industries. Its structures are created to be The Height of Excellence. The company is privately owned. Steele Solutions is online at steelesolutions.com.With a greater understanding of VMware NSX, companies will be better positioned to build defenses into the fabric of their data centers for improved security, agility and flexibility.

Eastern Computer Exchange, Inc. (ECEI) and VMware have announced plans to host an interactive VMware NSX security workshop on Wednesday, June 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Dell EMC, 2 Penn Plaza, 18th Floor, New York, NY. The event will demonstrate how VMware NSX multi-site networking can help to securely extend an organizations network across multiple sites and into the public cloud.

Designed for IT practitioners and networking and security managers, the session will include a deep dive into Cross-vCenter NSX, an overview of micro-segmentation, and hands-on, proctored NSX labs that walk participants through the NSX architecture. Attendees will also perform their own Virtual Network Assessments (VNA) and uncover insights into flows from their virtual network endpoints. The resulting information can be used to design security policies and debug issues.

Traditional approaches to data center security leave businesses vulnerable to breaches, said Frank Donaldson, Vice President, Security & Networking, Eastern Computer Exchange. This session will help customers adopt a new approach to security through network virtualization and micro-segmentation. With a greater understanding of VMware NSX, companies will be better positioned to build defenses into the fabric of their data centers for improved security, agility and flexibility, he added.

Visit the event registration page HERE.

VMware and VMware NSX are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions.

About Eastern Computer Exchange, Inc. (ECEI)

Founded in 1990, Eastern Computer Exchange, Inc. (ECEI) is a Westport, CT-based enterprise technology solutions provider with a proven track record of architecting, designing and deploying complex enterprise Hybrid Cloud, Hyper-Converged, Server, Desktop, Elastic Cloud, Isilon and Backup and Recovery solutions. ECEI is a certified partner for industry-leading IT manufacturers, such as Dell EMC, Cisco, VMware and others.

With offices in 46 locations across three continents, ECEI boasts a team of highly skilled technology strategists to help global organizations deploy the gold standard in enterprise IT solutions.

For more information, visit http://www.ecei.com/ or Twitter @EasternCompExchiHydrant Logo "The alert came in about half an hour before anyone called it in... Definitely proves the worth of the product."

Nighthawk has released iHydrant, a unique remote pressure and temperature monitoring solution for water utilities. The iHydrant system is unique because it does not interfere with the normal operation of a hydrant and does not require any digging or tapping a pipe. iHydrant monitors can be used year-round in any climate, allowing utilities to optimize system pressure, decrease energy use and reduce leaks.

Our customer installed base has used millions of pressure data points installed over the past 1.5 years, while thousands of alarms at these utilities have reduced non-revenue water loss. Utilities have been able to be instantly notified of main breaks during the night, catch hydrant water theft, and identify contractor breakage.

Additionally, alarms have been used to understand pump operation and drastically reduce pump operation costs by knowing its impact throughout the system. One customer said the following about the iHydrant system proactively notifying them of a water main break:

"The alert came in about half an hour before anyone called it in... Definitely proves the worth of the product."

The iHydrant system provides interval pressure and temperature data as well as configurable alerts for high/low pressure and transient events. Alert data is uploaded in real-time, providing utilities with actionable data in the case of main breaks and proactive information to help utilities identify abnormalities and calm their system.

iHydrant data is transmitted over a secure cellular VPN network utilizing the latest LTE technology. Data is accessible by phone, tablet or computer in an easy to use graphical interface providing real time system temperature and pressure visibility. Since there are no collectors to install and no software to install, there are no additional IT resources or infrastructure costs to deploy the iHydrant system.

Come see us at booth 23033 / ACE 2018 / Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas June 12-14, 2018, to see how iHydrant can provide your utility with a quick ROI.

Tom Bohrer, VP Sales and Marketing is available for interview at show.

About Us:

Nighthawk is a wholly-owned subsidiary of McWane, a global provider of hydrants, valves, fittings, ductile iron pipe and remote monitoring and metering equipment. McWane products make up the backbone of vital water distribution and wastewater treatment systems throughout North America and the world, dependably providing clean water for utilities and citizens. McWane has operations across the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Norway, India and the United Arab Emirates.

Contact:

Chad Bowers

Marketing Director

972-717-5555 ext. 225

Chad.bowers(at)nighthawkcontrol.com

http://nighthawkcontrol.com/industry-solutions/ihydrant-tm-pressure-temperature/VIAs main objective is to foster a global network of highly qualified professionals who, in turn, will support and promote Italian wine throughout the world.

Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) announces the new faculty who will lead the reformatted edition of VIA in Hong Kong in November 2018 and in Verona, Italy in April 2019. Sarah Heller, the youngest MW in the world, and Henry Davar, the best scoring Italian Wine Expert in all 9 past editions, will take the lead in VIAs new educational journey.

Ian D'Agata retires after an exceptional and dedicated service at VIA as its Scientific Director and teacher for four years. With DAgata and since its inception, VIA has trained 150 IWAs and 11 IWEs (https://www.vinitalyinternational.com/?page_id=663). Today, VIA with its new faculty and program, is seeking to expand its community with an improved learning path comprising of replicable and standardized certification courses from basic to advance level.

After graduating from Yale University, Sarah Heller began her career in the New York and Hong Kong wine trades and wineries in France and Italy. In 2017 she achieved the Master of Wine title. She is also an expert in e-commerce, wine branding, design and communication. Aside from attending to her boutique design agency Radix + Folium, she is also a design collaborator with Lucas Crystal and an accomplished wine journalist for a few local and international publications. On her appointment as part of the VIA Faculty she commented: VIA has become the industry gold standard for Italian wine education. Being invited to help build VIA into an institution that will secure a robust future for the wines of Italy, the country where I first encountered and fell in love with wine, is both a professional and personal honour.

Henry Davar is a Wine Educator and boutique fine wine Business Development Manager at Breakthru Beverage Nevada. Henry holds wine certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. Most recently, he achieved the Italian Wine Expert certification from VIA becoming one of the eleven VIA-certified Italian Wine Experts in the world and the only one to obtain this title at first try. On the new VIA ecosystem he observed: "I'm very excited to be a part of VIA's growing curriculum and reach. As the Maestro level programs roll-out throughout the world the original Ambassador program will gain added depth and scope allowing for even more focused tasting opportunities and additional incoming programs for its highest level candidates."

Under the guidance of its Founder Stevie Kim, VIA also welcomes the foremost Italian wine scientist, Professor Attilio Scienza as VIAs Chief Scientist, and major institutional players in the Italian Wine Industry as part of the Institutional Advisory Board. Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) aims to be the gold standard of Italian wine education. VIA offers a complete educational path with standardized courses that will teach professionals and educators to master the diversity of Italian wine in a rigorous, organized manner. VIAs main objective is to foster a global network of highly qualified professionals who, in turn, will support and promote Italian wine throughout the world. VIAs ecosystem comprising the main institutional bodies and associations in the Italian wine industry strives to be conduit between the leading players in the Italian wine scene and international professionals.

For additional information: https://www.vinitalyinternational.com/?page_id=1778

About

The grand Vinitaly 2019 will be held from April 7th to the 10th. Every year, Vinitaly counts more than 4,000 exhibitors on a 100,000+ square meter area and 130,000 visitors from over 140 different countries with more than 30,000 top international buyers. The premier event to Vinitaly, OperaWine (https://www.vinitalyinternational.com/?page_id=646) Finest Italian Wines: 100 Great Producers, which will be held on the 6th of April, one day prior to Vinitaly will unite international wine professionals in the heart of Verona, offering them the unique opportunity to discover and taste the wines of the 100 Best Italian Producers, as selected by Wine Spectator. Since 1998 Vinitaly International travels to several countries such as Russia, China, USA and Hong Kong thanks to its strategic arm abroad, Vinitaly International. In February 2014 Vinitaly International launched an educational project, the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) with the aim of divulging and broadcasting the excellence and diversity of Italian wine around the globe. VIA this year launched the ninth edition of its Certification Course and today counts 151 Italian Wine Ambassadors and 11 Italian Wine Experts.L to R: Lt Javaughn Baltrip, 11th FSS, Lt Patrick Noyes, 11th FSS, Kevin Kline, Alpha Warrior, Lt Col Jason Guadalupe, 11th FSS Commander, Barclay Stockett, Alpha Warrior, and Eric Wood, 11th FSS Depu

Andrews Federal Credit Union, in partnership with Joint Base Andrews (JBA) 11th FSS/FSK Marketing Office, recently sponsored an Alpha Warrior event. The Credit Union provided a number of items for the participants, including water, fruit, energy bars, water bottles and seat cushions.

The Alpha Warrior program is an Air Force-wide initiative to incorporate a functional fitness approach for Airmen. The Battle Rigs and Battle Stations provide them with a new and exciting way to work out, build unit cohesion and foster a sense of community with fellow Airmen. A practice rig was constructed on Joint Base Andrews for military personnel to practice on throughout 2018. Alpha Warrior Pro-Athletes were also on hand to demonstrate how to complete an obstacle course composed of several obstacles including a salmon ladder, three ring ropes and a rope climb.

It was great to see such a fun, competitive spirit at this event, said Rosalind Bishop, Regional Manager, Andrews FCU. The Rigs and Stations truly test the endurance and stamina of the participants. We love and support our troops any chance we get.

About Andrews Federal Credit Union

Andrews Federal Credit Union was founded in 1948 to serve the needs of military and civilian personnel by providing a vast array of financial products and services. With over $1.5 billion in assets, Andrews Federal has grown to serve more than 120,000 members in the District of Columbia, Joint Base Andrews (MD), Springfield, Virginia (VA), Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (NJ), and military installations in central Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In addition, the Credit Union serves as a financial partner with many select employee groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New Jersey.

To learn more about Andrews Federal Credit Union and its community involvement, or to become a member, call 800.487.5500 or visit http://www.andrewsfcu.org.Kristen Wong

For Kristen Wong of Summit, NJ, studying medicine has always been her calling. I love the idea of taking care of people, helping them directly, having continuity of care and building a long-term relationship with them, she says. In pursuit of her dream, Wong began attending Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, set to graduate this month, but soon realized she needed to learn one more thing. To become an effective physician with the population she would be serving, she needed to speak Spanish.

Wong, who at the time already spoke English, Mandarin, Cantonese and a little French, set her sights on speaking Spanish, too. I realized that if I really wanted to take care of my patients respectfully, I needed to speak their language proficiently, she explains. And with the help of the Next Generation Scholarship from Summit Medical Group Foundation, Wongs dream of learning medical Spanish became a reality.

Wongs Next Generation Scholarship afforded her the ability to take a one-month, immersive course in Costa Rica covering medical Spanish (the summer after her first year of medical school). When she returned to medical school for her second year, the scholarship funds and support encouraged her to continue taking the medical Spanish course offered by her school, as well as to pursue learning Spanish on her own through online language apps. This was crucial as Wong maintained the language she had learned in Costa Rica and increased her vocabulary to encompass the conversational language she will need to effectively treat Spanish-speaking patients in the hospital.

The ability to effectively communicate with patients is key, says Wong, because doctors are only scheduled to have 15-20 minutes with a patient and whats missing is the close relationship with the patients, she adds.

I hope to overcome this by being fully present when I'm with my patients - technology has been wonderful with the electronic medical records and having data available at your hands, but it's hard to balance looking at the computer and making eye contact with patients. Hopefully I can work out a way to be with my patients and then dictate my notes quickly afterwards, before the next patient encounter, Wong says.

The honor of being awarded the Next Generation Scholarship from Summit Medical Group Foundation is not lost on Wong. In fact, the scholarship has increased meaning because of a lifelong role model from Summit Medical Group: Dr. Kerry LeBenger, who had been treating the Wongs at SMG for more than two decades. Wong took note of LeBengers constant support and the benefits her family received with his continuity of care for two generations. It was amazing that this group Ive been seeing my entire life (SMG) was helping invest in me! Wong says. I am really honored.

This summer, Wong will begin an Internal Medicine residency at her top choice - University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She hopes to specialize in Cardiology. The heart is an amazing organ, she says. And Wongs heart is in the right place.

Summit Medical Group Foundation is committed to supporting undergraduate and graduate students like Wong, who seek careers in medicine and/or healthcare-related fields to enrich their lives and the lives of those in the communities they serve. This year, the Foundation will award more than $50,000 in scholarships. The recipients will receive awards ranging between $500 and $5,000. Over the past three years, the Foundation has awarded more than $170,000 to New Jersey students pursuing careers in medicine.

About Summit Medical Group Foundation

Summit Medical Group Foundation (SMGF), whose mission is to provide a strong foundation for healthy communities, is deeply rooted in communities in a steadfast effort to better the health and well-being of each member through wellness programs and medical education. Summit Medical GroupNew Jerseys oldest and largest private multispecialty physician groupestablished SMGF in 2013 to grow its culture of philanthropy and further its more than 85-year legacy of building a healthier tomorrow through programs and services that extend far beyond traditional medical care. Among other initiatives, the Foundation provides scholarships for students pursuing medical-professional career paths. For more information, visit http://www.smg-foundation.org.Wines of Chile "The Chilean wine scene is living through a revolution. Diversity is everywhere, and highly focused energy is transforming the wines of this country. By rediscovering their past Chile is charting a new path for the future,  stated South American wine writer and expert, Patricio Tapia.

Wines of Chile, a membership organization dedicated to promoting Chilean Wine internationally, proudly announces the return of its artisanal production tour called Pequenos Tastings, showcasing Chiles highest quality small production wines. Wines of Chile will bring boutique wine producers along with Patricio Tapia, South Americas top wine writer, to Boston on June 6th, Chicago on June 7th, and Washington D.C. on June 8th.

During each city visit, Patricio Tapia will present a seminar exploring Chiles wine renaissance called Revelations, showcasing wines from surprising terroir and varietals, as well as utilize unique winemaking techniques. There will also be an extensive 3-hour walk around tasting, featuring wines from the far north to the far south, including heritage varietals like Carmenere, Pais, Carignan, Semillon and international favorites such as Cabernet, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Wines of Chiles Pequenos Tour is back by popular demand, explained Marybeth Bentwood, Wines of Chile US Director. Chiles wine industry is more vibrant and dynamic than ever. Were delighted to introduce the wine trade to so many new wines and producers. Patricio Tapias participation this year gives attendees unparalleled insight to the changes which make Chiles wine scene one of the worlds most exciting.

"The Chilean wine scene is living through a revolution, added South American wine writer and expert, Patricio Tapia. Diversity is everywhere, and highly focused energy is transforming the wines of this country. By rediscovering their past theyre charting a new path for the future.

Wine trade and media are welcome to attend with registration. To view the full list of wines that will be presented, visit http://www.WoCTradeTasting.com.

About Wines of Chile:

Wines of Chile is a membership organization committed to promoting the quality and image of Chilean wine throughout the world. It has offices in Santiago, London, New York, Beijing, and the UK as well as representatives in Brazil and Canada. Wines of Chile works closely with ProChile to develop and offer promotional and educational programs around the world.UroLift has fundamentally changed how we treat patients suffering bothersome BPH symptoms. We are proud to be national leaders in treating patients with this durable and effective treatment.

Advanced Urology today announced that Drs. Neal Patel and Vishal Bhalani have been designated as UroLift Centers of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Drs. Neal Patel and Vishal Bhalani have demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and have achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift System. Advanced Urology is among the first in the U.S. to have three Center of Excellence physicians within the same practice. Dr. Jitesh Patel of Advanced Urology was recognized with the same honor in September of 2017.

The UroLift System is a breakthrough minimally invasive treatment that takes less than an hour and offers multiple benefits for men with enlarged prostate  no cutting, heating, or removal of tissue, minimal downtime, no compromise of sexual function, and no need for continued medications, said Dr. Vishal Bhalani. UroLift has fundamentally changed how we treat patients suffering bothersome BPH symptoms. We are proud to be national leaders in treating patients with this durable and effective treatment, added Dr. Neal Patel.

Nearly 40 million men in the United States are affected by BPH. This condition occurs as the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged, exerting pressure on the urethra and restricting or blocking urine flow. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems, and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life.

Five-year data from a randomized study shows the UroLift System offers not only rapid improvement, but also durable relief for patients with BPH. After five years, patients treated with the UroLift System continue to experience symptom relief with minimal side effects, with few patients requiring an additional procedure for relief. A second randomized clinical trial called BPH6 demonstrated that the minimally invasive UroLift System compares very well to the reference standard surgery, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), with regard to efficacy, and is superior to TURP at preserving sexual function and offering a more rapid recovery.

Medications can be helpful in relieving symptoms for some men, but patients must continue taking them long-term to maintain the effects. Some patients may suffer side effects including dizziness, headaches, or sexual dysfunction. And some may not get adequate relief of their symptoms. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation.

About the UroLift System

NeoTract Interventional Urologys FDA-cleared UroLift System is a novel, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The UroLift System is available in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Learn more at http://www.UroLift.com.

About Advanced Urology

Advanced Urology is the leading center for superior urologic care in the Greater Atlanta area. We offer the most advanced treatment options and therapies in the region and use innovative, state-of-the-art technology to ensure our patients get the medical care they deserve. The center is comprehensive with the convenience of everything in one location - physician offices, an ambulatory surgery center, digital imaging center, lab work, pathology, and specialized urologic testing. You will never leave our facility for your care. Learn more at http://www.urologygeorgia.com.

Media Contact:

Amy Cramer

650-391-3714

amy(at)healthandcommerce(dot)comI am thrilled to welcome Michael to CR at a moment of incredible excitement for our mission, for our organization, and for consumers everywhere," said Marta L. Tellado, President and CEO of Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports (CR), the nonprofit membership organization, today announced Michael Hubner as its General Counsel. Hubner is responsible for overseeing CRs legal, regulatory, and governance responsibilities, which include organizational policies, partnership agreements, and contracts.

"I am thrilled to welcome Michael to CR at a moment of incredible excitement for our mission, for our organization, and for consumers everywhere," said Marta L. Tellado, President and CEO of Consumer Reports. "Michael's deep experience will help us expand our reach and impact as we work with consumers to take on the complex concerns and opportunities that touch their lives today, from corporate accountability to data privacy and security."

Hubner comes to CR with more than two decades of experience as chief legal counsel for a variety of media and communications companies. Most recently, he served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of ION Media Networks, where he oversaw corporate financial transactions, business contracts and litigation, as well as regulatory matters for the networks broadcast stations. Previously, he served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Glowpoint, Inc. and FiberNet Telecom Group. He has a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law.

I am honored to join CR to help create a positive impact on peoples lives, said Hubner. At a time when trusted sources of information are difficult to find, CR is a guiding force for consumers in the marketplace. I look forward to using my skills and experience to help advance CRs mission.

For more information about CR, visit: consumerreports.org.

About Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.

 2018 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports is an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports, ConsumerReports.org and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent commercial use of its materials, its name, or the name of Consumer Reports.Securing Midterm Elections Earlier today, Synack CEO and Co-Founder Jay Kaplan sent a letter to the Secretaries of State of all 50 states, offering to help states secure voting systems before the 2018 midterm elections.

During the 2016 presidential election, Illinois and Arizona were hacked, leaving hundreds of thousands Illinoisan personal voter records compromised. A year later, the US informed 21 states that their election systems had also been targeted by hackers. As Russia has been accused of state-sponsored hacking and election meddling by American and European nation-states over the past two years, cyber attacks are proving to be significant and powerful on the worlds political stage.

Its no question that election systems will be a top target for adversaries this election cycle as well. Democracy is under attack. What will it take to fully button up the nations security ahead of November midterm elections?

Today, Synack put a solution in front of states. The leader in crowdsourced security testing is launching the Secure the Election initiative, a bipartisan effort to bring together the best American security talent and tools to help American states build their attacker resistance. Earlier today, Synack CEO and Co-Founder Jay Kaplan sent a letter to the Secretaries of State of all 50 states, offering to help states secure voting systems before the 2018 midterm elections. Between now and the midterms, the crowdsourced security company is offering pro bono crowdsourced security testing services to any state that wants to harden its election system against attack.

Securing Elections Takes A Crowd

Security resources are limited everywhere. The majority of states have under 15 FTEs on their enterprise security teams, and <7% of states are able to conduct third party penetration testing more than annually. States arent the only ones that face this challenge - worldwide, Cybersecurity Ventures predicts a 3.5M person cyber talent shortage by 2021. Governments and enterprises alike simply dont have the scale necessary to rigorously test their full attack surface.

Synacks secure crowdsourced security testing provides security by America for America - by harnessing a crowd of skilled, vetted security researchers that are motivated to serve their country and enabling them with proprietary technology to solve tough security challenges. Synacks crowd, The Synack Red Team, stands ready to help states find security flaws quickly, before the adversary can exploit them.

One Step Ahead of the Adversary

Before another election is hacked, Synacks Secure the Election initiative will help states harden their voting systems against attack. Synacks pro bono service looks for vulnerabilities in remotely-accessible voter registration databases and online voter registration websites from a hackers perspective. Synacks crowd of researchers discovers vulnerabilities left undetected by other solutions and then helps to remediate them before an adversary can exploit them on election day.

To learn more, visit Synack's Secure the Election webpage. To join Synack in taking action, email securetheelection@synack.com.

About Synack

Synack, the leader in crowdsourced security testing, provides real security to the modern enterprise. We leverage the worlds most trusted ethical hackers and an industry-leading platform to find critical security issues before criminals can exploit them. Organizations no longer have to choose between working with the best security talent and a lack of time, resources, or trust. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with regional offices around the world, Synack has protected over 100 global organizations by reducing their security risk and increasing their resistance to cyber attack.Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP strategically grows its Cybersecurity, Privacy & Crisis Management Practice with the addition of Paul Ferrillo in its New York office. Ferrillo joins from Weil, Gotshal & Manges.

Daily threats to information and data systems make cybersecurity preparedness critical to the viability of businesses today, said Richard A. Rosenbaum, Executive Chairman of Greenberg Traurig. Paul provides valuable counsel, advising companies in this ever-evolving area and his addition is a value-add for Greenberg Traurig clients across the firm who are focused on these issues.

Ferrillo focuses his practice on cybersecurity corporate governance issues, complex securities and business litigation, and internal investigations. He also represents public companies and their directors and officers in shareholder class and derivative actions and internal investigations. Ferrillo represents clients across a wide range of industries, including retail, apparel, financial services, energy, oil and gas, and real estate.

The addition of Paul speaks to Greenberg Traurigs ability to forecast client needs and recruit lawyers in the areas important to their businesses, the firms New York Co-Managing Shareholders Nancy A. Mitchell and Stephen L. Rabinowitz said in a joint statement. Cybersecurity touches every individual, and clients will benefit from Pauls experience in this area of increasing importance.

It was important for me to join a firm with the global platform Greenberg Traurig offers, Ferrillo said. The ability to draw upon a network of 2,000 lawyers in 38 locations throughout the world was attractive to me and will greatly benefit my clients. I look forward to working alongside the many talented attorneys at Greenberg Traurig and building upon the already stellar Cybersecurity Practice.

Ferrillo is a frequent writer, contributor, and commentator on topics including corporate governance, securities, and accounting fraud issues for the New York Law Journal, D&O Diary, the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation, and other national publications. He is the author of Navigating the Cybersecurity Storm: A Guide for Directors and Authors (Advisen 2015) and Co-Author of Take Back Control of Your Cybersecurity Now: Game Changing Concepts on AI and Cyber Governance Solutions for Executives (Advisen 2017). He received his J.D. and B.S. from St. Johns University.

About Greenberg Traurigs Cybersecurity Practice

Greenberg Traurigs Cybersecurity, Privacy & Crisis Management Practice is comprised of a multidisciplinary group of attorneys and professionals located throughout the world. The team is dedicated to developing strategies to address privacy, data security, and information management issues including privacy audits, policies and procedures, compliance with data security laws and industry standards, employee privacy, record retention/electronic discovery, cross-border data transfer, data breach readiness and response and litigation and dispute resolution, as well as the defense of data privacy, security breach, and TCPA class action suits.

About Greenberg Traurig

Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and is among the Top 20 on the 2017 Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.Survey Report: The Critical Need to Improve Compliance Processes Its vital for organizations of all sizes to have the right tools to properly manage their varied compliance needs. Thats why KnowBe4 offers the KnowBe4 Compliance Manager  ideal for those looking to replace outdated spreadsheets with an easier solution. -Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4

KnowBe4, provider of the worlds largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, today announced that it released a research report on compliance management. The research surveyed 1,872 cybersecurity professionals and is timely as these practitioners are navigating changing compliance standards like GDPR which launched last week.

Key findings from the report include:



The penalties associated with a failure to comply with the various regulations to which organizations are subject can be significant (such as GDPRs up to 20 million or 4 percent of annual global revenue) and can create a variety of both financial and non-financial consequences.

Most organizations must track a significant number of internal controls and business processes in order to become compliant with the various regulations and regulatory frameworks to which they are subject.

The vast majority of organizations surveyed go through at least two internal and/or external audits each year, but more than 15 percent go through six or more such audits each year.

Nearly two-thirds of the organizations surveyed are using spreadsheets to manage their compliance process, but the use of spreadsheets is an inefficient way to manage the compliance- and audit-related tasks for all but the smallest organizations.

Most organizations have either not evaluated compliance (forty-two percent) and audit management products or have done so in the past (forty percent), but fifty one percent are interested in the use of SaaS-based applications that would reduce the time required to satisfy their compliance goals and that would significantly reduce the costs associated with compliance management.

The research found that most organizations maintain a significant number of published Policies, one-third of the organizations surveyed maintain more than 25 published policies and more than two-thirds maintain more than five.

The report notes one of the problems with managing so many compliance policies is that the management problem is not linear. Because there are interrelationships between policies, such as managing the same data sets in different ways, managing 10 different compliance policies is more than twice as difficult and complex as managing just five. Consequently, the growing number of compliance policies that organizations must address means either that a growing share of IT resources must be devoted to managing these policies, or that new ways of compliance management must be found.

Its vital for organizations of all sizes to have the right tools to properly manage their varied compliance needs, said Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4. Thats why KnowBe4 offers the KnowBe4 Compliance Manager  ideal for those looking to replace outdated spreadsheets with an easier, more manageable solution to comply with so many regulations and laws.

KnowBe4 Compliance Manager (KCM) simplifies the complexities of ongoing compliance initiatives and reduces the burdens during auditing cycles that organizations face. With easy implementation and automation, the tool is both time and cost efficient.

To download the full research report, get it here. For more information on KnowBe4, visit http://www.knowbe4.com.

About KnowBe4

KnowBe4, the provider of the worlds largest integrated new-school security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 18,000 organizations worldwide. Founded by data and IT security expert Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness of ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to security awareness training. Kevin Mitnick, internationally recognized computer security expert and KnowBe4s Chief Hacking Officer, helped design KnowBe4s training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Thousands of organizations trust KnowBe4 to mobilize their end-users as the last line of corporate IT defense.

Number 231 on the 2017 Inc. 500 list, #70 on 2017 Deloittes Technology Fast 500 and #2 in Cybersecurity Ventures Cybersecurity 500. KnowBe4 is headquartered in Tampa Bay, Florida with European offices in England and the Netherlands.I wanted to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family. I loved getting my hands dirty and participating physically not just financially.

Keller Williams Realtor Jennifer Crosby recently volunteered at Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity, in honor of Keller Williams RED Day. I wanted to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family. I loved getting my hands dirty and participating physically not just financially, said Crosby.

Keller Williams RED Day, which stands for Renew, Energize and Donate, is an annual day of service when agents make a difference in the lives of others and better the communities that they serve. This observance defines who Keller Williams is and is a natural extension of its commitment to the highest level of professional customer service.

Crosby, along with her husband Mark Schoning and assistant Liz Deppe, helped Habitat for Humanity restore and organize materials and clean the Restore yard. Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries. Habitats vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

I felt so inspired that I am hoping to partner with Habitat again in the near future, concluded Crosby.

To donate directly to Habitat for Humanity, please visit https://www.habitat.org/donate/?keyword=header.

About Jennifer Crosby, Springs Home Finders at Keller Williams Partners

Jennifer Crosby utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to exceed her clients expectations. She specializes in military relocation, first time homebuyers, investments and new construction. For more information, please call (719) 291-3168, or visit http://springshomefinders.yourkwagent.com/.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.We are thrilled to expand our offerings to high school students interested in pursuing real estate as a career, and look forward to welcoming them to our Lincoln Center campus this summer.

Building on its mission to educate the future of New York City real estate professionals, the Fordham Real Estate Institute is pleased to announce the launch of its Summer High School Scholars program. Through a mix of in-class lectures, hands-on exercises and visits to prominent New York City properties, the program offers students the opportunity to gain a unique perspective into the numerous college study and career options that the field of real estate offers. All courses are taught by experienced industry professionals at Fordhams Lincoln Center campus in the heart of Manhattan.

Each of the five courses offered this year will take place over three sessions between June 24 and July 27. A Certificate in Building Design, Construction, Innovation and Development will be issued to students who complete three courses over the summer. Classes offered through the 2018 Summer High School Scholars Program include:



Architecture: An Introduction to Design and Professional Practice  Learn how the built environment was designed and developed through the professional perspective of architecture. Get an overview of the history of architectural design and learn how materials, form and fabrication techniques contribute to the architects vision. Explore career options in architectural practices and get a taste of zoning and regulations, elementary structural engineering, how to capture and convey expressive ideas, the construction processes, and more.

Real Estate Development in NYC: Principles and Process  Gain an understanding of the phases, procedures and complexities of developing and redeveloping various property types, including multifamily, office and mixed-use real estate. Topics covered include: an overview of the real estate development process, assembling the team, project stakeholders, market analysis and site selection, environmental review, marketability and design considerations, and more.

Understanding Real Estate Investment Property Cash Flow and Value  Learn how an investment property earns income, provides an investment return to ownership and is valued. Topics include: real estate investment principles, foundations of real estate valuation, lease types, market rent vs. contract rent, useable and rentable area, and more. This course uses MS Excel software.

Building Construction: An Introduction to the Process and Profession  Learn the phases of the construction process and the principles and practices of effective project management, with a focus on the design development, planning, evaluation and pre-construction stages of a project. Visit a live site to get a firsthand look at the project scope and issues facing developers.

Entrepreneurial Startups: Innovation and Solutions  Learn how to identify needs and solve problems that matter to startups. Students will learn how to systematically analyze business problems that startups face and deliver elegant solutions. Gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of and barriers to starting a business so that, regardless of the profession students embark on, they can become a more effective conduit for the innovation that all organizations require to survive.

Since inception, the Fordham Real Estate Institute has been dedicated to helping current and future real estate professionals enhance their knowledge and skills through courses taught by the leading minds in New York City real estate, said Anthony R. Davidson, Ph.D., dean of Fordhams School of Professional and Continuing Studies. We are thrilled to expand our offerings to high school students interested in pursuing real estate as a career, and look forward to welcoming them to our Lincoln Center campus this summer.

The Real Estate Institute is a part of Fordhams School of Professional and Continuing Studies. For more information on the Summer High School Scholars program, including registration details, visit https://www.fordham.edu/info/28103/real_estate_institute_summer_high_school_scholars_program.

ABOUT THE FORDHAM REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE

The Fordham Real Estate Institute currently offers a Master of Science in Real Estate, a graduate certificate, and a comprehensive array of professional real estate certificates at its campuses in Manhattan and West Harrison, New York. Serving professionals and owners/investors of all stripes, the MSRE curriculum presents the essential elements of real estate finance, investment, development and management. Both programs developed and taught by leading industry practitioners are centered on imparting real-world professional skill sets. Flexibility and convenience are program hallmarks: classes can be taken in-person, online, and at various paces. The Real Estate Institute is a part of Fordhams School of Professional and Continuing Studies. For more information, visit http://www.fordham.edu/realestate.The Board of Directors of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) announced today the selection of Suzanne Bakken, RN, PhD, FAAN, FACMI, as the new Editor-in-Chief of the AMIA peer-reviewed informatics journal, Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA). Dr. Bakken is the Alumni Professor of Nursing and Professor of Biomedical Informatics at Columbia University. She has published more than 300 scientific papers in more than 50 journals and has served as principal investigator for more than $29 million in research grants over the past 25 years. Dr. Bakken is a noted expert in applying informatics and data science methods to address health disparities affecting underserved and Latino communities.

The appointment, effective Jan. 1, 2019, brings Dr. Bakken full circle with the journal. She authored a paper published in the very first edition of JAMIA, Volume 1, Issue 1, January 1994: Terms Used by Nurses to Describe Patient Problems: Can SNOMED III represent nursing concepts in the patient record? In her new role, she will imbue JAMIA with the spirit of consequentialist informatics  informatics that makes a difference in the real-world health challenges facing communities and society today, such as opioid addiction, Alzheimers Disease, and caregiving burden.

We are privileged to have someone of Dr. Bakkens caliber taking the helm of JAMIA, particularly at this critical time for our field and for health care in general. Sue will bring not only her deep expertise as a researcher, author, editor, and mentor in the field with more than 30 years of published work, but also her broad perspective at the intersection of informatics, biomedicine and health care that will be so critical to the important work of the journal, said Peter J. Embi, MD, MS, FACP, FACMI, AMIA Board Chair, and President and CEO, Regenstrief Institute.

Dr. Bakken has a vision for JAMIA as a multi-layered, interactive electronic knowledge resource that facilitates broad understanding of innovative thought and rigorous discovery and application in informatics and data science for health and biomedicine. JAMIA content must be translatable for a variety of audiences including practice, policy, education, industry, patients, and health care consumers.

In my role as Editor-in-Chief of JAMIA, I will build upon the foundation of excellence and thought leadership established by JAMIAs three previous editors. I view informatics and data science within a broad sociocultural context that considers social determinants of health, and I believe in the power of our innovations and methods to advance discovery and precision health and to address critical health issues to promote health and equity, said Dr. Bakken.

Dr. Bakken is no stranger to AMIA as a long-time member since 1991. She has been active throughout the organization as a member of the Board of Directors and chair of the AMIA 2000 Annual Symposium Scientific Program Committee. She is also a fellow and current immediate past-president of the American College of Medical Informatics and is a recipient of the Virginia K. Saba Informatics Award (2006).

At Columbia University School of Nursing, she currently directs the Precision in Symptom Self-Management (PriSSM) Center and the Reducing Health Disparities Through Informatics Training Program, and co-chairs the Health Analytics Center of the Data Science Institute at Columbia University. Following doctoral study in nursing at the University of California, San Francisco, she completed a National Library of Medicine (NLM) post-doctoral fellowship in Medical Informatics at Stanford University.

Dr. Bakkens research activities have support from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Nursing Research and the NLM. In 2010, she received the Pathfinder Award from the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research and she will be inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame in July 2018. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics, and a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

The Editor-in-Chief works with the AMIA Board of Directors and a Journals and Publications Committee to ensure coordinated journal strategies. The current JAMIA Editor-in-Chief, Lucila Ohno-Machado, MD, PhD, FACMI, closes her term in December 2018 after two successful 4-year terms. Dr. Bakkens term begins on Jan. 1, 2019, and continues through Dec. 31, 2022, with an option for an additional 4-year term.

JAMIA, published by Oxford University Press, is a monthly peer-reviewed journal for biomedical and health informatics. Covering the full spectrum of activities in the field, JAMIA includes informatics articles in the areas of clinical care, clinical research, translational science, implementation science, imaging, education, consumer health, public health, and policy. JAMIA's articles describe innovative informatics research and systems that help to advance biomedical science and to promote health. Case reports, perspectives and reviews also help readers stay connected with the most important informatics developments in implementation, policy and education.

AMIA, the leading professional association for informatics professionals, is the center of action for 5,500 informatics professionals from more than 65 countries. As the voice of the nations top biomedical and health informatics professionals, AMIA and its members play a leading role in assessing the effect of health innovations on health policy, and advancing the field of informatics. AMIA actively supports five domains in informatics: translational bioinformatics, clinical research informatics, clinical informatics, consumer health informatics, and public health informatics.Richard J. Polimeni, Chair, College Savings Foundation High school students are taking responsibility for their education choices and making decisions early in life to support them. Were encouraged to see that saving is already an important part of their education planning process. -- Richard J. Polimeni, College Savings Foundation Chair

Todays high school students are practical consumers who are choosing their higher education paths knowing the costs of school and the trade-offs necessary to fund it. The College Savings Foundations 9th annual How Youth Plan to Fund College survey of sophomores, juniors and seniors across the country revealed the characteristics of independence and self-reliance that are often attributed to their age group, Generation Z. For example, 86% of high schoolers are looking to pay at least part of their higher education costs. 75% said that costs are a factor in deciding which school to attend, and the majority, 57%, is already saving for it.

High school students are taking responsibility for their education choices and making decisions early in life to support them, said Richard J. Polimeni, CSF Chair. Were encouraged to see that saving is already an important part of their education planning process.

The self-determining characteristics were also displayed in how they will help cover higher ed costs or reduce expenses. 85% of high school students plan to work in college and 62% plan to cut costs by living at home. The majority (51%) of all high school students are currently working to earn money for their higher education.

The findings also revealed that students are thinking about the long-term value of their education. 81% would like to see colleges promote education and skills-training rather than only offering majors for future employment, and 70% would prefer to go to an institution taking that approach. In addition, 63% said that their career plans were affecting their school choice.

Students are talking with their parents about college plans. 82% talk about their involvement in financing college. When speaking to their parents about college-related topics, 43% of students said the number one topic was the career path they want to follow, with 27% saying it was the type of school they wanted to attend.

53% of students surveyed are going to a 4-year college, with 41% going to public and 12% to private college. Over a third  36% of students  are heading to community college (28%) or vocational/career programs (8%).

Students seem to embrace multiple paths to higher education, with the majority, 52%, saying that they think of vocational/career schools and apprenticeship programs in the same way as they do college.

Motivated to Save and Reduce Debt Dependence

The survey found that the majority of high school students, 57%, are actively saving for higher education, primarily in a savings account and in 529 college savings plans. Students have been successful in amassing funds, with 65% already saving $1,000 or more towards higher education costs.

Accordingly, they prioritize monetary gifts to help with that savings. 67% of high school students would rather receive money for education on special occasions rather than tangible gifts.

The majority of students, 52%, said their parents are also saving, primarily in savings accounts and 529 college savings plans. 59% of those whose parents were saving said their parents have saved more than $5,000 and 35% said their parents have saved more than $15,000.

Students focus on saving may be due at least in part to their concern about student debt, which currently exceeds $1.4 trillion in the U.S. 65% think that they will or possibly borrow money outside of a financial aid package, with 43% anticipating needing to borrow more than a quarter of their education costs.

The majority, 54%, is very or somewhat concerned about their ability to pay it back.

Some additional findings of the survey:



Costs impact higher ed decisions in a variety of ways: 65% of students said that costs affected whether they attend college at all. A majority, 52%, said that costs mattered in deciding on whether to attend college part- or full-time.

Students will contribute significantly to the costs of higher ed: A total of 86% -- 36% definitely and 50% possibly  are planning to pay for part or all of their higher education costs. Of those, 64% of them will pay for at least a quarter of their total education costs.

Work is the leading reason to take a gap year: 21% of students are taking a gap year, but 58% of them were doing so to work.

The 2018 How Youth Plan to Fund College survey reached over 500 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors across the country via Survey Monkey. The College Savings Foundation (CSF) is a Washington, D.C.- based not-for-profit organization helping American families achieve their education savings goals. http://www.collegesavingsfoundation.orgWatermark President Kevin Hodges accepts the award for Best Places to Work in the Washington, DC area We believe our diversity and team spirit enables us to formulate the most beneficial and innovative solutions for our clients.

Watermark Risk Management International, a leading provider of innovative security and risk-management consulting services, is pleased to announce that they have earned a Top 10 spot among small businesses selected as the Best Places to Work in the Washington, D.C. Area for 2018. The award, bestowed by the Washington Business Journal, was given to Watermark at a reception held on May 17th at the MGM National Harbor Hotel in Maryland. Honorees were featured in a special supplement in the May 18 issue of the Washington Business Journal.

Watermark was recognized for going above and beyond other regional employers to foster an enjoyable and meaningful work environment for their employees. The company was also recognized for its commitment to diversity and discussion.

It has always been Watermarks intention to provide our clients with the world class support needed to guide them through difficult and challenging issues, said Kevin Hodges, president of Watermark. We accomplish this by hiring passionate and highly skilled subject matter experts who are committed to creating an environment conducive to individual and company growth. We believe our diversity and team spirit enables us to formulate the most beneficial and innovative solutions for our clients. As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and an EEO employer who strongly supports the hiring of military veterans, most of Watermarks employees see their work as a continued service to our countryand we are very proud of that.

Companies that were selected for inclusion in the Washington Business Journal report were judged based on the results of an employee survey, which was administered by Quantum Market Research. The survey evaluated a variety of criteria such as team dynamics and effectiveness, trust in leadership, work engagement, and alignment with company goals.

Employment Opportunities at Watermark Risk Management

Watermark is always seeking exceptional talent. The company currently has both full-time and part-time consulting associate positions available. Watermarks ideal candidate possesses a minimum of five years of risk-management, security, continuity of operations or emergency-management planning experience, or experience in federal government proposal capture, management, or writing. All candidates must possess a strong work ethic, the ability to think and work independently, strong self-confidence, and a sincere interest in solving problems. Professional certifications such as CPP, PSP, BCP, CEM, and CRM are a plus, as is a current DOE or DoD security clearance.

For more information, or to inquire about a position, please e-mail admin@wrmi-llc.com. Watermark keeps all resumes on file, even if the company does not currently have the right opportunity for applicants. Watermark is an EEO employer and strongly supports the hiring of military veterans. For current listings, visit Watermarks careers page.

ABOUT WATERMARK RISK MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC

Watermark, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, is a full-service risk consultancy helping government, public, and private clients identify, understand, and address the risks faced in every aspect of their business. Watermarks highly experienced staff provides expertise on assessments, program and policy development, implementation planning and change management, training, education and professional development, as well as quality assurance and program auditing. In addition, Watermark offers the Focus72 program, a unique crisis-response, business-resiliency, and leadership-development program. Watermark is recognized for providing exceptional value by focusing on the appropriate balance of risk and operational business objectives. For more information about Watermark, please visit http://www.wrmi-llc.com.Broadening the Platform to include any time sensitive emergency will allow EMS providers to have one way to do their job. They no longer need to use different communication tools for different conditions. One tool for any emergency

Pulsara and JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services) are proud to announce the selection of Pulsaras version 7.0 as a Hot Product from the JEMS EMS Today Conference & Exposition, which was held February 2123 in Charlotte, NC.

Prior to this release, Pulsaras communication platform focused on STEMI and Stroke care from EMS to definitive treatment within the hospital. Version 7.0 allows users to dynamically create a patient channel, build any team based on patient need, and communicate.

Broadening the Platform to include any time sensitive emergency will allow EMS providers to have one way to do their job. They no longer need to use different communication tools for different conditions. One tool for any emergency, said James Woodson, Board Certified Emergency Physician and CEO of Pulsara.

Pulsara was selected after a team of twelve judges consisting of emergency medical services (EMS) product specialists, physicians, educators, managers and paramedics reviewed a host of product contenders. The judges reviewed products designed to not only improve the ability to deliver optimal emergency medical care to sick and injured patients, but also allow EMS agencies to do it safely, more efficiently and with enhanced comfort for the patient.

Products were rated on a 15 scale in four distinct categories: 1) Originality; 2) Functionality; 3) Ease of use; and 4) Need in the EMS setting. Pulsara was one of only 30 products selected as Hot Products after the EMS Today Hot Products review team reviewed and rated 64 products submitted by 52 companies.

JEMS Editor-in-Chief and EMS Today Conference Chairman A.J. Heightman said, There were an amazing group of Hot Product submissions for our reviewers to review and rate this year. All of the products reviewed were extremely innovative and well designed for the EMS industry, showing that our industry is keeping pace with the current science of emergency medicine and developing or upgrading their products to stay out in front of the science and technology curve.

The selection of the final 30 Hot Products appears in the June issue of JEMS and can also be viewed at http://www.jems.com/2017-hot-products.

###

ABOUT PULSARA

Inspired by the communication crisis in healthcare, Pulsara provides a real-time communication network across an entire region. The Pulsara platform, built on the power of mobile technology, unites the right clinicians at the right time for the right patient -- providing transparency and streamlined communication when time is essential. Simply CREATE a dedicated patient channel with a simple tap. BUILD the team. And, COMMUNICATE using audio, video, instant messaging, data, images, and key benchmarks. Studies report an average decreased treatment time of nearly 30% when using Pulsara. Pulsara, the evidence-based standard of care. For more information, visit https://www.pulsara.com

ABOUT JEMS

JEMS is the authoritative source of information on prehospital emergency care for EMS providers worldwide. Each month, JEMS presents provocative and challenging articles and columns on clinical breakthroughs, industry news and trends, new products and continuing education. Visit http://www.JEMS.com for more information.

ABOUT EMS TODAY

The EMS Today Conference and Exposition, now in its 38th year, is a leader in providing quality education for emergency medical services. An estimated 4,500 delegates will meet in National Harbor, MD in February 2019. Serving the emergency services community, EMS Today provides professionals with a valuable combination of progressive education and the opportunity to see the latest equipment from leading manufacturers. EMS Today helps develop careers, create networking opportunities and provide an environment where camaraderie, pride of service and dedication to saving lives is celebrated. Visit http://www.emstoday.com for more information.

ABOUT PENNWELL CORPORATION

Founded in 1910 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, PennWell Corporation is a privately held and highly diversified business-to-business media and marketing services company that provides quality content and integrated marketing solutions for the following industries: Oil & gas, electric power generation and delivery, hydropower, renewable energy, water and wastewater, lasers and optoelectronics, fiber-optics, cabling, broadband, aerospace electronics, LEDs and lighting, fire and emergency services and dental. PennWell publishes over 130 print and online magazines and newsletters, conducts 50 conferences and exhibitions on six continents and has an extensive offering of books, maps, websites, research and database services. In addition to PennWell's headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Company has major offices in Nashua, New Hampshire; London, England; Houston, Texas; San Diego, California; Fairlawn, New Jersey; Moscow, Russia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Hong Kong, China. For additional information about PennWell, visit http://www.pennwell.com.DreamJobbing Videographer Opportunity With CloudSurfing We are looking for someone who is passionate about film and photography, and is also self-motivated, energetic, outgoing, creative, and enthusiastic.

Cloudsurfing.life, a digital network for all things food and travel, announced today an open call for videographers to apply for a DreamJobbing.com once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The site is seeking a videographer who loves to travel, enjoys adventure, and desires to build their resume capturing hometown U.S.A. in the first episode of Cloudsurfings All-American Hometown series.

In partnership with DreamJobbing.com, the first travel vlog will be filmed and produced in Wind River Country, Thermopolis, and Kirby, Wyoming this July. Videographers are encouraged to show off their skills and themselves for a chance to win an all expense paid trip to Wind River Country July 12-15, 2018. To apply, upload a one minute video to DreamJobbing.com/dreamjobs/Cloudsurfing.

Applications will be accepted June 5 - July 1, 2018. The winner will be announced on Americas birthday, July 4, 2018.

What type of person are they looking for? Mandy Murry, founder of Cloudsurfing.life says, We are looking for someone who is passionate about film and photography, and is also self-motivated, energetic, outgoing, creative, and enthusiastic.

All of us at DreamJobbing are passionate about travel and inspiring others to go after and find or create their dream job, we are super excited to help Mandy find the perfect candidate to help her with the All-American Hometown series, stated Lisa Hennessy, Co-Founder of DreamJobbing.

Murry chose this area of Wyoming because it showcases Americas roots and is full of off-the-beaten path exploration. Cloudsurfing.life is in the process of choosing future filming locations for the series. Tourism authorities interested in working with the series are encouraged to reach out directly to Murry.

For more information or to apply, visit http://dreamjobbing.com/dreamjobs/cloudsurfing.

About Cloudsurfing.life.

Cloudsurfing.life is a digtial network for all things travel, food, wine, champagne, and lifestyle. Awarded Best Travel Writer 2018, Best Health Writer 2018, Best Travel And Lifestyle USA 2017, and Travel & Lifestyle Blog of the Year USA 2017.

About DreamJobbing.com

DreamJobbing is an opportunity platform created to help people get on the path to their dream career and life. People come to DreamJobbing.com for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exciting full time job opportunities, and the DreamJobbing TV series.Instead of focusing on direct attribution, socials true impact is in the awareness and consideration stages of the funnel.

Marketers are constantly being measured on the quantitative results of their efforts, and social media is no exception. But the true return on investment (ROI) of social media shouldnt be tied directly to dollar signs, according to The Sprout Social Index: Realign and Redefine, released today. Instead of focusing on direct attribution, the research found socials true impact is in the awareness and consideration stages of the funnel.

Sprout Social, a leading provider of social media analytics, engagement and advocacy solutions for business, surveyed more than 3,000 marketers and consumers to understand what true success means in the social media industry and how social marketers are aligning with consumer preferences. Not surprisingly, the findings show marketers are still anxious about the ROI they are getting from their social marketing efforts  55 percent of respondents said measurement is a primary challenge and only 14 percent are able to quantify revenue from social. Clearly, last touch or direct attribution isnt working, and it isnt because of a lack of effort or sophistication of marketers efforts. Data shows that it is time to get back to basics and think long-term relationships, not quick-fix sales. When asked what they want from brands on social, consumers said they prefer educational content and information on new products and services. Put simply, they want brands, which are guests in their social feeds, to provide value.

The impact of social marketing permeates every aspect of an organization today, yet the ability to truly capture the return on social efforts remains a challenge for many marketers, said Jamie Gilpin, Chief Marketing Officer at Sprout Social. By redefining ROI to focus on gains in the top-to-mid funnel and realigning social strategies to reflect consumers desire for content serving the awareness and consideration-stage, marketers will better connect with their audiences and more clearly see their return on investment.

Conclusions from the study offer a tangible approach to create a more measurable, effective social marketing strategy. Key findings include:



Educational content is key for brands on social: Marketers priorities are misaligned with what consumers actually want, except in the area of educational content. Marketers are focused on posts that teach (61 percent), tell a story (58 percent) and inspire (53 percent), while consumers are looking for discounts and sales (73 percent), posts that showcase new products and services (60 percent), and posts that teach them something (59 percent).

When it comes to video, consumers dont want their time wasted: Nearly three-quarters of consumers share brand video content on social. The top factors that impact whether or not a consumer watches a video on social are length of video (61 percent), caption or description of video (51 percent), and whether the video is an ad or not (40 percent). This shows that consumers wont watch a video that is going to take up too much of their time. They want to know what they are about to watch before pressing play, and they care about the authenticity of the video.

Employees are the new influencers: Consumers absorb influencer content across the major social networks at a surprisingly low level, between one and 11 percent. They are also most likely to research a product or service recommended on social by a friend (61 percent), compared to 36 percent if a product or service was recommended by an influencer or celebrity. With limited budgets for influencer marketing programs, marketers are turning to employees to deliver the authenticity people are seeking70 percent use employees as influencers or advocates today, or want to in the future.

Social is a hub for customer care: Social is one of the first channels consumers head to when they have a question or an issuenearly half of consumers have reached out to a brand on social. And with nearly 90 percent of marketers noting the importance of customer service on social, it is clear this is one thing that marketers and consumers agree cannot be left out of a successful social strategy.

Facebook remains a dominant force: Facebook is still the most frequently used channel by consumers (94 percent) and is the top channel for social ad spend. The top reasons people use Facebook are to engage with friends and family, share information with family and friends, and find entertainment. However, 71 percent of consumers like or follow company pages on Facebook, and 39 percent have sent a message to a brand on Facebook, proving brands can still be a part of the conversation.

For more information on the evolution of ROI in social marketing and to download the full data report, click here.

About Sprout Social

Sprout Social offers social media analytics, engagement and advocacy solutions to more than 24,000 leading brands and agencies, including Evernote, adidas, West Elm and Edelman. Sprouts suite of solutions, including Simply Measured and Bambu by Sprout Social, support every aspect of a social program and enable businesses to better connect with their audience, extend their reach and amplify their brand. Headquartered in Chicago, Sprout is a Twitter Official Partner, Facebook Marketing Partner, Instagram Partner Program Member, LinkedIn Company Page Partner and Google+ Pages API Partner. Learn more at sproutsocial.com.

About the Data

The Sprout Social Index is a report compiled and released by Sprout Social. All referenced data is based on 1,253 consumer respondents and 2,060 marketer respondents in the U.S. and Canada. The consumer survey was conducted by Survata, an independent research firm in San Francisco. Survata interviewed 1,253 online respondents between April 12, 2018, and May 1, 2018. For further information, visit http://www.survata.com. The marketer survey was conducted via email, by Google Forms, between April 4, 2018, and May 1, 2018.Jim Stansberry of Project Ninety (left) with Karen Gianuario, COO of Caminar, and Charles "Chip" Huggins, CEO of Caminar. Our organizations share a strong belief in recovery and in the importance of empowering people with essential skills and support to advance wellness and recovery," says Charles "Chip" Huggins, CEO of Caminar.

Two nonprofit behavioral health organizations with decades of service to individuals and families on the Peninsula have joined forces. As of June 1, 2018, Caminar and Project Ninety, both headquartered in San Mateo, have merged, making Project Ninety the newest division of Caminar. By bringing together mental health and substance use treatment programs, Caminar and Project Ninety will strengthen support in San Mateo County for individuals in recovery, especially adults with co-occurring disorders.

Caminar and Project Ninety have collaborated for many years to serve local residents with complex behavioral health needs. The new organization has an operating budget of $37 million and more than 450 employees. Caminar, which serves more than 14,000 individuals annually, also has operations in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Solano and Butte counties. As a division of Caminar, Project Ninety will help to advance the organizations mission: to empower and support individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness and independence.

Caminar has been expanding over the last 18 months through partnerships with established, pioneering behavioral health organizations. In January 2017, Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley, which has been serving children, youth and adults in Santa Clara County since 1948, became a division of Caminar. In May 2018, Caminar acquired Healthy Partnerships, which offers mental health, substance use treatment and DUI programs in Solano County. The addition of Project Ninety continues the organizations strategy of extending its continuums of care to meet the complex needs of individuals and families.

By bringing together Caminars and Project Ninetys expertise and programs, we will enhance care for San Mateo County adults who are living with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, said Charles Chip Huggins, CEO of Caminar. Our organizations share a strong belief in recovery and in the importance of empowering people with essential skills and support to advance wellness and recovery.

Through the merger, two members of Project Ninetys Board of Directors have joined the Board of Directors of Caminar: John M. Bentley Jr. and Ken Koskella. Project Ninety Executive Director Jim Stansberry, who joined the organization in 1989, will assist with the merger transition in a consulting role.

Project Ninety is looking forward to the joint continuation of services to the community and those in San Mateo and the Bay Area, said Jim Stansberry.

Project Ninetys San Mateo County programs are continuing. More information about Caminars growing portfolio of programs is available at http://www.caminar.org.

About Caminar:

Founded in San Mateo, California, in 1964, Caminar serves more than 14,000 individuals annually in San Mateo, Solano, Santa Clara, San Francisco and Butte counties. The nonprofit organizations portfolio of behavioral health and supportive services empowers and supports individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness, and independence.

Find more information at the Caminar website.

About the Project Ninety Division:

For more than four decades, Project Ninety, now a division of Caminar, has served individuals, families and the Bay Area community through its residential alcohol and substance abuse recovery services. The organization operates licensed residential substance abuse treatment programs in San Mateo County.

Find more information at the Project Ninety Division's website.Colorado Land Auction - No Reserve - June 25 Diverse land tracts such as these are becoming rare finds. This land has recreational and hunting characteristics as well as beautiful parcels for a country home and off-grid living, said Michael Krieg, broker with United Country | Real Colorado Properties.

Qualified buyers will have the opportunity to purchase more than 3,300 acres along the western slope of the Colorado Rockies. The select acreage, owned by The High Lonesome Ranch, will be offered during an absolute, online-only auction event Monday, June 25.

United Country Real Estate | Real Colorado Properties is joining forces with United Real Estate Group | Strategic Client Services, LLC to conduct the absolute, online-only auction that will take place at 6 p.m. MDT. The property will be offered in 13 tracts, ranging from approximately 5 to 640 acres.

Located in Garfield and Mesa County, Colorado, these select acreages being offered by The High Lonesome Ranch are truly unique, bridging large ecosystem, making them home to diverse wildlife and vast playgrounds for wilderness activities. The High Lonesome Ranch is a private conservation organization working to restore, conserve and steward a large western landscape, which contributes to a western wildway for wildlife to roam and thrive stretching from Mexico to Canada.

Diverse land tracts such as these are becoming rare finds. This land has recreational and hunting characteristics as well as beautiful parcels for a country home and off-grid living, said Michael Krieg, broker with UCRE | Real Colorado Properties. These categories of land uses will appeal to a variety of sale day bidders. Our auction process will be the multi-parcel offering which allows everyone to participate and bid on the tract of their preference.

This is an ideal opportunity for any hunter or conservationist, added Krieg. With a diverse population of wildlife ranging from deer and ducks to mountain lions and bears, this is a rare western Colorado offering at auction prices.

Detailed information about the property for sale, as well as details about the auction, can be found online at http://www.HighLonesomeRanchAuction.com.

About United Country

United Country Real Estate  a division of the United Real Estate Group  is the leading, fully integrated network of conventional and auction real estate professionals. The company has been an innovator in lifestyle and country real estate marketing since 1925. United Country supports nearly 500 offices and 4,000 real estate professionals across four continents, with a unique, comprehensive marketing program that includes the highest ranked and largest portfolios of specialty property marketing websites, the largest real estate marketing services company, an extensive buyer database of more than 700,000 opt-in buyers and exclusive global advertising of properties.The move to join Ellevate expands the professional development resources available to Zurich employees through the global insurers Womens Innovation Network (WIN), a Zurich employee resource group. We believe that engaging employees with the professional development resources Ellevate provides fosters a culture of diversity and inclusion and ultimately leads to greater innovation.

Zurich North America has joined the Ellevate Network, a leading network for professional women. The move expands the professional development resources available to Zurich employees through the global insurers Womens Innovation Network (WIN), a Zurich employee resource group. Open to all employees, WIN aims to support gender equity at Zurich by providing a professional network for inspiration, development and connecting with colleagues.

The move is aligned with Zurichs position that diversity and inclusion is vital to its business. The company is committed to creating a workplace environment that nurtures its people and sees the value that diverse and inclusive teams bring to its organization and the insurance industry.

Zurichs collaboration with Ellevate is part of our commitment to help Zurich employees reach their full potential, said Lori Bailey, Head of WIN, North America and Global Head of Cyber Risk for Zurich Insurance. We view this as a fantastic opportunity to further develop the leadership skills of our employees and to share these skills within the Zurich network.

We're thrilled to be working with Zurich North America and WIN, said Ellevate Network CEO Kristy Wallace. We believe that engaging employees with the professional development resources Ellevate provides fosters a culture of diversity and inclusion and ultimately leads to greater innovation. Its a pleasure to collaborate with a company that cares about their employees and believes in cultivating those employees' potential.

As part of the new relationship with Ellevate, Zurich has initially chosen 50 employees to receive a Zurich-funded Ellevate membership. The 50 employees were chosen in recognition of their contributions to WIN, as well as to Zurich. The benefits of this membership include but are not limited to:



Local Networking Events including workshops to develop leadership, management, and business skills as well as mentoring meet-ups with women to share experiences and advice;

Professional Development Resource Library with access to articles, webinars, podcasts, videos, and livestream events;

Intentional Networking with like-minded women at the same stage of their career and customized by industry, affinity group, location, school, company and job. In addition, each will have the ability to join a squad which is a mastermind group of women at the same stage of their career; and

Thought Leadership including learning how to position oneself as a thought leader by writing articles for Ellevate or other publications.

In addition to providing memberships for 50 employees, the Ellevate Network provides a number of resources for all Zurich employees. Various webcasts and in-person events and programs will be open to all employees to attend, helping foster further inclusion and development.

WIN is focused on creating insights into business success while providing networking opportunities with accomplished colleagues and industry experts. While women are the main audience, men are also welcome to get involved, as many issues affect both. The group is open to all current Zurich employees. Zurichs WIN has membership at our Corporate Center in Zurich, Switzerland, in more than 40 locations across North America, and in over 25 countries around the world. WIN events often offer live online participation from Zurich offices across North America.

About Zurich

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With about 53,000 employees, it provides a wide range of property and casualty, and life insurance products and services in more than 210 countries and territories. Zurichs customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, as well as multinational corporations. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. The holding company, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information about Zurich is available at http://www.zurich.com.

In North America, Zurich is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance provider serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market, specialties and programs sectors through the individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company. Life insurance and disability coverage issued in the United States in all states except New York is issued by Zurich American Life Insurance Company, an Illinois domestic life insurance company. In New York, life insurance and disability coverage is issued by Zurich American Life Insurance Company of New York, a New York domestic life insurance company. For more information about the products and services it offers and people Zurich employs around the world go to http://www.zurichna.com. 2012 marked Zurich's 100-year anniversary of insuring America and the success of its customers, shareholders and employees.

About Ellevate Network

Ellevate Network is a global network of professional women committed to elevating each other through education, inspiration, and opportunity. Our mission is to close the gender achievement gap in business by providing women with a community to lean on and learn from. Ellevate also works with companies committed to gender diversity and has a proven track record of changing business culture from the inside out.Since the early 1980s, Bielat Santore & Company has recommended Fleming White Appraisals, Inc. for accurate commercial appraisals. Originated nearly 50 years by Carl Fleming, Michael White joined his uncle Carl as an appraiser and eventually became his partner. Specializing in commercial and residential real estate appraisals, the company also provides various services including valuations, lease analysis, litigation and condemnation to name a few. With thousands of appraisals under their belts, including hundreds of restaurant evaluations, the Colonia, New Jersey based company has both the experience and market data to complete any appraisal assignment.

Michael Whites career in the appraisal business began in 1975, shortly after graduating from high school. In an effort to assist his uncle, who injured his arm, White offered to drive him to all of his appointments, where Fleming saw his potential in the business. White was invited by Fleming to work at the company and in July 1975, White made his first appraisal of a house in Little Silver, New Jersey. Back then we were mainly doing residential and commercial appraisals, said White. You didnt need a license in those days as long as you had customers who believed you could do it. Upon graduating from college in 1979, Fleming offered White a position with his company and by 1989, the two made their partnership official.

Today, Fleming White Appraisals Inc. is proudly approaching 10,000 total appraisals, including over 500 restaurant appraisals. Getting to this stage in my career, Ive appraised buildings when they were first built, said White. I wish I kept photographs from years ago in the 70s and 80s. While the partners primary territory has been New Jersey for years, White admits that he often comes across places hes never seen before. You have to have a strong understanding of the market so I decided to focus in New Jersey, said White.

There are many factors to be considered when appraising a property, such as the condition of the real estate and the surrounding area. I look for problems, said White. Were not building inspectors. I look for obvious things like if it is maintained nicely. White also explains the importance of the location of the property. I look around outside and research the market that the property is in; whats happening and if there are other buildings planned to be built or constructed, said White. Good thing about living in the area is I know more about what is going on. The most fun part of the job is I love going out and seeing places and talking to people, said White. White documents his visits with photos, a physical description of the property, measurements of each room, and a floor plan if it is not already supplied by the owner to include in a report. We look at the property independently and determine the value to see if it is sufficient to make the loan on the property, said White.

Above all, White stresses that the number one thing his company looks for when appraising a commercial property is finding the right comparable sales for the property or specialty restaurant. Restaurants are a very specific and unique use, said White. I feel we really need to use restaurant sales to measure comparable sales. When selling a restaurant, it is important for the appraiser to know the specifics of the sale including the motivation between the buyer and seller as well as whats included in the sale. I know a lot of people in the business, specifically brokers, who will talk to me and give me these details, said White. Without that, it can overstate or understate the value of the restaurant. Along with commercial and industrial appraisals, Fleming White Appraisals Inc. also specializes in green and sustainable buildings as they have been recognized by the Appraisal Institute in green and sustainable homes and solar energy. The way the buildings are constructed is very innovative, said White. Its a growing market; something that is very interesting to me and I try to stay on top of it.

White is excited about what is to come in the family business for him and his uncle - Fleming is currently in his late 80s and still does the occasional appraisal, while two of his sons continue to work in the business as well. The last year or two has been a very active year, said White. We get a lot of work towards the end of the year because people want to close within the year. All signs are pointing to another active year in 2018!

Fleming White Appraisals Inc. is located at 2 Ridge Lane in Colonia, New Jersey. For all inquiries, contact 732.388.2177.

About Bielat Santore & Company

Bielat Santore & Company is an established commercial real estate firm. The companys expertise lies chiefly within the restaurant and hospitality industry, specializing in the sale of restaurants and other food and beverage real estate businesses. Since 1978, the principals of Bielat Santore & Company, Barry Bielat and Richard Santore, have sold more restaurants and similar type properties in New Jersey than any other real estate company. Furthermore, the firm has secured in excess of $500,000,000 in financing to facilitate these transactions. Visit the companys website, http://www.123bsc.com for the latest in new listings, property searches, available land, market data, financing trends, RSS feeds, press releases and more.Mobile Home Restore: Before and After

Anvil Paints & Coatings, Inc. is delighted to announce that Mobile Home Restore, a coating specifically designed to protect mobile home exteriors from wear-and-tear, is now available to customers across the United States.

Mobile Home Restore is a fast drying paint conditioner that brings color luster back to vertical mobile home surfaces. It applies a tough, flexible film to external walls, which has excellent resistance to scrubbing, pressure washing and harsh weather conditions. The product protects and seals vertical manufactured home surfaces for up to 3 years.

Mobile Home Restore is easy to apply and does not require the assistance of a professional painter. Apply the product with a roller, brush or sponge at a thin even rate; avoid allowing it to run down the surface. If applied with a sponge, make sure to wear gloves to avoid touching the sealant. The coating applies milky white to aid in even application but dries clear. A homeowner can paint over Mobile Home Restore within two hours of application, and it will act as a primer for water-based paints.

The US Census estimates that 20 million Americans live in mobile homes. This high volume of residents makes manufactured homes a significant sector of the US housing market. Mobile homeowners unfortunately do not have a strong selection of products to choose from that are specifically designed to protect the exteriors of their dwellings. Anvil would like to serve this demographic by offering a product designed to revitalize the outside walls of these types of homes. Anvil designed Mobile Home Restore to accomplish this goal and give mobile homeowners pride in the beauty of their abode. This feature can also save homeowners money by extending the life of a paint job, which can cost manufactured homeowners hundreds, and mobile home park owners thousands of dollars to refurbish.

Our products continue to provide high-quality results at an affordable price, said Kurt Schwahn, President of Anvil Paints and Coatings, Inc. Anvil continues to meet the needs of contractors and homeowners alike with our selection of products.

About Anvil Paints & Coatings, Inc.

Founded 50 years ago, Anvil Paints & Coatings is one of the nations premiere manufacturers of premium quality coatings and specialty paints. The Largo, Florida-based company began with a single specialty coating product designed for tile roofs popular in the Southern Florida region. Anvil is now a part of the John R. Burt Enterprises family of companies, which includes Duro-Last, Inc. Anvil currently sells over 65 different products in 320 SKUs across the nation. Anvils core product categories include roof coatings, concrete floor coatings and wall texture products. For more information on Anvil, call 800-822-6776 or visit anvilpaints.com.Our entire organization is excited about the move to Grapevine and the opportunity for growth it provides...We look forward to this new phase in our journey as we make Grapevine the new home for our global headquarters," says Chris Stone, President & CEO of The Trade Group.

The Trade Group, one of the nations leading event marketing and creative design firms, will be celebrating its relocation to 2060 Enchanted Way, Grapevine, Texas with a groundbreaking ceremony at the site on Friday, June 8 at 10:30 a.m. Currently based in Carrollton, Texas, the companys ongoing expansion plans, combined with the prime location and economic appeal of Grapevine, prompted the move.

According to Chris Stone, President and CEO of The Trade Group, Our entire organization is excited about the move to Grapevine and the opportunity for growth it provides. We look forward to this new phase in our journey as we make Grapevine the new home for our global headquarters. The relocation to Grapevine will play an integral role in the companys growth over the next several years.

The Trade Groups Grapevine location will provide substantially more space than the companys existing 120,000 sq. ft. facility. The state-of-the-art global headquarters will expand from one story to two and include a planned 200,000 sq. ft. once complete. Along with expanded space for graphics production, fabrication, staff offices and the warehouse, the Grapevine facility will also include an onsite cafe and modern, casual meeting spaces for employees.

Local dignitaries, including Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate, will join the ownership team as well as other representatives from The Trade Group for the celebration. Says Tate, The City of Grapevine maintains a strategic focus on attracting, retaining and growing quality businesses in our community, and I am thrilled to add The Trade Group to our growing group of companies headquartered in Grapevine.

Founded in 1986, The Trade Group has grown from a handful of employees to more than 150 today. Originally known for its award winning work in the trade show and live event space, the company has also established itself as an expert, innovator and full-service provider in the esports industry. The company recently joined forces with LST Marketing to form eGency Global, a firm specializing in everything esports, including event production, customer/fan engagement, sponsorship and talent marketing, data analytics, media and strategic marketing.

According to Bob Farley, Economic Development Director for the City of Grapevine, The Trade Group will be a welcome addition to the city. As he explains, Innovation and imagination help define what makes Grapevine unique and we are proud to have another company that so strongly represents those values.

To learn more about The Trade Group or the upcoming groundbreaking celebration in Grapevine, please call 800-343-2005.

About The Trade Group

The Trade Group is an award winning, full-service event marketing and creative design firm, specializing in trade shows, esports events and activations, corporate events, brand activations, retail merchandising, commercial graphics and experiential solutions. Since 1986, their team of live event, design and engineering experts has helped thousands of clients amplify their brands and successfully navigate a wide range of events and experiences. Clients rely on The Trade Group for: event ideation, creation and production; esports expertise; exhibit design and fabrication; graphic design and production; strategic marketing solutions; technology integration and more.We are thrilled to be able to continue supporting the US Air Force at Nellis AFB through the ADAIR II contract.

Draken International has been awarded the $280 million Adversary Air (ADAIR) II contract to provide adversary air services at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada through December 2023. Adversary air, or Red Air, is training that simulates real-world threat scenarios. As the sole provider of adversary support for the USAF, Drakens team of highly qualified pilots fly the companys advanced fighter aircraft to simulate non-western tactics against USAF assets.

To support this contract, Draken will provide over 5,600 annual flight hours supporting combat readiness training. These aggressor missions include beyond-visual-range engagements, operational test support, dissimilar air combat maneuvers, offensive and defensive within-visual-range maneuvers, as well as advanced multi-ship tactics.

The Nellis ADAIR program, utilizing contract air services for Red Air training, began as an 800-hour proof-of-concept in the fall of 2015. The program has evolved considerably since that time and over the next five years, Draken will continue to expand its presence at Nellis AFB including daily flight schedules of 18-24 commercial ADAIR sorties supporting the USAF Weapons School, operational test missions, Red Flag exercises, Formal Training Unit syllabus rides from Luke AFB, as well as combat readiness training missions out of Hill AFB in Utah.

In addition to Luke, Hill and Nellis, Draken has also completed numerous successful deployments to Holloman AFB, Edwards AFB, MCAS Yuma, MCAS Cherry Point, MCAS Miramar, and NAS Patuxent River. The company has also supported training missions worldwide for our allied NATO partners, including operations in France and Leeuwarden Air Base in The Netherlands.

As the only commercial adversary operator with certified tactical fighters employing advanced radars and 4th generation capabilities, Drakens A-4 Skyhawks equipped with APG-66 radars and L-159 Honey Badgers with GRIFO-L radars have proven to be highly effective adversaries for the USAF, ANG, USMC and international partners. The company recently added 22 Mirage F-1M/B and 12 Cheetahs to its fleet, furthering its commitment to expand capacity and capabilities. Both fleets of supersonic, radar equipped jets are extremely low-time, affording Draken the ability to provide the warfighter highly effective 4th generation adversary training for decades to come.

Drakens continued efforts to invest in aircraft modernization will ultimately provide the warfighter credible and challenging threat representation. Drakens entire fleet of A-4s, L-159s, F-1M/Bs, and Cheetahs are currently going through a modernization program referred to as RED STORM. The RED STORM modernization program includes a number of enhancements including a helmet-mounted cueing system, high off-boresight captive training missile, and datalink technology, resulting in a force multiplying architecture of advanced capabilities.

Draken CEO Jared Isaacman stated, We are thrilled to be able to continue supporting the US Air Force at Nellis AFB through the ADAIR II contract. With an ever-growing fleet of capable, cost-effective fighter aircraft, we will continue to enhance our capabilities to provide realistic, threat representative ADAIR for the USAF and Joint partners alike.

About Draken International

Draken International is the worlds largest operator of ex-military aircraft. The company is based out of Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL. The organization sets a new standard in airborne adversary support, flight training, threat simulation, electronic warfare support, aerial refueling, research, testing, as well as other missions uniquely suited to their fleet of aircraft. With over 150 tactical fighter aircraft incorporating modern 4th generation capabilities, the company is uniquely positioned to answer the growing global demand for commercial air services. Draken employs world class, military trained fighter pilots including USAF Weapons School Instructors, Fighter Weapons School Graduates, TOP GUN Instructors, Air Liaison Officers, and FAC-A Instructors. For additional information, visit http://www.drakenintl.com.Sovos Intelligence Compliance Tax enforcement will soon touch every major transactional and purchasing process, and as companies invest in the next wave of SAP solutions, theyre quickly realizing that the way theyve handled tax was largely not built for this new era of digital enforcement.

Sovos, a leading global provider of tax software, announced today that it is accepting early adopter applications for global tax determination on SAP S/4HANA Cloud platform. The company also revealed that it is prepared to support S/4HANA for tax determination, e-invoicing compliance and tax reporting.

Tax enforcement will soon touch every major transactional and purchasing process, and as companies invest in the next wave of SAP solutions, theyre quickly realizing that the way theyve handled tax was largely not built for this new era of digital enforcement, said Pawel Smolarkiewicz, chief product officer for Sovos. Weve been focused forward, using our deep knowledge of SAP solutions and our modern cloud software platform to prepare businesses for a world where tax is part of every transaction in SAP S/4HANA and S/4HANA Cloud. With todays announcement, were ready to start preparing customers for that world as they move to these solutions.

Working with SAP since 1995, Sovos is certified for several SAP solutions, and the company supports more than 500 global businesses that run SAP. The companys work on S/4HANA comes as businesses worldwide are planning to move to SAPs newest ERP versions where they are likely to encounter tax requirements that can have significant impacts on their ERP implementation projects, according to Sovos CTO John Landy.

Traditionally, tax enforcement has happened offline through audits, but it is increasingly moving to the transaction level, pushing the limits of every financial system, Landy said. Sovos is uniquely built to help businesses solve this problem because we have both a complete tax solution and a flexible, cloud software platform to enable it anywhere our clients need it, including in SAP solutions.

The Sovos Intelligent Compliance Cloud, which the company announced last year, automates three major areas of tax -- 1) tax determination for indirect taxes like VAT, GST and sales and use tax; 2) e-invoicing compliance for both post-audit signature and archiving requirements as well as real-time clearance; and 3) tax reporting.

Leveraging the S/4HANA Cloud, Sovos is aiming to shape the future of modern tax and inviting enterprises ready to automate tax compliance to test drive the solution. Companies can register for the early adopter program at https://sovos.com/s4-hana-early-adopter-program/

Serving more than half of the Fortune 500, Sovos has a long, successful history of ERP integrations that eliminate the need for companies to allocate resources to proactively monitor and respond to each countrys regulatory changes. Now that the Sovos Intelligent Compliance Cloud is combined with Sovos S/4HANA Cloud integration, companies can realize centralized compliance, reducing the risks and burdens associated with todays digital tax landscape.

About Sovos

Sovos is a leading global provider of software that safeguards businesses from the burden and risk of modern tax. As governments and businesses go digital, businesses face increased risks, costs and complexity. The Sovos Intelligent Compliance Cloud combines world-class regulatory analysis with a secure and reliable cloud software platform to create a global solution for tax determination, e-invoicing compliance and tax reporting. Sovos supports 4,500 customers, including half of the Fortune 500, and integrates with a wide variety of business applications. Headquartered in Boston, Sovos has offices throughout North America, Latin America and Europe. Sovos is owned by London-based Hg. For more information visit http://www.sovos.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.Visit AMR in Booth 318 at AHIP 2018! We attend AHIP with a focus on fostering existing partnerships and nurturing new ones. As an Independent Review Organization (IRO), AMR brings value to the delivery of quality healthcare by providing specific recommendations regarding the appropriateness of a patients care.

The 2018 America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Institute & Expo will take place in San Diego, California, June 20-22. Advanced Medical Reviews (AMR), a designated AHIP Affiliate Organization Member, is proud to return as an AHIP exhibitor in booth 318. This conference provides the opportunity for healthcare professionals across the country to come together and engage in creative, collaborative thinking to develop and present a brighter future for patients and providers. AMR is excited to meet with 4,000 other health care professionals to discuss advancements in patient care.

The AHIP Institute is one the largest and most respected health insurance conferences, bringing together industry experts, managers and executives, as well as innovative voices in health insurance. The key points of emphasis for this years conference include industry disruption and product innovation, value-based care strategies, navigating health reform and market transition, and more. The 2018 conference includes speeches by a wide range of health care leaders and stakeholders, as well as former President George W. Bush, who will participate in an exclusive conversation with the attendees.

We look forward to exhibiting at AHIP each year, says Dan Perlow, Vice-President of Strategic Partnerships, Being able to attend this years show in San Diego, close to our main offices, provides us with a great opportunity to bring our entire team of Account Execs. AMR will be represented by VPs of Enterprise Accounts, Jeff Schulze and Nelson Dunham, VPs of Strategic Partnerships, Dan Perlow and Amanda Marfise, Director of Client Success Natalya Dawkins, and Senior Account Manager Norma Nevarez.

Nelson Dunham, VP of Enterprise Accounts, adds, We attend AHIP with a focus on fostering existing partnerships and nurturing new ones. As an Independent Review Organization (IRO), AMR brings value to the delivery of quality healthcare by providing specific recommendations regarding the appropriateness of a patients care. This is achieved through quality partnerships with payers, and quality is at the core of our beliefs- we believe every patient should receive quality healthcare.

AMR is a leading provider of IRO and UM reviews, with URAC accreditation as an Independent Review Organization for Comprehensive Internal and External Reviews and as a Health Utilization Management Company. AMR also achieved HITRUST CSF certification in 2017, as part of its commitment to strengthening cybersecurity and protecting PHI. Using unmatched technology and a network of health care specialists, AMR provides independent medical reviews that benefit patients, private practices, insurance companies, hospitals and other health care facilities.

About Advanced Medical Reviews

AMR delivers physician-led peer reviews to a diverse group of healthcare and legal organizations, including commercial plans, Medicare, and Medicaid. Our commitment is to provide clients with fully integrated, compliant, and cost-effective services emphasizing continuous quality improvement, innovation, and client satisfaction. At AMR, we believe every patient should receive quality healthcare.

Website: http://www.admere.com

Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-medical-reviews.

Follow: @Amr_reviewsIdentityMind Global, Digital Identities You Can Trust, today announced the immediate availability of Version 2.0 of its award-winning, trusted digital identities platform for risk and compliance. The new platform is focused on advancing transaction monitoring for anti-money laundering (AML) through the introduction of a user-centric, risk-based approach, which regulators favor. It is designed to provide users with the industrys most accurate and efficient AML compliance results through dynamic modeling, a transparent access framework, and contextual identity analysis designed to help supercharge a companys compliance efforts.

Version 2.0 of our market tested and globally proven platform introduces fundamental changes to our user interface and analytics making users behind transactions, and their digital representation, the centerpiece for evaluation and analysis of compliance and risk mitigation operations, said Garrett Gafke, CEO, IdentityMind Global. It is the only platform based on digital identities that centers on the knowledge of the user at the forefront of the analysis.

Version 2.0 represents the culmination of years of research in digital identities, machine learning, anomaly detection, regulatory compliance, product development and close consultation with IdentityMind clients. It enables clients compliance and risk analysts to put in place a risk-based approach based on the understanding of the user behind the transaction.

According to Gafke, IdentityMinds Version 2.0 is:



Dynamic: It adapts to the current conditions of the users, the environment, and it learns from the activity that is taking place.

Contextual: It understands that one set of users are significantly behaving differently compared to other users. For example, it understands that the price of Bitcoin is more volatile today than tomorrow is relevant to understanding the risk of a given transaction or user.

Transparent: Risk and compliance analysts need to be able to understand why a system took a certain decision, and they need to be able to adjust when necessary.

According to IdentityMind, a risk-based approach is a methodology that reduces the cost of compliance. This methodology is favored by regulators as stated in the Bank Secrecy Act in the United States and more widely recommended by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The premise is that it enables organizations to be more effective by applying risk mitigation techniques commensurate to the risks identified.

Version 2.0 also puts to rest the build vs. buy conundrum some companies face in their compliance and risk operations. Homebuilt, proprietary solutions require significant human and capital resources to build and maintain for their fraud, risk and compliance operations. IdentityMinds SaaS-based solution on the other hand delivers new, powerful features non-stop while enabling analysts to focus on their core competencies and responsibilities.

Version 2.0 has been designed to meet all the regulatory compliance requirements and needs of existing clients and markets IdentityMind addresses including:

Financial institutions: Providing the industrys first cryptocurrency risk-based transaction monitoring for AML.

Credit unions and community banks: Facilitate mandatory compliance to avoid monetary and reputational damage.

Money services businesses (MSBs): Helps MSBs protect their platforms by meeting compliance requirements and protecting against money laundering.

Cryptocurrency exchanges: Enables cryptocurrency exchanges to perform transaction monitoring on crypto transactions. IdentityMind supports many digital currencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and others.

Marketplaces: Provides a digital identity, risk-based approach on the reputation of people who interact with each other on marketplaces.

Features of Version 2.0 include:

Generate alerts: Takes a risk-based approach, user centric alerts and historical deviation (IQR).

Optimized UI: Enables analysts to effectively review alerts using anomaly detection, transaction history and views into money transfer, peer group comparisons, and IQR historical view.

Decision by date (SLAs): Helps meet regulatory deadlines for SAR filings.

Case management: Provides optimized view for investigators, email communication and and workflow.

Cryptocurrency risk assessment: Provides risk flags, risk scores (range), real-time alerts, transaction monitoring policies, graphical view of transactions.

Reporting: Delivers AML program reports for auditors and examiners.

IdentityMinds Version 2.0 platform provides a risk and digital identity-based solution that helps determine the appropriate risk level of each user, said Julie Conroy, Research Director for Aite Groups Retail Banking & Payments practice. In doing so, IdentityMind helps businesses protect against illicit activities, provide actionable insights into their AML program, realize greater operational efficiencies, and meet regulatory requirements.

We have been using the IdentityMind platform since we started our operations, said Martin Kopacz, Compliance Officer, Xapo. It provides the needed services for implementing a KYC and AML cost-effective, risk-based approach worldwide. IdentityMind team has demonstrated commitment to our team by working on specific features that meet our operational needs.

Resources

About IdentityMind Global

IdentityMind Global, Digital Identities You Can Trust, provides a SaaS platform that builds, maintains and analyzes digital identities worldwide, allowing companies to perform identity proofing, risk-based authentication, regulatory identification, and to detect and prevent identity fraud. Built-in transaction monitoring enables e-commerce fraud prevention, anti-money laundering (AML), and counter terrorism financing (CTF). Our patented eDNA technology securely tracks the entities involved in each transaction (e.g. onboarding, account origination, money transfers, online payments, etc.) to build unique digital identity trust reputations. This reputation is anonymously shared between customers in IdentityMinds Global Identity Network. For more information, visit IdentityMind on Web, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Blog, and Google+.

 2018 IdentityMind Global. All rights reserved. IdentityMind Global and the IdentityMind logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of IdentityMind Global in the United States and other countries. All other brand, service or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or owners.

Media Contacts

Dan Rampe

Director of Corporate Communications

IdentityMind Global

Tel: 415-205-9378

Email: drampe(at)identitymind.comIn anticipation of the traffic jams and parking madness that accompany the annual Los Angeles Pride celebrations, Pavemint has decided to offer limited free parking to people who are attending the festival and parade in West Hollywood on Saturday, June 9th and Sunday, June 10th.

Pavemint believes that hassles like looking for parking shouldnt keep Angelenos from coming together to celebrate. The companys core philosophy of helping people #ArriveHappier fits well with their belief that Los Angeles is a city that thrives on diversity and inclusion.

Featured events at this years LA Pride include the One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival, Sundays annual Pride Parade, as well as musical performances over the weekend by Kehlani, Tove Lo, Icona Pop, and many more.

The City of West Hollywood will also be celebrating Pride Week during the days leading up to the festival, so Pavemint recommends reserving parking in advance at one of their many spaces near West Hollywood Park and using Waze or Google Maps to avoid road closures and delays.

To book parking in WeHo for the weekend and show your Pride at the festival rather than in traffic, visit Pavemints Pride Event Page and enter promo code: PRIDE18 at checkout for a free reservation at any space under $30.

About LA Pride:

Christopher Street West (CSW), a 501(c)3 non-profit, organized the worlds first permitted parade advocating for gay rights on June 28, 1970, as a response to and in commemoration of the Stonewall Rebellion on Christopher Street in New York City the year prior. Since then, it has built a rich history as an active voice for the LGBTQ+ community across the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Today it continues to produce the LA Pride Parade and Festival every June in the City of West Hollywood. CSW also organizes a number of events throughout the year with its non-profit, philanthropic, community, and corporate partners.

About Pavemint:

Pavemint is a platform that connects people looking for parking with residents and business owners who have spaces to share. Similar to concepts like ridesharing and bikesharing, Pavemint seeks to utilize and unlock existing resources in high-traffic urban areas. By building an on-demand economy, Pavemint creates new streams of income for residents, decreases traffic, lowers CO2 emissions, and eliminates the stresses of parking, helping cities to become cleaner and safer. The iOS app launched in October 2017 with over 4,000 parking spaces in some of the most difficult areas to find parking in LA.

Pavemint, LLC is headquartered in Hollywood, California and incorporated in Texas.

Press Contact:

Lauren Hoover

213-444-9055

Lauren(at)pavemint.com

http://www.pavemint.com

instagram.com/pavemint

twitter.com/pavemint

facebook.com/pavemintI believe one of the most exciting potentials for smart contracts is to experiment in more creative ways to run decentralized organizations autonomously, and Colony is building towards that ambitious vision.

Colony, the Ethereum blockchain based project building a platform for the future of work, has launched a global hackathon to coincide with the release of the colonyJS library. Supported by the Colony team, participants will get access to new tools, with submissions judged between June 2528 by a panel of 16 expert judges including Alex Van de Sande of the Ethereum Foundation, Ryan Selkis of Messari, and Taylor Monahan of MyCrypto.

The hackathon is in partnership with Maker and Gitcoin as part of a collaboration that will see a $25K prize pool paid in decentralized stable coin, Dai, via the Gitcoin platform. In addition, Blockgeeks will provide educational partner support as Colony champions the next wave of dApp developers.

Alex Van de Sande of the Ethereum Foundation and Hackathon judge said:

Developers are vitally important to the better, fairer, more decentralized future we are all working towards, and hackathons are a great way to bring exciting new talent into our ecosystem. I believe one of the most exciting potentials for smart contracts is to experiment in more creative ways to run decentralized organizations autonomously, and Colony is building towards that ambitious vision.

Colony is building open source tools for a more open, collaborative, decentralized future of work. Starting with mechanisms for division of labour, token incentives, and a reputation system which quantifies the expertise of contributors to a project; colonyJS provides Javascript developers with powerful blockchain functionality, without needing to directly manipulate complex smart contracts. The projects white paper states:

We envisage this protocol being integrated into a variety of applications. It could form the basis of a decentralised ridesharing service, claims handling in an insurance dApp, or to provide the framework by which a merchants guild coordinates in a virtual world.

The release of the colonyJS library is the first step in the Build with Colony strategy, with more tools scheduled for release over the coming months. These tools provide sophisticated operational and governance frameworks for Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) ahead of the projects launch on Ethereum mainnet later this year.

Collin Vine, Colony Co-Founder, said:

The release of the colonyJS library is a key milestone in the projects Build with Colony vision, and we felt there was no more fitting way to celebrate this than by inviting developers to collaborate with our new tools in a distributed global hackathon.

We are building tools to enable a more open, meritocratic future of work, and we're thrilled to have the support of such amazing judges and partners working with us on this mission.

The whole team is excited about getting involved and seeing how our new tools are used by the developer community.

About Colony:

https://colony.io/

Colony is an Ethereum blockchain based project building open source tools for a more open, collaborative, decentralized future of work.

Founded in 2014, Colony is a team of 20, distributed across more than 10 countries. The project aims to complete its mainnet release this year.

About the Colony Hackathon:

https://colony.io/hackathon

The Colony Hackathon is open for submissions from June 5th24th, with the judging process taking place from June 25th28th of June.The court understood our clients role in this; there was no fraud, and certainly no liability for the insureds losses.

Larry Bowman and Don Waltz, attorneys in the Dallas office of Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC, successfully defended John P. Duvall, an insurance broker in a complex case involving allegations of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. The trial court granted their Motion for Summary Judgement, which was later upheld on appeal.

The plaintiff in the case, Jon Jessen, purchased $70,000,000 worth of life insurance policies between May and September of 2008 from Duvall. Jessen was advised by his long-time tax attorney and financial advisor, Joseph Bond, that this would provide tax benefits and estate planning protections in the event of Jessens premature death. Jessen maintains that Bond told him the investments were a safe place to deposit substantial sums for a few years and that the policies could be sold for a profit on a secondary or viatical market.

The financial markets collapsed in September 2008, and Jessen lost more than $3,200,000 by the time the last policy was sold in late 2011. Jessen filed suit on September 30, 2013, against Bond and his law firm, every insurance company that sold the policies, as well as insurance agent Duvall, claiming a conspiracy was involved.

The plaintiff took a calculated risk buying $70 million in life insurance as an investment, said Larry Bowman, a director in the Dallas office of Kane Russell Coleman Logan. When the risk didnt pay off, he sued everyone in sight to try and recoup his losses, but thats just not how it works. The court understood our clients role in this; there was no fraud, and certainly no liability for the insureds losses.

Kane Russell Coleman Logan is a full-service law firm with offices in Dallas and Houston. Formed in 1992 with five lawyers, today KRCL employs more than 80 attorneys. The Firm provides professional services for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to medium-sized public and private companies to entrepreneurs. KRCL handles transactional, litigation and bankruptcy matters in Texas and throughout the country.

SOURCE: Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC

TRIAL COURT: 61st District Court, Harris County, TX

CAUSE NO. 2013-58328

APPELLATE COURT: Fourteenth Court of Appeals

CAUSE NO: 14-16-00869-CvInspired by Hawaiian history, myths and culture that D.R. Pollock learned about while living in Hawaii, Pollocks new historical novel, Koa Kai: The Story of Zachary Bower and the Conquest of the Hawaiian Islands (published by Archway Publishing), brings them all together with a mix of adventure, romance, sadness and joy. In the novel, a boy from New England is unwittingly thrust into the army of Kamehameha and the wars to unite the Hawaiian Islands during the late eighteenth century. The novel is available for purchase at: https://www.amazon.com/Koa-Kai-Zachary-Conquest-Hawaiian/dp/1480859362.

After his mother dies, Zachary Bower goes to his aunts home in New London, Connecticut. While there, he joins the crew of the barque Setauket for a voyage around Cape Horn to Spanish California. Upon reaching California, he is separated from his ship pressed into service as a crew member on the Schooner Fair American bound for Hawaii. When Fair American is captured by the Hawaiians, Zachary becomes a captive soldier in Kamehamehas campaigns. After several years in Hawaii, he is retrieved from Hawaii and returns to New London at the end of the story.

The story shows that the concept of aloha, allowed love and kindness to exist even though the Hawaiians were immersed in war and violence, Pollock explains. With the discontent and violence featured on the news every day, an understanding of and practice of aloha could go a long way to mending wounds.

Koa Kai

By D.R. Pollock

Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 306 pages | ISBN 9781480859340

Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 306 pages | ISBN 9781480859364

E-Book | 306 pages | ISBN 9781480859357

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

D.R. Pollock has been an avid sailor for over 50 years, including a crewmember for one year on Elissa, the Texas Tall Ship. The years of sailing adventures and misadventures inspired several sections of this book. He spent most of his career as a Contracts Manager in the engineering/construction industry. He traveled and lived in a dozen states including six years in Hawaii. Pollock holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University and a masters from Drexel University. He has also written Life Beyond School.

Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the leading self-publishing company worldwide, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit http://www.archwaypublishing.com or call 888-242-5904."Decentralization has been our guiding principle at Decred and it is what motivated us to create this project, which can benefit the entire ecosystem," said Decred Project Lead Jake Yocom-Piatt

Decred (DCR), an autonomous digital currency with built-in governance, today released a formal proposal for a new kind of decentralized exchange. Known by its temporary working name DEX, the proposal suggests replacing the billion-dollar centralized cryptocurrency exchange market with a trustless peer-to-peer model. The proposal comes at a time when the blockchain market seeks new levels of efficiency and questions the privacy, security, fees, and other barriers of the existing system.

DEX is a topic that has been discussed for some time, said Jake Yocom-Piatt, Decred Project Lead and one of the authors of the proposal. Our goal is to structure the conversation so the developer community can step up with real-world solutions. We believe that this call-to-action is long overdue. Blockchain can only move forward by putting more power in the hands of the community. Decentralization has been our guiding principle at Decred and it is what motivated us to create this project, which can benefit the entire ecosystem.

Key features of DEX:

+ It is architected as a simple client and server, without a corresponding token or a blockchain.

+ Server operators never take custody of client funds.

+ It uses on-chain transactions for order fulfillment and rule enforcement.

+ Server operators collect no fee for matching orders.

+ Order matching occurs pseudo-randomly within epochs.

+ Orders placed on the exchange can be internally regulated via rules enforced by the clients and the server.

+ Malicious clients are managed using a reputation system based on Politeia, Decreds proposal system.

+ Near-instant exchange for smaller orders can be achieved through a related off-chain LN-based network which uses atomic swaps.

+ Servers can connect via a mesh network to allow cross-server order matching.

+ External services, e.g. wallets, can access a simple client API on the server that provides a data feed, ability to place orders, and other services.

Decreds proposal leverages on-chain atomic swaps, announced in September 2017, making it the first project to support direct exchanges between users of Decred, Bitcoin and Litecoin.

To read the full DEX proposal, visit the Decred Blog: https://blog.decred.org/.

About Decred

Decred (DCR) is an autonomous digital currency with built-in governance. Thanks to a hybrid consensus system, it is built as a decentralized, sustainable, and self-ruling currency where stakeholders make the rules. Since 2016, Decred has striven to solve blockchain governance. Our innovative consensus voting model empowers stakeholders and allows for the seamless transition from one set of rules to another. The project has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, MIT Review, Forbes and leading industry journals. For more information, visit: http://www.decred.org.Chief Executive Officer, Sara Fernstrom commented, Im really pleased to be working with Mark and the WDM team. Their robust relationships with factories and tanneries are unprecedented and perfectly suited to execute the uncompromising quality of the Benrus brand

Lyft Brands Group (LBG) announced today that it has signed a licensing agreement with WDM Footwear & Accessories to design and manufacture small leather goods for its American heritage brand Benrus.

WDM Footwear & Accessories (WDM) to launch a collection of mens and womens bags and small leather goods, in keeping with BENRUSs unique military heritage, casual yet intentional, timeless aesthetic.

WDM will produce the collection, set to include 24 mens and womens styles for soft launch this fall on benrus.com, in store for Spring 2019 prices ranging from $100 - $395. Collections will be sold at better department and specialty stores.

Chief Executive Officer, Sara Fernstrom commented, Im really pleased to be working with Mark and the WDM team. Their robust relationships with factories and tanneries are unprecedented and perfectly suited to execute the uncompromising quality of the Benrus brand

Since its inception in 1921, BENRUS has built a reputation for producing the most refined American made products that embody a rich American heritage of fine craftsmanship. Benrus is an American accessory brand paying homage to its past with a military inspired aesthetic and quality detailed designs.

WDM is excited to partner with Lyft Brands Group on licensing Benrus leather accessories. Benrus history as an iconic brand representing quality workmanship and premium materials fits perfectly within our bespoke product selection and handmade leather goods, said WDM CEO, Mark Kohlenberg.

ABOUT LYFT BRANDS GROUP

Lyft Brands Group LLC is a brand management company targeting quality brands with strong awareness and potential for long-term global growth. The company licenses world renowned brands across multiple industries and territories through strategic planning, impactful marketing and long-term partnerships with industry leading licensees and operators who share the companys vision and approach towards expanding brand presence and driving revenue. For more information, please visit Lyft Brands website at: http://www.lyftbrandsgroup.com. To inquire about licensing opportunities, please email: info@lyftbrandsgroup.com

ABOUT WDM FOOTWEAR & ACCESSORIES

WDM is a premium mens leather footwear and accessories company offering turnkey development for private label production. This includes licensing, design and development, sourcing, packaging and full EDI capabilities and integration. Our artisan workers are the best in the business when it comes to handcrafted leather goods, everything from premium footwear to wallets, belts and luggage bags.Gaw | Poe LLP logo

Gaw | Poe LLP is proud to announce that its co-founding attorney, Mark Poe, achieved the distinction of winning two different eight-figure appeals for two different clients before two different courts on the same day last week  May 31, 2018.

On the morning of May 31, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued an opinion affirming the confirmation of an $11,281,681.46 million arbitration award that Mr. Poe had obtained for his client Ronald Barranco against 3D Systems Corporation, the largest 3-D printing company in the world. The arbitrator had found that 3D Systems breached a contract with Mr. Barranco by taking steps to deprive him of the opportunity to achieve potential earnout payments under that contract arising from his sale of his business (Print3D) to 3D Systems. Mr. Poe was the lead appellate attorney for Mr. Barranco and successfully opposed 3D Systems request to the Fourth Circuit to vacate that arbitration award.

Then, in the afternoon of May 31, the California Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District issued an opinion affirming a defense judgment obtained for his clients Nasir Javaid and DeJauna Joseph following a bench trial in the San Francisco Superior Court. Mr. Poes clients had been unsuccessfully sued by Joseph Tierney, a local real estate developer, who had sought to enforce the terms of an option contract that would have forced them to sell to Mr. Tierney San Francisco commercial real estate worth over $10 million for the option price of $3 million. Mr. Poe was the lead appellate attorney for his clients in the resulting appeal and successfully opposed Mr. Tierneys request to the Court of Appeal to reverse or vacate the judgment.

The respective appellate proceedings are captioned Barranco, et al. v. 3D Systems Corp., et al., No. 17-1744 before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Tierney, et. al. v. Javaid, et al., No. A147221 before the California Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District, Third Division.

This is only the latest successful result achieved by Gaw | Poe LLP, including being recognized by the National Law Journal last year for achieving the 37th largest jury verdict in the country for the year 2016 after obtaining a $44.4 million verdict in an antitrust and breach of contract case in the United States District Court for the Central District of California back in March 2016. Those interested in learning more about these appeals or Gaw | Poe LLPs services may contact Mark Poe at mpoe(at)gawpoe.com.

About Gaw | Poe LLP

Gaw | Poe LLP is a San Francisco Bay Area boutique law firm focusing on business litigation, antitrust litigation, and catastrophic injury litigation. Founders Randolph Gaw and Mark Poe are classmates and graduates of Stanford Law School. Each practiced for roughly a decade with some of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the world before launching their own firm. The firm is experienced at handling disputes on behalf of a wide range of clients from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies to high net worth individuals. For more information, please visit http://www.gawpoe.com.Tulum Mexico Its absolutely possibleand legalto own property in Mexico.

As many as 1 million U.S. and Canadian citizens already call Mexico home, with more joining them all the time. Thanks to Mexicos large size, varied geography, and affordable real estate, prospective residents are spoiled for choice among silver-mining towns, fishing villages, beach retreats, and cosmopolitan cities.

At IL, we quite frequently hear myths about buying Mexican Real Estate, says International Living Executive Editor, Jennifer Stevens. Its a shame because peoples misperceptions create a wholly inaccurate picture of whats going on there. In truth, Mexico offers great weather, beautiful scenery, and authentic Latin American cultureplus good- value real estate options for North Americans looking to retire on a modest budget. And just to be clear: Its absolutely possibleand legalto own property in Mexico. Our new report walks reader through the specifics.

However, when it comes to buying Mexican real estate, the truth doesnt always prevail. Here are three myths debunked by International Living:

Myth #1: Foreigners Cant Buy Property in Mexico

Its perfectly legal for foreigners to own land in Mexico. Foreigners can hold direct deed to property with the same rights and responsibilities as Mexican nationals, as long as the property is outside the so-called restricted zones50 kilometers (about 31 miles) from shorelines and 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) from international borders. Inside the restricted zones, foreigners can control land through fideicomisosbank trust agreementsagain with the same rights and responsibilities as Mexican nationals. Alternatively, foreigners can hold land in these areas through a Mexican corporation. (However, if its a residential property that the foreigner plans to use personally, rather than as an investment, it should be held in a fideicomiso.)

To break it down in plain English: If youre not Mexican, the title to property within the restricted zones must be held within a bank trust or a Mexican corporationnot directly. But understand: That trust is easily transferrable when an owner is ready to sell. This is a safe, legal, and extremely common vehicle for foreign ownership in Mexico. And, again, this restriction only applies close to shorelines and international borders. Outside the restricted zones, foreigners can own directly as an individual.

Myth #2: Its Best to Hold Title in Your Own Name

An article in the Mexican Constitution of 1917 states that no foreigner can own property in Mexicos restricted zones. In 1973, however, the government saw the economic wisdom of allowing foreign investment in the restricted zones and established the fideicomiso, or bank trust, as an instrument to allow such investment in residential real estate.

Since 1973, most foreigners who have bought residential property in restricted zones have therefore done so through a fideicomiso. This sort of bank trust grants the title for a piece of property to the bank (the trustee), which in turn is obliged to follow any instructions given by the trusts beneficiaryyou, the foreign owner. You retain use and control of the trust and make all investment decisions regarding the property: that is, to sell it, rent it, build on it, live on it, or pass it down to your heirs.

Owning property through a trust deed offers several advantages (listed here). These include the ability to list more than one person as beneficiaries. Or you can list an heir this is a very desirable option for unmarried couples, friends who own a property jointly, or couples in a second marriage with different children.

All this is important because it allows the simple and easy transfer of control over the property and avoids the messiness of sorting out ownership in the Mexican courts. It is also a method of bypassing inheritance taxes. Trusts are issued for renewable 50-year periods. If you are buying property currently held in a trust, you can either establish a new trust for the next 50-year period or take over the existing trust deed.

Myth #3: The Mexican Government Can Seize Your Land

This is simply untrue. No property controlled by foreigners through a properly constituted fideicomiso bank trustthe instrument used by foreigners to hold beachfront residential property in Mexicohas ever been repossessed by the Mexican government.

Yes, there have been casessuch as in Baja California a number of years agowhen the Mexican government has repossessed property from foreigners, says International Living Mexico Editor, Glynna Prentice. But in these instances, the property titles these expats held didnt hold up to scrutinythey were essentially fraudulent. These expats were defrauded, but not by the government; the government was simply correcting the fraud, applying the law, and returning title to the rightful owners.

But cases like these are good reminders that you need a competent, honest lawyer protecting your interests in a real estate dealsomeone who can make sure a property title is legal, clear, and unencumbered. But if there is a problem, you are protected as fully under the law as a Mexican citizen would be. Mexicos legal system does work, despite bureaucracy and the occasional corruption. There is a saying in Spanish, The mills of justice grind slowly, but very, very fine. This pretty much sums up Mexicos legal system.

Learn more about buying real estate in Mexico, here: Can Foreigners Own Property in Mexico?

Editor's Note: Members of the media have permission to republish the article linked above once credit is given to Internationalliving.com

Further information, as well as interviews with expert authors for radio, TV or print, is available on request. Photos are also available.

For information about InternationalLiving.com content republishing, source material or to book an interview with one of our experts, contact PR Managing Editor, Marita Kelly, +001 667 312 3532, mkelly(at)internationalliving.com

Twitter: @inliving

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/International.Living/

About International Living

Since 1979, Internationaliving.com has been the leading authority for anyone looking for global retirement or relocation opportunities. Through its monthly magazine and related e-letters, extensive website, podcasts, online bookstore, and events held around the world, InternationalLiving.com provides information and services to help its readers live better, travel farther, have more fun, save more money, and find better business opportunities when they expand their world beyond their own shores. InternationalLiving.com has more than 200 correspondents traveling the globe, investigating the best opportunities for travel, retirement, real estate, and investment.Fora Financial Joining forces with US Business Funding is an important strategic step for Fora Financial.

Fora Financial, a leading provider of working capital solutions to small- and medium-sized businesses, announced today that it has acquired a significant stake in US Business Funding (USBF). The combination will create one of the largest, broadest reaching direct sales organizations in the small business alternative lending space, while deepening the partnership between the two companies.

USBF links small businesses across a variety of industries with financing products based on their specific needs, including vendor programs, capital equipment loans, and leasing solutions. Since 2014, the company has grown originations at over 100% annually and now employs 40 sales people in its Irvine, CA office.

Peter Ribeiro, Founder and CEO of USBF, will continue to lead USBF in executing its growth plan. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Joining forces with US Business Funding is an important strategic step for Fora Financial, commented Jared Feldman and Dan Smith, Fora Financials co-founders. As a result of the acquisition, Fora Financial will have nearly $400 million of annual originations, and we will add complementary and dynamic sales and marketing capabilities and be able to access other financing products. We look forward to working with Peter and his team on ways to expand what is already one of our most successful relationships.

This is an exciting time for all of us at US Business Funding, added Peter Ribeiro. We have rapidly built one of the top sales organizations in the industry, and now we have the opportunity to leverage the expertise and resources of Fora Financial to fuel our growth even further. Jared and Dan have established Fora Financial as one of the top lenders in the space, and we are motivated to build on our terrific relationship with them to create even more opportunities for our companies to succeed.

The transaction adds to a growing list of milestones for Fora Financial. In July 2017, the company expanded its senior credit facility to support its continued growth. Later this month, Fora Financial will celebrate its 10th anniversary and soon thereafter expects to surpass $1 billion of capital provided to small businesses across the United States.

About Fora Financial

Fora Financial offers flexible financing solutions to small businesses in need of additional working capital to sustain or grow their enterprise. The company places a high value on transparency and provides businesses with fast, personalized small business loans and merchant cash advances, utilizing its state-of-the-art technology and unwavering customer service. Founded in June 2008, Fora Financial has over 100 employees in its New York City office locations.

For more information on Fora Financial, please visit the companys website. Follow Fora Financial on Twitter and Facebook.

About US Business Funding

US Business Funding is a leading provider of equipment financing and small business loan solutions that prides themselves on serving both growing and established companies. They provide financing solutions ranging from $10,000 to 10,000,000, and strive to give each customer personalized, attentive service. US Business Funding was founded in 2008, and is currently based in Santa Ana, California.

For more information on US Business Funding, please visit the companys website. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.Adolphus Hotel by La Corsha Hospitality Group We converted to PVNG Enterprise Accounting because LCHG wanted a web-based system that could handle its varied mix of hotels and restaurants with the flexibility of remote operations. PVNG does this for us very well.

Aptech Computer Systems announced La Corsha Hospitality Group implemented the PVNG Enterprise Accounting System across 10 properties. La Corsha converted from Aptechs Profitvue hotel accounting software to web-based PVNG to enable remote accounting operations and greater financial reporting flexibility. La Corsha (LCHG) operates a mix of managed and owned properties across Texas that includes hotels, restaurants and a multi-city parking company. Aptech is the leading provider of hospitality business intelligence, budgeting and forecasting, and enterprise accounting hotel software systems. Click here for more on Aptechs products and services.

We converted to PVNG Enterprise Accounting because LCHG wanted a web-based system that could handle its varied mix of hotels and restaurants with the flexibility of remote operations. PVNG does this for us very well, said Roberta McKenna, regional controller with La Corsha Hospitality Group. Aptech converted our chart of accounts seamlessly from Profitvue to PVNG for all our companies. In our custom financial statements, the function I find particularly valuable is PVNGs ability to drill down into each number showing transactional level detail. The transparency this provides us gives confidence to owners and managers while making answering questions quick and easy.

PVNG hotel accounting software also lets operators easily define user roles and system access to limit staff interaction with functions not necessary for their roles. It is important to control what the staff sees and doesnt see within the system. We all play different roles within the organization. PVNG lets us grant individual staff access to certain modules they need for their level of work. We are able to segregate duties by role, so our Accounts Payable staff is limited to our Accounts Payable Module, McKenna said. This is very important to auditors. By limiting staff access, weve created a control mechanism whereby we are not only reducing risk, but each person can work more efficiently with reduced errors. We have the ability to change access levels as a staff members knowledge and responsibility increase and their role expands or changes.

McKenna noted that PVNGs multi-company functionality is important to La Corsha. Texas has unique reporting requirements that PVNGs flexible financials comply with easily. Also, since PVNG is web-based, many of our staff members can work remotely, me included. This increases productivity. We originally installed Aptechs Profitvue because it is hotel-specific. Aptechs excellent support and industry knowledge were part of the reason we upgraded to PVNG. Its team responds to our questions and system refinement suggestions quickly. Aptechs personalized professional service is exceptional and highly valuable to our operations.

Jill Wilder, Aptechs vice president, said, La Corsha is a long-term Aptech client. Its teams experience and operational suggestions contributed several valuable PVNG enhancements during their first months of use. We are grateful for their feedback. Aptechs staff works closely with users to continuously improve our enterprise accounting, business intelligence, and budgeting and forecasting systems.

Aptech Computer Systems is both an IBM and Prophix Business Partner offering Execuvue web-enabled Business Intelligence, Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting, and PVNG Enterprise Accounting systems that are 100% hospitality specific. Aptech is the only company that provides a complete suite of financial management and analysis solutions for the hotel industry.

About La Corsha Hospitality Group

La Corsha Hospitality Group is an Austin, Texas-based management and consulting company founded in early 2006 by industry veteran Jeff Trigger. Trigger and his associates have an extensive background that specializes in operating luxury hotels, restoring and repositioning historic properties, and developing independent restaurants and bars. Examples of their work include downtown Austin's Driskill Hotel; Dallas Mansion on Turtle Creek, Hotel Adolphus, and Stoneleigh Hotel and Spa; San Antonios Saint Anthony Hotel; Big Springs Hotel Settles; and Marfas Hotel Saint George and La Venture Restaurant. La Corshas restaurant development, Congress Austin, introduced the renowned 5-Star restaurant, Congress. For more information on La Corsha, click here.

About Aptech Computer Systems, Inc.

Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All of its clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement.

The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry, and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider, as well as a Prophix Premier Business Partner.

Incorporated in 1970, Aptechs state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include PVNG, Execuvue, and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties - including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue is registered to Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information please visit http://www.aptech-inc.com.RETAILvantage is designed for the shopping habits of the new consumer, providing a single system of truth for omnichannel sales and inventory management." - Joanne Gulnac, general manager, PROFITsystems

PROFITsystems, a HighJump product and leading provider of solutions for home furnishings retailers, today announces new advances for its server and cloud-based retail management system, RETAILvantage. The latest updates empower companies of all sizes to evolve to meet todays complex retail demands and the expectations of the consumer of the future.

Meeting millennial demands is driving the industry to change. From reverse logistics, to same-day delivery, to mobility, to social engagement and beyond, furniture retailers need the latest technologies to capitalize on these trends and stay competitive. PROFITsystems helps make this possible with the release of RETAILvantage 2.5.

With the latest version of RETAILvantage, online and brick and mortar home furnishings retailers capitalize on all ecommerce has to offer. Using RETAILvantages new eCommerce API, retailers can seamlessly sync data between their website and the ERP system. This enables real-time shopping cart order integration, website pricing and inventory data automatically synced to include package pricing and item availability. Additionally, the new API is designed to work with retailers existing ecommerce provider, assuring they can use the strategic partners that understand and best suit their business. The result is a true, automated omnichannel experience that increases sales and expands retailers reach.

Staying competitive in todays home furnishings market means reflecting on your current technology stack, said Joanne Gulnac, general manager, PROFITsystems. RETAILvantage is designed for the shopping habits of the new consumer, providing a single system of truth for omnichannel sales and inventory management.

The launch of RETAILvantage 2.5 is one of a series of recent enhancements from PROFITsystems. This includes integrating with Wondersigns endless aisle kiosk and Podium's messaging and online review products.

Las Vegas Market attendees can learn more at the summer event from July 29 to August 2, 2018 at stand B1050. To schedule a meeting with company executives, contact info@profitsystems.com.

Additional details are also available here.

About PROFITsystems, a HighJump product

PROFITsystems is a complete retail management solution for the modern home goods retailer. Key components include enterprise software, consulting, performance groups, advanced education, eCommerce integration and business intelligence. PROFITsystems features real-time inventory management, customer relations management, point-of-sale and accounting systems.

For additional information on PROFITsystems, please visit the website at http://www.profitsystems.com.

About HighJump

HighJump is a global provider of supply chain management software that streamlines the flow of inventory and information from supplier to store shelf. Named to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list for 3 years running, HighJump employs more than 440 team members worldwide, and supports more than 4,000 customers in 66 countries, ranging from SME business to global enterprises.

HighJumps functionally rich and highly adaptable end-to-end solutions help users achieve new levels of supply chain responsiveness, performance and profitability, from the warehouse to the storefront, from the desktop to the drivers cab. HighJumps suite of warehousing, manufacturing, transportation, distribution, mobile delivery and retail solutions allow users to seamlessly drive growth, customer satisfaction and revenue by delivering goods faster and more profitably.

HighJump: supply chain accelerated. For more information, visit http://www.highjump.com.

HighJump is a trademark of HighJump Software Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.This is an incredibly important issue and we are proud to be paving the way for revolutionary research here at Baylor St. Luke's.

Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center (Baylor St. Lukes) is the first hospital in the continental United States to enroll patients in Cerus' RedeS study, a transfusion therapy trial designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a pathogen-inactivation treatment of blood. The RedeS study allows patients who require a transfusion to be given red blood cells treated with a technology that reduces the risk of infection via a blood-borne pathogen such as Zika or West Nile virus.

Cerus, a biomedical products company in the field of blood transfusion safety, chose Baylor St. Luke's to participate in its U.S. clinical trial, in part, because of the diverse patient population and the fact that the Zika virus has been found in Texas. The transfused red blood cells will be treated with RedeS, or the INTERCEPT Blood System, hopefully eliminating any existing pathogens. This study will compare the transfusions of red blood cells that have been treated against conventional red blood cells, especially in areas impacted by the Zika virus.

"The risk of transmission of the Zika virus through blood transfusions is a major concern in Texas and surrounding Gulf Coast states," said Dr. Elizabeth Hartwell, principal investigator for the study and associate professor in the Department of Pathology & Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine and associate medical director in Laboratory Services at Baylor St. Luke's. "This is an incredibly important issue and we are proud to be paving the way for revolutionary research here at Baylor St. Luke's."

While the United States has one of the safest blood supplies in the world, doctors can only test for less than a dozen pathogens  including HIV, hepatitis B and C, West Nile Virus, syphilis, Chagas, and Zika. Overall, there are actually about 1,400 known species of human pathogens  viruses and other organisms that can cause disease in humans  and new pathogens are discovered every year.

Last year 54 cases of Zika were reported in Texas, five of which were presumed to be transmitted by local mosquitoes. There is also increasing evidence of local dengue virus transmission in Texas, particularly near the southern border, due to Mexicos relatively frequent dengue epidemics.

Currently, while the INTERCEPT Blood System is available in the United States for two other blood products  platelets and plasma  it is not yet available for red cells, which is the most commonly transfused blood product in the world. The INTERCEPT system will be the first pathogen reduction technology approved to treat all three blood components, including platelets, plasma and red blood cells.

The pathology department at Baylor St. Lukes in Houstons renowned Texas Medical Center is dedicated to innovative groundbreaking medical research and proud to have been selected to lead this critical study.

About the CHI Texas Division

The CHI Texas Division, a member of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), is comprised of three marketsCHI St. Lukes Health (CHI St. Lukes) is home of the Texas Heart Institute (THI), eight hospitals, eight emergency centers, Diagnostic & Treatment Center, Radiation & CyberKnife Center, and numerous Baylor St. Lukes Medical Group locations throughout Greater Houston; CHI St. Lukes Health Memorial (three hospitals and a long-term acute care facility in East Texas); and CHI St. Joseph Health (five hospitals and several St. Joseph Medical Group locations across Brazos Valley). In addition, CHI St. Lukes is a part of a joint venture agreement with Baylor College of Medicine, which encompasses Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center, the flagship facility and academic medical center of CHI St. Lukes, in the Texas Medical Center. Together, CHI St. Lukes, THI, and Baylor College of Medicine are transforming healthcare delivery with a mission to usher in a new era of healthcare to create healthier communities. For more information, visit CHITX.org.

About Catholic Health Initiatives

CHI St. Lukes Health is a part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), one of the nations largest health systems. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, CHI operates in 17 states and comprises 100 hospitals, including three academic health centers and major teaching hospitals; 30 critical-access facilities; community health-services organizations; accredited nursing colleges; home-health agencies; and other facilities and services that span the inpatient and outpatient continuum of care. Learn more at CatholicHealthInitiatives.com.

About Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center

Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center is an 881-bed quaternary care academic medical center that is a joint venture between Baylor College of Medicine and CHI St. Lukes Health. Located in the Texas Medical Center, the hospital is the home of the Texas Heart Institute, a world-class cardiovascular research and education institution founded in 1962 by Denton A. Cooley, MDconsistently ranked as one of the nations best in Cardiovascular Services & Heart Surgery. The hospital was the first facility in Texas and the Southwest designated a Magnet hospital for Nursing Excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, receiving the award four consecutive times. Baylor St. Lukes also has three community emergency centers offering adult and pediatric care for the Greater Houston area.

###Dr. Jennifer Gardy, PhD As a microbiologist and science communicator, Im very excited by uBiomes incredible potential. Not only are they revolutionizing the way people explore and track their own health, but they are also inspiring them to think differently about the microbial world around us. Dr. Jennifer Gardy, PhD

uBiome, the leader in microbial genomics, announces the addition of Canadian genomic epidemiologist, Dr. Jennifer Gardy, PhD, to its Scientific Advisory Board. Joining the board of leading scientists and health experts from around the world, Dr. Gardy will bring to uBiome her extensive research experience, particularly in the field of genomic epidemiology. The appointment will help uBiome accelerate its advancement in human microbiome research and further its mission to improve peoples lives.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jennifer Gardy to our Scientific Advisory Board, said Dr. Jessica Richman, PhD, co-founder and CEO of uBiome. Dr. Gardys expertise in public health genomics, combined with her background in microbial genomics and bioinformatics, will be an incredible resource for uBiome as we continue to expand our research about the human microbiome, in the context of infectious disease and public health.

Having earned a PhD in microbial genomics and bioinformatics from Simon Fraser University, Dr. Gardy is a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in public health genomics at the University of British Columbia, where she is an assistant professor at the School of Population and Public Health. Using microbial genomics, phylogenetics, and bioinformatics, her lab specializes in studying the transmission and epidemiology of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.

About joining uBiomes expert board, Dr. Gardy said, As a microbiologist and science communicator, Im very excited by uBiomes incredible potential. Not only are they revolutionizing the way people explore and track their own health, but they are also inspiring them to think differently about the microbial world around us.

On CBC TV, Dr. Gardy hosted an eight-part science series and has appeared on multiple episodes of the long-running documentary show The Nature of Things. Dr. Gardy contributes to the Daily Planet, Discovery Channel Canada, and recently released a childrens book titled It's Catching! The Infectious World of Germs and Microbes. To learn more about Dr. Gardy visit http://www.spph.ubc.ca/person/jennifer-gardy/

uBiomes technology platform is based on the largest microbial dataset in the world (over 250,000 samples), covered by six issued patents (and over 100 pending applications), and used in over 20 peer-reviewed publications and presentations. This platform has been used by over 200 research institutions around the world, including the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), US National Institutes of Health (NIH), Harvard University, Stanford University, University of California, San Francisco, University College London, and University of Sydney.

In addition to Dr. Gardy, the uBiome Scientific Advisory Board also includes Dr. Joseph DeRisi (MacArthur Genius and UCSF professor), Dr. Atul Butte (head of the Institute for Computational Health Sciences at UCSF), Dr. Katherine Pollard (Director, Gladstone Institute for Data Science and Biotechnology), Dr. Joel Palefsky (UCSF School of Medicine professor), Dr. George Church (leading geneticist at Harvard University), and other leading scientists. The companys Medical Advisory Board includes Dr. Alan Green (Society for Participatory Medicine), Dr. Leo Treyzon (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center), Dr. Robynne Chutkan (Georgetown University Hospital), Michael Docktor (Boston Childrens Hospital), as well as other accomplished clinicians.

_____

About uBiome:

Founded in 2012, uBiome is the worlds leading microbial genomics company with a mission to advance the science of the microbiome and make useful products to improve human life. uBiome is funded by Y Combinator, Andreessen Horowitz, and 8VC, as well as other leading investors. Since its launch, the company has received widespread recognition including CNN 10: Startups to Watch, the IVY Technology Award, CNN Future 30, and was named one of Fast Companys Most Innovative Companies in Healthcare in 2016 and in Data Science in 2018.

http://www.ubiome.com

Media Contact:

Lelle Henrichsen

lelle.henrichsen@ubiome.comA shared vision and dedication to providing unparalleled value to patients are perfectly consistent with our mission of reimagining health care.

Jefferson Health is proud to welcome Mercer Bucks Cardiology (MBC) and The Arrhythmia Institute to Jefferson Community Physicians, the health systems community-based primary care practice. This affiliation will expand access to Jefferson cardiac care and strengthen continuity of care with other Jefferson services and specialties.

The physicians of Mercer Bucks Cardiology have been committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive cardiovascular health care to patients and their families in Mercer and Bucks counties for over 25 years. said Rohinton J. Morris, MD, Chief of Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Jefferson Health. A shared vision and dedication to providing unparalleled value to patients are perfectly consistent with our mission of reimagining health care.

Patients visiting MBC at Jefferson will be connected to Jeffersons tertiary and quaternary cardiac care including heart failure, ventricular-assist device placement and management, heart transplant, clinical trials, and advanced electrophysiology and interventional services.

The partnership between Mercer Bucks Cardiology and Jefferson Health further strengthens our mission to provide our patients with continued access to leading edge cardiovascular care, delivered in our communities. Said Scott W. Burke, MD, President of Mercer Bucks Cardiology. We look forward to this collaboration.

Mercer Bucks Cardiology, which will be referred to as Mercer Bucks Cardiology  Jefferson Health and The Arrhythmia Institute, includes 30 highly skilled physicians.

Office Locations:



104 Pheasant Run  Newtown, PA

11 Friends Lane  Newtown, PA

1 Union Street  Robbinsville, NJ

3140 Princeton Pike  Lawrenceville, NJ

Patients should call 1-800-JEFF-NOW for an appointment or they may call the Mercer Bucks Cardiology-Jefferson Health practice directly at 215-860-3344.

About Jefferson Health

Jefferson Health, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, is reimagining health care in the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Jeffersons dedicated team of doctors, nurses, health professionals and staff provides a range of primary to highly-specialized care through 14 hospitals (three Magnet-designated for nursing excellence), more than 50 outpatient and urgent care locations, the NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Magee Rehabilitation and the JeffConnect telemedicine program. Jeffersons academic health center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc., is recognized by US News & World Report as #16 on the 2017-18 Best Hospitals Honor Roll. Jefferson Healths mission is to improve the health of those patients and communities it is privileged to serve through safe, effective, equitable, compassionate care.ThunderCat Technology announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named ThunderCat to its 2018 Solution Provider 500 list. The Solution Provider 500 is CRNs annual ranking of the largest technology integrators, solution providers and IT consultants in North America by revenue.

The Solution Provider 500 is CRNs predominant channel partner award list, serving as the industry standard for recognition of the most successful solution provider companies in the channel since 1995. The complete list will be published on CRN.com, making it readily available to vendors seeking out top solution providers to partner with.

We are excited to jump 10 spots on this years list. ThunderCat recently celebrated its tenth anniversary and this is our seventh appearance here. We are proud of the efforts of our team to make this success possible. We are thankful for our partners and grateful for our customers who continued to put their faith in us as a trusted provider focused on their needs and their success first, said Tom Deierlein, ThunderCat Technologys CEO.

CRNs Solution Provider 500 list spotlights the North American IT channel partner organizations that have earned the highest revenue over the past year, providing a valuable resource to vendors looking for top solution providers to partner with, said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. The companies on this years list represent an incredible, combined revenue of $320 billion, a sum that attests to their success in staying ahead of rapidly changing market demands. We extend our sincerest congratulations to each of these top-performing solution providers and look forward to their future pursuits and successes.

The complete 2018 Solution Provider 500 list is available online at http://www.crn.com/sp500 and a sample from the list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine.

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

About ThunderCat Technology

Currently ranked #59 on the Solution Provider 500, the award winning ThunderCat Technology is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that delivers technology solutions and services to government organizations, educational institutions, and commercial companies. Specifically, ThunderCat is a systems integrator that brings an innovative approach to solving customer problems in and around the datacenter by providing strategies for Data Storage, Networking, Cyber Security, and Cloud Transformations. A proven leader, ThunderCat Technology provides and optimizes technologies from best of breed manufacturers. Clients include DOD, HHS, DHS, VA, Treasury, FBI, State of Virginia, Hawaii Health Systems, and Avery Dennison. http://www.thundercattech.com.

About the Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. http://www.thechannelco.comWelcome Guest! You Are Here:The Regional Directorate added that the abuse of Tramadol by students could be blamed for the recent violent clashes and disturbances recorded in some of the schools in the region last year.

It explained that committees set up to investigate student rioting in SIMMS and the Kofi Agyei Senior High Schools in the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti wrote in their report that students who cause such disturbances were drugs including Tramadol.

READ ALSO: Police arrest man for duping 151 BECE candidates

The Regional Directorate says it has since increased the monitoring in various Senior High Schools across the region to eliminate the practice.

The investigation started after the second and third-year students of SIMMS Senior High School went on a rampage.

The Kwabre East Municipal Education Directorate last year ordered the closure of the school and called for a probe into the incident.

The seniors at the time questioned what they said was preferential dining hall treatment given to their first-year juniors on Governments Free Senior High School policy.

The angry students destroyed public and private property, including school furniture, electricity meters, and cables as well as two cars belonging to some staff.

Students of the Kofi Agyei Senior High School also went on a rampage and vandalised school properties in the process.

The reports presented by separate committees set up to investigate the disturbances revealed the intake of Tramadol and other drugs by the students.According to Nana Akua Ankomah-Asare, competing schools can change a contestant when the latter is tired or worn-out during the competition.

Speaking on Joy TV, she said "We have two contestants on stage but theres actually three of them as a team but the third member doesnt get to compete if they are not substituted because some health reason but this years theres an option for the third team member to compete thus we are introducing substitution."

READ MORE: SHS which surprised Ghanaians in the 2017 Science and Maths quiz

She explained that the substitution must be done when a round is over and the person coming in must do a minimum of two rounds hence the substitution must happen before the "problem of the day" section of the quiz.

On her part, quiz mistress of the National Science and Maths Quiz, Dr Elsie Effah Kaufmann promised contestants some exciting experience in 2018.

She said she "has been about gathering the questions and making sure they of high enough quality and I think the contestants are going to be impressed with the quality we are bringing this time."

The 23rd edition of the National Science and Maths Quiz will be launched today, June 5, in Accra with 135 Senior High Schools (SHS) participating in this year's competition.

READ ALSO: 2017 National Science and Maths Quiz contestants score A1s in WASSCE

The SHS students who are contesting in this years quiz will be taken through a mentorship programme to help broaden their interests in the various aspects of the sciences.

The competition and the contest will be live on Pulse.com.gh.He made the assertion during an interview on Happy FM over the weekend.

Pastor Love claimed instead of the Ghanaian media to condemn such actions by the musicians, they also hail them and that has dragged the development of the industry.

The media is a mafia group, they support evil. The reason why the industry is not going well is prostitution and dirt. You can insult me about that but thats factual," he stated as quoted by Mynewsgh.

Although the Pastor could not mention names, he advised gospel musicians to always present a good picture of themselves to the public rather than tarnish their image.The record label unveiled their new act Wendy Shay to take over after Ebony at the VGMA 2018 awards night.

Bullet, in making sure Wendy Shay is able to carry the name of the label higher flew her to South Africa to shoot her first music video.

READ MORE: Sarkodie says he will apologise to Freddy Meiway for ignoring him

The music video which was released on June 1 in #1 Trending on Youtube which according to Bullet has never happened with a new artist on his label.

He shared on his Facebook page saying:After speeches by the British High Commissioner, Mr Iain Walker and the Minister for Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta and accompanied by Wiyaala singing the Ghana and British national anthems, the fun really started.

Reggie 'N' Bollie were outstanding, professional and polished, the revellers danced enthusiastically to their seamless stream of songs including UK Chart hit New Girl, On The Floor and a live band rendition of old favourites like You May kiss The Bride.

They were joined by KK Fosu to a great cheer from the audience who were delighted to acknowledge the presence of the popular High Life artiste.

Then Wiyaala appeared and worked the audience like the professional diva she most surely is. No one was spared as Wiyaala brought her victims to the stage and mercilessly rocked their bodies late into the night.However, the truth eventually came to light. He said he is unable to hide the feminine part of his life as his mother had wished, because he exhibits traits of both gender.

Darlan Rukih told Tuko.co.ke: I was born a hermaphrodite but my mother identified me as male for fear that I would be killed because the tradition of the people where I was brought up considers hermaphrodites as an abomination.

Despite the fact that he is married and has fathered two children, Darlan said he still menstruates on a monthly bases just like any other woman.

He got married to one Presican Fau who had agreed to cope with his condition after he opened up to her about it, but as Darlans condition became public knowledge and people keep gossiping and making mockery of him the marriage has been shaky.

He said: In 1995, I married Presican Fau of Gwasi Suba. I openly told her about my condition as a hermaphrodite. She willingly accepted to live with me despite my condition, but the woman has reportedly turned against him now.

Despite the public scorn coupled with the rough marriage life, Darlan said: In 2002, God blessed us with our first born son Abidan Rasha Rukih. In 2014, God blessed us with a second child, Marvel Rukih.She said she only realised that something had gone wrong when she heard the cry of the two babies.

Oliver Kemigisa said before she could reach for the babies the animals had already grabbed the baby girl and still aiming at the brother who stood helpless and crying.

The nursing mother was brave enough to rescue the 3-year-old son, but the chimpanzees had run away with the 5-month-old little girl into the bush.

READ MORE: Female zoo keeper narrates how she fought for her life as Tiger devours her

She said: When I saw that they (Chimpanzees) wanted to take my second child, I became firm and fought them. That is how I saved the boy.

After raising alarm, some members of the community mounted a search for the animals and realised that they had hidden the baby named Karungi in the grasses.

She was found unconscious while the chimpanzees had removed the skirt she was wearing.Although the ceremony was announced publicly, the actress was surprised by the appearances of some key personalities and celebrities who came from far distances to celebrate with her.

Celebrities who came to support Afia Amoako include Christiana Awuni, Management of Nyankonton Production, Emmanuel France and many others.

READ MORE: Lovely photos of Mr Eazi and his girlfriend on a romantic holiday in Italy

There were rumours weeks ago that Afia Amoako might be losing her husband over some nude roles played in movies as an actress.

But it seems Mr Galley has understood his wifes occupation and had given his full support by marrying her at last. Wishing them the best in their marriage lives.The family said this when they paid a courtesy call on the President a year after Major Mahama died. They met the President at the Jubilee House on Monday, June 4, 2018.

The head of the family, Ahmed Zakaria Sakara said We as the family who have felt it [Presidents interventions], who have received it, are here today to tell you exactly how we feel about what you have done for us, and to thank you. Let me say that if we could put weight on words, today you would have needed a crane to lift our thank you because we are very grateful.

READ ALSO: A death every Ghanaian should feel guilty of

We are all aware that when this incident happened, your government was just five months old. If it was a baby, the government will still have been trying to acclimatize itself with the environment, but the people of Denkyira Obuasi didnt have the courtesy to give you that opportunity, so you were plunged into the problem, Ahmed Zakaria Sakara added.

The family acknowledged the Presidents role in promoting, posthumously, the late Maxwell Mahama to the rank of Major, and the establishment of the Major Mahama Endowment Fund, into which the President made a donation of GH50,000.

President Akufo-Addo, on his part, said Major Mahamas family must be grateful to Ghanaians since he was a vehicle for expressing their regret, their sadness, their revulsion, and their grief.

READ ALSO: Major Mahama trial begins as first witness testifies

Still, in a consolatory mood, the President said all of these  the recognition, the support of the state, the various arrangements, they can never take away from the loss which is felt by some people in this room with greater poignancy than others."According to him, it is not proper to try to rubbish the works of a man who has only sought to uncover national corruption.

He explained that instead of hailing Anas, the investigative journalist has been rendered an outcast by his own people.

When we had the chance, we made an outcast of our own allowing our rivals to recognise the true worth and offer him [Anas Aremeyaw Anas] such a sensitive national anti-corruption role. What does that make of us? the NDC founder said whiles delivering a speech at the 39th-anniversary durbar to mark the June 4 uprising in Accra.

Rawlings comments come following a series of attacks on Anas in the wake of his latest expose titled Number 12.

The Tiger Eye PI member has come in for strong criticisms, with MP for Assin Central Kennedy Agyapong leading the charge.

The outspoken lawmaker has persistently accused Anas of being evil and corrupt, whiles also criticizing his mode of operation.

According to the legislator, Anas uses entrapment and enticement to cajole his victims into falling foul.

However, Rawlings insists Anas is doing a great job and should rather be commended for tackling national corruption.The founder of the party, Jerry Rawlings and senior party officials on Monday converged on the Madina social welfare school park to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the June 4 celebration.

According to a communications member of the Greater Accra region branch of the NDC, Ernest Kwame, Asiedu Nketiah refused to attend the ceremony because of the omission.

Kwame told Citi News that: The party has a big family; I dont think all those who call themselves big men can appear on the dignitaries list, looking at his face he seemed very disappointed that his name was not on the list of dignitaries, so he looked very angry".

The June 4th uprising happened when Flt Lt Rawlings led a group of junior officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces in a revolt against the then Supreme Military Council (SMC II) regime led by General F.K. Akuffo.According to the MP, he has gathered enough evidence about Anas misdealing which should warrant a death sentence.

Mr. Agyapong accused the Tiger Eye PI member of doing evil things under the guise of investigative journalism, adding that Anas must be hanged.

I want to establish clearly that Anas is corrupt. If a customs officer should be jailed for 25 years for taking GHc 50, for Anas and the evidence I have about him, he has to be hanged, the lawmaker said on Accra-based Adom FM.

We have to hang Anas for the evil things he has done to Ghanaians in the course of his investigations, which he has used to amass wealth in Ghana.

According to him, Anas is not clean and so has no moral right to investigate other persons on matters of corruption.

If I tell somebody he is corrupt, I should make sure I am genuine before I point my finger at someone, Mr. Agyapong added.

The legislator has been a strong critic of Anas in recent weeks, and has constantly threatened to expose the investigative journalist.According to him, he has kept mute due to the lies being peddled by some members of the NDC about his family which makes it difficult for him to believe the issues being raised by them against the incumbent government.

READ MORE: Rawlings teases Anita Desosoo to stop bleaching

Speaking at the June 4 uprising commemoration at Madina in the Greater Accra region, he indicated that various corruption scandals about the Akufo-Addo led government could be lies made up by some NDC members.

He stated that this is because of the lies that are regularly peddled about him and his wife by these persons within the NDC.

"Some of the little ones are so vicious with their mouthsthe kind of sins and nasty evil things that they do but turn around and insult people like Martin Amidu, like my wife, like myself and I wonder if that is my wife they are talking about, I wonder if that is me.The statement is believed to be a response to a news report this morning by Joy FM that GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi mentioned to the Ghana Police that John Mahama and the NDC were paid $8m by some investors.

Mahama posted:

In a related development, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a statement to deny the reports. The statement said "National Democratic Congress (NDC) Campaign in 2016, a desperately concocted story carried by Accra radio station, Joy FM, that an unknown person gave an amount of $8 million to the party for the elections."Iran wants to "basically conduct a religious campaign in largely Sunni Syria but try to convert Sunnis," he said at a joint press conference with Merkel.

"This will inflame another religious war -- this time a religious war inside Syria and the consequences will be many, many more refugees and you know where exactly they will come," he said.

More than one million asylum seekers, with Syrians making up the biggest group, arrived in Germany since 2015, creating deep new political divisions in the country and shrinking Merkel's ruling majority in her fourth term.

Germany, France and Britain are three of the signatories of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between world powers and Iran, aimed at keeping Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu, who has long railed against the deal, will continue on to Paris for meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday and British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday.

All three countries have vowed to try to salvage the hard-fought accord since President Donald Trump announced the US withdrawal from it last month.

The European powers argue it is the best way to head off a regional arms race and have vowed with Russia and China, the two other signatory countries, to keep it alive.

'Malignant cancerous tumour'

Merkel insisted that the Europeans and Israel were "united by the goal that Iran must never get a nuclear weapon" but acknowledged deep differences with Netanyahu on "how we can best achieve this".

She defended the nuclear accord as ensuring "at least for a certain time, that Iran's activities are under control" noting that Tehran had been "on the brink of having a nuclear weapon" before the deal was signed.

But she acknowledged that a supplementary deal with Tehran covering its ballistic missile programme as well as its interventions in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen was needed.

"But we believe that this can be achieved with tough negotiations," she said.

Asked about Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei comments on Twitter Sunday calling Iran a "malignant cancerous tumour", Merkel said Germany and its partners had "repeatedly and with great clarity told Iran that we will stand up for Israel's right to security".

Western powers view Iran's involvement in its neighbours affairs as destabilising for the region while Israel sees it as a direct threat to its existence.

Foes Iran and Israel have been kept at bay for decades. However, an unprecedented May 10 escalation in Syria that saw Israel bomb alleged Iranian targets after blaming Tehran for a rocket barrage has sparked fears of open war.

Israel is considered the leading military power in the Middle East and believed to be the only country in the region to possess nuclear weapons.

Far-right 'minimising Holocaust'

The visit to Germany, traditionally Israel's closest European ally due to the enduring responsibility Berlin accepts for the Holocaust, comes at a time of further diplomatic tensions.

Merkel has repeatedly criticised expanding Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory as destructive to long-thwarted hopes for a two-state solution.

She nevertheless defended Israel's right to retaliate against rocket attacks from Gaza amid the worst military flare-up in the beleaguered Palestinian enclave since a 2014 war.

Netanyahu thanked Merkel for her efforts to fight a resurgence of anti-Semitism in Germany stemming from homegrown extremists and the massive influx of Muslim asylum seekers since 2015.But he insisted that numerous legal scholars have concluded that he has the absolute right to do so, a claim that vastly overstates the legal thinking on the issue.

In fact, many constitutional experts dispute Trumps position on his pardon power, an issue for which there has been no definitive ruling.

Trumps assertion that numerous legal scholars believe he could pardon himself ignores the one official opinion on the subject. In August of 1974, just days before former President Richard Nixon resigned, the acting head of the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, Mary C. Lawton, said in a memorandum that it would seem that Nixon could not pardon himself.

She wrote that such a pardon would appear to violate the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case. But she did not explain how that principle would limit the constitutional power of the president to pardon.

In the wake of Trumps tweets, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters that if I were president of the United States and I had a lawyer that told me I could pardon myself, I think I would hire a new lawyer.

The presidents assertions came in tweets just a day after Rudy Giuliani, one of his lawyers, told HuffPost that Trump is essentially immune from prosecution while in office, and could even have shot the former FBI director without risking indictment while he was president.

Giuliani also said over the weekend that the president probably has the power to pardon himself but said on NBCs Meet the Press that it would be unthinkable for him to do so.

Doing so, Giuliani said, would lead to probably an immediate impeachment, adding that he has no need to do that. He didnt do anything wrong.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.Despite the legal protection and restriction of sale or consumption of the animal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) - a multilateral treaty signed by 183 nations - Nigeria joins other Sub Saharan countries where the illegal sale and use of pangolins body parts are on the increase.

In a report by Shanghaiist, a Chinese website, the rare and adorable animals are being hunted in China for their tough armour and meat, which is considered a delicacy served to rich people.

So expensive is the pangolin delicacy that the wildlife mammal can fetch up to 5,000 yuan (N281,126) per kilogram.

All species of the pangolin are in danger of extinction, some more critically than others.

In Sub Saharan Africa - Sierra Leone, Ghana, Benin Republic and Nigeria - pangolins are illegally hunted and sold by to buyers - mostly traditional healers and Chinese nationals.

Sadly, many of the hunters or traffickers in Nigeria are unaware of either the conservation status of this animals or the existence of any legal machinery regulating its trade.

Nigerian customs intercept pangolins trafficking in Lagos

Between February 15, 2018, and March 22, 2018, a large number of pangolins were intercepted by the Nigerian customs.

Acting on a tip, Nigerian customs operatives raided the apartment of a Chinese national, Ko Sin Ying, in Ikeja, the capital of Lagos and recovered some 4,400 pounds of pangolin scales and 218 ivory tusks.

According to Nigerias Minister of Environment, Ibrahim Jibril, the number of trafficked pangolins and elephant tusks seized by the customs was valued at a staggering N493,520,000.

In less than a month later, the Customs again intercepted and confiscated another 329 sacks of pangolin scales, weighing 8,492kg and valued at N732,857,393.

Pangolins medicinal myth

From Asia to Africa, traditional medicine practitioners strongly believe that pangolin scales, blood, other body parts, and carcass have great medicinal values. This belief has further boosted the illegal hunting and trafficking of the mammal across the globe.

According to the Shanghaiist website, pangolins are believed by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to help cure cancer and asthma, among other ailments.

In a journal written by Durojaye A. Soewu and Ibukun A. Ayodele in the US National Library of Medicine on the utilisation of pangolin in traditional Yoruba medicine, the mammal is researched to be used for alleged medicinal purposes in Ijebu province of Ogun state, Southwest Nigeria.

According to the report, a total of 178 whole pangolin carcasses were sold into traditional medical practices.On Thursday, June 7 to Friday, June 8, 2018, business and technology leaders, investors, and policy experts in African tech startups will gather in Paris, France, to discuss at the Afrobytes conference.

Afrobytes is an annual international tech conference that brings together entrepreneurs, business executives, CEOs, academics, innovators, investors, venture capitalists, tech enthusiasts and media to explore business opportunities between the African tech ecosystem and players in the global tech world.

The two-day event was designed as an accelerator of growth and innovation between Europe, Africa and beyond.

We believe Africa and Europe can build a common destiny shaped by the best innovators on both sides. Our mission is to be the bridge and bring those people, rarely in contact, according to the Afrobytes website

Here are some of the tech players at Afrobytes 2018

LEONARD STIEGELER

General Manager - Ringier Africa AG - SWITZERLAND

GOSSY UKANWOKE

Founder - Beni American University and President - EduTech - NIGERIA

HAROLD OKWA

Founder - Jetseta - NIGERIA

NIKHIL PATEL

CCO - Iroko - NIGERIA

ALEXANDRA NOVITSKE

Principal Investment Officer, Africa at Singularity Investments - NIGERIA

ADEWALE YUSUF

CEO - Techpoint.ng - NIGERIA

JOSHUA MWANIKI

Country Director - Andela  KENYA among others.

Afrobytes 2018 eventThe second batch of students that benefit from the Chinese government scholarship are 47 undergraduates of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State.

According to New Telegraph, each student received N100,000 during the scholarship presentation which took place at the university main auditorium.

UNIZIK VC thanks Chinese Government

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku described the scholarship offer as a remarkable event in the history of the university.

ALSO READ: UNILAG English lecturer in sex scandal as student releases his nude photos

He said the beneficiaries of the Chinese government scholarship were selected among indigent and best students undertaking courses that were not well subscribed.

The Vice-Chancellor in his vote of thanks said this is the first time students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) will be receiving scholarships.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Charge dAffairs to Nigeria, Lin Jing, said the establishment of the Confucius Institute by the Chinese Government in the university since 2008 has made UNIZIK to become a special attraction to the Chinese Government.

Chinese Govt offers scholarship to 47 UNICAL students in March

Recall that earlier in March, the Government of the Peoples Republic of China has offered scholarships to 47 students of the University of Calabar.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Zhou Pingjiang, while presenting the award to the school management, said that Nigeria and China had many things in common.

Pingjiang also praised the management of the University of Calabar for its strides in academic and infrastructural development within four decades of its existence.The State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal was said to have ordered the arrest of the officers.

This was disclosed by the command's spokesman, Chike Oti, in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 5, 2018.

According to him, the command got to know about the viral video on social media in which the officers were seen counting gambling coupons and not bribe money collected from motorists as claimed by witnesses.

He said Egal ordered the immediate detention of the policemen who were stationed near Zenith Bank, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos.

The statement said, "The attention of the Lagos state police command has been drawn to the news making the rounds on a social media platform that policemen stationed near Zenith Bank, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos, were seen counting bribes received and smoking.

"Based on the allegation, the CP Lagos ordered for their arrest, detention and trial. Meanwhile, preliminary investigation into the case revealed that the men werent counting bribes received as alleged but coupons they collected from a game of gambling they played a.k.a Baba Ijebu.

"The men are currently facing disciplinary action that could lead to reduction in rank or dismissal. It is wrong to engage in such distracting activity while on duty."

ALSO READ: Youths protest Sarakis invitation by policeAccording to the Premium Times News, the accused who was arraigned at the Ikeja High Court on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, told the presiding judge that he has not been able to reach his counsel.

V. O Agboje, a prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asked the court for a new date as a result.

The defence counsel were present in court at the last adjourned date.

I urge the court to take a new trial date, Agboje told the court in a report by the Premium Times.

The EFCC earlier slammed Marco Ramirez with a 16-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false presences.

It was also gathered that the American received $545,000 from Ambassador Godson Echejue, to invest in his business.

ALSO READ: Masters of love scams arrested by EFCC

He also collected $10,000 from Abubakar Umar through a non-existent investment programme in the U.S. in a bid to help victim obtain an American passport.

In addition, a sum of $10,000 was also collected from Olukayode Sodimu as service charge by the American Immigration Services.The suspects were arrested in Kasoa according to many reports.

Items recovered from the group include 46 laptops, mobile phones and several electronic gadgets, Instablog9ja said on IG.

During the arrest, most of the suspects were busy on their laptops while the others were sleeping.

We are currently screening them for varying criminal offences, including cyber related crimes and robberies after which they would be handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for residence status investigations, says police chief Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

The raid which was facilitated by residents of Kasao follows several arrests in Abuja and Lagos.

ALSO READ: Yahoo Boys abandon exotic cars at Club 57 to escape EFCC raid

EFCC extends raid to Abuja capturing 6 Yahoo Boys

Six internet fraudsters have been arrested in Abuja following another raid carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Ihoeghian Aghasomwan, Precious Osarumen, Enabulele Osazee Frank, Osahon Scott, Efe Ehieorobo and Peter James, the suspects, were captured at their base in Kubwa on Friday, May 11, 2018.

The Cable News revealed a statement given by EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, in the aftermath of the arrest.

Surveillance was carried out and the identity and location of the fraudsters who specialize in defrauding innocent citizens both within and outside the country through internet was identified.

On arrest, some of [the] items recovered from the suspects include  one Toyota Camry 2009, 10 laptop computers, 4 ECOWAS International passports, 17 mobile phones, 2 flash drive, HP printer and Certificate of Award of Asian Professional Security Association in favour of Sun Yaje.According to the reports, the young victim identified as Rachael Karungi was reportedly rescued by members of her community on Sunday, June 3, 2018.

ALSO READ: 2 big rats torment Abuja airport staff in toilet

Rachael's mother, Oliver Kemigisa, while speaking with New Vision, said that the incident occurred a few minutes after 5 pm while she was preparing dinner at their home.

She stated that she had left the baby with another baby on the veranda, while she moved a few steps away to do her cooking.

Kemigisa said that she heard the babies crying and turned around, only to discover over 20 chimpanzees surrounding the babies.

According to her, one of the Chimpanzees had already Rachael up while the others aimed for the 3-year-old boy.

Kemigisa said that she struggled with the Chimpanzees for the boy as she raised an alarm. Although she managed to save the boy, the Chimpanzees escaped with Rachael.

She said, When I saw that they (chimpanzees) wanted to take my other child, I became firm and fought them. That is how I saved the boy."

Kemigisa added that Rachael was taken into the nearby bush, but residents quickly gathered together and began chasing after the animals.

According to the reports, the Chimpanzees removed the baby's skirt and then hid her in the bushes.

Little Rachael was found unconscious and was immediately rushed to Muhorro Health centre III, where she is currently admitted.

Kemigisa also noted that the Chimpanzees usually roam the area in search of food and usually chase people.

Wild female Chimpanzee forces itself on Cross River farmer

A farmer in Cross River State, made an unlikely friend with a Chimpanzee, who reportedly followed him while returning from a trip to the farm.

The weird incident occurred in the Boki Local Government Area of the state. A Facebook user Osang Gabriel, confirmed this in a post

ALSO READ: Fulani herdsman caught making love to his cow

"Wonders shall not end. A gorilla followed a farmer from the bush to his house at bitiah irruan boki cross River State to his living house live," writes Gabriel.According to a Facebook User identified as Carolina Egwuata, the young girl was repeatedly raped by the young man whose identity remains unknown.

In a post she shared on Thursday, May 31, 2018, Egwuata revealed that the child was in her custody, expressing her anger at the fact that a man with a wife and child would take advantage of a minor in that way.

She also revealed that she would be working with FIDA to carry out tests that would both prove the rape as well as help them identify the culprit.

See the post below:

Thankfully, on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, Egwuata revealed that the pervert has finally been apprehended and is currently in police custody.

Mechanic Kidnaps And Repeatedly Rapes 13-Year-Old Girl For 5 Days

It is the end of the road for a randy automobile mechanic who allegedly kidnapped a 13-year-old girl and kept her as sex slavefor five days, as he has been remanded in prison custody for the crime by a senior magistrate court in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The order was handed down to the 28-year-old man, Abdulkadir Salihu, by Mrs Joyce Abdulmalik of Lokoja Senior Magistrate Court 1, in her ruling on arraignment of the accused.

Salihu was arraigned on a two-count charge of kidnapping and rape, being offences contrary to Sections 273 and 283 of the Penal Code Law.

Prosecuting police officer, Corporal Ubi Ubana, told the court that one Adama Ibrahim of Galilee Street, Lokoja, reported the matter at the A Division Police headquarters and Department of Criminal Investigation, Lokoja, on October 23, 2014.

ALSO READ: 60-yr-old retired Police officer charged for raping two minors

According to the prosecutor, Ibrahim had, that on October 16, at about 1:25 pm, the victim who is his niece, was sent to buy Okro from Adankolo New Layout Market, when the accused enticed her into his house on Agbai Street.

The accused, who he said did this without the consent of her guardian, also had carnal knowledge of the victim without her consent.The young women were born joined together from the navel downwards and shared organs like their liver and lungs, but had two hearts and separate heads and arms.

Instablog9ja reports that the twins were admitted to the hospital in December 2017 due to heart disease related issues but died on Saturday, June 2, 2018.

Thousands of condolence messages were also sent to family and friends of the deceased.

Tanzanian President, John Magufuli tweeted that he was "saddened" by their deaths, revealing that Consolata and Maria had "dreamed of serving the nation".

During an interview with BBC in 2017, the pair had said disclosed their dreams of becoming teachers upon the completion of their University education.

May their souls rest in peace.

Conjoined twins set to graduate from high school

The twins, who refused to be separated through an operation has become a great inspiration for many as they are set to graduate from a secondary school.

The then 19-year-old girls, Maria and Consolata Mwakikuti, according to a BBC reporter, Leonard Mubali, had vehemently refused to be separated, rather decided to push ahead with their lives against all odds to tell everyone that no matter the situation they find themselves, they can still achieve their dreams.

The twin who spoke to Mubali said despite their birth defect, they can be the best in their education.

Reporting the story of the girls, Mubali said have inspired a lot of people with their zest for life and their quest to succeed despite their handicap.

Having lost both parents at a tender age - their mother died after being delivered of the twins- the twins who were adopted by a catholic church's charity organization, forged ahead and are now set to graduate from secondary school.

Mubali who joined Maria and Consolata during one of their class sessions at their school in Iringa Udzungwa, South-West Tanzania, narrated that the girls were very active in class and got along very well with their classmates.

Their headmaster, Edward Fue, said he had been shocked when he first met the girls and was at a loss as to how to help them, as the school didn't have the facilities to cater for them then.

A year later, the local government added a special room to the school where the girls get to rest when they need to and also hired a driver to take them to and from home.According to reports, the deceased had been rushed to the Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, but he was pronounced dead.

Police are reported to have said that the incident occurred just before 7:00 a.m. in the 13200 block of Fall Manor Drive in Dallas after a heated argument ensued between the suspect and her deceased husband.

Some neighbours condemned the incident, describing the murder as completely worthless especially when it occurred over nothing, but cat.

One Carl Phillips for instance told CBS: They were some good people. They dont bother anybody. A man got shot over a cat? Its kind of crazy.

It is reported that that the Harrison couple had moved settled in the said neighbourhood with two children just some months ago.

The cat in contentionis said to have gone missing recently, but was later found.At this stage, most of the work around mental health in Nigeria revolves around creating awareness about the problem. In a distinctly conservative society, this is an obvious priority. What it means, however, is that conversations about finding the right solutions or treatments are not getting as much attention or any at all.

Even in the western world, treatment of mental health is still focused on chemical solutions. Drugs are prescribed to regulate hormones and help persons like the 1.5 million Nigerians reportedly living with Anxiety Disorder.

However, the conditions that create mental health problems hardly ever get as much attention.

In Nigeria, the plunge in the standard of living, insecurity and a lack of opportunities have heated over into a boiling pot, and in turn, created a drug crisis and an internet crime underworld.

ALSO READ: There is a culture of silence around the mental health of young Nigerians

In many ways, Nigeria's latent mental health emergency is the third of these problems.

So, can drugs solve the problem or should we focus instead on improving the social conditions of the people at risk?

For young Nigerians who work, the latter would mean putting free money in their pockets or boosting the size of their paychecks.

The Nigerian minimum wage sits at a measly 18,000 naira (barely 50 dollars) a month. Nearly half of the country's workforce is either unemployed or underemployed.

So, say you find a young Nigerian man in his 20s and give him his annual salary, which could be a year's worth of exposure, say 1.2 million naira. Then wait.

Can money really solve your problems?

The Canadian Government did the equivalent of this in the 1970s. Some of the people of Dauphin, Manitoba were chosen and given 16,000 Canadian Dollars. The government's explanation? That they just wanted the lucky people to enjoy their lives as citizens of the country.

Over the next few months and years, many important things happened.

Some people left bad jobs and waited out for better ones. So, overall, work standards improved. Newborns were healthier, mostly because their mothers had better nutrition and healthcare.

The most important result, according to VICE CANADA, was that the rate of hospital visits for mental health problems dropped by 8.5%. For context, global depression rates have increased by 13% over the last decade.

For the most part, this only confirms what many of us suspect; that mental health issues are closely related to social conditions than we care or know to admit.

Social and Biological factors

As the World Health Organisation, the leading medical body in the world, has explained: Mental health is produced socially. The presence or absence of mental health is above all a social indicator and requires social as well as individual solutions.

In truth, mental health can be affected by a number of factors. Sometimes, it's biological; but other times, it's social and subjective.

In a society like Nigeria's, understanding this can help young people, healthcare professionals and institutions to address depression and anxiety the right way.

It also highlights the broader effects of the problems we read about on the pages of newspapers and feel in financial transactions and cost of living.The body claims that in his much-applauded commentary on the Nigerian situation, the rapper's depiction of the Chibok girls does not depict their reality. In a statement released today, June 5, 2018, it claims that a scene where a man dressed in Fulani attire beheads a man is spiteful and intended to denigrate Islam and Muslims.

MURIC described the video as "thoughtless, insensitive and highly provocative" and said it could create religious and ethnic crises of "unprecedented dimension".

The statement reads, "MURIC rejects Falz explanation that the girls in hijab in his Shaku Shaku dance symbolize the Chibok girls because nothing in the video indicates that the girls represent the Chibok girls".

At least none of the Chibok girls have been seen dancing like a drunkard. They are always in pensive mood. Do they have any cause to be dancing? Are they happy? ", it asks.

"The video manifests ethnic bias against Fulanis while it ignored the criminal activities of ethnic militia of the Middle Belt who have also massacred Fulanis and rustled their cattle in their thousands".

In the concluding paragraphs, MURIC goes on to accuse Falz of creating a hate video and misusing his freedom of expression.

You shouldn't really take MURIC serious

If precedent is anything to go by, MURIC doesn't really beg to be taken seriously.

The council describes itself as "a human rights organization which promotes, protects and projects the rights of Muslims."

It was formed on this side of the 2000s and its leader, Professor Ishaq Akintola releases statements in response to popular incidents with any reference to Muslims such as the delayed release of Leah Sharibu, Amusa Firdausa's hijab drama with the Nigerian Law School and Donald Trump's condemnation of killings in Mubi, Adamawa.

It has become most known for these reactions and press statements. In his statements, Oloyede often takes a one-for-all stance, appearing to speak for all Muslims against perceives injustices against individuals.

But not much more follows.

This group portends to condemn terrorism and all acts of violence. Its motto is 'Dialogue, Not Violence'.

Falz - "This is Nigeria"

On the one part, MURIC adds some bite to its threat by referring to instances where Muslims in Nigeria and Europe have responded violently to perceived disrespect of the culture or its icons.

On the more important end, however, a basis for their argument touches on a very salient point.

It starts at the 0:20 mark. A man in Fulani attire sits strumming his traditional guitar. He is then shown walking towards a man kneeling on the ground, with what appears to be a black polythene bag around his head.

He picks up a machete from the ground, and swings it up, and then down. The camera moves away and then back, but it needn't have. We know what just happened.

The Fulani man killed the guy in black.

One of the first scenes on Falz's "This is Nigeria" is the most problematic. We could well assume what Falz was trying to do in his reference to the spate of killings in the North and Middle West by bandits.

News from the affected communities and arrests have pointed fingers at herdsmen from the Nomadic Fulani tribe.

Yet, with this scene, Falz seems to suggest that Fulani men are at the center of the country's worst internal security crisis. There is no context for this suggestion.

He makes no effort to explain why there are claims that armed bandits from neighbouring countries are responsible.

A worthier cause would have been to draw attention to the insecurity in that area of the country and how the stereotypes surrounding a tribe are distracting us from the actual problem.

It is perhaps the biggest difference between Falz's iteration and the original Hiro Mukai/Donald Glover collaboration.

A number of the references to pertinent issues in Nigerian society are done without considering the circumstances in which they happen, especially considering that Falz consciously seeks to draw attention to them, not distract us, as Glover did.

It has been said that it would be best to focus on the message, and not kill the messenger.

Ultimately, this is a bitter pill to swallow considering the circumstances, but what we can best settle for is that Falz saw a problem and tried to address it.

Whether an artist's intention should trump the flaws in their execution is something worth discussing, especially if we hope that Falz's video will inspire any of Nigeria's metric-crazed pop stars to veer into social commentary.

That same energy

Ultimately, there isn't much MURIC could do. Attacking a rapper over a music video would defeat everything they represent, but again, few of these bodies are known for their consistency.Here are some interesting myths and legends that some Nigerians hold dear.

1. Whistling at night invites demons

According to Nigerian folktale, whistling at night is wrong and could have dire consequences. Legend has it that whistling is an invitation for the spirits. Different tribes have accounts of people who have whistled and have in turn been met by evil spirits, snakes, occult members or even found themselves in strange places.

2. Beating a boy with a broom or turning stick

Some Nigerians believe if you beat a boy with a broom or turning stick (Omorogun) it would shrink the size of his penis. As a remedy, if a boy has been beaten with a broom, he would have to beat the same person seven times with a broom.

ALSO READ: Size matters? The truth about penis stretching

3. Someone walking over your legs

If someone walks over your legs it is believed you will end up having kids who look just like that person. How this happens nobody understands. Pregnant women are quick to take their legs out of the way when someone tries to pass.

4. Reincarnation

One of the most popular Nigerian myth is the one told about the Yorubas, where the dead are expected to return to their family in the form of a newborn baby. Who a child is can be determined by its resemblance to the dead.

For example, a boy that resembles his paternal grandfather will be named Babatunde (father returns). Most strange, however, is their belief that if a person dies young, their ghost can go to another town and live there as if they were not dead, even getting married and having children over there.

5. Sun and rainIn going on dates, having conversations and doing several relationship things together, partners try to find a common ground on so many things, issues on which there has to be a merger of views and values if their eventual marriage is to succeed.

While dating and occasionally/regularly meeting up is the obvious and seemingly more-acceptable way to go about the pre-marriage journey, one other method is cohabitation; which in essence means to live together under the same roof for a period before the seal of marriage is stamped on the relationship.

Cohabitation is more of a simulation of day-to-day married life, the test-running of partners patience, temperament and actual forbearance of each other.

Man and wife happily cuddled on a sofa [Source: Video Block] Pulse Nigeria

It actually sounds like a great idea when you consider that cohabitation gives you a firsthand experience of your partners living habits and not just the refined, packaged bits they bring to the fore when you go on dates and hang out with each other.

But as great as this logically sounds, cohabitation has strong oppositions.

A moral and religious frown on cohabitation before marriage

The Nigerian society largely frowns on couples who live together before marrying. This is majorly due to the mish mash of morals and religious beliefs. So it is not unusual to see members of society, especially the old, pious and religious condemning cohabitation with as little as critical headshakes, and sometimes with as much as vicious tirades promising hell and perdition.

How your mum and older members of the society react when they find out that you are cohabiting with a woman you're not married to [Credit: SG Hunter] Pulse Nigeria

Religions grip on all facets of our society is undeniable, and all major religions being practiced around here do not allow for cohabitation before marriage for the obvious reason of preventing premarital sex.

Morally as well, premarital sex is not supposed to be a thing. So society still holds up the ideal that if couples are not supposed to be having sex, why should they living together?

The realities of cohabitation in our society

As with many other things, what actually reflects in the society is not what is supposed to be the ideal situation. So, regardless of these moral and religious standards held up against cohabitation before marriage, it seems many people still consider cohabitation a better way to judge a partners suitability for marriage than the traditional courting from close quarters [or from a distance as the case may be] and hoping for the best in marriage.

Rihanna saying no [Credit Nickie Petraki]; People usually say no to cohabitation in order to prevent premarital sex [Credit The QUINT]; Pulse Nigeria

Many people in relationships are having sex already, whether or not they live together, why then cant they cohabit if it will help them learn of each other better, instead of entering into marriage blind to each others hidden characters? asks Tola, 23.

Pat, a 25-year-old graduate in Benin City concedes that cohabitation could sometimes breed contempt in some relationships, but its advantages outweigh its disadvantages to such extent that she would personally love to cohabit before marrying.

I just believe it contributes largely to the knowing process. It prepares you for what you're up for, she says.

Netflix and Chill [Credit: Bustle] Pulse Nigeria

Moni, a media personnel in Lagos, also agrees with cohabitation before marriage. For her, it is such an important thing that if she does not live with a partner for between six months to one year, she is not agreeing to any marriage with such partner.

Abimbola, a Lagos resident who has been married for four years agrees that sometimes staying together could have disadvantages such as the lady feeling used after living with the guy for months only to be deemed unsuitable for marriage despite all the wifely duties she may have performed in the course of the cohabitation.

Rihanna saying no [Credit: Nickie Petraki] Pulse Nigeria

Although she thinks that cohabitation is disadvantageous to women because there is a big chance of being used and dumped, she still agrees that from a logical point of view, the advantages of cohabitation are more than its disadvantages.

Added to the ones already listed above, the young wife says other advantages of cohabitation are that you get to know each other's sexual appetite and then fill in when necessary or you run if you can't match up, and that once the guys family knows you are cohabiting and say nothing, that could be a way of approving you automatically as the wife.

For Halima, another young and unmarried woman who spoke to me for this piece, the attention on women who cohabit before marriage is undue. Asking a woman to not cohabit due to the belief that a man could tell her to go after seeing all aspects of her and being unimpressed.

The Unhappy couple [Credit Youtube] Pulse Nigeria

She passionately supports the belief that women should have no qualms living with a man with whom there's a big chance of marriage, adding that as opposed to what seems like a popular belief, the practice helps the decision of both men and women to eventually marry potential spouses.

"I hate that people usually make cohabitation sound like it is only advantageous to the man. They say if a you live with him, he may get bored and tell you to go but actually, the same thing applies to us women, too!

"If you date a guy and upon cohabiting with him, you find out that he's not someone you can bear living with, of course you are allowed to bin him!"

Conclusion

Whether you cohabit or not, a relationship that will fail to translate to a marriage will do so regardless. A guy that will be an asshole and dump his babe for a flimsy excuse will look for that reason even if the chance to pin it on cohabitation is not presented to him.

The physical appearance is the only point of attraction. One thing that carries a relationship far is the level of emotional maturity present in both partners. [Credit: Getty Images] Pulse Nigeria

Also sex in relationships have nothing to do with cohabitation. People have never and still do not need to cohabit to do that over and over again.

Add to this the fact that couples who will have great marriages will have it  whether or not they cohabited  and it just shows clearly that when you take away the prism of religion and conservative morals, to cohabit or not comes down to personal beliefs and opinions.

Obviously, people want what they want, and when it really comes down to it, individuals are going to go with their personal ideals.Alhassan also promised to make sure that the APC will win in Taraba state.

Speaking concerning the crisis rocking the ruling party, she said that it is a normal thing for disagreements to happen in a party.

She said I will make sure that in my zone, I follow up and by God's grace, Gombe and Taraba will be taken over in 2019, and don't even talk about Nigeria because its already APC and it will continue to be APC forever.

Crisis is normal in a big party like APC; once we can do our national convention, then we face the opposition PDP and I assure you that APC will win more states like Taraba in 2019.

I won the 2015 election, everyone knows that, even the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and I will re-contest the election again in 2019 if God keeps me alive and well.

It is God that gives power to whoever he desires. I won the election 2015, but God did not give me power. I will keep trusting in Him and the grassroots people of Taraba and God willing, I will win the election, she added.

Atiku for President

Mama Taraba in 2017, openly declared her support for him to become Nigeria's president in 2019.

"Your excellency, our father the next president come 2019, God willing. In your presence are your people, your supporters who will continue supporting you till forever."

Also speaking at a BBC Hausa interview, she said "Let me tell you today that if Baba said he is going to contest in 2019, I swear to Allah, I will go before him and kneel and tell him that 'Baba I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve your government as a minister but Baba just like you know I will support only Atiku because he is my godfather' if Atiku said he is going to contest."

She came under fire for the comment with top APC chieftains calling for her sack.Udoma, who could not confirm when the President might sign the document, noted that the executive arm of government still has a window of 30 days to make a decision.

The minister stated this in an interview at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

"The President is currently reviewing the budget. As you know, we have a minimum window of 30 days," Udoma said.

When further asked when Buhari will sign the budget, he said "...as soon as he is through, he will sign it. That is what l can tell you for now."

Budget increase

The President received the budget on May 25, 2018, a week after it was passed by the National Assembly.

The Senate increased the budget from N8.612 trillion as proposed by Buhari to N9.12 trillion.

ALSO READ: Transport employers urge Nigerian youths to vote BuhariAccording to the president, Nigeria is sufficiently safe for tourists to come and improve the country's economy.

He said, "I am pleased that the country is now sufficiently safe and secure, and the message should go out to the world for all tourists and business travellers. The first thing tourists look out for is security and I am happy we have it now.

"Minister Lai Mohammed has been trying to convince the world that Nigeria is safe and has great potentials for tourism and investment. I am glad that you and your team have come here to see things for yourself."

With Pololikashvili in Nigeria for the 61st UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) conference, Buhari said it would have been inconceivable to host an international tourism conference in Abuja four years ago, because of security concerns.

He also said Nigeria would not be left behind in ensuring that communities and businesses benefit from tourism development.Nine police officers and 24 others lost their lives when a group of at least 30 armed robbers attacked Union Bank, Eco Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank and Ibolo Micro Finance Bank,as well as the Owode Police Station in Offa on April 5, 2018.

Adikwu is one of the 22 suspects who have been arrested in connection to the incident and has been identified as the man that provided the gang with firearms for the operation.

Even though he was not among the suspects that were paraded before journalists on Sunday, June 3, 2018, Force Public Relations Officer, ACPJimoh Moshood, disclosed that Adikwu killed 22 people during the operation.

Adikwu was attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Kwara state command before he was dismissed in 2012 for aiding the escape of some robbery suspects. He was arraigned in court and spent about three years in prison before he made his way out in unclear circumstances.

According to confessions from other suspects, Adikwu led the attack on the police station to kill police officers.

Fellow suspect, Ibikunle Ogunleye, aka Arrow, had previously told police officers that Adikwu led a team of four to the station and single-handedly killed all the nine officers that were victims of the attack.

Ogunleyeis quoted to have said, "I was among the three people that entered the police station with Adikwu, but I didn't shoot or kill anyone. It was Adikwu that shot and killed all the policemen. He went from one office to the other, killing everyone. We only gave him cover."

Adikwu was also reported to have gone to each bank that was robbed to bark orders at his comrades and kill more people.

While speaking to journalists on Sunday, Ogunleye said it was pressure from Adikwu that led him to kill two people during the operation.

He said, "The two people I killed was out of fear because I was being disturbed when the whole thing was going on."

ALSO READ: Watch footage of Offa bank robbery that claimed over 30 lives

Adikwu supplied guns for Offa robbery

37-year-old Ayoade Akinnibosun, who has been identified to be the man that coordinated the operation, also confessed that Adikwu provided the gang some of the firearms used for the robbery.

He said, "That fateful day, it was me, this man sitting beside me here (Ogunleye), Adex, Stand Well Well, and Niyi; it was the five of us. I came to join them at Ajase then we took off with a Mercedes Benz to Offa.

"On getting there I now positioned everybody; me I stood at that junction, that Total filling station there. On getting to that filling station, we now met that Michael, that dismissed police officer. On getting to meet Michael, Michael came down from one Audi, there was a Nissan parked in front of us, he now came out of that Audi and threw his hands we now saw him and parked at the back of that Nissan. He now came out and brought guns out of that Nissan, five AK-47s, and gave it to us. Then I shared it between the five of us inside our Benz."

Ogunleye also disclosed that it was Adikwu who trained the group in the use of firearms at Ajase-Ipo, Kwara, a day to the robbery.

Adikwu was bitter over dismissal from police force

Adikwu's reason for leading the charge on the police station has been attributed to his bitterness over how he was dismissed from the police force, making him vow to kill as many officers as possible.

Ogunleye said he was loudly proclaiming his resentment for the force while the Offa robbery operation was going on.

He said, "The dismissed police officer, Michael (Adikwu), was shouting that day that the Nigerian police dismissed him, that they collect job from his hand, that he'll do them shege. That was the language he used."

Before Ogunleye's statement, an earlier report had disclosed that Adikwu himself told operatives of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Teams (IRT) that he deliberately killed police officers during the operation as an outlet for his bitterness at being dismissed from the force.The migrantswere relocated over poor conditions in the camps and bloody fights among the asylum seekers.

Deputy Paris Mayor For Emergency Housing, Ian Brossat, told Reuters that "there have been abominable conditions in these camps and the government has finally understood that there is no other solution than sheltering them."

According to the clear out operation occurred near Canal Saint Martin.

Asylum requests are open

Buses were seen transporting the migrants to lodgings around the Paris region where they can pursue asylum requests.

A Nigerian identified as James Okafor told Reuters that he fled Nigeria after being attacked.

Okafor said he "will be very happy to leave the camp" because it will help him meet officials who will decide if he can stay in France.

Bloody fights in migrant camps

According to French government official Brossat, there was an incident last month in which two migrants drowned nearby. He also cited the proliferation of bloody fights between rival camp dwellers as reason why the migrant camp in Canal Saint Martin had to be closed.

There has been increased pressure on the French Interior Ministry to close the camps and provide lodging for the migrants.

A smaller camp at Porte de Poissonniere was also cleared out Monday morning.

Reuters reports that Paris police have already cleared out some 28,000 migrants from Paris camps in the past three years, but the arrivals haven't slowed.

France's situation is shared by other European nations seeking to manage the stream of new arrivals from less developed countries.

Migration to Europe from Africa and Asia has slowed since the mass Syrian refugee crisis a few years ago; but the influx remains a steady challenge for Europe.

Losing their lives on the journey to Europe

Africans fleeing their continent to Europe often embark on hazardous trips through Libya and the Mediterranean. Many lose their lives during those trips.

In November of 2017, Italy held a mass funeral for 26 Nigerian women who drowned while crossing the Mediterranean Sea.

Some reports say the girls were sexually molested before being hurled into sea to drift ashore.

According to the IOM (International Organisation for Migration), more than 160,000 economic migrants and refugees arrived Europe in 2017 through the Mediterranean.

Of this number, the IOM says 3,000 didn't live to tell their stories.

An influx of migrants

345, 544 economic migrants arrived Europe through the same dangerous routes in 2016, according to the IOM.

Every year, Africa sees a chunk of its youthful population fleeing its shores for greener pastures abroad.

More than 70 percent of these African migrants are Nigerians.

On November 18, 2017, hundreds of protesters clashed with riot police on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris during a march against slavery in Libya,following a footage aired by CNN.

In the heart-rending footage, young people from sub-Saharan Africa were seen getting sold to buyers for as little as 400 dollars throughout several locations in Libya.This, the source said, is as a result of the recent treatment being meted out to Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye.

After two separate meeting on Monday, June 4, 2018, a source told TheCable that some lawmakers had proposed the commencement of President Buharis impeachment process over the purchase of two Tucano fighter jets without Senates approval amongst others.

The move was rejected by some members of the National Assembly who were very jittery following recent happenings in the polity.

Senator Melaye was accused of gunrunning, and Senator Shehu Saninamed in a murder case.

Gang leader responsible for the Offa robbery linked Saraki to the sad event which claimed 33 lives.

On the other hand, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has been accused of violating the Code of Conduct law by failing to declare his assets outside Nigeria.

When we mooted the idea of impeaching Buhari at the meeting, you could see that our leaders were not comfortable. They are clearly shaken by the robbery charge against Saraki, a senator told TheCable.

Melaye was the most vocal of the lawmakers in attendance.

The embattled Kogi lawmaker teased the jitterysenators, telling them Buhari would soon come after them whether or not they defected from APC.

Dino told Ekweremadu (PDP) that he was wasting his time thinking Buhari would pipe down. He also accused Senator Godswill Akpabio (PDP) of spending money like water to prevent his arrest as if that would solve his problem, another senator told TheCable.

Also, aggrieved APC members who had plans to dump the party for the APC may have suspended their moves.

Senator Jonah Jang was recently arrested and remanded over alleged corruption.

Some were of the opinion that the best time for the APC senators to defect is now, insisting that public sympathy was with the opposition with the persecution of those perceived to be politically opposed to Buhari.

There are also fears of over-heating the polity should Buhari's impeachment procedure be instituted.

Pro-Buhari Senators are also against the move to remove the President.

Both chambers of the National Assembly are currently in an emergency joint session over "political tension" in the country.He said the suspension will calm the tension in the volatile states, especially in the middle belt.

Hundreds of people have been killed in Nigeria's middle belt since January when some Fulani herdsmen slaughtered people in a Benue villa.

Dan-Ali made the recommendation on Tuesday, June 5, after a security meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

"There is need to employ other channels with the affected states to reduce tension by suspending the implementation of the anti-open grazing law while also negotiating safe routes for the herders," Dan Ali said at the meeting.

"There is a need for the Nigeria police and Department of State Services to prosecute all the suspects arrested in the affected states while negotiating safe routes for the herders," the minister said.

Military/Police coalition

He also recommended the launch of a Joint Task Force operation, similar to 'Operation Safe Haven' in Jos, with headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara state, to cover Zamfara and Birnin Gwari axis of Kaduna State, where incessant kidnappings and killings have also been happening.

ALSO READ: Anti-grazing bill scales second reading in Oyo state Assembly

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who was also at the meeting, buttressed that a team comprising the military, police and civil defence would be deployed to Zamfara state in two weeks to secure lives and property of the people.These were part of the resolutions after a joint session of both chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday, June 5, 2018.

The National Assembly had moved into an emergency session to address the political tension in the country.

Senate President Bukola Saraki read the resolutions of the meeting and there are as follows:

"The joint session of the national assembly in closed session resolved that the security agencies must be given a marching order to curtail the killings of Nigerians across the country and protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. This is the primary responsibility of any responsible government,

"Persecution of political opponents must stop. There is the strict adherence to the rule of law and protection of all citizens

"The president must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction any act which will ridicule the country and our country's democracy.

"The government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective and also prosecute current appointees for corruption cases pending against them.

"The sanctity of the National Assembly is protected and preserved and prosecute those who invaded the senate to seize the mace.

"Elections must be competitive and inclusive [away] from the rule of fear and intimidation, particularly as we approach the forthcoming 2019 elections.

"The national assembly will meet a few international communities through the IPU, ECOWAS parliament, CPA, EU and United Nations to secure our democracy. The national assembly will also work closely with the civil society organizations to further deepen and protect our democracy.

"Resolution nine, the president must take immediate steps to curtail the growing rate of unemployment especially now that we have the advantage of rising oil price.

"Both chambers of the National Assembly have passed a vote of confidence on the senate president and the Speaker and the entire leadership of the national assembly.

"We also hereby reaffirm our earlier resolution of the vote of no confidence on the Inspector-general of police who does nothing but preside over killings of Nigerians and outright disregard for constitutional authority of both the executive and the legislature.The lawmakers made the resolution, among others, after an emergency joint session which was held behind closed doors.

Reading the resolutions, the Senate President Bukola Saraki said the IGP Idris performs his duties with "outright disregard for the constitutional authority of both the executive and the legislature".

"We also hereby reaffirm our earlier resolution on the vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police, who does nothing but preside over innocent Nigerians with an outright disregard for the constitutional authority of both the executive and the legislature," Saraki said.

The joint session said President Muhammadu Buhari must sanction some of his appointees whose actions negates constitutional stipulations.

"The President must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction those that carry out any act which will ridicule or endanger our country and democracy", the lawmakers said.

ALSO READ: Here is why Saraki may leave APC

The two chambers also gave marching orders to security agencies to protect Nigerians and curtail incessant killings by gunmen.

Offa robbery

The police had recently invited the Saraki for questioning in a case involving the suspected armed robbers that attacked banks in Offa, Kwara State months back.

The suspects were said to have revealed Saraki and the Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as their sponsors.They reaffirmed resolution of vote of no confidence on Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris.

The lawmakers also resolved that President Muhammadu Buhari must be ready to sanction any of his appointees whose action negates constitutional provisions.

Senate President Bukola Saraki read the resolutions at the end of the joint session.

Read the resolutions below:

1. The Security Agencies must be given marching orders to curtail the sustained killings of Nigerians across the country and protect life and properties of Nigerians as this is the primary duty of any responsible Government.

2. The systematic harassment and humiliation by the Executive of perceived political opponents, people with contrary opinions including Legislators and Judiciary by the police and other security agencies must stop.

3. There must be strict adherence to the Rule of Law and protection for all citizens by the President and his appointees.

4. The President must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction those that carry out any act which will ridicule or endanger our country and democracy.

5. The Government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective also prosecute current appointees that have cases pending against them.

6. The sanctity of the National Assembly should protect and preserve the Federal Government of Nigeria by not interfering in its business and prosecuting those who invaded the Senate to seize the mace.

7a. National Assembly should liaise with International Communities through the IPU, APU, ECOWAS, CPA, Parliament, Pan African Parliament, EU, UN, US congress and UK Parliament to secure our democracy.

7b. Democratic elections must be competitive and inclusive by removing the present reign of fear and intimidation particularly as we approach the forthcoming 2019 elections.

8. The National Assembly will work closely with Civil Society Organisations, Trade Unions and NGOs to further deepen and protect our democracy.

9. The President must take immediate steps to contain the growing level of unemployment and poverty in Nigeria especially now that we have advantage of the oil price having risen to $80 per barrel.

ALSO READ: 9 Reasons why National Assembly will impeach Buhari

10. Both chambers of the National Assembly hereby pass a vote of confidence on the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the entire leadership of the National Assembly.

11. We reaffirm our earlier resolution of vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police who does nothing other than preside over the killing of innocent Nigerians and consistent framing up of perceived political opponents of the President and outright disregard for constitutional authority, both executive and legislative.On Sunday, the police asked Saraki to show up at its office for questioning over the Offa bank robbery which claimed the lives of over 33 persons on April 5, 2018.

The police say a written statement from Saraki will now suffice.

Why exactly does the police believe it has a case against Saraki and Kwara Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed over the Offa robbery?

Here are the five pieces of evidence the police is holding on to.....

1. Confessional statements from some of the suspects

According to a statement from police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood, The gang leaders further confessed during investigation that they are political thugs under the name Youth Liberation Movement a.k.a Good Boys admitted and confessed to have been sponsored with firearms, money and operational vehicles by the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki and the Governor of Kwara State, Alh. Abdulfatah Ahmed.

2. One of the cars used during the robbery had the name Saraki on it

Again, lets return to that statement from Moshood; In the course of discreet investigation into the confessions of these five (5) gang leaders and the other seventeen (17) principal suspects, a Lexus jeep GX-300 (Ash Colour) with a sticker plate number with inscription SARAKI Kwara, State of Harmony used by the gang leader (Ayoade Akinnibosun M 37Yrs) during the bank robbery and the killing of the THIRTY THREE (33) innocent persons was taken to Government House, Ilorin on 16th May, 2018.

The sticker plate number with inscription SARAKI Kwara, State of Harmony was removed before another plate number (Reg. No. Kwara, KMA 143 RM) registered in the name of Ayoade Aknnibosun the Overall Commander of the Offa Bank Robbery was then attached to the vehicle to cover up the identity of the said vehicle.

3. A Kwara State govt employee tried to conceal evidence

According to the police; The Personal Assistant (Political) to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Alabi Olalekan, who is privy to information that the Police is looking for the Lexus Jeep as an exhibit used in the Offa Bank Robbery and the killings of THIRTY THREE (33) innocent persons directed one Adeola Omiyale to relocate the Lexus Jeep to Government House, Ilorin.

The PA (Political) is currently in Police custody and has made useful statements assisting the Police in further investigation into the case. A revolver pistol and pump action gun were recovered by the Police Investigation Team from the Personal Assistant (Political) to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Alabi Olalekans Farm where he directed his brother to hide them after his arrest by the Police.

4. The Chief of Staff to the Kwara State Governor was allegedly caught in the act

The police say in order to conceal evidence, the Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Yusuf Abdulwahab who has been arrested and taken into Police custody, arranged the removal of the sticker plate number with inscription SARAKI Kwara, State of Harmony from the exhibit vehicle and also registered the exhibit Lexus Jeep used in the Offa Bank Robbery and the killings of THIRTY THREE (33) innocent persons in the name of Ayoade AKinnibosun, the overall Gang Commander of the Offa Bank Robbery while the Ayoade AKinnibosun was already in Police custody for more than six (6) days before the registration of the vehicle.

5. Police names suspects who implicated Saraki

The police say: Five (5) gang Leaders, namely; Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibukunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salawudeen Azeez, Niyi Ogundiran and some of the other Seventeen (17) suspects arrested for direct involvement and active participation in the Offa bank robbery, said they were armed and sponsored by Saraki and Governor Ahmed.The Police had invited Saraki for questioning after the suspects arrested in connection with the robbery in Offa, Kwara state, allegedly said they were sponsored by the Senate President and the state Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed.

According to The Cable, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami was also at the meeting with Osinbajo.

The IGP was said to have refused to comment on the agenda of the meeting when state house correspondents questioned him afterward. The police boss instead told the journalists to direct their inquiries to Osinbajo's aide-de-camp.

Saraki had earlier expressed eagerness to appear before the police as he asked his aide to get him the invitation letter so he can "honour it immediately."

ALSO READ: All you need to know about Saraki's police invitationNine police officers and 24 others lost their lives when a group of at least 30 armed robbers attacked Union Bank, Eco Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank and Ibolo Micro Finance Bank,as well as the Owode Police Station in Offa on April 5, 2018.

Since the robbery incident happened, 22 suspects have been arrested and were finally presented to the press during a media briefing on Sunday, June 3, 2018.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACPJimoh Moshood, disclosed that five of the gang leaders have made confessional statements where they admitted to their roles in the bloody robbery that shocked the country two months ago.

According to him, the main gang leaders are Ayoade Akinnibosun (aka, AY), Ibikunle Ogunleye (aka Arrow), Adeola Abraham, Salawudeen Azeez, and Niyi Ogundiran, all indigenes of Oro, Irepodun local government area of Kwara.

The other major leader of the operation is Michael Adikwu, a former police corporal, who killed a total of 22 people during the robbery incident. Adikwu was attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Kwara State command before he was dismissed in 2012 for aiding the escape of some robbery suspects. He was arraigned in court and spent about three years in prison before he made his way out and created his own gang.

According to ACP Moshood, the biggest gang leader, AY, named Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Kwara state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, as his gang's political sponsors.

Some of the gang leaders were allowed to be questioned by the press and they shed light on the issues surrounding the robbery operation including the fact that it was the first time many of them were engaging in such a crime.

Read their confessions below:

Ibikunle Ogunleye, aka, Arrow

36-year-old Ogunleye confessed to killing two people during the robbery incident. He revealed that he was only informed of the robbery three days before the operation.

He said, "It was the gang leader, Ayo, that introduced this robbery to me and I later spread it to Ade to inform the two mechanics (other gang leaders). Three days to the incident, that was when the gang leader invited us."

Ogunleye also disclosed that he killed two people during the robbery incident because Adikwu, the ex-police officer, was disturbing him.

He said, "The two people I killed was out of fear because I was being disturbed when the whole thing was going on. The dismissed police officer, Michael (Adikwu), was shouting that day that the Nigerian police dismissed him, that they collect job from his hand, that he'll do them shege. That was the language he used."

While noting that the Offa incident was his first robbery operation, he said Adikwu also trained the group in the use of firearms at Ajase-Ipo, Kwara, a day to the robbery.

Adeola Abraham

35-year-old Abraham led a team of robbers to GTB during the operation and revealed to the press that he killed five people because he was stoned by members of the public outside the bank.

He said, "When we're in operation, they start to attack us with stone, civilian people, outside the bank. I was in the front of the bank when they started shouting 'thief, thief' and started carrying the stone, threw the stone and then the stone knack (hit) me, that is why (I killed them)."

Ayoade Akinnibosun

37-year-old Akinnibosun has been identified as the man that coordinated the operation after working with Adikwu. While speaking to the press, he narrated how the operation started in Offa after he received guns from Adikwu.

He said, "That fateful day, it was me, this man sitting beside me here (Ogunleye), Adex, Stand Well Well, and Niyi; it was the five of us. I came to join them at Ajase then we took off with a Mercedes Benz to Offa.

"On getting there I now positioned everybody; me I stood at that junction, that Total filling station there. On getting to that filling station, we now met that Michael, that dismissed police officer. On getting to meet Michael, Michael came down from one Audi, there was a Nissan parked in front of us, he now came out of that Audi and threw his hands we now saw him and parked at the back of that Nissan. He now came out and brought guns out of that Nissan, five AK-47s, and gave it to us. Then I shared it between the five of us inside our Benz."

He also named the senate president and Kwara governor as his political sponsors whom he's done 'political arrangements' for for years .

He said, "I am the chairman of Liberation Youths Movement, Kwara South. My involvement with the senate president is we're his boys; we work for him at Kwara South. We're the ones that hold Kwara South for him. We've been working for him since he was Governor of Kwara.

"We mobilise and do political arrangement there (Kwara South). For example, where we can't win, we make dabaru (disruptive) arrangement there; we scatter elections if we don't win.

"The connections between me and the senate president is that he's the one that is arranging everything for us. For example, this car (a Lexus jeep GX-300) was given to me by His Excellency (Governor Ahmed) through the Chief of Staff of Kwara state as a gift from leader, Bukola Saraki. I participated in the Offa robbery. I took this Lexus car along to Offa.

"The senate president and governor of Kwara state (Ahmed), we have been their political thugs, and that's what encouraged us to do what we're doing.

Even though Akinnibosun noted that their alleged sponsors didn't know about their robbery plans, Chief of Staff to Governor Ahmed, Yusuf Abdulwahab, and his personal assistant on politics, Alabi Olalekan, are two of the 22 suspects who have been arrested in connection to the robbery incident.

Salawudeen Azeez

Salawudeen Azeez was presented as a gang leader involved in the robbery operation. Azeez disclosed that he was introduced to the gang while repairing a car for them. The mechanic killed two people during the operation.

ALSO READ: Watch footage of Offa bank robbery that claimed over 30 lives

Two witnesses remain at large

In a statement signed by ACP Moshood on May 4, he released the pictures of four suspects who were placed at the scene of the crime and declared them wanted with a bounty of N5 million placed on their heads by the Kwara state government.

Adikwu and Ogunleye were two of those suspects, and have been arrested since then, meaning the other two remain at large as investigations continue into the tragedy of the Offa robbery.The bombers, two women and a man, attacked three different locations in the town of Diffa on Monday night, including a Koranic school, Djibo Oumarou, a manager at the regional hospital in Diffa, told dpa.

When I saw that remains of bone and flesh had splashed onto my mosquito net, I panicked.

The Diffa region, in which the town is located, borders on north-eastern Nigeria, where Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram poses a steady threat to communities.

The extremists, who enforce a strict interpretation of Islamic law known as sharia, also regularly launch offensives in neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.This was disclosed by the Public Relations Officer of the Nasarawa State Police Command, ASP Samaila Usman, in Lafia on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. He said the officers were killed in an ambush while they were on their way to put an end to a crisis between Agatu farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

The bodies of the unnamed inspector, sergeant and corporal have been recovered and deposited at a morgue while a reinforcement team, led by an assistant commissioner of police, has been deployed to the area to apprehend the perpetrators of the crime.

State governor, Umaru Al-Makura, commiserated with the police command and urged residents to ensure peaceful co-existence with their neighbours.

He further called on the leaders of the Egbura and Bassa ethnic groups to put a definite end to the crisis that has left dozens dead between both groups in Toto local government area of the state

He said, "I must say I blame the elites of both tribes for what is happening in these communities and they must take responsibility for this carnage.

"This is because, if we have elites who are patriotic, who want peace and stability and elites, who have the feeling and interest of the people at heart, they would have come together to find solution to the crisis.

"You have lived, schooled and worked together as brothers and sisters in the same local government area. What is it that is so difficult to amend in terms of social interaction?

"I am challenging all the elites that its high time you all realised the kind of danger you are putting the people by fanning the embers of hatred and enmity, which will not augur well for the development of the local government area.

"If you as elites do not sit together on the drawing board to ensure amicable and mutual solution and build confidence between the two tribes, you are sowing a seed that will destroy all of you."Despite being curable and treatable, TB kills more than 1.6 million people every year and only about half the cases are diagnosed properly.

The disease also takes an enormous financial toll on economies: it is estimated that TB will cost about one trillion dollars by 2030, the UN said.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at an interactive dialogue with civil society groups that social drivers must be confronted in the fight against tuberculosis.

Winning the fight against Tuberculosis requires that social drivers of the disease especially poverty and inequality are tackled head on.

Universal health care provides an ideal umbrella to build cohesion across the global health landscape, on financing, programming and accountability.

Let us use these meetings as an opportunity to inform a new way of thinking and working; lifting TB beyond its traditional silo, the Secretary-General said.

He urged greater efforts to provide universal health coverage and combat the growing threat of anti-microbial resistance.

Rising anti-microbial resistance is leading to growing cases of multi-drug-resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) where the two most powerful drugs used to fight TB, isoniazid and rifampicin, are rendered ineffective.

ALSO READ: Nigeria ranks 4th in global tuberculosis infection rate

Miroslav Lajcak, the President of the General Assembly, who convened the meeting, stressed that knowledge of the disease and factors that complicate treatment have grown, but the world cannot stop at just knowing.

We know we need more research and development for new drugs and treatments; we need more funding; we need universal access to diagnosis and coverage; and we need partnerships and accountability of all stakeholders, he said.

The civil society dialogue is part of the preparatory process for a high-level meeting, to be held in September, on tuberculosis.

It comes a day before UN Member States start negotiations on the outcome document for the high-level meeting.That was the initial report from the APC camp after a police officer pulled the trigger at the campaign rally of the former minister. As a result of the shooting, a former House of Representatives member, Opeyemi Bamidele, suffered gunshot injuries with at least five others injured.

After the initial chaos over the shooting settled, the Ekiti State Police Command clarified that the shooting was an "accidental discharge" from the rifle of the unnamed police officer who has since been dismissed.

Reliable reports have indicated that the accidental shooting was a result of a struggle between the officer and unknown thugs at the venue of the rally.

In a video that has now emerged on the internet, that report appears to be the accurate account as it shows how the shooting started. The video was posted by Lere Olayinka, the Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, who has denied involvement in any assassination plot as earlier alleged.

In the video, Fayemi and Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, could be seen departing the APC secretariat in Ado Ekiti backed by security operatives amid a throng of eager supporters.

A few seconds into the video, just a few meters away from Fayemi and Akeredolu, the officer can be seen engaged in a physical struggle surrounded by a few unknown men who were shuffling him around in the crowd.

Even though the shooting was described as 'accidental', the officer appeared to have deliberately discharged his firearm to get the crowd off his back.

Watch video below:

Watch how Ekiti APC scretariat shooting with gubernatorial candidate started

The Ekiti State Police Command has revealed that the police officer was attached to Mopol 20, in Lagos, and had been illegally assigned at the rally by a House of Representatives aspirant in the APC, Tayo Adebiyi, who has also been arrested.

Even though some have alleged that Adebiyi brought the officer to assassinate Fayemi and destabilise the party, his campaign organisation's director general, David Ayeni, said he duly applied for the police guard out of concern for his own safety and without ulterior motives.

The officer, identified by some as Kenneth, is currently recovering from injuries sustained from the beating he got from a mob at the rally before he was taken into custody.

Ekiti gubernatorial election

The July 14 election is expected to be a straight battle between Fayemi and and Fayose's deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).The lawmakers are not satisfied with recent events in the country hence the emergency joint session of both chambers of the National Assembly.

The meeting which lasted well over three hours was held behind closed doors.

Senate President Bukola Saraki read the resolutions of the meeting afterwards:

1. Buhari must address killings

In recent times, there has been killings in several states in Nigeria. Benue, Zamfara, Kaduna, and others have been under attacks by bandits and suspected herdsmen.

Presidential orders and military presence in these areas have not been able to quell these killings.

The lawmakers have asked President Buhari and the security chiefs to address the matter with a sense of urgency.

2. Persecution of political opponents

The National Assembly has accused the executive of persecuting perceived political opponents. Lawmakers had expressed concerns that if such situation is allowed to continue, Nigeria might be thrown into a state of anarchy.

Some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC)are afraid to leave the party due to fear of being investigated and persecuted.

3. Strict adherence to the rule of law

Lawmakers accused the executive of flouting court orders and disregard for the rule of law. The Judiciary is said to be the last hope of the common man. Where court judgements are flouted by government officials, it may result in conflict.

4.The president must be held accountable of the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction any act which will ridicule the country and our country's democracy.

5. The government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective and also prosecute current appointees pending against them.

6. The sanctity of the National Assembly protected and preserved and prosecute those who invaded the senate to seize the mace.

7. Elections must be competitive and inclusive [away] from the rule of fear and intimidation, particularly as we approach the forthcoming 2019 elections.

8. The president must take immediate steps to curtail the growing rate of unemployment especially now that we have the advantage of rising oil price.

9. We also hereby reaffirm our earlier resolution of the vote of no confidence on the Inspector-General of Police who does nothing but preside over killings of Nigerians and outright disregard for constitutional authority of both the executive and the legislature.On August 31, 2013, seven governors belonging to the PDP, walked out of the special delegates convention of the party in Abuja.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar led the seven governors out of the PDP gathering to the Yar'adua center for a press briefing.

How nPDP was born

The governors who staged a walkout on the day were joined by a former chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje and some senators.

Saraki was among the disenchanted senators.

The angry politicians would become known as the New PDP or nPDP.

Hours later, all the aggrieved members of the PDP who staged a walkout from the PDP delegates convention, announced that they were going to be joining the APC.

Why is nPDP still a thing even after collapsing into APC?

Even after joining APC, the nPDP subset within the APC has maintained a separate identity.

Recently, the nPDP has been making some demands from the Buhari led presidency.

On April 27, 2018, the nPDP returned to the front pages of newspapers and websites.

It was the day Baraje (remember him?) wrote a letter threatening the APC and presidency. To put it mildly, the nPDP threatened to pull out of the APC if its grievances arent met.

President Buhari was copied in the letter.

What are the nPDP's grievances?

In the letter, the nPDP saidit had been marginalized in the APCand wasnt getting its fair share of federal appointments.

Harassment, intimidation and persecution of former new PDP leaders by the government is still an ongoing affair. We do not want to overstate the obvious by cataloguing names of former new PDP stalwarts that are targets of this political pogrom.

There is inadequate reflection of programme and policy contributions of members of the former new PDP bloc in the running of the government.

Our belief is that it does not augur well for our party if a section of it feels that it is being treated as outcasts and meddlesome interlopers in the party they rightly belong with the legitimate expectation to be treated with justice both in the running of the party and the government.

The nPDP added thatIn appointments into Boards of various government agencies, very few former New PDP members were patronised. These are however not commensurate with our contributions to the growth and Victory of the party".

nPDP meets Osinbajo for peace talks

On May 28, 2018, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo invited aggrieved members of the nPDP bloc to Aso Rock for peace talks.

Those who attended this meeting were Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and other chieftains of the party.

The nations Attorney General Abubakar Malami and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, among others, also attended this meeting.

Did the VP meeting with nPDP bring peace?

Things went a little quiet after Osinbajos meeting with the aggrieved APC faction, until the police declared that Saraki should report to its office in Abuja for questioning over the Offa robbery incidentthat claimed over 33 lives.

On Monday, June 4, 2018, the nPDP pulled out of a scheduled second meeting with Osinbajo over Saraki's police invitation.

The nPDP bloc saw the whole Saraki link with the Offa robbery incident as another attempt by the main APC bloc to humiliate its members.

Again, the nPDP threatened to pull out of the governing party.

In a statement, the nPDP frowned at latest developments since its meeting with Osinbajo and said it was clear that its previous meeting with the presidency achieved little.

While we are truly and earnestly committed to achieving reconciliation, harmony, truce and cohesion in the APC as we approach the 2019 general elections, it appears that the presidency is not interested in the talks and that they may have been negotiating in bad faith, the statement read.

Please permit us to reproduce a substantial part of the nPDP statement below:

We were alarmed that immediately after our meeting with the Vice President last week, the presidency misrepresented what transpired at the meeting by trying to blackmail some of the principal actors involved in the discussions in a national daily.

"Similarly, the leadership of the party (APC) went ahead to ratify all the Congresses from ward, local governments, states and zonal where many of our members have complaints, effectively presenting us with a fait accompli.

"The persecution of our members using state security apparatus have continued unabated.

"We recognize the powers of the Police to conduct criminal investigations but by rushing to the public with the issue even when they have unfettered access to the leadership of the National Assembly suggests an attempt to undermine, caricature and humiliate the institution of the legislature.

"It appears that there is a fouled and toxic atmosphere and environment of intimidation and threat to life in which we now find ourselves which may no longer be conducive for members of the former nPDP to continue with the talks.

"Given the unfolding events in the last 24 hours, where the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and His Excellency, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, the Executive Governor of Kwara State , both of whom attended the meeting with the Vice President on Monday 28 May, 2018 ,have suddenly been accused of sponsoring armed robbery by the Police under the directives of the Presidency.

"Similarly, on Saturday, June 2nd, 2018, the Department of State of Services (DSS) also suddenly withdrew more than half of all the security details attached to the presiding officers of the National Assembly under questionable circumstances".

Is there a plan to appease Saraki?

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo held a meeting with Inspector General of Police (IGP)Ibrahim Idris and Attorney General Malami after the latest statement from nPDP.

Various reports say the presidency has instructed IGP Idris to go easy on Saraki and hand him a soft landing in the Offa robbery case.

Already, Saraki has been told that he doesn't have to report at the police station over the Offa robbery incident; and that he can tender his statement in writing.

Saraki's DSS (Department of State Security) detail--partially withdrawn after he was linked to the Offa robbery--

According to Sahara Reporters, "Senate President Bukola Saraki to get soft landing from presidency after intervention by some elders, his aides to be released without charges as long as he behaves".Several hundred police officers from all over the country took part in the sombre tribute, following the flower-strewn hearses of Lucile Garcia, 54, and Soraya Belkacemi, 44.

"We are a police force, every time we lose an officer it's like losing a family member," retired police officer Jean-Claude Bertrand told AFP.

"The only thing we can do is to be there for each other."

Officers stood to attention as the hearses passed. Some had covered their orange armbands with a black mourning band.

Alongside Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel stood several ministers and a representative of King Philippe.

On Monday, several hundred people turned out for the funeral of student Cyril Vangriecken, attacker Benjamin Herman's third victim.

Friends and family of the 22-year-old walked behind the hearse dressed in white through the streets of Vottem near Liege ahead of the funeral, also attended by Michel.

The funerals follow a procession Sunday of nearly 3,000 people who marched to the scene of the attack and laid white roses in memory of the three victims.

Petty criminal

Herman carried out his rampage on May 29, repeatedly stabbing Garcia and Belkacemi with a knife before taking their service pistols and shooting them.

He then killed Vangriecken who sat in the passenger seat of a parked car.

The attacker holed up in a nearby school, briefly taking a cleaner hostage before bursting out to confront police and being killed in a hail of bullets.

Belgian police who are treating the murders as a terrorist attack have identified Herman as a drifter who spent a decade in and out of prison for acts of violence and petty crimes.

The Islamic State group claimed one of its "soldiers" was responsible for the latest attack, through its Amaq propaganda agency.

IS said "he led the attack in response to calls to target the countries of the US-led international coalition," which is fighting the jihadist group, mainly in Syria.

jpegMpeg4-1280x720Prosecutors confirmed that Herman's method of assault was a known "modus operandi" of IS, which also claimed the deadly attacks in Brussels in 2016.Trump was the oldest US president ever to take office when he was sworn in last year, and will turn 72 two days after the meeting.

The North Korean leader is still in his mid-thirties and remains among the youngest heads of government in the world -- but has already been in power for more than six years.

He has overseen a rapid advance in Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, bringing the US mainland within the range and sending tensions soaring last year as the two men exchanged personal insults and threats of war -- Trump promising "fire and fury", and Kim describing him as a "mentally deranged US dotard".

But recent months have seen an about-turn in their rhetoric -- last-minute summit cancellations and reinstatements notwithstanding.

"I think they are going to get on well," predicts John Delury, a professor at Yonsei University in Seoul. "The kind of counter-intuitive thing is I think they are going to listen to each other."

Both Trump and Pyongyang are renowned for incendiary commentary, but Kim has displayed a marked tendency to listen to his counterparts in his new-found diplomatic role -- until earlier this year he had not left the North since inheriting power from his father.

He had a long conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on a beach in Dalian, and at the first inter-Korean summit in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula, attentively heard out the South's President Moon Jae-in as they chatted over tea in the open air for more than half an hour.

Trump too has asked questions and listened carefully to the answers on his trips to China and South Korea, Delury added.

"They are going to get in the room, they are going to ask good questions, open-ended questions. Its not going to be Trump gets in there and says 'Give me your nukes or else', but as Trump says its a relationship, we are building a relationship, we are changing a relationship."

"And to do that you ask probing questions, you listen, and then you come back. So thats my optimistic view."

Parallel lives

Trump reached the White House via a career in property development and reality television, followed by an unprecedentedly populist presidential campaign that upended the US political establishment

In contrast, Kim Jong Un was the chosen heir, groomed for years to take his place at the top of Pyongyang's political pyramid, and has no need to worry about re-election or tomorrow's media headlines - or responding to them on Twitter.

But the two leaders share some parallels.

Both have appointed trusted family members to key positions.

Dynastic descent from the North's founder Kim Il Sung is the basis of Kim's personal legitimacy - Pyongyang's propaganda promotes the similarities between them in looks, mannerisms and even handwriting.

His sister Kim Yo Jong has emerged as one of his closest aides, acting as his envoy to the Winter Olympics in the South, spending almost the whole of the first Panmunjom summit at his side and accompanying him on his trip to Dalian.

In Washington, Trump's daughter Ivanka is an assistant to the president and her husband Jared Kushner is a close adviser, while his son Donald Jr was part of his election campaign.

The two leaders are also uncompromising in their demands for personal loyalty.

In the month from February 28 Trump sacked or lost the services of his White House communications director Hope Hicks, chief economic adviser Gary Cohn, national security adviser HR McMaster, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and veterans affairs secretary David Shulkin.

The latest North Korean changes of personnel emerged at the weekend, with reports that the defence minister and chief of the general staff had been replaced, after Kim appointed a new director of the military's General Political Bureau described as a "highly trusted" lieutenant.

Holding the hands of history

Kim has shown uncompromising ruthlessness -- he had his uncle Jang Song Thaek executed for treason in 2013, unmistakably asserting his authority over the old generals who surrounded him, and his half-brother Kim Jong Nam was murdered at Kuala Lumpur airport last year in a killing widely blamed on Pyongyang.

But according to people who have interacted with him, Delury said, in meetings he is "really well prepared, he knows his brief, hes got his notes but then he looks up from them, hes not someone whos going to just read the riot act and then stare at you blankly."

And as well as nuclear weapons, a long hand clasp could be high on the agenda in Singapore.

Both men have shown a predilection for grasping the palms of their fellow leaders, Trump with the likes of French President Emmanuel Macron and, more awkwardly, with British prime minister Theresa May.Former premier Hailemariam Desalegn quit on February 15 after years of political crises marked by protests against his regime and mounting criticism over government's crackdown on dissent.

A day later government ordered the state of emergency.

Hailemariam's shock resignation kicked off a behind-the-scenes succession battle within the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

The choice of Abiy, the first leader from Ethiopia's largest ethnicity the Oromo, raised hopes of reforms in the EPRDF, which controls all seats in parliament and is regularly accused by rights groups of persecuting dissidents.

Since taking office, Abiy has visited major cities across Ethiopia, and appealed to anti-government protesters to give his administration time to work.

He has also continued a campaign of releasing jailed dissidents, which began under Hailemariam.

Last month, his administration pardoned Andargachew Tsige, a top member of armed opposition group Ginbot 7 who was arrested in Yemen in 2014 and extradited to Ethiopia.

On Tuesday, ENA reported the House of Peoples' Representatives approved the emergency decree's repeal in a "majority vote" and "after a detailed analysis of the security situation in the country."

"The state of emergency was already irrelevant because of the opening-up of the political space and the release of political prisoners," Ethiopian political analyst Hallelujah Lulie told AFP.

"It's a way of Abiy asserting his power, and it can also be taken as a way of highlighting a departure from the establishment that imposed the state of emergency," Hallelujah added.

The repeal and prisoner releases were welcomed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which in a statement said these were "positive indications" of an improving rights situation in Ethiopia.

Disenchantment with the EPRDF erupted into violence in late 2015 when the Oromo and later the second-largest ethnicity, the Amhara, began months of unprecedented anti-government protests.He met with Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel about seeking a dialogue even though US-Cuban relations have worsened under American President Donald Trump.

Alongside US Senator Jeff Flake -- a supporter of ending the US trade embargo on Cuba, the Americas' only one-party Communist state -- Schmidt said internet connectivity is key to Cuba's future.

"It's important for the development of the country," he stressed.

Diaz-Canel and Schmidt discussed US-Cuban relations and possible areas of cooperation, Cuban officials said.

Theirs was the first US delegation to meet with the new Cuban president, who was sworn in April 19.

Just over four million Cubans, under half the population, have limited internet access through public screens and wi-fi areas.

The state telephone company says it is in testing on adding data service to smartphones.

Ties between Havana and Washington have cooled considerably since Trump took office in January 2017.

The Trump administration has tightened restrictions on US travelers to Cuba.Protesters have called on Prime Minister Hani Mulki to step down, vowing they will not "kneel" and earning support from trade unions as well as a majority of MPs opposed to the new taxation.

"King Abdullah has summoned the prime minister to a meeting before noon today Monday that could pave the way for his resignation," said the government source who declined to be identified.

It came hours after around 5,000 people rallied outside Mulki's office in Amman, on the fifth consecutive day of protests in the Jordanian capital and other cities.

"Oh Mulki listen well, the people of Jordan will not kneel," they chanted as they faced down a heavy security presence.

Some demonstrators held up signs that read: "We will continue (to protest) until the government quits".

Jordan, a mostly desert kingdom with few resources, has seen prices of several basic goods and services like bread, fuel and electricity steadily rise over the past year.

At dawn Monday, Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah visited the protest site outside the prime minister's office and spoke to security forces who had deployed en masse to keep protesters at bay.

"They must be able to express themselves and voice their opinions and our duty is to protect them," the crown prince told security forces in reference to the protesters.

"We and they support the King. We want to protect this country," he added.

Last month, the government proposed a new income tax law, yet to be approved by parliament, aimed at raising taxes on employees by at least five percent and on companies by between 20 and 40 percent.

The measures are the latest in a series of economic reforms since Amman secured a $723-million three-year credit line from the International Monetary Fund in 2016.

The protest campaign started on Wednesday when hundreds responded to a call by Jordan's trade unions by flooding the streets outside the headquarters of the federation of unions.

Since then nighttime protests have gripped Amman and other major cities in the cash-strapped country of 9.5 million.

According to official estimates, 18.5 percent of Jordan's population are unemployed, while 20 percent are on the brink of poverty.Both the European Union and Canada have already opened legal challenges to the United States at the WTO, the Geneva-based arbitrator of international trade disputes that is loathed by President Donald Trump who on Friday imposed duties of 25 percent for steel and 10 percent for aluminum against his allies.

Mexico submits that the tariffs, imposed on the grounds of national security, were not adopted in accordance with relevant WTO procedures and also violate the 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

Immediately following the move by Trump, Mexico said it would impose retaliatory duties on a variety of US goods, including steel and a host of agricultural products including apples, cheeses and pork.

Those penalties will remain in place "until the United States government eliminates tariffs imposed," Mexico's government said.

Other US allies have also reacted with fury and retaliation, with fears building of a global trade war.

Ottawa hit back with proportional Can$16.6 billion ($12.8 billion US) in tariffs on US steel and aluminum as well as consumer goods.

The tariff dispute comes as Canada, Mexico and the US try to reach an agreement to update the North American Free Trade Agreement in talks triggered last year by Trump's discontent with that deal.

Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Washington's decision to impose the tariffs had lessened the chances for a successful outcome of the NAFTA talks.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, spoke as soon as Washington announced the new duties.

Rising tensions

"These unilateral tariffs, imposed under a false pretext of safeguarding US national security, are inconsistent with the United States' international trade obligations and WTO rules," Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said Friday after her country filed its WTO complaint.

Mexico has received backing in the dispute from its domestic business sector.

"We support the position of the Mexican government to impose the equivalent measure on diverse products," Mexico's Business Coordinating Council said of the retaliatory tariffs.

The group rejected "the protectionist measures of the United States government."

Mexican Finance Minister Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya said the US tariffs -- along with Trump's tweets against Mexico -- further raise tensions over the NAFTA review.

"It is very difficult to reach a negotiation when measures of this nature are suddenly taken," the minister said.

Ties between Washington and Mexico City have also been strained over immigration.

US media reported in February that the two sides shelved tentative plans for a visit to Washington by Pena Nieto as tensions persisted over a proposed border wall.

Pena Nieto had previously scrapped a visit in January last year because of Trump's insistence that Mexico pay for the wall, which he wants as part of his efforts to curb immigration."One year on and Qatar and its people are stronger," Al-Thani, one of the most prominent voices in the region's worst diplomatic crisis for years, wrote on Twitter.

"(There's) a lot of talk about imaginary victories and isolating Qatar, but after one year, the reality proved the opposite as Qatar emerged as an international partner that can be trusted."

On June 5, 2017, an alliance of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed ties with Doha, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran.

Qatar soon found its only land border closed by Saudi Arabia, its state-owned airline barred from using neighbours' airspace, and residents expelled from the quartet's countries.

Despite hopes that the rancorous rift between the former allies -- which include some of the richest countries on earth -- would be resolved quickly, the crisis has endured.

Qatar claims the dispute is an attack on its sovereignty and punishment for pursuing an independent foreign policy.

Diplomatic efforts led by Kuwait and the United States have so far stalled.

Al-Thani said the "door is still open for dialogue" between the Gulf rivals.

However, he also told Qatar state-funded broadcaster Al Jazeera on Tuesday that Doha would continue with its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence missile system.

Saudi leaders have asked French President Emmanuel Macron intervene to prevent the deal going ahead, raising fears of military action in the dispute.

'Smear campaign'

Despite the impact of the crisis, many in Qatar view the past year's events as a victory for Doha.

Qatari papers were jubilant on Tuesday, with headlines such as "Triumphant Qatar stays United" and "Qatar shines as smear campaign against it fails".

Taxi companies offered free rides to customers to mark the anniversary and some in Qatar have even called for June 5 to be made a national holiday.

Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) released a report on the eve of the anniversary claiming more than 4,000 human rights abuses had been committed against Qataris by the Saudi-led alliance over the past year.

Qataris have been exposed to arbitrary arrest and routinely denied freedom of movement, according to the report by the government-appointed body detailing alleged abuses including one case of forced disappearance.

"From the beginning, all the blockading countries have tried to use the people to achieve their political goals," NHRC chairman Ali bin Smaikh Al-Marri said.

There was no immediate reaction from the Saudi-led bloc.

In August, Saudi Arabia will welcome millions of Muslim faithful for the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam.

The Saudi government on Tuesday confirmed Qataris wishing to undertake the umrah pilgrimage to Mecca were welcome, but accused the Qatari authorities of a "negative attitude".

The umrah is a lesser pilgrimage that takes place outside of hajj."The more problems at the heart of the EU, the more risks and problems there are for us. We need to build cooperation with the EU," he said.

"We don't have a goal of dividing anything or anyone in the EU."

Putin, who was recently re-elected to a fourth Kremlin term, also played down reported links between his United Russia party and Austria's far-rightFreedom Party (FPOe), which is now part of the governing coalition in Vienna.

The FPOe -- the junior partner to Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's People's Party -- supports Russia's claim of sovereignty over Crimea and advocates the easing of economic sanctions levied against Moscow over its role in the Ukrainian crisis.

Austria was one of the few EU nations not to expel Russian diplomats following the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain in March."Apart from the avoidable humanitarian consequences of such a battle, I am also very concerned about the impact (on) chances of a political settlement of this conflict," he told reporters in the capital Sanaa.

The envoy, appointed to the post in February, told reporters at Sanaa airport that his talks had been "positive" but warned of the impact of the Hodeida fight on civilians.

"My aim is to restart negotiations which have not taken place for a very long time -- for too long -- and I want that to restart in the very near future," he said.

Multiple rounds of United Nations-brokered talks between Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels and the country's government, allied with Saudi Arabia, have failed to find a solution to the Yemen war.

Three years of fighting have claimed 10,000 lives and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

The battle for Hodeida port, controlled by the Huthis, has killed more than 100 soldiers and insurgents in less than a week, medics and military sources close the government say.

The rebels, who have so far refused to withdraw from the port, claim 418 loyalist fighters have been killed.

'Finger on trigger'

Griffiths is due to report to the Security Council on June 18 on his peace efforts.

The UN recognises the cabinet of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi as the legitimate government of Yemen.

The Iran-backed Huthis have regularly accused the international body of bias.

In Yemen, Griffiths met with Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Huthis' political council, and representatives of the General People's Congress -- a party founded by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, killed in December.

From 2014, Saleh was allied with the Huthis in the fight against the government, but he shifted allegiances last year and was killed by the rebels.

Mashat was quoted by rebel news agency Saba as saying that "just as our finger is always on the trigger to defend the sovereignty, security and unity of our homeland, our other hand is always extended to peace if all parties are committed to it."

Conditions for withdrawal

Yemeni political sources say the Huthis have put in place a list of conditions in return for their full withdrawal from the Hodeida port.

These include paying military and civilian employees in areas controlled by the Huthis, reopening the international airport in Sanaa and allowing commercial traffic to flow through Yemen's many ports.

"The Huthis have taken a tough stance and have set conditions that would prevent any political solution," a senior Yemeni government official told AFP.

The UN has warned that any operation aimed at seizing Hodeida itself would disrupt the entry of aid shipments to Yemen, 70 percent of which flow through the rebel-held port.

The port has been a point of contention in Yemen's war since Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened on behalf of the government in 2015 after the rebels seized Sanaa.

Hodeida is crucial for aid deliveries as Yemen teeters on the brink of famine.

Saudi Arabia says it is an entry point for weapons to the rebels, which it accuses regional rival Tehran of supplying.

The Hodeida offensive is spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.In fact, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto included their youthfulness as a strategic brand value in their campaigns.

Away from the political podiums and the campaigns, the two leaders continue to retain and appoint old people in key positions of public service.

Pulselive.co.ke compiled a list of 8 officials who have either been appointed or retained in strategic public service jobs under President Uhurus reign.

Manu chandaria 89 years

The billionaire businessman is perhaps the oldest Kenyan who holds a public service job.

Only a year to his ninth decade, the industrialist continues to serve as Chancellor of the Technical University of Kenya.

Matu Wamae 79 years

Like Muthaura, Wamae has served under all the four Presidents, starting out as the CEO of in 1969.

The octogenarian continues to chair the New KCC board after President Uhuru gave him a three-year renewed contract that will expire in 2020.

Beth Mugo 79 years

Marsden Madoka 75 years

The current Chairman of the Kenya Ports Authority served as Mzee Kenyatta's Aide de Camp and married President Uhuru's nanny.

He is one of the few Kenyans who have had the chance to serve in the public service under all the four Presidents.

Chris Obure 75 years

The former Kisii Senator became the oldest Chief Administrative Secretary after the President assigned him to the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development.

In 2017, he unsuccessfully vied for the Kisii Governors seat on a Jubilee ticket.

Ramadhan Seif Kajembe 74 years

The former Changamwe MP was plucked from retirement in 2016, after President Uhuru appointed him Chairman of the Kenya Ferry Services.

Francis Muthaura 71 yearsMuthauras career in public service started in 1972 when he served as Mombasa District Commissioner under Kenyas founding President Jomo Kenyatta.Mesalands Community Colleges Board of Trustees has narrowed the search for their next president to five semifinalists.

The college is asking the community to attend a pair of public forums to help the college select the replacement for Thomas Newson.

The forums are 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Monday and June 14, and will be held at the lecture hall of MCCs North American Wind Research and Training Center.

The board of trustees began the search for a new president after they accepted the resignation of Newsom on Feb. 20. His last day was April 6.

Newsom said he has accepted a position at a institute closer to his familys home in McKinney, Texas.

The semifinalists, will be interviewed by the board of trustees today, Thursday and Friday in executive session during special board meetings.

The finalists are Glendon S. Forgey from Athens, Texas; Frederick F. Greene from Clovis,; John D. Groesbeck from North Ogden, Utah; Kim M. McGinnis from Laguna Niguel, California; and Robert M. Munoz from Fort Worth, Texas.

In other business involving the trustees, Jim Streetman was named the new chair of the board during a May 25 special meeting. He will fill the vacancy of the late J. Bronson Moore. Craig Currell was named as a new trustee.All but eight of 500 tickets sold for the event.

More than 450 people capped off the second annual New Mexico Music Showcase dancing, enjoying the music of Cuarenta Y Cinco and Darren Cordova and family Saturday at the Tucumcari Convention Center.

"There was a lot of trial and error but overall I feel this year's showcase was a success," said Jerry Lopez, event coordinator.

Lopez said in its second year, the Tucumcari Knights of Columbus Club's showcase brought a mixture of traditional and new era New Mexico music to Tucumcari.

"This event focuses on celebrating New Mexico music and it's importance in our heritage, culture," Lopez said.

The two day event featured performances from artist including Carlos Medina Con Mariachi, Ernestine Romero and Darren Cordova and his family.

"This was a very special treat, I think it's been three years since the entire Cordova family performed together," Lopez said.

Lopez said there were only eight tickets out of the 500 printed remaining after Saturday night's main concert. He said the official total generated is not known at this time. After covering the cost, any remaining money will be donated back into the community or used for next year's event, Lopez added.

This year's event had a variety of attractions, vendors for people to enjoy over the weekend including a carnival with rides for the children, said Ruth Ann-Litchfield, Mayor of Tucumcari.

Litchfield said the performers, attractions of the showcase were well received by both residents and visitors. She said the event has such a potential to become another unique signature event for Tucumcari.

"I hope this event continues to grow each year," Litchfield said. "The showcase has the benefit of drawing people to our community, but more importantly it celebrates Eastern New Mexico's culture."

Lopez said extending the showcase into a two day event was a gamble that had both it's rewards and setbacks. He said people enjoyed the free live music concerts held on Friday night and Saturday morning.

"One thing we will look at next year is providing some sort of shelter, shade for those attending the outdoor concerts," Lopez said.

Lopez said he was pleased with the variety of venders at the event, despite having eight vendors not attend. He said the additional vendors would have been a bonus, but it was a challenge to manage the ones that showed up.

"I took some time to set up the vendor spaces while still trying to maintain a dance and stage area," Lopez said.

Lopez said the main driver of the event's success was the overwhelming community support. He said along with the $11,000 from the Tucumcari Lodger's Tax Board, contributions from local sponsors, businesses helped the Tucumcari Columbus Club put on the event.

"I really cannot say thank you enough to our sponsors and volunteers," Lopez said. "It was a lot of work but we made it happen. Now we can take what we learned and make next year's event even better."Former Logan Village Manager has filed suit against the Village in the 10th Judicial District Court alleging a violation for the New Mexico Whistle Blower Protection Act.

The suit was filed on April 27 by Trevor Thompson, who was fired on Jan. 30 as the village manager by the Village Council following a special executive session.

Thompson is being represented by The Gilpin Law Firm based in Albuquerque, who could not be reached for comment before publication.

He is seeking damages for lost wages, benefits and suffering as a result of his termination.

I cannot comment on this matter except to say the Village of Logan is going to defend itself against these charges, said Warren Frost, village attorney.

According to the suit:

n Thompson alleges he was terminated by the village council after he raised concerns about the lack of proper person protection equipment for village employees and the lack of handicap access to the Logan Senior Citizens Center.

n Thompson alleges his request for the budget to be reviewed to find the money to address the two concerns was denied.

Thompson alleges on Jan. 30 he was contacted to told he had 24 hours to decide to resign or be terminated and that the Village could terminate him for any reason.

Thompson alleges he learned of his termination via a third source and that the executive session for his termination was attended by only two council members.

Russell Feerer, then interim mayor, said he presided over the meeting attended by council members Benny Newton and Leslie Osborn. He said they entered an executive session, and upon adjournment of the session voted to terminate Thompson.

Thompson was hired last August to replace then-interim manager Larry Wallin.

Wallin had retired as manager in 2016 but was re-hired in 2017 after his successor resigned.In the melee that is the debate over mass shootings, we cant help but return to a singular thought: There are a great many reforms that could make a meaningful difference and win broad support, if only they could get a fair hearing.

So we were encouraged to see Texas Gov. Greg Abbott respond to the shooting at Santa Fe High School by holding a series of roundtable discussions with important stakeholders. With the governor now announcing proposals out of those discussions, we are both heartened by what we are hearing and cautious about what is not being said.

First the encouraging news. Abbotts 40-page plan includes ideas school districts can implement immediately and proposals the Legislature will have to act on down the road. There is no magic elixir among the proposals, but these ideas are substantive and could, in many cases, interrupt the series of events that lead to the murder of so many students in America.

The governors proposals include the following:

Expanding the existing School Marshal Program as well as providing funding for increasing police presence at schools.

Creating mental health protection orders, which would enable officials to remove guns from the reach of people deemed dangerous.

Increasing a parental responsibility law so parents can be held responsible if they allow a 17-year-old to have access to a firearm.

Carving out money for more security measures at schools, such as metal detectors.

Installing new active-shooter alarms in schools that would enable students to respond differently than they would during a fire.

Expanding the Telemedicine Wellness, Intervention, Triage and Referral Project at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The program, referred to as TWITR by Abbott, seeks to identify students at risk of committing violence and intervene before they can do so.

Abbott deserves credit for not kicking the can down the road on this issue. Each of these ideas would make it a little harder for a would-be mass shooter to act out his evil intentions. What the gun debate has long needed is leaders who could identify worthwhile ideas and then avoid getting bogged down in the usual political quagmires.

What we didnt hear from the governor was much on the issue of guns more broadly. Weve favored a range of restrictions for a simple reason: One crucial step in stopping the next school shooting is restricting access to weaponry that can be used for mass violence.

Abbott says he is open to a special legislative session, if he can build consensus for actionable ideas. In the wake of Santa Fe, where we lost another 10 lives, we hope the Legislature recognizes what is at stake here and is ready to embrace ideas that can save lives.

 The Dallas Morning NewsRoseanne Barr and Samantha Bee both delivered nearly unforgivable insults last week...

One resulted in cancellation of a hit TV series; the other, an apology that was deemed sufficient.

Barr tweeted that Valerie Jarrett, a former aide to President Barack Obama, was what happened when Muslim brotherhood and planet of the apes had a baby.

Jarrett, who has been relatively obscure of late, was born in Iran and was a fierce defender of Obama as an adviser. I dont know what she did recently to get on Barrs radar.

Almost immediately, ABC, Roseannes network, dropped her whole Roseanne series, which had been a hit.

Personally, I regret this because I think John Goodman is a great actor. A lot of people lost jobs over Roseannes tweet, though, and thats sad.

A day or so later, Samantha Bee, who hosts a show called Full Frontal on TBS (Ted Turners TBS, not Trinity Broadcastings TBN), called President Donald Trumps daughter Ivanka Trump a feckless body part.

An internet dictionary defines feckless as lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible. I guess feck is character?

Feckless is commonly bandied about in public debate. The body part reference is not.

Roseanne reacted in absolute horror to her own tweet, maybe even before she saw the reaction. Despite her abject apologies, the series got canceled.

She went way, way over the line.

Samantha Bee, on the other hand, regularly intersperses her very liberal, very political comedy monologue with common epithets.

No one gasps at her usual f-bombs and other obscenities and, quite often, they cheer.

When she delivered the c-bomb about Ivanka, there were a few gasps.

Then the usual cheer.

This crossed a line, to be sure, and Bees apology was quick and thorough.

That was enough. I agree with TBS decision to keep her on.

Bees comment offended a public figure who is the daughter of the most public figure in the land. That gives her a lot of leeway.

U.S. court law gives freedom of speech far more respect than public figures, which is a good thing. We need to be able to criticize public officials, especially presidents, to protect our other rights.

Barrs comment, however, expressed baseless prejudice against 38 million African-Americans, 820 million Africans and 1.8 billion Muslims. Thats why she got canceled.

Both went over the line, however. It can be explained, but not condoned.

The explanation is that today, many liberals and conservatives are so full of a self-righteous sense of right-ness about their views that they think they have license to treat the opposition as members of another species.

News to both sides: Real people disagree with you for real reasons. Its better to figure out why they disagree than to assume theyre less human than you.

Barr and Bee have been around long enough to know this. Thats what makes both of their gaffes hard to forgive.

Steve Hansen writes about our life and times from his perspective of a retired Tucumcari journalist. Contact him at:

stevenmhansen

@plateautel.netPumpkin Month At Queens Farm! October is Pumpkin Month at Queens Farm and there were pumpkins as far as the eye could see at the Queens County Farm Museums Pumpkin...

Olympians Presented With Keys To Queens Two beloved daughters of Queens took their rightful place in the pantheon of iconic borough residents on October 1, as Queens Borough President Donovan Richards,...

Van Bramer Dedicates George S. Kaufman Way The man largely responsible for the resurrection of New York Citys motion picture production industry, and for the renaissance of a local neighborhood, was honored...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!Andrew Little faces criticism from listeners saying DHB & hospitals will "crumble" under wide spread COVID

Thousands of people will be infected with Covid-19 every week even with vaccination levels at 90 per cent, and hospitals face being overwhelmed.NORWAY: Infrastructure manager Bane NOR has finalised the contracts for Alstom to supply, install and maintain ETCS onboard equipment for use across the national rail network. Alstom had been selected as preferred bidder in mid-March.Rantoul, IL (61866)

Today

Overcast skies with heavy rain likely during the afternoon. High 68F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 53F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.Russian citizen charged with Maine Coon theft faces trial

 TASS, Sergey Savostyanov

17:37 05/06/2018

ST. PETERSBURG, June 5 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov)  A criminal case against a Russian citizen charged with stealing a Maine Coon cat from an exhibition hall has been sent to the Pushkinsky District Court of St. Petersburg for hearing, the local prosecutors office has told RAPSI.

According to investigators, in April, an exhibition visitor stole the cat valued at 80,000 rubles ($1,300).

The 29-year old resident of the Leningrad Region was arrested, and the animal, which was found in his apartment, was returned to its owner, the statement reads.

The defendant has pleaded guilty in full.Defendants in case on stealing paintings by famous Russian artists go on trial

 RIA Novosty

13:09 05/06/2018

MOSCOW, June 5 (RAPSI, Yulia Glozman)  A criminal case against alleged gang members charged with stealing paintings by famous Russian artists Isaak Levitan and Ivan Shishkin has been forwarded to court for hearing, the Investigative Committees press service reports Tuesday.

According to investigators, from 2012 to 2016, the defendants organized a gang in the Nizhny Novgorod Region to mug and rob banks and commercial organizations. They stole over 80 million rubles ($1.3 million), the statement reads.

Moreover, they stole four paintings by Levitan worth over 180 million rubles ($3 million) from a state historical and art reserve museum in 2014, a painting by Shishkin valued at more than 66 million rubles ($1 million) and two works by artists Konstantin Korovin and Stanislav Zhukovsky in 2013, according to the Investigative Committee.

Two alleged gang members have pleaded guilty.High-ranking law enforcement officer arrested in Dagestan

 RIA Novosti, Igor Zarembo

14:59 05/06/2018

MOSCOW, June 5 (RAPSI)  Head of the operative department of the Dagestan Republics Interior Ministry has been arrested on suspicion of his involvement in a crime, the press-service of the Ministry has stated.

It was noted that the suspect was apprehended with the assistance of the Federal Security Services (FSB) officers.

According to Kommersant newspaper, the suspect is in fact colonel Magomed Khizriyev. Investigators believe that he tried to give $2 million bribe for his appointment as the head of the regional Interior Ministry.Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale

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Search Real Estate'Artificial intelligence works best on unstructured data. And no other country has the amount of unstructured data like India has.'

Among the global technology firms working out of India, chipmaker Intel is leading several initiatives to not only come out with technologies that can solve the unique problems that the country is facing, but it is also working with multiple stakeholders including academia, research bodies and even startups to build the innovation ecosystem in India.

"If you don't know artificial intelligence, you will be missing out," Nivruti Rai, bottom, left, Country Head, Intel India, tells Debasis Mohapatra.

What is the reason behind working with Israel to promote the startup ecosystem in India?

Israel has successfully created much technology-driven entrepreneurship. The country, which has a population of 8 million, produces 5 startups everyday.

India with a 1.2 billion population establishes 5 startups per day and we believe 90 per cent of them are failing.

So, something is not right.

We will look at their success criteria. Now, India, while we say, is a digital economy, it is a complex country.

That means we need a tremendous amount of solutions (to solve these issues) and time is short.

India has a lot of strength; we have smart people, but somehow our business model is not right.

So, we are partnering with the Israel consulate general in south India as a part of which we will work with the Israel centre at IIM-Bangalore.

We have an amazing Maker Lab facility, which incubates startups.

We are going to open our Maker Lab in Israel, which will solve problems relevant for India and make sure they have the ability to monetise their ideas.

Artificial Intelligence, 5G connectivity and assisted driving will be the key technology areas we will work on with Israel.

The intent is how to use these technologies in healthcare, agriculture and road safety.

What are the key technologies that Intel India is currently working on?

Intel has its second largest design house outside the United States in India. So, every technology which Intel India is also working on.

Our focus has been on the desktop, which is one of our old businesses; mobile and laptop.

Some of the newer areas are in the autonomous driving, in the driver assist programme.

Then, we are also looking at enabling the Smart City programme.

Another focus area is data localisation, which India is now pushing for.

Apart from Amazon or Microsoft, we need to have our local cloud centres.

Memory technology is another key area as unless we have optimised our memory technology with the influx of data, we will not be able to store or process that data.

Intel is working on a technology called 3DX Point.

For example, a small pen drive today stores one gigabyte of data. With our technology, it will store a terabyte of data.

What is the mandate from the government with regard to data localisation?

The government is really pushing for a lot of data localisation. Our role will be basically looking at enabling data localisation. We have to encourage local cloud services.

What is the success rate of startups from Intel's incubation centre?

It has been two years for us. We have incubated 50 plus startups here so far. Many of them are generating significant revenues and making operating profit.

On the artificial intelligence front, what is the key work being done by Intel?

Artificial intelligence works best on unstructured data. And no other country has the amount of unstructured data like India has.

China may come close to it, but is nowhere near us.

These are absolutely raw data, which need to be annotated, then fed into a model and that model is then used for projections.

AI will be a technology like Excel of today.

If you don't know artificial intelligence, you will not be able to leverage and you will be missing out.

Intel India is partnering with the government on AI technology.

An update on the work you are doing in blockchain technology?

We already have a product from Intel and Intel India has contributed to it.

Unless this technology is put to right use, it creates no value.

So, for blockchain, we are looking at what are the problem statements within India.

I can't name the customers we are working with, but there are exciting opportunities.

We are working on many different possibilities and fintech is one of them.

Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/ReutersIrrespective of the recent performance of Datsun, Nissan is ready to put more resources behind it.

Japanese automaker Nissan's twin brands strategy in India, where it sells cars under the Nissan and Datsun brands, is struggling to grow. The combined volume of the two brands dropped by 8 per cent in FY18, when the market clocked an 8 per cent growth.

The anniversary edition Terrano at the launch event Photograph: Nissan

In its attempt to establish and grow, the flagship brand Nissan appears to have been clearly left behind. The last volume product under Nissan brand, the Terrano, was launched in 2013.

Both Nissan and Datsun saw sales decline during FY18. The Datsun brand, which has been the focus of the carmaker in the past four years, now brings three-fourth of local sales and Nissan has a monthly volume of around 1,000 units. Together, the two brands clocked a local volume of 52,796 units, giving the firm a market share of 1.6 per cent and a ninth position in India.

Year Cars Sold Under Datsun Cars Sold Under Nissan Total FY - 2018 40490 12406 52796 FY - 2017 43854 13446 57300 FY - 2016 20514 18875 39389 FY - 2015 16076 31398 47474 Source:Siam

Jerome Saigot, managing director, Nissan Motor India, said the Datsun brand was unveiled in India five years ago and actual sales started a little over four years ago.

"In this industry, a four-year old brand is nothing. The journey since inception is already a big achievement. We have launched three products, said Saigot, counting names of Datsun cars such as the GO, GO+ and redi-GO.

"We are not competing against competitors who have been here for 20-30 years. We need to do things differently. If we follow what others did in last 30 years, it will take us as many years to reach that level, Saigot told Business Standard.

Saigot, who has now spent little over four years in India, said he was surprised to find that Indian car buyers had almost no choice below the sub Rs 300,000. Irrespective of falling sales, he said pricing of Datsun cars and the low ownership cost would help it grow.

"With Datsun, we want to have a challenger position. Where will you get a Japanese car with such low ownership costs," Saigot asked.

Talking about Datsun's performance, he said it was not growing at the speed desired by the company.

"I would like to grow faster. It takes time. We are learning," he said.

Irrespective of the performance, Nissan is ready to put more resources behind Datsun. In the next 18 months, the number of standalone Datsun outlets will be doubled to around 200, mostly in Tier-II and -III cities. According to Saigot, the best publicity in India happens through word of mouth. "When I am the only one driving a Datsun in my society, I have to be brave."

Is the Nissan brand ignored? No, said Saigot. "We have plans on the Nissan front. It is true that as of today the product line up is a bit old. In few months you will see a new Nissan car on roads." The Kicks SUV, due for an India launch later this year, will be the first Nissan product after five years. Saigot said the firm now had a plan and product line-up to support the two brands. Before the Kicks, a new product is also planned under the Datsun brand.

"We will have to establish both the brands, which is a challenge and an opportunity," said Saigot.

Nissan had earlier talked about a 5 per cent market share by 2020. A calculation shows the company will need to sell around 200,000 cars in India to reach there.

"I can tell you that we will go much above the 2 per cent. We have a much higher ambition. It will take a bit more time than expected," he added.When it closed close down the copper plant at Thoothukudi in 2013. Its orders were held illegal by the NGT on procedural grounds

Tamil Nadu government instructed its state pollution control board to permanently shut down the existing 1,200 tonnes per day Sterlite copper smelter on May 28.

The copper smelter had already been shut down by the state pollution control board on May 24 after 11 people were shot dead by police to quell protests.

But doubts emerged about the legality and possible procedural fault in the state governments orders.

Tamil Nadu governments previous attempt to shut down the copper plant in 2013 had been shot down by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for procedural lapses.

Ritwik Dutta, environment lawyer at the Supreme Court said, The closure order should be a watertight order giving detailed reasons for violations of the provisions of the Air Act, Water Act and the Environment (Protection) Act.

"Unless that is done, the order will meet the same fate as before - overturned by the courts on the ground of lack of proper reasons.

The Tamil Nadu governments short three-paragraph order instead is only with reference to the Air Act and does not provide providing any reason for closure except citing public interest.

A senior official at the Union environment ministry said, Such instructions are given with detailed explanations and reasoning in the manner of a speaking order.

He did not want to be quoted on the record.

Legally speaking, there is no such term as a permanent closure under the law (Water Act) the Tamil Nadu government has evoked.

"If the company can prove it has rectified any illegality it may have committed under the act it would stand to regain its permits and restart functioning.

On May 24 the pollution control board on its part had shut the factory claiming it found the company was preparing to run operations without a consent to operate which the board has suspended.

The consent to operate is required under the Water Act.

On Monday 28, the Tamil Nadu government used powers under section 18(1)(a) of the Water Act to merely endorse the state pollution boards May 24, but additionally instructed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to seal the unit and close the plant permanently.

Tamil Nadu pollution control board had once before ordered a shut down of the same plant, in 2013.

But its orders failed to cut ice with the judiciary.

The NGT while setting aside the pollution control board order had stated, Shutting down an industry amounts to 'civil death' of the company. A direction of closure in relation to a running unit not only results in stoppage of production but has far-reaching economic, social, and labour consequences. Before directing the civil death of a company, the decision making authority is expected to have before it some reliable and cogent evidence.

The NGT concluded that the pollution control board had neither reliable nor cogent evidence to prove the industry had indeed been the reason for pollution and consequent public health impacts in the area.

Dutta noted that Both the consent under air act and the environment clearance should be revoked.

"Most importantly, the state pollution control board should direct for a restoration of the ecology as well as payment of compensation for the damages in accordance with polluter pay principle.

"It is important to hold the company liable for the damages."

State or central governments usually use the much stricter provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 to stop projects or order closure of polluting industries.

That too is done in two steps. A show cause notice is first given to the project proponent as a chance to defend itself.

Based on the responses from the project proponent and other evidence gathered during the process, the government is required to write out a clear explained reason for continuing to believe that the plant should be shut down.

Under the NGT Act, a state government is also empowered to go to the tribunal and seek damages from a polluter to restore the environment and any damage done to public health.

Madhya Pradesh is ostensibly the only state government to have used these provisions.

Photograph: PTI PhotoExperts tell Tinesh Bhasin how to pick a forex card to save money as well as troubles later.

Forex cards are the best option to carry money when travelling abroad.

The exchanges rates are more attractive than when buying cash, and most banks also offer the option to reload your card online if you exhaust funds.

But forex cards also have a whole host of charges that you need to be aware of.

If you opt for a card over cash to get the most of the exchange rate, ensure that the fees don't eat into the savings that you have made.

Most of the banks have a card issuance fee. It can vary from Rs 125-500. But if you go to online currency exchange platforms, some of them even offer free issuance.

"For banks, the retail foreign currency exchange business may not be the priority, but it's our primary business. We, therefore, offer free cards," says Sudarshan Motwani, chief executive officer (CEO) and co-founder, BookMyForex.

Online platforms also offer discounts or waivers on many other charges that banks levy. While a bank charges Rs 50-100 when you reload the card, online players let you reload either for free or for $1.

Forex cards are usually valid for three-five years.

Some banks issue new cards for free while some charge Rs 100 for a new card. Online platforms do it either free or for $1.

"If the customer has funds in the card, a new card is issued automatically and is mailed to the customer on expiry of the old one," says Guruprasad T C, CEO and managing director, CentrumDirect (its online platform is called Centrumforex.com).

There are also limits on how much you can use the card every day.

Axis Bank, for example, allows you to swipe up to $10,000 in a day, according to data from Paisabazaar.com. For other banks, the limit may vary from country to country.

The cards that online players issue are in partnership with banks and these limits apply on their cards, too. Similarly, there are restrictions on cash withdrawals through the card as well.

"The cap on withdrawal depends on the regulations of a specific country. Many countries have a restriction on daily withdrawal. Singapore, for example, may allow $200 withdrawal each day, and that's what the cardholder can withdraw," says Guruprasad.

When travelling abroad, if you exhaust the funds on your prepaid card, you can reload it online but only after you fill up the reload form.

"We give a reload form. When the customer wants to reload the card, he needs to fill the form which he can either email or WhatsApp to us. Once back, he has to submit the physical form to us," says Motwani.

Use your forex cards only for payments. If you use it to withdraw cash, you may need to shell out ATM charges on each transaction.

The fee varies from country to country. But, if you are travelling to a country whose currency is not traded in a big way, cash will be a better option.

Say, you take a dollar-denominated card to Thailand or Vietnam. If you use the card in these countries, you will need to bear currency conversion charges (from dollar to the local currency).

Illustration: Rediff.com/Dominic XavierIn less than two months since the announcement in March, the state has mobilised an armada of small and medium enterprises keen on making components for large equipment manufacturers.

Of the two defence corridors announced in the Budget in 2018 to promote local manufacturing, one is shaping up faster than the other.

Tamil Nadus defence corridor seems to have taken a lead over Uttar Pradeshs when it comes to visible action on the ground.

In less than two months since the announcement in March, the state has mobilised an armada of small and medium enterprises keen on making components for large equipment manufacturers.

Given the large number of units showing interest, we are advising them to form consortium, pool together their capabilities and bid for projects, says M Ramesh, chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (Coimbatore zone).

The Tamil Nadu chapter of the industry body is working with the state government to promote defence production, offering to prepare a list of firms that have the potential to work on defence projects.

In Coimbatore, as many as 200 enterprises are vying for lucrative defence contracts from large manufacturers, and some have a few deals in the kitty already.

Among the early starters are CRI Pumps (supplies to the Indian Navy) and Shanthi Gears, a part of the Rs 32,900 crore Murugappa Group, which makes gearboxes for battle tanks.

In other southern cities - Salem, Hosur and Trichy, all part of the planned defence corridor linking Chennai and Bengaluru - companies currently engaged in making textiles, automobile parts and engineering goods are eager to diversify into defence manufacturing.

We are exporting value-added products from vegetables and fruits to South East Asian nations, besides pulses-based products. Such healthy food items can be supplied to the defence units, says N Kanagasabapathy, president, Trichy District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association.

Nearly, 2,500 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Trichy, a majority serving as ancillary units of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel), have found a place in the quad.

Since the MSMEs have experience in manufacturing precise products for Bhel, little more upgrade in skills and production technology can make industries here to excel in the defence quad, says G A Padanjali, managing director, High Energy Batteries, which makes batteries for the armed forces.

A team of naval officials will be visiting Trichy in June to assess the facilities at the Tiruchirapalli Engineering and Technology Cluster and prepare the fabrication and engineering enterprises there to undertake modification and rehauling of boilers used in warships.

A well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystem and the availability of a vast pool of ready-to-hire talented graduates with technical qualifications are big advantages Tamil Nadu enjoys over other states.

The state has hundreds of engineering colleges and polytechnics that can offer a constant supply of skilled manpower to companies looking to scale up or diversify.

The nodes of the Tamil Nadu defence corridor - Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Coimbatore and Trichy - each bring a unique set of capabilities to the table.

Trichy, for example, is known for fabrication and machining; some SME units there specialise in laser cutting of tungsten, a metal widely used in making ships and submarines.

Similarly, Salem has rich deposits of minerals such as bauxite, magnesite, granite and calcite, and is a hub for making power grids and steel, which form the foundation for the shipping industry.

Hosur, on the other hand, is a hub for the automobile industry, and many global manufacturers of commercial and passenger vehicles have set up base in the region.

Coimbatore, besides being a textile hub, has a strong base in foundry, machining and forging and along with Chennai, it has emerged as the centre for the auto ancillary industry.

The large scale availability of components locally lends a distinct cost advantage to manufacturers.

N Shekar, president of the Aerospace Industry Development Association of Tamil Nadu, pegs the savings enjoyed by global manufacturers from sourcing locally at 20-40 per cent.

They have the capability and we have a requirement, it is a question of connecting the two, says a senior defence official who does not want to be named.

He counts the states proximity to information technology hubs in Bengaluru as another advantage.

To Tamil Nadus credit, all the cities picked up for the defence corridor project have airports and are well connected via rail and road to major and minor ports.

Ashish Saraf, vice-president for industry development, strategic partnerships and offsets, at Airbus, says Tamil Nadu is one of the states the airline manufacturer is considering for its helicopter assembly plant.

Easy access to automotive parts and proximity to ports are the pull factors for the GMR Group as well, says BVN Rao, chairman (transportation & urban infrastructure) GMR Group, which is in the process of setting up an aerospace and defence manufacturing plant in Hosur.

Since the announcement in March by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, just hours after the Union Budget, that the countrys first defence corridor will be built in Tamil Nadu, the state has covered a lot of ground.

The work for preparing project reports has been initiated by the Department of Defence Production and in Coimbatore and other regions, stakeholders including defence ministry officials and industry representatives meet every month to thrash out the details.

Meanwhile in Uttar Pradesh, a Defence Production Management Cell has been set up with the express purpose of speeding up the corridor projects by hiring experts - retired armed forces personnel - and via incentives and subsidies to the private sector.

UP possesses skilled metal workmanship, besides an established defence manufacturing base in Kanpur spanning six public sector units of the arms and defence ware.

Tamil Nadu, which has set a target to attract Rs 10,000 crore in aerospace and defence, however, is relying on its entrepreneurship alone.

It is yet to announce any policies or incentives to attract investments in the corridor.

Image used for representation purpose only

Photograph: Abhishek Chinnappa/Reuters'If the RSS should be saluted for choosing such a scholarly statesman to address its highly trained cadre, one must also praise Pranab Da's sagacity for having gracefully accepting the invitation, thus disapproving any ideological apartheid,' says former BJP MP Tarun Vijay.

IMAGE: RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat calls on then President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the eve of Diwali in 2015. Photograph: PTI Photo

Former President Pranab Mukherjee is a scholar par excellence who brought a rare dignity and academic aura to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

I have known him for 30 years, since before he left the Congress and rejoined it later.

During those turbulent times, I interviewed him for Panchjanya (a weekly Hindi magazine published by the RSS) at his Teen Murti Lane residence (in New Delhi). All he said was that he had a few principled differences with Indira Gandhi's Congress and never allowed the conversation get acrimonious as far as she was concerned.

Later, when he rejoined the Congress and became defence minister, he gave a scintillating speech (external link) at the Executive Defense Industry Round Table Lunch organised by US-India Business Council in Washington in 2005.

I cannot resist quoting a few lines from that famous speech -- though it was given 13 years ago, it sounds as if it were just yesterday -- which I believe will aid our relationship with the Trump administration.

Mukherjee revealed an extraordinary long term vision, which still reverberates in the higher echelons of the external affairs ministry.

'I believe real opportunities of partnership and commerce (between India and the USA) exist at least in the following specific areas that are essentially defensive and non-lethal.'

'Some of these are technologies/equipment/strategy to counter terrorism; surveillance, communication equipment, sensors for border management; cyber security -- synergies in the field of information technology; and devices to neutralise IEDs.'

'While we could begin modestly, it is necessary for the US to look seriously at platforms and weapons systems which, in our case, may be needed purely for self-defence and deterrence.'

'There are commercial opportunities for American industry in the sale of equipment and weapons.'

'But India does not look at purely a 'buyer-seller' relationship. Such a relationship needs to be 'strategic'.'

'We are looking for long-term commitment. Therefore, really substantial commercial opportunities will arise from the following: Transfer of technology; co-development; co-production; mutual outsourcing; and joint marketing.'

I used this speech, translated in Hindi, in Panchjanya, which he appreciated.

If the RSS should be saluted for choosing such a scholarly statesman to address its highly trained cadre, one must also praise Pranab Da's sagacity for having gracefully accepting the invitation, thus disapproving any shamanistic ideological apartheid.

What will Pranab Da see?

IMAGE: Former President A P J Abdul Kalam pays his respects at the Dr K B Hedgewar memorial in Nagpur. Photograph: Kind courtesy Tarun Vijay

Pranab Da will see a large number of youth representing the new resurgent, disciplined, liberal and inclusive Hindu society that fuels the engines of India's growth.

The best of software engineers, IIT graduates, financial experts, teachers, young entrepreneurs and a huge battery of pracharaks (non-ochre wearing Sangh monks) who have dedicated their lives to serving India in various fields like medical care, schools, tribal hostels, eye banks, blood banks, special children, visually challenged, international Hindu brotherhood, labour and farmers.

They all will be there to listen to him.

What exactly is the RSS all about?

It is an unapologetic, proud Hindu organisation that follows the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo and Dr K B Hedgewar (the founder of the RSS).

Our faith in Hindu dharma is inclusive. It doesn't allow any discrimination against any segment or any faith.

Our inspirations are rooted in the glorious traditions of Hindu civilisational values.

It is the sacrifices and lifelong dedication to the glory of Mother India by millions of selfless RSS workers since 1925 that has wrought changes in India's social-cultural and political agenda.

It is an incredible saga of Hindu resurgence, unique in its methodology and unparalleled in the annals of world history.

An 'applied RSS' example

IMAGE: A representation of the National Cancer Institute in Nagpur. Photograph: Kind courtesy ncinagpur.in

Recently, I was in Nagpur to attend the 'sacred thread' ceremony of a friend's son and chanced to hear about a National Cancer Institute coming up there in memory of Abaji Thatte, personal physician and assistant to the second RSS sarsanghchalak (chief), M S Golwalkar (popularly known as Shri Guruji).

It aroused my curiosity. I was taken around the institute by its chief architect and executive, Shailesh Joglekar. The visit was an eyeopener even for someone like me, who was born in a RSS family.

The National Cancer Institute, which is spread across 700,000 square feet, can be termed as one of the best cancer hospitals in India. The campus facilities include a Yatri Niwas, a nursing college, a hostel, a staff housing facility and an engineering service block.

The two people giving leadership to the entire project are Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shailesh Joglekar. Both are friends and both share their inspiration behind this project.

Devendra's father suffered from cancer and, despite trying to get the most advanced treatment available then, he could not save his father's life.

Shailesh, a senior advocate, lost his wife to cancer.

The tragedy they individually faced made them aware of the problems faced by cancer patients in India. Their loved ones find very few centres where cancer patients can get satisfactory treatment at a reasonable cost.

Cancer treatment in India is so expensive (with a few honourable exceptions like Mumbai's Tata Memorial Hospital) that it often becomes as painful as the dreaded disease itself.

The dream to start the best, yet affordable and patient friendly cancer, hospital began taking shape, with help coming from RSS swayamsewaks Narendra Modi, Nitin Gadkari (who hails from Nagpur), Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan and many, many, others.

Ratan Tata was very enthusiastic about the project as well.

The first phase soon came up near Nagpur. With the help of 53 specialist doctors, 156 state-of-the-art machines and 470 beds, it now serves 1,248 patients.

IMAGE: Devendra Fadnavis and Nitin Gadkari are staunch supporters of the project, which is dedicated to the memory of Abaji Thatte, personal physician and assistant to the second RSS sarsanghchalak, M S Golwalkar. Photograph: Kind courtesy ONGC/Twitter

The National Cancer Institute has introduced a unique scheme, Kark Yoddhas or warriors against cancer, a group of highly skilled professionals who have devoted their lives to eliminate cancer.

"In the fight against cancer," Shailesh explains, "doctors are in the front line. We give oncologists and other medical practitioners a platform that helps them in their quest to conquer cancer by offering them access to world-class infrastructure."

"We help them stay abreast with the latest and best innovations through affiliations with reputed international institutes. These Kark Yodhas help patients, answer their queries in a warm, friendly manner, assist their caregivers and try to help them in every way they can as these patients are in a state of great shock and feel dejected."

"The role of the Kark Yodhas is to give them hope and help them face the situation calmly."

"We provide access to the latest cancer care equipment and, most importantly, enable them to give back to society without restricting their knowledge and empathy to a certain elite class."

"The institute also plans to start university-recognised training courses for nurses, para-medical staff and medical fraternity, including super-speciality training in oncology and PhD programmes."

I feel this cancer hospital is Applied RSS or a living introduction to its founder Dr Hedgewar.

Those who want to know what the RSS is all about, and what the vision of its founder Dr Hedgewar was, must visit this hosptial. They will be introduced to the spirit that shapes the RSS.

How did the RSS begin?

IMAGE: An RSS summer training camp. Photograph: Kind courtesy RSS_Org/Twitter

The RSS runs more than 1.7 lakh service projects all over India.

It is the only organisation that is active in every single aspect of nation-building -- serving millions through hospitals, eyes banks and other Sewa Projects.

Often, it is the RSS workers who are found giving a helping hand when there is a calamity.

One can't understand the RSS without knowing about the visionary who created the world of the Sangh.

In fact, if we have to select one person whose life and organisational capacity has most impacted the life of the average Indian, it would undisputedly be Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.

IMAGE: An RSS ambulance. Photograph: Kind courtesy Tarun Vijay

Born in Nagpur on the Hindu new year (Varsh Pratipada, Vikrami Samvat) in 1889, Hedgewar became the architect of a modern powerful India. He had an unapologetic pride in Hindu civilisation's legacy.

His is the incredible story of a person who succeeded in transforming society with a new generation of dedicated youth, whose influence is seen today in every corner of India -- from Tawang to Leh and Okha to Andamans.

He founded the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh on Vijayadashami day in 1925 with a simple, one line announcement, 'I am announcing the formation of the sangh (organisation) today.'

The name Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh was given a year later, after intense deliberations and after receiving many suggestions, which included Bharat Uddharak Mandal (loosely translated as Society to Rejuvenate India).

His principal purpose was to create a society that would never fall prey to internal squabbles and forge a firm solidarity so no one would be able to subjugate us again.

Before he formed the Sangh, Dr Hedgewar had been an active member of the Congress and was one of the people in charge of organising its famous Nagpur session.

He participated in the non-cooperation movement and was sentenced to a year's rigorous imprisonment for giving passionate speeches about freedom.

He was also targeted by the British government for his connections with the revolutionaries of the Anusheelan Samiti and their leader, Pulin Behari Bose.

He never sought or received publicity and remained relatively lesser known than the people he moulded, who later became internationally renowned.

The RSS' achievements

IMAGE: The India International Science Festival was organised by the Vigyan Bharti last year. Photograph: Kind courtesy VibhdaIndia.org/Facebook

Thousands of swayamsevaks have shone in their respective fields.

You name any area of our national life and you will find a person inspired by Dr Hedgewar.

Renowned supercomputer scientist Dr Vijay Bhatkar, who heads the RSS inspired organisation for scientific research and organising scientists to create a scientific atmosphere rooted in India, Vigyan Bharati, is one of them.

From medical help to schools, colleges and institutions of technology, from labour unions to students' fronts and tribal service projects, Dr Hedgewar's vision is being implemented by thousands of young souls who have dedicated their lives for the cause of every Indian citizen, even in the remotest of areas.

IMAGE: A service project run by the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram at SalJora village near Kharagpur, West Bengal. Photograph: Kind courtesy Vanvasi/Facebook

It is difficult to believe that just one organisation, which is providing education and health services to tribal children, the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, is running 20,000 service projects that include hostels, schools, medical centres and women self reliance projects.

The largest number of inter-caste marriages happen within RSS families. RSS workers are waging a silent war to eradicate caste-based discrimination.

When I took Dalits to a temple in a remote Uttarakhand village in Jaunsar Bawar, the so-called high caste people maintained a studied silence. The only solace came from RSS national General Secretary Suresh Joshi who said, 'You are fighting for social justice.'

IMAGE: RSS workers help during the Uttarakhand flood in 2013. Photograph: Kind courtesy rss.org

Today, the largest network of service projects run by any organisation in India is efficiently run by RSS workers.

The RSS is involved in 170,000 projects, including hospitals, blood banks, eye banks, special centres to help the handicapped, the visually challenged and Thalassaemia-affected children.

Whether it is war or a natural calamity, Dr Hedgewar's followers are the first to reach the site and provide relief.

Whether it was the Charkhi Dadri plane crash, the December 26, 2004 tsunami, the Bhuj and Uttarkashi earthquakes or the Kedarnath tragedy, RSS swayamsevaks were in the forefront to help the affected people and, later, rehabilitate them.

It is true that the BJP owes its moral strength to the RSS and a large number of its leaders are swayamsevaks.

But it would underestimate Dr Hedgewar's impact on Indian society to judge the RSS only by the political spread of the BJP.

Think of Moreh, the last village on India-Myanmar border. Who is running a school there and providing medicines to the local villagers? They people who are doing this are inspired by Dr Hedgewar's vision.

Think, also, of the projects at Mokukchang and Changlang in the far north east that serve the local tribe and the ashram for tribal students at Port Blair in the Andamans that are run by swayamsewaks.

IMAGE: Students at a Vidya Bharati school. Photograph: Kind courtesy vidyabharatischool.org

The RSS today has the biggest network of educational institutions in the country and perhaps the world.

Vidya Bharati today runs more than 25,000 schools. Their locations extend from the farthest village in the north east to the snow deserts of Ladakh and border villages of Rajasthan, Jammu and Punjab. Vidya Bharti has a quarter million students and employs 1 lakh teachers.

Dr Hedgewar's ancestral village, Kandakurti

IMAGE: Dr Hegdewar's ancestral village, Kandakurti, was adopted by Nizamabad BJP MP K Kavitha. Photograph: Kind courtesy @Tarunvijay/Twitter

A few months ago, I was shooting a documentary on Dr Hedgewar's ancestral village, Kandakurti, in Telangana. It is a historic village on the confluence of Godavari, Haridra and Manjiri rivers.

The population of this sleepy, calm village is almost 65 per cent Muslims and 35 per cent Hindus. There are as many mosques as there are ancient temples. They exist side-by-side and there has not been a single unpleasant incident.

The ancestral home of the Hedgewar family is about 50 feet by 28 feet, which has been turned into a memorial by the villagers who were inspired by senior RSS leader Moropant Pingle.

It runs a beautiful co-educational school, Keshav Bal Vidya Mandir, that has a modest strength of about 200 students. I was pleasantly surprised to find a good number -- almost 30 percent -- Muslim girls and boys, studying there.

It is not that the village doesn't have other schools. Then why do the Muslims here prefer to send their children to a school established in the memory of the RSS founder?

IMAGE: The Keshav Shishu Mandir in Kandkurti, Telangana, where Hindu and Muslim children study together. Photograph: Kind courtesy Tarun Vijay

One such parent, Jalil Begh, traces his ancestry to the Mughals. He is a journalist representing the Urdu daily, Munsif.

He says his family felt the school was good because it has the best facilities and caters to the poor and financially weaker sections of society. They have a digital class as well and train kids in computers. Above all, he said, the standard of education was good.

Rafia, a student at the school, sang, Hind desh ke niwasi, Sabhi jan ek hain, Rang roop, vesh bhasha, Chahe anek hain (The people of Hind are one, even if our colour, attire and language differ).

Dr Hegdewar, India's biggest changemaker

IMAGE: Dr Keshav Baliram Hegdewar. Photograph: Sudhirn/Wikimedia Commons

The man who gave a pan Indian vision to millions, inspired bright young Indians to be part of a new order of thought as pracharak monks (who don't wear ochre robes but live the life of an ascetic), giving their utmost for peoples' education and health care and work towards a civilisational awakening in a silent, unpublicised way, keeping away from the media glare, is a story of an India that is being transformed like never before.

Dr Hedgewar -- who inspired millions to live for the greater good of the nation, injected in people a sense of pride and courage, inspiring them to stand for the universal values and Dharmic traditions of Bharat, that is India -- needs to be studied and appreciated more.

He is the biggest change maker India has ever witnessed.

That is RSS -- Ready for Selfless Service.

Pranab Da is going to the right place, a place where he will feel the spirit of Bharatvarsh.

Tarun Vijay, former BJP MP, was the chief editor of the RSS weekly, Panchjanya, for 20 years. He has made a documentary on RSS founder Dr Hedgewar's ancestral family's journey from Kandakurti, Telangana, to Nagpur.'There is core BJP support on the Hindutva line. It will continue.'

'Along with that, the BJP is ready to play the OBCs trifurcation card to its benefit.'

'If you see the post-Kairana result, the BJP spokespersons and IT cell have already begun talking about Hindu unity against Muslim unity, Ram vs Allah.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi at Singapore's oldest Hindu temple Sri Mariamman, June 2, 2018. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter

As the Bharatiya Janata Party enters its last lap before its term ends, its formidable citadel is not as strong as it was when the party came to power four years ago.

Its defeat in the recent Lok Sabha by-elections in Uttar Pradesh -- most recently in Kairana last week -- and the mounting anger among the country's farmers has sent worrying signals to the BJP leadership.

"The BJP's big brother attitude and naked communalism by its frontal organisations has galvanised the Opposition for their survival," Professor Manzoor Ali -- an observer of UP politics at the Giri Institute of Development Studies, Lucknow -- tells Rediff.com/Archana Masih.

What does the Kairana by-election result mean for the politics of UP and the rest of India?

At both levels, the result gives hope for democracy and the secular polity. It would give an impetus to the social and political coalition in various states.

The most significant states would be UP and Bihar which have 120 seats.

The social coalition could certainly give a strong fight to Brahminical and communalist forces in both states.

Does the Kairana result cast a shadow on the UP chief minister's ability to win elections in his own state when he is perceived as a star campaigner for the BJP in other states?

Winning seats in electoral politics is about gathering the numbers.

What the BJP has done in 2014 and 2017 was a broader social alliance at the local level, which gave it winning strength.

The BJP and Yogi (UP Chief Minister Ajay Singh Bisht also known as Yogi Adityanath) have still managed those social alliances in the state.

Castes like Lodh, Valmiki, Kurmi, Saini, Jat (part of it) and Hindu upper castes are still intact with the BJP.

That is also reflected in the Kairana by-poll, where the BJP candidate got a 47% vote share.

The problem with Yogi and the BJP is that the new Oppositional alliance is proving bigger than theirs (alliances).

Muslim, Dalits and Yadav are 20, 20 and 9 percent of UP's population respectively. This is formidable across the state.

The BJP won 2017 (the UP assembly election) because these votes were divided.

Yogi will remain the Hindutva mascot, not of development, till 2019.

Who do you think is responsible for the Kairana defeat?

The BJP applied all its resources in Kairana. It organised Gujjar and Jat Mahapanchayats. It also brought Jinnah into the scene.

They tried to make it Hindu unity versus Muslim unity. But everything failed as two major social groups in the area came together -- the Muslims and the Dalits.

There are 540,000 Muslims and 250,000 Dalits. Part of the Jats too voted in favour of the alliance as the candidate (Tabassum Hasan) has the RLD (Rashtriya Lok Dal) political platform.

The Muslim Gujjars -- who had mostly voted for the BJP candidate, the late Hukum Singh, a Gujjar leader -- due to community solidarity, the communal environment forced them to vote for the alliance candidates.

So, local and state level issues have been responsible for the BJP's defeat.

Kairana, Muzaffarnagar and western UP was where Hindutva politics was ruthlessly exploited and polarised voters in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Has that level of Hindu-Muslim polarisation/tension subsided now?

No and yes, both. No because the BJP managed to polarise this election to consolidate its vote base.

The Lodh, Valmiki, Saini, and some Jats still voted for the BJP.

Yes because there has been effort by the community leaders from the Jats negotiating with the Muslims to withdraw the police cases that were registered after the Muzzafarnagar riots.

Also, the cane prices issue brought the communities together.

Many feel this result is a jolt for the BJP, but the BJP has shown that it can win state after state.

Why, then, do wins in by-elections by the Opposition parties become so significant when it has been proved that BJP can win most of the big elections?

You have to understand two circles that are in the process.

One, where the BJP is entering new areas with promise of development such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Karnataka, Jharkhand etc.

Here, in multi-polar contests and with the division of secular votes, the BJP has outdone its opposition.

Second, where the BJP itself is in power, they are about to lose or losing, especially MP and Rajasthan.

The BJP's big brother attitude and naked communalism by its frontal organisations has galvanised the Opposition for their survival.

It will not be as easy for the BJP as was in 2014.

What do these by-poll results mean for Mr Modi and the BJP in 2019?

It is not going to be easy for the BJP and Mr Modi.

The central government has failed in many of its promises, especially in creating jobs, stopping corruption and securing communal harmony.

There is no 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

Individuals and groups have started protesting despite the close watch from the government.

If you do not deliver, the people will.

What strategy do you see the SP, BSP, Congress and RLD using in 2019?

The Congress has already approached the BSP for the Madhya Pradesh (assembly) election.

In Uttar Pradesh, the 'Bua and Babua' (Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav) combination has already proven its mettle.

The joining of the Congress and RLD would be a potential threat to the BJP.

Do you see Mayawati, Akhilesh, Rahul Gandhi, Ajit Singh being able to work together and put up a credible opposition to the BJP?

It is a matter of survival for all of them against the BJP's electoral and organisational machinery.

It is imperative for them to come together. The alliance would be more vital for the Congress and Ajit Singh's RLD.

Ajit Singh knows he has been reduced to nothing by the BJP as his social base drifted away.

He would certainly like to invoke (his late father) Chaudhary Charan Singh's legacy and autonomy and control over Jat politics.

What would be the weaknesses of such a coalition?

Seat sharing and the leadership issue of Uttar Pradesh. Akhilesh is not in the mood to leave UP.

Ajit Singh will go for a post in the Centre where the Congress will have premiership.

Now, Mayawati has to negotiate for a respectable position. She has already been asking for 40 seats in Uttar Pradesh.

Jinnah was raked up as a poll issue, but it seem to have backfired.

Will some other divisive agenda be exploited in 2019?

Or will political parties focus on issues like 'ganna' (sugarcane) and farming concerns rather than religion?

In 2014 (the general election) and 2017 (the UP assembly election) the BJP employed development as a superficial vote catching tactic very effectively.

However, beneath that, caste equations and communal polarisation have been used to garner votes.

There is core BJP support on the Hindutva line. It will continue.

Along with that, the BJP is ready to play the OBCs trifurcation card to its benefit.

If you see the post-Kairana result, the BJP spokesperson and IT cell have already begun talking about Hindu unity against Muslim unity, Ram vs Allah.

The onus lies with the Opposition parties to raise the issues of unemployment, minimum support price to farmers, loan waiver, communal harmony, better education and health etc.

How has UP changed in the one year under Yogi Adityanath?

Here I remember a film dialogue: 'Jo mai nahin bolta hoon, woh mai definitely karta hoon (What I don't say I defintely do).'

In the name of maintaining law and order, the state government has sanctioned selected police killing of petty criminals belonging to the OBCs and Dalits.

In the name of cow protection, the police has arrested juveniles. Sometime upright policemen have to face the brunt of right-wing mobs.

Killing of lawyers and businessmen are not taken seriously.

In the name of the UP summit, citizens have been made false promises of investment.

A united Opposition was able to defeat the BJP in UP's Lok Sabha by-elections, but the BJP has a major chunk of the votes and remains a formidable force.

How can the Opposition take on Mr Modi and the BJP?

I think the Opposition should and must go with the positive agenda of jobs for youth, safety of citizens, agricultural distress, black money, bank NPA issues.

The BJP has no answer to these issues.Reaching out to National Democratic Alliance partners ahead of the 2019 general elections, Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah will meet Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Wednesday and Shiromani Akali Dal supremo Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh the following day, party leaders said on Tuesday.

On June 3, Shah met Lok Janshakti Party chief and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who raised the issue of special status for Bihar.

The series of meetings are being seen as an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party to reach out to allies who have either been criticising or expressing their dissent with the party and also to strengthen the National Democratic Alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Amit Shah sought time to meet Uddhavji. Accordingly, an appointment for tomorrow evening has been given to him, Sena MP Sanjay Raut said in Mumbai.

However, he questioned the need for Shah to meet Thackeray after a gap of four years.

Shah, who will meet Thackeray at his Mumbai residence on Wednesday, will travel to Chandigarh the day after that to call on Badal and his son, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal, a BJP leader said.

While the BJP president travels to Mumbai and Chandigarh, he has also instructed that a mahabhoj (grand dinner) be held for all NDA allies on June 7 in the Bihar capital Patna. It will be attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi and Union ministers Paswan and Upendra Kushwaha.

The BJP general secretary and the partys Bihar in-charge Bhupendra Yadav, state party BJP president Nityanand Rai and another NDA ally Arun Kumar will also attend the event, a party leader said.

Invitations have been extended to all NDA MLAs, MLCs and MPs from Bihar for the dinner.

The outreach programme is aimed at reinforcing the unity of NDA at a time the entire opposition is trying to come together to stitch an alliance for the 2019 elections.Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday rejected a parliamentary panels findings that the three services were reeling under severe shortage of funds, saying adequate financial resources have been allocated to them in the last four years.

Sitharaman, at a press conference, also asserted that there was no shortage of ammunition for the armed forces which had been the case during the previous government.

The defence expenditure has been highest in 2017-18 if you look at it since 2004-05. In the same manner, it was second highest in 2016-17 and third highest in 2015-16. The fourth highest defence expenditure since 2004-05 was in 2014-15, she said.

In March, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, headed by Bharatiya Janata party MP Major General B C Khanduri (retired), had come down hard on the government for inadequate allocation of funds to the army, navy and the air force.

The army had told the panel that it was reeling under severe financial crunch and struggling to even make emergency procurements when China and Pakistan were carrying out modernisation of their defence forces in full swing.

The then Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Sarath Chand had told the parliamentary panel that inadequate allocation of funds in the defence budget for 2018-19 will hit the armys modernisation plan when Chinese military was competing to reach the level of the US.

He said 68 per cent of the Armys equipment is in the vintage category, adding that the fund crunch will also impact the serviceability of the existing equipment and may even affect payment of instalments for past purchases.

While giving reply to a question, the defence minister reeled out budget figures and said there had been no shortage of funds for the armed forces at all.

In 2013-14, she said the capital outlay for defence services was Rs 86,740 crore the actual expenditure was Rs 79,125 crore.

She said the capital outlay for defence services was Rs 94,587 crore in 2014-15, while the actual expenditure was Rs 81,886 crore.

In 2015-16, capital outlay was Rs 94,588 crore, while the expenditure was Rs 79,958 crore.

In 2016-17,capital outlay for defence was Rs 86,340 crore and expenditure was Rs 86,370 crore.

I want to dispel the myth that the funds which have been given are lesser than ever before, Sitharaman said.

Asked whether the army was unreasonable on its demands for more funds, the defence minister did not give a direct reply but said the service headquarters should rationalise procurement list to cater to new technology.

She said the armed forces need to review their wishlist as new technology has come and some of the equipment they wanted may not be required now.

Sitharaman said financial powers were given to the service headquarters and that was the reason why there was no shortage of ammunition for the armed forces in the last four years.

Army sources, however, maintain that there has been shortage of ammunition for a long-duration war.

The government allocated Rs 76,765 crore less to the army, navy and air force in the defence budget than what they had been sought to purchase new weapons, aircraft, warships and other military hardware, according to official figures.

The three forces had demanded Rs 1.6 lakh crore as capital outlay but were granted Rs 83,434 crore for the year 2018-19.Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ripun Bora on Tuesday urged former president Pranab Mukherjee to reconsider his decision to address the June 7 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh conference at Nagpur.

The former president is at present a non-political person with high esteem but the entire country remembers him as a veteran and dedicated Congressman, Bora said in a letter to Mukherjee.

His presence at the conference will have far reaching repercussions and negative impact in the socio-political scenario of India and therefore, I urge you to reconsider your decision, Bora said.

It is very surprising that you (Mukherjee) are going to attend the meeting of such an organisation which is totally opposed to the Congresss ideology of secularism, which is not only the basic foundation of the Constitution but also the social fabric of our nation, he said in the letter.

You are one among the few Congressmen who stood as a pillar of the party during its most critical juncture in post emergency period. Your service, dedication and sacrifice in reviving the party after Emergency will be ever remembered, he said.

The APCC president pointed out that it was RSS cadre Nathuram Godse who killed Mahatma Gandhi due to his ideological conflict on secularism. Somebody might raise the issue that Jawaharlal Nehru had once invited the RSS to participate in the Republic Day Parade, but that was under very special circumstances prevailing during that time.

He urged the former president to reconsider his decision as the organisation has never respected the national flag and propagates the idea of one nation one religion -- that

is Hindutva by ignoring the multiple diversities which has led to hatred, mistrust and divisions among the people.

The organisation (RSS) is also responsible for unabated social and religious intolerance and politics of religious polarisation during the last four years of BJP

Governments misrule at the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added.Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said at least nine MLAs from the Janata Dal-Secular will be inducted in the first phase of cabinet expansion of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state.

"In the first phase (of the cabinet expansion), eight to nine members (MLAs from JD-S) will be there (inducted in the cabinet). Two to three vacancies will be there," Kumaraswamy said in Bengaluru when asked about the first phase of cabinet expansion.

Kumaraswamy also ruled out any differences among JD-S MLAs over cabinet berths and allocation of portfolios and said party president H D Deve Gowda has been given total freedom on the next phase of cabinet expansion.

"There are no differences at all among our MLAs (over cabinet berths and portfolio allocations). Actually they have given total freedom to the national president to select the future cabinet," he told reporters.

Kumaraswamy also said the national president has advised all MLAs about giving good governance with their cooperation.

"Today we had a meeting with our MLAs. Our national president advised all MLAs to cooperate with the cabinet for developing the state and providing good governance," he said.

As per the coalition agreement on June 1, Congress was allocated 22 ministerial berths and 12 to JD-S.

Congress were allocated Home, Irrigation, Health, Agriculture and Women Child Welfare ministries, while JD-S Finance and Excise, Public Works Department, Education, Tourism and Transport ministries.

Both parties also agreed on setting up of coordination and monitoring committee to oversee smooth functioning of the coalition.

The committee will be led by senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, while JD(S)' Danish Ali will work as its convenor.

Meanwhile, ahead of the cabinet expansion on Wednesday, Congress leaders from the state are likely to visit New Delhi to discuss the list of ministers and portfolio allocation with the party high command.IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar offer prayers during Iftar in Patna on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo

A day after the Janata Dal-United demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be projected as the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliances face in Bihar fro the Lok Sabha polls next year, the JD-U president on Monday declined to comment on the issue.

Earlier in the day, Bihar Deputy CM and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said Nitish is the ruling alliances leader in the state and the NDA will seek votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the name of the JD-U chief and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's works.

"This is a special occasion when I would like to see happiness on all faces. Please do not ask about any other face right now, Kumar quipped in response to queries by reporters.

The journalists gathered at his official residence of the chief minister to attend the Iftaar organised by him.

When pressed further, he said, "All your queries would be answered at an appropriate time. Right now, let us pray that the holy month of Ramzan brings peace and prosperity to Bihar."

The JD-U has asserted that the chief minister is the face of the NDA in the state, which is being speculated as an indirect demand for greater share of seats in the parliamentary polls.

Out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, the BJP has 22 in addition to nine others held by allies like the Lok Janshakti Party and the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party.

The BJP and JD-U fought separately in the 2014 general election.

The JD-U registered victories in only two seats but has the largest number of MLAs among all coalition partners in the state assembly.

"May the followers of all religions live together in peace and may mutual respect flourish. Let us also pray that our state, which suffers the wrath of nature almost every year, does not face drought or floods", Kumar added.

A host of dignitaries, including state Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council Haroon Rashid, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and cabinet ministers Nand Kishore Yadav and Mangal Pandey attended the Iftaar.Singapore on Tuesday designated a special event area of the Sentosa island tourist resort for the upcoming summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un with over 2,500 journalists expected to cover the historic meeting.

IMAGE: A view of Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. Within the special event areas, there will be a special zone where stricter security checks will be conducted on people and vehicles. Photograph: Edgar Su/Reuters

The second area to be named for the summit was announced in a public order published in the Government Gazette online on Tuesday, which adds to a previous announcement that designated the area around Shangri-La Hotel as a special event area for the summit which is scheduled to take place on June 12.

Extra security measures will be in force for these areas in the period between June 10 and 14.

Within the special event areas, there will be a special zone where stricter security checks will be conducted on people and vehicles.

The special zone covers an area that includes Universal Studios Singapore and the Capella hotel, a colonial building on the island of Sentosa just off Singapore linked with a causeway.

IMAGE: More than 2,500 people from the local and international news media are expected to cover the event. Photograph: Edgar Su/Reuters

More than 2,500 people from the local and international news media are expected to cover the event, according to the number of registrations received by the ministry of communications and information on Tuesday.

Journalists will work from the International Media Centre which is being set up at the F1 Pit Building in the Marina Bay area in the Central Business District and miles away from the so far likely venues -- Sentosa island and the Shangri-La hotel.

IMAGE: The special zone covers an area that includes the Capella hotel, a colonial building on the island of Sentosa just off Singapore linked with a causeway. Photograph: Edgar Su/Reuters

On Sunday, the government had announced that the area around the Shangri-La Hotel was designated a special event area for the summit, with a special zone covering an area including Claymore Road, Cuscaden Road, and parts of Nassim Road and Grange Road, off the Central Business District.

Special measures apply to such event areas. For instance, people entering the special event area must allow the police to inspect their personal belongings if asked.

In addition, certain items will not be allowed to be taken into the special event area, according to a Channel News Asia report.

These include explosives and arms as well as aerosol paint containers or substances capable of being used to mark graffiti. Megaphones and flags or banners larger than 1 metre by 1 metre or with a handle longer than a metre are also not allowed within the special event area.

IMAGE: A view of Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa Island in Singapore. Photograph: Edgar Su/Reuters

While there has been no confirmation of the venue of the summit, the Capella - a colonial building-turned-hotel -- has been touted as one possible location.

In a separate notice on Tuesday, the government also issued an order to allow for the use of armoured vehicles from June 3 to June 30, in relation to the summit.

The public order specified four vehicles driven by police officers for the purpose of training and conveying any non-citizen individual taking part in the summit or related activities anywhere in Singapore.

This includes any social activities related to the meeting involving any representative of the US or North Korea attending the summit, according to the notice.Rising to the grave environmental challenge posed by rampant use of plastics, states of Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, Maharashtra and Jharkhand on Tuesday announced that they are set to become plastic-free, while Uttarakhand banned the use of polythene from July 31.

IMAGE: The state governments expressed their resolve to end the menace as India played global host to 2018 World Environment Day celebrations with the theme Beat Plastic Pollution. Photograph: PTI Photo

The state governments expressed their resolve to end the menace as India played global host to 2018 World Environment Day celebrations with the theme Beat Plastic Pollution.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswamis told the state assembly that his government would ban the use of plastic items, including non-biodegradable carry bags, from January 2019 to gift a plastic-free state to future generations.

Considering the damage caused by plastic, and to ensure this is not left behind for future generations, the Amma government has decided to ban non-biodegradable plastic covers, plates, cups, water packets, straws and bags, he said.

However, plastic sachets used to pack milk, curd and oil, besides those used to wrap medical products, would be exempted from the ban, Palaniswami said in Chennai.

IMAGE: Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik gives a final touch to his 55 ft long 30ft wide sand sculpture ahead of World Environment Day at Puri beach, in Odisha. Photograph: PTI Photo

Chief Minister Raghubar Das announced that Jharkhand would become a plastic-free state by June 5 next year,

By June 5, 2019, Jharkhand will be plastic free. I appeal to 3.25 crore people of Jharkhand to free Jharkhand from plastic---from office to house to bazaar to village, plastic should not be seen, Das said while addressing a programme on the World Environment Day.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio set the December deadline to free the state of plastic waste.

Plastic bags choke drains and gutters, causing them to overflow. Burning plastic also results in release of toxic gases, Rio said, adding that people need to take measures to end the menace.

IMAGE: Volunteers, wearing costumes made up of plastic bags, raise awareness against the use of plastic bags, on the occasion of World Environment Day, in Mumbai. Photograph: Shashank Parade/PTI Photo

Maharashtra Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam said the state will be totally free of plastic in the next one year.

On March 23, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government imposed a ban on a slew of plastic products in the state. It had issued a notification, banning manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials such as one-time-use bags.

I will not let people die of cancer, animals suffer nor let the environment be degraded further. Maharashtra will be 100 per cent plastic-free in one year, Kadam said.

IMAGE: Children and volunteers take part in a beach clean drive, at Dadar Chowpatty in Mumbai. Photograph: PTI Photo

In Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said polythene will be banned in the state from July 31.

One week before the ban, a mass awareness campaign on environmental damage caused by polythene, would be undertaken in the entire state, he said.

Rawat said environment conservation is a collective responsibility and everyone will have to make their contribution to Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for building a plastic free India.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged people to curb plastic pollution on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Today is World Environment Day. Following this years theme, let us pledge to beat plastic pollution. Let us pledge to make every day #WorldEnvironmentDay, the CM tweeted on Tuesday morning.

IMAGE: Volunteers of Sant Nirankari mission form a human chain to spread awareness about the harmful impact of plastic on the enviorment on World Environment Day, at Ridge in Shimla. Photograph: PTI Photo

The Railways too joined in the green initiatives, saying passengers travelling on some premium trains will be served meals from today on eco-friendly, disposable plates made of bagasse, instead of those made of polymer.

Sikkim became the first state in 1998 to ban disposable plastic bags. In 2016, it banned the use of packaged drinking water in government offices and government events and use of Styrofoam and thermocol disposable plates in the entire state.

The Haryana government too has now decided to ban single-use plastic water bottles in all government offices in the state.

Across the country, NGOs, educational institutions and government departments held green rallies to raise awareness on plastic pollution.United States President Donald Trump would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at 9 am Singapore time on June 12, the White House announced on Tuesday.

"I can tell you the president has been receiving daily briefings on North Korea from his national security team, and I can also tell you the schedule tentatively, for that first meeting will be on June 12 at 9 am Singapore time, and take place June 11, 9 pm East Coast time," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference.

The Trump administration, she said, is actively preparing for the June 12 summit between the US President and the North Korean leader.

"The advance team in Singapore is finalising logistical preparations and will remain in place until the summit begins. In the DMZ, the US Ambassador's delegation continues diplomatic negotiations with the North Korean delegation. Discussions have been very positive, and significant progress has been made," Sanders said.

Last week, Trump met with a top North Korean official at the White House to plan for the summit. The official handed him a letter from Kim Jong Un.

"I am not going to get into the specifics of the letter, but as the president said, they were interesting, and we feel like things are continuing to move forward, and good progress has been made, and we're continuing to prepare for the president's summit," Sanders said.

Responding to a question on 'maximum pressure' policy on North Korea, the press secretary said the US policy towards Pyongyang has not changed.

"Our policy hasn't changed. And as the President stated, we have sanctions on. They're very powerful, and we would not take those sanctions off unless North Korea denuclearises," she said.

When asked whether Trump supports a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, she said the focus of the administration right now was the President's meeting with the North Korean leader.

"And the President will make his views known directly to him when we're in Singapore, and our focus will continue to be on denuclearisation," Sanders said.Indian Admirals say Malabar 2018 will involve unprecedented complexity, featuring enemy threats in all three dimensions, but especially underwater threats from submarines -- a key Chinese strength.

For the first time, officers from all three navies will be posted on other navies' warships.

That means Indian Navy officers will obtain the unprecedented benefits of operating on US nuclear attack submarines and Japan's highly regarded Soryu submarines.

Ajai Shukla reports.

IMAGE: Scenes from Malabar 2017 exercise undertaken in the Bay of Bengal. Photograph: PTI Photo

The Indian Navy is sending three surface warships and a surveillance aircraft to the annual United States-Japan-India trilateral Exercise Malabar 2018, being held in Guam, in the Pacific Ocean.

Last year, amid tensions with China, it had sent thrice that number.

'The Navy will be represented by two indigenously designed and built ships, the multi-purpose stealth frigate, the INS Sahyadri, an anti-submarine warfare corvette, the INS Kamorta, the fleet tanker INS Shakti and a long range maritime patrol aircraft P-8I,' an official Indian Navy release stated.

In Malabar 2017, held in the Bay of Bengal, India had fielded the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and a Kilo-class submarine, in addition to seven other major warships.

Malabar 2018 features no Indian aircraft carrier or submarine, and relatively smaller warships.

Malabar 2017 was held last July while Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a tense border stand-off in Doklam, at the India-China-Bhutan border tri-junction near Sikkim.

This year's reduced participation comes just six weeks after Prime Minister Narendra D Modi's two-day 'informal summit' meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan, China.

Naval sources dismiss the notion of a 'reduced commitment to Malabar'. They said the navy is not sending an aircraft carrier or submarine simply because Guam is too far away -- almost 10,000 kilometres by sea.

A senior officer said it would be undesirable to leave no aircraft carrier for India's defence.

The admirals say this year's exercise will involve unprecedented complexity, featuring enemy threats in all three dimensions, but especially underwater threats from submarines -- a key Chinese strength.

They point out that, for the first time, officers from all three navies will function as 'sea riders' -- or posted on other navies' warships.

That means Indian Navy officers will obtain the unprecedented benefits of operating on US navy Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarines and the highly regarded Soryu-class submarines of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force.

Also, for the first time, the world's best three long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft -- the Indian Navy's Boeing P-8I, the US navy's Boeing P-8A and the JMSDF's Kawasaki P-1 -- will operate together.

Beijing regards Exercise Malabar as the military manifestation of a trilateral alignment between Washington, Tokyo and New Delhi, directed at containing China.

Beijing has also opposed Australia's frequent requests to participate in Exercise Malabar, regarding that as amounting to a 'Quadrilateral Alliance' of Asia-Pacific democracies.

Chinese apprehensions about India joining a US-led, anti-China grouping have been inflamed by growing US-India naval cooperation, and by measures like the recent re-naming of the Hawaii-based United States Pacific Command as the US Indo-Pacific Command.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis explained that the renaming only took into account the actual geographical spread of USPACOM, 'from Bollywood to Hollywood and from penguins to polar bears'. Beijing was not amused.

On Monday, June 4, the defence ministry stated that the US navy will participate in Malabar 2018 with six major warships: 'The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan with its air wing; two Ticonderoga class cruisers, the USS Antietam and the USS Chancellorsville; two Arleigh Burke class destroyers, the USS Benfold and USS Mustin; a Los Angeles-class attack submarine and one long range maritime patrol aircraft P-8A.'

It said the JMSDF would be represented by the Hyuga class helicopter carrier JS Ise with its integral helicopters; a Takanami-class destroyer JS Suzunami; the Akizuki-class destroyer JS Fuyuzuki, a P-1 LRMR aircraft and a submarine.

The participating Indian warships will reach Guam on June 7, for the Harbour Phase of the exercise, where the three navies will coordinate operating techniques and drills.

The Sea Phase, from June 11 to 16, will feature live aircraft carrier operations, air defence, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, visit, board, search and seizur, joint manoeuvres and tactical procedures.Why had the CBI decided to have Waghmare tell the court the tale surrounding this odd trip to Kolkata made for even odder reasons, close to a year-and-a-half after Sheena's murder?

To show the kind of person Indrani was?

And that the murder of her daughter was not a heat of the moment crime, given Indrani was capable of other odd, suspicious, premeditated acts like this?

Vaihayasi Pande Daniel reports from the Sheena Bora murder trial.

Illustration: Rediff.com/Uttam Ghosh

Nirav Modi, who allegedly audaciously pilfered a whopping Rs 11,400 crores from the country, went even a step further on Monday, June 4.

The absconding diamantaire, in absentia, stole precious time away from the Sheena Bora murder trial at the Mumbai city and sessions court, Kala Ghoda, south Mumbai.

The Monday hearing was scheduled to begin half past midday at Courtroom 51 on the third floor.

Everyone, by some rare providence, was in attendance on the dot of time: The accused, the lawyers, the prosecution, the CBI and even the brand new witness, PW4 (Prosecution Witness 4).

But then Vijay Kumar Aggarwal waltzed in.

In tight white pants, a short black coat, the lawyer white tie, flyaway hair and too long sideburns, the Delhi criminal advocate representing Nirav Modi had also defended some of the accused in the 2G spectrum case.

He took the lawyer's stand, trailed by his team of 10 or more lawyers, and began addressing CBI Special Judge Jayendra Chandrasen Jagdale in a sing-song voice.

Aggarwal punctuated each of his sentences, thrice over, at least, with chants of "My Lord" that came out in a strangled drawl, sounding like "Mylaw, mylaw."

It was a plea for bail for the others implicated in the PNB-Modi case. Aggarwal stressed, on and on, how the accused had no reason or means to flee and could even be instructed to curtail their movements to only one part of Mumbai if need be.

He waxed and waned, in an attempt to be persuasive, appropriating well over an hour-and-a-half, with his never-ending discourse.

The Sheena Bora murder trial hearing had to be postponed to after lunch.

PW4 turned out to be Pradeep Waghmare, who once worked as an office boy at Star India Pvt Limited, the company Peter Mukerjea once helmed.

Later he doubled up as both office boy and cleaner at INX Services Pvt Ltd and at the Mukerjea residence at Marlow, Worli, south central Mumbai.

A cheerful man of short stature and simple manner, wearing modest clothes, Waghmare, in his first appearance, seemed nothing like his former pal, the rather outrageous and twisted-as-a-chakli- mentality Mukerjea driver Shyamvar Rai.

He was more grounded, it seemed -- a biddable, easy-going and non-controversial sort.

Waghmare, who must have been in his late thirties, also seemed conscious of his 'station' in life. He gave his answers in a low, barely audible, voice, without any emotional inflections, opting to speak in Hindi in court.

At times he looked a little worried and anxious and took a break for a few minutes, in between, because his stomach hurt.

His wife, wearing a colourful striped pink kurta and a pink churidar, holding a brown handbag, also sat in court, alertly watching the proceedings.

A Class 8 pass, Waghmare, in his years at Star (from 1999) and INX (from 2005) had cleaned his boss' office and later the flat too and did filing, as well running a few errands like depositing cheques at banks or withdrawing money.

Through his long association with the Mukerjeas, he had met Sheena quite a few times and knew her as the sister.

He was also acquainted with Rahul Mukerjea -- Peter's son from his first marriage -- and Indrani Mukerjea's younger daughter Vidhie and was aware of the existence of Mekhail Bora, Sheena's brother. He had spoken on the phone with Mekhail.

Waghmare knew some of the intimate family details too. He was aware that Indrani financed Mekhail. And that Sheena worked for 'Reliance Metro' and was living with Rahul in Andheri. He had even taken an AC to their flat with Rai.

He remembered when the Mukerjeas moved away to "London", but that they visited on and off. He stated this all very matter factly.

He was asked if Indrani "Madam" and Peter "Sir" were in the room.

"Jee (Yes)," he said politely, not looking at them. Nor was he requested to identify them.

The crucial part of his 75-minute testimony to the court, that was guided by CBI Special Prosecutor Kavita Patil, wearing a refined black chiffon sari with a beige patterned border, was about his visit to Marlow on April 25, 2012, a day after Sheena Bora's alleged murder.

On certain days of the week, Waghmare didn't show up at the INX office, which had by then had moved to Thane West, outside Mumbai. Instead, he journeyed across town to reach Flat 19, fifth floor, at Marlow and did the 'housekeeping' at the Mukerjea home.

But Indrani's secretary, Kajal Sharma, on Indrani's say so, instructed Waghmare to not clean the family home on April 23, 24 and 25, 2012 or come to Worli, but report to Thane.

Yet on April 25, Waghmare received a call asking him to come across to tidy the flat and he headed there at 3 pm.

What greeted him on his arrival at the Mukerjea building in Worli was mildly perplexing.

"The security guard -- (named Maruti Varke) -- bole ki Rahul aaye the police ke saath doh-teen baar (The security guard said Rahul had come with the police two or three times). At that point Rahul came. Rahul bola, "Sheena kidhar hai, maloom hai aapko? (Rahul asked where is Sheena? Do you know?)"

Waghmare explained to Rahul he had not been coming to the building for the last few days and he didn't know where Sheena was.

Rahul went away and Waghmare headed to the Mukerjea residence. "Flat khula tha. Kitchen mein gaye. Kitchen mein dekha ki 2-3 din (purana) khana tha. Daru ki bottle thi. Water bottles tha. Khana basa tha. Bin mein dal diya. Bottles phek diya (The flat was open. I went in the kitchen and found 2-3 day old food, liquor bottles and water bottles. The food was smelling and I put it in the bin. I threw the bottles)."

The food, Waghmare was from a "hotel" because it was in white plastic containers. Elsewhere in the house there was, as per his description "Black colour ka slippers. Nightie ka kapra pada tha (There were black-coloured slippers and a nightie)."

Waghmare said they were men's slippers and he had not seen them before.

A nightie, booze bottles, unfamiliar men's slippers, stale food and an empty flat -- a narrative of strange happenings. Waghmare didn't feel or express that, but it was not what he encountered usually at the Mukerjea home.

He cleaned the flat and went down to neaten up the garage, when Rahul arrived once more.

He was having an agitated altercation with the building security guards, who would not let him in. Waghmare said he intervened.

Rahul came over to the garage. "Puchha Sheena kahan hai? I told him "Mere ko maloom nahin hai (giving the reasons why). English mein kuch (galee) bolke chala gaya (He asked where Sheena was. I said I didn't know. He swore in English and went off)."

After he had tidied the garage, Waghmare went back to the flat. He said he could not remember whether he had called Indrani "Madam" or she called him. He told her that Rahul had come looking for Sheena.

After 10 or 15 minutes a phone call came -- this time from "Peter Sahib" and he wanted to know if Rahul had come. Waghmare said he explained how Rahul had shown up looking for Sheena and he didn't know where Sheena was because he had not come to the flat for a few days.

Peter offered Waghmare an explanation. "Peter Sahib bola ki Madam ne Sheena ko Rahul se chhuraya aur jaane do (Peter Sahib said Indrani had shaken Sheena free from Rahul and not to worry)."

Shortly thereafter, Rai popped by at the flat, offering a spare suitcase, that Indrani was discarding, to Waghmare who said he was interested in it.

Rai and Waghmare went down to the garage. Rai took the bag down from on top of an "almirah" and gave it to him. Waghmare left for home with the suitcase in tow.

A few days later, Waghmare went with Kajal Sharma, Indrani's secretary, who he reported to, to courier Sheena's resignation letter. He said he was aware it was "Sheena's istifa (resignation) letter" on which Kajal had signed for Sheena and they couriered it from Mulund, north east Mumbai.

Waghmare wrote the address on the envelope, he said. After that, the pair went to a PCO and called Reliance Metro Mumbai One to say that the resignation letter had been couriered.

In the interim, between 2012 and 2014, nothing noteworthy occurred. The Mukerjeas moved back to Bombay in 2013.

In September 2014, Indrani sent Waghmare to Kolkata on an unusual errand.

He did not describe it as out of the ordinary or even surprising. But phlegmatically, without ascribing any opinion, outlined the sketchiest details of the said task.

"Dava le ke aane ka tha udhar se (I had to bring medicine from there) from a man named Sujit. She told me to buy bottles of Dabarlal dant manjan (tooth powder) and empty them and fill them with this medicine. If I encountered the police I should just throw the bottles away."

The way he recounted it, he made it sound as if going to Kolkata to retrieve medicine the police might be suspicious of, was all par for the course in a cleaner/office boy's daily routine. No big deal.

Waghmare -- always dutiful, it seemed, not the kind to question why -- purchased the bottles, but the medicine was never delivered to him in Kolkata, so he boarded a plane back to Mumbai, without the particular medicine, after Indrani sent him a Jet Airways ticket on his cell phone.

Why had the CBI decided to have Waghmare tell the court the tale surrounding this odd trip made for even odder reasons, close to a year-and-a-half after Sheena Bora's murder?

To show the kind of person Indrani was? And that the murder of her daughter was not a heat of the moment crime, given Indrani was capable of other odd, suspicious, premeditated acts like this?

In 2015 Waghmare had a call from the Khar police station because "Madam ka enquiry chal raha tha (an enquiry into Indrani's actions) in the Sheena Bora murder."

He also had to deposit ("jama kiya") with the police, against a panchnama, the suitcase, his air ticket and boarding pass, which he, for some reason, still had in his possession.

Perhaps he had kept the boarding pass and ticket as a souvenir of his trip which might have been his first flight. Patil didn't ask why he still had it a year later.

Patil requested Waghmare to identify a few documents and exhibits.

Waghmare's boarding card made an appearance.

On what was likely his first flight, Waghmare had flown Spice Jet to Kolkata in seat 5F, probably a window seat that would have afforded him, after take off, a view of Thane, where his office was.

The peon confirmed it was his boarding pass and the return ticket a day later, arriving in Mumbai after midnight, had been his.

The Suitcase, wrapped in white muslin and seals, reprised its role on Monday in court, reacquainting itself with those in Courtroom 51.

This was said to be an exact twin of the suitcase that Indrani purchased on April 24, the day of the murder, from Dadar, central Mumbai, that had been used to store Sheena Bora's body in the Marlow garage through the night of the murder. The sister suitcase had allegedly been burned with Sheena's body in Raigad.

Grey in colour, it had black double straps. The suitcase's size, re-examined, was as awfully baffling on Monday, as it was when it debuted on August 1, 2017 in court, its smallness causing amazement.

Its dimensions? Hardly two feet long and 1.5 feet wide and less than a foot deep. It would have been difficult to store anything larger than a medium-sized dog in it. Or maybe two or three cloth bundles of legal files.

The Suitcase was, one noticed this time around, astonishingly new looking. It had suffered no wear and tear in the three years of Waghmare's care/usage or through the passage of time. Rather it looked like it had travelled from the shop straight to the court premises.

Waghmare looked at it cursorily -- perhaps too quickly -- and said it was the same piece of luggage. It was then borne away, back to exile.

The Mukerjea retainer subsequently identified a few cheques he had deposited for Sharma and the rental agreement for the INX Media Thane office, he had signed on as witness, and before you knew it Aggarwal was back with his band of black to continue his flowery bail plea on behalf of those accused in the Modi case.

The room filled up further as Waghmare departed and Aggarwal started up and was still going on, without an end in sight, as one exited the court at 4.30 pm. The peon was due back in court for cross examination by the defence on June 11.

The postponement of the morning hearing to afternoon, afforded the accused plenty of time in the corridors outside Courtroom 51.

Indrani, pristine in all white, barring a two-tone bindi, kept busy with her lawyers Siya Chaudhri and Sudeep Ratnamberdutt Pasbola, who came across for a few minutes too.

Sanjeev Khanna, Accused 2 and Indrani's former husband, chatted with his cousin and his lawyer Shreyansh Mithare.

Like earlier, the lines of combat, between the accused, the defence and prosecution, temporarily dissolve, or get briefly suspended, as unexpectedly friendly chit-chat starts up when there is time to while away during a swelteringly hot interlude.

One of Peter's lawyers told CBI Investigating officer Kaushal Kishor 'KK' Singh that he was getting more handsome by the day. Singh, tongue in cheek, said it was the days he spent in Mumbai.

CBI Special Prosecutor Bharat Badami jovially declared that Peter was getting more handsome daily, as well. Peter laughed uproariously and said he was becoming more and more bald.

Everyone asked Peter anxiously where his lunch was. It finally appeared, to everyone's collective relief -- burger, fries et al -- courtesy two friends.

Jokes flew about over Indrani's recent stint in the hospital for chest pain that was diagnosed as cervical spondylitis. She needed an air-conditioned holiday weekend in the ICU, it was suggested not cruelly.

Matters were slightly more serious two doors from Courtroom No 51.

On Monday, June 4, the 60th witness, a police officer, in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati alleged fake encounter case, turned hostile among the 86 who have already appeared, in Judge S J Sharma's Courtroom 49, which has, for some reason, a large picture of Lord Ganesha prominently pasted on its wall.

Ganesha also has an area, all to himself, in the old wing of this civil and sessions court, where a special shrine is maintained, with a light, mala and all, in the foyer where court employees punch their duty cards.

A painful brouhaha erupted in the courtyard of the court when a prisoner, being taken back to jail refused to wear handcuffs.

He bellowed and raged like a wounded, cornered, animal. It was a terrible sound. But he would not allow the police to put them on.

Anyone present in the court, when the flare-up began, stepped to the window to look down at the row in progress.

Mild interest flickered briefly and was extinguished. It was followed mostly by incomprehension.

In that moment, two different worlds collided.

How many, who had never brushed up against the law, accidentally or otherwise, could understand the anguish of this accused?

Just a few. Perhaps.No Quick Solutions for Portlands Housing Crisis

Reed alumni discuss strategies for helping the citys houseless population get back on their feet.

By Brandon Novy 19 |

Portlands housing crisis is getting worse. Local officials say there are at least 4,177 people in Portland without a permanent residence, up 10 percent in a mere two years. Rent is rising at rates up to 20 times faster than the citys median income. This crisis disproportionately affects people of color, who comprise over 40 percent of the unhoused population, while only representing 29 percent of Portlands overall population. And half of all unhoused women have been victims of domestic violence.

Reeds Alumni Network gathered in Prexy on May 17 to learn more about the crisis from a panel of alumni experts:

A depression-era shantytown in Sullivan's Gulch in NE Portland.

Vahid Brown 07 discussed his initiation into the world of activism and how he found an informal path to a political education through volunteering with Right To Dream Too during his time in graduate school. He also spoke to his work in helping organize Hazelnut Grove, a self-maintained village for unsheltered people which subsequently paved the way for his current position as housing policy coordinator for Clackamas County.

Elspeth Tanguay-Koo 00 spoke to her own background of being houseless growing up and her introduction to advocacy through organizations centered around supporting community-based settlements and ensuring that policies are made by the people with living this reality.

Amanda Waldroupe 07 is president of the Oregon Society of Professional Journalists and has been covering topics related to poverty and housing for the past 10 years.

Robert Shryock '13 discussed his experience starting out as a Street Roots volunteer, which lead to his subsequent jobs at the Clackamas Service Center and the Oregon Area Food Bank.

From the outset, panelists noted the connotative difference between houseless and homelessthe first being a statement of fact, the second implying a value judgement and suggesting that those without a roof may not establish a community or safe place.

The panelists shared some harrowing facts about the housing crisis. While some Portlanders fret that the citys liberal reputation makes it a magnet for vagabonds, most unhoused people are longstanding local residents. In fact, Portland has become another entry on a growing list of cities that criminalize sleeping outside. Punitive initiatives like police sweeps cost the city millions of dollars a year. Furthermore, the cost of emergency-room visits for an unhoused individual can top $40,000 dollars a yearmore than it would cost to give them shelter. Petty bureaucracysuch as requiring food-handlers permits to hand out bagged lunchesoften makes the situation worse.

The discussion then focused on the citys development policies that reduce the stock of affordable housing. Several alumni spoke up and offered potential solutions, some reluctantly admitting to their professional positions as landlords and developers to provide their own perspective in finding a sustainable solution. One participant suggested that the Alumni Network continue these discussions further so that the group could take inventory of professional connections to leverage on behalf of those voices that are currently unseen and unheard. Another suggested fundraising for hygiene trailers that the city purchased, but is now selling to recuperate money lost after the project was cancelled.

One notable point made was the notion of substandard housing. Are Portlands building codes too strict, and would loosening them yield cheaper housing? The panelists adamantly rebuked this suggestion in favor of more ethical alternatives that center integrity and community integration, rather than simply throwing a dangerous roof over the heads of those without shelter.

After a fascinating discussion, the panel concluded that these matters do not lie in a vacuum and must be dealt with through direct action. Systemic changes and sustainable initiatives will only succeed if they recognize the voices of those affected.

Mike Teskey, director of alumni initiatives and organizer of the event, spoke to his hope that Reed alumni play a bigger role in Portlands civic affairs. The time is right for colleges like Reed to look at a different way of reframing the relationship with their community, he said.

To connect with the reed alumni network, go here.

To get more involved in finding solutions, check out HomePdx, Sisters of The Road, Oregon Food Bank, Engaging with Local Neighborhood Associations, and Contacting Local Representatives.

Tags: Alumni, ServiceYongxing Island is home to the government of Sansha, China's southernmost city. [Photo/Xinhua]

Since the second half of 2016, the situation in the South China Sea has been changing for the better, moving from confrontation to cooperation. In this process, China and ASEAN members are stepping up negotiation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and pushing forward discussions on practical cooperation, crisis management and confidence building, which actually began before 2016. This is a very positive development and will help maintain regional peace and stability.

First, the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, the COC and confidence-building measures (or CBMs) are very important for maintaining maritime security in the South China Sea.

China has always held that the COC negotiation should work parallely with the full and effective implementation of the DOC. The COC is not a substitute for the DOC but an updated version. The COC framework has made it clear that just like DOC, in essence, the COC, is not a tool for solving territorial disputes and maritime delimitation, but a mechanism for crisis management, confidence building and maritime cooperation.

Process of building maritime order

In the past year, the COC negotiation has made some major progress. China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations adopted the draft of the COC framework and started the formal negotiation phase. The aim of the COC is to reach an institutional arrangement acceptable to China as well as ASEAN members, and establish some rules governing the future behavior of the claimants.

So, in a certain sense, the COC will provide institutional guarantee for crisis management and maritime cooperation. And the COC negotiation process is a process of building regional maritime order based on consensus by China and ASEAN. (This order, of course, is different from the "rule-based order" advocated by some outside powers.) This will be very important for long-term peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Second, in the DOC implementation process and COC negotiation, China and ASEAN have already listed some CBMs, maritime cooperation areas, and preventive measures to be pursued. We should first try to put those measures into practice.

In fact, in the DOC signed by China and ASEAN back in 2002, the fifth article listed four kinds of CBMs: holding dialogues and exchange of views as appropriate between defense and military officials; ensuring just and humane treatment of all persons who are either in danger or in distress; notifying, on a voluntary basis, other parties concerned of any impending joint/combined military exercise; and exchanging, on a voluntary basis, relevant information. But these CBMs have never been effectively implemented.

More recently, China and ASEAN member states stepped up efforts to build confidence in the South China Sea. In April 2015, the statement of the chairman of the 26th ASEAN Summit said: "Pursuant to the full and effective implementation of the DOC in its entirety, and while the work towards the expeditious establishment of the COC are undertaken, we agreed that preventive measures should be undertaken to address developments in the South China Sea". The meeting also "took note of Indonesia's proposal to establish a hotline of communications at the high level in the government between ASEAN and China to address emergency situations on the ground that need immediate intervention" with the aim to immediately reduce tensions on the ground.

In October 2015, at the 10th China-ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China and ASEAN officials identified maritime cooperation as one of the three main areas to pursue in further implementing the DOC. Participants agreed to have greater cooperation on navigation safety, search and rescue, marine scientific research and environmental protection, as well as combating transnational crimes at sea.

Key developments in fields of cooperation

More important, in August 2016, at the 13th China-ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC, as "early harvest", both sides adopted the "Guidelines for Hotline Communications among Senior Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and ASEAN Member States in Response to Maritime Emergencies and the Joint Statement on Application of Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea in the South China Sea".

Besides the above achievements, the other important development in confidence building and crisis management in the South China Sea are worthy of attention. One is the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea adopted by ASEAN member states' navies at the Western Pacific Naval Symposium in Qingdao, Shandong province, in April 2014. The other is China-US memorandum of understanding on "Rules of Behavior for Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters" signed in November 2014.

All the above measures are very helpful for enhancing trust and confidence, and for managing risks by reducing the possibility of misunderstanding and misperception between the militaries. So we should first emphasize the full implementation of these documents, so as to avoid confrontation or crisis before the conclusion of the COC and also provide the basis for future discussion on CBMs.

Third, in the process of the COC negotiation, we should grab the opportunity of relative tranquility in the South China Sea to further enhance maritime practical cooperation, so that we can realize the dual objective of improving maritime cooperation mechanisms and building the regional maritime order.

Following the arbitration case, both China and ASEAN leaders now have stronger political will to push forward the COC negotiation. But because both sides still have some different views on the COC, it will be a hard and relatively long process. Under such circumstances, we should consider how to enhance maritime cooperation as a way to provide a favorable environment for the COC negotiation.

Exploring new channels of mutual benefit

Enhancing pragmatic and functional cooperation can also be seen as one type of CBM, because it will help promote trust and confidence. In fact, due to the turnabout in the situation in the South China Sea, China and ASEAN member states have already begun to explore how to further bilateral or multilateral cooperation.

For example, China and the Philippines established a Joint Committee for Coast Guard Maritime Cooperation in 2017. Under this committee, both countries will deepen cooperation in areas such as combating cross-border crimes, maritime search and rescue, marine environmental protection and emergency response. China and the Philippines have also begun discussing the possibility of joint development of oil and gas resources, and the prospect of cooperation in fishing in the South China Sea. And China and Vietnam have enhanced Coast Guard cooperation.

But we can do more. China recently put forward the idea of building cooperation mechanisms among countries surrounding the South China Sea. Some scholars suggested that China and ASEAN members build a "Pan-South China Sea Economic Cooperation Circle", in order to enhance cooperation in maritime tourism, infrastructure building, and other maritime affairs. All these efforts and initiatives should be encouraged and given more support, because these are quite positive factors for maintaining regional maritime security.

Nevertheless, the COC negotiation, CBMs and maritime cooperation are still facing a number of challenges. Despite the many positive developments in the South China Sea, we should recognize that in the COC negotiation, China and ASEAN member states still have some major differences on the content of the COC, which may pose a challenge to the negotiation process.

Besides, the two sides have different views about the COC negotiation process. China thinks the negotiation process should be gradual, while ASEAN members want a quick conclusion. In addition, although cooperation could proceed even as the disagreements are negotiated at the political level and the sovereignty disputes remain unresolved, a lack of trust between China and ASEAN members as well as the unresolved sovereignty disputes between them will prevent cooperation from time to time. And any external intervention will make the negotiation more complicated.

In other words, we now have a very good opportunity for cooperation and build confidence in the South China Sea, but we also need to make more efforts to maintain long-term peace and stability in the region.

The author is an associate research Fellow at War Studies College, Academy of Military Science.Disclaimer

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.Taiwan is conducting its latest Han Kuang live-fire military exercise, which Chinese mainland experts said on Monday was a waste of effort.

The live-fire drills last from Monday to Friday and focus on joint air-sea combat operations, anti-landing operations and joint anti-airborne combat operations, with drones operated by civilian companies joining in surveillance missions, the Taipei Times newspaper reported Monday.

Taiwan's "defense ministry" said that the exercise is based on the cross-Straits military situation rather than a scripted future scenario as in previous years.

The purpose of the drills is to master asymmetric warfare, when the military power of participants differs significantly, the Taipei-based news website chinatimes.com reported on April 24.

This year's exercise takes aim at the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to such an extent that will only make the cross-Straits relationship deteriorate further, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times.

"No matter how hard Taiwan's army tries, their effort will only be wasted if they stand against the PLA," said Song, citing the strong military power of the PLA in comparison with Taiwan's.

The PLA Air Force's H-6K strategic bomber conducted a nighttime island encirclement patrol around Taiwan island on May 25.

"The patrol aimed at improving China's ability to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, with similar training planned in the future," defense ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said at a routine press conference on Thursday when asked whether the island encirclement patrol was directed against the Han Kuang military exercise.

Taiwan should give up on its fantasy that the US or Japan will come to its aid. They must turn back to the right track of firmly adhering to the 1992 Consensus and the one-China policy, as "Taiwan independence" is a road with no return, Song warned.

"Taiwan independence" has not won much support within Taiwan either, Song said.

"Should a military conflict break out with the PLA, Taiwan's soldiers might question who they should fight for Therefore it is important for the PLA to pose military deterrence to the Taiwan authorities as much as possible."

Remains of a Taiwan F-16 fighter jet were found on Monday afternoon after it went missing earlier that day during routine training. The pilot remained missing as of press time, chinatimes.com reported.Chinese experts said that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is fully capable of defending the country's territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea and will not tolerate provocations from any Western country outside the region after the UK and France said they will send warships to the region to counter China's legitimate activity.

British and French defense ministers on Sunday told the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual international security forum held in Singapore, that the two countries would sail warships through the South China Sea, the latest development to "counter Beijing's militarization in the region," Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

China's deployment of defensive facilities on its islands in the South China Sea is a legitimate right granted to sovereign states by international law, which has nothing to do with militarization and does not pose a threat to regional security, said Lieutenant General He Lei, head of the Chinese delegation, at the Shangri-la Dialogue, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Those who cry out against militarization are exactly those who are militarizing the South China Sea, He said.

With the increasing provocations from Western countries, including the US, the UK and France, in the South China Sea, "Another 'Eight-Power Allied Forces' scenario is re-emerging in the South China Sea. The US and its European allies are determined to contain China," said Xu Guangyu, a retired major general and senior adviser to the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association.

"Eight-Power Allied Forces" or "Eight-Nation Alliance" refers to invading troops sent by Britain, the US, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, Italy and Austria-Hungary in 1900, to suppress the popular Chinese anti-imperialist Yihetuan Movement.

The British and French defense ministers' remarks echoed those of US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Saturday during the forum, in which Mattis accused China of militarization with artificial structures in the South China Sea, while warning China of potential penalties ahead.

The Western world is using the South China Sea issue to release their pressure and anxiety toward China, as it is an inevitable passageway between Europe and the Asia-Pacific region and the most convenient rallying point for military forces, Xu noted.

Xu described the challenge to China by the Western alliance in the region as a "distorted reaction" that goes against the global trend of peace and development.

Threat of military conflicts

Reuters cited anonymous US officers as saying that the USS Higgins, a US guided missile destroyer, and the USS Antietam, a US guided missile cruiser, came within 12 nautical miles of China's Xisha Islands.

"Twelve nautical miles is the bottom line, and any form of offensive passage over it, such as military maneuvers or close-in reconnaissance, is an infringement of the country's sovereignty, and China will take a firm stand against it," said Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator.

The Pentagon is considering a more assertive program of freedom-of-navigation operations close to Chinese installations on South China Sea reefs, which could involve longer patrols, larger numbers of ships and a closer surveillance of Chinese facilities, including electronic jamming equipment and advanced military radars in the region, Reuters reported on Sunday.

The UK and France are not like the US, Song noted. "Although vowing to sail through the South China Sea, they are unlikely to follow the US' behavior by coming within 12 nautical miles, as they are signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."

However, if Western naval forces repeatedly challenge China's legitimate maritime rights and sovereignty, the PLA will have to act tougher, which could lead to military conflicts, Song noted.

China in offshore waters will also not tolerate any provocation. Even US warships do not stand a chance against China in the region, Xu said, adding that the PLA is capable of sending its naval forces close to Guam or any other US military outpost, if the US continues to create chaos in the South China Sea.SINGAPORE, June 5 (ChinaMil) -- A Chinese military delegation attended the 15th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Security Policy Conference in Singapore on June 4.

The delegation was headed by He Lei, vice president of the Academy of Military Science (AMS) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). He delivered a speech on Regional order based on rules at the conference.

Representatives from ARF member countries and regional organizations attended the conference to exchange views on such issues as the regional security architecture and the emerging technologies and challenges faced by defense and security in the Asia-Pacific region.By Huang Zijuan

A number of naval ships from the US, Japan and India will participate in Malabar 2018 naval exercise off the coast of Guam from June 6 to 15, according to media reports from India. The Chinese military expert Du Wenlong said in an interview with China Central Television that the target of the exercise is the Chinese submarines and the drill is intended to limit Chinas underwater activities.

According to Indian media reports, the ships participating in the exercises all constitute as main combat forces of the naval anti-submarine warfare operations of these countries. The participating ships are equipped with advanced anti-submarine equipment and weapons and the joint anti-submarine warfare will be the core of the drill.

India will send three ships from its Eastern Fleet, along with the Indian Navys long-range maritime patrol aircraft. The US will send warships including the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier and its shipborne early-warning aircraft, fighter jets, an attack-type nuclear submarine, and P-8A patrol aircraft. Japan will also dispatch a helicopter carrier, a Soryu-class submarine, and a P-1 maritime patrol aircraft.

But why is the joint anti-submarine operations the main subject of the Malabar 2018 US-Japan-India joint drill?

Du Wenlong believes that the joint drill aims to form an integrated air-surface-underwater anti-submarine network to target Chinese submarines and to limit China's underwater activities. At present, this so-called anti-submarine methods can theoretically play a deterring role. However, in actual combat, this deterrence effect is low.

"As for the so-called anti-submarine warfare, we have many means to respond. For example, we can reduce the noise of the submarines. With continuous technological improvement, our shock absorption and noise reduction technology has reached the world's advanced level," Du Wenlong said.

Tactical coordination is also very important for conducting anti-submarine operations. For example, submarines can conduct stealth activities in the designated sea area with the help of surface and air operations. So, it's still a big challenge to locate a submarine in actual combat. Therefore, even though the target of this joint drill is underwater activities in China, the actual combat value is quite low.

Du believes that this joint drill also aims to promote the advanced anti-submarine equipment of the US. At present, Japan has developed a large number of P-1 anti-submarine aircraft. Although India has purchased a certain number of P-8 anti-submarine aircraft, it is far from enough for the US. If Japan and India can purchase a large number of US anti-submarine equipment in accordance with the US standards, it will have an important significance in binding allies, strengthening the so-called strategic alliance, and expanding arms sales.

Disclaimer: The author is Huang Zijuan, reporter with the Peoples Daily. The article is translated from Chinese into English and reedited by the China Military online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. Chinamil.com.cn does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. If the article carries photographs or images, we do not vouch for their authenticity.U.S. President Donald Trump acclaimed his 500th day in office Monday, declaring that "many believe" he has accomplished more than any other American president.

Trump cited tax cuts enacted last year, advances for the U.S. military, lower crime and illegal immigration, stronger borders and a growing economy as among his successes.

Now in his 17th month in the White House, Trump remains a divisive figure in the U.S., with a composite of national polls showing voters disapprove of his performance by a 52.8 to 44.4 percent margin. He is facing the continuing year-long probe by special counsel Robert Mueller into links between his 2016 campaign and Russia and whether he obstructed justice to thwart the investigation, with Trump often and vocally rejecting accusations of collusion with Moscow and obstruction.

In one new Twitter comment, he said, "As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?"

A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.Germany is asking the new U.S. ambassador to Berlin, an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, for an explanation of his comment that he wants to "empower" European conservatives.

The German Foreign Ministry says it plans to question Ambassador Richard Grenell when he makes his inaugural visit to the ministry on Wednesday, asking him to "explain how he wants his statements to be understood.''

On Sunday, the Breitbart.com website, a right-wing U.S. political news site, quoted Grenell as saying, "I absolutely want to empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders."

Grenell, who took his post in Berlin less than a month ago, drew criticism last month for a Twitter comment saying German companies should stop doing business in Iran after Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 international accord to restrain Tehran's nuclear weapons development in exchange for lifting sanctions that had hobbled the Iranian economy.

Conflict over Grenell's comments comes at a time when Germany and two other U.S. allies in Europe, Britain and France, have objected to Trump's withdrawal from the Iran pact and also have rebuked the U.S. leader for imposing new tariffs on steel and aluminum exports to the United States.

Breitbart London quoted Grenell as saying he was excited about a "European groundswell of conservative policies" that had come about because of "the failed policies of the left." He said, "The election of Donald Trump has empowered individuals and people to say that they can't just allow the political class to determine before an election takes place who's going to win and who should run."Critics have slammed the Philippine president for kissing a Filipina on the lips before thousands of cheering Filipino workers while on a visit to Korea. One senator called the act "a despicable display of sexism and grave abuse of authority."

President Rodrigo Duterte sought a kiss from the woman after he called her on stage to give her a copy of a book at a town hall-style meeting with Filipino workers Sunday in Seoul.

The Korea Development Institute has warned that rapid increases in the minimum wage in 2019 and 2020 could result in massive job losses.

The state-run think tank in a report on Monday projected that a 15 percent wage increase over the next two years could potentially lead to the loss of nearly 100,000 jobs in 2019 and 140,000 the following year.

The institute highlighted similar difficulties in France, which stopped raising its minimum wage in 2005 once it had reached 60 percent of the median wage because higher pay made it harder for low-wage earners to find employment.

Korea's minimum wage in 2018 is already at 55 percent of the median.

The report conceded that its estimates are largely based on the case of another country, Hungary, where the wages were increased by 60 percent between 2000 and 2004. It also said it did not factor in government support for small businesses, which are hit hardest by higher minimum wages.

The KDI's report comes after Cheong Wa Dae claimed the effects of the minimum wage hike were "90 percent positive." But the top has come under fire for having made that calculation based on individual income rather than household income, and for excluding figures for the unemployed and self-employed.

The KDI stressed that the minimum wage increase has so far had few side effects but warned that the government should monitor its effects closely over the coming years.(forbes.com) - The Farnese Blue Diamond had by far the best story of Sothebys Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale. The 6.16-carat pear-shaped blue diamond was given to Elisabeth Farnese, Queen of Spain, as a wedding present in 1715 and was passed down through four royal families in Europe before appearing on the market for the first time Tuesday. The 300-year-old stone sold accordingly, fetching $6.7 million, easily surpassing its $5.2 million estimate.Norilsk Nickel initiated FPIC For the first time in Russian practice, Norilsk Nickel has initiated the FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent) procedure in full compliance with international standards.



PGMs producer Tharisa achieves highest quarterly output ever JSE- and LSE-listed Tharisas platinum group metals (PGMs) output at its mine, in South Africas North West, rose to 43 700 oz of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, osmium and gold (6E) in the quarter ended September 30...

Diamcor to tender more than 2500 ct of rough diamonds Diamcor Mining has recovered 2,521.17 carats of rough diamonds from its Krone Endora at Venetia Project in South Africa following the recent completion of phase one upgrades.



Cartier, Kering and RJC launch 'Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030' Driven by a common conviction that the global Sustainable Development Goals and aspirations for a sustainable industry can only be achieved through collaborative initiatives, Cartier, delegated by Richemont, and Kering, in partnership with the Responsible...Ghana diamond output down 48.7 pct to 86,924 ct in 2017

05 june 2018 News

Ghanas diamond output dropped 48.7 percent to 86,924 carats from 143,000 carats, a year earlier, according to data from the Ghana Chamber of Mines seen by Reuters.

The country's diamond production had been on a downward trajectory as the 143,005 carats recorded in 2016 was a 25.8 percent drop compared with 185,376 carats realised in 2015.

Ghana Chamber of Mines said last year that a move by Accra to curb small-scale mining, which was causing damage to the environment, would cause a low diamond and gold output.

The government of President Nana Akufo-Addo, who took office in January 2017, provisionally banned artisanal mining in a renewed effort to clamp down on those who do it illegally.

The countrys diamonds were mainly extracted by small-scale mines.

Meanwhile, Reuters said Ghanas gold output leaped 10.2 percent to 2.805 million ounces in 2017.

Total gold revenues reached $3.52 billion in 2017, up from $3.25 billion the year before.

Ghana was Africas second largest gold producer after South Africa.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&PolishedMorris Mpofu Image credit: ZCDC

The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) said the illegal mining of diamonds in Marange by artisanal miners is a cause for concern as this has resulted in fatalities that affected the image of diamond mining in the country.Company chief executive Morris Mpofu said Harare should deal with illicit trade in diamonds by black market syndicates that were bankrolling the illegal miners.Most of the illegal miners are not from [Marange] and they usually come prepared to pay a $30 fine if they are caught because they are funded by the illegal market, he was quoted as saying by the Herald.As long as we dont address the challenge of black market in the diamond industry, we will continue to have problems compromising product security. These people are impacting on the value of the diamond that is benefitting the community so we need to work together to stop them.He also said that there was need for cooperation of all stakeholders to restore the integrity of diamond mining and bring sanity to the sector.The global stakeholders such as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the World Diamond Council and the African Diamond Producers Association are key watchdogs to ensure that there is sanity in the mining of diamond, he said.So, what is important is for us as a collective unit to have one common objective  to preserve the integrity of the diamond mining in the country so that our diamonds can be sold internationally. We need to engage each other when there is a threat to that integrity.Mountain Province to use CanadamarkTM certification program

05 june 2018 News

Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. reported that the company entered into an agreement with Dominion Diamond Mines, according to which Mountain Province can use CanadamarkTM certification program, says a press note from the company.

Dominions Canadamark verifies that the diamonds are natural and untreated, mined in Canada and confirms their compliance with social, environmental and ethical standards. Joining this initiative, Mountain Province is determined to assure the supply chain integrity of Canadian diamonds from mine to retail.

Reid Mackie, Mountain Provinces Vice President Diamond Marketing, said that customers who were going to their share of the Gahcho Kue production would be able to apply for Canadamark certification.

Dominions CEO Patrick Evans said, We are proud to partner with other diamond producers such as to promote the natural beauty of Canadian diamonds through the Canadamark program. Canadian diamonds are highly sought after by discerning buyers around the world who place special value on a product that has been responsibly mined, cut and polished.

Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kue diamond mine located in Canadas Northwest Territories.



Victoria Quiri, Rough&PolishedWorries are growing that international sanctions against North Korea might crumble before the regime even starts denuclearization.

U.S. President Donald Trump was not helping last Friday, when he said after receiving a letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, "I don't even want to use the term 'maximum pressure' anymore because I don't want to use that term because we're getting along."

There are fears that his remarks could send the wrong signal. China is already helping the regime on its feet by opening back doors since Kim visited China twice in the last couple of months, with fresh indentured workers streaming across the border.

North Korea's open-air market prices are stabilizing as daily necessities arrive from China, Radio Free Asia reported on Sunday.

A senior official with the North Hamgyong provincial trade bureau openly said in a meeting that China is the only country the North can trust, a source in North Hamgyong Province told RFA. The official quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping's promise to Kim to give the regime his full support, the source added.Image credit: Bank of Botswana

Botswana should reform its tax regime before revenue from diamonds start depleting, according to a study done by the countrys central bank.Botswana relied on diamonds for almost a fifth of its gross domestic product, however, the gemstones were expected to dwindle over the next 20 years.There is recognition that growth in diamond revenues has plateaued and might recede in the future, Bloomberg cited the central bank as saying.It is thus important to explore alternative and sustainable sources of financing for public infrastructure.The central bank said specific tax reforms include removing widespread exemptions on value-added tax and investor concessions.We have recommended the expansion of the tax base through, among others, reducing the number of VAT-exempted items and replacing these with targeted social transfers, said Tshokologo Kganetsano, director of research and f inancial stability.Botswana had several long-standing tax concessions for investors, including the International Financial Services framework that provides for a 15 percent corporate tax rate, instead of the standard 22 percent and conditional exemptions on capital gains tax, withholding tax and other rates, according to Bloomberg.With the 2018 farm bill being critically important to Montanas farmers and ranchers, the Montana Farm Bureau was extremely disappointed that H.R. 2 failed by a 198 for and 213 against vote. The failure to pass this farm bill was a vote against the countrys hard-working farmers and ranchers.

The House version of the 2018 Farm Bill is good for farmers, ranchers and rural Montana. It protects key features of federal crop insurance, improves commodity programs, and streamlines conservation programs in ways that are good for producers and the environment, noted MFBF Director of National Affairs Nicole Rolf. We were pleased that amendments to gut sugar policy, harm crop insurance, and alter payment limits were all defeated. Likewise, we believe that many of the amendments added made it an even better bill, which made it especially disappointing, and shocking, when the bill failed on final passage.

Amendments that MFBF supported and were adopted before the final vote of H.R 2 included a Federal Communications Task Force to establish reviewing connectivity and technology needs for precision agriculture; expedited salvage operations for areas burned by wildfire; a streamlined process for signing up for Agricultural Risk Policy and Price Loss Coverage; and repeal of the extremely detrimental Waters of the U.S., to name a few.

Don Steinbeisser, Jr., a sugar beet farmer from Sidney, explained that the sugar beet policy is essential. Without sugar policy, the sugar producers in Montana and the U.S. would have to compete at the worlds dump price. The sugar industry works with the rest of the commodity groups in the U.S. and its essential that commodities are supported in the farm bill, so we were happy to see amendments that hurt the sugar program go down.

In Montana, we appreciate that Congressman Greg Gianforte supported the farm bill and amendments that would help farmers and ranchers weather hard times due to circumstances beyond their control, including the harsh situations Mother Nature throws at them and world events that depress commodity prices, said Rolf.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall had strong words for the failure. We are already starting to hear from farmers across the nation, many of whom are perplexed and outraged at this mornings vote. They are facing very real financial challenges. We call on all members of Congress not to use farmers and ranchers as pawns in a political game. The risk management tools of the farm bill are too important, particularly at a time of depressed farm prices. We urge the House to pass H.R. 2 as soon as possible.A little church with a big heart is gearing up for another day of significant impact. The huge annual rummage sale at Fairview Alliance Church has blessed hundreds of people-from Richland County Residents in need of clothing or furniture, to recipients of shoppers generous donations right here in eastern Montana and as far away as Western Africa.

The simple premise? An overflow of donated tools, sporting equipment, furniture, toys, clothing, housewares, linens, books, movies, games, and a variety of surprising treasures, all un-priced and available to the public. Visitors are asked to donate to a designated charity project in exchange for their finds, in whatever amount they feel is appropriate. Freshly baked goodies are also available for a suggested donation.

The event has seen surprising success, says Pastor Kelly Sloan. Somehow God always blesses this event. Weve raised over $5,000 in a single day. There is so much generosity in our communities and were just happy to help channel that to those who need a miracle. Pastor Sloan encourages local residents to continue their support for two great projects this year.

Proceeds will be divided this year, with half of the funds supporting a youth mission trip to the community of Hays, Montana, located on the Fort Belknap Reservation. Similar in population to Fairview, this is the second year Hays has enjoyed the ministry of several Richland County teens led by Pastor Harry Owczarek of Faith Alliance Church, Sidney. The kids have worked hard to clean up a local park, build and repair structures for the local Alliance Church, lead services and engage the youth of the community in various ways to reach out and bless them.

The second recipient of this years Blessing Sale donations is Mercy Market, a Montana-based ministry that sells on behalf of disadvantaged international artisans. All of these partners strive to avoid poverty and exploitation by creating beautifully crafted clothing, jewelry, handbags, toys, home decor and paper products. These funds will help cover travel and overhead costs for Mercy Markets all-volunteer staff so that sale proceeds can continue to be reinvested in supporting international partners. Shoppers at the Blessing Sale on June 16 will have the added advantage of browsing a boutique selection of these products, priced to ensure the income of the creators.

The church appreciates the rich history of quality items donated by local families. If you have anything to contribute this year, please drop it off at Fairview Alliance Church no later than Wednesday, June 13. If needed, pick-up is available by calling 406-742-5425.

Be sure to get in on this inspiring event Saturday, June 16 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fairview Alliance Church, 702 Western Avenue, across from Fairview High School. Get a blessing. Be a blessing!The MonDak Heritage Center announces the Humanities Montana Board Meeting & Public Reception at the MonDak Heritage Center, 120 3rd Ave SE, Sidney! Humanities Montana will hold its board meeting on Friday, June 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday, June 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Their board meetings are open, and the public is welcome to attend the meeting. Humanities Montana will also host a public reception at the MonDak on Friday, June 8 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. to celebrate a year of Hometown Humanities event and the Sidney partners who made the year of cultural programming a success. The board meeting and reception are FREE to attend.

Humanities Montana is the states independent, nonprofit state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Since 1972, Humanities Montana has provided services and grants to hundreds of Montana organizations in support of public programs in history, literature, civil conversations, and public issues. Among its many programs are its grants, Montana Conversations, Speakers in the Schools, Hometown Humanities, Community Conversations, Letters About Literature, and the Governors Humanities Awards.

For more information contact MDHC at (406) 433-3500 or Humanities Montana at (406) 243-6022.North Dakota Stockmen Association (NDSA) members of district five will be hosting a NDSA Spring Roundup on Tuesday, June 12th at the Rough Rider Center in Watford City, ND. The event will start with a local brand inspection meeting at 5:00 pm, a social at 5:30 pm, supper at 6:30 pm, followed by a program at 7:30 pm, and lastly nominating committees will be collecting candidate names for the NDSA board of directors.

At the 2018 NDSA District Five Spring Roundup, the NDSA President will be talking about state issues, which include discussion on the no-posting issue and also a freeze brand resolution. The Executive Vice-President of the NDSA will be talking about national scope issues, which will include a discussion on fake meat, farm bill priorities, and ELD. Spring Roundups are annual meetings that entail a mix of information, issues updates, and fellowship. District five of NDSA includes McKenzie, Dunn, Golden Valley, Billings, Stark, Slope, and Bowman County. There are currently 647 members just in district five.

The NDSA is an association that contributes to the profitable growth of the North Dakota's cattle industry. "The goal of the association is to inform cattle producers of what is going on with the cattle industry and how it affects the state of North Dakota," explained North Dakota Stockmen's Foundation board member of Watford City, Howdy Lawlar. It works to unite, protect, promote, and serve North Dakota's beef industry and it also enforces the state's livestock laws. The association is involved in continuous studies and investigations for the purpose of promoting the general wellbeing of the more than 2 million head of cattle in North Dakota (the second largest source of wealth in the state, which contributes approximately $600 million annually to North Dakota's annual agricultural income). "I am a member of the NDSA because I feel it is a privilege to be involved in an organization that helps and protects the cattle industry that I am involved in and that someday my two boys might be involved in. Being a member of the NDSA is a great way to learn from other producers and get together to hear what is going on in other areas of the state and to share information and knowledge," said Lawlar.

Anyone interested in the NDSA or the welfare of the cattle industry is welcome to come for the supper and meeting. Whether you are a member or a nonmember of the NDSA it is free of charge. For more information on the 2018 NDSA Spring Roundup, you can visit the NDSA website at ndstockmen.org.Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently completed the annual walleye spawning operation on Fort Peck Reservoir, and even though late ice-off impacted the success of this years effort, FWP will maximize fingerling walleye production. Additionally, biologists are hopeful that higher than average spring runoff will result in some natural reproduction.

As they have done for nearly 20 years, FWP staff and volunteers trapped walleye and collected their eggs. Unfortunately, heavy snowpack and late ice-off on Fort Peck Reservoir created conditions where biologists were unable to collect walleye throughout the spawning period. The result was the Fort Peck egg take was not as successful as in previous years.

FWP considers walleye a very valuable resource for Montana and continues to manage the population for the enjoyment of resident and non-resident anglers. Fort Peck is the most popular warm water fishery in Montana with walleye as the centerpiece species.

Fort Peck Fish Hatchery staff and regional staff reached out to North Dakota and South Dakota game and fish agencies for help with eggs and fry, but spawning operations in those states were also deficient.

Evidence of natural walleye reproduction in Fort Peck leads biologists to believe that reliance on hatchery production may not be as important during years of high elevation and flow (such as 2018 and 2011) when natural recruitment may be more likely to occur.

The biggest impact of the meager egg take will impact fry stockings; however, fingerling stockings will also be down. Currently, fingerling production at Fort Peck and Miles City hatcheries is being maximized.Final composite Purchasing Managers' survey and retail sales from euro area and services PMI from the UK are due on Tuesday, headlining a busy day for the European economic news.

At 3.00 am ET, retail sales from the Czech Republic and final GDP from Hungary are due. Czech retail sales are forecast to climb 6.6 percent on year in April, reversing a 1.8 percent fall in March.

At 3.15 am ET, IHS Markit is scheduled to issue Spain's services PMI data. The index is expected to rise to 56.0 in May from 55.6 in April.

At 3.30 am ET, Statistics Sweden releases industrial orders and production figures for April.

Thereafter final PMI figures are due from France and Germany at 3.50 am and 3.55 am ET, respectively.

At 4.00 am ET, IHS Markit is slated to publish Eurozone composite PMI. The index score is expected to match the flash estimate of 54.1 in May.

Half an hour later, UK Markit/CIPS services PMI is due. Economists forecast the index to rise slightly to 53 in May from 52.8 in April.

At 5.00 am ET, Eurostat is scheduled to release euro area retail sales for April. Sales are forecast to grow 0.5 percent on month, faster than the 0.1 percent rise in March.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.Dutch consumer electronics giant Philips Electronics NV (PHGFF.PK,PHG) announced Tuesday that it has signed an agreement to acquire EPD Solutions for an upfront cash consideration of 250 million euros and deferred, milestone dependent payments.

In connection with the contingent payments, Philips expects to recognize a provision of approximately 210 million euros upon completion of the transaction. The deal, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed in July, 2018.

Upon completion of the transaction, EPD and its employees will become part of Philips' Image-Guided Therapy .

EPD Solutions is an innovator in image-guided procedures for cardiac arrhythmias or heart rhythm disorders. EPD's cardiac imaging and navigation system helps electrophysiologists navigate the heart by generating a detailed 3D image of the cardiac anatomy, while also pinpointing the location and orientation of catheters during the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for cardiac arrhythmias.

The company noted that this has the potential to simplify navigation and treatment, immediately assess the treatment result and ultimately enhance procedure efficacy.



Philips expects the acquisition to complement its portfolio of interventional imaging systems, smart catheters, planning and navigation software, and services.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business NewsThe Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) has issued a cease-and-desist order to California-based cryptocurrency firm LevelNet against an ongoing initial coin offering (ICO) that 'violates' the Vermont Uniform Securities Act.

LevelNet is setting an ICO to raise money from investors across the country in exchange of their newly created LVL token.

According to its website, LevelNet is developing a "decentralized antivirus platform" to be shared by investors who buy the LVL token.

LevelNet has now been ordered by the regulator to immediately stop advertising and selling the token to investors in Vermont.

Vermont's financial regulator has determined that LevelNet is violating Vermont law by deceptively advertising unfounded and unrealistic investment returns and failing to properly register the investment.

"The rapid rise of Bitcoin has made Main Street investors aware and interested in cryptocurrencies and ICOs," said DFR Commissioner Michael Pieciak "although many are legitimate offerings that are fully compliant with law - many are not - and this order serves as a good reminder to exercise caution when considering investing in these products."

In late January, the state regulator had issued an investor alert warning Vermonters to be cautious about investments involving cryptocurrencies as they promise exaggerated profits and that many fraudulent investment schemes involve unlicensed individuals or unregistered investments.

The crackdown dubbed "Operation Cryptosweep" is conducted in coordination with the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), with 40 jurisdictions participating from the U.S. and Canada.

It has already resulted in nearly 70 inquiries and investigations and 35 pending or completed enforcement actions.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business NewsThe U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has created a senior advisory position to monitor and regulate Initial Coin Offerings and cryptocurrencies.

The agency said Monday that Valerie Szczepanik has been named Associate Director of the Division of Corporation Finance. She will also serve as Senior Advisor for Digital Assets and Innovation to Division Director Bill Hinman. Szczepanik will coordinate efforts across all SEC Divisions and Offices regarding the application of U.S. securities laws to emerging digital asset technologies and innovations, including ICOs and cryptocurrencies.

Szczepanik, who is recognized across financial regulators in the United States and abroad, is currently serving as the Head of the SEC's Distributed Ledger Technology Working Group, Co-Head of its Dark Web Working Group, and a member of its FinTech Working Group.



Szczepanik joined the SEC in 1997 and most recently served as an Assistant Director in the Division of Enforcement's Cyber Unit.

Sczepanik's appointment comes at a pivotal point on the crypto front for the SEC. Many of the agency's actions have focused on alleged scams and fraudulent behavior, while officials have also come out in support of a more balanced approach to cryptocurrency regulation.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News"I've come to realize that man can live without sleeping and doesn't feel hungry even without eating for two months," Lee told the Seoul Central District Court on Monday.

Former President Lee Myung-bak has complained of his difficult life in prison and the strain of attending trial for corruption in office.

The melodramatic outburst came during his second trial appearance after he vainly tried to boycott proceedings.

Lee (78) sat down at the defense table with the help of a court bailiff. Soon after the hearing started, his lawyer, Kang Hoon, asked the judge to allow Lee to leave the courtroom, claiming he has neither slept nor eaten properly since the first court hearing. The judge denied the request but gave Lee two 10-minute breaks during the four-hour hearing.

"When I was president, I concealed my ill health," Lee claimed in remarks to the court. "But I can no longer conceal it while I am in prison. The prison has told me to get treatment at a private hospital, but I'm going to put up with it as long as I can."

The main thrust of his argument seemed to be that he does not want to attend his own trial, a card also played by his successor Park Geun-hye.

"If I went out to receive treatment at a private hospital, the people would think that I have received special privileges," he said. "I have no intention to avoid court hearings at all... but it is surely better for me not to show up for trial than to collapse and become incapacitated."The Swiss stock market got off to a weak start Tuesday and took out the lows of the day in the afternoon. Traders were in a cautious mood ahead of the G-7 summit in Canada later this week as well the June 12 summit in Singapore between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The Swiss Market Index decreased by 1.11 percent Tuesday and finished at 8,538.31. The Swiss Leader Index dropped 0.87 percent and the Swiss Performance Index lost 0.83 percent.

The weak performance of the index heavyweights pressured the overall market Tuesday. Roche sank 1.9 percent, Novartis dropped 1 percent and Nestle lost 0.9 percent.

Bank stocks were also under pressure Tuesday. UBS weakened by 2.7 percent, Credit Suisse fell 2.2 percent and Julius Baer lost 1.6 percent.

Swiss Life decreased 1.6 percent, Zurich Insurance surrendered 0.9 percent and Swiss Re fell 0.8 percent.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market AnalysisPresident Donald Trump would prefer to hold separate trade negotiations with Canada and Mexico, according to National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow.

Kudlow said in an interview on Fox News on Tuesday that Trump is interested in having bilateral talks with Canada and Mexico regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement.

"He is very seriously contemplating kind of a shift in the NAFTA negotiations. His preference now, and he asked me to convey this, is to actually negotiate with Mexico and Canada separately," Kudlow said. "He prefers bilateral negotiations and he's looking at two, much different countries."

Kudlow stressed that Trump was not planning to pull out of NAFTA but was only interested in trying a different approach.

"Oftentimes, when you have to compromise with a whole bunch of countries, you get the worst of the deals," Kudlow said.

The comments from Kudlow come amid escalating trade tensions after Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced last Thursday the U.S. will impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.

(Photo: Gage Skidmore)

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Political News(Agencia CMA Latam) - Petrobras' board of directors held an extraordinary meeting Monday to conduct Ivan Monteiro as effective CEO of the Brazilian state-owned oil company until March 26, 2019, after recommendation by President Michel Temer.

Monteiro should accumulate the presidency of the company along with the position of Petrobras' Chief Financial and Investor Relations Officer until a new director is elected.

The executive takes office after Pedro Parente's resignation last Friday as a result of the truck drivers' strike and pressure on the company's fuel price policy.

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.Volkswagen has reportedly taken a stand against experiments that test the effects of diesel exhaust on animals.

The pledge follows the company's emissions cheating scandal, which revealed that the German auto giant funded a study that put 10 macaque monkeys inside airtight chambers and exposed them to fumes from a diesel VW Beetle and an old pickup truck for four hours.

The New York Times reported that Volkswagen pledged to stop funding the testing in a letter to the German branch of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

In the letter, Herbert Diess, Volkswagen's chief executive, said that the company's decision to conduct experiments on primates was ethically questionable. However, the tests did not violate any U.S. laws.

"Research projects and studies must always be balanced with consideration of ethical and moral questions," Diess wrote. "Volkswagen explicitly distances itself from all forms of animal abuse. In the future, we will rule out all testing on animals, as long as there are no pressing  such as legal  reasons that would make this necessary."

Meanwhile, PETA praised Volkswagen's move, saying the company "did the right thing."

"PETA is calling on other carmakers that still test on animals to follow suit and embrace modern and humane, animal-free research methods instead," said Kathy Guillermo, a senior vice president for PETA.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News(Agencia CMA Latam) - Merval, the main index of the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, rose 4.55% to 30,359.26 points Tuesday, mainly driven by the shares of banks and energy companies. The good mood in the market is also related to the growing expectation for the signing of the agreement between Mauricio Macri's administration and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"Although the figures have not yet been disclosed, the market is betting that Argentina could have access to a standby credit higher than the estimate," said Eduardo Fernandez, an analyst at Rava Bursatil.

IMF's director for the Western Hemisphere Department, Alejandro Werner, said that "the negotiations are well advanced."

The expectations are for the agreement to be signed in the coming days.

The shares of Banco Francis (+11.76%), Distribuidora de Gas Cuyana (+9.41%), and Supervielle (+8.21%) rose sharply. The only company to close lower was Petrobras (-3.80%).

Meanwhile, the locally traded U.S. dollar closed with a subtle drop of 0.04%, at 24.96 Argentinean pesos, with the Banco de la Nacien selling currency to avoid the USD rise in the local foreign exchange market, avoiding interventions by the Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA). The U.S. dollar keeps on rising amid expectations of an agreement between Argentina and the IMF.

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.U.S. President Donald Trump's wife Melania is withdrawing further and further from her first-lady role and will not be accompanying her husband to his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on June 12.

Melania will also miss the G7 summit in Quebec, ABC News reported on Sunday.

She left hospital on May 19 after a kidney operation, when her husband famously misspelled her name in a tweet, and has not been seen in public yet.

The EU's top court, in a landmark ruling for gay rights in Europe, said on Tuesday that Romania must grant residence to the American husband of a local man even though Romania does not itself permit same-sex marriage.

In a case which has highlighted social differences between western Europe and a more conservative, ex-communist east, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Romania must accept the validity of the mens' 2010 Belgian marriage and treat American Clai Hamilton as Adrian Coman's spouse under EU law.

The case did not touch on the freedom of member states to set their own matrimony laws, although campaigners have called on Brussels to push states to legalize same-sex marriage as a fundamental human right. Rather it upheld rights of EU citizens to move freely across the bloc along with their families.

"Although the member states have the freedom whether or not to authorize marriage between persons of the same sex," the judges said, "They may not obstruct the freedom of residence of an EU citizen by refusing to grant his same-sex spouse, a

national of a country that is not an EU member state, a derived right of residence in their territory."

WeChat account for reporting environmental violations

From:Shine | 2018-06-05 00:29

Startingtoday, Shanghai residents can report violations of environmental laws via a new WeChat account. The highest reward for informers has also been raised to 50,000 yuan (US$7,800), up from the previous ceiling of 10,000 yuan.

Such measures are meant to get the public more involved in the application of environmental regulations, according to the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau.

The new account is known as 12369 environmental protection tip-off. The account is the first of its kind in Shanghai. Only Chinese service is available on the account.

English-speaking tipsters can dial the citys environmental protection hotline, 12369, where English service is available from 8:30am to 5pm, between Monday and Friday. The bureau also still accepts tip-offs submitted in writing.

Residents are encouraged to alert authorities of suspected cases of illegal waste discharge, illegal construction and improper disposal of hazardous substances, among other violations.

Tipsters are also asked to submit photos and videos of suspected infractions. Rewards start from 500 yuan, and will be determined based on the severity of the case.

The 12369 hotline received some 32,000 calls last year.

According to the bureau, over 1,000 environmental violations were reported around the city in the first five months of this year. Most of these cases involve air and solid waste pollution, and illegal construction projects. A total of 190 million yuan in fines has been collected.

The bureau also unveiled its 2017 Shanghai Environmental Bulletin yesterday. The average density of hazardous PM2.5 particles dropped 13.3 percent to 39 micrograms per cubic meter last year, down from 45 in 2016. The figure was 62 in 2013, the year Shanghai first recorded PM2.5 data.

The average density of other air pollutants such as PM10 and sulfur dioxide also fell in 2017. But the average density of nitrogen dioxide went to 44 micrograms per cubic meter, up from 43 in 2016.

Wang Rongjiang / SHINE

75.3 percent of days last year reported an excellent or good air quality.All major Nepali and English newspapers published from Kathmandu on Tuesday have prioritised a host of issues. Most of them are centred on contemporary political affairs including activities in the Federal Parliament and post-budget discussions. Prime Minister KP Sharma Olis address to Province 3 Assembly yesterday has also drawn significant attention.

Few other contemporary sociocultural and economic issues have also made it to the front pages today.

Important

Supreme Court stays decision to let big buses ply BP Highway

Nagarik, Karobar, Abhiyan, Republica, The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times report that a single bench of Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla on Monday ordered the government not to implement the Ministry of Transport Managements decision to let big buses ply BP Highway.

Earlier, Minister Raghubir Mahaseth had decided to lift the existing ban and it was against recommendations of a technical committee, hence advocate Kailash Dahal had filed a case against him.

Experts criticise PM for provincial assembly addresses

The Himalayan Times lead story for the day says experts and stakeholders have citicised Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for his address to Province 3 Assembly yesterday and to Province 5 Assembly few weeks ago as there was no constitutional provision about such address.

The experts have suggested that the Prime Minister of course can address the provincial legislatures, but they should be exceptions than the norms.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Oli said provincial governments should warn the federal government about likely misconducts, reports Naya Patrika.

Ignored

President meets top leaders

President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday night held a meeting with top leaders of ruling Nepal Communist Party and main opposition Nepali Congress, during which she called on the parties to stand together to lead the country toward prosperity, according to Naya Patrika. KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the NCP and Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ram Chandra Paudel of NC were present at the meeting, the report informs.

Bandh violates childrens right to education

A highlighted two-column story with a big photograph on the front page of Kantipur reports that around two million school children were deprived of their right to attend school on Monday as eight student unions affiliated to fringe parties organised an education strike against the decision of private schools to hike fees.

Big student unions had also warned of strike, but the government has already signed a deal with them, according to the report.

Nepali faces death sentence in Qatar

A court in Qatar has handed down a death sentence to a Nepali migrant worker after he was found involved in the murder of a Qatari there, according to Annapurna Post. The Nepali has been identified as Anil Chaudhary, from Aurahi of Mahottari district, the reports informs, adding the court has told authorities to shoot him.

Stock investors protest CGT proposal

The Himalayan Times anchor story says stock investors agitating against the circular of the Inland Revenue Department to impose capital gains tax of 7.5 per cent on the difference of market price and base price of bonus and rights shares have called on brokerage firms to halt share trading from Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Karobar reports that the governments failure to understand international practices created the dispute.

Dahals remark on presidential system draws oppositions objection

As Nepal Communist Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal recently told journalists in Pokhara that his party, which commands a strong majority in Parliament currently, would go for a constitution amendment seeking the directly elected executive presidential system, the main opposition Nepali Congress has objected to the statement, reports Republica in its anchor story.

Quoting Congress Vice-President Bimalendra Nidhi, the report says Dahals statement substaintiated apprehensions that the leftist alliance wanted to establish a totalitarian system in the country.

Dalit lawmaker laments discrimination in House

The Kathmandu Post and Republica report on their front pages that lawmaker Kaludevi Bishwakarma shared during the meeting of House of Representatives yesterday that she could not find an apartment in Kathmandu as she belonged to the Dalit community.

If discrimination and the practice of untouchability exist even in the capital, how much worse the situation in remote villages must be, she questioned the House as quoted in Republica.

Meanwhile, ministers of KP Sharma Oli-led government are also facing difficulties to find appropriate apartments for them as there are just 19 houses of ministers at the Pulchok-based residential complex, according to Nepal Samacharpatra lead story.

Leaders bodyguards top promotion priority list

Nagarik claims that Nepal Police Headquarters prioritised personnel who worked or are working as bodyguards for top leaders in recent decisions of promotions. Panels formed to decide names for promotions to the positions of SPs and DSPs have prioritised their service to leaders than the personnels experiences in the field, according to the report.

Interesting

Govt launches mega campaign for clean environment

On the occasion of World Environment Day, the government on Tuesday is announcing the launch of Clean Environment Mega Campaign in a bid to make citizens responsible for environment conservation, according to Gorkhapatra anchor story. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will symbolically administer the oath to all citizens at the inaugural function of the campaign to be held in Lalitpur today, the report informs.

Rs 34 billion foreign investment expected in energy sector next year

The government expects that it will be able to draw a foreign investment of Rs 33.64 billion in the next fiscal year 2018/19, according to Abhiyan lead story.

Whereas Rs 29.88 billion foreign investment was received in the current fiscal year as grant and loan, the government wants to get more this year, the report claims.Home  Just In  Home Minister reiterates Nepals commitment to One China Policy

Kathmandu, June 5

Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa has reiterated that the Nepal government is commitment to One China Policy.

Receiving Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong as she paid a courtesy visit to him at Ministry of Home Affairs in Singha Durbar today, Minister Thapa said that the government would not tolerate any activities against the policy in the country.

Likewise, Thapa commented that the Nepal-China border was being used for smuggling gold and foreign currencies, and further requested support from the Chinese government to control such illegal activities.

In response, the envoy said that she would inform her government about the issue.

Various matters related to bilateral relation and mutual interest were discussed in the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Chinese envoy also showed positive response towards the official visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to the northern neighbour.

The Prime Minister will be embarking on a five-day state visit to China from June 19.

President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Narendra Modi (file photo) President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged people to reaffirm the commitment to a cleaner and sustainable planet and pledge to beat the plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is also the theme of the World Environment day, being hosted by India on Tuesday.



"On the World Environment Day, we reaffirm our commitment to a cleaner and sustainable planet. India is hosting the global celebrations this year. And we are obligated to bequeathing a greener and eco-friendly legacy to our children," Kovind said in a tweet.



The Vice President pushed for the plastic ban, saying: "Let us take a pledge to 'Beat Plastic Pollution', the theme of the World Environment Day today. Time has come for every individual to join the campaign to end single-use plastic and protect the environment."



Modi also took to Twitter to greet the people. "Together, let us ensure that our future generations live in a clean and green planet, in harmony with nature," he said in a tweet.



Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar urged people to vow not to use low-grade plastic.



"Fifteen thousand tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day, 9,000 tonnes is collected and recycled, but 6,000 tonnes of plastic waste is not collected and remain littered," Javadekar said.



Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad emphasised on raising awareness for "a cleaner and greener environment that can lead us to sustainable development".



West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also urged people to pledge to "beat plastic pollution".



The Congress also took to Twitter, pledging to protect and preserve the Environment, saying, "the Earth doesn't belong to us but, we belong to the Earth".







Trump-Kim meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 12 (File Phot) US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. (Singapore time) on June 12, the White House has said. At a press briefing, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders also said on Monday that the US advance team now in

Singapore "is finalizing logistical preparations and will remain in place until the summit begins", Xinhua news agency

reported.



Noting that the US side is "actively" preparing for the meeting, she said that the US delegation in the demilitarized zone

(DMZ) along the inter-Korean border continues diplomatic negotiations with the North Korean delegation.



"The discussions have been very positive and significant progress has been made," she said.



Besides the exchanges in Singapore and the DMZ, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week met Kim Yong Chol, vice

chairman of North Korean ruling Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, in New York.



After meeting Kim Yong Chol who delivered a personal letter from Kim Jong Un, Trump said on Friday that he will meet with

the top North Korean leader on June 12 in Singapore as originally scheduled.





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Jun-04-2018 21:09 TweetFollow @OregonNews As Oregon Job Rate Slows, How Can You Stand Out as an Applicant? Networking is the lifeblood of landing a job in the 21st century.

Photo: Bonnie King, Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon unemployment rate continues to hover around 4.1 percent, which is aligned with the national average. The only problem is that the unemployment rate hasnt budged in nearly a year and a half. It is a record-setting situation, the lowest consecutive slump in over 40 years. Oregon Sees First Decline in Jobs Since 2016 Oregon does rank 20th for employment in the country with job growth at 3.6 percent, mainly in the hospitality and construction industries. However, Oregon saw its first decline in jobs since 2016. Recent Oregon job cuts from April 2018 include: Retail saw the worst numbers with a decline of 2,500 jobs

The health care industry saw 1,400 jobs lost

Professional business jobs decreased by 1,100 jobs This comes after job gains in March. What does this stagnant job economy mean for Oregonians? Potentially fewer jobs with increased job competition among the states job hunters. This may make your job search more challenging. The following are a few ways you can stand out among the thousands of those actively seeking employment during a job economy slump. How To Be a Stand Out Applicant In the throws of a slowing job economy in Oregon, standing out from other job hunters is vital. If you havent applied for a job in awhile, or if you are fresh out of college eager to start your career, there are key aspects of landing that job. 1. Develop a Powerful Resume Having a powerful resume is an essential element to landing a job in a poor job economy. Even in the digital era with LinkedIn serving as the professionals social media, hiring managers will still ask for a resume. If you think you can get by with a few dates and bullet points, think again. You need your resume to stand out, showcase your skills, and be highly organized. The best place to start is to find a resume format that will keep you on track. When showcasing your professional accomplishments, youll also want to keep it concise. A headline at the top is a good idea these days as well. Hiring managers actually only look at a resume for a total of seven seconds, so make it count. Your resume should also speak to your industry. For instance, if you are in a creative field like marketing or social media management, the stuffy resume approach may not be the best. Instead, it could be a colorful infographic style to showcase your creative side. 2. Start Networking Networking is the lifeblood of landing a job in the 21st century. It may not land you a job straight away, but it will get you through the door and in front of a hiring manager. You can attend local mixers in your industry, join professional or non-professional Meetup.com groups, and connect with previous colleagues. You should also take your networking game to the next level via LinkedIn. When it comes to networking in LinkedIn, there are two primary functions  just like in real-world networking: Building your network and nurturing relationships, William Arruda of Forbes explained. 3. Do Some Online Stalking One of the most valuable things you can do to land that full-time gigs research on your interviewers. This includes the HR manager, the director and managers in the department the job is in, maybe even the CEO or COO. This online pre-interview stalking session serves two purposes. The first purpose is to get familiar with the interviewers to make it less tense when you meet them. The second is to get some background information that may help you connect with them better. Your pre-job interview research can also include recent press releases on new product launches, news, company mission and aim, experience of employees, salaries, and even company and CEO ratings by employees. 4. Stay Motivated In a job economy lull, it can get pretty frustrating if you havent scored a job after a few weeks. Just remember, patience is a virtue and stay motivated. The worst thing you can do is convince yourself that a potential employer isnt interested. In fact, that may not be the case at all. They may have so many applicants that the hiring process is taking longer. Stay motivated, think positive, and dont wait around for a phone call. Keep applying, and a job opportunity will open up. Wrapping Up There is no telling when the next Oregon employment upswing will be. Summer is coming, and thats good news for hospitality and construction jobs. But as the pendulum swings back toward the rainy fall season, more job cuts could come down the pipe. Stay vigilant and be job-ready at all times. Source: Salem-News.com Special Features Dept. _________________________________________

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Articles for June 4, 2018 | Articles for June 5, 2018Home  Just In  Nepal, China to ink energy coordination deal later this month

Kathmandu, June 5

Nepal and China are likely to sign an agreement on energy coordination later this month when Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will pay a state visit to the northern neighbour.

Likewise, the Nepal Government is also preparing to sign another agreement to prepare the detailed project report for Galchhi-Kyirong-Rasuwagadhi intercountry transmission line.

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has sent the proposal to the Council of Ministers about making the agreements.

Separate committees will be formed after the agreements at secretarial and joint secretarial levels that will help in facilitating the investment.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara had made the preliminary agreement on energy coordination in 2017.

Prime Minister Oli will finalise the agreement and give it a full shape during his China visit on June 19, informed Joint Secretary at the Ministry, Dinesh Ghimire.

The agreement will be reached after getting the green signal from the Cabinet.

The executive head of the country had taken the step to construct the transmission line during his tenure earlier. The feasibility study about making the 400-kv transmission line has completed.

Meanwhile, the government has also sent a list of projects asking the Chinese government to incorporate them in One Belt One Road project.

The Ministry of Energy has proposed the Chinese government to include seven water projects including Kimathangka Arun, Tamor, Sunkoshi 2 and 3, Nalagad, Phukot Karnali and Naumore.Dear Editor,

Re: Minister addresses private sector gripe

The private sector needs to understand that the P.M. is the new Pope, the Cabinet the new deacons and H.R.P.P. the new congregation in the brand new church in Samoa, called the H.R.P.P. congregation church of Samoa.

There is yet to be someone to be nominated for the post of god in the church, but as things stand, there is only one step progression from pope-pm to that of god, so we all know who would eventually be the one appointed.

That progression of holy appointments each should also call for more public holidays...after all, Samoa is the land of paradise..

They just need to come out and smell the roses of widespread impoverishment.

Ropati V.Women in Business Development Incorporated (W.I.B.D.I.) showcased their products in front of the government building on Friday as part of the Independence Day celebration.

On display were a variety of products made from coconut oil and organic produce used to make meals.

W.I.B.D.I. Finance Manager, Salamasina Onesemo said registered organic farmers were also present selling fruits not only to local people but for the tourists.

Last year was our first time setting up a stall for independence and it worked out really well so we decided to try again for this year, she said.

W.I.B.D.I. aims to strengthen village economies in Samoa through honouring indigenous tradition, use of traditional and modern technology and promoting fair trade.

They empower and equip rural families to cultivate sustainable businesses that maximize farm-based resources.

Additionally, they facilitate trade with global and regional partners, including The Body Shop, All Good Organics and C1Espresso, which understand the potential as well as the limitations of small-scale farming in Samoa.

The organization works in 183 Samoan villages and nurtures certified organic agricultural enterprises that annually puts more than T$600,000 into the hands of rural families.

These families then have a chance to participate in a cash economy.

For many, this means being able to send children to school, to pay utility bills and importantly, to have control over their lives instead of relying on remittances.

On a national scale, our farmers and artisans are using their skills, experience and time to uplift themselves and their communities.

Through their collective industry, they are contributing to Samoas success as a nation.A daughter of Samoa with roots in Vaiala is set to become Samoas first Dame.

Luamanuvao Winnie Laban has been made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education and the Pacific community.

The 62-year-old was conferred the honour during New Zealands Queen's Birthday Honours released yesterday.

During an interview with Stuff, Dame Luamanuvao talked about the many hats she has worn over the years, including a wig when she won her battle over a breast cancer diagnosis in 2007.

She promises to "thrive" and "enjoy life" but education has always been her passion. It provides opportunity, she said, and that benefits family, community and the country's future.

She said the title of Dame was an honour and would forever reflect her love for people. The announcement led her to think of her parents who came to New Zealand by boat from Samoa in the 1950s and gave up so much "for us".

"Like many immigrants they had dreams for their children and they came here for education and opportunity.

"For me, I think of that generation of Pacific people who came to New Zealand and other immigrants who have come to our country and gone through similar journeys and had similar dreams."

Laban has worked as Victoria University' assistant vice-chancellor (Pasifika) for eight years giving direction and support to Pacific students and staff which has seen an increase in enrolments and achievement.

"My dream or passion has always been for our children to do well.

"Education teaches you to think, to critique, to analyse, to debate. To be able to provide informed arguments so we can make good decisions."

When asked what advice she would give to young people, Laban said to make the most of educational opportunities.

"It is important to work hard, to study and learn, to find your bliss in education."

Laban was the first Pacific Island woman Member of Parliament, honoured by a Queen's Service Order in 2011. It was during her government years she was given her cancer diagnosis.

Coming out the other side only strengthened her abilities to "cut to the chase". She likes decision to be made and rejects any excuse she deems invalid, she said.

"Life is important. To live every day and make your dreams happen."

Her determined attitude has seen Laban go on to push for the construction of a multi-purpose fale malae in partnership with Wellington City Council and Victoria University of Wellington.

In 1992 Laban was bestowed the Samoan matai chiefly title Luamanuvao from the village of Vaiala, Vaimauga, in recognition of her work.

"This honour is another opportunity to serve."In Californias quest to blend more renewable energy sources into the power grid, energy storage has repeatedly become one of the answers the states policymakers have turned to.

Late last week, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a proposal from San Diego Gas & Electric to build five new energy storage projects, each using lithium-ion battery technology, at facilities in San Diego, Poway, Escondido, Fallbrook and San Juan Capistrano.

The projects will total 83.5 megawatts  enough to power about 55,000 homes for four hours.

Energy storage acts as a kind of shock absorber for the electrical system, SDG&E president Scott Drury said Monday at a news conference.

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Renewables have a problem with intermittency  that is, solar power slumps when the sun goes down and wind energy wanes when the breeze tapers off.

Conversely, so much solar is currently generated in California during the day that the California Independent System Operator (the organization which oversees the operation of about 80 percent of the states electric power system) often has to send the excess to neighboring states like Arizona or curtail solar altogether.

Essentially, batteries store up energy that can then be deployed to help fill in the gaps.

These batteries and other projects like them allow us to absorb that excess and then call on it at other times of the day when its needed, Drury said. SDG&E already boasts a 30-megawatt lithium-ion battery energy storage center  at the time of its debut the largest of its kind in the world  at the utilitys operations center in Escondido.

Energy storage technologies can also help the states power mix become less reliant on natural gas, which is the single largest fuel type for in-state electric generation  49.86 percent in 2016.

With battery storage, you dont have the emissions concerns and other things associated with that and you dont have to worry about bringing in natural gas for it either, said Craig Horne, a vice president at RES, a global renewable energy company with its North American office based in Denver. So youre just using the existing electricity network.

RES is building one of the five lithium-ion projects SDG&E announced on Monday, a 30-megawatt facility expected to be completed by the end of next year at the SDG&E Miramar substation.

Energy storage comes in a variety of forms, including pumped hydro, in which water is pumped uphill behind dams and then released, with the ensuing rush of water generating power. But increasingly, battery storage has become a preferred technology as electric vehicles using lithium-ion batteries become more widespread.

Californias ambitious clean-air and renewables mandates have also boosted storage solutions, since they do not directly lead to greenhouse gas emissions.

California policymakers want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 and utilities have been directed to derive 50 percent of electricity from clean-energy sources by 2030.

Regulatory requirements laid down by the state

Responding to state law, the CPUC directed the big three investor-owned utilities to make contracts to procure 1,325 megawatts of energy storage by 2020. Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison were given targets of 580 megawatts each while SDG&Es responsibility came to 165 megawatts.

The five contracts will put SDG&E just a few megawatts shy of reaching the CPUCs mandated goals.

Yet another law has called on each utility to find another 166 megawatts in energy storage projects. SDG&E recently filed an application with the CPUC for seven facilities that would account for 100 megawatts of the target.

So does SDG&E take on energy storage projects because its good business or because the CPUC makes the utility do it?

We think the adoption of advanced technologies to make the grid more resilient and enable renewable energy is good public policy and good for our customers and thats why we do it, said Drury.

Energy storage does have its skeptics, many of whom say its too expensive.

Stephen Brick, senior adviser to the Boston-based Clean Air Task Force, has studied the cost of energy storage technologies, including batteries.

The batteries themselves are probably in the $250 per kilowatt-hour neighborhood today, Brick said.

But there are additional costs, Brick said, such as using an inverter to take the direct current (DC) from the battery to align with alternating current (AC) from the grid. There are interconnection costs to take into account as well.

Even at a very high utilization rate, like using it three out of four days, youre still talking about a 15-cent per kilowatt-hour resource, just for the storage, Brick said. Remember, wholesale prices in California last year, were around 3- cents per kilowatt-hour on average.

Fans of storage counter by citing how much costs have gone down in recent years. For example, lithium-ion battery projects in the early 1990s cost about $10,000 a kilowatt-hour.

Charles Vaughan, managing director at Fluence, the company building SDG&Es 40-megawatt battery storage facility in Fallbrook, said commitments by car makers to dramatically expand the production of electric vehicles will help the battery storage sector. Earlier this year, Volkswagen promised to build at least 16 EV plants by 2025.

For stationary energy storage for utilities, were benefiting from all of that investment in economies of scale, Vaughn said.

Vaughn said the Fallbrook storage facility is expected to begin operations in 2021.

California energy storage mandates

Under Assembly Bill 2514

Pacific Gas & Electric  580 megawatts

Southern California Edison  580 megawatts

SDG&E  165 megawatts

Total: 1,325 megawatts

Under Assembly Bill 2868

Pacific Gas & Electric  166.6 megawatts

Southern California Edison  166.6 megawatts

SDG&E  166.6 megawatts

Total: 500 megawatts

This story as been updated to say the North American office for RES is based in Denver.

Business

rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewskiBudget carrier Frontier Airlines is boosting operations in San Diego with nonstop service to five new destinations  soon traveling to Cleveland, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Raleigh/Durham.

The company announced the new direct flights Tuesday, observing the occasion by offering $49 and $69 promotional, one-way fares.

Service is scheduled to begin in August. The new nonstop flights join Frontiers existing San Diego routes to and from Austin, Cincinnati, Colorado Springs, Denver, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and San Antonio.

The greater San Diego area continues to respond well to our Low Fares Done Right philosophy, said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial for Frontier Airlines.

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Headquartered in Denver, Frontier flies to nearly 90 U.S. cities and serves Canada, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. It competes in the discount air travel space alongside Alaska Airlines and Southwest, maintaining low fares by selling tickets with add-on options such as carry-on bags, checked bags and exit rows seats that cost extra.

The company is the only carrier to offer nonstop service from San Diego International Airport to Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Raleigh/Durham. Southwest offers seasonal nonstop trips from San Diego to Indianapolis and Milwaukee.

Frontier will begin its nonstop service to and from Pittsburgh and Indianapolis on Aug. 13 with a single flight available to both designations on Mondays and Fridays. Cleveland and Raleigh/Durham routes start Aug. 15 and continue every Wednesday and Saturday. The San Diego-to-Milwaukee flight kicks off on Aug. 14 with Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday service.

Customers have until 8:59 p.m. June 8 to purchase flights from FlyFrontier.com to receive the introductory rates for travel between Aug. 13 and Nov. 14 of this year.

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jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruinSan Diego voters filed into polling places around the county Tuesday to register their choices for the state and congressional primary elections, including several that could tip the balance of power in Washington.

Many showed up to cast votes in the brief window before their workday started, while others stopped in throughout the day. Poll traffic was slow and steady at many stations, but voters who came said they felt obligated to weigh in on key races.

I just want to make a difference in my state and make sure we pick the right people, said Lance Vannalom, who cast his vote at the Meadows Community Center in North Escondido, before heading to his job at Sony.

There, the parking lot was full and voters streamed in steadily, but the process moved swiftly, with no lines for voting booths.

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Poll workers arrived at their stations at 5:30 a.m., and said the day began smoothly at other sites as well. More than 300 field support representatives were assigned to troubleshoot any issues that arose, but there were no major problems as of noon, San Diego Registrar of Voters Michael Vu said.

Vu had predicted turnout of 40 to 45 percent Tuesday, but revised that downward slightly to 38 to 43 percent around midday. He said that voter registration in the county reached an all time high of 1,693,774 registered voters. About 1.1 million of those are casting mail ballots, the county stated, and 277,845 mail ballots had already been returned as of Sunday.

For those who prefer to visit the ballot booth and sport an I Voted sticker on election day, 1,264 polling stations staffed by 6,300 poll workers opened throughout the county at community centers, public buildings, private residences and even a mortuary in Escondido.

 San Diego voters filed into polling places around the county early Tuesday morning to register their choices for state elections. Many showed up to cast their votes in the brief window before their workday started.

As Democrats fought to regain control of the House of Representatives, voters faced a wide field of candidates in local congressional primaries. In the 49th District, longtime Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, is retiring, leaving his seat open, with 18 contenders listed as candidates on the county rolls.

A block from Issas office, however, the polling station at Hope Church of the Nazarene was quiet in the early afternoon, as it had been since the morning, poll workers said.

Jim Day, 65, said he grew up in a military family where voting duties were cherished, and has never missed an election since the age of 18. He said it was a tossup which way the 49th district race would fall.

I think that it will stay Republican, which is good for me, he said. But I would not be very surprised if it didnt, because Democrats put a lot of money into this race.

Nearby, Shawna Lee perused her ballot pamphlet before voting for only the second time in her life. Although she admitted she hadnt paid much attention to politics in the past, she said recent events prompted her to vote.

Mostly the presidential race made me step it up, she said. How weird it was.

Deana Cacus, who voted in North Escondido, said she wants to flip the 50th District, where embattled incumbent Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, who has been the subject of a campaign finance investigation, faces five challengers. Shes supporting Ammar Campa-Najjar, a former Obama White House intern and community organizer.

I know that it is a contentious primary, and there is a lot at stake, she said. I have a personal interest in keeping California blue, so I came out first thing to vote for my Democratic candidates, and hope that the state continues to progress in a liberal direction.

Wade Barbour, 34, who cast his votes Tuesday morning at the Lake Murray Villa condominium/apartment complex, said he has never missed an election. He said hes particularly interested in the results of the primary races for governor and Senate.

I want to have this go the way I want to see it go, Barbour said. I want it to be as much as possible in the direction I want it to go. I am not too happy with the direction we are going right now in this country. At least California has been a major Democratic state, and I would like to keep it that way.

Keith Koble, a staunch Republican, hoped to hold back the blue tide. He said there was no way he would miss voting in the primary at the Prospect Avenue Baptist Church near his home in Santee.

Im a conservative and I think that we are too far left in California and Im doing my part in swinging us to the other side, Koble, 61, said after voting. Im concerned about one party not making it onto the ballot and I want to make sure both parties are properly represented.

Koble said he has voted in every election since he was eligible to do so. Hes not a fan of voting by mail and prefers to weigh in on Election Day.

Personally, Im against voting by mail because issues can change from the time you send in your ballot until the day of the election, he explained. I also told the poll workers that I was here for the sticker, that thats why I came.

Mark Luhm, who voted in North Escondido, said he would like to see improvements to roads and other infrastructure. Describing himself as a fiscal conservative who is also interested in environmental protection, he and said hes concerned about the deeply partisan political climate.

Its a divided country, he said. Youre on one side or the other.

An early voter on Tuesday, 41-year-old Randy DeWitt, is a teacher at Granite Hills High School in El Cajon who lives in the Fletcher Hills area of El Cajon. There was no line to vote this year, but DeWitt said he remembers waiting in like the first time Obama ran.

My kids were little and I remember waiting in line a long time to get to vote, DeWitt said. I make it a point to vote in every election because if you dont vote, your voice is silenced. By not participating, you will never have a voice.

A teacher for 16 years, he said he taught government and world history, but doesnt let students know which political party he belongs.

I make sure I vote every year, DeWitt said. We have finals today and I want to make sure the students see my I Voted sticker.

David Cartwright and his father, Ben Cartwright, Leon Shapiro and Yvonne Villa were in a small room with mirrors stretched across one side of the wall at the Fletcher Hills Recreation Center, across the street from Fletcher Hills Elementary School in El Cajon.

Ben Cartwright said seven people were there as soon as the polls opened at 7 a.m. One guy was there a half hour early, so poll workers gave him a chair to sit in while he waited.

We were in a garage for 15 years so this is really a step up, with a lot brighter lighting, and even a mirror, said David Cartwright.

Tonia Tagnani turned 87 on Monday and lives in the Lake Murray Villa apartment and condominium complex where the polls were located.

Its right here, so we dont have any excuse to not vote, Tagnani said, looking around her complex. We in America are so fortunate to have the opportunity to vote. If we dont vote, we should not call ourselves citizens.

Tuesdays expected turnout of 38 to 43 percent could be higher than other mid-term and primaries in recent years, even the 2012 Presidential primary, if Vus voting forecasts hold true. According to the County Registrar of Voters, the number of registered voters who turned out in elections since 2010 are as follows:

June 7, 2016 Presidential Primary  51 percent

June 3, 2014 Gubernatorial Primary  27 percent

June 5, 2012 Presidential Primary  37 percent

June 8, 2010 Gubernatorial Primary  38 percent

People looking for their local polling place can search the San Diego Registrar of Voters to check their registration and find their voting location.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennanHome  Just In  Province 2 Chief Minister says his govt will not topple despite NCP-Forum coalition at centre

Rautahat, June 5

Chief Minister of Province 2, Lalbabu Raut, has said that his government formed in coalition with the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal will not topple.

Speaking at a press conference organised in Gaur of the district today, the Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal leader said that rumours of new Chief Minister were baseless. After Rauts party joined the federal government whereas the RJPN is not, it was rumoured that the Nepal Communist Party, which leads the federal government, wanted to change the government leadership in Province 2 by forming the coalition with Forum.

But, Raut claimed, The alliance with Rastriya Janata Party Nepal is the core of mandate of this provincial government. This government will rule for the next five years.

The Chief Minister further claimed that the central government did not spend even a single penny for the preparation of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Janakpur.

Meanwhile, Raut further said he was committed to taking forward the plans and programmes made by the provincial government through budget in the upcoming days.Just like hes done every morning and afternoon for the past year, Ike Iloputaife took his two exotic Borzoi dogs for a 90-minute walk in his Vista neighborhood in the early-morning hours of May 16.

Little did the 55-year-old Nigerian-born innkeeper know he was walking into one of the most frightening experiences of his adult life.

Seven hours after he and his 3-year-old male dogs, Lars and Lovkiy, walked down Monte Vista Drive that day, a house on the street was burglarized by three young black men.

Six days later, the Sheriffs Department issued a press release with surveillance photos of the three suspects as well as a grainy photo of a person of interest. It was a picture of Iloputaife, who is also black, walking his dogs through the neighborhood on the morning of the burglary.

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A woman who lived around the corner from the burglarized home had snapped the photo of Iloputaife that morning when he walked past her house because, she told investigators, he was a stranger on her street. It was taken from behind at a significant distance. After the burglary, the woman  whose identity is unavailable  shared the photo with investigators.

Although the still-unidentified Iloputaife was billed in the press release as looking similar to Suspect 2 in the burglary, their only similarity is skin color. Suspect 2 is listed in the release as 20 to 35 years old, 6 feet to 6-feet-5 and weighing 260 pounds. Iloputaife is 5 feet, 9 inches, is in his mid-50s and weighs 195 pounds.

This screenshot from the San Diego Crimestoppers website on Monday shows a photo of Ike Iloputaife and his dogs, center, with photos of a burglary suspect. The page was taken down Monday afternoon. (Pam Kragen/San Diego Union-Tribune)

In a post to neighbors on the Nextdoor App Friday afternoon, Iloputaife said its disturbing that he was photographed by someone and sucked unwittingly into a criminal investigation simply because he was walking his dogs on a public street near the Sunrise Drive home he shares with his husband, Jim Watson.

In this persons head I became a person of interest because of my skin color, Iloputaife wrote. Asking to call the police on a black person in this highly charged political and cultural environment can be a danger for the black person.

But the Vista station of the county Sheriffs Department, which has since removed Iloputaife as a person of interest, said they took great care in deciding to release the photo to the press.

Lt. Jack Reynolds said the decision was based on the severity of the crime  several rifles, handguns and a safe were stolen  and the lack of leads in finding the suspects.

With a crime where we have no leads other than surveillance footage, were going to look at all information that comes in as a potential lead, Reynolds said. Are they going out to do surveillance on potential targets, maybe sending someone out of foot?

Reynolds said investigators hoped neighbors would recognize the dogs in the photo, not the dog-walker, and dozens of neighbors did. Some reached out to law enforcement and others posted on Nextdoor defending Iloputaife as a well-known presence in the neighborhood.

Watson said hes disappointed that the Sheriffs Department didnt take more time to ask around the Alta Vista/Foothill neighborhood before posting the photo.

They took this extreme action on such little information, Watson said. I believe in neighborhood watch and communities looking out for themselves. But they need to think seriously about what its like to call the police and make someone a suspect with so little information.

Justin Brooks, director of the California Innocence Project at California Western School of Law in San Diego, said bad IDs are the leading cause of wrongful convictions in America. And most of the exonerations hes worked on over the past 20 years involve bad IDs by witnesses with a different racial background than the defendant.

When you look at the studies, we are absolutely terrible at identifying humans who are not of our own race, Brooks said.

Despite the flaws in the system, Brooks said the public and juries put great stock in witness testimony and photos on flyers.

Sometimes we make mistakes and those kinds of mistakes can devastate peoples lives and leave their reputation in tatters, Brooks said.

Iloputaife and Watson were on vacation in Yosemite when the press release appeared on local TV stations and the sdcrimestoppers.com website May 22. A neighbor gave the couple the news when they returned home May 25.

Friend and neighbor Laurie Gilbert said its been hard watching Iloputaife and Watson go through this experience over the past week.

To suddenly feel unwelcome and afraid to go out and walk your dogs is awful, said Gilbert. There isnt a bad bone in either of their bodies, theyre good, kind, loving people.

Ike Iloputaife with his Borzoi, Luvkiy, at his Vista home. (Pam Kragen/San Diego Union-Tribune)

Iloputaife came to the U.S. in 1981 to study aerospace engineering and was a competitive sprinter. He was living in Los Angeles volunteering for a national AIDS charity in 1994 when he met the Texas-born Watson, who was the foundations fundraiser at the time.

In 1995, they moved to Provence, France, where they owned and operated a bed-and-breakfast inn as well as other real estate properties in Europe. When Watson became ill two years ago, they decided to move back to California to be closer to family. They chose Vista because the hills reminded them of France and Italy and they found a home with a big yard where their dogs could run.

Watson said in all their years in France, they never experienced any prejudice over their mixed-race partnership or sexuality. But just a month after they moved to Vista in June 2017, Iloputaife said a man driving a truck past him in their neighborhood shouted slurs out the window.

Iloputaife, who has dual U.S. and French citizenship, said the experience over this past month has made him consider moving back to France.

It does make me think, he said. Im here because my spouse is here. If he werent here I would go back to France. There are racial and political issues in France, but theyre less acrid there.

Over the past week, Iloputaife has spent hours meeting with detectives and calling, emailing and writing to local TV stations and news sites asking that his photo with the dogs be removed from stories about the suspects. His photo was still on sdcrimestoppers.com until noon Monday when this reporter called to ask about it. It was removed in the afternoon.

Iloputaife said hes been frustrated that deputies wont return his calls and why he has had to work so hard to clear his own reputation. People have suggested he file a lawsuit, but hes not interested.

I hate courts and have never sued anyone in my life. All I want from them is an apology saying we screwed up and were sorry, he said.

Bill Jacobs, a friend who often walks Lars and Luvkiy whenever Iloputaife travels back to France on business, said hes been impressed by how Iloputaife has handled the situation with calm and grace.

Hes very disappointed, but his first response was to say, lets defuse the situation, Jacobs said. Nobody wants to be in that situation, white or black, but its much more dangerous being black.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.comChula Vista paid $225,000 to settle a lawsuit of an employee it didnt hire and cant fire.

The situation comes from a little-known federal law enforcement task force called High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, or HIDTA.

The federally funded program allows local agencies to join drug enforcement task forces. In Chula Vistas case, the city was an administrative agent, meaning it managed federal money to pay salaries, leases, and other administrative costs. So technically, HIDTA members are Chula Vista employees.

Unfortunately for Chula Vista taxpayers, that arrangement meant that the city was liable when one HIDTA member was accused of sexually harassing a woman and retaliating against another HIDTA employee who reported the alleged harassment.

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When the employee sued, the federal government got itself dismissed from the case and left the city to defend itself, said City Attorney Glen Googins.

The city doesnt hire, manage or discipline HIDTA program employees, he said. It merely pays them as a local fiscal agent for the HIDTA program.

We value the HIDTA program, but we are not happy with how the federal government left us holding the bag for a problem we didnt create.

HIDTA did not respond to an email asking them about the lawsuit and the settlement.

The lawsuit accused HIDTA director Ralph Partridge of sexually harassing a woman and retaliating against another HIDTA employee, Tommy LaNier, who reported his alleged misconduct.

LaNier sued the city, claiming Partridge falsely claimed LaNier falsified travel expenses during a trip to Puerto Rico and was forced to resign and give up his $115,000 salary.

Chula Vista did not hire Partridge or LaNier, nor does it have disciplinary oversight. Partridge still works for HIDTA and remains on the Chula Vista payroll.

The city agreed to settle the lawsuit for $225,000 in January 2018.

LaNiers lawyer, Richard Lynn, declined to talk about the lawsuit or the settlement.

Lynn also represented the woman who accused Partridge of sexual harassment, Valerie Taylor.

Taylor also sued Chula Vista, claiming Partridge harassed her by telling her about how big his penis is, asking for hugs, and nearly driving into her while Taylor walked in her neighborhood in January 2013.

When Taylor spoke out about Partridges behavior, Partrirdge allegedly told a supervisor that Taylor should be fired. Taylors position was terminated and she was allowed to reapply for a lower-paying job, according to the complaint.

Chula Vista was dismissed from Taylors case because she wasnt on the citys payroll. Instead, Taylor worked for a nonprofit called Californians for Drug Free Youth, another regional partner of the HIDTA taskforce, according to Lynn.

Taylor settled with the nonprofit for an undisclosed amount.

The nonprofit did not respond to a voicemail seeking comment about the case and the settlement.

Chula Vista, frustrated by having to pay for something it believes it had no control over, has taken steps to make sure it is not on the hook for another HIDTA-related lawsuit.

Since the LaNier lawsuit, the city renegotiated its contract with HIDTA to make sure it is included in HIDTAs insurance policy.

The city also is trying to get some of the $225,000 back by filing a claim against the insurance company, arguing it should have been covered as a participating agency of the program.

We made a business decision to settle the case, but we are not done, Googins said. We intend to raise the issue up the chain with the federal authorities, and we are now seeking reimbursement from the HIDTA program insurance company.

Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or TwitterLike their fellow Americans in Bahia de los Angeles, Jo Anne Butler and Ray Ball kept returning, year after year, drawn by the small-town feel, the areas stark natural beauty, the warm Gulf of California waters that lapped almost at their door, friends said.

But the shooting deaths of the two U.S. retirees together with their dog early Saturday at their waterfront house south of town has shattered the tranquility of this community some 380 miles from the U.S. border. Sustained largely by tourism and fishing, Bahia has a year-round population of 1,000, but is also a part-time residence for more than 100 Americans, according to local authorities.



For the record: This story has been updated to correct a previous version stating that Ray Ball had been shot 18 times. Authorities said he had been shot nine times, with 18 entry and exit wounds.

We have no memory of having a shooting here, said Tom Mitchell, a San Diego resident who has had a home in Bahia de los Angeles for four decades. This has taken it to a level that no one here has experienced.

Friends and authorities said Monday that the killings appear to be over a boat  a 22-foot McKee Craft with a Yamaha 250 outboard motor that the couple kept at their house and frequently used for fishing excursions.

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It was an attempted robbery, and an individual went to defend his property, and thats when they shot him, said Octavio Lopez, the delegado, or top local government official, in a telephone interview from Bahia de los Angeles. This is the first time weve had something like this happen.

A neighbor who remained fearful and asked that his name be withheld said he had been awoken at about midnight by gunfire that sounded like somebody pounding on a metal roof. Looking outside, he saw a SUV pulling a boat toward the water, and the thing just buried itself in the sand.

Unable to move the vessel, the thieves abandoned it, said the neighbor. He then heard them fire more shots, he said.

Realizing this was Balls boat, two neighbors went to investigate, and found the couples bodies in the house, near a back door. Neighbor Roger Mears, the former off-road racing champion, was the first to discover his friends had been killed, said his wife, Carol. This has been devastating, she said.

An initial report by the Baja California Attorney Generals Office recorded the deaths at 2:46 a.m. Saturday. Authorities said he had been shot nine times, counting 18 entry and exit wounds. They said that Butler was shot twice in the left leg. Their dog, a black labrador named Bart, was shot once. Investigators found 12 shell casings from a 9mm weapon at the scene.

Jo Ann Butler and Ray Ball are pictured together in this section of her blog describing their lives in Bahia de los Angeles. (Mccutchen, John R. / )

Butler, 69, and Ball, 72, were not married but had been a couple for about 14 years. She was a former school teacher and accomplished artist, while he had worked as a contractor, and was a gifted craftsman who built custom furniture, said Bill Boyce, a friend of Balls since college days and part-time resident of Bahia de los Angeles since the 1980s.

Its so surreal and beautiful, Boyce said of the quiet community. Every day you wake up and it just grabs your soul.

Jo Anne Butler wrote in a blog for family and friends that Ball had first come to Bahia in the late 1980s and fell in love with the beauty and the world-class fishing. After visiting in 2003, she said that she had become equally captivated.

A lifelong craftswoman specializing in stained glass, Butler wrote that the natural beauty of this place is a constant source of ideas and inspiration.

A year ago, she sold her house in Escondido, and they purchased a new home in Prescott, Arizona. But they also kept their house in Mexico.

Authorities are not discussing the chain of events leading to the killings, saying that they remain under investigation. But friends and neighbors said that it appeared that Ball had heard a noise, and gone to check, holding a bat in his hand. He apparently was shot as he opened the back door, they said.

Ray was a guy who would have protected his place and his belongings, this was not surprising to me that he was trying to protect what he had, said Boyce.

This was so out of character for our community, said Mitchell, another longtime friend and neighbor. These guys didnt hesitate to kill. They basically murdered both of them.

In January, another U.S. citizen was killed in Bahia de los Angeles. Charles Crabtree was struck repeatedly with a hammer on his head and body outside his trailer in the Campo Amigo park. The 28-year-old suspect was captured, and is currently behind bars, authorities said.

On Monday, community members met with the municipal delegate, and the local police commander, pressing for a greater law enforcement presence. Bahia de los Angeles is part of the municipality of Ensenada, and on Wednesday, residents are expecting to meet with Mayor Marco Antonio Novelo.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com

@sandradibbleMayor Susan Goldings former press secretary, Richard Grenell, has continued to stir up controversy since he became U.S. ambassador to Germany last month. He was criticized by German politicians for overstepping diplomatic boundaries by his remarks endorsing conservative politics.

In a published interview, Grenell said, I absolutely want to empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders, in the wake of what he called the failed policies of the left.

The AFP news agency reported that the general secretary of Germanys Social Democratic Party, Lars Klingbeil, posted a terse tweet directed at Grenell: I know you are still quite new at your post, but it is not part of the job description of an ambassador to interfere in the politics of his guest country, Mr @RichardGrenell.

Grenell responded to criticism via Twitter saying that he stood by his comments about an awakening of the silent majority, but clarified: Dont put words in my mouth. The idea that Id endorse candidates/parties is ridiculous.

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On his first day in Berlin as ambassador early last month, the President Trump loyalist ignited a similar reaction. In light of Trumps withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement, he counseled German companies to stop conducting business with Iran immediately.

He has long been outspoken. Six years ago, Grenell resigned as foreign policy adviser to GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney after only three weeks on the job, apparently in large part, frustrated at being marginalized.

Adama Iwu, shown here at the 13th Annual Global Womens Rights Awards in Beverly Hills on May 21, 2018, returned to her University of San Diego alma mater to give its May 27 commencement address. (Presley Ann / Getty Images )

Commencement catalyst: Adama Iwu, named one of Time magazines silence breakers in its 2017 People of the Year cover story, lived up to her billing at the University of San Diegos recent commencement.

Iwu, a Visa government relations executive, spoke about her own role in the #MeToo movement after she objected to sexual harassment in Sacramentos political arena. She penned an open letter signed by 147 women that received wide publicity.

Im actually going to ask you all to be activists, Iwu implored USDs class of 2018. Its up to me, and all of us, to create lasting change and not just a hashtag.

Iwu emphasized that she didnt break her silence to get on the cover of Time magazine, or to be a womans rights crusader, or to bring down the Weinsteins of the world.

I was there because at one critical moment last year, when I was sexually harassed for about the millionth time, people around me didnt get involved and I came to a threshold.  I spoke up. I found my voice. I found allies and we took action, said the 2005 USD graduate.

Iwu left grads with bullet points of advice: Speak up when you see injustice. Vote in every election. ... Say the truth out loud in public in as many places as you can. Have each others back. Demand that we all be our best selves. When youre standing on the thresholds ... take a deep breath and be the activist and advocate that many others and you are waiting for. With that, she concluded: I know you are going to change the world.

Padres general partner Peter Seidler urges University of San Diego graduates to give back to the community. In this photo behind him is an example of one of three tents he was instrumental in erecting for the homeless in San Diego. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune )

More words of wisdom: Peter Seidler, likewise, offered advice at National Universitys May 20 graduation in Petco Park: Achieve greatness with enthusiasm. Listening is a powerful skill. Turn off technology to enjoy the moment. Prioritize relationships with loved ones. Give back to the community.

No Petco Park speech would be complete without a mention of the Padres, and Seidler didnt disappoint. One year, before long, we will host World Series games, he promised. And our Padres will win those games.

diane.bell@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1518

Twitter: @dianebellSD

Facebook: dianebell.newsLa Jolla billionaire Denny Sanford gave San Diego-based National University $100 million Tuesday to cultivate civility and critical thinking in millions of school children, speeding his quest to donate all of his wealth by the end of his life.

The donation was the fourth major gift that he has made over the past 14 months  money that also will help put 3,000 students through college, broadly improve the training of teachers, and support the care of animals at the San Diego Zoo.

Sanford, 82, has donated at least $943 million for various causes over the past 11 years, including the $100 million he gave to UC San Diego to accelerate the creation of drugs to fight cancer, heart disease, and other afflictions.

The latest gift represents a deepening of Sanfords support of the National University System, a private, non-profit school that offers courses online and at dozens of campuses, mostly in California. The university also works with teachers, especially those who handle youngsters ranging from pre-kindergarten to grade 6.

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In April 2017, Sanford gave National $28 million to support three education initiatives that collectively serve his greatest interest  and health, welfare and education of children.

Part of the gift went to Sanford Harmony, a National program that is meant to teach children how to be more civil, peaceful and compassionate  an area called social and emotional learning.

 Sanford Harmony is a National University program that is meant to teach children how to be more civil, peaceful and compassionate  an area called social and emotional learning.

We want to reduce bullying in schools and teach boys and girls to get along, said Sanford, who rose out of the Great Depression to become a multi-billionaire in the world of finance.

The new $100 million gift will help National continue to expand Sanford Harmony, providing teachers with the guidance, curriculum and materials they need to promote civility in a nation that has been rocked by deadly school shootings.

Weve got to reach these kids before they get to middle school, Sanford told the Union-Tribune. Its too hard to reach them when theyre older.

Sanford has been working on the issue with National Chancellor Michael Cunningham, who says that the key to making schools safer is teaching children to communicate and collaborate and to understand each other, and to have empathy.

National said Tuesday in a news release that Sanford Harmony is already reaching 1.5 million students. The long-term goal is to reach 30 million youngsters around the nation and world.

The idea arose about a decade ago during a conversation between Sanford and Michael Crow, the president of Arizona State University. Sanford has been through two divorces and it led him to look for ways to reduce divorce nationwide. ASU created a research program meant to cultivate positive relationships between young girls and boys  an attitude that he hopes will carry over into adulthood.

Sanford Harmony has since been taken over by National.

This wont be the last significant gift from Sanford, who splits his time between homes in La Jolla and in South Dakota.

I took the Pledge, Sanford has said in the past, referring to the Giving Pledge, an effort by the worlds wealthiest people to donate the majority of their riches to philanthropy.

He doesnt have to look far to feel appreciated. Theres a full-sized cardboard cut-out of Sanford in Cunninghams office. And it has a big, red lipstick kiss on one of his cheeksA potential change to immigration rules regarding public benefits could lead to between 875,000 and 2 million U.S. citizen children becoming uninsured, a new study found.

In California, about 1.6 million U.S. citizen children with at least one noncitizen parent use Medicaid or the Childrens Health Insurance Program, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on non-partisan analyses of health policy. Thats about 28 percent of the 5.8 million such children who use these programs nationwide.

Samantha Artiga, one of the studys authors, said higher numbers of uninsured children can mean greater strains on safety net providers and can negatively impact the economy.

For the children in question, it can mean they dont have regular checkups and that they dont receive care for chronic conditions.

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Theres also a body of research that shows that when children have Medicaid and CHIP coverage, it promotes better long-term outcomes for education and economic outcomes, Artiga said. Having that health coverage is key to setting them up for success later in life.

The proposal would not change whether these children are eligible for aid. It would change the potential immigration-related consequences for their parents  being a likely public charge (dependent on the government for assistance) can make someone inadmissible to the U.S. under current law.

The change would allow the federal government to consider whether U.S. citizen children receive certain health or food-related aid when determining whether their noncitizen parents are public charges.

Current policy does not allow the government to consider such non-cash benefits.

San Diego Countys Health and Human Services Agency administers aid programs like Medi-Cal locally. A spokesman said the agency does not comment on program changes before they become final.

Based on how many families dropped Medicaid because of welfare reform in 1996, Artigas study estimated that between 875,000 and 2 million children nationwide would become uninsured if the change takes effect. That would raise the uninsured rate for U.S. citizen children with a noncitizen parent from 8 percent to between 14 and 22 percent.

Families with at least one noncitizen parent are more likely to have a full-time worker than those with U.S.-born parents, but they tend to have lower family incomes, the study said. That means many of those children qualify for some kinds of aid.

Artiga said that even today without this possible policy in place, immigrant families are often hesitant to sign up for such programs because they believe it could negatively affect their immigration status.

What we know from policy changes in the past is often its very complicated and difficult for families to understand who is affected by policy change, Artiga said. What we see is a broader group than those directly affected may make the decision to no longer participate in programs because they want to take the safest route in their mind.

Though the rule change is listed on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agenda in the Federal Register, it has not yet been proposed. After it is officially proposed, the public will have a chance to comment before the rule becomes final.

Immigration Videos On Now New developments in family separation case 9:53 On Now A San Diego woman volunteered as a medic in Texas helping migrant families 2:35 On Now Immigration policy protests in Carlsbad nearly cancelled after permit issue 1:38 On Now When children are separated from their parents at the border, here is where they go next On Now Prospects of a deal for 'Dreamers' may hinge on separating Trump from hard-liners on his staff On Now What is DACA? On Now Border wall prototype contractors selected On Now Video: Ukrainian boxer wins asylum in U.S. On Now 30 apprehended after Border Patrol agents discover tunnel On Now Video: Kurdish diaspora prepare to vote on independence

Follow me on Facebook for live updates about immigration news

kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on TwitterNine months after he threatened to unleash fire and fury like the world has never seen, President Trump has sharply moderated his goals for next weeks nuclear summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a shift shaped in large part by competing foreign policy camps in his inner circle.

Two weeks ago, Trump said North Korea must dismantle its nuclear arsenal and infrastructure over a very short period of time. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo went further, calling for rapid denuclearization, total and complete, that wont be extended over time.



For the record: An early version of this story incorrectly said Victor Cha, a Korea expert, had served in the Obama White House. He was Asia director on the National Security Council from 2004 to 2007 under President George W. Bush.

But by last Friday, after welcoming a senior North Korean envoy into the Oval Office, Trump conceded that ambitious objective was probably impossible when he faces Kim in Singapore on June 12.

Wouldnt it be wonderful if we walked out and everything was settled all of a sudden from sitting down for a couple of hours?, he told reporters outside the White House. No, I dont see that happening. But I see [it] over a period of time. And frankly, I said, Take your time.

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The latest head-swerving shift in Trumps approach to North Koreas nuclear threat appeared a direct brushback to his national security advisor, John Bolton, a hard-line hawk who had pushed the upfront and all-at-once disarmament scenario. It was widely noted that Bolton did not take part in the Oval Office meeting.

Bolton had infuriated North Koreas leaders last month when he suggested they follow the Libya model, presumably a reference to when Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi voluntarily gave up his nascent nuclear program in 2003  and not the overthrow of the Kadafi government, and his brutal slaying, several years later.

Alarmed that the summit was in danger, Trump publicly distanced himself from Boltons provocative comments. The Libya model isnt the model that we have [in mind] at all when were thinking of North Korea, Trump said on May 17. In Libya we decimated that country.

It didnt work. A flurry of angry rhetoric from Pyongyang led Trump to withdraw from the summit on May 24. He reversed course again last week, saying the summit was back on, after U.S., South Korean and North Korean diplomats worked overtime to sideline the dispute.

Trump told associates in private that he was furious with Bolton for his choice of words and blamed him for spooking the North Koreans.

Few experts saw the instant-disarmament model as remotely plausible in any case.

South Korea and Japan argued for a more nuanced diplomatic approach, one that would entice Kim into cooperating. Kim, they noted, was eager for the summit to help establish his bona fides as a global leader.

Similarly, within the Trump administration, a camp opposing Bolton had been gaining traction. Some advisors worried that the president had set unattainable goals, and that he might agree to a deal in Singapore, perhaps by drawing down U.S. troops in South Korea, that could be potentially dangerous to U.S. interests.

Senior State Department officials feared Bolton was setting Trump up for failure. After Pompeo was confirmed as secretary of State on April 26  shortly after he had made a secret trip to Pyongyang as CIA director  he began to stake out a counterbalance to Bolton.

He and others concluded that any likely North Korean disarmament would require a step-by-step approach, with clearly delineated goals at each phase, and reciprocal concessions by the United States and its allies to keep the process moving.

Its obvious that there will be multiple steps to any denuclearization, said Susan Thornton, the acting assistant secretary of State for Asia, who has dealt with North Korea in the past.

The summit will be the beginning of a process, she said at a conference in Tokyo last month, the same words Trump would repeat last Friday at the White House.

Thornton said Trump should seek a front-loaded process in which North Korea moved aggressively to show it is serious about arms control.

That could include stopping its production of highly enriched uranium as bomb fuel, allowing United Nations nuclear inspectors back in the country, providing documentation on fissile fuel production, or other steps.

At that point, she said, Washington would have to offer reciprocal concessions.

Then, the question is  what would be acceptable to the North Korean side in return for that front-loading, Thornton said. What is the exchange there?

Options, she and others noted, could include economic aid from the United States or its allies, relaxation of some economic sanctions, or diplomatic recognition of one of the worlds most isolated nations.

That phased approach is the same model that the last three U.S. presidents have tried  without success  to rein in or roll back North Koreas nuclear program.

The irony, said Victor Cha, who was director of Asian affairs on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush, is that what was initially presented as a cliff-hanger dramatic summit, upon which war or peace on the Korean peninsula hung, is now looking more like conventional diplomacy for the unconventional Trump White House.

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on TwitterAfter more than a year of campaigning, mailboxes filled to the brim with candidate literature and seemingly non-stop political commercials, voters will now have 13 hours to cast a ballot for their preferred candidates.

Some 1.68 million San Diegans are registered to vote and in todays primary election theyll support candidates for governor, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as state, regional and local offices and a handful of ballot measures.

Some have already cast their vote through an increasingly popular vote-by-mail program, while others have waited until the last minute to put their ballot into the post (dont forget to affix a stamp), or prefer to cast a ballot in person (or just really like collecting those iconic I Voted stickers).

For voters who are going to the polls there are a few things to keep in mind to make the process as easy as possible.

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First, go to the right precinct. This information should be included on materials already provided by the Registrar of Voters, but it can also be checked online along with a sample ballot. Voters can also find their precinct by calling 858-565-5800. There are about 1,444 polling locations across San Diego County and polling locations sometimes change between elections.

Next, go to the correct poll sometime between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. People who have not yet cast a ballot by 8 p.m. but are waiting in line by that time will still be able to participate in the election. People who are at the wrong precinct will be allowed to cast a provisional ballot that will be counted only after the registrar has determined that the voters was, in fact, eligible to vote.

Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and be received by the Registrar of Voters no later than three days after the election. These ballots can also be hand-delivered to any precinct or to any of 38 designated locations. Additionally, voters can authorize someone to return their mail-in ballot on their behalf. They must, however, complete the authorization section on the outside of their ballots envelope to do so.

The Union-Tribunes coverage of the candidates, their campaigns and electoral trends can be found online as well. Voters can see which races they can vote in by viewing their sample ballot.

While today is the primary and all federal and state races will go to a November runoff, the outcome in three countywide races will be determined. The district attorney, sheriff and the assessor/recorder/county clerk contest each only have two candidates running so the winner will be determined by the primarys results. Also, Treasurer/Tax Collector Dan McAllister is running unopposed so his re-election is certain.

The Union-Tribune will post election results as they come in, and the San Diego County Registrar of Voters and the California Secretary of State will also update returns until early Wednesday morning. Some districts span county lines and the registrars from each county will post returns from their respective precincts. While most of their voters are in San Diego, the 49th, 50th, and 51st congressional districts include parts of Orange, Riverside and Imperial Counties, respectively.

Some races have more than a dozen candidates running and in many cases its unlikely that a winner will be clear until nearly all of the ballots are counted.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841Investigators found a mans body inside a two-story home gutted by fire in Del Cerro Tuesday morning, fire officials said.

Investigators suspect the fire was arson and that the person committed suicide, said San Diego-Fire Rescue spokeswoman Monica Munoz.

The two-alarm fire was reported just before 11 a.m. on Bernadette Lane near Saint Therese Way. By time fire crews arrived, thick black smoke was pouring from the front of the home and flames were shooting through the roof.

Within minutes, crews had called for additional resources. Firefighters had it knocked down by 11:30 a.m. Damage to the house was estimated at $800,000.

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Crews were able to keep the flames from spreading to neighboring homes.

Munoz said the Medical Examiners Office will determine who the person is and the cause of death.

A home in Del Cerro was severely damaged by a fire Tuesday morning, a fire official said. (Courtesy of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department )

Firefighters had initially reported that they had searched the home but no one was found inside.

Deputy Fire Chief Kelly Zombro told OnScene TV the ground and second floors of the home were both engulfed in flames when crews arrived. He said he didnt know where the fire started.

When we got on scene, it was already into the second story, he said.

Im not certain who called the fire in, Zombro said. It put up a lot of smoke quickly.

Fire crews were able to put water lines on the back of the home and kept it from spreading to other structures.

This fire was a good partnership  we got Santee, La Mesa, a lot of other departments helping here as well, Zombro said.

Twitter: @karenkucher

(619) 293-1350

karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com

UPDATES:

5:15 p.m.: This story was updated with information that a body was found inside the home and authorities suspect arson. It was originally posted at 11:30 a.m.Two men who took part in a series of home-invasion robberies in northern San Diego, including one in which a woman was tied up and sexually assaulted, were convicted Monday of multiple counts of burglary, robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Thomas James Smith, 27, and Aaron Rico III, 22, each faces life in prison when they are sentenced Aug. 17.

After a trial that lasted nearly a month, Smith was found guilty of 30 charges and Rico was convicted of 27 counts.

Smith has a 2008 robbery conviction from Juvenile Court and a 2014 conviction for burglary. He was on probation at the time of the 10 break-ins in early 2016 in Mira Mesa, Sorrento Valley, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Sabre Springs, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo.

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Both he and Rico were also convicted of sexual penetration with the use of force.

Deputy District Attorney Jalyn Wang told a jury that Smith and Rico were part of a robbery crew dubbed the Open Door Bandits, so named because in most of the break-ins, the robbers gained access to homes through an unlocked door.

Wang said that Smith and Rico were two of the major players in the robbery crew.

A third major player, Stephen Ramon Gomez, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years, eight months to life in prison.

Wang said the home-invasion series began the night of Jan. 23, 2016, when Smith, Gomez and Shawver used garage door openers they found in cars to get into two residences in Mira Mesa, where they stole items including an Xbox gaming system.

A man returned to his residence in Carmel Mountain Ranch at about 1:20 a.m. on Jan. 26, 2016, after taking a friend home and saw that his house was being ransacked, Wang said. The man chased one of the robbers, but could not catch him, Wang said.

The DNA of Smith and Gomez was found on items left at the scene, according to Wang. Three nights later, on Jan. 29, 2016, the bandits gained access to a home in Scripps Ranch through an unlocked door and robbed a family at gunpoint,yelling, Wheres the money? Wheres the jewelry? Wheres the gold? Wang said.

Smith, Gomez, Rico and Harvey were charged in that break-in, Wang said.

On Jan. 31, 2016, a woman was awakened at gunpoint in her Sorrento Valley home, tied up and sexually assaulted by one or two of the defendants, according to the prosecutor. The perpetrators took jewelry off the womans body and threatened to shoot her.

Wang said Gomez pawned the womans wedding ring and his DNA was found on a pillow case on her bed.

On Feb. 5, 2016, Smith and Rico broke into a home in Rancho Bernardo through an unlocked door and held a couple at gunpoint while ransacking the residence, Wang told the jury.

The night of Feb. 11, 2016, four homes in Carmel Mountain Ranch and Sabre Springs were broken into, including three in the same neighborhood, the prosecutor said. In one robbery, a barking dog alerted a sleeping couple to intruders,and the wifes 911 call forced the suspects to flee, Wang said.

In another break-in, the robbers tied up a family -- including a 2-year-old who had his wrists taped together -- and spent an hour ransacking the home before leaving, the prosecutor said.

Smiths attorney, Deputy Public Defender Damian Lowe, said that once police determined the crimes were connected, they started to follow a number of suspects, not including his client. Lowe said ``significant`` mistakes were made in the investigation of the robbery series.

He told the jury the case would come down to ``what evidence is going to prove beyond a reasonable doubt as to who did what?'

Deputy Alternate Public Defender Matthew Mohen told jurors they needed to separate what Rico did, as a lookout, from what others did as went into the homes.

Mohen said Rico would not have expected a robbery to turn into a sexual assault.

Four other defendants, Aaron Rico V, Victor Harvey, Robin Shawver andJordan Wilson, also pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.A renowned surgeon who was hired by UC San Diego to lead the schools organ transplantation program to greatness has been quietly replaced by one of his colleagues for unspecified reasons.

Campus officials confirmed that Dr. Alan Hemming no longer serves as chief of the surgical transplantation team. He has been replaced on an interim basis by Dr. Kristin Mekeel, who specializes in liver, kidney and pancreas transplants.

The university would not discuss the matter other than to say in an email that it is hard to say when the campus will appoint a permanent director for one of the most high profile positions at UC San Diego Health.

Hemming, who earned nearly $868,000 last year at UC San Diego, told the Union-Tribune on Tuesday, I am still on (the) faculty. He declined to comment further.

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He had been recruited by Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences Dr. David Brenner, who would not discuss Hemmings current status.

Hemming, 56, was recruited from the University of Florida in 2009 and given the responsibility of creating a center for the treatment of advanced liver disease.

UC San Diego hailed the hiring in a news release, noting that Hemming had performed more than 500 liver transplants such as split, living-related, and domino procedures, including a successful liver transplant for one of the smallest recipients in the world  an infant weighing just over four pounds.

Hemming said in the same release that, If you have been told that you have untreatable liver disease, there is hope for you here. As a world-recognized academic medical center, UC San Diego has the expertise, resources and skill to take on the most difficult cases.

His achievements have been regularly publicized by the university, notably the heart and liver transplant he performed in 2016. The university said it was the first time such an operation has been done in the San Diego area, and that fewer than 10 of these surgeries are performed each year in the U.S.

Hemming also received a lot of attention in 2012 for removing and reconstructing a diseased liver of a 27 year-old mother, and placing it back in a patient without any tumors.

The diseased liver was detached from the body, flushed with preservation solution and cooled to a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius, UC San Diego said in announcing the achievement.

This allowed Hemming to carefully remove the tumor from the liver in a bloodless field while preserving vital structures. Hemming then removed the tumor which weighed as much as the liver itself  the vessels were meticulously reconstructed. The liver was then successfully reimplanted.

APPEAL FOR INFORMATION

The public is invited to contact the Union-Tribune if it has information about why Hemming was removed as director of UC San Diegos transplantation team. Email reporter Gary Robbins at gary.robbins@sduniontribune.com, or call him at 714-642-5218.In the waning hours before Tuesdays primary election, the three top-polling candidates for California governor fanned out across the state to eke out face time with voters before they head to the polls.

Democrat Gavin Newsom, the front-runner in the race, said he felt confident about his chances in the primary, but was taking nothing for granted as he greeted voters at a diner in Inglewood on Monday.

I feel good, the lieutenant governor told reporters at the Serving Spoon. At this stage, its just about getting out the vote.

The former San Francisco mayor kicked off the day with a television appearance in Los Angeles before heading to Inglewood with Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. The regions voters are crucial to the campaign of former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Newsom has spent considerable time here trying to edge his Democratic rival.

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Were going to win or lose this race through Los Angeles County, Newsom said. This is determinative. Success or failure will be borne of what happens down here.

Vinnessa Cook, an administrative assistant from Leimert Park, told Newsom she planned to vote for him.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, right, greets Andre Truth, left, and Zhani Jackson at the Serving Spoon in Inglewood as his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, looks on. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times )

She called Newsom a good guy and said she supported him because of his leadership in efforts to place new restrictions on guns as lieutenant governor, and for his decision to issue same-sex marriage licenses as mayor.

Asked about Villaraigosa, the 47-year-old rolled her eyes.

I feel like the city got in financial trouble because of him, she said.

And he laid off my neighbor, who was among the employees let go from the Department of Public Social Services during the recession, Cook said.

In San Diego, Republican John Cox expressed confidence that he would place in the top two in Tuesdays primary and face off against Newsom in November.

Im energized and if the polls are right, Im going to get the chance to make my case to the voters that Gavin Newsom is going to raise your taxes, Cox said in an interview after greeting GOP voters at a luncheon.

Cox also voted Monday and visited a phone bank in Corona with Assembly candidate Bill Essayli.

Cox has one main GOP rival in the race, Assemblyman Travis Allen of Huntington Beach. But he started consolidating the GOP vote once he received the endorsement of President Trump.

Lets face it  I need to get better known, the Rancho Santa Fe businessman said. And the presidents tweets helped get me better known. Obviously hes got the largest bully pulpit in the world in the Twitter following hes got.

No Republican has been elected statewide since 2006, but Cox argued that voters recognize that California is overdue for change.

GOP gubernatorial candidate John Cox and his wife, Sarah, turn in their ballots after voting at the San Diego Registrar of Voters on Monday. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Theyve had enough, he said, noting that a Democrat called into a radio program earlier in the day frustrated after paying $4.10 per gallon to fill up his car, a price he blamed on the new gas tax Cox is trying to repeal at the ballot box in November.

Villaraigosa began Monday shaking hands with Bay Area commuters streaming on and off BART trains before flying south and heading to San Pedro.

At the Port of Los Angeles for a tour of the AltaSea marine research center, Villaraigosas visit also provided the candidate with a picturesque backdrop for a series of local and national television interviews in the final push of his campaign.

Villaraigosa was quick to take a shot at Cox for having the support of Trump, who remains unpopular in California. Recent polls show Cox is in second place behind Newsom, and is the candidate Villaraigosa needs to beat Tuesday to advance to the November election.

The former two-term mayor of Los Angeles also acknowledged that his fate in the election rests on high turnout among his bases of support, including Latinos and Los Angeles voters. Both of those groups tend to vote in low numbers in primary elections, and far below the Bay Area, a major base of support for Newsom, the former mayor of San Francisco.

Look, I was mayor of L.A. This is where a good portion of my support is, he said. So, Ive got to get L.A. to vote, and Ive got to get L.A. to remember this Southern California area is two-thirds of the state and we get outvoted pretty frequently.

Villaraigosa then dashed off to Dulans Soul Food on Crenshaw in Los Angeles, where he was accompanied by Rep. Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson.

He went table to table shaking hands and chatting with the lunch crowd before going behind the counter to dish out food to customers.

Ashlee Withers, 25, who just graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, spent a few minutes talking with Villaraigosa. She plans to vote for him, saying she was impressed with the job he did as mayor of Los Angeles during the height of the recession.

For him to be governor, I think it would be good for all of California, she said.

Withers, who majored in sociology and said she wants to be a policymaker, asked Villaraigosa about getting a job with his administration if hes elected.

He said hed give me an interview when he becomes governor, she said.

The rest of the field also kept a busy pace on the last day before the primary.

John Chiang, the Democratic state treasurer, crisscrossed the Bay Area to rally supporters, talking with BART commuters in San Francisco and hosting a get-out-the-vote event with former Democratic Rep. Mike Honda in San Jose.

Democrat Delaine Eastin spent the day campaigning in the Inland Empire.

Allen continued his Take Back California tour Monday with a rally in San Diego.

Coverage of California politics 

seema.mehta@latimes.com; phil.willon@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATSeema, @philwillonCNN host Chris Cuomo grilled Rudy Giuliani Monday on why the White House lied about President Trumps role in helping craft a misleading statement about his sons meeting with Russian agents.

Cuomo explained how a leaked letter written by Trumps legal team showed they admitted the President had dictated the statement to Donald Trump Jr., contradicting what White House officials previously said.

Why did they choose to lie about his role in drafting this statement? Cuomo asked Giuliani on his primetime show.

The former New York City mayor laughed, before telling Cuomo he shouldnt accuse the White House of lying when it simply made a mistake.

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Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani (N.Y.) speaks on day three of the Republican National Convention.2008 Republican National Convention. (Ron Antonelli / New York Daily News )

Cuomo then fired back saying, Thats a lot of mistakes.

Giuliani stuck with the human error excuse, despite the White House refusing to explain its reasoning for saying Trump had nothing to do with drafting the statement earlier Monday.

It was a mistake! Giuliani continued. I swear to God, it was a mistake. The guy made a mistake. He corrected it.

The CNN host then showed clips of Trump attorney Jay Sekulow and White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders saying the President wasnt involved with drafting the statement before tearing back into Giuliani.

Somebody is lying, Cuomo said. Its not the kind of information that you would get wrong, that you wouldnt be privy to, that would change. Somebody is lying about this, Rudy, and I dont understand why.Re ICEs family separating spurs protests (June 2, 2018): Benjamin Prado of the American Friends Service Committee likens the separation of families who cross the border to the separation of African slaves.

The latter was a reprehensible act towards people who were deprived of their rights, the former being a punishment for those who knowingly flout our laws. Prado is right that we need to understand our history, but his gross exaggeration doesnt help further anyones understanding.

Zachary Goldman

San Diego

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Just the thought of a Department of Homeland Security employee tearing a terrified, crying infant or young child out of the protective arms of his or her tearful, panicked mother turns my stomach.

It was bad enough that Donald Trump and the GOP want to take away womens health care by removing funding for Planned Parenthood, but this 3-week old policy of separating children from their mothers will never be forgotten by voters everywhere.

How can these cruel, evil and heartless politicians justify tearing infants and children from their mothers arms to their own wives or their own small children?

Jerry Mozina

Vista

Letters and commentary policy

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below.

Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.Trump sees hope of a quick Nobel prize fade

This on-again, off-again get-together with North Koreas Kim Jong Un has nothing to do with peace and everything to do with so-called president Donald Trumps ego. Its no secret that Trump wants a Nobel for his pathetically weak efforts. It is said that Trump is scaling back his ambitions for an instant Nobel Peace Prize because its unrealistic. No kidding?

Theres actual work that must be done but insulting Kim Jong Un by calling him little rocket man, maniac and bad dude and then referring to Kim Jong Un as honorable is hardly a way to start a peace process.

Worthy recipients of the Nobel did not seek or expect the award: George C. Marshall; Nelson Mandela; Malala Yousafzai; Jimmy Carter. Their efforts are a lifetimes work for all humanity, not a hope for automatic gratification to fill an insatiable ego.

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Neil Proffitt

Oceanside

Trumps Iran stance a warning to Kim

The world now knows that the United States of America cannot be counted on keeping its promises. Any future president can undo any agreement made. Trumps legacy will be that the U.S. is untrustworthy and anything agreed to is meaningless.

Why should Kim Jong Un believe that he would be able to stay in N. Korea and that his country would be very wealthy if he signs a deal with Trump? Trump breaks promises as if they were marriage vows. Would any Trump supporter sign a car loan, mortgage etc. if they knew the lender could just tear up the deal, because the boss thinks you got too good a deal, even though you were complying with all the terms? Just look what this man has done to Americas credibility in 18 months.

The Republicans in Congress care more about pleasing him and their wealthy donors than the reputation of our country.

Michele Rose

Oceanside

Players on the world stage; Kim Jong Un, entrenched dictator of North Korea, Donald R. Trump, President of The United States and wannabe owner of the world. Both leaders are bellicose and dangerously delusional, and both have within reach technology capable of reducing civilization to cinders in a few fiery hours. There is little good news. We are at another crossroad along the path to mutual destruction of all that matters on the planet. The hour is late. No time remains for further complacency or braggadocio. If the citizens of this country refuse to get off their hands, face reality and take constructive action to avert the unthinkable, then the noble experiment, sadly, is destined to fail.

Stan Levin

San Diego

In the recent days, Fox News and the New York Post have reported that Kim Jong Un cannot afford to pay the $6,000 per night hotel suite in Singapore.

It is not that Kim Jong Un cannot afford the cost of the hotel but there is a more subtle underlying reason for not paying for the hotel, which the reporters totally missed.

In a lot of cultures, especially the Asian cultures, it is an honor to the guest for the host to pick up all of the expenses.

Kim Jong Un had made himself the honored quest while Donald Trump is defaulted as the host. By this action, Kim Jong Un and North Korea has elevated itself from the pariah position of a few months ago to a peer and honored guest of Donald Trump.

Kim Jong Uns rise in global stature is due to our cultural ignorance.

David Chiang

Poway

Letters and commentary policy

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below.

Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/04/2018 -- The Study Paper on Top key vendors in Automotive Electronics Market includes are Aisin Seiki, Alpine, Altera, Anhui Xingrui Gear Transmission, ARC Vehicle, Atmel Corporation, Audiovox, Autoliv, Automotive Lighting (Magneti Marelli), AutoNavi, Avago Technologies, Beijing Carsmart Technology, BMW Brilliance ConnectedDrive, Bosch Group, Chery Cloudrive, China TSP, Continental, Daicel, Delphi Automotive, Denso, DEPO , DIAS Automotive Electronic Systems, Dongfeng Citroen Citroen Connect, Magna, Magneti Marelli, Mercedes-Benz CONNECT, Mobis, Nanjing Top Sun Technology, Tokai Rika, Toyoda Gosei.



You Can Download Samples PDF Copy of Automotive Electronics Market Browse Data Tables, Charts and Figures spread through 156 Pages and in-depth TOC in depth report and 30 company analyses at https://www.marketexpertz.com/sample-enquiry-form/11167



A quick look at the industry trends and opportunities



The researchers find out why sales of Automotive Electronics are projected to surge in the coming years. The study covers the trends that will strongly favour the industry during the forecast period, 2018 to 2025. Besides this, the study uncovers important facts associated with lucrative growth and opportunities that lie ahead for the Automotive Electronics industry.



Some niche products and services believed to be revenue generators are also included in the report. Apart from this, a wide range of products from various segments and sub-segments expected to present greater opportunities in the Automotive Electronics industry are discussed in the document. Development of new products and substitutes that will completely transform the market dynamics over the forecast period occupies a special section in the report.



Global Automotive Electronics Market: Type Segment Analysis (Consumption Volume, Average Price, Revenue, Market Share and Trend 2013-2023):

- Engine Electronics

- Transmission Electronics

- -Chassis Electronics

- Others



By Application, the market can be split into

- Passenger Vehicles

- Commercial Vehicles



Researchers behind the study have segmented the market on the basis of geography. This study will enable business owners to identify the performance of the top players who will continue to occupy the top market position. Countries that are growing at the fastest rate are also analysed during the study.



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Key points from TOC



Chapter 7 Automotive Electronics Major Manufacturers Introduction and Market Data



7.1 Aisin Seiki

7.1.1 Company profile

7.1.2 Representative Automotive Electronics Product

7.1.3 Automotive Electronics Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin of Aisin Seiki



7.2 Alpine

7.2.1 Company profile

7.2.2 Representative Automotive Electronics Product

7.2.3 Automotive Electronics Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin of Alpine



7.3 Altera

7.3.1 Company profile

7.3.2 Representative Automotive Electronics Product

7.3.3 Automotive Electronics Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin of Altera



7.4 Anhui Xingrui Gear Transmission

7.4.1 Company profile

7.4.2 Representative Automotive Electronics Product

7.4.3 Automotive Electronics Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin of Anhui Xingrui Gear Transmission



7.5 ARC Vehicle

7.5.1 Company profile

7.5.2 Representative Automotive Electronics Product

7.5.3 Automotive Electronics Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin of ARC Vehicle



Continue..



The research provides answers to the following key questions:

- What are the future prospects of the Automotive Electronics industry for the forecast period, 2018 to 2025?

- Which companies are dominating the competitive landscape across different region and what strategies have they applied to gain a competitive edge?

- What are the major factors responsible for the growth of the market across the different regions?

- What are the challenges faced by the companies operating in the Automotive Electronics market?



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+1-800-819-3052Deerfield Beach, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/05/2018 -- Global Radio Frequency Front-end Module Market Outlook 2018-2023 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Radio Frequency Front-end Module industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Radio Frequency Front-end Module manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail.



In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2013-2018 market shares for each company. Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Radio Frequency Front-end Module industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis.



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The report then estimates 2018-2023 market development trends of Radio Frequency Front-end Module industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Radio Frequency Front-end Module Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2013-2023 global and Chinese Radio Frequency Front-end Module industry covering all important parameters.



Top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer:

- Qorvo

- Skyworks Solutions

- TDK

- Broadcom Limited

- Murata

- SKYWORKS

- Texas Instruments

- NXP

- Infineon

- STMicroelectronics

- LitePoint



Application Coverage (Market Size & Forecast, Different Demand Market by Region, Main Consumer Profile etc.):

- Smartphones

- Tablets

- PCs



Objective of Studies:



1. To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the global Radio Frequency Front-end Module market.

2. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyze the Radio Frequency Front-end Module market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, Porte five force analysis etc.

3. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Rest of the World.

4. To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective.

5. To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by application, product type and sub-segments.

6. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market.

7. To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global Radio Frequency Front-end Module market.



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Several analytical tools such as market attractiveness analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis are employed to study the global Radio Frequency Front-end Module market, whereas SWOT analysis and Porter's five forces analysis are utilized to evaluate the major players in the Radio Frequency Front-end Module market in this report.



This report not only provides a complete picture of the overall condition of the Radio Frequency Front-end Module market, but also assists the players in this market to create profitable market strategies in order to gain a competitive edge.Princeton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/04/2018 -- The global mobile payment security software market is expected to register a CAGR of 9.14%, over the forecast period (2018 - 2023). The study aims at gaining a detailed overview of the dynamics of the contemporary market over the forecast period for the mobile payment security software market. It focuses on the needs to develop strategic insights in the global and regional-level markets, by considering the technology cycles. The growth of this market is fueled by the increasing mobile phone penetration in emerging markets, and the growing focus and investments in cyber security. The report seeks to dissect the broader market dynamics of the mobile payment security software market, using Porter's five forces model.



Mobile payment methods are expected to grow at a significant rate, owing to the increasing smartphone penetration and the various benefits associated with them, such as improved customer experience, which results in shorter waiting times in queues and wider payment offers to customers. Mobile payment can be performed either by SMS via QR codes, or Near Field Communication (NFC). Consumers are becoming increasingly familiar with using mobile phones for various purposes, including secure financial transactions via mobile applications, or web banking site. Furthermore, increasing adoption of mobile wallets in both emerging and developed countries is providing numerous opportunities for service providers and merchants. Mobile phones are also providing an unprecedented opportunity for the expansion of financial activity in the developing countries, where the number of phone users is expected to exceed the number of those having bank accounts. However, the mobile payment option increases the importance of a proper security for the system. Hence, the mobile payment security software market is expected to grow massively during the forecast period.



The driving factor for the market growth lies with the enhanced number of advanced and sophisticated threats. The need for mobile payment security software has increased, owing to the recent growing usage of wireless networks among individual consumers. The augmented utilization of wireless networks in mobile devices for payment in retail stores has increased the need for mobile payment security software.



The growing adoption of multi-factor authentication techniques are also expected to aid the growth of market. However, the government regulations and compliance, and retailer payment policies are expected to hinder the market growth.



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Rapid Adoption of Mobile Biometrics is Driving the Growth of Mobile Security Software Market

The mobile biometrics market is expected to gain full maturity by 2022, due to a consumer adoption phase since 2015. It is expected that by 2022, these authentication systems may be ubiquitous and installed in almost every mobile phone. Integration of embedded software and sensors to secure the use of mobile biometric applications and components operate on mobile devices, like smartphones, tablets, and wearables, are also driving the mobile payment security software market. As the demand for mobile application security, particularly for financial services, along with low-cost apps and on-demand provisioning of software increases, the cost of biometric integration is expected to decline. Moreover, consumers' clamor to eliminate their reliance on passwords and pins is further driving the growth in the market.



Increased Emphasis on Safer and Shorter Transaction Time is Driving Adoption in the Retail Sector

Consumers are embracing mobile in their day-to-day lives and are more likely to forget their wallet at home than their mobile phone. Thus, the use of mobile payment for the retail industry is currently the booming sector. A key area of concern for consumers and financial service providers is the security of mobile banking and payments, which provides the mobile payment security software market scope for growth. Essentially, mobile payments are faster and more secure than conventional payments. All that is needed is a payment app to launch a transaction. As there is no need to use cards, the risk of point-of-sale (PoS) attacks, such as card skimmers, are eliminated.



The factor driving the adoption of these solutions in retail are innovations in the market that are shortening the transaction time while providing security, unlike other legacy measures. Usage of biometrics can prevent Internet fraud, money laundering, and identity theft. Consequently, many financial institutions across the world have been selecting biometric technologies in their retail banking operations.

Due to the increase in cyber terrorism, the security of sensitive data, including personal banking details, commercial banking details, and confidential corporate information, is at stake. As the banking industry decision makers chunk out huge IT budgets, the OEMs and software vendors have a huge opportunity in the vertical.



North America expected to Hold the Largest Share in the Market in 2018

North America is expected to account for more than 46% of the total market share by 2023. The major reason for the growth is attributed to the high penetration rate of smartphones and an increase in the number of mobile internet users. The adoption of mobile payment is increasing in the United States. Additionally, the increasing popularity and awareness about the usage of digital wallets for e-commerce transactions is also expected to enhance the growth of the North American market.



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The continuous growth of the mobile payment market has become the driving force behind the development of the mobile payment security software market. Payment security is a major concern for cell phone manufacturers to sell their devices, and therefore, many new security software products are in development. In order to protect users' mobile payment security, mobile security software developers not only vertically protect the safety of the whole industry, including terminal manufacturers, operators, application developers, and other developers, but also actively disseminate mobile security software ecosystems.



Key Developments in the Market

January 2018 - Monzo, an API-first bank, launched an interim API (the AIS API) to comply with Europe's Payment Services Directive (PSD2), which recently became law. The AIS API includes three core functions: list of accounts, list of account's balance, and list of account's transactions (all features specifically addressed by PSD2). Monzo plans on building all features of the AIS API into its standard developer API, but that transition may take some time and the law requires compliance. The AIS API is available to companies authorized as Account Information Service Providers (AISPs) by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).



November 2017 - VASCO Data Security International Inc., announced that the Bank of Cyprus, the country's largest bank, secured access and transaction signing on its mobile and online banking application using DIGIPASS for Apps. This solution enables the bank to take steps toward meeting the authentication requirements issued by the European Banking Authority (EBA) in the upcoming Payment Services Directive (PSD2) regulation.

Major Players: CA TECHNOLOGIES, VASCO, UL, SYMANTEC, VERIFONE, MAGTEK, EMC, VANTIV, NCR, SCANSOURCE, FIS, CYBERA, INGENICO, FICO, AND CHASE PAYMENTECH, amongst others.



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Reasons to Purchase this Report

Identification of key factors instrumental in changing the market scenario, exploiting new opportunities, and gaining competitive edge

Analyzing various perspectives of the market with the help of Porter's five forces analysis

End-user industry that is likely to witness highest adoption of these software

Regions that are expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period

SWOT analysis for key players and a detailed study of their current strategic interests and key financial performance indicators

3 months analyst support, along with the Market Estimate sheet (in excel).



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Phone: +1 888 709 8757Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/05/2018 -- With the ever rising demand for the minerals and metals, the need for surface mining is increasing and has lead to a direct positive effect on the surface mining market. According to EIA the world coal consumption is increasing at the rate of 1.3% per year, which is extracted mostly from the surface and the underground activities. As per the report of Hartman and Mutmansky (2002), in USA the surface mining contributes about 85% of all mineral exploitation (metallic ore 98%, non metallic ore 97% and coal 61%). Beside coal, the demand for other minerals and metals such as gold, chromium, nickel and iron ore is also rising, hence we can think of the overall positive impact on the surface mining market.



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https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/surface-mining-market.html



The surface mining market can be segmented on the basis of methodology, minerals extracted, and the geographical locations of the surface mining regions and companies. According to the technology involved, the surface mining can be classified as strip mining, mountain removal mining and open pit mining. Strip mining is applied when the mineral deposits and the surface of the ground are near to each other. Mountain removal mining is a kind of surface mining that involves the mining of the summit ridge of a mountain. Open cast or the open pit mining is the method of removal of ores and minerals from a pit. Open cast mines that produce dimension stones and the building materials are called quarries. According to the mineral extracted mining can be divided as the metallic ore mining, non metallic ore mining and the coal mining. Metallic ore mining involves extraction of zinc, gold, silver, copper, lead and others. Non metallic ore mining involves extraction of lime, salt, phosphates and others.



Regional segmentation can be done on the basis of the location of surface mining companies and the major mining regions of the world. Major surface mining companies are located in the United States and Canada (North America), United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia and Denmark (European region), China, India, Australia and Indonesia (Asia Pacific region), South Africa and Nigeria (Middle East and Africa) and Brazil in RoW (rest of World). The U.S nonmetallic mineral and quarrying industry includes around 3300 companies. Major regions where surface mining is done are the United States, Canada, Mexico, South Africa Kazakhstan, Peru, Ukraine, India, China, Indonesia, Angola, Chile, Brazil and Australia. According to a media release about 75% of the world gold mining companies are headquartered in Canada.



Increasing demands for metallic and non metallic minerals, abundance of reserves that can be exploited using surface mining, less capital requirement as compared to underground and marine mining and increasing energy consumption are the factors that are driving the surface mining market. Stringent environmental regulations and difficulties related to land acquisition can act as the restraint in the surface mining market. With the advancements in mining technologies, growing concerns among countries regarding energy security and increasing energy demand, the opportunities for the surface mining market are expected to be high.



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Surface mining market is a fragmented market with a number of players competing for the market share. Major players in the surface mining market includes companies such as BHP Billiton (Anglo Australian), Vale S.A (Brazil), Rio Tinto (British Australian), Anglo American, Freeport-McMoran (United States), Barrick Gold ( Canada),Teck( Canada), Goldcorp (Canada) and others.The Cretaceous/Paleogene mass extinction ended the reign of the dinosaurs and wiped out 76% of species on Earth. It was caused by the impact of an asteroid in the southern Gulf of Mexico approximately 66 million years ago, forming the Chicxulub impact crater. Although the asteroid killed off species, new research has found that the crater it left behind was home to sea life less than a decade after impact, and it contained a thriving ecosystem within 30,000 years.

A research team led by University of Texas Institute for Geophysics scientist Chris Lowery found the first evidence for the appearance of life two to three years after impact.

By 30,000 years after impact, a thriving ecosystem was present in the Chicxulub crater, with blooming phytoplankton supporting a diverse community of organisms in the surface waters and on the seafloor.

In contrast, other areas around the world, including the North Atlantic and other areas of the Gulf of Mexico, took up to 300,000 years to recover in a similar manner.

We found life in the crater within a few years of impact, which is really fast, surprisingly fast. It shows that theres not a lot of predictability of recovery in general, Dr. Lowery said.

The evidence comes primarily in the form of microfossils  the remains of unicellular organisms such as algae and plankton  as well as the burrows of larger organisms discovered in a rock extracted from the Chicxulub crater during recent scientific drilling conducted jointly by the International Ocean Discovery Program and International Continental Drilling Program.

Microfossils let you get at this complete community picture of whats going on, Dr. Lowery said.

You get a chunk of rock and theres thousands of microfossils there, so we can look at changes in the population with a really high degree of confidence and we can use that as kind of a proxy for the larger scale organisms.

The core containing the fossil evidence was extracted from the Chicxulub crater during a 2016 expedition.

Whereas core samples from other parts of the ocean hold only millimeters of material deposited in the moments after impact, the section from the crater used in this study contains more than 426 feet (130 m) of such material, the upper 30 inches (76 cm) of which settled out slowly from the turbid water. This material provides a record that captures the seafloor environment days to years after the impact.

You can see layering in this core, while in others, theyre generally mixed, meaning that the record of fossils and materials is all churned up, and you cant resolve tiny time intervals, said co-author Professor Timothy Bralower, of Pennsylvania State University.

We have a fossil record here where were able to resolve daily, weekly, monthly, yearly changes.

The relatively rapid rebound of life in the crater suggests that although the asteroid caused the extinction, it didnt hamper recovery.

The researchers point to local factors, from water circulation to interactions between organisms and the availability of ecological niches, as having the most influence on a particular ecosystems recovery rate.

The findings, published in the journal Nature, indicate that recovery after a global catastrophe could be a local affair.

_____

Christopher M. Lowery et al. Rapid recovery of life at ground zero of the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. Nature, published online May 30, 2018; doi: 10.1038/s41586-018-0163-6The vessel completed first sea trials in Norway last month on May 18 at the Vard ship yard in Alesund.

'Remarkable nautical performances, technical excellence, a high standard of comfort, everything is in place for the Ponant Explorers series to be a real triumph, said Ponant ceo Jean Emmanuel Sauvee after the sea trails.

Naming in Reykjavik in July

After a series of Iceland cruises and a naming in Reykjavik on July 10, Le Laperouse will then head for the Mediterranean next, then to the Indian Ocean, Asia and Oceania.

Meanwhile the construction of Ponant's other five Explorers series newbuilds is under way.

The steel-cutting ceremony for the fifth and sixth vessels, Le Bellot and Le Surville, scheduled for delivery in 2020, took place in April in Romania.

Le Champlain also arriving in 2018

More recently, Le Champlain reached Norway on April 27 to complete the final phases of her construction.

The inaugural cruise will take place on October 25 in Honfleur, France.

The construction of Le Bougainville and Le Dumont d Urville progresses at the Vard shipyard in Tulcea in Romania; the ships are scheduled for delivery in 2019.

In addition, Vard will deliver Ponant's expedition cruise icebreaker in 2021. It is the first electric hybrid cruise icebreaker powered by LNG and dual fuel propulsion.Education Depts request on praising bravery of street knights creates public stir

VietNamNet Bridge - The HCMC Education & Training Department has sent a dispatch to schools, asking them to commend the courage of five street knights who were stabbed to death when trying to arrest armed thieves.









Two knights were stabbed to death









In the dispatch, the department asked schools to offer moral education to students, praise the knights examples to students, and honour the knights bravery and sacrifice for others.



The request has faced opposition from the public.



Will you dare fight against armed thieves if you see them trying to steal a motorbike? Will you dare not kneel down if the thieves tell you to do this? If you dont, please dont encourage others to do this, a parent in HCMC commented on her Facebook.



A member of an education forum commented that the officials of the education department do not understand all the aspects of the issue. Students must be taught to act reasonably in different situations. It would be unwise for unarmed people or students to step in to fight against such a group of aggressive armed men, he commented.



Instead of teaching them (students) bravery, students should be advised to run away and seek the help of police, he continued.

In the case mentioned by the education department, two knights were stabbed to death and three others were serious wounded and hospitalized. And the deaths of the knights caused misery to their family members.

He went on to say that Vietnamese educators should not be loyal to out-of-date education views.

As a father and educator of my children, I tell my children that bravery is the virtue of heroes, not normal people. We admire the heroes, but we are just normal people, he wrote, adding that students must not be encouraged to do things beyond their capacity.



Unlike action movies, where heroes always defeat criminals and send them to prison, heroes sometimes had to pay a heavy price for their brave actions.

In the case mentioned by the education department, two knights were stabbed to death and three others were serious wounded and hospitalized. And the deaths of the knights caused misery to their family members.



Truong Tien Si, a lecturer at the HCMC Banking University, commented that people now live in a civilized society, where there are legislative and executive bodies, and everyone has to respect the laws.



He thinks that it would be better not to praise the bravery of the knights.



These should not be set as texamples for students to follow. Students need to learn skills to protect themselves rather than bravey when meeting criminals, Si said.



An official of the education department said the bravery and sacrifice of the knights must be respected by society, and this does not mean that students are required to do the same things that the knights did.





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Life skills class mushrooming, but not all live up to expectations

Experts: Vietnamese youngsters need better life skills





Thanh LichPonfoort said the bonus is on top of the agencys existing commission structure and celebrates the companys 30th anniversary.

In addition, consultants will be rewarded with a A$500 Coles/Myer gift voucher for every passenger booked.

Seven newbuilds on the way

This is our 30th year of operation during which we have grown from a single three-masted yacht, Le Ponant, to a global operation with the youngest fleet of small ships, a further six new Explorer ships currently under construction and a world-first luxury LNG-powered icebreaker coming on line in 2021, she said.

We have decided to further support the trade in Australia and New Zealand to whom we owe so much success.

Its our way of saying thanks.The agreement was signed at Posidonia 2018 on Tuesday to relocate the service point a location that was more convenient for marine customers.

This is a positive agreement for ABB Turbocharging and will enable us to better serve our customers by offering reliable, timely servicing directly from Limassol Port, said John Smyrneos, manager, ABB Turbocharging Greece & Cyprus.

Seatrade Maritime News is reporting Live From Posidonia 2018

The service point will open in Q3 this year and highly qualified service technicians and engineers will offer customized solutions for drydocking and afloat vessel repairs.

Alex Antippas, director, business development, MMS said, The ABB Turbocharging Service Point is a welcome addition to our shipyard facility. It is a highly valuable service offering and Multimarine Services are confident in the capabilities offered by ABB Turbocharging to deliver quality and sustainable services to our local and international clients.

ABB is exhibiting at Posidonia 2018 at stand 2.211.Press Release

June 5, 2018 NEW CHIEF SHOULD SECURE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF PHILHEALTH -ANGARA Senator Sonny Angara said the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) should undergo a "comprehensive financial check-up" to determine if the national health insurer is in "the pink of health" resources-wise. President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday has replaced PhilHealth's interim president Celestina de la Serna amid controversy about her excessive hotel and travel expenses. Duterte has appointed PhilHealth Board of Directors member Roy Ferrer to replace De la Serna. "We hope Dr. Ferrer can look after the financials of PhilHealth amidst the allegations of excessive travel expenses, overpayment of claims, and other problems which threaten the financial viability of PhilHealth funds. Every peso misspent is a peso taken away from poor Filipino families who need it the most," Angara said. The senator noted that there should be a body that will capably track PhilHealth's actuarial life. "Ideally, it should be the PhilHealth board that shall serve as 'guarantor of PhilHeath's sustainability.' But if the board is subject to political or management capture, its supposed work is compromised. The board should have a long-term view, and should insulate the fund from wasteful or populist programs which shorten PhilHealth's life," he said. Angara said if oversight had not been lax, questionable expenses like the hotel bills of the previous PhilHealth president would have been flagged early. He also expressed concern over the alleged diversion of the P10.6 billion funds for senior citizens to the supposed construction of rural health units in 2015. "Dapat ay siguruhin nating hindi nawawaldas ang pondong nakalaan para sa ating mga seniors. Hindi natin papayagang mabahiran ng katiwalian ang institusyong nilikha ng aking ama na ang layunin ay gawing abot-kaya ang pagpapagamot lalo na para sa mga senior citizen at mahihirap nating kababayan na higit na nangangailangan nito," said Angara, author of the Expanded Senior Citizens law and the Universal Health Care law. Angara's father, the late Senator Edgardo Angara, is the principal author of the law creating PhilHealth and the Senior Citizens Act. "We should remember that PhilHealth is a megacorporation. Last year, it spent over P100 billion in payouts. It is also a major recipient of government funds, with more than P60 billion allocated in this year's national budget for the enrollment of 15 million indigents and senior citizens. "Because of the important role it plays, PhilHealth can't afford to be financially distressed. Kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino ang nakataya rito," Angara said.Press Release

June 5, 2018 De Lima: Calida is new 'role model' in gov't corruption Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has labeled Solicitor General Jose Calida as the "role model" in government corruption after his family's firm bagged millions of pesos in government contracts since he assumed office in 2016. De Lima said Calida has made making a profit out of government office a practice worth emulating the same way that Duterte has made extrajudicial killings normal and acceptable as a government policy. "Solicitor General Jose Calida is the Duterte administration's new poster boy on corruption, not for going against it, but for mainstreaming it in the national psyche," she said in her latest Dispatch from Crame No. 319. Calida's security firm, Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc., reportedly won at least 10 government contracts between August 2016 and January 2018. Two of these contracts amounting to P12.4 million, were with the Department of Justice (DOJ), which prepares the budget of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG). In addition, documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revealed that Calida still owned 60 percent of shares in the company as of September 29, 2016, roughly two months after he took his oath as Solicitor General. De Lima said Calida is making sure that he will profit from people's money while he is still in the position of power. "It is better for Calida to stay in office in order to remind Filipinos everyday of the rapaciousness of government officials who do not shrink at the mention of their name being involved in corruption, but instead brag about the stocks they own in the company doing business with government," she said. "After all, this is what being in power for is, and Calida is not wasting any time in making sure that the amount of his accumulated wealth corresponds to a net profit for every single day he spends in government," she added. De Lima has earlier backed mounting calls by her colleagues and some other quarters for Calida to vacate immediately his post as the government's chief legal counsel, but to no avail. Last May 30, she and other members of the Senate minority bloc have introduced Senate Resolution No. 760 seeking to investigate Calida for his alleged conflict of interest for bagging fat government contracts for his family-owned security agency. The Senator from Bicol likewise criticized how Calida violated the Constitution to fulfill his personal agenda. "The Constitution provides that no Cabinet member or their deputies shall participate in any business, or be financially interested in any contract with, or in any franchise, or special privilege granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof," she explained. "By being the majority stockholder of a security agency that has bagged multiple government contracts, Calida is spitting on this constitutional provision," she added. For De Lima, letting Calida get away with his crime is tantamount to normalizing thievery and mainstreaming plunder as a way of life in secret. "If we let him get away with it, we are not only normalizing thievery and mainstreaming plunder as a way of life in secret, but out in the open, where enterprising public officials brag about their ill-gotten wealth as the legitimate fruit of being in power, being corrupt, and being shameless about it," she added.Press Release

June 5, 2018 SO THE FAMILY OF SLAIN OMBUDSMAN PROSECUTOR WILL BENEFIT

GORDON URGES PRRD TO IMMEDIATELY SIGN THE OMBUDSMAN RETIREMENT LAW UPON TRANSMITTAL While strongly condemning the killing of an assistant special prosecutor of the Office of the Ombudsman last Monday, Senator Richard J. Gordon urged President Rodrigo R. Duterte to immediately sign into law, once transmitted, the enrolled bill establishing a retirement benefit system in the Office of the Ombudsman and augmenting its employee benefits. Gordon said that while it would not bring Assistant Special Prosecutor Madonna Joy Tanyag back to life, its enactment into law would give something for her family. "I strongly condemn the killing in no uncertain terms. This is a slap once again on the face of justice in this country. I urge the president to sign the enrolled bill of the retirement law of the office of the ombudsman, the senate version of which I sponsored as chairman of the justice committee. Nothing but justice will assuage the feelings of the family left behind by Madonna, but this will hopefully cushion her family against the adverse economic effects of her sudden demise," he said. Tanyag, who was five-months pregnant about to return to the office after attending a hearing at the Sandiganbayan when the incident took place. She bought milk tea from a store along Visayas Avenue and was about to board her vehicle when the suspect came and stabbed her three times. The 33-year old prosecutor was rushed to East Avenue Medical Center, but doctors were not able to save her. Under the said proposed measure, with Tanyag being an Assistant Special Prosecutor, her heirs will be entitled to death benefits, or a lump sum of five years' worth of salary. Death benefits under the measure are retroactive and shall be granted to the heirs of those who die one year prior to the effectivity of the Law. At the same time, Gordon, chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights and one of the principal authors of the measure, called on the Philippine National Police to immediately act on Tanyag's case and that of other prosecutors and lawyers killed and bring their killers to justice. Last May 12, Quezon City deputy prosecutor Rogelio Velasco died inside his vehicle after being ambushed near Puregold Jr. in Barangay Holy Spirit around 4:55 p.m. Velasco was with his daughter when the incident happened. "The PNP must leave no stone unturned to put the murderers of Ombudsman prosecutor Madonna Joy Ednaco Tanyag behind bars. We commiserate and offer our condolences to her family. She was 5 months pregnant and a new lawyer. DGen Albayalde must ACT!" Gordon said. "Security must be especially guaranteed for those who work in our criminal justice system. When these persons suffer crimes committed on account of their duties, the authorities such as the Philippine National Police must react swiftly and the perpetrators must be brought to justice at the soonest possible time. If they are not safe, how can the public feel safe?" he added.Press Release

June 5, 2018 Koko to focus on proper implementation of new ease of doing business law New Senate Trade and Commerce and Entrepreneurship Chairperson Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III announced on Tuesday that one of the priorities of the Committee would be to ensure the smooth and proper implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery (EODB) Act of 2018, stressing that the law, "if properly implemented, would make the country more competitive and help bring more business into the country." President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11032 last week, a measure that was crafted to reduce red tape and speed up, streamline, and modernize the processing of government-required permits and licenses necessary for setting up businesses in the country. According to Pimentel, "the new law should not share the fate of other excellent legislative measures that were passed by Congress but not properly implemented." Pimentel said that as co-chair of the Congressional Oversight Committee tasked to monitor the implementation of RA 11032, he would work closely with the Department of Trade and Industry, the Civil Service Commission, and other agencies tasked to implement the law "to ensure that all components of the law are maximized so that businessmen and the public feel the full benefits of the law." Section 28 of the EODB Act of 2018 mandates the creation of a Congressional Oversight Committee on Ease of Doing Business (COC-EODB) to be composed of "five members from the Senate, which shall include the Chairpersons of the Senate Committees on Trade and Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation, and Economic Affairs; and five members from the House of Representatives, which shall include the chairpersons of the House Committees on Trade and Industry, Civil Service and Professional Regulation, Government Reorganization, and Economic Affairs." The COC-EODB shall be jointly chaired by the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce and Entrepreneurship and the House of Represenatives Committee on Trade and Industry. The Mindanao native added that the Senate Trade Committee would be "paying close attention" to the timelines enumerated in the EODB Act, particularly with regard to the finalization of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law and the review and possible repeal of outdated, redundant and unnecessary licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorizations being required by NGAs, LGUs, and private entities that will be conducted by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology. A creation of RA 11032, ARTA is a new office attached to the Office of the President that will be primarily responsible for monitoring compliance with the said law.Press Release

June 5, 2018 Villanueva lauds PH's low unemployment rate for April 2018 Senator Joel Villanueva on Tuesday welcomed the results of the survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority which showed that the unemployment rate of the country has improved from 5.7% in April 2017 to 5.5% in April 2018. "We welcome the improved outlook for employment in the country with the decline of unemployment rate from 5.7% in April 2017 to 5.5% in April 2018," said Villanueva, chair of the Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources development. "We are positive that more 'Jobs, Jobs, Jobs' will be generated by the 'Build, Build, Build' program of the administration, and if skills development and retooling programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will be bolstered for more skilled workers, ultimately, investors will do business here, increasing quality employment opportunities within the country," the senator added. Villanueva lamented that the lack of employment opportunities or low pay in the country "has always been the reason for the huge number of our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), working in 190 countries all over the world, but if more investors will do business in the country and we have skilled workers, working abroad would just truly be an option and not a compulsion to skip abject poverty". Noting the increase in number of OFWs deployed from 2.2 million in 2016 to 2.3 million in 2017, Villanueva urged the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the economic managers to prioritize skills upgrading and the creation of quality jobs in the country. "The continued outflow of workers have huge social costs not to mention the depletion of the country's competitive advantage which is skilled labor. That's why TESDA must continue and bolster its training to tap more skilled workers and open more job opportunities for the Filipino workforce," Villanueva stressed.Meanwhile in Indiana a teacher says abiding by a school policy of calling transgender students by their preferred name violates his 1A religious rights https://t.co/DDZaQhPfKL

I'll point out that Indiana has significantly lowered the requirements for getting certified to teach. I don't know what this particular guy's path to teaching was, but the threshold in Indiana for becoming a teacher *just to bring a case like this* is very fucking low.The Reserve Bank of New Zealand withdrew from a scheduled liquidation hearing involving CBL Insurance slated to take place this week and has requested that the interim liquidation continue.

The High Court has ordered CBL Insurance be placed into interim liquidation on an application by the Reserve Bank as the insurer's prudential supervisor, in late February. The central bank alleged that CBL Insurance breached solvency margins and statutory directions. CBL Insurance is a unit of NZX-listed company, CBL Corporation, which is in voluntary administration.

This week's hearing was to consider the application for liquidation that RBNZ and the CBLI interim liquidator had been seeking to be heard urgently, according to a statement from CBL Insurance managing director Peter Harris.

Harris said the RBNZ advised the Court that it was no longer pursuing a liquidation order at this stage and that it wished to put off the hearing for at least two months.

A spokesman at the central bank said "the RBNZ sought an adjournment and has asked that the interim liquidation continue until the substantive hearing is scheduled."

The application for liquidation is being opposed by CBL Insurance, led by Harris and Alistair Hutchison, as well as KordaMentha, the voluntary administrators of CBL Corp and Elite Insurance, CBL Insurance's largest creditor.

Harris and Hutchison have proposed an initial restructure plan that has been circulated to the voluntary administrators with the objective that all CBL Corp creditors get paid in full, NZ insurance policyholders all get paid, and shareholders retain shares in the future business to give them some future value to their shares.

The plan would seek to avoid liquidation of CBLC and CBLI.

"The proposal to offer a commercial solution to the position CBLI and CBLC presently face is a positive step and aims to restore value to the creditors and shareholders," Harris said. "We are committed to invest significantly to bring about the plan, and were prepared for the hearing today, but a short delay will allow time for the restructure plan to be put to all CBLC shareholders and creditors, and we look forward to doing so."

(BusinessDesk)

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Connexionz Limited (CNX: USX) Smart transit specialist and provider of Intelligent Transit Solutions, Connexionz Ltd, announced that its CEO, Rhod Pickavance, was stepping down.

Rhod Pickavance said, After 8 years in the Company and having successfully managed the opening of the new US office, its time to hand over the reins and pursue new opportunities."

Im pleased with what I have achieved at Connexionz: driving the US expansion strategy, opening the office in Santa Clarita, and focusing on new product development. The strategy has resulted in good business growth, a healthy sales pipeline, strengthened customer relations, and an expanded product portfolio with intelligent and solar features that meet modern transit requirements. I have enjoyed my years at Connexionz; the company is in good health with excellent scope for a new CEO to take the company to the next level, said Rhod Pickavance.

Since Rhod stepped up to take the CEO position, he has further developed our business in the USA and increased sales revenue. He first joined Connexionz in 2010 as Sales and Marketing Manager. We thank Rhod for his efforts and wish him well in his next venture, said Tony Kan, Connexionz Board Chair.

While the Company searches for a successor, Connexionz Board Director, Richard Riley, will step in as interim CEO. Richard Riley brings an extensive knowledge of the logistics and fleet management industries.

Connexionz, established in 1996, specializes in delivering applications and services to transit agencies, and provides consultancy services for intelligent transit related projects. These include designing systems for smart transit centers and application specific hardware design, development and manufacturing services. To date, the company has delivered systems in Asia, Australasia, Europe, South America, and North America. Connexionz international headquarters is based in Christchurch, New Zealand, with regional North American service offices in California and Virginia.

(USX)

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New Zealand King Salmon says full-year earnings are likely to be "at the upper end or slightly above" guidance, although a hot summer has curbed expectations for volumes available for sale in both 2018 and 2019.

The company, which farms King salmon in the Marlborough Sounds, has previously forecast pro-forma operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $24.5 million to $26 million. It gave an ebitda forecast for the 2019 year of $25 million to $28.5 million, assuming a harvest of about 8,000 tonnes, a lower mortality rate than in 2018, and continuation of the current rate of capital spending for the next three years.

The 2018 year has seen sales volumes of about 7,750 tones from a harvest of about 8,000 tonnes, while prices have risen, but the past summer "has significantly impacted survival rates."

King Salmon expects to post its 2018 results in late August.

The company reiterated that it is in talks with the government about plans to relocate farms to cooler, deeper waters within the Sounds.

"These plans are important because they would help mitigate the effects of seasonal temperature fluctuations," managing director Grant Rosewarne said in the statement. "They would improve environmental, social and economic outcomes, and allow testing of new technologies as we plan for the next 30 years of salmon farming in New Zealand.

King Salmon is working through the process of relocating its farms to areas of the Marlborough Sounds with higher tidal flow rates and further from where people live. The shift is necessary because rule changes mean some of the farms would be marginal on existing sites.

The report recommended relocating the farm in Otanerau Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound to Tio Point in Tory Channel; the farm in Waihinau Bay to Richmond Bay South, both in Pelorus Sound; and the farm in Ruakaka Bay to Horseshoe Bay in Pelorus Sound. The panel also considered three other salmon farms - one in Forsyth Bay and two in Crail Bay - but didn't recommend they be moved. There are currently 12 sites in the Marlborough Sounds which have resource consent for finfish farming, with all but one operated by King Salmon.

The panel warned that the minister should be aware of the depth of public opposition and that the salmon farming industry is going to find its future difficult through the Resource Management Act and resource planning processes.

King Salmon shares last traded at $2.23 and have surged 64 percent in the past 12 months.

(BusinessDesk)

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The government axed granting any future offshore oil and gas exploration licences without a formal Cabinet paper and with minimal analysis from officials, according to a dump of documents and emails from Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods.

The documents had been widely sought under the Official Information Act and BusinessDesk's application asked for Cabinet paper or papers that supported the decision, as would be usual for a decision affecting a multi-billion industry with long-lived assets and employing several thousand people.

There was none.

Instead, an oral discussion occurred and was noted in a Cabinet Minute of April 9, which relied on Woods's delegated authority under the Crown Minerals Act 1991 to make decisions about whether and where to offer future parcels of exploration acreage. The decision was announced publicly on April 12.

In a statement today prefacing the release of the documents, Woods said: "The Cabinet decision was the culmination of exhaustive consultation between the Coalition partners and senior Ministers which started in December 2017 immediately after the announcement of that years block offer.

"Despite the fact it was an oral item, there was more discussion than most items with written papers," she said. "The decision was a political decision, looking out 30 years and taking steps towards 2050 being emission neutral. This is a signal about the future."

Today's document release comes amid reports suggesting oil industry research firms may take legal action against the government, seeking compensation for millions of dollars spent gathering information on offshore oil and gas basins for future sale to explorers.

With no future release of new offshore exploration territories, the commercial value of seismic survey and other data collected by such companies is now questionable.

The exclusively circulated global oil industry newsletter, Upstream, reported on June 1 that affected firms include WesternGeco, a subsidiary of the global geophysical research firm Schlumberger, Houston-based Petroleum Geo-Services, and Norwegian TGS, with any legal action likely to be coordinated by the International Association of Geophysical Contractors, also headquartered Houston, Texas.

Upstream reported the president of the IAGC, Nikki Martin, as saying the government's decision had undermined the sector's confidence in New Zealand as an investment destination and that "IAGC members are still considering avenues to realise a return on their significant investment".

"An arbitrary end to exploration disrupts business certainty, as major investments in New Zealand have already been made by companies with a reasonable expectation of future activities."

NZ Petroleum & Minerals, an arm of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, has long encouraged the acquisition of seismic data ahead of exploration licences being granted, with such activity regarded as essential to promoting oil and gas production in New Zealand. The previous National Party-led government championed that approach early in its nine-year term, although falling oil prices saw interest in offshore exploration dwindle from about 2014.

The documents released today show no evidence of ministers seeking to consult the oil and gas sector, as has previously been claimed had occurred. Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment officials briefed sector participants on the decision the day before its announcement, reporting reactions in emails late on April 11 as variously "mature/subdued" and "disappointed/resigned/philosophical' with "no red flags so far".

Other communications between ministers and officials showed the preparations that went into a speech Woods gave at an industry conference in late March, which delivered a clear warning that the previous government's process of making exploration acreage available through the Block Offer process was likely to change.

The papers also indicate back and forth negotiations with coalition partners, particularly Green Party co-leader and Climate Change Minister James Shaw. He argued against an early suggestion that would have stopped exploration licences being issued for one year while the Interim Climate Commission considered the role of oil and gas in the transition to the government's goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Shaw argued the ICC had a big enough agenda and could consider the role of gas in the electricity system when it considered how to achieve net zero emissions electricity generation by 2035.

On April 11, Woods sent an email to an unnamed recipient at Parliament saying: "I no longer expect the consideration of offshore oil and gas to be an explicit deliverable of the Interim Committee."

MBIE also warned in an April 6 memo the government that if gas supplies dwindled, it was likely that methanol produced in New Zealand would move to China, where it would be produced from coal, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions "three to four times that of methanol produced from gas."

Canadian-owned Methanex used 41 percent of all gas produced in New Zealand last year. Its three New Zealand plants, north of New Plymouth, are of global scale and produced 2.4 million of the 8.5 million tonnes of methanol that Methanex produced at plants around the world in 2017.

"When gas supply is constrained ... Methanex is the first to be affected and forced to scale back its operations," MBIE said.

(BusinessDesk)

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British American Tobacco Holdings (New Zealand), the nation's biggest tobacco company by market share, paid a little-changed $1.1 billion in excise duty last year while also declaring a special dividend of $227 million, using retained proceeds of its sale of brands two years ago.

BAT NZ paid excise on sales of $1.46 billion in 2017, up from $1.42 billion the previous year. Cost of sales was $1.4 billion, leaving a gross profit of $61 million. Net profit fell to $15.6 million from $22 million in 2016, the company's annual accounts show.

BAT NZ's brands include Rothmans, Dunhill, Benson & Hedges, Winfield, Holiday, Pall Mall, Freedom and Club along with RYO (roll your own) brands such as Park Drive. The company also paid an ordinary final dividend of $22 million, making bring total payments to its parent to $249 million compared with payments of $41 million in 2016. A BAT NZ spokeswoman confirmed the level of excise and that the special dividend was paid last year from the sale of its brands in mid-2015.

BAT NZ is currently in a legal dispute with smaller rival Philip Morris (New Zealand), which has alleged BAT NZ is breaching competition law by locking retailers into contracts designed to preserve its dominance in a $2.5 billion market. Asked about the dispute today, the spokeswoman said BAT NZ was unable to comment in detail.

"But British American Tobacco New Zealand categorically deny the allegations made by Philip Morris New Zealand. We are confident that we are not engaging in anti-competitive conduct and will defend our position when the case is heard," the spokeswoman said in answers to emailed questions.

In 2016, the government reaped a total of $1.7 billion in duty on tobacco sales from the three big companies in the market - BAT NZ, Imperial Tobacco and Philip Morris. An estimated 605,000 adults burn their way through 2 billion cigarettes a year in New Zealand. Plain packaging came into effect in March this year while advertising disappeared with the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 and the Smoke-free Environments Regulations 2007.

(BusinessDesk)

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Right from its grand announcement, everyone except the producers had doubts on the viability of Sangamithra which was billed as one of the most expensive films ever made in Tamil cinema.





Initially, they roped in Shruti Haasan who walked out of the film for unknown reasons and months later a little known Bollywood star Disha Patani was signed to do the pivotal title role. The makers later said that a film like Sangamithra requires more time for pre-production and justified the delay.





Besides Disha Patani, the film's director Sundar C confirmed that Jayam Ravi and Arya as the two male protagonists and AR Rahman was roped in to compose music.





Team Sangamithra unveiled the first look of the film one year back at the Cannes Film Festival 2017 but till now, the project is in the deep freezer. The two heroes who were signed to do the film moved on with other projects and the news about Disha Patani does the rounds when she is in a bikini for some magazine photo-shoot!!!





Sources say that Sri Thenandal Films is unable to attract investors for Sangamithra mainly because the project does not look viable at a landing cost of 300cr. Thani Oruvan is Jayam Ravis career biggest hit but the total revenue of the film is only one-fifth of the budget of Sangamithra and Arya is definitely not in good form as none of his recent films are hits.





Though Sundar Cs commercial films are all superhits, financiers are not convinced if the director can handle a period film with such a huge budget. If only a top heroine like Deepika Padukone, Nayanthara or Anushka Shetty played the title role there seem to be some attraction about Sangamithra!





Today a Veeramadevi with Sunny Leone is the most talked about period flick in the making. Right now, period films like Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, Kanganas Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, Mohanlals Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham and many other period films are getting ready.



The bihar board had conducted the class 12 practicals from January 11 to 25 and the theory exams were conducted from February 6 to 16.

The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has declared the results of class 12th examinations on June 6.Students who had appeared for the test may check on the official website biharboard.ac.in.

A total of 12.07 lakh students had appeared for the examinations at 1384 centres spread across the state of bihar.

Kalpana Kumari has topped the bihar board intermediate examination with 434 marks.

The overall pass percentage was recorded at 45 percent for science stream, 82 percent in commerce stream and 42 per cent in arts stream.

How to check bihar bseb class 12 exam results 2018:

1) Visit the bihar school examination board (bseb) website biharboard.ac.in

2) Click on the bihar bseb class 12 exam results 2018 or bseb class 12 results 2018

3) Enter your roll number and other details in the spaces provided and click on the submit button.

Once the results are displayed, make sure to take a print of the same for future reference.: A Delhi court on Tuesday summoned Congress leader Shashi Tharoor as an accused in the Sunanda Pushkar death case and asked him to appear before it on July 7. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal said there were sufficient grounds to proceed against Tharoor for commission of offences in the case.

Tharoor has been charged with abetting the suicide of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, who was found dead in a five-star hotel in Delhi in 2014. Her last mails and messages on social media have been taken by the police as her dying declaration.

The parliamentarian from Kerala has also been accused of cruelty to his wife in the chargesheet submitted in court last month.: Every year on June 5, World Environment Day is observed around the world. With the ever-increasing process of industrialisation and development, planet earth keeps on being more and more vulnerable. The idea is therefore to create awareness among people regarding the protection and preservation of the surrounding environment.

The theme for this years edition is Beat Plastic Pollution, and several government agencies and individuals are coming together for the cause. The world is finally waking up to the issues of climate change and global warming, and massive efforts are being undertaken to protect the environment. But is it enough? That remains to be seen, but before you dismiss it off as something insignificant, lets go through the history and importance of this much-needed day.

In the year 1972, the first major conference on environmental issues, convened under the auspices of the United Nations, was held from June 5-16 in Stockholm (Sweden). Known as the Conference on the Human Environment, or the Stockholm Conference, its aim was encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Since its inception, WED has developed into a global platform for raising awareness and taking action, and it is celebrated in over 100 countries.

Also on 15 December, 1972, the General Assembly adopted another resolution that led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the specialised agency on environmental issues.

Since the first celebration in 1974, the World Environment Day has helped UNEP to raise awareness and generate political momentum around growing concerns such as the depletion of the ozone layer, toxic chemicals, desertification and global warming. The Day has developed into a global platform for taking action on urgent environmental issues. Millions of people have taken part over the years, helping drive change in our consumption habits, as well as in national and international environmental policy.

Now it has become a global platform to drive the issue home. Through this day, UN is making an effort to urge governments, industries, communities and people to unite in the fight against plastic and explore alternatives that are sustainable. World Environment Day is a call for awakening of individuals to take charge of protecting their environment and to realise the severity of plastic usage in daily life.Air China resumes Beijing-Pyongyang flights



Beijing, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



Flag carrier Air China is resuming flights between Beijing and Pyongyang after a five-month suspension, its website showed on Wednesday, as ties between the neighbouring nations improve.

The resumption comes as China has sought to mend ties with its Cold War ally ahead of a planned summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump on June 12.

Air China last November indefinitely suspended flights between Beijing and Pyongyang as bilateral ties were frayed by China's decision to support UN sanctions to curb North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

Prior to the suspension, China's flagship carrier had last year reduced the frequency of flights to North Korea citing low demand from business travellers and tourists visiting the country.

"We are resuming flights for Pyongyang," said a woman who answered the phone on Air China's service line on Tuesday.

The company's website showed that the airline will operate three flights per week from Beijing to Pyongyang on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. A one-way economy class ticket was priced at 1,770 yuan ($276).Eleven dead, 25 trapped in explosion at iron-ore mine in NE China: CCTV



Beijing, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



Eleven people were killed and nine injured Tuesday in an explosion at an iron-ore mine in northeast China's Liaoning province, state media reported.

Twenty-five people are trapped in the mine run by China National Coal Group Co, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The injured have been rushed to hospital and the municipal government of Benxi, where the accident occurred, has dispatched a rescue team, CCTV said.

Deadly mining accidents are common in China due to lack of safety precautions.

A gas leak killed at least 18 people working in a coal mine in central Hunan province in May last year.

Seventeen other coal miners were killed when a lift used to move workers fell down a shaft in northeastern Heilongjiang province in March 2017.

In December 2016, explosions in two separate coal mines in the Inner Mongolia region and in Heilongjiang killed at least 59 people.

Also in 2016, 33 miners were killed in a colliery explosion in October in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing, and in September at least 18 were killed in a mine blast in the northwestern Ningxia region.Page Content

Following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, a Recovery Trust Fund for Sint Maarten in the amount of 470 million was established by the Netherlands. The Trust Fund will be managed by The World Bank Group. As a result of this, World Bank procurement procedures will be applied to all expenditures made from the trust fund.





In light of this, the Government of Sint Maarten and the World Bank Group have agreed to host a presentation/training on the World Bank Procurement Procedures, themed 'Doing Business with the World Bank'. The objective of the presentation is to inform the private sector of St. Maarten about the necessary procedures on procurement processes when doing business with the World Bank. The presentation will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the Belair Community Center.





Prior to the establishment of the Trust Fund, St. Maarten had historically never collaborated with the World Bank. As such, the Government of Sint Maarten recognizes that the private sector may not be thoroughly informed on what the collaboration with the World Bank, and by extension the trust fund entails, nor are many businesses aware of the required procedures for procurements related to the recovery and reconstruction of St. Maarten. This presentation/training will ensure that the private sector of St. Maarten is informed of the procedures and the associated possibilities to participate in the rebuilding of St. Maarten.





This presentation will give a general overview on The World Bank Group Guiding Principles and how goods, consulting services, non-consulting services and works will be procured (hired) for actions funded by the Recovery Trust Fund. It should be noted that the recovery and reconstruction of St. Maarten will not only include actual construction work but will cross a number of sectors and will yield residual spin off for all additional sectors, benefiting the country as a whole on a short term as well as long term basis.





The Government of Sint Maarten therefore encourages the business community to make an extra effort to attend this informative session. Basically, if you have a company that provides goods, consulting services, non-consulting services or works in any sector that is relevant to the reconstruction of St. Maarten, then you will benefit from this presentation/training.





Due to restricted capacity, we would like to limit each company to maximum two (2) representatives. Companies are requested to register by sending an email to Vickie.Greene@sintmaartengov.org or by calling +1 721 5 20 01 94 to confirm the names of their representative(s) by latest Monday, June 11, 2018 at the end of the business day.





The Government of Sint Maarten is looking forward to collaborate and partner with you!Saudi Arabia says new Yemen missile intercepted



Riyadh, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



Saudi air defences on Tuesday intercepted a ballistic missile that targeted the western city of Yanbu after being fired from rebel-held territory in neighbouring Yemen, a Saudi-led military coalition said.

The missile fired at the coastal city did not cause any casualties, coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Iran-backed Huthi rebels have in recent months ramped up missile attacks against neighbouring Saudi Arabia, which leads a military coalition that has fought the insurgents since 2015.

The latest strike comes as coalition-backed Yemeni forces advance on the rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida, the main conduit for humanitarian supplies into a country teetering on the brink of famine.

United Nations envoy Martin Griffiths was in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on Monday for talks with Huthi rebels about de-escalating the fighting around Hodeida.

In late May, air defences intercepted Huthi missiles over the southern cities of Najran and Jizan, according to Maliki, who said there were no casualties.

Saudi Arabia earlier this month tested a new siren system for the capital Riyadh and the oil-rich Eastern Province, in a sign of the increasing threat posed by the rebels' arms.

Riyadh accuses its regional rival Tehran of supplying the Huthis with ballistic missiles, a charge Iran denies.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other allies intervened in Yemen in 2015 to push back the rebels and restore the internationally-recognised government to power after the Huthis ousted it from swathes of the country including the capital Sanaa.

Nearly 10,000 people have been killed since the alliance launched its intervention in Yemen in March 2015, contributing to what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.Israel calls for 'military coalition' if Iran boosts enrichment



Jerusalem, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



Israel's intelligence minister called Tuesday for a military coalition against Iran if the Islamic Republic were to defy world powers by enriching military-grade uranium.

Yisrael Katz's remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began visiting European leaders to discuss Iran's regional involvement and nuclear programme, both seen by the Jewish state as grave threats.

European powers have been scrambling to preserve a landmark deal over Tehran's nuclear programme since US President Donald Trump announced Washington's withdrawal from the treaty in May.

Katz addressed Tehran's threat to restart uranium enrichment at an "industrial level" if the 2015 pact falls apart.

"If the Iranians don't surrender now, and try to return" to unsupervised uranium enrichment, "there should be a clear statement by the President of the United States and all of the Western coalition," he said.

"The Arabs and Israel surely would be there too."

The message should be that "if the Iranians return" to enriching uranium that could enable them to build a nuclear bomb, "a military coalition will be formed against them," Katz told Israeli public radio station Kan.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday warned European leaders to drop their "dream" of Tehran continuing to curb its nuclear programme despite renewed economic sanctions.

He also called Israel a "malignant cancerous tumour" that should be removed.

The Iran deal paved the way for the partial lifting of international sanctions against the country, in exchange for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme for several years.

Israel argues the lifting of sanctions under the nuclear deal allowed Iran to expand its presence in the Middle East, both through its own forces and with proxy groups.

It also says the time limits on the accord do not guarantee Iran will not eventually obtain nuclear weapons, while it also wants to see restrictions on Iranian missile development.

Iran denies the pursuit of an atomic programme for military purposes.

In his Monday meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Netanyahu warned that Iran was "seeking nuclear weapons to carry out its genocidal designs."

"It's important to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. We commit, and I commit again, that we will not let that happen," he said.

Netanyahu will meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday and British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday.Iran uranium enrichment plan aims to destroy Israel: Netanyahu



Jerusalem, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that the Iranian plan to increase its nuclear enrichment capacity was aimed at producing nuclear weapons to be used against Israel.

"Two days ago, Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, stated his intention to destroy the State of Israel," Netanyahu said in a video posted on social media.

"Yesterday he explained how he would do it -- by unlimited enrichment of uranium to create an arsenal of nuclear bombs."

"We're not surprised," Netanyahu said in the video from Paris, where he was to meet French President Emmanuel Macron.

"We won't let Iran obtain nuclear weapons."

Iran on Monday notified the International Atomic Energy Agency of its plan to open a centre for the production of new centrifuges to be used for uranium enrichment, according to the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi.

Salehi stressed the announcement did not mean they will start assembling the centrifuges, and "does not violate the (2015 nuclear) agreement" between Tehran and world powers.

Under the 2015 agreement, Iran can build parts for the centrifuges as long as it does not put them into operation within the first decade.

On Sunday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Israel a "malignant cancerous tumour" that should be removed.

Netanyahu was visiting European leaders to discuss Iran's regional involvement and nuclear programme, both seen by the Jewish state as grave threats.

European powers have been scrambling to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal since US President Donald Trump announced Washington's withdrawal from the treaty last month.US sanctions won't impact India-Russia defence ties: minister



New Delhi, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



India's defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Tuesday that US sanctions on Russia military exports would not impact long-standing ties between New Delhi and one of its key arms suppliers Moscow.

US President Donald Trump in August signed a law threatening sanctions on any country doing business with Russia's defence and intelligence sectors.

The sanctions regime affects American allies like India, which has purchased Russian military hardware and expertise for decades.

India, the world's top defence importer, had been in talks with Russia to buy S-400 long range surface-to-air missile systems when the sanctions were announced.

There had been speculation last year when the sanctions were signed into law that the $6 billion weapons deal could be scuttled.

But Sitharaman said the long-running negotiations "have reached the final stage".

"I like to make it clear here that in all our engagements with the US, we have very clearly explained how India and Russia's defence cooperation is something which has been going on for a very long time," she told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the sanctions.

"It is a time tested relationship. And India has got quite a lot of defence assets from Russia. Assets, spares, servicing -- we have a continuous relationship with Russia.

The sanctions "cannot be impacting on us on this particular characteristic of India's Russia defence co-operation".

India has increasingly turned to the United States and France for arms purchases in recent years, but is still reliant on Russia hardware and expertise to maintain its existing arsenal.Macron walks fine line as Netanyahu seeks anti-Iran front



Paris, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



French President Emmanuel Macron meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday on the second leg of his European trip amid deep differences over how to contain Iran's ambitions in the Middle East.

It will be the third meeting of the two leaders in Paris since last July, and while they agree on the threats posed by Tehran's missile projects and foreign interventions, they differ strongly on the response.

Netanyahu has pursued his strident attacks against Tehran during his visit to Europe, warning during a stop in Berlin on Monday that Germany's activities risked creating a new influx of migrants towards the country.

Iran is intent on fuelling "a religious war inside Syria and the consequences will be many, many more refugees and you know where exactly they will come," he told German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Netanyahu has been emboldened by US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the 2015 accord curbing Iran's nuclear programme -- and the threat of harsh sanctions against European firms doing business in the Islamic Republic.

Macron has led a staunch defence of the accord, whose other signatories -- France, Britain, Germany, China, Russia and the EU -- have maintained a common front so far.

Macron has warned that letting the deal fall apart will only inflame tensions, especially if harsh sanctions smother the economic relief Iranians began to enjoy after it was signed.

He and Netanyahu are scheduled to hold a press conference after their talks and launch a season of cultural exchanges between their countries.

Their meeting was given further urgency after Tehran announced it would soon open a site for producing new centrifuges to increase its uranium enrichment capabilities.

Nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said the moves were allowed under the accord, and "do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed".

In a video posted on social media, Netanyahu reiterated his claims that the new enrichment capacity was aimed at producing nuclear weapons "to destroy the State of Israel".



- Balancing act -



Relations between Israel and the European Union had already been strained by the killing of 123 Palestinian protesters in Gaza by Israeli forces since March.

Macron denounced the "violence by Israel's armed forces" even as he noted the country's security concerns.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe cancelled a planned trip to Israel last month.

Several pro-Palestinian groups are planning protests against Netanyahu in cities across France, while three journalist unions have called his visit "intolerable", denouncing the killing of Palestinian journalists.

Against this backdrop, talks on seeking an end to the Palestinian conflict have fallen to the wayside, not least after Trump broke with decades of protocol by recognising Israel's claim of Jerusalem as its capital.

Last week, the EU urged Israel to reconsider its decision to demolish a Palestinian Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank, saying it undermines "prospects for a lasting peace".Iran enrichment plan not in breach of nuclear deal: EU



Brussels, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



The EU said Tuesday that a "first assessment" indicated that Iran's announcement that it has launched a plan to boost uranium enrichment capacity did not breach its commitments under the beleaguered 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran has notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it plans to open a centre for producing new centrifuges, the Islamic Republic's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Tuesday, drawing an angry response from arch-foe Israel.

The European Union, which is working to save the 2015 agreement with Iran after the US pulled out, warned the Iranian announcement would not help build confidence in the Iranian programme, but said it did not constitute a breach of the deal.

"Following a first assessment, the announced steps per se are not a violation of the JCPOA," Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini, told AFP. The agreement is officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"However, at this particularly critical juncture, they will not contribute to build confidence in the nature of the Iranian nuclear programme."

Salehi stressed that his announcement was just the start of the production process and did not mean Iran was about to start assembling centrifuges.

Under the 2015 nuclear agreement that Iran signed with the US, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany after years of difficult talks, Tehran can build and test parts for advanced centrifuges, but specific restrictions exist on what technology can be researched and in what quantity within the first decade of the deal.

European governments have been trying to salvage the nuclear deal since the United States last month withdrew and said it would reimpose sanctions on foreign companies working in the Islamic republic by November.

The remaining parties have vowed to stay in the accord but many of their companies have already started to wind down Iranian operations.

A European source told AFP that the Iranian enrichment announcement is being interpreted as a bid to step up the pressure on Brussels to deliver on these promises.

The EU is trying to come up with ways to persuade Iran to stick with the deal by protecting the economic benefits it gained when tough sanctions were lifted in return for it halting its nuclear programme.

"As stated repeatedly, we expect Iran to stick to all its JCPOA commitments, to be monitored by the IAEA, as it has been doing so far and has been confirmed by the IAEA in 11 consecutive reports," Kocijancic told AFP.

"The IAEA is the only body in charge of the monitoring and verification of the implementation by Iran of its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA."Macron warns of risk of 'escalation' over Iran nuclear deal



Paris, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



French President Emmanuel Macron warned of the risk of an "escalation" in the Iranian nuclear standoff after Tehran announced plans to boost uranium enrichment capacity to pressure Europeans scrambling to save a landmark deal.

At a press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the French leader called on "everyone to stabilise the situation and not give into this escalation which would lead to only one thing: conflict."

While noting that Iran had stepped up the pressure with its latest announcement, Macron also pointed blame in the direction of US President Donald Trump for unilaterally pulling out of the hard-fought 2015 deal designed to stop Tehran getting a nuclear bomb.

"When you decide to bring an end to a deal on your side, that does not encourage the other party to respect it," he said, calling this "solid common sense".

He stressed he had "no indication" that Iran had breached the terms of the deal, which Trump walked away from last month.

And while he agreed with Netanyahu that the deal had flaws, he added: "If you consider it insufficient but that it's a step forward from what exist before, it's better to keep it."

Netanyahu, who has vigorously opposed the Iranian deal, said he had not attempted to convince Macron to abandon it.

Instead he said he believed Europe would give up on its efforts to save it under pressure from the US, which has threatened sanctions against European countries which continue to do business in Iran.

"I did not ask President Macron to leave the deal. I think that economic realities are going to decide this matter, so it's not what we focused on," he said after talks between the two leaders.

"What we focused on, and what I focused on, is how to stop Iranian aggression in the region."

He accused Tehran of using the "cash bonanza" from sanctions relief under the deal "not to develop Iran, not to make it more moderate", but to build up its forces in war-torn Syria.

"They want to bring in 80,000 Shiite fighters, from Afghanistan, from Pakistan," he claimed.

"What that will do is spark another religious war, another civil war... and where will the refugees go? They'll go to one place, to here (France) or to Germany or to Europe," he said, repeating a similar warning to Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday.Iran steps up pressure with plan to boost uranium enrichment capacity



Tehran, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



Iran said Tuesday it has launched a plan to boost uranium enrichment capacity with new centrifuges, raising the pressure on European diplomats scrambling to rescue the crumbling nuclear deal after Washington pulled out.

"If conditions allow, maybe tomorrow night at Natanz (plant), we can announce the opening of the centre for production of new centrifuges," said Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, according to conservative news agency Fars.

"What we are doing does not violate the (2015 nuclear) agreement," he said, specifying this was just the start of the production process and "does not mean that we will start assembling the centrifuges".

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed it had received a letter from Iran, which Salehi said was submitted on Monday and outlined Tehran's plans.

Under the 2015 nuclear agreement that Iran signed with world powers, it has the right to build and test certain centrifuges, though detailed restrictions exist for the first 10 years on the types and quantities of the machines.

Salehi also emphasised that these moves "do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed."

European governments have been trying to salvage the nuclear deal ever since the United States announced its withdrawal last month and said it would reimpose sanctions on foreign companies working in the Islamic republic by November.

The remaining parties -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- have vowed to stay in the accord but many of their companies have already started to wind down Iranian operations.

The European Union said a first assessment indicated the new steps announced by Iran did not constitute a violation of the agreement.

"However, at this particularly critical juncture, they will not contribute to build confidence in the nature of the Iranian nuclear programme," Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini, told AFP.



- Enmity with Israel -



On Monday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the Europeans that "Iran will never tolerate both suffering from sanctions and nuclear restrictions" and called for preparations to speed up uranium enrichment.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian uses only, but opponents in the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia accuse it of seeking to build an atomic bomb.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted swiftly to Salehi's announcement, declaring that the Islamic republic's aim was "unlimited enrichment of uranium to create an arsenal of nuclear bombs" to destroy his country.

On Sunday, Khamenei repeated the long-standing view from Iran that Israel is "a malignant cancerous tumour in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated".

Speaking alongside Netanyahu in Paris later on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron warned the key players against worsening the situation.

Macron called on "everyone to stabilise the situation and not give into this escalation which would lead to only one thing: conflict."

If Iran chooses to abandon the deal, it has stated it could "within days" return to enrichment of 20 percent -- still within the limits of civilian use but allowing for a much quicker jump to military-grade levels of around 90 percent.

Under the 2015 agreement, Iran can only enrich uranium to 3.67 percent.



- Businesses leaving -



Iran was already seeing limited economic benefits from the deal even before the US withdrawal, thanks to the reluctance of international banks to facilitate trade and a raft of non-nuclear US sanctions that were not touched by the agreement.

European governments have been scrambling to protect their businesses from renewed US sanctions in order to keep Iran in the deal.

But several large firms have said it will be impossible to continue operating in Iran except in the unlikely scenario that they win bulletproof exemptions from Washington.

France's PSA, which manufactures Peugeot and Citroen cars, on Monday became the latest to announce its plans to pull out of Iran, where it sold nearly 445,000 cars last year.

French energy giant Total is also preparing its departure from a $4.8-billion gas project in Iran, with its chief executive saying last week that the chances of a US exemption were "very slim".

mj/er/rsc/dv

GROUPE PSAMacron warns of risk of 'conflict' over Iran nuclear deal



Paris, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



French President Emmanuel Macron warned of the risk of "conflict" in the standoff with Iran after Tehran announced plans to boost its uranium enrichment capacity as Europe scrambles to save a beleaguered nuclear deal.

At a press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the French leader called on "everyone to stabilise the situation and not give into this escalation which would lead to only one thing: conflict."

He said that the Iranian decision to expand its nuclear infrastructure did not constitute grounds for quitting a 2015 deal designed to stop Iran getting a nuclear bomb.

The deal hangs by a thread after the US withdrew last month -- a move applauded by Iran's arch-foe Israel -- but so far fellow signatories France, Britain, Germany, China, Russia and the EU, have stood firm.

In a rebuke of the US pullout Macron said that Iran's riposte "simply shows that when you decide to unilaterally end an accord it does not encourage the other party to respect it."

Netanyahu, who has vigorously opposed the accord, said he had not attempted to convince Macron to abandon it.

"I did not ask President Macron to leave the deal. I think that economic realities are going to decide this matter," he said, referring to the prospect of renewed US nuclear sanctions on Iran, and the repercussions for European countries that continue to do business in the Islamic republic."

"What we focused on, and what I focused on, is how to stop Iranian aggression in the region," he added.

- Warning to Europe -



He claimed Tehran was using the "cash bonanza" from sanctions relief to build up its forces in Syria and using the war-torn country as a platform for attacks on neighbouring Israel.

Accusing Tehran, a Shia power, of a plan to flood Syria, a mainly Sunni country, with fighters he declared: "What that will do is spark another religious war, another civil war... and where will the refugees go? They'll go to one place, to here (France) or to Germany or to Europe."

On Monday, he had issued a similar warning to Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Netanyahu has been emboldened by Trump's decision to pull out of the deal -- and the threat of reprisals against foreign firms that do business in the US who choose to remain in Iran.

His meeting with Macron was the third between the pair in Paris in a year.

It came hours after Iran said it had notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it would soon open a new centre for producing new centrifuges to increase its uranium enrichment capabilities.

Nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said the moves were allowed under the accord, and "do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed".

In a video posted on social media, Netanyahu reiterated his claims that the new enrichment capacity was aimed at producing nuclear weapons "to destroy the State of Israel".



- 'No cause for celebration' -



Netanyahu's European tour comes as relations between Israel and the European Union show signs of strain over the killing of 123 Palestinian protesters in Gaza by Israeli forces since March.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe cancelled a planned trip to Israel last month.

Macron on Tuesday repeated his condemnation of the violence against civilians while noting Israel's security concerns.

Several hundred protesters took part in protests against Netanyahu in cities across France, with three journalist unions calling his visit "intolerable" after the killing of Palestinian journalists.

Against the backdrop, attempts to broker an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have fallen to the wayside, not least after Trump broke with decades of protocol by recognising Israel's claim of Jerusalem as its capital.

Macron took a swipe at the US, which opened its new embassy in Jerusalem on the same day dozens of Palestinians demonstrators were killed in Gaza.

"When you celebrate such an event and there are people dying I do not consider it cause for celebration," he said.

burs-cb/eclQatar says 'stronger' despite year-long Gulf dispute



Doha, June 5 (AFP) Jun 05, 2018



On the first anniversary of a bitter Gulf diplomatic rift, Qatar's foreign minister on Tuesday declared his country stronger than ever and said it was open to dialogue with its regional rivals.

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani also rebuked Qatar's foes for "imaginary victories" against the small Gulf state, the target of a Saudi-led boycott.

"One year on and Qatar and its people are stronger," Al-Thani, one of the most prominent voices in the region's worst diplomatic crisis for years, wrote on Twitter.

"(There's) a lot of talk about imaginary victories and isolating Qatar, but after one year, the reality proved the opposite as Qatar emerged as an international partner that can be trusted."

On June 5, 2017, a Saudi-led alliance including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran.

Qatar soon found its only land border closed by Saudi Arabia, its state-owned airline barred from using neighbours' airspace, and residents expelled from the quartet's countries.

Despite hopes that the rancorous rift between the former allies -- which include some of the richest countries on earth -- would be resolved quickly, the crisis has endured.

Qatar claims the dispute is an attack on its sovereignty and punishment for pursuing an independent foreign policy.

Diplomatic efforts led by Kuwait and the United States have so far stalled though there are tentative plans for talks in September.

Al-Thani said the "door is still open for dialogue" between the Gulf rivals.

However, he also told Qatar state-funded broadcaster Al Jazeera on Tuesday that Doha would continue with its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence missile system.

Saudi leaders have asked French President Emmanuel Macron to intervene to prevent the deal going ahead, raising fears of military action in the dispute.

Raising the military stakes yet further, Qatar's defence minister Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, said Tuesday that Doha wanted to join NATO.

"The ambition is full membership if our partnership with NATO develops and our vision is clear," he told the official magazine of the Qatari defence ministry, Altalaya.



- 'Smear campaign' -



Despite the impact of the crisis, many in Qatar view the past year's events as a victory for Doha.

Qatari papers were jubilant on Tuesday, with headlines such as "Triumphant Qatar stays united" and "Qatar shines as smear campaign against it fails".

Taxi companies offered customers free rides and some in Qatar have even called for June 5 to be made a national holiday.

Meanwhile, Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) released a report claiming more than 4,000 human rights abuses had been committed against Qataris by the Saudi-led alliance in the past year.

Qataris have been exposed to arbitrary arrest and routinely denied freedom of movement, according to the report by the government-appointed body detailing alleged abuses including one case of forced disappearance.

"From the beginning, all the blockading countries have tried to use the people to achieve their political goals," NHRC chairman Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri said.

There was no immediate reaction from the Saudi-led bloc.

In August, Saudi Arabia will welcome millions of Muslim faithful for the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam.

The Saudi government on Tuesday confirmed Qataris wishing to undertake the umrah pilgrimage to Mecca were welcome, but accused the Qatari authorities of a "negative attitude".

Since the start of the crisis, Qatar has accused Saudi Arabia of politicising religious pilgrimages to Mecca, including the hajj, one of Islam's five pillars, which every able-bodied Muslim who can afford the journey is obliged to undertake at least once.Optimization

Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should?

Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools.English04/06/2018

CAVIC: DIRECT SEIZURE OF SERBS PROPERTY

BANJALUKA, June 4 /SRNA/ - NDP Leader Dragan Cavic told SRNA today that any decision that goes towards the deprivation of property rights from the persons who no longer live in the Federation of BiH /FBiH/ represents the direct seizure of their property, and encourages continuation of ethnic cleansing.



"The Constitutional Court of BiH has made many decisions that are least fair and more political. Every decision of that Court which is in the context to seize the property under administrative reasons from persons who are not staying in the FBiH as they ether fled it over the war or got killed, and these persons successors are facing hard time to get these properties in such processes, is a direct seizure of property," Cavic has said, commenting on the BiH Constitutional Courts decision according to which the FBiH Land Registry Act is in line with the BiH Constitution and the European Convention.



According to him, it is most dangerous to make decisions that can encourage ethnic cleansing, especially Serbs from the FBiH, and, as he has said, a decision of the BiH Constitutional Court can be considered as such.



Deciding on the motion by 29 deputies of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska for reviewing the constitutionality of the FBiH Land Registry Act, the Constitutional Court of BiH found that the contested provisions of the FBiH Land Registry Act are in accordance with the provisions of the BiH Constitution and the European Convention on the Right to Fair Trial and the Right to Property.



The SNSD Caucus in the Republika Srpska National Assembly submitted on February 7 a motion to the Constitutional Court of BiH for reviewing the constitutionality of the FBiH Land Registry Act because it prevents the citizens from using their property.



The SNSD Caucus deputy, Bojan Vidic, has explained that the articles 67 and 72 of the FBiH Land Registry Act are non-constitutional and not in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.



"Unlike in Republika Srpska, during the creation of the land registries in the FBiH, the establishment of the property owners data is made without summoning the people who are property owners for years. It leaves the 30-day deadline for collecting documents without summoning persons who own property there" Vidic has explained.



He has said that this could lead to large-scale abuse and there is information that something like this has happened in the municipality of Zavidovici, i.e. the owners failing to take over required data. /end/vosNational Park Service scales back search for Kim Crumbo, Ogden conservationist

With weather conditions worsening, National Park Service officials have scaled back the search for Kim Crumbo, the Ogden man who went missing late last month during a visit with his brother to Yellowstone National Park. "The park received a fair amount of snow over the weekend and is still under a blanket of snow at this point. Temperatures are in the 20s throughout most of the park," an NPS representative said Wednesday. Still, efforts aren't over. "The park will continue limited search efforts as long as conditions allow this year," the NPS said in a press release. Crumbo  a ...General and Former Defense Minister Danjuma Joins President Trump in Decrying Nigeria's Religious Violence

Contact: Stephen Enada, 404-988-0611WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 / Standard Newswire / -- Violence continues to threaten stability in Nigeria, particularly in the agricultural region. Deeply concerned about this crisis, the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), in collaboration with the Heritage Foundation and 21Wilberforce, hosted Nigerian leaders General TY Danjuma and Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku to discuss implications from Nigeria's escalating religious and ethnic violence. Representatives from the U.S. government and prominent NGOs also joined the discussion.General Danjuma addressed the issue of extremism among some Fulani people that has led to horrific attacks on villages that echo Boko-Haram tactics. General Danjuma, who has a reputation for fighting corruption, said, "Evidence is there that President Buhari has failed. Corruption continues and ineffective governance does not confront attacks on villages."President Trump met recently with Nigeria President Buhari at the White House where he decried religious violence in Nigeria. "We encourage Nigeria's federal, state, and local leaders to do everything in their power to immediately secure affected communities and to protect innocent civilians of all faiths, including Muslims and Christians."Darius Ishaku, Governor of Taraba State (where Roman Catholic churches have been attacked by Fulani extremists in recent weeks), shared that his own leadership abilities are hampered by the structure of Nigerian governance. He said, "We do not have state or local police ... Governors do not have power or influence to make changes in their own states.""If chaos continues in Nigeria, refugees will flood over West Africa, then Europe and eventually America  whether you build a wall or not," warned General Danjuma. Also in attendance, Former Congressman Frank Wolf, Sr., Distinguished Fellow at 21Wilbeforce, added that, "Europe can barely handle Syrian and Iraqi refugees so they'd be overwhelmed if Nigeria collapsed."Recognizing that Nigeria is the lynchpin of regional stability and a strategic partner with the US in the struggle against extremism, General Danjuma and Governor Ishaku asked concerned American organizations to help Nigeria nurture its democracy. "We need 'civilized democracies' like the US to help with our Nigerian democracy in ways that provide security for citizens of every religious affiliation, bring justice to perpetrators of violence, and empower civil society to confront atrocities and stand together to promote peace.TO VIEW MORE NEWS STORY, PLEASE CLICK ON NEWS TAB ON MAIN MENU BAR(JTA)  Starbucks founder and executive chairman Howard Schultz is stepping down.Schultz, who previously served as the coffee giants CEO, is leaving his position at the end of June, The New York Times reported on Monday.In an interview with The...#energy crisis S. Korea launches response team to deal with global energy crisis South Korea has launched a task force to deal with potential energy supply glitches amid concerns that the global energy crisis is expected to continue into early next year, the in...

#murder suspect court Suspect in brutal murder says ready to accept death penalty A murder suspect, who stunned the nation in August for killing one woman before cutting off his electronic ankle monitor and another afterward, admitted to his charges in his first...ASM International N.V. ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAM

Almere, The Netherlands

June 5, 2018

ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) ("ASMI") today announces the start of a share buyback program of ASMI's common shares up to 250 million

This program follows on ASMI's announcement on February 28, 2018, that it intended to use 250 million of the proceeds of the partial sale of a stake of approximately 9% in ASMPT for a new share buyback program. The previous 250 million share buyback program that was announced on September 22, 2017, was completed on March 29, 2018.

This share buyback program will be executed by a third party. The program commences on June 6, 2018, and will end as soon as the aggregate purchase price of the common shares acquired by ASMI has reached 250 million, but ultimately on November 28, 2019. ASMI strives to complete the program well before that date. The program will take place within the limitations of the authority granted by the Annual General Meeting of shareholders held on May 28, 2018.

ASMI has the intention to reduce its capital by withdrawing the shares repurchased as part of the new 250 million share buyback program, save for such number of treasury shares as may be necessary to fund ongoing share and option programs for employees and board members. This withdrawal of shares is intended to be proposed to the Annual General Meeting in 2019. The repurchase program is part of ASMI's commitment to use excess cash for the benefit of its shareholders.

ASMI will update the market on the progress of the share buyback program on a weekly base. This information will also be published on the ASMI website ( www.asm.com ).

About ASM International

ASM International NV, headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, its subsidiaries and participations design and manufacture equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International, its subsidiaries and participations provide production solutions for wafer processing (Front-end segment) as well as for assembly & packaging and surface mount technology (Back-end segment) through facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. ASM International's common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol ASM). For more information, visit ASMI's website at www.asm.com .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: All matters discussed in this press release, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, corporate transactions, financing and liquidity matters, the success of restructurings, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholders or other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability, epidemics and other risks indicated in the Company's reports and financial statements. The Company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.





CONTACT

Investor contact:

Victor Bareno

T: +31 88 100 8500

E: victor.bareno@asm.com

Media contact:

Ian Bickerton

T: +31 625 018 512





This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: ASM International NV via Globenewswire

Four drivers towards cohesion

Alexander and his colleagues identified four drivers or factors that particularly influenced bonding ties and collaboration among the fishers. The first is based on the general tendency for friends of a friend to be friends, or triadic closure. This is one of the most common factors in the creation of any social network.



The second factor is gear-based homophily, which refers to fishers quest to seek and share information with others whose experiences and resource needs are similar. Sharing information with others using similar gears is likely, Alexander explains. The third factor that influences bonding and collaboration is landing sites, or how close the fishers are located from each other when they leave or return from the sea. In Bluefields Bay, they are rarely more than a kilometre from shore. The landing sites serve as social spaces where fishers are more likely to have repeated interactions with others on their way to go fishing or upon their return, Alexander says.



Finally, the presence of local community leaders who can push the establishment of stronger ties between the fishers forward is crucial. These leaders can act as hubs, bringing people together, playing an important role in supporting and activating community cohesion.

Caution to the wind

But the four factors come with each their touch of caution too. For example, just because a larger social network was developed through friends of friends, does not mean that they are all confined in one large cohesive group. Pockets of bonding within smaller, fragmented groups could also occur, which could be problematic in the long term because it can cause different groups with competing interests to form.



What was supposed to create a stronger sense of unity could ultimately end up in enforcing an us vs them mentality, co-author Orjan Bodin warns.



Similarly, community leaders who enjoy a strong position of trust can also risk creating what the researchers call elite capture, or situations where certain individuals dominate decision-making and get a disproportionately improved access to resources and information.



In such instances, leadership can have the complete opposite effect of cohesion, creating fragmentation and a divided community, Bodin says.

Risky business, but worth it

Ultimately, the authors warn that collaboration in small-scale fisheries is a risky business.



Some might decide to take the information they receive from others to enrich themselves without reciprocating, the authors write. To avoid this, trust becomes crucial. If fishers are to truly cooperate, they must seek to establish bonding relationships characterised by trust when the risk of defection increases.



Fortunately, the experiences from Bluefields Bay suggests that the fishers do not shy away from in-depth collaboration with those whom may be considered their fiercest competitors.



Collaboration and competition seem to go hand in hand, Alexander and his colleagues conclude.Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money.

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.Germany openly called for Iran to withdraw its forces from Syria. This rare criticism of Iran was caused by Israel pointing out that the presence of Iranian forces in Syria is a major cause of Syrians fleeing their country and heading for Germany where it is easy to get asylum. It is generally accepted (and Syria even admits it) that Iran does have thousands of trainers, advisors, technicians and other support specialists to make the Syrian Army and their Iranian allies (mainly Shia mercenaries recruited by Iran and controlled by Iranian trainers and advisors) a formidable force. The chatter from Iran (Internet postings or street talk) confirms that and the number of these Iranians killed. Most of the dead belong to the Quds Force (similar to the U.S. Special Forces, but which specializes in supporting Islamic terrorists not fighting them). Over a hundred IRGC officers have been killed in Syria and Iraq since 2012. But a growing number of non-Quds personnel are dying as Israel attacks Iranian bases in Syria. Quds supervised the creation of the huge (over 50,000) mercenary force in Syria. Quds recruits these foreign Shia (mainly Afghans and Lebanese), trains, arms, equips, supplies and pays them (including death benefits) and usually has Quds (or IRGC) officers leading the mercenary units. Iranian advisors are also embedded with most Syrian Army units. These Quds, IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Iranian army personnel have rotated in and out of Syria since 2012 and when they get home they talk about their experiences and that (usually via friends or kin) gets posted on social media or emailed to friends and kin overseas (usually via encrypted apps like Telegram). All this is great for intel agencies and journalists with contacts in the overseas Iranian community and a knowledge of Farsi (the major Iranian language). As a result, we know that morale in the Syrian army is really bad because the troops are recruited from the minority (no more than 15 percent of the pre-war population) that supports Assad (usually because they are not Sunni Arabs, who comprised 75 percent of Syrians in 2012). These Syrians often go to great lengths to avoid getting conscripted and if they do end up in uniform few are eager to see combat. Thus the Iranian mercenaries are the key to whatever combat capabilities the Assad forces have. This is why the Assads also want Iran to withdraw its forces once all the rebel forces are destroyed, disarmed or otherwise neutralized. Otherwise, the Iranian led mercenaries will be the real power in Syria. Until there is peace in Syria more Syrians will flee and those that can afford it will head for Germany, which is one of the few European nations accepting Syrian refugees.

Russian Friends

Russia has made it clear that it sides with Israel when it comes to Syria and a long-term peace deal. Russia backed this up by openly accepting Israeli use of Jerusalem as their capital and moving functions normally held in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This angers many Moslems, and especially Iran. This support for Israel is one of the few things the United States and Russia agree on these days.

But the alliance with Russia is unwritten. Yet it is real as 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). The Americans have no interest in a permanent presence they just want to deal with some Islamic terrorists and then leave. Israel insists that Iran has no treaty rights and should get out completely, along with their local affiliate Hezbollah. Russia has specifically called on Iran get its foreign mercenaries (including Hezbollah) out of Daraa province, which borders Israel. The Russians did this by referring to all foreign forces in Daraa and those are all Iranian. Russia knows that Iran has already made a big deal about being near the border and attacking Israel. But so far attempts to attack have only resulted in heavier Iranian losses from Israeli air and missile attacks.

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 and keeps repeating that refusal in its mass media. The Russians are unwilling to completely abandon their Iranian ally but at the same time, they do not want Iran dominating Syria like it does Lebanon (via Hezbollah). Meanwhile, Russia does not use its aircraft or air defense missile systems to interfere with Israel trying their best to destroy all Iranian bases in Syria. This Russian policy, while not perfect, is having a noticeable impact on Iran.

Despite the deal with Russia Syria still has a lot of second-rate (compared to the S-300 and S-400 systems Russia has in Syria) anti-aircraft weapons as does Iran. This is a real threat to Israel which is keen to avoid any aircraft losses. To assist with that Israel has already developed longer range guided rockets (like the American GMLRS). They have a 150 kilometers range rocket similar to GMLRS and a larger (1.8 ton) Dora missile with a range of 400 kilometers. Dora uses GPS and a terminal guidance system to achieve high accuracy (a few meters) Then there is Delilah is one of several loitering cruise missiles Israel has developed. There is also a ground launched Delilah with a range of 250 kilometers. Spike NLOS is another ground based loitering missile in wide use. These can search for a target, with a human controller approving a target via a data link, 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.

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.

Arabs And The Iranian Threat

The Arabs tend to emphasize the many threats Iran represents. Saudi Arabia recently announced that if Iran resumes its work on nuclear weapons Saudi Arabia will do so as well. Most Arab nations, as well as Israel, backed the American May 8th decision to abandon the 2015 treaty that lifted many sanctions on Iran. One thing all the Semitic (Israel and Arab) nations can agree on is that Iran is a threat to all of them. That said the Arabs see Iran concentrating their fury on Israel as a bonus because the Israelis are the most militarily experienced and powerful of the Semitic nations and most able to defeat Iran. Besides Israel is also the only Semitic nation with nukes. If Iran takes a beating in Syria that would make it easier for the Arab Coalition to end the Shia rebellion in Yemen and eliminate the Iranian influence there.

Meanwhile, the Saudis are quietly getting American special operations and intelligence assistance to find Iranian ballistic missile facilities in rebel-held Yemen. This indirectly involves the Israelis as the American and Israelis have been jointly developing these special operations and intelligence techniques since the 1990s when the ballistic missile threat from Iran and Iraq became a reality in the wake of the 1980s Iran-Iraq war.

Iranians And The Iranian Threat

Iranians are angry with their government over how foreign affairs have been mismanaged, especially in Syria. The major complaint is how much the government has been spending on the war in Syria since 2012. Long before Israeli agents made off with details of the Iranian nuclear program earlier in 2018 there were Iranians collecting data on what the Syria war was costing Iran. The government downplayed the cost and declared the Iranian presence in Syria as a religious duty and a crucial step in the effort to destroy Israel. But now most Iranians understand that Syria was costing Iran $10-20 billion a year, which is about twice what the government spends to help the poorest Iranians (which happens to include a majority of Iranians). Irans religious leaders know this is why the late 2017 nationwide demonstrations included many groups that had long supported the religious dictatorship but were not in opposition because their leaders were making it clear that the welfare of the Iranian people, including those who long supported the clerics, was less important than propping up a murderous dictator in Syria who happened to be Shia. Then there was the issue of blaming all misfortunes on Israel or the Americans. The United States has always been a popular place for most Iranians and many still would move to America if they could get out of Iran. The Internet makes it easy for the Iranian-Americans to let the folks back in the old country what the U.S. (the Great Satan according to the Iranian clerics) is really like. There is still mandatory death to America demonstrations in Iran but all concerned have noted that most Iranians just go through the motions and would rather go to America than stand around shouting Death to America.

To compound the Syria problems the Iranian leaders are saying that the May 9th Iranian rocket attack on Israeli military targets in the Golan Heights was a great success. But it wasnt. Of the 32 rockets, Iran claims to have fired the Israelis can only account for twenty of them and none of those hit anything of note. Some of the Iranian rockets, the ones Iron Dome deduced were headed for populated areas or military bases were shot down. There were no pictures of damage Iran claims their rocket attack caused. Yet ever since that attack, Israel has made a growing number of attacks against Iranian targets in Syria and there have been plenty of pictures of the damage. Plus there are the growing number of Iranian bodies shipped back to Iran for burial. In Syria Iranian ally Russia has refused to use its jet fighters or SAM (Surface to Air Missile) systems to defend Iranian bases from Israeli attack. Syria did try to use its SAMs (over a hundred of them) but to no effect. The Israeli attacks keep coming and the Iranian people are told Iran is winning.

Desperate Hamas

Since March 30, when weekly demonstrations in Gaza near the security fence began, over 120 Palestinians have been killed. Hamas has confirmed that most of the dead are Hamas members, often armed so that they can kill or capture an Israeli soldier. Many demonstrators who get in and are arrested admit that Hamas encouraged unarmed civilians to join the demonstrations and mass charges at the border fence. Israel will use non-lethal means (rubber bullets, tear gas) while the crows are still in Gaza but once some of them breach the fence and are headed for Israeli territory, real bullets are used. Most Gaza civilians halt before getting in the shoot to stop zone but many are swept along. Moreover, the bullets that miss the Hamas men often hit civilians further back. This is fine with Hamas, and many Gazans know it and loathe it because these civilians deaths create fodder for the foreign media.

The demonstrations are all about the Palestinian demand that all Arabs who fled Israel in 1948 (as Arab troops from several countries sought to prevent the creation of Israel) and their descendants be allowed to return to Israel. Those returnees would outnumber the Jews and destroy Israel. The demonstrations also about getting sympathetic media attention for this right of return and trying to make Israel look bad. This campaign was supposed to end on May 15th but continued with diminished energy after that. The plan was for Hamas to declare a victory after May 15th and switch to another plan for destroying Israel. The demonstrations are actually a diversion for multiple Hamas attempts to get terrorists into Israel or inflict casualties on Israeli forces. That does not appear to have succeeded because the Israelis do not take personnel from other parts of the Gaza border to deal with the demonstrations but instead call up reservists and order all Gaza border guards to be alert for Hamas crossing attempts.

Earlier in 2018 Hamas quietly approached Israel about a long-term truce. Hamas has proposed this before but the problem remains that Hamas is not united and no one can guarantee there wont be organized and persistent efforts in Gaza to carry out terrorist operations in Israel if the blockade is lifted (as part of a new truce deal). At the moment Hamas cannot even agree to restore cooperation with Fatah (which runs the West Bank) and establish a united Palestinian government. Israel is not going to try and make peace with a group that is not in control of its own territory and membership.

Hamas continues to feud with Fatah, the Palestinian group that runs the West Bank and is a bit less open about its desire to destroy Israel rather than make peace. Meanwhile, one of the oldest and most powerful Palestinian backers, Saudi Arabia, has told the Palestinians to make peace, taking whatever they can get. Fatah might go for this but current Hamas leaders would not. Worse, Hamas is running out of options. Sending terrorists into Israel didnt work (the high-tech security fence ended that). The mass rocket attacks didnt work (Israelis would shoot back and send in troops). The occasional rocket attacks didnt work (Iron Dome and firing back). The tunnels into Israel didnt work (Israel extended their security fence and sensors deep underground). Offering financial incentives to get large crowds of demonstrators to border crossings is nothing new. Doing it for six weeks straight didnt succeed either. What next? Well now the main sponsor Hamas sponsor is Iran and the Iranians have lots of new ideas, especially when it is Arabs who are going to do most of the dying. Most of the current Hamas leadership is opposed to backing an Iranian attack on Israel, but a minority faction of Hamas is all for any offensive operations against Israel.

Peaceful and Prosperous Egypt

In Egypt, the Islamic terrorist violence is way down and economic growth is up. While still critical of Israel (mainly for existing) Egypt has been more critical of Hamas and Palestinians in general. Then there are the Islamic terrorists still very active in Sinai. Many of these killers are from Gaza. The counter-terror operations continue in Sinai but mostly result in arrests of people in homes or businesses found to contain ISIL documents or weapons and explosives. That has led to finding over a hundred hidden locations where ISIL has stored weapons or explosives. In many cases, these were roadside bombs emplaced and waiting for an opportunity to use them against a suitable target. The current counter-terror activities in Sinai actually began in February and have continued at a reduced pace as the number of Islamic terrorists declines. So far over 200 Islamic terrorists and about 40 soldiers and police have been killed. Over 500 suspects have been arrested and enormous quantities of weapons, ammo, explosives and equipment have been seized. This includes over a hundred vehicles and even more motorcycles. Fifteen smuggling tunnels from Gaza were also destroyed. In addition, the families of those killed or captured committing terrorist acts are punished by having their homes and businesses destroyed. This has led to over 3,000 buildings destroyed. This sort of collective punishment has long practiced in the Middle East and while condemned in the West it does work in many parts of the world.

Egypt also takes credit for keeping in touch with Hamas leadership, and despite the divisions within Hamas, persuaded Hamas to accept an unofficial truce with Israel by the end of May. The ceasefire is not total because of the splintered Hamas leadership and many smaller Islamic terror groups in Gaza still eager to fire a rocket or mortar shell into Egypt.

On the western border (Libya) the situation is also rather quiet. Egypt has allies on the other side of the border and cooperates with them to increase security along the border. There are still tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia over who controls how much of the Nile water. All sides are still talking rather than shooting.

June 4, 2018: In the south two Palestinians, one armed with an axe tried to enter Israel from Gaza. They were spotted, refused to surrender and were fired on. The man with the axe was killed while his companion was wounded and fled back to Gaza.

June 3, 2018: In the south, there were more Israeli airstrikes against five Hamas targets in Gaza. These early morning attacks were in response to four more rockets fired from Gaza late on the 2nd. Three of those rockets were intercepted by Iron Dome while the fourth landed in an unpopulated area.

June 2, 2018: In the south Islamic terrorists fired two rockets and four mortar shells. In response, Israel launched ten airstrikes against Hamas facilities.

Elsewhere along the Gaza border firefighters are seeking to contain three brush fires covering nearly 300 hectares (740 acres). These blazes were started over the last few days by three or more incendiary kites to launch against Israel from Gaza when the wind is right. These kites have caused property damage but, so far, no injuries. Hamas organized the construction and release of these kites and about 300 have been launched since early May. In addition, some balloons are also being used. So far the fires have caused over $1.5 million in damage to 1,800 hectares (4,500 acres) in forests and crops near the Gaza border.

In the West, Bank soldier shot dead a Palestinian man who sought to run them over with the tractor he was driving.

June 1, 2018: In the south, several thousand Palestinians tried to force their way through the security fence at five locations. One of the Palestinians was shot dead and 40 were wounded. One explosive device was found planted near the fence. The next day two more Palestinians were fired on when they were spotted trying to get through the fence.

May 31, 2018: In Syria, there were more Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah ammunition storage areas outside Damascus. Iran has long flown in long range rockets and other advanced weapons. The Damascus airport and airbases near the city were used and the equipment was usually stored in warehouses and bunkers near the city before the stuff was moved to Lebanon or some combat zone in Syria.

In Russia, the defense ministers of Israel and Russia met. After that, there were rumors that Russia had agreed to not interfere with any Israeli attacks on Iranian targets in Syria and continue pressuring Iran to withdraw its mercenaries from the Israeli border. Israel and Russia later stated that there was no Russian blanket pledge to not interfere. There was, however, no change in the existing policy of Russian forces not confronting Israeli attacks on Iranian targets. The Russians consider this a case-by-case decision. The Russians clearly do not want to fight the Israelis, especially when the Russians have growing evidence that Russian military equipment would not do well if there were a fight. At the same time, senior officials back in Israel let it be known that Israel would not object to Syrian troops at their border, especially if there were no Iranian forces in Syria.

May 30, 2018: Hamas and Islamic Jihad announced that they had reached a ceasefire agreement but Israel denied that there was any formal agreement and said negotiations, via Egypt, continue.

May 29, 2018: In the south Hamas and other Islamic terrorist groups at least a hundred rockets and mortar shells across the border. One of the mortar shells landed in a school play area shortly before the young students were to arrive. Another Hamas rocket hit an electricity transmission facility that brought power in from Israel. The damage caused power outages for over 20,000 Palestinians in southern Gaza. Israel responded with airstrikes on more than 80 targets, including many it had avoided in the past. The damage to Hamas and other Islamic terror groups was extensive. The attacks continued into the next day. As Israelis cleaned up the debris from the shells and rockets, most of which landed in uninhabited areas or intercepted by Iron Dome, some of the rockets were found to have been made in Iran. Egypt stopped supplying electricity to Gaza over a year ago, mainly because Hamas refused to pay for it.

Israel also revealed that they had detected and destroyed a second Hamas tunnel near the Kerem Shalom Crossing, where most foreign aid for Gaza enters. This crossing is where the Gaza, Egyptian and Israeli borders meet and the Hamas tunnel was apparently mainly for getting people and goods in and out of Egypt. But Hamas could easily create an exit in Israel and attempt to use that for a raid. Israel destroyed this tunnel and noted that this was the 10th such Hamas tunnel into Israel that had been detected and destroyed since late 2017.

May 28, 2018: In western Syria (Homs province) Israeli airstrikes hit a Hezbollah base near the Lebanon border. Among the Hezbollah losses was one of their senior leaders. Across the border, two Israeli F-16s encountered two Russian Su-34s near Tripoli. There were reports that the Russian jets were confronting the Israelis but Russia and Israel later denied that and said it was simply a chance encounter.

May 27, 2018: Syria has apparently banned Iranian backed forces from using hangers and others buildings on Syrian bases. The Iranians must stay in a separate area and use structures they have built. This is in an effort to limit Syrian losses when Israeli airstrikes go after Iranian forces sharing Syrian bases. The Syrians apparently believe the Israeli aerial reconnaissance and information from informants on the ground is accurate enough to sort verify this new policy.

May 24, 2018: In western Syria (Homs province) Israel used six missiles to destroy a Hezbollah ammunition storage facility at a Syrian airbase.

May 23, 2018: Israel publicly warned Syria that any Syrian air defense system that fired on Israeli aircraft would be destroyed. Those that did not fire would be left alone. Syria has fired over a hundred of its large surface-to-air missiles and only managed to damage one F-16 (which crashed in Israel while trying to land). That loss was attributed to the pilot not following the correct procedure for avoiding these missiles. The Israelis are telling the Syrians, Use it and lose it.

May 22, 2018: The Israeli Air Force released photos showing one of their F-35 stealth fighters flying over Beirut, Lebanon. Actually, the photo was shown during a closed conference but quickly made its way to the mass media. The Israelis admitted F-35s had been used in Syria but would not provide any details.

May 21, 2018: Egyptian, Tunisian and Algerian officials met in Algeria in a continuing effort to work out a common policy on Libya. At the moment Libya is in the midst of forming a national government for the first time since 2011. Neighboring countries want to ensure that none of them support disruptive factions inside Libya. Algeria and Egypt have had their differences about who to support in Libya but now appear to have resolved that problem and want to keep it that way.

May 18, 2018: As a peace gesture Egypt opened its main Gaza crossing for limited use during the entire month of Ramadan. This is the longest the Rafah Crossing has been open in nearly a decade. Normally Rafah is open only a few days a year. Not everyone can use the crossing on these special open days. Only people with business outside Gaza (like students at foreign universities, the elderly or those very ill) can pass and the wait to leave is often as long as eight hours. Egypt is still on bad terms with Hamas because of the anti-Egypt Islamic terror groups that have found sanctuary in Gaza. Egypt also openly criticizes Hamas for the way it has organized its massive demonstrations at the Israeli border. The Egyptians are particularly critical of Hamas encouraging unarmed Gaza civilians, including children, the joined the armed Hamas men who lead the efforts to breach the border fence.

May 15, 2018: An Israeli airstrike in Syria apparently killed a senior Hezbollah commander.

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 10, 2018: In Syria, IRGC commanders have gone on the offensive against Israel and early today launched at least twenty rockets at Israeli targets in the Golan Heights. The Iron Dome batteries there apparently handled this attack. In response, Israeli air and missile strikes against Iranian targets in Syria began and will continue until the Iranian threat in Syria is eliminated. That may take a while as the IRGC and Quds Force have established a presence in many parts of Assad controlled Syria as well as in southern Lebanon. One of the Israeli attacks against an Iranian base outside Damascus killed at least eight Iranians as even more non-Iranians. These losses (which are reported in Iran as martyrs and celebrated as defenders of Iran against American and Israeli aggression) dont always create the desired effect in Iran. More and more Iranians see the IRGC and Quds Force as a bunch of thugs who are looking out for themselves and not the Iranian people. The Israelis appear well aware of this attitude and seem to have gone after all (at least fifty) the IRGC/Quds targets them have identified in Syria. This is just the first day. Israel also announced that it would go after (kill) Basher Assad himself if any Iranian missile attacks hit Tel Aviv (the administrative capital of Israel as opposed to Jerusalem, the official capital and home of many Moslems and Islamic holy places and thus not the best target for an Iranian missile attack).

The Iranian internal tensions have been growing for years and are now becoming more public. The nationwide late 2017 Iranian anti-government demonstrations came as a shock to many government officials but was no surprise to ordinary Iranians. The increased tensions over the 2015 sanctions treaty, the nuclear program and the failure of the Iranian government to deliver on anything (the economy, the destruction of Israel and the United States or anything else). The IRGC casualties in Syria will not necessarily cause Iranians to back their government. Israel believes all these attacks on IRGC facilities in Syria will destroy months of IRGC efforts to build an Iranian military presence in Syria. Replacing all these losses will be expensive and that cost will not be popular with most Iranians either. By attacking so many targets on the first day Israel is also seeking to intimidate the IRGC, who thought they were hiding their presence in many of these locations.Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe.

THE contributions of volunteers will be celebrated during a special weekend event hosted by Warwickshire Police and Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe.

June and will include around 130 people from across Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police. The event comes at the conclusion of National Volunteers Week on Saturday 9

Mr Seccombe said: Volunteers make a huge contribution to keeping communities safe and, with my own background with the Territorial Army, I have been extremely keen to encourage the volunteering ethos as much as possible.

At the gathering at West Mercia Polices headquarters at Hindlip Hall, the volunteers will be welcomed by Mr Seccombe before taking part in a variety of sessions, demonstrations and discussions from key speakers from across the alliance.

Mr Seccombe added: This event is a great opportunity to say a big thank you to all those who give their time to help put something back into their communities and also give them a voice in shaping the future of volunteering in the two forces. I hope the range of presentations will enable all attending to also feel they have extra knowledge and skills which they can take back to their communities and put to good use.

Among those attending will be Special Constables, Police Cadets, Police Support Volunteers, Independent Advisory Group members, OPCC volunteers and members of the Executive Committees for Warwickshire and West Mercia Neighbourhood Watch groups.

The day will include a talk from Worcester University about forensic crime scene investigations; discussions around the future of Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police's Citizens in Policing Programme; a demonstration from the Police Cadets and a session around business and rural crime initiatives.

The day will finish with a talk about the benefits of volunteering before a closing address from Richard Moore the Assistant Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police.

Citizens in Policing Programme Manager, Sian Battle-Welch, said: "We are really excited to welcome so many volunteers to Hindlip Hall for a day of invaluable learning and guidance.

Our police support volunteers and Special Constables have contributed 149,364.75 hours across the alliance in 2017 and 2018.

This is just a fraction of the overall voluntary contribution made by all volunteers who work within or support Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police.

Warwickshire Police and Police and Crime Commissioner Philip SeccombeInstaVR Inc Raises $5 Million Series B to Further Rapid Growth in Enterprise VR Authoring Platform Use

Since launching in 2016, over 30,000 customers have published 200,000+ VR pieces of content using InstaVRs service

San Francisco, CA( )

InstaVR Inc (http://www.instavr.co), a virtual reality (VR) authoring, publishing, and analysis company, announced today it has closed a Series B funding round, which will help further its mission of empowering enterprise businesses to create VR applications. The company received $5 million in additional capital, bringing its total funding to date to $7.2 million. New participants in the funding round are YJ Capital, ITOCHU Technology Ventures, and Mizuho Capital Partners, who join follow-on investors GREE Ventures, COLOPL NEXT, and The Venture Reality Fund (The VR Fund).



The companys technology enables businesses to quickly and easily author interactive 360-degree VR apps and publish them for all major VR headsets, as well as desktop and mobile devices with a single click. Since launching in early 2016, over 30,000 clients have used InstaVR to publish 200,000+ VR pieces of content. Clients include Toyota, Hilton, TUI Group, PwC, US Navy, and GOV.UK.



Recent solution enhancements include streamlined publishing to the new Oculus Go, application access via background streaming/download, and the option for clients to add in-app purchases. The new funding round will be used to expand the InstaVR team and further invest in the companys enterprise offering (InstaVR Central), which helps larger businesses to use VR as a primary means of employee training.



Daniel H. Haga, Founder of InstaVR, said: As VR has gained more widespread adoption, companies are seeing the value of utilizing the technology for creating impactful and memorable immersive experiences, such as new employee onboarding and ongoing training. This round of funding helps InstaVR accelerate our plans to empower major corporations and organizations to more fully realize the benefits of VR.



InstaVR provides a powerful solution set that doesnt require coding, meaning multiple divisions within enterprises can benefit from easily authoring and distributing VR applications. Global organizations can use InstaVR to significantly increase employee performance by building immersive and interactive VR applications, while significantly reducing per employee spending on training.



The future of employee learning is immersive, said Haga. Being able to quickly build and distribute VR training modules is a huge competitive advantage for our clients. Weve worked with thousands of clients to understand how we can give them better tools to make VR effectively. Were proud to continue leading the way in making VR accessible to all businesses.



About InstaVR Inc

Based in San Francisco, InstaVR is a virtual reality focused technology company, providing tools and services to enable professionals to author and publish interactive VR applications. InstaVR requires no prior VR experience and no specialized engineering knowledge. Since launching in early 2016, over 30,000 companies have created hundreds of thousands of immersive 360-degree applications for iOS, Android, Web, Gear VR, Google Daydream, HTC Vive, and Oculus Go and Rift headsets. For more information and to access the InstaVR platform, visit www.instavr.co.Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Trump questioned on Tuesday the delay of the inspector generals report on his former rival, Hillary Clinton, and former FBI Director James Comey in a tweet.



What is taking so long with the Inspector Generals Report on Crooked Hillary and Slipper James Comey, Trump wrote, adding, Hope Report is not being changed and made weaker!



His tweet comes on the heels of a scheduled interview between lawmakers and the first of three current and former FBI officials as part of an ongoing review of how the Department of Justice handled the Clinton and Russia investigations, according to congressional aides.



Comey has defended his handling of the Clinton and Russia probes in response to criticism that he acted improperly by drafting his statement about Clinton while the investigation was ongoing and disclosing that the email investigation was reopened in late October of 2016 shortly before the presidential election.



"If you've been investigating for a year, you know that, unless things change, we're going to head in this direction. Prosecutors and investigators all the time draft indictments before they finish the investigation. Their mind is open that if they find something that changes their view, they won't bring an indictment. But they know where it's headed after a year of investigation. Same thing here," Comey told ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopolous in April.



The presidents tweet on the inspector generals report was just one of a series of tweets he fired off Tuesday morning.



Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.Peru State College Professor Spencer Davis gave a presentation May 31 on the impact of World War I; many that society is still experiencing. The meeting at the Cheyenne County Community Center was attended by about 30 people.

The United States entered World War I, then a European conflict, as a result of aggression by Germany. Consequences of that decision are being felt 100 years later, according to Spencer Davis, guest speaker for the Chautauqua event held Thursday afternoon at the Cheyenne County Community Center. The program, entitled "Nebraskans and the Great War," was led by Peru State College history professor Spencer Davis. Peru State College is located in southeast Nebraska.

"We live with the consequences of the first world war," Davis said. "Four great empires collapsed because of World War I."

He said the war left the world with borders that are still in conflict. Financing the war is another consequence that nations are still experiencing, according to Spencer. He said Britain sold stocks in U.S. companies and much of its gold reserves to finance its war efforts. As the war came to a conclusion, the U.S. said it would not accept reparations from the war, but countries did owe the U.S. debts. The tangled finances lead to the Great Depression, according to Davis.

"In a lot of ways, World War II was an effort to untangle that," he said.

Woodrow Wilson was president during World War I. Davis said Wilson was known as a man who could make things happen. He called his philosophy of government one of "new freedom." In 1914, Europe was deep in conflict. Wilson urged the U.S. to stay neutral. He kept the U.S. out of the war even after a German submarine sunk the British liner the Lusitania, resulting in the loss of 1,200 lives including 124 Americans. Davis said the Lusitania was also transporting war supplies.

He added that during World War I, Nebraskans had the same characteristics as other states: it is a European war. They can take care of it. Davis said public opinion changed with the sinking of the Lusitania. Wilson's protest to Germany's sinking of the Lusitania went beyond that of his Secretary of State, William Jennings Bryan. Bryan became a Nebraska congressman in 1890, played a major role in the 1896 Democratic convention with his Cross of Gold speech that favored free silver. He was known in some circles as "The Boy Orator of the Platte" during the 1896 election.

Forrest Hershberger Guest Speaker Spencer Davis, history professor at Peru State College, talked about the relationship between President Woodrow Wilson and Nebraskan William Jennings Bryan. He noted that Bryan was against entering World War I and resigned in protest of the decision.

He was defeated in his three attempts at the presidency. He served as as Wilson's Secretary of State from 1912 to 1914, after helping him gain the Democratic nomination in 1912. Davis said Bryan and Wilson hoped for more arbitration treaties, while Wilson sent troops to Mexico and to Nicaragua.

"Bryan really believed the U.S. should be neutral," Davis said.

He said after Germany began their submarine warfare, the divide between Bryan and Wilson became more evident. Davis said Wilson was re-elected on the platform he would keep the U.S. out of the war, then later changed his stance. He addressed Congress on April 2, 1917, asking for a Declaration of War. Bryan resigned his post and was later accused of treason.

"There was this tremendous swing from being a supporter of the president to being dismayed," Davis said.

Davis also spoke on George Norris and Willa Cather.

"Women of WWI" will be presented by Karen Vuranch at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 14, and "Men of Bronze - Black Units of WWI," by Charles E. Pace, followed by "Picketing the President" by Helen Lewis at 1:30 p.m. All of these presentations will be at the Cheyenne County Community Center.Former prime minister Mariano Rajoy, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence last Friday, announced on Tuesday that he would be stepping down as leader of the Partido Popular (PP).

"I think the time has arrived to draw a line under [my tenure]," said Rajoy who was replaced by Pedro Sanchez after the PSOE leader tabled a motion (which was passed with 180 in favour, 169 against and one abstention) to topple the leader of the government since 2011.

"The PP must continue going forward and building on its record of serving the Spanish people under someone else," he told the National Executive Committee of the PP. "This is the best [decision] for me, for the PP and for Spain."

Rajoy will remain at the helm of the party, however, until the next party conference at which his successor will be chosen. A meeting will be held "soon" to decide a date at which "the party will enter a new era with a new direction".

Sanchez makes first ministerial appointments

Still in the first week of his premiership, Pedro Sanchez's government is starting to take shape. Sanchez has appointed former Culture minister in the Zapatero government Carmen Calvo as both his deputy and Equality secretary. Calvo, 61, is a trusted pair of hands and a committed feminist; she has been behind some of the PSOE's most ambitious flagship policies over the years.

Calvo, from Cordoba, is one of two Andalusians in the cabinet; the second is Seville-born Maria Jesus Montero, who has gone from head of the Treasury at the Junta de Andalucia to occupying the same post in central government.

Elsewhere, party sources claim that Adriana Lastra will go from deputy general secretary of the PSOE to party spokesperson in Congress, while on Monday, Catalan Josep Borrell made his return to frontline politics, accepting the role of Minister of the Exterior.

Teresa Ribera will oversee the Ministry for Energy, Environment and Climate Change while former advisor to Barack Obama, Rafael Bengoa, is pondering an offer to take charge of Health.SONJA HERITAGE and Kirsten Fulk, here with search and rescue dog Asta, are planning to expand effort to find and train dogs for various purposes.

Kirsten Fulk, owner of Field of Dreams, is working with California search dog handler Sonja Heritage to expand local search dog training facilities and to begin finding and supplying dogs that help people with serious allergies and health problems.

Heritage, who has deployed internationally to some 25 different disaster zones with her search dogs over the past two decades, spent last week visiting Fulk at her business, located west of Sweet Home off Highway 20, to brainstorm ideas to move forward with these plans.

Heritage has worked in Haiti, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. embassy bombing in Kenya, earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan, the Pentagon on 9/11, the explosion of the space shuttle Discovery in Texas and many hurricanes.

She has worked with handlers and dogs in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Heritage said most search and rescue work is volunteer. In the case of major disasters where FEMA is involved, handlers receive compensation. Local responses tend to be volunteer.

Many handlers end up spending a net upward of $4,000 to $8,000 a year on their search and rescue dogs, Heritage said.

"Their most recent deployment was the Montecito (Calif.) mudslides," Fulk said.

The slides occurred in January following last year's devastating fire season, which destroyed vegetation and destabilized slopes in the area.

Heritage was primarily visiting Fulk to work on finding new allergy alert dogs, Fulk said.

Allergy alert dogs are capable of detecting allergens before a susceptible person enters a room, Heritage said. She described an exercise in a California elementary school where dogs found peanut material on eight different doors, each of which had a sign admonishing, "no peanuts."

"Kirsten and I have joined forces quite a bit, working on peanut alert dogs," Heritage said.

Fulk has been recruiting dogs for the Search Dog Foundation for years. Heritage is a canine search specialist with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency California Task Force Five, Orange County Fire Authority, an urban search and rescue team.

Many dogs, they said, are good at searching, but they don't like being high up on a pile of rubble and may be unsuited to disaster search and rescue. They can do other work.

Fulk said one dog that had been rejected as a search dog was able to go work as a diabetic alert dog.

Dogs rejected as search dogs "aren't always great pets," Fulk said. They're still extremely active, like the dogs selected as search dogs.

"They need something to do," Heritage said. "They're ADHD dogs."

They still want to hunt and chase things, she said. They may not be suited to life on top of the rubble pile, but their energy can be channeled into work as a seizure alert dog, a diabetic alert dog or an allergy alert dog.

Fulk said also that some rejected dogs are still suited to police work as drug detection dogs or bomb detection. She has two dogs that have gone to work as drug detection dogs.

Fulk scours dog shelters across the western states. Over the weekend, she went to Colorado to check out and possibly rescue a couple of dogs for search dog training.

""We're just trying to find more ways for these dogs to have a happy successful life," Fulk said. To save these dogs from potentially being euthanized, they want to find something else for them to do.

Allergy detection is fairly new for dogs, Heritage said. It's been around for about a decade but really growing in the past five years.

Heritage is good at evaluating dogs for these various uses, Fulk said.

She has probably trained more dogs than anyone else involved with FEMA. Directly, she has trained 40 to 50 dogs, and she has worked with many more as a FEMA evaluator and instructor.

"We're brainstorming right now," Fulk said. They would like to take FEMA search dogs to the next level.

Heritage spent the week looking around the property at Field of Dreams.

"We have an amazing facility here," Heritage said. With 70 acres available, they can set up and bring in search and rescue elements to run mock searches.

The two want to bring search dogs and handlers to the Sweet Home area to train, Heritage said. Because search dogs are active, when they're not working a disaster, they need to stay busy training.

Fulk has a small rubble pile, she said, but it's small. They need large chunks of concrete that can be arranged with stable, safe openings where dogs in training can locate volunteers. Ideally, they could use reinforced concrete chunks.

"We basically make a Habitrail and put rocks over it," Heritage said.

Other debris, such as abandoned vehicles, a car or maybe a school bus, and large logs, would be useful as well in setting up the site, Fulk said. She invites people with large pieces of debris to ask her about whether it might work to help simulate disasters like tornadoes, quakes and plane crashes.

"I really want to be able to host a (major simulated) deployment here," Heritage said.

To inquire about donating debris, call Fulk at (541) 936-4765.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 ...Fallout: New California, the long-awaited prequel mod for Fallout: New Vegas, will finally launch in October after five years in development.

The announcement of the Fallout: New California release date comes after Bethesda's teaser for Fallout 76, the next game in the post-apocalyptic RPG franchise that will be showcased at the upcoming E3 2018.

'Fallout: New California' Release Date Unveiled

Fallout: New California, a total conversion mod for 2010's Fallout: New Vegas, is set to launch on Oct. 23, five years after the team behind the project, Radian Helix Media, started working on it.

Fallout: New California, set in 2260, will serve as the unofficial prequel to Fallout: New Vegas. The brand-new story starts in Vault 18 in Los Angeles, where the player's character is an adopted resident. Upon emerging to the surface, players will discover a three-way war between the Survivalist Army, the New California Republic, and the Super Mutants. The story will offer 12 different endings and 16,000 lines of voice dialogue.

Fallout: New California, which started out as Project Brazil, was initially targeted to be released before 2015's Fallout 4. It now appears that Radian Helix Media is now looking to beat the launch of Fallout 76.

Before its October launch, players will be able to sign up for the Fallout: New California beta in July. According to the development team, the features and art assets of the Fallout: New Vegas mod are already complete, but it will take a few more months for all the side quests to be included in what is essentially a Fallout fan-made game.

While the new Fallout mod is long delayed, at least it is still happening. The Capital Wasteland project, which looked to remake Fallout 3 as a Fallout 4 mod, was canceled in March.

'Fallout 76' At E3 2018

Gamers still in love with Fallout: New Vegas may finally relish the nearing launch of Fallout: New California. Gamers who have moved on to Fallout 4, however, may be looking ahead to Fallout 76.

Bethesda recently rolled out a teaser trailer to confirm Fallout 76 as the next Fallout game. With a tagline of "our future begins," Bethesda may be hinting at a future wherein the survivors start crawling out of their vaults after the Earth was ravaged by a nuclear war.

Not much is known about Fallout 76, aside from the fact that it will be present at E3 2018. The annual video game event will run from June 12 to June 14 in Los Angeles, California, but Bethesda will already reveal more Fallout 76 details at its E3 press conference on June 10.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.A group of scientists says that neurological damages caused by high-frequency sounds are not possible in today's technology.

They draw such conclusion after recent reports of an alleged sonic attack were made by U.S. government officials in Cuba.

In an open letter published in The Guardian, 15 signatories from renowned research and academic institutions in the United States, England, The Netherlands, Germany, and Cuba disputed claims that a sonic attack has caused neurological harm to American diplomats stationed in China.

This incident mirrors related cases of diseases acquired by 24 U.S. government officials in Cuba that were reported in late 2016. The reports stirred hysteria and prompted scientists to conduct an investigation.

Nature Of The Sonic-Induced Neurological Damage

In a U.S. government-commissioned study published in JAMA, researchers tested the U.S. diplomats stationed in Cuba to determine if the high-frequency sounds they heard have lasting detrimental effects on their health.

It was found that the subjects had balance and thinking problems, difficulty in sleeping, and headaches. Some of the test participants had widespread injuries in the brain, but some scientists contend this finding.

Andrew Oxenham, a professor in the departments of psychology and otolaryngology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, explained that very high or very low-frequency ultrasound tends to decrease over distance. This means that a possible sonic attack should have massive loudspeakers, which is impossible to house in today's smaller devices.

Timothy Leighton, a professor of ultrasonics and underwater acoustics at the University of Southampton in England, have found evidence of ultrasound in places where the subjects experienced the so-called sonic attacks. However, he said symptoms such as headaches and nausea are only accidental.

"As a result, people got the impression this was some sort of ultrasonic death rifle," Leighton said.

Cognitive Impairments That Everybody Has

In a letter published May 18 in the Journal of Neurology, Sergio Della Sala and Robert McIntosh said the neurological and cognitive symptoms exhibited by American diplomats in Havana have undetermined causes.

Six of the 21 employees who underwent neuropsychological battery tests showed impairment in at least one of the 10 cognitive domains. This means that 40 percent of the subjects performed at or below the 40th percentile on any given task.

"Concerns over possible 'health attacks' have led to the ongoing withdrawal of staff from the US embassy in Havana," the authors wrote.

The researchers, who are both professors and researchers at the University of Edinburgh in the UK, concluded that everyone could practically exhibit the same cognitive symptoms as reported by the United States embassy employees.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.After centuries of studying the statues on Easter Island, scientists believe that they finally know how the mysterious hats got on top of them.

History Of The Statues On Easter Island

Easter Island is located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America. The first settlers arrived there over a thousand years ago.

Europeans first discovered Easter Island when Jacob Roggeveen stepped foot on the island on Easter Day in 1722. The Europeans were perplexed about the famous monumental stone statues on the island that were up to 33 feet tall. They were also curious as to how 13-ton hats were placed on the heads at the top of the statues.

The statues are made from volcanic material from one quarry on the island and the hats were made out of red scoria from a different quarry on the island.

Previous Theories About How The Hats Got On The Statues

While scientists previously determined that the statues were moved to the locations with a walking and rocking motion, they weren't certain about how the hats got there.

One theory was that the hats were moved and placed on the statues in a sliding motion. Scientists from Pennsylvania State University searched for indentations on the hats that would fit the top of the statues. However, remnants of broken statues suggest that this was not the case at all.

Researchers Find The Real Method For Moving The Hats

Using photogrammetry and high-tech 3D imaging, the researchers determined that the hats were rolled to the top of the statues using a parbuckling method on a ramp.

The findings were published in a study on May 31 in the Journal Of Archaeological Science.

"This is the first time anyone has systematically explored the evidence for how the giant hats were placed on the top of the heads of the massive statues of Easter Island," said study co-author Carl Lipo. "Our work combines cutting-edge 3-D modeling with artifact analysis and models drawn from physics to arrive at the best answer."

The researchers hypothesize that 15 or fewer workers could roll the hats up to the ramp. They also said that the hats were tipped on top of the statue, and not pushed, because of the ridges located at the hat base indentation. If the hats were pushed up, the soft-stone groves would have likely been destroyed.

The workers used ropes to help roll the hats up to the ramp. Afterward, the workers disassembled the ramps and turned them into the wings surrounding the statues.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer for both men and women. An experimental new drug might be a potential treatment for patients.

What Did Researchers Reveal About A New Pancreatic Cancer Treatment?

On June 5 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference, researchers presented the findings of a promising new treatment for pancreatic cancer patients. It will be primarily given to patients with cancer that hasn't spread yet.

Folfirinox is a four-drug combo "cocktail" that could extend surgical patients lives' by two additional years. It marks an improvement from the current single standard drug.

"You take overall survival from just under three years to almost five years," said Dr. Daniel Labow. "That, for pancreas cancer, is a relative home run because survival in general is so poor."

Roughly half of pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed after the disease spreads, which is what makes this new treatment so important.

Researchers found that three years after treatment, two-thirds of patients on Folfirinox were still alive, and 40 percent were cured. This was compared to the other drug, Gemzar. Half of the patients on Gemzar were alive, and 20 percent were cured.

ASCO's chief medical officer Dr. Richard Schilsky praised the results and said it's the biggest advance for pancreatic cancer in 25 years.

How Did Researchers Study The Drug?

Researchers examined 500 patients throughout France and Canada from a four-year period between 2012 and 2016. Some of the patients received Folfirinox through an IV every two weeks for up to six months. During that same time, another group of patients received Gemzar three times a month.

All the participants were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and early ductal tumors.

Future Implications Of The New Pancreatic Cancer Drug

Although the results of the drug seemed promising, there were also numerous side effects. Patients who received Folfirnox experienced fatigue and diarrhea. The Gemzar group also recorded one death.

Patients should know that this is still in the testing phase since it hasn't been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal yet. There are some patients who are still taking the new drug, but they are primarily in an advanced stage where the cancer is spreading.

In addition to this promising drug, there is also another study from the Netherlands that could also provide hope to pancreatic cancer patients. The other study combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy to improve the survival rate for patients before pancreatic cancer surgery.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.Two experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider made a discovery that links the two heaviest elementary particles of the Standard Model: the Higgs boson and top quark.

CMS And Atlas Experiments

Scientists working in the CMS and ATLAS experiments saw simultaneous production of these two particles during a rare subatomic process, marking the first time scientists measured the direct interaction between Higgs boson and top quarks.

The rare process involves two gluons inside the colliding protons fusing and producing two virtual top quarks.

Interaction Of Higgs Boson And Top Quarks

Fundamental particles gain mass when they interact with the Higgs field, so it is not surprising that the top quark would be observed to have strong coupling with the Higgs boson. Scientists, however, said that the theory still needs to be carefully scrutinized.

The Higgs boson was first predicted in the 1960s, but it was only in 2012 that it was discovered by the CMS and ATLAS experiments. By this time, theorists already have an idea how the Higgs boson should behave based on the Standard Model of particle physics.

Physicists now tap the LHS to test these predictions. Among those they want to investigate are whether Higgs boson can interact with quarks and what the relationship may look like.

Researchers are interested in the Higgs boson-top quark relationship because the top quark is the most massive particle that scientists have discovered.

"As the 'giver of mass,' the Higgs boson should be enormously fond of the top quark," Patty McBride, from the U.S. Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, said.

Earlier evidences failed to meet the threshold needed to claim discovery of coupling, but results of the new experiments, which were published in the Physical Review Letter, showed that the Higgs boson definitely communicates with the top quark.

Scientists were able to observe a statistically significant abundance of events in which the production of the Higgs boson is associated with two top quarks.

"The observation of Higgs boson production in association with a top quark-antiquark pair is reported, based on a combined analysis of proton-proton collision data," researchers wrote in their study.

Physics Beyond The Standard Model

Scientists said that exploring the relationship of the Higgs boson and the top quark further may lead to new physics beyond the standard model.

"In the coming years, much more data will be collected and the precision will be improved, in order to see if the Higgs boson reveals the presence of physics beyond the Standard Model," said Florencia Canelli, from the Department of Physics at the University of Zurich.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.Sweeping over the vast coastal desert of southern Peru, archaeologists have discovered giant ground drawings older than the nearby, more famous Nazca Lines.

Using drone technology, a team from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture was able to map 25 new geoglyphs, or giant carvings, drawn into the ground. Many of these drawings are human figures, such as warriors and a dancing woman.

One of the most prominent of these is a giant drawing of a killer whale, considered a powerful creature in ancient Peruvian mythology, that is believed to be one of the oldest geoglyphs ever found.

Paracas Drawings

The newly discovered geoglyphs are located in Peru's Palpa Valley some 250 miles south of the capital Lima.

Unlike the Nazca Lines, the newly discovered drawings are thin and long, often just several inches wide but stretching out many meters long. They are found on hillsides, also unlike the Nazca lines that are carved on flat ground, meaning they could be seen from the villages sitting in the valley below the hills.

The drawings are believed to have been etched into the ground by the ancient Paracas culture, which predate the Nazca people responsible for Peru's more well-known geoglyphs.

The Paracas flourished from 800 to 200 B.C. in the Ica, Pisco, and Chincha valleys before moving south to occupy the Palpa and Nazca valleys. They also built pyramids and invented technological advances in textiles and ceramics.

Archaeologists have yet to discover the purpose of geoglyphs, although a popular theory is that they were used as part of religious rituals. Most of the Nazca drawings are lines and geometric shapes, but some have been found in the form of a hummingbird, a monkey, and a pelican.

"In total we're talking about 1,200 years in which geoglyphs were produced," says Johny Isla, archaeologist at the culture ministry and head of the restoration team for the Nazca Lines.

Restoration Of The Killer Whale Geoglyph

Isla first found evidence of the orca geoglyph years ago while doing research at the German Archaeological Institute in Bonn. Isla found an image of the geoglyph in an archaeological catalog collected by German researchers in the 1960s.

With the help of Google Earth, Isla eventually discovered the location of the geoglyph in 2015 and, together with a team of six specialists, proceeded to restore the ancient drawing.

Because the Paracas lines are thinner than those found in Nazca, the drawings have become harder to decipher with a layman's eye. Time has also not been friendly to the ancient drawings.

"Being drawn on a slope, it is easier [for it] to suffer damage than [for] those figures that are in flat areas, such as those of the Nazca Pampa," Isla says.

Using the Nazca technique, Isla and his team used a thin layer of stones to outline the edges of the lines and then shaved a layer of earth between the lines to reveal lighter-colored earth. They then combined this with a Paracas technique to create a pile of dark stones that make up the orca's eye.

The geoglyph of an orca is believed to date back to 2,000 B.C.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.Most patients are unconscious when doctors perform CPR on them, but one story out of Europe shows that this is not always the case.

Events That Lead To CPR For The Patient

In 2016, an anonymous 69-year-old man was rushed to the emergency room after feeling breathless for a few hours. For the previous three days, he had experienced indigestion and nausea. After he experienced a period of rapid heart rate at the hospital, he went into cardiac arrest.

Doctors told his story on June 4 during a presentation at the European Anaesthesiology Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. Medical staff responded to the patient's needs by providing an oxygen mask. The cardiac arrest team performed Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the patient to save his life.

Doctors Perform CPR On The Patient

For the next 90 minutes, as doctors performed CPR on the man, he reportedly showed signs of conscious awareness. The patient reportedly moved his eyes, hands, and legs. He also gestured to the doctors.

When the patient showed signs of life, the doctors stopped CPR. However, he soon went back into cardiac arrest because his heart was not working. Doctors said that his heart lacked electrical activity and spontaneous rhythm.

Every three to five minutes, doctors administered epinephrine (adrenaline) to try to restore his pulse.

An hour into CPR, doctors conducted an ultrasound scan of the patient's heart. When he first entered the hospital, he did not have any type of scan before the cardiac arrest. With the ultrasound, the doctors discovered that the patient suffered a complete aortic dissection, which is a fatal condition where the inner layer of the large blood vessel branching off the heart tears.

Despite the medical attention from the doctors, the patient did not survive.

Are Patients Normally Awake During CPR?

It is extremely rare for patients to exhibit signs of consciousness and awareness during CPR because of the low level of blood flow to the brain. A 2014 study found that only about 2 percent of patients exhibit full awareness during cardiac arrest.

"It is much more likely to have people waking up during compressions when the additive effect of compressions on an already beating heart raises the blood pressure to a sufficient level to provide enough blood flow to the brain," Dr. Sam Parnia, a co-author on that 2014 study, told CNN.

Doctors at the European Anaesthesiology Congress debated the possibility of sedating patients during CPR.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.A new study has been published that claims that dogs could pass on a deadly illness that might be transformed into a worldwide pandemic.

The Dog Flu Study

The mBio, a journal published by the American Society for Microbiology, released a new study from a research team representing the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Through their research, the group found that domestic dogs might be concealing various viruses. The scientists believe that they could potentially give this virus to humans.

For their study, the research group traveled to southern China and found 16 different strands of influenza viruses. Through their research, they discovered that several strands contained elements of the pandemic H1N1 virus, which was responsible for the significant 2009 swine flu outbreak. The scientists believe that the flu viruses that are dormant in domestic dogs could mutate and jump to human bodies.

China Dogs

When the research team was in the Guangxi region of China, they looked at various dogs whose owners took them to veterinarians in between the years 2013 and 2015. The researchers found that the dogs had elements of two additional flu viruses, the H3N2, and H3N8. They also found the viruses strains on dogs that were kept in kennels and dog farms, where some dogs were being bred for their meat.

Professor Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, the study's principal investigator, revealed that domestic dogs were the perfect breeding ground for the viruses. He also added there might be a possibility to restrict the influenza virus by giving dogs a vaccine in hopes to prevent the dog flu from spreading.

"Vaccinating them is something that's feasible, as well as preventing transmission in overcrowded conditions. We should also be monitoring dogs as potential sources of influenza," said Professor Garcia-Sastre to the Telegraph.

Dog News

United Airlines announced last month that more than 40 breeds of dogs would be banned from flying with the airline starting June 18. Some of the kinds that were prohibited from flying include French bulldogs, the American pit bull, Belgian Malinois, and Boston terriers. The airline also announced that it would be working with American Humane on reviewing its pet policy.

BMJ Journals published a new study from the University of Liverpool that stated that dogs bite emotionally unstable people. Researchers discovered through participant surveys that the people that who scored the lowest on a 10-item personality test, the higher the person had the chance to be bitten by a dog. The survey also revealed that men were twice as likely to be bitten over women.

Tech Times contacted Professor Garcia-Sastre for a comment on this story.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.Denyse Gordon, from left, Joanne Makay, Hope Garcia, Rachel Engler, Jas Boothe, Nichole Alred and Andrea Waterbury vie in the 'Ms. Veteran America' competition. Their lives after serving active duty tours are profiled in 'Served Like a Girl.'A Slaughter woman accused of poisoning a man she called her husband in 2015 was taken into custody on Tuesday, Baton Rouge police said.

Meshell Hale, 50, of 388 Scott Bar Lane, was booked in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on second-degree murder after the Louisiana State Police Fugitive Task Force located her in the Baton Rouge area, police said.

Police had issued an arrest warrant for Hale last week, alleging she fatally poisoned Damian Skipper in June 2015. Medical officials initially said Skipper died from a heart attack, but they reclassified his death as a homicide by barium poisoning in May 2017 after East Baton Rouge coroner officials exhumed his body.

Hale initially claimed Skipper was her husband, but law enforcement officials later discovered they were not married legally. The pair did live together before Skipper's death, police said. She received $10,000 from Skipper's insurance policy after his death.

Slaughter woman now wanted for murder; police think husband poisoned, not heart attack victim A man originally believed to have died in Baton Rouge from a heart attack three years ago was actually murdered, police say, citing evidence t

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Dr. Beau Clark, the East Baton Rouge coroner, said Friday he decided to exhume Skipper's body and test specifically for barium acetate after he received a phone call from then Orleans Parish Coroner Jeffrey Rouse. Clark said Rouse told him he was investigating a death in New Orleans that may have been connected to Skipper's death.

Less than a year after Skipper's death, Hale's legal husband, 42-year-old Arthur Noflin Jr., was found dead and burned beyond recognition in a truck in New Orleans in March 2016. Months before Noflin's death, he was ill with some of the same symptoms that Skipper experienced before his death, including abdominal pain, weakness, vomiting and low potassium, according to Hale's arrest warrant.

Hale had been named the sole beneficiary of Noflin's $750,000 life insurance policy less than eight months before his death, but has not been able to claim it after Noflin's parents contested it. They asserted in a court filing that Hale and perhaps also her daughter may be criminally responsible for the death of their son, and therefore the parents may be entitled to the policys proceeds.

The New Orleans Police Department, which is investigating Noflin's death, and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office searched Hale's electronic devices and financial records in May 2016. Those documents revealed that Hale searched the internet for information on barium acetate before purchasing the chemical three separate times, two of them before Skipper's death, according to Hale's arrest warrant.Louisiana lawmakers failed to reach a tax deal by Monday's deadline, cratering their second special session this year without agreement and passing a budget that would force deep cuts across state government next month.

The House and Senate couldn't agree on what level of taxes to raise in the budget year that begins July 1, and the House ended at midnight in meltdown as lawmakers tried to scramble to bring up a sales tax bill that was opposed by House GOP leaders.

In the final minutes of the session, Rep. Alan Seabaugh, a Shreveport Republican, ran out the clock by staying at the microphone and blocking an attempt to reconsider the bill, which would have increased revenue by $504 million.

Yes, Im trying to run the clock out, because weve voted on this bill before, and it didnt get 70 votes, Seabaugh said, adding the body has spoken.

Early Tuesday morning, Gov. John Bel Edwards said he'll call another special session to try to avoid steep slashing across the TOPS tuition program, college campuses, the child-welfare agency and public safety programs. He didn't say when the session would start, but said it would end before the new budget year begins.

Heres what Edwards and lawmakers had to say after the collapse of the special session:

-- Edwards: "This was a sad night for the great people of our state. You saw a minority in the House let politics take priority over people. Our state deserves better." The governor also called what happened in the final minutes in the House a damn crying shame and faulted the speaker of the House, Taylor Barras, R- New Iberia, for what he called a total collapse of leadership.

Can't see video below? Click here.

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-- Rep. Andy Anders, D-Vidalia: "I'm really disappointed in the whole process."

-- Rep. Rob Shadoin, R-Ruston, on another special session: If I were the governor, I wouldnt call one. Weve done this seven times out of nine sessions, whats the use? I think if I were the governor Id tell this House, Okay, you want a special session? You call yourselves into it.

-- Rep. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe: There were some Republicans and Democrats that came together at the end, to put the people first, and one Republican went to the mic and filibustered, which means we have to come back in the special session and spend about $500,000 more of the peoples money with the same options of bills on the table. We came in the session and only raised $30 million with a $600 million deficit. This is not putting the people first."

-- Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans: We all have to own up for what a few people in the House of Representatives did because theyre selfish. She added that what Seabaugh did at the end was really disrespectful to the people of Louisiana" and said he should apologize.

-- Rep. Julie Stokes, R-Kenner: There were a number of us that wanted to follow our party and do the right thing. We wanted a mix of cuts and revenue to move our state forward. But once Harris bill failed, there was one viable option left. And they filibustered and prevented a vote on it."

-- Rep. Ted James, D-Baton Rouge: "This is what happens when folks want control of the body, but dont know how to lead it.

The Associated Press and the LSU Manship School News Service's Kaylee Poche, Devon Sanders Paul Braun, Tryfon Boukouvidis and Drew White contributed to this reportGov. John Bel Edwards says the state lacks the money needed to widen Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish at this time despite a May 26 accident in Covington that killed four people.

Parish President Pat Brister wrote a letter to Edwards last week asking for immediate assistance in the wake of the accident.

+14 Four dead, many injured after crashes involving 18-wheelers, vehicles on I-12 in Covington Four people were reported dead and about a dozen more injured after multiple crashes Saturday afternoon involving two 18-wheelers and several 

Brister said that, while there is no way to know whether an expanded I-12 would have prevented the deadly crashes, the incident pointed up the need for accelerated roadwork in one of the state's fastest-growing parishes.

In his response, dated June 1, Edwards said two projects are on the state's to-do list in the area.

One would widen I-12 from La. 21 to U.S. 190. The other would add more lanes on the interstate from U.S. 190 to La. 59.

The cost would be $95 million to $120 million.

"Unfortunately, current resources are insufficient to undertake these and many other needed projects across Louisiana, hence the effort to increase transportation revenues in the 2017 regular session," Edwards wrote.

The governor said that if the Legislature had endorsed a state gasoline tax recommended by his task force, "both of these I-12 widening projects would have been fully funded and one, or possibly both, would be under construction today."

A plan backed by the Edwards administration would have boosted the gas tax by 17 cents per gallon, raising about $500 million per year. It died last year without a vote in the full House or Senate.

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Louisiana has a backlog of road and bridge needs that totals about $14 billion. However, any renewed push for more road and bridge dollars is unlikely before 2021 because of legislative rules and political considerations.

Edwards also said in his letter that the state has spent more than $400 million on I-12 in the past decade, including over $100 million in St. Tammany Parish.

After the accident, the state began what officials call a road safety assessment aimed at coming up with short-term solutions.

One option would be placing warning lights along parts of I-12 to let motorists know about traffic congestion.

Similar warning lights operate on Interstate 10 around Lobdell and west toward the Atchafalaya Basin because of regular backups on the Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge.

The lights also were suggested by state Rep. Reid Falconer, R-Mandeville, whose legislative district is near the site of the accident.

+4 Wider roads? Warning lights? Changes pushed for DOTD near scene of tragic Covington wreck A state lawmaker asked Louisiana's transportation chief Wednesday to consider road changes near the site of Saturday's accident on eastbound I

The accident consisted of multiple crashes involving two 18-wheelers and other vehicles. Aside from the four deaths, including two Baton Rouge residents, about a dozen people were injured.

"It is our understanding that driver inattention or distraction is the likely underlying cause of this horrific crash," Edwards wrote.

"Driver distraction has reached alarming levels across our nation; however, an effective strategy for countering this has yet to emerge."Just hours after the second special session of the year ended, the Louisiana House Republican Caucus has vowed that it "will not waver" as the Legislature gears up for a third later this month.

"Since the first day of this legislative session and throughout the special session, the Louisiana House Republican Delegation has been crystal clear in its opposition to growing the size of government," the GOP Caucus said in a written statement. "We will enter into the upcoming special session laser-focused on reducing state spending and meeting the critical needs of the state. Our commitment to the taxpayers will not waver."

The special session ended at midnight, with little done to strategically address the $650 million fiscal cliff the state faces when more than $1 billion in temporary tax measures expire June 30.

Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, has said he will call a third special session to finalize the budget to begin July 1.

After earlier stalemates, the House last week agreed to extend one-third of the expiring sales tax and temporarily suspend some sales tax breaks, which would mean that the state's sales tax rate would go from 5 percent to 4.33 percent on July 1 to raise about $370 million toward the fiscal cliff. The measure was sponsored by House GOP Caucus Chair Lance Harris, of Alexandria, who said he told Edwards Monday morning that House Republicans would not support an extension of anything more than one-third of 1 percent.

The Senate, with support from Edwards, advanced a proposal to keep one-half of the expiring tax hike, setting the new state sales tax rate at 4.5 percent and generate more than $500 million.

Both proposals ultimately were rejected in the House in the final moments of the special session, while the Senate had agreed to multiple avenues.

For taxpayers, the difference between the two competing proposals would be about 17 cents on a $100 purchase.

But conservative House Republican leaders repeatedly insisted on the one-third rate.

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"In a spirit of compromise and despite our opposition to additional taxation and growth of government, Republicans presented a compromise plan to fund critical state priorities by renewing one-third of the expiring one-cent sales tax with the condition that we reduce state spending by the smallest of margins, 1.7 percent," the bloc said in its statement, adding that it later reduced the demand for cuts to below 1 percent. "The (reduction plan) was met with hostile resistance and outlandish scare tactics from the administration. While Republicans came to the middle, the administration and Democrats doubled down on a tax-and-spend budget."

The House Republican Delegation has taken the brunt of Edwards' blame for the collapse of two special sessions this year.

"You saw a minority in the House clearly let politics take priority over people," Edwards said early Tuesday morning, shortly after the session ended in a chaotic frenzy in the House with repeated rejections of tax proposals.

'Not putting the people first': Lawmakers, Gov. Edwards react to special session collapse Louisiana lawmakers failed to reach a tax deal by Monday's deadline, cratering their second special session this year without agreement and pa

He specifically faulted House, Taylor Barras, R- New Iberia, for what he called a "total collapse of leadership."

WATCH: Yes, Im trying to run the clock out. A minority in #lalege intentionally ruined the special session and are forcing cuts to higher education, TOPS, sheriffs, district attorneys and children and family services. They put politics over people in LA. #lagov #lalege pic.twitter.com/FvR1n95lsW  John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) June 5, 2018

Edwards, a Democrat, has frequently been at odds with the conservative House leadership since taking office in January 2016. On the day Edwards was sworn into office, House Republicans bucked the unusual tradition of Louisiana governors hand-picking a member to lead the chamber  opting to name little-known Barras to the post, instead of Edwards' Democratic preference, Rep. Walt Leger III, of New Orleans. Barras was a compromise, after Metairie Rep. Cameron Henry couldn't get the votes. Henry has since become chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which gets the first shot at the state's major spending proposals. Rep. Neil Abramson, of New Orleans, who was the only Democrat to join Republicans in the speaker vote, is now chairman of the powerful Ways & Means Committee, which gets the first crack at the state's major tax proposals.

Over six special sessions and three regular sessions in the months since, House Republicans have consistently positioned themselves at odds with Edwards.The Acadiana Planning Commission meets at the capitol on the 4th floor Tuesday May 29, 2018, in Baton Rouge, La. Gov. John Bel Edwards, at lectern, spoke on regional flood management and signed an executive order concerning $30 million in funding.Food festivals have been multiplying to cover more of the citys food obsessions. Vietnamese food has progressively grown into one of those obsessions. Of course, the two trends were bound to converge.

Pho Festival Where: Nawlins Market, 1048 Scotsdale Dr., Harvey When: June 9 and 10, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rain or shine. Free admission.

But Pho Festival, which returns June 9 and 10 in Harvey, does not quite fit the local food festival mold.

It has been around for a few years, though it has remained a low-key, grass-roots event. The times I've visited have always delivered delightful surprises, providing a self-guided tour of Vietnamese flavors we dont often see in local restaurants.

The festival has a new West Bank location this year at Nawlins Market, an outdoor marketplace for flea market finds and other goods.

But organizer Tri Cung said the format will remain similar to previous years. That's good news, because the mix of food vendors really makes this event stand out and showcases the potential for a wider range of flavors within this increasingly popular cuisine.

While some restaurants take part in the festival, most of the food is prepared by families and local charitable, civic and religious groups, cooking together tailgate style. The event is a fundraiser for Vietnamese American Community in Louisiana, a nonprofit community group.

In addition to food, Pho Festival will have gifts, crafts and live music. Many of the Nawlins Market regular weekend vendors will also be open during the event.

Spring rolls, banh mi and of course the namesake pho are all represented, and you can wash them down with strong iced coffee or freshly pressed sugar cane juice.

But the most fun I've had at past Pho Fests has been trying new dishes, talking with vendors about them and chatting up other festival goers about their finds.

One dish I'm happy to see coming back this year is the Mi Quang noodles, a brothy mix of tumeric-yellow rice noodles, two types of shrimp, many types of pork and hot chiles.

Another festival staple here is called bo la lot. Its a kebab of heavily seasoned beef wrapped in dark green betel leaf. Speared on skewers and grilled, they are savory, bitter and delicious. Another finger-food snack are nem chua, or squares of pressed, sour-and-sweet fermented ham, topped with shards of garlic and chiles.

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Then there's the trung vit long, the fertilized duck egg known by its Filipino name duck balut and for its many appearances on weird-food travel shows. Theres no missing that youre eating an unhatched duck embryo when you tuck into this particular dish. It is safe to assume this will qualify as an acquired taste for many, though these eggs have their following.

Some of the festival stands are run by Buddhist temples and by members of the local Cao Dai community, a religion with its roots in Vietnam. These serve only vegetarian food.

Look for banh it, or banana leafs folded into sharp pyramid shapes around sweet mung bean paste and rice flour, orb-shaped sesame cakes, brilliant green, semisweet, very-chewy banh da lon cakes, and mam chung, which resembles a tofu quiche with a more fermented flavor and a dappling of chiles.

Some of these dishes appear at Vietnamese markets, but it's eye-opening to find so many of them offered for impulse snacking at a food festival. In an area increasingly enamored with Vietnamese cooking, this homespun event is a chance to eat off the menu.

It also shows what happens when a proud and tight-knit community comes together to cook, eat and share with others. Thats a familiar starting point for many a food celebration in Louisiana.

Pho Festival

Where: Nawlins Market, 1048 Scotsdale Drive, Harvey

When: June 9 and 10, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Rain or shine. Free admission.A bitter two-man race for King Zulu 2019 may not be over yet.

George V. Rainey, who came up six votes shy when the ballots were counted on May 27, has filed a grievance with the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club that has held up ratification of the results.

In his grievance, Rainey, 86, cites possible voting irregularities and mishandling of absentee ballots in a race that ended with rival Naaman C. Stewart, 52, the clubs president, claiming the crown.

Rainey, a Zulu member for nearly half a century, argues that club officials violated internal policies by calling nine members by phone to record their votes.

Those officials also initially had said that 130 absentee ballots were returned, but the final tally indicated only 120 absentee votes among the 524 total votes cast.

Where are the 10 absentee ballots? Rainey asks in his grievance, which also claims that Zulu members who hadnt paid their dues may have been allowed to vote, in violation of club bylaws.

Stewart won with 265 votes to Rainey's 259.

Just what happens next is uncertain in a club that normally keeps things close to the vest.

Rainey declined to comment, and Stewart did not return a message on Monday. Zulu rules generally bar members from speaking to the news media about club affairs without approval of the president  in this case, Stewart.

The African-American club, one of the citys oldest Carnival organizations, parades each year on Fat Tuesday, its members all in blackface and handing out the clubs signature coconuts.

Its most famous king, in 1949, was jazz great Louis Armstrong.

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Unlike other Carnival krewes that choose their royalty in secret ways, often from families that have been associated with the organization for generations, Zulu relies on a democratic process that often resembles bruising party politics  minus the state election laws.

Distributing food, drinks and favors to woo votes is encouraged, according to a Times-Picayune account from 2011, when the vote for King Zulu also came under challenge.

When Stewart ran for king in 2003, he gave away 27-inch TVs and a weekend getaway to fellow Zulu members and took out a billboard ad near the clubs South Broad Street headquarters. He finished third.

This year, Stewart printed a 12-page glossy flier that touted his achievements as Zulu president and boasted of the support of 11 past Zulu kings.

The two candidates traded barbs, and each pulled endorsements from the real political world.

Former Mayor Marc Morial got behind Stewart. Current Mayor LaToya Cantrell and state Sen. Troy Carter endorsed Rainey.

Tensions were evident between the two candidates. In a March letter, Rainey scoffed at untruths including a rumor that he was running because he disliked Stewart.

In a separate letter, Stewart insisted, out of respect, that he would have never run against Mr. Rainey, but it does not seem the sentiment is mutual.

Stewart also detailed 20 months of his schedule as Zulu president. He said he wanted to impress upon other club members the stamina necessary to fulfill high profile roles such as King Zulu.if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi...An experimental vaccine regimen based on the structure of a vulnerable site on HIV elicited antibodies in mice, guinea pigs and monkeys that neutralize dozens of HIV strains from around the world. The findings were reported today in the journal Nature Medicine by researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, and their colleagues.

Peter D. Kwong, Ph.D., and John R. Mascola, M.D., led the study. Dr. Kwong is chief of the Structural Biology Section at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center, and Dr. Mascola is the center director.

"NIH scientists have used their detailed knowledge of the structure of HIV to find an unusual site of vulnerability on the virus and design a novel and potentially powerful vaccine," said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. "This elegant study is a potentially important step forward in the ongoing quest to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine."

Related: The Rise of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies

A preliminary human trial of the new vaccine regimen is anticipated to begin in the second half of 2019.

Today's report reflects one of two broad, complementary approaches NIAID is pursuing to develop an HIV vaccine. In one approach, scientists first identify powerful HIV antibodies that can neutralize many strains of the virus, and then try to elicit those antibodies with a vaccine based on the structure of the HIV surface protein where the antibodies bind. In other words, scientists start with the most promising part of the immune response and work to develop a vaccine that will induce it. This method was used to design the vaccine described today.

The other, empiric approach to HIV vaccine development begins by evaluating the most encouraging vaccine candidates for efficacy in people through clinical trials. Then scientists try to build on successful trial results by, for example, examining blood and other clinical specimens from study participants who received the vaccine to identify the most promising parts of the immune response. Researchers subsequently use this information to improve vaccination approaches for future trials. This method was used to develop the HIV vaccine regimen tested in the RV144 clinical trial (link is external) and the HIV vaccine regimens currently under study in the HVTN 702 and Imbokodo clinical trials.

Over the past several years, HIV researchers have discovered many powerful, naturally occurring antibodies that can prevent multiple HIV strains from infecting human cells in the laboratory. About half of people living with HIV make these so-called "broadly neutralizing" antibodies (link is external), but usually only after several years of infection -- long after the virus has established a foothold in the body. Scientists have identified and characterized the sites, or epitopes, on HIV where each known broadly neutralizing antibody binds. Many laboratories around the world are developing HIV vaccine candidates based on the structure of these epitopes with the goal of coaxing the immune systems of HIV-negative people to make protective antibodies after vaccination.

The experimental vaccine described in today's report is based on an epitope called the HIV fusion peptide, identified by NIAID scientists in 2016. The fusion peptide, a short string of amino acids, is part of the spike on the surface of HIV that the virus uses to enter human cells. According to the scientists, the fusion peptide epitope is particularly promising for use as a vaccine because its structure is the same across most strains of HIV, and because the immune system clearly "sees" it and makes a strong immune response to it. The fusion peptide lacks sugars that obscure the immune system's view of other HIV epitopes.

To make the vaccine, the researchers engineered many different immunogens -- proteins designed to activate an immune response. These were designed using the known structure of the fusion peptide. The scientists first assessed the immunogens using a collection of antibodies that target the fusion peptide epitope, and then tested in mice which immunogens most effectively elicited HIV-neutralizing antibodies to the fusion peptide. The best immunogen consisted of eight amino acids of the fusion peptide bonded to a carrier that evoked a strong immune response. To improve their results, the scientists paired this immunogen with a replica of the HIV spike.

The researchers then tested different combinations of injections of the protein plus HIV spike in mice and analyzed the antibodies that the vaccine regimens generated. The antibodies attached to the HIV fusion peptide and neutralized up to 31 percent of viruses from a globally representative panel of 208 HIV strains.

Based on their analyses, the scientists adjusted the vaccine regimen and tested it in guinea pigs and monkeys. These tests also yielded antibodies that neutralized a substantial fraction of HIV strains, providing initial evidence that the vaccine regimen may work in multiple species.

The scientists are now working to improve the vaccine regimen, including making it more potent and able to achieve more consistent outcomes with fewer injections. The researchers also are isolating additional broadly neutralizing antibodies generated by the vaccine in monkeys, and they will assess these antibodies for their ability to protect the animals from a monkey version of HIV. The NIAID scientists will use their findings to optimize the vaccine and then manufacture a version of it suitable for safety testing in human volunteers in a carefully designed and monitored clinical trial.

Reference: K Xu et al. Epitope-based vaccine design yields fusion peptide-directed antibodies that neutralize diverse strains of HIV-1. Nature Medicine DOI: 10.1038/s41591-018-0042-6 (2018).

[Note from TheBodyPRO: This article was originally published by NIAID on June 4, 2018. We have cross-posted it with their permission.]Opihr reveals RTD G&T range

Quintessential Brands' Opihr Gin has revealed a ready-to-drink (RTD) collection as it announced a deal to become the official gin of Lendy Cowes Week.

Three variations of the Opihr RTD collection  referred to as Opihr Stubbies  have been released by the brand; Gin & Tonic with a dash of ginger, Gin & Tonic with a twist of orange, and classic Gin & Tonic, each with a RRP of 2.99. Opihr has avoided the traditional can RTD format, opting for a glass bottle in a bespoke smaller format with a twist off cap.

The new collection will be sampled at Lendy Cowes Week sailing regatta, which sees over 100,000 people visiting the Isle of Wight over eight days in August. Opihrs sponsorship of Lendy Cowes Week includes branding and digital rights and there will also be specific consumer activity to drive awareness and trial of Opihrs RTD and Opihr gin. Opihr will have a branded bar on Cowes Parade, and will be delivering Opihr RTD following a day of racing. The brand will also have exclusive gin pouring rights at the Lendy Ladies Day Reception amongst other events during the regatta.

Russell Kirkham, UK marketing director for Quintessential Brands, says: The G&T will always be a classic gin serve but todays consumers want to go beyond that. Gin drinkers are becoming increasingly adventurous, exploring the gin category and theyre much more open to different flavours these days as the success of Opihr Gin, which has grown by 102 per cent in value in the last 12 months in the UK off-trade, goes to show. The Opihr Stubbies are an exciting development for Opihr and present these adventurous consumers with a new and convenient way to enjoy our distinctive gin in a variety of different, yet equally delicious, serves. Were excited to see how they are received by the crowds at Lendy Cowes Week and to raising awareness of the brand at this iconic British sporting occasion.

5 June 2018 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editorIts prompted widespread concern from fans, who have flooded social media with messages, some expressing hope that hes preparing for a film role.

It should be noted that Depp does play a terminally ill academic in an upcoming movie, Richard Says Goodbye but that wrapped last year.

However some fans, who saw him perform with his band the Hollywood Vampires in Hamburg, said that he looked happy and healthy when he arrived in Germany.



Rumours of drug use and excessive drinking have swirled around the actor for many years, notably in a number of current legals cases hes named in.An Australian woman has revealed how a $15 set of Kmart scales "exploded" on her bathroom floor.

Louise - who didn't want her surname revealed - posted about her experience on Kmart Mums Australia Facebook page, 7 News reports.

The scales "exploded sending glass everywhere," she wrote.

"I lightly nudged them and they exploded.

"Glass went everywhere. As I was cleaning up, the shards shattered into smaller and smaller pieces. Kmart has been notified," she said.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 07:55 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e79759e 4 Editorial #Editorial,election,Noken-System,Papua-elections,Papua,democracy,Indonesian-politics Free

For the fourth time since 2004, communities in the remote highlands of Papua will cast their ballots in the gubernatorial election through representatives they appoint by agreement. In endorsing that voting system  called noken  the local poll body has sacrificed the democratic principle of one man one vote. More than that, it shows that, over the last 14 years, the state and other stakeholders have barely taken any efforts to help democracy flourish there.

Only in 2009 the Constitutional Court ruled that the traditional balloting system, named after the Papuan traditional woven bag, was legitimate, considering the difficult terrain that would make it difficult, if not impossible, for eligible voters in far-flung isolated regions to exercise their voting right. On the other hand the General Elections Commission (KPU) lacked the human resources and facilities to ensure the whole election process ran on time.

Noken was, therefore, accepted as a win-win, shortterm solution. Many also hailed it then as local wisdom in Indonesian democracy.

Since then, however, Papua has made progress that to some extent renders the traditional voting system no longer relevant. The government has given a boost to infrastructure development to lift many parts of Papua out of isolation. New autonomous regions have been created to accelerate public service delivery. More people have obtained access to education too, despite imperfections.

Indonesia transformed itself into a full-fledged democracy when it replaced indirect elections with direct elections for both legislature members and the president and vice president in 2004. One year later, direct elections for governors, mayors and regents were introduced.

Democracy has evolved in the country, except in the Papuan regions, where noken remains in place until today. For Papuas gubernatorial election later this month, the traditional voting mechanism will be used in villages in 13 regencies across the province. There is a possibility the system will be maintained in the simultaneous legislative and presidential elections in April next year.

Many have called for an end to the noken system because of its vulnerability to fraud, which undermines democracy. The practice gives room to vote rigging in favor of certain parties or candidates, particularly in the ballot counting process. The pair of Prabowo Subianto and Hatta Radjasa partly blamed the noken for their defeat in the 2014 presidential election. Other tickets contesting regional elections in Papua will follow in their footsteps, if they lose.

The latest study by the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) confirmed the vulnerability of noken to violence. Worse, four of seven regencies that will hold elections this month are deemed restive areas even at times when there are no electoral events.

Unsurprisingly, the IPAC and other civil society organizations have recommended the gradual elimination of the proxy voting system, as many Papuans themselves have rejected the practice. They are right, because so long as noken is preserved, Papua will continue to live under the stigma of backwardness, which therefore should come under Jakartas guidance and protection.

For a better Papua, the noken system is no longer needed.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Steven Jonathan (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 15:05 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7adb44 3 Opinion Pancasila,Pancasila-Day,political-party,ideology,Indonesian-politics,New-Order,Soeharto,#politics Free

June 1 marked the commemoration of Pancasila Day. The five principles served as a political tool to legitimize the past authoritarian regime, which sought to revive the ideology.

General Soeharto cemented Pancasila role as Indonesias national ideology, to the extent that it had served as a grundnorm, a fundamental source of norms and values that encompasses various aspects of citizens life. Before the eyes of the people, the regime appeared to be defending and bringing back the aspirations of the founding fathers. What really happened was that Pancasila was used to dispose of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), by capturing and killing citizens from different backgrounds  doctors, teachers, scholars, intellectuals - allegedly affiliated to the party.

Moreover, the regime set Pancasila as the only ideology to be tolerated within its restrained political landscape. Thenceforth, all political parties were obliged to have Pancasila as a compulsory philosophical basis and ideological underpinnings on their aspirations.

The problem is that 20 years after reformasi Pancasila remains a compulsory basis in the Indonesian democratic system.

A properly functioning democracy would consist of political parties which serve as a medium for politicians and the people to bring their aspirations. Without a genuine philosophy to guide its path, a party may risk losing its own purpose and may be misused as a personalistic party with the intention of solely serving as vehicle for politicians to get into office.

Due to the dominance of Pancasila, one could hardly distinguish the basis of the parties commitments on political issues; theres no such thing as labor and social justice party or pro market and free enterprise party, and whether those are based on green philosophy or liberal progressivism. Even major Islamic parties have also reiterated their loyalty to Pancasila.

Existing parties could not be distinguished in that way, as Pancasila impartially serves as the common overarching ideology. It is no longer the aspirations of the party that matters, since all of them points out towards Pancasila, rather it is more of the personalities and traits of the politicians that they represent; the humbleness of President Joko Jokowi Widodo, the strong character of candidate rival Prabowo Subianto, and the list goes on.

Political parties should embrace the ideology that directs the path of the organization, which is reflected within the citizens aspirations. The Pancasila ideology is said to guide political parties towards values like just and civilized humanity or social justice for the people, although in practice there should be clear measures towards achieving that common goal. In many instances, especially during the New Order, the promises to bring the aforementioned values have been obstructed to the point where it became lip service.

The ever-evolving society of Indonesia will eventually need to adapt to the principles of Pancasila as the guidance for the state. For instance, the growing minorities of agnostics who sit uncomfortably with the first principle. This problem persisted for long, as followers of non-theistic Buddhism or the polytheistic Hinduism have looked for references in their religious scriptures to be able to justify their views as being not in contradiction with the belief in one God as explained in the first principle. This example alone pictures a failure of Pancasila in uniting the people.

Moreover, the development of certain ideologies, that of communist-Marxist in particular, have been largely restricted in Indonesia due to the unfavorable narrative constructed by the New Order. There is no room for communists in Indonesia, even scholars in present time cannot openly discuss these ideologies with such easiness. The large intolerance towards ideologies and philosophies other than Pancasila may restrict the current political parties in addressing the real challenges that face modern Indonesian society.

For the Indonesian democracy to fully develop, it is important for political parties to show some leadership to fully represent the various layers and the ever-evolving society, by developing philosophical and ideologically driven visions for the people. It is time to leave behind the unfavorable view towards certain varieties of ideology, and actually demonstrate the capacity to address modern issues, though it might give alternate views of Pancasila, so as to adapt to the modern society of Indonesia.

Political parties should take a stand, start giving a real meaning to their struggle for embracing their own philosophy, rather than serving as a political vehicle for politicians to get into office. It is time for change, for us to materialize the will of the people by acknowledging Pancasila as one of the good sources - out of many  and not as the ultimate truth to address modern challenges in Indonesian society.

Twenty years after reform, many among Indonesias young generation, at least, are prepared to take this step forward in maturing our democracy.

***

The writer is an undergraduate student majoring in international relations of Gadjah Mada. University (UGM), Yogyakarta (https://www.instagram.com/stevenjonathant/.)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.German car parts supplier Continental on Tuesday said it was banning the use of WhatsApp and Snapchat on work-issued mobile phones "with immediate effect" because of data protection concerns.

The company said such social media apps had "deficiencies" that made it difficult to comply with tough new EU data protection legislation, especially their insistence on having access to a user's contact list.

"Continental is prohibiting its employees from using social media apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat in its global company network, effective immediately," the firm said in a statement.

Some 36,000 employees would be affected by the move, a Continental spokesman told AFP.

The company, one of the world's leading makers of car parts, has over 240,000 staff globally.

Read also: WhatsApp to roll out group-calling feature

A key principle of the European Union's new general data protection regulation (GDPR), which came into force on May 25, is that individuals must explicitly grant permission for their data to be used.

But Continental said that by demanding full access to address books, WhatsApp for example had shifted the burden onto the user, essentially expecting them to contact everyone in their phone to let them know their data was being shared.

"We think it is unacceptable to transfer to users the responsibility of complying with data protection laws," said Continental's CEO Elmar Degenhart.

The Hanover-based firm said it stood ready to reverse its decision once the service providers "change the basic settings to ensure that their apps comply with data-protection regulations by default".

The issue of how personal information is used and shared online was given fresh urgency after Facebook earlier this year admitted to a massive privacy breach that allowed a political consultancy linked to US President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign to harvest the data of up to 87 million users.Local clothing brand expo JakCloth has set a target of attracting 250,000 visitors during its installment in Istora Senayan, Central Jakarta, from June 4 to 10.

"[The number] is our minimum target; we are hoping to achieve more than that," JakCloth marketing team member Novie Bustomi told tempo.co in Jakarta on Monday.

The event is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, 1:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Read also: Local fashion brand strives to redefine Indonesian style

Novie said this year's JakCloth offers all-new items at prices starting at Rp 75,000 (US$5.40) to Rp 100,000 on average. Discounted products are also available as part of its tradition.

"This year, there are brands that offer 50 to 70 percent discounts," said Novie, adding that some brands also offer discounted packages, such as Rp 200,000 for four T-shirts.

Unlike previous installments, this year's event will not feature music performances so that visitors focus on their shopping.

Entry to JakCloth is set at Rp 10,000 per person. (kes)The skeleton of an extremely rare form of dinosaur sold for more than two million euros ($2.3 million) at the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Monday.

The bones of what scientists believe to be "probably a new species" of the carnivorous allosaurus were discovered during a dig in Wyoming in the United States in 2013.

The 150-million-year-old skeleton, which is 70 percent intact, was snapped up by an unnamed French art collector, who promised that the specimen will be lent out to a museum.

The buyer "wants it to be on display in a French museum," auctioneer Claude Aguttes told AFP.

The dinosaur, which is more than nine metres (30 feet) long and 2.6 metres high, lived during the late Jurassic period, said Eric Mickeler who works for the Aguttes auction house.

He said it was the "only one of its species" to have yet been discovered.

Dinosaur expert Eric Geneste had earlier told AFP it was impossible to "classify the skeleton yet as a allosaurus" because it was more robust, "with longer shoulder blades and a different number of teeth".

"In fact there are as many differences between it and an allosaurus as between a human and a gorilla," he added.

Japanese and Swedish telephone bidders also tried to buy the dinosaur, pushing the bidding above the 1.8 million euro estimate.

The same French auction house sold an allosaurus called "Kan" for 1.1 million euros in 2016.

Read also: Anyone want to buy a dinosaur? Two on sale in Paris

Mickeler said that "herbivores do not quite excite businessmen who buy dinosaurs the same way as carnivores do. They want to buy carnivores like themselves."

Part of the proceeds of the sale of the skeleton by a British collector will go to towards funding further archaeological digs.Yori Antar, an award-winning architect known for his efforts in preserving local building designs, is now revitalizing the Asmat Museum in Agats, Asmat regency, Papua, which is gradually succumbing to years of neglect.

The museum, managed by the Catholic Bishopric of Agats, was constructed with the help of the local community, regional administrators and Asmat woodcarvers, but they have all but abandoned the project after losing confidence in it for failing to reflect the Asmat culture.

Agats is the capital of Asmat regency located in southern Papua, directly facing the Arafura Sea. The city lies in a swampy mangrove zone and largely has stilted houses and wooden roads. Although some roads have been paved with asphalt, Agats is still known as a wooden city. In 2003, Asmat was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

Ive been invited to Asmat to evaluate and redesign the museum, so it can reflect the image of Asmat. The [existing] museum was built by a contractor who neglected to reflect the regions culture in the architecture, because civil engineers are only concerned with the structural side of buildings, Yori said, adding that woodcarvers had told him that the building was more like a storehouse to keep their works rather than a museum.

Which is why Yoris wished to develop a modern museum that honors and promotes Asmat culture, while also being part of the community.

He plans to build a new building called the Jeu House (mens house) in the museum area. The design was inspired by a traditional Papuan house that locals believed was created by their god, Fumeripitsj. The local people build the sacred house with various ritual ceremonies called Yentpokmbu.

In front of the Jeu House, there will be a spacious yard for Asmat art and cultural shows, as well as homestay facilities. This museum area will provide a space for local youths to express their artistic zeal and develop space where artifacts can interact with visitors.

For the departed: An Asmat sculpture called Bisj (Mbis) which represents the ancestors. (JP/P. J. Leo)

Domestic and foreign tourists will thus have access to accommodations after visiting the Asmat Museum and observing woodcarvers work in the Jeu Houses, as well as watching art performances. Local people will also earn extra income as guides, souvenir vendors, food and beverage sellers, artists and homestay providers apart from the sale of woodcarvings, Yori said.

In a bid to support the museums revamp, Yori and his Yayasan Rumah Asuh, a foundation of architects, archeologists and anthropologists, is cooperating with Yayasan Widya Cahaya Nusantara, a foundation for the preservation of art and culture under Brunoto Suwandrei Arifin, to organize an exhibition titled Asmat Melihat Dunia (Asmat Views the World) at the Han Awal and Partners Building in Bintaro, Tangerang, Banten, from May 6 to June 8. Sale proceeds from this event will be donated to the museums renovation.

The sale of Asmat artwork will not just raise funds for the museum, but this exhibition is intended to raise public appreciation [of Asmat] by reintroducing Asmat culture to Indonesian society, especially the younger generation, so they may support the museum and the long-term preservation of Asmat art and culture. The revitalization has also been aided by some donors, said Brunoto, an architect turned entrepreneur.

Asmat artifacts have gained the attention of various museums abroad. In Indonesia itself, Asmat woodcarvings have yet to receive public or government attention. A small portion of Asmat artworks have been displayed in a small museum located in the Papua pavilion at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah cultural park in East Jakarta.

The Asmat artwork collections overseas, such as those at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Tropen Museun, Amsterdam; and Jean Nouvel Quai Branly Museum, Paris, are well taken care of as world-class objects of art and appropriately stored.

However, Yori is optimistic that the revamped museum in Asmat will not turn into a so-called death monument, because statues and carvings symbolizing the presence of ancestors or venerated figures who were influential during their lifetime will be located outdoors or near sago trees to represent fertility. Smaller woodcarvings and ancestral statuettes will be placed indoors or around relevant family homes.

Thats why Ive redesigned the museums main building so as to produce the ambience of living culture instead of a death monument, Yori said.

Yori Antar (right) and Brunoto Suwandei Arifin (JP/P. J. Leo)

Yoris efforts to preserve local architecture, which are disappearing and replaced by modern designs, earned him the 2012 Asia Pacific UNESCO Cultural Heritage Conversation Award and the Indonesian Architects Institute Award for conservation efforts.

In 2008, Yori initiated the Rumah Asuh (foster house) movement to renovate traditional Mbaru Niang houses located in the scenic mountainous areas of Wae Rebo village in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. When first found in 1997, they were in poor condition due to old age.

Since then, Rumah Asuh has been developed into Yayasan Rumah Asuh. Backed by donors, academicians and local people, renovation programs have been carried out across the country, including Nias in North Sumatra, Sumba in East Nusa Tenggara and Central Sulawesi.

It has the mission of preserving the archipelagos architectural assets and has been included in the architecture education curricula of various colleges as a means of building a new mindset among members of the younger generation, Yori said.SpaceX will not send tourists around the Moon this year as previously announced, and will delay the project until the middle of next year, US media reported on Monday.

"A new timetable for the flight -- now postponed until at least mid-2019 and likely longer -- hasn't been released" by the California-based company, said the report in The Wall Street Journal.

The reason for the delay is unclear. But it is a "sign that technical and production challenges are disrupting founder Elon Musk's plans for human exploration of the solar system," said the report.

"SpaceX also is confronting industry doubts about market demand for its Falcon Heavy rocket," it said.

The tourists would ride aboard a Dragon capsule, hoisted into space on SpaceX's most powerful rocket to date, the Falcon Heavy, which made its first test flight only four months ago.

SpaceX spokesman James Gleeson said, in an emailed statement to AFP, that the company "is still planning to fly private individuals around the moon and there is growing interest from many customers".

SpaceX has not publicly released any new timeline for the mission, first announced in February 2017.

Read also: SpaceX postpones first commercial launch of updated Falcon 9 rocket

At the time, Musk said on Twitter the moon tourist mission was slated to happen "late next year", referring to 2018.

Two private citizens, who have not been named, "have already paid a significant deposit," Musk added.

The trip would mark the farthest humans have ever traveled to deep space.

The United States has not sent astronauts to the Moon since NASA's Apollo missions of the 1960s and '70s.

SpaceX is also planning to send astronauts to the International Space Station later this year, marking the first time since the US space shuttle program ended in 2011 that people have blasted to space from US soil.

SpaceX has told NASA it is targeting the first astronaut test flight no earlier than December 2018. Some observers, however, say the schedule could slip to 2019.

"Once operational Crew Dragon missions are under way for NASA, SpaceX will launch the private mission on a journey to circumnavigate the Moon and return to Earth," SpaceX said in a statement.Howard Schultz, who built a small Seattle coffee chain into the global powerhouse Starbucks, announced Monday he was retiring from the company, fueling speculation he may seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

Schultz, 64, has been serving as executive chairman of Starbucks since stepping down as chief executive in April of last year and handing over to Kevin Johnson.

Schultz will leave the company at the end of the month and take on the honorary title of chairman emeritus, Starbucks said in a statement.

Schultz's announcement triggered immediate speculation that he may consider entering politics as a Democrat and run for the White House two years from now.

Schultz told The New York Times he hadn't decided on his next move yet, but "for some time now, I have been deeply concerned about our country  the growing division at home and our standing in the world."

Schultz, who has been openly critical of President Donald Trump, said "one of the things I want to do in my next chapter is to figure out if there is a role I can play in giving back.

"I intend to think about a range of options, and that could include public service," he said, when asked if he was weighing a presidential run.

"But I'm a long way from making any decisions about the future.

"I want to be of service to our country, but that doesn't mean I need to run for public office to accomplish that," Schultz told the Times.

Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982 as director of operations and marketing and helped transform the Seattle-based company into a global behemoth with more than 28,000 outlets in 77 countries.

"I set out to build a company that my father, a blue-collar worker and World War II veteran, never had a chance to work for," Schultz said in an open letter to past and present Starbucks employees.

"Together we've done that, and so much more, by balancing profitability and social conscience, compassion and rigor, and love and responsibility."

Read also: Starbucks collaborates with IKAT Indonesia on anniversary

- Racial bias awareness training -

In its statement, Starbucks did not mention any political ambitions for the departing executive but said Schultz was "looking forward to spending more time with his family this summer".

"He is also writing a book about Starbucks social impact work and the efforts to redefine the role and responsibility of a public company in an ever-changing society," it said.

Schultz's departure comes a week after the company closed more than 8,000 US stores to provide racial bias awareness training to around 175,000 employees.

The move followed the April 12 arrest of two black men in a Philadelphia Starbucks, which sparked outrage, protests and soul-searching about racial tensions that have been exacerbated under President Trump.

Speaking to CNN about the closure, Schultz said "we realize that four hours of training is not going to solve racial inequity in America or anyone coming into our stores who may have a problem.

"But we have to start the conversation."

Starbucks shares were down 1.31 percent to $56.32 in after-hours trading on Wall Street.The state of Washington said on Monday it had sued Facebook Inc (FB.O) and Alphabet Incs (GOOGL.O) Google for allegedly violating state campaign finance law by failing to maintain information about who buys election ads.

The state's attorney general, Bob Ferguson, who posted copies of the lawsuits on his website, said he was seeking penalties against the companies and an injunction for failing to disclose ad spending in state elections since 2013.

Facebook said it looked forward to resolving the lawsuit quickly after it recently introduced tools for people to see who is buying political ads on its social network.

A representative for Google could not immediately be reached for comment. Like Facebook, Google has pledged to create an online archive of ads that run on its service.

Read also: Facebook disputes report phone makers had deep data access

Facebook and Google have faced criticism from lawmakers, users and advocates for campaign finance regulation for their role in selling political ads after Russians allegedly used fake names to buy ads to sway American voters around the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Unlike most U.S. jurisdictions, both Washington state and the city of Seattle have laws dating to the 1970s that require companies that sell advertising, such as radio stations, to disclose who buys political ads. Other states put the burden of disclosure on the buyers themselves.

A Seattle official said in February that he thought Facebook was in violation of the citys law, though Seattle has not sued the company.

Ferguson said his office received a citizen complaint in April alleging that Facebook and Google had not provided legally required information on political ads.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 07:40 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e797216 4 Business alternative-financing,BI-rate,increase,bond-issuance,right-issue Free

After Bank Indonesia (BI) increased its seven-day reverse repo rate (7DRRR) for the second time in two weeks, companies are looking for alternative ways to finance the expansion of their businesses.

BI hiked its key rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent last Wednesday.

The increase of the BI 7DRRR will initially affect the interbank financial market, then reverse rates and finally lending rates, said securities firm Semesta Indovest Sekuritas analyst Aditya Perdana Putra, as reported by kontan.co.id on Monday.

Therefore, corporations had to find alternative, cheaper financing options, such as through real estate investment trusts (REITS), right issues and the issuance of bonds.

The coupon rate is in the range of 11 to 12 percent for corporate bonds. That is still lower than bank lending rates, which are in the range of 16 to 20 percent, Aditya added.

Coal mining firm PT Bukit Asam PTBA, for example, said the company would consider issuing bonds for the development of coal-fired power plants (PLTU).

Currently, the company was still relying on internal funds to support its expansion. We have no plans to issue bonds in the near future, said PTBA corporate secretary Suherman.

Meanwhile, state-owned construction company PT PP corporate secretary Agus Samuel Kana said the issuance of bonds had become an alternative financing option.

He said PT PP had already issued Rp 1.5 trillion (US$108 million) of bonds this year.

Aditya, however, said corporations also needed to look into their respective debt-equity ratios that may increase in line with the increase of the BI reference rate. (bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 08:47 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e798a53 1 City Idul-Fitri-2018,exodus,traffic,Jakarta-police Free

The Jakarta Police have predicted that the peak of the Idul Fitri holiday traffic, locally known as mudik, will start on June 8 and last for three days.

We forecast [peak traffic] on June 8, 9 and 10, Jakarta Police traffic director Sr. Comr. Yusuf said on Monday.

He said the police would deploy 1,273 officers from the Jakarta Police traffic unit to monitor the holiday traffic. The officers will be stationed at multiple spots inside the city as well as several spots on the outskirts.

[We will deploy them at] Cikampek toll road, Jagorawi toll road and Banten [Merak toll road], as well as several departure spots in the city such as bus terminals, railway stations and airports, Yusuf said as quoted by kompas.com.

He said the police would also set up several checkpoints to ensure motorcycles were not overloaded. The checkpoints would also serve as rest areas for travelers, he added.

He said the police would advise travelers to use buses or other public transportation if their motorcycles were overloaded for long journeys. (ami)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Tue, June 5, 2018 07:25 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e79640f 1 National crystal-methamphetamine,shabu-shabu,Taiwan,Navy,death-penalty Free

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) officially handed over the legal submission for the crystal methamphetamine smuggling case involving four Taiwanese people to prosecutors in the Navy (TNI-AL) port in Mentigi, Bintan Island, Riau on Monday.

On Feb. 7, the BNN and a Navy ship managed to capture the Singapore-flagged MV Sunrise Glory in the Philips Channel on the border of Singapore and Batam. The vessel was carrying slightly over a ton of crystal meth.

The chief prosecutor of the narcotics department, Dedi Siswadi, said the suspects, namely Chen Chung Nan, Chen Chin Tun, Huang Ching An and Hsie Lai Fu, would be given the death sentence.

The court in Jakarta handed down the death sentence to Taiwanese men in another case of crystal meth smuggling last year. The men were caught in Banten last July and were also attempting to smuggle about 1 ton of drugs.

Read also: Three Taiwanese get death for smuggling 1 ton of crystal meth

We support the President's commitment to prioritizing narcotics eradication in Indonesia, Dedi said on Monday.

BNN head Insp. Gen. Heru Winarko said his team was already coordinating with Taiwanese authorities regarding the case.

Read also: Malaysia makes record 1.2-ton seizure of crystal meth

Previously, the BNN and the Navy foiled a similar attempt to smuggle crystal meth several weeks after they intercepted the Sunrise Glory. The second vessel, which also originated from Taiwan, was carrying 1.6 tons of crystal meth packed inside 81 sacks.

However, Heru said the cases were not related to each other as the syndicates were different and the crystal meth originated from different sources. (dpk)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Pekanbaru  Tue, June 5, 2018 06:21 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e794e10 1 National terrorism,Unri,University-of-Riau,Pekanbaru,Riau,suspected-terrorists,radicalism,Densus-88 Free

Riau University (Unri) in Pekanbaru, Riau, pledged on Monday to fight against terrorism, intolerance and radicalism following the arrests of suspected terrorists on the campus on Saturday.

In the declaration, Unri academics strengthened their commitment to combat terrorism, radicalism and intolerance, which they considered to be activities that violated the law and intended to divide NKRI (the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

The National Polices Densus 88 counterterrorism unit arrested three suspected terrorists, who were all Unri alumni, for allegedly planning an attack. They were arrested during a raid at Gelanggang Mahasiswa, a multipurpose student facility at the university's school of social and political sciences building.

Following the arrests, all leaders of our university immediately coordinated and pledged to strengthen the security of the campus, said Unri Rector Aras Mulyadi. The recent event must be the first and last to take place at Unri, Aras said.

Saturday's arrests marked the first time law enforcement personnel have arrested terror suspects inside an educational institution.

Aras added that Unri would take several measures to prevent radical teachings from spreading inside the institution's area, including through intensive monitoring and controlling of students activities inside the university. (ebf)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 10:26 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e79eb92 1 City zakat,alms,Idul-Fitri-2018,circular,Jakarta-administration Free

Each neighborhood unit (RT) in Jakarta can amass Rp 1 million (US$72) in zakat (Islamic alms paid before Idul Fitri), but the nominal target should not have been included in an official letter, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has stated.

A circular asking RTs in Cilandak Barat, South Jakarta to submit a minimum of Rp 1 million in zakat to subdistrict heads went viral on social media.

Even without writing the nominal target, each RT can amass more than Rp 1 million. If there are 20 people in one RT, and each pays Rp 50,000 in zakat, the total zakat collected will be Rp 1 million. However, if the targeted amount is written, its not elegant, is it? Anies said on Monday as reported by kompas.com.

Anies said the Jakarta administration had also issued a circular letter to encourage citizens to pay zakat through the Jakarta Muslim Charitable Donations Board (Bazis DKI), but the letter did not mention the targeted amount of zakat to be collected.

Recently, another circular letter issued by the head of RT 007 in community unit (RW) 001 in Joglo, Kembangan, West Jakarta asking for the Idul Fitri bonus (THR) from companies and entrepreneurs in the area appeared on social media.

RT 007 head Heri Achmad said the letter was authentic but claimed that there was no coercion implied in the letter and it would be voluntary if a company wanted to give THR to the community.

Previously, Anies urged mass organizations to refrain from asking for THR and urged residents to report any organization caught doing so to the police. (ami)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Moses Ompusunggu and Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta/Pekanbaru  Tue, June 5, 2018 08:26 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e79891f 1 National Universitas-Riau,Universitas-Diponegoro,Unhas,Universitas-Sumatra-Utara,Research-Technology-and-Higher-Education-Ministry,bnpt,radicalization-in-campus,radicalism,Densus-88 Free

Indonesian universities are tightening monitoring on student activities following the arrest of a suspected terrorist in a state university in Sumatra last Saturday.



The National Police's counterterrorism unit, Densus 88, arrested on Saturday three Riau University (Unri) alumni over an alleged plan to launch an attack on the House of Representatives building in Jakarta and the Riau Council building in Pekanbaru.



The arrests marked the first time law enforcement personnel arrested suspected terrorists inside a university. Police have in the past arrested university students and alumni allegedly connected to terrorist groups, but all of the arrests were made away from campus.



After the arrests in Riau, the Medan-based North Sumatra University (USU), located in Riau's neighboring province of North Sumatra, instructed all university departments to stop activities on the institution's premises by 10 p.m.



"Every course taught at USU must end by 9:30 p.m. After that time, we prohibit [students and lecturers] from holding activities [inside the USU compound] to anticipate anything related to radicalism," said USU rector Runtung Sitepu on Monday.



Rundung said that even though USU had yet to discover any activity related to radicalism being conducted on the university premises, the university's central office had visited all departments to "convey moral messages" to lecturers and students about the danger of "being contaminated by radical teachings".



Of the three men arrested on Saturday, one has been declared a suspect by the police, while the other two were declared witnesses.

Read also: On-campus seeds of terrorism? What we know so far

The police have said the suspect, identified as Muhammad Nur Zamzam, was connected to Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), a local pro-Islamic State (IS) extremist group accused of launching the recent terror attacks in numerous areas in Indonesia, including in Riau province.



On Monday, scholars from Unri, located in Riau province's capital of Pekanbaru, endorsed a declaration to "strengthen its commitment to combating" terrorism, radicalism and intolerance, which they considered as "activities that violate the law and intend to divide the NKRI", referring to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.



Unri rector Aras Mulyadi said the university would take several measures to prevent radicalism from spreading within the institution, with one such measure being the intensive monitoring and controlling of student activities carried out at Unri.



"The recent event [the arrest] must be the first and the last to take place at Unri," Aras said.

Police officers stand guard in front of a student facility building in Riau University in Pekanbaru, Riau province on June 2. Students and alumni often spend the night in such buildings. (Antara/Rony Muharrman)

Educational institutions like universities had long been seen as places where people could freely conduct any activity, including "negative activities", said Abdul Rasyid Jalil, deputy rector of Hasanuddin University (Unhas) in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province.



"That is why we have intensified our monitoring of activities conducted in either departments or student extracurricular groups," Abdul said.



Unhas has begun the intensified monitoring because many alumni are still involved in student organizations held inside the university compound, said Abdul.



Abdul said Unhas also prohibited activities from being held inside the university after 10 p.m.



The police's initial investigation revealed that the suspected terrorists in Riau had stayed in the building for one month, during which time they allegedly constructed bombs and planned to blow up the Riau Legislative Council in Pekanbaru and the House of Representatives in Jakarta.

Read also: Explosive material, weapons seized at Riau University



"There were explosive materials at the scene on campus. We deemed them to be dangerous, so the measures [to remove them] were taken when there was no academic activity going on inside the campus," said National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Iqbal.



The arrests on Saturday showed that members of terror groups are approaching and recruiting students or academics at educational institutions, said Ridwan Habib, a terrorism expert at the University of Indonesia (UI) in Depok, West Java.



"These groups often use a personal approach to recruit those with prior links to other Islamic groups that have values similar to those they offer," said Ridwan on Sunday.

Radicalism on campuses

Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohamad Nasir told the Indonesian press recently that the government held data about universities whose students were exposed to radical ideas on campus. Since then, a list of seven top state universities has circulated, quoting the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) as the source.

The seven are: University of Indonesia, Airlangga University, Brawijaya University, Sepuluh November Technology University, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bogor Agriculture Institute and Diponegoro University.

Last year, the ministry said it planned to issue a regulation to control the spread of radical views on campuses. A search of regulations on their website on Monday, using the keywords "radikalisme" and "radikal", did not reveal any results.

What the ministry and the BNPT meant about "exposure to radicalism" was radical teachings and persuasion by outside influences to join radical movements on campus.

However, terrorism expert Ridwan Habib said students and other members of academia exposed to extremist teachings were not necessarily part of a radical group or likely to become involved in terror acts.

Based on The Jakarta Post's interview with Zamzam's friend at Riau University, Zamzam was not a devout Muslim and was not known to have joined any Quran recital groups anywhere.

The friend, Syahrul Mubarak, who referred to Zamzam as Zega, said he knew Zamzam as they enrolled at the university in the same year and because both were members of the university's mountaineering club. Syahrul said Zamzam had not been a devout Muslim until a year ago, and described him as preman mau insaf, loosely translated as a repentant delinquent.

Syahrul said Zamzam began to change when he read about Palestines fight for its own country and about IS on the internet.

All of a sudden, he started bragging that he wanted to carry out jihad, talking about bombs and going to Syria. We, the friends who usually hung out with him, of course laughed at him, Syahrul told the Post on Monday. Dont get us wrong, he is not a devout figure. He does not even pray five times a day. If there were people drinking together, he joined [them], he said.

Syahrul believed the other two alumni arrested along with Zamzam were less likely to be involved in terrorist activities.

Apriadi Gunawan and Andi Hajramurni contributed to this story from Medan and MakassarShare this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Seima Oki and Yujiro Okabe (The Japan News/ANN) Washington/New York  Tue, June 5, 2018 09:21 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7992fb 2 World #USA,#NorthKorea,#singapore,#NorthKoreaNuclear,#denuclearization,#humanrights Free

Concern is growing among Japanese diplomatic officials and others over whether human rights issues, including Pyongyangs abduction of Japanese nationals, will be discussed in detail at a US-North Korea summit meeting scheduled for June 12 in Singapore.

This concern has been prompted by the fact that US President Donald Trump did not talk about human rights issues at a Friday meeting with Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman of the Workers Party of Korea.

After the meeting with Kim on Friday, Trump said to reporters, We did not talk about human rights, no.

Asked whether he would discuss human rights issues at the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Trump gave a vague answer, saying: Could be. Yeah. Could be. I think we probably will.

In his State of the Union Address at the end of January, Trump focused on human rights violations in North Korea. He invited a North Korean defector to Congress, and harshly criticized the North Korean regime as a cruel dictatorship.

Regarding the abduction issue, Trump expressed his intention to make full efforts to achieve the return of Japanese abductees to Japan at a press conference after a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in April. Abduction is a very important issue for me because its very important to your prime minister, Trump said.

To be honest, I was surprised that Trump clearly stated that he had not talked about human rights, a source close to Japan-US diplomacy said on Saturday.  We need to again explain to the Trump administration the importance of the abduction issue.

Trump has given top priority to the full denuclearization of North Korea. To make progress in the process of normalizing diplomatic ties with North Korea in the future, which the United States is now discussing as a reward for Pyongyangs denuclearization, it is crucial to improve the situation regarding North Koreas human rights violations.

In particular, in the United States there are quite strong opinions in Congress, mostly from Democrats, about improving the human rights situation in North Korea. Given this situation, the US government needs to work on the human rights issues in order to conclude treaties requiring congressional approval and promote other matters.

Abe plans to visit Washington on Thursday to meet with Trump. Preparations are also underway for Foreign Minister Taro Konos visit to Washington and a meeting with US State Secretary Mike Pompeo on Wednesday. In their respective visits, they intend to again explain the importance of resolving the abduction issue.

Its easy to criticize Trumps approach, but its an undeniable fact that he got North Korea moving to this stage, a diplomatic source based in Washington said Saturday. Well provide maximum support for encouraging Trump to work on human rights issues, the source said.

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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

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 14:31 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7aaeb5 1 City Baznas,zakat,alms,Ramadan-2018,charity,management,jakarta Free

National Alms Agency (Baznas) chairman Bambang Sudibyo has warned that officials of the Jakarta Muslim Charitable Donations Board (Bazis) could be implicated in a criminal case because the body is not in accordance with the prevailing law.

He said the management of alms at Bazis was not in line with the 2011 law on alms management. One of the problems was with the selection of its body executives, he added.

"We could have filed a police report. It's possible. However, we are patiently trying to be persuasive, and we don't want our colleague to be jailed because of failing to adhere to the law," Bambang said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

He said his body had attempted to communicate the matter with the Jakarta administration in order to fix alms management in the city. However, he said he had yet to receive any response.

"We have sent letters to the administration a number of times to make the alms management in line with the law. We didn't send the letter to Bazis because their existence is illegal," he said.

Previously, Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno said he had convened a meeting with relevant stakeholders within the administration to discuss the matter. (fac)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Vela Andapita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 19:31 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7bee5a 1 City fire,JIExpo-Kemayoran,Central-Jakarta Free

A blaze that engulfed the sixth and seventh floors of the Niaga Building in the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) commercial complex in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, was put out at 6:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Roma Hutajulu said.

"The fire allegedly started at around 5 p.m. It was put out at 6:25 p.m. The firefighters are currently cooling down the damaged area in preparation for investigating the site," Roma told the press.

"It's a new building and there reportedly were some construction workers inside. But for now, I can safely say that there are no fatalities," he added.

Roma went on to assure that the annual Jakarta Fair was not disrupted by the incident.

Firefighters rescued five workers who were trapped on the building's seventh floor during the fire.

"Our personnel escorted them out of the building at 6:20 p.m.," said Central Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency head Hardisiswan as quoted by kompas.com.The extra lessons are part of immigration reforms under President Emmanuel Macron intended to balance swifter deportation of rejected asylum seekers with better support for those allowed to stay.

The lessons will rise to 600 hours for new arrivals who are particularly struggling to learn the language, Philippe said after the first meeting of an inter-ministerial committee set up to work on the integration question.

Philippe said French efforts to integrate migrants had until now "lacked ambition", adding that the country needed a policy "worthy of our republic for all those to whom we give the right to stay in France".

He did not say how much the scheme would cost.

Extra language lessons were proposed as part of dozens of measures in a report by Aurelien Tache, a lawmaker from Macron's Republic on the Move (LREM) party, which he estimated would cost a total 607 million euros ($710 million).

France will also double to 24 hours the "civic training" courses given to refugees, designed to explain French values as well as practicalities such as how to obtain work, healthcare and housing.

Many recent arrivals find the barrage of information in the current 12-hour course overwhelming, but Philippe said an understanding of fundamental French values such as liberty, fraternity and equality was "not an option but an obligation".

Immigrant parents will also be offered free childcare during their French lessons, while those turning 18 will have access to a new 500-euro "culture pass" for young people to spend on museum trips and other cultural activities.

Philippe said the measures, which will also include better help for immigrants in finding jobs, were an investment in France's "national and social cohesion".

France received a record 100,000 asylum applications last year and offered refugee status to around 30,000 people, while deporting 14,900.

Though the notorious "Jungle" camp in Calais was cleared in 2016, increasing numbers of migrants have been camping along the canals in Paris in recent months, many from Afghanistan, Eritrea and Sudan.

On Monday police began evacuating around 1,000 migrants from two makeshift camps, five days after another 1,000 were taken to temporary lodgings.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 13:23 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7a8e98 4 Business Freeport-Indonesia,Inalum,negotiation,divestment Free

State-owned mining holding company PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum) president director Budi Gunadi Sadikin said he could not guarantee that negotiations over the divestment of copper and gold miner PT Freeport Indonesias (PTFI) shares could be completed this month.

Previously, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno said the government aimed to conclude its negotiations with Rio Tinto over the purchase of the latters interests in the mine in June.

Budi, however, assured that the process was on-going. It is better that the transaction be carried out right than a faster process carried out improperly, said Budi in Jakarta on Monday as reported by tribunnews.com.

Inalum has been appointed by the government to negotiate with PTFI and Rio Tinto, which has participating interest in Papuas Grasberg mine. Indonesia aims to control 51 percent shares of PTFI as required by law.

Budi said significant progress had been made in negotiations, although the process would take time, particularly because apart from negotiating with PTFI, his company was also negotiating with Rio Tinto, which had 40 percent participating interest that could be converted into shares.

There are shares and participating interest. There are also two periods of time 2018-2022 and 2022-41. So there are many items [to be negotiated], Budi added.

Budi assured that there was no longer a problem on the financing side. The funds from a consortium of several banks are available, he added. (bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 12:28 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7a43bc 4 Business Luhut-Binsar-Pandjaitan,Garuda-Indonesia,Pilots-go-on-strike Free

Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan claimed that there would be no strike by employees of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, including its pilots, who initially threatened to strike because of their disappointment with the management.

Luhut said Garuda Indonesias operations would carry on normally, with employees and management scheduled to meet to resolve their differences.

If there is input [from employees], it is good. There is no problem. [We told them] not to strike and they agreed, said Luhut in Jakarta on Monday as reported by kompas.com.

He said the meeting between Garuda Indonesia management and employees representatives aimed seek a solution to complaints from the Garuda Indonesia Pilots' Association (APG) and other airline employees.

Luhut told both Garuda Indonesia employees and management to prioritize communication and to avoid a strike so that the airline could continue to fulfill the rights of its customers.

All agree that there would be no strike as long as their aspirations are heard. [The management] has listened to their aspirations, Luhut said, adding that the government would also meet with the employees representatives.

The Garuda Indonesia Pilots' Association (APG) and the Garuda Labor Union (Sekarga) had initially threatened to strike unless the government stepped in to help resolve "managerial problems" at the flag carrier, namely that they were allegedly causing continued decline in the company's performance. (bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 14:02 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7aa548 1 Politics Gatot-Nurmantyo,Democratic-party,Prabowo-Subianto,Fadli-Zon,anies-baswedan,Agus-Harimurti-Yudhoyono,Susilo-Bambang-Yudhoyono,Gerindra-Party,#2019PresidentialElection Free

The Democratic Party is mulling over nominating former Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gatot Nurmantyo as its presidential candidate, despite its high hope for Agus Harimurti, son of party patron Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Democrats deputy chairman Syarief Hasan said Gatot was among the hopefuls that would be assessed by the party ahead of the 2019 race. The assessment is scheduled for after the simultaneous regional elections slated for June 27.

Of course, we well review [him], along with others, whether as a presidential or vice presidential candidate, Syarief said Monday.

Other possible candidates, Syarief said, included Agus and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto.

Gatot was reported to have met with Yudhoyono at the home of businessman Chairul Tanjung last Saturday, on the occasion of which he referred to Yudhoyono as my parent.

Gatot is said to be on the radar of both Gerindra and the Democrats, the two-largest opposition parties, not only for his high electability as a vice presidential candidate, according to a number of surveys, but also because he is known to have strong ties to Islamic groups.

Gatot previously submitted his name to Gerindra to be the party's presidential or vice presidential candidate, but the party has yet to give him an answer. Most Gerindra executives have insisted on nominating Prabowo for 2019, but some of the partys politicians have said Gerindra was still open to other figures, including Gatot.

Gerindra deputy chairman Fadli Zon said Tuesday that besides Gatot, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan was also among the names being considered by the party.

Aside from Gerindra, no other party has made a decision to endorse Prabowo as their presidential candidate. To field a candidate, Gerindra will need to reach the presidential threshold and to do that it needs to form a coalition. The National Mandate Party (PAN) and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) are seen as the Gerindras closest allies, however both of them have yet to announce their official decisions. (evi)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Margareth Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 18:11 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7bb4eb 1 Politics Prabowo-Subianto,amien-rais,Fadli-Zon,identity-politics,2019-presidential-election Free

The Gerindra Party, a nationalist-based opposition party led by Prabowo Subianto, appears to have supported an idea floated by Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab that it form an "ummah alliance" to challenge President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in the 2019 presidential election.

The party called on the nations Islamic parties to stand behind its candidate, Prabowo, against Jokowi, who has only secured the support of one Islamic party, the United Development Party (PPP).

The initiative to form a religiously orientated political alliance was proposed after Prabowo met with National Mandate Party (PAN) patron Amien Rais and Rizieq in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, last week.

Gerindra deputy chairman Fadli Zon confirmed on Tuesday that the party's attempt to create an "ummah alliance" was Rizieq's idea. Rizieq, who fled to Saudi Arabia while under investigation for his alleged role in a pornography case, appears to have become more influential among conservative Muslim groups opposed to the Jokowi administration.

It makes sense we name it an ummah alliance, because the coalition is for the sake of the ummah and all of the people, Fadli said.

The party's move has fueled concerns that sectarian politics could play a role in the upcoming presidential election as it did during the 2014 presidential election and the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election.

Gerindra is currently close to two Muslim-based parties  PAN and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). PAN is closely associated with Muhammadiyah, the nations second-largest Islamic group after Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), while the PKS controls a vast network of urban Muslim activists inspired by Egypts Muslim Brotherhood.

The National Awakening Party (PKB) is the only Muslim-based party that has yet to decide whether to side with Jokowi or Prabowo in 2019. The PKBs support could be decisive as it is widely regarded as the party of NU, even though, like Muhammadiyah, NU is an independent organization with no affiliation to any political parties.

Gerindra has reportedly offered the PKB ministerial seats, along with the Democratic Party, a nationalist party that remains undecided whether to back Jokowi or Prabowo or to create a third axis and offer an alternative candidate.

The PKB has been aggressively offering its chairman, Muhaimin Iskandar, as a vice presidential candidate to Jokowi and Prabowo, but neither has yet accepted the offer. The Democratic Party is also seeking to pair its member, Agus Harimurti, with either of the two candidates.

I am not saying that we would offer them ministerial seats, but we can offer power sharing. Power sharing is a requisite in any political negotiations for building an alliance, Fadli said. (ahw)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 15:14 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7aeea2 1 National #e-ID,e-ID,#GraftCase,graft,#corruption,corruption,KPK,#KPK Free

Politicians Aziz Syamsudin of the Golkar Party and Ganjar Pranowo of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) have confirmed their absence from Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioning into the e-ID graft case on Tuesday.

They appeared to choose running errands for their political parties elsewhere as they asked to reschedule via letters sent to the antigraft body.

"Aziz said he had to undergo a [Golkar] Party event in Lampung today," KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said on Tuesday. "Thus, he asked to reschedule for June 6 [Wednesday].

Meanwhile, Ganjar, a former deputy chairman of the Houses Commission II on home affairs, which deliberated the project between 2010 and 2012, cited campaign activities for his re-election bid in the upcoming Central Java gubernatorial race as a reason to skip Tuesdays questioning.

He [Ganjar] is preparing for his candidacy," Febri said.

Aziz and Ganjar are among politicians on the list of witnesses to be grilled by the KPK this week in an investigation into the e-ID graft case, which reportedly caused Rp 2.3 trillion (US$165 million) in state losses.

The series of witness questionings kicked off on Monday with former lawmaker Mirwan Amir and five current lawmakers  the PDI-Ps Arif Wibowo, Golkars Agun Gunanjar, Melchias Markus Mekeng, House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo and the Democratic Partys Khatibul Umam  being summoned.

All but Bambang, who cited a tight schedule elsewhere, came to answer the Monday summons. (ipa)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 18:59 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7bd763 1 National IdulFitri,idul-fitri-exodus,BudiKaryaSumadi Free

Authorities have suggested that travelers looking to return to their places of origin to celebrate Idul Fitri estimated to fall on June 15 and 16 avoid popular traveling dates to prevent severe traffic jams on peak days.

The National Police organized on Tuesday a coordination meeting with relevant institutions, including the Indonesian Military, the Trade Ministry, the Agriculture Ministry, the Transportation Ministry and the Health Ministry, to discuss their preparedness ahead of Lebaran, one of the major holidays in the predominantly Muslim nation.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said data showed that the preferred dates for the Idul Fitri exodus were June 8 and 9, while the most popular return dates were June 19 and 20. Budi referred to research conducted by Kompas research and development department.

It is best for people to travel [before or after] these dates to avoid traffic jams, Budi said on Tuesday.

He also encouraged travelers to not ride on motorcycles for trips longer than 60 kilometers, noting that road accidents involving motorcycles accounted for 70 percent of all accidents over the past two years.

Health Minister Nila Djuwita Moeloek seconded that advice, while also encouraging travelers to prepare physically for long trips. She added that it was best to stop and take breaks at certain hours.

We will increase medical staff and 24-hour medical services along major [exodus] routes, she said.

The government has extended the collective Idul Fitri holiday period by three days to 10 days, thereby making it the longest Idul Fitri holiday period in the country to date. (dpk/nor/swd)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 14:35 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7ac75b 1 National CPNS,non-permanent-civil-servants,house-of-representatives,PNS,civil-servants,civil-servant-enrollment-tests Free

The House of Representatives and representatives of eight ministries agreed during their meeting on Monday that nonpermanent workers who failed to pass a civil servant enrollment test (CPNS) would be offered alternatives.

Data from the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry shows that in 2013, as many as 438,590 nonpermanent workers failed to pass CPNS tests. Most of them were administrative workers.

There should be political policies for around 438,000 non-permanent workers who have not yet been accommodated in the civil servant enrollment tests, said Syarifudin Hasan, a member of the Houses Commission I, which oversees defense, foreign affairs and information.

He said nonpermanent civil servants had contributed greatly to the state; hence, they had a right to get decent work conditions.

Responding to this issue, Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Deputy Minister Setiawan Wangsaatmadja said the government would conduct an internal discussion to come up with solutions to the issue.

The government has prepared some options for people who dont pass the civil servant enrollment test, he said as quoted by kompas.com on Monday.

Regarding the first option, Setiawan said, nonpermanent workers who were still eligible to attend the CPNS selection processes were allowed to take the tests.

Second, for those who are no longer eligible to attend a CPNS recruitment process but are still fit to serve as a PPPK [contract-based government employee] are also permitted to attend the selection, said Setiawan.

The House of Representatives and the government will conduct a second joint meeting in July to elaborate on options for the workers. (dpk/ebf)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5 2018

The Hati Suci Foundation, founded in 1914 by Chinese-Indonesian Auw Tjoei Lian, is holding its 18th Ramadhan bazaar selling thousands of inexpensive food packages to the poor living around the foundation, which is located in Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta.

Foundation chairwoman Fransisca Setiati said around 2,000 food packages comprising rice, oil and sugar would be sold for only Rp 40,000 (US$2.80). In addition to the food, the foundation also sold clothes and other necessities for the Idul Fitri holiday at low prices.

We will use the money for the education of children at the Hati Suci Orphanage, Fransisca said, as quoted by tribunnews.com. She added that the foundation had helped to educate more than 30,000 children through the annual event over 17 years. We hope that we can get more than Rp 250 million for the education of more children.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 11:50 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7a3e56 1 City iftar,Ramadan-2018,greenpeace,jakarta,plastic,PlasticGarbage,environmental-issues,campaigns Free

Environmental group Greenpeace Indonesia launched its #PantangPlastik (#AntiPlastic) campaign on Monday by holding a breaking-of-the-fast gathering, dubbed "eco-iftar", in Pondok Indah mosque in South Jakarta.

In the eco-iftar, food and beverages were served with glass plates and cups.

Greenpeace Indonesia urban campaigner Muharram Atha Rasyadi expected that the eco-iftar event would inspire Muslims to use less single-use plastic in their daily activities.

"Ramadhan is the moment when Muslims frequently gather during iftar, from which abundant plastic waste is produced, such as plastic straws, cups, plates and bottles," said Atha.

"The #PantangPlastik campaign is aimed at changing urbanites' behavior toward plastic they usually consume throughout their daily activities," he added.

Atha added that Indonesia is the second-biggest plastic polluting country after China. Every person in the country produces approximately 17 kilograms of plastic waste per year.

"Aside from calling on the government to issue stricter regulation to better control plastic waste production, we should also work hand in hand to limit our plastic consumption," Atha added.

The Indonesian Ulema Council's (MUI) head of environment and natural resources division Hayu S. Prabowo said Greenpeace Indonesia had the MUI's full support in the program.

"While the government is in charge of the regulation, the MUI focuses on changing the people's mindset and behavior through a religious approach," Hayu said.

"Besides, the holy book of Quran also states that we, humans, have the responsibility to preserve the Earth and everything on it," he added.(iwa)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 17:01 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7b8663 1 Business IMF-WB-meeting,bali,October,Luhut-Binsar-Pandjaitan,Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,perry-warjiyo,#IMFWBG Free

Indonesia hopes the annual International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meeting to be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, in October, not only produces strategic output for the global economy but also creates benefits for the countrys own economy.

Many expect the IMF-World Bank [annual meeting] to create output that is strategic for the global economy, while we also hope it will give benefits to the Indonesian economy, said Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Luhut is chair of the local organizing committee for the meeting, expected to be attended by about 17,000 participants from across the globe.

Indonesia plans to offer investment in infrastructure projects to potential investors who attend the meeting in Bali from Oct. 8 to 14.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said urbanization, poverty and inequality, human capital investment and sustainable infrastructure financing would be among topics discussed in the meeting.

Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo said from the IMF side, the meeting would focus on synchronizing the normalization policy from developed countries, which is expected to continue until 2019.

He said participants of the IMF meeting would also discuss global financial safety nets to protect emerging economies.

In addition, the IMF meeting would also address reform, particularly in regard to membership quota, Perry said. The ongoing reform was aimed at creating a balance between the size of emerging economies and their quota membership at international lenders. (bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 14:49 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7ad18a 1 City Jakarta-Cikampek-elevated-tollroad,Idul-Fitri-2018,construction,halt,Holiday Free

State-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga has decided to temporarily halt the Jakarta-Cikampek elevated toll road construction in the city for 20 days during the Idul Fitri holiday.

Therell be no construction activity from 10 days before until 10 days after the Idul Fitri celebration, said Jasa Marga president director Desi Arryani as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday.

The Islamic holiday is expected to fall on June 15 and 16.

Jasa Marga spokesperson Dwimawan Heru said the company had already been halting construction projects for several days during public holidays to ensure the safety of the workers and people.

But it wont disrupt our schedule. The toll road construction will finish according to our target, he said.

The elevated toll road is deemed a solution to ease traffic congestion that frequently occurs at the existing Jakarta-Cikampek toll road. The toll road, which stretches 36.4 kilometers, is expected to be finished in 2019. (vla)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 15:44 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7b072e 4 Business Tourist,Malaysia,China,arrivals,APRIL Free

Malaysia has taken over Chinas position as the largest contributing country of tourists to Indonesia in April, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

The BPS said on Monday that foreign tourists visiting Indonesia reached 1.3 million in April, 215,339 of which came from Malaysia or 16.56 percent of all foreign tourists.

Malaysian tourist arrivals had grown 25.53 percent year on year (yoy) in April.

The second-largest contributing country was China, which had sent 185,167 tourists or 14.24 percent of total tourist arrivals in April, with 9.97 percent yoy growth.

The arrivals of more Malaysian tourists to Indonesia was supported by the opening of new flight routes, such as Miri-Pontianak and Kuching-Pontianak, said BPS head Suhariyanto.

The opening of new routes facilitates Malaysian tourists to visit Indonesia. Any opening of direct flights had a significant impact on tourist arrivals, he added.

The number of tourist arrivals in April declined 4.59 percent from the previous month, but compared to the figure in April, 2017, it had grown 11.04 percent yoy.

In April arrivals at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the main gate of the country, declined 8.45 percent, while arrivals in Batam, Riau Islands declined 0.31 percent, from arrivals in March.

Meanwhile, arrivals at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport increased 6.46 percent from March.

The cumulative tourist arrivals from January to April reached 4.9 million, he added. (bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang, Central Java  Tue, June 5, 2018 10:58 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e7a0565 1 National mualaf,new-converts,radical-group,radical-ideologies,radicalism,radical-teachings,extreme-groups,Religion-and-Social-Studies-Institute,eLSA-Semarang,Wahid-Foundation,Wahid-Institute Free

An activist has warned that mualaf, or new converts to Islam, had become the targets of extremist groups that sought to spread radical teachings in Indonesia.

Religious and Social Studies Institute (eLSA) researcher and activist Khoirul Anwar said that with their relatively low understanding of Islamic teachings, many new converts had been easily lured by the radical thinking that extremist groups spread.

I saw such an indication at the Mualaf Center. I had an interesting experience in December 2016. I met with a mualaf who had been a Muslim only for six months. He was very enthusiastic when he spoke about the Islamic caliphate, Khoirul told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

The young man, Khoirul said, had expressed his wish to carry out jihad against infidels. Even Indonesia, a democratic country, was considered an infidel country, he added, referring to what the young man had said.

The man claimed he did not have a special mentor that taught him a deeper understanding of Islam, said Khoirul. Through the Internet, he met someone he later came to consider his brother, who 'helped' him learn about jihad, the activist added.

Khoirul said that through his conversations with new converts, he became fully aware of how easy it was for someone to "become a radical". They were even ready to "become terrorists" only from reading online articles about Islam and watching YouTube videos, most of which contained messages of hate, he added.

This is why it is important to spread writings and videos on Islam that contain messages of peace, said Khoirul.

He said eLSA's research also revealed that radical thinking had spread to senior high school students through extracurricular activities. Some external mentors had also influenced students to become radical through Islamic guidance and counselling activities.

At the beginning of the year, the Wahid Foundation, in partnership with eLSA Semarang, involved 15 schools in Semarang, Kendal, Salatiga and surrounding areas in a pilot program called Sekolah Damai (Peaceful Schools).

The program aims to curb the spread of radical teachings that encourage hatred against other groups or communities that might eventually lead to terror acts. Sekolah Damai teaches students and teachers to develop thoughts that embrace diversity toward creating peace. (ebf)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5 2018

The police will give the Jakarta administration a warning if it fails to implement the polices recommendation to review the closure of Jl. Jatibaru in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, after the Idul Fitri holiday, according to Jakarta Police traffic director Sr. Comr. Yusuf.

Yusuf said he was still not sure whether the warning would be conveyed through an official letter or in another form. We will see about that based on the situation later on; this is not the time, Yusuf said on Saturday.

In a decision effective since Dec. 22, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan closed Jl. Jatibaru for motorists from morning until afternoon. Since then, dozens of street vendors have set up shop on the street.The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Purbalingga Regent Tasdi in a sting on Monday afternoon over his suspected involvement in a graft case related to construction projects in Purbalingga, Central Java.

KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said he was not able to provide detailed information on the projects. The money reportedly accepted was part of commitment fees that had been discussed before, he said as quoted by tempo.co in Jakarta on Tuesday.

In the regent's arrest, the KPK seized money as evidence. Several rooms have been sealed, while a car was also seized for further investigation.

Tasdi is a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). Bambang Irawan, the secretary of PDI-P Purbalingga's central executive board, said the party would support the legal process. He added that the PDI-P had always been strict with its members implicated in corruption.

Automatically he will be dismissed, Bambang said. We've received this information from the partys secretary-general, but we havent officially received the letter, he said as quoted by kompas.com.

The KPK has arrested six people, including Tasdi, in the case. (stu/ebf)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, June 5, 2018 10:20 1227 a7124a1e87885b91d244660f9e79ddd4 1 Business Suriname-delegation,sharia,banking-industry,subsidy,agriculture Free

A delegation from Suriname visited Indonesia on Monday to learn about the latter's sharia banking system and invite Indonesian businesses to invest in its own sharia banking industry, an official has said.

The National Development Planning Ministrys population and manpower affairs undersecretary, Pungky Sumadi, said after meeting with the delegation that the government of Suriname believed Indonesia, which has more than 12 sharia banks, had a great opportunity to develop sharia banks in the country.

He said Suriname only had one Islamic bank, Trustbank Amanah, which had been converted from a conventional bank in 2015.

They want to learn how [] we developed legislation on sharia banking, Pungky said, adding that the delegation consisted of representatives from the Suriname National Development Bank, the countrys foreign ministry and businesses.

Pungky said the delegation was interested in the way Indonesia had reduced fuel subsidies and allocated the funds for infrastructure development and social assistance.

Meanwhile, in the agriculture sector, the delegation had shown interest in developing an artificial insemination program and agricultural insurance, he said.

The delegation also met with officials from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) to discuss domestic and foreign investment promotion.

Indonesia and Suriname have 43-year relationship, with the latter being home to a number of people of Javanese descent. (ris/bbn)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Grace D. Amianti (The Jakarta Post) Taipei  Wed, June 6 2018

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), organizer of the annual Computex show in Taiwan, has called for more engagement from startup companies in Indonesia and other ASEAN countries to pave the way for their business growth in the future.

As startups continue mushrooming in ASEAN countries, the trade council expects its annual fair can provide a major platform for companies to showcase their potential and attract prospective buyers and investors from around the world.

We are happy that this year, we have startups from Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and other ASEAN countries, said TAITRA president director and CEO Michael Yeh on Monday. [We have also invited] startups from East Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan.The island of Sumba in East Nusa Tenggara is known for its fascinating tribal culture, unique megalithic tombs and distinct landscapes.

Tucked away in Indonesias east, many parts of the island are still mostly untouched by modern civilization, affording visitors a vivid glimpse into ancient history.

Read also: Jewels of Sumba

How to get there

By air

Sumba has two airports, one in the western end of the island and the other in the east. Both airports have daily connections with Jakarta with a transit in Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali.

The choice of airport depends on visitors personal preferences and planned travel route to explore the island.

Arriving in the west would mean diving head first into the rich heritage of tribal culture and wild nature the island has to offer.

The eastern side of the island, meanwhile, is more modern, yet still hosts its fair share of picturesque landscapes, as it is home to the island's vast savannah and rolling hills.

It is common for travelers to arrive at one airport and cross to the other end of the island for departure.

A return flight from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to either airport in Sumba costs approximately Rp 4 million, with a one-way flight costing around Rp 2 million.

Tambolaka in Southwest Sumba

Tambolaka Airport in Southwest Sumba (JP/Liza Yosephine)

The island's largest airport is Tambolaka Airport, located in Tambolaka, Southwest Sumba. The airport serves airlines Garuda Indonesia, Nam Air, TransNusa and Wings Air.

The flight from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to Denpasar takes just under two hours, continued by a 45-minute flight from Denpasar to Tambolaka.

Waingapu in East Sumba

Umbu Mehang Kunda Aiport in Waingapu, East Sumba (JP/Liza Yosephine)

In the east is Umbu Mehang Kunda Aiport in Waingapu, the largest town in Sumba. Airlines offering flights to Jakarta  also with a transit in Denpasar  include Nam Air and Wings Air. The flight from Denpasar to Waingapu takes approximately 90 minutes.

Best time to visit

Coming to Sumba means an entire trip of outdoor adventures, including exploring the island's custom villages, beaches, waterfalls, grasslands and hills. To make the most of the trip, it would be best to come during the main months of the dry season, May to August.

The island also hosts cultural events that attract tourists to the area, such as the horse-riding and spear-fighting tradition of pasola. Those who wish to witness the event should observe the schedule, with those attractions usually held in February and March.

Read also: Seven things to know before visiting Sumba

Climate

With Indonesia straddling the equator, all parts of the country have a tropical climate. In line with this, two main seasons characterize the climate in Sumba  wet and dry. The dry season lasts from April to September, while most of the rain falls in the months of October to March.

Popular areas

Sumba is still a considerably remote island. In its western region, especially, many areas are still underdeveloped. Make sure to adjust expectations accordingly, as Sumba is not your typical tourist destination.

The island is still home to a thriving tribal culture, and some kampung adat (custom villages) are laid out in a traditional setting. Several houses surround the island's recognizable megalithic-style tombs. In the west, some residents still dress traditionally, where its not uncommon for men to carry a parang (a type of machete or cleaver) pinned to a sarong or other outer garment.

Although the majority of the roads are smooth, a bumpy ride is inevitable for reaching certain destinations. Moreover, electricity is also still limited to large towns on the island.

Bear in mind, the point of going to Sumba, especially to the islands west, is to get lost in its ancient culture and untouched nature.

The island is divided into four regencies, each home to a main town, Tambolaka in Southwest Sumba, Waikabubak in West Sumba, Waibakul in Central Sumba and Waingapu in East Sumba.

Telecommunication coverage is also spotty across the island, with a better phone signal usually found in the main town of each regency. With limited access to the internet, it is also somewhat difficult to venture off on your own, as not only would you not be able to open online map apps, but roads are also not clearly named.

Hiring a car is the most convenient way to get around the island. Renting a car usually costs Rp 800,000 per day, which already includes a driver and gas. In the western regions of the island, it is highly recommended to hire a car for safety reasons, and a local driver can also be a tour guide throughout the trip.

In the more developed eastern regions, it is possible to hire a motorbike. A daily package, which also comes with a driver and gas, might set you back around Rp 600,000.

Although divided into four regencies, the island is commonly viewed as having two basic parts  the west and the east. Here are some must-see locations, listed from west to east.

Bawana Beach

Bawana Beach, Kodi, Southwest Sumba (JP/Liza Yosephine)

Bawana Beach is home to one of the island's most recognizable icons, the batu bolong, a rock wall with a giant hole that sits on a pristine stretch of sand.

Located in Kodi, Southwest Sumba, the picturesque coast is approximately a 90-minute drive south from the nearest town of Tambolaka. Access to the beach is still its natural rocky track, which is steep and uneven.

Before visiting Bawana, make sure to check the tides, as high tide will usually push its fierce waves up to the beach wall. Low tide opens up the beach area, allowing visitors to enjoy the soft, white sand. It is, however, not recommended to swim, as the waves are strong and hit against rocks scattered across the seabed.

It is best to visit Bawana during sunset to enjoy the majestic play of light as the sun dips over the horizon.

Although a public beach, there are no public tourism facilities, which is why local residents have taken it upon themselves to serve  and charge  visitors.

It is expected that travelers visiting the beach pay a parking fee, which is generally around Rp 50,000. Upon arriving, it is also expected that visitors hire a local resident to assist them on the trail down to the beach, at a price of Rp 25,000.

Fresh coconuts are available in the area to enjoy, which cost Rp 10,000 each.

Changing rooms are not available in the area, but there is a modest squat toilet inside a dark hut on top of the cliff, as the area has no access to electricity. There is also a fee of Rp 5,000 to use the toilet.

Ratenggaro Custom Village

The custom village of Ratenggaro lies in Southwest Sumba. (JP/Liza Yosephine)

A visit to Sumba is not complete without venturing into one of its custom villages. The custom village of Ratenggaro lies on the coast in Kodi. It is still a residential cluster of traditional homes inhabited by locals, so remember to be respectful of local etiquette.

Upon arriving, visitors will be welcomed by megalithic tombs that line the path to the village.

The houses are a glimpse into the past, as Ratenggaro hosts traditional wooden and thatched houses. The exaggeratedly high roofs were made to reach the gods. The central part of the house is for humans, while the area below is for the family's livestock, usually pigs.

The village also makes traditional tenun ikat, a woven fabric that is a signature product of the island's culture.

It is recommended to visit the village with a local guide, who can also help introduce you to residents. Guests are expected to leave a donation for the village, usually around Rp 50,000.

Wairinding Hills

Wairinding Hills in East Sumba (JP/Liza Yosephine)

Wairinding Hills is one of the most photographed sceneries of Sumba, as the rolling hills are a must-visit stop for travelers in area of Waingapu in eastern Sumba.

The picturesque hills are quickly becoming popular among travel bloggers, photographers and couples taking pre-wedding pictures.

The scenic spot is also perfect to watch the sunset, as the light lowers over an infinite view of the hills. Don't be afraid to stay around after dark, as the pitch black grounds make for a perfect spot for stargazing in the early evening.

Visitors are expected to make a donation to the area.

Walakiri Beach

The 'dancing trees' in Walakiri Beach, Waingapu, East Sumba (JP/Liza Yosephine)

Walakiri Beach is home to Sumba's most famous icon, its dancing trees. Just a 30-minute drive eastward from Waingapu, East Sumba, travelers would find a stretch of savannah along the way to the destination.

Upon arriving, travelers are greeted by calm waters, a white sandy beach lined with palm trees and modest eateries.

The true magic happens during sunset, especially during low tide. The red and orange lights play with the shadow of the mangrove trees on the beach, as the reflection of the sun and sky color the surrounding shallow waters.

Drop everything, enjoy the moment and let nature take your breath away.

Read also: Four not-to-miss events in East Nusa Tenggara in 2018

Up-and-coming areas

Sumba is a large island with many places to visit in every corner. However, as it is difficult to get around, paired with large distances from one place to another, some areas are slow to gain popular attention.

One thing the island is known for is its waves. Many are already familiar with the luxury surfing resort of Nihi Sumba Island (formerly Nihiwatu), which was named the World's Best Hotel by Travel+Leisure magazine readers for two consecutive years in 2016 and 2017.

But other beaches also attract surfers to the island. One of the highlights is Miller's Rights in Tarimbang, a three-hour drive from Waingapu. It is an area popular among surfers despite being far off from other destinations. There is limited accommodation capacity in the area, so it is best to organize transport to and from the beach if staying elsewhere.

Also in East Sumba is the Tenggadu Waterfall, which is quickly gaining popularity. Make sure to spare a whole day to visit the waterfall, as it is a challenging hours-long walk through the savannah to reach the destination, which is not accessible by car.

Cuisine

Enjoy seafood dishes in East Sumba. (JP/Liza Yosephine)

Sumba is not a traditional culinary destination. One of the most important things to note is that many of the destinations around Sumba are remote locations, therefore there are no vendors nearby.

Practical options for packed lunch are generally from vendors of typical Indonesian food, such as nasi padang and Tegal food stalls, as Sumbanese cuisine is not commonly sold.

When staying in town for lunch or dinner, the choice ranges from Indonesian dishes to western-style cafes.

In Tambolaka, Warung Gula Garam offers a wide range of dishes, from local Indonesian to western cuisine. The popular dishes are their homemade pizzas.

Also in Tambolaka is Warungku, where diners can try their signature ikan kuah asam (fish with sour soup) with a refreshing glass of es jeruk (iced orange drink).

Enjoy Aja's grilled fish (JP/Liza Yosephine)

A trip to Waingapu is not complete without a visit to the Enjoy Aja seafood restaurant. The mouthwatering grilled fish is best combined with cah kangkung (sauteed Chinese water spinach), while nibbling on crispy fried eggplant is also recommended.

What to bring back

Rambu Chiko Artshop in Waingapu, East Sumba (JP/Liza Yosephine)

Sumba is known for its distinct and intricate tenun ikat (traditional woven fabric). Residents in custom villages still make tenun the traditional way, and visitors can buy directly from them.

Although found all over the island, the signature prints differ between East Sumba and West Sumba. While both usually feature Sumbas cultural symbols, tenun from the west predominantly includes abstract motifs, while that come from the east tends to feature images of animals, such as horses, roosters and crocodiles.

Keep in mind that each fabric is handmade and could take weeks to complete, thus fetching a high price. Depending on the difficulty, size and the region it was made in, a piece of tenun cloth can range from a small scarf that costs Rp 300,000 to a wraparound cloth for skirts for more than Rp 2 million.

Rambu Chiko Artshop, a family-owned tenun shop in Waingapu, East Sumba, has been making the traditional craft for generations and has gained nationwide recognition. Travelers can find a wide range of tenun to choose from, as well as learn about the making of the traditional cloth.

Where to stay

Mario Hotel and Cafe in Mananga Aba, Southwest Sumba (JP/Liza Yosephine)

In Tambolaka, visitors can stay at Mario Hotel and Cafe, which is a beachfront hotel on Mananga Aba Beach. With a pool and restaurant facing the ocean, as well as comfortable and clean rooms, Mario serves as the perfect place to enjoy some tranquility in Sumba during the time when you're not venturing into the islands exotic destinations.

Backpackers looking for affordable accommodation can book a room at Hotel Sinar Tambolaka, which also has an infinity pool facing the hills as a place to relax.

In Waingapu, Villa Amidala can serve as an alternative place to say in the style of a home, which also boasts a pool and a jacuzzi. (wng)

All accommodation options are available on online booking platform Agoda.

As part of a partnership between The Jakarta Post and Agoda, an 8 percent discount is available for all hotel bookings made via the above link until June 30 using "AGODA8u2" as a voucher code.Located in Indonesias eastern region, the island of Sumba in East Nusa Tenggara is home to a preserved ancient culture and breathtaking nature.

As locations are spread far apart and require hours of driving to travel between them, it is recommended to set aside several days to explore the island, as well as hire a car for safety reasons. Some parts, such as major areas across Southwest Sumba regency, also lack electricity access, meaning the roads are pitch black after dusk.

Despite the long drives, the stunning views will most likely keep you charmed along the way.

Here are some of the best destinations to visit on the island.

Read also: Jakpost explores Sumba

Weekuri Lagoon

Weekuri Lagoon in Southwest Sumba. (JP/Liza Yosephine)

Weekuri Lagoon is located in North Kodi, Southwest Sumba. It is one of the most popular destinations as the turquoise waters lure both locals and visitors alike for a swim. There is a jumping board for thrill seekers. It is important, however, to check the tides before planning a swim.

As tourism increases in the area, Weekuri is slowly being developed. A path was recently built around the lagoon's perimeter to make it easier to traverse the surrounding rocky cliffs. However, please be aware that toilet facilities are still very basic.

Mandorak Beach

Mandorak Beach in Southwest Sumba. (JP/Liza Yosephine)

A short distance from Weekuri Lagoon is Mandorak Beach, a small white-sand beach framed by rocky cliffs.

The beach is actually located inside a private property but accessible for the public. Tourists are expected to pay locals a fee of Rp 50,000 to enter the beach.

Mananga Aba Beach

Mananga Aba Beach in Southwest Sumba. (JP/Liza Yosephine)

Mananga Aba Beach is also located in Southwest Sumba, sitting on the northern coast of the island. A soft, white sandy beach with gentle waves makes Mananga a suitable swimming location.

Read also: Sumbas MaTaLaWa National Park lures visitors with ecological attractions

Prai Ijing Customary Village

Prai Ijing customary village in West Sumba. (JP/Liza Yosephine)

After exploring Southwest Sumba, make your way to West Sumba regency and visit Prai Ijing customary village. Located in Waikabubak, the village follows the traditional layout of houses surrounding megalithic tombs that were built for the residents' ancestors.

The entrance to the village is perched atop a hill, offering sweeping views of the traditional housing cluster.

Residents are friendly and welcoming, creating a warm environment to learn about the village's history and people. Make sure to be respectful of local etiquette when entering the village. Visitors are also expected to leave a donation for the village.

Lapopu waterfall

Lapopu Waterfall in Central Sumba. (JP/Liza Yosephine)

Located in Central Sumba regency in Manurara is Lapopu Waterfall. As it is located near Prai Ijing Customary Village, it is a convenient stop that can be done on the same day as the village.

It is best to come during the dry season, as visitors must traverse an uneven and slippery trail to the waterfall. The short trail, which is about a 15-minute walk, also passes a bamboo bridge to cross the river.

Lapopu is 90 meters in height. The refreshing river is perfect for a dip on a hot day.

The waterfall is a popular tourist destination, and visitors must pay parking and entrance fees, as well as hiring a local guide to help them reach the area. The fees amount to Rp 50,000.

During public holidays, Lapopu is popular among locals, who come for a picnic in the seating areas around the riverside.

Puru Kambera

Puru Kambera savannah in East Sumba. (JP/Liza Yosephine)

Puru Kambera is home to East Sumba's vast savannah. Although located just a 30-minute drive from Waingapu, Puru Kambera presents a startlingly different landscape from its nearby town.

Open stretches of grassland with the backdrop of hills is found to one side, while on the other side the ocean can be seen in the background. If you're lucky, the scene is made complete when a team of sandalwood horses run by.

There is also Puru Kambera beach, which can make for a picturesque relaxation spot, especially during low tide, which would also expose more of its sand area.

Read also: Exploring Sumba Island's natural and cultural riches

Persaudaraan Hill

Persaudaraan Hill in East Sumba (JP/Liza Yosephine)

Persaudaraan Hill is located a hop and a skip away from Umbu Mehang Kunda Airport in Waingapu. The scenic viewpoint offers panoramic views of the town's rice fields and surrounding hills.

Perched on a peak, the spot is also suitable for watching the sunrise or sunset. (wng)

As part of a partnership between The Jakarta Post and Agoda, an 8 percent discount is available for all hotel bookings made via the above link until June 30 using "AGODA8u2" as a voucher code.Those who haven't yet booked their tickets for mudik (exodus) can consider state railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI)'s Priority train as it offers the best deals for trips within Java island.

The reservation period for the Priority train has begun from May 6 until June 5 for those traveling between June 9 and 25. Among the routes prepared by PT KAI for the service are Surakarta in Central Java, Surabaya in East Java, Yogyakarta, Malang in East Java and Semarang in Central Java. Ticket prices start from Rp 500,000 (US$36).

The Bangunkarta train, for instance, caters to the Surabaya Gubeng-Jakarta Gambir route on June, 9, 11 and 13 with ticket prices starting from Rp 600,000. The return journey is available on June 19, 21 and 23 at similar prices.

Meanwhile, those who want to travel from Yogyakarta to Gambir Station in Jakarta can opt for the Taksaka train, available from June 10 to 14 with a starting price of Rp 500,000. The return journey is available from June 18 to 25 with prices starting at Rp 600,000.

Read also: Presidential train now available for Jakartans traveling to Bandung

For the Malang-Gambir route, there is Gajayana train on June 9, 11 and 13 for Rp 600,000; meanwhile the return trip is available on June 19, 21 and 23 with the same fare.

Those who want to travel to Gambir Station from Solo Balapan Station in Surakarta can travel with Argo Lawu train from June 9 to 14 for Rp 500,000 per ticket. As for the return trip, opt for the Argo Dwipangga train from June 18 to 25 at the same price.

Travelers from Semarang's Tawang Station can use the Argo Sindoro train to reach Jakarta from June 9 to 14 with ticket prices at Rp 550,000. The return trip will be by the Argo Muria train from June 18 to 25 with similar ticket fare.

Last but not least, the Sembrani train serves the Surabaya Pasarturi-Gambir route on June 9, 11 and 13 with prices starting at Rp 600,000. The same train also serves the return trip on June 19, 21 and 23 with the same ticket price.

For online reservations, customers can visit PT KAI's official website. (wir/kes)PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has announced that sleeping cars will become available on June 11 to serve the imminent Idul Fitri holiday season.

We will begin selling the tickets on June 10, said PT KAI president director Totok Suryono in Jakarta on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com.

The sleeping cars will be available on round-trip rail travel plying the Jakarta/Gambir-Surabaya/Pasar Turi and Gambir-Malang routes.

Currently, we have four cars that can be coupled to existing trains such as the Gajayana (Malang) and the Argo Anggrek (Surabaya)," said Sunarjo, the administration and operations director of PT KA Pariwisata.

Read also: Sleeper train cars to be launched on Idul Fitri

Three sleeping cars, each equipped with 54 reclining seats, will be available for travelers, while one car is reserved as backup. Tickets can be booked at offline counters as well as through the PT KAI website and mobile app.

We are unable to announce the prices yet, as we are still awaiting confirmation from the central office. However, with the exclusive services were offering, the estimated price is around Rp 1 million [per passenger], he said.

The sleeping cars rank above priority-class cars as the luxury train service currently available in the country.

Passengers that take a sleeping car will be able to recline their seats to a sleeping position, similar to an airplanes first-class seats. The sleeping cars are also outfitted with other luxury facilities and amenities such as display monitors, a catering service and WI-FI. (wng)Longtime Lower East Side residents are nervous about the looming move of the Essex Street Market into a glassy new space across Delancey Street. That was one of the main takeaways from a survey conducted by the Essex Street Market Vendor Association. Its part of a report will be presented tomorrow (Wednesday) at a meeting of Community Board 3s economic development committee (it was recently posted on CB3s website).

A surprising number of locals surveyed did not know that the 78-year-old market is about to undergo its biggest transition since opening in 1940. When the move happens later this year, the market will become part of the big Essex Crossing development project.

The report, Building Community at the Essex Street Market, was designed to solicit feedback about the uses of a demonstration kitchen and public events space that will be part of the new market. After conducting customer surveys, focus groups and a visioning workshop, the vendor association summed up, the communitys mains concerns as they relate to the Markets move, which include affordability, current vendor vitality and changes to neighborhood character.

Back in 2011, some of the vendors and members of the local community fought a losing battle to save the historic market building at 120 Essex St. The citys Economic Development Corp., which operates the Essex Street Market, argued that the facility was badly out-of-date and too small to be viable long-term. The community board successfully pushed for measures to protect the existing vendors. Their rents, for example, were to stay the same in the new building. Still, today there are well-founded worries that the gussied up market in a glossy new tower at 115 Delancey St. will lose its authenticity, old world feel and commitment to serving the local community.

In the recently completed report, the vendor association stated, The quality of vendor-shopper relationships at Essex Street Market makes it a unique community space and more than just a shopping destination. Programs and events that support the interests of both vendors and neighborhood residents are essential to maintaining and cultivating a sense of community (in the new space).

Only about half of those surveyed while shopping in the market were aware of the upcoming move (more people responding to questions online knew about it). Only 13% of the in-store respondents knew that all of the existing vendors will be in the new facility. People expressed concerns that vendors could be paying more rent, and that as a result, food prices would increase.

One shopper said, I love Essex Street Market because the prices are low, and Im afraid that this move will cause significant price increases. Longtime residents were particularly worried, while newer residents tended to express optimism about the changes. Other shoppers explained, The Essex Street Market is the only place that keeps culture alive for Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Spanish, and Mexicans, and there is no where else in this neighborhood that sells my cultures food. I [would] have to go to El Barrio or Brooklyn.

The merchant association said it, plans to survey vendors to better understand how they foresee pricing structure to change  or stay the same  in the new Market. This feedback, alongside information regarding vendors new permit conditions, will help determine what role (the vendor association) can play in ensuring that the Markets price points remain affordable.

The report includes several recommendations. It suggests building on existing relationships with local settlement houses and other organizations to make sure the community knows the market is a, destination for free and reduced-price public programming. The survey showed a strong desire for more food education and intergenerational programming, plus kids cooking classes. The report calls for an outreach and marketing strategy to reach both new and longtime residents:

Outreach should focus on targeted messaging in both print and digital, with the former concentrating on how the Market will maintain its current makeup and the latter speaking to exciting developments around new vendors and event opportunities.

The new market will be 37,000 square feet, about triple the size of the current facility. There will be 12 new vendors, as well as two stand-alone restaurants. The city will continue to run the Essex Street Market, in partnership with the vendor association and the Lower East Side Partnership. Essex Crossing will also include a subterranean shopping pavilion called the Market Line. Both the Essex Market and the first portion of the Market Line are supposed to open this coming fall.

As mentioned, the report will be presented to CB3 tomorrow evening. The meeting takes place at 200 East 5th St., and begins at 6:30 p.m.

UPDATE: We have a followup to this story here, including details about the citys efforts to get the word out about the upcoming move of the Essex Street Market.

Building Community at New Essex Street Market by The Lo-Down on ScribdThree popular Lower East Side businesses are joining the new Essex Street Market when it debuts in a newly expanded space at 115 Delancey St. this coming fall. Among them is Roni-Sues Chocolates, which gave up a stall in the current market in 2016. The other additions are Sugar Sweet Sunshine, the Rivington Street bakery; and Local Line by Exit9, an outpost of the longtime Avenue A gift shop.

The 78-year-old market is moving from its 1940s-era building to a larger facility in the Essex Crossing development project. The 24 existing vendors will all be shifting over to the new space, along with 12 new merchants. The Economic Development Corp., which operates the market, has been announcing the new businesses in batches.

Roni-Sues Chocolates was one of the first businesses to take a chance on the Essex Street Market when it was on the upswing a decade ago. She started the candy store from scratch in 2007, making chocolate from a tiny stall in the back of the market. Owner Rhonda Kave had opened a larger shop and production facility on Forsyth Street in 2013. A couple of years ago, she shuttered the Essex Market outpost, which had become difficult to sustain as foot traffic slumped. Now Kave is returning to her roots, while keeping the main shop at 148 Forsyth open.

In a statement today, she said, This year Roni-Sues Chocolates will celebrate our 11th anniversary by coming full circle, returning to our roots in the Essex Marketwere so excited to be a part of this unique community of merchants again! Ive missed that little village of characters and craftspeople, folks who gave me encouragement and support while I reinvented myself as a professional chocolatier. Kave added, I cant wait to welcome old friends and long time customers, new LES neighbors and visitors to taste and experience our chocolates and confections as we make them right onsite at the new Essex Market.

Sugar Sweet Sunshine has been a fixture at 126 Rivington St. since 2003. The community-oriented shop, owned by Debbie Weiner and Peggy Williams, specializes in cupcakes, but they also make specialty cakes and pies, and other sweet treats. Theyll be keeping their existing shop while expanding to the market.

As owners of Sugar Sweet Sunshine, we have worked to stay true to the same values as the Essex Market; being accessible to all members of this community and owner-operated, face-to-face customer service, said Weiner and Williams. We are truly honored to be welcomed into the community of the Essex Street Market and excited to share some sugar Sweet sunshine with both new and long-time residents of the LES.

Exit9 Gift Emporium has been located in the East Village since 1995. The Essex Market satellite will offer locally made and designed gifts, food and mementos. Owner Charles Branstool said, We started adding locally made and designed items at Exit9 several years ago as a way to support the local maker economy. Now, Local Line will be our fun, locally-focused shop with a subtle message about the power of shopping local.

Previously the city announced the following new vendors would be coming to the new Essex Street Market: Samesa, a contemporary Middle Eastern takeaway counter from sibling chefs Max and Eli Sussman; Josephines Feast!, a New York-based producer of artisanal jams and preserves; Saffron, a Fort Green-based florist; Flower Power Herbs and Roots, a branch of the herbal apothecary shop located on East Ninth Street; Chinatown Ice Cream Factory; Essex Shambles, an offshoot of the butcher shop Harlem Shambles; and Zerza, a new concept from the owner of the defunct Moroccan spot Zerza on East Sixth Street).

Earlier today we posted a story about efforts now underway by the vendor association to make sure the market retains its authenticity and low prices when it moves to the new facility. A recent survey showed that many longtime residents are concerned about that.

The current market will remain open until the new facility is ready sometime this coming fall.While Graduate Fashion Week 2018 is well underway, we are looking back at a wonderful success story from the not-so-distant past.

Heather Jenkins' rose fast and strong from her degree at The University of Northampton to a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming job of designing the Bouncing Souls of Dr Martens boots.

The Class of 2016 Graduate, Jenkins jumped straight out of her BA Hons Footwear and Accessories course at The University of Northampton, and into a job at Airwair International - the Dr Martens headquarters situated in Wollaston, Northamptonshire.

Jenkins works at the HQ as an Assistant Footwear Developer and has bagged herself numerous annual trips to their South East Asian factories. This has allowed the young footwear designer to firmly explore her imagination by helping design original projects for the future of the brand.

We need to make sure each design is market relevant and will be profitable. I also get to travel to our factories in Vietnam and Thailand four times a year, and also assist in researching and introducing new and innovative ideas for footwear that would enhance the brand.

About the job, Jenkins says it is almost impossible to pick her favourite aspect.

Just to be working for Dr Martens is the best thing. When you tell people, everyone knows who Dr Martens are  its a worldwide brand.

But, she definitely credits her course at Northampton University for allowing her to seriously step up and have the skillset for this once-in-a-lifetime role.

The course taught me everything I needed to know about footwear, from developing my creative design skills, through to the technical side of the industry.

The technicians were great in helping teach me how to turn my initial sketches into real-life products that were able to be worn on the catwalk for Graduate Fashion Week. I also took part in competitions set by external companies, which helped me to progress my skills.

If you are interested in following her footsteps, click for more information regarding the Footwear and Accessories course at Jenkins is becoming a serious force to be reckoned with.If you are interested in following her footsteps, click for more information regarding the Footwear and Accessories course at The University of Northampton

Click below to listen to the full 2017 interview with Dr Martens Assistant Footwear Developer, Heather Jenkins.Pride Month takes place in June worldwide, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

Andy Pleasants, a Deaf bisexual YouTuber from New York, has taken to Twitter to teach people inclusive sign language that they can use at Pride events.

The signs, which are in American Sign Language (ASL), include terms such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender.

He started the thread, which now has over 2,000 retweets, by Tweeting: Happy Pride Month from your favourite Deaf Bi guy!

Pleasants said: Im a YouTuber with my channel Andy Signs where I cover songs in ASL, talk about Deaf culture, craniofacial differences, disabilities, and mental health.

Basically I use YouTube as a platform to be myself, spread awareness, and share my story.

Pleasants said: Im mostly pleased with the response the videos been getting. It warms my heart to see someone say they learned a new sign, especially one for their sexuality and/or gender that they can use in their daily life!

Of course theres always going to be negative ignorant people who respond as well, mostly to dig at my looks or sexuality, but all I know is that Im confident and happy and I can only hope they can learn to grow, mature, and appreciate all of humanitys diverse differences.

Pleasants said that Pride events could be more inclusive to the Deaf community by having interpreters at events and concerts.

He said: Ive only been to one Pride event and that was last year. I had such a blast! Theres just so much radiant confidence and pride in who everyone is, full of rainbows and smiles, I mean who couldnt love that?

Something that can be done to be more inclusive to Deaf people number one, have interpreters at the event. Also maybe have a booth for LGBTQ+ signs and Deaf Pride, or, and this would just be awesome, on stage when they do concerts for Pride, I would LOVE to see a Deaf artist/performer sign on stage alongside them.

More Deaf artists need recognition, and whats a better place of inclusivity than a Pride event?

Pleasants said: Not only do I think its important to be aware of Deaf people within LGBTQ+, but also those with facial differences like I do!

Very rarely if ever do we see those who look like us out there confident in their sexuality and/or gender.

I think its time we change that and bring more visibility to the diversity within LGBTQ+, to give everyone a chance to see themselves represented and spreading love.A guy who was left covered in dirt and grime after a hard days work has delivered an important message about education.

Andy Ross, 29, had nipped into a shop after work only to overhear a mother telling her daughter that is why you need to stay in school.

Ross used the comment as an educational moment for the family, politely explaining his background and choice to work in the construction industry after serving as a special operations medic.

He ended by telling the mother try not to judge people before you know anything about them.

So I had a very interesting educational conversation with a woman and her daughter today. As I entered the store Posted by Andy Ross on Monday, May 21, 2018

In the conversation, Andy, from Vancouver in the US state of Washington, explained how he was a very educated dirty man who had found office work was not for him.

Assuming that I am uneducated because of my appearance is actually quite ignorant in itself, the post read.

Secondly, if you are telling your daughter to stay in school because I have tattoos up and down my arms, that will actually suppress her creativity and potentially hinder her imagination as she develops.

His Facebook post about the exchange has been liked and shared hundreds of thousands of times.

I chose to work in a construction industry. I am proud to say that I am a part of building America and I enjoy my job every day.

I tried working a desk job when I got out of the service and it wasnt for me. I enjoy working with my hands and being outdoors. Subsequently, it comes with being dirty some days.

(Andy Ross/PA)

I make good money, have benefits, and am able to provide for my family without issue. So my appearance reflects nothing to do with my level of intelligence or pursuing a higher level of education.

On Facebook, he gave people eight lessons based on his interaction, including dont judge people on first glance and do work they love.

Ross, who also co-owns an outdoor adventure company, also joked he did need a shower.

I was so dirty, he told Press Association.

He added: I am a heavy equipment operator and pipe layer for an excavation and underground company.

We create and excavate the ground and underground for subdivisions. I was laying some storm system pipe that day.Students protestors will allegedly have to demonstrate away from any formal meetings or events. The use of banners or flags will be forbidden within the Universitys lecture theatres.There will continue to be debates over protesters use of cameras, the moderation of speech at certain events by independent chairs and the ticketing of such events. A spokesperson from KCL said they will look to take further measures to ensure that no one going to an event at Kings should feel threatened or intimidated in any way. The new rules come after the protests at events earlier this year. Many students have felt uncomfortable and alarmed by recent protests. Kings College Londons various campuses are 'in use 24/7' and home to a variety of events and activities some of which have been disturbed by protests and demonstrations on campus. Following a review commissioned by the Senior Vice President of operations into the events management and procedures, one of the recommendations is 'that we no longer allow the use of megaphones or loudhailers at the location of speeches or events at Kings where the intent is to disrupt.' 'Given the confined nature of much of our campuses and that theyre in use 24/7,' a King's spokesperson said, 'using megaphones or loudhailers can result in the disruption of the vast range of activities taking place from religious services, teaching and social activities through to performing arts and cultural events.' The university hopes that moves such as this will limit the disruption of the vast range of activities which take place on campus. KCLs spokesperson emphasised that universities have a unique challenge to create environments in which open and uncensored debate [] can take place without fear of intimidation and within frameworks of the law. However, isn't that the point of protests? To disrupt activity in order to raise awareness of the cause?A freedom of information request revealed that during a student protest in support of outsourced workers between the 19th to 28th March, the university spent 99,690 to hire additional security guards. The security is believed to have been in place until May. While the University said it could not confirm the figures for May 2018, it admitted the 415,000 figure for March and April alone. General Secretary at the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, Jason Moyer-Lee, said: Its an absolute disgrace that the University of London would spend hundreds of thousands of pounds turning itself into a prison rather than agree to the reasonable demand of its outsourced workers to be treated fairly, equally and with respect. The IWGB has been organising outsourced workers' strikes as part of a campaign demanding for the University to end outsourcing, abolish zero-hours contracts and implement pay rises. The additional security has increased tensions and caused several incidents between student protesters and hired security staff. Students participating in the 10-day sit-in were locked into a confined space with no access to food, water or toilets . The University of London staff were caught on camera drilling bolts onto the emergency exit and locking students inside the Chancellor's Hall at Senate House.Subsequently, when University of London students attempted to stage a second sit-in on 24 April in support of an outsourced workers' strike they were physically and sexually assaulted by a temporary security guard. The University of London has since decided to bring outsourced workers back in-house over the next few years, although campaigners have criticised the length of time it is proposing and demand that the workers are brought in-house within the next 12 months. More protests are set for June.In a world of increasing gender equality, the issue of salutations remains complicated.

Whilst recently completing some research, I wanted to look into the ratings of various journals.

A search through my university library recommended a journal guide, and as I clicked through to register I was met with a dilemma.

When entering by personal details I could choose many salutations, from Mr and Mrs, to Lord and Lady. I could have been a Professor or a Doctor, a Sir or a Right Honourable.

However, what I couldn't be was a Miss.

The status-ambiguous honorific Ms, yes, but not Miss. In one fell swoop, the website had denied me the identity I choose for myself for the sake of political correctness.

Ms first arose in the 17th Century, but only really began to grow in usage during the 1970s.

It's use is in no way an unattractive proposal: a salutation which need never change during the course of a woman's life, akin to the way a man, upon reaching maturity, can lay claim to Mr until his dying day.

By using Ms, a woman can be single, married or divorced and nobody need ever know.

After all, whose business is it anyway? Certainly not that of a work colleague or online shop.

It's also important to acknowledge that we're living in a time of change where honorifics and identities are concerned.

In 2015, Mx, the gender-neutral salutation, was added to the dictionary and earlier this year, HSBC embraced the term.

More recently, NHS England announced that people will be able to choose to be known as Mx on online forms for organ donation and European Health Cards, and will no longer have to declare their gender at all, which is clearly

a huge improvement for those who identify as Mx.

It is this inclusion where my problem lies.

My personal preference is to identify as a Miss.

By doing so, I might reveal my unmarried status, but I am utterly unconcerned by it.

In 21st Century Britain, any stigma attached to being the wrong side of 30 and not having a ring on it has, thankfully, all but vanished.

Being unmarried has not affected my career prospects or defined who I am in any way. I therefore feel no need to obscure my status by using the title Ms.

There may be others whose circumstances are different and who want to be known as Ms or Mx for their own personal reasons.

But that is, ultimately, what this is: a personal choice, one which was taken away from me by an otherwise innocuous website. My choice is no less valid and important than anybody else's choice.

Therefore, I'd like to see a whole range of salutations open to people, who can choose how much or how little to reveal about their identity.

This, to my mind, would be true equality, and allow all to be who they wished to be.Coming across a whale shark during a casual ocean swim, one could be forgiven for dissolving into a whirlpool of panic and bubbles. However, despite their grand size, and with a silhouette vaguely reminiscent of Jaws, whale sharks are among the gentle giants of our vast oceans.

Gracefully swimming through warm waters, filter-feeding as they go, these magnificent animals are a sight to behold. So put your fear-fuelled misconceptions about sharks aside and marvel at these peaceful, elegant giants.

Unfortunately, whale shark populations are in rapid decline - so sightings are increasingly rare. According to Dr Simon Pierce, co-founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) and principal scientist for research, [w]hale sharks are a globally endangered species due to overfishing, accidental catches and boat strikes. Major declines in sightings have been seen in Mozambique, where weve documented a 79% decline in sightings since 2005, and the Seychelles.

In Madagascar, however, these sharks appear to have found refuge.

Madagascan waters conceal diverse underwater kingdoms, populated by marine life that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet. From manta rays gliding over shallow reefs, and turtles nestling amongst coral, to huge humpback whales. Omura whales, a rare smaller species related to blue whales, can also be spotted here.

And now juvenile whale sharks are taking advantage of this nutrient-rich environment. MMF, Florida International University, and Mada Megafauna, have just released a study detailing the activities of these animals here. The team photo-identified the sharks and tagged some in order to track their movements. In just one season, 85 different whale sharks were recorded in Madagascan waters.

Nosy Be, a small island paradise in northwest Madagascar, was found to be an increasingly popular feeding ground for the juveniles.

According to Stella Diamant, lead author of this new study and overall project leader, Whale sharks regularly visit Nosy Be between September and December. That has led to a growing ecotourism industry, as people travel to see and swim with these gigantic, harmless sharks.

"Were still learning about their population structure and movement patterns, but its clear the area is an important hotspot for the species.

Madagascar emerges as hotspot for endangered whale sharks from MMF on Vimeo.

The research being conducted is not only vital for marine conservation efforts, but will help promote sustainable ecotourism practices and support the Madagascan economy itself. Conservation groups, like MMF, are helping to shape the emerging marine ecotourism industry here, rooting their work in sustainability and conservation, and insisting on local involvement and leadership.

Whale sharks are far from safe, however. Shark fishing and finning is prevalent in Madagascar, and there are only two Marine Protected Areas around Nosy Be in which the animals are under legal protection.

Now that Madagascar has signed the UN Convention on Migratory Species, the country is obligated to protect the sharks and their migratory habitat in national waters. As each day passes, the role of this country in the conservation of whale sharks is becoming increasingly important.

Governmental legislation, coupled with local conservation initiatives, is helping to protect these beautiful animals. Visiting Madagascar promises an unforgettable experience with these rare, endangered sharks. However, when you visit, make sure to check that your chosen activity is sustainable and ethical. Help protect these sharks for future generations and support Madagascars economy and its local communities in the process.

For more information, check out https://www.madagascarwhalesharks.org/parlours

NYC is a secret oasis, holding a top 10 spot in terms of cities with the highest % of green space. The Big Apple has a range of parks  Prospect, Battery, Corona, Union Square, Brooklyn Bridge, East River State and Washington Square, but we've found two that you absolutely cannot miss. Central Park - perhaps the most well-known park there is! The Green Belt covers 843 acres and lies in the heart of the city centre; boasting a zoo, year-round free events, a reservoir, a theatre and the imagine mosaic where John Lennon lost his life in the 80s. Enjoy a skate on one of two ice rinks during the winter; hire a boat from the Loeb Boathouse in summer and have a picnic away from the hustle-and-bustle of New Yorks busy streets. High Line Park, a unique space that has been revamped from its 1940s role as an elevated railway carrying goods from West Manhattan, is a 24-block stretch filled with flowers, trees, wild grasses and postcard-crushing views. Ditch the crowds and stargaze at dusk between West 15th and 16th streets every Tuesday, alongside the Amateur Astronomers Association.Below the High Line Park is the district of Chelsea. Here lies the largest concentration of art galleries in the world, with many being completely free of charge. The Milk Gallery, Gagosian and David Zwirner in particular, hold a quality that rivals even NYCs biggest museums. When New Yorkers think of art, they think of Chelsea.Its not just Chelsea that ebbs and flows with creativity. Other areas of NYC house pockets of fascinating art. For example, the Socrates Sculpture Park on the East River, houses several art installations and light shows, all whilst sporting panoramic views of Manhattan, Roosevelt Island, and the Upper East Side. What was once a landfill site was transformed by activists into a 4.5-acre site for outdoor works, a Greenmarket, as well as general health and well-being. Combine your sculpture trip with a visit to Roosevelt Island; completely free of charge and steeped head to toe in history.Head further South and you'll find Coney Island; a trendy, cultural hub near the state border. Without spending a penny, stroll along the boardwalk and sneak peeks at the best window shopping, carnivals, and all-night dance parties. For those wanting to get away from the soaring, urban heat, the Coney Island beaches are a haven. Enhanced only by the soul, reggae and Latin rhythms drifting along the 3-mile stretch of beach from the boardwalk.What makes the Big Apple one of the worlds greatest cities is its rare mix of dynamic cultures, from the rhythms of the Coney Island Boardwalk to Chinatown and Little Italy. Chinatown is an ever-growing hub overspilling with markets, fortune tellers, and vendors. The vibrant area is sure to ensnare the senses and give you the opportunity to try new things... from fancy fruit to a steaming pork bun. NYC has a deeply rooted Italian Heritage, as embodied by Little Italy, explored nowadays through its espresso bars, pizza, and swanky boutiques. Located next to Chinatown, both areas are best explored by foot, since visitors can experience a complete change in customs, merely hinted at by a change in accents. If youve always wanted to see NYC but have been put off by the extortionate prices, then now you have absolutely no excuses! Throw yourself into life in the Big Apple, without worrying about costs.Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here

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Home PageHow many of you know somebody who has died of a drug overdose?

This is the question 25th District Judge Greg Clifton poses to students when leading assemblies on behalf of the Downriver chapter of Families Against Narcotics (FAN). He estimates that 75 to 80 percent of students raise their hands.

In March, a statewide report conducted by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and Appriss Health detailed the costs of the opioid crisis for Michigans communities. From 2013 to 2015, there was a 30 percent increase in drug-related overdose deaths. Of the 10 cities with the highest rates of drug-related overdose deaths in Michigan, six were located Downriver: Lincoln Park, Ecorse, Wyandotte, Woodhaven, Flat Rock and Southgate.

In response, one school district is taking a STAND.

Lincoln Park Public Schools has launched the Students Together Against Narcotics and Drugs club to teach students about the risks of substance abuse and provide a resource for students with family members and friends struggling with addiction.

Clifton helped develop the program after seeing an increase of people in his courtroom whose lives had been changed for the worse by opioids.

When I first started working as a judge, I came in with the perception that a lot of the general public has, he said. That people involved in the drug culture are bad people and that they have chosen that life for themselves. But theyre not bad people; theyre not evil people.

Clifton went on to compare addiction treatment to cancer treatment, noting that both are diseases rooted in biological and genetic differences. The stigmatization surrounding addiction, he said, is making the situation worse, not better.

Frankly, the system is not equipped to deal with the epidemic of opioid abuse, he said. We need to do more than were doing.

Lincoln Park Mayor Tom Karnes praised the effort.

This affects all people from all walks of life, and its devastating to see so many lives being wrecked, he said. (Clifton) has given former addicts a platform to tell students cautionary stories of what opioids have done to them.

Following a kickoff assembly in January, three recovering addicts were invited to Lincoln Park High School to explain to students how they started using, how they suffered as a result and the steps they are taking to maintain sobriety and rebuild relationships.

It is an uphill battle, but one that Lincoln Park school Supt. Terry Dangerfield said he believes is worth fighting.

Drug and alcohol abuse has had a disastrous impact on many families in and around Lincoln Park, he said. Given the sheer number of impacted families, we want to use this opportunity to educate our students about the effects drugs and alcohol can have on their lives. We hope STAND will serve as a safe place for students coping with loved ones suffering from drug abuse.

The challenge now, Clifton said, is to maintain interest and momentum.

We need to educate the public about the tragedies that are going on here and around the country, he said. Particularly schools and students because then we can head off the problems early and save a generation from dealing with this crisis.

Three or four years from now, he said, he hopes to see only 10 percent or 20 percent of hands in the air when opening an assembly with that same, simple question: How many of you know somebody who has died of a drug overdose?

The next meeting of Downriver FAN is at 6:30 p.m. June 21 at Turning Point Clubhouse, 1605 Fort St., Lincoln Park. The public is welcome.Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2018 5:01 am

Its not news to anyone that motorists continue to trail through red light traffic signals when the law would require them to stop. Often motorists must wait at green lights while cross traffic, illegally going through or turning on red lights, remains in the intersection.

But in Clark County enforcement of the law regarding stopping at red light signals is not a priority for the state patrol, county sheriff or city of Battle Ground law enforcement agencies. Instead the emphasis of these agencies is on seat belts, distracted driving and driving while impaired, priorities set by national and state officials.

In 2017, troopers with the state patrol in Clark County investigated 24 accidents attributed to motorists failing to obey red light signals, half of which caused injuries. Clark County deputies responded to 51 collisions attributed to red light violations in 2017, while the incorporated cities investigated 95 such accidents.

The Battle Ground police department investigated 209 traffic collisions in 2017, 10 of which were the result of someone running a red light.

Data on the number of citations issued for running red lights is a little imprecise. From January, 2017 through mid-May, 2018, the state patrol issued 86 citations and 172 warnings for red light violations. Red light enforcement accounted for less than 1 percent of state trooper contacts with motorists during that period.

Mike Cooke, undersheriff for Clark County, said red light citations fall under two categories of law. During 2017, county deputies issued 22 citations under a section of law dealing only with red light violations, and another 121 citations under another section of law that includes running red lights as well as other violations for failure to obey traffic control devices.

In Battle Ground, police chief Bob Richardson said his department issued 73 citations for red light infractions out of 2,838 citations issued in 2017 (2.5 percent).

Unlawful to enter intersection on yellow

State law actually requires motorists to stop for a solid yellow light when it is safe to do so, but none of the officials interviewed for this story said their agencies issue citations for entering an intersection on a solid yellow light. In fact, Battle Ground lieutenant Mike Fort said that rules regarding entering an intersection on a yellow light are vague.

Officials also said they treat each incident of a motorist entering an intersection against a red light as a violation of law. None said they allow the first trailing vehicle to get a pass and seek to issue a citation to the second or third.

Enforcement not easy

The problem is how to enforce, said Richardson. If the officer is third in line at an intersection and sees someone going through a red light, the officer has to balance safety against issuing a citation, he said. Getting around cars and chasing such a driver is dangerous and may not be worth it, he added.

Undersheriff Cooke gave a similar account. The officer must witness the violation, must see the car enter on red, he said. Many times an officer cannot get safely through traffic to reach a violator. Officers must decide who they can safely stop.

Staffing is also an issue with red light enforcement. Neither the Clark County sheriffs office nor the Battle Ground police department has personnel assigned to traffic or red light enforcement. Cooke said his department is facing a staffing crisis. There was a retirement bubble in 2013, he said. That bubble was accelerated by some officers leaving due to high risk.

Cooke said he was not sure how many deputies currently patrol streets because many positions are vacant. There is competition for deputies with a good labor market, he said. We are recruiting now.

As a result, said Cooke, there are no deputies currently assigned to traffic. Our main job is investigating serious and deadly accidents, he said. Deputies work harder with more overtime. He described todays Clark County sheriffs office as a 911 response agency.

The sheriffs office has no traffic unit, said Cooke. The traffic homicide unit does not pursue traffic issues.

In Battle Ground, Richardson gave a similar message regarding staffing. He said that in 2009, the department had 28 officers whereas current staffing stands at 21 or 22 despite rising population. The department has 25 authorized positions with some not filled.

Battle Ground lieutenant Michael Fort said cars trailing through red lights are more of a frustration for other drivers than the cause of accidents. He confirmed the Battle Ground department does not currently have a traffic enforcement unit despite growing population and traffic volumes.

Lieutenant David Putnam of the state patrol offered similar thoughts. If it is unsafe to perform a traffic stop due to creating an unsafe situation, troopers will not attempt to contact the violator, he said. We never want our enforcement activities to incur unnecessary risk to our troopers or the public we serve.

Red light enforcement not a priority

Officials of area law enforcement agencies indicated that enforcement of red light laws is not a priority even though, as Richardson said, there is no policy of leniency. We try to enforce all the laws.

Richardson said that in Battle Ground red light compliance is not high on the list of public concerns. Most of the complaints he receives are for cars going too fast in school zones and for cars failing to yield for pedestrians.

In regards to the intersection of state highways 502 and 503 in Battle Ground, Richardson said there is no good place to sit in a patrol car, no big shoulders. So the only option is to station an officer at the intersection with a radio and patrol cars in all four directions. That ties up manpower and costs money, he said. Its a hazard to enforce at 502-503 which handles 50,000 cars a day.

Neither the Clark County sheriffs office nor Battle Ground police operates any motorcycles. We have no resources for that, said Cooke.

Putnam said the state patrol in Vancouver has three motorcycle troopers assigned to work traffic with a focus on speed and aggressive driving. They also enforce other traffic violations as needed, he said.

Cooke said that neighborhood speeding and speeding in school zones are the most common complaints he hears.

Its a balance between the cost of enforcement and the risks of other crimes, he said. Its a matter of priorities. The public makes its wishes known through the county council where the budget is decided.

Cooke noted, however, that disregarding red lights is considered a hazardous violation in written county policy and that violations are to be aggressively enforced. But, said Cooke, citations for red light violations and other failures to obey traffic control devices have been declining in recent years.

Trooper William Finn of the state patrol in Vancouver said there is no specific red light enforcement effort in the district. But, he added, anytime a trooper observes a violation, there is possibility for contact and enforcement. We are consistently enforcing all laws, not just the ones that are hot topics. Our priority is always creating safe traveling for all motorists, focusing on behaviors that cause collisions leading to serious injuries and fatalities.

Finn noted that his department has not received any additional funding for red light enforcement whereas there is special funding for seat belt enforcement, impaired drivers and distracted driving.

Richardson noted that area law enforcement personnel get together monthly, but red light enforcement has not been a topic of discussion at these meetings.

Federal funding sets priorities

Shelly Baldwin, Washington Traffic Safety Commission spokesperson, said that Washington receives about $9 million a year in federal money for traffic safety matters. About $52,000 of that is distributed to law enforcement agencies in Clark and Skamania counties.

Baldwin said the federal money comes with strings and that spending priorities are based on traffic fatalities. About half of the fatalities in Washington are attributed to impaired driving, another 30 percent to distracted driving, and 20 percent to failure to wear seat belts.

Even though Washington has a 95 percent compliance rate with seat belt use  fifth highest in the nation  the remaining 5 percent results in about 100 traffic deaths a year in the state.

Baldwin said that running red lights accounts for 8 percent of intersection-related deaths and 6 percent of intersection-related serious injuries.

The most effective means of changing driver behavior at red lights is with red light cameras, said Baldwin. Officials interviewed for this story said there are no red light cameras in Clark County.

In addition to red light cameras, Baldwin said intersections can be made safer by converting them to roundabouts, and changing the timing of signals such as longer yellow lights.

Local law enforcement agencies cannot use funding earmarked for distracted driving, impaired driving or seat belt initiatives efforts for red light enforcement efforts, said Baldwin.

Red light cameras are allowed under state law, said Baldwin. In addition, a speed camera experiment is underway in Tacoma.

Fines are not a motivation

A traffic citation fine for failing to obey a red light traffic signal is $136. The issuing agency retains $52 and the rest goes to the state. Richardson described the citys share as very little, the theory being that citations should not be seen as a money-making endeavor by police.

A warning is often sufficient to change behavior, said Cooke, noting that statistically, officers issue citations during 35-40 percent of traffic stops, with the rest being verbal or written warnings.

Marvin Case may be reached at 360-687-4122 and at marvincase@msn.comPosted Tuesday, June 5, 2018 5:25 am

Clark County Council took a deep dive into pot laws last week, hosting a work session featuring multiple stakeholders as the county considers whether or not to change its current moratorium on marijuana businesses.

Councilors sat down with officials of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), marijuana business owners, local law enforcement and health officials to cover multiple aspects of the states handling of the legalization of recreational pot use, approved by supporters of Initiative 502 in 2012 and enacted in 2014.

The councilors did not take any action during the session, declining to make any comment following all the presentations and public comment. Council chair Marc Boldt noted that the more than two-hour meeting gave councilors a lot to discuss, adding that they would continue to look at the issue in the future.

Federal pot law

Clark County Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Emily Sheldrick touched on federal law, going through a timeline of recent direction from the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2009 then-Attorney General Eric Holder issued a guidance that affirmed that the federal Controlled Substances Act was the law of the land and that federal resources would not be used on cases involving medical use legal under state laws.

Between 2011 and 2014 a series of memos from then-Deputy Attorney General James Cole laid out federal prosecuting guidelines which focused on pursuing cases involving sale to minors, large-scale criminal enterprises and diversion of marijuana from states with legal marijuana to those where it was illegal as priorities.

In 2017, with a new administration in place, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions wrote a letter to Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson expressing concern over the states handling of marijuana. Governors of states with legal marijuana including Washingtons Jay Inslee wrote back, re-affirming their belief in the guidelines laid out in the Cole memos as good policy.

Sheldrick said that a January 4 memo from Sessions, that rescinded past guidance on enforcement, meant a return to prosecutors discretion  as was laid out in Holders letter. On the same day, the Western District of Washington U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes issued a short statement noting her district would focus on organized crime, financial crimes, violence and gun threats.

I think the overriding point here is that federal law has not changed in all these years despite different presidents and different Department of Justice guidances, Sheldrick said.

Sheldrick said that when asked, a criminal attorney in the Western Washington district told her since the passing of I-502 there have not been any prosecutions involving marijuana that were allowed under state law.

State enforcement

Three representatives of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board spoke at the work session, detailing how the state handles marijuana business. LCB Policy and Rules Coordinator Joanna Eide led off with a 3,000-feet-up view of state practices, noting that Washington largely follows the Cole memos guidance of enforcement focuses.

LCB Director of Licensing and Regulations Rebecca Smith said that currently there are four retailers and nine producer/processors licensed in unincorporated Clark County even though the businesses arent allowed under the countys moratorium.

Eide explained that just because a license is approved it doesnt mean a marijuana business could open, explaining that granting such was based on state statutes and not on whatever bans or moratoria were in place in the jurisdiction where the business was looking to set up.

Its created a lot of confusion on all sides, Eide said about the situation. Smith explained that for businesses in jurisdictions with bans or moratoria the board hands out certificates that alleviate some of the requirements of a license regarding operations for things like surveillance and insurance, items that would be costly for an operation that cant operate at all given the laws in place.

The LCB officials reiterated the level of scrutiny that those seeking a license face. LCB Licensing Policy and Compliance Manager Nicola Reid explained the process took six to nine months and involved federal and state background checks on all parties of interest (and their spouses).

Both board officials and local marijuana business owners attested to the level of financial tracking Washington imposes on the industry. Eide said that virtually all of marijuana retail sales are paid in cash, acknowledging that in a few instances a credit-purchase scheme has been used as a workaround to bypass the need for physical money.

The use of cash was due to the discrepancy of federal and state laws on pot, making bigger banks unwilling to do business with the marijuana industry. Thanks to strict rules on tracking product and sales, state-based credit unions have been able to step in to fill that need, Eide said.

Councilor Jeanne Stewart expressed concerns over the nature of cash sales as being harder to accurately track with specific regard to taxation of sales. Eide said that due to the boards traceability requirement it was actually easier to track given what all is required to be compliant.

Local impacts

Clark-Vancouver Regional Drug Task Force Supervisor Sgt. Bill Sofianos looked at data regarding law enforcement involvement with marijuana businesses in Clark County, specifically in Vancouver which has several legally-operating establishments.

Sofianos spoke about calls for service, providing comparisons of operating marijuana retailers to nearby businesses for an idea of how the number of calls stacked up. From May of 2016 to the present, the time frame looked at by his analysis, most marijuana retailers had a higher amount of calls.

Main Street Marijuana had 128 calls for service in that timeframe, while nearby businesses used in the analysis had between two and 34 calls, according to data Sofianos presented. Bud Hut Vancouver had 52 calls whereas its nearby establishments ranged from 2 to 19.

The only business receiving close to comparable calls as the marijuana establishment it was near was KGB Custom Glass which Sofianos said sold pipes used to smoke various substances, including marijuana. That business had 35 calls in the analysis timeframe, still short of the 44 calls at nearby Greenhead Cannabis.

Sofianos also looked at Stickys Pot Shop, an anomaly as it operates in unincorporated Clark County despite the moratorium in place. Currently the business is in court regarding its ability to operate, being allowed to keep its doors open in the meantime.

Sofianos data showed Stickys had a similar amount of calls to a nearby insurance place, though he noted that the marijuana retailer had been closed for several months in the analysis time due to its legal battle.

Sofianos broke down the calls originating from Stickys, where several involved individuals asking for others to buy marijuana for them as well as a burglary and a burglary attempt. He also looked at citizen complaints, something he said had not decreased in the years following legalization. He said odor was a big generator for complaints, noting that smell from processors was a likely factor.

Sofianos also provided information from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission which showed that the most common factor leading to fatal crashes was the use of two or more substances, the most common being marijuana and alcohol.

They dont know the exact role that marijuana alone plays, but that when its mixed with alcohol its very clear that its causing the majority of the fatal collisions, Sofianos said.

Regarding economic impacts lifting the moratorium would have, Clark County Finance Director Mark Gassaway provided analysis. Based on population, there was $575,000 to $625,000 the county could receive in 2018 from marijuana tax revenue, noting that anticipated increases in the industry would put that number at between $725,000 to $750,000 in 2020.

Clark County Public Health Director Alan Melnick provided data on use in Clark County. Information from the states Healthy Youth Survey, which gets information from students in even-numbered grade levels, showed that reported use of marijuana in the past 30 days was lower in 2016 than it was in 2012 in multiple age groups.

Melnick noted among 10th grade students the perception of it being easy to get marijuana decreased since retail sales became available.

The bottom line is the youth use has not gone up in Clark County or in Washington State since retail marijuana became available, Melnick said.

Melnick also looked at data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Survey that targets the adult population. That survey showed the number of Clark County adults reporting marijuana use in the past 30 days did not change since retail became available in the county.

Melnick did have some concerns over health effects, specifically on the lack of research into them.

The quality of research is lacking. There may be a number of studies, but the study designs have been a problem for a number of reasons, Melnick said.

Business owners speak

The work session featured owners of marijuana businesses who testified on their experiences operating in areas where the industry is allowed.

John Britt, Owner of High 5 Cannabis in Vancouver, talked about the extensive requirements the LCB imposes on the industry.

The LCB has us locked down every which way as far as cash handling goes and moving funds, Britt said, adding that the marijuana product was tracked from seed to sale by the board and High 5s own inventory had every item in a LCB database.

If you were to do large (illegal) transactions, that would pop up on their radar and they would come in, Britt said.

Jim Mullen, co-owner and chief operating officer of The Herbery which has three retail stores in Vancouver, said that the county should consider lifting the moratorium. He, too, touched on how regulated the industry was.

The expectation for inventory compliance is 100 percent, 100 percent of the time, Mullen, the president of the Washington Cannabusiness Association, said. He touched on the heavy risk inherent in the industry as being a deterrent for those looking to deal in less-than-legal means.

When you put your 401k into a business opportunity thats federally illegal, you are going to dot your Is and cross your Ts to make sure you are doing things right and being compliant so you dont lose your license, Mullen said.

We put a lot of money into this, and it does not behoove us to try and cheat the system, Britt remarked.

Christy Stanley, a retail marijuana store owner of three shops in the state, noted that her businesses had an income tax of about 87 percent. Stanley, who is running for Clark County Council Chair, provided an ultimatum to council regarding whether or not they will remove the moratorium.

Cannabis is here in Clark County, Stanley said. You all just have to decide if you want it here illegally or not.Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2018 5:19 am

When the Teach One to Lead One mentors challenged their Daybreak Middle School students to come up with a community service project, Shane Scott took the bull by the horns.

The first thing I noticed about Shane is that he rides bulls, said mentor Jack Head. If you know anything about rodeo, it is tough. So right off, I figured theres some mettle to this kid.

Scott thought about the day he took his younger brother to the primary school next door and they saw scooters just laying around out in the open because there wasnt any more room for them in the rack.

Whoa! I had never seen so many scooters before, Scott said. I told my class about it and that we should build a new one and most of the kids voted for that.

The first step for the class was to write letters to local hardware stores requesting supplies. Sherway Lumber in Battle Ground provided the students with wood and supplies. After a few more class periods to sand the wood and screw all the pieces together by hand, the boys presented their new scooter rack to Daybreak Primary School.

I enjoyed talking to the people at the primary school and how much they appreciated it, Scott said. It looked pretty good at the end with the nice Teach One to Lead One deal on it.

The rest of the students who helped complete the project are Alexander Garriepy, Artem Tkachuk, Chris King, Cooper Anderson, Emmanuel Ktistakis, Jack Kittelson, Johnathan Bolin, Lars Kangas, Logan Shorthill, Max Garcia-Lopez, Oliver Cristaudo, Ruvin Suyarkov, Saige Neblock, Sean Cole, Thomas Anders and Wyatt Marini.

There are now 12 new slots for scooters. Before, students either left them outside when the rack was full or they brought their scooters to class. Teach One to Lead One communications specialist Teresa Lutz thanks Scott for taking the lead on this project and getting his classmates involved.

One of the things we talked about this year is compassion; seeing a need and doing something about it, Lutz said. Right away, Shane came up with this idea and he got the rest of the boys excited about it. They all wanted to build the scooter rack.

When the time came to bring the new rack over to the primary school. Scott was the one to present it to the staff.

That really takes a lot to stand up in front of the school and present the scooter rack to them, Lutz said.

He was really passionate about it, too, added Scotts sixth-grade teacher Jamie Jefferies. It meant a lot to him.

Scott hopes he and his classmates learned the tools it takes to complete more service projects like this one in the future.

If you see something that doesnt look right, I would try to help out as much as I could to fix it, he said.

Lutz suggests the first thing to do is ask for help.

It takes a team. It takes a community, she said. Everybody came together during this project and did their part.

Its not just one person, thats for sure, Scott added.

The 12-year-old wouldnt be taking the bull by the horn without help from his father, Shaun Roggenkamp.

Hes taught me so much. I started when I was seven, Shane said. Youre hearts beating pretty fast. Thats why they say its the longest eight seconds of your life. Its fun, too.Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2018 5:28 am

Clark County Council made its choice for its new, permanent county manager as Shawn Henessee, city administrator for Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was unanimously selected for the job.

The county has been without a permanent manager since May 2017 when Mark McCauley was abruptly dismissed. The county hired Jim Rumpeltes on an interim capacity.

Council announced their decision in a release May 31, just a day after a forum that brought Henessee and two other finalists to Clark County to speak to the public. Initially, Rumpeltes said it would likely be a few weeks before a decision was made.

Council had a different time frame, approving a decision to let Rumpeltes and council chair Marc Boldt develop a contract for the successful candidate the next day.

Henessees current job in local government has him overseeing a city of about 8,500. When asked at the forum about the difference in size of jurisdictions  Clark County has a population of about 470,000  he leaned on prior experience, specifically 13 years as assistant director for Jackson County, Missouri, which he said had about 650,000 citizens during his tenure.

Henessees career has focused around the midwest, including a stint as the manager for Marinette County, Wisconsin for two years in between the Pleasant Hill and Jackson County jobs. When asked what made Clark County an attractive move, he commented on the 90-degree heat in Missouri the previous day.

This is the reason I got admitted to the bar in Washington, because I want to live and spend my time here, Henessee said. He has been admitted in Washington D.C., Maryland and the U.S. Supreme Court as well.

Henessee was up against two other candidates: Rick Rudometkin, manager of Eddy County, New Mexico, and Keith Regan, County of Maui Director of Management in Hawaii. Chief among the questions thrown at the candidates was there experience hiring and firing, an integral part of the countys chief executive position.

Henessee said he did have experience with hiring and firing, noting that avoiding the need to lay off or fire individuals was something he sought to do in part by hiring practices. He spoke of a different approach he had to hiring for lower level positions, explaining that the number-one thing I looked at (when hiring) was whats your attitude and whats your willingness to learn.

Drawing from his own tenure he said outcomes were generally better in those positions when attitude was the prime consideration.

At the forum candidates were asked about their proudest achievements of the last five years. Henessee spoke of two equally important achievements, the first of which being a wage study done in Marinette County, Wisconsin, where he had served as administrator for two years prior to his current position.

He said that previous to his arrival a similar study done was a fiasco leading to a morale problem in the government, though eventually he was able to get the numerous committees and county board members to agree to try it again, that time to much more even-handed effect.

Henessee also cited a plan to fix a structural deficit in Marinette County as an achievement, which if followed would essentially retire the debt in 2027.

Henessee noted that one of the biggest challenges for Clark County was its dynamic with the Portland metro area, explaining he saw Clark County as being in a position where it was large enough to have its own internal economy not reliant on crossing the interstate bridges. He said that the Oregon/Washington dynamic affected Clark County the hardest out of anywhere in the state, given its proximity and the differing statutes on sales and income taxes.

We believe Shawns strong background in local government and his character make him a good choice for county manager, Boldt stated in the announcement.Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2018 5:21 am

After 20 years in the military, including multiple tours overseas, Sgt. Jonathan Edwards visited Arlington Cemetery Saturday to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown.

Its extremely humbling to be there, for one, said the 1998 Prairie High School graduate. To have an opportunity to lay a wreath there is unbelievable.

During his time in the Air Force, Edwards made three trips to Turkey during Operation North Watch. Shortly after 9/11, he participated in air space surveillance at the 2002 winter Olympics in Salt Lake. In 2003, he deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There, he was credited for saving 17 service members lives.

In 2004, Edwards joined the Oregon National Guard as a crew chief and flight instructor of H-60 Blackhawks. He has rescued several hikers, hunters and wounded mountain climbers. Edwards also provided Medevac support in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2009), Operation Joint Guardian Kosovo (2013) and Operation Inherent Resolve Iraq/Syria (2017).

Edwards enjoyed touring Washington D.C. with his wife, Sarah, daughter, Marseille, and son, Grant.

Jonathan and Sarah met in the military. She served in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is the first time their children visited Arlington Cemetery and the national landmarks in D.C.

If they can understand the scope and the price people paid for them to have the lifestyle they have today, that would be the biggest lesson for them, he said.Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2018 6:07 am

After 14 years at The Reflector, Laura Venneri has resigned.

Venneri, the publisher of North Countys paper since April 2017, was hired as a part-time sales representative in 2004 by Marvin Case, the owner and publisher at that time.

After joining The Reflector full time, Venneri held the roles of ad director then general manager before becoming publisher.

Laura has been such a valuable asset at The Reflector, said Jenifer Lafromboise Falcon, owner of Lafromboise Communications, Inc., the papers parent company. When we offered her the general manager job she stepped up and blossomed into an incredible, exceptional leader and it has been my pleasure working with her. Her love and compassion for this community is inspiring to me.

Under Venneris watch, The Reflector won its first ever Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award in winter 2017.

I have leaned on Laura throughout the past few years when I needed a level-headed assessment of our operations, said Michael Wagar, president of Lafromboise Communications, Inc. She is a professional, about as organized as anyone around, but to me, her care for the team at The Reflector is what separates her from other leaders. She promises we will be fine as she moves on, but she is going to be hard to follow. I do agree with her that she has set up the paper to continue to succeed after she leaves on Friday.

Case, who owned and operated the The Reflectors for 30 years, also spoke of the valuable role Venneri has played in the papers success since he stepped away.

Since I sold the newspaper in 2010, Laura has taken on greater responsibilities, rising to general manager and publisher, he said.

The newspaper has been blessed to have her dedication over the years and has greatly benefited from her presence.

Laura proved to be a hard-working and loyal employee Case said of his time working with Venneri after hiring her. She established great relationships with advertising clients. She was careful with small details. She quickly learned the ins and outs of newspaper advertising and applied her skills very well.

Aside from her role at The Reflector, Venneri is well-known in the area as a Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce board member and through her involvement with North Countys equestrian community.

Venneri is beloved by The Reflectors staff.

Lauras cordial leadership style has made her as much of a friend as she is a boss, said Jonathan Haukaas, editor of The Reflector.  She certainly challenged and asked a lot of us, but she was able to foster a work environment where each one of us understands the important role we play in getting the news onto North County doorsteps each week. We will all miss her.

I will miss all of my coworkers  they are the most amazing group of individuals, Venneri said. Weve all worked hard, laughed a lot, and become a close knit family. No drama, no big issues, just the same common goal of supporting each other and creating the best publication possible. They really are the best.

Venneris next role will be as Operations Assistant for a construction company in Battle Ground, where, among other things, she will help in the development of training programs, operational procedures and employee career paths for a company with nearly 500 employees.

I am excited to change industries, she said. Ive worked in bankruptcy claims processing, a college communications department, health insurance, a newspaper, and now I will expand my experiences to add the construction industry. Its an amazing opportunity that was presented to me. I am also happy that I can continue to work in Battle Ground and be a part of the community.

She is going to be greatly missed, Lafromboise Falcon said. I wish her the best and am sure she will be phenomenal in her new job. They are lucky to have her.

Tara Meek, a current sales representative at The Reflector, resident of Battle Ground and mother of two Battle Ground High School students, will serve as interim general manager upon Venneris departure Friday.

The staff sent a strong signal of support for Tara and are confident of her abilities to help us during these transitional times, Wagar said.Posted Tuesday, June 5, 2018 4:58 am

Modern progressive Democrats believe that healthcare is a universal human right. To achieve full access our health care must be liberated from the private insurance business, to be owned and controlled by the people who contribute to it through progressive taxes. This would be more equitable, less costly and provide better access than our current private insurance based Affordable Care Act. I support David McDevitt for Congress because he is a Progressive Democrat who will work to create a universal public health plan.

Carolyn Long, a self-proclaimed moderate Democrat, is also running for Congress. She advocates strengthening the Affordable Care Act by adding a public option which still leaves our health care in the hands of the employer-based for-profit health insurance industry. While both Long and McDevitt are Democrats, there are differences. Longs personal financial disclosure statement that she submitted to United States Congress House of Representatives shows she has heavy investments in pharmaceutical companies.

David McDevitt advocates major reform while Long supports cautious incremental steps to health care reforms which would leave our health care still in the hands of the rapacious for-profit health insurance industry.

The Affordable Care Act was an important step in the right direction, but it is time to do more which is why I support progressive David McDevitt for Congress, rather than Carolyn Long to run against the Republican incumbent Jaime Herrera Beutler.Darth Vader's taken to the streets of Melbourne to raise funds for a new death star.



Not entirely sure what it costs to make an evil space station the size of the Moon... Probably roughly the price of a two-bedroom property in Auckland. Should probably get out there busking ourselves...



Props to Vader's creativity.



Take in his street performance below. He's wracked up seven million views in week - not bad Vader (or as he's known in the busking circles; Imperial Bass Player).



The rage is strong in this one.Tom DeLonge felt like people saw Blink-182 as a "boyband"

"People were putting us up and thinking we were a boyband. We didn't get it. We were like, 'What the f*** is going on?'"Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Cloudy. High near 21C. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low near 16C. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.After numerous delays and a long difficult battle, once again, Jews will be compelled to abandon their legally-built and purchased homes due to a ruling by Israel ultra-libertarian High Court of Justice. In this case, a challenge to a small portion of the land upon which this neighborhood in the Gush Etzion community of Elazar sits, the court ruled to uproot the entire community rather than broker a monetary compensation. This was the case in the Ulpana neighborhood in Beit El, Migron, and Amona.

Sadly, barring a miracle, it appears it will be the same in this case too. The residents will have to abandon their homes and move into cara-villas, a site housing the temporary homes. The final disposition of the land in question remains a question at present.

The residents explain there is still a pending case regarding the future of their homes. This is why the final determination regarding the land is still up in the air. What is certain is that they must evacuate their homes.

On Monday, 28 Sivan, there will be a protest solidarity event including public officials and rabbonim at 6:00PM at the site of the community.

On Tuesday morning, 29 Sivan, police and border police will arrive with the objective of making certain the homes are evacuated and destroyed in compliance with the courts decision. Thousands plan to arrive at 7:30AM to daven shachris on the site prior to the latest Israeli-court ordered eviction.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday she condemns a tweet from Irans top leader saying that Israel is a cancerous tumor that needs to be removed and pledged to increase pressure on Tehran to scale back its military influence in the region.

Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Merkel said Israels security was a top priority for Germany.

The two leaders were asked about a tweet Sunday from the account of Irans top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying his countrys stance against Israel is the same stance we have always taken. #Israel is a malignant cancerous tumor in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated: it is possible and it will happen.

Our stance against Israel is the same stance we have always taken. #Israel is a malignant cancerous tumor in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated: it is possible and it will happen. 7/31/91#GreatReturnMarch  Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 3, 2018

The Twitter account is run by Khameneis office and its not known if he dictates the tweets himself. The quote is from several years ago.

Netanyahu called the tweet quite extraordinary.

Iran calls for our destruction, but its also seeking nuclear weapons to carry out its genocidal design, he said.

Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, and the U.N. says it has met its obligations under the 2015 nuclear accord with world powers, which requires it to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.

Netanyahu was a staunch opponent of the deal, and welcomed the Trump administrations decision last month to withdraw from it. Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China, which also signed the agreement, have said they want to preserve it.

Merkel said we sharply condemn what the Iranian leadership said, but at the same time reiterated her view that the nuclear agreement was the best way to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons.

We are not in agreement on all questions, but we are friends, we are partners, Merkel said of the visiting Israeli leader.

The other co-signers of the nuclear agreement met last month in Vienna after the U.S. pulled out of the deal, reaffirming their commitment to it.

Netanyahu suggested the deal was bound to collapse without U.S. involvement, but said he agreed with Merkel that Irans aggressions needed to be kept in check.

We have some disagreements, as you can see, but theyre not really on goal, theyre more on method, he said.

Netanyahu has argued that the economic relief provided under the nuclear deal has allowed Iran to expand its military interference across the region, where it backs the Syrian government as well as armed groups like the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Berlin was Netanyahus first stop in a European trip to try and turn key allies Germany, France and Britain to his way of thinking on the Iran deal. French President Emmanuel Macrons office said France will insist on having a dialogue with Iran.

The possible unraveling of the nuclear deal has raised concerns that the U.S. or Israel might resort to war if Iran ramps up its nuclear activities.

Khamenei, who makes the final decisions on all major policies in Iran, on Monday warned that anyone who fires one missile at his country will be hit by 10 in response, but dismissed fears of war as propaganda by the West.

Khamenei said in a speech that he has ordered atomic authorities to increase the countrys nuclear enrichment capacity. The increase he detailed in his speech would not exceed limits set by the nuclear accord.

The supreme leader also reiterated his support for the countrys ballistic missile program. One of the main objections made by critics of the nuclear deal was that it did not address the missile program, which Israel and Gulf countries view as a threat.

Production of various missiles and missile power provides security, Khamenei said.

Earlier Monday, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency renewed calls for Iran to provide timely and proactive cooperation in inspections that are part of the nuclear deal.

At a news conference later, Yukiya Amano said his statement was not an expression of concerns or complaints, but rather an encouragement to Iran.

Last month, in its first report since the U.S. withdrawal, the IAEA said Iran continues to stay below the maximum level of uranium the deal allows it to enrich. The agencys report also said Iran appears to be fulfilling other obligations, but is slow when it comes to complementary access inspections.

Compare & contrast: two tweets in 24 hours @IsraeliPM calls for Israelis & Iranians to work together for the betterment of all humanity

@khamenei_ir calls #Israel a malignant cancerous tumour [] that has to be removed & eradicated Who do you stand with? pic.twitter.com/ueOCGZV2oN  Mark Regev (@MarkRegev) June 4, 2018

(AP)It's been just a fortnight since changes were made to the MOT, and already car owners are being ripped off by some garages, according to a new report.

As of May 20, the MOT test has included three new fault categories: minor, major and dangerous.

The latter - and most serious - of these requires the owner to have the issue resolved before being able to use the car again.

Car site MotorEasy said it has already had reports of mechanics bullying motorists into paying over the odds for repairs - suggesting that they cannot take their vehicle away and thus must pay the price they quote for the job.

Motorists being 'held to ransom': Car owners have already reported that garages have pumped up the price of repairs for faults that need to be resolved to pass the recently updated MOT

The vehicle ownership and maintenance service provider said garages are using the new categories to 'hold motorists to ransom' over unnecessary repairs.

Under the new Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA) rules, faults found during an MOT are classified under the three levels.

While minor faults can be repaired at a later date and won't result in the vehicle failing the roadworthiness test, official guidance states that a major fault will result in the car automatically flunking an MOT and will need to be fixed before it is retested.

However, cars that are deemed to have a dangerous defect should not be driven at all until the problem has been fixed - meaning owners can be made to feel that they have to fork out for the cost of repairs at the garage conducting the MOT.

This is not the case and they could instead ask other garages to quote for the work and potentially collect their car.

MotorEasy said that within just two weeks of the changes being introduced, it has received reports from drivers that they're being trapped into getting repairs done.

In many cases owners are being charged over the odds by mechanics knowing that the new rules state that a vehicle shouldn't be driven again until the dangerous fault has been resolved.

But despite the changes, the law states that garages have no power to stop motorists from driving their car away, regardless of the severity of the MOT failure.

'We would, naturally, never condone driving on public roads with a dangerous car and anyone who does so will still be risking a fine and penalty points if they are stopped by police,' explained MotorEasy founder, Duncan McClure Fisher.

'However, we have already seen examples of garages using an interpretation of the wording in the DVSA guidance to bullying motorists to get repairs done before leaving the premises, which they have no right to do.

'Unscrupulous businesses could not only make customers feel theyre unable to take their car away if it fails, but could also hold the customer to ransom over parts and labour prices as a result.

'After all, if you think you cant drive the car away, you lose all your negotiation power.'

Under the new MOT rules introduced on 20 May 2018, any car deemed to have a 'dangerous' defect cannot be driven until the fault has been repaired. Some unscrupulous garages are reportedly using this restriction to pump up the cost of repairs knowing drivers can't drive their vehicles away to have work carried out elsewhere

The DVSAs MOT service manager, Neil Barlow, clarified: 'If a car has failed its MOT with a dangerous fault, DVSAs advice is that it should not be driven until the defect is repaired. This is because its dangerous to both the driver and other road users.'

Be he then confirmed that: 'Garages are unable to prevent owners from driving their cars away.

'But they will provide advice to the owner on what they should do to keep the car safe.'

With many motorists unaware that they are not restricted to having dangerous defects repaired at the same location where the MOT is conducted, car owners are already claiming they've been fleeced garages that are also approved test centres.

Rob Cody, of Watford, told MotorEasy that he was put in a difficult situation when his Toyota Auris failed its MOT because of a faulty rear seat belt and was told that he couldnt drive the car away, despite the fact he had no passengers travelling with him in the car.

He said: 'It was really stressful; I have a long commute and needed to get home, but I also didnt want to be ripped off.'

Similarly, Ford Mondeo owner Donald McLean, of Clydebank, was told he needed new indicator covers and a suspension arm in order to pass the MOT, but was concerned at the six hours of expensive labour he was quoted by the garage that carried out the test.

'I knew other garages would do the job quicker, saving me 200, but I didnt want to get a fine so paid the extra,' he explained.

Both drivers said they were made to feel that they could not take the car from the garage and had to borrow money to cover the cost of the repair bills.

According to MotorEasy stats, around 40 per cent of cars fail their MOT every year, with the average repair cost to make the vehicle roadworthy working out at 174.There's been some good news about broadband charges - or at least what I'm hoping will be good news.

Ofcom has said the exit fees of up to 240 Virgin Media charges customers if they move and it doesn't supply their new home, may be too high and may put people off switching.

While this is a small step - Ofcom hasn't actually said what Virgin needs to do to put the situation right - it's a move in the right direction and comes after months of campaigning from us for these fees to be refunded and abolished.

Ofcom launched a formal investigation last summer into the fairness of its terms and conditions around leaving a contract early

After being approached by scores of angry Virgin customers, last year we wrote several stories about the hefty fees being charged when they decided to move and Virgin wasn't available at their new home.

We presented a dossier of these reader accounts to both Virgin Media and Ofcom.

This was accompanied by evidence from a lawyer we approached who concluded that if a contract says a consumer has to pay a certain sum of money, whether or not the service provider can easily find another customer to replace them, it is potentially unfair.

Following this, Ofcom launched a formal investigation last summer into the fairness of Virgin's terms and conditions around leaving a contract early.

It has now said, in an update to the investigation, that it has reasonable grounds to believe that Virgin contravened rules by setting and charging customers early termination fees which are too high. It also said Virgin failed to publish clear and up-to-date information around the early termination fees on its website.

Virgin now has to respond to the regulator and the final ruling will be published at the end of the summer.

As I said last year, I believe there is no other option but for Ofcom to tell Virgin it needs to refund all of those people who have had to pay an exit fee if theyve moved home during a contract and Virgin wasnt available at the new home.

This should not only be the fee, it should also include interest, which should reflect the highest amount they could have earned if the money was in a savings account.

While it's a big cost to the firm, 240 is a lot to a consumer in a time of squeezed incomes

The fee should also be abolished immediately for those moving house and wanting to take Virgin with them.

I also think the fee for exiting the contract - for whatever reason is given - needs to be lowered to something more reasonable. Sky, for example, charge customers a basic service fee for the remainder of their contract if they leave within the fixed-term period. In fact a universal system decided upon by Ofcom for all telecoms providers to calculate the exit fee would be the fairest way to go forward.

Not only is the fee unjust when it comes to moving  its not the customers fault Virgin doesnt supply their new home  its outrageously high.

Virgin can't lose out on up to 240 every time someone leaves early, especially as there is a good chance whoever moves into the property next may sign up to it and therefore it doesn't really lose out much at all.

When someone leaves Virgin early and breaks the contract, they are charged a fee depending on how many months of their contract they have left.

This amount depends on how much they're currently paying, but the maximum amount is capped at 240.

Virgin runs on its own fibre network, separate to BTs Openreach which all the other major providers use. Its available in around 40 per cent of the UK so the chances of moving to a property where its not available are reasonably high.

Therefore it's unlikely to want to pay out compensation lightly, especially as there could be millions of people who have paid these fees in the past.

However, while it's a big cost to the firm, 240 is also a lot to a consumer. Virgin should also benefit in the long run as without these extortionate fees customers will be more likely to stay with it for longer or return next time it is available.

This is the only ruling I think Ofcom can reasonably take in order to rectify the shoddy behaviour which has been going on for far too long.In April, I passed out twice in a Benidorm hotel, where staff called a private doctor who got me admitted to hospital.

Not only did we have to pay the doctor, but my husband had to pay the hospital 2,000 for me to be let out to fly home. They are also demanding a further unspecified bill of 2,500.

I have a European health card and insurance from easyJet/Zurich. But the insurers say I have to pay because of pre-existing medical conditions. The cardiologist in Spain discovered I have an irregular heartbeat, which caused the blackouts. I have never suffered with this before.

We can ill afford what we have had to pay, let alone further costs to come.

G. H., Gwent.

One reader who suffered health problems on a Spanish holiday was saddled with a huge bill despite taking out insurance

You were initially caught out by Spanish medics whisking you to a private, rather than a state, hospital. Then an intermediary handling the claim made a right old mess.

Zurich, the insurer that underwrites your policy, says your claim was valid, as your fainting had nothing to do with any pre-existing condition. The hospital misled you on this.

You contacted the insurance assistance team at 9.59 and they replied at 10.54 asking for details and the likely discharge date. Costs at that point were estimated at 2,500 by the hospital.

The assistance team spoke with you that afternoon and ran through the questionnaire, when you were told that you might not be covered if your claim was related to an existing condition.

The assistance team contacted the hospital the following day, however you had already been discharged and given a Fit To Fly certificate by a doctor.

You called to discuss your claim again on April 16. Zurich has listened to the call and, when you said you had paid the hospital, an agent shrieked: Why did you do that? This should not have happened and Zurich has made this clear to the agent.

You were asked for receipts and then given an incorrect number to call about your claim. The hospital then appears to have incorrectly told you the claim would not be paid. There was a further delay, and it was not until April 24 that Zurich had a reply from the hospital.

You then received an email on April 26, which, the agent admits, was a little blunt.

A further letter contained mistakes, not least being addressed wrongly. After this, Zurich called a senior team meeting to sort things out. Finally, your claim has been sorted out. In sterling terms, Zurich will be coughing up around 4,500, which underlines the value of travel insurance.

You paid a 2,000 deposit to the hospital and got 1,910 back, but Zurich refunded your 75 excess to cover this. Medical bills of 4,916 will be paid directly to the hospital. They will also cover the 80 doctors call-out fee and add 25 hospital benefit for the 24 hours you spent in hospital.

I must add that when under great stress, we do not always remember seemingly trivial things such as receipts and, in your case, you were clearly put under great pressure by the hospital.

But in future, Id suggest you get a more specialist policy and please tell the insurer about all your pre-existing medical conditions. It may make your policy more expensive, but this would be tiny besides the cost of a rejected claim.

You Have Your Say - Every week, Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters and emails about our stories. Here are some from our report on how Aviva refused a payout to a father-of-three because he had a cardiac arrest and not a heart attack... This is unfortunately the way of things. My insurer refused to pay out as I had the wrong type of open-heart surgery. Total charlatans  I paid 90 a month for almost 20 years. C. B., Kinross. What annoys me is that the couple in question had done all the right things and bought the necessary protection products  only then to be thwarted by nonsense technicalities. Y. S., Ashford. When it comes to insurance, people want everything for nothing, so insurers offer what customers want: cheap policies. Comprehensive critical illness cover can be easily 100 per month, so a policy at just 22 per month will have many clauses and limited cover. S. P., Cheltenham, Glos. Insurers trade on fears: they promise the Earth in order to get your business, then find every excuse in the book to avoid meeting their obligations. A. L., France, via email. Its incredible how many life-limiting conditions are not covered by critical illness insurance. Always read the list of conditions first. B. F., Yorkshire. If you go into a car showroom and buy a Ford Fiesta, you dont complain when youre not given a Range Rover. Stop whingeing and accept responsibility for the agreements youve signed. U. T., via email. When you find yourself lying in intensive care, with your life flashing before your eyes, the difference between having a heart attack and a cardiac arrest is of no importance. M. M., Larnaca, Cyprus.

My late husband died in 1967. We had two children. I have not remarried. I inherited our home, which was worth 7,306. The estate duty plus interest came to 226.70 in todays money.

As the current rules concerning bequests and gifts between spouses did not come into force until 1972, I am not entitled to his inheritance tax gift allowance.

But I have recently been told I am entitled to his residence allowance. Is this correct?

A. E., Devon.

Your letter highlights a terrible inequality on inheritance taxes.

Before 1972, gifts between spouses were not tax-free and you had to pay estate duties.

Your husbands nil-rate band of 5,000 was used up in transferring assets to you. This iniquitous kink in legislation leaves the children of those widowed before 1972 at a disadvantage when it comes to inheritance.

Your children could have to pay 130,000 more tax (40 pc of the current 325,000 nil-rate band) than those who had a parent die from 1972 onwards.

But there is better news on the main residence relief, says Paul Falvey, a tax partner at business and advisory firm BDO.

He says: You could receive all or part of his main residence relief. The estate of the surviving spouse can benefit from the percentage of the allowance not used on the first spouses death.

The main residence nil-rate band did not exist until April 2017, so could not have been used against his estate. Therefore, 100 per cent of his allowance can be transferred to use against your estate in addition to both your standard and main residence nil-rate bands.

There is a potential catch, as the relief is reduced if your total estate at death is more than 2 million.

He says that, from 2020/21 onwards, your allowances could exempt at least 675,000 of your estate from tax  made up of your own 325,000, plus a double residence allowance of 350,000.

Mr Falvey adds: If your estate is worth more than 2 million at death, the main residence nil-rate bands (your own and the allowance transferred from your husband) would be reduced by 1 for every 2 over 2 million.

The cut-off point when all of the residence allowance has gone is 2.7 million.

Mr Falvey says: This is a good reason to consider making lifetime gifts of your assets in order to reduce the value of your estate at death.MBABANE  Part of the forensic evidence linking the suspects to the alleged murder of Almor Oliveira is still not available.



Yesterday it transpired that some of the exhibits which were taken to Pretoria for examination had still not been returned.

The matter was scheduled to resume before Judge John Magagula but had to be postponed.

The reason for the postponement, according to the Crown, was because all the suspects have engaged the services of advocates who would be available today. The suspects who present in court yesterday are again expected to be at the High Court today for a pre-trial conference.



The suspects are Qing Ming He and Dao Thanta Hue, who have been kept in custody since their arrest, and they have been collectively slapped with 10 charges. The third suspect is Remnei who is the only one who was granted bail. She is represented by Leo Gama. Apart from allegedly killing Oliveira, the accused have been charged with attempting to extort the businessmans wife a sum of E5 million.

They are alleged to have threatened to kill him if the wife did not pay them the amount of E5 million.



During investigations into the disappearance of Oliveira, the police established that Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) tests from Oliveiras hair roots collected from his home allegedly matched the results of blood stains found on Qing Ming Hes licensed firearm.



Also, DNA results from a tissue paper found at the scene of the alleged kidnapping at Matsapha Industrial Site matched the DNA of Oliveiras hair particles. Oliveira disappeared on April 16, 2017 and he has not been found or heard from.



The DNA tests were conducted by Senior Forensic Analyst and Reporting Officer Regina Cicilia Janse Van Rensburg, who is attached to the Biology Section of the Forensic Science Laboratory in Pretoria, South Africa. The results form part of the evidence against the suspects.

According to the forensic report, the tests were conducted on the blood from around and inside the barrel of the firearm and inside its top cover.TSAMBOKHULU  Pupils at Tsambokhulu Nazarene Primary are learning under a roofless classrooms.



Parents have blamed the dilapidated infrastructure for the schools incessant poor results.

As such, they now want the head teacher to be transferred and the entire school committee to be axed for their alleged lack of vision on how to revamp the school infrastructure.



The mission school, which is situated near Lomahasha to close to the intersection of Eswatini, Mozambique and South African borders, performed poorly in the Grade VII results last year, recording 30 failures.



The parents are convinced that the dilapidated school infrastructure coupled with other factors, including alleged absenteeism of the academic staff and the lack of qualified teachers, contributed to the poor performance.



One of the classrooms at the school is roof-less after it was destroyed by heavy storms some years ago.

Despite this, some lessons are conducted in this classroom and parents feel that such an environment is not conducive for learning and results in the pupils failing.



Other classrooms at the school have broken windows, doors and notice boards.

The painting of some structures within the school is peeling off and the entire school, from a distance, looks more like an abandoned hostel.



Our children learn under these conditions and we believe that it is the reason they fail. We have engaged the school administration about the issue but nothing has been done so far. We are now fed up, said one of the parents.



Another parent explained that the reason they were angry at the school administration for failing to revamp the dilapidated infrastructure was that school textbooks and furniture gets lost and they are required to replace them.



At the end of the year we usually argue with the head teacher when he demands that we repay lost textbooks. How are we expected to pay for items that are not kept in a safe place? There are no lock boxes at the school and the classrooms are not locked, added a parent.

The parents accused the school administration of lacking the vision to revamp the school infrastructure so that it could be conducive for learning.MBABANE  Former Senator Thandi Maziya and her company have been stopped from allegedly selling a E2.5 million property to two different buyers.



The immovable property, Lot No. 684 situated at the Matsapha Industrial Sites, measuring 4 138 square metres, was allegedly initially sold to Van Wyk and Sons (Pty) Ltd.



According to the Director of Van Wyk and Sons, Cindy Ann Wyk, they later leant that the property was allegedly being sold again to another party.



Moreover, I have been informed and verily believe that the first respondent is now trying to sell the very same immovable property to third parties for a sum of E2 500 000 despite the existence of the agreement and the full payment of the purchase price by the first and second applicant, said Ann Van Wyk.



In the deed of sale, Swaziland Perishable Foods (Pty) Ltd is the seller and it was allegedly represented by Maziya in her capacity as director when the sale agreement was concluded.



Van Wyk and Sons took the matter to the High Court, citing a breach of the terms of the agreement of sale in that the respondents allegedly failed to sign the documents to effect the transfer and registration of the property into the name of the former.



Pending finalisation of the matter, Van Wyk and Sons were granted an interim order by Judge Mumcy Dlamini, interdicting the sale of the property. Alternatively, Van Wyk and Sons and Mbhilibhi Family Trust want the court to order Ekwesutseni Investments (Pty) Ltd and Swaziland Development Finance Corporation (FINCORP) to pay back the monies, E750 000, they allegedly received as part of the purchase price.





KANDINDA  After a discovery that a teacher had allegedly molested and sodomised three pupils, residents, including the family of two of the victims, attacked and severely assaulted him.



The teacher, Sithembiso Mbetse (28) of Malutha, made a court appearance before Magistrate Xolile Nxumalo on Friday at Malkerns Circuit Court.

This was after he was arrested by the police and charged with four offences, which included indecent assault and contravening the Childrens Protection and Welfare Act.



The suspect is a teacher at KaNdinda Primary School.

Statements submitted in court reveal that Mbetse would allegedly call the pupils for extra lessons and studying inside his house, which is situated within the school teachers quarters.



He would then make them drink red wine with them and upon realising that they were intoxicated, he would then kiss, perform acts of an indecent character and further sodomise them.



This went on until one of the pupils decided to report the matter to his family. We are still shocked because two of the pupils are related, a teacher at the school, who preferred anonymity, alleged last week.

The charges have aggravating factors in that Mbetse would allegedly not use protection when committing the offences, exposing the pupils to the risks of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.When I exported my Samsung S7 to my new S9+, all my messenger texts are single texts from the same people instead of combining one person's messages in a single file.

Obviously, this is taking a lot of room and memory. But the only way I can find to delete them is to select each message separately.

Please tell me there's a simpler method, lol. I've got >5,500 messages. Of course, I don't need every message but I spent a 3 hr flight deleting when there were >8,000 and I've still got 5,500. Ugh!KC man arrested after falling through glass table, making a scene at a Florida hotel A Kansas City man was booked into jail in Key Largo, Florida after an incident at a hotel Sunday. Authorities with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office were called to the Bayside Inn Key Largo on Sunday on a medical emergency. When they arrived, they found a man who had fallen into a glass coffee table.

City Hall claims that 25-million people visit this town every year . . . However, when our residents go on the road, there's typically a ruckus. Like this one:







Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, in a strongly worded letter to county legislators, called on them to move administration of the jail from the county executive to the sheriff's office. In the letter, she said the jail is a "stubborn problem" and "it remains one of the most serious problems facing this County." To help make her case she brought along three members of the county grand jury that wrote a scathing report on the jail, saying it was unsafe, filthy and fiscally mismanaged. Theres a management issue. Theres a safety and cleanliness issue," grand juror BK Christopher told the legislature Monday. "Building new jail is not going to fix that problem unless we learn how to manage the jail we have.

WILL THIS PLAN WORK??? IS NEW SHERIFF FORTE THE LAST HOPE FOR THE JACKSON COUNTY JAIL?!?

Today's power move is an interesting suggestion for a major shift in operations and more accountability for an embattled institution.Round-up for those who haven't read all of the coverage yet:Money line and link to the letter:And because this blog is the only place where locals can offer their insight without suffering political consequences, we ask our blog community:You decide . . .16 arrested in fourth week of Poor People's Campaign protests in Topeka Sixteen people were arrested Monday in front of Gov. Jeff Colyer's office as they protested state healthcare policies and environmental degradation.The protest was the fourth in a weekly series organized by the Poor People's Campaign, a national coalition calling for economic and social justice.

A massive protest is underway at local statehouses and local news is mostly downplaying that demonstrations that have resulted in continued arrests. Read more:KCCrank noted: "I dare anyone to make a case for keeping #NorthLoop as it is instead of replacing it with this."

Urban planners arguing among themselves and rejecting any input that doesn't suit their agenda believe that a stream instead of motorist access is an improvement for Kansas City.The thesis and just a bit of hype from thecabal:As always, there's no debating that the drawings are pretty and envision a Downtown without hobos sleeping under the bridges - Which is now the status quo.And given the state of local storm sewer repair . . . It's pretty obvious this stream envisioned would turn nasty faster than Downtown denizens can say: Brush Creek.(Credit to a few Twitter cynics who already noted the Flush Creek connection.)It's not that the idea isn't intriguing . . . But urban planners constantly float these schemes and anyone who questions the practicality or other civic priorities is usually derided by the echo chamber of consultants and developers who actively thwart, hide from or ignore any kind of debate.You decide . . .How billionaires can quickly and easily spend $1 million in just 7 nights/ 8 days on Greeces most popular island for the rich and famous

Ever wondered what a $1 million vacation in the cosmopolitan Greek island of Mykonos looks like? Where youll fly in on a private jet, sleep in an ocean-view villa, cruise the seas in a yacht, have front sunbeds on Nammos beach and not have to wait to be seated in the finest restaurants and bars?

Australias Business Insider offered their readers a look at how billionaires can quickly and easily spend $1 million in just 7 nights/ 8 days on Greeces most popular island for the rich and famous.

To get a better idea of what the endless luxury afforded to a billionaire looks like, Business Insider spoke with Amir Benesh, CEO of LVH Global, a luxury home-rental service that rents mansions, villas, and yachts to the worlds wealthiest travellers. From the most exclusive restaurants around the planet to access to VIP sporting activities, Benesh has received many over-the-top accommodation requests from clients.

Benesh gave Business Insider a glimpse into a $US1 million vacation in Mykonos, Greece, that accommodates up to 14 people. Included? A private jet, yacht, and, of course, a luxury ocean-view villa.

The costs included are approximate. They are based on a weeklong trip of seven nights and eight days for 14 guests during the month of July and reflect the average spend for guests, according to Benesh. All club prices are based on the number of tables needed to accommodate a group of 14.

Day 1: Travellers arrive in Mykonos via an Alerion Aviation private jet from New York City ($US287,920, round trip). They can check into Villa Cheyenne, Villa Ariana, or Villa Sara, pictured below ($US213,500 for seven nights).

Villa Sara features an ocean view, helipad, fitness center, eight bars, jacuzzi, and 12 Aegan cocooning areas. With extras, such as a villa staff, VIP concierge, security, villa DJ, food, alcohol, and staff tip, the cost of stay can increase to $US345,016.

Day 2: Soak up some Mediterranean sun and food at the beach club Scorpios, which serves organic eats with seaside views ($US146,400 for six tables).

Dine at Interni Mykonos, an open-air dining room off of a secret passageway that transforms into a dance lounge at 2 a.m. ($US122,000 for five tables).

Day 3: In the morning, travellers can rent three luxury vans for the day ($US21,350) and have their driver take them to Mykonos Town, where they can take the Delos Tour of the sacred island of Apollo and Artemis.

Afterward, the driver can cruise ten minutes south to Ornos, where guests can learn how to kitesurf at Kite Mykonos.

But the day is just getting started  the real fun begins with a night at Cava Paradiso, a nightclub on a rocky bluff overlooking Paradise Beach. With an oversized swimming pool and a super-disco, it attracts celebrities and well-known DJs ($US54,900 for three tables).

Day 4: After a long night, guests can spend a leisurely morning receiving all the services their villas spa has on offer ($US12,810).

Afterwards, they can continue a relaxing day lounging by the villas infinity pool, which features breathtaking views.

While the pool offers amazing sunset views, nothing beats enjoying a sunset with a glass of wine from a private balcony.

Its the perfect appetizer to dinner at Ling Ling Hakkasan in Mykonos Town, which offers Michelin-starred modern Cantonese food and world-class mixology ($US122,000 for five tables).

Day 5: Travellers can take a day trip from Mykonos to Athens via three helicopters ($US21,594 round trip).

Here, they can tour the Grecian capitals historic landmarks, including the Acropolis and Parthenon temple.

Day 6: Travellers can cruise the Mediterranean waters via two luxury yacht rentals complete with a full yacht crew ($US48,800).

The yachts can make a pit stop at Paradise Beach for scuba diving with Mykonos Diving Center, a five-star dive resort.

For the last night, Guzel is the place to be. Located on the Mykonos waterfront, it offers sunset views, Mykonian elite, and a vibrant atmosphere ($US54,900 for three tables).

Day 7: Guests can take one last excursion, spending the morning horseback riding. Total excursions throughout the trip can cost around $US6,100.

Travellers can enjoy a last lunch among fashionable locals and a hot glitterati scene at Nammos in Psarou Beach ($US146,400 for six tables) to close out the end of the trip.

Day 8: On the last day, its time to jet back to New York. In total, the cost of this luxurious trip to Mykonos for 14 people comes in at $US1.3 million.

Read more at greekcitytimes.com

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: sailko License: CC-BY-SAThe recovery of Greece's agricultural economy is critical for strengthening the tourist industry

Greece will receive a total of 16.229 billion euros (at 2018 prices) from the Common Agricultural Policy over the period 2021-2027, according to the relevant European Commission proposals published on Friday. Of these 12.668 billion will be direct aid, 391 million euros will support the market and 3.170 billion euros will be spent on rural development, ANA's Ch. Vassilaki reports.

Overall, the Commission proposed a budget of 365 billion euros for the Common Agricultural Policy of the new period, i.e. 5% less than in the 2014-2020 period.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Nat Pikozh License: CC-BY-SA365 million euros to promote entrepreneurship, improve the energy needs of hospitals and support local economies

Greek Economy and Development Ministry has announced the start of five new ESPA fund (2014-2020) programs, totaling 365 million euros that will promote entrepreneurship, improve the energy needs of hospitals and support local economies, ANA reports.

"The new programs are being implemented as part of a strategy to upgrade basic infrastructure, support local economies and essentially strengthen the production process. More initiatives, like this, will follow," Alternate Economy and Development Minister Alexis Charitsis said.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Andrikkos License: CC-BY-SAAegila Capital Management, a new investment and advisory group backed by top Bahraini financial institutions - Osool and BBK - has acquired the global headquarters of Unilever, a landmark office property in Rotterdams business district for 86.5 million ($100.8 million).

The property is considered one of the most prestigious corporate offices in the Netherlands and comprises two separate buildings with a combined net lettable area of 24,500 sq m: the main building facing Weena Boulevard is 11 storeys high and is occupied by Unilever, while the adjacent building (about 10 per cent of total area) is occupied by a leading Dutch educational group.



The transaction marks the debut investment for Aegila in a pipeline of real estate deals across Europe and the UK characterized by attractive locations, stable income from high-quality tenants and long-term value-creation potential.



Aegila is a new investment and advisory platform that originates, executes and manages investments on behalf of global institutional investors targeting the Continental European and UK real estate markets. Launched in 2017, Aegila is headquartered in London and is led by Giovanni Gregoratti, the former co-head of Real Estate Investment Banking in Europe Middle-East and Africa at Citigroup.



Acquiring the Unilever building in Rotterdam is an extraordinary inaugural deal for Aegila. The combination of attractive market conditions in the Netherlands, Rotterdams vibrant economy, the quality of the location and the fact that one of the largest and most respected companies in the world is the main tenant made this opportunity a compelling investment case for our investors, Gregoratti said.



In addition to this investment, we have identified a superb pipeline of opportunities across Europe and are looking forward to building our portfolio over the months to come.



Over the next three years Aegila plans to acquire assets worth in excess of $1 billion on behalf its investors.



Aegila is backed by two of the most respected financial institutions in the GCC, Osool Asset Management BSC and BBK BSC, who are both joint-shareholders and seed investors.



Gregoratti added: The current real estate market environment demands world-class investment and asset management skills and the expert team at Aegila is committed to delivering an innovative, tailor-made and transparent approach catering to a sophisticated investor base.



Savills, GT Law, BCLP, SGS Search, Arup and PwC acted as advisers of the investor in the transaction.  TradeArabia News ServiceLeading power management company Eaton said it had been awarded a major contract to provide complete power distribution solutions for the administration facility at Kuwait Universitys Sabah Al-Salem University City in Kuwait.



The Sabah Al Salem University City is being masterplanned as one of the largest campuses in the world with top-class educational facilities equipped with most advanced teaching and learning resources.



The administrative unit at Kuwait University serves as the main gateway to the new campus which boasts seven buildings including cultural and convocation hall, conference centre, university library and visitor centre.



A grand mosque within the university premises will house the chief administrative and ceremonial functions of the campus, serving the needs of a student population of 40,000, faculty, administrators and visitors.



Eaton is working alongside key partner Sahara Combined General Trading & Contracting Company for the project being built by a joint venture of China State Construction Company (Middle East) and Al Ghanim International Company.



A global leader with expertise in power distribution and circuit protection, Eaton specialises in back-up power protection; control and automation; lighting and security; structural solutions and wiring devices; solutions for harsh and hazardous environments; and engineering services.



As per the deal, Eaton will be providing complete xEnergy LV Systems, Power Distribution Components and Industrial Control solutions for the prestigious Administration facility.



This is a great opportunity for us to showcase once again Eatons capabilities on a regional and international scale in executing large and complex projects such as the impressive Administration Facility at the University City, remarked Frank Ackland, the general manager, Eaton Middle East.



"Kuwait is one of our key markets where we have had a great legacy for over two decades and supplied solutions across many infrastructures in the country," he noted.



Eaton, he stated, is an industry leader in product solutions with safety-conscious design and installation that comply with the latest industry codes and standards.



"Low-voltage power distribution systems are fundamental for such an expansive development and will improve reliability, increase efficiency and enhance safety while our low-voltage electrical equipment will distribute, monitor and manage power throughout the vast development," stated Ackland.



"This contract further solidifies Eatons position as a provider of world-class products to major complexes in Kuwait and across the region," he added.-TradeArabia News ServiceInfoFort, an Aramex company and leading information management solution provider in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has signed a partnership agreement with Dubai-based Dulsco to digitally transform and automate its internal processes.



Dulsco is a regional pioneer in waste management services and human resource solutions.



As part of the agreement, InfoFort aims to support Dulsco with realising its ambitious new growth strategy so as to catapult it into to the digital realm, said a statement from company.



InfoFort will automate Dulscos existing processes, creating hundreds of document definitions and e-forms and digitising their physical document backlog through its renowned paperless service, it stated.



Furthermore, InfoFort will also provide a seamless migration to enVision, a leading electronic content management system (ECM) in the industry, with unlimited user licenses, it added.



Dulsco currently employs a workforce of over 12,000 employees across its offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Fujairah, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.



InfoFort was chosen due to its established excellence in empowering digitisation, its innovative thinking, as well as its forward-looking, dynamic and enterprising way of conducting business. It will serve as a capable and reliable catalyst to Dulscos forthcoming digital transformation, it said.



David Stockton, chief executive officer and managing director, Dulsco, said: We are confident that our partnership with InfoFort will allow us to emerge as the most digitally adept player in our industry.



It will enable us to not only streamline, simplify and secure our record keeping and business processes, but will also strengthen our standing and adaptation in what is now the fourth industrial revolution, he said.



InfoForts highly-esteemed solutions will make a noticeable difference in the progression of our advanced business model, he added.



InfoFort is looking forward to serve as Dulscos technology partner, enabling it to seamlessly transform from being a sizable and reputable enterprise into one that is also digitally contemporary, progressive and efficient, said a statement.



Elias Lahham, general manager - UAE and Oman, InfoFort, said: We are well-positioned to support Dulsco in its digital transformation journey.



We look forward to an exceptionally fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership, one that will propel Dulsco into a new digital era, while allowing us to demonstrate our strength in successfully helping organisations transform and adopt new business processes, he added.  TradeArabia News ServiceWorldHotels, a global sales, marketing and distribution company with 350 independent upscale and luxury hotels in 50 countries, is strengthening its presence in the GCC with the addition of a leading Dubai hotel to its portfolio.



The group has added the Gulf Court Hotel Business Bay, part of Bahrain's Gulf Hotels Group, to its portfolio. With 269 rooms and suites, it is situated within one of Dubais grandest projects, the Dubai Water Canal, providing accommodation for both business and leisure travellers.



We are extremely proud to add this high-quality hotel into our group, said Sarah Belkacemi, senior vice president Europe, Middle East, Africa. We carefully consider how we grow our portfolio. Our development strategy reflects Worldhotels focus on quality over quantity.



The Middle East offers tremendous potential for us from both a hotel portfolio and a sales perspective. We have identified the region as ideal for strategic growth and we want to expand further over the next couple of years, explained Geoff Andrew, CEO of WorldHotels.



WorldHotels further strengthened its foothold in the region with the appointment of Chris Bradley as director of Hotel Development & Sales for the Middle East in 2017. Since then, Bradley has been looking at opportunities to find new business for the WorldHotels' member hotels in the Middle East and outbound to other markets.



To further deepen its relationships, WorldHotels has appointed Travel Connections Arabia (TCA), a leading marketing and sales organisation in the Middle East, to provide sales and marketing activities working alongside Bradley. TCA is based in Dubai, representing a unique collection of luxurious properties, acting as a regional sales and marketing office in the Middle East.



The region is highly relationship driven and our partnership will allow us to approach multiple segments seasonally, giving us a significant advantage in speed to market. With their experience delivering to luxury properties, TCA understands the client base and necessary initiatives to deliver market share to World Hotels globally, explained Bradley. - TradeArabia News ServiceThe oneworld airline alliance has launched oneworld connect, a new platform for carriers to link up to the worlds premier alliance.



The new platform welcomed on Sunday its first partner - Fiji Airways - giving its passengers the opportunity to enjoy more services and benefits across an even more extensive global network.



A date will be announced in due course for when Fiji Airways will start offering oneworld connect services and benefits.



Oneworld connect is the first new membership platform unveiled by oneworld since the alliance was originally announced 20 years ago.



Presently, oneworld is in discussion with other carriers interested in participating in the programme, from various parts of the world including the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe.



Each oneworld connect partner will need to have a minimum of three oneworld members as its sponsors to be initiated into the programme. The initial oneworld sponsors of Fiji Airways will be all four of oneworlds original founding members - American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas. The Australian carrier will additionally mentor Fiji Airways through its oneworld connect implementation process.



American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas already code-share and have frequent flyer links with Fiji Airways. British Airways and Fiji Airways are currently discussing areas for potential bilateral cooperation. - TradeArabia News ServiceDoubleTree by Hilton recently celebrated the opening of its first resort-style property in Malaysia.



Located in the vibrant beach area on Penangs north coast, overlooking the Indian Ocean, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang is a family-friendly resort with exceptional facilities for all ages -

including access to Malaysias first teddy bear-themed museum, TeddyVille.



This upscale resort is just 45 minutes drive from Penang International Airport and 20 minutes from Georgetown, the islands UNESCO World Heritage-listed capital, which is accessible via a complimentary shuttle bus service from the hotel.



Blessed with a rich history, diverse culture and tropical scenery, Penang is a truly enchanting destination. As the first DoubleTree resort in Malaysia, we are delighted to bring the brands warmth

and genuine hospitality to the country, as epitomized by the welcome cookie we offer to all our guests, commented Jamie Mead, regional general manager, Hilton Malaysia.



Linda Giebing, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penangs general manager, added: We have experienced strong demand since the hotel started operating in January, with high occupancy and interest from the events sector. I am confident that all guests will be captivated by our comprehensive range of facilities and renowned standards of hospitality.



Overlooking Miami Beach and the turquoise seas beyond, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang features a distinctive design concept that blends contemporary style with classical Peranakan motifs.



There are 316 rooms and suites; all equipped with walk-in rain showers, 40-inch LED TVs and wi-fi. Many rooms also feature a private balcony with sea views. Families can opt for two inter-connected rooms, which are linked by a hallway door to create a private sanctuary, complete with double and twin bedrooms and separate bathrooms.



Families also have an array of dining options to choose from, including special childrens buffets at Makan Kitchen, the resorts lively all-day dining restaurant. Alternatively, guests can pick up light snacks - including DoubleTrees signature chocolate chip cookies - at The Food Store, or enjoy refreshing drinks at the Axis Lounge.



Children will be kept entertained at the kids club, which features a wealth of immersive activities for youngsters, and a babysitting service is available. This will allow parents to enjoy their own quality time, perhaps with a revitalising treatment at the spa, a workout at the fitness centre, or simply by relaxing around the tropical outdoor pool, which features its own beach.



All ages can then come together at TeddyVille - a unique attraction that celebrates the origins of the humble teddy bear. With its large, cuddly collection, this delightful museum will captivate children and adults alike. Guests at the resort will enjoy 20 per cent off the entrance fee.



Finally, the resort features state-of-the-art conference space, including three flexible meeting rooms for events of between 12 and 120 delegates, an outdoor terrace and a spacious ballroom capable of handling 550 guests. This makes it the perfect setting for every occasion, from corporate conferences to social soirees and spectacular seafront weddings.



DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang becomes the first DoubleTree Resort in Malaysia, and joins three other DoubleTree hotel properties in the country: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur, DoubleTree by Hilton Melaka and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru.



It also becomes the 50th DoubleTree by Hilton property in the Asia Pacific region.



The new resort is also part of Hilton Honors, an award-winning guest-loyalty programme for Hiltons 14 distinct brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including free standard wi-fi, a flexible cash/points payment slider, an exclusive member discount and points redemption for free nights. - TradeArabia News ServiceON THE MOVE: Citi Names Bulkin Head of Electronic Cash Trading

Citigroup has hired Dmitry Bulkin as its new US head of electronic cash trading. Bulkin joins Citi after nearly 15 years at Credit Suisse, where he was most recently head of liquidity strategy and market structure for US equity trading.

Bank of Americas Hedge Fund unit saw two senior executives - Michael Dolan and Kristin Maule - both directors in prime-brokerage sales leave. Also, Chris Throop, a managing director in consulting left the firm. Jonathan Brenner, Katie Alberti and Sally Carlson, all vice-presidents in capital introductions have also left the firm, Traders Magazine has learned.

If you have a new job or promotion to report, let me know at jdantona@marketsmedia.com

On the flip side, Bank of America landed David Kim, the US head of flow trading at JPMorgan, who joins the firm in a similar role. Kim has also spent time at UBS and Goldman Sachs before JPMorgan.

Wells Fargo Asset Management grew its Multi-Asset Solutions Team by hiring three. First, Eddie Cheng has joined the firm as head of International Portfolio Management. Chengs focus is on managing absolute return and alternative risk premia strategies. Cheng comes to WFAM from Schroders, where he was a senior portfolio manager with its multi-asset team. He reports to Nico Marais, president of WFAM and head of Multi-Asset Solutions, and is based in London.

Chenfei Ma and Stephane Renevier also recently joined WFAMs Multi-Asset Solutions team, Ma as an investment analyst and Renevier as a portfolio manager. Both Ma and Renevier, who most recently worked on the multi-asset team at Schroders, report to Cheng. They are based in London.

Cantor Fitzgerald has poached UBSs head of energy trading to join its expanding equities desk, according to reports. Neil Smith, who was most recently head of energy and industrial equity trading at UBS, which he left in February after a round of lay-offs. Smith worked as the banks head of energy and industrial trading for nearly 18 years. In tandem with his duties as head of the energy desk, he was also head of cash equity trading for two years until April 2015.

Backstop Solutions Group, a provider of cloud-based productivity solutions for consulting firms, pensions, private equity firms and other institutional investment firms, appointed Nancy Wells as Senior Vice President, Global Sales. A veteran with more than 30 years of experience, Wells will lead Backstops sales efforts, as well as join Backstops Executive Management Committee.

Crypto Facilities, a cryptocurrency trading platform and index provider, appointed Sui Chung to lead its index and pricing products business. Sui onboards from Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC where he latterly led Euromoney Indices, the firms financial benchmarks business.

Ophir Gertner, Co-Founder of Stox and Smartologic, announced that he is set to join INVioU, an innovator that uses blockchain technology to facilitate invoice factoring (AR) for small businesses.

Mizuho Americas landed Paul Sankey, an oil & gas research analyst consistently ranked among the best in the industry. Sankey is a UK graduate of the University of Manchester, and Ampleforth College. Sankey is based in New York and reports to the Head of US Equity Research Susan Gilbertson.

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For more information on related topics, visit the following channels:STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF TRANSYLVANIA

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

BEFORE THE CLERK

FILE NO: 18-E-166

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF

CALMER ANTHONY ERSNESS, JR.

EXECUTORS NOTICE

Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of CALMER ANTHONY ERSNESS, JR. of Transylvania County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of CALMER ANTHONY ERSNESS, JR.to present them to the undersigned on or before August 14, 2018, or the claim will be forever barred thereafter. All persons indebted to said estate please make im...Sandeep Marwah in Tashkent, Sandeep Marwah Managing Director of NFTC



(TRAVPR.COM) DELHI - June 5th, 2018 - Tashkent: The Managing Director of National Federation of Tourism And Transport Cooperatives of India Limited Sandeep Marwah recently visited Tashkent the capital of Uzbekistan to study tourism of the country.

Talking to the press at Hotel Hyatt, Tashkent Marwah appreciated that Uzbekistan is attracting more Indians day by day. I hope we will be able to bring two countries much more closer in next few years. Asian Institute of Hospitality And Tourism has added Uzbekistan into its studies too, said Marwah.

Uzbekistan is a country with potential for an expanded tourism industry. Many of its Central Asian cities were main points of trade on the Silk Road, linking Eastern and Western civilizations.

Today the museums of Uzbekistan store over two million artifacts, evidence of the unique historical, cultural and spiritual life of the Central Asian peoples that have lived in the region. Uzbekistan attracts tourists with its historical, archeological, architectural and natural treasures.

###editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 5

Indias basmati exports registered a double-digit growth at Rs 2,690 crore in the first month of the current financial year, which is 11% more than the previous year, according to Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

The significant jump in terms of value was mainly because of better rates offered in the international market. In April this year, basmati commanded an average price of $1,107 per tonne compared to $963 in the same month previous year.

Punjab and Haryana are major contributors of basmati exports. They account for around 60-65% of the total basmati exports from the country.

According to Punjab-based exporters, the realisation this year seems good and if the trend continues, the exports of basmati in 2018-19 would also reflect a double-digit growth. India exported basmati worth Rs 26,841 crore in 2017-18.

Exports, however, declined in terms of volume from 3.9 lakh tonnes in April 2017 to 3.7 lakh tonnes in April this year mainly due to geopolitical reasons. Basmati exports for 2017-18 was 40.52 lakh tonnes as compared to 39.85 lakh tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year.

The exporters, are, however, buoyant. A decline in exports in a single month cant decide the exports prospectus for the whole year. However, the realisation is better this year as compared to last year, said Kohinoor Foods Joint Managing Director Gurnam Arora.

There is confusion in the market on what will happen after the US sanctions. However, exports are still going and the trade is on a wait-and-watch mode, he said.

Exporters say they are waiting for the picture to clear whether President Donald Trump re-imposes US sanctions on Iran or not. Exporters mentioned that Iran is a big market for Indian basmati and they are willing to trade in Euro or any other currency, if the US imposes sanction that would stop payments in dollars.editorial@tribune.com

Shashi Pal Jain

Kharar, June 5

Seven members of a Kharar family were killed while nine others sustained serious injuries when the pick-up van they were travelling in met with an accident on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway at Palwal in Haryana early on Tuesday morning.

The accident occurred when the driver of the pick-up van reportedly dozed off at the wheel, the police said. The migrant family was on its way from Badali village near Kharar to Mathura to attend a wedding, Palwal Superintendent of Police (SP) Waseem Akram said.

There was negligence on the part of the driver. He was feeling sleepy, but continued to drive; he dozed off at the wheel, the SP said.

The driver, who survived, told the police that the accident took place at 4.30 am when a container truck hit the van from the rear side. Passengers sitting in the rear portion of the van were killed. The injured are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Delhi, Mathura and Palwal.

Back home, a pall of gloom descended on Badali village as the news of the tragedy spread. The house of the ill-fated family was locked. Neighbours recalled how the victims left the house on Monday night in a happy mood to attend a relatives wedding in Mathura.

While the family head, Dharamvir, survived, he lost his wife Omvati, son Jatin Kumar, brother Devi Singh, cousin Vijay Pal, Vijays daughter Seema, nephews daughter Ananyan and uncle Vijay.

The seriously injured included Dharamvirs three daughters  Pooja Rani, Mamta and Rakhi  and six relatives.

Speaking to this correspondent over the phone, Dharamvir, who works at a gas agency in the nearby Lakhnaur village, said his nephew Parveen had a pick-up van. On Monday night, they all gathered at his house in Kharar and boarded the pick-up to leave for Mathura at 10 pm. Parveen was driving the pick-up.

Since the pick-up was packed to capacity, Dharamvir was riding his motorcycle and was following the family and relatives travelling in the van.

A visit to Dharamvirs place revealed that his newly constructed house was lying locked. The neighbours had no information about the accident.

One of the neighbours, Pooja, said Dharamvir had constructed the house last year and shifted to it in September. We enjoyed cordial relations with Dharamvirs family and used to remain at each others house most of the time, said Pooja, who was given the keys of the house by Dharamvir before leaving on Monday night.editorial@tribune.com

Rajinder S Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 5

After having failed to deal with the mosquito menace, the Panchkula Municipal Corporation has now come up with the idea of using National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) technology. Panchkula Municipal Commissioner Rajesh Jogpal has given approval for installation of mosquito-killing machines, developed with technical assistance from NASA.

With this, Panchkula will become the first civic body in Haryana to use the NASA technology to fight the mosquito menace, the MC Commissioner said.

Giving details, Jogpal said initially they would install 10 such machines at public places, primarily in slum areas. Recently, a team of the Panchkula MC had visited the South Delhi Municipal Corporation,where they were using similar machines.

The approximate cost of a machine would be Rs 2.5 lakh, he said, adding that earlier there were only four fogging machines, but this year they had 27 such machines. Door-to-door inspection work had already been started by the MC and other departments, he said.

Dengue cases had dipped last year

Last year, there were around 90 dengue and 182 malaria cases in Panchkula against 186 dengue cases and 179 malaria cases in 2016.

Key features

The machine can reduce mosquito population in a large area

It attracts mosquitoes, and then vacuums them into the unit where they are quickly and quietly eliminated.

Developed with technical assistance from NASA

It only kills mosquitoes and spares beneficial insects and pests, which are good for the environment

How the machine functions

The mosquito-killing machine relies on the mosquitoes natural hunting techniques of heat sensing and carbon dioxide detection. It mimics body temperatures and breathing patterns of humans, horses, livestock, poultry and domesticated pets with the release of carbon dioxide. Through thermal imagery and precisely measured releases of CO2, mosquitoes are attracted to the unit, and captured and eliminated. A photo sensor turns the unit on at night and off during daylight.editorial@tribune.com

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 5

Government Model Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Sector 38 (West), Chandigarh, has a pass percentage of just 7.94 in Class X, the worst among government schools. It implies that over 92 per cent students in the school did not pass. There were 126 students in Class X and only 10 passed. As many as 61 students have got a compartment and 55 have failed.

Officiating Principal Rajinder Pal Kaur cites the sudden change in the pattern (from the CGPA to marks) and grace marks to Class IX students to promote them to Class X among the reasons for the poor show.

Government Model High School (GMHS), Sector 22-C, had 37 students in Class X of whom just three have passed. The pass percentage is 8.11, implying that close to 92 per cent students could not pass. The school is the second worst among government schools in the Class X results. The officiating head of the school refused to comment on the poor results.

The list of the worst performing government schools in the Class X results, where around 80 per cent students could not pass, reflects that not just those on the periphery have ended up with poor results, but those within the city are equally bad. If the GMHS, Karsan, has close to 87 per cent students who flunked in Class X, the GMHS, Sector 11, has close to 85 per cent students who could not pass.

5,567 of 10,850 students couldnt pass

Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the government schools have been following the policy of no detention till Class VIII. In Class IX, the schools are following the policy of giving 15 grace marks to those who otherwise would not be able to make it to Class X.

In 2017, the grace marks were given to promote the otherwise ineligible students to Class 10.

A total of 10,850 students appeared for the Class X exams, but 5,567 students, 51.49 per cent, could not pass.

In 2018, the pass percentage is 48.51, whereas in 2017, it was 94.7. There is a dip of 46.19 points.

The no-detention policy and continuous and comprehensive evaluation are one of the reasons behind the downgrade in the level of learning and results of students. When all students are passed, no lessens are learnt by them and they take everything for granted. As a number of students are being promoted from Class IX to Class X with grace marks, everyone has to pay the price when the same undeserving students fail in the Class X board exams, said Arvind Rana, president of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers Welfare Association.

Bhag Singh Kairon, president of the Joint Action Committee of teachers, also pointed out that a number of schools had only officiating heads. We shouldnt promote weak students to Class X. The student-teacher ratio should be as per the RTE norms. We shouldnt be involved in non-teaching work, he said.

Grace marks policy under scanner

Education Secretary BL Sharma said, I dont understand these grace marks. A student either passes or fails. Only God is gracious. If someone else is gracious, he should be ready to face ignominy. He has sought data on students who have been promoted with grace marks to Class X. We will hold six-monthly tests and those who do not qualify will be detained. Merit has to be emphasised. We are ready for extra classes. Teachers have to teach, otherwise they would be sent home, he said.

Expertspeak

What I find missing among teachers is that they cannot empathise with the problems of new-age students. The natural curiosity and energy of government school students are not tapped. Government schoolteachers are not result-oriented unlike private schools as they are not answerable to anyone. The no-detention policy is a bane. The students are not serious till Class VIII. When they reach the first obstacle, which is Class X, they fail. The RTE Act should be reviewed in view of the ground realities, said Prof Latika Sharma, chairperson, Department of Education, PU.

Associate Professor, Department of Education, PU, Kuldeep Kaur, said, The concept of no-detention policy has been brought from the USA. So, something has been lost in spirit. The outcome is in front of us. It should be looked at. However, our research on comprehensive and continuous evaluation (CCE) reflects that students and teachers are satisfied with it.

150 schools in UP had zero pass percentage

In the Uttar Pradesh board exams, 150 schools had zero pass percentage. In 98 schools, no student passed the Class X exams and in 52 schools, no student passed the Class XII exams.Pritam Singh

Pritam Singh

Professor, Oxford Brookes University, UK

JUNE 6 marks the 34th anniversary of Operation Bluestar. With one-third of a century on, how do we describe this action, and what meaning do we attach to it? Do we describe it, as the Congress ideologists did then, as a holy task undertaken by the Indian military to clear the temple of the militants who had taken control of it? Or do we describe it, as some Indian nationalists and Leftists do, as a sad and necessary action to defeat an imperialist conspiracy to disintegrate India? Do we celebrate it, as some Hindu nationalists do, as a successful assertion of Indias Hindu supremacy against the Sikh minority's separatist aspirations? Or do we condemn it, as Sikh and Punjabi nationalists do, as a genocidal attack on Sikh dignity, assertion and identity? Perhaps, we decry it, as most human rights defenders and Leftists do, as a tragedy resulting in the deaths of thousands of human beings  pilgrims, priests, Sikh combatants and Indian army men?

The contesting descriptions of Operation Bluestar and the meanings attached to it are reflections of serious fault lines in the Indian society and polity. To say that there would never be a consensus on how to describe and signify this military action may be unreasonable and ahistorical. But to say that there is little likelihood of a consensus in the foreseeable future would be alluding to an uncomfortable truth about the fractured nature of Indian nationhood. However this operation is described and whatever meaning is subsequently attached to it, one thing is clear: one day, everyone else might want to forget it  and, might succeed in doing so  but this will never be true of the Sikh community.

The third ghallughara

Operation Bluestar has become an integral part of the Sikh collective historical memory. It has become the third ghallughara (holocaust) in Sikh history  the first referring to the massacre of some 10,000 Sikhs in 1746; the second to the even larger massacre of Sikh men, women and children in 1762, when 30,000 (nearly 50 per cent of the population) were slaughtered in Punjab. Today, the available evidence suggests that many (though not all) gurdwaras in India and abroad include references to the third ghallughara in their daily ardas, or prayers.

The most reliable estimates of the total number of deaths during Operation Bluestar are anywhere from 5,000 to 7,000. Yet, a crucial difference between the third ghallughara and the previous two is that this massacre occurred in the Golden Temple, while the first two took place on open battlefields. This gives an added religious dimension to the significance of the military action: a much larger number of Sikhs died during Partition, but the 1947 deaths are not seen in terms of attacks on and in defence of religion. In religious terms, the largest Sikh loss in 1947 was the fact that the Nankana Sahib gurudwara  marking the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of the faith  was suddenly located in Pakistan. This, too, was a loss that today figures in the daily ardas.

Human rights approach

What should be the human rights approach in dealing with the complex situation of destruction, loss and pain associated with Bluestar? It could be to put forward a position of truth, accountability and justice as a methodology to study and a tool with which to deal with this painful situation. One can hope that truth and justice can heal the wounds, and there can be sound grounds based on an understanding of human history that such a hope is not wholly unfounded. However, one is also simultaneously troubled that the truth may never be allowed to come out and that justice may never be done because of the complicated conflicts of competing nationalisms implicated in this tragedy. Another dimension of human history which creates pessimism is that history is also full of intractable conflicts and continuing injustices.

As for how to think about Bluestar, first and foremost, it was a massive human tragedy. It was a tragedy that could have been avoided if  and that is a big if - Indira Gandhi had had a larger vision to reach a political settlement with the moderate Akali leadership. Most Akali Dal demands  regarding federal decentralisation, river water rights, territorial readjustment and the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab as its capital  could have been negotiated. In 1985, Rajiv Gandhi agreed in the Rajiv-Longowal Accord to each of these demands, plus many more. It is a different matter that he implemented none.

Indira Gandhis political calculations  those of using the Hindu card for electoral victories  led her to deliberately choose a dangerous path of confrontation, first with the Akalis and eventually with the entire Sikh community. She paid for this miscalculation with her life, but still left Punjab and India communally scarred and polarised. Sikh nationalism was defeated militarily, but Hindu nationalism was unleashed so powerfully that the Hindu nationalists succeeded within a few decades to capture the Indian state.

Regarding the demands that led to the Akali agitation of the early 1980s, the situation today remains where we were back then. As far as accountability for atrocities committed during Bluestar and subsequently during the conflict between the Indian state and the armed opposition Sikh groups is concerned, one suggestion for an Indian government in the future oriented towards reconciliation could be to take a bold step in following South Africas example of establishing a truth and reconciliation commission. No one wants history to be repeated. The least anyone can do today is to remember those thousands  pilgrims, priests, politicians, traders, militants, policemen and soldiers  who became victims in the tragedy of the third Sikh ghallughara.monicakchauhan@gmail.com

Kuala Lumpur, June 5

Tommy Thomas, a top ethnic Indian lawyer was on Tuesday appointed Malaysia's new Attorney General by the king, who appealed to Malaysians to not to "create religious or racial conflict" over the decision, amid protests from Islamic groups against his nomination.

A palace statement said Sultan Muhammad V has approved terminating the current Attorney General Mohamad Apandi Ali and replacing him with Thomas, the first from the minority community to hold the post in 55 years in the Muslim-majority nation.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had recently proposed to nominate Thomas, 66, as the Attorney-General, the official Bernama news agency reported.

The king called on all Malaysians to accept that the appointment of the Attorney-General should "not create religious or racial conflict as every Malaysian should be fairly treated regardless of race and religion."

The appointment of Thomas as the top legal officer would not affect the special rights and privileges of the Malays and Bumiputeras, as well as the status of Islam as the federal religion, the agency said.

The king also expressed his disappointment and worry about "inaccurate and negative" media reports of late which could threaten peace and harmony in the country, it said.

Thomas is best known as a constitutional law expert and a civil litigator in court cases in matters as varied as administrative law, banking, finance, corporate and commercial law.

He has been a lawyer in Malaysia for 42 years, having been called to the Bar in the United Kingdom in 1975 and called to the Malaysian Bar in 1976, Malaymail.com reported.

Kuala Lumpur-born Thomas is also an alumni of Victoria Institution, the University of Manchester and the London School of Economics.

He had also served the legal community in peninsular Malaysia through the Malaysian Bar's governing body Bar Council, which he was a member of during 1984-1988 and 1993-2001  including a stint as Bar Council secretary from 1995-1997.

The appointment of Thomas has caused division among the Malaysian public as petitions - both objecting and supporting his nomination - have cropped up.

Parti Islam Se-Malaysia's information chief on Saturday also protested against the government's pick, saying that the candidate should be an individual "who can protect Islam as the official religion of the country".

The Malaysian government had defended its nomination of Thomas, saying that it would be the right signal to send to Malaysians and the rest of the world that the new administration was serious about reforming the country's institutions. PTIamansharma@tribunemail.com

Rajinder S Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 5

Jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim's adopted daughter Honeypreet Insan has moved an application for regular bail in the Panchkula court. She sought the bail on the grounds that no evidence was found against her by the Haryana Police.

The Haryana SIT formed to investigate the Panchkula violence had slapped sedition charges against Honeypreet.

Honeypreet, whose real name is Priyanka Taneja, pleaded before the court that a woman, she was behind the bars for 245 days without any fault or committing crime.

Meanwhile, prosecution opposed Honeypreet's bail plea. The Panchkula court has reserved its order on Honeypreet's bail application.

Honeypreet's counsel Dhruv Gupta argued that 15 people booked under various sections an FIR related with Panchkula violence, have been granted bail by different courts, including district courts and high court.

Gupta added that there were some accused, who were facing serious charges in comparison of Honeypreet, have also been granted relief of bail.

The counsel also submitted that Honeypreet did not participate in violence and she was inside court complex with dera chief.

The court has now fixed July 9 for arguments on framing of charges against Honeypreet and others in connection with Panchkula violence and reserved its order on Honeypreet's bail application.

The special investigation team (SIT) of the Haryana Police had slapped the sedition charge against 22 accused, including Honeypreet, in connection with the Panchkula violence on August 25 last year.

According to the police chargesheet, the conspiracy to spread violence in Panchkula was hatched at the dera headquarters by Honeypreet and the 45-member dera management committee.

Honeypreet, adopted daughter of rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim, was charged with criminal conspiracy and sedition, and is prime accused in the Panchkula violence that broke out after the conviction of the dera chief.

She had travelled with the dera chief in a helicopter when he was airlifted from Panchkula to Rohtak's Sunaria jail after his conviction in rape case. Later, Honeypreet went into hiding for 38 days before her arrest on October 4 last year from the Zirakpur-Patiala highway. As many as 36 people were killed and more than 200 injured in the Panchkula violence.

Engages Talwars' advocates

Honeypreet has engaged advocates Tanvir Ahmed Mir and Dhruv Gupta, who had had successfully defended the parents of slain Noida teen Aarushi Talwar.

Mir and Gupta, who won the acquittal for Dr Rajesh and Nupur Talwar - accused of killing their daughter and domestic help Hemraj in 2008 - from the Allahabad High Court last October, today argued for Honeypreet in Panchkula court. Besides, another advocate Ishan Shiv Kumar also accompanied them.editorial@tribune.com

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 5

In a setback to Haryana Governments endeavour to have a medical college in each district, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has disapproved establishment of four new colleges in the state. Four others have been denied renewal of permission to admit students for 2018-19 due to poor infrastructure.

Besides these, the name of one more medical college figures in the list of colleges in the country whose request for increase in number of seats has been disapproved by the ministry in its recent order.

The ministry has disapproved the requests for establishment of Haryana Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kaithal; Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research, Faridabad; Gangaputra Medical College, Jind; and Baba Mungipa Medical College and Research Centre for session 2018-19.

The order said that the request has been disapproved after considering the recommendations of the MCI.

This means these colleges will not be able to admit any student this year and will have to apply again next year after removing deficiencies in the infrastructure pointed out by the MCI during its inspection.

The request for renewal of permission has been denied to four medical colleges of the state. As per the ministrys order, the request for renewal of permission to the second batch of Adesh Medical College and Hospital, Shahbad; and third batch of World College of Medical Sciences and Research - with an intake of 150 seats each  has been disapproved.

Besides this, the request for renewal of 50 additional seats to Sree Guru Gobind Singh Tercentenary Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Gurugram; for its second batch and to Maharaja Agarsen Medical College, Agroha (Hisar); has been disapproved by the ministry.

This means that the Gurugram medical college will be permitted to admit 100 students to MBBS instead of 150 last year and Agroha Medical College will have an intake of 50 students against 100 during the past two years.

Last year, two medical colleges of the state  World College of Medical Sciences, Jhajjar; and NC Medical College and Hospital, Israna (Panipat)  had been barred from admitting students for two years, according to sources.

BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur (Sonipat); had applied for increase of intake from 100 to 150 seats, but the request had been turned down for want of proper infrastructure.

Dr Shaleen, Director of Medical Education and Research, said that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare takes the decision based on inspections of the colleges by the Medical Council of India.

He, however, said that the disapproval to the request of renewal of permission would not affect the students of the previous batches.

Once these colleges improve their infrastructure by removing the discrepancies pointed out by the MCI, the permission to admit students can be renewed, he said.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfares order has put a question mark over the hurry in which the Haryana Government is trying to open a medical college in each of the 22 districts of the state by its own means and also by roping in private players as many of the new colleges have been found wanting in infrastructure.

Sources said that the situation is no better in government medical colleges of the state as requests are received by the state Health Department to depute some medical officers there every time the MCI is to conduct inspections.editorial@tribune.com

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, June 5

The state governments decision to discontinue the Urdu course at HLG Government College in Tawdu, Mewat, has led to an uproar.

Residents and leaders are accusing the Khattar government of attacking the linguistic heritage of Meo Muslims.

As part of its rationalisation programme, the Education Department has discontinued various courses in 59 colleges of the state on the basis of either lack of takers or teachers. As part of the same, graduation courses in economics and Urdu were discontinued from the college.

While the college principal concerned was unavailable for comment due to illness, a teachers said, We had introduced this course some time ago and got many interested students, but we could not get the faculty for it. So, it is best to shut the course down.

But Congress leader Aftab Ahmed said, If Urdu is not taught in Mewat, then where else will they teach it? What about the promotion of our mother tongue? This is unacceptable. We have a majority of children, especially girls, who have been taught in madarsas. They would prefer to graduate in Urdu but they dont have the option to travel to Delhi for it.

Urdu is our heritage and we want it to be promoted like Sanskrit. Is it possible that in a district with numerous people holding PhD in Urdu, the government could not find even one to run a college course? said Noor Din Noor, a social activist.

The states decision to discontinue various courses in 59 colleges has come under the scanner with many, including teachers of these colleges, claiming it to be an attempt to popularise the newly started 31 colleges.

Rather than trying to get teachers or students, they are shutting the courses, saying those are not profitable. We dont know on what basis or survey the courses have been discontinued, said an office-bearer of the teachers association.

Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma evaded commenting on issue claiming to be busy in a programme. As per the plan, courses like MA (Music) and PGD in Mass Communication too are being discontinued from Gurugram colleges.ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 5

The Centre on Tuesday confirmed the outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis in Himachal, with two children from Solan district testing positive for the mosquito-borne viral infection of the brain.

Both children are currently in Indira Gandhi Medical Hospital, Shimla. One, a 3-year-old boy from Dharampur is critical and on ventilator support. The other, a 6-year-old boy from Dhalli is also under intensive care. Seven Solan kids were referred to the IGMC, Shimla, with symptoms of viral infection, but five were discharged.

Health Secretary Preeti Sudan told The Tribune that she had spoken to the states Principal Secretary, Health, and directed teams from the National Centre for Disease Control and the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme to be sent to Himachal for detailed investigations into cause of the infection.

State surveillance officer under the Integrated Disease Control Programme had spotted symptoms of febrile illness in seven children of Solan district and referred them to the IGMC, Shimla, for suspecting Nipah virus. Their samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, to rule out Nipah. Two of these instead tested positive for JE.

Blood samples of these two children have tested positive for JE. We have now sent their cerebro spinal fluid samples to the NIV, Pune, for further investigation, a Health Ministry official said.

Himachal has never reported JE. This is the first time the state has seen cases of the virus which kills 220 children under 15 pan-India every year on an average.

The highest mortality rate from JE is in Uttar Pradesh where childrens deaths in Gorakhpur recently sent shock waves all over the country. These deaths were primarily attributed to JE aggravated by poor healthcare facilities.

Since 2010, India has seen 10,893 JE cases and 1,756 deaths, a mortality rate of 17 per cent.

JE has no cure. Theres a preventive vaccine the government now offers under routine immunisation plan. The management of JE-infected children to minimise chances of death is the main line of care.

A Central multi-sectoral team rushed to Himachal will now determine whether JE infection in the state is indigenous or imported. Domestic pigs and wild birds carry the JE virus mostly transmitted by mosquitoes found around paddy fields.

Mosquitoes get the infection by feeding on diseased domestic pigs and wild birds. They then further transmit the JE virus to humans.

Central experts will have to trace the virus host and its vector  the mosquito  in Solan for the infection to be notified as endemic. They will also interview the local population to rule out more cases. If the virus and vector are not traced, the virus could have been imported. That possibility will then have to be determined, a ministry official said.

Himachal, the home state of Health Minister JP Nadda, is the 23rd state to be affected by the deadly JE virus now. Others are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashta, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Bengal.

Only preventive vaccineeditorial@tribune.com

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 5

As stone-throwing has become a major threat to peace, the security agencies will rely on CCTVs to keep a check on pilgrims visiting shrines in the volatile south Kashmir districts during the Kheer Bhawani mela.

On Jyestha Ashtami, thousands of pilgrims visit Kheer Bhawani temples at Tulmulla (Ganderbal district), Tikkar (Kupwara), Laktipora (Anantnag), Manzgam (Kulgam) and Khanbarnan Devsar (Kulgam), in south Kashmir. This year, the festival will be celebrated on June 20.

Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag, Kulgam and Ganderbal have been asked to set up a joint control room to coordinate with each other and remain in touch with pilgrims in case of any emergency.

The CCTVs will be connected to a control room. We will get real-time information during the yatra days when thousands of pilgrims are expected to visit the Valley, said a senior police officer.

We have made necessary arrangements to ensure that pilgrims get proper facilities. Our main focus is on accommodation and sanitation facilities while the police will deal with security issues. CCTVs will be installed during the yatra period around the shrines, said Piyush Singla, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal.

Stone throwers are a worry for the security agencies and administration. In 2016, several vehicles of pilgrims were pelted with stones on the national highway in Anantnag. There have been similar cases on the interior roads too.

Security is an issue but the administration needs to focus on providing basic amenities to pilgrims. This year, a critical care ambulance will also be placed near the shrines, said Vinod Pandit, chairman, All Party Migrants Coordination Committee.editorial@tribune.com

Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 5

Taking a strict view of protesters storming the encounter sites, the police have booked four slain civilians and others for rioting during two encounters in Shopian on April 1 this year. The police termed them as miscreants in its reports which were presented to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC).

Twelve militants, three Army men and four civilians were killed during two encounters at Kachdora and Draggad villages of Shopian on April 1, 2018, while scores were injured. Protesters had tried to storm the encounter sites to help militants escape.

In his tweet that day, Directorate General of Police SP Vaid had said, Its unfortunate that stone-throwing around the encounter site cost four civilians their lives.

In its reports to the SHRC, the police have named the slain civilians and other protesters in the FIRs. It said the protesters, including the slain ones, were found involved in offences, such as attempt to murder, rioting, mischief and use of force by unlawful assembly for helping the trapped militants escape during the encounters.

Earlier, the police had also named four slain civilians as the accused in a case involving the escape of four militants during a gunfight at Khudwani village of Kulgam district on April 11 this year.

A large number of miscreants of adjoining areas threw stones upon a security party with the aim and objective of providing an opportunity to the terrorists to escape from the spot, said the report regarding the Kachdora encounter during which five militants, three Army men and three civilians were killed. It said the relevant sections for rioting, mischief and use of force by unlawful assembly were added to the FIR against the miscreants.

The police report said the three slain civilians  Zubair Ahmad, Mehrajuddin and Mohammad Iqbal  were injured during clashes and exchange of fire as they were part of violent mob and pelting stones on a police party. Later, these civilians succumbed to their injuries while being taken to nearby hospitals, the report said, adding that their bodies were buried without completing the medico-legal formalities. Regarding the Draggad encounter, the report said seven militants and a civilian were killed in the operation. There also a large group of miscreants tried to break the cordon and help the militants escape.

Locals had stormed sitesshalender@tribune.com

Vishal Talwar

Management studies is an expansive field that enables one to develop a strong business acumen, whether one is in employment or starting own business. It can go a long way in ensuring the success of an enterprise. Normally, such studies have been viewed only from an undergraduate (for e.g. BBA, BCom) or postgraduate (such as an MBA) lens. However, many students want to further challenge themselves academically and to go much deeper into a subject area. Their desire for knowledge, self-actualisation and a higher-level contribution may lead them to start thinking of pursuing a PhD in Management.

Being the highest degree awarded in any field of study, a PhD grooms scholars into developing a scientific bent of mind by conducting independent research.

A recent study of the worlds top CEOs on the Forbes List shows China in the lead with 33 per cent of its CEOs as PhD holders, while Europe a close second with 24 per cent of their top posts being filled by such scholars. India is a knowledge based-economy and is also seeing an upsurge in the number of PhDs over the past decade. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) data for 2016-17, more than 1,41,000 doctoral scholars were enrolled in Phd programmes across various disciplines including Arts, Agriculture, Computer Science, Education, Management, Law, Medicine, etc. This bodes well for India which is now on the cusp of spearheading various initiatives in education in its highest forms.

Requirements

Besides having credentials like a good academic record (for e.g. in India, a two-year masters or MPhil qualification from any accredited foreign or Indian university is normally expected), an analytical and investigative mind, a methodological orientation is needed. Another important requirement is a strong will and determination in order to be fully invested for five or more years in doctoral research.

Practical application

Some critics are of the view that many a times the kind of knowledge that is generated by PhD scholars may not be in tune with what is required by companies, societies and people at large. While this criticism may not always be true, however, PhD scholars should keep broader social, environmental and economic impact in mind while choosing topics, methods and overall research areas. Experienced supervisors would help nudge scholars in this direction. Management gurus such as Prof. Michael Porter have had immense influence on practice and a number of frameworks that we tend to use today in business schools and the corporate world have been influenced or directly derived from his Doctoral thesis of the 1970s. Thus, whether you decide to pick an area within digital marketing, forensic analytics or anything else , a wider impact analysis maybe required.

Career opportunities

Whilst the first port of call for a PhD scholar is academia, however, your opportunities are not just limited to a life in academic circles. Your achievement demonstrates a high level of research capability, methodological prowess and knowledge. It, therefore, opens up a wide avenue of other career options too  Banking and Finance, Equity Research, Management Consulting, Market Research, Venture Capital, Law and Public Policy think tanks to name a few. However, your choice of career post a PhD may also be influenced by the topic as well as methodological capability. Many of the options mentioned above would require an advanced quantitative methodological bent.

Thus, a PhD aspirant needs to think long and hard about his or her reasons for doing the programme. It requires tremendous interest in the area of investigation, motivation, good supervision and the zeal to imbibe further academic and non-academic skills on the way. Needless to say, it would also require a conversation with the family since you will need a lot of support from them on this journey.

What it entails

A PhD in Management is the highest degree awarded in management science to those who are studying and addressing knowledge gaps, phenomena, concepts and questions that are relevant to the industrial and business world. It inculcates a deeper ability to interpret, critically analyse and independently evaluate different methodologies and paradigms of research. If youre someone who is curious and likes to dive deeper into subjects, then a PhD is definitely ideal for you. If an MBA makes one skilled in many trades, a PhD makes one expert in a chosen field, standing out from the crowd. Once youve identified a broad area of interest, you need to have a funnel approach, i.e. the next step is to narrow it down to a specific area where you feel you can contribute through research. That narrow area, then becomes your research specialisation and from there on you invert the funnel to slowly start building and expanding on this area.

 The writer is Dean of School of Management, BML Munjal University, Gurgaonshalender@tribune.com

Google India has announced a fun, yet educational summer campaign that will help children across the country spend more time learning and making new discoveries, as well as teaching them how to become responsible explorers of the web. As part of the campaign, named #SummerWithGoogle, Google assigned an activity to the kids. They will release one assignment every week for four weeks, the tech giant said in a blogpost.

The assignment ranges from exploring the country that is home to all the Pandas in the world on Google Earth, to saying Gracias and Por Favor as they learn phrases in Spanish and other languages on Google Translate, to taking dramatic virtual tours of museums to make their own gallery on Google Arts & Culture; and ultimately building their very own app to share their summer experience.

Each assignment will also carry questions on the four fundamental codes of being Internet Awesome and teach the young internet explorers a lesson or two on how to be  Internet Smart, Internet Alert, Internet Strong, Internet Kind and Internet Brave, the blogpost said. Google has also partnered with Kidzania to set-up a Summer with Google experience zone where kids will be encouraged to take a virtual tour and learn about the essentials of being safe on the Internet.

On completing the tasks, up to 100 kids and their parents/ guardians, from across the country will get the opportunity to attend the summer camp with Google at Google Gurgaon or Hyderabad office, where they will get the first-hand experience of Google technology, indulge in fun activities and participate in quizzes. The campaign will combine real world projects with virtual learning experiences and will equip kids with the right digital skills so when they return to school post this summer, they are Internet Awesome. The assignments can be accessed on #SummerWithGoogle website and Googles social media.  IANS

Dr Kalams Vision scholarship

TKWs Institute of Banking & Finance is inviting applications for Dr Kalams Vision Scholarship for its undergraduate and postgraduate courses in banking & finance.

The aim of the scholarship is to identify and groom exceptional students who demonstrate leadership and vision of nation building. The scholarship has been divided into three parts each of Rs 2,70,000 for UG Course and Rs 2,25,000 for PG Course. It will be awarded to candidates who are able to create a compelling presentation on "Future vision of financial markets and economy".

Eligibility: 85 per cent mMarks in Class XII (for UG programme) and 60 per cent in graduation (for PG programme)

How to apply: Candidates should apply by submitting a Statement of Purpose (SOP) in about 500 words and a personal video recording explaining the SOP.

Website: www.tkwsibf.org

Deadline: June 30, 2018vinaymishra188@gmail.com

Manpriya Singh

While BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya dives into the rough waters of proposing to rename the derogatory term Bollywood, elsewhere a few days ago Priyanka Chopra cleared the air over it, especially the stereotypes. Bollywood is not a genre. Its an industry, she said on the Late Night Show With Seth Meyers, alluding to how the world-over the term Bollywood had been reduced to a bhangra or a zumba class with a certain kind of dancing, singing and stereotypical steps, and songs thrown in. Its not a flavour. How do you put a flavour to an entire industry? What would Hollywoods flavour be? Like cheese burger? she had said.

Issue of identity

Amitabh Bachchan has been among the most vocal in his objection to the term, followed by the likes of Rishi Kapoor, Govind Nihalani et al.

As for Bollywood (sorry, till another official term is coined), if they braved out Pahlaj Nihalani and censorship, they can certainly learn to live with the term. Like they did, about a decade-and-a-half ago when it was first included in The Oxford dictionary, later followed by Merriam-Websters Collegiate Dictionary, which included the word in its 11th edition.

Needless debate

Writer-director Abhishek Chaubey says, Its a needless debate. Filmmakers should focus on making better films. And itll be nice if the political class helps by easing or better, eliminating censorship. Real and relatable opinion coming from someone who actually initially battled the proposed 89 cuts for his film Udta Punjab.

Whats the point?

Divya Dutta feels it would be better if we just let the names be. There are far more important issues to address, she opines.

One solution

Actor Pankaj Tripathi feels the entire issue can be addressed with just one sentiment that needs to be shared by people. We already call it Hindi film industry. Period.

Quality matters

Bollywood was around even before Bombay became Mumbai. In a sense that makes the term a little more established. The industry-insiders hated it, but the Indian media lapped up the term originally coined by the foreign media. Personally speaking, actor Pavan Malhotra has a neutral stand, I always call it Hindi cinema, but I dont get offended when around the world they call it Bollywood because the term has such a strong association and recall value, he shares

We can make it simpler and call it Hindi cinema, Punjabi cinema, Assamese cinema with the term Indian cinema reserved for all the films made collectively in India. If the proposed change came from Kirron Kher Id understand, not from anyone who isnt remotely connected to movies. Even then there are more important things to look into first, he adds.

Meanwhile, all the suggestions are solicitedFilmistaan (again inspired, this time by a studio), Bhartiya Manoranjan Sangathan (sounds like a Hindi spelling test), The Indian Film Industry (TIFI)rchopra@tribunemail.com

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 5

We are making no U-turn in Kashmir or on policy on Pakistan, said Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while addressing a press conference here in New Delhi on Tuesday.

On being asked what had changed since the time Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said there was need to punish the Pak Army to the now announcement of a ceasefire, Sitharaman said: We are not doing a U-turn on Kashmir or Pakistan.

On being asked if the Army and MoD were on board to take the decision on having a ceasefire in Kashmir during the ongoing month of Ramzan, Sitharaman said: We honour the decision, it was a decision of Government. The Minister was addressing a press conference to mark four years of the Narendra Modi government.

Responding to questions on the firing along the Indo-Pak border despite the two sides agreeing for truce, the Minister said no unprovoked attack from across the border would go unanswered and defence forces had been given room to hit back.

We shall keep our borders safe; forces have been given room to respond to any unprovoked firing. We shall ensure that no unprovoked attack goes without a response, she said.

The Defence Minister said it is not her ministrys role to determine whether the ongoing Ramzan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir had been successful or not.

'No shortage of funds'

Just months after the Standing Committee of Parliament said there was shortage of modernisation funds, Sitharaman said: I want to dispel this image that we are short on funds.

Prioritise your wish list that is what we have told the forces, she said.

A report of the parliamentary standing committee in March quoted Lt Gen Sarath Chand, the Vice-Chief of the Indian Army, that the Budget 2018-19 has dashed all hopes of modernisation of the force, which is saddled with equipment, of which more than two-thirds is vintage.

At present, 33 per cent of the countrys capital expenses (new infrastructure and equipment) are mandated for the defence. Overall, the defence has some 12 per cent of the entire budget of the country.

Opening of roads in cantonments

The Minister said she had series of meetings with senior officers of the Army. We had requests from MPs of all partiesCongress, BJP, Shiv Sena, TMC, and AIADMK were present at meeting on May 4.

The Director General of Defence estates had given a list. A total 850 roads were under closure, out of these 119 roads were closed without following any procedure.

Only 80 out of 119 roads have been opened. There is lot of concern, the Minister said, adding that she had met the wives of armed forces officers. The Ministry is conscious of the concerns about unit lines are and areas where families are living.rchopra@tribunemail.com

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 5

As the southwest monsoon advances rapidly inside the Indian mainland, environment experts have sent alarm bells ringing over the levels of some of the reservoirs, especially in central India.

Himanshu Thakkar of Sandarp South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People says the water level in at least six reservoirs, especially in Bansagar and Rihand, is much higher than it should have been before the monsoon.

Fearing a repeat of the devastating floods in parts of Bihar and UP in 2016, he blames the poor management as the main reason behind the potentially dangerous situation again this year.

Obviously, reservoirs capacity is not being used properly. Dams come at a huge socio-economic cost. But while farmers and people are crying for water and rivers like the Ganga are in desperate need of rejuvenation, water levels in at least six reservoirs are currently much higher that what they should be ahead of the monsoon rain. It is nothing but poor management and building potential disaster.

Similar situation in Bansagar had led to massive floods in August 2016. The dams reservoirs were close to their maximum for the first half of August.

Ideally, the authorities should have slowly released water ahead of the rains to make room for more.

Why has water not been used? The dam is more than 45 per cent full whereas at this time its level should be much lower, says Thakkar.

Meanwhile, according to the IMD, the monsoon has further advanced into south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Rayalaseema, coastal Andhra Pradesh and the Bay of Bengal.

The Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) is currently passing through Shirali, Chitradurga, Arogyavaram, Sriharikota, Agartala, Lumding and north Lakhimpur.

Conditions are becoming favourable for its further advance into the central Arabian Sea, Karnataka and Rayalaseema, south Konkan, Goa, Telangana, coastal Andhra Pradesh and the central Bay of Bengal over the next 48 hours.

Conditions are also likely to become favourable for its further advance into Maharashtra, Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh in the subsequent 48 hours and into some parts of Gujarat, southern parts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and Sikkim around the end of this week.monicakchauhan@gmail.com

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, June 5

Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah will call on Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence on Wednesday evening, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut told reporters here.



Raut, editor of party mouthpiece Saamna, said Shah had sought an appointment with the Shiv Sena chief.

Read: Amit Shah to meet Badals in Chandigarh on June 7

"Everyone is welcome at Matoshree. There is no hidden agenda from the Shiv Sena's end for this meeting," Raut said.



Leaders of the BJP and the Sena said, Thackeray would meet Shah at Matoshree, the Thackerays residence, at 6 pm on Wednesday. Shah had sought an appointment with the Shiv Sena leader as part of the BJP's ongoing outreach programme to improve ties with its allies, BJP leaders said. They added that Shah was scheduled to meet Akali Dal leaders Prakash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir on Thursday.



On Sunday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had requested the top leadership of the BJP to help reach out to the Thackerays. Fadnavis admitted to reporters that both the BJP and the Shiv Sena would find the going tough in the 2019 Lok Sabha and assembly elections if they were to contest alone.



After the BJP won the by-election to the Palghar Lok Sabha seat by the defeating the Shiv Sena candidate, Thackeray had called the national party its main enemy that needed to be defeated.



The Shiv Sena chief also accused the BJP of influencing the Election Commission to facilitate tampering of voters lists and Electronic Voting Machines to win the poll.monicakchauhan@gmail.com

New Delhi, June 5

A Delhi court on Tuesday summoned Congress leader Shashi Tharoor as an accused in the case related to his wife Sunanda Pushkar's death and asked him to appear before it on July 7, saying there were sufficient grounds to proceed against him.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal took cognisance of the offences of alleged abetment of suicide and committing cruelty by Tharoor towards Pushkar.

"I have heard the prosecutor. I have gone through and perused the charge sheet and the documents filed along with it. On the basis of police report (charge sheet), I take cognisance of offence of abetment of suicide of late Sunanda Pushkar and committing cruelty upon her by Dr Shashi Tharoor," the judge said.

"There exists sufficient grounds to proceed against Tharoor for commission of offences of Section 306 and 498 A of IPC. Issue summons to him for appearance for July 7," the court added.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, Tharoor called the allegations "preposterous and baseless, the product a malicious and vindictive campaign", and asked the press to respect his privacy.

On May 28, the court had reserved its order on whether to summon Tharoor as an accused in the case.

The Delhi Police had on May 14 accused the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram of abetting Pushkar's suicide and told a city court that he should be summoned as an accused in the four-and-half year-old case, claiming there was sufficient evidence against him.

In a nearly 3,000-page charge sheet, the police has named Tharoor as the only accused while also alleging that he had subjected his wife to cruelty. It had also urged the court to summon Tharoor as an accused.

The couple's domestic servant, Narayan Singh, has been named one of the key witnesses in the case.

Pushkar was found dead in a luxury hotel room on the night of January 17, 2014.

The Congress leader has been charged under sections 498 A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code.

Under Section 498A, the maximum punishment is up to three years of imprisonment, while jail term up to 10 years is prescribed under Section 306.

An FIR was registered by Delhi Police on January 1, 2015 against unknown persons under IPC section 302 (murder).

According to prosecution sources, the chargesheet mentions that Pushkar was allegedly subjected to mental as well as physical cruelty. Tharoor has not been arrested in the case.

Tharoor's statement



The MP's statement has been fully reproduced here.

I have taken notice of the developments in the case being heard by the Hon'ble Judge of the Patiala House Court in relation to the circumstances surrounding the untimely demise of my late wife, Mrs. Sunanda Pushkax Tharoor. As I understand, the court has issued summons against my name and I have been asked to appear before the court on Saturday, 7th July 2018.

I would like to point out that, from the very start, I have fully cooperated with the investigating team and continue to maintain that due legal process must be followed in all aspects related to this case.

I would like to reiterate my position that I find the charges preposterous and baseless, the product of a malicious and vindictive campaign against myself. I will continue to vigorously contest these charges and maintain my steadfast conviction that ultimately the truth will prevail through the judicial system that we are privileged to have in our country.

In the meantime, I would like to request the media to respect my right to privacy as well as that of my family. Given that the matter is sub-judice, I will refrain from commenting on this issue further until such time as the next scheduled hearing of the case.

Shashi Tharooreditorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 5

Over two months after the Standing Committee of Parliament pointed out that there was shortage of funds to modernise the armed forces, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said she wanted to dispel this notion as no such shortage existed.

Shortage is not the truth. Prioritise your wish list is what we have told the forces as some of the projects are pending since 2004, said Sitharaman while reeling off figures of defence budget allocation over the past four-five years. The minister was addressing a press conference to mark four years of the Narendra Modi government.

On March 13, the committee report quoted Lt Gen Sarath Chand, Army Vice-Chief, to mention that the Budget 2018-19 had dashed all hopes of modernisation of the force, which is saddled with equipment, more than two-thirds of which is vintage.

Asked what had changed since the period Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat said there was need to punish the Pakistan army to the latest announcement of a ceasefire, Sitharaman said: We are not doing a U-turn on Kashmir or Pakistan... We honour the (ceasefire) decision; it has been taken by the Centtre.

On opening of roads in cantonments, she said, In all, 850 roads were closed  119 without following due procedure Only 80 of the 119 roads have been opened... The ministry is aware of the concerns about unit lines and areas where families of Army staff are living.editorial@tribune.com

Bijay Sankar Bora

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, June 5

Even as the situation has remained calm but tense in curfew-bound Meghalaya capital Shillong for the last 48 hours, a sense of security is yet to be restored among the residents, especially those living in Punjabi Lane, or Sweepers Lane, in the heart of the city.

How can we feel secure when the state government has formed a high-level committee to explore ways to relocate our colony (Punjabi Lane), said Gurjeet Singh, a leader of the Punjabi Lane community.

He said there were some 350 families living in the Punjabi Lane with a population of about 2,500 people. Some of them were working with the Shillong Municipal Board while a majority of others owned small businesses. Singh, however, failed to specify how many of the community members were employed with the civic body as pressure groups comprising local tribal outfits had alleged that the colony, located in the main business hub in the city, had become a den of illegal settlers. These groups have been demanding the genuine settlers be relocated and illegal ones evicted.

Former Meghalaya Home Minister RG Lyngdoh told The Tribune, Shifting the Punjabi Lane colony will not be as easy as it is being thought. This is an age-old habitat with religious institutions, schools, health centre, etc. Over the years, it indeed has developed into a very congested area where some frustrated elements have taken shelter too. The forming of a committee to look into various aspects of the issue is a welcome gesture, though a delayed one.

The violence in the hill city was triggered following an eve-teasing incident on Thursday at the Punjabi Lane where a few residents allegedly roughed up three local tribal boys.

Though the two parties reached a compromise at police station the same day, a huge mob converged at the Punjabi Lane on Thursday night, prompting the police to fire teargas shells and resort to cane-charge. The police snapped internet services in and around Shillong, which is still continuing, following rumours in the social media that one of the three tribal boys had died.

The incident revived the long-standing demand for shifting the Punjabi Lane settlers from the prime of the city. With some vested interests, as alleged by CM Conrad Sangma, instigating and sponsoring agitators brought from outside, the problem is taking time to subside.

Living here for more than 150 years

"Our forefathers were settled here by a tribal king way back in 1853. We have land papers too. In the 1990s, even the High Court had barred the state government from relocating our colony. The issue is now pending before the National Commission for Minorities and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes." Gurjeet Singh, Punjabi lane residenteditorial@tribune.com

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 5

Battle lines for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections will be drawn when Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday lands in states Mandsaur area where six protesting farmers were killed during police action last year.

For a year now, former party MP Meenakshi Natarajan has been holding padyatra in this area once every month as part of Congress Mandsaur outreach.

Ground laid, Gandhi will be in Mandsaur to mark the anniversary of the farmer killings. He will start his tour with a visit to affected families followed by an address of solidarity with the ongoing farmers movement across India.The ruling BJP is evidently jittery as is the Congress, which is determined to make farm distress their principal canvassing point not just against the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh but also PM Narendra Modi-ruled India.

On the eve of Gandhis rally, tensions in both Congress and BJP camps were palpable. A veteran Congress man and a sitting party general secretary wanted to know why the MP Government had purchased 10,000 lathis in bulk in the recent days. Do they want to arm the policemen on duty in Mandsaur tomorrow? he said.

Local party leaders are also wary of the bonds Madhya Pradesh Police are asking local farmers to fill under Section 107 of the CrPC suspecting breach of peace. The police have been getting Section 107 CrPC bonds signed from all farmers. They do not want farmers to attend Rahul Gandhis rally tomorrow. They are so nervous, said a Congress leader from MP.

Gandhi, meanwhile, is preparing to use Mandsaur as the prop to send a message of solidarity to farmers who form a formidable voting chunk. Present at the rally will be states top Congress brass, including party unit chief Kamal Nath and his colleague in LS Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Karnataka leaders meet Cong chief

Congress leaders from Karnataka, including former CM Siddharamaiah, ex-deputy CM G Parameswara, on Tuesday met Rahul Gandhi and briefed him about Wednesdays Cabinet expansion plans in the state. In Bengaluru, CM HD Kumaraswamy said at least nine MLAs from the JD(S) will be inducted in the first phase of Cabinet expansion of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government. As per the agreement, the Congress has been allocated 22 ministerial berths and JD(S) 12.rchopra@tribunemail.com

Chennai, June 5

The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced banning the use of plastic items, including non-biodegradable bags, from January 2019 in the interest of the environment and to gift a plastic-free state to future generations.

Chief Minister K Palaniswamis announcement in the state assembly coincided with International Environment Day on Tuesday.

Late chief minister J Jayalalithaa had earlier constituted an expert panel on the issue that had suggested banning plastic products, including bags, plates and cups, and recommended that traditional items such as plantain leaves and plates made of palm leaves be used, Palaniswami said.

The Chief Minister said non-biodegradable plastic products, mainly polythene covers, affected the environment, impeding water flow.

Its burning also caused problems, he said, adding that plastic products contributed to various forms of pollution--air, land and water.

Considering the damage caused by plastic, and to ensure this is not left behind for future generations, the government has decided to ban non-biodegradable plastic covers, plates, cups, water packets, straws and bags, he said.

However, plastic sachets used to pack milk, curd and oil, besides those used to wrap medical products, would be exempted from the ban, Palaniswami said.

The ban is brought under an environment protection act of 1986 and would come into effect from January 1, 2019, so as to allow people to change over to using paper bags and other products made out of paper as substitutes to the plastic items facing ban, he said.

Palaniswami recalled that peoples participation in the past for a rainwater harvesting scheme introduced by Jayalalithaa had resulted in success, as it had led to better groundwater resources.

Similarly, with the cooperation and contribution of all, let us gift a plastic-free Tamil Nadu for the future generations of the state, he added. PTIeditorial@tribune.com

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 5

Amid speculation that veterans LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi may contest the next General Election, top BJP leaders say it is too early to make any such assumption or shortlist candidates for the polls scheduled almost a year henceforth.

Political buzz around the issue gained ground following Prime Minister Narendra Modis reported meeting with Gujarat veteran Advani (90), apparently to ask him to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

While the speculation is contrary to the 75-year age bar set by Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah for contesting elections, a top BJP leader recently told The Tribune that it was too early to start talking of candidates for the 2019 elections. And in any case who knows how situation will pan in a years time, he said on the sidelines of a lunch hosted by Shah on completion of four years of the BJP government at the Centre.

BJP leaders also claim the PM was in regular touch with the veterans and that Advani could be pushing for a ticket for his daughter Pratibha. However, the top leadership is more inclined towards his son Jayant, who is keen on full-time politics and had campaigned for his father in Gandhinagar along with his sister, a leader says.

Advani, who led the front against Modi being given the charge of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, won Gandhinagar seat but has since been marginalised, relegated to the margdarshak mandal along with Joshi (84). But with the Opposition getting together to mount an anti-BJP front, Shah may as well be looking at change of tack, preferring winability and respectability over the age factor. After all, he did relax the age bar for BJPs chief ministerial candidate for Karnataka elections BS Yeddyurappa (75) and to an extent for PK Dhumal, who was 73 years old when Himachal polled, last year.

This apart, the new BJP under Modi and Shah is also struggling with another set of perceptions  of ignoring its veterans. It goes without saying that the margdarshak mandal has not held a single meeting since its inception in 2014. Another viewpoint is that if the BJP and allies fall short of the halfway mark in 2019, the PM and Shah will not find a helping hand from anywhere. And this is where benefits of having acceptable-to-all leaders like Advani and Joshi will come in.

Preferring winability over age bar?editorial@tribune.com

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 5

Call it a coincidence or selection on merit, at least 20 law officers appointed during the previous SAD-BJP government have been re-engaged during the selection of law officers by the Congress government, generating a fresh controversy in the Congress circles. The matter has now reached the office of Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Upset over not being considered, advocates aligned with Congress leaders have shot off a detailed complaint  with names of the candidates and their political connections  on the official mail ID of the party president. Gurvinder Singh Sandhu, a Chandigarh-based lawyer, who has been associated with the Punjab Congress, has complained on the official twitter handle of Rahul Gandhi.

My resentment is that most of the lawyers associated with the Congress, who stood with the party for 10 years when it was out of power, have been ignored. A number of lawyers who are Akali-BJP supporters and have been working in the previous AG office and opposing petitions filed by Congress leaders, including that of Capt Amarinder Singh and his family members, have been re-engaged, said Sandhu.

Among those who have been re-engaged include Bhavna Gupta, Harsimrat Rai, Amarjit Khurana, Nikhil Chopra, GS Cheema, Harsimran Sethi, Manoj Bajaj, Sonu Chahal and Kirat Singh Sidhu, a close relative of Akali leader Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal.amansharma@tribunemail.com

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 5

A day after he touches base with Maharashtra ally Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai, BJP chief Amit Shah will hold a closed-door meeting with top leaders of NDA's Punjab ally - the Akali Dal.

BJP's Punjab president Shwait Malik confirmed that Shah will meet SAD patriarch Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Badal on June 7 in Chandigarh. "It is part of the party president's ongoing 'Sampark for Samarthan' (contact for support) nationwide campaign and has nothing to do with recent Lok Sabha bypolls results," he said.

"It is a normal routine of the party president that wherever he goes he takes inputs from the ground and also gives guidelines to the cadres. He also meets leaders of the NDA, which in this case is the Akali Dal.

"He will also hold meetings with BJP cadres and some eminent personalities from the region as part of the ongoing abiyaan," Malik said.

This apart, the meetings comes at a time when the BJP is facing tough time with most allies, including the JD(U), which is demanding that its chief Nitish Kumar be announced the NDA face in Bihar.

The JD (U) has insisted that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is the leader of the alliance and it has been the "senior partner" in the state, indicating that it should get a major share. The Akali Dal has also openly made observations on "treatment" by the senior ally to its junior partners.editorial@tribune.com

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Beas, June 5

Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu released fish seeds into the Beas to mark World Environment Day on Tuesday. With the process of fish restocking caught in an official rigmarole and the report of the World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF) yet to take shape, the minister took the lead and did his bit.

Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner KS Sangha, MLA Baba Bakala Santokh Singh Bhalaipur, Sidhu reached the river banks and boarded a motorboat.

Fish seeds were thrown into the river, with Sidhu holding a placard spreading a save environment message.

Terming the recent molasses spillage a massive disaster, Sidhu conveyed the message of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who had cancelled his visit to the Beas on May 26.

Capt Sahibs message is that we have to undo the damage and restore the faith of the people. After learning that the river was free of contamination, fish were released into it. The people should not dump waste, especially plastic and puja articles, into rivers, he said.

Deputy Director, Fisheries, Raj Kumar said 10,000 seeds of small Indian carp fish varieties like rohu (Labeo rohita), other carps like catla (Labeo catla) and mrigal carp (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) have been arranged from the government-run feed seed farm located at Rajasansi. The local varieties of fish seed are available at government-run farm. As far as fish restocking is concerned, we are awaiting a nod from the headquarters. It may take us another three years to bring things back to normal, he said.

Tonnes of fish that died due to molasses spill on May 17 were supposed to breed in the coming monsoon. Indus dolphins and gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), an Indian variety of crocodiles, added recently to the Beas, eat only fish. These creatures wont have much to feed on. Besides, the river needs to be restocked at the earliest as the fish-eating migratory birds will converge on Harike in November.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 5

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday called upon the state industry to take appropriate steps to check pollution, while stressing the need for curtailing paddy cultivation to save fast depleting water resources.

He was addressing a gathering during the launch of Mission Tandarust Punjab at IISER here. The mission is aimed at creating a healthy environment for people through clean air, water and food.

Capt Amarinder expressed serious concern over the pollution of rivers, which, he said, needed to be stopped immediately.

He also launched Tandarust Punjab booklet and Ghar Ghar Haryali app for providing information about saplings available with the Forest Department as per season.

The CM presented saplings of sandalwood tree to 13 eco-conservationists. He also launched Mission Green Mohali to plant one crore trees in three years.

Forest and Wildlife Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot announced that the Forest Department would provide one lakh saplings of sandalwood to farmers for planting along the boundaries of their fields. He said the department had set a target to plant eight crore saplings of various kinds across the state.

Environment Minister OP Soni urged the CM to take stringent steps to check the inflow of untreated water and effluent into the rivers.

Padma Shri Sewa Singh Khadoor Sahib advocated the need to shun the practice of stubble-burning and throwing sacks of waste into the rivers.

Hoshiarpur: Industries Minister Sunder Sham Arora on Tuesday said strict action would be initiated against industrial units indulging in polluting environment and causing damage to flora and fauna. Talking to the media after launching Mission Tandarust Punjab in the district, he said the Punjab Pollution Control Board was carrying out checks to identify units violating pollution norms.

Fatehgarh Sahib: Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu launched Mission Tandarust Punjab by planting a sapling here on Tuesday. He said Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had taken the initiative to provide clean drinking water, better air and unadulterated food to improve both physical and mental health of the people of Punjab. He said: If we do not take immediate steps to control growing pollution, our coming generations will curse us. MLAs Kuljit Singh Nagra and Gurpreet Singh GP were among those present.

Ropar: Higher Education and Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Razia Sultana launched the scheme in Ropar. She said people would be sensitised about clean air, water and healthy food.editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, June 5

Farmers of Gurne Kalan village of the district on Tuesday detained a team of officials of the Punjab Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank (PADB), Lehra, that had arrived to recover loan amount from a farmer for three hours.

My father had taken a loan of Rs 5 lakh for which the bank officials had been threatening me for the last many days. On Tuesday, when they came to recover the loan amount, I called BKU Ugrahan leaders and apprised them of the situation, said Sukhjiwan Singh, a farmer.

After getting a call from Sukhjiwan, other farmers from his village and BKU Ugrahan leaders from adjoining villages reached Gurne Kalan village and detained the officials.

We will not allow bank officials to harass small farmers. They must start recovery from big farmers rather than troubling small farmers. We released the officials after they promised that they will not harass any small farmer in future, said Dharminder Pashore, Lehragaga block president, BKU (Ugrahan).

However, Lehragaga bank manager Surinder Garg denied the allegation of threatening the farmer.

On Tuesday, we came only to convince Sukhjiwan to repay the loan that he had taken to construct his house in 2015. We will send the report to our seniors, he added.rchopra@tribunemail.com

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 5

Veteran Akali leader and former Nakodar MLA Kuldip Singh Wadala passed away on Tuesday following a cardiac arrest.

He was 86.

He is survived by four sons and three daughters. His son Gurpartap Wadala is the Nakodar MLA while his son-in-law Arvinder Bains is an IAS officer.

Though Wadala contested at least four times, he became MLA only once in 1985 defeating his cousin and Congress leader Umrao Singh. The two fought against one another in the 1980 Assembly polls and 1993 Lok Sabha Jalandhar bypolls too and on both occasions Umrao Singh won. Sharing a very warm relation otherwise, they indulged in very healthy politics. As soon as elections would be over, they would shun their differences and sit together, said ex-MLA Jagbir Brar, whose wife is closely related to the Wadalas.

Considered one of the most intellectual Akali leaders from the region of the 1980s and 1990s, he was well-connected with the national leadership of those times, including Harkishan Singh Surjit and Sharad Yadav. Armed with a BSc (agriculture) degree and a good command of English, he even used to write articles in papers, his favourite topics being French, Russian and Pakistan economies, said Principal Jaspal Singh of Guru Nanak National College, Nakodar, of which Wadala was a patron.

Originally hailing from a family of landlords of Pakistan, he had moved to Srin village in Nakodar. But the family lives at Wadala village near Jalandhar. This house was the venue of all meetings regarding the Longowal pact. All prominent Akali and SGPC leaders, including Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Parkash Singh Badal and Gurcharan Singh Tohra, used to sit here and do the planning, Jaspal Singh recalled.

In 1996, Wadala had left the Akali Dal owing to differences with Badal and formed his own party SAD (Democratic). However, the party merged with the SAD (Badal) in 2004. He had last contested elections from Nakodar in 2007 which he lost. Since then his son Gurpartap has been contesting and has won on both occasions.

Though Wadala could not speak clearly for the past few years, he still remained active and used to hold press conferences regularly demanding a safe corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to Kartarpur gurdwala in Pakistan, where Guru Nanak lived for 18 years.No bail for Aryan Khan today, court to pass order on his plea on October 20

The star kid has been sent back to Arthur Jailmonicakchauhan@gmail.com

Manila, June 5

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte drew condemnation after kissing a Filipino woman onstage during his visit to South Korea, prompting outraged activists to call it "disgusting".

Duterte's previous comments on women, including rape jokes and incitations to shoot women guerillas in the vagina have resulted in angry charges of misogyny against him.

During the appearance late on Sunday in front of a mostly Filipino crowd, Duterte called the woman onstage and pointed to his lips.

"Come here! Where's my (kiss)," Duterte said, instructing her to explain to her husband -- after learning he was not among the audience -- that they were engaging in a "joke".

"Don't take it seriously. It's just for fun, a gimmick," Duterte later told the crowd, who mostly shrieked in apparent approval.

But the women's rights political party Gabriela in a statement denounced Duterte for his "perverted way of getting back at his women critics".

"Gabriela views President Duterte's recent kissing of a migrant Filipina during his meet-and-greet with Filipino (workers)... as the disgusting theatrics of a misogynist president who feels entitled to demean, humiliate or disrespect women according to his whim," it added.

Duterte has fought publicly with powerful women who criticised his deadly narcotics crackdown and human rights record.

He labelled the now-ousted head of the nation's judiciary, Maria Lourdes Sereno, an "enemy" before her colleagues on the Supreme Court sacked her last month.

Duterte critic Senator Leila de Lima is behind bars on charges she insists are politically motivated after battling with the president.

In this case, the unidentified woman told the state-run Philippine News Agency in an interview that "there was no malice" to what the president did.

Duterte, who has a daughter by his current partner after splitting from his wife, is wildly popular at home but has angered many Filipinos for his allegedly misogynistic comments.

In the 2016 presidential election campaign Duterte sparked controversy over comments made on the rape and killing of an Australian missionary during a prison riot in the southern city of Davao in 1989 while he was the mayor.

"What occurred to me was they gang-raped her," he said then. "I was angry because she was raped. But she was so beautiful the mayor should have been first. What a waste." In February this year he told a local audience foreign women did not attract him because they have a "queer odour" unlike Filipinas who were "fragrant".

A day later while meeting a group of former communist rebels Duterte joked he would have specific orders for how the military would treat female guerrillas.

"We won't kill you. We will just shoot your vagina so that if there is no vagina, it would be useless," he said. AFPuttara@tribuneindia.com

Washington, June 5

A 28-year-old Indian-American, who was raised Hindu before converting to Islam, has been sentenced to five years in jail for passport fraud and making false statements in his application to join the US military.

Shivam Patel, a supporter of the Islamic State terror group, told an FBI undercover employee that he wanted to commit jihad, the US Justice Department said.

The Williamsburg, Virginia man was sentenced on Tuesday to five years in prison for passport fraud and making false statements in his application to join the US military, it said in a press release.

Patel was also ordered to pay $4,000 in fines in connection with two counts of making false statements during his military application process, The Virginian-Pilot reported.

According to court documents and prosecutors, the newspaper said Patel was raised Hindu before converting to Islam several years ago.

According to court documents, Patel, who has a degree in criminal justice from Virginia State University, travelled to China in July 2016 to teach English. While there, he grew displeased with how that country treated Muslims.

His employer arranged for Patel to fly back to Virginia in August 2016, but, instead, Patel travelled to Jordan, where he was arrested a few days later for unspecified reasons. Court documents said Patel told taxi drivers and others in Jordan that he supported the Islamic State.

Patel told an undercover employee and a confidential source that he wanted to join a "Muslim army" and commit jihad.

He explained he went to Jordan in part to find like-minded Muslims. He said he wanted to do something "bigger, better, and more purposeful".

A search of Patel's computer showed he researched how to join the Islamic State before he left for China.

After returning to the US, he applied to join the Army and Air Force. When asked about his prior foreign travel as part of his applications, Patel did not disclose his trips to China or Jordan.

After he was asked to show an Army recruiter his passport, which would have revealed his prior travel to the recruiter, he filed an application for a new passport, falsely claiming that he had accidentally thrown his old passport away.

US special agents from the FBI recovered his original passport, which documented his undisclosed travel, when they arrested him in July 2017.

Patel pleaded guilty to the charges on February 8 and the US District Judge Mark S. Davis accepted the plea.

Judge Davis said Patel's case was more serious than the typical false statement cases filed in federal court. He said Patel's attempt to join the military was "clearly some reason for concern".

"It's all very troubling," The Virginian-Pilot quoted him as saying.

Patel faced a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. PTIA personal account of addictions

Deborah McBride shares how she healed her drug and alcohol addiction. Why is that we reach out for something outside of us to dull ourselves from what life brings and we think we cannot cope with: why are alcohol and drugs such an enticing option and how do we kick addiction to the kerb?

READ MORE INJune 5 2018

Ogilvie Construction has begun delivery of a 9.3m apartment development in Currie, Edinburgh , which will deliver 53 properties on behalf of Dunaven Homes.





Billed as a rural retreat in close proximity to the city centre River Mill boasts a woodland setting overlooking the Water of Leith on a steeply sloping bank falling from Lanark Road West.





Designed by Yeoman McAllister the homes include are arranged across five stepped blocks opening out to south facing rear elevations overlooking the river.





All properties will come with their own balcony or terrace with the street frontage to Lanark Road West kept below that of existing houses opposite. These will be set back from the road by a distance of some 6m, accessible by an entrance bridge with undercroft parking below.





A shared parking court would separate this element from the riverside properties.June 5 2018

Highland Council have moved to purchase a vacant office block at Bridge Street, Inverness, as part of moves to establish the Inverness Castle as a new tourism destination through an intervention of high architectural value.





Currently undermined by its less than salubrious surrounds the local authority is keen to overhaul the site to give a better impression to visitors and stimulate the economy in the process once its current court house functions transfer to a new Justice Centre





This will free up the historic castle to become visitor centre which celebrates the culture, history and natural beauty of the Highlands.





Rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing commented: This will create a once in a generation opportunity for future redevelopment for the city and the Highlands to create something special of high architectural value - precisely the opposite of the existing buildings.







1.5 million of the Scottish Governments City Region Deal investment will be used to fund the redevelopment of Upper Bridge Street which marks another important step in turning Inverness Castle into an attraction of international importance that both the people of Inverness and the Highlands more widely can be proud of.







A community consultation will be held in the coming months to agree on the best course of action.UW Bulletin Details Post-Fire Ponderosa Pine Restoration at Rogers Research Site

University of Wyoming undergraduate student Kristina Kline, left, and bulletin co-author Stephanie Winters mark the edge of a subplot before starting a ponderosa pine seedling survival survey in July 2017. (Linda van Diepen Photo)

A new University of Wyoming bulletin contributes to the building knowledge base of post-fire ponderosa pine restoration across Wyoming and the West.

UW faculty members, students and others are exploring best management practices for restoring a ponderosa pine forest following the 2012 Arapaho Fire, which burned about 98,000 acres in the north Laramie Mountains of southeast Wyoming.

The group is conducting the ongoing study at the 320-acre Rogers Research Site (RRS) in extreme northeast Albany County. The fire killed the majority of ponderosa at the site, which is owned by UW and managed by the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (WAES) within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

In 2015, a UW faculty-student team launched the long-term project at RRS to investigate the impacts of different restoration treatments applied to the post-fire landscape. Early findings are detailed in RRS Bulletin 5, titled Restoration of Ponderosa Pine Following High-Intensity Fire, Rogers Research Site, North Laramie Mountains, Wyoming. B-1298.5.

Ponderosa pine has evolved to survive frequent, low-intensity fires, which clear out the understory. But high-severity fires such as the Arapaho, which occurred during a severe drought, are killing the thick-barked trees. Research is still evolving to determine best management practices for restoring ponderosa forests following such fires.

Extreme wildfire seasons are occurring concurrently with drought, and our research is trying to determine if utilizing management practices like broadcast-seeding ponderosa pine seed or hand-planting seedlings are viable options for reforestation, says co-author Stephanie Winters, a graduate student in the UW Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

We also are trying to determine how soil microbiology and biogeochemistry change following a high-severity fire in a ponderosa pine ecosystem and how soil ecology is linked to seedling regeneration, she says.

Linda van Diepen, an assistant professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, bulletin co-author and Winters faculty adviser, says preliminary results emphasize the difficulty of ponderosa pine restoration in dry environments where climate change and forest management practices, including long-term fire suppression, have resulted in more frequent high-severity fires.

Ponderosa pine regeneration following high-intensity wildfire is limited in mid-elevation, lower montane, dry forests in the Rocky Mountain region, including areas like the Laramie Mountains and RRS, van Diepen says. This is due to a reduction of seed supplies from living trees, warming temperatures and limited precipitation.

The study at RRS was initiated by co-authors Mollie Herget, while a UW graduate student from Jacksonville, Ill., along with her faculty adviser, UW Professor Steve Williams, who is now retired. Their goals were to determine which method of introducing ponderosa to the burned site is most effective for forest regeneration: natural regeneration, planting seedlings or planting ponderosa seed.

Of the original 2,400 seedlings that were planted in 2015, only 146 were still alive last year, a survival rate of 6.1 percent. At the same time, however, little natural regeneration has been observed.

The study also examines whether various timber-cutting treatments and the planting of native grass seed help re-establish ponderosa pine. Winters and van Diepen, with the help of others, will conduct additional surveys at RRS this year. They also will examine whether the various treatments affect soil biogeochemistry and the microbial community, and whether there is a correlation with forest restoration success.

Robert Waggener, WAES editor and bulletin co-author, says ongoing research at RRS is following the wishes of Col. William C. Rogers, who bequeathed his land in the north Laramie Mountains to UW in 2002. Rogers stipulated that the property be used to conduct research relating to the improvement of forestry and wildlife resources in the area.

Colonel Rogers, who believed in the education of young people, would be very pleased knowing that UW graduate and undergraduate students are carrying out studies in collaboration with their faculty mentors and others, Waggener says.

The bulletin is available at www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/centers/sarec/resources/rogers-research-site-bulletins.html or in PDF form at www.wyoextension.org/agpubs/pubs/B1298-5.pdf.Wyoming Conservation Corps Begins Summer 2018 Projects

Wyoming Conservation Corps member Jessica Litch works on a trail improvement project on the Medicine Bow National Forest in 2017. The corps has begun its summer 2018 projects. (UW Photo)

Projects ranging from building trails to preserving historic buildings at sites around Wyoming will be conducted this summer by members of the Wyoming Conservation Corps (WCC).

University of Wyoming students will gain valuable experience while developing leadership and outdoor skills on nearly 30 projects, including trail maintenance and construction, fencing, tree planting, building maintenance, habitat restoration, beetle kill mitigation and invasive species removal.

Administered by Residence Life and Dining Services in UWs Division of Student Affairs, WCC is a grant-supported AmeriCorps program that engages members in conservation-based projects throughout the state. Founded in 2006, the WCC continues the civil service tradition of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s and Youth Conservation Corps of the 1970s. Hundreds of students have completed projects relating to energy, wildlife, recreation, grazing, timber management, public lands restoration and maintenance, and water and air quality.

For the second year, the WCC includes a Wyoming Veterans Trail Crew (WyVTC), funded by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, Serve Wyoming, the Recreation Trails Program and Rocky Mountain Power.

Projects being completed this summer by the WCC are:

May 28-June 6 -- Fencing with the Rawlins Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM); signs/trails/reclamation with the Wyoming Wilderness Association; fencing with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

June 11-20 -- Historic preservation and building maintenance at Fort Bridger State Historic Site; beetle kill mitigation at Sinks Canyon State Park; historic preservation and building maintenance at Guernsey State Park; trails with Wyoming Pathways at Pole Mountain.

June 25-July 4 -- Chainsaw/habitat restoration in the Clear Creek Conservation District (Johnson County); trails with Wyoming Pathways in Lander; trails in the Shoshone National Forest.

July 9-18 -- Trails and chainsaw work in the Medicine Bow National Forest; trails with the Sheridan Community Land Trust as well as Buffalo Bill State Park; chainsaw/habitat restoration with the BLMs Casper Field Office; reservoir construction/trails/chainsaw work at Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area west of Sheridan.

July 23-Aug. 1 -- Fencing in the Bridger-Teton National Forest; trails with Wyoming Pathways at Pole Mountain; trails/chainsaw work at Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area; trails and chainsaw work in the Medicine Bow National Forest.

Aug. 6-15 -- Fencing with the BLMs Buffalo Field Office; trails with the Casper Rotary Club; trails and invasive species removal at Medicine Lodge State Historic Site; trails in the Bighorn National Forest.

WCC members, listed by hometown, are:

Crew leaders

Brighton, Colo. -- Will Dutcher.

Casper -- Kevin Jacobs.

Cheyenne -- Bryan McInerney.

Freehold, N.J. -- Ryan Jackson.

Green River -- Savannah Hook.

Nederland, Colo. -- Tre Trofi.

Riverton -- Kate Gamble.

Torrington -- Kayla Matlock.

Crew members

Amesbury, Mass. -- Nathan Cote.

Carrboro, N.C. -- Zachary Videman.

Centennial, Colo. -- Andrew Wee.

Centralia, Wash. -- Taylor Johnson.

Cheyenne -- Eli Ellis, Anthony Farmer, Hannah Jankovsky and Rison Lain.

Columbia, Mont. -- Lily Salzer.

Fremont, Calif. -- Tate Beddingfield.

Fountain, Colo. -- Celest Prall.

Grand Junction, Colo. -- Teran Palmer.

Green River -- Amanda Carson and Russell Smalstig.

Hartford, Ind. -- Whitley Felver.

Kemmerer -- Johnny Stetzenbach.

Laramie -- Gabe Selting and Cannon Stuckert.

Marietta, Ga. -- Luke Cleveland.

Overland Park, Kan. -- J.D. Putnam.

River Forest, Ill. -- Alex Brockman.

Rockford, Ill. -- Emma Fenelon.

Rockford, Minn. -- Katie Cichy.

Walpole, Mass. -- Matthew Roche.

WyVTC members are:

Carlsbad, Calif. -- Kahal Lattin.

Cheyenne -- Alex Gunter.

Douglas -- Colt Parris.

Eagle Pass, Texas -- Caleb Johnson.

Laramie -- Cody DeBoer.

Susanville, Calif. -- Coleton Lindsey.

Waupaca, Wis. -- Jozsef Kapitany.

Worland -- Justin Wolf.

The WyVTC, meanwhile, is working with Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites to develop, dig and maintain trails in individual state parks and historic sites all across Wyoming. Here is the schedule for its work:

May 28-June 6 -- Glendo State Park.

June 11-20 -- Glendo State Park.

June 25-July 4 -- South Pass City State Historic Site.

July 9-18 -- Curt Gowdy State Park.

July 23-Aug. 1 -- Curt Gowdy State Park.

Aug. 6-15 -- Hot Springs State Park.

Project hosts and sponsors for this years WCC projects are: Nature Ltd., BP, Wyoming Wilderness Association, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, BLM Rawlins Field Office, Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites, Clear Creek Conservation District, Wyoming Pathways, Shoshone National Forest, Medicine Bow National Forest, Bighorn National Forest, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Sheridan Community Land Trust, Devon Energy, BLM Casper Field Office, Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area, BLM Buffalo Field Office and Casper Rotary Club.Start your day with Sunrise, a roundup of B.C. news and opinions delivered straight to your inbox

Start your day with Sunrise, delivered straight to your inbox

Sign up now>It is said that only when being grown in the village, this kind of winter melon breed can have such giant weights. Many people came there to take the seeds, but they havent mastered the secret to super-sized melons. - Being unique in Vietnam, however, to date there has not yet a trademark for the giant winter melon. - Many people in the village worried that if the winter melon prices are so low, they will turn to other crops.The proposed Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai.- Photo courtesy of Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV)

JFV, which was selected by ACV after six months of bidding procedures, includes leading consulting and design firms with years of experience in the airport construction industry.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Lai Xuan Thanh, ACV chairman, said that ACV had been conducting international bidding procedures since November 2017.

Thanh said the feasibility study would be carried out from June 2018 to June 2019 and would be assessed from July 2019 to September 2019 before being submitted to the National Assembly for review in October 2019.

The ACV is taking necessary steps so that the construction of the airport could begin at the end of 2020.

The airport will be completed and put into use in 2025 at the latest, he noted.

In March, the Ministry of Transport selected a lotus-shaped design for a passenger terminal developed by Heerim Architects & Planners Co. Ltd from South Korea for the project.

Le Dinh Tho, deputy minister of transport, said that Long Thanh International Airport would be the countrys key international gateway, aiming to become one of the biggest aviation transportation hubs of the Southeast Asian region.

Tho asked Heerim Architects & Planners Co., Ltd to work with JFV to translate the design into reality under the agreement signed with the main consultant and the investor of the airport project.

He also asked ACV to ensure the quality of the feasibility study so that it could be submitted to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the National Assembly in late 2019.

In addition to State budget funds (to be used for land clearance and building of State offices at the airport), investment capital for the project will come from the Viet Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation and private sources.

ACV will ensure 50 per cent of the total capital for construction of the first phase to build major works at the airport, including runways, aircraft parking areas, underground fuel loading system, a passenger terminal, a cargo terminal, and a VIP passenger lounge.

The remaining capital will be mobilised from loans and other sources, he said.

The JFV includes Japan Airport Consultants (JAC-Japan), Nippon Koei (NK-Japan), Oriental Consultants Global (OCG-Japan), ADP Ingenierie (ADPi-France), Airport Design and Construction Consultancy (ADCC-Viet Nam), and Transport Engineering Design Inc Company (TEDI-Viet Nam).

Covering a total area of more than 5,580 hectares, Long Thanh International Airport will be located in six communes in Long Thanh District in Dong Nai Province.

The airports total investment is VND336.63 trillion (US$14.76 billion), with construction divided into three phases.

In the first phase, a runway and one passenger terminal along with other supporting works will be built to serve 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo each year. This phase is expected to be completed by 2025.

In the second phase, one more runway and another passenger terminal will be built to serve around 50 million passengers and 1.5 million tonnes of cargo a year.

After the third phase, the airport will be able to serve 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo a year.Trump loyalist Richard Grenell took up his post as US ambassador in Berlin less than a month ago. (Photo: AFP/Odd Andersen)

A German foreign ministry spokesman said Berlin had "asked the US side for clarification" and that state secretary Andreas Michaelis would re-visit the issue at a pre-arranged meeting with Grenell later this week.

Grenell, who took up his Berlin post less than a month ago, was quoted by Breitbart London on Sunday as speaking of his excitement at a "European groundswell of conservative policies" that had come about because of "the failed policies of the left".

"I absolutely want to empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders," he was quoted as saying in comments that German politicians and media judged unusually interventionist for a diplomat.

Lars Klingbeil, general secretary of the Social Democrats - Merkel's junior coalition partners - led a chorus of condemnation with a tweet in English addressed directly at Grenell.

"I know you are still quite new at your post, but it is not part of the job description of an ambassador to interfere in the politics of his guest country, Mr @RichardGrenell," he wrote.

Social Democratic lawmaker Thorsten Schaefer-Guembel tweeted that "European citizens don't need a Trump vassal to tell them who to vote for."

Belgian Guy Verhofstadt, who heads the European Parliament's liberal group, also weighed in.

"We have to defend Europe against Trump," he posted on Twitter.

"It's not up to his ambassador to influence our elections and steer our society. We respect the sovereignty of the US, they have to respect ours," Verhofstadt said, adding the hashtag "#GrenellRaus", German for "Get Grenell out".

'RIDICULOUS'

The envoy also reportedly told Breitbart that "the election of Donald Trump has empowered individuals and people to say that they can't just allow the political class to determine before an election takes place who's going to win and who should run".

But he later took to Twitter to tone down his comments somewhat.

"The idea that I'd endorse candidates/parties is ridiculous," he wrote.

"I stand by my comments that we are experiencing an awakening from the silent majority - those who reject the elites & their bubble. Led by Trump."

Grenell assumed the post in early May, which had been left vacant for 15 months, and on his first day tweeted that German companies should stop doing business with Iran - when President Donald Trump abandoned the nuclear deal with the Islamic republic.

A 51-year-old gay former US spokesman at the United Nations and frequent commentator on conservative broadcaster Fox News, Grenell is widely seen as a hawkish supporter of Trump's "America first" stance.The event hosted by GoBear Vietnam attracts many senior executives from financial services, real estate and fintech organisations operating in Vietnam

During the event, keynote speakers Rachan Butch Reddy, general partner of IDG Ventures Vietnam and Marnix Zwart, co-founder and chief product officer of GoBear shared key domain expertise and engaged the audience in meaningful discussions about the development of fintech in Vietnam, as well as how to positively disrupt the market via digital transformation.

It was an honor and a pleasure speaking at the BEARTalk event in front of such a distinguished group of industry leaders. I look forward to building on the strong relationships that were formed today, Rachan Butch Reddy said.

On this occasion, Sean Preston, country manager, Visa Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos also shared: The event is a great opportunity for those who are interested in fintech to network and have engaging conversations on developments in the industry. I also learned more about GoBear, the good services they offer, and can now make others aware in my interactions with clients and the industry.

It is my great pleasure that the BEARTalk event provided knowledge and effective networking for our honored guests. GoBear Vietnam has also received more exposure from potential partners in different industries, which is very encouraging. I will continue to host future events to provide meaningful sharing opportunities and to raise awareness for the fintech community, Bao Nguyen, GoBear Vietnams country manager concluded.

Since the official launch in Vietnam in early December 2016 with five products - comparison of credit cards, personal loans, travel insurance, fixed deposits, and bank accounts - as well as educational pages for credit cards, bank accounts, and unsecured loans, GoBear Vietnam has landed over four million sessions to become a trusted provider of comparison services for financial products in Vietnam.

Keynote speakers Rachan Butch Reddy & Marnix Zwart shared key domain expertise and engaged the audience in meaningful discussions during the event

GoBear is Asias first and only metasearch engine in insurance and financial products. It was founded based on the simple premise that a consumer should find freedom and ease in choosing complex financial products like insurance, credit cards and loans.

Headquartered in Singapore since early 2015, GoBear has established presence in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Vietnam and will continue to expand across Asia in 2018.

As one of the fastest growing fintech startups in Asia, GoBear is leading the way in making financial products accessible to all with its unbiased and personalised comparison process. GoBears user-oriented platform neither aggregates nor sells products.

GoBear simply offers consumers a free and transparent comparison process based on their financial needs, and not influenced by service providers commissions or advertising. The result is a user-friendly experience that empowers users to make better informed decisions efficiently, saving both time and money.Vu Ngoc Lam, Lazada's customer care officer

It has been almost a year since you were appointed as customer care officer. Can you tell us about the obstacles, challenges, and improvements during this past year?

E-commerce in Vietnam is still in its early stages, with many challenges still yet to overcome. From our perspective, there are three particular elements that are driving our company strategy: a massive number of customer contacts, government policies for e-commerce sellers, and a desire to build customer experience.

Vietnam has one of the highest number of contacts per order (i.e. the number of times a customer will call us regarding their order) among the six markets that Lazada operates in. Because of this, we had to run a very large team last year, and so we realised that we had to change, otherwise we would not be able to cope with future increases in the number of orders. As such, we improved our notifications regarding customer order statuses, and we have also introduced a chatbot to answer general questions from customers.

As a marketplace platform, we want to create a fair and user-friendly platform for all sellers, from small individual sellers and mom and pop shops to big retailers and brands. However, many sellers are unfamiliar with e-commerce and how it works, and it takes a lot of effort to educate the sellers to process their orders on time, to manage prices and stock correctly, and so on.

It is very challenging to find the right balance for platform governance: making the platform too strict would inhibit new small sellers from joining, and to the other extreme, if the platform is too open, then customer experience would suffer from sellers mistakes.

Recently, the 6th birthday event of Lazada has elicited a good response from other e-commerce platforms and small businesses. What is your opinion on the campaign?

It is a good sign for the development of e-commerce in Vietnam, and consumers benefit the most. Like the OnlineRevolution 11.11-12.12, with the leading activities of Lazada, other businesses have responded, attracting not only media attention but also contributing to changing consumer behaviour from traditional shopping to e-commerce.

We are going to launch many new products and features for both sellers and consumers. We believe that Lazada will have plenty more opportunities to continue influencing and will coordinate with its affiliates to offer consumers a more enjoyable experience.

Lazadas campaign for the sixth birthday in May

However, there has been negative feedback about product quality and customer service after the campaign. What are the reasons behind this situation?

The Lazada 6th Birthday Campaigns deals and FlashSale programme raised significant interest among shoppers. Lazada and collaborators had been preparing for months.

Unfortunately, there were orders cancelled due to stock management, and price accuracy. We sincerely apologise to our customers for causing disappointment which resulted from the insufficient demand planning and operation.

Given our experience in running promotions, this was unacceptable, and we are committed to do better.

Although the e-commerce market is considered to have a lot of potential, many businesses have lost faith in it. What strategies will Lazada use to build trust and support sellers?

The Vietnamese e-commerce market still has a long way to go to fully mature. However, I believe that customers and sellers still have faith in e-commerce, which is clearly demonstrated by the growing number of daily orders as well as sellers on Lazada.

Lazada, as a pioneer in Vietnam, is always looking to improve its e-commerce platform to offer more opportunities to sellers. To protect customers rights, Lazada will add a rating tool for sellers, which will delivery time, seller experience, and product rating from customers who have bought products.

We believe this will help to give customers a clearer sense of choice, while more reliable sellers will be elevated. We believe that if performance score becomes a key factor affecting buyer decision and seller revenue, sellers will invest more in customer service.

E-commerce suppliers are largely responsible for product quality and shipping time. However, Lazada officially launched its trading platform in 2015. Why were there not so many problems back than as there are since Alibabas investment?

With the investment of Alibaba, Lazada is able to provide more products and services, and expand our logistics services to serve customers all over the country. Ever since then, Lazada has attracted more and more customers every day, with now more than 31 million visits every month.

After the birthday campaign, we have taken the following steps to ensure we are able to provide high-quality customer service:

Review and revise our notification flow to provide precise updates to our customers on their order status; and

For future mega campaign and flash sales that run on Lazada, we will set strict requirements for the promotion to be based on actual stock, as well as set up a system to monitor the real time stock of the mega campaign and flash sales for sellers to be able to decide quickly on the ability to fulfil orders.

What does Lazada do to offer Vietnamese customers the best experiences?

Over the past few months, Lazada has introduced many new tools to provide better customer experience, such as instant messaging with sellers; more quality reviews from verified buyers; and seller ratings to provide customers with more information before making a purchase decision.

Our website and app have been completely revamped and improved to provide more convenience and joy for customer. For instance, we have added the Top search section which is updated with the newest trends, and a section customised for individual shoppers, For you, where they will find products that fit their particular needs.

To Lazada, customer experience is paramount. We serve millions of customers nationwide on a daily basis. Our daily challenge is to enable millions of people to have great experiences shopping on Lazada.At the fifth meeting of the 14th National Assembly

The session is broadcast live for people across the country to follow.

In the second day of the Q&A session, Minister Tran Hong Ha and cabinet members continue clearing up issues relating to land management in big cities, environmental pollution and control of businesses waste discharges as well as measures to cope with climate change, especially in the Mekong Delta.

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung will answer queries about the situation of labour market in the country, including generating jobs for locals and sending workers abroad in addition to solutions to improving the quality of vocational training, taking care of and protecting children, and addressing child abuse and violence against children.

In case needed, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and Ministers of Education and Training, Information and Communications, Foreign Affairs, and Public Security will join the Q&A session.

Ministers of Transport, Natural Resources and Environment questioned at NA

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha at the National Assembly's Q&A session on June 4

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha were grilled by National Assembly (NA) deputies during the question-and-answer session on June 4 as part of the NAs ongoing 5th meeting.

Minister The, the first Cabinet member at the session to be questioned, clarified issues related to measures to complete transport infrastructure system and ensure traffic safety, especially in major cities, and solutions to deal with problems in transport projects invested under the form of build-operate-transfer (BOT).

He also directly replied to queries of lawmakers at the session.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and Finance Minister Dinh Tien Dung join the session to make clear of related issues.

Concluding the Q&A session for the Transport Minister, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan also suggested a number of issues that the minister should focus on, while asking him to reply in document questions that he could not answered at the session.

Meanwhile, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha delivered a report on the land management in major cities and localities with a large number of complaints and denunciations, as well as environmental pollution situation and the control of waste release of enterprises, and measures to cope with climate change, especially in the Mekong Delta region.

He also gave direct answers to NA deputies.

Earlier, the NA deputies also discussed a report on supervision result of the settlement of voters ideas sent to the NA fourth session.

As scheduled, the NA will continue question-and-answer session on June 5. Like the session on June 4, it will also be broadcast live on the national radio Voice of Vietnam and the Vietnam Television channels.

Environment Minister fields questions from deputies at NA session

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha on June 4 answered queries by deputies on solutions to tackle urban pollution, as part of the National Assemblys ongoing fifth session.

Regarding air pollution in big cities, the official attributed the problem to transport and construction activities.

According to him, his ministry has advised the Prime Minister to issue decisions on a nationwide plan, which pushes for local investment and installation of air pollution monitoring systems. The systems will help clarify pollution sources and make public the information.

He recommended other measures to the problem, including reducing fumes from transport and tackling post-harvest straw-burning in areas surrounding big cities.

Concerning river pollution, Minister Ha said the Government has basically controlled the quality of wastewater discharged from factories and industrial zones.

He noted the collection of household wastewater remains a difficulty, as 95 percent of the wastewater is released directly into the environment without previous treatment.

He stressed each city needs to hold responsibility to their own sources of wastewater, and mobilise social resources to collect and tackle wastewater.

He said a good point is that sources of waste disposal and local responsibilities have been identified. Hanoi has completed its mechanism encouraging the private involvement in wastewater treatment, he added.

The minister took the responsibility for weak control of land pollution. He said the matter involves the Ministry of Construction, which is in charge of planning, and the Ministry of Science and Technology overseeing technological issues.

Ha said ministries involved together will ask the PM to issue a mixed strategy on waste treatment based on using technologies suitable to the financial condition of each urban area.

According calculation from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, by 2030, Vietnam must operate waste-fueled power plants. The waste-to-energy technology is undergone assessment by the Ministry of Science and Technology to ensure its feasibility in Vietnam.

Transport minister admits railway sectors weaknesses

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The

Weaknesses of the railway sector and orientations for its development were mentioned by National Assembly (NA) deputies while grilling Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The on June 4.

The, who was the first Cabinet member interpellated by legislators in the NAs 5th session, highlighted the significant role of the railway systems, especially the North-South route in transport sector, adding that the smooth operation of the system will help ease pressure on road transport.

However, he acknowledged that the current North-South railway is very backward, with some sections built 70-80 years ago without upgrading.

The minister admitted the sectors shortcomings in its role as advisor for the government and in improving the quality of railway systems.

Currently, there are 5,719 crossings between roads and railway routes nationwide, of which only 1,519 crossings are arranged by the Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR), while 4,200 others are opened by the community with high risk of incidents despite warning signs, he noted.

The also added that many people have still ignored traffic rules while crossing the railways, leading to accidents.

The Ministry of Transport directed the VNR to hold teleconferences with cities and provinces to deal with problems related to railway transport, while committing with the localities on applying measures to ensure traffic safety at crossings with the railway systems.

Along with designing urgent measures to ensure safety of railway transport, the ministry is also working on a project to build a North-South high-speed railway, which will be submitted to the NA soon, The said.

Regarding the railway project submitted to the NA eight years ago, which has not been approved, he proposed that the NA gives directions and policies for railway projects, thus speeding up the approval and implementation of the projects, including the North-South railway.

Transport minister questioned about problems of BOT projects

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The was grilled by lawmakers on June 4 about solutions to deal with problems related to transport projects invested under the form of build-operate-transfer (BOT).

The is the first Cabinet member to reply to queries at the question and answer session of the ongoing fifth session of the 14th-tenure National Assembly (NA).

In his report, The said investment under the BOT form has been stepped up since 2009 to develop transport infrastructure. Promoting BOT investment is a policy appropriate to the reality as the budget is limited while public debt is big, he stressed.

BOT projects have made important contributions to socio-economic development and created a basis for the completion of transport system, he noted, admitting that there remain many problems in the management, invitation for bidding and operation of BOT toll booths which have yet to completely ensure harmonious interests among people, the State and investors.

Deputy Nguyen Ngoc Phuong of Quang Binh province asked about the difference in the numbers of toll collection years between the approved estimated value and the auditing results announced by the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV).

In response, The said approved BOT projects have big value because they include many backup costs such as those covering price depreciation, site clearance and issues that may need extra funding.

To ensure transparency in implementing BOT projects, the Ministry of Transport asked the SAV to audit those projects before summing up total expenses, and the value after total expenses are summed up is the basis for the ministry to adjust toll collection duration and toll-related policies, he said.

The difference in the numbers of toll collection years is obvious, he said, adding that it is the backup costs in the projects with fast implementation, few cost changes and few extra costs.

Statistics of the SAV and the transport ministry are mainly similar, The said, adding that total expenses of many projects calculated by the ministry are lower than the corresponding data of the SAV.

At the Q&A session, deputy Luu Binh Nhuong of Ben Tre province attributed problems of transport projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) and BOT forms, partly to incomplete regulations, leading to many violations and failure to ensure fundamental interests of investors, people and the State.

The minister acknowledged the incompletion of regulations on BOT, especially the Law on Public Investment, noting that wrongdoings in BOT projects have been inspected and his ministry is working to address them thoroughly. The Party and State will assign authorized agencies like the Government Inspectorate and the Ministry of Public Security to strictly deal with those committing violations, he stressed.

To harmonise interests of the State, people and businesses, the ministry will pay special attention to BOT projects, The said, affirming that it has cancelled 14 BOT projects on existing roads.

BOT projects will only be implemented on newly-built roads or roads that have another running parallel so that people can choose the facilities they want to use, thus harmonising interests of the relevant sides, the minister added.

National Assembly: new rule for Q&A session proves effective

Ministers field questions about land, environment, labour issues

The new rule for Question-&-Answer session has proved effective in the hearing at the National Assembly in the morning of June 4, according to both voters and NA deputies.

The rule gives each NA deputy one minute to put question, and after three questions, the Cabinet member has three minutes to make the answer. The change is designed to increase dialogue and face-to-face debate.

The Q&A session on June 4 morning focused on transport issues, and was broadcast live on national television and radio.

Do Ngoc Giao, an architect at the Tay Ho architecture consultation firm in Hanoi, said the questions posed by NA deputies were concise and straightforward, dealing with pressing problems that attract voters concern.

Voter Le Duy Tan in the southernmost province of Ca Mau, echoed the same view, saying that the new rule prevented roundabout questions.

Tan added that Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The has also given straight answers, but he still failed to present specific solutions to many issues raised by NA deputies.

On the sidelines of the Q&A session, many deputies said the answers given by Minister The have directly dealt with the raised matters and demonstrated his responsibility towards voters. However, they are not convinced by the ministers reply on a number of issues related to BOT projects.

Deputy Dang Ngoc Nghia of Thua Thien-Hue province said the new way of working had made the hearing more lively, frank and more focused.

He urged the Minister to instruct the review of all BOT projects and correct the shortcomings in order to win approval from the public so that more investment projects in this form can be carried out to improve the national transport system.

According to deputy Duong Trung Quoc of Dong Nai province, the new rule allows the Q&A session to deal with more issues in limited time and prevent waste of time on equivocation.

NA Chairwoman stresses effective use of investments in transport sector

Nam Binh Dinh BOT toll station in the central province of Binh Dinh

Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has asked the Transport Ministry to use investments sourced from the State budget and mid-term government bonds effectively and in line with law.

She made the request while concluding the question and answer session for Transport Minister Nguyen Van The on June 4 as part of the ongoing fifth session of the 14th National Assembly.

The ministry should coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to seek solutions in order to speed up the progress of key projects, ensuring that they are implemented economically and effectively, the chief legislator said.

Several major transport projects and those which are overdue must be completed, she said, stressing the need to clarify responsibility of organisations and organisations for sluggishness and increased capital of these projects.

NA Chairwoman Ngan urged the ministry to review the transport planning, with attention paid to the railway system, saying the ministry should promptly study feasible schemes for the North-South high-speed railway to submit to the National Assembly in 2019.

It is a must to ensure connectivity between big economic centres and at transport gateways, while investing in transport infrastructure in disadvantaged areas, she noted.

She also highlighted solutions to attract different economic sectors, including foreign investors, to transport infrastructure development, guaranteeing legitimate interests of the State, investors and residents.

Besides, measures to ensure traffic safety and order should be implemented fully and effectively, the legislator said.

She asked the Government to effectively materialise the NA Standing Committees Resolution No. 437 on a number of tasks and solutions to continue to complete and step up the implementation of policies and laws on investment and use of build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects.

Earlier the same day, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The was grilled by lawmakers 4 about solutions to deal with problems related to transport projects invested under the form of build-operate-transfer.

The is the first Cabinet member to reply to queries at the question and answer session of the fifth session of the 14th NA.Singaporean investment fund divesting from Vinasun

GIC Private Limited (formerly known as Government of Singapore Investment Corporation), a sovereign wealth fund established by the Singaporean government, has just announced to have fully divested Vietnam Sun Corporation (Vinasun, code: VNS), according to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HSX).

Accordingly, 5.4 million VNS shares (equivalent to an 8 per cent stake) have been transacted on HSX with the total value of VND80 billion ($3.5 million) on May 25.

GIC poured around VND200 billion ($8.8 million) into Vinasun in August 2014, equalling VND45,000 per share. Thus, GIC divested at roughly 40 per cent of the purchasing price, losing approximately VND120 billion ($5.3 million).

This move has made as the business results of the taxi firm have turned into the red and its stock fell sharply. Although Vinasuns leaders confirmed to have passed the hardest period since establishment, the corporation still approved lower business targets for the fourth consecutive year.

In 2018, Vinasun targets VND2.16 trillion ($95.2 million) in revenue, down VND1.07 trillion ($47 million) compared to the actual revenue from last year. Net revenue from taxi services and franchising is expected at VND2 trillion ($88 million), and the remaining revenue will come from the liquidation of assets.

The sharply reduced targets in the business plan are due to the competition with ride-hailing services, in light of which Vinasun also forecast after-tax profit to halve against last year, falling to VND95 billion ($4.2 million), the lowest over the last nine years.

Vinasun confirmed that the major task in 2018 will be to maintain its market share and stay in operation in the face of unfair competitive pressure. The company will expand its fleet by at least 700 cars additionally, develop an electronic payment application, and diversify its business co-operation model, such as promoting franchising.

Last year, Vinasun earned VND2.937 trillion ($130 million) in net revenue from sales and services. The revenue structure has changed significantly as passenger transport has reduced sharply, while franchising rose.

As of the end of 2017, the number of Vinasun employees was 7,117, reducing by 10,000 over the beginning of the year. This number has decreased by 120 in the first quarter of 2018.Solar panels on the roof of a school in Quang Nam Province.-VNS Photo Thanh Hoang

The corporation said the solar power system, which was built at a total cost of VND1 billion (US$44,000), will supply 46 kilowatt per hour each day for schools daily power use.

It said the green energy was developed from the Initiative for Community Programme of the Ministry of Industry and Trade to aid needy communities.

The high-tech renewable energy, which connects with the national power grid, will help reduce power consumption from daily electricity at these schools.

Its also the second clean energy system that has been developed at schools for students in central Vietnam, after the first solar power was built for a centre for children with disabilities in Quang Ngai Province last year.

The solar power system will also allow students to better understand clean and green energy and environmental protection.

The corporation also donated bicycles and scholarships to underprivileged students in the districts.Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz speaks at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Seattle, Washington on March 22, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jason Redmond (Photo credit should read JASON REDMOND/AFP/Getty Images)

Schultz, 64, has been serving as executive chairman of Starbucks since stepping down as chief executive in April of last year and handing over to Kevin Johnson.

Schultz will leave the company at the end of the month and will take on the title of chairman emeritus, Starbucks said in a statement.

Schultz's announcement triggered immediate speculation that he may consider entering politics as a Democrat and run for the White House two years from now.

Schultz told The New York Times he hadn't decided on his next move yet, but "for some time now, I have been deeply concerned about our country - the growing division at home and our standing in the world."

Schultz, who has been openly critical of President Donald Trump, said "one of the things I want to do in my next chapter is to figure out if there is a role I can play in giving back.

"I intend to think about a range of options, and that could include public service," he added, when asked if he was weighing a presidential run.

"But I'm a long way from making any decisions about the future.

"I want to be of service to our country, but that doesn't mean I need to run for public office to accomplish that," Schultz told the Times.

Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982 as director of operations and marketing and helped transform the Seattle-based company into a global behemoth with more than 28,000 outlets in 77 countries.

"I set out to build a company that my father, a blue-collar worker and World War II veteran, never had a chance to work for," Schultz said in an open letter to past and present Starbucks employees.

"Together we've done that, and so much more, by balancing profitability and social conscience, compassion and rigor, and love and responsibility."

RACIAL BIAS AWARENESS TRAINING

In its statement, Starbucks did not mention any political ambitions for the departing executive but said Schultz was "looking forward to spending more time with his family this summer."

"He is also writing a book about Starbucks social impact work and the efforts to redefine the role and responsibility of a public company in an ever-changing society," it said.

Schultz's departure comes a week after the company closed more than 8,000 US stores to provide racial bias awareness training to around 175,000 employees.

The move followed the Apr 12 arrest of two black men in a Philadelphia Starbucks, which sparked outrage, protests and soul-searching about racial tensions that have been exacerbated under President Trump.

Speaking to CNN about the closure, Schultz said "we realize that four hours of training is not going to solve racial inequity in America or anyone coming into our stores who may have a problem.

"But we have to start the conversation."

Starbucks shares were down 1.31 per cent to US$56.32 in after-hours trading on Wall Street.This handout picture from Taiwan's National Rescue Command Centre taken and released on June 4, 2018 shows what is believed to be the wreckage of an F-16 fighter jet that went missing on Monday (Jun 4). (Photo: HANDOUT / TAIWAN'S NATIONAL RESCUE COMMAND CENTRE / AFP)

The single-seat jet disappeared off the radar over mountainous terrain in the northeastern county of Keelung at 1:43pm, 34 minutes after take off, the air force said.

The defence ministry, local police and fire department had conducted land and air searches for the 31-year-old pilot, Major Wu Yen-ting, for hours before discovering the wreckage of the plane on Monday evening.

"It is confirmed that the pilot has died in the line of duty ... a commission will be set up later to investigate and clarify the cause of the incident," the air force said in a statement.

President Tsai Ing-wen and Defence Minister Yen De-fa expressed their condolences and pledged compensation to the pilot's family.

Wu was also involved in the last F-16 accident in Taiwan, in 2013, when he parachuted to safety following a suspected mechanical failure.

The five-day "Han Guang" (Han Glory) drill kicked off Monday with troops practising thwarting a Chinese "invasion" by simulating surprise coastal assaults to reflect increased military threats from Beijing.

Although Taiwan is a self-ruling democracy, it has never formally declared independence from the mainland and Beijing still sees it as a renegade province to be brought back into the fold, by force if necessary.

Taiwan's defence ministry has said the main goal of the drill is to counter any future Chinese military mission to the island.

As relations have soured between Beijing and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, China has increasingly flexed its military muscles.

It held live-fire drills in April in the Taiwan Strait - the narrow waterway separating the Chinese mainland from Taiwan - following weeks of naval manoeuvres in the area.

In November, Taiwan's air force temporarily grounded all its Mirage jets as it searched for a pilot who went missing while conducting a training mission in one of the French-made fighters. Both pilot and plane are yet to be found.High-end condo line Charmington Iris developed by TTC Land in District 4s strategic location

Accordingly, approximately 73.2 million shares were distributed, 24.3 million of which were sold to the company (SCR)s existing shareholders. 24.4 million shares were sold through private placements and 24.5 million to the public. The company earned a total of VND732 billion ($32.5 million) in proceeds.

Stock registration ran from April 24 to May 31, 2018 during a downturn on the local stock market.

The Vietnamese stock market was touted as one of fastest growing markets worldwide with a 19 per cent hike in the first quarter of this year. The situation was turned around in the first two months of the second quarter when the VN Index fell by 16.9 per cent. This had a marked impact on the SCR ticker.

Significantly, TTC Land earned approximately VND489 billion ($21.7 million) in proceeds from selling to its existing major shareholder, Thanh Thanh Cong Invest JSC, at a price higher than SCRs current market price, attesting to the shareholders trust in TTC Lands inner strength and bright growth perspective.

As for the proceeds gained from the share distribution, TTC Land will focus on carrying out mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to boost its land fund. The company is set to buy further land plots covering 5,077 square metres in Ho Chi Minh City's District 5 to develop hi-end condo complexes and trade centres.

In addition, TTC Land will use part of the proceeds for finance restructuring to enhance its inner strength for project development.

In light of the companys approved M&A roadmap, TTC Land will expand into developing new sorts of products, including industrial real estate, logistics real estate, resort properties, as well as diversifying other real estate services.

The company envisages focusing on the medium to high-end customer segments with an enriched portfolio going from low-rise to high-rise residential complexes. Under its five-year development strategy, TTC Land expects to earn nearly VND9 trillion ($400 million) in total revenue, of which the residential real estate segment will contribute 40 per cent, industrial real estate 25 per cent, hospitality real estate 20 per cent, while the rest will come from trade centres, office buildings, and logistics real estate.

After the M&As, TTC Land hopes to possess nearly 1,500ha of land, which would be sufficient for project development in the next 10-15 years.

About 34 per cent of the land fund will be located in Ho Chi Minh City (nearly 30 per cent in downtown areas), and other developments will target major locations nationwide, such as Haiphong city, Tay Ninh, Long An, and Phu Quoc.

With such potential, the management of Thanh Thanh Cong Invest JSC and TTC Land have faith that the SCR ticker will rebound along with the stock market. To diversify revenue streams, TTC Land has to boost charter capital to spend on M&A activities.

The prospective product segments TTC Land is set to develop in the upcoming time all feature bright development prospects so the current stock dilution pressure is only momentary and would not affect shareholder benefits.

Thanh Thanh Cong Invest JSCs buying a large part of the shares TTC Land recently sold helps the latter to secure cashflows to conduct M&As in the upcoming time without the need to borrow from banks.

After the recent successful share distribution, TTC Lands charter capital rose to VND3.170 trillion ($140.8 million).

By the end of May 2018, TTC Land launched nine projects in the market, with 3,740 housing units already handed over, accounting for 34 per cent of the project portfolio. Most of the projects are at favourable locations, such as the eastern zone (Thu Duc district), the southern zone (District 7), and the western zone (District 10, Tan Binh, and Tan Phu districts).

Throughout 2018 alone, TTC Land plans to roll out six projects with more than 3,000 units in districts 4 and 7, Phu Nhuan, and Tan Phu, as well as surrounding locations.

Besides, the company strives to hand over three projects in the southern zone (District 7) and western zone (Tan Phu district) with around 1,750 housing units. The target is to score VND2.075 trillion ($92 million) in revenue and VND249 billion ($11 million) in after-tax profit this year.Vietnam Airlines adds 3,000 flights during summer

The peak period is from now to mid-August.

The additional flights will increase the airlines total capacity to 4.5 million seats on domestic routes, up by six percent compared to the same period last year.

According to a representative of Vietnam Airlines, the flights will be added on two-way routes between Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang/Nha Trang/Phu Quoc.

Apart from increasing flights, the carrier has taken measures to ensure safety and operational efficiency.

Passengers are recommended to buy air tickets on the official website of Vietnam Airlines via official agencies or ticket booking offices of the airlines.Le Anh Hao, Linhs father and his lawyer at the trial of Yasumasa Shibuya yesterday.-VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Tuyen

Nguyen An Tien, first secretary in charge of community issues at the embassy, made the statement on Monday. Tien was also present at the trial of Yasumasa Shibuya, a 46-year-old Japanese national, which began on the same day.

Shibuya is accused of murdering Le Thi Nhat Linh, a third grader living in Matsudo town.

During the trial, he continued to deny the accusation, saying that evidence provided by the procuracy office is counterfeit.

The trial is forecast to be prolonged with heated debate over whether the evidence is persuasive enough to convict him for the murder.

Le Anh Hao, Linhs father, said that the familys greatest hope is to find out the truth. If found guilty, the perpetrator must receive the highest penalty.

Linh disappeared shortly after leaving her home on foot for her school on March 24, 2017. Her body was found two days later in Abiko, Chiba.

She is thought to have been choked to death, based on marks found on her neck. Shibuya was arrested on April 14, 2017 on suspicion of dumping Linhs body.

The same day, Japanese police served a new arrest warrant, charging him with murder and abandonment of the victims body, after tests results showed that DNA taken from Shibuya matched samples found on the victims body.

Shibuya was head of the parents association at the elementary school in Matsudo the victim attended. He lives about 300 metres from the victims home.The domestic textile and garment industry is expected to sustain growth in exports in the coming months, according to the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS).-Photo baonhandao.vn

Truong Van Cam, VITAS vice chairman and general secretary, said many textile and garment companies had signed contracts to produce export products in the third quarter of this year.

Many Vietnamese garment firms had also sustained high growth this year in traditional markets such as the United States, the Republic of Korea, the European Union, and member-states of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Cam said a series of recently-signed free trade agreements (FTAs) was expected to boost the sector.

Since 2001, Viet Nam had signed bilateral trade agreements with the US, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and India, and joined the World Trade Organisation. However, global demand for textiles and apparel only grew by 1 to 2 per cent each year, resulting in fierce competition, he said.

Most FTAs have product origin rules for fibre and fabrics even as Viet Nam imports up to 80 per cent of materials, according to Cam.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, has cut its corporate tax rate to 20 per cent from 35 per cent, import tax for linen and spandex fiber from 10 per cent to 5 per cent, and chemical products and dye from 25 per cent to 15 per cent.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has waived material, energy, equipment, and machine taxes for the production of export apparel, and India has reduced fibre import tax to 2.5 per cent from 5 per cent.

The EU has offered zero per cent tax to apparel from Cambodia and Myanmar, while the US has waived taxes for several Cambodian goods. However, Vietnamese apparel are still subject to tariff rates of 17.7 per cent and 9.6 per cent when exporting to the US and the EU, respectively.

VITAS has called on the State to devise planning and grant licences to major garment industrial areas to attract investments in weaving and dyeing. It also urged support for waste water treatment in industrial zones and measures to discourage foreign firms from investing in fiber and sewing.Viettel announces business strategy for Mytel operations in Myanmar

Mytels D-A-T-A stands for Digital & new services, Advanced technology, Trustworthy, Affordable & various services.

According to the plan, within the first year of starting operations in Myanmar, Mytel will have 7,000 base transceiver stations (BTSs) nationwide and 30,000 kilometres of optical fibre cables.

After the official launching ceremony on June 6, Mytel will become the first and only telecommunication provider in Myanmar supplying 4G services nationwide.

This business plan is different from existing competitors who prioritise on rolling out 4G services in large cities before extending their reach to rural and remote areas.

Regarding the charges, at first, Mytel will charge calls and texts at half the going rate at competitors in Myanmar, while data charges will be even lower, at 37 per cent of market rates. Especially, calls will be billed in 1-second blocks instead of the current 15- or 20-second blocks from June 9.

In addition, on the occasion of opening, Mytel will issue the strategic data package named Mite Tal. Accordingly, by paying VND68,000 for this data package, customers will enjoy 5GB of data and 250 minutes of free calls for 30 days. Besides, they will enjoy 1.5 GB and 150 minutes (expiring in three months) plus a 100 per cent bonus on every top-up and calling rates will be billed in one-second blocks after the free calls are used up.

Le Dang Dung, deputy general director of Viettel, stated, Mobile phone usage in Myanmar is not high yet, and the countrys economy has opened to foreign investment and is now growing at a fast pace, thus there are ample opportunities to develop the telecommunication industry. Mitel set the target to have 2-3 million customers in this year alone.

Viettel announces business strategy for Mytel operations in Myanmar

Mytel is a joint venture company of Viettel Global, Myanmar National Telecom Holding Public Limited (MNTH), and Star High Public Company Limited (Star High). The company has a total investment capital of $2 billion, 49 per cent held by Viettel.

Mytels project has a total investment capital of $1.5 billion, equaling 66 per cent of Vietnams overseas investment in Myanmar.

With this project, Vietnam climbed from the 10th to the 7th position on the list of 49 countries and territories investing in Myanmar.

Mytel is the 4th mobile phone network in Myanmar, following state-owned MPT, which has a 42 per cent market share, Telenor from Norway (35 per cent), and Ooredoo from Qatar (23 per cent).

Myanmar is a potential market for Viettel due to its high economic growth speed. Additionally, it has the largest population among Viettels overseas markets, with 53 million.

Myanmar reported high growth in the telecommunication and technology sectors. Notably, the country used to rank among the countries with the lowest mobile phone usage in the world. However, in only three years, the rate of SIM cards per person increased to 90 per cent from 10 per cent. Besides, the number of people using data packages increased to 16 million from the 600,000 three years ago.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Myanmar could increase the scale of its economy four-fold to $200 billion by 2030. The IMF also said the finance, banking, energy, telecommunications, and IT sectors offer the most opportunities for foreign investors both in terms of market potential and human resources. :                     

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Steve Schlosser died on Monday, October 4, 2021 at his home in Brandon, at the age of 61 years. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 15, 2021 at the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN from 4:00-7:00 pm with a time of sharing at 6:30 pm. Arrangements are with the Roy-Hetland FunerFuneral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.



Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens.Since the annihilation by NATO of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, in 2011, the situation in Libya has deteriorated alarmingly: its GDP has been halved, and entire groups of the population live in misery  it is impossible to circulate in the country; insecurity is ever-present. Over the last few years, two thirds of the population have fled overseas, at least temporarily.

Writing off the illegality of NATOs invasion, the United Nations is trying to re-stabilise the country.

Attempts at pacification

The UN is represented by the UNSMIL (United Nations Support Mission in Libya), which is an exclusively political organisation. Its true character was clear from its inception. Its first Director, Ian Martin (ex-Director of Amnesty International), organised the transfer of 1,500 Al-Qaida jihadists, registered as  refugees  (sic), from Libya to Turkey in order to create the so-called  Free Syrian Army . While it is true that the UNSMIL is now directed by Ghassan Salame [1], it is still under the direct command of the Director of Political Affairs for the UN  none other than Jeffrey Feltman. This ex-assistant of Hillary Clinton at the US State Department is one of the masters of the Cebrowski-Barnett plan for the destruction of states and societies in the  Greater Middle East  [2]. It is Feltman himself who supervised the diplomatic foundations for the aggressions against Libya and Syria [3].

The UN begins with the idea that the current disorder is the consequence of the  civil war  of 2011, which set Mouammar Kadhafis regime against its opposition. However, during the NATO intervention, this opposition was limited to the jihadists of al-Qaida and the Misrata tribe. As an ex-member of the last Libyan Arab Jamahiriya government, I can testify that the initiative of the Atlantic Alliance was not a response to the Libyan conflict, but a long-term regional strategy for the whole of the Greater Middle East.

During the general elections of 2014, the Islamists who had fought the ground war on behalf of NATO gained only mediocre results. They then decided not to recognise the  House of Representatives  (based in Tobruk) and to constitute their own assembly (based in Tripoli) which they call the  High Council of State . Considering that these two rival assemblies could form a bicameral system, Feltman set up the two groups as equals. Contacts between them took place in Holland, and then the Skhirat (Morocco) agreements were signed, but without the assent of both assemblies. These  agreements  instituted a  government of national union  (at first based in Tunisia) designated by the UN.

In order to prepare the general and Presidential elections and the elaboration of a new Constitution, France, taking over from the efforts of Holland and Egypt, organised a summit at the end of May between the four men presented by the UN as the principal leaders of the country, in the presence of the representatives of the main states implicated on the ground. This initiative was energetically criticised in Italy [4]. In public, the discussion was political, while in secret, work was being done to define the structure of a Central Libyan Bank which would wipe away any sign of the theft of sovereign Libyan funds by NATO [5], and centralise oil money. In any case, after the signature of a common declaration [6] and the usual hugs and kisses, the situation on the ground suddenly turned sour.

French President Emmanuel Macron acted from his experience as a business banker  he gathered together the main Libyan leaders chosen by the UN; examined with them how to protect their respective interests with a view to creating a government which would be recognised by all; verified that foreign powers would not sabotage this process; and thought that the Libyans would applaud this solution. However, since Libya is totally different from Western societies, nothing of sort occurred.

It is clear that France, which had been, together with the United Kingdom, a spearhead of the NATO attack on Libya, is now attempting to recuperate the dividends of its military intervention, of which it has been deprived by its Anglo-Saxon allies.

In order to understand what is happening, we have to step back and analyse the way that Libyans live in terms of their personal experience.

The History of Libya

Libya has only existed for 67 years. At the fall of fascism and the end of the Second World War, this Italian colony was occupied by the British (in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica) and by the French (in Fezzan, which they divided and attached administratively to their colonies of Algeria and Tunisia).

London favoured the emergence of a monarchy controlled from Saudi Arabia, the Senussi dynasty, which reigned over the country from its  independence  in 1951. Of the Wahhabite religion, it maintained its territory in a state of absolute obscurantism, while favouring Anglo-Saxon economic and military interests.

It was overthrown in 1969, by a group of officers who proclaimed true independence and expelled the foreign forces. At the level of interior politics, in 1975, Mouammar Kadhafi drew up a programme called the Green Book, in which he promised this desert people that he would satisfy their most important dreams. For example, while every Bedouin nurtured the ambition to possess his own tent and his own camel, he promised each family a free apartment and a car. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya also offered water [7], free education and health care [8]. Progressively, the nomad population of the desert settled along the coast, but the links of each family with their tribe remained closer than their relations with their neighbours. National institutions were set up, inspired by the experiences of the utopian Socialist phalansteries of the 19th century. They set up a direct democracy at the same time as they co-existed with the ancient tribal structures. In this way, all important decisions were first of all presented to the Tribal Consultative Assembly before being deliberated by the General Peoples Congress (National Assembly). On the international level, Kadhafi swore to resolve the secular conflict between the Africans, Arabs and black-skinned people. He ended slavery and used a large part of the countrys oil revenues to help the development of the sub-Saharan countries, notably in Mali. His activity woke the Western powers, who began to create aid policies for the development of the continent.

However, despite the progress that was made, thirty years of Jamahiriya were not enough to transform this African Saudi Arabia into a modern secular society.

The current problem

By destroying this regime and once again raising the flag of the Sanussis, NATO has set the country back to what it had been before 1969  a collection of tribes living in the desert, cut off from the world. In the absence of a state, and without a supreme leader, the population has fallen back on their tribal structures. Sharia, racism and slavery reappeared. In these conditions, attempting to re-establish order from the top down is ineffective. On the contrary, it is indispensable to begin by pacifying the relations between tribes. It is only when this operation is successfully concluded that it will become possible to envisage democratic institutions. Until that time, everyones safety will be guaranteed only by their tribal membership. In order to survive, Libyans will therefore refrain from thinking autonomously, and will always refer to the position of their group.

The repression brought to bear by the inhabitants of Misrata on the people of Tawarga is a clear example. The Misratas are the descendants of the Turkish soldiers of the Ottoman army, and the people of Tawarga are the descendants of the ancient black slaves. Working with Turkey, the Misratas participated in the overthrow of the Jamahiriya. As soon as the Sanussi flag had become mandatory, they turned on the black people with racist fury. They accused them of all sorts of crimes and forced 30,000 of them to flee.

It would obviously be very difficult to find a personality comparable to Mouammar Kadhafi who would first of all be recognised by the tribes, then by the People. But in reality, this is not what Jeffrey Feltman is looking for. Contrary to the official declarations concerning an  inclusive  solution, in other words a solution which integrates all the components of Libyan society, Feltman has imposed, via the Islamists with whom he had collaborated in the State Department against Kadhafi, a law which forbids a post in public service to anyone who once served the Guide. The House of Representatives has refused to apply this text, which is still in force in Tripoli. This strategy is comparable to that of the de-Baathification that the same Feltman imposed on Iraq, when he was one of the directors of the  Coalition Provisional Authority . In both cases, these laws deprive the countries of the majority of their elites, and force them into violence or exile. It is clear to see that Feltman is still pursuing the objectives of the Cebrowski plan, while he pretends to be working for peace.

Contrary to appearances, Libyas problem is not so much the rivalry between its leaders as the absence of pacification between tribes and the exclusion of Kadhafists. The solution can only be negotiated between the four leaders united in Paris, but only within and around the House of Representatives of Tobruk, whose authority now covers 80 % of the territory.Local Man Charged with Arson

A 33 year old local man, Karl Henry Danino has been charged with Arson.

Uniformed officers of the RGPs Operations Division responded to reports of refuse bin fires in the area of Varyl Begg Estate, and subsequently arrested Mr Danino on Sunday night. The investigation was handed over to detectives from Criminal Investigation Department. Following enquiries carried out into the incidents during the course of yesterday, Mr Danino was interviewed by the officers and was later charged with 3 counts of Arson.

Danino was declined Police Bail and was scheduled to appear before the Magistrates Court this morning.TokenMarket Push for Continued Growth in Gibraltar

Albert Isola, Minister for Commerce HM Government of Gibraltar met with Ransu Salovaara and Mikko Ohtamaa respectively CEO and COO of TokenMarket a DLT firm based in Gibraltar.

The cordial discussion centred on the ambitious growth plans for the firm and the leading role undertaken by HM Government of Gibraltar in this fast developing industry.

TokenMarket were early applicants for a DLT license under the regulatory framework that came into effect in January 2018 and set up their Head Office in Gibraltar some 12 months ago. They have active operations in three countries. They were recently awarded 'The Best ICO Advisor' at the Cryptocurrency World Expo Berlin Summit 2018.

The key to the long-term success and growth of the token sales market is to have the strongest possible consumer protection. An efficient, safe and risk based regulatory framework has been provided and is good for the industry. TokenMarket, is a global leading advisor with 30 token sales under its belt and they are pleased that HM Government of Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission, as regulatory body, are taking an international lead in the development of DLT regulation.

Ransu and Mikko were accompanied by Anthony Provasoli of Hassans. Paul Astengo Senior Executive with Gibraltar Finance who leads on technology initiatives and is Co-Chair of the DLT Working Group was also present.

TokenMarket are advised by Hassans International Law firm.Drake. Photo: AARON M. SPRECHER/AFP/Getty Images

Like a good friend who holds you back from a fight  even though you both agree you absolutely would have kicked the other persons ass  Houston-based producer and Rap-a-Lot Records CEO J. Prince says he stepped in to stop the ever-escalating Drake and Pusha-T beef. According to Prince, he personally called Drake to ask him not to release what the producer describes as an overwhelming musical response to Pusha-Ts The Story of Adidon, one that would have taken aim at Kanye as well.

After speaking with Kanye, I spoke with the brother, and he didnt want this. I saw this going to a place that I feel would have ended his career if Drake wouldve put out this song that he had on him, Prince explained while a guest on Sway in the Morning this weekend. And definitely wouldve hurt families and were not in it for that. Thats not Drakes character to tear a man down to that extent.

Now, some might argue that exposing the existence of a hidden love child and the alleged plan to use that child to sell sportswear, as Adidon does, means a feud has already entered tearing a man down territory. However, according to J. Prince, you dont even know all the extremely harsh truths Drake was willing to reveal in his new diss track about Pusha-T and Kanye. The ingredients was overwhelming. I know for a fact that it would have been bad for Kanye and my man, he said of the track. It just wouldnt be good. Its beyond music at that point. Its going to affect the livelihood. Its going to interfere with his whole lifestyle from that moment.

On one hand, way to create a diss track that exists only in legend. On the other hand, if the track was so harsh that it would have effectively ruined Kanye and Pusha-Ts entire lives  yeah, probably better not to release it. When asked if Drake could potentially leak the track later, Prince dismissed the possibility. I dont think it would leak, because he gave his word, he concluded. And me knowing Drake like I know him, he has a word. For his part, at least Pusha-T didnt perform Adidon at Governors Ball this weekend, despite a cheering anti-Drake crowd, so, sounds like this beef is cooling off.Photo: A24

This is a story about the ending of First Reformed: spoilers to follow, obviously.

The ending of First Reformed, Paul Schraders remarkable new film, is a puzzle worthy of the great struggle that comes before it. For an hour and 45 minutes, Schrader charts the downward trajectory of Reverend Toller, teasing explosions and redemption, only to reveal  what, exactly?

Its important, before we get into a detailed discussion of the plot, to understand the main influences Schrader is channeling. In a broad sense, First Reformed is like if the protagonist of Robert Bressons Diary of a Country Priest were put into the scenario of Ingmar Bergmans Winter Light, updated for the United States circa right now. Like Bressons Priest, Toller, played by Ethan Hawke, is ill, alcoholic, and keeping a diary; like Bergmans, hes struggling with his faith when a congregant asks him to speak with her husband about terrible, Earth-threatening anxieties.

In the case of Winter Light, the man, Jonas, is anxious about nuclear annihilation, and in Bergmans film, the pastor, Tomas, eventually denies the existence of God, leading Jonas to kill himself. Even though he keeps the suicide, Schrader strays from this plot significantly, having Toller vigorously defend God and do his best to help the despairing Michael. By substituting the destruction of the environment for the atomic bomb, Schrader achieves a remarkable effect: he makes the looming disaster more spiritual, more plausible, and far more personal than Jonass. And by replacing Tomass rejection of God with Tollers agnosticism, he makes his protagonist a far more susceptible audience.

Tomas never catches his congregants disease, but Toller does. It begins during their conversation at Michaels house, when Michael asks Toller, Can God forgive us for what weve done to this world? Who can know the mind of God? Toller responds, but its clear the question lands deep within him. After Michael kills himself, and Michaels pregnant widow, Mary, reveals to Toller the suicide-bomb vest that Michael had been keeping in the garage, the film becomes a portrait of Toller reaching out from his own personal hell and into Michaels: he starts researching climate change and protesting his churchs patronage by a nature-abusing corporation, at the same time continuing to pollute and destroy his own body.

As he does so, he becomes close with Michaels pregnant widow, Mary, played by Amanda Seyfried, experiencing what seems to be his first real human relationship, besides a failed one with choir leader Esther  a character also based on one in Winter Light  since the death of his son, who was killed after he encouraged him to enlist in the military. Marys presence is crucial. First of all, theres her name, which, obviously, evokes the Virgin Mary, Mother of God; moreover, shes pregnant, a fact that Michael agonized over, despairing that the world was too broken to bring a child into. Insofar as there is any hope in First Reformed, its in the person of Mary, who moves toward the birth of her child while the men around her disintegrate.

When I talked to Schrader ahead of First Reformeds release, he cited two other major influences on the film aside from Country Priest and Winter Light. Well into the movie, theres a tremendously powerful scene in which Toller and Mary, the latter lying on top of the former, begin to levitate. The scene is mysterious and unexplained, and much of its potency has to do with the degree to which it strays from the film up to that point. Schrader shot First Reformed in a version of what he calls Transcendental Style, a term that he coined to categorize the filmmaking of Bresson, Yasujiro Ozu, Carl Th. Dreyer, and others, in which the director withholds many elements of cinema that we tend to expect  non-diegetic music, a.k.a. underscoring; camera movement; frequent and abrupt cuts  in order to essentially leave room for the spiritual.

But like his predecessors, Schrader knows that these rules are most effective when theyre broken, and in that sense, the levitation scene anticipates the ending. I knew at the end I wanted to jump out of the world, Schrader told me, and I thought I should prefigure that in some way, and I just kept thinking, What would [Andrei] Tarkovsky do? Well, hed levitate! Thats his go-to position when people get horizontal.

By levitating his two main characters, Schrader says to us that we may think we know what can happen in his film, but we dont. In that sense, it creates a similar dynamic to that of spirituality, which continually suggests that the world around us, the so-called real world, could be transcended at any moment by contact with or intervention from the divine.

At the climax of First Reformed, Toller has donned Michaels suicide vest, along with a penitential wrap of barbed wire under his cassock, with the plan of detonating it at the anniversary service for his church, where the CEO of a major environmental polluter will be present  along with plenty of other people. But, as he says to the leader of the megachurch that oversees his, Somebody has to do something!, and that desperation has taken the form of Michaels, in whose footsteps Toller increasingly walks. It isnt until he sees Mary in the pews, after warning her not to come, that Toller has second thoughts.

Schrader has toyed with the look of the whiskey in Tollers glass all film, at one point mixing it with Pepto-Bismol to produce a revolting, oddly beautiful bloom, and at the end, that glass is filled with Drano, which looks disturbingly viscous and unnatural in a container meant for drinking. The nature of Tollers self-destruction appears to have changed once again, caused by his inability to harm Mary. But the levitation scene earlier in the film, as well as the unusual sound of music  in this case, the hymn Are You Washed in the Blood  has warned the viewer that another force could intervene. What happens is not what Schrader originally had in mind.

The biggest change in the script was  Ive known [critic and filmmaker] Kent Jones a long time, and I gave him the script when I first wrote it, Schrader told me. He said to me, I thought you were headed for the Ordet ending, but you went with the Country Priest ending, because in the script I gave him, the guy drinks the Drano, falls out of frame, and youre left with the crucifix as he dies. And as soon as Kent said that, I said youre absolutely right  this burst of carnality through this austere surface.

Ah, yes, the Ordet ending: one of the most controversial and ecstatic conclusions of any film ever made. Heres how James Schamus described Dreyers Ordet to the Criterion Collection: The first two hours of the film consist mainly of Danish farmers and craftspeople arguing about Christian theology in veritable slow motion; the final six minutes, unless youre an alien replicant, will have you on your knees, eyes lifted in wonder to the screen. Ordet features the literal resurrection from the dead of a woman by her brother-in-law, who claims to be Jesus Christ and who had been taken, up to that point, as a madman; it ends with the resurrected woman embracing and kissing her husband openmouthed. Its miraculous, sensual, and completely shatters the cinematic carapace that had been built around it.

In his 1972 book, Transcendental Style in Film, which has just been reissued with a new introduction, Schrader writes at length about Ordet and Dreyers approach to the resurrection. Heres one passage that gives a general sense of how he sees the ending functioning within the greater approach of Transcendental Style:

The decisive action breaks the everyday stylization; it is an incredible event within the banal reality which must by and large be taken on faith. In its most drastic form, as in Dreyers Ordet, this decisive action is an actual miracle, the raising of the dead. In its less drastic forms, it is still somewhat miraculous: a nonobjective, emotional event within a factual, emotionless environment. The technical stops employed by the everyday are to varying degrees pulled out  the music soars, the characters emote  the decisive action suddenly and inexplicably demands the viewers full emotional output.

The decisive action in First Reformed, then, comes when Mary bursts into Tollers room, he drops the Drano on the floor, and they embrace and kiss furiously, the music reaching a crescendo, the camera, so still for so long, circling them as though it were ecstatic to be unleashed. Its a rupture, derailing the film from its aesthetic, narrative, and emotional tracks; like Ordet, it both refigures everything that came before it and still seems somehow of the world that has been created.

When I first saw it, I thought the ending suggested that the solitary and despairing Toller, ruined by the death of his son, could only find hope, and therefore grace and God, in the love of another person  that, as she does in the Christian tradition, Mary carried the seed of salvation in Schraders film as well. But the arrival of Mary is at once revelatory and uncanny, joyful and intoxicated: my full emotional output was certainly demanded, but I wasnt entirely sure to what design. That was intentional.

Related Stories First Reformed Is an Austere Examination of Faith and Morality

Its calibrated to be read in different ways, Schrader said, because when you look at it closely, she suddenly appears, the room is much lighter, the footsteps go away  so [I was] trying to find the right balance between it being a kind of intervention of grace, a kind of miracle, or an ecstatic vision, which is also a kind of miracle, I guess.

First Reformed is a parable about hope. It takes one of the central proclamations of Jesus Christ  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?  and attempts to provide, if not an answer, than at least a response, one tailored for what will likely become the great dilemma of our age. And if the ending of the film is open to interpretation, if its concerned less with what did or didnt happen  Mary did intervene; Toller did go insane  and more with the ineffable notion of encountering grace, then thats fitting. Few modern films take spirituality as seriously or as thoughtfully as First Reformed does, and even fewer strive to accomplish one of the great purposes of art: to express the inexpressible, to shine a light where it would otherwise be dark.Rachel Cusk. Photo: Ulf Andersen/Getty Images

Rachel Cusks new novel, Kudos, completes the trilogy she began in 2014 with Outline and extended in 2016 with Transit. The cycle constitutes an artistic breakthrough and a triumph within this decades international turn to autofiction. The books are entrancing and compulsively readable even though they lack the conventional propulsive mechanisms of fiction: plots or even a discernible sense of progression.

Cusks is a peculiar sort of autofiction, one that suppresses the auto in favor of a form that bears some resemblance to oral history. These novels are anti-confessional  their narrator (and authorial alter ego), Faye, is the most reticent of their wide cast of characters  yet they consist mostly of compilations of others confessions. I laugh whenever a character tells Faye how nice its been talking to her and they must do it again. Cusk has learned that to listen is also to ingratiate.

But thats also why its hard to think of Kudos and its predecessors as works of realism. They seem to take place in a fantasy realm where people are given to explaining the most intimate and dramatic episodes of their lives instantly, at great length, and with considerable eloquence to a casual acquaintance or complete stranger  i.e., Faye. Does she possess coercive psychic powers? Has everyone in these books except Faye ingested some disinhibiting substance? Why cant we all live in such a world of frankness and emotional sophistication, if not exactly clarity?

Self-delusion, of course, persists. Faye is a reliable narrator, which can only be said to varying degrees of her interlocutors. The consistent degree of remove is a zone of judgment for the reader and the narrator. Faye listens, and mostly withholds her thoughts, although she says of one man early on in Outline: The truth was being sacrificed to the narrators desire to win. Winning is a way of claiming the illusion of personal redemption, if not victory over lost love and lost lovers. Its something that, once said, doesnt need repeating and could be applied over and over to characters across the cycle. Fayes withheld skepticism becomes a source of these novels considerable fun.

The evenness of Cusks cool, detached style is a wonder. The prose of the Outline Trilogy is like a wide and placid lake. The reader is like a water-skier gliding along exhilarated by the combination of verbal tranquility and emotional intensity.

Because the majority of the action is relayed as recollection, whenever an event intrudes in the present action  a call from a distressed child, a stray insult tossed Fayes way, an awkward attempt at a kiss  they ripple across the narrative like seismic spasms. Similar effects attend any disruption in tone.

In Transit there are three characters who are at work on refurbishing and soundproofing Fayes new flat, and two of them are immigrants: the Albanian, Tony, and the Pole, Pavel. These characters commit comic malapropisms and speak in a not-quite-unbroken English. Otherwise, Cusks characters  mostly middle-class Britons but also Europeans encountered abroad, many of them writers or in publishing  speak Cusk.

Last month in the Times Dwight Garner remarked in his review of Sheila Hetis Motherhood: Hetis semi-fiction, like that of writers like Ben Lerner, Rachel Cusk and Teju Cole, among others, is dismantling our notions of what a novel should be. These writers prize voice over style. Voice and style  can they be separated? A writer may not be able to escape her style, but a style can accommodate multiple voices. These writers are all stylists and the tension between style and voice is why weve flocked to them. Garner is right that Hetis new novel is univocal: its style and voice fused and tending to mimic the tone of casual speech. Lerners and Coles novels are similarly univocal but executed in highly stylized voices conceived more for the page than for speech. In Cusks trilogy, there are many voices but with few exceptions these voices are filtered through Fayes paraphrastic retelling of their stories, which doesnt sound much different from the parts of their stories that appear in direct quotation  a game of punctuation whose rules are unclear and may turn out to be meaningless.

And how much meaning can we attribute to the stories Faye hears and retells, stories that accumulate by the dozens? Family unhappiness has infinite forms, and Cusk presents many variations of misrecognition, betrayal, divorce, and all manner of affection that turns into cruelty. In aggregate, they come to seem just that: variations.

If love is always doomed, as it is for most of Cusks characters, except a few of the more vapid ones, then what difference does it make to linger on the details? Whats the difference between the ex-wife who leaves a man for suspected infidelity and the one he leaves because she may have locked his son in the basement? To indulge in another metaphor of landscape, for all of Fayes coldness, a subterranean stream of sentimentality runs under the analytic terrain of these books. Its most obvious when characters go on at considerable (and often tedious) length about their pets.

But without this strain of sentimentality the books would be glacial.

Kudos begins with a man telling the story of his family and their dog, probably the most important member of their family, a giant muscular beast given to chasing sheep and deer. After he kills a fawn, the man beats him to discipline him. The man, sitting next to Faye on a flight to Germany, has just buried the dog, dead of cancer, and has the dirt from the job still in his fingernails.

The brutality of this story is an allegory for the savagery of family relationships in general. The mans fingernails are the last we see of him. Hes detachable from the rest of the novel, if not disposable, as are the vast majority of Fayes interlocutors. Theres the initial physical description  sometimes admiring, sometimes withering, either way possibly leaving the image of a saint, a harlequin, a mutant, an ogre or a ghoul in your mind  the plunge into family history, and before the flight even lands  poof!  hes gone, not to be heard of again.

Whether or not the detachability of Cusks characters signals the atomization of our age  certainly these novels have little to say about life online, although Facebook and smartphones arent left out  its certainly a defining aspect of their portrait of the life of a middle-aged, middle-class, critically acclaimed but not mega-selling writer. The family stories of the Outline Trilogy have a way of bleeding into each other, but the testimonies to do with literature and publishing make for a dreary sociological gallery. Kudos is set at a literary festival in Germany and a literary conference in Portugal. Outline is set in Greece where Faye has traveled to teach creative writing for a week. Transit has both creative writing students and a literary festival in the English countryside.

The privilege (or plight) of a writer like Faye (or Cusk) is to spend a lot of their lives on the jet-fueled merry-go-round of the international paraliterary circuit, a string of nights spent in hotel rooms and borrowed apartments. That such a way of life should become the subject of our literature is inevitable, even if its necessity is dubious. The writing class is a space that allows for some idealism, but the literary festival is a zone of cynicism, vanity, and commerce.

Faye sparks most her students into telling the sorts of stories about their lives she likes to retell, with one exception: a student in Outline who calls her a lousy teacher for not instructing the class on the exercise of the imagination. This is of course a metacommentary on the trilogy itself, as are the counterexamples of variously famous and wealthy writers encountered on panels and in lobbies: sellouts, preening self-styled prophets, and pseudo-Knausgaards.

Who could love a literary festival? Theyre neither satisfyingly literary nor satisfyingly festive. Most successful authors these days have outgrown hedonism (if not, like one of Cusks hacks, put on a Fitbit), and reading is something best done in doors and alone. Attendees gaze on the fleshy spectres of solitary people doing the opposite of what they do best. Writers deliver their stump speeches at a register somewhere between public therapy, stand-up comedy, and infomercial. Organizers can take pride in a series of events executed without injury, scandal, or rain delay. Journalists arrive to interview authors full of their own facile theories. Publishers proudly pronounce that the writing most revered doesnt sell and how foolish it would be to resist that truth. Of the Outline Trilogy, Kudos pours the most acid on the literary world and thats why its my favorite. Readers more interested in real estate and food will prefer Transit.

Equanimity is the governing mood of this trilogy, three books in which passion has been exiled to the past tense. That goes for literature too. Faye tells us how shes come to think of it in Outline:

As it happened I was no longer interested in literature as a form of snobbery or even of self-definition  I had no desire to prove that one book was better than another: in fact, if I read something I admired I found myself increasingly disinclined to mention it at all. What I knew personally to be true had come to seem unrelated to the process of persuading others. I did not, any longer, want to persuade anyone of anything.

Indeed, these books make no effort to persuade. They simply conjure beauty out of the least likely materials. Even after the details of the stories told in these novels fade from the mind (and they fade quickly, seemingly by design) the sense of their beauty lingers. The memoir of divorce Cusk published before Outline was called Aftermath. These books have an afterglow. Their catalogue of family and romantic miseries suggests, inadvertently, that it when it comes to love, if not literature, forgetting is the best of all things.Hugh Dane. Photo: Mitch Haddad/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Hugh Dane, the actor who portrayed Hank the security guard on NBCs The Office, died May 16 at the age of 75. His former co-star Rainn Wilson announced Danes death on his social media Monday evening, praising the actor as one of the greats and posting a scene featuring the pair. RIP Hugh Dane, aka Hank the security guard. He was one of the greats. So kind, funny, talented, Wilson tweeted. We will all miss him. Wilson also directed fans to make any memorial donations in Danes honor to the Los Angeles Inner City Cultural Center. The center had previously posted about the actors death on May 26, along with information about a memorial service for the loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

While perhaps most well-known for his Office role, Dane had a lengthy career as a character actor in film and television. In addition to turns in projects like Roc, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Friends, Boy Meets World, and Little Fockers, Dane appeared more recently on The Carmichael Show, The Mayor, and as the tall sea captain-esque man Melissa McCarthy vows to climb like a tree in Bridesmaids. The Office star Steve Carell added to Wilsons Twitter remembrance of Dane on Monday. Tweeted Carell, What a terrific guy.

RIP Hugh Dane, aka Hank the security guard. He was one of the greats. So kind, funny, talented. We will all miss him. Donations can be made in his name to: https://t.co/z1SAqamWMM pic.twitter.com/ysevEZKOjy  RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) June 4, 2018During last nights The Opposition, Jordan Klepper took some time to celebrate Donald Trumps first 500 days in office  or as Kellyanne Conway calls it, 500 Days of American Greatness, aside from that whole obstruction of justice thing. Its true what they say about time when youre having fun: it slows to an invigorating crawl, Klepper said. Usually, presidents get measured on their first 100 days, but a great man like Trump takes five times as long to show just how great he is.

As for claims that Trump might have obstructed justice, Klepper points to recent comments by Trumps lawyer Rudy Giuliani as well as Trumps own tweet claiming he can pardon himself but hasnt done anything wrong to warrant it: Trump has elevated the office of the presidency so high that its currently located above the law! Near the end of the segment, Klepper welcomes Citizen Journalist Kobi Libii to help explain  in a way thats arguably NSFW  why Trump can, in fact, pardon himself should it become necessary. Self-pardoning is really just about finding the right angle, legally speaking. And trust me  self-pardoning feels amazing, Libii says. I mean, dont get me wrong, its great when other people pardon you, but nothing beats closing the door, looking down at your rock-hard criminal record, and just pardoning yourself dry.Today is one of the most important primary days of the year.

Eight states are voting, including California, which will have a huge impact on the fall, including Democrats' chances of taking back the House. It's not Republicans that may squander their chances though -- it's Democrats themselves who may fall victim to the primary rules in California that could knock them off the ballot in some districts by the end of the night.

Here's what you need to know:

Polls close in California at 11 p.m. EDT. The state has a "direct primary," commonly known as a "jungle primary," which means the top two candidates will advance to the general election in November regardless of party.

Democrats in California are concerned they could get shut out of districts they want to flip from Republican control in November because too many Democrats are on the ballot and may split the vote.

Montana polls close at 10 p.m. EDT. The winner of the Republican Senate race will take on Jon Tester, who's running for a third term in the upper chamber. This race will make Montana a closely watched state in the fall.

Alabama, Iowa, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota will also vote today. Iowa and New Jersey will close some tough races between moderate and progressive Democrats. Alabama and South Dakota will see fights play out on the right, with anti-Washington sentiments at the forefront. In New Mexico, an open House seat will keep Democrats fighting hard to flip one more seat in the Land of Enchantment.

Here's a closer look at what to watch tonight:

DEMOCRATIC CALIFORNIA DREAM TURNED NIGHTMARE? Democrats expect to net at least three House seats in California come November in order to win back the House -- roughly one eighth of the 23 total net pickups they will need overall. Nine of the 10 California House districts rated as competitive by CNN are currently held by Republicans, seven of which are in districts that voted for Clinton in 2016. However, crowded Democratic fields in three of these seats that are trending blue could result in two Republicans making the general election -- a political "own goal" that would take the seats off Democrats' target lists come the fall and significantly set back their efforts to win control of the House in the state that styles itself as the very heart of "the resistance."

REPUBLICANS FIGHT FOR SPACE AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET: In California's Senate race, longtime Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein faces a challenge from the left in former State Senate President pro tempore Kevin De Leon and a long list of other candidates. Feinstein has remained the frontrunner, and the big question is whether or not a Republican can break through into the top two. A similar dynamic is playing out in the race for governor, where former San Francisco Mayor and current Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom narrowly leads a field whose other top contenders include former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa -- also a Democrat -- and Republican businessman John Cox, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. Republicans hope to be able to crack into the top two of either race, and Cox has a strong shot at doing so in the gubernatorial contest. Should both end up being Democrat vs. Democrat general elections, that could have a serious drag on Republican turnout in down ballot races come November.

TESTER MEETS HIS OPPONENT: Montana Republicans will choose between three leading candidates in a primary race to take on vulnerable incumbent Democrat Jon Tester, who is running for his third Senate term in a state that voted for President Trump by roughly 20 points. Democrats seem most concerned about facing State Auditor Matt Rosendale, but the primary race should be close between him, businessman and Air Force veteran Troy Downing, and former Judge Russ Fagg. Republicans see this seat as a perfect opportunity for a flip, but Tester's significant money advantage could keep his Senate career afloat, as CNN rates this race lean Democrat.

MORE TROUBLE FOR US REPS? In South Dakota, four-term Rep. Kristi Noem is running in the Republican primary for governor against the state's Attorney General Marty Jackley, who recently released an ad attacking Noem as a "D.C. politician who breaks their promises and will say anything to get elected." Several of Noem's House colleagues have already lost their primary bids for higher office to state/local politicians or political outsiders, a trend CNN will continue to monitor throughout the midterm primary season. Meanwhile, Alabama GOP Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02) must get past four Republicans gunning for her seat - including former Democratic Rep. Bobby Bright and a former Roy Moore aide - to secure re-nomination. She publicly withdrew her support of candidate Trump in October 2016 following the Access Hollywood tape release to the frustration of some of the President's supporters and won reelection with only 49% of the vote that year. Roby must clear 50% on Tuesday night to avoid a runoff, otherwise the top two candidates will face off on Tuesday, July 17.

LEFT BEHIND? Democrats are facing an intra-party fight with progressives in New Jersey and Iowa. Many grassroots activists are frustrated by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee putting their thumb on some races by endorsing candidates they view as not representing their values (the DCCC says they picked candidates with strong appeal to them and the broader electorate). How Democrats fair in New Jersey's 2nd and 11th Districts, as well as Iowa's 1st and 3rd Districts, will have a deep impact on the party's chances of winning the majority in November. If a more liberal candidate wins in these moderate-to-conservative districts, will these seats no longer be in reach for Democrats? It's a risk the party doesn't want to take but may not have a choice.This weekend, 600 orange flags were displayed at Sam Johnson Parkway in Racine. They stand for the number of gun violence victims Wisconsin sees each year.

"We have no laws on the books about keeping guns safe in a person's home," said Leann Pomaville with Racine Moms Demand Action.

The advocacy group hosted a rally at Sam Johnson Parkway Sunday afternoon calling for community members to take action against gun violence.

"It's a problem with the availability of guns," Pomaville continued.

City leaders and 16-year-old Case High School freshman, Kejuan Goldsmith addressed the crowd of about a hundred. Many wore orange, honoring those who lost their lives to gun violence.

"How many more shootings need to happen until we do something different?" said Goldsmith.

Moms Demand Action said it supports the second amendment but still wants to see gun reform. One change, being background checks for all gun sales, including private sales and those on the internet.

TODAY'S TMJ4 reached out to the Racine County Line Rifle Club. The President of the Board of Directors said the focus needs to be in responsible gun ownership.

"We need to enforce the gun laws on the books and not create new ones, but prosecute those committing gun crimes to the fullest extent," said Steve Suhr.

"In the polarized society we are living in, it's difficult to have a civil debate on the topic of gun violence," continued Suhr.An employee at a Decatur electronics store is being praised as a hero after chasing an armed robber.

According to police, 29-year-old Zachary Dial was charged with first-degree robbery after he stole an SD card and pulled a box cutter on an employee at Electronic Express in Decatur.

WAAY 31 talked to the employee who chased Dial and helped police catch him.

Hes like running out of the mall entrance, so I run through the front door right here and I meet him right there, and he starts walking like normal. And I was like, just go ahead and give it to me, and he has like a purse with him. And he was like, I dont have it, its the other guy or somebody else. and I was like, I saw you running, and he pulls out a box cutter," said Jo Jo Cockrell.

Cockrell was called into work on Sunday at Electronic Express, and he says he never expected to chase a customer.

That customer was Zachary Dial, who police say pulled a box cutter on Cockrell for chasing him. But Cockrell said he continued to chase him anyway.

He comes back out with the box cutter again and tries to cut me with it," Cockrell said.

Cockrell says it was his instinct that made him go after the suspect.

"Honestly, I wasnt even thinking about it being dangerous or anything like that," he said. "I was just trying to get the merchandise back.

But Cockrell refuses to be praised for his actions.

Im no hero," he said. "I was just doing my jobtrying to get that card back. Im no hero.

However, hes still confused why someone would go to such lengths for an SD card.

Its $49.99, but that doesnt read prison to me," said Cockrell.

He says the suspect made the incident a lot worse than it could have been.

I was going to let him go," Cockrell said. "If he wouldve let me get whatever he took, he couldve went. I wouldnt have called the cops.

But after everything, Cockrell says hes just glad no one was hurt.

Were family. We try to be family towards customers and try to help them out the best that we can. So, Im going to look out for them," Cockrell said.

Dial is being held in the Morgan County jail on a $75,000 bond.First lady Melania Trump has attended a White House event honoring Gold Star families in her first appearance in more than three weeks after a kidney procedure.

Mrs. Trump joined the president at a reception Monday to honor families of those killed during military service.

Video posted on Twitter showed the first lady wearing a sleeveless black dress and strolling into the East Room accompanied by President Donald Trump. The president showed her to a seat in the front row before he headed for the stage.

Mrs. Trump had not been seen in public since May 10, when she and the president welcomed home three Americans freed from North Korea. Four days later, the White House announced she had been hospitalized to treat a benign kidney condition.

___

2 p.m.

Melania Trump is scheduled to appear at her first official engagement since dropping out of sight 24 days ago.

The first lady was joining the president at a White House reception Monday evening for Gold Star families. Such families have loved ones who were killed during military service.

It will be Mrs. Trump's first official engagement in weeks, though the event is private and closed to news media coverage.

The first lady last appeared in public on May 10 when she and the president welcomed home three Americans who had been released from captivity in North Korea.

The White House announced May 14 that she had been hospitalized to treat a kidney condition described as benign.

She has stayed out of public view since returning home on May 19.

(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)Customers of the West Morgan East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority will be seeing a rate increase of $2 to $4 a month.

According to the General Manager of the authority it's all because of the now rejected $5 million settlement between the authority and the Decatur chemical manufacturing company Daikin.

The original lawsuit stems from Daikin, and other companies in Decatur, allegedly dumping cancer causing chemicals into the Tennessee River.

Tyler Campbell and his family live in Lawrence County.

The rejected settlement and rate increase brings out strong emotions for him.

"Lots of anger. Lots of disappointment," said Campbell.

The water authority customers footing the bill, for the alleged pollution of the drinking water with cancer causing chemicals by companies like Daikin and 3M, frustrates Campbell the most.

"What's the smallest amount of money we can throw at this to make this go away to shut everybody up and get it off the media? Is basically what it feels like the companies are doing," said Campbell.

The water authority told WAAY 31 they're just as frustrated as Campbell at the rejected settlement, because it will mean the rate increase for customers.

The hike will cover the costs the water authority has had to take on to put in the carbon filtration system to get rid of the cancer causing chemicals.

The opinion from the Eleventh Circuit Court said the settlement was rejected, because attorneys for the water authority were also attorneys for some of the people in the class action lawsuit against the companies.

The court ruled the attorney's had a conflict of interest and didn't adequately represent the customers in the suit, becasue they took a settlement that didn't get money for mental anguish caused by the contaminated drinking water.

Campbell is simply fed up with the process and wants to see the companies, allegedly responsible, to step up and do the right thing.

"We teach our kids; you make a mess, you clean it up. How hard is that for a company to do? You make a mess, you clean it up," said Campbell.

The rejected settlement will now come back to the District Court in Lawrence County where it can be renegotiated.

A new settlement could end up reimbursing customers for the rate increase.On June 5th, the WCO joins the international community in celebrating World Environment Day, under the theme Beat plastic pollution.

On this occasion, the WCO stands together with all its partners in celebrating Customs and all law enforcement efforts in the fight against environmental crime, and would like to raise awareness on environmental issues so that all can contribute towards the preservation of our planet.

Environmental threats are ever expanding and encompass a wide range of aspects. For example, every year more than 400 million tonnes of hazardous waste, including plastic, are generated. A large portion of which is illegally shipped and dumped in vulnerable regions. According to the United Nations University, 44.7 million metric tonnes of electrical and electronic, or E-waste, has been generated by 2016, of which 80 % is not recycled. .

To tackle the illegal transboundary movements of waste, the WCO in partnership with China Customs, are conducting major enforcement operations aimed at mitigating illegal dangerous waste shipments. To that end, regular exchanges of information are essential for successful border enforcement, and the WCO is working closely with its Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs) across the globe, as well as with its Green Customs initiative partners, including the Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Environmental issues are, however, not limited to plastic and waste. Fighting environmental crime is a key priority of the WCO and its 182 Member administrations across the globe, who undertake continuous efforts against illegal wildlife and timber trafficking, and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

The WCOs efforts are further strengthened by the support of its International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) partners, namely CITES, INTERPOL, UNODC and the World Bank. This strong partnership presents a long-term united front against illegal wildlife trade, targeting all aspects of the value chain on both global and regional scale.

Thanks to the support of key development and technical partners, the WCO continues to implement the activities envisaged under the INAMA Project, a tailored-made approach to strengthening the enforcement capacity of targeted Customs administrations in Sub- Saharan Africa and South East Asia to combat illegal wildlife trade.

The WCO encourages everyone to participate; take action today!Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.By West Kentucky Star Staff Jun. 04, 2018 | 11:06 AM | PADUCAH, KY





A well-respected OB/GYN, Dr. Lisa Chaney Lasher, passed away Saturday night at the age of 51, and funeral arrangements were announced Monday afternoon.Lourdes Hospital confirmed the news Sunday with a press release. Friends and clients of Lasher began sharing the news on social media along with their own stories of how caring and compassionate she was, and how she impacted their families.In their statement, Lourdes said, "Dr. Lasher will be fondly remembered at Lourdes as a champion for breast cancer advocacy, being a leader in developing our women's health services and by her fellow physicians as a highly respected medical professional."Lasher was a breast cancer survivor who used her practice and her local notoriety to promote methods for early detection and treatment of the disease.She is survived by her husband and daughter, three sisters, one brother, and several other relatives.Lourdes assured Dr. Lasher's patients that they will have continued access to OB and GYN care. Staff should contact all of her patients in the next couple of days to reschedule appointments with another care providers.Visitation will be held from 3-8 pm on Thursday at Immanuel Baptist Church in Paducah.Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Friday, also at Immanuel Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Kenton Cemetery.Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.

On the Net:By West Kentucky Star Staff Jun. 05, 2018 | 01:26 PM | MAYFIELD, KY

Mayfield police need your help identifying a suspect in a shooting last month that left one man injured.

According to Detective Lt. Brent Farmer, the shooting took place around 1:00 am on May 26 in a vacant lot outside the Disabled American Veterans building on North 15th Street, where a party was taking place. Farmer said 20-year-old Gabriel Vejar was shot in the leg.

Vejar was initially taken to a nearby hospital, but because of the severity of the wound, he was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

The shooter was reportedly wearing a white t-shirt and was hiding his face with a yellow bandana. Farmer says detectives have a suspect in mind, but need someone to come forward and identify him.

Anyone with information on the shooting or the shooting suspect is asked to contact the Mayfield Police Department at 270-247-1621.Embed from Getty Images

As youre no doubt aware, Yaya Toure is currently looking for gainful employ and that means  joy of joys  we get to hear from his sainted agent, Dimitri Seluk, once again.

For the uninitiated, Seluk is highly concerned with Toures physical and mental well-being (and his 10% cut of the proceeds) so when is client is unhappy, Seluk never fails to address the situation with a near-militant urgency  so much so that Yaya actually had to publicly apologise for his conduct on one occasion.

As he has done every June/July for the past however many years, Seluk is agitating once again  and, in the wake of Toures brazen claim that Pep Guardiola doesnt like African players, his agent has also poured scorn on the Man City manager.

Wibbling away to Sport24, Seluk barked that Guardiola has turned Africa against him by designating a reduced role to a 35-year-old central midfielder who plays at walking pace (quotes via City Watch):

God sees everything. As a man who acted with Yaya, a legend of the club, which under different pretexts did not give the opportunity to go on the pitch [] Pep turned Africa against himself, many African fans turned away from City. And Im sure that many African shamans in the future will not allow Guardiola to win the Champions League. This will be for Guardiola an African curse. Life will show whether I am right or not.

Of course, then came the belittling of Pep both professionally and as a human being in general:

Nothing good can be said about the human qualities of Pep Guardiola. You can start with the fact that he came to Manchester City in a nasty way. The transfer was announced at a time when (Manuel) Pellegrini was still at the helm of the team. If you assign my grandmother to Bayern Munich, the team will still become the champions! Theres a consistency with Guardiolas choice: go to clubs with a huge budget, which without him become champions all the time.

Turning his attention to the immediate future, Seluk also made sure to shill for his client, announcing that Toure is keen to move to a top Premier League side and is willing to drastically reduce his salary if needs be:

Yaya has many offers from different countries, ready to pay a lot of money, but we decided to dedicate the next season to Guardiola. And to prove and show the fans of City that Yaya is not finished. He is full of energy and wants to play next season in England. At a time when big sums are being paid, I officially declare that Yaya is ready to move as a free agent to any English club in the top six with a salary of 1 pound a week. But with a bonus system based on certain successes.

Settle in, folks. Its going to be a loooooong summer.School View While most people assume that public education isnt a competition between other public schools and the ever growing number of private schools, that simply is not the case. I have...

Joni Ernst Last week marked the 20th anniversary of the launch of the U.S. military offensive in Afghanistan against the Taliban and al Qaeda in response to their ruthless attack on America....

Oles Corner The hanging baskets seem to be a hot topic so I will start there. Folks, I hate to see them go too. They are annuals  one growing season. Their...As protests continue to erupt in the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and across the world in outrage against the horrific shooting of Jacob Bla Read moreMeet Professor Diane Grayson

The new Senior Director of Academic Affairs at Wits tasked with quality enhancement is a scientist, academic entrepreneur and Tai Chi fundi who speaks French.

Choosing between two loves is never easy and this conundrum faced Diane Grayson when she had to choose a career path to follow as a student.

Growing up in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Grayson was passionate about and excelled at both French and science, personal interests that were far apart and could not be pursued together as majors within the structure of the South African university degree in the 70s.

I eventually decided to focus on physics when I started university in 1975, says Grayson, a physicist who joined the office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at Wits in March.

Born in Cape Town and growing up between the United States and South Africa, the higher education expert describes herself as a natural born teacher but almost did not realise this calling.

The last few years of my schooling in SA were the opposite of what I had received in the US. The education system here was repressive, authoritarian and did not encourage one to think, and I felt like I was in the military rather than school. My early years of schooling in the US were exciting - at the age of 12 we were encouraged to read the New York Times newspaper and to keep up with current affairs and read books. The science that I learnt was cutting-edge because it was during the Space race, and the curricula were developed by top-notch scientists and I had the opportunity to experience that. Language learning was fantastic - I started learning French when I was nine using a Language Lab.

Born to an American father and a South African mother, her family moved back to South Africa when she was in high school and settled in Kloof, KZN. The experience in South Africa almost proved to be a deterrent from teaching, as Grayson battled between her love for teaching and the prospect of working in a system that did not promote true learning.

It was, however, an experience as a junior lecturer at university that offered her hope.

Committed to student success

One of the things that had a profound influence on me was that the course that I was given to teach as a masters physics student, [this] was to teach medical students at the Durban campus at the University of Natal. This was to Black students who had separate classes from their white counterparts due to segregation policies at the time.

I was so moved by the students. They were all on bursaries and many of the students would choose to miss a couple of meals a week so that they could send money to their families. They were incredibly committed and diligent and yet at the same time, it was clear that the schooling that they had received had not prepared them adequately for university.

It was then that I knew what I could do to combine my interests. I made a decision that I wanted to help students who had very poor schooling yet were talented and committed to succeeding. That was the beginning of a lifelong commitment to student success.

After completing her masters degree in Theoretical Plasma Physics, Grayson was granted a Fulbright Scholarship and elected to pursue her PhD at the University of Washington in 1983, mainly attracted by their pioneering work with minority students studying science degrees. As part of the Physics Education Group, Grayson was expected to teach 20 hours a week and worked with many minority students who had similar challenges to the South African Black student population.

Grayson speaks fondly of this time as it helped her gain skills which she later brought to South Africa when she returned in 1990 as coordinator of the Science Foundation Programme at the University of Natal. This programme was established as the country was moving into democracy with the view to support the large number of students who were about to access the doors of higher learning. The programmes success is evident by the number of highly qualified graduates who are now scientists, doctors, teachers, engineers and leaders in other spheres of life.

Grayson, who has extensive experience in working on programmes aimed at student success, coined the now widely used phrase academically talented but underprepared students.

Much of her work in the sector has been about improving the quality of teaching in order to impact learning outcomes and student success. To this end, she has designed several extended academic programmes and training programmes for lecturers, and has participated in curricular review projects at universities across the country. She has authored several high school physical science textbooks.

I am an academic entrepreneur  I like to start things, she says.

Quality is everyone's responsibility

Grayson previously worked as Academic Vice-Rector at the Mathematics, Science and Technology Education College (MASTEC) in Limpopo; Professor of Science Education and Head of the Centre for the Improvement of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in the Faculty of Science at the University of South Africa; manager of Academic Development in the Engineering Faculty at the University Pretoria; and as a self-employed consultant.

Prior to joining Wits as Senior Director Academic Affairs, Grayson was the Director of Institutional Audits at the Council on Higher Education (CHE), where she led the Quality Enhancement Project, a national project to encourage all universities to work systemically to improve student success

According to Grayson, Wits University is synonymous with quality academic output and constantly garners accolades in various areas. The high standards associated with the University are not an accident but are the result of ongoing efforts to maintain a leadership position in the sector. She believes that the ensuring and enhancing quality is the responsibility of everyone at Wits, whether they be academic, professional, or support staff.

Quality assurance is one of the key focus areas of the CHE. Many universities have quality assurance departments, although Grayson prefers the term quality enhancement.

Quality enhancement is a term that is being used more and more widely internationally. It goes beyond quality assurance, which is a starting point, and is often perceived as compliance. Quality assurance needs to be extended to quality enhancement so that there is continuous improvement, explains Grayson.

For a University like Wits, which is concerned about having a global footprint, it is essential that the institution has a very good quality system. Graysons role at Wits is to support the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic (Professor Andrew Crouch) in matters relating to teaching and learning at the University, including quality assurance, academic planning and academic development.

She oversees the following critical units: the Quality and Academic Planning Office (QAPO); The Student Equity and Talent Management Unit (SETMU), and Student Academic Support, and works closely with the Analytics and Institutional Research Unit (AIRU). From 2019 she will also oversee the Centre for Learning and Teaching Development (CLTD)

Professor Crouch stated that Grayson has years of experience and will be able to contribute significantly in strengthening our Quality and Academic Planning Office, as well as building our current initiatives to institutionalise academic support for our students. It is envisaged that she will also play a pivotal role in the professionalisation of teaching initiated through CLTD.

Grayson says she is excited to be at Wits.

I am here as a facilitator to work with the entire University to promote quality enhancement of what we do, to help us work together well, and to look at all our processes to make sure that they are as simple and effective as possible. Some of the approval processes for academic development are quite slow and time-consuming.

She is keen on connecting people around the institution. Wits has a highly devolved structure where faculties have high autonomy. One of the things that can happen in a system like this is that you get pockets of very good practice that are not widely known. There is a need to connect people across the different structures to share good practice.

I would like to see us establish certain standards of good practice across the institution, as we strive for consistency without uniformity, because we need to be cognisant that there are contextual variations from one faculty to another. There has to be a delicate balance between consistency without demanding uniformity, but requiring that there are certain minimum standards.

The thread of balance, quality enhancement and learning runs through Graysons life. She has passed exams in 10 different forms of Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art embracing the mind, body and soul. She recently passed the Tai Chi broadsword form, which she describes as very difficult.

*Grayson has served on the Council of the South African Institute of Physics, the International Commission on Physics Education and the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Committee of the Academy of Science of South Africa. In 2006, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Umea University in Sweden.The death toll from the outbreak of Nipah virus has risen to 16 in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

More than 230 people have been tested for the virus, with 18 confirmed by state officials to have contracted it, according to Kerala's Department of Health and Family Welfare.

All 18 people were hospitalized and quarantined and the last two are currently in recovery.

"The other two are alive and kicking. Their blood is totally clear of the Nipah virus," said Rajeev Sadanandan, additional chief secretary for the state's Department of Health and Family Welfare.

The recovering patients are still in quarantine and are able to speak to their family over the phone. A final set of tests is being conducted to ensure there is no trace of infection.

The state is close to declaring that the infection has been cleared, said Sadanandan.

The first cases were reported on May 19 in a family from the district of Kozhikode, after which India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Health Organization were alerted. India's health ministry promptly deployed a response team.

Fruit bats, which are natural hosts of Nipah virus, were found in an unused well near the family's house, along with rabbits being bred that had recently died, WHO said.

In the first few days of the outbreak, a local nurse, Lini Puthussery, contracted the virus while taking care of these patients and passed away. The Indian government announced they would compensate her family and others that have lost relatives to the Nipah virus.

The World Health Organization has classified the Nipah virus as a 'public health threat' and estimates the fatality rate to be between 40% and 75% depending on the outbreak. The rate for the current outbreak is higher, at almost 90%.

State officials have prepared a contact list, extending to 2300 people, who may have come in contact with the infection through multiple degrees of association.

"It is a very dynamic thing. We have been trying to contain this from day one. The district administration is working very hard as a team," said UV Jose, a district official in Kozikhode,

The last new infection was reported on May 18 and the incubation period of the virus is 21 days, said Sadanandan.

Pragmatically speaking, we are assuming that there is no more infection, said Sadanandan.

"However, the last person who died was on May 29 and we will take 42 days from then before declaring that the infection is closed once and for all," he added.

According to WHO between four and 14 days may elapse between the infection and a patient's first symptoms, but that a 45-day incubation period has been reported.

The state-wide alert has not been withdrawn yet. Officials are hoping it will be withdrawn by the end of the week.

Initial symptoms of Nipah virus can include headaches and drowsiness, and patients can slip into a coma within days, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other symptoms may include acute respiratory syndrome -- in which the lungs cannot get enough oxygen to the body -- and fatal encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.

The virus was first identified during a 1998-1999 outbreak in Malaysia, where almost 300 people were infected and more than 100 died, according to the CDC. More than 1 million pigs were euthanized to halt the spread of the illness.

The virus was named after the village of Kampung Sungai Nipah, where pig farmers contracted the disease.

Only a few outbreaks have happened since then, including in India and Bangladesh, according to the WHO.Federal prosecutors have leveled charges against a Utah man accusing him of spying for China.

Ron Rockwell Hansen, 58, of Syracuse, is a former Defense Intelligence Agency officer who was arrested Saturday at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport attempting to board a flight to China. The U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah accuses him of attempted espionage -- receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars for trying to transmit defense information to the People's Republic of China's Intelligence Service.

"His alleged actions are a betrayal of our nation's security and the American people and are an affront to his former intelligence community colleagues. Our intelligence professionals swear an oath to protect our country's most closely held secrets and the National Security Division will continue to relentlessly pursue justice against those who violate this oath," said Assistant U.S. Attorney General John Demers in a statement.

Hansen made a brief appearance before a federal judge in Seattle on Monday afternoon and agreed to be returned to Salt Lake City to face espionage-related charges. The complaint out of of Utah charges Hansen with with attempting to gather or deliver national defense information to aid a foreign government. The complaint also charges Hansen with acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China, bulk cash smuggling, structuring monetary transactions, and smuggling goods from the United States.

Federal prosecutors allege that Hansen, a retired warrant officer with the U.S. Army who spoke fluent Mandarin and Russian, was hired as a DIA civilian intelligence case officer in 2006. He held a top secret clearance for years. Hansen traveled between the U.S. and China between 2013 and 2017, and provided military and intelligence information to contacts in China associated with PRCIS, the charging documents allege. He received payments of at least $800,000 originating from China, prosecutors claim.

"In addition, Hansen repeatedly attempted to regain access to classified information after he stopped working on behalf of the U.S. Government. Hansen's alerting behavior ultimately resulted in the participation of a law enforcement source from whom Hansen solicited classified information. Hansen disclosed to the source his ongoing contact with the PRCIS, including in-person meetings with intelligence officers during his trips to China," the U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah said in a statement.

To his neighbors, Hansen was known as a friendly man who was involved in church and always with his family. They said they were shocked to learn about the allegations.

"Just known to be the guy that walks his dogs down the street, waving at everybody," Nate Cox said.

Darla Heber said she would also see Hansen and his wife walking their dog, and that she mainly knew Hansen through him teaching Sunday school. She said she couldn't comprehend what she was hearing.

"Terrible," she said. "It's terrible, and it's hard to imagine."

Heber said she didn't know what Hansen did for a job, and wasn't aware of his military background. She indicated that she knew his job required many out-of-town trips.

"I never knew when he was going or coming back," Heber said. "He traveled quite a bit I was told, for his job."

Heber and other neighbors told Fox 13 they wondered if the allegations were part of some misunderstanding or mistake.

"I keep hoping they find they've made a mistake or an error," she said, adding, "but on the other side I imagine to take it this far-- they must feel they have good grounds."ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) - Authorities are calling off the search for the 1-year-old son of a woman who was found buried on the New York farm where she worked.

Crews spent nearly two weeks looking for Owen Hidalgo-Calderon, who was last seen with his mother, Selena Hidalgo-Calderon on May 16. Her body was found in Sodus on May 23. Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts says the mother's boyfriend has admitted to burying her, but not killing her.

The boyfriend, Everardo Donoteo-Reyes of Mexico, is charged with evidence tampering while the woman's death is under investigation.

Donoteo-Reyes is also due in federal court Monday on immigration charges.

The sheriff says they are suspending the search for the boy because investigators ran out of leads.FRANKFORT  After years of sitting empty, the Frankfort 5S South Business Park is close to filling up.

The Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency has agreed to accept an offer for the last two parcels of land in the business park.

One company that would occupy a parcel of land is being referred to as "Higby Gold," and it's a retail-type facility. The executive director of the IDA says we should learn more about the real name of that company soon.

The second business that will occupy one of the remaining parcels of land is a local company. JBF Stainless closed on its purchase Monday morning to expand into the business park.

JBF Stainless builds steel equipment for food, beverage, dairy and the cosmetics industry. The owner of the business, Jake Feldmeier, says the company is outgrowing its current space and needs more room.

He says the additional space will give them the ability to do more, and the expansion means more jobs. The company currently employs about 44 employees, and Feldmeier says there should be at least a 50 percent increase with the new space.

"Well be about 40,000-square-feet," Feldmeier said. "The unique thing about it is it's all  60 percent of it is a high bay building that'll be 52 feet underneath the crane hook, which will allow us to build larger vessels with less material handling."

JBF broke ground on the site on Monday, with the hopes of being up and running in November.

Heidelberg Bread and Tractor Supply Co. already occupy space at the Frankfort 5S South Business Park. When its full, the hope is that there will be more than 700 people employed at the park.

We just closed on the last two parcels, said John Piseck Jr., executive director of the Herkimer County IDA. So, these were the prior two, now we just closed on the last two. So yeah, we have no more room in the 5S Business Park, or the Pumpkin Patch as people like to call it.

The Herkimer County IDA is now on the hunt for more land to develop. Piseck says there are 30 acres in Manheim that theyre looking at.ROME, NY-- The Rome City School District is eliminating summer school starting this year.



"This is a budgetary decision for the most part," said Peter Blake, superintendent of the district. "We started the budget several million dollars in gap and as apart of that we spend minimal funding on summer school to begin with, and we felt that it was a solution to a part of the problem."

Blake said summer school costs roughly $130,000 each year. He added that more than half of the students who attend summer school are retaking physical education classes.

"All classes don't need to be made up in the summertime, " he said. "Students have an opportunity to do what they need to do the first time around during the course of the school year."

But some parents aren't happy with the decision.

Kevin Sharpe, a Rome resident and father of five, said he disagrees with the administration.

"I don't think it's fair," Sharpe said. "They need to stay off of education, they want to cut everything...that keep kids out of trouble, and I mean what more do they want?"

Sharpe said he would rather pay more money in taxes each year than take away summer school from the students who need it.

The district plans to offer other options for students who failed a course. Blake said the district will offer online courses. Students who need to pass a regents exam can retake the test in August, but will have to prepare for it on their own.

"Were raising the bar, is essentially what we're doing," Blake said. "Our taxpayers pay decent amount of money per student, per year. In support of them I think it's the expectation that students rise to the occasion in an attempt make it through the first time without having to spend additional monies."ROME- Rome's Mayor, Jackie Izzo, started her "Walk with the mayor" when she took office. Since its been in place, it has helped the city in many ways.

Mayor Izzo started on South James Street Monday night checking out an area called the "muck" and Gryziec Park, all recommended by residents.

Mayor Izzo said the park looked fine, and in the South James Street area she and her team had to address property owner issues and code violations.

Last year when she did the walk, she found collapsed sewers, and tree and sidewalk issues. Since then, she and the council have made some significant changes."Most people don't realize they are responsible for the sidewalks in front of their house, so we have a sidewalk rebate program," said Izzo. "We upped that by 50% so we're hoping that it's a 75/25 program and a lot of people take advantage of it and repair their sidewalks in front of their homes." She also said they're putting a tree trimming program back in place so trees can continue to be trimmed.





This is the third year the mayor is doing the walk. She'll be out on Monday and Tuesday until the end of August.

She said if an area needs work to call her office at (315)336-6000.



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EDMONTON, Alberta, June 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Visionstate Corp. (TSX-V:VIS) Visionstate (or the Company) today announced that Perry Kinkaide has resigned from the Company's Board of Directors, effective immediately. The Company thanks Mr. Kinkaide for his service for the past few years.



John Putters, President of Visionstate, stated On behalf of the Board and the company, I thank Perry for the contributions he has made during his tenure and wish him continued success in the future.

The Company also announced that Mr. Kevin Gilbank has joined its Board of Directors. He has over 15 years of oil and gas and infrastructure experience with a specialization in operations, project management, clean energy project development, and team leadership. Kevin has held increasingly senior roles within Shell Canada and has been pivotal in the growth of TERIC Power. Kevin holds a professional engineering designation as well as a Biomechanical Engineering Masters of Applied Science from the University of Ottawa, a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Degree (Honours) through the University of Dundee in the United Kingdom and a Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma from Durham College.

About Visionstate Corp.

Visionstate Corp (TSX-V:VIS) is a growth-oriented company that invests in the research and development of promising new technology in the realm of sustainability, analytics and the Internet of Everything. Visionstate provides investors access to holdings in disruptive technologies that include artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain platforms and cryptocurrency. Through Visionstate Inc. it helps businesses improve operational efficiencies, reduce costs and elevate customer satisfaction with its state of the art devices that track and monitor guest activities and requests. The footprint of its WANDA smart device now extends to hospitals, airports, shopping centres and other public facilities across North America. An extension of that product, CINDI, has the potential to transform the guest service experience in the hotel industry. With the recent acquisition of Chatbot Incubator, specializing in applications for artificial intelligence, development is underway to make CINDI into a personal concierge, offering personalized services in every guest room. Through building up a collection of synergistic technologies, Visionstate Corp. will continue to innovate, reduce environmental impact and transform consumer experiences.

For more information please visit www.visionstate.com and follow @Visionstate on Twitter and Facebook .

Visionstate is listed on the TSX-V exchange under the ticker symbol "VIS; additional investor information is available on SEDAR.

Forward Looking Statements



This news release may include certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations, which involve risks and uncertainties associated with Visionstates business and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect Visionstates current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Visionstate assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information about Visionstate, please contact John Putters at (780) 425-9460 or jputters@visionstate.com.Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.RIDOT contractors installed a 182-foot truss-style bridge over the Blackstone River between Woonsocket and North Smithfield on Monday afternoon, despite rainy conditions. Crews high above the Blackstone River get ready to connect the two pieces, one a 50-ton, 126-foot span, and the other a 30-ton, 56-foot piece.Sacred Heart Parish, at 415 Olo St. in the city, will soon be closing its doors after a merger with two other Woonsocket churches was approved Monday.UK starts talks on public investment in nuclear power

05 June 2018

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Japan's Hitachi and the UK government have decided to enter negotiations on the proposed Wylfa Newydd project. In a statement to Parliament yesterday, UK Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said actions the government is taking will support a "long-term pipeline" for new nuclear projects in the country.

How the Wylfa Newydd plant could look alongside the existing Wylfa plant

(Image: Horizon)

Hitachi owns Horizon Nuclear Power, which plans to deploy the UK Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (UK ABWR) at two sites - Wylfa Newydd, which is on the Isle of Anglesey, and Oldbury-on-Severn, in South Gloucestershire.

Clark told Members of Parliament: "This is an important next step for the project, although no decision has been yet taken to proceed, and the successful conclusion of these negotiations will of course be subject to full government, regulatory and other approvals, including but not limited to value for money, due diligence and State Aid requirements."

Hitachi said today it will make its final investment decision for the Horizon project "after applying project assessment in terms of economic rationality as a private company while continuing discussion with the British government".

Value for money

If the Wylfa project were to go forward following this period of negotiation, it would provide around 6% of the UK's current electricity needs until nearly the end of the century, Clark said, whilst supporting thousands of jobs during construction and operation, particularly in Wales.

Noting that nuclear power currently meets around 20% of the UK's electricity demand, Clark said nuclear has an important role to play in the country's energy future as it moves to a low-carbon economy.

"However, we have always been clear that no technology will be pursued at any price: new nuclear must provide value for money for consumers and taxpayers," he said.

Next project

In 2016, the government agreed to support the first new nuclear power plant to be built in the UK - at Hinkley Point C in Somerset.

"As I said at the time the contract for Hinkley Point C was agreed, the government expects future nuclear projects to provide lower cost electricity than Hinkley Point C," Clark said.

Wylfa Newydd is the next project in the pipeline, using Hitachi's reactor design, which has been deployed on time and on budget in Japan, and last December completed the Generic Design Assessment process run by the UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation.

Horizon CEO Duncan Hawthorne said Clark's announcement is "fantastic news" for Anglesey, the nuclear industry, and Horizon, as well as a "clear signal" of the government's commitment to delivering a low-carbon future for the UK.

"Building on last year's regulatory acceptance of our tried and tested reactor technology, it shows real momentum behind the project which will bring huge benefits everywhere from Anglesey to Wales and the UK and Japan. Our focus now is to ensure we continue to deliver on our key project milestones as we move towards construction," Hawthorne said.

Horizon submitted its application for Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Planning Inspectorate on 1 June for permission to build the Wylfa Newydd plant.

The company said today the Planning Inspectorate has 28 days to decide whether the DCO application "meets the robust standards" that will enable it to be accepted for examination, including consideration of Horizon's pre-application consultations which date back to 2014.

If the DCO is accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate, members of the public and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on Horizon's plans as part of the process. The DCO process takes about 17-18 months from submission to determination.

Horizon has also submitted key applications for a Marine Licence, Operations Combustion permit, Operations Water Discharge permit and Construction Water Discharge permit from Natural Resources Wales.

Focus

Clark said a key focus of discussions with Hitachi has been  and will continue to be  achieving lower cost electricity for consumers.

"Both the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee have recommended that the government consider variations from the Hinkley Point C financing model in order to reduce costs to consumers. In line with the NAO and PAC's clear findings and recommendations, for this project the government will be considering direct investment alongside Hitachi, and the Japanese Government agencies and other parties.

"Our partnership on this project would serve as a further example of civil nuclear collaboration between the UK and Japan, building on the Memorandum of Cooperation that was signed in 2016 with that country," he said.

New capacity

The UK is likely to need "significant" new nuclear capacity in order to meet its carbon reduction commitments at least cost, Clark said, "particularly as we electrify more of our transport and heating".

He added: "So alongside entering negotiations in relation to Wylfa Newydd, the government will also continue to engage with the other developers in the UK new nuclear market on their proposals for further projects."

This engagement currently includes: EDF's plan for a follow-on EPR project at Sizewell C; China General Nuclears (CGN's) proposals for an HPR1000 reactor at Bradwell: and Toshiba on the future of the NuGen project at Moorside; as well as Hitachi over potential further ABWR units at Wylfa and Oldbury.

Zheng Dongshan, CEO of CGN's London-based subsidiary CGN UK, said the start of negotiations over the financing of the Wylfa Newydd project is "another positive development" for new nuclear power in the UK.

"As investors in the Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C projects, and as lead investors in the proposed Bradwell B power station, CGN UK is hugely encouraged by the government's continued commitment to our sector," Dongshan said today.

"In China, CGN has a long track record of delivering new power stations safely and efficiently. One of the reasons for that is the so-called fleet effect that results from having a workforce and supply chain which gains experience from working on many projects. Therefore, the progress at Wylfa, in addition to Hinkley Point C, and our proposed Sizewell C and Bradwell B projects, can only help to bring costs down and raise the productivity of our entire industry. That is why this announcement is so welcome," he added.

Private sector

Clark says it remains the government's objective in the longer term that new nuclear projects, like other energy infrastructure, should be financed by the private sector.

As a result, it will be reviewing the viability of a regulated asset base model as a sustainable funding model based on private finance for future projects beyond Wylfa, he said. This could deliver the government's objectives in terms of value for money, fiscal responsibility and decarbonisation, he added.

Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said Clark's statement will stimulate the UK industrial supply chain, its partnerships with Japanese counterparts, and provide highly skilled jobs and growth in North Wales.

Greatrex said the industry "particularly welcomes" the news of government commitment to consider different funding models, including direct investment, for financing nuclear new build projects. "This will reduce overall project costs and, in turn, the cost to consumers as we transition to a low-carbon electricity system able to meet our future energy challenges," he said.

Support

Clark also said government support for nuclear is "reiterated" in the Nuclear Sector Deal, which it will publish with the sector shortly.

That deal, which the government has developed in close partnership with the nuclear sector, will also include ambitious proposals to drive down costs across the sector, including by reducing the cost of construction in new build and by investing in innovation in advanced nuclear technologies, he said.

The actions the government is taking will "support a long-term pipeline for new nuclear projects in this country and will provide the visibility needed to enable the industry to invest in the skills - including through the National Nuclear College  and the UK supply chain capabilities across the country," he added.

Matt Rooney, engineering policy adviser at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said Clark's statement that the government may invest directly in electricity generation is a major development.

"It recognises the important role that state financing could play in reducing the cost of large-scale, low-carbon energy projects," he said.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topicsFORM 8.5 (EPT/RI)

PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY

1. KEY INFORMATION

(a) Name of exempt principal trader:



Investec Bank plc



(b) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:

Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree



Hogg Robinson Group plc



(c) Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected:







Investec are Joint Broker to Hogg Robinson Group plc



d) Date dealing undertaken:



4th June 2018



(e) Has the EPT previously disclosed, or is it today disclosing, in respect of any other party to this offer? Yes

2. DEALINGS BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER

(a) Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security Purchases/ sales



Total number of securities Highest price per unit paid/received

(pence)



Lowest price per unit paid/received

(pence)



Ordinary

Shares







Sale



12,001



119.5



119.5

(b) Derivatives transactions (other than options)

Class of relevant security Product description

e.g. CFD Nature of dealing

e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit





(c) Options transactions in respect of existing securities

(i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type

e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit

(ii) Exercising

Class of relevant security Product description

e.g. call option Number of securities Exercise price per unit





(d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security Nature of dealing

e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)





The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

3. OTHER INFORMATION

(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:

If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state none



None

(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to:

(i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or

(ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:

If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state none



None



Crowdfunder launched after young Wrexham man dies after fall in Magaluf

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Jun 5th, 2018

A young man from Wrexham has died after a suspected fall from a balcony while on holiday in Magaluf.

20-year-old Tom Hughes, who went to school in Rhosnesni, was on holiday when the incident took place over the weekend.

A Foreign Office spokesman has said: We are providing assistance to the family of a British man who died on 3rd June in Mallorca, and are in contact with the Spanish authorities.

Friends who set up the GoFundMe said: Following the tragic news about Tom, we are looking to raise some funds in order to help the family as much as possible during the coming weeks, however we can.

Tom was a fantastic person, who would have wanted to help anyone, and was a pleasure to be around.

Any donations are greatly appreciated and will certainly the cause.

At the time of writing there have been 280 donations which have raised over 5,400.

You can view tributes, and contribute to the crowdfunder via https://www.gofundme.com/5mu6nf4 .Selbyville, Delaware, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Positive Displacement Blowers Market will surpass USD 3 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Positive displacement blowers (rotary lobe blowers) market will be majorly driven by increasing demand from water and waste water treatment industry, which is rapidly growing over past few years. Rising demand for fresh water for drinking, industrialization and agriculture has fuelled positive displacement blowers market growth in 2017. It is projected that by 2025 global water & waste water treatment industry will reach to USD 674.72 billion as various countries are increasing the share of their financial budget on water and waste water treatment processes.

Another prime growth driver for rotary lobe blower market will be packaging industry, which has shown some excellent growth number in past years and is likely to grow with rapid growth rate in future. It is anticipated that by 2024, global packaging industry will cross the mark of USD 1 trillion, this exponential growth in packaging industry shall increase the positive displacement blowers demand over the forecast period.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2626

High rotary lobe blower price and increasing trade barriers pose a threat to rotary lobe blowers market in coming years. Moreover, increasing trend of isolation and ongoing trade wars between countries such as China and U.S. will further hamper the positive displacement blowers demand over the forecast period. Theres threat of substitution from various blower alternatives available in the market such as regenerative blowers.

Tri-lobe blower shall be the fastest growing segment in the overall positive displacement blowers market during the forecast timeframe. Countries including China, India, Japan are increasingly accepting tri-lobe blowers technology for industrial, oil & gas and chemical applications. In India, twin lobe blowers are still used at a large scale.

Browse key industry insights spread across 205 pages with 213 market data tables & 22 figures & charts from the report, Positive Displacement Blowers Market Share & Forecast, 2018  2024 in detail along with the table of contents:

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Asia Pacific accounted for a major chunk of global rotary lobe blowers market in 2017 and shall continue to hold the same position by 2024. Increasing local product manufacturers in the region and multinational giants setting manufacturing plants due to cost competitive labor and vast domestic market shall be propelling product demand across the region. Europe is another prominent market for rotary lobe blowers market due to its rapidly increasing water & wastewater treatment facilities across local levels. European chemical industry generates approximately USD 900 billion revenue every year. The region is among the top chemical manufacturer and exporter in the world with more than USD 70 billion trade surplus every year.

The positive displacement blowers market is diverse and includes multi-national players to local medium scale companies as well. The rotary lobe blowers industry has some chief global players including Aerzen, Kaeser, Universal Blower Pac, Shandong Zhangqiu Blower Co., Ltd, Howden, Kay International, Busch SE, Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc, Hitachi Ltd., Siemens and Eurus blowers. Subsidiary and joint ventures are major strategies adopted by players operating in this industry. For instance, In June 2017 Busch SE has acquire slightly more than 30% stakes in its domestic rival Pfeiffer. This move is likely to give advantage to Busch SE in the coming years in domestic pumps and blowers market. Most of the companies have their own sales and service networks in various regions for their products. Also, some of the manufacturers sell their products through online channels.

Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2626

Browse Related Reports:

Helical Screw Blowers Market Report 2018-2024

Helical Screw Blowers Market size was over USD 785 million in 2017, with projected gains close to 6% CAGR between 2018 and 2024. Growing need for highly efficient industrial products as demanded by the ongoing revolutionized industry 4.0 will propel the screw blowers market size in the near future.

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/helical-screw-blowers-market

Oil-Free Air Compressor Market Forecast, 2018  2024

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/oil-free-air-compressor-market

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.King Street apartment plans given go ahead despite concern about amenity space for residents

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Jun 5th, 2018

Plans to convert office space above town centre retail space into apartments have been approval  despite concerns about the lack of outdoor amenity space for future residents.

The proposals to partially convert office space into five self-contained apartments at 63 King Street received backing from a majority of councillors.

As part of the plans the ground floor of the building would be partially converted into accommodation, with a one bedroom property situated at the rear of the property. A single self-contained office would remain at the front of the building while four one bedroom apartments would also be created on the first and second floors.

The application also consists of a two storey extension at the rear of the property to facilitate additional floor space.

Outlining the proposals at yesterdays meeting, Planning Control Officer David Williams explained that within town centre living it is not uncommon to have residential usages without external space and that a yard at the rear of the property would be used as a drying area, bins and for storage.

It was also explained that converting empty space above town centre offices and shops is in line with Wrexham Council policies to increase residential occupancy in town and increase footfall beyond normal business hours.

However Cllr Marc Jones, who represents the Grosvenor ward, argued that the plans should be refused due to the lack of amenity space that would be available to those living there.

Cllr Jones said: I am supportive of town centre living generally, but I feel it has to be correct and that we get this right. If we get it wrong we are storing up problems for the future.

There one car parking parking space that will be left, there are two at the moment and the one left will be for retail. Which means the five flats will have no car parking space.

If we are serious about people having town centre living as an aspiration and something to aspire to, then a lot of those people will be in work and inevitably that work will take them out of the town centre.

Unfortunately our bus station is dealing with 20 per cent fewer bus journeys than it was two or three years ago. Our public transport service is not fit for purpose, inevitably that means people for good or bad have to rely on cars.

I have a concern that if we are talking about town centre living we have to ensure that town centre living works for people in work and not reliant on inadequate public transport network.

I am also concerned that if people do have cars, they will inevitably end up using other office space in that row which will cause problems for other businesses in that row. Or residential streets in Rhosddu which are already under pressure from existing parking problems.

Reference was also made to the lack of amenity space for bins, storage for bikes and clothes at the yard at the rear of the property, with Cllr Jones adding: I dont think it is sufficient. On that basis and reluctantly as I do want to see town centre living, I am asking for a rejection on grounds of lack of amenity space.

The recommendation for refusal was seconded by another member of the committee.

Mr Williams pointed out that Wrexham Council do not have a policy which requires having amenity space available for such units in the town centre and that if a similar approach is taken for all town centre application, it could result in empty units above shops and offices in the town centre.

He added: This is not a new development, this is a change of use of an existing building. The only way it is going to get occupancy is through allowing some degree of flexibility and accepting that certain individuals dont need that space and that it is a choice.

The basis of parking and the approach taken by Welsh Government is about demand management. There will be numerous examples in Wrexham where it cant satisfy the parking requirement as it is an existing building in a densely built up area within the town centre.

Its a process about influencing choice and individual choice and attracting people to town who dont need a car. If you are reliant on a vehicle and work in a different town, the chance are you are not interested in purchasing of living in a flat of a one bedroom apartment in Wrexham.

We have to be careful with the decision. We dont want a situation where we sterilise all of the upper floors in Wrexham town centre purely because there is insufficient amenity space and lack of parking.

Chairman of the committee, Cllr Mike Morris, also made reference to potential plans councillors may have to consider with regards to Henblas Street, which would also have a lack of amenity space.

A vote to refuse the plans was voted down by committee members, with seven councillors alter voting in favour of approving the plans, with five voting against.See Wrexham from a different viewpoint and book your St. Giles tower tour! (Plus church hosts town forum meeting)

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Jun 5th, 2018

Theres a chance to see Wrexham from a different view this summer, with a series of trips to the top of one of the towns most iconic landmarks.

Wrexham.com was invited to St Giles as part of the now travelling Town Centre Forum meeting, and after an hour and a half of meeting business we enjoyed the genuinely tremendous hospitality of the Rev Dr Jason Bray and volunteers. What can only be described as a wonderful buffet spread, which we are told is quite commonly provided, was followed by a brief guided tour of the church and then a trip up the famed tower.

Reading through the visitors book showed a global spread of travellers, with nearly 27,000 people welcomed in 2017 alone.

Excluding any repair or building costs it is budgeted to cost 330 a day in 2018 to run the church. Forum members were told there was no government or similar public funding on offer nor from the church as many expect, and the church is reliant on income from fees and charges, collections at services and various donations and fundraising activities.

St Giles is the only Grade I listed building in the town centre, and being 180 feet long, we think that makes it bigger than St Asaphs cathedral.

Yesterday evening we were told the story of how St Giles could have been the inspiration for the towers of Westminster in London, with the Elizebeth Tower housing Big Ben having elements of the Wrexham tower, and the Victoria tower bearing the strongest resemblance. Architect Augustus Pugin stayed locally in Chirk Castle prior to the London construction project, and although there is no direct documentary evidence for the link, the resemblance is striking.

Other trivia included the stat that there are 62 trees in the church yard, that is one of the largest town centre green areas.

Rev Dr Jason Bray spoke of the range of events, including the expected 230 services a year, with a further 60 concerts and recitals. On top the busiest church in Wales provides 750 cooked two course meals to members of a regular Lunch Club, 80 hours of play services to youngsters, 20 hours of dads and children time, 50 hours of Memory Cafe helping those with dementia and their carers, plus over 50 hours of activity groups for older people.

Several small conferences have been held at the church, and with flexible space and an upper level space Dr Bray pointed out it was possible to hire the spaces for meetings or similar events.

The range of volunteers was also mentioned, with an estimated 6500 volunteer hours being tallied up for 2017 alone.

St Giles, also known as Wrexham Parish Church locally, are offering four more dates for tower tours this season as listed below, at a charge of 4 per person. Access to the church itself is free to all on a point of principle.

Saturday 30th June

Saturday 28th July

Saturday 25th August

Saturday 29th September

To reserve a place call 01978 292015 (10am-4pm Monday to Friday) or email tic@wrexham.gov.uk to check availability and to book. Places are on a first come first served basis, and we are told prebooking is highly recommended.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Belvedere Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:BEL) (the Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rufus Round as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company, and the appointment of Alice Reimer as a Director of the Company.



Mr. Brian Hinchcliffe will remain as Executive Chairman of the Company. Mr. Steve Cuthill has stepped down from the Board, but will remain as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company.

Brian Hinchcliffe, Executive Chairman said, We are pleased to announce the appointments of Rufus Round and Alice Reimer and the experience they bring to the Company as it examines what financial and strategic alternatives may be available to it.

About Rufus Round

Rufus Round is a former investment manager with over twenty years of experience in multi-asset investment. He most recently managed funds at award winning London-based hedge fund, Cheyne Capital. Prior to that, he was a partner at niche arbitrage specialist Boston & Alexander, also based in London. Convertible bonds, fixed income, credit, equities and their derivative instruments have all featured prominently throughout his career, capped with experience and investments in various technologies.

About Alice Reimer

Alice Reimer is a successful tech entrepreneur and dedicated community mentor and leader. She co-founded Calgary-based Evoco, leading the innovative software firm from initial concept through to a 2012 acquisition. Evoco's technology became the standard construction management system for global retailers including Home Depot, Walmart and Luxottica. Most recently, Alice was the CEO of Chaordix, a pioneering software leader in the crowdsourcing and open innovation space, with global clients including LEGO, Procter & Gamble, KPMG and IBM.

Alice was the recipient of PROFITs W100 designation as one of Canadas Top Female Entrepreneurs and was named one of Alberta's 50 Most Influential People for 2013. She is on the Board of the A100 and is the Board Chair for Startup Calgary.

Grant of Stock Options

The Company also announces the grant of incentive stock options to acquire a total of 1,567,295 common shares (Common Shares) of the Company at an exercise price of $0.95 per share, such options to vest as to one-half on June 5, 2019 and one-half on June 5, 2020. The options expire five years from the date of grant. Options to acquire 1,422,295 Common Shares were granted to directors and officers of the Company and options to acquire 145,000 Common Shares were granted to employees and consultants of the Company

BELVEDERE RESOURCES LTD.

Brian Hinchcliffe, Executive Chairman

c/o 82 Richmond Street East, Suite 200, Toronto, ON, M5C 1P1

Tel. +1 (914) 815 2773

bhinch3@gmail.com

www.belvedere-resources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Speaking from New York yesterday, Ecuadors foreign minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa defended her governments vindictive decision to cut WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange off from all communication and even personal visitors. For 10 weeks, Assange has been deprived of contact with the outside world, under conditions in which his health has been seriously compromised by being confined inside the small Ecuadorian embassy in London for nearly six years.

Espinosa again hinted that Ecuador is working to force Assange out of the embassy into the clutches of waiting police and a prison cell, and the prospect of extradition to the United States on charges of espionage. She stated she was in discussion with both British authorities and Assanges lawyers. I think all parties are interested in finding an outlet, a solution, to this complex situation, she declared.

Ecuadorian president, Lenin Moreno, last year slandered Assange as a hacker and described the granting of political asylum to him by the previous president as an inherited problem. Under Moreno, Ecuador has sought to mend its relations with US imperialism. Democratic rights, WikiLeaks and Julian Assange are part of the price. Assanges communications were cut off just one day after a top-level US military delegation held talks with Morenos government on strengthening security cooperation.

Espinosa justified her governments action by condemning Assange for doing what journalists should do: comment on and raise awareness about political issues.

She told the Associated Press: On several occasions he [Assange] has agreed on not intervening in internal politics of third-party countries and unfortunately he has not complied with his commitment, so for the time being he is not allowed to have access to the internet.

In her most remarkable statement, she asserted that depriving one of the best known investigative journalists and exposers of government criminality of their ability to communicate was not a matter of censorship.

Assange is not only being censored by the Ecuadorian government, but far worse. It is working as part of a calculated attempt to break Julian Assange and pressure him into voluntarily leaving the embassy into the hands of his persecutors.

Espinosa was in New York as part of Ecuadors campaign for her to be named as the next president of the United Nations General Assembly. Pushing out Assange may well get her the vote of the US, British, Australian, and other governments that are part of the international conspiracy against WikiLeaks.

The statements of Ecuadors foreign minister follow those last week by its President Moreno. In words that could have been spoken by any police-state dictator, he asserted that there was responsible liberty and liberty in which everyone thinks they can do whatever they want, whenever they want and however they want.

In the Orwellian world that a global campaign of internet and state censorship is seeking to create, the mass of the population will be cut off from all information and political commentary that exposes and challenges the unprecedented levels of social inequality, oppression and war.

The internet conglomerates such as Google and Facebook, along with the establishment media, are the enforcers of responsible liberty, responsible journalism and responsible politicsthat is, the silencing of any opposition to the capitalist system which has enabled just eight individuals to amass more wealth than half the worlds population and threatens to plunge humanity into a nuclear third world war.

Those who insist on the right of the working class to know the truth and to fight for social change are denounced as anarchic forces of instability who threaten the very fabric of society.

Assange and WikiLeaks are under attack because of the actions they have taken, especially in 2010, to publish leaks provided by whistleblowers that have lifted the lid on US war crimes, anti-democratic intrigues, government corruption and corporate abuses.

As the WSWS perspective commented yesterday: The American state and its allies are seeking to destroy WikiLeaks and Julian Assange in order to intimidate every critical and independent media organisation. The aim is to suppress the exposure of the crimes and lies of governments and to silence all those who seek to defend democratic rights and freedom of speech.

At this moment of extreme danger for Assange, momentum is building behind a renewed struggle to demand his immediate and unconditional freedom.

A vigil called in London on June 19the anniversary of when the WikiLeaks editor sought asylum six years agohas spread around the world, with events now organised in various American cities, in Europe and in Australia.

The demonstration called in Sydney, Australia on Sunday, June 17 by the Socialist Equality Party, with the support and participation of journalist John Pilger, is gaining endorsement from principled defenders of democratic rights. The demonstration will demand that the Australian government end its complicity in the persecution of Assangean Australian citizenand take immediate steps to secure his release and return to Australia, with guaranteed protection against any US extradition warrants.

Workers, youth and students around the world should fight to build support and take part in the demonstrations and vigils, or call them in cities where one is not currently organised.This eight-part series first appeared on the World Socialist Web Site during MayJune 2008, on the 40th anniversary of the general strike in France. We are presenting it here unchanged, but with a new Introduction in light of intervening events. Part 1, posted May 29, deals with the development of the student revolt and the general strike up to its high point at the end of May. Part 2, posted May 30, examines how the Communist Party (PCF) and the union it controls, the CGT, enabled President Charles de Gaulle to regain control. Part 3, posted May 31, and Part 4, posted June 1, examine the role played by the Pabloites. The final four parts will examine the role of Pierre Lamberts Organisation Communiste Internationaliste (OCI), including Part 5, posted June 2; Part 6, posted June 3; and Part 7 posted below.



The rightward evolution of the OCI

The events of 1968 mark a turning point in the history of the OCI. At the time of the general strike, the OCI, whose roots lay in the Trotskyist movement, had already evolved in a marked centrist direction, its policies increasingly oriented towards the Stalinist and reformist bureaucracies. Three years later, it broke with the international Trotskyist movement and became an important prop of the French Socialist Party, and, thereby, of the French bourgeois state.

The student movement and the general strike had brought the OCI several thousand new members and contacts. They had joined an ostensibly Trotskyist organisation, but the centrist course of the OCI oriented them towards the bureaucratic apparatuses. They were not trained as Marxists, but rather were educated as opportunists.

These young people, who gradually displaced the older cadre, played an important role in the rightward development of the OCI. Many later switched to the Socialist Party and embarked on a political career that took them to the highest public offices.

The rightward evolution of the OCI was closely linked to the rise of a social layer to whom it paid special attention in 1968the lower ranks of the trade union bureaucracy, which it referred to as the organisational cadres of the working class.

As we have seen, the OCI hoped that the sharpening political crisis would bring these cadres into conflict with the apparatuses, forcing them to the left. Not only was this hope based on a false understanding of the character of the trade unions, it also rested on an incorrect estimation of the Gaullist regime, whose strength the OCI massively overestimated.

From 1958, when General de Gaulle returned to power at the high point of the Algerian crisis, and put through a constitution tailored to his personal requirements, the OCI had characterised his rule as Bonapartism. De Gaulle is not simply one element among others of the political personnel of the French bourgeoisie, the OCI wrote, in a programmatic article published in La Verite at the beginning of 1968, under the title Gaullist Bonapartism and the Tasks of the Avant-Garde, but, rather, de Gaulle had forced himself upon his class and was supported by it because it could conduct its struggle against the proletariat and its international rivals only buttressed by a strong state, which subordinates all social layers, mobilises all the resources of the economy and mobilises all areas of society exclusively in favour of big capital. [25]

The OCI attributed almost superhuman powers to de Gaulle. The state established by him is an iron brace that enables a senile and feeble bourgeoisie to stand on its feet, the same article claimed. Parliament was merely a facade, enabling the workers leaders to preserve the electoral illusions of the masses.

For a long time, the OCI led a sort of underground existence because it anticipated that de Gaulle would adopt openly dictatorial forms of rule. It was convinced that in the event of a serious crisis, he would smash the workers movement with the support of the trade union leaders, who were integrated into the state.

The OCI wrote: To politically smash the workers movement, destroying and dispersing the organisational cadre of the class, is the common aim of de Gaulle and the apparatuses. The apparatuses faced the alternative of going under or of integrating themselves into the state, becoming the direct agents of the murderous plans of Bonapartism, while the organisational cadres, which remain on the field of class warfare, will tend to detach themselves from the politics of the apparatus.

But in 1968, reality looked very different from what the OCI had imagined. The Gaullist regime proved to be far weaker than it had expected. It did not dare suppress the general strike of 10 million workers by force. To bring it under control, it used not only the services of the apparatuses, but, above all, those of the cadres on which the OCI had set its hopes. And while the material concessions it made to the workers were relatively small, the actual beneficiaries of the general strike were these cadres.

For a broad layer of union bureaucrats, 1968 marked the beginning of a social ascent that secured it well-endowed positions as well as political influence. Part of the Grenelle accord was the stabilisation and legal anchoring of the trade unions within industry, something upon which the government had insisted against the initial resistance of the employers associations.

It also guaranteed the continuation of joint administration of the social insurance system by unions and employers. The state-subsidised budgets of the various social insurance schemes were worth billions, securing constantly growing pay cheques for numerous union officials (including many prominent OCI members), even as the number of union members declined.

In addition, the unification of the splintered social democratic groups into the Socialist Party in 1969, and its electoral alliance with the Communist Party, provided many functionaries with opportunities for political advancement. The left, discredited by its infamous role in the Algerian War and the Fourth Republic, was once again a political force. Its numerous posts at the local, regional and (after Francois Mitterrands election as president) national level proved very attractive.

After 1968, the OCI maintained its orientation towards the bureaucracy and adapted its political programme to its social ascent. By 1971, it no longer drew a distinction between cadres and apparatuses, courting the apparatuses as well. Mitterrand, whom the OCI had fiercely attacked in 1968, now appeared as a speaker at a large OCI rally celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the Paris Commune. The united class front was no longer identified with the central strike committee, but with the electoral alliance between the Socialist and Communist parties.

The OCI even denounced some of the radical groups because they had put forward their own election candidates. In 1969, the OCI aggressively attacked the Pabloite Ligue Communiste Internationaliste (LCR) because it stood its own presidential candidate, Alain Krivine. This, the OCI claimed in its youth newspaper Jeunesse revolutionnaire, split the advanced workers from those workers who remain faithful to their organisations and parties, and provided ammunition for the bourgeoisie and the Stalinist apparatus. In 1974, it condemned the participation in the election of Krivine and Arlette Laguiller of Lutte Ouvriere as unprincipled candidacies against the united workers front. [26]

In 1971, the OCI sent several members into the Socialist Party. Their task was not to develop a faction, but rather to support Mitterrand. The most successful of these OCI members, Lionel Jospin, ascended rapidly within the circle of advisors to the future president, ultimately succeeding him as chairman of the Socialist Party in 1981. At this time, Jospin was still a member of the OCI and met regularly for consultations with Pierre Lambert. Witnesses have since confirmed that Mitterrand was quite aware of the true political identity of his favourite. From 1997 to 2002, Jospin was the Socialist Party prime minister of France.

The OCI also conquered the apparatus of the third-largest French trade union federation, Force Ouvriere, and the student federation, UNEF. For many years, party members or close supporters stood at the head of both organisations. In 1986, Jean-Christophe Cambadelis, for many years in charge of the OCIs student work, moved directly from the central committee of the OCI into the leadership of the Socialist Party, taking 450 OCI members with him.

From 1985 onwards, the OCI began to cautiously dissociate itself from the Socialist Party, which had, from 1981, supplied the bourgeois republic with its president and formed its government, pursuing policies favouring the interests of big business. The OCI created the Mouvement pour un Parti des travailleurs (Movement for a Workers Party, MPPT). Although this was a pure creation of the OCI, it always stressed that the Trotskyists were only a minority inside the organisation, and that it was open to social democratic, Communist and anarcho-syndicalist currents. The MPPT was a reservoir of dissatisfied trade union and party bureaucrats who had fallen out with the leaderships of their own organisations or whose career advancement had been overlooked.

In 1985, the MPPT was renamed Parti des travailleurs (Workers PartyPT), and in June of 2008 this was dissolved into the Parti ouvrier independent (Independent Workers PartyPOI). The slogan of this new party, For Socialism, the Republic and Democracy, is unmistakably in the tradition of right-wing social democracy. It speaks for those layers of the petty bourgeoisie and the trade union bureaucracy that have responded to the consequences of globalisation by promoting the national state. Its political work centres on agitation against the European Union, to which it does not counterpose a socialist Europe, but rather a free and fraternal union of all the peoples of Europe. A further POI slogan reads: Yes to the sovereignty of the peoples of Europe. The nationalist undertones of these slogans are inescapable.

The roots of the centrism of the OCI

The centrist decline of the OCI began long before 1968. In June 1967, the British section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, the Socialist Labour League (SLL), wrote a long letter to the OCI sharply criticising the policies that would determine its intervention in 1968. In particular, this letter pointed to the OCIs increasing scepticism towards the viability of the International Committee and the significance of its struggle against Pabloism. [27]

One year previously, at the Third World Congress of the ICFI, the OCI had supported an amendment submitted by the SLL that insisted that the revisionist efforts to destroy the Fourth International had been successfully defeated. The congress insisted that the struggle against revisionism was not a diversion from more important tasks of party building. Rather, in its persistent defence of Marxism against Pabloite revisionism, the Trotskyist movement had fought the ideological pressure of the bourgeoisie and developed its revolutionary perspective. The struggle against Pabloite revisionism embodied the continuity of the Fourth International, the congress insisted, and was the necessary precondition for the building of a new proletarian leadership.

The amendment of the SLL was directed against the Spartacist tendency and the group Voix Ouvriere (today, Lutte Ouvriere), which participated as guests at the congress. They had interpreted the somewhat ambiguous title of the main resolution, Reconstruction of the Fourth International, to mean that the ICFI had been destroyed and that the struggle waged by the International Committee since 1953 against Pabloite revisionism lacked any theoretical or political significance. They were striving at a reconstruction of the Fourth International on the basis of a broad political amnesty, whereby the crucial programmatic questions that had led to the split of 1953 were simply set aside. When these two organisations saw that the International Committee opposed such a course of liquidation, they left the congress.

Faced with the hysterical hostility displayed by the Spartacist tendency and Voix Ouvriere against the ICFIs historical struggle against the Pabloites, the OCI aligned itself with the SLL at the Third Congress and voted for its amendment. But it soon became clear that the OCI maintained its own considerable reservations.

In May 1967, it published a statement that openly questioned the achievements of the Third World Congress. Under the pretext of drawing a balance sheet of the activity of the IC since the Third World Congress and seeking to open discussions necessary to resolve problems which the Third IC Conference was not able to discuss, the OCI denied the continuity of the Fourth International. [28]

Having declared the bankruptcy of the Pabloite leadership, we cannot simply state that the Fourth International continues purely and simply, with the IC taking the place of the Pabloite IS [International Secretariat], the OCI document stated. It went on to declare that all of the old leadership of the Fourth International capitulated under the pressure of imperialism and Stalinism.

The Pabloite crisis dislocated the Fourth International organisationally, the OCI document continued, and accumulated theoretical and political problems to be resolved.... We cannot shout the King is dead, long live the King. We must open a discussion on these questions, a discussion which has not yet been thoroughly undertaken inside the IC.

The document culminated in the statement: Basically, the Fourth International was destroyed under the pressure of hostile class forces.... The IC is not the leadership of the Fourth International.... The IC is the motive force for the rebuilding of the Fourth International. [29]

The document then presented Pabloism in a way that deviated completely from the previous analysis of the International Committee. The OCI did not accuse the Pabloites of revising the Marxist programme, giving up the struggle for the political independence of the working class and instead seeking to liquidate the Fourth International. Instead, it accused the Pabloites of maintaining the conception of a finished Fourth International and parties endowed with a pyramid-style hierarchy, with world congresses and an ultra-centralist structure. The OCI went so far as to claim that Trotsky considered the Fourth International neither as constructed nor as possessing a definitive structure. [30]

Following the dispute with the Spartacist tendency and Voix Ouvriere, the British SLL was quick to grasp the significance of these words and sharply rejected the attempt by the OCI to challenge the role of the International Committee. The future of the Fourth International is represented in the stored up hatred and experience of millions of workers for the Stalinists and reformists who betray their struggles, it wrote. The Fourth International must consciously fight for leadership to meet this need.... Only this struggle against revisionism can prepare the cadres to take the leadership of the millions of workers drawn into the struggle against capitalism and against the bureaucracy.... The living struggle against Pabloism and the training of cadres and parties on the basis of this struggle was the life of the Fourth International in the years since 1952 (emphasis in the original). [31]

The SLL did not limit itself to defending the historical continuity of the Fourth International. It demonstrated the link between the objective changes in the class struggle and the increasing scepticism of the OCI. Faced with a growing radicalisation of workers and young people all over the world and the numerical weakness of its own cadre, the OCI sought an opportunist short cut that would permit it to win influence, without conducting a laborious struggle for Marxist consciousness in the working class. This was the meaning of its allegation that the Pabloites were advocating an ultra-centralist International, its claim that Trotsky favoured an international without any firm structure, and its dwelling upon the organisational weaknesses and lapses of the International Committee after the Third World Congress.

The SLL therefore warned: Now the radicalisation of workers in western Europe is proceeding rapidly, particularly in France.... There is always a danger at such a stage of development that a revolutionary party responds to the situation in the working class not in a revolutionary way, but by an adaptation to the level of struggle to which the workers are restricted by their own experience under the old leadershipi.e., to the inevitable initial confusion. Such revisions of the fight for the independent party and the Transitional Programme are usually dressed up in the disguise of getting closer to the working class, unity of all those in struggle, not posing ultimatums, abandoning dogmatism, etc (emphasis in the original). [32]

The opportunist orientation of the OCI emerged particularly clearly in its interpretation of the united front. The OCI wrote: Between 1944 and 1951 it was customary for the PCI [forerunner of the OCI] to send letters to the PB of the French CP to offer it a united front, organisation to organisation. Given the numerical weakness of the PCI, such a policy was unrealistic because: What sector did the PCI lead which could provide a basis for a united front between it and the French CP?

Now, the OCI continued, our policy of a united front is different. We express the demands of the advanced workers to the leaderships recognised by the working class (SFIO, French CP, union leaderships); it is necessary to break with the bourgeoisie and bring about the united class front.... We bring together and organise layers of youth, workers and militants to struggle for the united front. Through these battles for the united front we are building the OCI. [33]

The SLL protested strongly against this conception of the united front. It insisted that the party must fight openly on its own policies to challenge the opportunist and centrist political leaderships of the working class. When the united front is posed as an alternative, an easier way, in opposition to the fight for independent leadership, it diverted workers from the path of revolutionary leadership. At this stage of the world crisis, at this stage of the fight against revisionism, to take all the emphasis away from the building of the Bolshevik Party is to open the door immediately to the full pressure of the class enemy. The so-called united class front is an expression of this dangerous course, a disastrous course, the SLL warned (emphasis in the original). [34]

The SLL wrote that, essentially, the policy of the OCI meant: The United Front first, and through this, the party second. We reject this. It continued, In the form proposed by the OCI, it is a preparation for liquidation, just as surely as was the Pabloite theory of entry sui generis.... The essence in both cases is the abandonment of the central importance of the building of the revolutionary party (emphasis in the original). [35]

As we have seen, the OCI rejected the criticism made by the SLL. Instead, the OCIs intervention in the revolutionary events of 1968 was based on the political line criticised by the SLL, and, as the SLL predicted, this orientation eventually led to its liquidation as a Trotskyist party.

The letter of June 19, 1967, was the last comprehensive criticism of the political line of the OCI by the British section. In the following years, the SLL failed to undertake any thorough analysis of the line of the OCI. It published a superficial series of articles on the events of MayJune 1968 by Tom Kemp, which largely ignored the role played by the OCI. While the avoidance of public criticism could be justified in 1968 on the basis that the OCI was still officially a member of the International Committee, the SLL also failed to examine the roots of the centrist degeneration of the OCI after it split with the ICFI in 1971.

Such an investigation was vitally necessary to politically and theoretically arm the cadre of the International Committee. Its task would have been to go back well before the events of 1968 and 1966 to demonstrate how the centrist orientation of the OCI developed, and reveal the political problems that were bound up with such a degeneration. The SLL avoided this task, however, by declaring that the political differences involved were only secondary manifestations of philosophical differences, and that the concrete investigation of political questions could be replaced by an abstract discussion of epistemological problems. It justified its break with the OCI solely on the basis of the latters rejection of dialectical materialism as the Marxist theory of knowledge.

Behind this evasion on the part of the SLL were differences within its own ranks, which the leadership of the party did not want to discuss. An open discussion, provoked by the dispute with the OCI, could have disturbed the practical and organisational successes that the leadership considered to be more important than political clarification.

In the end, the SLL paid a high price for its refusal to examine the degeneration of the OCI. With the fundamental political problems unclarified, they were to find their way into the SLL. In 1974, the OCI was able to provoke substantial tensions inside the Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP, successor to the SLL) through the figure of Alan Thornett, the leader of the SLL/WRPs trade union work. In the resulting crisis, the WRP lost a large part of its membership inside the factories. By the end of the 1970s, the WRP had increasingly adopted an opportunist course in Britain similar to that of the OCI in Franceabove all, with regard to its relations with the trade unions, the Labour Party and nationalist movements in former colonial countries. Finally, in 1985, the WRP was torn apart by its internal contradictions.

To be continued

Notes:

25. Le bonapartisme gaulliste et les taches de lavant-garde, L a Verite No. 540, fevriermars 1968

26. Quoted in Jean-Paul Salles, La ligue communiste revolutionnaires (19681981), Rennes 2005, p. 98

27. Reply to the OCI by the Central Committee of the SLL, June 19, 1967, in Trotskyism versus Revisionism, Volume 5, London 1975, pp. 107132

28. Statement by the OCI, May 1967, ibid., p. 84

29. ibid. pp. 9195

30. ibid. p. 92

31. Reply to the OCI by the Central Committee of the SLL, June 19, 1967, ibid. pp. 107-114

32. ibid., pp. 113114

33. Statement by the OCI, May 1967, ibid. p. 95

34. ibid. pp. 12324

?35. ibid. p. 125The first phase of the Grenfell Tower inquiry ended last week with final commemorations by relatives of the victims of the fire.

Testimony has repeatedly included denunciations of the ruling elite for the social murder that claimed at least 72 lives last June 14.

Eslah Elgwahry and her daughter Mariem lived in flat 196 of the tower. Eslahs son and Mariems brother, Ahmed Elgwahry, himself a former Grenfell resident, spoke in tribute.

Ahmed highlighted the catastrophic implications of the use of flammable cladding during a cosmetic refurbishment carried out by the management body of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) council, and changes made to the surrounding areas restricting vehicular access to the tower.

After being alerted to the fire and speaking to Mariem, Ahmed told her he was on his way. He then received a call from a friend who I consider a brother who lived in that building for over 30 years. He has experience of living in that building and having experienced some fires before the refurbishment. Now Im certain the building was compromised.

My mum and sister lived on the 22nd floor and he lived on the 5th. To have the building covered in flames top to bottom just verified my concerns, that my family were in real danger. Having lived myself in the tower for over 20 years I just knew something wasnt right this time. Before the refurbishment there had been several fires, but none the way she was describing. Furthermore, they never spread; they were always contained in the flat where they started, not that I know of any spreading previously so rapidly.

Arriving at the tower Ahmed had seen the backlog, the congestion, the gridlock of emergency vehicles and got out the car 

So, having already lost my dad, with the exception of my wife, I lost the two most important women in my life that night, my mum Eslah and my sister Mariem. My mum and my sister were murdered and cremated on 14 June last year. To be more specific, my mum and sister were poisoned by the smoke, they were burnt, they were cremated, and I had to listen to them suffer and I had to listen to them die. I had to watch Grenfell Tower burn for a couple of days, but particularly the top floors. If thats not torture, then Im not really sure what else is.

How did the fire start? Why didnt anyone save them? What if theres a fire in our home? What would we do? When is Grenfell going to finish? What is justice? How do you answer these questions from your five-year-old son? What would your answer be? We are still waiting for answers almost a year later. How does not having answers make you feel?

Of his sister, Ahmed said, On the night of the fire I heard her voice for the last time. Today Mariem has no voice, now I am her voice, now I am voicing my concerns for safer homes across the country to ensure we dont have another Grenfell or another Lakanal [fire]. Weve been here before. Lets not kid ourselves. This is a lot bigger than just getting justice for me, whatever that may be, it is about accountability and addressing institutional failings. No familyand I mean no familyshould have to experience such a catastrophic event which was entirely preventable. This was not an accident.

The inquiry had already heard the statement of Hisam Choucair, who lost six members of his family in the fire. Among those speaking on the final day of commemorations of Sirria Choucair, Nadia Choucair, Bassem Choukair, Mierna Choucair, Fatima Choucair and Zainab Choucair was Nabil Choucair, a close relative.

During the course of Nabils testimony, a relative of the family collapsed, overcome by grief. The inquiry had to break while the woman received medical attention. Grief-stricken, Nabil struggled to give his tribute. An ambulance was required, with paramedics assisting him. In a video tribute that included footage of the family funerals and shots of the tower on fire, Nabil said, We will fight for justice plus seek the truth and find out who is accountable for the crimes committed.

He told the inquiry, What was done on 14 June 2017 was very inhumane, barbaric and beyond an atrocity. Three generations of my family wiped out due to arrogance, who knows best, out-of-date laws, regulations and legislation. Yet they still dont listen and wake up and smell the coffee. A loss to one is a loss to all. This affects everybody, for we are all equal, regardless of sex, ethnic origin, colour.

The fire would never have happened had the lessons been learned from two earlier fires in the capital, Nabil said. Had they resolved issues from the Lakanal House fire on 3 July 2009, the Shepherds Bush tower block fire on 19 August 2016, Grenfell Tower would have never happened.

He concluded, For today we will start to make a change  United we stand, divided we fall. In solidarity, with dignity and pride, to get the overdue justice.

Nazanin Aghlani gave a tribute to her mother, Sakineh Afrasiabi, who died on the 18th floor of Grenfell Tower alongside her older sister Fatemeh, who had been visiting her.

Sakineh was a 65-year-old grandmother who had arrived in the UK from Iran in 1997. Due to the Home Office refusing him an immigration application, Fatemahs husband was unable to pay tribute to the mother of five.

When the blaze started, and they realised there was no way of escaping by going down, they climbed to the 23rd floor, with Nazanin saying she believed that help was coming from above to rescue her.

Nazanin said, As early as 2003, the RBKC housing department formally recognised and stated that, due to my mums disability and deteriorating health, she should not be housed in a lifted property above a fourth floor 

After being refused many suitable properties, after 16 years of waiting, she was rehoused in 2016 into flat 151 on the 18th floor of Grenfell Tower. By this point, my mum was partially sighted and could only get around with the aid of a tri-walker. The move to Grenfell was out of desperation and pressure from the council. She was to take Grenfell Tower or to be suspended from allocations for one year 

Our mum lost her life not only to the fire that night but to the corporate negligence by the very people who were to ensure her safety, the very people who said years before that she was not to be housed above the fourth floor of a lifted building. She couldnt go down 18 floors of stairs on a good day, let alone in a fire. Her human right to escape was denied even before the fire happened.

She concluded, Grenfell was a gross criminal negligence. If we settle for this then we deserve it.

The author also recommends:

Testimony to Grenfell Fire inquiry paints devastating picture of social murder

[24 May 2018]

Lakanal House: Prelude to the Grenfell Tower infernoPart 1

[16 September 2017]

Lakanal House: Prelude to the Grenfell Tower infernoPart 2

[18 September 2017]

The Grenfell Fire Forum, initiated by the Socialist Equality Party, will be holding the next of its regular meetings on Sunday, June 17, at 2 p.m. at the Maxilla Social Club in North Kensington, London. All are welcome to attend.

Grenfell Fire Forum meeting

Sunday, June 17, 2 p.m.

Maxilla Social Club, 2 Maxilla Walk

London, W10 6SW (nearest tube: Latimer Road)

For further details visit: https://www.facebook.com/GrenfellForumTerry Hicks, the father of former Guantanamo Bay prisoner David Hicks, issued the following statement to the World Socialist Web Site, endorsing the June 17 demonstration at Sydneys Town Hall Square demanding freedom for the WikiLeaks editor.

Hicks campaigned tirelessly for his son Davids release from Guantanamo Bay where he was incarcerated by US authorities for over five years on trumped up terrorism allegations. In the face of mass opposition over the treatment of the Australian citizen, the Howard Liberal-National government in 2007 made a deal with Washington to repatriate Hicks to Australia, but only if he pled guilty to providing material support to terrorism.

In February 2015, a US Military Commission Review Board overturned the terrorism conviction against David Hicks. It was further proof that the US-led war on terror and its associated crimesillegal detention, torture and kangaroo courtswere based on lies.

***

Statement of Terry Hicks on the June 17 Sydney demonstration to demand freedom for Assange

The bottom line with Julian Assange is that he is being denied basic human and legal rights.

Terry Hicks

Assange has not committed any crime but has been virtually jailed in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for six years. No one should be treated this way. There was all this hullaballoo in Sweden, but there were never any charges, and then, all of a sudden, it was just dropped. Hes been accused of treason, called a spy, a terrorist and all sorts of other things by American politicians and the media. These are just lies and part of an orchestrated script.

If Julian Assange walks out of the embassy he will be taken to the US and put on trial for crimes that have been cooked-up by the US government. People say extradition, but I prefer to use the word kidnapping. We cannot allow this to happen.

The Australian government is saying nothing about Assange. Turnbull is kowtowing to the US and hopes that people will just forget about it. The real story is that Australian governments have washed their hands of Assange and like good deputy sheriffs are following Washingtons orders.

The same thing happened with my son David. The Howard government was prepared to let him rot in Guantanamo for years and then have him dragged before a US military tribunal on made-up charges of terrorism. David was released because we fought back. We pulled apart all the government and media lies and character assassination against David and we never gave up. This is what we have to do for Assange.

I stand alongside Julian Assange and all those who are fighting for his democratic and legal rights. People have to dig their heels in and make clear that he must be given immediate freedom. He must be allowed to return to Australia and keep exposing government crimes.

5 June 2018An article published last week in the Intercept has exposed yet another horrifying manifestation of the cruel and inhumane anti-immigrant policies of the US government. Over the past month, federal courthouses along the US-Mexico border have become the sites of daily mass trials of immigrants charged with the crime of illegal entry.

These trials are a direct consequence of the new zero tolerance policy, which Attorney General Jeff Sessions described as sending a message to the world that we are not going to let this country be overwhelmed ... If you cross this border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. Sessions also added that people who were smuggling a child would not be spared and that child will be separated from you as required by law.

What this has meant is that even parents who make the dangerous border crossing in order to escape violence, and so to protect their children, are treated as smugglers. According to the Customs and Border Patrol, in April alone, 50,924 people were detained after crossing the border without papers, including 4,314 unaccompanied children and 9,647 family units. The mass trials of the detainees have become yet another step in the policy of criminalizing migrants regardless of whether or not they are seeking asylum, while continuing the vicious federal policy of tearing apart migrant families.

The scenes in the Brownsville Federal Courtroom described by reporter Debbie Nathan are both shocking and heart-rending. On any given day in May, the courtroom was filled with about 40 migrants, exhausted ... with hands cuffed and shackled to their waists, their legs in chains ... stumbling, shuffling, clanking, and clanging in tandem.

The judge, whose task it is to determine whether the defendants understand the charges against them, was forced to ask many of his questions en masse because of the sheer numbers he faced. This, as Nathan reports, created the bizarre spectacle of the otherwise mute and downcast migrants providing thundering group responses.

It did not appear as though the defendants, who for the most part came from impoverished and violence-ridden Central American countries and spoke only in Spanish, understood either the content of the charges or the judges explanation of their sentences. In addition, it was apparent that none of them had the benefit of meaningful legal counsel. On most days, public defenders were given less than two hours to talk to the whole group, which meant each defendant had at best a few minutes with a lawyer.

The spectacle of groups of shackled migrants with minimal or no legal representation being subjected to mass trials and summary sentencing has shocked even long-time courthouse employees, leading them to seek creative ways to expose the horror. While the taking of photographs in federal courthouses is prohibited, an employee leaked a photograph of a mass trial in Pecos, Texas, which shows dozens of handcuffed immigrants in orange jumpsuits, filling a courtroom.

Mass trials of immigrants have been taking place in the US intermittently since the introduction of Operation Streamline in 2005. However, the intensification of the attack on migrants under the Trump administration has given these proceedings both a boost in terms of sheer numbers, and also a more ominous cast.

In Brownsville, Texas, for instance, while Border Patrol agents have in the past arrested undocumented migrants, those who expressed fears about returning to their home countries were seldom charged with any criminal offense. Both at the processing station itself and at the courthouse, migrants whose fears were deemed credible were referred directly into the asylum system at the recommendation of the public defenders. Only those not making asylum claims, usually from three to eight people per day, went through the criminal process. While the charge of criminal illegal entry carries a sentence of six months in prison, the judges typically tended to consider time served and order immediate deportation. Those who went through the asylum process stayed in the US, families intact, as their cases were considered by the courts.

That situation has altered dramatically since the announcement of the zero tolerance policy. The Brownsville courthouse now witnesses the mass trials of dozens of migrants every day, with it becoming increasingly clear that there is no distinction being made between asylum seekers and those not making asylum claims. Even more disturbing is the sheer number of children, many of them preschoolers, who are being forcibly separated from their parents.

As the Washington Post reported, there has been a 21 percent increase in the number of migrant children held without their parents in the last month alone, from 8,886 on April 29 to 10,773 by the end of May. The numbers released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) do not specify how many of these children were forcibly separated from their parents as a result of the zero tolerance policy. However, an official for US Customs and Border Protection testified at a Senate committee hearing that 638 adults were referred for prosecution between May 6 and May 19 under the new zero tolerance effort and that they brought 658 children with them.

In recent days, officials have announced a new information sharing agreement between HHS, the government agency formally responsible for safeguarding the children pending custodial arrangements, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This agreement gives the DHS access to personal information of parents, relatives and other adults seeking custody of the children. Spokespersons for the administration have attempted to present this as a measure geared towards protecting children, while refusing to answer the question of whether DHS would use the information garnered to target more adults for arrest and deportation.

In a typical comment, Steven Wagner, Acting Assistant Secretary at the HHS Administration for Children and Families, declared: If somebody is unwilling to claim their child from custody because theyre concerned about their own immigration status, I think that de facto calls into question whether theyre an adequate sponsor and whether we should be releasing a child to that person. This pious declaration would be more credible if it did not come from the same person who was forced to admit to a Senate sub-committee that the Office of Refugee Resettlement was unable to determine with certainty the whereabouts of 1,475 unaccompanied children.

The many faces of the zero tolerance policybe it mass trials of migrants or the forcible separation of parents from childrenare not only inhumane, but in fact criminal. The removal of children, in particular, is strongly reminiscent of the Nazi policy of hostage taking, as both reprisal and potential deterrent against attacks aimed at the Third Reich.

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly admitted as much when he stated that family separation was meant to serve as a tough deterrent to border crossings. It is a frightening sign of the deterioration of bourgeois democratic norms that measures found to be a violation of both international law and fundamental concepts of justice at Nuremberg more than 70 years ago are now part of US domestic policy.The United States Supreme Court issued two reactionary decisions yesterday, dealing blows against abortion access, the rights of detained immigrants, and civil rights for lesbian and gay people.

In the first decision, Azar v. Garza, the court voted unanimously to invalidate a lower court ruling upholding the right of detained minor immigrant women to abortion. All four Democratic nominees supported the order, which allows Trumps policy blocking young immigrants from abortion access to remain in effect.

Defending the policy, Office of Refugee Resettlement Director E. Scott Lloyd said in December that immigrant detention centers cannot be a place of refuge while we are at the same time a place of violence and that we ought to choose to protect life rather than destroy it. He was not referring to recent reports showing immigration officials systematically sexually and physically abusing immigrants, including children, at detention centers across the country.

In the second decision, Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the court ruled 7-2 that Colorado violated a bakers free speech rights when it sanctioned him for refusing to bake a cake for a gay couples wedding. Five Republicans and two DemocratsElena Kagan and Stephen G. Breyeraccepted the bakers argument that he was the victim of discrimination at the hands of the states civil rights commission.

Although the decision does not specifically state that business owners can refuse to serve gay customers, it does establish the absurd rule that the right of the discriminator must be weighed against the rights of the people being discriminated against. The court berated the Colorado civil rights commission for comparing the bakers bigotry to anti-Black and anti-Semitic prejudice, ruling that while Colorado law can protect gay persons in acquiring products and services on the same terms and conditions as are offered to other members of the public, the law must be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion.

Under the guise of freedom of religionlong a straw man used by the religious right to impose bigotry and backwardness on the populationthe ruling undercuts the Supreme Courts 1964 rulings in Katzenbach v. McClung and Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States against racist business owners who claimed the Civil Rights Act violated their right to refuse service to African Americans.

Both decisions are major victories for the Trump administration that embolden the most right-wing religious and xenophobic sections of the American ruling class. Far from serving as a check on the Trump administration, the courts have put their stamp of approval to Trumps vicious attacks on the most vulnerable sections of the population.

In December 2017, the court allowed Trumps travel ban to take effect pending litigation. In April, it expanded immunity for police shooters, and on May 21, it eliminated the right of millions of workers to file class action lawsuits against their employers. Last Tuesday, the court agreed not to take up a challenge to an Arkansas law banning medication-induced abortions.

The role played by the courts Democratic appointees disproves for the hundredth time the argument that voting for Democratic presidential candidates shifts the court to the left. According to statistics compiled by Scotusblog, the courts most liberal justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, falls on the same side as far-right Clarence Thomas in over 55 percent of decisions reached during the 2017 term.

There is no constituency for democratic rights among either of the political parties or in any branch of government. In a December 2000 lecture given immediately prior to the Supreme Courts decision handing the 2000 election to Republican George W. Bush, WSWS International Editorial Board Chairperson David North wrote:

What the decision of this court will reveal is how far the American ruling class is prepared to go in breaking with traditional bourgeois-democratic and constitutional norms. Is it prepared to sanction ballot fraud and the suppression of votes and install in the White House a candidate who has attained that office through blatantly illegal and anti-democratic methods?

Pointing to the extreme growth of social inequality, North continued:

The relationship between political forms and the class structure of society is of a complex dialectical character. But in the long run, there comes a point at which the social tensions produced by rampant social inequality cannot be contained within traditional democratic forms. American society has reached that point.

This prognosis has been vindicated. Under conditions of skyrocketing social inequality and the establishment of a permanent state of war following the events of September 11, 2001, the United States government is engaged in a massive criminal operation, conducting nonstop war, assassination, corporate giveaways, and mass surveillance and censorship.

The complicity of all the official institutions of the political establishment in this process, including the courts, the media, the two parties, the trade unions and academia, has produced an intense political, cultural and intellectual decline. The #MeToo campaigna product of this degenerationdemands, under the guise of womens rights, the abolition of due process for the accused while making no issue of the effective deprivation of the right to abortion for millions of working class women.

None of the democratic gains won through the civil rights movements of the 20th century, including the right to vote, the ending of separate but equal racial segregation, and the right to abortion, are set in stone. The Democratic Party, though basing its electoral strategy on appeals to various identities, would readily trade these protections away to Stephen Miller and Mike Pence in exchange for a more belligerent foreign policy aimed against Russia.

As the ruling class turns toward dictatorial forms of rule, another process is unfolding in the working class and among youth.

In the course of an emerging series of strikes, protests, and demonstrations in the US and worldwide, workers and young people are raising social grievances that have been artificially suppressed by the unions for decades. Strikes by teachers demanding massive wage increases have converged with demonstrations opposing school shootings. Workers in heavily immigrant areas like Los Angeles and Las Vegas have authorized strikes while raising demands for protection from deportation.

It is in this movement that the defense of democratic rights will receive wide support. The working class must be convinced that not only is their support important for the defense of democratic rights, but more importantly, that democratic rights are essential for the working class.

Workers must not concede to the class enemy the power to arrest and deport their immigrant brothers and sisters, or to split the ranks of the working class along the lines of race, nationality, gender, or sexual identity. In the coming battles against the worlds most powerful corporations and governments, workers must be guided by the principle an injury to one is an injury to all. It is only on this basis that billions of workers worldwide can unite in a common fight for social equality, the attack on democratic rights, and the capitalist system.Amsterdam, The Netherlands - 5th June 2018 - UNLEASH (formerly HR Tech World), the fastest-growing international show on the Future of Work & Technology, announced today that Esther Perel, Author and Renowned Psychotherapist and Matthieu Ricard, French Writer, Buddhist Monk and Humanitarian will be the headline keynote speakers at its flagship show, UNLEASH World Conference & Expo taking place 23-24 October, 2018 at the Amsterdam RAI in the Netherlands.

One of the world's most insightful and original voices on modern relationships, Esther Perel will address attendees with her keynote entitled: "Where Should We Begin? The Future of the Workplace: How Good Relationships Promote Well-Being and Success". Not satisfied that she's helped change the lives of millions of couples through her podcast and private therapy practice, Perel takes to the stage to unleash the chains of workplace relationships where jealousy, betrayal and bitterness can sabotage a business as much as a marriage. Sharing lessons and principles gleaned from more than 30 years as a couples' therapist, Perel will offer insights and tools for creating thriving, open relationships with co-workers, bosses and business partners.

Perel helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organisational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Fluent in nine languages, Perel is the host of the award-winning podcast Where Should We Begin?, a popular TED speaker and the author of the bestselling books Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs.

Matthieu Ricard, French Author, Buddhist Monk and Humanitarian who has been called the "happiest person in the world" by several popular media will be the closing keynote at UNLEASH World Conference & Expo in Amsterdam. Ricard who has been living in the Himalayan region for the past 45 years is a prominent speaker on the world stage, celebrated at the World Economic Forum at Davos, forums at the United Nations, and at TED where his talks on happiness and altruism have been viewed by millions of people.

As a trained scientist and Buddhist monk, he has been actively participating in the dialogue between East and West and has been, for the last twenty years, an active participant in the scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain. He will share his wisdom and scientific insights on happiness with the UNLEASH audience in October.

"I surmise that in all our years of producing inspiring keynotes for UNLEASH, having Esther and Matthieu joining us in Amsterdam will make a big difference and celebrates our new mission to inspire and transform the world for the better", said Marc Coleman, Founder and CEO of UNLEASH. "We need to humanize, look ourselves in the mirror and be happy again - at work and at home."

For more information about UNLEASH World Conference & Expo, visit http://www.unleashgroup.io/amsterdam/index

About UNLEASH

UNLEASH (previously HR Tech World) is the largest and fastest-growing global network on a mission to inspire and transform the Future of Work & HR Technology. Our shows in the U.S. and Europe attract the world's leading technology providers, entrepreneurs, visionaries, disrupters and doers, including Sir Richard Branson, Arianna Huffington, Sir Ken Robinson, Rachel Botsman, Gary Vaynerchuk and many more. Our Startup Ecosystem is the biggest HR Technology community for the latest innovators and next-gen technologies that will change how we work and how work gets done. UNLEASH News keeps the conversation going year-round with provocative, engaging stories on the Future of Work & HR Technology. Find out more at www.unleashgroup.io. Follow us at #UNLEASH18

For more information or any media inquiries, please contact Andi Lustak on pr@unleashgroup.ioOn Sunday, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) of France held a public meeting in Paris, titled 50 years after the May 1968 general strike, how to mount a Trotskyist struggle against Macron? Students, workers protesting President Emmanuel Macrons austerity policies, and members of the Tamil community in Paris and surrounding cities attended the meeting, which also featured remarks from Barbara Slaughter of the SEP (Britain).

The meeting took place amid continuing strike action against Macrons plans for the privatization of the railways, attacks on public sector wage levels and cuts to key social programs in order to fund tax cuts for the rich and the diversion of hundreds of billions of euros into military spending. The meeting began with a presentation by Alex Lantier on the 1968 general strike and its significance for the class struggles and the international radicalization of workers and youth today.

Lantier noted that the meeting aimed not only to commemorate a great historical event, but above all to clarify political questions of revolutionary strategy still posed to workers. He explained that MayJune 1968 and the class struggle today cannot be understood outside of the history of the struggle against petty-bourgeois anti-Marxism inside the Trotskyist movement itself.

Petty-bourgeois forces that had broken with Trotskyism not only helped sabotage workers struggles in 1968 and afterwards. They also produced a false historical narrative and perspective that shaped what passed for left politics for 50 years, rejecting the revolutionary role of the working class and the struggle to build a Marxist vanguard party to lead its struggles. Based on this, they built social-democratic parties across Europe, from Greeces PASOK to Frances Socialist Party (PS), which are now collapsing due to mass anger at their militarist, anti-worker policies.

Lantier cited ex-1968 student leaders Daniel Cohn-Bendit, who was close to the Socialisme ou Barbarie group that split from the Fourth International in 1948, and Alain Krivine of the Pabloite tendency now represented in France by the New Anticapitalist Party (NPA), that broke from the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) in 1953. Today, both claim that the May 1968 general strike was not a revolutionary situation, and that students, not workers, played the more left-wing role at the time. Both downplay Stalinists role in betraying the general strike.

Exposing this as a false perspective based on historical lies, Lantier reviewed how young workers mobilized to defend students from police repression in early May, ultimately leading to the largest general strike in European history, as 10 million workers occupied their factories, bringing French capitalism to its knees. Newsreels from 1968 show workers demanding revolution, denouncing the unions for pushing to end the strike in exchange for wage concessions and finally fighting deadly police repression of the last factories to return to work.

Lantier also reviewed the role of the Organisation communiste internationaliste (OCI), then the French section of the ICFI, in the strike. While it helped trigger the general strike in several key factories where it had influence, it did so only on the perspective of organizing a prolonged strike, not struggling for workers to take political power. The OCI explicitly rejected the ICFIs call for an attack on the Stalinist Communist Partys (PCF) refusal to take power in order to expose them and pose the question of state power before the working class.

Instead, the OCI advanced a centrist demand for a central national strike committee, together with Stalinist and social-democratic unions, which paved the way for its break with Trotskyism and the ICFI in 1971, and its entry into the orbit of the newly-formed PS, a bourgeois party.

The 1968 general strike, finally, terrified Frances petty-bourgeois intellectuals. Their rapid shift to the right and to explicit attacks on Marxism shaped the postmodernist intellectual climate. Lantier analyzed the boasts today of Pabloite and Maoist student leaders in 1968 that they worked with the Interior Ministry to control protests after police ceased to function in Frances major cities. These student counter-revolutionaries, he noted, have since evolved far further to the right and now even explicitly support NATO wars in Libya and Syria.

Lantier concluded by noting that this experience vindicated the SEP (France)s opposition to claims by forces like the NPA that they and the unions are struggling against Macron. A revolutionary struggle in the working class can break out only in opposition to the NPA and its political and trade union allies, as in 1968, because they are hostile to proletarian revolution. The basic revolutionary task, he stressed, is to build the SEP and the ICFI as the weapon to fight their attempt to smash up revolutionary struggles by the working class.

Slaughter spoke to stress the international character of the lessons of the French 1968 general strike, pointing to subsequent struggles across Europe like the 1974 miners strike in Britain that brought down the conservative Heath government. She recalled how broad sections of workers received large wage increases, both in Britain and in France, as the ruling class tried to defuse growing social anger and revolutionary sentiment.

She also explained that after decades of globalization starting in the 1970s, not only does the ruling class not have the resources or ability to make such concessions, but the working class today is international as never before. Workers across Europe are mobilizing as French workers struggle against Macron, with rail workers on strike in both Britain and France. Pointing to the counter-revolutionary role of the trade unions and their political allies not only in France but internationally, she appealed the audience to help build the SEP and the ICFI.

This was followed by a lively question and answer session. Audience members asked about the role of the French trade unions and of the descendants of the OCI in the struggles against Macron today, and also about whether the 1968 events could be compared to previous revolutionary experiences in France, since no revolution actually took place in 1968.

SEP members explained the role of the French unions, who are supported by the descendants of the OCI in the so-called Independent Democratic Workers Party (POID). By calling limited, disunited strike actions by different sections of the work force against Macron, while accepting virtually all his social cuts, they are effectively dividing the working class and restricting it, while helping Macron write his social cuts into law. At the same time, they are overseeing a drastic lowering of wage levels via the mass resort to temp work in the factories.

SEP members also stressed that in 1968, the de Gaulle regime nearly collapsed, and the working class was on the verge of power: the fact that there was not a party capable of breaking the Stalinists opposition and leading the working class to power did not mean there was no revolutionary crisis. It simply highlights the counter-revolutionary role of the PCF and the various Pabloite, anti-Trotskyist forces.CBS NEWS - Lauren Rich's father, Master Trooper Detective Dave Rich was killed in the line of duty over a decade ago. His fellow officers made sure his daughter felt her dad's presence as she graduated high school this weekend.

Sgt. Tony Slocum, a friend of Dave's who attended Saturday's ceremony, said that Lauren was only 7 when her father was killed in the line of duty, CBS affiliate WTTV reports. He was shot while investigating a report of a stranded car.

The 39 Indiana officers who attended traveled from six different police departments to see the teen graduate from Southwood Junior-Senior High School.

The uniformed officers took a photo with Lauren after the ceremony, which Slocum later included in a tweet writing, "Congrats Lauren, we promise we will never forget your family's sacrifice."

Slocum also added that Dave was an "awesome guy" and "he would be proud of the great young lady Lauren has become."

 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Handshakes ended the anticipated wait for several people on Monday night, that's as people lined up to meet a new face at the Vigo County School Corporation.

"I got a great vibe, he seems to be a very personable guy," said Dan Willis.

After meeting Dr. Robert Haworth at Monday's Meet & Greet, Willis said he liked the idea of Haworth possibly becoming the new superintendent for Vigo County schools.

"He's got a great personality and that's going to be half the battle right there," Willis said, "and the fact that he wants to come here tells me a lot."

For Haworth, he wants to do more than just be in Vigo County. News 10 sat down with him to find out his vision for Vigo County schools prior to the public meet & greet.

"We came here because it was a great school district," Haworth said, "We need to listen to see how that came to be."

Haworth said his game plan is to listen.

It's a tricky time for the school corporation. It's dealing with the possibility of renovating three high schools, along with a fallout from an FBI investigation. That's why Haworth said he wants to help strengthen the connection with the community.

"How do we create such transparency that our actions become predictable, and that's only through trust," said Haworth, "So if those things are in our future, how do we find that out? How do we explore, how do we build on some of the things that have already been done to investigate that, and where do we take that?"

Haworth said he also wants to focus on continuing the valued relationships between the school corporation and its community partners.

LINK | AN EMOTIONAL DANNY TANOOS ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT AS SUPERINTENDENT OF VCSC

"That's one of the reasons why this was such an intriguing position," he said, "Partnerships with The Y, The Boys & Girls Club, United Way, the backbone of post-secondary that lays within this district, great community support, PTOs."

"You probably don't realize this, how unique it is, law enforcement in every building throughout the district," Haworth continued, "In an age where safety and security is an issue, what a great community that wants to do that for its children."

Following the approaching departure of current Superintendent Dr. Danny Tanoos, Haworth said he recognizes there are big shoes to fill. If granted the opportunity as superintendent, Haworth said he wants to focus on ways to pass the baton and continue the legacy developed.

LINK | ELKHART COMMUNITY SCHOOLS MAKES THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND VCSC CONFIRMS, NEW SUPERINTENDENT REVEALED

So far, Haworth said he has received an outpour of support from the Vigo County community, so much that it has been overwhelming.

"We met great folks, but this just the tip of the iceberg to where I think the rest of the district really is," he said, "How do we uncover how people are helping, how they're assisting, how they're moving this district forward and I look forward to getting here and getting going."

Haworth will find out Monday if he will officially be named as Tanoos' replacement. That's when board members will vote to give approval.TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Franklin Fennell is expected to report to federal prison in Illinois by Wednesday.

Back on April 19th, a federal judge sentenced Fennell to two years in prison.

That is after a jury convicted him on several charges related to a kickback scheme.

COURT DOCUMENT | JUDGE GRANTS FRANKLIN FENNELL ONE MORE WEEK

That scheme took thousands of dollars from the Vigo County School Corporation.

Fennell appealed that sentence, also asking for his reporting date to be pushed back.

The judge allowed Fennell to push his date back to June 6th, by 2:00 p.m.

He will do his time at the federal prison in Pekin, Illinois.Tupelo Clear 72 Hi: 87 Lo: 68 Feels Like: 72 More Weather Columbus Clear 72 Hi: 87 Lo: 66 Feels Like: 72 More Weather Oxford Partly Cloudy 72 Hi: 84 Lo: 67 Feels Like: 72 More Weather Starkville Clear 72 Hi: 87 Lo: 66 Feels Like: 72 More Weather

High pressure will still continue to control our weather forecast on our Thursday. However, a cold front moving through our area on Friday evening will bring some showers and thunderstorms, along with much cooler temperatures.COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - A Columbus man is heading back to prison after pleading guilty to stabbing someone during an argument while riding to church.

Jordan Hartzell, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault in Lowndes County Circuit Court.

Hartzell was in a vehicle with five other people when the argument broke out.

Investigators say he stabbed two people in the car before jumping out and attempting to run away.

Columbus police also charged him with drug charges in connection with meth.

The drug charges and an additional aggravated assault charge were dismissed under the agreement.

Hartzell, who had a history of prior convictions and prison stays, was ordered to serve 15 years behind bars.WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court ruled Monday for a Colorado baker who wouldn't make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in a limited decision that leaves for another day the larger issue of whether a business can invoke religious objections to refuse service to gay and lesbian people.

The justices' decision turned on what the court described as anti-religious bias on the Colorado Civil Rights Commission when it ruled against baker Jack Phillips. The justices voted 7-2 that the commission violated Phillips' rights under the First Amendment.

The case had been eagerly anticipated as, variously, a potentially strong statement about the rights of LGBT people or the court's first ruling carving out exceptions to an anti-discrimination law. In the end, the decision was modest enough to attract the votes of liberal and conservative justices on a subject that had the potential for sharp division.

Justice Anthony Kennedy said in his majority opinion that the larger issue "must await further elaboration" in the courts. Appeals in similar cases are pending, including one at the Supreme Court from a florist who didn't want to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding.

The disputes, Kennedy wrote, "must be resolved with tolerance, without undue disrespect to sincere religious beliefs, and without subjecting gay persons to indignities when they seek goods and services in an open market."

The same-sex couple at the heart of the case, Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins, complained to the Colorado commission in 2012 after they visited Phillips' Masterpiece Cakeshop in suburban Denver and the baker quickly told them he would not create a cake for their wedding celebration. They were married in Massachusetts because same sex marriage was not yet legal in Colorado.

Colorado law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and the commission concluded that Phillips' refusal violated the law, despite Phillips' argument that he is opposed to same-sex marriage on religious grounds. Colorado state courts upheld the determination.

But when the justices heard arguments in December, Kennedy was plainly bothered by comments by a commission member that the justice said disparaged religion. The commissioner seemed "neither tolerant nor respectful of Mr. Phillips' religious beliefs," Kennedy said in December.

That same sentiment coursed through his opinion on Monday. "The commission's hostility was inconsistent with the First Amendment's guarantee that our laws be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion," he wrote.

Liberal justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan joined the conservative justices in the outcome. Kagan wrote separately to emphasize the limited ruling.

Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissented. "There is much in the court's opinion with which I agree," Ginsburg wrote of Kennedy's repeated references to protecting the rights of gay people. "I strongly disagree, however, with the court's conclusion that Craig and Mullins should lose this case."

The Trump administration intervened in the case on Phillips' behalf, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions praised the decision. "The First Amendment prohibits governments from discriminating against citizens on the basis of religious beliefs. The Supreme Court rightly concluded that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission failed to show tolerance and respect for Mr. Phillips' religious beliefs," Sessions said.

Kristen Waggoner, the Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel who argued Phillips' case, said the court was right to condemn the commission's open antagonism toward Phillips' religious beliefs about marriage.

Waggoner said Phillips is willing to sell ready-made products to anyone who enters his store. But, "he simply declines to express messages or celebrate events that violate his deeply held beliefs," she said.

Phillips was at his shop Monday morning, where he was busy answering the phone and getting congratulations from his supporters in person, including his pastor. One woman brought him balloons and others hugged him.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which represented the couple in its legal fight, said it was pleased the court did not endorse a broad religion-based exemption from anti-discrimination laws.

"We read this decision as a reaffirmation of the court's longstanding commitment to civil rights protections and the reality that the states have the power to protect everyone in America from discrimination, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people," said James Esseks, director of the ACLU LGBT & HIV Project.

Waggoner and Esseks disagreed about the ruling's effect on Phillips' wedding cake business. Waggoner said her client can resume his refusal to make cakes for same-sex marriages without fear of a new legal fight. But Esseks said that if another same-sex couple were to ask Phillips for a wedding cake, "I see no reason in this opinion that Masterpiece Cakeshop is free to turn them away."

Several other legal disputes are pending over wedding services, similar to the Phillips case. In addition to florists, video producers and graphic artists are among business owners who say they oppose same-sex marriage on religious grounds and don't want to participate in same-sex weddings.

Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in Richland, Washington, has appealed a state Supreme Court ruling that found she violated state law for refusing to provide the wedding flowers for two men who were about to be married.

The justices could decide what to do with that appeal by the end of June.STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - Mississippi State will travel to Nashville for the NCAA Super Regional this weekend.

The Bulldogs, winners for the Tallahassee Regional, will face off against Vanderbilt in a best of three series.

The first game will be played at 7 p.m. Friday.

Game two will be played at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and if needed, Game three will be played Sunday at 5 p.m.

Other Super Regional Match ups:

Tennessee Tech at Texas

Minnesota at Oregon State

Auburn at Florida

Stetson at North Carolina

Washington at Cal-State Fullerton

Duke at Texas Tech

South Carolina at Arkansas

MORE: NCAA announces super regional times(WTVA) - Voters in Mississippi and Alabama will head to the polls Tuesday for primary elections, but the length of your ballot could be dramatically different depending on where you live and which political party you choose.

In Northeast Mississippi, many voters will only have the U.S. Senate race featuring Republican incumbent Roger Wicker of Tupelo. He is being challenged by fellow Republican Richard Boyanton from the Gulf Coast.

Six people are running in the Democratic primary, people who entered the race when state Senator Chris McDaniel was challenging Wicker in the GOP primary. McDaniel later jumped to the November special election for the other U.S. Senate seat once held by Thad Cochran.

Political analysts gave Democrats a better chance if McDaniel could advance to the general election, but with McDaniel switching races, Wicker is considered the overwhelming favorite.

The only other race in Northeast Mississippi will be for the U.S. House in the Third Congressional District, which includes Starkville, most of Oktibbeha County and all of Noxubee County.

Six Republicans are running for the seat, which is opening up with incumbent Gregg Harper deciding against seeking another two-year term. Two Democrats are also running in the primary for that seat.

Runoffs are likely in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary and the U.S. House Republican primary. Those runoffs, if necessary, will happen on June 26.

In Alabama, federal, state and county offices are up for grabs in party primaries.

The Democratic ballot in Lamar County only has races for governor, U.S. House, attorney general and secretary of state.

The GOP ballot is much longer with more state offices and races for county commission, sheriff, coroner and probate judge.

Winners of these primaries will advance to the November general election, and it is possible they could pick up some extra competition. Alabama allows independent candidates until 5 p.m. Tuesday to file to run.

Polls in both states will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Look for updates on WTVA.com, the WTVA 9 News app and WTVA 9 News.WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE:OCN), a leading financial services holding company, will join Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City, Inc., Community Housing Innovations, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Brooklyn for three upcoming borrower outreach events in the New York metropolitan area to help families having trouble making their mortgage payments.



The events are in response to the success of similar events held earlier in 2018, where Ocwen met with New York metropolitan area homeowners to help them find mortgage solutions to better afford their homes. Since the beginning of 2016, Ocwen has participated in more than 12 borrower outreach events in the New York metropolitan area, and has met face-to-face with more than 550 Ocwen customers to discuss loan modification options.

The upcoming June 2018 events will be held:

Wednesday, June 6, from 11:00 a.m.  7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, at NHS Brooklyn, located at 2806 Church Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. For more information call (718) 469-4679.



Thursday, June 7, from 11:00 a.m.  7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, at the Crowne Plaza, located at 66 Hale Ave., White Plains, New York. For more information visit the event webpage.



Saturday, June 9, from 10:00 a.m.  3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, at 2475 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, New York. For more information call (929) 268-3790.

Homeowners who attend the events will meet one-on-one with Ocwen Home Retention Agents and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved counseling agencies to discuss their unique situations and to receive information about potential options to lower their mortgage payments.

Despite a better economic environment, the high attendance rate at our previous New York events demonstrates that many borrowers still have difficulty meeting their mortgage payments, said Jill Showell, Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations at Ocwen. Working closely with seasoned non-profit housing counselors, Ocwens goal is to meet in-person with as many borrowers as possible to find responsible solutions to help families remain in their homes and part of their communities.

Homeowners interested in attending the events can learn more by viewing the event flyers here or by visiting OcwenCares.com.

Ocwen currently services more than 68,450 loans in New York. Since January 1, 2008, Ocwen has provided more than 54,100 loan modifications to New York borrowers and forgiven more than $2.4 billion in debt. Nationwide, since January 1, 2018, Ocwen has granted approximately 776,000 loan modifications and provided billions of dollars in debt forgiveness.

About Ocwen Financial Corporation

Ocwen Financial Corporation is a financial services holding company which, through its subsidiaries, services and originates loans. We are headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, with offices throughout the United States and in the U.S. Virgin Islands and operations in India and the Philippines. We have been serving our customers since 1988. We may post information that is important to investors on our website (www.Ocwen.com).

For Further Information Contact

John Lovallo

T: (917) 612-8419

E: jlovallo@levick.comSHANNON, Miss. (WTVA) - In Shannon, bullet went flying into a home where children were inside at the time at West Rentals at Pecan Drive.

"Somebody got to fighting and the dude left the scene, came back and started shooting," said Breanna Griffin, who lives nearby.

"Everybody hit the ground."

Griffin's cousin is Jordan Parker, who fired back after a driver fired first from a vehicle.

"Jordan Parker, that's my cousin," Griffin said. "We knew there was an incident going on. But we weren't expecting it to go to any shooting."

Parker's cousin said she was most concerned about two young children who were inside her home when two bullets went through.

"Only thing I was saying was I hope no bullets don't hit my babies that were in this house," Griffin remembered. "One was in the walker crawling across the floor when a bullet went in the house."

Parker was charged with exhibiting a weapon, a misdemeanor since there is currently no gun ordinance in Shannon.

The incident has Griffin and her family ready to pack up somewhere else.

"We're moving really soon, really soon."

Shannon police say if you have any information about this incident on the driver who fired, you're asked to contact them.LOS ANGELES (AP)  President Donald Trump is urging Californians to vote Republican in the state's gubernatorial and congressional primaries.

Trump tweeted Tuesday: "In High Tax, High Crime California, be sure to get out and vote for Republican John Cox for Governor. He will make a BIG difference!"

The president also plugged California's GOP congressional candidates, specifically naming Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the No. 2 House leader, and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes.

Trump tweeted: "Keep our country out of the hands of High Tax, High Crime Nancy Pelosi."

Pelosi, the House Democratic leader, hopes to reclaim the speaker's gavel if her party regains control of the chamber in November.

Trump also encouraged voters in Mississippi to "get out and vote" for Sen. Roger Wicker. In a tweet, Trump said Wicker "has done everything necessary to Make America Great Again!"TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - After looking at surveillance video, Tupelo police are asking for help to identify the person responsible for an armed robbery inside the Mall at Barnes Crossing.

The armed robbery happened on May 18 at the store Journeys.

The victim said a man entered the store and displayed a handgun, directing the clerk to give him shoes.

The suspect is described as a black male in his early 20s. He's about six-feet in height with short hair. He was last seen wearing a white, ripped T-shirt and skinny jeans.

The man is shown in the pictures above.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-773-8477.SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hope Pharmaceuticals today announced enrollment of the first Canadian subject to participate in the CALISTA clinical study that is evaluating Sodium Thiosulfate Injection for the treatment of calciphylaxis (calcify uremic arteriolopathy, CUA).



CALISTA is an international, Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study that plans to enroll 111 adult patients with calciphylaxis. Eligible patients will be treated at participating medical centers in Canada and the United States over a three-week period to assess the effect of Sodium Thiosulfate on calciphylaxis-related pain.

Calciphylaxis is a rare disease characterized by abnormal calcification in soft tissues. Patients with calciphylaxis frequently develop painful skin lesions. These lesions can be so painful that narcotics often provide very limited relief.

Sodium thiosulfate is an agent with possible antioxidant, calcium-chelating, and/or vasodilatory properties.

Calciphylaxis is an unmet medical need as no treatment has been approved to date by Health Canada. Similarly, no treatment for calciphylaxis has been approved in the United States or Europe. Based on favorable reviews of existing clinical data, both the Food and Drug Administration in the United States and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the European Union granted Orphan Product designation to Hope Pharmaceuticals Sodium Thiosulfate for the treatment of calciphylaxis. Orphan drug programs in the United States and elsewhere evaluate scientific and clinical data submissions from companies to identify and designate products as promising for rare diseases and to further advance scientific development of such promising medical products.

Craig Sherman M.D., President of Hope Pharmaceuticals said, The enrollment of the first international subject in the CALISTA study is a significant milestone in the clinical development of Sodium Thiosulfate for calciphylaxis. If the trial is successful, it will provide hope to patients with this devastating disease.

Hope Pharmaceuticals Sodium Thiosulfate Injection is currently distributed in Canada and the United States as it has already been approved by Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an antidote for acute cyanide poisoning that is judged to be life-threatening.

Additional information about Sodium Thiosulfate Injection is available online at www.thiosulfate.info.

Hope Pharmaceuticals is a privately owned company located in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Media Inquiries:

Craig Sherman, M.D.

(480) 607-1970 or questions@hopepharm.com



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3314fe1-6c36-46e7-a29c-9292990d4968BAINBRIDGE, GA (WTXL) - A simple meal is something that may often be taken for granted, but for Decatur County residents, that meal isn't always guaranteed.

Luckily, help is underway for the children in the community who are in danger of going hungry during the summer months when school is not in session.

According to feedingamerica.org, south Georgia has one of the highest rates of food insecurity and poverty in the nation.

"Decatur County is a high poverty community," says Debbie Purcell,the School Nutrition Director for Decatur County Schools. "We actually participate in what's called the "Community Eligibility Program." Because there is a significant amount of poverty in the area, all of our students eat free, at no cost to them."

The free meals for students extend into the summer when children are more likely to be food insecure and hungry.

"The summer feeding program is to try to help students bridge that nutritional gap from the school year into when we start school again next year," explains Purcell. "For us in Decatur county, we've got five sites that are open the whole month of June."

Children and teenagers within Bainbridge and Decatur County truly count on the summer feeding program by Decatur County Schools to make sure they don't go hungry during the summer.

Feedingamerica.org, one in every four children in Decatur County is considered to be food insecure, which can cause health and learning problems.

"We think it's important to kind of continue that nutrition supplement as much as possible," says Purcell. "We do the whole month of June. The reason we're not in July is we see our participation really drops in July."

The summer meals provided for students still follow the "National School Lunch Program," and give students more whole grains, and at least one fruit or vegetable.

During the summer feeding program last June, Decatur County Schools severed about 450 students a day for a total of 9,000 meals.

___________________________________________________________

Children and teens 18 years and younger can visit any of the five locations throughout Decatur county for a free meal through the month of June:

Bainbridge High School:

1 Bearcat Blvd, Bainbridge, GA 39819

Mon-Thur, June 4-28

Lunch: 12:30 pm-1:30 pm

Bainbridge Middle School:

1301 E. College Street, Bainbridge GA 39819

Mon-Fri, June 4-29

Breakfast: 8:00 am-8:30 am

Lunch: 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Friendship House of Jesus:

220 North Russ Street, Bainbridge, GA 39817

Mon-Thur, June 4-28

Lunch: 12:30 pm-1:30 pm

Kids and Kops:

601 Potter Street Bainbridge, GA 39819

Mon-Thur, June 4-28

Lunch: 11:30 am-1:00 pm

United Steel Workers Local 170:

103 S. Main Street, Attapulgus, GA 39815

Mon-Thur, June 4-28

Lunch: 11:45 am-1:00 pm

The full menu can be found on the Decatur County Schools website.MONTICELLO, Fla. (WTXL) - One person is dead after a large party in Monticello over the weekend turned into a shooting.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's office says that the party happened on Saturday at the Martin Luther King Center (1420 East First Street) in Monticello.

At around 1:30 a.m., deputies were called to the area about shots being fired and victims being injured.

Deputies, the Monticello Police Department, and Jefferson County Fire Rescue all responded and provided medical assistance to the victims before transporting them to the hospital.

Unfortunately, one victim, Brandon Young, succumbed to his injuries. No further information is being released at this time due to an active criminal investigation.

If you have any information, you are asked to contact JCSO at 850-997-2523.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.

The decision comes at the start of LGBT Pride Month.

A cake, or the lack of one, really, became the center of a national debate on religious freedom Monday.

The U.S. Supreme Court voted 7 to 2 in favor of a Christian baker from Colorado who wouldn't make a same-sex wedding cake.

"We're living in a moment where a lot of bigotry has been emboldened, you know, from the top down," said Nadine Smith, the executive director of Equality Florida.

Equality Florida says the ruling is part of a bigger picture: Addressing non-discrimination policies nationwide.

"People believe if you're in business, and your doors are open, then they should be open to all," said Smith. "You shouldn't experience the humiliation of someone saying, 'We don't serve your kind.'"

In 2012, Jack Phillips refused to bake a wedding cake for this couple -- because he said he had a religious objection.

The Supreme Court's ruling Monday was tailored for this case, stating the Colorado Civil Rights Commission violated Phillips' First Amendment rights.

The director of the Florida Prayer Caucus said this is a win for religious freedom.

"It was about the wedding cake. It wasn't about serving people. This was not a discriminatory thing," said Pam Olsen, the director of the Florida Prayer Caucus. "Mr. Phillips serves gay people. This is a religious liberties right."

Justice Anthony Kennedy said "the Commission's consideration of Phillips' case was neither tolerant nor respectful of his religious beliefs."

"We need to make sure that we make this about the event and not about the people, and that's really important -- because that's really what this argument is about," said Olsen.

Equality Florida says this decision isn't all bad news for the LGBT+ community. The executive director says not to panic, because the ruling had a narrow focus.

The Supreme Court did not decide whether or not a business can refuse to serve gay and lesbian customers. The court has yet to rule on a similar case involving a florist in Washington State.DANVILLE, VA (WWBT) - The search for a 7-month-old Emma Grace Kennedy and her alleged abductor is over.

The baby girl is safe and her alleged abductor Carl Ray Kennedy, has been arrested, according to police in Danville.

"Danville Police, FBI, Randolph County Sheriffs Office and U.S. Secret Service arrested Kennedy in Randleman, N.C.," the police department said. "He is in custody in North Carolina."

Emma Grace Kennedy is being evaluated at a local hospital and "appears to be in good health," police said.

Police say Carl Ray Kennedy abducted Emma just before 8 p.m. Sunday at a Kwik Stop on Riverside Drive in Danville. He allegedly abducted the girl by knife-point after assaulting her mother.

The search for Kennedy extended throughout much of North Carolina over the course of Monday and Tuesday morning.

If you have any information about this case, contact authorities at:

FBI: (804) 261-1044

Danville Police: (434) 799-6508

Virginia State Police: 1-800-822-4453

Tip lines: (434) 773-8318 and (434) 773-8319

Copyright 2018 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.

DANVILLE, VA (WWBT) - An Amber Alert has been issued after a 7-month-old girl was abducted at knife-point by her father in Danville, police said.

Emma Grace Kennedy was taken Sunday just before 8 p.m. She has blue eyes and short blonde hair and was wearing at light blue onesie at the time of the abduction.

Police believe the child is in danger after she was abducted by Carl Ray Kennedy at knife-point after her mother was assaulted.

Carl Ray Kennedy, 51, is a registered sex offender in North Carolina. He is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds with green eyes and short gray hair.

He was last seen wearing a brown short sleeve shirt and gray shorts with black and white Skechers shoes.

He has several distinguishing characteristics, including a crooked left pinky finger, pierced left ear and multiple tattoos on his right arm. His left arm is scarred from a work accident and has a scar on his head.

The suspect is out of jail on a $250,000 bond for a charge of drug distribution.

Police believe the pair may be in a gold four-door Suzuki with a North Carolina license plate EKZ-5093. The vehicle was possibly sighted in the area of Seven Springs, NC around 6:30 p.m. and may possibly be headed to Oak Island, NC.

WRAL in Raleigh reports the search has been extended to that area after police in Durham were contacted by a woman who said someone tried to sell her a baby early Tuesday morning. The description she gave police is not a complete match for the abduction suspect, WRAL reports, but police were concerned enough to extend the alert.

The child was last seen at the Kwik Stop on Riverside Drive in Danville for a planned meeting between the parents, Danville police said. The girl's mother was assaulted at knife-point at the Kwik Stop and the girl was taken.

Police believe she may have been taken to North Carolina.

Photos released Monday afternoon from the Danville Police Department show the moment of abduction:

Anyone with information is asked to call the Danville Police Department at (434) 799-6510 or the Virginia State Police at 1-800-822-4453.

Copyright 2018 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- Running a 5K is no easy feat, so imagine running one everyday for 50 days. That's what Dr. Adel Korkor is doing to raise money for mental health resources across the country.

Tallahassee is the 31-st stop on his journey to run a 5K in every state in 50 days. Dr. Korkor says, there's a negative stigma associated with people having, and getting proper help, for mental health issues. Through this awareness raising campaign, he hopes to break that stigma and raise money for affordable, comprehensive mental health resources.

Dr. Korkor is a retired kidney specialist, who started his foundation 2 years ago, which focuses helping those with mental health problems. He says, "During my years of practice with medicine, I have found that mental health issues has always been under served. There has always been a struggle with my patients to get the care that they need, to afford the care they need, to have the access to what they need. And sometimes, even the quality."

Dr. Korker says, he decided to travel to all 50 states for this campaign because he wanted to hear stories from everyone. Why 50 days? He says, time is of the essence. Dr. Korkor wants to spread the message that anyone who has mental issues is not alone.

Dr. Adel Korkor says, he will definitely be back in the Capital City next year for the 5K 50 50.

To learn more, visit: https://fivefiftyfifty.com/.DELRAY BEACH, Fla., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PositiveID Corporation (PositiveID or Company) (OTC:PSID) ExcitePCR subsidiary today announced publication of an article co-authored by Chief Science Officer Kimothy Smith, DVM, Ph.D., calling for an update of the previous critical effort to dismantle former Soviet nuclear weapons for the current threat of modern chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction, particularly in North Korea. The article, Two Minutes to Doomsday  Time for Nunn-Lugar 2.0, can be found on the Security Debrief website.



North Korea Bio Threat

The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) has the third largest stock of chemical weapons on the planet according to the article, including nerve, blister, blood, and vomiting agents. The next cooperative threat reduction program must be as focused on the chemical and biological threats as much or more than the nuclear threat, according to article authors.

Prior to his move to the private sector in 2008, Dr. Smith was the Senior Advisor for International Biodefense for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Health Affairs. In that role he served as detailee to the Office of International Health & Biodefense of the U.S. State Department.

During this period as an expert specialist, he coordinated biodefense and emergency response strategies with international partners and facilitated dialogue on food safety and agricultural security. He also served as Acting Director of the National Biosurveillance Integration Center.

Importance of On-Site Detection

Dr. Smith recently published a report for the U.S. Department of Defenses Homeland Defense & Security Information Analysis Center concluding quick deployment of user-friendly diagnostics is critical to successful containment of an agroterrorismevent.

PositiveID is developing the FireflyDX family of products to automate real-time pathogen detection at the point of care/point of need (POC/PON) faster and less expensively than existing devices.

FireflyDX's onsite pathogen detection applications are expected to include human clinical, such as infectious disease and hospital acquired infections, global food and agricultural screening, and biological warfare and biothreat defense.

About PositiveID Corporation

PositiveID Corporation is a holding company with a focus on life sciences tools and diagnostics. PositiveIDs ExcitePCR subsidiary develops biological detection and diagnostics systems, specializing in the development of microfluidic systems for the automated preparation of and performance of biological assays. PositiveIDs Thermomedics subsidiary markets the FDA-cleared Caregiver non-contact infrared thermometer. PositiveID also owns a minority interest in E-N-G Mobile Systems, a leader in the specialty vehicle market. For more information on PositiveID, please visit http://www.psidcorp.com, or connect with PositiveID on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

On August 24, 2017, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary PDI (collectively, the Seller), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) with its majority-owned subsidiary, ExcitePCR (the Buyer). Pursuant to the APA, at closing, the Company will own approximately 91% of ExcitePCR post-closing of the sale. The Buyer has not yet fulfilled the conditions to close the transaction which include ExcitePCR completing a financing of at least $3 million.

Statements about PositiveID's future expectations, including the likelihood that FireflyDX's onsite pathogen detection applications are expected to include human clinical, such as infectious disease and hospital acquired infections, global food and agricultural screening, and biological warfare and biothreat defense; constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and PositiveID's actual results could differ materially from expected results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the Companys ability to complete the testing and development of FireflyDX; the Companys ability to raise capital; the Companys ability to close the APA; as well as other risks. Additional information about these and other factors that could affect the Company's business is set forth in the Company's various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in the Company's 10-K filed on April 2, 2018, and 10-Qs filed on May 18, 2018, November 13, 2017, and August 14, 2017, under the caption "Risk Factors." The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.



Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 00:32:34|Editor: yan

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VIENNA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The UN nuclear agency said Monday that it is ready to inspect the nuclear program of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), if it is authorized to play an essential role in the issue after a political deal is reached.

Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told reporters that his team is ready to carry out the nuclear inspection in the DPRK, but the inspection should be under a political agreement among states concerned.

The DPRK dismantled the Punggye Ri nuclear test site last month under coverage of foreign journalists. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump and top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un are expected to meet on June 12 in Singapore.

If a possible political agreement could be reached, IAEA might be authorized to get access to the DPRK's nuclear site to carry out verification task. Amano said his team could travel to the DPRK within weeks after IAEA is authorized to play the role.

The DPRK claimed it successfully carried out four nuclear weapon tests in the past 10 years or so.

The IAEA currently has no nuclear inspector in the DPRK, which withdrew its membership of the IAEA in 1994. Therefore, the agency could only get the information of the DPRK's nuclear plan from satellites or by other means.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 00:32:35|Editor: yan

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PRETORIA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday called for more collective efforts by the five BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- to promote global peace and stability.

Wang made the appeal at the Formal Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which was presided over by South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Brazil's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Galvao.

The top agenda of the foreign ministers' meeting is to lay the groundwork for the 10th BRICS summit to be held in Johannesburg in July.

In his remarks, the Chinese foreign minister pointed out that the world is witnessing unprecedented changes in a century.

Under the circumstances, the BRICS should demonstrate an even broader strategic vision, more powerful collective efforts and a stronger will to shoulder responsibilities to bring more welfare to the people and make greater contribution to world peace and development, he said.

Wang said that the BRICS should serve as the powerful engine of global economic growth, providing a lasting driving force.

They should make joint efforts to build an open world economy, oppose trade protectionism and unilateralism, and safeguard common interests and development space, he said.

The BRICS should be the central pillar of strength providing powerful underlying support for world peace and stability, he stressed.

In light of the current situation, the BRICS should especially jointly stick to multilateralism and uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and maintain international fairness and justice, he said.

He also called on the BRICS to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and actively promote exchanges and cooperation with non-BRICS emerging markets and developing countries so as to enlarge the circle of friends and strengthen the BRICS' influence and appeal.

Participants at the meeting spoke highly of the remarkable progress achieved in the past decade of BRICS cooperation, and highly appreciated China's important contribution to BRICS cooperation after it served as chair last year.

As the international landscape is undergoing complicated changes, they said, the BRICS should further strengthen coordination and cooperation, deepen strategic partnership, jointly stick to multilateralism, oppose unilateralism and protectionism and maintain the fundamental norms of international relations.

They also pledged all-out efforts to support and coordinate with South Africa in the preparations for the 10th BRICS summit to ensure its success.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 03:33:21|Editor: Chengcheng

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (C, Front) addresses a civil society hearing on tuberculosis at the United Nations headquarters in New York, on June 4, 2018. Monday's hearing was held in preparation of the first-ever high-level meeting on the fight against TB set for Sept. 26. Heads of state are expected to gather at the UN General Assembly for the event. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, June 4 (Xinhua) -- President of the UN General Assembly Misrolav Lajcak said Monday that more action is needed to ensure the Tuberculosis (TB) epidemic is ended by 2030, a deadline set by the UN.

Speaking at a civil society hearing on TB, Lajcak said, "We are not on track to meet this SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) target," adding the pace of progress has been too slow and global action and investment are far from enough.

He noted newer challenges, such as "multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis", are a threat and the funding gap in developing countries amounts to some 2.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2017.

Currently, some 14 million people are living with TB worldwide, 4 million of them unidentified, according to UN special envoy on the disease Eric Goosby, who also spoke at the hearing.

Goosby stressed the need to accelerate efforts, saying that at the current pace of diagnosis, treatment and research development, "we are not capable of breaking the transmission chain."

Though treatable and curable, TB kills more than 4,500 people daily and around half of the cases are undiagnosed, said Lajcak, noting that by estimate, the disease will cost the global economy about 1 trillion U.S. dollars by 2030.

Monday's hearing was held in preparation of the first-ever high-level meeting on the fight against TB set for Sept. 26. Heads of state are expected to gather at the UN General Assembly for the event.

It follows on from a ministerial conference on ending TB in Moscow last November, which resulted in commitments from ministers and other leaders from some 120 countries.

"We should not miss this historic opportunity," said Lajcak, in reference to the upcoming meeting, urging participants to galvanize global momentum to end TB.

Echoing this, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who made remarks after Lajcak, said the high-level meeting provides key opportunities. "Let us use these meetings as an opportunity to inform a new way of thinking and working, lifting TB beyond its traditional silo."

The UN chief urged the outcome document from the meeting to be concrete and ambitious in its recommendations to ensure "global rhetoric is translated to local actions in communities."WASHINGTON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May over phone, and discussed the bilateral trade ties, the Iran nuclear issue and the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit.

According to a White House statement, Trump also called for a new and comprehensive deal that addresses all aspects of Iran's alleged "destabilizing" behavior, including in Yemen and Syria.

Trump announced to exit the Iran nuke deal in May, despite European nations' protests.

Trump also "underscored the need to rebalance trade with Europe" and expressed hope for a Brexit deal that does not increase tensions on the Northern Ireland border.

U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union (EU), Canada and Mexico took effect on June 1. Trump has decided not to extend the temporary steel and aluminum tariff exemptions for these three key trading partners. The move followed earlier metals tariffs on countries around the world.

The two leaders also discussed their goals for the upcoming G7 summit on June 8 and 9 in Quebec, Canada, and look forward to Trump's visit to Britain in July.

U.S. Department of State on April 26 confirmed that Trump will pay a working visit to Britain on July 13. The visit would start after Trump attended the NATO summit slated for July 11-12 in Brussels.

Trump made a sudden announcement on Jan. 11 that he has canceled his trip to Britain due to disappointment over the new location of the U.S. embassy in London.

The trans-Atlantic alliance between the United States and Britain has been shaky ever since Trump assumed the presidency last January. His proposal of a strict ban on Muslim immigration has sparked wide controversy in the island nation. Matters got even worse when Trump retweeted video posts of a British ultra-rightist group targeting Muslim immigrants in November.

Trump and May also discussed the upcoming summit meeting between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) slated for June 12 in Singapore.MEXICO CITY, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Mexico will take its tariff dispute with the United States to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Ministry of Economy said on Monday.

In a brief statement, the ministry said Mexico will begin the process of dispute resolution at the WTO over Washington's new steep tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

"Mexico believes the measures imposed by the U.S. ... arguing threats to national security, violate the WTO's Agreement on Safeguards, as well as the 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade," the ministry said.

The latest tariffs are being justified as a national security measure designed to protect key industries, under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act.

Mexico also reiterated its intention to retaliate with equivalent tariffs on U.S. imports.

As of June 1, the U.S. imposed steep tariffs on imported steel (25 percent) and aluminum (10 percent) from the European Union as well as Mexico and Canada, partners of the United States in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

NAFTA is currently undergoing renegotiation, due to U.S. President Trump's belief the trade deal has hampered U.S. industry and job opportunities.

Mexico's National Iron and Steel Industry Chamber (Canacero) last week said the new tariffs will cost 2 billion U.S. dollars a year.

However, Canacero also said the U.S. steel surplus with Mexico amounted to 3.6 billion U.S. dollars in the past two years, indicating the tariffs stand to have a greater negative impact on U.S. industry.

Mexico's National Aluminum Industry Chamber (Canalum) also expects the tariffs to have a greater impact in the United States, where consumers will have to pay higher prices.

In 2017, the United States received 80 percent of Mexico's total exports, with steel representing just 2 percent, according to government figures.SHELBURNE, Nova Scotia, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Bull Resources Inc. (NEX:BBS.H) ("Black Bull" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an operational update on the portfolio of investments that will be acquired pursuant to the previously announced Definitive Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") dated September 19, 2017, with a group of investment and business professionals to effect an arm's length Change of Business (the Transaction) as defined in Policy 5.2 of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange" or "TSXV). Post-closing, the Company has forecast overall revenues related to the Transaction to exceed $80 million with EBITDA forecast to exceed $30 million in the second half of 2018.



Investee Companies Development

The Transaction which, is subject to regulatory and final closing conditions, will see Black Bull transition from a Resource Issuer to an Investment Issuer within the meaning of such terms as defined in the policies of the TSXV. The portfolio of companies included in the Transaction will be acquired by the Company post-closing has continued to accelerate in order to drive an incremental increase in value.

The proposed new management team, having been previously announced on September 26, 2017, has been working with the portfolio of companies (the Portfolio) over the past several months, and as a result of that work, now forecasts Black Bull 2018 revenue and cash flow is either at, or ahead of expectations.

With respect to certain Portfolio assets, total potential order agreements relating to all third-party agreements could total in excess of $300 million on an annualized basis. Timing for execution, and revenue commencement is expected over the next several weeks with impact to the Company being realized by the fall of 2018. EBITDA margins for these contracts are anticipated to be in excess of 35%.

Management has worked to significantly advance the Portfolio value, and has significant additional growth planned for the Portfolio that could have dramatic revenue, cash flow and earnings growth throughout the second half of 2018, expediting estimates in advance of early 2019.

The Transaction is an arm's length transaction involving an issuer listed on the NEX (NEX is a separate trading board of TSX Venture Exchange), therefore it is anticipated that no shareholder approval shall be required. In addition, the Company is working on the engagement of a lead agent and anticipates an announcement in due course.

Closing

As a condition of Closing, the Company and Vendors are required to jointly complete a private placement financing for not less than $3.0 million CAD of gross proceeds. To raise these funds, the Company will issue up to $1.5 million in Common shares, priced at $0.10 per common share, and a minimum of $1.5 million of Preferred Shares priced at $10.00 per Preferred Share. Commitments for in excess of $1.0 million have been received equally split between Preferred A shares and Common Shares.

The Closing is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to: requisite regulatory, corporate, and third-party approvals, including Exchange approval; all required board approvals by the Company, the receipt of a fairness opinion to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors of the Company; and completion of due diligence investigations to the satisfaction of each of the Company and the Vendors.

Sponsorship of a "Change of Business" transaction is required by the Exchange unless exempt therefrom in accordance with the Exchange's policies or unless the Exchange provides a waiver. The Company intends to apply for an exemption from the sponsorship requirements pursuant to the policies of the Exchange. If the exemption is not granted by the Exchange, then the Company would be required to engage a sponsor or will seek a waiver from the sponsorship requirement.

Post-Closing

Upon Closing, the Company intends to change its name to Magnetic North Acquisition Corp., (Magnetic or Magnetic North), or such other name as the management team may determine. It is anticipated that the Exchange would assign a new trading symbol at the time of the name change. Upon Closing, the Company intends to be listed on the TSXV as a Tier 2 Investment Issuer.

The business of the Magnetic North will become hands-on merchant banking. The existing management and Board of Directors of the Company will, upon Closing, resign from the Company, and Magnetic will appoint certain individuals to constitute the new management and Board of Directors (the "Magnetic Team"). The Magnetic Team is a working group of highly experienced professionals in finance, operations and strategy. The core principle of which is that "capital alone doesn't solve problems." Magnetic will provide capital, management and Board level representation to its Investee Companies in order to drive significant growth. The Magnetic Team believes that capital coupled with expertise and experience provides a superior return on investment to investors.

For Further Information, Please Contact:

For Black Bull Resources Inc.

Martin MacKinnon, CFO

Tel: 902-499-7183

For Magnetic North Acquisition Corp.

Andrew Osis, Co-CEO and Kevin Spall, Co-CEO

Tel: 403-470-4355

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information generally refers to information about an issuer's business, capital, or operations that is prospective in nature, and includes future-oriented financial information about the issuer's prospective financial performance or financial position.

The forward-looking information in this news release includes disclosure about the terms of the proposed Transaction, its anticipated closing date, the proposed structure of the Transaction, the terms of the concurrent financing and the business and operations of the Company after the completion of the Transaction, the operational and financial results of the portfolio companies, and the value of the Portfolio.

The Company has made certain material assumptions, including but not limited to: prevailing market conditions; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; the terms of the proposed financing; the ability of the Company to execute and achieve its business objectives after the closing of the Transaction; the historical financial performance of the Portfolio companies; management's expectations of future performance of the Portfolio companies, and the consummation of transactions in order agreements to develop the forward-looking information in this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Actual results may vary from the forward-looking information in this news release due to certain material risk factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: adverse market conditions; the inability of the Company or the Vendors to complete the Transaction on the terms disclosed in this news release, or at all; the inability of the Company to obtain TSXV acceptance and the approval of its shareholders; the unavailability of exemptions from prospectus requirements for the issuance of shares under the financing; refusal of the proposed directors or officers to act for any reason, including conflicts of interest; reliance on key and qualified personnel; regulatory and other risks associated with the industries in which the Company's portfolio companies operate, in general; and the failure to complete the transactions contemplated by order agreement. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material risk factors and assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information in this news release, unless it is required to do so under Canadian securities legislation.CHICAGO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Consulate General in Chicago confirmed on Monday the death of a Chinese student from Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) as a car struck him.

According to Police Department in Wilmington of North Carolina, the 19-year-old Zhao Zishan who spent his vacation there, was hit by a vehicle when he attempted to cross the street where there was no crosswalk.

Jennifer Dandron, a spokesperson with the Wilmington Police Department, said Zhao was hit and killed in the 5600 block of Oleander Drive around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night.

Dandron said Zhao was taken to local medical center and died from injuries a few hours later. She also confirmed no charges will be filed in this fatality.

The Chinese Consulate General was informed by the police and immediately activated the emergency response mechanism, Chinese Deputy Consul General in Chicago Liu Jun said.

Liu said they've contacted parents of the victim and WashU, and let them know that the Chinese Consulate General will offer help needed.

Liu also warned Chinese students studying abroad pay much attention to personal safety, especially during summer vacation.HELSINKI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish defense forces on Monday celebrated their centenary with a parade in Seinajoki, central-western Finland.

Colonel Asko Valta from the Pori Brigade said the parade was "a celebration of the national service and conscript system" and "not a show of force" as comparable parades in some other countries.

The parade was received by general Jarmo Lindberg, the commander of defense forces.

Interviewed on national broadcaster Yle, Lindberg said that surface-to-air defense are still under consideration as future option, but he indicated a combination of jet fighters and missiles is likely.

"No country has a missile system that covers the whole area", he said. He noted that in neighboring Sweden the planned Patriot missiles would protect only the Stockholm area.

Lindberg said the operational budget of the defense forces would be sufficient to cover the plan of deploying new ships and aircraft. Finland will order 60 fighters to replace the aging F18 Hornets. The type to be purchased has not been decided.

Contrary to most western European countries, Finland has a national service system that enables the call-up of a war time strength now given as 280,000 men and women. The numbers were upgraded some years ago from 230,000.

During the cold war, the Finland's deployable reserve was at 500,000.

Armed forces day is celebrated on June 4, which is on the birthday of Marshall C.G.E Mannerheim. He was the commander in the civil war and in World War Two. He also served as the country's president in 1944-1946.TUNIS, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia is expected to receive 8 million tourists in 2018, said President of Tunisian Association of Travel Agents (FTAV) Jaber Ben Atouch on Monday.

According to Atouch, the prediction is based on indicators such as reservation rate and return of European tourists.

"This successful summer season started since April, with the confirmation of 650,000 French tourists, an increase of 200 percent compared with the same period of last year," said Atouch.

Tunisia is also prepared to welcome more than 900,000 Russian tourists, "a rising market for Tunisia since 2011," assured Atouch.

Atouch also estimated the arrival of 3 million Algerian tourists this season, surging from 800,000 of last summer.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 06:39:08|Editor: yan

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CHICAGO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) futures settled much lower on Monday amid massive selling triggered by concerns over trade tensions between China and the United States.

CBOT grain prices also plunged as crop-favorable rain fell over the weekend in the U.S. Midwest.

Brokers estimated that funds sold 6,500 contracts of soybeans,5,200 contracts of wheat and 12,000 contracts of corn.

Following a two-day economic and trade consultations between high-ranking Chinese and U.S. officials in Beijing, the Chinese side issued a statement on Sunday.

"To implement the consensus reached in Washington, the two sides have had good communication in various areas such as agriculture and energy, and have made positive and concrete progress while relevant details are yet to be confirmed by both sides," said the statement.

"All economic and trade outcomes of the talks will not take effect if the U.S. side imposes any trade sanctions including raising tariffs," the statement added.

The lack of assurance that the U.S. would not raise tariffs against Chinese goods left CBOT traders disappointed, said market observers.

As a result, CBOT soybeans, a key agricultural product the U.S. exports to China, slid sharply.

Corn futures also suffered double-digit losses as rain fell over the weekend in the Midwest areas and temperature rose, favorable for corn growing.

On Monday, the most active corn contract for July delivery fell 10.75 cents, or 2.75 percent to settle at 3.8075 dollars per bushel. July wheat delivery went down 18 cents, or 3.44 percent to close at 5.0525 dollars per bushel. July soybeans were down 19.5 cents, or 1.91 percent to settle at 10.0175 dollars per bushel.ISLAMABAD, June 5 (Xinhua) -- At least three security personnel were killed and three others injured in a suicide attack in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Monday evening, local media reported.

Local Urdu channel Dunya TV quoted security sources as saying that two suicide bombers attacked a security check post of the paramilitary troops Frontier Corps (FC) in Mastung, a district located some 43 km from Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan province.

According to security sources, the FC personnel shot dead one suicide bomber, however the second one blew himself up, killing three personnel on the spot while injuring three others.

Following the blast, police, rescue teams and additional contingents of security forces rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and the injured personnel to the Ghous Bakhsh hospital in the district.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation in the surroundings.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 09:14:34|Editor: Liangyu

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Barsha Man Pun, Nepali Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, receives an interview with Xinhua News Agency in Kathmandu, Nepal, June 1, 2018. The Nepali government has strong desire to explore its energy potentials especially in water resources by attracting investment from China, Barsha Man Pun told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Sulav Shrestha)

KATHMANDU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Nepali government has strong desire to explore its energy potentials especially in water resources by attracting investment from China, a senior minister told Xinhua.

The remark of Barsha Man Pun, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation follows widespread concerns raised about possible negative impact on Chinese investment after the government announced on May 29 in its its annual budget for the next fiscal year 2018-19 that the West Seti project would be developed with domestic resources.

The 750MW West Seti Hydropower Project in the Far-western Nepal was handed over to the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC) in 2012.

Likewise, in November last year, the previous government cancelled the deal with another Chinese company -- China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) signed to develop the 1200MW Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, citing "instructions issued by parliamentary committees."

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua last week, minister Pun clarified that Nepal has not yet cancelled the deal with CTGC, "the West Seti project is still at the hand of CTGC and we are ready to continue with CTGC if it is eager to develop this project."

Before the Nepali's government's announcement, the negotiation between the two sides had stuck on a few issues including power purchase rate. The Chinese company had termed the power purchase rate offered by Nepal unfeasible but Nepal refused to make revision, according to Nepali officials.

As far as Budhigandaki Hydropower Project is concerned, the minister told Xinhua that the present government wants cooperation with China to develop this project despite scrapping of the deal by the previous government.

"We are willing to develop this project in cooperation with China either in the form of government to government cooperation mechanism or by taking soft loans from China," he said.

Despite the decision to develop these projects with its own resources, Pun admitted that Nepal can't develop these mega projects without overseas investment or loan, "we are exploring the options."

Pun said that he was enthusiastic about the possible surge of Chinese investment in Nepal's energy sector despite setback in these two cases.

He disclosed that his ministry had recently prepared a list which include 7 big hydropower projects, 6 transmission line projects that Nepal hopes to develop with Chinese grant, loan or under the Belt and Road Initiative.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 09:34:38|Editor: Chengcheng

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NEW DELHI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) could be a very useful platform for addressing the rising menace of terrorism and other challenges, according to an Indian expert.

A large number of SCO members, observers, dialogue partners and special guests to the meetings have been victims of terrorism, Professor Swaran Singh, who teaches diplomacy and disarmament at Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Without the international community coming together, the menace of terrorism will continue to cause havoc, he stressed.

Since 1996, India has been working with the United Nations on adopting a convention on countering international terrorism, but that still remains a work in progress and has yet to achieve the desired results, said the Indian professor.

"The SCO today has both moral and material leverages to take this forward and can generate positive synergies amongst its members including India and Pakistan," Singh said. The two south Asian countries are the SCO's newest members.

Besides the twin goals of the SCO i.e. countering terrorism and energy security, core challenges remain for both India and Pakistan, the professor added.

Singh said that the SCO - the world's largest regional organization - is a robust body that has hosted more than 120 events last year. The SCO also hosts informal summits, which are free of officials, advisers, protocols, agenda and expect no direct outcomes, are aimed at fostering stronger trust and understanding among the leaders to ensure bolder decision making, something needed to reform global governance processes and structures.

China has emerged as a world leader in fighting protectionism and in supporting free trade. Most SCO members remain committed to ensuring free, open and equitable globalization, the Indian professor said.

The SCO members are faced with great challenges as well as opportunities in building complementary partnerships among energy-surplus and energy-deficient nations, Swaran said.

"The Russia-China energy partnership remains a model to expand to other SCO members," he said.

The model is especially significant following U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the return of sanctions on Iran, resulting in a sharp decline in its oil production, Singh added.

This has led to a sharp rise in global oil prices which is beginning to pinch nations like India, which hopes the SCO could help to redress the situation, he said.

The SCO is also expected to play an increasingly effective role in addressing other regional and global development and security challenges that would require consensus and trust building amongst SCO members and other stakeholders, he added.HAVANA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez met with visiting U.S. Senator Jeff Flake and Google's former CEO Eric Schmidt on Monday to discuss the setbacks in ties between the United States and the Caribbean nation.

The three had a "productive meeting" in which they discussed U.S.-Cuba relations and the negative impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's revival of Cold War-era policy, according to a statement from the ministry.

Rodriguez thanked Flake's interest in improving ties between the two countries.

Though Flake is a Republican, like Trump, the Arizona senator has traveled to Cuba on numerous occasions and supports several legislative initiatives to lift the U.S. economic embargo against the island nation and end travel restrictions on U.S. citizens who want to visit the Caribbean nation.

Also participating in the meeting were the U.S. charge d'affaires in Cuba, Philip Goldberg, and Google's senior consultant for Cuba, Brett Perlmutter.

In 2015, the United States and Cuba reestablished diplomatic relations after decades of hostility. Then U.S. President Barack Obama visited the island in 2016.

However, the White House has scaled back relations and cooperation to a minimum since Trump decided last year to revert to Washington's former foreign policy towards Cuba.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 09:59:46|Editor: Chengcheng

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MEXICO CITY, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A collegiate court on Monday ordered a truth commission to be created to investigate the massacre of 43 students in the southern state of Guerrero in 2014.

The Federal Judiciary Council (CJF) reported a three-judge panel from the First Collegiate Court in northeast Tamaulipas state unanimously agreed that Mexico's Attorney General's Office (PGR) failed to carry out a "rapid, effective, independent or impartial" investigation into the case that shocked Mexico and the world.

"Given the serious human rights violations, such as torture, forced disappearance and extrajudicial executions, and that (officials) were ordered to investigate the role of authorities from the three levels of government, in addition to the fact that Mexico has no independent prosecution, we ruled to create the commission," judges Mauricio Fernandez, Juan Antonio Trejo and Hector Galvez wrote in their decision.

The Truth and Justice Investigation Commission to be established will comprise representatives of the victims, the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) and the Public Ministry of the PGR.

While many details of the case remain obscure, what is known is that the 43 victims, all enrolled at a teachers' college in Ayotzinapa, Guerrero, were traveling by bus when they were intercepted, abducted and tortured by local police in the town of Iguala, Guerrero on Sept. 26, 2014.

The PGR's investigation concluded that local police mistook the students for members of a criminal gang, and handed them over to a rival gang called Guerreros Unidos to kill them and dispose of the bodies, which have never been found.

The gang allegedly burnt their bodies at a local garbage dump.

Mexican authorities say they have arrested more than 130 suspects related to the case, including Iguala's mayor and his wife, who were believed to have ordered the police officers to intercept the students. EnditemSource: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 10:19:49|Editor: Chengcheng

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KIEV, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Monday voiced protest against a Russian court's decision to sentence Ukrainian national Roman Sushchenko to 12 years in prison over spy charges.

"We express our protest to Russia over the illegal sentence for journalist Sushchenko. This case is politically motivated. We demand an immediate release," Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mariana Betsa wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said his government will do its utmost to set Sushchenko free.

Earlier in the day, the press service of the Moscow City Court said in a statement that the court sentenced Sushchenko to 12 years in a high-security prison, having found him guilty of espionage.

In October 2016, the Russian Federal Security Bureau (FSB) said it had detained Sushchenko for allegedly gathering intelligence about the Russian Armed Forces.

The FSB said that Sushchenko is an officer of the Chief Intelligence Office of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, accusing him of purposefully collecting state secrets about activities of the Russian Armed Forces and the National Guard.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has denied any links to Sushchenko, saying he had never served in the Chief Intelligence Office.

Ukrainian national news agency Ukrinform said Sushchenko is based in France, and that he was "unlawfully detained" in Moscow, where he was on a private trip.TITUSVILLE, Fla., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Apple Rush Company, Inc. (OTC PINK:APRU) (the company) is pleased to announce the addition of North Florida Sales, inc. covering the counties of Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, Putnam, Clay, Bradford, Union, Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, and Suwannee to our network of AB distributors. Started in 1995, North Florida sales brings 23 years of distribution experience to the Apple Rush brand and an expansive territory across the entire northern part of Florida. Gentry Pelham and his team of over 300 employees deliver approximately 9.5 million cases per year. Tony Torgerud, CEO of Apple Rush said, We are excited to add North Florida Sales to our magnificent family, and look forward to supporting their efforts with our retail support team and will keep growing our distribution network nationally. Gentry Pelham stated, I am excited to be part of the team to roll out Apple Rush throughout Florida and also helping to continue building the distribution team nationally. Apple Rush is a great tasting product and we recognize that the consumer is looking for choices with no sugar added and this fits in perfectly. Our sales team has years of experience in delivering chain sales and we will use that experience to expand rapidly throughout the counties we serve. We have picked up a truckload of each product to show our commitment to the brand and are happy to be a shareholder in the company. Tony added, There are Luckys Markets and Total Wine locations within the North Florida Sales territory and we will be adding those locations as soon as practical. Jacksonville is the 12th largest market in the country and we will capture a large part of that market over the coming months. Watch for our updated websites and additional announcements in the coming days and weeks.



About Apple Rush Company, Inc. (APRU)

The Apple Rush Company, Inc. through its subsidiary APRU, LLC Alternative Products Unlimited is a manufacturer of specialty supplements including anhydrous hemp oil, kratom, kava, and other active ingredients. The supplement format is its proprietary soft cold processed chew. The company also manufactures and distributes the Apple Rush brand of sparkling juices. The company markets its products through private label, white label, and through distributors nationally and internationally. The company was founded in 1998 and is now based in Titusville, FL. www.aprullc.com , www.applerush.com

Investor Relations Contact

Tony Torgerud

888-741-3777 x 2Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 10:39:55|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) meets with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu (R) in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 4, 2018. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

PRETORIA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu here on Monday to discuss closer bilateral relations.

During the meeting, Wang said that since China and South Africa established diplomatic relations 20 years ago, relations between the two sides have sustained a sound momentum of growth.

The connotations of China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership exceed the bilateral scope and have acquired growing global influence, he said.

The Chinese minister called for efforts to strengthen strategic communication and political mutual trust between the two countries so as to make bilateral cooperation more pragmatic, more effective and bring more benefits to the people.

Noting that South Africa will host the BRICS summit in July and China will host the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September, Wang expressed the hope that the two sides will enhance coordination and support each other to ensure that the two major events will be completely successful.

China welcomes South Africa to attend the China International Import Expo (CIIE) to be held in Shanghai in November, attaches importance to the "new investment drive" proposed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and will encourage its enterprises to participate in the upcoming Investment Conference and Jobs Summit in the African country, Wang said.

For her part, Sisulu noted that South Africa highly values the friendship with China and attaches importance to their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The new South African government is committed to further elevating bilateral cooperation to a new height while building on their existing friendly relations, Sisulu said.

South Africa eagerly looks forward to President Xi Jinping's attendance at the BRICS summit in South Africa and state visit to the country, said Sisulu, adding that her country will coordinate with China closely to make sure that the visit will be completely successful and score practical results.

She also said that South Africa thanks China for its strong support to the African country in hosting the BRICS summit this year and stands ready to coordinate with China to ensure that both the BRICS summit and the FOCAC Beijing summit will be successful.

Sisulu also reaffirmed her country's firm adherence to the one-China principle and expressed the willingness to further deepen economic and trade cooperation with China.In this file photo, singapore police are on duty outside the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore on Jun 2, 2017. (Xinhua/Then Chih Wey)

SINGAPORE, June 4 (Xinhua)-- Singaporean authorities have designated the area surrounding the Shangri-La Hotel a "special event area" from June 10 to June 14, for the summit between U. S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The hotel is among the likely venues where analysts believe the historic summit would take place on June 12. It's also the venue for the yearly Shangri-La Dialogue, also known as the Asian Security Summit, which just concluded on Sunday.

Shangri-La Hotel lies in a neighborhood which homes several other luxury hotels.

According to local media, the Singaporean government issued a statement on Sunday, saying the segment of land bordered by Dunearn Road, Paterson Road, Grange Road and Cluny Road has been declared a "special event area" for the summit.

The summit may consist of meetings between representatives of the two countries, and includes "any lead-in activities and social events connected with the Summit", the statement added.

Moreover, a smaller segment within the same area has been declared a "special zone", where enhanced police powers will take effect from June 10 to June 14 towards people and vehicles.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 10:54:58|Editor: Chengcheng

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SANTIAGO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Freezing temperatures have claimed the lives of at least three homeless people in Chile's capital Santiago and its metropolitan area, police reported on Monday.

"We received a report from people that passed by an area where they could see someone lying, covered by cardboard, and that presumably had no vital signs," Police Captain Marcelo Valenzuela said of the first case.

A 67-year-old victim was found in the eastern district of Penalolen, a commune in Santiago province, Santiago Metropolitan Region.

Police personnel dispatched to the site "verified the incident," said Valenzuela, adding that officials ruled out any criminal cause for the death.

"It was clearly caused by the low temperature we had this morning," he said.

A second similar incident was reported in Quinta Normal, in the west of the capital, where a 31-year-old man was found dead also at an outdoor plaza.

A third body was discovered later in the day in downtown Santiago, at an intersection on Avenida Alameda, the city's main thoroughfare.

Chile's meteorological agency said temperatures in Santiago hit a low of 1.6 degrees centigrade below zero, while they dipped to 2.2 degrees centigrade below zero in the west of the city, and plunged to 5.7 degrees below zero in areas close to mountains.

According to a 2017 census, there are 10,610 homeless people in Chile, 44 percent of whom are living in precarious conditions in Santiago.

Authorities have set up a series of shelters to house the homeless during coming cold spells.SYDNEY, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The State of Western Australia wants Beijing to know it's open for business and focused on growing ties and investment, Premier Mark McGowan announced on Tuesday.

Set for his first visit to China as state premier on Wednesday, the four-day mission is aimed at strengthening Western Australia's "robust relationship" with key Chinese Central Government agencies and promoting the state's economic might in the minerals sector.

"China is Australia's biggest trading partner, and I want to ensure that Western Australia is in the box seat to maximise opportunities that will create more jobs in the resources sector, as well as industries like tourism and education," McGowan said.

During his time in Beijing, the premier will feature at a roundtable discussion hosted by a number of senior representatives from major Chinese enterprises.

McGowan will also meet with some of Western Australia's biggest Chinese investors.

"Creating jobs for Western Australians is my number one priority and as Premier and I'm very keen to promote our State to the world," McGowan said.

The trip follows a series of meetings last year during November, where 40 Western Australian representatives from the tourism and education sectors met with officials and industry leaders in Shanghai and Hangzhou.

"The benefits from the visit last year are already starting to flow, with a new strategy launched to promote Perth as a study destination and positive discussions about direct flights from Shanghai," McGowan said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 11:00:01|Editor: Chengcheng

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TUNIS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The number of illegal immigrants killed after their boat sank off the southeastern coast of Tunisia on Sunday has risen to 60, according to the United Nations migration agency.

Among the 60 bodies transferred to the forensic department at a hospital, 48 were confirmed as Tunisians and 12 were foreigners whose identifications were in progress, Lorena Lando, chief of mission at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Tunisia, said late on Monday.

A total of 68 illegal immigrants, including 60 Tunisians and eight foreigners, were rescued in relief operations in coordination with the army, as well as units of the Maritime Guard.

The spokesman of the Interior Ministry Khalifa Chibani said on Monday that Tunisian security forces intercepted eight individuals involved in planning the case off the island of Kerkennah on Saturday evening.

Local media quoting security officials reported that the ill-fated boat was packed with about 180 migrants, including 80 from other African countries.

Kerkennah is known as one of the main illegal gateways to Europe from Tunisia. Since the beginning of this year, about 1,910 Tunisian migrants have reached Italy by sea, according to the IOM.

The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights said in a study that 9,329 Tunisians attempted to cross the Mediterranean in 2017, with 34 percent intercepted by Tunisian maritime forces.

According to Chibani, so far, no less than 900 illegal immigrants have been prevented from crossing Tunisian maritime borders since the beginning of this year's Ramadan, which began on May 17.UNITED NATIONS, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday condemned an attack against peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) which killed one Tanzanian peacekeeper and injured seven others.

The Security Council "condemned in the strongest terms the attack on June 3 by armed elements against a patrol of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in the village of Dilapoko in the west of the Central African Republic."

The members of the Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed, and to those injured, as well as to Tanzania and to MINUSCA.

They wished the injured a speedy recovery and "condemned in the strongest terms all attacks, provocations and incitement to violence against MINUSCA by armed groups and other perpetrators."

Attacks against peacekeepers "may constitute war crimes and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law," they reiterated.

In its statement, the Security Council also called on the government of the Central African Republic to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

MINUSCA has 12,000 troops and police deployed in the impoverished country, which has been struggling since it plunged into bloodshed after the 2013 overthrow of longtime leader Francois Bozize.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 11:10:04|Editor: Liangyu

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OTTAWA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A bus carrying 37 Chinese tourists crashed on a highway leading to the Canadian capital of Ottawa on Monday, injuring 24 people, including four with life-threatening injuries.

The bus veered off highway 401 and crashed into a rock embankment near Prescott, Ontario, about 90 km south of Ottawa at around 3:30 p.m. local time (1930 GMT), according to local police.

A spokesman of the Chinese Embassy said that the embassy is in contact with the relevant Canadian authorities to verify the situation.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 11:20:10|Editor: Liangyu

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OTTAWA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A bus carrying 37 Chinese tourists crashed on a highway leading to the Canadian capital of Ottawa on Monday, injuring 24 people, including four with life-threatening injuries.

The bus veered off highway 401 and crashed into a rock embankment near Prescott, Ontario, about 90 km south of Ottawa at around 3:30 p.m. local time (1930 GMT), according to local police.

An emergency group found the bus in a ditch alongside the highway and no other vehicle was involved, the source added.

At least two helicopters, an aircraft and an ambulance were dispatched to the scene, according to a source from Ornge Air Ambulance.

A spokesman of the Chinese Embassy said that the embassy is in contact with the relevant Canadian authorities to verify the situation.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 11:20:11|Editor: Chengcheng

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WASHINGTON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon on Monday announced a probe into allegations of misconduct of White House physician and former Veterans Affairs Secretary nominee Ronny Jackson.

"The Department of Defense office of Inspector General has initiated an investigation into allegations related to Rear Admiral Ronny L. Jackson," spokeswoman Dwrena Allen said in a statement.

Jackson has allegedly appeared drunk on the job, even when accompanying U.S. President Donald Trump on foreign trips.

Jackson's colleagues said he got drunk at a Secret Service going away party and wrecked a government vehicle, and earned the nickname Candyman among White House staff because he was willing to give out sleeping pills to others without prescription.

The allegations surfaced after Jackson was nominated to lead the Department of Veteran Affairs. He withdrew from the normination later but denied any wrongdoing.

Jackson remained at the White House but ceased to serve as Trump's personal physician, meanwhile the Pentagon transferred the case to its Inspector General's office for review.

Jackson gained fame earlier this year for giving a lengthy press conference at the White House on Trump's health, during which he heaped praises on his boss, saying that he was in "excellent health" and has "good genes."

Jackson, who had been working for years as a military physician since 1995, joined the White house medical team in 2006 and was promoted by then President Barack Obama to lead the team in 2013.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 12:20:21|Editor: Chengcheng

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PARIS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The skeleton of a rare form of dinosaur was sold for over 2 million U.S. dollars at the Eiffel Tower in Paris Monday.

The bones, nine meters long and 2.6 meters high, were discovered during a dig in the U.S. State of Wyoming in 2013. The dinosaur is believed to have lived during the late Jurassic period about 150 million years ago, according to the Aguttes auction house.

The species of the dinosaur so far remains a mystery for researchers as its bones are different from any known types of dinosaurs.

Scientists first thought it was an allosaurus, but after an in-depth examination, the skeleton presented major anatomical differences from known allosaurus, having notably more teeth and distinctive bones.

The buyer of the skeleton, who refused to be named publicly, purchased the dinosaur's skeleton for about 2.36 million U.S. dollars.

The auction house promised that the new owner would be allowed to choose a name for the dinosaur, "as long as it's scientific, and subject to peer review."

Part of the proceeds from the sale will go to two charities fighting for the preservation of endangered species.VENICE, FL, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advanced Credit Technologies, Inc. ("CyberloQ" or the "Company") (OTCQB: ACRT), the developers of CyberloQ Identity Access Management software, is pleased to announce its launch and sales efforts into the IT reseller channel of distribution.



ACRTs President Chris Jackson says, The companys introduction to broadline IT distributors like Synnex will provide the company with access to hundreds of IT resellers in North America, including Value Added Resellers (VARs), Managed Solutions Providers (MSPs), and IT Integrators who specialize in providing identity governance solutions to the end user customer. He goes on to say, The IT channel can be a force multiplier for the companys sales efforts and we hope to take advantage of the potential that this channel offers the company for future growth in the cyber security space. This strategic method gives the Company an already existing Sales Team without incurring the cost along with direct access to resellers entire distribution networks.

In addition, CyberloQ recently signed partner agreements with both Software & Peripherals, LP and Network America, Inc.

Software & Peripherals, LP is classified as a Third-Party Supplier and Aggregator. As an Aggregator, Software & Peripherals assists potential Dell Corporation partners to navigate the process of introducing sales opportunities to Dell sales as the company goes through the on-boarding process. As a Dell Aggregator for over a decade, President Larry Tuggle states, This allows the Dell account team to move forward with deals while the on-boarding process takes place with the vendor partner. CyberloQ becomes a natural fit for our Team and partners; we are excited to move forward with the CyberloQ Team and secure some of our networks. This is a much needed product in todays cyber-secure environment.

Established in 1991, Network America is a premier professional services organization providing license procurement, design, training, implementation and ongoing support for systems management, security management, asset management, mobility management, and service management solutions to organizations worldwide. Headquartered in Treasure Island, Florida, Network America is a veteran-owned small business and is a schedule 70 GSA holder. Joe Meier, President and CEO of Network America remarked, "Network America's seasoned services and consulting team has been helping businesses choose and implement the most powerful, layered security solutions available. The partnership with CyberloQ will enable our customers to further protect and secure user devices like never before."

CyberloQ is a Multifactor Authentication (MFA) cyber security application that uses the unique identifier from any mobile device in combination with the users PIN number and geo-location services to create a scalable invisible fence which automatically disables a users account if they breech the secure perimeter. (see www.cyberloq.com for more information).

Safe Harbor:

From time to time, the Company may issue news releases that contain "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, and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. This material may contain statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. For those statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statement provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any amendments thereto. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions, or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." "Forward-looking statements" are based upon expectations, estimates and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated.

The Company discourages any and all promotional activity by non-Company actors and encourages investors and potential investors to review the Company's public filings, its website and its press releases, and to discuss these matters with their personal legal and financial advisors. Non-Company newsletters/recommendations, websites or general stock symbols/classifications or other identifiers regarding our securities, whether positive or negative, should not be relied on because these items are simply opinions/policies of a third party. These third parties are, in many instances, paid by the publisher or other third parties and the Company believes that they profit from the publication of this literature and the results on the market. These materials should not be a substitute for investors' research and/or independent decision-making.



Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 12:30:22|Editor: Chengcheng

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KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, June 5 (Xinhua) -- One police officer has been killed and two others wounded following a heavy explosion in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, provincial governor spokesman said Tuesday.

The blast happened late Monday night at Police District 12 of provincial capital Kandahar city, resulting in the casualties, spokesman Daud Ahmadi told Xinhua.

One police vehicle was also damaged in the blast.

No armed group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

Security situation has been improving in Kandahar, the former stronghold of Taliban, over the past months, as security forces have conducted search and cordon operations across the province. But militants attack government interests in the province from time to time.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 12:40:24|Editor: Chengcheng

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PRETORIA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu here on Monday to further fortify bilateral relations.

During their meeting, Wang said that since China and South Africa established diplomatic relations 20 years ago, bilateral ties have sustained a sound momentum of growth.

The connotations of China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership exceed the bilateral scope and have acquired growing global influence, he said.

The Chinese minister called for efforts to strengthen strategic communication and political mutual trust between the two countries so as to make bilateral cooperation more pragmatic, more effective and bring more benefits to the people.

Noting that South Africa will host the BRICS summit in July and China will host the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September, Wang expressed the hope that the two sides will enhance coordination and support each other to ensure that the two major events will be completely successful.

China welcomes South Africa to attend the China International Import Expo (CIIE) to be held in Shanghai in November, attaches importance to the "new investment drive" proposed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and will encourage its enterprises to participate in the upcoming Investment Conference and Jobs Summit in the African country, Wang said.

For her part, Sisulu noted that South Africa highly values the friendship with China and attaches importance to their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The new South African government is committed to further elevating bilateral cooperation to a new height while building on their existing friendly relations, Sisulu said.

South Africa eagerly looks forward to President Xi Jinping's attendance at the BRICS summit in South Africa and state visit to the country, said Sisulu, adding that her country will coordinate with China closely to make sure that the visit will be completely successful and score practical results.

She also said that South Africa thanks China for its strong support to the African country in hosting the BRICS summit this year and stands ready to coordinate with China to ensure that both the BRICS summit and the FOCAC Beijing summit will be successful.

Sisulu also reaffirmed her country's firm adherence to the one-China principle and expressed the willingness to further deepen economic and trade cooperation with China.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Wang on Sunday, and said his country has always viewed its relations with China from a strategic perspective and expects to further strengthen bilateral cooperation under the current complex and changing international circumstances.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 13:15:29|Editor: Liu

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Apple CEO Tim Cook takes the stage during Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, California, the United States, June 4, 2018. (Xinhua)

SAN FRANCISCO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2018 started Monday in Silicon Valley, the United States, with the launch of new updates and productivity tools for iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, who hosted the event, welcomed thousands of developers from over 70 countries and regions to WWDC 2018.

Apple released new updates for macOS with dark mode, which redesigned App Store, App News and a bunch of other new features.

Cook said the update Mojave's new features will be made available to the public this fall but a beta version will possibly start this summer.

Mojave's dark mode turns the dock, taskbar, and the chrome around all apps into a dark gray.

Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, introduced at the event iOS 12, said Apple in a statement.

Apple software senior vice president Kimberly Beverett demonstrated new features in Siri Shortcuts, such as ordering a coffee in the morning or making travel plans.

LEGO's director of innovation Martin Sanders also demonstrated LEGO AR City, which uses ARKit 2 features including shared experiences, persistent Augmented Reality and 3D object detection.

Cook said at the conference that the number of Apple's global developers has surpassed 20 million in over 70 countries, yielding a gross revenue of 100 billion U.S. dollars.

He said App Store has become the world's largest apps market visited by 500 million users every week.

The Apple WWDC, which was first inaugurated in 1983, will last five days till Friday.NEW DELHI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and seven others injured in a collision between a dumper truck and a tractor in northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, police said Tuesday.

The accident took place on Bilgram Kannauj road near Mallawan in Hardoi district, about 97 km northwest of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh.

"Late last night in a tragic road accident here seven labourers were killed and seven others were injured when a dumper truck collided with a tractor," a police official posted in Hardoi said.

"The labourers working as construction workers were travelling in trolley of the tractor. They had a concrete mixer attached to the tractor as well."

The injured were admitted in neighbouring Kannauj district hospital, said the police.

The victims are said to be locals.

Police have registered a case and ordered investigations into the accident.

Deadly road accidents are common in India often caused by overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving.

Officials say on an average over 400 deaths take place every day in India due to road accidents.SYDNEY, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Development approval has been granted for a massive Australian wind farm project on Tuesday, that will power around 800,000 homes.

Located 150 km northwest of Rockhampton in Clarke Creek, the Queensland (QLD) State Government gave the go-ahead to the one-billion-Australian-dollar (763 million U.S. dollars) Lacour Energy wind farm after rigorous environmental assessments that examined the potential impact on the vegatation, wildlife and communities living in the area.

Queensland is focused on reaching its 50 percent renewable energy target by 2030, with more than 20 projects currently either underway or financially committed, QLD energy minister Dr Anthony Lynham said.

With 195 turbines, the facility is set to have a power output of more than 800 megawatts.

In addition to building the turbines, associated infrastructure will include substations, temporary workers accommodation, staff and operational facilities and powerlines, QLD minister for state development Cameron Dick said.

This means jobs for the region over the projects 36-month construction period and more clean energy that our State can tap into.

According to the director of Lacour Energy, Mark Rayner, the approval of wind farm is a significant milestone for the company and the State.

We look forward to completing the feasibility study by the end of the year so that construction can begin early next year, he said.WASHINGTON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he could pardon himself, sparking controversy as no president has ever pardoned themselves in U.S. history.

"As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?" Trump tweeted, adding that he has been the victim of a lengthy "witch hunt."

It was not immediately clear why Trump chose to bring up the matter of pardoning himself.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders later tried to downplay Trump's tweet by insisting that there is no need for her boss to pardon himself because there is no wrongdoing.

"Thankfully, the president hasn't done anything wrong and wouldn't have any need for a pardon," Sanders said.

"Certainly no one is above the law," Sanders later added after being pressed by journalists.

Despite the White House' effort to downplay the issue, many of Trump's opponents and some Republican allies frowned upon the remark.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican, said: "If I were president of the United States and I had a lawyer that told me I could pardon myself, I think I would hire a new lawyer."

According to the U.S. constitution, the U.S. president "shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment."

Legal experts and politicians are struggling to reach a consensus on the issue, with some arguing the wording does not ban the president from pardoning himself, while others say allowing presidents to forgive themselves would give them power to operate above the law.

Despite the differences, both sides agree that it is in Trump's interest not to become the first president to pardon himself.HANOI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam imported over 6,300 rigs, or application-specific integrated circuit devices used to mine digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, in the first four months of this year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs on Tuesday.

Last year, more than 9,300 rigs were imported into Vietnam, most of which went to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi capital, the department said.

Cryptocurrency mining is not banned in Vietnam, but using cryptocurrencies as means of payment is prohibited, so trading them is very risky, according to local officials and digital currency miners and traders.

To prevent fraudulent activities concerning cryptocurrencies, Vietnam's Finance Ministry is proposing a temporary ban on importing rigs.

In April, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed a directive calling for stronger measures to rein in cryptocurrencies. Under the directive, credit institutions in Vietnam are not allowed to carry out cryptocurrency-related transactions and must swiftly report any suspicious activities.

Public companies, brokerages, fund management companies and investment funds are banned from any illegal activities related to cryptocurrencies and are required to comply with anti-money laundering rules.HAVANA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Senator Jeff Flake and Google's former CEO Eric Schmidt said Monday there is "hope" Cuba could have greater Internet connectivity in the near future, a sign that a deal between the American company and the island nation could be signed in the coming months.

At a press conference after meeting with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Flake said exchanges with Cuban officials were positive and the island's leader fully understood the benefits of greater connectivity.

"Google has been very interested in connectivity and making sure that Cuba presents itself to the world rather than others presenting Cuba to the world," he said.

Flake, a Republican from the western state of Arizona, said despite setbacks in the last year due to the U.S. administration's new Cuba policy, he is still optimistic about resuming cooperation.

"We talked specifically about connectivity but also about the challenges that have come up. The rules have changed but Americans can still travel to Cuba and we want to emphasize that that is still easily accessible and safe," he added.

It was Diaz-Canel's first meeting with an official U.S. delegation since assuming the presidency in April.

Google already has an agreement with Cuba, signed in December 2016, to allow for easier access to data and improve the online experience for Cubans who use Google products.

"The Cuban government seems pleased with the relationship Google already has here and there is a level of trust that is needed for further cooperation," added Flake.

Schmidt said he believes the Cuban government understands the importance of providing greater Internet access to its citizens and they are working on it.

Schmidt indicated that even with the economic embargo in place, U.S. law allows connectivity and telecommunications cooperation.

"The benefits of the Internet to the world are extraordinary and it is important that Cubans have access to the Internet at the same level or even better than everyone else," he said.

Schmidt noted Cuba currently relies on a fiber optic cable link to Venezuela for its high-speed Internet access, and didn't dismiss a possible agreement that could connect the island to a U.S. cable.

"My impression is the Cuban side understands the importance of providing greater Internet access. The talent of its people will be seen globally with better connectivity," he stated.

According to Cuba's state telecommunications company ETECSA, there are 1,651 public Internet access sites in Cuba, including 673 Wi-Fi zones.

The high cost of connecting (1 U.S. dollar per hour) is still a problem, but Cubans increasingly prefer to inform themselves, interact with their loved ones and friends, and look up content related to their professional and individual needs through the Internet.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 14:00:39|Editor: Chengcheng

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RIO DE JANEIRO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's state-controlled oil and gas giant Petrobras announced on Monday that Ivan Monteiro will be the company's CEO for the upcoming year.

The company's Administration Board had an extraordinary meeting earlier in the day to decide on the future CEO. According to Petrobras, Monteiro's term as CEO lasts until March 26, 2019, like the rest of the Board. He will remain in his position of CFO as well.

Monteiro had been occupying the CEO position as an interim since Friday, when his predecessor, Pedro Parente, resigned following a nationwide truckers' strike and a Petrobras workers' strike which listed his resignation as one of the main goals.

The truckers' strike started on May 21 and was motivated by the high prices of fuel. The fuel pricing process was changed during Parente's administration in order to follow the variation of the oil prices in the global market and of the Real-U.S. dollar exchange rate.

That caused prices to increase significantly -- over 50 percent in the past year. The rising price caused much dissatisfaction among self-employed truckers, whose already low profits were even more reduced.

The strike caused chaos in Brazil, a country highly dependent on highway transportation, and effectively stopped roughly all distribution of fuel, food, and other products. In the 10 days of the strike, the government had to make two agreements to reduce the price of diesel fuel and cut some taxes charged on diesel.

And just as the truckers' strike ended, Petrobras' workers announced they, too, would go on strike to, among other things, call for Parente to be fired. Following that, the former CEO said his presence as no longer good for Petrobras and quit.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 14:15:42|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has moved to tighten regulation of ride-hailing drivers and platforms, vowing to crack down on illegal activities and irregularities such as unlicensed services, privacy leaks and unfair competition.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and six other ministries said they will launch joint supervision of the ride-hailing industry, both for in-progress rides and after-journey services.

The joint supervisory mechanism should consist of the departments of transport, cyberspace administration, industry and information technology, public security, the central bank, taxation and market regulation administration.

Ministries are entitled to summon ride-hailing drivers and platforms for investigation and correction if unlicensed services, information leaks, tax evasion, unfair competition, illegal transactions or other irregularities occur.

Those who fail to correct the irregularities will be forced to suspend online services or be removed from App stores based on relevant laws and regulations.

The tightened joint regulation came after a 21-year-old female flight attendant using the online ride-hailing App via the country's biggest ride-sharing company Didi Chuxing was murdered by her hitch driver last month.

After the murder, DiDi has come under heavy criticism online due to its loose verification process for drivers and safety measures for passengers. More than 25 million rides are made each day through Didi's App, with more than 21 million registered drivers and car owners, according to the company.

China unveiled its first nationwide regulations for car-hailing services in July 2016, granting legal status to the industry. Beijing issued a draft local regulation on the service last year, which took effect in December 2017.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- B2Gold Corp. (TSX:BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN:BTG) (NSX:B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that on May 29, 2018, the Company celebrated the official opening of the B2Gold Solar Plant at its Otjikoto Mine in Namibia.



The opening of the new solar plant is in-keeping with B2Golds ongoing commitment to responsible mining and promoting green energy solutions at its five operating gold mines worldwide. The Otjikoto Solar Plant is one of the first fully-autonomous hybrid plants in the world and will allow the Company to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the sites current 24-megawatt (MW) heavy fuel oil (HFO) power plant. Changing the power plant to an HFO solar hybrid plant is expected to reduce Otjikotos HFO consumption by approximately 2.3 million litres and reduce associated power generation fuel costs by approximately 10% in 2018.

In remarks at the official opening of the solar plant, Namibias Minister of Mines and Energy, the Honourable Tom Alweendo, said that the plant will deliver positive economic, environmental and social impacts that are likely to outlive the life of mine. I am also informed that this solar plant will be one of the largest installations of its kind in Namibia. It will serve as a sustainable power solution as B2Gold works to improve economic returns, reduce impacts on the environment and could potentially be a funding source for community development.

The development of the Otjikoto solar facility reflects B2Golds commitment to environmental stewardship and the Companys ongoing goal of reducing its dependence on fossil fuels in favour of cleaner, less expensive power sources.

Driven by this goal, B2Gold embarked upon a detailed financial feasibility study early in 2016 to determine the financial viability of adding a 7 MW solar plant to Otjikotos energy portfolio. Based on the results of this study, the project was approved in October 2016 with an estimated project cost of $8.5 million. Otjikotos solar plant commenced full commissioning in early April 2018, on schedule and on budget.

Bill Lytle, Senior Vice President, Operations, said that a key mandate for B2Gold is to always leave the region and communities where B2Gold operates better off as a result of B2Golds investment. B2Gold firmly believes that a successfully-run, responsible mining company can truly add value and leave a positive legacy to the local communities and environment by generating sustainable socio-economic and environmental benefits.

B2Gold is considering whether a further innovative use of the solar plant could be as an income-generating asset after the mine closes. Funds generated by this asset could be used to support ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility activities in the region long after the mine has shut down.

The Otjikoto Solar Plant project was championed by Mark Dawe, B2Golds Namibia Country Manager, and his management team.

About B2Gold Corp.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, B2Gold Corp. is the world's new senior gold producer. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has five operating gold mines, and numerous exploration and development projects in various countries including Nicaragua, the Philippines, Namibia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Colombia and Finland.

With the large, low-cost Fekola Mine now in production, B2Gold is well positioned in achieving transformational growth. In 2018, with the planned first full year of production from the Fekola Mine, consolidated gold production is forecast to be between 910,000 and 950,000 ounces. This represents an increase in annual consolidated gold production of approximately 300,000 ounces for the Company in 2018 versus 2017.

ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.

Bill Lytle Mark Dawe

Senior Vice President, Operations Country Manager, Namibia & Managing Director



For more information on B2Gold, please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact:

Ian MacLean

Vice President, Investor Relations

604-681-8371

imaclean@b2gold.com

Katie Bromley

Manager, Investor Relations & Public Relations

604-681-8371

kbromley@b2gold.com



The Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release.

Production forecasts presented in this news release reflect the total production at the mines the Company operates on a 100% basis.

This news release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, including statements regarding anticipated exploration, operations, production and other activities and achievements of the Company, including but not limited to: the anticipated operational results of the solar plant, including its ability to reduce fuel consumption and costs; the future use of the solar plant as an income generating asset after the mine closes and the potential use of any such income; consolidated 2018 gold production forecast being between 910,000 and 950,000 ounces of gold and such representing an increase in annual consolidated gold production of approximately 300,000 ounces for the Company in 2018 versus 2017; and B2Gold being well positioned in achieving transformational growth in 2018. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as expect, plan, anticipate, project, target, potential, schedule, forecast, budget, estimate, intend or believe and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could, should or might occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made.

Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond B2Golds control, including risks associated with the volatility of metal prices and the Companys common shares; risks and dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; risk of not achieving production, cost or other estimates; risk that actual production, development plans and costs differ materially from the estimates in the Companys feasibility studies; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; uncertainty about the outcome of negotiations with the Government of Mali; risks related to environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; the ability to replace mineral reserves and identify acquisition opportunities; unknown liabilities of companies acquired by B2Gold; ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; availability of financing; risks related to financing and debt, including potential restrictions imposed on the Companys operations as a result thereof and the ability to generate sufficient cash flows; risks related to operations in foreign and developing countries and compliance with foreign laws, including those associated with operations Mali, Namibia, the Philippine, Nicaragua and Burkina Faso and including risks related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local ownership requirements; risks related to remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure, fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks including local instability or acts of terrorism and the effects thereof; risks related to reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture partners; risks related to lack of sole decision-making authority related to Filminera Resources Corporation, which owns the Masbate Project; challenges to title or surface rights; dependence on key personnel and ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk; competition with other mining companies; changes in tax laws; community support for the Companys operations including risks related to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; risks related to conflict with small scale miners; risks related to failures of information systems or information security threats; the final outcome of the audit by the DENR in relation to the Masbate Project; ability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting as required by law, including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; risks related to compliance with anti-corruption laws; as well as other factors identified and as described in more detail under the heading Risk Factors in B2Golds most recent Annual Information Form, the Companys current Form 40-F Annual Report and B2Golds other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively (the Websites). The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Companys forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold will derive therefrom. The Companys forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to the Company's ability to carry on current and future operations, including development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Companys ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 14:20:43|Editor: Liangyu

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FUZHOU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Growing rice has never been a profitable business for the residents of Zhangdun Village, in a remote mountainous region of southeast China's Fujian Province.

With 50 kg of rice selling at 12 yuan (about 1.8 U.S. dollars), and pork costing 4 yuan per kg, most families in the once-impoverished village could barely afford to eat meat once a week, recalled Lin Qixing, the village Party chief.

Transportation infrastructure was inadequate until roads to the isolated village were finally paved in recent years. But Lin decided to make a change to the traditional practise of growing rice three decades ago, and thanks to his hard work all 893 residents were officially lifted out of poverty in 2017.

Nestled in mountains, nearly half of the village's cultivated land, or 500 mu (about 33 hectares), has been turned into vineyards.

With clusters of unripe grapes wrapped in white paper bags, farmers

fasten the openings of the bags with twist ties around the stems of the vines.

The process, known as bagging, protects the fruit from pests, diseases, and bad weather.

Since the vineyards were developed under Lin's guidance in 1990s, he encouraged villagers to produce homemade wine as it had a longer shelf life and was easier to transport than fresh grapes.

In Zhangdun, wine is produced the old-fashioned way. Ripe grapes are removed from stems, cleaned, and crushed by hand before being placed in huge wine barrels.

This organic homemade wine has helped all households in the village lift themselves out of poverty, as tourists discovered the mountainous village and its local wine.

In the early years of growing grapes, farmers gave away wine to their friends, and invited people nearby to pick grapes in their vineyards. With more and more tourists coming, villagers realized that they could use wine to turn the once-isolated village into a tourist destination.

In 2012, the village established a cooperative to facilitate communication between winemakers and to set up guidelines for the winemaking process and ensure food safety standards.

Since then, wine produced in the village has been packaged and branded under the trademark "Zhangdun," selling at 20 yuan per liter.

The village produces an average of 150,000 liters of wine a year. The production peaked in 2015 at 225,000 liters of wine.

Lin said middle class urban residents want organic food and this provides a good market for Zhangdun wine.

The homemade wine is pasteurized and bottled for sale or stored in barrels for aging to improve the flavor.

Zhangdun Village received around 100,000 tourists last year, which helped bring in a total revenue of more than 1.5 million yuan for its 260 households mainly from wine and food sales.

Villager Wu Xiufeng recalled that when he first started growing grapes, he could not even afford to buy vines at 1 yuan each. Lin gave him some vines and allowed him to pay for them at a later time.

Wu's family now earns more than 100,000 yuan a year, more than five times their annual income in 1996.

Lin said after the vines started producing fruit, winegrowers found the grapes often rotted on the vines before the harvest. He turned to books to find a solution, and discovered the answer: fruit bagging.

"Grapes have developed our hometown from a poor village into a rich one," said Lin. "Farmers can now start their own businesses and afford a better education for their children."

In the 1980s, it was rare for a villager like Lin to have graduated high school, but today almost all young people in the village receive either a higher vocational or junior college education, and six villagers even have master's degrees.

"As villagers acquire more knowledge and have the money to travel, they broaden their horizons and are more motivated to make Zhangdun even better," Lin said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 14:20:43|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Over 40 years of reform and opening-up, China has experienced an unprecedented growth, transforming from a relatively poor country to the world's second largest economy and the largest trader in goods.

But it still has a long way to go before it becomes a "developed economy."

China is a country with booming cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen. But it is also a country with many poor counties and villages.

At the historic 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said China's international status as the world's largest developing country has not changed.

A government anti-poverty campaign has lifted more than 68 million people out of poverty over the past five years alone. But as of 2017, over 30 million Chinese, the equivalent of half of France's entire population, still lived below the poverty line.

Even for those who have risen out of extreme poverty, many still struggle to meet their basic daily needs, especially rural Chinese.

China's economic growth has been unbalanced, with cities on the coast growing robustly and many other regions remaining underdeveloped.

After a visit to China's west, International Monetary Fund senior consultant Nigel Chalk pointed out in 2010 how remarkably diverse the country was. It was hard to believe China was a developing country if one had only seen Shanghai. But further inland, things looked completely different. In the country's rural areas, many people still struggled to get by.

Eight years on, despite the epic changes that have taken place in China, that observation still applies. China faces the same problems that all other developing countries do: Most Chinese spend a high portion of their incomes just on food, they have a hard time finding good quality health care and have to fight pollution, and welfare benefits are few and far between.

As Zhu Lijia, a public policy professor at the Chinese Academy of Governance, put it, compared with developed economies, China still lags far behind in important sectors like public services, law enforcement and social welfare.

Assessing GDP per capita is the primary way to determine whether a country is "developed" or not. China has the second largest GDP in the world, but its 1.4 billion people have to share that wealth.

Last year, China's GDP per capita was just over 8,800 U.S. dollars, less than the world average of 10,000 dollars, and just one seventh of that of the United States.

Zhu says that a country must have a GDP per capita higher than 12,700 dollars to be considered a developed economy and higher than 40,000 dollars to be considered a highly developed nation.

China still falls well below that mark.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 14:30:45|Editor: Liangyu

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by Xinhua writer Liu Xinyong

BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming 18th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao has come under the global spotlight as it carries special significance.

Scheduled for June 9-10, the summit will witness the gathering of leaders of SCO member states and observer states, as well as heads of international organizations in Qingdao, Shandong Province.

FIRST SUMMIT AFTER EXPANSION

It will be the first SCO summit after India and Pakistan were accepted as full members in June 2017 at the Astana summit in Kazakhstan.

After the expansion, the eight full members of the SCO are China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The SCO also has four observer states and six dialogue partners.

"The participation of new members will be a highlight of this year's summit," said Sheng Shiliang, researcher with the Development Research Center of the State Council.

Along with larger territorial coverage, population, and economic strength after the expansion, the SCO will also gain stronger influence and a greater say in the world, Sheng said.

The eight member countries account for over 60 percent of the Eurasian landmass, nearly half of the world's population, and more than 20 percent of global GDP.

The membership expansion is clear evidence of broader prospects for the development of the SCO, said a report jointly released by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China and two other institutes.

With the growth of the organization, there will be more opportunities for pragmatic cooperation between the member countries, said Li Yongquan, head of the China Society for Russian, Eastern European, and Central Asian Studies.

"The issue of how to turn the potential originating from the expansion into reality and give better play to the SCO's functions and influence will become an important topic of this summit," Li said.

PARADIGM FOR GLOBAL COOPERATION

Since its establishment in 2001, SCO member states have always taken the maintenance of regional security and stability as a priority.

They have expanded areas of cooperation, cracked down on the "three evil forces," namely terrorism, extremism and separatism, prevented the spillover effect of hotspot issues, and contributed to the region's lasting stability and prosperity.

After the enlargement, the SCO shoulders more responsibility and bears more expectations from the people in the region and the international community.

In the past 17 years, the SCO has not only focused on regional security, but also devoted itself to regional development by facilitating trade and investment, enhancing industrial cooperation, and promoting cultural exchanges.

The Chongyang institute report described the organization as a paradigm of cooperation among nations with different social systems, ideologies, development models, and cultures.

"The exemplary effect is shown in the fields of political, economic, security, and people-to-people exchanges," the report said.

UPHOLDING THE SHANGHAI SPIRIT

The expansion and the past achievements of the SCO are founded on the organization's adherence to the "Shanghai Spirit" -- mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development -- as its principle for internal affairs.

The spirit bears similar elements to those embodied in the vision of a community of a shared future for humanity and the global governance principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration, and will continue to deliver strong vitality, said Li.

The Qingdao Declaration to be issued at the summit will sum up the SCO development during the past 17 years and call on all parties to continue to carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said last week.

Jiang Yi, researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that the Qingdao summit will enrich the Shanghai Spirit and contribute to the improvement of global governance.

Besides the Qingdao Declaration, more than 10 agreements covering fields of security, economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges will be signed during the summit, Wang said.SEOUL, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Non-aggression between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States is an issue to be discussed after declaring an end to the 1950-1953 Korean War, the Blue House of South Korea said Tuesday.

Kim Eui-kyeom, spokesman for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, told a press briefing that discussion was underway on the war-ending declaration as U.S. President Donald Trump said.

The spokesman, however, noted that discussion was not underway on the non-aggression issue, saying that if such discussion proceeds, it would become an issue to be discussed after the war-ending declaration.

The White House said the first-ever summit between top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and Trump was scheduled for June 12 in Singapore.

The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war as the Korean War ended with armistice. After holding their first summit on April 27, Moon and Kim agreed to alter the current armistice agreement into a peace treaty by the end of this year.

Moon's spokesman told reporters that non-aggression is not an issue that can be discussed at the current stage.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 15:40:59|Editor: ZX

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Chen Xi (R), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee Organization Department, meets with a visiting delegation of African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa led by General Secretary Elias S. Magashule, in Beijing, capital of China, June 5, 2018. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Chen Xi pledged Tuesday to enhance exchanges of governance experience with the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa in order to bolster bilateral ties.

Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee Organization Department, made the remarks during a meeting with a visiting delegation led by General Secretary Elias S. Magashule.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of establishing bilateral ties between China and South Africa, and also marks the 35th anniversary of establishing ties between CPC and ANC, Chen said.

The CPC is willing to work with the ANC to strengthen high-level visits, enhance exchanges of governance experience and deepen multilateral cooperation to contribute more to China-Africa community of shared future, Chen said.

Magashule said the ANC attaches high importance to its ties with the CPC and he hopes that both sides will have more communication to benefit the peoples of both countries.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 16:11:06|Editor: ZX

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SHANGHAI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- With white mugs neatly laid on the shelves and coffee aroma floating in the air, A-Coffee looks like just another cafe in Shanghai, except for its baristas - eight young people with autism.

They make and serve coffee here every weekday, taking turns as baristas and waiters, and their customers are well-trained volunteers instructed to talk with them.

A-Coffee is not just a place of work, it is a non-profit center providing care and companionship for autistic youth.

Set up in April, the cafe went viral on local social media last month as people posted about it online to show their support.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. There are no cures, but education and training have proved helpful to manage symptoms.

Statistics show China has more than 10 million people on the autism spectrum, among which 2 million are children aged under 14.

Cao Xiaoxia, 63, founder of A-Coffee, has been working with autistic children for a decade.

A well-known musician, Cao set up Angel's Confidant Salon in 2008, a care center that teaches children with autism to play instruments, sing, and dance.

The center has developed over the years with more than 1,000 volunteers. However, Cao was concerned about how the children would fit into the society as they grow up.

Cao said she has witnessed adults with autism working and living alone, doing monotonous and repetitive jobs that "can barely help with their conditions."

"Cafes are a place for chatting, and making coffee is not very complicated," said Cao. "That's why I set up the cafe for these young people."

She wants to create a real life experience to help them learn how to communicate with people, as well as raising social awareness of autism.

"Clean the filter basket, put it in the coffee machine, fill it with ground coffee, then tamp the coffee," Shen Yanzhen, 15, explained as he showed the process to make a cup of coffee.

Shen and the seven other young workers have attended Angel's Confidant Salon and have known Cao for many years.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every weekday, three of them work in the cafe, one as a barista, and another two as waiters.

Shen has learnt to make many styles of coffee: americano, espresso, latte, and cappuccino, and even has a coffee machine at home to practice.

Li Jingwen, who used to be a volunteer at Angel's Confidant Salon, regularly comes to the cafe as a customer to chat with Shen.

"We talk about our lives, interests, music, and sometimes we share stories," Li said.

A-Coffee is only open to volunteers like Li, who have been trained in communicating with autistic children. They book online in advance to come to the cafe.

Li's job is to encourage the youth to talk, and help them with some of the words, phrases, and linguistic contexts they find hard to understand or express.

"For example, when you ask for a refill, they might not understand you're referring to more coffee," Li said. "Then we say 'I would like another cup of coffee' and they can understand and learn the context."

More than 100 volunteers have set up a Wechat group to discuss their daily exchanges with the teens, their feelings, and reflections.

"We chat very actively in the group," said Li. "Everyone wants the best for the children."

Since Shen started working in the cafe, he has become more talkative and confident at home, according to his mother. "He also makes me a coffee everyday."

Shen's mother often accompanies him to the cafe, as do many of the other parents, but Cao said her ultimate goal is to help prepare them for living independently.

She is considering plans to offer Chinese, math, and music classes in the cafe, as well as internship programs for her workers, sending those who have done well to other commercial cafes to work one day per month.

Cao said there is no complete documentation of an autistic child's development that she can learn from, and she is taking steps she considers best for those under her care.

"We watch them growing up like their parents do," Cao said. "We have confidence in how far they can reach."Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 16:26:09|Editor: mmm

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RIYADH, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Saudi air forces on Tuesday destroyed a ballistic missiles that targeted the western city of Yanbu after being fired from neighboring Yemen, Al Arabiya local news reported.

The missile that was shot from Yemen by Houthi militias was part of frequent attacks against various areas in the kingdom, mainly border cities. Saudi Arabia has been leading a war against Houthis in support of Yemeni exiled government.

The spokesman of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, Colonel Turki al-Malki, told a press conference on Monday that the Yemeni city Saada is still being used as the central launch pad site of ballistic missiles.

He also stressed that the coalition is working to stop the smuggling of Iranian weapons to the Houthis through the port of Hodeidah in repeated accusations that Iran stands behind the instability of Yemen through the endless support of the Houthi rebels.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 16:35:09|Editor: ZX

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Students play games at No.14 High School in Hengshui City, north China's Hebei Province, June 5, 2018. Various activities were held to help students decompress and be better prepared for the coming national college entrance exams. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 16:57:51|Editor: mmm

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A woman works at a souvenir shop selling recycled products in Dala, on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, June 5, 2018. World Environment Day is commemorated annually on June 5. The theme of this year is "Beat Plastic Pollution." (Xinhua/U Aung)TOKYO, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Tokyo head office and other facilities of Kobe Steel Ltd. were raided by police and prosecutors Tuesday over a protracted quality data fabrication scandal that has raised concern about the nation's manufacturing industry.

Along with its head office in Tokyo, Kobe Steel's headquarters in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture and three of its manufacturing plants were also searched by police and prosecutors.

They suspect that the company, already embroiled in a data fabrication scandal, by intentionally misrepresenting its products, may have violated fair trade competition laws here.

"We are dealing seriously with the investigation," a public relations official of the company, was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

The embattled company has already admitted to falsifying inspection data on hundreds of aluminum and copper products for both the domestic and international market.

The company's own internal probe concluded in a final report issued in March that it had altered data related to the strength and other pertinent aspects of its products at a total of 23 of its plants in Japan and abroad.

It said the fraudulent practices were carried out so that its products appeared to meet their clients' specifications on aspects like tensile strength and durability.

Kobe Steel was founded in 1905 and has been a bastion of Japan's manufacturing sector.

The revelations and protracted nature of the data fabrication scandal, however, have cast doubts over corporate governance in the manufacturing industry and beyond in Japan, and cast serious aspersions over Japan's once stellar reputation for precision manufacturing, industry experts here said.MALVERN, Pa., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE:VSH) today announced its technology lineup for the 2018 IEEE MTT International Microwave Symposium (IMS2018), being held June 10-15 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in booth 1412. At the conference and exhibition, the company will be highlighting its latest industry-leading high frequency multilayer ceramic chip capacitors (MLCCs); specialty and RF thin and thick film resistors; wire bondable RF capacitors and inductors; and custom substrates.



Manufactured in noble metal electrode (NME) technology with a wet build process, Vishay Vitramon surface-mount high frequency MLCCs feature Q > 2000 and capacitance tolerance as tight as  0.05 pF, and they are available with lead (Pb)-free, lead (Pb)-bearing, and non-magnetic copper terminations. In booth 1412, QUAD high power devices in the 0505, 1111, 2525, and 3838 case sizes will be on display for a wide range of high frequency applications, including MRI coils and generators, RF instrumentation, and impedance matching networks. Highlighted leaded MLCCs will feature microstrip, axial ribbon, and radial ribbon configurations.

In addition, Vishay Vitramons high temperature surface-mount MLCCs in the 0402, 0505, 0603, 0805, and 1111 case sizes will be on display. The devices offer an operating temperature range from -55 C to +200 C and an ultra stable dielectric material with an excellent aging rate of 0 % per decade. The devices are designed to reduce signal loss and energy consumption in applications such as cellular base stations, satellite and broadband communication, and wireless devices.

At IMS2018, Vishay Dale Thin Film will be highlighting a wide range of surface-mount precision thin film resistor chips, including devices with high frequency performance to 40 GHz; high power ratings to 6 W; low TCR of 5 ppm/C; high temperature operation to +250 C; enlarged backside terminations to reduce thermal resistance; and epoxy bondable devices with resistance from 1  to 3 M. Vishay Dale thick film chip resistors on display will include devices in the 0505, 0603, 1206, and 2512 case sizes with high power ratings up to 22 W.

Highlighted Vishay Electro-Films (EFI) thin film components will include tantalum nitride microwave resistors in the 0201 and 0402 case sizes. Featuring alumina substrates, resistance from 2  to 20 k, and microwave resistance from 20  to 500 , the devices are ideal for amplifiers, oscillators, attenuators, couplers, and filters. In addition, wire bondable RF capacitors and spiral inductors offering low DCR and high Q will be exhibited.

Vishay EFI will also display custom substrates with sidewall patterning. Devices on display will include bare substrates and metallized plates in a variety of metal systems; conductor patterned substrates with wire bondable, solderable, and epoxy-attach assembly options; resistor conductor patterned substrates; and Au-filled vias, wraps, and cutout metal patterned substrates.

Part of International Microwave Week, IMS is the worlds premier microwave conference. It features a large trade show, technical presentations, workshops, and seminars covering a wide range of topics, including wireless communication, RF technologies, microwave electronics and applications, and more. More information on IMS2018 is available at https://ims2018.org.

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a Fortune 1000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH), is one of the world's largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors (diodes, MOSFETs, and infrared optoelectronics) and passive electronic components (resistors, inductors, and capacitors). These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, in the industrial, computing, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, power supplies, and medical markets. Vishays product innovations, successful acquisition strategy, and "one-stop shop" service have made it a global industry leader. Vishay can be found on the Internet at www.vishay.com.

Vishay on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VishayIntertechnology

Vishay Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/vishayindust

Share it on Twitter: http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=.@vishayindust to showcase leading passive components and custom substrates at IMS2018 - http://bit.ly/2soMnyq

For more information please contact:

Vishay Intertechnology

Paul Harrison, +49 9287712808

paul.harrison@vishay.comSource: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 17:06:21|Editor: Yurou

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HOHHOT, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A forest fire that broke out in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region continued for the fifth day Tuesday, local fire authorities said.

The fire started in the Hanma National Nature Reserve in the northern area of the Greater Hinggan Mountains Friday and spread to neighboring Heilongjiang by Sunday afternoon.

More than 4,300 firefighters and forest police are battling the fire, while artificial precipitation has also been planned to put out the fire.

High temperatures and drought in the region have increased the risk of forest fires in the mountains.SEOUL, June 5 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's current account surplus fell to the lowest in six years on a record payment of dividend to foreign investors, central bank data showed Tuesday.

Current account surplus, the broadest measure of cross-border trade in goods and services, came in at 1.77 billion U.S. dollars in April, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).

The current account balance stayed in black for 74 months since March 2012, but the surplus was the lowest in six years since April 2012.

The lower surplus came as domestic companies increased dividend payment to offshore investors amid the robust foreign purchase of stocks in the local market.

Primary income account, which gauges dividend and interest income as well as salary, posted a deficit of 5.86 billion dollars in April, the largest-ever deficit in the country's history.

Dividend payment to foreigners logged a record monthly high of 7.57 billion dollars in April. The dividend income account registered a record deficit of 6.51 billion dollars in the month.

The dividend payment usually falls in March and April, reducing the country's current account surplus on growing foreign investment in the local stock market.

The current account surplus was forecast to expand after the dividend-paying period, according to the BOK.

Trade surplus for goods declined to 10.36 billion dollars in April from 11.54 billion dollars a year earlier, contributing to the lower current account surplus.

Both exports and imports increased for the 18th consecutive month. Exports stood at 51.51 billion dollars on strong demand for semiconductors and global trade recovery. Imports came in at 41.15 billion dollars on higher crude oil price.

Services account balance recorded a deficit of 1.98 billion dollars in April, the lowest deficit since May last year.

The travel account deficit reduced to 1.09 billion dollars in April, the lowest since December 2016. The falling deficit came amid the rising number of Chinese tourists to South Korea.

The number of Chinese travelers to South Korea surged 60.9 percent in April from a year earlier. Foreigners visiting South Korea in the month rose at a lower rate of 23.8 percent than the Chinese tourists.

Travel income reached 1.43 billion dollars in April, the highest in 18 months since October 2016.

Financial account, which measures cross-border capital flow without transactions in goods and services, increased 10 million dollars in April.

Portfolio investment by local residents into foreign securities, such as stocks and bonds, grew 4.71 billion dollars in the cited month as local investors increased purchase of U.S. Treasury Bonds amid higher yield.

Investment by foreigners into domestic securities gained 770 million dollars as foreign investors raised holdings of local bonds.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 17:41:29|Editor: Yurou

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ADEN, Yemen, June 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 fighters of the Shiite Houthi group were killed in armed confrontations with government forces in Yemen's central province of al-Bayda on Tuesday, a military official told Xinhua.

The military source, who asked to remain anonymous, said the army soldiers aborted an infiltration attempt by Houthis in government-controlled area of Malagim in al-Bayda province, killing 12 rebels in the clashes.

The Media Center for the Saudi-backed Yemeni armed forces confirmed in a statement that "artillery shelling and airstrikes caused huge casualties among Houthi rebels in al-Bayda province."

However, the Houthi-affiliated media outlets reported that a large-scale military operation was launched against the government forces in al-Bayda province.

The Houthi military operation resulted in killing and injuring several "mercenaries" and seizing their weapons, according to the pro-Houthi media.

The impoverished Arab country has been locked into a civil war since the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi rebels overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including capital Sanaa, in 2014.

Saudi Arabia leads an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Iran-backed Houthi rebels forced him into exile.

The United Nations has listed Yemen as the world's number one humanitarian crisis, with seven million Yemenis on the brink of famine and cholera causing more than 2,000 deaths.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 18:06:35|Editor: Yurou

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ZHENGZHOU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have found six ancient white marble bracelets at a site in central China's Henan Province, local authorities said Tuesday.

Besides the bracelets, some other jade and stone materials which had been polished, cut or carved, have also been discovered at the Huangshan Site, which is located in Nanyang. The site was built by a Neolithic culture called Yangshao that originated on the middle reaches of the Yellow River and is considered a main precursor of Chinese civilization.

All of the findings date back to between 5,000 to 7,000 years ago.

Experts said this area could have been a processing factory of jade and stone ware.

"The findings showed that people living in this region might have mastered the skills of making, cutting, and polishing jade and stone," said Ma Juncai, a researcher at the provincial institute of cultural heritage and archaeology.

"This information is crucial for the study of the exploitation and making of jade and stone ware in ancient times," Ma said.KATHMANDU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Tuesday urged Nepali citizens to make efforts to protect the environment in order to achieve sustainable development.

The prime minister made the call in a message to the people on the occasion of the World Environment Day 2018 on Tuesday.

He said the constitution of Nepal has ensured the people's right to live in a clean environment as one of the fundamental rights.

"People also have certain obligations to protect the environment. So we have to work together for the same," he said.

The prime minister said that environment pollution could be one of the major common challenges in Nepal while carrying out development activities in the days to come.

Oli said that development works without carrying out environment impact assessment cannot be sustainable.

"Unmanaged development may lead to several problems including soil erosion, landslides, drought and outbreak of diseases. So our priority should be on eco-friendly development," he said.

The prime minister said that environment conservation is one of the prerequisites for the socio-economic development of the country, stating that development should not invite destruction at any cost.

The World Environment Day was marked in Nepal by organizing various programs across the country including in the capital on Tuesday.TOKYO, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday instructed his cabinet ministers to draw up countermeasures to avoid future cases of government officials mishandling or falsifying documents following a slew of such cases that have damaged public trust in the government.

"To secure proper management of public documents, the government will come together to thoroughly conduct a necessary review," Abe said at a meeting held at his office, comprising a number of ministers.

He added that the government needed to "sincerely reflect on" the scandals, which have involved ministries previously falsifying, tampering with, or, in other ways, covering up official documents.

A day earlier, Japan's Finance Ministry said it will punish 20 officials for their involvement in the falsifying of documents connected to the controversial heavily-discounted sale of state-owned land to Moritomo Gakuen, a nationalist school operator with ties to the prime minister and his wife.

A former top bureaucrat at the ministry, Nobuhisa Sagawa, who has since resigned over his alleged involvement in "setting the direction" of the protracted cronyism scandal, will receive the equivalent of a 3-month suspension and Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso, of his own volition, will repay his salary as a cabinet minister for one year to take responsibility for the drawn-out scandal, that has implicated a number of senior officials, including the prime minister and his wife, Akie.

In March, Japan's Finance Ministry, amid increasing pressure from opposition parties, admitted to knowingly altering documents to do with the cut-price land sale.

The admission by the Finance Ministry has intensified calls from the opposition camp for Aso to resign to take responsibility for the favoritism scandal.

As the scandal also sees Abe deeply entrenched, some opposition parties have also called for the prime minister himself to step down.

Abe's administration has also been widely condemned for covering up the activity logs for Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops deployed to Iraq between 2004 and 2006.

Having initially said the activity logs had been discarded, the ministry flip-flopped saying it had subsequently found the sensitive documents, leading to growing public mistrust and 17 officials being disciplined for their involvement in the coverup scandal.

The Japanese premier said Tuesday that his ministers needed to improve state officials' compliance regarding the handling of government documents and use electronic technology to avoid falsification when recording the rewriting of documents.

The changes in document handling protocols may also involve the creation of a new position in the Cabinet Office, along the lines of a bureau-chief-level administrator, to personally oversee all the handling at agencies and ministries of state documents, sources close to the matter said Tuesday.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 18:51:46|Editor: ZX

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HANGZHOU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- East China's Zhejiang Province has granted permission for the country's first high-speed railway project undertaken by private company, said the provincial economic planner Tuesday.

The railway, 226.56 kilometers long and designed for a maximum speed of 350 kmh, is an intra-provincial route connecting Shaoxing and Taizhou.

The project is jointly invested by private capital led by Fosun Group, state-owned China Railway, and Zhejiang Communications Investment Group Co. Ltd, as well as the local government.

The investment totaled 44.9 billion yuan (7.01 billion U.S. dollars), with private capital led by Fosun Group holding 51 percent of the shares.

Fosun Group signed the agreement with the Zhejiang provincial government in September. The railway is expected to be completed in 2021 and will operate for 30 years.PARIS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- French leading auto maker, PSA has suspended its activities in Iran on risks of U.S. sanctions after Washington pulled out from a nuclear deal with Tehran, it said in a recent statement.

"The Group has begun to suspend its joint ventures' activities, in order to comply with U.S. law by August 6th, 2018," PSA said.

With the support of the French government, the group PSA is engaging with the U.S. authorities to consider a waiver, it added.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, under which Tehran limited the country's nuclear activities in exchange for lifted sanctions.

PSA, Europe's second-biggest carmaker, had signed joint venture agreements with Iranian auto makers Khodro and Saipa two years ago following the lifting of international sanctions against Iran in early 2016.

As Groupe PSA's operations in Iran represent less than 1 percent of its turnover, this context does not alter the current financial guidance, the group said.

In a recent interview, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire pledged to push back against the threat of U.S. sanctions against French companies doing business with Iran.

He proposed to reinforce the EU "blocking regulations" that date back to 1996, to seek for more financial tools to improve independence from the United States and to create the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which would monitor activities of foreign companies to check if they are respecting European decisions.KAMPALA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- As the world commemorated World Environment Day on Tuesday, Uganda's environmental police said it has 20 Rwandese in custody over illegal logging and charcoal burning in the central part of the country.

Taire Idwege, Environmental Police Commissioner told Xinhua that it is an ongoing battle to protect the environment which is being destroyed by an increase in human activity in protected areas.

"When we were in Kalangala, we encountered during our operations a number of foreigners, specifically Rwandese who are illegal immigrants. They were busy logging illegally, they were violent and criminal like," said Idwege.

Idwege said the environment protection force has increased patrols and enforcement to end illegal logging, sand mining and illegal dumping among others.

"We are busy carrying out exercises to flush out people who are on some wetlands in places that I am not at liberty to disclose now," said Idwege.

He said the force is increasing the number of its personnel to be able to cater for the increasing number of cases.

"We are doing well in water and environment sector. The ministry (water and environment), NEMA (National Environment Authority) is putting more and more effort. The only challenge has been NFA (National Forestry Authority) where we have challenges in logistics," said Idwege.

Idwege said the force continues to face challenges of finances and logistics.

"We need all actors and stakeholders to come and support us. We need to end illegal logging, charcoal burning, illegal sand mining, illegal dumping, wetland degradation, noise pollution. We need more finances," said Idwege.

According to police figures, 49 environmental related cases were registered and 145 suspects arrested in 2017.NIAMEY, June 5 (Xinhua) -- At least nine people were killed on Monday night in Diffa city in southeast Niger in several attacks believed to be carried out by terrorist group Boko Haram, local authorities said on Tuesday.

According to local officials on the spot, the tragedy was perpetrated by at least three suicide bombers who blew themselves up late at night in three different locations in downtown Diffa.

The areas where the explosions occurred are cordoned off by the security Forces.

The attacks came after a relative lull in the region, thanks in particular to the large-scale operations undertaken for over a year by a mixed multinational force composed of the armies of Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria, against the terrorist group Boko Haram.

The localities of the Diffa region, especially those bordering Nigeria, have been suffering repeated attacks by the Nigeria-based terrorist group. Faced with the persistence of deadly attacks by Boko Haram, the region has been under a state of emergency since February 2015.Dallas, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

With a rally cry of Hunger Mitao (Mitao = Wipe-out) and an ambitious campaign titled Million Meal March, the Indian American Council (IAC) for North Texas Food Bank launched on September 29, 2017. In just seven short months, the IAC surpassed its first-year goal of funding one million meals for the hungry neighbors across North Texas.



The success of the IAC reflects the giving spirit of local sponsors, businesses, and individuals from the Indian American community who call North Texas their home. The leadership of the council, largely made up of immigrant members, pledges to continue the fight against hunger and plans to measure and celebrate successes in million meal increments.



We have ambitious goals for the Indian American Council, and with the first million-meal milestone behind us, we know there is much more to be done to feed hungry children, seniors, and families in North Texas. said Raj Asava co-founder of the Indian American Council. Our Million Meal March doesnt end here; this is just the beginning of many million meals that will be enabled by the Indian American Community.





The IAC was formed to raise awareness, improve engagement, as well as channel resources and contributions of the Indian American community towards NTFBs mission. The committed and diverse steering committee is the driving force behind the council. By providing access to one million nutritious meals, the IAC is directly contributing to the Food Banks vision of a hunger-free, healthy North Texas.



To build on this momentum, we are launching a Hunger Mitao Week (August 11-19), the week of Indias Independence Day, said Anna Asava, co-founder of IAC. Leading up to this week we will raise awareness, food and funds, while encouraging hands-on volunteering. Going forward, it is our vision that Indias Independence Day, August 15, is also celebrated as Independence from Hunger Day!



The Indian American community in North Texas has grown exponentially over the years with nearly 200,000 people in the region. In the spirit of give where you live the vision of the IAC is for the community to unify and be recognized as a leader in the fight against hunger. The IAC also looks to create a national model for other food banks and communities to replicate and enable millions of meals for our hungry neighbors across America.



"North Texas Food Bank is appreciative of the Indian American Councils commitment to fighting hunger and supporting families in need in our community, said Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank. "Together, we are one step closer to reaching our goal of providing 92 million meals by 2025.



Later this year, the North Texas Food Banks Perot Family Campus is set to open in Plano allowing a broader support base to meet the growing need for food assistance in the North Texas region. The IAC looks forward to increasing community service engagement at the 220,000 square-foot distribution center with regular volunteer shifts.



For more information about the North Texas Food Banks Indian American Council, visit: ntfb.org/IAC



# # #





About the North Texas Food Bank The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a top-ranked nonprofit hunger-relief organization, serving 13 counties. The Food Banks administrative headquarter is located in the Dallas Farmers Market, and its new distribution and volunteer center  the Perot Family Campus  is set to open in Collin County in the late summer of 2018. Each day, NTFB provides access to more than 190,000 meals for hungry children, seniors, and families through a network of more than 1,000 programs and more than 200 Partner Agencies. In fiscal year 2017, NTFB provided access to almost 70 million nutritious meals. While the NTFB is making steady progress toward closing the hunger gap, much work remains to be done to reach the organization's 10- year goal of providing 92 million nutritious meals annually by 2025. www.ntfb.org.



NTFB is a member of Feeding America, a national hunger relief organization.



About the IAC of NTFB The Indian American Council for the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB-IAC) exists to raise awareness and community involvement, as well as channel the resources and contributions of the Indian American community towards the mission of NTFB of a hunger-free community. To learn more about IAC or join the fight against hunger, visit ntfb.org/iac.

AttachmentSource: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 19:01:53|Editor: ZX

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BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The rapid development of China's logistics industry has made daily delivery services quicker and cheaper, and now the world's largest delivery service market is looking to make logistics greener by reducing plastic pollution.

The country saw about 40 billion parcels delivered last year, up 28 percent year on year, ranking top globally for the fourth consecutive year, official data showed.

The 40 billion parcels required about 8 billion plastic envelopes and a huge amount of rolls of tape, which prove to be a growing concern for environmental pollution, according to Sun Kang, secretary general of China Express Association.

The problem of parcel packaging pollution has drawn attention from regulators. It is reported to be one of the topics highlighted at a tone-setting national meeting on environmental protection in May which aims to achieve a fundamental improvement in the quality of the environment and basically build a Beautiful China by 2035.

The State Post Bureau (SPB) and another nine government agencies last November issued guidelines which require that half of external packaging to be biodegradable, 90 percent of bills electronic, and packaging for each parcel reduced by 10 percent by 2020.

The country's top standardization administration issued new guidelines in February that require packages for express delivery goods to be thinner and more recyclable effective from September.

Meanwhile, many logistics market players, both state-owned and private, have taken measures to address the challenge.

China Post Group Corporation, the state-owned postal service provider, said last month that it is aiming for over 90 percent of its waybills to be digital and for more than half of its packaging materials to be biodegradable by 2020.

Cainiao Network Technology Co Ltd, the logistics affiliate of Alibaba Group, announced plans in late May that all of its delivery sheets would be made from renewable materials by 2020, and it would promote the use of a paperless, electronic system for logging deliveries.

E-commerce site Suning.com has planned to increase the number of recyclable delivery boxes to 200,000 this year and use at least 2 billion green packages by 2020.

China's green logistics technology equals or even outperforms that of foreign counterparts, but the country is still in the early stages of developing a green logistics mechanism, said Fang Xi, a senior SPB researcher.

"It takes effort not only from logistics firms, but also improving public awareness and a sounder regulation framework," Fang added.ATHENS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias has expressed certainty that the difficulties in resolving the name issue with Skopje will be overcome in a few days with a "good compromise deal" to be clinched.

"Negotiations are not a straight line. There are ups and downs... The agreement is a good compromise to the benefit of both countries," he said, speaking to Greek national broadcaster ERT on Monday night.

Asked about the names on the table, he said that "Vardarska Makedonija" has been rejected by Skopje while three other options are still open: "Nova Makedonija", "Severna Makedonija" or "Gorna Makedonija".

Athens and Skopje have accelerated efforts to resolve the long standing name row in recent months.

Macedonia is formally called Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) at the United Nations. Macedonia is also the name of a northern province in Greece. Athens is worried that the use of the same name by the neighboring state could lead to territorial claims.

The solving of name row that exists between two countries is seen as main obstacle that Macedonia has to overcome in order to make progress towards the European Union and NATO integration.WELLINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand exports to China totaled 15.3 billion NZ dollars (10.77 billion U.S. dollars) in the March 2018 year, led by dairy products, the statistics department Stats NZ said on Tuesday.

Dairy product exports totaled 4 billion NZ dollars, accounting for one-quarter of New Zealand's exports to China, Stats NZ said.

China has remained New Zealand's top trading partner since the December 2017 year, followed by Australia. China, Australia, and the European Union (EU) account for nearly half of New Zealand's total trade with the rest of the world, it said.

Travel services continue to be the most valuable export to Australia. Travelers from Australia spent 2.6 billion NZ dollars in New Zealand in the year ended March 2018, statistics show.

For the year ended March 2018, New Zealand's two-way trade with China was valued at 26.9 billion NZ dollars, while that with Australia was at 25.9 billion NZ dollars. Two-way trade measures the total amount of goods and services New Zealand imports and exports with the rest of the world.

New Zealand's two-way trade with the EU was 22.2 billion NZ dollars for the year ended March 2018, Stats NZ said, adding the EU is New Zealand's third-largest market for trading goods and services.

"In recent history we have continued to import more from the EU than we have exported to them, while our trade balance with China switched from a deficit to a surplus in 2013," international statistics senior manager Peter Dolan said, adding since 2009, New Zealand has maintained a trade surplus with Australia. (1 NZ dollar equals to 0.7 U.S. dollar)JAKARTA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian national police is beefing up its measures to tackle terrorist threat from emerging in the wake of a spate of suicide attacks in recent weeks.

National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian said on Tuesday that the police would expand the presence of the country's anti-terror squad known as Densus 88 across the archipelagic nation from current presence of only in some parts of the country, allowing the squad to take a quicker respond against threat potentially turning into terrorist terrorist strikes.

"I want to put more steams on the Densus 88, whose presence now is only in 16 spots, rising it to 34, one unit for each province," Karnavian revealed in the parliament building.

Financing has also been proposed to be rampped up by about 44 trillion rupiah (some 3.153 billion U.S. dollars), partly to support the move, notwithstanding, the compliance of the proposal have to be adjusted with the financial capability of the state, the general said.

The move came as the lawmakers have passed a tougher anti-terror laws, which give more power to police to take pre-emptive actions against plots or any movement potentially triggering terrorist strikes.

Indonesia has long battled Islamic militancy, whose worst-ever assault was in 2002 Bali Bombing that killed over 200 people, most of them foreign holiday makers.

The country's anti-terror squad nabbed hundreds of suspected militants following the attacks, but police said that it badly need a more powerful terrorism law back up crack down on terrorism.

The recent suicide attacks in Surabaya city of East Java and Riau province left 32 casualties and dozens of others injured.TOKYO, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Tokyo head office and other facilities of Kobe Steel Ltd. were raided by police and prosecutors Tuesday over a protracted quality data fabrication scandal that has raised concern about the nation's manufacturing industry.

Along with its head office in Tokyo, Kobe Steel's headquarters in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture and three of its manufacturing plants were also searched by police and prosecutors.

They suspect that the company, already embroiled in a data fabrication scandal, by intentionally misrepresenting its products, may have violated fair trade competition laws here.

"We are dealing seriously with the investigation," a public relations official of the company, was quoted as saying Tuesday.

The embattled company has already admitted to falsifying inspection data on hundreds of aluminum and copper products for both the domestic and international market.

The company's own internal probe concluded in a final report issued in March that it had altered data related to the strength and other pertinent aspects of its products at a total of 23 of its plants in Japan and abroad.

It said the fraudulent practices were carried out so that its products appeared to meet their clients' specifications on aspects like tensile strength and durability.

The scandal-mired steelmaker said in October last year that it had found cases of improprieties regarding inspection data that failed to meet industry inspection standards.

The results of an internal probe initially found that products sold that had their inspection data fabricated were shipped to hundreds of companies.

Japan's quality control authorities subsequently revoked certification for some copper products of a Kobe Steel subsidiary and the Japanese government said it had tasked industrial standards-approved bodies to carry out inspections at Kobe Steel's plants in an effort to deal with the company's wide-reaching falsified inspection data scandal.

Kobe Steel Ltd. had initially admitted to falsifying inspection data on a number of its products, including aluminum, copper, steel powder and special steel products.

It came to light that the embattled steel maker's own investigations had, additionally, revealed cover-ups and more incidents of data falsification thereafter.

Companies ranging from automakers and airplane manufacturers, to defense equipment and Shinkansen bullet train makers, have been affected by the scandal.

Kobe Steel said that its products, with falsified data about their strength and durability, had been sold to around 600 companies.

Investigations first revealed that Kobe Steel knowingly shipped at least 20,000 tons of aluminum and copper products with fabricated inspection data. The products were sent to around 200 companies.

The scandal-plagued firm also admitted that an internal probe had revealed that 140 tons of iron powder shipped in fiscal 2016 did not meet customer specifications.

It also said that one of its subsidiaries, Kobelco Research Institute, had falsified data related to the production method of liquid crystal displays, DVDs and other electronic equipment.

In Japan, major railway operators Central Japan Railway and West Japan Railway have stated that their Shinkansen bullet trains contained aluminum parts sourced from Kobe Steel that did not meet industry standards.

Beyond automakers and trains, Kobe Steel has also been implicated in fabricating data for aerospace and defense-related products.

Along with domestic firms such as Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. and major Japanese railway operators, the scandal has also affected overseas companies including General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., Airbus and Boeing Co.

These companies have been undertaking investigations to see if their products have been adversely affected by Kobe Steel's erroneous data-related practices.

As a result of this, the U.S. Department of Justice ordered Kobe Steel to hand over documents relevant to the data falsification scandal, and a number of the firm's overseas clients have filed class-action civil lawsuits against Kobe Steel for providing products that were not up to industry specifications.

The company, founded in 1905 and a bastion of Japan's manufacturing sector for decades, admitted that more than 40 employees were involved in the falsification practice, which the firm said had been endemic in the company since the 1970s.

Two of the employees known for routinely falsifying inspection data in the past, went on to become members of the firm's board of directors, sources close to the matter confirmed.

Tuesday's raids and the protracted nature of the data fabrication scandal have led to doubts being cast on corporate governance in the manufacturing industry and beyond Japan, and cast serious aspersions over Japan's once stellar reputation for precision manufacturing, industry experts said.

Last year saw a slew of scandals related to Japanese manufacturers, including Mitsubishi Materials Corp.'s subsidiaries who were found to have falsified quality data for products used in multiple industries, including in equipment used by Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF), which compounded growing concerns about quality control in Japan's manufacturing sector.

Final inspections on vehicles by unqualified staff were also found to have been routinely carried out by automakers Nissan Motor Co. and Subaru Corp., which led to extensive recalls.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 19:16:58|Editor: ZX

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Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects Beijing-Tianjin sandstorm source control project in Ordos, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 4, 2018. Li made an inspection tour in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from June 2 to 5. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

HOHHOT, June 5 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu called for strict enforcement of the Air Pollution Control Law to ensure "blue sky with white clouds" for the people during an inspection tour in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from June 2 to 5.

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stressed the importance to persistently build a strong shield to protect the ecology in north China.

The inspection team led by Li visited the cities of Hohhot, Baotou and Ordos and inspected electricity, iron and steel, coal, chemical, and new-energy vehicle companies.

He pointed out that ecological and environmental problems are in fact the problems of economic development patterns.

While visiting local heating facilities, Li asked officials and enterprises to reduce coalburning air pollution but still provide enough heating for the people during winter.

As an important shield to protect the ecology and environment of north China, Inner Mongolia should step up the efforts to fight desertification, while wetland protection and pollution control should be strengthened, Li said.DUBLIN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Europe's largest low-cost airline Ryanair called on Tuesday for immediate action from the European Commission to prevent more air traffic control (ATC) strikes and staff shortages.

Such strikes and shortages caused the cancellation of over 1,100 Ryanair flights in May 2018 compared with 43 in May 2017, said the Ireland-headquartered airline.

"Regrettably, over 200,000 Ryanair customers had their flights cancelled in May because of ATC strikes (mostly French), ATC staff shortages, and thunderstorms," said Kenny Jacobs, Ryanair's chief marketing officer.

If the ATC strikes and staff shortages are not dealt with immediately, more disruptions to travel plans could be expected this summer, he warned.

Ryanair issued the call while announcing its May traffic statistics.

Despite the disruption by ATC strikes and staff shortages, Ryanair still managed to carry more customers in the last month due to its competitive and lower fares.

According to the latest Ryanair statistics, the airline carried a total of 12.5 million passengers in May, up six percent from a year ago, and its May load factor (occupancy rate of flights) also went up by one percentage point to 96 percent compared with May 2017.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 19:17:01|Editor: mmm

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KABUL, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Tuesday denounced the suicide attack on a gathering of Afghan clerics seeking to promote peace in the country.

"The attack against a group of religious leaders who peacefully gathered in Kabul to issue a joint declaration that would contribute to a safer and more secure Afghanistan is totally unacceptable," Tadamichi Yamamoto, special UN envoy and head of the UNAMA, was quoted in an UNAMA statement.

He said he would continue to be outraged at those extremist groups seeking to derail efforts made in the interest of peace.

"No cause can justify such violence. Targeting civilians in this way is a clear violation of international law," he noted.

"The United Nations stands with the people and government of Afghanistan as they endeavor to build a peaceful future for their country," the statement said.

On Monday, at least 14 people, including seven religious scholars, have reportedly been killed and 17 others wounded when a suicide bomber detonated his explosive-packed vest at the gate of an Afghan university, where more than 2,000 clerics have gathered to highlight their stance against war and to call on the Taliban to accept the government peace offer.

The Taliban has reportedly denied their involvement in the incident.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 19:27:03|Editor: mmm

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Rescuers work at the site of a traffic accident where one Chinese was killed and 34 others wounded in eastern Ontario, Canada, on June 4, 2018. (Xinhua)

OTTAWA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- One Chinese was killed and 34 others wounded in a traffic accident in eastern Ontario, Canada around Monday afternoon.

The accident occurred when a tourist bus carrying 35 Chinese people from the United States crashed on the 401 highway. All 37 people on board were injured.

Apart from the bus driver and a tour guide, all 34 tourists and a team leader are Chinese nationals. One Chinese citizen passed away in the early hours of Tuesday. The injured were rushed to hospitals near the site of the accident.

The bus belongs to travel company LLTOURTU, which is registered in the United States. The tourists set out from Shanghai on May 19 for a tour of the United States and Canada, which was expected to end on Saturday.

The Chinese Embassy is working with the Ontario Police Department and the tourism company back in the United States.

Yang Yundong, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Canada, said the embassy will closely follow up the investigation.by Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias rejected Ankara's criticism over the release from custody of eight Turkish servicemen who had fled to Greece a day after the failed coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016, seeking political asylum here.

"Such unfounded remarks are typical of those who conduct foreign policy with their gaze fixed on domestic politics. Turkey knows we are not playing games," Kotzias said during an interview with Greek national broadcaster ERT on Monday night.

The Greek official referred to a statement allegedly made by a Turkish government spokesman who said that "Greece protects and supports coup plotters," according to AMNA, in reaction to the announcement of the release of the eight men on Monday.

"The legal detention limit of 18 months has expired. The eight servicemen, who fled Turkey after an attempted coup and applied for asylum in Greece, are living at an undisclosed location under strict police guard, for fear of abduction by Turkish authorities whose extradition requests were turned down," AMNA reported.

Ankara has repeatedly asked Greece to hand them over claiming that they had active role in the coup attempt, accusing them as traitors.

The servicemen have argued that they fled fearing for their lives and insisted they will not get a fair trial back home.

In January 2017, Greece's Supreme Court ruled against the extradition of the eight men to Turkey.

Earlier this year Greece's top administrative court also granted political asylum to one of the group, while bids for the rest are pending.

The case has further soured relations between the neighboring countries which have also decades-old territorial differences and other issues to resolve.San Francisco, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2018  The SB Brand Transformation RoadmapSM launches today at SB18 Vancouver as a pioneering self-assessment tool that provides a comprehensive process plan for continuous improvement in sustainability. A first of its kind, it is specifically designed for mainstream brands and businesses who are navigating their journey towards more sustainable business practices.

Companies are approaching sustainability in different ways and, along with the many challenges, there is no one clear path to success. The fast pace of change is dictating that companies approach sustainability differently than they were even just a few years ago. The opportunity became clear to capture a comprehensive process within a simple matrix format and create a diagnostic tool that allows companies to create a customized sustainability plan. The practical, flexible tool provides opportunity for self-assessment, continuous improvement and goal prioritization. Companies who use the tool will be able to set their own direction with milestones of their choosing. It applies to all companies regardless of leadership style, sustainability focus, industry sector, and rate of momentum that a company may have around sustainability.

The matrix and self-assessment tool were developed by Sustainable Brands in collaboration with a select team of SB Advisory Board members, including: Kevin Hagen, VP Environment, Social & Governance Strategy at Iron Mountain; Kevin Moss, Global Director of Business Center at World Resources Institute; Laura Palmeiro, Sustainability Integration Lead at Danone and Senior Advisor at the UN Global Compact; Virginie Helias, Vice President, Global Sustainability at Procter & Gamble; Daniel Aronson, Founder of Valutus; Dave Stangis, Chief Sustainability Officer at Campbell Soup Company.

For the first time, we have a roadmap that demonstrates what happens holistically in each chapter of a companys sustainability journey, states Kevin Hagen, VP Environment, Social & Governance Strategy at Iron Mountain. It allows you to plot where your company is today and plan a faster path to the next phase while maximizing the benefits right where you are.

KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, CEO and Founder of Sustainable Brands continues, We believe the SB Brand Transformation Roadmap has the potential to become an invaluable tool and the main portal that companies and individual brands will use to establish and build on their sustainability ambitions and strategies over time. Im beyond delighted with the response weve received so far from Fortune 100 companies who are seeing tremendous value in the Roadmap.

The SB Brand Transformation Roadmap will allow our brands to assess where they are along their sustainability journey and where we can make advancements. It is a holistic tool that looks at all aspects of driving positive impact on society and organizing for it, said Virginie Helias, VP for Global Sustainability at Procter &Gamble.

The Sustainable Brands Transformation RoadmapSM creates a common framework and vocabulary. It is built around 5 key characteristics of a sustainable brand and across 5 stages of progress. This 5x5 matrix provides a new lens through which companies can navigate their continuous improvement towards becoming a better brand. It also allows companies to see and celebrate critical achievements and successes. Overall, it demonstrates that the journey towards becoming a more sustainable brand is not just one of compliance, but also one of inspiration.

Companies currently in the SB Corporate Member Network have immediate and exclusive access to the Roadmap, including the 5x5 matrix and self-assessment tool. The framework and tool debuts at Sustainable Brands global flagship conference, SB18 Vancouver, and will be featured in a collaborative breakout session today. Companies interested in learning more about the self-assessment tool and how it maps a customized pathway for approaching and defining sustainability goals are encouraged to request more information at SBRoadmap.com or attend the working session at SB18 Vancouver in person. Last minute walk-in registration is available and breakout session attendance is accessible for those holding Executive or Leadership level conference passes.

SB18 Vancouver runs today through Thursday, June 7 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. For conference information and to register to attend, visit SB18Vancouver.com. Visit SBRoadmap.com or email media@sustainablebrands.com to inquire specifically about the SB Brand Transformation RoadmapSM.

About Sustainable Brands

Sustainable Brands is the premier global community of brand innovators who are shaping the future of commerce worldwide. Since 2006, our mission has been to inspire, engage and equip todays business and brand leaders to prosper for the near and long term by leading the way to a better future. Digitally published news articles and issues-focused conversation topics, internationally known conferences and regional events, a robust e-learning library and peer-to-peer membership groups all facilitate community learning and engagement throughout the year. Sustainable Brands is hosted by Sustainable Brands Worldwide, a division of Sustainable Life Media headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

AttachmentADDIS ABABA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian House of People's Representatives (HoPR) on Tuesday approved a bill to lift the six-month state of emergency rule that was sanctioned in mid February.

The HoPR, the Ethiopian parliament's lower house, decided to lift the emergency rule ahead of its deadline, saying the East African country is currently in a better situation, politically and security-wise.

Security conditions have now reached the level where they can be controlled by the regular law enforcement system, according to the approved bill.

The bill to lift the six-month martial law, which had a possibility of extension period if security situation had not been improved, was initially endorsed by the Ethiopian Council of Ministers on Saturday.

The HoPR, which is exclusively dominated by the ruling coalition, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, approved the bill to lift the martial law without any objection and only 8 members of the parliament abstained from the vote.

Members of the parliament also indicated the importance to lift the state of emergency, saying that it is affecting the country's economy as well as the tourism sector.

The emergency rule had been effective since mid February, which the Ethiopian government previously said was necessary to protect the country's constitution, and the safety of citizens and their property from the dangers that would arise from widespread violent demonstrations that erupted in different parts of the country since the second half of 2016.

The emergency rule had prohibited possession of armaments at public areas or transferring firearms to third party as well as providing support to activities which affect the peace and well-being of citizens.

The decree, among other things, also prohibited issuing statement on security matters without the permission of the Command Post, distributing erroneous information that contradicts the law and the directives issued by the Command Post. It also forbids carrying weapons in unauthorized regions of the country.

The state of emergency also outlined curfews prohibiting movement of individuals around infrastructures, investment areas and other related places.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 20:02:09|Editor: ZX

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Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan meets with British Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, in Beijing, capital of China, June 5, 2018. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Tuesday met with British Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, in Beijing.

Sun spoke highly of the active role of the British royal family in boosting China-Britain relations and enhancing the friendship between the two peoples.

Sun said China attached great importance to relations with Britain and was ready to work with Britain to consolidate political mutual trust, maintain the momentum of cooperation in various fields, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and inject new content to the "Golden Era" of bilateral ties.

Edward said the British royal family was committed to cooperation in education and on youth with China to promote the "Golden Era" of bilateral relations.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 20:12:12|Editor: ZX

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LANZHOU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A direct chartered flight linking Hong Kong with China's popular tourist destination Dunhuang City has started operation, Dunhuang Airport said Tuesday.

The first 169 passengers from Hong Kong landed at Dunhuang Airport in northwest China's Gansu Province Monday afternoon.

The HK Express runs the flights once a week.

Dunhuang is known for its UNESCO-listed Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes. Each year, the caves draw a large number of tourists from home and abroad.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 20:17:13|Editor: ZX

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File photo taken on June 1, 2008 shows pupils displaying hand-made shopping bags in Hanshan, a county of east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Cheng Qianjun)

BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- At a high-end supermarket in downtown Beijing, staff walk up and provide green canvas bags to those who shop a lot, though most have brought their own shopping bags.

A notice with prices for plastic bags -- 1.4 to 2 yuan (0.2-0.3 U.S. dollar) -- is posted beside the cashier. The prices are almost 10 times the usual in an attempt to remind shoppers of using fewer plastic bags.

"The plastic bags we sell are biodegradable and pose less of a threat to the environment," said Cheng Yanfeng, who works at the supermarket.

A decade ago, China began a war against "white pollution" by banning supermarkets and retailers from offering free plastic bags. Production and use of plastic bags thinner than 0.025 mm have also been prohibited.

Between 2008 and 2016, the nationwide campaign had cut the number of plastic bags consumed in China's large stores and supermarkets by two thirds, according to data from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The reduction is equivalent to cutting plastic bag consumption by 1.4 million tonnes and carbon dioxide emissions by 30 million tonnes, the NDRC added.

In January 2015, northeast China's Jilin Province became the first in the country to upgrade the regulation by implementing a further ban on the production and sale of single-use, non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags.

Now 90 percent of supermarkets in the province are using biodegradable plastic shopping bags, according to the provincial development and reform commission.

But there are also setbacks. Daily demand for single-use plastic bags is still strong, especially at open markets and small stores.

At a breakfast stand in Tianjin City, a customer used eight plastic bags for breakfast. The bags were free of charge.

The most popular plastic bags at a store in Changchun, capital city of Jilin Province, sell for 0.1 to 0.2 yuan each. They are very cheap but not biodegradable. Prices of those environmental-friendly ones are higher, and they don't sell well.

"Most customers bargain at the open market, so it's hard for them to pay for a plastic bag," said Yang Yong, a vegetable vendor in Handan in north China's Hebei Province. "I will lose my customers if I were the only one here to charge for a plastic bag."

The fast-growing courier industry has also hindered steps to combat plastic pollution in China.

Data from the State Post Bureau show a total of 6.8 billion plastic bags were consumed in 2016. Although that was a 17.8-percent decline from the previous year, it still triggered nationwide concern as most of the packaging supplies were used only once.

Burgeoning online food delivery services in recent years have become a new big plastics consumer in urban areas. Daily orders taken by China's top three online food deliverers are over 20 million. It is estimated they consume more than 60 million plastic boxes or bags every day.

"Though delivery companies often use cartons to ship the goods, they also use a large quantity of plastic bags and tape inside the cartons. Seldom is the plastic wrap recycled," said Wang Li, professor at Wuhan University of Science and Technology.

In response, the NDRC said it is working to update the plastic ban to reflect the changing situation, which will cover emerging industries such as food delivery services and e-commerce platforms.

Logistics suppliers such as JD.com and Cainiao Network, Alibaba's logistics arm, are also trying to use less plastics that may cause pollution.

Last November, JD.com used recycled packaging bags to replace single-use ones. Cainiao unveiled a "green logistics" master plan last September, featuring 20 "green warehouses" across the globe. All the cardboard boxes sent from these delivery points are tape-free and use 100-percent degradable plastic bags.

According to the State Post Bureau, at least 50 percent of all packing materials used in the courier industry in China should be degradable and two-thirds of the plastic woven sacks should be replaced with reusable cloth bags by 2020.

In the meantime, technology is also providing solutions to combat "white pollution."

Scientists in Nanle County of Henan Province -- a major farming province in central China -- have developed a new technology to produce biodegradable plastic bags and film from corn or its stalks.

The technology can lower the cost by up to 30 percent. "Technological breakthroughs are expected to greatly promote the use of biodegradable plastic bags in the future," said Mao Bin, an expert on biomaterials.

According to a regulation issued by the county government in March, all supermarkets, shopping malls, agricultural markets, drug stores, food delivery companies, courier companies, restaurants and hotels are ordered to use biodegradable plastic bags starting from June.

Farmers are requested to adopt degradable plastic films for agricultural use from last fall, with the government subsidizing the price difference between ordinary films and environmental-friendly ones.

"Although it is a county-level regulation, Nanle has set an example for the rest of the country in environmental protection technology as well as eradication of non-degradable bags," said Ruan Liuwen, chairman of Longdu Tianren, producer of the bio-degradable plastics.

(Ng Tze Yan contributed to this story)Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 20:37:20|Editor: mmm

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TEHRAN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran's atomic chief said here Tuesday that the Islamic republic is preparing the infrastructure for building advanced centrifuges, Press TV reported.

The work has begun at Iran's Natanz enrichment facility, observing the country's commitments to 2015 nuclear deal, Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said.

"Yesterday, we took the first step and submitted a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the start of certain activities, but we started to take the necessary practical measures today," Salehi was quoted as saying.

"If conditions are ripe, I may explain tomorrow night at Natanz one of the projects we have in mind, which is a center for the production of new centrifuges," he said.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday ordered the AEOI to prepare for the enrichment of uranium up to a level of 190,000 SWU (separative work units).

Developing such infrastructure would move along quickly, Salehi said, adding, "If we were progressing normally, it would have taken six or seven years, but this will now be ready within weeks and months."

None of the measures Tehran is taking will violate the terms of the JCPOA, he said. "Iran's nuclear activities, as repeatedly declared, particularly by senior officials, will be peaceful," Salehi was quoted as saying by official IRNA news agency.

AEOI is pursuing two major goals supplying nuclear electricity and fuel for nuclear power plants, he added.

Iran is holding negotiations with European countries on preserving the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), after the U.S. pullout in May.

Tehran has threatened in case other parties to the nuclear deal could not safeguard Iran's interests under the accord, Iran will move out of it and will resume its nuclear activities even at full speed.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 20:37:21|Editor: ZX

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GENEVA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- With the Chinese economy transitioning to a knowledge-based one, China's intellectual property (IP) system has seen tremendous development, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) experts said.

This month marks the first decennial of the intellectual property strategy issued by the State Council, China's cabinet, in 2008 to improve the national capability to create, utilize, protect and administer IP.

WIPO Director-General Francis Gurry said China's progress in IP protection is reflected in the growing number of IP applications every year. In 2011, more patents were filed in China than anywhere else in the world, and since then, China's lead has widened.

In WIPO's March report, China moved into the second position as a source of international patent applications filed via WIPO in 2017, closing in on long-time leader the United States. Two Chinese technology companies, Huawei and ZTE, were the top international patent applicants that year.

Gurry also said trademark applications from China too have seen fast growth under the Madrid System through which WIPO registers international trademark applications.

"In 2017, China became its third largest user. Building brand reputation is important to gain a foothold in international markets. Consumers value cutting-edge technology, but they also value quality, reliability and brand image. Trademarks support companies in their efforts to gain consumers' trust," he said.

"The rapid development of China's IP system has also manifested itself in other ways, notably increasingly sophisticated IP management capabilities in companies and universities, and a modern legal infrastructure that supports the use of IP," he added.

A high-level WIPO delegation was in Shanghai in March to evaluate and exchange views on the implementation of the national IP strategy, officially known as the Outline of the National Intellectual Property Strategy, over the past decade.

Andrew Michael Ong, deputy director-general of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines and a member of the delegation, said China had consistently implemented the national policy and made extraordinary achievements, setting a perfect model for developing countries to come up with their own IP protection policies.

The delegates said China's IP protection system and efforts can serve as an example for ASEAN countries to formulate their IP strategies. WIPO would be recommending that ASEAN IP officials visit China for learning from the Chinese system and exchanging views.

By the end of 2017, the State Intellectual Property Office of China had registered over 1.3 million domestic invention patents on the mainland alone -- which means roughly 9.8 patents per 10,000 citizens.

"As more and more Chinese companies compete in global markets on the basis of cutting-edge technology, design appeal and brand reputation, they will surely need to rely more on IP protection in other countries. That means there will be a greater need to navigate the international IP system," Gurry said.

"Outward orientation in IP will likely be an important topic for many Chinese companies in the years to come," he added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 20:37:23|Editor: ZX

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WUHAN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- From Hu Sheng's doorstep he can see Daijia Lake, a water body which brings memories of both childhood joy and misery caused by pollution.

Hu, 71, lives in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province.

Over the past decades, he has witnessed Daijia be transformed from a beautiful lake into a hill made of coal ash, and then back into fresh water lake again.

In 1955, Hu and his parents moved from their home in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to Wuhan's Qingshan District, some of the tens of thousands of migrant workers who came to work for Wuhan Iron and Steel.

Back then, the over-60-hectare lake was a paradise for children.

"We often swam in the lake, catching fish and picking lotus root," he recalled.

It was a time when China was implementing its first five-year plan, with Wuhan Iron and Steel one of more than 100 industrial projects built across the country. Other plants, such as a thermal power plant and a cement plant were later built nearby.

Some of the coal ash residue from the power plant was used by the cement plant, but the rest was dumped in the lake, according to a manager at a local grid company.

"We were unable to make use of all the ash due to limited science and technology levels," said the manager who did not give his name. "We were told to prioritize production at that time, at the cost of the environment."

Waste industrial water mixed with coal ash was discharged directly into the lake around the clock, tainting the lakewater.

Over the following 30 years, the dumped ash exceeded the lake volume, turning it into a hill. Locals began to call the lake Daijia Mountain.

"Ash floated in the air. We had to keep our doors and windows closed," Hu said, adding some of his neighbors suffered respiratory problems.

Authorities estimated some 70 percent of the dust pollution in Wuhan in the 1980s came from Qingshan District, and the ash hill at Daijia was the main contributor.

In the late 1990s, Wuhan banned use of clay bricks, leaving coal ash the only material available for building construction.

"The waste ash suddenly became treasure, with coal ash factories swarming here to carry it away truck by truck," Hu recalled.

Holes were dug in the ash hill, which were later filled with household garbage and construction waste.

"Flies and mosquitoes were everywhere, and the putrid air made people retch," Hu recalled.

Treatment of the lake pollution started in 2013, one year after the 18th National Congress of Communist Party of China included ecological development as a major task in the country's overall plan and proposed building a Beautiful China as a grand goal for ecological progress.

Trees that can survive in barren and alkali resistant soil, such as Chinese parasol trees, were planted and water plants were placed in the lake to purify the water, said Tu Chengjie, deputy director of the lake's management department.

More than 30,000 trees were planted in the park, absorbing 18,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and generating 12,000 tonnes of oxygen every year. Problems like dust, barren soil, and water pollution were also addressed.

The restoration area exceeded 500,000 square meters, and the work cost 426 million yuan (66.5 million U.S. dollars), said Tu.

Waste red brick, firebricks, and industrial waste were also utilized in the park as paving materials, sculptures, and benches.

Last year, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development

presented the Daijia Lake restoration project with an award for being an examplary habitable environment.

Dong Yimin said he is lucky his father decided not to sell their apartment nearby to escape from the pollution.

"Now that we have clean water and a green environment, I can enjoy jogging around the lake every day," he said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 20:37:24|Editor: mmm

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COLOMBO, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals grew by 6.2 percent in May, compared to the same month last year, with over 129,000 tourists visiting the island country, statistics from the Tourism Ministry showed on Tuesday.

India, China, Britain, Germany and Australia were the top five markets generating the highest number of arrivals.

Almost 96.7 percent of tourists travelled by air to Sri Lanka.

China, which was within the top three markets, had 17,103 tourists visiting Sri Lanka in May.

This year, Sri Lanka has already recorded 115,870 Chinese tourist arrivals to the island country.

Overall tourist arrivals this year has been over 1 million with the government targeting a 2.5-million tourist arrival by the end of the year.

In a bid to attract more Chinese travelers, Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said last month that the Sri Lankan government had signed an agreement with a leading Chinese tour operator.

Amaratunga said China is an important destination for Sri Lankan tourism and the government hopes to attract over 300,000 Chinese tourists this year.

The minister said the government will target a revenue of 4.4 billion U.S. dollars through its tourism sector this year.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 20:42:25|Editor: ZX

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GUANGZHOU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The fourth typhoon of the year is approaching the coastal areas in the southern provinces of Guangdong and Hainan, local meteorological departments said Tuesday.

The eye of the typhoon was above the sea 70 km southeast of Wenchang City of Hainan at around 5 p.m.

It may make landfall on or pass the eastern coastal areas of Hainan Tuesday night and make a second landfall on the western coastal cities of Guangdong on Wednesday, according to the local meteorological departments.

The State Oceanic Administration issued a blue alert Tuesday warning that coastal areas of Guangdong and Hainan would experience huge waves, gales and storms.

Passenger ship services across the Qiongzhou Strait between Hainan and Guangdong were halted Monday afternoon and after a short resumption were suspended again at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 21:02:29|Editor: ZX

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SHANGHAI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- In a 15-minute video on YouTube, Ghanaian blogger Elorm Senoo braided herself a new hairstyle with hair extensions in different lengths from China.

"I love the feel of the hair. It feels so silky," Senoo said in the video review while combing and styling her synthetic hair extensions.

For many Chinese, wearing a wig or adding hair extensions is a new fashion. However, the practice is an old tradition in Africa, where most of the hair products are now imported from China.

"In Nigeria alone, we sell 9 million to 11 million items of hair products per year," said Zheng Wenqing, general manager of Henan Rebecca Hair Products Co., Ltd.

At the first Chinese Brand Expo held in Shanghai last month, Rebecca showcased a variety of human hair wigs and synthetic hair products.

Closer relationships and more in-depth cooperation between China and African countries in recent years have made Africa Rebecca's biggest market.

The company now sells its hair products in over 20 African countries, and its revenue from Africa in 2017 reached 884 million yuan (138.1 million U.S. dollars), up 23 percent from the previous year and accounting for nearly half of its overall revenue.

The company has been expanding its business in the continent.

In China, wig-making started over a hundred years ago and has become an export-oriented industry. In 2017, China exported 3.2 billion dollars worth of hair products, with Africa being its second-largest market with a 34-percent share.

Thanks to the high quality and delicate craftsmanship, Chinese hair products now have about a 35-percent share of the African market, said Wang Fenrong, secretary general of the Sub-Chamber of Wigs at the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts.

Fashionable designs have helped to propel the popularity of Chinese wigs. Chinese companies offer local customers special designs, including synthetic hair braids, dreadlocks, and crochet hair.

Although many synthetic hair products are still the best sellers in many African countries, human hair products are attracting more and more African customers who are willing to and can afford to spend more.

China's wig business, a typical labor-intensive industry, also brings jobs and growth opportunities to African countries, Wang said.

According to Wang, many Chinese wig companies have opened factories in African countries, creating around 10,000 jobs for the locals.

And the future of the business is even more promising. With its stable economic growth and rising living standards, Africa is expected to become one of the biggest hair product markets in the world, Zheng said.SASKATOON, Saskatchewan , June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. (Saturn or the Company) (TSXV:SMI) (FSE:SMK) is pleased to announce that effective June 1st, 2018, Mr. Christopher Ryan has been appointed to the Board of Directors and Mr. Geoff Jones has been appointed as VP of Finance for Saturn.



Mr. Ryan is the Director of Midstream for Tundra Energy Marketing Ltd. (TEML). Prior to that, he was the Director of Operation Services for TEML and Exploitation Engineer with Tundra Oil and Gas. He has published 25 scientific publications, many of which were published during his time as a Research Scientist at the Canadian Light Source Inc.

Mr. Ryan currently sits on the Board for the Canadian Crude Quality Technical Association (CCQTA) as the Director of Midstream, and he is the Co-Chair of the Sampling and Frequency Working Group for the Crude Oil Quality Association (COQA). Mr. Ryan is also an honorary founding member of the Global Institute of Water Security and is on various Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) Committees, specifically the CAPP Equalization Steering Committee and is a voted Working Group member of the Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods General Policy Advisory Council for Classification.

Mr. Jones is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce and he went on to earn his professional designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant. Mr. Jones has shared his business and tax knowledge as manager of assurance and owner managed business. His expertise in includes advising numerous clients in a variety of industries including oil & gas, lawyers, engineers, residential and commercial construction, farm and industrial manufacturing and computer hardware/software design and manufacturing.

The Company also held its annual general meeting on May 31st, 2018, in Saskatoon. Approximately 22 million shares, representing approximately 13.5% of common shares, were represented in person or by proxy at the meeting.

Saturns shareholders elected John Jeffrey, Scott Newman, Ivan Bergerman, Calvin Payne and Christopher Ryan as the Companys directors. The resolutions reappointing Davidson & Co. LLP as auditors, continuing the Corporation into Saskatchewan and the amendment of the stock option plan, as per the Companys management information circular dated July 5th, 2017 were all approved. Support for these resolutions ranged from 99.5 to 100 per cent of the votes cast. The stock option plan amendment is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

We have received incredible support from our shareholders in the last year. These investors have entrusted us to re-build Saturn from the ground floor and provided the financial backing to grow this Company from an idea to over $1.0 million in revenue and a cashflow positive first quarter of 2018. We look forward to the year ahead and the continued growth of the Company, stated John Jeffrey, CEO.

The biographies of Saturns board members and more details about the Company are available on www.saturnoil.com.

About Saturn Oil & Gas Inc.

Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. (TSXV:SMI) (FSE:SMK) is a public energy Company focused on the acquisition and development of undervalued, low risk assets. Saturn is driven to build a strong portfolio of cash flowing assets with strategic land positions. De-risked assets and calculated execution will allow Saturn to achieve growth in reserves & production through retained earnings. Saturn's portfolio will become its key to growth and provide long-term stability to shareholders.

To learn more, please contact the Company at 1 (306) 955-9946 or visit: www.saturnoil.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

SATURN OIL & GAS INC.

John Jeffrey, MBA  CEO & Chairman

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. Certain statements contained herein constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to both known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.MOGADISHU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- At least ten al-Shabab fighters were killed and one fighter arrested after fierce fighting between the Somali National Army (SNA) and the militants early Tuesday in Bardhere town, southern part of the Horn of Africa nation.

SNA Commander for the 10th Sector, Osman Sheikh Abdi, told reporters that they lost one soldier and three others were injured during the dawn attack which was foiled in Bardhere town in Gedo region.

"The Somali National Army killed 10 al-Shabab fighters and captured another one alive after launching an ambush on Tuesday morning. The attack was foiled and the army killed ten of them," Abdi said.

Independent sources said the insurgents had attempted to overrun the Bardhere military base but failed to succeed in carrying out the terrorist attack.

The fighting took place near the main bridge at the entrance of Bardhere town and the fighting took several hours and ended at around 6 a.m. He said many residents were asleep when the fighting took place.

The Somali militants claimed they inflicted heavy losses on the government forces in the latest fighting in the Bardhere town in the southern region.NAIROBI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A section of Kenyans are getting concerned as the opposition loses the agility and interest to check the government.

The opposition in the East African nation is seemingly dead following a political truce between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his main rival in disputed 2017 polls, Raila Odinga.

Since the March 9 unity pact between the two, Odinga who has been the face of the Kenyan opposition politics for ages, has supported government initiatives.

He has further remained silent as various corruption scandals erupt in different government agencies.

They include alleged theft of public funds at National Youth Service, Kenya Power, Kenya Pipeline and the National Cereals and Produce Board.

Initially, Odinga and his colleagues in the opposition Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula would have admonished the government on the scandals and even called for mass action.

But this time, they have been silent, with Odinga only saying he supports the ongoing government war against corruption.

"Where is the opposition voice in the challenges facing the country? It is close to eight months since the country held elections and the opposition has been missing in action especially in the last three months," Simon Ondari, a welder and an opposition supporter who voted for Odinga for president in last August polls, said Tuesday.

Ondari noted that him and thousands of opposition supporters across the country want their voices heard in key national issues.

"Odinga used to speak for us on matters facing the country but his deal with Kenyatta does not mean he keeps quiet," he said.

While Ondari said he may understand why Odinga is quiet, he faulted the other opposition leaders for keeping aloof. "They should come out and take the opposition role which this country needs badly," he said.

However, not only opposition supporters are irked by the silence of their leaders, ruling party Jubilee adherents noted the government needs check.

"The truce between Kenyatta and Odinga disintegrated the opposition and is killing it. With Odinga firmly behind Kenyatta, we have no alternative voice in the country. Who will speak for Kenyans when they are oppressed?" posed Nathan Kariuki, a civil society activist.

In parliament, which resumes Tuesday after recess, there is rare unity between opposition and ruling party Jubilee legislators for the first time in years.

Aden Duale, the Majority Leader in the National Assembly, allayed fears that there is lack of checks on the government by the opposition.

He, on the other hand, said the unity between Odinga and Kenyatta has given confidence in the war against corruption and fast-tracked the addressing of various challenges in the country.

"It is evident that the current war against corruption has gained momentum because all leaders, including Odinga and Kenyatta support it," Duale told a Kenyan TV station in an interview Monday.

Minority Leader John Mbadi has similarly denied claims opposition has lost the push to check government, noting recently that his party ODM, which Odinga leads, in particular will continue to speak against excesses of the government.

Analysts noted that the unity between Odinga and Kenyatta does not allow Kenyans to have the opposition as they have known it for years characterized by street protests, boycott in parliament, threats of vote of no confidence against the government and name calling.

"The unity only gives the country a chance to foster development but I believe we have some opposition though not strong from the civil society which is helping check government as in the case of recent street protests against corruption," observed Ernest Manuyo, a business management lecturer in Nairobi.JOHANNESBURG, June 5 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), will reprimand the party leaders for insulting president Ramaphosa on social media.

Pule Mabe, ANC national spokesperson, said they view the insults on the party and country's president on social media seriously. This comes after an ANC member, mayor of Dihlabeng local municipality Lindiwe Kambule Makhalema posted on facebook saying President Rmaphosa is a "sellout".

Mabe said recently they came up with the party social media policy which allows members to have freedom of expression but operate within the discipline and policies of their party.

"We have impressed upon the Gauteng and Free State provincial executive committees to institute disciplinary processes against the instigators of disunity within the organization, without delay. This is specifically with reference to the mayor of Dihlabeng local municipality who publicly insulted President Ramaphosa," said Mabe.

Mabe said the ANC media policy prescribes that any social media posting be legal, ethical and respectful at all times. The social media postings must be to advance debates and discussions in a rational and responsible manner. He stated that there should be no personal attacks and insults on social media.

There has been some debates in the country about the regulation of the social media.LONDON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- British Prime minister Theresa May's top ministers Tuesday backed controversial multi-billion dollar third runway at London Heathrow, Britain's busiest airport.

At a meeting in Downing Street of May's economic committee ministers set out final proposals to back the Heathrow expansion plan which will pave the way for more flights to London.

The backing from senior members of May's ministerial team puts the government on a collision course with leading members of her Conservative party, including fierce opponent Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

What was described as marking an important milestone in building a global Britain, the government published the proposed Airports National Policy Statement (NPS), backing the Heathrow expansion.

The new runway at Heathrow would provide benefits of up to 100 billion U.S. dollars to passengers and the wider economy and create tens of thousands of local jobs. It will also better connect Britain to the rest of world with an extra 16 million long-haul seats available by 2040, the government said in a statement.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling told MPs about the decision in a statement in the House of Commons.

Grayling said expansion at Heathrow would present "a unique opportunity to deliver a multi-billion pound boost to our economy, strengthen our global links and maintain our position as a world leader in aviation."

"As we leave the EU, the UK must remain one of the world's best-connected and outward-looking countries and a third runway at Heathrow is the best option to deliver this," he said.

Grayling told MPs that the Heathrow expansion would be funded entirely privately and while the expansion was a number of years away he believed it could be concluded by 2026.

He said the government has listened to views through consultations and will ensure a world-class package of measures to help any local communities affected by the expansion.

But his reassurance is unlikely to convince communities affected by the plans as well as clean-air campaigners who fear more flights will increase pollution around the airport.

The government also announced Tuesday the creation of a new Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise, which will be an independent expert voice on noise issues, acting as a link between airport operators, airlines and local communities.

The government said over the next few weeks the British parliament will have the opportunity to vote on the Heathrow proposals as part of a debate on the NPS.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 22:07:44|Editor: mmm

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BAGHDAD, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces on Tuesday killed 13 Islamic State (IS) militants during an operation north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a military statement said.

Early in the morning, a joint force from the Iraqi army, police and paramilitary Hashd Shaabi brigade launched an anti-IS operation in the areas of Dhraa Dijla, Tharthar Taqseem, Albu Jroub, Subaihat and Hadidi, west of the Samarra city, a Hashd Shaabi said in a brief statement.

A total of 13 extremist militants were killed, some IS hideouts were destroyed and caches of weapons and ammunition were seized, it said.

The operation will continue until defeating the last presence of IS militants, the statement said.

Earlier, hundreds of IS militants fled their former bases in the key cities of Salahudin province, including the provincial capital Tikrit, some 170 km north of Baghdad, 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, remnants of IS militants melted in urban areas or resorted to deserts and rugged areas in central Iraq and are carrying out almost daily attacks against civilians and Iraqi forces.WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said early Tuesday that his planned meeting with Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), will hopefully start "something big".

"Meeting in Singapore with North Korea will hopefully be the start of something big... we will soon see!" he tweeted, referring to the DPRK by an unofficial name.

The White House said Monday that the meeting is tentatively scheduled at 9:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) on June 12 in Singapore.

White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said in a press briefing that a U.S. advanced team is in Singapore, finalizing logistical preparations. The team will remain in Singapore until the summit begins.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week met with Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the DPRK's ruling Workers' Party of Korea, in New York.

On Friday Trump too met with Kim Yong Chol and the meeting lasted almost two hours. Subsequently, he said he would meet with Kim Jong Un in Singapore on June 12 as originally scheduled.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 22:32:53|Editor: yan

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CAIRO, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Egypt strongly condemned the recent suicide attack on a gathering of Afghan clerics in the capital Kabul that left at least 14 dead and more than 20 wounded, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

The attack, which took place on Monday against a gathering of clerics promoting peace in Afghanistan, was claimed by local affiliates of the Islamic State (IS) regional terrorist group.

"Egypt's government and people support their Afghan counterparts in the face of terrorism, which targets security and stability in the country," said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in the statement.

The suicide attack in Kabul came shortly after thousands of Afghan religious scholars collectively issued a fatwa prohibiting suicide attacks as baseless in Islam.

"The attack shows that this deviant group has nothing to do with the tolerant teachings of Islam," said the Egyptian statement, calling for worldwide unity to combat terrorism.

Afghanistan has been haunted by insurgency over the past couple of decades with the presence of different militant groups including the most dominant Taliban, in addition to al-Qaida and recently the IS.

Egypt, likewise, has been suffering terror activities at home that have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers as well as civilians since the army toppled former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 in response to mass protests.YEREVAN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday said his government's number one priority is to fight corruption, according to a statement released by his press office.

Pashinyan said his government has taken steps to develop democratic institutions, improve the business environment, eliminate monopolies and minimize corruption risks in the state procurement system.

"We are determined to implement the objectives, programs and activities we have foreseen," Pashinyan said in a meeting with Piotr Switalski, head of the European Union (EU) delegation to Armenia.

Highlighting the importance of the tasks the Armenian government has set, Switalski said the EU was prepared to support Armenia's efforts. The EU and Armenia signed a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement last November.

The two also discussed the expected snap elections and improving the electoral code.ZAGREB, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) decided on Monday to dismiss the party's political secretary Davor Ivo Stier and international relations secretary Mirko Kovac.

The two senior officials were sacked from their posts after they criticized party policy under the leadership of the prime minister and party president Andrej Plenkovic.

"I no longer have confidence in the two former HDZ secretaries," Plenkovic said after the party's presidency session.

The party's presidency selected the minister for public administration Lovro Kuscevic to be a new political secretary, while Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic is named new international relations secretary.

Stier and Kovac are former Croatian foreign ministers and prominent members of the ruling party. Kovac was the minister for ten months in the government led by the former prime minister Tihomir Oreskovic.

Stier became a foreign minister in October 2016 but resigned in June 2017. He was dissatisfied after the HDZ broke up with the conservative Bridge party and formed a new coalition with the Croatian People's Party.

Stier and Kovac opposed the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, and voted against its ratification in the Croatian Parliament, despite the conclusion of the HDZ's leadership that the document of the Council of Europe should be supported, ahead of the six-month Croatian presidency which began on May 17.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 22:43:01|Editor: yan

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DAMASCUS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army recaptured the areas infiltrated by the Islamic State (IS) militants in their latest offensive in the country's eastern province of Deir al-Zour, state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday.

All points taken by IS over the past two days in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour were retaken by the Syrian army and allied forces, said SANA, adding that the terror-labeled group had suffered great losses.

The counter offensive by the Syrian army was precise and targeted the IS militants who snuck over the past two days from IS-held areas on the eastern bank of Euphrates River to military positions and other "important" areas on the western bank of the river.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 45 pro-government Syrian fighters have been killed over the past two days during the IS offensive.

After losing large swathes of territories, the IS militants still hold some pockets on the eastern bank of Euphrates River and occasionally attempt to wage attacks on Syrian military positions there.

In a recent report, the Observatory said that the IS control in Syria has shrunk to three percent after losing large swathes of areas to the Syrian army and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.

IS now controls scattered pockets in the eastern countryside of Homs province, the southeastern desert of Deir al-Zour province, an area on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River and a pocket in the northern countryside of Deir al-Zour in eastern Syria.

IS also controls pockets in the Yarmouk basin in the countryside of the southern province of Daraa as well as pockets in the southern countryside of Hasakah province in northern Syria.SAN FRANCISCO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today the Holberton School, a two-year higher education school for software engineers, announced the graduation of its inaugural class, with students already working for some top companies including Apple, CreditKarma, Docker, Dropbox, IBM and Scality.

Launched in 2016, the schools population has exploded 6 fold in just under two years and recently moved into a new location that can eventually accommodate 1,000 students. At that time, Holberton will graduate more qualified full-stack software engineers annually than Stanford and Harvard combined. The schools overall student body is now more than 200, with new students added 3 times a year.

According to Megan Smith, chief technology officer of the United States and former Google executive, theres going to be 1.4 million tech and I.T. jobs coming within the next decade and only 400,000 trained people to fill them, leaving one million highly paid jobs with no one to fill them.

We are trying to fix this problem, said Julien Barbier, co-founder and CEO of Holberton. U.S. companies are desperately trying to fill the talent gap by importing talent from abroad (Last year alone, the federal government received 233,000 application for H1-B working visas) when we are finding amazing talent right here. These students, from radically different backgrounds, earned their way here and have proven they belong here. Congratulations to them all.

Holberton is free until students find a job, there is no upfront tuition; graduates are asked to contribute a percentage of their salaries to the school for the first three years of their employment, giving back to the next generation of students. The curriculum combines project-based and peer learning, where students help each other to learn and reach goals. There are no lectures and no teachers, but instead tech mentors, who provide guidance to the students and on the school curriculum. Students acquire practical skills and an understanding of theory through hands-on learning; guaranteeing that they possess the skills necessary for the technology industry's most demanding jobs.

After trying a traditional college education, including the traditional mountain of student debt, Holberton gave me my future back, said Mason Fish, student, now with Docker. Holberton took me in, didnt charge me a dime, and gave me not just an education, not just a job, but a roadmap for the rest of my life. They taught me how to learn on my own, something Ill do forever.

Dora Korpar was working as a cashier at Trader Joes after being unable to find a job with her degree in Biology. Shes now working for Silicon Valley storage company Scality. Sravanthi Sinha had a bachelors degree in technology, but was bored with her job. She enrolled at Holberton and was offered an internship with NASAs SETI program halfway through her time at Holberton. Mason was a guitar player whos now a Software Engineer at Docker.

The school's numerous achievements include introducing students to highly qualified mentors from well-known companies, articles published by both students and founders, and even having one student receive a coveted internship at NASA's SETI Institute. Holberton is the winner of the EdTech Digest Awards Program 2017, was featured in The New York Times emphasizing diversity and named Business Insiders hottest startups. Holberton students have also been conducted real world research on hacking.

About Holberton School

Using project-based learning and peer learning, Holbertons mission is to train the best software engineers of their generation. At Holberton, there are no formal teachers and no formal courses. Instead, everything is project-centered. Holberton gives students increasingly difficult programming challenges to solve and minimal initial directions on how to solve them. As a consequence, students naturally look for the theory and tools they need, understand them, use them, work together, and help each other. Holberton School teaches how to learn instead of teaching a specific tool or programming language. Holberton School is based in San Francisco and supported by leaders from the technology industry. Go to www.holbertonschool.com to learn more.

Editorial Contact

Joe Eckert for Holberton School

jeckertflak@gmail.comCAPE TOWN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Tuesday issued a stern warning against party members using social media to launch personal attacks and insults.

Any social media posting must be legal, ethical and respectful at all times, the ANC said in a statement emailed to Xinhua.

This came after Lindiwe Makhalema, mayor of Dihlabeng Local Municipality in Free State Province, publicly insulted President Cyril Ramaphosa on Facebook.

Makhalema, a senior ANC member, was responding to a question posed by a fellow party member in a group that only allows Facebook users who have been verified as loyal ANC members through a vetting process.

When user Aaron Ramohashi posed a question asking fellow members to name the ANC's "biggest stinking sellout" they knew, Makhamela answered with one name: "Ramaphosa."

The mayor was unapologetic even after people questioned her conduct.

The ANC "condemns in the strongest terms" insults directed at Ramaphosa by ANC leaders as well as members on social media.

"The ANC believes that it is possible to express viewpoints without resorting to personal attacks and insults," ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe said.

The ANC recently adopted a social media policy which prohibits members from utilizing inflammatory language, according to Mabe.

Under the policy, all ANC structures and members will operate within the discipline and policies of the organization whilst still expressly enjoying freedom of expression, Mabe said.

"We therefore find the recent upsurge in insults towards our leadership, particularly the President, extremely disturbing and view them in serious light," Mabe said.

The use of social media platforms should at all times be in line with the ANC Constitution and Code of Conduct and seek to advance debates and discussions in a rational and responsible manner, he said.

To this end, the ANC has impressed upon local authorities to institute disciplinary processes against the instigators of disunity within the organization, without delay, Mabe said.

"This is specifically with reference to the Mayor of Dihlabeng Local Municipality who publicly insulted President Ramaphosa," said Mabe.BRUSSELS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The European Police Office (Europol)'s cooperation with third countries will be strengthened to fight terrorism and serious organized crime, the European Union (EU) said in a statement Tuesday.

The Council of the EU has approved a proposal to strengthen Europol's role inside and outside the EU, according to the statement.

Under the proposal, the European Commission will start talks with eight countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey, on the exchange of information with Europol.

When concluded, the agreements will provide a legal basis for the exchange of personal data between Europol and the authorities of eight countries.

EU security commissioner Julian King said: "We need to give Europol the right tools and resources to protect Europeans, including exchange of key information with our neighbors."Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 23:13:16|Editor: yan

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UNITED NATIONS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday picked Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, minister for Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador, to be its next president.SOFIA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister Rumen Porozhanov on Tuesday called for a generational renewal to make European agriculture to be competitive.

Porozhanov said at a press conference after the informal meeting of European Union (EU) agriculture ministers held in Sofia that the main topic discussed in the meeting was attracting a new generation into the agricultural sector. For European agriculture to be competitive, there must be a generational renewal.

At present, less than 6 percent of farmers are under 35 years of age, 56 percent are over 55 in Bulgaria, according to the minister. The subject was much more complicated and this was a very serious challenge to the new Common Agricultural Policy of EU, he said.

He said instruments should be enabled to support young farmers and invest in innovation and technology to make the farming sector more attractive.

Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development, who also addressed the meeting, said future strategic plans for European agriculture would include the policy that each member state would adopt in terms of generational renewal.

The meeting was on the agenda of Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency, which would end in the month.HELSINKI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The plan to open the market of Finnish railroad passenger services took a step ahead on Tuesday as Anne Berner, the Finnish minister for transport and communication, announced details of the plan to split the state-owned railroad company VR.

The ministry will establish a railroad wagon and equipment company under which VR engines and wagons would be transferred to the company and then be available for possible competitors to lease.

VR will continue in the railroad business as it does currently, but with these arrangements it will not have a competitive edge over any new arrivals to the market. It will have to submit tenders for operational licences in competition with other interested parties.

The establishment of the rental system was chosen as interested foreign transport companies apparently all said that purchasing Finnish width engines and wagons would not be worth their while.

The Finnish railroad width is wider than in the rest of Western Europe. In continental Europe, railroad operators can transfer equipment from one country to another, but equipment from the continent is inoperable in Finland.

The governmental plan has met strong criticism from the opposition. However, the decision does not require parliamentary approval as the affairs of state-owned corporations are not subject to parliamentary control, rather, ministries can take decisions. The plan was approved by Cabinet in April.

Critics say the new state-owned engine company will have to invest in more engines as a flexible use of engines is no longer possible. VR uses currently the same engines for freight and passenger trains, but that synergy is not feasible in the commercial environment as passenger and rail services are separate.

Critics also say the would-be arrivals probably want their engines to be painted in their colors and that will further increase inflexibility.

Berner said in press release on Tuesday that "several international railroad operators" had expressed interest in coming to Finland and that competition would reduce ticket prices.

Railroad tickets have already become cheaper in Finland due to competition from long-haul bus services, following the arrival of a British-owned long haul company in 2014.

Critics say the added costs of competition are likely to make railroad travel more expensive. VR would be less profitable and therefore provide lower dividends to the state. Meanwhile, railroad employees are concerned about a possible drop in salary.

Kansan Uutiset newspaper wrote over the weekend that the railway company split is an ideological choice by the government. "It looks like the government is willing to pay extra for opening up the railroads for competition," it wrote.SKOPJE, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev again pushed Macedonia President Gjorge Ivanov to sign the Law on the Use of Languages, local media reported on Tuesday.

Zaev told reporters that he tried to convince the president during several meetings to sign the language law, since Parliament has been blocked until now.

"The president can decide whether he wants, and for whatever law, to use the so-called 'pocket veto'. This is not a functional democracy and the responsibility is too big," said Zaev.

According to Zaev, competent institutions such as the Constitutional Court and the Venice Commission should be consulted as well.

"Constitutional Court says what is constitutional and what is not. If there is something problematic it can be changed," said Zaev.

Moreover, Zaev emphasized that certain laws aim to increase certain rights and can facilitate Macedonia's European Union (EU) accession process.

Ruling party SDSM decided to adopt the languages law despite Ivanov's refusal to sign it and the attempt of the opposition VMRO-DPMNE party to obstruct it by submitting amendments.

According to the Macedonian government, implementing the Law on Use of Languages means the Ohrid Framework Agreement, a political agreement adopted 17 years ago, will be completed.

The Law on Use of Languages would extend the official use of Albanian language to the entire country.JAKARTA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia and Mozambique have started negotiations on the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), an official leading the Indonesian delegation said on Tuesday.

Bilateral Negotiation Director at the Trade Ministry Ni Made Ayu Marhini said the two sides have approved most of the articles to establish the PTA during the initial round of the negotiation held in the Mozambique capital of Maputo from May 31 to June 1.

"The negotiation process followed a joint statement made by trade ministers of both countries during the Indonesia-Africa Forum held in Bali in April," Made was quoted as saying in a statement.

She said both countries have been committed to completing the negotiations by the end of this year, enabling business people from the two nations to immediately benefit from the PTA.

Made said process to establish a PTA with Mozambique was part of the government's efforts to seek new markets for its exports, which were strongly encouraged by President Joko Widodo.

She said Mozambique, possibly as Indonesia's first PTA partner in African, may serve as a hub for the remaining African markets, particularly on the southern African continent.

Indonesia's potential products for Mozambique are soaps, palm oil, cement, margarine and papers. Indonesia imports grain, ferro-alloy, raw tobacco and cotton from Mozambique.RIGA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Members of the Latvian parliament public administration committee on Tuesday rejected nationalist lawmakers' proposal to allow election campaigning only in Latvian, local media reported.

Arguing for the proposal, Aleksandrs Kirsteins, an MP of the ruling National Alliance which came up with the initiative, said on public radio that many Latvians, for example those who have spent a long time living or studying abroad, do not understand Russian and political campaigns in foreign languages would amount to discrimination against them.

Meanwhile, politically active people should not have difficulties using the state language, Kirsteins said.

Sergejs Dolgopolovs, chairman of the parliament public administration committee, voiced the opposite opinion, saying that ethnic non-Latvians are also entitled not only to expressing their opinions but also to receiving information in their native language.

Speaking on public radio, Dolgopolovs dismissed the discrimination argument saying that rather than voters looking for information, it is political parties that try to reach out to their electorate in a language they understand.

Gunta Lidaka, a member of the Latvian broadcasting watchdog, the National Electronic Mass Media Council, warned that the language restriction on election campaigns would be in breach with national media legislation regulating the work of broadcasters like Latvian Radio.

Raivis Dzintars, the leader of National Alliance, said earlier that campaigning in languages like Russian was unnecessary in Latvia since all eligible voters, being Latvian citizens, are supposed to know the Latvian language.

Latvia is due to hold a parliamentary election this October.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 23:48:36|Editor: yan

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BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev will arrive in Beijing Wednesday on a state visit to China.

He will also attend the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Qingdao city in east China's Shandong Province.

Nazarbayev, 78, graduated from the Highest Technical Educational Institution at the Karaganada Metallurgic Works. He has a doctoral degree in economics and was conferred an honorary doctoral degree by Peking University in 2002.

He has served as chairman of the Ministers' Council of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, chairman of the Supreme Council of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, and president of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.

Nazarbayev was elected president of the independent Republic of Kazakhstan in December 1991, and won four presidential elections after his first term. His term ends in 2020.WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday that the United States supports the launch of operations by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the Islamic State (IS) in Dashisha, Syria.

In a statement, Pompeo said the operations had been planned for months in coordination with Iraqi forces across the border to ensure IS members "have no escape".

The Department of State "has been proud to lend diplomatic support through this planning process" and "will also work to ensure that all the diverse people of northeast Syria, including Arabs, Kurds, Christian, and Turkmen, have an appropriate say in defining the future of Syria," Pompeo said.

The statement came on the heels of Pompeo's joint statement with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday, when the two sides reaffirmed the commitment to address their common concerns "in a spirit of allied partnership".

Syria's strategic city Manbij was recaptured from the IS in 2016 by the U.S.-backed SDF, which is mainly led by the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).

Turkey has repeatedly demanded that Washington drive the YPG out from Manbij, where about 2,000 U.S. soldiers are currently deployed.

Relations between Turkey and the United States have been strained over Washington's support to the YPG, prompting fears of military clashes in Manbij between the two NATO allies.Fairfield, NJ, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Associa Community Management Corporation  New Jersey (CMC-NJ) will be hosting its Get the Facts educational seminar for board members from 4:00PM - 6:00PM EDT on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.



The seminar will feature Associa CMC  NJ president, Michael Pesce, and JGS Insurance president, Vincent Hager. The presenters will provide information on association insurance and cover specific topics including:





Dening a covered cause of loss

How to handle damage caused by a common element

How to handle non-covered losses

Interior coverage: builders grade vs. custom

Additional coverage and exclusions

First and second party coverage discussion

Changing carriers: know what you are buying

Mitigating risk and exposure

CMC - NJ is dedicated to educating our board members and providing them with unparalleled training opportunities and resources to better serve their communities, stated Jeff Cirkus, CMC-NJ vice president. We encourage all board members to participate. To make it more convenient, you can join in-person or watch the presentation via webinar.



To register for the event please click HERE. For those attending in-person, check-in and refreshment service will begin at 3:15PM EDT.



With more than 180 branch offices across North America, Associa delivers unsurpassed management and lifestyle services to nearly five million residents worldwide. Our 10,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise and trailblazing innovation. For more than 40 years, Associa has provided solutions designed to help communities achieve their vision. To learn more, visit www.associaonline.com.



Stay Connected:

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associa

Subscribe to the Blog: https://hub.associaonline.com/

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/associa

Join us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/associaSource: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 23:58:38|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, presides over a symposium on pilot reform for construction project approval held in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, June 4, 2018. Han made a trip to Xiamen June 3-4 to inspect local administrative services and the business environment. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

XIAMEN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng has stressed the need for a wide-ranging reform of the construction project approval system.

Han, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a symposium on pilot reform for construction project approval held in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, on Monday.

Han said the construction project approval system needed to be thoroughly reformed, with success measured by the experience of market entities and the public.

"The pilot program for approval system reform should focus on key links, outstanding problems, and the procedures, information-sharing, mechanism and regulation methods for construction project approval should be unified," the vice premier said.

He ordered all government departments to jointly support and push forward the reform so it would be completed on time.

Han made a trip to Xiamen June 3-4 to inspect local administrative services and the business environment. He visited the city's administrative service center, an aircraft engineering company and a harbor in Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-05 23:58:38|Editor: yan

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ADEN, Yemen, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Warships of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition shelled several sites controlled by the Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen's western port city of Hodeidah on Tuesday evening, a government official told Xinhua.

The official, who asked not to be named, said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) operating as part of the Saudi-led coalition carried out the naval bombardment and targeted Houthi-controlled sites in AlHali area of Hodeidah province.

"Missiles fired by warships precisely targeted the Houthis sites and caused casualties among their ranks," the government source said.

Hodeidah-based residents said that huge explosions heard across the city as a result of the Saudi-led naval attacks that apparently hit arms caches.

The naval bombardment comes less than a week after a large-scale anti-Houthi military campaign carried out by Yemeni government troops and regained control over key areas in Hodeidah.

Local sources of the Southern Resistance Forces based in Hodeidah told Xinhua by phone that the naval attacks are considered as part of an intensifying campaign to kick the Houthis out from the whole province of Hodeidah in the next few days.

On Monday night, tens of members of the Iran-backed Houthis were killed in air raids carried out by the Arab coalition fighter jets and in clashes with the Joint Yemeni Resistance Forces in the Red Sea coast, bringing the death toll to more than 140 of the Houthi militiamen in the past two days.

The UAE state-run news agency WAM said that "the qualitative and devastating air strikes have weakened the military capabilities amid the accelerated field progress of Yemeni Resistance Forces towards Hodeidah Airport and its strategic port."

The Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Iranian-allied Houthi rebels since March 2015. More than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the war that displaced over 3 million and pushed the impoverished country into the brink of famine.

The anti-Houthi Arab coalition has sent hundreds of troops to the Yemeni western coast in preparation for the advancement into Houthi-held Hodeidah, a long-time key military target declared by the coalition.

The Saudi and Emirati backed Yemeni forces continued in making ground advancement during the battles with Houthis on Yemen's west coast near Hodeidah airport.

Hodeidah is a vital lifeline for the delivery of humanitarian supplies to the Houthi-controlled northern provinces, including the country's capital Sanaa.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 00:08:43|Editor: yan

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UNITED NATIONS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Tuesday picked Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, Ecuador's minister for foreign affairs and human mobility, to be its next president.

The 193-member General Assembly, one of the highest policy-making bodies at the United Nations, will have a woman presiding over it for the fourth time in UN history.

Garces beat Mary Elizabeth Flores Flake, permanent representative of Honduras to the United Nations, by 128-62 votes. She will succeed Slovakia's Miroslav Lajcak and preside over the 73rd session starting from September. The tenure is for a year.MOSCOW, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Benin have discussed strengthening trade, economic and humanitarian ties, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, on a working visit to Benin's largest city Cotonou, met with Beninese President Patrice Talon and held consultations with Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration Aurelien Agbenonci on Monday.

Both sides discussed training Beninese professionals, a mutually beneficial partnership in investment, and joint exploration and development of natural resources, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Bogdanov, who is also Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for the Middle East and Africa, exchanged views on current international and African issues with the Beninese side.

The diplomat explained Moscow's position on the settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process in Syria and Libya, and Iran's nuclear program, which were "well received" by the Beninese leaders, the ministry said.

The two sides also stressed their resolve to enhance political dialogue and coordinate positions at the United Nations and other international organizations.WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump is seriously considering separate trade talks with Canada and Mexico, White House National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said on Tuesday.

"His preference now, he asked me to convey this, is to actually negotiate with Mexico and Canada separately," Kudlow said in an interview with Fox News.

"He prefers bilateral negotiations... he hates large treaties. I know this is just three countries but still, you know, oftentimes when you have to compromise with a whole bunch of countries you get the worst of the deals," Kudlow said.

While Trump may be moving quickly toward these bilateral discussions instead of as a whole, the president doesn't plan to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), said the White House economic advisor.

"The president is not going to leave NAFTA. He's not going to withdraw from NAFTA. He's just going to try a different approach," Kudlow said, adding Trump would like to start that approach "rather quickly."

The move toward separate trade talks came after the Trump administration announced last week to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union (EU), Canada and Mexico.

Trade experts said the tariff restrictions will make the NAFTA talks more difficult and raise the risk of a tit-for-tat trade war between the United States and its major trading partners.

Talks on renegotiating the NAFTA began in August 2017 as Trump threatened to withdraw from the 23-year-old trade deal. The three countries remain divided over the rules of origin for autos and other issues following months-long negotiations.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 00:13:48|Editor: yan

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SHIJIAZHUANG, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua has called for better inspection of poverty-relief work to win the war on extreme poverty.

Hu, head of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, made the call during a three-day inspection of north China's Hebei Province, which ended Tuesday.

Hu said local authorities should regularly inspect poverty-relief work and press ahead with measures to make poverty-relief efforts more effective.

China had 30.46 million people categorized as poor at the end of 2017. The government is aiming to eradicate absolute poverty by 2020.

"China is in its final push to fight extreme poverty," Hu said,

He called on officials to enforce annual work plans, do more to motivate and help poor families, deal with undesirable work ethics, and crack down on poverty-relief corruption.

During his inspection, the vice premier went to the homes of poor villagers, held workshops with local officials, and inspected rural cooperatives and enterprises.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 00:18:50|Editor: yan

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SHANGHAI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- More than 300 university students from 30 countries and regions attended the International Student Conference Environment and Sustainability 2018 in Shanghai Tuesday, marking World Environment Day.

The summit, featuring the theme of "Less Plastic Pollution, Better City Life," offered young students a platform to share in various areas, including innovative thinking and best practices on sustainable development, education, eco-cities, wildlife and green lifestyles.

This Conference is co-hosted by Tongji University, the United Nations Environment Programme, Xinhua News Agency and Beijing Environment Foundation for Young Talents.

Erik Solheim, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, praised the Chinese government for doing more on solving plastic pollution, while conveying welcome remarks to the conference by video.

He also encouraged young students to live a greener lifestyle and reduce the use of plastic.

The summit was first held in 2011 to build a platform to gather young students worldwide and discuss globally-important environmental and sustainable development issues.

The conference will last until Thursday.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 00:28:54|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects preparation for the annual national college entrance exam (the gaokao), at the National Education Examinations Authority, in Beijing, capital of China, June 5, 2018. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan emphasized fairness Tuesday as she inspected preparation for the annual national college entrance exam (the gaokao).

Sun, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited the National Education Examinations Authority, which serves as the command center for the exam, scheduled to take place later this week.

About 9.75 million students have registered this year, the highest in eight years.

"The gaokao is a crucial system to ensure equality in education," Sun said. "The system is tasked with the important mission to educate and pick talent for the state."

She said the latest round of college entrance reforms since 2014 had yielded positive progress, addressing prominent public concerns such as rote learning and test-oriented education.

She said the gaokao would continue to reform exam content and emphasize overall competency. College enrollment would keep expanding to encourage all-round and individualized development of students.

Sun told governments at all levels that ensuring a safe and fair exam was a "major political responsibility." Strict measures should be taken to prevent cheating. Government departments in charge of traffic, security and health should all be mobilized to create a good exam environment for students.

"Paper grading and enrollment should be done in an open and fair manner and should be subject to public supervision," she said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 00:28:55|Editor: Liangyu

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Rescuers are seen at the site of the iron mine blast in Benxi City of northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 5, 2018. Eleven people were killed and nine injured in an iron mine blast in Benxi, local authorities said Tuesday. A total of 25 people are still trapped in the iron mine. Rescue work is underway. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

SHENYANG, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Eleven people were killed and nine injured in an iron mine blast in northeast China's Liaoning Province, local authorities said Tuesday.

Twenty-five people are still trapped in the iron-ore mine, which was constructed by Huamei Group in Benxi City, with 23 able to contact rescuers outside.

The blast occurred at around 4:10 p.m. Tuesday when miners dropped explosives down the 1,000-meter-deep mine shaft.

The injured have been sent to hospital for medical treatment. The country's Ministry of Emergency Management and the municipal government of Benxi have dispatched rescue teams to the site.

As of 10 p.m., the electricity and ventilation systems in the mine had been recovered, with rescuers repairing the underground lift systems.

Rescue work is underway.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 00:28:56|Editor: yan

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UNITED NATIONS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Tuesday picked Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, Ecuador's minister for foreign affairs and human mobility, to be its next president.

The 193-member General Assembly, one of the highest policy-making bodies at the United Nations, will have a woman presiding over it for the fourth time in UN history.

Garces beat Mary Elizabeth Flores Flake, permanent representative of Honduras to the United Nations, by 128-62 votes. She will succeed Slovakia's Miroslav Lajcak and preside over the 73rd session starting from September. The tenure is for a year.

"We have the challenge of building a stronger and more efficient organization," Garces said after winning the election, adding that "strengthening multilateralism is not an option, it is an obligation."

"Therefore, it is urgent that the United Nations show the capacity to respond to the main global challenges, and that the organization is brought closer to the people, connecting its decisions directly to its beneficiaries, the citizens of the world," she noted.TORONTO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Summer Fun Guide (https://www.summerfunguide.ca/), Ontario's online tourism directory, lists thousands of things to do and places to stay in Ontario. Some of them are ONLY found in Ontario, with distinct qualities and characteristics that arent duplicated anywhere else in the world. Nine are highlighted below.

Ontario is currently a hot tourist destination, appearing on best of lists around the world. The province offers something for every taste and interest, ranging from big, cosmopolitan cities like Toronto and Ottawa, to small, quaint towns like St Jacobs, with its Mennonite farms and buggies, and the Muskoka Lakes Region, recognized by National Geographic Traveler as one of the best places to visit in the world. Whether you are visiting the province, or living in it, you will not believe how much Ontario has to offer. Thats why Summer Fun Guides easy-to-use online guide is set up to help people find great attractions, festivals, resorts and things to do in Ontario. Sometimes, it is cool to see things that are only in the place you are visiting, so Summer Fun Guide has created a list of 9 must-sees that can only be found in Ontario.

"Until we started Summer Fun Guide, we had no idea how much there was to see and do in Ontario, some of it right in our back yard! You dont need to travel the world to find special things - there are several attractions that are entirely unique to Ontario," says Shari Wert, one of the publishers of Summer Fun Guide, "This list is for people who want to have fun, in a place unlike anywhere else in the world," says co-publisher Elisa Morton Palter.

Below you can find the list of 9 Cool Things that are only in Ontario:

Casa Loma - North Americas only real, full size castle (Toronto) Fort William Historical Park - Worlds largest fur trade post. (Thunder Bay  Northern Ontario) Goderich - Named the prettiest town in the world by Communities in Bloom and prettiest town in Canada by Queen Elizabeth II respectively. (SW Ontario) Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve-- "Walk in the Clouds" through the treetops on the world's longest canopy walkway. (Haliburton  Central Ontario) Owen Sound Emancipation Festival- The oldest Emancipation Festival on the continent, (long weekend in August) based in Owen Sound, the last stop of the Underground Railway (SW Ontario) Royal Botanical Gardens The largest collection of lilacs in the world, RBG is also the largest botanical garden in Canada with 2700 acres of stunning gardens & beautiful sanctuaries. Rideau Canal - UNESCO World Heritage Site - The oldest continuously operated canal in North America; the locks work today much as they did when first opened in 1832. (Ottawa) Cornwall - One of the world's best fresh-water diving destinations with shipwrecks, ruins, and spectacular underwater activity. (Eastern Ontario) Ontarios Greenbelt - Worlds largest permanently protected greenbelt (almost 2 million acres)larger than Prince Edward Island! (Extends north to Tobermory and stretches 325 km from Rice Lake in Northumberland County to the Niagara River.)

About Summer Fun Guide: Looking for things to do or places to stay in Ontario? Summer Fun Guide has thousands of Attractions, Events, Activities and Accommodations in Ontario, online and published annually in print. For easy reference, the guide is divided into 7 Ontario regions, with up to 16 categories in each, such as Accommodations, Museums, Sightseeing Tours, Attractions, Outdoor Adventures, and more. The online directory has a festival & event calendar searchable by date and by town/city. It also has helpful travel information, dozens of valuable coupons and a personal Summer Fun Itinerary feature. The print edition is available May long weekend at ONroute Service Centres, Longos Stores, Tourism Info Centres and other locations, free, while supplies last. From beaches to boat cruises, to rafting and more, the Summer Fun Guide has everything you need to plan a week-long holiday, day trip or fun getaway in Ontario. Visit https://www.summerfunguide.ca/ and start planning your next Ontario adventure.

Contact Information

Contact:

Summer Fun Guide

Elisa Palter or Shari Wert, Publishers

Phone: 416.385.1551

Toll-Free: 1-866-385-1550

www.summerfunguide.ca

info@summerfunguide.caADDIS ABABA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A lakeside baptism in Ethiopia ended in tragedy after a crocodile killed a Christian priest initiating the ritual, an Ethiopian official said on Tuesday.

Shimelis Zenebe, Director General of the Abaya National Park in Southern regional state, said the victim was conducting a baptism ceremony for the faithful on Sunday afternoon when he was attacked by the crocodile, local media outlet Sheger radio reported.

He said the lake's recent decreases in fish population, a staple food of crocodiles, have prompted the normally water-bound reptiles to prey on animals near the lake.

Residents were only able to recover the mangled body of the priest and the crocodile escaped.

Lake Abaya that covers an area of 1,162 square kilometers is known to have a large population of crocodiles.

Ethiopia is a highly religious country, with around two thirds of its 100 million population describing themselves as Christians of various denominations.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 00:33:59|Editor: yan

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BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov will pay a state visit to China from June 6-10, during which he will also attend the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Born in the Osh region in 1958, Jeenbekov graduated from the Kyrgyz Agricultural Institute in 1983 and worked in agricultural institutions in Osh between 1983 and 1996.

He was elected to parliament in 1996 and served as vice chairman and chairman of the house agriculture committee.

In 2007, he was appointed minister of agriculture, water resources and processing industry.

In 2010, he was elected governor of Osh.

In 2015, he was appointed director of the State Personnel Service.

In March 2016, he was appointed first deputy director of the presidential administration.

In April 2016, he became prime minister.

On Oct. 15, 2017, he was elected president of Kyrgyzstan and took office on Nov. 24. His term ends in 2023.

Jeenbekov attended the Summer Davos in China's northern city Tianjin in June 2016.BRUSSELS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- India, Belgium and the European Union are jointly organizing events in the Belgian capital and across the country to celebrate the 4th International Day of Yoga, it was announced on Tuesday.

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend a special yoga session on June 21 at the European Parliament, led by renowned Indian yoga guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

The Embassy of India in Brussels, in association with local authorities and yoga foundations, is organizing "Brussels Yoga Day" events at the city's Bois de la Cambre park on June 24.

Celebrated Indian violinist Ambi Subramaniam, accompanied by a highly acclaimed classical music troupe from India, will be performing on the occasion.

Several parks in Brussels will also host mass yoga sessions open to the public, as will other Belgian cities such as Antwerp, Leuven, Durbuy, Mons and Enghien.

In 2014, the UN designated June 21 as International Day of Yoga.NICOSIA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus is to undertake an international initiative to face climatic changes and their effects in the Mediterranean, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Tuesday.

His statement came 24 hours after parts of Cyprus suffered a heavy hailstorm which wiped out cultivation and turned the peaks of the Troodos central massif into a winter landscape in summertime.

A Cypriot specialist said at the end of last week that hailstorms which lasted for eight days in a row were the direct results of climatic change of which Cyprus bears visible evidence in the form of less winter rain and desertification.

Anastasiades said in a written statement that the initiative was decided at a special meeting on the occasion of World Environment Day.

"The lines were decided for Cyprus to play a coordinating role in efforts by countries in the region to face climatic change and its effects in the Mediterranean Sea," the statement said.

It added that Cyprus will act in the context of international cooperation for the promotion of a climatic change plan which is has already submitted for the reduction of greenhouse effect gas.

Authorities said the latest hailstorm hit seven mountain agricultural communities, completely destroying fruit and vegetable cultivations.

Agricultural union officials said the trees will need special attendance as it would be doubtful whether they will bear fruit next year.MOGADISHU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and several others injured after al-Shabab militants ambushed a military convoy near Balad town, about 30 km north of the Somali capital Mogadishu, officials said Tuesday.

Police officer who did not want to be named told Xinhua that the Tuesday attack targeted a convoy carrying regional lawmakers and other government officials near Balad town in Middle Shabelle region, southern Somalia.

"Five people were killed in the attack including regional Members of Parliament and soldiers. The casualties could rise," the officer said.

Residents said they heard blasts and gunfire at the area. "We heard explosions followed by huge gunfire, we learnt a convoy hit by al-Shabab attack," a resident Nur Aways told Xinhua.

Al-Shabab militants have claimed responsibility for the attack.ADDIS ABABA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Executive Committee of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), Ethiopia's ruling party, announced on Tuesday it is committed to an unconditional implementation of peace agreement with arch rival Eritrea.

In a press statement, the EPRDF Executive Committee said Ethiopia is committed to the unconditional implementation of the December 2001 Algiers agreement, which gave the symbolically important town of Badme to Eritrea.

A border dispute between Ethiopia and its northern neighbor Eritrea led to a bloody two-year border war between 1998 and 2000, 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.

Ethiopia has until now insisted on the need for negotiations with Eritrea to come first before implementing the Algiers peace agreement.

Eritrea for its part has insisted the border demarcation has to be done first before any talks on normalizing ties.BELGRADE, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The airspace of Montenegro will in future be "protected and patrolled" by Air Forces of Italy and Greece within the newly-launched NATO Air Policing mission, Montenegro's Defense Minister Predrag Boskovic announced Tuesday.

According to the Defense Ministry, at the military airport in Golubovci, 5 km from the capital of Podgorica, Boskovic together with Brigadier General Roberto di Marco and Major General Silvano Frigerio attended a demonstration of a landing of an "aircraft-intruder".

RTCG, public broadcaster of Montenegro, reported that the aircraft used as the "intruder" for the Tuesday's show at Golubovci airfield was actually an aircraft of the Montenegrin government.

The ceremony also marked the first anniversary of Montenegro's membership in NATO.

He thanked Italy and Greece "who accepted to protect Montenegro's airspace on behalf of all other members of the Alliance".

The NATO Air Policing is a mission that aims "to provide the integrity of the airspace of allied states and their protection through ongoing patrols under the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (NATINAMDS)".

The Defense Ministry said: "Given its limited capacities, Montenegro will receive support from allies in the field of airspace protection through the NATO mission of non-combat character, for which Montenegro will have no additional financial obligations other than those already foreseen in the joint NATO budget."ADDIS ABABA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A draft bill to ratify an agreement on establishing legalized domestic employment scheme with Saudi Arabia was tabled to the Ethiopian House of People's Representatives (HoPR) on Tuesday.

The agreement, which was signed between the two governments on May 25 in Jeddah, mainly aimed to recruit Ethiopian domestic workers to Saudi Arabia.

The bill, which is yet to be ratified by the HoPR, Ethiopian parliament's lower house, came shortly after Saudi Arabia's recent move to extradite undocumented migrants.

Saudi Arabia in February revealed that it had arrested some 671,200 foreign workers in four months in a major crackdown on illegal laborers, in which Ethiopian illegal settlers were said to represent close to 32 percent, next to nationals of Yemen at 65 percent.

According to the latest agreement signed by the two countries, the Ethiopian government will send qualified domestic workers and ensure that they have no criminal record.

The draft bill that was tabled to the HoPR on Tuesday also indicated that the two governments should "work together in a mutually acceptable recruitment system for Ethiopian domestic system in Saudi Arabia pursuant to the applicable laws, rules and regulations of both countries."

The bill, in order to avoid the suffering of Ethiopians' who travelled to Saudi Arabia via illegal routes with the help of human traffickers, called on the two governments to ensure the recruitment of Ethiopian domestic workers through recruitment agencies or companies.Members of the special purpose division demonstrate a "fight with a group of terrorists" during a show for townspeople in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, August 13, 2017. (REUTERS PHOTO)

MOSCOW, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had detained 11 members of a religious cell in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk suspected of recruiting militants for terrorist groups in Syria and Afghanistan.

According to a statement of the Krasnoyarsk regional FSB division, quoted by TASS news agency, the members of the cell are suspected of carrying out propaganda of terrorism in the region.

Two members of the cell, who came to Krasnoyarsk from Kyrgyzstan, are suspected of organizing a channel for transferring radical-minded individuals to territories under the control of international terrorists, the statement said.

The leader of the cell had established a direct telephone connection with members of terrorist organizations, it said.

The FSB discovered and seized forbidden religious literature belonging to the cell.

The regional FSB division brought criminal charges against two organizers of the cell on the grounds of "preparation for participation in the activities of the organization, which by law is considered terroristic" and "promotion of terrorist activities."Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 02:24:30|Editor: Liu

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TEHRAN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran's atomic chief said here Tuesday that the Islamic republic is preparing the infrastructure for building advanced centrifuges, Press TV reported.

The work has begun at Iran's Natanz enrichment facility, observing the country's commitments to 2015 nuclear deal, Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said.

"Yesterday, we took the first step and submitted a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the start of certain activities. We started to take necessary practical measures today," Salehi was quoted as saying.

"If conditions are ripe, I may explain tomorrow night at Natanz one of the projects we have in mind, which is a center for the production of new centrifuges," he said.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday ordered the AEOI to prepare for the enrichment of uranium up to a level of 190,000 SWU (separative work units).

Khamenei issued the order in a televised speech at the ceremony held at the Imam Khomeini Mausoleum in southern Tehran to commemorate the 29th anniversary of the passing away of Imam Khomeini, founder of the Islamic republic.

SWU is the standard measure of the effort required to separate isotopes of uranium during an enrichment process. 1SWU is equivalent to 1 kilogram of separative work.

Developing such infrastructure would move along quickly, Salehi said Tuesday, adding that "If we were progressing normally, it would have taken six or seven years, but this will now be ready within weeks and months."

None of the measures Tehran is taking will violate the terms of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), he said. "Iran's nuclear activities will be peaceful," Salehi was quoted as saying by official IRNA news agency.

AEOI is pursuing two major goals supplying nuclear electricity and fuel for nuclear power plants, he added.

Iran is negotiating with the European countries on preserving the JCPOA, after the U.S. withdrawal in May.

On Monday, Khamenei said that it seems "some European governments expect the Iranian nation to both put up with sanctions and give up its nuclear activities."

The Iranian leader said Iran would not tolerate sanctions nor undergo "nuclear austerity."

He ordered the AEOI to immediately prepare the ground for the uranium enrichment "up to a level of 190,000 SWU for the time being within the framework of the nuclear deal."

Based on the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran can enrich uranium up to the level of 3.5 percent, which represents low-enriched uranium.

The spokesperson for the AEOI Behrouz Kamalvandi said the organization is starting a process to boost the country's capacity to enrich uranium following an order by Khamenei, according to Tasnim news agency on Tuesday.

Iran will inform the IAEA of the start of the process to increase the capacity to produce uranium hexafluoride (UF6), a chemical compound which serves as feedstock for centrifuges, he was quoted as saying.

Kamalvandi said that under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was supposed to achieve an enrichment capacity of at least 190,000 SWU by the end of the 15th year since the nuclear deal took effect in January 2016.

Achieving the 190,000-SWU enrichment capacity means increasing efforts to set up workshops and factories and providing the infrastructure and other arrangements necessary for moving forward at a high speed and capacity, the spokesperson added.

Tehran has threatened that, in case other parties to the nuclear deal could not safeguard Iran's interests under the accord, Iran will move out of it and resume its nuclear activities at full speed.English Norwegian

In a meeting in the Corporate Assembly of Equinor ASA (OSE:EQNR, NYSE:EQNR) on 5 June 2018 Anne Drinkwater and Jonathan Lewis were elected as new members to Equinor's board of directors.

Furthermore, the nomination committee re-elected Jon Erik Reinhardsen as chair and Roy Franklin as deputy chair of the board in addition to re-election of Jeroen van der Veer, Wenche Agerup, Bjrn Tore Godal and Rebekka Glasser Herlofsen as shareholder-elected members of the board of directors.

Anne Drinkwater was employed with BP in the period 1978 to 2012, holding a number of different leadership positions in the company. In the period 2009 to 2012 she was chief executive officer of BP Canada. A British citizen, she has extensive international experience, including being responsible for operations in the US, Norway, Indonesia, the Middle East and Africa. Through her career Drinkwater has acquired a deep understanding of the oil and gas sector, holding both technical roles, and more distinct business responsibilities.

In recent years she has served on the board of Tullow Oil plc in England and Aker Solutions ASA in Norway. She has now stepped out of these boards. Through her role as managing director of BP Norway and board position at Aker Solutions she has acquired a good understanding of the Norwegian oil and gas sector.

Jonathan Lewis joined as Chief Executive Officer to Capita in December 2017; having previously spent 30 years working for large multi-national companies in technology-enabled industries. Lewis came to Capita from Amec Foster Wheeler plc, a global consulting, engineering and construction company, where he was CEO from 2016-2017. Prior to this, he held a number of senior leadership positions at Halliburton, where he was employed in the period 1996 to 2016. Lewis has a PhD, Reservoir Characterisation. A British citizen, he has broad international experience, including from Norway.

Lewis has previously held several directorships within technology and the oil and gas industry and has an existing board membership with Heriot-Watt University, Industrial Advisory Board.

The election of shareholder-elected members to the board of directors enters into effect from 1 July 2018 and is effective until the ordinary election of shareholder-elected members to the board of directors in 2019.

Contacts:

Tone Lunde Bakker, chair of the nomination committee

All enquiries to be directed through Equinor Corporate Press Office, Bard Glad Pedersen, +47 918 01 791.

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 02:29:31|Editor: yan

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TEHRAN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iranian lawmaker on Tuesday expressed doubts that his country's negotiations with the European parties over the 2015 nuclear deal would yield positive results.

"The prospect of the talks with the Europeans shows that the situation is not promising," Spokesperson of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Hossein Naqavi Hosseini told Tasnim news agency on Tuesday.

Iran should not waste time waiting for required action from such governments, Naqavi Hosseini said.

Iran is currently negotiating with European countries on preserving the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), after the U.S. pullout in May.

On Monday Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that it seems "that some European governments expect the Iranian nation to both put up with sanctions and give up its nuclear activities."

"I tell those (European) governments that this bad dream will never come true," Khamenei said.

The Iranian leader said Iran would not tolerate sanctions nor undergo "nuclear austerity."

Naqavi Hosseini said Tuesday "the United States brazenly violated the JCPOA and unilaterally withdrew from it."

After their move, the Iranian administration should have taken a reciprocal measure but considered a delay in action to allow for talks with the Europeans countries, he added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 02:44:35|Editor: Chengcheng

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Turkish Ambassador to Iraq Fatih Yildiz speaks at a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 5, 2018. Fatih Yildiz Tuesday confirmed that Iraq should not fear from the filling of the reservoir of a massive dam on Tigris River, saying the flowing of water will continue sufficiently. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

BAGHDAD, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish ambassador to Baghdad Tuesday confirmed that Iraq should not fear from the filling of the reservoir of a massive dam on Tigris River, saying the flowing of water will continue sufficiently.

In a press conference at Turkish embassy in Baghdad, Ambassador Fatih Yildiz told reporters "filling the reservoir of Ilisu Dam will take nearly a year, and sufficient quantities of water would continue to flow to Iraq."

Yildiz said that the Iraqi-Turkish joint committee agreed on May 15 on the quantities of water that would flow from the dam, denying local reports that said the water will cut completely.

Turkey had informed Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi during his visit to Turkey last October that the reservoir of the dam will be filled in March, but the date was postponed to June after discussion with the Iraqi Minister of Water Resources Hassan al-Janabi during his visit to Turkey, Yildiz said.

Turkey started to fill the reservoir of Ilisu Dam on Friday, and immediately the water level sharply decreased in Mosul, Salahudin and the Iraqi capital Baghdad, raising fears among Iraqis that severe draught could hit their areas and farms.

A video shared on social media showed people walking across the Tigris River in Baghdad, where the water is barely deeper than knee-level.

Riyadh Ezal-Den, head of Mosul Dam in northern Iraq, told local media on Saturday "the storage of water in the reservoir of the dam has reduces by more than three billion cubic meters compared with its level last year of more than eight billion cubic meters."

The water reached Mosul Dam from Turkey has reduced by around half of its normal level, Ezal-Den said.

In a press conference on Saturday, Janabi tried to play down fears of Iraqis from lower level of water flow in Tigris River from neighboring Turkey, saying that despite the reduction of water flow, Iraq has enough drinking water, as well as enough water to irrigate summer corps and orchards.

Janabi urged the Iraqi people to take precautions and store water to face possible crisis.

"The level of water in most areas of Iraq decreased because of natural scarcity of water due to insufficient snow cover and rain," Janabi said.

Yildiz told reporters that the dam was built to produce electricity after filling the reservoir, confirming that his country would not take unilateral decision "because Turkey considers the water is shared with neighboring countries," with dialogue and meetings continuing between the two sides.

Ilisu Dam was built in 2006 on the Tigris River near the village of Ilisu. It is one of the 22 dams of the Southeastern Anatolia Project. Its purpose is hydroelectric power production, flood control and water storage.NAIROBI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A light aircraft with ten people onboard, which was flying from Kitale town in western Kenya to Nairobi, went missing on Tuesday, the country's aviation authorities have confirmed.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director General Gilbert Kibe said the Cessna C208 flight was last seen on radar at 2:02 p.m.

Sources within the aviation industry said the aircraft is suspected to have crashed at round 5 p.m., about 40 km after taking off from Kitale to Nairobi.

A search and rescue team has been dispatched but sources said the operation has been hampered by poor visibility in the area, which was not disclosed.

Kibe said a search and rescue mission was launched Tuesday evening following reports it had gone missing.

Preliminary reports showed the plane had ten people on board -- eight passengers and two crew. The identities of the passengers were not made public.

Industry sources said the aircraft had earlier flown to Homa Bay in Western Kenya and Maasai Mara in southwest Kenya and was making last journey from Kitale to the city when it went missing.

Emergency service providers at Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport said "we're mobilized to help tracing the missing caravan."TUNIS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia announced Tuesday the strengthening of security forces on the Kerkennah Islands off Tunisia's southeastern coast after a migrant boat sank and 58 died.

Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed made the announcement during his visit to Kerkennah, two days after the incident in which 68 others were rescued.

"The decision to strengthen the security on the islands dates back to last October," Chahed said, regretting "some delay in the execution."

Interior Ministry Spokesman Khalifa Chibani said Tunisian security forces intercepted eight individuals involved in planning this illegal transporting of migrants.

"Merchants, who manipulate our youth, must be prosecuted to pay their responsibility," added Chahed.

Kerkennah is known as one of the main illegal gateways to Europe from Tunisia. Since the beginning of this year, about 1,910 Tunisian migrants have reached Italy by sea, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Figures showed that 9,329 Tunisians attempted to cross the Mediterranean in 2017, with 34 percent intercepted by Tunisian maritime forces, said the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights.WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday the State Department had established a task force to deal with alleged health incidents of government personnel, family members overseas.

In a statement, Pompeo said the Health Incidents Response Task Force was established at his request by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan on May 23, in a bid "to direct a multi-agency response to the unexplained health incidents that have affected a number of U.S. government personnel and family members stationed overseas."

The task force serves as the coordinating body for the State Department and interagency activities, including identification and treatment of affected personnel and family members, investigation and risk mitigation, messaging, and diplomatic outreach, Pompeo noted.

The task force includes interagency forces, such as the Departments of Health and Human Services, Commerce, Justice, Defense and Energy, as well as other members of the foreign affairs community.

He also said that currently, 24 U.S. government personnel and family members who served in Cuba have been medically confirmed as "having symptoms and clinical findings similar to those noted following concussion or minor traumatic brain injury."

These people "have been directed to alert their mission's medical unit if they note new onset of symptoms that may have begun in association with experiencing unidentified auditory sensations," said Pompeo, adding that reported symptoms have included dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, cognitive issues, visual problems, ear complaints and hearing loss, and difficulty sleeping.

Over 20 U.S. diplomats suffered from what Washington called "acoustic attacks" between November 2016 and August 2017. The incidents led to the partial closure of the U.S. embassy in Havana, expulsion of 15 Cuban diplomats who worked at the embassy in Washington, and a halt in issuing U.S. visas in Havana.

Cuba rejected the accusation, initiated an investigation, and urged the United States to present evidence of the alleged attacks.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 03:19:45|Editor: Li Xia

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Photo taken on June 6, 2018 shows the Capella Hotel on Singapore's Sentosa Island. U.S. President Donald Trump and top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un will meet at the Capella Hotel on Singapore's Sentosa Island, the White House said on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Then Chih Wey)

WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un will meet at the Capella Hotel on Singapore's Sentosa Island, the White House said on Tuesday.

"The venue for the Singapore summit between @POTUS and Leader Kim Jong Un will be the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island," White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders tweeted.

"We thank our great Singaporean hosts for their hospitality," she added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump said that his planned meeting with Kim will "hopefully be the start of something big."

The White House said Monday that the meeting is tentatively scheduled for 9:00 a.m. (0100 GMT) on June 12 in Singapore.

After recent twists and turns, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week met with Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the DPRK's ruling Workers' Party of Korea, in New York.

On Friday, Trump too talked with Kim Yong Chol who delivered a personal letter from Kim Jong Un in a meeting that lasted almost two hours.

Subsequently, Trump said he would meet with the top DPRK leader on June 12 in Singapore as originally scheduled.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 03:29:50|Editor: Chengcheng

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Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, president-elect of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, speaks to journalists during a press encounter at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 5, 2018. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Tuesday picked Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, Ecuador's minister for foreign affairs and human mobility, to be its next president. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Tuesday picked Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, Ecuador's minister for foreign affairs and human mobility, to be its next president.

The 193-member General Assembly, one of the highest policy-making bodies at the United Nations, will have a woman presiding over it for the fourth time in UN history.

Garces beat Mary Elizabeth Flores Flake, permanent representative of Honduras to the United Nations, by 128-62 votes. She will succeed Slovakia's Miroslav Lajcak and preside over the 73rd session starting from September. The tenure is for a year.

"We have the challenge of building a stronger and more efficient organization," Garces said after winning the election, adding that "strengthening multilateralism is not an option, it is an obligation."

"Therefore, it is urgent that the United Nations show the capacity to respond to the main global challenges, and that the organization is brought closer to the people, connecting its decisions directly to its beneficiaries, the citizens of the world," she noted.

Highly commending what the General Assembly has achieved under the leadership of Miroslav Lajcak and extending his warm congratulations to the president-elect, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that "it has been more than a decade since a woman has served as president of the General Assembly, when Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa of Bahrain was president of the 61st session."

"The world faces urgent and complex challenges, from churning conflicts to rising inequality and the deepening impacts of climate change," the UN chief noted.

"This Assembly, the global town hall, has a vital role to play in debating the issues and, most of all, in delivering solutions that make a meaningful difference in people's lives," he added.

By tradition, the UN's regional groups nominate a single candidate who is then approved by the Assembly. But this year the election was being contested for the first time since 1991, because Latin American countries (LAC) couldn't agree on a nominee.

Lajcak invited both candidates to appear before the Assembly members for two hours on May 4 to present their vision for the presidency and answer questions from diplomats and civil society representatives.

The issues raised ranged from conflict prevention and financing UN goals for 2030 to ending poverty and preserving the environment to transparency in the president's office, UN reforms, and gender equality.

On the basis of geographical rotation, the LAC group claims this presidency, an elected high-ranking UN position which has been overwhelmingly dominated by men.

Since 1945, the Assembly has elected only three women (excluding Espinosa Garces) as presidents: Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit of India (1953), Angie Brooks of Liberia (1969) and Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa of Bahrain (2006). And that's three out of 72 presidents.

Espinosa Garces, born on September 7, 1964, is an Ecuadorian politician and diplomat. She was Minister of National Defense of Ecuador from November 2012 to September 2014. Currently, she is serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Lenin Moreno.

She also held several other ministerial posts before. She served as the Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations in Geneva from October 2014 to May 2017, and held the same position from 2008 to 2009. Besides her political career, she is also a poet and essayist.BERLIN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Attorneys of suspect Beate Zschaepe, charged with multiple murders, bombings and robberies that were carried out by the National Socialist Underground (NSU) between 1999 and 2007, on Tuesday pleaded her client as not guilty.

Her attorney Wolfgang Heer pleaded for the release of the 43-year-old, who is the last surviving member of the core NSU cell and the primary suspect in the trial that has been closely followed in Germany since the group was uncovered in 2011.

The NSU was responsible for the murders of nine migrants as well as a police officer, carried out three bombings in Nuremberg and Cologne, and committed a series of 15 armed robberies. German police failed for a long time to establish a connection between the brutal series of attacks and a singular extreme right-wing group and caused a crisis for German security politics.

The federal attorney has demanded a life-long sentence without the possibility of premature release for Zschaepe due to her alleged involvement.

In his plea, Zschaepe's attorney Heer said she had not planned any murders, had not procured any weapons, had not participated in the crimes as a whole and had "also not controlled the crimes of her friends Uwe Mundlos and Uwe Boehnhardt from the kitchen table."

He argued the maximum possible punishment for simple arson was compensated by the more than six years that Zschaepe has already spent in custody.

Prosecutors had said that Zschaepe did not carry out the murders herself, but she still carries full responsibility for them as the group's "co-founder, member and accomplice".

The high-profile trial will continue for several more days.(File Photo) In this file photo taken on January 20, 2014, unidentified International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors (2nd-3rd L) and Iranian technicians disconnect the connections between the twin cascades for 20 percent uranium production at nuclear power plant of Natanz, Iran. (AFP)

TEHRAN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iranian lawmaker on Tuesday expressed doubts that his country's negotiations with the European parties over the 2015 nuclear deal would yield positive results.

"The prospect of the talks with the Europeans shows that the situation is not promising," Spokesperson of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Hossein Naqavi Hosseini told Tasnim news agency on Tuesday.

Iran should not waste time waiting for required action from such governments, Naqavi Hosseini said.

Iran is currently negotiating with European countries on preserving the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), after the U.S. pullout in May.

On Monday Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that it seems "that some European governments expect the Iranian nation to both put up with sanctions and give up its nuclear activities."

"I tell those (European) governments that this bad dream will never come true," Khamenei said.

The Iranian leader said Iran would not tolerate sanctions nor undergo "nuclear austerity."

Naqavi Hosseini said Tuesday "the United States brazenly violated the JCPOA and unilaterally withdrew from it."

After their move, the Iranian administration should have taken a reciprocal measure but considered a delay in action to allow for talks with the Europeans countries, he added.MEXICO CITY, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said Tuesday that the tariffs being slapped by Mexico on the United States would have an economic impact of 3 billion U.S. dollars across a number of sectors.

"The value of the impact will be around 3 billion U.S. dollars, the list built by Mexico clearly goes to that level," Guajardo told a conference of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

On Tuesday, the Mexican government announced tariffs of between 15 and 25 percent on steel and agricultural products from the United States.

This included tariffs of 20 percent on imports of pork, as well as cranberries, apples and potatoes. Cheese and whisky have been hit for between 20 and 25 percent, while steel and aluminum products are affected by 15 to 25 percent tariffs.

Guajardo said that many of these products, such as pork and cheese, are on a sliding scale to allow producers to adjust their sources of income and gradually adopt alternative measures.

"Some of these issues will also have an impact on our allies. There are very important people in the United States who have pushed for a good NAFTA, including many friends in the agricultural sector," he added.

"We wanted to send a message that the impact will be contained...to give them time to express themselves to their own government...we hope to return to a situation of normality and find an agreement where everyone returns to the original position," he detailed.

Last Thursday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced that U.S. tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports would be applied to the EU, Canada and Mexico from June 1.

Mexico promised to retaliate with tariffs of its own as well as to lodge a petition to the WTO to resolve the conflict.English French

Press Release

EDF and McPhy have entered into a partnership agreement to develop carbon-free hydrogen in France and around the world

Industrial and commercial partnership agreement to develop carbon-free hydrogen in France and around the world



Investment by EDF Nouveaux Business of approximately 16 million in McPhy via a reserved capital increase



Strengthening McPhy's financial resources to support its growth and to leverage on EDF's strategic markets in order to accelerate its business development



New milestone for EDF in terms of its contribution to the energy transition with its expansion into carbon-free hydrogen solutions to develop in the medium term a carbon-free and competitive hydrogen fuel offering

Paris, La Motte-Fanjas, June 5, 2018 - 5:45pm - McPhy (Euronext Paris Compartment C: MCPHY, FR0011742329) a specialist in hydrogen production, storage and distribution equipment, and EDF Group, have entered into a partnership agreement to develop carbon-free hydrogen in France and around the world.

Cedric Lewandowski, EDF Group's Senior Executive Vice President in charge of Innovation, Strategy and Planning, commented: "We are delighted to announce this link-up with McPhy, a leading player in hydrogen and a group with which we have been working for several years. This partnership represents a first step that will enable EDF to speed up its expansion into this burgeoning new market that will create new jobs in France and around the world."

Pascal Mauberger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of McPhy, added: "We are very pleased to have sealed this partnership with EDF Group, a world leader in low-carbon energy. The deal represents a key new milestone in McPhy's development. With the additional financial resources EDF Group is bringing and its support, we will be able to accelerate the pace of our expansion, ramp up our business development and move into new markets. We wish to thank EDF Group for the trust it has shown in our technology and our production infrastructure for hydrogen-based solutions. From a personal perspective, I am very proud to be leading this new stage in McPhy's development."

Industrial and commercial partnership agreement to develop carbon-free hydrogen in France and around the world

Founded in 2008 and listed on Euronext, McPhy is a leading player in hydrogen. Its full range of solutions comprises electrolyzers, hydrogen refueling stations and storage facilities. McPhy covers the entire value chain from R&D through to engineering, manufacturing, production, operations and maintenance. McPhy possesses a highly skilled team of over 80 staff located mainly in France, Italy and Germany that meets the needs of the fast-expanding markets of carbon-free hydrogen for industry and mobility. By joining forces with EDF, which is set to become its core shareholder, McPhy is gaining additional resources that will help it finance its expansion. It will be able to leverage the benefits of EDF's position in its strategic markets in Europe, the United States and China and count on its active support. The aim is for McPhy to ramp up its business development and win new customers in France and around the world.

EDF's goals lie in the development of a carbon-free and competitive range of hydrogen solutions, primarily for industrial and mobility clients, by drawing on its industry partners and the momentum built up by specific regions. The Group has already been active on the R&D front for more than 15 years in hydrogen, including electrolyzers and vehicle refueling stations, at its EIFER research center in Karlsruhe. In the continuity of its involvement to reduce the economy's carbon footprint and the Hydrogen plan announced by the French minister for the environmental transition on 1 June, EDF group's contribution to the energy transition has now gained a whole new dimension. By joining forces with McPhy, a leading player in hydrogen production, storage and distribution equipment, it will be able to play its part in developing carbon-free hydrogen.

McPhy's firm roots in France and beyond represent a crucial advantage. In France, McPhy is actively involved in rolling out hydrogen-based solutions. These include industrial projects, such as a 1 MW unit for GRTgaz in Fos-sur-Mer, and also mobility projects. Out of the 20 or so hydrogen stations in France, it has supplied equipment for 13. The company has also achieved commercial success on a number of fronts outside France. For example, it won a contract in China to deliver hydrogen production equipment for Jiantou Yanshan Wind Energy's 4 MW unit.

Thanks to McPhy's expertise, EDF will be able to offer its customers new services reducing their carbon footprint while enhancing their competitiveness. These skills in producing and marketing carbon-free hydrogen also dovetail perfectly with EDF Group's strategy in electromobility. Through this partnership, EDF is stepping up its commitment to fight global warming. EDF considers electrolytic hydrogen as a crucial means of reducing the carbon footprint of economic sectors (industry, mobility) when it is manufactured using carbon-free electricity, as it is the case with EDF's low carbon mix combining nuclear power and renewable energy.

Financial terms

EDF's investment will take place through a reserved capital increase by McPhy totalling around 16 million at a price of 5.10 per share (representing a discount of 4.2% compared with the average closing price for the last three months, of 5,32, and of 15% compared with the current price per share of 6.00), representing 3 137 250 new McPhy shares, around 21.7% of its share capital, and 20.4% of its voting rights. The capital increase remains contingent upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent, including shareholder approval at McPhy's general meeting on 26 June 2018, and the approval visa of the French financial market authority (AMF) upon the prospectus related to the capital increase. This should be finalized within days of this approval being obtained.

In addition, the appointments of two board members named by EDF Nouveaux Business will be proposed at McPhy's general meeting on 26 June 2018.

In addition, the appointments of two board members named by EDF Nouveaux Business will be proposed at McPhy's general meeting on 26 June 2018.

About McPhy

In the framework of the energy transition, and as a leading supplier of hydrogen production, storage and distribution equipment, McPhy contributes to the deployment of clean hydrogen throughout the world.

Thanks to its wide range of products and services dedicated to the hydrogen energy, zero emission mobility and industrial hydrogen markets, McPhy provides turnkey solutions to its clients. These solutions are tailored to our client applications: renewable energy surplus storage and valorization, fuel cell car refueling, raw material for industrial sites.

As a designer, manufacturer and integrator of hydrogen equipment since 2008, McPhy has three development, engineering and production units based in Europe (France, Italy, Germany).

The company's international subsidiaries ensure a global sales coverage of McPhy's innovative hydrogen solutions.

McPhy is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris (Segment C, ISIN code: FR0011742329; ticker: MCPHY).

McPhy est cote sur Euronext Paris (compartiment C, code ISIN : FR0011742329, code mnemonique : MCPHY).

McPhy Media relations



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Nicolas Merigeau

T. +33 (0)1 44 71 94 98

mcphy@newcap.eu











McPhy Investors relations



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Julie Coulot | Emmanuel Huynh

T. +33 (0)1 44 71 20 40

mcphy@newcap.eu







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@McPhyEnergy

About EDF Group

A key player in the energy transition, the EDF Group is an integrated electricity company, active in all areas of the business: generation, transmission, distribution, energy supply and trading, and energy services. A global leader in low-carbon energies, the Group has developed a diversified generation mix based on nuclear power, hydropower, new renewable energies and thermal energy. The Group supplies energy and services to approximately 35.1 million customers, including 26.5 million in France. The Group generated consolidated sales of 70 billion in 2017. EDF is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange.

EDF Media relations

EDF Group

T. +33 (0)1 40 42 46 37



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In accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055 of 29 June 2016 laying down implementing technical

standards with regard to the technical means for appropriate public disclosure of inside information and with Regulation (EU)

No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council, this press release may contain inside information and was

communicated to McPhy's licensed wire service at 06:15 pm CEST on June 5, 2018.CHICAGO, June 5 (Xinhua) -- China Hangzhou Tourism International Promotion Conference was held in Chicago on Monday, with the attendance of over 100 government officials and tourism industry representatives from the two countries.

Hangzhou, the iconic city located in east China, is a mixture of long Chinese history and culture, attractive landscape and modern city, Chinese Consul General in Chicago Hong Lei said, addressing the event.

"Welcome to Hangzhou, and I believe you will enjoy yourselves so much as to forget to go back," he told the participants.

Last year, over 5.6 million mutual visits were made across the Pacific, Hong said.

Understanding and friendship are the foundation of a good China-U.S. relationship, and tourism undoubtedly serves as a bridge to boost bilateral understanding, he added.

"I hope people-to-people exchange of this kind could go stronger, building a better and more prosperous future for bilateral relations," Hong said.

Wang Hong, visiting deputy mayor of Hangzhou, said that Hangzhou, which is actively promoting business cooperation worldwide, is "willing to strengthen cooperation with the city of Chicago in the fields of tourism, culture, trade and economy."

David Whitaker, president and CEO of Choose Chicago, the city's tourism marketing arm, said in his speech that Hangzhou is one of his favourite cities in China.

China now has become Chicago's fastest growing tourist source market, he said. "City of Chicago values the great potential of the Chinese market, so we welcome more Chinese tourists to Chicago."VALLETTA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Malta increased its marine protected areas by 20 percent to 4,138 square km, or about 35 percent of the country's territorial waters, Environment Minister Jose Herrera announced on Tuesday.

Addressing journalists, the minister said the decision was made after experts identified that a number of species are being threatened in their habitat.

The project, called LIFE BAHAR, also extended three offshore sites which had previously been designated as marine protection areas because of the presence of both loggerhead turtles and bottlenose dolphins.

"Now more than ever we are recognizing the need to preserve our seas which is our asset to be passed on to future generations," Herrera said, calling for more actions in combating littering.

According to the minister, 80 percent of marine litter was originated from land.KIGALI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The Rwandan government on Tuesday said the country recorded 373 million U.S. dollars in mineral exports earnings in 2017, surpassing the target of 240 million dollars.

Francis Gatare, chief executive officer of Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), made the remarks on the sidelines of the meeting of Rwanda mining sector players in the Rwandan capital Kigali.

"The mineral revenues recorder last year was fantastic. The growth was largely driven by very strong commodity prices on global market, good prices of new commodities particularly gold and gemstone," said Gatare.

Rwanda plans to install two mineral smelters to help add value to some of its minerals such as tin and coltan, he said.

The government plans to employ the separation technology in processing of coltan, wolfram and cassiterite that have been previously exported in raw form, according to Gatare.

He also said that the mining sector was targeting to generate at least 600 million dollars from mineral export in 2019.

Mining is Rwanda's second largest foreign exchange earner after tourism, according to Rwanda Development Board.

The small central African country has issued 548 mining permits to 213 registered mining entities, most of which cover surface areas averaging less than 4 hectares of land, according to RMB.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 04:40:13|Editor: Liangyu

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The United Nations special envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths speaks during a press conference at the Sanaa International Airport in Sanaa, Yemen, on June 5, 2018. Martin Griffiths left the Yemeni rebel-held capital Sanaa on Tuesday after three days of talks with dominant Houthi rebels. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed)

SANAA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, left the Yemeni rebel-held capital Sanaa on Tuesday after three days of talks with dominant Houthi rebels.

"Our talks with Houthi officials were fruitful," Griffiths told reporters at Sanaa airport. He declined to answer questions about any deal over handing over rebel-held Hodeidah port to the UN supervision.

"I have heard from many experts of their grave anxiety about an attack on Hodeidah and the significant and avoidable humanitarian consequences that would ensue. I am also concerned about the impact of such an attack on the political process," Griffiths said.

International humanitarian agencies have warned that an assault on Hodeida would be a major disaster to the densely populated port city and would block aid supplies to more than 20 million people.

On Monday, Griffiths met Houthi top official Mahdi al-Mashat, president of Houthi Supreme Political Council, to discuss possibilities of returning to the negotiation table with their foe government of exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

"We keep one hand on the trigger of a gun, while the other extends for peace," al-Mashat was quoted by state rebel-held Saba new agency as saying to Griffiths.

Al-Mashat told Griffiths that "any papers presented at the negotiating table should provide for ending the foreign presence in Yemen," in reference to the Saudi-led coalition forces backing Hadi's government.

According to Houthi-controlled Saba news agency, al-Mashat also told Griffiths that "respecting sovereignty and independence of countries should be a starting point for any political process and negotiations in Yemen."

"Yemen is with peace, the peace of brave, if there is a serious intention from the other parties," al-Mashat told Griffiths, stressing that the "coalition forces should first withdraw from all Yemeni territory before resuming talks."

Griffiths reviewed his efforts to bridge gap between the rival Yemeni parties. He told al-Mashat that he would brief the Security Council on his efforts and results on June 19.

Meanwhile, senior Houthi officials dismissed reports of any deal to hand over Hodeidah port to the UN supervision to avert the port city from future assault from the coalition forces, according to Saba.

Griffiths arrived on Saturday in Sanaa, amid heavy military escalation from both rival forces near the Red Sea port city of Houthi-held Hodeidah, the key target of the coalition.

Death toll has topped 100 from both Houthi rebels and forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition over the past three days in battles about few kilometres away from Hodeidah.

Hodeidah is the only lifeline route of supplying imports and humanitarian aid to the northern Yemen, which is under control of Iranian-allied Houthi movement.

Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to roll back Shiite rebel gains and to restore President Hadi to Sanaa.

The war has killed over 10,000 people, mostly civilians, and forced 3 million out of their homes.HARARE, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Zimbabwean opposition MDC Alliance supporters on Tuesday took to the streets of the capital Harare demanding broader electoral reforms to ensure free and fair elections set for July 30.

The demonstrators marched from Africa Unity Square to the offices of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) where the party leadership presented a petition demanding reforms.

The supporters then proceeded to the presidential seat of power at Munhumutapa Building where officials also presented the 10-point petition to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa told supporters afterwards that his party will not participate in the election if their demand for a transparent vote is not addressed.

He said the party will stage more demonstrations to pile pressure on Mnangagwa and the ZEC to implement the reforms.

Among others, the opposition is demanding transparency in the printing of ballot papers by getting involved in the process, independent audit of the voters' roll, equitable media coverage for all political parties, diaspora vote and removal of military personnel at ZEC.

Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court last week ruled that Zimbabweans living outside the country can not vote in the July elections from their bases abroad.

This was after some Zimbabweans living abroad had brought an application before the court arguing that the constitution adopted in 2013 entitled them to vote from outside the country.

President Mnangagwa has also said his government does not have the capacity to conduct diaspora vote but promised that in the future those outside the country will be allowed to vote from their foreign bases.

ZEC has previously also dismissed the demand by the opposition to be involved in the printing of ballot papers, saying this was not provided for in the law.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 04:40:13|Editor: yan

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SANTIAGO, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Chile's economy grew by 5.9 percent in April, its best rate of expansion since 2012, the central bank said on Tuesday.

The growth was driven by the expansion in manufacturing, trade and services sectors, according to the bank.

This was also a positive year-on-year result since the Chilean economy contracted by 0.5 percent in April 2017.

Chile's key economic driver -- mining -- grew by 4.6 percent, helping the country beat growth expectations for the month, which had been set at 5.5 percent.

However, Finance Minister Felipe Larrain dismissed the expansion as being down to the mining sector alone.

"It is the non-mining sectors that are leading the growth," he said during a visit to a factory in Maipu, near Santiago.

These numbers contrast sharply with the country's performance in 2017, when it saw its worst GDP growth since 2009.

Chile has seen prolonged sluggish growth since 2013, largely due to the sustained low price of copper, its main export product.

Last week, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) raised its GDP prediction for the South American country in 2018 from 2.8 percent to 3.6 percent.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 05:00:16|Editor: yan

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WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank on Tuesday kept its growth forecasts for the global economy unchanged for this year and next year, but warned of a combination of considerable downside risks including escalating trade protectionism.

In its newly-released Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank said the global economy would grow 3.1 percent in 2018 before slowing to 3 percent in 2019, unchanged from its previous forecasts in January.

Growth in advanced economies is expected to moderate slightly to 2.2 percent in 2018 and further slow down to 2 percent next year, as central banks gradually remove monetary stimulus, according to the report.

Growth in emerging market and developing economies is projected to strengthen to 4.5 percent in 2018 before reaching 4.7 percent in 2019, as "the recovery in commodity exporters matures and commodity prices level off following this year's increase."

The World Bank upgraded its forecast for China's economic growth in 2018 to 6.5 percent, 0.1 percentage point higher than its January forecast. But the growth is estimated to edge down to 6.3 percent in 2019, as regulatory and macroprudential policies are expected to tighten and fiscal policy is anticipated to become less accommodative.

The Washington-based international lender also warned that global economic growth is facing "considerable downside risks."

"The possibility of disorderly financial market volatility has increased, and the vulnerability of some emerging market and developing economies to such disruption has risen," the World Bank said, noting trade protectionist sentiment has also mounted and policy uncertainty and geopolitical risks remain elevated.

"The probability of an abrupt slowdown in global growth has risen and could increase further if one or several downside risks materialize," said the lender.

In terms of trade policy, the World Bank said the outcome of some trade negotiations is still uncertain and "the risk of escalating trade restrictions has intensified," as new tariff announcements by the United States have led to retaliatory responses by major trading partners.

The report came after the Trump administration announced last week to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union (EU), Canada and Mexico, which has drawn strong opposition from the domestic business community and U.S. trading partners.

"A broad-based increase in tariffs worldwide would have major adverse consequences for global trade and activity," the World Bank said, adding the threat of substantial shifts in trade policies in major economies could also have negative consequences for financial markets and investment.A visitor enjoys photos of mural paintings from Dunhuang caves, China in exhibition held in Tel Aviv's on June 4. (Xinhua/Guo Yu)

JERUSALEM, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The photo exhibition themed "Cultural Exchange between Dunhuang and Silk Road" sparks strong interest of Israelis to learn Chinese culture and history.

A total of 30 high-resolution digital photos of mural paintings from Dunhuang caves, located in northwest China's Gansu Province, are presented in the exhibition opened on Monday in Tel Aviv's China Cultural Center.

These photos, contributed by China's Dunhuang Academy, vividly illustrate commercial and cultural exchanges among different countries and ethnic groups along the ancient Silk Road.

"Dunhuang is a key pass along the ancient Silk Road that served as the gateway to the western regions in ancient China," said Zhang Yuanlin, chief librarian and director of Center for Research on the Silk Road and Dunhuang of Dunhuang Academy.

"The prosperity in the Silk Road promoted exchanges between the Eastern and Western civilizations, enriched the cultural development of Chinese civilization, and allowed people to construct caves in Dunhuang from the fourth to the 14th centuries," Zhang said at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

"These caves have become a cultural treasury, a testimony to the fusion of diverse civilization along the Silk Road," he added.

It is the first time that photos of arts from Dunhuang caves are exhibited in Israel, said Zhang.

"Though it is a small-scale photo exhibition, Israelis are very active in asking questions and have great passion over Chinese culture, which surprises us very much," he said.

A photo named "the Mourning Scene of Princes from Various Countries" reflects close relations of China in Tang Dynasty (618-907) and foreign countries.

In the photo of "Double Flying Apsaras," one apsaras' body is slightly bent with her head tilted backwards, and the other is extending her arms with the body naturally positioned.

"It is extremely elegant and has a very interesting choice of color. If you look carefully, you cannot see any wings. They are definitely like a magic being. They are like floating in the air," said Matteo Compareti in an interview with Xinhua.

Compareti visited Dunhuang caves for the first time as early as in 1995. He said that Dunhuang is an amazing scenic spot where people could see all the caves and the exhibition has brought him back to more than 20 years ago. "I hope to visit Dunhuang again in the short coming future," said Compareti.

"It is a great opportunity for Israelis to come and see a small sample of what Dunhuang has offered to Israelis," Asaf Goldschmidt, foreign director of Confucius Institute at Tel Aviv University, told Xinhua.

Dunhuang is a beautiful and amazing place for both tourists and scholars, added Goldschmidt. "This is a great exhibition that Israelis should come, see and enjoy. And it is much more interesting if they go to China and visit the real thing."

The exhibition, which will last one week, is jointly held by China's Dunhuang Academy, Confucius Institute at Tel Aviv University and China Cultural Center in Tel Aviv.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 05:20:20|Editor: Chengcheng

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (R) meets with Prime Minister Sherif Ismail in Cairo, Egypt, on June 5, 2018. Sherif Ismail submitted his government's resignation to President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, the Egyptian presidential spokesman said Tuesday. (Xinhua/MENA)

CAIRO, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail submitted his government's resignation to President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, the Egyptian presidential spokesman said Tuesday.

The cabinet resignation came a few days after Sisi was sworn in at the parliament for a second four-year presidential term.

"The president assigned the government to act as caretaker and continue performing its duties until a new government is formed," presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

The Egyptian cabinet resignation is a traditional move in Egypt following a president's swearing-in.

Lawmaker Sayyid Abdel-Aal, head of leftist Tagammu Party, said that the president will name a prime minister and present it to the parliament or name a prime minister after consultation with the majority of the parliament.

"After naming the prime minister, the latter will name the cabinet ministers expect for sovereign ministries, whose ministers are determined in consultation with the president," the lawmaker told Xinhua following the cabinet resignation.

The Egyptian government continues a strict, austerity-based three-year economic reform program which started in late 2016, including local currency liberalization followed by fuel and energy subsidy cuts and tax hikes to contain a budget deficit, promote local production and boost foreign investment.

Abdel-Aal didn't expect major changes in economic ministries.

"The new government will have to be committed to the economic policies already approved by the parliament and reflected in the new general budget," said the parliamentarian.

Egypt's most recent cabinet reshuffle took place in January. It was partial and it included the four ministers of culture, tourism, local development and public enterprise.Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 05:25:23|Editor: Liangyu

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks during a press conference in Warsaw, Poland, June 5, 2018. After a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda here on Tuesday, visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for more mutual trust among EU members. (Xinhua/Maciej Gillert)

WARSAW, June 5 (Xinhua) -- After a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda here on Tuesday, visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for more mutual trust among EU members.

During a joint press conference with Duda, Steinmeier said that what EU needed today was trust and a sense of unity between its members.

He added that the EU had to undertake constructive steps to overcome its crisis and remain an attractive option for future generations.

Duda said that he and Steinmeier expressed concerns that in some EU countries, the anti-European parties come to the fore.

He assured that public support for the EU was high in Poland. And Duda hoped that no centrifugal or anti-European movements in other countries will gain such advantages as to lead to disorganization of EU.

Steinmeier and his wife started a two-day visit in Poland on Tuesday in connection with this year's Polish independence centenary.

Duda thanked Steinmeier for coming to Warsaw as the first state leader who visits Poland in connection with the celebration of the century of regaining independence by Poland.

Expressing his satisfaction that he could celebrate Poland's independence centenary, Steinmeier said "For Germany, close and friendly relations with Poland, especially in the face of the dark chapter of our history, this is really invaluable."

Poland will celebrate the 100th anniversary of independence on Nov. 11 this year to commemorate the anniversary of the restoration of Poland's sovereignty in 1918.CHICAGO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Jewel-Osco joined forces to donate more than 35,000 pounds of protein to Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank. Smithfields contribution was part of the companys 2018 Helping Hungry Homes donation tour. Now in the programs 10th year, Helping Hungry Homes is Smithfields signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 143,000 servings, will help families fight hunger in Illinois.



We know there is enough food to feed every man, woman and child here in Northern Illinois, said Julie Yurko, President and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. And through our strong network of partners like Smithfield Foods and Jewel-Osco and donations like this, were able to close the meal gap a little more every year and get our neighbors the nutritious foods they need to grow and thrive.

At a time when the Food Depository is serving 1 in 6 people in Cook County, we are incredibly grateful for Smithfield Foods generosity, said Sheila Creghin, Food Depository vice president of operations. Together, we can ensure men, women and children in our community have food and hope.

Smithfield and Jewel-Osco representatives presented the donation to Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank at an event at a local Jewel-Osco store this morning. Members of the organizations discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation, which will provide protein throughout the food banks service areas, including 14 counties in Northern Illinois.

At Jewel-Osco, we feel supporting hunger relief is a natural fit, said Doug Cygan, president of Jewel-Osco. We are proud to support not only the area children in need, but the countless members of our community who are fighting every day to provide for themselves and their families.

This is the 28th large scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during its 2018 Helping Hungry Homes tour. Since the programs inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided more than 100 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide.

At Smithfield Foods, we hope to show our dedication to people in need by partnering with impactful partners like Northern Illinois Food Bank, Greater Chicago Food Depository and Jewel-Osco, said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. It is our privilege to take a stand against hunger in as many communities as possible, and we hope our donations are helpful to many individuals as we continue to contribute our time and donations across the country.

For more information about Smithfield Foods Helping Hungry Homes initiative and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, Farmer John, Kretschmar, John Morrell, Cook's, Gwaltney, Carando, Margherita, Curly's, Healthy Ones, Morliny, Krakus and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

About Northern Illinois Food Bank

Northern Illinois Food Bank leads the Northern Illinois community in solving hunger by providing nutritious meals to those in need through innovative programs and partnerships. Since 1983, food manufacturers, local grocers, corporations, foundations, and individuals have come together to donate food and funds, and evaluate and repack food for distribution to 800 community food pantries and feeding programs serving more than half a million hungry neighbors per year across 13 counties. That commitment provided 65.5 million meals to those in need in FY17. Find out how you can Volunteer, Donate and Get Involved at www.SolveHungerToday.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Northern Illinois Food Bank is a member of Feeding America.

Greater Chicago Food Depository

The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicagos food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository, founded in 1979, makes a daily impact across Cook County with a network of 700 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, mobile programs, childrens programs, older adult programs and innovative responses that address the root causes of hunger. Last year, the Food Depository distributed more than 71 million pounds of shelf-stable food, fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 164,000 meals every day. For more information, visit chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247-FOOD.

About Jewel-Osco

Jewel-Osco was founded in 1899 and is owned by New Albertsons, Inc. The grocery and drug retailer has 187 locations encompassing Illinois, Northwest Indiana and Iowa, and employs 31,000 associates. For more information log onto www.JewelOsco.com and follow on social media at Facebook.com/JewelOsco, Twitter.com/JewelOsco, Instragam.com/JewelOsco, Pinterest.com/JewelOscopr and YouTube.com/JewelOsco

Media Contacts:

Dalton Agency for Smithfield

Jana Beasley

(904) 534-8568

jbeasley@daltonagency.com Northern Illinois Food Bank

Elizabeth Gartman

(630) 443-6910 ext. 142

egartman@northernilfoodbank.org Jewel-Osco

Mary Frances Trucco

(312) 961-1681

MaryFrances.Trucco@JewelOsco.com

Greater Chicago Food Depository

Paul Morello

773-843-5498

pmorello@gcfd.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90ca435b-c9e2-4133-8712-02ddb8e35ff6Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 05:35:24|Editor: Yamei

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Photo taken on June 6, 2018, shows the ruins of a destroyed building hit by airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on June 6, 2018. Saudi-led coalition launched a series of airstrikes on the Yemeni capital on Tuesday evening, hours after UN special envoy Martin Griffiths left the rebel-held Sanaa following three days of talks. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed)

SANAA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Saudi-led coalition launched a series of airstrikes on the Yemeni capital on Tuesday evening, hours after UN special envoy Martin Griffiths left the rebel-held Sanaa following three days of talks.

The airstrikes hit the densely populated neighborhood of al-Jiraf, north of Sanaa, and Hadda in the south of the capital, according to Houthi-controlled Saba news agency and residents.

Ambulances could be heard in the streets as the targeted quarters were cordoned off by Houthi-controlled police forces.

There were no official reports yet of casualties among the residents, as officials said a building near a school was hit in Hadda and two other buildings were bombed in al-Jiraf.

But residents in social media reported many casualties among civilians.

Analyst Adel al-Assar of Sanaa-based daily Althawra newspaper said "the airstrikes are a sign of no deal."

Griffiths left Sanaa at noon, telling reporters that his talks with the Houthi officials were "fruitful."

"I have heard from many experts of their grave anxiety about an attack on Hodeidah and the significant and avoidable humanitarian consequences that would ensue. I am also concerned about the impact of such an attack on the political process," Griffiths said.

International humanitarian agencies have warned that an assault on Hodeidah would be a major disaster to the densely populated port city and would block aid supplies to more than 20 million people.

On Monday, Griffiths met Houthi top official Mahdi al-Mashat, president of Houthi Supreme Political Council, to discuss possibilities of returning to the negotiation table with their foe government of exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Al-Mashat told Griffiths that "any papers presented at the negotiation table should provide for ending the foreign presence in Yemen," in reference to the Saudi-led coalition forces backing Hadi's government.

According to Saba, al-Mashat also told Griffiths that "respecting sovereignty and independence of countries should be a starting point for any political process and negotiations in Yemen."

Griffiths reviewed his efforts to bridge gap between the rival Yemeni parties. He told al-Mashat that he would brief the Security Council on his efforts and results on June 19.

Griffiths arrived on Saturday in Sanaa, amid heavy military escalation from both rival forces near the Red Sea port city of Houthi-held Hodeidah, the key target of the coalition.

Death toll has topped 100 people from both Houthi rebels and forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition over the past three days in battles about few kilometres away from Hodeidah.

Hodeidah is the only lifeline route of supplying imports and humanitarian aid to the northern Yemen, which is under control of Iranian-allied Houthi movement.

Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to roll back Shiite rebel gains and to restore President Hadi to Sanaa.

The war has killed over 10,000 people, mostly civilians, and forced 3 million out of their homes.by Eric J. Lyman

ROME, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Italy's freshly-installed populist government has been billing itself as a "government of change". But expert observers said they do not expect much variation in the way the country conducts extra-European foreign policy compared to other recent governments.

The anti-establishment Five-Star Movement and the nationalist League, the two parties supporting the new government of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, both ran campaigns promising to weaken or change the nature of the ties between Rome and Brussels.

And Conte's appointment of euro-skeptic economist Paolo Savona as minister of European Affairs added fuel to those concerns from pro-European corners.

But beyond the borders of the European Union (EU), observers told Xinhua Italy will most likely stay the course.

"I don't expect many incongruities compared to what happened in the recent past," Ferdinando Nelli Feroci, a former diplomat who used to work in Italian embassies in Algiers, Paris, and Beijing, and now president of Italy's Institute For Foreign Affairs, told Xinhua. "The appointment of Enzo Moavero Milanesi is proof this is the one area where the new government does not wish to take chances."

Milanesi, a well-regarded former minister of European affairs under prime ministers Mario Monti and Enrico Letta, is Italy's new minister of foreign affairs. He has never been a member of either of the parties backing the current government.

"The appointment of Milanesi has to be seen as reassuring, particularly in the context of so many surprise choices as ministers," Antonio Villafranca, research coordinator with the Institute for the Study of International Politics. "The minister of foreign affairs is the face of the country in the world and it is important to have a known and respected figure in that role."

Feroci said it is unclear how much sway Milanesi will have over policy: "Conte is in the same position," he said, adding Five-Star leader Luigi Di Maio and the League's Matteo Salvini may call the shots behind the scenes.

According to analysts, the main foreign policy issues Italy will face are its ties with some major powers, including the United States.

In 2016, before either man was in any kind of national leadership role, the League's Matteo Salvini traveled to the United States and posed for a photo with U.S. President Donald Trump, and he has expressed admiration for the U.S. leader. Additionally, Steve Bannon, one of the architects of Trump's election triumph, advised Salvini and the League this year.

"I think it's reasonable these two allies could see new ties," Feroci said. With an export-driven economy, Italy will be particularly conscious of any U.S. policies that could have an impact in that area.

In the ties with Russia, Conte said in an address to Italy's Senate on Tuesday that the West should "rethink" sanctions against Russia. And Salvini has expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Salvini has pro-Russian sympathies, but Italy has always had stronger ties with Russia than many other EU states," Villafranca said.

On Iran nuclear deal, Feroci said "Italy has been a supporter of the (anti-nuclear) deal with Iran, but with the United States backing out and imposing sanctions, Italian companies will have to decide if the United States or Iran is a more important market for them."Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-06 05:55:29|Editor: Chengcheng

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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) shakes hands with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan during a photo opportunity at the Department of State in Washington D.C., the United States, on June 5, 2018. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo on Tuesday met with Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan to discuss trade relations, and U.S. cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the U.S. State Department said.

They also talked about the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the State Department said in a statement.

Pompeo and Balakrishnan reaffirmed the U.S.-Singapore strategic partnership that includes the bilateral Free Trade Agreement, the first U.S. bilateral free trade agreement in Asia, according to the statement.

The two officials discussed collaboration in multilateral forums during Singapore's 2018 chairmanship of the ASEAN, as well as the group's "central role" in the Asia Pacific region.

They also discussed continued bilateral cooperation and multilateral engagement on regional security challenges and counterterrorism.

Pompeo expressed appreciation for Singapore's willingness to host Trump's meeting with Kim.

The meeting is tentatively scheduled for 9:00 a.m. (0100 GMT) on June 12.

White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said earlier on Tuesday that the meeting would take place at the Capella Hotel on Singapore's Sentosa Island.TUNIS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A total of 132,250 Tunisian high school students will start the national Baccalaureate exam Wednesday, which will continue until June 13, according to Tunisian Ministry of Education Tuesday.

The highest ranking of enrollment is "Economics and Management" section with 39,526 candidates, followed by "Letter" section with 28,632 candidates.

The results will be announced on June 24th.

For this year, many measures will be taken by the supervisory authorities to fight against fraud and cheating.BUCHAREST, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Six professors from the Academy of Economic Studies (ASEM) in Moldova were detained on Tuesday for allegedly taking bribes from the students to promote them to the exams.

According to news reaching here from Moldova's capital city of Chisinau, the fraudulent scheme included around 60 teachers and other public persons from ASEM as well as several intermediaries outside the educational institution, to whom the National Anticorruption Centre (NAC) has suspicions that they would turn examinations into business.

The anticorruption officers raided at ASEM, in the offices of the suspects, at their homes, and at other members of the network on Tuesday. During the searches, there were found lists of students, large sums of money, and names of teachers who have got money for organizing the exams, practice and master's degree.

It was found that the group received 1,000 lei (59 U.S. dollars) for passing of one exam. The assessment for the practice cost from 1,000 to 1,500 lei (59-89 dollars), the most expensive -- from 470 to 650 dollars-- was the defense of the diploma master's thesis. As a result, students did not attend the exam, and their knowledge was assessed by fictitious professors.

Prosecutors have started several criminal cases for passive, active corruption and trafficking of influence. If they are found guilty, suspects may face up to seven years in prison.PARIS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday told visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the 2015 nuclear deal should be preserved or security in Tel Aviv and the region would be at risk.

"I reiterated to the prime minister my deep conviction which is shared by our European partners that the 2015 agreement should be preserved to control nuclear activity," Macron told reporters.

"But it had never been considered by France as sufficient or fully satisfactory," he said, noting that "the 2015 nuclear accord is a step which needs to be completed with other post-2025 activities."

Macron called on his partners and allies to "focus efforts (to promote) regional stability by maintaining the nuclear agreement that had allowed the monitoring of Iran's activities."

Officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the agreement eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear program.

U.S. President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the deal struck by his predecessor Barack Obama's administration, claiming it did not address Iran's ballistic missile program, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 or its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria.

Tehran has threatened that, in case other parties to the nuclear deal could not safeguard Iran's interests under the accord, Iran will move out of it and resume its nuclear activities at full speed.

Warning of the risk of rising tensions due to the Iranian nuclear stand-off, the French president called on "everyone to stabilize the situation and not give into this escalation which would lead to only one thing: conflict."

The Israeli prime minister, who strongly opposes the nuclear accord, said: "It's time to apply measures on Iran so that it cannot go forward," because "the great threat for the world today is nuclear weapons in the hands of radical Islamic regime like Iran."BANJUL, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The 2017 report presented by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) published Tuesday in Banjul showed that the number of maternal deaths is bigger in the region than that of all tropical diseases combined, including malaria and tuberculosis.

Director of Planning, Research and Health Information at WAHO, Salifou Zouma, told regional delegates during the presentation that 14 countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with the exception of Cape Verde, reported a total of 5,084 maternal deaths in health care settings.

"Although underestimated due to insufficient reporting, the number of maternal deaths is much higher than the total number of deaths caused by all epidemic-prone diseases in the region," he said.

He said the latest available estimates showed that malaria incidence is among at-risk populations in the ECOWAS region and among the highest in the world. Tuberculosis also remains a major public health problem in the region.

"The estimated prevalence of the disease varies from 46 per 100 000 inhabitants in Togo to 374 per 100 000 in Guinea-Bissau in 2016, with 10 countries out of the 15 of the community having a level of incidence greater than 100 per 100 000 inhabitants," he said.

Regional health experts and ministers are meeting in Banjul for the 19th Ordinary Assembly of ECOWAS Health Ministers, which opened on Monday.VIENNA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Austrian state-owned OMV and Russian Gazprom on Tuesday extended their gas supply contract from 2028 till 2040.

The contract was signed during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Austria.

At a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Putin said that by signing the contract, mutual cooperation is further secured.

The contract also marks the 50th anniversary of Russian gas deliveries to Austria, it was announced.

Putin said the Austrian government saw the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project as "positive". Russia believes the United States wanted to bury the project, and continues to apply pressure on the EU to this end.

The U.S. stance is that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline undermines the overall security and energy stability of Europe.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is set to run from the Russian coast along the Baltic Sea bed to the German shore, and is scheduled to be put into operation by the end of 2019.ATHENS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Maritime energy took center stage at this year's Posidonia shipping exhibition, as the deadline for all companies to conform to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements for cleaner fuel leads to significant changes in the industry and to new business opportunities.

"The major theme of this Posidonia is energy, with the pressure of meeting the 2020 and 2050 decarburization targets, as set by the IMO," observed Nigel Lowry of Lloyd's List on Tuesday, the second day of the biennial event that concludes on Friday.

The IMO has imposed a global sulphur cap of 0.5 percent on fuel, effective from Jan. 1, 2020. It has also targeted the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from 2008 to 2050 by 50 percent.

Shipowners' plans for meeting those targets include the employment of scrubbers -- oil treatment systems that remove sulphur from the fuel -- or the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel in ships.

Posidonia saw plenty of action in those directions on Tuesday, with China's COSCO Shipping signing a letter of intent with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Company for the manufacturing of a new scrubber demo test facility.KHARTOUM, June 5 (Xinhua) -- On the occasion of the World Environment Day, Sudan government has declared a campaign to eliminate plastic pollution.

According to official statistics, around 180,000 tones of plastic materials spread in Sudan, constituting one of the biggest environmental pollution in the country.

"The pollution resulting from plastic use constitutes the biggest threat to environment in Sudan," said Sudan's State Minister for Environment Abboud Jabir Saeed.

"The spread of 180,000 tons of plastic materials ... rings alarm bells," he noted.

"On the occasion of the World Environment Day, we declare a national campaign involving the official authorities, civil society organizations and categories of the people," he announced.

He said the campaign tends to raise the awareness with the threats caused by plastic materials together with their impact on human health.

It also tends to achieve realistic alternatives to replace the use of plastic materials, he added, mentioning ways to fight plastic materials by preventing the manufacturing and circulation of plastic bags.

The world is celebrating Tuesday the World Environment Day, under the theme "Beating Plastic Pollution."

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Sudan issued a statement saying the world environment day "is the UN's most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment."

In the meantime, apart from the plastic pollution, Sudan is facing other environment issues, top of them desertification or desert encroachment.

"Desertification is one of the phenomena threatening the environment in Sudan. It is a problem that has been going on for a long time," said Saeed.

According to official statistics, desert encroachment expanded in 14 Sudanese states and covered around 3 percent of the land's total areas, at a time when local studies indicated that about 64 percent of the Sudanese land is exposed to desertification due to natural or human factors.

Desertification, among other reasons, contributes to the growing phenomenon of migration from rural areas to towns and the increasing disputes among communities over fertile lands.

For decades, official and popular efforts in Sudan have failed to find means to keep the environmental balance, curb up desert encroachment and lessen impact of drought waves.

In 2016, the Sudanese government launched the "Green Belt" project, which integrates local and artificial plant formations, pastoral units and animal barns to stablize the sand and stop desertification.Aker ASA ("Aker") has carried out its employee share purchase programme for the year.

Participants in the share purchase programme were offered a discount of 20 per cent on the closing share price on 5 June 2018. Hence, each participant paid NOK 466.40 per share. All shares will be locked up for a period of three years from delivery of the shares, during which employees will not be able to sell the shares.

The following primary insiders have purchased shares:

* Frank O. Reite, Chief Financial Officer, has through the company Fausken Invest AS acquired 4 444 shares in Aker. Mr. Reite's total shareholding in Aker after the acquisition will be 71 240 shares, all of which are held through Fausken Invest AS.

* Arild Stren Frick, General Counsel, has through the company Elichapet AS acquired 400 shares in Aker. Mr. Frick's total shareholding after the acquisition will be 8 000 shares, all of which are held through Elichapet AS.

* Ove Andre Taklo, Corporate Controller, has acquired 935 shares in Aker. Mr. Taklo's total shareholding after the acquisition will be 5 015 shares.

* Laila Hop, Paralegal, has acquired 50 shares in Aker. Ms. Hop's total shareholding after the acquisition will be 298 shares.

Aker sold a total of 12 352 own shares in connection with the programme. Following the transaction, Aker will hold 53 381 own shares.

END

For further information, please contact:

Investors:

Per Kristian Reppe, Investment Manager & Head of Investor Relations

Phone: +47 24 13 00 67

Mobile: +47 90 03 32 03

Media:

Atle Kigen, Head of Corporate Communications

Phone: +47 24 13 00 08

Mobile: +47 907 84 878

***

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.HELSINKI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Kalevi Kivisto, a veteran Finnish leftist politician and presidential candidate, on Tuesday underlined the continued importance of Karl Marx.

Participating in a panel discussion, Kivisto singled out the analysis of global development seen in the communist manifest by Karl Marx.

"It showed tremendous vistas, and reached a long way in the analysis of societies, even foreseeing the future of the family institution," Kivisto said.

"Marx researched the society of his time. He marked a turning point in the history of socialist ideas. After-Marx socialism was no longer just a nice goal based on ethical justifications, but was based on research results into how society was seen to be developing," he said.

Panel moderator, former MP and minister Arja Alho noted that Marxism may have a more acute need to meet in the developing countries, and raised questions where the teachings of Marx have relevance in today's Finland.

Tanja Pekkarinen, researcher of Tampere University, said the concept of "class position" of a person is a cross-border term, and appears globally. She noted that in Finland industrial workers were suffering in poor conditions long ago. Young people now may think the phenomenon has disappeared. "But it has not, it has only moved to another part of the world."

Teivo Teivainen, professor of international politics at Helsinki University, called for more Marxist discussion of the position of Finland.

He recalled that in Finland a voting system based on wealth was abrogated more than a hundred years ago, as an achievement mainly of the working class. "When social democratic politicians these days have been representing Finland in the World Bank, they have used such a voting system."

He said that the program of the last left-right government had the stipulation that Finland supports the improvement of the position of the poorer countries in the international finance institutions.

"But Finland has made its way up to being a wealthy country and applies paternalistic attitudes questioning whether it would be advisable to give more voting power to the poorer countries," Teivainen said.Civil groups held a solidarity demonstration to protest against the governments Stop Soros bill in front of Parliament, with speakers saying that rights organisations are not criminals and the bill violates basic rights.

Around fifty activists attended the event organised by Amnesty International (AI) which featured a tenmetre tall red, heart-shaped balloon showing the word civil.

Helsinki Committee co-leader Marta Pardavi said it was the government, rather than civil groups, that needed to change its position. She asked lawmakers not to approve the bill.

AI Hungary director Julia Ivan said tens of thousands have expressed solidarity over the attacks against Hungarian civil organisations.

On Tuesday MPs were scheduled to debate the bill dubbed Stop Soros which would introduce amendments to the measures against illegal migration.

MTI Photo: Mohai BalazsPrime Minister Viktor Orban held talks with the European Unions chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, his press chief said.

Orban and Barnier concluded that the EU has managed to preserve its unity during the divorce talks with Britain. The prime minister assured Barnier that Hungary -- along with the other central European countries  would continue to support and assist with the preservation of the blocs unity.

Meeting members of parliaments foreign affairs and European affairs committees, Barnier said the European Union must respect Britains desire for autonomy, but the UK must also respect the unity of the bloc.

Barnier said Britain and the EU still had many questions to settle in the divorce talks, the most important being the issues of the common market, the EU budget, EU citizens living in the UK and British citizens living in other EU countries.

The EU does not intend to take revenge on Britain when it comes to the EU budget, he said, adding, at the same time, that the country would have to be held accountable when it leaves the bloc. Barnier said that following Britains departure, EU-UK relations could rest on four pillars: trade, internal and external security and special agreements.

As regards a potential trade deal, he said the EU could consider an agreement similar to the ones it has with Canada and China. He emphasised the importance of keeping the divorce talks transparent so that all EU countries have a clear understanding of the situation, noting that they will all have to ratify Britains exit.

Zsolt Nemeth, the (Fidesz) head of the foreign affairs committee, underlined the need for a fair Brexit and expressed his confidence in Barniers ability to strike such a deal.

He said it was vital that Hungarians living in Britain do not become casualties of Brexit and are not forced to return to Hungary. Nemeth assured Barnier of Hungary and the Visegrad Groups support in the Brexit negotiations.

MTI Photo: Szecsodi BalazsWe're always interested in hearing about business news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

SubmitCHARLOTTE, N.C., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barings, one of the worlds leading financial services firms, announced that it served as administrative agent and joint lead arranger on a first-lien term loan and revolving credit facility to support Kohlberg & Companys acquisition of Cadence, Inc.



Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Staunton, Virginia, Cadence is a leading supplier of advanced products, technologies and services to medical device and specialty industrial companies worldwide.

Kohlberg is pleased to collaborate with Barings on our investment in Cadence, said Christopher W. Anderson, investment partner at Kohlberg & Company. Barings ability to move quickly and offer a full set of capital solutions provided certainty to close and expedited the completion of this transaction.

Barings is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Kohlberg once again and help meet the capital needs of Cadence, said Jessica Lee, a managing director for Barings. The company has an established position in the advanced surgical medical device market and will benefit greatly from both the increasing prevalence of minimally invasive surgical procedures as well as the deep healthcare industry and specialty manufacturing expertise Kohlberg brings to the table.

About Cadence

Cadence Inc. is a leading supplier of advanced products, technologies and services to medical device and specialty industrial companies worldwide. Cadence develops solutions-oriented relationships with customers and provides highly technical solutions that enable improved product performance in clearly measurable ways. Cadence employs more than 475 people worldwide with its global headquarters in Staunton, VA. More information on Cadence can be found at www.cadenceinc.com.

About Kohlberg & Company

Kohlberg & Company, L.L.C. (Kohlberg) is a leading private equity firm headquartered in New York. Since its inception in 1987, Kohlberg has organized eight private equity funds, through which it has raised $7.5 billion of committed equity capital. Over its 31-year history, Kohlberg has completed 72 platform investments and approximately 170 add-on acquisitions, with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $15 billion. For more information, please visit www.kohlberg.com.

About Barings

Barings is a $305+ billion* global financial services firm dedicated to meeting the evolving investment and capital needs of our clients. We build lasting partnerships that leverage our distinctive expertise across traditional and alternative asset classes to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional service. Part of MassMutual, Barings maintains a strong global presence with over 1,800 professionals and offices in 16 countries. Learn more at www.barings.com.

*As of March 31, 2018

18-505659Rodney Rice, left, comes to the aid of John Wray during a Brainstormers presentation of a student-written play at Luther L. Wright School Monday morning in Ironwood. The three-person educational acting troupe returned to LLW to perform five plays written by students in grades 2 through 6 since the troupe's visit in May. The play adapted from a true story by one of the students about a bicycle accident he had. Many of the plays included volunteer actors from the audience enlisted moments before the action.

By LARRY HOLCOMBE

[email protected]

IRONWOOD - More than 200 Luther L. Wright elementary school children attended a high-energy presentation on creative writing Monday morning.

Brainstormers - a traveling acting troupe pitching writing skills and based in downstate Royal Oak - returned for Parts 2 and 3 of an ongoing writers workshop aimed at grades 2 through 6 that began in May.

The three-member troupe set up a curtain at one end of the gym and set out to perform - with some help from some audience members - five short stories written and submitted by the students since their la...LONG BEACH, Calif.  Katherine A. O'Brien, 93, a long-time resident of Long Beach and formerly of Ironwood, Mich., died Thursday, March 15, 2018.

Katherine was born on Dec. 10, 1924, in Minnesota, a daughter of James M. O'Brien and Philomena Eva (Thebert) Jacisin. She attended St. Ambrose Catholic High School in Ironwood and graduated in 1942.

Kay participated in the church choir and was a member of a sewing club. She was passionate about learning and was an avid reader. Kay loved to travel and even acted as a tour guide on several occasions.

Over the years, Katherine worked at numerous jobs. She later moved to Milwaukee to help with the war effort. She briefly taught in Marenisco, Mich., before moving to Long Beach in 1955. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 1960 with a Master of Arts degree.

Katherine taught elementary education in Alaska in 1964 and survived the great earthquake. She was issued a lifetime diploma in 1968 from the state of California to teach all elementary and secondary grades. She taught English at El Camino College from 1965 to 1988.

Kay traveled to the USSR in October 1989. While there, she underwent emergency surgery. She later sponsored her doctor and his wife from the USSR to come to the United States. They eventually became citizens. Their daughter was named after Katherine.

Katherine always spoke lovingly of her family. She was fiercely independent and once stated that hot fudge was its very own food group!

Survivors include her brother-in-law, Lloyd Hill, Bessemer, Mich .; and two sisters-in-law, Penny Jacisin, Ironwood, and Catherine Jacisin, De Pere, Wis. Katherine will also be dearly missed by her numerous nieces and nephews and their families who appreciated all of the support she gave them in their educational pursuits.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Lorelei Elsemore and Marilyn Hill; and three brothers, Tom O'Brien, Michael "Mike" Henry Jacisin and John Joseph "Jack" Jacisin.

Out of respect for her wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 9, at 11 a.m., preceded by memorial visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 210 E. Iron St., Bessemer, with the Rev. Dominic Agyapong, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Edgewood Nursing Center in Long Beach for their loving care to Katherine while she was a resident.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Mich. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.DULUTH, Minn. - Richard M. "Rick" DeCarlo, 52, of Ashland, Wis., passed away on May 24, 2018, in Duluth, with his family at his side.

Rick was born on Jan. 24, 1966, in Ironwood, Mich. His parents are Tom and Carol (Heinske) DeCarlo. He received his diploma from the Ironwood School District and later attended Gogebic Community College, where he received an Associate Degree. He also attended Central Michigan University, studying education. After that he attended Western Michigan University. He was employed at the Walmart in Ashland as a night maintenance manager for many years.

Rick loved his family, especially his children. He had an awesome sense of humor and could always make you smile. He was a man of deep faith and enjoyed attending church. He also liked to travel to Ironwood to visit family and friends and was an amateur author and poet who had several poems published.

He will be sadly missed by his children, Thomas and Hailey, of Ashland; his parents, Tom and Carol, of Ironwood; two sisters, Candee Wiemeri, of Ironwood, and her children, Jacquelyn, Katee and Jakob; Gina DeCarlo, and her daughter, Janel (fiance L.J.), his paternal grandfather, Tom (Marilyn) DeCarlo, of Ironwood, as well as many aunts, uncles and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Laurel and Carolyn Heinske, and his paternal grandmother, Louise DeCarlo.

There will be a celebration of Rick's life on June 9, from 3 to 4 p.m., at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St. in Ironwood. There will be a memorial service at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

For more information and to express condolences, please visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of St. Luke's Trauma Center and ICU and the staff of LifeSource.This has been a long time in the making, but in our continuing pursuit to bring only the best of firearms, 2nd Amendment and defence related news to our readers, we are very excited to announce the next step in our evolution as a company.

As of 2020, Minuteman Review is now the proud owner and operator of Your Defence News, a website with a long history of breaking huge news stories and investigative journalism.

We hope you are equally as excited as us.

This means that now the teams of Minuteman can combine with the firepower of Your Defence News to stay at the absolute forefront for our readers.

Keep an eye. Big things are coming soon. We couldn't be more excited.

In the meanwhile, here are some of our most popular posts and categories to keep you busy.

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Best Home Defense ShotgunCoun Perez reiterates warning to barangay leaders involved in drugs

07 Aug 2017 Hits:37 Comments(0)

Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Jerry Perez yesterday reiterated his warning to all barangay officials from using or selling drugs. Perez said he is closely monitoring the activities of all the barangay officials and vowed sanctions against erring leaders. Aqui gane na mio barangay ya quita ya iyo na puesto cunel dos barangay leaders quien mas temprano ya sale positivo na...A trio of Red River Hogs was recently born at Chester Zoo. The tiny triplets arrived to mum Mali on May 4, following a four-month-long pregnancy.

The piglets stayed safely tucked in their den, bonding with mum, for the first few weeks of life, but they can now be seen on-exhibit, frolicking in the sun. According to keepers, the piglets are yet-to-be-sexed and yet-to-be-named.

Photo Credits: Chester Zoo

Red River Hogs are instantly recognizable for their bright red fur, which helps them blend into their Sub-Saharan African habitat. This coloring has made the pigs renowned as being the worlds most colorful member of the pig family.

They are native to the swamps and forests of West and Central Africa, but hunting for their meat has led to a decline in numbers where they were once commonly found.

Sarah Roffe, team manager at the Zoo, said, Its early days, but the piglets are doing great so far. Theyre so small at the moment and their coats are covered in spots and stripes, which will slowly start to fade after about six months when theyll take on their more iconic rusty coloring.

The trio are sticking very close to mum Mali (age 9), but its great to see them spending time with dad Con-Fetti. In fact, they can often be seen enjoying a nap whilst sat on top of him.

Sarah continued, This is the pairings first set of triplets, so theyll soon be a real handful for mum and dad as they become more adventurous and playful. Its amazing to see the family of seven together!

Conservationists at Chester Zoo are keen to develop a greater understanding of how to care for the species in conservation breeding programmes, should the worst happen to the species and they become extinct in the wild.

Red River Hogs (Potamochoerus porcus) are also known as "tufted pigs" due to the white whiskers and tufts found on their ears. They are currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

More great pics, below the fold!English French

MONTREAL, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cogeco Inc. (TSX:CGO) and Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX:CCA) plan to release their financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2018, ended May 31, 2018, on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, after market closing.



The companies will hold a conference call on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) to discuss their financial and operating results.

A live audio webcast will be available on Cogecos web site at http://corpo.cogeco.com/cca/en/investors/investor-relations/. The webcast will be available on Cogecos website for a three-month period. Members of the financial community will be able to access the conference call and ask questions. Media representatives may attend as listeners only.

Canada/USA Access Number: 1-877-291-4570

International Access Number: 1-647-788-4919

In order to join this conference, participants are required to provide the operator with the name of the company hosting the call, that is, Cogeco Inc. or Cogeco Communications Inc.Mumbai: Wadia group-promoted budget carrier GoAir on Tuesday announced the appointment of former EasyJet executive Cornelis Vrieswijk as its new chief executive officer.

The appointment is effective from yesterday, GoAir said in a release.

He will be reporting to the airline's chairman, managing director and the board of directors, it added.

Vrieswijik, with over 25 years of experience in aviation and travel industry, comes at the helm following the resignation of Wolfgang Prock-Schauer last December.

Jeh Wadia, managing director, GoAir, said, Vrieswijik will work with the board and the leadership team to expand and implement a range of strategic initiatives to lead the airline into its next phase of growth.

"I am confident that Cor (Vrieswijk) will help scale GoAir further and establish it as a most profitable low cost carrier in the highly competitive Indian market," he added.

Besides EasyJet Airline Company, Vrieswijik has also worked with major aviation brands like Thomas Cook Group and Transavia Airlines, in various roles.VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Buddi, a leading cannabis software company offering start to finish turnkey solutions for Cannabis companies, has launched into the Canadian marketplace.

The software provides functional solutions for both Cannabis Retailers and Cannabis Producers, that focus on customer experience, education, marketing, and brand management.

Buddis software provides useful information and clear insights of consumer behaviour from initial engagement through the purchase journey.

Buddi empowers Cannabis Retailers to provide personalized, unparalleled customer experiences while collecting valuable consumer data. Buddis software allows Licensed Producers to build brand recognition and loyalty, market their cannabis products, and build a deeper understanding of their customers, both at the Retail and consumer level.

Our goal at Buddi is to provide cannabis retailers and producers with insights into their customers to help develop their brands, and create products and experiences that customers will love.

Buddi began with the goal of providing consumers with transparency into the cannabis products theyre buying. We discovered that the best way to do this was to create tools that empowered cannabis brands to share their information & brand story through the supply chain, down to their end customers. Retailers benefit from this as well, as theyre now equipped with reliable information supplied directly from their vendors that they can use to educate their customers on the various products & brands available, so its a win-win, says CEO Ryan Lalonde.

About Buddi for Producers:

Buddis platform centralizes brand and product information, then seamlessly shares it with retailers. With features like Digital Asset Management, Brand Management, Retail Marketing, Product Data and Seed-to-Sale Integration, Buddis software helps Cannabis Producers stand out in a heavily regulated environment.

About Buddi for Retailers:

Buddis all-in-one solution increases efficiency and deepens Retailer understanding of their customers needs. With Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Interactive Self-Serve Kiosks, Leading POS Integration and Smart Product Recommendations, Buddi provides unparalleled experiences and helps Cannabis Retailers give their customers the best experience possible.

Buddi will be at OCannabiz in Toronto this weekend. CEO Ryan Lalonde is available for online, print, television or radio interviews.

Media Contact:

Brooke Wilkinson

Cannabis Communications

416-617-6545

brooke@marigoldpr.com

About Buddi

Buddi was developed working with dispensaries, cannabis patients, and cannabis producers. Our goal is to help cannabis retailers ensure that their customers and patients receive consistent product recommendations that are optimal for their specific needs.



The Buddi platform ensures cannabis users are directed towards a product that is most suitable for their needs, and dispensaries can feel confident that their customers are having an enjoyable experience and will come back again and again.Mumbai: Budget carrier GoAir has announced special discounted fares as low as Rs 1,299 inclusive of all taxes for a one-way journey across its network under a limited period scheme.

The bookings for the three-day 'Monsoon sale' has begun for travel between June 24 and September 30.

The sale offers fares starting Rs 1,299 (taxes and fees included) and can be availed for travel across all the 23 sectors operated by GoAir.

Key things to remember

Booking Date: 5th June to 7th June, 2018

Travel period: 24th June to 30th September, 2018

This offer is applicable across all the channels

Tickets during the sale period will be available on first come first basis

Tickets will be non-transferable/non-refundable

No date change or re-routing permitted

Offer is discounted on Base Fare only and not valid for any form of cash back

Offer is not valid on previously purchased tickets

GoAir currently operates over 1,544 weekly flights to 23 destinations. It flies to Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Leh, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Port Blair, Pune, Ranchi, Srinagar and Hyderabad.

Since the July quarter is considered a lean period for the travel business, domestic airlines attract customers by offering low fares, GoAir said.Ram Janmabhoomi temple chief priest Acharya S Das has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of cheating lord Ram. Speaking to news agency ANI, the Ayodhya priest said that the BJP came to power by using the name of lord Ram and then forgot him completely.

If the party wants to win in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it should start the construction of Ram Temple, else it will be difficult for them, said Acharya S Das.

The remark by the Ram Janmabhoomi chief priest came hours after Chawani temple priest Mahant Paramhans Das threatened to start a movement against the BJP if construction of Ram temple did not start on immediate basis.

"If they (BJP) want to come in power again (in 2019) then they have to build the Ram Temple, else we will start a movement and make sure they are defeated," he had said.

Mahant Paramhans Das hit out at the ruling BJP in reaction to Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi saying that Hindutva and Ram Mandir were not the primary issues for the party for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Naqvi had said that the BJP would contest the General Elections on the issue of development.

The Hindu Yuva Vahini, a youth wing formed by Yogi Adityanath long before he became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, also reportedly threatened to cut off ties with the BJP if building the Ram Mandir ceases to be one of the primary issues.

The final hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute is pending before the Supreme Court at present. The top court is hearing as many as 13 appeals filed against the 2010 judgement of the Allahabad High Court in four civil suits. The petitions challenge the high court verdict that mandated a three-way division of the disputed site in Ayodhya.PATNA: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) will declare the Class 12th results 2018 on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. The matriculate or Class 12th results will be available on BSEB's official website - biharboard.ac.in.

Once released, students will be able to check their scores on Bihar Board's official portal. The Bihar 12th Result 2018 will also be available on bihar.indiaresults.com.

The Bihar Board Class 10th examinations were conducted between February 6 and February 16, 2018 at 1,384 centres across the state. Nearly 13 lakh student appeared in BSEB Class 12th examination, 2018.

Steps to check your BSEB Results 2018:

1. Visit the official portal of BSEB - www.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'

The students are suggested to download the results and take a print out of the same for future reference.

In 2017, the results announced by the end of May for Class 12 in June for Class 10 due to the elections.

Last year, over 12.40 lakh students had appeared for the Bihar Class 12th Intermediate Examination 2017, which were held between February 14 and February 25. However, only 4.37 lakh students had managed to pass the board exam in 2017.

About Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB)

The Bihar School Examination Board is established for holding and conducting an examination at the end of the Secondary School stage, for prescribing 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.New Delhi: Pakistani forces were, for the second time in less than a month, compelled to appeal for respite after Border Security Force pummeled their outposts in Jammu's Akhnoor sector on Sunday.

A video accessed by Zee News shows BSF targetting Pakistani outposts after two of its soldiers were martyred in unprovoked firing. The footage shows smoke eminating from a Pakistani outpost after it was ravaged by BSF fire. Such was the intensity and relentless nature of BSF's fury that the Pakistani side once again cowered and appealed for a flag meet.

BSF's return fire decimates Pakistan outposts, forces appeal for respitehttps://t.co/QMXAiwT80J pic.twitter.com/v1oH1J20UJ  Zee News (@ZeeNews) June 5, 2018

The firing by BSF was done in retaliation after Pakistani forces resorted to open fire in several locations in Akhnoor over Saturday and Sunday. The firing resulted in two BSF personnel - including an officer - giving the supreme sacrifice and several civilians getting injured.

The heavy firing and shelling from the Pakistani side lasted for almost 12 hours in Pragwal area of Akhnoor, Kanachak and Khour sectors of Jammu district and ended 12 days of lull in the border skirmishes.

Pakistani forces also violated ceasefire around the same time in Arnia, RS Pura, Samba and several other sectors.

The firing from across the border in violation of the ceasefire agreement prompted a strong and effective retaliation by the BSF, forcing Pakistani Rangers to buckle down. A commander-level meeting was held at 17:30 pm on Monday with both sides committing to ensure peace.

Pakistan though is guilty of not staying true to commitments made. The BSF last month had said that Pakistan had 'pleaded' with them to stop firing along the International Border (IB). At that time as well, the firing was in retaliation to unprovoked firing and shelling from the Pakistanis which had resulted in loss of lives. The promised ceasefire was not adhered to and Pakistani forces had resumed their nefarious activities within hours. The Indian Army and BSF have said while peace is paramount, any provocation will be dealt with with an iron fist.NEW DELHI: Barely hours after the CBSE NEET Results 2018 were declared, a 19-year-old aspirant allegedly committed suicide on Monday by jumping from 8th floor of a building in Dwarka Sector 12.

Around 5.15 pm the police were informed about the alleged suicide. The incident took place at Sunny Valley CGHS Society, sector 12 of Dwarka, PTI quoted a senior police officer official as saying.

The teen, identified as Parnav Mehandirata, had jumped from the building. His body was found lying in a pool of blood on the ground just beneath the balcony of his residence on the eighth floor, the officer added.

"Further Enquiry revealed that deceased was appearing in the NEET exam for the last two years after passing class 12 in year 2016. Today, the result of NEET was declared in noon and he had failed to qualify the exam," he said.

A suicide note was found in his room which mentioned that he had lied about NEET result to his parents, the official said.

A dupatta with a knot tied for hanging was also found on the bed in his room, he added.

No foul play is found or suspected by anyone. Inquest proceedings are being carried out to ascertain circumstances of death, the officer concluded.

Earlier on Monday, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) declared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) results 2018 on its official websites cbseresults.nic.in and cbseneet.nic.in.

A total of 13,26,725 candidates had appeared for the exam on May 6, 2018. Out of this, over 2 lakh aspirants who took the test were girls.

NEET, a national-level entrance test, is conducted by CBSE to grant admission to MBBS/ BDS Courses in India in Medical/Dental Colleges run with the approval of Medical Council of India/ Dental Council of India under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India except for the institutions established through an Act of Parliament i.e. AIIMS and JIPMER Puducherry.

(With inputs from PTI)A Delhi court on Tuesday summoned former Union minister and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor as accused in the Sunanda Pushkar death case. The Kerala MP has been asked to appear before the court on July 7.

While issuing summon to the Congress leader, the court observed, There exists sufficient grounds to proceed against Tharoor for commission of offences in the case. This comes almost a week after the court reserved its order on whether to summon Tharoor as an accused in the case.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal took cognisance of the offences of alleged abetment of suicide and committing cruelty by Tharoor towards Pushkar. "I have heard the prosecutor. I have gone through and perused the charge sheet and the documents filed along with it. On the basis of police report (charge sheet), I take cognisance of offence of abetment of suicide of late Sunanda Pushkar and committing cruelty upon her by Dr Shashi Tharoor," the judge said.

The Delhi Police had on May 14 accused the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram of abetting Sunanda Pushkar's suicide and told a city court that he should be summoned as an accused in the four-and-half-year-old case, claiming there was sufficient evidence against him.

In a nearly 3,000-page charge sheet, the police had named Tharoor as the only accused, alleging that he had subjected his wife to cruelty.

The couple's domestic servant, Narayan Singh, was named one of the key witnesses in the case. Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in a luxury hotel room on the night of January 17, 2014.

The Congress leader has been charged under sections 498 A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code.

Under section 498A, the maximum punishment is up to three years of imprisonment, while jail term up to 10 years is prescribed under section 306.

An FIR was registered by Delhi Police on January 1, 2015, against unknown persons under IPC section 302 (murder).Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has banned frozen and processed fruit and vegetable imports from Kerala amid concerns over the deadly Nipah virus outbreak.

The Nipah virus itself can cause encephalitis - a dangerous swelling of the brain - and common symptoms vary from none to elevated fevers, cough, headache, shortness of breath and confusion, the Gulf News reported on Monday.

On May 29, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) banned imports from Kerala.

UAE officials announced that 100 tonnes of fruit, vegetables and fresh produce that was to be imported from Kerala was prohibited from entry.

(Also read: Kerala MLA wears mask, gloves to Assembly, demands better fight against Nipah virus)

A UAE-based health provider, VPS Healthcare, sent a flight to the Kerala government carrying medical supplies that will help the fight against Nipah.

As of date, of the 18 positive cases, 16 have died and the remaining two are recovering well at a Kozhikode hospital while the around 2,000 people, who have reported to have come in contact with the affected, are being monitored.THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of Nipah virus outbreak that claimed more than a dozen lives in Kerala, an MLA on Monday wore mask and gloves while attending the Assembly to emphasise on the impact the deadly virus in Kozhikode district.

Opposition MLA Parakkal Abdulla, of the United Democratic Front, triggered a war of words between the ruling LDF and opposition UDF members by walking the floor with mask and gloves.

Kicking up a row, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLA, who represent Kuttiady constituency, greeted the opposition members wearing the mask and gloves.

While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said the member's behaviour amounted to 'trivialising' a serious issue, Health minister, K K Shylaja described it as a 'ridiculous act.'

Kerala was maintaining extreme vigil following the outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus.

Since the Nipah virus was confirmed, government has taken all necessary steps to contain it. The health department has intervened efficiently.

Even then, the MLA has come to the house wearing a mask which amounted to self ridicule, Vijayan said attacking the member.

Health minister said there are certain criteria for wearing a mask.

If the member was infected by the virus, he should not have come to the house, she said.

Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said he was told by the MLA that in Kozhikode everyone was wearing a mask and walking around and so he had come to the house as a symbolic gesture.

Abdulla said his act was only to bring the government's attention to the situation in Kuttiyadi-Perambra region, the epicenter of the Nipah virus.

Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan also enquired from the member why he wore the mask.

As many as 16 people have lost their lives so far to Nipah virus (NiV) in two districts - Kozhikode and Malappuram - of the state since the confirmation of the deadly virus on May 17.

With inputs from PTI)The World Bank has asked Pakistan to accept an offer by India to appoint a neutral expert over the dispute over Kishanganga dam, which was inaugurated recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Pakistan-based Dawn News, the World Bank has asked Pakistan to climb down from the demand of taking up the issue with the International Court of Arbitration (ICA).

In May, a high-powered Pakistani delegation led by Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali, met with Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank Chief Executive Officer, and the regional management for South Asia.

During the meetings, held at Pakistan's request to discuss issues regarding the Indus Waters Treaty and opportunities within the treaty to seek an amicable resolution, "several procedural options" for resolving the disagreement over the interpretation of the treaty's provisions were discussed, the bank had said.

"While an agreement on the way forward was not reached at the conclusion of the meetings, the World Bank will continue to work with both countries to resolve the issues in an amicable manner and in line with the treaty provisions," the Bank had said in a statement at the end of the talks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in May inaugurated the 330 MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan had protested the inauguration claiming that the project on a river flowing into Pakistan will disrupt water supplies.

The project, located at Bandipore in North Kashmir, envisages diversion of water of Kishan Ganga river to underground power house through a 23.25-km-long head race tunnel to generate 1713 million units per annum.

The Kishanganga project was started in 2007 but on May 17, 2010, Pakistan moved for international arbitration against India under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty.

(With PTI Inputs)Jammu: Hundreds of activists of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress (JKPYC) today took out a massive rally here accusing the Centre of making border residents "sitting ducks" in Pakistan firing.

Led by JKPYC President Pranav Shagotra, the activists took to streets and held massive demonstrations against BJP led NDA regime for what they said was "betraying" border inhabitants.

Shouting slogans against Central government and BJP, they alleged border inhabitants were being made sitting ducks for petty politics.

Youth Congress activists disrupted vehicular movement at Tawi bridge for some time as a mark of protest against "inhuman" approach of Union Government towards border dwellers. "BJP and its government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made the border residents sitting ducks for target practice for Pakistan in its shelling and firing this year", Shagotra told reporters here.

He said over 40 people have been killed and over 130 people injured in the largest number of the ceasefire violations this year. The killing of civilians on borders, be it International Border (IB) or Line of Control (LOC), has become a routine affair, "but those at the helm of the affairs are doing dirty politics on human lives", he said.

Charging NDA Government at the Centre with being "least concerned" over lives and property of the people of Jammu region, he said the coalition government in J&K has already left people of Jammu region at the mercy of Pakistan and other anti-national elements.

He said during the last four years killings on the borders have increased manifold, With a hope that the "self-proclaimed nationalist" BJP would solve their problems once for all, border residents had voted in favour of the Saffron Party in 2014 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections but all their hopes were dashed now, Shagotra charged.

He demanded martyrs status for those getting killed in the border while undertaking to farm with risk to their lives and compensation at par with persons killed and injured due to militancy.

Besides seeking bulletproof critical care ambulances in the vulnerable areas, Shagotra said the Public Health Centre, Arnia, needed an upgrade with sufficient stock of medicines. The Youth Congress workers also demanded allotment of alternative land at safer places, construction of community and individual bunkers, providing bulletproof vehicles to evacuate villagers at the time of firing, reservation to IB dwellers at par with residents of LOC and special recruitment drive for the unemployed youth of border areas.English French

EDMONTON, Alberta, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth), and Member of Parliament for VaudreuilSoulanges, Peter Schiefke, toured the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) at the Expo Centre in Edmonton, and engaged with a variety of skilled trades and technology youth leaders from across the country.



Before a crowd of 1,800 youth competitors, teachers and industry leaders at the SCNC Opening Ceremonies Sunday evening, Mr. Schiefke stressed the important relationship between the Government of Canada and Skills / Competences Canada, and praised the competitors hard work and dedication.

Im thrilled to be here at the Skills Canada National Competition in Edmonton on behalf of the Government of Canada, said Parliamentary Secretary Schiefke.

I am impressed by each and every one of you, competing not just to represent your respective provinces and territories, but to become the best and brightest of Canadas future workforce. Through your involvement with Skills / Competences Canada, you are already building communities from coast to coast to coast, and contributing to creating a more prosperous Canada, said Schiefke.

Attending on behalf of Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workplace Development and Labour, Mr. Schiefke toured the SCNC competition floor, which holds over 40 Skill Areas representing six sectors: Construction; Employment; Information Technology; Manufacturing and Engineering; Transportation and Service.

Along the way, Mr. Schiefke took part in Try-a-Trade and Technology activities which were related to a mixed reality experience with UA Canada, a Volvo Construction interactive activity, and many more. There are over 50 Try-a-Trade and Technology activities available to visiting students and the public at SCNC, each simulating a different skilled trade or technology.

Mr. Schiefke also met with a group of young professionals who participated at SCNC in the past, and who are now working in the field in which they competed. These skilled trades and technology youth leaders shed light on the current challenges and opportunities which exist in their respective sectors.

My involvement with Skills / Competences Canada and as a member of WorldSkills Team Canada in IT Software Solutions for Business changed my life in many positive ways, says Stacy DuBois, who now works as a Business Intelligence Developer in Ottawa. Its important for us SCNC alumni to be able to engage directly with elected officials like Mr. Schiefke to convey input on our journey and the status of skilled trades and technology fields.

SCNC is the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country. The event welcomes over 550 competitors participating in over 40 skilled trade and technology Skill Areas, and thousands of visitors.

The Closing Ceremonies, where the medalists in each category are announced, will be held tomorrow at noon at the Edmonton Expo Centre. Results will promptly be posted on the Skills / Competences Canada website.

About Skills/Competences Canada

Skills/Competences Canada was founded in 1989 as a national, notforprofit organization that works with employers, educators, labour groups and governments to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. For information on Skills Canadas programs and competitions visit www.skillscanada.com. For more information about SCNC visit: www.skillscompetencescanada.com/en/programs/skills-canada-national-competition .



MEDIA CONTACT: Michele Rogerson, micheler@skillscanada.com, 613-266-4771.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7970f266-c42c-4f42-84f7-d10ab5ff3988



NEW DELHI: Congress Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday mocked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after reports of the Centre slashing funds for soldiers' uniform emerged.

MAKE (empty slogans and useless acronyms) IN INDIA....meanwhile, make our soldiers buy their own clothes & shoes, tweeted the Gandhi scion while sharing a report by the Economic Times.

MAKE (empty slogans and useless acronyms) IN INDIA....meanwhile, make our soldiers buy their own clothes & shoes. https://t.co/UaWqsIhnQx  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 5, 2018

The report indicated that the Indian Army drastically cut down its supplies from government ordained factories. The cut was necessitated after the Centre failed to allocate funds in order to purchase critical ammunition for a short intense war. The slashing of funds affected critical ammunition and spares for a short intense war. Due to this, soldiers will now be forced to spend their own money to buy uniforms and other essentials from local markets.

Both the Centre and the Indian Army are yet to confirm this fact.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government had given a massive push to Make in India movement immediately after coming into power in 2014, launching several initiatives around it.

Congress, along with, other Opposition parties have been slowly gaining footage with each passing poll and by-elections.

In recent Lok Sabha bypolls, the Narendra Modi and Amit Shah-powered BJP retained just one seat out of four seats. Meanwhile, in Assembly bypolls, a united opposition managed to dent BJP's hold with the party winning just one seat out 10.

Earlier in May, despite being voted as the single-largest party in Karnataka, BJP failed to form the government with the Congress-JDS alliance won the crucial trust vote.NEW DELHI: Monsoon is expected to reach Maharashtra and surrounding areas by Wednesday and rainfall is expected to reach Mumbai by 7-8 June. The Met department on Tuesday said that Southwest monsoon has advanced into some more parts of Karnataka, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, some parts of Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra Pradesh, remaining parts of Southwest Bay of Bengal and some more parts of Westcentral Bay of Bengal.

The Met also said that the conditions are becoming favorable for further advancement of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Central Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Karnataka and Rayalaseema, some parts of south Konkan and Goa, Telangana, some more parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Central Bay of Bengal during next 48 hours. It added that the conditions are very likely to become favorable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Maharashtra, Telangana and Coastal Andhra Pradesh in subsequent 48 hours.

Thunderstorm was observed at a few places over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura; at isolated places over Telangana, Rayalaseema, North Interior Karnataka, East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Konkan and Goa, Bihar, Odisha, Kerala, Gangetic West Bengal and Tamilnadu & Puducherry from 11:30 am on Monday to 5:30 am on Tuesday.

On Monday, the maximum temperatures were above normal (5.1C or more) at many places with the highest maximum temperature of 47.6C being recorded at Phalodi (West Rajasthan) over plains of the country.Maharashtra Class 10 Result 2018: The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) is all set to declared Maharashtra SSC or Class 10 Result 2018 in the first week or by June 10. Candidates can view their results on mahresult.nic.in, results.maharashtraeducation.com, examresults.net/maharashtra, maharashtra.indiaresults.com.

Steps to check Maharashtra Board Class 12 HSC 2018 exam results online

Step 1: Visit official website one of the following websites:

mahresult.nic.in

results.maharashtraeducation.com

examresults.net/maharashtra

maharashtra.indiaresults.com

Step 2: Click on the link which says Maharashtra Board Class 10 Results OR Maharashtra HSC Result 2018: 'SSC Results 2018'

Step 3: Enter your roll/registration number and other required details and hit submit.

Step 4: Results will be displayed on the screen.

Candidates are advised to download the MSBSHSE Maharashtra HSC Class 10 Results 2018 and take a print out of the same.

Over 14 lakh students appeared for the exams which was held in 9,486 junior colleges and 2,822 centres across the state of Maharashtra. A total of 5,80,820 students registered for Science, 4,79,863 students for Arts, 3,66,756 students for Commerce, and the 57,693 students for the vocational stream.New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday asserted that there was absolutely "no scandal" in the Rafale fighter jet deal with France and allegations of wrongdoings relating to it were politically motivated. Without naming the Congress, Sitharaman said, "false comparisons" were made between the price at which India was procuring the jets and the price being negotiated by some other countries.

"I am assuring you in the company of all the senior officials that yes there is no scandal in Rafale. We are very clear about that," she said replying to a question on allegations of the scam in the Rafale deal.

She was addressing a press conference along with top officials of the defence ministry on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the NDA government. "Absolutely," she said when asked whether she can assure that not even a single rupee has been made in the Rafale deal. She called the allegations very clear case of "motivated attacks".

Sitharaman also said that there has been no allegations of corruption against any officials of the defence ministry in the last four years. India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore, nearly one-and-half years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the proposal during a visit to Paris.

The delivery of the jets is scheduled to begin from September 2019. The Congress had raised several questions about the deal including the rates and accused the government of compromising national interest and security while causing a loss to the public exchequer.

The Congress has been demanding details of the deal including the cost of equipment and weapons, alleging that the deal negotiated under its rule was much cheaper than the contract signed by the Modi government.

The government has been refusing to give an item-wise cost and other details about the deal in Parliament citing confidentiality provisions of a 2008 Indo-France pact. The UPA government had negotiated a USD 10.2 billion deal for the 126 jets. However, the deal could not be finalised.The Patanjali group, owned by yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, has decided to shift its planned food park out of Uttar Pradesh over disappointing attitude of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Patanjali Ayurved Limited managing director Acharya Balkrishna said that the group has decided to shift its proposed food park out of Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh as lives of farmers could not be improved.

Blaming Adityanath government for the pullout, Balkrishna posted on microblogging site Twitter: Came to know about quashing of Mega Food Park, approved by the Centre, in Greater Noida. The pledge to bring prosperity to the lives of farmers in the land of Sri Ram and Krishna remained incomplete because of the indifference of the state government.

He added, Patanjali has decided to shift the project (Mega Food Park) with immediate effect.

To be built at an expenditure of more than Rs 1600 crore, the Mega Food Park was slated to be spread over 450 acres of land in Greater Noida. Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav had laid the foundation stone of the Patanjali Mega Food Park.

In November 2016, Patanjali Ayurveda had announced that it would launch projects in Uttar Pradesh with an investment of Rs 2000 crore. Among the projects was this Mega Food Park.

The then Akhilesh Yadav-led SP government had given its consent to the projects, following which the land for the project was identified. The state government had given approval to the project as it had the potential to generate employment in the region.NEW DELHI: Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that India will honour the Ramzan ceasefire but will retaliate to any unprovoked attack.



When it is an unprovoked attack the Army was given the right to retaliate. We honour the ceasefire but of course, a margin was given to us when there is an unprovoked attack, said Sitharaman while addressing a press conference on the occasion of the completion of four years of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

"Terror and talks cannot go hand in hand, she said, adding, We shall keep our borders safe.

The Defence Minister's statement comes two days after two BSF personnel and 13 civilians lost their lives in unprovoked and indiscriminate firing by Pakistani rangers in Akhnoor, Kanachak and Khour sectors of Jammu district on Sunday. The violation came barely a week after the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan mutually agreed to implement the ceasefire pact of 2003.

When asked if the Ramazan ceasfire has been successful, the Defence Minister said, Defence ministry's role is not to assess whether ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir has been successful or not. It's our business to guard the border and we won't stop if we're provoked. We shall be alert and ensure that no unprovoked attack goes without response. It's our duty to keep India safe.

Sitharaman further added that allegations of scam in the Rafael deal are baseless."There is no shortage of Defence ammunition today. Allegations of scam in the Rafael deal are baseless," she said.

When asked about the deal with Russia over the S-400 missiles, the minister said that deal is in final stages of negotiations. She added India has clarified to United States that India India and Russia have a continuous relationship. "Have told US that India-Russia defence ties go a long way back, CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions cannot impact this.

Speaking on the issue over the opening cantonment gates to civilians: The MOD order is for cantonments where civilians and Armed Forces live together. It doesn't apply to military stations. After all meetings, it was found that 850 roads were under closure in 62 cantonments. Among 850, 119 roads were closed without following the due procedure. Among those 119 only 80 roads have been opened."New Delhi: In alliance in Maharashtra but under a constant threat from an imminent political divorce, BJP and Shiv Sena ties have plummeted in recent weeks. Amit Shah though will now meet Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Wednesday in what could possibly be a bid to calm frayed nerves.

News agency ANI reported that Shah will call on the Shiv Sena chief at his residence as part of BJP's 'Sampark for Samarthan' move. Political analysts believe the meeting could be vital to the future of BJP-Sena relations at a time when the two parties have been gunning at each other despite being alliance partners. Thackeray, in particular, has been relentless and unforgiving in baring his fangs - calling BJP 'murderous' and even writing in Saamna - Sena's mouthpiece - that he felt like hitting BJP's UP CM Yogi Adityanath with his slippers for disrespecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. After the recent Palghar bypoll, Sena had also hinted that the Election Commission may be 'working at the behest of a political party.'

Sena announced in January that it will battle in the Lok Sabha elections next year on its own merit. And at a time when many opposition parties are joining hands to battle BJP, Shah remains hopeful of Sena remaining in the NDA fold and it is this hope that could possibly make Wednesday's meeting crucial.Jammu: Within hours of a flag meeting to maintain ceasefire on the international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Rangers fired mortars at Indian positions on Tuesday.

Police said around 1 a.m. the Pakistan Rangers fired two-to-three mortars in the Akhnoor sector of the IB.

"Border Security Force (BSF) troopers did not retaliate. No casualty or damage was caused in the Pakistani shelling," a police officer said.

On Monday, a sector commanders level flag meeting was held in Suchetgarh between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers for two hours.

The meeting was held on Pakistan`s request and the two sides agreed to respect the ceasefire agreement in letter and spirit.The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday ordered the state government to ensure peaceful release of Kaala, starring superstar Rajinikanth and noted actors Nana Patekar and Huma Qureshi. With pro-Kannada outfits threatening to stall the release of Kaala, the makers of the film had move the High Court for smooth release in theatres.

Reacting to the directive of the Karnataka High Court, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that he was compelled to implement the directions, as it was his responsibility being the head of the state government.

He, however, added that as an individual, he felt that the time was not appropriate for the release of the multi-starrer film. Kumaraswamy said, As head of Karnataka government, I have to implement direction of High Court, it's my responsibility. But according to my observations as an individual, in this kind of atmosphere it isn't good on the part of producer/distributor to release the movie.

The Karnataka Chief Minister said that his opinion about deferring the release of the film was based on his opinion as a Kannadiga. Pro-Kannada groups have called to stall the release of the film over Rajinikanths recent remark on the Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

"Even if they release the movie... I know... I'm an experienced person.... Basically I am also a film distributor and producer. It will not be useful to them financially. Why unnecessarily by releasing the movie this kind of controversy they wanted to create. It is not necessary," Kumaraswamy further said.

"After there is a solution in this (Cauvery) water issue then they can release any time," he said.

Kumaraswamy said the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce and several Kannada organizations were "very much" opposing the release of the movie" and added, "they (distributor) must oblige the opposition from the film chamber and Kannada organizations."

Miffed with Rajinikanth's reported comments that whichever government comes to power in Karnataka should implement the Supreme Court order on Cauvery water sharing in toto, the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce on May 29 decided not to allow screening of 'Kaala', due for release on June 7.

(With PTI Inputs)BENGALURU: Two weeks after taking over as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, HD Kumaraswamy will on Wednesday expand his Cabinet. The CM said that at least nine MLAs from the Janata Dal Secular (JDS) will be inducted in the first phase of cabinet expansion of the JDS-Congress coalition government in the state.

"In the first phase (of the cabinet expansion), eight to nine members (MLAs from JD(S)) will be there (inducted in the cabinet). Two to three vacancies will be there," Kumaraswamy said here when asked about the first phase of cabinet expansion.

As per the coalition agreement on June 1, Congress was allocated 22 ministerial berths and 12 to JDS. Congress was allocated Home, Irrigation, Health, Agriculture and Women Child Welfare ministries, while JDS agreed with Finance and Excise, Public Works Department, Education, Tourism and Transport ministries.

Ruling out any differences among JDS MLAs with regard to portfolio allocation, Kumaraswamy said party president HD Deve Gowda has been given total freedom on the next phase of cabinet expansion. "There are no differences at all among our MLAs (over cabinet berths and portfolio allocations). Actually they have given total freedom to the national president to select the future cabinet," he said.

He also said the national president has advised all MLAs about giving good governance with their cooperation. "Today we had a meeting with our MLAs. Our national president advised all MLAs to cooperate with the cabinet for developing the state and providing good governance," he said.

Both the Congress and the JDS had earlier agreed to set up of coordination and monitoring committee to oversee smooth functioning of the coalition. The committee will be led by senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, while JDS leader Danish Ali will work as its convenor.

Ahead of the Cabinet expansion on Wednesday, Congress leaders from the state are likely to visit Delhi to discuss the list of ministers and portfolio allocation with the party high command.MONACO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG) (Scorpio Tankers or the Company) announced today that it has agreed to sell and leaseback six MR product tankers (STI Battery, STI Milwaukee, STI Tribeca, STI Bronx, STI Manhattan, and STI Seneca) to CMB Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. Upon completion, the Companys liquidity is expected to increase by $52 million in aggregate after the repayment of outstanding debt. These lease financing arrangements are part of the Companys new financing initiatives that were announced on April 25, 2018.



As part of the agreements, the Company will bareboat charter-in the vessels for a period of eight years. In addition, the Company has purchase options beginning at the start of the fourth year of each agreement. There is also a purchase obligation for each vessel upon the expiration of each agreement.

These lease financing arrangements are subject to customary conditions precedent and the execution of definitive documentation.

About Scorpio Tankers Inc.

Scorpio Tankers is a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide. The Company currently owns or finance leases 109 product tankers (38 LR2 tankers, 12 LR1 tankers, 45 MR tankers and 14 Handymax tankers) with an average age of 2.8 years and time or bareboat charters-in 17 product tankers (two LR2 tankers, eight MR tankers and seven Handymax tankers).

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. Scorpio Tankers desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, plan, target, project, likely, may, will, would, could and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although management believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, there can be no assurance that Scorpio Tankers will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, except as required by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of the Companys operations, risks relating to the integration of the operations of Navig8 Product Tankers Inc. (NPTI) and the possibility that the anticipated synergies and other benefits of the acquisition of NPTI will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected timeframe, the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the merger with NPTI and the related transactions, the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with the Company, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires, and other factors. Please see Scorpio Tankers filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of certain of these and other risks and uncertainties.

Contact Information

Scorpio Tankers Inc.

(212) 542-1616Cab aggregator Ola has expressed regret over the incident of a woman in Bengaluru allegedly being molested by a driver. Releasing a statement after the uproar, Ola said that they have zero tolerance for any such incident, adding that the accused driver has been blacklisted.

Assuring full support in the investigations, the statement released by Ola said, Safety of customers is our top priority. We are extending full support to police in probe.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Bengaluru police arrested the accused driver after a 26-year-old woman in Bengaluru alleged that she was held hostage and molested by him during a trip to airport in the wee hours of June 1.

According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, the Ola cab driver took a different route just before reaching the Bengaluru airport, on the pretext of the route being shorter. He then stopped the car, and allegedly made the woman strip, clicked her photograph and molested her.

The woman had reportedly booked the cab around 2 am on June 1 to catch an early morning flight to Mumbai. She boarded the cab at her residence in JB Nagar locality of Bengaluru. While going to the airport, the driver took the car to a secluded road.

When the woman objected to the acts of the Ola driver, he even threatened her of calling his friends and getting her raped, said the report in Mumbai Mirror. He also allegedly took her phone away and threatened to kill her if she made any noise.

Though the driver dropped the woman at the Bengaluru airport after an hour, he threatened that he would post her pictures on social media websites if she informed anyone about the alleged incident.

This is not the first such incident involving an Ola driver. There have been several instances in the past wherein drivers have molested and harassed female drivers.SHILLONG: The Army conducted flag marches on Monday after a fresh outbreak of violence, including an attack by protesters on a CRPF camp on Sunday night, in the Meghalaya capital where authorities re-imposed curfew.

More than 15 companies of CRPF (100 personnel each) have been deployed in Shillong, officials said, while the Centre on Monday sent an additional 10 companies of paramilitary forces to restore peace in the city where normal life was disrupted for the fourth day following clashes between local tribals and Punjabi residents.

After curfew was relaxed for eight hours yesterday, fresh clashes broke out last night, prompting police to use tear gas shells to quell the mobs, a police officer said.

Protesters pelted stones at the CRPF camp at Mawlai, situated just below Jaiaw Lumsyntiew locality last night, the officer said.

CRPF IG Prakash D told PTI that three CRPF personnel received minor injuries and were given medical treatment at the camp itself. "There is no immediate threat to their life and there was no report of damage to property at the camp," he said.

Officials said curfew was reimposed at 4 pm today and would continue till further orders.

Chief Minister Conrad S Sangma chaired an all-party meeting in Shillong over the violence and announced the formation of a committee which will find a "permanent solution to the long pending issue" of relocation of sweeper colony from Them Metor near Bara Bazaar, where the clashes had started on Thursday.

Sangma also briefed a four-member team sent by the Punjab government. Punjab Jail Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who led the delegation, said the members of the community were safe in the state. They will meet representatives of Punjabi community tomorrow.

The Army conducted flag march on Monday in the affected areas including Laitumkhrah, Polo and Baza Bazaar after curfew was imposed by district authorities, Defence spokesperson Ratnakar Singh told PTI.

He said the Army was called in on June 1. About 300 displaced civilians, mostly women and children, were rescued and they returned to their homes here the following day, Singh said.

The district authorities have clamped curfew in the entire state capital here to contain the situation and prevent the spread of protests to other parts of the city.

East Khasi Hills district deputy commissioner said the night curfew in the state capital was preponed from 10 pm to 4 pm after intelligence inputs indicated that about 500 "protesters" have entered the city.

The curfew, although relaxed yesterday for few hours, will continue until further orders, he said.

The CPRF IG informed that 15 companies of CRPF have been deployed at the various locations which the district authorities have identified as vulnerable to attacks.

The National Commission for Minorities will send a member to Shillong to investigate the clashes, the panel's chief said

The panel has decided to send its member Manjit Singh Rai from Punjab to Shillong to assess the situation, said NCM chairperson Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi.

The trouble started on Thursday after two groups of people in the city's Punjabi Line area clashed after a bus handyman was allegedly beaten up by a group of residents.

More than 10 people, including policemen, were injured in the violence. One person has been arrested so far in connection with the assault.

Tourism has been hit in the picturesque Meghalaya due to the violence.

A number of hotels in Shillong, whom PTI spoke with, informed that there have been nervous queries from tourists and also last-minute cancellations of rooms due to the current situation in the city.Mumbai: A traffic constable, who in January had filed an appeal against corruption in his department in Bombay High Court, has now sought permission to commit suicide citing pressure being put on him to withdraw his charges.

Sunil Bhagwant Thoke had grabbed headlines when he had submitted a rate card in the Bombay High Court and had said there is rampant corruption in his department. He had also claimed to have done a number of sting operations to expose the corrupt practices but was unable to prove his allegations in court. Since, Thoke has reportedly been transferred a dozen times and says that there is enormous pressure being put on him and therefore, wants to commit euthanasia.

Thoke has reportedly written a letter to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis seeking permission to commit suicide and has said that if there is no decision on his letter in 15 days, he would commit suicide along with his wife. He has further said that in such a scenario, the state government would be held responsible for his decision.

There have been several reports in the local media about corruption in Mumbai Police's Traffic Department in the past. Called hafta vasooli in local parley, many cops reportedly charge different rates for either bending the rule or looking the other way. Mumbai Police however has always promised to look into every allegation and has promised severe punishment for those found guilty.New Delhi: Actor Arjun Kapoor became the pillar of strength for his father Boney Kapoor and sisters Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor after Sridevi's untimely death. In spite of his differences, Arjun came forward and fulfilled all the duties of a son. Recently, through a single tweet, Arjun revealed a lot about life after Sridevi's death.

In a blog shared by a Twitter user, she had written about Arjun and sister Anshula's upbringing by their mom Mona Shourie Kapoor and how the duo became the pillar of strength for their father and sisters after Sridevi's death.

Thanking the Twitter user, Arjun wrote, "Hey @aakanksha3131 , me & @anshulakapoor represent our mother every single second we live...she would expect us to have been standing next to our father no matter what n be there for Janhvi & Khushi... thank you for ur kind words bout our mother...as she would say god bless u..."

Hey @aakanksha3131 , me & @anshulakapoor represent our mother every single second we live...she would expect us to have been standing next to our father no matter what n be there for Janhvi & Khushi... thank you for ur kind words bout our mother...as she would say god bless u... https://t.co/xOBQgDE0pP  Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) June 4, 2018

Janhvi and Khushi are often spotted hanging out at Arjun and Anshula's residence for dinner dates along with father Boney Kapoor. The Kapoor family also posed for a perfect family portrait at cousin Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's wedding reception held in Mumbai last month.

Fam Jam #EverydayPhenomenal A post shared by Anshula Kapoor (@anshulakapoor) on May 9, 2018 at 1:55am PDT

Anshula too shared pictures with sisters Janhvi and Khushi on her Instagram handle that became a hit on social media.

Bollywood's first female superstar Sridevi died at the age of 54 on February 24 in Dubai, where she had gone to attend her nephew Mohit Marwah's wedding. The actress passed away due to accidental drowning. Her last rites were performed on February 28 in Mumbai's Ville Parle Crematorium.On the occasion of World Environment Day 2018, Zee Business's Anil Singhvi, Managing Editor at Zee Business, spoke at length with Bollywood actress Dia Mirza about environment-related issues.

Dia has been associated with environment-related programs and has won several titles like IIFA 2012 Green Award because of her contribution towards the environment. She has also been appointed as the brand ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of India and UN Environments Goodwill Ambassador for India among others.

During the conversation, Dia talked about things that she practices to save the environment.

Excerpts:

Q: You have been involved with the environment related issues from quite long time. What is the reason behind it and where did it start?

A: I have been directly associated with environment-related issues for past 10 years. In fact, everything depends on the kind of environment in which you have grown up. What you learnt from the family and at school. The discussion on climate change was started back in the 1980s, the time when we were taught a lot about the concerns related to the environment in school like plastics are non-biodegradable material and the process of composting. Generally, people try to implement things that they learnt as a child.

I always consider myself a part of nature. Hope that people will also realise the same and start protecting the materials that are provided to use free of cost by Mother Nature.

Q: Actually, everyone knows what should be done and why it should be done. Despite this, they think that what will happen if I do not do it. How can we change this notion of people?

A: Rumi has said, You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop and that's why I think they should take inspiration from those who are working on the lines. In fact, the action of every person is connected to the other and no one's efforts can be termed as less. I have a number of examples to cite and two of them are Aditya Mukherjee and Rajeshwari Singh.

Aditya Singh is a 14-year-old boy who has started a movement in Delhi in which he goes to institutions and industrialists and asks them to stop their plastic stocks. Similarly, Rajeshwari Singh, a 32-Year-Old Woman, has walked from Gujarat to Delhi with an aim to raise awareness about plastic pollution and to catalyse people to stop the usage of single-use plastic items. She undertook the journey on foot interacting with locals from the cities she passed.

Interestingly, Singh didn't carry a water bottle during her entire trip and was able to get water in almost every 500meters on her way to the capital city. She says that people keep water in earthen pots on the highways so that anyone who is thirsty can get water.

Q: When it comes to the environment, would you like to give a message to our viewers?

A: If we want, we can reduce or end use of plastic in our everyday life at an ease. For the purpose, I would like to share my personal choices and think that they may apply some of them in their lives.

I don't use plastic brushes, in fact, I have replaced them with Bamboo brush.

I don't use plastic earbuds and have replaced them with earbuds made of bamboo and cotton.

I have replaced regular sanitary napkins, which are mostly made of plastics, with bio-degradable napkins.

I carry my personal metallic water bottle so that I can refill them wherever I get a filter. This has helped me to say no to packaged plastic water bottles.

Apart from this, whenever I go to the restaurant and order a drink then I always ask the waiter not to provide a plastic straw to me.

New Delhi: On World Environment day, Bollywood powerhouse of talent, Kangana Ranaut struck a striking pose by putting up a suffocation mask over her face for ten seconds. By doing so, the actress stressed the importance of stop using plastic for making it a safe place for generation next.

The 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' actress pitched for a ban on single-use plastic. Check out the picture shared by Kangana's team on Instagram with a caption that reads: "On #WorldEnvironmentDay put on this Suffocation Mask over your face for merely 10 seconds to understand what we are doing to the next generation & pitch for banning single-use plastic. #KanganaRanaut @sadhguru @ishafoundation @unenvironment #BeatPlasticPollution #RallyForRivers #WorldEnvironmentDay2018 #saveenvironment #savetheplanet #sadhguru @rallyforrivers"

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5. It is the United Nation's principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of our environment.

It was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 on the first day of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.

Reportedly, in 1987, the idea for rotating the center of these activities through selecting different host countries began. This year, the theme happens to be 'Beat Plastic Pollution' and the host nation is India.New Delhi: Superstar Mahesh Babus political thriller 'Bharat Ane Nenu' became one of the highest grossing movies and biggest hits of 201. Recently, the news of the film getting a whopping 22 crores for its satellite rights surfaced on the internet.

As per reports, this is the highest amount that is being offered to a Telugu film. The actor has been influential through his movie choices, Bharat Ane Nenu being one of the highest openers.

Moments after the release of Bharat Ane Nenu, fans united to trend #MaheshBabu1stDay1stShow on Twitter. The power of the Superstar's pan India audience base was witnessed with a strong India trend on the networking platform. Social media was flooded with fans exhibiting their loyalty and commitment towards Mahesh Babu's films

Bollywood actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar has also lent his voice to the film. He made his Telugu debut by singing a song for Mahesh Babu in his upcoming film. Titled 'I Don't Know', the song is a foot-tapping number which is bound to become an anthem of sorts for sure.

The film also marks the Telugu debut of Bollywood actress Kiara and she plays Maheshs ladylove in the film

Keeping in mind the global fandom of the Superstar, the makers are planning to release 'Bharat Ane Nenu' forty-five countries.

Mahesh Babu plays Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in the political drama.The film highlights the journey of a young graduate taking on the state to fight for the rights of his people. The film was released on the big screen on April 20, 2018.New Delhi: Social media has emerged as a powerful platform these days. Anything which grabs the attention of internet users has the potential to go viral and in no time. The trending videos often make any person an overnight sensation giving them celeb feels right away!

While surfing the internet, we found this dance video where a girl grooving to the popular Punjabi number 'Daru Badnaam' has gone viral. The video has been uploaded on YouTube by 'Obsessive Dancing Disorder' and has generated as many as 2,528,374 views.

Watch the video:

It was first uploaded on April 27, 2018. The girl is dressed in black t-shirt and yellow skirt. Her moves are totally in sync with the Punjabi song and after watching her dance, you will surely wanna join her. After watching the video, you will think about taking some professional dance lessons though.

This song is from the album titled 'Daru Badnaam'.

A few days back, a professor from Bhopal dancing to Bollywood actor Govinda's 90s track at a wedding had set the internet on fire. Later followed by a series of interviews and pictures splashing the social media. He became an overnight sensationsuch is the power of this medium!KOLKATA: An eatery shop owner in Kolkata was shot dead after he had asked for the payment for a plate of biryani to his customers. The incident took place on Sunday evening in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.

The man asked for Rs 190 from four of his customers following which a fight errupted and one of the customers shot the shop owner, police confirmed.

The deceased has been identified as Sanjay Mondal. Police said they have arrested one person and search for other co-accused is on.

"The tussle started over a plate of Biryani and one of the customers shot Sanjay Mondal. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. An FIR was lodged and we have arrested accused Mohammad Firoz," the police said.

"As of now we think it is related to biryani only but our investigation is on," they added.

Mondal's brother said, "Firoz shot my brother. There were four people: Raja, Firoz, Mogri and Salman. They are hooligans. We all are very scared and don't know how to run our business peacefully."

(With inputs from IANS)Sydney: Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Tuesday criticised China for pressuring Qantas Airways to change its website to refer to Taiwan as a Chinese territory, in comments likely to ramp up tensions between the two countries.

Qantas said on Monday it had decided to comply with a request from Beijing to remove references on their websites or in other material that suggest Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are part of countries independent from China.

Australia`s government already adheres to the one-China policy, which means it does not recognise Taiwan as a country. However, Bishop said in an emailed statement that how Qantas structured its website was a matter for the company. "Private companies should be free to conduct their usual business operations free from the political pressure of governments," she said.

Her comments were later echoed by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Defence Minister Marise Payne, who said businesses should make their own decisions. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she had noted Bishop`s comments but that she was not sure what Bishop was trying to say.

"Because there is only one China in the world, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau have always been part of China. This is an objective fact and a matter of international consensus," Hua told a daily news briefing. "When it comes to a matter like this it is not a procedural or technical issue but a major political issue," she said.

Self-ruled and democratic Taiwan is claimed by Beijing as a Chinese territory and has become one of China`s most sensitive issues and a potential military flashpoint. Hong Kong and Macau are former European colonies that are now part of China but run largely autonomously. Sino-Australian relations have soured in recent months, just two years into a free trade pact after Canberra accused Beijing of interfering in its domestic affairs.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull referenced "disturbing reports of Chinese meddling" when he announced plans in late 2017 to introduce tough new legislation to limit foreign influence, including a ban on offshore political donations. China denied the allegations and lodged a formal diplomatic protest.

Despite sustained Australian lobbying, the row intensified last month when Australia`s Treasury Wine Estates Ltd, the world's biggest listed winemaker, said it faced delays at Chinese customs and Canberra said "four or five" other wine exporters had since experienced similar problems.

Before the latest comments, analysts had suggested Australia may be forced into offering a concession to Beijing, such as allowing Huawei Technologies Co Ltd to bid to build the country`s 5G telecommunications network.

Such a move would mark a significant about-turn after Canberra banned the Chinese company from bidding to build Australia`s broadband network in 2012, citing concerns over Huawei`s rumoured close ties to China`s government.

Australia has yet to rule Huawei out of the running, and the Chinese firm has ramped up public lobbying. "Companies like Huawei are privately owned, not owned by any committee or any government, and should be looked at and put into a competitive tendering," John Lord, chairman of Huawei`s Australia unit, told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio on Monday.TORONTO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. (PIMCO) today announced the launch of its fee series alignment program (the Program) for Series A, Series A(US$), Series F, Series F(US$), Series O, Series O(US$), Series M and Series M(US$) (the Series) units of each of the PIMCO Canada Mutual Funds.



PIMCO offers different pricing based on whether or not an investor has more or less than $100,000 in a Series of a PIMCO Canada Mutual Fund. Starting on June 30, 2018, PIMCO will transfer an investor into the correct Series, on a calendar quarter basis, if the investor was not already in that Series. This means that an investors account will be switched to a Series with lower management fees if they meet the eligibility criteria of that Series or switched to a Series with higher management fees if they do not meet the eligibility criteria of the Series they currently hold. Other than a difference in management fees, there are no other material differences between the Series an investor holds and the Series into which an investor may be switched.

Existing investors will receive a letter informing them of the changes in connection with the Program. For further information on the Program and the Funds, please visit www.pimco.ca or call us at 1 866 341 3350 (416 368 3350 in Toronto). A copy of the simplified prospectus of the Funds is available on www.pimco.ca and www.sedar.com.

About PIMCO

PIMCO is one of the worlds premier fixed income investment managers. With our launch in 1971 in Newport Beach, California, PIMCO introduced investors to a total return approach to fixed income investing. In the 45+ years since, we have continued to bring innovation and expertise to our partnership with clients seeking the best investment solutions. Today we have offices across the globe and 2,150+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors should consult their financial advisor to determine if the PIMCO Mutual Funds may be sold in their jurisdiction.

The products and services provided by PIMCO may only be available in certain provinces or territories of Canada and only through dealers authorized for that purpose. PIMCO has retained PIMCO LLC as sub-adviser. PIMCO will remain responsible for any loss that arises out of the failure of its sub-adviser.

Contact:

Agnes Crane

PIMCO  Media Relations

Phone: +212 597.1054

Email: agnes.crane@pimco.comWashington: Preparations for a summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are going well, and the two are tentatively scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Singapore time on June 12, the White House said on Monday.

The announcement of the timing for the first meeting between the two leaders came just three days after Trump hosted a senior North Korean delegation at the White House bearing a letter from Kim. Trump, who had previously cancelled the summit, abruptly announced the meeting was back on.

Asked about the contents of Kim`s letter, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders declined to "get into the specifics of the letter" but added "we feel like things are continuing to move forward and good progress has been made."

"I can tell you the president has been receiving daily briefings on North Korea from his national security team," she added. "And I can also tell you the schedule tentatively for that first meeting will be on June 12 at 9 a.m. Singapore time (June 11 at 9 p.m. EDT)."

Asked whether the US maximum-pressure campaign against North Korea would continue, Sanders said U.S. policy had not changed and Washington continued to maintain tough sanctions on Pyongyang.

"We have sanctions on, they are very powerful and we would not take those sanctions off unless North Korea denuclearized," Sanders said.

Trump said last week he no longer wanted to use the phrase "maximum pressure" to describe the campaign because North Korea was being more cooperative, even though the United States is keeping current sanctions in place.Washington: US First Lady Melania Trump, who had not been seen publicly for the past 24 days, attended an official White House event with her husband President Donald Trump. The event on Monday, a private East Room reception for more than 40 Gold Star military families, was not in and of itself an unusual activity for the First Lady of the US, reports CNN.

However, the First Lady`s absence made her appearance all the more newsworthy.

In a statement on Monday night, Melania Trump said it was a privilege to welcome the military families to the White House, and she thanked them and military members more broadly for their service. "To all those who have lost loved ones in service to our country, our nation grieves with you," her statement read.

"It is a solemn reminder that we, the American people, are able to live as freely as we do because of the selfless sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. We remain indebted to each of them and we honour them today, together, with their families."

The Gold Star event on Monday was closed to the press, with no opportunity for media photos or video, a decision made out of respect for the military family members, Trump`s communications director Stephanie Grisham told CNN.

The First Lady`s lack of recent viewings, prior to Monday`s event, has created a storm of "where is she?" memes on the internet and speculation on her whereabouts.

Her last public appearance was on May 10 when the couple welcomed home three American hostages from North Korea at the Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.In a recent Foreign Affairs column, Adrian Karatnycky and Alexander J. Motyl argue that the Wests anti-corruption policies are failing in Ukraine. This is false. The Wests anti-corruption policies are spot on, and the West needs to dig in and push even harder.



Karatnycky and Motyl are right that Ukraine has changed for the better in the last four years. Indeed, Ukraine has carried out more reforms in the anti-corruption sector since the Euromaidan than in the previous twenty years. Most of the significant achievements are tools that prevent corruption, and they work. Specifically, we implemented the Prozorro public procurement system, cleaned up the banking sector, reformed Naftogaz, introduced an asset declaration system for public officials, and outsourced procurement of medications to international organizations. These reforms were possible only because the IMF, EU, and other foreign partners demanded them. The Ukrainian government would never have done these alone. However, these reforms can only be sustainable, irreversible, and effective if there is a well functioning punitive mechanism, and that mechanism is the courts.

Read the original text at Atlantic Council.Read the original text at 112.ua.

Georgia is witnessing the largest protest rally since the oppositional United National Movement rally in October 2016 and the protests of former president Mikhail Saakashvilis opponents in 2007-2011. Thousands of Georgians, mostly young people, demand justice in the courts, the resignation of the government and early parliamentary elections. Protests in Georgia are unusual. The protesters were not led by the opposition politicians and businessmen, as it was during the revolutions in Armenia or Ukraine. The embodiment of popular anger in Georgia was the grief-stricken common inhabitant of Tbilisi Zaza Saralidze, who buried the 16-year-old son David, who was slaughtered by scoundrels during a street brawl in December last year. Six months have passed since the tragedy, but the father has never been able to obtain a transparent and impartial investigation and punishment of his son's killer from the local law enforcement bodies. However, the Georgians go out to protest not only to express solidarity to the murdered David Saralidze's father but also because they are not happy with the political course of the Georgian Dream party. Apparently, the interests of the Georgian opposition and the US also played their role.

Georgian Dream did not live up to expectations

Anti-government protests in Georgia indicate that a significant part of the Georgian society is tired of the unprofessionalism of the Georgian Dream Party. One of the achievements that became the hallmark of Georgian reforms during the years of Saakashvili's rule was the transformation in the law enforcement sphere, the fight against corruption and crime. The unscrupulous attitude of law enforcement agencies to the investigation of the murder of David Saralidze causes associations with the inefficient work of the Georgian authorities during the presidency of Eduard Shevardnadze. In the 90's and early 2000's, Georgia was in a state of collapse. It was impossible to solve any issue in the business or municipal sector without paying a bribe. Corruption cherished in the police offices and in the courts. The Georgian mafia had a significant impact on various spheres of society. Saralidze's protest found a response in Georgian society, as impunity generates impunity, and arbitrary behavior can affect any citizen.

After the Georgian Dream party came to power, crime began to grow and the quality of the work of law enforcement bodies decreased. Last year, 37.9 thousand crimes were committed in Georgia, which is 5.41% more than in 2016. The number of aggravated murders increased by 23% (32 murders). Robbery of banks by raiders in masks became more frequent. Last year, Georgia had 665 cases of bringing people to suicide. Over the past two years, minor Georgians committed about 1.2 thousand crimes but were punished only in 377 cases. For comparison, in 2011, under the previous authority, the number of crimes amounted to 32.2 thousand.

Georgians who suffered from the actions of the authorities came to the protest. Pankisi resident, Gorge Malkhaz Machalikashvili, whose 19-year-old son Tamerlane died during the anti-terrorist operation of Georgian special forces last year, has also joined the rally in Tbilisi. When the special forces examined their house, one of them shot a guy's head when he woke up and jumped off the bed at the sight of armed people. Later, the authorities began to assert that allegedly Tamerlan Machalikashvili had a grenade in his hands. Georgian law enforcers abused power during anti-drug raids in Georgian nightclubs in May this year.

The streets of Georgian cities are full of those dissatisfied with the internal policy of "dreamers". Despite the fact that the Georgian authorities report economic growth and low unemployment (13.9%), more than half of the working population of Georgia are considered self-employed. These are people who work free of charge in family enterprises. The highest unemployment rate is among young people (26%). Tbilisi residents themselves complain that there is little money in the country, and the domestic market is too narrow and competitive for doing business. The Georgians were not pleased with the introduction of the new taxes on the imports of cars, gasoline, engine, oil, and cigarettes for replenishment of the state treasury by 548 million lari by the government. In January 2017, the tax on imports of cars older than 14 years increased from 0.8 to 2.4 lari per cubic centimeter. You need to pay 3 times more for importing right-hand drive vehicles. Hybrid cars are now subject to a 60% duty on their value. The introduction of low import duties on cars was one of Saakashvili's most popular transformations among Georgians. Georgians bought used cars in the US for a pittance, imported them to Georgia, repaired them, and resold them on the domestic market or customers from near abroad (with an extra charge). The inhabitants of Kazakhstan were especially fond of buying cars in Georgia. Because of the new taxes, it became more difficult for ordinary Georgians to do business.

"Dreamers" could not agree with Russia on the return of separatist entities (Abkhazia and South Ossetia) to Georgia. One of the goals of the program of the Georgian Dream Party was the normalization of relations with Russia. However, apart from the partial restoration of trade and economic relations, nothing more could be achieved. In July 2017, Russian military and South Ossetian separatists seized part of the Georgian territory along which the Baku-Supsa pipeline section passes. Recently, the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad (Russia's ally in the Middle East) recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It is unlikely that this decision was without the influence of the Kremlin. Georgian Dream, which was founded by the Georgian-Russian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who turned a blind eye to the violation of Georgia's territorial integrity, acting in favor of the Kremlin.

The revenge of mishysts (Saakashvili-lovers) serves the interests of the United States

Saralidze called on opposition parties to join the protest. He asked to support ordinary people and help to destroy the existing system. Together with the head of the NGO "Center for the reform of law enforcement agencies," Zviad Kuprava they have consulted with the leader of "New Georgia" Giorgi Vashadze, a member of the party "United National Movement" ("mishysts") Nika Melia, leader of the movement "The state for the people" Nikoloz Machutadze , the leader of the "National Democratic Party" Bachuki Kardava and decided to seek early parliamentary elections. From the outset, the protests Zazu Saralidze supported the party "United National Movement" and its member Ani Tsitlidze organized a rally in Zugdidi.

The conflict between Saralidze and the regime of the "dreamers" is a convenient reason for the consolidation of the Georgian opposition led by the "mishysts". The main trump card of the opposition is the positive experience of reforms in Georgia, the ability to restore order in the law enforcement sphere. It would not have belonged to Saakashvili in Georgia, many recognize that during "mishysts" rule the prosecutor's office employee Mirza Subeliani, whose son was involved in a fight and because of which deal supposedly is frozen, the murderer of David Saralidze certainly would be put behind the bars. Then the share of acquittals did not exceed 0.1-0.2% per year. 450 thieving officials from surrounding Shevardnadze occurred behind the bars, arrested 214 thieves, fired 40 thousand. Law enforcement employees who were involved in corruption. From 2006 to 2010 the number of especially serious crimes decreased by 37%, armed robberies - by 78%. Over the years of Saakashvili's rule, the level of trust of Georgians towards law enforcement bodies has increased from 5% to 87%. A new criminal code was introduced in the country.

Kvirikashvili and Georgian Dream do not intend to surrender. The prime minister publicly refused to resign. A rally of supporters of power was organized in Tbilisi, these people are often call "mishysts" supporters marginalists. Although both supporters and opponents of Saakashvili are rallying.

The United States benefited from the political revenge of United National Movement. Former Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and his associates maintain close relations with representatives of the Republican Party since George W. Bush. In his foreign policy, Saakashvili focused on the United States and pursued a policy of Euro-Atlantic integration, distanced himself from Russia. Georgia may be of the United States interest to reserve airfield in the literal sense. The US could transfer part of the equipment from the Incirlik airbase to Turkey. Since 2016, the Turks have held pickets with the requirement to close the base. Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, might close American military facilities due to uneasy relations with the United States.

Georgia has the military airfields at Marneuli, Senaki, Telavi, and Alekseevka, which can be used by US Air Force. Georgian naval posts can be hosted by the American warships. Therefore, it is advantageous for Americans to have the loyal political forces in Georgia. The US military presence in Georgia would undermine the monopoly of Russia's influence in the South Caucasus and would be another factor of pressure on the Kremlin.

Ukrainian parallels

The events in Georgia create a serious precedent for activating opposition sentiments among Ukrainians who are dissatisfied with the work of the current government. Similar problems exist in the law-enforcement sphere of Ukraine. The reform of the police and the fight against corruption were one of the key political slogans of the ruling coalition. The police reform in Ukraine has been carried out, but the crime rate is still high. In 2017, 495.7 thousand crimes out of 523.9 thousand were registered by the prosecutor's office in Ukraine.

The number of the crimes related to the illegal handling of arms increased by 29%, forgery of documents (by 3.7%), illegal drug trafficking (by 25.1%), and official crimes (by 16.4%). Over the past year in Ukraine, 260 thousand thefts were committed. In the first half of 2017, the number of cases of bribes identified increased from 1453 to 1557. Bribes are taken by the officials, public service employees, doctors, and police. In 2017, Ukraine committed 7,000 crimes by the minors (148 more than in 2016). Of these, 3196 are serious and particularly serious crimes, including murder, rape, and robbery.

As the events in Georgia show, when the authorities cease to protect the interests of their people and act solely in their own interests, the society begins to demand early elections and refuses to engage in a dialogue with the government. At least, Zaza Saralidze and his supporters are quite determined and want to achieve a change of power in Georgia. So it has already happened in 2003, when during the "Rose Revolution" Saakashvili and his supporters forced Shevardnadze to resign. The situation may recur, and not only in Georgia.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or 112.International and its owners.Open source

The situation in the combat area in eastern Ukraine remains under control of the Ukrainian military. Over the past 24 hours, two Ukrainian servicemen sustained injuries in action.

According to the HQ of the Joint Forces Operation, Russian mercenaries used the Minsk-banned weaponry during attacks on Ukrainian positions in Luhansk region. The skirmishes were observed in Novotoshkivske, Krymske and Prychepylivka.

The enemy opened fire from small arms and grenade launchers, attacking Maryinka, Vodyane, Luhanske, Shyrokyne and Pavlopol (Donetsk region).

The radio-technical troops of the Joint Forces spotted and destroyed 'Orlan-10', the Russian-made UAV.Several explosions occurred at the filtration station near Donetsk last night, on June 4. The Ministry of Temporarily Occupied Territories and IDPs reported that in Twitter.

A severe fight is underway in the area of Donetsk filtration station, the staff takes cover in a bomb shelter, reads the message.

As we reported earlier, The Donetsk Filtration Station has resumed its work after the shelling by pro-Russian militants on May 17.

Another attack on Donetsk filtering station led to the shutdown of the facility; the shelling was observed on late May 17. According to the State Emergencies Service, the switch room took fire; the damage resulted in the station shutting down.

Earlier the OSCE SMM observers refused to accompany the personnel of the station and the workers stayed there for the second day.

As we reported the militants shelled the convoy of the filtration station's workers. Five workers suffered, one of them is in the serious condition. On April 18, Donetsk Filtration Station has stopped its work and the supply of the drinking water was stooped to Avdiivka, partially to Donetsk and Yasynuvata, Chervony Partyzan, Kruta Balka and Verkhnyotoretske villages.23-year-old man conducted reconnaissance of the military objects of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Mariinka at the request of the militants' tutors

Open source

The soldiers of one of the brigades of the Joint Force operation detained the citizen of Yasynuvata city (not controlled by Ukraine) who is a member of the human intelligence network of the Ministry of State Security of Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). The Joint Force operation Staff reported this on Facebook.

The detention took place on June 3, according to the message.

The representatives of the military counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) as a part of the Joint Force operation established that 23-year-old man conducted reconnaissance of the military objects of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Mariinka at the request of the militants' tutors. He got $242 for every fulfilled task.

The detainee was transferred to Volnovakha department of police of the Chief Department of the National Police in Donetsk region. The criminal proceeding is opened due to the creation of the militarized or armed formations not provided by the law.

As we reported pro-Russian militants captured two Ukrainian Army servicemen in the combat area in Donbas.The Dutch assets of the Russian Gazprom were arrested for the payment of $2, 6 billion to Ukraine's Naftogaz by the decision of the Stockholm Arbitrage as the press service of the Ukrainian company reported.

'Last week, Naftogaz has appealed toward the arrest of the shares of the Gazprom in its Dutch affiliated companies and debts of the affiliated companies of the Gazprom. The appeals were filed to provide the right of Naftogaz to get $ 2,6 billion from the Russian monopolist by the decision of the Stockholm Arbitrage made in February 2018. The Dutch court has satisfied all appeals, but six out of seven affiliated companies of Gazprom in the Netherlands refused to cooperate with the court officers. However, it will influence the arrest', the message said.

Also, Naftogaz initiated the arrest of other assets, including Gazprom's shares in its affiliated companies Nord Stream AG and Nord Stream 2 AG.

'The Swiss court has satisfied the appeals and the court officers hold actions to freeze these and other assets', the message said.

Naftogaz noted that Gazprom's appeal against the decisions of the Stockholm Arbitrage does not mean the automatic postponement of the obligation of the Russian company to urgently pay and does not influence the process of the recovery.

'The confirmation to this is the quick decisions of the European courts of the different jurisdictions', the message concluded.

As it was reported earlier, Russia's energy monopolist Gazprom refused to abide by the decision of Stockholm arbitrary court. Gazprom's delegation offered the Ukrainian side to either submit amendments to the gas deal or to break it. Naftogaz considers such actions a violation and disrespect for the decision made by Stockholm arbitrary court. Naftogaz refuses to accept Gazprom's offers. The Russian company's denial to obey the decision of the international arbitrary questions Gazprom's reliability as European gas industry's partner', the message said, quoting Naftogaz's Chief Commercial Officer Yuriy Vitrenko.

Two arbitrary disputes between Gazprom and Naftogaz at the Arbitration Institute lasted for over three years: the dispute on the gas debt  from June 2014 to December 2017, on the transit agreement  from October 2014 to February 2018. There are less than two years left until both agreements terminate (at the end of 2019).

The Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce has granted the lawsuit of Naftogaz as to compensation for the volumes of transit gas that had not been delivered by Gazprom on February 28. According to the decision of the court, Naftogaz got a $4,63 billion compensation for the transit gas that had been agreed on, but not delivered by Gazprom.Read original article at 112.ua

Judge for yourself: for the first quarter of 2018, the index of capital investments in Ukraine increased by 37.4% compared to the same period last year. But it is worth recalling that for the first quarter of 2014, capital investments fell by 23.1%. What happened so that everything began to grow?



The growth of the index of capital investments in Ukraine for the first quarter of 2018 is just off the scale. For a long time, our country has not seen such a result. For the first quarter of 2017, this same index grew by 21.4%, and for the first quarter of 2016, only by 0.7%. Or maybe it is not a growth?



The index of capital investments is considered as a deduction of the price increase in Ukraine, although it is difficult to completely clear this index from the price increase, but, in general, the trend is correct. Yes, its really the growth. At the same time, in the industry, this index grew by 46.3%. Investments in IT services have doubled. Although investment in agriculture increased only by 10%. The drop in capital investments has not been reported in any segment of the Ukrainian economy.



In order to understand why such a large increase is reported, you should carefully look at the sources of financing. The Ukrainian business invested the biggest amount of money. About 76% of all investments for the first quarter of 2018. The share of the population in the total amount of investments is, as a rule, money for the purchase of housing, about 8%. But the state share in capital investments is 1%, and foreign investors share - 0.3%. Just do not ask how many and where were spent billions of hryvnia, which from the state budget of Ukraine were directed to economic development and invested in the real economy. Our authorities will be uncomfortable answering this question since the hands are constantly busy because it is necessary to spend most of the working time to recalculate "kickbacks". We talk a lot about the state which spends billions on investments in the Ukrainian economy, but if you look in more detail, the majority of this money is spent on conducting economic forums on attracting investment. And this trend cannot be reversed. Because all who are in the opposition, promise economic growth and honestly invest money from the state budget in the real economy of Ukraine. But as soon as they come to power, these most active oppositionists become the most active investor in offshore, and it all ends sadly.



Who can recall how many times our president and prime minister told us how the investment attractiveness of Ukraine among foreign investors has sharply increased? Here only the figures speak about something else. Back in the first quarter of 2011, and when the power was in the hands of criminals and no one has fought against corruption, the share of foreign investments in the total amount of capital investment was ten times more, in other words, 3% of the total.

The real economy of Ukraine is more pragmatic, and in this, it is not unusual that the population and Ukrainian business are the main investors in the economy, and thanks to them the Ukrainian economy has not completely collapsed yet.

But what is not enough for a real drive is that the investment growth is not situational, but regular and that everything grows at times. In Ukraine, there is no normal business lending. The share of loans in the total amount of capital investments for the first quarter of 2018 was 8.4%. In the first quarter of 2013, before the Maidan, this figure was 18%. And this is not enough. In normal countries, the share of loans that help businesses to develop is up to 50% of the total investment. Without a revival of normal lending, one should not even dream of a normal economic growth. Because the money of the population is not unlimited. But the hryvnia has stabilized, there is no risk of a big devaluation, businessmen, and ordinary Ukrainians have become more inclined to invest. In general, as soon as the hryvnia devalues, the population and business buy up dollars, but as soon as the hryvnia exchange rate is more or less stable, they start thinking about what to do with dollars. Just now, these same currency "stash" of the previous periods is used, when it makes sense to change dollars to a hryvnia and build a house for themselves or buy an apartment. Everything is moving, everything is changing.



The biggest risk is that the "stash" will run out, and lending will not start, and then the dizzying growth of capital investments will disappear as sharply as it appeared. All this talks about the fact that now Ukraine will defeat corruption and foreign investors will invest in Ukraine  its just a wish. No one is going to rush, and what corruption has to do with people investing? For any investor, the most terrible thing is different kinds of revolutions, a mess and a collapse of the hryvnia, which are so popular after political upheavals. And most importantly: money loves silence, not stupid reforms that only harm business and create problems for the population. We just need fewer reforms and run a normal business lending. And the economic miracle in Ukraine will flourish.Official Ottawa treats the sentence as an attempt to derogate the journalists

Open source

The government of Canada condemns sentence of Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko by Russia as Chrystia Freeland, the Foreign Minister of Canada reported on Twitter.

Official Ottawa treats the delivered sentence as an attempt to derogate the journalists.

'As the former journalist, I am appalled by the arrest and sentence of the Ukrainian journalist to 12 years in jail in Russia. Canada condemns this attempt to repress those who work in the defense of truth', Freeland wrote.

On June 4, Moscow City Court of Russia has sentenced Roman Sushchenko, the citizen of Ukraine to 12 years in the hard labor colony for the espionage. The court session against Sushchenko took place in the closed regime and the court announced only introductory and resume parts of the decision. The defense is going to appeal to the court's decision.

Ukrainian Roman Sushchenko, the reporter of Ukrinfiorm news agency, was detained in September 2016 in Moscow and accused by the FSB of espionage. For this, he faces 20 years in prison. Ukraine has appealed to Russia with a demand to release the Ukrainian journalist multiple times.

The lawyer explained that Sushchenko, who lived in France for six years, being a Ukrinform correspondent in Paris, has visited Russia multiple times, and during the detention, he was there for his own reasons. He has relatives in Russia.English French

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR DISTRIBUTION THROUGH UNITED STATES NEWS OR WIRE SERVICES.

MONTREAL, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PRO Real Estate Investment Trust (PROREIT or the REIT) (TSXV:PRV.UN) is pleased to announce the voting results from its annual meeting of unitholders held today in Montreal, Quebec.



A total of approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding voting units of the REIT were represented either in person or by proxy at the meeting, and each of the eight trustees of the REIT was re-elected as trustee of the REIT. Based on proxies received prior to the meeting, each trustee was re-elected by a substantial majority as follows:

Trustee Results % Votes For %Votes Withheld Peter Aghar Elected 99.57 0.43 James W. Beckerleg Elected 99.57 0.43 Vincent Chiara Elected 99.22 0.78 Martin Cote Elected 99.15 0.85 Shenoor Jadavji Elected 99.07 0.93 John Levitt Elected 99.24 0.76 Gerard A. Limoges Elected 99.08 0.92 Ronald E. Smith Elected 99.19 0.81

The REITs external auditor was also reappointed at the meeting, and the amendment to the REITs long term incentive plan to increase the number of units of the REIT that may be issued thereunder, as described in the proxy circular of the REIT dated May 4, 2018 prepared in connection with the meeting, was also approved at the meeting by disinterested unitholders. A copy of the proxy circular is available under PROREITs profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About PROREIT

PROREIT (www.proreit.com) is an unincorporated open-ended real estate investment trust established pursuant to a declaration of trust under the laws of the Province of Ontario. PROREIT was established in March 2013 to own a portfolio of diversified commercial real estate properties in Canada, with a focus on primary and secondary markets in Quebec, Atlantic Canada and Ontario with selective expansion into Western Canada. PROREITs portfolio is diversified by property type and geography and is comprised of 66 properties with approximately 2.7 million square feet of commercial gross leasable area.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information:

PRO Real Estate Investment Trust

James W. Beckerleg

President and Chief Executive Officer

514-933-9552



PRO Real Estate Investment Trust

Gordon G. Lawlor, CPA, CA

Chief Financial Officer

514-933-9552



The reason is that several days ago Facebook removed an article about massacre in the village of Kandanos in Western Crete and the killing of about 180 of its inhabitants on 3 June 1941 by a Greek journalist Nikos Mpogiopoulos

Greeces Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights, Stavros Kontonis, sharply criticized Facebook for censorship after the social media platform removed and temporarily blocked Mpogiopoulos account. Several days ago Facebook removed an article about a massacre in the village of Kandanos in Western Crete and the killing of about 180 of its inhabitants on 3 June 1941 by a Greek journalist Nikos Mpogiopoulos, Keep Talking Greece reports.

Facebook took down the article What did you do in Kandano, Mr. Kassidiaris and blocked access to the account of left-wing journalist Nikos Mpogiopoulos for 24 hours.

The article was published on website Imerodromos and posted also on its Facebook Page. The article was accompanied by a historical picture showing the bodies of several locals executed by the Nazis in the village of Kondomari on the island of Crete on 2. June 1941. Mpogiopoulos article was criticizing the far-right extremists of Golden Dawn party for hailing Nazism and Hitler.

The picture was immediately removed with the notice it may show violent or tough content.

The blocking of a Greek journalists article by Facebook constitutes a serious offense to the freedom of information process, it is preventive censorship, Kontonis said earlier in Luxembourg before briefing his European counterparts and the EU Commissioner on the issue.

EU Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs are meeting on 4 and 5 June 2018 in Luxembourg to discuss various topics including insolvency, contract law, and parental responsibility. Jointly, home affairs and justice ministers also discuss the draft legislation on e-evidence.

During the EU Justice and Home Affair Council meeting, Kontonis reportedly launched a fierce attack against Facebook saying that the censorship was unacceptable as it muzzles the historical memory on Nazi atrocities in Kandano and [hides] the neo-Nazi ideological background of the far-right party Golden Dawn.

As it was reported earlier, against the scandal with data leak of 50 million users and the use of it by Cambridge Analytica Company, Facebook reported on the simplifying of the privacy settings.

Zuckerberg reported on Cambridge Analytica scandal at EU Parliament to explain this incident in May. He apologized for the scandal on data leak of more than 87 million users at the European Parliament and promised to improve the confidentiality system of the social network.

On April 10, Zuckerberg has already testified in the hearing at the U.S. Senate.Iryna Lutsenko also added that the participation of the MPs from all factions is going to press forward

Ukrainian parliament started to actively consider a draft law on the anti-corruption court, the preparation to the June 7 voting is underway. Iryna Lutsenko, Presidential envoy to the Verkhovna Rada reported that on air of the 112 Ukraine TV channel on June 4.

We have already gone ahead considering this draft law, over 2000 amendments already came in. We are at the stage of considering the amendments to the second reading, the debates are on, one-third of all amendments have been considered. Considering the dynamics, we made a deal with the parliamentary administration and heads of the factions on cancelling all the breaks in order the head of the parliamentary committee (on legal policy and justice, - ed.) could answer the questions if the MPs, they have already considered all those amendments and start considering the draft law during Thursday voting, Iryna Lutsenko said.

Iryna Lutsenko also added that the participation of the MPs from all factions is going to press forward.

Participation of the MPs from all factions is going to press forward. There will be another committee hearing because we havent yet approached the amendments by the relevant committee Ruslan Knyazevych, where the stipulated position shall be reached, Presidential envoy noted.

Lutsenko also commented on the claim by Ukraines Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman on his possible resignation.

Groysman supports Anticorruption court, but we would also support the items like what is going to happen with the tariffs, with the expenses. About the resignation  let us vote on June 7 for the Anticorruption court. As soon as we vote for the Anticorruption court, we can forget about Groysmans resignation, she said.

As we reported earlier, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said he would resign if the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, does not support the bill on the Anti-Corruption Court.

In the course of preparation of the draft law to the second reading, 1927 amendments were applied. The MPs started considering the bill a week ago and have already considered 1274 amendments.However, Russia and the EU have a controversial opinion toward the number of the issues such as Syria and Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russia does not plan to weaken and split the EU supporting the Eurosceptic and populist movements as DW reported.

'On the contrary, we have to expand our cooperation with the EU', Putin claimed, adding that it is necessary due to the trade links.

'We are way more interested in the EU being united and flourishing because the EU is our most important trade and economic partner'.

However, Russia and the EU have a controversial opinion toward the number of the issues such as Syria and Ukraine. The West continues to extend anti-Russian sanctions, while Russia responds with the same measures.

The poisoning of ex-GRU officer also worsened the relations between Russian and the European countries; a lot of them expelled Russian diplomats, however, Austria restrained itself from such measure that makes the country a bridge between Russian and the EU.

As we reported earlier Putin excludes return of occupied Crimea to Ukraine on any terms. Putin called the events in February 2014 in Ukraine 'armed coup' one more time and explained the actions of the Russian army at the peninsula.Ukrainian political prisoner in occupied Crimea Yevhen Panov refused to 'make a deal with the prosecution'. Ihor Kotelianets, the Chairman of 'Union of relatives of Kremlin political prisoners' claimed this as 5 Channel reported.

Due to such decision, the Ukrainian can be sentenced to 20 years of the imprisonment.

'Yevhen was put pressure for a very long period of time, he is in jail for two years. he was told, if he makes a deal with the prosecution and recognize he was the Ukrainian terrorist and Ukraine wanted to commit the terrorist actions, he will face five years in the jail not far from home; if he does not do this, he will face 20 years as Sentsov and will be sent far away. Yevhen did not make any deal. We expect he will be sentenced to the maximal term of the imprisonment  20 years', Kotelianets said.

As we reported earlier, Yevhen Panov was detained in the case of preparation of acts of sabotage in the Crimea on August 15. The total number of detainees reached nine in this case. Moscow blames Ukrainian intelligence in arranging the attacks.

The District Court of Simferopol has arrested the second suspect in the allegedly preparing "terrorist acts" in occupied Crimea Andriy Zahtey on August 13, 2016.

Previously, Ukrainian citizen Yevhen Panov was beaten with a metal pipe in the first few days after the arrest. Panov told the lawyer that he had been kidnapped on August 7 by the FSB operatives. It is not specified where exactly he was kidnapped, in Crimea or in the continental Ukraine. When abducted he was hit in the forehead, the cut marked on photos and videos confirms it. In addition to the physical torture, said Panov, psychological one was applied to him too.The Russian gas monopolist Gazprom reacted to the statement of Ukraine's Naftogaz on the arrest of its Dutch assets. Particularly, the company noted that it knows about the actions of Naftogaz in the Netherlands on the forcible execution of the decision of the Stockholm Arbitrage but it did not get the official notification as RIA News reported.

'Gazprom can provide any commentaries on this issue only after the careful consideration of the documents if they will be filed to our address. As for today, any official notification within this procedure was filed to Gazprom', the company said.

It is noted that Gazprom is ready and it will protect its rights 'in accordance with the applicable law.

According to Interfax, Gazprom's comment on Ukraine's Naftogaz statement is the same as its comment to the news about the attack of Gazprom's assets under the jurisdiction of Switzerland.

As we reported Naftogaz of Ukraine claimed that the Dutch assets of the Russian Gazprom were arrested for the payment of $2, 6 billion by the decision of the Stockholm Arbitrage.

As it was reported earlier, Russia's energy monopolist Gazprom refused to abide by the decision of Stockholm arbitrary court. Gazprom's delegation offered the Ukrainian side to either submit amendments to the gas deal or to break it. Naftogaz considers such actions a violation and disrespect for the decision made by Stockholm arbitrary court. Naftogaz refuses to accept Gazprom's offers. The Russian company's denial to obey the decision of the international arbitrary questions Gazprom's reliability as European gas industry's partner', the message said, quoting Naftogaz's Chief Commercial Officer Yuriy Vitrenko.

Two arbitrary disputes between Gazprom and Naftogaz at the Arbitration Institute lasted for over three years: the dispute on the gas debt  from June 2014 to December 2017, on the transit agreement  from October 2014 to February 2018. There are less than two years left until both agreements terminate (at the end of 2019).

The Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce has granted the lawsuit of Naftogaz as to compensation for the volumes of transit gas that had not been delivered by Gazprom on February 28. According to the decision of the court, Naftogaz got a $4,63 billion compensation for the transit gas that had been agreed on, but not delivered by Gazprom.Lyudmyla Denisova, the Commissioner for Human Rights in Ukraine, informed that she is still insisting on her visit to the Ukrainian political prisoners kept in Russia

Lyudmyla Denisova, the Commissioner for Human Rights in Ukraine, stated that the talks with the Russian side concerning her visit to the political prisoners are still underway. The representatives of the Health Ministry added that they were ready to provide quality health services, as it is reported on the website of the ombudsman.

Lyudmyla Denisova noted that the process of the negotiations with Russian Federation is underway. She continues insisting that either Ukrainian or international doctors have to examine the political prisoners, the message says.

After the meeting with Ulana Suprun, Acting Minister of Healthcare, Denisova added that the Health Ministry is ready to provide quality health services to all detained Ukrainians if Russia agrees.

Besides, Denisova and Suprun agreed to sign a Memorandum on Cooperation to connect the ombudsmans office with the Health Ministry directly.

It is noted that there are around 100 Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia, four of them announced a hunger strike  Oleg Sentsov, Oleksandr Shumkov, Oleksandr Kolchenko and Volodymyr Balukh.

Earlier, the representatives of the Health Ministry appealed to Russia with a demand to let Ukrainian and international medical workers visit Ukrainian political prisoners. Besides, Ulana Suprun published a letter to Sergei Lavrov, Russias Foreign Minister, and to Veronika Skvortsova, Russian Health Minister, dated May 29.Courses offered by Cannabis NM Staffing cover subjects and regulatory factors required to work in the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program.

Courses offered by Cannabis NM Staffing cover subjects and regulatory factors required to work in the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program.

PLEASE NOTE: Classes occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting June 5th - June 21st at 3pm - 4:30 pm. Only One Ticket Purchase is necessary to buy all 6 classes from the drop-down menu.

6/5 New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program Introduction - NMMCP18, Prerequisite 6/7 Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act in Detail - LECUA186/12 Ethics & Code of Conduct - ETHICS186/14 Health Information Portability Accountability Act for Cannabis Professionals - HIPAA186/19 Security and Safety Compliance - SSC186/21 Research and Developments in Medical Cannabis - RDMC18

Note: Food Handler's Safety Certificate offered separately but can be added to this June Program.

Limit 30 students per class! RSVP Today!

For individual class descriptions and more information visit cannaNMstaff.com or enter each course or code name into Eventbrite's search browser. These classes are available for individual purchase on eventbrite.comPLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)Highlighting the culmination of four generations in the workplace and how each generation brings forth new trials and tribulations into todays workforce.

The Better Business Bureau is hosting a seminar on managing generations in the workplace.

The Better Business Bureau Serving New Mexico and Southwest Colorado are hosting a FREE seminar on The Faces of Change: Generations in the Workplace. A seminar that highlights the culmination of four generations in the workplace (Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z), and how each generation brings forth new trials and tribulations into todays workforce. The seminar will go over effective tactics to manage this mesh of unique personalities across the varying generations and strive to close this gap, while still allowing a motivated and healthy work environment for all.



Description:



Currently, there are four unique generations working side by side in the workforce and within the past couple years we have started to experience a fifth! With all those greatly varying beliefs, influences, and traits, it's bound to cause some conflict in your company. The Faces of Change seminar is intended to shed some light on the different generations and a few best practices to manage them. This is a great opportunity to dialogue with other business owners and shares your own experiences and struggles with trying to manage such a range of individuals. Well also talk about ideas on how to keep all of your employees, regardless of which generation they identify with, engaged and motivated.



When: Tuesday, June 5th, 2018



Where: Better Business Bureau



7007 Jefferson St. NE



Albuquerque, NM 87109



Time: 10:00a - 11:00a



Register Here: https://bbb-facesofchange.eventbrite.com



About the Speaker:



Originally from San Antonio, Mariela started her career in hospitality and spent five years with Hyatt before transitioning to a position with Express Employment in Illinois. With over seven years experience in the staffing industry, she has been exposed to a wide variety of industries and positions. She relocated to Albuquerque in 2015 and moved into a training and development role with Express. Now she serves the local Express office and travels to other Express offices nationwide to help train new recruiters, sales professionals, and managers. Passionate about world-class customer service and thinking creatively to meet clients needs, she believes in partnering with businesses to increase employee engagement, develop more effective leaders, and establish positive team cultures to make businesses both profitable and preferred places to work.



Register Here: https://bbb-facesofchange.eventbrite.comYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. The priority task of Armenias new government should be holding snap parliamentary elections, Arsen Ghazaryan  President of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA), told ARMENPRESS.

The real picture of the political field should be expressed in the Parliament via the early elections. This is very important since the business community is at the expectation stage. In addition, one of the main tasks of the Cabinet should be to implement their slogans as a goal, Arsen Ghazaryan said.

Although little time has passed since the launch of the activity of the new Cabinet, the UMBA President stated that there are already positive signals in some directions. He said during the meeting of a group of businessmen and the Prime Minister, he stated that the changes that are noticed already in the administration are very welcomed.

The process of correcting, improving own activity by the business is being noticed. The trend exists, but what results we will achieve depends on both the businessmen so that they will believe in the irreversibility of qualitative changes, and on the managers so that todays declared policy will not be undermined in the practical administration. The business just waits for these changes to be permanent, irreversible, in that case we will expect the results which be revolutionary. That is cutting shadow, drastic increase in budget revenues, equal competitive field, total elimination of discriminations and artificially-created monopolies. We are at the stage of such positive expectations, Arsen Ghazaryan said.

Commenting on the opportunities to increase the investments, the UMBA President said the main precondition for attracting foreign investments is to boost the domestic investments.

We need to activate them domestically so that the foreign investor will have a trust. I am convinced that if we increase the degree of equal competitiveness field, we will have activation of both domestic and foreign investments. The main condition is the equal competitive field for boosting business, as well as the absence of discrimination, Arsen Ghazaryan said, stating that there are positive signals, but all these needs to be maintained and continue.

On May 8 Nikol Pashinyan was elected Prime Minister of Armenia by the Parliament. The new Cabinet is already formed and has approved the governments program on June 1. The Parliament will debate the program on June 7. One of the priority tasks of the governments program is to hold snap parliamentary elections within a year.

Interview by Anna Gziryan

English  translator/editor: Aneta HarutyunyanKyoto and Santa Clara, Calif., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ROHM, a leading supplier of power semiconductors, and GaN Systems, the global leader in GaN power semiconductors, today announced their collaboration in the GaN (gallium nitride) Power Semiconductor business, with the goal of contributing to the continuing evolution of power electronics.



This strategic partnership leverages GaN Systems industry leading capabilities in power GaN transistors along with ROHMs comprehensive footprint in semiconductor and considerable resources in the design and manufacture of electronic components. The companies have agreed to jointly develop form-, fit-, and function-compatible products using GaN semiconductor dies in both GaN Systems GaNPX packaging and ROHMs traditional power semiconductor packaging. GaN Systems and ROHM customers will now have the advantage of having two possible sources for package-compatible GaN power switches, presenting the widest selection of dual-sourced GaN devices.



Customers will also benefit from greater access to GaN products and resources globally, especially in Asia, one of the fastest growing market for GaN. In addition, GaN Systems and ROHM will work together on GaN semiconductor research and development activities to propose ground-breaking solutions for the industrial, automotive, and consumer electronics fields. And to contribute to greater energy savings and increased power densities in the power electronics market, both companies will continue to collaborate to expand their line-up of GaN products and broaden the range of choices.



GaN has rapidly made its ascent into power electronics applications and this partnership exemplifies how important GaN has become in a complete power electronics offering, said Jim Witham, CEO of GaN Systems. Were proud to partner with ROHM, a company well-known for developing industry-leading technologies. By combining our joint expertise and capabilities, were enabling more businesses to access and experience the benefits of GaN in achieving higher power, more efficient, smaller, and lighter power electronics.



"ROHM has targeted the power device business as one of our growth strategies. We offer leading-edge products such as SiC (Silicon Carbide) power devices and provide power solutions that integrate control technologies, including gate drivers that maximize device performance. We are also developing GaN for next-generation power devices. By leveraging the superior technologies and expertise of both companies, we are able to accelerate the development of high-performance solutions to solve the needs of the power market, said Katsumi Azuma, Senior Managing Director of ROHM Semiconductor.



About GaN Systems

GaN Systems is the global leader in GaN power semiconductors with the largest portfolio of transistors that uniquely address the needs of todays most demanding industries including data center servers, renewable energy systems, automotive, industrial motors and consumer electronics.

As a market-leading innovator, GaN Systems makes possible the design of smaller, lower cost, more efficient power systems. The companys award-winning products provide system design opportunities free from the limitations of yesterdays silicon. By changing the rules of transistor performance, GaN Systems is enabling power conversion companies to revolutionize their industries and transform the world. For more information, please visit: www.gansystems.com or on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.



About ROHM Semiconductor

ROHM Semiconductor is an industry leader in system LSI, discrete components and module products, utilizing the latest in semiconductor technology. ROHM's proprietary production system, which includes some of the most advanced automation technology, is a major factor in keeping it at the forefront of the electronic component manufacturing industry. In addition to its development of electronic components, ROHM has also developed its own production system so that it can focus on specific aspects of customized product development. ROHM employs highly skilled engineers with expertise in all aspects of design, development and production. This allows ROHM the flexibility to take on a wide range of applications and projects and the capability to serve valuable clients in the automotive, telecommunication and computer sectors, as well as consumer OEMs.YEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. For already the third year the Ecotourism Festival offers multiple and interesting events to tourists who are fond of active leisure.

Sargis Aghayan  chairman of the Association of Young Biologists NGO, co-organizer of Ecotourism Festival, told ARMENPRESS that this year the Festival will be held in Artavan village of Zaritap community of Armenias Vayots Dzor province on June 23-24. The Jermuk Development Center NGO is also one of the organizers of the Festival.

Through this Festival the youth aims at contributing to tourism development in Armenia, as well as increasing the public awareness level on the preservation of biodiversity.

This year we want to make Artavan more recognizable to the people, in particularly as a direction to engage in ecotourism. There will be pavilions at the Festival which will present the services and goods of different companies. In some of the pavilions, the rural goods from different communities will be presented. The food for participants will be provided by communities, and by this we are trying to create an alternative source of income for the community residents, Sargis Aghayan said.

The Festival will include hiking, horse riding, watching birds and butterflies, people in different specializations will hold lectures in the evening.

Interview by Lilit Demuryan

English  translator/editor: Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. The city council sittings of Artashat, a town 30 km southeast of Yerevan, are not taking place as members are boycotting and demanding the resignation of Mayor Karen Benyaminyan.

We are boycotting namely against a wrong staffing policy, high local tariffs and many other reasons, city council member Gor Nazaryan told ARMENPRESS, adding that there is also a waste management problem in the city.

He said that nine members of the city council are boycotting the sittings with the same demands.

Another city council member, Kamo Khachatryan, says he is demanding the mayors resignation for incomplete management. Artashat is full of garbage. Waste collection is conducted very poorly, he said.

But the Mayor himself says no one has officially addressed him demanding his resignation.

Speaking on the waste collection issue, the Mayor told ARMENPRESS that garbage collection is conducted daily, on a regular basis. The Mayor says all issues raised by citizens have been solved.

I am working to do everything possible for the city. I am elected by the citizens, I am working and serving for my city and people. If they are making demands based on personal interests, I am demanding grounds. I am not going to resign, the Mayor told ARMENPRESS, adding that citizens have not made a resignation demand.

Benyaminyan is serving as Mayor of Artashat since November of 2017.

ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. The situation in Artsakh is clam, and the protesters continue following Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyans call on ceasing the demonstrations.

Artsakh presidential spokesman David Babayan told ARMENPRESS that life is continuing normally in the country.

I have to say that during these days, overall, the situation was calm, the normal course of life wasnt disrupted, as well as the functioning of various structures. And today, as far as I know, there are no protests, the roads are open, everything is normal, he said.

Earlier on June 4, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan called on the protesters in Stepanakert to cease the demonstrations, in order for the agreements between the demonstrators and the government to come into force.

Earlier on June 2, minor protests were prompted by a slight brawl between a few men, including national security agents, in the city on Friday. The incident is currently being probed with several suspects in custody. It is unclear whether or not the national security agents were on-duty. However the repeated calls that the incident was a "household altercation" suggests they were off-duty.

President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan personally chaired a consultation with security agencies and parliamentary committees regarding the incident, stressing the need for a detailed investigation and that those guilty must be brought to justice.

The countrys parliament even set up an investigative commission for the incident.

Protesters blocked traffic at Stepanakerts Renaissance Square.

On June 3, First President of Armenia Levon Ter Petrosyan weighed in, calling for order and stability in Artsakh. He said that the intervention and urge of the Armenian leader, Nikol Pashinyan, as the leader of a country which is officially the guarantor of security of Artsakh, is necessary in the current situation. What happened in Armenia is to say the least inadmissible in Karabakh, Ter Petrosyan said. I mean the mass protests and pressure on the Artsakh government. They can have disastrous consequences for a state which is in a war situation.

All disagreements aside, Bako Sahakyan shouldnt be left alone, he said.

ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, JUNE 6, ARMENPRESS. The Ari Tun, My Armenia festival and Diaspora Summer School programs are suspended. The projects will kick off later than the scheduled date, and will be revised and enriched, in terms of context, minister of Diaspora Mkhitar Hayrapetyan told a press briefing.

The three programs were introduced during former minister Hranush Hakobyans tenure.

He said that the programs are already proceeding and the budgets of the three projects have been approved.

And we had to either cancel them or postpone. We reached the best solution, we temporarily postponed the projects. They will be realized, but not from June 17. We will prepare for them properly, he said.

The minister said that the tenders have already been held and everything is approved, but certain services have rather high prices.

It is a principle for us, that corruption risks must be ruled out, he said.

The Diaspora Summer School is a summer school for Diaspora-Armenians to visit Armenian in the summer and participate in different training courses, such as Armenian language training, training for teachers etc. Both students and teachers are taking part in the program.

My Armenia Festival is an annual cultural event bringing together artists from the Diaspora.

Ari Tun  translated from Armenian as Come Home, the program aims at the preservation of Armenian identity among Diaspora-Armenians through visits and different programs during summer in Armenia.

ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. During a press briefing on June 5 Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson Tigran Balayan touched upon the debate of the issue of the Armenian Genocide recognition by Israels Knesset (parliament), reports Armenpress.

Tigran Balayan said the Armenian Genocide recognition process is of great importance for Armenia, and Armenia will continue playing a leading role in the efforts of the international community on this path.

The recognition of the crime of genocide is a process of reaffirming the supremacy of universal values, human rights aimed at preventing similar crimes, ruling out their repetition regardless of the internal political context and geopolitical reality, the MFA spokesperson said.

Tigran Balayan said dozens of resolutions on the Armenian Genocide adopted by different countries and international structures prove that the international recognition process of the Armenian Genocide is irreversible.

The issue of adopting an Armenian Genocide recognition bill has appeared in the Knesset. MPs Itzik Shmuly and Amir Ohan said that they will submit a bill recognizing the massacre of nearly 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. The lawmakers stated that time has come for Israel to recognize the Armenian Genocide committed by Turks. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday night delayed a ministerial debate of motions to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.

English  translator/editor: Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. New Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Armenia Jun Yamada on June 5 presented his credentials to President Armen Sarkissian, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.

The Armenian President congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment and wished him success, expressing hope that his activity will contribute to further expanding the Armenian-Japanese cooperation agenda for the welfare of the two friendly peoples. President Sarkissian said Armenia attaches great importance to the friendly, partnering relations with Japan and the effective and mutually beneficial partnership in multiple fields.

In his turn the Japanese Ambassador thanked the President for congratulations and conveyed the warm greetings and wishes of his countrys leadership to the Armenian President. Ambassador Yamada assured that he will do everything to develop the ties between the two countries.

During the meeting the President and the Ambassador discussed the Armenian-Japanese ties in different fields and the opportunities and prospects to deepen the cooperation.

English  translator/editor: Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. During the upcoming June 6-7 visit to Moscow, Armenian foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan will also touch upon the issue of finding an alternative to the only land connection between Armenia and Russia  the Lars road.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Tigran Balayan told reporters that the first side which is interested in having an alternative connection with Russia is Armenia.

We will do our best in order for the opening of that road to take place as soon as possible, he said.

He said there are different sides in this issue  some contribute to the opening of that road, while others attempt to disrupt it.

The Stepantsminda-Lars road is the only land connection between Armenia and Russia, which runs through Georgia. Stepantsminda is a small town in north-eastern Georgia. The road is used for both passenger and cargo transportations and is of major significance. Vehicles pass through the Verkhni (Upper) Lars customs checkpoint into Russia.

ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. Diaspora minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan denies rumors on having previously founded a political party and endorsing then-President Serzh Sargsyan in 2012.

The minister touched upon the rumors during a press briefing today.

Show me one proof that I have given the name of Serzh Sargsyan, he said.

Speaking on the rumor that he had founded a party back in 2012, Hayrapetyan said that he and his followers indeed had such an intention, but never realized it. We didnt even submit the papers to the state registration, he said.

ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. Armenias minister of culture Lilit Makunts has touched upon rumors on changing the anthem and coat of arms of Armenia.

Speaking to journalists in the parliament, she said that they havent had discussions on the matter yet, but she confirmed that many people are raising this issue.

Issues related to changing both the anthem and the coat of arms are being raised. However this issue shouldnt be solved in one day or through one person, we must engage in a discussion. We havent yet initiated it, but we will definitely have a discussion, she said.

She said that they are planning to touch upon the issue because many people are voicing about it.

ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. During a press briefing on June 5, Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson Tigran Balayan touched upon the discussions in connection with the illegal arms supply from Slovakia to Azerbaijan, reports Armenpress.

Balayan said last year the Armenian foreign ministry has carried out significant works on this matter, and at this stage the works in connection with that discussions are also underway.

Our Ambassador in Slovakia at the moment is holding a very important meeting. Thanks God, people with suspected reputation are unaware of the details of these works, and I would advise you not to pay attention to the reports and remarks of those people. I think they do that for attracting attention, the foreign ministry spokesman said, adding that the Armenian Embassy both in the Czech Republic and Slovakia has been assured that investigation is underway on these illegal weapon supplies.

The problem is that the certificate of the final use of these arms supplies is issued to one country, but the weapon appeared in another country which is a gross violation of the EU respective regulations. We hope the investigation will be completed soon, and the guilty ones will be punished, Tigran Balayan stated.

Czech reporters have published an article in The Slovak Spectator where they have revealed that the airport of Bratislava, Slovakias capital city, is used as a transit point for smuggling Czech rocket launchers and howitzers to Azerbaijan. The article mentions that taking into account the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, there is a ban on exports of weapons from Slovakia to Azerbaijan, a ban which has factually been violated. The weapons are reportedly produced by the Czechoslovak Group holding, owned by Czech armourer Jaroslav Strnad.

English  translator/editor: Aneta HarutyunyanVANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AbraPlata Resource Corp. (TSX.V:ABRA) (OTC:ABBRF) (Frankfurt:1AH) ("AbraPlata" or the "Company") announces that a total of 1,500,000 incentive stock options have been granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company. The stock options have an exercise price of $CAD $0.17 per share and are exercisable for a period of five years from the date of grant. The stock options vest 25% immediately, 25% after six month, 25% after twelve months and 25% after eighteen months.

About AbraPlata

AbraPlata is a junior mining exploration company focused on delivering shareholder returns by unlocking mineral value in Argentina. The Company's experienced management team has assembled an outstanding portfolio of gold, silver and copper exploration assets, and is focused on advancing its flagship Diablillos silver-gold property, with an Indicated Mineral Resource containing 80.9M oz Ag and 732k oz Au, through the various stages of feasibility. In addition, AbraPlata owns the highly prospective Cerro Amarillo property with its cluster of five mineralized Cu-(Mo-Au) porphyry intrusions located in a mining camp hosting the behemoth El Teniente, Los Bronces, and Los Pelambres porphyry Cu-Mo deposits.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

ABRAPLATA RESOURCE CORP.

"Willem Fuchter"

Willem Fuchter

President & Chief Executive Officer

For further information concerning this news release, please contact:

Willem Fuchter - President & CEO Rob Bruggeman - Investor Relations Tel: +54.11.5258.0920 Tel: +1.416.884.3556 E-mail: willem@abraplata.com Email: rob@abraplata.com

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements that address future plans, activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.



Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information about AbraPlata and its projects, please visit the Companys website at www.abraplata.com.YEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. A prosecutor in charge of supervising the ongoing investigation into the April 22 attack on protesters in Yerevan has suspended Mayor of Masis Davit Hambardzumyan and his deputy Karen Ohanyan from office, the Prosecutor Generals office told ARMENPRESS.

The office said that the prosecutor made the decision citing concerns that the officials might use their positions to obstruct justice.

Earlier on May 31, five people were arrested in an ongoing investigation into an April 22 incident when masked men attacked demonstrators in a Yerevan intersection. Mayor of Masis Davit Hambardzumyan and his deputy were among the arrested.

A few days later the mayor and his deputy were released.

ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Georgia are inclined to capitalize the warm relations, Foreign ministry spokesperson Tigran Balayan said during a press briefing on June 5, in response to the question whether there is a need to sign a document that will rule out taking actions against each other, Armenpress reports.

First of all I want to state that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans visit to Georgia has been widely covered by both the Georgian and the Armenian media. There is no need to repeat the statements of Armenia and Georgia, as well as the reaction of both societies. I want to note that there is a clear and simple mood both among the Armenian and Georgian sides  to do everything to capitalize the existing warm relations between the two countries and peoples, as well as to reach the inter-state ties to a new level. But what formulations will be used for this, it is already a matter of possibility if we later sign a new agreement or contract. As of now there are no works on signing a new major agreement, but we cannot rule out that such works can launch, Tigran Balayan said.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan departed for Georgia on a two-day official visit on May 30. During the visit the Armenian PM had meetings with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Speaker of the Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze and His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

English  translator/editor: Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. Turkish actress Ozge Borak has shown the letter of an Azeri businessman who has offered her 1 million dollars for a one night stand, haqqin.az reports.

I am an Azerbaijani businessman, I live in Moscow, I will pay 1 million dollars to spend a night with you, tell me your bank account and I will make the transfer immediately, the Russia-based Azerbaijani businessman said.

The actress said she posts only the most weird or ridiculous messages which have been sent to her on Instagram. She mentioned that she receives many love letters, but without disrespectful remarks.

But I dont even know what to say to this one. Dirty sham, she said referring to the Azeri man.

She censored the name and picture of the businessman so the identity of the macho wannabe is unknown.

ENGLISH: Editor/Translator - Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Armenia Bernhard Matthias Kiesler, the PMs Office told Armenpress.

PM Pashinyan attached importance to the development of the Armenian-German partnership and stated that the Armenian government is interested in taking steps to give new impetus to expanding and strengthening the bilateral political and economic ties. We welcome the projects implemented in Armenia by Germany in the infrastructure development and other spheres. We are ready to jointly increase the cooperation of our countries to a new level which will contribute to boosting commercial ties, attracting and effectively implementing investments, the Armenian PM said.

In his turn the German Ambassador expressed confidence that it will be possible to jointly boost the multisectoral cooperation between Armenia and Germany. He said such initiatives are necessary that will promote implementation of investment programs in different sectors. The Ambassador considered prospective the mutual partnership in the fields of industry, infrastructure development, energy and etc.

During the meeting a number of other issues relating to increase of trade turnover volumes between the two countries, the geopolitical situation in the region, holding snap parliamentary elections in Armenia, the reforms of the Electoral Code, as well as issues of bilateral interest were discussed. Commenting on the issue relating to the elections, the Armenian PM attached importance to making changes in the Electoral Code that will guarantee their free, fair holding in accordance with democratic standards.

English  translator/editor: Aneta HarutyunyanYEREVAN, 5 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 5 June, USD exchange rate is up by 0.12 drams to 483.02 drams. EUR exchange rate is down by 1.26 drams to 565.23 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is down by 0.02 drams to 7.78 drams. GBP exchange rate is down by 0.22 drams to 646.38 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price is up by 18.20 drams to 20117.63 drams. Silver price is up by 0.37 drams to 255.3 drams. Platinum price is up by 50.07 drams to 14069.68 drams.YEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. Members of Mine-free Amulsar initiative will meet with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on June 5, ARMENPRESS reports the members of the initiatives informed on Facebook.

Earlier today protester Vazgen Galstyan told at a press conference that their goal is to stop the operation of the gold mine of Amulsar, since it hampers development of tourism and is dangerous for nature.

In response, Executive Director of Lydian Armenia Hayk Aloyan said that the project of Amulsar is the best ever implemented in Armenia in terms of environmental safety.

By the way, the project has not kick off yet, its in the stage of construction. Anyway, its already some years that a targeted and funded propaganda takes place for removing a transparent international company equipped with the most modern environmental technologies, not involved in any corruption deals out of market, he said.

After 10 days of pause the activists have again blocked the roads to Amulsar since morning June 4 to impede the construction works.

English  translator/editor: Tigran SirekanyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of Armenia Artur Grigoryan received Country Director of Asian Development Bank's Resident Mission in Armenia Shane Rosenthal on June 5. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of ministry, the projects in the energy sphere implemented by the banks assistance and opportunities of future cooperation were discussed.

Artur Grigoryan highlighted the comprehensive assistance of the ADB to Armenia for reform implementation and expressed confidence that gradually the existing relations in energy sector will deepen and new spheres for partnership will emerge.

The interlocutors referred to a number of projects implemented by the ADBs assistance, particularly the large scale reconstruction of Electric Networks of Armenia and the raising the management efficiency of High Voltage Electric Networks and its technical re-equipment.

Shane Rosenthal conveyed the readiness of the Asian Development Bank to assist the projects aimed at the development of Armenias economy and energy sector.

English  translator/editor: Tigran SirekanyanYEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. Headed by Minister of Nature Protection Erik Grigoryan Government representatives will visit Amulsar on June 6, ARMENPRESS reports Vice Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan wrote on his Facebook page.

By this, we give start to the works instructed by the PM. Following the Ministers visit specialized inspection body with the involvement of all the stakeholders will start checks. Its possible to reach the desired results only based on the principles of mutual trust and cooperation, which will allow both the economy to develop normally and the nature will be free of excessive and unlawful damage, Avinyan wrote.

Earlier today protester Vazgen Galstyan told at a press conference that their goal is to stop the operation of the gold mine of Amulsar, since it hampers development of tourism and is dangerous for nature.

In response, Executive Director of Lydian Armenia Hayk Aloyan said that the project of Amulsar is the best ever implemented in Armenia in terms of environmental safety.

By the way, the project has not kick off yet, its in the stage of construction. Anyway, its already some years that a targeted and funded propaganda takes place for removing a transparent international company equipped with the most modern environmental technologies, not involved in any corruption deals out of market, he said.

After 10 days of pause the activists have again blocked the roads to Amulsar since morning June 4 to impede the construction works.

English  translator/editor: Tigran SirekanyanNOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR OVER UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES



TORONTO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (the Company or TGOD) (TSX:TGOD) announces that it has elected to accelerate the expiry of the certain warrants (the Warrants) of the Company issued under the Warrant Indenture dated March 24, 2017 (the Warrant Indenture) expiring March 24, 2019 pursuant to the $1.15 private placement that closed in March 2017. The Warrants will now expire at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on Friday July 6, 2018 . Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $2.15 per share.

Pursuant to section 2.2(5) of the Warrant Indenture, the Company has the right to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants in the event that the volume weighted average trading price of the Companys common shares is equal to or exceeds $2.80 for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the Acceleration Event).

This press release constitutes notice that the Acceleration Event has occurred and the Company has elected to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Indenture to the date that is thirty (30) days after the date hereof, being July 6, 2018. This notice only affects warrants issued under the Warrant Indenture dated March 24, 2017 and not any other warrant indenture pursuant to which the Company has issued warrants .

Investors should note that pursuant to section 3.3(5) of the Warrant Indenture all shares that are issued pursuant to exercise of the Warrants are subject to a contractual escrow hold period and cannot be traded until May 2, 2019 and accordingly the shares shall bear such a restrictive legend .

Warrant holders may exercise their rights to acquire common shares on or before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on July 6, 2018 by observing the process as set out in the Warrant Indenture and the reverse-side of the Warrant certificates. Warrant exercises in good order must be received, along with a certified cheque, bank draft or money order payable to The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. for the exercise price in Canadian dollars only, by the warrant agent at: Computershare Trust Company of Canada (Attention: Corporate Action), at 3rd Floor, 510 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 3B9, by no later than 4:00p.m. (Eastern time) on July 6, 2018, failing which the Warrants will expire.

Please view this link for a full set of detailed instructions on the Warrant exercise process  link here.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd.

Robert Anderson

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman

ABOUT THE GREEN ORGANIC DUTCHMAN HOLDINGS LTD.

The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. is a research & development company licensed under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) to cultivate medical cannabis. The Company carries out its principal activities producing cannabis from its facilities in Ancaster, Ont., pursuant to the provisions of the ACMPR and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) and its regulations.

The Company grows high quality, organic cannabis with sustainable, all-natural principles. TGOD's products are laboratory tested to ensure patients have access to a standardized, safe and consistent product. TGOD has a funded capacity of 116,000 kg and is building 970,000 sq. ft. of cultivation facilities in Ontario and Quebec.

The Company has developed a strategic partnership with Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ACB) whereby Aurora has invested approximately C$78.1 million for an approximate 17.5% stake in TGOD. To date, the Company has raised approximately C$315 million dollars and has over 5,000 shareholders.

TGODs Common Shares and warrants issued under the indenture dated November 1, 2017 trade on the TSX under the symbol "TGOD" and TGOD.WT, respectively.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Investor Relations

Email: invest@tgod.ca

Phone: 1 (416) 900-7621

www.tgod.ca



No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities of TGOD 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. Accordingly, the securities of TGOD may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of TGOD in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement



This news release includes statements containing certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward looking statements in this release includes statements regarding production capacity, products and future share price. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of Toronto Stock Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.A member of the German government on Tuesday accused the new US ambassador in Berlin of meddling in domestic politics and aggravating already tense ties, as left-wing parties called for the staunch ally of Donald Trump to be expelled. Richard Grenell took up his Berlin posting on May 8 and immediately irked Germany when he tweeted the same day that German companies should stop doing business with Iran as Trump quit the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic. He stoked further outrage last weekend with reported comments to right-wing news website Breitbart of his ambition to "empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders." Grenell also raised eyebrows with his plan to host a June 13 lunch for Austria's arch-conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, described by the US envoy as a "rock star." The ambassador "is interfering in our internal affairs," said Peter Beyer, coordinator for transatlantic cooperation in Angela Merkel's government, in an interview with regional newspaper the Rheinische Post. "He should pay attention to the fact that we consider his start as ambassador to be difficult," added the conservative politician, who will be present on Wednesday for a visit by the diplomat to the foreign ministry. Former chief of the Social Democratic Party and ex-European Parliament president Martin Schulz told national news agency DPA: "What this man is doing is unheard of in international diplomacy. "If a German ambassador were to say in Washington that he is there to empower the Democrats, he would have been kicked out immediately. "I hope that Kurz's visit will lead Mr Grenell's tenure as ambassador in Germany to be short," added Schulz, playing on the German word for short -- "kurz." Schulz had earlier tweeted that the US envoy did not behave like a diplomat but rather like a "far-right colonial officer." Amid the row, Germany's foreign ministry is seeking clarification from Grenell about his comments, with the topic to be raised at a pre-arranged meeting Wednesday between the envoy and senior official Andreas Michaelis. "There will certainly be a lot to discuss and that's why it's good that the ambassador will be a guest tomorrow of state secretary Michaelis," said Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. - 'Awful interview' - But in Washington, the Trump administration was standing by its controversial envoy. "Ambassadors have a right to express their opinion," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters who asked whether Grenell had expressing the views of the administration. "They're representatives of the White House, whether it's this administration or other administrations, and we hear them voicing their opinions," she said. "And they're sometimes opinions that people may or may not like. And there is the right to free speech as well." The appointment of Grenell, a hawkish supporter of Trump's "America First" stance, was long held up by US senators who objected to his allegedly disparaging tweets on female politicians and apparent refusal to take seriously claims of Russian meddling in the US election. The controversy comes as ties between Germany and the United States are strained after Trump ditched the Iran nuclear deal and imposed punishing tariffs on European aluminium and steel. Underlining the souring transatlantic relationship, Merkel has warned that Europe can no longer rely on the US to protect it and must "take its destiny into its own hands." Politicians in the US too baulked at Grenell's comments. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy tweeted that the envoy's interview with Breitbart was "awful -- ambassadors aren't supposed to 'empower' any political party overseas." - 'Why is he ambassador'? - For Juergen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman of Merkel's centre-right bloc, Grenell is simply seeking to weaken the EU. The US wants to prevent "the European Union from further integrating and becoming a stronger political and economic power," Hardt told broadcaster hr-Info. Although Merkel herself belongs to the conservative camp, commentators said Grenell was not trying to bolster the chancellor's party base, but rather its opponents from the far-right. "It is bad enough if that's what he is thinking, let alone saying it," said the daily Berliner Zeitung. Media outside Germany also weighed in, with Washington Post columnist Anne Applebaum arguing that Grenell clearly intended to back "nativist, pro-Russia and anti-pluralist" forces in Europe. Grenell had certainly fulfilled his task if he was sent to Germany to destabilise Merkel's coalition or the Atlantic alliance, she said, "but if those are not his orders... then a different set of questions has to be asked." "Why is the US ambassador in Germany giving an interview to Breitbart? Why is he involving himself in partisan politics? For that matter, why is he an American ambassador at all?" Applebaum added. The Financial Times urged Berlin to respond to Grenell's "undiplomatic behaviour" by holding its line on adhering to the Iran nuclear deal, responding firmly to US tariffs as well as stepping up to its defence responsibilities. Richard Allen Grenell has sparked uproar just weeks into his posting as US ambassador to BerlinA South Australian convenience chain has banned the use of reusable coffee cups across its stores due to potential health risks.

Major coffee retailer On the Run has decided to issue the ban on customers bringing in their own containers in over 135 stores across the state, despite being interested in researching reusable cups for many years.

OTR employees were given a document outlining the change, informing them they are not allowed to serve food or drink out of reusable containers.

Using keep cups or other food containers brought to site is a food safety risk; we cannot control contaminants such as bacteria, mould, viruses or foreign objects which may be present, the company said in a memo to staff.

An OTR spokesperson told Yahoo News that while caring about the effects disposable cups have on the environment, the customers safety must come first.

Convenience chain On The Run has made the controversial decision to ban reusable coffee cups. Source: Google Maps

We care about this problem, so it was not easy to decide that our food-grade (but disposable) coffee cups were the only ones we feel sure about serving our coffee and tea in, the spokesperson said.

We have had many incidents of customers bringing in dirty, unhygienic, contaminated cups, more recently we had an incident where a customer brought a cup in that was contaminated with a heavy metal.

We realised that there are other more common potential health risks in us serving coffee into cups that we cant guarantee are clean and ready to use.

In the wake of criticism over the companys decision, the OTR spokesperson said they will look for a more environmentally friendly solution for the long term.

Its heartening that so many people feel strongly about this. We will continue investigating better solutions to a sustainable, high quality offer, the spokesperson said.

Despite the change, SA Health said there are no regulations on reusable coffee cup usage.

Reusable cups, such as containers from Keepcup (pictured), are posing a health risk to customers, says OTR. Source: Yahoo!UK

The City of Adelaide has also partnered with CBD cafes within several suburbs to trial incentive payments in a bid to reduce the amount of waste generated by takeaway coffee cups.

Story continues

Ban on reusable cups is shortsighted, says KeepCup founder

The co-founder of leading reusable cup brand KeepCup, Abigail Forsyth, told Yahoo7 News the decision from the chain was difficult to comprehend.

I think its very shortsighted and out of step with consumer sentiment, she said.

Disposable cups are damaging to the environment because theyve got that plastic lining, especially when you think of the number of disposable cups that are used. Some plastic packaging is required to keep food fresh but disposable cups are wholly unnecessary.

Ms Forsyth also dismissed health concerns as a reason for banning reusable containers stating there are no health risks with using a reusable cup.

She also said despite the steps taken by the chain, she believes disposable cups will eventually disappear from existence.

Jon Dee, founder of advocacy group DoSomething told the ABC that the move was contradicting the work other stores were doing across the state.

Other service stations and coffee shops have been going out of their way to encourage people to bring in their own reusable cups or theyre providing them with ceramic cups, he said.

On The Run really has made a major mistake and I think theyre underestimating how angry South Australians will be about this.

Mr Dee also raised concern about OTR previously selling reusable containers to customers and questioned whether they would be reimbursed for their purchase.

According to Mr Dee, more than one billion disposable coffee cups end up as rubbish or in a landfill each year in Australia.Thousands of Czechs protested across the EU country on Tuesday against the communist party as it was poised to play a role in government, albeit an informal one, for the first time since communism fell in 1989. The communists are expected to throw their tacit support behind populist billionaire Andrej Babis, due to be appointed as prime minister on Wednesday for a second time after failing to win a confidence vote in parliament in January. With 78 seats in the 200-member parliament, Babis's ANO (YES) party is expected to formally partner with the 15-seat CSSD coalition and rely on the 15-seat KSCM communists to make up the rest. "I read a lot about the communist era and I oppose communists returning," high school student Jana Homolkova told AFP on the sidelines of a rally organised by in the heart of Prague by the "Million moments for democracy" NGO. Protesters noted that President Milos Zeman, a former communist who makes no secret of his pro-Russia and pro-China views, is due to tap Babis, also an ex-communist, but one who went on to amass a fortune as a food, chemicals and media tycoon. "Tomorrow will be a tragic day for Czech democracy," said Jiri Pospisil, the leader of the rightwing party TOP 09 party in front of some 10,000 protesters in Prague, according to an estimate by AFP. "Zeman and Babis, this country isn't yours!", "Stop the communist criminal ideology!", "No more communism!", were just some of the posters touted by protesters in Prague. They also waved portraits of the estimated 4,500 victims of the former totalitarian regime before 1989. Similar rallies were also held in no less than 200 Czech towns and villages. Babis's ANO (YES) won last October's general election campaigning on an anti-corruption ticket, but potential coalitions partners snubbed him over criminal charges for alleged EU subsidy fraud which he has flatly denied. Babis has been governing as a caretaker prime minister since the failed confidence vote in January. The KSCM communist party has signalled it will back him in a confidence vote this time around in exchange for positions in large state-owned enterprises. It will thus have a key role, albeit informally, in forming the government for the first time since the 1989 Velvet Revolution led by Vaclav Havel that peacefully swept away communism in then Czechoslovakia. Rallies were held in Prague and across the Czech Republic against the role of the communists in governmentKen Chan has come a long way since he started out wheeling a trolley in a dim sum restaurant, becoming the first chef in his adopted home of Taiwan to win three Michelin stars. Hong Kong-born Chan, 53, worked through tough apprenticeships back home before rising through the ranks on Taiwan's culinary scene over the past three decades to become executive chef at luxury five-star hotel restaurant Le Palais in Taipei. Serving mainly Cantonese cuisine as well as Sichuan, Fuzhou and Taiwanese dishes, Le Palais became the first and only restaurant in Taiwan to receive three stars when Michelin launched its Taipei guide earlier this year, describing the food as "truly outstanding". Chan's menu is relatively affordable compared with three-star restaurants in the rest of the world, with dishes ranging from steamed prawn dumplings and baked barbecue pork buns, priced from Tw$250 ($8), to an eight-course set including lobster salad, bird's nest soup, braised abalone with goose foot and steamed tiger grouper at Tw$6,980. Taiwan's most-recognised chef, Andre Chiang, famously gave up the two Michelin stars attached to his eponymous Restaurant Andre in Singapore, closing it in February to focus on other projects, including his Taipei restaurant RAW. But Chan says he believes receiving the stars will boost the island's burgeoning foodie credentials. "It inspires everybody to aim higher and higher," he told AFP. Chan attributes his accolade to "luck", but it is also testament to perseverance. After dropping out of school in Hong Kong aged 12, Chan began working in a restaurant in the city, pushing a dim sum trolley around the tables from which customers would choose dishes. He already had a love of cooking passed down from his mother and remembers how she would give him two Hong Kong dollars to buy ingredients in the market to feed the family, as she was working full-time to make ends meet. Having to carefully think how to spend the money to create the best meal has influenced his approach in the kitchen now, says Chan. "I told my staff 'You shouldn't just aim to finish the job but should do it well, as if you were cooking for your parents,'" he said. - A dying art? - Life in the Hong Kong restaurant business was far from glamorous. Chan was tasked with washing the underwear of a chef he worked under and recalls being hit on the head with a spatula when his "master" was in a bad mood, even being thrown into a river for making mistakes. "Back then if you wanted to learn something, you had to beg the master to teach you," he said. "I had to buy drinks and fruit to treat my masters so they would casually teach me one or two steps." Chan believes young people now are too pampered and unable to handle pressure. "I have to ask them to learn," he said. With just HK$270 ($34) in his pocket, Chan began a new chapter in Taiwan 30 years ago at the age of 23, after his mother died and his girlfriend dumped him. His first job was as a chef in a vegetarian restaurant and he recalls feeling isolated because he only spoke Cantonese, the dominant language in Hong Kong, not Mandarin which is spoken in Taiwan. But he says a sense of pride made him stay and he began to build a reputation for his Cantonese cuisine. Chan worked up to becoming head chef at another five-star hotel restaurant in Taipei, before taking the executive chef position at Le Palais in 2010. At the time, the restaurant had only been open for a few months and Chan was despondent over the lack of customers on his first day. "I didn't go home that night and locked myself in the office to ponder over how to run the restaurant," he remembers. He came up with a new menu of 27 dishes and replaced around a third of the staff as part of a major overhaul. Chan worries that traditional skills in Cantonese and Taiwanese cooking will eventually be lost as the old masters age and young chefs struggle to create the same flavours. But for now, he says his own goal is to keep reinventing himself. "I don't see myself as a veteran chef," he told AFP. "My mentality is that I am like a child just learning to walk and I have to constantly learn new things." Ken Chan has come a long way since he started out wheeling a trolley in a dim sum restaurant, earning his place as the first chef in his adopted home of Taiwan to win three Michelin stars Ken Chan worked through tough apprenticeships in Hong Kong before rising through the ranks on Taiwan's culinary scene over the past three decades Ken Chan worries that traditional skills in Cantonese and Taiwanese cooking will eventually be lost as the old masters age and young chefs struggle to create the same flavours Ken Chan says he believes receiving the three Michelin stars will boost Taiwan's burgeoning foodie credentialsEric Schmidt, a board member of Google's parent company Alphabet, met Monday with Cuba's new president to discuss improving Cuban internet connectivity, one of the world's lowest. "The benefits of the internet to the world are extraordinary. And it's important that Cubans have access to the internet at the same level or even better than everyone else," said Schmidt, who stepped down from his post as executive chairman early this year. He met with Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel about seeking a dialogue even though US-Cuban relations have worsened under American President Donald Trump. Alongside US Senator Jeff Flake -- a supporter of ending the US trade embargo on Cuba, the Americas' only one-party Communist state -- Schmidt said internet connectivity is key to Cuba's future. "It's important for the development of the country," he stressed. Diaz-Canel and Schmidt discussed US-Cuban relations and possible areas of cooperation, Cuban officials said. Theirs was the first US delegation to meet with the new Cuban president, who was sworn in April 19. Just over four million Cubans, under half the population, have limited internet access through public screens and wi-fi areas. The state telephone company says it is in testing on adding data service to smartphones. Ties between Havana and Washington have cooled considerably since Trump took office in January 2017. The Trump administration has tightened restrictions on US travelers to Cuba. And the State Department said it will permanently scale back its mission in Havana, which had already been operating with reduced staff since September 2017, when diplomats and relatives were evacuated over a health incident. US Senator Jeff Flake, left, and Google board member Eric Schmidt visited CubaIf youre scared of flying, look away now.

Terrifying images have revealed the extent of the damage to a packed aircraft caught in the middle of a brutal hailstorm.

American Airlines flight 1897 was forced to make an emergency landing earlier this week after hailstones smashed in the windshield and caved in the nose of the plane.

There were 130 passengers and five crew members on board the Sunday night flight from San Antonio to Phoenix  some of whom were left vomiting during the terror flight.

One of the pilots said they could barely see through the windshield. The flight was forced to divert to El Paso.

The pilots visibility was greatly reduced after the hailstones battered the windscreen of the aircraft. Source: Twitter/JacDec

The nose of the plane was also caved in by the hail. Source: Twitter/JacDec

Passenger Jesus Esparza told KENS-TV in San Antonio he saw lightning and hail as the plane dropped like a rollercoaster.

He said he gave his sickness bag to another passenger who had already used one.

I could see people starting to panic and crying and I couldnt breathe, another woman added.

#AA1897 I'm on this flight that emergency landed. Things were flying. Passengers throwing up. Scariest flight of my life #AmericanAirlines pic.twitter.com/5urMZ7WuPv  Ezra (@FeedMeEggrolls) June 4, 2018

An airline spokesman said on Monday the plane was awaiting repairs for damage to the nose, windshield panels and a cockpit side window.

He said the engines, including the fan blades, were not damaged.

Another plane finished the trip to Phoenix a few hours later.Mayor Bill de Blasio is proposing major changes to the way the citys eight specialized high schools admit students. The elite public schools, which accept students who score highest on the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT), have been heavily criticized for their lack of diversity. Black and Hispanic students, who make up 67 percent of public school students, receive only 10 percent of the offers at these specialized high schools.

Right now, we are living with monumental injustice, de Blasio wrote in an op-ed in Chalkbeat on Saturday. Just 14 percent of students at Bronx Science come from the Bronx. At a press conference today, de Blasio added, You get one shot only for three hours that determines your future. Nothing could be more insane than that.

De Blasios plan includes expanding the Discovery Program, the summer session for underrepresented students, to offer 20 percent of seats at these specialized high schools to economically disadvantaged students, who just missed the test cut-off. The far more aggressive, and difficult, proposal, will be to lobby the state legislature to get rid of the SHSAT, and instead admit students based on their middle school rank and the result of statewide tests.

Josh Wallack, the Deputy Chancellor for Strategy and Policy for the city school system, said at today's press conference that the plan is to admit roughly the top seven percent of middle school students from across the city from each middle school. De Blasio said that if these changes were implemented, it would result in 45 percent of Black and Latino students attending these specialized high schools.

De Blasio has addressed this issue several times in the past. In 2012, when he was campaigning for mayor, he pushed for different admissions standards for these specialized schools, and said in 2014 that these schools dont reflect this city."

Yet this plan has come under fire by some people affiliated with these schools. Larry Cary, president of the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation board, said in a statement, We firmly oppose the amended bill that completely eliminates the test and substitutes unnamed subjective criteria. Soo Kim, the president of the Stuyvesant High School Alumni Association, challenged whether or not this was even legal. Theyre saying these schools are too Asian, so there must be something wrong.

Signs at a press conference in Sunset Park on the Mayors plan to diversify the specialized high schools. A coalition of Asian American groups says this plan amounts to anti-Asian racism. pic.twitter.com/e0J99uKKp6  Lindsey Christ (@LindseyChrist) June 4, 2018



The mayor called criticism that this proposal was anti-Asian as "wrong and unfair...the current realityits clearly exclusionary. 52 percent of students at these specialized schools are Asian-American. Stuyvesant, which enrolls more than 800 students per class, accepted only nine black students for the 2016-17 school year.Iran said Tuesday it has launched a plan to boost uranium enrichment capacity with new centrifuges, raising the pressure on European diplomats scrambling to rescue the crumbling nuclear deal after Washington pulled out. "If conditions allow, maybe tomorrow night at Natanz (plant), we can announce the opening of the centre for production of new centrifuges," said Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, according to conservative news agency Fars. "What we are doing does not violate the (2015 nuclear) agreement," he said, specifying this was just the start of the production process and "does not mean that we will start assembling the centrifuges". The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed it had received a letter from Iran, which Salehi said was submitted on Monday and outlined Tehran's plans. Under the 2015 nuclear agreement that Iran signed with world powers, it has the right to build and test certain centrifuges, though detailed restrictions exist for the first 10 years on the types and quantities of the machines. Salehi also emphasised that these moves "do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed." European governments have been trying to salvage the nuclear deal ever since the United States announced its withdrawal last month and said it would reimpose sanctions on foreign companies working in the Islamic republic by November. The remaining parties -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- have vowed to stay in the accord but many of their companies have already started to wind down Iranian operations. The European Union said a first assessment indicated the new steps announced by Iran did not constitute a violation of the agreement. "However, at this particularly critical juncture, they will not contribute to build confidence in the nature of the Iranian nuclear programme," Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini, told AFP. - Enmity with Israel - On Monday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the Europeans that "Iran will never tolerate both suffering from sanctions and nuclear restrictions" and called for preparations to speed up uranium enrichment. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian uses only, but opponents in the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia accuse it of seeking to build an atomic bomb. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted swiftly to Salehi's announcement, declaring that the Islamic republic's aim was "unlimited enrichment of uranium to create an arsenal of nuclear bombs" to destroy his country. On Sunday, Khamenei repeated the long-standing view from Iran that Israel is "a malignant cancerous tumour in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated". Speaking alongside Netanyahu in Paris later on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron warned the key players against worsening the situation. Macron called on "everyone to stabilise the situation and not give into this escalation which would lead to only one thing: conflict." If Iran chooses to abandon the deal, it has stated it could "within days" return to enrichment of 20 percent -- still within the limits of civilian use but allowing for a much quicker jump to military-grade levels of around 90 percent. Under the 2015 agreement, Iran can only enrich uranium to 3.67 percent. - Businesses leaving - Iran was already seeing limited economic benefits from the deal even before the US withdrawal, thanks to the reluctance of international banks to facilitate trade and a raft of non-nuclear US sanctions that were not touched by the agreement. European governments have been scrambling to protect their businesses from renewed US sanctions in order to keep Iran in the deal. But several large firms have said it will be impossible to continue operating in Iran except in the unlikely scenario that they win bulletproof exemptions from Washington. France's PSA, which manufactures Peugeot and Citroen cars, on Monday became the latest to announce its plans to pull out of Iran, where it sold nearly 445,000 cars last year. French energy giant Total is also preparing its departure from a $4.8-billion gas project in Iran, with its chief executive saying last week that the chances of a US exemption were "very slim". An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspector in January 2014 disconnects cascades for 20 percent uranium production at the nuclear power plant of Natanz, some 300 kilometres south of Tehran The Uranium enrichment process International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and Iranian technicians at Iran's Natanz plant on January 20, 2014 An Iranian flag is seen outside the building housing the reactor of the Bushehr nuclear power plant on April 3, 2007Iran has notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it has launched a plan to increase its uranium enrichment capacity, nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Tuesday. "If conditions allow, maybe tomorrow night at Natanz, we can announce the opening of the centre for production of new centrifuges" for uranium enrichment, said Salehi, a vice president and head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, according to conservative news agency Fars. "What we are doing does not violate the (2015 nuclear) agreement," he said, adding that a letter was submitted to the IAEA "yesterday regarding the start of certain activities". He specified that this was just the start of the production process and "does not mean that we will start assembling the centrifuges". Under the 2015 agreement, Iran can build parts for the centrifuges as long as it does not put them into operation within the first decade. Salehi also emphasised that these moves "do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed." European governments have been trying to salvage the agreement ever since the United States announced its withdrawal last month and said it would reimpose sanctions on foreign companies working in the Islamic republic by November. The other parties -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- have vowed to stay in the accord but many of their companies have already started to wind down Iranian operations. On Monday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the Europeans that "Iran will never tolerate both suffering from sanctions and nuclear restrictions" and called for preparations to speed up uranium enrichment. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian uses only, but opponents in the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia accuse it of seeking to build an atomic bomb. An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspector in January 2014 disconnects cascades for 20 percent uranium production at the nuclear power plant of Natanz, some 300 kilometres south of TehranEU interior ministers meet Tuesday to try to break a two-year deadlock over reforming asylum rules with a deadline looming and pressure from Italy's new populist leaders. The ministers will hear Bulgaria's new compromise proposals on how to close an east-west rift over the reforms before a June 28-29 summit in Brussels. The summit marks the end of Sofia's six months holding the European Union's rotating presidency and also coincides with the expected start of increased migrant sea crossings as the weather improves. Coming to power amid popular discontent over the migration and unemployment crises, Italy's populist coalition government has denounced the draft reforms. "Italy and Sicily cannot be Europe's refugee camp," new hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini said Sunday in Sicily's port of Pozzallo, a migrant landing point. The reforms, he said, condemn Italy and other Mediterranean countries to continue bearing the burden of an unprecedented migration crisis for the 28-nation bloc, which peaked in 2015. EU leaders in December set an end-of-June deadline for an overhaul of the so-called Dublin rules to create a permanent mechanism to deal with migrants in the event of a new emergency. In a weekend interview, German Chancellor Angela Merkel thought it likely that it "will take several more weeks" to seal a deal, without excluding one at the summit. Addressing the new Italian government, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the EU "will only manage to settle the issue by working together," on protecting borders and agreeing on asylum rules. Under existing rules, countries where migrants first arrive are required to process asylum requests. Italy, Greece and Spain are the main entry points to Europe. EU cooperation deals with Turkey and Libya, the main transit countries, have helped to slow, at least for now, the flow of migrants to Europe since 2015. But the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, warns asylum reform is all the more pressing because the crisis could flare anew. Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have either refused outright or resisted taking in refugees since the Commission first pushed through temporary quotas in 2015 as a way to ease the burden on frontline states Italy and Greece. - 'Alleviating burden' - The summer of that year saw a surge in mass drownings in the Mediterranean as Europe's worst migration crisis since World War II peaked with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and elsewhere. Under an emergency plan, EU member countries agreed to relocate to other parts of the bloc 160,000 Syrians and other refugees from Italy and Greece within two years. Only 34,690 people have been relocated as most people made their own way to Germany and other wealthy northern countries amid the chaotic EU response to the crisis. According to documents seen by AFP, Bulgaria calls for "alleviating (the) burden from the front-line" states like Italy and "curbing secondary movements" of asylum seekers who land in one EU country and travel to another. Eastern countries place a priority on stopping secondary movements, which caused so much chaos in recent years that countries in Europe's passport-free Schengen zone re-established border checks. In a nod to Rome and Athens, the Bulgarian proposals call for the compulsory relocation of asylum seekers, but only as a last resort. At the outset of a crisis, financial and other support are supposed to kick in automatically under the plan. EU capitals like Budapest, which has spearheaded opposition to Muslim and other migrants, have stood firm against mandatory relocation. As a further sop to the eastern countries, people will be relocated only in exceptional cases and member states will have the "flexibility" to reduce some of the numbers alloted to them. Under the proposal, front-line states face increased "responsibility" to register arrivals. It would also speed up procedures to determine which countries must process genuine asylum seekers or expel those who are not. The Bulgarian proposals amount to a "good starting point for a compromise" among member states, a diplomatic source said. "But it will probably not budge the lines" dividing the member states for the last few months, according to the source. Migrants look at the coastline as they stand aboard rescue ship MV Aquarius, off the coast of Sicily in May, as EU countries try to reform asylum rules and ease the burden on front-line states like Italy, Greece and Spain.

A US university is involved in a complex legal battle after a male student complained against a female, who reacted by taking action against the university itself.

Court documents reveal a woman, referred to as Jane Roe, went home one night with a man, referred to as John Doe, after meeting at a party on September 30, 2017.

They had been drinking throughout the evening and both claimed they were drunk.

After engaging in sexual activity, two days later John Doe filed a sexual assault charge against Jane Roe.

As Johns complaint was received first, the university started an investigation and suspended Jane. She was denied an appeal.

According to the documents that recount Janes version of events, John invited Jane inside his home after a party. She got him some water and medication to ease the pain for a foot injury he sustained.

Jane was not comfortable to leave John and urged him to drink the water.

The documents state Jane fell asleep on Johns bed and his roommates came in and told her to leave.

Jane said she could not walk home because she was too dizzy. According to the documents, the pair then started to kiss and John took it further and asked her to lock the door. They later fell asleep and Jane left the next morning.

University of Cincinnati suspended a female student after a man filed a complaint against her. Source: Getty Images

John filed a complaint to the university On October 2 last year, two days after the incident, but did not file a complaint with the police.

The matter of contention was whether John was too intoxicated to provide consent.

Jane was suspended from the university earlier this year, on February 26, until John graduated.

This decision is final and concludes the conduct process, a letter to Jane said.

Jane then filed a lawsuit against the university and said the school was violating her due process rights.

She said because she was intoxicated she also could not consent to the sexual activity.

The woman filed a counter-claim saying was being punished for engaging in the same sexual freedoms that men on the campus enjoy. Source: Getty/file picture

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Jane said she was being punished for engaging in the same sexual freedoms that men on the campus enjoy.

Story continues

The documents filed in Janes action allege John filed his complaint in retaliation to a prior complaint Jane filed against Johns friend.

Reason magazine floated the theory that John filed a complaint out of fear Jane would file one against him, as she had already done so to his friend.

Panic-stricken, he felt he had no choice but to beat her to the punch, the magazine argued.

University of Cincinnati spokesman Greg Vehr told The Atlantic they were unable to comment on the case but made an effort to provide an equitable process that respected everyones rights.

Due to federal confidentiality requirements, we cannot address the specifics of any individual case.

Our goal, as an educational institution, is whats best for all of our students in terms of safety, equity, and support, the spokesman said.The anti-government protests sweeping Nicaragua began in what might seem a relatively harmless way: with elderly demonstrators marching against a since-abandoned pension reform that slashed their benefits. So why have they been met with a brutal crackdown that has left more than 100 people dead and fueled increasingly vehement calls for President Daniel Ortega to quit? Retired Major Roberto Samcam fought along with Ortega in the Sandinista guerrilla army that ousted dictator Anastasio Somoza in 1979, then served in his military during a decade-long war with the US-funded Contra rebels. After leaving the army, he co-founded the Patriotic Group of Retired Soldiers, and is today an outspoken Ortega critic. In an interview with AFP, Samcam analyzed the president's response to the crisis -- the result, he said, of a lifetime at war. Q: The president denies government security forces have killed civilians. But rights groups accuse pro-government paramilitaries of opening fire on protesters. Who are they? "Daniel Ortega is lying, because these paramilitary and para-police forces have been organized and armed by the government. "We have identified (the paramilitaries) as plainclothes police, former soldiers, members of the now-extinct Small Special Forces Units, which were the army's elite troops in the 80s. Also individuals who were in the Pablo Ubeda troops, which were interior ministry troops with special training. "Then there are the para-police forces, which are made up of anti-social delinquents, people from the poorest echelons of the 'barrios'... There are also prisoners they have released, who received a brief training in the national stadium... And then they arm them." Q: Some protesters appear to have been killed with Dragunov sniper rifles, which some say are only available to the police and army. Where are these guns coming from? "In its most recent statement, the army said it had strict control over its arsenal, which I don't doubt. I don't think the army is involved in the sniper phenomenon. "Those rifles could have easily come from Venezuela. In 2013, they created a new sniper unit in their second infantry division. "They have 3,500 rifles purchased from Russia. And neither (late Venezuelan president Hugo) Chavez nor (his successor, Nicolas) Maduro would be bothered in the least about sending five, six, 10, 12 sniper rifles as a favor to Daniel Ortega. Q: Are these highly trained sharpshooters? "You need special training if you're using it to hit a distant target at a specific moment. But if you're going to shoot someone at a protest of 100,000 people, you don't need much expertise. "The scope helps you sight and aim, and you're firing from an advantageous position, with a weapon that has a range of up to 800 meters. "Any retired soldiers who are Ortega fanatics and were in the war in the 80s would know how to use it. "Ortega's other great irresponsibility is having armed all these anti-social types (in the para-police)... He's built a Frankenstein that has basically taken on a life of its own." Q: Do you think the other side could arm itself too? "That will be their biggest temptation. "But as long as these are civic protests, and the people aren't armed, the army won't intervene, and Daniel Ortega won't have the pretext he wants of facing an armed rebellion. "Let's be clear: Ortega has waged war his entire life. And now he doesn't know what to do, because he's facing protesters who haven't fired a single shot ... He's out of his element. That's why he's pushing. He's going to repress (the protests), to make every day bloodier than the last." Roberto Samcam, former army major of Nicaragua during an interview with AFP in Managua on June 3, 2018 A demonstrator shows a bullet found after clashes with riot police in the Monimbo neighborhood in Masaya, some 40km from Managua on June 2, 2018 Demonstrators clash with riot police during protests in Monimbo neighborhood in Masaya, some 40km from Managua on June 2, 2018On the first anniversary of a bitter Gulf diplomatic rift, Qatar's foreign minister on Tuesday declared his country stronger than ever and said it was open to dialogue with its regional rivals. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani also rebuked Qatar's foes for "imaginary victories" against the small Gulf state, the target of a Saudi-led boycott. "One year on and Qatar and its people are stronger," Al-Thani, one of the most prominent voices in the region's worst diplomatic crisis for years, wrote on Twitter. "(There's) a lot of talk about imaginary victories and isolating Qatar, but after one year, the reality proved the opposite as Qatar emerged as an international partner that can be trusted." On June 5, 2017, a Saudi-led alliance including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran. Qatar soon found its only land border closed by Saudi Arabia, its state-owned airline barred from using neighbours' airspace, and residents expelled from the quartet's countries. Despite hopes that the rancorous rift between the former allies -- which include some of the richest countries on earth -- would be resolved quickly, the crisis has endured. Qatar claims the dispute is an attack on its sovereignty and punishment for pursuing an independent foreign policy. Diplomatic efforts led by Kuwait and the United States have so far stalled. Al-Thani said the "door is still open for dialogue" between the Gulf rivals. However, he also told Qatar state-funded broadcaster Al Jazeera on Tuesday that Doha would continue with its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence missile system. Saudi leaders have asked French President Emmanuel Macron to intervene to prevent the deal going ahead, raising fears of military action in the dispute. - 'Smear campaign' - Despite the impact of the crisis, many in Qatar view the past year's events as a victory for Doha. Qatari papers were jubilant on Tuesday, with headlines such as "Triumphant Qatar stays united" and "Qatar shines as smear campaign against it fails". Taxi companies offered customers free rides to mark the anniversary and some in Qatar have even called for June 5 to be made a national holiday. Also on Tuesday, Lolwah al-Khater, Qatar's foreign ministry spokeswoman, said diplomatic efforts were underway by Kuwait for talks to go ahead in September. "Whether it takes place or not depends on the siege countries," she said, reported Qatar News Agency Meanwhile, Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) released a report claiming more than 4,000 human rights abuses had been committed against Qataris by the Saudi-led alliance in the past year. Qataris have been exposed to arbitrary arrest and routinely denied freedom of movement, according to the report by the government-appointed body detailing alleged abuses including one case of forced disappearance. "From the beginning, all the blockading countries have tried to use the people to achieve their political goals," NHRC chairman Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri said. There was no immediate reaction from the Saudi-led bloc. In August, Saudi Arabia will welcome millions of Muslim faithful for the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. The Saudi government on Tuesday confirmed Qataris wishing to undertake the umrah pilgrimage to Mecca were welcome, but accused the Qatari authorities of a "negative attitude". The umrah is a lesser pilgrimage that takes place outside of hajj. Since the start of the crisis, Qatar has accused Saudi Arabia of politicising religious pilgrimages to Mecca, including the annual hajj, one of Islam's five pillars, which every able-bodied Muslim who can afford the journey is obliged to undertake at least once. Qataris write comments on a wall bearing a portrait of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on July 06, 2017In an op-ed in Chalkbeat on Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his plan to diversify New York City's Specialized High Schools, which includes eliminating the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) and offering more summer session spots to economically disadvantaged students. Reaction to the mayor's proposal was mixed, with some Asian-American groups swiftly condemning the plan as racially biased.

The Department of Education has struggled to find ways to diversify these specialized high schools. While black and Hispanic students account for 67 percent of public school students, they only made up 10 percent of the offers at these specialized high schools in the most recent school year. Asian-Americans, who make up 16 percent of public school students, received 52 percent of the offers in the past year.

Kenneth Chiu, president of the New York City Asian-American Democratic Club, spoke to NY1 on Monday at a meeting in Sunset Park. "He never had this problem when Stuyvesant [High School] was all white. He never had this problem when Stuyvesant was all Jewish," Chiu said. "All of a sudden, they see one too many Chinese and they say, 'Hey, it isn't right.'"

De Blasio was also accused of stereotyping against Asian-Americans who attend, or strive to attend, these specialized high schools. De Blasio is a little biased, Karlin Chan said, speaking to CBS2 on Monday. It showed implicit bias when he said all Asians are economically sound, well, we can afford tutoring. That sounds like a racist statement to me that reinforces a negative stereotype.

A lot of vote them out! cries over proposed changes to the specialized high school exam from Asian American advocacy groups. pic.twitter.com/CdPFfRdrCL  Lindsey Christ (@LindseyChrist) June 4, 2018

Alumni groups also pushed back against the mayor's plan, accusing de Blasio of being divisive, CBS 2 reports. He cant be the mayor of just one or two groups. He needs to be the mayor of New York City, said Stuyvesants Chris Kwok.

The mayor has criticized the test prep industry as creating barriers for students who want to attend these specialized high schools, but some Asian-American groups say that test prep is what allows poor students to succeed. "For new immigrants, the test [is] something that is a leveling factor. It's easy to prepare for, they know about it, they can buy a book or they can buy a course," said Kwok, speaking to NY1. "So it's a ladder of success for them."

Lulu Zhou, director of A+ Academy, a test prep company, told WNYC that that this new plan "very much negatively affects our community, because our community is a heavily Asian immigrant community  very, very poor,

During an appearance on the Brian Lehrer show today, New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza insisted this new plan is "not trying to penalize anyone," arguing that the proposal to eliminate the SHSAT "should be good news for poor immigrant families" because they are "not going to have to spend thousands on prep."

The proposal to eliminate the SHSAT would require legislative action from Albany. Governor Cuomo has said on Monday that he doesn't believe that this issue will be addressed this year. A protest opposing this plan is scheduled at City Hall Park for today at 2 PM, as well as on Sunday, June 10 at 1 PM.

Education reporter from Politico NY, Eliza Shapiro, spoke with WNYC's All Things Considered Jami Floyd yesterday about de Blasio's proposal. Listen below:



Mariano Rajoy, a major figure of Spanish politics over the past 14 years, announced Tuesday he will quit as head of the conservative Popular Party (PP) after being ousted as prime minister last week. "I think the time has come to put a final full stop to this period. The PP must keep advancing and building its history at the service of Spaniards under the leadership of another person," he told party activists. Rajoy said a national executive meeting would take place "soon" to call an emergency congress which would "open a new stage in our party" and elect his successor. He added he would stay on in his post as PP head until the successor is chosen, and gave no date or deadline. This represents a spectacular turn of events just two weeks after Rajoy's minority government managed to have its 2018 budget approved despite strong resistance. Then, he and his ministers were all euphoria. But that was short-lived as a day later on May 24, a court announced it had sentenced former PP officials, businessmen and their spouses to a total of 351 years in jail for their role in a vast bribery scheme. It was one corruption scandal too many for the PP, which has been hit by a series of graft accusations. The opposition Socialist party filed a motion of no-confidence, which passed on Friday, ousting Rajoy and replacing him with Socialist party chief Pedro Sanchez. Mariano Rajoy has been a mainstay of Spanish politics for more than a decade but his PP party has been plagued by accusations of graftMariano Rajoy, a major figure of Spanish politics over the past 14 years, announced Tuesday he will quit as head of the conservative Popular Party (PP) after being ousted as prime minister last week. "I think the time has come to put a final full stop to this period," said the 63-year-old, removed from office last week in a no-confidence vote after former officials from his party were convicted in a bribery scandal. "The PP must keep advancing and building its history at the service of Spaniards under the leadership of another person," he told party members. Rajoy said a national executive meeting would take place "soon" to call an emergency congress which would "open a new phase for our party" and elect his successor. He added he would stay on in his post as PP head until the successor is chosen, and gave no date or deadline. Rajoy's ousting was a spectacular turn of events just two weeks after his minority government managed to have its 2018 budget approved despite strong resistance. His government's pleasure at that achievement was short-lived as a day later on May 24, a court announced it had sentenced former PP officials, businessmen and their spouses to a total of 351 years in jail for their role in a vast bribery scheme known as the Gurtel case. It was one corruption scandal too many for the PP, which has been hit by a series of graft accusations. The opposition Socialist party filed a motion of no-confidence, which passed on Friday. Rajoy was removed and replaced as prime minister by Socialist party chief Pedro Sanchez. - Caught off guard - Surveys show that support for the PP has been falling sharply since October, when Catalonia's separatist crisis came to a head. Even a majority of the party's voters, 63 percent, feel Rajoy should step aside, according to a Metroscopia poll released Tuesday. Political analysts say the rapid turn of events caught the PP off guard. "It is pretty clear that they did not really expect this," Roger Senserrich, a contributor to political analysis website Politikon, told AFP. "No one really has made plans to make a run for it to try to succeed Rajoy. No one has prepared, no one has built the internal coalitions that you need." Among those tipped to replace Rajoy is former defence minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal, currently deputy head of the PP. Others include former deputy prime minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria and the president of the northwestern region of Galicia, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, who is close to the ousted prime minister. - More graft cases - Whoever takes over will continue to be haunted by graft scandals that will hurt the party's electability, said Pablo Simon, a political science professor at Madrid?s Carlos III university. "The drip of corruption cases still has not ended. The Gurtel ruling was just one of 14 court cases related to corruption involving the PP that are pending," he told PP. In his speech, Rajoy defended his record, saying Spain's economy had largely recovered from the economic crisis that was racking Spain when he came to power in 2011. Where corruption is concerned, he said many graft cases had "affected" and "shocked" him. But he pointed out that none of his government members or the PP itself were found penally responsible in the Gurtel case, even if his party was ordered to pay back money that had been illegally obtained. He criticised Sanchez sharply, saying he had become prime minister without having won any general elections by teaming up with Catalan separatist and Basque nationalist lawmakers in order to get support for the no-confidence vote. "Someone who was systematically rejected by Spaniards when they were asked their opinion in the polls is governing the country," he said of Sanchez, who lost both 2015 and 2016 elections. Mariano Rajoy was removed from office in a no-confidence vote after officials from his party were convicted in a bribery scandalUkrainian President Petro Porochenko defended staging the killing of Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko to foil what Kiev said was an assassination plot by Moscow, saying in an interview published Tuesday that it was needed to "protect freedom of the press". "Those who criticise us would they have preferred that the Russian secret services kill this journalist?" Porochenko asked in an interview published in top-selling Spanish newspaper El Pais when asked about the faking of Babchenko's death with the help of Ukrainian secret services. "If we must defend freedom of the press, if we must protect journalists, we must employ these type of techniques," he added. Ukrainian police announced on May 29 that Babchenko was shot dead in Kiev in a contract-style killing, but the following day Ukrainian secret services held a news conference where the journalist appeared alive and well. Babchenko's staged killing fooled the world's media and led to press freedom groups raising fears about the impact it could have on the work of journalists everywhere. Some said the staged death could only lead to more accusations of "fake news", at a time when the distinction between credible and non-credible sources is becoming ever more crucial. The Kremlin has dismissed the story as "bizarre" and denied accusations that it had attempted to assassinate Babchenko. Ukrainian secret services have arrested the person who was going to carry out Babchenko's killing, and Porochenko told El Pais that "very soon" they will show where he received "the money, the orders, the lists of journalists to kill". Asked about an alleged list of 30 journalists targeted in Ukraine and the European Union by Moscow, Porochenko said he has not personally informed other governments but said secret services were cooperating with them. Porochenko was in Madrid on Monday on an official visit where he met with Spain's new Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Babchenko's staged killing fooled the world's mediaThe UN envoy for Yemen said Tuesday he was "very concerned" over fighting for the rebel-held port of Hodeida, as government forces close in on the main gateway for aid into the war-torn country. Martin Griffiths was speaking as he wrapped up a three-day visit aimed at reviving talks between Saudi-backed loyalist forces and Huthi rebels. "Apart from the avoidable humanitarian consequences of such a battle, I am also very concerned about the impact (on) chances of a political settlement of this conflict," he told reporters in the capital Sanaa. The envoy, appointed to the post in February, told reporters at Sanaa airport that his talks had been "positive" but warned of the impact of the Hodeida fight on civilians. "My aim is to restart negotiations which have not taken place for a very long time -- for too long -- and I want that to restart in the very near future," he said. Multiple rounds of United Nations-brokered talks between Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels and the country's government, allied with Saudi Arabia, have failed to find a solution to the Yemen war. Three years of fighting have claimed 10,000 lives and pushed the country to the brink of famine. The battle for Hodeida port, controlled by the Huthis, has killed more than 100 soldiers and insurgents in less than a week, medics and military sources close the government say. The rebels, who have so far refused to withdraw from the port, claim 418 loyalist fighters have been killed. - 'Finger on trigger' - Griffiths is due to report to the Security Council on June 18 on his peace efforts. The UN recognises the cabinet of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi as the legitimate government of Yemen. The Iran-backed Huthis have regularly accused the international body of bias. In Yemen, Griffiths met with Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Huthis' political council, and representatives of the General People's Congress -- a party founded by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, killed in December. From 2014, Saleh was allied with the Huthis in the fight against the government, but he shifted allegiances last year and was killed by the rebels. Mashat was quoted by rebel news agency Saba as saying that "just as our finger is always on the trigger to defend the sovereignty, security and unity of our homeland, our other hand is always extended to peace if all parties are committed to it." - Conditions for withdrawal - Yemeni political sources say the Huthis have put in place a list of conditions in return for their full withdrawal from the Hodeida port. These include paying military and civilian employees in areas controlled by the Huthis, reopening the international airport in Sanaa and allowing commercial traffic to flow through Yemen's many ports. "The Huthis have taken a tough stance and have set conditions that would prevent any political solution," a senior Yemeni government official told AFP. The UN has warned that any operation aimed at seizing Hodeida itself would disrupt the entry of aid shipments to Yemen, 70 percent of which flow through the rebel-held port. The port has been a point of contention in Yemen's war since Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened on behalf of the government in 2015 after the rebels seized Sanaa. Hodeida is crucial for aid deliveries as Yemen teeters on the brink of famine. Saudi Arabia says it is an entry point for weapons to the rebels, which it accuses regional rival Tehran of supplying. The Hodeida offensive is spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. A spokesperson for the Saudi-led alliance on Tuesday said government forces were only nine kilometres (six miles) from Hodeida. A picture taken during a tour organised by Yemeni loyalist fighters on June 2, 2018 shows an armoured vehicle on a main road in the Hodeida province, 50 kilometres from the port city of Hodeida A Yemeni woman carries a malnourished child as she waits during food distribution in the province of Hodeida on May 30, 2018 Boats dock at Yemen's rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida on November 7, 2017 A Yemeni fighter loyal to the Saudi-backed Yemeni president flashes the victory gesture as he walks on a road leading to the town of Khokha, south of Hodeida, on December 10, 2017The UN envoy for Yemen said Tuesday he was "very concerned" over fighting for the rebel-held port of Hodeida, as government forces close in on the main gateway for aid into the war-torn country. "Apart from the avoidable humanitarian consequences of such a battle, I am also very concerned about the impact (on) chances of a political settlement of this conflict," Martin Griffiths told reporters in the capital Sanaa. Griffiths on Tuesday wrapped up a three-day visit aimed at brokering negotiations between Saudi-backed loyalist forces and Huthi rebels. The envoy, appointed to the post in February, told reporters at Sanaa airport that the talks had been "positive" but warned of the impact of the Hodeida fight on civilians. "We are working very hard, focusing every day on moving forward in the political process," he said. "My aim is to restart negotiations which have not taken place for a very long time -- for too long -- and I want that to restart in the very near future." Griffiths is due to report to the Security Council on June 18 on his peace efforts. Multiple rounds of UN-brokered talks between Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels and the country's government, allied with Saudi Arabia, have failed. The Huthis seized control of the capital in 2014, driving the government south and sparking an intervention the next year by a military alliance led by Saudi Arabia. More than 22 million people are now in serious need of aid, with 8.4 million on the brink of starvation, according to the United Nations. The world body considers the situation in Yemen the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The conflict has left nearly 10,000 people dead in what was already the Arab world's poorest country. A picture taken during a tour organised by Saudi-backed Yemeni loyalist fighters on June 2, 2018 shows an armoured vehicle on the main road through Hodeida provinceThe United States said it would boycott Tuesday's session of the Conference on Disarmament amid fears that Syria is using its presidency of the body to "normalise" the regime. "Based on Syria's repeated attempts last week to use its presidency of the Conference on Disarmament to normalise the regime and its unacceptable and dangerous behaviour, we are not participating in today's session," Robert Wood, the US ambassador to the Geneva-based body, said in a statement. "We will continue to defend United States' interests" in the disarmament body, he added. Syria last week took over the body's rotating, four-week presidency, which according to a decades-old practice among its 65 member states follows the alphabetical order of country names in English. Wood was present during the first plenary session on Syria's watch a week ago, when he took the opportunity to lead a number of countries to protest what he described as "a travesty". Despite the mechanical nature of Syria's arrival at the helm of the disarmament conference, following Switzerland and Sweden, a number of countries voiced their outrage that a representative of Damascus was presiding over the body that negotiated the chemical weapons ban. Syria's ambassador Hussam Edin Aala meanwhile slammed last week's protest as "sensational propaganda" and "characterised by double-standards." More than 350,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since Syria's civil war began in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. After hundreds of people died in chemical attacks near Damascus in 2013, a deal with Russia was struck to rid Syria of chemical weapons, staving off US air strikes. But the United Nations and Western countries have accused Damascus of carrying out a number of chemical attacks since then. A suspected chlorine and sarin attack in the Syrian town of Douma on April 7 this year triggered punitive missile strikes against alleged chemical weapons sites in Syria by the US, Britain and France. - Special chemical weapons meeting - Last week, Wood had briefly walked out of the room when Edin Aala took the floor, before returning to deliver a scathing speech. "Today marks a sad and shameful day in the history of this body," he told the assembly on May 29. He vowed at the time that throughout Syria's presidency, the United States would be represented "in this hall to ensure that Syria is not able to advance initiatives that run counter to the interests of the United States." That was a promise the US has now backed away from, with no American representatives present during Tuesday's session. But other nations were represented, with diplomats continuing to slam Syria over chemical weapons use. The use of such weapons "under any circumstances is abhorrent and must be rigorously condemned," the representative for the European Union, Anne Kemppainen told the gathering. "It is a war crime and may amount to a crime against humanity," she stressed. British representative Simon Cleobury meanwhile said his country, along with Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Romania and the United States, had therefore called for "a special session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention." The meeting, he said, would "be a key moment for the international community to consider ways to strengthen the OPCW", or the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The global chemical arms watchdog meanwhile said the special session would take place in The Hague on June 26 and 27. Robert Wood has vowed to stop Syria from pushing through any reform aimed at normalising the regime during its rotating presidency of the global disarmament bodyMelania Trump attended a White House event for military veterans on Monday, ending a 25-day absence from the public eye that had sent the rumor mills into overdrive. The US first lady, known for her privacy and independence, had not been seen in public following a surgery last month. In pictures posted on her official Twitter account, she was seen sitting next to President Donald Trump at a private reception for families of US soldiers killed in action. She and Trump "were honored to pay tribute to our fallen heroes. Thank you to the Gold Star families that joined us in celebration & remembrance," the tweet said. Melania, 48, had not been spotted since May 10, when she joined the president in greeting three American hostages released by North Korea. Shortly afterwards, she entered Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what the White House said was a benign kidney procedure. Despite the operation's routine nature, Melania remained there for five days, returning to the White House on May 19. On Sunday, her spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham confirmed that the first lady will not accompany the president to the G7 summit in Canada or the North Korea nuclear summit in Singapore. Her recent schedule has seen a noticeable shift from the weeks prior to the surgery, when she engaged in several high-profile events. In April, she represented the Trumps at former first lady Barbara Bush's funeral, rolled out her "Be Best" awareness campaign to help children, and orchestrated an elaborate state dinner for the Macrons of France. Following the surgery, Melania's absence at events where the public has come to expect her alongside the president was well documented, leading her to take to Twitter to castigate reporters. "I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I'm doing," she tweeted last week, assuring she was "here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard." The tweet sparked a conspiracy theory that Trump himself may have written Melania's message, given that "working overtime" is a favorite phrase of the president when he tweets about the press. Spokeswoman Grisham dismissed the media speculation as "nonsense." "Mrs. Trump has always been a strong and independent woman who puts her family and certainly her health above all else, and that won't change over a rabid press corps," she told Fox News. - Imagination 'running wild' - White House silence, including about why Melania spent five days in hospital for a routine procedure, only fueled the speculation. Some said Melania had moved back to New York or was cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller, head of the main investigation into alleged Russian election meddling that President Trump has branded a "witch hunt." Others offered she may be healing after some secret plastic surgery. Such a weeks-long disappearance by a modern-day first lady is indeed rare, said Ohio University history professor Katherine Jellison, an expert on presidents' wives. "I'm amazed Mrs. Trump has been able to do it," she told AFP. The first lady is not an elected position, and Melania Trump is under no obligation to keep the American people abreast of her health, activities or whereabouts. Several 19th century first ladies spent long periods out of view. But over the past half century, it has become the expectation that people know the basic narrative of the first lady's activities. Melania Trump, never one to obsess like her husband about media attention, has laid low before. She went quiet in March as a media storm raged about revelations that her husband's lawyer paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 before the 2016 election to keep silent over her alleged affair with Trump years earlier. First Lady Melania Trump will not accompany President Donald Trump to the G7 Summit or the North Korea nuclear summit Melania Trump is known to cherish her privacy, and has often broken with her husband's schedule Melania Trump had been out of public view for weeksDeontay Wilder's management team are optimistic of reaching agreement to seal a heavyweight unification bout against Anthony Joshua later this year, ESPN reported on Tuesday. Shelly Finkel, one of Wilder's co-managers, told ESPN that negotiations with Joshua's camp are ongoing, with the possibility of a fight held towards the end of the year. Finkel told ESPN that WBC heavyweight champion Wilder was willing to travel to Britain to take on WBA, IBF and WBO champion Joshua if necessary. Finkel said he had held talks last week with veteran fight promoter, Barry Hearn, whose son Eddie promotes Joshua. "I met with Eddie's father, Barry, this past Friday in New York and it was a good meeting," Finkel said. "I'm hopeful that they will get back to me this week and that something can be done to make the fight in the fall. I'm optimistic." Finkel said fighting in Britain was "not an impediment on our side." "There are still some roads to cross but hopefully it will happen and we'll see the fight this year," Finkel told ESPN. "If we're going to make the fight, the place where it will take place isn't going to be the problem. We have no problem going to the UK It never was a problem. Deontay has never had a problem with that." Meanwhile Barry Hearn told ESPN a deal for any Joshua fight would need to be sealed quickly. "They've got to make a decision realistically in the next few days," he said. "I think both of them want to fight each other, but there's obviously hurdles to come over. "Is Wembley [Stadium] available? What's the American pay-per-view situation for American broadcasters on a show in the U.K.? Is it the right time to fight Deontay Wilder? Fight's only going to get bigger. Fight fans will tell you, 'We must see it now!' Of course, they're not involved in the financials." IBF and WBA world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua of Great BritainLord & Taylor, the nearly 200-year-old department store, will close its flagship Manhattan location, which is housed in a landmarked Fifth Avenue building.

Women's Wear Daily reports that parent company, the Hudson's Bay Co., is "suffer[ing] same-store sales declines across most of its divisions" and "pressing ahead with trimming costs and its stores... HBC revealed the planned closure of the L&T flagship as the group reported a net loss of 400 million Canadian dollars, or $308 million, for the first quarter ended May 5, compared to a 221 million Canadian dollars, or $170 million, in the year ago period."

Last year, Hudson's Bay sold the building to WeWork for $850 million, with the co-working behemoth looking to make the location its headquarters. When that deal was announced, the NY Times reported, "Lord & Taylor will rent the bottom floors, redesigning them into a smaller version of its department store."

"After evaluating best use scenarios for its New York City Fifth Avenue location, the Company has decided not to maintain a presence at this location following turnover of the building to WeWork. Exiting this iconic space reflects Lord & Taylor's increasing focus on its digital opportunity and HBC's commitment to improving profitability," a Hudson's Bay press release states.

Now it's unclear whether Lord & Taylor will have a NYC presence (or charming holiday windows); Hudson's Bay is closing another 9 stores. The company's CEO Helena Foulkes said, "We will take advantage of having a smaller footprint to rethink the model and focus on our digital opportunities. The Lord & Taylor flagship on Walmart.com, which launched last week, is a great example of this and represents how we are thinking about the entire business."

The power of online shopping has made a major dent in many retail stores' prospects. Tim Grumbacher, who liquidated his 262 Bon-Ton department stores, told the Wall Street Journal, "If I had had the foresight to realize I had to blow up the [department store] model, I would have." In an interview, he said "he would have subleased space to other companies, added more services like blow-dry bars and narrowed the product assortment. He says consumers dont want to shop in cavernous department stores anymore."

At a shareholder presentation last summer, Macy's announced it would add a roof deck to its Herald Square store, to entice shoppers to linger.A Perth landlord was horrified to find tenants had destroyed his property, leaving behind $30,000 in damages, furniture, and rotting food.

Travis Adams, 35, had been privately leasing his home to the family for three years. He said he knew the tenants were not clean, but had no idea the extent of the filth they were living in when he finally evicted them.

A two-minute video of Mr Adams and his sister walking through the toxic home shows rubbish, broken furniture and toys piling up in each room and extending to the shed and backyard.

A Perth landlord was forced to fork out $30,000 in cleaning and repair fees after tenants destroyed his property, leaving behind rubbish, broken furniture and rotting food. Source: Travis Adams / Facebook

Dirty dishes are piled up in the kitchen, which is covered in grime from walls to floor. Soiled clothes are left strewn across the laundry floor, and inside an abandoned washing machine.

Shame, shame Its just feral disgusting, Mr Adams can be heard commenting in the video shared to his Facebook page last Friday.

Also featured in the video was a Daily Kitchen Chore Roster found in the kitchen, with tasks allocated to a mother and two children of the household, which the landlord joked worked well.

The landlord joked the chore roster found in the kitchen worked well. Source: Travis Adams / Facebook

The hot water system was ripped from the wall, with copper pipes removed, and the electrical wires to the outside power were also cut, he claims.

This is just a snapshot of what my brother-in-law Travis was left by his filthy tenants, Charmaine Kettle wrote on a GoFundMe page to raise money to help with the clean-up bill.

Every room as well as outside has been left littered with clothes, rubbish and debris.

This home was beautiful, clean and tidy when these low lives [sic] moved in.

It took just three hours to fill this skip, but there is still much more work to do. Source: Travis Adams / Facebook

Ms Kettle said Mr Adams had landlords insurance, but required default tenant insurance to cover any tenant damage, so he has been left to foot the massive bill on his own.

All the walls need repainting, flooring needs replacing, kitchen needs replacing and a thorough pest eradication due to cockroaches and rats, she said.

Story continues

The copper has been removed from the hot water system, rendering it useless, and broken windows have already been replaced.

She said inspections were carried out, but the tenants had tidied it up somewhat before inspections.

It was never a clean house and we were prepared to go in and clean, replace flooring and repaint, she said.

What we didnt expect was to be left with a houseful of rubbish and for it to be left so unsanitary.

To help Mr Adams with the clean-up bill, head to the GoFundMe page.More than a year after the formal establishment of the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, the first park rangers will be assigned to the Auburn landmark.

Frank Barrows, superintendent of Fort Stanwix National Monument and project lead of the Tubman park, announced Tuesday that Jessica Bowes and Rufai Shardow will staff the Harriet Tubman Home property through September.

Bowes, a museum technician at Fort Stanwix, is familiar with the Harriet Tubman Home. While pursuing her doctoral degree at Syracuse University, she was part of a team that conducted archaeological digs at the South Street site.

Shardow has been a park ranger at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in Massachusetts since 2009. His expertise includes Frederick Douglass and the Underground Railroad.

Barrows said Bowes and Shardow will assist the Harriet Tubman Home with building capacity and "further establish our National Park Service presence on the ground in Auburn."

"Both bring extensive knowledge of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad to the table," he said.

The start date of Bowes and Shardow's assignment hasn't been set, but they will work at the Harriet Tubman Home five days a week during the summer.

The addition of two park rangers will allow the Tubman home property to be open Sundays during the summer when visitation is usually higher. The site is usually open Tuesday through Saturday, but closed Sunday and Monday.

Karen Hill, president and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home, welcomes the park rangers' assistance.

"It's huge," she said in a phone interview last week. "It's the first step in increasing our capacity. We will be able to welcome more visitors to the park. They'll have a great visitor experience. They will see the presence of the rangers."

To prepare for their assignment, Barrows said the rangers began their orientation last week and met with Kate Clifford Larson, a Tubman biographer.

Over the next few weeks, they will learn more about the resources at the Tubman home property and the Auburn area.

"The presence of these park rangers will give us an opportunity to explore the many ways that our personnel can complement what is already being done on the site," Barrows said.

The Tubman national park was created when legislation was approved by Congress and signed by then-President Barack Obama in 2014. The sites include Tubman's brick residence and the Home for the Aged on South Street. The Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church is also part of the park.

Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

Love 31 Funny 9 Wow 3 Sad 1 Angry 11Chanel brought Paris Fashion Week to its final day with a runway show that illustrated how designers and the people they dress want to look toThe covid pandemic has caused millions of people, particularly LGBTQ adults, to lose their jobs and enroll in Medicaid or insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Yet these plans often dont fully cover the basics needed by many transgender Americans, such as injectable estrogen, a hormone therapy commonly used by trans women.A few years ago, firefighters were called to the vacant Dunn & McCarthy site on West Street in Auburn, where a 12-year-old boy had sunk waist-deep in wet, grainy soil. The soil had become quicksand, and rescuers knew they had to act fast.

Auburn's Assistant Fire Chief Bill DiFabio said the team's trailer of tools arrived at the scene within 10 minutes and firefighters began their approach. But when the rescuers sank to their knees in dirt, the team had to turn back.

"(The boy) was probably 40 feet from us down into the dirt," he said. "It was very cold out there and he had been out there over an hour so it was a true emergency. We were working to get him out as quick as possible."

And thanks to trench rescue training, DiFabio said, they knew what to do next.

The team ended up using plywood from the trailer, which gave firefighters a work surface to "get out there and dig." Fortunately, he said, the boy wasn't hurt.

It's situations like these that DiFabio and AFD Captain Christopher Logue said they want to be prepared for, which is why the Auburn Fire Department is participating in another round of trench rescue operations training this week.

On Monday, roughly a dozen Auburn firefighters gathered at the city landfill for the state-sponsored training. The team began by building wooden struts to secure an 8-foot trench.

"This training level will give us the professional qualifications to handle this situation," Logue said.

And it's a situation that's becoming a lot more possible, as construction crews do a lot more digging around the city.

"With all the kinds of revitalization projects going on, we've got all sorts of trenches open," DiFabio said. "So far, we've had very minimal incidents, thank goodness, but we still need to prepare for the worst."

To properly prepare, Logue said, 70 firefighters will participate in the two-day training, which the state hosts every three to five years. The training talks about the different types of soil and how to handle certain hazards like gas lines, water lines and telephone lines that may be in the area. On Tuesday, the team will work with mechanical struts to complete a simulated rescue operation.

"We've been very fortunate in the city where we haven't done an awful lot (of trench rescues)," Logue said. "We've used the tools ... to shore up sinkholes and make it safe for people, but there wasn't anybody to rescue. And we hope there never is."

Staff writer Megan Blarr can be reached at (315) 282-2282 or megan.blarr@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter @CitizenBlarr.

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Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.MORAVIA  The village of Moravia decided a nonconforming use clause in a zoning law was irrelevant to a historic property, in opposition to the building owner's assertion, during a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Monday.

The debate began a month ago when Gary Debele requested a ZBA public hearing for an interpretation of a 1988 local law. Last summer, Debele purchased the historic Moravia High School with the understanding that the property was zoned as commercial, under an exception within a residential area. Long after the finalization of the sale, the village determined the property could not maintain its commercial status and would remain residential.

The 48 Church St. building was a school until the early 1960s and once sold was used for a variety of commercial and residential uses. When Debele bought the property, the code enforcement officer at the time, Fred Delaney, said it was zoned as commercial property. The current CEO, Patrick Doyle, determined the property must comply with residential zoning.

The 1988 Local Law No. 1 Debele requested interpretation of is the village's comprehensive zoning and land use law which zoned the school property as residential. The nonconforming use clause in the law, however, permits a continuation of any lawful use of the land at the time, whether residential or not. If the uses are abandoned for over a calendar year's time, the nonconforming use law no longer applies.

Moravia officials table decision on how former school can be used MORAVIA  The village of Moravia tabled a debate over the zoning of a historic property in o

At the first portion of the public hearing in May, Debele asserted the building was nonconforming prior to the enactment of the law, and all the uses continued. At the time, ZBA Chairwoman Linda Arcangeli said she didn't see "proof of continuous use."

Monday night's continuation of the hearing, with over a dozen community members in attendance, began with a presentation of the school building's timeline by village attorney Charles Marangola.

Marangola asserted that June 20, 1988  the date the law was enacted  "is the key." And he asserts that on that date, substantial nonconforming uses of the building did not exist, and therefore don't exist now, rendering any evidence of nonconforming uses since that time irrelevant.

Debele said on May 31 he was provided a statement by Audrey Krull, who lived in a detached single-family home on the property from 1986 through 1995, which indicated she saw the building utilized for nonconforming uses during her entire time on the property.

Marangola said he reached out to Krull as well and she didn't have a specific answer for the use of the property on the date of June 20, 1988. The neighbors across the street from the school, however, who have lived there since 1987, say it's only ever been residential. The residents provided Marangola a statement when he contacted them to cross-check Krull's statement.

Marangola said since Debele hasn't "established the use that's nonconforming," which is the responsibility of the petitioner, he advised the ZBA, as a representative for the village to vote against Debele's interpretation of nonconforming use.

Arcangeli then asked Debele if he had any other information of substance to share and if he could wrap up his claims quickly.

Debele questioned why, if nonconforming uses never existed for the building, the village neglected to enforce its zoning for many years as various uses of the building continued while never being primarily used as a residence. The ZBA's majority opinion was that it was residential.

The ZBA made a motion that, in light of the evidence produced, the property owned by Debele does not have continuous nonconforming uses.

Before the vote was taken, ZBA member Maria Manna voiced a general discomfort with how the process went, and said the way the issue was handled as a whole and the illusion to Krull perhaps being dishonest was "very unsettling." She added that many of the sources utilized by Marangola also appeared to be rooted in personal relationships.

Debele "had the chance to get a lawyer when he bought the property, and he didn't," Marangola said. "That's his business." He later added prior to the sale of the property, Debele could have created a contingency contract with the seller that he'd buy the property if it were cleared for commercial use, for example.

Three ZBA members voted in favor of the motion, while Manna voted against it. Debele then requested Arcangeli produce the basis for the determination in writing, as required by law, at a later date.

ZBA member Paul Levesque said this decision does not reflect the board's view on the development of that property, and he hopes Debele comes back with a variance request for a project.

"This was about retaining my rights as a property owner," Debele said.

Staff writer Megan Ehrhart can be reached at (315) 282-2244 or megan.ehrhart@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter @MeganEhrhart.

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Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.We're worried.

Our congressman, John Katko, supported the Trump Tax Plan that helps the wealthiest 1 percent and leaves the rest of us to foot the bill. The average working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and those who are already struggling financially will be paying more taxes and losing the services we need and depend on.

While we're known by our neighbors and friends for being more politically involved than many, signing up to speak out in a television ad against Congressman Katko's vote was a new level of activism for us, but not something we thought twice about. We can't sit idle while our neighbors and families face uncertainty as bills increase and benefits dry up. And as seniors on fixed incomes, what happens when our taxes go up and the programs we rely on disappear?

However, we're more anxious about how this will play out in the longer term. This tax plan will impact the next generation even more adversely as the deficit grows and more assistance disappears-from Medicaid to food stamps. What was John Katko thinking when he voted for this tax plan? Not us, our family, our neighbors.

Our congressman should represent the average constituents working hard in their communities  and help prevent President Trump from continuing to do more damage. A wealthy person buying another luxury car will not help the economy and the men and women working tirelessly to keep their livelihoods and provide for themselves and their families. These average Americans will not be getting anything out of this tax cut.

Investments in critical programs  healthcare for all, much-needed improvements in infrastructure, good schools for all children, reliable food stamp programs  are more important than giving more money to millionaires. Of course, our congressman wouldn't know about real people here in the district  he continues to refuse to hold town hall meetings open to all his constituents and be held accountable for the very real impact his votes have on the people he is supposed to represent.

We deserve to be represented in Congress, and will make sure our fellow communities throughout NY-24 understand what is at stake.

Charlie and Sandra Gowing

Syracuse

Love 15 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3Living across the river in New Jersey can be an idyllic alternative to the Big City rat racethey've got a Barcade in Jersey City, a world class arena where some of the top recording artists (Fall Out Boy!) perform, and views of the Manhattan skyline that almost rival the view from Brooklyn and Queens. But days like today are a reminder that just because you're no longer living at the mercy at the MTA, that doesn't mean you've escaped mass transit HELL. Seems this morning's PATH commute into Manhattan was a complete shitshow:



Apparently Monday's commute was also the pits.

@PATHTrain 2nd disastrous commute in as many days. 20 min from Grove to JSQ. Now going back. No A/C. So excited for your PTC upgrades coming in 2030! This system is an embarrassment!  David Chernin (@davidchernin) June 5, 2018 @PATHTrain has been chaotic all week. Crowds are dangerous, we are packed in like sardines - someone is going to get hurt. We need our representatives to do something @StevenFulop @RaviBhalla pic.twitter.com/RwufVaoavO  Bobby Ellis (@bellis25) June 5, 2018 Thank you @PATHTrain for making me 30 minutes late for work 2 days in a row. You suck!  Chim Ritchels (@ChimRitchels) June 5, 2018

Jeez, more like the WRATH train, amirite? Today's extreme overcrowding and infuriating delays were attributed to signal problems at Journal Square. As of 9:30, the delays are expected to continue until morale improves.

NWK-WTC & JSQ-33 line operating with a delay because of a signal problem at JSQ. NJT cross honoring PATH @ NWK & NYPS. Delays are expected to continue. [88]  PATH Train (@PATHTrain) June 5, 2018

We asked the Port Authority of NY & NJ, which operates the PATH, for more information on the problem and we'll update as we find out more. But if it makes you feel any better, there were delays on the 7 train during this morning's rush hour due to an injured passenger.Iceland has expanded its pastry offer with exclusive Baileys-branded profiteroles.

The choux-pastry puffs are part of the liquor brands premium dessert range, and contain Baileys-flavoured cream. They are currently retailing for 2 exclusively at Iceland.

Each box contains 16 profiteroles, with four  the recommended serving size  containing 206 calories and 13.1g of sugar when eaten with the chocolate sauce included. Sold frozen, they need to be thawed for 30 minutes at room temperature or two hours in the fridge before consumption.

The profiteroles feature in Icelands Luxury Desserts & Platters category, where they are sold alongside Baileys Eclairs Mini Pastries with a Baileys Flavoured Filling released earlier this year.

Both are manufactured by Holland-based bakery Van Diermen Masterbakers. The firm provides pastries for retail and foodservice, with a speciality in choux pastry.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.Police are searching for a man who has been stealing women's wallets and purses from various Manhattan businesses and then using their credit cards.

The first incident took place on May 8th, around 10 a.m., when a 39-year-old woman found her wallet missing and called the police. Later it was discovered that the robber had taken the wallet from inside 52 9th Avenue, the L'Occitane store in the Meatpacking District. The NYPD says that the suspect "made several unauthorized charges at various locations on the victim's credit card totaling approximately $1,000."

Then on May 18th, around 4:45 p.m., a 41-year-old woman discovered her purse was missing and a police investigation determined that the purse had been taken from inside the Canvas Home store at 123 West 17th Street. The thief then made "several unauthorized charges at various locations on the victim's credit card totaling approximately $300," according to the police.

Two days later, on May 20th, around 6:30 p.m., a 20-year-old woman called the police after she found her purse missing. The authorities found that the male suspect took her purse from inside Loring Place, a restaurant at 21 West 8th Street, and later made "several unauthorized charges at various locations on the victim's credit card totaling approximately $600."

The suspect, who is wanted for grand larceny, is described as being in his 30s, 5'8" and around 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a T-shirt and shorts. In the May 8th incident, photos provided by the police show the suspect wearing a green Borgata casino shirt.

Anyone with information in regards 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 their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

Critics say bill would allow resegregation in towns surrounding Charlotte; lead sponsor Brawley calls complaint 'mythical'

A bill allowing a few towns to operate their own charter schools is closer to becoming law. The Senate education and rules committees passed House Bill 514 on Wednesday, May 30, but not without criticism.H.B. 514 would allow four Mecklenburg County towns - Mint Hill, Matthews, Cornelius, and Huntersville - to run charter schools separate from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system.Backers of the bill say CMS is too large, has a wasteful bureaucracy, and hasn't met the needs of parents and students in towns outside Charlotte. Critics say the towns lack racial and ethnic diversity and the bill would become a template for suburban towns across the state that want to unofficially exit large, urban-centered school districts.Rep. Bill Brawley, R-Mecklenburg, introduced the bill in 2017 because some of his constituents asked for it. H.B. 514 passed the House by a 78-39 margin, but didn't re-emerge until the short session started in May.The Senate education committee amended the bill to include Cornelius and Huntersville, allow municipal charter school teachers to participate in the state retirement and health plans, and removed any mention of funding.Brawley said.CMS has long been a vocal opponent of the bill. While lawmakers debated the implications of H.B. 514, CMS officials emailed parents and urged them to call their representatives to oppose the bill. The email says H.B. 514 would raise taxes, reduce educational choice, and further segregate communities.Last week, former General Assembly senior attorney Gerry Cohen released a report outlining seven financial and legal concerns raised by H.B. 514. The report found that a town can't incur debt for capital construction or land purchases, so Matthews or Mint Hill would have to pay upfront for any land or building purchases. A town can't use any state money to buy land or pay construction costs, either.Brawley said technical corrections and the amendment fixed those problems. The revised budget for fiscal 2018-19 includes a provision allowing municipalities to use property tax revenue to supplement funding for elementary or secondary public education.Still, several Democrats said the bill would lead to racial segregation in the towns that ran charter schools.Sen. Joyce Waddell, D-Mecklenburg, said.H.B 514 gives enrollment preference to families in Matthews, Mint Hill, Cornelius, and Huntersville. Sen. Erica Smith, D-Northampton, and Sen. Gladys Robinson, D-Guilford, also are worried about segregation and inequitable schooling.Smith said H.B. 514 would undo the progress made by Brown v. Board of Education.Brawley wasn't persuaded.Brawley said.Local families will pay for the charter schools so, Brawley said, the bill gives them preference.Sen. Bill Cook, R-Beaufort, said much of the debate was getting off track and too much time was being spent debating what he called a good bill.Leanne Winner, director of government relations for the North Carolina School Boards Association, said her organization typically doesn't get involved with local bills unless they're precedent-setting. H.B. 514 falls along those lines, Winner said, suggesting other town leaders at odds with their school boards will ask the General Assembly to let them follow suit.Charles Jeter, government relations coordinator for CMS Schools, said the bill is a proverbial slippery slope, evidenced by how quickly Cornelius and Huntersville jumped in. Jeter took issue with Brawley saying local communities supported the bill and numerous people objected to it at town council meetings.Jeter warned.Bryan Holloway, a lobbyist with NCSBA, said cities and towns aren't typically in the education business and would be charting new territory with this bill.Cities may not know how to run charter schools, but Sen. Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph, wasn't going to let that stop them from trying.Tillman said.AP Score 5: A+, A

AP Score 4: A-, B+, B

AP Score 3: B-, C+, C

AP Score 2: Possibly qualified

AP Score 1: Not recommended

I'm not convinced on why this decision [the AP acceptance policy] isn't best determined by the academic leaders on each campus. We don't have consistency across our admissions standards; there's wide variation, and for good reason. Sometimes variation speaks to the uniqueness of each institution.

Overall, students with AP Exam credit tended to perform as well as or better than students without AP Exam credit who took the introductory course on the same campus as the sequent or subsequent course.

Students receive equivalent learning outcomes with scores of 3, 4, or 5 in an AP test or by completing the corresponding course in a 4-year university main campus.</li>





General Education courses... must be taken at Carolina; they cannot be substituted with AP or similar credits, though students may use AP credits to place into more advanced General Education courses or, if appropriate, as credit toward the major or supplemental education.

Using Advanced Placement (AP) courses to fulfill college requirements has long helped college students save both time and money. But there are varying opinions about the value of AP courses and exams, with some arguing that they do not match the rigor of introductory college courses they replace.This disagreement sometimes leads to inconsistency in policies regarding whether AP test scores can be substituted for actual college courses. According to University of North Carolina system policy advisor Andrew Kelly, millions of student and taxpayer dollars go to waste each year due to inconsistent policies regarding the scores required for AP exams to count for college credit. North Carolina is one of a handful of states that fully funds the costs of AP for all public school students ( the fee for each AP exam is $94 ). Consequently, the state spends over $12 million per year paying students' expenses for taking AP exams.Last month, Kelly spoke at a meeting of the Board of Governors' Committee on Strategic Initiatives about the need for a coherent AP credit acceptance policy throughout the UNC system.According to research from the College Board (the creators of the AP exams), AP exam scores (graded on a 1 to 5 scale) have the following college grade scale equivalency While many colleges accept AP scores of 3 and above, a handful of UNC schools only accept scores of 4 or 5-particularly for AP courses such as English literature and composition, and United States history. Kelly noted in his presentation that, for the 2016-2017 academic year, incoming UNC system students did not receive credit for 13,950 courses "for which they earned a 3 or above on the AP exam."Nonetheless, some committee members objected to the notion of creating a uniform AP acceptance policy, since institutions throughout the UNC system already have varying admission standards. The UNC institutions that do not accept a score of 3 for various exams include UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte, North Carolina State University, and Appalachian State University. One board member, Anna Nelson, said at an April 20th meeting:In response, Kelly pointed to the UNC system's articulation agreement with the community college system, which ensures that community college grades of "C" or higher are granted credit at each UNC institution. If UNC campuses are required to award credit for community college "C" grades, then it makes sense for them to also award credit for an AP 3, which is equivalent to at least a "C."At a later meeting on May 23rd, Nelson added that she wanted to "make sure that [the board was] not pushing for lower standards," to which Kelly responded: "This committee is about student success, and you don't do anyone any favors by casting people into the next class and having them failing." He emphasized that there is evidence that students who earn a 3 on an AP exam do just as well (or sometimes, better) as non-AP students who take the corresponding class at the college level.Kelly's argument is corroborated by a 2016 College Board study entitled "Advanced Placement Validity Research at Four University System of Georgia Institutions." According to the study:Of course, the College Board has a great deal of self-interest in promoting the AP exams, which they produce. But a 2016 Ohio Department of Higher Education study affirmed the College Board's claims. It evaluated the differences in GPA scores, course completion rates, retention rates, and graduation rates between students who used AP credit and students who took introductory college classes. The Ohio study found the differences to be negligible, concluding:Given the empirical evidence of the Ohio study, the objection that the policy proposal will "lower academic standards" seems to be on shaky ground. Nonetheless, the proposal to impose uniform, statewide standards for AP credit acceptance may experience pushback.For example, UNC-Chapel Hill is in the process of revising its general education curriculum-which could result in students not being allowed to use AP credit at all to fulfill their general education requirements. The most recent draft reads The chair of the general education committee, Andrew Perrin, explained to the Martin Center that AP courses might not satisfactorily fulfill the goals of the university's general education curriculum. He emphasized, however, that the revision process is still underway, and the question regarding AP courses is still undecided.Furthermore, those on UNC-Chapel Hill's general education revision committee likely will not be the only group of faculty to object to the proposed systemwide AP acceptance policy. In many cases, faculty see general education requirements as a means to attracting students to their courses-something that UNC-Chapel Hill professors have openly admitted. Eliminating AP credit for general education requirements will likely fill some empty classrooms-and possibly add faculty positions.Some might also argue that the introductory courses offered at the university hold a special educational value that AP courses cannot replace. But when one looks at the actual course content of the AP courses and the courses that they could replace, the argument for AP credits becomes even stronger. For most AP courses focus on the core knowledge that one would expect from a general education course. But UNC-Chapel Hill's general education curriculum permits students to bypass essential knowledge for esoteric frills. For example, students can now satisfy their general education history requirement by enrolling in courses such as ANTHRO 151 : Anthropological Perspectives on Food and Culture and HIST 557 : Bandits, Rebels, and Storytellers: Fiction and History in India.Indeed, at a time in higher education where students can earn a college degree without having taken a course in American history or having studied Shakespeare in an English 101 course, opening the doors to more AP credit scores could not only save students time and money from taking a similar course twice, but it could also provide students knowledge that they may not otherwise receive.Finally, some might object that the AP policy would unfairly disadvantage low-income and rural students who may not have access to AP courses. But there is an initiative underway that should put those worries to rest. Recently, the North Carolina School of Mathematics and Science partnered with Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs North Carolina ( GEAR UP NC ), a federally funded program seeking to provide students with "greater access to Advanced Placement offerings, with an emphasis on computer science and technology themes." If Kelly's proposal moves forward as planned, then that, in conjunction with GEAR UP, could tremendously increase college accessibility for rural and low-income students.Kelly's plan has considerable support among members of the Board of Governors already, and they have the final say. For instance, Alex Mitchell, a member of the UNC Board of Governors and Chair of the Committee on Strategic Initiatives, is strongly in favor of a unified AP acceptance policy. In a May 23rd committee meeting, he said that the AP exam was "the ultimate objective test." He also told the Martin Center that, given the state's financial investment in AP, he thought UNC-Chapel Hill's general education committee "would be very hard pressed" if they decided not to allow AP credit to fulfill general education requirements.When it comes to higher education, policymakers' first goal should be to uphold the academic integrity and standards of the institutions they oversee. However, with that first goal being met, policymakers should then be on the lookout for ways to make a college education more affordable and efficient. If Kelly's AP credit proposal is adopted, the UNC system might strike gold on both of those fronts.A Filipino immigrant kicked to death in Slovakia

5. 6. 2018

cas cteni 1 minuta

;





Juraj Hossu (28) a Slovak citizen from the town of Dunajska Streda, kicked to death Henry John Serafica Acorda (36), a Filipino immigrant to Bratislava who had lived and worked in Slovakia as an IT expert. Acorda tried to defend his female colleagues whom Juraj Hossu sexually harassed. Acorda died of his injuries in hospital a few days later.



Although the Bratislava police arrested the attacker, a local prosecutor released him from prison, because in his view, "it is unlikely that he would continue with his criminal activity". The release of the attacker has provoked anger of the Slovak public, so that the attacker was later re-arrested again and charged with manslaughter.



The case has provoked strong passions in Slovakia.



"Juraj Hussa seriously injured Mr. Henry, a Filipino, who has then died of his injuries. And it all happened because the attacker wanted to harass girls and the 'evil immigrant' stood up to defend them. Why are now Slovak extreme nationalists silent? Or do they think that brutal attacks perpetrated by Slovaks are OK?" said one Slovak citizen, quoted by the Slovak daily Pravda.



"Only a human animal is able first to harass a woman and then to kill her defender by kicking him to death," said Erik Tomas, a former spokesperson of the Slovak ruling Smer party. He however added that his party cannot be blamed for anti-immigrant sentiments in Slovak society. The killing of Mr. Acorda will not change the negative attitude of the Slovak government to EU refugee quotas because they represent a security risk," he added.



A rally will take place on a main square in Bratislava on Wednesday evening to commemorate the death of the murdered Filipino man.



Source in Czech HERE





Source in Slovak HERE

0Cider-making is currently undergoing a revival in the United States. Production and consumption of cider is increasing rapidly, and the global cider market is projected to reach $16,252 million by 2023.[1] Cider (sometimes called hard cider) is a fermented beverage made from apple juice. A wide range of apple cultivars, or cultivated varieties of domesticated apples (Malus x domestica), are used in cider production.

One of the oldest surviving cider apple varieties is the Foxwhelp, which originated in England several centuries ago. The earliest recorded reference to the cultivar comes from John Evelyns Pomona from 1664.[2] Though still used for cider making, an aura of mystery surrounds this cultivar, because many apples labeled as Foxwhelp today are not true to type. In fact, many cider producers refer to the variety available in the United States under this name as Fauxwhelp.

Dr. Gregory Peck, an Assistant Professor in the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University, has been assessing a large number of apple genotypes for their potential use in hard cider production. Through this work, he has discovered inconsistencies between many U.S. varieties and their original counterparts, including Foxwhelp. Not only has he imported two Foxwhelp strains into the United States so that growers can have the true genotype, but he also recently teamed up with Dr. Gayle Volk at the United States Department of Agriculture to uncover the truth behind Fauxwhelp and other enigmatic cultivars.

We employed DNA fingerprinting tools to confirm our suspicions that these were misnamed cultivars, explains Peck. But now were left with a mystery. What are the misidentified cultivars?

As it turns out, its a mystery that the Biodiversity Heritage Library can help solve.

In addition to genetic and chemical analyses, weve been using books from BHLs collection to help us identify these unknowns, shares Peck. In particular, we often use the Pomona Herefordiensis by Thomas Andrew Knight and several texts by Robert Hogg.

Peck first discovered BHL thanks to the fantastic librarians at Cornells Mann Library, who directed him to the site for access to several historic pomology books. Since then, he visits the library every few months, viewing books online and downloading PDFs of useful titles. It has become a valuable and much-appreciated resource for Pecks research.

BHL is easy to use and I really like being able to share FREE resources with my students and commercial cider producers, lauds Peck. Once Im on the site, Im there for hours. I guess time flies when youre having fun!

Dr. Peck will be sharing more about his work as the featured speaker at the 2018 Cornell Reunion, where he will present on The Modern Emergence of a Historic Drink. His presentation will be live-streamed on 8 June 2018 starting at 10am ET via the Mann Library Facebook page. You can view a recording of the talk on YouTube.

In conjunction with the Reunion and in collaboration with Peck, Cornell University Library has developed an exhibit on cider-making entitled Apples to Cider: An Old Industry Takes Fresh Root. Located in Cornells Mann Library lobby, this free exhibit is open to the public and will be on display through October 2018.

To complement the exhibit, Cornell Library has created a new Pomology: Apples and Cider collection in BHL, featuring books on a variety of cider and apple-related topics, many of which were recently digitized by Cornell and are featured in the exhibit. The illustrations from some of the most visually-stunning of these books are available for your browsing enjoyment on Flickr.

All this week, Cornell University Library is highlighting the Reunion, Dr. Pecks work, and the exhibit on social media with #CornellCider. Were joining the celebrations by sharing some of our favorite books from the Pomology: Apples and Cider collection through the @BioDivLibrary feeds. On Thursday, 7 June 2018, well take a deeper look at one of the titles in the Pomology collection, The Herefordshire Pomona, in a special edition of our book of the month blog series.

Dont miss out on all the cider fun this week! Follow #CornellCider for a sweet dose of apple delight, and be sure to tune into the livestream of Dr. Pecks keynote speech on Friday, 8 June at 10am ET to learn more about his work and the wonderful world of cider-making.

[1] Allied Market Research. 2018. Global Cider Market Expected to Reach $16,252 Million by 2023  Allied Market Research. PR Newswire, January 24. Accessed on April 26, 2018. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-cider-market-expected-to-reach-16252-million-by-2023allied-market-research-670847853.html.

[2] Wilson, Mel. English Apples: Foxwhelps. Sutton Elms. Accessed May 2, 2018. http://www.suttonelms.org.uk/apple81.html.Vanishing Vernacular: Western Landmarks collects Steve Fitch's important photographic record of iconic imagery in the western United States: hotel neon, drive-in movie theaters, even ancient petroglyphs.

I've long been a fan of his work and have been eagerly anticipating this collection. Via the publisher:

In this fascinating and comprehensive account, we join in Fitch's expansive journey, beginning in the 1970s and the days of Easy Rider and ending in the present age. His quest is truly an odyssey of epic proportions and the book's 130 unforgettable photographs are deliberately sequenced to mimic the experience of the open roadduring both day and night. Fitch explains how he developed the project in his informative introduction, in which, interestingly, he suggests that the petroglyphs of the ancient Pueblo people have endured far better and longer than anything made during the last sixty years. Curator Toby Jurovics, in his insightful concluding essay, reveals Fitch's own view of photography as a visual form of cultural anthropology and positions Fitch's work in relation to that of Robert Adams, Joe Deal, Frank Gohlke, Stephen Shore, and other practitioners of the photographic style known as the "New Topographics."

BigTyPB: "I saw the installation process, an icon appear on the home screen, the police ran the application and then the icon hid itself. Not sure if it rooted my phone or what. I know something was running on my phone because they used a handheld device to confirm our phones were communicating with their system before letting us go."



More here: he was crossing into Xinjiang, home of the oppressed Uighur minority, who are the beta-testers of China's most oppressive surveillance.





If you know anything about this app or have experienced something similar, please weigh in in the comments here or in /r/security.News / National

by Staff reporter

ZANU-PF Kuwadzana Member of Parliament Betty Kaseke caused a stir in the National Assembly on Wednesday after she entered the august House while putting on a scarf with colours associated with the Zimbabwean flag.There was commotion in the House when Kaseke entered the chamber, draped with the scarf popularised by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.When she was about to take her seat, lawmakers from the opposition MDC protested, calling on the acting Speaker of the National Assembly, Reuben Marumahoko, to chuck her out of the assembly on account of wearing something that was outside the dress code accepted in Parliament.Efforts by Marumahoko to cool down tempers failed as all opposition legislators demanded that the sergeant-at-arms take her out, arguing that they were previously chased away after they came to the House wearing multi-coloured fashion jackets with Zimbabwe flag colours.Following pressure from the opposition, the sergeant-at-arms then escorted Kaseke out of the chambers.Mnangagwa has made this scarf part of his fashion statement and a few of his followers have also been seen wearing it.The fashion police are now hot on his trail and are seemingly incensed by the scarf which he wears even in high temperatures, worse still when he attends engagements that often require him to wear safety clothing.From the time he went to Davos for the World Economic Forum in January, the president has not taken off the scarf'', be it at party events or government engagements.It has essentially become part of his fashion regimen.While colours of a national flag unite citizens of particular countries, this national symbol became a source of consternation for former president Robert Mugabe's regime when it became a rallying point for protests by Zimbabweans disenchanted with his rule.The national flag became a protest symbol after it was popularised by cleric Evan Mawarire of #ThisFlag movement, which demanded Mugabe's resignation, citing government's failure to deal with corruption, nepotism and a serious economic meltdown.Government responded by forbidding citizens from using the flag without the its permission, saying doing so was punishable by a fine of $200, a jail term of up to one year, or both.Government cited an obscure law that makes it illegal to "burn, mutilate or otherwise insult the national flag . . . in circumstances which are calculated or likely to show disrespect . . . or to bring [it] into disrepute."The law, however, says nothing at all about how the government defines "disrespect" or "disrepute," leaving vast leeway to the powers-that-be to interpret these criteria.In 2016, MDC Central South MP Trevor Saruwaka was refused entry into Parliament when he appeared wearing a multi-coloured fashion jacket with colours associated with the Zimbabwean flag.After the incident, the legislator approached the High Court challenging his ejectment from National Assembly.He argued in the High Court that his ejection from the august House was unlawful and an infringement of his right to freedom of conscience and religion. However, High Court judge Jester Charewa on behalf of Justice Lavender Makoni dismissed the matter with costs.News / National

by Staff reporter

The United States of America has appointed Mr Brian Nichols as its new Ambassador to Zimbabwe, replacing Ambassador Harry Thomas Jnr.Mr Nichols is a long- serving member of the US Senior Foreign Service and has served as an American diplomat since 1989.He is currently the Senior Advisor in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.Previously, Mr Nichols served as US Ambassador to Peru, principal deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and as deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.He is a recipient of 20 State Department awards, including a Presidential Award for Meritorious Service and the Charles E. Cobb Jnr Award for Trade Development.News / National

by Staff reporter

MDC Alliance says it is going ahead with its peaceful demonstration on Tuesday and will present a petition at President Emmerson Mnangagwa's office as well as at the office of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.According to NewZimbabwe.com, the Alliance's insistence on marching to Mnangagwa's office appears to be in defiance of Home Affairs minister Obert Mpofu who, last week, warned the opposition to keep away from the president's office.But the MDC-T national organising secretary, Amos Chibaya, told journalists during a press conference on Monday that the opposition had no intention of fighting the police but was interested in transparency and fairness in the upcoming elections slated for July 30."Tomorrow (Tuesday) we are going ahead with our peaceful demonstration. It is a free and fair election peace march. We will meet at Africa Unity Square and present our petition to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec)."We will present our comprehensive petition that speaks to the fundamental reforms that need to be implemented before the 2018 harmonised elections. From there, we will proceed to Munhumutapa offices where we will present the same petition to the Mnangagwa administration. MDC Alliance leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa will address people in Africa Unity Square after the march."This is a crucial time; we must be vigilant as we demand a peaceful environment for a credible election in Zimbabwe. The ballot paper printing remains a critical issue to the democracy of this country. As long as the printing of the ballot paper remains shrouded in secrecy, then there cannot be an election."News / National

by Staff reporter

Controversial deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe has filed assault charges against NewsDay reporter Blessed Mhlanga 10 days after a scuffle between the two.The scuffle between Mukupe and Mhlanga happened at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) SFM radio studio on the 24th of May.Both the minister and the scribe were invited to discuss a headline story in the NewsDay written by reporter quoting Mukupe saying the military wouldn't let Nelson Chamisa rule in the event that he won the forthcoming election.Information available said it was Mukupe who stood up during a live radio programme accusing the journalist of intimidating him and grabbed him by his shoulders whilst one of his aides tried to restrain the minister.It was during the scuffle that Mhlanga's wife, Florence, whipped out her mobile phone to record the wrestling.Mukupe then instructed his aides to seize the Samsung S7 phone from her and he (Mukupe) later pushed her into the corner.Florence and Blessed went to report the incident to the police and Mukupe has since bought a new mobile handset similar to the one he seized as replacement."Yes I have been called by Law and Order and will report tomorrow (Tuesday) at 2.30 pm," confirmed Blessed.Commenting on the handset replaced by Mukupe, he said they had decided not to use it because it seems it's not an original Samsung S7."The issue has not been finalised; I have the handset yes, but it has no title on it and he (Mukupe) is refusing to hand over the receipts," he said."We decided not to use it now."Recently hundreds of tertiary institution students demonstrated against Mukupe demanding that he pay them their 'rigging fees' after they helped him to steal' Zanu-PF primary elections in Harare East constituency where he is a sitting Member of Parliament.Currently, Mukupe is organising public meetings with college students around the country mobilising them to vote for Zanu-PF.Mukupe also made news headlines when he asked former finance minister Tendai Biti if he had taken his ARVs during a live radio debate.News / National

by Ndou Paul

POLICE today gave the greenlight for the Zanu-PF Youth league's planned solidarity march in Harare tomorrow.Yesterday Zanu-PF activists had threatened to counter the opposition party's protest march, backed down under pressure from the law enforcement agents.Both Zanu-PF national youth commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu and the party's Harare provincial youth chairperson, Godwin Gomwe said they would now hold their solidarity march for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, tomorrow.ZRP letter to Zanu-PF youth league on their planned march on WednesdayNews / Press Release

by Linda Tsungirirai Masarira

Voter's roll

Sub polling stations

Doctor Khupe is a game changer as an epoch aspiring Zimbabwean woman President. Those that are painfully marginalized by male chauvinism and diabolic politics of patronage will find refuge through her leadership. For the first time the republic will enjoy rule of law, equal opportunities for all, integrity in government, ethical and professionalism in public service especially in local authorities, municipalities and across the entire spectrum.On the 29th of May the election date was gazetted, yet ZEC is still to publish a final and audited voters roll. This proclamation is extremely fishy and suspicious due to the fact that it was done whilst voter inspection was still in progress. It would appear that the ZANU PF government is playing its usual tricks of manipulating the voters roll. Without a clean and audited voters roll Zimbabweans should simply forget about holding a free and fair elections that can pass the test of legitimacy.There is an uneven election ground as the system is still ignoring the abuse of women in politics due to the patriarchal nature of Zimbabwean politics. It is worrisome that there is now a perpetual intervention and inclusion of the military and security sector in national politics. In our quest to have a fair electoral process there is need of an intensive ballot audit and counting of votes soon after the election as delays might create an atmosphere of unfairness.The military should play its constitutional role of promoting peace and protecting citizens rather than interfering in national politics. We are still challenging the composition of ZEC administration/secretariat which constitutes 15% of retired army personnel. This crop of retired army personnel also form the reserve force of the army of Zimbabwe which poses a serious conflict of interest especially now since we came out of a military managed coup.ZEC wants to cause confusion in the whole system by introducing more polling stations when voter registration which was polling station based has already been finished. After voter registration every registered voter was assigned a polling station where they would cast their vote. During the BVR inspection people confirmed their polling stations where they are going to vote. Surprisingly, now after the exercise is over ZEC is planning on assigning voters to these 1500 new polling stations. Won't we find ourselves in a scenario where people will be turned away enmasse from their original polling stations? Could this be a tactical way of removing someone from a voters roll? Is this not a way of opening up secret polling stations that will be new and no one knows their location? MDC T will never allow these shenanigans and clandestine setting up of extra polling stations as this will cause confusion and probably duplicate polling stations where a single person can double vote as what happened in 2013.In conclusion we are still in the same situation which necessitated the call for reforms so having elections without reforms is a futile activity. Boycotting elections is not an option as we will just be playing into ZANU PF's plans. Constitutionalism, institutional reform, electoral reform and a diametric shift in the trajectory of governance will reign and be the order of the day if we vote President Dr Thokozani Khupe as the President of Zimbabwe.We will ensure transparency within the fiscus, pro-policies and prioritization of basic services as stated in our B.E.S.T manifesto.Linda Tsungirirai MasariraMDC-T Secretary for Information and Publicityinfo@mdc.org.zw0719118783News / Press Release

by ARTUZ

All learners are now supposed to sit for a Combined Science Practical examination, thus according to the dictates of the new curriculum. The move is plausible as practical science investigation gives learners hands on experience of the content they would have theoretically learnt in class. Life skills are also mastered which are vital in the drive to use Science education to stimulate economic development. However if the initiative is not supported by requisite infrastructure, skilled manpower and related material resources, practical science examinations can brew a disaster of unimaginable proportions.Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, ARTUZ Department of Research embarked on a field research to try and ascertain the state of preparedness of rural schools to handle science practical examinations. The outcome of the research points to gloomy future.Our research focused on, teacher preparedness to prepare and supervise the science practical examinations, learner preparedness, availability of materials and reagents and supporting infrastructure.Teacher Preparedness.ARTUZ noted that the government of Zimbabwe was running a teacher capacity building exercise at different levels. There was an exercise conducted in partnership with UNICEF, this exercise was catering for Science teachers to advance their knowledge through advancing education. Teachers were enrolled for Post Graduate Diploma in Education programs, Subject specific undergraduate programs and Masters.The other notable initiative was peer to peer training wherein teachers were meeting at cluster level to share knowledge.The last initiative involved hiring facilitators to train teachers on new sections of the new curriculum.ARTUZ conducted interviews with individual teachers to ascertain the state of preparedness of teachers to deliver after undergoing these training regimes.The trainings, however do not cater for the preparation and supervision of practical exams as they remained theoretical with no opportunity of enhancing the skills of the teachers. Most teachers noted the unavailability of supporting resources for hands on training as the biggest setback. The majority of teachers is panicking on the prospect of preparing these practical exams and are still looking forward to genuine hands on training which they claim was not part of their teacher training.Those who claim to have been adequately trained in college are now confessing being rusty since they never had an opportunity to use the skills. Most schools do not have science teachers and are employing stop gap measures to cater for the learners.Learner preparedness.ARTUZ noted shocking teacher pupil ratios in rural schools. One science class can accommodate up to 80 learners. As a result of this teachers have resorted to use of lecture method and classroom demonstrations.The bulk of learners lacked appreciation of the basic laboratory glassware equipment and reagents. Common glassware like beakers and measuring cylinders cannot be identified by these learners who are expected to use the same in the November examinations.Learners' registration for the compulsory combined science with ZIMSEC was reported to be low at some centers as learners chickened out from the mammoth task.Infrastructure and supporting materials.Most rural schools still possess remnants of the ZimSCience initiative of the 1980s and the recent UNICEF science kits. What remains is however insufficient to cover both the large groups of learners and diverse topics covered under the combined science curriculum.Some schools don't even have a building called science laboratory and those who have a room it is just an empty shell. Electricity and water are rare commodities in rural schools. One wonders where these practical exams will be conducted.Conclusion and Recommendations.ARTUZ concludes that rural schools are not ready for science practical examinations and hereby recommend that;1) ZIMSEC suspends combined science practical exams for November 2018 and revert back to the alternative to practical paper.2)Government sets up an education equalization fund to be used to construct infrastructure in rural schools.3) Combined Science resource persons to be employed to conduct teacher training at their different institutions using local resources.4)Employ more science graduate teachersARTUZ more than a Union!!!Like new? Join ARTUZ!!!Opinion / Columnist

The MDC Alliance has announced its intention to stage a demonstration in Harare's city centre this week to protest against aspects of ongoing preparations for July 30 2018.An examination of the political grouping's basis for the planned demonstration lays bare its increasing frustration  not with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) as it claims  but with the reality of a glaring spectre of another definite, dazzling and dizzying defeat in July.Late last week, one of the alliance's leaders, Tendai Biti, issued a statement on behalf of the political union in an attempt to justify the planned demonstration to protest against issues such as its demand for an external audit of the biometric voter registration (BVR) voters' roll.This demand exposes the alliance's cluelessness when it comes to preparing for the forthcoming polls.Zimbabwe is a sovereign country and, therefore, its electoral processes cannot be subjected to scrutiny by foreign bodies to please some indulgent grouping of ill-prepared political parties which see rigging in every ZEC process because they have not adequately prepared for the polls.The world over, foreign countries, bodies and institutions can only observe the electoral process and not audit it.This is the reason why those which have already been in the country to talk to both Government and opposition parties have not asked for any audit because they fully know the limits of their brief and respect them.Biti also justified the planned needless protest by demanding what he termed the demilitarisation of ZEC.While the ZEC chairwoman, Justice Priscilla Chigumba, has indicated that 15 percent of the commission's secretariat is made up of retired military personnel, former members of the army can be employed anywhere both in private and public sectors.No law precludes them from being employed after serving in the army.Before being former military personnel they are, first and foremost, Zimbabweans just like Biti and his motley group, with full right to employment.Apart from demanding their removal from ZEC, the opposition has neither put forward any cogent reasons for the demand nor adduced any irrefutable evidence to support their request.The opposition has its priorities lopsided.Elections are won when the electorate votes and not by fighting the electoral commission.The energy that it is wasting in fighting ZEC should be expended in wooing the electorate through life-changing programmes and not childish and utopian promises.The opposition is cornered and is desperately trying to make up for its five-year absence from the ground by fighting the electoral battle through targeting Government and ZEC instead of positively targeting the electorate.In February this year, a non-governmental organisation, Women Institute Leaders for Development (WILD) broke ranks with the NGO community, which normally fights in the opposition's corner, by disclosing that only one party  ZANU-PF  was visible on the ground encouraging people to register as voters.ZANU-PF is always on the ground throughout the five-year term of the Parliament, while the opposition breaks bread with their handlers in global capitals.Faced with the imminent moment of truth on July 30, they are clutching at anything which they can use to justify their certain defeat.Biti also demanded access to the BVR provisional voters' roll and a second inspection of the same ahead of the sitting of the Nomination Court on June 14, lamely claiming that those who sign in support of aspiring candidates needed to be on the voters' roll.The voters' roll was inspected from May 19 to 29 and every serious voter inspected their names on the roll.The opposition is not sure whether or not its members registered because its leadership was away pleading with America for the extension of sanctions against the same Zimbabweans whom they now wish to be registered and vote for them.Biti and company are now paying heavily for playing absentee legislators and politicians and are panicking, hence the call for demonstrations in the name of electoral reforms, which they ignored during the Government of National Unity while they enjoyed the trappings of office.Zimbabweans are not new to the opposition's antics, especially when it is faced with an election which it is very unlikely to win.In the past, the opposition's main campaign message was "Mugabe must go".With Mugabe safely sitting at home and President Mnangagwa rolling out a number of changes such as Zimbabwe's foreign and economic policies, the opposition has suddenly been disarmed.The rug has been pulled from under its feet and this has been worsened by the West's evident faith in President Mnangagwa's policies, which has left the opposition with no backers.It is evident that the opposition is running out of ideas to re-invent itself and appeal to the electorate ahead of a crucial election.Unfortunately, Zimbabwe and the world have moved on and have no time for puny politicians' cheap antics.Despite the alliance's profane mantra that "God is in it," it is on its own on the calls for a demonstration.Zimbabweans and the world want economic progress and not selfish demonstrations.The world knows that any demonstration involving the MDC-T is sure to be violent and no one wants to be associated with wanton destruction of property at a time that Zimbabwe and the world have joined hands to revive our economy and improve livelihoods.Zimbabwe and the world know that the planned protest has nothing to do with the election, which the opposition knows it has already lost owing to its lack of serious preparation and sound policies.They are aware that electoral reform demands are a mere euphemism for a grand plan to spoil President Mnangagwa's calls for a credible, free and fair election.This has worked in the previous era, but it will not work this time around as global geopolitical dynamics have changed against the opposition.In view of the foregoing, progressive Zimbabweans should ignore calls for the selfish and attention-seeking demonstration.They should refuse to be used by a bunch of selfish and spent politicians, who are bent on destroying the progress made so far under the new dispensation.Zimbabweans should go about their daily business for the sake of their country, their families and their businesses.Opinion / Columnist

It's sad that as the clock hand moves closer to the elections, political gimmickry, violence and intimidation is increasing tallying with the time. The greatest question that a normal citizen should ask him/her self is: who are the victims of all these? Well the simple answer is ordinary citizens.Lately the news hubs have highlighted to us that Advocate Nelson Chamisa has stretched his political hand in a bid to make national camaraderie with the Zanu PF camp...really?Even The Late Dr Tsvangirai is nearly bursting or have bursted already with fury, I suppose. Isn't it like the government of the day calls for a GNU to stabilise the nation and so far there is no instability and I hope and pray that the situation will actually improve as we go to the elections.How can the opposition call for a GNU a month before the elections? How about the democratic right that Zimbabweans are anticipating to practice with high hope? Does that mean that it will be taken away? If a Government of National Unity is formed right now, July 30 will be declared an ordinary day then. That will mean that we'll go to elections after the duo are satisfied with power, of which that's an impossibility for their actions portray the level of power hungriness that resides in their hearts.Constitutionally Mr Mnangagwa is an illegitimate President who got into that office through technocratic Crookery and Mr Chamisa jettisoned the Constitutional adherence that he claims to have and followed Mnangagwa's path.Speaking of the so called 5th June March, well we have heard it's for electoral reforms. It's actually a good thing but done in a foolish way.It might be a tool used by Mr Chamisa to drive his GNU agenda home since social media hearsay has it that Zanu PF is having theirs too...but for Zanu PF like always techno-primitiveness is making the arrangements to be tough and there is confusion too. Two opposing messages supposedly from Zanu PF are circulating on social media, one inviting people for the march and the other one bearing an opposing message.The Zanu PF or Alliance march is not a big deal if poor and unemployed young people are being used, but the moment they ignorantly maraud in Harare streets unknowingly enriching some people, then we'll have a problem. My fellow young people let's not be used as political stepping stones, because one the oppressors are on the other side is seeking relevance for his own political grandstanding. Let's be wise.There is only one presidential candidate of substance who is humble and determined to bring forth positive transformation. Our vote as the MDC-T Harare Youth Assembly belongs to Dr. Thokozani Khupe.Poseidon Tsautsau Harare Province Youth Spokesperson for MDC-TOpinion / Columnist

National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on 31 May and 1 June 2018 capacitated 80 representatives from Masvingo and Manicaland civil society organisations, respectively, on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) processes.Representatives of Masvingo CSOs concurred that with regards to issues of national interest like human rights it is important for civil society organisations to speak with one voice. CSOs were urged to meaningfully participate in the UPR process, mobilize and ensure wide participation of key stakeholders during national consultations, ensure that government identifies all relevant stakeholders and partners with them, collaborate and monitor independent commissions and raise awareness, monitor and audit compliance by government with the UPR recommendations among other equally imperative roles.The leadership from Manicaland appreciated the fact that CSOs are directly in touch with community members who are often the victims of human rights violations. Through this direct contact these CSOs are best positioned to express the concerns of citizens. Civil society was urged to take advantage of their position and produce a shadow report for lobby and advocacy and to make contributions through reporting on the state of human rights in their communities.As part of their watchdog role, CSOs will mobilise and ensure wide participation of key stakeholders such as marginalized groups which include people with disabilities, youth, children and women at various UPR consultations.During the trainings organisations from NANGO's children, youth, women, disability, economic, humanitarian, human rights, arts and culture as well as land and environment, health, HIV and AIDS clusters identified roles that they can play with regards to the UPR process and seeing to the implementation of recommendations made by other states.With support from the United Nations Country Teams, the government analyzed and clustered recommendations, with a view of identifying priority issues and coming up with a National Plan of Action (NPA) for the implementation of the recommendations. The NPA distributes tasks among government ministries and departments and identifies the lead ministry or department for each action while stakeholders identify their role and come up with activities to support the implementation of the recommendationsGovernment and stakeholders adopted the NPA for the implementation of the UPR recommendations and created a monitoring mechanism, the UPR Steering Committee. The UPR Steering Committee is composed of government and stakeholder representatives, including CSOs. NANGO, the NGO Forum and ZLHR sit in the steering committee.NANGO is mandated by its membership to coordinate the activities of NGOs, represent the NGO sector and strengthen the voice of NGOs in Zimbabwe. NANGO has taken on board the strategic objective of strengthening the voice of NGOs which speaks to the organisation's role as the representative institution of the sector to government, the private sector and other stakeholders.In due course the conceptualisation of this mandate has metamorphosed in response to the demand for NANGO to operate at the helm of civil society through the coordination of various civil society responses to emerging issues in Zimbabwe.While playing the role of coordinating, NANGO does not only represent the interests of the NGO sector but also mobilises the sector to speak on critical issues and in speaking to formulate consensus based pragmatic responses to emerging issues.Opinion / Columnist

On December 31, 1981, when Fte./Lte. Jerry John Rawlings seized power in a military coup in Ghana, it was the second time he had burst onto the political scene; the first was in June 1979. Back then, he cleaned up, held democratic elections in which he did not participate, and then returned to the military barracks after a mere three months in office. He was tumultuously hailed as a national hero. An adulating public nicknamed him "J.J.-Junior Jesus." But when he returned again in 1981, I was not so sure of his "sainthood." An avowed Marxist revolutionary, Rawlings proceeded to establish the most brutal, the most cruel, the most barbarous, and the most economically ruinous administration in Ghana's history. Even though my own sister, Sherry, was part of his government, I fought that military junta relentlessly, tooth and nail-on principle. Though Rawlings's Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) bore the hallmarks of a brutal military junta, it earned a unique distinction by the depths of depravity and barbarity into which it sank. Amnesty International estimated that, between 1981 and 1992, over 200 Ghanaians "disappeared." The regime was infamous for "shit bombing"-dumping human excreta in the offices of newspaper critical of Rawlings's policies.After the collapse of the former Soviet Union in 1991, the Rawlings regime came under intense pressure from both internal and external sources to reform its abominable political system. He put in place a coconut commission to write a constitution that was to his liking, and he transformed his PNDC into the National Democratic Congress (NDC)-removing the "P" from PNDC. The constitution limited the tenure of the president to two terms, but Rawlings insisted that all those years he had served as president-from 1981 to 1992-did not count because Ghana had not had a constitution then. So he stood for election in 1992 and "won."We vowed to remove that canker from the Ghanaian political scene. We drew inspiration from the revolutions in Eastern Europe and the winds of change that swept across Africa in the early 1990s, toppling despots in Benin, Cape Verde Islands, and Zambia, among others. The key moment came on December 4, 1994, when police raided the premises of Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobbey and seized the transmission equipment of Radio Eye. The operators of the "illegal" or pirate radio station, Dr. Wereko-Brobbey and Victor Newmann, decided to present a petition to parliament. They were joined by supporters numbering about 1,000, but the marchers were attacked by government-hired thugs. We cobbled together a team of high-powered lawyers to argue that the closure of Radio Eye was "unconstitutional," and we eventually won in court. That "forced the government to issue many FM frequencies for other private stations, creating a new era of 'broadcast pluralism." It opened the airwaves and paved the way for a proliferation of FM radio stations, which helped toss the regime out of power in the 2000 elections. Note: The broadcasting format the new FM stations adopted was call-in shows, which allowed the people to vent their anger and frustrations. Security officials could not arrest the callers or the hosts of the programs. During this same period, we also waged a ferocious campaign for a free print media. Despite being shit-bombed, the newspapers in Ghana fought gallantly and flourished.The regime's Achilles heel, however, was the economy. Despite the billions poured into Ghana, economic performance was lackluster. Government expenditures were spiraling out of control owing to the excess spending on security. Hungry for revenue, the regime began taxing anything that moved, imposing user fees on public latrines, hospital visits, and even clean water. The last straw was a value-added tax (VAT) the regime was contemplating imposing in March 1995.In privately owned newspapers across Ghana, I attacked VAT as a "vampire tax." "Ghanaians are over-taxed," I railed. A group of us, including Dr. Wereko-Brobbey and Victor Newmann, the operators of Radio Eye, mobilized the people to protest the impending tax. The regime was caught off guard and rescinded its decision to introduce VAT-chalk up one victory for the opposition. Emboldened, we organized protest rallies to express our disgust at the regime and demand freedom of expression and political reform.The first such peaceful demonstration in the streets of Accra, the capital, brought out over 80,000 people on May 12, 1995, and was dubbed "Kume Preko" (You might as well kill me). Indeed, government-hired thugs opened fire on demonstrators, killing four of them. But pro-democracy activists were not deterred. We organized another demonstration at Kumasi, calling it "Sieme Preko" (You might as well bury me). Subsequent street protests followed in other cities; I spoke at a number of them. The momentum was building to a fever pitch. Elections were scheduled for the following year, 1996. Giddy over the success of the Kume Preko demonstrations, we vowed to toss out Rawlings's barbarous military-cum-civilian regime.We set up a group called Alliance for Change (AFC), composed of 10 individuals. I set up a correspondent group in the United States called the Committee of Concerned Citizens of Ghana (CCCG) to coordinate with AFC. I set up another group, Ghana Cyberspace Group (GCF) with one Yaw Owusu to mobilize young Ghanaian professionals. Unfortunately, we lost the 1996 elections; the reason had less to do with the evil Rawlings regime than with our own ineffectual strategies and blunders-for example, incessant bickering among the opposition parties.Technology / Motors

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe is pushing for additional spectrum to support growth for its broadcast and information communication technology (ICT) industry, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security, Engineer Sam Kundishora has said.Additional spectrum provides Zimbabwe and Africa with business opportunities and employment, Engineer Kundishora told The Herald Business on the side-lines of the ongoing four-day second meetings of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) World Radio Conference (WRC) 19 preparatory working groups.Engineer Kundishora said there is consensus among African nations on the need for increased spectrum.The ongoing meeting, hosted by Potraz, comes ahead of a crucial WRC to be hosted for the first time in Africa by Egypt in November 2019. The WRC is held once every three to four years and brings together regulators, suppliers, broadcasters and mobile network operators (MNOs)."Spectrum is a finite resource and we have to fight now. Right now we are opening community radio stations broadcasting in local languages of the communities and they need frequencies," he said."In the event our allocations increase, business scores big because those who operate stations will get money, those who manufacture and supply equipment also get business in a multi-billion dollar industry," added Engineer Kundishora.He said countries also need support to ensure they are not bombarded by broadcasters outside their boarders at the expense of their own stations.Engineer Kundishora warned congestion on the available spectrum could lead to a lot of interference. "Aircraft needs frequencies, radio, security services, and even MNOs so we need to make sure they have enough for smooth communication," he added.The meeting said 5G requires more spectrum.In his speech, engineer Kundishora said e-commerce, e-government services, e-agriculture, e-health, e-education, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and massive machine type communications are fast are becoming the dominant services hence the need for Africa toset its priority right in the allocation of spectrum resources in order to avoid being left behind in the 4th Industrial Revolution."What makes the situation complex is the fact that our continent has the highest number of unconnected people  let alone things," he said.Potraz director general EngineerGift Machengete said radio communications plays a critical role in connecting people.He said initiatives must be made to close the digital divide and ensure that no one is left out as the globe is in transition to a fully-fledged information and knowledge society.Irish Whiskey Magnate Warns Of A Shortage

Trending News: Don't Panic, But An Irish Whiskey Shortage Is On Its Way

Long Story Short

Nobody panic! *starts panicking*

Long Story

Love sipping on a delicious glass of whiskey (Irish spelling)? You're not alone. Whisk(e)y is sky-rocketing in popularity and it's bad news if you like your booze cheap and, well, available.

Related: 5 Whiskies You Should Just Drink Straight

Whiskey magnate John Teeling essentially hit the panic button when he told Irish Times that the time is running out on Irish whiskey.

Soon there will be a shortage of Irish whiskey. What we are making now, you wont sell for seven years. So we will have a shortage if the rate of growth continues at a cumulative rate over the next six or seven years.

This isn't a problem uniquely faced in Ireland. A couple of years back, I visited the Buffalo Trace distillery in Lexington, Kentucky, and I distinctly remember the tour guide talking about all the hipsters drinking bourbon these days is running down the supply. Damn hipsters! *strokes beard while looking down at rolled-up jorts*

But the shortage won't last forever. The Buffalo Trace guide told me there will be plenty of bourbon when the delicious malt ages, and the same goes for Ireland. A spokesperson from the Irish Whiskey Association told the Irish Times that there are more than four times the distilleries in Ireland as there once were  but the goods won't be ready for a little while.

In the meantime, you should probably stop drinking whisk(e)y until the shortage blows over. Psych! See you in like at the liquor store.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

Will whisk(e)ies and bourbons be as popular when the supply finally meets the demand?

Drop This Fact

A bar in Northern Canada serves a cocktail with a frostbitten human toe inside.2 Kinder Morgan Canada executives each get $1.5M bonus as part of Trans Mountain deal

A pair of executives at Kinder Morgan Canada have each been awarded $1.5-million retention bonuses in connection with the $4.5-billion sale of the Trans Mountain pipeline to the Canadian government.

The company's board of directors approved the bonuses, which will be paid to Ian Anderson, president of the company, and David Safari, who is vice-president of the Trans Mountain Pipeline system and expansion project.

The information is contained in a regulatory document filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The report is dated May 28.

It was filed on June 1 and is signed by Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd.'s chief financial officer, Dax Sanders.

The document states that the retention bonus for Anderson and Safari "will be payable in equal parts on July 2019 and July 2020, provided that the applicable officer remains employed" by the company through those dates.

The company says the arrangements are "consistent with industry practice" for the size of the project and transaction.

Anderson has been with Kinder Morgan and its Canadian predecessors for more than 38 years. He became president of the Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd. in 2017.

Safari joined Kinder Morgan Canada in 2015, after working for Laricina Energy Ltd. and Statoil Canada.

The awarding of the bonuses came one day before the public announcement by federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau that the Canadian government was buying the Trans Mountain pipeline and related infrastructure.

Ottawa stepped in as the Trans Mountain project faced opposition from the B.C. government, environmental activists and some Indigenous groups.'We are so very happy': Family celebrates after father's deportation delayed

An Edmonton man celebrated with his family and dozens of community supporters after learning he was not going to be deported to Kenya on Monday.

Yussuf Madey Mahamed may now stay in Canada for a year while he awaits a decision on his future.

Mahamed fled war in his native Somalia in 1994 and spent nearly 20 years living at the Ifo refugee camp in Kenya, where he met his wife, Halima Ibrahim Ali. They have four children: Aisho, 12, Anas, 11, Ahmednur, 4, and Zainab, 2.

Ali has been in Edmonton since 2006 and has since become a Canadian citizen, but Mahamed  who came to Canada in 2013 with a false passport  has been unable to obtain refugee status.

His flight leaving Edmonton was to depart early Monday night.

His red suitcase was packed and he was getting ready to go to the airport from the Ogaden Somali Community of Alberta Residents (OSCAR) office in McCauley when the phone rang at about 1:30 p.m.

Two calls  the first from MP Amarjeet Sohi's Edmonton office and the second from the Canada Border Services Agency  confirmed that Mahamed's deportation was delayed.

The scene at the office, where the family and dozens of community members were gathered, was euphoric, OSCAR executive director Ahmed Abdulkadir told CBC News.

"People are crying right now, kissing each other  it is unbelievable what is happening here," Abdulkadir said.

Sitting with their children at the office, the two youngest bouncing on their laps, the parents thanked the Canadian government and members of the OSCAR community for rallying behind them.

"We are so very happy," Ali said.

Abdulkadir said Mahamed may now stay in Canada for a year, which will allow time for him to verify his identity with authorities and await a decision on his sponsorship application. His wife has applied to sponsor him to become a permanent resident.

Community rallies behind family

The family and community members met with staff at MP Amarjeet Sohi's Edmonton constituency office on Monday morning and appealed to Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen to put a hold on the deportation order.

Story continues

A petition addressed to Hussen drew more than 1,100 signatures.

A staff member at Sohi's office declined an interview Monday but said the office did everything it could to help with the file, and notified the family with news.

CBC requested comment Monday from Canada Border Services Agency and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Both requests were acknowledged but responses were not received by the end of the day.

False passport raised identity questions

Mahamed used a false passport with the name of Farah Muhamed Aballahi to travel to Canada in 2013.

Using false documents is a common strategy for people seeking refugee status, but it raised questions about his identity with Canadian authorities.

"There was no other avenue that I could have done it, other than the illegal way, in order to meet my family and my loved ones," Mahamed said through a translator on Sunday.

His lawyer, Nalini Reddy, who recently took over his case, said Mahamed exhausted the standard legal remedies and his deportation could only be prevented by something "truly exceptional."

Father feared for his safety in Kenya

Through a translator, Mahamed said on Sunday that he was emotionally disturbed by thoughts of leaving his family and facing a dangerous future in Kenya.

He feared the Kenyan government would throw him in jail for having illegal documents and said stress about his status was affecting his health  particularly his blood pressure.

His wife said she was scared about supporting four children on her own. Eldest daughter Aisho wiped away tears when she spoke of being away from her father.

Aisho was all smiles on Monday afternoon and said she was excited and happy to hear the news.

The family celebrated with a dinner at the OSCAR office Monday night.An environmental group is asking the B.C. government to step in and take legal action against CN Railway for alleged herbicide use and sidestepping provincial laws.

Last fall, the railway company was accused of illegally spraying herbicides near salmon creeks along the Skeena River in northwest British Columbia, Canada's second most productive salmon river.

Photographs show a line of dead vegetation along a 100 kilometre stretch of CN tracks.

"It's a concern because of the importance of the fishery on the Skeena, for local jobs and for the local economy," said Angela McCue, a lawyer for the T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation.

CN said in a statement that it's working to protect both its railway from encroaching vegetation and the river from toxic chemicals and will abide by B.C.'s standards of pesticide use near waterways.

A challenge to 'constitutional authority'

However, in a letter to the province posted online by T. Buck Suzuki, the rail company said it doesn't have to follow some of the provincial regulations.

"As a federally-regulated interprovincial railway company, CN is of the view that it is not required to submit a Pest Management Plan," wrote CN's co-ordinator of legislative affairs, Monika Pezdek.

Under B.C.'s Integrated Vegetation Management Act, companies must submit their pesticide plans.

"We have put the attorney general on notice because, by suggesting that B.C. law doesn't apply, they have challenged the constitutional authority of the B.C. government to enforce environmental laws within its own borders," McCue said.

In the letter, the company includes some of the information that the pest management plan requires and promises to inform the public about upcoming pesticide applications.

The environmental organization is waiting for a response from the attorney general and is prepared to look at other legal alternatives like seeking a prosecution or seeking declarations in court about whether provincial law applies to CN, McCue told Carolina de Ryk, the host of CBC's Daybreak North.

Story continues

CN follows the federal Pest Control Products Act and the Pest Control Products Regulations.

McCue argues approval to use herbicides or pesticides under federal law "doesn't mean you can willy-nilly go out and use it anywhere."

"The province wants to minimize pesticide use," she said. "B.C. laws are as strong as they are because of the importance of fisheries."

The federal and provincial governments are still investigating claims about CN's pesticide use last fall.

With files from Daybreak North and Nicole Oud.A Florida man faces legal trouble after police chases in Alberta and Saskatchewan and an attempted carjacking with an imitation handgun, Mounties say.

Selasie Onegus Turner of Casselbury, Fla., was scheduled to appear in provincial court in Strathmore, Alta., on Tuesday on charges of armed robbery, dangerous driving, fleeing police and resisting arrest.

After that, he's expected to face the Canadian Border Services Agency, which alleges he blew through a U.S. border checkpoint in Saskatchewan last week.

Asked residents for work, money and gas

The police chase last Friday started with "a random dispatch complaint," Cpl. Scott Mercer of the Gleichen RCMP detachment told the Calgary Eyeopener on Tuesday.

"Some concerned citizens called in to say there was some suspicious male driving around the Town of Bassano, soliciting work and money and gas," Mercer said.

"And they saw him fuel up his car with jerrycans, which they thought odd, and decided to call it in to the local detachment."

An officer went to check out the seemingly mundane call and spotted the car  a black Infiniti G7 covered in decals  but the man wouldn't pull over, Mercer said.

The car "had some pep" and drove fairly fast, taking off down Highway 1, Mercer said. Officers chased after the Infiniti, heading west along the highway, from Bassano through Gleichen to Strathmore.

"The suspect then kind of did an about turn and drove down the opposite lane of the highway, forcing vehicles off the roadway," Mercer said.

Officers couldn't follow without causing a crash, so they turned around on the proper side of the Trans-Canada. They figured he would run out of gas soon, as he had been using jerrycans to fill up.

Apparent carjacking

Mercer said officers eventually came across his car parked in the highway's meridian.

He said the man got out of the car, walked along the highway and flagged down a van.

"It seemed to be a bit of a physical struggle," he said.

Story continues

Officers believe the man was trying to steal the van. They got to the scene and arrested him. The people in the van weren't injured but were clearly shaken, Mercer said. The officer says he found the man had an imitation handgun.

"Luckily for us and the rest of the individuals involved, he was quite compliant," Mercer said. "He finally realized that the end was near for him and we were able to safely apprehend him."

Crossed border in Saskatchewan

Once the man has responded to the criminal charges, Mercer said, he must face the Canadian Border Security Agency on questions about his immigration status in this country.

Police said he illegally entered the country last Thursday at a border crossing near Val Marie, Sask. He was the subject of a police chase until the vehicle was lost near Redcliff, Alta.

The man is not wanted by authorities in the United States to the RCMP's knowledge, Mercer said.

As to why he came to Canada, officers still don't know but hope to find out to explain why their Friday was so much busier than usual.

"It's been interesting," Mercer said. "I mean, summer's here, you know?"

- MORE CALGARY NEWS | Future of Highland Park development unclear after release of drainage study

- MORE CALGARY NEWS | Indigenous mother unhappy with 2nd school meeting after son's braid cut

- MORE CALGARY NEWS | Man dies from 15-metre fall in Kananaskis Country

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener.A B.C. Provincial Court judge has ruled against a Jamaican mother's bid to stop a Canadian woman from adopting her son.

The ruling was recently handed down after a four-day hearing earlier this year, during which the 38-year old Jamaican woman applied to have a continuing custody order cancelled.

That order handed custody of her boy to the B.C. Ministry of Child and Family Development.

The case stems from 2013 when the boy, who is now 10, moved from living with his mother in Jamaica to a community in British Columbia to live with his father and stepmother.

Less than a year later, the child was apprehended by social workers after he suffered mistreatment and abuse at the hands of his stepmother, according to the ruling.

The child was put into foster care and the Ministry of Child and Family Development applied for custody in the summer of 2014.

A nine-day trial was set for dates in the spring and summer of 2015.

Ministry didn't send legal documents

The ruling states that the Jamaican mother was aware of the trial and she wrote letters saying that she was unable to attend the hearing.

She asked the ministry to return her son to his father's custody.

But the ministry didn't send her documents pertaining to the case that she was entitled to, despite having her address, email address and phone numbers, according to the ruling.

The trial was held in her absence and custody of the boy was handed to the ministry.

In 2017, with the help of the Jamaican government, the mother applied to dismiss the court order, in an attempt to get her child returned to her.

Child prefers to stay in Canada

A trial was held in early 2018 and the boy's mother flew to British Columbia to attend and testify

The court heard there were concerns the boy may have suffered physical abuse in Jamaica, and he had told social workers and his foster mother he wanted to stay in Canada with his foster family.

The child "is adamant that he does not want to return to his mother in Jamaica," the ruling stated.

Story continues

"He has not wavered in his deeply held conviction that he wants to stay with [his foster mother]," the ruling said.

"When he was told that his mother was seeking a court order to return him, he was inconsolable and angry."

David Greig, the Jamaican woman's lawyer, argued that social workers did not investigate the abuse allegations stemming from the boy's time in Jamaica.

Greig also said it would be natural for the boy to ask to stay with his foster mother because he hadn't seen his biological mother for more than four years, apart from scheduled Skype conversations.

Greig also highlighted the challenge the boy's mother faced in proving she could provide a home as suitable as the one the child had in Canada.

"No mother from a disadvantaged nation could ever hope to discharge that burden," he submitted to the court.

The best interests of child

The court ruled against the Jamaican mother's application, citing the length of time that had passed since the custody order was made, the fact that the mother didn't attend the initial hearing and the best interests of the child.

The Canadian foster mother has applied to adopt the boy.

The ruling noted there are provisions in place for the child to have continued Skype conversations with his biological mother, and for visits in person if she is able to come to Canada to see her son.

In an interview with CBC News, Greig said that it will be nearly impossible for his client to afford to come back to Canada and get the necessary travel approvals in place.

"She will probably never be able to see the boy again until he is an adult," Greig said.

"There is no question that his life will be enriched by being in Canada, but that is not the point. The point is that motherhood trumps those things, in my view."

The mother is considering an appeal.Outside the Halifax office of Liberal MP Andy Fillmore, a demonstration of about 80 people opposing the Trans-Mountain pipeline project began Monday with an acknowledgement that it was taking place in Mi'kmaq territory.

"The importance of Indigenous consent on pipelines dominates discourse around Kinder Morgan," said the rally's organizer Aidan McNally, with the Canadian Federation of Students.

"The same is true for this region. [It] has never been ceded or surrendered."

The demonstration was one of 100 planned at Liberal constituency offices across Canada to protest the federal government decision last week to purchase the pipeline from Houston-based company Kinder Morgan for $4.5 billion.

Following speeches by Indigenous and environmental activists, the crowd marched up to the MP's office touting signs and a long black tube simulating a pipeline, to deliver a copy of a shared petition with more than 200,000 signatures asking to cancel the deal.

'I felt so sick'

"We demand true climate leadership that begins with ending this ridiculous use of taxpayer dollars," one of the rally's organizers told staff at the office.

Kati George-Jim, a political science and sustainability student at Dalhousie University, crammed herself into the corridor outside the office in solidarity. She said she was shaken by government's decision.

"I felt so sick," she said.

George-Jim is from T'sou-ke First Nation on Vancouver Island in B.C. It's one of 43 First Nations with reserve lands in the pipeline's path to show some form of support for the project.

There are 120 communities considered to be in proximity to the pipeline's corridor or along the marine transportation route for oil tankers.

"You can see it from our window, from our territory," George-Jim said.

"And [on the] mainland, our relations will see it too, as it barges through their territory."

Story continues

George-Jim has been attending university in Halifax since the project was first announced, but said she'd recently spent a number of weeks with her family on the west coast. She said the topic of First Nations supporting the project has been divisive.

'They are sell outs'

One of the concerns she brought to the demonstration was the "colonial structure" through which consultation is being done with Indigenous communities in B.C. and Alberta. She called her band's support of the project "frustrating."

George-Jim said she's worried involved nations don't fully understand what they're agreeing to, and that making "short-term" decisions based on the prospects of financial gain doesn't align with values she holds as a First Nations woman.

"I don't think that's a direction we need to go in as a nation ... as many nations," she said.

"The way the process has gone forward is using [incomplete] data and tactics to get communities on-board [and] not fully understanding the position they can put themselves in."

Also among the crowd at the rally was Amanda Rekunyk, from Carrier and Kawakatoose First Nations in B.C. and Saskatchewan.

Rekunyk, a voice in First Nations advocacy and environmental activism on the east coast, said she wasn't surprised by the government's decision to buy the pipeline and called it "another form of genocide."

Equally frustrating, Rekunyk said, was the support for the project being shown by First Nations leaders.

"I'm telling them that they are sell-outs," she said.

"The chiefs that are signing on for this are doing it for short-term economic and personal gain and it's detrimental to the next seven generations. They're selling out our people and our beliefs."

Demonstrations were also held in cities across the country, from Charlottetown to Whitehorse.An asteroid on a collision course with Earth broke up after entering the atmosphere over southern Africa on Saturday just eight hours after it was discovered.

Asteroid 2018 LA was first identified early Saturday morning by the Catalina Sky Survey telescope near Tucson, Ariz.

At just two metres across, the asteroid was too small to pose a threat to any cities or towns and was expected to safely disintegrate as it entered Earth's atmosphere.

Most of it did burn up, however, scientists think it may have produced meteorites along its path as it descended, with a larger piece believed to have landed near Namibia or Botswana.

Preliminary data suggests that asteroid 2018 LA entered the atmosphere at roughly 15 kilometres/second (or 54,000 km/h) and released energy equivalent to a half-kiloton of TNT.

Small asteroids are difficult to detect and impact Earth more often than many may realize, according to Peter Brown, a physics and astronomy professor at Western University who specializes in meteor science.

"It's the sort of thing that happens about every month or two," Brown said. "It's not that unusual."

But the circumstances around 2018 LA were unusual for two reasons.

First, the asteroid crashed into the atmosphere over land, where people could witness it disintegrating as a bright fireball in the sky. (Because the Earth's surface is mostly water, with large, unpopulated or sparsely populated areas, chances are an impact would go undetected.)

And second, these small asteroids are often identified only after they enter our atmosphere, picked up by the International Monitoring System, part of an organization designed to monitor infrasound  or low-frequency sound waves  in the atmosphere.

Calculating its trajectory

Astronomers need long-term data to accurately determine the trajectory of asteroids and, as 2018 LA had just been identified, they didn't have much to go on.

Story continues

Using what information was available, however, they were able to roughly calculate where it would enter Earth's atmosphere: In a swath stretching from southern Africa, across the Indian Ocean to New Guinea.

With more telescopes pointed at the asteroid, it became apparent that there may be an impact, Brown said.

By early Saturday evening local time (12:44 p.m. ET), there were reports of a fireball in the sky over Botswana, which lined up with calculations made by scientists. It was captured on webcams in the area as it lit up the sky.

Meteorites likely reached the ground as the asteroid broke apart, Brown said.

Only twice before has a small asteroid been detected hours before colliding with Earth. The first was 2008 TC3, which was detected 15 hours before it broke up over northern Sudan on Oct. 7, 2008. The second was 2014 AA, discovered only a few hours before it impacted over the Atlantic Ocean on Jan. 1, 2014.

And while 2018 LA was discovered shortly before it arrived at our atmosphere, there are numerous organizations searching for potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) that could seriously impact life.

Smaller objects are fainter and more difficult to spot in a large sky, though efforts like the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey are increasingly able to search a wider field of sky to find these somewhat elusive objects.

Asteroids are large debris left over from the formation of our solar system. Most are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but occasionally some can get jostled out of their orbit, posing a threat to Earth.

According to NASA, however, about 90 per cent of all asteroids larger than one kilometre have been discovered.

Considering the short time available to scientists using telescopes around the world to track and calculate the impact of asteroid 2018 LA, Brown called the results successful.

"It's really tough to do," said Brown. "In general, I'd say the system worked pretty well."GENEVA (Reuters) - Unidentified forces attacked a U.N. aid vessel off the main Yemeni port of Hodeidah at the weekend and started a fire in the engine room, port authorities said on Monday. The United Nations aid chief, Mark Lowcock, confirmed there had been an incident but said it was now over and everyone was safe, without elaborating. The vessel used by the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) was attacked after delivering a shipment at Hodeidah, Yemen's Red Sea Ports Corporation said. The port is held by the Iranian-aligned armed Houthi movement which has taken large parts of the country in a three-year-old war. A WFP spokeswoman said an unidentified armed group "abroad a skiff had opened fire and attempted to take over" the vessel that was some 60 km (38 miles)) off the coast of Hodeidah. "Both the crew and the vessel are safe, with no injuries or obvious damage to the vessel," spokeswoman Bettina Luescher said in a statement sent to Reuters. The ship was waiting in anchorage for permission to leave from a Saudi-led military coalition, the Ports Corporation added. The coalition is fighting the Houthis and controls the nearby Zubair island. "The vessel traffic office received a distress call from the VOS THEIA at 1730 (1430 GMT) on Sunday, June 3, 2018 about a fire in the vessel resulting from an external attack," the Port Corporation said in a statement. "There was an incident," Lowcock told Reuters in Geneva. "We don't know who's responsible. We're investigating and the incident is over." Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Sunni Muslim allies entered the war three years ago to try to drive back the Houthis, a Shiite group that forced a Saudi-backed government into exile in 2014. Last month the U.S.-backed coalition said it had foiled attacks by explosives-laden speedboats deployed by the Houthis against commercial vessels, including an oil tanker, in the Red Sea, and in April a Saudi oil tanker was hit off of Hodeidah, suffering limited damage. A coalition spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the boarding. Coalition-backed troops have been advancing on Hodeidah, but it is not clear if they plan to seize the port, which handles the bulk of Yemen's commercial imports and aid supplies. Asked about a possible coalition ground assault on the port, a lifeline for eight million Yemenis being fed by the world body, Lowcock said: "There's no port more important than Hodeidah. So anything which called into question the operation of Hodeidah would be a matter of deepest concern." Riyadh says the Houthis are using the port to smuggle Iranian-made weapons, accusations denied by the group and Tehran. U.N. inspectors check ships to ensure they do not carry weapons. Yemen's war has killed more than 10,000 people, displaced three million and pushed the impoverished country to the verge of starvation. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay and Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Stephen Kalin; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Andrew Heavens and David Stamp)The main conference hall of the Islamic

University of Gaza before its destruction

in the conflict between Hamas and Fatah

in 2007, photo via Wikimedia Commons

This article appeared in The Jerusalem Post on June 4, 2018.





Prof. Efraim Karsh is Director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, Emeritus Professor of Middle East and Mediterranean Studies at Kings College London, and editor of The Middle East Quarterly.





BESA Center Perspectives Papers are published through the generosity of the Greg Rosshandler Family

Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

.

..BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 855..04 June '18..No cliche has dominated the discourse on the Gaza situation more than the perception of Palestinian violence as a corollary of the Strips dire economic condition. No sooner had Hamas and Israel been locked in yet another armed confrontation over the past weeks than the media, foreign policy experts, and politicians throughout the world urged the immediate rehabilitation of Gaza as panacea to its endemic propensity for violence. Even senior members of the Israel Defense Forces opined that a nonmilitary process of humanitarian aid could produce a major change in the Gaza situation.While there is no denying the arguments widespread appeal, there is also no way around the fact that it is not only completely unfounded but the inverse of the truth. For it is not Gazas economic malaise that has precipitated Palestinian violence; rather, it is the endemic violence that has caused the Strips humanitarian crisis.For one thing, countless nations and groups in todays world endure far harsher socioeconomic or political conditions than the Palestinians, yet none has embraced violence and terrorism against their neighbors with such alacrity and on such a massive scale.For another thing, there is no causal relationship between economic hardship and mass violence. On the contrary: in the modern world it is not the poor and oppressed who have carried out the worst acts of terrorism and violence, but rather the militant vanguards from among the better educated and more moneyed circles of society  be they homegrown terrorist groups in the West or their Middle Eastern counterparts.Yasser Arafat, for instance, was an engineer, and his fellow arch terrorist George Habash  the pioneer of aircraft hijacking  a physician. Hassan al-Banna, founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, was a schoolteacher, while his successor, Sayyid Qutb, whose zealous brand of Islam fired generations of terrorists, including the group behind the assassination of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, was a literary critic and essayist. The 9/11 terrorists and certainly their multimillionaire paymaster, Osama bin Laden, as well as the terrorists who massacred their British compatriots in July 2005 and those slaughtering their coreligionists in Algeria and Iraq, were not impoverished peasants or workers driven by hopelessness and desperation but educated fanatics motivated by hatred and extreme religious and political ideals.Nor has Hamas been an exception to this rule. Not only has its leadership been highly educated, but it has gone to great lengths to educate its followers, notably through the takeover of the Islamic University in Gaza and its transformation into a hothouse for indoctrinating generations of militants and terrorists. Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin studied at the al-Azhar University in Cairo, probably the Islamic worlds most prestigious institution of higher religious learning, while his successor, Abdel Aziz Rantisi, was a physician, as is Hamas cofounder Mahmoud Zahar. The groups current leader, Ismail Haniyeh, and Muhammad Def, head of Hamass military wing, are graduates of the Islamic University of Gaza, while Khaled Mashaal studied physics in Kuwait, where he resided until 1990. Hardly the products of deprivation and despair.This propensity for violence among the educated and moneyed classes of Palestinian society was starkly reflected in the identity of the 156 men and eight women who detonated themselves in Israels towns and cities during the first five years of the al-Aqsa Intifada, murdering 525 people, the overwhelming majority of them civilians. A mere 9% of the perpetrators had only a basic education, while 22% were university graduates and 34% were high school graduates. Likewise, a comprehensive study of Hamas and Islamic Jihad suicide terrorists from the late 1980s to 2003 found that only 13% came from a poor background, compared with 32% of the Palestinian population in general. More than half of suicide bombers had entered further education compared with just 15% of the general population.By contrast, successive public opinion polls among the Palestinian residents of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during the 1990s revealed far stronger support for the nascent peace process with Israel, and opposition to terrorism, among the poorer and less educated parts of society  representing the vast majority of the population. Thus, for example, 82% of people with a low education supported the Interim Agreement of September 1995, providing for Israels withdrawal from the populated Palestinian areas of the West Bank, and 80% opposed terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians, compared to 55% and 65%, respectively, among university graduates.In short, it is not socioeconomic despair but the total rejection of Israels right to exist, inculcated by the PLO and Hamas in their hapless West Bank and Gaza subjects over the past 25 years, which underlies the relentless anti-Israel violence emanating from these territories and its attendant economic stagnation and decline.At the time of the September 1993 signing of the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles, conditions in the territories were far better than in most Arab states  despite the steep economic decline caused by the intifada of 1987-93. But within six months of Arafats arrival in Gaza in July 1994, the standard of living in the Strip fell by 25%, and more than half the areas residents claimed to have been happier under Israel. Even so, at the time Arafat launched his war of terrorism in September 2000, Palestinian income per capita was nearly double Syrias, more than four times Yemens, and 10% higher than Jordans  one of the better-off Arab states. Only the oil-rich Gulf states and Lebanon were more affluent.By the time of Arafats death in November 2004, his terrorism war had slashed this income to a fraction of its earlier levels, with real GDP per capita some 35% below the pre-September 2000 level, unemployment more than doubling, and numerous Palestinians reduced to poverty and despondency. And while Israels suppression of the terrorism war generated a steady recovery, with the years 2007-11 even recording an average yearly growth above 8%, by mid-2014 a fully blown recession had taken hold, especially in the Gaza Strip.Indeed, apart from reflecting the West Banks basic socioeconomic superiority vis-a-vis Gaza, the widening gap between the two areas during the Oslo years (the difference in per capita income shot up from 14% to 141%) was a direct corollary of Hamass transformation of the Strip into an unreconstructed terrorism entity, in contrast to the West Banks relative tranquility in the post-al-Aqsa Intifada years.This, in turn, means that so long as Gaza continues to be governed by Hamass rule of the jungle, no Palestinian civil society, let alone a viable state, can develop. The creation of free and democratic societies in Germany and Japan after World War II necessitated a comprehensive sociopolitical and educational transformation. In the Gazan case as well, it will be only when the population sweeps its oppressive rulers from power, eradicates endemic violence from political and social life, and teaches the virtues of coexistence with Israel that the Strip can look forward to a better future.This episode will focus on reproductive justice and fighting the Christian Right in Canada and the US. We will cover the May 10 pro-choice demonstration against the March for Life, the Christian Right and their deeply patriarchal, misogynistic and transphobic politics. We also have an interview with Matthew N. Lyons, author of Insurgent Supremacists: the US far right's challenge to state and empire. After that we'll have a piece from 2017 about Akikodjiwan with interviews with Albert Dumont, Joan Kuyek and Chief Harry St-Denis. Finally, we end with an interview with Maria-Helena Pacelli, Director of Ultraviolet Life, Ottawa Fringe Festival.

When Undeer Ether

PJ Harvey - _ - _ La Femme Fetal

Digable Planets - _ - _MONDAY, June 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Dogs born in the summer are at higher risk for heart disease than pups born at other times of year, according to new research.

Scientists think exposure to outdoor air pollution may be to blame.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine analyzed data from the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals on almost 130,000 dogs. In all, 253 breeds were represented.

Certain breeds not genetically predisposed to heart disease were at highest risk. They include the American Staffordshire terrier, English toy spaniel, Bouvier des Flandres, Border terrier and Havanese. Also at added risk: dogs that are often born in July, such as Norfolk terriers and berger Picards.

Overall, dogs have as much as a 2 percent risk for heart disease, depending on their breed, according to the study published recently in Scientific Reports.

But dogs born between June and August have higher odds for heart trouble. Dogs born in July have a 74 percent greater risk than expected based solely on breed, the study authors said.

Since the link, which couldn't prove cause and effect, was independent of dogs' genetic risk for the condition, researchers say environment probably is a factor.

Other research has shown that fine particle air pollution, including that from factories, peaks during summer months. For dogs and humans alike, exposure to outdoor air pollution during pregnancy and birth appears to contribute to heart trouble later on.

In people, exposure to outdoor air pollution before and during birth has been linked to later development of an abnormal heart rhythm, the researchers said.

Canine pregnancies last just two months, the researchers said. But, they added, dogs may inhale air pollutants while pregnant, which could affect developing hearts in their unborn pups.

"It's important to study dogs because the canine heart is a remarkably similar model to the human cardiovascular system," study lead author Mary Regina Boland said in a university news release. She is an assistant professor in biostatistics, epidemiology and informatics.

"Also, humans and dogs share their lives together and are exposed to similar environmental effects, so seeing this birth season-cardiovascular disease relationship in both species illuminates mechanisms behind this birth season-disease relationship," she added.

More information

The ASPCA provides more on heart disease in dogs.Share this: Twitter

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New York, June 5, 2018The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned comments from Major General Asif Ghafoor, spokesperson for Pakistans military and intelligence agencies, who accused journalists of sharing anti-state remarks on social media.

At a press conference yesterday, Ghafoor derided the rise of social media troll accounts, which he said spread propaganda against the army and state, and said that Pakistans spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was monitoring such accounts and those that engage with them, including journalists.

During his presentation, Ghafoor showed a graphic featuring an alleged troll accounts Twitter activity and the journalists and other individuals allegedly connected to the account, who, Ghafoor said, redistributed anti-state and anti-army propaganda from the trolls account.

The journalists featured on the graphic include Ammar Masood and Fakhar Durrani, both with media Jang Media Group, Umar Cheema from the Jang-owned daily The News, Azaz Syed from the Jang-owned broadcaster Geo TV, and Matiullah Jan with the broadcaster Waqt News. Cheema received CPJs International Press Freedom Award in 2011.

Displaying photos of journalists alleged to help push anti-state propaganda in Pakistan is tantamount to putting a giant target on their backs, said Steven Butler, CPJs Asia program coordinator in Washington, D.C. General Ghafoor should apologize for his comments and explain how security forces might help promote journalist safety in Pakistan, where reporters and editors are routinely threatened, attacked, and killed for their work.

Pakistani authorities have cracked down on press freedom ahead of national parliamentary elections scheduled for July 25. Recently, CPJ documented disruptions to the distribution of Dawn newspaper and access to television channel Geo TV.Microsoft's $7.5 billion offer for GitHub beat out Google in a bidding contest, according to a report Tuesday from CNBC.

The Mountain View, Calif.-based internet giant, a subsidiary of Alphabet, was simultaneously talking to GitHub in the weeks leading up to Microsoft's deal, but Microsoft prevailed in part by agreeing to pay a 25-times multiple on GitHub's $300 million annual revenue.

GitHub CEO Chris Wanstrath's relationship with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was another factor in Microsoft ultimately securing the deal over its cloud rival, the business news network said

[Related: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella: 5 Things You Need To Know About $7.5B GitHub Deal]

Microsoft had been flirting with a potential GitHub deal for a couple years, but the last few weeks saw a serious resumption of negotiations between the two companies that had broken off several times before.

In addition to Microsoft and Google, GitHub had fielded interest in the past from Amazon, Tencent, and Atlassian, CNBC reported.

While GitHub is the go-to code management repository for open source developers, it has seen strong growth in its enterprise business.

GitHub generated $100 million in sales last year with its enterprise offering, which installs the git code-management platform behind the user's firewall.

Microsoft partners told CRN the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant was the best choice for GitHub because of its enterprise reach, as well as some natural synergies.

A likely point of product integration is with Visual Studio Team Services, the online version of Team Foundation Server, a source code management platform that includes a git repository, said Nick Colyer, practice manager for cloud management and automation at AHEAD, a Microsoft and GitHub partner.

"You have to look at the other assets they have and see how this asset plugs into those," said Ric Opal, vice president at Oak Brook, Ill.-based SWC Technology Partners.

Microsoft's $26.2 billion acquisition of LinkedIn in 2016 creates interesting opportunities down the road for advancing the larger Microsoft ecosystem, Opal said.

The combination of Lynda.com, a learning tools platform bought by LinkedIn, and LinkedIn career development capabilities, with GitHub's open source repository could attract a new generation of software professionals entering the workforce into Microsoft's ecosystem, Opal said.

"It's a boon for their cloud. It is also a significant opportunity if they tie the other assetsprofessional development tools and open source," Opal told CRN.

GitHub had struggled in finding a replacement for Wanstrath, who had tried to step down as CEO last year. Leadership challenges were part of the reason the company shied away from a potential public offering, according to media reports.

Microsoft has resolved the leadership issue by naming Corporate Vice President Nat Friedman -- the founder of mobile app development platform Xamarin, acquired by Microsoft in 2016 -- as Wanstrath's replacement.Tamil Nadu: Slurry ice to help preserve fish for months

by B Sivakumar

June 05,2018 | Source: The Times of India

Tamil Nadu fishermen will soon be able to preserve their catch for several months as the government is all set to introduce slurry ice technology to increase their shelf life. Fisheries minister D Jayakumar told the assembly on Monday that slurry ice would keep fish at freezing degrees, which would help keep the catch fresh. A demonstration by a Japanese company was done in Chennai recently.



Replying to a question on whether the government would take steps to set up a fish processing park in Peravurani in Thanjavur district, the minister said as of now, there was no such proposal. But the government is working on using slurry ice to preserve fish. Recently, there was a demonstration by a Japanese company on how to use slurry ice, which keeps the temperature below freezing point, said Jayakumar.



Slurry ice is likely to be in the form of liquid and provides cooling efficiently by coming into contact with food and seafood products. The slurry ice project is at a preliminary stage. We had seen a few demonstrations by companies from Japan. To be useful in Tamil Nadu, we have to see how to use it in fishing boats, in catamarans as well as in deep sea fishing. We need to work on the compatibility, said a senior fisheries department official. According to the official, there are several companies in Japan and other East Asian countries which are using slurry ice. If it is introduced here, Tamil Nadu will be the first coastal state in the country to use slurry ice for preserving fish. Mainly, it is used only to preserve fish and not other marine products, said the official.



Asked about the cost, the official said it is feasible. We need tailor-made slurry ice for us. The cost will be decided only after we come to know how to use it in our boats and catamarans, said the official. Slurry ice is used even in developing countries. There are a few companies in countries like Philippines which use slurry ice to preserve their harvest. This technology may not cost much because middle income countries are already using it, said the official.Odisha: After Mahanadi, Chhattisgarh is eyeing Odishas fish resources

June 05,2018 | Source: Odisha TV

At a time when Odishas concerns over decline in water flow of Mahanadi River are yet to be addressed, its fish resources are being targeted by Chhattisgarh. Lakhanpur block under Jharsuguda district is house to the backwaters of Mahanadi water from Hirakud dam. However, it is reportedly under control of a fishing mafia from Chhattisgarh. Sources said that the mafia is not only using illegal fishing methods, but also camping on the river bed and every day truckloads of fish are transported to Chhattisgarh. As the river flowing through our area has dried up, we have moved here for fishing to earn a living, admitted Laxmi, a fisherwomen from Chhattisgarh.



Fishermen from Chhattisgarh are coming here for fishing and it has adversely affected our business, said Laxman Bagarti, a fisherman from Odisha. Jharsuguda collector, Bibhuti Bhusan Patnaik said that the administration recently came to know about the illegal fishing activities by Chhattisgarh fishermen in Odisha waters. We will take strict action against those involved in any type of fishing activities in Odisha waters. We have already informed the police to conduct raids, said Patnaik.The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday did something it once did on a fairly routine basis but now hardly ever does: It heard a death-penalty appeal.





It had been almost 2 years since the court heard a direct appeal - the 1st appeal after a capital sentence is imposed - in a death-penalty case. And this once-unthinkable rarity shouldn't change anytime soon. It's now been more than 4 years since a Georgia jury handed down a death sentence.





This is in keeping with what's been going on nationally. Last year, 39 death sentences were imposed nationwide. That's a dramatic drop from 126 capital sentences imposed a decade earlier and from 295 death sentences imposed in 1998, according to the Death Penalty Information Center in Washington.





National polls show the death penalty is losing public support, said Pete Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia. That's because people are becoming increasingly comfortable with the sentencing option of life in prison without the possibility of parole.





"That has made a huge difference," said Skandalakis, once the district attorney for the Coweta Judicial Circuit. "And when you sit down with victims' families and discuss the process of a death-penalty case with all the pretrial hearings, then the years of appeals that follow, I have found that families like the finality of life without parole. It lets them get on with their lives."





On Monday, the state Supreme Court heard an appeal from Demetrius Willis, who was sentenced to death by a Fulton County jury in 2008 for the murders of his former girlfriend, their 3-year-old son and her boyfriend.





During the arguments, Willis' attorney asked the court to strike down the death penalty in Georgia on grounds it is arbitrarily imposed. "It's just not working," Charles Henry Frier said.





Fulton County prosecutor Kevin Armstrong asked the justices to reject Frier's claim, contending "there's no basis" behind it. The state Supreme Court is expected to issue its decision later this year.





The last time a death sentence was handed down by a Georgia jury was March 2014 in Augusta against Adrian Hargrove, who committed a triple murder. Last year, the 2 death cases that went to trial in Georgia involved the murder of law enforcement officers - a crime that traditionally results in a death penalty. Yet both resulted in sentences of life without parole.





More often than not, district attorneys are now allowing capital defendants to enter guilty pleas in exchange for life-without-parole sentences.





"It's a self-fulfilling prophesy," Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said. "As more and more juries give fewer death sentences, prosecutors begin to think it's not worth the effort."





Even so, it's not time to remove the death penalty as a sentencing option, Porter said. "I think there are still cases where there's just no question that death is the proper punishment."





On July 23, Porter is scheduled to take the next capital case to trial in Georgia. Tiffany Moss, who as of now is representing herself, is accused in the abuse and starvation death of her 10-year-old daughter Emani.





Porter also sought death against the child's father, Eman Moss. But he pleaded guilty 3 years ago in exchange for life without parole. The same offer has been extended to Tiffany Moss in return for a guilty plea, but it will be rescinded once jury selection begins next month, Porter said.





In addition to Moss, 4 other defendants tentatively face death-penalty trials this year - 3 in Fulton and 1 more in Gwinnett.





Like Porter, many other Georgia DAs strongly support capital punishment. Last year, for example, DAs announced they were seeking the death penalty in 26 cases. So far this year, prosecutors have filed notices to seek death in just 2 new cases, the state records show. Since it can take years for death penalty cases to move foward, it's not clear how many of these will proceed to trial.





Opponents to capital punishment have traditionally been aligned with liberal causes. More recently, increasing numbers of conservatives are speaking out against it.





Heather Beaudoin, national coordinator of Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty, said her primary concerns are the number of exonerations that have been disclosed over the years and the possibility of executing an innocent person.





"We have a problem on our hands," she said.





According to the Innocence Project, there have been 356 convictions overturned by DNA evidence around the U.S. since 1989, including 20 who were convicted and served time on death row.





Beaudoin founded Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty in Montana in 2010. 5 years ago, it became a national organization and has chapters in 13 states, including 1 in Georgia.





"Many of our supporters are millennials who are pro-life like I am," she said. "We believe that life is created by God and has value no matter what the circumstances are. Even someone who has committed an awful crime - that life has value."





After 4 years without a death sentence, Georgia's capital defender office is attracting national recognition. The capital defender's office is part of the state's public defender system and represents capital defendants who can't afford their own lawyers.





The office's intervention program, in which capital defenders seek plea deals from prosecutors early on in a case, has helped more than 20 defendants avoid a death-penalty trial, Jerry Word, who heads the defender office, said.





"The average time to resolve a case in early intervention has been less than 8 months," Word said. "The average time to get a case to trial is over 3 years. This results in a saving in court time and dollar savings to the state and county."

 | 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



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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar WildeOne of Australia's Bali Nine drug traffickers has died after 13 years behind bars, sources said.





Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, one of the seven remaining jailed members of the drug smuggling ring, was serving a life sentence in an Indonesian prison.





Daily Mail Australia understands the 34-year-old from Brisbane died in recent weeks following a battle with terminal cancer.





The son of Vietnamese migrant bakers, Nguyen had been serving time at Malang prison, in East Java, where he shared a cell with mule drug Martin Stephens.





He was rushed to hospital in mid-2017 following an episode where a fellow prisoner had to carry him to a medical bay.





Supporters of the Australian prisoners, including pastor Rob Buckingham, knew Nguyen had been ill for some time.





Nguyen and two others - traffickers Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen - were arrested at the Melasti Hotel in Kuta on April 17, 2005.





They had been planning to transport heroin to Australia.





In a message to supporters from prison three years ago, Nguyen wrote: 'Am I guilty? Yes.





'Am I sorry? More than anyone will ever know.'





In a previous interview with Daily Mail Australia, Nguyen said: 'No one wishes death.





'I have a life sentence, that means life in Indonesia.





'That's death by a different means'.





Nguyen said his family visited when they could, but the years-long Indonesian ordeal had been hard on them financially.





The family spent their savings on Tan's legal costs, he claimed, and the shame and stress he caused his family were one of his biggest regrets.





'I live with that regret every single morning when I wake and every night in my noisy bare jail cell as I try to sleep,' he said.





'I tell you now, there isnt any code of honour among drug dealers and in the end it will destroy you and everyone around you.





Two members of the Bali Nine, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, were executed by firing squad in April 2015.





The other seven members were sentenced to jail terms.





In 2006, Nguyen's sentence was upgraded to death on appeal. But a further appeal restored his original life sentence.





Fellow smuggler Renae Lawrence expects that she could be released from prison this year.





After questions about Mr Nguyen's death, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokeswoman confirmed an Australian man had died from terminal illness in Indonesia.





'(The department) has been providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died of a terminal illness in Indonesia,' the DFAT spokeswoman said.





Consular assistance may include support and guidance to families and liaison with authorities to assist with funeral arrangements or repatriation of remains. Mr Nguyen's fiance declined to comment.

Diary entries of Bali Nine heroin smuggler after brutal executions

The Bali Nine heroin smuggler who died of stomach cancer after 13 years behind bars wrote powerful diary entries warning others not to 'waste their life'.





Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, 34, was the third member of the notorious trafficking ring to die while serving jail time.





Nguyen died in a Jakarta hospital on May 19 following a cancer fight, said Ade Kusmanto, a spokesman for Indonesia's Directorate General of Corrections.





The son of Vietnamese migrants from Brisbane, Nguyen was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the infamous plot to smuggle drugs into Australia.





An inmate who served time with Nguyen at Malang Prison, in East Java, said he was first hospitalised following an incident in 2017.





'He was sick a lot longer before then, it's just taking him a long time to get to the hospital because (he) wouldn't go,' the inmate said.





Nguyen died at 7.10am on a Saturday almost three weeks ago, and his body was shipped home to Queensland on May 22, authorities said.





Blog posts uncovered on Wednesday revealed Nguyen started writing a diary following the executions of plot ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan.





Nguyen's diary entries featured poetry and his daily thoughts. The prisoner said he started writing 'to help get over what had happened recently' - the killings.





One poem, written about his future self, imagined sharing his life lessons with university students.





'There I am, giving a speech, to a group of younger people ... telling them my mistakes, telling them my story.





'Making them know the reasons why, revealing my experiences, sharing and opening to them, about the dangers.





'Not to follow the same mistakes as me, to not end up in jail, to not waste their life ...





'That is my duty, that is my goal, that is what I will work forward to.'





In other posts, he reflected upon his love for his family, the deaths of Chan and Sukumaran and the lessons learned from prison.





'I truly believe this though, being in jail has actually been the best thing for me, to have this experience and to better myself as a person,' he wrote on one occasion.





'Because while everyone, well some, experienced something life changing, something tragic, yet still wanting to do positive in the world.





'Who knows what my life would of been liked (sic), if I did something different.'





The entries, published in 2015, did not appear to make reference to illness.





Nguyen and two others - traffickers Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen - landed behind bars after they were arrested at the Melasti Hotel in Kuta on April 17, 2005.





They had been planning to transport heroin to Australia. In a blog post, he recalled: 'Five gun barrels are pointing directly at my head.





'Daring me to make any sudden moves.





'Moments before this, around thirty guys with guns came in the hotel room.





'My first thoughts when I saw them was, the mafia is robbing us.'





In a previous interview with Daily Mail Australia, Nguyen said: 'No one wishes death.





'I have a life sentence, that means life in Indonesia.





'That's death by a different means'.





Nguyen said his family visited when they could, but the years-long Indonesian ordeal had been hard on them financially.





The family spent their savings on Tan's legal costs, he claimed, and the shame and stress he caused his family were one of his biggest regrets.





'I live with that regret every single morning when I wake and every night in my noisy bare jail cell as I try to sleep,' he said.





'I tell you now, there isnt any code of honour among drug dealers and in the end it will destroy you and everyone around you.





Two members of the Bali Nine, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, were executed by firing squad in April 2015.





The other seven members were sentenced to jail terms.





In 2006, Nguyen's sentence was upgraded to death on appeal. But a further appeal restored his original life sentence.





Fellow smuggler Renae Lawrence expects that she could be released from prison this year.





A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said it 'has been providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died of a terminal illness in Indonesia.'

 | 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



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"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, Neb.  A lawsuit challenging Nebraskas death penalty protocol was dismissed by a Lancaster County district judge, on Friday.





The suit was filed by Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers and Rev. Stephen Griffith and alleged that state officials approved a flawed lethal injection protocol without adequate public review and in violation of the state constitution's due process clause.





As part of the lawsuit, they asked the court to stop all executions until rules that follow the Nebraska Administrative Procedure Act and Nebraskas Constitution were put in place.





District Judge Lori Maret said Chambers and Griffith lacked standing to challenge the current protocol, saying they are required to allege that the Revised Execution Protocol affects their rights or privileges. [They] have not met this standard, and therefore lack standing, she said.





Nebraska hasn't executed an inmate since 1997, but Attorney General Doug Peterson has asked the state Supreme Court to set an execution date of July 10 -- or sometime in mid-July -- for Carey Dean Moore, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1979 shooting deaths of two Omaha cab drivers.

Judge dismisses Ernie Chambers' lawsuit over Nebraska's death penalty procedure

A Lancaster County district judge has dismissed a death penalty protocol challenge by Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers and Rev. Stephen Griffith of Lincoln.





Chambers and Griffith filed the suit against the Department of Correctional Services and state officials, challenging that the state's execution protocol was developed without following state law and procedures.





They asked the court to stop any executions until a proper protocol is put in place that follows the state Administrative Procedure Act. The protocol, revised in 2016 and finalized in 2017, outlines execution team duties and training requirements, and states the director will determine lethal injection drugs to be used and the process for obtaining them, and verification of the substances by a chemical analysis.





District Judge Lori Maret said that for a plaintiff to have standing to challenge the regulation, they must allege the revised protocol affects their legal rights. In this case, they have not done that, she said, and so they do not have standing to sue.





The court also did not buy the argument on exceptions to standing for illegal expenditures. Resident taxpayers may sue to stop illegal expenditures of public funds, and the plaintiffs said Nebraska will expend public funds to carry out the death penalty.





"The regulation in question, however, only replaced one version of the execution protocol with another," the judge wrote in the order.





The Nebraska Attorney General's office had argued that Griffith and Chambers lacked standing in the case because they aren't on death row.





The ACLU countered the Administrative Procedure Act requires materials be made publicly available in the Nebraska Secretary of State's office when it gives notice of the proposed protocol before adopting it. Death row prisoners cannot visit the Secretary of State's office to review those materials or attend the public hearing. That would mean nobody has standing to challenge execution protocol procedures, the ACLU said.





ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Danielle Conrad said Monday the organization was disappointed in the decision to dismiss an important case on procedural grounds.





"We will confer with our clients to determine how to proceed and will actively explore all options, including an appeal to ensure the Nebraska death penalty protocols were adopted in accordance with the law," Conrad 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



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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar WildeAfter 20 years in prison, Williams is free-but justice has not been served.





On the evening of January 4, 1998, in Shreveport, Louisiana, a group of neighborhood friends came up with an idea - they would order a pizza. The deliveryman, 23-year-old Jarvis Griffin, arrived at the house where a group of friends, including 16-year-old Corey Williams and 20-year-old Chris Moore (nicknamed "Rapist"), were hanging out.





At the time, according to court filings from Williams' attorneys, Williams was known as someone who would take the fall for anyone, "what one might refer to as a 'chump,'" a family member said. He reportedly had an IQ of 68, had been institutionalized multiple times for intellectual disability, and suffered from a severe case of lead poisoning.





After delivering the pizza and collecting his money, Griffin returned to his car. Soon afterwards, he was slumped over the wheel, dead from gunshots. Witnesses, including Williams himself, initially told investigators that several men were involved in shooting and robbing Griffin, including then 16-year old Gabriel Logan, his older brother Nathan Logan, and Moore ("Rapist"). During interrogations, however, the older boys, the Logan brothers and Rapist, directed police to the gun and claimed that Williams had shot Griffin, after which they had all divvied up the money.





But, the physical evidence didn't match up. The only fingerprints on the gun were Nathan Logan's - who was never charged. The only blood was on Gabriel Logan's shirt. The gun was Rapist's. And the money? Williams didn't have any of it. The other men had split the proceeds.





Instead, Williams was found that evening by law enforcement trembling and urine-soaked at his grandmother's house, huddled under a sheet; he had peed in his pants out of fear of the older boys. Still, he was dragged to the police station that night. In his 1st interview with police, Williams said that he had seen Gabriel Logan shoot the victim; he also told police that Gabriel had called him and threatened to kill him if he didn't take the fall for the crime. But, at 8:30 the next morning, after 12 hours of continuous interrogation and no sleep, he confessed to shooting the driver. He then asked if he could go home and lie down.





Not long after, Williams insisted he was innocent and his confession, false. But in October of 2000, he was convicted of 1st-degree murder and sent to death row. ("Rapist" was the star prosecution witness who testified against Williams.) This sentence was later commuted to life without parole after a judge determined that Williams is intellectually disabled and therefore not eligible for the death penalty. Nonetheless, up until May 21, he was still serving time in Angola Prison.





Then, on May 22, in a surprise settlement agreement, the Caddo Parish District Attorney's office agreed to release Williams immediately in exchange for a plea of manslaughter. This was a tremendous turn-around, a victory for which Williams had fought for 2 decades, first largely on his own, but increasingly with a growing base of support. In recent years, as the movement to hold corrupt prosecutors accountable has grown, Williams's case has become a symbol of the most flagrant prosecutorial abuse - as well as of all that is broken with Louisiana's criminal justice system. With his release, justice finally seemed to prevail.





Yet, Williams's freedom also came at a price. While the deal gets Williams, now 36, out of prison, it disqualifies him from compensation and leaves a man who has always insisted on his innocence with a murder conviction. It also fails to hold any of the parties who played a role in convicting Williams - the police, the prosecutor, the judge - to account.





Clearly, Williams's attorneys must have believed it was the best way to get him out of prison. "This was an impossible deal for Corey to turn down," Amir Ali, an attorney with the MacArthur Justice Center, which helped represent Williams, told the Washington Post. "I think, given the circumstances, it was the best possible outcome for Corey."





But how did 20 years in prison followed by a guilty plea for a crime Williams says he didn't commit become the "best possible outcome"? And what does it say about the enduring failures of justice for Williams - and so many like him?





To understand how Williams wound up being sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, it helps to know how justice worked for years in Caddo Parish, where he was convicted.





Caddo Parish, which sits in the northwest corner of Louisiana, has a long and shameful history of criminal-justice abuses. Dubbed "Bloody Caddo" during the reign of white terror that followed the Civil War, it has made a name for itself in more recent decades for handing out death sentences at a higher rate than almost any other county in the country. Indeed, between 2010 and 2014, the parish was responsible for sentencing 8 of the 12 people sent to death row in the state - a fact that seemed to please the acting district attorney at the time, Dale Cox. As he famously told the Shreveport Times in 2015, "I think we need to kill more people.... I think the death penalty should be used more often."





At the same time, Caddo has come under increasing fire for serious instances of prosecutorial misconduct. It was in Caddo Parish that Glenn Ford was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1984, ultimately spending 30 years on death row before he was finally exonerated and released in 2014. (Ford died from terminal cancer shortly thereafter.) The parish also convicted Rodricus Crawford, who was recently exonerated, of murdering his son despite the medical evidence to the contrary.





Such was the world in which Williams was tried and convicted in 1998 by a prosecutor who had already made a name for himself by sending men to death row. The prosecutor's name was Hugo Holland, and before sending Williams to prison, he had tried dozens of death penalty cases and put at least 10 people on Louisiana's death row, most of whom are also men of color. Yet, in later years, his practices would raise serious questions: 1/2 of his death-penalty convictions have since been overturned, while 2 are awaiting appeals. He has also been accused of withholding evidence in at least 3 of those cases, including Williams's, according to aWashington Postprofile by Radley Balko.





In the years since prosecuting Williams's case, Holland has become a well-known - and controversial - figure in Louisiana. In 2012, he was fired from his job as assistant district attorney after it was discovered that he had doctored documents as part of a scheme to procure a cache of M-16 rifles from the federal government's military surplus program. (The guns were apparently intended to arm Holland and several of his colleagues who had formed a paramilitary-style "Zombie Response Team" in the parish.) Yet he quickly found his footing as a successful prosecutor-for-hire, reportedly earning some $200,000 in 2015. He is also a lobbyist for Caddo Parish and represents law and order interests in the Louisiana state government, where he continues to push for the death penalty. As he told The Advocate in a profile published last year, "The only thing that we can do with animals that do stuff like that is put them down."





When I contacted Holland for comment via email, he wasn't aware that Williams had been released on a plea deal. But his written reply was unapologetic: "We didnt conceal anything. Thats horseshit. Didnt know he was out. He shouldnt be. He is a murderer."





For G. Ben Cohen, Williams's longtime attorney and advocate, Holland's response was as brazen as it was troubling: "There is nothing more dangerous for Louisiana's justice system than prosecutors like Hugo Holland, who have a toxic combination of hubris, deceit, and indifference."





Cohen has good reason to know.





For almost 2 decades, he and Williams's other attorneys tried unsuccessfully to win Williams's freedom. They focused on a host of errors committed during both the investigation and trial, ranging from incompetent defense counsel to the fact of Williams's youth and disability. In particular, Williams's attorneys had focused prior appeals on the 12-hour interrogation to which Williams - a 16-year-old who "still sucked his thumb, urinated himself on a daily basis, and regularly ate dirt and paper" - was subjected. But, none of the higher courts found error sufficient to reverse the conviction.





Then, in 2015, Williams's counsel located exculpatory evidence that had been hidden by prosecutors for nearly 20 years. This evidence is called Brady material after the 1963 US Supreme Court case Brady v. Maryland, in which the Supreme Court held that prosecutors - by virtue of that fact that they are privy to police investigations and other investigatory materials - are obligated to give the defense anything that might be useful for their client. Since prosecutors are the gatekeepers, they often end up deciding what information is useful or irrelevant, and defendants regularly don't know what Brady information is available, if any.





In this case, according to the brief submitted by Williams's lawyers, the prosecutors did not disclose the existence of tapes of interviews with witnesses to the crime. They continued to hide the tapes for a dozen years, even as Williams' attorneys requested them again and again. As a result, the defense team was forced to rely on "summaries" of the witness statements. Such summaries are common practice in Louisiana, but, Williams's lawyers argued, they appeared in his case to have been directly "altered" to ensure that Williams looked guilty. Some statements were omitted altogether.





So what did the actual recordings, obtained by Williams's lawyers in 2015, reveal? According to Williams's lawyers, they indicate that multiple eyewitnesses - including the original officers who investigated the crime - believed that Williams was innocent. "It sounds like to me y'all all decided y'all going to blame it on Corey," one of the detectives said during an interview with some of the older men who'd been at the crime scene. There was also an interview with another witness who suggested that Moore was likely guilty, not Williams. Yet Williams's lawyers never received this information and, without it, weren't able to mount an effective defense that their client was taking the fall for a group of older, savvier men.





This is what Williams's lawyers argued when they appealed his case for the second time to the US Supreme Court earlier this year. And as news of the story spread, it wasn't just defense attorneys who began viewing the Williams verdict askance; law enforcement also came to Williams's defense. Earlier this year, 44 former prosecutors and DOJ officials signed an amicus brief arguing that Williams should be freed and his case retried based on the obligation prosecutors have to disclose evidence under Brady.





"Prosecutors bear a special responsibility for a fair and just result in all criminal prosecutions," the brief summarizes, a fact that seems to have eluded Holland in this case.





These days, Caddo Parish has a new district attorney, James Stewart, who was elected in 2015 largely as a progressive choice. (He was backed by, among others, George Soros, whose Louisiana Safety and Justice PAC gave hefty sums to Stewart's campaign.) Williams's attorneys credit him for releasing their client when prior DA's refused to do so.





The deal Caddo Parish offered Williams isn't unusual. In fact, it's common for prosecutors to offer defendants with credible claims of innocence a lighter sentence in exchange for immediate release. Defendants take them because proving innocence can take years. In 2016, Stewart made a similar deal with Curtis Davis, who was also wrongfully convicted of 2nd-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. Davis accepted a plea of manslaughter in exchange for his freedom. Now Davis works with criminal justice organizations.





The manslaughter settlement allows everyone involved to save face: no one accepts responsibility and Williams is released. (The prosecutor's filings in Williams's case indicate that they contemplated prosecuting Williams for aiding and abetting, even if evidence cast doubt on whether he was the shooter. Williams also forfeited his right to appeal or bring any civil action against law enforcement.) Williams's attorneys credited Stewart for making the plea deal when his predecessor would not. From a practical perspective, it's understandable why Williams would take the deal. His lawyers say that he has suffered greatly in prison because of his disability and is being abused by other inmates in Angola. But it's hard to see this as justice, particularly for a man whom Louisiana has fought so hard to kill.





On the morning of May 22, pictures were published of Williams leaving Angola flanked by his lawyers and supporters. He looked happy, if dazed. Williams, like many convicted youth, never had a chance to grow up, finish school, get work experience, or contribute to society. Now, without financial resources, Williams must rely again on the people who helped him get out.





As for Hugo Holland, he continues to collect his paycheck, a prosecutor not in the least chastened by his errors, but, rather, emboldened that he was almost able to get away with murder.





Source: The Nation , Jessica Pishko, June 4, 2018. The author is a San Francisco-based writer for the Fair Punishment Project. She has written for Rolling Stone, Pacific Standard, and San Francisco magazine.

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar WildeAccording to EU Commission guidelines, a certification must accompany animals en route to the EU, when they are presented for entry into the EU at an approved EU Border Inspection Post. (Representational Image/ Pixabay)

No one had heard of Penka the cow until a few days back.

Belonging to a Bulgarian farmer called Ivan Haralampiev, she made the grave error of going missing.

While cows are known to do such sort of things, Penka made the mortal error of stepping outside the European Union (of which Bulgaria has been a member since 2007).

The cow then tried to re-enter EU, and all hell broke lose.

Penka was sentenced to death because she lacked the correct paperwork for entering the European Union.

In what has become one of the most quirky and yet intriguing national debate, Penka is now the talk not just of her village of Kopilovtsi, her name is also on the lips of the most important people in her countrys capital, Sofia.

In fact, the cow is even being discussed in Brussels, headquarters of the European Empire, and Berlin, where she has made the front page of Germanys most popular newspaper.

In all probability, Penkas farmer must have left the gates of the farm ajar and the cow decided to escape. Before long, Penka had crossed the border into the neighbouring state of Serbia, which is not (yet) in the EU.

Ivan, on learing of the disappearance, went searcing, along with his sons. They notified the border authorities, the police and mayors in nearby villages. After two weeks, word came from Bosilegrad, a village a few miles away, just inside Serbia.

Ivan soon made his way to the Serbia town, got Penka into her trailer after a Serbian vet had given her a formal health check and confirmed that she was in a fit condition to return home.

However, trouble started brewing when he tried to cross the border back home.

An EU border guard refused her entry on the grounds that she did not have the required papers.

According to EU Commission guidelines, a certification must accompany animals en route to the EU, when they are presented for entry into the EU at an approved EU Border Inspection Post.

As a result of Penkas failure to fill in the right forms, she was herewith sentenced to death.

Penka will give birth in three weeks.What do you think about our new website?

Share your opinionGazprom's appeal against the Stockholm arbitration awards does not postpone the Russian company's obligation to settle immediately and has no effect on the enforcement process.

A Dutch court has satisfied claims filed by Ukraine's oil and gas giant Naftogaz to seize Russian Gazprom's Dutch assets to secure a US$2.56 billion settlement with the Ukrainian company.

"Last week, Naftogaz, Ukraine's national oil and gas company, filed a petition for an attachment of Gazprom's shares in its Dutch subsidiaries and any debts owed from these subsidiaries to Gazprom. These petitions were made to secure Naftogaz's right to payment of US$2.6 billion by Gazprom pursuant to the arbitration award issued in February 2018. A Dutch court approved the petitions," Naftogaz's press service said on June 5.

However, it said, six out of seven of Gazprom's Dutch subsidiaries have refused to cooperate with the bailiffs. "This does not affect the validity of the attachments," Naftogaz added.

Read alsoNaftogaz starts recovering $2.6 bln debt from Gazprom across Europe

"Naftogaz will use all legitimate measures and tools available to us to enforce the decision and fully recover the amount awarded from Gazprom. Unfortunately, the company is not acting in good faith in respect of the arbitration awards and orders of European courts in other jurisdictions," Naftogaz's press service quoted CEO Andriy Kobolyev as saying.

"The tribunal has ruled that Gazprom has to reimburse to Naftogaz US$4.63 billion in damages for failing on the transit contract. We have already effectively received US$2.1 billion which pursuant to the award in the transit case was offset against the payment for gas Naftogaz had purchased from Gazprom before. Now we are working to recover the remaining amount," CCO Yuriy Vitrenko said, in turn.

In April 2014, Gazprom increased the gas price for Naftogaz by over 80% within days following the occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. Naftogaz challenged the ill-grounded price hike in the arbitration, and the tribunal decreased the payment for gas off-taken in 2014-2015 by approximately US$1.8 billion. In addition, the tribunal rejected Gazprom's take-or-pay claim as unconscionable, resulting in nearly US$77 billion in savings for Naftogaz until the expiry of the contract in 2019.

Naftogaz has moved to attach assets in other jurisdictions as well, including the shares of Gazprom's subsidiaries Nord Stream AG and Nord Stream 2 AG in Switzerland. The bailiffs are working on effecting the freeze after the Swiss court has supported the petition of Naftogaz.

Gazprom's appeal against the Stockholm arbitration awards does not postpone the Russian company's obligation to settle immediately and has no effect on the enforcement process, which was confirmed by the swift decisions of courts in various European jurisdictions last week.Sales of new cars in Ukraine grow by 4% in May

Toyota was the most popular brand in Ukraine with 850 new cars sold.

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+EnterSwiss banks block accounts of Russian oligarch Vekselberg over U.S. sanctions  media

Bank of Cyprus where Vekselberg owns a 9.27% stake could also block his assets.

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+EnterEnvironmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has evolved from simple screening approaches in the 1960s to an increasingly intrusive practice that seeks to impose political agendas on the governance of major corporations. Activist investing revolves around a belief that taking into account a companys conduct outside its core profit-generating business can enhance investment performance. New research released by a pair of leading economists confirms earlier findings that resolutions driven by activist shareholders deliver no value for shareholders.

The three elements of ESG investing all revolve around broadly progressive political themes. Environmental aspects focus on corporate reporting, or a companys policies, around pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and risks from climate change. Amongst other issues, social policy resolutions concentrate on subjects related to animal rights, human rights, political spending and workplace diversity. Governance resolutions are different in that they embed consideration of these issues into the governance structure of the company.

The underlying premise of the ESG investing is not well established empirically, nor is the implementation of its principles guided by theoretical or analytical rigor. The rise of activist shareholder resolutions in the asset management arena speaks either to the correctness of the amorphous investment philosophy that underpins them, or it is being foisted on investors and companies by noisy minority shareholders and a proxy system that amplifies their influence. Which of these contentions is correct has potentially significant implications for working Americans who want to maximize their retirement savings.

The prevalence of ESG investing has grown considerably over the years. The U.S. Sustainable Investment Forum estimates that there was $8.7 trillion worth of domestically-domiciled assets invested according to ESG principles in 2016, a figure that equates to around 22 percent of total assets under management. ESG-invested funds have expanded 14-fold from 1995 to 2016. The size of activist holdings shows their real potential to derail returns to pension funds and explains the recent surge in politically motivated shareholder resolutions at company meetings.

Data from a non-profit advocacy group As You Sow shows activist resolutions doubled between 2005 and 2010 and are continuing to run at record levels. Growth has been considerable across social, environmental and sustainable governance issues but has been particularly pronounced in the latter category.

The release of a new research paper by the National Association of Manufacturers casts doubt on the value to investors of activist shareholder resolutions. The study, written by Joseph Kalt of Harvard and Adel Turki of Compass Lexicon, examined the effect on shareholder value of climate change disclosures and found no evidence that they improve investor returns.

A number of major institutional shareholders contend that climate change-related disclosures improve managements ability to mitigate climate change risks and should improve business performance. Alternatively, other activist shareholders maintain that the risks from climate change are insufficiently factored into company valuations and that further disclosures will lead to a decline in share price.

Kalt and Turki isolated the effect on shareholder returns of resolutions that required disclosure of climate change-related information. The analysis found that no statistical basis exists for concluding that these shareholder proposals have any consistent effect on stock prices, either when they pass, or when they fail.

These findings are consistent with prior studies examining the effect of environmental and social resolutions on stock prices. The findings are also consistent with sophisticated investors having access to equivalent information and already pricing it into the value of the stock in accordance with the efficient market hypothesis.

A second leg of the Kalt/Turki research analyzed the effect of voluntary climate change-related disclosure. The econometric analysis again supported the conclusion that there is no statistically significant effect on stock returns from these voluntary disclosures. These finding were consistent with past studies of disclosures that found no systematic evidence that voluntary provision of the information requested in the survey had an effect on shareholder value.

None of these findings should be surprising. The aims of activists are fundamentally misguided and seldom well-informed by economic fundamentals. Shareholder resolutions that deviate from the standard corporate objective of maximizing returns to equity investors in order to pursue quixotic political aspirations attempt to distort for-profit businesses into quasi-benevolent societies. Social public policy objectives are best achieved through targeted and holistically determined government actions. The policy measures and broad community consensus necessary to sustain them are properly brokered through our political institutions.

In an era when even the financial press reports provide anecdotes rather than data, it can be difficult for concerned investors to identify the costs involved in ESG investing. Simplistic appeals to worthy causes are designed to be evocative. They seldom rationally outline the trade-offs involved in using other peoples retirement savings to pursue social objectives that, however laudable, should rightly remain the domain of government policy.

These new research insights raise fresh concerns about the rising tide of shareholder activism. At some point in the near future we are liable to find that there is little to be gained by allowing pressure groups to take American retirement savings out for an ideological joy ride when in all likelihood they will end up being driven into a ditch.

Burchell Wilson is a contributor to E21.

Interested in real economic insights? Want to stay ahead of the competition? Each weekday morning, E21 delivers a short email that includes E21 exclusive commentaries and the latest market news and updates from Washington. Sign up for the E21 Morning Ebrief.The strategic group at the Ukrainian Exchange (Kyiv) has developed a plan for further development of the exchange with the priority of creating a commodity exchange on its platform, the head of Dragon Capital investment company, the largest shareholder of the Ukrainian Exchange, Tomas Fiala, has said.

"The priority now is creating a commodity exchange on the Ukrainian Exchange platform," he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, the strategic group at the stock exchange has already developed a plan for its phased development, which includes building a modern infrastructure that offers investors effective access to various segments of the market - shares, bonds, commodity contracts, as well as futures that may include not only valuable securities, indices, currencies or precious metals.

Along with the development of infrastructure, it is planned to improve technical and client services at the Ukrainian Exchange.

"Dragon Capital plans to continue supporting the development of the Ukrainian Exchange, in particular by making additional investments in capital. We are interested in efficient work of the stock exchange as a broker with the largest share of turnover in the stock market," Fiala said.The refusal of the Kyiv City Administration to incur debts of PJSC Kyivenergo to national joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy to the balance sheet of municipal enterprise Kyivteploenergo is not in line with the law on heat supply, the press service of Naftogaz has reported.

"The law on the heat supply regulates the issue of the succession of debts when the user changes property [the heat networks of Kyiv]. In this sense, if the Kyiv authorities insist on resolving the issue somehow, it needs to initiate changes to the legislation. Naftogaz will supply gas, as soon as the Kyiv City Administration stops the PR campaign and obeys the law," Naftogaz said.

Naftogaz is puzzled why the Kyiv City Administration, knowing about the completion of the term of the contract for the use of the municipal heat-generating property of Kyivenergo and about the debts generated on it, did not bother with this issue ahead of time.

"We are unhappy with this situation, and we bring our apologies to Kyiv residents who paid bills on time and have full right to quality service. We hope Kyivteploenergo and the Kyiv City Administration will act responsibly, "the press service said.Ukrainian Joint Forces Commander, Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev and Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (OSCE SMM) Alexander Hug have discussed the security situation along the contact line in Donbas, in particular in the area of the village of Chyhari, the village of Pivdenne, Toretsk Town Council of Donetsk region, as well as the situation around critical civil infrastructure facilities, in particular, the Donetsk water filtration station.

According to the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO), the meeting was held on the evening of June 4.

Nayev demonstrated to OSCE SMM employees the recordings from CCTV cameras, which showed the use of heavy weapons by militants.

He also said that the units that carry out combat missions in the area of the Donetsk water filtration station strictly observe the ceasefire and never pose a threat to the life of the station's staff. He also submitted proposals to ensure the safety of station workers, which Hug took into account.

Nayev noted that the protection and security of the civilian population is a priority task of the Joint Forces, which are not a threat to civilians in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and are always ready to provide the necessary assistance to citizens.Russia will never return Crimea to Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"There are no such conditions and there can never be," Putin said in an interview on the Austrian TV channel ORF ahead of his visit to Austria when asked what would need to happen in order for Russia to return Crimea to Ukraine.

After the Austrian host said that Putin had earlier made controversial remarks about Russian military forces' presence in Crimea in the wake of the coup in Kyiv, Putin said, "Russian forces have always been present in Crimea. Our military contingent was there."

"When the unconstitutional armed coup took place in Ukraine, and power changed hands by force, our army was legally deployed in Crimea - under the agreement on our military base there," he said.

"The first thing we did was increase our contingent to guard our Armed Forces, our military facilities, because we immediately saw that they were being threatened. That is where it all began. I told you with confidence that there was no one else there, but our Armed Forces were there legally under an agreement," Putin said.

"But when unconstitutional actions in Ukraine began to unfold, when people in Crimea felt danger, when trains started bringing aggressive nationalists there, when buses and personal vehicles were blocked, people naturally wanted to protect themselves," he said.

That is why Crimean residents sought to exercise the right to self-determination guaranteed both by Ukrainian legislation and the United Nations Charter, Putin said.

"And what did our Armed Forces do, even without expanding the contingent stipulated by the military base agreement? They ensured the independent free elections - an expression of the will of the people living in Crimea," he said.

"So Crimea gained independence through the free will of the Crimeans expressed in an open referendum, not as a result of an invasion by Russian forces," Putin said.Verkhovna Rada Chairman Andriy Parubiy has called on the world community to condemn the verdict against Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, which was issued in Moscow on June 4.

"I call on our allies, politicians from all over the world and international organizations to condemn the pseudo-sentence to journalist Roman Sushchenko," Parubiy said, while opening a plenary meeting of the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday.

He urged the world community to seek from Russia the release of all Ukrainian citizens, political prisoners of Russia.

He said that Ukraine would never recognize "this trial and this pseudo-sentence."

Parubiy also urged Ukrainian citizens to refrain from trips to Russia, "because there is a real danger of being captured by Russian special services."

On October 3, 2016, the FSB announced that the Ukrainian had been arrested on espionage charges. The FSB said he had been a colonel in the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's main intelligence directorate.

Sushchenko, who had lived in France for six years, working as a Paris correspondent for the Ukrinform news agency, had repeatedly visited Russia, and at the time of his arrest was there for personal reasons. He has relatives in Russia.

On June 4, the Moscow City Court sentenced Sushchenko to 12 years in a high-security penal colony.Bravo Airways launches flights to Lublin from Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson from June 15

Bravo Airways will launch regular flights to Lublin from Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson from June 15, 2018.

"We open new flights to Lublin from June 15, which will allow in 1.5 hours safely, comfortably and without changing to get from the airports of Kyiv, Kherson and Kharkiv to Lublin and back," the airline said on Facebook.

The cost of flights starts from UAH 1,300. The fare also includes transportation of hand luggage and the ability to carry up to 23 kg of luggage free of charge.

Regular flights will be available to both directions three times a week from Kyiv and Kherson and twice from Kharkiv.

As reported, earlier Bravo Airways launched charter flights from Kherson to Dalaman (Turkey).

Bravo Airways was founded in April 2012. Its core business is passenger transportation on regular and charter routes. Since its founding, Bravo Airways has transported more than 500,000 passengers. The aircraft of the airline are based at Kyiv Zhuliany International Airport.Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze has said she hopes Hungary will unblock a Ukraine-NATO Commission meeting involving the heads of state or government.

"Today we expect the participation of representatives of the Hungarian national minority in consultations with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, as was agreed between the two foreign ministers in New York, and I hope that this dialogue will provide a potential opportunity to unblock the process, in particular, for the opening of the opportunity on Hungary's unblocking a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission at a high and the highest level," she told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday.

At the same time, Klympush-Tsintsadze stressed that up to this point the representatives of the Hungarian minority had refused such a dialogue. Therefore, in her opinion, the planned consultations are a good signal.

As reported, on September 28, 2017, Ukraine's education law came into force. It determines that the language of the educational process in educational institutions is the state language, but in accordance with the educational program, one or more disciplines can be taught in two and more languages  the state language, English, other official languages of the EU. Persons belonging to national minorities are guaranteed the right to learn in their native language along with the Ukrainian language in certain classes (groups) of communal institutions of preschool and primary education.

The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 26 announced the intention of the country to block the rapprochement between Ukraine and the EU because of the law on education.Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will meet with Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein Alois on Wednesday.

The prince is on an official visit to Ukraine at the invitation of the head of state.

"During the talks, they plan to discuss the intensification of Ukrainian-Liechtenstein political dialogue, Liechtenstein's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the intensification of trade and economic cooperation, taking into account free trade opportunities as part of the European Free Trade Association," the presidential press service said.

The prince will also visit Lviv.

"This visit will be the first visit by a high representative of Liechtenstein since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states," the report said.Ukraine and NATO have adopted a roadmap for defense-technical cooperation during 2018.

According to a post on the website of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, the document was signed within the framework of the next meeting of the joint Ukraine-NATO working group on defense-technical cooperation held in Odesa in late May.

As noted in the message, the new Ukraine-NATO road map contains a number of new tasks for the Ukrainian side: the development of joint national systems of standardization and codification in the defense sphere with NATO; cooperation in the field of ammunition storage safety; assistance in establishing links between defense enterprises of NATO and Ukraine. It also provides for the creation of a system of state guarantees for the quality of defense products and the participation of Ukraine's defense industry in the projects of NATO "Smart Defense" program.

The meeting participants discussed the prospects for the development of Ukraine-NATO defense-technical cooperation, the course of the Ukrainian defense industry reform, as well as the further development of public-private partnerships and the level of interaction under the NATO trust fund program in terms of achieving Ukraine's compatibility with the alliance in the military-technical sphere.

According to the assessments made during the meeting, the previous road map has been fully implemented by the Ukrainian side. The process of the Ukrainian defense industry's transition to NATO standards is continuing. In 2017, the defense industry adopted 41 alliance standards, in 2018 it is planned to implement 26 standards. An automated information system for the codification of supply items was also put into operation.

As reported, Ukraine and NATO stepped up the dialogue on cooperation in the defense industry in 2014. At the beginning of 2015, Kyiv announced plans to join the arms procurement system in force for the member countries. Ukraine also announced plans to ensure in 2020 the full transfer of its defense sector NATO standards. Until recently, cooperation in the framework of the import substitution program was considered one of the key areas of the Ukrainian Defense Industry Partnership with the member countries of the alliance.

According to the State Concern Ukroboronprom, to date about 40 enterprises participating in the state concern have access to the main NATO catalog of logistics (NATO Master Catalog of References for Logistics), and work has begun on certification of enterprises under the NATO standard AQAP (Allied Quality Assurance Publications) 2000 series.The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has accepted for consideration a statement of Interior Minister of Ukraine Arsen Avakov's son, Oleksandr, about the illegality of his detention by the NABU, his lawyer Oleksandr Lysak has said.

"On June 2, I received documents that the ECHR had accepted the case for consideration. There is still no solution, of course, but we have reasons for optimism, because this year there have been two precedents with a positive decision of the European Court against two citizens of Ukraine - Yevhen Korniychuk and Anatoliy Makarenko," Lysak noted.

The lawyer also told about the main reasons that prompted his client to apply to the ECHR.

"Oleksandr Avakov was detained in his apartment. He did not try to go into hiding from the investigation, so there were no reasons to apply Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code, when people are trying to go abroad or there is a reason to believe that they can do it. NABU could easily carry out a search in his apartment - he did not interfere with it. So, we believe in a positive for us decision of the ECHR," Lysak stressed.

The European Court of Human Rights this year has sustained the claims of former Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine Yevhen Korniychuk and former head of the Customs Service Anatoliy Makarenko, obliging Ukraine to pay them compensation in the amount of EUR 6,500 and EUR 10,000 respectively. Both plaintiffs sued the ECHR for illegal detention by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies.Ukrainian Oleh Sentsov, who has been convicted in Russia for terrorism and has declared a hunger strike on May 14, has written a letter to the Group of Seven (G7) leaders with calls not to focus only on his destiny, the online publication Hromadske.ua has reported.

"Dear gentlemen! Thank you very much for what you and your countries are doing for Ukraine. We still have a lot to do ourselves and with your assistance. For instance, winning in this hybrid war with our enemy. As to the situation surrounding Ukrainian political prisoners, I hope that you will be able to do something to make a decision on their fates and will not focus on one person, for instance, me. But you will help many of us," according to the photocopy of Sentsov's letter handed over by Natalia Kaplan, the sister of the convict, to Hromadske.ua.

Sixty-four Ukrainians are being held in Russia "for political reasons," according to the Ukrainian human rights initiative LetMyPeopleGo.

Four Ukrainian prisoners, namely Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Oleksandr Shumkov are on a hunger strike in Russia, but Volodymyr Balukh has been on one the longest, acting Ukrainian Healthcare Minister Ulana Suprun said.

As reported, the North Caucasian District Military Court sentenced Ukrainian filmmaker Sentsov detained in Crimea in 2014 to 20 years in a high-security penal colony in Rostov-on-Don in August 2015. He was charged in Russia with setting up a terrorist group in Crimea. As part of the same case Kolchenko was sentenced to ten years in prison.

On May 14, 2018, Sentsov declared a hunger strike demanding to release all of the Ukrainians being held in Russia.

On May 31, Kolchenko also declared a hunger strike demanding to free Sentsov.On June 8, 2018, in Kiev, on the river lorry Rosa Victoria, will be The first Ukrainian agriculture investment night - the largest communication platform in Ukraine with a focus focused on investment opportunities of domestic market and possibility of expanding export geography. Organizer  A7 CONFERENCES. Official Carrier  Turkish Airlines, Investment partner  A7 CAPITAL. In the framework of AGRO-2018.

Venue: Liner Rosa Victoria, Kyiv, Naberezhno-Khreschatytska St., berth #1.

Time: June 8, 2018 (17:00-23:00).

In the last decade, agribusiness enterprises have made a big step towards marketing, thus Ukrainian products have gradually started to enter the international market, moreover - in these markets Ukrainian producers have proved to be competitive. The growth of export volumes of agricultural products and food industry in 2017 amounted to 19.5%, which in cash equals 2.6 billion dollars. However, problems still exist, because even in the Ukrainian domestic market of Ukrainian producers, they can squeeze more expensive, but more qualitative, foreign goods. In 2017, the volume of export of agricultural products from Ukraine to the EU grew by 27% compared to 2016, which is in the monetary equivalent of 1.2 billion euros. However, at the same time, the export of agri-food products from the European Union to Ukraine has increased by more than 200 million euros.

One of the reasons is de-technologicalization and deindustrialization of Ukraine, and its positioning as a raw material base for leading European countries. However, Ukraine has already embarked on the introduction of technologies, albeit at a high pace. An example among today's world leaders in agriculture can become Israel. The low index of agricultural land suitable for farming - only 20% - is offset by the high efficiency of innovative technologies. For example, the automated almond harvesting process is only 30 seconds. Sometimes even manufacturers who innovate face problems - insufficient production capacity, that is, the inability to process products in a timely manner. Losses are also in the process of processing due to outdated equipment at the enterprises. The competitiveness of Ukrainian producers is reduced due to the lack of transportation and storage of products. In general, only 3/5 of the produced agricultural products reaches the consumer. The solution to these problem points, the experience of international companies, the real opportunities for attracting investment and much more, will be discussed at the Ukrainian agriculture export forum on June 8, 2018.

The first Ukrainian agriculture investment night will be a unique event in Ukraine that brings together influential players in the industry, Ukrainian producers, international investors, financial leaders, profile associations, embassies, leading media and related industries. In the program of the night:

Open and direct discussions with investors and bankers regarding the market of agrarian products and foodstuffs;

An exclusive opportunity to meet a potential investor and financial partner with assets of over $ 5 billion. USA for the development of your business;

The event will be held in a closed format, without representatives of the media;

For the first time, the event will take place on the modern Rosa Victoria, which will ensure closer communication between the participants and add to the uniqueness and uniqueness of the event.

The evening program consists of two hard talk sections. The first section, "The View of International and Domestic Investors in the Agro-Industrial Sector of Ukraine", will focus on the investment opportunities of the agro-sector, investors will be the sole speakers. Speakers of the second section "The View of Commercial Bankers for the Agro-Industrial Sector of Ukraine" will be leading bankers and financiers, who will focus on the financing of the agro-industrial complex.

Among the speakers: Olga Trofimtseva, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine for European Integration, Elena Voloshina, Head of IFC Operations in Ukraine, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Maria Barabash, President, A7 CAPITAL; Co-founder, Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs, Oleksandr Isniuk, Deputy Head of Corporate Banking Department, UKRGASBANK; Ruslan Spivak, Corporate Business Director, Raiffeisen Bank Aval, Dmytro Tatarko, Head of Agribusiness Department, Ukreximbank. Natalia Butkova-Vitvitskaya, Director of SME Department, Oschadbank; Lesya Kuzmenko, Associate Director, Senior Banker, Agribusiness, EBRD etc.

Official carrier  Turkish Airlines, Investment Partner  A7 CAPITAL. Business travel partner  AirLife. In the framework of AGRO-2018. Exclusive TV Partner  The first business TV channel. General Information Partner  RBC Ukraine. General News Partner  Interfax Ukraine. General Radio Partner  Radio Voice of the Capital. General Business Media Partner  Focus. Business Media Partner  Business magazine. Information Analytical Partner  LIGA:ZAKON. Media Partners: Novoje Vremia, Ecology of the enterprise, Liga.net, International magazine "Shipping", Terminal magazine, Agroreview, Agrochart. Supported by: Kyiv Chamber of commerce, American Chamber of commerce, British Ukrainian Chamber of commerce, Kyiv Post, Council of Entrepreneurs under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Union of Entrepreneurs of Ukraine, etc.

The agenda and additional information can be found on the website: a7conf.com/agricruise /en

More detail by tel.: +38 (044)227-27-77, +38(096)515-43-90, victoria@a7-group.com (contact person: Victoria Shcherbatiuk, Communications Manager).

General News Partner  Interfax UkraineOn June 8, 2018, in Kyiv, on the river lorry Rosa Victoria, will be the first Ukrainian agriculture investment night - the largest communication platform in Ukraine with a focus focused on investment opportunities of domestic market and possibility of expanding export geography. Organizer  A7 CONFERENCES. Official Carrier  Turkish Airlines, Investment partner  A7 CAPITAL. In the framework of AGRO-2018.

Venue: Liner Rosa Victoria, Kyiv, Naberezhno-Khreschatytska St., berth No. 1.

Time: June 8, 2018 (17:00-23:00).

In the last decade, agribusiness enterprises have made a big step towards marketing, thus Ukrainian products have gradually started to enter the international market, moreover - in these markets Ukrainian producers have proved to be competitive. The growth of export volumes of agricultural products and food industry in 2017 amounted to 19.5%, which in cash equals 2.6 billion dollars. However, problems still exist, because even in the Ukrainian domestic market of Ukrainian producers, they can squeeze more expensive, but more qualitative, foreign goods. In 2017, the volume of export of agricultural products from Ukraine to the EU grew by 27% compared to 2016, which is in the monetary equivalent of 1.2 billion euros. However, at the same time, the export of agro-food products from the European Union to Ukraine has increased by more than 200 million euros.

One of the reasons is de-technologicalization and deindustrialization of Ukraine, and its positioning as a raw material base for leading European countries. However, Ukraine has already embarked on the introduction of technologies, albeit at a high pace. An example among today's world leaders in agriculture can become Israel. The low index of agricultural land suitable for farming - only 20% - is offset by the high efficiency of innovative technologies. For example, the automated almond harvesting process is only 30 seconds. Sometimes even manufacturers who innovate face problems - insufficient production capacity, that is, the inability to process products in a timely manner. Losses are also in the process of processing due to outdated equipment at the enterprises. The competitiveness of Ukrainian producers is reduced due to the lack of transportation and storage of products. In general, only 3/5 of the produced agricultural products reach the consumer. The solution to these problem points, the experience of international companies, the real opportunities for attracting investment and much more, will be discussed at the Ukrainian agriculture export forum on June 8, 2018.

The first Ukrainian agriculture investment night will be a unique event in Ukraine that brings together influential players in the industry, Ukrainian producers, international investors, financial leaders, profile associations, embassies, leading media and related industries. In the program of the night:

Open and direct discussions with investors and bankers regarding the market of agrarian products and foodstuffs;

An exclusive opportunity to meet a potential investor and financial partner with assets of over $5 billion for the development of your business;

The event will be held in a closed format, without representatives of the media;

For the first time, the event will take place on the modern Rosa Victoria, which will ensure closer communication between the participants and add to the uniqueness and uniqueness of the event.

The evening program consists of two hard talk sections. The first section, "The View of International and Domestic Investors in the Agro-Industrial Sector of Ukraine", will focus on the investment opportunities of the agro-sector, investors will be the sole speakers. Speakers of the second section "The View of Commercial Bankers for the Agro-Industrial Sector of Ukraine" will be leading bankers and financiers, who will focus on the financing of the agro-industrial complex.

Among the speakers: Olga Trofimtseva, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine for European Integration, Elena Voloshina, Head of IFC Operations in Ukraine, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Maria Barabash, President, A7 CAPITAL; Co-founder, Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs, Oleksandr Isniuk, Deputy Head of Corporate Banking Department, UKRGASBANK; Ruslan Spivak, Corporate Business Director, Raiffeisen Bank Aval, Dmytro Tatarko, Head of Agribusiness Department, Ukreximbank. Natalia Butkova-Vitvitskaya, Director of SME Department, Oschadbank; Lesya Kuzmenko, Associate Director, Senior Banker, Agribusiness, EBRD etc.

Official carrier  Turkish Airlines, Investment Partner  A7 CAPITAL. Business travel partner  AirLife. In the framework of AGRO-2018. Exclusive TV Partner  The first business TV channel. General Information Partner  RBC Ukraine. General News Partner  Interfax-Ukraine. General Radio Partner  Radio Voice of the Capital. General Business Media Partner  Focus. Business Media Partner  Business magazine. Information Analytical Partner  LIGA:ZAKON. Media Partners: Novoje Vremia, Ecology of the enterprise, Liga.net, International magazine "Shipping," Terminal magazine, Agroreview, Agrochart. Supported by: Kyiv Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce, the British Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, Kyiv Post, Council of Entrepreneurs under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Union of Entrepreneurs of Ukraine, etc.

The agenda and additional information can be found on the website: a7conf.com/agricruise/en

More detail by tel.: +38 (044)227-27-77, +38(096)515-43-90, victoria@a7-group.com (contact person: Victoria Shcherbatiuk, Communications Manager).

General News partner  Interfax-UkraineIn three regions of Ukraine, local authorities destroyed billboards advertising the campaign of the Socialist Party of Ukraine (SPU) "Ukraine without Peter," reporting the press service of the SPU in official site of party.

"On the night of May 31 to June 1, unknown people stained the billboard on the orbital road in Severodonetsk, which leads to Rubizhne. And already on June 1, we got a call from the advertising agency, which reported that unknown people are trying to dismantle this billboard. We called the police. It turned out that the billboard was being dismantled by employees of the municipal enterprise of the Rubizhne Town Council "Municipal subsidiary Lumen of the municipal enterprise Misksvitlo. It was motivated by the fact that the damaged billboard "looks unaesthetic". But no documents to dismantle the billboard were presented by the company's employees. Police officers found out that the instructions to dismantle the billboard were given by the director of Lumen, who, in turn, received an oral instruction from the mayor of Rubizhne, Serhiy Khoriv," Head of the Lugansk regional organization of the SPU Ihor Kniaz said.

Billboards were also damaged in Kherson and Chernivtsi regions.

"We stuck them on June 1. The billboards were intact on June 2. However, on June 3, we saw that they were torn down. The advertising agency unofficially informed us that they are being pressured from the local administration and even from the SBU, demanding to remove the SPU election campaigning," Chairman of the Chernivtsi regional organization of the party Oleksandr Sapunov said.

In this regard, Head of the Socialist Party Illia Kyva said that the authorities are afraid of political opponents.

"As soon as we hung out the billboards, hysteria in the SBU and local administrations began immediately, and threats right down to physical altercation against the advertiser were received! But this does not stop us and does not frighten us. We came to the rescue of Ukraine from traitors and profiteers! Ukraine without Poroshenko! We will remove the profiteers from power  we will stop the war and restore the state border of Ukraine!" he said.Irans Atomic Energy Organization Chief Ali Akbar Salehi says it takes Iran up to two years to reach Uranium enrichment at the 190,000 SWU level called for by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Monday.

Salehi said the organization has informed the UN nuclear agency IAEA that it has launched the process of increasing its capacity to enrich uranium in case the 2015 agreement that curbed its nuclear program collapses.

Separative work unit, abbreviated as SWU, is the standard measure of the effort required to separate isotopes of uranium (U235 and U238) during an enrichment process in nuclear facilities. 1 SWU is equivalent to 1 kg of separation work.

According to the World Nuclear Association, Natural uranium contains 0.7% of the U-235 isotope. The remaining 99.3% is mostly the U-238 isotope. Enriched uranium is a type of uranium in which the percent composition of uranium-235 has been increased through the process of isotope separation.

Salehi added on June 5 that a letter was handed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna to inform it of the decision. But he also said Iran will continue adhering to the 2015 nuclear deal, and that the country's nuclear activities will remain within the limits set by the accord.

Speaking to IRGC-linked news agency Tasnim on Tuesday June 5, Salehi said In case Iran pulls of the nuclear deal with the West, it would take one and a half to two years before the 190,000 SWU enrichment promise materializes.

Salehi also said that in the meantime, work will continue in Natanz to develop infrastructure for new centrifuges, adding We have plans, but they are not against JCPOA.

He said the infrastructure includes a centrifuge assembly line, which takes two months to be built.

However, Salehi added cautiously, this does not mean mass production of centrifuges.

Salehi had said earlier this year that it would take only a few days for Iran to start industrial level enrichment.

The figure 190,000 SWU used by Khamenei and Salehi is the amount of enrichment required for supplying fuel to the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, the research reactor in Tehran and another reactor in Arak.

On Monday, Khamenei ordered the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) to start enriching uranium at a 190,000 SWU level from Tuesday June 15, within the frameworks of the JCPOA, Irans nuclear deal with the West.

Apparently, the 190,000 SWU is a number related with the fuel need of Irans nuclear reactor.

Based on JCPOA, Irans Uranium enrichment facilities would be limited to 5060 old P-1 centrifuges for ten years. These are machines with a capacity of one to 1.2 SWU. They can bring Irans total enrichment capacity to only 7,000 SWU.

Irans initial intention was to use 120,000 centrifuges but it was not allowed to do so.

Nuclear scientist Behrouz Bayat told Radio Farda that Khameneis statement was made for domestic consumption and that he is unlikely to pull out of the JCPOA.

Bayat added that Iran can move towards enrichment at 190,000 SWU only 15 years after the deal was signed.

Meanwhile, IAEO Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi told reporters in Tehran on Tuesday that Iran plans to boost its enrichment capacity.

"In a letter that will be handed over to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ... Iran will announce that the process of increasing the capacity to produce ... UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) ... will start on Tuesday," Kamalvandi said.

The UF6 is a feedstock for centrifuges.

On June 4, Yukiya Amano the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog called on Iran to ensure "timely and proactive cooperation" with inspections mandated under the 2015 deal with world powers over its nuclear program. Amano seemed to be encouraging Iran to show more enthusiasm in safeguarding the nuclear agreement.

Last month, President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the deal that set strict limits on Iran's uranium enrichment in return for the lifting of international sanctions.



The other signatories to the accord -- Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany -- said they remain committed to the deal. Iran for now also is honoring the agreement.By RFE/RL



Iran says it has informed the UN nuclear agency that it has launched the process of increasing its capacity to enrich uranium in case the 2015 agreement that curbed its nuclear program collapses.



Vice President Ali Akbar Salehi, who heads the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, said on June 5 that a letter was handed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna to inform it of the decision.



But he also said Iran will continue adhering to the 2015 nuclear deal, and that the country's nuclear activities will remain within the limits set by the accord.



Last month, President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the deal that set strict limits on Iran's uranium enrichment in return for the lifting of international sanctions.



The other signatories to the accord -- Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany -- said they remain committed to the deal. Iran for now also is honoring the agreement.



"If conditions allow, maybe tomorrow night at [the Natanz enrichment plant], we can announce the opening of the center for production of new centrifuges," Salehi said, quoted by the semiofficial Fars news agency.



This "does not mean that we will start assembling the centrifuges," he insisted.



Salehi said the move was in line with instructions from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ordered preparations for the resumption of unlimited uranium enrichment should the nuclear deal -- known by the acronym JCPOA -- fall apart.



"If the JCPOA collapses...and if we decide to assemble new centrifuges, we will assemble new-generation...centrifuges. However, for the time being, we move within the framework of the JCPOA," Salehi said.

During a visit to Paris, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Iranian plan to increase its nuclear enrichment capacity was aimed at producing nuclear weapons to be used against Israel, its archrival.

Speaking at a news conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron said everyone involved should "stabilize the situation and not give into this escalation which would lead to only one thing: conflict."



But Macron also said Trump was responsible for unilaterally pulling out of the JCPOA.



"When you decide to bring an end to a deal on your side, that does not encourage the other party to respect it," he said, calling this "solid common sense."



Netanyahu said he had not asked France to leave the deal because he believed the JCPOA would not survive after America's pull-out.



"I didn't ask France to withdraw from the JCPOA because I think it is basically going to be dissolved by the weight of economic forces," Netanyahu said.



"We are not surprised [by Irans announcement], he said in a video statement. We will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons."



Tehran insists its nuclear program is for civilian use.



The nuclear agreement allows Iran to continue 3.67 percent uranium enrichment, far below the roughly 90 percent threshold of weapons-grade.



With reporting by Reuters, BBC, and AFPThe inauguration of a new terminal at Tehrans Imam Khomeini Airport (IKIA) that was initially planned to become operational years ago, has been delayed again.

In the recent years, Irans largest and only profitable airport has been operating over its capacity of 6 million passengers per year. With the construction of a new terminal, called Salam, the government hoped to increase the capacity of the airport by ca. 5 million passengers.

However, from the beginning, the project has been plagued by systematic delays due to mismanagement. The construction was planned to start early 2010, but a change in plan to make a two-floor terminal instead of the initially planned single-floor, caused a 9-month delay.

The construction finally commenced in 2011, but it was put on hold for several times for further changes in plan and lack of funding. In an effort to attract foreign investment, the Iranian government signed a memorandum of understanding with the French construction company Bouygues in January 2016.

However a year later, Aeroports de Paris, Bouygues partner for the Tehran airport terminal development, announced that it would no longer take part in the project, and Bouygues itself decided to withdraw from the deal in May 2017, after it was not able to secure financial backing from international banks, which feared and still fear to be punished by the U.S. government over cooperating with Iran.

Other failures delayed the project furthermore. Among other things, parts of the construction worth of around half a million dollars was demolished last year based on recommendations by the Dutch consulting company NACO.

After several rescheduling, the government announced last year that Salam terminal will be launched in June 2018. Yet, when Abbas Akhondi, Irans Transportation Minister visited the project on June 2, he only spoke of summer of this year as the new inauguration date.

While passengers have been complaining about the lack of basic facilities such as standard restrooms at the IKIA, Akhondi talked about ambitious plans of his government to increase the capacity of the airport to 100 million passengers per year by building a new terminal called Iranshahr.

IKIA started its operations on May 8, 2004, but it was shut down by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the same day. By parking armed vehicles on the runway and threatening incoming flights with anti-aircraft fire, aircrafts were prevented to land at IKIA.

The IRGC later claimed that it had acted because of security concerns since the control of the airport, a vital center in the country had been handed over to foreign operators; the Tepe-Afken-Vie (TAV), the Turkish-Austrian consortium.

Ahmad Khorram, Irans Minister of Transportation at the time denounced the claim later by revealing that his government had removed the Turkish company and its employees from the airport prior to the inauguration.

It was possible that IRGCs economic as well as political interests were playing a major role in the incident. It is a well-known fact that the Guards control a major chunk of Irans economy. By controlling air- and seaports, the guards not only can import goods without paying custom fees and taxes to the government, but also, they can quietly conduct secret operations, such as sending weapons to their proxies in different parts of the world.In a joint statement, Iranian human rights activists and prisoners of conscience Narges Mohammadi and Abdolfattah Soltani have cautioned that the incarceration of Sufi Gonabadi dervishes and environmentalists in solitary confinement in Tehran is mental torture.

The statement, published on the website of the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), said, Keeping people in solitary confinement is an inhumane, illegitimate act against the law, moral and ethical standards, as well as a type of mental torture used to force a suspect to confess. Therefore, any sort of confession extracted under [the] unbearable condition of solitary confinement has no legal or legitimate credibility.

Mohammadi, deputy head of the DHRC, and Soltani, its spokesman and veteran lawyer, have noted that they have been urged to issue the joint statement after receiving news of the suspicious prison deaths and conditions for environmentalists and dervishes held in solitary confinement.

The statement was issued after more than 500 Gonabadi dervishes were detained during an assembly on February 19 in front of their spiritual leaders residence in northern Tehran.

Sufi dervishes belonging to the Gonabadi order had assembled to prevent security and intelligence forces from erecting a checkpoint near the home of their spiritual leader, 91-year-old Nourali Tabandeh, which practically put him under house arrest.

Police special units, supported by plainclothesmen, stormed the assembly and battered scores of dervishes.

While suffering physically, many of the detainees were taken to prisons and kept in unbearable conditions in solitary confinement, according social media reports and images. The detained dervishes were tried behind closed door without having access to lawyers.

The environmentalists who were arrested last winter are experiencing a similar fate, well-informed sources close to them have revealed. Although an unknown number of the environmentalists were released later, many of them were deprived of the right to contact their relatives. Nearly five months into their detention, the fate of many of the environmentalists, initially accused of espionage against the establishment, is still shrouded in mystery.

The most well-known figure among the detained environmentalists, the founder of the Persian Wild Life Heritage Foundation, Iranian-Canadian Professor Kavous Seyed-Emami, died inside Tehrans notorious prison, Evin, in January under suspicious circumstances.

Prison and judicial authorities claimed Seyed-Emami had committed suicide after admitting to spying against Tehran. They also claimed a CCTV tape had documented the suicide. Later, the environmentalists son and at least two MPs disclosed that the claimed CCTV tape only showed Seyed-Emami entering a lavatory inside the prison and then his body lying on the floor.

Similar previous claims of at least two more suspicious deaths at prisons in Tehran and the city of Arak, central Iran, had proved baseless.

Mohammadi and Soltani say they felt dutybound to call upon the Iranian authorities, President Hassan Rouhanis administration in particular, as well as members of the parliament and its Commission 90, defenders of civil society and proponents of expansion of civil rights, as well as internal and international human rights organizations to focus on the need to close down solitary cells at prisons and detention centers across Iran.

The activists also noted that keeping prisoners of conscience and political activists in solitary confinement during preliminary investigations is the cornerstone of injustice and the first step toward unfair trials.

Solitary confinement is systematic psychological-mental torture, they say, leading to mental and physical illnesses of the detainees that should be banned immediately.

Cutting off a prisoners communications with the outside world is illegal, against the Iranian Constitution and amounts to over-punishing prisoners, Mohammadi and Soltani say.

Human rights activists and former prisoners have spoken out against solitary confinement for years, but it has been repeatedly used as a way of supplementary punishment for so-called unruly prisoners, including political detainees and prisoners of conscience.

Calls to end solitary confinement have so far fallen on deaf ears, according to human rights activists.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo laid out the administrations strategy toward Iran in a speech May 21 on the heels of President Trumps withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plane of Action (JCPOA).

The speech contains three parts: first, a list of the objectionable behavior of Irans clerical regime; second, the means by which the U.S. would put pressure on the regime; and finally, the reward and punishment for the regime for accepting the American demands or refusing them.

U.S. Objectives in Iran

Following the speech, Secretary Pompeo emphasized that the administrations stated policy is not regime change. The twelve objections he listed in his speech had to do with the behavior of the regime, mostly related to its foreign policy. Three demands had to do with Irans nuclear program, one with missiles, and the rest with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) military operations in the region.

The U.S. policy is not to demand Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to allow free, democratic elections, or to hold a referendum whereby the Iranian people would vote to accept or reject the Islamic Republic. The demands are for the regime to behave like a normal state. There are about 194 member states of the UN. There is only one state that reportedly provides missiles to the Houthi rebels in Yemen to fire towards Riyadh and the United Arab Emirates, an action that is prohibited by the UN Security Council resolution.

The U.S. policy is not to demand Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to allow free, democratic elections, or to hold a referendum whereby the Iranian people would vote to accept or reject the Islamic Republic. The demands are for the regime to behave like a normal state.

The Tehran regime is the only government that is providing funds, weapons, and logistical support to the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah. It is also one of the few governments in the world that has been providing weapons to Hamas and the Taliban. It is probably the only government in the world that has been providing assistance to violent extremist groups that want to overthrow the government of Bahrain.

The Iranian government is allegedly responsible for the assassination of several Iranian dissidents around the world, including in Europe. The fundamentalist regime and its proxies have been accused of bombing embassies in other countries, including Lebanon. It is also the only regime that has actually attacked and taken over foreign embassies on its own soil such as the U.S. embassy, the British embassy, and the Saudi Arabian embassy and consulate.

Inspections of suspected sites is spelled out in an ambiguous language in the JCPOA. The fundamentalist regime claims military sites are off-limits and that they will never allow any inspection by the IAEA, although the language of the JCPOA allows the regime to prevent that inspection for only 24 days. The Pompeo demand for any place any time inspections was one of the main U.S. demands during the nuclear negotiations, but was successfully buried by the Iranian negotiators.

In sum, the Pompeo demands Tehran behave like the other 190 or so governments around the world. Many observers consider these demands to be fanciful because for 40 years the regime has been pursuing extremist policies, supporting violent groups.

Trump Strategy on Iran

The Trump strategy is based on three means to achieve its goal: (1) economic sanctions; (2) military deterrence; and (3) support for the Iranian people.

The fundamentalist regime is an ultra-right wing totalitarian regime. There are great similarities between the fundamentalist regime ruling Iran (also al Qaeda and ISIS) and European fascism of 1920s-1945.

The Trump administration strategy is to use economic sanctions to weaken the fundamentalist regime. Speeches of President Trump and Secretary Pompeo seem to indicate that they believe economic sanctions would so weaken the regime that at a minimum, the dire economic situation would force the regime to scale back both its nuclear weapons program and its regional domination (e.g., retreat from Iraq and Syria).

The third leg of the strategy is to align the U.S. with the Iranian people. The administration knows that Iranians are one of the most pro-American populations in the Middle East. The Pompeo speech, like that of President Trump, profusely praises the Iranian people, their culture, and history.

The reaction of the Iranian social media users was enthusiastic. So much so that #IranRegimeChange became a hugely popular hashtag. Lack of democracy, basic freedoms, human rights, and economic opportunities are major weaknesses of the regime. By publicly focusing on these, the U.S. puts great pressure on the fundamentalist regime. This tactic was also used during the Cold War as part of the containment strategy.

Analyzing American Strategy

What is the likelihood that this strategy would actually work? To provide an answer we have to analyze the nature of the fundamentalist regime, the global balance of forces, and the economic and military strengths of the U.S.

The fundamentalist regime is an ultra-right wing totalitarian regime. There are great similarities between the fundamentalist regime ruling Iran (also al Qaeda and ISIS) and European fascism of 1920s-1945. President Obamas concessions to Khamenei, like Neville Chamberlins appeasement of Hitler, at best postponed the inevitable conflict. Trumps strategy towards the fundamentalist regime is similar to Churchills reversal of Chamberlins policy toward Nazi Germany.

The U.S. destruction of the Islamic Republics rivals created openings that Khamenei used to expand his domination. The JCPOA not only did not succeed in appeasing Khamenei but it actually further fueled his expansionism.

From the moment Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini arrived in Iran in 1979, he began a violent process of creating a reactionary repressive regime that brutalized the Iranian people and exporting his violent reactionary ideology to the rest of the Middle East.

During the Cold War (1980s), the fundamentalists ruling Iran enjoyed a very favorable strategic environment. The biggest fear in Washington was the Soviet Union and local communists. The Carter, Reagan, and Bush administrations took a lot of abuse from the ayatollahs, fearing that a strong response might cause their overthrow and replacement with communists.

This favorable strategic environment continued after the collapse of the USSR. Saddams invasion of Kuwait diverted the attention of the U.S. from the religious reactionaries toward Saddam. Then, with the September 11 terrorist attacks, Al Qaeda became the main enemy. American wars in Afghanistan and Iraq took their painful tolls in American blood and treasure. The rise of ISIS then diverted American attention from Iran.

The U.S. destruction of the Islamic Republics rivals created openings that Khamenei used to expand his domination. The JCPOA not only did not succeed in appeasing Khamenei but it actually further fueled his expansionism. The Islamic Republics never-ending appetite for domination has created a backlash in the region. For the first time since 1979, the strategic environment is not favorable for the fundamentalist regime.

The Trump strategy is the logical response to the fundamentalist regimes threats to peace and security of the region. This strategy is strongly supported by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, and Israel.

Because of the highly ideological nature of the Tehran regime, there is a very high likelihood that the regime will refuse to accept the American demands to behave like other normal states in the world. In other words, Khamenei will continue his objectionable policies. He will try to counter the U.S. strategy in many ways.

First, Khamenei will try to use the Europeans against the U.S. Second, Khamenei will attempt to garner support from Russia and China. Third, Khamenei will attempt to avoid a direct war with the U.S. Fourth, Khamenei will attempt to avoid a major war, hoping that Trump will not be re-elected in 2020.

In the past two years, Saudi Arabia has carried out a highly successful diplomatic campaign against Tehran. It has convinced the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Conference to condemn the Lebanese Hezbollah as a terrorist group, and to condemn the Islamic Republics interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries.

Saudi Arabia and its allies want to see the U.S. or Israel to use their militaries at a minimum to weaken the Islamic Republic or at a maximum to overthrow the fundamentalist regime. Israel, too, would like to see the U.S. use its military at a minimum to weaken the Islamic Republic or at a maximum to overthrow the regime. In 2018, Israel has made several military strikes on the IRGC bases in Syria, killing large numbers of IRGC personnel and those of its proxies. The U.S., Israel, Saudi Arabia alliance is a powerful one.

Conclusion

Secretary Pompeo's speech articulates a strategy of containment. It is realistic, necessary, and bold. It has a very high likelihood of success. Due to its nature, the fundamentalist regime will not behave like a normal state. Therefore, we should expect to witness serious confrontations in the next year or two. The Iranian people have been the main victims of the regime. Their suffering will continue until this regime is replaced with a political system based on democracy, freedom, human rights, and pluralism. The more countries that support this strategy, the sooner we will see an end to the suffering of the Iranian people.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Radio Farda.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Fikret Dolukhanov - Trend:

The trilateral format of Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey cooperation is extremely important, because through the three countries joints efforts, it is possible to achieve much more than each country would do separately, Georgian political scientist Gela Vasadze told Trend June 5, commenting on the results of the trilateral conference in Tbilisi.

On June 5, Tbilisi hosted an international conference titled Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey: global and regional determinants of trilateral cooperation.

The event was organized jointly by the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (Rondeli Foundation) and the Center for Strategic Research of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

The experts of the Rondeli Foundation Zurab Batiashvili, Valeri Chechelashvili, head of the foundation Yekaterina Metreveli, Georgian presidents advisor for foreign relations Tengiz Pkhaladze, head of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Farhad Mammadov, experts of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Fuad Chiragov and Javid Valiyev, expert the Center for Strategic Research of the Turkish Foreign Ministry Oktay Tanrisever and others delivered speech at the conference.

Vasadze said that all speakers agreed that the trilateral format is limited not only by existing projects, but covers the future of regional and international cooperation.

It is not about cooperation among Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, it is not about roads and projects, the Georgian expert quotes Pkhaladze as saying. The trilateral format is about our future, the cooperation of the West and the East, the new opportunities in development and security.

In turn, expert of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Javid Valiyev stressed that the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey trilateral format is successfully transformed and supplemented with new quadrilateral formats with Iran and Kazakhstan, the Georgian expert noted.

These formats are not competitors of the Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia format, they complement each other, Valiyev said. They all are a part of a major Chinas One Belt One Road Initiative supported by Europe and the US.

Vasadze drew attention to the fact that Azerbaijan is developing relations with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other countries of the region very dynamically.

Not only oil and gas can reach Europe through our countries, the Georgian expert said. Wheat from Kazakhstan and cotton from Uzbekistan can also be supplied to the EU.

Moreover, if an agreement on the delimitation of the Caspian Sea is reached, even greater volumes will be added to 10 billion cubic meters of gas that are planned to be supplied through the Southern Gas Corridor, Vasadze noted.

He added that there are prospects for Russias joining this format through the North-South Transport Corridor, noting that Georgian experts treated this issue with some skepticism.

Of course, I agree that the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey trilateral format is not a competitive one for Iran, moreover, it is an important element for the transport communication between Iran and Azerbaijan, Vasadze quoted Valeri Chechelashvili, an expert of the Rondeli Foundation, as saying. However, it is highly doubtful that Russia, which counts every barrel of oil, may like the trilateral format and join it someday.

In turn, Zurab Batiashvili noted that Turkey supports Georgia and Azerbaijan, this is while Georgia and Azerbaijan support Turkey.

We are interdependent, and regional projects involving our countries dont simply connect countries and peoples, they unite civilizations and build a new world, Batiashvili said. Our region doesnt need war and conflicts, we need cooperation.

Vasadze added that in addition to simple cooperation, strategic development of economies of the three countries is needed.

It is necessary to bring this project to a much higher level: the harmonization of economies, their openness, investments, etc., said the expert. Chechelashvili mentioned the example of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries that harmonized their economies and together became members of the EU.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanovBaku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Leman Zeynalova - Trend:

Only co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group can speak on behalf of the co-chairs, the OSCE told Moscow-Baku.

The organization commented on the recent statement of the Armenian side, which alleged that direct involvement of the illegal regime established in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan would allow ensuring the lasting peace. Armenia argued that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs also allegedly spoke of this.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministrys Spokesman Hikmat Hajiyev previosuly said that for the international community, Armenia's such frivolous and unreasonable statements once again prove that Armenia pursues a destructive policy in the process of the conflict settlement, and is engaged in populism and political adventure.

"Armenia - which bears international legal responsibility for the use of force against Azerbaijan and the military occupation of its territories - is the party to the conflict, and the fact that Azerbaijan has been negotiating with the aggressor Armenia for more than 25 years, is the biggest concession to the aggressor country. Termination of the policy of occupation and ethnic cleansing and withdrawal of troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands in accordance with the requirements of the UN Security Council resolutions will ensure establishment of peace and security in the region," Hajiyev said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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Follow the author on Twitter:@Lyaman_ZeynBaku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Francis Gurry in Baku, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a message on June 5.

The sides reviewed the prospects for further expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and WIPO.

Mammadyarov informed Gurry that over the recent years substantial work has been carried out in the sphere of intellectual property in Azerbaijan.

He emphasized that the Government of Azerbaijan attaches particular attention to the development of this sector.

The sides stressed their confidence that the documents signed between Azerbaijan and WIPO, especially the Action Plan for 2018-2021, will serve to the expansion of the relations.

Speaking about Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, Mammadyarov emphasized the importance of preventing the actions of Armenian companies engaged in illegal exploitation of natural resources in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, as well as fraudulent trademarks and distorted geographical indications of historical sites via the WIPO system.

The sides also exchanged their views on the issues of mutual interest.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

The Mayor of the US capital city of Washington Muriel Bowser signed the proclamation in connection with the centennial of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, says the message of the Azerbaijani Embassy in the United States.

It is noted in the proclamation that on May 28, 1918, Azerbaijan declared its independence by establishing the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, and the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic became the first secular parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world and was recognized by other democratic nations, including the United States of America.

It is emphasized that over the last quarter century, the Republic of Azerbaijan has become a staunch and strategic partner of the United States of America in the Caspian region.

It is also noted in the proclamation that the Embassy of Azerbaijan has partnered with Washington, DC and contributes to the educational and cultural diversity of this city.

In conclusion, Mayor Muriel Bowser proclaims May 28, 2018 in Washington, DC the Azerbaijan National Day.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

As part of his visit to Goranboy district, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of the newly built Dalimammadli-Gushchular-Fakhrali-Gurbanzade-Alpout highway.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Azerbaijan Highway State Agency Saleh Mammadov informed President Ilham Aliyev of the technical indicators of the road.

The length of the Dalimammadli-Gushchular-Fakhrali-Gurbanzade-Alpout highway, which links five settlements with a total population of 12,000 people, is 14km. The width of the road is 6m.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the road.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has inaugurated the Dalimammadli-Muzdurlar-Girigli highway after reconstruction and repair in the Goranboy district.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Azerbaijan Highway State Agency Saleh Mammadov informed the head of state about the technical indicators of the road. The two-lane highway is 20 kilometers in length and six meters in width.

The Dalimammadli-Muzdurlar-Girigli highway was built under the Order of President Ilham Aliyev, signed in 2017. The reconstruction of the road, which links 15 settlements with a total population of 15,000 people, ended in May 2018.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the road.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Azerbaijani media sent an appeal to the Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova, says a message of the Press Council of Azerbaijan, released June 5.

"Dear Maria Vladimirovna!

"As you know, on June 1, at a briefing of the Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Artyom Kozhin, staff reporter of the Trend News Agency Artyom Sokolov asked about the statements of the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan about the 'necessity' of participation of representatives of the separatist regime created in Karabakh in the talks for settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.Answering the question, Kozhin said: 'In general, loud statements that do not fit onto the appropriate rails, in particular laid by the OSCE, are probably not constructive. I would say so.'

"But to our surprise, in the transcript of the briefing published on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the answer of Kozhin is presented as follows: 'Your loud statements that do not fit onto the appropriate rails, in particular laid by the OSCE, are probably not constructive. I would say so.' Consequently, the word 'in general' was replaced by 'your', thus, the answer allegedly related to the question of the reporter, and not to the statement of the Prime Minister of Armenia.

"Kozhin's words are the reaction of the Russian Foreign Ministry to the statement of the Prime Minister of Armenia Pashinyan during his visit to occupied Nagorno-Karabakh. The question of the reporter of Trend pursued to find the position of Russia. We reasonably believe that the urgency of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh and Russia's sensitive attitude to this issue, as well as the possibility of a diplomatic scandal with Armenia, forced the Russian Foreign Ministry to commit gross falsification. Thus, the Foreign Ministry of Russia not only distorted the response of the Russian diplomat, which corresponds to the true essence of the negotiation process, but also tried to shift all responsibility onto the reporter, who asked quite a correct and relevant question.

"This case is puzzling and is a blatant example of the distortion of the official position of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair country. While the new government of Armenia makes totally unfounded and unconstructive statements, such a distortion can cause disarray and confusion in this issue and aggravate the already extremely difficult situation in the conflict zone.

"The statement of the Armenian side on the participation of the unrecognized separatist regime in the negotiations contradicts the whole 20-year concept of the negotiation process, which was developed within authoritative international organizations, first of all the UN and the OSCE. By the way, at the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov on May 15 in Paris, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs personally stated the groundlessness of such position of Armenia.

"Azerbaijani journalists highly appreciate the Russia-Azerbaijan friendship and, to the extent of their capabilities, make every effort to preserve and deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries. We believe that the good-neighborly relations between our peoples serve for the prosperity of our region, strengthening security and stability in the South Caucasus. Of course, Russian and Azerbaijani diplomats have a great merit in all these achievements.

"Therefore, we are perplexed how an organization with centuries-old traditions, which has created many positive examples in the history of diplomacy, such a serious and respected state agency as the Russian Foreign Ministry, which should serve as an example to other political organizations, can settle for such a garbling, which opened the way for various insinuations. An attempt to deny the obvious truth, to turn a journalist into an instrument of falsification, to lay the blame on him for everything that is happening, is at least incompetent and undiplomatic. Such a step in diplomatic practice is totally unacceptable.

"We believe that, this case does no credit to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Therefore, the Foreign Ministry of Russia should eliminate falsification and restore the truth. We express our conviction that, the strange form and the substance of the transcript of the briefing should not cause irreparable damage to long-standing friendly and partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, and we hope that in the future such misunderstandings will be excluded from the relations between our countries," the statement says.

1. The Press Council of Azerbaijan A. Amashov

2. State Information Agency AZERTAC A. Aslanov

3. "Azerbaijan" Newspaper B. Sadigov

4. "Khalg gazeti" Newspaper H. Hasanov

5. "Baku worker" Newspaper R. Hajiyev

6. "Yeni Azerbaijan" Newspaper, Kh. Mammadov

7. "Ses" Newspaper B. Guliyev

8. "Iki sahil" Newspaper V. Rahimzadeh

9. "Kaspiy" Newspaper I. Huseynov

10. "Kaspi" Newspaper I. Guliyev

11. "Sherg" Newspaper A. Veliyev

12. "Olaylar" Newspaper Y.Oguz

13. "525-ci gazet" Newspaper R. Majid

14. "Palitra" Newspaper N. Aliyev

15. "Azernews" Newspaper S. Mikailova

16. Khalg jebhesi Newspaper E. Mirzabeyli

17. "Adalet" Newspaper A. Abbas

18. "Baki Kheber" Newspaper A. Guliyev

19. "Yeni Musavat" Newspaper R. Abbasov

20. "Bizim Yol" Newspaper B. Gaziyev

21. Trend News Agency I. Huseynov

22. APA News Agency V. Abishov

23. Azadinform Information Agency N. Niftiyev

24. Report News Agency M. Aliyev

25. Haqqin News Portal E. Fatullayev

26. Qafqazinfo News Portal E. SeyfullayevBaku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Flag Museum in the Goranboy district.

President Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the museum.

The national flag of Azerbaijan flies on a 72 meters high flagpole. The modern lighting system was installed and green areas were laid out there. The museum is located in the territory of the Flag Square.

The museum building has an exhibition hall and a number of administrative and auxiliary rooms. The museum's collection features the map and flags of the khanate period in Azerbaijan, medieval warriors' clothing, coats of arms of the Azerbaijani cities dating back to the 19th century, ancient metal coins, constitutions, emblems, flags, postage stamps, orders and medals relating to Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Azerbaijan SSR and independent Republic of Azerbaijan.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

The Shamkir-Samukh-Goranboy main irrigation canal's crossing installation with the Silk Road and its 4.95 kilometer section have been inaugurated.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event.

Chairman of Azerbaijan Irrigation and Water Management Open Joint Stock Company Ahmad Ahmadzade informed the head of state about Shamkirchay water reservoir and Shamkir-Samukh-Goranboy main irrigation canal project. The first line of the irrigation canal was built in the 1980s.

The construction of the 27.95-kilometer second line of the canal started in 2015. The building of the 8.55-kilometer section of Shamkir-Samukh-Goranboy main irrigation canal ended in 2017.

President Ilham Aliyev attended a groundbreaking ceremony of Shamkir water reservoir in 2009 and inaugurated it in 2014.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Naftalan City Central Hospital.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the hospital.

Health Minister Ogtay Shiraliyev informed the president of the conditions created in the hospital.

The construction of a 60-bed hospital started in 2015 and ended this May. The hospital occupies a total area of 1.2 hectares. The hospital was supplied with the state-of-the-art medical equipment and devices.

President Aliyev then met with representatives of the general public of the Naftalan city and posed for photographs together with them.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

The government of Azerbaijan and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have signed a memorandum of understanding.

The document was signed by Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov and Director General of WIPO Francis Gurry.

Ahmadov noted that the development of intellectual property sphere in Azerbaijan and the expansion of international cooperation in this area are priority tasks. It was stressed that Azerbaijan supports the projects implemented by the WIPO and is interested in the development of further cooperation.

Expressing satisfaction with the visit to Azerbaijan, Gurry highly appreciated Azerbaijans support for the projects implemented by the WIPO. The guest stressed importance of further development of cooperation.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has today signed an order on improving living conditions of population in the Goranboy city.

Under the decree, 3 million manats will be allocated from the Reserve Fund of the President of Azerbaijan to the Executive Power of the Goranboy District for construction of a residential building for 40 apartments to improve the living conditions of residents of multi-story buildings that are in emergency condition.

The Finance Ministry is instructed to provide financing in the amount indicated in the order.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on measures for kindergarten construction in Naftalan city.

In accordance with the order, the Naftalan executive power will receive 3 million manats from the presidential reserve fund envisaged in the state budget for 2018.

The funds will be allocated for the construction of a new building of a 200-seat kindergarten in the city of Naftalan.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received Nikolay Yankov, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a message on June 5.

The ambassador, who presented the copy of his credentials to Mammadyarov, said that he is pleased to be appointed to Azerbaijan and vowed to spare no efforts for the further development of traditional friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria during his tenure.



Mammadyarov wished success to Yankov in his diplomatic mission.



During the meeting, the sides expressed satisfaction with the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria at the level of strategic partnership and high-level political dialogue.



There was noted with confidence that the commissioning of the Southern Gas Corridor and its components - TANAP and TAP - will create favorable conditions for energy cooperation between the two countries.



The minister underlined that Bulgaria's position on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict on the basis of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions is highly appreciated.



The sides also had broad exchange of views on issues related to the bilateral agenda.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

The final stage of Social Business and Enterpreneurship program was held at UNEC.

The chairman of the International Eurasia Press Fund Umud Mirzoyev, the founder of the Kutvan Project Group Ali Kutvan, the representatives of the state and private organizations participated at the event organized by the UNEC Yunus Social Business Center.

The pro-rector of UNEC on International Relations and Programs, the associated professor Anar Rzayev gave the detailed information on the Social Business and Enterpreneurship program and noted that, the students had presented to the contest 12 social business ideas in the spheres of education, technology, agriculture and healthcare. The teams authored the idea had joined the six-week mentoring program at the influential organizations with the support of HUMAN Foundation. Stressing that the social business plays the important role in economic development of the countries and more equitable income distribution in the society, A.Rzayev wished the aprticipants the good luck.

Speaking about the importance of encouraging young people to take the active part in social business and startup activities, the chairman of the International Eurasia Press Fund Umud Mirzoyev emphasized the importance of developing it into the tradition. He underlined that strengthening of activitiy in this direction could make the important contributions to the economy of Azerbaijan, as well.

The head of the UNEC Yunus Social Business Center Farida Askerzadeh gave the information about the center. She spoke about the work in the field of studying the social business, conducting academic researches implemented by the center that had been created within the framework of the visit of the Nobel Prize-winner Mohammed Yunus to Azerbaijan.

Farid Mammadov, the head of Marketing and Public Relations Department of Gilan Holding, which provides the financial support for the implementation of the Social Business and Enterpreneurship program, said that, the organization he represented was interested in development of the social enterpreneurship and the directions covered by the program in the country. He pointed out that, Gilan Holding investing heavily in the non-oil sector was ready to support initiatives in this area in future.

In the event was mentioned that, within the framework of the Social Business and Enterpreunership program the teams, the representatives of P&G, United Aid for Azerbaijan (UAFA), EY, PwC, United Nations Development Program, ABAD, Neuron Technologies LLC, Azerbajan-American Medical Association, the Ukranian Social Academy, American Alumni Association, the Healthy Family clinic and the representatives of Gilan Agricultural Group participated in the mentoring program.

After the speeches, the students presented their business ideas. With the evaluation of jury the business ideas Red Ruby (dehusking and packaging the pomegranate), Doctor Bee (the use of bee products as the treatment facilities), Sweeteners (use of the plant stevia as a food product), Greeners (acquisition of fuel from the agricultural wastes, briquette) won the competition.

F.Askerzadeh noted that, the UNEC Yunus Social Business Center would support the winning teams in the realization of their ideas and would allocate the financial resources. The project partner, Baku Business Factory Co-working Center will provide the winning teams with the office to realize the ideas.The memorial event dedicated to the 70th jubilee of the Doctor of Economic Scienes, Professsor Mammadhasan Meybullayev was held at UNEC.

Along with the academic-teaching staff of UNEC, the well-known academicians, relatives and the members of the family of scientist participated in the event.

The rector, professor Adalat Muradov noted that, UNEC always possessed its values and the intellectuals of the university stood in front of these values. The rector named M.Meybullayev the irreplaceable scientist in studying the Islamic economy, and emphasized his invaluable contribution to the formation of the great economists generation.

The chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy Industry and Enterpreneurship, academician Ziyad Samadzade spoke about the topical research conducted by the prominent economist scientist.

He emphasized that, M.Meybullayevs research on Islamic economy, in the field of re-production of the national income had great scientific significance for the country.

Academician Vasim Mammadaliyev charachterized the anniversary celebrant as a scientist studying the economic science in the spiritual-religious direction. He said that, in M.Meybullayevs monograph Islamic Economy the socio-economic development trends of the Islamic countries had been studied thoroughly.

The head of the Economic Regulation chair of UNEC, professor Mahish Ahmadov, the head of the Theoretical and practical economy chair, professor Umidvar Aliyev and other speakers spoke about the scientific and pedagogical activity of the scientist.

They noted that, the scientist working in different years at the Azerbaijan State Economics University as the associated professor, professor, head of the chair, pro-rector of University was the author of more than 200 scientific papers, 6 monographs, 9 manuals and study books. They stated that, the Merited teacher, the prominent economist, devoted person Mahammadhasan Meybullayev earned great reputation not only in the scientific-pedagogical activity, but also in the republic life, with his objectivity, adherence to principles and strictness.

In the event, there was suggested to rename the UNEC Center for Islamic Economic Studies after Professor Mahammadhasan Meybullayev. The management of the Center for Islamic Economy Research named after Mahammadhasan Meybullayev was entrusted to the daughter of the scientist, Sarvinaz Khanlarzadeh, the associated professor of Economics chair (russian speaking) of UNEC.

S. Khanlarzadeh, sharing her memories of her father, said that she was proud to continue the ideas of the prominent scientist. S. Khanlarzadeh expressed her gratitude for the confidence and emphasized that she would continue to work untiringly for studying the Islamic economy.

The books published by Mammadhasan Meybullayev were demonstrated in the event.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

Azerbaijan and the Netherlands are cooperating on development of the Baku Sea Trade Port and its connection with the Dutch ports, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Azerbaijan Onno Kervers told Trend.

"Representatives of specific hubs in the Netherlands study the ways to share expertise and would like to study the possibilities of connectivity together with the port of Alat. Presently they work on creation of the Netherlands-Azerbaijan business hub, trying to link the port Alat with the Dutch Greenport and port of Venlo," said Kervers.

He stressed that the large part of the project depends on connection between the business communities of the two countries, without excessive participation of the governments.

"We conduct freight flights between Baku and Maastricht many times a week, and we see the necessity in the expansion of the existing trade links," said Kervers.

Touching upon the business meetings on cooperation of ports between the two countries, the ambassador said that a delegation from the Azerbaijani Alat port visited the Dutch Greenport and port of Venlo in April 2018, following the visit of a Dutch logistics experts to Azerbaijan, when the sides mapped specific options and opportunities for the connection of ports.

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands in January-April 2018 amounted to $51.1 million. Export of Azerbaijani products to the Netherlands amounted to $27.2 million; imports from the Netherlands to Azerbaijan, in turn, amounted to $23.9 million.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Ali_MustafayevBaku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:

Over the past five years, the European Union (EU) countries have invested more than $15 billion in Azerbaijan's economy, Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Rufat Mammadov said in his speech at the EU-Azerbaijan business forum June 5.

He noted that more than 1,500 European companies are currently operating in Azerbaijan.

"Economic cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan is constantly improving. Last year, the trade turnover between the EU and Azerbaijan amounted to 9.4 billion euros, which account ted for 32 percent of the total trade turnover of Azerbaijan. In the four months of this year, the trade turnover amounted to $3.7 billion, which is 15 percent more than in the same period last year. Over the past five years, the EU has invested $ 15.3 billion in the country," Mammadov said.

The deputy minister noted that Azerbaijan is also an important partner of the EU in the energy sector.

"Azerbaijan provides five percent of the EU's oil needs. On May 29, we officially launched the Southern Gas Corridor project, which will provide Europe with Azerbaijani gas as well in the future," Mammadov said.

Mammadov noted that the parties continue to work on various cooperation programs, and since 1992 the EU has allocated about 600 million euros to Azerbaijan as technical support.

The deputy minister said Azerbaijan also pays great attention to the development of bilateral relations with the EU countries.

"Up to now, Azerbaijan has signed agreements on avoidance of double taxation with 24 EU countries, and agreements on promotion and protection of investments with 17 countries. There are intergovernmental commissions with 16 countries. In addition, we have already signed agreements on strategic partnership with nine EU countries," Mammadov said.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_MammadovAshgabat, Turkmenistan, June 5

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kuwait Majdi Ahmad Al-Dhafiri, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said June 5.

The parties discussed prospects of cooperation in political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

During the official visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Kuwait in March of this year, a solid package of bilateral documents was signed. In this regard, the parties conducted a thorough analysis of the implementation of interstate treaties and agreements reached during the visit.

The parties also discussed a wide range of regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Earlier, a Memorandum of understanding was signed between the state concern Turkmengas and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. The document was signed following the talks of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

In addition, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the government of Turkmenistan and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development was signed. Agreements were signed on economic, technical and trade cooperation, and on the establishment of a joint commission. At the summit talks in Kuwait, the parties considered the possibility of establishing joint ventures in the manufacturing sector based on mutual investments, and partnerships in such spheres as metallurgy.

Energy, trade, investment, transport and communication, chemical industry, textile industry and agriculture, health care and high technology are areas of cooperation among the two states designed for long-term prospects, the State News Agency "Turkmen Dovlet Khabarlary" noted in its comments.

A proposal was made to hold a joint business forum and an exhibition on trade and investment. Turkmenistan is also interested in discussing issues related to the participation of large financial and investment structures of the Middle East in the implementation of TurkmenistanAfghanistanPakistanIndia gas pipeline (TAPI) project.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Ilkin Shafiyev - Trend

It is necessary to continue the development of cooperation between science and business in Azerbaijan, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan Akif Alizadeh said at an international conference in Baku on June 5.

Alizadeh noted that one of the important steps in this direction is the creation of the High-Tech Park under the National Academy of Sciences, which now has 13 residents.

The ANAS president noted that, in general, today such concepts as intellectual capital and the knowledge economy move to the forefront, and serious reforms in science and innovations should be carried out for their development.

"In this issue, it is important to establish cooperation between business and science. The improvement of the export potential of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan requires the production of innovative and science-intensive products. The world experience shows that the policy of the state to promote innovation and development of a competitive economy in the country provides for the development of cooperation between science and business," Alizadeh said.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:

Azerbaijan is aimed at expanding agricultural exports to the European Union (EU) countries, Agriculture Minister Inam Karimov said at the 4th EU-Azerbaijan Business Forum in Baku on June 5.

He noted that despite the large trade turnover volume between Azerbaijan and the EU countries, only a small proportion of agricultural products accounts for it.

"Last year, Azerbaijan exported products for $7.4 billion to the EU and imported products worth $1.9 billion. However, the trade turnover of agricultural products is at a very low level. Increasing this indicator is our strategic goal," Karimov said.

The minister noted that the agricultural sector of Azerbaijan increased by 4.2 percent in 2017, and its share in the country's GDP hit 5.6 percent.

"In addition, agricultural exports increased by 39.8 percent in 2017," Karimov said.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_MammadovDetails added (first version published at 15:36)

Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Ilkin Shafiyev - Trend:

Azerbaijan intends to provide itself by 100 percent with construction materials in the coming years, Deputy Minister of Economy Niyazi Safarov said during the Azerbaijan-EU Business Forum in Baku.

He noted that the development of the construction industry in Azerbaijan has allowed not only to create modern enterprises in this area, but also to increase self-sufficiency in building materials.

"Today, Azerbaijan is fully self-sufficient in many types of building materials - for example, cement, brick - and is close to self-sufficiency in other types of building materials. In recent years, the growth in the production of building materials in Azerbaijan amounted to about 47 percent, including cement production  to more than 24 percent, concrete building structures  to more than 60 percent, construction bricks  to more than 48 percent, and finished concrete mix  to more than 96 percent. This shows that the work done in this area, including the development of the business sector are bearing fruits," Safarov said.

The deputy minister noted that the construction sector gives impetus to the development of other sectors of the economy, and promotes the development of small and medium-sized businesses.

"The development of the construction sector allows creating new jobs, attracting investments, increasing demand in other sectors of the economy, in particular the demand for metal products, building materials and other goods," Safarov said.On 30-31 May, Armenias new PM Nikol Pashinyan made his first official visit, to Georgia. This is a major highlight and gives some cues on Armenias future foreign policy priorities following its velvet revolution. Pashinyan has previously emphasized that cultivating better ties with Armenias immediate neighbours, namely Georgia and Iran, are among his governments foreign policy priorities.

Armenian-Georgian relations have been faring well, considering the tough geopolitical context. The two neighbours have long been allied to each others rivals: Armenia has been building a-meant-to-be strategic partnership with Russia, while Georgia has been cultivating a muchadvertised trilateral alliance with Turkey and Azerbaijan. This has objectively limited avenues of cooperation between Yerevan and Tbilisi.

Given Yerevans overreliance on Moscow, and the presence of a Russian military base in Armenia, Georgia has traditionally been suspicious towards Armenia. Similarly, Yerevan has feared that Tbilisi is dragged into a hostile alliance with Baku and Ankara which have been pursuing a policy of isolation vis-a-vis Yerevan.

But none of these fears have materialized so far. Following the Russian-Georgian war of 2008, Yerevan resisted Moscows pressure to recognize de-facto republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Armenia has also refrained from pushing its concerns on the situation of ethnic Armenians in Georgias Javakheti region high on the bilateral agenda so as not to open up differences and allay Georgian worries of separatism of the region. And while Tbilisis closely-stitched partnership with Turkey and Azerbaijan has inadvertently contributed to Armenias isolation, its participation there has also helped to ensure that the trilateral format is not directed against Armenia, especially militarily. Yerevan and Tbilisi have thus been cautious not to allow that the South Caucasus divisive lines pass between them.

Over the last few years, each have also been facing challenges in their respective alliances. Armenia-Russia relations have been marred by a deep crisis triggered by a dangerous asymmetry in which Moscow has been ignoring critical Armenian interests. The biggest elephant in the room has been Moscows arms sells to Azerbaijan, which Yerevan interprets as going against the spirit of Armenia-Russia partnership.

The initial logic of Baku-Tbilisi-Ankara axis has been eroding, too. Back in the 2000s Tbilisi saw the trilateral alliance as a stepping stone for Euro-Atlantic integration. The geopolitics of energy flows westwards through the axis has helped to advance this cause. But Turkeys and Azerbaijans relations with the West have been deteriorating over the last years, mainly due to steep democratic decline in both countries. Turkeys fallout with the West has also pushed it closer to Russia, which compromises Ankaras role in counterbalancing Moscow in Tbilisis policy thinking. In what has been a bit of a taboo to point to, Georgia has also become somewhat over reliant on the alliance with Azerbaijan and Turkey. This has squeezed Tbilisi between geostrategic interests and its ambitions to be a democratic member of the Euro-Atlantic space.

So far Armenia and Georgia have tried to address their respective regional rivalries by relying on outside powers  Armenia on Russia and Georgia on the West. For both, these directions have faced constraints, exacerbated by the Western-Russian contention. Now they might want to explore the merits of closer engagement with each other to help diversify their foreign policies. Armenias velvet revolution was closely watched in Tbilisi. Georgias own rose revolution of 2003 and the geopolitical upheavals that followed have served as lessons learned  both good and bad -- for Armenia. The political regimes in the two countries, both geared at being democratic, may now be more naturally aligned.

By making his first official visit to Georgia, PM Pashinyan is extending a hand to build closer ties. Traditionally, Armenia has taken more interest in Georgia than the other way around. Georgias determination in Euro-Atlantic integration has also developed a self-perception that it is more part of the West than part of the South Caucasus. The ball may now be in Tbilisis court to respond to Yerevans extended offer.

Re-energized Yerevan-Tbilisi ties can potentially have broader regional implications. Georgia and Russia have been negotiating around opening of communications via Abkhazia and South Ossetia and have recently reached a critical point. Yerevan would be a major beneficiary from such opening as its land connection to Russia depends on a single passage in the Upper Lars which is often closed due to weather conditions. Yerevan can also play a mediating role between Tbilisi and Moscow. New connecting routs between Georgia and Russia will also potentially raise the economic benefits for a prospective Iran-Armenia railroad -- Georgia eyes to benefit from it as well.

Closer convergence between Armenia and Georgia does not imply that they their respective alliances with Russia and Azerbaijan/Turkey be hurt. Rather, the new relationship can be precisely about not allowing third party interests impede closer ties between them. Pashinyan has proposed a formula which sums as: Georgia and Armenia should be sure the other is not conspiring against it.

In Georgia, Pashinyan also visited the Armenian-populated Javakheti region. This was the first time since 1996 that an Armenian leader has set foot there. Here, there is a message too, suggesting that all existing problems between the side should be openly discussed and solved rather than be swept under the rug.

In Armenian-Georgian relations the glass can be half-empty or half-full. It is half-empty because Armenia and Georgia are part of different geopolitical and economic constructs. Armenia is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and Georgia has signed a free trade agreement with the EU. But it is half full, because they can as well potentially benefit from each others alliances and thereby slightly defy the consequences of Western-Russia fallout. Whether Yerevan and Tbilisi choose to see the glass as half-full will determine how far they can take the bilateral partnership.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:

Azerbaijan is in talks with Georgia to build a single administrative customs building on the border, Chairman of Azerbaijans State Customs Committee Safar Mehdiyev told reporters in Baku June 5.

"If the talks are successful, then it will be the first joint administrative building in the region, where customs officers of the two countries will work. The new building is planned to be built near the Sinig Korpu checkpoint, "Mehdiyev said.

He stressed that in case the issue is resolved in a positive way, then it will lead to a significant simplification of the trade and speed up the passage of citizens and cargo through the checkpoints.

There are six operating customs posts subordinate to the Balakan and Tovuz customs offices between Azerbaijan and Georgia, namely Sadikhli, Sinig Korpu, Jandargol, Mazimchay, Muganli automobile posts and the Beyuk Kasik railway post.

--

Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_MammadovBaku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:

The Ganja automobile plant and the Minsk tractor plant may extend the contract for production of the "Belarus" tractors in Azerbaijan until the end of 2018, director of the Ganja automobile plant Kamran Nazarov told Trend June 5.

He noted that the Ganja automobile plant took part in the international exhibition Belagro 2018 in Minsk.

Nazarov said at the exhibition negotiations were held with the general director of the Minsk tractor plant (MTP) Fyodor Domotenko, during which expansion of the model range of tractors produced in Azerbaijan, as well as increasing the number of tractors that will be produced this year in Ganja were discussed.

"In the near future, the plant will complete the assembly of tractors under the previous contract, involving the production of 1,000 vehicles. Thus, there is an opportunity to extend the contract until the end of this year. The number of tractors to be assembled at the enterprise under the new agreement will be determined during the negotiations," Nazarov said.

He noted that the project of the Ganja automobile plant on production of export-oriented products and technologies, access to the markets of third countries, involving the construction of a plant in Turkey, was also discussed.

"Construction of a new enterprise is going at an accelerated pace. On June 5, the construction site of a tractor factory in Turkey was visited by the governor of the province of Kirikkale, Ilker Haktankacmaz, who got acquainted with the work," said Nazarov.

At the end of last year, the Ganja and Minsk plants signed a strategic cooperation agreement, which opened up opportunities for the Azerbaijani enterprise to establish production in Turkey.

The agreement, in particular, involves expanding the geography of the brand presence and increasing the sales through the creation of a joint venture in Turkey for further promotion of tractors in that market.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @MTsurkovTrendBaku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Azad Hasanli - Trend:

Baku will host a conference titled "Insurance in Azerbaijan: New Perspectives" June 20-21.

The conference participants will discuss macroeconomic trends and their impact on the insurance sector of the region, microinsurance and its prospects in Azerbaijan, digitalization and development of new drivers of the insurance sector growth, experience of various countries in agricultural insurance and other issues.

It is expected that experts and insurers from Azerbaijan, Russia, Poland, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ukraine, Romania, the UAE and the Netherlands will take part in the event.

Azerbaijans insurance sector experiences a new stage of development.

In January-April 2018, insurance companies of Azerbaijan collected premiums worth 301.4 million manats, which is 55 percent more than in the same period last year. Payments of the insurance companies for the same period amounted to 78.5 million manats (a 4.25 percent increase for the year).

Twenty-one insurance companies operate in Azerbaijan.

(1.7 manats = 1 USD on June 5)

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @AzadHasanliBaku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Students of Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) have successfully completed Business education for engineers course.

It was developed and conducted at the Higher School with participation and financial support from BP-Azerbaijan company.

The program is designed for fifth-year students to help them gain extensive knowledge and practical skills in management and business, thus adding to the high level of education they receive at BHOS and facilitating their more efficient integration into business environment.

Speaking at the meeting with the graduates, BHOS rector Elmar Gasimov extended his congratulations to them on the successful completion of the study. He also presented the students Joint Certificates from BP and the Higher School.

The Business Education for Engineers course equips the targeted undergraduates with business management tools and techniques, enables them to analyze and evaluate complex business problems, and develops managerial skills they need to solve problems and make decisions. In line with this objective, the course curriculum includes eight core modules: presentation and communication skills; project management; time management and efficiency; leadership; risk management; introduction to finance, budget and cost control; HR management fundamentals; and negotiation skills. For each module, two training manuals were prepared, with one containing theoretical work material and the other for practical exercises.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Managers of Italian company Maire Tecnimont Group paid a visit to Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) and held a meeting with BHOS rector Elmar Gasimov, teachers and students of the Higher School.

The meeting gathered Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Azerbaijan Augusto Massari; Maire Tecnimont Group Special Initiatives and Regions Coordination Senior Vice President, Russia and Caspian Region Vice President Gianni Bardazzi; Branch Manager of KT-Kinetics Technology S.P.A. in Azerbaijan Niccolo Heilpern; Business Development specialist Natalia Sirazutdinova; HR Coordinator Aida Bashirova; and Region Business specialist Alessia Mangiapane.

Opening the meeting with a welcome speech, the rector Elmar Gasimov emphasized that BHOS and Maire Tecnimont have established not only excellent business, but also friendly relations. He also expressed his satisfaction with continuous development of this successful partnership.

The Italian Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan Augusto Massari highly praised the fruitful cooperation between the Higher School and Maire Tecnimont Group. In his words, it represents a bright example of the call of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to turn the oil capital into human capital.

Then Senior Vice President of Maire Tecnimont Group Gianni Bardazzi presented certificates to a group of BHOS students who successfully completed on-the-job training at Branch Office of KT-Kinetics Technology S.P.A. in Azerbaijan, which represents Maire Tecnimont in the country. The group included fifth-year Petroleum Engineering students Gulsum Aliyeva and Zarifa Orujeva, fifth-year Chemical Engineering student Ruslan Jabrailly and Masters degree student in Chemical Engineering Khajar Hidayatzada. Upon graduation from the Higher School they all will be employed by KT-Kinetics Technology S.P.A. company in Azerbaijan.

During 17-week on-the-job training, the students learned about the company operations in the country and gained practical engineering skills while working on the projects implemented by KT-Kinetics Technology. In addition, they attended Italian language courses arranged for them at the company.

The internship program for BHOS students at Maire Tecnimont Group is being implemented for the second year in a row. The Higher School graduates who participated in the program last year are working now as engineers at KT-Kinetics Technology S.P.A. in Azerbajan.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

Chairman of the Board of NC KazMunayGas JSC Sauat Mynbayev and President of LUKOIL Vagit Alekperov signed an agreement on the principles for the "Zhenis" project, on June 5 in Astana, the press service of KazMunayGas said in a message.

According to the signed document, the two companies agreed on the main terms of cooperation and expressed their readiness for joint implementation of the Zhenis project, the site of which is located in the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea.

In accordance with the legislation of Kazakhstan, after the implementation of corporate procedures for the entry into force of the above agreement, the parties plan to hold negotiations with the aim of signing agreements necessary for the project to apply to the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for obtaining subsoil use right on the "Zhenis" offshore section.

"KazMunaiGaz and Lukoil have been strategic partners for several years, and currently they implement a number of joint projects. The agreement on principles signed today will certainly expand the scope of our cooperation in the joint exploration and production of hydrocarbon raw materials on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan," said Mynbayev.

Follow the author on Twitter: @Ali_MustafayevBaku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Huseyn Veliyev - Trend:

Telecommunication infrastructure of the Jojug Marjanli village of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil will be expanded, Aztelekom LLC told Trend.

The company told Trend that the expansion work will be carried out as new houses are built.

"We develop the network depending on the number of subscribers," the company stated.

The company noted that, initially, it was planned to cover 50 houses with communication services, then this number was increased by an additional 100 houses.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @h_veliyevBakcell, the First Mobile Operator and Leading Mobile Internet Provider of Azerbaijan, is pleased to announce that the safe internet bundle, launched two years ago now becomes available in the 4G network as well.

Thanks to the safe internet product offered by Bakcell and the Internet Filtering Service of ENGINET  the first FTTH provider in Azerbaijan, Bakcell customers have the possibility to ensure safe internet browsing for their children and protect them from any harmful and unwanted content.

The internet today plays an important role in education and development of children. However, as parents we cannot always control how our children use the internet. Considering that there are lots of content in the internet which we dont want our kids to access, Bakcell and ENGINET are providing the parents with an opportunity to filter unwanted web pages. There is a growing demand of customers to this product, and together with ENGINET were bringing the best experience to make virtual world safe for our children, says Todor Dimitrovski, Chief Marketing Officer of Bakcell.

Note that the filtering system deployed by ENGINET, limits access to over 18 million websites from 90 thematic groups, which contain information considered to be harmful or inappropriate. By purchasing Safe Internet Bundles Bakcell customers will be able to protect their kids from the unwanted content, by filtering pages containing adult material, illegal or violent content, gambling, medicine or other information not recommended for children.

ENGINET is the first company to implement the Internet Filtering Service on Azerbaijani private market and our professional team is working hard to make sure this product is being periodically improved. There are more than one million webpages is created every day worldwide and our Black List system is being updated on daily basis. Soon, we will apply new innovation related to Black Keywords in the search engine system, says Elmira Abasova, Head of Marketing Division of ENGINET.

Moreover, ENGINET has started implementing the Safe Internet Project in the countrys schools, with the help of the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan. Further, ENGINET has organized open lessons at schools to present the Safe Internet project, in the city of Sumgait.

As a socially responsible corporate citizen, Bakcell always pays special attention to development of children, their education and integration to society. The companys Bakcell Stars CSR program contributes to education of hundreds of children each year, to provide them with better life and ensure their bright future. Offering safe internet solution for children is a part of such activities.

In order to protect your children from the unwanted content you need to obtain Safe Internet Bundles offered by Bakcell by simply dialling *134#10#YES. The price of a 10 GB safe internet bundle is 10 AZN. This package can be used on any device, such as a mobile phone or a laptop.

Upon the activation process, your mobile internet bundle will be automatically filtered by the system for unwanted content.

Visit https://www.bakcell.com/en/internet-safe-internet for more detailed information about the Safe Internet packages.

About Bakcell

Bakcell, the First Mobile Operator and Leading Mobile Internet Provider of Azerbaijan, offers a wide range of products and Services to users of modern mobile communications Services. The company provides its customers with the best-in-class 3G and 4G mobile internet.

With more than 6500 base stations, Bakcell network covers 99% of the population and 93% of the land area of the country (except for the occupied territories).

After proving itself to provide the best 3G mobile internet service in the country, Bakcell has announced the commercial launch of 4G LTE services on 5th of May 2015. 4G ensures a significant increase of mobile internet speed and is especially useful for those users who wish to stay mobile at all times, having an access to high-speed mobile internet at all locations. Currently, in addition to Baku and Absheron peninsula, residents of Ganja, Quba, Qusar, Khachmaz, Shabran and Siyazan regions are able to benefit from the high-speed 4G internet of Bakcell. In the year 2018, Bakcell continues to expand its LTE network to other regions of Azerbaijan. Bakcell became the first mobile operator in the country to launch 4G service in Baku subway. In the year 2017, Bakcell network has been recognized as the Best in Test in Azerbaijan by P3 Communications, being the international leader and most trusted independent authority in mobile benchmarking. According to tests, implemented in August 2017, Bakcell has the best score overall network experience in Azerbaijan and the best mobile internet network in test in Baku and other big cities.

For more information about Bakcell products and services, please visit www.bakcell.com or call 555. For press releases please see www.bakcell.com/az/news (or www.bakcell.com/en/news for press releases in English).

If you are not a Bakcell subscriber, but wish to find out about Bakcell and its products and services, please call 012 498 89 89Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

The National Bank of Kazakhstan announced a tender for provision of technical support for the IBM DataPower Gateway software and hardware complex.

Applications will be accepted until June 11, 2018.

Services are provided in accordance with the terms of the contract. The full list of purchased services, their number and details are specified in the bidding documents.

Email: [email protected]

For more information please call: 8 (7292) 701-500 (ext. 3251)

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Ali_MustafayevBaku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Foreigners, visiting Azerbaijan, are already able to get a visa through ASAN Visa self-service terminals at the international airports of Ganja and Gabala, Azerbaijans State Migration Service and the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of Azerbaijan said in a message.

The issuance of visas to foreigners at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport through ASAN Visa self-service terminals, has started on May 15, 2018.

Citizens of 15 countries - Bahrain, UAE, South Korea, China, Iran, Israel, Indonesia, Kuwait, Qatar, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey and Japan are able to get a visa through ASAN Visa at the airport.

ASAN Visa self-service terminals are equipped with passport readers, POS-terminals and banknote receivers. The terminal services are provided in seven languages - Azerbaijani, English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Persian and Russian.

On average, the process of issuing visas will take two minutes.

E-visas are issued to citizens of 95 countries through ASAN Visa self-service terminals. The entire system is fully automated, and using it, one can get a standard visa within three days before arriving in Azerbaijan through the website www.eviza.gov.az, and within three hours - an urgent visa.Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is scheduled to meet today with demonstrators who have blocked the road leading to the Amulsar gold mine located 170km south of Yerevan on the border between Vayots Dzor and Syunik provinces.

Jermouk resident Vazgen Galstyan told Hetq that the demonstrators received a phone call from Armenian Police Chief Valery Osipyan, suggesting that they leave the scene and travel to Yerevan to meet with PM Pashinyan.

Galstyan says the demonstrators have decided to continue to block the road, but that a delegation of some 10-15 will be sent to Yerevan.

Galstyan says he and other Jermouk residents had blocked the road to Amulsar for four days last week but that they opened it upon the urging of PM Pashinyan.

Not hearing any response from the government on the Amulsar issue, residents of Jermouk and the surrounding villages opposed to the mine again blocked the roadway two days ago.

Deputy PM Tigran Avinyan met with those demonstrating against the Sotk and Amulsar mines. As a result, the demonstrators called off their protest actions.

At the time Avinyan said the matter at hand was a balancing act of sorts  the environment must no be subject to illegal and disproportionate damage, while at the same time the economy must not be thrown into crisis.

Avinyan promised those opposed to Amulsar that the government is taking steps to along these lines.

On May 31, newly appointed Minister of Nature Protection Erik Grigoryan hinted that it might be too late, from a legal standpoint, to halt the Amulsar gold mining project.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

In April of 2018, 175,776 citizens of Georgia visited Turkey, which is 4,702 tourists less compared to April 2017, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey told Trend.

The ministry noted that the share of Georgian citizens in the total number of foreigners who visited Turkey in April 2018 is 6.62 percent. For comparison, in April 2017, this figure was 8.72 percent.

"Tourists from Georgia take third place among the citizens of other countries who visited Turkey in April 2018," the ministry said.

The ministry also noted that at the end of four months of 2018 (January-April), 651,228 tourists from Georgia visited Turkey, which is 11,735 people less than in the same period of 2017.

In April this year, over 2.7 million foreign tourists visited Turkey.

In 1Q2018, 7,263 million foreign tourists visited Turkey.

At the end of January-March 2018, Turkey's income from tourism increased by 31.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

Turkey's revenues from tourism in the first three months of this year amounted to $4.425 billion. Around 76.1 percent of the total profit for this period fell to the share of foreign citizens, and 23.9 percent accounted for Turkish citizens residing abroad.

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizogluBaku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev received Head of the Mangystau Region Yeraly Tugzhanov on June 5, CA-News reported with reference to the Akorda press service.

Tugzhanov informed about the region's socio-economic development and preparations for the summit of the heads of the Caspian states.

The president pointed out the need to carefully study organizational issues of the event.

"A summit of the heads of the Caspian states is planned to be held in Aktau. Leaders and delegations from five countries will take part in the event. It is necessary to work out all the organizational issues of the upcoming meeting," he said.

In addition, according to Tugzhanov, the region recorded an increase in the basic economic indicators. In late 2017, production in the region reached 100.1 percent.Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 5

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Chairperson of the Turkmen Parliament Gulshat Mammedova received credentials from the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Argentina to Turkmenistan Ricardo Ernesto Lagorio, the Turkmenistan State News Agency reported June 5.

The diplomat was informed about the key directions of the Turkmen domestic policy and got familiar with the structure and activities of the Turkmen Parliament.

The ambassador expressed confidence in the availability of multifaceted potential for development of interstate relations, according to the report.

The importance of developing contacts between the legislative bodies of the two countries was also underlined.

The ambassador was also received in the Turkmen Foreign Ministry, where an exchange of views took place on the priority aspects of the bilateral partnership.Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 5

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has signed a decree to appoint Perkhat Kovusov as deputy chairman of the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan.

The State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan is an executive body responsible for official statistical information on the social, economic, demographic and environmental situation in the country, as well as implementing control and supervision in state statistical activity in Turkmenistan.Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 5

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has signed a decree to appoint Karar Mammedov as deputy minister of trade and foreign economic relations of Turkmenistan.

The Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan is the state administrative body carrying out state policy in the field of trade, foreign economic relations, as well as consumer cooperation.

The ministry carries out activity to ensure supply of the Turkmen domestic market with goods, improve the organization of trade and public catering, provide material and technical support for the national economy, ensure compliance with state interests in the foreign market in accordance with international agreements.

The ministry brings together more than 200 trade, producing, supplying and servicing enterprises.Tehran, Iran, June 5

By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend:

An Iranian lawmaker has called on the government to avoid buying Sukhoi civil aircraft as the Russian-made planes continue to take toll on its passengers, killing tens time by time.

In a rare warning on June 3, Seyed Ahsan Alavi said, "Purchasing or not purchasing planes from Russia should not overshadow Iran-Russias good relations as the lives of people are more important than any kind of relationship," Tasnim news agency reported.

The remarks came after a Russian aircraft maker announced recently that it was exploring plans to make a modified version of its Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional airliner so Iranian airlines can buy the jet after US President Donald Trump said it was walking away from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

On May 8, Trump administration withdrew from the deal and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

The fresh US sanctions effectively prevent Boeing and Airbus from further pursuing ongoing efforts to sell commercial aircraft to the Islamic republic because planes from both companies contain many US-made parts.

"If one day we are forced to buy Russian plane, we should study all aspects," the Iranian lawmaker said.

He added that the quality of Airbus and Boeing planes is incomparable with the quality of Russias Sukhoi aircraft.

"Russian planes are not trustworthy and experience has proved this," Alavi concluded.

Trump also said he would reinstate US nuclear sanctions on Iran and impose "the highest level" of economic bans on the Islamic Republic.

The US sanctions have a 180-day period during which buyers should "wind down" purchases.Tehran, Iran, June 5



By Kamyar Eghbalnejad- Trend:



The executive director of the Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction (IOEC) Company said Chinese firms have expressed eagerness to participate in Irans overseas projects after Washingtons pullout from the countrys nuclear deal.



We are more looking for European companies to cooperate (on our overseas plans). Of course, the Chinese have also referred to us for many times (to undertake our projects overseas), Abolqasem Rahmani told the ILNA news agency on June 5.



He added that foreign companies potential exit from Iran due to the threat of new US sanctions would not be a hindrance to our overseas projects.



We need to get help from foreign firms in the exploration and production (E&P) sector, Rahmani, however, said, noting that IOEC also needs to clinch foreign finance deals in order to able to continue to implement the projects.



US President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that Washington was walking away from the nuclear agreement, which was reached in 2015 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.



The US sanctions have a 180-day period during which buyers should wind down purchases.Tehran, Iran, June 5



By Kamyar Eghbalnejad- Trend:



The Iranian Minister of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare said there are grounds for further expansion of cooperation between Iran and Kazakhstan.



In the past, Iran and Kazakhstan had signed a memorandum of understanding in the area of job safety, Ali Rabiei, who is in Geneva attending the 107th session of the international labor conference, said during a meeting with Kazak counterpart Madina Abylkassymova on June 5.



He added that the two countries have the potential to increase the level of their mutual cooperation as both enjoy many cultural, religious and social commonalities.



Iran and Kazakhstan can jointly cooperate in the fields of skilled manpower, technical and vocational training, labor market, and combating poverty, the Iranian minister said.



Madina, for her part, called for enhanced cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the arenas of delivering technology and organizing manpower.



The annual conference, taking place from May 28 to June 8 brings together the tripartite delegations from the organizations 187 member states to consider a series of topics related to the world of work, placed on its agenda by the Governing Body of the International Labor Organization [ILO].Tehran, Iran, June 5



By Kamyar Eghbalnejad- Trend:



The Bulgarian minister of labor and social policy said Sofia in keen to exchange technical knowledge and engineering experiences with Iran.



There are many similarities between the two ministries in terms of duties, which can be a good basis for further cooperation of both sides, Biser Petkov said during a recent meeting with Iranian Minister of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare Ali Rabiei, IRNA news agency reported on June 5.



The two ministers met on the sidelines of the 107th session of the international labor conference underway in the Swiss city of Geneva.



Petkov added that Iran can also send its skilled manpower to Bulgaria so that they can deliver their technology and knowledge to the Balkan nation.



Rabiei, for his part, hailed Bulgarias interest for further cooperation with Iran in various work-related fields, stressing that Tehran was ready to cooperate with Sofia in the areas of job safety technical and vocational education, and protection for the disabled.



The annual conference, taking place from May 28 to June 8 brings together the tripartite delegations from the organizations 187 member states to consider a series of topics related to the world of work, placed on its agenda by the Governing Body of the International Labor Organization [ILO].Tehran, Iran, June 5

By Kamyar Eghbalnejad - Trend:

The South African labor minister expressed willingness to boost cooperation with Iran in the areas of insurance and social security.

We are seeking to establish a comprehensive social security system in Africa, Nelisiwe Mildred Oliphant said during a recent meeting with Iranian Minister of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare Ali Rabiei, IRNA news agency reported on June 5.

The two ministers held talks on the sidelines of the 107th session of the International Labor Conference, underway in the Swiss city of Geneva.

The annual conference, taking place from May 28 to June 8, brings together the tripartite delegations from the organizations 187 member states to consider a series of topics related to the world of work, placed on its agenda by the Governing Body of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The African minister added that her country was willing to use Irans experience with respect to its inclusive health coverage program for the vulnerable and underprivileged.

In 2015, the Iranian health ministry implemented a program in order to extend medical insurance to all Iranians.

According to the Iran Health Insurance Organization, it is estimated that over 15 million people dont have any kind of insurance program.

These people are mostly the underprivileged, who cannot afford insurance premiums. To make up for that, the most vulnerable will be the first to benefit from the administrations new initiative.Last month, Hetq published an article regarding the business interests of several government officials, and their relatives, in the Czech Republic.

In the article, entitled Skirting Disclosure Laws: Armenian Officials and Their Assets in the Czech Republic, Hetq focused on the Unitezza Group, owned by Armenias Ambassador to Iran Artashes Tumanyan, the company ZIKATAR, owned by now former Tavush Provincial Governor Hovik Abovyan, the EDIKAR COMPANY, owned by now former Deputy Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Karen Ghahramanyan, and the company OMIRA, owned by Misak Hovsepyan, the son of former Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan and currently Head of the Investigative Committee.

Hetq wrote that the ambassador, provincial governor and deputy minister had failed to declare their shares in the Czech companies, and that Abovyan and Ghahramanyan were registered as directors, which isnt permitted under the law,

We had asked the Ethics Committee of High Ranking Officials to tell us what steps it had taken regarding these officials.

Today, the Committee responded, saying that it had sent a formal request to Artashes Tumanyan, Hovik Abovyan and Karen Ghahramanyan, asking them to provide their side of the story in the matter. The Committee promised to provide additional information on the matter once the legal investigation had concluded.

Immediately after the above-mentioned article was published Ambassador Tumanyan sent a reply to Hetq, in which he wrote: I consider it necessary to note that that the hetq.am article came as a surprise to me since a petition was sent to the proper Czech authorities to dissolve the company. [He refers to Unitezza-V.S.] Im thankful for the websites information and am now preparing to take steps to clarify the matter, including relating to my financial disclosure.

Nevertheless, to date, there is nothing in the Czech State Registry showing that the company had been dissolved or that its in the process of being dissolved.

Hovik Abovyan and Karen Ghahramanyan have remained silent on the matter.

In the article we noted that Karen Ghahramanyan had served as Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources from 2004-2018 and that he was appointed Deputy Minister in February of this year. In violation of the law, he failed to file a financial disclosure within thirty days of his appointment as Deputy Minister.

Regarding this infraction, the Committee argued that Ghahramanyan wasnt obliged to file a new disclosure since the time he stopped serving as the ministrys Chief of Staff until his appointed as Deputy Minister was less than fifteen days. (In Ghahramanyans case, he stepped down as Chief of Staff and was appointed Deputy Minister on the same day, February 22)

However, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan dismissed Ghahramanyan as Deputy Minister on June 4, according to Ghahramanyans wishes.

If Ghahramanyan isnt appointed to a new post, obligating him to file a financial disclosure, he must file a disclosure of his assets and income as of the day when he leaves the post.

The same rule applies to Hovik Abovyan, who was dismissed, according to his wishes, as Tavush Provincial Governor, on June 1.Iran will inform the U.N. nuclear watchdog in Vienna on Tuesday over its start of a process to increase the countrys uranium enrichment capacity, Irans Atomic Energy Organization spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi told ISNA news agency, Reuters reported.

In a letter that will be handed over to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ... Iran will announce that the process of increasing the capacity to produce ... UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) ... will start on Tuesday, Kamalvandi said.

He said Iran had the capacity to accelerate production of centrifuges, which are used to enrich uranium. The UF6 is a feedstock for centrifuges.

Irans ultimate authority Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday he had ordered preparations to increase uranium enrichment capacity if a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers falls apart after the U.S. withdrawal from it last month.

The leader (Khamenei) meant that we should accelerate some process ... linked to our nuclear work capacity to move forward faster in case needed, Kamalvandi said.

European signatories of the accord back the deal but have concerns over Irans ballistic missile program and its influence in the Middle East. Iran says the two issues are non-negotiable.

Under the agreement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Iran strictly limited uranium enrichment capacity to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs.

In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were rescinded in January 2016.

The deal allows Iran to continue 3.67 percent uranium enrichment, far below the roughly 90 percent threshold of weapons-grade. Before the deal was reached, Tehran enriched uranium to up to 20 percent purity.

Since President Donald Trumps announcement of the U.S. exit on May 8, EU leaders have pledged to try to keep Irans oil trade and investment flowing but admitted that will not be easy to do.

Iranian authorities have said that if the European countries failed to keep the pact alive, Tehran had several options, including resuming its 20 percent uranium enrichment.Details added (first version posted 13:43)

Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said the Islamic Republic will start assembling new centrifuges from June 6 in the Natanz center in line with Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis directives, Iran's state-run IRINN TV reported.

Salehi said the AEOI has prepared the electrical infrastructure of Nataz for some 100,000 SWU uranium enrichment.

Iran has prepared a lot of infrastructures and all measures are in the framework of regulations, Salehi added.

He further said that Iran will need 1.5 or 2 years to reach 190,000 SWU uranium enrichment.

Khamenei on June 4 ordered the AEOI to make the necessary arrangements to reach the 190,000 SWU level of enrichment within the framework provided by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, aka nuclear deal).

Salehi said that Irans President Hassan Rouhani has given instructions to the AEOI, which include production of UF6, production of UF4 and the assembly center for new machines.

He also touched upon the issue of reconstruction of the Arak reactor, saying basic and conceptual designs have been completed and are verified technically.

Iran is currently developing technical and detailed designs, Salehi said, adding that Tehran has submitted the detailed designs to the Chinese side and an Iranian team is now in China.

The official further said these measures of Iran do not mean that the talks to save the nuclear deal have failed.

The Islamic Republic cannot abide by the JCPOA and at the same time bear the brunt of the US sanctions, Salehi said. "Iran is ready for all scenarios, including a scenario without JCPOA, a scenario with JCPOA, and for a win-win scenario where both sides are satisfied."

He underscored that electricity generation from nuclear power and providing fuel for nuclear plants are the two main objectives of the AEOI.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

At least one Iranian was killed in explosion of an artillery shell remaining from Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988) in western Iran.

The explosion, which occurred last night in near Iranian border village of Sheykh Saleh, Kermanshah province, also injured four people, Irans media outlets reported June 5.

The injured and killed people were members of a family, who had lost their house in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake of November 12, 2017.

Irans semi-official Mehr news agency said that the family encountered the artillery shell during rebuilding their residence and put it aside in the yard, which later exploded.

Iran is one of the countries in the world with the most unexploded landmines, which kill and injure dozens of people every year.

According to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, there were 46 deaths and 76 injuries from landmines in Iran in 2012. Seven of the those died were children.

Land areas in Iranian provinces of Ilam (1,700 hectares), Khuzestan (1.3 million hectares), Kermanshah (691,000 hectares), Western Azerbaijan (59,000 hectares) and Kurdistan (1,480 hectares) were mined during the war.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Iranian researchers as part of a nano-tech startup managed to design a multi-purpose practical kit for testing the quality of water.

One of the issues making people worried is the quality of drinking water and to address this public concern, a group of Iranian researchers as part of a nano-tech startup managed to design a multi-purpose practical kit for examining the quality and cleanliness of water.

The startup, named 'Pakab' (a play on the Persian phrase meaning 'clean water'), describes the device as a lab in pocket.

They say that the sensor is cheap, precise, fast, and very user-friendly without any need for training or education. Currently they are working on the preliminary edition of the device, monitoring the market, and learning about the needs of the prospective customers.

The startup is comprised of Ehsan Ghanbari, a Ph.D. student of nanophysics at Kashan University, Hassan Mottaghi, a Ph.D. student of analytical chemistry at Isfahan University, Hossein Khojasteh, a Ph.D. student of nanochemistry at Kashan University, Pegah Rezaei, a Masters student of chemical engineering at Kashan University, and Rouhollah Shakernejad, a Ph.D. student of physics at Kashan University.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Azer Ahmadbayli  Trend:

The Armenian National Security Service (NSS) has announced recruitment into the national Border Guards for replenishment of its staff. Citizens up to 30 years old, who meet the requirements of the law on NSS, can apply to the organization, Armenian Lragir reports.

It is necessary to remind that in 1992 an agreement between the governments of Armenia and Russia delegated functions of protection of Armenia's state borders with Turkey and Iran to the border troops of the FSB (Federal Security Service) of Russia.

It is also worthy of note that Armenian border troops stand only on the border with Georgia. The borders with Iran and Turkey, as mentioned above, are guarded by Russian troops, whereas Armenian regular army troops are deployed on the border with Azerbaijan for fear of the beginning of hostilities due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In accordance with the agreement, the protection of Armenian state borders by Russia is a temporary measure and will last until the full staffing of the Armenian border structures, which will then replace the Russian ones.

Back in January, several public figures of Armenia addressed the then Armenian authorities with a public statement to return control over the state borders under the jurisdiction of the national border guards by withdrawing simultaneously the Russian troops.

As it was shamelessly said in that statement, that [agreement with Russia] was important for Armenia in the years of Karabakh war, because it enabled to free up human resources to ensure the victory of Armenia in the war.

At that time there was no response from the former president of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan.

But now it seems that the new Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan can shortly say goodbye to the Russian border guards. Lragir says: Does the NSS of Armenia intend to complete the formation of its border troops? Once this is done, Armenia can thank Moscow for its long years of assistance and say that from now on it discharges Russia from its obligations.

By the way, in recent decades, Russian soldiers usually appeared, by or without an invitation, in different countries, but did not come out from anywhere.

For the record: the border troops of Russia are subject to the FSB, that is, the special intelligence service of a foreign state. Up to 5,000 Russian border troops are serving in Armenia.

Several years ago, the border checkpoint at the Yerevan international airport was put under Russian control, which was not stipulated by the 1992 agreement.

First of all, this should be done at the airport of Zvartnots (Yerevan international airport), where Russian troops are also at the border control. This is nonsense, which has not been solved for many years, the Lragir author writes.

There is one more factor for Armenia to return the border checkpoint at the Yerevan international airport back under its control.

In the event Azerbaijan commences full-scale cleaning of its territories from Armenian military forces, Armenia will absolutely not be interested in Russia's FSB gaining information and monitoring how many members of ASALA terrorist group and other mercenaries from the Armenian nationalist organizations from all over the world pass the passport control at the airport to take part in the hostilities, as well as who they are by name and where they come from.

The new government of Armenia stated that the control over the state borders should be the first step to restore the sovereignty of Armenia. Does this mean that for the full restoration of sovereignty the further step can be a demand to withdraw the #102 Russian military base from the territory of Armenia? This would be a bold step, but for the moment Yerevan stands silent on this matter  for the states interests it is not yet time to claim that.

One smart man said that a certain political paradox is taking place in Armenia, which pursues the most pro-Russian of the pro-Western policies (in the post-Soviet space) and the most pro-Western among the pro-Russian ones.

A few days ago, the European Commission announced the entry into force of the broader partnership agreement with Armenia. After all, it doesn't befit a broader partner of the EU to have troops of another country on its state borders.

Armenia is making desperate attempts to straddle both worlds. It needs Russia as a tool to ensure the status quo in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan, while in spirit, they say, they are Europeans and share the so-called European values.

Armenia has chosen its way of being voluntarily a bargaining chip in the worlds geopolitical collisions, and will have to pay a price for it, which can one day be found exorbitant.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Fikret Dolukhanov  Trend:

Armenia is suffering in a regional dilemma due to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, Caucasus Expert of Strategic Outlook Mehmet Fatih Oztarsu told Trend.

According to him, the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict became both Armenia's foreign policy problem as well as a domestic political tool.

I don't see a possibility that Armenia will change its rhetoric on Karabakh issue, because it is a core element of the power struggle in the country. If a person tries to change this direction, he cannot see his next day in the government, Oztarsu said.

Commenting on the statements of Nikol Pashinyan concerning the Turkish-Armenian relations, expert said that Armenia always shows its willingness to improve relations with Turkey and it is not a new step which was created by Pashinyan.

But the only problem is about Armenian request on [Turkey abstaining from] the precondition issue. So, here we face several independent variables such as Turkish Foreign Policy and Azerbaijani Foreign Policy as well as other regional countries' politics. It is difficult to calculate all elements for a short period, the expert noted.

According to him, opening the Turkish-Armenia border at the price of worsened relations with Azerbaijan is impossible for today, even if, as Ozstarsu said, that could lead to the actual normalization of relations.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanovGeorgia said on Tuesday it had started procedures to sever diplomatic relations with Syria after Damascus recognized its breakaway regions as independent states, informs the press service of the Georgian FA Ministry.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia in wars in the early 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Georgia and Russia fought a short war over South Ossetia and Abkhazia in August 2008. After it ended, Moscow, whose forces triumphed, recognized both regions as independent countries. The move was followed by Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru.

Georgia, backed by the United States and European Union, said the Russian operation was a naked land grab.

Georgias Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that recognition of its breakaway regions by Syria was an illegal move and disregarded international law.

With this act the Assad regime declared its support for Russias military aggression against Georgia, the illegal occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions (South Ossetia) and the ethnic cleansing that has been taking place for years, the ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia calls on the international community to duly assess the illegal decision of the Assad regime made as a result of manipulation by the Russian Federation and to undertake the relevant steps in response.State carrier Air China will resume regular flights between Beijing and Pyongyang on Wednesday, a company official said, as diplomatic relations improve between China and North Korea, Reuters reports.

Chinas flag carrier indefinitely suspended flights between the two cities in November citing poor demand. The suspension came at a time when ties had been frayed by Pyongyangs nuclear weapons program and Beijings backing of tough U.N. sanctions in response.

An Air China company official told Reuters on Tuesday that flights would resume, saying that this was due to market reasons. He declined to provide further comment.

The airline now allows travelers to book tickets for the CA121 route from Beijing to Pyongyang which flies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, its website showed.

State media has said that Air China flights to Pyongyang began in 2008 but have frequently been canceled because of unspecified problems.

Relations between the two countries have warmed lately with Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un holding two meetings in China since March. North Korea is in the meantime preparing for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore on June 12.

Last month, two officials from North Koreas Air Koryo told Reuters that the airline planned to launch charter flights between Pyongyang and Chengdu in south-west China amid the diplomatic thaw.Shipments of Russian gas to Austria play a vital role in the country's energy supply, and cooperation in this area is beneficial for both nations, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said in an exclusive interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman ahead of the Russian President Vladimir Putin visit to Vienna.

"I would like to note that fruitful cooperation of the two very important companies - Austrias OMV and Russias Gazprom, which seems to me extremely beneficial for both sides," the chancellor said.

"The energy supply in Austria is highly diversified, but there is no doubt that the supplies of Russian gas play an important role in it. That seems to me positive not only for Russia, but also for the countries of Europe, and in spite of all the difficulties that had often emerged over the past decades, our cooperation in the energy sector has never been disputed, it has been stable and uninterrupted," he highlighted.

Earlier, Austrian Ambassador to Moscow Johannes Aigner said that during the Russian presidents upcoming visit to Austria, representatives from Gazprom would sign an agreement on further cooperation with OMV.

On June 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin pays a working visit to Austria. The program includes talks with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kutz. The parties are expected to discuss the current state of affairs and prospects for Russian-Austrian relations in various areas, and exchange views on key global issues. Putin is expected to meet with businessmen from both countries to hash over matters on mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation with a focus on the 50th anniversary of the launch of a large-scale energy project - supplies of natural gas from the former Soviet Union to Europe, the Kremlin said.Italys new government will be coming out against the anti-Russian sanctions that hit the Russian economy and the civil society, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told on Tuesday the upper house of the parliament, where the government faces a confidence vote, TASS reports.

"The new government of Italy will be seeking that the sanction policy against Russia be reviewed, especially those [sanctions] that affect the economy and the civil society of the Russian Federation," he said.

The prime minister said Italy "will be fully open to Russia that has in the recent years strengthened its international role in the settlement of geopolitical crises". He emphasized, however, that Italy will remain a NATO country, while the US will remain its "traditionally privileged partner".Below is a statement released by Lydian Armenia Executive Director Hayk Aloyan. Lydian Armenia is the 100% owned subsidiary of Lydian International, which plans to operate the Amulsar gold mine. (The Hetq translation is from the original Armenian)

For the second day in a row, about twenty people have blocked the roads to the construction site of the Amulsar mine, depriving more than 1450 employees of their chance to work and undermining the country's largest investment project. Such a provocation is aimed not only our company, but also against the country, holding up several hundred thousand dollars of investment into the country daily.



The Amulsar gold project is the best designed environmental project ever in Armenia. The project, by the way, is still not operational and is in the construction phase, nevertheless, the company has for several years been the target of a funded anti-public relations campaign designed to push the company, that has used the most modern environmental technologies, and has never been involved in corrupt practices, out of the market.

Lydian Armenia is ready for any inspection of environmental standards, social management, financial flows, the composition of shareholders, transparency in tax receipts, and any other criteria.

The Company is certain that any audit, based on objectivity and professional standards, will prove that the best international standards, unprecedented for Armenia. Obstructing the company's illegal activities is a direct blow against the country's economy and reputation. The company expects a legal and immediate resolution of the matter.

Hayk Aloyan

Executive Director of Lydian ArmeniaEl Al Israel Airlines Ltd. has announced another codesharing agreement, this time with Hong Kong Airlines (subject to government approval). Hong Kong Airlines does not fly to Israel. As far as El Al passengers are concerned, the agreement relates to connecting flights from Hong Kong to, for example, Auckland, Tokyo, Osaka, and Seoul.

The two airlines will add their flight numbers to flights covered by the agreement, and passengers who are members of the frequent flyer club of either one of them will be able accumulate air miles on these flights. El Al also hopes that the agreement will bring tourists and businesspeople to Israel on the flights it operates from Hong Kong to Tel Aviv six times a week, on Boeing Dreamliner aircraft. A year ago, Cathay Pacific started to compete with El Al on the Hong Kong-Tel Aviv route, and its success led it to raise the frequency of its flights on the route earlier than it had originally planned. Cathay Pacific will shortly introduce Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on this route. These aircraft are capable of using biofuel, reducing environmental pollution.

El Al's code sharing agreement with Hong Kong Airlines will also allow its business class passengers to use the business lounges at the airports served by connecting flights on Hong Kong Airlines.

The two airlines are similar in terms of the number of destinations each serves: Hong Kong Airlines flies to 40 destinations and El Al to 36. Hong Kong Airlines was founded just twelve years ago, and its fleet is new. El Al will shortly take delivery of further Dreamliner aircraft of the sixteen it ordered, and these will gradually replace the older aircraft in its fleet, particularly its Boeing 767 aircraft. So far, El Al has taken delivery of four Dreamliners.United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned the killing of one peacekeeper in the Central African Republic, Xinhua reported.

In a statement, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, said that the secretary-general "strongly condemns the attack on June 3 by armed elements on a United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) patrol in the west of the country."

The attack resulted in the killing of a peacekeeper from Tanzania and the wounding of seven others. This brings to four the number of peacekeepers killed in targeted attacks in the Central African Republic since January 2018.

"The secretary-general pays tribute to all of the courageous men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of peace in the Central African Republic. He offers his deepest condolences to the bereaved family as well as to the Government of Tanzania, and wishes a swift recovery to the injured," said Dujarric.

"The secretary-general recalls that attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime and that sanctions can be applied against the perpetrators. He urges the Central African Republic authorities to spare no effort in identifying and investigating them so that they can be swiftly brought to justice," he said.

The spokesman added that the UN chief "reaffirms his unwavering support to MINUSCA in its efforts to protect civilians and stabilize the Central African Republic."Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed into law counter-sanctions legislation that was drawn up by lawmakers in response to U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia in April, Reuters reported.

The legislation gives the president, among other things, the power to sever ties with unfriendly countries, and to ban trade of goods with those countries.

However, it has been watered down since it was first conceived by lawmakers in response to the new round of U.S. sanctions on Russian businesses.

Lawmakers initially proposed large-scale restrictions on U.S. goods and services, ranging from food and alcohol to medicine and consulting services.

The law was one of two items of legislation. In the second, lawmakers debated making it a crime punishable by jail for a Russian citizen to comply with the U.S. sanctions.

Russian and foreign business lobbies had said any such law would effectively force firms to choose between doing business with Russia and having dealings with the rest of the world.

Last month Putin said any retaliation against western sanctions must not hurt the Russian economy or partners that do business in Russia.Russian President Vladimir Putin will have a working visit to Austria on Tuesday, during which he will discuss key issues of the bilateral and international agenda. The event is timed to the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the export of domestic gas to Austria. This will be Putin's first foreign visit following his entry into office on May 7 for the current presidential term, TASS reports.

According to the Kremlin press service, during the visit of the Russian leader, it is planned to discuss the state and prospects of Russian-Austrian relations in various fields, and exchange views on key topics on the international agenda.

In an interview with Austrias ORF broadcasting corporation in the run-up to his visit to Austria, Putin said that Austria and Russia have traditionally maintained good and close relations, with Vienna being Moscows trustworthy partner in the European Union.

"We have had very good and close relations with Austria over the years. Austria has traditionally been our trusted partner in Europe. In recent years, our dialogue has not been disrupted, in spite of difficulties, both political dialogue, the dialogue in security sphere and on economic issues," Putin said in an interview.

According to the Russian president, last year the volume of trade between the two countries grew 40.5%.

"Austrian investment in Russia is growing, and for us this is a confirmation of trust in Russias economy. We implement large-scale projects. Thanks to our cooperation, Baumgarten has become Europes biggest gas distribution center. We have many joint and mutual interests," Putin emphasized.

Upon his arrival in Vienna, Putin will first hold talks with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, after that a press conference is planned and then Putin will meet with Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and after that the leaders will give statements to the media.

According to Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, during Putin's visit to Vienna a number of bilateral documents will be signed: a protocol on amending the Russian-Austrian convention on avoiding double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital; Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology of Austria on cooperation in the field of innovation, etc.Russian soldiers from the Russian Reconciliation Center for the Conflicting Sides in Syria have distributed about 4 tonnes of products in the community of Al-Zaafaraniyah in the Homs province, a representative for the center, Vadim Rogov, told reporters, TASS reports.

"A total of 890 food packages with a total weight of 3.8 tonnes were distributed among the locals," Rogov said. Medical help was also provided to the locals: 107 people received medical treatment.

"Thank you for returning peace and security to us," the Al-Zaafaraniyah administration head, Youssef Mandour, said. "The Syrian army ultimately took the whole territory of the province under control. When it happened, people felt secure. We are grateful to our government, the president and our Russian friends who were by our side. Only joint efforts help reach peace not just in our settlement, but across Syria as well."

Still, the situation in the city of Raqqa, that is controlled by the US-led Western coalition, remains tense. According to the assessment of the UN mission, the city lays in ruins: 80% of houses were demolished or damaged, and there are bodies under the debris. The city was not cleared from mines, so civilians are still dying. There is neither electricity nor water in Raqqa, and schools and hospitals are not operating.

The Homs de-escalation zone was liberated earlier thanks to the agreements of the Reconciliation Center with the Syrian government. It became possible through negotiations, without conducting military operations. As soon as communities were liberated, works to restore infrastructure began.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

Trend:

Ankara and Washington will begin implementing a road map on Syrian Manbij within 10 days, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, RIA Novosti reported.

Earlier, Cavusoglu said he had agreed a road map over the withdrawal of the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) from Manbij province of Syria at a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington.

"Within 10 days, work will begin on preparation for implementing the agreement on Manbij; it will be decided when the military enters [Manbij] after YPG leaves, how monitoring is conducted, who governs the region. It is necessary to observe the criteria of ethnic composition as it was before the YPG. We told Pompeo that the US repeatedly did not keep its word on the YPG's withdrawal, and if now, after agreeing this road map, they do not fulfill it again, it will ruin our relations again," Cavusoglu told reporters in Antalya, NTV TV channel reported.

The minister added that the road map will consist of three stages and stipulates the surrender of weapons by YPG members, while the cooperation model between Turkey and the United States on Manbij is planned to be extended to other cities of northern Syria.Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5

By Fikret Dolukhanov - Trend:

Any change of power is, in general, a chance, but it is another question how big and realistic that chance is, Georgian political analyst Gela Vasadze told Trend commenting on possibility of the Turkish-Armenian relations against the backdrop of the change of the Armenian government.

The expert noted that in the statement of Pashinyan, which was made on May 9, it was said that Yerevan will not make claims to Ankara, but will continue to engage in international recognition of the "genocide", which is a contradiction.

The political scientist said there are a number of such contradictions between the two countries.

"If we talk about Turkey, the topic of the Turkish-Armenian relations in itself is very interesting, because Ankara is not against the opportunity of participating in the South Caucasus politics," the expert believes.

He added that although Ankara used to be perceived as an integral part of the West, today this is not the case.

"Turkey has its own political agenda, and this does not prevent it from staying in NATO and having an association agreement with the EU. And within the framework of this agenda, Ankara is interested in the opportunity to make some measurements of its capabilities in all three countries of the South Caucasus," Vasadze said.

He believes that Turkey's opportunities in this direction, however, are seriously limited, because Ankara depends on Baku much more than Baku does on Ankara, taking into account a number of factors.

"Firstly, these include the supply of oil, gas, etc. But this is primarily an interdependence. Secondly, public opinion in Turkey, including the opinion of media and the public figures who position themselves as friends of Azerbaijan, is entirely in favor of Azerbaijan," he said.

Vasadze added that he cannot even imagine Turkey taking a step that could be somehow potentially directed against the interests of Azerbaijan.

"This [opening of borders] is excluded, given the fact that Erdogan is a political figure, i.e. he is completely dependent on his voters and is very careful to their opinion. In addition, not all in Turkey share his views and are his supporters, so both foreign and domestic policy of Turkey is designed to strengthen and expand the electorate," the expert said.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanovU.S. President Donald Trump may seek separate talks with Canada and Mexico in a bid to get individual trade deals with the two countries, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Tuesday, Reuters reports.

He is very seriously contemplating kind of a shift in the NAFTA negotiations. His preference now, and he asked me to convey this, is to actually negotiate with Mexico and Canada separately, Kudlow said in an interview with Fox News.

He may be moving quickly toward these bilateral discussions instead of as a whole.

The United States, Canada and Mexico have been in months of negotiations to rework the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump has long criticized as having harmed the United States economically.

On Friday, Trump said he might prefer to end NAFTA in favor of separate bilateral agreements with the two U.S. neighbors.

Kudlow said the U.S. president was moving toward that scenario.

He prefers bilateral negotiations and hes looking at two much different countries, he said. Canadas a different country than Mexico. They have different problems.

He believes that bilaterals have always been better. He hates these multilaterals ... he hates large treaties.

Such a move toward separate talks would come at a tense time in U.S. trade relations with the two countries. The Trump administration said on Thursday it was moving ahead with tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union, ending a two-month exemption and setting the stage for a possible trade war.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the tariffs an affront to the longstanding security partnership between Canada and the United States, and Canada announced retaliatory steps.

In a television appearance on Sunday, Kudlow called the trade frictions a family quarrel.KYODO NEWS - Jun 5, 2018 - 21:34 | Urgent, All

Prosecutors and police on Tuesday searched the Tokyo headquarters and related sites of Kobe Steel Ltd. over the quality data fabrication scandal that has rocked the Japanese manufacturing industry.

The investigative authorities believe the company violated a law that prevents unfair competition by systematically misrepresenting its products.

In addition to the Tokyo head office, the authorities raided the company's headquarters in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, and three manufacturing plants.

(Kobe Steel CEO Hiroya Kawasaki bows in apology in October 2017)

"We are dealing seriously with the investigation," said a public relations official of the company.

Kobe Steel has admitted to falsifying inspection data for aluminum and copper products, which have been supplied to over 600 companies at home and abroad, and used in cars, aircraft, space rockets and defense equipment.

Sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday the data falsification continued at a plant even after the plant chief who became aware of the practice told workers to stop it.

From around 2009 to 2011, the then chief of Daian Works in Inabe, Mie Prefecture, summoned the deputy chief and personnel in charge of quality control and other departments and instructed them to halt the fabrication of data.

However, the malpractice continued even after the event with the plant chief appearing to turn a blind eye.

According to the company's final report on the scandal, released in March, the steelmaker altered data on strength and other aspects at 23 domestic and overseas plants to make its products appear as if they met client specifications.

The report also determined that the plant

Kobe Steel data fabrication scandal hits satellite-launching rocket

Japan automakers confirm safety of Kobe Steel aluminum in their cars

chief at the Daian Works and his successor were aware of the improper practice.

Kobe Steel said about 40 employees were involved in the irregularities, including former board members. Data had been fabricated since around the 1970s at its plant in Tochigi Prefecture, according to the company.

The prosecutors had already begun a probe into the fabrication of Kobe Steel's quality data, on a voluntary basis, but judged that the search was necessary to back up the claimed misconduct.

Major Japanese carmakers including Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. have said they used Kobe Steel products in their vehicles. Affected products have also been used by Central Japan Railway Co. for shinkansen bullet trains and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. for Mitsubishi Regional Jet passenger planes.

The companies have said the falsified data do not pose safety issues for the products.

The U.S. Justice Department has separately launched a probe into the case, asking the Japanese steelmaker to submit documents linked to the scandal.

Customers in the United States and Canada have filed class action lawsuits seeking compensation for the use of substandard products manufactured by the company.KYODO NEWS - Jun 5, 2018 - 18:35 | World, All

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern released on Tuesday details surrounding the birth of her first child expected in mid-June, revealing she will not hand over duties to her deputy until just before the baby is born.

A statement released by Ardern's office said Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters will step in as acting prime minister "at the point that Jacinda Ardern arrives at hospital."

Peters, who is also the country's foreign minister, has agreed to consult Ardern on any "significant" matters during her six weeks of maternity leave.

Together with partner Clarke Gayford, Ardern, 37, plans to announce the birth personally and does not intend to give any exclusive interviews or photo opportunities prior to her return to work.

(PM Jacinda Ardern, right, and her partner Clarke Gayford)

[Getty/Kyodo]

"While the couple are happy to share with the public some moments with their new baby, they ask that media respect the family's privacy in the weeks set aside to be together after the birth, and during private family moments," the statement read.

Following Ardern's return to work, Gayford -- a television presenter -- will be a stay-at-home dad.

Despite being less than two weeks away from the baby's June 17 due date, Ardern recently told local media that the couple have yet to settle on a name.

"It's one of those things where Clarke's absolutely convinced it will come to us as soon as it arrives," Ardern told Newshub.

"I think we'll be sleep-deprived and probably angry at each other (after the baby is born), so I don't think that's the best time to choose," she added.

New Zealanders have overwhelmingly responded positively to Ardern's pregnancy, which she disclosed on social media in January.

Ardern took office as prime minister in October, becoming the youngest female head of government in the world. She will be the second woman to give birth while serving as prime minister, after Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan's prime minister in the 1980s and 1990s.KYODO NEWS - Jun 5, 2018 - 06:06 | World, All

Tens of thousands of people rallied in Hong Kong late Monday for a candlelight vigil commemorating the victims of a bloody military crackdown on student-led pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square 29 years ago.

Hong Kong played a role in facilitating the escape of some student leaders fleeing Beijing following the crackdown and remains the only place on Chinese soil allowed to hold large-scale commemorations of the victims every year since 1989.

"No matter how impossible it seems, we must persevere, in hope that China will one day have democracy," said a 61-year-old retiree who only gave his surname Yau.

"Hong Kong somehow is the only place in China where we can openly mourn the victims of June 4," he said.

On the night of June 3, 1989, soldiers opened fire on protesters who had occupied the Tiananmen Square for weeks, acting on Chinese leaders' order to disperse the crowd. The crackdown lasted through the night and left hundreds, if not thousands, dead, though no official count has ever been released.

The Chinese government has denied any wrongdoing and called the demonstration first a "counterrevolutionary riot," then a "political turmoil" that has already settled and needs no more attention.

Related coverage:

China keeps Tiananmen massacre victims on tight leash on anniversary

"June 4 was a turning point in China's history that should be remembered," said 40-year-old schoolteacher Maggie. "It was a pity that China lost a chance to become a democracy. It grew into a strong economy, but its political development stalled and corruption went out of control."

"We are here to condemn China's Communist Party for slaughtering its people," sociology professor and a leader of the pro-democracy Occupy Central movement Chan Kin-man said.

"We hope the candles lit can offer condolence to parents of students who lost their lives in fighting for a democratic China," he said.

Turnout to the monumental event, which calls for a democratic China and a redress of the massacre, has been falling in recent years from the record 180,000 in 2014 as announced by the organizer, Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.

While anti-China sentiment has been growing, especially among the young people, student unions of all eight Hong Kong universities shunned the memorial for the second consecutive year.

The alliance also faces a new jab by pro-Beijing forces this year over its longtime advocacy of "ending one-party rule" in China, with some equating that with subversion.

"The wound in history has not yet healed, justice not yet served," alliance chairman Albert Ho said in the eulogy. "A government that doesn't learn from history is hopeless, most importantly, brutal authorities must fall."

Ho said the vigil's estimated turnout of 115,000 is encouraging and he hopes for an even number on next year's 30th anniversary, "showing a common determination of the people fighting for democracy in China."

Police put the number of people at a mere 17,000.KYODO NEWS - Jun 5, 2018 - 16:09 | Feature, All, Japan

An increasing number of foreign tourists are staying at hotels and inns in rural areas of Japan, spreading the positive economic impact across the country, a government report said Tuesday.

Stays by foreign tourists outside the metropolitan areas surrounding Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya accounted for over 40 percent of the total for the first time in 2017, according to the white paper on tourism, approved by the Cabinet the same day.

With the government aiming to lift the ratio to 50 percent toward the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in 2020, the report underscored plans to enhance necessary measures to attain the goal.

According to the report, Kagawa, Saga, Aomori, Okinawa and Okayama prefectures saw particularly strong demand for hotel and inn stays by foreign travelers last year on the back of new or increased flights linking them with China or South Korea.

They ranked first to fifth in the list of prefectures in terms of rises in the number of foreigners' stays in 2017 from 2012.

(Nebuta festival in Aomori)

As prime examples of how to attract foreigners, the white paper referred to unlimited ride tickets offered by a railway company in the Shikoku region and events held in Saga in line with the release of a Thai movie.

As the five prefectures saw more hotel construction, the white paper concluded that the rise in foreigners' stays helped spur local economies, while calling for local authorities to tailor measures to lure tourists in line with their own characteristics.

Tourism is a pillar of the growth strategy of the government, which aims to increase the annual number of foreign travelers to Japan to 40 million by 2020 and to 60 million by 2030. Last year, a record-high 28.7 million tourists visited Japan.

Viewing tourism as a key for revitalizing rural economies, the government hopes to see more foreigners visiting areas beyond popular big cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya.

(Modern art on display at Naoshima, Kagawa Prefecture)

The white paper noted the need for increasing the number of repeat tourists to Japan and presenting them with the option of rural areas as their new destinations.

The report also called for improving tourists' satisfaction through such measures as wider use of multilingual translation systems, the promotion of barrier-free facilities and the reduction of waiting time for immigration checks at airports.

The government pledged to enhance the attractiveness of regions outside major cities by utilizing cultural assets and national parks in rural areas.

Meanwhile, encouraging travelers to observe etiquette and resolving traffic jams were raised as challenges to address as the country aims to develop sustainable tourism that can coexist with local citizens' lives.

According to the Tourism Agency, a foreign tourist spent about 150,000 yen ($1,370) on average last year. The government aims to boost the amount to 200,000 yen so as to achieve the goal of raising overall spending by foreign tourists to 800 billion yen per year in 2020.

The agency's panel of experts has recommended training tour guides who can explain Japanese culture and local festivals to attract more tourists to remote areas for longer stays.KYODO NEWS - Jun 5, 2018 - 21:46 | All, Japan

The suspicious death of a wealthy but troubled Japanese man dubbed "Don Juan" has brought into focus the personal life of the 77-year-old self-proclaimed womanizer who married a 21-year-old earlier this year.

Kosuke Nozaki, president of a liquor sales company and a real estate business in Tanabe in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama, also known as the Kishu area, was found collapsed at his home on the evening of May 24 and was later pronounced dead. Traces of illegal narcotics were found in his system but no needle mark was on his body, prompting police to investigate the case as a possible murder.

Nozaki published his first autobiography titled "Don Juan of Kishu: The Man Who Gave 3 Billion Yen to 4,000 Beautiful Women" in December 2016, likening himself to the mythical Spanish playboy, after getting into trouble with a woman over money. Three billion yen is worth around $27 million.

(Nozaki's autobiography series "Don Juan of Kishu")

According to Gendai Business, an online media managed by Kodansha Ltd., the publisher of the autobiography and its sequel released in April this year, he decided to write the first book after a 27-year-old woman he met at a dating club was arrested in February 2016 for stealing cash and jewelry worth 60 million yen from his home.

The case attracted media attention and made him famous after he said in interviews with media outlets, "To me, 60 million yen is waste paper. The theft gave me a good life experience," the website says.

Although prosecutors dropped charges against her, he experienced a similar theft case in 2017.

Nozaki garnered even more media attention and published the second memoir after he married his current wife, a model 55 years his junior, in February.

Nozaki had been previously married and divorced twice and had no children, with his pet dog, a miniature dachshund named Eve, being his only companion until he tied the knot for the third time, according to the website.

The second memoir revealed how the tycoon met his current wife in the fall of 2017 at Tokyo's Haneda airport. He wrote that he intentionally fell down to make her help him up and asked her out for a meal together at a later date.

"I am sorry for the 99 percent of people who wish for this marriage to fall apart, but I am confident that at least I will be happy," he wrote.

Nozaki's death came at a time when he was inviting his acquaintances to the June funeral of Eve, after the dog died in early May.

Murder suspected in death of rich man dubbed Japanese "Don Juan"

The website says Nozaki came from a poor family and became a rich man on his own after starting to work upon graduation from middle school. He became a successful door-to-door salesman of condoms in his 20s, and used the profits to become a money-lender in Tokyo.

Investigators said his wife and a housekeeper were at his home when he was found collapsed on the sofa in his bedroom. The police have searched locations related to him, suspecting he could have been murdered, and collected urine samples from people related to him.

A male neighbor said Nozaki used to deliver advertisements in Tokyo's Nagatacho area before he succeeded in business and did not have many local friends.

"He was saying positive things recently, like he wants to contribute to the local community. It (his death) is truly regrettable," said a man who had known Nozaki since childhood.

In his first memoir, which has sold more than 50,000 copies, Nozaki said, "When I find a woman of my type, tall and voluptuous, I would tell her 'Happy aura, happy elegant, happy nice body (sic). I want to go out with you and have sex with you...I'll give you 400,000 yen if you agree.'"

"Some people may frown at my sense (of relationships), but this is exactly why I have been working in various occupations and earning money. Everybody has a different dream. I don't feel guilty about anything," he wrote.KYODO NEWS - Jun 5, 2018 - 02:07 | All, World

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will urge U.S. President Donald Trump to dismiss Pyongyang's assertion that the issue of Japanese nationals abducted decades ago has been resolved when he meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, government sources said Monday.

Abe will meet with Trump in Washington on Thursday, before the U.S. leader's unprecedented meeting with the North Korean leader scheduled for June 12 in Singapore.

The prime minister is also planning to ask Trump to convey to Kim that Japan would consider negotiating on the normalization of ties and the extension of economic cooperation based on a 2002 bilateral declaration if progress is made on the long-standing abduction issue, according to the sources.

In 2002, then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, the father of the current leader, signed a joint declaration in which both sides agreed that Japan would provide economic cooperation after the normalization of diplomatic ties.

Abe will also seek to confirm the importance of maintaining international sanctions on North Korea, after Trump said Friday he did not want to use the term "maximum pressure," the sources said.

Related coverage:

North Korean leader Kim tells Pompeo aware of abduction issue with Japan

Trump made the remark after meeting with Kim Yong Chol, a close aide to Kim Jong Un, at the White House.

Tokyo officially recognizes 17 people as having been taken to North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, among whom five were returned in 2002. Abe has said he views the issue as a government priority.

Japan believes that Kim Jong Un is likely to reassert during the summit with Trump that of the remaining 12 people, eight have died and the other four never entered North Korea, according to the sources.



(Trump and Abe meet kin of Japanese abductees in November 2017)

Abe will call on Trump to reject such an assertion and persuade Kim to understand the necessity of Japan-North Korean consultation on the abduction issue, they said.

Japan has continued behind-the-scenes contacts with North Korea through multiple channels. Pyongyang admits a 2014 agreement reached in Stockholm is still in effect but has not changed its stance that the abduction issue is already "settled."

In 2014, Japan and North Korea agreed that Pyongyang would reinvestigate the fate of all of the abductees. But North Korea then disbanded the panel and effectively abandoned the bilateral agreement.KYODO NEWS - Jun 4, 2018 - 22:44 | Urgent, Feature, All

Police are investigating the sudden death in May of a wealthy man in western Japan, dubbed a Japanese "Don Juan" for being a womanizer, as possible murder after stimulants were detected in his body, investigative sources said Monday.

Kosuke Nozaki, 77, was found collapsed by his wife, 55 years his junior, on the sofa of his bedroom on the night of May 24. He was later confirmed dead and an autopsy found traces of illegal narcotics in his system, while no external injuries were found.

(A screen shot of the front cover of Nozaki's book from Amazon.co.jp)

The cause of death was identified as acute circulation failure, and investigators are trying to determine if his death was caused by the stimulant drugs, the sources said.

Nozaki was the president of a liquor sales company and financial businesses in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, an area whose old name was Kishu.

Nozaki was featured in TV programs and magazines after publishing his autobiography in 2016, titled "Don Juan of Kishu: The Man Who Gave 3 Billion Yen to 4,000 Beautiful Women," likening himself to the mythical playboy in Europe.

His marriage to his current wife in February, when she was 21, was also featured in magazines.

Police have searched Nozaki's home in Tanabe and related locations in Tokyo on suspicion of murder. They also required relevant people to have urine tests and have been questioning them.

Read More:

Dubious death of Japanese "Don Juan" puts his womanizing in spotlightKYODO NEWS - Jun 5, 2018 - 20:30 | All, World

Japan will ask other Group of Seven industrialized nations to agree on the need to mention the complete denuclearization of North Korea in a joint communique to be issued after their leaders' summit later this week in Canada, government sources said Tuesday.

Tokyo also hopes that the G-7 communique will call for an immediate resolution of the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, the sources said.

Japan, the United States and South Korea have urged North Korea to take concrete steps in "a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hopes the G-7 will demonstrate its readiness to contribute to the success of the unprecedented U.S.-North Korean summit on June 12 in Singapore, the sources said.

Abe will visit Washington for talks with President Donald Trump before joining the two-day G-7 summit from Friday in Quebec's Charlevoix.

During a meeting with Trump at the White House on Thursday, Abe will seek to coordinate their policies toward Pyongyang ahead of the summit between the U.S. president and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un.

For the summit in Canada, the Japanese government maintained in preparatory talks with its G-7 peers that the group should pledge to work to realize the dismantlement of arsenals of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear, chemical and biological weapons as well as ballistic missiles, the sources said.

The leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States used a similar expression in the joint communique released after their summit in Italy last year, saying, "North Korea must...abandon all nuclear and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner."

[KNS/Kyodo]

A joint communique issued after a G-7 foreign ministers' meeting in April in Toronto said "we are committed to maintaining maximum pressure," using a term Trump and Abe have repeatedly used.

Last week, after meeting with Kim Yong Chol, a close aide to the North Korean leader, at the White House, Trump said he does not want to use the term anymore, while saying economic sanctions will stay in place.

Abe is expected to confirm the president's true intention, before making a decision whether to request such wording in the G-7 summit communique, the sources said.

As Canada, which holds the rotating presidency of the G-7, seeks to make this year's communique shorter, Tokyo is discussing with Ottawa so that the North Korean part would not be reduced.A yellow alert has been issued for Friday in Kannur, Kasaragod, Thrissur, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts.Two separate studies - both benefiting from ancient DNA - paint detailed pictures of the founding, migration, and evolution of human populations in Iceland and the Americas, respectively. More broadly, the plethora of historical information from ancient DNA studies such as these represents a new era of archaeogenomics, say Alessandro Achilli and colleagues in a related Perspective. The ability to study the founding of a human population and its subsequent evolutionary history is rare, but here, S. Sunna Ebenesersdottir and colleagues were able make progress on this, providing detailed insights into the making of Icelandic populations specifically. The researchers used genome sequencing data from the skeletal remains of 27 ancient Icelanders - the earliest settlers of Iceland, according to radiocarbon dating. Perhaps not unexpectedly since Iceland was peopled in early times by Vikings and enslaved individuals from Norway and the British-Irish Isles, all ancient Icelanders, the authors found, were Norse (Norway and Sweden), Gaelic (Ireland and Scotland), or a mixture. Surprisingly, however, the ancient Icelanders were much more similar to their source populations in Scandinavia and the British-Irish Isles than to modern Icelanders, comparisons with modern European DNA revealed. One explanation for this, the authors hypothesize, is that roughly 1,100 years of genetic drift (or, a change in the frequency of certain genes due to random happenings) have shaped Icelandic populations to what they are today. Intriguingly, the high degree of mixture in the Norse and Gaelic gene pool of ancient Icelanders may account for why modern Icelandic populations are exceptionally good candidates for studies that attempt to associate genes to traits. The high genetic variation resulting from this ancestral mixture is more desirable for genome-wide association studies, compared to more homogenous populations, for which it's difficult to tell which region of DNA causes a specific trait. A second study by Christiana Scheib et al. explores the genetics of the first people to enter the Americas, providing evidence, through its results, that a deep split in North and South American populations likely occurred not in Beriginia, as has been posited, but just south of the ancient Laurentide ice sheet (which covered a large portion of the northern United States, including most of Canada). Scheib and colleagues sequenced 91 genomes of ancient Native American remains predominantly from California and Southwestern Ontario, Canada. They found that ancient Ontarians were most like other ancient Northern Americans as well as modern Algonquian-speaking Native Americans. In contrast, genomes from ancient Californians resembled groups that currently live in Mexico and South America. Based on these findings, the authors reject the emerging theory that the split between Northern and Southern Americans occurred in Beriginia, across the Laurentide ice plate, and rather suggest that a single wave of Ice Age American populations migrated south of the Laurentide ice plate and a genetic split likely occurred after this crossing, at the northwest corner of ancient North America. Notably, the researchers also found both ancient Californian and Ontarian DNA present and mixed throughout Northern and Southern regions. Thus, the authors suggest that there were possible points where the two diverging branches merged either in North America or along the migration route to South America, at least a few thousand years after the initial split.

###NEW YORK (June 5, 2018)--The lowly sea cucumber strikes observers as a simple sausage-like creature, one that is far less interesting than brightly colored reef fish or color-changing octopi that share its coastal habitat.

The sea cucumber's unimpressive appearance belies the outsized role these creatures play in converting decomposing organic matter into recyclable nutrients and keeping coastal ecosystems healthy and clean, and overfishing them can have negative impacts on coastal marine environments, according to a new study focusing on a species of sea cucumber called a sandfish in the journal PeerJ.

The authors of the study titled "Effects of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) removal on shallow-water sediments" are: Steven Lee of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research and the University of Bremen; Amanda K. Ford of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research and the University of Bremen; Sangeeta Mangubhai of WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society); Christian Wild of the University of Bremen; and Sebastian C.A. Ferse of Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research and the University of Bremen.

In a sense, sea cucumbers are the vacuum cleaners of coastal marine environments. Since these invertebrates are also the target of a growing demand from Asian markets--dried sea cucumbers are known as "beche-de-mer"--the authors of the study sought to examine the ecological implications of removing them from tropical coastal areas.

"Our study was designed to determine exactly how the removal of these organisms is impacting coastal ecosystems, which in this case was a coral reef flat in Fiji," said lead author Steven Lee.

The experiment focused on a specific species of sea cucumber known as the sandfish (Holothuria scabra), and was conducted along a wide reef flat along the coast of Vanua Levu, Fiji for several months between September 2015 and February 2016. After conducting a standard survey of the site in order to determine the density of sandfish on the sea bottom, the researchers created 16 square plots with four "treatments" containing different densities of sea cucumbers, all of which were designed to ascertain the implications of harvesting, and overharvesting, sea cucumbers from the reef.

The research team found that, in plots with high densities of sea cucumbers, oxygen conditions within the sediment stayed relatively stable, even under elevated sea surface temperatures experienced during the 2015/2016 El Nino event. In plots where all sea cucumbers had been removed, the penetration of oxygen into surface sediments decreased substantially, by 63 percent.

Overall, the researchers found that a reef's ability to handle increases in organic matter inputs from rainfall and flooding inland was diminished by the removal of sea cucumbers.

"Our findings suggest that overharvesting of sandfish and other sea cucumber species could have lasting effects on the marine ecosystems of small Pacific islands such as those in Fiji, resulting in changes that could limit the productivity of shallow water ecosystems," said Dr. Sangeeta Mangubhai, Director of WCS's Fiji Program. "Hopefully these results will help inform management decisions that will conserve moderate to high densities of sea cucumbers and protect these ecosystems in the interest of safeguarding coastal livelihoods and food security."

"Sea cucumbers are an important source of livelihood for many tropical coastal communities and are heavily fished throughout the tropical belt, but so far we didn't have a good understanding of the wider ecological implications of harvesting them" said Dr. Sebastian Ferse of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) in Bremen, who collaborated with WCS in conducting this study as part of a project that looks into the social and ecological resilience of coral reefs in the South Pacific. "The results of this study fill an important knowledge gap and are timely for the management of an important resource for coastal communities."

This work was supported by: the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT); WCS; University of Bremen; the University of the South Pacific; and the residents of Natuvu village who permitted the study within their traditional fishing ground.

2018 has been designated by the International Coral Reef Initiative as the third International Year of the Reef. This is a great opportunity to come together to strengthen awareness on the plight of coral reefs, to step up and initiate conservation efforts.

###

WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society)

MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world's oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: 347-840-1242.A mere 27 candidates will appear on Tuesdays ballot for governor in California.

Whoever wins will replace Gov. Jerry Brown, who is term-limited.

Brown, who first served as governor between 1975 and 1983, returned to office in 2011. He has been at the helm during a prosperous period in Californias history, and will leave big shoes to fill.

Despite a vast field of candidates (including a transhumanist, a rapper, and puppeteer), three are leading the race: Democrats Gavin Newsom and Antonio Villaraigosa, and Republican John Cox.

Gavin Newsom

Newsom, 50, is currently serving as Californias Lieutenant Governor and is the frontrunner in the race. He has been Browns lieutenant since 2011, and before that served as San Francisco mayor from 2004 to 2011making him then the citys youngest mayor in 100 years.

He is progressive, emerging as an early advocate for same-sex marriage, and favored the legalization of cannabis in California.

But in the #MeToo era, Newsom faces at least one potential criticism: he was involved in a high-profile affair with his campaign managers wife in 2005. News of the affair emerged during his re-election campaign in 2007but he easily won another term as mayor.

While most Democrats appear to be unconcerned by Newsoms transgression (he is firmly ahead in nearly every poll), others see hypocrisy. Amanda Renteria, herself a Democratic candidate for governor, has called on Newsom to remove himself from the race, saying that elected officials need to be held to a higher standard. She has called for electing people who do not abuse their power.

There has also been concern raised over a $1,000 donation Newsom accepted at a fundraiser last summer from a controversial Soviet emigre with an extensive history of misrepresenting his business dealings to investors and the U.S. Justice Department. But Newsom apparently hopes to quickly assuage those concerns, announcing last week that he would return the donation.

Story continues

Antonio Villaraigosa

Like Newsom, Villaraigosa is a former mayor, serving the city of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013. Also like Newsom, Villaraigosa himself was at the center of a high-profile affair. In 2007, he acknowledged an affair with a television anchor who had been assigned to cover him.

Despite the affair, Villaraigosa has not faced much criticism from the Democratic party. Indeed, many have appeared willing to overlook the relationships, as both Villaraigosas and Newsoms affairs were consensual, and both separated from their wives not long thereafter.

Villaraigosa falls considerably behind Newsom in most of the polls, however. This may be at least in small part because Villaraigosa has been out of politics for nearly five years, and his stance on many issues falls to the right of Newsoms.

John Cox

The Republican frontrunner is John Cox, a businessman and relatively recent California transplant. While appearing to get much of the Republican partys support in California, the Chicago native has also been endorsed by President Trump, which could ultimately be a drawback in a state where Trump is very unpopular.

Cox has run for office a number of times, including a bid for president in 2008. Nevertheless, he has never been elected, and his lack of experience may prove to be an impediment, according to a New York Times report.

In spite of this, Cox could be the one to face Newsom in Novemberespecially if Newsom has anything to do with it.

Thanks to Californias jungle primary system, which puts the two highest primary vote-getters on the general election ballot, two Democrats could could end up facing each other in the final vote. Yet Newsoms chance of winning is considerably higher if he faces a Republican, and he has been accused of indirectly supporting a campaign to boost Coxs chances of reaching the general election.

Labor groups who support Newsom have reportedly funded an ad that attacks Cox by playing up his conservative credentials and support for Trump. According to analysts, the ad hopes to consolidate Republican support behind Cox, thereby pushing Villaraigosa out. Villaraigosa himself has filed a complaint, alleging that the ad is in violation of campaign laws.

According to the IGS poll from U.C. Berkeley, Newsom is at 33%, trailed by Cox with 20%, and Villaraigosa with 13%. Whoever wins will have a tough road after a prosperous few years, however. As Gov. Brown said earlier this year, Whats out there is darkness, uncertainty, decline and recession. So good luck, baby.By Byron Kaye

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd said it plans to change its website to refer to Taiwan as a Chinese territory, not an independent nation, but that it needed extra time to comply with the request from Beijing.

China's aviation regulator in April gave three dozen airlines a May 25 deadline to remove references on their websites or in other material that suggest Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are part of countries independent from China, a move described by White House as "Orwellian nonsense".

Self-ruled Taiwan is claimed by Beijing as a Chinese territory, and has become one of China's most sensitive issues and a potential military flashpoint. Hong Kong and Macau are former European colonies that are now part of China but run largely autonomously.

Qantas and some other airlines had requested at the time for an extension to decide how they would respond to the request.

At the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual meeting in Sydney on Monday, Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said his company planned to comply with the request, although the company needed extra time.

"Our intention is to meet the requirements. It is just taking time to get there," Joyce told journalists on the sidelines of the meeting.

The CEO of Qantas' international unit, Alison Webster, said the decision was not influenced by Qantas' partnership with China Eastern Airlines Corp.

"I don't think the relationship makes any difference to how we review our response," Webster said.

She said Qantas only needed extra time to make the change because "we have some complexity to work through".

"This is not just Qantas Airways, this is the Qantas group that has to be adjusted," she said. Due to the technology behind Qantas' websites, "it takes some time for us to get to grips with changes that need to be put into the program", she added.

Story continues

Air Canada, Lufthansa and British Airways are among the other carriers that have made changes on their websites after China's request. China said on May 25 that 18 carriers had changed their websites.

"As difficult and sensitive a decision as this is, our view is that we will comply with the Chinese government requirement," Air Canada CEO Calin Rovanescu said at the IATA meeting.

"We're not making any political statement. Airlines have enough issues to deal with," he added.

American Airlines has not made changes on its website, saying it was following the direction of the U.S. government.

"We received the notice but then the United States has replied and we're following the direction of the U.S. government," CEO Doug Parker said in Sydney. "Right now it's between our government and their government."

(Reporting by Byron Kaye; Additional reporting by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Michael Perry and Himani Sarkar)(Adds Petrobras comment, paragraph 6)

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 5 (Reuters) - Brazilian oil regulator ANP said on Tuesday it would seek public comment over a period of several weeks on a potential rule that could set limits on how often fuel prices change in the country.

The comment period, which will take place from June 11 to July 2, follows a nationwide trucker strike over diesel price hikes last month that paralyzed much of Latin America's biggest economy.

In an emailed statement, ANP said the process was aimed at soliciting suggestions about a rule that would create a "minimum period" for changing fuel prices.

It was not clear whether the regulator had the power to restrict the frequency of fuel price changes by state-controlled oil producer Petroleo Brasileiro SA, known as Petrobras.

The company had adopted a policy of nearly daily adjustments under its former chief executive, pricing changes in alignment with international markets.

In a statement to Reuters, Petrobras said it would join the discussions by the regulator. The company said "price formation based on market prices and more predictability" may increase competition.

Suggestions about a new fuel pricing policy may be sent by consumers, oil companies and state entities, ANP said.

President Michel Temer ended the trucker protest by agreeing to cut diesel prices and change the frequency of price adjustments, wiping out a third of the market cap of Petrobras over fears of growing political interference.

Public anger has also been building over gasoline prices, which have also recently risen and were not addressed by the agreement with the truckers. (Reporting by Alexandra Alper and Roberto Samora; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Peter Cooney)Crypto On the Go: Prague Subway Gets 10 New Bitcoin ATMs





GENERAL BYTES, a Prague-based bitcoin ATM manufacturer, has installed 10 new cryptocurrency ATMs throughout the Prague subway. With this latest move, commuters using the busy Prague Metro can buy and sell virtual currencies on the go. One of the busiest metros in Europe, over 1.2 million people pass through the Prague subway daily.



The company published an update on its website where it provides a detailed description of the location of each ATM. The new machines were installed in Mustek, Nadrazi Veleslavin, Dejvicka, Florenc, Cerny Most, Zlicin, Pankrac, Flora, Skalka and Hlavni Nadrazi.

According to Coinatmradar.com, the Czech Republic now has 46 bitcoin ATMs, with 34 of these ATMs concentrated in Prague. Of the 3,138 bitcoin ATMs manufactured globally, GENERAL BYTES has now manufactured 27.63 percent, with their machines installed in every major city in the world. Their ATMs support the purchase and sale of bitcoin, litecoin, dash and monero.

In conversation with Bitcoin Magazine, Martijn Wismeijer, Marketing Manager of GENERAL BYTES, described his company as "veterans in the blockchain space who have been there from the very beginning. He pointed out that the company was the first to introduce sending cryptos via email as well as the creator of the first BATMOne models.

Wismeijer said his company offers "seven different cryptocurrency ATM models as well as a point-of-sale (POS) called CortexPay. These crypto ATM models are all based on a similar code base; however, he also explained that, even though the machines were similar in code base, there are some minor differences in the hardware design and a range of additional features. These features include the capacity of the acceptor, dispenser and recycler combinations as well as the acceptance of multi-currencies on a single machine.

The ATM models are called the BATM series ATM. BATM is the name of the platform created by GENERAL BYTES for producing the ATMs. These machines are further divided into the BATMTwo series (one-way and two-way options) and the BATMThree series ATMs.

Story continues

According to Wismeijer, the one-way BATMTwo series ATMs were chosen for this project as there are already many two-way ATM locations in and around the city. Installing the one-way BATMTwo models allows GENERAL BYTES to showcase the possibilities that abound for clients brand-wise with the optional BATMStand which transforms the machines into a free-standing unit.

Wismeijer explained that clients can either run and maintain their servers or they can use the companys cloud-hosted server, which allows operators to run their software on GENERAL BYTES server for a small fee.

Cryptocurrencies in Prague

Prague has been a growing hotspot for everything crypto for a while now.

There hasn't been much definition or regulation of virtual currencies in the Czech Republic, and the government is seen to be somewhat friendly to cryptos.

The subject matter is, however, being discussed in government circles as the Czech National Bank published a paper titled "Don't be Afraid of Bitcoin," where it declared that "Prague is home to a strong community of cryptocurrency users," while playing down the potential threats of cryptocurrency to the traditional monetary system.

Last year, Alza became the "first large European retailer" to add cryptocurrency payments to its website and install two bitcoin ATMs in its showroom locations in Prague and Bratislava.

The hip and trendy Holesovice district in Prague is also home to the famous Cryptoanarchy Institute, Paralelni Polis, an organization that educates the public on cryptocurrencies. Prague is also home to a couple of crypto startups like SatoshiLabs (makers of Trezor hardware wallets).

This article originally appeared on Bitcoin Magazine.Why Is Crown Castle (CCI) Up 3.7% Since Last Earnings Report? Crown Castle (CCI) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock? We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues.

General Motors Company GM is ramping up the launch of electric vehicle (EV) in China. The company plans to introduce 10 more energy vehicles in the market between 2021 and 2023, which is in addition to its ongoing plan to launch 10 EV models between 2016 and 2020.

A continuous push by the Chinese government for EVs and stringent quotas  which is expected to be effective in 2019  have prompted automakers to launch an array of vehicles with plug-in hybrid and electric batteries. Moreover, competition to stay ahead and grab more market share in the world's biggest auto market has led to this development.

A few of the already-launched EVs in the Chinese market by General Motors include Cadillac CT6 Plug-In, Buick VELITE 5 extended-range EV and Baojun E100 EV. Further, the company plans to launch Buicks VELITE 6 plug-in hybrid, followed by VELITE 6 EV. The company will continue its Chinese operations with its SAIC-GM joint venture to design and develop EV portfolio.

General Motors Company Price and Consensus

General Motors Company Price and Consensus | General Motors Company Quote

Moreover, General Motors will develop and test its battery systems at its lab in Shanghai, GM China Advanced Technical Center. Per management, it will continue to expand the EV portfolio, with various electric ranges and body styles, to meet the need of its customers in China.

Price Performance

In the past six months, General Motors stock has moved up 2.3%, outperforming 4% decline of the industry it belongs to.

Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to Consider

General Motors currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other top-ranked stocks in the auto space are Fox Factory Holding Corporation FOXF, Toyota Motor Corporation TM and Oshkosh Corporation OSK. Presently, Fox Factory carries a Zacks Rank of 2, while Oshkosh and Toyota sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Story continues

Fox Factory has an expected long-term growth rate of 11.5%. Shares of the company have risen 26.9% over the past year.

Toyota has an expected long-term growth rate of 5.7%. Shares of the company have risen 24.6% over the past year.

Oshkosh has an expected long-term growth rate of 18.3%. In a years time, shares of the company have gained 13.2%.

The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All

Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.

See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>



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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment ResearchStarbucks (SBUX) founder Howard Schultz will step down from the board and his role as executive chairman on June 26, according to a memo sent to employees.

He will become the chairman emeritus.

Ill be thinking about a range of options for myself, from philanthropy to public service, but Im a long way from knowing what the future holds, Schultz wrote.

Schultz, 64, joined Starbucks in 1981 when it was a small Seattle-based roastery. While traveling in Milan in 1983, he encountered Italian coffee bars, where he experienced the theater and romance of espresso.

FILE PHOTO: Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz delivers remarks at the Starbucks 2016 Investor Day in Manhattan, New York, U.S., December 7, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

He purchased Starbucks in 1987. He grew Starbucks from 11 stores to more than 28,000 stores in 77 countries.

Starbucks, even before its initial public offering in 1992, was one of the first companies to offer healthcare benefits to both full-time and part-time employees, known internally as partners. The company also offered equity in the form of stock options.

More recently, the company committed to hiring veterans, refugees, and opportunity youth, kids ages 16 to 24 who come from lower-income backgrounds. Starbucks also offers college tuition for its employees.

Heres the full memo:

Dear Starbucks partnerspast and present,

I write to you today enjoying a French Press of my favorite coffee, aged Sumatra, and feeling so many emotions. Pride. Nostalgia. A heavy heart. But mostly, I sit here feeling a tremendous sense of gratitude. For years Ive had a dream to build a different kind of company, one that has the potential to enhance lives and endure long after I was gone. Thanks to you, my dream has come true.

Story continues

On June 26, 2018, I will officially leave Starbucks and become chairman emeritus.

It seems like yesterday that I first walked into the Pike Place store, stepped across the threshold, and was swept into a world of coffee and community. That moment began the journey of a lifetime. Not just for me, but for so many of us.

Who could have imagined how far we would travel together, from 11 stores in 1987 to more than 28,000 stores in 77 countries. But these numbers are not the true measures of our success. Starbucks changed the way millions of people drink coffee, this is true, but we also changed peoples lives in communities around the world for the better.

When I think about what Starbucks stands for, I think about how Our Mission, values, and guiding principles have come to life: access to healthcare benefits for full- and part-time employees, more than 20 years before the Affordable Care Act. Bean Stock starting in 1991, which turned employees into partners who could share in the companys success. Our ethical sourcing (C.A.F.E.) practices that have helped support farmers and nurture the land. Our years of community service and the C.U.P. Fund for partners in need. Our volunteer efforts in New Orleans and our annual Global Month of Service. Free college tuition through the College Achievement Plan. Our commitments to hire veterans, Opportunity Youth, and refugees. Policies like parental leave and pay equity. And our partners countless acts of kindness that occur in our stores, offices, roasting plants, and distribution centers every single day.

Many of you also know that I set out to build a company that my father, a blue-collar worker and World War II veteran, never had a chance to work for. Together weve done that, and so much more, by balancing profitability and social conscience, compassion and rigor, and love and responsibility. Because of your creativity, your hard work, and the love that you have poured into the company, Starbucks today is widely embraced and respected.

As I prepare to step away, Id like to humbly remind you not to lose sight of what matters most: your fellow partners and our customers. During all my years at Starbucks, in every weekly leadership meeting and quarterly board meeting, I always imagined two empty chairs in the room. One was for a partner and one for a customer. When I had to make a decision, I asked myself if the choice would make both proud. Today, I ask that you continue this tradition, and let the answer guide you. I promise the two chairs will serve you and the company well.

A few more thoughts Id like to share

Please remember, Starbucks is at its best when our stores and offices are welcoming places for everyone. So stay true to our reason for being: inspiring and nurturing the human spirit through a sense of community and human connection. As you adhere to our core purpose, do not forget to innovate around it. Never embrace the status quo. Instead, have the curiosity to look around corners and the courage to push for reinvention. Change is inevitable, and the world has become a more fragile place since we first opened our doors. Amid the chaos, try to listen with empathy, respond with kindness, and do your best to perform through the lens of humanity. Do not be a bystander. Instead, choose to be responsible for what you see and hear. No person or company is ever perfect, so learn from mistakes and be forgiving of yourself and others. And when goals are achieved, remember: success is always best when shared. And yet success is not an entitlement; it must be earned every day through hard work and teamwork. If you strive to be the best version of yourself and bring out the best in others, your dreams will come true again and again, and Starbucks Mission, values, and guiding principles will endure.

These values are as important as our coffee. Sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee will always be our heritage. Never stop reaffirming Starbucks leadership position in all things coffee. I can think of no better expression of this than our Reserve stores, and the magnificent Roasteries that we have built in Seattle and Shanghai, as well as the ones we will open in Tokyo, Chicago, New York City, and Milan. Bringing Roasteries to life with an incredible design team has been among the great joys of my career, and Ill proudly host the openings of the Milan and New York Roasteries in a few months. In those cities, the course of my life changed years ago. So it seems fitting that they are where my time with the company I love so deeply will come to a close.

Kevin Johnson is a true servant leader, and he will lead Starbucks as this great company enters its next journey. Its our duty as leaders to constantly reimagine Starbucks. I am honored to call Kevin my friend and partner. And Starbucks is fortunate to have him. This leadership team is extraordinarily capable. They, too, believe that Starbucks has a responsibility to use our scale for good.

I still feel like a kid from Brooklyn who grew up in public housing. I am living the American Dream. And I still have dreams for the company, and for you. Its been my honor to be in service to our partners. I hope Ive made you proud to work at Starbucks, and proud to wear the cloth of the companythe green apron.

All this is why Ill never say goodbye to you. Just thank you

Thank you to all the partners Ive never met, and to those Ive had the pleasure of knowing during my travels. Not a day goes by that I have not appreciated your heroic work. Thank you to Starbucks international and JV-licensed partners, who live our values in so many countries. Thank you to the thousands of partners I have collaborated with over the years, and to past and present members of the leadership team and members of the board. You have all been my teachers and helped me to become a better version of myself.

Most of all, thank you to my family. Sheri, my amazing wife, has been by my side throughout this incredible journey. My children, too, have supported and sacrificed throughout the years. Starbucks would not be the company it is today without their influence and love.

This will be an emotional transition, but Im looking forward to spending time with my family this summer. Im also writing a book about Starbucks social impact work and our efforts to redefine the role and responsibility of a public company in an ever-changing society. Its a journey that has prompted me to consider the many ways that each of us, as citizens, can give back to our communities. Ill be thinking about a range of options for myself, from philanthropy to public service, but Im a long way from knowing what the future holds.

As I transition and my e-mail address changes, I still want to stay in touch. Please visit howardschultz.com to stay connected with me.

I believe in my heart that Starbucks partners will continue what was started decades ago. Great coffee and our stores will always be catalysts for community. Now more than ever the world needs places to come together with compassion and with love. Providing the world with a warm and welcoming third place may just be our most important role and responsibility, today and always.

Onward with love,

Howard

Julia La Roche is a finance reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter.Trader Michael Capolino works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, May 3, 2018. U.S. stocks are falling Thursday morning as the market continues a sell-off that began late the previous day. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

As worries have grown about a potential trade war between the U.S. and China and other geopolitical tensions, investors have sold stocks and bonds from emerging markets countries at the fastest pace since November 2016, a new survey from the Institute of International Finance shows.

Non-resident investors pulled $12.3 billion out of emerging markets investments in May, the largest drawdown in more than a year and just the second overall outflow for EM stocks and bonds since last November.

IIF said Tuesday that the outflows from emerging market portfolios were split evenly between debt and equities. This cuts year-to-date portfolio flows to the asset class to around $46 billion, well below the $134 billion of inflows during the same period in 2017.

The organization, which works with banks around the globe, noted that individual country factors were part of the reason for the flow of funds out of the smaller and traditionally more risky asset class, but investors were also prompted by a changing global landscape and particularly developments in mature markets like the United States.

Against a backdrop of higher U.S. yields and a stronger dollar, a monthly diffusion index of flows to countries in our sample shows a recent broadening of outflows, suggesting that the risk-off environment is affecting a greater range of EM countries, IIF said in a statement.

The outflows in May were concentrated in EM Asia (-$8.0 bn) and the Africa/Middle East region (-$4.7 bn) and they persisted throughout May. IIFs Flows Alert, which tracks higher-than-normal movement of cash out of the asset class, was triggered by outflows at end of April and is still in effect, an IIF spokesman said.

This marks the second longest alert we have on record following the seven-week period of outflows after the U.S. election in November 2016, the group said.



Dion Rabouin is a markets reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter: @DionRabouin.

Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.(Releads with Netanyahu's comments on refugees)

BERLIN, June 4 (Reuters) - Iran's activities across the Middle East threaten to drive another wave of refugees to Europe, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday.

Netanyahu, on a tour to persuade European countries to follow the U.S. administration of Donald Trump in tearing up a nuclear non-proliferation deal with Iran, said the country was using proceeds from eased sanctions to finance conflict.

Iran wanted to expand and deploy Shi'ite militias it commanded to convert Muslims from the Sunni branch of Islam, he said at a joint news conference with Merkel.

"This will inflame a religious war, and the consequences will be many more refugees and you know exactly where they'll come," he added.

In 2015 Germany and other European countries saw an influx of more than a million migrants, fuelling the rise of far-right parties.

Many were refugees from civil war in Syria, where Iran is a crucial military ally of President Bashar al-Assad against rebels who are mainly Sunni.

Merkel said she agreed that Iran's activities in the Middle East were a concern, particularly for Israel's security. But she said talks and the nuclear agreement torn up by the United States offered ways of thwarting Iran's nuclear and regional ambitions.

"We support Israel's right to security and have said this to Iran at all times," she said. "We have the same goal that Iran must never get a nuclear weapon and the difference between us is how to do that." (Reporting by Thomas Escritt; editing by Andrew Roche)* Tensions with West rise after Trump ditches nuclear deal

* Iran leader rejects "economic and psychological warfare"

* Hardens threat to revive full-scale uranium enrichment

* Says Western "dream" to curb Iran missiles won't come true

* Reaffirms vow not to scale back Iran's Middle East role

*

* (Adds quotes on nuclear enrichment, detail, context)

By Parisa Hafezi

ANKARA, June 4 (Reuters) - Iran's top leader said on Monday he had ordered preparations to increase uranium enrichment capacity if a nuclear deal with world powers falls apart after the U.S. withdrawal, and he vowed never to accept limits on Tehran's ballistic missile programme.

Tensions between Iran and the West have resurged since President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of world powers' 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, calling it deeply flawed.

European signatories are scrambling to save the accord, which they see as crucial to forestalling an Iranian nuclear weapon, by seeking to ring-fence trade with Iran against new U.S. financial sanctions to dissuade Tehran from quitting the deal.

"Our enemies will never be able to halt our nuclear progress...It is their bad dream and will not happen," Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised speech.

In case European, Russian and Chinese signatories to the deal prove unable to protect its economic benefits for Iran, Khamenei said, "I have ordered Iran's atomic energy agency to be prepared to upgrade our (uranium) enrichment capacity".

He appeared to be hardening a threat to restore Iran's disputed enrichment drive first made after Trump quit the nuclear deal.

One of Trump's demands - which European allies support in principle - is new negotiations to rein in Iran's ballistic missile programme, which was not covered by the nuclear deal.

Khamenei again ruled this out. "Some Europeans are talking about limiting our defensive missile programme. I am telling the Europeans, 'Limiting our missile work is a dream that will never come true," he said.

Story continues

Under the deal, the Islamic Republic curbed its capacity to enrich uranium for nuclear fuel and in return won a lifting of most international sanctions that had hobbled its economy.

Trump also objected that the 2015 deal, reached under his predecessor Barack Obama, did not address Iran's nuclear work beyond 2025 or its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Though committed to the deal, European powers share Trump's concerns and want broader talks with Iran to address the issues.

Khamenei rejected this as "economic and psychological... warfare against us, and new American sanctions are part of it".

For all of Iran's fierce public riposte to U.S. threats of tougher sanctions, some senior Iranian officials see the U.S. position as a "bargaining strategy" and believe the door to a diplomatic compromise should stay open.

ENRICHMENT CAPACITY

Iran's increasing capacity to enrich uranium to higher levels of fissile purity was one of the burning issues during years of negotiations with world powers, which wanted enrichment limited to research scale to minimise the risk of Iran being able to assemble a nuclear explosive at short notice. Iran has repeatedly denied seeking a nuclear weapon from enrichment.

Major General Ali Jafari, commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, said last year that it had missiles with a 2,000-km (1,240-mile) range that could hit arch-enemy Israel and "most American interests and forces" in the Middle East.

After the U.S. withdrawal on May 12, Iran said it would remain in the nuclear deal only if were protected from renewed U.S. sanctions on key sectors of its economy such as oil, in cooperation with other signatories of the pact.

Options being considered by the EU to keep Tehran in the nuclear deal include new credit lines for Tehran, increased energy cooperation and implementing EU laws to block European companies from caving in to U.S. sanctions.

In his speech marking the 29th anniversary of the death of Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei insisted on resisting U.S. pressure and again warned of a harsh response if Iran came under attack.

"Tehran will attack 10 times more if attacked by enemies ... The enemies don't want an independent Iran in the region ... We will continue our support for oppressed nations," Khamenei said.

Shiite Muslim Iran backs President Bashar al-Assad in Syrias civil war, Shiite militias in Iraq, Houthi rebels in Yemens conflict and Lebanons heavily armed Hezbollah movement.

Khamenei also said Iran had no intention of curbing its influence in the Middle East as demanded by the Western powers and urged Arab youth to stand up to U.S. pressure.

"Young Arabs, you should take action and the initiative to control your own future ... Some regional countries act like their own people's enemies," he said. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi Editing by Mark Heinrich)FILE PHOTO: Piglets are pictured in a production module at the pig farm Granjas Carrol de Mexico (GCM), in Cuyoaco, Puebla state, Mexico August 4, 2017. Picture taken August 4, 2017. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido/File Photo

By Adriana Barrera and Dave Graham

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico will import more pork products from Europe after imposing a 20 percent tariff on U.S. pork legs and shoulders in retaliation to steel tariffs, Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said on Tuesday.

About 90 percent of Mexico's $1.07 billion (800 million) annual imports of pork legs and shoulders come from U.S. suppliers and the country expects to import more from elsewhere to avoid pushing prices higher for the cuts used to make hams and other processed meats.

After U.S. President Donald Trump imposed steel and aluminium tariffs on its NAFTA trading partners, Mexico on Tuesday retaliated against pork, steel and products ranging from light fittings to bourbon.

The countermeasures could hurt farmers and industry in states that supported Trump in 2016 ahead of mid-term elections in November. Chicago Mercantile Exchange hog futures deferred trading months at one point fell more than 2 percent following the Mexico pork tariff news.

At the same time as imposing the tariff on U.S. pork, Mexico opened a 350,000-tonne quota for imports of the meat from other countries. Guajardo said that quota would cover demand for the rest of the year.

"It will surely come from Europe, from some European countries. The idea is to avoid an impact on the supply chain for processed meats so there is not an impact on the consumer," he said at an event in Mexico City.

Bosco de la Vega, head of Mexico's National Agricultural Council, the country's main farming lobby, said Mexico had sanitary agreements for pork legs with 11 countries, and that Brazil, a major pork producer, was not on the list.

"With Brazil we don't have the sanitary measures. That's why it is not being considered," he told Reuters.

Story continues

Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Chile, Spain, France, German, Italy, Belgium and the United States can all sell pork legs to Mexico, he said.

Earlier this year, Mexico and the European Union reached a provisional agreement on an expanded trade deal adding farm products including pork to the tariff-free list. The new deal is not yet in effect.

Some U.S. industry analysts said it would not be easy, or cheap, for Mexico to switch to suppliers further afield than its northern neighbour.

"For better or worse, Mexico has become as much dependent on the U.S. for the pork that it feeds its people as the U.S. has become dependent on Mexico," said Altin Kalo and agricultural economist with Steiner Consulting Group in Manchester, New Hampshire.

He said pork supplementing pork from other countries would require it be frozen, raising handling costs.

"In the short term, we dont think there are any simple ways for Mexico to replace the pork it currently buys from the U.S."

U.S. pork processor Hormel Foods Corp (HRL.N) markets products in Mexico and said it will closely monitor the impact of the tariffs. Shares were up 0.3 percent in afternoon trading.

Other major pork processing companies that could feel the pinch of lower prices if Mexican tariffs lead to a glut in the United States include Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N), Smithfield Foods Inc [SFII.UL] and JBS USA Holdings (JBS.N).

Canada's ability to replace U.S. sales is limited by its much smaller ham production than the United States and tight truck capacity, said Richard Davies senior vice president of sales and marketing at Olymel LP, one of Canada's biggest pork exporters, saying he did see possible higher ham premiums.

De la Vega said he expected U.S. pork farmers who rely on the Mexican market to offer discounts to safeguard their relationships with buyers.

"Since they know this is temporary, it is only in place until they get rid of the steel and aluminium tariffs, they say I better offer discounts and we can keep working."

(Reporting by Adriana Barrera and Dave Graham; Additional reporting by PJ Huffstutter and Theopolis Waters in Chicago and Rod Nickel in Winnipeg; Writing by Frank Jack Daniel; Editing by Franklin Paul and Lisa Shumaker)china pigs

China Photos/Getty Images

Mexico is hitting back in the escalating trade conflict between the US and the rest of the world.

The US's neighbor to the south plans to levy 20% tariffs on the import of pork shoulders and legs.

Last week, the Trump administration moved forward with tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from three key US allies, including Mexico.

Mexican authorities are ready to hit back against the tariffs imposed on the country by the Trump administration, and they are preparing to impose significant levies on the import of pork products from the US.

Reuters reports that Mexico plans to place a 20% tariff on pork legs and shoulders from US suppliers. Those two cuts account for about 90% of the country's $1.07 billion annual imports of pork from the US.

"It's a 20% [tariff] on legs and shoulders, fresh and frozen ... with bones and without bones," Heriberto Hernandez, the president of Mexico's leading pork-producers association, Oporpa, said, according to Reuters.

Pork legs and shoulders are not as highly valued in the US, where ribs and bacon are in greater demand, but in Mexico they are used to make some of the country's most popular dishes, including tacos al pastor and carnitas.

The proposed tariffs, which could come into effect as soon as Wednesday, are a response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration last week on not just Mexico but also Canada and the European Union.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that the three key allies would no longer be exempt from US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

Trump's rationale behind imposing tariffs is to attempt to focus more business and manufacturing in the US by making importing goods prohibitively expensive.

Mexico last week said it would impose "equivalent measures" on other US products including flat steel, lamps, sausages and food preparations, apples, grapes, blueberries, and various cheeses.

"Mexico profoundly regrets and condemns the decision by the United States to impose these tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from Mexico," a statement from the country's economy minister said on Thursday.

Story continues

Trump's tariffs were widely slammed by international leaders, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling the move "totally unacceptable" and an "affront to the thousands of Canadians who have fought and died alongside their American brothers-in-arms."

The European Council's president, Jean-Claude Juncker, also called the tariffs "totally unacceptable."

NOW WATCH: THE KRISTIN LEMKAU INTERVIEW: JPMorgan Chase's CMO explains how she deals with disruption on two fronts at once, why she's moving some ad dollars back to TV, and why it matters what your credit card feels like

See Also:

SEE ALSO: 'Totally unacceptable,' 'patently absurd': How US allies are reacting to Trump's trade war on themU.S. West Texas Intermediate and international-benchmark Brent crude oil settled mixed last with WTI continuing its two-week price slide and Brent edging slightly higher. The price action was primarily driven by increased U.S. production as American oil output moved closer to matching that of top producer Russia.

July WTI crude oil settled the week at $65.81, down $2.07 or -3.05% and international-benchmark August Brent crude oil closed at $76.79, up $0.32 or +0.42%.

Weekly July WTI Crude Oil

The major story in the markets at this time is the disconnect between WTI and Brent crude oil. The spread differential between the two futures contracts reached a three-year high last week, above $11 a barrel. The premium has doubled in less than a month, as a lack of pipeline capacity in the United States has trapped a lot of output inland.

According to the U.S. Energy information Administration in its monthly report, U.S. crude oil production jumped 215,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 10.47 million bpd in March, the highest on record.

In other crude oil news, oil imports from Venezuela dropped more than 3 million bpd to 13.21 million bpd in the month, approaching the all-time low 13.20 million bpd, reported in January of 2003.

U.S. crude stockpiles fell 3.6 million barrels in the week-ending May 25, the EIA said, exceeding expectations for a decline of 525,000 barrels.

U.S. energy companies added oil rigs for a second week in a row. Drillers added two oil rigs in the week to June 1, bringing the total count to 861, the highest since March 2015, General Electrics Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday.

Weekly August Brent Crude Oil

Forecast

The expected increase in output orchestrated by Saudi Arabia and Russia seems to have been fully-priced into the market. Sources told Reuters last week that OPEC and other non-OPEC producers were discussing boosting output by about 1 million bpd to compensate for losses from Venezuela and to address concerns about the impact of U.S. sanctions on Iranian output.

Story continues

The exact amount is something that could be debated by speculators until June 22 when OPEC holds a meeting to discuss the matter. This gives traders plenty of time to feed the market with enough information to create a volatile, two-sided trade.

One piece of information released last week that helped Brent recover from its lows was that a Gulf source said that any rise in production would be gradual.

Russia also said that it would be able to raise its oil output within months to levels last seen before a global production-cutting deal took effect if there is a decision to unwind the pact, a Russian Energy Ministry official said.

Based on last weeks price action, it looks as if the spread between Brent and WTI crude could continue to widen this week especially if U.S. production continues to rise and OPEC and the non-OPEC producers continue to say that any increases in supply will be gradual.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:Visitors are seen by a booth of Qualcomm Inc at the China International Big Data Industry Expo in Guiyang, Guizhou province, China May 27, 2018. Picture taken May 27, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm <QCOM.O> has asked Europe's second-highest court to throw out a 997 million euro ($1.2 billion) fine levied by European Union antitrust regulators, citing numerous errors in the EU decision.

The European Commission penalized the company in January for paying Apple <AAPL.O> to use only its chips in its iPhones and iPads, giving rival Intel <INTC.O> no chance of getting a share of the market.

The EU competition enforcer's ruling was marked by errors in procedures and law, Qualcomm said in its appeal to the Luxembourg-based General Court, according to a filing in the Commission's Official Journal on Monday.

Judges typically take several years to rule on such cases.

Qualcomm is also involved in another EU antitrust case where it has been accused of selling chipsets below cost to drive out British phone software maker Icera, which is now a unit of Nvidia Corp <NVDA.O>.

The appeal is Qualcomm/Commission T-235/18.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee. Editing by Jane Merriman)Before moving to London to pursue a master's in interior design at the University of Westminster, American national Alyssa Moseley frequented YouTube to learn about international student experiences abroad.

She says she was encouraged to make the move after watching videos of international students comparing the United Kingdom with the U.S. and their discussions of the differences in curriculum and the struggles of balancing schoolwork and leisure activities.

"It helped me prepare myself in adapting to a completely different culture and educational structure. But they also advised with some more casual topics, such as places to study, hang out and cheap eats," Moseley says.

Prospective international students may initially use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get the unofficial view of what it's like studying at particular global universities. But potential applicants may also want to consider three other resources for detailed personal accounts.

[Read: 3 Benefits of International Student Ambassadors.]

YouTube. Many universities and individual international students have YouTube channels showcasing the international student experience. The videos can help quell concerns a prospective international student might have.

"All of our videos allow students to either familiarize themselves with AUC and student life on campus, or learn more about our wide variety of programs," wrote Farah Saafan, senior regional media relations officer at the American University in Cairo, in an email.

Saafan says examples include social media ambassadors discussing their AUC experience as well as videos highlighting the school's diverse student body, such as those captured in recent International Day and Season's Greeting videos.

The University of Toronto's YouTube channel features videos of international students discussing life on campus, academic opportunities and why they chose the school. Steffen Reinhart, senior communications and student recruitment officer at the university, says the videos give prospective international students a sense of what it's like to study at the school.

Story continues

The National University of Singapore has international students coming from 100 countries, says a university spokesperson. The school's YouTube channel features a video of international students from Malaysia, Mauritius, Indonesia, Germany, Macau and India discussing everything from campus community, faculty and academic programs to social life.

Two months before moving to London, Moseley says she started her own YouTube channel to document her experiences and "encourage anyone who is unsure of studying abroad to take that leap and just go for it."

[Read: 3 Ways to Evaluate a Global University Without Visiting.]

University blogs. Many global universities have blogs authored by their international students and offer potential applicants the chance to directly contact bloggers.

For example, Temple University's Japan campus, Linkoping University in Sweden and Queensland University of Technology in Australia have international student bloggers who detail their experiences in a new country and university.

The University of Westminster launched its international student blog in early 2015 to give international students a single platform to write about their studies in London, says Monika Parzych, an international officer at the university. She says students are encouraged to keep their own personal blogs and content is reposted to the school's international blog.

"We would like to see the international blog as the virtual space that encourages prospects to connect with our current students and provides them with information at the source," Parzych says.

Moseley now blogs for the University of Westminster on topics like traveling and studying and believes she serves as a unique resource, providing advice in both written and video formats.

"Blogging can only go so far visually," Moseley says. "But blogging does provide better opportunities to sum up points and provide links to helpful resources."

International student forums. In addition to exploring YouTube and blogs, prospective international students can use online forums to discuss a variety of topics related to earning a degree abroad.

[Read: 3 Mistakes International Students Make When Choosing a University Abroad.]

For example, potential applicants can visit The Student Room, an education website that has discussion forums about every U.K. university, says student adviser Hannah Morrish.

She says prospective international students can post questions in the forums to other applicants and current students. Students seeking to study outside the U.K. can visit the international study forum, she says, available under the site's "university" tab.

"Meet applicants with similar aspirations to you and get advice on how to apply and things to consider like programs offered, visas and accommodation options," Morrish says. Prospective international students should make sure to also get guidance from impartial professional advisers and universities, she says.

Similarly, Student Edge provides a forum for international students to ask questions about what it's like to study in Australia.

"They can even find out about members' firsthand experiences at universities and institutions across the country, and even where to buy the best coffee on campus," says Simon Miraudo, editor and head of communications and membership at Student Edge.

At College Confidential, prospective international students can join the international students discussion forum to post on everything from seeking online prep courses for the Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL, to the quality of food at U.S. universities.

There are also subforums for students considering studying at institutions in seven countries outside of the U.S.: Canada, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore and the U.K.

Students just starting the admissions process "can share their experiences and concerns with others like them, as well as with those who have already navigated this maze," says Sally Rubenstone, a senior contributor to College Confidential and a former admission counselor at Smith College in Massachusetts.

With all the resources available, Moseley hopes prospective international students will gain a deeper perspective on how valuable studying in another country can be. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," she says.

See the complete rankings of the Best Global Universities.





More From US News & World Report

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Americans are enjoying the best economy "EVER," says President Donald Trump, with trademark hyperbole.

Trump's tendency to take good economic news and wildly exaggerate it is on display in tweets self-celebrating 500 days in office.

His boast of record achievements on the economy and jobs ignores the Roaring Twenties, the war-time boom in the 1940s, the 1990s expansion and other times when unemployment was lower than now, economic growth was higher than now, or brisk productivity made the U.S. the world's economic powerhouse.

TRUMP: "This is my 500th. Day in Office and we have accomplished a lot - many believe more than any President in his first 500 days. Massive Tax & Regulation Cuts, Military & Vets, Lower Crime & Illegal Immigration, Stronger Borders, Judgeships, Best Economy & Jobs EVER, and much more."  tweet Monday.

THE FACTS: Although he is crowing first and foremost about the 3.8 percent unemployment rate in May, plenty of economic challenges remain: Inequality is a problem, housing costs are jumping, many baby boomers lack sufficient retirement savings and student debt is restricting the choices of recent college graduates. Overall economic growth has yet to show it can sustain growth in excess of 3 percent as Trump has promised.

Economists generally describe the U.S. economy as healthy for the moment, but they're naturally cautious about claiming that it's without weaknesses.

An economy this large and diverse has a way of thwarting any hubris. What looks phenomenal at one moment can be the source of a downfall later. The happy days of the 1920s gave way to the Great Depression, the tech boom led to a burst bubble and the surge in home ownership in the mid-2000s led to a devastating crash.

Story continues

The job market is certainly strong, with unemployment at an 18-year low. If it drops another tenth of a point, it'll be the lowest since 1969. Yet the jobless rate was at or below 4 percent for four straight years back then, from 1966 through 1969, and wages were rising more quickly. The cost of items such as college and health care was much lower then.

As for growth, in the 1990s boom, still the longest on record, the U.S. economy expanded at an average annual pace of 4.3 percent for five years, from 1996 through 2000. In the 1980s, growth averaged 4.6 percent annually from 1983 through 1987. While the economy has picked up from 2016, its best showing since Trump took office was 3.2 percent in last year's third quarter.

And in the late 1990s, a greater proportion of Americans had jobs than they do now. In May, 79.2 percent of people in their prime working years  aged 25 through 54  were working. That's down from a record high of 81.9 percent in April 2000, or about 3.4 million fewer people with jobs. The unemployment rate has fallen as far as it has partly because many Americans have given up looking for work. In the 2016 campaign, Trump used to cite that trend as evidence that the unemployment rate under President Barack Obama was a "hoax."

The lowest unemployment rate since World War II was reached in 1953, when it averaged 2.9 percent, almost a full point lower than today.

___

Associated Press writer Cal Woodward contributed to this report.

___

Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd

Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheckSTORIES YOU MIGHT LIKEFarmer Abdul Qayoom is among thousands of Afghans who are newly displaced.

It wasnt the fighting, though, that forced him leave his home in western Afghanistan.

Instead, he is seeking shelter from a devastating drought that has ruined his livelihood.

A prolonged lack of rain and dissipating groundwater destroyed his fields and killed his livestock, prompting Qayoom to move with his wife and their eight children to the western city of Herat from their village in neighboring Badghis Province.

Speaking with Radio Free Afghanistan from his temporary home in Dasht-e Shaidayee on the outskirts of Herat, he described how the drought disrupted their lives and eventually forced them to leave their village, Sharshar.

We were forced to leave because there was no water. All wells and the springs dried up, he said. We could not farm our lands because of the lack of rain. I had cows and sheep, but they died because there was no grass or pasture.

When the cattle began to die, the price per cow dropped from $1,400 to just under $300, and it was difficult to find a buyer for a sheep for under $30.

Qayoom is one of the 5,000 families that local authorities say have sought refuge in Herat during the past month. All fled their villages in the nearby provinces of Badghis, Ghor, and Faryab.

Just recently a UN office warned that this years drought has affected Afghanistans 20 provinces including Badghis, Uruzgan, and Jawzjan.

In its report released in May, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA) said that this drought will have a particularly detrimental effect on already chronically food insecure farming households.

UNOCHA estimates that out of approximately 2.2 million people affected by the drought, at least 1.4 million will become acutely food insecure. They will require emergency assistance over the coming months and into the next lean season, the report said.

We are concerned that the poorest cohort of Afghan society, particularly those already displaced by conflict, will be worst affected, said Christopher Nyamandi, the Norwegian Refugee Councils (NRC) country director in Afghanistan.

Displaced people affected by the drought are prevented from reaching markets and aid due to the ongoing armed conflict, he added.

Photo Gallery: Severe Drought Grips Afghanistan

A survey conducted by the NRC in January found that one in two displaced Afghans said they could not adequately feed their families and were often skipping meals. This figure is an increase from one in three six years ago.

A June 4 statement by the NRC noted that regional differences are stark. One in four respondents in conflict-affected [southern] Kandahar and [eastern] Nangarhar provinces say they had suffered hunger over the past year, compared with one in six in Kabul, it said.

Janan Kochi is a nomad and a livestock herder in Charchino district of southern Uruzgan Province. Speaking with Radio Free Afghanistan, he said nomads have been devastated by this year's drought.

The Kochis have been affected very badly, he said. We spent the winter and spring without rain. There is no grass in the mountains nor in the desserts.

In northern Jawzjan Province, residents have similar concerns.

Shukrullah, 50, a local farmer, has been recently displaced from the Qush-Teppa district. He now lives in a rundown house in the provincial capital, Sheberghan, together with his wife and their five daughters.

We planted some 700 kilograms of wheat seeds, but our crop was destroyed by a lack of rain, he said. I lost my cows, sheep, and chickens, as well, which prompted me to move to the city.

Najib Aqa Fahim, head of the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, says his country is experiencing the peak of a drought.

Thirteen million Afghans in 20 provinces [out of a total 34] are affected by drought, he told journalists on June 3. Out of these, 1 million people and 3 million livestock are in urgent need of food and water.

Earlier, the Afghan Agriculture and Livestock Ministry said it is working on a $100 million plan to help the drought-stricken communities during the next two months.

Despite these pledges, Qayoom says his family has received little assistance.

All I need is food and a shelter to live my life. I just dont want to die from hunger and the hot weather, he said.Pakistan's military has rejected accusations that the country is harboring militants who launch attacks in neighboring Afghanistan.

In a wide-ranging press conference on June 4, chief military spokesman Asif Ghafoor said Pakistan had been battling against militancy and noted that the country had paid a heavy price in its campaign against extremism.

"More than 70,000 Pakistanis and 16,000 soldiers have been killed and wounded in this war," Ghafoor said at the army's headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

The comments come one day after activists from the Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM) clashed with Taliban-linked militants in the country's northwest, near the Afghan border.

At least two people were killed and some 25 wounded in the clash in the Rustam Bazar of Wana, the main town of South Waziristan, local officials say.

PTM echoed accusations -- repeatedly voiced by Kabul and Washington -- that the Pakistani military continues to allow extremists a safe haven from which to launch attacks in Afghanistan, while only targeting insurgents who turn their guns on Pakistan.

In the press conference, Ghafoor hit back at PTM, accusing the group of being manipulated by "enemies of Pakistan."

PTM activists have been calling for the return of disappeared Pashtuns allegedly detained during military operations in the region.

The group also condemns what it describes as undue harassment of Pashtuns at checkpoints and demand authorities remove security posts.

Based on reporting by AFP and RFE/RL's Radio MashaalFalls Church, Virginia, May 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chevron shareholders voted today on a resolution to evaluate a policy of cutting business ties with governments engaged in genocide or crimes against humanity. Filed by seven socially responsible investing organizations, the proposal cites specifically the nation of Myanmar, whose military stands accused of committing atrocities against the Rohingya ethnic minority.



Chevron is the largest U.S. corporate investor in Myanmar (Burma). In partnership with Total of France and the government-owned Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), Chevron owns the Yadana gas field and pipeline that generates billions of dollars in revenue for the government of Myanmar. In March 2015, Chevron entered into an additional production sharing contract with MOGE to explore in the Rakhine Basin off the coast of Rakhine state, the historic home of the Rohingya people.

The vote comes amid reports of a worsening campaign by the Myanmar military to kill or drive out ethnic minorities. The U.S. State Department's International Religious Freedom Report, released yesterday, finds that an estimated 688,000 Muslim Rohingya have fled the country and that an unknown number are internally displaced.

See: International Religious Freedom Report for 2017 (U.S. Department of State)

The State Department report also describes a new campaign of state-sanctioned violence against the ethnic Christian minority in Burma's Kachin state, continuing a decades-long struggle in that region.

Preliminary estimates show that seven percent of Chevron shareholders voted for the resolution, according to representatives of the proposal's filers who were present during this morning's annual general meeting. Because the vote tally exceeded the minimum threshold, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules allow the resolution to be filed again for 2019.

This is the second year that the resolution, which calls for a feasibility report on ending ties with genocide-complicit regimes, has been filed by Azzad Asset Management. After pressure from investors last year, the company publicly pledged to work for "a business environment that respects human rights." Chevron CEO Michael Wirth confirmed this morning during a question-and-answer session that the company is in dialogue about human rights with Myanmar officials.

See: Chevron says it will push for Myanmar human rights (BBC)

Shareholder groups joining Azzad in submitting this resolution include Benedictine Sisters of Baltimore; Benedictine Sisters of Boerne, Texas; Dana Investment Advisors; First Affirmative Financial Network; Mercy Investment Services; and Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk, U.S. Province.

About Azzad

Azzad Asset Management is committed to providing investment services designed to help people enjoy optimum performance without compromising their values. The firm, based outside Washington, D.C., is a registered investment advisor that operates with the belief that companies in ethical lines of business offer relatively less business risk and are in a better position to thrive over the long term.

- END -(Linkoping, Sweden, June 5, 2018)  Agama Technologies, the specialist in video service quality and customer experience, today announced that Hungarian operator UPC has selected to implement Agamas video assurance platform to ensure top quality of its video services.

UPC Hungary, as a leading integrated info-communications operator, is providing top quality services to 1.8 million of households in Hungary in nearly 350 settlements for more than 855.000 residential and business customers. By implementing the Agama video assurance platform in its head-end and network, UPC achieves full operational transparency in real-time. With the right information and insights at their fingertips on service performance in multiple stages of the delivery network, UPC operations teams can manage, deploy and innovate in an agile manner while staying in full control.

By choosing Agamas modern, software-based solution, we are able to get great support for both automated monitoring as well as visual inspection. We now have a real-time view of the delivery chain with key metrics directly available for our services, from the head-end and through the network, Tibor Szabadszallasi, Video Manager at UPC says.

As a long-time Agama partner, we are thrilled to support the deployment of the Agama solution at UPC Hungary, Tibor Temesi at Silicon Computers comments.

Mikael Dahlgren, CEO at Agama Technologies, adds: It is always a pleasure to design quality assurance solutions together with operators with as high ambitions as UPC Hungary. We feel honored to have been selected by them and are really looking forward to our collaboration.

###

Media contact:

Anna Amnell

Agama Technologies

mediacontact@agama.tv

+46 13 240 330





About UPC

UPC is the leading integrated ICT service provider in Hungary. The company has been supplying its innovative services to the market since 1998. It provides television, broadband internet and landline telephone services in nearly 350 settlements nationwide on its cable networks. In 2015, the company launched its mobile service with a totally new approach in the domestic telecommunications sector, being the first to offer unlimited data packages with no fixed terms and network-independent devices. Through its innovative applications and services UPC offers access to the unlimited opportunities of the digital world inside and outside homes and offices. UPC Corporate Services division provides enterprises with customized and competitively priced business communications solutions.

According to company data from 31 March 2018, UPC operates a total of 685,300 cable television, 673,400 broadband internet, 640,700 landline telephone and 93,900 mobile communications services through its modernized and constantly expanding networks reaching nearly 1.8 million households in Hungary. For further information please visit our website at www.upc.hu

About Silicon Computers

Silicon Computers Ltd. was established in 1995 as the Hungarian distributor for Silicon Graphics, Inc. (recently acquired by Hewlett Packard Enterprise) and as system integration being one of its core businesses, the company is also a strategic partner of several other renowned vendors. Silicon Computers makes sales activities with hardware and software products of its market leading partners and also supports its customers. The company provides complete solutions, including system development and integration, on such application areas like broadcast and on-line media, enterprise IT, image processing, surveillance systems, business intelligence, e-commerce, education, and scientific research. You can find Silicon Computers on the web at www.silicon.hu

About Agama Technologies

Agama Technologies specializes in empowering video operators business processes with awareness that can drastically lower operational costs and improve customer satisfaction. With extensive experience and an industry-leading solution for monitoring, assurance and analytics of video service quality and customer experience, Agama helps operators to implement a data-driven way of working to assure optimal service quality, improve operational efficiency and increase customer understanding. The company is based in Linkoping, Sweden, and is privately held. For more information, visit www.agama.tv

AttachmentEnglish French

TORONTO, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadians are expected to spend as much as $7.17 billion on cannabis products in 2019 and increase their overall consumption by up to 35 per cent once recreational cannabis is legalized later this year, according to a new report by Deloitte. Legal recreational cannabis sales could generate up to $4.34 billion in sales, accounting for more than half of total cannabis sales, but the illegal market could still be worth more than $1 billion a year.



The report, A society in transition, an industry ready to bloom, says current cannabis consumers are likely to move nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of their purchases to legal channels, even though they expect to have to pay up to 10 per cent more per gram after legalization. Deloittes research suggests, however, that consumers could be persuaded to completely abandon their illegal suppliers through the right mix of quality, price and safety.

Most current and likely cannabis consumers want a variety of products offered at reasonable prices from suppliers who can vouch for the safety and origin of those products, said Jennifer Lee, Partner, Cannabis National Leader, and Consumer Advisory and Analytics Practice National Leader. Cannabis companies will need to have secure supply chains to protect the quality and integrity of their products, and retailers will need to meet consumer expectations, including providing a positive, engaging retailing experience and protecting the privacy of their customers, especially online.

Governments at all levels will need to establish a strategy to encourage the cannabis industry to develop in a safe, healthy, secure, well-regulated and professional manner, according to Deloitte, in part to reduce the stigma surrounding cannabis consumption so that people move their purchases away from the illegal market. Its also to protect the consumer and public at large.

Deloitte says retail fundamentals will still apply: customer insight and data is critical. Cannabis retailers will have to execute modern retail fundamentals just as effectively as more traditional retailers to be successful. For retail stores, that means having staff with strong product knowledge, clearly and prominently displaying prices for all products, and offering convenient hours and locations. Online retailers should endeavour to provide free shipping, quick delivery and organized product groupings, and to ensure their customers privacy is protected and data is secure.

Canada is in a unique position as the first G7 country on the cusp of legalizing recreational cannabis, said Mark Whitmore, Vice Chair and Global Leader Deloitte Private. The move to legalize recreational cannabis has sparked a wave of innovation and entrepreneurship, similar to Canadas technology sector, which will create jobs for Canadians, new opportunities for businesses and revenues for governments.

Other notable findings in the Deloitte report include:

The legal recreational cannabis market is expected to generate sales of up to $4.34 billion in 2019, the medical cannabis market will account for between $770 million and $1.79 billion, and the illegal market will generate a further $510 million to $1.04 billion

There is considerable interest in cannabis-based edible products, even though these will not be available for at least a year after legalization. Six out of 10 likely consumers are expected to choose edible products

Current and likely cannabis consumers are expected to purchase the majority of their products through physical retail locations, while about one-third will also buy products online through approved retailers websites

Legalization of recreational cannabis will create a new type of cannabis consumer who is older than todays typical consumer (aged 35-54 versus 18-34), better educated (university or graduate school education versus high school or college education), less of a risk taker and likely to consume cannabis less frequently (less than once a month versus several times a week)

A society in transition, an industry ready to bloom is the second report by Deloitte on the opportunity that legalizing cannabis presents to the Canadian economy. Its inaugural report, Recreational Marijuana, insights and opportunities, evaluated the total industry potential with a view to understanding public opinion, consumption trends and retail opportunity. This most recent report examines how cannabis consumption levels may change after legalization, what kinds of products consumers would be interested in, and how and from where theyd be inclined to purchasein short, what consumer demand means for the cannabis industry.

For more information and to read the full Deloitte 2018 cannabis report, please visit: www.deloitte.com/ca/Deloitte2018Cannabisreport

About the study

A sample size of 1,500 adult Canadians were surveyed online across the country between March 6 and March 20, 2018. The sample includes representation from every Canadian province.

About Deloitte

Deloitte provides audit & assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four out of five Fortune Global 500 companies through a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories bringing world-class capabilities, insights and service to address clients most complex business challenges. To learn more about how Deloittes approximately 264,000 professionals9,400 of whom are based in Canadamake an impact that matters, please connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.

Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.

For more information, please contact:

Jeannie Tsang

Deloitte

416-643-8084

jeatsang@deloitte.ca

Caitlin Stidwill

Deloitte

416-775-7144

cstidwill@deloitte.caSINGAPORE, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Investment Evolution Coin Ltd. (IEC Ltd) announced the successful creation and launch of the Investment Evolution Coin (IEC) cryptocurrency that trades on the global PayBito cryptocurrency exchange. IEC cryptocurrency will initially be used to facilitate fast and free payments to the Philippines by Filipino Overseas Foreign Workers located in Europe and the Middle East, before expanding to other global consumer and business cryptocurrency payments markets. In July, IEC Ltd plans to launch its own global cryptocurrency exchanges in Malta and Dubai named Investment Evolution Exchange (IECX). IEC Ltd also plans to offer IEC cryptocurrency loan services to its payments customers and provide cryptocurrency token creation/exchange listing services utilizing the IEC network and IECX.



Paul Mathieson, IEC Ltds Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, We are very excited to have launched our own IEC cryptocurrency running off its own blockchain network without requiring an ICO. The next step is to launch IECX cryptocurrency exchanges in Malta and Dubai to enable fast and free remittances for Filipino Overseas Foreign Workers from Europe and the Middle East to the Philippines. IEC Ltd aims to be the global leader in cryptocurrency payments, loans and exchanges.

Investment Evolution Coin (IEC)

IEC is now available for purchase globally for Android users on the PayBito exchange, accessible at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hashcash.bbc_wallet_android_global . The web version of PayBito is accessible at https://www.paybito.com/dashboard/login.html .

Investment Evolution Exchange (IECX)

IEC Ltd has entered into a consulting agreement with Hashcash Consultants, a cryptocurrency and remittance consulting company located in Silicon Valley, USA and India, to implement and launch up to 4 new Investment Evolution branded cryptocurrency exchanges. The initial IECX cryptocurrency exchanges are planned to be launched in Malta and Dubai in July 2018, subject to receipt of any applicable regulatory approvals and licenses.

About Investment Evolution Coin Ltd. (IEC Ltd)

IEC Ltd is a Singapore public company with its own cryptocurrency, Investment Evolution Coin (IEC) that currently trades on the global PayBito exchange. IEC cryptocurrency will initially be used to facilitate fast and free payments to the Philippines by Filipino Overseas Foreign Workers located in Europe and the Middle East, before expanding to other global consumer and business cryptocurrency payment markets. IEC Ltd also plans to launch its own global cryptocurrency exchanges in Malta and Dubai named Investment Evolution Exchange (IECX), offer IEC cryptocurrency loans to its payments customers and provide cryptocurrency token creation/exchange listing services utilizing the IEC network and IECX. For more information about IEC Ltd, please visit www.investmentevolution.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond IEC Ltd's control which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects IEC Ltd's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. IEC Ltd assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

The contents of IEC Ltds website referenced herein are not incorporated into this press release.

Contact:

Paul Mathieson

Investment Evolution Coin Ltd.

Chairman/CEO and Founder

info@investmentevolution.comMon, 10/11 (10am ET): Why are you Stuck in GMAT Verbal while doing well on Quant?Should taxpayers pay to read the results of public funded research or do they have the right to those. This issue is the center of hotly contested debate in the House of Representatives as a part of the Research Works Act. The Research Works Act would forbid the National Institute of Health to require, as it now does, that its grantees provide copies of the papers they publish in peer-reviewed journals to the library. If the bill passes, to read the results of federally funded research, most Americans would have to buy access to individual articles at a cost of $15 or $30 apiece, making citizens pay for research already funded by them.



Publishers of journals such as Cell, Science, and The New England Journal of Medicine, who are backing the bill, argue that they add value to the finished product and that requiring them to provide free access to journal articles within a year of publication denies them their fair compensation and makes it difficult for them to generate profits comparable to the profits in the industry. Furthermore, they claim that while the research may be publically funded, the journals are not, claiming that they add significant value in the peer review process that makes the published articles worthwhile.



But in fact, these journals receive billions of dollars in subscription payments, a good portion of their revenue today that is derived largely from public funds. Moreover, even the peer review process, which the journals claim is their primary value add, is funded by public funds. The researchers who volunteer their time to review their peers work come primarily from universities and research organizations that are funded by taxpayers dollars.



Rather than rolling back public access, Congress should move to enshrine a simple principle in United States law: if taxpayers paid for it, they own it. This is already the case for scientific papers published by researchers at the N.I.H. campus in Bethesda, Md., whose work has been explicitly excluded from copyright protection since 1976 because it was funded by the public. It would be easy to extend this coverage to all works funded by the federal government.



1. The primary purpose of the passage is to



A. Demonstrate how the publishing industry is misusing the time of Congress for their own financial benefit.

B. Illustrate a moral dilemma facing the House of Representatives.

C. Evaluate the pros and cons of passing the Research Works Act.

D. Discuss and disprove the claims put forth by the backers of Research Works Act.

E. Advocate all publically funded research to be made open source.





2. Which of the following if true would undermine the claims of publishers of Cell, Science, and The New England Journal of Medicine?



A. Publishers such as Cell and Science that are backing the Research Works Act already have higher revenues than their European counterparts.

B. Publishers such as Cell and Science that are backing the Research Works Act are much more profitable than publishers who publish independent research works and do not provide free access to public.

C. The government agencies are able to negotiate serious discounts because they argue that they are paying only for priority access for research that would be made public anyway.

D. While the overall revenue of the publishing industry in general has gone down due to the rise of internet, the overall revenue of the publishers backing the Research Works Act has been remained largely unchanged.

E. There is little risk to the overall profitability of the Cell, Science, etc. even if the Research Works Act is not passed.





3. The third paragraph performs which of the following functions



A. It summarizes the discussion thus far and suggests additional reasons why the publishers may have been unfairly compensated.

B. It refutes the claims made by the publishers of Science, Cell, and The New England Journal of Medicine.

C. It discusses a scenario in which the arguments of publishers of Science, Cell, and The New England Journal of Medicine may not hold ground.

D. It puts forward new evidence to distract the focus of the House of Representatives.

E. It cites a specific case to illustrate the inconsistency in the claims made by the publishers of Science, Cell, and The New England Journal of Medicine in the previous paragraph. A. Demonstrate how the publishing industry is misusing the time of Congress for their own financial benefit.B. Illustrate a moral dilemma facing the House of Representatives.C. Evaluate the pros and cons of passing the Research Works Act.D. Discuss and disprove the claims put forth by the backers of Research Works Act.E. Advocate all publically funded research to be made open source.A. Publishers such as Cell and Science that are backing the Research Works Act already have higher revenues than their European counterparts.B. Publishers such as Cell and Science that are backing the Research Works Act are much more profitable than publishers who publish independent research works and do not provide free access to public.C. The government agencies are able to negotiate serious discounts because they argue that they are paying only for priority access for research that would be made public anyway.D. While the overall revenue of the publishing industry in general has gone down due to the rise of internet, the overall revenue of the publishers backing the Research Works Act has been remained largely unchanged.E. There is little risk to the overall profitability of the Cell, Science, etc. even if the Research Works Act is not passed.A. It summarizes the discussion thus far and suggests additional reasons why the publishers may have been unfairly compensated.B. It refutes the claims made by the publishers of Science, Cell, and The New England Journal of Medicine.C. It discusses a scenario in which the arguments of publishers of Science, Cell, and The New England Journal of Medicine may not hold ground.D. It puts forward new evidence to distract the focus of the House of Representatives.E. It cites a specific case to illustrate the inconsistency in the claims made by the publishers of Science, Cell, and The New England Journal of Medicine in the previous paragraph.One of my favorite reasons to read is the chance to transport myself into a different time or place that would otherwise be impossible. Growing up in suburban Wisconsin, I didnt get much of an opportunity to interact with farm animals, let alone learn what it takes to live in a cattle barn for a summer or wrangle a loose bull. Swamper Tales offers the reader a very real telling of the grit, grime, and gumption that one needed to survive the county fair showing circuit in the 1960s and 1970s.

Ride along with author Roger Peach, as he transforms from city boy to fair hand while working on a dairy farm run by Frank and Gilbert Bigham in Pinckneyville, Ill. His stories, and the real-life legends who he witnessed at work, takes you back in time to a place that makes the reader very aware of how things have changed over the years.

Without a doubt, youll meet some unforgettable characters, both human and bovine. Some had incredible physique, and some had unmatched strength of will and mind. This collection of raw tales is not for the faint of heart but will perhaps provide some nostalgia for rambunctious days of past youth. His soulful stories have an almost circus-like feel, but with a dairy spin, combined with historical context for the times at hand.

I deem this book a perfect dairymans Fathers Day gift, or for that neighbor who always seems to find a solution in a pinch. It might even trigger a few swamper tales of their own to share, and a second opportunity to be transported to another time.

From the book:

"Swamper defined  An unskilled worker who assists a skilled, experienced, cattle herdsman or owner. Swampers perform menial, thankless tasks of the lowest order, which require a strong back and often an even stronger stomach.

Find Swamper Tales for a limited time in the Hoards Dairyman bookstore.

The author is the special publications manager. Aisha is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in Life Sciences Communication and Environmental Science. She is responsible for the Hoards Dairyman bookstore and creating educational resources for farmers, students, and dairy industry professionals.





Join us for next Monday's webinar:

Karl Burgi, Dairyland Hoof Care Institute, will present Supervise hoof health with a No lameness tolerance policy. It will be presented on Monday, June 11, at noon (Central time).

Lameness affects nearly one out of every four dairy cows worldwide. It deteriorates welfare and causes significant economic losses. Burgi will address factors causing lameness, such as trimming errors, sole ulcers, white line lesions, and digital dermatitis. The webinar concludes with an action plan.

The webinar is sponsored by Zinpro Performance Minerals.Banking Banks are facing unprecedented disruption due to the COVID-19 crisis. Institutions of all types and sizes are dealing with new challenges and risks. And while introducing new measures to support their employees and customers, banks are also trying to strengthen their financial sustainability. All of this is happening on top of the usual higher capital requirements, shrinking interest rate spreads, costly regulatory burden and overall market volatility: the modern banking sector has a lot to handle. And even with all of these challenges, the financial services sector remains the best-performing sector for the third year running. With a CEE score of 7.63, the retail banking sectors performance exceeds the national average by 3 percent. In Luxembourg the sector demonstrates a better performance than the market average, across all the Six Pillars. The pillars of Time and Effort, Personalization and Integrity were the dimensions that customers appreciated most in their banks during the period of the pandemic.

Insurance Insurance is fundamentally about protection, which is especially needed in turbulent times. COVID-19 reinforces consumers need for more transparency regarding their insurance policies and the details of their cover. Clarity on what is and isnt covered will help insurance businesses further build trust with their customers. The insurance sectors performance exceeds the average across all the Six Pillars, with a particularly outstanding performance in Empathy (at 11 percent above the market performance). The highest scores among The Six Pillars were for Time and Effort (8.09) and Personalization (8.05)  meaning that insurance firms succeeded in minimizing customer effort and creating frictionless experiences while giving individualized attention to their clients during the pandemic. The pillar of Integrity made the top three pillars for insurers in the Luxembourg market (with a score of 7.98), as customers have needed to trust their insurance companies during the crisis.

Public Sector While deploying resources to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the population was a critical and primary concern over the last few months, governments in Luxembourg and abroad also had to move quickly to reduce the wider economic impact of the outbreak on household finances, business performance and cashflow. Contrary to the prevailing stereotype of bureaucratic foot-dragging, governments demonstrated how quickly and decisively they can act in a crisis. Our analysis shows that respondents appreciated the Luxembourg governments efforts, scoring the public sector 2 percent above the studys average. The sector was awarded the highest score of all industries for Integrity (at 6 percent above the market average)  showing the ability of Luxembourgs public services to build trust in uncertain times. The public sector also earned a high Personalization score, demonstrating the governments and public agencies ability to respond to COVID-19 by recognizing the personal needs of both citizens and companies, and providing relevant circumstance-based information. While Empathy is still the sectors lowest score, it is also the pillar which saw the biggest improvement over the last year (+4 percent).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Staff members complained to us that the companies went directly to top state officials to get penalties reduced or removed.

The officials who ran the state health commission and its managed-care programs communicated frequently with lobbyists for the health care companies, which are also major contributors to the campaigns of the governor and legislators, according to records obtained by The News.

Based on thousands of pages of internal state records and interviews with current and former state workers, we found:

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has routinely hidden the magnitude of managed-care companies failures, even as frontline regulators have recommended hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties, The News found.

Taxpayers are not getting their moneys worth on this, Toll says, but health commission leaders keep everything under wraps.

The health-care companies left patients in horrifying conditions, says Nancy Toll, who headed the team of nurses who found the problems that sparked the fines. Medicaid managed-care organizations were leaving patients with dementia at home without any help, for instance, and not providing basic equipment like walkers and adult diapers.

Managed-care companies overstate the number of physicians available to treat the states sickest patients. Catch up.

Theres just one problem: Regulators had originally recommended penalties of more than $102 million, sanctions that were quietly reduced by top health officials, The Dallas Morning News has learned.

As proof of its tough new attitude, the agency is fining the companies $11.7 million for failing to provide medical care for hundreds of elderly and disabled people in 2017.

Responding to a stern rebuke from Gov. Greg Abbott, the state health commission says its cracking down on medical companies that get billions of taxpayer dollars each year but shortchange sick and vulnerable Texans.

A new methodology

In late 2017, as The News began asking the state about pervasive problems in Medicaid managed care, the state was making a major cutback to penalties stemming from serious lapses in care for disabled patients.

First, regulators cut the original $102.2 million in penalties by more than half, to $40.6 million. An agency spokeswoman said the records we obtained about the original fines were an initial draft from technical staff.

On Jan 11 of this year, the staff recommended $8.1 million in fines  20 percent of the total at the time. Charles Smith, the longtime aide Abbott had appointed in 2016 to run the Health and Human Services Commission, didnt want to do the 20 percent option and instead wanted 100 percent, but ordered the staff to validate the methodology first, according to a memo.

The next week, Smith met with Abbotts office to discuss the fines. And three days later, on a Saturday, Abbott sent a a scathing letter:

The details my staff relayed about the inadequate care by some of the managed care organizations (MCOs) is of great concern to me, the governor wrote. Though in general managed care has been good for Texas, he wrote, the commissions failure to protect the most vulnerable Texans is particularly disturbing.

The letter turned heads in Austin. As governor, Abbott is ultimately in control of the commission, but his office rarely gets involved in such nitty-gritty details. And Smith was an Abbott favorite, having worked for him for a decade when he was attorney general.

Abbotts letter called for a new methodology for deciding what the state should fine problem companies. He also called for deciding if failures are systemic.

Smith soon responded to Abbotts rebuke, promising to establish a new methodology for penalties, to track systemic issues for which the companies should be fined, and to expand reviews of the programs that cover foster kids and medically fragile children.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Charles Smith, then head of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, shook hands at a bill signing in May 2017. Abbott says hes cracking down on health care companies that get billions in taxpayer dollars each year while shortchanging sick and vulnerable Texans. But state officials have quietly worked to lower penalties against the companies. (Robert T. Garrett/Staff)

The commission came up with a new total: $11.7 million -- despite the governors call for a crackdown.

The commission used a new system for determining penalties, fining more for failures that caused significant harm and less for contract violations that didnt hurt anyone, according to documents obtained by The News. The new methodology also weighted whether fines were related to systemic problems.

The commissioner declined to speak with The News for months about our reporting on Medicaid managed care. But after we asked the governors office why the fines had been reduced even after Abbott had slammed health officials for poor oversight, Smith agreed to a phone call.

In the last minutes of his final day at the commission  he retired Thursday  Smith told The News he had been responsible for the reductions. He had questioned the higher fines, he said, because they arent supposed to be punitive but rather just a way for the state to enforce its contracts.

We had a process that needed to be better vetted, Smith said, adding, I didn't have conversations with the governor's office about that amount.

Abbotts office was adamant that it had urged the health commission to levy the maximum penalties.

The involvement by the Governors office was to condemn the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for failing to adequately hold accountable the Managed Care Organizations, spokeswoman Ciara Matthews said in an emailed statement.

During our phone call with Smith, we asked if he would comment on cases like that of Dashon Morris, a baby who ended up in a persistent vegetative state because one company refused to provide him the nursing care his doctor ordered.

Smith declined.

State Rep. Sarah Davis, the Houston Republican who chairs the House General Investigating and Ethics Committee, has publicly criticized how the commission has been run on Abbotts watch.

The fine reductions and the correspondence between Abbott and Smith struck me as suspicious, Davis told The News.

We need to have an inquiry, she said. The reduction is so dramatic, and I dont understand at this point who was the final decision maker, who was all involved in that process.

How did $102 million become $11.7 million? October 2017 Frontline regulators tallied up hundreds of failures by managed-care companies to provide services to patients and calculated fines of $102.2 million, according to data obtained by The News. Jan. 11, 2018 Health commission officials reduced the total sanctions to $40.6 million. Commissioner Charles Smith approves 100 percent of the penalties, but orders staff to validate methodology. Jan. 17, 2018 The commissioner meets with Gov. Greg Abbott's staff. Jan. 20, 2018 Gov. Abbott sends a scathing letter to Smith, calling for tougher regulations that reflect whether violations are systemic and a new methodology to assess sanctions. Jan. 29, 2018 Smith responds to the governor, saying his staff is developing a new methodology for penalties and will evaluate whether issues are systemic. February 2018 The sanctions are finalized, according to a health commission spokeswoman, using a new methodology that increases fines for systemic problems. February 2018 Using this new methodology, the commission settles on sanctions of $11,678,250. June 1, 2018 The governor's office responds to our questions about the reduced sanctions. The involvement by the Governors office was to condemn the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for failing to adequately hold accountable the Managed Care Organizations and repeatedly urge the Commission to levy the maximum penalties. - Ciara Matthews, Abbott spokeswoman June 1, 2018 Here's what the health commission had to say. "The final liquidated damages amounts were an agency decision. The Governors Office was clear that we should hold the plans accountable in no uncertain terms. The Governors Office never asked us to dial back." - Christine Mann, health commission spokeswoman.

Sloppy data, shoddy oversight

Through the Texas Public Information Act and other sources, The News obtained data and records detailing violations by managed-care companies from 2009 to 2017.

Between fiscal years 2009 and 2016, four companies collectively got a pass on $12.6 million in fines: Superior Healthplan, Amerigroup, Cigna HealthSpring and Molina.

But the official accounting often doesnt tell the whole story. For instance, data provided by the commissions media office shows that in 2012, the state fined those companies $5.2 million.

Separate  and more detailed  internal records obtained by The News show rank-and-file staffers had recommended about $17.1 million for the third quarter of 2012 alone. They came up with that figure by counting up hundreds of violations, including improper denials of home care and prescriptions and repeated failures by companies to maintain an adequate network of doctors.

The next year, auditors noted that Superior HealthPlan, which covers more Texans than any other Medicaid managed-care company, had been hit with $800,000 in sanctions in December 2012. But the commissions accounting includes no record of that.

Instead, the commissions records show it sanctioned Superior only $51,750 for the 12-month period.

When The News asked for records detailing how many times the state had suspended problem companies from enrolling new patients in Medicaid managed care, the agency said it would charge more than $1,800 to track down and produce the records.

When we asked about a specific suspension, issued to Molina, the commission said there were no records. When we pressed further, a spokeswoman sent two separate suspension letters, which showed Molina had been barred from enrolling new clients for about nine months in 2013.

The companys network of doctors and specialists had become woefully inadequate after it slashed what it paid for medical care in the Rio Grande Valley.

Problems with Amerigroup

Senior health officials have often ignored the findings of their own auditors and contract watchdogs.

For example, regulators found that Amerigroup  the second-biggest player in Medicaid managed care  had been submitting unreliable and misleading data to the state since at least 2015, according to internal records obtained by The News.

The company was double-counting the services it provided, reporting at least $18 million in duplicate payments, the records show.

Regulators said the flawed data created a significant concern about the overall integrity of whats known as encounter data  actual payments for services provided to patients, according to a memo received by Smith months before he left the commission.

Any reporting from the agency that uses encounter data is potentially inaccurate, they wrote, including any reporting that may have been provided to the Texas Legislature and the federal government, which pays more than half the costs of Medicaid.

This data is fundamental to how Texas delivers health care to poor and disabled Texans. Its used to determine what the state should pay companies each year. And lawmakers need it to budget for Medicaid  the states largest single expense.

Inflated encounter data could result in the state paying more for the same services, or make it appear a company is providing more health care than it really is.

The regulators recommended that the state suspend Amerigroup, which would have meant the company couldnt take in new patients across much of Texas, records show.

That would have sent shockwaves through the state. The health commission would have had to scramble to place sick children and disabled adults into a new program, forcing them to switch doctors and specialists. Dealing with that disruption could have cost the state millions of dollars.

Months went by. Eventually, the audit problems just went away, staff members say.

Olga Gallardo, a spokeswoman for Amerigroup, blamed computer glitches for the overbilling and unreliable data, problems she says the company has worked with the state Health and Human Services Commission to fix.

We take these matters very seriously, she says. Amerigroup has been very forthright with HHSC and the legislative community regarding our encounter problems.The article, titled Peoples Mojahedin in Iran: Americas New Friends, was published on May 11, but it contains that same lies that the Regime has used to smear the MEK for decades. They accuse the MEK of being Marxist or Stalinist, when in reality some Marxists took over the party when the Shah imprisoned all of the MEK leaders in the 1970s. They accuse the MEK of being sect-like, which is nothing close to the truth. They even accuse the MEK of having no domestic support, when the MEK is much more beloved than the Regime.

None of these should be believed, especially when Germany has actually cited the Iranian Regimes propaganda against the MEK in the past. Of course, the article does not mention the Regimes crimes against humanity, like executing 120,000 members of the MEK purely for their political beliefs, or its devastating campaign of violence in the Middle East.

Why now?

The popularity of the MEK can be seen in how they encouraged the popular uprising that began in December and is still going on today. This is likely why the Iranian Regime has stepped up their attack campaign against the MEK. The mullahs are losing control and more governments are giving their support to the Iranian Resistance.

The Iranian people are calling for regime change in the streets, the international community is slowly waking up to the failures of appeasing the regime, and the countries of the Middle East are fighting back against Iranian aggression. The mullahs cannot argue that they lead a stable regime, they are instead captaining a sinking ship.

The MEK, and the Resistance as a whole, actually also represent the legitimate opposition to the Regime. Far too many rebellions fail because there is not a democratic alternative in place, but the MEK has spent 40 years forming a democratic opposition that works with governments all around the world.

The Regime tried to discredit the peoples calls for regime change, arguing that the MEK wanted military intervention (they dont) or that the protesters are only a small number (theyre not). The Regime is even hatching terrorist plots against the MEK is Europe and the US. The world needs to pay attention and support the Resistance if we have any hope for a Free Iran.

Javad Dabiran wrote on the Huffington Post: The time of deception and demagogy about Iran has come to an end and contrary to the wishes of the old and new friends of the Iranian regime, the mullahs are now on the brink of the abyss. The elimination of dictatorship is a general concern. A change in Iran does not happen on instructions from the outside. For this change, the Peoples Mojahedin rely on the civil protest to end the dictatorship and establish freedom and democracy.In recent months, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has arrested dozens of environmental experts and activists on false charges of spying for the West, while the corrupt judiciary has been prosecuting the cases.

The reality is that the Iranian Regime sees these experts as a threat to their rule because they will advise things like ending environmentally destructive construction projects that are exacerbating water shortages, stopping the diversion of water to ethnically Persian areas of Iran, not building on protected lands, and putting money into treating environmental issues rather terroristic up the military. Some of these environmental issues have also been triggering anti-regime protests, which have meant that activists can easily mobilise the masses and pose a threat to the future of the Regime itself.

This is clearly the real reason that the mullahs are targeting these activists. Even Isa Kalantari, head of Irans Department of Environment, confirmed last week that a government investigation panel had found no evidence of wrongdoing by the environmental detainees and called for their immediate release.

However, the judiciary has refused to release the detainees and has dismissed the findings of the government committee. Theyve even summoned the head of the intelligence community, Mahmoud Alavi, to explain how Kaveh Madani, deputy head of Department of Environment, left Iran without facing these fake charges. He was accused of spying for the West, but the real problem is that he criticized Irans water management policies.

The real issue is that environmental activists and scientists should not be punished for doing their jobs. Some have expressed surprise that the rulers of Iran have largely failed to act appropriately, but expecting fair treatment of them by the Iranian Regime is a fallacy. After all, the Regimes only goal is to stay in control and the activists are a threat to that.

One of the saddest stories about these false imprisonments is that of Kavous Seyed-Emami, a Canadian dual national who directed the Persian Heritage Wildlife Foundation. He was one of several detainees who died under mysterious circumstances in the first few weeks of 2018.

Other imprisoned environmental experts include Tahir Ghadeeryan, a 2008 UNESCO award winner, and Nilofer Bayani, an expert who worked for the United Nations.Crenshaw Boulevard Restoration Work Could Begin as Early as June 15

After four years of construction work on the Crenshaw/LAX Lines three underground stations, work to restore and improve Crenshaw Boulevard could begin as early as June 15. The work will require three separate closures of parts of Crenshaw Boulevard between 48th Street and Exposition Boulevard.

The restoration process involves securing utility lines, removing the concrete decking that sits over each of the stations and then repaving the road. Metros contractor will also be rebuilding curbs, gutters, sidewalks and adding ramps that are compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The closure schedule is:

ADVERTISEMENT

Crenshaw Boulevard will be closed between 43rd Street/Homeland Drive and 48th Street for 43 days from as early as June 15 to late July for work around the Leimert Park Station.

Detours:

Northbound: If traveling northbound on Crenshaw Boulevard turn east on Slauson Avenue, turn north on Western Avenue, turn west on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and turn north on Crenshaw Boulevard.

If traveling northbound on Crenshaw Boulevard turn east on Slauson Avenue, turn north on Western Avenue, turn west on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and turn north on Crenshaw Boulevard. Southbound: If traveling southbound on Crenshaw Boulevard, turn east on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, turn south on Western Avenue, turn west on Slauson Avenue and turn south on Crenshaw Boulevard.

Local northbound access to Crenshaw Boulevard businesses and residents will be available via Leimert Boulevard. Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall: local traffic to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza will have access via Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Marlton Avenue, Santa Rosalia Drive and Stocker Street.

Crenshaw Boulevard will be closed from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to Stocker Street for 23 days from late July to late August for work around the Martin Luther King Jr. Station.

Detours:

Northbound: If traveling northbound on Crenshaw Boulevard turn east on Vernon Avenue, turn north on Western Avenue, turn west on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and turn north on Crenshaw Boulevard.

If traveling northbound on Crenshaw Boulevard turn east on Vernon Avenue, turn north on Western Avenue, turn west on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and turn north on Crenshaw Boulevard. Southbound: If southbound on Crenshaw Boulevard turn east on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, turn south on Western Avenue, turn west on Vernon Avenue and turn south on Crenshaw Boulevard.

Crenshaw Boulevard between Vernon Avenue and Stocker Street will be open only for local resident access.

Local traffic to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza will have access via Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Marlton Avenue, Santa Rosalia Drive and Stocker Street.

Crenshaw Boulevard will be closed between Exposition Boulevard and Coliseum Street for 37 days from late August to early October for work on the Expo/Crenshaw Station. Motorist will have two detour options available.

ADVERTISEMENT

Detour option 1:

Northbound: If traveling northbound on Crenshaw Boulevard turn east on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, turn north on Western Avenue, turn west on Jefferson Boulevard and turn north on Crenshaw Boulevard.

Southbound: If traveling southbound on Crenshaw Boulevard turn east on Jefferson Boulevard, turn south on Western Avenue, turn west on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and turn south on Crenshaw Boulevard.

Detour option 2:

Northbound: If traveling northbound on Crenshaw Boulevard turn west on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/Rodeo Road, turn north on La Brea Avenue, turn east on Jefferson Boulevard and turn north on Crenshaw Boulevard.

Southbound: If traveling southbound on Crenshaw Boulevard turn west on Jefferson Boulevard, turn south on La Brea Avenue, turn east on Rodeo Road/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and then turn south on Crenshaw Boulevard.

Southbound traffic will be detoured at Jefferson Boulevard.

Crenshaw Boulevard between Exposition and Jefferson boulevards will only be open for local access.

Traffic Control Officers

During the restoration work, Traffic Control Officers (TCO) will be deployed at critical intersections to help manage traffic along detours and local access routes.

Metro mitigation programs

Metros Business Solution Center (BSC) and the Business Interruption Funds (BIF) will continue assisting business impacted by construction of the Crenshaw/LAX Line. For information on these programs contact: BSC (323) 299-9660 extension 2289 or visit www.metrobsc.net/crenshaw and BIF (213) 739-2999 extension 223 or visit www.metro.net/bif.

Safety

During construction activities access for emergency responders will always maintained, unless otherwise specified. Construction is a dynamic process and information is subject to change without notice.

Metro Bus service

During the restoration period, Metro Bus lines 40, 105, 210, 705, 710 and 740 will be detoured and bus stops will be relocated or changed. For information on Metro bus lines call (323) GO.METRO (323-466-3876) or visit Metro service advisories at www.metro.net/service/advisories/bus/

The Crenshaw/LAX Line is an 8.5-mile light rail line that will include eight new stations to serve the Crenshaw, Inglewood and LAX communities. The $2.058-billion project is expected to open in 2019. A ninth station will be added after opening to connect the Crenshaw/LAX Line, Green Line and bus lines to the future LAX automated people mover.Rescue workers pulled at least 10 people alive from ash and mud flows around Guatemalas Volcan de Fuego on Monday.

The countrys national disaster agency reported at least 62 people have died since the volcano exploded Sunday. Officials say the number is expected to rise.

Volcan de Fuego means Volcano of Fire in English. It is one of several active volcanoes in Guatamala. It sits 44 kilometers west of Guatemala City, the countrys capital.

The volcano sits close to Antigua, a former capital during Spanish colonial rule. The United Nations has recognized the town as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Ash fell Sunday on Guatemala City as well as nearby areas. Streets and houses in Antigua were also covered.

The explosion sent a huge cloud of ash several kilometers into the air. Extremely hot flows of ash mixed with water and debris, blocking some roads and burning homes.

The land left behind was still too hot to touch or to recover bodies from many places. In some areas, rescue workers shoes even melted.

Hilda Lopez said the volcanic mud flowed into her village of San Miguel Los Lotes, close to the mountain. Lopez said she still does not know where her mother or sister are.

We were at a party, celebrating the birth of a baby, when one of the neighbors shouted at us to come out and see the that lava was coming," Lopez remembered. We didnt believe it, and when we went out the hot mud was already coming down the street.

My mother was stuck there, she couldnt get out, said Lopez, crying and holding her face in her hands.

In the village of El Rodeo, people said they did not learn of the danger until it was too late. Some were critical of government officials.

Rafael Letran, who lives in El Rodeo, said the disaster agency never told us to leave. When the lava was already here they passed by in their pickup trucks telling...us to leave, but the cars did not stop to pick people up.

The disaster agency said more than 3,200 people had left affected areas.

Volcan de Fuego is one of Central Americas most active volcanoes. The very top of it reaches a height of 3,763 meters above sea level.

The eruption on Sunday was the volcanos most powerful explosion in more than 40 years.

Ashley Thompson adapted this story for Learning English. Her story includes information from the Associated Press and Reuters. George Grow was the editor.

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Words in This Story

mud - n. soft, wet dirt

heritage - n. the traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part of the history of a group or nation  usually singular

site - n. the place where something (such as a building) is, was, or will be located

debris - n. the pieces that are left after something has been destroyed

lava - n. melted rock from a volcanoto send out rocks, ash, lava, etc., in a sudden explosion

eruption - n. a violent volcanic explosion that sends out rocks, ash, lava, etc.From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report.

An outbreak of a brain-destroying virus is currently happening in the Kerala state of India.

The number of people who have died from Nipah is relatively small. Officials from Indias Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a statement to the press that this is not a major outbreak and is only a local occurrence. They cannot confirm the origin of the outbreak. But they can confirm that it is spreading between humans.

So far, the Nipah virus has killed more than a dozen people. The victims include a 31-year old nurse in Kerala. Lini Puthussery was part of a team treating the first Nipah patients. She was also a wife and the mother of two young children. Her body was cremated quickly so the infection would not spread.

Health officials are most concerned about the high mortality rate of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists the Nipah virus as a developing disease that could cause a global pandemic. Ebola and Zika are also on this list.

Symptoms of Nipah

Those who contract Nipah show signs of the disease quickly. Early signs include fever, sleepiness, vomiting and mental confusion.

An infected person may also suffer from a cough or have difficulty breathing. As the disease progresses, signs often include uncontrollable shaking and encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.

Experts at the WHO say these symptoms can progress to a coma within 24-48 hours.

Transmission

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States explains on its website that transmission of Nipah virus to humans may occur after direct contact with infected bats, infected pigs, or from other NiV (Nipah virus) infected people.

The WHO includes all animals in its explanation. Nipah virus can be transmitted to humans from animals (such as bats or pigs), or contaminated foods and can also be transmitted directly from human-to-human.

Brief history

The CDC explains that the Nipah virus is named for a village in Malaysia. Nipah was first discovered there in 1999. At that time, the virus mostly infected pig farmers and those who had contact with pigs. At least 300 people in Malaysia and Singapore were infected, and more than 100 people died.

The CDC adds that, to control that outbreak, officials killed more than one million pigs. In this outbreak bats infected pigs and then pigs infected humans. There was no occurrence of person-to-person transmission in this outbreak.

However, in Bangladesh and India the CDC states that person-to-person transmission is regularly reported.

Its site adds that this is most commonly seen in the family and caregivers of Nipah virus-infected patients. In this area, people can also get Nipah from contact with infected bats.

The Science News website reports that there was a Nipah outbreak in Bangladesh from 2001 to 2007. People caught the disease after drinking contaminated fruit fluids that virus-carrying bats had also drank.

There is no cure for Nipah or vaccine to protect against it.

And thats the Health & Lifestyle report. Im Anna Matteo.

Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Quiz

Quiz - Deadly Brain-Damaging Virus Outbreak in India Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

mortality  n. the number of deaths in a given time or place

cremate  v. to burn (the body of a person who has died)

contract  v. to become ill with (a disease)

pandemic  n. an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world

occurrence  n. something that happens

contaminate  v. to make (something) dangerous, dirty, or impure by adding something harmful or undesirable to it

encephalitis  n. medical inflammation of the brain that is caused especially by infection with a virus (such as herpes simplex or West Nile virus) or less commonly by bacterial or fungal infection or autoimmune reaction

coma  n. a state in which a sick or injured person is unconscious for a long time

transmission  n. the act or process by which something is spread or passed from one person or thing to another

vaccine  n. a substance that is usually injected into a person or animal to protect against a particular disease

Westminster Abbey is one of the most famous tourist sites in Britains capital, London. Now, officials have decided to open another area of the building to help teach its history.

The Queens Diamond Jubilee Galleries are about 16 meters above the floor of the church, which is used for coronations, marriage ceremonies and funerals of Britains royal family. The abbey also holds the remains of many famous Britons.

More than 300 objects will be put on display in the newly opened area. They will be grouped by four guiding ideas - Building Westminster Abbey, Worship and Daily Life, Westminster Abbey and the Monarchy and The Abbey and National Memory.

Westminster Abbey official Vanessa Simeoni told the Reuters news agency, Its the first time that weve ever, in the history of the abbey, had the public up here.

She added that many of the objects have never been displayed to the public before. Among them will be Prince William and Kate Middletons marriage document.

Visitors will be able to look down into the abbey from the Galleries. They can also look outside at the nearby Houses of Parliament.

The opening of the new area is next Monday, June 11.

Im Caty Weaver.

Reuters reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

tourist  n. a person who travels to a place for pleasure

church  n. a building that is used for Christian religious services

coronation  n. a ceremony in which a crown is placed on the head of a new king or queen

royal - adj. of or relating to a king or queenNarrow our trade surplus with the United States? No problem, say Chinese negotiators. But change technology tactics that are Chinas path to prosperity and its rightful place as a global leader? Absolutely not.

China highlighted the sensitivity of the issue with its threat Sunday to scrap deals aimed at settling a trade dispute with Washington if President Donald Trumps tariff hike on USD50 billion of Chinese technology goods goes ahead.

It sheds more light on where President Xi Jinpings government might compromise and where it rejects any challenge to a Communist Party-led model for technology development that it sees as hugely successful.

Where China does not budge is in areas it considers to be its fundamental development strategy, said Louis Kuijs of Oxford Economics, a former World Bank economist in Beijing. If the U.S. is asking China to stop these industrial policies to become a global technology leader, that is where China says, Look, thats not possible.

The desultory end to weekend talks led by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Chinas top economic official, Vice Premier Liu He, revived worries Beijing and Washington are sliding again toward open conflict.

The dispute is in two largely unrelated halves: American frustration with Chinas overall trade surplus with the United States  a record $375.2 billion last year and forecast to grow  and more narrowly focused complaints about Beijings technology policy.

China already agreed to address the first with a May 19 pledge to buy more American farm goods, energy supplies and other products.

That is fairly easy, say private sector analysts. Beijing can buy more U.S. natural gas and soybeans and less from Russia and Brazil. Its overall trade balance would stay the same.

The focus on Chinas trade surplus is politically appealing, economists say, but distracts from goals that matter more to American companies and that Washingtons European and Asian partners support. Those include gaining the same access to Beijings markets that its companies enjoy abroad and improving protection of intellectual property such as patents and trademarks.

The Trump administrations fixation on the trade deficit is exactly where I think the Chinese would prefer to have this, said Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy in Beijing. It kind of lets them off the hook on these bigger, more important issues.

Technology is thornier. It strikes at the heart of plans the ruling Communist Party sees as critical to reducing poverty that remains widespread despite two decades of explosive economic growth.

The United States and other governments complain Chinese technology industries are built on know-how Beijing steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over.

Before Beijing joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, such technology transfer often was an explicit requirement for foreign companies that wanted access to Chinas state-dominated economy.

Today, regulators say no one is obliged to give up technology. But foreign companies in autos, pharmaceuticals and other fields are required to operate through local partners. That forces them to share know-how with potential rivals or help them to create their own.

Xis government sees Chinese strength in technology as a path to restoring the countrys political and cultural greatness after two centuries of what nationalists see as humiliation by foreigners.

Make no mistake about this: China aims to be the worlds largest economy, its advocate of free trade, its geopolitical leader, Carl B. Weinberg of High Frequency Economics said in a report.

Beijing has staked out a role as defender of free trade in response to Trumps support for import controls. That is despite Chinas status as the most-closed major economy  a paradox some foreign businesspeople call, free markets abroad, socialism at home.

Trumps tariff threat targeting technology goods reflects American alarm about Chinas status as a potential competitor in profitable fields from solar power to electric cars to biotechnology.

After a lull in tensions following Chinas May 19 pledge, the White House renewed its threat last week. It said details of goods targeted would be released June 15, but an earlier tentative list included telecoms, medical and other technology.

Beijing is ready to make concessions to avoid a real trade war with Washington, but worries about the economic and political costs, said Shi Yinhong, a professor at Renmin Universitys School of International Studies in Beijing.

The Chinese government believes that if the concessions are too huge and hasty, it might not be workable for the Chinese economy or the Chinese government may feel it is being placed in a vulnerable political and diplomatic position by easily making concessions, said Shi. It wont be the case that the United States can get whatever they want.

On Sunday, Ross said the two sides discussed specific exports Beijing might buy, but the meeting ended with no commitments.

An hour later, a statement carried by Chinas official Xinhua News Agency said if tariff hikes or other U.S. sanctions go ahead, then all the economic and trade achievements negotiated by the two parties will not take effect.

Since November, China has announced plans to end limits on foreign ownership in its insurance and auto industries and to reduce import tariffs on autos and a range of consumer goods.

China has shown flexibility in most areas where Washington is seeking greater market access, said Rajiv Biswas of IHS Markit. However, a major challenge for China will be to reduce the bilateral trade deficit by $200 billion per year over the medium term as requested by Washington, since that will be a mammoth task.

Beijing has promised to give market forces the decisive role in allocating resources but also is building up state-owned companies that dominate fields including banking, telecoms and energy.

The Communist Party said in 2013 would increase its direct role in business decisions. That runs counter to the trend in economies such as Japan and South Korea that became more open and market-oriented as they developed.

Governments including Germany increasingly express concern Beijing is carrying out state-sponsored technology acquisition disguised as purchases by enterprises that officially are private.

They say Chinese leaders blur the lines between state and private by providing the money for deals such as automaker Geelys 2010 purchase of Volvo Cars and appliance manufacturer Mideas 2016 acquisition of German robotics maker Kuka.

In 2017, Trump vetoed the sale of a U.S. semiconductor manufacturer to a Chinese investor on national security grounds after Washington concluded the financing came from Chinas government.

The White House and business groups cite Beijings Made in China 2025 development strategy as an example of policies they say hamper market access and violate free-trade commitments.

It calls for China to develop global leaders in electric cars, renewable energy, robotics, artificial intelligence and other fields. Business groups say that inevitably will involve subsidies and protection against foreign competitors.

Its tantamount to a country competing with a company, the chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, William Zarit, said last week.

Kuijs of Oxford Economics said an extended conflict could lead to a technological cold war that would carve up the global market into isolated regions with different standards for mobile phones and other products.

That will dampen productivity growth in the long term, he said. Joe McDonald, Beijing, APA local private company associated with gambling magnate, Loi Keong Kuong, will buy a prize office complex sold by Sydney-based real estate group, Markham, in a deal worth some AUD265 million, The Australian reported.

Located at 179 Elizabeth Street, opposite the citys Hyde Park, the company is expected to capitalize on both the buildings long-term conversion potential and the citys rising rental prices.

Back in 2016, the company also bought the ExxonMobil headquarters at Riverside Quay in Melbournes Southbank for AUD160 million.

The buyer is expected to undertake an office refurbishment of the Riverside Quay address to convert it into a hotel, located near James Packers Crown casino.

The Melbourne site is also expected to become a hotel and gaming venue in the longer term.

However, the magnate will have to wait until 2050, when the Packer companys monopoly lease is due to expire.

In Sydney, the Loi family could pursue a longer-term residential or hotel conversion, as the strip is changing.

The report noted that buyers of Sydney office towers including Zone Q and Greaton are chasing upside risk by charging higher levels of rent, rather than undertaking short-term developments.

Meanwhile, Lois family will also benefit from the multi-tenanted building due to the citys rising rent.

Built in 1992, the building has retail space on the ground floor and four basement levels of parking.

The tower has a weighted average lease expiry of 3.9 years.Sands China Ltd. held the ninth edition of its Because We Care Team Member Awards on May 31 at The Venetian Theatre, where it honored outstanding team members who exemplify Sands Chinas Because We Care shared service values of friendliness, professionalism, active listening and teamwork.

Our companys success is made possible by the dedication of our team members, said Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd.

It is our pleasure to acknowledge some of the more exceptional examples of teamwork and commitment with these awards, he added, as cited in a statement issued by the gaming operator.

Sands China team members cast more than 33,000 votes for this iteration of the awards, resulting in 379 nominations comprising 809 team members in all.

A judging panel shortlisted the top 68 individual and team nominations, amounting to 248 team members in total.

In all, there were 16 individual awards and five team awards, delivered in gold, silver and bronze designations, with the result that 430 team members won awards in total.

Cuppa coffee celebrates tenth anniversary

Cuppa Coffee, a Western-style coffee store founded and owned by local Portuguese & Chinese entrepreneurs, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month, and will offer patrons a token of its appreciation on June 10.

The store has not only kept its doors open despite its rent increasing 350 percent since its opening, but also expanded its services to include a take-away branch and an online store, according to a statement issued by the company.

Its been a challenge, but we are very happy to be able to celebrate a decade of our brand. We feel that we are a small landmark in Taipa, said founder & manager Cristiana Figueiredo.

Now, we would like to take this unique Macau brand & experience further, to open more stores in Macau and expand into Hong Kong, China, and even Malaysia, and were actively looking for partners to do so, she added.Transport Bureau (DSAT) Director Lam Hin San said that the DSAT will support any suggestions coming from the taxi industry as long as they improve the industrys service quality.

Regarding the recent reports of the many suspected taxi violations in Macau, Lam admitted that current penalties for taxis in Macau, are relatively light, and even if the transport and police authorities have strengthened their powers against illegal taxi drivers, the issue of non-compliance in the taxi industry has not shown signs of slowing down.

Lam noted that the content of the relevant laws concerning the taxi industry does not specifically deal with taxi violations.

Presently, Lam hopes that the legislative procedure relating to the taxi industry will achieve immediate results in the matters under concern.

When asked about the taxi industrys desire to cooperate with the DSAT in the development of Quality Taxi accreditation, which proposes to place signs on taxis that provide high quality taxi services, Lam said that the government will support any suggestions that are demonstrated to improve taxi services.

Regarding the shortage of bus drivers, Lam said that the DSAT has already asked bus companies to review safety hazards presented by operations carried out by short term drivers.

According to Lam, most of the short term bus drivers of the three bus companies are already complying with the DSATs requirements, including driving relevant bus routes for a minimum of four days a week.

The majority of part-time bus drivers are only engaged in full-time bus driving work.

Currently, there are a total of 46 part-time bus drivers from the three bus companies who have resumed driving.

The transport head expects the number of bus accidents this year to decrease by ten percent compared to last year.

As for the bus concession renewal, Lam said that it is still in the process of negotiations.The president of the International Logistics and Forwarding Association of Macau, Lei Kuok Fai, said that Macaus logistics industry has already been marginalized in Zhuhai, Hong Kong and Macau.

Lei believes that the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge (HKZMB) will not assist Macaus logistics industry.

In Leis opinion, only the interests of China and Hong Kong logistics have been considered in plans to open the bridge.

The Macau logistics operator declared that when considering the flow of people and traffic across the three places, there was no mention of the development and facilitation of logistics between Macau and mainland China.

However, according to Lei, the Macau logistics industry has previously voiced the view that the local government did not mind the industrys opinion.

Moreover, Lei highlighted that the industry is disappointed with the upcoming opening of the HKZMB.

Lei also believes that the opening of the HKZMB may aggravate the problem of overcrowding in Macau.

Lei, who is also a member of the Economic Development Council, asked what do you [the government] want us to do? How can the logistics merge into the Greater Bay Area? How can it merge into the One Belt and One Road initiative? It has been more than ten years until we could finally see the bridge, but were there any improvement in the logistics sector? [] No.Japan Airlines Co. has decided to go head-first into the home turf of Asias largest low-fare carrier.

The Japanese operator, which is starting its own budget carrier next month, will begin flying to Southeast Asia initially, Masaru Onishi, a director at Japan Airlines, said in an interview in Sydney yesterday. The new company will be able to lower per-seat costs by 50 percent compared with the parent airline, he said, without providing more details including the first destination.

Japan Airlines will compete with Sepang, Malaysia-based AirAsia Group Bhd., whose businesses include affiliates in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The Japanese carrier, which has said it plans to fly medium-to- long-haul international routes from the Narita International Airport serving Tokyo, is also assessing when it can begin services to Europe and the U.S., Onishi said.

The new budget airline will add two 787s every year, Onishi said. Japan Airlines is in talks with Boeing Co. about possibly converting some of its existing 787s for the low-cost unit or ordering new planes. It expects to make a decision in about a year.

AirAsia Group also has a long-

haul arm, AirAsia X Bhd., whose more than 20 destinations include Auckland, Tokyo, Sapporo, Chengdu, Shanghai, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Honolulu. Kyunghee Park, BloombergU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged China to disclose the details of people killed, detained or missing during the Chinese militarys crackdown on pro-democracy protesters centered on Beijings Tiananmen Square 29 years ago.

Pompeo marked yesterdays anniversary of the suppression of demonstrations on June 4, 1989, saying: We remember the tragic loss of innocent lives.

We join others in the international community in urging the Chinese government to make a full public accounting of those killed, detained or missing, Pompeos statement said.

He cited the Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, who wrote in his 2010 Nobel Peace Prize speech, delivered in absentia: the ghosts of June 4th have not yet been laid to rest. Liu last year became only the second Nobel Peace Prize winner to die in police custody.

Pompeos statement also called on Chinese authorities to release those who have been jailed for their efforts to keep alive the memory of the crackdown and to stop harassing the protests participants and their families.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of unarmed protesters and onlookers were killed late on June 3 and the early hours of June 4, 1989, after Chinas Communist leaders ordered the military to retake Tiananmen Square from the student-led demonstrators.

The topic remains taboo in mainland China and any form of commemoration, whether public or private, is banned. In Hong Kong, tens of thousands of people gather every year in Victoria Park on the evening of June 4 to remember the victims in the only large-scale public commemoration held on Chinese soil. APThe annual June 4 vigil was held last night in Senado Square attracting approximately 200 attendees as the weather improved later into the evening. The turnout marks a rise compared to last year, when organizers were able to muster only 50 to 60 people.

The vigil commemorates the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident, when the government of the Peoples Republic of China forcibly suppressed student-led demonstrations in Beijing and more than 400 other locations across the country. The demonstrators were demanding democratic reforms, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, as well as an end to corruption within the Communist Party.

Twenty-nine years on, the incident remains controversial, both on the mainland and in Hong Kong and Macau.

Last nights vigil attracted scores of demonstrators who, wielding candles and electric lights, gathered around a black banner on the floor of the square to listen to several speakers.

The banner, written in Chinese poetry form, read: The people who died for democracy will live forever. The courage of the people at Tiananmen Square will stay forever.

Speeches were delivered by democrat lawmaker duo Au Kam San and Ng Kuok Cheong, the latter of whom criticized a lack of progress in the democratization of the mainlands political system, even compared with three decades ago. Ng also criticized the distribution of wealth in China, saying it has been amassed in the hands of the few and the general populace is little better off than in 1989.

Suspended lawmaker Sulu Sou, who has become a stalwart of the citys pro-democracy bloc, also made an appearance.

This is a memorable historical matter for us, said Sou. As Macau and Chinese citizens, we have the responsibility to remember this matter [] and share it with the youngest people in our society.

Regarding the turnout of the event, which had been steadily dropping in recent years, Sou believes that there are a number of factors at play. Perhaps the most important, he said, was a lack of formal education about the sensitive topic in Macaus schools.

One reason is that the young people cannot [find] a connection with this history matter from their school  or even the media, he argued.

Macau schools do nothing [to talk about this matter]. Some teachers teach the students themselves from independent material but not from what is written in the textbooks. In the new textbook from the Education [and Youth Affairs] Bureau, there is nothing about this matter, he said. This is a big concern for the future.

Nevertheless, this years turnout was slightly higher than in previous years. In 2016 and 2017, just 50 to 60 people attended the evening vigil, spurning concerns over diminishing interest.

Sou also took the opportunity last night to stress that he appreciates that events like the June 4 vigil can still be held in Macau. I treasure that Macau still has this freedom to hold this rally and talk about this matter, he said.

Sulu Sou still mulling appeal

ASKED ON the sidelines of the June 4 vigil whether the young lawmaker plans to appeal his sentencing last week, Sulu Sou said that he is still unwilling to commit either way at this point. We will take more time to consider the whole picture before we make our final decision [over whether to appeal], he told reporters, adding that his decision was unlikely to come before the deadline later this month. Stressing the seriousness of the case, he warned this is not just a judicial issue, but also a political issue.In the aftermath of last weeks sentence imposing a 120-day fine sentence on Sulu Sou and Scott Chiang, several lawmakers and experts interviewed by the Times and other media outlets expressed mixed views on the case and its outcome.

According to lawmaker Wu Chou Kit, the decision shows there is a separation of powers. As a member of the Legislative Assembly [AL], we should always keep [the powers] apart and [trust] in the courts independence, he said. I think that the court decision was based on the actual situation and done according to the law and I respect such [a] decision. I do not have any [other] opinion about that; ultimately, the courts ruling [has proved] to be independent, fair, and right, Wu noted.

Questioned on the possibility of the return of lawmaker Sou to the hemicycle soon, Wu said I believe that we all represent different voices at the AL and this is a good thing, adding, I will welcome him back to the AL as soon as all the legal issues have been [re]solved.

Less optimistic is Jorge Morbey, a Portuguese commentator and historian who told TDM Radio, Sulu Sou will not return to the [Legislative] Assembly.

Sulu Sou is not going back to the [Legislative] Assembly. Whoever [pulls] these strings will not allow that, Morbey said, adding, he got away with it now but there are more cases under investigation and then he will be a persistent offender.

This fact leads Morbey to think that Sou will not be given any chance to return to the AL to fulfill what remains of his mandate as a lawmaker.

In Morbeys opinion, it is also likely that the Public Prosecution (MP) will appeal the sentence in the Court of First Instance (TJB), which handed a penalty of 120 days to both Sou and Scott Chiang.

Morbey said, Im sure [that MP will appeal], he said, adding, because thats its political mission.

The commentator expressed his disappointment, saying, the bar has been set so low now that its even a joy [for some people] when they [are] fined, concluding, it should be a joy if they were considered not guilty.

Jose Pereira Coutinho, also interviewed by TDM Radio, says that the sentence of fine was somehow a way of justice, noting that there was a lot of pressure for a heftier penalty.

Im very happy that the court had the courage to make this decision, and although the Public Prosecution called for prison sentence, he said, the court handed a hefty fine due the pressure that came from all directions. The MP was very politicized, he continued, showing some caution regarding the possibility of an appeal from the MP.

Arnaldo Goncalves, a legal expert and a political science teacher, thinks the fine was an ill-considered act, [] a typical reaction of the youth, and we all as youngsters have committed acts of this nature, he told Ponto Final.

In Goncalves opinion, its a pity if the Public Prosecution appeals the sentence, as the trial was already over- politicized.

Speaking to TDM, pro-democrat lawmaker Ng Kuok Cheong said, it is one of the intentions of this strategy to address these social movements in a severe way. This is the governments strategy and also [is] corroborated by the Public Prosecution, adding, this will attack the social movements and the social actions from civil society.

In Ngs opinion, the actions from the local government also find support and justification in the cooperation with the authorities of the Central government. RM/JZ

Coutinho says Everybody is Afraid

LAWMAKER PEREIRA Coutinho criticized the fact that some of the witnesses during the trial of activists Sulu Sou and Scott Chiang may be prosecuted. It is a witch-hunt. [] If things are done like this, nobody wants to be a witness. Everybody is afraid. And justice is not served, he said, when interviewed on the sidelines of a Legislative Assembly plenary meeting.

Law is unclear regarding whether Sou can resume post

Questioned by the Times as to whether suspended lawmaker Sulu Sou can immediately return to his position as lawmaker after the sentence given by the Court of First Instance (TJB) becomes final, legal expert and academic Antonio Katchi says that is a very complex question and one difficult to answer clearly.

As a matter of fact, the law doesnt provide any clear-cut answers to that question, so no wonder there are different opinions, Katchi said, adding, The law provides [] an automatic cessation of the suspension in case the defendant is acquitted, but says nothing about a conviction other than imprisonment. Nor does it require a deliberation by the Legislative Assembly. Hence, different hypotheses could be raised.

The same legal expert remarked there will be three things that can happen: [An] automatic reinstatement once the sentence becomes final; automatic reinstatement once the fine is paid (because only at that moment is imprisonment really ruled out); [or] reinstatement only upon decision by the Legislative Assembly, he said.

The two first options are more or less consensual and have a simpler resolution, but the third one might involve a more complex situation. The third [scenario] would give the other lawmakers the power to block or to delay indefinitely the suspended legislators reinstatement, which would be unconstitutional. They could do it simply by doing nothing  a case of unconstitutionality by omission.

Although clearly mentioning that this case begs for more careful and in depth analysis, Katchi dared to forecast a possible resolution: In my view, the suspension actually expires at the very first moment, but even [if] it [didnt], it would certainly expire at the second one, no matter whether the other legislators want it or not. RMThe 9th Intentional Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF), jointly organized by the China International Contractors Association and the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion (IPIM) Institute, will be held at The Venetian Macau from June 7 to 8.

Over 1,500 politicians, businessmen and academics from more than 60 countries and regions  including over 50 government officials at the ministerial level or above from over 30 countries or regions  will attend.

The press conference of the IIICF was held yesterday at IPIM.

According to Sam Lei, Executive Director of the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, the 9th IIICF has the theme, Fostering New Drivers is Development to Boost Infrastructure Construction and connectivity.

The ninth IIICF will also discuss the cultivation of infrastructure development and international cooperation through innovation and technical changes in the international context.

During the event, a networking breakfast event for Macau and mainland enterprises will be organized. A parallel panel on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Greater Bay Area, and the seminar on the infrastructure construction between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries will also be held.

Yu Xiaohong, vice president of the China International Contractors Association, said that a penal session, two thematic forums and 11 parallel panels and other activities will be held at the 9th IIICF, while the 4th China-LAC Infrastructure Cooperation Forum will also be held concurrently and hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of China.

During the event, the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2018) and the Annual Report on Development of the Belt and Road Construction, will also be released to provide China and the countries along the Belt and Road with statistics and trends relating to the development of infrastructure and business co-operation.

It is worth nothing that Macaus elements of will be further highlighted at this forum.

Nineteen officials from the countries along the Belt and Road Initiative and six from Portuguese-speaking countries will join the forum and highlight the role of Macau as the economic and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

More than 1,000 Chinese and foreign speakers have been invited over the past eight editions of the forum, with over 10,000 guests from 60 countries and regions joining the forum, including 191 ministerial-level officials in charge of infrastructure.

A total of 54 cooperation agreements were signed, covering hydropower, roads, railways, airports, ports, housing and other infrastructure projects.36 minutes ago

Deere & Co. workers go on strike after rejecting contract

MOLINE, Ill. (AP)  More than 10,000 Deere & Co. workers went on strike Thursday, the first major walkout at the agricultural machinery giant in more than three decades. The union had said its members would walk off the job if no deal has been reached by 11:59 p.m.

Read ArticleA while back I requested random recommendations from readers about the best books to read about particular countries. I call them stochastically best because I have some faith in your judgments, yet without really trusting you one whit. Here is one of the two very last installments in that series, taken and collated from comments you all have submitted:

or Australia its still Year of the Angry Rabbit:Bill Brysons Down Under for a casual read on an outsiders perspective or Phillip Knightleys Australia: A Biography of a Nation, Russell Ward, The Australian Legend

Turkey? I liked Crescent and Star by Stephen Kinzer.

I liked Hugh Popes Sons of the Conquerors: The Rise of the Turkish World

Norman Stone wrote a very readable short history of Turkey.

For the Philippines, either In Our Image by Karnow or Touch Me Not by Rizal

I thought this book on Cambodia was fantastic: Cambodias Curse: The Modern History of a Troubled Land. The author won a Pullitzer Prize for his reporting on the Khmer Rouge.

On Myanmar: Blood, Dreams and Gold: The Changing Face of Burma by Richard Cockett

Indonesiaetc. for Indonesia (Elisabeth Pisani)

I second this opinion. Pisani was illuminating for me.

For Thailand: Thailands Political History: From the Fall of Ayutthaya to Recent Times by B. J. Terwiel is a fresh look. Many of the other books I have read follow the same boiler-plate narrative thats been published for decades. His work also brings to light some unique source material that is valuable to the discussion.

Michael Kings A Penguin History of New Zealand

The Search for Modern China, China  Age of Ambition by Evan Osnos

RE: #17 China Chinese History: A New Manual; Fourth (2017 bluebook) or Fifth Editions (2015 greenbook) by Endymion Wilkinson

Yeah, and for a more contemporary take, the late great Richard Baums Great Courses lecture series (2010), Fall and Rise of China, completes the picture (Still noting that Tyler speaking of books, Baums lectures are so elegant, that the transcripts serve as a wonderful book.). All and all, Endymions work is the best out there in the Chinese scholarship community.

If you collected all of Simon Leys essays on China that would be a very insightful book on the country  mostly touching on culture and politics. Beautifully and memorably written too. Simon Leys seems to me one of the most under-rated essayists of recent decades.

Pakistan, Breaking the Curfew by Emma Duncan

The Old Social Classes and the Revolutionary Movements of Iraq by Hanna Batatu.

India: the Idea of India, Subaltans & Raj: South Asia since 1600, Richard Lannoy : The Speaking Tree

Does anyone have any opinion of India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha?

For India, one of my favourite books is India: A History by John Keay. It focuses much more on historical facts and events without passing judgement. I believe it is an extremely good and unbiased summary of Indian history from the Indus Valley Civilization to modern India.

While I havent found any properly good book that covers South India history, A History of South India by K.A. Nilakanta Sastri and A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations by Noboru Karashima do address this topic.

I am on a Tamim Ansary kick, so Ill propose Games Without Rules for Afghanistan.

Daniel Tudors Korea: The Impossible Country is a good read, which has chapters dedicated to antiquity and its influence on modern (South) Korea but mostly does concentrate on how the country is now and recent history. Tudor recommends The Koreans, since updated as The New Koreans, by Michael Breen, and The Two Koreas by Robert Carlin as two foundational texts. Barbara Demicks Nothing to Envy is a fascinating book about what life in North Korea is like for ordinary North Koreans.

Burma / Myannmar: The River of Lost Footsteps

Haiti: Dubois Aftershocks of History? (though youd know better)Prominent anti-corruption journalist Said Boudour was arrested late last week after publishing some alleged factual evidences about the seizure of cocaine in the port of Oran, the second city of the country.

Boudour, according Algerie Part, a media that he writes for, was approached by a dozen of plain cloth security forces on Thursday in Oran, few minutes before Ftour (breaking of the fasting).

He was arrested outside the building of the Algerian human rights defense League (LADDH), the league and the media note. Boudour is also member of the League.

The arrest, according to Algerie Part, is connected to the seizure of 700 kg of cocaine onboard a vessel shipping meat reportedly bought from Brazil.

The reporter and human rights activist published a series of articles in which he released damning evidences.

Algerian coastguard raided May 29 a vessel from Brazil carrying halal meat. They discovered 701 kg of cocaine. Fourteen people had been arrested in connection with the seizure.

Security forces, the day before the arrest, showed up at Boudours family house to look for him over claims that he was wanted by the police office of the city, the LADDH said.

The security forces also nabbed Nourredine Tounsi, a whistleblower who denounced corruption practices at the port of Oran. Both were sent to capital Algiers for hearing.(HealthDay)The addition of ovarian suppression to tamoxifen is associated with increased survival versus tamoxifen alone among premenopausal women with breast cancer, according to a study published online June 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, held from June 1 to 5 in Chicago.

Prudence A. Francis, M.D., from the University of Melbourne in Australia, and colleagues randomized premenopausal women to five years of tamoxifen, tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression, or exemestane plus ovarian suppression in the Suppression of Ovarian Function Trial (SOFT) and to tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression or exemestane plus ovarian suppression in the Tamoxifen and Exemestane Trial (TEXT).

The researchers found that the eight-year disease-free survival rate was 78.9, 83.2, and 85.9 percent for tamoxifen alone, tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression, and exemestane plus ovarian suppression, respectively, in SOFT. The corresponding eight-year overall survival rates were 91.5, 93.3, and 92.1 percent. The eight-year distant recurrence rate was lower with exemestane plus ovarian suppression versus tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression in women with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative cancers who underwent chemotherapy (by 7 and 5 percentage points in SOFT and TEXT, respectively).

"The addition of ovarian suppression to tamoxifen resulted in significantly higher eight-year rates of both disease-free and overall survival than tamoxifen alone," the authors write. "The use of exemestane plus ovarian suppression resulted in even higher rates of freedom from recurrence."

Several authors disclosed ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Ipsen. The study was partially funded by Pfizer; Pfizer and Ipsen provided the trial drugs.

Explore further AI plus ovarian suppression yields benefit in high-risk younger breast cancer patients

Copyright  2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved.Students tested on their ability to tell whether two images were of the same person were wrong 30% of the time. Credit: Shutterstock

After a series of bank robberies that took place in the US in 2014, police arrested Steve Talley. He was beaten during the arrest and held in maximum security detention for almost two months. His estranged ex-wife identified him as the robber in CCTV footage and an FBI facial examiner later backed up her claims.

It turned out Talley was not the perpetrator. Unfortunately, his arrest left him with extensive injuries, and led to him losing his job and a period of homelessness. Talley has now become an example of what can go wrong with facial identification.

These critical decisions rest on the ability of humans and computers to decide whether two images are of the same person or different people. Talley's case shows how errors can have profound consequences.

My research focuses on how to improve the accuracy of these decisions. This can make society safer by protecting against terrorism, organised crime and identity fraud. And make them fairer by ensuring that errors in these decisions do not lead to people being wrongly accused of crimes.

Identifying unfamiliar faces

So just how accurate are humans and computers at identifying faces?

Most people are extremely good at recognising faces of people they know well. However, in all of the critical decisions outlined above, the task is not to identify a familiar face, but rather to verify the identity of an unfamiliar face.

To understand just how challenging this task can be, try it for your self: are the images below of the same person or different people?

Same or different person? The correct answer is provided at the end of this article.

Humans versus machines

The above image pair is one of the test items my colleagues and I used to evaluate the accuracy of humans and computers in identifying faces, in a paper published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

We recruited two groups of professional facial identification experts. One group were international experts that produce forensic analysis reports for court (Examiners). Another group were face identification specialists that made quicker decisions, for example when reviewing the validity of visa applications or in forensic investigation (Reviewers). We also recruited a group of "super-recognisers" who have a natural ability to identify faces, similar to groups that have been deployed as face identification specialists in the London Metropolitan Police.

Performance of these groups compared to undergraduate students and to the algorithms is shown in the graph below.

Black dots on this graph show the accuracy of individual participants, and the red dots show the average performance of the group.

The first thing to notice is that there is a clear ordering of performance across the groups of humans. Students perform relatively poorly as a group  with over 30% errors on average  showing just how challenging the task is.

The professional groups fare far better on the task, making less than 10% errors on average and nine out of 87 attaining the maximum possible score on the test.

Interestingly, the super-recognisers also performed extremely well, with three out of 12 attaining the maximum possible score. These people had no specialist training or experience in performing face identification decisions, suggesting that selecting people based on natural ability is also a promising solution.

Accuracy of participant groups and face recognition algorithms in Phillips et al (2018). Credit: PNAS

Performance of the algorithms is shown by the red dots on the right of the graph. We tested three iterations of the same algorithm as the algorithm was improved over the last two years. There is a clear improvement of this algorithm with each iteration, demonstrating the major advances that Deep Convolutional Neural Network technology have made over the past few years.

The most recent version of the algorithm attained accuracy that was in the range of the very best humans.

The wisdom of crowds

We also observed large variability in all groups. No matter which group we look at, performance of individuals spans the entire measurement scale  from random guessing (50%) to perfect accuracy (100%).

This variation is problematic, because it is individuals that provide face identification evidence in court. If performance varies so wildly from one individual to the next, how can we know that their decisions are accurate?

Our study provides a solution to this problem. By averaging the responses of groups of humans, using what is known as a "wisdom of crowds" approach, we were able to attain near-perfect levels of accuracy. Group performance was also more predictable than individual accuracy.

Perhaps the most interesting finding was when we combined the decisions of humans and machines.

By combining the responses of just one examiner and the leading algorithm, we were able to attain perfect accuracy on this test  better than either a single examiner or the best algorithm working alone.

A candidate list returned by face recognition software performing a database search. Humans must adjudicate the output of these systems by deciding whether the person in the probe image  the image at the top  is pictured in the array below, and if so to select the matching face. The correct answer is provided at the end of this article. Credit: The Conversation

Face recognition in Australia

This is a timely result as Australia rolls out the National Face Identification scheme, which will enable police agencies to search large databases of images using face recognition software.

Importantly, this application of face recognition technology is not automatic  like automated border control systems are. Rather, the technology generates "candidate lists" like the one shown below. For the systems to be of any use, humans must review these candidate lists to decide if the target identity is present.

In a 2015 study my colleagues and I found that the average person makes errors on one in every two decisions when reviewing candidate lists, and chooses the wrong person 40% of the time!

False positives like these can waste precious police time, and have potentially devastating effect on people's lives.

The study we published this week suggests that protecting against these costly errors requires careful consideration of both human and machine components of face recognition systems.

Correct answers: The pair of images are different people. The matching image in the candidate list is top row, second from left.

Explore further Human plus machine  face recognition at its best

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.A Detroit-area woman seeking custody of as many as 10 frozen embryos is asking a judge to appoint a guardian over them while she clashes with her former partner for control.

Gloria Karungi and Ronaldlee Ejalu have a daughter who has sickle cell disease. Karungi believes if she can bear another child with one of the embryos, bone marrow cells from that sibling could potentially cure the girl's blood illness.

But Ejalu must give his consent, according to a contract with an in vitro fertilization clinic, and he's not interested. Karungi and Ejalu never married and are no longer together.

Oakland County Judge Lisa Langton last year said she didn't have the authority to wade into the embryo dispute; she was simply determining financial support and parenting time for the couple's daughter. But the Michigan appeals court sent the case back to Langton for more work, including an evidentiary hearing if necessary.

Karungi "wants to cure her daughter and is seeking the embryos to that end. ... Without the embryos coming to term, that child has no ability to be cured," the woman's attorney, Dan Marsh, said in a court filing.

Ejalu's lawyer, Dan Weberman, said he'll argue again that a Family Division judge has no role in what's basically a contract quarrel. He also said it's misleading for Karungi to claim that cells from a sibling are the only cure for the 7-year-old girl.

"They want to paint a picture like she's on her death bed," Weberman told The Associated Press. "She's in school. She's a happy girl. She gets treatment once a month."

Ejalu no longer believes that using frozen embryos is a good idea.

"He doesn't feel ethically that a life should be created for human tissue harvesting. That's somewhat mind-boggling," Weberman said.

Under orders from the appeals court, Langton on June 20 again will hear arguments on whether she has jurisdiction over contested property held by unmarried parties. But in the meantime, the judge has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday on Karungi's request to have a lawyer appointed as guardian over the embryos.

Karungi's legal team believes it got a boost in April when the state Supreme Court declined to intervene at this stage of the case. Justice Bridget McCormack added her own postscript to the one-sentence order, saying Langton shouldn't sidestep "whether frozen embryos are persons subject to a custody determination."

No other justice joined her remarks. Weberman said they were "gratuitous and irrelevant."

Explore further US woman loses battle to keep frozen embryos

 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.Preliminary data from a recent study show high levels of emotional distress could be causing immigrants to have more sleep disorder symptoms than non-immigrants.

Migration can be a stressful experience and may lead to poor health and behavioral changes. The immigrant population in Switzerland is disproportionately burdened by several negative health outcomes, particularly mental health issues.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether sleep disturbances are more prevalent among immigrants compared to non-immigrants and whether emotional distress might explain sleep differences between immigrants and non-immigrants.

"These results contrast other authors who have postulated the opposite in Hispanic populations migrating to the United States, known as the 'Hispanic Paradox,'" said co-principal investigator Azizi Seixas, Ph.D., an assistant professor of population health and psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine in New York. "It is likely that immigration is a significant stressor that can affect and compromise an individual from receiving restorative and healthy sleep."

The study was based on the Swiss Health Survey 2012 dataset, and analyzed the data of 17,968 people, out of which 3,406 respondents were immigrants. It examined variables including disturbed sleep, emotional distress, clinical and socio-demographic data using unadjusted and adjusted generalized linear models.

Compared to non-immigrants, immigrants suffer significantly more often from trouble falling asleep, disrupted sleep, and early morning awakenings. Immigrants also endorsed higher levels of emotional distress. Higher values of emotional distress are related to more symptoms of sleep disorders. In unadjusted models, immigrants were 21 percent more likely to report sleep disturbances compared to non-immigrants.

In adjusted regression models, an immigrant with emotional distress was at significant risk for sleep disturbances. Among males, the interaction between immigrant status and emotional distress was linked to increased risk of sleep disorder symptoms. However, this interaction was not significant among females.

Sleep disturbance disparities between immigrants and non-immigrants may be influenced by emotional distress. According to the study authors, migration health care should address emotional distress, a more proximal and modifiable factor, as a possible cause of disturbed sleep in immigrants.

"Due to the current global political situation, there is a continuing immigration to Europe and specific to Switzerland. Said co-principal investigator Andres Schneeberger, MD, a psychiatrist at Psychiatric Services Grisons in Chur, Switzerland. "Health related research for these vulnerable population is crucial."

The research abstract was published recently in an online supplement of the journal Sleep and will be presented Monday, June 4, in Baltimore at SLEEP 2018, the 32nd annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS), which is a joint venture of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society.

Explore further Childhood cancer survivors more likely to experience sleep problems as adults

More information: Abstract Title: Differences in Disturbed Sleep between Immigrants and Non-Immigrants in Switzerland attributed to Emotional Distress: Analysis of the Swiss Health Survey

Abstract ID: 0980 Journal information: Sleep Abstract Title: Differences in Disturbed Sleep between Immigrants and Non-Immigrants in Switzerland attributed to Emotional Distress: Analysis of the Swiss Health SurveyAbstract ID: 0980A HPV and cervical cancer information campaign in a school in Southern Mozambique. Credit: ISGlobal

A study in Mozambique reveals that a majority of adolescent girls interviewed would be willing to be vaccinated against the human papilloma virus (HPV) if the vaccine were available in the country. These results are encouraging with regard to vaccine introduction and reducing mortality associated with cervical cancer in Mozambique. The investigation was led by the Manhica Health Research Center (CISM) and ISGlobal, an institution supported by "la Caixa" Foundation

The highest burden of cervical cancer is concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is the main cause of cancer mortality among women. Therefore, the introduction of the vaccine against HPV (the causative agent of cervical cancer) is urgent and strategic to achieve the global health targets. Mozambique is one of the countries with the highest incidence of cervical cancer, and 40 percent of asymptomatic women in reproductive age are estimated to be infected by HPV. In 2013, Gavi funded a demonstration programme for HPV vaccination prior to the introduction of the vaccine at the national level. The programme targeted adolescent girls (10-19 years of age) in three areas of the country.

The goal of this study was to assess the awareness on cervical cancer and HPV infection, and predict the acceptance of HPV vaccination, among adolescent girls in three districts of Mozambique. The survey results show that a great majority of adolescent girls (around 80 percent) had heard of cervical cancer and was aware it could be prevented, although few knew about HPV infection and its association with cervical cancer or the importance of vaccinating before the debut of sexual activity. The results also showed that more than 90 percent of adolescent girls were willing to be vaccinated if the vaccine was available in the country. Awareness and acceptability levels were higher among girls where information campaigns had been conducted as part of the demonstation programme.

"These results are very encouraging," says lead author Azucena Bardaji, "and confirm the critical role of awareness-raising campaigns in the communities." As senior author Khatia Munguambe points out, the results indicate that the best option for the Mozambican Ministry of Health would be delivering the vaccine at school and complementing with community and health center strategies to reach those girls that have dropped out of school. The study received support from the Government of Mozambique, Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), the Barcelona City Hall and the Aga Khan Foundation.

Explore further Parents want the HPV vaccine for their sons  new research

More information: Azucena Bardaji et al, Awareness of cervical cancer and willingness to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus in Mozambican adolescent girls, Papillomavirus Research (2018). Azucena Bardaji et al, Awareness of cervical cancer and willingness to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus in Mozambican adolescent girls,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.pvr.2018.04.004

Provided by Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)(HealthDay)It's your worst nightmare: As doctors race to save your life while performing CPR, you're actually awake and conscious of what they are doing.

A new report shows it happened for one man for up to 90 minutes, and the finding suggests that sedation during CPR should be contemplated.

"At this time, we in the medical profession are not attending to the pain we cause nor are we aware about patients' levels of consciousness during CPR," said study author Dr. Rune Lundsgaard, from Herlev Hospital's department of anesthesiology, in Copenhagen, Denmark. "This should be an area of future research."

The new case study involved a 69-year-old man who suffered cardiac arrest in a hospital. Medical staff began CPR with chest compressions and 100 percent oxygen through a mask. By the time the cardio-resuscitation team arrived, the patient's blood oxygen level was 100 percent and he had a high level of awareness, as indicated by open eyes and movement of his head and limbs.

The man was intubated, to ensure a clear airway, and given epinephrine (adrenaline) every three to five minutes, to try to restore a pulse and normal blood circulation, according to the report.

CPR was continued for 90 minutes, but the man did not survive. An autopsy later showed that he had a complete aortic dissection, an often fatal condition in which the inner and outer layers of the aorta separate as blood is forced between them.

The report was scheduled for presentation Monday at the Euroanaesthesia Congress in Copenhagen.

The patient's high level of awareness throughout the 90 minutes of CPR suggest that the efforts were highly effective, and stopping CPR after 90 minutes raises ethical questions because he was conscious at the time, said Lundsgaard.

Though it's rare, "awareness during CPR also raises the question of proper sedation during resuscitation, which is not currently part of the guidelines," Lundsgaard noted in a meeting news release.

A previous study found that 2 percent of cardiac arrest survivors exhibit full awareness during CPR, which can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Explore further Adrenaline rush: Delaying epinephrine shots after cardiac arrest cuts survival rates

More information: The American Heart Association has more on The American Heart Association has more on CPR

Copyright  2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved.Sleep disturbances can have serious health consequences. Credit: iStock

Researchers at EPFL, the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) compared the geographical distribution of nearly 3,700 Lausanne residents suffering from daytime sleepiness with the noise caused by road and railway traffic in those parts of the city at night. They found a clear correlation between the amount of sleepiness reported by residents and the level of nighttime noise in their neighborhoods. These findings could be used to develop new measures for reducing urban noise pollution.

Lausanne's traffic is the noisiest in Switzerland, often exceeding 55 decibels  the upper safety limit recommended for Europe. That's largely due to its steep roads, which result in excessive engine noise when vehicles get moving and accelerate. For the first time, scientists from EPFL, CHUV and HUG have crossed data from 3,697 Lausanne residents who reported high levels of daytime sleepiness in a CoLaus/PsyCoLaus study with the results of a noise survey carried out by the Swiss Federal Office of the Environment (OFEV). "This research, published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, establishes a link between where people suffering from daytime sleepiness live and the noise caused by cars and trains passing through those areas at night. It shows that some areas of Lausanne are particularly problematic," says Stephane Joost, a researcher at EPFL's Laboratory of Geographic Information Systems (LASIG).

Real health risks

Sleep disturbances can have serious health consequences, as they can lead not only to daytime sleepiness and higher stress, but also to a greater risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, fatigue-induced accidents, depression and other psychological disorders. For their study, the scientists mapped out the neighborhoods where people suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness live and compared that with traffic-noise data obtained from the OFEV's sonBASE. They found distinct neighborhoods with similar levels of reported sleepiness, illustrating the effects of nocturnal noise pollution on Lausanne residents.

"Daytime sleepiness is a common complaint among the people who contact us," says Raphael Heinzer, head of the Sleep Disorders Center at CHUV. "This study is the first to show that where a person lives can be a major contributing factor." The red zones on the scientists' map indicate neighborhoods with both a high occurrence of daytime sleepiness and elevated levels of nighttime noise  meaning they are probably areas where residents don't sleep very well. On the other hand, the blue zones indicate neighborhoods with low levels of daytime sleepiness. "The difference in nighttime noise between the red and blue zones is over five decibels, which is huge considering that volume doubles with every three decibels," says Joost.

Legend: Blue zones correspond to neighborhoods with below-average daytime sleepiness and where similar sleepiness levels are reported within a range of at least 400 meters. Red zones correspond to neighborhoods with above-average daytime sleepiness. Credit: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

Lausanne's red zones are located primarily at the intersection of Avenue d'Echallens and Chemin de Montetan  which is especially noisy between 10pm and 6am  and below the train station near the Place de Milan. In addition, the equivalent continuous sound level (Leq) in neighborhoods near major thoroughfares and train tracks can exceed 50 decibels, which is the maximum allowed by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health.

Making targeted measures possible

The study's authors hope their work will help policymakers identify which neighborhoods can benefit the most from noise-reduction measures to improve residents' health. "Fortunately, sleep disturbances and the resulting health problems are reversible. We can reduce nighttime noise by introducing speed limits, restricting certain kinds of vehicles, or using sound-absorbing surfaces, for example," adds Joost.

Doctors are also advocating such measures. "Improving patients' health through urban-planning policies designed to reduce the amount of noise pollution they are exposed to is one aspect of a new field of healthcare called urban health," says Idris Guessous, a primary care physician at HUG and a coauthor of the study. "We want to build awareness among not just doctors, but also urban planners, geographers, architects, lawyers and sociologists of the role they can play in working together to improve the health of a city's residents. Our maps were developed jointly by several public-sector institutions, and they can help local governments make better informed decisions. We hope our research will speed progress towards targeted public-health policies."

A similar study is being carried out in Geneva using data on the city's residents collected during HUG's Bus Sante program. Follow-up research is also planned on the Lausanne study; while that study relied on subjective data collected from answers to a questionnaire, the new research will use objective measurements of sleepiness obtained from electroencephalography (as part of a HypnoLaus study).

Explore further Noise pollution loudest in black neighborhoods, segregated cities

More information: Stephane Joost et al. Spatial clusters of daytime sleepiness and association with nighttime noise levels in a Swiss general population (GeoHypnoLaus), International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health (2018). Stephane Joost et al. Spatial clusters of daytime sleepiness and association with nighttime noise levels in a Swiss general population (GeoHypnoLaus),(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.05.004PET scan of a human brain with Alzheimer's disease. Credit: public domain

New evidence suggests a mechanism by which progressive accumulation of Tau protein in brain cells may lead to Alzheimer's disease. Scientists studied more than 600 human brains and fruit fly models of Alzheimer's disease and found the first evidence of a strong link between Tau protein within neurons and the activity of particular DNA sequences called transposable elements, which might trigger neurodegeneration. The study appears in the journal Cell Reports.

"One of the key characteristics of Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of Tau protein within brain cells, in combination with progressive cell death," said corresponding author Dr. Joshua Shulman, associate professor of neurology, neuroscience and molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine and investigator at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital. "In this study we provide novel insights into how accumulation of Tau protein may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease."

Although scientists have studied for years what happens when Tau forms aggregates inside neurons, it still is not clear why brain cells ultimately die. One thing that scientists have noticed is that neurons affected by Tau accumulation also appear to have genomic instability.

"Genomic instability refers to an increased tendency to have alterations in the genetic material, DNA, such as mutations or other impairments. This means that the genome is not functioning correctly. Genomic instability is known to be a major driving force behind other diseases such as cancer," Shulman said. "Our study focused on a new possible causal connection between Tau accumulation within neurons and the resulting genomic instability in Alzheimer's disease."

Enter transposable elements

Previous studies of brain tissues from patients with other neurologic diseases and of animal models have suggested that the neurons not only present with genomic instability, but also with activation of transposable elements.

"Transposable elements are short pieces of DNA that do not seem to contribute to the production of proteins that make cells function. They behave in a way similar to viruses; they can make copies of themselves that are inserted within the genome and this can create mutations that lead to disease," Shulman said. "Although most transposable elements are dormant or dysfunctional, some may become active in human brains late in life or in disease. That's what led us to look specifically at Alzheimer's disease and the possible association between Tau accumulation and activated transposable elements."

Shulman and his colleagues began their investigations by studying more than 600 human brains from a population study run by co-author Dr. David Bennett at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. This population study follows participants throughout their lives and at death, allowing the researchers to examine their brains in detail postmortem. One of the evaluations is the amount of Tau accumulation across many brain regions. In addition, co-author Dr. Philip De Jager at the Broad Institute and Rush University comprehensively profiled gene expression in the same brains.

"With this large amount of data, we looked to identify signatures of active transposable elements, but this was not easy," Shulman said. "We therefore reached out to Dr. Zhandong Liu, a co-author in this study, and together we developed a new software tool to detect signatures of active transposable elements from postmortem human brains. Then we conducted a statistical analysis in which we compared the amount of active transposable elements signatures with the amount of Tau accumulation, brain by brain." Liu also is assistant professor of pediatricsneurology at Baylor and a member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The researchers found a strong link between the amount of Tau accumulation in neurons and detectable activity of transposable elements. "We identified individual transposable elements that were active when Tau aggregates were present. Surprisingly, we also found evidence that the activation of transposable elements was quite broad across the genome," Shulman said.

Other research has shown that Tau may disrupt the tightly packed architecture of the genome. It is believed that tightly packed DNA limits gene activation, while opening up the DNA may promote it. Keeping the DNA tightly packed may be an important mechanism to suppress the activity of transposable elements that lead to disease.

"The fact that Tau aggregates can affect that architecture of the genome may be one possible mechanism by which transposable elements are activated in Alzheimer's disease," Shulman said. "However, our studies in human brains only establish an association between Tau accumulation and activation of transposable elements. To determine whether Tau accumulation could in fact cause transposable element activation, we conducted studies with a fruit fly model of Alzheimer's disease."

In this fruit fly model of the disease, the researchers found that triggering Tau changes similar to those observed in human brains resulted in the activation of fruit fly transposable elements, strongly suggesting that Tau aggregates that disrupt the architecture of the genome can potentially mediate the activation of transposable elements and ultimately cause neurodegeneration.

"We think our experiments reveal new and potentially important insights relevant for understanding Alzheimer's disease mechanisms," Shulman said. "There is still a lot of work to be done, but by presenting our results we hope we can stimulate others in the research community to help work on this problem."

Explore further Mobile MITEs jump to fame in gene regulationIndigenous Australians have a strong relationship with the natural world. Credit: shutterstock.com

The wellbeing of Indigenous people is based around having the freedom and resources to practise cultural ways of being. While some of these can seem removed from those in the West  such as the lack of materialism, primacy of kin and a close relationship to the natural world  including them in mainstream culture can contribute to everyone's wellbeing.

One way Aboriginal culture differs from the West's is in its healing practices. These involve mindfulness and attention to relationships with all living things, as well as seeking the advice and treatments of traditional healers.

Yet Aboriginal traditional medicine has been neglected in Australia. This is out of step with international instruments, such as Article 24 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which states: "Indigenous peoples have the right to their traditional medicines and tomaintain their health practices, including the conservation of their vital medicinal plants, animals and minerals."

To close the gap, we must address the construction that the cultural ways of Aboriginal people are shallow, meaningless or even toxic. Such colonising tropes are a barrier to creating the kind of freedom necessary for Indigenous Australians to live healthy lives.

How Aboriginal healers work

Ngangkari are Aboriginal healers of the Anangu of the Western Desert in Central Australia, which includes the Pitjantjatjara, Ngaanyatjarra and Yankunytjatjara peoples. In some places, particularly South Australia, ngangkari are increasingly being brought into Western health settings to work beside doctors.

Their skills come from a lifetime of immersion in cultural ways of being. Ngangkari are recognised as having particular facilities for healing in their infancy or childhood and are then encouraged to develop their skills. They often talk about being taught by their grandparents.

Ngangkari are immersed in Aboriginal ways of being and cannot easily translate what they do to a wide audience. And the way they work cannot be explained through the scientific framework Western understanding demands.

Ngangkari methodology for healing includes techniques such as observing, listening and touch. With massage and rubbing they release "blockages" from the body and apply various herbal tinctures and ointments where required.

There is an understanding that the spirit can become dislodged through trauma, causing mental and physical disorders. Ngangkari bring it back into place. They are particularly adept at treating psychological disorders.

As the ngangkari Naomi Kantjuriny said: "Depressed people can feel a lot better within themselves after a ngangkari treatment. That's one of our specialities. Their spirits are out-of-sorts, and not positioned correctly within their bodies. The ngangkari's job is to reposition their spirits and to reinstate it to where it is happiest."

Ngangkari heal through observing, listening and touch. Credit: ANTAC

My experience with ngangkari treatment

I had my first consultation with two ngangkari Pitjanjatjara women, Debbie Watson and Margaret Richards, in 2016.

Their diagnostic process was simple and low-key  very different to any other medical examination I'd had. It involved assessing my whole naked body. I was aware of the deep scrutiny applied to posture and movement.

Both women were touching me, a very delicate touch. As one massaged my abdomen and removed a "blockage" there, they entered into conversation in language. They then spoke to me of my state of mind. They described a personal dilemma causing me a great deal of sadness, that they had no way of knowing.

Debbie said: "There is a man far, far away. Too much worry. No, too much sadness."

My partner was on the other side of the world and not well, but I had pushed this to the back of my mind. I was surprised they were able to recognise that I had pushed my personal needs aside and this was affecting my health. This brought home to me that I needed to be more proactive in attending to my wellbeing.

Later I felt the benefit of the removal of the "blockage" in my body. I felt lighter, had more clarity of thought and a sense of relief.

Traditional Aboriginal healing practice

Individual doctors who have worked with Aboriginal people have long recognised the value of ngangkari. In 2008, the anthropologist Brian McCoy wrote of the demand for the services of maparn, the traditional healers of the Kimberley region. He explored the benefits of traditional and Western models of health care working together to improve desert people's health.

Italian researcher, and now CEO of the Anangu Ngangkari Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation (ANTAC) based in Adelaide, Dr. Francesca Panzironi, has spent the last decade working with the ngangkari to help them bring their services to the broader community. She conducted research and produced a report on Aboriginal traditional healing practices. This explored how ngangkari healers work alongside doctors and medical staff in community clinics and often visit Adelaide to attend to Indigenous hospital patients.

Dr. Panzironi says that ngangkari accept the benefits of both Western and traditional methods when a person is ill. After treating a person spiritually and psychologically, the ngangkari might treat the person's physical problems as well, but will often recommend they also see a Western doctor.

But the ngangkari aren't recognised in the Australian health system. While other health professionals can expect to be paid, they cannot. There is no category for "ngangkari services" in government payments for health care as well as in the private health sector. And Australia's drug regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has not listed ngangkari medications as either safe or beneficial.

What ngangkari seek is the right to practise in the same way as any other paramedical service in the Australian system. While various societies around the world recognise the value of healers who are culturally rather than scientifically based, Australia is lagging behind.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.More than one-third of women who go to a Catholic hospital for reproductive care aren't aware they're seeking obstetrical and gynecological care at a facility that may have limited health care options due to its religious affiliation.

In a new paper published in May 2018 in the journal Contraception, a team of researchers from the University of Chicago Medicine and the University of California San Francisco report 15.6 percent of reproductive age women in the U.S. said they would receive care at a Catholic hospital when asked where they would go if they needed OB/GYN or reproductive care at a hospital.

Among women whose primary OG/GYN hospital was Catholic, 63 percent of women correctly identified their hospital's specific religious affiliation. The remaining women did not know their hospital was a Catholic facility. Of that group, two-thirds of women who misidentified their Catholic hospital's affiliation said their hospital was secular (66 percent). Nearly half (48 percent) felt sure or very sure of their incorrect response.

"Patients need accurate information in order to make decisions about where to seek reproductive care," said Debra Stulberg, MD, an associate professor at the University of Chicago Medicine who was the study's senior author. "Catholic hospitals restrict many common aspects of reproductive care, so women may face delays or outright denial if they need services like contraception or abortion and don't realize their hospital is Catholic."

By comparison 93 percent of women who received reproductive care at non-Catholic hospitals correctly identified that those facilities were not affiliated with the Roman Catholic church.

Nearly 15 percent of acute care hospitals in the U.S. are Catholic owned or affiliated hospitals, according to 2016 data. That works out to one out of every six hospital beds in the country. In some states, the rate is significantly higher.

Stulberg, who devotes much of her research to women's health and Catholic systems, said it's important for people to know if their hospital has a religious affiliation because it may mean they will encounter limitations on medical care. Catholic hospitals are required to follow guidelines created by the U.S. Conference for Catholic Bishops. These place limits on abortion, contraception and certain infertility treatments that run counter to the church's moral teachings.

"It is clear that greater efforts are needed to make sure women have this information they value," said Lori Freedman, Ph.D., a medical sociologist at UCSF who was one of the paper's co-authors. "The public deserves greater hospital transparency than we currently have."

The odds that a women whose primary hospital had a clearly religious name would correctly identify that hospital as Catholic was almost three times higher than those whose primary hospital had a non-religious-sounding name. Women between the ages of 36-45 were more likely to correctly identify their primary hospital as Catholic compared to younger women aged 18-26. Living in a metropolitan area and having a higher annual income (over $100,000) were also independently associated with ability to correctly identify one's hospital as Catholic.

"Our survey found that women are often unaware of their hospitals' religious affiliation," said Stulberg. "And Catholic hospitals with names that aren't clearly religious may make it especially hard for patients to know what to expect."

The paper surveyed 1,430 demographically and geographically diverse women ages 18-45 from around the United States. In an earlier paper from this survey, Freedman and colleagues reported that 81 percent of women say it is important to know a hospital's religious restrictions before deciding where to seek care.

Explore further Some Catholic hospitals make it hard for physicians to provide referrals for reproductive services

More information: Jocelyn M. Wascher et al. Do women know whether their hospital is Catholic? Results from a National Survey, Contraception (2018). Journal information: Contraception Jocelyn M. Wascher et al. Do women know whether their hospital is Catholic? Results from a National Survey,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2018.05.017The New York Mets announced Tuesday that they have activated infielder Todd Frazier and right-handed relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak from the disabled list. Corresponding roster moves will be made prior to Tuesday nights game.

Frazier, 32, played in 32 games for the Mets this season prior to going down last month with a left hamstring strain.

In 140 plate appearances, the third baseman hit .237/.357/.412 with five home runs and 21 RBI.

Swarzak, 32, has been sidelined since the end of March with a sore left oblique. He pitched in just two games for New York, allowing one run (a homer) in 2.1 innings.

Frazier went 4-for-9 (.444) with three RBI in three rehab games with Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League. Swarzak was 2-0 with a 10.13 ERA (three earned runs/2.2 innings) with two walks and three strikeouts in three rehab games with Las Vegas (AAA).

We will update you when the subsequent moves are made later this afternoon.Earlier this year, the CEO of Samsung Africa, Sung Yoon, said the company plans to launch Samsung Pay in South Africa in June 2018.

Samsung Pay is an app on the companys newer smartphones which lets your store bank card details on the device, then pay by tapping or swiping your phone rather than your physical card.

The app lets you make payments via Magnetic Secure Transmission, which mimics the magnetic stripe on the back of your card.

It can also use the Near Field Communications technology in contactless payment cards.

Yoon said owners of the Samsung Galaxy S9 will then be able to pay for goods and services in South Africa by using their device at point of sale machines.

Not only do users not have to swipe or insert their card, they dont need to bring it with them at all when they shop, said Yoon.

He said that if you lose a credit card, somebody can pick it up and use it, whereas with Samsungs phones, you have the option to secure your details and authorise payments with three biometric technologies:

Iris scan

Fingerprint

Facial recognition

No final details

With the start of June now here, however, Samsung declined to reveal further details regarding the imminent launch of Samsung Pay in South Africa.

All the answers to your questions will be made public in the not-too-distant future, said a Samsung spokesperson.

Previously, Samsung confirmed it was working on partnerships with various financial institutions to support the apps local launch.

It is not confirmed whether Samsung will enable Pay on all supported devices, dating back to the Galaxy S6.

It is also not confirmed which payment cards other than Visa and Mastercard will be supported in South Africa.

It is understood that Samsung Pay is already being tested in South Africa, though, and that the app is functional in real-world transactions.



Now read: You can now use PayPal in Samsung PayI have purposely made it pretty uncomplicated, Mueller said, because I want everyone to have success.

And if you have a super long last name, she said she can make that work, too. I had a very long Polish last name once, but I made it fit, she laughed.

As to the cost, she said its no more than a pre-made sign that you would order online.

It costs $40 per person and then I handle everything else, Mueller said. And with my signs, you have the pride of knowing you made it yourself. Plus, you had a lot of fun doing it.

She added that she comes to the parties herself to do the set-up and make sure everything runs smoothly.

She said she thinks of her parties as sort of an interactive happy hour. I recommend the host allow two hours start to finish, with six people minimum and 16 maximum.

Mueller, who has a regular booth at the Farmers Market for Stuck on Napa, is planning on adding a booth for sign-making soon.

I will have an adjacent booth that people have to sign up for in advance, where we will be doing a sign-making workshop. If it goes well, Im going to offer it throughout the summer, she said.Rep. Mike Thompson has nominated five students as service academy appointees from the Fifth Congressional District, including two from the Napa Valley.

Appointees were honored at a ceremony at St. Supery Estate Vineyards and Winery in Rutherford Monday night.

Charleen Mei Lazaro Muyot attended the USAF Prep School. She lives in American Canyon and attended American Canyon High School. She was nominated for the Air Force Academy.

She was born in the Philippines, and is the first in her family to join the Air Force. She has taken advanced courses in mathematics, English, and chemistry while in high school. She also has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Airman Against Drunk Driving, and at the Tuscan Food Bank.

Antonius Wells, who lives in Calistoga and attended Justin-Siena High School in Napa, was nominated for the Naval Academy. He has been accepted into the Naval Academy Preparatory School before entry into the Academy where he would like to focus on cyber security.

He has also taken many engineering courses at Justin-Siena High School. He attended both Naval Academys Summer STEM and Summer Seminar programs, and has visited the campus on many occasions with his stepfather, who also attended the Academy and retired as a commander in the Navy.

Also nominated were: Patrick McDermott, who lives in Santa Rosa and attends Cardinal Newman High School, for the Air Force Academy; John Jack Murray, from Santa Rosa who attended Cardinal Newman and went to college for one year, for the Naval Academy; and Dora Zoeller from Santa Rosa, who is currently living in Seoul, South Korea, where her family is stationed, for the Military Academy at West Point.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.The obituary is short and decidedly unsweet, a grand total of 105 words spread over five increasingly savage paragraphs.

It starts with the birth of Kathleen Dehmlow (nee Schunk) in the winter of 1938 and her marriage to Dennis Dehmlow 19 years later, all in the tiny Minnesota city of Wabasso. Two children came from that marriage - Gina and Jay.

But the death notice quickly fast-forwards to 1962, apparently a pivotal year in the soap opera of Kathleen Dehmlow's life - and her children's.

"In 1962 she became pregnant by her husband's brother Lyle Dehmlow and moved to California," the obituary reads, spiraling. "She abandoned her children, Gina and Jay who were then raised by her parents in Clements, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schunk."

By the fifth paragraph, it is clear what her children feel about their mother - and her chances in the hereafter:

"She passed away on May 31, 2018 in Springfield and will now face judgement. She will not be missed by Gina and Jay, and they understand that this world is a better place without her."The fate of City Hall, the library and other public facilities is now in the hands of the City Council.Materials that sow enmity and hate towards Armenians continue in the textbooks and school exams in Turkey.

Murat Mhc, an Armenian member of the leadership of the opposition pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) of the country, posted, on his Facebook page, a question from the upcoming school exams in Turkey, and he asked his friends, As an Armenian, or as a democratic person, how would you answer this question?

The said exam question, which relates to the Armistice of Mudros, is formulated as follows: Under the Armistice of Mudros, Aintap, Marash and Urfa passed to the English. But the English handed them over to the French. Subsequently, the French and the Armenians together began exerting pressure and violence on the Turks living in those regions.

And the answer below to this question is noted as follows: The Armenians under the Ottoman rule were collaborating with invader enemies.Latvia President tests positive for COVID-19

Sergey Melikov elected leader of Dagestan

Armenia official: Zero vacant bed at coronavirus treatment hospitals

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan meets with National Security Service reserve officers' union founders

Azerbaijan plans to increase natural gas supplies to Turkey and Europe

Dollar loses value in Armenia

Armenia Parliament Speaker receives Sweden Ambassador

Armenia PM attaches importance to formation of common electricity and natural gas markets within EEU

Azerbaijan states readiness to normalize relations with Armenia, but on several conditions

Rustaveli Avenue blocked in central Tbilisi

Armenian, Russian FMs meet in Minsk

Armenia representative asks UN court to end vicious cycle of violence perpetrated against Armenians by Azerbaijan

PM: Air Arabia, Armenia government will invest $10m each, establish national air carrier

Prison burning in Georgia's Rustavi, Mikheil Saakashvili in adjacent jailhouse

Armenias Mirzoyan attends CIS foreign ministers' meeting in Belarus

Armenia State Revenue Committee chief: YouTube, Google, Facebook and others agreed to fulfill tax obligations

Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan FMs trilateral meeting expected in Minsk

Armenia Parliament Speaker receives representatives of SEPPA program's partnering organizations

Armenia Representative delivers speech at UN International Court of Justice

CSTO says reached agreements contribute to creation of necessary conditions for political settlement of Karabakh crisis

Pilgrims will be able to visit Dadivank Monastery again, says Artsakh minister

Zakharova: Russia peacekeepers in Karabakh determining circumstances behind civilians death

Artsakh official: Azerbaijan does not even value its own culture

UN Court to hear Armenia's petition for interim measures against Azerbaijan

Russia MFA: Armenian, Russian, Azerbaijani spiritual leaders meeting is important format for overcoming problems

Zakharova: Russia favors unwavering implementation of all Karabakh provisions

34 new cases of coronavirus, including kids, reported in Artsakh

Artsakh Investigative Committee starts investigating another criminal act motivated by national hatred

PM: Armenia companies will get cheaper loans from abroad

Belarus to host CIS FMs meeting Thursday

1,589 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Russia peacekeepers in Karabakh conduct comprehensive exercise at all observation posts

Armenia government holding Cabinet meeting

World oil prices on the rise

Putin to run in Russia presidential election in 2024?

India man sentenced to life in prison for killing wife with cobra, viper

Newspaper: Armenia police enter medical institutions, 6 people detained

Newspaper: Injections of unknown origin are made to Armenia state budget

Armenia Parliament Speaker receives delegation led by Iran's Prosecutor General

Group of Armenian police officers apprehend citizen by using brute force

Armenian analyst: Negotiations over Karabakh issue to resume sooner or later, "3+3" format is unrealistic

Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin expresses hope after Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani spiritual leaders' meeting

Iran clarifies, says Azerbaijan released other prisoners, not detained Iranian truck drivers

Saakashvili agrees to have doctors assess his health condition

Putin: Events in Afghanistan may seriously impact situations in Central Asia and Transcaucasia

Iran Armed Forces Staff chief, Pakistan PM discuss strengthening of border security

Taliban warn US, EU of refugees if sanctions against Afghanistan aren't lifted

Armenia PM receives India FM

Azerbaijan refutes report on release of two Iranian truck drivers

Artsakh FM: Azerbaijan's next provocation may be directed directly against Russian peacekeepers

Armenia health minister: Another mother-to-be dies from COVID-19

Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of 2 more Armenian servicemen found in Hadrut

Baku releases two Iranian truck drivers after Azerbaijan and Iran FMs' phone talks

Erdogan, Aliyev to mark anniversary of occupation of Shushi by opening airport

Armenia deputy justice minister receives Council of Europe delegation

Armenia appoints new Ambassador to Iran

Armenia finance minister presents government's five-year plan to German partners

Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani spiritual leaders make statement on Karabakh

Karabakh Defense Army refutes Azerbaijan MOD's disinformation

Digest: Pashinyan and Putin meet in Moscow, Biden and Erdogan discuss Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia Parliament Speaker receives AGBU Montreal Chapter's leadership

Mher Shirinyan appointed Armenia Armed Forces Armament Department head

S&P Improved the Outlook on Ameriabank to Positive

Security Council chief: Armenia never held, will not hold negotiations about corridor

US embassy in Armenia remains unable to resume routine visa operations

Healthcare specialist: Hospital bed capacity for Armenia COVID-19 patients is full

Dollar gains value in Armenia

Armenia Prosecutor General: Essential progress has been made in processes for transfer of Iranian convicts

UAE Supreme Audit Institution chairman-led delegation on official visit to Armenia

Armenia Ambassador to Iran Artashes Tumanyan recalled

Armenia FM leaving for Minsk

Armenia court rejects appeal, Goris mayor to not be released

Iran Prosecutor General to Armenia PM: Our relations are good basis for jointly confronting regional challenges

Iran Prosecutor General to Armenia justice minister: It is necessary to work more closely

Armenia opposition MP, ex-defense minister: Russia peacekeepers presence in Artsakh uncertain in terms of prospects

Iran Prosecutor General: Terrorists must disappear from region as soon as possible

Azerbaijani opposition members holding protest in front of ruling party's headquarters

Azerbaijan president calls Iran statements delusion

Patriarch Kirill, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh meet

Aliyev demands from Russia peacekeepers to prevent illegal entry of foreign citizens to Karabakh

Armenia and India FMs visit monument to Mahatma Gandhi in Yerevan

India FM visits Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan (PHOTOS)

Armenia, India FMs discuss possibility of transit via Iran port

36 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Armenia FM: Persian Gulf-Black Sea project discussion continues dynamically

India FM says they support Karabakh peace process under auspices of OSCE Minsk Group

FM: Armenia welcomes resumption of talks within framework of OSCE Minsk Group

Armenia foreign minister to visit India

Healthcare expert on Armenia coronavirus cases: We are moving from red zone to flashing red zone

Vanetsyan: Artsakh self-determination issue shall be resolved through talks under OSCE Minsk Group auspices (PHOTOS)

1,217 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Anne Louyot: France working with Russia, US on lasting agreement on Karabakh

Armenias Pashinyan says Moscow meeting with Russias Putin was productive

World oil prices falling

Armenia Central Bank announces issuance of collector coin dedicated to 150th birth anniversary of Alexander Spendiaryan

Pentagon wants to reduce cost of hypersonic weapons

Newspaper: Armenia authorities put forward new notion regarding Artsakh

Newspaper: Armenia Special Investigation Service has noteworthy document in criminal case against ex-official

Amirabdollahian to Bayramov: Iran, Azerbaijan must block path for misconceptions

Catholicos of All Armenians meets with Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow and all RussiaAnkara was ready to retaliate against the US steel and aluminum tariffs by imposing counter restrictions on US imports, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated, Sputnik reported.

"We discussed [with Pompeo] the economic relations between our countries. The tariffs imposed by the United States are worrying about our industry. We said at the talks that if we impose retaliatory measures, they will inflict more losses to the United States because our [US] import is greater than export," the minister told the NTV broadcaster.

On Thursday, Washington announced it would impose a 25-percent steel tariff and the 10-percent aluminum tariff on the European Union, Canada, and Mexico, effective June 1. The move came after months of talks on possible exemptions.YEREVAN.  A delegation of the Armenian government representatives headed by ecology minister will visit Amulsar gold mine, Deputy PM Tigran Avinyan wrote on Facebook.

The visit is a part of the work to fulfill the relevant instructions by Armenian PM, he said.

The inspection of the mine will start shortly after the visit, the Deputy PM assured, adding that the ecology problems are the focus of the government.

Avinyan added that the Cabinet is conducting huge work, and it is impossible to report about the results every day.

A number of ecological organizations, experts and lawyers have sent a letter to the government pointing to professional a legal basis for termination of exploitation at Amulsar gold mine.YEREVAN.  Hraparak (Square) newspaper of the Republic of Armenia (RA) on Monday asked and waited all day so that the government news services respond to its questions; they promised, but did not send, wrote the paper.

The questions were related to First Deputy Prime Minister Ararat Mirzoyans visit paid to Dushanbe where he had participated in the meeting of the heads of the governments of the CIS countries.

We were trying to find out whether Mr. Mirzoyan met [in Dushanbe] with the RF [Russian Federation] Prime Minister [Dmitry Medvedev]; if not, [whether] ours or the Russian side did not initiate [it].

Lets remind that that the leaders () representing the Armenian side at the [CIS] Prime Ministers meetings have always had tete-a-tete talks with the head of the RF government. But the RA Constitution does not at all specify a position of First Deputy Prime Minister; that is, there cannot be a word about a transfer of [the former PMs] powers [to the incumbent first deputy PM], wrote Hraparak.China is investing tens of billions of dollars every year into renewable energy deployment and supply chains. Its motivations are simple: The country wants to improve its environmental footprint and air quality, develop a leadership position in global markets, and increase national security and energy independence (you don't have to import renewable energy).

These plans are also longer-term than many headlines would lead investors to believe. For instance, China isn't using renewable energy to immediately replace coal-fired power plants, which supplied 72% of the country's electricity in 2015 -- more than double the share of coal in the electric grids of the United States.

That's because renewable energy is one of the least efficient ways to go about replacing coal consumption in a short period of time. Instead, China is hurriedly building natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) import infrastructure to replace coal in the near-term. In fact, the country is single-handedly shifting global markets, having imported 58% more LNG in the first four months of 2018 than in the year-ago period, with American supply playing a central role. Energy investors shouldn't overlook the opportunities this creates.

Wind turbines in a field with a red truck on a highway passing in front.

Image source: Getty Images.

Natural gas replacing and displacing coal

China can't use renewable energy to replace coal overnight, because wind and solar power are much less efficient. For instance, Chinese coal-fired power plants boasted capacity factors (the rate at which a generation asset produces at its installed capacity) of 48% in 2017. That's very low, hinting at a glut of coal capacity, but it's significantly better than the country's renewables. In 2017 Chinese wind and solar had capacity factors of just 21.3% and 10.7%, respectively.

What that means is simple: Replacing the electricity generation provided by 1 gigawatt of coal in China would require the installation of 2.3 GW of wind or 4.5 GW of solar. Natural gas, on the other hand, is on par with coal when it comes to capacity factor, making it a more efficient use of capital for time-constrained direct replacement of coal-fired power in the grid and industrial base. And that's exactly what China is doing.

Story continues

Nearly 90% of China's year-over-year growth in gas consumption last year went to industrial and residential heating applications. That trend will sweep through electricity generation in the coming years as more natural gas transportation, storage, and power infrastructure is added. Consider several statistics that summarize the incredible trend underlying the country's preparations for a gas-heavy future:

Growth has come quickly. In 2010 China imported 10 million metric tons (mtpa) of LNG. That grew to 20 mtpa in 2015, and just shy of 40 mtpa last year. In the first four months of 2018 imports hit 15.75 million metric tons.

Growth will continue. The country has 17 LNG import terminals, boasting a combined capacity of 7.4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), which is expected to grow to 11.2 Bcf/d by 2021 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

We ain't seen nothing yet. By 2035 the nation is expected to import a staggering 200 mtpa. Last year the entire global LNG trade amounted to 294 mtpa.

It's all part of the government's mandate to quickly replace coal throughout the economy, in everything from residential heating to steel manufacturing to electricity generation. It couldn't come at a better time for American natural gas producers, which are increasingly relying on exports to shuttle away excess supply.

An LNG carrier arriving at a port.

Image source: Getty Images.

American energy exports to China are booming

In February 2018, leading American LNG supplier Cheniere Energy (NYSEMKT: LNG) signed its first major long-term deal with a Chinese customer, China National Petroleum Corporation. It was relatively small in terms of the total market opportunity at just 1.2 mtpa, but it was an important foot in the door for both the company and other companies with export capacity along the coasts of the United States.

It makes sense Cheniere Energy would be among the first to sling LNG China's way, as it was the first American company to export sizable quantities of product. The first cargoes only left shores in 2016, but the United States is already a leading LNG exporter and will soon become the third-largest supplier behind Australia and Qatar. China will play a critical role in that ascension to the top.

In 2017 fully 15% of American LNG exports ended up in China through spot market purchases, but that will increase as more export capacity comes online in the next several years and formal supply deals are signed. By 2020 the United States will boast 9.5 Bcf/d of export capacity -- and Cheniere Energy could own half of that with its Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi terminals. Others will be close behind.

Consider the number of proposed and approved LNG export terminals in the United States, as reported by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as of April 2018:

LNG Export Terminal Type Capacity Approved, under construction 8.13 Bcf/d Approved, not yet under construction 6.79 Bcf/d Proposed, pending 23.58 Bcf/d Pre-filing 3.69 Bcf/d

Source: FERC.

That's a massive amount of capacity that could come online by 2030 from a diverse set of companies, but investors don't have to wait that long.

In 2019 shipments will begin from the Cameron LNG export facility, which includes a 16.6% equity stake from leading LNG trader and French energy giant Total SA and a 50% stake from Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). The Gulf Coast facility will bring three production units online by the early 2020's capable of exporting 15 mtpa, or a little over 2 Bcf/d, valued at over $10 billion. An additional two production units could increase the facility's total export volume to 25 mtpa, or 3.5 Bcf/d.

The West Coast, which offers an easier shipping path to Asian markets than the Gulf Coast, could also get in on the action. Canadian pipeline operator Pembina Pipeline (NYSE: PBA) acquired the Jordon Cove LNG project in Oregon when it purchased Veresen in late 2017. While investment and regulatory decisions remain uncertain (ironically due to fears in early 2016 of an oversupplied LNG market), investors could know the project's fate by the end of 2018. Increased demand in China and Japan might ensure the 1 Bcf/d project is built after all.

There's even diversity in approaches: Delfin LNG recently had a floating LNG facility in the Gulf of Mexico approved by regulators, which could boast 13 mtpa (1.8 Bcf/d) of LNG export capacity and start shipments by 2022, and would deal almost exclusively with Chinese customers. As CEO Greg Vesey recently told Reuters, "[F]or us, it's strictly been about marketing to China." For energy investors, that's a key theme that shouldn't be overlooked.

A giant earth hauler driving down a road at a Chinese coal mine.

Image source: Getty Images.

LNG is the key to displacing coal

Despite investing billions upon billions of dollars in renewable energy infrastructure and supply chains, it remains a long-term play for a country as large as China. The nation is much too large, power-hungry, and industrious to switch its power generation to renewables overnight. That, combined with low capacity factors for Chinese wind and solar, explains why the government is prioritizing the switch to natural gas from domestic production and imports to displace coal more quickly. It also creates a huge opportunity for energy investors, especially as more American export terminals come online in the coming years.

More From The Motley Fool

Maxx Chatsko has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Japanese banking giant SBI Holdings announced on Monday that its in-house cryptocurrency exchange is now live.

Japanese financial giant SBI Holdings announced on Monday that its in-house cryptocurrency exchange is now live, after a months-long delay due to security concerns.

Called VCTRADE, the service is currently only open for users who have pre-registered with the platform in October 2017, the company said in theA announcement and expects it to be available for a wider public in July of this year.

In addition, SBI said as a first step, VCTRADE will focus on the trading of XRP, the native token derived from the Ripple protocol, after which the exchange will sequentially add supports for bitcoin and bitcoin cash, though an initial timeline for that remains unclear at this stage.

Japan's Ban Is a Wake-Up Call to Defend Privacy Coins

The decision is perhaps not entirely surprising given SBI Holdings' existing works in piloting the remittance technology provided by the San Francisco-based Ripple that uses a distributed ledger toA make cross-border transactions.

SBI Holdings first establishedA its wholly-owned subsidiary - SBI Virtual Currencies - in October 2016 in a bid to launch the country's first crypto exchange that is fully backed by a major financial institution.

The platform later completed business registration with Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) in September 2017 but announced in February of this year that the opening would be delayed due to security concerns amid the Coincheck hack.

The new service also comes after SBI Virtual Currencies has canceled a partnership in March with crypto exchange Huobi that would use the latter's financial and technological resources to launch VCTRADE.

Japanese Regulator Sees Boost In Cryptocurrency Queries

Japanese yen image via Shutterstock

Related StoriesI really wish the Black Plague had finished off all of these people sometimes.

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Edgy, but all in good harmless fun! Haha, as a black person I sure am feeling the love <3

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"It's a joke, bruh! Get some thick skin! Its all for the lulz"

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Twitch?? Im officially at the age where I am no longer signing up for any new social media.

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He's been banned from twitch for a while actually, this was during a youtube livestream. He's been encouraging a bunch of racist twitch streamers who've gotten banned from twitch to move to youtube.

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Does twitch deal with this stuff more aggressively than YT then? This is like the 3rd person I've heard of on ONTD alone that was banned

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yeah any place where white men congregate in large amounts turn into cesspools for racism



although i did start watching jackbox on twitch recently and this white norwegian but living in the US guy kept fully ripping into some guy in the comments who was using the n word and also joining games with his name as a stupid racial insult, so that was surprising. i was ready to be super disappointed but he wouldnt let up and he was telling all his followers to report the guy so that was cool

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Asian Andy?

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Jesus. Just... who the fuck is raising these people?

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White people. This isnt some subset of cretins, this is how white people raise their children. Theres no waiting until old white people die off for society to progress because theyre passing it down.

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Lmfao at the white girl playing victim. Forever and always the victim

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She was cackling but as soon as that guy started talking back she started screaming "I'm scared :'("

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I screamed @ "I'm scaaaaaared, STTAAAHP"



what a loser

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lol its in their dna

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I was dying when she started** yelping for someone to save her omgggggg



Edited at 2018-06-05 04:07 am (UTC)

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they're good at being just as toxic as white men. sad.

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She is such a pathetic loser. So spineless lmao

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So predictable, fuck me

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White women tears are their superpower

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What kind of 2002 Xanga name is "Ice Poseidon"??? My god, someone needs to stop all these YouTubers and...fancier YouTubers, I guess is what this is? They're just attention-seeking morons.

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omfg this throwback to xanga

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lmao ikr?

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giving me EL James' "Snowqueens Icedragon" teas

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lol Ice_Poseidon

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why is Denny's always such a hotbed of racism?



anyway these nobodies sound like wretched people

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Dont resist.

Dont kneel.

Dont hold a cell phone.

Dont assert 4th Amendment rights.

Dont barbecue in the park.

Dont protest.

Dont speak other languages.

Dont like it?

Dont live here.#ThisIsAmerica #DonaldTrump #2018  Hitting the Trifecta (@trifectablog) May 24, 2018





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wait, what? at first this tweet seems anti-racism because it's like "don't hold a phone," and what kind of dumbass society is that, but then it seems pro-nationalist with the don't like it don't live here bit. confusing message.



unless it's trying to give people advice, lol. DON'T LIVE HERE. DONALD TRUMP LIVES HERE. MOVE AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE.

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I think theyre saying thats what the bigots say, Dont like it? Move! But I agree that its not well articulated. I only understand it because its something that I would write, only for it to be misinterpreted lol!

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No, he's being ironic. Or sarcastic? Anyway, that account is very anti-Trump.

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Asian Andy is such a piece of shit. He says shit but can't take it.

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Also, the Chad (Anything4views) guy that hung out with them got banned from twitch, he kept harassing and saying racist stuff to Queen Jelz and I feel bad for her, she take so much racist shit from them but like why is she there??? Idk.

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he thought he was cute with his half-whispered shit talking, but as soon as he gets called out he stutters and acts like it's brand new information

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These idiots.

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Twitch seems like an even worse cesspool than Reddit

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It isn't, it's just that the demographic spills over sometimes. Gamers will be gamers, edgelords will be edgelords, etc. no matter what platform they're on.

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there are some nice gamers and streamers who play there. i guess on twitch the swm bigots et. al just have faces attached to what they do.

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These goddamn twitchers.

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Can you believe this meth head looking loser is 23 years old



Looks like a cracked out 40 year old

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a lot of these white boys from middle america all look meth-ridden (because they are)

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Linkthis song is cute af! i always wondered who the girl in that gifset was. will def check out more from her, thanks OP!

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Bump the electro future rock anthem Alterlife!



Bump the electro future rock anthem Alterlife!

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will do, ty!! <3

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ooo now this song is right up my alley *_*

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okay I FUCKS WITH THIS!!

This is brilliant.

Sis, you've been putting me on some many great talents lately.

Thanks, friend<33

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This is super cute.

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I really appreciate that she's been doing a lot from the ground up.

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Yaasss these looks are incredible, I'm really happy I watched this. GJ OP!



Edited at 2018-06-05 07:45 pm (UTC)

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queen <3 trying to convince my bf to go w/ me to see her when she's here in sept!

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I love herrr. I saw screenshots from this earlier and really thought it was from a photoshoot.

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THE SECOND COMING 

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the entire gold look including the hair and makeup are perfection!!! and then suittttttt. i love it. uh-mazing.

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Wait that is such a great song, I only knew Valentine!

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the song is cute but can we do away with this baddie aesthetic that was cute in 2013. And what in the lady gaga 2010 hell is the aesthetic of this video.





no ma'am

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Funny you mention that cause the styling was done by Nicola Formichetti. King of evolving into trendy designs

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makes sense tbh. I personally don't like the aesthetic at all. But it's just my opinion, so it is what it is.

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i really dig her sound and it makes me nostalgic for back in the day when i jammed out to all visual kei jrock lmao i need to buy her stufffffffff





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mte. issa mess

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i hadn't heard of her before but this is a bop! i'm gonna have to check out her other stuff



also yaaas, avril lavigne, the voice of a generation

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issa bop

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Can't watch rn but in post to say I stan talent!

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LinkLmao @all the descriptions! I love her sfm. She was always my fave to watch on food network back in the day. This makes me miss watching her now. I should get back into it.

Anyways, this is so great of her. Bless!

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This is why I entered the post. Always a classic.

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omfg....what did I just watch.



this lady made a career out of doing this stuff?!



running to youtube to watch lmao

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Come on thru, good sis, Auntie Sandy!!

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I would rather get divorced than eat a wedding cake that Aunt Sandy had anything to do with, but the thought is very sweet lol



Now, if she wants to get these couples hooked up with some cocktails, that'd be a better use of her talents!

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i want Aunt Sandy to be the bartender at my wedding's open bar tbqh.

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terrible cook but a great bartender

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you know the dance floor of any wedding she bartended would be LIT

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I will gift this to you as a wedding present. I don't know exactly how, but GDI - I'll do it! As long as you stop the DISGUSTING slander against LGBT Prince Harreh Styles!

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When are we getting married boo??

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I aspire to be her level of drunk.

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This whole mess is way too blurry and narrow. I feel like when these celebrities are making comments, it seems sort... ignorant to the bigger picture. This isn't about the homosexual couple. This turned in to a whole religious issue and the rights one should be given as a believer of whatever faith. Why are we still talking about just gay weddings and cake and not talking about where we draw our line as a society in 2018 re: religion and the incredulously narrow views some religions have?

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i'm sf sick of religious str*ights who keep preventing us from having equal rights. Y'ALL BELIEVE IN A FUCKING NOVEL FFS why should they tell us how to live our lives!! Enough!!!

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That's kind of my point. Yes, narrow. But also, let's stop making this about homosexuality and start talking about the thing everyone is too afraid to talk about: RELIGION and how it negatively impacts a wide variety of society, not just gays.

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it's so hypocritical bc they whine about other religions supposedly seeping into the mainstream but insist laws take Christianity into consideration



separation of church and state is so fucking clear yet politicians and religious dumbasses will blatantly invoke religion when explaining their decisions regarding laws, especially abortion.

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Great comment.

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u right, there.



they're panicking because the country is becoming more and more secular. it's their last dying gasps, no worries. we'll set things straight again.

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Sandra Lee threw the first cake slice at Stonewall!

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facts are facts!

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I just ugly laughed omg ihy lol

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nnnnnnn

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fjshlsmsghwjdhs

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lmao

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It was her delicious Kawanzaa cake, no less!

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Lmao FUCK

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FUCK

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im logging off

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screaming

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i love her

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She is really nice. She filmed four episodes of her show in my hometown because it was also where she grew up. I have a handwritten note from her.

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This cocktail queen.

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i hope all these bigots go out of business



like i doubt god cares if you bake a cake for a couple of gays but w/e enjoy losing money freaks.

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That's really awesome of her.

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ill have a special cocktail time in your honor, sandra!

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Edited at 2018-06-05 06:56 pm (UTC) Yes help me find a grocery store to buy some already baked sponge cake and then just help me spread some icing, queen!

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LinkDon't fuck it up!

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 california i voted role call-

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I voted!

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Wearing my sticker and everything!

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I did! And I got my republican mom to vote for some dems!

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I did!

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I voted!



I forced others to vote!



Im text banking from my cubicle!



LETS JUST VOTE OUR WAY OUTTA THIS ECONOMICALLY USELESS PAPER BAG OK

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I voted and convinced/forced my boyfriend to vote with me!

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Voted by mail a while ago. 

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Omw to vote now

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I voted!

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voted by mail!

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I voted!

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omw to vote now!

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dropped off my mail-in ballot this morning!

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Me!! And my husband!

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meeee! i mailed in my ballot weeks ago and was able to confirm it's been counted via the sos' website (or maybe my county's? idr at this point)

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my partner and i did!

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I voted by mail yas

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Its be almost statistically impossible for one not outside of district races. Were at like 64% Democrats right now- by 2022 its gonna be a Dem vs Dem hellscape.

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Were fucked in OC tbh.

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Im very worried and not very optimistic. My district, also that asshat Nunes district, is very firmly republican and very, very dumb and uneducated.

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Good luck American sistren

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Americans are always voting.



Ontario elections are on Thursday and I will be voting there. My polling place is one of the local libraries so I might have to pick up some books while I'm there.

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What would really drive me crazy is how LONG the cycles are. Candidates are running for president for YEARS.

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I voted on Saturday! Special ballot. Was not happy about any of the candidates but I hate the fords too much to decline my ballot so I voted for one of the major parties that was not PC.

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hoping madueno pulls through in CA-10, josh harder is so predictable blah

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SAME!!!!! As someone who is stupidly familiar with that fucking district; Virginia is the best choice left for the district. Josh Harder is a phony ass fucker- claiming to be 5th generation valley when we all KNOW his ass is not at all Central Valley. Lying ass ho. I hope the district sends him and his venture capital money fucking packing.

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calinewarkwc69 https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/110711330.html?thread=18926539042#t18926539042



Recs:



Gov: Delanie Eastin

Lt Gov: Gayle McLaughlin

Sec of State: Michael Feinstein or Ruben Major

Controller: Betty Yee

Treasurer: Fiona Ma

Attorney Gen: Dave Jones

Insurance Commissioner: Asif Mahmood (his story is amazing)

Superintendent: Tony Thurmond

Senator: Kevin De Leon

Prop 68, 69, 72 YES

Prop 70 NO



Judge of The Superior Court, Office 2: David Lopez. Arthur Harrison let a female teacher who had sex with 3 students get off with just 6 months in prison.



Edited at 2018-06-05 08:16 pm (UTC) There is good info here from the amazingRecs:Gov: Delanie EastinLt Gov: Gayle McLaughlinSec of State: Michael Feinstein or Ruben MajorController: Betty YeeTreasurer: Fiona MaAttorney Gen: Dave JonesInsurance Commissioner: Asif Mahmood (his story is amazing)Superintendent: Tony ThurmondSenator: Kevin De LeonProp 68, 69, 72 YESProp 70 NOJudge of The Superior Court, Office 2: David Lopez. Arthur Harrison let a female teacher who had sex with 3 students get off with just 6 months in prison.

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lol I needed this yesterday for portions of the ballot but I educated myself and yesss I voted for some of these lol

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Thank you. I had a lot going on and didn't study and I'm freaking out that I don't know enough this election cycle T_T

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Yes!! And Im in this post to answer all questions about any statewide candidate!



I have all the tea to spill and zero fucks to give!

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Queen 

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Eastin? Way to throw your vote. I Wanted to vote for Villaraigosa just to keep Cox out

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Thank you so much for this! Yall helped me a ton lol

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So far Im hearing turnout in CA is hovering around 20%



Fucking pathetic.



Hopefully by the time polls close we can at least get closer to 35%

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That's sad. My polling place is never very busy :(

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Same here

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do you have mail-in ballots?

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my polling place this afternoon was pretty dead. it was discouraging.

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same. ugh that makes me nervous too bc, as I'm sure you know, whenever turnout is low republicans win.

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i feel hopeless idk

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I wish more young people would volunteer to * be poll workers. I went in this morning to drop off my mail in ballot and the 1,000 yo workers were completely confused. They also had me vote provisionally. Then they thought they had to sign my envelope. I corrected them and they said oh, ha ha! Maybe you should be on this side of the table.



*Corrected because they pay you!



Edited at 2018-06-05 08:24 pm (UTC)

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Oh boy. I guess they didn't get great training.

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I try to encourage people to do it every election; if I wasnt basically brand new at my job, Id be doing it right now..



I really want to be SOS and put in my platform that the state will provide childcare for poll workers.

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I also need to correct myself because I tried to say they ALMOST had me vote provisionally. I didnt and just turned in my ballot.

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You have convinced me to sign up to work the next election, jfc.

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I got called to do it but since I had just quit my job didn't feel comfortable saying yes because I didn't know what my situation would be like today. The call was about two months back.

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Damn, love seeing support for Pamela Price for DA!!! Also, seeing Virginia Madueno for CD10; the candidate I worked for in that district (who dropped out because a crowded field WILL lead to a top two R in that district) endorsed her and they served together on council in Riverbank. I feel bad her face is next to DiFi- I also feel bad Emmy mightve voted for DiFi 

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Ugh trying to do last minute studying for my district I should have been better kept thinking I had more time. I work till six and voting after been studying at work today

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June 5 came so fast, I had to cram last night lol.

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I mailed my vote last week. I had a hard time deciding between two dems for my reps but I chose the one endorsed by naral et al.

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Anyone else voting in Alabama?



I'm going after work, but I still need to finish my list of the candidates I want to vote for. Looking up all of these judges has been a real pain in the ass.

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I hate judges races too because theres no where to dig into their record do they disproportionately jail PoC? Do they go hard on minor drug offenses? Do they hate women?



We need a judicial registry of some type to see what the fuck judges are soing

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I have a family member who had the unfortunate task of hosting a Town Hall with all of the main contenders for Governor in my state and all of the Republican candidates said they didn't think Trump was a role model for their kids but still praised him.

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LinkThere have long been fewer female leaders than male in Hong Kongs aviation sector, but come this summer the disparity will be made starker when Cathay Pacific Airways sole female leader, flight operations director Anna Thompson, leaves the citys flagship carrier.

Thompsons departure to the property unit of Cathay Pacifics biggest shareholder, Swire Pacific, will leave no women in leadership roles at any of the citys four passenger airlines.

Asked about the discrepancy, Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg acknowledged: We are an all-male line-up and we hope that doesnt continue forever.

He pledged to address the gender imbalance, adding: Inclusion is really important, particularly from minority groups to feel they have a place in Cathay Pacific.

Thompson could not be reached for comment. The other three airlines are Cathay Pacifics subsidiary, Cathay Dragon, as well as Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express. The latter two declined to comment.

More than 60 per cent of employees at Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon are women.



The sectors gender imbalance and how businesses can make progress on it featured in a discussion on Monday at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) summit, an annual global gathering of airlines and industry executives, held this year in Sydney.

Aviation consultant Mylene Scholnick said the scales tip heavily towards male candidates across the board when middle-to-senior management roles in the industry are being filled.

Scholnick cited statistics to illustrate the scale of the challenge, noting women make up less than 5 per cent of airline pilots and airline CEOs. And while half of the intake into the aviation industry last year was female, they were mainly hired for support functions or roles such as flight attendants.

I believe mentorship, training on unconscious biases, and business resource groups, are all key to seeing more women leaders, the consultant said.

Story continues

At the summit, an all-male panel of airline executives, including Hogg and bosses from Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Emirates and KLM, agreed more action was needed to even out the gender disparity.

KLMs Pieter Elbers said the sector needed to look more deeply into what was driving the imbalance and what should be done in various parts of womens careers to spark change.

That is not necessarily a discussion with the five of us [at the summit] ... that is a discussion with the women involved, he said. Whats needed and how can we help to make the progress?

But at the events closing press conference on Tuesday, the incoming IATA chairman, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, voiced a different view, saying nothing needed to be done to promote women to his airlines senior ranks.

Asked about the top job, Al Baker said: Of course it has to be led by a man because it is a very challenging position.

His statement elicited groans and boos.

On IATAs 31-member governing board, represented by airlines, only one woman holds a seat.

And in the past year, two female CEOs have left the airline industry for top jobs elsewhere. Former EasyJet CEO Carolyn McCall switched to the media sector, while ex-Jetstar boss Jayne Hrdlicka left for the agriculture sector. Thai Airways announced its female acting president, Usanee Sangsingkeo, would be replaced permanently by an outsider, a man with no aviation experience.

On Monday the SkyTeam airline alliance announced Kristin Colville as its new CEO, a month after the board of United Continental airlines agreed to have its first female chair, with JetBlue promoting a woman to its president in charge of day-to-day operations.

In the region, Chinas Dr Fang Liu chairs the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a UN agency managing the global rules in aviation.

Flourishing budget carrier Vietjet, whose model is as much to sell seats as well as the appeal of its female cabin crew, is led by CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, and commercial chief Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh. At AirAsia, Aireen Omar has risen to the rank of deputy group CEO.

Scholnick, who co-founded Hong Kong business jet operator Metrojet, was optimistic about the imbalance being corrected eventually.

Gender disparity in aviation ... will persist over the next several years, she said. However, I believe that theres opportunity now for young women in aviation to gain experience and reach senior levels of leading organisations.

In Cathay Pacifics case, the female general managers who are just one level below the airlines 11 directors appear poised to move up to serve as its next batch of leaders.

Fiona Nott, CEO of the non-profit Womens Foundation in Hong Kong, said women were generally under-represented in the city across leadership positions in business, with just 29 per cent of management positions held by women.

Surprisingly for a global hub, womens position in Hong Kong lags behind other developed markets, Nott said. She called for targets and objectives to be rolled out for gender diversity over and above those set for business outcomes.

Numerous studies show that greater gender diversity leads to better business outcomes. Having more women in leadership is good for business and good for Hong Kong. We all benefit when our businesses reflect the society in which they operate.

Danny Lee was reporting from Sydney, Australia

This article Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg vows to close gender gap as flight directors departure means no women on Hong Kong airlines top deck first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.President Rodrigo Duterte during his first official visit to South Korea (photo courtesy of RTVM)

SEOUL, South Korea  President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, June 5, assured that South Korean businessmen will be safe while they are in the Philippines.

He gave the assurance as the South Korean government extended a $6.6 million grant to enhance the capabilities of the Philippine National Police (PNP), which include vehicles and personnel training.

Duterte also admitted that the Philippines is facing numerous law and order problems and asked that he be given until the end of the year to reorganize the PNP.

The president added that he will appoint a representative who will process the documents of South Korean investors so they can avoid corruption.

Duterte also told them that he has fired several government officials linked to corruption. He urged South Korean businessmen to shun corruption by reporting Filipino government officials who ask for money.  Grace Casin | UNTV News & Rescue

The post Duterte assures safety of Korean businessmen in PH appeared first on UNTV News.EU countries struggled Tuesday to break a two-year deadlock over reforming the bloc's asylum rules by this month's deadline, with Bulgaria admitting its effort at compromise was no "easy task." European Union ministers and officials met in Luxembourg to debate Bulgaria's plan aimed at ending an east-west divide over the reforms in time for a June 28-29 summit in Brussels. "Finding a compromise on this issue won't be an easy task, but I'm more than convinced we're on the right track," Bulgarian Interior Minister Valentin Radev told a press conference after talks ended. Bulgaria's role as chair of the six-month rotating EU presidency ends June 30. Migration Minister Helene Fritzon of Sweden, a major destination for migrants, echoed widespread pessimism about prospects of a deal. "I would say that an agreement seems very difficult to reach," Fritzon said according to Sweden's TT news agency. Fritzon said earlier that right-wing gains in elections in Italy and Slovenia have produced "a harder political climate" for a deal. In his first speech in office, Italy's new Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte called for the "obligatory" and "automatic" redistribution among EU member states of asylum seekers being processed in Italy. The country's hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini said separately the proposed reforms would condemn Italy and other Mediterranean countries to continue bearing the burden of an unprecedented migration crisis for the 28-nation bloc. EU leaders in December set an end-of-June deadline for an overhaul of the so-called Dublin rules to create a permanent mechanism to deal with migrants in the event of a new emergency. Under those rules, the countries where migrants first arrive must process their asylum requests. Italy, Greece and Spain are the main entry points to Europe. EU cooperation deals with Turkey and Libya, the main transit countries, have helped to slow, at least for now, the flow of migrants to Europe since peak arrivals in 2015. Former communist bloc eastern countries Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have either refused outright or resisted taking in such refugees, citing threats to social cohesion. - Asylum reform dead? - They have done so despite the European Commission, the EU executive, pushing through temporary quotas in 2015 as a way to ease the burden on frontline states Italy and Greece. Some 1.26 million people from war-torn Syria and other countries applied for asylum in EU countries in 2015, the peak of Europe's worst migration crisis since World War II. Under an emergency plan, EU member countries agreed to relocate to other parts of the bloc 160,000 Syrians and other refugees from Italy and Greece within two years. Only 34,690 people have been relocated so far as most migrants made their own way to Germany and other wealthy northern countries amid the chaos. According to documents seen by AFP, Bulgaria's plan calls for "alleviating (the) burden from the front-line" states and "curbing secondary movements" of asylum seekers who land in one EU country and travel to another. Eastern countries place a priority on stopping secondary movements, which caused so much chaos in recent years that some countries in Europe's passport-free Schengen zone even re-established border checks. In a nod to Rome and Athens, the Bulgarian proposals call for the compulsory relocation of asylum seekers, but only as a last resort. At the outset of any new crisis, financial and other support are supposed to kick in automatically under the plan. EU capitals like Budapest, which has spearheaded opposition to Muslim and other migrants, have stood firm against mandatory relocation. As a further sop to the eastern countries, people will be relocated only in exceptional cases and member states will have the "flexibility" to reduce some of the numbers allotted to them. Under the proposal, frontline states face increased "responsibility" to register arrivals. Asylum reform "is dead," Belgium's hardline migration minister Theo Francken told Belgian media. "There is not enough basis to pursue the debate." Rejecting his remarks, the EU's migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos told the closing press conference that Francken's comments were "counterproductive." Avramopoulos said: "The reform of the European asylum system is not dead, unless someone wants to kill it and nobody here would wish to do it."German car parts supplier Continental on Tuesday said it was banning the use of WhatsApp and Snapchat on work-issued mobile phones "with immediate effect" because of data protection concerns. The company said such social media apps had "deficiencies" that made it difficult to comply with tough new EU data protection legislation, especially their insistence on having access to a user's contact list. "Continental is prohibiting its employees from using social media apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat in its global company network, effective immediately," the firm said in a statement. Some 36,000 employees would be affected by the move, a Continental spokesman told AFP. The company, one of the world's leading makers of car parts, has over 240,000 staff globally. A key principle of the European Union's new general data protection regulation (GDPR), which came into force on May 25, is that individuals must explicitly grant permission for their data to be used. But Continental said that by demanding full access to address books, WhatsApp for example had shifted the burden onto the user, essentially expecting them to contact everyone in their phone to let them know their data was being shared. "We think it is unacceptable to transfer to users the responsibility of complying with data protection laws," said Continental's CEO Elmar Degenhart. The Hanover-based firm said it stood ready to reverse its decision once the service providers "change the basic settings to ensure that their apps comply with data-protection regulations by default". Snapchat owner Snap Inc responded to the announcement by saying that Continental "is wrong to suggest our compliance with GDPR shifts the burden to the user". It is up to Snapchat users to decide whether they want to allow access to their contacts and they can delete them at any time, the company said in a statement. "We also do not store non-user contacts," it added. The issue of how personal information is used and shared online was given fresh urgency after Facebook earlier this year admitted to a massive privacy breach that allowed a political consultancy linked to US President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign to harvest the data of up to 87 million users.Phuket, Thailand  4 June 2018  Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach unveils one of the islands newest meeting spaces. The MICE resort has embraced Marriotts innovative Meetings Imagined concept and offers meeting planners inspiring and creative ways to organize successful events. The launch of its renovated meeting spaces feature the state-of-the-art Merlin Grand Ballroom (573 sqm) and the versatile Vanda Room (84 sqm).

The resort is going through a transformation when Marriott International entered into a new management agreement in December 2016. Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach is emerging to be one of the most comprehensive destinations for event planners. We offer Marriott Internationals innovation in technology, spaces and service while localizing these experiences to reflect Thai culture. We work with organizers to discover the essence of great events and execute them in a way that resonate with their clients, said Trevor May, General Manager.

At Marriott, meetings are people-inspired and Marriott delivered. The resorts professional events team work one-on-one with planners to identify their meeting purpose, business background and how to integrate those concepts into a smooth and stunning event. The Merlin Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 600 delegates. The property is suited for small to large groups and also features the Beach Lawn, a beachside venue overlooking the Andaman Sea.

To take advantage of all the features and benefits, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach is running Marriott Internationals Power of Three campaign. The promotion targets the meetings, incentives, corporate and events markets by offering a five percent discount on master-billed rooms, complimentary Internet in meeting rooms, triple Marriott Reward points or Starpoints on eligible revenue, one complimentary room night for every 25 paid room nights and 1 complimentary room upgrade for one night for every 25 paid room nights. To enjoy this promotion, reserve by 15 September 2018 for meetings or events happening until 30 September 2018. To find out more, visit phuketmarriottmerlinbeach.com.Motion sensor 'camera traps' unobtrusively take pictures of animals in their natural environment, oftentimes yielding images not otherwise observable. The artificial intelligence system automatically processes such images, here correctly reporting this as a picture of two impala standing. Credit: Snapshot Serengeti

A new paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) reports how a cutting-edge artificial intelligence technique called deep learning can automatically identify, count and describe animals in their natural habitats.

Photographs that are automatically collected by motion-sensor cameras can then be automatically described by deep neural networks. The result is a system that can automate animal identification for up to 99.3 percent of images while still performing at the same 96.6 percent accuracy rate of crowdsourced teams of human volunteers.

"This technology lets us accurately, unobtrusively and inexpensively collect wildlife data, which could help catalyze the transformation of many fields of ecology, wildlife biology, zoology, conservation biology and animal behavior into 'big data' sciences. This will dramatically improve our ability to both study and conserve wildlife and precious ecosystems," says Jeff Clune, the senior author of the paper. He is the Harris Associate Professor at the University of Wyoming and a senior research manager at Uber's Artificial Intelligence Labs.

The paper was written by Clune; his Ph.D. student Mohammad Sadegh Norouzzadeh; his former Ph.D. student Anh Nguyen (now at Auburn University); Margaret Kosmala (Harvard University); Ali Swanson (University of Oxford); and Meredith Palmer and Craig Packer (both from the University of Minnesota).

Deep neural networks are a form of computational intelligence loosely inspired by how animal brains see and understand the world. They require vast amounts of training data to work well, and the data must be accurately labeled (e.g., each image being correctly tagged with which species of animal is present, how many there are, etc.).

This study obtained the necessary data from Snapshot Serengeti, a citizen science project on the http://www.zooniverse.org platform. Snapshot Serengeti has deployed a large number of "camera traps" (motion-sensor cameras) in Tanzania that collect millions of images of animals in their natural habitat, such as lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephants. The information in these photographs is only useful once it has been converted into text and numbers. For years, the best method for extracting such information was to ask crowdsourced teams of human volunteers to label each image manually. The study published today harnessed 3.2 million labeled images produced in this manner by more than 50,000 human volunteers over several years.

"When I told Jeff Clune we had 3.2 million labeled images, he stopped in his tracks," says Packer, who heads the Snapshot Serengeti project. "We wanted to test whether we could use machine learning to automate the work of human volunteers. Our citizen scientists have done phenomenal work, but we needed to speed up the process to handle ever greater amounts of data. The deep learning algorithm is amazing and far surpassed my expectations. This is a game changer for wildlife ecology."

Swanson, who founded Snapshot Serengeti, adds: "There are hundreds of camera-trap projects in the world, and very few of them are able to recruit large armies of human volunteers to extract their data. That means that much of the knowledge in these important data sets remains untapped. Although projects are increasingly turning to citizen science for image classification, we're starting to see it take longer and longer to label each batch of images as the demand for volunteers grows. We believe deep learning will be key in alleviating the bottleneck for camera-trap projects: the effort of converting images into usable data."

"Not only does the artificial intelligence system tell you which of 48 different species of animal is present, but it also tells you how many there are and what they are doing. It will tell you if they are eating, sleeping, if babies are present, etc.," adds Kosmala, another Snapshot Serengeti leader. "We estimate that the deep learning technology pipeline we describe would save more than eight years of human labeling effort for each additional 3 million images. That is a lot of valuable volunteer time that can be redeployed to help other projects."

First-author Sadegh Norouzzadeh points out that "Deep learning is still improving rapidly, and we expect that its performance will only get better in the coming years. Here, we wanted to demonstrate the value of the technology to the wildlife ecology community, but we expect that as more people research how to improve deep learning for this application and publish their datasets, the sky's the limit. It is exciting to think of all the different ways this technology can help with our important scientific and conservation missions."

The paper that appears today in PNAS is titled, "Automatically identifying, counting, and describing wild animals in camera-trap images with deep learning."

More information: Mohammad Sadegh Norouzzadeh et al, Automatically identifying, counting, and describing wild animals in camera-trap images with deep learning, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Mohammad Sadegh Norouzzadeh et al, Automatically identifying, counting, and describing wild animals in camera-trap images with deep learning,(2018). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1719367115On the weekend of June 1, 2018, staff from California Sea Grant and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife rescued over 800 young salmon in streams that were close to drying up, and relocated them to streams that will stay wet all summer. Credit: Andrew Bartshire | California Sea Grant

Even small amounts of running waterless than a gallon per secondcould mean the difference between life or death for juvenile coho salmon in coastal California streams, according to a new study published in the journal Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.

The study, led by California Sea Grant Extension Specialist Mariska Obedzinski, shows that during dry periods, that amount of water was enough to keep pools interconnected, allowing young salmon to survive through the hot, dry summer months.

"The good news is that if we can get just a little bit of water back in these streams, we can make a really big difference," says Obedzinski, who leads a monitoring program for endangered coho salmon and steelhead in the small streams of Sonoma County that flow into the Russian River.

Saving the Russian River coho

Russian River coho salmon were listed as threatened in 1996, but despite efforts to improve habitat, the species had hit crisis levels by the early 2000's, and they became endangered in 2005 when scientists noted fewer than 10 fish returning to the Russian River each year to spawn. In response, local, state, and federal agencies teamed up to start a conservation hatchery program to breed and release the fish. California Sea Grant's monitoring program was set up to track the success of the hatchery releases as well as better understand the factors that were preventing recovery of the species.

Through their monitoring, Obedzinski and her research team found that low streamflow in summer is one of the biggest bottlenecks to coho recovery. She says, "After the hatchery fish are released, we see them migrating out to the ocean and coming back as adults to spawn. We even see their offspring in creeks in the early summer, but by late summer the creeks dry out, the young salmon die, and the next generation is not surviving."

Young salmon like these are vulnerable to dry conditions in the small streams they call home. Their survival is a bottleneck to the recovery of the Russian River coho salmon. Credit: California Sea Grant

How much is enough?

Water is a limited resource in the Mediterranean climate of central California. Population growth and development, combined with the impacts of climate change in the drought-prone region have made flow-impaired streams even less reliable.

While previous modeling studies have established water flow thresholds to support salmon in larger, snowmelt-fed streams such as those in California's central valley, the small coastal streams where Russian River coho prefer to spawn are a different beast.

These intermittent streams may swell over their banks during wet winter months but dwindle to a trickle or even dry up in sections during the hot, dry summer. While it was clear that young salmon needed more water to survive the summer months, the question was, how much?

"We didn't have a sense of how much water was needed," says Obedzinski. "The existing models are based on flows in much larger streams. When you try to apply them to our tiny coastal streams, they fall apart."

The new study provides a clearer link between salmon survival and water flow rates in Russian River tributaries, which could be useful for resource agencies and organizations working on salmon recovery, and land owners who want to help restore endangered salmon populations. The findings may also lend support for efforts that might seem small-scale in comparison to larger streamflow improvement projects in other watersheds.

John Green is a project manager for the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District, who has already begun applying the new research to their work restoring flow in salmon streams. He says, "The big value in this research is that it has given us an idea of how much water is needed to improve fish survival. From that, we start to understand the kinds of projects we need to build and what their impacts will be."

The researchers stress that flows allowing for minimum persistence are not high enough to support full recovery. Obedzinski says, "Keeping a pool connected is the first step in preventing local extinction by keeping at least some of the fish alive, but we want fish to be able to grow and thrive as well. In terms of meeting recovery targets, more water means more habitat for fish, and more chance of bringing back a healthy population."

Explore further Conservation groups' pact will help save Atlantic salmon

More information: Mariska Obedzinski et al, Effects of Flow-Related Variables on Oversummer Survival of Juvenile Coho Salmon in Intermittent Streams, Transactions of the American Fisheries Society (2018). Journal information: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society Mariska Obedzinski et al, Effects of Flow-Related Variables on Oversummer Survival of Juvenile Coho Salmon in Intermittent Streams,(2018). DOI: 10.1002/tafs.10057Spatial distribution of drought frequency in different research periods. Credit: Science China Press

Drought occurs widely and frequently in China, causing considerable damage to the living environment of humans. The Yellow River basin (YRB) of China shows great vulnerability to drought in the major basins; thus, drought monitoring in the YRB is particularly important. A recent study reveals the temporal and spatial characteristics of the multi-scale drought in the Yellow River basin over the past 55 years.

The research paper, written by Professor Yang Haibo of the Zhengzhou University, is titled "Study of the temporal and spatial patterns of drought in the Yellow River basin based on SPEI," and was recently published in Science China: Earth Sciences. The extreme-point symmetric mode decomposition (ESMD) and Bernaola-Galvan segmentation algorithm (BGSA) were used in this study. The annual and seasonal variation, frequency and intensity of drought were studied in the YRB.

Influenced by geographical location and the East Asian monsoon climate, the hydrometeorological conditions of the YRB are complicated and varied. With a deficiency of water resources and disequilibrium of the precipitation distribution, the YRB is the area most vulnerable to drought in the major basins of China. Therefore, drought monitoring in the YRB is particularly important. It is necessary to clarify the various drought-stage characteristics in the temporal scale, especially under the fluctuant drought variations caused by climate change in recent years. The YRB spans a wide range of 23 longitudes and 10 latitudes. Different climatic types and topographic features lead to obvious differences in the spatial distribution of drought in the YRB; thus, it is necessary to study each subzone in the spatial scale.

In this study, the latest ESMD was applied to the time-frequency decomposition of the meteorological drought index SPEI. Drought periods with 2.9, 5, 10.2 and 18.3 years were characterized by ESMD. The BGSA can be used to divide the long research period with the obtained variability of each mean segment. And three stages (1961-1996, 1997-2002 and 2003-2015) were detected by BGSA. Yang concluded that the most serious drought happened in the middle stage (1997~2002 years).

After the spatial interpolation from the original station data, the raster-based SPEI were obtained to calculate the drought frequency and intensity. It is more continuous and precise in the spatial scale compared with the direct interpolating value from station-based results. The sequence of drought frequency was summer, spring, autumn and winter with mean values of 71.0 percent, 47.2 percent, 10.2 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively. And the sequence of drought intensity was summer, spring, winter and autumn with mean values of 0.93, 0.40, 0.05 and 0.04, respectively. The paper identified the spatial and temporal patterns of drought in the YRB for the last 55 years, and put forward the targeted drought resistance measures according to the characteristics of the YRB and the various subzones, which provided reference and basis for the monitoring and early warning of drought in other areas.

The research results enrich the study of drought in the YRB. The temporal and spatial evolution patterns of drought in the YRB were analysed in detail to provide a scientific decision-making basis for avoiding drought disasters, and to produce greater practical significance to study the evolution and scientific development of drought in the YRB under the changing environment.

Explore further Scientists reveal drivers of prolonged spring-summer drought over North China

More information: Fei Wang et al, Study of the temporal and spatial patterns of drought in the Yellow River basin based on SPEI, Science China Earth Sciences (2018). Journal information: Science China Earth Sciences Fei Wang et al, Study of the temporal and spatial patterns of drought in the Yellow River basin based on SPEI,(2018). DOI: 10.1007/s11430-017-9198-2A new study conducted in Nuvvuagittuq, Canada revealed evidence that the Earth's continental crust may have formed hundreds of millions of years earlier than thought. Credit: University of Chicago

The early Earth might have been habitable much earlier than thought, according to new research from a group led by University of Chicago scientists.

Counting strontium atoms in rocks from northern Canada, they found evidence that the Earth's continental crust could have formed hundreds of millions of years earlier than previously thought. Continental crust is richer in essential minerals than younger volcanic rock, which would have made it significantly friendlier to supporting life.

"Our evidence, which squares with emerging evidence including rocks in western Australia, suggests that the early Earth was capable of forming continental crust within 350 million years of the formation of the solar system," said Patrick Boehnke, the T.C. Chamberlin Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Geophysical Sciences and the first author on the paper. "This alters the classic view, that the crust was hot, dry and hellish for more than half a billion years after it formed."

One of the open questions in geology is how and when some of the crustoriginally all younger volcanic rockchanged into the continental crust we know and love, which is lighter and richer in silica. This task is made harder because the evidence keeps getting melted and reformed over millions of years. One of the few places on Earth where you can find bits of crust from the very earliest epochs of Earth is in tiny flecks of apatite imbedded in younger rocks.

Luckily for scientists, some of these "younger" minerals (still about 3.9 billion years old) are zirconsvery hard, weather-resistant minerals somewhat similar to diamonds. "Zircons are a geologist's favorite because these are the only record of the first three to four hundred million years of Earth. Diamonds aren't foreverzircons are," Boehnke said.

The CHicago Instrument for Laser Ionization (CHILI) was used to count strontium isotopes in rocks from Nuvvuagittuq, Canada. Credit: Thomas Stephan

Plus, the zircons themselves can be dated. "They're like labeled time capsules," said Prof. Andrew Davis, chair of the Department of Geophysical Sciences and a coauthor on the study.

Scientists usually look at the different variants of elements, called isotopes, to tell a story about these rocks. They wanted to use strontium, which offers clues to how much silica was around at the time it formed. The only problem is that these flecks are absolutely tinyabout five microns across, the diameter of a strand of spider silkand you have to count the strontium atoms one by one.

This was a task for a unique instrument that came online last year: the CHicago Instrument for Laser Ionization, or CHILI. This detector uses lasers that can be tuned to selectively pick out and ionize strontium. When they used CHILI to count strontium isotopes in rocks from Nuvvuagittuq, Canada, they found the isotope ratio suggested plenty of silica was present when it formed.

This is important because the makeup of the crust directly affects the atmosphere, the composition of seawater and nutrients available to any budding life hoping to thrive on planet Earth. It also may imply there were fewer meteorites than thought pummeling the Earth at this time, which would have made it hard for continental crust to form.

"Having continental crust that early changes the picture of early Earth in a number of ways," said Davis, who is also a professor with the Enrico Fermi Institute. "Now we need a way for the geologic processes that make the continents to happen much faster; you probably need water and magma that's about 600 degrees Fahrenheit less hot."

The study is also confluent with a recent paper by Davis and Boehnke's colleague Nicolas Dauphas, which found evidence for rain falling on continents 2.5 billion years ago, earlier than previously thought.

Explore further Researchers discover missing ingredient from Earth's continental crustCredit: University of Reading

New research has outlined a better way to evaluate the contribution of methane and other gases to global warming, providing an important step towards developing strategies to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The research, involving Professor Keith Shine from the University of Reading, demonstrates a method of defining equivalence between the different emissions, which takes into account the fact that some gases persist in the atmosphere for longer than others. This would be particularly relevant to industries like agriculture, which contribute a large proportion of greenhouse gas emissions using traditional methods in some countries, for example New Zealand.

The work, led by Professor Myles Allen at the University of Oxford, was a collaboration between researchers at Victoria University of Wellington, the Universities of Oxford and Reading, and the Centre for International Climate Research in Norway (CICERO). It shows a better way to think about how methane might fit into carbon budgets.

Professor Shine, Professor of Climate Science at the University of Reading's Department of Meteorology, said: "This work builds on a methodology we developed in Reading more than 10 years ago for comparing the climate impact of emissions of different greenhouse gases. The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, because it specified targets for limiting global temperature change, gave our method renewed relevance. This new paper presents an evolution of our method that is much better suited to the aims of the Paris Agreement than the method that is currently used."

Professor Allen, head of the Climate Dynamics group at the University of Oxford's Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics Department, said: "We don't actually need to give up eating meat to stabilise global temperatures (meat production is a major source of methane). We just need to stop increasing our collective meat consumption. But we do need to give up dumping CO into the atmosphere. Every tonne of CO emitted is equivalent to a permanent increase in the methane emission rate. Climate policies could be designed to reflect this."

Professor Dave Frame, head of Victoria University's Climate Change Research Institute, said: "Current climate change policy suggests a 'one size fits all' approach to dealing with emissions. But there are two distinct types of emissions, and to properly address climate change and create fair and accurate climate change policy we must treat these two groups differently."

The two types of emissions that contribute to climate change can be divided into 'long-lived' and 'short-lived' pollutants. Dr. Michelle Cain, from the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford, said: "Long-lived pollutants, like carbon dioxide, persist in the atmosphere, building up over centuries. The CO2 created by burning coal in the 18th century is still affecting the climate today.

"Short-lived pollutants, like methane, disappear within a few years. Their effect on the climate is important, but very different from that of CO: yet current policies treat them all as 'equivalent'."

Explore further Research highlights urgency of reducing carbon dioxide emissions

More information: Myles R. Allen et al. A solution to the misrepresentations of CO2-equivalent emissions of short-lived climate pollutants under ambitious mitigation, npj Climate and Atmospheric Science (2018). Myles R. Allen et al. A solution to the misrepresentations of CO2-equivalent emissions of short-lived climate pollutants under ambitious mitigation,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41612-018-0026-8A species of sea cucumber known as the sandfish in the coastal waters of Fiji. Credit: Sangeeta Mangubhai/WCS.

The lowly sea cucumber strikes observers as a simple sausage-like creature, one that is far less interesting than brightly colored reef fish or color-changing octopi that share its coastal habitat.

The sea cucumber's unimpressive appearance belies the outsized role these creatures play in converting decomposing organic matter into recyclable nutrients and keeping coastal ecosystems healthy and clean, and overfishing them can have negative impacts on coastal marine environments, according to a new study focusing on a species of sea cucumber called a sandfish in the journal PeerJ.

The authors of the study titled "Effects of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) removal on shallow-water sediments" are: Steven Lee of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research and the University of Bremen; Amanda K. Ford of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research and the University of Bremen; Sangeeta Mangubhai of WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society); Christian Wild of the University of Bremen; and Sebastian C.A. Ferse of Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research and the University of Bremen.

In a sense, sea cucumbers are the vacuum cleaners of coastal marine environments. Since these invertebrates are also the target of a growing demand from Asian marketsdried sea cucumbers are known as "beche-de-mer"the authors of the study sought to examine the ecological implications of removing them from tropical coastal areas.

"Our study was designed to determine exactly how the removal of these organisms is impacting coastal ecosystems, which in this case was a coral reef flat in Fiji," said lead author Steven Lee.

The experiment focused on a specific species of sea cucumber known as the sandfish (Holothuria scabra), and was conducted along a wide reef flat along the coast of Vanua Levu, Fiji for several months between September 2015 and February 2016. After conducting a standard survey of the site in order to determine the density of sandfish on the sea bottom, the researchers created 16 square plots with four "treatments" containing different densities of sea cucumbers, all of which were designed to ascertain the implications of harvesting, and overharvesting, sea cucumbers from the reef.

The sea cucumber plays an important ecological function by converting decomposing organic matter into recyclable nutrients and keeping coastal ecosystems healthy and clean. Credit: Sangeeta Mangubhai/WCS

The research team found that, in plots with high densities of sea cucumbers, oxygen conditions within the sediment stayed relatively stable, even under elevated sea surface temperatures experienced during the 2015/2016 El Nino event. In plots where all sea cucumbers had been removed, the penetration of oxygen into surface sediments decreased substantially, by 63 percent.

Overall, the researchers found that a reef's ability to handle increases in organic matter inputs from rainfall and flooding inland was diminished by the removal of sea cucumbers.

"Our findings suggest that overharvesting of sandfish and other sea cucumber species could have lasting effects on the marine ecosystems of small Pacific islands such as those in Fiji, resulting in changes that could limit the productivity of shallow water ecosystems," said Dr. Sangeeta Mangubhai, Director of WCS's Fiji Program. "Hopefully these results will help inform management decisions that will conserve moderate to high densities of sea cucumbers and protect these ecosystems in the interest of safeguarding coastal livelihoods and food security."

"Sea cucumbers are an important source of livelihood for many tropical coastal communities and are heavily fished throughout the tropical belt, but so far we didn't have a good understanding of the wider ecological implications of harvesting them" said Dr. Sebastian Ferse of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) in Bremen, who collaborated with WCS in conducting this study as part of a project that looks into the social and ecological resilience of coral reefs in the South Pacific. "The results of this study fill an important knowledge gap and are timely for the management of an important resource for coastal communities."

This work was supported by: the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT); WCS; University of Bremen; the University of the South Pacific; and the residents of Natuvu village who permitted the study within their traditional fishing ground.

2018 has been designated by the International Coral Reef Initiative as the third International Year of the Reef. This is a great opportunity to come together to strengthen awareness on the plight of coral reefs, to step up and initiate conservation efforts.

Explore further Coral reefs protect coasts from severe storms

More information: Steven Lee et al, Effects of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) removal on shallow-water sediments in Fiji, PeerJ (2018). Journal information: PeerJ Steven Lee et al, Effects of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) removal on shallow-water sediments in Fiji,(2018). DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4773Credit: CC0 Public Domain

For decades, intensive groundwater pumping has caused ground beneath California's San Joaquin Valley to sink, damaging infrastructure. Now research published in the journal Nature Communications suggests that as pumping makes the ground sink, it also unleashes an invisible threat to human health and food production: It allows arsenic to move into groundwater aquifers that supply drinking water for 1 million people and irrigation for crops in some of the nation's richest farmland.

The group found that satellite-derived measurements of ground sinking could predict arsenic concentrations in groundwater. This technique could be an early warning system to prevent dangerous levels of arsenic contamination in aquifers with certain characteristics worldwide.

"Arsenic in groundwater has been a problem for a really long time," said lead author Ryan Smith, a doctoral candidate in geophysics at the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences (Stanford Earth). It's naturally present in Earth's crust and a frequent concern in groundwater management because of its ubiquity and links to heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other illnesses. "But the idea that overpumping for irrigation could increase arsenic concentrations is new," Smith said.

Importantly, the group found signs that aquifers contaminated as a result of overpumping can recover if withdrawals stop. Areas that showed slower sinking compared to 15 years earlier also had lower arsenic levels. "Groundwater must have been largely turned over," said study co-author Scott Fendorf, a professor of Earth system science and a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment.

Releasing arsenic from clay

The research team analyzed arsenic data for hundreds of wells in two different drought periods alongside centimeter-level estimates of land subsidence, or sinking, captured by satellites. They found that when land in the San Joaquin Valley's Tulare basin sinks faster than 3 inches per year, the risk of finding hazardous arsenic levels in groundwater as much as triples.

Aquifers in the Tulare basin are made up of sand and gravel zones separated by thin layers of clay. The clay acts like a sponge, holding tight to water as well as arsenic soaked up from ancient river sediments. Unlike the sand and gravel layers, these clays contain relatively little oxygen, which creates conditions for arsenic to be in a form that dissolves easily in water.

When pumping draws too much water from the sand and gravel areas, the aquifer compresses and land sinks. "Sands and gravels that were being propped apart by water pressure are now starting to squeeze down on that sponge," Fendorf explained. Arsenic-rich water then starts to seep out and mix with water in the main aquifer.

When water pumping slows enough to put the brakes on subsidenceand relieve the squeeze on trapped arsenicclean water soaking in from streams, rain and natural runoff at the surface can gradually flush the system clean.

However, study co-author Rosemary Knight, a professor of geophysics and affiliated faculty at the Woods Institute, warns against banking too much on a predictable recovery from overpumping. "How long it takes to recover is going to be highly variable and dependent upon so many factors," she said.

The researchers said overpumping in other aquifers could produce the same contamination issues seen in the San Joaquin Valley if they have three attributes: alternating layers of clay and sand; a source of arsenic; and relatively low oxygen content, which is common in aquifers located beneath thick clays.

The threat may be more widespread than once thought. Only in the last few years have scientists discovered that otherwise well-aerated aquifers considered largely immune to arsenic problems can in fact be laced with clays that have the low oxygen levels necessary for arsenic to move into most groundwater. "We're just starting to recognize that this is a danger," said Fendorf.

Satellite insights

The revelation that remote sensing can raise an alarm before contamination threatens human health offers hope for better water monitoring. "Instead of having to drill wells and take water samples back to the lab, we have a satellite getting the data we need," said Knight.

While well data is important to validate and calibrate satellite data, she explained, on-the-ground monitoring can never match the breadth and speed of remote sensing. "You're never sampling a well frequently enough to catch that arsenic the moment it's in the well," said Knight. "So how fantastic to have this remote sensing early warning system to let people realize that they're approaching a critical point in terms of water quality."

The study builds on research led in 2013 by Laura Erban, then a doctoral student working in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. "That's where we started saying, 'Oh no,'" said Fendorf, who co-authored that paper.

As in the San Joaquin Valley, areas of the Mekong Delta where land was sinking more showed higher arsenic concentrations. "Now we have two sites in totally different geographic regions where the same mechanisms appear to be operating," said Fendorf. "That sends a trigger that we need to be thinking about managing groundwater and making sure that we're not overdrafting the aquifers."

Explore further Moss capable of removing arsenic from drinking water discovered

More information: Overpumping leads to California groundwater arsenic threat, Nature Communications (2018). www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04475-3 Journal information: Nature Communications Overpumping leads to California groundwater arsenic threat,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04475-3There is an urgent need for better methods to treat bacterial infection in the race between developing new antibiotics and the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria.

Presently, antimicrobial resistance is responsible for 23,000 deaths annually in the United States and 700,000 deaths worldwide. A Wellcome Trust 2016 study predicted the present rate of emergence of new virulent strains will outstrip the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval rate for new antimicrobial agents by 2050which means deaths from antimicrobial resistant strains will exceed deaths from cancer.

University of Minnesota researcher Hongbo Pang assisted in discovering the first example of an effective gene therapeutic against lethal bacterial infections using a nanotherapeutic to deliver short interfering RNA (siRNA) that targets immune system cells. This research, published in the journal Nature Communications, was conducted by a team from the University of Minnesota; University of California, San Diego (UCSD); Sanford Burnham Medical Discovery Institute (SBMDI); and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

"This study perfectly demonstrates the great potential of targeted nanotechnology in treating various human diseases," said Pang, an assistant professor in the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.

"This is a really great example of convergent research," said Michael Sailor from the University of California, San Diego. "To get this concept to work, we needed to combine our nanomaterials expertise at UCSD and the membrane and cell biology expertise at KAIST with the peptides and disease models developed by our biomedical collaborators at the SBMDI and UMN."

The research team further explored gene therapeutic, an under-utilized approach to fight bacterial infections and to bolster the body's immune system. siRNA gene therapeutics are able to enhance the ability of some innate immune cells to attack bacteria while shutting down the immune system's inflammatory response that can interfere with recovery.

With this treatment, the hope is a wide range of bacterial infections, including emerging strains, can be attacked. While delivering siRNA in the body is notoriously difficult, the study found siRNA therapy produced a full recovery from a lethal bacterial infection by rescuing 100 percent of mice infected with a lethal dose of Staph. aureus pneumonia.

"A short strand of peptide can recognize macrophages, an important immune cell type, selectively in the infection site," added Pang. "In combination with nanomaterial of unique advantages as drug carriers, we could deliver gene therapeutics efficiently to where they are needed, and achieve a full recovery from a lethal bacterial infection."

The research team incorporated three features into their nanoparticle design:

generated a porous nanoparticle host that protected its siRNA payload from premature degradation in the bloodstream;

discovered a peptide that selectively targets macrophage cells, a type of white blood cell which attacks foreign microbes and signals an invader is present

engineered a chemical coating, called a fusogenic lipid, that allowed the nanoparticle to penetrate into the macrophage and deliver its gene therapeutic to the proper compartments in the cell.

According to Pang, the study is the first example of an effective gene therapy for lethal bacterial infections, using a nanotherapeutic to deliver siRNA to target macrophage cells. The research team, for the first time, have demonstrated that siRNA therapeutic can generate a full recovery from a lethal bacterial infection.

Explore further Antibiotic nanoparticles fight drug-resistant bacteria

More information: Byungji Kim et al. Immunogene therapy with fusogenic nanoparticles modulates macrophage response to Staphylococcus aureus, Nature Communications (2018). Journal information: Nature Communications Byungji Kim et al. Immunogene therapy with fusogenic nanoparticles modulates macrophage response to Staphylococcus aureus,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04390-7An interactive online map produced by researchers at the University of Sheffield reveals how major cities were affected by the last glacial cycle 22,000 years ago  when a kilometre-thick ice sheet covered Britain and Ireland.

The vast ice sheet sculpted the landscape, leaving behind landforms which have allowed researchers to piece together how the ice sheet grew, flowed and disappeared. The online BRITICE map allows people to type in their postcode or city to look at how their area was affected and see the landforms that might be nearby  such as moraines recording the margin of the ice sheet.

The BRITICE map and GIS database of the glaciated landscape of the British Isles is the most complete overview of glacial landforms to date, containing more than 170,000 landforms from over 100 years of field investigation.

Dr. Jeremy Ely, a Research Associate on the BRITICE-CHRONO project, from the University of Sheffield's Department of Geography, said: "The landform information tells us about how the last British-Irish ice sheet behaved. We can see how it dammed rivers, creating large glacial lakes which covered Manchester, Doncaster and Peterborough.

"Corridors of fast flowing ice, known as ice streams, flowed toward the east over Edinburgh and toward the west over Glasgow. Ice also covered the entirety of Ireland, flowing through the Irish Sea, where it coalesced with Welsh ice, causing it to flow southward toward the Isles of Scilly."

The BRITICE-CHRONO project, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, has seen researchers work for six years to model the build-up and retreat of the last British-Irish ice sheet. The programme has involved more than 70 scientists from around the world who have visited 28 different islands, collected more than 15 tonnes of samples from 914 sites and steamed 7,942km on marine expeditions.

As well as the online map, a physical accompanying map poster has been distributed to all secondary schools in the UK to assist pupils studying glacial landscapes and processes as part of their GCSE and A Level studies.

The University of Sheffield's Department of Geography is one of the largest departments in the country in terms of undergraduate numbers, and places on courses are amongst the most-sought-after in the UK.

Explore further How glaciers disappeared from Scotland at the end of the last Ice AgeCredit: Imdea

Scientists from Spain and the U.S. have synthesized an unprecedented metal-organic-framework (MOF) that contains a perfectly linear bridging chain showing a beautiful resemblance with an XIV century Islamic mosaic of the Alhambra Palace in Granada (Spain).

MOFs are a hot topic in science research. As an illustrative example of their relevance, in 2017, it was estimated that 6000 novel MOFs are published each year. MOFs show a wide variety of potential applications in many important areas, such as storage of fuels (hydrogen and methane), capture of carbon dioxide, catalysis, luminescence, electrical conductivity and biotechnology.

All these properties arise from their intrinsic porosity and versatility. Indeed, MOFs are molecular materials formed by metal ions bridged by organic ligands, thus creating size-tuneable structural voids to absorb guest molecules and act as highly specific molecular vessels with different absorption capabilities.

Nevertheless, obtaining novel compositions or novel synthetic methods with the aim of obtaining targeted specific properties for their ultimate technological application, is still a real challenge for scientists.

Dr. Jose Sanchez Costa from IMDEA Nanociencia in Madrid and his colleagues started by synthesizing novel extended triazole-based ligands with the aim of obtaining large cavities coupled to metal centres that may be susceptible to achieve one of the most fascinating molecular switchable process called spin crossover. For that they constructed the MOF using these ligands along with iron and fluoride ions and found that it contained ironfluorine bridging chains with remarkable linearity. The research has been published in Chemical Communications and highlighted in Chemistry World.

Credit: Imdea

MOFS and mosaics

The researchers also highlighted another interesting feature of the MOF's structure  it resembles a 14th-century Islamic mosaic located at the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain.

A mosaic is a design assembled from small pieces of ceramic, glass, stones or other materials. These can either be organized in exact geometric shapes or created from more haphazard and broken pieces. There has been an enormous amount of research on mosaic tiling worldwide, and they are a source of many teaching subjects in mathematics and art.

The Dutch artist M.C. Escher was inspired by these pieces after visiting the Alhambra Palace in Granada (Spain) and that resulted in his 1958 publication "Regular Division of the Plane," in which he described the systematic build-up of mathematical bridges. Today, the Escher techniques are used to create patterns with tiles that, by applying geometric movements, produce a variety of mosaics.

The authors explain that the genuine tessellation of this novel mosaic-like MOF "mainly arises from an unusual rotation of the central metal equatorial coordination plane along the one-dimensional direction." With this study, Sanchez Costa et al. have demonstrated that these modern materials can have beautiful distributions, just as the medieval palace mosaics.

Explore further Flexible metal-organic frameworks with range of pore sizes made by threading through molecular ligands

More information: Estefania Fernandez-Bartolome et al. A robust and unique iron(ii) mosaic-like MOF, Chemical Communications (2018). Journal information: Chemical Communications Estefania Fernandez-Bartolome et al. A robust and unique iron(ii) mosaic-like MOF,(2018). DOI: 10.1039/c8cc01561a

Provided by ImdeaThe High Resolution Coronal Imager, or Hi-C, launches aboard a Black Brant IX sounding rocket at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Credit: NASA

NASA and its partners launched a rocket-borne camera to the edge of space at 2:54 p.m. EST May 29, 2018, on its third flight to study the sun. The clarity of images returned is unprecedented and their analysis will provide scientists around the world with clues to one of the biggest questions in heliophysics  why the sun's atmosphere, or corona, is so much hotter than its surface.

The precision instrument, called the High Resolution Coronal Imager or Hi-C for short, flew aboard a Black Brant IX sounding rocket at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

"This was the third launch of Hi-C," said Amy Winebarger, principal investigator for the Hi-C mission at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. "Our second launch in 2016 had an issue with the camera on-board the telescope of the instrument. So, while we gathered critical engineering data and some images, we did not get the high-quality images of the corona we were expecting. We improved the camera from the last launch and are already getting exciting data from Tuesday's experiment that could help explain the long-held questions about the sun's atmosphere."

The telescope on Hi-C, the centerpiece of the payload weighing 464 pounds and measuring 10-feet long, is designed to observe a large, active region in the sun's corona in fine detail. The duration of the space portion of the Hi-C mission provided five minutes of observation time with the telescope acquiring an image about every five seconds.

Scientists anticipate that analysis of the imaging data from Hi-C's third flight will help resolve current questions about connections between the hot and cool regions of the solar atmosphere. To meet this goal, Hi-C's launch and data collection was coordinated with the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph or IRIS for short, a NASA small explorer satellite observatory that captures images and spectra of the cooler portions of the sun's atmosphere.

"This is the first combined simultaneous dataset that covers the entire solar atmosphere (photosphere, chromosphere, transition region and corona) at sub-arcsecond resolution," said principal investigator for IRIS and Hi-C co-investigator, Dr. Bart De Pontieu from Lockheed Martin Solar & Astrophysics Laboratory in Palo Alto, California.

During its first flight in July 2012, Hi-C captured the highest-resolution images ever taken of the one and a half million-degree solar corona, revealing previously unseen magnetic activity. For decades, scientists have suspected that activity in the sun's magnetic field is heating the corona. The third flight of Hi-C captured images of comparable resolution in a different regime of extreme ultraviolet light, enabling more direct study of the interface between the hot corona and the cooler layers lower in the solar atmosphere.

"Understanding how the sun works is important to everyday things we do on Earth," said Winebarger. "Solar flares and eruptions can disrupt radio, GPS communications and satellites that disseminate cell phone signals. By studying how the sun releases these bursts of energy, we hope to be able to better anticipate them and, in the future, design technology better equipped to withstand these disruptions."

Explore further NASA rocket has six minutes to study solar heatingCredit: Chen Song, University at Buffalo

To overcome password fatigue, many smartphones include facial recognition, fingerprint scans and other biometric systems.

The trouble with these easy-to-use tools is that once compromisedyes, they can be hackedyou can't reset them.

"You can't grow a new fingerprint or iris if that information is divulged," says Wenyao Xu, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science and engineering in the University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. "That's why we're developing a new type of passwordone that measures your brainwaves in response to a series of pictures. Like a password, it's easy to reset; and like a biometric, it's easy to use."

The "brain password," which would require users to wear a headset, could have implications in banking, law enforcement, airport security and other areas.

"To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in-depth research study on a truly cancelable brain biometric system. We refer to this as 'hard cancellation,' meaning the original brain password can be reset without divulging the user's identity," says collaborator Zhanpeng Jin, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science and engineering at UB.

Their work is described in a study that will be presented June 11 at MobiSys 2018, a flagship mobile computing conference hosted in Germany by the Association for Computing Machinery.

Why celebs and animals?

Xu was motivated to create a cancelable biometric password after hackers stole the fingerprint files of 5.6 million workers from the U.S. Office of Personal Management in 2015.

Perhaps the most accessible way to record brain activity is through electroencephalography, which uses electrodes to measure the brain's unique patterns of electrical activity.

For their system, Xu and collaborators reconfigured a virtual reality headset, reducing the number of electrodes to six. Three record brain activity, two serve as grounds and the last acts as a reference point. Typically, these headsets have 32 to 64 electrodes.

The electrodes recording brain activity measure three areas of the organ: the intraparietal sulcus (controls declarative memory), the inferior parietal lobule (processes face recognition) and the temporo parietal junction (reading comprehension).

Researchers chose specific image types to stimulate each brain region. They used animal pictures for the intraparietal sulcus because one's memory of a certain animal can be highly individualized. For example, a person who suffered a spider bite will have a different reaction than someone who hasn't.

For the inferior parietal lobule, researchers relied on recognizable celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio. For the temporo parietal junction, they used encouraging phrases such as "aspire to inspire."

How the brain password works

Users are shown the three images in rapid succession1.2 seconds to be exact. The process is repeated three additional times. By the end of the fourth time, after 4.8 seconds, the brain password is ready.

Researchers recruited 179 adults93 men, 86 womento test the brain password. Test subjects' average age was 30.

Researchers collected data from three sessions, including one that occurred five months after the original test. The goal of the last test was to see how brain passwords functioned over time.

Overall, brain passwords were more than 95 percent effective. The performance dipped slightly, by 1 percent, on the last test.

Early adopters and privacy concerns

While wearing a headset may not appeal to common internet users, Xu says that may change over time, especially if the device is redesigned into something more like Google Glass.

Plus, he says, companies with deep concerns about cybersecurity may be early adopters of the technology. As for privacy concerns, Xu says the systemeven if hackedwould not divulge sensitive information.

"These passwords contain information gathered from only three channels in less than five seconds. Semantic memory attacks need much more time than that," says Xu, who plans to continue work on the system to make it more reliable and appealing to users.

Explore further How to pick a new password, now that Twitter wants oneLakes in the roadless Minto Flats surround the Tanana River in this photo from July 2014. The ridge on the horizon leads down to the town of Nenana, Alaska. Seismic stations placed in this unique region detected some intriguing pre-earthquake activity. Credit: UAF, Carl Tape

Earth scientists consistently look for a reliable way to forecast earthquakes. New research from University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute professor Carl Tape may help in that endeavor, due to a unique set of circumstances.

"Our observations have recorded an unequivocally interesting sequence of events," Tape said.

Tape and his colleagues found evidence for accelerating activity before a 2016 earthquake in a laterally moving fault zone in central Alaska. The activity included a phenomenon known as very low-frequency earthquakes, referring to the type of energy waves associated with it.

Typical earthquakes have two associated energy waves, called the P and S waves. Very low-frequency earthquakes do not have such signals. Instead, their waves occur on much lower frequencies.

"Most earthquakes start abruptly, but not always," said Luciana Astiz, a program director in the National Science Foundation's Division of Earth Sciences, which supported the research. "A fault zone in central Alaska monitored by new scientific instruments offers a look at a more complex process. This study reports the first observations of a slow process that transitions into an earthquakesomething previously observed only in laboratory experiments. These new observations contribute toward understanding the physics of earthquakes."

In 2015, Tape installed 13 seismic stations in the Minto Flats of central Alaska to capture the area's fault activity. Nine days later, the instruments recorded a long-duration, very low-frequency process, normally only seen in deep subduction zones. This event showed a small amount of activity gathering, or nucleating, in a central area below the surface. It did not lead to an earthquake.

A second, similar event in 2016 led to a key observation. At Minto Flats, a magnitude 3.7 quake occurred at a depth of about 10.5 miles, not an unusual event in itself. However, the event was preceded by a 12-hour accelerating sequence of earthquakes and 22 seconds of distinct high- and low-frequency waves in a concentrated area.

Tape said that this kind of slow event transitioning into a rupture had previously only been seen in laboratory experiments.

"The rupture process started, then it found a patch of the fault that was ready to go, and that's what people have not seen. It's really exciting," Tape said.

"The leap we make, and maybe the more controversial thing, is that this emergent long-period signal only seen on top of the fault is a low-frequency signal that can sometimes turn into an earthquake and sometimes not," Tape said.

University of Alaska Fairbanks doctoral student Kyle Smith installs a T120 posthole seismometer at a site in the Minto Flats of central Alaska in September 2015. Credit: UAF, Carl Tape

Tape and his colleagues may have seen this kind of activity before. In 2012, there was a similar small event recorded in central Alaska. At that time, a magnitude 8.6 earthquake took place under the Indian Ocean and its energy was felt around the world. Because of the magnitude of this event, the smaller activity from central Alaska was overshadowed. Whatever signal the Minto Flats site gave off could not be confirmed. However, it was intriguing enough to help justify putting sensors in the area.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I expect we'd see something like that again," Tape said. "I assumed that the conditions that happened in 2012 were somehow unique and that huge surface waves led to this nucleation. Even though I proposed putting instruments on the area in a proposal, it was the last item I put on. I thought, "Maybe we'll see something crazy out there.'"

By 2016, Tape had high-quality stations on top of the Minto Flat faults, around 18 miles from the main events, and no triggering earthquake to complicate the data.

"We are staring right at this process, and what it showed was that exactly during the tremor-like signal there is this emergent long-duration signal that hints at what's driving this nucleation phase," he said.

Geologists have been looking for something like this for a long time. So why hasn't anyone seen it?

"I'm left saying 'I don't know,'" Tape said. "I'm going to assume everyone has been looking for something before the P wave forever. It leads me to believe there is something special about this fault zone."

Minto Flats has a deep sedimentary basin, strike-slip faulting, active tectonics and deep earthquakes; it is an unusual site.

"In some ways, I wish there wasn't anything special. I wish it was a global phenomenon that we discovered, but it's not," Tape said. "It appears there is something special about the conditions in Minto Flats."

The results of the research will appear in the latest issue of the journal Nature Geoscience. The paper is titled "Earthquake Nucleation and Fault Slip Complexity in the Lower Crust of Central Alaska."

Explore further Seismologists introduce new measure of earthquake ruptures

More information: Carl Tape et al, Earthquake nucleation and fault slip complexity in the lower crust of central Alaska, Nature Geoscience (2018). Journal information: Nature Geoscience Carl Tape et al, Earthquake nucleation and fault slip complexity in the lower crust of central Alaska,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-018-0144-2Simulated tracks in an ensemble experiment. Results of 27 ensemble members show possible spread of typhoon tracks. Credit: Kanazawa University

Predictions of how climate change may affect extreme weather systems, such as typhoons, are usually conducted using general circulation models (GCMs), which represent physical processes in the atmosphere or oceans.

However, GCMs can be affected by uncertainties including imperfections such as the model's inability to fully describe the processes giving rise to the extreme weather, and uncertainties in the effects of future carbon emissions. To offset this, several different predictions should be made when modeling future climates, using an approach known as ensemble modeling. However, generating the wide range of data needed to begin an ensemble simulation can be complex and computationally demanding.

Now, Associate Professor Kenji Taniguchi of Japan's Kanazawa University has developed a simple method for generating the large amount of data required to initiate ensemble modeling. In his recent article, published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Taniguchi provides details of how the method works, and demonstrates its effectiveness for ensemble simulation of a typhoon event and an ensemble global warming simulation.

"The new method has several advantages over previously used approaches," Taniguchi says. "It has high computational stability, it can begin at any time and date, and it doesn't require any particular atmospheric structure; so, it can be used for simulating any type of weather event."

Schematic view of possible state vectors in a certain space. Newly prepared state vector (Xn) is generated from the three base vectors (X1, X2, and X3). Circles with broken line are possible state vectors. Credit: Kanazawa University

The method was demonstrated to provide suitable initial conditions for the typhoon and global warming simulations.

He notes the new method can provide the variety of conditions needed to explore the broad possibilities of meteorological phenomena. It could also allow assessment of changes in the probability of extreme events based on a wide spread of wind speed, pressure, and rainfall data.

The new method, after some further refinement and development, could contribute to improving the practical use of future global warming experiments in estimation of the probability of risk factors for extreme events and related impact assessments.

Frequency distributions and probability density curves of the maximum hourly rainfall in ensemble experiments for present and future climate conditions. The probability density curves show clear differences one another. Only one or small number of simulations could not reveal such variations under the global warming condition. Credit: Kanazawa University

"Only one GCM output was used in this study, and there were various other assumptions about the structure of the data," Taniguchi says. "In future work, simulations with multiple GCM outputs should be included to consider the uncertainties inherent in different GCMs and we should think about tailoring the data distribution to each individual case."

Although developed originally for global warming studies, the possible applications of Taniguchi's new method are wide. It has potential for use in a broad range of problems requiring ensemble simulation, such as import assessment of variations in land cover change and sea surface temperature etc.

Explore further A new method to generate ensemble initial perturbations

More information: Kenji Taniguchi, A Simple Ensemble Simulation Technique for Assessment of Future Variations in Specific High-Impact Weather Events, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres (2018). Journal information: Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres Kenji Taniguchi, A Simple Ensemble Simulation Technique for Assessment of Future Variations in Specific High-Impact Weather Events,(2018). DOI: 10.1002/2017JD027928Worth more than the sum of its parts? Maybe not

Two Airbus A380 superjumbos once flown by Singapore Airlines are to become the first of the iconic doubledeckers to be stripped for parts, after a German leasing firm failed to find a new operator for them.

The Dr. Peters investment group said Tuesday that despite "intensive negotiations" with several airlines, including British Airways and Iran Air, efforts to find a new lessee proved fruitless.

"The market for the A380-800 aircraft type has not developed positively in recent years," Dr. Peters' chief executive Anselm Gehling said in a statement.

"Some airlines have cancelled orders from Airbus, while others have opted for smaller long-haul jets."

The company will now dismantle the two aircraft over a two-year period before selling the components on the second-hand market, expected to net it some $80 million (68 million euros) per plane.

Airbus declined to comment on the decision, but said it still believed in the potential of the A380.

"We remain confident in the secondary market for the A380 and the potential to extend the operator base," it said in a statement.

The supersized A380, the world's largest commercial airliner capable of seating up to 850 passengers, was hailed as the next frontier in air travel when it was rolled out in 2007.

But first customer Singapore Airlines returned the planes to the Dr. Peters group after its 10-year lease ended last year, and the two jets have since been parked at Tarbes in the French Pyrenees, according to Bloomberg News.

European aviation giant Airbus has long struggled to win customers for the four-engined A380, which airlines have to operate at full capacity in order to make a profit.

At the start of the year, Airbus warned it might have to end production of the A380, before Emirates Airlines threw it a lifeline by striking a $16-billion deal for 20 more of the jets with an option on a further 16.

The lower than expected demand for the A380 as well as Airbus's troubled A400m military transporter prompted the group to announce 3,700 job cuts in March.

 2018 AFPJune 5, 2018 in FileMaker (E)

[prMac.com] Zvole, Czech Republic - 24U Software releases 24U SimpleTalk Plug-In 2.0. This plug-in now works on both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, making it compatible with all flavors of FileMaker Pro 15, 16 an 17 Advanced.



What's new in this version:

* Added support for 64-bit architecture

* No delay after closing a server

* Function STalk_set visible in FM calculation dialogs

* Improved parsing parameters passed to STalk_Connect

* Improved license registration interface



About 24U SimpleTalk Plug-In:

24U SimpleTalk Plug-In allows FileMaker to use the TCP/IP protocol for communicating with other TCP/IP capable applications.



* Communicate through TCP/IP

* Act as a server/client

* Connect to your FileMaker custom app via Telnet



With 24U SimpleTalk Plug-In, customers can make their FileMaker Pro to act like a server or a client. The server waits for a TCP/IP connection, and then performs custom commands or calculations sent from the client.



Recommended configuration:

* Mac: Any Intel Mac with 4 GB RAM running macOS High Sierra 10.13 and FileMaker Pro 16 or newer

* Windows: 1.6 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, Windows 8.1 or newer, FileMaker Pro 16 or newer



Minimum requirements:

* Mac: Mac with 2 GB RAM running Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and FileMaker Pro 12

* Windows: 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, FileMaker Pro 12



Pricing and Availability:

24U SimpleTalk Plug-In 2.0 is immediately available for download free of charge as a fully functional 14-days trial version, which can be activated after purchasing a license. Licenses for 24U SimpleTalk Plug-In start at $79 (USD) per user, volume discounts are available for 5 or more users. Existing customers can upgrade to the new version at 50 % off the regular prices if placing order within 14 days upon release, and 30 % off if buying later.

With a team of full-time testers, web, plug-in, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android native app developers, and FileMaker certi ed developers, led by the FileMaker DevCon 2015 Developer Cup champion, 24U excels in taking care of existing FileMaker solutions, optimizing their performance, identifying and resolving potential issues and liabilities, improving reliability, stability and scalability, integrating them with other systems including various hardware devices, and extending them beyond expectation. As a platinum member of the FileMaker Business Alliance, we help global businesses around the world to maintain sustainable growth by working with their in-house developers or completely taking care of the maintenance and development of their (C) 2018 24U s.r.o. All rights reserved. 24U and 24U Softwareh are trademarks of 24U s.r.o. FileMaker is a trademark of FileMaker, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Pricing and availability of services and products are subject to change without notice.

###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).Qantas chief Alan Joyce on Tuesday defended the carrier's move to list Taiwan as part of China on its websites after Australia's foreign minister said private firms must be able to conduct business "free from political pressure". The Chinese Civil Aviation Administration sent a notice to 36 foreign airlines in April, asking them to comply with Beijing's standards of referring to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau as Chinese territories. Despite Taiwan having been governed separately for around seven decades, with its own government and own military, China considers the democratic island a renegade part of its territory to be brought back into the fold, by force if necessary. In late May, AFP found several foreign airlines were still listing Taiwan as a country, including Qantas. Joyce told reporters at an annual meeting of global airlines in Sydney that "our intention is to meet the requirements", but there were some technical delays. He defended the Australian carrier's decision to comply with Beijing's demands, stressing that "it's not airlines that define what countries are, it's governments". "And at the end of the day, the Australians, like a lot of countries, have a 'One China' policy," Joyce added. "So we're not doing anything different than (what) the Australian government is doing in that case and I think that's the case for a lot of airlines." Qantas International chief Alison Webster said the carrier had been given an extension to make the changes. "We have some complexity to work through," she said. "The IT and technology that underpins our websites and the connectivity takes time for us to get to grips with changes that need to be put into the programming stages of that." Qantas' decision comes amid souring Australia-China relations. Canberra has introduced a raft of reforms to espionage and foreign interference legislation, with Beijing singled out as a focus of concern. - 'Difficult and sensitive' - Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Tuesday acknowledged that the website was a matter for Qantas, but said: "Private companies should be free to conduct their usual business operations free from political pressure of governments." Asked about Bishop's remarks, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said: "I don't know what is implied by that." "There is only one China in the world. Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau are all part of China," she said, adding that this was an "objective fact" accepted by the international community. "Therefore China's request is legitimate. Any business that wants to operate in China should abide by Chinese laws and respect the 'One China' principle. This is a basic requirement." But Taipei hit back, saying it is lodging a protest with Qantas. "We call on all governments and international firms to uphold their dignity and principles, using moral courage to resist China's unreasonable demands," Taiwan's foreign ministry said Tuesday, calling the island a "sovereign country". Air Canada is one of the airlines that has made the changes, and its chief executive Calin Rovinescu said the carrier was "not a government" and was "not making any kind of a political statement". "We do, like so many of the other airlines, take the same view that when we operate into the various jurisdictions, we'll comply with the requirements of the various jurisdictions," he added. "As difficult and sensitive a decision as this is, our view is that we would comply with the Chinese government requirement." Beijing has in recent months renewed its push to force Western companies to comply with its naming standards -- which Washington has labelled "Orwellian" -- or risk losing access to China's huge market. Clothing supplier Gap and hotel chain Marriott have also come under pressure to amend websites or products that were perceived as slights to China's sovereignty.Singapore gets a leg up as global cryptocurrency hub as world's largest Ethereum wallet moves in

Chinese start-up imToken, which claims to be the worlds largest Ethereum wallet, is moving its global headquarters to Singapore to expand its global reach after a recent financing round from venture firm IDG Capital.

The company, which developed one of the first cryptocurrency wallet apps to support the Ethereum blockchain, sees global expansion as a top priority this year, with 70 per cent of its current user base still in China.

The app, which currently has about 4 million users, is aiming for more than 10 million by the end of the year  with about half coming from markets outside China.

With the new headquarters in Singapore, we hope to reach users in more countries, Ben He, chief executive and founder of imToken and its parent company ConsenLabs, said in a recent interview.

Singapore, which He described as friendly to blockchain technology, has emerged as the up-and-coming destination for Chinese companies in the cryptocurrency industry in the wake of Beijings crackdown on digital currencies and initial coin offerings late last year. Bitmain, which operates the worlds largest mining collective, said earlier this year it was opening a regional headquarters in Singapore, while Huobi, a popular crypto currency exchange, also has operations in the city.

Originally founded in 2016 in Hangzhou, imToken said its early mover advantage has enabled its users to accumulate US$35 billion worth of crypto assets over the past year, equal to the size of a medium-size commercial bank in China.

The potential of the market is too big to estimate as more people start to use blockchain-enabled financial services

Ben He, imToken chief executive and founder

The announcement of the new global headquarters in Singapore comes days after the company secured US$10 million in series A funding from IDG Capital, which also took part in Coinbases US$75 million series C round, as well as Circles US$50 million funding.

Story continues

The funding is expected to help imToken expand its overseas business and boost its research and development team. It has a team of 30 people in China and will add 20 people locally in Singapore by the end of the year, according to the company.

A rising number of start-ups have jumped into the wallet business as almost all cryptocurrencies need to be stored in wallets, or unique addresses recognised by a blockchain.

From indifference to intolerance: how Beijing learned to hate bitcoin

imTokens He is confident about the future of his business. For now, about 90 per cent of the companys users are estimated to be males aged between 30 to 39 with annual incomes ranging from US$150,000 to US$250,000. They are tech-savvy, early adopters who see cryptocurrencies as a kind of investment, he said, adding the existing world market has about 20 million to 30 million users.

The potential of the market is too big to estimate as more people start to use blockchain-enabled financial services.

This article Singapore gets a leg up as global cryptocurrency hub as world's largest Ethereum wallet moves in first appeared on South China Morning Post

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More from South China Morning Post:The United Nations on Tuesday elected Ecuador's Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces to be president of the General Assembly, only the fourth woman in the UN's history to hold the post . Espinosa Garces beat out Honduras' UN Ambassador Mary Elizabeth Flores Flake in the race held against a backdrop of divisions in Latin America and globally on foreign policy. Ecuador had the controversial backing of Venezuela for Espinosa Garces, who has been foreign minister since last year and also served as defense minister and UN ambassador in Geneva. Espinosa Garces joined the race after Arab countries expressed their disapproval of Honduras' decision to follow the US lead and move its embassy to Jerusalem, according to diplomats. During a vote at the 193-nation assembly, the foreign minister won 128 votes compared to 62 for Flores Flake. The 53-year-old Espinosa Garces will be the first woman to head the assembly since Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa of Bahrain in 2006 and only the fourth in the UN's 73-year history. Addressing the assembly, she dedicated her election victory "to all the women in the world who participate in politics today and who face political and media attacks marked by machismo and discrimination." "We must do better than a record of four women in 73 years and two in the past half century," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the assembly. "Frankly, four out of 73 in not a record to be proud of, but I'm glad that we are getting ourselves on track," said outgoing president Miroslav Lajcak of Slovakia. Under the UN's system of regional rotation, it was the turn of Latin America and the Caribbean to hold the presidency for a year starting in September. The post is largely ceremonial, but holds prestige as the head of the body that decides on the budget, adopts non-binding resolutions and hosts the annual gathering of world leaders in September. The election came as the United Nations is deep in discussion on reforms to streamline its clunky bureaucracy and is pushing ahead with its anti-poverty agenda.A student shot Ella and another teacher before he was tackled.

The family of a 13-year-old shot by a fellow student at an Indiana middle school says the teen suffered numerous injuries in the shooting and has a long road to recovery ahead of her.

Ella Whistler was shot at Noblesville West Middle School on May 25 by another student before teacher Jason Seaman, who was also shot, tackled the student.

Her family said she was very badly injured in the shooting.

Ella suffered very serious, life-threatening injuries from being shot seven times in the face, neck, hand and upper chest area, her family said in a statement Monday.

Ella underwent emergency surgery after being airlifted to the hospital.

Her injuries include collapsed lungs; a broken jaw, clavicle, multiple neck vertebrae, and ribs; a severed vertebral vein; significant nerve damage; and numerous related injuries, her family added.

Her family said shed remain in the hospital for some time and hopes to eventually return to her favorite activities of volleyball, cheerleading and show choir.

The suspected shooter, who was armed with two handguns, remains at a juvenile detention center and authorities are reportedly waiting until charges are filed to release more information about the student.

A motive for the attack has not been released. Its also not clear if Ella was targeted.

Seaman, who may have saved countless lives when he tackled the student, said he did what he had to do.

I want to make it clear that my actions on that day, in my mind, were the only acceptable actions I could have done given the circumstances," Seaman said during a press conference after the shooting. "I deeply care for my students and their well-being. So thats why I did what I did that day.

Ellas family started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for her medical expenses.

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Related Articles:British MPs will hold an emergency debate on reforming abortion laws on Tuesday amid increasing pressure to lift the ban in Northern Ireland. The House of Commons will discuss the repeal of an 1861 law that makes abortion illegal, but from which England, Wales and Scotland have long been exempt. The debate will have no legal impact but, having already attracted the support of some government ministers, will be seen as a clear show of support for change. It follows last month's referendum in Ireland on legalising abortion, and comes just two days before Britain's Supreme Court rules Thursday on whether Northern Ireland's ban contravenes human rights legislation. British Prime Minister Theresa May insists abortion is a matter for the devolved government in Belfast, which is currently suspended due to a dispute between the two main power-sharing parties. But critics believe her position is complicated by her own government's reliance on Northern Ireland's socially conservative Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Opposition Labour MP Stella Creasy, who secured Tuesday's debate, said MPs had a duty to repeal the regressive elements of the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act (OAPA) that made abortion illegal. "OAPA is over 150 years old. It puts abortion in the same category as homicide, destroying or damaging a building with the use of gunpowder, child stealing, rape or defilement of women," she told MPs on Monday. She added: "By repealing OAPA, we -- as the UK parliament -- can show women across the UK we trust them all with their own healthcare, wherever they live. "I ask members to stand up with me and join in saying 'this is the 21st century'." Unlike in mainland Britain, abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland except when a woman's life is at risk or there is a permanent or serious danger to her mental or physical health.By Parisa Hafezi

ANKARA (Reuters) - Iran will inform the U.N. nuclear watchdog in Vienna on Tuesday over its start of a process to increase the country's uranium enrichment capacity, Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi told ISNA news agency.

"In a letter that will be handed over to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ... Iran will announce that the process of increasing the capacity to produce ... UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) ... will start on Tuesday," Kamalvandi said.

He said Iran had the capacity to accelerate production of centrifuges, which are used to enrich uranium. The UF6 is a feedstock for centrifuges.

Iran's ultimate authority Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday he had ordered preparations to increase uranium enrichment capacity if a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers falls apart after the U.S. withdrawal from it last month.

"The leader (Khamenei) meant that we should accelerate some process ... linked to our nuclear work capacity to move forward faster in case needed," Kamalvandi said.

European signatories of the accord back the deal but have concerns over Iran's ballistic missile programme and its influence in the Middle East. Iran says the two issues are non-negotiable.

Under the agreement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Iran strictly limited uranium enrichment capacity to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs.

In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were rescinded in January 2016.

The deal allows Iran to continue 3.67 percent uranium enrichment, far below the roughly 90 percent threshold of weapons-grade. Before the deal was reached, Tehran enriched uranium to up to 20 percent purity.

Since President Donald Trump's announcement of the U.S. exit on May 8, EU leaders have pledged to try to keep Iran's oil trade and investment flowing but admitted that will not be easy to do.

Iranian authorities have said that if the European countries failed to keep the pact alive, Tehran had several options, including resuming its 20 percent uranium enrichment.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by James Dalgleish and Chris Reese)FILE PHOTO: Iran's head of the country's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi attends a seminar at the Japan Institute of International Affairs in Tokyo, Japan, November 5, 2015. REUTERS/Yuya Shino/File Photo

By Babak Dehghanpisheh

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iran has begun preparations to boost its uranium enrichment capacity, its nuclear chief said on Tuesday, adding to pressure on European powers trying to save a nuclear accord with Tehran in peril after a U.S. withdrawal.

France, Britain and Germany want to salvage the 2015 deal's core bargain of sanctions relief in exchange for restrictions on Tehran's atomic activities. Washington has reimposed sanctions against Tehran since quitting the deal last month, arguing Iran posed a security threat.

Iran has set out conditions to stay in the nuclear deal, including steps to safeguard trade with Tehran and guarantee Iranian oil sales. But it has also said it could resume its 20 percent uranium enrichment, which is banned under the deal.

Iran was developing infrastructure for building advanced centrifuges at its Natanz facility, Ali Akbar Salehi, director of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said in a news conference broadcast on state television.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday he had ordered preparations for Iran to have greater enrichment capacity if the deal falls apart. Iran's nuclear agency said it would inform the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Tuesday the process to increase capacity had begun.

Salehi said this did not violate the nuclear deal but that it marked an increase in the pace of the nuclear programme.

"If we were progressing normally, it would have taken six or seven years, but this will now be ready in the coming weeks and months," he said.

Iran has also developed the capacity to produce electricity at Natanz, Salehi said, a site which lies around 300 kilometres (186 miles) south of Tehran.

The 2015 agreement allows Iran to continue 3.67 percent uranium enrichment, far below the roughly 90 percent threshold of weapons-grade. Before the deal was reached, Tehran enriched uranium to up to 20 percent purity.

Salehi's comments Tuesday appeared to be a warning to the remaining signatories of possible consequences if the deal were to collapse. European powers still back the deal but have concerns over Iran's ballistic missile programme and its influence in the Middle East. Iran says the two issues are non-negotiable.

Story continues

Salehi said Iran could not accept a "flawed" nuclear deal, nor could it adhere to the deal's restrictions while facing new sanctions. He reiterated previous statements by officials that Iran is prepared to significantly increase its nuclear activity if the deal falls apart.

"Then the situation will progress in a different way," Salehi said. "I hope there will never be a need to go back to that situation."

He also repeated Iran's position that its nuclear programme was for civilian purposes only.

(Reporting By Babak Dehghanpisheh; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)The wife of Malaysia's ousted prime minister Najib Razak was on Tuesday questioned for more than three hours by the nation's anti-corruption agency over a massive financial scandal involving a state sovereign wealth fund. The spotlight is now on Rosmah Mansor after police last month raided two condominiums linked to Najib and his family as part of an investigation into his role in the 1MDB scandal -- seizing bags of cash, jewellery and hundreds of designer handbags. Rosmah, 66, is widely reviled in Malaysia for her reported luxurious tastes and imperious manner. She last month issued a statement lashing out at media coverage of the police raids, calling them a "premature public trial". Known for her love of luxury clothes and handbags, Rosmah arrived for questioning in a three-car convoy. Following her departure from the agency headquarters, her lawyers said anti-graft investigators had completed recording her statement after a session lasting over three hours during which she gave her "utmost cooperation". The nature of the questioning was not made public. But Abdul Razak Idris, former investigations and intelligence director at the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), earlier told AFP that Rosmah would likely "be asked to reveal her bank accounts and explain about the source of the cash and jewellery found by police in two condominiums recently." Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the 1MDB fund -- founded by Najib -- in a sophisticated fraud that stretched from Singapore to Switzerland, with the money used to buy items ranging from Picasso artworks to high-end real estate. Both Najib and the fund have consistently denied any wrongdoing. - Luxury-loving - Rosmah spent nearly five hours in the building before leaving in a silver Mercedes Benz. "Our client will extend further cooperation as and when sought by the agency," lawyer K. Kumaraendran told gathered media in a prepared statement. Former prime minister Najib has seen a swift fall from grace since he was defeated by a reformist coalition led by his former mentor, Mahathir Mohamad, in elections last month. Voter anger at claims of corruption tied to Najib and a rise in living costs were among major factors in the shocking defeat of the ruling coalition, which had been in power for over six decades. Najib himself was questioned by anti-graft officers twice last month. Both he and his wife have been banned from leaving the country. The luxury-loving Rosmah is often compared with Imelda Marcos, who left behind more than a thousand pairs of shoes after her husband, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, was ousted in 1986. In 2015, Rosmah told a public gathering that she paid 1,200 ringgit ($300) to colour her hair, angering Malaysians as the minimum wage was then just 900 ringgit a month.Singapores State Courts. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

He had only spoken to the boy a few times before when he saw the 14-year-old at the male toilet in Toa Payoh Swimming Complex, but one day in October 2016, Kabir Md Alamgir sexually assaulted the boy while the latter was in the shower.

On Tuesday (5 June) Kabir, a 45-year-old crane operator who had been working here for 19 years, pleaded guilty to one charge of causing the boys penis to penetrate his mouth on 9 October 2016.

Another count of pulling down the boys swimming trunks and molesting him will be taken into consideration for when Kabir is sentenced on Thursday.

The boy, now a 15-year-old secondary school student, cannot be named to protect his identity.

Kabir first spoke to the boy sometime in 2016, about seven to eight months before the incident while in the male toilet after the boys swimming lesson. He asked the boy if he was taking swimming lessons at the complex. The boy replied he took lessons from 4.30pm to 5.30pm every Sunday.

After that, Kabir initiated conversations with the boy on at least two other occasions and the boy would reply out of courtesy. The conversations took place on a bench outside the shower cubicles after the boy had showered.

Apart from the boy, Kabir only spoke to the lifeguard. (Kabir) knew that the victim was a student and believed that he was aged about 15 to 16 years old. (Kabir) found the victim to have a good physique and paid particular attention as the victim was always at the complex at about the same time as him, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Gail Wong.

The day of the incident

On 9 October 2016, CCTV footage caught Kabir, a Bangladeshi employed in Singapore on a work permit, entering the complex some eight minutes before the boy ended swimming class and heading straight for the male toilet.

Kabir is then seen washing his hands and mouth multiple times while looking towards the direction of the pool. He enters the toilet a minute before the victim enters.

According to court documents, Kabir decided to have some fun with the boy. He then entered the cubicle in which the boy was showering and performed oral sex on him. Afraid and shocked, the boy protested but Kabir only stopped when the boy said his father was fetching him. He left the cubicle after two to three minutes.

Story continues

After Kabir left, the boy cleaned his private area thoroughly as he felt disgusted by the experience. He met his father and sister at their car outside the complex but had an emotional breakdown when his sister teased him about being slower than usual.

He then told his family that a crazy man had performed oral sex on him. His father returned to the complex to locate Kabir but the latter had left by then. The family made a police report at about 6.58pm that day.

Kabir is expected to be sentenced on Thursday.

For his offence, Kabir faces a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine or caning.Also, SGInnovate invests in AIDA, Grab launches smart mobility and sustainability project in Cambodia, and more

Image Credit: Mike Enerio on Unsplash

Singapore government announces slew of initiatives to better regulate AI  [press release]

In an effort to bring better clarity and oversight to AI developments in Singapore, the government has today announced three new initiatives.

First, it will set up on an advisory council to oversee the ethical use of AI and Data. Together with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the council will engage stakeholders in the private sector, such as commercial enterprises and private capital, to educate and set ethical guidelines on AI and incorporate these considerations into their business decisions.

The council will also be aided by a legal and technical expert panel.

Second, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) is working with the advisory council on a discussion paperwork about what the AI and Data governance framework for industries could look like, as well as what elements could be included.

It recommends two key principles: that decisions made by AI-assisted technology should be fair and transparent to consumers, and that AI systems, robots and decisions should be human-centric.

Third, a five-year Research Programme on the Governance of AI and Data use will also be set up

at the Singapore Management University (SMU) to conduct scholarly research on policy,

legal, regulatory, governance, ethics and other issues relating to AI and data use.

It will support the advisory council and inform government and industry discussion on AI

challenges through its research and conferences.

SGInnovate makes investment in AIDA Technologies  [press release]

Singapore government-backed deep tech agency SGInnovate has made an investment into AIDA Technologies, an AI-based predictive analytics solutions provider.

AIDA claimed that its AI engine has been instrumental in speeding up the processing of health insurance claims of a major insurer in Singapore from days to seconds. It further claimed that the Straight Through Processing (STP) engine is now live and processes thousands of claims every month.

Story continues

It [the STP engine] is now being evaluated by tier one insurance companies in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, said Dr Tan Geok Leng, CEO of AIDA Technologies. AIDA is very excited to be given the opportunity to partner SGInnovate to bring our products and solutions to a wider audience.

Grab launches cost-sharing project with the UNDP in Cambodia  [press release]

Ride-hailing giant Grab and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a cost-sharing project in Cambodia, in an effort to provide smart mobility and sustainable transport options in the country  meaning to reduce accidents, pollution, and traffic congestion.

Called the Sustainable Urban Mobility for All Initiative (SUMAI), the three-year project co-funded by UNDP and Grab, aims at improving availability and quality of transport data in Phnom Penh to better inform policies and investment decisions in support of sustainable and smart urban transport solutions.

Apart from co-funding support, Grab has committed to providing in-kind contribution such as

anonymized data sharing, technology expertise, staff manhour as well as the promoting of the

use of green vehicles among its driver-partners and passengers, said Russell Cohen, Head of Regional Operations, Grab.

SolarHome raises US$2 million to bring PAYG solar energy to Southeast Asia  [e27]

Singapore-based pay-as-your-go (PAYG) solar power startup SolarHome has raised US$2 million from Singapore investment company TRIREC, which specialises in cleantech and renewable energy.

The funding will allow it to bring clean, off-the-grid solar energy solutions to more than 40,000 homes in rural Myanmar by the end of 2018.

The firm also intends to increase distribution throughout Myanmar, advance its mobile money platform, as well as expand its product range to more premium products, including systems with bundled television sets.

Cambodia property portal raises funding from 500 Startups  [e27]

Cambodia property portal has raised funding an undisclosed funding from 500 Startups. It will use the newly-raised investment to upgrade its products, such as its mobile apps.

It also preparing to launch its monetisation channels  which will use a subscription and transaction-based revenue model.

Some of our partner agencies are currently using KhmerHomes management system to close deals worth millions of dollars, said Co-founder Mean In.



Echelon Asia Summit 2018 is e27s flagship platform that brings together startups, investors, corporates, governments, tech ecosystem players and customers.

Register for your conference passes today.

The post Todays top tech news, June 5: Singapore launches initiatives to bolster AI governance appeared first on e27.The political crisis in Venezuela dominated the opening exchanges of the annual meeting of the Organization of American States on Monday, with Washington pushing for it to be suspended. President Nicolas Maduro's government has already declared it will leave the forum, but US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged members to register a protest against last month's elections. Maduro was returned to power in a vote that was largely boycotted by the opposition and denounced as an unconstitutional assault on democracy by Washington and most of Venezuela's neighbors. Nevertheless, Maduro's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza was present as the OAS meeting opened to defend his government and to hear Pompeo reiterate the US call for Venezuela's suspension. This, he said, "would show that the OAS backs up its words with action and it sends a powerful signal to the Maduro regime, only real elections will allow your government to be included in the family of nations. Pompeo accused Maduro of "dismantling democracy" and urged more Latin American states to join the US in imposing increased economic and diplomatic sanctions on his administration. "We call on all OAS nations to do this today -- regarding Venezuela -- and in the future wherever necessary for the good of the region and the world," he said, to applause from some delegates. Arreaza protested that the situation in Venezuela was a domestic one, placed on the agenda of an international meeting "in a spurious manner" -- but other ministers disagreed. "We must have a continent free of dictatorships," OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, a stern critic of Maduro, said as he inaugurated the 48th annual meeting of the organization in Washington. In order to formally suspend Venezuela, the OAS would have to convene an extraordinary general assembly. But members will have a chance to chastise Caracas when they vote on a resolution that would refuse to recognize the result of the May election and, according to US officials, pave the way for further action.Gav Coughlan  360 flip  Lloyds. Photo: Griff

A few more words with Dublin-based Birdhouse flow rider Gav Coughlan

Youre no stranger to big name tours Gav, having been on quite a few Volcom ones before  how was this Birdhouse trip in comparison to getting bossed around by Kev Parrott?

This trip was a bit different to the ones that I have been on before. We had a couple of set places that we had to do demos at, and then we were kinda free to do what we wanted in between, compared to being on a constant street mission to gather footage as on previous big tours Ive been a part of. This was a little bit more laid back because of that, but I do miss having Kev telling me what to do!

I guess youve got enough tour miles under your belt not to get nervous like Im sure Clev did. Plus youre a bit of a show off when the pressures on which probably helps. Did you get freaked out by any of it or was it mellow?

I actually got a little freaked out with some of the bigger parks as they had a lot of big transition that I would like to try skate, but didnt want to due to the amount of people watching, and the very real possibility of me falling on a slash grind. If anything, I think Clev didnt even notice anything around him and was just throwing down! It pays to be clever in that context, (laughing)

Shawn Hale  seatbelt slide whilst Dange speed dials the Bookies. Photo: Griff

It seemed like you and Clev were accepted straight away and there was none of that US dudes in the front/flow riders in the boot type of politics going on  was it as good natured as it looked?

Well, I had met Jaws a few years ago when he came to Ireland with Tony Hawk for the web summit and for them to visit a castle in Limerick that Tony ended up getting married at shortly after, so I kinda knew him a little bit. It was my first time meeting Clive, Shawn and Derek though but we all instantly got along. Everyone was on the same level. I dont think Instagram could show how good-natured it was, but Ive heard from a lot of people that it looked like we were having a sick time, which we did!



Who got the most attention from the kids? Are autographs still a thing? Or is it more Yo youre that dude that took a shit on KOTR  can I get a selfie?

Jaws definitely got the most attention from kids. When we got to Lloyds, he wasnt able to move due to the sheer amount of kids asking for photos and autographs. He handles it really well though and always has time for everyone, which was sick to see. Some kids actually wanted his used boxers and socks and got him to sign them which was pretty funny, well until they put them on their heads!

Any particular spots or places that you liked?

Id never been skating in France, Belgium, Breda in the Netherlands or anywhere in Germany before, so that was pretty rad to get them all done in the one trip. It was sick to go to Le Dome and see the hubba and get a real feel for how gnarly anything is on that, especially Enizs front blunt, which is just nuts!

You grew up in the time before Insta and all that but are still definitely part of the online generation  were kids more interested in filming what was going on, or just physically watching would you say?

It was a bit of a mixture between the two. You know how it is these days, everyone needs to get a clip or 2 on their story just to prove that they were there. Thats just how it goes, if you didnt post about it on the Internet, were you really there?

Which of the stops/demos were the best and why?

I reckon the best stop was Pier 15 skatepark in Breda. The skatepark was a bit more to my taste with a lot of rails and ledges and less on the 14ft transition side! But as good as that was, it was the after party there that really made it. Im sure everyone has seen at least one video of Martin from Bonk Skateshop holding a speaker above his head and blasting everyone with the music. They also filled us with a healthy amount of booze, and when youd ask for water, theyd just bring you more beer, (laughing). We were really well looked after there and thanks to Martin and everyone that works at that bar/skatepark for a really memorable experience.

Who was demo hero and what was the demo hero tactic?

Of course Jaws was the demo hero, but Shawn was a bit of a dark horse too. Jaws just has everything on lock and can perform on demand, almost always finding some way to hype everyone up too. Shawn could just bang out a fakie 360 shove blunt on anything within 3 tries and thats a bit of a jaw drop to see on demand!

Not entirely sure what to call this but 360 tailblock transfer sounds shit, so well go with Shawns name  Mr Hale The Nap, Brighton. Photo: Griff

Glass keeps telling me about how this trip was one of the best hes ever been on  whats your take on that?

Yeah this is definitely one of the best trips Ive been on. Everyone got along really well and there wasnt a dull moment. Someone always brought the hype. Youd think being stuck in a van for hours would suck, but we always made the most of it. I think every trip I go on in the future has a lot of live up to now!

What was the best trick that you got to witness during the whole thing?

We went to a pretty gnarly ditch in Cologne, where if you fell, you were falling into someones actual shit that had run down through it at some point. Clive managed to nollie into it somehow, and it was pretty insane to see him rolling into that steep, rough bank at mach 10.

Can you explain what being sponsored means Gav, especially from your perspective of being an Irish skater sponsored by a UK-based distro  what does it require, what are the responsibilities and is it worth it? Do you think being sponsored has made you a better skater?

Being sponsored from my perspective has made it possible for me to avoid buying anything skate-related (unless it was something dope I wanted myself) in the last 10 years.

Its made it a lot easier to skate having a steady flow of fresh boards and shoes, instead of having to piece together scraps, which I think in turn has made me a better skater.

In terms of responsibilities  you might be required to go on some trips, or to some competitions to rep those people who give you product, which I would never say no to, when someones offering to send me somewhere to go on play on a plank of wood.

I find doing those things can be a lot of fun and you meet a lot of different people.

There is no way Id ever have gone on a trip like this without it, and Im stoked to have Shiner and Birdhouse back me and give me these opportunities. Im so grateful for everything that skateboarding and the community has given me and Ive met a lot of really good friends thanks to it. Although there isnt any actual money to made, having sponsorship allows me to use what money I do have for things I want, rather than needing to buy shoes, clothes, boards etc. Obviously I cant do this forever, but I have to enjoy it and make the most of it while I can. Big thanks to Alan for organising such a sick trip, and to Clive, Aaron, Shawn, Derek, Clev and Mark Byrne for making some very good memories!

Gav  frontside noseslide the length  Shiner TF. Photo: GriffMiss America contestants will no longer compete in swimsuit and evening-gown competitions, chairwoman Gretchen Carlson announced Tuesday. On Good Morning America, Carlson, the 1989 Miss America and former Fox News host, said the pageant wont judge competitors on their physical appearance at all.

Actually, Carlson said the event is no longer a pageant, but a competition. Instead of marching across the stage in swimsuits, each woman will have a live conversation with judges about her achievements and goals in life and how she will use her talents, passion, and ambition to perform the job of Miss America, according to a statement from the Miss America Organization. And instead of formal gowns, participants will now be allowed to wear whatever they want.

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Carlson was brought on to lead the organizations board in January, after leaked emails prompted the organizations CEO, president, and board chair, respectively, to step down. The unflattering emails showed, among other things, the leaders mocking women for gaining weight, insulting them for perceived sexual promiscuity, and laughing in agreement when a pageant writer referred to former winners as cunts. They also depicted an organization so engrossed with its own image that executives would compile opposition research on former participants who criticized the organization.

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Notably, two of the three leaders who resigned in the scandal were men. In the aftermath, Miss America replaced them with an all-female leadership triumvirate, an apparent attempt to straighten things out and divert the public conversation away from the misogyny in the emails. Its the first time that both the organizations foundation and pageant arms have been led by women, and Carlson is the first former Miss America to hold her current position on the board.

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On the Double X Gabfest podcast last month, I wondered what possible changes Miss America would have to make to get me on board with the organizations mission. I doubted that simply putting women in charge would be enough to make radical, progressive changes to the institutionafter all, there are plenty of women who love Miss America, and whats good for women in the pageant system (more pageants!) wont necessarily be whats good for women at large (no pageants!). I tried to imagine whether Id find it easier to support Miss America if the new leaders scrapped the swimsuit competition, arguably the most insulting, sexist part of a program that nevertheless takes pains to promote the elements that dont revolve around the evaluation of womens body parts.

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Now that the organization has actually done it, I have my answer: No, I dont think the pageant is notably more progressive without the swimsuit shtick. Without any judgment of physical appearance, the Miss America competition almost becomes less defensiblewhat are the judges judging, if not a womans ability to mold her body to conventionally desirable proportions? The remaining components of the pageanttalent, interview, on-stage questions, and the new conversation with judges about life goalsdont lend themselves to a cohesive vision of best-ness any better than they did when evening gowns and swimsuits were part of the rubric. If women wanted to showcase their tap-dancing or piano skills, theyd audition for Americas Got Talent. If they wanted to get better at answering on-the-spot questions about current events, theyd join a debate league or mock trial. No matter how hard I try, I cant quite grasp what great thing Miss America contestants are competing for, what the title means, and whats supposed to make sense about the act of publicly ranking a group of 51 women against one another based on a set of arbitrary, disparate skills. Theres already a name for a competition where women compete against one another to prove their passion, ambition, intelligence, talent, and love for America: Its called an election.

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Carlson, who spent years diminishing feminist causes on Fox News before rebranding herself a feminist change-maker, framed the new Miss America 2.0 as an inherently pro-woman endeavor. Who doesnt want to be empowered, learn leadership skills, and pay for college, and be able to show the world who you are as a person from the inside of your soul? she asked on Tuesday. Thats what were judging them on now. Carlson didnt note exactly what part of being judged on womanly poise and presence by a mixed-gender panel is supposed to be empowering, or why a woman who shows the world the inside of her soul deserves money for college any more than, I dont know, a young, low-income woman who clams up in front of a camera.

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Realistically, theres no way Miss America judges are going to suddenly stop scoring pageant contestants based on their looks, no matter how earnestly Carlson claims that the revamped contest will be open to women of all shapes and sizes. The current Miss America, Cara Mund, announced the organizations swimsuit news on Twitter on Tuesday morning with a coy video of a white bikini vanishing in a puff of smoke. Were changing out of our swimsuits and into a whole new era, the tweet said. The phrasing called to mind a pageant changing room, where contestants have historically gotten in and out of their bathing suits backstagean erotic prospect for many, including our formerly pageant-owning president. I have to believe that, in an advertisement for a televised spectacle of idealized womanhood, that imagery was part of the point.An off-duty FBI agent appears to have shot someone while dancing at a Denver distillery last weekend. Video footage shows the agents gun falling from his rear waistband when he makes a nifty back handspring; as he picks up the weapon, it appears to discharge. A fellow partygoer was hit in the lower leg, and Denver police are now investigating. How against-the-rules was it for the agent to bring his gun onto the dance floor?

Theres no law against it, exactly. Anyone can bring a gun into a bar or nightclub in Colorado, provided the establishment does not specifically forbid firearms from the premises. At the same time, state law makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor to possess a firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, and its generally a very poor idea to bring a gun into a cocktail venue known for its generous pour. Its not yet clear whether the FBI agent in Denver was drinking before the shooting.

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When FBI agents are on duty, they arent subject to local gun-carry laws. Theyre also expected to carry their weapons unless theres a specific reason not to. The agent involved in the dance-floor incident is likely to have been off-duty, though. (Otherwise he must have been deep undercover.) If so, it would have been up to him as to whether to carry his weapon when he went out.

Any unintentional discharge of an FBI agents firearm leads to an investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility at the Department of Justice. For many accidents, such as those that occur at the shooting range, perhaps while an agent is cleaning his or her weapon, the OPR inquiry might result in a letter of censure. An unintentional discharge that occurs in a public settinglet alone one that wounded a bystander and might have involved alcoholwould lead to more severe punishment. An agent might get time on the beach (i.e., suspended) or be fired.

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Even if an off-duty agent werent drinking or doing handsprings, the decision to bring a gun into a nightclub could merit an investigation for poor judgment or unprofessional conduct. Former Republican member of Congress and ex-FBI agent Michael Grimm was the subject of an OPR investigation following a 1999 incident at the Caribbean Tropics nightclub in Queens, where one eyewitness claimed to have seen him brandishing his firearm while saying, Im a fucking FBI agent, aint nobody gonna threaten me.

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Off-duty FBI agents who fire their weapons inappropriately may also face criminal prosecution. In 2016, a pair of G-men from Las Vegas traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan, on assignment. While in town, they ate dinner at a steakhouse and ordered 228 ounces of Bells Two Hearted Ale. (In terms of alcohol content, thats the equivalent of about 30 regular cans of beer.) Later that night, when police approached one of the agents at a Planet Fitness, he pulled out his weapon and fired three shots at an officer. The agents attorney would argue that hed suffered an alcohol-fueled paranoia attack while at the gym. Nevertheless, the agent was fired from the FBI, and he pled no-contest to a charge of felonious assault.

Got a question about the news? Ask the Explainer.

Explainer thanks Denver criminal defense attorney Douglas Richards, David M. Shapiro of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Steve Surowitz of the Society of Former Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Two of the nations top experts on North Korea testified before a Senate subcommittee on Tuesday, and if what they said holds water, the upcoming summit between President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un is likely to be either grim or inconsequential.

One of the witnesses, Victor Cha, was President George W. Bushs top adviser on North Korea and, several months ago, Trumps presumptive nominee for ambassador to South Korea. He was dropped after he criticized the ideathen prevalent within Trumps White Houseof launching a pre-emptive military strike against Kims regime.

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The other witness, Joseph Yun, a 30-year veteran of the foreign service, was the State Departments point of contact in back-channel talks with North Korean officials until he resigned this past February, after those talks were sidelined.

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Both former officials said the summit, scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, would be a success only if Kim agreed to dismantle his entire nuclear-weapons apparatus over some specified period of timeand if, in the meantime, he presented a comprehensive list of North Koreas nuclear weapons, missiles, fissile material, labs, and other facilities, and allowed international inspectors to verify his claim. They stressed that this itemization should be the first step, and that the United States shouldnt be obligated to take any measures in exchangelifting sanctions or offering security guaranteesuntil the verification process begins. As Yun put it, Without knowing what they have, how are we going to negotiate?

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However, the two witnesses also said they very much doubted that Kim would agree to do any of those things. Kims whole national narrative, Cha said, is based on an image of strength, a claim that the American president is meeting with him because North Korea is now a nuclear power. The idea that Kim would give up the basis of his strength at the summit goes against that narrative. Cha also said that given the nature of North Koreas regime, Kim will always feel insecure and will therefore never give up his nukes entirely.

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Yun agreed that there is no sign that Kim wants to disarm, but said it was still worth pushing him in a direction where he feels less insecure and more likely to disarm eventually, since the alternativewaris not an option.

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If Kim were to surprise everyone by pledging to disarm, providing a firm timetable, and opening doors to outside inspectors, the two former officials said, Trump would have to respond in kind with specific and far-reaching security guarantees. Kim, after all, has built a nuclear arsenal in order to deter an enemy attack and thus ensure his regimes survival. However, Yun, apparently speaking from experience, said the Trump administration is uncomfortable about discussing exactly what guarantees it would provide in return for such extravagant gestures.

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The more likely scenario, the officials said, is that Trump will relax his demand of complete, verifiable, irreversible disarmamentor CVID, as the official parlance has itjust to get some kind of deal. Yun said its good news that in recent weeks, Trump has become more realistic about the summits prospects, seeing arms control as a process that unfolds over timesimilar to Kims idea of phased and synchronous measures, rather than national security adviser John Boltons demand for a big bang, in which North Korea surrenders all its nukes immediately. However, Yun and Cha insisted complete disarmament must remain the ultimate goal.

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The summit itself has already boosted Kims standing and reduced Trumps leverage.

Meanwhile, U.S. and North Korean officials who are preparing for the summit have yet to agree on the most basic principles. Kim has long insisted that the goal of any deal must be the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Trump and his aides have taken to reciting the same phrase, but they see it as starting with North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons. By contrast, Kim and his aides define the term as demanding that all countries with a military presence on the peninsulavery much including the United Stateswithdraw all forces that have the capability to carry nuclear arms and, in some versions, that they withdraw all forces that could threaten North Koreas regime, compelling it to possess nuclear weapons.

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There are also disputes over the meaning of a peace treaty to end the Korean War, which settled in an armistice but not a formal peace in 1953. Trump has declared this as a goal of the summit on several occasions. Yun noted at the Senate hearing that signing a peace treaty would mean taking all military options off the table. And although he didnt say so, the North Koreans see that as involving the total withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Korea and the cessation of joint U.S.South Korean military exercises. This has been the dream of North Korean leaders for decades.

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No common definition has been reached on these basic conceptsthe building blocks of any dealdespite two meetings between Kim and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, one meeting between Trump and Gen. Kim Yong-chol, Kims top spy, and several sessions between mid-level officials on both sides.

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In the past couple weeks, a small number of experienced U.S. officials have joined the process, not least Sung Kim, the ambassador to the Philippines, who was tasked by Pompeo to lead the team planning the summitthis after months of leaderless drift. However, at Tuesdays hearing, Cha raised another concern: that the North Korean team consists of the same people who have been manning these sorts of negotiations for the past 30 years. The U.S. team has to understand the history of the negotiations, he said, or else they might be prone to see old proposals, with hidden loopholes, as something new and exciting.

Finally, though neither Cha nor Yun said so explicitly, they implied that the summit itself has already boosted Kims standing and reduced Trumps leverage, especially if its outcome falls short of the most optimistic goals. Kim, who was one of the most isolated leaders just a few months ago, has now had two meetings each with the Chinese and South Korean presidents, two with Pompeo, one coming up with Syrias Bashar al-Assad (another story entirely, given their past joint ventures on military programs and nuclear reactors), and an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet with himall this before the summit with Trump, and all this before meeting with Trump.

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Furthermore, even before the summit, China and South Korea have started to relax sanctions against North Korea, which, until talk of the summit began, had been tighteningand Pyongyang had begun to feel the pain. South Korean President Moon Jae-in will almost certainly loosen sanctions further in the coming months, Cha and Yun said, if only to build on the growing harmony with his neighbor to the north. China, which had long been alienated from North Korea, is more engaged as well for economic and geostrategic reasons. If, say, in the wake of a failed summit Trump wanted to re-impose maximum pressure, he would have a hard time getting others to go along with it.

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Finally, the military option is also a gambit that Trump will no longer be able to play, at least not as long as Kim can keep up his charm offensive and hold off on resuming nuclear and missile tests. In short, Trump has lost whatever upper hand he once held. He has signaled to Kim, his negotiators, U.S. allies, and the rest of the world that he wantshe needssome kind, any kind, of deal.

Cha quoted Trumps book, The Art of the Deal, as noting that a negotiator cant appear to want a deal more than the adversarythen suggested that Trump is violating his own cardinal rule.In the heart of Kentuckys coal country, Obama got a round of applausefrom people who thought they were applauding Trump. That was thanks to high school valedictorian Ben Bowling, who pulled a fast one Saturday on parents, faculty, fellow graduates, and distinguished guests during his speech at a Pineville, Kentucky, high schools commencement ceremony.

This is the part of my speech where I share some inspirational quotes I found on Google, the 18-year-old told the crowd at Bell County High School. Dont just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table. Donald J. Trump.

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The crowd burst into applause.

Moments later, Bowling delivered the kicker: Just kidding. Just kidding. That was Barack Obama.

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The applause died down. Some giggles emerged. A boo rang out.

Crowd cheers when Kentucky HS valedictorian Ben Bowling quotes Trump, then groans when he reveals the inspirational quote was actually from Barack Obama  pic.twitter.com/7GL14IIb1S  AngryMan (@AngryManTV) June 4, 2018

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The quote actually came from Obamas commencement speech at Barnard College in 2012, as the former president discussed womens education and empowerment.

I just thought it was a really good quote, Bowling told The Louisville Courier-Journal. Most people wouldnt like it if I used it, so I thought Id use Donald Trumps name. It is southeastern Kentucky after all.

Trump won 82 percent of the vote in Bell County, where Pineville is located, during the 2016 election. At a campaign rally in Louisville, Trump promised to revive the coal industry. Obama has decimated the coal industry, and were going to bring the coal industry back, he said. The coal industry is going to make a very big comeback.

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This isnt the first time that politics have crept into high school graduation speeches. A Chicago-area eighth-grader went viral when he impersonated the 2016 candidates in his commencement speech that year. And valedictorian Peter Butera went rogue last year at his Pennsylvania commencement, boldly criticizing the schools administration until his microphone was cut off.

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Bowling holds a 4.2 GPA at Bell County High, according to the Courier-Journal, and plans to attend the University of Kentucky on a full scholarship to study biology and medicine. But he could also consider a career in comedythe stunt he pulled is not his first stab at humor. Bowlings Twitter account, which was made private today, contains wisecracks like Someone needs to inform the local rabbit community that the time to cross a road is not when there is an oncoming car, or Why be a boy scout when you can just throw your headphones in your pocket and discover every knot known to mankind.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made the rumors official: All but one week of the Senates traditional August recess will be canceled. Rather than spending uninterrupted time with their families or on the beach, or putting in critical time campaigning for re-election, senators will continue their usual 3 days of work per week trudging through nominations and appropriations bills. (The ultimate vacation, really.)

Due to the historic obstruction by Senate Democrats of the presidents nominees, and the goal of passing appropriations bills prior to the end of the fiscal year, the August recess has been canceled, McConnell said in a statement. Senators should expect to remain in session in August to pass legislation, including appropriations bills, and to make additional progress on the presidents nominees.

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Dont assume, though, that this will be the final scheduling announcement.

Last year, McConnell proposed cutting two weeks of August recess, and the place freaked out. Democrats agreed to quickly move through dozens of nominations en bloc, and only one week of recess ended up being canceled.

McConnell has some extra leverage this year: There are far more Senate Democrats who expect to be campaigning in August. Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn said that sneaky political aspect out loud in his comments today:

John Cornyn was explicit that canceling recess will hurt Democrats in comments just now: Now theyre desperate, because they realize theyre more exposed politically bc theyve got so many people up running for re-election in red states. https://t.co/2gKUI6sbVG  Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) June 5, 2018

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One doubts that a dozen fewer days campaigning in August would be the determining factor in any of these Senate races, andif theyre able to complete appropriations bills on time like a functioning governmental body, something we shouldnt believe until we see itthe cancellation could even be a net-positive for some of these incumbents. But sure, theyd prefer to have the time.

For now, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is saying that Democrats welcome the additional time spent in D.C. and that they intend to use it to message on health care. I know this will come as a shock to observers of the United States Senate, but this is all a bit of showmanship right now. No one in either party really wants to spend most of August in Washington. Its gross.Paul Manafort cannot stop breaking the law and that means he may be going to jail much sooner than expected. On Monday, Special Counsel Robert Mueller asked the federal judge overseeing Manaforts case to revoke or revise the court order issued following his arraignment in October that allowed him to remain a free man while preparing his defense. In the court filing, Mueller alleges there is probable cause that Manafort has been engaged in felony witness tampering, which violates the terms of his release and could land the former Trump campaign chair in jail. Manafort is set to go on trial in July on broad range of charges, including conspiracy to defraud and commit offenses against the United States and conspiracy to launder money.

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The motion outlines pretty explicit attempts by Manafort to reach out to former colleagues in order to try to align their stories. Four months after Manaforts pre-trial release was agreed to, instead diverting him into a high-intensity supervision program requiring home confinement and a $10 million bond, he was indicted on new allegations surrounding his lobbying efforts. Manafort along with a handful of co-conspirators known as the Hapsburg group spent years lobbying on behalf of Ukraine across Europe and in Washington.

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The new superseding indictment was announced on Feb. 23rd and, according to the motion, Manafort and a longtime associate (referred to as Person A) repeatedly contacted two principals of a public-relations company (referred to as Person D1 and D2) who acted as intermediaries between Manafort, Person A, co-defendant Richard Gates, and the Hapsburg group. Manaforts contact was allegedly part of an effort to get them to lie about the nature of Hapsburg groups lobbying activities.

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Neither D1 nor D2 had had recent contact with Manafort or his associate Person A, but after the indictment was made public, Manafort called Person D1 on Persons D1s cell phone, the motion states. In an effort to avoid contact with Manafort, Person D1 ended the phone call. Manafort also sent an encrypted text message to Person D1 saying This is paul.

Manafort continued to reach out. From the motion:

Two days later, on February 26, 2018, Manafort used the same encrypted application to send Person D1 a news article describing the Superseding Indictments allegations concerning the Hapsburg group, which included the statement that two European politicians were secretly paid around 2 million by Manafort in order to take positions favorable to Ukraine, including by lobbying in the United States. One minute after sending the news article, Manafort wrote: We should talk. I have made clear that they worked in Europe. Toll records for one of Manaforts phones indicate that Manafort had a short call with Person D1 on February 24, 2018, and that Manafort attempted to call Person D1 again on February 25 and 27, 2018.

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The distinction Manafort appears to be making and trying to get his old gang on the same page about is that Hapsburg lobbied Europe on behalf of Ukraine, but not the U.S., a potential crime that is part of the case against Manafort. According to the motion, Person D1 told the government that he understood Manaforts outreach to be an effort to suborn perjury, because Person D1 knew that the Hapsburg group worked in the United Statesnot just Europe.

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Manaforts attempts to get their stories straight continued, according federal investigators.

In an effort to connect Manafort with Person D1, Person A reached out to Person D2, a longtime partner of Person D1. On February 28, five days after the Superseding Indictment, Person A attempted to contact Person D2 via an encrypted messaging application. Person A wrote: My friend P is trying to reach [Person D1] to brief him on whats going on. Two minutes later, Person A added: Basically P wants to give him a quick summary that he says to everybody (which is true) that our friends never lobbied in the US, and the purpose of the program was EU. Approximately five hours later, Person A switched to another encrypted application and sent a similar series of messages to Person D2, including a message relaying Manaforts summary that the Hapsburg group never lobbied in the United States. The February 2018 messages were not Person As only efforts to put Manafort in contact with Persons D1 and D2. In April 2018, Person A reached out to Person D1, relaying the message: My friend P is looking for ways to connect to you to pass you several messages. Can we arrange that. Person A contacted Person D2 via two encrypted applications the same day, reiterating his need for help in connecting Person D1 with Manafort. Person A added in his final text to Person D2: I tried him [i.e., Person D1] on all numbers.

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Like Person D1, Person D2 understood that Manafort and Person A were reaching out to him and Person D1 in an effort to influence the testimony of potential witnesses, the motion says.

Its hard to imagine how Manafort isnt totally cooked. The brazenness of his attempts to coordinate testimony with his associates is beyond reckless. He did it digitally! Manafort, who is a key target in one of the most sophisticated, technology-dependent investigations in U.S. history must have known that, as of February of this year, federal investigators were likely monitoring his and others communications for this exact reason. Lets not forget, Manafort is a lawyer! Now the judge will decide on how to amend the terms of Manaforts release and he very well could end up in jail until he goes to court.Internet hatred directed toward David Hogg, the Parkland student leader most ferociously targeted by right-wing internet trolls and opponents of gun control, appeared to spill into real life on Tuesday when a call to the Broward County sheriffs office led to Hoggs house being surrounded by heavily armed police officers.

The hoax call claimed that hostages were being held at Hoggs address, and police arrived at Hoggs home only to discover that the call had been fake. Hogg, who graduated Sunday and will soon participate in the Parkland students summer activism tour, is safely in D.C., to receive the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award.

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The practice, known as swatting, in which a person pranks someone by telling police that there is a hostage situation at the victims address, has already proved highly dangerous. In 2017, a hoax emergency call over a $1 wager during a Call of Duty game led Kansas police to shoot and kill a 28-year-old father of two. The Los Angeles man suspected of making the call was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. The practice has since been treated more seriously.

The FBI estimated in 2013 that there were 400 incidents of swatting each year, and Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, who has introduced several pieces of legislation to deal with the practice and who has, more recently, been a victim of swatting herself, estimates that the number is now higher. Miley Cyrus, Ashton Kutcher, Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, the Damn Daniel guy, video game developers, and many regular people on the internet have been the victims of swatting.

Authorities have said they are investigating the call.On Tuesday, yet another story was published about ethically dubious actions by Scott Pruitt, who is already having quite a week. According to the report from the Washington Post, soon after beginning his term as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Pruitt reached out to the president of Chick-fil-A to try to get his wife a job as the owner of a Chick-fil-A franchise.

According to the Post:

Three months after Scott Pruitt was sworn in as head of the Environmental Protection Agency, his executive scheduler emailed Dan Cathy, chairman and president of the fast food company Chick-fil-A, with an unusual request: Would Cathy meet with Pruitt to discuss a potential business opportunity?

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A government schedulerwell return to her laterarranged a call, which was later canceled. Pruitt eventually spoke with someone from the companys legal department. A Chick-fil-A spokesperson confirmed the nature of the call to the Post, and email records released under a Freedom of Information Act request by the Sierra Club corroborate the exchange and others Pruitt had in an effort to obtain work for his wife.

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His wife, Marlyn, started the franchisee application, the company told the Post, but never finished. Around the same time, Pruitt approached the chief executive of a New York nonprofit called Concordia and asked him to call Marlyn. According to the Post, the executive and Marlyn Pruitt talked about her interest in event planning for nonprofits, and the executive offered her the opportunity to become involved in event planning for the organization.

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That executive paid Marlyn Pruitt $2,000 for three days work in helping to organize the nonprofits annual conference, at which Scott Pruitt was invited to speak. In his travel to the conference, he spent $1,200 on first-class plane tickets and $670 on one night in a hotel. (Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Pruitt ever solicited a position for Mrs. Pruitt at Concordia, nor was it a condition of the agreement for the administrator to speak, the executive told the Post.)

Several EPA aides told the Post that Pruitt had repeatedly expressed that he wanted his wife to get a job because he was anxious about the cost of maintaining his homes in Washington and Oklahoma. Helping his wife get a job by using his prominent position would seem, then, to be a matter of personal gainsomething that is prohibited by federal ethics laws.

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Federal ethic rules also ban public officials from using their staff for private gain, meaning his use of the government scheduler to arrange the call with Chick-fil-As president could also violate the rules. This is the same problem that emerged Monday when it was revealed that Pruitt had been questioned about tasking an aide with helping him find an apartment and a used Trump Hotel mattress. Weirdly enough, the aide in the mattress story, Millan Hupp, is the sister of the aide in Tuesdays story, Sydney Hupp, according to the Post. Sydney Hupp left the EPA last year, the Post reports.

Pruitt, who, among the other members of the administration, has a particularly long list of scandals, is the subject of 12 federal investigations to do with his spending decisions as the head of the EPA and his ties to lobbyists. Ethics watchdogs have flagged his purchases of first-class flights for security reasons, his use of a 24-hour security detail in response to an overblown concern about threats, and the sweetheart deal in which he paid $50 a night to rent out a townhouse from a lobbyist.In the years since a white gunman murdered nine people at a church in Charleston, South Carolinaa time in which white supremacy has become increasingly visible, culminating in a violent clash in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which one woman was killedthe movement to remove symbols of the confederacy has experienced spurts of success. A new report has now quantified that success, showing that more than 100 monuments and symbols of the confederacy have been removed in the past three yearsbut also that more than 1,000 still remain.

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A new study by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which advocates for the statues to be removed and placed in educational contexts, has found that since the Charleston church shooting in 2015, at least 47 monumentsand a total of 110 symbols of the confederacy more generallyhave been taken down. But 772 monuments were left standing, spread across 23 states but most concentrated in Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina.

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Weve seen a remarkable effort to remove Confederate monuments from the public square, yet the impact has been limited by a strong backlash among many white Southerners who still cling to the myth of the Lost Cause and the revisionist history that these monuments represent, Heidi Beirich, the director of the SPLCs Intelligence Project, said.

The report included city and school names as forms of confederate tribute but excluded those in battlefields and museums. Including all forms of symbols of the confederacy, there are more than 1,782 confederate tributes.

Seven states have laws banning the removal of monuments, according to ABC News. Alabama and North Carolina passed their laws after the Charleston shooting, in response to the nationwide backlash against symbols of white supremacy.The Supreme Courts decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop on Monday did little to put to rest the debate over religious exemptions from laws against discrimination. It let a Colorado bakerys discrimination against a same-sex couple seeking a wedding cake go unchecked, but only on facts specific to the case. The court didnt embrace the radical argument advanced by the bakery, and supported by the United States Department of Justice, that the Constitution guarantees a right to discriminate in violation of state law. And it reaffirmed the long-standing rule that states canand shouldprevent the harms of discrimination in the marketplace.

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Opponents of LGBT equality are already mischaracterizing the courts decision as holding that religious freedom authorizes denials of service to LGBT people. This despite the courts recognition that exemptions from anti-LGBT discrimination are inconsistent with the equal dignity for LGBT people the court embraced in its marriage equality decision. Indeed, antiLGBT civil rights activists have vowed to make Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Courts 2015 decision that recognized same-sex couples have the freedom to marry, the new Roe v. Wade. For example, conservative writers Ryan T. Anderson and Sherif Gergis have said, The law after Obergefell should treat those who believe that marriage unites man and woman  as it has treated prolife hospitals, doctors, and others in the wake of Roe v. Wade. Alliance Defending Freedomthe very same legal organization that argues in courts across the country for ever-increasing religious exemptions in the reproductive rights spaceasked the Supreme Court in Masterpiece Cakeshop to create an unprecedented religious exemption from a law barring discrimination against LGBT people. (Disclosure: I was part of the ACLU team representing the same-sex couple in Masterpiece Cakeshop.)

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The decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop will not deter opponents of LGBT equality from pursing this strategy. They will continue to argue in the courts that the Constitution and statutes protecting religious liberty give them the right to discriminate. And they will argue for statutory exemptions, as a compromise necessary in state legislatures and Congress, for the progress on LGBT rights that we very much need.

LGBT people still dont have formal legal equality, let alone lived equality. Today, federal civil rights laws and the laws of more than half the states still do not expressly bar discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. But if the antidiscrimination laws we end up with have broad carve-outs for religious objections, those of us who are fighting for legal equality for LGBT people may be playing into our opponents hands. I know because Ive spent the last 25 years defending Roe. Im the canary in the coal mine: This is a tale of caution.

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Far from leading to greater progress and harmony, religious exemptions in the reproductive rights field have fanned the flames of the conflict, eroded the right to abortion, and fostered stigma and shame. At the most basic level, the laws providing broad rights for religious refusals have fostered and legitimized calls for more.

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The full promise of Roe v. Wade lasted less than a year. In 1973, the Supreme Court issued its decision recognizing the fundamental right to an abortion. But by the end of 1974, 27 states had laws allowing hospitals to refuse to provide abortions based on religious beliefs, and 28 allowed individual health care providers to refuse. By the end of 1978, nearly every state had such laws.

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These exemptions did not quiet the objections of those who oppose abortion. We didnt settle into a calm, with hospitals and doctors opposed to caring for patients who seek abortions refusing to provide the care and others offering abortion services without controversy. Rather, weve seen a never-ending call for ever-expanded rights to refuse to provide care with real consequences for the status of abortionand those who seek and provide it.

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Just look at what has happened in the last decade or so. Since 2005, federal law has offered protections for hospitals and individual health care providers that refuse to even provide referrals so patients can find the care they need elsewhere. The predictable result is that patients dont always get the information, and the care, they need.

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Rules recently proposed by President Trump would go further, permitting health care providers to refuse to provide any information or directionnot just a referralthat could assist a person in obtaining an abortion. In the words of the government, these rules are necessary to ensure broad protections for hospitals and others unwilling to be complicit in services they cannot in good conscience themselves provide.

Years ago, nurses at a public hospital in New Jersey objected on religious grounds to caring for a patient after an abortion. They sued to guarantee they would not have to ensure a patient had a ride home after getting an abortion, arrange a follow-up appointment, or even bring the patient to the lobby when her ride had arrived. That care, the argument went, was part of the abortion process. Their claim rendered the patient untouchable. (The case ultimately settled.)

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Now the government is prepared to embrace that argument. Trumps proposed rules stipulate that hospitals, doctors, nurses, and others can refuse to engage in any activity with an articulable connection to an abortion if they object based on religion. In the other words, the government wants to use its power to immunize medical professionals who see taint in providing any care to a patient who has obtained an abortioncare that is constitutionally protected.

Early exemptions around abortion didnt just legitimize the idea of exemptions. They whetted the appetite for more, and more, and more.

And exemptions are no longer only about abortion. Theyre about contraception, a right the Supreme Court recognized as fundamental nearly a decade before Roe. And not just about contraception but about insurance for contraception. We saw that in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby where several businesses, including the arts and crafts chain store, went all the way to the Supreme Court to object to providing insurance coverage for contraception, which they were newly required to do under the Affordable Care Act. Providing insurance, they said, would facilitate sin. Even an accommodationone that said that closely held corporations and religiously affiliated entities wouldnt have to provide insurance themselves, but would have to lodge their objections with their insurers or the governmentgave rise to dozens of lawsuits. Why? Because the simple act of filing the objection might trigger someone else to provide insurance coverage for contraception to their employees. Now the federal government has issued an interim final rule that permits any employer with a religious objection to deny its employees insurance coverage for contraception. The religious objection overrides the advance of equality.

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Those early exemptions around abortion didnt just legitimize the idea of exemptions. They whetted the appetite for more, and more, and more. And now it seems as if there may be no way to satisfy that thirst short of overruling the core right to abortion itself.

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The consequences here are many. Exemptions limit access to abortions. Hospitals close their doors on patients seeking abortions. Doctors, nurses, and other health care workers refuse to care for patients seeking abortions or maybe even patients who have had an abortion in the past. Patients struggle even to get the most basic information about their health careincluding information that lets them know abortion is an option.

Exemptions thwart equality. As a plurality of the Supreme Court emphasized in a 1992 decision addressing a challenge to Roe: The ability of women to participate equally in the economic and social life of the Nation has been facilitated by their ability to control their reproductive lives. That participation is threatened when every advance, even one as long overdue and modest as insurance coverage for contraception, is punched through with holes because of religious exemptions.

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Exemptions keep alive the debate over the very legitimacy and morality of abortion. As the Supreme Court said in the context of marriage equality, when that sincere, personal opposition becomes enacted law and public policy, the necessary consequence is to put the imprimatur of the State itself on an exclusion that soon demeans or stigmatizes those whose own liberty is then denied. We are increasingly too tainted to walk through the door, too tainted to touch.

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We live in a country where abortion, and the people who seek and provide it, are stigmatized, shamed, and even shunned. Religious exemptions have had something to do with that.

This is not what I want for the LGBT movement. Maybe the story will be different for LGBT rights. However, there is reason to not be so sure.

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Just look at whats happening in the public discussion about LGBT rights. Those objecting to same-sex couples marrying arent arguing only for exemptions related to a wedding ceremony: They claim a right to deny insurance coverage to a same-sex spouse, and to fire someone because they marry someone of the same sex, all based on religious objection. Health care providers claim a right to refuse to provide medically necessary care to patients who are transgender. A funeral home argues its religious beliefs justified its firing of a transgender employee. Mississippi has enshrined in state law protection for actions based on the religious beliefs that same-sex couples should not marry, that people should not have sex outside of marriage, and that transgender people dont exist. Other states now allow adoption and foster care agencies that receive government funds to turn away prospective parents based on the agencies religious beliefs. At least one state expressly authorizes counselors to refuse to provide mental health services to LGBT people based on religious beliefs.

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This is not a picture of limited exemptions being enacted with quiet to follow.

Opponents of LGBT equality have stolen another page from the anti-choice playbook: They are trying to argue that the exemptions arent about discrimination. In Masterpiece Cakeshop, for example, the bakery put its focus on the cake and the artistry in an attempt to divert our eyes from what was really at issue here: the bakery owner pointing a same-sex couple to the door because they wanted to celebrate their wedding. Its akin to whats transpired with abortion. Today, the refusal to treat those who want an abortion is seen as a refusal to provide a service. The connection to the project of equality is lost. That argument didnt work in Masterpiece Cakeshop, but we will surely see it again. Thats a dangerous place to be.

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Advocacy for religious exemptions keeps moral objections to LGBT people in the public discourse. The promise of equality is fragile if state legislatures grant businesses a right to, in essence, post signs in their shop windows saying Wedding Cakes for Heterosexuals Only, or No Transgender People Need Apply. That, after all, would be a consequence of a legislative exemption. Those sorts of messages, and even the discourse around them, shame us all. As Justice Anthony Kennedy said, such signs would impose a serious stigma on gay people.

Today, even more than last week, those of us working for LGBT equality should stand firm against any compromise involving exemptions. On Monday, seven justices embraced the notion that exemptions can result in community-wide stigma inconsistent with the history of and dynamics of civil rights laws that ensure equal access to goods, services, and public accommodations. Surely legislators can recognize that as well.

Pamela S. Karlan, a Stanford law professor and occasional Slate contributor, once said, Gays have come out of the closet and women whove had abortions have gone into the closet. Exemptionswhich are nothing other than government-sanctioned discriminationinvite us all back in.Last weekend, the New York Times published a long letter that was sent by President Donald Trumps lawyers to special counsel Robert Mueller in January. The letter argued that Trump shouldnt have to give an interview to Muellers investigators, in part because the president is entitled to pardon anyone, fire anyone, or shut down any investigation for any reason. But beneath these imperial claims, the letter inadvertently substantiates much of the case against Trump. Here are the key points, in chronological order.

1. The White House investigation of Michael Flynn

During the transition, Flynn, then the incoming national security adviser, secretly talked to Russias ambassador about easing sanctions. When questioned by the White House and the FBI, he denied having done so. Within seventeen days of first being advised by [Justice Department] leadership of Flynns deception, says the January 2018 letter, Trump took decisive action and ensured swift justice by demanding Flynns resignation.

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But the letter tells a different story. White House counsel Don McGahn briefed Trump about DOJs warning on Jan. 26, 2017. Then, after a follow-up meeting on Jan. 27, theres an unexplained two-week gap. The letter cites no further action by the White House until Feb. 8, when thenChief of Staff Reince Priebus, in a meeting with Flynn, McGahn, and McGahns deputy counsel, questioned Flynn about his phone calls with the ambassador.

Why did Priebus and McGahn snap into action on Feb. 8? Maybe because thats the day the Washington Post, tipped off by reports from U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies that routinely monitor the communications of Russian diplomats, contacted Flynn to press him about the calls. Vice President Mike Pences aides later claimed that Pence didnt learn of Flynns deception until the Post published its story on Feb. 9. So its likely that when the Post began making inquiries for that article on Feb. 8, thats what moved Priebus and McGahn to action. The letter offers no other explanation.

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This chronology suggests that Trump and his aides had no intention of acting on DOJs private warning. It was the press that forced their hand. Even after Priebus and McGahn advised Trump on Feb. 10 to remove Flynn, the letter cites no action until three days later, when the Post again forced Trumps hand by reporting that DOJ had warned the White House about Flynn on Jan. 26. This supports previous reporting that Trump resisted firing Flynn, despite the Feb. 10 advice. Trump dragged his heels against justice and national security the whole way.

2. The Feb. 14, 2017 meeting with James Comey

On Feb. 14, 2017, hours after Flynn resigned, Trump asked other officials to leave the Oval Office so he could be alone with thenFBI Director Comey. After the meeting, Comey wrote in a memo that during their encounter, Trump said of Flynn: He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go. In June 2017after Trump fired Comey and Comeys account was made publicTrumps lawyer at the time, Marc Kasowitz, insisted that Trump never in form or substance directed or suggested that Mr. Comey stop investigating anyone.

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In the January 2018 letter, that claim of innocence has narrowed. The letter denies only that the President said these words to Mr. Comey. It allows for the possibility that Comeys account is close to verbatim, essentially conceding that Trump used the word hope. Comey may or may not have misunderstood, misinterpreted or misremembered the Presidents alleged comments, says the letter. Even if Trump made a comment to Mr. Comey that Mr. Comey claimed to be a direction, says the letter, Trump had every right to express his view of the case. So the gist of the conversation no longer seems to be in much dispute.

3. Trumps state of mind

The letter argues that when Trump spoke to Comey on Feb. 14, the president couldnt have meant to obstruct an investigation of Flynn, because for all intents, purposes, and appearances, the FBI had accepted Flynns account [and] concluded that he was confused but truthful. But all of the testimony and news reports cited in the letter as evidence for this claim are dated Feb. 17 or later. If Trumps lawyers had managed to find preFeb. 14 evidence, they would have included it. The letter also concedes that in response to a direct question by McGahn on Jan. 27, DOJ had refused to confirm or deny that it was investigating Flynn. So there was no basis on Feb. 14 to think that the investigation of Flynn was over. Which is why Trump said what he said to Comey.

4. Rod Rosensteins role in the Comey firing

Trump fired Comey on May 9, 2017. The letter claims that Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein helped to edit Mr. Comeys termination letter and actively advised the President accordingly. Previously, the Times has reported that McGahn edited the termination letter and that Rosenstein received a copy of it. But the January document from Trumps attorneys is the first to claim that Rosenstein edited the termination letter.

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This is significant because the original termination letter, as described to reporters, was four pages long, single-spaced, and emotional and critical with an angry, meandering tone. It included complaints about the investigation of Hillary Clintons emailspresumably, given Trumps record, it accused Comey of going easy on herand about Comeys unwillingness to tell the public that Trump wasnt under investigation in the Russia matter. Nearly all of this was removed from the published letter. So the editing process, arguably, was a cover-up of Trumps corrupt intent in firing Comey. If Rosenstein was involved, that could implicate him in obstruction of justice.

5. The May 10, 2017 meeting with Russian officials

The letter makes much ado about Trumps interview with NBCs Lester Holt on May 11, 2017. It argues, correctly, that in this interview, Trump didnt say he had fired Comey because of the Russia investigation. But the letter offers no such defense of Trumps reported comments to Russias ambassador and its foreign minister in a private Oval Office meeting on May 10, 2017. The Times, quoting an official White House document, reported that during this meeting Trump told the Russians: I just fired the head of the FBI. He was crazy, a real nut job.  I faced great pressure because of Russia. Thats taken off.

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The letter doesnt even try to rebut this account. It simply claims that if Trump said such things, theyre irrelevant to the constitutional analysis and do not establish that the termination was because of the Russia investigation. If Trumps lawyers could dispute the quotes, they would. Their decision not to do so signals that White House documents substantiate the quotes as published. As evidence of Trumps corrupt intent, those remarks made directly and privately to the Russian government are far more damning than the Holt interview.

6. The Trump Tower statement

In July 2017, the Times learned that a year earlier, during the presidential campaign, Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort had met secretly with Russian emissaries at Trump Tower. When the Times asked Trump Jr. about the meeting, he issued a statement claiming that it was simply about adoptions. Then the Times learned that Trump Jr. had set up the meeting based on an email that literally offered to provide the Trump campaign with some official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary as part of Russia and its governments support for Mr. Trump.

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At the time, President Trumps lawyers repeatedly denied that he played any role in his sons misleading statement. But in their January letter, they admit that notes, communications and testimony show Trump himself dictated the statement. This was a cover-up of attempted collusion with the Russian governmentand the president orchestrated it.

For more than a year, weve awaited answers to big questions in the Russia investigation. Who participated in the Trump Tower cover-up? What happened in the White House after Trump was warned about Flynn? What did Trump tell Comey when they met alone? What did Trump tell the Russians? The letter from Trumps lawyers, informed by internal documents, reveals what they can dispute and what they cant. It tells us hes guilty.I spent last week at an international human rights conference, a sobering experience, but alsofor those of us who live in democratic countriesa somewhat reassuring one. For all the inequality in Americas economy and injustice in our political system, as well as valid recent concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law in the U.S., hearing the stories of activists and dissidents from countries like China, Belarus, Vietnam, or Togo is an important reminder that this is still a country where the media is free to criticize the president without fear of imprisonment and where citizens will have the opportunity to vote out their representatives in November. These are rights most of the worlds population does not enjoy.

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On the other hand, a trio of striking statements from international human rights observers in the past few days makes for grim reading, discussing ongoing U.S. policies at home and abroad using terms and language often reserved for tin-pot dictatorships.

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A report from Philip Alston, the U.N. special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, following an observation mission to the United States, argues that the persistence of extreme poverty is a political choice made by those in power,, pointing in particular at the 2017 tax cuts and Trump administration policies that constitute what he calls a radical programme of financial, environmental, health and safety deregulation that eliminates protections mainly benefiting the middle classes and the poor.

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As a result of deliberate U.S. policies put in place long before these, he notes, citizens live shorter and sicker lives compared to those living in all other rich democracies, eradicable tropical diseases are increasingly prevalent, and it has the worlds highest incarceration rate, one of the lowest levels of voter registrations  among OECD countries and the highest obesity levels in the developed world. He also argues that U.S. policies have effectively criminalized extreme poverty and that [i]n many cities and counties, the criminal justice system is effectively a system for keeping the poor in poverty.

Income inequality is not normally framed in the United States as a human rights issue, which Alston argues is exactly the problem, writing, In practice, the United States is alone among developed countries in insisting that, while human rights are of fundamental importance, they do not include rights that guard against dying of hunger, dying from a lack of access to affordable health care or growing up in a context of total deprivation.

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Turning from domestic to foreign policy, a new Amnesty International report on civilian casualties in last years U.S.-led military operation to oust ISIS from the city of Raqqa, Syria, is similarly bleak. For all the talk of the global coalition fighting the Islamic State, the report notes that US forces fired 100% of the artillery into Raqqa and carried out over 90% of the air strikes, and the field research and interviews with residents suggest that those ordering these strikes failed to take all feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians, and, in some instances, appear to have launched strikes which were likely to cause excessive civilian harm or which failed to distinguish between military targets and civilians. This failure would likely constitute a war crime under international law. As in previous reports on the battle, Amnesty faults ISIS for deliberately trapping civilians in areas where it was operating and making it difficult for the coalition to distinguish between them and the fighters holding them captive, but also argues that U.S. tactics were still disproportionate and unjustifiable.

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The report reads:

In all the cases detailed in this report, Coalition forces launched air strikes on buildings full of civilians using wide-area effect munitions, which could be expected to destroy the buildings. In all four cases, the civilians killed and injured in the attacks, including many women and children, had been staying in the buildings for long periods prior to the strikes. Had Coalition forces conducted rigorous surveillance prior to the strikes, they would have been aware of their presence. Amnesty International found no information indicating that IS fighters were present in the buildings when they were hit and survivors and witnesses to these strikes were not aware of IS fighters in the vicinity of the houses at the time of the strikes. Even had IS fighters been present, it would not have justified the targeting of these civilian dwellings with munitions expected to cause such extensive destruction.

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U.S. officials have argued that the high civilian casualty numbers from the coalitions anti-ISIS airstrikes are the regrettable but inevitable consequence of what Secretary of Defense James Mattis has called the war of annihilation against ISIS. The decimation of ISIS-held territory has been held up by the administration as one of Trumps signature accomplishments so far. In the case of Raqqa, this argument is undercut by reports that the coalition allowed a deal allowing ISIS fighters and their families to escape parts of the city before civilians did.

Finally, responding to more recent events, the U.N. High Commissioner on Human Rights released a statement today expressing concern about the practice of separating children from people caught entering the country illegally. The statement calls the practice a serious violation of the rights of the child, noting that the use of immigration detention and family separation as a deterrent runs counter to human rights standards and principles. The childs best interest should always come first, including over migration management objectives or other administrative concerns. The Economist noted this week that separating children from their parents is something done by few if any other rich countries. Even Australia, which has been rightly faulted for detaining asylum-seekers in miserable conditions on remote islands, keeps families together.

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The U.N. statement also notes that the U.S. is now the only U.N. member state that has not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Childa stance driven by concerns that it would undermine national and family sovereignty.

Critics of U.S. foreign policy, as well as defenders of autocratic regimes, often trot out facts like these in the name of facile whataboutism, suggesting that the U.S.

has no right to criticize human rights practices in places like Iran, Russia, or Venezuela until it gets its own house in order. Conversely, defenders of U.S. policies often dismiss this kind of criticism by arguing that many governments are far worse and that the U.N.s membership includes brutal automatic regimes, sometimes in regrettable roles (the recent ascension of Syria to lead the U.N. Conference on Disarmament was a particularly laughable example).

This kind of hypocrisy policing misses the point. The U.S. should absolutely be part of global efforts to hold autocratic regimes accountable and promote human right more broadly, including in its own practices at home and abroad. Unfortunately, the trend has been moving in the opposite direction.A version of this piece first appeared on the blog Impeachable Offenses.



The New York Times has published over the weekend a lengthy letter dated Jan. 29 from John Dowd, then head of Donald Trumps legal team, to special counsel Robert Mueller contending that the president could successfully assert executive privilege and refuse to testify, even if subpoenaed.

The Dowd letter doesnt quite say that Trump will invoke executive privilege. It merely argues that he would have solid grounds for doing so and thus, by implication, warns the special counsel not to put the question to the test. Remarkably, the letter is so poorly executed that it ends up demonstrating exactly why such a subpoena is enforceable under existing law.



Courts have recognized that presidents need a zone of confidentiality within which they can receive and discuss information and recommendations from their advisers. To protect that zone, several privileges (often lumped together under the term executive privilege) have emerged. One of these covers communications to the president from his advisers and also communications among the advisers about matters on which they will advise the president.

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Unlike many other privileges with which the public is familiar, such as the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, the presidential communications privilege is not absolute. If a criminal suspect claims his right against self-incrimination, he cannot be compelled to talk (at least without granting him immunity from prosecution), no matter how useful his testimony might be. By contrast, even if a president can show that subpoenaed materials are covered by the presidential communications privilege, the court will order them produced anyway if the prosecution (or a civil litigant) can make a sufficient showing of relevance and need.

The Espy case, on which the Dowd letter places great reliance, sets out the standard for relevance and need:

[I]n order to overcome a claim of presidential privilege raised against a grand jury subpoena, it is necessary to specifically demonstrate why it is likely that evidence contained in presidential communications is important to the ongoing grand jury investigation and why this evidence is not available from another source.

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The Dowd letter makes three interlocking claims: (a) implicitly that Trumps own testimony is covered by the presidential communications privilege; (b) that Trump did not, indeed legally cannot, commit obstruction of justice and therefore the grand jury has no legitimate need for his testimony; and (c) that, even if there were a need, the White House has already provided so much information from sources other than the presidents own mouth that his testimony would be superfluous.

What this rigmarole really demonstrates is how crucial Trumps testimony is to the inquiry.

The problem with this argument is that not all advice and not all presidential decisions fall within executive privilege. It exists in order to maintain the confidentiality necessary to the sound exercise of the presidents legitimate powers. However, if a president does illegitimate things, that is things he has no power to do or things that violate the criminal law, then the fact that he is the president does not immunize him or his advisers from disclosure of either the advice or his personal rationale for choosing to do wrong. Richard Nixon was legally required to comply with a subpoena seeking White House tapes that recorded him receiving advice and giving orders that amounted to criminal conduct during Watergate.

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Further, Dowds argument that there was no obstruction and therefore no need for a Trump interview has two threads. The first, and the one that has drawn immediate outraged responses, is the by-now familiar claim by Trumps acolytes that a president cannot commit obstruction of justice by firing or giving instructions to executive branch law enforcement officials. The argument takes the noncontroversial truth that a president has wide Article II powers to hire and fire executive branch subordinates and considerable discretionary authority to supervise their work and distorts it into an absurd absolute. This extreme application of the so-called unitary executive theory has been given thorough scholarly debunkings elsewhere.

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But one scarcely needs to be a scholar to discern its absurdity. If a president can never commit a crime by ordering his subordinates not to investigate or prosecute, regardless of how self-serving or corrupt the presidents motive, then a president can effectively exempt both himself and anyone he favors from the constraints of law. Trumps legal team recently made this claim of absolute power explicit, with Rudy Giuliani saying that Trump could assassinate James Comey but could only be brought to book if impeached. Anglo-American jurisprudence abandoned this notionwhat the English called the royal prerogativefour centuries ago during the reign of King Charles I. The Framers did not revive this relic of absolutist monarchies in the U.S. Constitution.

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The second prong of Dowds obstruction argument is less shockingly authoritarian but ultimately no less wrong. Essentially, he goes through various incidents possibly indicative of obstructionTrumps alleged remark to James Comey about letting Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn go, the Comey firing, and othersand tries to show that no obstruction occurred and therefore there can be no need for Trump to testify about them. The argument has two gaping holes.

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The first was noted in the original Times report: Incredibly, Dowd based his entire exposition on the wrong obstruction statute.

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There are a number of federal obstruction of justice statutes. The three most important are 18 U.S Code Sections 1503, 1505, and 1512. The Dowd letter says, The only statute that could even theoretically be implicated on the alleged facts is 18 U.S.C.  1505. This is not only wrong, but laughably wrong. Sections 1503 and 1512 between them cover proceedings before judges, grand juries, Congress, and executive agencies, while 1505 is directed primarily at obstruction of proceedings before federal regulatory agencies. No prosecutor faced with allegations of obstruction of a federal grand jury investigation would ever use Section 1505.

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Not only do Sections 1503 and 1512 fit the facts of this case far better than 1505, but Section 1512 is phrased to eliminate the technical issues raised in the Dowd letter, such as whether there was a pending proceeding at the time of Trumps allegedly obstructive behavior and, if so, whether he was aware of its pendency. Section 1512(f) specifically provides that in 1512 prosecutions an official proceeding need not be pending or about to be instituted at the time of the offense. In short, under Section 1512(c), all the government must prove is that the defendant corruptly attempted to obstruct, influence, or impede some official proceeding (a term that includes grand jury investigations) that is either underway or that might reasonably be anticipated.

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Dowds choice to claim 1505 as the only applicable obstruction statute is inexplicable. It can only have drawn incredulity mixed with contempt from Muellers team. And it casts everything else in the Dowd letter into doubt.

The remainder of the letter fulfills this low promise. The primary obstacle to proving that Trump violated 18 U.S Code 1512 is not proving that he has acted in ways that tend to obstruct, influence, or impede investigation of his affairs. He plainly has. His Twitter feed is now devoted obsessively to that project. (Which may be why the Dowd letter relies so heavily on the specious claim that a president can never obstruct justice.) The real legal challenge for a prosecutor is proving that the president acted corruptly, which is to say with an improper purpose. In other words, the one issue on which Mueller is in the most need of evidence is Trumps state of mind.

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Yet most of the factual discussion in the Dowd letter amounts to arguments that Trump acted with proper, rather than corrupt motives. Sometimes the letter argues that the evidence already in Muellers hands should be read as demonstrating that Trumps motives were pure. And sometimes, particularly with respect to former FBI Director Comeys allegations about Trumps private statements to him, the letter just denies that any such statements were made.

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But, of course, what this rigmarole really demonstrates is how crucial Trumps testimony is to the obstruction inquiry. Only two people know what Trump said to Comey. Mueller has Comeys evidence, presented repeatedly under penalty of perjury, memorialized in contemporaneous memos, and reportedly contemporaneously shared with other officials at the FBI. Whats missing is Trumps version of events. Likewise, even if other evidence on the point is equivocal, one person knows for certain whether Trumps motives in impeding the Russia investigation are legitimate or corrupt. Trump himself.

In short, the Dowd letter actually achieves exactly the reverse of its stated purpose. It shows precisely why Mueller needs Trumps testimony and why no other kind of evidence is a reasonable substitute. And it therefore makes the best possible case for enforcing a subpoena to the president.Kate Spades apparent suicide on Tuesday is a tragic reminder that mental health problems do not discriminatethey can plague anyone, no matter how successful they seem. As people grieve today, many are also sharing critical hotlines and resources for people struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts. The New York Times included the phone number for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in its news story announcing Spades death, along with a link pointing toward additional resources.

These support systems are under perpetual attack in America, where were still somehow debating whether all insurers should have to cover such care.

Hotlines are a critical tool in suicide prevention. Ive volunteered for one for three years precisely because of the role they can play in saving lives. Im relieved and heartened to see so many people sharing this type of resource. Doing so increases the likelihood that more people who need this sort of support will realize it exists and may subtly help break down the stigma against asking for help.

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But a crisis hotline is just one part of the support system that ought to exist for anyone dealing with mental health issues. A suicide hotline is there in the moment, and the volunteers who are triaging the calls (with oversight from trained mental health professionals) are working their hardest to mitigate immediate harm and to direct people calling in toward longer-term solutions and plans. That second part of that triaging requires the existence of longer-term support systems to which to refer people.

These support systems are under perpetual attack in America, where were still somehow debating whether all insurers should have to cover such care. As June Gruber and Darby Saxbe wrote in Slate in February, we have made remarkable progress in developing research-backed psychological interventions that work to treat chronic and serious mental illnesses, ranging from depression and anxiety to substance abuse and psychosis. The bad news is that only a small fraction of people who need these services actually receive them.

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Gruber and Saxbe went on to explain:

Why is it so hard to get effective treatments to the public? One reason is that mental health treatments remain largely unaffordable to many, especially those from lower socio-economic or disadvantaged groups. Mental health parity laws, which mandate insurer reimbursement for mental health treatment, have been in place for more than a decadebut enforcement of these laws can be stymied by, among other things, a lack of treatment providers. In 2016, Congress passed the 21st Century Cures Act, which includes a number of mental health parity provisions, but budget delays have slowed the distribution of funds, and funding for some programssuch as a community mental health block granthave already been cut. Recent cuts to Medicaid may worsen the problem; an estimated 40 percent of recipients of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, for example, have mental health issues. Changes to the ACA have also allowed insurance policies free of essential health benefits to again be sold, creating concerns that the mentally ill would return to using emergency rooms for basic mental health treatment.

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Not only do we not properly fund insurance coverage for this kind of care, but we dont properly fund research into the most effective means of care. As Gruber and Saxbe also note, the National Institute of Mental Healths funding has been flat for the past decade and a half. All of this sums up to a situation in which mental health care is difficult to access, probably for most Americans, and certainly for Americans who dont have exceptional health insurance. (Its also worth noting that mere access to mental health care services is not a guarantee of survival, merely a medical service that our country should provide to all citizens.)

When it comes to talking about mental health care, particularly after a public figures suicide, its understandable that the impulse is to share the most immediate and available resource. Thats probably the right thing to do. But among the glut of tweets encouraging people to do so, two stood out, one from Ivanka Trump, not just the daughter of the president but an adviser to him, and one from Nikki Haley, ambassador to the United Nations:

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Kate Spades tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know anothers pain or the burden they carry. If you are struggling with depression and contemplating suicide, please, please seek help. https://t.co/eruSexNoGj  Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 5, 2018

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The passing of Kate Spade is a stark reminder that we never know the struggles of a person regardless of their outward persona. If you or anyone you love is struggling, there is help. You dont have to be alone.

The Natl Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255 #RIPKateSpade  Archive: Ambassador Nikki Haley (@AmbNikkiHaley) June 5, 2018

It is true that mental health problems do not discriminate. Unfortunately, in America, access to the tools that might help individuals cope with these problems still depends on your wealth and your access to insurance, as well as less tangible things such as your ability to cut through stigma or your willingness to access support. I hope that both of these public servants realize that part of their job is to go beyond offering short-term support, and to figure out how to offer more equitable and effective support for people living with mental illness.Business Insider reported Tuesday about an internal memo that Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sent to employees in May outlining a new policy to make meetings more efficient. It reads, in part, You may hear me say in meetings [insert name] has the D here. This is about being clear on who is the decision maker; Id encourage you to do the same.

Khosrowshahi was reportedly unaware of the sexual innuendos associated with the phrase the D and was instead focused on reducing bureaucracy creep and ensuring that meetings with many different teams and leaders are not hamstrung by questions over the companys hierarchy. He wrote, While our scale and scope are unrivaled, they come at a potential cost: increased bureaucracy, slower decision making, less accountability, and too many people in too many meetings where its unclear who the decision makers are.

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This terminology apparently comes from a 2006 Harvard Business Review article entitled Who Has the D?: How Clear Decision Roles Enhance Organizational Performance. The authors are partners at Bain & Company, a consulting company that Uber hired to improve its organizational management, according to Business Insider.

The article explains how a global auto manufacturer was missing its production milestones because there was a lack of clarity about who has the D. It also lays out how a department store chain in the UK was inefficiently stocking merchandise until the buyers were given the D. This particular case study, the authors argue, illustrates that when it comes down to a struggle between two functions, there may be good reasons to locate the D in either place.

An Uber spokesman told Business Insider, As you may have read, Uber is now run by your dadso, no, that interpretation was lost on [Khosrowshahi], but he appreciates Business Insider pointing it out.Robert Gilpin, R.I.P. - The Washington Post : His greatest book was written in 1981, but the main theory in it is perhaps more trenchant now...The hungry valleys get investor

A German automotive supplier wants to invest 33 million in Velky Krtis.

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The German company SAM Automotive plans to create a total of 805 jobs on the former premises of lorry manufacturer LIAZ in Velky Krtis (Banska Bystrica Region). Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer) announced the investment after an away-from-home cabinet session last week.

Velky Krtis is one of regions suffering from high unemployment rates and is often called the Hungry Valleys. In April, its unemployment, calculated from all jobseekers, was 10.35 percent, based on data from the Labour, Central Office of Social Affairs and Family (UPSVaR).

What is immensely good is that out of those 805 jobs, roughly 600 will be blue-collar and 205 posts will be more skilled as well as better paid because therell also be some laboratories and research and development, said Pellegrini, as cited by the TASR newswire.

He specified that overall it will be highly sophisticated production with high added value.

They are not a standard manufacturer of cable harnesses, said Pellegrini. The manufacturers products include vehicle roof racks and chrome trims for vehicle windows.

As long as it obtains all building permits, production in Velky Krtis could be launched in September.

The total investment should reach about 33 million, with the investor seeking investment aid from the state.

The support per job would be only 11,000, which is one of the lowest sums within Slovakias average and previously approved investment aid, said Pellegrini, adding that there should not be any problem with approving such assistance.

5. Jun 2018 at 1:04 | Compiled by Spectator staffHalf of the money from stolen Technopol went to Kocners account

After shares were stolen from the company, strangers appropriated the company.

#allforjan / An international investigative team continues the unfinished work of the murdered journalist Jan Kuciak. The editorial rooms participating in the project are Aktuality.sk, the Sme, Dennik N, Novy Cas, Hospodarske Noviny, Postoj dailies, the Trend weekly, Markiza TV, JOJ TV, Fair-Play Alliance, the Czech Radio, Blick (Switzerland), Onet (Poland), and Die Welt (Germany). The article about the payment of Marian Kocner was prepared by Trend and Sme.

Last year, the murdered reporter Jan Kuciak pointed out that the property of the famous Bratislava-based company Technopol, worth 20 million, ended up in the hands of people close to businessman Marian Kocner under suspicious circumstances.

Now, the Trend weekly and the Sme daily found out that shortly after the hostile takeover, Technopol paid half a million euros to Kocners personal account. The case has been investigated by police for some time, and several people have been accused.

Kuciak wrote that the hostile takeover of the firm Technopol Servis took place between December 2 and 8, 2016.

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Read also: Tycoon Marian Kocner threatens Sme journalist Read more

Its self-proclaimed owners then twice transferred the building of Technopol in Bratislavas borough of Petrzalka to other companies. The building contains offices, a restaurant and a congress centre, as well as other firms real estates.

After the scandal surfaced, Kocner told the Pravda daily that connecting him to Technopol is schizoid fantasizing.

However, in Technopols accounting system, the payment from December 7, 2016 is recorded. When the firm was seized by people connected to Kocner, Technopol Servis paid 500,000 to his personal account in Tatra banka, according to Trend and Sme findings.

The businessman did not say what this payment was about as of Thursday, May 31. Daniel Lipsic can best explain to you what the payment was, he reacted for Trend, without further explaination. Lipsoc, a former interior and justice minister, is currently a lawyer, and in the Technopol case, he represents the aggrieved party, in whose name he has also filed several lawsuits.

Appropriation of shares

Businessman Pavel Pavek led the Technopol Servis company for several years while his wife Denisa sat on the company board. After marital disputes, she used her position in 2016 to appropriate Technopols shares. Behind the backs of shareholders and managers, including her husband, she started transferring the property from the company. Banks discovered this, and blocked several of the transfers. Later, police charged Pavkova with stealing the shares.

On Friday, December 2, 2016, an extraordinary general assembly of Technopol Servis took place but Pavek, as legitimate head of the firm, did not know about it. Businessman Jozef Ducak Jr. arrived to the assembly with shares appropriated previously by Pavkova.

Connections

For understanding the connections around Marian Kocner, it is crucial to learn about the companies and their owners who got hold of Technopols property.

Jozef Ducak Jr. is the son of Jozef Ducak Sr, who  together with Kocner  represented the US shell firm Westminster Brothers in the case of an illegal waste dump in Pezinok. At the self-proclaimed general assembly, Ducak Jr. appointed his father to the chair of the Technopol Servis Board. A mere two days after the assembly, Ducak Sr. first transferred the valuable real estate of Technopol to the VertiCom company of lawyer Andrej Sabik who, one day later, sold the buildings to the newly-established LtD. Company Reality Fond, belonging to Peter Horvath.

All of them are connected with Kocner who did business with Peter Horvath in the 1990s. Lawyer Sabik sits, among other positions, on the supervisory board of the Forum Group company whose shares are half-owned by Kocner.

Ducak Sr. was also co-owner of the KAI company for 10 years which operated the Zlaty Klucik Hotel in Nitra, financed by Norbert Bodor. This March, journalists took photos in front of the hotel of a car used by Kocner.

Zlaty Klucik is popular among members of the (ruling) Smer party. Norbert Bodor is son of Miroslav Bodor, owner of the SBS Bonul security company that receives public orders from Smer governments, and Smer chairman Robert Fico holds speeches at its Christmas parties.

He also threatened Kuciak due to Technopol

And finally, Kocner is connected with Pavkova, too: he bought the house in Bernolakovo from her which led to a court dispute.

When the murdered journalist Kuciak talked about this case with Kocner, the latter allegedly threatened him with public disaccreditation. I bought a house which was for sale on the internet. It was on offer  what makes this a crime? he reacted to the information on Pavkovas house.

After a Sme reporter contacted him to ask about Technopol, Kocner informed him via email he plans to publish private family and health information about him.

5. Jun 2018 at 11:10 | Adam Valcek, Zuzana PetkovaMurder of Jan and Martina did not wake them up, and we do not know if the killing of Henry will

In Slovakia, we have not managed to build our collective feeling of national pride on positive emotions.

The author is the director of the Human Rights League

In this country, we have been persuading ourselves that the fearmongering of politicians about immigrants was nothing but talk, acceptable in the political fight and not provoking hate in people, until someone kicked a young man from the Philippines to death in the centre of the capital.

For years we have tolerated hate against the LGBTI minority, spread under the pretence of protecting the cultural and religious identity of the inhabitants, until someone beat two young men in the centre of Trencin because they were holding hands.

And we shall not forget the recent shooting of Roma children in Poprad's borough of Matejovce, which went almost unnoticed.

All this despite the fact that in 2016, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, and subsequently also the UN Human Rights Committee warned us about the continued hateful rhetoric against foreigners, Roma and the LGBTI minority, including on the side of politicians. Both committees demanded in their country reports that we ban any defending of national, racial, or religious hate that incite discrimination and violence.

But not many positive things have happened since then. Fascists and religious fanatics have become part of the political mainstream. The hoax about the alleged Marrakesh declaration has resonated on the Slovak internet so strongly that in the end it prompted even the prime minister to make a video about it on the social network.

We clearly have a serious problem in this country. So far we have not managed to build our collective feeling of national pride on positive emotions, because many political and religious elites have promoted prejudice and hate.

Besides, we are also facing another serious crisis - a crisis of trust. Research shows that people in Slovakia have the lowest trust in institutions, politicians, and the media, while trust keeps decreasing.

But it its the feeling of trust that holds together not just relationships, but collectives and communities. When people do not trust the state and its institutions, when "help and protect" is considered a joke and when media-spread conspiracy theories have a greater impact on public opinion than the website of the police, we should not be surprised that aggressiveness and hate are on the rise.

The leaders at the helm of the country fail to convince us with their deeds that they are aware of this connection. The murder of Jan and Martina did not awake them, and we do not know if the killing of Henry will. But those of us who care about this country must not wait for another tragedy.

5. Jun 2018 at 14:22 | Zuzana StevulovaKuciaks colleague has received her seized mobile back from police

Although investigators seized the mobile of Czech journalist Pavla Holcova on May 15, the prosecutors office has still not explained some questionable details.

Jana Holcova at the T.G. Masaryk University in Brno (Source: Courtesy of inflow.cz/Daniela Riedlova)

The National Criminal Agency (NAKA) has returned the seized mobile phone to Czech reporter Pavla Holcova of the Czech Centre for Investigative Journalism, the Sme daily wrote.

Holcova informed about the return herself on social networks.

My Slovak lawyer took over the envelope with my mobile, she wrote on Facebook. Thank everyone for their support  it would not have been possible without you.

Read also:

Read also: Last Week in Slovakia: Police seized Kuciak's colleague's phone Read more

As of June 4, it is not clear whether police copied data from the phone. NAKA took the mobile from Holcova May 15, after an 8-hour interrogation. Then, the journalist arrived in Slovakia to testify voluntarily, to help solve the murder of her colleague from the centre, Jan Kuciak.

The order to copy her data came from a prosecutor who is not even involved in investigating Kuciaks murder  and the overseeing prosecutor has not explained until now why he did so. Nor did he say why he demanded data from Holcovas mobile from January 1, 2016, i.e. more than two years ago.

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Read also: Washington Post reporter outraged that journalists phone was seized by Slovak police Read more

Moreover, police just had instructions to copy the data saved, and lacked the order to download data via mobile from email boxes, for example, or other communication apps.

The Association of Press Publishers and international journalistic organisations strongly criticised the seizing of the mobile phone.

5. Jun 2018 at 13:41 | Compiled by Spectator staffTwo youths beaten in Trencin due to sexual orientation

Initiative Inakost calls on prime minister, politicians to improve the social and legal situation of LGBTI people, pointing out that foreign LGBTI couples have more rights than Slovak ones.

Two homosexual secondary-school students were insulted, followed and beaten by around 10 men outside the Stejdz club. The reason was most probably their sexual orientation, the regional newspaper MY Trencin wrote on June 3.

The boys, who are a couple, were in the Stejdz club in the city of Trencin when a group of about 10 men started harassing them.

First, they started shoving my friend and shouted vulgar homophobic taunts, one of the victims told the Aktuality.sk website. We went inside, since there is a security guard there. After some time we hoped they had left and so we went away, too. However, they were waiting for us outside the premises and started chasing us. We received several punches.

The aggressors allegedly followed them across the park to a bus station where they caught and beat them. A female taxi driver who drove the boys to the neighbouring town saved them.

The boys suffered chin injuries and bruises. They did not call police, since they did not think of that at all.

The Stejdz club expressed resentment and sent a message that aggressive and intolerant people are not welcomed. But it added on social network that the security service can only check the club and the adjacent premises but not the goings-on nearby.

LGBTI initiative calls on politicians, media

The case of the young couple attacked only because they were holding hands is not unusual, Martin Macko of the Initiative Inakost (Otherness) wrote in an open letter, addressed to Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, other politicians and the media. According to a nationwide LGBTI poll, half of these people have already experienced verbal or physical attacks  and this number is expected to rise, with the growing visibility and openness of the LGBTI community.

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Hate crimes divide society, Macko wrote, adding that they should be especially condemned, to prevent one group of inhabitants from feeling bullied as a whole, and its members from living in constant fear.

Prejudices against population groups can lead to fears of crime, the inability to participate in common social activities, through threatening mental health to self-help when people take the initiative into their hands from passive state authorities.

Police evoke mistrust instead

It is the duty of each democratic politician to publicly condemn such crimes, and to participate in stopping the spread of hatred against minorities, Macko wrote in the open letter. LGBTI people currently have extremely low trust in the police; only 3.7 percent of those who have experienced attacks just due to being part of the LGBTI community reported the attacks. Thus, a crucial task of the new police leadership should be renewing the trust of the public, especially minorities, in its operation. We are ready to help the police, with our experience and expertise.

Macko added that thanks to the Slovak candidacy for hosting the European Drug Agency, they have learned that foreign same-sex couples have more rights than Slovak ones  which is a poor sign regarding the domestic LGBTI community.

5. Jun 2018 at 13:52 | Compiled by Spectator staffBus line 901 to Hainburg will stop operating

Original license of the Bratislava public transport company has expired, now waiting for its renewal.

The cross-border bus line 901 from Bratislava to Hainburg will cease operating from June 11.

People who commute to Bratislava by bus from the nearby village of Wolfstahl and the town of Hainburg, or travel to the border region of Austria will have to change their way of travel from that Monday, the Sme daily wrote on June 3.

When it will be renewed?

The line operator, Dopravny Podnik Bratislava (DPB) public transport company, failed to extend the license for its operation  originally for five years.

We have applied for a new license, and are waiting for it to be granted, DPB spokesperson Adriana Volfova told Sme, without specifying the dates. It is not clear at all when the 901 line could be renewed.

First, the Austrian and then Slovak authorities must approve the permission. The Slovak Transport Ministry will then decide for how long the new license will be issued.

The standard pre-paid ticket cannot be used on this line. Instead a special fare of 1.50 for a single ticket and 2.90 for a return ticket is charged, Sme wrote.

Slovak Lines to replace it

Line No. 901 from beneath SNP Bridge once an hour will be replaced by Slovak Lines Express buses riding through Hainburg to Vienna.

The route to Hainburg is about 16 kilometres, and more than 6,000 people live in the town; from those, around one-fifth are Slovaks who often work in Bratislava and commute on a daily basis. Currently, regular Slovak Lines buses can be used on this route.

Line No. 901 was first introduced in 2008, originally to Wolfsthal; from March 2009, DPB extended the route to Hainburg.

5. Jun 2018 at 14:07 | Compiled by Spectator staffTourists will not be able to visit the manor house in Dolna Krupa

The recent events at the Dolna Krupa manor house were the last for two years; this autumn, its renovation will close its doors except for the possibility of outdoor events.

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More information about travelling in Slovakia

Please see our Please see our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide

The Feast of Roses, which lured hundreds to the manor house in Dolna Krupa (Trnava Region), was the last event for the next two years. The building is being prepared for moving exhibitions, because extensive renovation is planned from autumn 2018, to last until 2020. By then many new features, including a new exhibition, will attract visitors, the TASR newswire wrote on June 4.

The renovation is part of the Treasures of Central Europe Culture, Nature, Music project of the cross-border Interreg Austria-Slovakia programme. The main partners are the Slovak National Museum (SNM), its Historical Museum and Music Museum, which operates the manor house in Dolna Krupa, and the Austrian village of Marchegg and the Ethnography Museum of Vienna.

Why the renovation?

The core part of the project is the joint Treasures of Central Europe exhibition, which will first be shown in Austria, and then Dolna Krupa. This requires the renovation of the manor house.

One of the gems his museum operates is the historical manor house  which is not in good shape and so he is glad that they have managed to gain resources for at least partial renovation, said Branislav Panism general manager of SNM. He hopes that after 2020 more changes will come that will help the manor house regain the position and importance it once had, when it was visited by many celebrities and personages, including Ludwig van Beethoven, as reported by TASR.

What will be renewed in Dolna Krupa?

The renovation worth 3.1 million will include the replacement of the utility systems, cabling, period doors, the precious roof frame, while also all halls, wooden floors and frescoes found under the plaster during the research will undergo renovation. The manor houses chapel  hidden from visitors for decades and used as office  will be reopened, Edita Bugalova, head of the Music Museum Dolna Krupa, told TASR.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/sRmQLJAwOYA

The open depositories at Bratislava Castle will be built as well.

The last extensive repairs were performed in Dolna Krupa at the beginning of the 1980's, Bugalova noted.

The renovation does not include the vast park of the manor house, which leaves open the possibility of organising several traditional annual events outdoors.

5. Jun 2018 at 14:03 | Compiled by Spectator staffBratislava will celebrate Hungarian culture with a week-long festival

The traditional week offers exhibitions, theatre, music, ballet, gastronomy, a Visegrad Four symposium, and more.

The Week of Hungarian Culture in Bratislava, called More than a Neighbour, was opened on Monday (June 4) with a concert by Janos Balazs and the Cziffra Festival Chamber Orchestra, held in the Slovak Radios building.

The piano virtuoso and a laureate of the Franz Liszt prize opened the fifth annual festival, the TASR newswire wrote.

This continues with a varied programme at several locations in the Slovak capital until Sunday, June 10. It offers fine arts exhibitions (in Z-gallery in Zichy Palace), theatre performances for both children and adults, a fashion show, ballet, a literary symposium, sand painting, an economic business forum, a four-day gastronomic festival and a V4 (Visegrad Four  Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland) symposium.

The importance of good neighbours

Bratislava has become a host of Hungarian culture for the week, the Hungarian Ambassador to Slovakia Tibor Peto said. This year, the festival will coincide with the Hungarian V4 Presidency. The festival brings a wide spectrum of culture, and a major part of its programme will take place in Hviezdoslavovo Square in downtown Bratislava where thousands of spectators can attend. A host of musical events (presenting klezmer, jazz and film music with violin virtuoso Katica Illenyi, and the touchless music instrument theremin) take place on the weekend of June 8-10, both in the capital and outside (in Samorin music club).

The traditional event is co-organised by the Hungarian Cultural Institute in Bratislava, the Bratislava City hall, as well as other Hungarian and Slovak institutions. More information (in Slovak and Hungarian) can be found at the embassy website, pozsony.balassiintezet.hu/sk.

5. Jun 2018 at 21:17 | Compiled by Spectator staffAn old colleague of mine called me the other day, and we hashed out the same discussion we have had many times before. It starts with harvest time nearing, a 1,000-point fall in cotton prices over the last month and a hot cup of coffee on an early morning as the DTN screen blinks in the background. Suddenly a grower says, Why cant we just sell straight to the cotton mills and cut everyone else out? Usually, when that question starts, all you have to do is stand back and watch, because ten minutes later, youll have nearly a dozen riled up cotton farmers fuming in the gin, or insurance, office. So what is the answer to this sometimes toxic question? Why dont cotton producers just sell straight to the cotton mills and cut everyone else out? Its just not that simple. Here are ten reasons why: 1. Weather. So you want to supply cotton mills with cotton? First, mills will need a certain amount of supply on hand to keep their mill running. They will probably even want a contract guaranteeing that timely supply. And, depending on what part of the country you are in and how much it has rained (or not rained) or hailed (or not hailed), your supply can vary greatly. I would hate to have contracted and promised to deliver bales that I, or my new grower-run marketing group, simply dont have. 2. Quality. Say you do have the bales, so quantity is not a problem. Well, what about quality? What if you contracted to deliver bales to a mill that produces primarily fine linens? The mill needs 31-3-36 cotton with no remarks or better, and this year was too hot, or too wet, or you harvested too soon, or too late and all you have is bark-filled cotton with a loan value topping out at 51 cents. Or, maybe the opposite happens  you have perfect cotton, and the mill only wants lower grades.

3. Timing. Mills do not purchase all of their bales to be consumed for the coming year in a one-shot spree during harvest. They may need, for example, something like 5,000 bales per month all year, every year  not 60,000 bales delivered on January 1. And what if their cotton demand changes? The mill that you were delivering 5,000 bales per month to now only wants 3,000 bales per month in their new contract. How quickly can you find another mill with similar quantity/quality specifications that will absorb your new cotton surplus? Conversely, maybe the mill wants 1,000 more bales per month. How quickly can you increase your output by 20 percent, or will you have to go elsewhere to purchase the bales that you must deliver per your contract?

4. Storage. Because of the timing issue, do you have an adequate place to store your cotton while your bales wait to be delivered to the mill? Have you factored in what that storage will cost? Or, do you use a warehouse owned by someone else? If you produce more cotton than the mill needs, are you prepared to store the surplus bales for an indeterminate amount of time, or will you sell the surplus in the open market?

5. Transportation. A great deal of the time, textile mills are not located relatively close to where cotton is produced. Do you know how to get bales to a rail station? Maybe so. But what about the paperwork requirements to get cotton, by rail, to the west coast? Finally, are you capable of following the customs laws and requirements required to ship cotton to China or Turkey or Pakistan?

6. Risk. Clearly, being a cotton supplier to mills involves a lot of risk. What if I dont have enough of the right quality of cotton, and I have to go to the market to make up the difference? I sure hope I didnt contract to supply all of my bales for 75 cents while the market has risen to 90 cents. If I do decide to hedge my price risk, do I use options or futures? Do I have the expertise to manage price risk, quantity risk, timing risk, credit risk, and  if delivering internationally  political risk and possibly exchange rate risk?

7. Capital/Financial Know How. If cotton suppliers hedge with futures contracts, they obviously go short the market to cover their natural long position. Because of this short futures position, there is a risk of margin calls if prices move higher. What if the market locks limit up multiple days in a row and you are unable to get out of your short position? A cotton buyer once told me that when his company hedges this risk, they keep a cushion of capital sitting in the bank of sometimes nearly 50 cents per pound. If you hedge with option spreads and ladder down as prices fall, can you financially absorb only a 75 percent hedge? Do you have the financial know-how and capital to look at a base price for cotton and correctly subtract your costs for storage, transportation, quality, and an appropriate risk discount to sell your bales at a profit 7,000 miles away?

8. Productivity. At the heart of economics and an increasing standard of living is increasing productivity. Textbooks talk about comparative advantage. But it all really boils down to the fact that when people specialize in what they are best at, wealth is created. Simply put, in the world of business and profit, being incredibly good at one thing is better than being average at many things. Multiple companies competing over the profit to be had in cotton trading and delivery is simply more efficient than other alternatives. And chances are you will not be more efficient than companies that specialize in this business.

9. Expertise. This ability to be more productive boils down to expertise. When companies compete over the profit potential in an industry, they gain an expertise in their business. And, this expertise allows them to be more productive in their business than others are. Just like many cotton buyers know very little about agronomy, soil science, and plant biology, few cotton producers likely have the expertise to discount, buy, transport, and deliver cotton to mills in a profitable way.

10. Headache. Cotton producers dont sell to textile mills because who wants the headache? You already farm. You work hard every day. You love your wife and worry about your kids. You also worry about cotton prices, fuel prices, seed prices, fertilizer prices, land payments, equipment payments, the weather, water, property taxes, the school board, your churchs finances and everything else under the sun. Why would you want to get waist-deep into another business that you have never been part of?

I recently spoke with an executive of a large multinational textile company about this topic. I gave him a short outline of the ten points listed here, then posed the question, Why dont cotton growers by-in-large sell directly to textile companies like yours?

He said, As far as problems, you listed almost everything I was going to say. We have done this before. As a test of sorts, we have bought cotton on a small scale directly from growers close to one of our plants. We may continue this experiment in the future, but I would probably summarize the entire process as high maintenance work for too little volume. We just get such great service from the merchants and the coops.

So, my advice is to forget about discounting, transportation, contract negotiation, price risk, exchange rate risk, quality and quantity risk and international terms of trade. Let the companies that specialize in cotton trade and delivery battle it out over the existing profit in that business.

In other words, let the market do its job. Youll be astounded how good it can be.

First published by Cotton Grower.Fortis Inc. operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 433,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 98,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,233 megawatts (MW), including 59 MW of solar capacity. The company also sells wholesale electricity to other entities in the western United States; owns gas-fired and hydroelectric generating capacity totaling 65 MW; and distributes natural gas to approximately 1,048,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in British Columbia, Canada. In addition, it owns and operates the electricity distribution system that serves approximately 572,000 customers in southern and central Alberta; owns 4 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 225 MW; and provides operation, maintenance, and management services to five hydroelectric generating facilities. Further, the company distributes electricity in the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador with an installed generating capacity of 143 MW; and on Prince Edward Island with a generating capacity of 130 MW. Additionally, it provides integrated electric utility service to approximately 67,000 customers in Ontario; approximately 270,000 customers in Newfoundland and Labrador; approximately 31,000 customers on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and approximately 15,000 customers on certain islands in Turks and Caicos. The company also holds long-term contracted generation assets in Belize consisting of 3 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 51 MW; and the Aitken Creek natural gas storage facility. It also owns and operates approximately 91,000 circuit Kilometers (km) of distribution lines; and approximately 49,500 km of natural gas pipelines. Fortis Inc. was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in St. John's, Canada.

Read MoreIssues of concern to people who live in the west: property rights, water rights, endangered species, livestock grazing, energy production, wilderness and western agriculture. Plus a few items on western history, western literature and the sport of rodeo... Frank DuBois served as the NM Secretary of Agriculture from 1988 to 2003. DuBois is a former legislative assistant to a U.S. Senator, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior, and is the founder of the DuBois Rodeo Scholarship.Vietnams Techcombank tumbled 20 percent in its stocks market debut on Monday, as investors reassessed valuations of large companies amid a broader sell-off of emerging-market securities.

The Southeast Asian countrys biggest private-sector lender, which raised $922 million in one of Vietnams biggest equity deals, fell by the maximum permissible trading limit on debut day in a market .VNI up 1.4 percent.

Recent weakness in emerging markets has hit Vietnam hard, with the Vietnam Index shedding 13 percent since Techcombank launched its fundraising in mid-April, the steepest fall across Asia.

Fund managers and analysts have said investment risks were rising as blue-chips become expensive after a rally. The index is up nearly 60 percent over the last two years, with some large Vietnamese companies trading on aggregate at 17 times estimated profits for the next 12 months.

Techcombank was trading at 102,400 dong ($4.49), down from 128,000 dong at which it priced its equity-raising in April, weeks after residential property developer Vinhomes JSC raised $2.2 billion.

The fundraising has turned Vietnam into Southeast Asias biggest equity capital market this year for the first time, as investors are drawn by a fast-growing economy and the governments privatization and market-reform plans.

Techcombank is cheap on a valuation basis against peers given its strong growth profile and clean balance sheet, said Travis Lundy, senior analyst at Hong Kong-based Ballingal Investment Advisors, who publishes on independent research platform Smartkarma.

It is well-placed to ride the growth in the mass wealthy and higher-end retail segments in a fast-growing economy, he said.

Techcombank, formally known as Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank, is aiming to expand retail banking to capitalize on booming demand for financial services.

The 25-year-old bank is seeing strong growth in services such as credit cards, auto loans and bancassurance. Cornerstone investors included Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC Pte Ltd, Fidelity Management & Research and domestic fund Dragon Capital.

Techcombanks appeal stems from a boom in financial services while the economy expands at record rates.

Vietnam reported annual credit expansion of about 18 percent for the past two years, with banks posting strong profit growth.

Techcombank accepts higher risk and the current market is supporting real estate so they profit accordingly, said Hoang Huy, head of research at KIS Vietnam Securities.

The real estate market is cyclical and is likely to grow further, so over the next year or two, higher risk on mortgages should not be a problem, Huy said.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Vietnam plans to more than triple the amount of electricity it produces from renewable sources and push for a 26 percent increase in household solar energy usage by 2030, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told Reuters in an interview.

Speaking ahead of Vietnam's participation in the expanded G7 summit that will be held in Canada from June 8 to 9, Phuc also said he hopes the country can utilise its roughly 20 million tonnes of rare earth reserves, which he said are the world's third-largest, in building new energy technologies.

"Vietnam is blessed with immense potential for clean renewable energy development," Phuc said in a written response to questions from Reuters.

"We wish to cooperate in research and development and transfer of advanced technologies in mining and in-depth processing of rare earth in order to create high value-added and environment-friendly products," Phuc said.

Vietnam's largest rare earth mine is located in the northern province of Lai Chau, near the border with China. The metallic minerals are essential for technologies such as wind turbines, electric car batteries, solar panels and smartphones.

Vietnam has been seeking to promote renewable energy development to reduce its increasing reliance on coal for electricity generation.

According to its Strategy of Renewable Energy Development, by 2030 Vietnam plans to reduce its use of coal products by 40 million tonnes, Phuc said.

Vietnam will consume 156.6 million tonnes of the fuel by 2030, according to a forecast in a 2016 report on the Ministry of Industry and Trade website.

By that time, coal-fired power plants will account for 53 percent of Vietnam's total power generation capacity, compared with the current level of 45 percent, the Ministry said.

Vietnam will "increase the electricity output produced from renewable sources from approximately 58 billion kWh (kilowatt hours) in 2015 to 101 billion kWh by 2020, and 186 billion kWh by 2030," Phuc said.

In 2015, just 4.3 percent of households in Vietnam were equipped with solar energy equipment, Phuc said.

Solar-powered water heaters have enjoyed fairly widespread use in Vietnam over recent years, although solar panel usage is far less common.

Vietnam is aiming to increase the use of household solar energy equipment to 12 percent by 2020, and 26 percent by 2030, according to Phuc.

"It is important that we will not pursue economic growth at the expense of the environment," said Phuc.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!A multisensory exposition in Hanoi and an exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City featuring works by international and Vietnamese artists, both running for weeks, are waiting for visitors to come and explore.

Tra ART is a multisensory exhibition, taking place at the French Cultural Center LEspace in Hanoi, themed on the ancient Shan Tuyet tea and the diverse ethnic minority groups in Ha Giang.

The precious and rare Shan Tuyet tea, also known as Shan Snow tea, has tender leaves that are likened to snow flowers.

The forest tea grows at an altitude of nearly 1,400  2,000 meters above sea level in northern Vietnam, most of whose trees are over 300 years old with huge trunks covering several meters in diameter.

As its name suggests, the multisensory Tra ART uses arts to stimulate all the five senses of visitors.

The artists behind Tra ART is a group who dedicated their efforts to answering a call to preserve these wild tea plants, which are still underappreciated, as well as supporting those ethnic groups and their extraordinary livelihood.

They are 2D and 3D animation artists Nguyen Quynh Phuong and Marcus Bowler, illustrator and cartoonist Gerald Gorridge, sculptor Tran Thu Hang, and photographer and composer-musician Ngo Hong Quang.

The highlights of the expo are seven paintings and sketches of late French cartoonist Gerald Gorridge, a friend and mentor of many generations of Vietnamese cartoonists.

Installation artworks representing Shan Tuyet tea tree roots by sculptor Tran Thu Hang are on display at the Tra ART exhibition in Hanoi.

Nguyen Tuong Van, who initiated the exhibition, also contributed a photographic report on the beauty of ancient tea trees and their own identity, and portraits of the people that she met through the trip.

The visitors will feel as if they entered a live film about the world of tea via ten paintings using augmented reality technology. The exhibition room is also filled with the gentle fragrance of the tea.

Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City, the second International Artistic Encounters, a joint exhibition featuring 11 Vietnamese and French artists, opened at the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum on Sunday.

The exhibition, beautifully named La Seine et le Mekong (Seine River and Mekong River), displays 73 paintings in oil, acrylic, lacquer and mixed media, and 19 sculptures in wood and ceramic, by six Vietnamese artists, two Vietnamese-French artists, and three French artists.

La Seine et le Mekong follows its first International Artistic Encounters in Barentin, France in May 2017, which attracted more than 20,000 visitors, featuring Vietnamese artist Luong Luu Bien.

La Seine et le Mekong in Ho Chi Minh City will close on June 17, while Tra ART in Hanoi will take place until July 6.

Installation artworks representing Shan Tuyet tea tree roots by sculptor Tran Thu Hang are on display at the Tra ART exhibition in Hanoi.

A sketch by late French cartoonist Gerald Gorridge is on display at the Tra ART exhibition in Hanoi.

A photo in Nguyen Tuong Vans photographic report on the beauty of ancient Shan Tuyet tea plants and the diverse ethnic minority groups in Ha Giang on display at the Tra ART exhibition in Hanoi

A photo in Nguyen Tuong Vans photographic report on the beauty of ancient Shan Tuyet tea plants and the diverse ethnic minority groups in Ha Giang on display at the Tra ART exhibition in Hanoi.

A photo in Nguyen Tuong Vans photographic report on the beauty of ancient Shan Tuyet tea plants and the diverse ethnic minority groups in Ha Giang on display at the Tra ART exhibition in Hanoi

A photo in Nguyen Tuong Vans photographic report on the beauty of ancient Shan Tuyet tea plants and the diverse ethnic minority groups in Ha Giang on display at the Tra ART exhibition in Hanoi

A photo in Nguyen Tuong Vans photographic report on the beauty of ancient Shan Tuyet tea plants and the diverse ethnic minority groups in Ha Giang on display at the Tra ART exhibition in Hanoi

Paintings and sculptures are seen at the La Seine et le Mekong exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City in this photo uploaded on the event organizer's website.

Paintings and sculptures are seen at the La Seine et le Mekong exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City in this photo uploaded on the event organizer's website.

Paintings and sculptures are seen at the La Seine et le Mekong exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City in this photo uploaded on the event organizer's website.

Paintings and sculptures are seen at the La Seine et le Mekong exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City in this photo uploaded on the event organizer's website.

Paintings and sculptures are seen at the La Seine et le Mekong exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City in this photo uploaded on the event organizer's website.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Hanoi plays a crucially important role in South Koreas effort to extend its sphere of influence in Southeast Asia, the latters defense minister said on Monday during his visit to Vietnam between June 3 and 5.

South Korean defense minister Song Young-moo told his Vietnamese counterpart Ngo Xuan Lich in Hanoi that Vietnam is a vital factor in the success of the New Southern Policy, a new push the East Asian country unveiled last year.

The policy is meant to forge links between South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and expand Asias fifth-largest economy in this region.

Vietnam is expected to serve as an effective gateway to ASEAN markets for South Korea.

Young-moo reiterated Vietnams centrality in the association and East Asia, and said multifaceted strategic collaboration between Vietnam and South Korea had witnessed strong growth in recent years.

Song Young-moo (L) and Ngo Xuan Lich shake hands at the Ministry of Defenses headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, June 4, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Minister Lich praised Young-moos visit, saying that it would maintain the camaraderie and build up political trust between Seoul and Hanoi.

Lich and Young-moo endorsed the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and respected the long-term development of the Vietnam-South Korea relations.

Both officials wanted to effect drastic change in defense cooperation, especially in the implementation of the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Cooperation with a vision toward 2030  an agreement Vietnam and South Korea signed in April 2018.

They agreed to strengthen the bilateral military cooperation in human resources training and national defense industry in the foreseeable future.

Lich and Young-moo also decided to realize joint projects in searching for the remains of missing soldiers and to diminish the impact left by post-war bombs and landmines in Vietnam.

On the same day, Vietnamese and South Korean defense ministries signed a memorandum of understanding on mutual logistic assistance in conducting U.N. peace-keeping activities, on humanitarian support and disaster relief efforts.

Song Young-moo (black suit) shakes hands with a Vietnamese official at the Ministry of Defenses headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, June 4, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Young-moos official arrival to Vietnam was a response to Minister Lichs invitation and followed a state visit in March by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his spouse as one of the first moves in the Southeast Asian country for the New Southern Policy.

South Korea is Vietnams second-largest partner in trade and provision of official development assistance, and also its second-largest source of tourists, said a Vietnamese official.

Bilateral trade between the two countries was worth $61.5 billion in 2017, according to figures released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Here are todays leading news stories:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha were questioned by National Assembly deputies during the Q&A session on Monday as part of the NAs ongoing 5th meeting, which runs from May 21 to June 15.

-- The Vietnamese government always supports and creates favorable conditions for defense ministries of Vietnam and South Korea to foster their cooperation, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said during a meeting with South Korean Defense Minister of the Song Young-moo in Hanoi on Monday.

Society

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee on Monday requested that suitable disciplinary actions be imposed upon Tat Thanh Cang, the citys standing deputy Party chief, for his violations regarding the illicit sale of a 32.5-hectare land plot in Phuoc Kien Commune, Nha Be District by a state-owned company.

-- Doan Ngoc Hai, deputy chairman of the Peoples Committee in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, famously known as Captain Sidewalk, returned to the streets in Nguyen Thai Binh Ward on Monday evening to resume his sidewalk clearing campaign following eight months of inactivity.

-- Competent authorities in the southern province of Dong Nai are investigating the death of a married couple who were found severely burned inside their house on early Monday morning.

-- The construction of the Vam Cong Bridge, connecting Dong Thap Province and Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta, has yet to resume after cracks were found on a girder in November 2017. The reasons behind the cracks have not been announced as well.

-- Heavy downpours are forecast to continue to hit provinces in south-central and central Vietnam due to the effect of a tropical depression that formed near Hoang Sa (Spratly) Archipelago in the East Vietnam Sea.

-- The Peoples Court in Nha Trang City in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa on Monday sentenced Hoang Tan Hai to four years and six months in prison for selling thousands sea turtle corpses in 2014.

-- A man residing in Ho Chi Minh City has been arrested for allegedly murdering his girlfriend and attempting to dump the body in the southern province of Tay Ninh.

Business

-- The number of South Korean visitors to Vietnam has reached more than 1.4 million in the first five months of 2018, increasing by 62.1 percent year-on-year.

-- Many Grab drivers in Ho Chi Minh City gathered at the company office in District 10 on Monday to complain after they had had their accounts locked for unknown reasons.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!The Standing Committee of the Party Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has proposed disciplinary action be taken against one of the organs deputy chiefs for his role in an illicit land sale by a state-owned company.

The proposition, involving Tat Thanh Cang, standing deputy secretary of the citys Party organ, was announced on Monday.

The municipal Party Committees Inspection Commission is now responsible for completing the case file to submit to the Party Central Committees Inspection Commission, which is authorized to decide on the official disciplinary action against Cang.

Cang is involved in the land sale between Tan Thuan Investment and Construction Co. Ltd., which is wholly owned by the Office of the municipal Party Committee, and private company Quoc Cuong Gia Lai, according to conclusions reached by the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee.

The citys deputy Party chief now faces disciplinary action for overstepping his power by approving the land sale, later discovered as a loss-making deal, without first reporting to the municipal Party Committee.

Cang failed to perform necessary reviews of how the deal was actually enacted between the two companies involved in the sale, after having given his in-principle approval to Tan Thuan Co.

File photo of Tat Thanh Cang, deputy Party chief of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Besides Cang, leaders of Tan Thuan Co., are also to blame for the illicit land sale, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committees inspection conclusion.

Consequently, the Inspection Commission of the Party Committee of Ho Chi Minh City also announced on Monday that it had removed Tran Cong Thien, board member and general director of Tan Thuan Co., from all of his Party positions for his role in the land sale.

Thien was secretary of the companys Party unit.

The inspection commission has called on the Office of the municipal Party Committee to strip Thien of his board member and general director positions at Tan Thuan Co.

Loss-making deal

In June 2017 Cang gave the green light to Tan Thuan Co. to sell a 32.5-hectare land plot in Phuoc Kien Commune in the outer district of Nha Be to Quoc Cuong Gia Lai for VND1.29 million (US$56.7) per square meter, which was much cheaper than the market price.

According to government decrees dictating the sale of land by state-owned companies, open auctions must be held to find the highest bidder to ensure maximum profit from the transaction, in cases similar to this.

A corner of the land in Phuoc Kien. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The sale was approved shortly after the piece of land became a state property, with local residents already receiving compensation to relocate elsewhere.

Neither the municipal Party Committees Standing Committee nor its Office that directly oversees Tan Thuan Co. was made aware of such a land sale, as Cang never reported his approval to these entities, according to inspection results.

But the Tan Thuan  Quoc Cuong Gia Lai deal never went through, as the citys Party Committee discovered the agreement to have the land transferred via a non-auction sale in December 2017, and immediately ordered all land transfer proceedings to halt for an inspection.Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have confirmed that a local police officer fired a gun on duty and caused the death of a young man who was following illegal street racers in on Sunday afternoon.

Nguyen Huu Hue, deputy head of the police department of a ward in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, claimed that he unintentionally killed 19-year-old Tran Van Kiet, citing a malfunction of his gun.

At around 2:00 pm on Sunday, Hue received reports that a pack of young people were hindering traffic at a crossroads on the National Route 1 section running through District 12 in an effort to have an illegal rally, according to police records.

Hue arrived at a spot near the intersection and found several dozen motorcycles racing while spreading themselves in all lanes, zigzagging and yelling.

Following them to the junction, he saw a group of men on around five motorbikes blocking cars for the street racers to make a U-turn and run on the other carriageway.

Hue, carried by another officer known as Duy on a motorbike during the entire patrol, shot two bullets into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd and intended to fire another time but a cartridge was stuck.

While he was pointing the gun to the road and pulling the bolt to deal with the jam, the gun went off, somehow sending the third bullet into the head of Kiet, the victim.

Hue and Duy continued to chase the racer group for a while until the members ran to different roads.

Hue later learned that Kiet instantly fell off his motorcycle after the shot, taken to two hospitals and died later on the same day.

Police found a bullet-like metal object fixed in his skull.

The victims body was then carried to his hometown in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Nam, according to Thanh Nien (Young) newspaper.

The case is still under further investigation.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!The construction of a major bridge in Vietnams Mekong Delta has stalled for multiple months after cracks were found on one of the girders, and the cause has yet to be announced.

The Vam Cong Bridge project, which connects Dong Thap Province and Can Tho City across the Hau (Back) River, was halted in mid-November 2017 after some cracks were discovered on a steel girder at the top of abutment No. P29.

A team of officers from the Transport Engineering Construction and Quality Management Bureau, the Department of Science and Technology, and local pundits were tasked with resolving the problem.

Experts from South Korea were also asked to give a helping hand to deal with the issue.

However, no official announcement regarding the cause of the cracks had been made as of Monday, and the construction site was still rather quiet then.

Some construction workers told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that shortly after the discovery of the cracks on abutment No. P29, other breaks were also found on the girder at abutment No. P28, but the situation was less severe.

Experts stated that the fractures indicate a more serious problem and could have been caused by high pressure.

During an interview on Monday, Tran Van Thi, general director of the Cuu Long Corporation for Investment, Development and Project Management of Infrastructure (Cuu Long CIPM), which is the project developer, stated that experts from Vietnam and South Korea have been mobilized to figure out the reason and come up with a solution.

The under-construction Vam Cong Bridge. Photo: Tuoi Tre

We have also consulted pundits from another country regarding the situation, Thi said.

Everything is being reviewed by the transport ministry, and an official solution will soon be reached, he continued.

Thi added that the developer will try their best to complete the construction this year.

Initiated in September 2013, the Vam Cong Bridge project is carried out at a cost of US$271 million, funded by official development assistance (ODA) from the South Korean government and corresponding capital from Vietnam.

Upon completion, the structure will be 2.97 kilometers long and 24.5 meters wide, including six lanes for vehicles.

The project is conducted by South Korean contractors, namely the Joint Venture of Dasan - Kunhwa  Pyunghwa and the Joint Venture of GS Engineering & Construction Corp and Hanshin.

Cuu Long CIPM serves as the project developer on behalf of Vietnams transport ministry.

Along with the Cao Lanh Bridge, which was opened to traffic on May 27, Vam Cong is a much-awaited bridge as it will shorten the journey between provinces in the Mekong Delta.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Former Doctor Who showrunner and Queer as Folk creator Russell T. Davies has a new UK drama in the pipeline, Years And Years.

The six part BBC series follows the lives of a single family over 15 years as they are rocked by unstable political, economic and technological advances. It will be produced by StudioCanal owned Red Production Company.

Russell T. Davies says: Ive wanted to write this for 20 years or so. And as the world accelerates like crazy around us, I realised Id better get on with it! Its a joy to be back home with RED, and an honour to be on BBC One.

Piers Wenger, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning, says: Russell T. Davies is a master storyteller and we are utterly thrilled to be bringing his unique and captivating original drama, Years And Years, to BBC One.

Casting is yet to be announced, and the series is expected to go into production later this year.

Years And Years follows the Lyons, a busy Manchester family. Daniels getting married to Ralph, Stephen and Celeste worry about their kids, Rosies chasing a new fella and Edith hasnt been home for years. Presiding over them all is Gran, the imperial Muriel. But when their lives all converge on one crucial night in 2019, the story accelerates into the future, following the lives and loves of the Lyons over the next 15 years.



And what a world! Everything we fear, and everything we hope for, is happening around this tight-knit family. Society is hotter, faster, madder, with the turmoil of politics, technology and distant wars affecting the Lyons in their day-to-day lives. Britain withdraws from Europe, America becomes a lone wolf, China asserts itself, and a new world begins to form.



But someones taking advantage: MP Vivienne Rook begins her rise to power, one of that new breed of politician  an entertainer, a rebel, a trickster and a terror, leading them into an unknown future. Set against this, the Lyons have to navigate their everyday hopes and fears, knowing that one ordinary family could never change the world or could they?

New episodes of Air Crash Investigations return next week on Nat Geo.

There are 4 episodes in this second half of S17.

The episode on June 15 features a famous Australian air incident from 2008.

En route from Singapore to Perth, Qantas Airways Flight 72 takes a sudden nosedive over the Indian Ocean. Sudden G-forces are so violent passengers are lifted out of their seats. A series of over-speed and stall warnings flood the cockpit display, and its clear something is terribly wrong. An experienced fighter pilot, the captain manages to safely land the plane. Its up to Australian investigators to uncover the mysterious and potentially deadly malfunction thats putting one of the worlds most popular planes at risk.

Air Crash Investigations series  takes legendary aviation disasters and incidents, eyewitness accounts and state of the art CGI to investigate and determine what really went wrong.

Friday June 15th at 8.30pm on Nat Geo.Graham Archer, Director of News and Public Affairs at Channel Seven Adelaide, has resigned after more than two decades with the network.

Archer started his career at A Current Affair as an editor, researcher, producer and journalist. He also worked for The 7.30 Report and was the supervising producer on Nines Sunday program in Sydney.

He returned to Adelaide to establish the local version of Today Tonight which began in 1995, which has since won a record 684 consecutive weeks of official ratings, the longest-running streak ever for a South Australian production.

In 2016 Graham was appointed Director of News and Public Affairs Channel Seven Adelaide. In this role he has overseen the introduction of an extra hour of daily news from 4 -5 pm and has also extended 6pms unbeaten ratings record to 469 successive weekly survey wins.

Its been a privilege to work for the Seven Network and with the many fine staff members. I hope that through my work at Seven I have contributed to making this State a fairer place, said Archer.

Seven Network Director of News and Public Affairs, Craig McPherson, said: I want to thank Graham for his extraordinary career at Channel 7. As one of the founding State EPs of a new current affairs program launched at the start of 1995, Graham was instrumental in helping Today Tonight become the most watched current affairs program in Australia within a few years. He steered the program to dominance in Adelaide over two decades, along the way mentoring many.

He stepped into the dual role of Today Tonight EP and Adelaide News Director with the same passion and drive, continuing the success of a fantastic news team.

We wish him the very best in the next chapter of his life.

Seven Adelaide Deputy News Director, Chris Salter is promoted to the top position.

Salter has held several senior roles in Adelaide newsrooms, including news executive, producer as well as reporter.

Craig McPherson said: Chris has a tremendous track record in newspapers and TV newsrooms, the last 2 years as Deputy News Director. He knows the market and whats required to lead such a talented newsroom.

Salter said: Im honoured to be taking the reins of Adelaides leading television news service.

Presenters Jane Doyle and John Riddell are legends of the industry. Behind them are dozens of incredibly talented reporters, camera operators, producers, editors, graphic designers and studio crew. Im looking forward to building on the success created by my predecessors.U.S President Donald Trump claims in a Tweet that he has the "absolute right" to pardon himself regarding Robert Mueller's investigation on the Russia probe. He then added that he wouldn't need to since he has done nothing wrong. Special counsel Robert Mueller has remained silent and has not commented on the Tweet, but legal scholars and experts on constitutional law seem to be divided on the accuracy of the presidents statement. Rudy Giuliani a member of Trump's legal team first raised questions about the issue, when he said during an interview that Trump could issue a self-pardon if he really wanted to, although that could lead to impeachment.

Trump's legal team sent Mueller a 20-page letter

It is not the first time the issue of self-pardon has come up since Mr Trump took office. According to The Huffington Post, Trumps legal team pushed the notion of a self-pardon in a 20-page letter that was sent to Mr Mueller back in January of this year. Since then, both the presidents legal advisers and his administration has been advocating for the end of Muellers investigation, with growing frustration on the matter. Mr Trump has repeatedly called the investigation a "witch hunt and frequently tried to undermine it with denial by calling all news of his team collaborating with the Russians in the 2016 elections, "fake news He has stated that Muellers appointment is simply unconstitutional.

Muller was appointed by deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, one year after Trump fired FBI director James Comey.

Giuliani continues to cause trouble

Mueller has requested an interview with Trump to determine if the president had any criminal intent to obstruct the investigation, Time reports. According to Giuliani, nothing will be decided until after Trumps meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

They are scheduled to meet in Singapore on 12 June. And even then, Giuliani doubted that Mueller would get Trump to sit down with him, saying, "You got everything you needwhat do you need us for? Since being added to the presidents legal team Mr Giuliani has conducted many interviews that have done little to clear the air.

On Sunday, Mr Giuliani told The Huffington Post that Trump could shoot former FBI director James Comey in the Oval Office and still not be indicted for it, while still serving as president. He also told reporters that not only had Mr Trump known about his lawyers payment to the former porn star Stormy Daniels, but that he had paid his lawyer back the money.A violinist smokes in a smoking area in Shanghai, China April 18, 2017. REUTERS/Aly Song

Thomson Reuters

By Christian Shepherd

BEIJING (Reuters) - The regulator of China's tobacco industry, which oversees state monopoly China National Tobacco Corp, said on Monday that designated indoor smoking areas should be introduced to deter smokers as enforcing bans in all public spaces was too difficult.

Last month, China Tobacco, as the monopoly is commonly known, persuaded the eastern city of Hangzhou to amend proposed rules to ban indoor smoking in public areas by introducing designated areas for smokers, a tobacco control official told Reuters.

The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, which also shares offices and personnel with China Tobacco, denied playing any role in retarding tobacco control measures.

"We believe that as it is currently objectively difficult to implement a total ban on public smoking, establishing independent smoking areas or indoor smoking rooms in public spaces allows civilized smoking," the regulator said in a faxed response to Reuters' questions.

"A mature and ideal society should respect every adult's free choice to smoke or to quit smoking," it added.

Around 300 million of China's 1.4 billion people smoke, and anti-smoking campaigners have accused the industry of stalling efforts to implement effective tobacco control measures.

China Tobacco sells 98 percent of all tobacco consumed in China, and is easily the world's largest tobacco producer by volume. Its sales totaled 1.1 trillion yuan ($171.81 billion) last year, and it accounted for roughly 7 to 11 percent of China's tax revenues.

Last month, the former head of tobacco control at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yang Gonghuan, said during a book launch that China Tobacco attempted to thwart control measures by interfering in policy-making.

China Tobacco's sales declined in 2015 and 2016 after China imposed new tobacco control measures including a tax hike, limits on advertising and blanket smoking bans in major cities.

Story continues

In 2017, however, China Tobacco reversed the trend and sold 0.8 percent more cigarettes than the year before; in the first three months of 2018, sales rose 4.15 percent by volume, according to official data.

($1 = 6.4023 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

See Also:FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence speaks before President Donald Trump during a rally with supporters at North Side middle school in Elkhart, Indiana, U.S., May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis

Thomson Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Brazil and Ecuador at the end of June, a trip aimed at strengthening ties with countries grappling with growing numbers of refugees fleeing the economic crisis in Venezuela, his spokeswoman said on Monday.

Pence had originally planned to travel to Brazil in May, but postponed the trip because of the intense focus by the White House on upcoming talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Pence is slated to formally announce the trip - with the newly added stop in Ecuador - at a White House reception for members of the Organization for American States on Monday evening.

(Reporting by Roberta Rampton, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

See Also:* Truck and bus drivers called off plan for bigger protest Tuesday

* Tuesta had raised excise taxes on diesel and other fuels

* His resignation first big blow to Vizcarra's 2-mth-old govt (Adds comment from former finance minister, context)

By Marco Aquino and Mitra Taj

LIMA, June 4 (Reuters) - Peruvian Finance Minister David Tuesta resigned on Monday as truck and bus drivers called off plans for a major protest against his fuel tax hikes and the president promised to shift the focus on collecting taxes owed by big companies.

The finance minister's resignation marks the biggest setback yet for President Martin Vizcarra since he became president in late March to replace Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, a former Wall Street investor who stepped down in a graft scandal.

Tuesta's decision to hike excise taxes on diesel and other fuels as oil prices climbed on global markets prompted protests in southern Peru last month and organisers had threatened to stage larger and indefinite protests starting on Tuesday.

In a late-night televised address, Vizcarra said he had accepted Tuesta's resignation as part of a shift in tax policy.

"The country's growth will be obtained on the back of investments and better (tax) collection, not on raising tax rates," he said.

However, Vizcarra did not say whether his government would reverse the higher fuel taxes. Instead, he shifted the focus of his tax drive to large companies.

"Large companies have been identified that owe the state the equivalent of more than 1 percent of GDP, revenues needed for the development of public works and policies that benefit all Peruvians," Vizcarra said.

Vizcarra did not name any of the companies but promised to establish an ad-hoc commission to tackle the issue.

TRUCKERS CALL OFF INDEFINITE STRIKE

Earlier on Monday, representatives of truck and bus drivers announced they had agreed to call off plans for an indefinite strike against the higher fuel taxes after reaching a deal with officials in Vizcarra's government.

Story continues

It was not clear if Tuesta's resignation was part of this deal. The finance ministry was not immediately available for comment.

In neighboring Brazil, a recent truckers' strike over higher diesel prices virtually paralyzed the country for nearly two weeks.

Vizcarra did not say who he would appoint to replace Tuesta, but he is widely expected to keep Peru's decades-old free-market economic model in place through 2021, when his term ends.

Critics warned that Tuesta's resignation risked sending the message that Vizcarra, formerly the country's vice president, could be easily swayed.

"Let's hope the departure isn't a response to new policy reversals due to pressure," Alonso Segura, a former finance minister during the government of former president Ollanta Humala said on Twitter (Frankfurt: A1W6XZ - news) . "There are decisions that aren't popular but are necessary."

Last month, responding to an uproar from fishermen, coastal residents and environmentalists, Vizcarra repealed decrees Kuczynski had signed authorizing offshore oil exploration by London-based Tullow Oil (LSE: TLW.L - news) .

Vizcarra said he had been forced to form a cabinet in "record time" to stabilize Peru after its worst political crisis since the turn of the century, and urged Peruvians to be patient.

"We've been in the government for a little over two months, and the results of this arduous work are starting to show," Vizcarra said, listing upcoming private investments.

But Vizcarra's approval rating has slipped amid growing criticism in recent weeks as teachers pushed for a bigger budget for education and feminists protested his lackluster initial response to a wave of gruesome killings of women. (Reporting by Marco Aquino and Mitra Taj Editing by Darren Schuettler and Raissa Kasolowsky)Visitor passes by the Qatar Airways booth at the International Tourism Trade Fair ITB in Berlin, Germany, March 7, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

By Victoria Bryan and Tim Hepher

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Qatar Airways could face a second straight year of losses in 2018 amid a regional dispute that has banned the airline from four Arab countries, the airline's CEO said on Tuesday.

Qatar Airways has been blocked from flying to 18 cities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt since June 2017 when those countries cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Doha denies the charges.

The carrier made a "substantial loss" in 2017, CEO Akbar al-Baker said in April, without disclosing the figure.

When asked about the outlook for 2018 in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, al-Baker said: "Yes, there is a possibility it could be a second year of losses, but we have mitigated our losses in a big way."

The airline has a healthy cash balance and does not need government aid at this time, he said on the sidelines of an industry conference.

"We don't think we would need it (government aid) in the foreseeable future. But if this blockade continues indefinitely there will be a time where we have to approach our shareholder to inject equity into the company."

He said Qatar Airways, which has stakes in British Airways parent IAG <ICAG.L>, Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd <0293.HK> and South America's LATAM Airlines Group SA <LTM.SN>, was open to strategic investment in other airlines.

Qatar Airways is in the process of filing for a licence to set up a new airline in India, al-Baker said, but he warned the regulatory requirements were tough.

"It may not come to fruition but we will do all in our endeavours to fulfil this wish," he said.

(Reporting by Victoria Bryan and Tim Hepher, writing by Jamie Freed; Editing by Himani Sarkar)FILE PHOTO: Presidential candidate for Brazilian Democratic Movement party (MDB), Henrique Meirelles attends an event with mayors in Brasilia FILE PHOTO: Presidential candidate for Brazilian Democratic Movement party (MDB), Henrique Meirelles attends an event with mayors in Brasilia, Brazil May 23, 2018. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File photo

By Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's centrist parties, battered by widespread voter disaffection with the political establishment, must join forces to win the October elections in a dangerously polarized field, leaders from seven parties urged on Tuesday.

A manifesto led by former president Fernando Henrique Cardoso called on centrists to unite to avoid the election becoming a fight between "radical, authoritarian and outdated" populists from the right and left.

Far-right congressman Jair Bolsonaro, with 25 percent of voter support, and leftist former governor Ciro Gomes, on 12 percent, led a poll released on Tuesday by news website Poder360, while more moderate candidates stagnated with single-digit support.

But the manifesto left open the question of who would lead a united centrist ticket, charged with defending the continuity of pro-market changes and fiscal austerity proposed by unpopular President Michel Temer.

"The question is, unite behind whom?" asked a strategist for Temer's Brazilian Democratic Movement party (MDB), who asked not to be named.

The MDB backs former finance minister Henrique Meirelles, although he musters just 1 percent support. The party is counting on the millionaire to finance his own campaign, freeing up party funds for Congressional and other races, the party insider said.

The other main centrist force, Cardoso's Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB), backs former Sao Paulo governor Geraldo Alckmin, who remains stuck around 7 percent support, Tuesday's poll showed.

As the leading centrist, Alckmin is best placed to top a united ticket, but he has so far resisted an alliance with the MDB. Allies say such a tie-up could risk his campaign being tarnished by association with Temer, whose rejection rate has climbed to 88 percent of voters.

Alckmin's candidacy also divides his own party. Cardoso, who was president from 1995-2002, proposed that his party nominate TV presenter Luciano Huck instead.

Story continues

Candidates must be registered by mid-August, with the parties set to decide their nomination by vote at a convention.

"The manifesto led by Cardoso is his way of saying he has no confidence in Alckmin's candidacy and maybe it should be someone else," said political scientist Leonardo Barreto of Brasilia-based consultancy Factual.

Both Bolsonaro and Gomes threaten the business-friendly policies that Temer has relied on to lift Brazil from its worst recession in decades, based on their track record of favouring state intervention in the economy.

"On the right, we have an unprecedented movement clearly inspired by anti-republican and anti-democratic ideas," the centrist leaders wrote. "On the left, a vision of backward-looking utopias, authoritarian socialism and an interventionist and omnipresent state."

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)A wildfire burning in southwest Colorado had grown to some 2,250 acres by Sunday evening, officials announced. The blaze, dubbed the 416 fire, sparked north of the city of Durango Friday morning.

Around 400 firefighters were working to combat the fire, which was only about 10 percent contained, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. Mandatory evacuation orders remained in place for more than 800 homes, while the residents of another 700 homes were told to be ready to evacuate at any time. It remained unclear when residents would be able to return to their homes.

Unfortunately, the fire is above the mountain and above those homes, said Shawna Hartman, a spokeswoman for the incident management team commanding the fire response Sunday, according to the Durango Herald. With the drought and the fuel opening, the potential for spotting is very, very high at this time. Its still possible that the hot spots that remain on the fires edge along the corridor could jump the highway. With the weather were predicting for the next few days, we want to make sure we can hold that line before we allow residents back in.

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Parts of Highway 550, closed as a result of the fire, were expected to reopen Monday, though authorities said roads could close again at any time.

It remained unclear how the fire started. Sunday brought rain to the area, though authorities said it did significantly not help firefighting efforts. An evacuation center was open at Escalante Middle School in Durango, while a livestock evacuation center was open at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.

Elsewhere in the western United States, other wildfires continued to burn. In New Mexico, the 36,000 acre Ute Park Fire destroyed about 14 structures over the weekend. The fire was about 23 percent contained Monday. In Laguna Beach, California, the Aliso Viejo fire forced mandatory evacuations as it burned through about 150 acres. The Aliso Viejo fire was about 40 percent contained.

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416 Fire

La Plata County/Twitter

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekImagine yourself standing in East Antarctica, far away from the penguin-dotted coasts. (Not right now, in the middle of southern winter. Imagine its December or January, when the sun never quite manages to set and the temperatures are a little less lethally freezing.) Ice stretches out in every direction around you, a bare expanse of unbroken whiteness raked by the wind.

But the region isnt as tranquil geologically as that description might make it sound, according to a new paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience. In that study, scientists report the discovery of small earthquakes in East Antarctica, a phenomenon nobody has been able to measure before.

Those quakes only deepen a longstanding geological mystery of the area, because a hidden mountain chain lurks more than a mile below the ice sheet. Its so flat and white and boring in every direction but underneath you is a mountain range as big as the Pyrenees, Robin Bell, a geophysicist at Columbia Universitys Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in New York, who wasnt involved in the new study, told Newsweek.

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And thats weird because mountain ranges usually form near the edges of tectonic plates, where they bump into each other. You arent supposed to have mountains in the middle of continents, Bell said. Nothing smashed together in the middle of Antarctica recently.

But according to the studys first author, Amanda Lough, a seismologist at Drexel University in Pennsylvania, the mountains might be the scars of much older geologic activity.

The study relied on data gathered in 2009 by a network of seismic sensors deployed by Lough and colleagues across East Antarctica. The project marks the first time scientists have had access to decent seismic data from the region. To get winter data in Antarctica before, we had a couple permanent stations but the interior wasnt covered at all, Lough said. It was this huge step forward.

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But simply collecting the data wasnt enough, since there are plenty of phenomena that can cause seismic signals besides actual seismic activity. The team buried the sensors within the ice itself to keep them from accidentally seeing earthquakes in the wind. But Lough also had to go through and eliminate false signals produced by movements of the ice, calculating the depth of each signal to make sure it came directly from the land below.

That left 27 earthquakes measured over the course of the year. None of those were particularly largeall were smaller than a magnitude 4, and Lough said she isnt sure any would have been strong enough to feel.

But for a continent seismologists had thought was utterly still, an earthquake every two weeks on average, no matter the size, is a notable finding. Lough and her colleagues compared their East Antarctic data to earthquake observations in the Canadian Shield, which is also a giant solid slab of ancient rock. They calculated that magnitude 4 earthquakes should happen less frequently in East Antarctica than in Canada, but that the two regions display seismicity on a reasonably similar scale.

The authors found that Antartica has comparable levels of seismicity to other old continents, contrary to previous findings, Jascha Polet, a geophysicist at Cal Poly Pomona not involved in the research, told Newsweek in an email.

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06_04_east_antarctica_ice

NSIDC/Atsuhiro Muto

Specifically, scientists had thought that the reason they werent seeing any earthquakes in East Antarctica might be because the ice sheet itself stops seismic activity. That seems to be the case with ice sheets in the northern hemisphere, like the one covering Greenland. But Antarctica clearly doesnt seem to follow that pattern any more. People just assume ice sheet, ok, theyre gonna behave the same, Lough said. The new findings suggest thats an overly simplistic approach.

Lough says that the earthquakes may be caused by tension in the Earths crust settling out through scars left by a 100-million-year-old rift valley, where the land stretched and cracked, even though the area stopped doing so long ago. The rift itself is not doing anything as a rift, she said, unlike a similar formation in West Antarctica thats much younger. Its much easier to break something thats already been broken than to break something fresh.

If that argument holds up, East Antarcticas icy stillness has just been masking the ghosts of an ancient network of dramatic cracks.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekGerman puma infantry fighting vehicle

US Army

The Puma, Germany's newest infantry fighting vehicle, is equipped with a 30mm cannon, a 5.56mm coaxial machine gun and a 76mm grenade launcher.

Germany plans to have 320 Pumas delivered by 2020 to replace its older Marder IDF.

Germany introduced the world to the concept of blitzkrieg. One of the key elements to this strategy is to have a force of tanks and mechanized infantry strike deeply and (relatively) quickly behind enemy lines. This means that to successfully execute a blitzkrieg, one needs not only effective tanks, but also good infantry carriers.

For decades now, Germany has relied on the Marder to be the infantry fighting vehicle accompanying Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 main battle tanks. The Marder, which entered service in 1971, packs a 20mm autocannon, has a crew of three, and holds seven troops. However, the Marder is starting to show its age  after all, it's about a decade older than the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

Naturally, Germany have a replacement in mind. This vehicle is called the Puma, and it's slated to bring a few huge leaps in capability to German armor  but nothing is without its drawbacks. Like the Marder, this vehicle has a crew of three, but only carries six grunts in the rear. That's a slight hit in one area of capability, but the Puma's firepower makes up for it.

The Puma is equipped with a 30mm cannon (a big step up from the Marder's 20mm gun). It also packs a 5.56mm coaxial machine gun and a 76mm grenade launcher. It can reach a top speed of 43 miles per hour and go 373 miles on a tank of gas.

What's most notable is that the Puma is only roughly six tons heavier than the Marder, despite the increased firepower. This is due to the use of composite armors that are both more resistant to modern weapons and weigh much less than older armor technology. This enables the Puma to be hauled by the Airbus A400.

Germany is planning to have 320 Pumas delivered by 2020 to replace the Marder. Export possibilities abound, particularly to Canada, which is looking for an infantry fighting vehicles to pair with its Leopard 2 tanks.

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Learn more about this lethal armored vehicle in the video below.

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See Also:Evening Standard

As the nights draw in it looks like its going to be a difficult winter for the British economy. Shortages and bottlenecks are rising as the Christmas season looms, sky-high energy prices are threatening large parts of the corporate sector, and the Bank of England is hinting that interest rates could rise before the end of the year. For the first time in decades the economic buzzword is stagflation  that toxic combination of stagnating growth and high inflation that characterised much of the Seventies. To be fair, most of these trends are happening around the world as the global economy lurches back to life after the pandemic, triggering unexpected new bottlenecks across supply chains like a global game of whack-a-mole.Ben Marshall , Author provided

Madagascar is in the midst of a toxic invasion. Since around 2010, an army of invasive Asian toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) has gained a foothold in and around the eastern port of Toamasina after they were accidentally introduced from South-East Asia. This has dismayed conservationists who worry about the islands already beleaguered endemic fauna.

Now, our worst fears have been confirmed by recent findings by a research team led by Bangor University masters student Ben Marshall and including myself. In our new study published in Current Biology, we show that most of Madagascars unique native wildlife can indeed be poisoned by the introduced toad.

Invasive species are one of the major drivers of extinction worldwide. Most impact native species by eating them (cats, rats), competing with them (grey squirrels in the UK) or altering local vegetation (rabbits, goats). Invasive toads, on the other hand, primarily affect native predators through their skin toxins, poisoning any animal that takes a toad into its mouth. True toads, of the family Bufonidae, synthesise potent toxins in large prominent parotoid glands on their backs. These bufotoxins impede the regulation of sodium and potassium levels in cells, leading to rapid heart failure and death.

Where toads occur naturally, some predators avoid them, but others have evolved resistance to their toxins, allowing them to routinely eat toads. Recent investigations have revealed the mechanism of resistance: two specific amino acid substitutions in the target molecule of bufotoxin, the ATPase sodium-potassium pump, are all that is required to change a dangerously poisonous toad into a potential meal. Remarkably, the same solution has evolved in a diverse array of species, from rats to lizards to the toads themselves, and this appears to be the only way for any vertebrate to resist the toads toxins.

The problem for Madagascars animals is they developed on an island with plenty of frogs but no toads. Native species therefore had no reason to evolve any resistance to toad toxins nor any sense that they should avoid toads.

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And when toads do invade these previously toad-free areas, it may result in mass mortality among some naive predators. For instance the infamous cane toad invasion of Australia caused larger apex predators, such as monitor lizards, some snakes and the marsupial quolls to become locally rare or extinct. This in turn affected numerous other species in the food web, though some, such as some smaller lizards and snakes, actually flourished due to the removal of the larger predators.

Searching for resistance

So will Madagascars predators suffer just like Australias? As we now know that there is a single molecule responsible for toad resistance in vertebrates, this gives biologists an invaluable tool: simply examining the relevant gene will reveal whether an animal can eat a toad with impunity or is liable to be poisoned.

In our study, we used this approach on a range of Malagasy predators. The results confirmed our worst fears: out of 29 reptiles, eight mammals, 12 frogs and 28 birds tested, all except one rodent (the white-tailed antsangy) lack resistance to toad toxins.

This presents an immediate conservation concern in an already troubled biodiversity hotspot, and has serious implications for the many species that exist only on Madagascar. For instance, all Malagasy snakes tested are vulnerable to toad toxins, and anecdotal reports have already documented snakes dying from eating toads.

It gets worse: in the past, a loss of snakes has led to booms in rodent populations and fears over public health. Such fears are warranted once again, given that non-native rats are resistant to bufotoxins.

However, rodents appear to be unique in this respect. Among the toad-sensitive mammals are Madagascars most charismatic and widely recognised residents. Three representatives from three lemur families are vulnerable. Fortunately lemurs eat plants and sometimes insects, and only rarely prey on small vertebrates, which will likely limit the toads impact on them. The same cannot be said for the carnivores of Madagascar: the habits of the enigmatic fossa and others make them extremely likely to encounter and consume the toxic invader.

As cane toads in Australia highlighted, its tough to predict exactly which species will be most affected by an invader. The sharing of habits and habitats will likely be the biggest factor influencing how much the toad will impact a species, but subtle differences in their interactions can make big differences to the outcome. For instance, small variations in breeding times made large differences in the relative success of native and invasive tadpoles in Australia.

Possible hope comes in the form of animals unrelenting ability to adapt. Australia offers many examples of native species evolving or learning quickly to avoid toads, or to only eat the least toxic parts of toads. Whether vulnerable Malagasy species, restricted to much more fragmented habitat patches serving as their final refuges, can display similar resilience remains to be seen.

The invasion of Madagascar by these toads has attracted considerable attention, but initial efforts to eliminate them have faltered. We hope that the confirmation that these toads pose a real threat to native species will reinvigorate efforts to protect native species from the toads further expansion.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Wolfgang Wuster does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.FILE PHOTO - Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara, speaks during the opening ceremony of the Senate in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast April 12, 2018. REUTERS/Luc Gnago

Thomson Reuters

ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said he is free to stand for a third term in the 2020 presidential election under the country's new constitution, according to an interview in this week's edition of French magazine Jeune Afrique.

This is the first time Ouattara, who was first elected in a 2010 election that sparked a brief civil war, has made the claim, which will anger his political foes.

"The new constitution authorizes me to serve two terms starting in 2020," Ouattara, 76, told Jeune Afrique, implying that his two election wins under the old constitution would not count against the new constitution's two-term limit.

"I will only make a definitive decision then, based on the situation in Ivory Coast. Stability and peace come before all else, including my principles," he said.

A government spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment.

Ivorian voters overwhelmingly approved the new constitution in a November 2016 vote that was boycotted by Ouattara's main opposition.

It scrapped a provision in the previous constitution requiring both of a presidential candidates' parents be natural-born Ivorian citizens, which had been used to disqualify Ouattara from a 2000 election and helped fuel regional tensions that saw the country split into two from 2002-11.

Ouattara has family ties that straddle the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali.

Prospective successors have been jockeying for political position ahead of the 2020 election, threatening to break apart Ouattara's governing coalition and raising fears the country could experience renewed civil conflict.

The presidents of other African countries, including Rwanda and Congo Republic, have altered their constitutions in recent years to get around term limits, but Ouattara had previously promised to step down in 2020.

Under Ouattara, Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer, has routinely recorded some of the highest economic growth rates in Africa on the back of record cocoa production and investments in infrastructure and services.

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But historical divisions based on ethnicity, land and religion have not healed and a string of army mutinies and public sector strikes have taken some of the shine off the country's economic successes.

(This version of the story has been refiled to remove extraneous word in paragraph two and to fix typo in paragraph eight)

(Reporting By Joe Bavier; Writing by Aaron Ross. Editing by Jane Merriman)

See Also:Jordan's king has appointed a new prime minister following days of mass protests over controversial plans to hike taxes.

Hani Mulki quit on Monday following a meeting with King Abdullah, amid widespread anger over his austerity programme.

Thousands have taken to the streets in the last week, the largest protests Jordan has experienced in years.

His replacement is Omar Razzaz, who served as education minister in the outgoing government and was formerly a World Bank Economist.

During his time as education minister, the Harvard alumni oversaw the overhaul of Jordan's state education system.

State media quoted King Abdullah as saying that regional turmoil has caused Jordan's economic woes and that "the problem does not lie in Jordan".

The country's government has imposed a series of economic measures in the last two years, including new laws to increase income taxes by at least 5% and corporation tax by between 20% and 40%.

The aim was to cut Jordan's $37bn (28bn) debt, with the government imposing austerity measures and abolishing bread subsidies.

Jordan's king has the final say on all policy issues, and will presumably define the limits of any economic and political reforms that Mr Razzaz wants to implement.

In an appointment letter addressed to the new PM, King Abdullah called on the new government to carry out a wide-ranging review of the kingdom's tax system and come up with a new tax bill.

He also expressed sympathy for ordinary Jordanians, who have long complained their taxes are not being spent properly. Critics claim the current tax plan unfairly hits the poor and the middle class.

It remains to be seen whether the appointment of Mr Razzaz will quell the anger of Jordanians, who have taken to the streets to demonstrate against a system they view as corrupt and exclusionary, with benefits reserved for those at the very top of society.

The 56-year-old king called a crisis meeting on Saturday evening after a fourth night of protests, stressing that there must be a consensus on the changes that does not "burden people".

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The new prime minister has been opposed to free market reforms which impact the poor, although officials maintain that he will continue with the tough reforms to reduce the country's public debt.

Charged protests broke out across Jordan over the measures, with about 3,000 people clashing with police and security personnel near the then-prime minister Mr Mulki's office on Saturday night.

They waved Jordanian flags and signs reading "we will not kneel" - some appeared to be treated for injuries.

The UK, one of Jordan's allies, has pledged 70m in aid in 2018-18 to support the country's government.Madagascar President Martial Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana addresses the 72nd United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Madagascar's president said on Monday he had appointed the country's local representative of the International Labour Organisation, Christian Ntsay, as the new prime minister.

Former Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly resigned his post earlier on Monday to comply with the terms of a court ruling that ordered the formation of a new consensus government to end a political crisis on the Indian Ocean island nation.

(Reporting by Lova Rabary; Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Toby Chopra)The image has shocked Italy (Picture: Giorgio Lambri/Facebook)

An image of a man taking a selfie in front of a woman who had just been hit by a train has caused outrage in Italy.

The man, wearing a white T-shirt and white shorts, appears to throw up a V for victory sign as he takes a selfie on a platform at Piacenza station.

In the background, a woman receives emergency treatment on the tracks from paramedics. It was reported that the woman, who is from Canada, later had to have her leg amputated in hospital.

The unknown selfie-taker was himself captured on camera by Italian news photographer and journalist Giorgio Lambri, who took the picture on May 26.

He wrote about his image in Piacenza newspaper Liberta on Sunday under the headline: The barbarism you dont expect: The selfie in front of a tragedy.

Mr Lambri said: We have completely lost a sense of ethics.

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It was reported that the selfie taker was questioned by police and forced to delete his photo from his phone.

He was investigated by police but it is understood he has not committed any crime.

However, his actions have sparked anger across Italy, with several newspapers commenting that the image depicts a dip in peoples morality.

La Stampa wrote that it depicted a cancer that corrodes the internet.

It said the man taking the selfie had switched off his soul and personality to become an automaton of the internet.

Mr Lambri posted his story on Facebook, and suggested the alternative headline of Houston, weve got a problem.

He told the rail authorities about the incident.MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to set up a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was "brave and mature", and said that he was expecting a "positive outcome".

The historic summit will take place on June 12 in Singapore, in the latest twist in a high-stakes diplomatic drive by the United States to curtail Pyongyang's nuclear arms programme.

On Friday, Trump, in a complete reversal, said he would hold the meeting with Kim after initially cancelling it, citing what he called Pyongyang's "open hostility".

"I still hope that this meeting  a very brave and mature decision U.S. President Donald Trump has made, to have direct contacts with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un  will take place, and we all expect a positive outcome," Putin said in an interview with China Media Group.

Putin is due to take part in a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation later this week.

The Kremlin leader said last month that his own proposed meeting with Trump was not working out for now and was beset by problems.

Trump said in March that the two leaders would meet soon, but since then already poor ties between Washington and Moscow have deteriorated further over the conflict in Syria and the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain.

(Reporting by Darya Korsunskaya; writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; editing by Gareth Jones)Russian Military Ship Spotted in Britain: We Will Not Hesitate in Defending Our Waters, U.K. Defense Secretary Says

Britain spotted a Russian military ship making its way through its waters and deployed a Royal Navy destroyer to trail it earlier this week.

The Russian underwater reconnaissance ship Yantar neared Britains coast on Wednesday, prompting the country to dispatch its destroyer HMS Diamond and a Wildcat helicopter to follow the foreign vessel, The Independent reported on Friday.

We will not hesitate in defending our waters or tolerate any form of aggression, British defense secretary Gavin Williamson told the media outlet. Britain will never be intimidated when it comes to protecting our country, our people, and our national interests.

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The Russian ship holds two submersible vehicles that are not manned and can take images from the ocean floor as well as collect objects.

British Commander Ben Keith, who is in charge of HMS Diamond, told The Independent that the destroyer is proud to be doing her part to protect the U.K. area of interest by monitoring the Russian vessel Yantar on her transit.

Keith called it routine business for the Royal Navy and said they are prepared to do such escorting on short notice.

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Rising tensions between Russian and western nations have led to more instances of Russian naval ships crossing into the English Channel. In 2010, the Royal Navy encountered only one Russian ship, but last year, the navy intercepted Russian ships 33 times, Williamson said last month. He characterized it as a new age of warfare.

Look at Russias resurgence under President (Vladimir) Putin, Williamson said. It goes to show the increasing aggression, increasing assertiveness of Russia and how we have to ensure we give the right support to our Royal Navy.

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More Russian ships may be passing through the English Channel to reach the Mediterranean, due to Russias role in the Syrian conflict.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekIn the 1990s, the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector (LSND) in Los Alamos, New Mexico, found a weird anomaly during its experiments on tiny elementary particles called neutrinos. It found far more of a certain type than should have been possible.

Now, after years of controversy and conflicting results, an experiment called MiniBooNE at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory near Chicago appears to support the old LSND results. Researchers think it might be evidence of a fabled and highly controversial elementary particle. The MiniBoone team recently uploaded their results to the academic preprint server arXiv.

6_4_Particles

Getty Images

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Neutrinos are tiny particles smaller than atoms. They move in strange and mysterious ways, passing through objects like our bodies in the billions with little impact. The particles oscillate among three "flavors" predicted by the hugely successful standard model of particle physics: electron, muon and tau. From 2002 onward, MiniBooNE zapped neutrinos toward a massive oil tank and monitored how many changed from muon to electron. The experiment detected several hundred more electron neutrinos than predicted.

One explanation for the discrepancy is the existence of an elusive fourth kind of neutrino: the sterile neutrino, which interacts only via gravity. The other three neutrino types can interact via the universes weak force. Sterile neutrinos, if they exist, are heavier than muon neutrinos, and this greater mass could mean they oscillate between different neutrino types more often. More oscillations means more electron neutrons to be detected.

If the results are borne out in future research, they would call for a fundamental physics rewrite. "That would be huge, that's beyond the standard model, that would require new particles...and an all-new analytical framework," Kate Scholberg, a particle physicist at Duke University, told Live Science. Scholberg was not involved in the research.

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But the existence of sterile neutrinos is still far from certain due to the limits of the MiniBooNE project. In fact, the paper is already kicking up controversy on scientific forums. Im very excited about this result, but I am not ready to say Eureka! MIT neutrino physicist Janet Conrad, a member of the MiniBooNE collaboration, told Quanta Magazine.

Even though it may not prove the existence of the fourth neutrino type, the project sheds light on the possible limits of the standard model. There are other potential cracks in the standard picture, physicist Scott Dodelson of Carnegie Mellon University told Quanta. The neutrino paradox could point our way to a new, better model.

Its clear theres something to be understood, and I certainly hope its a fourth neutrino, Neal Weiner, a theoretical physicist at New York University, told Quanta. That said, this would be the first discovered particle beyond the standard model, so the threshold for the evidence is obviously very high.

This article was first written by Newsweek

More from NewsweekOnline-focussed fast fashion brand Quiz announced its preliminary results for the year ended 31 March on Tuesday, reporting that group revenue increased 30% year-on-year, driven by strong growth across all channels.

The AIM-traded firm said its online revenue was up 158% to 30.6m, with underlying international sales ahead 32% at 21.2m and revenue from UK stores and concessions increasing 12% to 64.6m.

Underlying EBITDA increased 24% year-on-year to 12.7m, with the board declaring a maiden dividend of 0.8p per share proposed in respect of the second half.

The board also highlighted the companys successful placing on AIM in July, which raised 10.3m of new money for the business to help fund further expansion.

We are pleased to report a very good performance for the Quiz brand during the year with excellent progress achieved from our omni-channel growth strategy, said founder and chief executive Tarak Ramzan.

The brand has continued to deliver rapid growth online, with revenues up 158% year on year, as well as strong growth in international target markets and across our UK store and concession estate.

Ramzan said Quiz was continuing to grow its reputation as a leading fast-fashion brand known for value and quality.

We have further expanded the brand with the successful launches of our Curve and Bridal ranges as well as the recent launch of Quizman.

More recently the QUIZ X TOWIE collection, our first male and female capsule collection has been very well received.

With our attractive customer offer, well-invested infrastructure and omni-channel business model with the flexibility to increase investment in higher return areas, Quiz is well positioned to deliver strong growth in the year ahead in-line with the Board's expectations.The US government is understood to have asked Saudi Arabia and some other OPEC producers to increase oil production by about 1m barrels a day.

The request came after US retail gasoline prices surged to their highest in more than three years, with President Trump taking to Twitter to voice his anger over OPEC policy and rising prices.

In a mid-April post, Trump said: "Looks like Opec is at it again. Oil prices are artificially Very High! No good and will not be accepted!"

According to Bloomberg, which cited people familiar with the matter, the alleged request also follows the reimposition of sanctions on Iran's crude exports by the US.

Saudi Arabia, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait are believed to be the only four countries with any excess production capacity available to offset the impact of the Iran sanctions.

The White Houses request is understood to have been debated at a meeting of some OPEC member countrys representatives in Kuwait on Saturday, a meeting that yielded a statement pledging to make oil supplies available in order to meet growing demand and offset declines around the world.

Saudi Arabia and Russia have already begun ramping-up production after the collapse of the Venezuelan oil industry sent developed countries' oil inventories back to their five-year average.

Current production is hindered by a 2016 agreement between group of OPEC members and non-members such as Mexico, Kazakhstan and Russia which cut oil output by a combined 1.8m barrels per day in order to boost oil prices, causing the global benchmark, Brent crude, to rise from under $45 a barrel to $80 a barrel since the deal was signed.Markets have started the session with a dip, with investors set to listen-in on the new Italian Prime Minister's first speech before the country's Senate, followed by possible remarks from European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi later in the day.

Investors were also waiting on final readings on key services sector gauges out of the Eurozone, in the form of the latest country purchasing managers' indices from IHS Markit.

Ahead of those risk events, as of 0913 BST the benchmark Stoxx 600 was trading lower by 0.13% or 0.52 points at 387.59, with the German Dax off by 0.03% or 0.43 points at 287.68.

Milan's FTSE Mibtel on the other hand was higher by 0.17% or 39.36 points to 22,049.31.

Italy's newly minted Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, was set to address his country's Senate at 1100 BST, with a confidence vote in both houses set to follow, with the first one in that same chamber scheduled for later on Tuesday evening followed by another in the lower house on Wednesday.

According to analysts at UniCredit, Conte was expected to garner majorities in both chambers, even as analysts poured over the contents of his remarks.

Commenting on the market backdrop to Tuesday's services PMIs in Europe, Michael Hewson at CMC Markets told clients: "Last week we saw increasing evidence that the European growth story of 2017 was still struggling to overcome the slowdown that we saw in the PMI data in Q1. The manufacturing sector has slipped back every month from the peaks that we saw at the end of 2017, to hit a 15-month low last week, and though activity still remains robust any prospect of repeating the strong performance of last year is looking increasingly remote.

"Two weeks ago, the latest flash PMI numbers for the services sector showed that French and German sector activity slowed to their lowest levels in over a year. If this slowdown is confirmed in this mornings numbers then this could present the European Central Bank with a particularly thorny problem if economic activity starts to slow at the same time prices start to rise."

On that note, ECB chief Mario Draghi and ex-ECB chief Jean Claude Trichet were to be the keynote speakers at an event in Frankfurt marking the 20th anniversary of the monetary authority.

IHS Markit was due to release the final readings for its euro area services sector and so-called 'composite' purchasing managers' indices for the month of May at 0900 BST.

Ahead of that release, the survey compiler said the PMI for Spain hit a three-month high of 56.4, after a reading of 55.6 for April, as job creation accelerated to its fastest clip since the financial crisis.

At 1000 BST, Eurostat was to issue a report on euro area retail sales in April.

In corporate news, Siemens Gamesa boss Markus Tacke told Handelsblatt that prices in the sector had stopped falling.

Elsewhere, overnight Italy's Enel purchased a majority stake in Eletropaulo for approximately $1.48bn (1.11bn).The proposed listing of Dutch firm Adyen , whose services are used by the likes of Facebook and Netflix to process payments, on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange got off to a strong on Tuesday, with investor demand eclipsing the number of shares offered by the firm within an hour.

Adyen's existing shareholders will sell as much as 14.2% in the fintech company, which claimed the value of its total equity would be somewhere in the region of 6.5bn to 7.1bn when its shares hit the market on 13 June.

The debt-free and profitable firm, which is listing its shares in the form of a secondary offering, was viewed as one of Europe's most high profile listings in 2018.

Adyen had forecast medium-term net revenue growth of 25-30% per annum, with a boost of no less than 40% in 2018 after having turned in a rise of 38% in 2017 to 218m.

"We feel that we are still in the early stages," said Pieter van der Does, Adyen's chief executive.

"This offering provides us with the freedom to keep building the company, while offering our shareholders a path to liquidity," he added.

Among major risk factors in Adyen's prospectus, the group warned that of the fact that its top ten clients, which includes Uber, eBay, Vodafone and Spotify, make up roughly 33% of total sales.

The prospectus also confirmed that eBay had been offered warrants worth as much as 5% of Adyen as a result of a January deal that saw the firm displace the online retailer's former subsidiary PayPal to become its primary payments processor.

"Adyen considers this agreement to be of an exceptional nature and does not [...] expect to conclude similar agreements in the short term," it said.Controversial plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport were expected to be confirmed on Tuesday by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

Grayling was expected to outline the plans to cabinets economic subcommittee, before the decision goes to the full cabinet for approval.

If approved by the cabinet, members of parliament would also have to take a vote on the issue in the coming weeks. The debate has been going on for nearly 20 years.

Although there are many local residents and political figures like ex-transport secretary Justine Greening who disapprove of the plans, the government backs the expansion. Greening has called for a free vote on the issue as her constituency is affected by any development as is Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's.

Ministers approved a draft national airports policy statement in October spelling out the conditions for a new runway, parliament still has to give its approval for detailed planning to begin.

Opposers threatened a legal challenge if the plan goes forward. Campaigners argue that the runway will breach the limits on air pollution and increase noise pollution with an extra 700 flying planes a day.

Greening said the runway would cost 18bn to build and a further 15bn to upgrade local roads and rail infrastructure.

The new runway would increase Heathrows capacity from to 130m from 85.5m. It would also create approximately 60,000 new jobs and generate 70bn in total economic benefits by the 2050s, the government claimed.

If MPs approve the expansion, airport owners Ferrovial, Qatar Investment Authority and China Investment Corporation among others, will then have to secure planning permission, with construction slated to start in 2021 and the new runway operational by 2026.

The CBI responded positively to the announcement with Deputy Director-General Josh Hardie saying: "Its fantastic that the new runway at Heathrow is getting closer to take-off. All the more so as the United Kingdom has waited for nearly half a century for this decision."

"Expanding our aviation capacity, and creating new flight routes to rapidly growing markets, is mission critical to ensuring Britain can compete on the post-Brexit world stage," he addedThe social media network Facebook, on Tuesday (June 5), was urged by the Senate Commerce Committee to clarify whether or not any user data was compromised and was then given to device manufacturers, according to a report by Reuters.

Mark Zuckerberg has already faced legislators in a two-day inquiry following the publicity of the data privacy issue with Cambridge Analytica. Zuckerberg and his social media empire only benefitted from the panel, after the group's shares went up by billions after its founder and CEO was grilled.

Legislators urged Zuckerberg to reveal whether information was disclosed to at least 60 device manufacturers, according to Reuters.

Facebook has a lot of affiliations with device makers such as Apple and Samsung. These makers enjoy device-sharing agreements with the platform, a partner agreement perk which reports claimed has winded down since April.

Since the inquiry in April, the social media giant, which also owns photo-sharing platform Instagram, has been updating its internal policies to ensure users' privacy are protected.

Facebook vs legislators

The social media platform should be receiving the letter penned by Republican and Democrat senators John Thune and Bill Nelson. The letter was written after a New York Times report earlier revealed that the platform gave device manufacturers deep access to data.

Facebook, according to the report, has entered into an agreement with device manufacturers to share access to vast data sources from users in a bid to become the world's most dominant social media platform.

The letter seeks to find out if Facebook audited affiliations with manufacturers under the consent order with the Federal Trade Commission. The senators also asked whether or not Zuckerberg plans to alter his testimony given in April. The tech giant, on the other hand, firmly said it is open to answering all queries the committee might have.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

Data policies

On its data policy page, the platform said "partners" receive user data when consumers visit or use their services or through third parties. The platform said it requires all partners to have lawful rights to collect, use, and share data before information is shared with them.

When it comes to devices, the platform said it collects information from computers, phones, and other online gadgets. Gathered data was then used to provide more "personalized contents," such as in ads.A routine traffic stop turned into a nightmare of crimes once police caught up with Stewart Weldon. He led police on a chase after he was spotted with a tail light out on the car he was driving. Once they caught up with him, a very battered and frightened woman in the car told police she was being held against her will by Weldon and continually raped over the past month. The unidentified woman is still in the hospital today (June 2) being treated for stab wounds to the abdomen, a possible broken jaw, bruises, scrapes, and scratches from her reported ordeal.

Lived in Westfield at one time

According to the Boston Herald, once they had Weldon in custody, it was something he said that led police to search the property where he lived, which is owned by his mother in Springfield, Massachusetts. The police searched the house and grounds and found three bodies. According to records, Weldon had lived at the property in Springfield for the past two years. That property is now the location of an intensive search for more victims. He had also lived in Westfield, Massachusetts, as well as New Jersey, according to records.

Charges included kidnapping, threatening to commit murder

Weldon is being held on $1 million bond after being charged with kidnapping, threatening to commit murder, and assault and battery for what he allegedly did to this woman.

He has not been charged in connection to the bodies found on the property where he lived. Police remind the media that the investigation is still in its early stages.

Three bodies discovered

When police searched the Springfield home they found a total of three bodies in various locations in and around the property, according to Mass Live.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

Law enforcement agencies have brought in a radar imaging contractor who will scour the property with ground-penetrating technology for any more remains that may be buried there.

Radar imaging contractor brought in

A Waltham-based company arrived early Friday morning (June 1) at 1333 Page Boulevard with their ground-penetrating technology ready to go to work.

The investigation is still on-going over the weekend as well.

Police did not release anything about the bodies found on the premises, except that they remain unidentified. There is no word on how long the bodies may have been at the home, which is usually determined by the state of decomposition. The gender or approximate age of the victims was not revealed by police. The bodies are now in the custody of the medical examiner.

Child removed from the home

According to CNN, police called in the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families to take a child into their care who was found in the home. Authorities have not released any information about the child's relationship to anyone in the home or the gender or age of the child.

Routine traffic stop nightmare

This bizarre case unfolded on Friday with police attempting to make a routine traffic stop of the suspect, who had a tail light out on his car. He didn't stop but instead led police on a chase which ended when Weldon smashed into a police car. From there, he fought the police attempting to take him into custody. The officers found two knives in Weldon's pockets, according to CNN. The woman in the car, who is now in the hospital, was an acquaintance of Weldon and was allegedly being held against her will. She told police that the suspect hit her with a hammer at one point during her horrific ordeal.Jenelle Evans lashed out against her "Teen Mom 2" co-stars on Twitter after a report was shared by The Ashley's Reality Roundup which suggested they were upset about Evans allegedly being treated better by MTV. As the outlet explained, a production team recently set up shop in North Carolina for a one-on-one filming session with Evans for the upcoming "Teen Mom 2" reunion. Meanwhile, they chose to conduct a Skype session for Chelsea Houska's segment.

In response to the report, Evans took to Twitter on June 4, where she posted a series of tweets, accusing her co-stars, including Chelsea Houska, Leah Messer, and Kailyn Lowry, of feeding off drama as she attempts to steer clear of it.

She then suggested that the women who didn't participate in filming on the reunion, including Chelsea Houska, were unprofessional.

Who 'quit' while filming the 'Teen Mom 2' reunion in New York City?

"They paid thousands for these girls and then they quit and leave? Do your job ladies. Mind your business," she wrote. According to The Ashley, Houska bolted from filming after feeling unsafe due to the fight that broke out between Kailyn Lowry and Briana DeJesus.

"Everyone is mad but this was NOT my request from the beginning," Jenelle Evans tweeted of the production that occurred in North Carolina. "[Larry Musnik] asked me if I was willing to film a separate segment like [Farrah Abraham]... so I said sure." Evans went on to confirm that she did not make any demands of MTV as a source suggested to The Ashley.

Is Jenelle Evans afraid of her 'Teen Mom 2' co-stars?

As her tweets continued, Evans suggested that she steered clear of filming in New York City because she was afraid of the potential attacks she could have endured. "I wasnt about to go and be cornered into a wall by b******s without my husband [David Eason] present," she wrote.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

In The Ashley's report, it was alleged that Evans had refused to go to the Big Apple to film the reunion because the network was unwilling to pay for her husband's trip to the city. However, according to Evans' tweet, it sounds like she wanted Eason to film with her as well and protect her from her potentially dangerous co-stars.

To see more of Jenelle Evans, her family, and her co-stars, including Leah Messer, Jeremy Calvert, Jo Rivera, Kailyn Lowry, Javi Marroquin, Chelsea Houska, Briana DeJesus, and Cole DeBoer, tune in to "Teen Mom 2" season 8B on Monday nights at 9 PM on MTV.Brittany Nichols, of Gibsonville, North Carolina, will join researchers at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland in Germany after being selected for a Fulbright U.S. Student Research Grant.

Nichols, a graduate student in chemistry in the College of Science, is the first African-American student at Virginia Tech to be awarded a Fulbright.

Fulbright will give me the chance to build upon my work at Virginia Tech, further explore my passion for research, and expand my skill set before graduating. I hope my selection will encourage others to apply, Nichols said.

At Virginia Tech, Nichols designed polysaccharides, which are natural chains of sugars creating renewable, biodegradable materials. She will test them at the Saarland institute, where researchers develop drugs and therapies to combat infectious diseases.

Her work has the potential to provide painless oral delivery options useful for a wide range of drugs, she said. She will be looking for biological barriers that could interfere with a drugs effects. My goal is to give insight needed for optimizing the design of promising drug-delivery polymers, Nichols said.

Kevin Edgar, professor of biomaterials in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, is Nichols Ph.D. adviser. Noting her high number of publications compared with other students, he said, I truly believe that the time in Germany will teach her techniques she couldnt learn here, which will be extremely beneficial to her research.

Nichols, who has traveled outside the continental U.S. just once (on a family trip to Puerto Rico), is looking forward to exploring a new environment, though she admits she is concerned about learning enough German to overcome the language barrier.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program has offered recent graduates and graduate students opportunities since 1946. Fulbright grant recipients can research, study, and teach in more than 140 countries.

Nichols encourages others considering Fulbright to put aside hesitations and self-doubt. I would emphasize persistence; I applied multiple times to other grants before being selected as a Fulbright finalist, she said.

Nichols received a bachelors degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a masters degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, both in chemistry.

Students and faculty interested in Fulbright awards can contact Betty Anderson in the Global Education Office, a unit of Outreach and International Affairs.

Written by Alexa Johnson; Rommelyn Coffren contributed to this report.The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III (Scots) L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Campus Drive LLC, Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. 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Organized by Rejean Legault, associate professor at the Ecole de design of the Universite du Quebec a Montreal (UQAM), with the support of architectural and design historian Cammie McAtee, the exhibition titled "Canada Builds/Rebuilds a Pavilion in Venice" explores the sixty-year life of the Pavilion and offers an unprecedented study of the buildings important modern architecture.

Image  Italo Rondinella, La Biennale di Venezia

The exhibition includes a photo-documentation project by photographer Andrea Pertoldeo, professor at the Universita IUAV di Venezia, that records the work and people involved in the restoration.

Image  Italo Rondinella, La Biennale di Venezia

"The National Gallerys commissioning of the Pavilion to Enrico Peressutti and studio BBPR was nothing less than a coup for Canada, as well as an enlightened decision. The result is a truly modern building in terms of structural articulation, spatial organization and material expression," said Rejean Legault, curator of Canada Builds/Rebuilds a Pavilion in Venice.

"The restoration project offered an ideal opportunity to examine the Pavilions original design, explore its long life as an exhibition space, and reflect on the spirit of collaboration that was central to its birth and its reconstruction."

Image  Italo Rondinella, La Biennale di Venezia

After six decades of presenting some of the countrys most celebrated artists and architects, after six decades presenting some of the countrys most celebrated artists and architects, representatives from the National Gallery of Canada, the Embassy of Canada to Italy, the National Gallery of Canada Foundation, and project patron, Reesa Greenberg opened the meticulously restored and refurbished Canada Pavilion on May 24 at the Giardini.

The Pavilion was originally built in 1958 and designed by Italian architecture studio BBPR, the Canada Pavilion has been carefully restored by Alberico Barbiano di Belgiojoso, heir to BBPR (Banfi, Belgiojoso, Peressutti, Rogers).

Canada Pavilion, interior view of newly restored pavilion, May 18, 2018, Giardini di Castello, La Biennale di Venezia, Venice. Image  Andrea Pertoldeo

After its completion, the Canada Pavilion now features a special exhibition titled "Canada Builds/Rebuilds a Pavilion" curated by Rejean Legault that commemorates the buildings important history.

"This was an unusual and important architectural statement at the time," said National Gallery of Canada Director and CEO, Marc Mayer.

"We are deeply appreciative of the collaborative work between Canadian and Italian agencies that have permitted its rejuvenation and fresh understanding today. Canadian artists also understand the unique opportunity the Canada Pavilion offers us on the world art stage in this magical city that is Venice."

Canada Pavilion, interior view of newly restored pavilion, May 18, 2018, Giardini di Castello, La Biennale di Venezia, Venice. Image  Andrea Pertoldeo

The restoration project was started in 2014 due to the Pavilion's disrepair and functional limitations. Originally designed by Enrico Peressutti of the renowned Milanese architectural studio BBPR (Banfi, Belgiojoso, Peressutti, Rogers) in 1956, the Canada Pavilion was completely restored by architect Alberico Barbiano di Belgiojoso, heir to the BBPR studio, working in close cooperation with Venice-based architect Troels Bruun of M+B Studio.

Tucked between the pavilions of Great Britain and Germany, the Canada Pavilion embraces its wooded site. The new restored version of the Pavilion fully integrates two large living trees within its perimeter walls.

Canada Pavilion, interior view of newly restored pavilion, May 18, 2018, Giardini di Castello, La Biennale di Venezia, Venice. Image  Andrea Pertoldeo

"Shaped in plan like a nautilus shell, the building spirals out from a tapered octagonal column at its centre that supports the dramatic beams of its roof structure. This form, together with undisguised materials  brick, glass, wood, and steel  established the Pavilions architectural character," stated in the project description.

"Reaction when it was unveiled in June 1958 was overwhelmingly positive, it was described as a "small jewel of a showcase" and its architecture considered the most "advanced" of the pavilions in the Giardini. Later designated a heritage site, the Pavilion presented a restoration challenge that required Barbiano di Belgiojoso both to stabilize it and modernize its components, while respecting the 1956 design."

Image  Italo Rondinella, La Biennale di Venezia

The $3-million (CAD) Canada Pavilion is conceived as a regenerative project and a story of international collaboration. The four-year restoration was led by the National Gallery of Canada with the support of La Biennale di Venezia and the Venice Superintendent for Architectural Heritage, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and Global Affairs Canada with the exceptional collaboration of the Canadian Embassy in Rome.

Image  Italo Rondinella, La Biennale di Venezia

"The Canada Pavilion is an extraordinary platform for Canadas cultural diplomacy and we are overjoyed to see it restored to its original beauty," added Canadas Ambassador to the Italian Republic, Alexandra Bugailiskis.

"Indeed the Pavilion, as it reflects Canadas openness, allows a wonderful presence at the Venice Biennale, which is an important meeting place for leaders on Culture and beyond."

A scholarly, generously illustrated publication, edited by Rejean Legault, is scheduled for release in 2019. Featuring contributions by leading Italian and Canadian scholars in the fields of art and architectural history, building preservation and landscape design, as well as contemporary art, it will contextualize the commissioning of the Canada Pavilion and highlight the buildings relevance and significance as a work of modern architecture.

The 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale, curated by Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara under the title of Freespace, will be on view from May 26th to November 25th, 2018 in the Giardini and the Arsenale, and around other venues in Venice.

Top image: Restored Canada Pavilion, interior view, May 16, 2018. Image  Andrea Pertoldeo

> via Venice Architecture Biennale/Canada PavilionJohn Cornwell in Prospect:

MacIntyre begins his Cambridge talk by asserting that the 2008 economic crisis was not due to a failure of business ethics. The opener is not a red herring. Ever since he published his key text After Virtue in 1981, he has argued that moral behaviour begins with the good practice of a profession, trade, or art: playing the violin, cutting hair, brick-laying, teaching philosophy. Through these everyday social practices, he maintains, people develop the appropriate virtues. In other words, the virtues necessary for human flourishing are not a result of the top-down application of abstract ethical principles, but the development of good character in everyday life. After Virtue, which is in essence an attack on the failings of the Enlightenment, has in its sights a catalogue of modern assumptions of beneficence: liberalism, humanism, individualism, capitalism. MacIntyre yearns for a single, shared view of the good life as opposed to modern pluralisms assumption that there can be many competing views of how to live well.

In philosophy he attacks consequentialism, the view that what matters about an action is its consequences, which is usually coupled with utilitarianisms greatest happiness principle. He also rejects Kantianismthe identification of universal ethical maxims based on reason and applied to circumstances top down. MacIntyres critique routinely cites the contradictory moral principles adopted by the allies in the second world war. Britain invoked a Kantian reason for declaring war on Germany: that Hitler could not be allowed to invade his neighbours. But the bombing of Dresden (which for a Kantian involved the treatment of people as a means to an end, something that should never be countenanced) was justified under consequentialist or utilitarian arguments: to bring the war to a swift end.Larissa MacFarquhar at The New Yorker:

Around the time that Imasuen was getting yelled at by his mother, the author of Purple Hibiscus, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who is now regarded as one of the most vital and original novelists of her generation, was living in a poky apartment in Baltimore, writing the last sections of her second book. She was twenty-six. Purple Hibiscus, published the previous fall, had established her reputation as an up-and-coming writer, but she was not yet well known.

Although there had been political violence in the background of her first book, she had written it as a taut, enclosed story of one family; her second, Half of a Yellow Sun, would be much larger. She was constructing a story of symphonic complexity, with characters from all over Nigeria and many levels of society, twisted together by love and the chance encounters of refugees.

more here.Michael Prodger at the New Statesman:

Heron the critic was also one of the figures responsible for introducing the American abstract expressionists to a British audience. Although he was later to accuse Pollock, De Kooning et al (but not Rothko) of cultural imperialism and not being painterly enough, the scale of their pictures, their rhythm, saturated palette and insistence that each part of the canvas was as important as every other, had a profound effect on him. Heron believed that, Painting is thinking with ones hand; or with ones arm; in fact with ones whole body, and the epic AbEx works represented his aphorism in action.

Heron himself had not started as an abstract painter but he shared what Gillian Ayres defined as the postwar generations obsession with what can be done with painting.

more here.Hunting pheasants this weekend? Here's what you should know.Albuquerque has a front row seat this week in a national debate over government royalties generated by mineral extraction on federal lands.

The federal Royalty Policy Committee, which advises the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, will meet here Wednesday in one of only three national meetings in the country. The recommendations that emerge from the gathering could lead to major changes in federal policy and the amount of revenue collected from mining activities.

New Mexico has an outsized stake in the debate as the second-largest state recipient of energy-related royalties after Wyoming, said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller in a press conference with Attorney General Hector Balderas Monday morning.

We must fight to receive a fair value for every resource mined on our land, Keller said.

National environmental and consumer advocacy organizations joined Keller and Balderas in an effort to raise public awareness about the committee. Those groups say the committee, which U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke re-chartered last fall for the first time since former President Barack Obamas first term in office, is stacked with industry representatives and few, if any, authentic public interest groups.

The groups subcommittees have held dozens of meetings since October behind closed doors, said Wilderness Society Senior Energy Advisor Pam Eaton.

We have a lot of concerns about the committees entire process, which is opaque and completely nontransparent, Eaton told the Journals editorial board Monday. Its energy recommendations are wholly consistent with the agenda of oil and gas companies.

At the committees last full gathering on Feb. 28 in Houston, it released 200 pages of documents outlining recommendations to vote on just two days before the meeting, said Dan Bucks, former director of the Multistate Tax Commission and Montana Revenue Department.

The committee posted its recommendations sooner this time for the meeting in Albuquerque, but theres still no real public participation or transparency, Bucks said. Billions of dollars are at stake and yet the committee is operating almost in secrecy.

At Wednesdays meeting, the committee will consider recommendations that could ease environmental reviews for drilling on federal lands and for calculating royalty payments, among other things.

Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, an industry group, said the recommendations aim to provide more certainty in permitting timelines to attract more development on federal lands and potentially more royalty revenue. Under Obama, there were so many barriers and red tape that public lands became less competitive, and it drove producers to seek other places to develop, she said.Summers here. Schools out. Kids are getting into trouble. One form is an activity called car surfing.

Climbing onto the roof of a moving car is car surfing. This activity caused 58 deaths between 1990 and 2008, all preventable. Though the numbers are small, we continue to see teenagers in the hospital for traumatic brain injury due to car surfing every year. It is an uncommon but significant cause of brain injury and death. And it is 100 percent preventable.

Car surfing in New Mexico even made the national news. A Washington Post article told the story of a 21-year-old woman from Nageezi (near Farmington) who decided to climb on top of her car while her friend was driving over rough dirt roads. She was flung from the car and fatally wounded. This was a preventable death due to car surfing.

There are reports from other states as well. A 19-year-old Colorado boy died from traumatic brain injury after falling while car surfing. A 17 -year-old Minnesota teen suffered severe traumatic brain injury after a car surfing accident. He spent a month in a medically induced coma and had part of his skull removed. He now suffers from chronic headaches.

Closer to home, an 11-year-old Albuquerque boy died after falling from the back of a Jeep. A 14-year-old student at Clovis High School suffered severe traumatic brain injury while car surfing in her high school parking lot. She didnt wake up for 3 days, and when she did doctors were concerned about her ability to regain her speech and language abilities. This teen was in the hospital for a month, and then needed ongoing rehabilitation. Her mother told the newspaper that she wants the students at Clovis High School and elsewhere to stop car surfing. Im hoping my daughters story and this accident will open some eyes and show kids that even though this might look kinda fun and cool, its not. Its not at all. My daughter  I dont know what her future holds. I hope kids will make smarter choices.

There are papers in medical journals about car surfing. In 2008 a group of neurosurgeons reviewed 7 children with car surfing injuries and found that all 7 suffered traumatic brain injury. Three children fell from the back of a moving vehicle, 2 from the hood, 1 from the side of the vehicle, and 1 intentionally jumped off. All 7 suffered intracranial bleeding, 4 had skull fractures and 4 had permanent neurological problems.

Jumping off a moving vehicle can cause injuries to many body parts. But the injuries that most affect quality and quantity of life are traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The Centers for Disease Control reports that between the years of 2001 and 2010, there were 278 TBI related deaths in children aged 0- 4 years, 488 in the 5-14 year age group and 3,670 in the 15-24 year age group. Deaths due to car surfing are usually due to the resulting TBI, and would be included in this category. We still see these injuries occurring today.

Long term outcome after Traumatic Brain Injury depends on the severity of the injury. Children with mild TBI may suffer a concussion, have some nausea, vomiting, headaches and miss some school. But they should recover. Kids with moderate TBI have more significant injury, usually with abnormal head imaging and the potential for long-term sequelae such as attention, memory and learning deficits, chronic headaches, sleep disturbance and behavior issues. Severe TBI has a significant risk of permanent brain injury or death. However, with quick medical attention, aggressive care and diligent rehabilitation, some children can recover. A 2014 article in the journal Brain Injury looked at 77 children with moderate-severe TBI who were followed for 10 years. They found that 61 percent of children were able to function within their normative age peers. This was a higher number than expected, perhaps due to the very fact that they were being followed so closely.

All this leads me back to the original message of this article.

Summers here. Schools out. Its really fun to hang out in cars and get goofy with friends. But please advise your teens that riding on the hood, side or in the bed of a moving vehicle is a seriously bad idea, and they should never do it. Not for a few seconds. Not even at very slow speeds. Traumatic Brain Injury related to car surfing is completely preventable.

Anjali Subbaswamy is a Pediatric Intensive Care Physician at UNM. Please send your questions to her at asubbaswamy@salud.unm.eduCopyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Early voting for New Mexicos primary election soared past 2014 levels, as hotly contested Democratic races  especially for governor and an open Albuquerque-area congressional seat  appeared to have captured voters attention.

However, its unclear whether that will translate into big Election Day turnout today, and candidates were busy Monday trying to cajole undecided voters into supporting their campaigns.

At stake today  polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.  are party nominations for governor, two open congressional seats and a slew of statewide offices. The winners advance to the November general election.

Statewide, 76,839 Democrats  or about 13.6 percent of those registered  cast ballots via early or absentee voting before early voting closed Saturday, according to the Secretary of States Office. That was up significantly from four years ago, when 47,282 Democrats voted before Election Day in that years gubernatorial primary race.

It appears as though turnout in the Democratic primary is going to be higher than four years ago, but were still not dealing with astronomical turnout, said longtime political observer Brian Sanderoff, president of Albuquerque-based Research & Polling Inc.

He said its unlikely total Democratic turnout will reach 30 percent, but it could top turnout in 2014, when 22 percent of registered Democrats cast ballots, and 2010, when 24 percent voted.

Much of this years early voting action took place in Bernalillo County, as 33,199 registered Democrats  or roughly 17.5 percent of those registered to vote  cast ballots before the close of early voting.

Thats likely been driven by two races: a three-way primary race for governor featuring U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, state Sen. Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces and former media executive Jeff Apodaca of Albuquerque, and a five-way contest for the 1st Congressional District seat that Lujan Grisham is giving up to run for governor.

The active candidates in the race for the Albuquerque-area congressional seat are former Democratic Party Chairwoman Debra Haaland, former U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez, former law school professor and civil rights activist Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez, attorney Damian Lara and business executive Paul Moya.

The race has been marked by outside groups representing women, veterans, Native Americans and others spending more than $2 million on TV advertisements, mailers and other election-related expenditures.

There are also contested Democratic primary races for land commissioner, auditor, lieutenant governor, the Public Regulation Commission and several state House seats.

Although there are no contested statewide GOP primary races, four Republicans are competing for the partys nomination to represent the southern New Mexico-based 2nd Congressional District. They are: State Rep. Yvette Herrell of Alamogordo, former state GOP Chairman Monty Newman of Hobbs, former U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs official Gavin Clarkson of Las Cruces and Clayburn Griffin of Lovington.

Incumbent Steve Pearce is forgoing a bid for re-election to that seat to run for governor, and there also two Democrats  Las Cruces water attorney Xochitl Torres Small and adjunct history professor Mad Hildebrandt of Socorro  running in the district.

Statewide, a total of 34,674 Republicans  or about 9.2 percent of those registered to vote  cast ballots this year via early and absentee voting.

Under New Mexicos closed primary system, only voters affiliated with major political parties  Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians in this years election cycle  can cast ballots for their parties candidates in the primary election.

The data makes it clear that New Mexico voters want their voices to be heard, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, said of the early voting figures. We saw a substantial increase in the number of voters choosing the early voting option compared to the last midterm primary election in 2014.

Meanwhile, Colfax County Clerk Rayetta Trujillo said Monday that eligible primary voters displaced by the Ute Park Fire burning in northern New Mexico can cast provisional ballots today at the Raton Convention Center or at the Eagle Nest Convention Center. Those ballots will then be qualified and tallied after Election Day.WASHINGTON  Roseanne Barr and Samantha Bee require us to keep numerous truths in mind simultaneously, which may be more than we can handle in this tribal moment.

What Barr said was racist and unforgivable. ABC was right to fire her. President Trump, having been Barrs cheerleader-in-chief, was wrong to have suddenly found himself, according to White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, too busy to comment. He was even wronger, once he turned out to have some time on his hands, to have transformed the episode into a Trump pity party, wondering about his missing apology from ABC. Trump can never forgive or forget a slight, even as he can never seem to summon an ounce of outrage over racism.

But we can, and should, which is why we must acknowledge: What Barr said was worse than what Bee said. One was racist, the other was offensive. Barr had no conceivable point, other than to comment on Valerie Jarretts supposedly simian and Muslim lineage. Bee had a point, made in a way that went far across the line of civility, about Ivanka Trumps hypocrisy over the joys of motherhood and her complicity in her fathers cruel anti-family immigration policies.

At the same time, we must also acknowledge  we being people who, like me, were vocal in expressing outrage about Barr  that what Bee said was also, as she acknowledged, and without any of Barrs smarmy Ambien-made-me-do-it takeback, inappropriate and inexcusable.

Think about what would have happened if her name were Samuel, not Samantha. She would have been out the TBS door, immediately, for using that vulgar term about the female anatomy. Feminism and being female are not a license for demeaning another woman. And Bees less-noticed addition  Put on something tight and low-cut  was almost as repugnant, insinuating some kind of sexual, or at least sexualized relationship between Ivanka Trump and her father.

Even worse is that, unlike Barrs impulsive tweet, Bees commentary was a premeditated, group effort. It would have been one thing for Bee to use the word she chose, instead of a less offensive one, carried away on the spur of the moment, in front of a cheering live audience. Thats not what happened. That word was in the script. Someone wrote it. Someone edited it. Someone approved it. And after it was said, before the show aired, no one associated with the whole enterprise apparently thought better of it, at least not enough to excise the remarks.

And another thing we need to keep in mind: Yes, conservatives were waiting for  yearning, searching for  an offender on the left to balance out the Barr outrage. Yes, the White House of all places, and Trump of all people, has no standing, zero, to rail about the offense. Not given the White House/Trump initial silence on Barr, and before that, on Charlottesville. Not given Trumps own similarly offensive comments about grabbing women by that part. The double standard is a yawning chasm.

Which leads to the twin questions: Given that double standard, given the outrage machine waiting to pounce, what is the right and honorable response on the other side to Bee? What consequences, if any, should she and her colleagues face?

The impulse not to be bullied into reacting is understandable, as is bristling at being ordered to mete out equal penalties for unequal conduct  especially by those whose outrage meter was turned off for Barr. Why arent they firing no talent Samantha Bee for the horrible language used on her low ratings show? Trump tweeted Friday. You know what? In my book, hes forfeited any right to be heard on this subject.

But, but, but. The risk of liberals underreacting to Bee is similarly ceding any moral high ground. That one side has a double standard does not excuse the other from failing to live up to its own.

As with sexual harassment, not every episode rises to the level of a firing offense and permanent exile; we have to figure out gradations of reaction to bad behavior. If it were up to me, because this is a systemic, group failure, I would yank the show off the air for a period long enough to reflect the seriousness of the offense here, maybe three months. Bee and senior staff who ought to have known better should lose their salaries during this time. TBS should pay other employees who were innocent victims of their poor judgment. And I would have Bee and her staff use the time to ponder what goes too far in the name of political passion and political comedy. And how to repair a society ripped apart by full frontal incivility.WASHINGTON  Imagine the horror of learning you have a terminal illness for which science has not yet come up with a treatment. Now imagine receiving the same diagnosis, and then learning a promising new treatment exists that could save your life  but you cant get access to it thanks to governmental obstacles.

That is the nightmare that befell Andrea Sloan, an Austin lobbyist who gave up her job at a high-priced law firm to advocate for victims of domestic violence.

In 2007, Sloan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and for more than six years tried every Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for her disease. All failed. With Sloans health rapidly deteriorating, her doctor at MD Anderson Cancer Center told her she had one last hope: a new drug that inhibits DNA repair in cancer cells, which had shown great promise in clinical trials with patients that had her specific genetic mutation.

But Sloan did not qualify for a clinical trial. And while the drug had passed safety trials, it was not yet approved by the FDA. She would have to seek compassionate use. After months of lobbying  and being turned down by one manufacturer  she finally convinced another to grant her access. She was ready to begin treatment, but then she hit a deadly roadblock: Before she could obtain the drug her physician recommended and that a manufacturer was willing to provide, she had to beg the FDA for approval. Her doctor was forced to spend around 100 hours filling out FDA paperwork  a requirement that has since been streamlined, thanks to public pressure. Then, the FDA took 24 days to review the application.

As Sloan waited, her health deteriorated further. In an interview for the book The Right to Try: How the Federal Government Prevents Americans from Getting the Lifesaving Treatments They Need, which I co-wrote, Sloans best friend Michelle Wittenberg told me about Sloans anguish as she waited on the green light from Washington. She would say, Michelle, whats going on? Whats the delay? The drug companys agreed to give it, why is it taking so long?' When the FDA finally relented, the drug worked. Scans showed it beating back her cancer. But it was too late. Shortly after getting the scans, Sloan came down with pneumonia. Thirteen days later, she died. The delay in getting that drug that was working killed her, Wittenberg said, The extra month tacked on because of the FDA process? Too long.

Wittenberg formed Andis Army to lobby the Texas state Legislature to pass a Right to Try law that would grant those in Texas with terminal illnesses, and who have exhausted all FDA-approved treatments, access to investigational drugs  so long as they have been proven safe in clinical trials, are part of the FDAs ongoing evaluation process, and the company developing the medication is willing to make it available. In 2015, Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Andrea Sloan Right to Try Act into law.

Today, 40 states have passed similar laws. And on Wednesday, President Trump signed a national Right to Try Act into law.

In the states, Right to Try has not been a partisan issue. In most instances, it passed without a single dissenting vote. The issue brought together politicians who never worked together on any other issue. In Illinois, for example, the bill was co-sponsored by state Sen. Mike Connelly, a socially conservative Republican, and state Rep. Greg Harris, a liberal Democrat who is HIV-positive. As Connelly told me, This is the first bill Ive ever encountered that is both pro-life and pro-choice. It gives people the freedom to choose to fight for their life.

But, sadly, this spirit of bipartisanship did not translate to Washington. Only 22 House Democrats voted for the final bill that Trump will sign. In August, a version introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., passed the Senate by unanimous consent but stalled in the House, which eventually passed a more limited bill from Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore. Last week, Senate Republicans tried to accommodate Democratic objections by bringing up the Walden bill for a vote, but Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer blocked it from coming to the floor. So the House passed the Johnson version, with Democrats nearly united in opposition.

In other words, Democrats in Washington managed to take an issue that unified thousands of legislators from both parties in 40 states and turn it into a divisive, party-line vote. Thanks to Trump, Americans facing terminal diagnoses will now have a new chance at life. How tragic  and pathetic  that Democrats refused to join him in making that happen.

Follow Marc A. Thiessen on Twitter, @marcthiessen. (c) 2018, The Washington Post Writers Group.How many billions-with-a-b of your tax dollars is the federal government willing to waste on bad nuclear decisions? Its in the tens of billions already, with the meter in overdrive.

Theres the $15 billion already plowed into the Yucca Mountain storage site, about 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nev., since 1987. The project has yet to take a thimble of nuclear waste, having been abandoned since 2010. Theres the $4 billion Mixed-Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, or MOX, at the Department of Energys Savannah River Site. MOX was designed to transform weapons-grade plutonium into commercial reactor fuel as part of a disarmament deal with the Russians. Its more than a decade old, was supposed to open in 2016, is barely 70 percent complete and is over budget  cost estimates have skyrocketed from $1.4 billion to $17 billion.

And now theres the multibillion plan to split the job of making plutonium pits between Los Alamos National Laboratory and a re-purposed MOX facility. As the National Nuclear Security Administration unveiled the pit production plan, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry executed a waiver to terminate MOX construction. MOX would now have to be revamped to churn out 50 pits by 2030, even though a nuclear pit has never been produced in South Carolina and there are questions of whether the complex work is even possible in the Palmetto States humidity. LANL would get an estimated $3 billion makeover to expand its production line, even though it has never made more than 11 pits a year and has made exactly zero since 2011; it has to crank out 30 under the new deal.

And that nuclear waste that was destined for MOX? It would end up headed to  wait for it  the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad in a dilute and dispose operation. New Mexico never signed up for this level of waste. South Carolina lawmakers, who want MOX and its 2,000 jobs to remain, say DOE says it now wants to pursue dilute and dispose, but that plan was already considered and rejected. this could lead to the permanent orphaning of at least 34 metric tons of weapons grade plutonium, enough for thousands of warheads.

Yes, on one hand, it makes sense to find another mission for MOX  in 10 years, a utility has yet to come forward and say it wants to buy what MOX was ultimately supposed to be selling. And it is certainly politically expedient to throw a multibillion-dollar nuclear job-creator bone to South Carolina  after all, thats where the head of the U.S. Senate resides.

But on the other, there are real questions about whether the U.S. really needs 80 new pits for an estimated $1.4 trillion-with-a-t. The magic 80 number comes from an Obama-era vast weapons modernization make-work plan, and Trump is expected to up that ante. Yet, the United States already has 12,000 spare pits and in storage those have credible minimum lifetimes in excess of 100 years, according to an independent advisory panel cited in The Economist. Making pits also produces a lot of waste, and as mentioned above, the nation cant dispose of the metric tons it already has  more than 70,000 metric tons of used reactor fuel is in temporary facilities in 39 states and 55 metric tons of surplus weapons-grade plutonium is in bunkers at the Energy Departments Pantex warhead assembly-disassembly plant outside Amarillo and in an old reactor building at the Savannah River Site.

N.M. Democratic Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and Reps. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Ben Ray Lujan are saying instead of wasting billions of dollars exploring the construction of a new facility that will likely never be completed somewhere else, the Department of Energy should immediately move forward with the new, modular plutonium facilities at Los Alamos  as originally endorsed by both Congress and the Nuclear Weapons Council. And LANL director Terry Wallace says this commitment by the government to expand our plutonium mission reiterates the critical role we play in ensuring the nations security.

Theres something to be said for going with what you know, and the nation knows LANL can build pits. But there are also billions of reasons to take a hard, unbiased look at what the nation truly needs to keep its nuclear deterrence vibrant.

And what is just expensive and dangerous busy work.

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.BELEN  A Wisconsin-based group is once again urging the city to remove what it perceives as a promotion of religion from its recently approved official flag.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the citys former attorney, Charles Rennick, telling city officials that the Star of Bethlehem depicted on the flag is unconstitutional.

The inclusion of the Star of Bethlehem on this official city flag violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, wrote Christopher Line of FFRF. The Establishment Clause, at the very least, prohibits government from appearing to take a position on questions of religious belief or from making adherence to a religion relevant in any way to a persons standing in the political community. 

The flag, which was designed by volunteer Jim Rende and Councilor Frank Ortega, was presented to the City Council two years ago.

Since then, the flag has been flying at several locations. It wasnt until last month that the council unanimously officially approved it.

This same organization demanded in July 2015 that the city remove the Nativity scene at the Heart of Belen Plaza, pronouncing it was unlawful to maintain a display that shows a preference for, and endorsing one religion.

Belen Mayor Jerah Cordova said the flag will continue to fly over Belen.

Weve had a star on our water tower for years. We light it every Christmas, and were proud to do so, Cordova said. As we told this group three years ago, we arent afraid to represent our history and name, while remaining a welcoming city. Belen is unique in this way, much like Las Cruces and its depictions of three crosses.

The FFRF said that several federal courts have ruled that religious symbols on official city logos or representations violate the U.S. Constitution.

Though most of the cases focused on Latin crosses on official city seals, this religious symbol placed on an official city flag would be found unconstitutional under the same reasoning, the FFRFs letter states, especially given that the particular Star of Bethlehem depiction chosen by the city is meant to resemble a Latin cross and the citys history of using its name as an excuse to promote and endorse Christianity.

The FFRF urged the city to immediately discontinue using this as the official city flag, in the letter, and asked that it adopt something else that is inclusive of all citizens.

When the FFRF contacted Belen officials three years ago, it threatened to file a lawsuit regarding the Nativity scene. To date, no lawsuit has been filed.

Group wants Belen to remove star from flagLAS CRUCES  Is it natural or supernatural? Is it divine or demonic? These are the questions the Las Cruces Catholic Diocese is hoping to answer at the conclusion of its investigation into a statue of the Virgin Mary that appears to be shedding tears at a Hobbs church.

Bishop Oscar Cantu addressed the statue in a news conference last week, saying the diocese, which serves as the governing entity for all Catholic churches in southern New Mexico, including Hobbs, is in the middle of its investigation into the occurrence at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Hobbs.

Weve initiated an investigation, Cantu said. Itll be on a lot of different levels.

As of Wednesday, Cantu said, he had not visited the church since parishioners first reported seeing what appeared to be tears streaming down the face of a statue of the Virgin Mary last month. The church has since become a destination for Catholics, non-Catholics and others who have traveled from near and far to see what many have called a miracle.

Several images of the statue are on the churchs Facebook page, including one that shows a long line of people waiting to see the figure.

In its investigation, the diocese will first try to determine whether the tears are a supernatural occurrence, Cantu said. This part of the probe includes laboratory tests of the liquid believed to be tears, eyewitness interviews and scrutiny of possible natural causes, including human tampering.

We have to rule out any natural possibilities of that statue emitting liquid, whatever it is, he said. We will continue to conduct interviews with eyewitnesses, with the pastors, with the priests.

He added: We are sending the liquid for a chemical analysis, (and) were going to reach out to the fabricator, the producer of the statue.

It is unclear how long the analysis will take to complete. Cantu said it wouldnt be a quick process.

But if the diocese ultimately concludes the tears are in fact a supernatural phenomenon  which has not yet happened  officials will try to decipher the underlying message, Cantu said.

If it is supernatural, then is it God? Or is it of an evil spirit? We do believe in the fallen angels, he said, and we renounce the fallen angels because we believe from the Scriptures that theyre frustrated and they want to make everyone else frustrated  and sometimes they use things, they can be rather cunning.

So that would be other piece: What are the fruits? If its from God, its going to produce positive fruits of joy, of peace, of healing  perhaps physical healing.

Cantu said he has not reached any conclusion, and even admitted to being somewhat apprehensive. As the bishop, I have to kind of have a distance and a kind of a healthy dose of skepticism, as well, he said.

Since the first sighting of the suspected tears, the church has remained open almost around the clock, closing for only a few hours, as crowds gather to pray before the statue.

Cantu views the overwhelming response as a sign that people are looking for peace or direction in their lives, or illumination in their lives.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

The U.S. for some time has been awash in cheap heroin and methamphetamine supplied by Mexican drug cartels.

Now, authorities are sounding the alarm over a flood of an even more potent and deadly drug  fentanyl  crossing the border and heading for big cities on the East Coast.

Every month it seems there is a new record-breaking seizure of the deadly synthetic opioid.

 In April, a tractor-trailer was stopped by police near Kearney, Neb., with 118 pounds of pure fentanyl  enough to kill 26 million people. Like most fentanyl shipments, it was headed to the East Coast where the Sinaloa Cartel has taken root.

 In March, narcotics agents in New York City arrested Francisco Quiroz-Zamora, 41, known as Gordo, or the Fat One, who they say had direct ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Agents seized more than 44 pounds of fentanyl in a raid on a Bronx hotel and had another 100-pound seizure attributed to his organization. Quiroz-Zamora is charged with setting up the smuggling operation from Mexico to Arizona to New York, where the operation arranged the sale of the drugs in New York City.

 In February, federal agents and local police in the Boston area arrested Roberto Contreras, 42, who had ties to Sinaloa Cartel networks that were distributing heroin and fentanyl. Authorities seized 33 pounds of fentanyl  which prosecutors said was enough of the drug to theoretically kill every person in Massachusetts.

 And Mexican police last August and again in January seized more than 100 pounds of fentanyl in two separate cases when they stopped vehicles heading to the U.S. border. The potential overdose deaths were estimated in the millions.

The number of overdose deaths can be overstated depending on whether the drug has been diluted with lactose or some other water-soluble agent. Even so, the drug is exceptionally deadly and users typically have no way of knowing the strength of a particular dose.

Originates in China

Most of the fentanyl coming into the country enters through the Southwest border.

But it originates in China, where the chemical industry has boomed over the past few decades to a point where Chinese regulators and law enforcement have difficulty controlling what goes on in the more than 160,000 chemical plants and laboratories.

China has become the second largest producer of pharmaceuticals in the world behind the United States.

Until 2015, it was legal in China for companies to ship fentanyl anywhere in the world. Even after it was outlawed, Chinese firms using front companies have continued to ship fentanyl using regular mail or other shipping companies into the United States to fill orders made over the internet.

The direct shipments from China to the U.S. tend to be smaller amounts  a few ounces to a package.

After fentanyl fell under government control, Chinese companies began making variations of fentanyl until the government outlawed those so-called analog drugs.

China remains the main source of the drugs shipped to Mexican cartels at the dirt cheap price of $3,000 to $5,000 a kilogram  which the cartels can turn into millions of dollars in the United States.

Chinese companies ship either finished fentanyl or precursor drugs (NPP or ANPP) that are converted to fentanyl.

The profits are so high and it is fairly inexpensive to the cartels, DEA Agent Melvin Patterson said.

East coast drug

The destination for fentanyl tends to be the same: the East Coast.

Police in Louisiana last month seized 22 pounds of fentanyl in the SUV of two Texas men heading east to deliver the drugs.

New Mexico authorities seized 10.5 pounds of fentanyl discovered among duffel bags filled with 140 pounds of cocaine in a semi-truck outside of Lordsburg on its way to New Jersey. The truck driver was sentenced last month to 10 years in prison.

U.S. demand for fentanyl and all drugs drives all of this activity, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman said in a telephone interview.

The Sinaloa Cartel doesnt bother with retail-level commerce, according to the DEA.

It uses New York as a destination to deliver large wholesale shipments to middlemen. They typically are local Dominican traffickers but also include traditional mob families in the New York area.

Those groups distribute to markets in New England, Pennsylvania, Baltimore and other places where the opioid crisis is raging.

The fentanyl demand began to take off in 2015.

At that time Customs and Border Protection agents didnt even keep track of fentanyl seizures because they were so few and so small.

That changed quickly, and from October 2016 through September 2017, CBP seized 1,485 pounds at ports of entry either through the mail or in vehicles crossing the U.S. border with Mexico.

In the same time frame, the Southwest border was swamped by other drugs, as seizures of methamphetamine increased by 63 percent and heroin by 49 percent, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The western United States, including New Mexico, appears to have less of an appetite for fentanyl than the Northeast and Midwest.

But DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Albuquerque office Rod Riddle said fentanyl is becoming more available in pill form on Albuquerque streets.

Some overdoses attributed to a combination of drugs are probably fentanyl in combination with other drugs, Riddle said.

Toxicology tests for fentanyl are more expensive and take more time because the amount of the drug that can kill is so small, that it can be months before an overdose can be tied directly to fentanyl.

In 2016, there were more than 20 overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl in New Mexico  a state where heroin and methamphetamine of high purity are relatively cheap.

Most of those deaths appeared to be linked to a single source of fentanyl-laced pills sold in the southern part of the state.

New Mexico was once one of the top states for drug overdose deaths, mainly due to heroin use, but dropped out of the top 10 when overdose death rates in other states skyrocketed  fueled by fentanyl-laced heroin and fentanyl pills disguised as prescription pain medications.

Fentanyl is a powerful painkiller drug for cancer patients and some people with chronic pain due to degenerative bone diseases.

On the legal market it comes in time-release patches.

But it is deadly, and 2 milligrams of the drug can lead to a fatal overdose even among regular opioid users.

It can also be absorbed through the skin and inhaled if police open a suspected drug package.

The danger posed by the drug caused the DEA to stop field testing drugs outside of a laboratory setting, Patterson said.

Field tests give police a preliminary finding that drugs are present, but those tests have to be confirmed by a full laboratory analysis.

City police departments in New York and Houston and state police in Arizona and Oregon have also stopped using field tests because of the danger posed to officers.

Stopping field tests led to case backlogs in those areas and, as a compromise, the field tests are performed in a lab setting where officers wear protective gear.

No police deaths have been blamed on fentanyl, but officers around the country have suffered ill effects after coming into contact with the drug even when it is mixed with other drugs like heroin.

Dilution = profit

According to DEA agents, there are several types of labs operating in Mexico and all the major cartels have their own operations.

Right now, agents dont know of any super lab in Mexico that makes fentanyl from scratch.

The more sophisticated labs convert the precursor chemical compounds received from China into fentanyl that can average between 50 to 80 percent purity and then dilute the fentanyl by cutting it with lactose or another water soluble agent.

According to the DEA, Chinese chemists traveled to Mexico to demonstrate the process to cartel operatives.

Done correctly, cutting the fentanyl is a time-consuming process compared to diluting heroin or cocaine and labs have been known to cut corners.

There are labs that simply dilute the fentanyl that arrives from China. Others make counterfeit oxycodone or hydrocodone pills from the diluted fentanyl. Some labs combine the operations.

Fentanyl seized at U.S. ports of entry averages about 7 percent purity.

By diluting the fentanyl on the Mexican side of the border, the cartels increase their own profits.

They can also increase the danger to U.S. consumers who dont know how much fentanyl they may be getting in a single dose.

It is a very risky game for users, the DEAs Patterson said.Mondays U.S. Supreme Court ruling immediately drew comparisons with a 2006 case in which an Albuquerque business, Elane Photography, declined a request to photograph a commitment ceremony between two women in a same-sex relationship.

The request was refused based on the religious beliefs of the owners, Elaine and Jonathan Huguenin.

The woman who made the request, Vanessa Willock, filed a complaint with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, which in 2008 held an administrative trial and ruled that the Huguenins were guilty of violating state laws that prohibit discrimination. They were ordered to pay more than $6,600 in attorney fees.

The decision that the photography studio violated state law was affirmed by the 2nd Judicial District Court and the New Mexico Court of Appeals before the case was appealed and upheld by the New Mexico Supreme Court.

It was subsequently appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which refused to hear the case, leaving the New Mexico Supreme Court decision in place.

ACLU New Mexico filed an amicus brief in support of Willocks case and the Huguenins were represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, which has offices in Washington, D.C., and Scottsdale, Ariz.

The two cases are factually similar in that both businesses provided services that people use for special occasions, such as weddings, and once the operators of these public accommodations found that the wedding was for a gay couple, they refused to supply the accommodation, said Leon Howard, legal director of ACLU New Mexico.

In New Mexico, the refusal violated the states Human Rights Act; in Colorado, it was a violation of that states Anti-Discrimination Act.

The primary difference between the two cases is the Colorado case was tarnished by what U.S. Supreme Court justices said was a hostility toward religion on the part of the Colorado Human Rights Commission.

The case involving the New Mexico photography business, when reviewed by the state Supreme Court, found no evidence of such hostility toward religion by the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, Howard said.

Under the New Mexico Human Rights Act, Howard said, people are protected from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition or spousal affiliation.

That discrimination extends to public accommodation, housing, employment and access to credit.FARMINGTON  The 416 Fire burning about 10 miles north of Durango has reached 2,402 acres. Firefighters expect it get more active this afternoon after a Sunday that saw the blaze grow by just 147 acres.

Highway 550 was closed shortly before 2:30 p.m. after shifting winds brought heavy smoke into the area, and was not expected to reopen today.

About 1,500 residents in the area have been evacuated because of the fire and hundreds of others have been put on pre-evacuation notice, the Associated Press reported.

Yesterdays rain did little to mitigate critically dry vegetation according to this mornings update from the lead firefighting agency, the Rocky Mountain Blue Team.

The blaze, which started Friday morning, is 10 percent contained with the most activity taking place on the fires southern flank.

There were 384 fire personnel at work this morning. Some firefighters are in Hermosa, which is under a pre-evacuation notice, assisting residents by helping to create defensible space around structures. Fire crews are also removing hazards and patrolling for hot spots along Highway 550.

Highway 550 reopened in the morning but was closed this afternoon when the wind shifted. The State of Colorado warned those joining supervised convoys through the fire area to watch out for fire crews and follow the rules.

Officials do not expect the fire to cross the road.

US 550 north of Durango will again be temporarily opened from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Colorado Department of Transportation spokesperson Lisa Schwantes said in a press release. Motorists leaving Silverton tonight were warned to be on that road by 5:15 p.m.

Access will be limited to one-lane alternating traffic, the release said. It is critical that motorists follow the escort vehicle and remain in their lane. Do not pass. The far-west lane is being utilized by firefighting crews and equipment.

Theres no stopping between Durango and Silverton for recreational purposes when convoys are running.

Residences that have been evacuated may be visited by residents to collect emergency supplies and medicines when the highway is open, but people are not allowed to stay. All evacuation and pre-evacuation orders remain in place, officials said.

The Hermosa Watershed was closed today by the San Juan National Forest, according to the Rocky Mountain Blue Teams noon information update.



2018 The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.)

Visit The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) at www.daily-times.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

_____CANON CITY, Colo.  A trial is set later this month for a former Colorado sheriffs deputy charged with official misconduct after evidence in a 2006 homicide investigation was found in a storage unit in Canon City.

The evidence was discovered in December 2016 when someone bought the unit after former Fremont County Lt. Robert Dodd quit paying the rent.

Prosecutors allege Dodd kept evidence in the August 2006 shooting death of 17-year-old Candace Hiltz, including a shell casing, a hatchet, bloody socks and a rope.

Dodd is charged with misdemeanor possession of an identification document and abuse of public records along with official misconduct. His trial is scheduled to start on June 25.

The Pueblo Chieftain reports defense attorney Randy Jorgensen wants to question potential jurors on whether theyve been prejudiced by news coverage. Prosecutors didnt object.

___

Information from: The Pueblo Chieftain, http://www.chieftain.comVoters wait outside the Daskalos Plaza voting site on Menaul NE, east of San Mateo, at 6:30 p.m., just a half hour before closing time. Some people reported waiting an hour or more to cast a ballot Prev 1 of 9 Next

Slow, steady and pretty routine.

Thats how presiding judges at many area polling places described voter turnout for Tuesdays primary election.

When we first opened this morning there were 10 to 15 people in line waiting and its been steady ever since with two to four voters flowing through at any given time, said Lisa Hurtado, presiding judge at the Esther Bone Memorial Library in Rio Rancho.

Most other voting sites throughout the Albuquerque area reported the same  short lines waiting when they opened, and small but steady turnout throughout the rest of the day.

There were a few exceptions. Waits of 20-minutes or longer were reported at Petroglyph Plaza on Golf Course Road NW, south of Paseo del Norte; Caracol Plaza at Tramway and Montgomery NE; and Daskalos Plaza on Menaul NE, east of San Mateo, said Bernalillo County Clerk Linda Stover.

There were no reports from any of the 69 polling places in the county of voting machine glitches or breakdowns, she said. All the polling places came online this morning just as they were expected to.

Joey Keefe, spokesman for the Secretary of States office also said there were no reports of major problems at voting sites statewide. Our staff gets calls throughout election day from voters and polling officials who have questions, but we havent heard of anything that required intervention.

Many of the calls have been about which counties allow voters to cast a ballot at any voter convenience center, versus those counties that use the more traditional method where voters cast a ballot at a specific polling place as determined by their address. Some counties use a combination of both polling arrangements, Keefe said

At Daskalos Plaza, a line of about 125 people still snaked out the door at 6:30 p.m., just a half hour before the polls closed. More people showed up after work than anticipated so we sent out a trouble-shooting team to set up two more ballot-on-demand machines, Stover said. People should be moving through very quickly. Its good to know that people are showing up to vote. Its an excellent problem to have.

Unless, of course, youre one of those people waiting to vote in the storefront, where the air conditioning was not working and outside temperatures hovered around 97 degrees.

Carole Conley was undeterred by the temperature or the lines at Daskalos. I would stay six hours if I had to. Its my job, its my civic duty. I work in healthcare and I feel our healthcare system is struggling. We need to elect somebody who appreciates that. And we need more jobs. I dont want my kids to go to college for four or five years and then work at a Starbucks  not that theres anything wrong with Starbucks  but those are not the kind of jobs we need.

Also standing in line was voter Walter Fayne. Its the least we can do. Things have to change and this is where it starts, he said.

Fayne said voters need to get rid of the corruption in government, starting with the White House and working our way down.

It was easy and really fast, said voter Martha Grimes, as she exited the Esther Bone polling place. I looked everyone up beforehand, so I knew who I was going to vote for.

Education was a big issue to Rio Rancho voter Barbara Pelle. We have two little boys so thats a concern, as is getting new employers into the state so that when young people graduate they have jobs that will keep them in New Mexico.

Tish Tena left the Petroglyph Plaza voter site disappointed, not realizing that as a registered Independent she was unable to cast a ballot.

I will vote in the general election and I will be voting Democrat all the way this year. I want a better balance of power in the House and in the Senate.

Tena said she was also concerned about the current immigration policies that have separated parents from children. They took the kids put them in some old Walmart near the border and blacked out the windows and wont let anybody in.

Tadg Woods, another voter at the Petroglyph Plaza location said he was looking for candidates who would protect the environment.

Open lands should not be used for drilling, wilderness should be protected, and water should be clean, free flowing and kept in New Mexico, he said.

People keep saying the economy is great. Its not. It sucks, Woods said. There are supposed to be all these jobs, but theyre lousy jobs. You cant raise a family on what these jobs pay, you cant pay your bills, you cant live on it and have to take second and third jobs.PulteGroups New Mexico division has acquired nearly 32 acres in the Mariposa Master Planned Community in Rio Rancho where it plans to build 135 single-family homes.

A PulteGroup official said the company already has started construction on the Redondo at Mariposa development, which is near Mariposa Parkway and Redondo Sierra Vista. The neighborhood will feature single- and two-story homes, ranging between 1,700 and 3,000 square feet. Prices will range from the mid-$200,000s to the mid-$300,000s, said Dave Newell, director of land acquisition for PulteGroup in New Mexico.

Pulte will begin to pre-sell lots in late 2018, with new homes ready for occupancy by early 2019.

The land seller was Mariposa East, a real estate investment and development firm. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

In a phone interview with the Journal, Tim Brislin, vice president for Mariposa East, an affiliate of Harvard Investments, said PulteGroup joins several other production homebuilders actively building on a variety of lot sizes and product types within the community. They include Twilight Homes, Abrazo Homes, RayLee Homes and DR Horton.

Our plan is to be a lot supplier for PulteGroup for many years to come, said Brislin. I believe they want to do more than one community in Mariposa.

In March, Albuquerque-based Price Land & Development Co. said it also planned to build 41 single-family homes in Mariposa. The 10-acre parcel will comprise the Jemez Vista Neighborhood, according to a Price Land & Development official.

Newell said the new community is in close proximity to the Mariposa community center, park, restaurant and pools.

Its a prized parcel, said Newell. Its a very good location, for sure.

Every home will be built with smart home technology and energy efficiencies, said Newell. The gated neighborhood will be completed in two phases.

With its close proximity to amenities and employment corridors (in Albuquerque and Santa Fe) and Rio Rancho schools, we expect interest to be strong with growing families as well as empty nesters looking for a lock-and-leave home, said Newell.

Mariposa East, the core development area of the formerly extensive Mariposa community in Rio Rancho, appears to have emerged from a troubled past with its acquisition nearly four years ago by Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Harvard Investments.

When the housing bubble burst and lot sales dried up, Mariposa became a money loser for its former owner High Desert Investment, the for-profit arm of Albuquerque Academy, a nonprofit private school that used a strategy of real estate development to build its endowment. The most active portion of the community was repossessed by lenders, and Harvard Investments took ownership of 1,400-plus acres for an undisclosed price in 2014.

The rebound was a long time coming, but I think were on our way with (former and new) homebuilders getting sales going again, especially during the past three years, said Brislin.

In total, Mariposa comprises 6,500 acres, including a large portion that will never be developed. Known as the Mariposa Preserve, it is owned by The Albuquerque Academy and consists of 2,200 acres of dedicated open space.New Mexico resident Ali MacGraws star rose with the 1970 film Love Story.

The romantic drama will be screened Aug. 3 at the Plaza Classic Film Festival in El Paso. On Aug. 4, MacGraw will also be at the festival to present the 1972 Sam Peckinpah classic, The Getaway, starring Steve McQueen.

The actress, author and activist will sign autographs from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 4 in the El Paso Community Foundations Foundation Room, 333 N. Oregon, El Paso.

MacGraw received an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe Award for her performance as Jenny Cavalleri in Love Story  her second movie.

She worked for Harpers Bazaar magazine and fashion photographer Melvin Sokolsky before making her film debut in Goodbye, Columbus.

The Getaway was her third film.

She also starred in Convoy, Players and Just Tell Me What You Want, as well as TVs The Winds of War and Dynasty.

The longtime Tesuque resident has been recognized for her advocacy work in the New Mexico community and was honored as a Santa Fe Living Treasure.

MacGraw is the author of Moving Pictures and helped create the instructional video Yoga Mind & Body, filmed at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico.

She is known for her work on behalf of social, animal and environmental causes, and is an ambassador for Ibu Movement, which benefits women cooperatives around the world.

She received the New Mexico Governors Award in 2008 for her contributions to the arts.

This years Plaza Classic Film Festival will screen more than 90 movies from Aug. 2 to Aug. 12. A schedule can be found at plazaclassic.com.WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump couldnt get what he wanted from months of three-way trade talks with Canada and Mexico.

So now his administration wants to pursue separate negotiations with the two U.S. neighbors to try to overhaul the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump has condemned as a job-killing disaster.

Trumps top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, went on Fox & Friends on Tuesday to convey the presidents preference for dealing separately with Canada and Mexico. Kudlow said Trump doesnt plan to abandon NAFTA  something the president has threatened since taking office  but is just going to try a different approach.

Yet its far from clear that separate discussions by the United States with Mexico and Canada could leave the three-nation NAFTA deal altered but intact.

Its impossible to make sense of (Kudlows) statements, said Michael Camunez, president of Monarch Global Strategies consultancy and a former U.S. Commerce Department official.

By saying there is no plan to leave NAFTA, hes probably trying to keep the markets calm  while we negotiate separate bilateral agreements.

Trade analysts said they were skeptical that Canada and Mexico, angry that the U.S. has slapped tariffs on their steel and aluminum, would be drawn into one-on-one negotiations to appease Washington.

This divide-and-conquer strategy is not entirely unexpected, especially now that the three-way negotiating process seems to have hit a wall, said Mary Lovely, an economist at Syracuse University.

Trump has frequently expressed his preference for reaching agreements with other countries one at a time, rather than multilateral agreements like NAFTA or a 12-country Asia-Pacific deal he abandoned upon taking office last year. Earlier this year, he nudged South Korea into making concessions and accepting changes to a six-year-old trade pact between the two countries.

Hes believed that bilaterals have always been better, Kudlow said, adding: He hates large treaties When you have to compromise with a whole bunch of countries, you get the worst of the deals. Why not try to get the best of the deals for the American people, the American workforce, the American economy and presumably for their economies as well?

Most economists say broader trade deals typically work more effectively than one-on-one pacts between countries. A hodgepodge of two-country trade deals tends to distort corporate decision-making. Companies will then typically target countries with the lowest tariffs instead of trying to sell to the markets that make the most economic sense.

It replaces market signals with tariffs and quotas, Lovely said.

Whats more, Washingtons new strategy could prove a hard sell in Ottawa and Mexico City, with the Canadians and Mexicans still furious over Trumps decision last week to impose tariffs on their steel and aluminum shipments. The administration has argued that a reliance on imported metals poses a threat to Americas national security.

The atmosphere is utterly toxic right now, said Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. There will be enormous pressures on Canada and Mexico not to talk to President Trump.

On Tuesday, in fact, Mexico announced retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. products, including pork, cheese, apples, cranberries, whiskey and motorboats. Canada earlier announced plans to slap tariffs on $12.8 billion worth of U.S. products, ranging from steel to yogurt.

Rod Hunter, a trade lawyer with Baker & McKenzie, said the Trump administration seems to reckon that Americas economic clout is potent enough to win concessions from smaller trading partners.

But everybody has politics, said Hunter, a former economic official with the U.S. National Security Council. If you put economic interests up against political interests, politics usually wins.

Analysts note that Mexico is expected to elect a new president  the left-leaning Andrews Manuel Lopez Obrador  who would likely take a harder line in talks with the United States.

NAFTA lifted down most trade barriers between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Trade surged within the NAFTA bloc, benefiting American farmers who export corn and other products.

But many U.S. manufacturers moved production south of the border to capitalize on Mexicos low labor costs, then shipped goods back to the United States. The influx of imports swelled Americas trade deficit with Mexico, which came to $69 billion last year. (The United States posted a nearly $3 billion trade surplus with Canada in 2017).

Trump campaigned on a promise to negotiate a better NAFTA  or withdraw from the deal altogether.

The three countries started talks last August. But little progress has been made. The U.S. wants changes to the deal would shift more auto production back to the United States. It also wants to end the deal every five years if the countries didnt vote to keep it. Canada has called that sunset clause a deal-killer.

Still, Lovely said its possible that the United States can craft a separate agreement with Canada. The Trump administration says it wants a big chunk of auto manufacturing to be produced by workers earning around $15 an hour. Thats not a problem for Canada, but is a big one Mexico, where factory workers usually earn less than $5 an hour.City councilors have unanimously approved the renovation of the former Eclipse Aerospace headquarters by CSI Aviation, a project funded in part by $250,000 in state Local Economic Development Act funding.

The project required city approval because the hangar is on city-owned land at the Albuquerque International Sunport, and the city will act as the administrator for the LEDA funds.

The ordinance passed by the council Monday evening includes a stipulation that no direct city-initiated funds distributed for the project may be used to support or facilitate immigration enforcement efforts.

As previously reported by the Journal, CSI received more than $383 million in contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Compliance and Removals office for air charter services over the past five years, according to federal databases. The databases show that many of the most lucrative awards are scheduled to expire this summer.

Earlier this year, Councilor Pat Davis raised questions about the hangar project in a letter to the citys chief administrative officer, Sarita Nair. Davis asked whether the citys role in the project might violate Albuquerques immigrant-friendly resolution because of CSIs immigration contracts. The resolution bans the use of city resources to identify undocumented immigrants or apprehend people based on their immigration status.

But at the Monday meeting, Nair said the company does not at the current time have that federal immigration enforcement contract. She said the city had obtained a written commitment from CSI that it would not do anything that would violate the ordinance. Out of an abundance of caution, city staff who worked on CSIs application were compensated out of a non-general city fund.

Michele Martinez, CSIs vice president of marketing, said in a statement that the company is very pleased to have the citys approval for the project. The company did not respond to a request for comment on the status of its immigration contracts.

CSI has maintained that the hangar project is related primarily to the expansion of its air ambulance services and has no connection to immigration contracts. The company estimates the hangar renovation will create and maintain an additional 60 full-time jobs over the next decade. Those include pilots, maintenance personnel and administrative staff, among others, with an average annual wage of $50,000.SAN DIEGO  Like their fellow Americans in the coastal town of Bahia de los Angeles on the Gulf of California, Jo Anne Butler and Ray Ball kept returning, year after year, drawn by the small-town feel, the areas stark natural beauty, the warm waters that lapped almost at their door, friends said.

But the shooting deaths of the two U.S. retirees together with their dog early Saturday at their waterfront house south of town has shattered the tranquillity of this quiet community some 380 miles from the U.S. border. Sustained largely by tourism and fishing, Bahia has a year-round population of 1,000, but is also a part-time residence for more than 100 Americans, according to local authorities.

We have no memory of having a shooting here, said Tom Mitchell, a San Diego resident who has had a home in Bahia de los Angeles for four decades. This has taken it to a level that no one here has experienced.

Friends and authorities said Monday that the killings appear to be over a boat  a 22-foot McKee Craft with a Yamaha 250 outboard motor that the couple kept at their house and frequently used for fishing excursions.

It was an attempted robbery, and an individual went to defend his property, and thats when they shot him, said Octavio Lopez, the delegado, or top local government official, in a telephone interview from Bahia de los Angeles. This is the first time weve had something like this happen.

A neighbor who remained fearful and asked that his name be withheld said he had been awakened at about midnight by gunfire that sounded like somebody pounding on a metal roof. Looking outside, he saw a SUV pulling a boat toward the water, and the thing just buried itself in the sand.

Unable to move the vessel, the thieves abandoned it, said the neighbor. He then heard them fire more shots, he said.

Realizing this was Balls boat, two neighbors went to investigate, and found the couples bodies in the house, near a back door. Neighbor Roger Mears, the former off-road racing champion, was the first to discover his friends had been killed, said his wife, Carol. This has been devastating, she said.

An initial report by the Baja California Attorney Generals Office recorded the deaths at 2:46 a.m. Saturday. Investigators counted 18 gunshot wounds on Balls body, while Butler had two gunshot wounds to her left leg, the report said. Also at the scene, investigators found a dozen shell casings from a 9mm weapon.

Butler, 69, and Ball, 72, were not married but had been a couple for about 14 years. Friends said she was a former school teacher and accomplished artist, while he had worked as a contractor, and was a gifted craftsman who built custom furniture, said Bill Boyce, a friend of Balls since college days and part-time resident of Bahia de los Angeles since the 1980s.

Its so surreal and beautiful, Boyce said of the quiet community. Every day you wake up and it just grabs your soul.

Jo Anne Butler wrote in a blog for family and friends that Ball had first come to Bahia in the late 1980s and fell in love with the beauty and the world class fishing. After visiting in 2003, she said that she had become equally captivated.

A lifelong craftsman specializing in stained glass, Butler wrote that the natural beauty of this place is a constant source of ideas and inspiration.

A year ago, she sold her house in Escondido, near San Diego, and they purchased a new home in Prescott, Ariz. But they also kept their house in Mexico.

Authorities are not discussing the chain of events leading to the killing, saying that it remains under investigation. But friends and neighbors said that it appeared that Ball had heard a noise, and gone to investigate, holding a bat in his hand. He apparently was shot as he opened the back door, they said.

Ray was a guy who would have protected his place and his belongings, this was not surprising to me that he was trying to protect what he had, said Boyce.

This was so out of character for our community, Mitchell said. These guys didnt hesitate to kill. They basically murdered both of them.

In January, another U.S. citizen was killed in Bahia de los Angeles. Charles Crabtree had been struck repeatedly with a hammer on his head and body outside his trailer in the Campo Amigo park. The 28-year-old suspect was captured, and is currently behind bars, authorities said.

On Monday, community members met with the municipal delegate, and the local police commander, pressing for a greater law enforcement presence. Bahia de los Angeles is part of the municipality of Ensenada, and on Wednesday, residents are expecting to meet with Mayor Marco Antonio Novelo, preparing to request heavier security.After announcing the trilingual, Haathi Mere Saathi last year, Eros Internationals forthcoming animal drama featuring Rana Daggubati, Pulkit Samrat, Vishnu Vishal, Zoya Hussein and Kalki Koechlin has completed its second schedule. The movie is titled Kaadan in Tamil and Aranya in Telugu.

Helmed by acclaimed director Prabhu Solomon, the trilingual is being shot simultaneously in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil with a different cast across languages. The movie highlighting man-animal relationship is a unique story inspired by true events and a fitting tribute to yesteryear classic, Haathi Mere Saathi (1971).

While Rana, Zoya and Kalki feature in all the three language films, Pulkits character will be portrayed by popular south actor Vishnu Vishal (Bale Pandiya, Drohi, Jeeva and Indru Netru Naalai fame) in the Tamil and Telugu versions along with actor Raghu Babu. The music has been composed by Shantanu Moitra and sound designed by Resul Pookutty.

Interestingly, Rana attended an extensive workshop for 50 days in Thailand to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of elephants and has also shed almost 15kg for his character. The film is mounted on a huge scale with never-seen-before visual effects this genre is being shot extensively at real locations in Thailand and Kerala.

Commenting on the progress of Haathi Mere Saathi, Sunil Lulla, Managing Director, Eros International said, Haathi Mere Saathi is a true-blue animal film signifying a deep and strong bond between humans and animals. Its an ambitious project and the shoot is developing well. We are aiming to present an entertaining and compelling film set in the natural world, reaching out to a larger audience across three languages.

Director Prabhu Solomon added, The movie brings me back to one of my favorite subjects  elephants and shooting with them along with my artists in the wild has been a fascinating adventure that we are very excited to share with the audience.

For More Stories Visit Here.Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting has launched Giffy concentrated Dish Wash Gel in Maharashtra. The state is the largest market for dishwashing liquids in India and is growing at a healthy pace.

After a successful test launch, Wipro Consumer Care is now expanding the brand to other states in the country. Commenting on the launch, Mr. Anil Chugh, Chief Executive, Consumer Care  India, Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, said, Dishwash segment is shifting from bars to liquids. It is today a fast-growing segment among dishwashing formats, riding on attributes such as urbanization and convenience. We recognize consumer needs are dynamic and Giffy is ideal for consumers of urban households. The dishwash gel market is estimated to be about INR 4000 Million.

Giffy is priced at Rs. 20 for 150ml (Pouch), Rs. 45 for 250ml (Bottle), Rs. 105 for 500 ml (Bottle) and Rs. 155 for 750 ml (Bottle). Powered with the unique properties of Active Salt, it is available in two fresh fragrances - Green lime & Lemon. Giffy helps in residue-free cleaning, leaving utensils sparkling clean. The natural ingredients in Giffy makes it effective even on tough stains but gentle on the hands.

For More Stories Visit Here.Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

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Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.When Ghassan Salame took over as the United Nations envoy to embattled Libya in June 2017, the former Lebanese culture minister  after consulting extensively with various Libyan factions  promised Libyans and the UN three things.

The first promise was to amend the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA), which was signed in Skhirat, Morocco, in December 2015. The LPA, which still hasn't been implemented, is already outdated and needs amendments to accommodate changes in the Libyan political scene. These changes include the rise of Gen. Khalifa Hifter in eastern Libya as a force to be reckoned with, the increasing role of supporters of the former regime of Moammar Gadhafi and the increasingly disruptive role played by armed militias, particularly in western Libya.

Salame got his mission off to a good start when he succeeded in bringing the two rival Libyan governments to the table in Tunis in October 2017 to discuss the proposed LPA amendments. But after three rounds of negotiations, spread over a full month, the parties reached a deadlock, leaving fractured political groups with conflicting agendas.

At this point, frustrated by the lack of progress, it appears Salame changed his mind and began thinking that LPA amendments were no longer constructive issues, let alone urgent. Rather than solving the problem, he apparently just put it aside. This perhaps indicates that he believes the whole LPA issue  including its amendments  is irrelevant. In his May 21 report to the UN Security Council, Salame blamed the Libyan participants for the failed talks, saying, The parties are unwilling to make the necessary concessions.

Indeed, the LPA amendments were an issue. But how relevant is the LPA itself, as it's never been implemented? The accord was supposed to begin a two-year transitional period from war to peace and democracy. It has now been three years, and the LPA sits unresolved.

Salame's spokeswoman, Susan Othman, when asked if Salame had changed his thinking in moving on from the unresolved LPA issue, wrote in an email to Al-Monitor, Dr. Ghassan did not change his priorities. Othman added, From day one, Dr. Ghassan has worked on all components of the action plan simultaneously.

However, this isn't necessarily the understanding of ordinary Libyans whose lives have been all but a continuous struggle since the 2011 upheaval that saw their longtime leader Gadhafi killed in October of that year.

Al-Monitor asked Fawzi Abdelsalam, a high school teacher in Tripoli, if he thought Salame has changed his priorities in tackling the Libyan issues. Salame started very good and his action plan was very clear; however, something went wrong that forced him to change his priorities. You cannot have elections if you do not have reconciliation first," he said.

A shop manager named Ahmed Salem shared the same view but went even further by accusing Libyan politicians of preferring the status quo. Regardless of what Salame thinks, if our own politicians are serious about finding a solution it will be very easy  but I guess they like to keep things as they are because it benefits them.

However, Fatima Hussein, a government clerk, told Al-Monitor, Ghassan Salame is only doing what the UN asked [of] him, but the UN itself is meddling in Libyan affairs without offering any real tangible solution.

The second promise Salame made, which was warmly welcomed by many observers and political figures, was to hold a pan-Libyan, inclusive conference inside the country or abroad, in which as many Libyans as possible would sit together and try to come up with a framework to salvage their country. Salame appeared enthusiastic and encouraged by the positive feedback he got locally and internationally from those interested in Libyas affairs.

However, on May 1 he met with supporters of the fallen Gadhafi regime, and many localized meetings have been held in various Libyan cities and towns, with overall limited participation.

Othman explained, As for the Libyan National Conference  Al-Multaqa Al-Watani  it has been and continues to be ongoing. She apparently was referring to those local meetings, which have been adjourned for the holy month of Ramadan without any clear results or recommendations.

The third promise Salame made was to hold legislative and presidential elections. After Libya's rival parties met May 29 with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, they agreed to hold elections Dec. 10. Before that meeting, Salame had already said elections would take place by the end of the year.

However, the very idea of elections in the divided country could be counterproductive. Though Salame is enthusiastic about elections as a way forward, the decision appears to have led him back to where he started: counting on elections to remedy Libya and get it moving in the right direction. But elections in a country awash with arms and largely controlled by armed militias and gangs seem to be a rushed move that could lead to even more division and chaos. In 2014, the UN pushed Libya to hold elections. But soon after, the level of violence  including assassinations of activists and security personnel  produced a bloody war that led to the country having three rival governments before they were pared to two vying for power.

It remains to be seen if the UN will be able to lead Libya to stability, economic revival and security. But it seems elections are certainly not the right path, unfortunately, at this moment.On May 28, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited India as part of Tehran's broader engagement with world powers following the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

In Iran, the visit was viewed as a diplomatic success, particularly after Indias foreign minister said her country would not abide by US unilateral sanctions against Iran. However, things changed shortly after Zarifs trip. On May 30, Indias Reliance Industries, owner of the worlds biggest refining complex and a main buyer of Iranian oil, announced that it would halt its oil imports from Iran in October or November. The announcement came one day after two Indian banks that are actively engaged in financial transactions with Iran announced they would wind up all deals with Tehran by Aug. 6. Thus, the question is whether Iran can remain optimistic about the future of energy exports and financial transactions with India.

On May 8, US President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal and ordered the reimposition of sanctions on Iran in the coming months. "Containment" has long been Washingtons traditional strategy when it comes to Iran, and to advance this strategy the United States has compelled governments and businesses to abide by its unilateral sanctions against Tehran.

Meanwhile, Iran has stepped up its efforts to challenge Trumps plan. Tehrans counter-containment strategy involves holding intense negotiations with its key economic partners to preserve its financial and oil-related interactions. Zarifs recent trip to New Delhi was one example of this.

Tehrans main interest is to maintain the export of its oil to India, its second-largest Asian buyer after China. In April, Irans oil exports hit 2.6 million barrels per day (bpd). That same month, India boosted its imports of Iranian oil to 640,000 bpd, accounting for a quarter of Irans total crude exports.

Iranian energy exports also contributed significantly to the $12.9 billion trade volume between the two countries in 2017, although there was a 10% drop compared with 2016. With the start of the 2018 Iranian fiscal year March 21, Tehran offered India the incentive of free shipping in return for New Delhi's commitment to import 500,000 barrels per day of Iranian oil in 2018 and 2019.

It is, therefore, no surprise that when Indias foreign minister said New Delhi would not abide by unilateral sanctions against Iran and Venezuela, Iranian media outlets were all abuzz, calling it a success in the face of US sanctions.

Zarif also described his India visit as fruitful on Twitter and expressed the countries resolve to expand bilateral ties in all fields. Deputy Foreign Minister Gholamreza Ansari, who previously served as Irans ambassador to India, also reaffirmed the Indian governments resolute backing of the nuclear agreement.

In the coming months, if New Delhi refrains from implementing the 18-20% cut in its import of Iranian oil called for under the new US sanctions, it will be a great success for Tehrans counter-containment measures. Also important is whether China, the main buyer of Irans oil, also does not cut back on its oil imports from Iran. If India and China do not reduce their imports significantly, Tehran will have a guarantee that at least half its current volume of oil exports will continue.

One issue of contention between Iran and India has been the development of Farzad B, a giant gas field in the Persian Gulf. Negotiations have been going on for years to award India rights to the field, with Iran deferring its final decision. However, in mid-April, Irans oil minister said Iran and India may soon be able to finalize the long-pending deal on Farzad B, the most important contract under negotiation between the two countries. The announcement is perhaps an indication that Tehran is willing to show more flexibility toward India to ensure the continued sale of its oil to that country.

However, Reliance Industries announcement of an impending halt to Iranian oil imports indicates that New Delhis promise to maintain the current level of oil purchases will face many challenges in the coming months. In 2017, Reliance imported on average 67,000 bpd of oil from Iran, with this figure surging to 96,000 in January and April this year. Its latest decision will lower Irans oil exports to India by about 15%; this is a figure that oil importing countries, as noted above, are expected to abide by under US sanctions.

Whether India can fulfill its promise of continuing to import a large quantity of Iranian oil will also greatly depend on the European Union and the path it presents for maintaining trade with Iran. Financial transactions aside, European companies must provide insurance coverage for the tankers exporting oil from Iran to India. This was an important sticking point prior to the signing of the JCPOA, since neither India nor Iran were able to provide full insurance for the oil tankers.

Receiving payments for the exported oil is another challenge Tehran will face if it succeeds in maintaining its oil exports to India. During the previous round of sanctions, receiving payments was one of the major difficulties, with India paying part in euros and part in rupees. This method of payment adopted during the administration of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been described by some Rouhani administration officials as humiliating. Therefore, finding new methods of payment that are acceptable for Tehran will also be very challenging in the months ahead.

It's not just oil; India is Irans seventh export destination. In the Iranian year 1396 (which ended March 20), Iran exported $2.735 billion worth of non-oil goods to India. Preserving these exports and especially a mechanism for payment is very important for Tehran. In this vein, the announcement made by the two Indian banks following Zarifs trip with Iran that they would halt Iran-related business from Aug, 6, which coincides with the start of the US sanctions, is worrisome for Tehran.

In addition to being Indias third-largest oil supplier, Iran is also the Indian gateway to Afghanistan and to the center of the Shiite world. Iran also is an important geographical region in the newly emerging Eurasia  a place where Beijings growing influence is becoming a source of concern for New Delhi. More importantly, and perhaps contradictory to US policy, is that India and the US-backed Afghanistan government share an interest in the development and expansion of the Chabahar port in southeastern Iran; many argue that the development of Chabahar should be a US policy goal. These factors may be enough to keep Tehran optimistic about its oil and commercial trade with New Delhi.

Of course, it remains unclear to what extent New Delhis support will impact the actions of Indian companies when it comes to trading with Iran. However, what is clear is that large Indian companies such as Reliance Industries, which have immense interests in the US and world economy, will likely abide by Washingtons sanctions, just as their Chinese and European counterparts will. However, state-owned and small- or medium-sized enterprises may continue their interactions with Iran. Therefore, while Tehran can be hopeful about New Delhis support for trade and investment, Indian business leaders can be assumed to side with Washington.Alongside mass demonstrations near the Gaza-Israel border fence, Palestinian activists have been lighting paper kites on fire and launching them into the air. The kites, swept by the warm wind, cross the border fence from above and set fire to Israeli fields and crops.

Several hours before setting off for Europe on June 4, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on social media that he had instructed his national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat to start proceedings against the Palestinian Authority (PA) for damages caused by the fire kites from Gaza. Specifically, Israel would deduct the damages from tax revenues it collects for the PA and use the money to compensate Israeli farmers whose fields have been burned in the recent wave of airborne arson attacks.

Some 5,000 dunams (1,236 acres) of crops have gone up in flames on the Israeli border with Gaza in blazes ignited by these incendiary kites, causing damages estimated at millions of shekels. At a June 4 meeting of the Yisrael Beitenu Knesset faction, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman referred to the wave of arson, saying, We will settle the score with Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the rest of the terrorists operating against us from the Gaza Strip. Liberman did not elaborate, but given the economic and humanitarian crisis plaguing the Gaza Strip, Israel clearly cannot settle the score by imposing punitive sanctions. As proven in a 24-hour flare-up of violence between Gaza and Israel last week, military action is not particularly effective, either.

Liberman reported to his partys lawmakers that since the mass protests against Israel began along the border fence on March 30, the Palestinians had launched some 600 firebombs into Israeli territory. Israel intercepted about 400 using various technological means, while the rest landed and blackened 9,000 dunams (2,224 acres) of land, including crops and forests. Amazingly, a high-tech superpower such as Israel, with advanced military capabilities that can intercept most of the rockets and missiles fired at its territory from Gaza, is finding it hard to come up with an effective response to a weaponized piece of paper developed by Gazas desperate residents.

On June 4, the deputy head of the militarys southern command, Brig. Gen. Yossi Bachar, took senior American officers on a tour of the border and described the challenge posed by the wave of arson. Bachar told the visitors that Israel would not practice restraint for much longer in light of the attacks and noted that the kites could also carry small explosive devices and endanger firefighters.

The kites are launched not only during the mass protests held by Gaza residents along the border, but also on most weekdays in the afternoon hours, when the wind blows to the east, easily carrying the kites into Israel. Israeli lookouts can see the kites clearly in real time, but for now, the troops are not authorized to neutralize the Palestinian dispatchers (shoot in their direction). Although the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) view the kite attacks as terrorism in every sense of the word, the attitude toward them is different. Shooting the dispatchers, who are perceived as unarmed and not a danger to Israeli lives, could result in international condemnation. Therefore, for now, the only way to handle this phenomenon is with technological means that are not foolproof.

The same dilemma faces politicians. While the prime minister and defense minister generally instruct the IDF to attack Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza in response to rockets or mortar fire, they have practiced restraint vis-a-vis the kites, which have resulted in damage to property but not to life, so as not to escalate tensions with Gaza. Economic sanctions against Hamas are also out of the question for fear of deepening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and further exacerbating the security threat on the southern border.

Netanyahu discussed this dilemma with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on June 4. Israel, he said, was examining ways to avoid a complete collapse in Gaza, including improvements of the border crossings. At the same time, as Netanyahu revealed, Israel will try to exact the price of the kite damages from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Rather than exerting economic pressure on Hamas, Israel would collect the payment from the organizations harshest Palestinian opponent.

On May 7, the Knesset gave initial approval to proposed legislation sponsored by Liberman authorizing Israel to withhold taxes and duties it collects at its ports for the PA in the amount paid to Palestinian prisoners serving time in Israeli jails and to the families of Palestinians killed in terror attacks against Israel. Under the 1994 Paris Accord with the Palestinians, Israel is committed to handing over the tax revenues every month.

Whereas Libermans initiative enjoys broad Knesset support based on the argument that funding the families of terrorists encourages terrorism, Netanyahus plan could have the opposite effect to the one he intends. It would probably encourage additional kite terrorism.

Hamas regards Abbas as a sworn enemy who has undermined all efforts at reconciliation and imposed economic sanctions on Gaza that exacerbated the crisis there. Theres no doubting it would like to see him punished. Hamas would be happy to attack Israel, even without claiming responsibility, if only to have Abbas bear the brunt of Israeli punishment. For the organization, continued fire kite attacks would serve two purposes: damaging Israeli property and hurting Abbas economically.

Liberman and Netanyahu make no secret of their aversion for Abbas and their desire to see him step off the stage. Economic hardship in the PA could hasten his retirement. Is that what they are aiming for?

Israel is learning the hard way the repercussions of the siege it imposed on Gaza when Hamas ousted Fatah and took over the Strip in 2007. Although the situation in the West Bank cannot be compared to the misery afflicting Gaza, the PA is also facing major economic challenges. When the wave of anti-Israel terror attacks known as the individual intifada broke out in November 2015, Israeli analysts attributed it to the difficult economic situation in the PA and the despair of unemployed young Palestinians.

Therefore, Netanyahus proposal to fine the PA will not end the fire kites on the Gaza border, and it risks setting off another conflagration  this time in the West Bank.No one is holding their breath in the prime ministers office in Jerusalem or in the Palestinian Authority headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah ahead of the expected presentation of US President Donald Trumps ultimate deal between Israelis and Palestinians expected shortly after the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

The US deal is supposed to focus on resolving the status of the lands Israel captured in the 1967 Six Day War on its eastern front. But a schism lies between the opening positions of Israelis and Palestinians, which has widened during the long years of stalled negotiations between them. The Palestinians insist negotiations be based on the armistice line with Jordan drawn up in April 1949 following Israels War of Independence, to which the sides adhered until June 5, 1967. The Palestinians claim that after being forced to give up 78% of Mandatory Palestine to make way for the establishment of Israel, they should get the remaining 22% that Israel conquered in the 1967 Six Day War. Israels ruling party, the Likud, objects to the very idea of establishing a Palestinian state. The political center and the center-leaning left are willing to make do with settlement blocs in the West Bank that would remain in Israeli hands.

Reportedly, the term settlement blocs came up often in talks held by the Trump administrations peace team, led by special envoy Jason Greenblatt, with Israeli politicians and experts. An array of plans can be found in newspaper archives and on the sites of various think tanks, suggesting the annexation to Israel of settlement blocs according to different permutations. The common denominator of all these plans is the disregard of Palestinian aspirations. For example, on May 25, Knesset member Eitan Cabel of the center-left Zionist Camp wrote an op-ed in Haaretz calling to jettison the 1993 Israeli-Palestinian Oslo Accord. Cabel wishes to impose Israeli law on East Jerusalem, the Etzion settlement bloc, the settlement town of Ma'ale Adumim, and the Karnei Shomron settlement bloc and town of Ariel in the heart of the Samaria region of the West Bank, and to maintain control of the Jordan Valley. No wonder Naftali Bennett, chair of right-wing HaBayit HaYehudi, embraced the proposal with alacrity.

Michael Bar Zohar, who represented Labor in the 10th and 12th Knesset (1981-1984 and 1988-1992, respectively), also opined recently in Haaretz that Israel should unilaterally annex the Jordan Valley, which constitutes almost 30% of the West Bank. Bar Zohar, a biographer and friend of the late President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shimon Peres, proposed redrawing a de facto new border, which would be the new border of the State of Israel and will be defended by a wall or a fence. Labor Party Chair Avi Gabbay dismissed the proposal to annex territories outside the framework of an agreement with the Palestinians but underscored that clearly, the blocs will remain under our control.

Gabbay, too, is loath to deal courageously with the territorial issue. He does not dare say that the Palestinians would never agree to leave the Jordan Valley under Israeli control. Hard to believe that the leader of the countrys main opposition party does not know the Jordan Valley makes up almost one-third of the West Bank and constitutes the only viable land reserve for housing Palestinian refugees and building an international airport for a future Palestinian state.

He surely knows that annexing the Jordan Valley to Israel would sever the Palestinians from the outside world. But who cares these days about what is good for the Palestinians and what they might want?

To avoid the settlement blocs in general and the Jordan Valley in particular turning into intractable issues, Trump should read the 2004 letter by President George W. Bush to then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Bush was the first American president who officially supported territorial annexations to Israel. The letter, endorsed by both houses of Congress, said, In light of new realities on the ground, including already existing major Israeli populations centers, it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949. Bush made it clear that this needs to be "part of a final peace settlement"  i.e., not a unilateral Israeli decision.

The phrase major Israeli population centers automatically precludes the Jordan Valley from the list of settlement blocs. Fewer than 10,000 Jews live in the areas 22 collective farms and kibbutzim. Only two settlements number more than 1,000 residents. According to data in a recent Hebrew-language study tracing the history of the Israeli settlements by Shaul Arieli, a leading expert on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, negative population growth was recorded in at least six of the settlements in 2015.

In addition to taking into account the Israeli settlement centers in the occupied territories, Bush noted in his letter that Israel should have recognized and secured borders in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. Even before Israel controlled the West Bank, during the 1967 war, it took the army less than four days to reach the border with Jordan and capture the territory, including East Jerusalem. Even before Israel signed a peace treaty with Jordan in 1994, its eastern front was Israels most secure and calm border, even during the 1973 Arab-Israel war, which Jordan sat out. This is doubly true now that the Israeli flag flies in the Jordanian capital of Amman over the embassy building. Not only that, in negotiations over the years on a permanent arrangement, the Palestinians agreed to an international presence in the West Bank and on the border crossings with Jordan.

For 51 years, Israel has tried in vain to create irreversible demographic facts in the West Bank and East Jerusalem by settling Jews there. Rather than fantasizing with him about pie-in-the-sky settlement blocs, Trump should bring Netanyahu down to earth to an agreement on two states for two people based on the June 4, 1967, lines and on agreed land swaps. This should be the Palestinian starting point in reaction to Trumps much-touted peace plan. The alternative is not a DIY border demarcation project and annexation of settlement blocs by popular demand. The death certificate of the two-state solution would signal the birth of an apartheid state solution  with Israeli Jews ruling over the land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River.Baghdad will honor Muhammad Mahdi al-Jawahiri, one of the finest Arab poets of the 20th century, by turning his house, a building in southwestern Baghdad that dates from the 1970s, into a museum and cultural center carrying his name.

The municipalitys decision, announced May 20, is in homage to the poet who fled Iraq under Saddam Hussein in 1980, settled in Syria and died there in 1997. The museum is likely to be opened next year, which marks the 120th anniversary of Jawahiris birth. It also would be the first museum dedicated to a poet in Iraq.

The move comes after various literary and cultural groups, such as the Union of Iraqi Writers, which Jawahiri presided over in the 1970s, lobbied for a museum and center that would contain his archives and memorabilia. Some Iraqi poets and writers also made a request in 2012 to the president to transfer the poets remains, buried in a cemetery in Damascus, to his family's cemetery in the Iraqi city of Najaf.

Jawahiri was born in Najaf on July 26, 1899, into a family that included many religious scholars dating to the 11th century. Jawahiris father wanted his son to follow in these footsteps, so at an early age, young Jawahiri learned and memorized the Quran and took lessons in reading, writing, grammar, jurisprudence, rhetoric and eloquence. He was, however, more interested in poetry and politics than religious studies. In 1928, he published his first collection of poetry, "Between Feelings and Emotions.

After World War II, Jawahiri became a voice for the revolution and Arab nationalism. His line Do you not know that the victims wounds are but a mouth, written after his brother Jafar was killed in an uprising in 1948, became iconic of Iraqi poetry. So did his satirical disdain of indifference:

Sleep, and enjoy the best of health

What a fine thing is sleep for the wretched!

Riad al-Ghareeb, a member of the executive office of Iraqs Union of Writers, told Al-Monitor that the union had tirelessly pushed the idea of a museum through relevant committees and pressure on the municipality. There is a member from the executive office of the union sitting on the committee to establish the museum now, he said.

Ghareeb described the conversion of the poets house into a museum as a great tribute to Jawahiris creativity and achievements.

It is also a genuine recognition by the state of the importance of literature, after so many of the homes of important artists and writers from Iraqs cultural movement fell apart due to neglect, he said.

The house will also be turned into a cultural center that hosts literary events, seminars, research and education on poetry, he said. The union seeks to ensure that the museum is a cultural asset, not simply a display of the poets archive.

The Iraqi Cultural Forum also lauded the initiative. The transformation of Jawahiris house to a cultural center would not have happened without the lobbying from various cultural groups, as well as writers and poets, said Najat Abdullah, the forums media director and also a poet and writer.

Ban al-Jawahiri, the granddaughter of the poet, said that the family long wanted to create a cultural center and museum in Qadisiyah, a district in southwest Baghdad favored by the literati. The poet lived there throughout the 1970s.;

She said the project moved to the practical phase after a May 10 meeting between family members and the Baghdad municipality.

She describes the house as a building from 1971 with an area of 550 square meters (almost 6,000 square feet) where he lived during his time as president of the Union of Iraqi Writers before he left Iraq.

The house witnessed many artistic and political dialogues and disputes among the elites of Iraqi politics and literature. It also contains many of Jawahiris personal possessions, including the poets famous headdress [the arqajin], watches, photographs, personal letters and drafts, as well as awards and gifts from presidents, kings and various prominent figures, she said.

She also said that the transfer of the house's ownership from the family to the Baghdad municipality has been completed and construction plans are being drawn. "There is a need for a comprehensive restoration and renovation of the house so that it can become a museum, she added.

The poets granddaughter said negotiations on Jawahiris possessions are continuing. It is difficult to donate and house them in a museum unless there is a strong guarantee that they are secure and will not be damaged or stolen. In a country where the National Museum of Antiquities has been exposed to theft and vandalism, it would be difficult to donate my grandfathers assets, even if I were paid millions of dollars, she said.

Arif al-Saadi, a poet and member of the executive board of the Union of Iraqi Writers, said the establishment of the museum would mark an important cornerstone in recognizing literary heritage. The project to transform the poets house into a museum is a historic and pivotal moment. Baghdad has seen thousands of creative poets, calligraphers, mystics and intellectuals pass through the city, but nothing remains of them except for the yellowed pages of books.

He also said, The purchase of the house by the municipality and its transformation into a museum is a significant moment that will encourage cultural tourism and may help turn the place into a center for study and research.

Ministry of Culture spokesman Amran Obeidi told Al-Monitor that Jawahiri was "a national symbol and international treasure. Obeidi said he expected the museum to become a destination for visitors from inside and outside Iraq. He also called on those who have possessions and gifts obtained from the late poet to deliver them to the museum for preservation and commemoration of the owner.The past week has been like no other in the recent history of Jordan, with massive public demonstrations leading to the forced resignation of the prime minister. Spontaneous protests broke out May 31 after the government approved a sharp hike in fuel prices by an average of 5%. The day before, thousands of Jordanians observed an unprecedented general strike called for by the kingdoms powerful professional associations to protest a controversial income tax bill. The government of outgoing Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki, which had sent the legislation to parliament without allowing public debate, had been under public pressure for months since it passed a contentious 2018 state budget, lifted subsidies on bread and imposed a sales tax on essential goods.

Since May 31, Jordanians, mostly young men and women, have been taking to the streets in the capital Amman and other cities across the kingdom, demanding the sacking of the government and rejecting its austerity measures. Largely peaceful in nature, with few injuries and arrests, thousands of protesters were prevented from heading to the Prime Ministry in west Amman by anti-riot police who were lauded by citizens on social media for their discipline. While the state-run media avoided coverage of the mass protests, protesters took to Facebook and Twitter to broadcast live scenes of the nightly rallies.

King Abdullah II intervened on May 31, ordering the government to freeze the fuel price hikes. Chairing a National Policies Council meeting on June 2, he called on the government and parliament to lead a comprehensive and rational national dialogue to reach a consensus on the income tax draft law that does not drain the public, combats evasion and improves efficiency of tax collection. He also said that it is unfair to force citizens to bear the burden of financial reform.

But the leaderless protests continued, with many thousands joining every night, insisting that the government be fired and the proposed law withdrawn. By June 3, it became clear that the political crisis has deepened. The speakers of the bicameral legislature, which was not convened, sought to provide the royal court and the government with a way out. They suggested that an extraordinary session be convened within days so that both chambers can reject the proposed bill.

Until he was asked to resign, Mulki rejected calls to withdraw the draft law. It said that it was under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to introduce a new income tax law that would broaden the base of taxpayers and limit tax evasion. A three-year agreement with the IMF signed in 2016 stipulated that the government adopt certain austerity measures in exchange for a $700 million credit line.

By the late evening of June 3 and as protesters resumed their nightly rallies, it became clear that the king had to defuse the crisis. News that he had summoned Mulki to meet him the next day spread like wildfire. On June 4, he accepted Mulkis resignation and a day later, he asked former Minister of Education Omar Razzaz to form a new government. Razzaz, a long serving civil servant, enjoys both credibility and integrity in the public eye, but he is assuming office at a time when the economy is in dire straits. He will face a huge challenge in meeting the IMF demands while attempting to appease an angry citizenry. Unemployment has increased to 18%, the poverty rate to 20% and government debt has reached almost $40 billion or 95.6% of the countrys gross domestic product, raising fears that the kingdom is sliding toward insolvency.

After he accepted Mulkis resignation, the king met with the local press and said that he has always stood by his people and will always do so. In a prepared statement, he cited regional conflicts as a contributor to Jordan's challenges but added, We have to admit that there has been failure and slackness on the part of some officials regarding decision-making. He said that he had worked hard for a parliamentary government, but that poor performance by political parties had impeded its success.

Despite Mulkis resignation, the nightly protests continued on June 4 with protesters now demanding the dissolution of parliament. There were scuffles with the police near the Prime Ministry but no arrests were reported. The council of professional associations was set to meet on June 4 to decide if the general strike planned for the next day would still go on.

The crisis has underlined the need to carry out a review of political and economic policies as Jordan calls for a new election law that would allow for the formation of parliamentary governments. Jordanians now want full transparency that would expose public corruption and mismanagement, which many blame for the piling up of foreign debt.

The latest crisis has offered a glimpse of a fast-changing political landscape in Jordan. As political parties have become marginalized as a result of policies by successive governments, professional associations and workers unions have emerged as the only viable vehicles for political mobilization. That the vast majority of protesters are young and unaffiliated politically heralds the arrival of a new player on the scene, one that has been marginalized for years.

Finally, the crisis has reset the political agenda for the kingdom, with key players such as political parties, professional associations, retired military officers and a former prime minister now calling for the resumption of the political reforms that have faded with the waning of the Arab Spring. The new prime minister will be expected to engage the public in debates that will center on the separation of powers and the rehabilitation of political life in the kingdom.

As young Jordanians become empowered and motivated, thanks to social media and the grim economic outlook, they will be expected to play a leading role in pressuring the system for genuine reforms. One thing is for sure at this stage: Jordan is at a historic milestone and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of the country.TUNIS, Tunisia  The Nidaa Tunis Party, which Prime Minister Youssef Chahed belongs to and which is one of the primary partners in the ruling coalition, released a statement May 29 saying that Chaheds current government foresees a political crisis.

In the statement, Nidaa Tunis criticized those who oppose a government reshuffle by saying they are "looking out for the national interest and stability. The party was referring to its partner in rule  Ennahda  whose head, Rached Ghannouchi, said May 28, Maintaining the current government ensures stability for Tunisia.

In a meeting held May 22 in Carthage Palace and led by President Beji Caid Essebsi, Nidaa Tunis, the Free Patriotic Union, the Tunisian General Labor Union and the National Union for Tunisian Women (a Tunisian organization addressing womens affairs) called for comprehensive governmental change, including replacing Chahed as prime minister. Meanwhile, Ennahda, the National Destourian Initiative, the Social Democratic Path and the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fishery labor organization demanded only partial change in government that would keep Chahed as prime minister.

Samira al-Shawashi, a leader of the Free Patriotic Union, told the private Tunisian station Mosaique FM on May 25 that her party wants the government changed. She said everybody except for Ennahda agreed on the importance of a deep governmental change that includes all ministries and their heads.

The controversy has to do with the Carthage Document, signed by a number of parties and organizations on June 24, 2016, under the auspices of Essebsi. It resulted in the formation of a national unity government headed by Chahed.

The Carthage Document outlined six goals, including winning the war against terrorism and fighting corruption.

However, following calls by the Tunisian General Labor Union for a government reshuffle due to the ruling coalition's failure to solve the economic and social problems plaguing Tunisia, the document was amended May 3 to include new economic and social programs and named Carthage Document II.

On May 28, the document was suspended indefinitely due to the failure of the parties to agree on the fate of the current government.

Tunisian parties and organizations have been holding wide-scale deliberations since March regarding changing Chaheds government to break the countrys economic stagnation and the failure of the government to address development and employment issues.

The Tunisian General Labor Union withdrew from the Carthage Document after it was suspended to protest the failure to agree on dismissing Chahed.

Hafez Caid Essebsi, the presidents son and executive director of Nidaa Tunis, published a post on his official Facebook page May 23 defending the partys demands to change the government.

Hafez mentioned in his post that the government has failed to solve the countrys problems, and he listed the reasons behind his call for change.

The general stances such as those of Nidaa Tunis, the Free Patriotic Union and the Tunisian General Labor Union calling for changing the government, and the statements of key political players who cite Chaheds failure to implement the goals in the Carthage Document, suggest that the current government  the eighth since the outbreak of the Jasmine Revolution on Dec. 17, 2010  is in its last days, and that Tunisia is preparing for a ninth government.

Chahed, 41, is the youngest politician tasked with spearheading a government in Tunisia since its independence from France in 1956. His government took charge Aug. 26, 2016.

According to the Tunisian Constitution, the president, who is elected every five years, must appoint the prime minister based on the recommendation of the majority party in parliament. Essebsi announced an initiative June 2, 2016, that resulted in the signing of the Carthage Document, whose aim was to change the government of then-Prime Minister Habib Essid. The document became an agreement binding the prime minister.

Tunisian parliament members accused the president of taking over parliaments powers since only the legislature has the constitutional authority to change the government.

Political analyst Mohammad Bou Oud told Al-Monitor, We are about to bid the eighth government farewell, and Chaheds departure along with his government is imminent.

He underlined that the change will negatively affect citizens and investors peace of mind, obstruct Tunisias economic development and create a deep political crisis.

Before Chahed, seven figures had served as premiers since former President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was toppled Jan. 14, 2011. They include Mohammad al-Ghannouchi (between Jan. 14, 2011, and Feb. 27, 2011), Essebsi (between Feb. 27, 2011, and Dec. 24, 2011), Hamadi al-Jibali (between Dec. 24, 2011, and March 13, 2013), Ali Laarayedh (between March 13, 2013, and Jan. 29, 2014), Mehdi Gomaa (between Jan. 29, 2014, and Feb. 6, 2015) and Essid (between Feb. 6, 2015, and Aug. 27, 2016).

Laarayedh told Al-Monitor that the constant change of governments indicates a return to ground zero in developmental projects and social negotiations. It will also halt some projects and affect their quality and effectiveness.

He said the constant changing of ministers has paralyzed the execution of powers proposed by governments, as a premier who feels he might be replaced any minute will not dare open the major developmental and social files.

Economic expert Wajdi Bin Rajab told Al-Monitor that changing governments within short periods of time (at the pace of one government a year) has hugely harmed Tunisia's economy. Tunisias sovereign rating dropped from B1 to B2 in March 2018, thus affecting investment.

Rajab said governmental instability affects international transactions and investors trust in economic stability, thus pushing them to reconsider potential investments or projects in Tunisia.

The global credit rating agency Fitch warned May 28 in a statement of Tunisia's unstable future and noted the risky political dimension that threatens to reposition the parties before the legislative and presidential elections in 2019, all of which may lead to instability at the government level.A long sought thaw in US-Turkish relations appears within reach following yesterday's talks in Washington between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Answering reporters questions in the Turkish city of Antalya today, an upbeat Cavusoglu elaborated on an agreement reached between the NATO allies on Manbij, a mainly Arab town in northern Syria. Manbij has been an abiding source of friction because of Kurdish influence over its administration. Cavusoglu termed the deal an opportunity to put our damaged relations back on track.

Cavusoglu said provisions of the plan would likely be fulfilled in less than six months but that the real test of the United States commitment to it rested in its implementation. The terms include a full withdrawal of the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) from the city and assurances they will be shorn of any weapons provided to them by the US-led coalition for the fight against the Islamic State (IS). Likewise, the civilian authorities are expected to be purged of pro-YPG elements, clearing the path for Turkish forces to monitor the area jointly with their US partners. Cavusoglu stressed the accord was beyond a legal document" and "a road map that will affect relations between [our] two countries.

The YPG appeared to be cooperating. In a statement, the group said its military advisers would leave Manbij, but that they would heed the call when necessary to offer support and help to the people of Manbij should it be needed.

Turkeys state-run Anadolu News Agency, however, appeared to contest the YPGs statement, reporting, Local sources told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that YPG/PKK terrorists were still hiding out both in the city center and in outlying districts.

The decision to cooperate in Manbij follows months of aggressive lobbying by Turkey for the United States to axe its alliance with the YPG because of its close links to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The PKK has been waging a bloody campaign for self-rule inside Turkey since 1984 and is formally designated as a terrorist group by the State Department. Turkeys demands escalated to threats to take military action against the YPG despite the presence of US special forces in the areas under its control.

Turkeys military invasion of Afrin earlier this year proved the threat isn't more hollow rhetoric. Paired with Turkeys growing cooperation with Russia, Afrin may well have helped tip the balance in favor of those administration officials, particularly in the State Departments Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, who have long argued that partnership with the YPG ought not come at the expense of strategic ties with a critical regional ally. With the fight against IS gradually winding down and President Donald Trump opposed to a prolonged American presence in Syria, the YPGs star appears to be fading despite the best efforts of its diehard fans within the US Central Command.

The YPG is the most reliable and effective force within the Syrian Democratic Forces, which groups Kurds and Arabs fighting IS together with the US-led coalition. Some administration officials continue to air skepticism about how or whether the Manbij agreement could work on the ground. The local population remains especially leery of any return of Turkeys Free Syrian Army allies, who governed the town before IS took over. Residents interviewed by Al-Monitor in September said the period was marked by violence, looting and corruption.

Cavusoglu alluded to disagreements in the administration today, saying, There were different statements coming from different departments and this disturbed us, [but Pompeo] was CIA director and he understands our sensitivities very well.

Signs are that the SDF does, too. An SDF official in northern Syria contacted via WhatsApp told Al-Monitor, We have already been making some changes to de-escalate tensions with Turkey. These efforts include scaling down the presence of PKK advisers and removing banners and other symbols evoking the PKK and its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan in Arab-dominated areas. We wish to pursue our partnership with America, he said. But he acknowledged that the ground was shifting. The [American] commanders here tell us they want to continue with us but that it's the White House, not them, making all the decisions.With the United States and Turkey agreeing on a road map for settling a longstanding dispute in the contested Syrian city of Manbij, experts warn that Pentagon-backed Kurdish groups could get boxed out.

Following a meeting today between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Washington, the State Department issued a joint statement saying that both sides planned on taking steps to ensure the security and stability in the one-time Islamic State (IS) bastion west of the Euphrates River. The statement offered no specifics, but a Turkish government spokesman said todays meeting included an agreement on a timetable for withdrawing US-allied Kurds from Manbij, a sticking point that has strained ties with Washington.

Jim Jeffrey, a former US ambassador to Turkey, told Al-Monitor that the deal calls for removing cadres from the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) within 90 days. Among the sticking points are how locals will secure the area and whether PYD sympathizers will be allowed to stay.

The problem is, we dont know where the PYD [stands], said Jeffrey. The local US command really like them.

After the meeting, Cavusoglu told reporters that the goal of the road map was the clearing of Manbij of all terror organizations and the permanent [re]instatement of safety and stability. The first step, he said, was determining parameters for common plans for the removal of the PYDs armed wing, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), a key US ally against IS that Ankara considers a terrorist group.

Ever since then-Vice President Joe Biden called in 2016 for Kurdish elements to leave Manbij after the defeat of IS, Turkish rhetoric and posture have hardened. In 2017, pro-Turkish forces repeatedly fired on US convoys through Manbij, where some of the 2,000 US troops in Syria conduct patrols in with Arab and Kurdish forces.

Further complicating matters, the contested city is also home to some of the most battle-hardened units in the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which includes the YPG and Arab units. These include the Manbij Military Council, an Arab-led group that has bought into the ideology of imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan.

The Turks look at the Manbij Military Council as exactly what they dont want to see empowered, said Nick Heras, a Middle East fellow at the Center for a New American Security.

But the Pentagon still faces trust issues with Turkey, fueled in part by lingering bitterness that Ankara slow-rolled US access to Incirlik Air Base for the anti-IS campaign in 2015. Though Turkey repeatedly pledged forces for the fight to take back the former IS capital of Raqqa, US officials said Ankara couldnt raise enough troops for the battle, according to a report from the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank.

With French troops now running joint patrols with US forces in Manbij, it appears likely that the Donald Trump administration is looking at Turkey as part of a wider military grouping to secure areas once held by IS, experts say.

What [Trumps] team wants to do is find an agreement with Turkey that doesnt sell the SDF down the river but creates a larger northern Syria NATO zone, said Heras. The first big milestone on that road would be a working arrangement.

The New York Times reported today that Gen. Tony Thomas, the commander of US Special Operations, faces pressure from US Defense Secretary James Mattis and US Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to move elite US forces back into Europe to deal with the threat of Russia. Earlier this year, Thomas raised the possibility of reinforcing Manbij with more US troops after Turkish forces drove Kurdish militants out of nearby Afrin in March.

Ive got lieutenants  that we may push into that little area up north called Manbij just to keep the Turks from coming in, Thomas told a West Point audience in March. They dont like the Kurds were dealing with, got it  but theyre undoing some of the work weve accomplished, and, more complicated, theyre a NATO ally.

Even as Mattis turns the militarys focus away from the terror fight in the Middle East and toward emerging adversaries such as China and Russia, experts say Kurdish elements will need US security guarantees akin to the American-led no-fly zone over Iraqs autonomous Kurdish region in the 1990s.

We need an Operation Northern Watch again to ensure that no one uses air power to go after guys east of the Euphrates, said Jeffrey, now with the Middle East Institute, a Washington think tank.Maynard Cooper & Gale's Huntsville office has added three new attorneys, a week after six attorneys from Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP joined the firm's Birmingham office.

Dale Gipson is joining as a shareholder, Katherine "Katie" McGuire will be an associate with the firm's government solutions practice and Jordan Hennig will be an associate.

Daniel Wilson, managing shareholder of the Huntsville office, said the additions are a "natural fit."

"We are excited to have this talented group joining our Huntsville team, particularly given the firm's recent growth and success in the government and manufacturing sectors," Wilson said.

Gipson has more than ten years of experience representing government contractors. He assists federal contractors in the structuring and negotiation of joint ventures and teaming agreements, as well as procurement issues, bid protests, export controls, compliance issues, terminations and data rights.

McGuire is an expert in the field of governmental contracts and advises clients on federal procurement law. That includes bid protests, prime-subcontractor concerns and disputes, regulatory compliance matters, government investigations, contract terminations, teaming agreements and small business issues, among other issues.

Henning joins the firm from the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Chief Counsel in Washington, D.C., She has experience in areas of enforcement, compliance, administrative law and constitutional law.Cherokee County's only hospital will remain open, after Floyd Healthcare of Rome, Ga., took over operations last week.

The Cherokee County Health Care Authority acquired the hospital from Florida-based NNZ LLC, and will lease the 60-bed hospital to Floyd. It is now known as Floyd Cherokee Medical Center.

Authority Chairman Eric Ellis said the deal was a "relief."

"It's been a long roller-coaster ride, but it's very satisfying to achieve this," he said. "The hospital stays as an ongoing health-care provider for the residents of our county."

The Authority started negotiating the hospital purchase early last year but was unable to reach an agreement with then-seller Quorum Health Corp. of Brentwood, Tenn. Last October, a representative of NNZ, the Florida company that bought the hospital in April 2017, contacted Ellis and said the medical center was once again for sale.

The authority understood that while it could buy the hospital, it couldn't manage it. Ellis said the authority knew that if the hospital did not sell, it would close.

That's when the board looked over the stateline at Floyd. Barry Cochran, one of the deal's brokers, said it was obvious that the two entities would make a good team.

"Their mission aligns with our mission," Cochran said. "They used to be our neighbors, now they're family."It was excitement about the rebirth of downtown Birmingham, and a chance to try out his own ideas about urban renovation, that resulted in Louis Nequette's latest project, The Thomas.

The mixed-use development on Second Avenue is in the finishing touches stage, as Nequette took two historic buildings and added another floor.

The Thomas features nine loft-style one-bedroom apartments, two office suites and two ground-level retail spaces. Nequette Architecture & Design is moving into office and studio space on the new fourth floor.

The former Harold Furniture buildings were built in 1889 and 1901 and had seen better days. But Nequette said the structure had "great bones."

"We've spent a lot of time doing community-driven architecture projects," he said. "But we kept our eyes out for buildings to do a renovation project. Then we realized we were staring across the street at one, just a little larger than we were expecting. It was a fun chance to put our money where our mouth is and do a full-blown mixed use project."

The name is in honor of Nequette's father, a Marine helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War.

The two office spaces are occupied by a tech company and a locally-based entrepreneur. Four of the nine lofts have been leased. H2 Real Estate is handling leasing.

The aim in designing the lofts, Nequette said, is to preserve a look and feel consistent with the building's history. Even the new floor of office space was designed to look like it had always been part of the structure.

"We took the historical nature of what was here and built upon it," he said. "Birmingham's English roots was a style, look and feel that we built upon, even in our color palette and material palette."

The nine lofts range in size from 1,400 to 2,000-square-feet, featuring one bedroom in each with an open feel. Exposed brick walls, heart pine floors, big industrial fans are consistent with the customer residential work the firm does, he said.

"There's the exposed duct work, walk-in showers, and tons of closet space," he said. "We were going for an upper end offering."

Nequette, who grew up in Birmingham, said it's exciting to contribute to Birmingham's new (and old) landscape.

"You don't have to travel by plane or car to hang out in a cool city," he said. "Just come downtown."Kim Kardashian will be the first fashionista to receive the Council of Fashion Designers of America's (CFDA) Influencer Award, which recognizes her impact in the world of fashion and beauty. Kim's fans say she's definitely an iconic celebrity fashion influencer. But some feel Kim isn't the most fashionable and doesn't deserve such an honor from the fashion authority just because of her huge social following. Is Kim really the ultimate fashion influencer?

PERSPECTIVES

The CFDA Fashion Awards recognize the best in American design. The organization was established in 1981 and is fashion's highest honor. So it totally makes sense the red carpet at the CFDA Fashion Awards is one of fashion's biggest nights. This year, the ceremony will take place at the Brooklyn Museum.

Kim has been the brand ambassador for major brands like Calvin Klein, Yeezy and has appeared on the cover of Vogue Magazine. The organization says only a few have been able to master influence and impact like Kim.

But according to New York Post, fashion insiders are mocking the organization's decision to award the lead Kardashian and are accusing her of "squandering its cred."

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.Primary day in Alabama

Kay Ivey and Walt Maddox walked away with wins Tuesday in their party primaries. Here's more from election 2018:

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Alabama primary election results

We're updating with live results below or click here for latest vote totals.

Interested in just the governor's race? You can see those results here.

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PSC candidate who shared Hitler Valentine gets nearly half the vote

Two incumbent Alabama Public Service Commissioners fended off challengers in Tuesday's Republican primary, but a controversial candidate received nearly half of the vote, despite the party's announcement that it would not certify votes cast for him.

You can read more here.

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Kayla Moore loses race

Kayla Moore, Roy Moore's wife, lost her bid for the state Republican Executive Committee Tuesday night. You can read more here.

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BREAKING: @AP says Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and former Alabama Attorney General Troy King will advance to runoff for office. #alpolitics  Brian Lyman (@lyman_brian) June 6, 2018

AG race headed for a runoff

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Ivey on her win

"Tonight's result shows that Alabama is working again and we are on the right track," Ivey told supporters.

You can read more here.

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Walt Maddox wins Democratic gubernatorial nomination

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Ivey defeats crowded field

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Ivey wins GOP nomination without runoff

The AP has called the GOP race for Kay Ivey, who wins the nomination without a runoff.

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Maddox defeats Sue Bell Cobb

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Ivey soundly defeats field

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Police chief in line to succeed Alabama's embattled female sheriff

As Morgan County Sheriff Ana Franklin's embattled final term comes to a close, a local police chief is enroute to the helm of the county's top law enforcement agency.

Hartselle police Chief Ron Puckett defeated a crowded Republican primary field in Tuesday's election, receiving 66 percent of the votes with 39 of 41 precincts counted. Because there aren't any Democratic challengers, Puckett is in line to take over the sheriff's office.

Read more here.

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And it's official: GOP Rep. Martha Roby is headed to a July runoff against former Rep. Bobby Bright in #AL02 https://t.co/l9Qx8CzZdK  Alexis Levinson (@alexis_levinson) June 6, 2018

Runoff for Roby

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Runoff likely in Lt. Gov race

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Roby likely headed to runoff

Rep. Martha Roby appears to be headed to a runoff in her bid to keep her District 2 U.S. House seat.

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Nearly at 50 percent now and Walt Maddox just got a big bump from some Jefferson County boxes, up to 53.4 percent now. Sue Bell with 29.3 #alpolitics  Reckon (@reckonalabama) June 6, 2018

Maddox gets boost

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Evangelist Scott Dawson with radio personality Bill "Bubba" Bussey, who got teary-eyed as results looked more and more disappointing. "I'm proud of Scott. I hope Alabama hasn't missed out on this opportunity." pic.twitter.com/OvysHTtRbl  Greg Garrison (@greg_garrison) June 6, 2018

Dawson backers on results

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Robert Kennedy on ballot?

Wondering about the Robert Kennedy that is seeking the Democratic nomination for District 1? You can find out more here.

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With 48 percent of the vote in, U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks has 62 percent of vote in GOP primary 5th Congressional District race against Clayton Hinchman. Imagine this one will be called for Brooks soon.  Paul Gattis (@paul_gattis) June 6, 2018

Brooks remains in the lead

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AG race is close

Steve Marshall is ahead in the GOP race for Attorney General; Joseph Siegelman is up for Democrats but both races are close.

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Controversial Etowah County sheriff loses to GOP challenger

Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin has conceded to his opponent in the Republican primary for the position he currently holds.

Rainbow City Police Chief Jonathon Horton will become the county's next sheriff in January barring any candidates entering the race as independents, as there are no Democrats on the ballot.

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New 'I voted' stickers show up in Alabama

Some people are reporting new 'I voted' stickers were distributed today.

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Close race for Attorney General

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Still early, but Tom Parker has a less-than 300 vote lead over Lyn Stuart in Alabama State Supreme Court Chief Justice contest. Winner will face Bob Vance in November. #alpolitics  John Sharp (@JohnSharp99) June 6, 2018

Supreme Court Chief Justice race

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Morgan County Sheriff's race

Hartselle police chief Ron Puckett has hefty lead in the race for Morgan County Sheriff. Puckett is seeking to replace controversial sheriff Ana Franklin, who did not seek reelection.

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Looking good for @GovernorKayIvey in coastal Alabama, where she has early commanding leads in Mobile and Baldwin counties. @BillHightowerAL, like Trip Pittman in the AL Senate primary last year, struggling to compete in hometown turf. #alpolitics  John Sharp (@JohnSharp99) June 6, 2018

Ivey continues strong showing

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Elsewhere on election night, U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks has surged to a 20-point lead in Madison County over challenger Clayton Hinchman in 5th Congressional District race with 16% of the vote in. Two years ago, MadCo accounted for 52 percent of all votes cast in race.  Paul Gattis (@paul_gattis) June 6, 2018

Mo Brooks in the lead over GOP challenger

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Early results in AG race

Early results show former Alabama AG Troy King leading the race with incumbent Steve Marshall and Alice Martin close behind.

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Scott Dawson supporter Rick Burgess of the Rick and Bubba Show: "If we get in a runoff it's a whole new game." pic.twitter.com/e2Ufchlvth  Greg Garrison (@greg_garrison) June 6, 2018

A runoff is a 'whole new game'

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Roby with an early lead

Early returns show Martha Roby at 41 percent over Bobby Bright (25 percent) in the race for her House District 2 seat.

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Evangelist Scott Dawson awaits results. On Gov. Ivey: "You can't run the state if you don't debate." pic.twitter.com/AdhN0EpZRq  Greg Garrison (@greg_garrison) June 6, 2018

Scott Dawson awaiting results

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8 states have primary elections today. Here's when we're expecting the first results. https://t.co/NEbxm6mxyl

Alabama: 7:30 p.m. EST

New Jersey: 8:20 p.m.

Mississippi: 8:30 p.m.

South Dakota: 9:15 p.m.

New Mexico: 9:25 p.m.

Iowa: 10 p.m.

Montana: 10:25 p.m.

California: 11 p.m.  The New York Times (@nytimes) June 6, 2018

If you're interested in other election results...

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Tommy Battle has made an early appearance, making the rounds and welcoming supporters at his watch party in downtown Huntsville. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/D44TOOv4T1  Paul Gattis (@paul_gattis) June 6, 2018

Tommy Battle arrives to await results

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First results in

Polls closed at 7 p.m. and we're starting to see the first few results trickling in. Ivey ahead in early (real early) voting, with Tommy Battle and Scott Dawson following. Bill Hightower a distant fourth, followed by Michael McAllister, the GOP candidate who died in April.

Early voting has Sue Bell Cobb up on Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and the rest of the Democratic field.

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Mike Cason

Ivey optimistic

Gov. Kay Ivey said she's optimistic about tonight's returns. She will be waiting for results at Montgomery's Renaissance Hotel. You can read more here.

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'We love it'

Poll worker at busy spot in Madison County singing praises of new electronic voter sign-in.

"We love it," she said. "There are no lines. It moves much quicker."

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Merrill still thinks turnout will be 25-30 percent

Secretary of State John Merrill said he still expect today's voter turnout to be between 25-30 percent.

"It is higher in the Wire Grass than it is in the Mobile and Baldwin County areas," Merrill told the Times-Daily.

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Former mayor of Mosses William Scott (in the green shirt) says the voting environment is different in Lowndes County: When you come to vote, its more like a reunion because you see people you havent seen in a while. Its not just voting. pic.twitter.com/Oj4PLzP354  Jonece Starr Dunigan (@StarrDunigan) June 5, 2018

What voter turnout problem?

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Hoping Gulf Coast GOP friends remember that our Founding Fathers walked, rode horses and in wagons for miles to build our nation and vote. Let's go Gulf Coast! #alpolitics https://t.co/VBIbGkLDlC  Terry Lathan (@ChairmanLathan) June 5, 2018

A message from head of Alabama GOP

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Bob Gathany

What they are saying about Alabama's primaries

Alabama isn't the only state with primaries today. You can read more about that here.

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It's #ElectionDay! Where people are searching for polling places today across Americahttps://t.co/Kcd5bzoM7d pic.twitter.com/5SDPGvu7QQ  GoogleTrends (@GoogleTrends) June 5, 2018

Voting day around the country

Interesting map from Google Trends shows us the hot spots for people searching for voting place info.

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Sun is starting to shine in coastal AL, and next round of rain hopefully holds off into rush hour. #alpolitics  John Sharp (@JohnSharp99) June 5, 2018

A break in the weather for south Alabama?

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The stickers are different! Repeat! The stickers are different! And they said Alabama wasnt progressive... #ALpolitics pic.twitter.com/eNWlnnThlq  Dr. Terry Hughston, PhD. (@terry4prez) June 5, 2018

Big election news....

Seeing reports that the famous "I voted" stickers have changed in some polling places.

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Working with @WaltMaddox on all versions of the speech he'll give tonight. This is the first step to Walt becoming Alabama's next governor. pic.twitter.com/kZhEPH8lI9  Lars Anderson (@LarsAnderson71) June 5, 2018

From Tuscaloosa

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Last 3 June primaries & gubernatorial votes ("I" indicates incumbent was on the ballot). #alpolitics https://t.co/rBAx6txZCy



2006:

Democratic: 466,537

Republican (I): 460,019



2010:

Democratic: 318,330

Republican: 492,897



2014:

Democratic 180,658

Republican (I) 434,525  Brian Lyman (@lyman_brian) June 5, 2018

A note on turnout

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No waiting at the polls in Homewood. Fewer than 300 votes cast on the machine that scanned my ballot #ALPolitics  Amy Yurkanin (@AmyKingsley4) June 5, 2018

Turnout light throughout state, according to reports

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Controversial sheriff not running

Six Republicans are on the ballot in Morgan County today, seeking to unseat incumbent Sheriff Ana Franklin. Franklin opted not to seek reelection. In April, Circuit Judge Glenn Thompson wrote in the order that Franklin and three deputies had acted criminally during an investigation into a fired jail warden and a local blogger. The warden was arrested on a misdemeanor at the culmination of the investigation, but the judge dismissed the charge. Franklin has denied wrongdoing.

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Legislator on voting snafu: 'People know I'm not dead'

"People know I'm not dead," Ala. House District 103 Rep. Barbara Drummond in connection to a voting snafu.

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Outside the Daphne Civic Center where the power went out earlier this morning. Poll watcher tells me that the machines are on a backup generator so it wasnt a problem other than it got really dark inside. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/bOBWXeMY5C  John Sharp (@JohnSharp99) June 5, 2018

Power outage at polling place

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Not much of a line at all at my polling place in west end Birmingham. pic.twitter.com/2E8xoZNE9s  Jonece Starr Dunigan (@StarrDunigan) June 5, 2018

Birmingham votes

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Gov Ivey filling out her ballot at Huntingdon College in Montgomery. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/nYLSky8yjN  Mike Cason (@MikeCasonAL) June 5, 2018

Ivey votes

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The flooding on this Mobile street is approximately 2 feet deep. Big question for midterm candidates now, how will the bad weather affect turnout? Follow @aldotcom as the votes trickle in. #Midterms2018 pic.twitter.com/utOvXrU3SY  Christopher Harress (@Charress) June 5, 2018

Weather an issue in south Alabama

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Gov. Kay Ivey, after voting at Huntingdon College this morning, was asked her expectations for today. A big win, she said. Asked if she expects to win without a runoff, she said, Thats for the people to decide and Im here to support and listen to the people. #alpolitics  Mike Cason (@MikeCasonAL) June 5, 2018

Ivey predicts big win

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Kayla Moore on ballot

Kayla Moore, wife of failed Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, is on the ballot in Etowah County. Moore is seeking to keep her seat on the Alabama State Executive Committee, Place 2. She's being challenged by Sandra Lasseter.

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I asked Battle this morning why he was making a statewide swing on election day rather than before voters go to the polls. pic.twitter.com/D9gQ8NCvIz  Paul Gattis (@paul_gattis) June 5, 2018

Battle votes

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Joe Songer

Race for governor

Four Republicans and six Democrats are in the race for governor. You can see info on each of them here.

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Mike Cason

Last-minute push

Candidates spent Monday reaching out to voters across the state.

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Deceased candidate's name on ballot

Voters will see Michael McAllister's name on the ballot for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. McAllister died in April, however, and Secretary of State John Merrill said while any votes for him will be tallied, they will not be certified.

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Crossover voting rule

Alabama's crossover voting rule is in effect for today's primary, meaning you can't vote in one party's primary and then switch and cast a ballot in the other party's runoff. You can see more about what that means here.

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I want to personally encourage all Alabamians to vote in the ALGOP Primary Election tomorrow, Tuesday, June 5th. We have a solid group of candidates who stand on the foundation of our conservative polices and represent our Party well. - @ChairmanLathan #ALPolitics pic.twitter.com/lwMCxd3veg  ALGOP (@ALGOP) June 4, 2018

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Sample ballots

You can see sample ballots for major counties here.

You can see all sample ballots here.

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Projected turnout

Secretary of State John Merrill said he expects between 25-30 percent of Alabama's registered voters will cast a ballot today.

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Are you registered to vote?

You can check your registration status here.

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Where do I vote?

You can find your voting location here.

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No lines at the Lagoon Park fire station polling place in Montgomery this morning. Poll worker said there was a short line at 7 when they opened. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/eDbluu0m6M  Mike Cason (@MikeCasonAL) June 5, 2018

Light turnout in MontgomeryIt's Election Day across Alabama, but will the weather cooperate?

It will for most of the state, according to the National Weather Service.

The exception to that is across parts of south Alabama, where rain and storms continued on Tuesday morning.

Some of them have been on the heavy side and caused flooding around the Mobile area.

Here's a look at what the National Weather Service is expecting from Tuesday's weather.

National Weather Service

Bring the umbrella in southwest Alabama

Rain and storms continued to push through southwest Alabama on Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service said they will continue to move eastward through the rest of the morning.

More rain and storms will be possible this afternoon through the evening hours, the weather service said.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle got a firsthand look at the rough weather that rumbled through coastal Alabama this morning.

He was at the Fairhope Civic Center when a heavy downpour sent people running for shelter.

Battle, though, seemed unfazed by the rain that could, in theory, keep voters away from the polls.

"I think the people will get out and vote today," said Battle, who is making stops throughout the state before returning to Huntsville tonight to watch election returns.

"They are looking for a change. They are looking for a government that starts representing the people of Alabama, not the (political action committees) and lobbyists and special interests. They want to come out and voice their opinions."

"I like the rain but not on Election Day," said Adline Clarke, the incumbent state representative for District 97. "There are more poll workers at the polls this morning than there are voters."

(Clarke is facing one Democratic challenger, Levi Wright Jr.)

State Rep. Barbara Drummond said the weather in Mobile had impacted turnout to a point, but she'd seen lines at some polling places in the Mobile area despite the rain.

Drummond said her expectation still is that turnout will be relatively strong, thanks in part to what she sees as a strong roster of candidates. "I think it's going to slow them down this morning, but I think it will pick back up," she said at about 11 a.m.

Drummond is running unopposed for re-election to her House District 103 seat and also is running for a seat on the Democratic Executive Committee.

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MOB issues Areal Flood Advisory for Mobile [AL] till Jun 5, 12:00 PM CDT https://t.co/NlQ1ulhb4F  IEMBot MOB (@iembot_mob) June 5, 2018

National Weather Service

Some flooding reported around Mobile

An urban and small stream advisory will be in effect until noon for Mobile County, where 1-2 inches of rain have fallen this morning.

Isolated areas could get up to 3 inches, the weather service said.

Storms this morning could also bring wind gusts of 30-40 mph as well as lots of lightning.

Runoff from this morning's heavy rain could cause minor flooding in the advisory area, the weather service said.

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National Weather Service

A different story as you head north

The rest of the state will have a better time of it, according to forecasters.

Central Alabama will have mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 90s with less humidity, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

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National Weather Service

Nice day in north Alabama

Similar conditions are expected across north Alabama, but with highs topping out in the mid-80s, according to the National Weather Service in Huntsville.

Skies are forecast to clear by the afternoon, forecasters said.

journalists John Sharp and Lawrence Specker contributed to this report.Birmingham police are asking for the public's help locating a teen who has been missing for three days.

Jordan Tyrone, 15, was last seen about 8:30 p.m. Friday in the 800 block of First Avenue South. Jordan uses a colostomy bag and has other medical issues from a recent surgery, said Lt. Pete Williston.

He is believed to be endangered due to his medical condition needing constant monitoring and medication. Jordan is described as a black male, 5-feet, 11-inches tall and weighing 140 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Birmingham Police Department's Special Victims Unit at 205-297-8413.A well-known retired Jefferson County judge who fought for children's rights and was active in her community, church and politics has died.

Sandra Ross Storm died Monday after being diagnosed with a brain bleed. She was 72.

"She was a great and faithful friend. And if someone needed something, regardless of what it was, she would jump into action no matter what needed to be done,'' said longtime friend Kit MacLeod. "Sandra was a person of great generous spirit and compassion. She had a real heart to help among her friends and the community."

A former District Court and Circuit Court judge in Jefferson County Family Court, Storm presided over child abuse and neglect cases as well as domestic violence cases, and she implemented the process that allowed domestic violence victims to obtain protection from abuse orders against their batterers without an attorney.

Storm, a mother and former high school English teacher, retired in July 2005 after 25 years on the Family Court bench, her last 16 as presiding circuit judge. Under her watch, Family Court developed nationally recognized youth gun court and youth drug court programs with 26 programs for children and families launched by the time she left.

A Birmingham News editorial marking her retirement lauded "Storm's temperament in the courtroom and her passion for children in and out of it. Storm has earned her rest, but her leadership and vision no doubt will be missed."

After Storm's retirement, she continued to practice law and was a mediator. She also helped start the YWCA's Safe Haven Supervised Visitation and Exchange Center. The center, which ensures that children can have safe contact with an absent parent without being put in the middle of adult conflicts, is focused on safety. Off-duty Birmingham police officers provide security, and there are separate entrances, parking lots and waiting rooms for victims and batterers.

Earlier this year, was named the 2017 Jeana P. Hosch Woman of Valor. The award is presented each year by the YWCA to an extraordinary woman who has worked tirelessly to care for children and families in our community. "If you look up the word 'valor,' you'll find synonyms like courage, heart, boldness, spunk and moxie," Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Laura Poston said in her introduction of Storm at the awards ceremony. "You may as well find a picture of our 2017 honoree because Judge Sandra Storm truly fits the bill."

"The entire YWCA family is devastated to hear the news of Judge Storm's passing," said YWCA Central Alabama CEO Yolanda Sullivan. "She was such a tireless advocate for families both in and out of court - her work never stopped. It was why we named her our 2017 Jeana P. Hosch Woman of Valor. She was generous, devoted to those less fortunate, strong and kind. The community will miss her a great deal."

Storm and a friend were headed to Chicago on Sunday when Storm started experiencing symptoms of a stroke. When the plane landed in Chicago, Storm was met by an ambulance and taken to a nearby hospital. There, doctors said the former judge had experienced a stroke caused by a bleed in her brain.

She was transferred to Loyola University where doctors planned to do surgery but had to wait 48 hours and placed Storm in a medically-induced coma. On Monday, they told Storm's friend and daughter that the bleed had caused irreparable damage and Storm wasn't able to breathe on her own.

MacLeod said Storm's family made the decision to remove life support and Storm died Monday afternoon. "Sandra of all people would never ever want to be in this situation,'' MacLeod said. "Sandra was a liver of life and I know she would want everyone to celebrate her and rejoice in her life, and her legacy will live on in so many."

In addition to her work in the county court system, Storm was also actively involved in Birmingham's animal community and worked with Hand in Paw. She also was an elder at First Presbyterian Church.

"She'll leave a big hole in the Birmingham community,'' MacLeod said.

AL.com reporter Ivana Hrynkiw contributed to this report.A 24-year-old Bessemer man was sentenced to prison last week after being convicted of manslaughter.

Chanze Jones was convicted in March for the 2015 shooting of 19-year-old Lemarkus Demon Hamilton. Jones was originally charged with murder for the shooting, but a jury found him guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter. He was found not guilty on one count of attempted murder.

Last week, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Virginia Vinson sentenced Jones to 12 years in prison.

The shooting happened on March 20, 2015 in the city's West End community. Birmingham police responded to an apartment complex in the 1000 block of Tuscaloosa Avenue on a report of a person shot. When they arrived, they found Hamilton shot in the head and stomach. Jones was taken into custody a few blocks away.

Hamilton was taken to UAB Hospital, and died several days later.

At the time of the incident, police said the altercation started when Hamilton got into an argument with his mother's boyfriend and Jones jumped into the fight by grabbing Hamilton in a "bear hug."

Court records don't show any previous criminal history for Hamilton or Jones.Two investigative agencies said criminal charges will not be filed against former Birmingham Interim Police Chief Orlando Wilson amid potential child abuse claims.

The mother of Wilson's two children in April filed a request for a protection from abuse order against him and claimed potential sexual abuse of a young girl and possible physical abuse of a young boy. According to records, one of the incidents was reportedly to have happened in 2013 and the other in September of 2017.

The Shelby County Department of Human Resources on May 22 provided Wilson a letter stating that the investigation into suspected child abuse/neglect report received in March had concluded and the agency "did not find sufficient evidence to support that you sexually abused (the young girl.) This case will be closed with no further agency in involvement.

On Monday, the Trussville Police Department confirmed that no charges are being filed at this time in their investigation into alleged sexual abuse of a child less than 12 that was reported to have happened in at Wilson's home in 2013.

"I'm vindicated,'' Wilson told AL.com on Monday. "I knew on the front end there was no merit."

Efforts to locate the woman - Daphne McCall - for comment were unsuccessful.

Wilson came out of retirement from the Birmingham Police Department in February when Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin appointed him as the acting chief while the city conducted a national search.

The mother of Wilson's two children on April 11 filed a request for a protection from abuse order in Jefferson County Family Court. In the proposed order, the woman asked Wilson be restrained from having physical or violent contact with her or the children either at home or at school. The woman also asked that Wilson be restrained and enjoined from harassing, stalking, annoying, threatening or engaging in contact that would place (her) in reasonable fear of bodily injury.

That protection order was not immediately issued. Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Philip N. Lisenby was appointed by Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Lyn Stuart to hear the case because all of the judges of the 10th Judicial Circuit recused themselves. "The current petition makes serious allegations of abuse which occurred between seven months and almost five years ago,'' he wrote. Therefore, he said, he would not issue any orders without giving both parties an opportunity to be heard.

A hearing is set before the judge for later this month.

Wilson said from the start the allegations were "false and defamatory" and stemmed from a long-running battle between Wilson and the mother over custody and child support. On Monday, Wilson released this statement:

"First and foremost, giving thanks to God who knows and sees all, I wanted to share firsthand with family, friends, colleagues, and interested citizens; news that the City of Trussville has cleared me from all claims of physical and sexual abuse against my children, whom I love dearly and would protect with my life.

I would like to thank everyone who believed in me and supported me in my innocence. Likewise, I thank child welfare and law enforcement officials who were charged with diligently assessing, investigating and rendering a decision in the allegations affixed to me in the media story purported by my accuser that placed my moral being under unmitigated scrutiny.

I could never have imagined such a despicable allegation would be lodged against me by my children's mother, Daphne McCall. But I am thankful that the investigation concluded favorably with a clear showing that these claims were unfounded.

It is a long road ahead, but being a public servant for so many years, I felt it was incumbent upon me to address this matter in like manner, as the frivolous allegations were brought to the public forum in a deliberate attempt to assassinate my character. And although remarks have been highly defamatory, in both a libelous and slanderous way, as also stated by my attorney Jacqueline Smoke in the April 19th news story, my only desire is to move forward with my life and request that interested parties respect my privacy and that of my minor children.

To be vindicated comes as a welcomed relief in many aspects. I wholeheartedly sympathize with anyone in this situation where they are fighting to have the truth exposed to preserve their reputation and good name.

Lastly, I would like to sincerely thank Mayor Randall Woodfin for entrusting me to continue to protect and serve. However, I am grateful for the time I have had to recuperate and properly recover from the surgical procedure I underwent on April 20th. Things are progressing well to that end. I look forward to even greater possibilities in my future."By Lily Jackson, AL.com reporter

Anthony Ray Hinton was on death row for nearly 30 years based on bad evidence. Within three months of his book being released, Oprah Winfrey has deemed his story a must-read.

"The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row," published in March 2018, chronicles his time on death row and his release. Bryan Stevenson, civil rights attorney and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, won Hinton's release from Jefferson County in 2015.

"If I could, I would go out on 5th Avenue, I'd put a little book sign over me and I would hand out these books," Winfrey told CBS This Morning today. "I hope every person who hears our voice today buys this book."

According to The Nielsen Company, the Oprah's Book Club endorsement sold 22 million copies of selected books between 1996 and 2011.

Anthony Ray Hinton's book is available March 27, 2018 (Ivana Hrynkiw | ihrynkiw@al.com)

Hinton's book tells his story of being arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder of two restaurant workers in Jefferson County. In 1985, Hinton was 29 years old when he was sentenced to death by electrocution.

"No one I have represented has inspired me more than Anthony Ray Hinton and I believe his compelling and unique story will similarly inspire our nation and readers all over the world," Stevenson wrote about the book.

Winfrey came across Hinton's book while "rumbling around" Stevenson's office during her coverage of the The National Memorial for Peace and Justice. She began reading the book and could not put it down.A man was shot and seriously injured Tuesday morning at southwest Birmingham home.

The shooting happened about 8:15 a.m. in the 2100 block of Powderly Avenue, said Lt. Pete Williston. The man arrived home to find another man inside the home and the two exchanged gunfire.

The man was rushed to Princeton Baptist Medical Center with injuries not believed to be life-threatening. Police said they have identified a person of interest but he is not yet in custody.

UPDATED: Birmingham police initially said the victim was female but later provided correct information that the victim is a male.A second man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to prison in the Huntsville shooting death of a suspected robbery accomplice.

Antonio Thompson was sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the death of his suspected robbery accomplice.

Antonio Thompson, a 21-year-old from Anniston, pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery, and in exchange prosecutors dismissed a murder charge, court papers show. Per the plea deal, Thompson was sentenced to 20 years in prison. His sentence began March 25.

Thompson was charged along with three other men in the death of Montarious Hill, a 20-year-old who was killed as the five tried to rob a homeowner in northwest Huntsville, according to authorities. The homeowner shot Hill, but Thompson and the other suspects were charged under Alabama's complicity law. The homeowner wasn't charged with a crime. The incident happened in December 2016 on Brookmeadow Drive.

Co-defendant Quindarious Sterling earlier this year pleaded guilty to a third-degree robbery charge, and prosecutors dismissed his murder case, court papers show. Sterling, 22, was sentenced to 10 years, split to serve one year and a day in prison, the plea agreement states. The remainder was suspended pending three years of successful probation. Sterling was released from jail because he got credit for time served pending trial, court documents show.

Robert Thornton and Jaleel McElderry also are charged in the case. Their cases haven't yet gone to trial.

Thornton, 22, also is charged with murder in an unrelated killing in Gadsden. He's one of three people who have been charged in a shooting that killed a 17-year-old Gadsden City High School student in March 2015. That case is set for trial in August in Etowah County.NEW YORK (AP) -- Starbucks Corp.'s Howard Schultz is stepping down as executive chairman of the coffee company he helped transform into a global brand, and says public service may be in his future.

Schultz, 64, says he is

. He had endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton before the last presidential election and had sometimes deflected questions about whether he would run for office.

"I'll be thinking about a range of options for myself, from philanthropy to public service, but I'm a long way from knowing what the future holds," he said in a letter to employees.

Iconic leader and visionary entrepreneur Howard Schultz to bid farewell to @Starbucks after 40 years https://t.co/G621DfbPOr pic.twitter.com/xL134Dzn1V  Starbucks Stories (@Starbucksnews) June 4, 2018

Speculation has swirled for years that Schultz might run for president. While not addressing the question directly, he told The New York Times on Monday that "for some time now, I have been deeply concerned about our country -- the growing division at home and our standing in the world."

Schultz's move comes after he ceded the day-to-day duties of CEO at Starbucks last year to focus on innovation and social-impact projects as executive chairman. As of June 26, Starbucks says Schultz will take the title of chairman emeritus. The Seattle-based chain says he is writing a book about Starbucks' social-impact moves and its efforts to redefine the role of a public company.

"Starbucks changed the way millions of people drink coffee, this is true, but we also changed people's lives in communities around the world for the better," Schultz said in his letter.

Schultz was known for aligning himself and Starbucks with issues like race and jobs for underprivileged youth -- even when those efforts fell flat, like the "Race Together" campaign that encouraged workers to talk about race with customers. The company also long projected itself as a socially conscious company and promoted its stores as neighborhood gathering places.

More recently, as the company tried to restore its reputation after the arrests of two black men at a coffee shop in Philadelphia, Schultz said he didn't want people to feel "less than" if they were refused bathroom access.

Last week, the company closed its U.S. stores for several hours for bias awareness training for its employees, one of the measures it promised after the men were arrested as they waited for an associate but hadn't bought anything.

On 5/29 we united over 175,000 US partners (employees) to have meaningful conversations on race, bias and the building of a diverse, welcoming company. It was an important step in our journey.



Here is a link to the curriculum used in the session.  Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks) May 30, 2018

Schultz has said his vision for Starbucks was largely inspired by the coffee bars he saw on a visit to Milan many years ago. He had stepped away as CEO in 2000, before returning to that role in 2008. He was credited with turning around Starbucks' fortunes. He oversaw the expansion of the chain's food and beverage menu and the growth of its popular loyalty program and mobile app.

In his letter, Schultz emphasized his roots, saying, "I still feel like a kid from Brooklyn who grew up in public housing" and that he'd "set out to build a company that my father, a blue-collar worker and World War II veteran, never had a chance to work for."

He also credited the company with "balancing profitability and social conscience, compassion and rigor, and love and responsibility."

Starbucks said Myron E. "Mike" Ullman would be the new chairman of the board upon Schultz's retirement. Shares in Starbucks dropped 1 percent to $56.50 in extended trading after the announcement.The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a lower court's decision that allowed an undocumented immigrant teenager to obtain an abortion over the protests of the Trump administration.

The action, which came in an unsigned opinion without noted dissents, wipes out the lower court's ruling as precedent.

But attorneys for the teen said it does not immediately affect a court order in place that temporarily allows undocumented girls in federal custody to get abortions as a broader challenge to administration policy makes its way through the courts.

The case centers on a Central American teenager, identified in court papers as Jane Doe, who was being held in a government-funded shelter last fall. She had been seeking an abortion since learning, shortly after she crossed the border, that she was pregnant. But the administration said it would not "facilitate" abortions for undocumented minors in federal custody.

The five-page order issued Monday directs the lower courts to dismiss as moot the teen's individual claim seeking access to abortion services. The girl was able to terminate her pregnancy before the high court got involved. She has since turned 18 and is no longer in federal custody.

The short, unsigned opinion obscured what was likely a divisive behind-the-scenes disagreement. The court began to consider the Trump administration's request in January, and it was continually rescheduled for the justices' private conferences. In the end, the justices put aside what might have been dueling opinions for a more anodyne statement that drew no noted dissents.

The girl's attorney, Brigitte Amiri of the American Civil Liberties Union, described the Monday ruling as narrow. She said it does not affect the broader challenge to the government's policy for pregnant teens in federal immigration custody that is pending in district court in Washington.

Moreover, a nationwide order issued by the judge in that case preventing the government from blocking access to abortion services remains in effect. The administration has appealed the injunction.

"Now we can focus on going forward and continue to do everything we can to strike the policy down once and for all," Amiri said.

Administration officials said in a statement Monday that the high court has repeatedly made clear "the federal government is not obligated to help a minor get an abortion and may choose policies favoring life over abortion."

"We look forward to continuing to press the government's interest in the sanctity of life," officials from the Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services said in a joint statement.

In its order, the Supreme Court did not agree with a separate request by the Trump administration askingthat ACLU lawyers who represented the girl be disciplined for their actions in the case.

Justice Department lawyers accused the ACLU of reneging on a deal that would have given them time to appeal a ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that allowed the abortion. The girl terminated her pregnancy before government lawyers filed the appeal. That rendered their request moot and opened the administration to criticism from antiabortion groups, which accused the Justice Department of moving too slowly.

The court said Monday that it takes "seriously" allegations that lawyers tried to keep justices from hearing the case but also that lawyers have ethical obligations to serve their clients. In the end, it said, it did not need to determine who was at fault to decide to throw out the lower court's decision.

"Not all communication breakdowns constitute misconduct," the court said.

That Solicitor General Noel Francisco went to the court with the complaint says much about the political salience of the abortion issue and the changed nature of the administration's position.

While the Obama administration supported abortion rights, President Donald Trump has appointed antiabortion officials to top positions at the Justice Department and HHS, as well as other federal departments and agencies.

The Trump administration has enacted a policy of preventing access to abortion services - even though the government is not asked to pay for the procedure - for pregnant teens held in government-funded shelters after crossing the border illegally.

Unsealed court documents show that the head of the Office of Refugee Resettlement denied access to abortion services for a 17-year-old who said she had been raped and threatened to harm herself if she could not end her pregnancy.

The office's director, E. Scott Lloyd, denied the teen's request over the recommendation of a senior staff member who said the office should assist the teen in getting an abortion, according to the filing.

In explaining his decision, Lloyd said in a December memo that the government office "cannot be a place of refuge while we are at the same time a place of violence." He added, "We have to choose, and we ought to choose [to] protect life rather than to destroy it."

The girl dubbed Jane Doe went to some lengths to get her abortion, in a case that took a rapid but circuitous route through the courts.

Last fall,she persuaded a Texas judge that she was mature enough to make the decision to end the pregnancy without the notification of her parents, whom she said she feared, according to her attorneys.How To Get Inside the Mind of Someone

Who Wants a Disarmed Population

By Dean Weingarten. May 30th, 2018

Article Source

There are a significant number of people in the United States who have chosen to be unarmed, and who want the government to ensure as many others are forcibly disarmed as possible. They are a small, but vocal minority. To most people in the gun culture, this is an alien mindset.

It is worthwhile to understand people on the other side of an argument. The left is routinely attempting to shout down and silence people in the gun culture; one of the strengths of Second Amendment supporters is the willingness to engage with people who want most people in America forcibly disarmed.

There is a simple way to understand how most people who want you unarmed think.

Make the internal assumption, for the sake of understanding them, that you have deliberately chosen to be unarmed. It is not that hard to do. Being armed requires effort. You have to choose to be responsible. You have to practice self-discipline. You practice safety and train. You think about unpleasant possibilities and plan for them. In many states, becoming armed takes considerable legal effort. You have to devote time and money to be armed.

Once the decision has been made to be unarmed, many arguments on the other side become understandable. Unarmed people are often uncomfortable around armed people. Armed people have a significant power advantage over unarmed people. Many unarmed people do not want to be reminded that armed people have more personal power. To avoid this, they want to force other people to be disarmed.

This explains why some unarmed people dislike concealed carry, but absolutely hate open carry. Open carry forces them to reflect on the power differential they have chosen. It reminds them of an unpleasant reality.

People are more accepting of information that reinforces their personal choices. If you have chosen to be unarmed, you want to hear news items that validate your choice. If a health professional tells you that keeping or bearing arms makes you less safe in your home and on the street, you will have an intrinsic bias to believe them.

If a politician proposes that restrictions be placed on gun owners and gun buyers, it makes perfect sense to you. You do not own a gun or intend to buy a gun, so these proposals are perceived to be without personal cost. The costs are born by people who have chosen to be armed. It is hard to overemphasize this point: people, by nature, are willing to impose costs on other people, if they do not have to pay anything themselves.

Any restriction on people being armed will appear to be positive. The fewer armed people for you to contend with, the better. It does not matter how stupid the restriction, how draconian, how expensive, how ineffective it will be. The deliberately unarmed perceive the personal costs to be zero. Less guns, less fear of an imbalance of power on your part.

If you have chosen to be unarmed, you probably do not have much knowledge about firearms and firearms technology. Learning and knowing about firearms is one of the costs that people avoid by choosing to be unarmed. When gun owners point out technical mistakes in articles and legislation concerning guns, it strikes you as meaningless babble. Semi-automatic, automatic- who cares? You are not interested in guns, so technical distinctions are considered unimportant.

Because you have chosen to be unarmed, you know you need an armed protector to keep you safe. That would be the government. To make such a choice, you assume that government is benevolent, concerned with your safety, and available in time of need. It helps to assume the need for an armed protector is minimal. Thus, unarmed people constantly attempt to minimize the need for armed protection.

This explains the arguments put forward to claim that crime is not a problem, the government could never become tyrannical, attempts to minimize the danger of wild animals and the desire to minimize government ineffectiveness during emergencies. It explains why so much effort is expended to discredit the number of times firearms are used for self defense and to prevent crime.

The decision to be unarmed depends on a perceived high cost of being armed, and perceived low benefits to being armed. Every successful example of self defense works against that perception.

Several methods to counter the mind-set of the deliberately unarmed are effective. All work to show benefits of being armed (or allowing others to be armed) and the costs of being unarmed.

One of the strongest is to convince deliberately unarmed people that having armed citizens makes them safer rather than less safe. They need to know that legally armed citizens are not a threat, but actually prevent crime that threatens them.

People who obtain carry permits have been shown to be more law abiding than police officers. They have stopped numerous crimes and some mass killings. They have saved police officer lives. This information supports the idea that armed citizens are significant protectors of unarmed people; that they are assets, rather than a danger. Being polite and reasonable during personal or Internet discussions helps to promote this thought.

Much of the propaganda from those who want a disarmed population is aimed at creating the impression that armed citizens present a net cost, rather than a net benefit.

Reducing the cost of being armed makes an unarmed person more willing to see being armed as a potential choice. If you can bring an unarmed person to a range, and insure they have a pleasant experience, you will have significantly increased their information about being armed. Having that information decreases their perceived cost of being armed. Have them shoot a .22, while wearing hearing protection, rather than a .44 magnum, without.

Another way to reduce the perception of the costs of being armed is to educate them about the tremendous strides made in reducing fatal firearm accidents in the United States. In the last 90 years, fatal firearm accident rates have been reduced by 94%. Most people do not know that.

Showing unarmed people that being armed might be useful in the future gives them an incentive to keep their options open. The key is to educate them about problems that being armed can reduce or solve. This should be done in a non-threatening way. Giving them examples of individuals who used arms to defend themselves, their loved ones, or social order, can be very effective. Explain that these stories are routinely spiked by the national media.

The desire to be armed is virtually genetic. Something as simple as watching a movie in which being armed makes a positive difference, connects deeply with people at a very basic level.

Many who are unarmed by choice simply took the easy road, without much thought or reflection. They can be reached with gentle persuasion.

A second approach is to show them that disarming the population is not cost free. If people who wish to disarm the population realize there can be severe personal and societal costs to population disarmament, it changes the cost-benefit analysis significantly. Predictions of armed resistance, guerrilla war based on Second Amendment violations, and examples of the horrible violence that erupts when civil order breaks down, are very effective.

One of the effects of this approach is to moderate the tactics used by those who want to disarm the population. When registration of modern rifles is required by law, the national guard is not mobilized and sent on door to door searches. Instead, the 80-95 percent of people who choose civil disobedience and do not register their guns, are ignored. At least for the next few years. This puts the battle into the election booth and the courts instead of on the streets.

It is worth while to remind people that there are over 400 million private firearms in the United States. Those who want the population disarmed often attempt to minimize the number of firearms in the United States and the number of armed citizens in the country.

A third tactic is to show those who wish the population to be disarmed, how this violates the rule of law and the Second Amendment of the Constitution. This is a powerful argument, which is why those desiring an unarmed population spend so much time attacking and misrepresenting the Second Amendment.

A fourth tactic is to show physical limits of government bans on firearms. Do this by showing how simple it is to evade those restrictions. Show how easy guns are to make, how tribesmen with little technology make guns with ease; how criminals in places with strict 'gun control' still have access to guns and ammunition; how hobbyists routinely make guns and ammunition; how gun technology is really a 14th century technology. It is hard for those who wish the population disarmed to argue physics and engineering. Those tend to be strong suites of the gun culture, and weak positions of those wishing us disarmed.

The gun culture has the Constitution, the facts, physics, and basic human nature on its side. It is only when the information flow is suppressed that those who wish the population disarmed, win. That is why restrictions on gun ownership and use are rushed through the legislature. it is why those opposing the Second Amendment oppose First Amendment rights. If deliberate thought and careful argument take place, Second Amendment supporters win.

In the United States, above almost the entire rest of the world, citizens have the choice to be legally armed or unarmed. Most people in the U.S. wish to keep that option. Most of the rest of the world does not have it.

2018 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included. Gun Watch

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Three people have been charged in the death of Dalton Davis, who was found dead in Atmore Sunday, officials said.

The three suspects are also charged with attempted murder of another man also found shot.

Chirstopher James Logan Stacey, 18, Alexis Ileene Shiffner Cain, 21, and Christopher Alan Stacey, 37, were each charged with murder and attempted murder, according to the sheriff's office.

Escambia County, Florida Sheriff's Office officials found the two men shot Sunday.

Alexis Cain

Dalton Davis was found shot dead inside a truck in Bushy Creek. The other man, who has not been identified, was found near Deere Creek Road.

He was taken to a local hospital for treatment, according to the sheriff's office. His current condition was not available.

Investigators later learned the shooting happened in the 5900 block of Highway 164 in Walnut Hill, Florida.

The three suspects were arrested Monday, according to the sheriff's office.

Chirstopher James Logan Stacey

Further details about the investigation were not immediately available.Students at the University of Alabama with Apple Watches and iPhones will be able to load their student ID cards in the Wallet app this fall under the new iOS 12 and WatchOS 5.

The student ID feature is part of several other new features to be added in iOS 12 and WatchOS 5, Business Insider reported. The upgrades were announced during the WWDC keynote on Monday.

WatchOS 5 will be released in the fall, and it'll be available for the Apple Watch Series 1 and newer models. Unfortunately, WatchOS 5 won't be available for the original Apple Watch (Series 0), which was released in 2015.

Starting this fall, students at the University of Alabama will be able to load their student ID cards onto the Wallet app in the Apple Watch, allowing them to pay for items at the campus bookstore, access their dorms, the gym or dining hall. The feature will also be available for iPhones running iOS 12.

The University of Alabama was selected along with Duke, Temple University, Johns Hopkins University, The University of Oklahoma and Santa Clara University.

More colleges and universities will get support for student ID implementation on Watch and iPhone "over time," Business Insider reported.Alabamians will head to the polls today in the first step towards selecting the state's next governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and several Congressional races.

The Republican and Democratic primaries are set for June 5. Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. You can go here to find your polling place.

You can go here for profiles of all the gubernatorial candidates.

Alabama law requires photo identification to be shown before casting your ballot.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

Valid Driver's License

Valid Nondriver ID

Valid Alabama Photo Voter ID card

Valid State Issued ID (Alabama or any other state)

Valid Federal Issued ID

Valid US Passport

Valid Employee ID from Federal Government, State of Alabama, County, Municipality, Board, or other entity of this state

Valid student or employee ID from a public or private college or university in the state of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools)

Valid Military ID

Valid Tribal ID

You can see select sample ballots here. You can see sample ballots from all counties here.

If needed, primary runoffs are set for July 17. The general election is Nov. 6.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said voter turnout for the June 5 primary is expected to be between 25-30 percent. That number would exceed the 22 percent turnout for the 2014 primary, but fall far short of the 40 percent turnout for the U.S. Senate election in December when Democrat Doug Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore.After several corrective measures after the 2016 failed coup, the military is enjoying better ties with the government.

Istanbul, Turkey  The Turkish military has been a pivotal actor in the political life of modern Turkey, both domestically and abroad, but its role and position in contemporary Turkey have been curbed significantly.

The military began to rise into prominence after the modern republic was founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923.

With the help of the officer corps, Ataturk converted Turkey into secularised and westernised state.

After his death in 1938, secularism became the dominant ideology, and the generals its sole protector.

Ataturk and many leaders in the early republic were former officers. The military has always had a significant role in society as a steward of secular values. Although civilians ran the government, the military used to play a leading role in forming the countrys foreign and security policies, Doruk Ergun, research fellow at EDAM independent think-tank in Istanbul, told Al Jazeera.

Guardians of secularism

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As self-declared guardians of Ataturks secular legacy, the military remained associated with a tradition of upheaval and history of overthrowing unpopular governments at times of political chaos and economic crisis.

The officer corps staged three coups between 1960 and 1980.

In all the three, the military complained that Islam was becoming too involved in the political sphere.

Every single of those coups was undertaken by fiercely secular and fiercely pro-Western officers who felt that Turkeys Western, progressive path was being compromised, Timur Kuran, a politics and economics professor at Duke University in North Carolina, told Al Jazeera.

The military is completely neutralised at this stage. They're not a factor in Turkish politics. Timur Kuran, professor of politics and economics, Duke University, North Carolina

The rise of political Islam

By the late 1980s, the ideological divide between Turkeys right and left was coming to an end, paving the way for political Islam to emerge.

In 1997, the Welfare Party, which was the first conservative and religious party in Turkey to win a general election, was forced to resign by the military. The resignation of the partys founder, Necmettin Erbakan, who was the prime minister, became known as the post-modern coup.

In a statement on February 28 that year, the military had warned of a threat to national security caused by Erbakans efforts to raise the profile of Islam. Erbakan was forced to resign four months later.

Alican Turk, a former army colonel who was arrested in April 2012 on accusations of involvement in the 1997 post-modern coup, told Al Jazeera that peoples trust in the military has diminished over the last 16 years.

Turk spent 14 months in Sincan prison on the outskirts of Ankara before he was acquitted. A total of 103 people were charged in the case, including 61 generals.

Most were acquitted in a six-year trial that was largely seen as an effort by Gulenist prosecutors and judges to target the military with fake evidence.

Gulenists are followers of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen movement, which the Turkish government has branded a terrorist organisation called FETO.

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, was once a strong ally of Erdogan, with his organisation enjoying its golden years during the early years of the AKP.

Similar cases, known as Ergenekon and Balyoz (Sledgehammer), also saw Gulenists target secular officers.

The Balyoz and Ergenekon trials indicted military officers in the late 2000s over alleged plans to overthrow the government. These trials, which have now been overruled due to falsified evidence, were subsequently blamed on Gulenists in the judiciary.

The military was damaged through these fake trials. Before 2002, the army was very sensitive and careful when it came to Cemaat [the Gulen movement] and other radical Islamist groups, and it fired anyone linked to these movements but after 2002 that stopped and members of these groups rose in power and increased in number, Turk told Al Jazeera.

When AKP came to power, the military was not pleased

The AK party, which was formed from the Welfare Party tradition, came to power in 2002 but with a more liberal and pro-EU agenda.

When the AKP came to power, the military was not at all pleased. They were hoping initially that the AKP would self-destruct, make a mess of things and lose popularity. But the AKP decided, and this was Recep Tayyip Erdogans brilliance, to embrace democracy and to stay clear of policies that would threaten the military or move Turkey away from Europe, Kuran said.





This discourse allowed Recep Tayyip Erdogan to disarm the constituencies in Turkey that instinctively sided with the military against religious conservative groups. He also started campaigning for modernising the constitution, which included the provision for the militarys role in protecting the ideals of the republic.

Erdogan framed it in terms of becoming more modern, more European. After all, which European country has a constitution that gives its military the right to interfere in civilian politics when it senses certain principles are at stake? Kuran explained.

The AK partys liberal discourse enabled the party to win hearts and minds among intellectuals, businessmen and media and was perceived by the West as a compromise between the secular and religious that could see an end to military interventions.

The AK party also introduced reforms that altered the civil-military relations. It rendered the powerful National Security Council a civil institution, brought security expenditures under the civilian control, and freed universities and the media from military inspection  changes that restored the peoples confidence in public institutions.

The last coup was quite different

The military still played a significant role in Turkish politics after 2002, although not in day-to-day politics over the last five years or so. The balance between the military and the civilian government has become more equal with civilians gaining more power and control over the military, Ergun explained.

However, in 2007 the military issued a veiled threat about its determination to protect secularism when Abdullah Gul was proposed as president, leading to an election that saw backing for the AK party.

According to Kuran, the Ergenekon and Balyoz trials allowed Gulenist officers to move up the military hierarchy and these officers, together with other opportunists and some secular officers opposed to the AK party, formed the group that Turkey says carried out the 2016 coup attempt.

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The last coup was quite different from the others. With all the others you have officers who are staunchly anti-Islamist, staunchly secular, strongly pro-Western who are leading a movement in a coordinated fashion. The last coup, the failed coup, was not, Kuran said.

The 2016 coup attempt has been attributed to Gulenists in the military who aimed to undermine the government and carve out their own networks in the government.

Although the actors have changed from secularists to Gulenists, the actors were still from the military.

The 2016 coup failed for various reasons. The country was not facing an economic crisis or political chaos, the attempt lacked societal support, and Erdogan remained popular. It harmed the military badly and offered Erdogan the legitimacy to purge all dissidents.

The military is completely neutralised at this stage. Theyre not a factor in Turkish politics.

We dont hear statements from Turkish generals that in any way contradict what the government is doing as was quite common before the Erdogan era, says Kuran.

Most people realise that we dont know the full story, but they feel in all likelihood officers did things they shouldnt have been doing.

Relations after the 2016 failed coup

After the 2016 trauma, civil-military relations reached a new level as the officer corps deposited most power into the hands of the government, such as the case of Syria, where the government has a great deal of influence.





Furthermore, the military has gone through internal corrective measures, and it is not the same organisation it was 20 or 30 years ago.

The army, navy and air force have been brought under direct control of the Turkish Defence Ministry, Ali Turksen, a former member of Navy Underwater Special Forces and cofounder of the opposition IYI party, said.

Erdogan has succeeded in shaking up the system and possibly preventing any future coup attempts. About 40 percent of Turkeys generals and admirals have been dismissed, and theyre capturing Gulenist officers on a near-daily basis.

Academies and military schools have now been re-opened, but theyre more careful in who they allow to enter, Turksen added.

In the immediate aftermath of the last coup attempt, the militarys reputation slumped as the vast majority of people saw it as an undemocratic attempt to change politics.

The officer corps is definitely not the Kemalist military that used to shape the political fabric of the country.

The military leadership and the AKP government are currently on the same page and on very good terms. They see eye to eye on many issues, and they go hand in hand in many regards, says Ergun.There is a silver lining to the Gulf crisis that Qatar should seek to exploit.

Director of the Centre for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies at the Doha Institute.

When the blockade was imposed on Qatar on June 5, 2017, few expected it to last as long as it has. One year on, what started as an expression of frustration with, and attempt to change, Qatars independent foreign policy, has, in fact, deepened the political divisions and, if anything, made it more difficult to envisage a return to Gulf unity.

Today, nobody can deny that overall the blockade has had a negative impact on all concerned, including Saudi Arabia, which ironically ended up diminishing the very same Gulf security it professes to protect from an expansionist Iran.

It is clear that at the start Qatar hoped for a short blockade and was eager to restore relations, but not at any price. As the weeks and months passed by, it sought to emphasise the silver lining in the crisis, largely as a means of coping with the shock of finding itself isolated by its immediate neighbours.

Qatar has demonstrated an impressive ability to turn the crisis into an opportunity in terms of improving food security, social cohesion and economic sustainability, including adapting fiscal policies that helped its currency weather the blockade.

However, a much less recognised geopolitical silver lining is that the crisis has inadvertently helped Qatar keep out of some of the most damaging policies in the Middle East and in this way has paved the way for the country to make a regional comeback.

Qatar is happy to be out of Yemen

Firstly, as soon as the blockade started, Qatar was thrown out of the alliance waging war in Yemen which the Qataris joined reluctantly, largely to please the Saudis.

Another year of war in Yemen has only involved more death and misery, with Saudis other blockade bringing the country with its 28 million people to a massive humanitarian catastrophe. Serendipitously, Qatar was extricated from the negative reputational fallout suffered by Saudi and the UAE. This was Dohas first strategic win in the eyes of a global media and civil society increasingly alarmed at the horrors unfolding in Yemen.

Moreover, with cracks rapidly developing in the Saudi/UAE alliance as a result of having diverging designs for Yemens future, Qatar has come out as a more trustworthy party which harbours no preconceived ideas about Yemens territorial integrity.

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Secondly, there is no doubt that the way the Arab Spring unfolded did tarnish Qatars foreign policy reputation. The widespread perception globally that it is now being bullied by Saudi Arabia and the UAE has by and large rehabilitated its image after its controversial interventionist phase.

In the Arab streets, the Saudis and Emiratis have also lost popularity as they aligned with the Trump administration and gave tacit support for the US embassy move to Jerusalem.

Throughout the blockade, Qatar has taken the moral high ground by largely refraining from petty retaliation, engaging in measured diplomacy, and following international law to the letter, which has further turned public opinion in Qatars favour.

Thirdly, and probably most importantly for Gulf security, Qatars refusal to abrogate its sovereignty as a condition for ending the blockade has allowed it to have an independent stance on the Iran nuclear deal and not to be compelled into publicly supporting the US withdrawal.

This has placed Qatar in an advantageous position with the many likeminded Arab, European and Asian states, (as well as level-headed US politicians) who feel that years of painstaking negotiations should not have been disregarded with such ease and who understand that US President Donald Trumps position is very much to follow Israels lead.

The Saudi-UAE axis could crumble

Despite these silver linings, the path ahead for Qatar is difficult. The real question now is whether a one-year blockade has helped the country make up its mind whether it wants to continue down this path alone.

Given its ambition to have social, economical, and political sway, it will find it difficult to realise its full potential while facing the perennial question over the resolution of the crisis. There is a need to think afresh and reconsider what strategies Qatar should pursue in the long term.

One strategy is for Qatar to keep its head down, maintain the current crisis-management mode and build resilience with the hope that the anti-Qatar alliance (with its many fractures) will crumble from within.

Trumps grand alliance with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel may be more fragile than it appears on the surface, given the growing rift between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh, the ongoing investigation into Trumps election campaign, and the corruption scandal swirling around Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has embarked on an incredibly ambitious project to transform his country, but the levers employed for this purpose have undermined the foundations of stability within the Wahhabi religious institution and the House of Al Saud. The image of his country has also fallen in the eyes of many Arabs after his controversial statements directed at Palestinians.

If MBS succeeds in his long-term plan to transform Saudi Arabia, it will one day be thankful that Qatar showed the way through its managed liberalisation, more open form of Wahhabism, and balanced approach to regional politics.

The Iran crisis could be leveraged

Another strategic opportunity is for Qatar to leverage its position vis-a-vis Iran to its advantage. Since the crisis, Qatar did well to steer clear of Iran. But there are always temptations to reach out when feeling isolated, the sense of which is heightened by Trumps ambiguous signals.

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The longer the crisis continues, the more plausible it becomes that Qatar will eventually draw closer to Iran, as well as to other Arab states intimidated by growing Saudi assertiveness and Emirati interventionism.

Kuwait and Oman  which share a rational approach towards Iran  are grateful to Qatar for acting as a bulwark against Saudi aggression, fearing that if the blockade had worked, they would have been next in line.

Qatars continued and necessary cooperation with Iran requires working with a moderate Iran. However, the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal has only emboldened the hardliners. Trumps myopic perception of Iran does not allow him to see the difference between someone like President Hassan Rouhani and someone like his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Given that the US president has surrounded himself with the likes of John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, he is unlikely to develop a nuanced understanding any time soon.

To be successful, Qatar should continue to work with the EU to rescue the nuclear deal and in the process, help shore up support for Irans moderate government. Qatar can also help Iran take big steps in recognising that expansionist policy in Arab countries is not in its interest  especially seeing the backlash in Iraq and dangerous confrontation with Israel in Syria.

All would be better off with an Iran focused on development, gas exploration, and industrialisation.

There is potential for a gas cartel

Looking further ahead, Qatar should not be fazed by the failure of the GCC and seek instead to forge new economic and security alliances for the region that are not necessarily exclusively Arab.

The deadlines for renewing deals with South Korea and Japan, which account for almost 40 percent of Qatari gas exports, are approaching fast. This means that the priority for Qatar should be to seek to position itself in the global gas market in such a way that it has an advantage on its main competitors: Australia, the US and others.

To do so, the country should revisit the idea of establishing a gas cartel alongside Russia, Algeria, and Iran. This economic alliance may lead to more concrete security arrangements based on shared economic interests but should also remain open to other nations which support Qatar  such as Turkey.

Such arrangements should move beyond merely building resilience. Qatar should think big and seek to establish long-term international confidence in its economy which would ensure that the country stands on a secure foundation.

Qatar blockade timeline [Al Jazeera]

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.Amnesty calls on the coalition to investigate violations and civilian killings during military offensive to remove ISIL.

Hundreds of civilians were killed during the United States-led coalitions military offensive to remove the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group from its self-styled capital in Syria last year, a human rights organisation has said.

In a new report published by Amnesty International on Tuesday, 112 civilians belonging to four families in Raqqa were interviewed who recalled the horrors they witnessed and family members killed during the four-month-long joint US-coalition and Kurdish-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) offensive from June 6 until October 12, 2017.

When so many civilians are killed in attack after attack, something is clearly wrong, and to make this tragedy worse, so many months later the incidents have not been investigated, said Donatella Rovera, Senior Crisis Response Adviser at Amnesty International.

The victims deserve justice, she added.

The 68-page report, titled War of annihilation: Devastating Toll on Civilians, Raqqa  Syria, includes field investigations from Amnesty International researchers who visited 42 coalition air attack sites across the city.

While British and French Coalition forces carried out tens of thousands of air strikes, the US was responsible for more than 90 percent of the air strikes, and admitted to firing 30,000 artillery rounds, the report said.

The Coalitions claims that its precision air campaign allowed it to bomb IS out of Raqqa while causing very few civilian casualties do not stand up to scrutiny, Rovera said.

On the ground in Raqqa, we witnessed a level of destruction comparable to anything weve seen in decades of covering the impact of wars.

The families interviewed lost 90 relatives and neighbours between them. One family lost 39 family members from the unrelenting aerial bombardment.

Raqqa destroyed

After ISIL took over Raqqa in January 2014, much of its rule over the citys residents was characterised by repression, including public lashings, executions, and arrest of dissidents and activists.

Yet the US-led offensive on the city, coined by US Defence Secretary James Mattis as a War of annihilation, destroyed much of Raqqas infrastructure and buildings, in addition to killing hundreds of civilians in the process of liberating them from  IS.

IS brutal four-year rule in Raqqa was rife with war crimes, Rovera said.

But the violations of IS, including the use of civilians as human shields, do not relieve the Coalition of their obligations to take all feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians.

Nothing was left standing

Rasha Badran and her husband Abdulwahab lost their baby daughter Tulip and 38 members of their family, after an airstrike targeted the two houses they were taking shelter in.

The Badran family had moved from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, trying to flee the coalitions air attacks, and had lost four family members on the move when a coalition airstrike targeted the car they were in.

Those who had survived settled in two houses in Harat al-Sakhani, in Raqqas Old City. On August 20, at 7pm, the houses were bombed.

Only I, my husband and his brother and cousin survived, Rasha told Amnesty International. I could neither move nor speak. Then my husband and his brother found me.

It was dark and we could not see anything. We called out but nobody else answered; nobody moved.

Thirty-three members of the Badran family were killed in the attack.

Rasha and the three men hid in the rubble until the following morning, because the warplanes were still circling above them.

In the morning we found Tulips body, Rasha said. Our baby was dead. We buried her near there, by a tree.

Both houses were pulverised; nothing was left standing, there was only rubble.

I dont understand why they bombed us, she continued. Didnt the surveillance planes see that we were civilian families?

Catastrophic situation

Amnesty International called for coalition members to impartially and thoroughly investigate allegations of violations and civilian casualties.

Furthermore, coalition members must also publicly acknowledge the scale and magnitude of civilian lives killed and destruction of civilian property in Raqqa, the rights group said.

Raqqas civilians are returning home to ruins, pulling loved ones out of rubble, and facing death or injury from mines, IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and unexploded ordnance, said Benjamin Walsby, Middle East Researcher at Amnesty International.

The Coalitions refusal to acknowledge its role in creating this catastrophic situation adds insult to injury.The group, described by locals and officials as al-Shabab, has no known link to the Somali group of the same name.

Attackers hacked seven people to death with machetes and torched dozens of homes on Tuesday in northern Mozambique, a region that has suffered a spate of similar attacks in recent weeks.

Cabo Delgado province, which is expected to become the centre of a nascent natural gas industry after several promising discoveries, has seen a number of deadly assaults on both security forces and civilians since October.

The bandits used machetes to kill the seven persons. We think this group is likely part of the [one] that beheaded 10 [people on] May 27, police spokesman Inacio Dina told AFP news agency, referring to an attack last month in the same region.

The assailants, in a dawn raid on Tuesday, burned down 164 houses and destroyed four cars during the assault on the village of Naude in the Macomia district, he said.

Fragmented

The attackers, described by locals and officials as al-Shabab, have no known link to the Somali armed group of the same name.

Police reinforcements were previously sent to the region to step up security.

Dina suggested the group might also have been linked to the nine insurgents killed by security forces over the weekend, who were subsequently found to be carrying assault rifles and Arabic-language documents.





This group is very fragmented in small groups [and] they try to resist police attacks, he said.

The May 27 bloodshed occurred in two small villages close to the border with Tanzania and not far from Palma, a small town gearing up to be the countrys new natural gas hub in Cabo Delgado.

Alex Vines, an analyst on Mozambique for the London-based Chatham House think-tank, said anticipation of a gas boom had increased the sense of inequality in Cabo Delgado.

A series of recent studies have concluded that this has been one of the drivers for growing youth militancy  particularly among young men, Vines said.

Two of those killed in the gruesome dawn raid were boys aged 15 and 16.

Shabab-style ideology

In October, armed men targeted a police station and military post in the town of Mocimboa da Praia in what was believed to be the first religiously-motivated attack in the country. Two officers died, and 14 attackers were killed.

In the following weeks, at least 300 Muslims, including Tanzanians, were arrested and several mosques were forced to close.

The increase in attacks in the north of the country could pose a problem for Mozambique, which will hold general elections next year and hopes to cash in on the recently discovered gas reserves.

The vast gas deposits discovered off the shores of Palma could transform the impoverished countrys economy.

Analysts predict Mozambique could even become the worlds third-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.

But the countrys north has largely been excluded from the economic growth of the last 20 years, and the region sees itself as a neglected outpost, creating fertile ground for al-Shabab-style ideology.

Vines said it was vital that the government did not itself fan the flames of the violence seen in recent months with a heavy-handed response.

Its urgent that the government  does not overreact to the new armed crisis in Cabo Delgado, he said.

Mozambique last month passed an anti-terrorism law that punishes terrorist activity with prison sentences of more than 40 years.UN human rights office says implementation of policy on US-Mexico amounts to a violation of child rights.

The UN human rights office is calling on the administration of US President Donald Trump to immediately halt its policy of separating children from their parents after crossing the US border with Mexico.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani scolded the US for its zero tolerance policy in which some families have been separated after crossing the border.





The rights office said in a statement that children should never be detained for reasons related to their own or their parents migration status. Detention is never in the best interests of the child and always constitutes a child rights violation.

Shamdasani told a UN briefing Tuesday that the practice of separating families amounted to an arbitrary and unlawful interference in family life, calling it a serious violation of the rights of children, the Associated Press reported.

Hundreds of children have been separated from their parents, who were detained after making the crossing.

Thousands more have been detained after entering the US alone.

Officials say that around 1,500 children who arrive at the border by themselves are unaccounted for, according to figures first reported by the New York Times and the Associated Press last month.

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The scale of those numbers has sparked concern that some of the children may have fallen into the hands of human traffickers.

The Trump administration has beefed up security on the US-Mexico border and has vowed to prosecute refugees and migrants who attempt to cross it.

If you cross the border unlawfully .. then we will prosecute you, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said earlier this month.

If youre smuggling a child, then were going to prosecute you, and that child will be separated from you, probably, as required by law, he added.

If you dont want your child separated, then dont bring them across the border illegally. Its not our fault that somebody does that.

The policy marks a break with the previous precedent, which allowed families to stay together pending deportation.

Politicians from the Democratic Party have called the policy one of Trumps most inhumane and cruel.The move is in line with the political tradition that government should resign at start of new presidential term.

The prime minister of Egypt has submitted his resignation to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, state media reported.

The move by Prime Minister Ismail Sharif is in line with the political tradition that the government should resign at the start of a new presidential term.

Sisi was sworn in for his second, four-year term, as president three days ago.

He has the right to use the premiers resignation as an opportunity to reshuffle the cabinet.

Ismail, 62, has been serving as prime minister since September 2015.

Prior to his appointment as prime minister, Sherif was the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources from 2013 to 2015.

He previously travelled to Germany in November 2017 for health reasons, the source of which was never officially disclosed. Ismail returned to Egypt in January of this year.

His resignation was also confirmed by the spokesman of the presidency office, Bassam Radi.

Sisi and Sherif are known to enjoy a close working relationship, and the general-turned-president has publicly praised his prime minister on many occasions.Al Jazeera journalist has now been detained for 502 days in Egypt without charge.

An Egyptian court in Cairo on Tuesday renewed the detention of Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein for another 45 days.

Hussein was detained on December 20, 2016, by Egyptian authorities upon his arrival in Cairo while on annual vacation visiting his family.

Five days after his initial arrest, Egypts interior ministry accused Hussein, an Egyptian national who was based in Qatar, of disseminating false news and receiving monetary funds from foreign authorities in order to defame the states reputation.

Since then, he has been put in solitary confinement, denied his legal rights, and has yet to be formally charged.

Hussein, who has been in detention for 502 days, suffered a broken arm and has been refused proper medical treatment for his injury.





According to Egyptian law, the maximum time a person can be held for interrogation is two years.

If Hussein remains imprisoned, he will hit that threshold in December 2018.

Al Jazeera has condemned the repeated renewals of his detention, denies all allegations against Hussein, and demands his immediate and unconditional release.

Human rights and press freedom organisations have also denounced Husseins treatment, with his family saying the 51-year-old is suffering from poor physical and psychological health.

In February, the United Nations called Husseins case one of arbitrary detention, saying the appropriate remedy would be to release Mr Hussein immediately.

The International Press Institute has also called on Egypt to immediately release Hussein and other journalists in a social media campaign, using the hashtag #PressEgypt.Ethiopia announced it will fully accept the terms of a peace agreement with neighbouring Eritrea in a major step towards calming deadly tensions with its decades-long rival.

The news comes hours after Ethiopia lifted a state of emergency on Tuesday in what had been the most dramatic reform yet under new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has promised change after more than two years of deadly anti-government protests demanding greater freedoms.

However, it is the prospect of peace with reclusive Eritrea that has come as the latest, and largest, surprise.

The agreement signed in 2000 ended a two-year war.

The suffering on both sides is unspeakable because the peace process is deadlocked. This must change for the sake of our common good, Fitsum Arega, the chief of staff for the prime ministers office, said on Twitter.

The Eritrean government should take the same stand without any prerequisite, and accept our call to bring back the long-lost peace of the two brother nations as it was before, the ruling party wrote on Facebook.

Eritrean officials in Ethiopias capital, Addis Ababa, could not immediately be reached for comment and Eritreas information ministry posted nothing on the development.





Bloody war

Ethiopia became landlocked in 1993 after Eritrea, which comprised the countrys entire Red Sea coast, voted to leave.

But the neighbours were soon at war over the demarcation of their shared border, a conflict that would leave 80,000 people dead and degenerate into a stalemate.

Hundreds would die in subsequent years in periodic border clashes after Ethiopias refusal to accept the ruling of an UN-backed boundary commission that divided up contested territory between the two countries.

Tiny Eritrea is one of the worlds most reclusive nations, ruled since 1993 by President Isaias Afwerki.

When the 42-year-old Abiy was installed as Ethiopias prime minister in April his inaugural speech mentioned the need for reconciliation with bitter rival Eritrea, raising hopes of peace.

We are fully committed to reconcile with our Eritrean brothers and sisters and extend an invitation to the Eritrean government to start dialogue and establish rapport, he said in his address to parliament.

The development on Tuesday night came as the ruling party also announced the East African nation will open parts of state-owned enterprises in sectors such as energy, aviation and telecoms to private investment.Parliament approves a bill to end the emergency rule two months earlier than planned, local broadcaster reports.

Ethiopia has lifted the state of emergency in the East African country, imposed in February following the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn after months of protests.

Parliament approved a bill on Tuesday to end the emergency rule two months earlier than planned, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting reported.

Mass protests erupted in 2015 when anti-government demonstrations broke out among the Oromo, Ethiopias biggest ethnic group, and later spread to the Amhara, the second biggest group.

The protests, which initially began over land rights but later broadened to include calls for greater political representation at the national level, were met with a harsh government response.

In August 2017, Ethiopia lifted a 10-month state of emergency imposed after hundreds of people were killed in anti-government protests demanding wider political freedoms.

Since the election of Abiy Ahmed, the first Oromo prime minister in the countrys history, the authorities have pledged to push through a raft of reforms.

Abiy has travelled to several areas of the country, promising to address grievances and strengthen a range of political and civil rights.

In addition, several thousands of prisoners have been released and tensions in restive areas, notably Oromia, have dramatically declined.Survivors of Guatemalas Fuego volcano eruption hold onto the slim hope of finding their loved ones alive.

San Miguel Los Lotes, Guatemala  The last time Eufenia Garcia saw her daughter was just before Guatemalas Fuego volcano erupted.

I had gone to the local store when I suddenly saw everyone running, and I saw my nephews run into my mothers house, she says, tears streaming down her face.

Placing her arms in a cradling position, Garcia, says she saw her daughter carrying her one and a half-year-old son, wrapped in a blue shawl, just before leaving for the store.

The last time Eufenia Garcia saw her daughter was just before Guatemalas Fuego volcano erupted [Imer Lucero/Immagine Profesionale/Al Jazeera]

Her daughter is among Garcias 20 family members who are now missing. Only the body of one  her brother, Pedro  has been found.

At least 69 people were killed when the volcano erupted on Sunday. With so many people disappeared, the final death toll could climb to several hundred.

Garcias family lived in the village of San Miguel Los Lotes, the closest to the volcano. It has been reduced to a ghost town after survivors were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in the Catholic church of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in the city of Escuintla, about 15 kilometres away.

A forlorn-looking dog wanders around a small house with yellow walls where the only remaining piece of furniture, a wooden rocking chair, is buried in hot, grey ash.

Further down the road stood Garcias home, which is now buried under piles of hot ash.

A cloud of thick black smoke continues to rise from the volcano a day and a half after the deadly eruption.

The volcano continues to give off waves of heat like a half-open oven, and the air is so clogged with ash that police and rescue workers have to wear masks.

Rescue workers resumed their search Tuesday morning, but with every hour that goes by, they lose hope of finding any survivors.

She must have been swept away

Inside the church where Garcia is now forced to sleep on a foam mattress, it is hot and noisy, with young children huddled together on the floor while volunteers haul black liner bags full of donated clothes and hand out food rations.

Norma Ascona works in the colonial City of Antigua, about 45 minutes away from San Miguel Los Lotes [Imer Lucero/Immagine Profesionale/Al Jazeera]

After years of living under the shadow of the Fuego volcano, some survivors say that when they saw the cloud of smoke that preceded the eruption, they never imagined they would be trapped in a deadly avalanche of mud and incandescent volcanic matter.

Since the volcano is always cloudy, at first, we thought it was just a bit of sand, but when we realised things were getting serious we left our homes and started to run, 54-year-old Julia Gonzalez tells Al Jazeera.

My daughter Maria Cristina never answered her cell phone. She must have been swept away by the mudslide, she says.

Twenty-six-year-old Maria Cristina, her husband Miguel Angel and their eight-month-old daughter are among the dozens of people still missing.

Norma Ascona, 34, describes what her teenage son and daughter look like in the hope that someone might have seen them.

Shes already searched for them in every shelter and is almost certain they were buried by the avalanche of mud and rocks that hit her home, but she cant let go of that faint glimmer of hope that tells her they might still be alive.

Ascona works as a housemaid in the colonial city of Antigua, about 45 minutes away from San Miguel Los Lotes, and used to go home once or twice a week.

At 2:30pm local time on Sunday, she left her employers house in Antigua and headed back to the village to see her two children: Lester, who was due to celebrate his 16th birthday on June 26, and Damaris,14.

I need my children, I can't live without them. Norma Ascona

My son was 1.6 [metres] tall and had light brown skin, she says, sobbing while a young volunteer strokes her arm lightly in an attempt to comfort her.

My daughter had straight hair and light skin, she continues, I need my children, I cant live without them.

Ascona says that when she got to her house, it was no longer there.

I was told that my mother had been taken to the San Juan de Dios Hospital [in Guatemala City]. Her arms and legs are burned, but shes still conscious. Oh my God, grant me a miracle, oh my God  she wails, her voice trailing off.

Eufenia Garcia, Julia Gonzalez and Norma Ascona are among the 3,200 evacuees who are now sleeping in cramped and overcrowded makeshift shelters.

Many of them have been left homeless, holding onto the faintest hope that their loved ones will be found alive.Hungary debates anti-migrant Stop Soros bill

Controversial set of laws would impose jail terms on people or NGOs deemed to be aiding illegal migrants seeking asylum.The southern Indian state put on all-time alert after at least 17 die of Nipah virus infection.

The southern Indian state of Kerala has been put on all-time alert after at least 17 of the people infected with Nipah virus died in the past weeks.

Keralas Health Minister KK Shailaja told Al Jazeera on Monday that the state is on an all-time alert to prevent the infectious disease  which causes acute respiratory problems or fatal brain swelling among humans  from spreading further.

All efforts are being made by authorities to confirm that more lives are not lost due to Nipah, she said.

The viral outbreak has resulted in the quarantine of 2,379 people in their homes in the southern state, health and government officials have said.

More than 2,000 people are under medical observation in Keralas Malabar region, uncertain whether they have been infected with the disease.

Individuals who had any contact with infected persons have been included in the list.

The states director of health services, RL Saritha, said on Monday that there had been no new cases reported since June 1.

The preventive measures have been implemented with greater efficiency. There is no need to panic, Saritha told Al Jazeera.

The Nipah virus is believed to be transmitted from animals to humans. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fruit bats are the natural hosts of the disease.

Indias National Centre for Disease Control and experts from the National Institute of Virology said they are also monitoring the situation.

Raised alarms

The outbreak of the disease and risk of its spread have raised alarms among the people in four most-affected districts of Malabar region of the state.

Dr Ajaz Ali, a surgeon at Koyilandy Taluk hospital in Kozhikode district, said that since the news of the disease broke out, many patients have refrained from coming to the hospital.

There were more than 1,200 people coming here every day, and now it has reduced to below 200. All are afraid of crowds due to the Nipah risk.

Isolation wards for patients infected with Nipah have been set up at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.

The disease has also forced state authorities to close schools and colleges and postpone exams in Malabar.

District authorities have also asked people to keep away from crowded areas as a precautionary measure. District courts in some areas have also temporarily suspended operations.

Businesses affected

The disease outbreak has affected the livelihood of people as businesses have shut down. Sales in restaurants and shops selling produce, meat and fish have fallen in the past few weeks.

Bus stands are empty. People are avoiding travel. They are remaining at home and using protective masks while travelling, said Rajeev, a bus conductor from Kozhikode district.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar have banned imports of fresh and frozen vegetables and fruits from Kerala. The ban will continue until the outbreak is controlled.

Bahrain and Qatar have also urged their nationals and residents to avoid travelling to Kerala until the epidemic is under control.

An estimated 1.6 million migrants from Kerala form the majority of the Indian community in the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.

Tracing the source

Health authorities in India said they have no evidence to suggest that the Nipah virus in Kerala was transmitted by fruit bats as suspected initially.

Samples collected from the droppings, serum and blood of bats tested negative for the Nipah virus, officials the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases said.

The last Nipah outbreaks  reported in 2001 and 2007 in Indias West Bengal  claimed 70 lives. Nipah has killed more than 260 people in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and India and Singapore since 1998.

The deadly virus got its name from the Kampung Sungai Nipah village in Malaysia where it was first reported.

Despite the absence of a vaccine to prevent Nipah from spreading, an antiviral drug used against hepatitis C infection seems to contain shivering and vomiting in patients, the WHO said.

The two confirmed cases in Kerala, who have been under treatment now, have also been responding well to the anti-hepatitis drug, said the director of health services.

Meanwhile, Indias national disease control agency said no similar cases of Nipah had been detected in other parts of the country.Farmers from five states are demanding government intervention to help check dwindling farm income.

Thousands of Indian farmers began 10-day protests on Friday demanding farm loan waivers and higher prices for produce, such as cereals, oilseeds and milk.

Farmers from the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan are also asking for a guaranteed minimum income for farmers.

This is the third major protest by farmers in less than a year. In March, more than 40,000 marched from far-flung districts in the state of Maharashtra to reach the seat of government in the state capital, Mumbai.

The farmers are asking for government support to address the crisis in a sector that employs the majority of the countrys workforce.

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Last week, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered defeat in a by-election to a parliamentary seat in a sugar-producing region of Uttar Pradesh state amid late payment for farm produce.

Farmers are fighting for survival, said Abhimanyu Kohar, national coordinator of the protest organisers, the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh (National Farmers Big Union).

We need freedom from debt. We are not asking for dole, we are not criminals. The farmer is in debt today not because he has messed up but because of the flawed policies of the government, Kohar who is based in Sonepat, Haryana, told Al Jazeera.

Farmers say they want minimum support prices (MSP)  the price at which the government buys farm produce. At least 94 percent of farmers sell their produce below MSP, data compiled by the farmers federation shows.

Be it wheat, cotton, mustard or milk, cost of production is increasing while the farmers are selling below guaranteed prices, Kohar of the farmers union said.

This is why the Indian farmer is borrowing and getting imprisoned by mounting debt.

Economists, however, argue that farm loan waivers distort the credit cycle and that subsidy is a band-aid not a solution to the agriculture crisis.

Loan waivers are relief measures and they only prevent the farmers from getting crushed under the debt burden, economist Prasenjit Bose told Al Jazeera.

But they do not provide any long-term solution to depressed farm prices or address the structural issues.

What is the Farm crisis in India?

Decades of crippling debt, drought and falling income have hit Indias countryside hard and left the future of Indian farming in jeopardy, agricultural experts say.

It is about lack of viability in farming, accentuated by climate change, whereby farmers land up in a constant debt economy, said Kavitha Kuruganti, of the farmers advocacy group ASHA.

While a whole lot of things make the situation difficult to deal with (falling incomes, crop losses etc.), the immediate trigger for farmer suicides is often the pressure from creditors to repay, where naming and shaming happens, or property is seized, etc, she said.

According to government data, 52 percent of farming families in India are indebted.





Who is protesting and why?

The Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh is organising the protests but some well-known farmers groups, like the All India Kisan Sangharsh Samanvay Samiti, a federation of 193 organisations are staying away

On June 8, the farmers federation will hold a commemoration event at Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, where six farmers were killed by police during protests last year. There will also be a symbolic hunger strike on June 8. A pan-India strike on June 10 will conclude the protest.

Dwindling farm incomes

Farming contributes 17 percent to Indias $2.3-trillion economy but incomes for farmers are not increasing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to double farmers income by 2022, but critics say he is falling woefully short.

Indian states periodically waive off farm loans but analysts say the policies have failed to benefit farmers.

Last year, the Maharashtra state, which leads the country for farmer suicides, announced a farm loan waiver of $5.23bn.

Economists warn any plan to help farmers by the government must be careful not to widen the budget deficit or end up violating World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade rules.

The Indian government sets purchase prices for about two dozen crops but it buys only a small portion, leaving farmers to deal with nosediving prices during bumper harvests.

Last month, the US told the WTO that India is in violation of WTO rules by supporting its rice and wheat farmers with payments that are far higher than permissible amounts.

I wish Indian farmers were as politically powerful as the American farmers. US farmers are two percent of the population and they get monumental subsidies. In contrast, Indian farmers get peanuts in the name of subsidies, says independent food and trade policy analyst Devinder Sharma.

Over 300,000 farmers have committed suicide since 1995, according to National Crime Records Bureau data. That figure is contested by activists who say the number is likely to be much higher.

Research by universities, including Punjab Agricultural University, showed 16,600 farmers ended their lives between 2000 and 2016 or almost 1,000 a year in the Punjab state. However, NCRB figures for the same period say it is less than 300 a year.

Finding a solution

Farmers like Kohar at the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh warn the stir will intensify if farmers are ignored.

Indias corporates have had their loans waived off. Billionaire loan defaulters like jeweller Nirav Modi fled the country. Doesnt that hurt the economy? Some farmers have recently received bank cheques of 1 rupee ($0.015) as loan waiver- isnt this a disgusting joke? says Kohar.

Official data released in 2016 says the average annual income of a farmer in 17 states is less than 20,000 rupees ($298).

The official Census 2011 shows more than 2,400 farmers quit agriculture and migrate to the cities every day.

Indian farming is in the midst of a very deep crisis, said Devinder Sharma, an independent food and trade policy analyst.

The crisis is evident from the hundreds of thousands of farmer suicides. Successive governments in India feel you need to take people out of farming and our economic policies are designed to do that. Farming is being sacrificed to keep so-called economic reforms alive, Sharma told Al Jazeera.

Economists have double-standards. They say writing off corporate loans is economic growth. Why is the same not being said about farmers loans? After all both farmers and corporates are using the same banks.

We need to pay at least 18,000 rupees ($268) a month to a farmer family to survive. We need to move away from price policy to income-policy which is WTO compatible.Citing dangerous violations, authorities cancel ballots of overseas and displaced voters in last months election.

Iraqs prime minister has banned all high ranking members of the countrys election commission (IHEC) from travelling abroad after citing dangerous violations in the recent parliamentary election.

Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadrs Sairoon coalition beat all expectations on May 12 to win 54 out of 328 seats in parliament, after successfully launching an anti-corruption campaign in the impoverished, but oil-rich country.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told a news conference on Tuesday that criminal charges might be brought against some people, after he blamed electronic vote counting devices used by the IHEC, which he said hadnt been used without prior inspection for errors.

Abadis al-Nasr Alliance came third in the poll with only 42 seats.

In the beginning, I said Lets keep going and let the commission deal with the violations. There are violations each election, here and there.

Abadi added that a report presented to the government recommended a partial manual recount of the vote and the cancellation of results from overseas and displaced voters.

The commission annulled votes cast at 1,021 of the countrys 53,000 ballot boxes last Wednesday, and launched a probe with a view to holding violators accountable.

The committee has revealed dangerous things, honestly. Yes there may have been some violations by candidates but the election commission bears the largest share of the responsibility, Abadi said.

Low turnout

Only 285,000 of Iraqs three million internally displaced had registered to vote in the first election since the defeat of the armed group  the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).





Abadis stance raises the prospect of further uncertainty in Iraq at a time when political blocs were starting the complicated process of forming a new government, watched closely by Baghdads Western allies.

Sadr has fiercely opposed foreign interference in Iraq.

His victory was seen as a rebuke to a political elite that some voters blame for widespread corruption and dysfunctional governance in the country.

His bloc has promised to help the poor and build schools and hospitals in Iraq, which was battered in the war to defeat ISIL and has suffered economically as a result of low oil prices.Legislation submitted by Arab members of parliament called for Israel to treat its Arab and Jewish citizens equally.

Israels Knesset disqualified a bill that called for all citizens to be treated equally, rejecting the argument it must recognise the rights of its Arab minority as equal to the Jewish majority.

The text of the bill stated its objective was to anchor in constitutional law the principle of equal citizenship while recognising the existence and rights of the two, Jewish and Arab, national groups living within the country.

The bill was sponsored by Balad, an Arab political faction and member of the Joint List  an alliance of four predominantly Arab parties  in the parliament.

It is clear that Israel considers democracy, or even demanding it, a threat to its existence Haneen Zoabi, member of the Knesset

Haneen Zoabi, a Balad member of the Knesset and one of the bills sponsors, told Al Jazeera the proposed legislation aimed to make Israel more democratic  especially in its treatment of Arab citizens.

The cancellation of our bill shows that democracy and equal rights do not go hand-in-hand with the way Israel defines itself as a Jewish state.

It is clear that Israel considers democracy, or even demanding it, a threat to its existence, Zoabi added.

According to the bill, Israel is defined as a state for all its citizens, whose regime is a democratic regime and, therefore, must make itself a state for both national groups, Arabs and Jews, equally.

It also called for a separation of religion and state, while guaranteeing the freedom of worship for all.

Privileges to Jewish citizens

Jamal Zahalka, who co-sponsored the proposed legislation, told Al Jazeera he wanted to place Arab citizens of Israel on equal footing with their Jewish counterparts.

If Israel wants to remain a democratic state, it must treat all of its citizens equally, he said.

Under the current Israeli political and legal system, Jewish citizens are accorded preferential treatment and privileges.

Zahalka acknowledged, however, even if the Knessets presidency allowed the bill to come to the floor, the Jewish majority in parliament would have immediately defeated it.

If Israel wants to remain a democratic state, it must treat all of its citizens equally Jamal Zahalka, Knesset member

The proposed bill l also aimed to negate key Israeli legislation called the Law of Return, which allows any Jew to become an Israeli citizen and take up residence in Israel.

Speaker Yuli Yoel Edelstein denounced the bill in a statement on the Knesset website on Tuesday.

This is a preposterous bill that any intelligent individual can see must be blocked immediately. A bill that aims to gnaw at the foundations of the state must not be allowed in the Knesset, Edelstein said.

This is the first time since my appointment as Knesset speaker five years ago that I am recommending that the presidium disqualify a bill.

Zahalka questioned the constitutional biases accorded to Jewish citizens under Israeli law [Loay Abu Haykel/Reuters]

Israel was founded in the aftermath of the 1948 war on what was then Palestine.

Most Palestinians were expelled from their towns and homes by Jewish militias, or fled over the course of the war. While Israel celebrates the anniversary of its founding every May, Palestinians commemorate the event as the Nakba, or Catastrophe.

At about 1.5 million, Palestinian Arabs make up some 20 percent of Israels population.

Jewish vs democratic state

Zahalka, who is also from the Balad party, questioned the constitutional biases accorded to Jewish citizens under Israeli law.

Why should Jews from around the world come here and become privileged citizens in the state while native Arab Palestinians are relegated to second-class status? he asked.

Israel is a racist and a contradictory country, said Zahalka, who plans to file a complaint against the Knesset with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an international organisation of parliaments of which Israel is a member.

Harvey Stein, an American-Israeli activist and filmmaker, told Al Jazeera the issue is complicated, mainly because Israel is a paradox.

Stein praised Zahalka for trying to make Israel more democratic saying that Israel wants to be a Jewish state and a democratic state at the same time.

Considering that most Israeli members of the Knesset are right-wing, they would rather have Israel Jewish first, and not necessarily democratic, he added.

Follow Ali Younes on Twitter: @ali_reportsRosmah Mansour is expected to give statement on investigations into transfer of $10.6m into Najibs account.

The wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is set to give her statement on investigations into a former unit of state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Rosmah Mansour arrived on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in a convoy of four private cars.

She was ordered on Friday to report to the headquarters MACC, state media Bernama had reported.

Rosmah is expected to give her statement to anti-graft investigators in connection with a suspicious transfer of about $10.6m into Najibs personal bank account that has been traced to the former 1MDB unit SRC International.

The sum is just a fraction of the billions of dollars allegedly syphoned from 1MDB, the state fund that Najib set up.

He has denied any wrongdoing and was cleared of any offence in an earlier Malaysian inquiry.

But the multibillion-dollar scandal at 1MDB dogged Najib and his family for three years of his near-decade-long rule, and was a key reason for suffering a stunning election loss in May by his mentor-turned-rival, Mahathir Mohamad.

Attention shifted to Rosmah after police found hundreds of luxury handbags, jewellery and cash during raids on apartments linked to the family.

Malaysian police have said cash of $28.6m and more than 400 handbags were seized. Experts were being brought in to value the jewellery, watches and other seized items.

In the past, Rosmah has been criticised for her lifestyle. On one occasion in 2015, she complained about having to pay $300 to her hairdresser.

Lawyers quit

Earlier on Tuesday, lawyers representing Najib and Rosmah on the SRC case said they had quit.

M Puravalen, a lawyer acting for Najib and Rosmah in connection with the SRC investigations, told Reuters on Tuesday he had ceased acting for Najib and Rosmah.

He said a second lawyer, Yusof Zainal Abideen, had also quit. The news site, The Malaysian Insight, reported that Puravalen, Abideen and other members of their legal team had walked out because they failed to reach common ground with Najib on several issues.

Najib and Rosmah have been barred from leaving the country and enforcement agencies have relaunched a probe into how the 1MDB funds went missing.

1MDB is also the subject of money-laundering probes in at least six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore.Clashes between protesters and police have left five more dead in Masaya as the government called for renewed talks.

At least five more people have been killed in Nicaragua as death toll since anti-government protests began over a month ago climbed to more than 110.

The reports came as the government called for renewed dialogue after talks with protesters broke down last month.

The latest deaths occurred in the city of Masaya between Sunday night and Monday morning, according to the Nicaraguan Association for the Protection of Human Rights (ANPDH).

One victim, identified as 23-year-old teacher Carlos Lopez, was reportedly killed by a bullet fired into his chest.

He was executed, no doubt, by snipers, Leiva told AFP news agency. There is a profound violation of human rights in Masaya, he said.

Another five had died in the flashpoint city on Saturday and a total of 62 people were injured over the weekend according to ANPDH.

Local residents had built barricades to defend themselves with homemade mortars and slingshots from attacks by what they said were anti-riot police and paramilitary forces loyal to Ortega.

Police accused hooded criminals with firearms, mortars and Molotov cocktails of looting and creating terror and panic among residents.

In a statement, they said a 21-year-old police officer was shot dead on Sunday in Masaya by these terrorist groups.

Catholic priest Augusto Gutierrez told AFP security forces had launched a generalised attack and multiple witnesses had told him stories of summary executions by police.

We all want peace

Vice President Rosario Murillo, the wife of the embattled President Daniel Ortega, called for dialogue on Monday.

We all want peace, we want dialogue, we want to work together and listen to each other, discuss all issues, because theres a solution for everything, she told state media.

The countrys Catholic Church had been mediating between the government and protesters, but talks broke down in mid-May.

Last Thursday, the church issued a statement saying it would not resume talks while the Nicaraguan people continue to be repressed and murdered after 16 people were killed in protests on May 30.

The anti-government protests erupted in mid-April over a pension reform bill, that has since been scrapped.

The protests have since broadened to voice frustration over corruption, the autocratic style of Ortega and Murillo, limited options to change the countrys politics in elections, and the presidents control over the congress, the courts, the military and the electoral board.

Protesters have taken to the streets, demanding the Ortega stand down. Authorities have been accused of using lethal force to crack down on the protests.

Ortega, a former Sandinista rebel who first ruled between 1979 and 1990 before returning as president 11 years ago, has kept power by maintaining leftist rhetoric while ensuring an accommodation with powerful private industry and keeping up trade with the United States.12 ton black pepper seized from Birgunj-Raxual border point

Police on Monday confiscated a huge cache of black pepper from near Miteri Bridge at Birgunj-Raxual border point.Former World Bank economist al-Razzaz has been tasked with forming new government and conducting review of tax system.

Jordans King Abdullah II has formally appointed Omar al-Razzaz as the countrys prime minister and tasked him with forming a new government, a statement by the royal palace said.

The appointment on Tuesday comes a day after King Abdullah II accepted the resignation of former Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki in a bid to defuse anger amid mass protests over price increases and an income tax reform bill.





Jordanians have been demonstrating in the capital, Amman, and surrounding provinces since last week, calling on the government to scrap the bill. They were also demanding the removal of al-Mulki, whose government had proposed raising income tax by at least five percent.

King Abdullah II said in a statement that the new government must conduct a full review of Jordans tax system and launch a national dialogue over the planned income tax law alongside syndicate unions and civil society groups.

Al-Razzaz, a former World Bank economist, previously served as Jordans education minister and is described as a likeable figure among the Jordanian people.

On Monday evening, the king revealed in a series of Twitter posts via the royal courts account, that international aid to the country had plummeted. He also attributed the economic crisis in Jordan to the regional situation surrounding the country.

King Abdullah II: The regional situation surrounding #Jordan, the closure of traditional markets for Jordans exports, and the high cost of securing our borders have been and still are the main reasons for the difficult economic conditions we are facing  RHC (@RHCJO) June 4, 2018

King Abdullah II: The world has fallen short; international aid to #Jordan has dropped despite the burden we shoulder to host Syrian refugees. Jordan is dealing with unanticipated economic and regional changes. No plan could have mitigated these challenges quickly and effectively  RHC (@RHCJO) June 4, 2018

But protesters have vowed to continue demonstrating, calling for a complete overhaul of the governments system and approach.

Organisers of the protests, led by an independent group referred to as the Hirak Shababi, or youth movement, told Al Jazeera they are also calling for transparency, a clear set of goals, and an overall change in government policies.

The governments economic reform measures are the latest in a series of economic reforms since Amman secured a $723m three-year credit line from the International Monetary Fund in 2016.

Unions representing tens of thousands of employees in the country have also called for a general strike on Wednesday and vowed to continue demonstrating until a new approach to the governments policies is introduced.

Jordan has long suffered from economic problems and remains heavily reliant on foreign aid.

In the past, Jordanians have protested a sales tax increase and other price hikes, but the new draft bill would increase the burden on Jordans middle class and poor specifically.

As of now, a majority of 78 out of parliaments 130 members are opposed to the income tax reform bill.Islamabad, Pakistan  Pakistans military says there is no space for war with its eastern neighbour India, calling upon its regional rival to respect a reiterated commitment to a ceasefire in the disputed region of Kashmir made last week.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Pakistani military spokesperson Major-General Asif Ghafoor said he wished for all issues between the nuclear-armed neighbours to be resolved through dialogue.

War is a failure of diplomacy, he said. We are two nuclear states, there is no space for war. So dialogue continues. India has always been the one to back out from dialogue, not Pakistan.

India and Pakistan, partitioned when the Indian subcontinent gained independence from the British in 1947, have fought two of their three wars over the disputed northern region of Kashmir, which both claim in full but administer separate portions.





Pakistan and India-administered Kashmir are divided by the Line of Control (LoC), a boundary along which both sides have massed military personnel. A ceasefire was signed in 2003, but has been frequently violated in recent years.

This year, Indian forces fired upon targets on the Pakistani side of the Line of Control at least 1,577 times, Ghafoor alleged, killing 48 people and wounding more than 265.

Indias foreign ministry says Pakistan has violated the ceasefire at least 1,088 times in 2018, killing 36 people and wounding 127 others.

On May 29, the Indian and Pakistani militaries renewed their commitment to the 2003 ceasefire, according to statements released by both.

Both [senior military officers] also agreed that in case of any issue, restraint will be exercised and the matter will be resolved through utilisation of existing mechanisms of hotline contacts and border flag meetings at local commanders level, a Pakistani statement said.

Sporadic firing, however, has continued on both sides.

Pak-US ties under stress

In his wide-ranging press conference, Ghafoor also spoke of how Pakistans relations with the United States, an erstwhile ally in the war against armed groups, was under stress.

There is a great deal of dialogue happening on the diplomatic level as well as on security assistance, he added, however.

The United States accuses Pakistan of providing sanctuary to armed groups  including the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network  that it is fighting in neighbouring Afghanistan. In January, US President Donald Trump cut roughly $1.1bn in security aid to Pakistan over the issue.

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Pakistan denies the charge, and Ghafoor reiterated Pakistans position on Monday.

Before [a 2014 military operation], it was a question of capacity, not the will. But from [2014] onwards, we have wiped out all terrorist organisations across the board, and right now there is no organised infrastructure of any terrorist organisation, including the Haqqani Network [in Pakistan], he said.

The military spokesperson linked the issue of the groups possible residual strength with the presence of Afghan refugees in the country, saying refugee camps allowed fighters safe havens from which to operate.

Pakistan is home to roughly 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, according to the UN refugee agency.

While Pakistan has often carried out raids on refugee settlements in the wake of terrorist attacks, it has yet to publicly charge a refugee with abetting attacks on Pakistani soil.

Asad Hashim is Al Jazeeras Digital Correspondent in Pakistan. He tweets @AsadHashimUS prosecutors have accused Donald Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who is facing multiple charges of money laundering, bank fraud and illegal lobbying, of attempting to tamper with witnesses.

A motion submitted by special counsel Robert Mueller on Monday, who is heading up the main investigation into alleged Russian election meddling, said that Manafort had contacted witnesses by phone and encrypted text messaging for the purpose of securing materially false testimony.

It added that such activities amounted to a violation of his bail terms, which triggers the statutory presumption in favour of detention, meaning he could face jail time before his trials.

Manafort has been under home confinement since he was indicted in October.

According to the court document, he had sought to suborn perjury from witnesses who would be called to testify regarding the activities of the so-called Hapsburg group which allegedly carried out unlawful lobbying for Ukraine.

The two witnesses were also not named in court filings, but prosecutors say they were principals in a public relations firm that worked with Manafort in organising Hapsburg group, which includes former European officials.

The groups work factors into an indictment against Manafort that accuses him of acting as an unregistered foreign agent by lobbying in the US on behalf of Ukrainian interests.

Prosecutors say Manafort directed the groups work and secretly funnelled more than $2m to it to take positions favourable to Ukraine, including by lobbying in the US without disclosing that they were being paid to favourably represent the country.

Several members of the Hapsburg group have previously denied the allegations.

In February, the 69-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering, illegal lobbying and lying, setting up the first trial to result from Muellers investigation, due to begin on September 17.

In March, he pleaded not guilty to charges of bank and tax fraud, setting up a separate trial for July 10.

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Mondays filing marks the second time that Muellers team has accused Manafort of violating a judges order in the case. Late last year, federal agents discovered that Manafort was attempting to ghostwrite an opinion piece on Ukraine even though he was under a gag order in the case.

Al Jazeeras Mike Hanna, reporting from Washington, DC, said the fact that lawyers from Muellers team brought the urgent motion could point to further developments in the wider probe.

It is a different team thats been investing Manafort on various financial charges, Hanna said.

But the fact that Muellers lawyers have brought this urgent motion could indicate that one of the witnesses involved in this particular document could be linked to the wider probe into Russian collusion that Trump has described as a witch-hunt.

Manafort spokesman Jason Maloni said his client and his attorneys were reviewing the filing, the Associated Press news agency reported on Monday evening.

22 indictments

Muellers investigation has now entered its second year and continues to dominate US politics while menacing Trumps presidency.

So far the investigation has issued 22 indictments of which 16 were for Russian individuals and companies associated with online meddling in the 2016 election.

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The remaining include Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security adviser, who admitted guilt to one count of lying to investigators on December 1; Manaforts longtime partner and deputy campaign chair Rick Gates and campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos.

All three worked out plea deals and have pledged to cooperate with the investigation.

Earlier Monday, Trump downplayed Manaforts role in his election campaign and said the FBI should have informed him that his chairman was under investigation.

As only one of two people left who could become President, why wouldnt the FBI or Department of Justice have told me that they were secretly investigating Paul Manafort, he asked on Twitter.

Paul Manafort came into the campaign very late and was with us for a short period of time [he represented Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole & many others over the years], but we should have been told that Comey and the boys were doing a number on him, and he wouldnt have been hired! he also tweeted.Qatars foreign minister has dismissed reports of threats of military action by Saudi Arabia over Dohas plans to acquire the Russian-made S-400 air defence system, saying Qatars decision to buy weapons is a sovereign one.

The threats, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Monday, violates international law and all the international norms.

The purchase of any military equipment is a sovereign decision that no country has anything to do with, Al Thani told Al Jazeera.

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In a letter addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi King Salman expressed his profound concern with talks under way between Moscow and Doha for the sale of the advanced anti-aircraft weapon system, French daily Le Monde reported on Friday.

The Saudi monarch, who asked that France increase its pressure on Qatar, said he was worried about the consequences of Dohas acquisition of the mobile surface-to-air missile system, which he said threatened Saudi security interests.

[In such a situation], the Kingdom would be ready to take all the necessary measures to eliminate this defence system, including military action, King Salman was quoted as saying in the letter.

This letter has no legal basis to justify any action, Al Thani said in an interview with Al Jazeera.

Its unfortunate that they see this as destabilisation because Qatar does not represent a threat to Saudi, he said.





Violates GCC charter

The foreign minister of the gas-rich nation also said that the threats violate GCC charter, which says that member countries should not attack each other.

The purchase of any military equipment is a sovereign decision that no country has anything to do with Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar foreign minister

Al Thani said Qatar is currently seeking formal confirmation of the reported threat from the French government.

Tuesday marks one year since Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt severed diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar, sparking the biggest diplomatic crisis in the Gulf in years.

Accusing Doha of supporting terrorists and being too close to Saudi Arabias regional rival Iran, Riyadh said it acted to protect its national security from the dangers of terrorism and extremism.





Land and maritime borders with the Gulf country were shut, air links suspended and Qatari citizens expelled.

Qatar has repeatedly rejected the baseless accusations levelled against it, viewing the campaign as an attempt to impose custodianship over the nation.

If Saudis threats are confirmed, Al Thani noted his country will respond legally  as we are not violating international law.

Qatar is going to treat this the same way we have treated the illegal blockade, we are going to seek all the international forums to make sure that this behaviour is not repeated, he said.

When asked if Qatar plans to go ahead with the military purchase, Al Thani said all options are open at this time.

Were going to take all the necessary actions to defend our country, he said, noting that the reported letter does not pose a serious threat at this time.

The decision to buy military equipment requires subjective evaluation by the military, the Qatari minister said.

Its not a decision that we will be taking in light of a threat.Singapores Little Korea has big hopes for Kim-Trump meeting

Some of the countrys estimated 30,000 Koreans see the upcoming summit as an historic event.Spain: Ex-PM Rajoy to step down as leader of conservative party

The resignation comes after he led the Peoples Party for 14 years and was removed as PM over corruption in the party.Women in Uganda protest after series of murders and kidnappings, accusing police of not dealing with cases effectively.

Protesters marched to the Ugandan police headquarters on Tuesday, accusing authorities of an inadequate and slow response to recent kidnappings and murders.

In a petition, activists from the Womens Protest Working Group claim several kidnappings of Ugandan women have gone unsolved, with more than 30 found sexually assaulted and brutally murdered, even after relatives paid ransom money.

They say police are not giving ordinary citizens enough protection, calling on the security services to deal with the cases effectively with a conclusive investigation.

Many have taken to social media to call for justice.

Al Jazeeras Raheela Mahomed reports.US-Russia probe: Trump claims absolute right to pardon himself

Meanwhile, Paul Manafort, US presidents former campaign chairman, has been accused of attempting to tamper with potential witnesses by the special counsel investigating alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US electionHollywood producer has pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges after appearing before a New York Court.

Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges after appearing in a New York Court, with his lawyer vowing to beat the case before it goes to trial.

The 66-year-old had previously insisted via his lawyer that he never had non-consensual sex, a charge which could see him face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of either offence.

After leaving a court in Manhattan, New York, on Tuesday, his lawyer, Ben Brafman, told reporters that the case was imminently defensible based on what they had learned about the evidence.

We are going to file a series of legal motions that will get us more information and may impact the process, and if we are successful there may not be a trial  and if there is a trial, we will proceed expeditiously and vigorously to try and clear Mr Weinsteins name.

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As terrible as the crime of rape is, it is equally reprehensible to be falsely accused, Brafman added.

One alleged victim, who has not been identified publicly, told investigators that Mr Weinstein cornered her in a hotel room and raped her.

I dont want to do this

The other accuser, former actress Lucia Evans, has gone public with her account of how the former producer forced her to perform a sex act on him at his office in 2004.

I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont,' Evans told The New Yorker in a story published in October.





The two women are among scores who have accused the Hollywood mogul of sexual misconduct ranging from rape to harassment.

They include Uma Thurman, Salma Hayek and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The outpouring saw people around the world come forward with cases of sexual mistreatment, leading to resignations and sackings of powerful men across industries.

They include TV hosts Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose, comedian Louis CK, Democratic Senator Al Franken, chef Mario Batali, casino magnate Steve Wynn and, most recently, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Women worldwide have also taken to social media, using the hashtag #MeToo to share their own stories of being sexually assaulted or harassed in the workplace.Eight million tonnes of plastic dumped into oceans each year, killing marine life and entering the human food chain.

Discarded plastic is one of the biggest environmental threats facing the planet, the UN said in a report on Tuesday to mark World Environment Day.

The UN report, Single-Use Plastics: A Roadmap for Sustainability, said rules limiting the use of plastic bags have helped in places such as Morocco, Rwanda, and parts of China  sometimes significantly.

Elsewhere, however, things have not gone well and urgent action is needed. The report noted, by some estimates, as many as five trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year.

Our world is swamped by harmful plastic waste, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a speech. Microplastics in the seas now outnumber stars in our galaxy.

If present trends continue, by 2050 our oceans will have more plastic than fish.

Globally, eight million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean every year, killing marine life and entering the human food chain, according to the UN Environment Programme.









India example

A ban on disposable plastics in Indias capital New Delhi has had only limited impact because of poor enforcement, the report said.

Plastic pollution is a huge issue everywhere, the UNs environment chief Erik Solheim told The Associated Press. The problem is big but the ability to change is also big.

He praised India for its growing focus on environmental protection, but also noted while travelling the country hed seen some of the most scenic places destroyed by plastic pollution.

India produces more than 62 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, according to local reports, of which only 43 million tonnes is collected.

The UN made a series of recommendations to make plastics bans more effective, from encouraging more cooperation from businesses to offering incentives.7 hundi operators nabbed with Rs 5.1 million

Sleuths deployed from the Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD) recently arrested seven persons for allegedly running the illegal business of hundi (transfer of money through illegal channels) from various places of Kathmandu Valley.The move, long sought by Turkey, comes after top diplomats discussed the armed groups Syrian presence in Washington DC.

The Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) said its military advisers would leave the town of Manbij a day after Turkey and the United States said they reached an agreement on the armed groups withdrawal.

In a statement on Tuesday, the YPG said its fighters withdrew from Manbij in November 2016, but military advisers had remained to work with the Manbij Military Council.

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We affirm that our forces will heed the call when necessary to offer support and help to the people of Manbij should it be needed, the statement said.

Turkey was infuriated by US support for the Kurdish fighters and threatened to push its offensive in the Afrin region of northern Syria further east to Manbij, risking a confrontation with American troops stationed there.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who discussed Manbij with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday, said YPG personnel withdrawing from Manbij would be disarmed.

At Cavusoglus talks with Pompeo in Washington, DC, the NATO allies agreed on a roadmap for Manbij, without spelling out explicitly what steps they would take.

Speaking in Turkeys southern province of Antalya on Tuesday, Cavusoglu said joint work on the plan would begin in 10 days and be complete in six months. He said the model should also be applied to Syrias Raqqa, Kobane, and other areas controlled by YPG.

In the first phase, terrorist YPG will withdraw from Manbij. They will disarm as they withdraw. They will move to the east of the Euphrates. However, that does not mean we will accept that they stay there, Cavusoglu said.

Turkey and the US will jointly provide security in Manbij, he added.

Strained relations

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Manbij is a potential flashpoint in Syrias seven-year war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.

The Syrian government, Kurdish fighters, Syrian rebel groups, Turkey, and the US all have a military presence in the north of the country.

YPGs pullout, long sought by Turkey, comes at a time of strained bilateral ties over wider Syria policy, as well as Washingtons decision in December to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Rocky relations also include the sentencing in New York in May of a former Turkish state bank executive to 32 months in prison for taking part in an Iran sanctions-busting scheme, a case Turkey called a political attack.

Turkey has also caused unease in Washington with its decision to buy S-400 surface-to-air missiles from Russia and drew criticism over its detention of a US Christian pastor, Andrew Brunson, on terrorism charges. The American has denied any wrongdoing.Once the sick man of Europe, Germany weathered the financial crisis and the Great Recession better than its neighbours.No person shall be convicted of an offense for possessing any firearms, weapons, destructive devices, large capacity ammunition magazines, silencers or explosives, if after giving written notice of his intention to do so, including the proposed date and time of surrender, he voluntarily surrendered [emphasis mine] the weapon, device, instrument or substance in question to the superintendent or to the chief of police in the municipality in which he resides, provided that the required notice is received by the superintendent or chief of police before any charges have been made or complaints filed [.]

Furthermore, a firearm with a fixed magazine capacity holding up to 15 rounds which is incapable of being modified to accommodate 10 or less rounds is to be registered. If not, the firearms owner "must complete a registration statement to be prescribed by the Superintendent of the State Police, and produce for inspection a valid firearms purchaser identification card, permit to carry a handgun, or permit to purchase a handgun."

Moreover, "the heir or estate of an owner of a firearm which has been registered pursuant to this section shall within 90 days after the owner's death dispose of that firearm in accordance to the sections of the proposed law.

New Jersey is now coercing a portion of the population to hand over their defensive weapons or else. The consequences of not obeying these regulations are as follows:

In revising the definition of semi-automatic rifles considered to be an assault firearm as those with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rather than 15 rounds, the possession of such weapons, if unlicensed or unregistered, is a second degree crime. Since a crime of the second degree is punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both, the bill may cause indeterminate additional court and criminal prosecution costs to the State (Judicial and Executive branch) and localities, indeterminate increased costs of incarceration to the Department of Corrections, and indeterminate additional revenue from court-imposed fines. In revising the definition of large capacity ammunition magazines as containers capable of holding more than 10 rather than 15 rounds, the bill makes possession of these magazines, if unregistered, a crime of the fourth degree. Fourth degree crimes are punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

Moreover,

[t]he bill may increase State revenues and expenditures by indeterminate amounts, and may also cause local revenues and expenditures to increase by indeterminate amounts.

This amounts to confiscation of property, punishment by grandfathering and establishing ex post facto law which is "law that makes illegal an act that was legal when committed, increases the penalties for an infraction after it has been committed, or changes the rules of evidence to make conviction easier. The Constitution prohibits the making of ex post facto law."

Moreover, New Jersey A1181 "mandates law enforcement in the state to seize a person's guns if a mental health professional determines they pose a threat to themselves or others." But what if the gun belongs to a family member -- what of that person's constitutional rights? Will that individual have to surrender his weapons? Will that person be fined or incarcerated?

Will a spouse of a law enforcement officer be held liable if she resorts to using her husband's legal 15-round firearm when he is out of town and she has to face down an intruder? Do I detect a double standard here?

In addition, New Jersey A2758 "mandates that state residents need to show a 'justifiable need' to obtain a permit to carry a handgun -- meaning they must show they face a specific threat to their own safety. It gives the state far too much power and that is potentially dangerous. What if the threat is deemed inconsequential and someone is murdered by a jealous boyfriend?

Other relevant considerations include:

Banning magazines that hold more than 10 rounds will not reduce the lethality of a criminal who can obtain high-capacity magazines from other states. In addition, it will cause owners of these guns to incur a financial loss of millions of dollars because (a) of the destruction of the magazines, and (b) eventual replacement with these new magazines. Thus, there is a loss of value, not only once but twice.

Consequently, "[t]hose who pass such laws will instantly be creating not just criminals, but armed criminals by the thousands, or more! At the stroke of a pen!!"

Furthermore, removing a part of a collectible firearm will reduce the value of that item.

Some firearms are specifically designed for 15 round magazines and may not function properly with lower capacity after-market magazines. The possibility of malfunction may cause injury or loss of life. In addition, gun stores will lose a great deal of inventory and subsequent profit as a result of this law.

Finally, an individual with ill intent can do just as much harm as quickly with six 10-round magazines. Thus, gun control advocates will continually insist upon incremental reductions to the number of magazine rounds until total gun control is in place.

Will politicians who are protected by armed security ask their security agents to reduce the rounds from 15 to 10 rounds -- just to make it fair?

On the other hand, Chris Ladd writes that

No one is permitted to drive on our roads without obtaining a license. Every automobile is registered. Every transaction is taxed. All vehicle owners are required to maintain insurance to cover potential harm. Despite tight regulation, car ownership is ubiquitous. Cars remain a major cause of injury and death, but insurance has played a critical role over the years in driving safety improvements... Our habit of imposing complicated and confusing restrictions on weapons by type and shape is largely theater, designed to create a sensation of progress while avoiding the fundamental problem [emphasis mine].

Instead, Ladd asserts that "we should adopt a simpler, more powerful solution. Register every gun and every gun sale. Require gun owners to obtain a license. Make liability insurance a requirement for every gun owner, tracked to every gun. Require proof of insurance for every sale. Track sales of ammunition, just like we track the sale of Sudafed. Make these gun and ammunition registries available to law enforcement. It is a simple, constitutional approach that preserves the right of responsible adults to own as many weapons as they want, so long as they can demonstrate responsible, safe ownership."

In New Jersey there is already a permit registration for handguns at the state and local police level. In addition, when an individual buys handgun ammunition he/she has to obtain a firearms identification card and the sale is noted by the vendor. This is available for review by law enforcement. Liability insurance is a good idea but individual ammunition sales should not be tracked because it would become excessively complicated.

David Kopel in "The Truth About Gun Control" asserts that "gun prohibition has many bases, among them the pacifist-aggressives -- people who want to use the force and violence of criminal law to make everyone else live by their personal philosophy of not using defensive force against violent attackers."

At one level, these new gun restrictions are extortion plots for more money. But more frightening, New Jersey is acting in a totalitarian manner as it works to control and punish its citizenry.

Ostensibly all this legislation is a result of school shootings. But it still will not protect students from random school shootings. Students would be far better served with metal detectors at all entryways and professionally trained and authorized armed security officers. The chart below is a potent argument and it is hard to ignore the commonsense information.

These encroachments are not about gun control; they are about people control.

Eileen can be reached at middlemarch18@gmail.com

Hat Tip: SBE & HTIn a 7-2 decision written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, the court said the Colorado Civil Rights Commission violated the free exercise clause of the Constitution when it forced Jack Phillips to make a cake for a same-sex wedding he morally opposed under the state's public accommodations law.

Although it might have been interesting to see Muslim bakers being forced to bake Mohammed cartoon cakes for Christian clients, we should all celebrate the not-even-close Supreme Court ruling establishing that Colorado bakers cannot be forced to violate their First Amendment religious liberty rights by baking a gay wedding cake:

"The laws and the Constitution can, and in some instances must, protect gay persons and gay couples in the exercise of their civil rights, but religious and philosophical objections to gay marriage are protected views and in some instances protected forms of expression," the majority opinion said. While it is unexceptional that Colorado law can protect gay persons in acquiring products and services on the same terms and conditions as are offered to other member of the public, the law must be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion.

Creative expression in any form is free speech which, along with freedom of religion, is supposedly protected in the First Amendment. People should not be compelled to write or say things they do not believe or agree with, whether it be in the form of ink on paper or frosting on wedding cakes.

In Masterpiece Cake Shop vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, in which the shop refused to make a cake for a gay couple to celebrate their same-sex marriage, lawyers representing owner Jack Phillips argued it would be an endorsement of gay marriage that would violate their religious beliefs. The Colorado courts thought otherwise:

It started over five years ago with a simple request for a wedding cake. And now, after wending its way through the system, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission is finally having its day before the U.S. Supreme Court. Many legal experts believe it will be the most significant case of the term. It involves a clash of our rights as citizens, as well as our ideals. Two of the most precious rights Americans possess are freedom of expression and freedom to practice their religion as they see fit. Both are enshrined in the First Amendment It began in July 2012, when Charlie Craig and David Mullins asked Jack Phillips, who owned the Masterpiece Cakeshop, to create a custom wedding cake to celebrate their same-sex marriage. Phillips refused, saying he didnt wish to promote a same-sex wedding due to his religious beliefs. Craig and Mullins filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The commission decided against Phillips, declaring he had discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation. The commission ordered Masterpiece Cakeshop to change its policies, give its staff training on discrimination, and provide quarterly reports for two years on steps taken to comply with the order. The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld the decision and the Colorado Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Last year, Phillips petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming the Colorado ruling violates the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.

In this case, as Jordan Lawrence writes in National Review, the line between providing a service and expressing a view are being deliberately blurred by liberals to destroy both free speech and religious liberty:

The government must not force creative businesses to create messages that they oppose. During the Masterpiece Cakeshop oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, the two attorneys opposing cake artist Jack Phillips argued that the justices should not protect Phillipss freedom to abstain from creating expression he disagrees with. Their primary argument was that, in their opinion, it is too difficult to draw lines protecting peoples First Amendment right against compelled speech, so the high court should not protect Jacks rights David Cole of the American Civil Liberties Union argued that the Supreme Court should conclude that anything Phillips would create under some circumstances, he must create in all contexts (But) a cake artist who agrees to design a rainbow cake for a Noahs Arkthemed Sunday-school party should not be forced against his will to make the same cake for a same-sex wedding (like the one that the same-sex couple who visited Masterpiece Cakeshop eventually got for their wedding reception). Neither should a cake artist who would craft an elephant-shaped cake for a party at the zoo be forced to create the same cake for a Republican-party celebration. Nor should a cake artist who is willing to design a cake saying Im dreaming of a white Christmas for a Christmas party be required to make that cake for a party hosted by Aryan Nations.

The Masterpiece Cakeshop case is different than saying a hotel or restaurant cannot refuse service to people based on their sexual orientation. Baking a wedding cake is a creative process and you cannot force a baker to create something that violates his religious beliefs anymore than you can force a writer to put on paper opinions he or she vehemently disagrees with,

That gay marriage is a looming threat to religious liberty as observed here, and may lead to an era of religious persecution not seen in since the days of the Roman Empire, are seen in the chilling redefinition of the First Amendments guarantee of religious liberty by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Democrat of Wisconsin, and the Senates only lesbian.

Baldwin made her remarks on the June 27, 2015 broadcast of Up With Steve Kornacki on MSNBC. In a transcript of her remarks posted on Newsbusters, Baldwin ignored the fact that it was religious persecution in Europe that led to people fleeing here seeking religious freedom on an individual as well as institutional level:

Certainly the first amendment says that in institutions of faith that there is absolute power to, you know, to observe deeply held religious beliefs. But I dont think it extends far beyond that. Weve seen the set of arguments play out in issues such as access to contraception. Should it be the individual pharmacist whose religious beliefs guides whether a prescription is filled, or in this context, theyre talking about expanding this far beyond our churches and synagogues to businesses and individuals across this country. I think there are clear limits that have been set in other contexts and we ought to abide by those in this new context across America.

Baldwin, in arguing that there is no individual right to religious liberty and expression, misreads the Constitution with its mandate stating Congress shall pass no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. It is a key phrase in the First Amendment, leading off the Bill of Rights. These are individual rights fought for in the American revolution. These rights are not limited to institutions but apply to all individuals, just as the Supreme Court has decided the Second Amendment applies to individuals and not just to state-ordained militias.

Baldwin had been asked the question, Should the bakery have to bake the cake for the gay couple getting married? Where do you come down on that? She came down on the side of government coercion and the proposition that church is something you do on Sunday for an hour and otherwise shouldnt act on your religious beliefs in your daily life.

In Iran, gay wedding cake and pizza requests are handled a bit more harshly and with more finality than a simple statement from a business owner that his or her faith wont allow them to cater the affair. If two gays contemplating marriage had walked into a Tehran pizza shop like Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Indiana, the pizza shop that refused to cater a gay wedding, hanging in the public square and not a simple refusal would have been a likely outcome.

The Hobby Lobby case also revolved around the belief of the owners that people should be free to act on their faith in their daily lives which includes their business life. It is a belief shared by many, including the Founding Fathers.

So do scores of Catholic and non-Catholic institutions and businesses who argue either that the way they run their private businesses is an extension of their faith or that a church, something the federal government seeks to redefine, is not something that happens one hour a week on a Sunday but 24/7 through the hospitals, schools, soup kitchens and charities they may operate. They argue that acting out their faith through their works should not be illegal.

To gay advocates, acting on your sincerely held religious beliefs is bigotry. They ask that their lifestyles be respected as well as their newly discovered right to marriage, found in the penumbras and emanations of the Constitution that also gave us the right to abortion. Neither abortion nor marriage is mentioned specifically in the Constitution, but religious liberty and those who saying acting on your faith is bigotry are physicians sorely in need of healing themselves.

Liberals definition of religious liberty is not that much different than Lenins and Stalins. Investors Business Daily once quoted Cardinal George regarding ObamaCare and its imposition of the contraceptive mandate on religious institutions:

"Freedom of worship was guaranteed in the Constitution of the former Soviet Union," Chicago's Francis Cardinal George recently wrote. "You could go to church, if you could find one. The church, however, could do nothing except conduct religious rites in places of worship -- no schools, religious publications, health care institutions, organized charity, ministry for justice and works of mercy that flow naturally from a living faith. We fought a long Cold War to defeat that vision of society."

One wonders what would happen, or should happen in Sen. Baldwins view, if a gay couple walked into a bakery owned by African-Americans and asked for a Confederate flag on their wedding cake. The irony here is that those who profess to be the most tolerance exhibit the most intolerance. If you demand tolerance of your lifestyle, you should exhibit tolerance of other peoples religious beliefs. Otherwise it is you who are the hypocrite and the bigot.

Justice Anthony Kennedy may have tipped his hand early in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, noting in comments during oral arguments:

Did Anthony Kennedy tip his hand during oral arguments in a key religious liberty/free speech case today? All eyes were fixed on the perennial swing Supreme Court jurist as attorneys argued in Masterpiece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission, and conservatives had to like Kennedys brushback to Colorados lawyers early in the hearing. According to the Wall Street Journals live blog, Kennedy wanted to know how the state tried to accommodate the bakers rights to speech and religious expression, and he expressed his dissatisfaction with the response: Justice Anthony Kennedy told a lawyer for the state that tolerance is essential in a free society, but its important for tolerance to work in both directions. It seems to me the state has been neither tolerant or respectful of the bakers views, he said.

Well said. Indeed, the road to oppression and the end of liberty is paved with political correctness. Tolerance should be a two-way street.

Daniel John Sobieski is a free lance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications.For some folks like David Solway these  desperate times  mean getting mobilized for revolution. For alt-rightist Vox Day it means doubling down on nationalism and a muscular Christianity. For Jonah Goldberg it means a  three point program  of a new moral consensus, less nationalism, and getting power out of Washington.

What is to be done about the political injustice of Baracks Spygate? Or the cultural injustice of bumping Roseanne off ABC for a drug-addled racist tweet while celebrities in the family get to skate?

But six months ago I read John C. Wright asserting that the Breitbart quote politics is downstream from culture is incomplete. Thats because culture is downstream from religion. So repeat after me:

Politics is downstream from culture is downstream from religion.

Yeah, religion. You could look it up .

Roy Rappaport : No society known to anthropology or history is devoid of what reasonable observers would agree is religion.

So when we are battling with our lefty friends we are not in a political fight, nor even a cultural fight. We are in a religious war, for leftism is the first religion that came along to fill the hole in the soul created when the philosophers declared that God was Dead.

Leftism is the religion that says that Activists are called to save the victims of the world by politics. That is to say, by force.

I say it is a false religion.

But nothing is going to change until we come up with something better that would persuade the hearts and minds of Good Little Liberal Boys and Good Little Liberal Girls to take down their #WeBelieve yard signs. We need a new religion that will lead to Jonahs new moral consensus.

Now, I consider myself something of a dull dog, but one who has actually read a book. In consequence, I assume that if I have realized the existence of a problem, then almost certainly some smarter dog has already solved it.

But what is the new religion going to be? I will tell you. It is explained by my analysis of the Gods of the Three Peoples and the problem with the gods of our lefty friends, the People of the Creative Self.

The Problem is that the religion of our lefty friends is a war on the middle class, the People of the Responsible Self, the ordinary people of jobs and mortgages, and marriage and children.

The original call-to-arms for this war was Marxs prophecy that the new bourgeoisie had to be stopped from exploiting and oppressing the workers as the feudal lords had exploited their peasants. Only the bourgeoisie didnt do that. Instead it gave the workers the vote. So no need for a war.

So? What about slavery? We abolished it because it did not pay. What about blacks? We gave them civil rights. What about women? We gave them everything. Gays? They got gay marriage. Trans? They are in the middle of getting bathrooms.

Do you see the point? You do not have to make war on the middle class to get what you want. You just have to persuade us.

So we need a new religion for the People of the Creative Self, one that celebrates creativity without declaring war on the deplorable middle class. The best thing would be to celebrate both creativity and responsibility while still caring for the traditionally marginalized and exploited.

Did you know that there is a chap out there who wrote a book about this, that the highest and best human was the sacrificial, creative hero exploring courageously on the border between order and chaos, bringing the dangerous unknown world into the known world? As opposed to the lefty creative activist and his gospel of force. And this guy has also written a best-seller about getting responsible and cleaning up your room.

What is interesting about this man is that he risked his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor -- or as we say now: his career, his pension, and his reputation -- as a sacrificial hero opposing the Canadian C-16 law about transgender pronouns.

To the left, Jordan Peterson is obviously the anti-activist. But alt-righter Vox Day calls him a charlatan. Thats the thing about prophets. They are all charlatans until they arent.

So whats going to happen? Solways revolution, Vox Days reactive nationalism, or Jonahs new moral consensus? My guess is all of the above.

The key is the moral consensus. Inspired by the new religion we will all agree that for creatives to rag on the deplorables is vile. Whenever a Good Little Girl hears the vile accusation of hate speech she will say Like, I cant believe I heard that. And as for fencing minorities into identity groups to stop them from rising into the middle class, Sasha and Malia Obama will both insist it is not who we are.First, it identified the California GOP as Nazis. And now it calls a North Carolina state senator a " bigot ."

In a week, Google has been hit by a couple of embarrassing incidents.

I found Google's apology rather interesting:

"We apologize to Senator Wade that this image appeared in the Knowledge Panel in Search," Google said in a tweet. "Images that appear in the Knowledge Panel are either selected by verified users or are automatically sourced from sites across the web."

Okay  so let's blame material automatically sourced?

There are two problems with this story:

First, who in the world is running Google? It sounds from the apology that Google is at the mercy of others.

More, do you think Google would have allowed anyone to describe Don Lemon of CNN or Charles Blow of the New York Times as a couple of "racialists" always looking for the racial angle?

My good guess is that that description would have been taken down.

Second, and more topical, what does "bigot" mean to Google?

At one time, we all knew what a bigot is. It was a person who discriminates or supports policies that discriminate against people of other ethnic backgrounds, religions, or nationalities.

Today, a bigot is someone who disagrees with The Church of Liberalism, opposing Obamacare or abortion or same-sex "marriage." In other words, a bigot to Google is a Republican or someone who voted for President Trump.

My point is that the word "bigot" did not just show up. It stayed on the state senator's description because Google thought it was appropriate.

So don't blame technology  and let's start talking about the culture running these organizations.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.BhatBhateniOnline.com acquired by F1Soft Intl

BhatBhateniOnline.com has been acquired by F1Soft International, one of Nepals largest IT companies. F1Soft also owns eSewa, Nepals first and leading payment platform. With this latest acquisition, the company will rebrand Bhatbhatenionline.com into eSewaPasal.com.Instead, the explosion of the #MeToo movement, aimed at hyping the gravity of sexual improprieties by powerful men with powerless women (this means you, Donald "you can grab 'em by the p----" Trump!), has unleashed the furies long bottled up by the political utility of Bill Clinton.

Karma finally has caught up with Bill Clinton. It wasn't supposed to turn out this way, in his mind, and it's all Donald Trump's fault (as is everything wrong with the world, if you are a national Democrat). Had Hillary brought him back to the White House as the historic "first gentleman," none of the humiliation that he now is enduring would be his lot. Harvey Weinstein would still be raising megabucks for Democrats; Charlie Rose would still be interviewing bien pensant politicians, actors, and writers; and the thriller novel purportedly "co-written" by James Patterson and Bill Clinton would be receiving nothing but adoring reviews and softball questions on the publicity tour.

Thus, Craig Melvin of NBC News dared to ask Bill Clinton and his "co-author," James Patterson, about Monica Lewinsky and whether she was owed an apology.

As American Thinker readers already know, all hell has broken loose over the awkward, self-serving, disingenuous answers offered by Clinton, especially the suggestion that he is the victim here, because he left office $16 million in debt, and that "this was litigated 20 years ago. Two thirds of the American people sided with me."

That was then; this is now. Female voters are the single biggest demographic slice of the nation that favors Democrats in national elections  more specifically, unmarried female voters, the kind of females most likely to endure unwelcome attentions and worse. The genie is out of the bottle, the toothpaste has exited the tube, and tens of millions of women are very angry.

Back when he was in office and his wife had prospects for the presidency, it was worthwhile covering up Bill's offenses. But Hillary's defeat means there is no upside at all and considerable downside for Democrats in defending him.

Thus, we have the spectacle of Democrats discovering their indignation twenty years after the fact. Mika Brzezinski was one of the first highly visible media figures to call out Bill:

"It has been for decades an unbelievable double standard that the Clintons have used and abused, where nobody is allowed to go there on this issue," Brzezinski said. "And in the age of #MeToo, women are supposed to go there, and men, by the way." "We're supposed to be able to say what the difference is between right and wrong, and when you have done something wrong, you are supposed to own it and not talk about facts, distorted facts and obstructed facts."

Her MSNBC colleague Katy Tur wondered why Clinton couldn't just apologize:

Why was he so combative in that interview? Why didn't he just say "hey, listen, it's a different time, I feel badly for the way things went down, I feel badly for how Monica Lewinsky was treated, I'm sorry"?

This morning, with time to reflect, the media are getting even more aggressive. Will Rahn, managing editor for politics at CBS News, is calling on Clinton to "go away." He is, to borrow a term Clinton's veep made famous, an "inconvenient" ex-president, a reminder not only that the Democrats were willing to sacrifice powerless women for political gain, but that a good economy can excuse presidential lying under oath when it comes to impeachment.

Honestly, Bill Clinton does not look like a healthy man to me, and for that matter, there is good reason to doubt the health of his wife, Hillary. I wish neither of them ill health, both on humanitarian grounds and on the delight I take in seeing the consequences of their actions coming due in the months and years ahead.

As for James Patterson, I have to wonder if he regrets his little adventure in "co-writing." It couldn't have been money that motivated him, for he is reputed to be the best selling living author. I speculate that it was an entree to better dinner parties and public events that persuaded him to adapt his winning bestseller formula. Now his reputation is not enhanced, but harmed by his linking to Bill Clinton's.



Screen grab, NBC.

The late Jim McDougall, a business partner of the Clintons in their Arkansas days who went to prison, famously said, "I think the Clintons are really sort of like tornadoes moving through people's lives. I'm just one of the people left in the wake of their passing by."

There is more karma yet to unfold. Count on it.How Christians fight back on wedding cakes

In the long run, it may be a blessing that the Supreme Court has not upheld unrestricted freedom of speech and religion for Christians. The Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case was an opportunity to refresh the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment to Christians. The Court chose not to do that. Because a member of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission vilified Christianity as "despicable," the Court ruled that the plaintiff's rights had been denied on the state level. (Ya think?) Perhaps it is best that the Court weaseled out, because it may hasten the day when American followers of Christ recognize that government is controlled by people who hate them and that they must stand united for their faith or lose the right to profess it publicly. This is an idea of how they can do that.

Every Christian-owned business with any potential connection to weddings should prominently display a sign that reads, "In the name of Jesus Christ, this establishment does not provide goods or services for the purposes of same-Sex 'marriage.'" This is for not only every Christian-owned bakery, but every business selling foods that might be served at a wedding; every men's, women's, and children's clothing store that selling clothes that might be worn at a wedding. Every Christian jeweler, gift shop, florist, travel agency, photographer, musician, wedding venue, event planner publicly declares his conviction not to provide services for same-sex ceremonies claiming to be weddings. Every Christian limo service, aesthetician, hair stylist and barber declare resistance in the name of Christ. Every Christian counselor publishes that he will not counsel same-sex couples before or after any putative marriage ceremony. While there are probably not a lot of "gay" grooms visiting barbershops in rural Texas, what can the government do to punish a defendant class that includes 100,000 businesses? It was not possible to organize direct resistance in the pro-life cause because abortion is a private and secretive deed that does not require active participation by Christians who are opposed to it. Same-sex "marriage" demands passive participation by those who remain silent, and active participation in the form of services provided to these same-sex ceremonies. For two thousand years, Christians faced terrible suffering to fulfill their commission to publicize their faith. Why are believers in a faith that specifically calls for boldness so unwilling to fulfill the duty in their own country? Because it takes community organizing. The "In the Name" movement can enroll tens of thousands of businesses. Additionally, millions of individual Christians working in the private or public sectors can declare "I support 'In the Name.'" Christian privately owned corporations can pledge to support this movement. All who enroll in this movement need to commit to direct action, whatever that may be, in the service of the declaration against same-sex "marriage." This movement can become a community with the power to rid public boards of bureaucrats who call Christianity despicable. Christian unity is the only practical answer to domestic religious persecution. What can the government do if 75,000,000 Americans finally decide to have the courage of their convictions? That question needs to be answered.Something unusual has been going on in state governments around the country.

The 52-9 vote came after a grueling public hearing in which Democrats voted affirmative along party lines. One said he would vote yes because his wife had been the victim of sexual assault when she was seventeen. Alec Garnett (D) sobbed at the podium while revealing that he had been wearing a bulletproof vest for two weeks. The implication was that Lebsock, a former Marine who had opposed his fellow Democrats on an anti-gun bill, might take a shot at him. The last time the Colorado House expelled one of its members was in 1915. That was for perjury in a bribery investigation.

One month before, on Feb. 2, 2018, a Tucson.com headline read: "Arizona Rep. Don Shooter stripped of his gun, then his House seat." The ironically named Shooter was expelled for sexual harassment on a 56-3 vote. Shooter is seeking $1.3 million in damages for the lack of due process. The last expulsion in that body was in 1948, when two members were removed after a fistfight.

How many more cases are there like these? Can they be explained simply because of the Harvey Weinstein story, which broke on October 5, 2017, and the #MeToo movement that followed? Why does the gun issue keep coming up seemingly out of nowhere?

According to a report dated May 29, 2018 at Ballotpedia.org, 18 states reported one or more sexual misconduct allegations since October 2017. There are no reports for 2015-2016 or before.

Most of the men accused resigned without a fight. Rep. Dan Johnson (R) of Kentucky committed suicide on December 13, 2017 after he was accused of an incident of "inappropriate touching" in 2013.

After Hillary lost, Democrats were left without control of any branch of the federal government. They're famous for top-down strategies. Was there a nationwide directive to remake state governments without the pesky requirement of having to win elections first? Whether it was deliberate or not, they've been doing exactly that since October. If they can ensnare the biggest fish, Trump, the same way, so much the better. The next letter after LGBTQ in their politically correct alphabet is W for woman. The repeated theme of guns in these cases seems forced and out of place until we look at it in this context.

Republicans need to put conservative women out front to tackle the serious problems with the #MeToo movement:

Lack of discernment: All women are portrayed as victims, all men as perpetrators. Serial rapist Bill Cosby is lumped together with the man at work who tells a woman at work she looks good in a skirt. If she's interested, it's not sexual harassment. If she isn't, he could lose his career, his livelihood, and his reputation. The lack of discernment minimizes the crimes rape and sexual assault.

Lack of due process: The Colorado speaker called for Lebsock's resignation about four hours after the allegations were made public. Then she appointed an investigator. Lebsock tried to defend himself by paying for his own polygraph test and distributing his version of events to House members. This was called "retaliation" and was used as further evidence of guilt.

Demonization of men: With slogans like "a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle," the left has long encouraged women not to marry men, but to marry the government. They already vote Democrat in greater numbers so they make the perfect new victim group and new voting bloc. The masculine nature at its best sounds a lot like capitalism: competitiveness, persistence, resilience, and the need to protect and provide for his family.

180 cultural reversal: Whatever happened to Helen Reddy's "I am woman, hear me roar"? Now women are portrayed as hothouse flowers. Contending with unwanted sexual attention is an important task of adult womanhood. Most disturbing is that children are sexualized today more than ever, while adult women act ever more like children. How can girls learn to stand up for themselves if they are unprotected and cannot learn these skills from their childlike mothers?

Conservative women will lead us out of this morass. The 2018 midterms are here, and it's time to get started:

-We don't want to be characterized as victims.

-We don't expect to be believed or to garner votes simply because we are women. Accountability is one of the privileges of adulthood.

-We support due process for every case on its own merits.

-We love strong men.

How about this for our new hashtag? #YEStosterone!

Karen Kataline (Karen@KarenKataline.com) is an author and commentator, Columbia University-trained social worker, and frequent guest host on AM talk radio. She is the producer and host of Spouting Off, a live internet call-in talk show, heard Tuesdays at 4 P.M. E.T. at www.KarenKataline.com.The company has been in the headlines in recent months, including an incident last April where two black men were denied use of a Starbucks restroom because they hadn't purchased anything. After being attacked on social media, Starbucks changed its policy and now allows anyone  even non-paying visitors  to use the restroom. The company held a mandatory racial sensitivity seminar at the end of May for all employees.

Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz announced that he would step down after 36 years at the company.

Schultz hinted in an interview that he may run for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020.

CNBC:

In an interview with The New York Times, he acknowledged that he may consider a bid for the White House. "I want to be truthful with you without creating more speculative headlines," he said. "For some time now, I have been deeply concerned about our country  the growing division at home and our standing in the world." Schultz later told CNN's Poppy Harlow in a statement: "I intend to think about a range of options, and that could include public service, but I'm a long way from making any decisions about the future." Schultz, 64, one of the most politically outspoken corporate leaders in America, has been rumored before as a potential Democratic candidate. He endorsed Hillary Clinton for president in 2016. "On the other side," he told Harlow that September, "I think we've seen such vitriolic display of bigotry and hate and divisiveness, and that is not the leadership we need for the future of the country."

It's tempting to try to connect Schultz's resignation with the recent race controversy, but Starbucks's board  where one would expect pressure would come from  has supported its chairman over the years in his efforts to enact a progressive social agenda at the company.

Schultz has spoken frequently about race, and Starbucks has taken progressive stances on social issues  including gay marriage [sic], immigration and Trump's travel ban. Last year, the company said it plans to hire 10,000 refugees over five years. Starbucks has also been a leader in workers' benefits under Schultz. Since 1988, Starbucks has offered health care to all full-time and part-time employees. In March, the company said it reached gender and race pay equity for all US employees.

Starbucks's stock performance has not been bad over the last year, performing close to the market average. But other factors may be at play that might have worked against Schultz. It could be that his talk of running in 2020 is a face-saving device to cover for a pending management shakeup.

Whatever the reason for his resignation, he can't be serious about running for president. While Trump, a businessman, was successful in 2016, he ran as a fairly orthodox Republican. There was little that was "radical" about him.

Schultz is a radical, even for Democrats. There is little that is "orthodox" about him. And in what promises to be a very crowded Democratic field, it's difficult to see him getting much traction in the primaries. Of course, similar things were said about Trump, but the current president had name recognition that was off the charts and had been a national figure for decades. Schultz is a virtual unknown among most Democrats, and while he is almost as rich as Trump, he would have a hard time attracting much interest when up to 20 other Democrats could be running.

Don't expect Starbucks to change its politically correct approach to business, although it may opt to have a lower profile than under Schultz.Daryl Purpera is not only legislative auditor for the State of Louisiana, but also chairman of the Louisiana Task Force on Coordination of Medicaid Fraud Detection and Prevention Initiatives. In a recent testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Affairs, he spoke "specifically about the underutilization of the State Auditors in the fight against fraud, waste, abuse, and improper payments."

Medicaid fraud in Louisiana is ignored while the state's governor chooses to penalize the elderly and infirm. State government officials believe he's acting haphazardly and callously.

While he is unquestionably aware of rampant Medicaid fraud in the state, Governor John Bel Edwards has "underutilized" the auditor's preventative measures before making an unprecedented decision. Instead of pursuing the overt abuse of Medicaid  which he is fully aware didn't happen overnight, as shown below  Edwards chose a fear-mongering alternative.

He encouraged the Louisiana Department of Health to notify nearly 37,000 recipients of Medicaid, many who are cared for in nursing or group homes, that they could lose their benefits as a result of proposed state cuts. In essence, tens of thousands of Louisiana's elderly who are fully dependent on the care of professionals could be evicted from their facilities due to lack of state funding.

One News Now asked Congressman Ralph Abraham (R-La., 5th District) about these notices. He said, "The Edwards administration, when they sent those demand letters out to the nursing homes, it was purely a political move. There was no credibility, whatsoever. In my opinion, it was childish. It was irresponsible. It was shameful. Use whatever adjective you prefer to show his lack of compassion."

Rep. Abraham continued: "When the governor puts our most vulnerable population in his sights and says we are going to literally kick you out onto the street, I have a problem with that. The legislature of Louisiana has given the Louisiana Department of Health $12 billion this year. That's two and a half billion more than two years ago. So, the question is 'where is this money going?'" He concludes that much of it is going to the Department of Health, describing it as "the biggest bureaucracy in the state."

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) comprises nearly 7,000 people, he states. "They haven't had one furlough. They haven't had one layoff. They need to clean up their own house before they raid somebody else's house."

The testimony of the Louisiana state auditor and the words of Rep. Abraham reveal erroneous and irresponsible misuses of Louisiana taxpayer money. In 2016, reports confirmed that Louisiana is paying over a million to a million and a half to people who have moved out of the state. The following year, in 2017, "LDH paid $6.4 million over a four-year period in dental claims that violated rules and another $4.4 million that may have violated program rules." LDH also paid $1.4 million in duplicate Medicaid payments and $620,000 in payments for overlapping services. In addition, it further documented that "LDH paid $4.2 million in improper payments that violated certification rules for laboratory services."

In response to Edwards's notices, Louisiana attorney general Jeff Landry laments, "We reached a new low on the political stage here in Louisiana when the Governor sent out 37,000 eviction notices to people that were on Medicaid in nursing homes. The fact of the matter is that for two years now, the Legislative Auditor has identified over 80,000 people that he suspects are on the Medicaid rolls that are ineligible[.] ... if he's right, if that number is correct, then that would represent we are spending about $500 million a year, allowing people to receive a welfare benefit they are ineligible to receive.

"Yet, the Governor has sat idly by, basically choosing those people who are breaking the law over those people in nursing homes. He's choosing to threaten the evictions of people in nursing homes, while allowing people to perpetuate fraud."

According to the Foundation for Government Accountability, there are "62,770 able-bodied adults without dependents on food stamps" in Louisiana. Not one of them is subject to a work requirement, hence 47,705 are not working.

Rep. Abraham asks that we "encourage citizens to stand up and say 'enough is enough.' It's time to reel back government. It's time to make sure that we properly take care of those people who need it the most, and it's time for those willing and able-bodied people who are defrauding the system to be held accountable."President George W. Bush used his veto power for the first time on July 19, stopping a bill that would have increased federal funding for research on embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The cells might provide cures for diseases ranging from Alzheimer's to diabetes. ESCs are thought to have more disease-treating potential than similar cells found in adults, but they are controversial because harvesting them destroys a human embryo.

Nearly two decades ago, President George W. Bush was pilloried by the media, other Democrats, and Hollywood for being "anti-science" when he vetoed a bill on very experimental embryonic stem cell research, allowing it to go forward only for already existing embryos. Their narrative was that he just didn't care about people with terminal illnesses and serious diseases like Parkinson's .

There were headlines like "The Anti-Science President."

Former surgeon general Richard Carmona is telling us what we already know: that the Bush administration has, from the beginning, put ideology ahead of science.

So now, for over ten years, we have had research and experiments ever since, and they essentially haven't cured anything, but the supporters of the research have shut up. Here is what is being written now:

In fact, no field of biotechnology has promised more and delivered less in the way of treatments than embryonic stem cells. Only a handful of human studies has ever been carried out, without significant results. The cells, culled from IVF embryos, are capable of developing into any other tissue type in the body, and therefore promise an unlimited supply of replacement tissue. Sounds simple, but it hasn't been. It took Melton and his team 15 years to unveil each molecular step required to coax a stem cell into a pancreatic beta cell able to sense glucose and secrete insulin. The recipe uses a cocktail of chemicals and a three-dimensional incubation system, tall spinning flasks brewing what looks like murky red Gatorade, that within 30 days can direct the differentiation of stem cells into fully functional beta cells.

Fast-forward to 2018, when Donald Trump is president and supports and has passed a bill supporting allowing people with terminal illnesses and serious diseases to try experimental drugs that are already in trials. He's getting nothing but flak for it.

The supposedly pro-science media, Hollywood, and other Democrats are essentially quiet. Where are Michael J. Fox and people promising to make people walk again? Why aren't the Democrats referred to as the anti-science party?

Thank Republicans for your Right to Try.

Here are some excerpts about the bill and how Democrats voted:

Imagine the horror of learning you have a terminal illness for which science has not yet come up with a treatment. Now imagine receiving the same diagnosis, and then learning a promising new treatment exists that could save your life  but you can't get access to it thanks to governmental obstacles. That is the nightmare that befell Andrea Sloan, an Austin lobbyist who gave up her job at a high-priced law firm to advocate for victims of domestic violence. In 2007, Sloan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and for more than six years tried every Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for her disease. All failed. With Sloan's health rapidly deteriorating, her doctor at MD Anderson Cancer Center told her she had one last hope: a new drug that inhibits DNA repair in cancer cells, which had shown great promise in clinical trials with patients that had her specific genetic mutation. But, sadly, this spirit of bipartisanship did not translate to Washington. Only 22 House Democrats voted for the final bill that Trump will sign. In August, a version introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) passed the Senate by unanimous consent, but stalled in the House, which eventually passed a more limited bill from Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.). Last week, Senate Republicans tried to accommodate Democratic objections by bringing up the Walden bill for a vote, but Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) blocked it from coming to the floor. So the House passed the Johnson version, with Democrats nearly united in opposition. In other words, Democrats in Washington managed to take an issue that unified literally thousands of legislators from both parties in 40 states, and turned it into a divisive, party-line vote. Thanks to Trump, Americans facing terminal diagnoses will now have a new chance at life. How tragic  and pathetic  that Democrats refused to join him in making that happen.

This is what is going on now.

It seems Democrats would rather have campaign issues than help people who have terminal and other serious diseases. That is how they treat so many issues. They would rather have campaign issues than solve problems and help the people.The Commission's hostility was inconsistent with the First Amendment's guarantee that our laws be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion[.]

Leftists are calling the Supreme Court's ruling "narrow" because it says it's illegal to force someone to go against his religious beliefs when the authority trying to do the forcing demonstrates hostility toward religion .

But in all the cases where authorities have tried to force people to go against their faith, there have always been many bakers, photographers, etc. who were more than willing to provide services to the gay "wedding."

Demanding that the one person whose religious beliefs say he should not support a gay "wedding" do so when there are so many others to choose from is prima facie evidence that the authority is hostile to the person's religious belief.

A key aspect of modern law is that the state, businesses, and individuals must provide reasonable accommodations to people based on their religious beliefs  for example, allowing Muslims to pray during the work day. Now, if the accommodation is too demanding, then it does not have to be provided  for example, allowing a Muslim cashier at a liquor store not to ring up liquor purchases. But asserting that some other baker who doesn't object to baking a cake for a gay "wedding" provide a cake instead of forcing the one baker whose religious beliefs preclude his participation is a reasonable and non-intrusive accommodation.

After all, if an Orthodox Jew and a Catholic work at a business that is open on Saturday and Sunday, wouldn't it be a clear sign of hostility if the owner refused to let them switch work days so the Jew didn't have to work on Saturday and the Catholic didn't have to work on Sunday?

Hence, any authority that rejects the reasonable accommodation is clearly hostile to the person whom it refuses to accommodate and to the rationale that that person is using to ask for an accommodation. In this case, the rationale is their religious beliefs.

To demand that everyone bow to the idol of gay greatness when that isn't necessary is an unambiguous declaration that the religious beliefs of Americans aren't as important as the beliefs of gays. Declaring that 2% of Americans, the gays, have the right to impose their beliefs on 72% of Americans, Christians, is clearly hostile to Christians.

What the Supreme Court didn't say is that if there is no one willing to provide a service to a gay "wedding," someone couldn't be forced to do so despite his religious beliefs. While the justices should have ruled that a person's religious liberty is not up for discussion, given the clear wording of the First Amendment, the reality is that in America today, even in the Bible Belt, there is no shortage of individuals willing to provide every imaginable service for gay "weddings."

Hence, the reality is that the "narrow" ruling is very wide, since the only exception would be when no one will provide services to gay weddings.

You can read more of Tom's rants at his blog, Conversations about the obvious, and feel free to follow him on Twitter.It's make or break time for the Democrats in California's crowded "jungle primary," with only the top two candidates in June's primary today making it to the ballot in November.

In the Orange County race to challenge Rep. Dana Rohrabacher for his seat, they've got too many candidates running, and with too much money, so the likely result will be a split of leftists' votes, leaving Democrats with the prospect of two Republicans on the ballot for the November midterms. That's panic time, all right, at least for them.

Democrats are famous for muscling their own candidates into a single party line. But who would have guessed they have actually sought to pare down that crowded plate by telling one of their candidates he's too brown to win?

Seriously, that happened. It's what Democrats reportedly told one of their own candidates, a moderate Reaganite Democrat named Omar Siddiqui, to get him out of there.



Too brown to win? Omar Siddiqui addresses the locals in the O.C.

According to a buried lede in the Washington Examiner:

Stem cell scientist Hans Keirstead was the Democratic Party's preferred candidate before he wasn't. Businessman Harley Rouda was a Republican, 20 years ago, before he was a Democrat. And FBI adviser Omar Siddiqui says party officials told him he was too brown to win in Orange County.

As if they can even do that at this late date, with the ballots printed.

They told him he was too brown! In a county they have hailed for its Asian-American immigrants, placing their bets that these Asian-Americans (of which Siddiqui is likely one) will put Democrats over the top.

If news of this gets out, it should do wonders for their popularity with this increasingly alienated base of voters, already disgusted by Democrat policies promoting university admission discrimination, sanctuary cities, and dumping the homeless on their doorsteps, as I wrote here yesterday.

Obviously, in their by-any-means-necessary Alinskyite philosophy, Democrats are showing they'll use even racism on their own to do it. Seriously, too brown? This isn't the first instance of their using actual appeals to racists to get their way in this race. According to the accompanying video to the Examiner piece, they've also painted Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell as "China Mitch" based on his wife's Chinese ancestry.

These are repulsive people.

It shows again that Democrats are the party that views color as more important than content of character  and when it's convenient for them, they'll use that in a racist way, telling people to beat it in congressional races because they aren't the right skin color. Siddiqui was probably an easy target, given his moderate Democratic stances, an unpopular thing among the left-wing crazies in control of that party. (If he can just bend a few of his ideas on global warming, he'd likely be a fine Republican, actually. One hopes this experience with his own party, with its Klansman past, as Dinesh D'Souza has so helpfully pointed out in his films, brings him over to the Republicans.)

Democrats are showing some big-time bad-character bigotry in their desperate quest for power.

Republicans should be making a big deal of this as the November midterms approach.

Images from YouTube.Nowadays consumers have access to more devices than ever before  with the number of connected devices in the home only limited by consumer imagination and budget. Although one of the more hidden limitations that might be in effect is the network the consumer is currently using. With more devices connected to a network, more strain can be placed on that network, which can filter back down to the quality of the experience received by the user at the device level. Therefore, while consumers continue to expand the number of connected devices in the home, its just as important to ensure the network used is sufficiently capable of providing a fast enough speed and a reliable enough connection to handle those devices, and at the same time.

Network reliability and bandwidth become important considerations when you factor in more demanding devices. Take for instance, gaming and video streaming. Its fast becoming the norm where households with more than one person results in more than one network-demanding setup. For example, while one person binge-watches the latest Netflix show in one room, another might be game streaming in the next room, and its this sort of situation where a 100% fiber-optic network can add real value. This type of connection will help to minimize video/game slow downs and buffering, while still supporting the numerous other devices connected to the same network. Right now, one fiber-optic network option worth considering is Fios Gigabit Connection from Verizon. Fios is a 100% fiber-optic network that provides customers with up to 940 Mbps download speeds and 880 Mbps upload speeds. A combination which means that whether downloading or uploading, customers can expect virtually buffer and lag-free experiences. In fact, Verizon states Fios Gigabit Connection can support for up to 100 devices at the same time. Whats more, Verizon is currently running a Fios Gigabit Connection Triple Play promotion which makes it all the more value for the money.

Advertisement

In short, Verizon is offering a Triple Play package for just $79.99 per month plus taxes, equipment charges and other fees (with Auto Pay and a 2-year agreement). This means customers can benefit from Fios Gigabit Connection, a TV package customized to the individual customers needs, and home phone (with unlimited nationwide calling). This deal is already available and one of the extra benefits is the price comes with a two-year guarantee. So customers can be safe in the knowledge that their bundle price wont increase during the first two years of service. Likewise, for those who are stuck in a contract with another provider, Verizon is also offering up to $500 in credit to help account for any early termination fees that might be incurred through switching. To add to the deal, Verizon is also offering those who sign-up a free Chromebook 3 (2GB) from Samsung, and if for whatever reason a new free Chromebook is not right for you, new customers can instead opt for a $200 Samsung credit which can then be used against a number of Samsung-related products. As an example, those in need of a new TV can save $200 off any 40 to 88-inch UHD TVs starting at $479, or choose to use the credit against a 2018 Samsung soundbar, select Samsung tablets, earbuds, fitness trackers  all just for ordering a qualifying Fios package. More information on Verizons $79.99/mo. Fios Gigabit Connection, Custom TV, and phone , as well as a full list of the discount-eligible Samsung products available through the link below.New Delhi-Nepalgunj flight: Buddha Airs plan to link KEP-DEL elates locals

The announcement of Buddha Airs plan to connect the Indian capital New Delhi from Nepalgunj by ATR 72 aircraft has elated local political parties leaders, business entrepreneurs and the civil society. The one-hour connectivity is expected to increase trade and tourism activities of the Mid and Far Western regions of the country, they said.ASUS just unveiled a new wearable device at Computex 2018 in Taipei, featuring a wide range of biometric sensors, including a built-in blood pressure monitor. The gadget is known as the ASUS VivoWatch BP and should not be confused with the original ASUS VivoWatch launched back in 2015, though the latest model can be viewed as a direct sequel. The new wearable doesnt seem to fit in the same category as most other smartwatches powered by Googles Wear OS platform, and instead, much like its predecessor, it focuses primarily on health and fitness applications.

The wearables exterior reflects this rather successfully, having been designed to resemble more of a small medical apparatus rather than a stylish smartwatch. After all, the ASUS VivoWatch BP is one of the few ongoing smart wrist-mounted gadgets to incorporate its own blood pressure monitor based on both an ECG and PPG sensor. The unit features a small color display that covers the watch face only partially, leading to one of the thickest bezels in the industry. The watchface also accommodates an ECG sensor shaped like a circular metallic button which can read a users blood pressure in about fifteen seconds. The chassis has been constructed from medical-grade materials, allowing it to be around 70-percent smaller and half as light as dedicated wrist-mounted blood pressure monitors. As expected, the unit also provides sleep and activity tracking, and through the ASUS HealthAI application, the wearable can also offer personalized fitness instructions and health information.

Another major characteristic of the ASUS VivoWatch BP lies in its promised 28-day battery life, though this figure is expected to drop significantly with the GPS module enabled. The wearable also offers an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and will be available in five color options: Gray, Black, Blue, Green, and Maroon. As for its availability and pricing, the ASUS VivoWatch BP is planned to first launch in Taiwan before the end of the month, where it should hit the shelves at the equivalent of $169. The unit should also hit the European market later in August, however, in the United States the product requires additional FDA approvals which could push its launch closer to 2019.Google kicked off its annual Doodle 4 Google competition back in January and votes from around the world have now narrowed the results down to five finalists. The contest effectively seeks to identify who can find the most creative way to write out Google in an artistic form. The aptly named Google Doodles, which prominently feature on the companys search engine home page, are intended to be inspirational and educational. Clicking on them often results in minigames or a web search which dives in-depth into the topic being portrayed. Doodle 4 Google is an open competition taken on by elementary and high school students from all 50 U.S. states and three territories every year. The theme tends to change yearly but Google was a bit more open this year and simply asked students to draw up whatever inspires them. That resulted in a total of more than 180,000 submissions before being whittled down by public voting.

Finalists this year, as is usually the case, cover every age group. The first finalist is Sarah Gomez-Lane, a first-grader from Falls Church, VA. The young artist has drawn up the Google logo entirely comprised of her favorite dinosaurs, while the l is a shovel which Gomez-Lane says is representative of the career she aspires to. For the Grades 4-5 group, Sia Srivastava of Prosper, TX drew up a solar system-inspired roller coaster  undoubtedly inspired by the resurgence of space exploration. Googles logo is cleanly melded into the rolls and hills of the coaster track. Ignacio Burgos, a seventh grader from Portsmouth, RI, has entered with wardrobe and fashion-inspired art which shows the Google logo made up of hangers, fashion accessories, and a sewing machine. Meanwhile, the finalist entry for Grades 8 and 9 features the work of Madelyn Kieh from Yeadon, PA. Kiehs Doodle is a scene showing her and her sister hanging up art pieces prominently featuring the letters of Googles logo, highlighting both her sister and great art as inspirations. Last but not least, Mark Thivierge is responsible for the Doodle 4 Google entry from Grade 10. Hailing from Lutz, FL, Thivierge was inspired by nature, science, music, writing, and mathematics and incorporates all of those alongside a map of the U.S. Each state on the map is representative of the landscape commonly found there and Googles logo is embossed across the country.

As is usually the case, the winner of this contest is still very much up in the air and wont be chosen until June 18. All of the finalists will, of course, be receiving prizes for their efforts. Those include a brand-new Pixelbook Chromebook, a $5,000 college scholarship, and a trip to the Googleplex in Mountain View, California. As part of that trip, the finalists will be able to meet with the Google Doodle team as well.Taking to his official Twitter account on earlier this week, MEGA creator Kim Dotcom has now called on Edward Snowden, Julian Assange, and the Chaos Computer Club to create a new alternative social media service. The Chaos Computer Club, commonly referred to as the CCC, is a Germany-based hacktivism group. Referring to Twitter and Facebook as deep state conspirators and their actions as betrayal, Dotcom says its time for something better and more secure. The outcry is hardly surprising, especially in the case of Facebooks services. Given the number of controversies the company has found itself in the middle of recently, in addition to legal proceedings, its not necessarily a unique sentiment. The new tweet follows an earlier Twitter poll run by Dotcom, which questioned whether Twitter was actively aiding the deep state. Around 89-percent of the Internet entrepreneurs responding voters affirmed that belief.

No details have been provided as to what that social media platform should entail. In the meantime, Kim Dotcom has not been free of his own legal troubles over the years. In early 2017, extradition proceedings started in an attempt to bring Dotcom back to the U.S. from New Zealand. Dotcom  born Kim Schmitz  faces stateside allegations of wire fraud, copyright infringement, conspiracy to commit racketeering, and money laundering. At the time, it was ruled that New Zealands lack of extraditable laws pertaining to copyright infringement and what one judge called a flawed ruling would have seen Dotcom remanded to U.S. custody. The case stems back as far as 2015, with the charges being linked to a website founded by Dotcom back in 2005. Dotcom has maintained his innocence but that extradition case and subsequently all charges stemming from the U.S. remain unresolved and ongoing.

Responses to Dotcoms post have been mixed. Some users agree with his sentiment and others believe the creation of yet another social network is simply a waste of time or that funding isnt available to start such an ambitious project. Still, others have pointed out that neither of the individuals Dotcom has called out for the idea is necessarily in a better position legally than Dotcom himself. As of this writing, Snowden is still in Russia after his actions as a whistleblower against the CIA and seeking asylum there. On the other hand, Assange is a leading actor behind WikiLeaks and has faced several allegations of his own, resulting in charges in the U.S.British software company Snyk on Tuesday disclosed a critical vulnerability dubbed Zip Slip, having identified an issue that affects projects from the likes of Google, Amazon, Twitter, Alibaba, IBM, Oracle, and LinkedIn. The flaw has gone undetected for years and is present in numerous instances of code thats exposing millions of people to risk. The vulnerability can be exploited with a custom-built archive that overwrites files after being extracted, potentially hijacking entire systems.

The arbitrary file overwrite flaw is particularly problematic in Java as the object-oriented programming language lacks a centralized library capable of handling archived files. That state of affairs is a large part of the reason why the vulnerability went unresolved for years, having ended up being shared across numerous developer communities. The oversight can be exploited with a custom archive that contains path traversal filenames chained together to exploit any given extraction directory in a manner that sees malicious data extracted outside of a user-selected target folder, Snyk explains, adding that the vulnerability affects the vast majority of the worlds most popular archive formats such as 7z, tar, war, xz, cpio, and bzip2. Files that can break out of their intended extraction directory can affect both servers and client devices, overwriting sensitive files with the goal of compromising systems. As a result, Zip Slip can serve as a backdoor to arbitrary code execution flaws, possibly an even more problematic issue.

Zip Slip can affect any given project either through a third-party library or native code; refer to the banner below for a complete list of all vulnerable libraries and projects, some of which have already been fixed over the last two months since Snyk started privately disclosing the vulnerability to exposed parties. Ruby and Python are the only two ecosystems which Snyk vetted for Zip Slip but couldnt identify any weak points.Leading artificial intelligence experts Dr. Sebastian Seung and Dr. Daniel Lee (pictured left and right, respectively) are joining Samsung Research as part of the companys latest efforts to bolster its ranks and maintain the competitiveness of its AI projects, the firm announced Tuesday. The duo will be involved in Samsungs fundamental research and development endeavors pertaining to AI with the goal of reaching new breakthroughs in machine learning and related technologies, all of which are ultimately meant to benefit the manufacturers consumer electronics portfolio and other offerings.

The pair already collaborated on machine learning algorithms designed for nonnegative matrix factorization, having devised solutions meant to mimic the manner in which the human brain operates. Dr. Seung himself is one of the pioneers of connectomics, a science filed dedicated to reconstructing the brains wiring diagrams with AI technologies. Both have extensive experience in robotics, with Dr. Lee previously also being involved in self-driving car projects. The new hirings come shortly after Samsung Research established five AI Centers spanning three continents, having founded such facilities in the United States, Canada, South Korea, Russia, and the United Kingdom. The worlds largest smartphone manufacturer has been increasing its AI focus in recent years but is still believed to be behind industry leader Google and several other firms.

The Seoul-based tech giant is presently pursuing a near-term goal of making all of its new appliances smart and Internet-enabled by 2020, CEO Kim Hyun-suk said late last month. The companys next major consumer-facing AI solution is expected to debut this summer in the form of Bixby 2.0, a significantly revamped version of its digital assistant which is likely to be pre-loaded on the Galaxy Note 9. The Android flagship itself will be launching in early August before going on sale several weeks later, as per recent reports. Samsung Electronics is also expected to debut its first Bixby-compatible smart speaker in the second half of the year, with the gadget being developed in collaboration with its subsidiary Harman Kardon.MadridQuim Torra, President of the Generalitat, confirmed that he has exchanged messages with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to set up a meeting "as soon as possible". "It's urgent that we sit down at a table, it's urgent that we negotiate", said Torra after visiting Oriol Junqueras, Jordi Turull, Josep Rull, Raul Romeva, and Joaquim Forn in Estremera prison.

In a statement to the media outside the penitentiary, Torra noted that it is "important" to know if they will have to deal with the PSOE that "decriminalized the calling of referendums" or the PSOE that "voted for Article 155 [thus imposing direct rule on Catalonia]. "Is this the Pedro Sanchez who argued for changing the crime of rebellion in the Spanish Criminal Code, or is he a different one?", asked the President of the Generalitat, who introduced the dialectic argument of whether the Spanish government wants to "seeks justice or retribution".

Torra also noted that he has been receiving authorizations that will allow the new ministers to exchange portfolios with the former members of the Catalan government within the prison itself. He thanked Spains Interior Minister for making this possible, and said that there haven't been any problems other than red tape. The Catalan leader insisted, however, that his ultimate goal is to reinstate the "legitimate" president and ministers, and he "especially" thanked Turull and Rull for stepping aside to facilitate the configuration of the new government.

This was Torra's second visit to the prisoners as President of the Generalitat his first took place the day after he was sworn in and it coincides with the activation of the new government in Catalonia. The meeting also coincides with the lifting of direct rule instituted by the application of Article 155 of the Constitution, and after Pedro Sanchez, the new Spanish PM, took office following his successful vote of no-confidence against Mariano Rajoy thanks to the votes of Catalonias pro-independence groups, among others.Caan decides to fire no-show Chinese contractor of TIA

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan) has decided to cancel the contract awarded to a Chinese company to lengthen the runway at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for not starting work despite repeated reminders.COP26 may be a cop-out in the making COP26 is just about a month away. Delayed for a year by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference has built up even more expectations and momentum during the intervening monthsCasteism denies Dalit lawmaker rental apartment in Kathmandu

Over five decades after caste-based discrimination was criminalised, people from the Dalit community, including elected representatives, continue to suffer bigotry of privileged classes in Kathmandu and the rest of the country.Aspen firefighters Adrian Aguilar and Jacob Arywitz and wildland intern Grant Duta walk along a freshly cut fireline near the 416 Fire outside of Durango on Monday. The personnel, along with Fire Chief Rick Balentine, deployed Sunday evening to help battle the blaze after it surpassed 2,000 acres.These bottles are two of over 50 similar ones found either by authorities or the public that have been pulled from the Roaring Fork River since January.We are honoured to have accompanied Ms Ghani MP on this important visit and would like to thank Capt. Xu Lirong and the rest of the COSCO team for their warm welcome. The UK and China are two of the world's most important centres for the shipping and maritime industry, and the already strong ties between the countries are only likely to increase in light of Brexit. It's an incredibly exciting time to be part of such a thriving sector, Marais said.

The delegation met with Xu, COSCO chairman, as well as maritime professors and the heads of the companys strategy and corporate management, operating management, capital operation management, and public divisions.

One of HFWs core industry groups is shipping. HFW has more than 200 shipping lawyers and 13 master mariners spread across 18 of the firms offices around the world.

In Shanghai, the firm entered into a formal association with law firm Wintell & Co in 2016.Lawyers at Ince & Co have been told some of their jobs are at risk along with other roles at the international firm.

Its reported that around 14% of the workforce could be affected with at least 30 roles facing possible redundancy. The Law Society Gazette says the lawyers at risk are mostly associates with few partners likely to be affected.

The firm, which has offices in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, says it wants to ensure it has the right people in the right places.TDI

Published by Portuguese motoring publication Observador.pt then deleted from their website, the photographs reveal a predictable design, inspired by the Q8 and Q8 Sport concept vehicles. Featuring vertical slats, large air intakes, and slim LED headlights, the front fascia hides the 286-horsepower version of the 3.0V6.Lower down the spectrum, the 45 TDI will churn out 231 ponies. As for the 55 TFSI , Audi will level up to 340 horsepower. All engine options benefit from mild-hybrid technology, but the most fuel-efficient model will be the plug-in hybrid based on the Q7 e-tron. The SQ8 TDI and RS Q8 will follow suit, with the latter model packing a detuned version of the twin-turbo V8 from the Lamborghini Urus.Stepping inside the Q8 reveals an interior that has more to do with the A8 than the Q7, sporting the virtual cockpit instrument cluster and two touchscreen displays. The flat-bottom steering wheel of the pictured Q8 comes as part of the S line package, which also adds perforated leather, white stitching, and the S line badge.Whats most surprising about the Q8 is the roominess of the rear seats. Both headroom and legroom are superlative for a sport utility vehicle with a sloping roof. The rear passengers have four air vents at their disposal and a center console-mounted touchscreen for adjusting the climate control As far as practicality is concerned, cargo capacity behind the rear seats comes in at 605 liters. Fold those seats down, and youre looking at 1,755 liters. In both cases, the Audi Q7 is the more practical proposition (890 and 2,075 liters, respectively).Look forward to the Q8 arriving in Europe this fall for the 2019 MY.What we havent seen so far is a self-driving vehicle with off-road capabilities. Thanks to Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), we just might get to tick that box as well.JLR is working on a project it calls Cortex. Its goal is simple: develop autonomous cars capable of all-terrain, off-road driving in any weather condition. And not any autonomous cars, but Level 4 or even 5 There arent many details available on the project, aside for the fact that for it to be able to do what is supposed to do, the vehicle would make use of what is known in the industry as a 5D environment.This means the vehicle would be fitted with acoustic, video, radar, light detection and distance sensing technologies to be able to navigate its way through the swamps or deserts.Usually, a self-driving car uses tons of map data to be able to perform properly. Its unclear at this stage whether Cortex would do the same. Our guess is it wont, as there are other options available as well.Its important that we develop our self-driving vehicles with the same capability and performance customers expect from all Jaguars and Land Rovers, said in a statement Chris Holmes, JLRs man in charge with connected and autonomous vehicle research.Self-driving is an inevitability for the automotive industry and ensuring that our autonomous offering is the most enjoyable, capable and safe is what drives us to explore the boundaries of innovation.For the Cortex project, JLR will be working with the University of Birmingham and machine learning company Myrtle AI. There is no set date for when the project is to yield its first results.The known car aficionado and collector, who owns an impressive fleet of vehicles of all makes and from all eras, was photographed on Saturday driving what TMZ describes as an actual tank on the streets of his hometown Los Angeles. Though the sight might have been somewhat startling, its not exactly a first for Leno, who has made a habit out of taking his expensive  and oftentimes out-of-the-ordinary-looking  rides out on the streets. It wasnt an actual tank, either.Lenos impressive ride was a Ferret Scout armored car, which was built by Daimler in Great Britain, after WWII, in 1949. The car was used until 1971 as a fighting vehicle, though it was initially designed for recognizance purposes. It is not known when Leno came into possession of it or how much it might have set him aback, but prices for various models range online from 6,000 to 15,000 (approximately $8,000 to $20,000). It is actually quite accessible (comparatively) and spare parts are in abundance, which makes it quite popular with aficionados.The Ferret, as its generically called, was created as a more efficient, modernized version of the lighter Dingo armored car. It was used in several conflicts to great success. It was heavier, larger and faster, equipped with a driver central position, a turret and specs that made it semi-amphibious. Weighing almost 4 tons, the Ferret is equipped with a Rolls Royce B60 Inlet over Exhaust I6 gasoline engine, and can carry a 3-person crew.Leno isnt the only celebrity to own a Ferret. Comedian Jeff Dunham, an avid collector himself, has one too, which hes shown at various car shows. He aptly named it Achmed, after his famous terrorist character. Of course, he doesnt have Lenos history with military cars: the former TV host also has a car built from an actual tank, and hes also driven some during his visits with the military, many of which were televised.Court remands Wangel to custody in gold case

The District Court on Monday remanded Tshering Wangel to judicial custody in connection to the 33kg gold smuggling and Sanam Shakya murder case.You probably wouldnt want to trade places with Anthony J. Clark when he sobered up. Police records cited by Oregon Live show that he acted exactly as he would have, had he been playing the famous video game. This was real life, though and luckily, no one was harmed  though not for lack of trying on Clarks part.The police affidavit shows that Clark was in the passenger seat of a pickup truck that pulled over the opposite side of the road from a 2003 Toyota Camry . Its driver had been pulled over by police and was being taken into custody for an unrelated drunk driving charge. Clark simply walked over to the deputy standing near the Toyota and informed him he was going to steal the car.Clark got into the vehicle and drove off, almost dragging the deputy along, as he had reached inside and grabbed Clark by the shirt, in an attempt to stop him. Then, after avoiding a collision with the truck he had come in, he fled the scene.He was eventually apprehended near a mobile home park, as he was trying to steal another car. He had driven the Toyota through fences and the wrong way down several roads, and directly over two spike strips, before a bump with a police car made him spin out. He needed another escape vehicle, but he never got to drive away in it.Instead of the points he would have gotten in GTA for his feats, Clark is now facing a slew of charges, none of them light. He is accused of driving under the influence of intoxicants, second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree escape, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, attempting to elude a police officer, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, interfering with a police officer, reckless endangering, reckless driving and offensive littering, the publication informs.Dodge's spin-off brand, Ram, appears to want a slice of the growing mid-size pickup segment. Currently the light-commercial vehicle brand only has the full-size 1500 as well as the bigger 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 pickup trucks. But with the refreshed Chevy Colorado and US-spec Ford Ranger raking in sales in the US, Ram is looking to build their own contender in the lucrative segment.

In the recently concluded Fiat-Chrysler Capital Markets Association presentation, Sergio Marchionne, Chairman & CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), confirmed that they are in the process of building a new midsize pickup. No other details were mentioned other than it will go up against the similarly-sized competitors. In addition, it will be built in Mexico and will arrive in the US soon.

With nothing much to go on, it leaves plenty to the imagination as to what will the company come up with. There's the Fiat Fullback (also called the Ram 1200) which is essentially a rebadged Mitsubishi Strada. That would be a likely candidate but that model is made at Mitsubishi's Laem Chabang facility in Thailand. Plus, the Fullback is only sold in select European and Middle Eastern countries.

With that in mind, could we see the revival of the Dodge Dakota name? For those who are not in the know, the Dakota served as the smaller alternative to the then Dodge Ram range of pickup trucks. It was slightly larger than the old Ford Ranger and Chevy S-10 trucks but was a size smaller than the Ram itself. The last Dakota rolled off the factory floor in 2011 amidst falling demand for small and midsize pickups.

But with the resurgence of such pickup trucks, FCA plans to bank on that boom by making an all-new model that can go toe-to-toe with the Ranger, Colorado, and the like. While it's only destined for the US market, we won't be surprised if Ram offers it to other markets including the Philippines which now exempts pickups from the new excise tax.

In any case, the upcoming midsize pickup truck could just be the edge Ram needs to grab a bigger share of the market. Here's to hoping Ram will offer it here too.

Source: Road & TrackGA10 file photo

A GippsAero GA10 turbo Airvan was destroyed after a test flight on Monday when it crashed in the Mojave Desert, in southern California. Both pilots on board bailed out at about 5,000 feet AGL and landed safely under parachutes, according to news reports. Earle Boyter, a spokesperson for Mahindra Aerospace, the parent company of GippsAero, told AVwebhe couldnt confirm any details about what went wrong. This is in the early stages of an ongoing investigation, so no more details are available at this time, he said. Although the GA10 is a certified airplane, the aircraft that the crew was flying was an experimental, Boyter said. It was being flown in various configurations to expand the envelope, he said.

The airplane had taken off from Mojave Air & Space Port and crashed about 15 miles west of Edwards Air Force Base. It was owned by GippsAero, which is based in Australia. Boyter said Mahindra will be working with the NTSB and the FAA in their investigation to determine exactly what happened.Lava erupting from the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii destroyed hundreds of homes on Monday night, including the vacation home of Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim, the AP reports. The losses occurred in Vacationland and Kapoho Beach Lots, where lava is flowing into the sea.

The details: Scientists at the U.S. Geological Surveys Hawaiian Volcano Observatory also reportedly said lava has completely filled Kapoho Bay, swamped most of Vacationland and covered all but the northern part of Kapoho Beach Lots.

Why you'll hear about this again: The latest eruption began on May 3, and has shown no signs of slowing. Periodic eruptions of steam, ash and rocks from the volcano's sunken crater continue to occur, along with vigorous discharges of lava from more than a dozen fissures in the ground.

Hawaii was built by volcanoes like Kilauea, and this eruption is extending the Big Island's reach slightly by discharging lava into the sea.Israeli officials are actively lobbying the Trump administration to formally recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, according to reports from. Since Israel captured the Golan Heights plateau from Syria in the 1967 War, every subsequent attempt to negotiate peace between the two countries has revolved around the land's return.

Why it matters: While it is virtually unimaginable that Israel would withdraw from the Golan Heights, formal U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty would cement that reality, slaying another sacred cow of Middle East diplomacy while changing little on the ground. It would also be another political win for Prime Minister Netanyahu, already celebrating President Trumps withdrawal from the Iran deal and the U.S. embassy's move to Jerusalem.

As recently as 2011, Netanyahu was engaged in backchannel land-for-peace discussions with Syria. But the disastrous Syrian Civil War has convinced nearly all Israelis that the Golan Heights will never be returned  and shouldn't be. They see Syria as permanently unstable, enabling groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda to take root. Even worse, Israel sees Iran and its proxies trying to use Syrian territory as a base from which to attack Israel. Were any of those groups to gain access to the strategic high ground overlooking northern Israel, Israeli communities would be at risk.

But, but, but: The U.S. and Israel might each have a reason to hold off on formal recognition. U.S. partners among the Syrian opposition generally ignore the Golan issue, but even those who detest Bashar al-Assad might feel forced to pledge fealty to the goal of recovering Syrian territory lost to Israel. And Israels highest strategic priority  gaining Russias assistance in pushing Iranian military elements out of Syria  could be threatened if Russia saw a U.S. Golan Heights declaration as unnecessarily humiliating to their client, Assad.

Daniel Shapiro is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies and a former U.S. ambassador to Israel.By Rashid Shirinov

Projects on creation of greenhouses and beekeeping farms are being implemented in the Jojug Marjanli village of Azerbaijans Jabrayil region, the Economy Ministry informed on June 4.

The projects, implemented with joint organizational support of the ministry and Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan, are aimed at employment of the village residents and improvement of social welfare.

An event was held on the same day in Jojug Marjanli to better inform the villagers of the projects and familiarize with the progress in the village. Representatives of the Economy Ministry, Turkish Embassy, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and local residents attended the event.

Deputy Economy Minister Sahib Mammadov noted that the implementation of joint projects in Jojug Marjanli is another example of brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, and stressed the importance of the projects being implemented for the socio-economic development of the village and employment.

Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Erkan Ozoral, in turn, noted the importance of the joint projects in the development of agriculture and animal husbandry in the region.

In addition, Chief Executive of the Jabrayil region Kamal Hasanov said that the projects being implemented in Jojug Marjanli will contribute to its development and providing employment for its residents.

Coordinator of the TIKA Baku program Adem Urfa, in turn, mentioned that 15 tunnel type greenhouses with polyethylene coating will be built in the village and 150 beekeeping farms will be created for 15 families.

Within the joint programs, the greenhouses will be equipped with drip irrigation system, and the residents will be provided with seedlings, fertilizers and pesticides for growing vegetables as well as tools and equipment for plant care. These two projects will provide at least 30 jobs and 30 families with a stable income.

Jojug Marjanli was liberated by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces from the Armenian occupation in April 2016. In late January 2017, President Ilham Aliyev ordered to restore the village.

During the first phase of restoration, 50 private houses, a school, mosque, electric substation, hydrometeorological station, highway and other relevant infrastructure were constructed in Jojug Marjanli. The village was provided with gas, electricity and water supply. During the second phase of construction and restoration work and work on improvement and creation in Jojug Marjanli, new houses were built and infrastructure was enhanced in the village.

Currently, Jojug Marjanli attracts many business projects both of local and foreign entrepreneurs.

---

Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Sara Israfilbayova

Over the past five years, the European Union (EU) countries have invested more than $15 billion in Azerbaijans economy.

Azerbaijani Deputy Economy Minister Rufat Mammadov made the remarks at the EU-Azerbaijan business forum on June 5 in Baku.

He noted that more than 1,500 European companies are currently operating in Azerbaijan.

Economic cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan is constantly improving. Last year, the trade turnover between the EU and Azerbaijan amounted to 9.4 billion euros, which account ted for 32 percent of the total trade turnover of Azerbaijan. In the four months of this year, the trade turnover amounted to $3.7 billion, which is 15 percent more than in the same period last year. Over the past five years, the EU has invested $15.3 billion in the country, Mammadov said.

The deputy minister noted that Azerbaijan is also an important partner of the EU in the energy sector.

Azerbaijan provides five percent of the EU's oil needs. On May 29, we officially launched the Southern Gas Corridor project, which will provide Europe with Azerbaijani gas as well in the future, he said.

Mammadov noted that the parties continue to work on various cooperation programs, and since 1992 the EU has allocated about 600 million euros to Azerbaijan as technical support.

The deputy minister said Azerbaijan also pays great attention to the development of bilateral relations with the EU countries.

Up to now, Azerbaijan has signed agreements on avoidance of double taxation with 24 EU countries, and agreements on promotion and protection of investments with 17 countries. There are intergovernmental commissions with 16 countries. In addition, we have already signed agreements on strategic partnership with nine EU countries, Mammadov said.

Further, he stressed that another $1.1 billion will be invested in industrial parks operating in Azerbaijan.

Currently, $2.5 billion have been invested in industrial parks in Azerbaijan. Another $1.1 billion will be invested in industrial parks in the future, the deputy minister added.

The deputy minister also spoke about the successful implementation of the mechanism of investment promotion documents, holders of which are exempt from many taxes and receive various preferences.

To date, investment promotion documents have been issued as part of the implementation of 276 investment projects, totaling 2.5 billion manat ($1.47 billion), Mammadov said.



Addressing the event Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan Safar Mehdiyev said that the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the European Union continues to grow every year.

The head of the State Customs Committee noted that an increase is observed in both export and import operations between Azerbaijan and the EU this year.

Over the past five months of 2018, the trade turnover between the EU and Azerbaijan exceeded $5 billion. At the same time, exports to the EU increased by five percent compared to the same period last year, amounting to $3.7 billion, and imports rose by 41 percent, amounting to $936 million, Mehdiyev said.

Last year, the turnover of Azerbaijan with the EU countries amounted to $9.4 billion, an increase of 51.6 percent, compared with the end of 2016. Azerbaijans exports to the EU countries for the reporting period amounted to $7.45 billion, and imports - 1.94 billion.

The main trading partner of Azerbaijan among the EU countries in 2017 was Italy, which accounted for more than half of the trade with the EU countries - $4.7 billion.

In turn, the countrys Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov noted that there are still problems with the provision of complete and transparent reporting in Azerbaijan.

If we conduct a survey here, then it will become clear that 60-70 percent of business representatives are registered as payers of value added tax (VAT). But according to the statistics of the Ministry of Taxes, VAT payers account for just about three percent of all active taxpayers. As you know, according to the legislation of Azerbaijan, VAT payers are those whose annual turnover exceeds 200,000 manats ($117,600). Here we face three problems - the concealment of wages, turnover and reporting. Reforms in the legislation will be aimed at solving these problems, Jabbarov said.

The minister noted that the reforms will be aimed not only at increasing reporting requirements, but also in easing the tax burden, adding that the ministry will continue to reduce the number of field audits.

Taking his turn, Executive Director of Azerbaijans Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication Vusal Gasimli mentioned that the continued economic development in Azerbaijan has led to a revival in the financial and banking system.

As of the end of April 2018, the volume of assets of Azerbaijans banking sector remained stable. The trend of falling loan portfolio of the banks stopped, and the loan portfolios even increased, albeit insignificantly by 0.8 percent or 85 million manats ($50 million). The dollarization of the loan portfolio decreased from 41.3 percent to 39.6 percent, the share of liquid assets made up 22 percent of the total volume, and the external debt of the sector decreased by 40 percent. During the first four months of 2018, the capital injection into banks amounted to 313 million manats ($184 million), Gasimli added.

Further, speaking of oil prices, he stressed that despite the fact that oil prices currently hold at $80 per barrel, Azerbaijan should continue carrying out economic reforms, adding that this year, in the rating of Doing Business, we intend to become one of the reforming countries.

According to the Executive Director of the Center, in recent years, Azerbaijan has carried out successful reforms related to the organization of business, issuing permits for construction, access to loans, protecting the rights of investors and so on.

Head of the State Migration Service Vusal Huseynov said that the council will include representatives of such organizations as American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AmCham), the Azerbaijan-Turkey Business Association (ATIB), the German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce, as well as such companies as BP and SOCAR.

He said that the council will ensure more simplified and transparent process for issuing permits for the employment of foreign citizens in Azerbaijan.

All processes - from submitting documents to obtaining a final decision - will take place online, and it will be possible to monitor these processes from their start to finish, Huseynov said.

He also touched upon the issue of expanding the quota for obtaining permits, adding that entrepreneurs will be able to take an active part in the defining of quotas.

Agriculture Minister Inam Karimov, for his part noted that despite the large trade turnover volume between Azerbaijan and the EU countries, only a small proportion of agricultural products accounts for it.

Last year, Azerbaijan exported products for $7.4 billion to the EU and imported products worth $1.9 billion. However, the trade turnover of agricultural products is at a very low level. Increasing this indicator is our strategic goal, Karimov said.

The minister noted that the agricultural sector of Azerbaijan increased by 4.2 percent in 2017, and its share in the countrys GDP hit 5.6 percent, adding that agricultural exports increased by 39.8 percent in 2017.

---

Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Sara Israfilbayova

The State Committee on Property Issues of Azerbaijan to hold next auction on privatization of state property on July 3, where 105 state objects will be put up for sale.

The auction will offer 21 joint-stock companies, six small state enterprises and 78 non-residential areas.

Joint-stock companies are located in Baku, Aghjabadi, Astara, Yevlakh, Zagatala, Ujar, Tovuz and other cities and regions of the country.

Non-residential areas are located in the different districts of the capital.

The Committee held next auction on privatization of state property on June 5, where 190 state objects will be put up for sale.

The auction offered 21 joint-stock companies, 98 small state enterprises, 69 non-residential areas and two vehicles.

The properties are mainly located in Baku, Gabala, Khachmaz and other cities and regions of the country.

The portal for privatization  privatization.az, launched in July 2016, reflects all necessary information about the facilities, their addresses, location, and even initial cost and aims at facilitation of the process. The website is available in two languages - Azerbaijani and English. Why Azerbaijan is special section available on the website explains the reasons and advantages of investing in the country.

The privatization process is designed to attract both foreign and local investors, as well as develop the business environment of Azerbaijan.

Moreover, the State Committee on Property Issues held the first electronic auction on July 4.

The electronic auction service, which is available on the website privatization.az, combines the privatization procedure of vehicles and equipment. In the future, it will be possible to privatize small state enterprises and facilities, joint-stock companies through electronic auction. Now, the corresponding work in programming is being implemented.

---

Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzDalit ward member killed, three women held

A Dalit ward member of Naraharinath Rural Municipaliy-9 in Kalikot district was beaten to death in her own house on Saturday night.By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum has signed an agreement on cooperation with the Russian State Museum of Oriental Art.

Within the framework of the agreement, a number of projects will be implemented. In particular, the Russian State Museum of Oriental Art will conduct a scientific study of Azerbaijan's ancient cultural monuments, Trend Life reported.

The work will be carried out to present these exhibits as samples of the material and national cultural heritage.

Director of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, chairman of ICOM National Committee Azerbaijan, Ph.D. in art criticism Shirin Melikova noted that the negotiations were conducted since 2016.

"The Russian State Museum of Oriental Art, famous for its rich collection, displays works by famous artists, including works by famous national painters as well as national art samples, carpets and carpet products. There are many valuable exhibits of material and cultural heritage of our people. The attribution of these exhibits, the organization of bilateral exhibitions, scientific research, research of a rich and magnificent collection will be a great step for our culture," said Melikova.

Azerbaijan Carpet Museum established in Baku in 1967, being the first carpet museum in the world, is the very place that can familiarize all the interested with the unique examples of the national carpets.

The museum is home to one of the most extensive rug and carpet collections in the world.

A new carpet museum, designed in the form of a rolled carpet, opened in the Baku Seaside Park in 2014 and all carpets were transferred to this museum.

The State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow is the only museum in Russia that collects, preserves, researches and promotes artworks of the Asian region. It holds a collection of masterpieces from over a hundred countries of Asia and Africa.

It is located in the center of Moscow in the historical building known as the Lunins House, a private residence built in the early 19th century by the famous architect Domenico Gilardi.

The permanent display of the Museum includes galleries of Chinese, Japanese, Korean art; Southeast Asia and Vietnam; The Caucasus and Middle Asia, including a profound collection of fine art; Iranian art, India, and Buddhist countries of Central Asia. The State Museum of Oriental Arts holds an outstanding collection of art of Nicholas Roerich, world famous painter, theosophist and writer, and his son Svyatoslav Roerich, most of which is on display.

The Museum preserves a wide archeological collection which also includes applied art of the Northern people of Russia.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on measures to build the Mingachevir-station Mingachevir-Bahramtepe (36 kilometers)-Goyunbinesi-Hajimahmudlu-Nurallar-Garamanli-Nemirli highway in the Yevlakh district.

Under the decree, 3 million manats will be allocated from the funds provided for construction and reconstruction of highways in the 2018 state budget to the State Agency of Highways to build the Mingachevir-station Mingachevir-Bahramtepe (36 kilometers)-Goyunbinesi-Hajimahmudlu-Nurallar-Garamanli-Nemirli highway, which connects five settlements with a population of 2,000 people.

The Finance Ministry is instructed to provide financing in the amount indicated in the order, while the Cabinet of Ministers is tasked to resolve issues arising from the order.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has today signed a decree on implementation of the Law on Free Economic Zone of Alat.

Under the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers was instructed within three months to develop proposals on bringing the laws and acts of the President of Azerbaijan in line with the Law on Free Economic Zone of Alat and submit it to the head of state; in a three-month period to ensure bringing the regulatory and legal acts of the Cabinet of Ministers in line with this law and inform the President of Azerbaijan; to control bringing of normative legal acts of the central executive authorities into conformity with the law and within five months inform the head of state; to resolve other issues arising from this law.

The Azerbaijani Justice Ministry was instructed to ensure that the regulatory and legal acts of the central executive authorities and normative acts are brought in line with the Law on the Free Economic Zone of Alat, and inform the Cabinet of Ministers.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of Region Agro LLC in Goranboy district.

Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state of the enterprise.

The president then met with the staff of the enterprise.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a federal law ratifying an agreement on development of military-technical cooperation with Kyrgyzstan, RIA Novosti reported.

The document was signed on June 20, 2017 and ratified by Kyrgyzstan's parliament on Dec. 21, 2017.

The agreement stipulates improvement of the mechanism of supply of military products, provision of armed forces, military formations and special services with highly effective weapons systems, as well as formation of a technical component of the collective security system.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Kamila Aliyeva

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) exported 25,306 million tons of oil in January-May 2018, which is 12.01 percent more than in the same period of 2017, according to the CPC data, Kazinform reported.

In May 2018, the volume of oil exports of CPC amounted to 5.29 million tons against 4,872 million tons in the corresponding month of the previous year.

In 2018, the consortium plans to pump 67 million tons through its pipeline system. It is estimated that about 60 million of them will be produced in Kazakhstan, and about 7 million is expected to be received from Russian producers. An almost two-fold increase in oil consumption from Kashagan to 13 million tons is planned.

Caspian Pipeline Consortium was established to build a pipeline and export Kazakh oil through Russian territory.

CPC exported 55,107 million tons of oil in January- December 2017, showing a 24.4 percent increase compared to 2016.

CPC owns 1,511 km long pipeline system that connects the oil fields in Western Kazakhstan with the Marine Terminal near Russian Novorossiysk. In 2017 the Caspian Pipeline Consortium will complete the Expansion Project and which will increase its capacity to 67 million tons of oil per annum. Kazakh producer will account for 56 million tons of that volume and Russian producers - for 11 million tons.

CPC Shareholders: Russia (represented by Transneft  24 percent and CPC Company  7 percent)  31 percent; Kazakhstan (represented by KazMunaiGaz  19 percent and Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures LLC  1.75 percent)  20.75 percent; Chevron Caspian Pipeline Consortium Company  15 percent, LUKARCO B.V.  12.5 percent, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company  7.5 percent, Rosneft-Shell Caspian Ventures Limited  7.5 percent, BG Overseas Holding Limited  2 percent, Eni International N.A. N.V.  2 percent  Oryx Caspian Pipeline LLC  1.75 percent.

The volume of CPC shipment of oil for export in 2017 was 55,107 million tons, which is 24.4 percent more than in 2016.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Kamila Aliyeva

GM Uzbekistan is working on the issues of launching the assembly of its cars in two cities of Kyrgyzstan - Osh and Bishkek.

We signed a memorandum with the Kyrgyz side on increasing sales of our cars, including through a potential assembly organization. This is one of the priority markets for us, as a new transport corridor Uzbekistan - Kyrgyzstan - China was recently opened. This route is interesting from the side that shortens the travel time for our components, and, naturally, the assembly of the car will be cheaper, head of Uzavtosanoat Umidzhan Salimov said.

The company's working group had already visited Kyrgyzstan four times and inspected the sites proposed for assembly, he noted.

Now we are studying the issue of the economic feasibility of the project. This is important, since one of the directions of the modern car industry is the priority on profitability; all that we do should be calculated in terms of revenue generation. Therefore, we conduct joint miscalculations with the Ministry of Economy of Kyrgyzstan, Salimov explained.

GM Uzbekistan plans to establish an assembly of Nexia (R3) in Kyrgyzstan. The priority area for the location of production is Osh, not Bishkek.

In Osh, the production site is much more economically feasible, since it is located right in the center of the transport hub, it's literally two hours by car from us. Bishkek is more difficult from the point of view of logistics. If the calculations show expediency, we will most likely choose Osh, he added.

GM Uzbekistan, formerly known as UzDaewooAuto, was created in 1996 on a parity basis by Uzbekistan and South Korean Daewoo Motors.

In 2005, Uzbekistan acquired Daewoo's shares in UzDaewooAuto. Two years later Uzavtoprom (Uzbek Association of Automotive Industry Enterprises) and the U.S.-based General Motors signed an agreement to establish the GM Uzbekistan with an authorized capital of $266.7 million. GM had previously held a 25 percent stake in the joint venture. At the moment, only 10 percent belong to GM. Until the end of the year, the U.S. corporation will sell the remaining stake in the company.

In the coming years, the company intends to take a dominant role in the automobile market of Kazakhstan through an alliance with the Kazakh Allur Group of Companies JSC, and also to strengthen its position in the Russian market, including through the possible creation of an assembly plant near St. Petersburg.

To date, GM Uzbekistan manufactures eight models at its three production sites in Asaka, Khorezm and Tashkent under the Chevrolet and Ravon brands.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Kamila Aliyeva

The Uzbek National Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs signed a loan agreement for $ 250 million with the state-owned China Development Bank (CDB).

The signing took place in Beijing, on June 5, on the eve of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which will be held on June 9-10 in Qingdao.

The new loan agreement provides for financing of both large projects and small and medium-sized business projects that involve the supply of high-tech equipment to Uzbekistan, aimed at creating import-substituting and export-oriented industries.

The credit line of the bank is available to entrepreneurs of all regions of Uzbekistan.

This agreement became possible thanks to the long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation established between the two countries, which received a new impetus after the state visit of the Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to China on May 11-13, 2017.

During the period of joint cooperation since 2006, the National Bank has attracted 5 credit lines of the CDB, within the framework of which more than 450 projects in various sectors of the economy, that is tourism, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, textiles, agriculture, including deep processing of fruits and vegetables products, have been financed, the Uzbek National Bank said.

China Development Bank provides various banking and financial products and services in the Peoples Republic of China and internationally. The company operates through Banking, Equity Investment, Leasing, and Securities segments.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzAsadi Samani further referred to recent remarks by Iran Air chief Farzaneh Sharafbafi that the planes of Iranian airliners are expected to be refused fuel at some foreign airports under US impending sanctions, and said this is not the first time we are going to be targeted by such sanctions and that we can manage this.We should wait and see what the future might hold, he added.

US President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that Washington was walking away from the nuclear agreement, which was reached in 2015 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. The US sanctions have a 180-day period during which buyers should "wind down" purchases. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAzBy Trend

The Iranian Minister of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare said there are grounds for further expansion of cooperation between Iran and Kazakhstan.



In the past, Iran and Kazakhstan had signed a memorandum of understanding in the area of job safety, Ali Rabiei, who is in Geneva attending the 107th session of the international labor conference, said during a meeting with Kazak counterpart Madina Abylkassymova on June 5.



He added that the two countries have the potential to increase the level of their mutual cooperation as both enjoy many cultural, religious and social commonalities.



Iran and Kazakhstan can jointly cooperate in the fields of skilled manpower, technical and vocational training, labor market, and combating poverty, the Iranian minister said.



Madina, for her part, called for enhanced cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the arenas of delivering technology and organizing manpower.



The annual conference, taking place from May 28 to June 8 brings together the tripartite delegations from the organizations 187 member states to consider a series of topics related to the world of work, placed on its agenda by the Governing Body of the International Labor Organization [ILO].

---Dispute takes regulation off House agenda

The regulation of the House of Representatives, which was scheduled to be tabled for approval on Monday, was withdrawn from the House agenda in the last moment after the main opposition Nepali Congress threatened to obstruct the business if it was put to the vote without consensus.The Management Board of AS Silvano Fashion Group, registry code 10175491, registered address Tulika 15/17, 10613 Tallinn, (hereinafter SFG) convenes an annual general meeting of shareholders on 28 June 2018 at 10:00 (Estonian time) in Radisson Blu Hotel Olumpia conference hall Gamma, address Liivalaia 33, 10118 Tallinn, Estonia.



The registration of participants of the General Meeting starts at 09:30 (Estonian time) at the venue of the meeting.



I Agenda

Pursuant to the resolution adopted by the SFG Group's Supervisory Board on 22 May 2018, the general meeting will have the following agenda:



1. Approval of the 2017 Annual Report of AS Silvano Fashion Group;

2. Distribution of the 2017 profit of AS Silvano Fashion Group;

3. Election of the auditor of AS Silvano Fashion Group for 2018 and 2019 fiscal years and determination of auditors fee;

4. Extension of authority of the member of the supervisory board;

5. Amendments to the Articles of Association;

6. Reduction of the share capital of AS Silvano Fashion Group.



II Proposals of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board



The Management Board and the Supervisory Board make the following proposals to the shareholders with regard to the agenda:

1. Approval of the 2017 Annual Report of AS Silvano Fashion Group

Proposal of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board:

1.1. To approve the 2017 Annual Report of AS Silvano Fashion Group.

2. Distribution of the 2017 profit of AS Silvano Fashion Group

Proposal of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board:

2.1. To approve the profit of the 2017 financial year in amount of EUR 10 914 000;

2.2. To make no allocations from the 2017 profit of AS Silvano Fashion Group into the reserve capital of AS Silvano Fashion Group. Following the reduction of the share capital, the reserve capital of AS Silvano Fashion Group will correspond to the requirements provided in Article 336(2) of the Estonian Commercial Code;

2.3. To distribute the profit by paying dividends to the shareholders of AS Silvano Fashion Group as follows:

2.3.1. Shareholders entitled to dividends include persons entered in the Companys share register on 17 July 2018 as at the end of the working day of the settlement system. The ex-date is 16 July 2018; as of this date a person who acquired shares is not entitled to dividends for the 2017 financial year.

2.3.2. EUR 0.20.- per share shall be payable to the entitled shareholders as a dividend at the latest on 24 July 2018;

2.4. To allocate the rest of the profit of AS Silvano Fashion Group from the 2017 financial year into the undistributed profit of previous periods.



3. Election of the auditor of AS Silvano Fashion Group for 2018 and 2019 fiscal years and determination of auditors fee

Proposal of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board:

3.1. To elect audit company Ernst&Young Baltic AS (registry code 10877299, address Ravala puiestee 4, 10143 Tallinn) as the auditor of AS Silvano Fashion Group.

3.2. To authorize the Management Board of AS Silvano Fashion Group to sign an auditing agreement with the audit company AS Ernst&Young Baltic for the auditing of AS Silvano Fashion Group 2018 and 2019 business activities.



4. Extension of authority of the member of the supervisory board



Proposal of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board:

4.1 To extend authority of the supervisory board member Mr. Mart Mutso for the

next term of authority starting from 1 July 2018 till 30 June 2023.



5. Amendments to the Articles of Association



To amend the articles of Association due to the reason that the share capital of the Company will be changed:

5.1. To amend the first sentence of Section 2.1 of the Articles of Association of the Company and approve the sentence of Section 2.1 in the following wording:

5.1.1. The minimum amount of the share capital of the Company shall be EUR three million six hundred thousand(3,600,000) and the maximum amount of the share capital shall be EUR fourteen million four hundred thousand (14,400,000).

5.2. To amend the second sentence of Section 2.2 of the Articles of Association of the Company and approve the second sentence of Section 2.2 in the following wording:

5.2.1. The nominal value of each share is 0.10 euros.

5.3. To approve the new version of the Articles of Association as attached.



6. Reduction of the share capital of AS Silvano Fashion Group



Proposal of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board:



6.1. The share capital will be decreased by reducing the book value of the shares

by 0.20 euros per share.

6.2. Upon decrease of the share capital to make payments to the shareholders in the amount of 0.20 euros per share. No payments shall be made to the Company for own shares. The payments to the shareholders shall be made no sooner than three months after the registration of the reduction of the share capital with the commercial register, but, at the latest, three months and 14 calendar days after the registration of the reduction of the share capital with the commercial register, provided that the claims of creditors who submitted their claims during the term are secured or satisfied.

6.3. The share capital is decreased to improve the structure of capital in order to bring the amount of the share capital into alignment with the volume of business and strategic goals. The reduced amount of the share capital is in compliance with the requirements set out by the legislation and the articles of association.

6.4. The list of shareholders who shall be entitled to payments as a result of the decreasing of the share capital will be fixed as of 17 July 2018 as at the end of the working day of the settlement system. The ex-date is 16 July 2018: as of this date a person who acquired shares is not entitled to payments as a result of the decrease of share capital.



III Organizational questions

The list of the shareholders entitled to participate in the ordinary general meeting shall be fixed 7 days prior to the date of the General Meeting, i.e. on 21 June 2018 as at the end of the working day of the settlement system. (Estonian time).

At the General Meeting, a shareholder is entitled to receive information from the Management Board about the activities of SFG. The Management Board may decide to withhold information if there is a reason to believe that the disclosure of information may cause significant damage to the interests of SFG. If the Management Board refuses to disclose information, the shareholder may demand from the General Meeting to adopt a resolution regarding to the lawfulness of the information request or file a petition to a court of law within two weeks of the General Meeting requesting the court for the ruling requiring the Management Board to disclose the information.

The shareholders whose shares represent at least 1/20 of the share capital may request for additional items to be included in the agenda of the General Meeting, if the respective request is submitted in writing at least 15 days prior to the General Meeting.

The shareholders whose shares represent at least 1/20 of the share capital may present their draft resolutions to each item in the agenda in writing no later than 3 days before the General Meeting.

Draft resolution regarding to the agenda items and other documents presented to the General Meeting (including annual report, report of the sworn auditor, profit distribution proposal and report of the Supervisory Board) are available for examination on every working day as of the notification of the General Meeting until the business day preceding the day of the General Meeting at the headquarters of the Company at Tulika 15/17, Tallinn on business days from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. (Estonian time).

On the day of the General Meeting the materials related to the agenda of the General Meeting are available for examination at the venue of the General Meeting as of the opening of registration of participants until the end of the General Meeting. In order to examine the documents: (1) the shareholders who are natural persons are required to present a document verifying their identity and their representatives are additionally required to present the power of attorney in written form; (2) the representatives of the shareholders who are legal entities shall present (a) an extract from the registry where the legal entity is registered; and (b) a document verifying the identity of representative; and (c) in case of representation on the basis of proxy, also a power of attorney.

Documents and data which are disclosed according to Article 2941 of the Estonian Commercial Code, including the Annual Report, report of the sworn auditor, profit distribution proposal, report of the Supervisory Board, draft resolutions regarding to the agenda items, data on the Companys shares and voting rights related to the shares as of the date of the notice on the convening of the General Meeting and the templates of power of attorney are available on the homepage of the Company: http://www.silvanofashion.com.

The following documents must be submitted to participate in the General Meeting:

- the shareholders who are natural persons shall present a document verifying their identity and their representatives shall present the power of attorney in written form;

- the representatives of the shareholders who are legal entities shall present (a) an extract from the registry where the legal entity is registered; and (b) a document verifying the identity of representative; (c) in case of representation on the basis of proxy, also a power of attorney.

Unless otherwise provided by a foreign agreement, a document issued by a foreign authority shall be duly apostilled or legalized. Documents in foreign language should be accompanied by the translation into Estonian, verified by relevant institution.

Prior to the General Meeting the shareholder may notify the Company of the appointment of a representative or the revocation of the representative's authority by sending a digitally signed e-mail message to info@silvanofashion.com or by delivering the information in person on workdays between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Estonian time) or via mail to AS Silvano Fashion Group, Tulika 15/17, 10613 Tallinn, Estonia by 5 p.m. (Estonian time) on the business day preceding the day of the General Meeting.

For any information regarding the general meeting of the shareholders or the agenda items, please contact Jarek Sargava (e-mail info@silvanofashion.com; phone +372 6845 000).





Jarek Sargava

Member of the Board

Silvano Fashion Group

E-mail: info@silvanofashion.com

Tel: +372 684 5000; Fax: +372 684 5300

Address: Tulika 15/17, 10613 Tallinn, Estonia

http://www.silvanofashion.com

Central Oregon Coast Summer Programs Include Lighthouse Tours, Guided Walks

Published 06/03/2018 at 6:05 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff





(Yachats, Oregon)  An amazing array of summer activities on the central Oregon coast are happening in and around the Yachats area, where the outdoors as well as a famed lighthouse play a major part. The Cape Perpetua area is hosting a huge of number of guided walks or programs, often daily or every weekend. The Heceta Head Lighthouse will be open for daily exploration. To top it off, the enormously popular daily kayak tours of Beaver Creek near Ona Beach return for the summer.

Every Monday throughout the summer you can Walk with a Ranger at Cape Perpetua. These guided hikes are approximately one hour, on easy to moderate trails starting from the visitor center. Learn secrets of the cape and local flora and fauna from a retired chief park ranger. They happen each day 12 p.m.

On Fridays and Saturdays beginning June 15, the campgrounds at Cape Perpetua will be offering special programs. If youre going camping with the kids, they will be excited about Junior Ranger evening programs being offered at various campgrounds along the central Oregon coast (call visitor center for times and locations: 541-547-3289.)

Starting June 9, just about every day in the summer (except Wednesdays) features free guided tours of the Heceta Head Lightstation near Florence. These take place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The lighthouse, built around 1894, will be open for you to explore as the guide tells you about its illustrious history and how it worked. Heceta Lightstation is 14 miles south of Yachats on US 101. $5/vehicle/day use fee or valid OSP parking pass or Oregon Coast Passport. 866-547-3696.

Starting July 1, the Beaver Creek Kayak Tours take people on a daily sojourn around one of the central Oregon coasts most beloved riverways. They begin at the Beaver Creek Welcome Center, located 1.2 miles east of Hwy 101. Beaver Creek Road is between milepost 148 and 149 on Hwy 101 directly across from Ona Beach State Park (about 15 miles north of Yachats). Tour length is four hours total, with an estimated 2.5 hrs. of paddling. Participants may not use their own kayaks, paddles, or PFDs.

Paddling on Beaver Creek through a freshwater marsh is the perfect way to enjoy nature in a peaceful, tranquil environment. The marsh is home to many types of wildlife, especially migratory birds and waterfowl. The tour will pause often to point out interesting natural and cultural features in the park. This tour is great for beginners and kayakers of all levels. The creek is slow moving and not affected by ocean tides. The Beaver Creek Marsh offers participants an incredible opportunity to glimpse at the complexity and biodiversity of a healthy wetland marsh ecosystem.

They run 8 a.m. to noon just about every single day until September 3. There are 10 kayaks available for this outing, seven singles and three tandems.

The cost is $20 per person: reservations can be made online at oregonstateparks.org. Yachats Hotels - Lodging for these events - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours



















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All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permittedWhile Riceland Farms scouts locations for a proposed slaughterhouse, a Hardin County-focused Facebook group has brewed opposition against the project with as much of the comment about religion as well as environmental concerns, using methods that spooked a public official to call the police on June 29.

Silsbee Economic Development Corp. Director Jacquetta Walker said she took the posting of her home address - and when that was deleted, instructions on how to look it up - as an "indirect" threat.

Walker doesn't believe the person who posted her address to social media necessarily meant harm but that someone else could have seen the post and showed up at her home.

"At the end of the day, I'm a mom," Walker said. "I called the police."

Silsbee Police Chief Mark Davis said no crime was committed.

"We've discussed some concerns that (Walker) has, but at this point there's no crime that's occurred," Davis said.

"We've encouraged her to follow up with us if something changes."

Riceland Farms' proposed meat-processing plant would be the first commercial-scale slaughterhouse in the area and employ up to 200 people, a company official has said.

It faltered amid high infrastructure costs in Chambers County and was rejected in Port Arthur, where residents said they were concerned with a possible smell and impacts to water and sewer systems.

The Facebook page, "Hardin County United Against Riceland Halal Meat Packing Plant," formed last week after newspaper reports surfaced that Riceland Farms was eyeing potential sites in Kountze, Silsbee and Lumberton, as well as Newton, Dallas and possibly elsewhere.

Walker said she was doing her job by investigating whether Silsbee and the $7.6 million proposal were a good fit.

Lumberton's Jamie Chizer, who started the Facebook group and has talked with officials to gather facts about the proposal, said she has considered deleting the page but doesn't want to silence the community.

Chizer and six other administrators instead delete vulgar posts, she said.

"I think (the page is) helpful and it's hurtful," Chizer said. "Honesty is always important on how people feel. As someone who seeks out truth on everything, I have a hard time squashing people's personal opinions even though I've had to (delete posts)."

A company official has said Riceland would hold community forums to gauge interest once it whittled down possible locations. Meanwhile, rumors are bouncing around as outrage festers in a digital echo chamber.

The page, with almost 3,400 members, is a stew of insults, distrust and conspiracy theories mixed in with seemingly genuine fact-finding efforts.

None of the posters seem to be affiliated with the project, and members who show support are submerged.

"... is a liberal he don't sTand for what we do he probably has a rainbow flag flying and a prayer rug in his house stay in austin you liberal punk," one user wrote.

Much of the page's angst focuses on religion, with Southeast Texans shredding their welcome mats amid anti-Muslim rhetoric at a time when the Republican nominee for president is toying with policy to ban Muslims from moving to the United States.

"If one will research the ultimate motives of Muslims and look at their history, you will see that what they are offering will look appealing and good. But the ultimate goal is not beneficial to our way of life," one user wrote.

The project is backed by the Javed family, who own Beaumont-based Starco Implex, a national distribution network.

Tahir Javed, CEO of Riceland Health Care in Winnie, hosted a fundraiser for presumed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at his Beaumont home earlier this year.

"If someone is closed-minded enough to make a business decision based on someone's interest in a political party, that person is ignorant," said former Congressman Nick Lampson, the Javeds' business partner and the project's spokesman. "The proposal has nothing to do with religion. It has everything to do with making money."

The company originally said it would use the halal method to slaughter the cattle, sheep and goats it plans to process. But Riceland plans to sell its meat to a Houston-based businessman who serves a Hispanic market, so that's not a necessity, Lampson said.

Lampson said the company would process pork if a market for it exists.

That may not be enough to assuage some of the Hardin County opponents.

"I just don't want them in My town.. And I'm saying that out loud and up front.. Plenty of room for them in your neck of the woods ... ?? (Shoot) them an invite," one user wrote, using parentheses to emphasize the word "shoot.".

EBesson@BeaumontEnterprise.comTwitter.com/EricBesson_newsTexas has removed the most Confederate symbols and statues in the country since 2015, according to a new study, but the trend does not extend to Southeast Texas or to the state Capitol, where lawmakers have been reluctant to take down monuments and plaques.

PHOTOS: See symbols, statues that have been removed in the slideshow above

Texas cities removed 31 symbols, which include statues and the renaming of schools and streets, according to the report from the Southern Poverty Law Center. Austin led the way, with the removal of 10 symbols, the majority of them on the UT campus. Houston renamed seven schools and one street.

In Beaumont, City Council members this past August couldnt reach a consensus on the Our Confederate Soldiers monument in Wiess Park, leaving future changes or movements of the more than 100-year-old statue up for debate. The monument was vandalized last year with the word hate written across the base in red.

At least two public protests have happened in the past six months at the Confederate Memorial of the Wind monument on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Orange. The protestors said they want the Sons of Confederate Veterans to take down the monument, which was constructed in 2013 on privately owned land.

Other Confederate sites in Southeast Texas include a statue of Dick Dowling at the Sabine Pass Battleground State Historical Park and a monument on Ohio Street in Beaumont that marks the location of a Confederate campsite.

The names of Port Arthur ISDs Robert E. Lee and Dick Dowling elementary schools have remained unchanged despite efforts to rename the campuses. Evadale ISD continues to use a Confederate flag on school signs and equipment, and the districts mascot is the Rebels.

Cities in Texas and across the country have removed hundreds of symbols following the mass shooting at a black church in Charleston in 2015, which prompted lawmakers in South Carolina to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse. A renewed effort to remove the symbols came this past August after a violent rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

As a consequence of the national reflection that began in Charleston, the myths and revisionist history surrounding the Confederacy may be losing their grip in the South, the Southern Poverty Law Center argues in its report. Yet, for the most part, the symbols remain.

Despite removing dozens of symbols, Texas still has the second-highest number of Confederate memorials in the country. The State Capitol alone has about a dozen Confederate icons, according to estimates by the State Preservation Board.

Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, has been pushing to remove a plaque near his office that claims slavery was not the cause of the Civil War.

More than nine months after Johnson called for the plaques removal, Gov. Greg Abbotts staff is still studying the issue.

Attorney General Ken Paxton recently asked 13 individuals  from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Preservation Board Executive Director Rod Welsh to Capitol Curator Ali James  to submit information by today if they have a special interest or expertise in the subject matter, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Alejandra.Matos@chron.comDespite riled-up opposition from Tyler County residents, East Texas Packing LLC on Tuesday stressed its commitment to bringing a meat processing facility to the area.

East Texas Packing CEO Danny Stanley released a statement addressing residents' concerns, which include potential environmental problems like odor.

Stanley said the facility is expected to begin operations this fall. The company is ready to accept local bids for construction at its Tyler County Industrial Park site, he said.

Woodville's city council approved a memorandum of understanding with East Texas Packing during a special city council meeting on Feb. 6.

The 39-acre tract of land was sold by the Tyler County Industrial Corp. on April 19.

The project is backed by the Javed family, which owns the Beaumont-based Starco Implex national distribution network in addition to Riceland Healthcare in Winnie and Riceland Farms.

Earlier, when the company was trying to locate the facility in other Southeast Texas communities, it had a price tag of $7.6 million.

"This facility has been purposefully designed to fit the needs of Tyler County, and we look forward to being a good neighbor, a good employer and a growing business in East Texas," Stanley said.

Stanley said the company "will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, age, disability, or genetics" in hiring.

Stanley said the facility will initially employ 65 to 100 people, all of whom will be hired locally, he said.

Woodville mayor Russ Nalley said he won't take a stance on the facility until he directly hears from Stanley and East Texas Packing. Nalley did not oppose the agreement approved on Feb. 6.

"There are still a lot of unanswered questions," Nalley said. "I want companies like this to spend money in Woodville, but it needs to be done the right way."

Others, like Tyler County Judge Jacques Blanchette and U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-Woodville), actively oppose the facility.

Blanchette said in a statement Tuesday that county government has no authority to stop the building of the facility, but he encouraged Tyler County residents to fight it.

In the statement, Blanchette said the phones in his office "have rung continuously over the past few days" with calls from citizens opposing the facility.

"We encourage our citizens to appeal to the owners who wish to build their facility here in the hopes they will withdraw their intentions of locating in Tyler County," Blanchette said.

Babin, a Woodville native, "strongly opposed" the meat processing plant in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Brad Tolar, a lifelong Woodville resident, also is concerned about what he expects to be an "unbearable" stench from the facility.

Stanley said "new technology" will quell those types of environmental concerns.

"Top of the line equipment, processing method, and an enclosed animal holding facility installed with an advanced odor-neutralizing carbon filtration system will significantly reduce the odor and waste traditionally associated with meat processing plants," Stanley said.

Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly said a meat processing facility planned for Tyler County by East Texas Packing LLC will adhere to Muslim law in its meat preparation. A company representative said the operation will not produce halal meat or have any religious affiliation. The Enterprise apologizes for the error.An Orange County judge this week declared a mistrial during jury selection for the retrial of a Beaumont man convicted of murdering a 16-year-old girl in 2014, after potential jurors said they had already made up their minds about his guilt.

Kelvin Lee Roy, 36, was set for a second trial in Orange County's 163rd District Court Monday after the Ninth Court of Appeals overturned his conviction last spring.

Roy killed Alexandria Bertrand when he crashed into the back of a stopped Honda minivan carrying Bertrand and her mother, April, at Main Street and Old U.S. 90 in Vidor on Feb. 7, 2014.

Roy was sentenced to 75 years in prison. Last February, the state's Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that Judge Dennis Powell should have instructed the jury to consider the lesser charge of intoxication manslaughter in addition to murder. That sent the case back to the appeals court, which determined that it should be retried.

During jury selection Monday, "there were too many folks that had heard about the case," Powell said, leaving too few possible jurors to find "an unbiased and fair" panel. He declared a mistrial and reset the case.

"It's called busting a panel. It happens every once in a while when you lose too many jurors," Powell said.

"There were a number of people who said they had already formed an opinion about the case," said Ryan Gertz, Roy's attorney. "Those people were not going to make the jury."

"Nineteen other people who had knowledge of the case said they hadn't formed an opinion," Gertz said, but he was concerned that "once we started inquiring more, we would end up busting the panel."

The Orange County District Attorney's Office declined to comment Tuesday because the case is ongoing.

A hearing is scheduled next week to determine whether the case can proceed in Orange County. Gertz said he anticipates asking for a change of venue.

"The current plan is to try and set it and maybe try a larger panel," Powell said. The larger courtroom in Orange County can hold up to 150 people, which would allow him to call more potential jurors.

"It's hard to tell what sticks in people's minds," he said. "I just didn't foresee it to be a case that would need a bigger courtroom."

Roy was driving with his girlfriend, Taralynn Brown, on Feb. 7, 2014, when he ran his white Mercury Sable into a minivan stopped at a Vidor intersection. Bertrand, a passenger in the minivan, was ejected from the vehicle and killed.

During Roy's first trial, prosecutor Krispen Walker argued that Roy "suddenly snapped'" while driving and began muttering and smoking a cigarette that had been dipped in PCP, according to the state appeals court ruling. He was swerving and speeding and refused Brown's "repeated and frantic requests" to stop, Judge Michael E. Keasler wrote.

According to the ruling, "Roy told Brown, 'Oh, you're scared? I'm going to kill both of us. I'm going to kill both of us,'" and then accelerated toward train tracks where two cars were stopped. "His car flew through the air and crashed into another car," the Bertrands' vehicle, Keasler wrote.

Roy's "intent to cause serious bodily injury" to Brown was transferred to Bertrand, allowing for the elevated charge of murder rather than manslaughter.

During testimony, Roy "stated that he blacked out while driving and had no memory of the crash." He said he knew the risks of driving while smoking marijuana and dipped cigarettes and drinking, but "chose to drive that night."

A jury "could rationally find that Roy did not intend to harm Brown and that his reckless behavior caused Bertrand's death" based on the evidence presented in the trial, Keasler wrote, warranting the instruction to consider manslaughter in addition to murder.

The maximum sentence for intoxication manslaughter is 20 years in prison.

LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.com

Twitter.com/LizTeitzTen months after Harvey ravaged the Texas Gulf coast, the states General Land Office said this month it wants to know what concerns and needs impacted homeowners and renters are still facing.

The GLO and UT Austin have launched a survey  harveysurvey.com  to assess ongoing housing problems. The results of the questionnaire will help the GLO identify how best to allocate federal funding for recovery in the 49 counties impacted by the August 2017 storm.Currently Reading

What to know about the proposed slaughterhouse in Southeast TexasShakya is the founder CEO of beed, an international management consulting and advisory firm. He is the author of Unleashing Nepal and Unleashing The Vajra.Here are 24 new ASCs that opened or were announced over the past month.

1. Marietta, Ga.-based WellStar Health broke ground on an outpatient surgery center May 1. The center is expected to be completed in August 2019.

2. The Surgery Center at Shrewsbury (Mass.) opened May 24, becoming the first new center in Massachusetts since the state lifted a moratorium preventing new centers in 2017.

3. A judge ruled in favor of Annapolis, Md.-based Anne Arundel Medical Center's bid to develop a cardiac surgery center.

4. Boulder (Colo.) Community Health is building a 30,000-square-foot medical office building next to its Community Medical Center in Lafayette, Colo. The health system could break ground on the office space by the end of this year, contingent on approval from the city of Lafayette.

5. Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Triad Center for Surgery applied to build an ASC with two ORs and three procedure rooms at an unspecified site for $7.2 million.

6. Greensboro, N.C.-based Cone Health sought approval for a 15,500-square-foot ASC with two ORs, a gastroenterology endoscopy room and a procedure room in Kernsersville, N.C., for $12.7 million.

7. Tampa, Fla.-based Physician Partners of America is constructing two multispeciality healthcare facilities in Orlando, Fla., and Merritt Island, Fla., that will both prominently feature ASCs. Each campus will tout a 9,060-square-foot ASC as well as more than 4,600 square feet of medical offices.

8. The Eye Surgery Center of Knoxville (Tenn.) recently opened the Eye Surgery Center in Powell (Tenn.). The center was completed in January.

9. Regent Surgical Health partnered with 14 physicians to open a joint venture surgery center, Oregon Surgical Institute in Beaverton. The new facility is 14,000 square feet and designed as a center of excellence for orthopedics, total joint replacements and spine surgery. The center also hosts pain management cases.

10. Port Jefferson (N.Y.) Surgery Center held its grand opening ceremony May 12 after its initial opening in January.

11. Construction has begun on an $86 million expansion to the Omaha (Neb.) VA Medical Center, which will add a 157,000-square-foot ASC slated for completion in summer 2020.

12. San Marcos, Texas-based Carus Dental opened the Carus Surgical Center, also in San Marcos, April 27. The center offers endodontic, orthodontic and oral surgery services.

13. NueHealth partnered with Rothman Institute, Jefferson Health and 14 multispecialty physicians to acquire the Plymouth Meeting, Pa.-based Blue Bell Surgery Center. Rothman Institute and Jefferson Health are based in Philadelphia. NueHealth is based in Leawood, Kansas.

14. Willmar, Minn.-based Carris Health opened its $11 million outpatient surgery center in Willmar.

15. Liberty Medical Development, a company based in the U.S. Virgin Islands, secured funding for an ASC on St. Croix. The company obtained $5 million in funding, with more than $1.25 million already invested.

16. Indian River Medical Center is readying to open the Scully Endoscopy Center. Both facilities are located in Vero Beach, Fla. The center will open in 2018.

17. Dallas-based Children's Health opened Specialty Center 2, which includes the Live Oak Surgery Center, also in Plano.

18. The Surgery Center for FGM, the nation's first nonprofit surgery center, opened in Atlanta to treat victims of female genital mutilation both surgically and psychologically.

19. Four Bloomington-Normal, Ill., eye care providers are merging to form a new $10 facility. All optometrists and ophthalmologists at Eye Surgical Associates, McLean County Eye Center, Central Illinois Eye Care and Eyecare Associates will continue at the as-of-yet unnamed merged practice, which will employ about 90 people. The merging practices expect to move into the new facility by August 2019.

20. Bozeman (Mont.) Health and United Surgical Partners International partnered to build a $20 million ASC in West Bozeman. Construction on the new ASC is expected to begin in 2019.

21. Baltimore-based University of Maryland Medical System filed a plan to invest $50 million in a new medical center next to the Laurel (Md.) Regional Hospital. The new facility, UM Laurel Medical Center, will feature a surgery center, 24/7 emergency care, behavioral health resources and outpatient programs such as wellness promotion.

22. Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based Saint Thomas Health purchased 2.25 acres of land for $1.19 million to build its new outpatient surgery center.

23. Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Vance Thompson Vision is putting the finishing touches on its new facility in Omaha, Neb., set to open in mid-August 2018.

24. San Jose, Calif.-based Allied Pain & Spine Institute announced the opening of Trinity Surgery Center in San Jose.A driver died after he crashed his vehicle into the building housing Cataract Specialty Surgery Center in Berkley, Mich., June 5, WJBK reports.

Here are five details:

1. The driver was cut out of his Jeep Grand Cherokee and taken to the hospital, where he later died.

2. The driver was alone in the car and no other vehicles were involved.

2. The medical center wasn't open when the crash occurred at about 6 a.m., according to Click On Detroit.

4. The car took down several business signs before slamming into the building, which sustained structural damage.

5. Police are investigating the cause of the crash.After its spring opening, the Denver Surgery Center recently received accreditation from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment allowing it to start accepting patients.

Here's what you should know:

1. The surgery center and its accompanying six-bed Convalescent Care & Recovery Center opened concurrently in the spring. The recovery center allows for higher acuity cases to be performed, while still cutting costs from inpatient settings.

2. The 17,000-square-foot center features five operating rooms.

3. The center in managed by Lakewood, Colo.-based Pinnacle III and was developed by Denver-based Saint Joseph Hospital.

Denver Surgery Center Director of Operations Jebby Mathew said, "We are extremely proud of the team at Denver Surgery Center. Our goal is to bring high quality care to the Denver community, and todays accreditation brings us closer to that goal."Nearly 90 physicians were without access to Maryville, Tenn.-based Blount Memorial Hospital's computer network for about three days in early May after a corrupted file took down its physicians group system, according to The Daily Times.

Responding to an open records request, a hospital spokesperson told The Daily Times the issue began May 2 and caused a three-day failure of the computer network used by the Blount Memorial Physicians Group, which comprises 88 physicians.

The hospital resolved the issue by implementing "technical changes" and restored its system with backup files. Blount did not provide an estimate for the number of patients that had been affected, though it said some appointments had to be rescheduled.

"We do not have an exact number of patients affected throughout the entire system, as many patients still were seen through the downtime," the hospital told The Daily News in a statement.

Blount expects costs associated with the outage to be low. "We believe revenue loss, if any, is minimal, as many patients still were able to be seen and those who had to have their appointments canceled have since been contacted about a reschedule date," the hospital wrote in its statement.

Blount CEO Don Heinemann said "everyone was frustrated" with the system failure, but hospital staff "worked around the clock to identify the problem and bring the system back up."

More articles on cybersecurity:

Purdue warns 1.7k patients to potential PHI compromise

12 healthcare privacy incidents in May

Aultman Hospital notifies 43k patients, affiliates of data breach

The University of Utah Health John A. Moran Eye Center, based in Salt Lake City, is warning 607 patients their protected health information may be at risk after a computer and associated external storage device used to take and store retinal images was stolen from its facility.

The stolen equipment, which officials learned about April 3, contained information from patients' retinal imaging conducted by University of Utah Health specialists at University of Utah Hospital and Primary Children's Hospital between July 1, 2014 and March 30, 2018.

Patients' full or partial names, images of the retina and a medical reference number used to identify records within the hospital's secured EHR may have been compromised. However, no Social Security numbers or financial information was involved. Additionally, hospital officials don't have any reasons to believe the information has been misused.

The hospital mailed notices to affected patients June 1 and established a dedicated call center.

More articles on cybersecurity:

Purdue warns 1.7k patients to potential PHI compromise

12 healthcare privacy incidents in May

Aultman Hospital notifies 43k patients, affiliates of data breach

Gilbert (Ariz.) Hospital and Florence (Ariz.) Hospital at Anthem entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late May after creditors sought to force the hospitals into bankruptcy in an attempt to collect $1.96 million they claim the affiliated hospitals owe.

In late April, three employees jointly filed the involuntary bankruptcy petition for Florence Hospital, seeking $46,650 in wages. Gilbert Hospital's involuntary bankruptcy petition, which seeks more than $1.9 million, was filed by the hospital's founder and CMO Timothy Johns, MD, an unsecured creditors' trust and a Phoenix-based law firm.

Involuntary bankruptcy is a legal proceeding used by creditors who feel they will not be paid unless a company enters bankruptcy. In court documents filed May 1, creditors claimed the two Arizona hospitals failed to make lease payments for months and that the facilities are "on the brink of complete shutdown."

After creditors ask the court to initiate bankruptcy proceedings, the debtor has the opportunity to contest the petition. The two Arizona hospitals failed to contest the petition within the required 21-day timeline, and the court subsequently granted creditors' request for relief through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process.

This is the second time Gilbert Hospital and Florence Hospital have landed in bankruptcy court. The hospitals filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2014, according to court documents.

More articles on healthcare finance:

Houston surgical hospital abruptly closes after discovering accounting errors

Pennsylvania hospital accused of overbilling state by $9M

California hospital avoids closure, enters 5-year management contractAfter going bankrupt in January, Surprise Valley Hospital in Cedarville, Calif., is contemplating a $4 million sale to a 34-year-old entrepreneur who runs multiple Denver-based labs, according to Kaiser Health News.

Here are six highlights from the story:

1. Surprise Valley Health Care District, which operates the 26-bed rural hospital, filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy Jan. 4. Local residents will vote June 5 to determine whether to sell the company to Beau Gertz, who runs CadiraMD and SeroDynamics, both labs in Denver, along with other companies.

2. Recent court documents show Mr. Gertz pledged to buy the hospital for $4 million plus debt. Bankruptcy court documents also revealed Mr. Gertz loaned the hospital district $2.5 million for it to buy SeroDynamics, which is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Surprise Valley Hospital  and effectively an advance on the hospital's $4 million sale point, according to KHN.

3. Mr. Gertz said he will turn around the hospital by billing insurers for lab tests through the hospital, regardless if the patients receiving them have been to the facility. Should Mr. Gertz buy the hospital, he said it will begin offering services via telehealth, through which physicians could order tests for remote patients.

4. While some rural hospitals have found a lifeline in lab billing for remote patients, the strategy is controversial and its legality is muddled. Medicare and commercial insurers often pay more for tests administered at rural hospitals than their urban counterparts, according to the report. Recently, the tactic has been subject to fraud allegations in several states; however, Mr. Gertz argues through use of telehealth and the fact SeroDynamics is a part of Surprise Valley Hospital, the plan is legal.

"If you do it correctly, there is a nice profit margin," he told KHN. "There [are] extra visits you can get from telemedicine but  it has to be billed correctly and it can't be abused."

5. Mr. Gertz told local journalist Jean Bilodeaux remote lab billing has generated about $300,000 under his partnerships with the hospital. Bankruptcy court documents show the agreement allows Mr. Gertz's company to collect 80 percent of profits, with 20 percent going to Surprise Valley Hospital.

6. Resident voters are torn. Many see the hospital as vital to the community, and will take any funds to help it stay afloat. Others are weary after a different outsider offered a similar deal months before Mr. Gertz's proposal, only to pull out. Jeanne Goldman, 72, a retired businesswoman, told KHN outsiders "come in and promise the moon. The [hospital's] board is just so desperate with all the debt, and they pray this angel's going to come along and fix it. If this was a shoe store in Surprise Valley, I could care less, but it's a hospital."



Access the full KHN article here.Brookwood Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala., part of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, is no longer at risk of losing its Medicare billing privileges, according to the Birmingham Business Journal.

CMS sent a termination notice to Brookwood Baptist Medical Center last month, stating the hospital was at risk of losing its Medicare billing privileges May 31 because it was not in compliance with some Medicare requirements.

CMS sent the letter after a site survey revealed Brookwood Baptist's psychiatric unit used inappropriate restraint methods on several occasions. In one case, a patient suffered cardiac arrest after being restrained face down. Hospital workers were unable to resuscitate the patient.

Brookwood Baptist submitted a plan of correction to CMS, and the agency rescinded the notice of termination after a follow-up survey revealed the hospital had taken steps to address the issues identified in the original survey, according to the report.

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3 strategies to boost patient experience and get paid at the same timeFood agency bias denies Saipal villagers rice

People of remote Saipal Rural Municipality in Bajhang district have accused the Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) staff of selling rice and flour to local shop-owners and deliberately causing food shortage in the area.UPMC Kane (Pa.) promoted Mark A. Papalia to president, effective June 1.

Here are four takeaways:

1. Mr. Papalia most recently served as director of operations at UPMC Kane.

2. Since joining the hospital in 2005, he has served as financial analyst and as director of finance.

3. He is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

4. Mr. Papalia succeeds J. Gary Rhodes, who is retiring.In this special Speaker Series, Becker's Healthcare caught up with Luis Saldana, MD, the chief medical information officer at Texas Health Resources, which is based in Arlington, Texas.

Dr. Saldana will speak during the Becker's Hospital Review 4th Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference on "EHR Consolidation, Streamlining and Making EHR Useful," at 9:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21. Learn more about the event and register to attend in Chicago.

Question: How does your organization gain physician buy-in when it is implementing a new technology or solution?

Dr. Luis Saldana: The most important thing here is to involve your clinicians directly in the governance process so they have an active role in evaluating, prioritizing and in implementing these solutions. Their role in each of these steps varies depending on the scope of the clinical impact of the technology in consideration so you are best leveraging their capabilities. Physicians need to understand the value of a technology along with how it aligns with care delivery workflows. They don't necessarily want deep engagement on every technology we implement, but they do if it has an impact on their workflows or if it impacts patient care. So use their time and skills wisely.

Measurement from the start is important. Be clear with them about the goals the technology will support and the value it will help [them] to achieve. It is also important for the governance process to be viewed as fair and consistent, so having a broad representation of physician voices in the process is key. In the end, your processes will be judged by the results you achieve, so it is in everyone's best interest to engage key stakeholders early and often.

Q: What is the most exciting thing happening in health IT right now? And what is the most overrated health IT trend?

LS: There is so much exciting work going on in health IT right now. I am very excited about consumer-facing and patient engagement technologies. I believe these technologies can help to reshape the priorities of health systems. Consumers are demanding different experiences with their health and they tend to see it more holistically than physicians and other providers do. This will move the bar for health systems and reshape market dynamics, in my opinion.

At the same time, cognitive technologies including voice input show great promise in supporting improved care delivery for patients as well as physicians. I think the real challenge here is in learning how to leverage them most effectively so that everyone builds confidence in these tools. I think one way to do this is not necessarily in engaging them to solve our biggest problems, but in how they can support and enhance user experience with everyday tools and experiences.

I would hate to say a technology is 'overrated' as it is more likely that it is more of a 'right time, right place' issue. I do think we always tend to look at the moonshot use cases first, and while it is important to be visionary, we must implement technologies more for their value than their promise and to build confidence in them.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about health IT?

I think it is that health IT is all about the technology and that technology can solve all or most of the ills in healthcare. We always need to consider and view the people, the processes and the technology as an ecosystem. We need to ensure that the technologies are implemented in a way that they serve the user, the broader organizational goals and, ultimately, the health of the people and communities we serve. I always fear the situation of letting the tail wag the dog, a situation which we should absolutely try to prevent.In this special Speaker Series, Becker's Healthcare caught up with Andrei Gonzales, MD, assistant vice president of VBR product management at Change Healthcare.

Dr. Gonzales will speak on a panel during the Becker's Hospital Review 4th Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference that is titled "Key Payer Issues 2018," at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19. Learn more about the event and register to attend in Chicago.

Question: How does your organization gain physician buy-in when it is implementing a new technology or solution?

Dr. Andrei Gonzales: Physician buy-in is based on showing the value of an initiative and engaging through data. Physicians are data-driven professionals that need to understand why an initiative will create value. These discussions need to include data to show the potential value and how progress will be measured. Once physicians see the value and understand the data that will be tracked throughout an initiative, the discussion becomes collaborative and progress is made. It's important to look at each initiative from this perspective to develop the data to support the initiative from the beginning [and] create the best chance for success.

Q: What is the most exciting thing happening in health IT right now? And, what is the most overrated health IT trend?

AG: The most exciting thing happening in health IT right now is the ability to look at a population of patients attributed to a practice or ACO and assess that population through clinically relevant episodes of care. This view engages all providers involved in a patient's care from the primary care physician to specialists to acute care and long-term care facilities, and can be coupled with incentives to manage a patient's care for better health and lower costs. The innovation isn't so much in the technology, but more in the collaboration between health plans and health systems to share financial data across the continuum of care and clinical data within the patient's chart to understand performance and the best ways to improve the coordination of care that will result in better health.

The most overrated health IT trend is the focus on forcing physicians to report on everything. Primary care physicians in particular are asked to document too many discreet data points that are of questionable value and consume a lot of their time in pointing and clicking through EMRs. Among the many payers and regulatory agencies involved in healthcare, physicians are under increased pressure to document data points that don't matter for clinical care and don't create value for patients. The solution is to focus on how well health systems manage patient outcomes and health, and less on micromanaging process metrics that are at best indirect measures of a physician's performance.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about health IT?

AG: The biggest misconception about health IT is that it can replace a clinician's role in anything related to patient care. Health IT works best when it supports a clinician in delivering effective and efficient patient care without getting in the way. There are many comparisons with healthcare to online shopping or banking or automated driving. The difference in healthcare is that it takes a person to relate to a person. Engaging a patient in their care requires meaningful interaction and a level of personal understanding that doesn't always follow clearly defined rules, like when to charge a credit card or apply a turn signal and turn left. This isn't to say that methods of interaction  like virtual visits, decision support or robotic surgery  don't have their place in the future of healthcare. The point is that they all require a trained, competent and caring clinician to be effective. When technology enables clinicians, it is helping. When it is forcing clinicians to do busy work or trying to reduce their role in patient care, it is getting in the way.Registered nurses from Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) General Hospital protested June 3 after they were not allowed to return to work following a one-day strike, according to The Citizens' Voice.

The nurses, represented by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, went on strike May 31, primarily over staffing levels. Temporary replacement nurses were brought in to staff the hospital during the strike.

Wilkes-Barre General did not allow its nurses to return to work June 1 because of its commitment to the temporary workers, but the hospital's nurses told The Citizens' Voice they anticipate returning to work June 5.

Wilkes-Barre nurses are working under an expired contract. They are overworked and the hospital  which is owned by Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems  is short-staffed, the nurses say.

Commonwealth Health spokesperson Renita Fennick did not address the labor dispute in a statement to Becker's Hospital Review, except to say the hospital is operating as usual.

"All hospital services are continuing at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and we are providing a full complement of care for patients, whether they have a medical emergency, require surgery or critical care, or are here to give birth," the statement reads. "The Pennsylvania Department of Health has been on site to review personnel files for all of the temporary replacement nurses and to do a full rounding on all units.Their summary report was positive and found no concerns."

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Maine Medicaid advocates sued Mr. LePage's administration in April after it missed a deadline to submit an expansion plan to the federal government. Mr. LePage said the state does not have the money to fund the program.

The judge ordered the administration to submit a plan by June 11 updating the terms of its Medicaid program, which was supposed to offer coverage to new enrollees July 2.

"The governor cannot ignore the law," said Robyn Merrill, executive director of Maine Equal Justice Partners, according to The New York Times. "Maine voters did not make a request at the ballot, they passed a law, and laws are not optional. Today's ruling is good news for more than 70,000 Mainers who the law says can sign up for health care on July 2."A medical coder sued Mosaic Life Care Medical Center in St. Joseph, Mo., May 25 for wrongful discharge, unlawful retaliation and age discrimination, according to the St. Louis Record.

The medical coder, Debra Conrad, alleges Mosaic Life Care fired her for disclosing the hospital's fraudulent billing practices.

In April 2017, hospital officials allegedly instructed Ms. Conrad to begin releasing charges for billing even if the claims were not supported by documentation.

"Plaintiff was instructed to push multiple charges through that may or may not be correct based on the current state of documentation, and such charges would consequently induce payment by Medicare and other third parties," states the complaint.

Ms. Conrad alleges she told her supervisors the hospital could potentially face significant fines under the False Claims Act if the claims were released. Ms. Conrad processed the charges, but she included notations stating her supervisors authorized the release of what she believed were fraudulent claims, according to the report.

In May 2017, Ms. Conrad was moved to a coding position in a different department, and someone 15 years younger replaced her. The hospital also took disciplinary actions, including a brief suspension, against Ms. Conrad because she opposed the fraudulent billing, according to the lawsuit.

After complaining about the disciplinary actions, Ms. Conrad had a meeting with human resources and coding department management. She was subsequently accused of violating HIPAA.

"Merely because plaintiff could see patient information while performing duties in the coding program (that she needed to access to perform her job), she was subject to discipline and suspension," according to the complaint.

Ms. Conrad was fired a short time after she was accused of violating HIPAA. She was a medical coder with Mosaic for 40 years before her termination, according to the report.

Ms. Conrad seeks more than $75,000 in compensatory damages, damages authorized by the False Claims Act, lost wages and benefits, attorneys' fees and reinstatement.

Mosaic did not immediately respond to Becker's request for comment.

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New York City physician sues former patient for $1M over negative Yelp reviewRegional Medical Center Jacksonville (Ala.), a 104-bed hospital, will close by June 30. In preparation for the facility's closing, RMC Jacksonville has stopped admitting new patients and reduced emergency care, according to The Anniston Star.

The hospital stopped accepting new inpatient admissions June 1. Although the hospital's emergency department is still open, emergency care patients are being moved to other hospitals as soon as possible or diverted to other facilities before they arrive at RMC Jacksonville because of reduced services, according to the report.

The Healthcare Authority of the City of Anniston (Ala.), which operates RMC Jacksonville's parent company, announced plans to close the hospital in May. Once the hospital shuts down, its property will be gifted to nearby Jacksonville State University.

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UMass hospital to close pediatric unitKeokuk Medical Center in Iowa, open just 2 years, will close its doors for good Aug. 31, according to a Tri States Public Radio report.

The primary care clinic is a collaboration between Fort Madison (Iowa) Community Hospital and Quincy, Ill.-based Blessing Health System.

"KMC filled a void in health care in the Keokuk market during a difficult time. Since then, other health care providers in the region have expanded their primary health care services, leading to the decision to close Keokuk Medical Center," a spokesperson for Fort Madison Community Hospital, told WIUM.

Nine people work at Keokuk Medical Center. While the closure will displace them, the Fort Madison hospital is working to find them new jobs within its health network.

Patients will be seen at the clinic through Aug. 31. Medical records will be available for pickup until Sept. 28.More than 30 physicians have left Batson Children's Hospital, part of Jackson-based University of Mississippi Medical Center, in recent years, including several pediatricians who are now working for a new local competitor. This move has prompted litigation, which calls into question the physicians' motives for breaking away from the hospital, according to the Clarion Ledger.

Here are seven things to know:

1. At least five former UMMC pediatric physicians now practice at Mississippi Center for Advanced Medicine, which was founded by Spencer Sullivan, MD, who resigned as medical director of Batson Children's Hospital's Hemophilia Treatment Center in 2016.

2. UMMC filed a lawsuit last July against MCAM, Dr. Sullivan and a former pediatric rheumatologist, Nina Washington, MD, who joined the new clinic. The lawsuit alleges the two physicians violated their noncompete agreements with UMMC when they left to join the new practice. The hospital has been damaged by the physicians' "contract breaches, trade secret misappropriation, and tortious conduct," the lawsuit states, according to the report.

3. However, the physicians claim the hospital violated its contract before Dr. Sullivan resigned and started the new practice by failing to "provide facilities, equipment, supplies, and staff required for Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Washington to perform their respective duties," according to the physicians' counterclaim.

4. The physicians allege the staffing and facilities provided by UMMC were inadequate. "In addition to various sanitary issues at Batson, such as pervasive mold and cockroaches, Dr. Sullivan's hemophilia clinic space on the third floor was entirely unacceptable," according to the physicians. A UMMC executive allegedly told Dr. Sullivan the hemophilia clinic space "looked like something in the former Soviet Union."

5. Former UMMC geneticist Omar Abdul-Rahman, MD, told the Clarion Ledger it was normal to see cockroaches at Batson Children's Hospital and that the hospital staff even had designated cockroach killers  employees who were responsible for removing the bugs.

6. UMMC says the physicians' accusations are false. "Not surprisingly, Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Washington provide no facts to support their defamatory allegations," UMMC said in a filed response to the physicians' counterclaim. "And if the allegations had a shred of truth, defendants would have made them before UMMC sued them. In fact, neither Dr. Sullivan nor Dr. Washington expressed any patient safety concerns in their resignation letters."

7. UMMC alleges Dr. Sullivan used its resources and patient lists to develop his own practice in the months before he resigned, and that his decision to leave was motivated by the opportunity to personally enrich himself, not by poor conditions at the hospital, according to the report.

Read more here.

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A parliamentary committee formed to study possible name and capital of Province 4 has floated four names.Researchers from UCLA and Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles proved Fitbit personal activity trackers could be a useful remote patient monitoring device, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.

Here are four things to know:

The study monitored 200 patients with ischemic heart disease to evaluate adherence to a wearable device. For the study, patients were asked to use a Fitbit Charge 2. The researchers found high adherence (90 percent on average) and low attrition rates (.09 percent decrease per day) over a 90-day period. Devices with heart rate monitors can "record useful patient statistics including activity level, resting and active HR, and sleep time," the study reads. The study suggests consumer-grade wearables could be used to help telemonitor select patients, as data generated from a device like a Fitbit "correlate with clinically used patient surveys, and therefore might be an effective way of identifying patients who require intervention."

Click here to read the full study.

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3T Medical Systems acquired Stryker's ConstaVac CBCII product line, according to Crain's Detroit Business. Details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Here are four highlights:

1. 3T plans to begin manufacturing the disposable system used in operating rooms to collect blood during surgery later this summer.

2. Additionally, 3T plans to relocate from Puerto Rico to Michigan, building a clean room and manufacturing facility.

3. 3T is set to hire an additional 10 employees to manage the clean room. Currently, the medical device company has 25 employees.

4. The company expects ConstaVac's 2017 $10 million revenue to decline slightly as 3T constructs its manufacturing plant.The construction and property sectors are still closely associated with gender imbalance in the workplace but, particularly in relation to new entrants to the industry, perceptions are rapidly changing.

The diversity of career paths available is growing. Many more roles now exist which can be performed equally well by either sex as well as a host of other subsidiary roles which feed into the industry.

Women can often bring a new skill set and a fresh approach to these historically male dominated roles. Despite the recent lengthy recession and continuing anxiety over Brexit, construction and property sectors in both the UK and Ireland continue to create exciting and potentially very lucrative opportunities for all.

One challenge, however, which women should not have to face is misogyny. Construction and property, sadly, still have one of the worst reputations of any field in relation to harassment of women.

This can be subtle or blatant, but always results in the recipient feeling uncomfortable, disrespected and undervalued. Whether she has to endure a dose of so-called male 'locker-room talk', fend off clumsy unwanted advances from a male boss, or (as I have personally experienced) encounter a client who demands a male replacement, any female working within the industry today will have her own examples of woefully sexist behaviour in the workplace.

That said, there is a tangible sense of change in the air and I have personally been encouraged by an attitude shift in many of the younger men in the industry.

Two young male agents recently showed support for a female colleague when they overheard their male manager verbally harass her. They appeared genuinely shocked and immediately reported him despite their junior positions.

Thankfully the vast majority of people in this industry are decent human beings. But sexual harassment can easily be perpetuated 'when good people do nothing' (to paraphrase Edmund Burke).

Employers too have an important role. The much discussed gender pay gap exists in large part because women historically have not filled the higher paid roles within the industry.

In this post-Weinstein era, it is incumbent upon employers to make their top positions more attractive and more attainable for women by looking seriously at flexible working, by promoting a gender neutral workplace and by exhibiting zero tolerance of sexism.

Diversity should be embedded as part of the business strategy of any company so that all employees feel valued, thrive in their work environment and are judged purely on their professional attributes, drive and hard work.

I would urge younger women thinking about their future employment to remember that their career path does not always have to be linear.

Arts graduates, for instance, may feel that they do not have any aptitude for a role in the construction or property sectors.

However, they often have highly desirable and transferable skills which can be utilised in a whole variety of roles. It is immensely satisfying to be part of a team which has made a large project happen.

Do not be dissuaded by the idea of being one of very few females in the industry. This is already changing fast. There is strength in numbers and you can be part of the solution.

Strive for a high standard of excellence and aim to become an expert in your particular chosen area. Work hard, be resilient and be ambitious.

The rewards, both financial and personal, are considerable. Yes, there are a few of those misogynistic dinosaurs still roaming the construction sites and the property fields.

But, when the climate began to change, we all know what happened to the dinosaurs.

Michelle Atkinson sits on the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Northern Ireland Regional Board and is the owner of Atkinson Surveying in BelfastA possible Brexit crisis in the next four weeks is now a risk. It may come from a major disagreement amongst the UK ministers leading to a Westminster fall-out.

Alternatively, it may come from a meeting with the European negotiators when there is no agreement on the UK article 50 negotiations.

Additionally, there is the unfinished difficult discussion on how to minimise the friction of the Irish border.

Even worse, a negative meeting with the EU in late June might mean that some of the agreements already reached become void.

Businesses must now consider the serious economic consequences if the negotiations collapse and, with that collapse, the expectation of a two-year trading transition period after March 2019 disappears. The 'cliff edge' scenario becomes an early, painful possibility.

Northern Ireland will enjoy no special protection if Brexit crashes. The extensive activity to develop a full working protocol for Northern Ireland in relation to all-island relationships could be abandoned.

The crisis in late June looms because the UK negotiations with the EU have been inadequate and still rely on a lack of precision for the UK expectations on the future (mainly trading) relationships with the EU of 27 countries.

The EU negotiators can argue that they have waited for a clear UK negotiating stance and the UK Government has not tabled clear expectations on a customs deal and a possibly adapted single market.

For Northern Ireland the negotiating position is compounded by being subsumed as part of the UK brief and then, additionally, closely involved in trying to agree a firm protocol on Northern Ireland/Ireland relationships.

The seamless Irish border still awaits proposals that would ensure acceptable, efficient all-island relationships.

The potential for uninterrupted trading arrangements, together with helpful and necessary regulatory alignment, is a shared wish which is now threatened.

If the June meeting with the EU negotiators becomes a crisis, then, from the perspective of the governments of the UK and Ireland, there could be serious unwelcome consequences.

Ironically, the impact could be more serious for businesses across Ireland than elsewhere.

Brexit has proved a much more complicated disaggregation process than was realised at the time of the referendum. Not even the most ardent Brexiteers seem to have appreciated the range and complexity of the difficulties.

As the UK and EU negotiators prepare for the planned 'June summit' there will be increasingly concerned political comments on the need for (and the absence of) agreed agendas.

Going into the June summit without clear agreement on how to answer the many unanswered questions is more fraught than when preparing for earlier summits in 2017.

The time scale, leading to Brexit at the end of March 2019, is becoming too short to leave room for delay and postponement.

The UK Government must resolve the uncertainty and disagreement of its considered final negotiating position on trade and policy relationships, including customs partnerships and an acceptable version of how the UK might relate to the single market.

Then that final negotiating position must be resolved with the EU.

Only the optimists now expect sufficient progress will be made.

For the particular Irish questions, there remains an incomplete and partially controversial draft protocol.

Northern Ireland interests, with no political representation in the negotiations, will watch with serious concern the possibility of north-south and south-north trade becoming an uncomfortable regulatory crash.

In the two years following the UK referendum there has been a policy making vacuum. All the interest groups have known what the timetable needed.

The Irish Government, in particular, has been a frustrated participant. None of this gives comfort to the delivery of good government.

Time for the recovery of logical solutions is needed. What hope is there that the UK Government will agree to ask the EU for the temporary withdrawal of the Article 50 application?Gareth Irvines Copeland Spirits are now being stocked by Aldi

Saintfield-based Copeland Spirits has become the first Northern Ireland gin brand to be listed with German retailer, Aldi.

The brand's 'Rhuberry' flavoured gin is currently on sale in the supermarket chain's stores in Ireland.

Copeland Spirits was established in 2016, following a successful crowdfunding campaign by founder Gareth Irvine.

Gareth won the Belfast Telegraph's Emerging Business/Start-Up Business of the Year 2018 award.

His Copeland Spirits range features two permanent lines, Rhuberry, which will be carried by Aldi Ireland, and Raspberry and Mint. Both flavours feature herbs and fruits grown in Northern Ireland.

Gareth said: "To be listed in Aldi Ireland, after such a short time in business, is both a testament to our unique offering and the quality of NI produce.

"It's incredible to represent the local gin scene across Aldi Ireland's stores and share a taste of NI with consumers.

"Our gin is more than just a gin, it's a bottling of NI's great outdoors and a celebration of our local produce and skilful farmers."Steve Harper (left), executive director of international business at Invest NI, with Jason Ordway, chief technical officer at Slice

A new software engineering centre that provides services for ordering pizza in the United States will open in Belfast creating 50 jobs.

New York company Slice has developed technology to help make online and mobile ordering and payment easier for pizzerias.

The service caters for approximately 10,000 American independent pizzerias enabling them to compete with the online and digital ordering platforms of large national pizza chains like Domino's.

Invest NI has offered 400,000 towards the creation of the new jobs. Eleven jobs are already in place. The roles will attract an average salary of over 40,000.

Jason Ordway, chief technology officer at Slice, said: "Pizza is big business in the US worth $45bn annually. Slice is the only technology platform that partners with local independent pizzerias. We currently have 10,000 pizzerias using the Slice platform.

"As part of our growth strategy we want to add new functions and improvements to our existing platform.

"The engineering team in Northern Ireland will develop new innovative solutions for the pizzerias, improving order efficiency and customer service.

"I have had positive experiences of Northern Ireland as an investment location and, in particular, the software engineering talent here.

"When I joined Slice and we began talking about growing our engineering team, alongside those based in New York, I was quick to recommend Northern Ireland.

"We've had lots of support from Invest NI throughout this process, which has enabled us to get up and running quickly. We already have 11 staff on board and recruitment continues."

Steve Harper, executive director of international business, Invest NI, said: "We are delighted Slice has chosen to establish a software engineering base in Northern Ireland, creating 50 high-quality jobs. The technology area in which the company works is innovative and will give employees new skills and exposure to Apple's mobile App technology, used in the iPhone and iPad.

"This will add to the skills base in Northern Ireland and enhance the region's software development capability."

Slice was recently voted as one of the Best Places to Work in the United States as part of Inc. Magazine's Annual Best Workplaces survey.

The company says that it has had "positive experiences of Northern Ireland as an investment location".

This is the second US software firm to announce a new office in Belfast in recent days.

Applied Systems Inc, which makes products for the insurance industry, said it will employ 50 new staff during the next three years.

The international cloud-based software company is based in Chicago and has received support of 325,000 towards the creation of the roles.

It said it had been attracted to Northern Ireland by the large number of "talented, young engineers".Wrightbus's best-known product is modern remake of the Routemaster bus, introduced in 2012, with production running for five years.

An SDLP MLA has said the loss of 95 jobs at Ballymena bus giant Wrightbus is a "devastating blow" to the workers and their families.

On Tuesday afternoon it was announced 95 jobs could be axed amid continuing uncertainty in the UK market.

SDLP business spokesperson Pat Catney said: "This is a devastating blow to 95 skilled workers and their families.

Earlier in the year I met with Wrightbus and trade union representatives to secure assurances that workers would not be left in the lurch as a result of previous job losses.

I will now be seeking further meetings, to address the serious needs and concerns of workers."

He added he had been in discussions with Translink and the Irish government about the sustainability of the transport manufacturing business on the island of Ireland.

The company announced on Tuesday it would begin a consultation process which could lead to further reductions in its Northern Ireland workforce.

It follows on from the outcome of a similar process in February, which resulted in the loss of 95 jobs.

The company said the cuts come due to continuing low levels of demand in the UK bus market.

Wrightbus employs over 1,500 people in Northern Ireland.

The company's best-known product is modern remake of the Routemaster bus, introduced in 2012, with production running for five years.

Union Unite said employees had been informed of the job cuts on Tuesday afternoon.

Regional union officer George Brash said the losses were devastating blow to the local economy of Ballymena, which has seen the closure of the JTI-Gallaher and Michelin factories in recent months.

"The last job loss announcement was blamed by management on the loss of sales to Transport for London and the protracted delay in new orders from Translink. Unite has previously challenged the inexcusable betrayal of Northern Ireland workers by those in government in London who transferred the TfL contracts to China and Egypt," said Mr Brash.

In a statement, Chairman of Wrights Group Mark Nodder OBE said: "There is a good deal of continuing uncertainty - specifically in the UK market - at present, which is causing private and public bus operators alike to delay or postpone their vehicle investment programmes.

This has a direct impact on production levels at our Ballymena facilities and the announcement that we are making today [Tuesday] - difficult and regrettable as it is - is nonetheless necessary to align workforce requirements with our near term order book.

"We are naturally working proactively with the union, employee representatives and other stakeholders to mitigate both the scale and the impact of job cuts within our business. With existing contracts in build or in the pipeline, and a number of potential projects yet to come to fruition, the company continues to be well positioned for when the market demand for new buses returns to more normal levels.

"As ever, given the sensitivities around this announcement, the company will not be making any further statement until the consultation process is concluded."Three of the four former Toys R Us shops in Northern Ireland are close to being occupied again

Three of the four former Toys R Us shops in Northern Ireland are close to being occupied again in a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered retail sector, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal.

The sites at Abbey Retail Park, CastleCourt Shopping Centre, Sprucefield Park in Lisburn and Crescent Link in Londonderry have been vacant since the firm went into administration earlier this year.

But the Belfast Telegraph can reveal that the Abbey Retail Park site is now under offer after going on the market for sale. It had been run within a separate Toys R Us property company and was being marketed for sale by UK property agency Morgan Williams.

It's understood the store is now under offer.

The other three stores are being let out by DIY giant B&Q, Wirefox and Lotus Group respectively.

Savills said they were in negotiations with a number of retailers for the Toys R Us premises in CastleCourt.

And Lotus Group last month confirmed that it had secured a letting of the former Toys R Us in Crescent Link to B&M Bargains. Meanwhile, Irish toy retailer Smyths is seeking to snap up eight former Toys R Us stores in the UK but has not responded to questions on whether it could acquire NI stores. B&Q had sublet a property at Sprucefield Retail Park to Toys R Us. News of lettings of the former Toys R Us stores comes during a testing time for the high street. Retailers including Carpetright and Mothercare are all considering closures.

Carpetright has said that it will close five of its nine stores in Northern Ireland, while Mothercare has refused to reveal how many of its five stores here will shut.

House of Fraser is expected to close some of its 59 department stores around the UK - putting its Belfast store, the anchor at Victoria Square Shopping Centre, at risk.

All three firms are expected to implement closures as they put their companies into a form of insolvency known as a company voluntary arrangement.

A CVA enables a company to ask creditors - including landlords - to vote on changes to borrowing terms in favour of the retailer, including rent reductions.

And four Maplin electrical stores in Northern Ireland are to close after it went into administration.

A spokesman for Mothercare told the Belfast Telegraph that it couldn't "comment on individual store closures" but "the comprehensive measures provide a renewed and stable financial structure for the business".

Andrew Webb, economist and director of economic advisory at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, said "serious thought" would have to go into how vacant retail units are marketed for sale.

"This may require bold thinking in seeking and allowing for changes of use - might leisure, office or residential work better in some locations than retail?

"Obviously agents and owners will wish to get their properties let as soon as possible. This current retail malaise shows no sign of abating. Policy makers and planners should be deep in thought on what we want our places to be." Aodhan Connolly, chief executive of the NI Retail Consortium, said the prospect of vacancies following CVAs was "more evidence of the ongoing transformation in the retail industry".

"Retail is being re-shaped and re-formed by a very challenging operating environment which is clear to see under a growing number of CVAs," he said.

"But the high street is not dead, this is about reinvention retail not Armageddon retail.

"Investment in digital is rising significantly with new business models emerging and many traditional businesses restructuring the way they operate to meet changing consumer demand."

He added: "Policy makers must also adapt to provide a better planning and business taxation environment in which a 21st century retail industry can thrive."A man who pleaded guilty to stalking TV presenter Christine Lampard visited Belfast one Christmas in the hopes of meeting her, a court has heard.

Christof King, 39, of Mowbray Road, Brent, in north west London, pleaded guilty to stalking last week, but he disputed sending tweets to the TV star.

After a hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Robin Johnson ruled that King did indeed send tweets to Lampard and faces jail.

King, who wanted career advice from Lampard, sent tweets and letters and turned up at her house on more than one occasion, causing her to hide in a bedroom with the housekeeper.

After a Newton hearing on the matter of the tweets, Judge Johnson said: "There is clear evidence that he has delusional tendencies.

"In my judgment I accept that Mrs Lampard is truthful and accurate.

"I accept that she received tweets from Christ_of_King in 2015 and that these included some very nasty remarks.

"It follows that I reject the defendant's account. I am satisfied that having been blocked and having felt frustrated by the repeated non engagement with him by letter or tweet that he found the only way of engagement was by repeated visits to the house.

"Having come to these conclusions and taking into account all the evidence and submissions that I have heard I am sure that the Crown's version of events is accurate and accordingly I reject the basis of plea."

The judge said he would consider Lampard's assessment of the tweets - which she described as "dark" - an understatement.

Expand Close Christof King leaves Westminster Magistrates Court in London (Philip Toscano/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Christof King leaves Westminster Magistrates Court in London (Philip Toscano/PA)

"He is clearly someone who swings in mood during the course of a letter for instance," he said of King.

"I don't rule out a sentence of imprisonment," the judge added.

King, who changed his name by deed poll from Jon Dunningham in April 2016, said he did not set up the account that Lampard said the tweets came from and insisted that he did not send the tweets.

He denied ever creating or using the account under the name @Christ_Of_King, and said the only account he has ever had is @Christof_King.

Giving evidence from behind a curtain on Monday, Lampard said several tweets were "incoherent waffle", with some tagging her employer ITV and her husband Frank Lampard.

"Several tweets became quite sinister and dark," she added.

Lampard said these tweets made her pay attention, adding that another reason she noticed his tweets was because "there was so many of them".

One tweet he is alleged to have sent said: "I can hear the scratch of nails as I sharpen them ahead of your crucifixion."

The court heard another tweet said: "I am planning the words that will go on your gravestone."

Lampard said she remembered the word "tombstone", adding that she paid a "great deal" of attention to his Twitter profile picture.

"Because the tweets were so disturbing, to the extent that I showed it to my husband as well and shared my concerns," she said.

"I wanted to make sure I memorised his face," she told the court.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, prosecutor Nicholas Dunham said King was "imploring" Lampard to reply in one of his letters.

The letter said he was "pissed off" about what was happening in his life and said Lampard and her "mates" at ITV and in the media should be "ashamed", especially her.

Mr Dunham said it was never made clear why Mr King blamed Lampard for the situation he found himself in.

Mr Dunham said: "There is no doubt that Mr King was utterly obsessed with Mrs Lampard."

He said the most obvious example of this was King's visit to Belfast one Christmas in the hope of meeting Lampard.

King was bailed and the judge adjourned sentencing until July 27.Belfast City Council has joined in the fight for more money for the arts, in the wake of drastic cuts that have left some groups without any public funding whatsoever.

A motion calling on the council to declare its formal support for the Arts Matter NI campaign, which fights for equality in arts funding with the rest of the UK and Ireland, was unanimously passed at City Hall on Monday night.

Last month the Arts Council for Northern Ireland announced its funding for 2018/19 would total 13.1m, an annual reduction of 4.7%. This would see less cash going to 43 out of 100 publicly-funded organisations, many of which need the money to survive, and leave seven groups completely cut off.

The Alliance Party's Emmet McDonough-Brown had originally tabled the motion. However, representatives from the DUP and UUP said there could be a conflict of interest as the new Deputy Lord Mayor's mother is chief executive of the Arts Council.

The motion was instead proposed by Alliance group leader Michael Long, who said it was imperative the council does all it can to ensure the arts in Northern Ireland can not only survive, but thrive.

DUP council group leader Lee Reynolds said his party would be happy to support the motion, referencing Belfast's growing film industry as one success story. SDLP representative Donal Lyons said it was long overdue that we "recognised the creativity of our city" and its value to our culture, on both sides of the community.

Monday night's motion also asked the council to send an all-party delegation to Stormont's Department for Communities, where overall arts and culture decisions are made, to "demand more funds for the arts".

The full motion reads: "This council asserts the value of the arts in our everyday lives, including our wellbeing, education, inclusion as well as our creative and evening economy and our tourism offering. Accordingly, the council extends its formal support to the Arts Matter NI campaign for equal funding and agrees that an all-party delegation meet the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Communities to demand more funds for the arts."

In May, Arts Matter NI led a debate between representatives from 60 arts organisations over the cuts that they say could "kill the arts" here. The debate was held in Belfast's Grand Opera House, which has seen its public funding slashed by more than 100,000 this year.ILO positive to support 'Prime Minister Employment Programme'

International Labour Organisation (ILO) seemed positive towards the Nepal's request to support the "Prime Minister Employment Programme".Cameraman Martin Smith's deeply disturbing pictures of hundreds of gaunt and terrorised Rohingya refugees desperately pleading with outstretched arms for help on that far-off beach re-wrote history.

For until the Sky News operative from Co Down shot the shocking images of emaciated men, women and newborn babies trapped in the hell of Myanmar late last year, people didn't know for sure that the stories coming out of what was formerly Burma were true.

But Martin's harrowing images and correspondent Alex Crawford's emotionally-charged report were the first independent evidence from Rakhine State to confirm for all the world to see the veracity of claims about the nightmarish inhumanity that thousands of stranded Rohingya Muslims were suffering from a brutal crackdown on them by Myanmar's mainly Buddhist government.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas, described by Amnesty International as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world, were driven from their homes in a sustained campaign of ethnic cleansing.

And hundreds died trying to make the perilous sea journey to Bangladesh where, if they survived, they weren't made particularly welcome either.

In Myanmar, refugees were left to die on the beaches by the country's army who planted landmines behind the Rohingyas, effectively leaving them with nowhere to go.

But the authorities in Myanmar repeatedly denied the allegations about the refugees, seemingly safe in the knowledge that no outsiders were going to get into their country to prove them wrong.

However, the government reckoned without Sky News. Reporter Crawford, cameraman Smith and producer Neville Lazarus took their lives in their hands by travelling to Myanmar under the cover of darkness to film their moving dispatch which recently won them a BAFTA, despite stiff competition from reports about Syria and the Grenfell fire disaster.

Modest Martin, whose first sortie into the news business was on work experience as a Newcastle schoolboy shadowing Rose Neill in her BBC NI days, clearly isn't comfortable in the big picture, preferring to let his footage from Myanmar do the talking.

Seven years ago Martin and Alex Crawford were also honoured in the annual Bayeux Calvados awards in France for war correspondents.

The gongs were for reports about fighting in the besieged town of Zawiya in Libya and Crawford was to describe the battle there as the 'most traumatic day of her life' as civilians picked up whatever weapons they could lay their hands on to defend themselves against the forces of Colonel Gaddafi.

The awards are a source of pride for Martin but he stressed that news reports, including the one from Myanmar, were team efforts.

"Many other people played crucial roles in enabling us to tell the world what was really happening in Myanmar," says Martin (52).

Getting into the country in the first place took patience and a huge level of commitment from Martin and his colleagues.

"We were waiting on the ground in Bangladesh for days trying to find a boatman who would take us across the treacherous waters to the beaches where we were told the refugees were," said Martin.

"Our producer, who's based in Delhi, and local fixers eventually found a boat man who was prepared to take the risks presented by the sea and the potential dangers posed by the army in Myanmar who are renowned for their rough justice."

It really was a journey into the unknown for Martin, a non-swimmer who doesn't like the water.

And what he saw in the first few minutes on board the boat didn't do much to ease his fears as he watched one of the crew bailing out water.

Arriving in Myanmar the Sky team's boat was guided onto the beach by flashing lights from torches. The news crew could only hope that the army weren't watching their every move too.

But what the intrepid journalists discovered among the Rohingyas after they waded ashore was even worse than they could have imagined.

Martin was the only one of the team who could actually see what was unfolding. The journey had been made in complete darkness but the night vision on his camera made things clear to him. It also added to the horror of the scenes that Martin captured.

He says: "The people I was filming had no idea I was there because they couldn't see me and their reactions were totally genuine.

"The image the night vision gives is quite haunting in itself. The way the camera reproduces that on top of what was already a haunting scene magnified the whole enormity of what was happening."

Normally TV cameramen try to detach themselves from what they're filming.

But for Martin, Myanmar ripped up the rule book as he saw hundreds of hungry and frightened people in front of him, all of them desperate to get away from their deadly entrapment.

"It was a harrowing sight which was at times like something you might have seen at Auschwitz," says Martin, whose colleague Alex Crawford was able to put her first finger and thumb around the wrist of one skeletal old woman who was close to collapse.

"The woman's legs and arms were just skin and bones. How she survived to that point was remarkable," he adds.

After completing the filming on the beach, the thoughts of the boat and TV crews turned to rescuing some of the people on the beach on the return trip to Bangladesh.

Martin says: "The captain of the boat wanted to get as many people on board as possible. But the fear was that his vessel could be overwhelmed and overturned if there was a stampede of refugees."

Twenty people had been killed just a few days earlier in a rescue mission after a boat capsized just short of Bangladesh.

In the end the number of refugees who clambered on to Martin's boat was high but because many of the people were so thin and there were so many babies there, the physical weight on board wasn't unduly heavy.

A freak wave hit Martin's camera as he climbed on to the boat and his viewfinder went black so he didn't know if he was recording or not. But he was.

The frail and elderly woman Martin had filmed on the beach was carried on to the boat but the cameraman and the correspondent thought she might not make it to Bangladesh. But she did.

Neither Alex nor Martin fully appreciated what they'd recorded on the beach until they viewed the pictures during the preliminary editing process.

He says: "I initially told my bosses in London that I thought the images were powerful but it wasn't until we started to edit that we realised that the footage was staggering and more to the point it was the proof that the Myanmar government and military had been lying and that there was a genocide going on."

A Sky team have just returned from another visit to another part of Myanmar and Martin said they discovered that Christians were now being wiped out by the Burmese army too.

"There are still people trapped on the beaches because no one is going to stand up to the government and military. And the question that I keep coming back to is why the aid agencies can't do what we did - and travel in on bigger boats and bring refugees out when it's dark," adds Martin, who has literally travelled the world as a Sky cameraman but who has been a casualty of conflict himself.

In Syria he was filming the battle against Islamic State extremists in Raqqa when he lost 90% of his hearing in one ear as a result of a number of the explosions he was filming.

"We were in a hospital just as Raqqa was falling. Kurdish rebels were fighting ISIS who were holed up in the building. A weapon was fired inside the hospital that should have been fired in a field and that's how I lost the hearing in my ear," says Martin, who decided that it was time to stay away from the frontlines covering conflict.

He adds: "I know things like that happen but I didn't want to take that risk any longer. So I'm going back next month to London to work on general news."

Which will bring his career with Sky full circle. For covering news is where it all started for the man from the Mournes who always dreamt of a life behind the lens.

He said: "I was obsessed with photography from an early age. And the week I spent in the BBC in Belfast on work experience with Rose Neill, (inset) made an impression on me. Something went into my blood and I just couldn't let go.

"When I was doing my O-levels at school, I was glued to the TV because the Falklands war had started and I thought that going there to record those pictures and tell that story would be brilliant.

"After I left school, I spent a year in the Down Recorder newspaper as a trainee photographer but I knew I wanted more excitement on TV news."

Martin returned to college to study physics and photography to increase his chances of becoming a cameraman and he later worked in the audio-visual unit of Queen's University, Belfast, before he got his big chance with Sky 26 years ago.

"I was in London for 18 years and in Dubai during the Arab Spring before being based in Los Angeles for four years. And now I'm in the bureau in Istanbul," says Martin, who also worked back home in Northern Ireland during the difficult years when the Drumcree dispute was ongoing.

"I was in and out of the province working with reporters like Gary Honeyford and David Blevins, and it gave me the opportunity to get back home to Newcastle."As a Member of Parliament I am used to opening hundreds of letters and emails each day. It's an interesting and varied mail bag and I still get a sense of excitement at what the postman will bring. Imagine my surprise when opening my mail to find a letter carefully typed on private notepaper from a local priest who started off congratulating me for a recent TV appearance. I was hooked and read on.

He kindly referenced my father's great work as my predecessor, stating: "It is important, in this area, of North Antrim, that your father was highly respected, for his great help, for people of all backgrounds".

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The letter from my constituent identified the author as a local priest who was very concerned by the attack on Christian values, especially on the pro-life cause. He said: "I acknowledge that you, and other politicians, have publicly supported pro-life, which for us is essential, and for which we are deeply grateful."

He identified and called out what he described as a "cold house" for his parishioners in the Republic and how being in the north was much preferable. He said: "I hear little mention that, for traditional Catholics, the south is now a cold house, which would make it for us preferable to be in the north."

He went on to recount to me some private stories about his life both here and abroad and emphasised that I should be encouraged by his support.

I was not only encouraged but delighted and honoured that a man of considerable standing in his own community put pen to paper to support me.

He went on to tell me: "I am not silent in my own way" - in other ways, he was a canvasser! Making the case in places I would find hard to reach.

Such support is welcome but frankly I'm not surprised by it. I am not a stranger in my constituency. I make it my business to be available to constituents of all classes and creeds and listen to concerns and try my best to represent them. Since 1996 North Antrim has returned me with increasing majorities at each election.

I've described the letter as a straw in the wind. It's not a tsunami but it is a trend that is growing. Only the DUP with its unashamed pro-life stance can genuinely be supported on this issue.

Some suggest that we are losing political support because of this issue. But I would be astute enough to pick up that trend if it was happening.

The fact is, I believe this is an area where the party is gaining support because it shows we are true to a principle that cuts across party lines.

A point Arlene Foster correctly identified when she spoke to the national media at the weekend. I'd go so far as to contend that none of our current supporters are surprised by our stance on this issue, so why would they be turned off? It is people who, like my constituent, have been let down by the SDLP and Sinn Fein on this matter who are looking for other parties to represent them and to speak up with conviction and sincerity.

I often hear about the need for respect and for rights. What greater right and what more vulnerable a subject than the unborn child?

This is not the first time, nor will it be the last time, that I've received such pleasantly surprising mail. But it is one that comes at an important moment in a debate that cannot be ignored. Unlike social media with its anonymity and hurtful slander by wimps masquerading as generals, this is a real person speaking genuinely on a major issue and will carry more weight than the thousands of profane and sneering attacks on Twitter.

The local priest then told me about his own background and where he grew up. His description gave the lie to suggestions by Sinn Fein that no republican would change their vote.

My constituent disagrees.

He said that his family background was republican; in fact, he had family members who were "inspirers of republicanism". He himself had no relationship to the "values of violence" but his background was very much that of a republican. How out of touch is Mairtin O Muilleoir and other SF members who have chosen to speak before seeing the evidence.

"We represent a community, that is not represented. I am not silent!"

What an incredible insight I was privileged to receive and would be foolish to ignore.

Today, Parliament will debate for three hours the subject of abortion law in Northern Ireland. I will speak out on this matter.

Stella Creasy MP sees herself as some romanticised heroine fighting to equalise the laws across the UK. She's not. She's cynically using this matter to embarrass a weak and minority government and cares little that she stands on the unborn to make her case.

I do not need to recite here the laws that pertain in NI versus GB. I have yet to hear one local political party make the case that it wants the 1967 Abortion Act extended here.

Even Stella Creasy has backed away from making that case. She obviously got roasted by some supporters locally.

What is more, no one has any idea how the Dublin parliament will legislate. They will most certainly copy NI laws and regulations closer than move to anything resembling the 1967 Act.

The claims about criminalisation are just inflammatory and well she knows it. This is not a matter that Westminster needs to legislate on.

What is a crying shame is that the Assembly isn't meeting to legislate on it.A devastated Co Down bride-to-be has told how her wedding plans have been ruined after a priest suggested he would not officiate at her marriage because of her fiance's support for abortion.

Shaunagh Griffin and her partner Kevin McAteer, who are both Catholics, had planned to marry at St Brigid's Church in their native Newry on May 22, 2020, with Fr Damien Quigley performing the ceremony.

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Nine days ago, however, the priest, who serves in Middle Killeavy in the Armagh diocese, expressed uneasiness with the arrangement after Mr McAteer (31) voiced his support for abortion via Facebook.

In a subsequent message, Fr Quigley told them that if they promoted or advocated abortion, it would impact on the "appropriateness" of him celebrating their wedding or it taking place in the Church.

This revelation, which came just days after the historic repealing of the Republic's abortion ban, ignited widespread debate over whether Catholics who supported the 'Yes' lobby had relinquished their rights to the Church's sacraments.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Shaunagh (36), who revealed that she only learned the news about Fr Quigley's stance days after recovering from surgery, said the situation has cast a dark shadow over her forthcoming nuptials.

"I was really excited about getting married... but I've been so stressed I ended up back in hospital last Friday," she said.

"Doctors have told me to relax but how do you relax when all this is going on? I didn't want all this hassle.

"All I want is to be told I can get married in St Brigid's. I was Christened there, I made my First Holy Communion there, I made my confirmation there and so did the rest of my family."

The couple's reception is already booked at the Whistledown Hotel, Warrenpoint, but Shaunagh said it's hard to focus on that while the ceremony itself hangs in the balance.

"I was so excited - we'd talked about setting up the altar and decorating it. I've picked my bridesmaids, the venue is booked... but now all of this," she said. "I can't even begin to think about my dress while all this is going on."

She added: "All I've ever wanted is to get married in my local church. But for a priest to tell us that because of Kevin's opinion we might not be allowed to get married there it has really hurt me."

Ms Griffin said that her family is also annoyed "with how this has all panned out", and she added: "I don't think it's right at all. My daddy is disgusted," she said. "We're all Catholics and have been right down through the generations so they're in shock. Daddy has never heard the likes of it before."

She added: "All I want is to get the okay and be told that I'm allowed to get married in the church and we're going to have a priest so I can start getting back on track again and start getting the rest of my plans sorted."

Care worker Kevin said he's written to both all-Ireland Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin and the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar about the situation.

"We currently have no priest or church for our wedding and that has happened as a result of my pro-choice beliefs," he said.

"I go to Mass regularly, I say my prayers, I made my First Holy Communion and confirmation and I want my children to be able to do that too. But last Sunday Fr Quigley made his position clear."

Mr McAteer said the situation is starting to make him "rethink my religion".

"My religion is important to me - my family is Catholic. My partner is Catholic. I want to be married in a Catholic Church," he said. "This situation is starting to make me rethink my religion. The Catholic Church's stance on social issues like this is pushing young people away from it."

He said he sent a formal complaint to Archbishop Martin last week and contacted the Taoiseach "to make him aware of what's going on here".

"This is what's happening now in the aftermath of the referendum," he said.

"It was a referendum he called himself and there's a major fallout here. Mr Varadkar needs to know that.

"We're looking for another priest to perform our marriage ceremony. The wedding is in limbo until we find a priest. We've already arranged everything else."

Kevin - who has struggled with depression for two years - said this worry over his wedding plans isn't helping his mental health.

"I'm just starting to bounce back after battling depression for years," he said. "Shaunagh has been amazing and so supportive and I just want to give her the wedding of her dreams.

"I can't believe everything now lies in tatters over a couple of posts I put on Facebook."

There was no one available the Archdiocese of Armagh was contacted yesterday but a spokesperson previously said: "It would not be appropriate to discuss details of a priest's pastoral support to any specific individual or couple in their preparation for the sacrament of marriage. However, please be advised that Fr Quigley has never refused to prepare any person or couple for the sacrament."

Fr Quigley was unavailable for comment.Sinn Fein has claimed it is aware of at least 14 complaints made against Belfast neurologist Dr Michael Watt between 2011 and 2016

Sinn Fein has claimed it is aware of at least 14 complaints made against Belfast neurologist Dr Michael Watt between 2011 and 2016.

The party also wants the Department of Health to publish "robust terms of reference" for an inquiry into the patient recall "without further delay".

The Belfast Health Trust, which has ordered the recall of more than 2,500 of Dr Watt's former NHS patients, has said it first became aware of concerns regarding the consultant in December 2016.

Sinn Fein health spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA said his party was "becoming frustrated and concerned at the lack of clarity from the Belfast Trust and the health department".

The Department of Health has commissioned an independent inquiry panel, chaired by Brett Lockhart QC, to examine the handling of the recall process.

It is understood the independent panel inquiry is finalising its own terms of reference.

Mr Sheehan said his party was "aware that a total of 14 complaints were made against Dr Watt between 2011 and 2016, and possibly more prior to that".

"The conflicting information and lack of clarity from the department is eroding confidence that the reviews will uncover the full facts," he commented.

"Therefore, we are today calling on the department to publish robust terms of reference without any further delay.

"These terms of reference must clearly demonstrate that they will get to the truth of all matters concerning Dr Watt's [role] and the role of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Department of Health in the failures that led to the recall.

"This crisis is too grave. One doctor has told us that it could be as big, if not bigger, than the cervical cancer scandal in the south."

In addition to the independent inquiry, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is to conduct a review to examine the records of all patients or former patients of Dr Watt who have died over the past 10 years. Its terms of reference were published last month.

Another RQIA review will look at the governance of outpatient clinics in the Belfast Trust, with a particular focus on neurology services.

A Belfast Trust spokesperson said: "We take every complaint very seriously and they are thoroughly and fully investigated through a robust complaints procedure.

"Every complaint received regarding Dr Watt was fully investigated and did not raise any areas of concern."

The spokesperson continued: "In December 2016 concerns were raised by a GP and by another doctor about a very specific area of Dr Watt's practice.

"The trust immediately took action to ensure patient safety by putting in place restrictions culminating in Dr Watt being fully restricted from seeing patients from June 2017."Jeremy Corbyn has hit out at the DUP after it insisted Westminster should not meddle with Northern Irelands strict abortion regime.

As the Commons was holding an emergency debate on termination laws, the Labour leader insisted Parliament had a responsibility to respect human rights standards.

DUP leader Arlene Foster has said that abortion is a devolved matter and should only be dealt with by the Northern Ireland Assembly, which is currently suspended.

Arlene Foster says she's received emails from nationalists and republicans saying they will vote for the DUP "because they believe that we're the only party that supports the unborn" pic.twitter.com/ZhbKkWTvgM  Sky News (@SkyNews) June 2, 2018

Mr Corbyn said: I would say very politely to Arlene Foster, you were elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, maybe you should play your part in ensuring that Assembly functions and we get a devolved administration working in Northern Ireland.

In the absence of it, then clearly the UK Parliament has responsibility to adhere to human rights standards, and there is a Supreme Court decision coming on Thursday.

Labours position has always been that abortion rights should be extended, without fear or favour, across the whole of the UK.

50 years ago today abortion was decriminalised under Labour. We must continue to fight for women's right to choose here and around the world  Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 27, 2017

The Government has faced intense cross-party calls to liberalise Northern Irelands abortion laws following the landslide pro-choice referendum victory in the Irish Republic last month.

Mr Corbyns comments came as MPs were debating on Tuesday repealing sections of a 150-year-old law that criminalises abortion.

Labour MP Stella Creasy pushed for the debate to discuss doing away with parts of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill welcomed the Westminster debate, describing it as a first step on the road to abortion reform in Northern Ireland.

Mrs ONeill said she wanted repeal of the relevant sections of the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act to ensure abortion was no longer treated as a criminal offence in the region.

She called for the UK and Irish governments to then come together under a peace process construct called the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference to discuss how to change the laws on terminations in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein supports abortion in extreme cases, like foetal abnormality.

However, the republican party is due to consider whether to change to support unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks at its ard fheis (party conference) later this month.

I welcome the fact that MPs are talking about decriminalising this issue because women have been criminalised here for far too long, said Mrs ONeill.

Women have been criminalised when they find themselves in very, very difficult circumstances, so we welcome that debate but clearly we need to see legislative change here in the north.

Mrs ONeill said she would prefer to be enacting changes at Stormont but that was impossible due to the current powersharing impasse  a logjam she blamed on the DUP.

She added: I for one want to be a legislator that brings about that change, but because of the DUPs denial of rights, and the fact we dont have an institution, because of the DUPs denial of rights what we need to see is the inter-governmental conference to meet and for them to deal with the rights-based issues, including the issue of womens healthcare.A campaign to allow doctors to write NHS prescriptions for medicinal cannabis has received a boost from Northern Irelands politicians.

Five of the main political parties are to write to the Prime Minister, Home Office and the Department of Healths permanent secretary to ask them to support efforts to make it easier for people to access cannabis oil to treat life-threatening conditions.

It comes after representatives from the SDLP, Sinn Fein, UUP, Alliance and Green parties attended a meeting at Stormont yesterday, organised by the mum of a youngster who needs cannabis oil to keep deadly seizures at bay. Charlotte Caldwell launched the campaign to help people after witnessing a miraculous turnaround in her son Billys treatment using cannabis oil.

However, Billy only has three days of medication left after health officials banned his GP from writing a prescription for THC-a  a non-intoxicating form of cannabis that has been shown to help people with a range of conditions from epilepsy to Parkinsons disease.

The youngster, from Castlederg, suffers from a severe form of epilepsy and could die as a result of his seizures. It will be the third time Charlotte has been forced to leave Northern Ireland to seek treatment for Billy since he was a baby.A heated row broke out at City Hall on Monday night during a debate on the recent violence on the Gaza Strip.

Sinn Fein had tabled a motion calling on Belfast City Council to urge Dublin to expel the Israeli ambassador in response to Mays bloodshed, which left dozens of Palestinians dead and thousands injured.

The motion also called for the UN to investigate the "genocide" committed by Israel.

Alliance leader Michael Long said that while he supported Sinn Fein's bid to open a public book of condolence for the victims of the violence - as they did last month in their room at City Hall - the motion was "too one-sided" and deeply unhelpful.

Mr Long proposed amending the motion to include the condemnation of bomb and mortar attacks by Hamas on Israel, while calling on both sides to resolve the conflict through dialogue.

DUP council group leader Lee Reynolds said the original motion was a "request to stand with Palestine" and his party would not be supporting it.

"This is a request to stand with Hamas and Hamas is not an organisation we are willing to stand beside," he added.

SDLP councillor Donal Lyons said it was important to separate the people of Palestine from Hamas.

"I live under a Tory/DUP government. I am not a Tory or a member of the DUP," he added.

The debate took a heated turn however, during Ulster Unionist Alderman David Brownes speech.

He said that Israel too been targeted by Hamas missiles and rockets and Israeli forces were defending their home.

Alderman Browne said during the Troubles, like Hamas, the IRA would to use children to lure out soldiers with stones and bricks before they would be shot by IRA gunmen.

With respect to some of the people on the far side (on the Sinn Fein benches), they might want to look into their past history before they start talking about innocent people being killed, because they did enough killing in their own country, he added.

He also criticised nationalist councillors' "one-sided" comments during the debate and urged them to be "careful in what they say".

Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran Beattie asked for clarification on who Alderman Brownes remarks were directed at and the Ulster Unionist councillor replied: some of the people on the far side of the chamber.

In November, Alderman Browne apologised after referring to councillor Ciaran Beattie as a one-armed bandit. The Sinn Fein representative lost his left hand after being caught in an explosion during the Troubles.

Later in the debate, Sinn Feins JJ Magee stood to speak and referred to councillors in recent months having to apologise for remarks said in the chambers.

Whats it like to be on a high moral ground over there? the Oldpark representative asked, motioning towards the Ulster Unionist benches.

He stands over there and talks about one side of the conflict  he doesnt think about this side of the benches, where people have lost their sisters, their mothers, their grandfathers  and thats just in the Oldpark ward, Councillor Magee said.

So for him to go on about loss and how it feels to lose people and how righteous he is about how people should die and then for other councillors to just stand up and say its a war or these things happen in a war  take a look at yourselves.

Were moving forward here. If you want to go on with this sad narrative that nothing happened here, it only happened on one side  its totally wrong.

Alderman Browne attempted to speak in response, however Deputy Mayor McDonough-Brown said he wasnt referred to by name and asked him to take his seat.

The Ulster Unionist councillor began shouting towards Councillor Magee off-mic, pointing his finger yelling you should be ashamed of yourself, before Mr Browne acceded to the Deputy Mayors requests for him to sit down and the meeting continued.

Later, the motion amended by Councillor Long was passed, 30 votes to 18.Derry City and Strabane District's new deputy mayor Derek Hussey has welcomed the cancellation of the proposed sale of the police station in Castlederg.

Mr Hussey, who was installed as deputy to John Boyle of the SDLP at the council's AGM on Monday, June 4, said that while the motive was to deal with the possible fallout from the Brexit negotiation, it would also help to curb antisocial behaviour in the area.

"Clearly this decision has come in the light of a lack of progress towards post-Brexit arrangements in regard to the border to be operated generally between the European Union and the United Kingdom and particularly along our international frontier with the Republic of Ireland," he said.

"The PSNI are suggesting that they could need in the region of 300 additional officers to police this border.

"Those engaged in such border security would obviously require accommodation and administrative facilities such as those that they already own in border areas such as Castlederg, Warrenpoint and Aughnacloy.

"The present situation has emerged as a logical contingency plan retaining available facilities until such time as final Brexit arrangements emerge that will allow everyone to properly make their necessary arrangements in line with those legal requirements coming into place.

"A police presence being relocated back in our community would also undoubtedly offer greater reassurance to those vulnerable, elderly and isolated members of our community.

"This lack of local policing visibility is increasingly being highlighted across areas enduring increased criminal and antisocial behaviour and citizens are telling us that police are needed on the ground to curtail such difficulties."

"Given that I know that Sinn Fein representatives are receiving the same concerns as the rest of us in regard to community safety it is difficult to understand their on-going resistance to an increased PSNI presence within the community."A death driver has been returned to custody after another breach of bail.

Nathan Finn had been bailed to allow him to attend counselling prior to being sentenced for causing the death of Armagh teenager Lesley-Anne McCarragher.

An excuse for the breach - that Finn's father was buying him a puppy as a surprise - was rubbished by the judge, who said this was a stupid signal given "his future is prison".

Finn (19) of Keady Road, Armagh caused the death of Lesley-Anne by dangerous driving while without a licence or insurance.

The 19-year-old was struck at Monaghan Road in Armagh on April 9, 2016 by a car driven by Finn, who fled the horror scene without stopping.

Having been on bail since his initial charge, Finn first appeared at Newry Crown Court last December, denying all charges. But a breach occurred at Christmas and he was remanded in custody.

In January he switched his plea, admitting everything. Bail was then sought and granted on very strict terms, primarily to allow for counselling.

A specific term banned Finn from driving and using public transport. Travel was only permitted if driven by his father or sister, and only for medical, counselling and legal appointments.

But on May 28 at 9.40pm police spotted him in Dungannon. His father was driving and he told police they were purchasing a puppy.

Finn was later arrested and spent some time in hospital as a precaution. On discharge he was brought before Newry Crown Court.

Defence counsel urged Judge Melody McReynolds not to return Finn to custody.

It was contended that due to the onerous bail terms Finn spent a lot of time around the family home, so his father decided to buy him a dog as a surprise.

At this point, prosecution counsel interjected saying police "are firmly of the view" Finn was intending to sell as opposed to purchase a puppy.

Judge McReynolds said: "It is of little difference. Buying a puppy is giving this man a very stupid signal. It was an act of extreme foolishness.

"He was allowed to be at large to address his mental health issues and that was against the backdrop of a previous breach.

"A huge level of trust was placed on the father. It was a stupid thing for the father in seeking to buy his son a puppy when his future is custodial," the judge added.

She refused bail and Finn was taken into custody, but a short time later his defence asked for the case to be revisited, as he wished to make further representations.

It was contended Mr Finn Snr "openly asserted" he regularly drives his son to mass and drops him at a gym.

Judge McReynolds replied: "The fact there has previously been regular flouting of bail does not assist this case. The bail terms were very specific, very tailored.

"The court is now being told these were being regularly breached. This was a major breach. What was the father thinking?"

Revoking bail, Judge McReynolds concluded: "It is very sensible he returns to the Young Offenders Centre today."Chandan Kumar Mandal is the environment and migration reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering labour migration and governance, as well as climate change, natural disasters, and wildlife.The devastated mother of Shankill woman Leah Weir, who died suddenly while on holiday, has travelled to France to bring her daughter's body home.

Deborah Weir left Belfast yesterday morning on the most heartbreaking of journeys after her 28-year-old daughter passed away suddenly on Sunday morning.

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Leah - who was affectionately called Lele by those closest to her - was in Cannes celebrating the 30th birthday of one of her best friends. The group had been staying on a yacht.

Her friend Thomas Watson, who spoke with Leah just hours before her tragic death, said her circle of friends was "shell-shocked".

"It is a heartbreak," he said.

"Leah was the girl who would put a smile on your face in the worst situation.

"You could be in the darkest hole and she would have shone a light for you. She knew how to cheer you up when you were down. She always knew the right thing to say and the right thing to do whenever you needed it.

"I was talking to her just hours before she died. I asked her how she was getting along and she said she was having the time of her life and was loving it.

"There was no sign at all anything was wrong. It breaks my heart because I was talking to her so much leading up to her death and I didn't click on to how she was really feeling. I didn't look past that beautiful smile that she had always put on. I didn't look deeper. It pains me so much. I know myself from past experience how to put on a smile.

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"Everyone is just devastated. They are left speechless. We have 100 questions, but Lele has taken the answers with her. They're answers we'll never get. None of us seen it coming at all. We are all shell-shocked and heartbroken."

Thomas pleaded with others who may be feeling down to "reach out a hand".

"It's okay to talk, it's okay to reach out, it's okay to speak to people," he said.

Pastor Johnny McKee from the New Life City Church was a close friend of Leah's. He said the Weir family and the wider community are simply heartbroken.

"Everyone is absolutely devastated by Leah's death," he commented. "Her family are in complete and total shock. Her mum is in France at the moment and they are hoping to bring Leah back on Friday. She has flown over there just to be with Leah, to bring her child home.

"It is the most difficult and heartbreaking of journeys to make. I was with her mum Deborah last night before she left and she is just devastated and in shock.

"Leah was such a popular girl, well known and well loved in the community. She had a ton of friends who loved her. I've known Leah for a long, long time. I would have been the youth pastor in the church and Leah would have came here from the age of six. Leah grew up here in the church and into her early teen years she was a part of the church and youth club.

"She was very bright, she was always enthusiastic and wanted to help. She was so easy to connect with and get on with. She was a fun person, but she also did have her troubles.

"She was very outspoken about her mental health and even created a blog to speak about it. She used that as a way for her to communicate what she was going through but also to connect with other people, to let them know that she has been through it and connect with her, that she'd help. She was looking for a way to take what she was going through and turn it into a positive.

"For many years she had struggled with a lot of different things but certainly tried to turn that into a positive by helping other people."

Pastor McKee urged anyone struggling with mental health issues to "talk to friends, talk to family".

If you are affected by any issues in this article contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or Lifeline on 080 8808 8000The new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church has called for an end to the brinkmanship of politics in Northern Ireland.

Dr Charles McMullen from Bangor described the ongoing political impasse at Stormont as appalling.

The stark message came during his inaugural address after been installed during the General Assemblys opening night, in succession to outgoing Moderator, the Very Rev Noble McNeely.

Dr McMullen said: It has been simply appalling that attitudes have become so embittered and entrenched, with such adverse effects on our schools, hospitals, businesses, the economy, and the many, many victims and survivors.

He said that politics should not be played out on the level of brinkmanship, but of finding consensus on the small piece of land we have to share together.

We need to imagine a better future for our childrens children, confronting our prejudices through tireless efforts of imagination, he said.

What if our politics were based, to paraphrase the great Methodist Charles Wesley, on doing all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can.

This is not a bad description of what it means to build relationships, which is the theme of my Moderatorial year.

Dr McMullen said that building relationships in a Christian community was a powerful antidote to the idols of self which drive so much of todays society.

He continued, saying he was personally saddened by the seismic vote in the Irish Republic to repeal the Eighth Amendment, which relaxes its strict laws on abortion.

We can only pray that the Dublin government, as they legislate, will keep their promises to keep abortion rare in Ireland, he added.

The outgoing Moderator, Dr McNeely, said: If we are to have a voice in the public square to demonstrate what Christ means to us, if we are to be missional and declare the transforming power of the Gospel, we must be prepared to hear the voice of Jesus instructing us to cast out the net differently.

Until Friday afternoon the 800 lay and clerical delegates from the Churchs 535 congregations across 19 Presbyteries throughout Ireland will meet to discuss and vote on a wide range of topics including housekeeping issues and important social developments.

There will be resolutions and votes on same-sex issues, as well as suicide and euthanasia, climate change and the aftermath of the referendum in the Republic which resulted in a two to one majority in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment.

The General Assembly will hold evening sessions, and also access for additional delegates aged 30 and under.

The Assembly Clerk, the Rev Trevor Gribben, said: We hope that these changes will enable more people to come and younger voices to be heard.MPs are continuing to debate repealing sections of a 150-year-old law that criminalises abortion.

Labour MP Stella Creasy, opening the emergency debate in the Commons, said: "There are many issues ahead of us here today - decriminalisation, devolution, domestic abuse but above all I want to say it's about a particular 'D', dignity.

"The dignity of women to be able to choose for themselves what to do with their own bodies."

The Walthamstow MP, reflecting on the Irish referendum result to liberalise its termination laws, added: "It is now time for us to offer our hands to the women of Northern Ireland in the same way."

During the subsequent debate the Northern Ireland Secretary of State Karen Bradley said they while she herself wanted reform it would be "inappropriate" for Westminster to impose its will on what was a devolved matter.

She said her and Theresa May's "top priority" was to restore government in Northern Ireland but she said if there was any vote on the matter it would be a free vote for MPs.

Ms Creasy said the proposal to repeal sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act (OAPA) 1861 would respect devolution, telling MPs: "The time limit would not change, nor would the important role of medics in this matter.

"I respect and recognise that some people do not consider abortion a human right and so think a criminal approach is the right response, but I recognise many more agree it's not that that worries them but the constitutional issues that are stake.

"Even though the Good Friday Agreement explicitly retains human rights responsibilities for (Westminster), let me reassure those MPs who want to uphold the role of devolved assemblies that repealing OAPA would not write a particular abortion law for anyone, but it would require them to act."

Ms Creasy said she was not proposing any particular law but repealing existing UK legislation that then "requires Northern Irish law to act in a certain way".

She added: "In doing so, unlike imposing a referendum or extending the 1967 Act, it would be in line with both our human rights responsibilities - which is why the United Nations has asked us to do this - and it would not impose a specific outcome on Northern Ireland."

Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts said such a move would give "more power to devolution", to which Ms Creasy replied: "What it does is it simply means the Northern Irish Assembly, if it's reconstituted, cannot ignore this issue because there would be a gap that would then need to be filled by medical regulation."

DUP MP Ian Paisley (North Antrim) said the Assembly debated the matter in 2016 and "rejected totally" Ms Creasy's proposals, adding: "By removing sections 58 and 59, there'd be no regulatory framework in Northern Ireland whatsoever to govern legal abortions.

"There'd be a massive hole left in the law in Northern Ireland and no right by the medical practitioners to actually exercise their conscientious objection to this."

Ms Creasy dismissed Mr Paisley's characterisation of events in 2016, adding two assembly elections since then means there is no guarantee its view would be the same.

Ms Creasy went on to tell MPs that "women will never truly be free whilst one cannot control what happens to their own body".

The Labour backbencher continued by reading abusive emails she had been sent for standing up for that position.

She said: "Judging by the emails I've had today it's either mine or my mother's fault, I made the mistake that many MPs make of actually reading my emails today."

One email, which she read, said: "Your views are a disgrace to humanity and a betrayal of the truly innocent, women can always say no or keep their clothes on.

"You madam were once an embryo, you madam were once a fetus in your mother's womb, you were once a pre-born baby. I wonder what decision you would have wanted your mother to make about your life or death had she been given the opportunity in the months before you were born."

Independent Lady Hermon (North Down) earlier noted it was a "very, very sensitive and controversial issue", particularly in Northern Ireland, as she sought assurances for her constituents that the "important" debate did not undermine the devolution settlement.

She told Ms Creasy: "I have received a large number of emails from constituents who feel that MPs at Westminster are usurping the powers and responsibilities of the Northern Ireland Assembly during a period when we haven't had a functioning assembly, and I wish we did have one."

Conservative MP Michael Fabricant (Lichfield), in his own intervention, said: "It is surprising but rather wonderful actually that the Republic of Ireland is actually leading the way on this and, indeed, also on gay marriage."

He added: "Not withstanding the fact that Northern Ireland is devolved, they should look now to the south and say 'They are leading the way, and we should follow'."

Ms Creasy concluded her speech by calling on ministers to implement change in "at most 150 days".

She said: "150 years is a long time to wait for social justice, so let's not wait anymore.

"Today we ask the minister to commit to a timetable when the will of the House can be tested on this issue, were rather we wait 150 years, we wait at most 150 days before we see change."

Tory former culture secretary Maria Miller later stood to offer her support to Ms Creasy.

She said: "We need a change, in 2016 724 women from Northern Ireland travelled from Northern Ireland to England for abortion care. I think it's wrong that women in Northern Ireland don't have the same access to abortion as my constituents do."

Ms Miller added: "I believe that the situation should not exist, the fact that the same rights are not available to one in four parts of the UK is difficult to understand."Health authorities in England have written to more than 70 women in Northern Ireland in the wake of a breast screening scandal.

Up to 75 women may have died prematurely following blunders in breast screening, according to latest estimates.

NHS records show as many as 174,000 women were affected by failures in the programme and 130,000 are still alive.

Between 135 and 270 were feared to have had their lives cut short as a result of the mistake, Jeremy Hunt had warned when he revealed the problem in May.

But the figure has been revised down to fewer than 75, the Health Secretary announced in a written statement to Parliament.

"Whilst this figure is lower than the original estimates given in my statement, this does not lessen the devastating impact that this has had on some people's lives," Mr Hunt added.

Computer system failures meant thousands of women aged 68 to 71 were not invited to their final routine screening between 2009 and May 2018.

Public Health England contacted 195,565 women registered with a GP in England by the end of May who had missed their screening. All the affected women known to have moved to other parts of the UK were also written to. They include 72 women in Northern Ireland, 503 in Scotland, and 94 women in Wales.

Overall, nearly 27,000 have now received an appointment for screening. An emergency helpline set up to speak to women concerned they had been affected has received 46,000 calls.

All those affected who want to be screened will be seen by the end of October, Mr Hunt said.

Screening is a procedure that allows doctors to catch breast cancer while it is still in its infancy and therefore easier to treat.

It involves an X-ray - known as a mammogram - to check for signs of cancer which are too small to see or feel.

A "failure" stretching back to 2009 with a computer algorithm meant invitations were not sent to all those who should have received them.

Mr Hunt said: "Our cancer screening programme is widely recognised as world-leading, but on this occasion a number of women have been let down.

"It is now clear that this may have resulted in significant harm for a small number of women, while thousands more have faced unnecessary distress and anxiety as they waited to hear if they have been affected.

"I would like to repeat my wholehearted and unreserved apology to the women affected and their families - and above all reassure them that we are working hard to understand what went wrong and what we need to do to stop similar incidents from happening in the future."

Public Health England chief executive Duncan Selbie said: "Our priority throughout has been the wellbeing of affected women and giving them the support they need.

"I would like to reiterate our heartfelt and unreserved apology that this has happened.

"We welcome the terms of reference of the independent review and we will work fully with them to ensure it cannot happen again."The family of IRA murder victim Robert McCartney have called on Sinn Fein's new Lord Mayor to meet them as they disputed her claim she did all she could to help them.

The McCartneys said the image of their brother Robert would "cast a long shadow" over Deirdre Hargey's term as Belfast's first citizen. They also challenged her to go to the PSNI and directly recount what she saw in Magennis's bar on the night in January 2005 when their brother was murdered.

Speaking as she became Sinn Fein's first female Lord Mayor of the city last night, Ms Hargey said she had done all she could to help the McCartneys get justice.

But Catherine McCartney told the Belfast Telegraph: "In the 13 years since Robert was murdered, Deirdre Hargey has never once reached out to us.

"She was in the bar on the night our brother was killed. We are calling on her to meet us.

"We want to sit down with her and ask her what exactly she saw and didn't see that night - where she sat, if she saw Robert, if she saw Jock Davison (the man the McCartneys believe gave the execution order).

"All bereaved families are desperate for every little detail regarding the death of their loved ones. We believe most ordinary citizens would have felt compelled to contact the family of a murder victim in such circumstances. Even higher standards are expected of a public representative."

Ms Hargey did not directly engage with detectives at the time but made statements to a solicitor saying she saw nothing of the row inside Magennis's that ultimately spilled outside and ended in murder.

Ms Hargey said she had "fully complied" with the police investigation. The PSNI had not asked to interview her but she would be willing to talk to detectives if requested, she added.

Ms McCartney said that wasn't good enough. "It was symbolically important for Deirdre Hargey as a Sinn Fein member to immediately go to the police after Robert was murdered without being asked to," she said.

"Her duty was to demonstrate to the nationalist community that it was okay to come forward and co-operate with the police.

"We will be asking the PSNI why they never requested Deirdre Hargey come in for interview. But she shouldn't have had to be asked, she should have automatically volunteered to go herself."

Ms Hargey has said the murder will not overshadow her term of office. But Ms McCartney said: "Robert's image will be hanging over Deirdre Hargey for the entire time.

"Robert's two young sons are growing up in this city. How are they to view the elevation of Deirdre Hargey? They have already had to deal with losing their daddy and now this."

The 33-year-old father-of-two from the Short Strand was stabbed to death by IRA members outside Magennis's. Following his murder, Ms Hargey was dropped as a prospective election candidate and temporarily suspended from Sinn Fein after it emerged she was in the pub on the night the fight erupted.

With CCTV video tapes removed from the bar in the wake of the killing, and widespread reports of witness intimidation, the IRA was accused of a cover-up.

Of 70 people in the bar that night, no-one reported seeing anything of the fracas.

Ms Hargey yesterday said: "I want to take this opportunity to again extend my sincere condolences to the McCartney family. What happened to their brother Robert was wrong, it should not have happened.

"I complied fully with the investigation and I am conscious that there is an ongoing investigation that is still live into this case. But the family do deserve justice."

She continued: "My main concern is to ensure the family receives justice and I feel that needs to be done through the PSNI and I do feel that any information around incidents pertaining to that night needs to be done through those avenues and I would be open to doing that, as I have done in the past."

Ms Hargey also said she was willing to consider attending this year's Remembrance Sunday commemoration in Belfast. She said she wanted to be a mayor for all citizens and would reach out to the Royal British Legion and locally-based Somme Association to discuss ways to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Alliance's Emmett McDonough-Brown is the new Deputy Lord Mayor. He said it was "sad" no unionists last night spoke to welcome him and Ms Hargey in their new roles.The DUP's Sammy Wilson faced criticism during a debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday evening for referring to feotuses being "discarded and put in a bin".

The East Antrim MP made the comments during a discussion on repealing the 150-year-old Offences Against the Person Act (OAPA) that criminalises abortion in Northern Ireland.

The emergency Commons debate led by Labours Stella Creasy proposed that repealing sections 58 and 59 of the Act would respect devolution and not change the abortion time limit or the role of medics.

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"As a result of not introducing the legislation which exists here in the rest of the United Kingdom - reflecting the views of the people of Northern Ireland - as a result of that, making both child and parents matter, (pro-life group) Both Lives Matter has indicated there are 100,000 people alive in Northern Ireland today who otherwise would have been killed before they were even born," said Mr Wilson.

He added without the law, many of the children would have been "discarded and put in a bin before they were ever born".

The remark drew criticism from other members of the House, with SNP MP Hannah Bardell saying it was a "disgusting way" of talking about a choice women have to make.

The debate saw other DUP MPs voice their support for Northern Ireland's current abortion legislation and any proposed changes were a devolved matter.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: "Some of the best proponents of a pro-life position in Northern Ireland have come from the Republican tradition. People like Francie Brolly, a former Sinn Fein MLA. People like his wife Anne, who was the former mayor of Limavady."

The Lagan Valley MP also noted the pro-life position of former SDLP MP Mark Durkan, who represented the constituency of Foyle for 12 years between 2005 and 2017.

Jim Shannon said it was a divisive debate and there were a range of views across the House of Commons - but he believed holding the discussion was an "opportunistic move" following the result of the referendum in the Republic of Ireland on liberalising abortion laws.

During the debate Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley said she supported abortion reform, but changing the law would be the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Conservative MP Heidi Allen recalled the "incredibly hard decision" she had faced in deciding to have a termination, and stated her commitment to changing the law in Northern Ireland.PSNI and forensics attend the scene of an alleged aggravated burglary in Newry. Pic: Newraypics.com

A teenager is in hospital after he was attacked by a machete-wielding gang during a burglary in Newry.

It happened at a house on Talbot Street during the early hours of Tuesday morning.

It was reported that shortly after 2.15am a number of males armed with machetes forced their way into a property and attacked the male occupant.

The 17-year-old was taken to hospital for treatment for an injury to his nose and large cuts to his arm and leg as a result of the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Will Tate is appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone with any information that can assist with the investigation to contact detectives in Ardmore Police Station on 101 quoting reference 236 05/06/18. Or, alternatively information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.Theresa May has been urged to support liberalisation of Northern Ireland's laws (Leon Neal/PA)

Theresa May has reportedly told a group of MPs the current political climate makes it impossible for reform of Northern Ireland's abortion laws.

The Prime Minister has been under increasing pressure to introduce reform from Westminster after the historic vote in the Republic of Ireland which will see reform of its abortion laws.

However, given her reliance on the DUP to prop up her minority government she has warned that to introduce any measure would be difficult given the need for support over the coming months as Brexit approaches, the Guardian has reported.

It was also claimed, she feels that to take the step would hamper efforts to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland.

May privately telling MPs she cant override Stormont over #abortion (1. need to get an assembly up & running 2. small matter of the EU withdrawal bill votes). But on my count the no of Tory MPs agitating on this outnumbers the 10 DUP MPs she relies on for votes. Wholl win out?  Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) June 5, 2018

It comes after the Prime Minister held discussions with MPs on Northern Ireland's abortion laws.

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International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt, who was made Women and Equalities Minister in April, attended the briefing in Downing Street on Monday. Former home secretary Amber Rudd was present, along with ex-education secretary Justine Greening and Maria Miller, chairwoman of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee.

Mrs May was reportedly told there is growing support among Tories for reform to be introduced.

Maria Miller told the Guardian a referendum in Northern Ireland on the matter would help inform the next Stormont Executive. She said irrespective of how the government wanted to act, there would be a free vote held.

"It is preferable to have anything done in this area reflecting the will of the people of Northern Ireland, not imposed from Westminster, she said.

Downing Street has made it clear the Government believes the situation should be dealt with by Stormont once the Northern Ireland Assembly is restored.Overlapping issues delay drafting of laws on basic rights

Time is running out for the government to draft laws necessary for guaranteeing citizens fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution as the matters are diverse and issues overlapping.A third runway at Heathrow Airport has been given the go-ahead by the Cabinet, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced.

The divisive project was approved at a meeting of ministers on the Cabinets economic sub-committee.

MPs will be given a vote on the scheme by early July.

Mr Grayling told the Commons: Today I am laying before Parliament our final proposal for an Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) which signals our commitment to securing global connectivity, creating tens of thousands of local jobs and apprenticeships, and boosting our economy for future generations by expanding Heathrow Airport.

He added: My department has met with local residents and fully understands their strength of feeling, but this is a decision taken in the national interest and based on detailed evidence.

Mr Grayling told MPs: The time for action is now. Heathrow is already full and the evidence shows the remaining London airports wont be far behind. Despite being the busiest tworunway airport in the world, Heathrows capacity constraints means that it is falling behind its global competitors, impacting the UKs economy and global trading opportunities.

Expansion at Heathrow will bring real benefits across the country including a boost of up to 74 billion to passengers and the wider economy. This is a project with benefits which reach far beyond London.

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Mr Grayling acknowledged the concerns of people living around the airport, but said there was a 2.6 billion package for local communities towards the costs of compensation, noise insulation and improvements to public amenities.

He said the scheme  including 700 million for noise insulation for homes and 40 million to insulate schools and community buildings  was comparable with some of the most generous in the world.

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He said that he also expected to see for the first time a six-and-a-half hour ban on scheduled night flights, and would be encouraging Heathrow and airlines to work with local communities to propose longer periods of respite during a further consultation on night flight restrictions.

I hope the House will be ready to work together  acting on an issue that is in our shared national interest  in order to create a positive legacy for the future. I hope members will get behind it, he said.The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg has ruled that a gay Romanian-American couple are entitled to the same residency rights as other married couples in the European Union.

Romanian Adrian Coman and his American husband Claibourn Robert Hamilton have fought a six-year legal battle to get their 2010 marriage in Belgium legally recognised in Romania.

The court ruled that EU members may not obstruct the freedom of residence of EU citizens by refusing to grant residence for the same-sex spouse.

However, members retain the freedom whether or not to authorise marriage between persons of the same sex.

The ruling has implications for tens of thousands of same-sex couples in Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Latvia, which do not currently offer legal protection to same-sex couples.

Mr Coman, a 46-year-old gay rights activist, said he was overwhelmed by the ruling.

Todays decision means that I can finally look in the eyes of any Romanian or EU clerk with the certainty we are a family and the state recognises what we are, he said.

We are one step closer to being recognised as a family and I am truly elatedClaibourn Hamilton

Mr Hamilton, also 46, speaking by video link from New York, said: We are one step closer to being recognised as a family and I am truly elated.

Iustina Ionescu, a human rights lawyer, said the ruling meant that the couple would be legally recognised in Romania and the other EU states (and can) freely move around and settle in any of the member states.

Practically, the ruling means that Mr Hamilton as a non-EU citizen will have employment rights and health benefits, previously denied to him, as Mr Comans spouse.

The couple live in New York.

Opposition to same-sex relationships is often fierce in Romania, where homosexuality was only decriminalised in 2002.

Mr Comans father, Liviu Coman, said he was pleased at the ruling, which would make some aspects of their lives easier.

However, he said he was most gratified as a parent that they are happy together and get on well.Harvey Weinstein ready to fight as he pleads not guilty to sex charges (Steven Hirsch/AP)

Harvey Weinsteins lawyer has said he is ready to begin our fight as the film producer pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges.

Weinstein appeared at a Manhattan court for a hearing on Tuesday in his first public appearance since he was first charged less than two weeks ago.

He wore a black suit and tie, and was accompanied by his lawyer Benjamin Brafman as he arrived at the court to a crowd of reporters and photographers.

Expand Close Harvey Weinstein arrives at court in New York. He pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges in New York (Seth Wenig/AP/PA) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Harvey Weinstein arrives at court in New York. He pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges in New York (Seth Wenig/AP/PA)

Inside the court, the 66-year-old entered his plea of not guilty against the charges, which related to two separate women.

Speaking outside the court shortly after, Mr Brafman said: Today is the first day of this process, we begin our fight now. We will fight this case in the courtroom.

I am pleased with what happened today, we were given enough time to do our job and do it hopefully well.

Mr Brafman said they are going to file a series of legal motions that will get us more information and may impact the process.

He added that if they are successful, there may not be a trial, and that if there is, they will proceed vigorously to try and clear Mr Weinsteins name.

He said he believes the two charges are eminently defensible, and that Weinstein will appear in court again on September 20.

Mr Brafman previously said that Weinstein intended to enter a plea of not guilty against the charges when he was first charged on May 25 in New York.

Expand Close Harvey Weinstein and his attorney Benjamin Brafman leave court (Seth Wenig/AP/PA) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Harvey Weinstein and his attorney Benjamin Brafman leave court (Seth Wenig/AP/PA)

Weinsteins not guilty plea comes after he was indicted by a grand jury on the charges  rape in the first and third degrees, and a criminal sexual act in the first degree  last Wednesday.

He was due to face the grand jury, the panel convened by the Manhattan District Attorney, at the time, but he did not attend on the advice of his lawyers.

They said the former movie mogul did not have enough time to prepare to testify, and that he only learned on the day he was charged of the identities of the two women relating to the charges.

The day he was charged was Weinsteins first public appearance since facing numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.

He is out on a one million dollar (751,060) bail, and must wear an electronic tracking device at all times.

He has also surrendered his passport and has agreed to stay within the states of New York and Connecticut.

Weinstein denies all allegations of non-consensual sex.The bitter irony wasn't lost on terror victims yesterday as a series of banners erected by loyalists in south Belfast to remember IRA atrocities like the Shankill bomb did what the Provisionals couldn't do in years gone by - causing division among the families of the people who were killed.

Relatives who lost loved ones in the Shankill attack in 1993 were yesterday split into two camps - for and against the banners which have been put up by a group calling themselves the East Belfast Community Initiative (EBCI).

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The professionally produced posters with photographs of terror scenes and a hand drenched in blood, have appeared on lampposts in the mixed Cantrell Close development which was built as a symbol of hope for shared housing off the Ravenhill Road.

"The Provos weren't able to cause disharmony among the families that they tore apart with their bombings. But now the loyalists who have been putting up the banners have succeeded in doing just that," said one community activist in south Belfast.

The rifts became apparent on yesterday morning's Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster and they widened during the day as the controversy over the banners intensified, with the Radius Housing Association which manages Cantrell Close calling for the images to come down.

On the radio, Alan McBride, whose wife and father-in-law were among the nine innocent people who died in the Shankill bomb, was involved in a heated debate with loyalist activist Jamie Bryson.

Mr Bryson defended the banners, which highlight bombings and shootings carried out by the IRA in the likes of Enniskillen, at Kingsmills, at Teebane crossroads, on Bloody Friday and in London.

Mr McBride, who works for the Wave Trauma Centre, described the banners as "grotesque whataboutery" and said they were one-sided and selective because there were none to commemorate the outrages carried out by the UVF, the UDA or the Red Hand Commando during the Troubles.

Mr McBride said the display of the banners was "very disappointing" and accused the organisers of the campaign of using victims to score points.

Mr McBride said it was significant that there were no mentions on any of the posters to the UDA's Greysteel massacre which claimed seven lives just a week after the Shankill bomb.

Gina Murray, who lost her 13-year-old daughter Leanne in the Shankill attack, said she supported the banners because they weren't doing anyone any harm. But she saw no reason why killing perpetrated by loyalists shouldn't have been remembered too.

However, she said it was good that the banners were letting people know that the victims were still there and that they weren't going away. Ms Murray said she was consulted by the people behind the banner campaign.

"I was sent a copy of what was going to go up and I thought it would be a good idea," she said, adding that she was also informed that the banners were to be erected in a mixed area.

But Mr McBride, who said he respected Ms Murray and her views, revealed that no one from the EBCI contacted him. "Why weren't we all given copies?" he asked. Mr Bryson said he consulted Ms Murray because he had regular dialogue with her.

The posters have been placed in an area which was at the centre of controversy last year when Catholic families moved out after UVF flags were erected in the estate.

The banners which have replaced them on lamp posts in Cantrell Close also commemorate the 11 victims of the IRA's Enniskillen bomb in 1987. Aileen Quinton's mother Alberta was killed in the Remembrance Day blast. And last night her daughter said she had not been aware of the banners going up.

"But I think they are preferable to the UVF flags, especially ones which support the modern day organisation. I haven't seen the banners and so I don't know if they are tasteful or not."

She said she hadn't been contacted by anyone connected to the banner campaign. She added: "The first I knew of them was when I saw references to them on Facebook."

She went on: "Personally I wouldn't have any opposition in principle to anyone highlighting or reminding people about Greysteel.

"I have no problem with innocent victims being remembered across the board. "

She said she found other memorials to perpetrators of violence offensive. "I hear people talking about victims on both sides. To me the innocents are all on one side, the terrorists are all on the other."

A victim of another IRA atrocity who didn't want to be named said he felt uneasy about the banners being placed in a mixed area.

"They could have been put up in an area where no one would have batted an eyelid," they said.

"It would be naive in the extreme to think that the people who chose where to erect the banners weren't exploiting the situation and making political capital.

"They say that they are trying to move away from the old flags and emblems which some people might have identified with paramilitary organisations. But really anyone who has argued that flags which support paramilitary groups are part of their culture really should try to find a new culture for themselves."

It's understood that Radius Housing have been having negotiations behind the scenes with the PSNI about the banners.

However, they have been told that the police have no power to take them down unless they pose a major risk to public safety.

In the meantime questions have been asked about the identities of the people behind the EBCI.

Mr Bryson said he speaks on their behalf but last night he denied speculation that the EBCI were linked to the UVF.

And he also said the organisation had not received funds from the terror organisation.

He said the reason why Cantrell Close had been singled out for the banners was because the area had received so much attention in the UVF flags row last year and it was felt "the most positive way to highlight the sectarian campaign waged by the IRA against the Protestant people".Richard Madeley ended an on-air interview with Gavin Williamson over his refusal to answer a question

Full marks to Richard Madeley, who cut short an interview with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson for repeatedly refusing to answer a straightforward question.

And it was Williamson's own fault that he became probably the first Cabinet minister to be shown the door, so to speak, in the middle of a live interview.

Williamson's humiliation was a salutary lesson for all politicians who think they can abuse the airwaves by simply and arrogantly ignoring the questions put to them.

Not even that attack-dog Jeremy Paxman has had the temerity to cut off an awkward Cabinet minister.

Madeley asked Williamson, more than once, whether he regretted telling Russia to shut up and go away after the Salisbury nerve gas attack.

A pretty straightforward question, you might think.

But the "answers" given by Williamson bore no relation to the question. The only possible excuse he could offer is probably that he was still wet behind the ears in ministerial terms.

Politicians must realise that they are not monarchs of all they survey. Williamson seemed to have that impression - and he paid the price.

Well done, Mr Madeley.

Theresa May's problems and crises are suddenly multiplying at an alarming rate. Whichever way she turns, it seems, fresh trouble is looming on the horizon.

Can she survive them and successfully battle through? Or will the sheer power of them bring her crashing down?

One of the latest follows the overwhelming desire of the people of the Republic of Ireland to liberalise abortion laws.

This leaves Northern Ireland as the only part of the British Isles (if that is still a valid term) where the abortion laws have not changed in this way.

Now, activists are demanding the Prime Minister rectifies this. But, as she points out, this is a devolved issue for Stormont to resolve. But Stormont has not sat for months, so Mrs May certainly has not heard the last of this.

And, to add to all this, there are also fresh demands to allow same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, the DUP, which is propping up the May administration, is starting to make threatening noises about the vexed Brexit Irish border issue, just to add to her woes.

Then there is Priti Patel, recently sacked from the Cabinet, gunning for some aspects of the Government and Tory party hierarchy, plus the unending barrage of slings and arrows from the Tory Remainers and the frustration of Tory Brexiteers at the snail's pace of the negotiations.

Could the combination of all these factors be the storm that will blow her away? Downing Street at the moment is not a place of sweetness and light.

The water authorities have been haranguing their customers - including humble householders - about the danger of using too much water, with the threat of shortages and droughts possibly lying ahead.

All that, of course, is very worthy and prudent.

But shouldn't the prime target of these warnings be the Home Office?

If water companies are already becoming anxious about future supplies in existing circumstances, how much more worrying it will become if immigration - legal and otherwise - continues at its present level?

The new Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, has just announced he is inquiring into the state of migration, but concentrating, not unreasonably, on the question of ensuring that enough and urgently needed skilled people, like doctors and nurses, are not denied entry.

But if we don't want our reservoirs to dry up, the Home Secretary should take an equally long and hard look at the numbers of illegal and/or unskilled immigrants who are still descending on the shores of our already overcrowded island.

The Home Secretary should certainly factor this into his examination.

Poor Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's one-time spin doctor, has been publicly nagged (his word, not mine) on radio by his daughter, Grace, about his feminist credentials. Or, to be more accurate, lack of them.

She angrily chastised him verbally for using the word "birds" to describe women and told him to cease doing so forthwith.

Campbell said he did not know he had ever used that word in that way, but nevertheless agreed not to do so in future.

It is all very well when your political opponents go for your jugular, but when it's your nearest and dearest... well, the mind boggles.Mahathir Mohamad (left), Malaysias new prime minister, talks with Sultan Muhammad V after an oath taking ceremony at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, May 10, 2018.

Malaysias king has consented to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamads choice for attorney general, a palace statement said early Tuesday (local time), assuring Malaysians that the appointment of an ethnic Indian Christian did not threaten Islam or herald the end of special protections for Malays and indigenous people.

The palace issued the statement after Anwar Ibrahim, leader of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition that took the reins of government last month, had an audience with Sultan Muhammad V on Monday night amid media reports that the ruler who confirms all government nominations was unhappy with the governments choice of a non-Malay for attorney general.

The King under Section 154 of the Constitution and on advice from the prime minister has agreed to appoint Tommy Thomas as Malaysias attorney general, the statement said.

It also said the king consented to terminate Apandi Ali as attorney general, following a recent decision by the new government to place him on leave.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also called on all Malaysians to accept that the appointment of the Attorney-General should not create religious or racial conflict as every Malaysian should be fairly treated regardless of race and religion, said the statement, which was attributed to Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, comptroller of the Royal Household.

The king was concerned over inaccurate and negative media reports that could threaten peace and harmony in the Malay Muslim majority country and he had an obligation to uphold the Federal Constitution and preserve the special rights of the Malays and Bumiputeras, as well as to protect Islam, the statement said, using a term that refers to indigenous people.

But after considering the views of his fellow sultans of Malaysia, the king consented to terminate Apandi and appoint Thomas as the governments new top lawyer, the palace said.

The announcement came amid reports that Malaysias royal council was scheduled to meet on Tuesday to resolve the issue of the new governments pick for attorney general. It was not immediately clear whether the Council of Rulers, a body of sultans and governors who represent Malaysias 13 states and which selects the king on a five-year, rotating basis, was going ahead with the meeting following the palaces late-night announcement.

Local news reported Anwar had sought to meet with the king Monday night after meeting with seven rulers, including the Sultan of Johor, to discuss the matter of the attorney generals appointment.

Following the election, the king granted a full royal pardon to Anwar, who had been imprisoned on a sodomy conviction and is expected to succeed Mahathir as prime minister in a year or two.

Apandi: AG who cleared Najib

Attorney General Apandi Ali was placed on leave after the Pakatan alliance defeated the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition in the May 9 general election by running on a platform to clean up government.

Apandi is noted for issuing a report in January 2016 that cleared former Prime Minister Najib Razak of alleged corruption in the 1MDB financial scandal, in which billions of dollars were allegedly syphoned from the state investment fund started by Najib in 2009, according to court documents filed by the U.S. Justice Department.

On Tuesday, Najibs wife, Rosmah Mansor, is to be questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over its investigation into the transfer of funds from 1MDB, otherwise known as 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

She is expected to be asked about how about 42 million ringgit (more than U.S. $10 million) from SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary, ended up in her husbands private bank accounts. Najib has denied that he committed any wrongdoing in connection with 1MDB, claiming the deposits were a donation from a Saudi royal.

The MACC questioned the ex-PM two weeks ago after government officers searched Najibs home, his office and several residences linked to him, confiscating hundreds of boxes of designer handbags and 72 suitcases containing cash, jewelry and luxury items. Later, Malaysian police said the suitcases were packed with nearly $29 million (115 million ringgit) in cash divided into various currencies.

Bar Association support

The Malaysian Bar Association, meanwhile, had issued a statement supporting Mahathirs right to appoint an attorney general. In a news release, association President George Varughese pointed out that the solicitor general had been serving in the role temporarily.

The attorney general has a vital role to play as the principal legal adviser to the government and the public prosecutor, and it is therefore imperative that a new attorney general be appointed without further delay, Varughese said.

The association said the constitution clearly stipulates that His Majesty must act on the advice of the prime minister.

The association said the next attorney general should be an experienced career lawyer with all-around legal skills and expertise in public law, possess an impeachable reputation, integrity and honesty.

Such an appointment would augur well for the many institutional reforms that the government is introducing to birth a new beginning for our nation.A protester holds up a sign in front of the historical building of Sultan Abdul Samad during a rally against the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Kuala Lumpur, May 1, 2014.

Malaysian retailers and consumers are expected to cash in on a brief tax holiday following the election of a new government which has effectively scrapped an unpopular goods and services tax (GST) and replaced it with a new sales levy effective in September.

The government of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, meanwhile, believes it can keep the countrys budget deficit under control despite the abolition of the 6 percent GST, introduced in 2015 by his predecessor Najib Razaks Barisan Nasional administration.

Mahathirs Pakatan Harapan, which scored an upset May 9 election victory, pledged to scrap the GST if it came to power, saying the tax which brought in billions of dollars in government revenue jacked up the cost of living.

Instead the new government planned to impose a more modest sales-and-services levy effective Sept. 1.

Retailers and consumers alike said they would benefit from the lowering of the GST to 0 percent as of June 1.



Amanullah Maideen, a member of the Malaysian Retailers Association, said the price of goods will continue to go down as old stocks are sold off and new zero-rated stocks arrive.



Things will get cheaper, once new stocks arrive, it will.

Less paperwork

Amanullah, who is also Malaysian Muslim Wholesalers and Retailers Association (MAWAR) president, said retailers were relieved to have less paperwork following the GST abolition. There was a 10 percent daily penalty for those who were late in submitting their tax returns.

The government said businesses have been given a month to replace price tags on goods to reflect the adjusted pricing, which is expected to boost sales ahead of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr festival marking the end of the Ramadan fasting month.

We know that those wanting to purchase big ticket items such as TVs or refrigerators have been surveying the prices for the last few weeks so that they can make the purchase after GST has been zero-rated, Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives Ministry enforcement director-general Datuk Roslan Mahyuddin was quoted in The Star newspaper.

I believe now that prices are down, people will feel encouraged to spend, he said after inspecting prices at a sales center.

The government is set to lose 21 billion ringgit (U.S. $5.28 billion) in annual revenue from the GST removal, but it remains confident the budget deficit will not widen because of prudent spending measures, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng told a briefing to foreign media at his office last week.

The measures are focused on the review of expenditures, including the downsizing, delaying and abolition of overlapping and non-urgent programs and projects, he said, projecting 10 billion ringgit ($2.5 billion) in savings in annual expenditure costs.



The governments projected budget deficit would increase slightly to 40.1 billion ringgit ($10 billion) in 2018 from 39.8 billion ringgit, with the deficit maintained at 2.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), the value of the countrys goods and services produced.

It also believes that the 21 billion ringgit ($5.2 billion) that went into government coffers through the GST will instead be injected into local economies in the form of disposable income.

Lim and other officials say the new government has inherited 1 trillion ringgit ($250 billion) in debt and liabilities, blaming it on alleged abuses by the scandal-plagued Najib administration. Najib is being investigated for corruption over a multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The former prime minister had said that the GST was aimed at weaning the petroleum-producing country away from being overly reliant on oil.

Meanwhile, the new sales tax beginning Sept. 1 is expected to rake in an additional 4 billion ringgit ($1 billion) in revenue this year, the finance ministry has estimated.

The SST rate was expected to be around 10 percent. SST was Malaysias tax system prior to GSTs implementation in 2015.

It will be a new tax, we are not re-implementing the previous SST tax. There are things that we are looking into right now. In the meantime there will be a three-month tax-holiday until we table the new SST in parliament in September, Lim said.



The GST was imposed on products and services at each level of the supply chain while the SST will be limited to manufacturing and services, and imposed at only one level.Police officers belonging to a regional public safety battalion are covered in mud after taking part in an operation to hunt communist rebels in the northern Philippines, February 2017.

A policeman was killed and nine other officers were wounded in a clash with communist rebels in the northern Philippines on Tuesday, officials said.

Members of the police Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 were on foot patrol in Sagada, a remote town in the Mountain province, when they were ambushed by members of the New Peoples Army (NPA), triggering a gun battle that led to the casualties, according to officials.

The police were on a routine peacekeeping operation in an area that the government and communist rebels had earlier agreed as a peace zone.

The combined team of security forces were conducting operations to prevent the reported extortion and other criminal activities by members of the armed group when the incident happened, regional police commander Rolando Zambale Nana said, adding that an officer with an equivalent rank of colonel in the military was among those wounded.

Such action is considered as an act of cowardice, and a desperate move to pursue their selfish motives and prevent the police force who have been aggressive in peacekeeping efforts to secure the civilian populace especially in the remote areas, he said.

He said all units were ordered to check with government hospitals and private clinics to determine if any patients were being treated for gunshot wounds and to block exits in towns across the region.

Meanwhile, the NPA said they had ambushed government forces Tuesday near Lopez, a Quezon province town southeast of Manila. They claimed to have killed four soldiers, but the military has not confirmed the report.

Two incidents of fighting occurred, first when the NPA ambushed a truck with 10 soldiers and second, when the fighters also ambushed government reinforcements, Cleo del Mundo, a spokeswoman for the NPA in the region, said in a statement.

Del Mundo said the tactical offensive was carried out by the rebels in response to a government offensive meant to flush them out of the region.

Although the government has opened the possibility of opening up a new window for peace talks, they have not stopped attacks against communities, forcing the NPA to launch offensives, del Mundo said.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). The 5,000-member guerrilla force has been waging a rebellion in the countryside since 1969, making the insurgency one of the worlds longest and deadliest.

President Rodrigo Duterte, a self-described leftist and a one-time university student of CPP founder Jose Maria Sison, opened peace negotiations with the communists shortly after he took office in 2016.

One of his first official acts as president was to free jailed top CPP officials to join talks held in Europe. But he scrapped talks last year after accusing the NPA of staging attacks in violation of a ceasefire.

Duterte has said that no peace negotiations would occur during his term. But in a change of heart over the past two months, he invited Sison to return to the country and explore the possibility of resuming talks.Province 2 coalition will remain intact

Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N) has ruled out the possibility of change in power equation in Province 2.Armed members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) escort civilians aboard a dump truck in Tangkal, a town in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Norte, May 28, 2018.

Updated at 1:01 p.m. ET on 2018-06-05

A Malaysian-led contingent has been sent to help investigate an anti-drug operation that led to nine Muslim rebels being killed last month in the southern Philippines during a gun battle that occurred as negotiations for a promised self-rule region hurdled Congress, officials said Tuesday.

The international monitoring mission, led by Malaysian Army Maj. Gen. Mohd Nazir bin Haji Mami, is tasked with determining what occurred on May 25 between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and an elite anti-drug team in Matalam, a town in Cotabato province, officials said.

For us, there was no coordination on the part of police and military. Their investigation is ongoing and we hope it will resolve the problem, Mohammad Ameen, a senior MILF leader, told BenarNews, referring to the international team.

I guarantee it was not drug related as what police were saying, he said.

On Tuesday, the Malaysian commander appealed on both parties to remain calm while the investigation was going on, so as not to complicate negotiations for a proposed Muslim autonomous region, the centerpiece of a peace deal signed by Manila and the rebels in 2014.

We will make sure that our investigation on the alleged shootout between the nine MILF members and the police shall be comprehensive, he told a local radio station in Cotabato city.

Malaysia brokered the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels on the southern island of Mindanao. Malaysian participation has evolved to include monitoring of an interim ceasefire pact forged by the two parties about two decades ago.

Representatives from Libya, Brunei, and Japan are also included in the Malaysian-led mission, which also monitors the humanitarian, rehabilitation and development aspects of the peace process. The peacekeeping contingent also ensures the protection of civilians in areas where the MILF operated.

On May 25, members of an elite police team, backed by soldiers, were on a mission to arrest two notorious drug pushers in the village of Kilada when men inside a home engaged them in firefight, officials said.

Nine people inside the home were killed and police said they recovered several high-powered firearms, including sniper rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. No drugs were found, according to investigators.

The MILF said those killed belonged to an elite jungle fighting force under its Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) wing, which has been helping the army go against pro-Islamic State groups in the south.

But while they filed a strong protest against their counterparts, MILF officials said they were confident the incident would not directly affect the expected passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in Congress.

The BBL spells out the proposed autonomous region in the south, its scope and powers. Its passage is expected to bring peace Mindanao, the countrys mineral-rich southern third where many areas remain mired in poverty because of the insurgency.

The 12,000-member MILF dropped its bid for self-rule to settle for an expanded autonomy when it signed a peace deal with Manila four years ago.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives last week passed their respective versions of the law, but the lawmakers have come under criticism for allegedly watering down certain provisions.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign the bill into law by the time he delivers his State of the Nation address before a joint Congress in July.

The proposed law, partly seen by BenarNews, shows that much of the powers that the MILF had been pushing for, including those concerning land management, public utilities and basic regulatory powers, such as those related to the rights of indigenous groups, have been stripped.

Dennis Jay Santos in Davao City, Philippines contributed to this report.Before Dara Khosrowshahi (49, married, four children) became Uber's CEO, he had been successfully leading over travel company Expedia. In an interview with BILD he talks about flying taxis and his plans for innovation.

BILD: Dara, who wants to call a taxi in Germany on trade fair days or public holidays, waits forever or in vain. No cab is coming. Why is it nevertheless so difficult for Uber to gain a foothold in Germany?

Dara Khosrowshahi: Well, our goal is that you just push a button on your smartphone and the car arrives within a few minutes. And we have achieved that in 600 cities across the world. In Germany, we have still some work to do to make Uber widely available.

American companies have always had it very easy in Germany at the beginning: McDonald's, Coca Cola, Microsoft. With Uber still many people alienate. Wrongly?

Khosrowshahi: Uber clearly got things wrong in Germany in the past. We were too focused on the growth of our business without being a proper partner and listening to cities along the way. That has changed now. We engage in open dialog with the various stakeholders on how Uber can contribute to shaping the future of mobility in their cities.

Convince your doubters and critics now, please.

Khosrowshahi: We have changed our conduct. But dont judge us by our words, judge us by our actions. Let me give you an example: together with Axa we have introduced a unique social insurance package for independent drivers in Germany and all of Europe. Drivers wanted to be self-employed and still have social insurance and peace of mind. So we listened and acted.

Auch Interessant



In Germany you can only use Uber in Munich and Berlin. Is it Uber or Germany that you are not yet present in more cities? Even in France, where taxi drivers were holding street battles over Uber, you are more present.

Khosrowshahi: I definitely want to bring Uber also to more cities in Germany. But we will under no circumstance compromise responsibility for business opportunities. We already engage in talks with cities.

Or is it perhaps due to us anti-innovation Germans: When the new Digital Minister spoke about flight taxis this year, she was laughed at first

Khosrowshahi: Im certain that flying taxis are not that far away so the Minister knows what she is talking about. I believe Germany is actually one of the most innovative countries in the world. I have huge respect for your world class automotive industry which has defined how people move around cities for the last century. So I am excited about Uber and German businesses partnering together to shape how are going to move around cities for the next century. But it is also true that there are some German regulations that seem outdated, such as the return to garage rule that requires drivers to drive back to their base after a trip with empty cars. That doesnt seem so environmentally friendly and efficient to me.

Dara Khosrowshahi with BILD-reporter Sven Stein at the Uber Elevate Summit 2018 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles Foto: Konrad Fiedler

Apropos Flight taxis

Khosrowshahi: Yes, I am very excited about that! By 2020 we will have some interesting demonstrators and by 2023 we are going to put first flying taxi in the sky. It is going to save people a lot of time and give them more mobility than ever before.

Autonomous driving fascinates people, but also frightens many. When do you no longer need drivers?

Khosrowshahi: Even with self-driving technology, it will remain mix of human drivers and self-driving technology for many, many years. There are always going to be circumstances where only humans are needed, such as assisting elderly or handicapped passengers. And because ridesharing will continue to see extraordinary growth we will need even more drivers down the road.

What are your plans for innovation at Uber until that happens? In Germany, but also worldwide.

Khosrowshahi: I am determined to make Uber a true mobility platform. Going forward we will be about much more than simply cars. I want us to be the Amazon of transportation. In Germany we want to make it possible to use different means of transportation from electric bikes to even public transport all via one Uber app.

Uber is worth $ 50 billion - but has not made a dollar profit yet. How do you explain this to someone who may not know Uber?

Khosrowshahi: Our rides business is continuing to grow in a healthy way, while we significantly reduce our losses. Our goal is to turn Uber from No.1 ridesharing platform to the No.1 mobility platform around the world. That is why we are continuing to invest in our company.

Dara, you've taken over a company that the world knows but connects to its founder, Travis Kalanick. How do you manage that?

Khosrowshahi: The relationship between the founder and CEO is complicated. I know because Im a former CEO of Expedia that still sits on the board. So I told Travis that I needed my own space to make a difference, and he respected that. However ultimately its my belief that any company needs to be about much more than the founder or the CEO. That is why Im building out a strong management team and really empowering our employees so that Uber is not just about me as CEO, but rather the company as a team.

The german Chancellor Merkel has put forward the proposal to tax data in the future. What do you think about this?

Khosrowshahi: The way multi-national companies are taxed needs to change and take into consideration the development of the digital activities. But any new proposal should be consistent with the OECDs global tax framework and its reform discussions.

Youre heading to Germany for NOAH conference. What will be your key message?

Khosrowshahi: Uber stands ready to help tackle one of the biggest challenges German cities are facing currently - air pollution and reducing congestion. At NOAH I am announcing the introduction of an all electric vehicle Uber Green service in Berlin, following our recent successful launch in Munich. We have seen that particularly Germans do not want to wait until they buy an EV one day, they want clean transportation now! With UberGreen you just download the app and a few minutes later you start your zero emission lifestyle.

PS: Sind Sie bei Facebook? Werden Sie Fan von BILD.de-Politik!UniQuest CEO Dr. Dean Moss said companys spin-out success rate belied the often-cited rule-of-thumb that up to 90 percent failed.

UniQuest, The University of Queenslands commercialization company, is leading Australia and competing globally in creating spin-out companies based on academic intellectual property.

Speaking at the 2018 BIO International Convention in Boston, UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Hj said more than 100 spin-out companies had been created based on UQ research since 1988, with most addressing unmet medical needs.

These spin-outs have gone on to raise more than $600 million to commercialize world-leading UQ research, he said.

From publicly-available data, UQ is streets ahead of any other Australian university in terms of the number of spin-outs created, and among the highest performing university based technology transfer offices in the world.

About 60 per cent of these spin-outs are in the life sciences, targeting some of the worlds most challenging diseases, including cancer, inflammation and pain.

Others are driving more efficient and effective treatment delivery, such as needle-less vaccines and orally-stable peptide drugs.

Im proud that the UniQuest spin-out success rate is comparatively very high, with 46 percent still operational or having exited the market through a commercial transaction such as a trade sale.

UniQuest CEO Dr. Dean Moss said companys spin-out success rate belied the often-cited rule-of-thumb that up to 90 percent failed.

UniQuests industry-trained staff applies a rigorous technical and commercial diligence process in commercializing our academic intellectual property, he said.

One such successful exit is Spinifex Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd  developing a potential first-in-class oral treatment for inflammatory and neuropathic pain  which was acquired in a $1 billion deal by Novartis in 2015.

In addition to creating spin-out companies, UniQuest has also been successful in licensing intellectual property to international pharmaceutical companies that have the infrastructure and resources to fund clinical trials and ensure that the IP reaches the market, Dr. Moss said.

Examples include licensing the technology that led to the life-saving Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine, the magnetic resonance imaging technology to Siemens and GE Healthcare, and commercialization agreements with international biotech companies including Merck and Zealand Pharma A/S.

UQ spin-out companies include:

Spinifex  developing a potential first-in-class oral treatment for inflammatory and neuropathic pain. It was acquired in a billion-dollar deal by Novartis in 2015.

Dendright - currently running clinical trials for a new treatment targeting the cause (rather than just the symptoms) of rheumatoid arthritis

QUE Oncology  UQ/Emory University collaboration to develop novel therapies to address unmet medical needs in the treatment of cancer and its consequences. Last year secured US$16m Series A investment to develop an oral, non-hormone drug candidate to treat hot flashes in women receiving anti-estrogen therapy for breast cancer.

Inflazome  developing new medicines to treat inflammatory disorders and raised $22M in a series A investment

Protagonist  developing orally stable peptide drugs, giving patients a potential alternative to injectable-only biologic drugs. Benefits include a high potency at low dose. Last year granted Janssen exclusive worldwide rights to a first-in-class oral peptide receptor antagonist in pre-clinical development for treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Vaxxas  commercializing the Nanopatch technology of vaccine delivery that could replace traditional needle and syringe application. It would remove the need to use a needle, potentially eliminate the need to refrigerate the vaccine providing benefits to the developing world and could, in some cases, reduce the amount of vaccine required.

ProGel  technology to microencapsulate friendly living bacteria in probiotics, therapeutic biologics and drugs to help retain its integrity through the acidic stomach environment

NexGen Plants  a novel non-GM technology to introduce pathogen-resistance, production or consumer traits in crops.Qatar hands death penalty to Nepali

A court in Qatar has sentenced a Nepali worker death penalty by a firing squad for murdering a Qatari citizen Umair Mohammed Umair Al Ramzani Al-Nauimi.Tariffs on sugar imports: SC upholds govt decision

The Supreme Court on Monday quashed the writ petition filed by Naresh Dugar of Gyan Enterprises, a partner company of KL Dugar, challenging the governments decision to hike customs tariff on sugar imports. The apex court decision has upheld the Cabinet decision to hike the tariff.Stock traders continue protests against new tax rates

Stock traders on Tuesday continued their protest and halted all transactions on the floor of the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) in protest against the governments decision to revise the capital gains tax threshold on the sale of bonus and rights shares.Construction of a new commercial hub south of Brandon could begin by next summer, according to VBJ Developments.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 5/6/2018 (1227 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Construction of a new commercial hub south of Brandon could begin by next summer, according to VBJ Developments.

The annexation process for 170 acres southwest of the Patricia Avenue and Highway 10 intersection has been years in the making. On Monday, it took a significant step forward when Brandon City Council voted to officially sign the annexation agreement with the RM of Cornwallis. The Manitoba Municipal Board has accepted the annexation proposal, and is now waiting to see if the RM of Cornwallis will sign on as well.

"The two municipalities had worked co-operatively on determining these terms previously, so the intent is that hopefully this next step in the process goes fairly smoothly," said chief city planner Ryan Nickel.

Nickel noted that if both councils do sign the agreement, it will go back to the province one more time. RM of Cornwallis Reeve Heather Dalgleish could not be reached for comment.

"This is the last step the city has in the process, and then it just goes up to the province to see if the government wants  make this thing a reality," Nickel said. "Of course, they dont have to  Theyre still in control of the process. But up to this point at least, weve done everything we were supposed to do to move this thing along."

VBJ Developments is proposing a commercial regional hub, as well as a mix of high- and low-density housing on the property.

Steve McMillan, VBJs vice-president of planning services, first presented to Brandon and Area Planning District on this topic in 2011. The company officially submitted an application for urban expansion in 2014. Background studies were prepared by the applicant prior to the process picking up steam in 2017.

"Its great that its got to this point," McMillan said. "We can just put this part of it behind us and move forward with the development plan, and well look at zoning/ subdivision in the near future as well."

The vision is to develop the property into a 50-acre commercial area, with 10 to 20 acres of mixed-use structures with higher-density residential bordering the commercial development. The remainder of the property would be a mix of residential, with the potential for 1,200 to 1,500 units at full build-out.

McMillan said they want to create another regional retail hub, hopefully attracting a few major anchor tenants, possibly a grocery store, strip malls, restaurants, etc.

JILLIAN AUSTIN/THE BRANDON SUN Chief city planner Ryan Nickel presented to council on Monday regarding the annexation agreement between Brandon and the RM of Cornwallis.

"Something a little different than maybe whats already offered somewhere else in Brandon," he said. "Its open to really anything right now. We havent been able to get anything too serious put together when the land is still in the RM, still zoned (agriculture)."

A new concept plan will be developed in the next six to 12 months, to provide more detail of what will be put in and how it will be laid out, McMillan added.

The only councillor opposed to the annexation was Coun. Lonnie Patterson (South Centre), who spoke about using space already within city limits for commercial development.

"Our downtown has suffered a pretty big blow and I would prefer to see efforts and energies put into that," she said.

Throughout the process there have been several public consultations. Drainage and transportation were the top concerns from residents in the area.

"Those pieces are not a mystery to us," Nickel said. "We understand what those are and were committed to working with the developer and the different regulatory agencies to solve these as we work through the development process."

Mayor Rick Chrest said annexations arent a simple process. However, it took longer than he thought it would.

"Hopefully this does get us closer to the finish line, and the developer can start moving to the next step, on their plans," he said.

There has been much interest from the community in what this new commercial district will entail, and Chrest said it would be a positive addition to the city.

"It certainly takes away some of the ... leakage. If you dont have certain goods or services, then people take off and they drive to Winnipeg or they drive to Regina or go to the States," he said.

"The more and more we have, the more people we hold in our trading area, and draw people from even farther away."

 jaustin@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @jillianaustinStock traders protest against new tax rates

Stock traders on the floor of the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) halted transactions for half an hour in protest against the governments decision to revise the capital gains tax threshold on the sale of bonus and rights shares.350 new jobs will be created at business process outsourcing provider Abtran in Sligo.

As part of its expansion in the north-west, the company will base its new regional operations centre at Finisklin Business Park in the town.

Recruitment for the new roles has already commenced, the facility is expected to be up and running in the third quarter of this year.

Abtran provides transformative solutions to clients across sectors including government, transport, utilities and financial services and currently employs over 2,000 people in Cork, Dublin, Kildare and Southern India.

The announcement was made today by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, together with Pat Ryan, CEO of Abtran and Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland.

Minister Humphreys welcomed the project, saying that it was a "tremendous day" for the company and for the region.

"The fact that (Abtran) have chosen to invest in the north-west to serve their business markets both at home and abroad is a testament to the confidence they have in the region and its talented workforce," she said.

Pat Ryan, CEO of Abtran said: "We believe it is very important to support national and regional economic development wherever possible through the growth of our operations.

"Based on the skillsets identified for our business needs, we selected the north-west region as the location for our new operations hub and we are very pleased to announce these new jobs in Sligo which will complement our overall high-quality workforce.

The development is supported by the government through Enterprise Ireland.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said: "Enterprise Ireland welcomes the announcement of 350 new jobs at Abtran in Sligo and is delighted to support the companys global ambition.

"Abtran is a great example of how an Irish business, with a blueprint for services innovation, can successfully accelerate and rapidly scale its business in international markets."

- Digital DeskThe pitfalls of imported notions

Imported models of conservation have failed to address ground realities in NepalBy Ann O'Loughlin

A liquidator has been appointed by the High Court to two construction firms in the Sammon group after it was unable to resume work on several school building projects.

The Co Kildare based group employs approximately 200 people directly and many more subcontractors indirectly.

In April, three companies within the group, which got into difficulty over the devastating collapse of UK construction giant Carillion, entered into examinership.

However, the examiner Mr Michael McAteer is no longer able to continue with the examinership process for two of those companies Sammon Contracting Ireland Ltd and Sammon Contracting Group Ltd .

The group, which was owed 8m by Carillion, was part a significant joint venture with the UK firm and a Dutch Infrastructure Fund (DIFCO) to build five schools and Institute of Further Education.

Work on that contract, known as the SB 5 contract, ceased following Carillion's collapse earlier this year.

The matter came before Mr Justice Robert Haughton at the High Court today, who following an application by the examiner Mr Michael McAteer, made orders winding up Sammon Contracting Ireland and Sammon Contracting Group.

In a sworn statement, Mr McAteer said he was unable to formulate proposals for a scheme of arrangement that if approved by the High Court would allow the companies to survive.

He said that getting works restarted on the SB5 contract, by securing the tender to recommence those works, was the key to ensuring the construction firm's survival and return to profitability.

Mr McAteer said that he talks with key stakeholders including the banks.

He said that following a communication with DIFCO no decision has been made to award the contract to finish off the SB5 project.

This delay he said has undermined confidence in Sammon and has made it more difficult to attract investment.

Other monies Sammon are owed have not been paid, he said.

Terminations notices have been served on Sammon in relation to two other projects it had been involved with, Mr McAteer added.

As a result, Mr McAteer said Sammon lacks funds to meet its liabilities to Revenue and he could not continue with the examinership.

Mr Stephen Tennant, also of Grant Thornton, will act as liquidator to the two companies.

When the company applied for an examiner the court heard that SCIL had a deficit of 11m as a going concern.

However, in the event of it being wound up that deficit increases to 21m.

Mr McAteer will continue to act as examiner for a third company within the group, Miceal Sammon Woodcraft Ltd, which has 22 employees.

A creditors meeting in respect of that firm is due to take place in respect of that firm later this month.

The Sammon group had been building schools in Carlow, Kells, Co Meath, Wexford and two in Bray Co Wicklow.

Other separate projects the group had been working on include the Maynooth Educational Campus projects in Cork, Shannon Airport, Waterford and Dublin.

When seeking the appointment of an examiner Ross Gorman Bl for the group said it was hired to build five schools and the Institute for education by an SPV that included Carillion known as 'Inspired Spaces.'

That contract was worth approximately 87m to the group, counsel said.

His client was paid on a monthly basis after works commenced in 2016.

However the collapse of Carillion with debts of over 1.5bn has had "a devastating and immediate impact" on the companies, counsel said.

Payments from the SPV to the Sammon companies ceased last December, counsel said adding it was owed 8m by the SPV.

As a result, the group was unable to pay its suppliers and subcontractors working on those projects.

The impact of Carillion had contaminated the group's other projects, the court also heard.Over 95% of employees are using company time to check up on their ex.

A new survey has found office 'snoopers' are using sites like Facebook and Twitter to keep tabs on past partners - and women appear to be the worst offenders.By Aoife Nic Ardghail and Declan Brennan

The trial of a late billionaire's son who was accused of unlawfully possessing over 1,200 bullets has collapsed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Today Judge Cormac Quinn told the jury that that the prosecution had not proved how many rounds of ammunition Patrick James (PJ) Mansfield was entitled to possess.

The judge said because of this, the jury would be speculating on how many rounds Mr Mansfield (41) was not entitled to possess. He directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict on day 3 of the trial.

Mr Mansfield had denied possessing 1,252 rounds of .22 calibre ammunition without the relevant firearms licence at his former home in Coldwater Lakes, Saggart, Co Dublin on January 29, 2015.

Mr Mansfield's current address was given as Saggart House, Saggart. He has no previous convictions.

Judge Quinn told the jury that Mr Mansfield had been permitted by a firearms certificate to hold a Walther .22 pistol and a certain number of .22 caliber ammunition. He said gardai thought this number was 300 bullets.

Judge Quinn reminded the jurors that they had seen a photo of one side of Mr Mansfield's firearms certificate which showed he had been authorised to hold the gun. The judge said a photo of the other side, which had not been produced, would have shown how many rounds of ammunition Mr Mansfield had been permitted to hold.

He added that the person who had authorised the firearms certificate had also not been produced as a witness in the case. The judge said there were stringent requirements with prosecuting a case and a jury was not allowed to speculate on any issue.

Judge Quinn thanks the jurors for their diligence in the case and hoped they had found it an instructive experience.

During the trial, the jury heard evidence that Mr Mansfield was an authorised member of a gun club and a person of good character.

After his arrest Mr Mansfield told gardai that he didn't know he had that much ammunition in the house.

The trial heard that during an earlier audit inspection of firearm licensees, gardai checked out all the firearms licensed to Mr Mansfield but never asked for any ammunition to be produced.By Ann O'Loughlin

A catering assistant who claimed she was bullied and sexually harassed by her manager has settled a High Court action for damages against her former employer.

Caroline Dargan (37), a mother of two from Graigcullen, Carlow town, claimed David O'Keefe, her manager at the Teagasc canteen in Carlow, would regularly get himself into positions in the small confined kitchen so that she would have to rub up against him as she passed by.

She said he frequently commented on her underwear before eventually pulling at it and would deliberately walk behind her anytime she had to bend down to get something from a press.

On one occasion, he burst into the staff changing room, while she had only a bra and trousers on, and attempted to block her exit until she threatened to scream.

Ms Dargan sued Baxterstorey Ireland, a Dublin-based hospitality company providing on-site catering services to organisations around the country. She claimed there was, among other things, a failure to provide a safe system of work and to prevent any improper behaviour by employees.

She claimed the company failed to act on her complaints about Mr O'Keefe.

After going out on maternity leave in July 2010, she found herself unable to return as he continued to work there.

She was diagnosed with severe adjustment disorder and in a subsequent employment as a hotel supervisor said that as a result of her experience had great difficulty in dealing with male customers and chose not to employ any males

Baxterstorey lodged a full defence to the case claiming it was statute barred.

It claimed when it learned of the incidents complained of in January 2010, it confronted Mr O'Keefe who claimed the problems were the result of the ending of a relationship between them.

She denied there was any relationship and said they had just been friends. The defendant said Mr O'Keefe was acting outside the scope of his employment but it denied not responding to her complaints.

Ms Dargan had finished direct examination by her counsel Aidan Doyle when Mark Connaughton SC, for the defendant, asked Ms Justice Miriam O'Regan for a short break before cross examination began.

When it resumed, Mr Doyle said the case had been settled and could be struck out with no order save that it be noted there had been no claim for loss of earnings or paid for in the settlement.

Ms Justice O'Regan said she found Ms Dargan to be a particularly credible witness and although, from the defence point of view, there had been no cross examination of her, she wished to express sympathy with her and hoped the case would be "some form of catharsis".

She said hopefully she had recovered and noted she had a loving relationship with her seven-year-old son.

In her evidence, Ms Dargan said she began working with the company in March 2009 and things were good in the early days. Mr O'Keefe socialised with her and her friends and occasionally stayed in her and her husband's home in Carlow because he lived in Athy.

On one such night, he tried to kiss her on the lips but when she protested, he walked off.

Back at work, he told her an assistant manager's job was coming up and if she worked hard she might get it.

However, she found he left a lot of the work, including paperwork, to her and also went home early.

"When I stopped backing David up he started becoming aggressive towards me", she said. On one occasion he threw a steel mixing bowl at her, narrowly missing another employee, she said.

Ms Dargan told her counsel that Mr O'Keefe still works in the Carlow Teagasc facility but was not in court.By Sonya McLean

A manager in a Dublin shop has avoided a jail term after gardai were tipped off by a credit card company that he had bought child pornography online.

Fionnbarr Kennedy (56) was at work when gardai searched the premises and seized two phones and his laptop.

He accepted that the laptop was his own and nobody else had access to it. The computer was later analysed and 466 images retrieved through forensic processes from one of the hard drives. Nothing was found on either of the phones.

Detective Garda Michael Fitzgerald told Garrett McCormack BL, prosecuting, that 180 of these images depicted girls under 17 years of age engaged in sexual activity.

Kennedy, of Kingsmill Lane, Bray, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of child pornography at Kennedy and Sons on Harcourt Street, Dublin , on July 27, 2010. He was sentenced to two and half years in prison which was suspended in full.

The court heard that due to a backlog at the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau the laptop wasn't analysed until 2015. Kennedy was interviewed again but made no admissions.

He was charged in June 2016 and initially requested a trial date but changed his plea to guilty last April. He has no previous convictions.

Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged the considerable delay in charging Kennedy before he described it as a serious crime, which he said was not victimless.

He accepted that Kennedy had not distributed the images for profit nor had he circulated them.

Bernard Condon SC, defending, said the lengthy delay in bringing the case to court meant that his client had since moved on with his life.

At the time of the search he was going through a tough time with a divorce, counsel said before he added that Kennedy has since re-married. His second wife had a child in 2014 and he has children from his previous marriage.

Mr Condon told Judge Nolan that in 2014 Kennedy took his current wife for a walk and explained to her what had happened.

He had since engaged with counselling and a report from a forensic psychologist concluded that he was regretful of his involvement.Irish Examiner Special Correspondent Michael Clifford has told the Disclosures Tribunal that Superintendent Dave Taylor told him that he had sent negative text messages about Maurice McCabe to former Commissioner Noirin OSullivan.

Mr Clifford told the Tribunal that Supt Taylor told him he blamed his demise in the force on Commissioner OSullivan, and that text messages on his phones would provide a smoking gun incriminating her.Irish Rail is welcoming a planning decision that protects a proposed Dart Underground station.

Permission for a seven floor office block on Sandwith Street just south of Pearse Station in Dublin has been refused.

That is despite there being no plan to build the underground link between the main train stations for at least another decade.

But Irish Rail's Barry Kenny says the proposed route needs to be protected in the meantime.

He said: "The Dart Underground is a hugely significant project for the future of public transport in the greater Dublin area and we are working with the National Transport Authority to finalise and protect a route for that."

- Digital DeskBy Gerard CunninghamUpdate 6.33pm: Three journalists have told the Charleton tribunal they were not given negative briefings about garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe.

The tribunal is looking at allegations that senior gardai were smearing the whistleblower to politicians, journalists and others.

The DPP directed no prosecution following an allegation of sexual abuse made in 2006 against Sgt McCabe, saying that no offence had been disclosed.

Former Irish Examiner editor Tim Vaughan told the tribunal he first became aware of allegations when he overheard "snippets of a conversation" on the Dublin-Cork train, with a reference to "abuse" or "abused".

Mr Vaughan said he thought this was towards the end of 2014.

Mr Vaughan said that he later spoke to a source who was familiar with Dublin media circles, and was asked did he know there were rumours about Sgt McCabe. Mr Vaughan said his contact did not have further details.

Mr Vaughan said as a result he decided to speak to journalist Michael Clifford, who was leading the Examiner's coverage. Mr Clifford said earlier that he told his editor there was no basis for the rumours.

"I didn't get a briefing from anybody, negative or positive," Mr Vaughan said. "I didn't take it seriously because I considered Sgt McCabe a man of integrity.

Mr Vaughan acknowledged that there was a point of view that it should be okay for the journalist to acknowledge the source of a story if the source had waived privilege.

But Mr Vaughan said this could be a dangerous path to go down, with unforeseen consequences.

Protecting sources is at the heart of journalism and once you start pulling on that thread it starts unravelling and you have no way of knowing where it goes," he continued.

Mr Vaughan said a source could be under duress, or a second source might also be revealed, and there could be potential problems in relation to future contacts who would be reluctant to come forward.

Newstalk courts correspondent Frank Greaney said he had "professional dealings" with Supt David Taylor, who was garda press officer when he was working as a journalist with 98FM.

"He never mentioned Maurice McCabe whether it was in a negative light or otherwise," Mr Greaney said.

MauriceMcCabe

RTE journalist John Burke said that the Garda Press Office would give formal on-the-record replies to queries, but not off-the-record material.

Mr Burke said he did not receive any off the record briefings from Supt Taylor.

Mr Burke said that State bodies should do their business in public, and he would be wary of off-the-record briefings from State bodies.

Mr Burke said he was not aware of any allegations of sexual assault made against Sgt McCabe until made public in media reports.

Mr Burke sad he was "mystified" as to why he appeared on a list of journalists Supt Taylor said he briefed about Sgt McCabe.

Mr Burke said if he had heard such an allegation, the first thing he would have done would have been to ask Sgt McCabe or his representatives about it.

"The fact I did not speaks for itself," Mr Burke said.

Mr Burke said that after Supt Taylor was transferred out of the press office, the superintendent contacted him and they agreed to meet for a coffee in Dublin city centre.

"We met for a coffee, but nothing ever really came of it," Mr Burke said.

On 4 July 2015, Mr Burke sent an email to the garda press office seeking confirmation of the garda commissioner's instructions to counsel at the O'Higgins Commission about Sgt McCabe's motivations.

The tribunal has previously examined whether lawyers for the Commissioner were instructed that Sgt McCabe held a grudge over abuse allegations. Mr Burke said that he did not know the details of how Sgt McCabe's motivations were being questioned when he sent the email.

Mr Burke said he had not been aware of an anonymous letter sent to RTE making allegations against Sgt McCabe.

The tribunal continues tomorrow.

Original story (3.34pm): Journalist given impression that phones seized during garda inquiry were 'smoking gun', tribunal hears By Gerard Cunningham

Journalist Michael Clifford has said that he was given the impression by former garda press Supt David Taylor that text messages on phones seized during a garda inquiry were a "smoking gun" containing evidence of a smear campaign against whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe.

The Irish Examiner journalist said he had no recollection of Supt Taylor using the phrase "smoking gun", but that "these phones had evidence of what went on previously."

Journalist Michael Clifford

Supt Taylor has since told the tribunal that there were no text messages sent about a smear campaign, and that directions to brief negatively about Sgt McCabe were given verbally.

Former garda commissioners Martin Callinan and Noirin O'Sullivan deny there was a smear campaign against Sgt McCabe.

Mr Clifford said he was "floored" the first time he heard allegations of sexual abuse were being made against Sgt McCabe.

The Charleton tribunal is looking at allegations that senior gardai were smearing the whistleblower to politicians, journalists and others.

"On the first occasion after I heard it, I was floored," Mr Clifford told the tribunal. "Out of the blue, this thing comes along."

The DPP directed no prosecution following an allegation made in 2006 against Sgt McCabe, saying that no offence had been disclosed.

Mr Clifford told the tribunal that he heard about the abuse allegations against Sgt McCabe on three separate occasions.

Mr Clifford said the first occasion was in early 2014, in conversation with a source who told him, "There's an issue there".

Mr Clifford was told by the source there had been an allegation of child abuse against the sergeant, and the source said his information was "locally in Cavan."

"The general feeling was there wasn't any foundation to it, he wasn't guilty, but that was still there," Mr Clifford said.

Mr Clifford said he investigated further and satisfied himself that the allegations were without foundation.

The second source in the first half of 2015, a source who was "very familiar with politics", said to Mr Clifford "words to the effect, you know your man McCabe is a kiddy fiddler.

Mr Clifford said he explained that he had already checked out this allegation, and there was no truth to it.

Mr Clifford said the third time he heard the allegation was from the then Irish Examiner editor Tim Vaughan.

"I reassured him, I've come across it, there's nothing to it, I think it' actually being used against the man," Mr Clifford said.

Questioned by tribunal barrister Patrick Marrinan SC, Mr Clifford agreed that revealing the identity of his sources would not assist the tribunal in its inquiries. He said none of his sources were garda officers.

Mr Clifford said when he first heard the allegations against Sgt McCabe he was "floored". He said that when he learned that Sgt McCabe's legal team were aware of the allegations, this reassured him.

He said that after former press officer Supt David Taylor made a protected disclosure in 2016, he asked Supt Taylor three questions.

Supt David Taylor

In response, Supt Taylor confirmed to him that text messages were part of the alleged smear campaign, there was an intelligence file on Sgt McCabe in Garda HQ, and a garda officer had been appointed to monitor Sgt McCabe's use of the Pulse garda database.

Mr Taylor in his evidence last month said that texts did not contain any references to the smear campaign. The tribunal has also heard there was no intelligence file on Sgt McCabe at Garda HQ, and no one was assigned to monitor his Pulse activity.

Mr Clifford said it was not clear if text messages were sent to journalists, but said that Supt Taylor "most definitely said he sent texts of this nature to Noirin O'Sullivan and to senior management in An Garda Siochana."

Mr Clifford said that in May 2015 he sent an email to Supt Taylor enclosing portions of his book referring to Supt Taylor, asking him to check what was written "particularly in terms of factual accuracy".

The only correction Supt Taylor made was to say that he had not been interviewed by the Children's Ombudsman over the Roma children case.

Mr Clifford said that in conversations, Supt Taylor "made a point of telling me every other super who had been in the press office had been promoted on leaving it.

Mr Clifford agreed with Conor Dignam SC, on behalf of An Garda Siochana, that he had no direct knowledge of an orchestrated smear campaign against Sgt McCabe.

He said the Irish Examiner took the unprecedented step of reporting that confidential disclosures had been made in October 2016 because the disclosures involved a garda superintendent incriminating himself and a former commissioner in a smear campaign.

Mr Clifford said it was in the public interest to report this.

"It wasn't just desirable to publish, it was necessary to publish it," Mr Clifford said.

Mr Clifford said that Supt Taylor felt that his arrest in 2015 following an investigation into garda leaks was "humiliating".

"If he hadn't encountered his problems, I doubt very much any of us would be here," Mr Clifford said.

In later evidence a journalist with RTE told the tribunal he was mystified as to why Superintendent Dave Taylor mentioned him in a list of journalists he says he briefed negatively about Maurice McCabe.

John Burke from the This Week programme says hes absolutely certain he was never negatively briefed by the former Garda Press Officer.

Earlier Frank Greaney from Newstalk told the Tribunal he was never negatively briefed either.

The Tribunal is currently examining claims Superintendent Taylor was directed to smear Sergeant McCabe.By Sarah Murphy and Declan Brennan

A jury has convicted a man of the aggravated burglary, assault and robbery of an 81-year-old farmer in north Dublin in July 2016.

Adam Marlowe (23) of Walkinstown Drive, Walkinstown, Dublin had pleaded not guilty to aggravated burglary and assaulting Malachy Turley causing him harm at Kettles Lane, Kinsealy, Dublin, on July 29, 2016.

After a four-day trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a jury of eight men and two women returned unanimous guilty verdicts on all counts. The jury had deliberated for approximately one hour.

Judge Melanie Greally remanded Mr Marlowe in custody for sentence on July 6.

The trial heard evidence that Marlowe's DNA profile was found on blue latex material located in the home of the elderly farmer who was beaten with bats in his bed by three people wearing balaclavas. The material was described as the fingertip of a latex glove.

Antonia Boyle BL, prosecuting, told the jury that investigators recovered the blue material in Mr Turley's bedroom and that DNA recovered from this matched the accused.

It was the State's case that Mr Marlowe was one of the three men who entered the victim's home, attacked him and robbed him.

With only one piece of DNA evidence available to the jury, Judge Greally had told the jury to approach this evidence with care.The Tanaiste is starting a working visit to Jordan today.

Simon Coveney will meet the Foreign Minister, Mr. Ayman Safadi, to discuss the bilateral relationship and the opening of an Irish Embassy in Amman.Three Dubliners have gone on trial accused of the murder of a member of the Hutch family.

36-year-old Gareth Hutch was shot dead outside his home in Dublin's inner city on the morning of May 24, 2016.

In his opening address, Prosecuting barrister Paul Burns described Gareth Hutchs murder as undoubtedly brutal and callous.

It was not a spur of the moment attack  he said - but premeditated and a significant amount of planning had gone into it.

32-year-old Jonathan Keogh of Gloucester Place, his older sister Regina and 31-year-old Thomas Fox of Rutland Court have all pleaded not guilty to the murder.

It is the Prosecutions case that Jonathan Keogh was one of the gunmen on the day while the two others were instrumental in the planning and carrying out of the attack.

Mr Burns said the day before the murder it would be alleged a heated exchange took place between Gareth Hutch and Jonathan Keogh outside Mr Hutchs home at the Avondale House flat complex in the north inner city.

It ended with them shaking hands.

Later that evening, it would be alleged Jonathan Keogh had a phone call with a member of the extended Hutch family where he expressed his intention to kill Gareth Hutch.

- Digital DeskBy Ann OLoughlin

Three separate applications have been initiated seeking permission to bring petitions challenging the result of the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment.

All three have been adjourned to Monday when they will come before the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly.

One of the petitions is by a Dublin woman, Joanna Jordan, who previously failed in her petition seeking to overturn the resultof the 2012 Children's Referendum.

The second is by Charles Byrne, a musician and piano teacher from Drogheda. The third is by Ciaran Tracey, a retired public servant from Leitrim village.

Ms Jordan, St Kevins Villas, Glenageary Road Upper, Dun Laoghaire, is representing herself and has made various claims, including that large numbers of potential No voters being unable to vote due to de-registering. She also claims there was an unexplained swing towards the Yes side.

Mr Byrne, represented by Cormac o Ceallaigh solicitor, has made a range of claims concerning the Referendum Commissions information campaign and booklet, including that those failed to convey the nature, breadth and legal effect of the proposal being voted upon.

He also claims mis-statements were publicly made by the Taoiseach and Minister for Health during the referendum campaign.

In his case, Mr Tracey also challenges the Referendum Commissions information campaign and booklet and says that included a serious omission in not referring to a decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of D v Ireland concerning the circumstances surrounding abortion in Ireland for fatal foetal abnormalities.

That omission was sufficiently serious to have had a material effect on the outcome of the referendum, he claims.

Mr Tracey claims the natural sincere sympathies of Irish people for women experiencing such pregnancies were played upon by politicians advocating a Yes vote.

Under the Referendum Act, applications to bring petitions seeking leave to challenge the result of a referendum must be presented seven days after the official result is published in Irish Oifiguil.

That notice was published on Tuesday May 29 and Ms Jordan and Mr Byrne moved their intended petitions at the High Court on Monday.

Mr Justice Michael White, who was the duty High Court judge on the bank holiday, granted both applicants leave to prepare a petition and to serve a notice of motion.

He also directed the matter would return next Monday before Mr Justice Kelly.

This afternoon, Mr Treacy, representing himself, said he wanted permission to challenge the referendum result via a petition and outlined the basis for that.

Mr Justice Kelly said he would adjourn the application to Monday so notice could be given to the relevant parties.

In her proceedings, Ms Jordan claims evidence is coming in of large numbers of potential No voters who were unable to vote due to de-registering and those included convents of nuns and residents of nursing homes.

She also claims thousands of young Irish citizens who were paid to return to vote were not questioned at polling stations about their time of residency abroad.

She claims she canvassed for a No note over 17 weeks in Dublin city centre and most people were initially in favour of a Yes vote. By early May, there was a shift to a No vote which continued until May 24, she claims.

A foreign journalist told her on May 24, the eve of the referendum, that the polls were showing a 2.6% differential, she said. Within 24 hours, the result showed an increase of 20%. Such a swing is not possible.

She claims the tally of the number of votes cast per polling box was not always given when requested by the No side at the close of voting on May 25. That begs the question whether the number of ballots counted from 9am on May 26 was the same as the number of ballots in the boxes at 10pm on May 25, she says. If not, it could account for the 20% overnight swing.

In his application, Mr Byrne claims various public statements by the Taoiseach and other government members to the effect the Eighth Amendment endangered womens lives misled any voter who heard them and must also have undermined the credibility of No campaigners making contrary assertions.

He also said he had been informed of multiple instances of persons previously on the register of electors who found themselves unable to vote because they were without explanation no longer on the register. Examples were the Poor Clare communities in Galway and Clare.

He was also informed of multiple cases of persons receiving two polling cards each.

Some of the numerous persons who returned to Ireland to vote had admitted to doing so illegally, he added.

He said he was informed many non citizens got polling cards and the number of registered voters for the referendum was grossly in excess of the numbers entitled to be registered. Tallies from some boxes also indicated turnout figures of more than 100%, he said.

In his case, Mr Tracey told the court today that the scope of the change to be effected by repeal of the Eighth Amendment was not sufficiently addressed by the Referendum Commission.

The omission of a reference to the ECHR D case judgment was very serious because that judgment had referred to a resolution under Article 40.3.3. for those experiencing a pregnancy involving life-limiting conditions, he said.By Ann O'Loughlin

The Court of Appeal has found provisions of the Social Welfare Act which prevented child benefit payments to an Irish citizen child living in direct provision until her mother got residency here are unconstitutional.

In a significant judgment, the court suspended until February 1st 2019 the formal making of a declaration of unconstitutionality concerning Section 246(6) and 246(7) of the 2005 Act.

The three year old girl lives in direct provision with her Nigerian mother. Her father is a naturalised Irish citizen but the couple's relationship broke down sometime after her birth.

Her mother sought child benefit in October 2015 but was refused until she got residency status in January 2016. The mother said her daughter has a hereditary blood disease and they are living in difficult circumstances in direct provision with a weekly allowance of 43.

Child benefit is "designed for the benefit of the child", even if it is made payable to the qualifying parent, Mr Justice Gerard Hogan said in the COA judgment on Tuesday.

The failure to treat this child equally to other Irish citizen children breached the equality provisions under Article 40.1 of the Constitution, he found.

While the declaration of unconstitutionality would be suspended to February, the small amount of backdated benefit covering the period between October 2015 and January 2016 should be paid, he directed.

In a related case involving an Afghan couple and their four children also living in direct provision who got permission to remain here on the basis of their youngest child securing refugee status, he ruled, because the now five year old boy is not a citizen, he was not entitled to child benefit until he was recognised as a refugee in January 2015.

There was no entitlement to claim child benefit for the couple's three other children prior to the September 2015 decision permitting the family remain here, he also held. The State "cannot generally be expected to make social security payments to persons with no right to reside here".

Insofar as Section 246(6) and 246.7 of the 2005 Act precluded payment of child benefit to the youngest child from the date he got refugee status, those were contrary to Article 28 of the 2004 Qualification Directive concerning social assistance payments for refugees, he also ruled.

Article 28 does not permit the payment to be withheld because the parent applying for it did not then have immigration status, he said. He also did not consider a national court has any jurisdiction to suspend a finding of invalidity under the Directive as that would compromise the uniformity and supremacy of EU law.

Mr Justice Michael Peart and Ms Justice Mary Irvine agreed with his findings.

The key finding in the case of the girl was the State could not provide an objective justification for her "statutory exclusion", as an Irish citizen child resident in the State, from child benefit prior to her Nigerian mother getting residency status in January 2016.

It was plain this child is not being treated equally with her peers, he found.

The court's judgment concerned appeals by the two families against a High Court decision they are not entitled to have child benefit payments backdated. A number of cases raising similar issues are outstanding.

The families, represented by Derek Shorthall BL, got residency rights on the basis their children were born here.

In the case of the three year old girl, her mother applied for child benefit in October 2015 but was refused because her residency application had yet to be decided. In January 2016, the mother got permission to remain and was granted child benefit.

The Court of Appeal ruled, as an Irish citizen child, the girl was entitled to child benefit from the date of her mother's first application in October 2015 and her exclusion from that was unconstitutional.

The other appeal concerned an Afghan couple who came here in 2008 and lived in direct provision from May to December 2008 and from June 2010 onwards. Three of their four children were born here. They sought asylum in 2013 and in September 2015 got permission to remain after the youngest son was declared to be a refugee.

After they got residence in September 2015, child benefit was paid but they argued benefit was payable from the date of their applications for refugee status in 2013 or from January 2015, when the youngest child secured refugee status.

Mr Justice Hogan said the requirement the qualifying parent for benefit must also have a legal entitlement to reside in the State is not unconstitutional and the key difference between this and the other case "is that of citizenship".A baby was decapitated after a doctor decided on the wrong method to try and deliver him, a medical tribunal in Scotland has found.

Dr Vaishnavy Vilvanathan Laxman failed to perform an immediate emergency caesarean section and instead proceeded with a regular delivery, a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MTPS) panel said in a report.

This was despite the baby - known as Baby B - being feet first in the breech position, having a prolapsed cord and low heart rate, and the mother's cervix being less than 4cm dilated.

The panel found the decision to proceed with a vaginal delivery "set in train a course of events which ultimately resulted in the decapitation of Baby B".

They added: "But for Dr Vilvanathan Laxman's error of judgement in this regard, the decapitation would not have occurred."

Dr Laxman was a consultant at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee when she was called to assist with a 30-year-old first-time mother who was 25 weeks pregnant in March 2014.

The tribunal said the expectant mother was taken to theatre and, given the complications, "the only appropriate course in these circumstances was a caesarean section which would have been the quickest mode of delivery given the risks attendant upon a vaginal delivery, namely head entrapment, which would inevitably have delayed the birth."

The report details the baby's head became trapped during the birth and various techniques were tried to free it, but during this his "head became detached from his body".

The tribunal has ruled he had died before this happened.

A pathologist told the tribunal that the damage to the baby's neck and decapitation "would most likely be attributed to the pulling and stretching forces applied to Baby B's body during attempts to deliver the head".

The tribunal will later make a decision on whether Dr Laxman's fitness to practice is impaired or not.A Syrian Kurdish militia has announced it is pulling out of a key northern Syrian town in a move that could ease a serious rift between Nato allies Turkey and the United States.

The development followed an announcement on Monday from Turkey, which said it had reached an agreement with the US over the future of Manbij, a strategic but contested town in northern Syria near the Syria-Turkey border.

The Syrian Kurdish militia - the People's Protection Units, known by its Kurdish acronym YPG - said in a statement that its advisers had completed their mission to train the local forces, the Manbij Military Council, to defend the town.

Both the YPG and the Manbij Military Council are backed by the US.

Ankara considers the YPG a terror group tied to a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey and has demanded the Kurdish fighters leave Manbij since they captured the town from Islamic State in 2016 following months of fierce battles.

Turkey has been pushing for them to withdraw and has vowed to retake the town and other Kurdish-held territory along the border, but US troops stationed in Manbij have served as a deterrent.

The militia's pullout will avert the tense standoff between the YPG and Turkish-backed Syrian fighters, which has become a major sore point between Nato allies and a distraction for the US-led coalition seeking to defeat IS in Syria.

On Monday, the US and Turkey issued a joint statement saying they had "endorsed a roadmap" that aims to "ensure the security and stability of Manbij", in a sign that the Trump and Erdogan administrations were seeking common ground over their visions for north Syria.

.@SecPompeo & #Turkey FM @MevlutCavusoglu reaffirmed their commitment to addressing common concerns, including terrorism, in a spirit of allied partnership. They also considered recommendations for cooperation in #Syria, including steps to ensure security & stability in #Manbij. pic.twitter.com/J7WelhLmGq  Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) June 4, 2018

Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who met with US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, said Kurdish fighters would withdraw under a plan that would be implemented within six months.

He said Turkey and US officials would temporarily ensure security in Manbij.

The US has kept forces stationed in Manbij to deter a potential assault by Turkey and Turkish-backed forces.

But tensions have erupted elsewhere, including when Turkey bombed positions held by US-backed fighters in other parts of the autonomous Kurdish area in 2017.

The US is estimated to keep 2,000 forces stationed in north Syria, and it operates airstrips and outposts in the Kurdish-administered territory that stretches across Syria's north and east of the Euphrates River.

Manbij lies west of the river.

It was not immediately clear who would govern Manbij, and whether the US-supported Manbij Military Council would stay on in the city.

What seems certain is that Manbij will remain beyond the reach of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government in Damascus, which has been forced to surrender much of its authority in northern Syria to Turkey and the US-backed Syrian Kurdish militia as it fights rebels elsewhere.

- Digital Desk and PAThere are legitimate and useful reasons for a smartphones and other internet-connected gadgets to strike agreements permitting them access to Facebook's user information. If people want to share a photo taken on their smartphone camera to Facebook, it's handy if the phone maker is able to let them tap one button on their phone to do so. That's normal.

In an article published late Sunday, the New York Times reported that dozens of hardware companies such as BlackBerry and Apple had far more ability to tap information from Facebook user accounts that was previously understood.

The worst thing about the latest revelation involving Facebook and its questionable stewardship of people's personal information is that the company has again shown that it never learns from its own mistakes.

What's harder to understand is other aspects of the Times reporting, which found that those hardware companies also had in prior years - and in some cases, continued to have years after those first Facebook data-sharing arrangements were made - the ability to collect much more information from Facebook user accounts including religious affiliation, event attendance and data from the social media accounts of Facebook users' friends. What was the point of permitting these hardware makers to have this information? Facebook doesn't say.

The existence of these hardware arrangements isn't new, and the Times reporting isn't a five-alarm fire on its own. The story's revelations, however, are worrying given the context of Facebook's endless series of privacy landmines, and its response to them. Facebook's rebuttal in the Times article and in a blog post dodges the obvious questions about the scope of Facebook's data-sharing arrangements with outside companies. As usual, when Facebook is given an option to be open and transparent, it opts for obfuscation. That's so Facebook.

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Facebook told the Times that the device makers can only harness social network account information to provide versions of the "Facebook experience," although the Times reporting shows that device makers seemed to have access to information that went beyond what was necessary to build useful apps. Facebook's rebuttal also leans heavily on an explanation that many of those data agreements with smartphone companies were struck when it was common for BlackBerry, Samsung and others to have customized apps for people to use their social network accounts. (A conventional Facebook smartphone app didn't even exist until 2012.)

But while Facebook focuses on the past, it doesn't explain why it didn't stop or significantly revise those data-sharing partnerships with hardware makers years ago. It's the same question I had in April when Facebook announced a wave of restrictions on how outside parties could access information from the social network's 2 billion users. It shouldn't have taken so many years and so many Facebook crises over lax data-sharing for the company to end outside companies' access to certain information, including a feature that allowed third parties to see what private events people had indicated on Facebook that they planned to attend.A sixth 7-Eleven store owner in Brisbane has been fined more than $32,000 and his business $160,000 for underpaying staff, a Fair Work Australia investigation has revealed.

It is the 10th investigation into the operations of a 7-Eleven Store and the sixth Brisbane store investigated since the underpayment of wages at the chain was raised in 2014.

Avinash Pratap Singh, the manager and part-owner of the 7-Eleven fuel outlet at 508 Vulture Street, East Brisbane, was fined $32,130 for underpaying two workers from India in 2014.

A sixth Brisbane 7-Eleven store has been fined for underpayment of staff. Credit:Glenn Hunt

In October 2014, a "stressed" Mr Singh was fined $250 by Brisbane's Magistrates Court for throwing a metal chair at an employee when he complained of feeling sick.Pressure is mounting on the Berejiklian government to ditch its controversial plan to protect wild horses in the Kosciuszko National Park, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature warning the move would damage the state's and Australia's global reputation.

In a letter sent to Gabrielle Upton, the state's Environment Minister, the IUCN's director-general Inger Andersen said the bill to protect the animals raised "substantial issues for protected area policy and will create poor precedents for Australia and beyond".

Wild brumbies in the Kiandra high country, in the Kosciuszko National Park. Credit:Karleen Minney

The letter noted the national park was home to many alpine and subalpine plants and animals that "exist nowhere else on earth" that would be placed at risk by the hard-hooved, introduced horses.

The body noted the region is designated as an IUCN Category II National Park "which requires that areas will be managed in a natural state to protect large-scale ecological processes".Canberrans are being slugged with more fees as the ACT government builds a thin surplus on the back of a huge tax take, Opposition leader Alistair Coe says.

On Tuesday Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr unveiled the territory budget, featuring a 10 per cent rise in revenue from tax and rates and a $36 million surplus.

Canberrans are being slugged with more fees and more taxes, Opposition leader Alistair Coe says. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong.

Canberra Liberals leader Alistair Coe said the budget fundamentally failed to address cost of living and housing affordability issues plaguing ACT residents.

We are seeing Canberrans slugged with ever-increasing rates, taxes, fees and charges, he said.A man charged with murdering his infant son in Brisbanes bayside last year has been remanded in custody.

Kozan Samual Thomas Ware, 32, fronted Brisbane Arrest Court on Tuesday morning, more than a year after five-month-old Adrian Joshua Wommie Ware was found unresponsive in a Cleveland home.

Mr Ware posted a photo of himself wearing a T-shirt in tribute of the baby boy on April 9, 2017, weeks after the infant died. Credit:Facebook

Police said a triple-zero call was made about 8.50am on March 28, 2017, reporting the baby boy was unresponsive.

When police and paramedics arrived, the boy was declared dead at the scene.Terry Hansen has announced he is leaving 97.3s popular Bianca, Terry and Bob breakfast show, citing health concerns.

On Tuesday morning, Hansen told listeners that a health scare late last year had seen him rush to hospital with a swollen arm.

Terry with Bianca and Bob from 97.3fm's morning show.

While being examined, I answered all the health questions the way I have previously on air: put on 20kg in the last few years. A big few years for work and a tough time for our family, Hansen told listeners.

It rang just about every alarm bell for a middle-aged man and before you knew it, the senior doctor was down to talk to me.She has raced across the Atlantic with Marcus Blackmore, delivered a boat through the Panama Canal to Tahiti and crossed the Indian Ocean.

"I have been busy but we recently decided to cross another ocean. We are looking at going to New Zealand via Lord Howe Island. I will certainly avail myself of every modern navigation gizmo but Lee is desperate for me to teach him celestial navigation."

The circumnavigation wasn't easy going. Off the Cape of Good Hope she encountered mighty seas in what was believed to be winds of more than 100 knots. The boat was surfing down 60ft high waves and she briefly went over the side attached by two harness lines. The boat, on its beam, somehow swept her back aboard.

All that and she did most of the navigation with a sextant. She did have one of the first satellite navigation aids - the only problem was that 30 years ago there weren't that many satellites in orbit upon which to get a fix .

Now, having caused her mother some anxiety all those years ago, the shoe is on the other foot. Her son is into mountain biking and rock climbing. "Yes, I worry. He is like me - hyperactive with not much fear to go with it."Three more public schools are on the horizon for Canberra, as the public system braces for an additional 1340 students by 2019.

The ACT government will spend an extra $10 million on schools in this year's budget, and release land in Gungahlin, West Belconnen and the Molonglo Valley for future school sites.

A $47 million primary school is also slated for Denman Prospect in the growing Molonglo Valley and a site for a non-government school will be put up for auction by 2022 in Wright.

Schools were big winners in this year's ACT budget. Credit:Gabriele Charotte

Six hundred new places are set to open up for Gungahlin students in the next four years as the Franklin Early Childhood school expands from year 2 to year 6, and Amaroo, Gold Creek and Neville Bonner schools grow.About 48,000 houses and 39,000 units will see their general rates increase by $100-$150, while around 28,000 houses and 3200 units will have an increase of between $150-$200.

New figures provided in the ACT budget reveal ratepayers in the Gungahlin area will see the largest percentage changes (9 per cent for houses and 12 per cent for units) while Weston Creek will see the smallest (5 per cent for houses and 9per cent for units).

Rates for detached homeowners will rise 7 per cent on average for the coming year, or about $172, to an average of $2474, while unit owners face a 10 per cent, or $135 rise on average, to $1472.

Unit owners will also lose the one-off $100 rebate after last years change in rates calculation, but the increases to marginal rates have been tempered this year to soften the rise.The state government's most senior minister in the upper house, Don Harwin, faces being suspended from Parliament over his refusal to produce key documents.

Mr Harwin has until 9.30am on Wednesday to produce the documents, or he could be suspended from Parliament after he was censured by the upper house on Tuesday night.

Censured: NSW government minister Don Harwin. Credit:Janie Barrett

Rogue Liberal MP Matthew Mason-Cox took the extraordinary step of voting with Labor and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers to censure Mr Harwin.

The motion passed by one vote.New race hate laws to crack down on violent extremists will be introduced in NSW, three years after the state government promised to overhaul the system which has not seen a single prosecution.

Under the changes, people who incite or threaten violence against anyone on the grounds of race, religion, sexual orientation or HIV status face a three-year jail term and $11,000 fine.

Announcing the changes on Tuesday, Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the new laws struck the right balance between public safety and freedom of speech.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman. Credit:AAP

"People who incite violence are a threat to community safety," Mr Speakman said.The United States Supreme Court has sided with a Colorado baker who refused to design and make a wedding cake to celebrate the marriage of same-sex couple Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins.

The court held that a decision by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission against the Masterpiece Cakeshop was in breach of constitutional protections for free speech and the free exercise of religion.

Baker Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, back at his shop on Monday after winning the Supreme Court case. Credit:AP

Australia also has a constitutional protection for the free exercise of religion.

Already in Australia, people like Lyle Shelton have used the Masterpiece decision to call for the introduction of exemptions from anti-discrimination laws for people with religious objections to same-sex marriage.Latest News Unit dwellers looking to upgrade face severe affordability constraints  CoreLogic This would be particularly frustrating for those looking to start families or seeking more space

33% rise in settlements among highlights of Q2 FY22 reporting at AFG 33% rise in settlements among highlights of Q2 FY22 reporting

A senior executive with experience ranging across the Netherlands, London and Sydney has joined the Heritage bank team in Toowoomba.

Arjan Bloemer, who started his career with Dutch bank MeesPierson, has been appointed to the role of chief operating officer at the bank.

He has taken over from Kevin Potter, who moved to the chief customer officer role in April.

Originally from Amsterdam, Bloemer was also head of operations at Europes first 100% digital bank, BNP Paribas. He then moved into consulting, first in the Netherlands, followed by banking roles with the Royal Bank of Scotland in London and then consulting in Australia with Ernst and Young. He was Managing Director at Accenture Australia from early 2017, before the move to Heritage.

Heritage CEO Peter Lock said, Arjan brings a wealth of experience to the COO role, particularly in digital banking and in retail banking transformation projects. He is a welcome addition to our senior executive group.

Bloemer said he was excited about the opportunities that were open to Heritage Bank.

He added, My career focus has been on major retail banking transformation projects. This has included implementing robotics, artificial intelligence tools, chatbots and Six Sigma Process optimisation.

There are real opportunities to use my expertise to help deliver a better experience for customers at Heritage.

What particularly attracted me to this role were the people and the culture at Heritage. Everyone is absolutely committed to the best interests of the customers, and willing to do things differently to deliver a better outcome. Its a really positive and upbeat environment.

Bloemer will be based at Heritages Head Office in Toowoomba and will be moving there from Sydney with his wife and three teenage children.

Before coming to Australia we lived in a smaller city quite similar to Toowoomba. Were really looking forward to being part of such a great community, he said.

Related stories:

Bank senior executive fills chief customer officer role

Aussie expands lender panel

Westpac GM moves to new roleLatest News Unit dwellers looking to upgrade face severe affordability constraints  CoreLogic This would be particularly frustrating for those looking to start families or seeking more space

33% rise in settlements among highlights of Q2 FY22 reporting at AFG 33% rise in settlements among highlights of Q2 FY22 reporting

One of the countrys biggest aggregators has promised to change its remuneration model after 50% of its franchisees said they are prepared for legal action.

Mortgage Choice released an announcement on the ASX yesterday (4 June) in response to an investigation by Fairfax Media and ABCs 7.30. Franchisees are accusing the aggregator of running a harsh business model and remuneration structure, which is causing financial distress and worrying loan practices.

One hundred and seventy three franchisees have said they are ready to set up a fund to take legal action. Towards the end of last year they agreed to commit $200,000, but put this on hold after Mortgage Choice said it would review the structure.

In the statement from company secretary David Hoskins, he said the company would be working closely with franchisees about a more competitive remuneration model.

The statement said the purpose of this would be to increase franchisee remuneration and reduce franchisee income volatility to allow them to grow their business and assist more customers with their home loan needs.

Following the outcry, Mortgage Choice is offering state-based workshops to discuss new structures and will invest in new technology to improve franchisee productivity.

CEO of Mortgage Choice, Susan Mitchell, said, These changes are designed to support the long term sustainable growth of Mortgage Choice, increase franchisee remuneration and attract new high-quality franchisees to our network.

We want to continue to help Australians with their financial services needs for many years to come and having thriving, growing franchisees that have the confidence to invest in their business is critical to achieving this.

Mortgage Choice expects to finalise a new remuneration model in this coming July and implement an opt-in basis across the network in August.

Related stories

CBA reaches Austrac agreement

ANZ faces charges for alleged cartel conduct

Mortgage Choice CEO steps downLatest News Unit dwellers looking to upgrade face severe affordability constraints  CoreLogic This would be particularly frustrating for those looking to start families or seeking more space

33% rise in settlements among highlights of Q2 FY22 reporting at AFG 33% rise in settlements among highlights of Q2 FY22 reporting

Online mortgage startup HashChing is advertising with a billboard above a Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) branch.

The home loan marketplace has launched a campaign against the big banks, which includes this billboard in the Melbourne CBD. The slogan reads, Our brokers will go to mortgage hell, so you dont have to.

Mandeep Sodhi, CEO of HashChing, said the new billboard made light of the fact that applying for a mortgage or refinancing an existing one can be quite an onerous experience.

He added, By positioning this billboard above a CBA branch, were encouraging the 80% of borrowers who are currently with a big four bank to find a better deal on the HashChing mortgage marketplace. Never mind the additional paperwork and red tape - our brokers will take care of the entire process.

According to the company, a large portion of HashChings customer base consists of borrowers refinancing away from CBA.

A recent survey the group conducted also found that 70% of its brokers had seen an increase in customer enquiries about using banks other than the big four.

HashChings anti-big-bank stance extends to its latest funding round. It is currently raising money by offering shares on crowdfunding platform Equitise. Money raised will go towards marketing campaigns like this.

Related stories:

CBA reaches AUSTRAC agreement

Major lender switches stance on "inactive" brokers

Class action planned for entire mortgage industrySign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC

Paramedics rushed three victims to local hospitals after flames raged through the top floors of a four-story Crown Heights building on Friday.

More than 100 of New Yorks Bravest rushed to quench the Herkimer Street inferno between Kingston Avenue and St. Andrews Place just after sunset at 8:40 pm, battling it for an hour before giving the all-clear at 9:40 pm.

Two other victims of the blaze refused medical attention, firefighters said.

The property is residential, according to city records, which show that Department of Buildings officials slapped a vacate order on the premises after the incident, which will be lifted following a stability inspection by the Fire Department.

The infernos cause is under investigation, according to a Fire Department spokeswoman.Dear Reader,

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Digital EditorPublic sector engineering major, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) is betting big on the defence vertical with a plan to double its revenues from this segment in the current financial year.

The defence segment accounted for around 17 per cent of the companys overall revenue of Rs 33 billion in the financial year ended March 2018. "We see a lot of traction in our defence vertical. The order book looks healthy and we should be able to increase the pie of defence vertical to around 25 per cent of the overall revenues in the current financial year," Chairman and ...Demand for cars in the national capital territory of Delhi, one of the top markets in the country, is facing some heat this summer. Car dealers in the capital have seen a demand drop of at least 10 per cent, thanks to the sealing drive by authorities in various commercial areas.

The sealing has impacted sentiment among buyers in the trader and business community, leading to a fall in purchases. We are seeing a drop in demand for cars after sealing drives intensified in the city in recent months. There is a decline in enquiries as well as bookings. There are schemes and ...Two Indian journalists and Sudip Dutta Bhaumik were among the 18 fallen members of the media added to the Journalists Memorial by the prestigious at a ceremony in Washington on Monday.

Each year, the Newseum, a museum here dedicated to the understanding of the importance of a free press, selects a representative group of journalists whose names are added to the memorial and whose deaths illustrate the dangers faced by journalists around the world.

This year eight of the 18 journalists added to the memorial are women.

"Gauri Lankesh, 55, was known throughout India for her outspoken articles against the caste system and Hindu fundamentalism," said in its brief description about her.

Lankesh was steps away from her front door of her house on September 5, 2017, when a gunman on a motorcycle pulled up and fired, hitting her in the chest and abdomen, it said, adding that she died instantly.

"An activist and editor of her own weekly magazine Patrike, Lankesh frequently criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist agenda. Lankesh's assassination set off nationwide protests. One man has been charged in her death," the said.

About Sudip Dutta Bhaumik, the Newseum said he had investigated "police corruption" for local daily newspapers in Tripura.

On November 21, 2017, Bhaumik was asked to meet with Tapan Debbarma, the head of the local paramilitary force. A week earlier, Bhaumik had published an article about "corruption" within the force. The men argued and Debbarma allegedly ordered his bodyguard to shoot Bhaumik, who was killed at the scene, it said.

Quoting Bhaumik's editor, the Newseum said, "Sudip's only crime was that he had exposed a number of financial irregularities and corruption cases in which Debbarma was involved".

Debbarma and the bodyguard were charged in Bhaumik's death, it said.

Yameen Rasheed from The Daily Panic in Maldives is the other South Asian journalist added to the list.

"All the journalists recognised on this memorial this year faced unprecedented dangers as they worked to report the news, often in countries where press freedom is imperiled or nonexistent," said Cathy Trost, Executive Director of the Freedom Forum Institute.

The soaring, two-story glass memorial bears the names of 2,323 reporters, editors, photographers and broadcasters who lost their lives in the line of duty. Of these include more than 80 Indian journalists.

The gallery also features photographs of hundreds of the journalists whose names are etched on the memorial's glass panels, as well as kiosks, where information on every journalist on the memorial can be accessed.Officialdom often likes to bad-mouth civil society organisations and NGOs for doing little of worth. The recently released report on the Status of Policing in India 2018 from Common Cause and Centre for the Study of Developing Societies once again proves what valuable work civil society constantly does.

The report combines hard data from government sources with surveys of public perception of policing to draw a clear-eyed composite of what the police are equipped to do, how well they do it and how the public sees it. The report covers 22 states leaving out the ones ...At 10:30 am on any other day, the tehsil office in Mainpuri districts Kishni town is barely waking up. But on April 20, a steady stream of people started pouring into the hall from the early hours. Men and women, from across the district came to register themselves as manual scavengers.

And in doing so, forced the government to acknowledge that this practise still very much exists. About three hours into the self-registration camp, a man walks in. Claiming to be a local reporter, he asks for basic details and then gets on the phone asking the person at the other end to join ...A court in Delhi on Tuesday asked leader to appear before it as an accused on July 7 in connection with his wife Sunanda Pushkars death.

The court took note of a chargesheet filed by Delhi Police and said there were sufficient grounds to proceed against him.

In its 3,000-page chargesheet, Delhi Police named Tharoor as the only accused in the case, alleging that he had subjected his wife to cruelty. Tharoor said the chargesheet was preposterous and unbelievable.

Pushkar was found dead in a south Delhi hotel on the night of January 17, 2014. The 51-year-old had not left behind a suicide note.

ALSO READ: "I have no desire to live," Sunanda wrote to Tharoor: Police I have heard the prosecutor. I have gone through and perused the chargesheet and the documents filed along with it. On the basis of police report (chargesheet), I take cognisance of offence of abetment of suicide of late and committing cruelty upon her by Dr Shashi Tharoor," Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal said.

On May 28, the court had reserved its order on whether to summon Tharoor as an accused.

According to prosecution sources, the chargesheet mentioned that Pushkar was allegedly subjected to mental as well as physical cruelty, news agency PTI reported.

The couple's domestic servant, Narayan Singh, was named one of the key witnesses in the case.A day after the JD(U) demanded that Bihar Chief Minister be projected as the BJP-led NDA's face in Bihar, the Janata Dal (United) president on Monday declined to comment on the issue over who will be the 'face' of the NDA in the state when Lok Sabha polls are held in 2019.

Earlier in the day, Deputy CM and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said is the ruling alliance' leader in the state and the NDA will seek votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the name of the JD(U) chief and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's works.

"This is a special occasion when I would like to see happiness on all faces. Please do not ask about any other face right now," Kumar quipped in response to queries by reporters.

The journalists gathered at his official residence of the chief minister to attend the Iftaar party organised by him.

When pressed further, he said, "All your queries would be answered at an appropriate time. Right now, let us pray that the holy month of Ramadan brings peace and prosperity to Bihar."



The JD(U) has asserted that the chief minister is the face of the NDA in the state, which is being speculated as an indirect demand for greater share of seats in the parliamentary polls.

Out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, the BJP has 22 in addition to nine others held by allies like the LJP and the RLSP. The BJP and JD(U) fought separately in the 2014 general election.

The JD(U) registered victories in only two seats but has the largest number of MLAs among all coalition partners in the state Assembly.

"May the followers of all religions live together in peace and may mutual respect flourish. Let us also pray that our state, which suffers the wrath of nature almost every year, does not face drought or floods", Kumar added.

A host of dignitaries, including state Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council Haroon Rashid, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and cabinet ministers Nand Kishore Yadav and Mangal Pandey attended the Iftaar party.The preparations for the summit between President and North Korean leader next Tuesday in are going well with "significant progress" made, the said today, painting an upbeat picture of the unprecedented meeting.

Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the two leaders would first meet at 9:00 am local time (6:30 am IST) and that President Trump was receiving daily briefings from his national security team.

With just one week to go to the summit, hosted by Singapore, very few details have been publicly confirmed. It remains unclear exactly where in the city state the two leaders will meet.

But has made it clear that sanctions would not be lifted against unless it gave up its nuclear weapons.

Commenting on the upcoming summit, Sanders said, "I can tell you the president has been receiving daily briefings on from his national security team, and I can also tell you the schedule tentatively, for that first meeting will be on June 12 at 9:00 AM time, and take place June 11, 9:00 PM East Coast time."



The Trump administration, she said, is actively preparing for the summit between the President and the North Korean leader.

There was initially much uncertainty over whether the summit would go ahead at all, and it was briefly called off last month by Trump after a dispute with the North Koreans.

"The advance team in is finalising logistical preparations and will remain in place until the summit begins. In the Demilitarised Zone, the Ambassador's delegation continues diplomatic negotiations with the North Korean delegation. Discussions have been very positive, and significant progress has been made," Sanders said.

Last week, Trump met with a top North Korean official at the to plan for the summit. Kim Yong Chol, a top aide of Kim handed over to Trump a letter from the North Korean leader.

"I am not going to get into the specifics of the letter, but as the president said, they were interesting, and we feel like things are continuing to move forward, and good progress has been made, and we're continuing to prepare for the president's summit," Sanders said.

When asked whether Trump supports a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim, she said the focus of the administration right now was the President's meeting with the North Korean leader. "And the President will make his views known directly to him when we're in Singapore, and our focus will continue to be on denuclearisation," Sanders said.

Responding to a question on "maximum pressure" policy on North Korea, the press secretary said the US policy towards Pyongyang has not changed.

Trump has credited his "maximum pressure" policy with bringing to the negotiating table.

"Our policy hasn't changed. And as the president stated, we have sanctions on. They're very powerful, and we would not take those sanctions off unless North Korea denuclearises," she said.Onion prices in Indore mandi, one of the largest in Madhya Pradesh, dropped by almost 79 per cent between February and May, while tomato prices slumped by almost 50 per cent during the same period fueling farmers anger which has now taken the shape of a 10-day long village bandh across major states in North India.

The impact of the strike, however, by farmers has started waning in some parts as it entered a second week but was still intense in some places. Agency reports said prices of vegetables have risen 25-30 per cent in Jaipur, while procuring and ...One Chinese killed and 34 others were wounded on Tuesday in a bus accident in eastern Ontario, Canada.

As reported by the Xinhua News Agency, the bus carrying 35 Chinese people from the United States, crashed on the 401 highway of Ontario causing the casualties.

Leaving out the bus driver and a tourist guide also a fellow traveler, all 34 nationals were injured as they were later rushed to nearest hospitals from the site of the accident.

The bus belongs to travel company LLTOURTU, which is registered in the United States.

The Shanghai-based tourists were on a trip to the United States and Canada since May 19 and were expected to return on Saturday.

The Chinese Embassy is in contact with the Ontario Police Department and the tourism company back in the United States.

Spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Canada Yang Yundong, said the embassy will closely follow up the investigation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A case has been registered against Bollywood actor Armaan Kohli at Mumbai's Santacruz police station for allegedly physically assaulting his girlfriend.

The victim, who accused the actor of assault, has been hospitalised in Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital.

A case has been registered under sections 323, 326, 504 and 506.

Armaan and his girlfriend were said to be in a live-in relationship since 2015. They met through a common friend and soon started dating.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said he is in favour of the country holding simultaneous elections, i.e. general as well as assembly elections, to ensure development and other welfare projects don't lag behind.

"State polls, general elections and by-polls held at different times hamper development due to the Model Code of Conduct and deployment of election staff and security personnel. The Prime Minister has started a campaign for all elections to be held at the same time so that we don't spend on elections every five years," Adityanath told ANI.

"We have constituted a team in UP under Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh in this regard and asked them to see if it is possible to hold only one election. Only one voters' list should be there and we want to link this voters' list to the Aadhaar Card so that new voters are automatically added after they turn 18 and deceased voters names can be automatically deleted. We are going to send a recommendation to the Centre in this regard," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah and other political parties have hinted at creating a better electoral system in the country.

They have cited convenience and a curbing of expenditure as primary reasons to support this move.

BJP General Secretary Bhupender Yadav has written to chief ministers of BJP-ruled states on the issue of 'one nation-one election'. Yadav has asked chief ministers to take opposition leaders into confidence on the issue to arrive at a consensus.

Former home secretary Madhav Godbole has supported the idea and demanded a constitutional amendment after a detailed discussion in Parliament.

The government has sought the opinion of the Election Commission of India in this regard, a report said. The NITI Aayog has also presented their recommendations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)As part of his 'Sampark for Samarthan' (Contact for Support) campaign, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah is scheduled to meet Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence on Wednesday.

Launched in May this year, the Sampark for Samarthan initiative was devised to generate awareness about the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's achievements in the last four years.

In the recent past, differences have cropped up in the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra.

In this regard, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that although there was no plan to dissolve the alliance, mutual efforts were essential to sustain ties.

Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir had also quashed the possibility of a breakup of the alliance, as the BJP and Shiv Sena were two separate parties, but followed the same ideology.

In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Shah will reach out to 50 people personally with details of initiatives and achievements of the government, whereas each BJP worker is expected to contact at least 10 people.

There will also be a special session of 'Sampark for Samarthan' on the NaMo App.

On Monday, Shah met with Yoga guru Ramdev and sought his support for the party.

"Meeting Baba Ramdev means we are meeting millions of people (who are his followers). He has assured us full support for next year's elections," Shah said.

Ramdev, on his part, lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the achievements so far, and said no Prime Minister had managed to garner respect from powerful world leaders to this extent.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)United States (US) Senate Democrats have written a letter to US President Donald Trump saying that any agreement with North Korea must include the dismantlement and removal of its nuclear weapon.

The letter said, "Any agreement with North Korea must build on the current test suspension and ultimately include the dismantlement and removal of all nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons from North Korea," as per Sputnik.

US senators also warned of tougher sanctions on North Korea if US President Donald Trump's deal wouldn't mandate complete denuclearisation.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said the sanctions imposed on N Korea could only be lifted after Pyongyang realises that it has taken irreversible steps to denuclearisation.

Last week, Trump reinstated the planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un saying, the relationship between the US and N Korea will start on June 12.

The two leaders are expected to discuss denuclearisation of North Korea in the June 12 summit.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Reacting to on Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao's annual pastoral letter, Secretary to Bishop, Father Joaquim L Pereira on Tuesday said that the Archbishop's statements does not target any political party in particular.

"He made statements about governance not about any Party. We don't do partisan politics, we are interested in getting right people elected," Pereira told ANI.

Archbishop of Goa and Daman Father Filipe Neri Ferrao has issued a letter saying that the Constitution is in danger, and most of the people are living in insecurity.

The Archbishop has called upon the people to strive to know the Constitution and to protect it with values like secularism, freedom of speech and freedom to practise one's religion.

The letter, issued at the beginning of Pastoral Year (June 1 to May 31), is addressed to Christians in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.

Archbishop Ferrao's letter comes a week after Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto had asked the Christian community to observe a fast on Fridays and hold prayers for the nation's sake.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Assam Congress President and Rajya Sabha MP, Ripun Bora on Tuesday wrote to former President Pranab Mukherjee asking him to reconsider his decision to attend the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) conference.

Bora said it is surprising that Mukherjee being a strong supporter of Congress ideology of secularism accepted the invitation of the RSS who is totally opposed to it.

He accused the RSS of not respecting the flag, propagating the idea of one nation one religion and held them responsible for the growth of social and religious intolerance in the country.

"You are going to attend the meeting of such an organisation who never respects the flag of our country. This is the organisation who is now propagating the idea of one Nation one religion," he wrote.

"This is the organisation that is responsible for the unabated growth of social and religious intolerance and politics of religious polarization during this four years misrule of BJP govt. at centre under Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi," he added.

The former president will address the Third Year Sangha Shiksha Varga (SSV), which is held in the RSS headquarters annually in Nagpur.

The event is scheduled to be held on June 7.

Mahatma Gandhi, former president Zakir Husain, activist Jayaprakash Narayan and commander-in-chief of the Indian Army, Kodandera M. Cariappa had previously been guests at various RSS events.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)B-town 'besties' Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez are the cover stars for Hello! magazine's June 2018 issue.

Donning colour-coordinated attires, the stars look stunning on the magazine's cover.

In 'The Friendship Special' edition, Salman and Jacqueline will talk about their special equation and upcoming film 'Race 3'.

The official Instagram account of the magazine shared the cover, writing, "The besties talk about their special equation and their forthcoming multi-starrer Race 3. The actor, who has transcended boundaries of time - having co-starred with Actresses who were toddlers when he made his debut - talks fondly of the evolution of his bff, from the days of shooting Kick to this latest caper."

Meanwhile, the two are gearing up for the release of the multi-starrer film 'Race 3'.

Starring an ensemble cast of Salman, Jacqueline, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Saqib Saleem and Daisy Shah, the action thriller will hit theatres on June 15.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday took a suo moto cognizance of the recent acquittal of law student Shah Hussain earlier accused of stabbing Khadija Siddiqui several times.

The victim had appealed to Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar to take notice of the LHC verdict and hear her case directly.

This comes after a massive outrage on social media over the decision of the Lahore High Court to acquit Hussain who had stabbed Siddiqui at least 23 times in 2016.

The CJP is to hear the case on June 10 at the SC Lahore registry and has summoned all the record of the case from the Lahore High Court (LHC), as reported by the Geo News.

Earlier reacting to the acquittal, Siddiqui said justice has been butchered.

She took to her Twitter account to say, "Inna lilahi wa ina ilahi rajioon! (Justice butchered. Shah Hussain acquitted!)."

Further, #Justiceforkhadija was trending the entire day as several others supported Khadija and some also stated various findings reported by the investigation agencies.

Siddiqui was attacked by Shah Hussain on May 3, 2016, near Shimla Hill, where she, along with her driver, had gone to pick up her younger sister from school.

Both sisters were about to get into their car when the helmet-wearing Siddiqui attacked Khadija with a knife and stabbed her 23 times, leaving her critically injured.

On July 29, 2017, a court in the provincial capital of Punjab sentenced the main accused, Shah Hussain, for stabbing Siddiqui. The attacker had managed to flee from the scene of the crime but was captured on a mobile camera by an eyewitness.

Siddiqui was saved by her driver, who had tried to overpower the attacker, forcing him to flee from the scene on May 3, 2016.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Archbishop of and Daman Father Filipe Neri Ferrao has issued a letter saying that the Constitution is in danger, and most of the people are living in insecurity.

The Archbishop has called upon the people to strive to know the Constitution and to protect it with values like secularism, freedom of speech and freedom to practise one's religion.

The letter, issued in the beginning of Pastoral Year (June 1 to May 31), is addressed to Christians in the Archdiocese of and Daman.

"Today, our Constitution is in danger (and that is) the reason why most of the people are living in insecurity. In this context, particularly as the general elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our constitution better and work harder to protect it," the letter read.

"In recent times, we see a new trend emerging in our country, which demands uniformity in what and how we eat, dress, live and even worship: a kind of mono-culturalism. Human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril," it added.

The letter further added that various minorities fear for their safety and people are being uprooted from their land and homes in the name of development

"The first victim of development is the poor person. It is easier to trample upon the rights of the poor because those who will raise their voice for them are very few," the letter further read.

The Archbishop has also called for the participation of Catholics and Church communities in politics and social causes.

"Our parishes and small Christian communities ought to be immersed in this mission of the Church. They should be open to the problems of the world. This social concern should not only remain within the confines of the parish community but should reach out to the whole state and country at large," Ferrao said in the letter.

The Archbishop also expressed concern about malnutrition among children in the country.

Archbishop Ferrao's letter comes a week after Delhi archbishop Anil Couto had asked the Christian community to observe a fast on Fridays and hold prayers for the nation's sake.At least fourteen people have reportedly lost their lives and 17 others got injured in an explosion which took place near the Polytechnic University in Kabul.

At the time of the incident, a group of 2,000 religious scholars or clerics had gathered at the university to issue a fatwa against suicide attacks in the on-going war in Afghanistan, reports Sputnik news agency.

Kabul police confirmed that it was a suicide bombing.

"The suicide attack happened outside the (Loya Jirga) tent when religious scholars were leaving the gathering," Kabul Police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai was quoted as saying by Tolo News.

Prior to the incident, the clerics had announced that the Afghan war is "illegitimate and has no roots in the Sharia law".

Taliban has denied any involvement in the attack.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The death toll in the boat capsizing off the Tunisia coast on Sunday increased to 112 migrants.

As reported by the Anadolu Agency, the Tunisian authorities have till now rescued 68 survivors and recovered 60 bodies, during the on-going search and rescue operations.

As per the head of United Nations Migrant Agency, International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Tunisia Lorena Lando, the 68 survivors include 60 Tunisians, 2 Moroccans, 1 Libyan, 1 Malian, 1 Cameroonian and 3 Ivorians.

The boat is said to have been drowned due to a leak in its base.

As part of the massive movement of refugees in Europe, 33,192 migrants and refugees have already moved to the country.

Further, an estimated 125 men, women and children drowned in waters off Turkey, Tunisia, Algeria, Spain and Morocco as per a report published by the IOM.

Three similar incidents of refugee-boat capcizing have been reported within a week out of the Tunisian incident is touted to be the deadliest.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, has a new and popular tourist destination -- the Defence Park also known as "Beeji's Park".

Located at a height of 6,460 feet, Beeji's Park attracts hundreds of tourists, local and foreign, because of its location along the scenic Dhauladhar mountain range. It is managed by the Dalhousie Public School.

The park is set up in area which was otherwise a piece of wasteland. Beeji's Park is located on a road connecting Dalhousie town to Khajiar (the latter often referred to as Mini Switzerland). The park was visited by six lakh domestic and foreign tourists in 2017 (an average of 1500 tourists a day).

Around four lakh domestic and foreign tourists have visited the park between January and May 2018.

"Russian supplied T-70 tanks, state-of-the-art weaponry and other hi tech defence equipment are displayed at the park. These played a major role in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War as well as the 1999 Kargil War," said Dr. G.S.Dhillon, Chairman, Dalhousie Public School.

The park was inaugurated on October 15, 2016 by Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba.

The park also has a MIG-21 fighter aircraft presented by Air Chief Marshal N.A.K.Brown, former Chief of Air Staff, on October 7, 2013. Two surface-to-air Pichora missiles were gifted by Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, former Chief of Air Staff, on March 15, 2015.

There are other landmark weaponry that have been installed in the park, each with its own history.

Eastern Naval Command has presented a model of a frigate to Dalhousie Public School, which has been named as INS Madan Singh. The Indian Navy has named a war ship in memory of Sardar Madan Singh, who as a young naval officer, led the Naval Mutiny of 1946 that shook the very foundation of the British rule in India.

The Indian Navy in recognition of Sardar Madan Singh's services, named a warship auxiliary in his name on February 26, 1999.

Sardar Madan Singh's daughter, Mrs. Annurag Dhillon, is the wife of Dr. (Capt.) G.S. Dhillon, who is the Chairman and Director of the Dalhousie Public School, Dalhousie.

"The park is a perfect blend of natural grace and artificial finesse. It is also a source of inspiration and motivation for students to join the Indian armed forces," said Dr. Dhillon.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor has clarified that she came out in support of actress Swara Bhaskar for her masturbation scene in the film 'Veerey Di Wedding' and not for her comments on Pakistan.

Taking to Twitter, the actress said that defending Swara has nothing to do with her comments on Pakistan.

Earlier, the 'Neerja' actress had said that Swara was being trolled as she has an opinion of her own.

"I think people just like to troll her because she has an opinion and a point of view and I guess that shows how much they love her because the other side of hate is always love, so Swara you have a lot of lovers!," she said.

Earlier, Swara had called Pakistan a non-secular state after it banned 'Veere Di Wedding'.

"They're (Pakistan) a non-secular state. I'm not surprised at all. Why should we hold up Pakistan, which is a failing state - I don't understand why we keep taking pleasure and feeling a sense of self-worth from all the silly things that happen in Pakistan," Swara said in an interview.

'Veere Di Wedding', which also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam Kapoor and Shikha Talsania released on June 1.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Bookie Sonu Jalan on Tuesday named Director Sajid Khan, for allegedly betting in Indian Premier League (IPL) matches around seven years ago.

The Thane police, who questioned Jalan earlier in the day, is investigating his claims and is yet to take a decision on summoning Sajid for joining the investigation, informed the Thane crime branch sources.

Jalan was questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the IPL betting case registered in Gujarat's Ahmedabad.

Earlier on Monday, the Anti-Extortion Cell of Thane police summoned to film producer Parag Sanghvi, another person Sameer Buddha and others in connection with the IPL betting racket.

A fresh case of extortion was also registered against Jalan and gangster Ravi Pujari.

Bollywood star Arbaaz Khan's name was also cropped up in the investigation.

Arbaaz, brother of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, confessed to placing bets last year and losing Rs. 2.75 crore.

Arbaaz, 50, said he will continue to co-operate with the police in this investigation.

The actor was called for questioning on May 29 by the Anti Extortion Cell, Thane.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Pakistan Army has said that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt. Gen. Asad Durrani, will be punished as per the law and the country's Army Act for controversially co-authoring the book "The Spy Chronicles

Interacting with media here on Monday afternoon, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor said an inquiry has been ordered against the former ISI chief and outcome of the inquiry will be shared with the media.

"He (Durrani) is retired as a three-star general and you know the circumstances of his retirement - it was premature. He's involved in the Asghar Khan case as well," said Major General Ghafoor, adding that the army is clearly unhappy with what the retired officer had done.

"As soon as the book was published, we took action. We all know why he [Asad Durrani] was kicked out from the Army. He remarked that no one can become angel after wearing the army uniform. He also noted that Durrani's book referred to incidents that took place after his tenure. It was not okay for the retired spy chief to use his experience to comment on matters that happened after his retirement,"said Major General Ghafoor.

"We are all human, we make mistakes. But when you make mistakes, you suffer the consequences. The Pakistan Army has never forgiven any mistake, whether made by a soldier or a general. What will happen to Durrani will be in front of you," he said.

He added that the reason why the forces had reacted so sharply to Durrani's book was because the army does not take violations of its code lightly.

"Had he taken an NOC (no objection certificate) for the book, all of this would not have happened," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj, who is on a five-day visit to South Africa, arrived in Durban on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Swaraj reached Johannesburg and met with the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral ties between India and South Africa.

On Monday, she highlighted the importance of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) association in shaping the global political, economic, and security spheres, as she welcomed her South African counterpart Lindiwe Sisulu.

On Tuesday, she held a bilateral meeting with South African counterpart and said, the informal summit has given a good opportunity to all the leaders to have in-depth one on one exchanges on bilateral issues and topics related to global importance.

On June 6, she is scheduled to visit the Phoenix Settlement, a South African Heritage site, a place where Mahatma Gandhi developed his philosophy of non-violence.

The EAM would also participate in a series of events at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, on June 6-7 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the "historic incident in the train compartment that became a catalyst for Gandhiji's Satyagraha movement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India's Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Tuesday met Vice Foreign Minister of China, Kong Xuanyou in New Delhi, to hold consultations on the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

As per a release by the External Affairs Ministry, the two leaders reviewed the follow-up action on the understandings formed in the Wuhan informal summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping had held an informal summit at the Chinese city of Wuhan in April last week during which they exchanged views on solidifying the relationship between the two Asian giants.

At the informal summit, the two leaders had decided to issue "strategic guidance" to their militaries to strengthen communications to build trust and understanding, which was seen as a move to avoid a Dokalam-like situation in the future.

Gokhale and Kong further held talks on the preparations of the SCO summit scheduled to be held in China's Qingdao from June 7 to 10.

Also the agenda for the bilateral Indo-China summits scheduled to be held on the sideline of the SCO summit and otherwise was being discussed in the meeting.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest.

Later, Kong called on National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval to hold talks.

This comes a day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the BRICS ministerial meeting held in South Africa's Johannesburg.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Howard Schultz has stepped down from his role as executive chairman of Starbucks, effective June 26.

Schultz is recognised as the architect of the modern Starbucks. He has transformed a single coffee shop that opened in Seattle's Pike Place Market in 1971, into a global juggernaut of cafes.

He joined Starbucks in 1982 as director of operations and marketing. Over time he grew it into the iconic brand, with more than 28,000 stores in 77 countries, according to CNBC.

Schultz stepped down, handing the keys over to current CEO Kevin Johnson.

Schultz is known for being an outspoken leader on issues like immigration, LGBTQ and gun control, sparking speculation about his potential political plans. He has been a supporter of former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton during her bid for president.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Iran's atomic energy agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi on Tuesday said Iran will inform the United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog in Vienna of its plan to increase the country's uranium enrichment capacity.

This will be done within the limits of the nuclear agreement.

Kamalvandi, in a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said, "Iran will announce that the process of increasing the capacity to produce ... UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) ... will start on Tuesday," Al Jazeera quoted.

On Monday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asked the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) to prepare for the enrichment of uranium up to a level of 190,000 SWU (separative work units).

The measures that Tehran is taking will not violate the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Khamenei said.

Khamenei also said Iran will not tolerate being under sanctions, while limited in the nuclear field.

On May 8, US President Donald Trump announced the Washington withdrawal from the JCPOA or the Iran nuclear deal which limited the country's uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.

The Iran nuclear deal was signed between six countries in 2015 - Iran, US, Britain, Germany, Russia, France and China for lifting economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limitations to the country's nuclear programme.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said, that the Islamic republic is preparing the infrastructure for building advanced centrifuges on Tuesday.

Iran's atomic chief said, observing the country's commitments to 2015 nuclear deal, the work has commenced at Iran's Natanz enrichment facility.

"Yesterday, we took the first step and submitted a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the start of certain activities, but we started to take the necessary practical measures today," Salehi was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

On Monday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asked the AEOI to prepare for the enrichment of uranium up to a level of 190,000 SWU (separative work units).

The measures that Tehran is taking will not violate the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Khamenei said.

AEOI's goal is to supply nuclear electricity and fuel for nuclear power plants, he added.

Iran is in talks with European countries on saving the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal or JCPOA, after the U.S. pullout in May.

On May 8, US President Donald Trump announced the Washington withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the Iran nuclear deal which limited the country's uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.

The Iran nuclear deal was signed between six countries in 2015 - Iran, US, Britain, Germany, Russia, France and China for lifting economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limitations to the country's nuclear programme.

Iran had earlier said it would move out of the deal and resume its nuclear activities if the other parties to the nuclear deal fail to safeguard Iran's interests.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Terrorists attacked an army post at Hajin in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district on Tuesday.

Four to six militants came from two sides of the army camp 13 Rashtriya Rifles and Hajin police station and fired around 8 UBGls (Under Barrel Grenade Launchers) towards the Army and police.

The firing and the grenade attack on the Army and police camp have been confirmed.

Whether the terrorists entered the camp or not is yet to be confirmed.

More details are awaited.

Prior to this attack, police personnel, posted on guard at Mirza Kamil Shrine, thwarted the attempt by terrorists to snatch their weapons in Srinagar's Hawal area.

The terrorists have managed to escape. The area has been cordoned off and search operations are underway.

Earlier, an army vehicle was damaged in an IED blast in Yemberzalwai in outskirts of Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

No injuries have been reported so far. The area has been cordoned off. Search operations are currently on.

On Monday, terrorists hurled a grenade at the security forces deployed at Pulwama's Tahab Chowk in Jammu and Kashmir. No causality has been reported so far. The area has been cordoned off by the security forces.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday refused to intervene in the ongoing 'Kaala' movie ban row.

The Court further asked the lawyers representing the Rajinikanth starrer to provide all details of theatres screening the movie to the state so that necessary security arrangements can be made.

Last week, media reports said pro-Kannada outfits sought a ban on the release of Kaala in Karnataka as the Cauvery water dispute remained unresolved.

Reportedly, Rajinikanth had asked the new government in Karnataka to release Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery river water to the state as mandated by the Supreme Court verdict.

On Monday, actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth said he was positive that his film would not face any issues in Karnataka.

"I don't think Kaala will face any issues in Karnataka. Not just Tamil people in Karnataka, but people who speak other languages also wish to watch the movie. I believe Karnataka government will provide adequate protection to theatres and audience," Rajnikanth told media.

Directed by Pa Ranjith and produced by Rajnikanth's son-in-law, Dhanush, the movie is slated to release on June 7.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In the wake of increasing cross-border firing and ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Erik Solheim opined that lack of peace will hamper the development of the country.

"Peace is fundamental for everything; if there is war there is no way to solve problems. Unless we have peace, we'll have difficulty in development, bringing people out of poverty and solving environmental issues," Erik told ANI.

Meanwhile, spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev opined that it is about time the situation prevailing between the two neighbours is settled.

"Seventy years (of partition) is not too much of time but we should settle it down by now, unfortunately, it's still continuing. I hope in this generation we find a solution. We must understand that we, without any, geographical definition or without any cultural differentiation, we just called out our nation in a hurry for which we are still bleeding," he said.

Cross-border firing and ceasefire violations continue to take place along the border, despite the agreement between Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan to ensure that ceasefire will not be violated by either side, via the ceasefire understanding of 2003.

On Monday, a Border Security Force (BSF) and Pak Rangers Sector Commander level meeting was held to discuss peace and tranquility at the border area.

The meeting is expected to bring a firing-free environment for villagers on both sides of the border.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested a man for his alleged involvement in 2016 Nagrota terror attack, wherein seven soldiers were killed.

The accused, identified as Ashiq Baba, is a resident of Allochi Bagh area in Srinagar.

He was produced before a special NIA court in Jammu today, confirmed NIA Spokesperson Alok Mittal to ANI.

In total three people have been arrested until now.

Last week, Tariq Ahmad Dar, 34, a timber dealer in Pulwama district was arrested by the NIA.

During interrogation, Tariq had revealed that the terror attack was carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

A week prior to that, NIA apprehended Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operative Syed Muneer -Ul-Hassan Qadri, a resident of Kupwara district.

The terrorist attack at the army camp in Nagrota, Jammu, took place on November 29, 2016, in which seven army personnel were killed and three others injured.

Three Pakistani terrorists were killed in the operation following the attack and a huge cache of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other articles were recovered from the slain terrorists.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said allegations of scam in the Rafael deal are baseless.

"There is no shortage of Defence ammunition today. Allegations of scam in the Rafael deal are baseless," Sitharaman stated while addressing a press conference on the occasion of the completion of four years of the Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

On a related note, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has long been criticising the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, alleging that the government has signed an overpriced deal.

Gandhi had also said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had cracked a better deal, while the incumbent government's deal will be causing a loss of over INR 40,000 crores. In February, Gandhi posed eight questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the deal and alleged that the Prime Minister personally went to Paris and changed the deal.

The NDA government issued a detailed clarification and said the Opposition was misleading the country over the Rafale deal, adding that its deal is better in terms of capability, price, equipment, delivery, maintenance, and training.

The NDA government has signed a deal with France based Dassault Aviation to purchase 36 Rafale jets, which is slated to be one of the world's biggest military procurements in recent history and could cost the Indian government a whopping USD 15 billion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)There is no space for war between Pakistan and India as both are nuclear powers, said the spokesman of the Pakistan Army.

Interacting with media on Monday afternoon, Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Pakistan's desires peace and is committed to defending every inch of the country.

Major General Ghafoor said that Pakistan wants to respect the existing truce agreement with India.

"We are willing to ignore the first shot that is fired from the Indian side, provided it does not result in a casualty on our side. However, the second shot would be responded in kind," he said.

"The Indians have to realise and understand where they want to go in the future. We are two nuclear powers and there is no space for war. Pakistan's desire for peace should not be construed as a weakness," Major General Ghafoor said.

"The DGMO has given an undertaking to his Indian counterpart about respecting the 2003 ceasefire agreement and the Pakistan Army is committed to uphold it. But, we will give a befitting response if the Indian Army hits our civilian population," Major General Ghafoor added.

"India should decide how it wants to proceed. We are two nuclear powers and there is no space for war. Our priority is to respect the ceasefire agreement, we will not respond to the first bullet fired by Indian at us. But if civilians are targeted, we will be forced to retaliate," he said.

"We request the Indian Army and media to defuse tense situation. Recently, I had interaction with SAARC journalists, including Indians. We took them to North Waziristan. They asked a question that a high-profile incident happens in India whenever ties are improved between Pakistan and India. I told them you have witnessed only two incidents such as Mumbai attacks while Pakistan has faced thousands of such incidents," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)On the 34th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, radical outfit named Dal Khalsa on Tuesday staged 'genocide remembrance parade' in Amritsar to pay homage to the people killed in the attack.

The protestors carrying pro-Khalistan flags and placards raised slogans in support of Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

"We are undertaking a genocide remembrance parade in Amritsar to pay homage to the people who fought and to tell the government of India that we have not forgotten and forgiven the perpetrators of the attack," a protestor told ANI.

He informed that they had marched across the city and had performed prayer in the memories of those killed in the attack.

Several companies of paramilitary forces and the Punjab Police were deployed across the city to maintain law and order in light of the march.

The army had carried out Operation Blue Star in June 1984 to remove the hiding militants from the temple complex.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's (PoK) Kotli district have accused security forces of illegal encroachment.

"What is your right to do this? You first captured our estate, and now, you are capturing our plots. We will not leave," the residents can be heard saying in a video clip.

PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) often stage widespread protests against Pakistan's ill treatment of the region and its people.

The residents blame Pakistan for exploiting resources from PoK and for being responsible for the poverty and underdevelopment in the region.

The locals, including various leaders and activists, have also been accusing the Pakistani Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of enforced disappearance, extra-judicial killings and human rights violation.

India has been bearing the brunt of Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir since over three decades.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Days after Archbishop of Goa and Daman Father Filipe Neri Ferrao had stated that Constitution is in danger and many people are living in an atmosphere of insecurity, the Archbishop's secretary said his main focus was on various kinds of poverty.

"This year the issue which is focused is poverty. Poverty in different forms, it's not only economic poverty, persons who are dying of hunger and poverty which is emotional," Loiola Pereira told ANI.

"People who are abandoned by their own family, people who are abused in their own family, maybe children are being abused by their elders, all these ostracisms, these are all different forms of poverty which the bishop wants the church in Goa to address during this year," he added.

A pastoral letter is issued at the start of each pastoral year (1 June to 31 May) and highlights issues that are important to the diocese, a district under the pastoral care of a bishop in the Christian Church.

In his letter, the Archbishop mentioned that various minorities fear for their safety and people are being uprooted from their land and homes in the name of development

"The first victim of development is the poor person. It is easier to trample upon the rights of the poor because those who will raise their voice for them are very few," the letter read.

He also underscored the dangers the constitution of the country faced. He said that most people lived in insecurity as recent trends in the country saw a demand for uniformity eating, dressing, living and worship habits and the emergence of mono-culturalism.

"Human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril," he added in his letter.

Earlier, the Archbishop of Delhi, Anil Couto, had asked the Christian community to observe a fast on Fridays and hold prayers for the nation's sake.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Various pro-Kannada organisations on Tuesday met Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and urged him to allow Tamil superstar Rajinikanth's 'Kaala' movie to release in the state despite the Karnataka High Court's order.

In reply, Kumaraswamy said that the Cauvery issue was a sensitive and an emotionally attached issue as far as the river was concerned. He said that the people of Karnataka and pro-Kannada organisations are emotionally attached to it.

The Karnataka Chief Minister recalled that when the popular Kannada movie 'Nagarahavu' was released in 2016 in Tamil Nadu in Tamil language, the people there did not allow the movie to be released over the Cauvery issue.

Kumaraswamy questioned the necessity of releasing Kaala movie in such a situation.

"Is it necessary to release Rajinikanth's Kaala movie in Karnataka? As a Chief Minister, I will follow and obey the orders of High Court and Supreme Court but when it comes to any emotionally attached issue, as a Kannadiga, I will stand favour of the organisations and all Kannadigas. That's why personally I feel it's not necessary to release Kaala in Karnataka," he told ANI.

Karnataka Films Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) President Sara Govindu and pro-Kannada activist, Praveen Shetty said they were following the same route when Tamil Nadu did not allow the release of Nagarahavu.

They informed the media that they had already told them (the Kaala producers) that they will not allow them to release the movie in Karnataka, despite the High Court order. They even threatened to go on a dharna (sit-in) in all theatres in Bengaluru even if they tried to release the movie in the state.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court refused to intervene in the ongoing 'Kaala' movie ban row.

It asked the lawyers representing the Rajinikanth starrer to provide all details of theatres screening the movie to the state so that necessary security arrangements can be made.

Reportedly, Rajinikanth had asked the newly sworn-in Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government to release Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery river water to the state as mandated by the Supreme Court verdict.

On Monday, Rajinikanth said he was positive that his film would not face any issues in Karnataka.

"I don't think Kaala will face any issues in Karnataka. Not just Tamil people in Karnataka, but people who speak other languages also wish to watch the movie. I believe Karnataka government will provide adequate protection to theatres and audience," Rajnikanth told media.

Directed by Pa Ranjith and produced by Rajnikanth's son-in-law, Dhanush, the movie is slated to release on June 7.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Russian President Vladimir Putin's upcoming state visit will enhance bilateral relations between the two countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.

"We believe that with joint efforts from both sides, the visit will be successful and fruitful and inject strong new impetus into the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination," Hua quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Putin is scheduled to visit China from June 8-10 to attend the Qingdao Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Putin will hold talks, address the press, attend signing ceremonies and exchange views on bilateral relations, cooperation in key areas, and other international and regional issues of common concern, during the visit.

The two sides are expected to issue important political documents and sign agreements in various fields, Hua added.

The two leaders will also attend cultural activities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth said he was positive that his upcoming film, Kaala, would not face any issues in Karnataka.

This statement comes after a ban was imposed on the release of the film in the state, amid the Cauvery water dispute with Tamil Nadu.

"I don't think Kaala will face any issues in Karnataka. Not just Tamil people in Karnataka, but people who speak other languages also wish to watch the movie. I believe Karnataka government will provide adequate protection to theatres and audience," Rajnikanth told media on Monday.

Last week, media reports said pro-Kannada outfits sought a ban on the release of the superstar's film in Karnataka as the Cauvery water dispute remained unresolved.

Reportedly, Rajinikanth had asked the new government in Karnataka to release Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery river water to the state as mandated by the Supreme Court verdict.

Noted actor Prakash Raj on Monday came out in support of the film, and said those who are against Rajinikanth must simply refrain from watching the film rather than asking for a ban on its release.

He further claimed that the decision to not release Kaala was taken by distributors and exhibitors, and not the Karnataka Film Chamber.

"The Karnataka Film Chamber has given a statement that they have not asked for a ban. The distributors and exhibitors, seeing the pressure, have voluntarily decided to not create tension by releasing 'Kaala'. The onus is now on the state and central government," the 53-year-old told ANI.

Directed by Pa Ranjith and produced by Rajnikanth's son-in-law, Dhanush, the movie is slated to release on June 7.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)If you are a huge fan of 'Legally Blonde', then this could be a good news for you.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Reese Witherspoon is all set to reprise her role as Elle Woods in 'Legally Blonde 3'. Witherspoon would also produce through her Hello Sunshine production company if the deal goes through.

Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, who wrote the adapted script for 2001 original, are also in talks to return.

'Legally Blonde' was a success, raking in $141 million US dollars at the global box-office on an 18 million US dollars budget, with its sequel bringing in 124 million US dollars on a 45 million US dollars budget.

On the professional front, Witherspoon is currently shooting for the much-awaited second season of hit-series 'Big Little Lies'. Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern & Shailene Woodley would also be reprising their roles in the upcoming season, which airs in 2019.

Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep has also joined the cast. Streep will play the mother of Perry Wright (Alexander Skarsgard) and mother-in-law of Nicole Kidman's character.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Bharatiya Janata Party MP has described the turbulence in Jammu and Kashmir a 'political problem.'

Speaking to ANI, the BJP MP further called for dialogue and talks to restore peace in the Valley.

"Jammu and Kashmir is not a military problem; it's a political problem. We need to stress on dialogue and talks. We can't solve it by covering it up," he said.

Commenting on the stone-pelting incidents, Sinha said, "We can not only call them stone pelters. We should focus on what we should do to solve this problem."

The state has been witnessing tense situation, with the incidents of stone-pelting and terror attacks increasing by the day.

Last month, 19 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured after their vehicle skidded off the road due to stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar.

Earlier on May 7, a tourist from Chennai, died after being hit by a stone during clashes in Narbal area.

Recently, Union Home Minister said that he was ready to hold talks with separatists in the Valley led by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj, who is on a five-day visit to South Africa, said the informal summit has given a good opportunity to all the leaders to have in-depth one on one exchanges on bilateral issues and topics.

Speaking during a bilateral meeting with South African counterpart Swaraj said, "It is now our shared responsibility to ensure implementation of the policy directions given by our leaders at Wuhan with a view to further strengthen our closer developmental partnership."

On Sunday, Swaraj reached Johannesburg and met with the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral ties between India and South Africa.

On Monday, she highlighted the importance of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) association in shaping the global political, economic, and security spheres, as she welcomed her South African counterpart Lindiwe Sisulu.

On June 6, she is scheduled to visit the Phoenix Settlement, a South African Heritage site, a place where Mahatma Gandhi developed his philosophy of non-violence.

The EAM would also participate in a series of events at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, on June 6-7 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the "historic incident in the train compartment that became a catalyst for Gandhiji's Satyagraha movement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said India "honours" the Ramzan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, but will respond to any unprovoked attack from across the border as "terror and talks cannot go hand in hand."

Sitharaman said the security forces reserve the right to retaliate if Pakistan continues its unprovoked attacks across the Line of Control (LoC).

"When it is an unprovoked attack the Army was given the right to retaliate. We honour the ceasefire but of course, a margin was given to us when there is an unprovoked attack," Sitharaman said here.

"The Ministry of Defence's (MoD) role isn't to assess whether it was successful or not. It's our business to guard the border and we won't stop if we're provoked. We shall be alert that no unprovoked attack goes without us responding. It's our duty to keep India safe," she added.

Her comments come after a Border Security Force and Pak Rangers Sector Commander level meeting was held at on Monday to discuss peace and tranquillity at the border area after repeated terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and various incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan at the border.

When asked about the possibility of bilateral dialogue with Pakistan, the defence minister said: "Terror and talks cannot go hand in hand."

Earlier, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan spoke to each other on the issue of ceasefire violations and terrorist activities and agreed to fully implement the ceasefire understanding of 2003, to ensure that ceasefire will not be violated by both sides.

Two BSF jawans were killed and 13 civilians got injured after Pakistan violated the ceasefire in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Delhi's Patiala House Court has convicted three out of four people in the 2011 terror funding case and sentenced them for the period already undergone.

District Judge Poonam Bamba on Monday convicted Mohd Sadiq Ginai, Ghulam Jeelani Liloo and Farooq Ahmed Dagga, who had pleaded guilty, under the various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The trio was allegedly running a hawala (illegal money transfer) racket to fund the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terror outfit in Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2011, the Investigation Agency (NIA) had filed the charge sheet against the trio, indicting them for collecting more than Rs 4.57 crore from Pakistan through hawala channels within three years for funding terrorist activities in the Valley.

Thereafter, the NIA in April this year filed the chargesheet against Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin's son Syed Shahid Yusuf under section 120-B of the IPC and 13, 17, 18, 20, 21, 38 and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, for willfully raising, receiving, collecting 'terror funds' and holding proceeds of terrorism' for furtherance of terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Furthermore, the Delhi High Court on May 31 dismissed the bail plea filed by Shahid Yusuf in the case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker was allegedly shot dead by unknown assailants in West Bengal's Bagnan town, on Monday, three days after a second Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker was allegedly killed in the state.

Following the incident, the TMC has accused the BJP of the attack.

The worker, identified as Mahasin Khan, was on his way back home when he was shot late yesterday night, according to police.

Khan, 50, who had joined TMC two years ago, was earlier with Congress. His wife had recently won the Panchayat elections.

Last week, Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani accused TMC of targeted killings of BJP workers in West Bengal after the bodies of two BJP workers, Dulal Kumar and Trilochan Mahato were found hanging in Balarampur of Purulia district.

Kumar's body was recovered hanging from a pole on June 2, while Mahato was found hanging from a tree on May 30.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Drawing a parallel between present day's political environment and the one that existed during 1977, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said a united opposition, just like 40 years ago, can take on the might of a single party.

"In 1977, the downfall of one party started, and at one point, the government collapsed. A similar situation can be a possibility now if the opposition comes together," Sharad Pawar told mediapersons here.

The ruling Congress lost general election in 1977, held just after the removal of nearly two-year-long Emergency. Morarji Desai-led coalition won that election and remained in power until 1980.

The NCP supremo's comments came days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost bye-elections in Kairana and Noorpur seats in Uttar Pradesh.

The Lok Sabha Kairana seat was won by Rashtriya Lok Dal's candidate, Tabassum Hasan, supported by the joint opposition, while Noorpur assembly seat was taken away by the Samajwadi Party.

The opposition parties have already indicated its intention and displayed strength when the likes of Congress' Rahul Gandhi, SP's Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress' Mamata Banerjee among others came together for the swearing-in of Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy in Karnataka last month.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A woman suffered 25 percent injuries after being branded with a hot iron rod in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district.

The victim, a resident of Arangi village, was admitted to a hospital here with 25 percent burn injuries after two women branded her with a hot rod on Monday over suspicions of the victim being possessed.

"The patient was brought in around 12:30 in the night in a critical condition. She went through treatment, and has around 25 percent burn injuries on her body. She is stable now. It is possible that the incident happened as an act of revenge," said Dr K K Singh, Chief Medical Superintendent Officer, Sonbhadra District Hospital.

Although the victim's mother blamed her in-laws for the incident, the police said she started behaving strangely, after which the two women branded her to 'remove the ghost from her body.'

"According to the witnesses, the victim started behaving strangely in a 'Shiva Katha'. Two women, Shanti Devi and Savitri Devi, branded her hands, legs and back with a hot iron rod in order to 'remove the ghost from her body'. This act is a result of the belief of villagers in superstitions," said Sonbhadra Superintendent of Police (SP), R P Singh.

Both the accused have been arrested.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Wishfin has launched a new product, "Whatsapp for Credit Score". Wishfin has integrated with Whatsapp to launch a free credit score on Whatsapp. This is a first of its kind, where Indian users will have access to their credit score on Whatsapp. This is also one of the early adaptations of Whatsapp for Credit monitoring globally.

To get free credit score on Whatsapp, users can just give a missed call at 82 87 151 151. They can also start a Whatsapp chat to check their credit score for free through this link: https://www.wishfin.com/campaign-whatsapp-cibil.

"Human-computer interaction is undergoing dramatic shifts. Voice and chat are becoming important tools of interaction. At Wishfin, our DNA is technology and we are always innovating. We wanted to be at the forefront of this trend, leveraging our cutting edge technology. We believe that Whatsapp is great for engagement with customers. Moreover, by using "Whatsapp for Credit Score" our customers can monitor their credit health at their convenience, very simply by giving us a missed call at 82 87 151 151. Whatsapp already has more than 250 million users in India and now they can access their credit score easily and simply, and in just a few seconds, by doing what they love - Whatsapp-ing!" said Puru Vashishtha, Chairman & MD, Wishfin.com.

Nearly six months ago, Wishfin had partnered with Whatsapp on testing its enterprise solution. Wishfin had launched loan and credit card application on Whatsapp which was a huge success. That has further confirmed Wishfin's belief that Whatsapp is a great engagement tool for financial products.

A few months ago, Wishfin had also partnered with TransUnion CIBIL to become the first fintech company to offer free CIBIL Credit reports in India. With the earlier success with Whatsapp, Wishfin has quickly innovated and launched this free Credit Score on Whatsapp that really simplifies the process and offers an unparalleled customer experience of procuring a CIBIL Score and report. Customers will have complete control on the interaction, from starting the application to stopping the interaction, by just typing on Whatsapp.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sarda Energy & Minerals lost 3.84% to Rs 377.10 at 14:52 IST on BSE after a bulk deal was executed on the scrip on NSE yesterday, 4 June 2018.

Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was down 114.90 points, or 0.33%, to 34,896.99

On BSE, so far 26,000 shares were traded in the counter, compared with average daily volume of 18,000 shares in the past two weeks. The stock hit a high of Rs 391.05 and a low of Rs 375.05 so far during the day. The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs 639.75 on 15 January 2018. The stock hit a 52-week low of Rs 239.05 on 27 June 2017.

The small-cap company has equity capital of Rs 36.05 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

Asia Mineral sold 2.65 lakh shares of Sarda Energy & Minerals at an average price of Rs 398.69 per share in a bulk deal on NSE yesterday, 4 June 2018.

Net profit of Sarda Energy & Minerals rose 199.13% to Rs 54.98 crore on 68.12% rise in total income to Rs 401.01 crore in Q4 March 2018 over Q4 March 2017.

Sarda Energy & Minerals is one of the lowest cost producers of steel (sponge iron, billets, ingots, TMT bars) and one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of ferro alloys in India.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the progress of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G) in Lucknow and reiterated the state's commitment to achieve open defecation free (ODF) status for UP by 2nd October 2018, one year ahead of the national deadline of 2nd October 2019. He highlighted the importance of making the SBM-G a Jan Andolan, and not just a government program. He said that the districts that have done well are the ones who have successfully gotten all sections of society involved.

He also appealed to all DMs to take accountability and involve all sections of society in the mission, and spend at least one hour every day to personally monitor progress.

The Chief Minister also asked the DMs to leverage social media for better monitoring of implementation of the program in the field. He focused on the quality of the process being followed for behavior change triggering, and instructed the DMs to ensure timely payment of incentives to Swachhagrahis and masons.

UP has made significant progress in the last six months, with the sanitation coverage for the state going past 70%. Seven districts and over 28,000 villages have been declared ODF in the state. Nationally, the sanitation coverage has increased from 39% in 2014 to nearly 85%, with over 3.75 lakh villages, 389 districts, 13 States and 4 UTs already declared ODF.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Tuesday inaugurated a sprawling park named after 1971 war hero Lance Naik Albert Ekka, who along with his comrades saved the city from Pakistani aggression.

The park, developed by the Agartala Municipal Corporation in association with Tripura's Forest Department at a cost of Rs 1.22 crore, is situated adjoining the Army complexes at Lichu Bagan on the outskirts here.

"The park is developed over two hectares of land. Tripura's traditional customs, history, tribals' life and culture have been showcased while a statue of Lance Naik Ekka is being erected to attract students, youths, historians and others," Agartala Mayor Prafulla Jit Sinha told IANS.

Ekka, who was then 28, belonged to Gumla district of then undivided Bihar and now in Jharkhand.

The pitched battle of Hilli on the eastern frontier was among the most crucial in the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Pakistani resistance at Gangasagar in erstwhile East Pakistan collapsed through the exemplary valour of Ekka - at the cost of his life.

"The Pakistanis had a plan to capture Agartala at the first strike as the city had all along been a hub of Bangladesh liberation planning. Ekka and his team saved the city," Deb told IANS.

It was Ekka and his comrades who led the attack on the Pakistanis occupying the Gangasagar railway station on December 3, 1971 and flushed them out.

According to security expert Manas Paul, who researched the Bangladesh Liberation War and related aspects: "Despite being fatally wounded. a profusely bleeding Ekka took on heavily armed Pakistanis firing relentlessly from medium machine guns."

Ekka, he says, under covering fire, slung his rifle on his back, and crawled towards the Pakistani signal building where he lobbed a grenade, killing one of the two Pakistani soldiers and bayonetting the other.

And despite being heavily wounded, he kept on screaming the battle cry -- "Jai Hind, Jai Hind", says Paul, adding Ekka and his fellow soldier's do-or-die spirit forced the Pakistani soldiers to retreat from Gangasagar and adjoining areas.

Ekka received the only Param Vir Chakra -- the highest gallantry award for war time valour -- in the eastern frontier along with three others in western frontier.

The mortal remains of Ekka along with 10 other soldiers of the 14 Guards Regiment were brought to Agartala from Gangasagar and buried at Sripalli village in Dukli, 15 km south of Agartala.

Deb said he would speak to Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Army officials to extend their help to add more objects to the war material.

Villagers led by Bhuban Das had erected and protected a small memorial at Sripalli.

"Since 1971, every year on Vijay Diwas, we respectfully garland the memorial and will continue to do so," an elderly Bhuban Das told IANS.

While a postal stamp in Ekka's memory was issued on the 50th Republic Day in 2000, Bangladesh also conferred on Ekka the Friends of Liberation War honour for his outstanding support and sacrifice to the 1971 war as a foreigner.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Tuesday held consultations with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou here ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China this weekend.

According to a statement from the External Affairs Ministry, the two sides reviewed the follow-up action on the understandings reached at the informal summit between Modi and Xi in Wuhan, China, and discussed the agenda for bilateral engagement in the coming months, including preparations for the meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao, China, on June 9-10.

"The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest," the statement said.

Modi and Xi held the informal summit on April 27-28 at the invitation of the Chinese leader in Wuhan where they pledged to keep the India-China border quiet and personally guide their respective armies to avert a Doklam-like military stand-off in future.

On June 1, delivering the keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Modi said that "no other relationship of India has as many layers as our relations with China".

"I firmly believe that Asia and the world will have a better future when India and China work together in trust and confidence, sensitive to each other's interests," he said.

On Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Foreign Ministers meeting in South Africa and discussed ways to maintain momentum in bilateral ties.

Describing the meeting as "continuing multifaceted engagement between two large economies", External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted: "Both leaders discussed ways to maintain the momentum in bilateral and multilateral cooperation."

According to Tuesday's ministry statement, Vice Foreign Minister Kong also called on National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during his visit to New Delhi.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Air China said on Tuesday that it will restart flights between Pyongyang and Beijing.

"Flights to Pyongyang are going to be resumed from tomorrow (Wednesday)," a spokesperson for the company's Promotion Department told Efe news.

Air China decided to suspend flights indefinitely to the North Korean capital in November.

The suspension, which according to the company was due to low demand, had come amid heightened tension between the two countries.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Australian government will soon introduce new espionage laws that will punish spies and curb foreign interference in the country's politics, authorities said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's government has reached a broad agreement with the Labour opposition to legislate the new laws, reports Xinhua news agency.

But there are parts of the package, specifically the Foreign Influence and Transparency Scheme, which are yet to be agreed because of widespread concerns about the creation of a government register for all those who act in Australia for an overseas principal.

Labour and the Coalition had negotiated more than a dozen amendments in recent days, ahead of the finalisation of a bipartisan report from the parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

It could take until Thursday for the joint committee, chaired by Liberal MP Andrew Hastie with Labor MP Anthony Byrne as deputy chair, to release its report once there is agreement on the text.

The penalties include up to 20 years in jail, provoking warnings from the Law Council of Australia, media companies and others that the offences are too broad and should be qualified by the addition of a public interest defence.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)West Bengal Transport Minister Subhendu Adhikari on Tuesday claimed there would be no political opposition in the state in the coming days with many opposition candidates who won in the recent rural body elections willing to join the ruling Trinamool Congress.

He said many prominent opposition leaders have also got in touch with him stating that they want to be a part of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's developmental drive.

"Trinamool will emerge victorious on all fronts. No one else will be there. Not only the winners of panchayat election but also a lot of prominent people's representatives want to join Mamata Banerjee.

They want to be a part of Trinamool Congress' drive for development. Many of them have already contacted me," Adhikari told reporters at a party event in Malda district.

The minister, who is also his party's observer in Malda, said the party will get more than 55 per cent votes in the district and capture both the Lok Sabha constituencies there in the 2019 general election.

"Trinamool Congress will emerge victorious here. Congress-CPI-M and BJP would sit and fix amongst themselves who would come second or third," he added.

Responding to Adhikari's comments, Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh said state ruling party has taken up to violent and unfair measures to drive out the opposition from Bengal and challenged the Trinamool to fight them in a democratic way.

"Trinamool's attempt to make the state opposition free has brought out widespread condemnation from all over the country. They are misusing the police and state administration as they are in power. They are killing people in Purulia district because they lost in Panchayat elections there. This is unimaginable," Ghosh claimed.

"People have not given them the rights to drive out all the opposition. I challenge them to drive us out in a democratic way. We will see how they succeed in doing so," he added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Gujarat's former Deputy Inspector General of Police D.G. Vanzara on Tuesday told a special court that the CBI wanted to arrest then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and then Minister of State for Home Amit Shah in the Ishrat Jahan fake shootout case.

Arguing for Vanzara in a discharge petition filed in the CBI court presided over by J.K. Pandya, his counsel V.D. Gajjar claimed that though the Central Bureau of Investigation intended to arrest Modi and Shah, "fortunately" it did not happen.

While Modi is now the Prime Minister of India, Shah is the President of Bharatiya Janata Party.

Vanzara, who is out on bail in the case, had earlier submitted in the same court that Modi was secretly questioned by the case Investigating Officer when he was the Chief Minister.

The CBI had given a clean chit in 2014 to Shah on grounds of "insufficient evidence".

In June 2004, Mumbai-based 19-year-old Ishrat Jahan, her friend Javed alias Pranesh, and Pakistani nationals Zeeshan Johar and Amzad Ali Rana were gunned down by a team of Vanzara's men in a gun battle on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

Ishrat Jahan and her friends were dubbed terrorists out on a mission to assassinate the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. However, subsequent CBI investigation concluded that the shootout was fake.

Vanzara's lawyer on Tuesday claimed that the charge-sheet against his client in the case was "concocted" and that there was no prosecutable evidence against the former police officer.

He also said that the testimony of witnesses could not be believed as some were earlier among the accused in the case.

The CBI opposed the discharge plea of Vanzara. Another co-accused and senior police official N.K. Amin too has filed a discharge plea in the same court and hearing on it concluded last month.

In his final submission in the court, Amin, a retired SP and now a practicing lawyer, claimed that Satish Verma, the Gujarat cadre IPS official who assisted the CBI in the investigations, had "tampered with the evidence" and maintained that he had "never fired from his gun".

Both former police officers had also sought parity with former in-charge DGP P.P. Pandey, a co-accused who was discharged by the court.

The court posted the matter for next hearing on June 15.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)From juices to margaritas, mojitos and daiquiris -- cucumbers are now given a twist in myriad forms in refreshing summer cocktails, which are readily being shaken and stirred at pubs, bars and eateries.

Full of health benefits and not burning a hole in your pocket, cucumber-based drinks are turning into a centrepiece of summer sips and are being lapped up by the young and old alike.

"Cucumber is a very versatile ingredient. It instantly lends a crisp and mighty refreshing taste whenever added to any drinks... And in summer, cucumber is the best ingredient chefs can experiment with because of its versatility and cooling properties. Cucumbers, when added to drinks, salads or sandwiches, instantly revitalises your body," Chef Vivek Rana, Chief Executive Chef, Triple8, told IANS.

The drink served at the bar located in Khel Gaon has been given a twist of Vodka infused with nori (edible seaweed), muddled with cucumber and jasmine syrup, topped with sparkling wine and garnished again with thin slices of cucumber and nori sheets. The drink is priced at Rs 645.

Simant Tyagi, co-owner, South Delhi-based Hyjack, says cucumber drinks are savoured for their refreshing flavour.

"Cucumber is a summer favourite vegetable that is popularly used in salads as well as cocktails and mocktails... While mangoes are enjoyed for their taste, cucumber is relished for its refreshing flavour and immense health benefits," Tyagi told IANS.

To beat the scorching heat, the drink at Hyjack is called the Chilli Cucumber Margarita, and is available for Rs 545.

Pankaj Mendiratta, Founder of TAMA Brewery and World Kitchen in Faridabad, says their cucumber-based Young Forever drink, at a pocket-friendly price of Rs 399, is a hot favorite amongst their patrons as the fruit can be used and mixed easily with juices and liquor.

"It is a really a good idea to use cucumber as an ingredient for summer drinks, as it really blends well with almost any cocktail or mocktail and gives a very refreshing and revitalising taste," Chetan Kaushal, Co-owner and Mixologist at Karma Kismet in the Greater Kailash area of South Delhi, told IANS.

Kaushal added that the cocktail called the Kentucky Sour is a "hot favourite" with their patrons.

Chef Balpreet Chadha, Director Culinary Operations, Annamaya, at Andaz Delhi, says cucumbers are also one of the most cooling detox drinks and that it has a subtle flavour, which helps in creating a refreshing beverage. The drink here is priced at Rs 280.

There are many restaraunts, bars and hotels, like Tito's (Noida), Gustoso and Intercontinental Marine drive (Mumbai), Punjab Grill, Lord of the Drinks, Tamasha, Open House Cafe and Warehouse Cafe which have special cucumber-based dishes and drinks to beat the scorching summer heat.

Visual appeal makes cucumber-based drinks a favoured drink amongst patrons, says Sonali Mullick, mixologist at the Mumbai-based HITCHKI, which serves its Indismoke drink for Rs 250.

"Due to the cucumber's high water content, it can easily be made and kept handy which can be used for summer-tails giving the cocktail or mocktail a soothing green colour. The drink gets visually appealing with a hint of cucumber which most people like," said Mullick.

Cucumbers also have health benefits and are rich in anti-oxidants, says Chef Vetrimurugan from Gurgaon-based Zambar.

"Cucumber is a favourite ingredient for summer because of its refreshing benefits. It is an important source of antioxidants and has a surprising amount of nutritional benefits as well. One cucumber contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B-6, and Vitamin C, as well as Magnesium and Calcium," Vetrimurugan told IANS.

(Durga Chakravarty can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir will honour the Ramadan ceasefire and the border truce with Pakistan but any "unprovoked" attack won't go unanswered, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.

"When it is an unprovoked attack, the Army was given the right to retaliate. We honour the ceasefire but, of course, a margin was given to us when it is an unprovoked attack. The ceasefire is the government of India decision and we abide by it," Sitharaman told reporters here.

Asked if the Defence Ministry and the Indian Army were part of the Home Ministry's decision not to launch operations against militants during the Muslim month of fasting, Sitharaman said her ministry and the forces were "taken on board and support the Home Ministry's view on it".

Replying to a question if the ceasefire in the state would be extended beyond Ramadan, the Defence Minister said it was not her role "to assess whether ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir has been successful or not" and the decision about that had to be taken by the government of India.

In reply to a question about intermittent exchange of fire along the border with Pakistan, she said India was committed to the 2003 ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

She said Indian Director General Military Operations Lt.Gen. Anil Chauhan held hotline talks on May 29 with his Pakistani counterpart Maj. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza in the spirit of India's commitment to the truce.

She, however, quickly added that there would be no compromise on India's border safety.

"We shall keep our borders safe as it was the business of the armed forces to guard the boundaries and maintain peace unless "we are provoked" to retaliate.

"We shall be alert that no unprovoked attack goes without a response. It is our duty to keep India safe."

The Indian and Pakistan army commanders on Wednesday agreed to implement the 2003 ceasefire pact in "letter and spirit" after months of persistent crackling of gunfire and mounting casualties on both sides.

In the first five months of this year, there have been over 1,200 firing incidents on the border between India and Pakistan.

India has said Pakistan violated the ceasefire over 1,250 times along the LoC and International Border since January 1. The border shooting has claimed 36 lives on the Indian side and left more than 120 injured.

Pakistan, on the other hand, said during 2018, Indian committed over 1,235 ceasefire violations killing 28 civilians and injuring 117.

Firing returned after three days of relative peace on the borders when two BSF troopers were killed and 13 civilians injured in Pakistani firing near Jammu on Sunday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel welcomed US Republican Senator Jeff Flake and Google CEO Eric Schmidt to the island country.

During their meeting on Monday, Diaz-Canel and the US visitors exchanged views on the state of bilateral relations and possible areas of cooperation and "mutual interest", reports Efe news.

Flake, who has visited Cuba several times, the most recent trip being in January, is one of the main promoters in the US Congress of the rapprochement with Cuba and, in particular, of a bill that would eliminate travel restrictions to the island for US citizens.

President Donald Trump's administration has imposed new limitations on the travel of US citizens to Cuba, a country which Americans cannot visit as tourists due to Washington's financial embargo.

During their meeting, Rodriguez thanked Flake and the Google executive for their interest in contributing to the debate in favour of an improvement in bilateral relations.

Google has been one of the tech giants that has been interested in moving into the Cuban telecommunications market since former US President Barack Obama launched the thaw in relations, although to date it has had only a very limited presence on the island.

Three years ago, the firm offered to broaden internet access in Cuba, which is still far below average international levels, but the proposal never developed into a concrete programme.

Flake and Schmidt were accompanied by US charge d'affaires in Cuba, Philip Goldberg, and Brett Perlmutter, the Google CEO's adviser on Cuba.

Cuba and the US reopened their embassies in Washington and Havana in 2015 and signed numerous cooperation accords in security, immigration, education, healthcare and culture, but Trump halted the normalisation process.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Delhi High Court's Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal on Tuesday asked students to plant more trees and stop use plastic products including glasses, bottles and plates.

She asked students to participate in tree plantation and nurture them not only for themselves but also for a better future for the coming generation, while not using plastic products in view of their environmental impact. She also distributed jute and cloth bags to school children to encourage them to make plastic free.A

Justice Mittal was addressing a gathering organised by Delhi State Legal Services Authority in coordination with Delhi Government's Department of and Forest to celebrate World Day at Hauz Rani City Forest in south Delhi.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Police along with commandos of the 11 Assam Rifles have seized narcotics worth nearly Rs 2 crore from Manipur's Moreh border town and arrested three drug traffickers.

Tengnoupal Police Superintendent S. Ibomcha said some more arrests connected to an international drug cartel were likely following the arrest of the kingpin.

The drug haul and arrests were the outcome of sustained raids by the joint operation team over three days starting Sunday at several houses in the border town.

In Sunday's raid drug trafficker Salim Khan was nabbed who disclosed the Riaz Khan's identity, who in his turn led to kingpin Rajesh Bhandari's arrest.

While Salim and Riaz Khan were arrested on Monday, Bhandari was captured early on Tuesday.

Ibomcha said police have seized 1.8 lakh tablets of Alpar Zolam which the smugglers were planning to sell across the northeast.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The European Union member-countries on Tuesday adopted a 'Green Pledge' to eliminate use of single-use plastic products like bottle straws, stirrers, cups, and water bottles at their respective embassies here and switching to eco-friendly material.

"The Green Pledge comes as part of the 'Beat Plastic Pollution Campaign' which is the theme of the World Day 2018 being hosted by India, the delegation of the European Union and Embassies of the European Union member-states," the EU said in a statement.

European Union Ambassador to India, Tomasz Kozlowski, said: "We need to move from discussions to action. We need to reduce our plastics footprint to move towards a more circular economy."

Tomasz said that the EU delegation and members are committed not only to cut down on plastic use but also to implement a number of green initiatives which help to promote a more sustainable lifestyle.

In order to foster the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources in India, the delegation of the European Union to India has signed a Joint Declaration of Intent with the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The former Malaysian First Lady on Tuesday appeared before an anti-corruption commission to testify charges of embezzling and diverting money from a state-owned investment fund.

Lawyers for Rosmah Mansor, wife of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, said she had fully cooperated with the investigators during almost four hours of questioning, Efe news reported.

"Rosmah gave her utmost cooperation during the process and was treated well by the investigating officers," said a lawyer.

Rosmah was summoned to appear before the commission where her husband testified two weeks ago shortly after he lost his position as Prime Minister in general elections on May 9.

Najib's testimony coincided with raids on properties linked to him and in which the police confiscated $29 million in cash and as well as luxury items.

The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund was created by Najib in 2009 and presided over until 2016.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad opened an investigation into the 1MDB irregularities after he assumed office.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Goa Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar has been admitted to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital in Mumbai after he suffered a stroke on Tuesday, a BJP official said here.

"The minister, who was in Mumbai since Monday, has suffered a stroke and he has shifted to the Kokilaben hospital for treatment," the official said.

The party is expected to issue an official statement soon.

Madkaikar had been in the firing line over the last few weeks over massive power cuts across the state.

On Sunday, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress leaders had protested, complaining that several areas in North Goa had suffered blackouts for hours after the power department shut off electricity to relocate high tension transmission lines from near a real estate plot to favour a builder.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had spoken to Madkaikar late Monday, asking the minister to ensure that power failures should be curtailed to less than one hour.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Modi government of coining empty slogans and useless acronyms.

"MAKE (empty slogans and useless acronyms) IN INDIA... meanwhile, make our soldiers buy their own clothes and shoes," Gandhi tweeted while attaching an 'Economic Times' story headlined "Indian Army to cut 50 per cent supply from state-run ordnance factories".

The story said the move was to ensure that the money spent was instead used to procure adequate stock of critical ammunition and spares for a short intense war.

It said ordnance factories' products supplied to the Army would be brought down from 94 to 50 per cent as the Centre had not provided additional funds for emergency procurement of ammunition and spares.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Director Brad Bird says he was inspired by spy movies like the ones on fictional character James Bond to make "The Incredibles" franchise.

"I was inspired by spy series and spy movies," Bird said in a statement to IANS.

"James Bond films, 'Mission: Impossible', 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.', 'Our Man Flint', as well as a prime-time adventure cartoon called 'Johny Quest'. There were a bunch of them in the sixties that had that cool, elegant flavour that we wanted to capture," he added.

Bird, who also voices fashion designer Edna Mode, is back to direct the sequel "Incredibles 2".

The sequel picks up right after the 2004 original, with Craig T. Nelson returning as the voice of Bob Parr, Holly Hunter as Elastigirl and Samuel L. Jackson as Frozone.

The sequel again deals with the Parr family attempting balance having a normal life with their superhero powers.

The Disney.Pixar's project is slated to release in India on June 22 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Rome, June 5 (IANS/AKI) Israeli authorities' plan to raze an illegally built Bedouin school in village east of Jerusalem concerns Italy and would "undermine" a two-state solution to Israel's conflict with the Palestinians, the Italian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

"The Italian Foreign Ministry is following with great attention the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and especially the risk of the imminent demolition of the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar.

"The demolition would undermine the construction of a prospective adjacent Palestinian State and the subsequent two-State solution," the ministry said in a statement, urging Israel to spare Khan al-Ahmar's school.

The planned demolition of the so-called "Rubber Tyre School" financed by the Italian cooperation service and attended by 160 students from five different communities, follows a ruling in late May by Israeli Supreme Court.

Khan al-Ahmar is located under Area C, which the 1993 Oslo Accords classify as being under Israeli civil and security control, meaning Palestinians cannot obtain any building permits there.

Any structure built by Palestinians in Area C is considered illegal by the Israeli government and subject to demolition. However, on May 30, the Israeli Civil Administration approved the construction of 92 homes for Kfar Adumim, just one kilometre from Khan al-Ahmar - among several thousand that have been authorised to be built in the West Bank.

"In reaffirming that the policy to expand settlements is in violation of international law and risks making the two-State solution unfeasible, the Italian Foreign Ministry also expresses great concern over the approval of more than 3,000 dwelling units in the West Bank, including in the settlement of Kfar Adumim, located near Khan Al Ahmar," the ministry said.

--IANS/AKI

vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The King of Jordan appointed an economist as the new Prime Minister, the royal household said on Tuesday, a day after the ex-Prime Minister resigned amid widespread protests against austerity measures and a controversial income tax reform bill.

King Abdullah II asked Omar al-Razzaz, Minister of Education in the outgoing government of Hani al-Mulki and a former economist at the World Bank, to form a new government and to engage in dialogue with the country's political parties, trade unions and civil society organizations to reach an agreement on the draft income tax law, reports Efe news.

"Your government's top priority should be activating the energies of the Jordanian economy and stimulating it in order to restore its capacity to spur growth, competitiveness and its ability to generate jobs," the King's statement said.

The new tax legislation has been pushed by the International Monetary Fund with an eye toward reducing the country's deficit and increasing the number of taxpayers.

"The new government should carry out a comprehensive review of the taxation system and the tax burden in such a manner that stops (the government's) continued resort to indirect taxes that do not achieve justice and balance between the incomes of the rich and poor," he added.

Al-Mulki stepped down from his post on Monday, after daily protests against price fuel hikes, which ranged between 4.8 percent and 5.5 percent, and the new tax bill.

The protests, which began last week, are Jordan's largest in years, and a national umbrella organization for trade unions said a general strike was set to take place on Wednesday, following a successful strike a week earlier.

--IANS

mr/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actress Yami Gautam has cut her long hair into a short bob hairstyle for her upcoming film "Uri" and she says she jumped at the opportunity to make her character more believable.

"I was extremely excited when the character needed this specific look for the film. When Aditya discussed it with me, I jumped at the opportunity of making my character more believable. So we did a few trials and then went ahead with it. I am loving my look, hope audiences love it too," Yami said in a statement.

The "Vicky Donor" actress also took to Twitter to share her new look and captioned it:

"Life is short, make each hair flip count.!

Yami will be seen playing an intelligence officer alongside actor Vicky Kaushal in "Uri".

The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, is based on the Uri attack of September 2016.

In September 18, 2016, terrorists from Pakistan attacked a military base in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir leaving 19 Indian soldiers dead. Eleven days later, the Indian Army retaliated with a series of surgical strikes.

Vicky will undergo some para-military training for a month to bulk up some kilos before starting the shoot.

--IANS

dc/vm

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has said he has granted pardon to those considered political prisoners in the country, some of whom have already been released, as part of a reconciliation process announced by the government.

"I pardon them. I believe that pardon is necessary to move towards a higher state of national spirit," Maduro said on Monday during a meeting with the authorities of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) in Caracas, Efe news reported.

According to Maduro, the 80 releases granted over the last few days "are going in the right direction", and he called for "the understanding and support of the whole country".

Maduro claimed that this move is about "measures of benefit and freedom towards the political actors involved in the violence" and in acts, he said, that were aimed at overthrowing the Bolivarian revolution.

"To my opponent, to the most violent of all, to the one who went out to throw stones, who came out with a gun, who were called to overthrow the government... and did not succeed because here I am as President, and as President I say: Let's go to politics, let's go to peace," he said.

The Venezuelan President also pointed out that 80 per cent of the population supports dialogue, appeasement, reconciliation and reunification - the very reasons why his government is pursuing the measure of granting pardons.

However, he made clear that "if they go back into violence, they will return to prison. Again, justice will be applied."

Of the almost 100 releases announced so far by the government, only 39 correspond to "political prisoners," according to Foro Penal, the organisation that leads the defence of almost 400 such cases in the country.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The demand for full statehood to Delhi should be taken on a mass level and people should make it a movement, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said on Tuesday.

"People of Telangana and Uttarakhand demanded a separate state, they got it. Delhi is already a state, we need to fight for our full rights," said AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj.

A special Assembly session has been called by the Delhi government from Wednesday to discuss the demand of full statehood for Delhi.

"This demand will not be fulfilled by our efforts. People should work to make it a movement," Bhardwaj said.

He said all the previous governments in Delhi had demanded full statehood, be it the Bharatiya Janata Party or Congress.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actress-filmmaker Nandita Das' "Manto", which stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto, will be screened at the Sydney Film Festival.

The film will be screened on June 16-17 at the fest, which is held from June 6-17.

"Manto" is a biographical historical period drama film about the writer who is known for his writings around the partition of India and Pakistan. It was the only Indian film in Un Certain Regard category at 71st Cannes Film Festival.

"After an overwhelming response at Cannes, I am very happy to be going to the Sydney Film Festival with 'Manto'. The power of cinema is its ability to transcend countries and cultures," Nandita said in a statement to IANS.

"It is still the beginning of my 'Manto' journey, so I am very curious to see how the audiences react in different parts of the world, before it finally releases in India later this year. While the context of the film is local, I feel the story will resonate universally. At the core, 'Manto' is about troubled times and one man trying to make sense of it all. And 'Manto' was relevant then and will continue to be relevant for a long time to come," she added.

Nandita will be taking her son to the fest.

"Going to Sydney will also be special for me as I am taking my son along, as he has his summer holidays. He has been on shoots, in the office, in my editing and song sessions, so why not for the festival screening.

"As a working hands on mother, the juggling is is not easy but it is also a unique experience to share these moments with one's child. We both are looking forward to the Sydney experience,a said the actress-director, who had earlier helmed "Firaaq".

Nawazuddin will not be going to the Afest as he is busy shooting for "Thackeray".

The film also features Rasika Dugal and Tahir Raj Bhasin. It is co-produced by HP Studios, Filmstoc and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures.

Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, said: "'Manto', the only film from the entire Indian subcontinent to make it as a selection at Cannes Film festival, had an impressive premiere at the Un Certain Regard. We are delighted that it now makes it way to Sydney Film Festival for screenings."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US First Lady Melania Trump, who had not been seen publicly for the past 24 days, attended an official White House event with her husband President Donald Trump.

The event on Monday, a private East Room reception for more than 40 Gold Star military families, was not in and of itself an unusual activity for the First Lady of the US, reports CNN.

However, the First Lady's absence made her appearance all the more newsworthy.

In a statement on Monday night, Melania Trump said it was a privilege to welcome the military families to the White House, and she thanked them and military members more broadly for their service.

"To all those who have lost loved ones in service to our country, our nation grieves with you," her statement read.

"It is a solemn reminder that we, the American people, are able to live as freely as we do because of the selfless sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. We remain indebted to each of them and we honour them today, together, with their families."

The Gold Star event on Monday was closed to the press, with no opportunity for media photos or video, a decision made out of respect for the military family members, Trump's communications director Stephanie Grisham told CNN.

The First Lady's lack of recent viewings, prior to Monday's event, has created a storm of "where is she?" memes on the internet and speculation on her whereabouts.

Her last public appearance was on May 10 when the couple welcomed home three American hostages from North Korea at the Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Nepal Army chief, General Rajendra Chhetri, will begin his six-day official visit to India on Wednesday, following an invitation from his Indian counterpart, General Bipin Rawat.

Chhetri is slated to visit the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun as well as meet senior Indian military officials during his visit.

Such high-level visits between Nepal and India will enhance military cooperation between the two countries and strengthen bilateral cooperation, a Nepal Army release said.

A joint military exercise 'Surya Kiran', involving around 300 Army personnel of India and Nepal, is underway at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, where they are sharing their experiences in counterinsurgency and counterterror operations.

The military exercise began on May 30 and is set to conclude on June 12. It is conducted alternatively in India and Nepal every six months.

The Nepal Army said that the military exercise will help increase defence cooperation.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday that his state will not be able to supply additional water to the national capital.

"Haryana is already supplying to Delhi 120 cusecs more than its allocation of water and will not be able to supply more up to June 30. Thereafter, the situation would depend on the availability of water," Khattar said in New Delhi after his meeting with Union Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Apprising Gadkari about various water-related issues Haryana had with other neighbouring states, Khattar sought the Central government's intervention in solving them and was assured that it would help, a Haryana government spokesman said here.

Khattar also urged the Central government to accelerate the pace of construction works of dams namely, Renuka, Kisau and Lakhwar in Himachal Pradesh for supply of water to Haryana and Delhi.

"With the construction of these dams, there will be more availability of water in Yamuna River," he pointed out.

The Chief Minister apprised Gadkari about the written communication sent to the Punjab Chief Minister regarding construction of dams to stop the water that is flowing to Pakistan.

"The Central government should discuss take up this matter with Punjab government," he added.

--IANS

js/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Curfew continued on Tuesday in violence-hit areas in the Meghalaya capital Shillong while Internet on mobile telephones was restricted even as the situation was showing steady improvement.

"For today (Tuesday) we have decided not to relax the curfew even as the situation in the area is slowly limping back to normalcy. We are keeping a close watch on the situation," Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills district P.S. Dkhar told IANS.

"The Army is still on standby. Fifteen companies of Central Armed Police Force have been deployed and another 10 companies are on way to Shillong to assist the police in maintaining law and order," a police officer said.

Dkhar said on Monday that night curfew will continue all over the Shillong city from Monday 4 p.m to Tuesday 5 a.m., fearing that the trouble may spread to other parts of the city.

The illegal sale of petrol and diesel has also been banned.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the government had decided to set up a high-level committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong to find a permanent solution to the long pending issue of relocation of the sweeper colony.

On June 1, the District Magistrate imposed curfew in some areas following violence involving members of the Punjabi and tribal Khasi communities.

Curfew was relaxed for seven hours from 8 a.m. on Sunday but mobs continued to throw stones at security forces, forcing them to fire tear gas.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Indian Army's Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Tuesday visited the Siachen Glacier to review the preparedness of troops at the world's highest battlefield, a defence spokesman said.

"The Army Commander was briefed on the operational preparedness and the current situation. The GOC-in-C interacted with troops at the Siachen Base Camp and complimented the tenacious resolve, unstinting commitment of the 'Siachen Warriors' deployed in extreme harsh weather and inhospitable terrain," said Defence Ministry spokesman, Col. Rajesh Kalia.

Singh had recently taken over as the Northern Command chief.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An Orthodox priest on Tuesday blessed a Soyuz spacecraft ahead of the launch of a manned mission to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Russian-leased Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

As part of the blessing service, the priest clasped a crucifix in his left hand while flinging around holy water with his right, reported Efe news.

A crew consisting of US NASA astronaut Serena Aunon-Chancellor, German ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst and Russian Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev, will travel to the ISS on Wednesday.

The astronauts will be tasked with conducting various scientific experiments.

The Soyuz MS-09 is expected to dock at the ISS at 9.07 a.m. on Friday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Rome, June 5 (IANS/AKI) Italy's hardline Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Tuesday warned hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants that "the party is truly over".

"The party is truly over for illegal immigrants," said Salvini, who heads the anti-migrant League party.

"They've been living off other people for too long."

The "170,000 supposed refugees who are watching TV in their hotels" is "a gravy-train that we can no longer sustain," Salvini said.

Nearly 700,000 people have arrived in Italy from Africa since 2014 aboard the people traffickers boats and Salvini has vowed to deport half a million migrants.

However, critics have cast doubts on the feasibility and ethics of Salvini's expulsion plans.

--IANS/AKI

vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who has been summoned as an accused in his wifes suicide case by a Delhi court, on Tuesday termed the police charges against him as "preposterous and baseless" and said he will continue to vigorously contest these so that truth will prevail.

In a statement, Tharoor said he had taken notice of the developments in the case being heard by a judge of Patiala House court in relation to the circumstances surrounding the untimely demise of his wife Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor.

The former Union Minister said he has fully cooperated with the investigating team from the very start and continues to maintain that due legal process must be followed in all aspects related to this case.

"As I understand, the court has issued summons against my name and I have been asked to appear before the court on Saturday, July 7, 2018.

"I would like to reiterate my position that I find the charges preposterous and baseless, the product of a malicious and vindictive campaign against myself.

"I will continue to vigorously contest these charges and maintain my steadfast conviction that ultimately the truth will prevail through the judicial system that we are privileged to have in this country," he said.

Tharoor also urged the media to respect his and his family's right to privacy.

"In the meantime, I would like to request the media to respect my right to privacy as well as that of my family. Given that the matter is subjudice, I will refrain from commenting on the issue further until such time as the next scheduled hearing of the case," he said.

A Delhi court on Tuesday admitted abetment to suicide charges against Tharoor over the 2014 death of his wife, saying there was "sufficient grounds to proceed" against him.

Taking cognisance of the Delhi Police chargesheet, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal asked Tharoor to appear before him on July 7.

On May 14, police chargesheeted Tharoor under sections 306 and 498A of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to abetment to suicide and cruelty to wife, which entails a jail term that could extend up to 10 years.

Pushkar, 51, was found dead in a hotel suite here on January 17, 2014.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress President Rahul Gandhi will address a a farmers' rally in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh on Wedesday (June 6) -- the day seven farmers had died in police firing last year.

According to a party statement, Gandhi will address the Kisan Samriddhi Sankalp Rally at Khokhra (Piplia Mandi) in Mandsaur at 1 p.m.

Gandhi threw his weight behind the farmers' protest in several states between June 1 and June 10, to observe the anniversary of Mandsaur firing.

"Every day, about 35 farmers commit suicide in our country. To attract government's attention towards the agrarian crisis, farmers are forced to protest for 10 days.

"To stand with them in the fight for the rights of our 'Annadata' (food provider), I will address a farmer's rally in Mandsaur on June 6," Gandhi had tweeted last Saturday.

--IANS

sid/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Ahead of Congress President Rahul Gandhi's rally in Mandsaur on Wednesday, the party on Tuesday accused Narendra Modi government of being anti-farmer and said the Congress chief will meet the families of the farmers killed in police firing last year.

The party also hit out at the government for putting national security at stake, saying the soldiers were now being asked to stitch their own uniform.

"This government is anti-farmer, anti-poor and is also putting the security of the country at risk because of its wrong policies," said Congress leader Mohan Prakash.

"The farmers of the country are in distress. They are on strike for the past five days. They are disturbed for the past four years because prices of whatever items they need to buy have doubled. And, whatever they produce and sell, their prices have halved. But Modi government didn't get time to address these issues in the past four years."

The Congress leader slammed PM Modi, saying while farmers were committing suicide, the Prime Minister was busy flying kites in Indonesia in order to facilitate the business interests of Adani Group.

"On June 6, 2017, six farmers in Mandsaur (of Madhya Pradesh) were killed in police firing. Tomorrow (Wednesday), all farmers will gather at that place and the Congress President will pay homage to the deceased and meet the families," said Prakash.

He said the true face of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments was visible as still there were cases against 7,000 farmers.

"Last week, MP government got bonds signed by 11,000 farmers. They got 4,500 people in Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Ratlam villages sign bonds as if they are goons."

The leader said in Maharashtra, 58 farmers died due to pesticides last year and more than 1,000 farmers were admitted in hospitals.

"But even now Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have not been able to say what chemical or pesticide caused the death of farmers.

"A farmer wrote a note and committed suicide. He held the PM and the Chief Minister responsible for his death. Why no complaint was lodged? Another farmer committed suicide in a village adopted by both Chief Minister and Prime Minister. The BJP and Maharashtra government have not spoken a word about it," he added.

Prakash further said that 373 jawans had died on the borders while the Prime Minister preferred to visit Pakistan uninvited to have "biryani".

"Now, there are media reports that soldiers are being asked to stitch thier own uniforms. The country has gone into the hands of those who are working against its well-being.

"The banking system has been weakened under the watch of the government, with the economy, pride and the self-respect of the country being badly hit," Prakash added.

--IANS

sid/nir

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Raj Bhavans, or the official accommodations of the state Governors, may be developed as the ideal premises for conservation and as model green buildings, President Ram Nath Kovind said here on Tuesday.

"Even the Directive Principles of State Policy of our Constitution speak of conservation and protecting wildlife. In this context, all the Raj Bhavans can be developed as premises which are role model for conservation," Kovind said while addressing the concluding session of the 49th Conference of Governors held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"There is a need to work efficiently towards water and power conservation, use of clean energy and achieve zero carbon emission. If the Raj Bhavans do that, all other government offices and institutions will follow this model," he said.

The two day conference concluded on Tuesday (June 5), which is observed as the World Environment Day.

Kovind also said that the Raj Bhavans could also create a "demonstration effect" by adopting the latest technology in its functioning.

He suggested that Raj Bhavans' dashboards and effective websites could be developed which have dynamic data available on them.

Kovind said that in the same way, the premises of the state universities can also be developed as model green premises and under the "Universities' Social Responsibility" (USR), the institutions could help in taking care of water bodies.

He suggested that small groups of university students may visit villages every two months, stay there overnight if possible, and interact with the villagers to ensure that the villages become open defecation free.

"The students may speak with the villagers over issues of cleanliness, total literacy, babies' vaccination and nutrition etc and also make them aware of various welfare schemes of the state and central government," Kovind said.

The President said that the Governors should keep in touch with their states' scholars and intellectuals, social workers, industrialists and other experts in their fields.

"The Governors may occasionally visit the backward sections of the society, try to understand their needs and aspirations and may inspire the state government to work for their uplift," he said.

--IANS

mak/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Apple neither requested any personal data from Facebook nor did it receive any, Apple CEO Tim Cook said while responding to a New York Times report that claimed that the social networking giant allowed about 60 device makers, including Apple and Samsung, to access personal information of users and their friends.

"We've never been in the data business," Cook told National Public Radio (NPR) on Monday during the company's annual conference for developers in San Jose, California.

"The things mentioned in the Times article about relationship statuses and all these kinds of stuff, this is so foreign to us, and not data that we have ever received at all or requested -- zero," Cook was quoted as saying.

Even before Facebook apps were widely available on smartphones, Facebook had data-sharing partnerships with the device makers, The New York Times report said citing company officials, adding that most of the deals remain in effect.

The deals raise concerns about the company's privacy protections and compliance with a 2011 consent decree with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), it added.

"What we did was we integrated the ability to share in the operating system, make it simple to share a photo and that sort of thing," Cook added.

"So it's a convenience for the user. We weren't in the data business. We've never been in the data business," he said.

Facebook is already under scrutiny after the Cambridge Analytica data leak scandal revealed in March how the political consultancy firm had misused data of millions of Facebook users.

The social network, however, defended on Sunday the pacts with the device makers saying that these partnerships do not raise privacy concerns.

Facebook said that contrary to claims by The New York Times, friends' information, like photos, was only accessible on devices when people made a decision to share their information with those friends.

"We are not aware of any abuse by these companies," Ime Archibong, Facebook's Vice President of Product Partnerships, said in a statement.

The social network added that the device partnerships are very different from the public APIs used by third-party developers who used the Facebook information people shared with them to build completely new experiences.

Facebook said that it had already ended 22 of the device partnerships.

A CNET report on Monday said that Senator John Thune, head of the US Senate Commerce Committee, said his committee "will be sending Facebook a letter seeking additional information" about issues including transparency and privacy risks.

"We look forward to addressing any questions the Commerce Committee may have," a Facebook spokesman was quoted as saying.

--IANS

gb/qd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is not trying to split the European Union (EU).

His remarks come ahead of a visit to Austria, his first trip to a Western European country in nearly a year, BBC reported on Monday.

He told Austria's ORF station he wanted a "united and prosperous" EU, calling the bloc Russia's most important commercial and economic partner.

He also played down reported links between his United Russia party and Austria's far-right Freedom Party.

Putin will meet Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday, as well as business leaders.

"The more problems at the heart of the EU, the more risks and problems there are for us," he said.

"We need to build co-operation with the EU. We don't have a goal of dividing anything or anyone in the EU."

EU sanctions, levied against Russia because of its 2014 annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, will likely form part of discussions.

Russia's relationship with the EU remains strained by its involvement in Ukraine, as well as its role in the war in Syria and the poisoning of a former Russian double agent, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter, in southern UK.

The British government has accused Russia of being behind the attempted assassination of the Skripals, an allegation Russia denies.

Austria's coalition was one of the few EU governments not to withdraw diplomats from Russia in protest at the allegations.

Putin has supporters within Austria's ruling coalition, including Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache, who has called for sanctions on Russia to be lifted.

Asked ahead of the meeting in Vienna about Russia's ties to far-right parties, Kurz said Austria would "decide pragmatically whether to co-operate with someone politically".

"We try to work with those who publicly express the wish themselves to work with us," he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Russian President said on Tuesday that his country was ready for cooperation with the European Union.

Vladimir Putin spoke to the press in the Austrian capital Vienna alongside his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen, reports Efe news.

"We are completely open to working with Europe," said Putin, adding that EU-imposed economic and diplomatic sanctions were damaging to both parties.

Van der Bellen said dialogue and improved bilateral relations with Russia were important, not only on a trade level, but also in the realms of society and culture.

The trip to Austria was the Russian President's first foreign visit since he took his fourth term in office last month.

--IANS

mr/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Saudi Arabia has banned frozen and processed fruit and vegetable imports from Kerala amid concerns over the deadly Nipah virus outbreak.

The Nipah virus itself can cause encephalitis - a dangerous swelling of the brain - and common symptoms vary from none to elevated fevers, cough, headache, shortness of breath and confusion, the Gulf News reported on Monday.

On May 29, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) banned imports from Kerala.

UAE officials announced that 100 tonnes of fruit, vegetables and fresh produce that was to be imported from Kerala was prohibited from entry.

A UAE-based health provider, VPS Healthcare, sent a flight to the Kerala government carrying medical supplies that will help the fight against Nipah.

As of date, of the 18 positive cases, 16 have died and the remaining two are recovering well at a Kozhikode hospital while the around 2,000 people, who have reported to have come in contact with the affected, are being monitored.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will celebrate the International Day of Yoga at an event to be held in the European Parliament here on June 21 in the presence of EP President Antonio Tajani, it was announced on Tuesday.

Shri Shri Ravishankar will lead a session on yoga at that event.

"One of the special reasons for her coming to be here on these days is because she wants to be in Brussels on the International Day of Yoga," Indian Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union Gaitri Issar Kumar told a news conference at the Indian embassy.

"For us it is a very big honour that our External Affairs Minister who is one of the seniormost leaders of our country has decided that out of the whole word she wants to celebrate Yoga Day in Brussels," she said.

The envoy noted that Belgium has had a special interest in yoga and that Belgians have embraced yoga in a very serious way. Several cities of Belgium including Brussels will celebrate the international yoga day by holding a series of events on June 24.

Kumar thanked Celine Fremault, Minister of Housing, Environment, and Energy of the Brussels Capital Region Government who was present at the press conference for her support in promoting yoga in Brussels.

Meanwhile, Sushma Swaraj will be meeting EU and Belgian leaders during her 3-day stay in the Belgian capital.

The Indian Ambassador said that both EU and India have agreed to expand their relations beyond just trade to a whole range of issues.

"This year we are working on a further consolidation of friendship and cooperation with the whole EU," she stressed.

--IANS

nawab/vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The death toll in Nicaragua from protests against President Daniel Ortega's rule has increased to 127, authorities said.

In addition to the deaths, some 1,000 people had been injured during the civil unrest which began on April 18, reports Efe news.

"According to our data, a total of 127 people have died in the course of protests and nearly a thousand have been injured," the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) said in a statement on Monday.

The Nicaraguan authorities' response to the protests has been "very disproportionate" and was aimed at creating an atmosphere of "intimidation and terror", the statement added.

Last week, the Organisation of American States agreed with the IACHR and Nicaraguan government to create a commission to investigate the unrest.

Over the weekend, in the city of Masaya, 28 km southeast of Managua, clashes between protesters and the police, supported by pro-government groups, left at least 10 dead, 62 wounded and 10 missing.

Ortega's government, which has ruled for the past 11 years, blames opposition political groups for the "criminal violence" and denied reports of "riot squads or paramilitary groups linked to the government" who protesters blame for the deaths.

--IANS

ksk/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. (Singapore time) on June 12, the White House has said.

At a press briefing, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders also said on Monday that the US advance team now in Singapore "is finalizing logistical preparations and will remain in place until the summit begins", Xinhua news agency reported.

Noting that the US side is "actively" preparing for the meeting, she said that the US delegation in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the inter-Korean border continues diplomatic negotiations with the North Korean delegation.

"The discussions have been very positive and significant progress has been made," she said.

Besides the exchanges in Singapore and the DMZ, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week met Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of North Korean ruling Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, in New York.

After meeting Kim Yong Chol who delivered a personal letter from Kim Jong Un, Trump said on Friday that he will meet with the top North Korean leader on June 12 in Singapore as originally scheduled.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump has spoken with British Prime Minister Theresa May over phone, and discussed the bilateral trade ties, the Iran nuclear issue and the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit.

According to a White House statement, Trump on Monday also called for a new and comprehensive deal that addresses all aspects of Iran's alleged "destabilising" behaviour, including in Yemen and Syria, Xinhua news agency reported.

Trump announced to exit the Iran nuke deal in May, despite European nations' protests.

Trump also "underscored the need to rebalance trade with Europe" and expressed hope for a Brexit deal that does not increase tensions on the Northern Ireland border.

US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the European Union (EU), Canada and Mexico took effect on June 1. Trump has decided not to extend the temporary steel and aluminium tariff exemptions for these three key trading partners. The move followed earlier metals tariffs on countries around the world.

The two leaders also discussed their goals for the upcoming G7 summit on June 8 and 9 in Quebec, Canada, and look forward to Trump's visit to Britain in July.

US Department of State on April 26 confirmed that Trump will pay a working visit to Britain on July 13. The visit would start after Trump attends the NATO summit slated for July 11-12 in Brussels.

Trump made a sudden announcement on January 11 that he has cancelled his trip to Britain due to disappointment over the new location of the US embassy in London.

The trans-Atlantic alliance between the US and Britain has been shaky ever since Trump assumed the presidency last January.

His proposal of a strict ban on Muslim immigration has sparked wide controversy in the island nation. Matters got even worse when Trump retweeted video posts of a British ultra-rightist group targeting Muslim immigrants in November.

Trump and May also discussed the upcoming summit meeting between the US and North Korea slated for June 12 in Singapore.

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US President Donald Trump's legal team is preparing for the possibility of an interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller over alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 elections.

Mueller is investigating Moscow's efforts to help elect Trump and whether he sought to block the probe into contacts his associates have had with Russians, The Washington Post reported on Monday night.

Trump declared in tweets earlier on Monday that he has the "absolute right" to pardon himself and called Mueller unconstitutional.

As the two sides head toward a confrontation over a presidential interview in the coming weeks, newly hired White House lawyer Emmet Flood and other attorneys are strategising about how to handle a subpoena from Mueller that would seek to compel Trump to testify in the investigation.

Several White House officials said Flood has cautioned Trump and others about the unpredictability of a subpoena fight that could be decided by the Supreme Court.

Trump lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani told The Washington Post that the outcome of such a showdown is uncertain.

"Both sides are taking a big risk with a subpoena fight," he said.

Meanwhile, Giuliani and other advisers have begun making plans to prepare Trump for a possible sit-down with Mueller.

Another Trump lawyer, Jane Raskin, talks with Mueller deputy James Quarles at least three times a week.

She is reviewing the classified conversations Trump and other top aides have had with foreign leaders, such as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Bill Clinton was the first US President subpoenaed to testify in a criminal probe, before his lawyers negotiated the terms of a voluntary interview instead.

--IANS

ksk/vm

(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.)Geneva, June 5 (IANS/AKI) The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday said it was "deeply saddened" at the loss of at least 52 lives over the weekend when a boat carrying some 180 refugees and migrants sank off the Tunisian coast.

"The UN Refugee Agency is deeply saddened at this latest tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea and is concerned about the high number of people dying on the Central Mediterranean route (to Italy) with over 700 dead or missing so far in 2018," UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler told reporters.

The death toll from the shipwreck is likely to be over 100 as some 60 of the boat's passengers are still missing at sea and presumed dead, UNHCR said.

The boat set sail from Melita in Tunisia's Kerkennah Islands late on Saturday, heading in the direction of the Italian coast, Spindler said, citing Tunisian officials. But just two hours into the journey, the overcrowded boat broke down and began to sink, he said.

The boat was 16 nautical miles off the coast of Sfax when it sent a distress signal to which local fishermen responded, alerting the Tunisian Navy and Coastguard. The coastguard rescued 68 people and recovered 52 corpses but had to halt their search and rescue operation due to bad weather.

Two smugglers were arrested in connection with the incident, UNHCR said.

UNHCR said it is profiling and counselling survivors from the shipwreck and assessing their protection needs. There are 851 refugees and 109 asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in Tunisia, the agency said.

Unemployed Tunisians and other Africans often seek to cross the Mediterranean sea in makeshift boats from Tunisia to Sicily in Italy.

More than 32,000 people have reached Europe by sea so far this year and 660 people have died attempting the crossing, according to the UN migration agency the International Organisation for Migration.

Although the number of people trying to reach Europe by boat from Turkey and northern Africa has fallen significantly in the past two years, the Mediterranean remains the world's deadliest migration route.

UNHCR urged "durable" solutions for refugees and legal channels such as private sponsorship, family reunification and naturalisation. The agency last year supported the voluntary repatriation of five refugees, the resettlement of seven families (21 individuals) and the naturalisation of seven people.

In addition, five individuals left in 2017 under a private sponsorship scheme, it added.

--IANS/AKI

vd

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The US Air Force has cancelled a $24 million contract for new refrigerators for President Donald Trump's jet.

The decision to cancel the contract was first revealed in a statement issued on Monday by Joe Courtney, the US Representative for Connecticut's second congressional district, CNN reported.

Courtney said the decision to cancel the contract was made jointly by the Air Force and the White House Military Office.

An Air Force spokesperson, confirming the report, added that there were no plans at the moment to replace the refrigerators through a future contract.

"Even with the understanding that the Air Force One mission brings with it unique requirements and challenges, a $24 million sole-source contract just didn't pass the smell test," he said.

In December 2017, the Air Force awarded Boeing a $23.6 million contract to replace two of the five "cold chiller units" aboard the aircraft, CNN reported.

The new $24 million chiller units were intended to replace the refrigeration units being currently used, which, according to the Air Force, were part of "the original commercial equipment delivered with the aircraft in 1990".

--IANS

and/ksk/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A former US intelligence officer has appeared in court in Seattle charged with attempting to spy for China.

Ron Rockwell Hansen, 58, was arrested by the FBI on Saturday on his way to a Seattle airport for a flight to China, BBC reported on Tuesday.

The justice department says Hansen attempted to pass on information and received at least $800,000 for acting as a Chinese agent.

He agreed in a brief court appearance to be returned to his home state of Utah to face charges.

Hansen, who lives in Syracuse, Utah, was charged with attempting to gather or deliver national defence information to aid a foreign government.

Other charges - there are 15 in total - include acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China, bulk cash smuggling, structuring monetary transactions and smuggling goods from the US.

If convicted of attempted espionage, Hansen faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Assistant Attorney General John Demers called Hansen's alleged actions "a betrayal of our nation's security" and an "affront to his former intelligence community colleagues".

John Huber, US attorney for the state of Utah, called the allegations "very troubling".

According to court documents cited by the justice department, Hansen served in the US Army as a warrant officer with a background in signals intelligence and human intelligence, before being recruited by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) as a civilian intelligence case officer in 2006.

The justice department says Hansen, who is fluent in Mandarin and Russian, held top secret clearance "for many years" and travelled regularly between the US and China in 2013-17.

He is alleged to have attempted repeatedly to regain access to classified information after he stopped working for the US government, thereby alerting authorities to his actions.

The Defense Intelligence Agency is a branch of the Department of Defense, responsible for analysing and disseminating military intelligence.

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)President on Monday accused Prime Minister of giving pre-scripted interviews, claiming his response to real questions would have been an "embarrassment for all".

Gandhi was referring to an interview Modi gave at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore during his recent visit to the city-state.

After Modi answered a question in Hindi, the interpreter started reading from a piece of paper, prompting speculation that the script may be "pre-planned".

"The first Indian PM who takes 'spontaneous' questions that the translator has pre-scripted answers to!



"Good that he doesn't take real questions. Would have been a real embarrassment to us all if he did," Gandhi said on Twitter.

He also tagged a video of Modi's question and the answer along with that given by the English translator.

Gandhi is currently abroad along with his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi who had gone for a medical check-up to the

Yesterday, leader Shashi Tharoor had tweeted while tagging a news report on the NTU interview, "Oh dear. When the translator says what the PM was supposed to say, but didn't".Congress President Rahul Gandhi will launch his party's campaign for the coming Madhya Pradesh Assembly election in Mandsaur on Wednesday. The day marks the first death anniversary of five farmers who were brutally killed in police firing here on June 6 last year.

According to reports, the rally will be attended by around 200,000 farmers. It is believed that all senior Congress leaders from the state will attend the event, where the party is widely expected to announce its plans to improve farmers' conditions if it were to come to power in the state. Mandsaur assumes ...Dozens of Swedish newspapers called today on China to release publisher Gui Minhai, a Chinese-born Swede who vanished into Chinese custody in January in murky circumstances for the second time.

Gui, one of five Hong Kong-based booksellers known for publishing gossipy titles about Chinese political leaders, was arrested on a train to Beijing in January while travelling with two Swedish diplomats.

He was reportedly en route to see a Swedish specialist over fears he had the neurological disease ALS.

"The Chinese authorities' actions against Gui Minhai violate basic legal principles and constitute a serious violation of human rights," said an article published by 37 dailies, including the two national broadsheets Svenska Dagbladet and Dagens Nyheter.

It was signed by prominent Swedish academics, editors, journalists, politicians and actors.

"Ahead of Sweden's national holiday tomorrow, we now urge the Chinese authorities to immediately release Gui Minhai." "China is a superpower that has vast economic, political and cultural influence on the world. Its leaders in Beijing have made it clear they are ready to play a leading and responsible role in the world," the article said.

"They often refer to their proud cultural history as an asset for China and the rest of the world. Their actions against Gui Minhai are in sharp contrast to the leaders' proud declarations." Gui first disappeared in 2015 and resurfaced in mainland China. He was on holiday in Thailand at the time of his first arrest and eventually surfaced at an undisclosed location in China, confessing to involvement in a fatal traffic accident and smuggling illegal books into the mainland. Chinese authorities declared they had released him in October 2017 but his daughter Angela Gui, 23, told AFP at the time that he was under "loose house arrest" in Ningbo. After his second disappearance into police custody, Gui appeared in a video interview in February confessing to wrongdoing and accusing his adopted country Sweden of manipulating him like a "chess piece". It was unclear whether the Chinese-born Gui's statement was made under duress, but video of his confession showed him flanked by two police officers. A close friend said the remarks were "not to be believed." The Chinese embassy in Sweden said in February that Gui was being held in a detention centre in the city.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Over 4.59 lakh rats were killed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the last two years across 24 administrative wards in Mumbai, an RTI query has revealed.

The civic body said more number of rodents were killed after they appointed private players to carry out the task.

A BMC officer said they would rope in more private players to kill rodents across all the administrative wards.

"In years 2016 and 2017, a total of 4.59 lakh rats were trapped, baited, and killed by the NRK (Night Rat Killers) and were disposed of scientifically," BMC Insecticide Officer Rajan Naringrekar stated in a response to an RTI query submitted by activist Chetan Kothari.

The BMC has recruited 44 NRKs permanently who work in night and report at their respective ward office at 7 am every day. Private persons are paid Rs 18 by the BMC for killing a rat.

More number of rats were killed after the insecticide department roped in five registered private organisations to carry out the task.

"After roping in these private players, the BMC trapped and disposed of 35,640 rats per month in the first three months from January to March 2018. Due to good results, the civic body has now decided to rope in private players in the rest 19 administrative wards in the city in few days," Naringrekar told PTI.

The officer appealed to that citizens to cooperate with the BMC to end the rat menace by not dumping leftover food haphazardly.

"We apply 4 'D's Deny Entry, Deny Shelter, Deny Food and Destroy in our task to kill rodents. However, we need support of people to carry out the task successfully," he said.

Kothari expressed the need to launch an initiative to control breeding of rats.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Rescuers searching today for seven people missing after a dam containing mineral tailings burst at a mine in the northern Mexican border state of Chihuahua found one body that was not yet identified, state officials said.

Some 150 people joined the search over a 7-mile course through the mountains where the contaminated water rushed after the dam broke yesterday at the Rio Tinto mine complex, the state government said in a statement.

In addition to those missing, two people were reported hospitalized in stable condition.

Gov Javier Corral visited the site today and said the state's priorities were finding the missing and protecting the Tubares river at the bottom of the watershed. State officials said they were awaiting the arrival of federal environmental officials to evaluate the impact.

Later, Luis Cuauhtemoc Guerra Chacon, state civil protection coordinator, said the mining residue was successfully diverted and had stopped about three miles from the Tubares river. The water supply was not at risk, according to the statement.

The gold and silver mine is in Cieneguita in the municipality of Urique. Aerial photographs provided by the state government show a white residue coating a long winding course through the mountains. Video captured at the scene showed a thunderous torrent of water rushing down a steep mountainside. The mine's owner, Cluster Minero de Chihuahua, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)At least seven persons were injured in a clash between supporters of the ruling BJP and opposition CPI(M) here, police said today.

The incident took place after the vehicle of SFI state president Nilanjana Ray hit a BJP Mahila Morcha leader at Jogendranagar area last night, AIG (police Control) Smriti Ranjan Das said.

Students Federation of India (SFI) is the students' wing of the CPI(M).

Seven persons were injured in the clash and the police had to resort to baton charge to control the situation, he said.

The BJP and the CPI(M) accused each other of assault at Jogendranagar.

The ruling party lodged an FIR accusing Ray and two others of attempting to murder BJP Mahila Morcha activists.

"Party workers were attacked when they were campaigning door to door about centrally sponsored schemes and the state government's achievements," state Mahila Morcha president Papia Dutta alleged.

Four persons were injured when Ray's car hit them, she said.

The CPI(M), on the other hand, alleged that Mahila Morcha activists attacked the house of Ray and her family members, in which her elderly mother and she were injured.

On their way to hospital, Ray's vehicle came under attack of BJP workers, CPI(M) secretary Bijan Dhar alleged and demanded action against the culprits.

Dhar also alleged that the body of Pradip Debbarma, the party's local leader in West Tripura district, was found in a rivulet at Jirania sub-division of the district yesterday.

Dhar alleged that BJP backed goons killed Debbarma who had fled from his house following threats by the BJP-RSS workers after the assembly elections results were announced on March 3 and the BJP-IPFT combine came to power ending 25 years' of rule of the CPI(M) led Left Front.

The police, however, said preliminary investigation suggested that Debbarma died in a motorcycle accident.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Aam Aadmi Party will look to corner the Centre and the BJP on the issue of statehood for Delhi in a three-day special session of the assembly beginning tomorrow.

AAP's Delhi unit chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said whenever a party takes charge at the Centre, its opinion changes and it starts avoiding the question of statehood for Delhi.

Discussions on statehood have taken place at the assembly in the past too.

A fresh debate on the topic comes ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, scheduled for next year, and the AAP intends to open its account in the lower house from the national capital.

In 2014, it drew a blank despite its splendid debut in the December 2013 assembly polls.

Attacking the BJP, Bharadwaj said the party claims that it has been fighting for statehood for Delhi for the past 50 years, but has not even given a thought to accord statehood to Delhi in the past four years it has been in power at the Centre.

"It is to be noticed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his election campaign repeatedly announced (according) statehood to Delhi. Statehood for Delhi was part of BJP's election manifesto for Lok Sabha election 2014. Even after formation of the NDA government by PM Modi, BJP had reiterated its stand for statehood," he said.

He added that every state and its people have certain demands and expectations from the central government, before Lok Sabha elections.

"The people of Delhi have sent seven BJP MPs to the Lok Sabha expecting them to fulfil the promise of statehood for Delhi. AAP challenges the seven MPs of Delhi to show any discussion on statehood for Delhi initiated by them in Parliament," he added.

He further said that former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana expressed the need for a Delhi state on August 26, 1994. Under the chief ministership of Sahib Singh Verma, a draft bill for full statehood of Delhi was prepared in 1998 and the Delhi statehood bill was presented in Parliament in August 2003 as the Delhi State Bill by the then Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, he said.

"The then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and BJP manifesto in 1999 LokSabha election promised full statehood for Delhi.

"In 2011, V K Malhotra, the leader of the opposition, suggested that BJP has been demanding full statehood for Delhi since 1956. Even the Congress manifesto for Delhi, ahead of 2015 assembly polls, said that Delhi will become a full-fledged state," Bharadwaj added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In an unusual development, the Puducherry assembly was today adjourned sine die on the second day of its budget session with the debate on the motion of thanks for the Lt Governor's address remaining inconclusive.

Deputy Speaker V P Sivakolundhu announced the adjournment of the assembly sine die after a few MLAs spoke on the motion, but did not cite the reason for the abrupt end to the session.

It was expected that the debate would conclude with Chief Minister V Narayanasamy's reply today.

Official sources said a few more MLAs would speak when the House is reconvened in course of time.

Earlier, Narayanasamy said the Puducherry budget for 2018-19 was yet to be cleared by the central government.

He made the remarks before the House resumed the debate this morning on the motion of thanks to Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi's address delivered on March 26.

During the debate, some of the MLAs made critical comments against the Lt Governor and objected to her "intervention in the routine administration".

Narayanaswamy said his government was unable to announce the date of presentation of the budget as it was yet to be approved by the Union Home Ministry.

Replying to a question by AIADMK member A Anbalagan on the matter, he said the draft budget, sent to the Home Ministry about one-and-half months ago, was subsequently forwarded to the Finance Ministry for its consideration.

Certain clarifications sought by the Finance Ministry were given by the UT administration following which the draft had been sent back to the Home Ministry, Narayanaswamy said.

The chief minister said he was proceeding to New Delhi tomorrow to hold talks with the Union Home Minister and officials forimmediate clearance of the budget.

The assembly had on March 26 adopted a Vote on Account Bill earmarking funds for the first four months (April to July) of the current fiscal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The alleged suicide by a medical aspirant after failing to clear the NEET exam echoed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly today with the opposition DMK questioning the stand of the government on the central exam.

The death of Prathiba, hailing from Villupuram district in the state, prompted the DMK to question its arch-rival AIADMK on the matter, with Leader of Opposition MK Stalin lamenting the death of another girl, S Anitha, last year, over the NEET issue.

Stalin later led a walkout of his party MLAs, unconvinced over the reply given by Health and Family Welfare Minister C Vijayabaskar on the NEET issue.

Asserting the government's stand on NEET was 'well-known', Vijayabaskar recalled the state's efforts to secure an exemption for Tamil Nadu from the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test, even as the Assembly had adopted two resolutions last year in this regard.

He recalled the various representations made to the Central government, including to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter.

Expressing regret over the death of the Villupuram girl, he however, said the Supreme court order was binding on the state government, and listed the state's efforts to prepare students for such competitive exams.

He said the deceased girl had cleared Class XII exams in 2016-'17 and received admission in a Siddha course but had appeared for this year's NEET again, but scored less marks, he said.

Stalin, who along with ally Congress moved a special call attention on the death of Prathiba, sought to know what was the status of the two resolutions sent to the Centre for the President's nod seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET, with the Minister saying the Supreme Court had ruled against the exemption after some students moved the top court over the matter.

He also took a dig at the Congress, saying its leader P Chidambaram's wife Nalini had argued in favour of the students against exemption, drawing protest from the opposition party.

He also accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of "sowing the seeds" for NEET exam, saying DMK was also part of that coalition.

Stalin said Vijayabaskar's response "is not satisfactory" and announced staging a walkout, with his colleagues in joining him. After some time, the Congress also walked out.

Later, School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan said the government's efforts in preparing students for competitive exams like NEET have borne results, with more number of aspirants from government and aided schools in Tamil Nadu clearing the medical entrance this year.

Last year, Dalit girl Anitha, hailing from Ariyalur, had committed suicide after scoring low marks in NEET, resulting in widespread political outrage. She had earlier filed a case against NEET in the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, actor Rajinikanth said the death of Prathiba was 'pitiable' and called for putting an end to such incidents, adding, such deaths should not continue.

Rajinikanth, who has announced his decision to enter politics, expressed grief over the death and conveyed his deep condolences to the bereaved family members.

T Velmurugan-led Tamizhaga Vazvurimai Katchi (TVK) expressed concern over the death of both Prathiba and Anitha over the NEET issue.

AAP state unit Convenor SAN Vaseegaran demanded that the Palaniswami government step down "taking responsibility for the death of Pratiba and Anita.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Finance minister was questioned on Tuesday for over two hours by the (ED) in connection with the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case.

This is the first time that the senior Congress leader has deposed for questioning before the ED.

He arrived at the agency's headquarter annexe office here around 10:58am accompanied by a lawyer, even as a strong contingent of police and CRPF personnel set up a security cordon at the office.

He was allowed by the agency to go out for lunch around 1:30 pm after over two hours of questioning, officials said.

The grilling will begin at 3 pm again, they said.

The agency had issued a fresh summon to him yesterday to appear before the investigating officer of the case.

The agency is today recording his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Chidambaram's role has come under the scanner in the Rs 10 billion (Rs 3,500) crore Aircel-Maxis deal in which the ED has already questioned his son, Karti.

The former finance minister, also an ex-home minister, had last week approached the court of Special Judge O P Saini seeking relief from arrest by the ED in the case.

The same court today directed the ED not to take any coercive action or arrest him till July 10 in connection with the case.

The ED had first asked him to appear before it on May 30 and on the same day, Chidambaram knocked on the court's door.

The court, in its order on May 30, had noted that Chidambaram has undertaken to comply with the summons issued by the ED, while saying he apprehended his arrest by the agency.



Appeared before the ED. The questions were about what is already recorded in the file. Hence, answers too were what is recorded in the file.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) June 5, 2018

More than half the time taken up by typing the answers without errors, reading the statement and signing it!  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) June 5, 2018

More than half the time taken up by typing the answers without errors, reading the statement and signing it!  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) June 5, 2018

Need to reiterate there is no FIR, no offence alleged, yet there is an investigation.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) June 5, 2018

The Aircel-Maxis cases pertains to grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to firm M/S Global Communication Holding Services Ltd in 2006 for investment in Aircel.

The Supreme Court had on March 12 directed investigating agencies -- the CBI and the ED -- to complete their probe into the 2G spectrum allocation cases, including the Aircel Maxis alleged money laundering case, in six months.

The agency had said that the FIPB approval in the Aircel-Maxis FDI case was granted in March 2006 by Chidambaram even though he was competent to accord approval on project proposals only up to Rs 600 crore and beyond that it required the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

The ED is investigating "the circumstances of the FIPB approval granted (in 2006) by the then finance minister."



"In the instant case, the approval for FDI of USD 800 million (over Rs 3,500 crore) was sought. Hence, the CCEA was competent to grant the approval.

"However, the approval was not obtained from the CCEA," the ED had alleged.

The agency said its probe revealed that the case of the said FDI was "wrongly projected as an investment of Rs 180 crore so that it need not be sent to the CCEA to avoid a detailed scrutiny".

The ED is probing the Aircel-Maxis deal under the after taking cognisance of a 2011 CBI FIR in the case.

The senior Chidambaram had earlier described the ED action in this case as a "crazy mixture of falsehoods and conjectures" and said that the charge sheet filed by probe agencies had been rejected by the court.

However, the agencies have maintained that the FIR in the case has not been quashed.

In September last year, the ED had attached assets worth Rs 1.16 crore of Karti and a firm allegedly linked to him in connection with this case.In its global initiative to generate clean energy, e-commerce major Amazon India today said it will install 8,000-kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar panels at its fulfilment centres and sortation sites in the country by year-end to make them self sustaining.

The company has so far installed close to 1,600 kW of solar power panels at its two fulfilment centres in Delhi and Hyderabad, it said in a statement.

It plans to expand the initiative to another five fulfilment centres and two sortation sites located in Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai, while further expanding existing capacity in Delhi.

"By the end of 2018, we plan to expand this installation to an additional seven Amazon operations sites in India," said Akhil Saxena, vice-president, customer fulfilment, Amazon India.

With this deployment, Amazon India expects to generate solar energy close to 8,000 kW by the end of this year, according to the release.

The investment in solar energy systems in India is in line with Amazon's vision to deploy solar systems on 50 fulfilment and sortation centres globally by 2020, it added.

Further, the company said it will plant 10,000 trees around its fulfilment centres in the coming weeks.

Amazon India has also extended the initiatives to cover communities around the fulfilment centres, by setting up solar energy systems in four Amazon Cares Community and Resource Centres in Haryana, which provide solar power to support the community programs in these centres all year round, it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today rejected a parliamentary panel's findings that the three services were reeling under severe shortage of funds, saying adequate financial resources have been allocated to them in the last four years.

Sitharaman, at a press conference, also asserted that there was no shortage of ammunition for the armed forces which had been the case during the previous government.

"The defence expenditure has been highest in 2017-18 if you look at it since 2004-05. In the same manner, it was second highest in 2016-17 and third highest in 2015-16. The fourth highest defence expenditure since 2004-05 was in 2014-15," she said.

In March, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, headed by BJP MP Maj Gen (retd) B C Khanduri, had come down hard on the government for inadequate allocation of funds to the Army, Navy and the Air Force.

The Army had told the panel that it was reeling under severe financial crunch and struggling to even make emergency procurements when China and Pakistan were carrying out modernisation of their defence forces in "full swing".

The then Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Sarath Chand had told the parliamentary panel that inadequate allocation of funds in the defence budget for 2018-19 will hit the Army's modernisation plan when Chinese military was competing to reach the level of the US.

He said 68 per cent of the Army's equipment is in the vintage category, adding that the fund crunch will also impact the serviceability of the existing equipment and may even affect payment of instalments for past purchases.

While giving reply to a question, the defence minister reeled out budget figures and said there had been no shortage of funds for the armed forces at all.

In 2013-14, she said the capital outlay for defence services was Rs 86,740 crore the actual expenditure was Rs 79,125 crore.

She said the capital outlay for defence services was Rs 94,587 crore in 2014-15, while the actual expenditure was Rs 81,886 crore.

In 2015-16, capital outlay was Rs 94,588 crore, while the expenditure was Rs 79,958 crore.

In 2016-17,capital outlay for defence was Rs 86,340 crore and expenditure was Rs 86,370 crore.

"I want to dispel the myth that the funds which have been given are lesser than ever before," Sitharaman said.

Asked whether the Army was unreasonable on its demands for more funds, the defence minister did not give a direct reply but said the service headquarters should rationalise procurement list to cater to new technology.

She said the armed forces need to review their wishlist as new technology has come and some of the equipment they wanted may not be required now.

Sitharaman said financial powers were given to the service headquarters and that was the reason why there was no shortage of ammunition for the armed forces in the last four years.

Army sources, however, maintain that there has been shortage of ammunition for a long-duration war.

The government allocated Rs 76,765 crore less to the Army, Navy and Air Force in the defence budget than what they had been sought to purchase new weapons, aircraft, warships and other military hardware, according to official figures.

The three forces had demanded Rs 1.60 lakh crore as capital outlay but were granted Rs 83,434 crore for the year 2018-19.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Armed forces are the repository of big data and there is a need to record and institutionalise the information and carry out predictive analytics using artificial intelligence, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said.

He also laid stress on the need for collaboration with industry and academia, pitched for leveraging various technologies available in the geo-spatial field to find solutions for the challenges faced by the Indian Army.

"The armed forces are the repository of big data and there is a need to record and institutionalise the information and carry out predictive analytics using AI," Rawat said.

He was delivering the key note address at the 11th edition of GEO Intelligence Asia, organised by GeoSpatial Media and Communication with Directorate General of Information System as Knowledge Partners and Military Survey as Co-organisers.

The two-day seminar held at the Manekshaw Centre here concluded today. The theme of the seminar was GeoSpatial: A Force Multiplier for Defence and Industrial Security.

The seminar brought together the military, security officials including Border Security Force (BSF) and police forces, government and industry together to examine the latest technology solutions and on the critical role of geo-spatial technology in military and security applications.

Lt. General Anil Kapoor, Director General, Information System, brought out the fact that data was being treated as the next oil and mentioned that Indian Army was in the process of redefining and refining legacy applications into state-of-the-art software by using contemporary technologies.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, the General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Army's Northern Command, visited the forward posts at Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, today.

The Army Commander was briefed on the operational preparedness and the current situation, a defence spokesman said.

The GOC-in-C interacted with troops at the Siachen Base Camp and complimented the tenacious resolve, unstinting commitment of the 'Siachen Warriors' deployed in extreme harsh weather and inhospitable terrain, the spokesman said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Facing severe water shortage and rampant power cuts, angry Jammu residents today stopped a Delhi-bound passenger train at the city's railway station, delaying it by over 20 minutes, police said.

As the Swaraj Express was departing for Delhi, a large number of people from the nearby railway colony gathered at the platform and began agitating in front of the train to press for their demands of adequate water and power supply, police officials said.

The protesters raised slogans against the authorities and demanded immediate restoration of water supply to the colony, they added.

Police and paramilitary forces had to be called in to remove the agitators from the platform. In the meantime, efforts were made by the authorities to pacify the crowd, which agreed to let the train depart after a delay of 20 minutes.

In other parts of the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, angry traders and residents, including children and senior citizens led by Jammu West Assembly Movement (JWAM) President Sunil Dimple, held a protest rally on Janipur High Court road.

The group threatened to intensify their stir if the city's Power Development Department (PDD) and the Public Health Engineering (PHE), responsible for power and water distribution respectively, do not iron out the kinks in the supply within 24 hours.

We will start a massive agitation against the PDD and PHE. Jammu is facing long duration power cuts and water supply has been badly affected for the last four days, Dimple said.

Addressing the protesters, Dimple alleged that people in the city were spending sleepless nights due to power outages that lasted between 15 and 18 hours.

The condition of patients, aged people, children and women is very bad. Despite assurances by Power Minister Sunil Sharma, unscheduled power cuts continue to remain frequent, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Amid the continuing row in Assam over the citizenship amendment bill, Governor Jagdish Mukhi today said the state is completely divided over the issue and the government is seized of the matter.

He also tried to allay apprehensions on the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which is being updated in Assam, saying commendable work is being done to prepare an error-free list of genuine Indians living in the state.

"Assam is divided over the issue (citizenship amendment bill). The Brahmaputra valley has a different view and the Barak valley different. Not only political parties, but social, cultural, literary organisations have taken their respective stand. The state government is seized of the matter. I have seen the Union Home Minister's statement and that is sufficient," he told reporters here.

Mukhi said as the constitutional head of the state, he has limitations and cannot make any political comment on the issue.

Last week, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said the people of Assam should not be apprehensive about the proposed law and any future step would be taken only after consultations with all stakeholders.

Assam has been witnessing protests against the central government's move to enact the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India due to religious persecution in those countries.

Organisations spearheading the protests said that the bill, if passed, would pave the way for giving citizenship to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in Assam.

Referring to the ongoing exercise to update the NRC, Mukhi said it was one of the biggest works being done in the state, thanks to the Supreme Court.

"Lot of hard work and dedication is involved in it. People too had to take lot of pain (to enroll their names). It is being done due to the stand taken by the Supreme Court. The work is being done peacefully," he said.

When asked about the



possible law-and-order situation when the final draft of the NRC will be published on June 30, Mukhi said when the first draft of the NRC was published on December 31, 2017, there was lot of apprehension but nothing had happened.

"So, let this process be over. Be hopeful and positive. I think everything will be alright," he said.

A massive exercise to update the NRC was being carried out in Assam following a directive of the Supreme Court in 2005. A total of 3.29 crore people applied for inclusion in the NRC. In the first list, 1.9 crore names were included.

The NRC was last updated in Assam way back in 1951. Then, it had recorded 80 lakh citizens in the state. Since then, the process of identification of illegal immigrants in Assam has been debated and become a contentious issue in the state's politics



A six-year agitation demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants was launched by the influential All Assam Students' Union (AASU) in 1979. It culminated with the signing of the Assam Accord on August 15, 1985 in the presence of the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Assam government would take innovative measures to increase the forest cover of the state, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said today.

The government is also committed to protect the by eliminating plastic pollution, he said on the occasion of World Day.

"The government has made commitments in the state budget to increase the already depleted forest cover. Innovative measures will be initiated for the purpose," Sonowal said at Digboi.

He urged parents and teachers to motivate the young minds to plant more saplings.

The chief minister the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' has contributed greatly in making our clean.

After planting saplings at another function in Digboi, Sonowal said low grade single-use plastics posed a grave challenge to the environment and a collective approach is required to overcome this challenge.

"Plastic is not bio-degradable and use of low grade plastics reduces soil fertility. I appeal to all sections of the society to discourage the use of plastics," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ripun Bora today urged former president Pranab Mukherjee to reconsider his decision to address the June 7 RSS conference at Nagpur.

The former president is at present a non-political person with high esteem but the entire country remembers him as a veteran and dedicated Congressman, Bora said in a letter to Mukherjee.

His presence at the conference will have far reaching repercussions and negative impact in the socio-political scenario of India and therefore "I urge you to reconsider your decision," Bora said.

"It is very surprising that you (Mukherjee) are going to attend the meeting of such an organisation which is totally opposed to the Congress' ideology of secularism, which is not only the basic foundation of the Constitution but also the social fabric of our Nation," he said in the letter.

"You are one among the few Congressmen who stood as a pillar of the party during its most critical juncture in post emergency period. Your service, dedication and sacrifice in reviving the party after Emergency will be ever remembered," he said.

The APCC president pointed out that it was RSS cadre Nathuram Godse had killed Mahatma Gandhi due to his ideological conflict on secularism. "Somebody might raise the issue that Jawaharlal Nehru had once invited the RSS to participate in the Republic Day Parade, but that was under very special circumstances prevailing during that time."



He urged the former president to reconsider his decision as the organisation has never respected the national flag and propagates the idea of one nation one religion - that is Hindutva by ignoring the multiple diversities which has led to "hatred, mistruct and divisions among the people".

"The organisation (RSS) is also responsible for unabated social and religious intolerance and of religious polarization during the last four years of BJP government's misrule at the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Electric two-wheeler startup Ather Energy today launched its flagship electric scooter model Ather 450 priced at Rs 1.24 lakh (on road).

The company also introduced Ather 340 at Rs 1.09 lakh.

Ather 450 is designed for city riding conditions and comes with a top speed of 80 km/hr and a range of 75 km. It can go from 0-40 km/hr in 3.9 seconds.

The model is priced at Rs 1,24,750 on road and the Ather 340 is priced at Rs 1,09,750 (on road). This is inclusive of subsidy of Rs 22,000, GST, road tax, smart card fee, registration card, and insurance.

"We started building electric scooters four years ago at IIT Madras and we are super excited to launch not only the Ather 340, but also our higher performance flagship variant, the Ather 450," Ather Energy Co-founder and CEO Tarun Mehta said in a statement.

Between the Ather 450 and Ather 340 launch and AtherGrid being up and running in Bengaluru, the company is now looking forward to expand into Chennai and Pune in the coming months, he added.

Co-founded in 2013 by IIT graduates - Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, Ather Energy is one the few hardware startups in India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Mahindra Electric and Auroville international township near here today signed a pact to develop an eco system encompassing the company's electric vehicles, smart parking systems, infrastructure for charging and a software integration platform.

A press release from the Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd said the eco system would be an extension of several e-mobility initiatives of Auroville over the last few decades.

Under the pact, there would be life-style choices made available in quiet mobility, optimal sharing of resources and reduced carbon footprint, hop-on-hop-off shuttles and smart parking, the release said.

Mahindra Electric and Auroville would work with Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Puducherry Smart City Development Ltd and GoGreen BOV.

CEO of Mahindra Electric Mahesh Babu said the evolution of a common platform integrating mobility, energy storage and charging for an entire community was a step towards a green mobility system.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An automobile trader, who was questioned recently by the CBI in connection with a sex CD purportedly featuring a Chhattisgarh minister, allegedly



committed suicide today at his office here, police said.

The body of Rinku Khanuja was found hanging from the ceiling in a room at his office in Gowardhan Chowk under Civil Lines police station limits this morning, Raipur Additional Superintendent of Police Vijay Agrawal told PTI.

According to preliminary information, the 40-year-old automobile trader was missing since yesterday and when his family members received a message on WhatsApp saying "it was his last greeting to them", they launched a search for him.

Later, when they found his office locked from inside this morning, they broke open the door, and found Khanuja hanging from the ceiling, he said.

A police team reached the spot and sent his body for post-mortem, he said.

However, no suicide note was recovered from the spot, Agrawal said.

In Delhi, CBI spokesperson R K Gaur said, "Khanuja was questioned by the CBI from June 1 to June 3 during which he was confronted with various evidence and witnesses. He had promised to bring some documents on June 4 which he did not. Today we had come to know about his alleged suicide. The agency is ready to look into the issue, if the family wants."



In the WhatsApp messages sent yesterday, Khanuja had asked his wife to take care of his children and the family, Agrawal said.

A case has been registered in this connection, the ASP said adding, the exact reason that prompted Khanuja to commit suicide was being investigated.

His family members have claimed Khanuja was recently questioned by the CBI in connection with the sex CD case, the police officer said.

Meanwhile, Rinku Khanuja's family told reporters he was "tortured" by the CBI during interrogation.

Yesterday he left home in the morning saying he had to go to the CBI office, his mother Shobha Rani Khanuja said.

He was being "tortured" by the CBI and had slipped into depression after his name was dragged into the case, she alleged.

Police sources confirmed Khanuja was questioned by the central agency. However, his exact role in the CD matter was not yet clear.

Meanwhile, the main opposition Congress has demanded an inquiry into Khanuja's death under the supervision of a sitting judge of the Supreme Court.

State Congress communication wing chief Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said an independent probe is required into Khanuja's death as he was linked with the high-profile case allegedly involving a BJP minister who had termed the CD as "fake".

"His mother has claimed he was being quizzed for the last three-four days and was being tortured during the interrogation.

"His mother has levelled serious allegations against the CBI. Therefore, the incident should be probed by an independent agency under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge," Trivedi said.

Last October, a controversy erupted in the state after a "porn video", allegedly involving Public Works Department Minister Rajesh Munat, surfaced following the arrest of a senior journalist, Vinod Verma, in Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) by the Raipur police.

Verma was given bail by a CBI court in Raipur last December.

According to the Raipur police, a case of blackmail and extortion was registered at the Pandri police station based on a complaint by BJP leader Prakash Bajaj who had said he "was being harassed over phone by an unidentified caller who told him he had aCDof his 'aaka' (master)".

After investigation, a search team was sent to Delhi and Verma was arrested from Ghaziabad on October 27, 2017, the police had said, claiming to have recovered 500CDs and pen drives, among other items, during a search.

After Verma was arrested, the sex video allegedly involving Munat surfaced in Raipur, triggering a political storm with the Congress and the BJP targeting each other on the issue.

Munat had then lodged a complaint against state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel and Vinod Verma at the Civil Lines police station in Raipur, accusing them of tarnishing his image through the "fake CD".

The Chhattisgarh government had then recommended a CBI probe into the matter.

The Central agency has so far questioned Verma, Baghel and some others in the matter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Bahraini appeals court today upheld a five-year jail sentence in a case against high-profile activist Nabeel Rajab linked to social media, a rights group and family member said.

Rajab, a leading figure in 2011 protests against the Gulf state's Sunni-minority monarchy, was convicted of insulting the state, "deliberately disseminating ... false or malicious news" and "publicly offending a foreign country", a reference to Saudi Arabia.

The charges are linked to tweets and retweets made via Rajab's account and critical of the Saudi-led coalition, including Bahrain, fighting in Yemen in support of its beleaguered government since 2015.

He also tweeted criticism of the Bahraini government's treatment of prisoners.

Tuesday's verdict, reported by the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy and confirmed to AFP by a family member of Rajab, can still be appealed at Bahrain's Court of Cassation, its highest court.

Bahrain, a Shiite-majority country located between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been ruled for more than two centuries by the Al-Khalifa dynasty.

Authorities have jailed dozens of high-profile activists and disbanded both religious and secular opposition groups since protests demanding political change erupted in 2011.

They have stripped hundreds of those convicted of their citizenship, leaving many stateless.

The Bahraini government has accused Iranian authorities of backing the protest movement in a bid to overthrow it.

Tehran denies involvement.

Amnesty International has categorised Rajab as a prisoner of conscience, and leading rights groups around the world have condemned his trials as an attack on freedom of expression.

Rajab is already serving a two-year sentence for "disseminating rumours and false information" in television interviews critical of the government.

He has served multiple stints in prison since 2012, all linked to his role in the protests.

Bahrain, playing a key military role in the Gulf, is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and a British military base.

US President Donald Trump has eased restrictions on arms sales to Bahrain since taking office in January last year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)On the occasion of World Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat today said there would be a complete ban on use of polythene throughout the state from July 31.

The theme for this year's World Day is beat plastic pollution.

Rawat said all polythene wholesalers have been asked to exhaust their stocks by the given date and sought people's cooperation to make Uttarakhand free of plastic.

One week before the ban, a mass awareness campaign about environmental damage caused by polythene would be undertaken in the entire state, he said.

A massive tree plantation drive will be launched along the Rispana river next month to rejuvenate it. As part of a mission called Rispana to Rishiparna, the ancient name of the river, 3.5 lakh trees will be planted along the river in a single day right from its origin at Landhaur ShikharFall to Motharwala-Daudwala in the city where it merges with Bindal, the chief minister said.

He said the Rispana to Rishiparna mission is an ambitious long-term campaign of the government in which various non-government organisations (NGOs) and local people will participate.

Rawat said the initial target is to rejuvenate Rispana and Kosi rivers, after which other major water bodies would also be rejuvenated.

conservation is a collective responsibility and everyone needs to respond to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for building a plastic-free India, the chief minister said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Gross non-performing assets in the system, which stood at 11.2 per cent in FY2018, is likely to touch 11.5 per cent in this fiscal, says a report.

In FY18, GNPAs increased to around Rs 10.3 trillion, or 11.2 per cent of advances compared with Rs 8 trillion, or 9.5 per cent of advances, as on March 31, 2017.

"We expect gross NPAs in the system to peak at around 11.5 per cent this fiscal and then start reducing," rating agency said in report today.

In FY18, the system reported a net loss of Rs 400 billion because of the sharp rise in NPAs and the resulting increase in provisioning costs.

In the previous fiscal, as much as Rs 5 trillion of slipped into the non-performing assets (NPAs) category, taking the total slippages in the past three fiscals to Rs 13.6 trillion.

About a fifth of the slippages in FY18 was due to withdrawal of various structuring schemes by the Reserve Bank in February, after the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process came into force, the report said.

The rating agency, however, said the tide is slowly turning and it expects moderation in slippages, better recoveries from NPAs and improved provision coverage to bode well for banks.

The accounts which are in the special mention account-2 (SMA-2, where exposures are overdue by 60-90 days), have more than halved to 0.8 per cent of advances as of last fiscal-end, compared with 2 per cent a year before, indicating considerable reduction in stressed loans that can potentially regress into NPAs, it said.

"Further, prospects of recovery from stressed accounts referred to the (NCLT) are improving. More than a quarter of the Rs 3.3 trillion worth of cases referred to NCLT for resolution are from the which has seen heightened bidding interest due to improving prospects for the sector," the rating agency's senior director, Krishnan Sitaraman, said.

The agency's director, Rama Patel, said the banking systems provisioning cover (excluding write-offs) for NPAs increased to 50 per cent as on March 31, 2018, compared with 45 per cent a year back, and it is expected to improve further in this fiscal.

It further said state-run banks remain highly dependent on the government for capital to meet Basel III norms.

"Given the higher-than-expected losses last fiscal, probable loss in the current fiscal, and recall of the additional tier 1 instruments by a few PSBs, the Rs 2.1 trillion recapitalisation program announced in October 2017 may be insufficient to meet the capital requirements of PSBs by the end of this fiscal," the report said.Cities like Bengaluru and Kolkata have seen strong growth in commuters opting for shared rides on cab aggregation platforms like Ola and Uber, helping make significant savings on fuel costs and curbing pollution.

According to Ola, its 'Share' service has clocked 2x growth in the past one year with Bengaluru and Kolkata emerging as the top two cities in terms of adoption, followed by Chennai and Mumbai.

The company, which launched 'Ola Share' in October 2015 that is now operating in 36 cities, attributed the growth in adoption to improved awareness and customer experience.

Uber, too, saw similar trends. As per the Green Index released by the American firm, Bengaluru registered the highest number of 'POOL' trips taken, followed by Delhi and Kolkata.

Interestingly, over 39 per cent of trips taken in Kolkata through Uber were shared rides, closely followed by Bengaluru (37 per cent), it said.

"There is a growing trend to ditch the personal vehicle, access public transportation and use uberPOOL for first and last mile connectivity... Global studies suggest 1 shared vehicle has the potential to take 9-13 cars off the road," Uber said.

Ola said it has seen uptake for 'Ola Share' going up to as much as 70 per cent from mass transit hubs in top 7 cities with Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Pune registering the maximum adoption, followed by Hyderabad and Delhi.

It has also launched a campaign '#FarakPadtaHai' to drive the concept of shared rides across the country.

Uber said uberPOOL -- available in 12 Indian cities -- has helped avoid over 200 trillion kms of independent travel and prevented over 36,537 tonnes of CO2 emissions in India.

"The growing adoption of ridesharing across the country is an encouraging sign for us in driving a positive socio-economic change and create viable alternatives to private car ownership," Uber India and South Asia Regional General Manager Prabhjeet Singh said.

Singh added that ridesharing can also play a key role in complementing the government's efforts towards reducing congestion and pollution.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Bihar Cabinet today gave its nod to "Bihar Rajya Fasal Sahayta Yojana" to provide financial assistance to farmers for their crop damage, an official said.

The new scheme will replace the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and will be implemented from Kharif 2018, Cooperative Department's Principal Secretary Atul Prasad told reporters here.

Making it clear that this is an assistance scheme and not an insurance scheme, he said farmers, both ryot and non-ryot, have been included in the scheme.

Prasad said any farmer registered under the scheme will not have to pay any premium but will be able to avail the benefits he/she incurs crop damage due to natural calamities.

The earlier insurance scheme benefited insurance companies more than the farmers, he said.

Providing the figures of Kharif 2016, he said both the state and the central government provided Rs 495 crore each as premium besides two per cent of premium given by farmers under the old insurance scheme, but only Rs 221 crore was paid by insurance companies as crop damage in the state.

The state government did not even get back the amount what it invested as premium amount (Rs 495 crore) for crop insurance, he said.

Prasad said farmers would get Rs 7500 per hecatare as assistance for upto two hectares if their crop is less than 20 per cent of threshold production limit while the assistance amount will increase to Rs 10,000 per hectare upto two hectares if the crop loss is above 20 per cent of threshold production limit.

On another major decision, Road Construction Department Principal Secretary Amrit Lal Meena said the Cabinet gave its nod to the proposal to set up a Bihar Road Research Institute (BRRI) on the lines of Central Road Research Institute in Patna for carrying out research, development and training in the field of road construction.

The BRRI will be helpful in making engineers, contractors aware of the global technological development taking place in road sector, Meena said.

The cabinet also gave its nod for setting up a private university, Gopal Narayan Singh University, at Jamuhar in Rohtas district, Cabinet Secretariat Department's Principal Secretary Arun Kumar Singh said.

A total of 39 decisions were taken at today's cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Britain's government today said it had sold a small chunk of state-rescued Royal Bank of Scotland for more than 2.5 billion (USD 3.3 billion, 2.8 billion euros), albeit at a loss.

Britain yesterday resumed privatisation of the Royal Bank of Scotland, which at the height of the global financial crisis a decade ago underwent the world's biggest bailout by taxpayers.

The Conservative government headed by Prime Minister Theresa May has sold a 7.7-per cent stake in RBS, leaving it still with a majority holding of 62.4 per cent, much of which it plans to offload through to 2023.

"Over 2.5 billion worth of government-owned RBS shares were sold last night as part of the government's policy to return the bank to private ownership," the Treasury said in a statement.

A total of 925 million shares were each sold for 2.71. However, this was at a total loss of 2.1 billion, with the government having spent about 5.0 per share in a rescue costing the taxpayer 45.5 billion.

"If the rest of the government stake is sold at a similar price then the total loss comes to something in the region of 21 billion," said Michael Hewson, market analyst at CMC Markets UK.

The government noted however that the sale would help to reduce the country's mountain of debt.

"This sale represents a significant step in returning RBS to full private ownership and putting the financial crisis behind us," finance minister Philip Hammond said in the statement.

"The government should not be in the business of owning banks.

"The proceeds of this sale will go towards reducing our national debt -- this is the right thing to do for taxpayers as we build an economy that is fit for the future," Hammond said.

The government had decided in 2015 to start selling a chunk of its stake but the plan was carried out only partially owing to the lender's low share price.

"I am pleased that the government has decided the time is now right to restart the share sale process," said RBS chief executive Ross McEwan.

It "reflects the progress we have made in building a much simpler, safer bank that is focused on delivering for its customers and its shareholders." Since then, the Edinburgh-based lender has posted its first annual bottom-line profit since 2007 following a huge drop in litigation costs.

RBS was fined USD 4.9 billion last month by the US Justice Department over its role in the sub-prime housing crisis but much of the cost had already been set aside, while the total was less than expected.

"From racking up circa 50 billion in losses in ten years due in large part to mega restructuring charges and impairment charges, the bank has turned a corner," sid Markets.com analyst Neil Wilson.

Britain is meanwhile aiming to sell two-thirds of its RBS stake for roughly ?15 billion over a five-year period.

Shares in RBS slid 3.5 percent to 271.20 pence on Tuesday's to trade around the level of the sale price.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Leading European home appliances brand BSH Hausgerte GmbH today held the ground-breaking ceremony of its upcoming refrigerator unit at its 44-acre Chennai facility.

This is part of 100 million euros (over Rs 780 crore) committed for India in the next four years, the company said in a statement.

The factory would be ready by 2021 and would have capacity to manufacture around 41,000 units per annum.

The company is targeting more than 4 lakh units by 2028 for domestic consumption as well as export to other emerging markets.

BSH will be investing 100 million euros over the next four to five years across building brands, technology centre, setting up its robust refrigerator factory to bring best in class German technology in India.

To support this target, the facility will give direct employment opportunities to almost 500 staff by 2027.

The company's new facility will see localisation for India, and will manufacture products for the brand Bosch.

Commenting on the development, Michael Schllhorn, Member of the Board of Management (Chief Operating Officer), BSH B/S/H/ Home Appliance Group said, In the last few years, BSH invested over 100 million Euros into India to develop its Chennai facility, the Tech Centre, R&D and brand stores to produce localised offerings for India. In line with our Make in India' commitment, we will continue to extensively invest in the country and build innovative India specific products.

BSH Household Appliances Manufacturing India MD & CEO Gunjan Srivastava said, "Our new facility reinforces our commitment to the Indian market and the government's Make in India' campaign, by innovating and designing products specifically for the Indian market.

Launched in 2015, the Chennai facility so far has manufactured Bosch front loading washing machines.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Controversial Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij today said construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya will help in the development of India.

"Building Lord Shri Ram temple in the country also forms part of development, which no intellectual will deny," Vij said in an official release.

Any new work in society symbolises development which includes physical, mental, social and economical progress, he added.

"Since the people of the country want Shri Ram temple constructed in Ayodhya, the temple should be built in tune with the decision of the Supreme Court," he said further.

A three-judge bench of the Allahabad High Court, in a 2:1 majority ruling, had in 2010 ordered that the land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

The Supreme Court had in December 2017, commenced the final hearings in the long-standing dispute, which was a result of the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, triggering massive riots in various parts of the country in which hundreds of people were killed.

From declaring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be a better brand name than Mahatma Gandhi to comparing Congress president Rahul Gandhi with the deadly Nipah virus, that has claimed many lives, Vij has remained controversy's favourite child with a series of foot-in-mouth remarks.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The CBI today questioned Sunil Kapur, owner of Travel Food Services, in connection with its probe into alleged lobbying by AirAsia while trying to get international flying licences by manipulating policies and violation of foreign investment norms, officials said.

The agency has alleged that Kapur was employed by Group CEO of AirAsia Tony Fernandes as lobbying agent to whom the onboard catering contract was given by Deputy CEO Bo Lingam as a "quid pro quo" without any negotiation.

The sources said Kapur was called at the agency headquarters where he was questioned on various aspects of his relationship with AirAsia and meetings with its executives.

He was also asked about the meetings of civil aviation ministry officials and AirAsia executives arranged by him, the sources said but refused to give specific details as it may reveal the identity of the ministry officials under CBI scanner in the matter thus adversely affecting the probe.

The agency officials also asked him about the alleged role of one Sriram who had purportedly received Rs 50 lakh from Bo Lingam for diluting 5/20 rule for international operations licenses.

The CBI has alleged that in December, 2014, at the coffee shop in the Four Seasons Hotel, Mumbai, Kapur along with Bo Lingam had handed over a closed packet containing Rs 50 lakh in cash to Sriram to facilitate the removal of the 5/20 rule.

"An effort was allegedly made in the Ministry of Civil Aviation to remove/amend the 5/20 rule (which makes it mandatory for an airline to have five years of flying experience and 20 aircraft to be eligible for international flying licence)," CBI Spokesperson R K Gaur had said.

AirAsia India has only 18 aircraft as on date.

The CBI has booked Fernandes, Bo Lingam, the then Deputy Group CEO of Malaysia based Air Asia Berhad and R Venkataramanan, Director of the Air Asia India Ltd, Bengaluru besides alleged lobbyists Kapur, Rajender Dubey and Deepak Talwar in the case.

The agency has summoned Fernandes to tomorrow appear before it in the case.

After the registration of the FIR, CBI spokesperson R K Gaur had said the accused promoters of the company and board of directors allegedly entered in criminal conspiracy with unidentified government officials through lobbyists to expedite the approval process for AirAsia India and change in aviation policies to suit the company.

"It was further alleged that FIPB and FDI norms were violated by said air group by giving effective management control to a foreign entity by making the said private airline (Air Asia India Ltd) a de-facto subsidiary indirectly rather than a joint venture," Gaur had said.

He had said lobbyists were allegedly paid money which was utilised for paying bribe to unknown public servants and others for securing permit for operation of international scheduled air transport services.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former police officer D G Vanzara's lawyer told a special court today that it appeared the CBI wanted to "implicate" the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his former cabinet colleague Amit Shah in the 2004 Ishrat Jahan encounter case.

Arguing for his client's discharge plea filed in the court of special judge J K Pandya, Vanzara's lawyer V D Gajjar said going by the statements of witnesses recorded by the CBI, it appeared the "intention of the investigating agency was to implicate" Modi and Shah in the case.

"Fortunately" this did not happen, Gajjar said.

Modi, now the prime minister, was the chief minister of Gujarat during the time and Shah served as Minister of State for Home under him.

The CBI had in 2014 given a clean chit to Shah, now BJP president, citing insufficient evidence against him.

In his submission, Gajjar said the charge sheet filed against his client was "concocted" and there was no prosecutable evidence against him.

He said statements of witnesses in the case were not reliable as accused like Bharat Patel and I K Chauhan, among others, were made witnesses without following due process.

The lawyer maintained the encounter was "genuine" and that the fake encounter story was "concocted".

Vanzara, out on bail in the alleged fake encounter case, said in his discharge application that Modi was secretly interrogated by the investigating officer of the case.

"However, such material was not placed on record of this case," the former IPS officer said.

Vanzara, the former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, has presented this as one of the points to press for his discharge in the case.

The CBI has opposed his plea along with that of another former Gujarat Police officer N K Amin, a co-accused, who has also moved a discharge plea in the same court.

The central agency has claimed it has enough evidence to establish its charges against Vanzara and Amin.

The court, which has concluded hearing the plea of Amin, a retired superintendent of police, fixed June 15 for further hearing of Vanzara's petition.

Jahan, a 19-year-old college girl from Mumbai, and three others -- Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjadali Akbarali Rana and Zeeshan Johar -- were killed in an encounter with the police on Ahmedabad's outskirts on June 15, 2004.

The Gujarat police had then claimed they had terror links and plotted to kill the then chief minister Modi.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Gujarat High Court, had concluded that it was a "fake" encounter. Following the finding, the HC had transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In the first charge sheet filed by the CBI in 2013, seven Gujarat police officers were named as accused, including IPS officers P P Pandey, Vanzara and G L Singhal. They faced charges of kidnapping, murder and criminal conspiracy.

Pandey had been discharged in the case.

The CBI had named four IB officials, including special director Rajinder Kumar and officer M S Sinha, in the supplementary charge sheet. However, the Centre is yet to give its sanction for their prosecution.

Vanzara was last year discharged in the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram alleged fake encounter cases along with Rajasthan IPS officer Dinesh M N.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Turkish aviation firm Celebi Airport Services has bagged the contract for providing ground handling services at Prem Vasta's FairFax-owned Bangalore International Airport (BIAL).

The company plans to invest USD 7-9 million in enhancing services at the southern India's largest aerodrome, a release said today.

Celebi currently carries out ground handling activities at Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and Ahmedabad airports.

Under the mandate secured through a competitive bidding process, Celebi will provide ground handling services for a period of 10 years, commencing from August this year, the release said.

"We are focused on expanding our footprint within the country. India is a key market, well set for a major growth path and Celebi is well positioned to contribute, support and play a meaningful role in this change process," said Murali Ramachandran, chief executive officer - India, Celebi Aviation Holding.

One of the key focus areas for Celebi would be to ensure safe, efficient, customer and environment-friendly provisions by capitalising on its global expertise, the release said, adding the company plans to invest USD 7-9 million in this airport.

The airport handled 26.9 million passengers in the previous fiscal year.

It recently bagged the license for Kannur International Airport, which is slated to start operations later this year, the release said.

Fairfax currently owns a 54 per cent stake in BIAL, while Siemens Projects Venture has 20 per cent holding.

Karnataka State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corp and Airports Authority of India (AAI) hold 13 per cent each in the venture.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union School Secretary



Anil Swarup today said the central government would set up pre-school educational units and the NCERT was preparing a curriculum for them.

"There is a preparatory work to be done before a child enters into class one. We are studying how pre-school will work in the government domain. What approach needs to be taken," Swarup said here.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was coming out with a curriculum in this regard by this year, he told reporters on the sidelines of a session on pre-school policy organised by the ASSOCHAM.

Swarup said the HRD ministry will come out with a guideline by June 30 relating to the Central government's financial assistance to the proposed pre-school units to be set up by the school department.

Asked about the role of pre-schools set up by private bodies, he said the "private sector is doing a great job and can give us ideas. Personally I believe that good work can be done in both private and public domains."



With the 'Samagra Shiksha' programme launched last month, "we plan to impart holistic without segmentation from pre-nursery to Class 12," he said.

With 'Samagra Shiksha' coming into effect, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan will cease to exist separately and merge with it, he said.

"We expect support from state governments for rolling out the scheme effectively," Swarup said.

On a question about corporal punishment, Swarup said, "Handling a child should be different from handling an adult.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)China and India have extensive common interests and they have far more consensus than differences, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj as they met here on the sidelines of the BRICS Ministerial Conference.

Swaraj and Wang attended the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Foreign Ministers' meeting yesterday.

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to maintain the momentum in bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The meeting took place more than a month after an informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan.

China and India have extensive common interests, and they have far more consensus than differences, Wang was quoted as saying by state-run Chinese agency Xinhua.

China and India working together will accelerate the common development of the two countries, benefit the entire world, and contribute to the progress of human civilisation, Wang, who is also the Chinese State Councilor, said.

The two sides should take bilateral relations and people's fundamental interests as a starting point at all times, properly handle problems and differences, and prevent the interests of one party from affecting the overall interest, he said.

China and India should earnestly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas in accordance with the consensus reached by their leaders and avoid taking actions that might complicate and aggravate the situation, Wang said.

The two nation should strengthen coordination and play a constructive role in promoting the development of BRICS cooperation, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral mechanisms, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)China spent more than 1.1 billion yuan (USD 171 million) on ecological conservation projects in Tibet in 2017, the regional environmental bureau said today.

The projects range from grassland, wetland and wildlife protection to construction of nature reserves and afforestation.

In 2009, China introduced a 23-year plan with a total spending of 15.5 billion yuan to boost ecological conservation in the region.

Statistics showed that in 2017, Tibet had 47 nature reserves covering 412,200 square kms or more than one third of the region's total territory, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

Zhang Tianhua, deputy head of the regional environmental bureau, said the region has set up a special committee for monitoring the in Tibet and cracking down on illegal activities in the nature reserves.

Over the past five years, more than 60 regulations on ecological protection have been introduced in Tibet. Authorities investigated nearly 1,000 cases of environmental breaches, the report said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today backed deferring the release of Rajinikanth-starrer 'Kaala' in Karnataka after the high court directed the state government to provide necessary security for peaceful screening of the movie opposed by pro-Kannada outfits.

Kumaraswamy, however, said the government would implement the directions of the Karnataka High Court which came on a plea by the producers seeking directions for smooth release of the film.

Pro-Kannada outfits have threatened to stall the film, set to hit the screens on June 7, over the actor's reported remarks on the Cauvery row involving Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

In an appeal as a 'Kannadiga', Kumaraswamy requested the distributor of the film not to release it in "this kind of atmosphere".

"As the state government, I have to implement the directions of the high court. That I will take care of. It is my responsibility also. We will have to follow the high court direction," he told reporters here.

But, Kumaraswamy said: "According to my observation as an individual, not a chief minister, as a Kannaidaga...I request the producer or distributor of the movie, in this kind of atmosphere, it is not good on their part to release the movie," he said.

Noting that he himself was a film distributor and producer, the JDS leader said releasing the film would not be useful to the distributor financially.

"Why unnecessarily by releasing the movie this kind of controversy they wanted to create. It is not necessary," he said adding they can release it after a solution was reached to the Cauvery water sharing issue.

Kumaraswamy said Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce and several Kannada organisations were "very much" opposing the release of the movie" and added, "they (distributor) must oblige the opposition from the film chamber and Kannada organisations."



In the high court, Justice G Narendar issued the direction citing a Supreme Court order, which had stayed ban orders imposed on the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film 'Padmaavat' by four states, including Rajasthan, early this year.

"Freedom of speech and expression, particularly as a medium of expression in films, cannot be curtailed. The creative content is am insegregable aspect of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution," the judge said, citing the Supreme Court verdict on the release of the film 'Padmaavat'.

The Supreme Court in January had cleared the release of 'Padmaavat' and had stayed ban orders imposed by Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.

Miffed with Rajinikanth's reported comments that whichever government coming to power in Karnataka should implement the Supreme Court order on Cauvery water sharing in toto, KFCC had on May 29 decided not to allow screening of 'Kaala'.

Earlier, Additional Advocate General A G Shivanna said there was no ban imposed on the release of 'Kaala' and the government is prepared to give security to exhibitors if they furnished details.

Justice Narendar, however, observed that he cannot make it mandatory on exhibitors to screen the film.

The court was hearing a petition by Kaala's producer K Dhanush and his wife Aishwarya, son-in-law and daughter of Rajinikanth, who sought directions to the Karnataka government and the KFCC for smooth release of the film.

They had made the state government, home department, state police chief, Bengaluru city police commissioner, Central Board of Film Certification and KFCC as respondents.

During the hearing, Dhanush's counsel Chintan Chinnappa argued that it was the fundamental right of the petitioners under the Constitution to exhibit the film which has received the censor board certification.

The KFCC had said it had neither instructed protesters nor the exhibitors to exhibit the film.

"The exhibitors and distributors on their own took the decision not to screen and release the film, citing security reasons," KFCC president Sa Ra Govindu had said.

Many pro-Kannada organisations had threatened to vandalise theatres if they screened the film.

Earlier, the distributors association said it was against the ban.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Congress is more capable than the BJP in building alliances and collaborating with parties, Rashtriya Lok Dal Vice President Jayant Chaudhary has said, asserting that the Rahul Gandhi-led party can play a key role in forging an opposition coalition for the 2019 polls.

Buoyed by the win in the Kairana parliamentary bypoll, he said public opinion and electoral results such as the bypoll victory will act as a "glue" for cementing a coalition for the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) candidate Tabassum Hasan, who was supported by the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress, triumphed last week over her BJP rival in Kairana to become the first Muslim face from Uttar Pradesh in the 16th Lok Sabha.

Her victory also gave RLD, its first representative in the current Lok Sabha after the party drew a blank in the 2014 general election.

In an interview to PTI, Chaudhary said the BJP wants to make the 2019 polls a battle of personalities, but the opposition wants to project issues rather than a personality to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"They (the BJP) have built a personality cult around Modi and now they expect the opposition to also thrust upon the nation a similar figure so that the two can sort of take each other on," the 39-year-old leader said.

Chaudhary, who is the son of RLD chief Ajit Singh and the grandson of former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, said there was more talent in the opposition ranks and more freedom to express than in the BJP.

"So I think going into 2019, I am not sure there will be an understanding of who's on top and who's at the bottom (of the opposition alliance), but we will be working together. That is important for the country," he asserted.

Asked if Congress being a pan-India party could be the pivot of the opposition alliance to take on the BJP, he said, "Congress today is the largest opposition party and they have an organisation in most states of the country that is still strong.

"...I see a good story emerging. Congress can definitely play that role. They can cooperate and collaborate more effectively than the BJP."



He said that due to the manner in which the BJP has dealt with its own allies, the saffron party's alliance partners were either breaking away or speaking very openly against it.

"So, the Congress has an opportunity here to try and make new relationships with these partners as well," he said.

Asked if the Congress was more capable of building alliances and working in unison with parties in an alliance, Chaudhary said, "That's my perception, (and) that is the perception of a lot of people in the political system."



Chaudhary, whose party RLD has been in an alliance with the BJP in the past, also alleged that there was arrogance that had crept into the BJP and it was no longer 'the party with a difference'.

"They (the BJP) have shown that they are willing to grab power at any cost. So I think these are all signals and they are very threatening to smaller parties, to regional parties, to anyone who believes that there needs to be cooperation, so that's why I think that there is a mindset now that's been developed in the opposition parties at least that the BJP is a complete no," he said.

The BJP leads the NDA coalition at the Centre which includes several parties such as the Shiv Sena and the Lok Jan Shakti party. The N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party recently quit the NDA, while Shiv Sena has been critical of the BJP over several issues.

Chaudhary also asserted that if the alliance between his party, the SP, the BSP and the Congress in UP takes shape, it would help the Congress in states where it is involved in a direct contest with the BJP.

"I think ultimately it (the alliance in UP) will help Congress in the states where it is taking on the BJP, there numbers will go up...If Congress takes us along and tells us that lets work together in other states as well, some of these opposition leaders will be very willing to do that," the former MP said.

Acknowledging that seat sharing would not be easy for the grand alliance in UP, he said the "social coalition" formed was more important than just simple political arithmetic or simple political coalition.

"So to sustain that social coalition, if political parties have to forego their own interest and work together, I think we should do it," Chaudhary said.

Talking about the Kairana bypoll win, he said it was basically a message to political parties that the alliance was also the people's will.

"It was a negative vote against BJP. It was also a positive vote for the opposition working together. Going forward it is this public opinion and these good results that will perhaps act as the glue for cementing the alliance," Chaudhary said.

The united opposition victory in Kairana follows the BJP defeats in the Lok Sabha bye-elections in Gorakhpur and Phulpur in March, and come just a year before the general election.

Asserting that alliances are here to stay, Chaudhary said the reason he feels the alliance in UP would continue was because it has tasted success.

"When you win an election, there is pressure from your workers, there is pressure from the voters to continue. That is why I think, there is enough mature leadership in all of these parties, they have enough experience, they will be able to work out an arrangement on the seats," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hit out at the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today for "instigating" farmers against his government and claimed that the opposition lacked credibility.

The BJP leader's comments came a day after NCP chief Sharad Pawar extended his support to the agitating farmers and asked them to continue with the protest till their demands were met.

Farmers in several states, including Maharashtra, are on a 10-day strike since June 1, demanding remunerative prices for their produce and loan waiver. They have been dumping their produce on roads as a mark of protest.

Fadnavis said the farmers did not trust the NCP and the Congress and blamed the previous governments run by the two parties for the plight of the cultivators in the state.

"The farmers do not trust the Congress and the NCP. These parties have no credibility left and they themselves know it. Hence, they are hiding behind some farmer leaders and trying to instigate them," he told reporters here.

Pawar had said the farmers were forced to take to the streets as promises made by the government to them were not fulfilled and maintained that their agitation was not political in nature.

"I support the agitation as a farmer," the former Union agriculture minister had said.

Fadnavis said the policies of the BJP-led government would ensure that the farmers got the right price for their produce.

"The condition of farmers has become such due to the corruption and misrule of the Congress-NCP governments (1999- 2014). The direct purchases (of farm products) that this government has done has not happened in the last 15 years," Fadnavis, whose government had announced a mega farm loan waiver scheme last year, said.

The chief minister said his government's Jalyukt Shivar programme (of water conservation) had given a boost to crop production and this had posed a new challenge.

However, the government was committed to overcoming the challenge and solving the problems of the farmers, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Lalita Salve (29), a constable from the district who recently underwent a sex reassignment surgery, will get benefits granted to a male constable after joining duty, a police official said today.

But, the constable will have to bear expenses of the sex-change operation, he said.

Salve had on May 25 undergone the first stage of sex reassignment surgery (SRS) at the state-run St George's Hospital in Mumbai.

The second stage operation will be conducted after six months, doctors had said after the surgery.

"Salve (on resumption of duty) will be treated as a male constable. We have received a letter from the director general of police (DGP) in this connection. According to the letter, Salve will get all benefits entitled to male constables after joining duty," Beed Superintendent of Police G Shreedhar said.

"Salve, however, will have to bear all expenses related to the surgery," he added.

The constable, who is posted at the Majalgaon police station in Beed, had moved the Bombay High Court in November last year seeking a direction to the state DGP to grant her leave to undergo the surgery.

She had approached the high court after police authorities denied her request for one month's leave for SRS.

The court had asked her to approach the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) since it was a matter related to her service.

Salve received a letter from the state Home department last month allowing her to go on leave to undergo the surgery, following which she got herself admitted to St George's Hospital in Mumbai.

"I have lived as a woman for 29 years. I will finally get free from this state now. I am looking forward to my new life," the constable, who now prefers being called Lalit, had earlier said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)"American Sniper" actor Cory Hardrict is set to star alongside Scott Eastwood and and Orlando Bloom in "The Outpost".

Rod Lurie is directing the World War II film, which also features Caleb Landry Jones, reported Variety.

The film is based on Jake Tapper's book and will chronicle the true story of the 53 US soldiers who battled a force of some 400 enemy insurgents in northeastern Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

The film is scheduled to begin production in August.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A private person involved in a graft case can be tried under the Prevention of Corruption Act



even after the death of a co-accused public servant if the trial court has already framed charges, the Bombay High Court has ruled.

Provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act are invoked in a case only when one or more accused are public servants.

The case in hand pertains to a bribery offence in which a postman, a public servant, was arrested along with some private people by the CBI's anti-corruption wing on bribery charges.

During the pendency of the case, the postman died. The trial against the three other co-accused was conducted by a special CBI court.

When the trial was at the fag end, the special CBI court ordered for the matter to be remanded to a metropolitan magistrate court after the defence and the prosecution pointed out that since the main accused, who was public servant, was dead, provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act cannot be invoked in the case.

Justice Prakash Deu Naik yesterday held that in cases where charges have been already framed by special CBI court under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code against the accused, the same court can conduct the trial and pass judgement even if the accused public servant dies.

The judge was hearing suo moto (on its own) a petition pertaining to the case.

Justice Naik in his order held that in the present case, the trial had concluded and hence the order of the special CBI court remanding the case to a magistrate court was "unwarranted and contrary to law".

"The special CBI judge shall proceed with the case in accordance with law. The additional chief metropolitan magistrate concerned shall return the case records to the special court," he directed.

"Charges were already framed against the non-public servants for offences under the Indian Penal Code as well as under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Evidence of witnesses were recorded and the matter was pending for judgement," the court said.

The accused people's advocate, Prerak Choudhary, had argued that after the death of the public servant, who is a co-accused in the case, the special CBI court has no jurisdiction to try the case since provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act cannot be invoked against private persons.

Such cases should be tried by the magistrate court, he argued.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Tunisian navy has recovered seven more corpses from a shipwreck of migrants at the weekend, bringing the overall number of dead to 55, the interior ministry said today.

"The search team has succeeded in recovering seven corpses, bringing to 55" the number of bodies found, the ministry said in a statement.

Ministry spokesman Khalifa Chibani earlier on Tuesday said the dead identified so far were "36 Tunisians and 12 foreigners", referring to migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.

A total of 68 survivors -- including 60 Tunisians -- have been rescued since search operations began early Sunday off the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia's southern city of Sfax.

Survivors said there were at least 180 people on board when the overloaded fishing vessel began to sink late Saturday night near Tunisia's Kerkennah Islands off Sfax.

Search efforts continued Tuesday, with a helicopter flying over the island chain, according to an AFP journalist on site.

In a visit to the area, Prime Minister Youssef Chahed said "social reasons pushed these young people into this adventure, compounded by a state of frustration and despair".

On Monday, the premier had called for greater efforts to quickly dismantle the "criminal networks that profit from these young people looking to emigrate and putting their lives in danger".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A defamation case has been registered against Gujarat MLA and Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani after he allegedly tweeted a morphed picture of a city-based columnist, police said today.

The columnist, Shefali Vaidya, lodged a complaint based on which a case was registered against Mevani on June 3 at Paud police station under IPC Section 500 (defamation) and Section 66 (C) of the Information Technology Act, said a police official.

According to the police, Mevani tweeted a picture of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Vaidya together on May 29 along with a still from Hindi film 'OMG Oh My God!' and allegedly drew a parallel between the two images in his tweet.

Mevani later acknowledged that he had tweeted a photoshopped picture and deleted the contentious tweet.

"I am told that this is a photoshopped image. Apologies for posting it without verification. Deleting my previous tweet now and will be careful in future.

"We all should be careful abt this and whenever we get to know that it's fabricated we should delete it," tweeted Mevani after removing the controversial post.

Vaidya, however, approached the police and registered a complaint alleging Mevani had downloaded her photo from her social media account, cropped and morphed it and used it in his tweet.

Mevani, by allegedly posting defamatory comments against her and circulating the morphed image on a microblogging site, caused mental harassment to her and her family, the complainant said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Ahead of US President Donald Trump's summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un next week, top Democratic Senators today urged him to seek complete dismantlement of Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes.

"We write to express our desire for a diplomatic solution which provides for the complete dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes, as well as a broader process to address North Korea's extensive military arsenal and to set the conditions for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," the Senators wrote in a letter to Trump.

The letter comes ahead of the expected summit between President Trump and Kim, and specifically lists five principles through which the Senators plan to evaluate any deal the President makes with North Korea.

"A successful diplomatic agreement with North Korea, along with our allies South Korea and Japan and in cooperation with China, would represent an historic accomplishment for our nation," they said in the letter dated June 4, a copy of which was released to the press.

The Senators also said that Congress must act as a check on any agreement that does not live up to these principles by imposing tougher sanctions and oversight and the Trump administration must engage Congress throughout any diplomatic process both before and after the possible summit - given the magnitude of this effort.

In order to earn the support of these Senate leaders for any deal that provides sanctions relief to North Korea, Sen. Mark R Warner, Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and others specifically outlined in the letter to Trump that a deal with North Korea must dismantle or remove every single one of North Korea's nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.

They said Pyongyang must also end the production and enrichment of uranium and plutonium for military purposes, and permanently dismantle its nuclear weapons infrastructure. This includes the destruction of test sites, all nuclear weapons research and development facilities and enrichment facilities.

The Senators sought suspension of North Korea's ballistic missile tests and disable, dismantle and eliminate all of its ballistic missiles and related programmes.

North Korea, they said, must commit to robust compliance inspections including a verification regime for North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Inspections must have complete access to all nuclear related sites and facilities with real time verification of North Korean compliance. A separate compliance regime for its chemical and biological weapons that prevents, detects and punishes cheating on the part of North Korea is also necessary.

These compliance regimes must include "anywhere, anytime" inspections and snap-back sanctions if North Korea is not in full compliance; the Democratic lawmakers said.

Among signatories to the letter were Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Bob Menendez, Assistant Senate Democratic Leader and Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Ranking Member Dick Durbin, Senate National Security Working Group Co-Chair Dianne Feinstein, Senate Appropriations Committee Vice-Chair and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Ranking Member Patrick Leahy, and Senate Committee on Banking Housing and Urban Affairs Ranking Member Sherrod Brown.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Maharashtra Health Minister Deepak Sawant of Shiv Sena has submitted his resignation from the council of ministers to his party president Uddhav Thackeray after he was denied a ticket for the June 25 Legislative Council polls.

The resignation letter, however, has not been forwarded to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with a close aide of the Sena chief saying that the party was contemplating if Sawant could be given a ticket to contest the Legislative Council polls next month.

Sawant is an MLC from a Graduate constituency but he has not been renominated by his party from the seat which is going to polls on June 25. His current term ends on July 7.

In Maharashtra, out of 78 members of the Legislative Council, 31 are selected by the State Assembly, 21 are selected by the local authorities, 12 are nominated by the Governor and 7 are elected each by the Graduates and Teachers Constituencies, respectively.

A typical character of a Graduate constituency is that a voter has to be possess at least a Graduate degress from a recognised university.

Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray, who is the son of Uddhav Thackeray, today said Sawant submitted his resignation from the council of ministers yesterday.

"Deepak Sawant has submitted his resignation (to Uddhav Thackeray) and he will now work for the party," the Yuva Sena chief said at an event here.

Yesterday, the Shiv Sena had fielded Vilas Potnis as its candidate in place of Sawant for the Mumbai Graduates seat.

Elections to four constituencies from the Upper House - Nashik Division Teachers', Mumbai Teachers', Mumbai Graduates' and Konkan Division Graduates' - will be held on June 25.

"Sawant's current term as MLC ends on July 7. He has submitted his resignation as minister to Uddhavji. But the party is considering whether he can be accommodated in the upper house (Legislative Council) in July," said an aide of Uddhav Thackeray, clearly referring to a non-Graduate seat.

He said there would be 11 vacancies in the Legislative Council on July 27 and the Shiv Sena has only one member in the House when it can have at least 2 since it has 63 MLAs.

Sawant, however, was present at the weekly cabinet meeting today.

Sawant was denied ticket to the Mumbai Graduates seat due to opposition from within the party, said the aide who did not want to be identified.

"This happens. But Sawant is an old party hand," he added.

Yesterday, when contacted, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said he had not received Sawant's resignation letter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Condemning the surging fuel prices, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activists here today held a protest demonstration demanding inclusion of petrol and diesel under the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax.

Around 100 DYFI activists, including women, took part in the protest christened 'funeral to two-wheelers' and raised slogans against the spiralling prices of petrol and diesel.

"We demand that the central government include petrol and diesel in GST to bring down price levels. The state government must nudge the centre in this," DYFI Chennai district secretary Hanifa said.

The protesters also demanded that the governments control prices of essential commodities.

DYFI is a youth wing of CPI-M.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), under the commerce ministry, will hold a public hearing on June 26 here on safeguard duty investigation of solar cells.

The meeting assumes significance as domestic solar manufacturers are demanding imposition of safeguard duty on imports of solar cells and modules.

Additional Secretary in the ministry Sunil Kumar will preside over meeting.

Kumar "will hold a public hearing on June 26", the DGTR said in a notice.

Earlier the Directorate General of Safeguards, which is now subsumed in DGTR, had recommended imposition of duty on imports of solar cells for a period of 200 days.

The directorate is mandated to investigate the existence of serious injury or threat of serious injury to the domestic industry as a consequence of increased import of an article into India.

India is targeting to 100 gigawatt (GW) solar capacity by 2022.

Solar cells, electrical devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity, are imported primarily from China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.

Imports of the cells from these countries account for more than 90 per cent of the total inbound shipments in the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Following is the chronology of events in the death case of Sunanda Pushkar in which the court today summoned her husband and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor as an accused.

*Jan 17, 2014: Pushkar found dead at Delhi's Leela Palace hotel, a day after she was involved in a Twitter spat with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar over the latter's alleged affair with Tharoor.

*Jan 21: The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) who was heading the inquest says Pushkar died of poisoning.

*Jan 23: The probe into the death of Pushkar transferred to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police.

*Jan 25: Case transferred back to Delhi Police.

*Jan 1, 2015: Delhi police registers FIR against unknown persons under the section of 302 (murder).

*Jan 15, 2016: Delhi Police receives AIIMS medical board's 'advice' on the FBI lab report on viscera samples of Pushkar to identify the cause of her death.

Her viscera samples were sent to the FBI lab in Washington DC in February 2015 to determine the kind of poison that killed her after an AIIMS medical board identified poisoning as the reason behind her death but did not mention any specific substance.

The FBI report virtually rules out the theory of 'polonium poisoning' having caused her death.

*July 6, 2017: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy moves Delhi High Court for SIT probe into Sunanda Pushkar's death.

*Oct 26: HC dismisses Swamy's plea saying his PIL was a textbook example of political interest litigation.

*Jan 29, 2018: Swamy moves the Supreme Court



*Feb 23: SC seeks reply of Delhi Police on Swamy's plea.

*Apr 20: Delhi Police, in its affidavit filed in the apex court, says a draft final report has been prepared after conducting "thorough professional and scientific investigations" in the case.

*May 14: Delhi Police files charge sheet in the case.

*May 24: Case transferred to Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court, a special designated court to try politicians.

*May 28: Court reserves order on whether to summon Tharoor as an accused in the case.

*Jun 5: Court summons Tharoor as accused in Pushkar's death case, says sufficient grounds to proceed against him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 83F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.A delegation of the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) today met HRD minister Prakash Javadekar over the issue of an UGC circular on faculty reservation mechanism for universities, the teacher's body said in a statement today.

DUTA members also met Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP leader Atishi Marlena to apprise them about the issue.

Following an Allahabad High Court order, upheld by the Supreme Court, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had on March 5 announced a new mechanism for implementing faculty reservations, which is calculating total posts department-wise rather than institution-wise.

The UGC had said that its new reservation formula was in response to a direction of the Allahabad High Court in April last year.

It is believed that the move would cut the number of posts available for SC and ST candidates.

DUTA had organised a 'Kali Patti Rally' to mobilise political support on the roster issue. The rally culminated in the meeting with Javadekar, the teachers' body said.

Javadekar told the delegation that the government has filed a special leave petition to undo the move and is prepared to defend constitutional rights, but no formal notification can be issued before the Supreme Court hearing on July 2, DUTA said in a statement.

DUTA president Rajib Ray also shared with the minister data on the recently advertised posts by several central universities, which showed that reserved posts had drastically reduced as a result of the UGC notification.

"The minister said that he was unaware of it and would look into the matter," the teachers' body said.

It also said that the minister assured them that the UGC will consider granting autonomous status to colleges only if they apply for it.

The DUTA is also holding several meetings with representatives of various political parties to create awareness about the ramifications of the reservation roster issue and other matters.

"DUTA plans to hold a press conference on the roster issue, with prominent MPs from major political parties on June 11," it said.

They also met Sisodia to invite him for the June 11 press conference.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Enforcement Directorate today questioned Raj Kundra, husband of actor Shilpa Shetty, for more than nine hours as a "witness" in connection with a money laundering probe related to a bitcoin transactions case in Maharashtra, officials said.

The businessman was summoned at the ED's office here and was asked questions about the purported links of the alleged main accused of the case Amit Baardwaj with his businesses.

They said Kundra was questioned for over nine hours and his statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Coming out from the agency's office, Kundra told waiting reporters that he was called as a "witness" in the case as Bhardwaj, the alleged kingpin of the case, was unsuccessful in investing in a poker league promoted by him.

Officials added that Kundra's statement would be that of a witness in the case.

Kundra soon tweeted to reiterate his statement.

"Dear Media thanks for your breaking across the country. I have given you all bytes outside the ED office where I was called as a witness to give evidence.

"The accused (Amit Bhardwaj) was to buy a team in my league which didn't happen due to non payment. Thank you," he said.

Officials said they had come across these links and hence Kundra, Chairman of Viaan Industries, was asked to depose and record his statement.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had registered a criminal case under the PMLA against bitcoin-based investment website GainBitcoin, its founder Amit Bhardwaj and eight others.

It is alleged that about 8,000 investors lost about Rs 2,000 crore funds by transacting in this scheme.

The ED had filed its case based on an FIR of the Maharashtra Police in this case and the Pune Police arrested Bhardwaj and his brother Vivek from Delhi in April.

Bhardwaj reportedly was behind ventures such as GainBitcoin, GBMiners, MCAP and GB21, and the investors were allegedly duped after transactions on these portals.

The central agency has expanded its probe into this case and is also investigating related bitcoin or cryptocurrency transactions that are under the scanner of other departments.

It is alleged that Bhardwaj and his associates allegedly duped investors to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore in Mumbai, Pune, Nanded, Kolhapur and other places in the state.

Last year, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had informed Parliament that there were no regulations governing virtual currencies in India and the RBI had not given any licence to any entity/company to operate such currencies.

The government had also cautioned investors to be wary of virtual currencies such as bitcoin, saying they were like Ponzi schemes with no legal tender and protection.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Eleven people were killed and nine injured today in an explosion at an iron-ore mine in northeast China's Liaoning province, state media reported.

Twenty-five people are trapped in the mine run by China National Coal Group Co, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The injured have been rushed to hospital and the municipal government of Benxi, where the accident occurred, has dispatched a rescue team, CCTV said.

Deadly mining accidents are common in China due to lack of safety precautions. A gas leak killed at least 18 people working in a coal mine in central Hunan province in May last year.

Seventeen other coal miners were killed when a lift used to move workers fell down a shaft in northeastern Heilongjiang province in March 2017.

In December 2016, explosions in two separate coal mines in the Inner Mongolia region and in Heilongjiang killed at least 59 people.

Also in 2016, 33 miners were killed in a colliery explosion in October in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing, and in September at least 18 were killed in a mine blast in the northwestern Ningxia region.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Have you ever thought that every time you use a facewash or a cosmetic product that its makers promise to be more effective due to presence of microbeads, you may be causing irreparable damage to the

Many personal care products like soaps, facial scrubs and toothpastes etc. contain microplastics or microbeads that can pass unfiltered through the sewage treatment plants and make their way into rivers and canals, resulting in plastic particle water pollution that can wreak havoc on marine life.

As World Day is being celebrated across the globe with Beat Plastic Pollution' being the theme this year, experts are calling for effective implementation of the ban on use of microbeads in cosmetic products as they claim that many such products are readily available in the market and are being used by consumers, who are unaware of their ill-effects.

Bharati Chaturvedi, director of Chintan Environmental and Research Action Group, is among those have advocated barring of personal care products which contain microbeads.

"Personal care products have microbeads. These are small plastic particles which are drained down the river and ultimately reach the sea. These particles are swallowed by fishes which slowly get accumulated in their digestive tract leading to their death and ultimately affects the marine ecosystem.

"There should be a complete ban on microplastics. We all know which items and brands contain such particles. There should be swift and timely action to stop the harm that is likely to be caused to the environment," Chaturvedi said.

Recently a petition was also filed by Delhi-based lawyer Ashwini Kumar seeking complete ban on the use of microbeads in the manufacture, import and sale of various cosmetics or personal care products.

Heeding to his plea, the National Green Tribunal had last year directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to issue a notification classifying microbeads as "unsafe" for use in cosmetic products.

Advocate Sumeer Sodhi, who argued for Kumar in the NGT, said microbeads have macro environmental impact and studies across the globe have shown that tiny particles of plastics have already entered our food chain.

"This is what forced us to move the court for immediate stopping of this easily avoidable environmental hazard.

"It is perhaps because of NGT's proactive persuasion that the government decided to prohibit the use of microplastics in cosmetics by bringing about an amendment to the already existing list of raw materials not considered safe for use in cosmetics (IS 4707-partII) but the real test would be to see if the enforcement agencies would be able to ensure its compliance," Sodhi said.

Environmental activist Vikrant Tongad also expressed concern over the threat posed by the microbeads to the rivers like Ganga and Yamuna.

He said that Yamuna, which is already polluted with industrial and domestic effluents, is finding it difficult to maintain its ecosystem as there are hardly any fishes left in the river.

"Innumerous drains carry sewage and other waste in the river. This has ruined the aquatic life in Yamuna. Microbeads also get washed away in the water body which worsens the problem.

"The Health Ministry has issued the notification saying that plastic microbeads which are "5 mm or less, water insoluble, solid plastic particle used to exfoliate or cleanse in a rinse-off personal care products", as unsafe for use. It is for the authorities to ensure compliance so that is maintained in its natural form," he said.

Recently, NGO Toxics Link had also carried out a study titled "Eco Personal Care Product, Microplastics in Cosmetics", to investigate the presence of microbeads in personal care and cosmetic products (PCCP) available and sold in India.

Different categories of rinse-off and live-on cosmetic products of varied leading brands were tested for microplastics in the study which found that 28 per cent of all the tested products contained microplastics.

"50 per cent of the facewash products and 67 per cent of the facial scrubs are found to contain microplastics. Predominating microplastics detected in the product samples is polyethylene," the NGO had said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Delegation of European Union and embassies of the member states of the bloc today pledged to discontinue use of single-use plastic at their premises here.

Under the 'Green Pledge' on the occasion of World Day, the EU delegation and 28 member states committed to greening of their embassies and to eliminate use of single-use plastic products, said an EU statement.

"As part of the #BeatPlasticPollution campaign, use of harmful plastics including plastic straws, stirrers, cups, water bottles in the embassies and residences will be discontinued to switch to eco-friendly materials," it said.

The events organised by the embassies and the delegation will also have minimum plastic footprint.

They also committed to making the embassies more sustainable by reducing water and power consumption along with better waste management, it said.

Ambassador of the EU to India, Tomasz Kozlowski said, "We need to move from discussions to action. We need to reduce our plastics footprint to move towards a more circular economy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A group of farmers today dumped milk and vegetables on road in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district as their nationwide agitation entered the fifth day.

The incident took place in Salamatpur, about 30 kms from the Raisen district headquarters.

They also blocked the Bhopal-Vidisha road, disrupting traffic for at least three hours on the busy stretch.

Farmers in several states, including Madhya Pradesh, are on a 10-day strike since June 1, demanding remunerative prices for their produce and loan waiver. They have been dumping their produce on roads as a mark of protest.

Kisan Jagriti Sangathan secretary Irfan Jafari said their protest would continue unhindered till June 10.

A group of farmers protested in a novel way in the state capital. They distributed milk to the patients of the JP Hospital.

Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Rajiv Tandon said no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state during the farmer agitation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An academically "bright" daughter of a farmhand committed suicide in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district after failing to clear the NEET, police said today, with the tragedy setting off a political blame game.

The tragic death of the medical aspirant prompted a call by DMK working president M K Stalin to chief ministers of southern states, barring Tamil Nadu, but including West Bengal, to oppose the NEET, as it "discriminated against non- Hindi speaking students" and put those from the economically weaker sections at "fundamental disadvantage".

Prateebha, 19, ended her life by consuming poison at Senji town, after she could not crack the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test conducted by the Central Board of Secondary (CBSE) whose results were declared yesterday, the second such incident in the state since last year.

Prateebha ingested poison soon after she came to know that she had flunked the test, conducted for admissions to medical and dental colleges in the country, and began vomiting. She was rushed to a hospital, where the doctor who examined her initially, referred her to a bigger facility, but she could not be saved.

This was Pratibha's second attempt at clearing the NEET, which many students from the state who study at Tamil medium schools find a hard nut to crack. Even those studying in English medium government or government-aided schools find it difficult to make the cut as their syllabus is not in sync with those of central boards.

In her suicide note, Pratibha said she dreamt of becoming a doctor but the questions were too difficult for her to even understand, police said.

Describing her as a "bright" student, police said the girl had secured 490 marks out of 500 in her class 10 board examination, and 1125 out of 1200 in class 12. She, however, got only 39 out of 700 in the NEET.

The state had witnessed widespread protests last year when Anitha, a Dalit girl from Ariyalur, ended her life for failing to clear the NEET.

The tragic incident had its echo in the state assembly, with opposition DMK and Congress staging a walkout.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly had adopted two resolutions last year seeking exemption for the students from the state from NEET.

"How many Prathibhas and Anithas are we going to lose?" Stalin asked while speaking on a special calling attention motion moved by him and members of the Congress, a DMK ally.

He alleged there were discrepancies in the NEET question paper printed in Tamil for which Pratibha appeared.

Stalin, also the Leader of the Opposition, wanted to know from the government the status of the two resolutions sent to the Centre for the President's approval.

Health Minister C Vijayabhaskar recalled efforts made by the government to do away with NEET, including various representations to the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He, however, said the Supreme Court had ruled against exemption on an appeal by some students.

There were heated exchanges when Vijayakumar said Congress leader P Chidambaram's lawyer wife Nalini had appeared for students who were against grant of exemption.

School Minister K A Sengottaiyan said the government's efforts for preparing students for competitive examinations like NEET have borne result, with greater number of aspirants from government and aided schools clearing the test this year.

Stalin also put out a tweet tagging non-BJP chief Ministers of south, besides Mamata Banerjee, asking them to oppose NEET, saying it put rural students at a "fundamental disadvantage".

"I urge the Chief Ministers @CMOKerala @CMofKarnataka @TelanganaCMO @AndhraPradeshCM @CMPuducherry @MamataOfficial to oppose the NEET exam as it puts rural and economically weaker students at a fundamental disadvantage."



"The discrepancies in the translated NEET question papers have discriminated against non-Hindi speaking students. I urge all Chief Ministers of non-BJP ruling states to join together in opposing this unfair test on this ground also. #NEETKillsPradeeba #BanNeet," he said in the tweet.

Superstar Rajinikanth, who has decided to take the political plunge, called Prateebha's death "pitiable", and said such incidents should not recur.

State Congress president Su Thirunavukkarasar urged students against taking such an extreme step, and demanded that the central and state governments provide Prateebha's family a compensation of Rs 1 crore.

T Velmurugan-led Tamizhaga Vazvurimai Katchi (TVK) expressed concern over the death of both Prateebha and Anitha.

AAP state convenor SAN Vaseegaran demanded that the Palaniswami government step down taking moral responsibility for the death of Prateebha and Anitha.

BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan insisted NEET was "beneficial" for rural students, but said students who fail to make the cut should explore the "next big" choice and not commit suicide.

She also asked political parties to desist from creating a "bleak" picture about NEET.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Five members of a family, including two minors, were today killed when their motorcycle was hit by a state transport bus in Rajasthan's Sikar district, police said.

The accident occurred when the bus, going to Neem Ka Thana from Jaipur, hit the bike coming from the opposite direction, they said.

The five persons, who were on the bike, died on the spot, police said.

The deceased were identified as Manish (19), his aunt Sumitra Devi, her son Ankit and two other family members Anita (11) and Naveen (3), Station House Officer Babulal Gurjar said.

The bodies were handed over to the family members after post-mortem and a case was registered against the bus driver, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat and top brass of the force were consulted before the government decided to allow civilian access to roads in military cantonments across the country.

The minister was speaking in the backdrop of a country-wide signature campaign against the government decision launched by wives of Army officers.

At a press conference, Sitharaman said a total of 850 roads were closed in various cantonments, out of which 119 were blocked without following laid down procedures and now some of them have been opened.

The Defence Ministry last month had decided to allow civilian access to the roads in 62 cantonments after Sitharaman held a meeting on May 4 with a group of MPs, elected office-bearers of cantonment boards and Army officials.

A large section of Army officials and their families have expressed strong reservations over the decision to reopen all roads in cantonments to civilians, citing security concerns. Veterans and wives of armed forces personnel have been agitating on the issue.

"119 roads were blocked without following laid down procedure. Out of them 80 roads have been opened while 24 are remaining closed. We have partially opened 15 roads," she said.

"I met the wives of the Armed Forces personnel and heard their concerns which were largely about the security. I fully appreciate that," she said.

Sitharaman said the defence ministry held a series of meetings with all stakeholders including the Army before deciding to open up the roads for civilians.

The defence minister said that before the May 4 meeting with elected representatives, she held four meetings with senior Army officials.

She said five other meetings were held some including with Gen Rawat and Vice Chief of the Army Staff on the the issue.

"The order by the ministry of defence addresses traffic related issues. Places where unit lines exist or where families of our servicemen are living, we are cautious about its security," said Sitharaman.

She said, "If you (army) decide to close the roads based on intelligence input, you are welcome to do so. But follow due procedure."



A country-wide signature campaign against the government decision has been launched by wives of Army officers. They say they would meet the defence minister urging her to reverse the cantonment board decision.

The MPs and elected officials of cantonment boards had strongly pitched to allow civilians unhindered access to the roads.

The ministry had said that it was decided that a simplified detailed standard operating procedure will soon be issued to address the needs of the local public and the military establishment.

However, families of Army officers feel the decision may expose the cantonments to security risks as military bases have recently been targeted by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and other areas.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)After Achbishop of Goa and Daman Father Filipe Neri Ferrao said that the Constitution was in danger, his office today suggested that he was expressing his "anxiety to his own people" but insisted that the remarks were not against any political party or government.

Ferrao's secretary Fr Joaquim Loila Pereira said the people should read the entire 15-page letter and not "take this statement or that statement out of context and make it look as if the letter is against political parties."



The Archbishop, in a letter issued on Sunday and addressed to Christians in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman,, said, "Today, our Constitution is in danger (and that is) the reason why most of the people are living in insecurity."



In the letter, generally issued in the beginning of pastoral year that lasts from June 1 to May 31, he said the Constitution should be understood better as general elections are drawing closer.

"First of all, there is no name of any political party, there is no name of any government. There is a commentary on what is happening in India and in Goa," said the Archbishop's secretary today.

He said the Goa Archbishop's letter was not a political commentary on what was happening in the country.

"The fact is that he (Archbishop) has said there is danger to the Constitution, but if you read what he has elaborated, you can make out that it is not all the danger," Pereira maintained.

He went on to add, "The word danger is there but if you read the letter, it is not all the great a danger that is mentioned in it.

"Even if it was a small danger, I am asking you, doesn't the Bishop have the right to think that way and express his anxiety to his own people?"



The archbishop also had said that human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril.

Notably, Ferrao's letter came weeks after Delhi archbishop Anil Couto's similar letter which said that a "turbulent political atmosphere" posed a threat to India's democratic principles and secular fabric.

Pereira insisted that there was no link between the letters of Ferrao and Couto.

"There is no connection of this to what the Archbishop in Delhi had said or what the Archbishop of Gandhinagar had said (last year)," he maintained.

"People are thinking that this is the trend. There is no trend," he explained.

"It should not be seen that the church is India is up in arms against the government. This letter always comes in June. It happened that it came one month after the Delhi Bishop's circular," he added.

Pereira claimed some peripheral statements from the 15-page letter were taken out of proportion by the press.

"We have to look at this pastoral letter as a letter of the pastor to his people. The focus of the letter is about poverty. There are some peripheral statements that have been taken out of proportion by press and now everybody is talking about those statements as if the pastoral letter is about and about going against the powers," Pereira said.

He said the pastoral letter is written by the church head to its members.

"In this (letter), the Archbishop has written this to the members of his church in Goa. This is the 15th pastoral letter that he has written," he added.

In the letter, the Archbishop has given some orientation for full year, he said.

"The pastoral year begins in June and ends in May. So always in the month of June, he issues the letter on different topics," Pereira said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Goa government has pinned its hope on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the mining crisis in the state and is confident that he will find some solution for it, a state minister said today.

He also said that the opposition Congress should come up with some "constructive solutions" to revive the iron ore mining operations in the state, which gets a large amount of revenue from the sector.

"We are confident that the prime minister can resolve the mining issue in Goa. We should not think that Modi is ignoring the issue. He is well aware of the situation in Goa," Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said, responding to a question.

He was addressing a press conference to highlight achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre in the last four years.

Rane said a state government delegation had recently visited New Delhi and apprised officials in the Prime Minister's Office with the issues plaguing the mining industry in Goa.

"Only the prime minister will be able to find a solution to this issue," the minister said.

He accused the opposition Congress of trying to instigate the public against the BJP-led government over the issue.

"The Congress is not coming up with any constructive suggestions. They should give in writing to the Chief Minister's Office how the crisis can be resolved. We all know that mining is a crucial economic activity in the state," Rane said.

He lauded Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for initiating steps to revive the industry when mining had stopped previously in 2012.

"Parrikar is the only chief minister who addressed the issue of mining dependents. No other government thought on these lines and there was never a suggestion from the opposition," he said.

"It was Parrikar's initiative that helped the mining dependents to get financial assistance. He has been trying to do his best," Rane added.

The mining industry in Goa came to a standstill in March this year after the Supreme Court set aside second renewal of iron ore mining leases granted to 88 companies in 2015.

This was the second big blow to the industry, which had faced closure in 2012 too, following the SC directives.

The court had then taken cognisance of the M B Shah commission report, which claimed there was illegal mining worth Rs 35,000 crore in the state between 2005 and 2012.

The industry remained shut for nearly 19 months from October 2012 to April 2014, when the apex court finally allowed miners to operate while imposing several riders.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Goa Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar suffered a brain stroke in Mumbai following which he was admitted to a hospital in the metropolis where he underwent an operation, Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said today.

Madkaikar would be kept under observation for the next 72 hours, said Rane, who rushed to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital this afternoon and held discussion with a panel of doctors who are treating Madkaikar.

"I met the panel of doctors who are treating him. He is under observation and will remain so for the next 72 hours. He is in good hands," the minister told PTI over the phone from Mumbai.

Earlier in the morning, Rane said Madkaikar had suffered a heart attack, but later confirmed that the minister suffered a brain stroke for which he was operated upon.

Madkaikar, 53, was in Mumbai yesterday for a visit when he fell ill.

"He had a brain stroke and was successfully operated," Rane told reporters in Panaji earlier today.

Madkaikar is the BJP legislator from Cumbharjua constituency in North Goa district.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Wadia group-promoted budget carrier GoAir today announced the appointment of former EasyJet executive Cornelis Vrieswijk as its new chief executive officer.

The appointment is effective from yesterday, GoAir said in a release.

He will be reporting to the airline's chairman, managing director and the board of directors, it added.

Vrieswijik, with over 25 years of experience in aviation and travel industry, comes at the helm following the resignation of Wolfgang Prock-Schauer last December.

Jeh Wadia, managing director, GoAir, said, Vrieswijik will work with the board and the leadership team to expand and implement a range of strategic initiatives to lead the airline into its next phase of growth.

"I am confident that Cor (Vrieswijk) will help scale GoAir further and establish it as a most profitable low cost carrier in the highly competitive Indian market," he added.

Besides EasyJet Airline Company, Vrieswijik has also worked with major aviation brands like Thomas Cook Group and Transavia Airlines, in various roles.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former British prime minister Gordon Brown has called for tougher migration controls to address the concerns of Brexit voters and to prevent the UK being permanently paralysed by its decision to leave the European Union.

Brown said the referendum result was a revolt against the political, business and cultural establishment and it was a mistake to dismiss the 52 per cent-48 per cent result as false consciousness.

The former prime minister said ministers should be concentrating on tackling the main concerns of leave voters rather than focusing on the fine point of the Brexit agreement.

"In our long history as a United Kingdom at times threatened by invasion, sometimes subject to bombardment and for a time laid low by civil war we have always found the strength from within ourselves to come together as one. By seeking and then finding common ground we have triumphed over whatever crises we have confronted, Brown said.

"Yet we are now at serious risk of being permanently paralysed by seemingly irreparable divisions a fractured country divided not just over Brexit, but also with Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions at odds with Westminster and at what they see as a London-centric view of the world."



He said there was mismatch between the Westminster debate about thrashing out the details of Brexit and the debate in the rest of the country about what needed to happen to address the dissatisfaction that led to Brexit.

"The public want Westminster to address the core causes of their dissatisfaction concerns about stagnant wages, left-behind communities, migration pressures, sovereignty and the state of the NHS each of which cannot be dealt with just by fixing the technical details of what kind of Brexit.

"Dealing with these five critical concerns is the starting point to building national unity and healing a fractured country and we can only move forward as a country by doing so," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress workers in Gujarat would join the ongoing nationwide farmers' stir from June 8 and organise various programs across the state to "wake up the BJP government".

Alleging that the ruling BJP government has "failed" to address issues concerning farmers, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Paresh Dhanani said Congress workers would hit streets with farmers on June 8, 9 and 10.

Farmers launched a nationwide ten-day protest on June 1 for demands like a complete loan waiver, implementation of recommendations of Swaminthan Commission, and better remuneration for agriculture produce.

"The Congress supports farmers' demand of remunerative prices for their produce and waiver of farm loans. To raise these issues, Congress workers will hold protests on June 8 in all talukas of Gujarat. We will also submit a memorandum to authorities," Dhanani told reporters in Gandhinagar today.

He said Congress workers would ring bells on June 9 at public places "to wake up the government which is not paying attention to farmers' concerns".

"On June 10, we will block roads, sit on fast and court arrest," the Congress leader said.

He said the Gujarat government should grant loan waiver to farmers as done by the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government.

Dhanani said farmers of Gujarat are suffering on account of faulty policies and incomplete irrigation projects.

"Farmers are not getting water because the state government has failed to complete the Narmada canal network. As a result, over 75 lakh hectares of agricultural land is still deprived of water.

"Despite tall claims made by the government, farmers are getting electricity supply for only eight hours per day. States like UP, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh provide electricity for 18 to 24 hours. We demand that farmers must get adequate water and power," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Delhi Police today said it has "professionally" investigated the charges against Shashi Tharoor and will defend them in court after the Congress leader was summoned as an accused by a Delhi court in the case related to his wife Sunanda Pushkar's death.

The court took cognisance of Tharoor's alleged offences of abetment of suicide and committing cruelty towards Pushkar and asked him to appear before it on July 7, saying there were sufficient grounds to proceed against him.

Dependra Pathak, chief spokesperson Delhi Police and special commissioner of police (Traffic), said, "We have investigated the case professionally. We will defend the case in the court and do a proper follow-up of the court proceedings."



The Delhi Police had on May 14 accused the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram of abetting Pushkar's suicide and told a city court that he should be summoned as an accused in the four-and-half year-old case, claiming there was sufficient evidence against him.

In a nearly 3,000-page charge sheet, the police named Tharoor as the only accused while also alleging that he had subjected his wife to cruelty. It had also urged the court to summon Tharoor as an accused.

The couple's domestic servant, Narayan Singh, has been named as one of the key witnesses in the case.

Pushkar was found dead in a luxury hotel room on the night of January 17, 2014.

Tharoor has been charged under Sections 498 A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code.

Under Section 498A, the maximum punishment is up to three years of imprisonment, while jail term up to 10 years is prescribed under Section 306.

An FIR was registered by the Delhi Police on January 1, 2015, against unknown persons under IPC section 302 (murder).

The court also heard BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's application seeking its nod to allow him to assist the prosecution in the case and a direction to the police to produce the report of a vigilance inquiry conducted earlier in the matter. The court asked the Delhi Police to file a written reply.

"The court has already heard (Swamy's application) and given directions to Delhi Police. Let the application come to Delhi Police. We will give a proper reply," the senior officer said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Calcutta High Court today granted anticipatory bail to BJP leader and former railways minister Mukul Roy on a bond of Rs 50,000 in connection with a complaint over the death of his "mentor" Mrinal Kanti Singha Roy in 2015.

A division bench comprising Justices Joymalyo Bagchi and R K Kapur directed Roy to meet the investigating officer at Bijpur police station in North 24 Parganas district once a fornight, apart from furnishing Rs 50,000 bail bond as conditions for granting anticipatory bail to him.

Roy, who was a senior Trinamool Congress leader before joining the BJP in November last year, was also directed by the court to cooperate with the investigation by the state police.

The court had in January directed the police not to arrest Roy during the pendancy of his anticipatory bail application.

Roy had moved the bail application challenging an FIR filed by the sister of Mrinal Kanti Singha Roy who was said to be his mentor during his early days in politics and had died of complications after a road accident.

Singha Roy had allegedly suffered a road accident on June 8, 2011 at around midnight while returning home at Kanchrapara from Halisahar in North 24 Parganas district and was treated at a nursing home there and then at a private hospital in Kolkata.

Following his release from the hospital, Singha Roy was kept in a lodge under the supervision of Roy, who was then in TMC, according to the complaint.

Singha Roy's sister Sonali alleged that he was shifted to the Kolkata hospital and on his release was kept in the lodge on the instructions of Roy instead of being taken home.

It was stated that during his stay at the lodge, Singha Roy suffered a throat infection and died after prolonged treatment at the city hospital.

Sonali alleged that she had learnt from the hospital that Singha Roy had suffered internal haemorrhage, which she claimed could be due to serious injury and suspected Roy's role in the matter.

Lawyers for Sonali Singha Roy had told the high court that her attempts to lodge a police complaint had failed, following which she had moved the local court which directed the police to file an FIR.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Madras High Court bench here today ordered a biometric attendance system to be put in place for the staff of the famous Lord Muruga temple in Tiruchendur on a PIL that alleged fleecing of devotees by unauthorised priests in the name of god.

A division bench of justices M V Muralidaran and T Krishnavalli gave the direction to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department and the joint commissioner of the Sri Subramaniaswamy temple, located on the shores of Tiruchendur, about 180 km from here.

The temple is among the six highly revered abodes of Lord Muruga in the state and thronged by a large number of devotees.

The court was passing orders on a PIL filed by R S Kalyanasundaram, a devotee, who alleged that unauthorised persons were collecting huge amounts of money from the devotees in the name of god and also causing loss to the temple.

The bench also directed the temple authorities to warn the legally-appointed priests that they should not demand money from the devotees, other than what was fixed by the administration for special poojas.

It directed the authorities of the HR&CE department, which administers a large number of temples in the state, to make surprise visits to the shrine to find out whether non-appointee "archakas" (priests) were performing poojas.

The temple authorities should also ensure good toilet and water facilities, the bench said.

Asking the officials to comply with the directions immediately, the judges sought a report about the compliance on July 5.

The bench said the temple should ensure that all poojas were performed only by the legally-appointed "archakas".

The petitioner had also prayed that no one should be allowed to enter the temple for a special pooja without purchasing a ticket and that no unauthorised person should be allowed inside the temple.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Bombay High Court today expressed displeasure over the Thane Police's handling of inquiry into allegations that the district civic commissioner threatened an activist for filing a PIL over shoddy road concretisation work there.

The court directed the Thane police commissioner to either transfer the probe to a senior official or it will consider appointing a judicial officer to carry out inquiry.

The activist, Pradeep Patil, had last year filed a public interest litigation (PIL) raising the issue of shoddy road concretisation work in the neighbouring Thane district.

Patil had in January this year filed an affidavit in his petition, alleging that on December 19 last year he received a call from Thane Municipal Commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal summoning him to his residence for a meeting.

When Patil went to Jaiswal's residence, he was threatened, the activist alleged in the affidavit.

Thane Municipal Corporation's counsel Ram Apte had refuted the allegations and said Jaiswal never met Patil.

A division bench of justices A S Oka and Riyaz Chagla had then directed the police to carry out an inquiry and take into account the CCTV footage and call data records (CDR) of the petitioner.

The police initially said it had completed its inquiry and found the allegations to be false.

But today, the police informed the court that the inquiry was still on and that they were looking into Patil's CDR details.

"First the investigating officer gives a clean chit, then today he says CDR is being looked into. Why has this sudden wisdom dawned upon the officer?" Justice Oka said.

The court directed the Thane police commissioner to look into issue and inform the court if he was willing to transfer the enquiry to a senior police official.

"We do not trust this police officer anymore. Ask the commissioner if he is willing to transfer the case to a senior official. If not, then we will consider appointing a judicial officer to carry out inquiry," Justice Oka said to the assistant government pleader.

The court has posted the matter for further hearing on June 8.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Air Force today rescued three Israeli nationals after their vehicle fell down a gorge on the way to Rohtang pass in Himachal Pradesh and one of them later succumbed to injuries.

All three were evacuated in an MK III chopper from Kullu to Chandigarh, along with an Israeli embassy official and a medical officer, a statement by the Air Force said.

One of the rescued Israelis succumbed to his injuries, the statement said.

"The Himalayan Dragons' based at Air Force Station Sarsawa were tasked to undertake a challenging casualty evacuation of three Israeli nationals whose vehicle had fallen down in a gorge on the way to Rohtang Pass," the statement said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Foreign Ministers of India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA), a tri-nation bloc working to deepen coordination among them on major global issues, have exchanged views and adopted a declaration to contribute to greater understanding of development and South-South Cooperation (SSC).

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and Brazil's Deputy Foreign Minister Marcos Galvao met here yesterday for the informal meeting of IBSA Foreign Ministers, said a joint press release issued today.

"They exchanged views on Development Cooperation and South-South Cooperation," it said.

The ministers adopted the IBSA Declaration on South-South Cooperation, to contribute to greater understanding of development cooperation as a common endeavor of the Global South.

IBSA has, over the years, emerged as a grouping supporting welfare and developmental concerns for the Global South, which have been pursued in the spirit of access, equity and inclusion, said the IBSA Declaration on SSC.

"IBSA calls upon the global North to honour its ODA commitments fully, scale up existing resources and commit additional resources to provide the necessary means to implement SDGs," the declaration said.

Stating that respect for national sovereignty is at the core of SSC, it said, "IBSA believes that the primary responsibility towards development rests with the States themselves under their ownership and leadership."



"The aim of SSC is to create higher levels of capability and economic opportunity for both the partners. Capacity building and technology transfer continues to drive SSC in the spirit of solidarity among partner countries. South-South Cooperation serves as a complement to and not as a substitute for North-South cooperation, in supporting the acceleration of the development agenda," the declaration said.

The ministers also considered proposed IBSA events planned for 2018-19 to mark the fifteenth-anniversary of the grouping. They agreed to host these events in all three countries as well as on the margins of multilateral events/ fora.

The ministers further agreed to enhance IBSA cooperation at multilateral fora and will step up advocacy for reforms of global governance institutions.

They agreed to continue to coordinate on South-South Cooperation, including through their multilateral Missions in the run up to the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) +40 events.

The ministers also thanked Brazil for the offer to host the 9th IBSA Trilateral Ministerial Commission Meeting in New York on 28th September, 2018, on the margins of 73rd UNGA and looked forward to a successful meeting there.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India has laid the foundation for the construction of 250 more houses for Sri Lanka's Indian-origin Tamils in the country, the High Commission said here today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Sri Lanka in May last year announced the construction of additional 10,000 houses in upcountry areas and the extension of Emergency Ambulance Service.

India has committed a total of 14,000 houses in the plantation areas in the Southern Province. Around 1000 houses out of these are nearly complete. The UN Habitat is the implementing agency for the housing, the High Commission said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Senior officials from China and India today held deliberations on issues hampering negotiations of the proposed mega free trade deal -- Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

"The two-day meet concluded today. Both the sides discussed issues pertaining to goods and services sector in the RCEP," an official said.

In similar lines, officials from Australia too would be holding bilateral discussions next week here with their Indian counterparts.

The pact, negotiations for which started in Cambodian capital Phnom Penh in November 2012, aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights.

The RCEP bloc comprises 10 Asean members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six FTA partners - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

The meeting was crucial as Indian industry and exporters are apprehensive about the presence of China in the grouping. They have stated that lowering or eliminating duties for China may flood Indian markets with Chinese goods.

India's trade deficit with China stood at USD 63.12 billion in 2017-18. India wants certain deviations for such countries. Under deviations, India may propose a longer duration for either reduction or elimination of import duties for such countries.

Pressure is also mounting on India for early conclusion of the proposed trade pact.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India accounts for one-fourth of the total groundwater extracted globally, more than that of China and U.S combined and cities and villages in the northern and central parts of India are among regions facing a water crisis, says an analysis by WaterAid.

A total of 163 million people in India have no access to clean water close to home, or 15 per cent of all rural residents and seven per cent of all urban residents, says the study,released on the occasion of world day today.

Severe groundwater depletion in north and central India, already home to some of the poorest communities, further threatens their access to water, it said.

"The country accounts for one-fourth of the total groundwater extracted globally, more than the water extracted by China and the United States combined. Severe groundwater depletion in the north and central India, already home to some of the poorest communities, further threatens their access to water," it says.

Because of climate change, India has experienced extreme weather events in the past few years - excessive rainfall, increased incidence of floods and drought.

Every year, lack of access to clean water adversely affects the quality of life, particularly of the poorest, further setting them back, said WaterAid.

The most marginalised people who have contributed least to climate change are impacted the most, it says.

As per UNICEF-WHO joint monitoring programme, clean water refers to water from an improved source, collected within a 30-minute round trip.

The study said that besides these cities and villages in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, southern Madagascar and southern Mozambique are facing acute water scarcity threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions.

Based on NASA satellite imagery released earlier this year, the analysis also examined current rates of access to water for rural and urban areas in most-affected regions.

While other areas like northern Australia and California also face serious groundwater depletion, it is the world's poorest regions and nations which will feel the strongest impact, as their people already have low levels of access to clean water close to home, it says.

Avinash Kumar,director- programmes and policy, WaterAid India, said the government needs to approach the issue holistically by ensuring stringent steps to reduce pollution of water bodies, prevent excessive groundwater exploitation, promote water recharge measures like rainwater harvesting, treat wastewater, promote its use for non-critical service and ensure climate-resilient water sector planning.

Schemes like AMRUT and 'Har Ghar Jal' are steps in the right direction to ensure piped water access to every household, but India has a long way to go to ensure that the installed taps do not run dry soon, he said in a release.

"Ahead of the world leaders meet in New York in July to review the UN sustainable development goal on water, India needs to step up its efforts to ensure access to clean water for the poorest and the most marginalised," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)India has very clearly conveyed to the US that the "time-tested" Indo-Russian cooperation in the defence sector will continue, including the deal for S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems for the IAF, notwithstanding the American sanctions against Moscow.

Sources said India wants its defence transactions with Russia to be insulated from the purview of stringent American law CAATSA and is likely to raise the issue with the US when the two sides meet in Washington for the 2+2 talks next month.

"In all our engagements with the US, we have clearly explained how India and Russia's defence cooperation has been going on for a long time and that it is a time-tested relationship. We have mentioned that CAATSA cannot impact the India-Russia defence cooperation," Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at a press conference.

She said India has got quite a lot of defence assets from Russia and the cooperation between the two countries will continue.

In January, the US announced sanctions against Russia under its Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for Moscow's alleged meddling in the American presidential election in 2016.

CAATSA, which came into effect in January, mandates the Donald Trump administration to punish countries and entities engaging in significant transaction with the defence or intelligence establishment of Russia.

Asked whether India will go ahead with the S-400 deal with Russia, the defence minister said the long-drawn negotiations relating to it have reached final stage.

"The S-400 deal has been on for a very long time and we have reached the final stage of negotiations. That explains it," she said.

India wants to procure the long-range missile systems to tighten its air defence mechanism, particularly along the nearly 4,000-km-long Sino-India border.

Official sources said both Russia and India are likely to announce the deal before an annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in October.

There have been mounting concerns in India over the US sanctions against Russian defence majors including Rosoboronexport as billions of dollars of military purchases may be impacted because of the punitive measure.

The issue is understood to have figured during Modi's informal talks with Putin in Sochi last month.

Top American lawmakers and experts have warned that imposition of sanctions on India under a newly-enacted law if it buys the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia could be disastrous for the Indo-US ties.

Last month, the chairman the US' House Armed Services Committee, Mac Thornberry, had warned that the S-400 deal may limit inter-operability between Indian and US militaries.

The Pentagon too had said it was "very concerned" over the possible implications of Russian sanctions on defence ties between India and the US.A 28-year-old Indian-American, who was raised Hindu before converting to Islam, has been sentenced to five years in jail for passport fraud and making false statements in his application to join the US military.

Shivam Patel, a supporter of the Islamic State terror group, told an FBI undercover employee that he wanted to commit jihad, the US Justice Department said.

The Williamsburg, Virginia man was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison for passport fraud and making false statements in his application to join the US military, it said in a press release.

Patel was also ordered to pay USD 4,000 in fines in connection with two counts of making false statements during his military application process, The Virginian-Pilot reported.

According to court documents and prosecutors, the newspaper said Patel was raised Hindu before converting to Islam several years ago.

According to court documents, Patel, who has a degree in criminal justice from Virginia State University, travelled to China in July 2016 to teach English. While there, he grew displeased with how that country treated Muslims.

His employer arranged for Patel to fly back to Virginia in August, 2016, but, instead, Patel traveled to Jordan, where he was arrested a few days later for unspecified reasons. Court documents said Patel told taxi drivers and others in Jordan that he supported the Islamic State.

Patel told an undercover employee and a confidential source that he wanted to join a "Muslim army" and commit jihad.

He explained he went to Jordan in part to find like-minded Muslims. He said he wanted to do something "bigger, better, and more purposeful."



A search of Patel's computer showed he researched how to join the Islamic State before he left for China.

After returning to the US, he applied to join the Army and Air Force. When asked about his prior foreign travel as part of his applications, Patel did not disclose his trips to China or Jordan.

After he was asked to show an Army recruiter his passport, which would have revealed his prior travel to the recruiter, he filed an application for a new passport, falsely claiming that he had accidentally thrown his old passport away.

US special agents from the FBI recovered his original passport, which documented his undisclosed travel, when they arrested him in July 2017.

Patel pleaded guilty to the charges on February 8 and the US District Judge Mark S. Davis accepted the plea.

Judge Davis said Patel's case was more serious than the typical false statement cases filed in federal court. He said Patel's attempt to join the military was "clearly some reason for concern."



"It's all very troubling," he was quoted as saying by The Virginian-Pilot.

Patel faced a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)IndusInd Bank and micro-lender Bharat Inclusion said today that they have got approval from stock exchanges for their proposed merger, paving the way to file the draft scheme of amalgamation.

Private players IndusInd Bank Ltd (IBL) and Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd (BFIL) said in separate stock exchange filings that NSE and BSE have given them no-objection for the merger following the feedback from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

"The no-objection is based on the draft scheme and other documents submitted by IBL. This is one of the important approvals, which would enable IBL to file the draft scheme of amalgamation, as approved by the boards of directors of both the entities on October 14, 2017, with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai," the bank said.

BFIL being the second largest micro-lender in the country, the mid-sized private sector lender is expected to gain access to the rural hinterlands of the country.

The merger, which will add 6.8 million customers to IndusInd Bank's over 10 million, will also help reduce cost of lending for micro borrowers as cheaper deposits can be used to fund their credit needs.

"The biggest gain for us is the rural network. It will also us help reduce cost of funds by 3-4 per cent," IndusInd Bank managing director and chief executive Ramesh Sobti had said in October 2017.

The no-objection is based on draft scheme and other documents submitted by the company, BFIL said in the filing.

IndusInd Bank had received no-objection from the Reserve Bank on March 13, 2018 for this merger plan. Before this, the Competition Commission of India had given its approval for this proposed merger on December 19, 2017.

The bank will acquire BFIL through an all-stock transaction of BFIL through a composite scheme of arrangement.

As on March 31, 2018, IndusInd Bank has 1,400 branches, and 2,203 ATMs spread across 713 geographical locations of the country.

Catering mainly to the economically weaker sections of the society, BFIL has presence across 16 states covering one lakh villages.

IndusInd Bank's stock closed 0.24 per cent higher at Rs 1,901.65 on BSE, while Bharat Financial Inclusion ended 1.26 per cent up at Rs 1,158.35.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)President Ram Nath Kovind today asked students to engage with residents of villages to improve the status of cleanliness, literacy, immunisation and nutrition programmes.

In his concluding remarks at the two-day Governors' Conference here, he also suggested people adopt the 'Think Global, Act Local" approach for environment protection.

Today is World Environment Day.

Keeping in mind the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Accord and the International Solar Alliance, local and state-level contributions are very important to achieving national goals, Kovind said.

Governors can make efforts to develop Raj Bhavan complexes and state universities as an environmental ideal, he suggested.

Kovind said that governors can inspire universities towards "University Social Responsibility".

University students should visit villages at regular intervals. They should engage with residents of the village in regard to cleanliness, literacy, immunisation and nutrition programmes. Governors could hold discussions with Vice Chancellors to make the 'Swachhta Internship' programme more effective, the President was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He urged governors to convene meetings of vice chancellors of state universities from time to time.

The Vice President, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs also addressed the concluding session of the conference.

Earlier in the day, the conference discussed ideas on the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that the Iranian plan to increase its nuclear enrichment capacity was aimed at producing nuclear weapons to be used against Israel.

"Two days ago Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, stated his intention to destroy the State of Israel," Netanyahu said in a video. "Yesterday he explained how he would do it -- by unlimited enrichment of uranium to create an arsenal of nuclear bombs".

"Yesterday he explained how he would do it -- by unlimited enrichment of uranium to create an arsenal of nuclear bombs." "We're not surprised," Netanyahu said in the video from Paris, where he was to meet French President Emmanuel Macron.

"We won't let Iran obtain nuclear weapons," he said.

Iran yesterday notified the International Atomic Energy Agency of its plan to open a centre for the production of new centrifuges to be used for uranium enrichment, according to the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi.

Salehi stressed the announcement did not mean they will start assembling the centrifuges, and "does not violate the (2015 nuclear) agreement" between Tehran and world powers.

Under the 2015 agreement, Iran can build parts for the centrifuges as long as it does not put them into operation within the first decade.

On Sunday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Israel a "malignant cancerous tumour" that should be removed.

Netanyahu was visiting European leaders to discuss Iran's regional involvement and nuclear programme, both seen by the Jewish state as grave threats.

European powers have been scrambling to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal since US President Donald Trump announced Washington's withdrawal from the treaty last month.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Israel's intelligence minister today called for a military coalition against Iran if the Islamic Republic were to defy world powers by enriching military-grade uranium.

Yisrael Katz's remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began visiting European leaders to discuss Iran's regional involvement and nuclear programme, both seen by the Jewish state as grave threats.

European powers have been scrambling to preserve a landmark deal over Tehran's nuclear programme since US President Donald Trump announced Washington's withdrawal from the treaty in May.

Katz addressed Tehran's threat to restart uranium enrichment at an "industrial level" if the 2015 pact falls apart.

"If the Iranians don't surrender now, and try to return" to unsupervised uranium enrichment, "there should be a clear statement by the President of the United States and all of the Western coalition," he said.

"The Arabs and Israel surely would be there too."



The message should be that "if the Iranians return" to enriching uranium that could enable them to build a nuclear bomb, "a military coalition will be formed against them," Katz told Israeli public radio station Kan.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday warned European leaders to drop their "dream" of Tehran continuing to curb its nuclear programme despite renewed economic sanctions.

He also called Israel a "malignant cancerous tumour" that should be removed.

The Iran deal paved the way for the partial lifting of international sanctions against the country, in exchange for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme for several years.

Israel argues the lifting of sanctions under the nuclear deal allowed Iran to expand its presence in the Middle East, both through its own forces and with proxy groups.

It also says the time limits on the accord do not guarantee Iran will not eventually obtain nuclear weapons, while it also wants to see restrictions on Iranian missile development.

Iran denies the pursuit of an atomic programme for military purposes.

In his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Netanyahu warned that Iran was "seeking nuclear weapons to carry out its genocidal designs."



"It's important to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. We commit, and I commit again, that we will not let that happen," he said yesterday.

Netanyahu will meet French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)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Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte declared Europe's immigration policy a "failure" and demanded for it to be renegotiated as he outlined a heavy-spending policy agenda of Italy's populist "government of change" today.

In his first policy address, Conte readily acknowledged that the coalition government made up of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and right-wing League marks a radical shift from the Italian status quo.

"If 'populism' is the attitude of leaders to listen to the people, ... and if 'anti-system' means introducing a new system that removes the old privileges of power, then this government deserves both these descriptions," said the premier, who was sworn into his first political office Friday.

Conte responded to concerns about the xenophobic League's rhetoric, insisting that Italy "isn't racist" and accepts its responsibilities to welcome and integrate legitimate refugees.

But he said the rest of the European Union must take on a greater burden of accepting refugees, as well as negotiating with migrants' home countries and helping send back those who don't qualify for asylum.

Making his own the League's demand for a crackdown on the human smuggling networks and organized crime that has infiltrated Italy's migrant welcome centers, Conte declared: "We will put an end to the business of immigration that grew disproportionately under the cloak of a pretend solidarity."



Conte was interrupted nearly three-dozen times during his 75-minute speech to the Italian Senate ahead of a confidence vote on the new government later Tuesday. He is to deliver a similar address Wednesday before Parliament's lower Chamber of Deputies.

Between them, the 5-Stars and League have a slight parliamentary majority that is expected to give the government the votes it needs to start governing.

Conte, a law professor at the University of Florence until he was tapped to as premier, noted the historic nature of the first confidence vote, which caps a week that saw the installation of Western Europe's first populist government after three months of political and financial turmoil in Italy.

He also sought to assuage fears elsewhere in Europe that the euroskeptic attitude the League and 5-Stars displayed on the campaign trail and in drafts of its government policy paper will transfer into government policy.

"Europe is our home. It is the home of all of us," Conte said. But he added that as a founding member of the EU, Italy has the absolute right to demand a better deal on financial and immigration regulations.

Conte gave his speech standing between his two political masters: 5-Star Leader Luigi Di Maio and League leader Matteo Salvini. The two gave up their own ambitions to be premier and agreed to find a compromise candidate to head a previously unthinkable alliance.

As expected, the new premier's address drew heavily from the 5-Star-League's 57-page policy agenda, the "Contract for the Government of Change," repeating its call for a two-tiered flat tax, a basic income for poor Italians and a "dignified" minimum wage.

Conte gave no specifics on how the expensive public programs would be financed, other than by calling for new criminal penalties for flagrant tax scofflaws.

The 5-Star-League's financial platform has worried economists and European Union policymakers who warn it will increase Italy's debt burden, already Europe's heaviest after Greece.

Conte said Italy was committed to reducing its public debt, but said it wouldn't do it through austerity measures. Rather, he said the government plans to grow the economy through environmentally sustainable development, reduction in bureaucracy and a more business-friendly administrative climate for the small and medium-sized companies which are the backbone of the economy.

Leading the opposition in the Senate Tuesday, Democratic Party Sen. Franco Mirabelli said it was fine to call for decent salaries and a speeding up of public works contracts. He said the Democrats could support some of the new government's policy proposals.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Kerala State Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) today launched an ambitious programme for imparting training in Blockchain technology among students.

The initiative is part of plans to position the state as the largest supplier of Blockchain technologists in the country, a official statement said here.

K M Abraham, Chairman, K-DISC, who launched the Accelerated Blockchain Competency Development (ABCD) programme at a function here, said the initiative is aimed at ensuring that Kerala emerges as a national hub for talent in Blockchain and related technologies.

"K-DISC has set an ambitious target of producing 25,000 Blockchain technologists in three years. It is expected that over 5,000 certified students can be trained in the first twelve months," he said.

On the current challenge the state is facing, Abraham said that in order to survive, the state has to regain its ability to export and create manpower.

Santhosh Kurup, CEO, ICT Academy, P V Unnikrishnan, strategic consultant, K-DISC, Saji Gopinath, Director, IIITMK and Asharaf, Professor, Kerala Blockchain Academy, also spoke on the occasion.

The ABCD programme is open for diploma holders, graduated youths and graduating students from Engineering and Science backgrounds.

Through an online outreach, the programme has been extended to working professionals as well.

K-Disc has been mandated to promote unique developmental initiatives of strategic implications for the state, cross cutting multiple sectors, geographies and impacting significant sections of the population.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Karnataka High Court today directed the state government to provide necessary security for peaceful release of superstar Rajinikanth-starrer 'Kaala', which pro-Kannada outfits had threatened to stall over the actor's reported remarks on the Cauvery row.

Justice G Narendar issued the direction on the basis of a Supreme Court order, which had stayed ban orders imposed on the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film 'Padmaavat' by four states, including Rajasthan, early this year.

"Freedom of speech and expression, particularly as a medium of expression in films, cannot be curtailed. The creative content is am insegregable aspect of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution," the judge said, citing the Supreme Court verdict on the release of the film 'Padmaavat'.

The Supreme Court in January had cleared the release of 'Padmaavat' and had stayed ban orders imposed by Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.

Miffed with Rajinikanth's reported comments that whichever government comes to power in Karnataka should implement the Supreme Court order on Cauvery water sharing in toto. The Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce had on May 29 decided not to allow screening of 'Kaala', due for release on June 7.

"A decision has been taken that Rajinikanth's movie will neither be distributed nor screened anywhere in Karnataka," KFCC president Sa Ra Govindu had announced.

Justice Narendar today also issued the direction to the government after Additional Advocate General A G Shivanna said there was no ban imposed on the release of 'Kaala' and the government is prepared to give security to exhibitors if they furnished details.

"My Lord, there has been no ban imposed on the release of 'Kaala' film by any organisation, but the government is ready to provide security to exhibitors for peaceful screening of the film in theatres and multiplexes across Karnataka if they provide us details," Shivanna said.

Justice Narendar, however, observed that he cannot make it mandatory on exhibitors to screen the film.

The court was hearing a petition by Kaala's producer K Dhanush and his wife Aishwarya, who sought directions to the Karnataka government and the KFCC for smooth release of the film.

They had made the state government, home department, state police chief, Bengaluru city police commissioner, Central Board of Film Certification and KFCC as respondents in their plea.

'Kaala' is scheduled for a worldwide release on June 7, but the KFCC had said the film would neither be distributed nor screened in the state.

During the hearing, Dhanush's counsel Chintan Chinnappa argued that it is the fundamental right of the petitioners under the Constitution to exhibit the film.

"After receiving CBFC certification under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, for the release, it is the fundamental right of the petitioner under Article 19(1) of the Constitution to exhibit the film," he said.

Chinnappa also said several pro-Kannada outfits had made representations to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, requesting a ban on Kaala following Rajinikanth's alleged views on the Cauvery dispute.

The KFCC had said it had neither instructed protesters nor the exhibitors to exhibit the film.

"The exhibitors and distributors on their own took the decision not to screen and release the film, citing security reasons," Govindu had said.

Many pro-Kannada organisations had threatened to vandalise theatres if they screened the film.

Earlier, the distributors association said they were against the ban and did not have any role to play to stop Kaala's screening.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A District and Sessions judge, hearing the case of rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, today rejected the anticipatory bail plea of the chairman of a Meerut college and directed him to appear before police.

The head of the Meerut college, R P Singh, is alleged to have taken money from Sanji Ram, the main accused, to shield his son Vishal Jangotra, a student of the college.

However, the judge, Tejwinder Singh, asked the Jammu and Kashmir Police to give him five days' notice if he had to be arrested in the case.

Singh's name figured in the charge sheet filed by the Crime Branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police against eight accused arrested in connection with the alleged gang-rape and murder of the nomadic girl in Kathua in January this year.

Singh was accused of taking money to mislead investigating officers about the presence of Vishal Jangotra, a student of his college, at the crime scene.

Disposing off the anticipatory bail plea of Singh, the judge pronounced since no FIR had been registered against Singh, his infructuous application held no legal ground, and asked the investigating agency to give five-day time to him if he was needed to be arrested.

He is yet to be established as an accused in case. Whenever the investigating agency establish him as an accused, five days' time be given to him, prior to his arrest, the judge noted after the public prosecutor informed the court that the investigation against him was ongoing and his involvement was being suspected in shielding one of the accused for money.

Crime Branch officials said they would soon submit a supplementary charge sheet before the court to highlight how Vishal Jangotra, with the help of university officials, attempted to create an alibi -- that he was in Meerut from January 10 to 17 and appeared for an exam on January 15.

The Crime Branch maintains that Vishal Jangotra was present in Kathua and allegedly raped the girl before leaving on January 14.

The head of the Meerut college moved the anticipatory bail application on May 31, the day the trial in the case started after being shifted from a court in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir to Pathankot in Punjab.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Kerala government today said that it would continue to maintain strict vigil against Nipah, though it does not expect a second wave of the virus outbreak.

Winding up a discussion in the state assembly on the situation prevailing in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, the worst hit by the deadly virus, Health Minister K K Shylaja said the medical task force and expert teams would continue to monitor the situation till this month-end.

The minister said the toll due to the virus was now 17 after including the death of Mohammad Sabith, the first victim, whose samples were tested later.

It was only after Sabith's brother, Mohammed Salih, fell ill on May 17 and died with similar symptoms, were the samples tested at the National Institute of Virology, Manipal, and it was confirmed that he had Nipah.

Two other family members-- Sabith's father Moosa and an aunt Mariyummaalso fell victim to the infection.

The minister said though the incubation period of the virus was 21 days, they were not taking any chances and would continue the vigil for 42 days till the end of this month.

Quoting experts from the National Institute of Epidemiology, she said the state does not expect a second wave of the infection.

Samples of the suspected persons tested in the last two days were negative, she said while replying to an adjournment motion on the issue moved by the Congress led UDF opposition.

"The government has taken all steps to ensure that even a second peak of the infection will not get strengthened," she said.

Medical facilities, including isolation wards, have been set up in the Kozhikode Medical College hospital, she said.

Lauding the contribution of health workers of hospitals and Kozhikode corporation,she mentioned the services of Dr R S Gopakumar, Health officer,who came forward to accept the bodies of Nipah patients from the hospital and perform their last rites.

The minister came down on the action of some people who used social media to spread false information on the virus and said 12 cases had been registered against persons, following the active intervention of the home department and police.

She also sought the co-operation and support of all sections of society to ally fears among people about the disease.

On the antibody vaccine for the infection brought from Australia, the minister said it would be used only if fresh cases emerged.

She said government has decided to strengthen the labortory facilities in the state in view of the outbreak.

Earlier, participating in the debate, leader of the opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala wanted the government to strengthen modern preventive measures in the wake of Nipah.

He also said that the Oppposition had raised the issue in the larger public interest and not on any political grounds.

The motion was moved by IUML leader and former state minister M K Muneer.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A fortnight after becoming Chief Minister, H D Kumaraswamy will expand his two-member cabinet tomorrow after days of hard bargaining between the ruling coalition partners, JDS and Congress.

At least nine MLAs from JDS would be inducted into the ministry in the first phase, Kumaraswamy said, on the eve of the expansion exercise, even as Congress was still discussing the names and awaiting the central leadership's green signal till this evening.

Under the power sharing arrangement, Congress will have 22 ministers and the JDS, 12.

Kumaraswamy said there would be "two to three vacancies" which would be filled later.

Deputy chief minister and KPCC chief G Parameshwarasaid the Congress ministers would be a combination of seniors and juniors, setting aside speculation that juniors want seniors to pave the way for them.

"There is no such thing like priority to senior or junior (in allocation of portfolios)," he said in New Delhi before his meeting with the central leadership.

Only Kumaraswamy, along with his deputy Parameshwara, were sworn-in on May 23.

According to official sources, Governor Vajubhai Vala will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at 2:12 PM at a ceremony at the Raj Bhavan.

Congress and JD(S) have also decided on the allocation of portfolios between them as part of the power sharing agreement.

According to the agreement, Congress will get the portfolios of Home, Irrigation, Bangalore City Development, Industry and Sugar Industry, Health, Revenue,Urban Development, Rural Development, Agriculture, Law and Parliamentary Affairs and IT/BT, among others.

The JDS' portfolios include Finance, Excise, Information, Intelligence, Public Works Department, Power,Cooperation, Tourism, Education and Transport.

The ministry expansion exercise has been a complicated affair for both Congress and JD(S), as hectic parleys and lobbying were on for the last fifteen days.

Ever since the chief minister proved his majority on the floor of the assembly on May 25, both parties were driving a hard bargain until Friday last when they announced a power sharing agreement,giving a full five year term to Kumaraswamy.

Yielding ground, Congress had conceded the plum Finance and Power portfolio to its junior partner, resolving a thorny issue.

The power sharing arrangement, particularly giving "cart blanche" to Kumaraswamy for full five years, has caused discontent in the Congress, with some of its leaders believing that it has been yielding much more than required to its junior partner.

In JD(S), several senior party MLAs were seen making a beeline to party supremo Deve Gowda's residence for Minister's posts.

There are also reports of some disgruntlement over the party's decision to keep members of the legislative council out of the ministry.

Kumaraswamy today ruled out any differences among JD(S) MLAs over cabinet berths and allocation of portfolios and said Gowda has been given total freedom on the next phase of cabinet expansion.

While Congress leaders were expected to meet their party president Rahul Gandhi, who returned from a foreign visit last night, in New Delhi to decide on the list, JD(S) was in a last minute huddle to finalise the list.

According to sources, both parties may keep a few portfolios vacant, with a plan to use it to mitigate any trouble that may arise in the future.

While JD(S), according to reports, has decided to induct ministers on region basis (district wise), Congress' planis not clearly known, despite reports that newer faces would be given a chance.

JDS and Congress had stitched up a post-poll alliance at the state level after the May 12 assembly polls yielded a fractured mandate, with BJP emerging as the single largest party with 104 members, falling short of the required numbers.

Though BJP had formed the government following the Governor's invitation for the single largest party,it conceded the numbers game with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa resigning on May 19 without facing the trust vote.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Kyrgyzstan's former prime minister Sapar Isakov was arrested on corruption charges today, the national security service said, as political divisions in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation deepen.

Isakov, 40, was detained after being questioned for a fourth time in relation to his role in securing investment into a power plant in the capital Bishkek whilst serving in the administration of then president Almazbek Atambayev, the GKNB security service said.

Isakov is accused of lobbying in the interest of Chinese company TBEA to modernise the vital power plant that later broke down as temperatures plunged in January.

But many local analysts have argued that the investigations targeting Isakov and other formerly high-ranking Kyrgyz politicians may have more to do with the country's turbulent domestic than the rule of law.

Isakov is widely viewed as a protege of Atambayev, who was barred by the nation's constitution from running for re-election last year.

Another former Atambayev ally, Kubanychbek Kulmatov, who served as the capital's mayor from 2014 to 2016, was also held Tuesday in a separate investigation linked to the power plant investment.

While Atambayev was succeeded by Sooronbai Jeenbekov last November in the first peaceful transfer of power between elected presidents since the country of six million gained independence from Moscow in 1991, tensions have mounted as Atambayev has pushed to retain influence.

Jeenbekov's office said that corruption investigations into the power plant corruption deal would not affect relations with top lender and neighbour China.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's UNP won the secret ballot in parliament today for the deputy speaker's position left vacant by the resignation of Thilanga Sumathipala, a loyalist of President Maithripala Sirisena.

UNP nominee Ananda Kumarasiri was elected deputy speaker with 97 for and 53 against in the 225-member assembly while 25 members were absent from the house. Kumarasiri's defeated rival Sudarshani Fernandopulle is another Sirisena loyalist.

Sumathipala and 15 other Sirisena loyalists had walked out of the government in April after they voted against Wickremesinghe in a no-trust vote.

"We have gone on the basis that two for the government and one for the opposition in parliamentary positions. We want to retain that position," Wickremesinghe said referring to an argument by R Sampanthan, the main opposition leader, that Sirisena loyalists should be appointed for the vacancy by consensus.

The group of 16 Sirisena loyalists now align with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's joint opposition. However all three Rajapaksas - Mahinda, brother Chamal and son Namal - were not present in the house when the secret vote was taken.

The parliamentary competition between Sirisena loyalists and the president's unity government partner UNP followed last week's anti-UNP outburst from Sirisena who blamed the UNP for bungling in governance.

The ruling party however has chosen not to respond to the president's public criticism.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Life was limping back to normalcy in Meghalaya's capital with no fresh clashes reported even as authorities reimposed curfew in the entire city this evening as a precautionary measure.

The hill town has been in the grip of violence since Thursday following a clash between the Sikh residents in Shillong's Punjabi Lane area and the Khasi drivers of state-run buses.

The 14 vulnerable localities under Lumdiengjri police station and Cantonment Beat House have been perpertually under curfew since June 1.

But, in rest of the city, after relaxation of prohibitory order for nearly 11 hours, it was clamped again from 4 pm today till 5 am tomorrow like it was done yesterday, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner P S Dkhar said.

Paramilitary personnel continued to patrol the city and the army which had conducted flag march for the third time last night, has been kept on standby.

There was no report of fresh clash from any part of the city, Dkhar said.

"Over 90 per cent shops in Police Bazaar, and parts of Bara Bazaar opened this morning. People were seen buying supplies at the two marts. Taxis were also plying on thoroughfares, but buses still remained off roads," he added.

The top official said the home department was yet to take a call on restoring internet and messaging services in the state capital.

It may be recalled that Punjabis were brought here 200 years ago by the British to work.

Criticising the BJP-backed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, the Opposition Congress demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident that took place at the Punjabi lane area of the city and snowballed into five days of clashes between protesters and the police.

We urge upon the state government to immediately constitute a judicial inquiry and further proceed as per the provisions of the law to restore peace, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma told reporters after the CLP meeting at his residence here.

Pointing to media briefing of the General Officer in Charge of 101 Area of the Army just before flag march last night, Mukul Sangma said "if Union Ministry of Home Affairs is calling the shots for office of the chief ministers or state Home department, it is very dangerous trend. This demonstrates lack of competency of this Government."



He claimed it will take a long time to restore the name and fame of the city after the violence.

Earlier in the day, National Commission for Minorities member Manjit Singh Rai arrived here to investigate into the clashes that erupted after a bus handyman and two other were assaulted at the city's Punjabi Lane fanned by fake

Rai will meet officials of the home department, among others, tomorrow to take stock of the situation and will also visit the Gurudwara in the area , an official attached with the Commission member said.

Meanwhile, tourism continues to remain a big casualty due to clashes in the picturesque hill city, with hotels witnessing cancellation of prior bookings.

Manager of Hotel Centre Point told PTI that they had full booking of rooms for yesterday and today "but only 10 per cent of guests have checked in."



The state government after an all party meeting yesterday formed a committee to look into the issue of relocating Punjabis of the colony.

A five member delegation of the United Sikh Organisation (USO) today said any proposal of shifting the people of Punjabi Colony from Them Metor at Bara bazaar in the city was not acceptable to them.

USO member Mohinderjit Singh told media persons after the delegation's



meeting with Home Minister James PK Sangma that the Sikh population has never been asked to leave even from Afghanistan or Pakistan.

He said the Sikh community has been residing in these countries for more than 100 years.

We have never been asked to leave even in countries like Iran and Iraq, Singh said.

He also informed that the delegation members requested the Home Minister to allow the top chiefs of the Sikh Community to have a meeting with the local Sikhs here to understand their problems and resolve the crisis in a peaceful manner.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Seven people were killed by suspected jihadists today in northern Mozambique, an area that has been rocked by a spate of attacks in recent months, police said.

"The bandits used machetes to kill the seven persons. We think this group is likely part of the same that beheaded 10 (people on) May 27," a police spokesman told AFP, referring to an attack last month in the same region that was also blamed on jihadists.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)French President Emmanuel Macron meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today on the second leg of his European trip amid deep differences over how to contain Iran's ambitions in the Middle East.

It will be the third meeting of the two leaders in Paris since last July, and while they agree on the threats posed by Tehran's missile projects and foreign interventions, they differ strongly on the response.

Netanyahu has pursued his strident attacks against Tehran during his visit to Europe, warning during a stop in Berlin on Monday that Germany's activities risked creating a new influx of migrants towards the country.

Iran is intent on fuelling "a religious war inside Syria and the consequences will be many, many more refugees and you know where exactly they will come," he told German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Netanyahu has been emboldened by US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the 2015 accord curbing Iran's nuclear programme -- and the threat of harsh sanctions against European firms doing business in the Islamic Republic.

Macron has led a staunch defence of the accord, whose other signatories -- France, Britain, Germany, China, Russia and the EU -- have maintained a common front so far.

Macron has warned that letting the deal fall apart will only inflame tensions, especially if harsh sanctions smother the economic relief Iranians began to enjoy after it was signed.

He and Netanyahu are scheduled to hold a press conference after their talks and launch a season of cultural exchanges between their countries.

Their meeting was given further urgency after Tehran announced it would soon open a site for producing new centrifuges to increase its uranium enrichment capabilities.

Nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said the moves were allowed under the accord, and "do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed".

In a video posted on social media, Netanyahu reiterated his claims that the new enrichment capacity was aimed at producing nuclear weapons "to destroy the State of Israel".

Relations between Israel and the European Union had already been strained by the killing of 123 Palestinian protesters in Gaza by Israeli forces since March.

Macron denounced the "violence by Israel's armed forces" even as he noted the country's security concerns.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe cancelled a planned trip to Israel last month.

Several pro-Palestinian groups are planning protests against Netanyahu in cities across France, while three journalist unions have called his visit "intolerable", denouncing the killing of Palestinian journalists.

Against this backdrop, talks on seeking an end to the Palestinian conflict have fallen to the wayside, not least after Trump broke with decades of protocol by recognising Israel's claim of Jerusalem as its capital.

Last week, the EU urged Israel to reconsider its decision to demolish a Palestinian Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank, saying it undermines "prospects for a lasting peace".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Maharashtra government would provide financial grant of Rs 1000 per quintal to those farmers whose tur and gram could not be purchased by the administration before the May 31 deadline, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said today.

"The government has taken an important decision for farmers. We will provide a financial grant of Rs 1000 per quintal for farmers, subject to verifications, whose tur and chana were not purchased by us," Fadnavis told reporters after the weekly cabinet meet.

The state government had set up tur procurement target of 44.6 lakh quintals.

Farmers in Maharashtra like their counterparts from other states have been demanding better remunerative price for their produce, a complete loan waiver, and implementation of recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.

The Centre had extended the deadline for tur procurement in Maharashtra till May 31 this year.

The government had started purchasing tur from farmers by offering them guaranteed rates following bumper tur production.

Fadnavis said the government would also give a financial aid of Rs 160 crore to farmers whose crops got damaged due to unseasonal rains or hailstorms.

The chief minister also announced a special subsidy for milk producers.

"To aid milk producing farmers, the government had earlier decided to give a special subsidy for converting milk into milk powder. We are now thinking of giving an export incentive to farmers to further monetise their produce. We have formed a team that will look into the issue," the CM said.

Among other decisions, the Cabinet approved a proposal for construction of a 100-bed cancer hospital on the private partnership basis with Tata Trust in the premises of the Government Medical College and Hospital at Chandrapur in east Maharashtra.

A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be set up for monitoring the construction of the hospital.

"A ten-acre plot will be given on a lease for 30 years on nominal rent for the construction of the hospital," said an official from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

The official said the state government would provide a grant of Rs 20 crore for the purpose for the first seven years.

The Cabinet also decided to allot Rs 5 crore per year to each of seven cantonment boards at Pune, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Kamptee, Khadki, Dehu, and Deolali for providing basic civic amenities like road and water supply.

The cantonment boards fall under the jurisdiction of the Defence ministry.

"These boards will remain under the jurisdiction of Defence Ministry but the funds for implementation of basic civic and infrastructure facilities will be provided by the state government," the official said.

The Cantonment Board is a local self-government body constituted under the Cantonments Act 1924 under the Ministry of Defence.

The Cabinet also approved the state's contribution in the implementation of the National Nutrition Mission 2018-19 in 85,452 anganwadi centres across 30 districts of the state under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).

The Cabinet also approved allotment of Rs 5 crore per year to law universities situated in Mumbai, Nagpur and Aurangabad for meeting administrative and academic expenses for the next five years, the official said.

The Cabinet has decided to amend the Maharashtra Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act to ensure adequate and regular mineral supply for important projects.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today slammed the Centre for the rise in the price of anti-rabies vaccine, making it scarce for the common man.

"Anti-rabies vaccines are not available in designated shops as the Centre has increased tax leading to its price escalation," Banerjee said after reviewing the state's health situation at a meeting.

The Medical Council of India has been asked to look into the issue, she told reporters.

Banerjee again raised the NEET question paper issue claiming that the different types of translations in English and Bengali languages deprived the students of the state from faring better.

"They (Centre) have given less emphasis on regional priorities which took away the advantage from our boys and girls to use their mother tongue and practice in their own locality," she said.

"We have asked the MCI and Centre to address this issue", she said.

Banerjee had on May 7 written to the Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar alleging "irregularities" in the conduct of the national medical entrance examination NEET in the state and said the ministry could consider re-examination at some of the affected centres.

She said senior police officers were present at the meeting to discuss ways to cope with situations in hospitals when doctors and other employees are attacked.

"While the police should be able to cope with any emerging situation, doctors should be able to serve patients without any (law and order) problem", she said.

"Doctors should work with the motto of 'service with smile', while patients should appreciate the tremendous pressure doctors work under," she said.

Stating there had been improvement in healthcare sector since her government came to power, Banerjee said.

She said 1900 hospital equipment were found to be defunct when she became chief minister in 2011, 1700 equipment were made usable again.

Banerjee said with the improvement in facilities, patients started coming here from neigbouring states and countries but more needed to be done.

The CM said that 27,000 new beds had been added in state-run hospitals and 2 lakh patients being treated daily across state hospitals and in OPDs.

There has also been substantial rise in the number of doctors in all these years though the number should be more.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Mexico announced steep duties today on a raft of US products ranging from whiskey to apples in retaliation for the "unilateral adoption" by Washington of steel and aluminum tariffs.

The Mexican economy ministry published a list of American products that will be subject to duties of between 15 and 25 percent, including pork, cheese and grapes.

The products concerned are for the most part agricultural goods, but some metal-based products such as steel plating and tubing are also included.

"Mexico has the right to take measures with equivalent commercial effects," the economy ministry said in a statement explaining the tariffs.

Mexico and other US allies including the European Union and Canada have hit back after US President Donald Trump announced stinging steel and aluminum tariffs that came into effect on Friday.

"Mexico can adjust the composition of the list of products originating from the United States," the ministry warned.

The tariff increases are designed to hit areas that are politically favorable to Trump, such as pork production, Mexican experts said.

The World Trade Organization received a complaint Tuesday from Mexico, a WTO official in Geneva said.

Mexico filed the complaint after Trump decided not to extend a temporary exemption granted in March to the EU, Canada and Mexico. On Friday, he imposed the 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports from Mexico.

The EU and Canada had already opened legal challenges at the WTO.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Misplaced sympathy for the accused is harmful for the criminal justice system, a Delhi court has said while refusing to set aside the three-year jail term awarded to a man for illegally possessing a pistol.

Special Judge Rakesh Kumar upheld the sentence awarded to convict Anil Kumar, a south Delhi resident, by a magisterial court in 2016 under the Arms Act.

"The sentence must take into account the gravity of the offence and its nature, otherwise it can seriously undermine the respect of court of law. Misplaced sympathy for accused is harmful for criminal justice system," the judge said.

The judge, while rejecting the convict's appeal against the trial court order, held that he was rightly convicted and the sentence awarded to him was also not excessive.

"The appeal is without merit and accordingly the same is dismissed," the court said.

According to the prosecution, the police received a tip off that a gang of snatchers was scheduled to arrive at a market near Saket on September 29, 2013.

A raiding team of police officers was formed and they nabbed two persons, including Kumar and recovered a country-made pistol from him, it said.

He was arrested under section 25 (illegal possession of arms and ammunition) of the Arms Act and charge sheet was filed. The court framed charge against him in 2014.

In its August 2016 judgement, the magisterial court convicted him and sentenced him to three years imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000.

Challenging this order, the convict contended that the weapon recovered from him was planted by the police to falsely implicate him.

He further claimed that there was no independent prosecution witness in the trial.

However, the court rejected this contention saying non examination of independent witnesses was not fatal to the case and testimonies of police officials cannot be disregarded altogether in the absence of such witnesses.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Nepal Army chief General Rajendra Chhetri will embark on a six-day official visit to India starting tomorrow to enhance military cooperation between the two countries and strengthen bilateral ties.

Chhetri is visiting India at the invitation of Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat.

Besides meeting his Indian counterpart in Delhi, Chhetri will also visit the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, according to Nepal Army headquarters. The Nepal Army chief will observe the officers' training programme in Dehradun as chief reviewing officer.

Such high-level visits between Nepal and India will enhance military cooperation between the two countries and strengthen bilateral ties, a statement released by the Nepal Army said.

A joint military exercise 'Surya Kiran', involving around 300 army personnel of India and Nepal, is underway at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, where they are sharing their experiences in counterinsurgency and counterterror operations.

Indian Army chief Rawat had paid a three-day visit to Nepal in February.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Nepal government today sought Beijing's help to control gold smuggling after the yellow precious metal was found being smuggled to India from China via Nepal, according to a media report.

Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa met with Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong and asked her for help to control gold smuggling saying that the yellow metal is being smuggled to India from China using the Nepal route, MyRepublica.com reported.

In reply, Hong said that she would inform the concerned authority in her country about the gold being smuggled through Chinese checkpoints, the website quoted the Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs as saying.

The government has been investigating the 33-kg gold smuggling case by forming a probe panel.

The gold smuggling case has become the national issue after security personnel, who are supposed to maintain law and order in the country, were themselves found involved in it, the report said.

Nepal Police had arrested an accomplice of Chudamani Upreti aka Gore, the alleged mastermind of 33 kg gold smuggling case late last month.

During the investigation, police came to know that Gore and his associates had managed to smuggle more than 3,790 kg gold from Dubai via Tribhuvan International Airport in 421 trips since July 2015, Nepalese media reported.

(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 said at least nine MLAs from the JD(S) will be inducted in the first phase of cabinet expansion of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state.

"In the first phase (of the cabinet expansion), eight to nine members (MLAs from JD(S)) will be there (inducted in the cabinet). Two to three vacancies will be there," Kumaraswamy said here when asked about the first phase of cabinet expansion.

Kumaraswamy also ruled out any differences among JD(S) MLAs over cabinet berths and allocation of portfolios and said party president H D Deve Gowda has been given total freedom on the next phase of cabinet expansion.

"There are no differences at all among our MLAs (over cabinet berths and portfolio allocations). Actually they have given total freedom to the national president to select the future cabinet," he told reporters.

Kumaraswamy also said the national president has advised all MLAs about giving good governance with their cooperation.

"Today we had a meeting with our MLAs. Our national president advised all MLAs to cooperate with the cabinet for developing the state and providing good governance," he said.

As per the coalition agreement on June 1, Congress was allocated 22 ministerial berths and 12 to JD(S).

Congress were allocated Home, Irrigation, Health, Agriculture and Women Child Welfare ministries, while JD(S) Finance and Excise, Public Works Department, Education, Tourism and Transport ministries.

Both parties also agreed on setting up of coordination and monitoring committee to oversee smooth functioning of the coalition.

The committee will be led by senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, while JD(S)' Danish Ali will work as its convenor.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Cabinet expansion tomorrow, Congress leaders from the state are likely to visit New Delhi to discuss the list of ministers and portfolio allocation with the party high command.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In a veiled attack on RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav , Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said young leaders owing their position in to



their families were interested in acquiring a post quickly to "make money".

Without naming any party or leader, Kumar also criticised excessive use of the social media by political figures.

"They had no idea of what they actually stand for but believe in talking big", he said in a obvious reference to Opposition leader in the state assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, who has been attacking Kumar using a micro-blogging site.

"The role of youth in is very important. We learnt our ropes while we were students and I feel glad when I see youngsters taking an interest in

"But looking around, we see so many young leaders who owe their position in politics to their families basically interested in acquiring a post in order to make money, a far cry from our times, " Kumar said.

The 28-year-old Tejashwi is younger son of RJD president Lalu Prasad and often refers to Kumar as "chacha" (uncle).

Kumar, who is also the national president of the Janta Dal (United), was addressing a function organised by the party's youth wing here.

He had resigned from his post last year following refusal of the RJD, which he was then having an alliance with, to pay heed to his concerns about corruption charges against Tejashwi Yadav, his then deputy.

The JD(U) chief later formed a new government with BJP, which came forward with an offer of unconditional support.

"I am delighted that this Yuva Sankalp (youth resolve) conference is being held on a day when we celebrate the anniversary of Sampoorna Kranti the call for total revolution by Loknayak Jaya Prakash Narayan, who had inspired many youngsters like myself to devote to public life", Kumar said.

Care must be taken not to get trapped in the prevailing culture of empty talk, he said.

"As you all know, there are political figures who excessively use social media and go on tweeting about things they do not even understand. They talk big but have no idea of what they stand for, Kumar said in an apparent reference to Tejashwi Yadav.

Kumar also exhorted party cadres to apprise the common people of his government's measures like prohibition and campaign against dowry and child marriage.

"Today is World Environment Day. Our party has been committed to environment conservation too as is evident from our drive for plantation of one crore trees across the state that was launched a few years ago," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In a veiled attack on RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said young leaders owing their position in politics to their families were interested in acquiring a post quickly to "make money" and go on tweeting about things they do not even understand.

Though Kumar did not name anyone, his remarks riled Tejashwi, who is the son of Lalu Prasad, and he took to Twitter daring the chief minister to swear on an affidavit that his son will never enter politics.

"If Nitish uncle is left with even an iota of morality and integrity, he should sign a sworn affidavit stating that his son will never enter politics," Tejashwi tweeted.

Tejashwi (28) is the younger son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and often refers Kumar as "chacha" (uncle).

Kumar, who is also the national president of the Janta Dal (United), was addressing a function organised by the party's youth wing here.

"The role of youth in politics is very important. We learnt our ropes while we were students and I feel glad when I see youngsters taking an interest in politics. But looking around, we see so many young leaders who owe their position in politics to their families, basically they are interested in acquiring a post in order to make money. A far cry from our times," he said taking a veiled dig at Tejashwi.

Kumar had resigned from his post last year following the refusal of the RJD, which he was then having an alliance with, to pay heed to his concerns about corruption cases against Tejashwi Yadav, who was then his deputy.

The JD(U) chief later formed a new government with the BJP, which came forward with an offer of unconditional support.

"I am delighted that this Yuva Sankalp (youth resolve) conference is being held on a day when we celebrate the anniversary of Sampoorna Kranti the call for a total revolution by Loknayak Jaya Prakash Narayan, who had inspired many youngsters like myself to devote themselves to public life," Kumar said.

Kumar, Lalu Prasad and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi are products of the JP movement in which they participated actively as student leaders of the Patna University.

"I feel a lot of satisfaction when I see youngsters displaying political consciousness. Recently, a delegation of the Patna University students union invited me to a function they are holding. I said I will definitely come since they are the future," the chief minister said.

"Care must be taken not to get trapped in the prevailing culture of empty talk. As you all know, there are political figures who excessively use social media and go on tweeting about things they do not even understand. They talk big but have no idea of what they stand for," Kumar said alluding to Tejashwi Yadav.

The chief minister, who has been accused by the opposition of going soft on the BJP when many of its workers were allegedly involved in incidents of communal tension earlier this month, said, "Intellectuals often ask me why I do not speak on the prevailing social strife. They fail to see that I keep doing that, focusing on issues like social reform which alone can ensure enduring peace."



Kumar also exhorted party cadres to apprise the common people of his governments measures like prohibition and campaign against dowry and child marriage.

"Today is the World Environment Day. Our party has been committed to environment conservation too as is evident from our drive for plantation of one crore trees across the state that was launched a few years ago.

"Besides our government is also making efforts to increase the forest cover in Bihar. We have achieved some success but we want to accomplish more. Please sensitise the people about his issue as well," he added.

Continuing to vent ire on the CM, the opposition leader further tweeted, "In a 60-minute speech, Nitish uncle spends 45 minutes speaking about Tejashwi. Thanks to the uncle for his focussed concentration on the nephew. After all, Tejashwi is just a kid."



A few months ago, the chief minister had remarked that Tejashwi was a kid (bachcha hai) which the young RJD leader took exception to, alleging that Kumar had spoken of him in a condescending manner.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today vowed to wipe out all gangsters from the state in the crackdown launched against them by the police.

The police were hard on the heels of gangsters and all those taking the law in their hands, and none of them would be spared, he told reporters on the sidelines of the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected Congress MLA from Shahkot, Hardev Singh Laddi, at the Assembly here.

Notably, after gunning down most-wanted gangster Vicky Gounder earlier this year, the Punjab police had decided to focus on other dreaded criminals and gangsters, who are accused in several cases of murder and extortion.

The chief minister thanked the people of Shahkot for Laddi's resounding victory, which, he said, empowered the ruling Congress to pass important legislations in the interest of the people.

On the issue of the reported violence against Dalit Sikhs in Shillong, Amarinder Singh said he was seized of the matter and was keeping a tab on the situation.

He said according to reports received by him from the Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh-led the delegation that visited Shillong yesterday, there was no damage of any kind to any Gurdwara in the Meghalaya capital.

The delegation was satisfied with the steps taken by the Meghalaya government to control the situation, Amarinder Singh said.

Responding to a query, the chief minister said his government was doing everything possible to make Punjab pollution-free.

Referring to the incident of molasses leak into the Beas river from a sugar factory last month, he said one isolated accident could not be seen as mass-scale pollution of all rivers in the state.

Meanwhile, Laddi, who was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana KP Singh, thanked the people of his constituency for expressing faith in the policies and programmes of the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government.

Laddi termed it a victory of the pro-people initiatives being taken and executed by state government for the welfare of all sections of society, and said the people of Shahkot had rejected the "issueless and vision-less opposition."



He slammed the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership for allegedly not doing any development in Shahkot during their rule and promised to uplift the constituency especially in the areas of education, health and other basic amenities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The situation in the violence-hit Meghalaya capital has "improved" with no fresh clash reported from any part of the city over the past 12 hours, a top district official said.

Barring the 14 "vulnerable" localities, where the 24-hour curfew continued to remain in force, life was limping back to normal in other parts of Shillong, he said.

"Over 90 per cent shops in Police Bazaar, and parts of Bara Bazaar opened this morning. People were seen buying supplies at the two marts. Taxis were also plying on thoroughfares, but buses still remained off roads," he added.

East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner P S Dkhar said the home department was yet to take a call on restoring internet and messaging services in the state capital.

"There was no report of any untoward incident in the past 12 hours, but curfew would be imposed on the entire city from 4pm to 5am, just like yesterday," he said.

The hill town has been in the grip of violence since Thursday following a fight between the Sikh residents in Shillong's Punjabi Lane area, also known as sweeper colony, and the Khasi drivers of state-run buses.

Over 10 people, including policemen and CRPF personnel, were injured in the clashes.

Altogether 15 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed at various locations in Shillong to handle the situation.

The Army also conducted a flag march in the city for the second day yesterday.

The BJP-backed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has formed a high-level committee, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, to find a permanent solution to the issue of relocation of the sweeper colony, inhabited by the Punjabis, where an assault incident, fanned by fake on the social media, sparked the clashes last week.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had said last night that the urban affairs department has been asked to submit a detailed report on the Punjabi Lane area to the committee, including its history, legal aspects and concerns of the people living there.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today asserted that there was absolutely "no scandal" in the Rafale fighter jet deal with France and allegations of wrongdoings relating to it were politically motivated.

Without naming the Congress, Sitharaman said, "false comparisons" were made between the price at which India was procuring the jets and the price being negotiated by some other countries.

"I am assuring you in the company of all the senior officials that yes there is no scandal in Rafale. We are very clear about that," she said replying to a question on allegations of scam in the Rafale deal.

She was addressing a press conference along with top officials of the defence ministry on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the NDA government.

"Absolutely," she said when asked whether she can assure that not even a single rupee has been made in the Rafale deal.

She called the allegations very clear case of "motivated attacks".

Sitharaman also said that there has been no allegations of corruption against any officials of the defence ministry in the last four years.

India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore, nearly one-and-half years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the proposal during a visit to Paris.

The delivery of the jets is scheduled to begin from September, 2019.

The Congress had raised several questions about the deal including the rates, and accused the government of compromising national interest and security while causing a loss to the public exchequer.

The Congress has been demanding details of the deal including cost of equipment and weapons, alleging that the deal negotiated under its rule was much cheaper than the contract signed by the Modi government



The government has been refusing to give an item-wise cost and other details about the deal in Parliament citing confidentiality provisions of a 2008 Indo-France pact.

The UPA government had negotiated a USD 10.2 billion deal for the 126 jets. However, the deal could not be finalised.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said the Army will continue to respect the ongoing Ramzan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir but asserted that no unprovoked attack from across the border will go unanswered as the forces have been given the right to hit back.

Sitharaman, addressing a press conference on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the NDA government, said the Army was given the right to adequately respond to any cross border attacks or unprovoked firing.

Notwithstanding India's announcement of Ramzan ceasefire and talks between the Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries, there have been incidents of cross border firing along the Line of Control and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir and nearly a dozen grenade attacks by militants within a week in the Valley.

"It is our duty to keep our borders safe. We shall be alert and ensure that no unprovoked attacks go without us responding. It is the duty of the defence ministry and the forces to keep India safe," Sitharaman said.

The minister was responding to questions on the firing along the Indo-Pak border despite the two sides agreeing for a truce.

Sitharaman said the Army was taken on board before the Home Ministry announced the ceasefire in the troubled state.

Replying to another question, the defence minister said it is not her ministry's role to determine whether the ongoing Ramzan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir has been successful or not.

"We honour the ceasefire. We have been given room to hit back when there is unprovoked attack. The Defence ministry's role is not to assess whether ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir has been successful or not," she said.

Asked whether the ceasefire will be extended, she said, "It is only announced for Ramzan."



The government had announced suspension of operations against militants during the period of Ramzan, which started from May 17.

On he possibility of engaging Pakistan in dialogue, Sitharaman reiterated External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's comments that talks and terror cannot go hand-in-hand.

The LoC has been witnessing increasing hostilities in the last few months.

A total of 908 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army were reported till last week in the current year as against 860 incidents during 2017, defence sources in New Delhi said.

Last week, the DGMOs of India and Pakistan had agreed to "fully implement" the ceasefire pact of 2003 in "letter and spirit" forthwith to stop cross border firings in Jammu and Kashmir.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Defence Minister on Monday said no unprovoked attack from across the border shall go unanswered and defence forces have been given room to hit back.

The minister was responding to questions on the firing along the Indo-Pak border despite the two sides agreeing for a truce.

"We shall keep our borders safe, forces have been given room to respond to any unprovoked firing. We shall ensure that no unprovoked attack goes without response," she said.

The defence minister also said it is not her ministry's role to determine whether the ongoing Ramzan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir has been successful or not.

"We have been given room to hit back when there is unprovoked attack. The Defence ministry's role is not to assess whether ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir has been successful or not," Sitharaman said.

In response to a question on the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions impacting Indo-Russian defence ties, the minister said it has conveyed to the USA that New Delhi procures its defence equipment and spare parts from Moscow.

The sanctions, she said, cannot impact this as the ties go a long way back.

(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.)Noted writer and academician Prof. Panmana Ramachandran Nair, considered to be a beacon of Malayalam language, passed away tonight at his residence here following old age related illness. He was 86.

Nair was in poor health for the past few days, his family members said.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and state Minister for Culture A K Balan condoled the death of Nair.

Nair, also a critic, translator and scholar, taught at seven colleges during his 27-year long teaching career before retiring as head of the department of Malayalam at the University College here in 1987.

He had served in the committees of the Kerala Sahitya Academy, Kerala Kalamandalam and Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham.

Nair has authored 20 books, including five books on the correct usage of Malayalam language.

He was also the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to language and literature instituted by the Kerala Sahitya Academy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The president of Cuttack District Congress Committee (DCC), Prakash Kumar Behera, tendered his resignation from the post of DCC chief today.

Behra is also the MLA of Salepur Assembly constituency.

In a letter to Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief Niranjan Patnaik, the first time MLA has stated that he has decided to quit the DCC post so that he can dedicate more time to the people of his constituency.

"I am only quitting the DCC post in order spend some more time in my Constituency," he said when asked whether he has any plan to quit the party or resign from the Assembly.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A young farmer has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Day to get global recognition for 363 Bishnois who died protecting trees they held sacred in an 18th century precursor to the Chipko movement.

Vishek Vishnoi's movement to get recognition for the sacrifice of the Bishnoi community in 1730 is named 'Mission Global 363'.

According to the legend popular among the environment-conscious Bishnois, 363 members of the community led by Amrita Devi died while protecting the Khejri trees being felled to build a palace for the Maharaja of Jodhpur.

They hugged the trees they held sacred. Upset over the bloodshed, the maharajah later called off the felling of the trees.

The young farmer from Jodhpur wants recognition in the country and abroad for the sacrifice of those people in Khejarli village.

It was a historic thing that 363 people made the supreme sacrifice to protect trees in 1730 AD, Vishnoi told PTI.

The community very well understands the importance of and India can present a very good example of protection by globally highlighting this incident, he said.

I have been demanding the status of martyrs to those who sacrificed their lives. I held dharnas in Jodhpur, Jaipur and recently in Delhi, he said.

In Delhi, Union Minister of State for Water Resources Arjun Ram Meghwal had assured the activists of all possible help in their mission, he said.

He also demanded that the place where the sacrifice took place in Jodhpur district should be given the status of a Unesco world heritage site.

He said the incident should be highlighted in the school syllabus so that the new generation gets to know about it.

Vishnoi has been seeking support through social media over the last few years in his mission.

His father Ranaram Vishnoi is known for planting thousands of trees in Rajasthan's arid areas.

Thousands of trees that my father planted selflessly are alive today, and his efforts and love towards nature inspired me to work for those for whom trees are more important than their lives, he said.

Khejarli village is located 30 km from Jodhpur and an annual fair is held to mark the 1730 episode.

The Environment Ministry also confers an Amrita Devi Bishnoi award for contribution to wildlife protection.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union Minister Harsh Vardhan today pledged to eliminate single-use plastic from India by 2022 and stressed on the need to adopt an "out of box" approach to deal with plastic pollution.

At an event organised to mark World Day, he said that by hosting WED 2018, India reaffirms its commitment to defeat plastic pollution.

The event organised on the theme - Beat Plastic Pollution - was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We make a solemn pledge that by 2022 we will eliminate all single-use plastics from our beautiful country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a New India by 2022 - an India of our dreams which will be clean, poverty-free, corruption-free, terrorism-free, casteism-free and most of all, which will be a global superpower.

"This India of our dreams will also be single-use plastic free. And, on the personal front, I pledge to henceforth completely do away with single-use plastic in my life," he said.

"To beat plastic pollution, we need an out-of-the-box approach to designing, producing, using and managing plastic products through solutions that lead to Green Good Behaviour," he added.

The government has framed comprehensive "Plastic and Solid Waste Management Rules" which address all the concerns related to plastics.

"Also, taking cognizance of the environmental degradation arising from the use of plastics, our government has initiated action to ensure that all public buildings and universities become free of single-use plastics," he said.

Noting that plastic is not the real problem, he said it is a unique material with crucial applications in the health sector, generation of clean energy from wind turbines to solar panels, as well as safe food storage.

"Plastic packaging accounts for around 50 per cent of all plastic waste generated globally, much of which is single-use. The global plastic production is projected to nearly double within a short period of time.

"Eliminating single-use plastic, both from design chains to our consumer habits, is a critical first step to beat plastic pollution. Once in the environment, plastics don't degrade easily and eventually find their way into our food chain," he said.

"We join the United Nations in appealing to the governments, industry, communities and individuals globally to come together and explore sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.

"These single use plastics are polluting our land and oceans, endangering marine life and impacting human health adversely," the minister said.

For long-term sustainable living, the global community needs to rethink its energy and resource consumption patterns, he said.

In March, India hosted the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a common platform for cooperation among solar resource-rich nations, he said and asserted that ISA has now transformed into a global inter-governmental organization headquartered in India that is helping us to harness solar energy at prices that were unimaginable three years ago.

"Also, through the Swachh Bharat Campaign, the waste to wealth movement has gained strength. Today, for a vast and developing country like India he has given a mantra Swachh, Swastha and Sampann Bharat', a clean, healthy and prosperous India - and that is a goal which we all shall pursue relentlessly," he said.

He said to motivate and involve the masses in environmental protection, "we prepared a compendium of Green Good Deeds, which has now been internationally acknowledged as the BRICS Ministers' meeting in Durban, last month, agreed to include Green Good Deeds in its agenda for the next meeting.

"If each and every one of us does at least one Green Good Deed daily as part of our Green Social Responsibility, there will be more than a billion green good deeds accomplished each day across the country," he said.

"There is a need to raise consciousness about the impact plastics have on society and environment and to inform and educate people about alternate materials. I call upon all citizens and in particular, the civil society groups to be crusaders for realizing this goal," he added.

He stressed that there is also an onus on the industry, as part of their green corporate responsibility to ensure that plastics they make are degradable, recyclable or reusable.

"I also make a fervent appeal to school and college children to take up the leadership of the Beat Plastic Pollution movement. You as Polio Sainiks for many years got us a polio free India," he added.

Executive Director, UN Environment, Erik Solheim, expressed his gratitude to the people and Government of India for elaborately organising the World Environment Day 2018.

"In India, there are many initiatives against plastic waste and pollution going on like the one led by grassroot communities, government and local population, corporate sector and enthusiastic environmentalists amongst others, which are both a source inspiration and encouragement for the international community," Solheim said.

The prime minister released a commemorative stamp on the theme of World Environment Day 2018. Several publications were also released.

CEOs of corporate houses shared their efforts to partner with Swachh Bharat Mission and pledged their support to reduce single-use plastics as part of their operations.

An exhibition titled Sambandh was organized in the back lawns of Vigyan Bhawan, showcasing the intrinsic relationship between people and environment with tremendous footfall in last three days.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Over 12 MLAs in Karnataka are likely to take oath as ministers in the first expansion of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's Cabinet, after the grand old party finalised the list in a meeting between and its senior state leaders.

According to sources, while over 12 legislators will be of the Congress, around nine MLAs of the JD-S are likely to take oath on Wednesday, a fortnight after was sworn in as chief minister.

As per the power-sharing arrangement, the would have a total of 22 ministers while the JD-S will have 12, including the chief minister.

Sources said Gandhi held long deliberations with former chief minister Siddharamaiah, deputy chief minister G Parameswara and senior party leaders and Dinesh Gundu Rao, along with general secretary in-charge of Karnataka affairs

Though there was no official word from the Congress, Gandhi is learnt to have given his nod to the list of around 12 ministers which includes Shivakumar who is likely to get an important portfolio.

Gandhi met the Karnataka leaders for over an hour and gave final shape to the list of ministers while according equitable representation to all sections and regions.

Sources said some portfolios may remain vacant on both sides to douse any discord in the two parties.

The lone legislator in Karnataka, N Mahesh, will be a part of the cabinet expansion and will be given a key portfolio.

JD-S secretary general Danish Ali told PTI, "We will give due importance to our pre-poll ally, the by giving its lone MLA a ministerial berth."



He also disclosed that supremo Mayawati has deputed its senior leader Satish Chandra Misra to attend the cabinet expansion function on Wednesday. This is the first time that the BSP will be a part of the government outside of Uttar Pradesh.

Danish Ali was the key pointsman in negotiating an alliance with both the BSP and then thePakistan's six-member caretaker federal Cabinet today took oath to run the government under Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk till the upcoming general election.

President Mamnoon Hussain administered oath of office to the members of the Cabinet at a ceremony.

A statement issued by office of the president said the ceremony was attended, among others, by caretaker prime minister and retired judge Mulk.

Those who took oath today include Shamshad Akhtar, Roshan Khurshid, Ali Zafar, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Azam Khan and Muhammad Yousaf Sheikh.

The Prime Minister's Office said that Haroon was appointed as foreign minister and he will have additional charge of the ministries of defence and defence production.

Haroon belongs to a leading business family of Karachi and he in the past served as Pakistan's ambassador at UN.

Azam Khan, former chief secretary of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, was appointed as interior minister whereas former governor of State Bank of Pakistan, Akhtar was appointed as finance minister. Zafar was given charge of the law ministry.

After the oath taking ceremony, the caretaker prime minister and his Cabinet members also held a meeting with President Hussain.

The president expressed the confidence that the caretaker set up will fulfil its responsibilities regarding conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in the country.

He said it is a matter of satisfaction that a democratically elected government completed its tenure for the second time.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A six-member caretaker federal Cabinet today took oath to run the Pakistan government under interim Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk till the general election on July 25.

President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath of office to the members of the Cabinet at the President House which was attended among others, by caretaker prime minister and retired Supreme Court judge Mulk.

President Hussain had administered the oath to 67-year-old Mulk, who was unanimously nominated for the post by both the government and opposition, on June 1.

Those who took oath today include Shamshad Akhtar, Roshan Khurshid, Ali Zafar, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Azam Khan and Muhammad Yousaf Sheikh.

The Prime Minister's Office said that Haroon was appointed as the foreign minister and he will have additional charge of the ministries of defence and defence production.

Haroon belongs to a leading business family of Karachi and has served as Pakistan's ambassador at the UN.

Azam Khan, former chief secretary of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, was appointed as the interior minister.

Former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Akhtar was appointed as finance minister. She had made history after becoming the first female governor of the central bank (2006-2009).

Zafar, a renowned legal expert, was given charge of the law ministry.

After the oath taking ceremony, the caretaker prime minister and his Cabinet members also held a meeting with President Hussain.

The president expressed the confidence that the caretaker set up will fulfil its responsibilities regarding conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in the country scheduled on July 25.

He said it is a matter of satisfaction that a democratically elected government completed its tenure for the second time.

Interim Prime Minister Mulk has said that he will serve the nation in accordance with the powers bestowed on him for the next two months. He added that the country should be run according to the Constitution of Pakistan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved today said it is pulling out of its proposed Rs 6,000-crore mega food processing project along the Yamuna Expressway, citing non-cooperation from the state government.

However, the UP government said it has given one more month to Patanjali to meet the conditions required to get the final approval.

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) could not get the required clearances for transfer of land from the state government, said a top company official.

The Hairdwar-based company had proposed to invest up to Rs 6,000 crore to set up a plant in 425 acres of land at YEIDA to cater the domestic and export markets through its step-down firm Patanjali Food & Herbal Park.

Confirming the development, Patanjali Ayurved Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna told PTI: "We are cancelling the project as we did not get required clearances from the UP state government."



The company now plans to shift the project to some other state, he said without disclosing further details.

Citing the reason for pulling out of the state, he said, "We did not get any cooperation from the state government for this project. We have waited for long time for the clearances but could not get from the state government. Now we have decided to shift the project."



Patanjali was given one-month extension by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries till end of June to get the requisite clearances to start the project.

When contacted Food Processing Secretary J P Meena told PTI:" Patanjali was given four months time to meet the conditions required to get the final approval. There are four to five conditions, including land and bank loans, which any party that wants to set up mega food park has to fulfil."



Meena further said, "We have not cancelled the project. We have given one month extension to Patanjali... they have to meet the condition. In case, Patanjali does not meet the condition, we have no choice but to cancel. We have done it earlier in many projects."



Patanjali had already got support from the financial institutions for the project, Balkrishna claimed.

"We got extensions two times from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and now it (time) is lapsing as we could not get the required clearances from the state government," Balakrishna said.

Mega food parks are to be implemented within 30 months and financial assistance is provided to them by the central government.

Earlier, Patanjali had said that its Yamuna Expressway-based plant would produce goods worth Rs 25,000 crore annually, if it runs to its full capacity.

It would create 10,000 direct jobs, Patanjali had said.

Patanjali is presently investing in mega food park projects, including Nagpur (MP) and Tejpur (Assam).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Vietnamese mangrove draped with polythene, a whale killed after swallowing waste bags in Thai seas and clouds of underwater trash near Indonesian "paradise" islands -- grim images of the plastic crisis that has gripped Asia.

About eight million tonnes of plastic waste are dumped into the world's oceans every year, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic being tipped into the sea every minute of every day.

More than half comes from five Asian countries: China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, according to a 2015 Ocean Conservancy report.

They are among the fastest growing economies in Asia, where much of the world's plastic is produced, consumed and discarded -- most of it improperly in countries where waste management is at best patchy.

"We are in a plastic pollution crisis, we can see it everywhere in our rivers, in our oceans... we need to do something about it," Greenpeace Indonesia campaigner Ahmad Ashov Birry told AFP.

World Day on Tuesday is highlighting the perils of plastic with the tagline "if you can't reuse it, refuse it".

But it is not just an issue of aesthetics, plastics are killing marine life. Last week a whale died in southern Thailand with 80 plastic bags in its stomach, an increasingly common sight alongside dead seabirds and turtles gorged on plastic and washed ashore.

Experts warn the greatest threat might be invisible. Micr



oplastics -- tiny shards that easily soak up toxins after breaking off from larger plastic pieces -- have been found in tap water, ground water and inside fish that millions of people eat across Asia every day. Scientists still do not fully understand the health effects of consuming microplastics.

"We're conducting a global experiment with no sense of where we're heading with this whole thing," Carl Gustaf Lundin, head of the global marine and polar programme at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, told AFP. That worries Vietnamese fisherwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong, whose sleepy village on the South China Sea coast in Thanh Hoa province has slowly transformed into a dump site over the years.

"It's unbearable, people discard their garbage here... it's so polluted for the children, it's not safe," she said in the baking heat thick with the smell of trash and fish.

In the nearby mangrove forest, her neighbours dig through warm, trash-speckled mud for snails or shrimp.

But the tree branches above are blanketed with faded plastic bags left behind from tidal waters that wash up fresh waste every day.

A one-kilometre (half-mile) stretch of beach is lined with sandals, biscuit wrappers, tubes of Japanese toothpaste, juice boxes, fishing nets, furniture and heaps of discarded clothing, as piles of trash burn nearby.

"It's hard for us to work here finding shrimp and fish," said fisherman Vu Quoc Viet, who often finds plastic trash in his nets.

Rubbish collection is low in rural Vietnam as elsewhere in Asia, one of the main reasons why so much plastic ends up in the sea, according to Joi Danielson, programme director of Oceans Plastics Asia at SYSTEMIQ.

On average only about 40 percent of garbage is properly collected in the five plastic-addled countries that spit out most of the ocean's trash, with few resources dedicated to proper waste management especially in mushrooming mega-cities.

Plus, plastic consumption -- and waste -- continues to balloon along with growing incomes and dependence on plastic products integral to almost every aspect of daily life.

"You're battling against this constantly growing target," Danielson told AFP. At the current rate of dumping, the total amount of plastic trash in the world's oceans is expected to double to 250 million tonnes by 2025, according to Ocean Conservancy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)As many as seven persons, including five Indian nationals, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in running illegal 'hundi' transactions for evading tax in the Nepalese capital, police said today.

Issuing a press statement, the police's metropolitan crime division said all the suspects were arrested yesterday from Kathmandu.

The arrested were identified as Rahul Ray Agrawal (29) of Thapathali, Raj Kumar Shrestha (31) of Sindhupalchok district, Shiva Kumar Santyang (52) and Jagadish Rana Sariya (52) both hailing from Rajasthan, Arun Sabarthiya (46) of Mumbai, and Rabindra Chokani (38) and Raj Kumar Siganchi (38) both from New Delhi.

'Hundi' is a financial instrument for use in trade and credit transactions.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team deployed raided various places in New Road in the capital city and recovered Rs 5.145 million in cash, various bank cheques worth Rs 30.56 million, mobile phones, laptops along with other documents, said the police.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Prasar Bharati, which runs Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR), have inked an MoU required for the release of financial allocation to the broadcaster, a source said today.

The MoU was signed between the broadcaster and the ministry in the last week of May, the source added.

Autonomous bodies getting grants-in-aid from the government are required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the ministry concerned for the release of the financial allocations.

Besides Prasar Bharati, the ministry has also signed MoUs with Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in the last week of May, the source added.

In April, the ministry released Rs 365 crore to Prasar Bharati after it signed the MoU following months of standoff between the two sides on various contentious issues.

The ministry releases an amount of around Rs 200 crore to Prasar Bharati every month and a major share of it goes to payment of salaries.

The I and B Ministry had earlier released Rs 1,989 crore to Prasar Bharati as grants-in-aid for payment of salaries to its employees.

In early March, Prasar Bharati CEO S S Vempati, in response to media reports, had said that Rs 208 crore released by the public broadcaster towards payment of salaries to its staff on February 28 were from its own reserves.

Reacting to the report, the ministry had issued a statement saying that the Prasar Bharati had not signed an MoU as required by autonomous bodies for getting grants-in-aid.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee today asked private management institutes to reduce the number of branches if they failed to secure jobs for students.

"Those who are not being able to ensure placement of students, think about it - if you can reduce the four-five branches to one or two. Think about the creation of jobs and employability factor," Chatterjee said.

Speaking at a meet organised by the Association of Professional Academic Institutions, Chatterjee said the employers should have confidence in the private institutes.

"You have to build confidence. Jobs are there but every employer will ponder over the issue of return of investment," he said.

The minister said the state government would not meddle in the running of private engineering institutes but the government has certain roles to play to keep tab on their activities and step in accordingly.

Chatterjee said the higher department has taken steps to rope in experts to prepare students for IAS, and IPS examinations in the state.

He said the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, a state university, is setting up a placement cell on June 18.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress president Rahul Gandhi will meet family members of the farmers killed in police firing during an agitation in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh on the first anniversary of the incident tomorrow and addressed a farmers' rally.

According to party sources, Gandhi, who returned from the United States last night, held a meeting with his party leaders and security forces ahead of tomorrow's visit to Mandsaur.

Gandhi is scheduled to fly to Mandsaur tomorrow afternoon. He would address the "kisan rally" at Khokhra (Pipliya Mandi) in the district. Family members of three out of the six people killed in police firing would share dais with the Congress president.

Former Mandsaur MP and Congress leader Meenakshi Natrajan said her party had urged the kin of the deceased to participate in the meeting.

Six people -- Kanhaiya Lal Patidar, Satyanarayan Dhangar, Abhishek Patidar, Bablu, Ghanshyam Dhakad and Chintaman Patidar -- were killed in the police firing at Pipliya Mandi during the agitation on June 6 last year.

Family members of Abhishek Patidar told PTI today that Natrajan had requested them to attend the event.

"Former MP Natrajan approached me with a request to attend the condolence meeting along with my wife Alka. Since it is a condolence meeting, we will attend it," said Patidar's father Dinesh Patidar.

The family members of Bablu and Ghanshyam Dhakad have also given their consent to attend the programme.

Dhakad's wife Rekha, who was given a state government job after her husband's death, also said that the Congress invited them to attend the condolence meeting.

"Natrajan invited us to the condolence meeting. Some family members would attend it," Rekha said, adding that she was given a job and Rs 1 crore in compensation by the government as per the promise.

Bablu's wife Anita was also given a state government job and Rs one crore in compensation.

"Bablu's wife Anita got a job. The government also gave Rs one crore which was equally distributed between Bablu's mother and wife. We will attend the condolence meeting and share our problems with Rahul Gandhi," said Bablu's uncle Balaram Patidar.

However, the kin of Chintaman Patidar have not taken a call yet on attending tomorrow's programme.

"We are yet to decide whether to attend the condolence meeting or not though Natrajan had invited us. The government has given us Rs one crore. One of the family members would get a job soon," said Govind Patidar, brother of Chintaman.

Farmers had held statewide protests in Madhya Pradesh last year demanding better prices for their crops. The agitation was marred by violence at many parts in the state, especially in Mandsaur, which emerged as the epicentre of protests.

The Congress sources added that Gandhi would also hold a meeting with senior leaders of Madhya Pradesh Congress.

Top Congress leaders from Madhya Pradesh including PCC chief Kamal Nath, campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia and other state leaders would be in attendance.

Madhya Pradesh is slated to go to polls later this year and the Congress is seeking to make this rally big ahead of the assembly election.

The Congress, which has been in political wilderness for the past 15 years, is seeking to wrest power from the BJP in the state.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Mohan Parkash today dubbed the BJP and the Modi government as "anti-farmer", saying it had failed to provide remunerative prices to farmers.

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief spokesperson Manak Agrawal said that around one lakh people were expected to take part in tomorrow's meeting.

Security has been beefed up ahead of the meeting.

Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Manoj Singh said five companies of the Special Armed Force (SAF) have been deployed across the district ahead of the event.

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh launched a 10-day "Gaon Bandh" (village shutdown) agitation from June 1 for various demands including better remunerative prices for agriculture produce and a complete loan waiver.

Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh president Shivkumar Sharma 'Kakkaji' had said that BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, former union finance minister Yashwant Sinha, and former VHP leader Praveen Togadia are likely to join the farmers' stir in Mandsaur on June 8.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Top actor Rajinikanth today backed Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan reaching out to Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on the Cauvery issue while Tamil Nadu farmers' leaders opposed it saying it was unwarranted.

The Tamil superstar, who is set to enter politics, said he did not see anything wrong in Haasan reaching out to Kumaraswamy on the issue.

"...it (talks) should continue. They (Haasan-Kumaraswamy) are not enemies.. it (Cauvery issue) can be resolved through talks as well..even big things have been resolved through talks," he told reporters at the airport.

General secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association, Mannargudi S Ranganathan, wondered why Haasan should now pich for talks with Karnataka when the Cauvery Management Authority has been set up after decades-long legal battle.

"Supreme Court is the highest court of the country and its orders on the issue, the Cauvery water release should be followed by everyone," he told PTI.

The farmer leader said at a time when the top court concluded the matter by giving its ruling, suggesting holding talks again on the very same issue was tantamount to contempt of court.

The Mannargudi based 85-year old veteran, who initiated legal battle decades ago on the issue in the apex court, said several rounds of talks in the past with Karnataka failed to yield any results.

Ranganathan said for the past several years Delta farmers could not raise 'Kuruvai' crop and appealed to authorities to release water at least by the third week of June to enable them to raise the crop.

Vice president of the association, Magadanapuram V Rajaram said Haasan should not poke his nose in such "crucial issues."



President, National South Indian Rivers Inter-Linking Farmers Association, P Ayyakannu, who spearheaded protests in Delhi over farmers issues, said,"farmers need water...it's okay with us if we get water from Karnataka through anyone's efforts whether it Haasan or anyone else."



President of Coordination Committee of All Tamil Nadu farmers association P R Pandian said "it is unacceptable, what Haasan has done is against the Supreme Court verdict."Condemning the move, he said "it is a betrayal of Tamil Nadu," and asked how could the actor-turned politician pitch for talks when it has been decided by farmers that there shall be no more talks.

Haasan had said yesterday it was only people-to-people contact that can resolve the Cauvery issue.

"I see hope in the conversation I had with him (Kumaraswamy) and that's more important.The way forward will be found by people with a mindset to go forward," Haasan had said after meeting Kumaraswamy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)"Sanju", Rajkumar Hirani's ambitious biopic on one of Bollywood's most controversial stars -- Sanjay Dutt, is a warts and all tale, according to Paresh Rawal.

Rawal, who is in the role of Dutt's father, actor-politician Sunil Dutt, says the movie is not a sympathetic look at the actor's tumultuous life.

"Raju doesn't do any whitewashing," he told PTI.

"Why sell lies when you are making a biopic? A person should be presented as real and should not be glorified... You can make a biopic on any interesting person but if it's not written well, then it will not be effective. It is very challenging to show a real life character without fictionalising it and yet retaining the drama element."



To play Sunil Dutt was challenging yet alluring for Rawal as the actor did not have a lot to fall back upon, having met the late actor twice or thrice briefly.

Rawal says he decided to tap in on the human side of the elder Dutt as Hirani's film is a father-son story. The director had worked with both the Dutts in "Munna Bhai MBBS".

"I was always fan of him as a producer and as a human being. As an actor, he was not my favourite but as a producer, the kind of socially relevant films he made, like 'Mujhe Jeene Do', 'Reshma Aur Shera', they were amazing," he says.

"Unlike Sanjay Dutt, he didn't have any typical mannerism. He was a normal human being, his core thing was his honesty, his niceness, he was person of principles and believed in truth. As an artiste we had to get that truthfulness right onscreen."



While Hirani and Abhijat Joshi's "brilliant" screenplay helped him a lot, Rawal had to connect with the emotional side of the actor.

"It is a father-son story. It is about a father's trauma, his wife is ill, his son is into drugs, he has to take care of his political career and has to get his two daughters married.

"Also, he had to make sure to not let the family name get affected as both Dutt sahab and Nargisji had done a lot for the country for years and now their son was being called a terrorist. He was heart-broken but he chose to fight. He knew he (son) can make mistakes but he is not a terrorist," the actor adds.

Though Rawal never worked with Sunil Dutt, he has collaborated with Sanjay and says he has only grown as an actor with time.

"I have seen him go through the trauma in 1994 because we were shooting together in Mauritius for 'Mahaanta'. He is a lovely guy, all heart, has no malice. He is a friendly, carefree guy but sometimes we do make mistakes and get trapped."



"Sanju" also features Manisha Koirala as Sanjay's mother Nargis, Sonam Kapoor as one of his girlfriends, Dia Mirza as his wife Manyata, and Vicky Kaushal as his friend. The film is scheduled to release on June 29.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Rashid Khan weaved his magic yet again as his four-wicket haul helped Afghanistan restrict Bangladesh to 134 for eight in the second T20 of the three-match series here today.

Rashid ran amok in the 16th over, sending back Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan (3), a set Tamim Iqbal (43 off 48) and Mossadek Hossain (0) to leave Bangladesh gasping at to 103 for seven.

Bangladesh, who were 81 for three in the first 10 overs, could only muster 53 in the next 60 balls for the loss of five wickets.

The wrecker-in-chief was the unstoppable Rashid, who ended up with figures of four for 12 in four overs. In the series opener too, the 19-year-old had produced a decisive performance, taking three for 13 in three overs.

After having Shakib caught at long-on, Rashid removed Iqbal and Hossain with his well disguised googly to be on a hat-trick for the second time in as many games.

The other spinners Mohammad Nabi (2/19 in four overs) and Mujeeb Zadran (0/15 in four overs) too did their job as Bangladesh batsmen failed to break the shackles.

Unlike the previous game, Bangladesh skipper Shakib thought it was best to bat first on a slow surface.

The spirited Afghanistan team struck in the second over when Liton Das pulled a short delivery from pacer Shapoor Zadran straight into the hands of the deep square leg fielder.

Sabbir Rahman (13) threw his wicket away after smashing Shapoor for three successive fours to leave Bangladesh at 30 for two in the fifth over.

Then came the 45-run stand between Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim (22) but the latter's fall led to a complete batting surrender by Bangladesh.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said it was the responsibility of the industries in the state to control pollution by ensuring that no untreated water or effluent is thrown into the rivers.

He also stressed the need for curtailing paddy cultivation in order to save the depleting water resources.

Singh was speaking on the World Day at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) here after launching the Congress government's landmark initiative 'Mission Tandarust Punjab', to transform Punjab into one of the healthiest state.

Expressing concern over the depleting ground water level, the chief minister underlined the importance of introducing crops that use less water, warning that "if we do not act now, things will become extremely bad for the state in the times ahead".

Reiterating his government's commitment to ensuring clean water, the chief minister said throwing of waste into the rivers by industry was not acceptable.

"It is the industry's responsibility to control water pollution by ensuring that no untreated water or effluent is thrown into the rivers," he said.

Singh also expressed concern about the pollution of rivers by the cities, which he said needed to be stopped immediately.

The chief minister exhorted the people to go back to planting traditional trees like kikar, neem, berry instead of poplar and eucalyptus to protect the environment, and cited the example of Dubai where cutting the native tree was an offence.

He appealed to people in the state to plant at least one tree to contribute to protection of the for the coming generations.

He called for judicious use of pesticides to save the and asked the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, to intensify its efforts to educate farmers about it.

The chief minister also launched a 'Tandarust Punjab' booklet and 'Ghar Ghar Haryali' app for providing information about saplings available with the Forest department as per season.

Singh presented saplings of chandan (sandalwood) to 13 eco-conservationists for the plantation of 10 lakh saplings in the state.

The chief minister also formally launched the district administration's 'Mission Green Mohali' initiative to plant 1 crore trees in three years.

Speaking on the occasion, Forest and Wildlife Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot described the mission as a major initiative in the context of the growing environmental pollution.

He announced that the Forest department would provide 1 lakh saplings of sandalwood to farmers for planting at the boundaries of their fields.

Dharamsot said that the department had set a target to plant 8 crore saplings of various kinds across the state.

Environment Minister O P Soni said that no state or nation could progress and prosper in the absence of a clean and green environment and the mission would go a long way in enabling such an environment in Punjab.

Former Director PGIMER, Chandigarh, K K Talwar welcomed the launch of the mission on the World Environment Day, exhorting one and all to work together for Acchhi Sehat, Acchhi Soch.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Nagaland today joined the rest of the country in observing World Day with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio setting December deadline to "free the state of plastic waste".

Across the state, NGOs, educational institutions and government departments held green rallies to raise awareness on plastic pollution.

India is the global host of 2018 World Day celebrations. With "Beat Plastic Pollution" as the theme for this year's edition, countries have come together to combat concerns.

At a programme at NBCC Convention Hall in Kohima, Rio called upon the people to reaffirm their commitment to create a "plastic-free state" in the next six months.

The CM listed the harmful effects of polythene bags on the environment.

"Plastic bags choke drains and gutters, causing them to overflow. Burning plastic also results in release of toxic gases," he said, adding that people need to take measures to end the menace.

Urging people to replace plastic bags and cutleries with eco-friendly products, the CM stressed the importance of planting trees to curb pollution.

He asked Chief Secretary Temjen Toy to set up a task force to achieve the goal of creating a 'plastic-free Nagaland' by December.

"As promised in the election manifesto, the People's Democratic Alliance government would be launching 'Clean and Green Nagaland' campaign soon. The government has also resolved to plant at least 48,000 saplings in the next one week," Rio said.

Nagaland Environment Minister CM Chang, while delivering the keynote address earlier in the day, requested everyone to join hands to combat the environmental challenges. Chang also suggested ways to stop plastic pollution.

"Adopt the three Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and take a pledge to collectively make the Earth a greener place," he urged people at NBCC Convention Hall.

A short play discouraging the use of plastics during shopping was also staged by young artists on this occasion.

The programme ended with Assembly Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu administering a 'green pledge' to the participants of the two-hour-long programme.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Goa Agriculture Minister Vijay Sardesai today criticised the Congress for making an issue out of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's absence, and maintained that the state administration was being run smoothly.

He claimed the Congress was trying to use Parrikar's absence from Goa as an opportunity to revive itself, after failing to come to power in the coastal state following the Assembly elections last year.

Parrikar, 62, is currently undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment in a hospital in the US.

He has been in USA since March and will return home by the end of this month, a state minister had said last week.

In Parrikar's absence, a three-member advisory committee comprising cabinet ministers is looking into the day-to-day affairs of the state.

Sardesai, whose Goa Forward Party is an alliance partner in BJP-led government, said Parrikar has been monitoring the state administration's functioning from the US.

"I don't think anybody is affected with the chief minister's absence. He has been monitoring the administration in Goa from USA on a daily basis," he said.

"The Congress has to make some issue. Therefore, it is using this as an opportunity to revive the party," he said.

The Goa Congress had last month demanded the appointment of a "full-time" chief minister for the coastal state in the absence Parrikar, and staged a demonstration here in support of the demand.

Sardesai said it was unfortunate that Parrikar was suffering from a health issue for which he had to go abroad.

"But he has made the stop-gap arrangement in the form of the Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC), which is working very well," he said.

To a question on the recent remarks by state minister Sudin Dhavalikar that he is "mentally prepared" to take reins of the state in Parrikar's absence, Sardesai said, "There is no question of anybody (other than Parrikar) being the chief minister."



The CAC is a stop-gap arrangement and "Parrikar is very much in command of the state's affairs," he asserted.

Dhavalikar, whose Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party (MGP) is also an ally of the BJP in Goa, is the senior most minister in the state government.

He is also part of the CAC set up by Parrikar.

The GFP and the MGP have three MLAs each in the Goa Assembly. Apart from these two parties, three Independents are also supporting the BJP-led state government.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav today said there was no decision on seat sharing between his party and the BSP for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and that it would be discussed at an "appropriate time".

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister's remark come amid reports that the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is demanding 40 out of the total 80 seats in the state for the next year general elections.

"Whatever seats are to be given will be decided once talks proceed. We will discuss at the appropriate time. Whatever is being reported regarding seats is only in newspapers.

"We have not discussed anything. We 'samajwadis' (socialists) have a big heart," he told PTI in an interview, his first after the Kairana bypolls in which the joint opposition candidate trounced the BJP's nominee, snatching the seat from the ruling party in the state.

RLD's Tabassum Hasan polled 4,81,182 votes in the bypoll, while BJP's Mriganka Singh got 4,36,564 votes, a difference of 44,618 votes.

The SP chief also alleged that "the (communal) fire in which Kairana burnt was doused by the people there by voting against the BJP".

On assembly polls in other states, Yadav said, "The SP will contest all the seats in Madhya Pradesh and is also preparing for polls in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand."



Regarding possibilities of a BSP-Congress tie-up for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, he said, "I have no information about this."



"If they are talking (for an alliance in MP) it's good. We hope for the best and prepare for the worst in politics," Yadav said.

He said as far as the SP is concerned, the party has decided to contest all the 230 assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh and preparations are underway.

The SP chief also said that the party's was prepared for the 2019 polls and the process was on for selecting prospective candidates.

Attacking the BJP, he alleged that the party distracted people from "core issues" before an election.

Discussing the success of alliance in the Gorakhpur, Phulpur, Kairana and Noorpur Lok Sabha bypolls, Yadav said, "The anger of people is visible from these results."



"The results also show that people are looking at an alternative against the BJP, which believes more in talking and less in working," he said



He termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's road show on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway on May 27 near Kairana an attempt to influence the by-election.

"Despite all out attempts, the BJP failed to succeed in Kairana and Noorpur. It's defeat of the divisive played by them. People have given a befitting reply to the BJP in the bypolls," he said.

Terming the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as "crucial", he said he expects that the general elections will be held early and simultaneously with assembly polls of some states.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Shiv Sena today requested Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to cancel acquisition of land for the proposed mega oil refinery project at Nanar in Ratnagiri district.

A delegation of five senior ministers of the Sena called on Fadnavis urging him to clear the file for cancellation of the land acquisition.

As per the copy of a memorandum submitted to the CM, the Sena ministers cited recent violent agitation against Sterlite plant at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.

It stated that similar tension has been prevailing amongst local people in Nanar.

The ministers said that in order to avoid Tuticorin-like situation, the state government should clear a proposal moved by Industries department (headed by Shiv Sena) to cancel the land acquisition for the multi-billion dollar project.

The memorandum cited the Tamil Nadu government's decision to shut down the Sterlite plant.

The memorandum was signed by four out of five Sena ministers Subhash Desai (Industries), Diwakar Raote (Public Transport), Ramdas Kadam (Environment) and Dr Deepak Sawant (Public Health) excluding PWD (state PSUs) Minister Eknath Shinde.

"There was a widespread resentment amongst the locals people against the proposed project. All Gram Panchayats have passed resolutions opposing the project and the stalled land acquisition process," it stated.

The memorandum said the government didn't have a policy to proceed with land acquisition without approval of the local people.

The ministers recalled that the CM had said that the project would not be forced upon if local population is against it.

"Industries Minister Subhash Desai had announced the cancellation of the land acquisition notification and had directed Secretary, Industries department, to submit a proposal to that effect," the memorandum stated.

Desai had announced in Ratnagiri in April that the government notification for acquiring land for the project in Nanar, over 350 kilometres from here, has been cancelled.

However, chief minister had contradicted him, saying the order has not been cancelled.

Three Indian oil majors had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on April 11 with Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to develop a refinery and petrochemicals complex in the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Reaching out to NDA allies ahead of the 2019 general elections, BJP chief Amit Shah will meet Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai tomorrow and Shiromani Akali Dal supremo Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh the following day, party leaders said today.

On June 3, Shah met LJP chief and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who raised the issue of special status for Bihar.

The series of meetings are being seen as an attempt by the BJP to reach out to allies who have either been criticising or expressing their dissent with the party and also to strengthen the National Democratic Alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year.

"Amit Shah sought time to meet Uddhavji. Accordingly, an appointment for tomorrow evening has been given to him," Sena MP Sanjay Raut told PTI in Mumbai.

However, he questioned the need for Shah to meet Thackeray after a gap of four years.

Shah, who will meet Thackeray at his Mumbai residence tomorrow, will travel to Chandigarh the day after that to call on Badal and his son, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal, a BJP leader said.

While the BJP president travels to Mumbai and Chandigarh, he has also instructed that a "mahabhoj" (grand dinner) be held for all NDA allies on June 7 in the Bihar capital Patna. It will be attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi and Union ministers Paswan and Upendra Kushwaha.

The BJP general secretary and the party's Bihar in-charge Bhupendra Yadav, state party BJP president Nityanand Rai and another NDA ally Arun Kumar will also attend the event, a party leader said.

Invitations have been extended to all NDA MLAs, MLCs and MPs from Bihar for the dinner.

The outreach programme is aimed at reinforcing the unity of NDA at a time the entire opposition is trying to come together to stitch an alliance for the 2019 elections.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) today arrested a sub-inspector of police while accepting a bribe in Bihar's Patna district, a press release said.

The sub-inspector also attacked and injured a constable of the department, with a knife, while he was being arrested, the VIB release said.

The sub-inspector, posted at Dhanarua police station in the district was accepting Rs 20,000 bribe for helping a complainant in a criminal case, the release said.

One Ramesh Bhagat, a resident of Majhanpura village under the jurisdiction of Dhanarua police station of the district, had lodged a complaint with the vigilance bureau, it said.

The man, in his complaint, said that sub-inspector Nathuni Ram was demanding a bribe of Rs 20,000 for helping him (Bhagat) in a case lodged with the Dhanarua police station, the VIB release added.

The complaint was verified by the bureau and it found the allegation to be true, the release said.

A vigilance team then raided and caught the sub-inspector red-handed, from the premises of Dhanarua police station, while he was accepting the bribe, the release said.

The injured constable was administered first aid at a local hospital and then referred to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna, the VIB release added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Singapore today designated a special event area of the Sentosa island tourist resort for the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with over 2,500 journalists expected to cover the historic meeting.

The second area to be named for the summit was announced in a public order published in the Government Gazette online today which adds to a previous announcement that designated the area around Shangri-La Hotel here as a special event area for the summit which is scheduled to take place on June 12.

Extra security measures will be in force for these areas in the period between June 10 and 14.

Within the special event areas, there will be a special zone where stricter security checks will be conducted on people and vehicles.

The special zone covers an area that includes Universal Studios Singapore and the Capella hotel, a colonial building on the island of Sentosa just off Singapore linked with a causeway.

More than 2,500 people from the local and international media are expected to cover the event here, according to the number of registrations received by the ministry of communications and information here today.

Journalists will work from the International Media Centre which is being set up at the F1 Pit Building in the Marina Bay area in the Central Business District and miles away from the so far likely venues Sentosa island and the Shangri-La hotel.

On Sunday, the government had announced that the area around the Shangri-La Hotel was designated a special event area for the summit, with a special zone covering an area including Claymore Road, Cuscaden Road, and parts of Nassim Road and Grange Road, off the Central Business District.

Special measures apply to such event areas. For instance, people entering the special event area must allow the police to inspect their personal belongings if asked.

In addition, certain items will not be allowed to be taken into the special event area, according to a Channel Asia report.

These include explosives and arms as well as aerosol paint containers or substances "capable of being used to mark graffiti". Megaphones and flags or banners larger than 1 metre by 1 metre or with a handle longer than a metre are also not allowed within the special event area.

While there has been no confirmation of the venue of the summit, the Capella - a colonial building-turned-hotel - has been touted as one possible location.

In a separate notice today, the government also issued an order to allow for the use of armoured vehicles from June 3 to June 30, in relation to the summit.

The public order specified four vehicles driven by police officers for the purpose of training and conveying any "non-citizen individual" taking part in the summit or related activities anywhere in Singapore.

This includes any social activities related to the meeting involving any representative of the US or North Korea attending the summit, according to the notice.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The ongoing protest by farmers continued at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana for the fifth day today but the situation was set to ease as farmers of Punjab have decided to call off their stir tomorrow.

Farmers continued to hold protests at few places in Punjab and Haryana today. However, very few incidents were reported of farmers dumping their produce on roads, as was witnessed during first few days of the stir.

The decision to end the stir from tomorrow was taken at a meeting of leaders of different farmers' organisations in Ludhiana yesterday.

Farmers had begun their agitation from June 1, as part of a nationwide stir, and had stopped supply of vegetables, fruits, milk and other items to various cities protesting the alleged anti-farmer policies of the Centre.

Due to the dwindling supplies of farm produce in many mandis, prices had gone up, but these have begun to stabilise now, traders said.

The decision to stop supplies from June 1 till June 10 was taken by farmers under the banner of Kisan Ekta Manch and Rashtriya Kisan Maha Sangh.

Farmer organisations have been demanding minimum income guarantee scheme, implementation of Swaminathan Commission report and waiver of farmers' debt.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The construction of Subarnarekha port in Odisha will begin soon as the defence ministry has given its clearance for the project, Odisha government said today.

Chennai-based Creative Port Private Ltd (CPPL) has proposed construction of an all-weather deep-draft commercial port at Subarnarekha river, the Odisha government said in a statement released here.

Steel giant Tata Steel has signed an agreement with the Chennai firm to pick up 51 per cent equity in the port project from the original promoters, it said.

"Ministry of Defence has given the nod for construction of a port on Subarnarekha river mouth on the Bay of Bengal in Balasore district. Decks have been cleared for the project and the construction will start shortly," the statement said.

The proposed port project is located close to the integrated test range site of the defence ministry at Chandipur near Balasore. Earlier, the ministry had certain objections to the project, it added.

The land acquisition for the project is already over. The state government had handed over 692.68 acre to the port developers.

Port-based industrialisation is a major thrust area for the state with three ports already operational at Paradip, Dhamra and Gopalpur.

This port will spur faster economic development of northern Odisha, Sanjeev Chopra, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Odisha government said.

"Though 961.18 acre of land is required for the port, the government has allotted 692.68 acre to the developers as about 128.8 acre of government land remains encroached. The Balasore collector has been asked to evict the encroachers," the state government said.

CPPL had signed an MoU with the Odisha government on December 18, 2006 to develop the project. Later, the revenue sharing agreement was inked between the two sides on January 11, 2008, it said.

"The Union ministry of and forests had accorded clearance to the proposed port project in 2012, but it hit a roadblock with the defence ministry raising objections. However, this hurdle is over with the defence ministry giving conditional clearance," the statement said.

According to the revenue-sharing agreement signed originally, the port would have an initial capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), which is to be raised to 40 MTPA over 10 years, it added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The growing use of electrified vehicles is expected to cost Germany's crucial car sector some 75,000 jobs by 2030, a study found today, with smaller auto parts suppliers set to be worst hit.

The IG Metall union, which commissioned the study along with BMW, Volkswagen, Daimler and a string of car parts makers, said the pivot towards cleaner engines posed a "major challenge" to Germany's biggest industry, which employs more than 800,000 people.

Electric engines are simpler to build and require far fewer parts than petrol- or diesel-fuelled cars.

According to the study, carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute, the shift will eliminate 100,000 of the 210,000 jobs in drivetrain manufacturing by 2030, while around 25,000 new roles will be created linked to batteries and other specific requirements for electric cars.

The figures were calculated on the assumption that by then, 25 percent of all cars on Germany's roads will be fully electric, while another 15 percent will be hybrids, which combine an electric motor with a traditional internal combustion engine.

Today, these cars account for less than two percent of the market. IG Metall chief Joerg Hofmann said the government and company bosses needed to take urgent action to prepare the industry for the upheaval, including through retraining schemes.

But he also warned that not everyone would survive the electric revolution.

"There will be suppliers who won't be able to adapt their business model, especially among small- and medium-sized companies," Hofmann told reporters in Frankfurt.

Whereas it takes some 4,000 workers to assemble a million gasoline-powered engines per year, just 1,840 are needed to build the same number of electric motors, the study said.

Volkswagen's staff representative Bernd Osterloh told reporters that the car giant would respond to the changes by phasing out jobs through retirement schemes and "using the opportunities presented by the transformation".

Despite being home to some of the world's biggest and best known carmakers, Germany's auto industry was slow to focus its attention on the greener, smarter vehicles of the future -- allowing newcomers like Tesla to take the lead.

But German firms have stepped up their efforts in the wake of Volkswagen's 2015 "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal, which badly damaged the reputation of diesel cars and spurred a push towards more environmentally friendly engines.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)China today defended its decision to ask Australia's national flag carrier Qantas Airways to refer Taiwan as the Chinese territory, saying the area is part of the mainland under one-China policy.

Reacting to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's remarks that private business should be able to conduct operations free from political pressure, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said, "this is common sense. It is not procedure or technical issue. This is a political issue."



"The notice of the relevant Chinese enterprises reflect China's firm position on the one-China principle. The relevant requirement is legal and legitimate," she told a media briefing here when asked about Bishop's remarks.

"So it is not political interference or political pressure. All foreign enterprises in China should abide by one-China principle. This a basic requirement for them," she said.

Qantas yesterday said it had decided to comply with China's request to remove references on its websites and in other material that suggest Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are part of countries independent from China.

Australia's government already adheres to the one-China policy.

China in recent months has been enforcing the one-China policy rule on foreign firms invested and operated from the mainland.

The ties between China and Australia have strained in recent months after Canberra accused Beijing of interfering in its domestic affairs, a charge China denies.

The Australian government also announced plans to introduce tough new legislation to limit foreign influence, including a ban on offshore political donations. China denies the allegations of meddling in Australian affairs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Tamil Nadu government today announced it would ban the use of plastic items, including non-biodegradable carry bags, from January 2019 to "gift a plastic-free" state to future generations.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami's announcement in the state assembly coincided with International Day today.

The ban on manufacture, sale, storage and usage of items such as plastic paper, cups, water sachets, straws and carry bags would come into effect from January 1, 2019, Palaniswami said.

The ban would cover these plastic articles irrespective of their micron size.

However, polythene sachets used for packing milk, curd, oil and medical equipment would be exempted from the ban, Palaniswami said.

The PMK, in a statement, said this is not the first time the state government was banning disposable plastic, recalling that late Jayalalithaa had made a similar attempt in 2002 as chief minister then.

Palaniswami said former chief minister Jayalalithaa had earlier constituted an expert panel to go into the issue of banning plastic products.

That panel had suggested banning disposable plastic products, including bags, plates and cups, and recommended that traditional items such as plantain leaves and plates made of palm leaves be used, Palaniswami said.

The chief minister said non-biodegradable plastic products, mainly polythene covers affect the environment, impeding water flow.

"When such disposable plastic items remain on the soil, it impedes water flow to water bodies, resulting in stagnation. It also affects the flow of sewage.

"Further, it prevents percolation of rain water into the soil, thus affecting the increase in underground water," he said in a statement.

The chief minister said when rainwater stagnates in strewn plastic waste, it results in breeding of dengue and malaria-causing mosquitoes.

He said while such waste contributed towards flooding, it has also affected soil quality.

Its burning also causes problems, he said, adding that plastic products contributed to various forms of pollution-- air, land and water.

Cattle feeding on such waste face the danger of death, the chief minister said.

"Since plastic is non-biodegradable it is not easy to destroy... Due to pollution of air, water and land, plastic becomes harmful for human life. Therefore, completely avoiding them is the need of the hour," he said.

"Considering the damage caused by plastic, and to ensure this is not left behind for future generations, the Amma government has decided to ban non-biodegradable plastic covers, plates, cups, water packets, straws and bags," he said.

However, plastic sachets used to pack milk, curd and oil, besides those used to wrap medical products,would be exempted from the ban, Palaniswami said.

The ban is brought under the Protection Act, 1986, and it would come into effect from January 1, 2019, to allow people to change over to using paper bags and other products made out of paper as substitutes to the plastic items facing ban, he said.

Palaniswami said people's participation in the past for a rainwater harvesting scheme introduced by Jayalalithaa had resulted in success, as it had led to better groundwater resources.

"Similarly, with the cooperation and contribution of all, let us gift a plastic-free Tamil Nadu for the future generations of the state," he said.

PMK founder S Ramadoss, who welcomed the announcement, recalled that Jayalalithaa had made a similar attempt in 2002 as then chief minister.

"This is not the first time the Tamil Nadu government is banning disposable plastic. On May 7, 2002 then chief minister Jayalalithaa had brought in a legislation in the Assembly for banning the use of plastic.

"However, on January 1, 2003, she withdrew that legislation without any transparent reason," he said in a statement.

The PMK founder said the Tamil Nadu should "determinedly implement" its latest announcement on plastic ban.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A teacher of a government-run school has been accused of outraging the modesty of a woman in Odisha's Jajpur district, police said today.

The incident happened at Patapur village under the jurisdiction of Mangalpur police station yesterday night when the 40-year-old woman was alone at home, the police said.

The accused was inebriated at the time of the incident and he works as an assistant teacher in a government-run school, the officer said quoting the FIR.

A case has been registered against the accused under sections 354A (physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Jajpur, P K Mallha, said.

"Based on the woman's compliant, we rushed to the spot immediately and started an investigation. The accused teacher fled before a police team could reach his residence," the SDPO said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A court here today reserved for June 7 its order on the bail application of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was arrested for his alleged role in a terror-funding case also involving Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief and 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

District Judge Poonam A Bamba reserved the order after hearing the arguments on behalf of the accused as well the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Watali was arrested on August 17 last year by the NIA. He is currently in judicial custody.

While senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for the NIA, opposed the bail plea, saying the allegations against the accused were very serious, Watali's counsel said the probe was concluded and no purpose would be served by keeping his client in further custody.

The NIA contended that the source of funds received by the accused was not satisfactorily explained by him and if released on bail, he might hamper the probe and flee from justice.

In his application moved by advocate Shariq Reyaz, Watali contended that no offence under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was made out against him in the chargesheet and that he had already spent nine months in jail.

His counsel said the probe was already concluded in the case and the chargesheet filed.

Watali, Saeed, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin and others have been accused by the NIA of "conspiring to wage war against the government" and fomenting trouble in the Kashmir Valley.

In its chargesheet, the NIA has alleged that the officials of the Pakistan High Commission here were passing on money to the separatists in Jammu and Kashmir through Watali.

The separatist leaders have been accused of taking a cut of the money.

Saeed has been accused of using the services of Watali for passing on the money to the separatists and some individuals, who were actively indulging in stone-pelting in the Valley.

The NIA has charged Pakistan-based terrorists Saeed and Salahuddin, besides 10 others, with criminal conspiracy, sedition, and under the provisions of the UAPA.

Besides Saeed, Salahuddin and Watali, the agency has also named hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Shah alias Altaf Fantoosh and Bashir Ahmad Bhat in the chargesheet.

Hurriyat Conference leaders Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, Mohammad Akbar Khanday and Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal have also been charged by the agency in the terror-funding case.

All the accused are currently in judicial custody.

Two of the accused -- freelance photo-journalist Kamran Yusuf and one Javed Ahmad Bhat -- both accused of stone-pelting, were earlier granted bail by the court.

The agency has charged the Hurriyat leaders with acting under the overall guidance of and on instructions from Saeed, Salahuddin and their "Pakistani handlers". They have also been accused of plotting strategies to launch violent protests in the Valley.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Thane Police has busted an online cryptocurrency racket, which had allegedly collected an estimated Rs 500 crore from people with promise of good returns, and has arrested one person, an official said today.

Some people had floated a company about a year back and launched their own cyrptocurrency called the 'Money Trade Coin (MTC)', through which they promised high returns and lured people to invest about Rs 500 crore into its schemes, the police official said.

However, the company allegedly failed to pay the promised sum to the investors.

The accused allegedly posed as representatives of the Union Finance Ministry and had also prepared fake identity cards to cheat people, Thane Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh said at a press conference here.

Around 25,000 people fell prey to the accused and invested money in the company, he said.

Based on a complaint by a New Delhi-based businessman, the police raided the company's premises on the Ghodbunder Road in Thane and in suburban Vikhroli in the adjoining Mumbai yesterday and subsequently nabbed a person, identified as Taha Kazi, from Mumbra town.

Singh said the police seized 53 laptops, rubber stamps and fabricated documents during the raids, Singh said.

Kazi, who was allegedly providing technical support to the company, was later arrested, another police official said.

The police is trying to ascertain the exact modus operandi of the company's owners and how they used to run the racket.

A search is on for five others for their alleged involved in the racket, the police said.

A case has been registered against the accused under various Indian Penal Code sections for cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act, the Chit Funds Act and the Information Technology Act.

Across the world, there have been heightened concerns over cryptocurrencies, also known as 'virtual currencies', such as Bitcoins as they are not regulated by any governments/central banks, leading to a fear of possible money laundering too.

The RBI had earlier come out with warnings to discourage the public from investing in virtual currencies.

The RBI has also asked banks not to extend banking facilities for sale or purchase of such currencies.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A local Trinamool Congress leader in Howrah district was shot dead my miscreants, police said today.

Md Mohsin Khan, a Trinamool Congress booth level secretary in Bagnan area of Howrah district was returning home last night when the miscreants shot him dead at Haturia village in the district, they said.

Khan's wife is a Trinamool Congress gram panchayat member.

Protesting the gunning down of Khan, local villagers blocked the NH 6 near Haturia village for about two-hours last night demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

The police said they have detained three persons for questioning in connection with the case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Tamil Nadu government is for the release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts but the matter was pending before the Supreme Court, Law Minister C Ve Shanmugam told the state assembly today.

"There is no second opinion," that the convicts in the case should be freed, Shanmugam, said replying to a plea of MLA, M Thamimun Ansari that the State government should take steps for their release.

The Minister said the state government's decision to release the seven life-term convicts in the case was based on the policy of late chief minister "Amma" (Jayalalithaa).

However, the Centre took the matter to the Supreme Court where it was pending, he said adding the state government would decide its future course of action after the top court pronounced its verdict in the matter.

Raising the issue, Ansari, leader of Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi, an ally of the ruling AIADMK, said the apex court had early this year given the Centre three months time to take a decision on the release of the convicts.

Since the Centre had not come out with its stand, the state government should take efforts for their release, he said.

Looking at Congress members, Ansari said their party chief Rahul Gandhi, son of Rajiv Gandhi, himself had forgiven the convicts.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated at an election rally on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur near here by a woman suicide bomber.

The apex court had on January 23 this year asked the Centre to take a decision within three months on a 2016 letter by Tamil Nadu government seeking its concurrence for releasing the convicts.

The Centre had asserted that the killers of the former prime Minister did not deserve any mercy as the assassination was the result of a conspiracy involving foreign nationals.

Earlier, Ansari drew the attention of the government seeking release of 28 prisoners, including Abu Thahir of Coimbatore, who he said had a serious ailment.

On this point, Shanmugam said his plea for their release will be considered if their cases met the criteria set out by the government, which is in tune with Supreme Court guidelines on pre-mature release of prisoners.

The state government yesterday announced the pre-mature release of 67 life convicts who have completed 10 years of imprisonment, in commemoration of the birth centenary of late Chief Minister and AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran.

Outlining the norms, the Minister said police should give a 'No Objection Certificate,' the family of the convict should accept the convict on release, and there should be no threat to the life of the convict proposed to be released or to the general public from him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Rising to the grave environmental challenge posed by rampant use of plastics, states of Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, Maharashtra and Jharkhand



today announced that they are set to become plastic-free, while Uttarakhand banned the use of polythene from July 31.

The state governments expressed their resolve to end the menace as India played global host to 2018 World Day celebrations with the theme "Beat Plastic Pollution".

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami's told the state assembly that his government would ban the use of plastic items, including non-biodegradable carry bags, from January 2019 to "gift a plastic-free" state to future generations.

"Considering the damage caused by plastic, and to ensure this is not left behind for future generations, the Amma government has decided to ban non-biodegradable plastic covers, plates, cups, water packets, straws and bags," he said.

However, plastic sachets used to pack milk, curd and oil, besides those used to wrap medical products,would be exempted from the ban, Palaniswami said in Chemnai.

Chief Minister Raghubar Das announced that Jharkhand would become a plastic-free state by June 5 next year,



"By June 5, 2019, Jharkhand will be plastic free. I appeal to 3.25 crore people of Jharkhand to free Jharkhand from plastic---from office to house to bazaar to village, plastic should not be seen," Das said while addressing a programme on the World Day.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio set the December deadline to "free the state of plastic waste".

"Plastic bags choke drains and gutters, causing them to overflow. Burning plastic also results in release of toxic gases," Rio said, adding that people need to take measures to end the menace.

Maharashtra Minister Ramdas Kadam said the state will be totally free of plastic in the the next one year.

On March 23, the BJP-led government imposed a ban on a slew of plastic products in the state. It had issued a notification, baning manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic materials such as one-time-use bags.

"I will not let people die of cancer, animals suffer nor let the environment be degraded further. Maharashtra will be 100 per cent plastic-free in one year," Kadam said.

In Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said polythene will be banned in the state from July 31.

One week before the ban, a mass awareness campaign on environmental damage caused by polythene, would be undertaken in the entire state, he said.

Rawat saidenvironment conservation is a collective responsibility and everyone will have to make their contribution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for building a plastic free India.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged people to curb plastic pollution on the occasion of World Environment Day.

"Today is World Environment Day. Following this years theme, let us pledge to beat plastic pollution. Let us pledge to make every day #WorldEnvironmentDay," the CM tweeted this morning.

The Railways too joined in the green initiatives, saying passengers travelling on some premium trains will be served meals from today on eco-friendly, disposable plates made of bagasse, instead of those made of polymer.

Sikkim became the first state in 1998 to ban disposable plastic bags. In 2016, it banned the use of packaged drinking water in government offices and government events and use of Styrofoam and thermocol disposable plates in the entire state.

The Haryana government too has now decided to ban single-use plastic water bottles in all government offices in the state.

Across the country, NGOs, educational institutions and government departments held green rallies to raise awareness on plastic pollution.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia today said he would launch a new "religious cum social" outfit in Delhi on June 24 and announced support to the ongoing farmers' protest.

The Hindutva leader had quit as international working president of the VHP in April this year after his nominee Raghav Reddy lost a key organisational poll for the post of VHP president to former Himachal Pradesh governor V S Kokje.

Speaking to reporters on his future plans, Togadia said he would launch a Hindu movement.

"We are starting a new movement, a Hindu movement, from Delhi on June 24. On that day, we will announce the name and agenda of this new organisation. Our representatives from all over the country will remain present in that convention to be held in an indoor stadium," Togadia said.

He said they have already built the foundation of the new organisation in all the states except two.

However, he refused to divulge further details.

"Even block level office-bearers are also appointed. This outfit will be a religious and social one. It will not be a political outfit. But, you need to wait for June 24 for a clear picture," the Hindutva leader said.

He also announced his support to the ongoing farmers' stir for better remunerative prices for agri produce and waiver of farm loans.

Togadia said he would join the farmers' protest in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh on June 8.

Mandsaur was the epicentre of farmers agitation last year in which six persons were killed in police firing on June 6.

"I have decided to lead the farmers' agitation, and I will start this from Mandsaur on June 8. I have accepted the invitation given to me by agitators. I extend my full support to this stir and lakhs of our workers will join this movement," he said.

Togadia said the "cause of Hindutva" was linked with the protest "because most of the farmers in the country are Hindus".

He also attacked Narendra Modi government over its "failure" to implement electoral promises of 2014.

"In 2014, Narendra Modi had promised that he would implement recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission for the welfare of farmers. We had very high hopes from this government. However, nothing concrete was done for farmers. This government has breached farmers' trust by not implementing those recommendations," Togadia alleged.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Rescue workers pulled more bodies today from under the dust and rubble left by an explosive eruption of Guatemala's Fuego volcano, bringing the death toll to at least 65.

Disaster Relief Agency spokesman David de Leon told a briefing that after hours of searching for survivors, the number of dead had hit at least 65.

In addition, there are 46 people injured, most of them seriously, more than 1.7 million being hit by the disaster, including 3,271 ordered evacuated and 1,787 in shelters in the departments of Escuintla, Sacatepequez and Chimaltenango since Sunday's eruption.

The 3,763-metre volcano erupted early Sunday, spewing out towering plumes of ash and a hail of fiery rock fragments with scalding mud. Authorities had warned the death toll could rise after searches resumed for survivors in communities on the mountain's southern flank.

After an initial toll of 25 dead, it was revised upwards within hours as bodies were recovered from villages razed by the tumbling mud. "There are missing persons, but we do not know how many," said Sergio Cabanas of Guatemala's disaster management agency. A roll call of communities on the slopes of the volcano was under way.

The speed and ferocity of the eruption took mountain communities by surprise, with many of the dead found in or around their homes. Cabanas said those who were killed had been overrun by fast-moving burning material discharged by the volcano Sunday. Communities located on its southern slope were the worst hit. Several of the dead were children.

An AFP journalist saw at least three bodies burned in the rubble of the village of San Miguel Los Lotes, where rescue workers, soldiers and police were desperately searching for survivors.

Dead dogs, chickens and ducks also lay among the mud and ash, much of it still smoking.

"I do not want to leave, but go back, and there is nothing I can do to save my family," a weeping Eufemia Garcia, 48, told AFP. She was searching for her three children, her mother, nephews and siblings.

Garcia, from Los Lotes, said she escaped with the help of her husband. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply saddened by the "tragic loss of life and the significant damage caused by the eruption," and said the UN was ready to assist national rescue and relief efforts.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.): Following are the top stories from the northern region at 4.45 pm.

JAIPUR DEL24 RJ-PAK-JAIL



Jaipur: A man missing from his home in Rajasthan's Bundi district for five years has been traced to a jail in Pakistan, an official said today.

JAIPUR DEL31 RJ-ENVIRONMENT-BISHNOIS



Jaipur: A young farmer has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day to get global recognition for 363 Bishnois who died protecting trees they held sacred in an 18th century precursor to the Chipko movement.

SHIMLA DEL27 HP-ENVIRONMENT-WATER



Shimla: As the world observed the Environment Day today, residents of Shimla continued to grapple with the worst-ever water crisis in the hill city's history, a stark warning of what the consequences of degradation of natural resources can be.

LUCKNOW DES1 UP-AKHILESH-SEAT SHARING



Lucknow: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav today said there was no decision on seat sharing between his party and the BSP for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and that it would be discussed at an "appropriate time".

EXPECTED STORY



Lucknow: UP govt report pushes for simultaneous polls.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)President faced pushback on Monday from Republican lawmakers, an influential GOP group and foreign leaders over his tough negotiations that are hitting China, and with tariffs amid fears of a

But the president defended his actions saying the US would soon be in a stronger position with its top trading partners.

Trump wrote in a series of tweets that his trade negotiations with and a slew of US allies would break down large trade barriers faced by American farmers.

He said that "already charges a tax of 16% on soybeans. has all sorts of trade barriers on our Agricultural products. Not acceptable!" In a conference call later on Monday with grassroots supporters, he said: "We will be in a very strong position very soon. We don't want to be taken advantage of anymore."



The president last week imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from top US trading partners, including Canada, and the European Union. And he has threatened tariffs on up to $200 billion in Chinese imports, raising the potential for retaliation in a dispute involving the globe's two largest economies.

Senate Republicans have warned that the tariffs could dampen the economic gains from the GOP tax cuts and sour the mood among voters as lawmakers campaign to protect the Republican majority in Congress in November midterm elections.

Sen Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said he met with senators today as they consider a legislative response, drawing interest from "both sides of the aisle" who are concerned about the tariffs.

The lawmakers were trying to draft a narrowly focused bill that would require a vote in Congress to approve tariffs when the administration claims they're needed for national security, as it did for those on steel and aluminum from the top U.S. allies.

It's a longshot legislative strategy, but the group was working quickly to try to produce an amendment that could win support in time for debate on a separate, must-pass defense bill.

White House legislative affairs director Marc Short dismissed the chatter. "To suggest that it's news that Congress would want to reclaim powers that belong to the executive branch, I don't think is exactly newsworthy," he said on CNN.

Many Farm Belt lawmakers worry that the trade disputes could make American farmers the target of retaliation. Mexico, for example, has said it will penalize US imports including pork, apples, grapes and cheeses.

At least one Republican, Sen David Perdue of Georgia, said he was not ready for Congress to intervene because, having just returned from Asia, he's confident Trump has gained China's attention and he wants to see the strategy "play out."



Groups backed by the influential Koch brothers' network announced today they were launching a new multimillion-dollar campaign to oppose tariffs and highlight the benefits of free trade. The groups Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Prosperity and The LIBRE Initiative called on Congress to exert oversight by requiring House and Senate votes on any new tariffs and urged the lifting of the recent steel and aluminum tariffs as well as those being proposed on goods from

Tim Phillips, the president of Americans for Prosperity, said the tariffs amounted to "self-imposed barriers" to the $1.5 trillion tax overhaul that Trump signed into law in December. "The Trump administration has taken some incredibly positive steps for the American economy, but tariffs will undercut that progress and needlessly hamstring our full economic potential," he said in a statement.US President Donald Trump today said that his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore would hopefully be the start of "something big".

Preparations for the summit on June 12 are on in Singapore. There was initially much uncertainty over whether the summit would go ahead at all, and it was briefly called off last month by Trump after a dispute with the North Koreans.

"Meeting in Singapore with North Korea will hopefully be the start of something big...we will soon see!" Trump said.

Last week, Trump met with a top North Korean official at the White House to plan for the summit. Kim Yong Chol, a top aide of Kim handed over to Trump a letter from the North Korean leader.

The two leaders are tentatively scheduled to meet at 9:00am Singapore time on June 12.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)President Donald Trump has strengthened the US' ties with a number of foreign leaders, the White House has said, describing the first 500 days of his presidency as a period of "unprecedented success".

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that since taking office, the US president has strengthened American leadership, security, prosperity and accountability.

"There have been a number of major foreign policy achievements. Certainly, I think the strengthening of relationships with a number of foreign leaders, Sanders told reporters at her daily conference.

In an apparent reference to the upcoming summit between Trump and the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12, Sanders said, "I think that the conversation that we're looking forward to having here in the next couple of weeks is certainly a step in the right direction.

Moving the embassy in Israel would certainly be on that list. Being tough on Russia. Being tough on trade and making sure that countries that have engaged in unfair trade practices are held accountable. Those are just a few, Sanders said in response to a question.

Sanders described the first 500 days as a period of unprecedented success on behalf of all Americans at home and abroad.

"Since taking office, the President has strengthened American leadership, security, prosperity, and accountability. And as we saw from Friday's jobs report, our economy is stronger, Americans are optimistic, and business is booming, she said.

"When the president predicted 3 per cent economic growth, a number of economists didn't take him seriously, including President Obama's Director of the National Economic Council and Moody's chief economist. The economy has now grown by 2.8 per cent during the first four full quarters of this administration. And we believe we are well on our way to reaching the level of growth the President has predicted, Sanders said.

The American people do not believe this strong economy is fantasy or unrealistic. Just as he promised, President Trump believes in the American people and is putting them first in every decision, she added.

The White House in a fact sheet said that Trump has re-asserted American leadership on the world stage and is achieving results for the American people.

It said Trump followed through on his promise to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Trump ordered an end to United States participation in the horrible Iran deal and immediately began the process of re-imposing sanctions that had been lifted or waived, it said, adding that he has taken action to confront aggression by Iran and its proxies.

The Department of the Treasury has issued a range of sanctions targeting Iranian activities and entities, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force.

It said, under Trump the US has led an unprecedented global campaign to achieve the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

The White House said Trump's leadership has contributed to the return of 17 Americans held overseas. In May 2018 alone, Venezuela released one American and North Korea released three Americans who came home to the United States.

"Trump has secured historic increases in defence funding in order to rebuild our Nation's military with the resources they need, after years of harmful sequester," it said.

Trump signed legislation to provide USD 700 billion in defence spending for fiscal year (FY) 2018 and USD 716 billion for FY 2019. The US has worked with international allies to decimate ISIS. Trump ordered strikes against Syria in response to the regime's use of chemical weapons in April 2017 and April 2018, the White House said.

President Trump had yesterday touted his first 500 days in the White House, saying many believe he has achieved more than any of his predecessors in that same time frame.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Two alleged drug smugglers have been arrested with 10 kg poppy in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district, police said today.

The poppy was seized from a Tavera vehicle that was intercepted last night on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Jakhani area of the district, a police officer said.

The accused, Javed Dar and Sameer are residents of the Budgam district, he added.

A case has been registered by the police.

Yesterday, a man was arrested with 140 kg of poppy in Udhampur.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Britain's cabinet today gave the go-ahead to a controversial project to build a third runway at London Heathrow, Europe's biggest airport by passenger numbers, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said.

"The time for action is now," Grayling said after a cabinet meeting, as he laid out the government's plans in parliament, which is expected to vote on the project in the coming weeks.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Amid the ever-changing security dynamics in the aviation sector and the complexities associated with it, officials and experts from both India and the United Kingdom met here today to share the best practices in the field and device strategies to counter the evolving challenges.

The two-day UK-India Bilateral Seminar on Aviation Security is being attended by stakeholders across the aviation sector in the country including officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, the CISF and the Delhi Police, among others.

The meet comes at a time when the aviation sector in India is witnessing phenomenal growth, with the passenger traffic growth touching 28-30 per cent during the last couple of months.

"Issues related to mutual interest were discussed along with best practices," said a tweet of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, announcing the start of the two-day seminar.

Joint Secretary in the Ministry Usha Padhee in a separate tweet said, "Sharing best practices is the best way to learn from each other.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The British government is under mounting pressure to ease Northern Ireland's restrictive abortion laws, but a Cabinet minister said today it would be wrong to impose change from London.

"Personally, I want to see reform in Northern Ireland, but it is a matter for the people of Northern Ireland," Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley told lawmakers in the House of Commons.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where abortion is illegal in all but exceptional cases. The neighboring Republic of Ireland voted last month to lift its abortion ban, putting pressure on the north to follow suit.

The sensitive issue is complicated because abortion rules are the responsibility of Northern Ireland's Belfast-based administration, which has been suspended since January 2017 because of feuding between the main Catholic and Protestant political parties.

Bradley said the best option for progress on abortion rights is to get the Northern Ireland assembly and government running again. But there is little sign of a breakthrough in the impasse between Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party.

Given the political vacuum in Northern Ireland, some U.K. lawmakers want Britain's Parliament to intervene. They argue that abortion is a matter of human rights and therefore an issue for central, not regional, government.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today inaugurated the state's first-of-its-kind Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) here and said the hi-tech technology will take the city on the path of development.

He said the ITMS will help police in regulating traffic and punishing habitual traffic offenders and will certainly reduce the road accident cases and traffic congestion.

The chief minister also made the challan of a motorcycle-borne man, for violating traffic rule at Bara Chauraha.

He appealed to the people to help district authorities in keeping the city clean and pollution free.

On the occasion of World Environment Day today, the chief minister also addressed a gathering at Chatrapati Sahu Ji Maharaj University auditorium.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An Uttar Pradesh panel has recommended simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies, echoing a suggestion by the Law Commission of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's own view on the issue.

In the first instance, we may have elections to Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies to be held simultaneously and subsequently elections to the local bodies should also be joined with them," the report submitted today to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath proposed.

The 23-page report was submitted by UP Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh, who headed the seven-member committee constituted by the chief minister.

"UP is the first state to push PM's idea of national debate on holding all elections up to the panchayat together. We have examined it and it is possible," Singh told PTI after handing over the report titled, "One nation, one election & common electoral rolls."



Adityanath later said, "We are forwarding the report to the Centre, and it will be good in the larger public interest."



He added that to keep the electoral rolls clean, Aadhaar numbers should be linked with the names of voters to eliminate chances of duplication, as suggested by the committee.

Singh, who is also the state government spokesperson, said that as per the prime minister's one-nation, one-election suggestion, the state favoured holding simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the legislative assembly.

The report said holding simultaneous elections would involve synchronising the election cycles of various state legislative assemblies with the Lok Sabha polls and making this synchronisation a permanent feature.

"It is evident that if the terms of state assemblies are to coincide with that of the Lok Sabha, then, in the first instance, the terms of some of the state assemblies would have to be curtailed and that of some other assemblies extended. For this, there has to be a reference date," the report said.

It said the logical date would be the midway point between June 4, 2019, and June 3, 2024, which would be in November-December 2021.

"For simplicity and without compromising with the underlying logic, we can take that as December 31, 2021," it said.

"This proposal would require amendments to the Constitution and statutes, detailed examination of which could be carried out once the principle is agreed upon," the report said.

Local bodies, it said, may join the electoral cycle from 2029 by which time the systems would have become sufficiently evolved to deal with the additional logistical issues.

The committee noted that till 1967 elections to the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies were held together.

It was only due to the political events around that time that the synchronous electoral cycle was broken and as time progressed the conduct of elections became more and more disjointed, it said.

On common electoral rolls, the committee said, "The concept is to have the same electoral rolls for elections to Lok Sabha/State Assembly or local bodies.

Once that happens the voter for all elections mentioned above will go to the same place, look up the same serial number, find his name and vote," it said.

Birth and death registers should be computerised and linked to a centralized database so that in the event of death, a person's name is automatically deleted from the rolls, the report said.

Presently, electoral rolls for the Lok Sabha and the state assembly are prepared under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission while the State Election Commission is responsible for the local bodies.

The Lok Sabha and the assembly elections are conducted through electronic voting machines (EVMs) while ballot papers are used for the local bodies' elections.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A 60-year-old man was electrocuted to death after he came in contact with a broken live wire in Kethoda village here, police said today.

The incident took place last evening when the man had gone to irrigate his field. The deceased has been identified as Zameer, they said.

Police said after he did not return home, villagers started looking for him and found his body at the field.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)More than one-third of the Chinese population suffers from nearsightedness, with youth below 19 accounting for a large proportion, according to an official data.

The number of people with myopia in China has reached 450 million, which accounts for one third to half of the population, the Global Times reported citing data released by the China's National Health Commission.

Up to 80 per cent Chinese teenagers suffer from short sightedness.

The World Health Organisation has said that China has 600 million people with myopia and more than 70 per cent of students in the country's secondary schools are near-sighted.

"Sixty to 80 per cent of young people between the ages of 13 and 19 are myopic, and the number is close to 90 per cent in colleges and universities," Long Qin, specialist at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, told state-run Global Times.

China will mark 23rd national Sight Day tomorrow. Adolescent myopia has been the theme of the annual event since 2016.

"The prevalence of myopia in students increases along with the grade. This is mainly due to the pressure of amid the fierce competition for high school and college entrance examinations," Wang Ningli, director of Beijing Tongren Hospital, a comprehensive State-run facility that specialises in ophthalmology, said.

The prevention and treatment of myopia takes time since the population with the condition is large and the number is still rising.

"It will take about five years to have tangible effects," Wang said.

Wang added that it is important to coordinate with departments, schools and other social organisations to bring down the learning load at school and have sufficient time for outdoor activities which is effective in preventing myopia.

Low-dose Atropine (0.01 per cent concentration), a treatment to slow myopic progression in children, is under safety inspection in China and is expected to be put on the market within two years, Wang said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The US-led military campaign to oust the Islamic State (IS) group from the Syrian city of Raqa in 2017 killed hundreds of civilians in indiscriminate bombing, amounting to possible war crimes, Amnesty International said today.

The military operation failed to take "adequate account" of civilians and the "precautions necessary to minimise harm" to them in the city, IS's de facto capital in Syria, the human rights group said in a report.

"Coalition claims that its precision air campaign allowed it to bomb IS out of Raqa while causing very few civilian casualties do not stand up to scrutiny," the report concluded.

"The coalition strikes detailed in this report appear either disproportionate or indiscriminate or both and as such unlawful and potential war crimes." Coalition spokesman US Colonel Thomas Veale criticised Amnesty for the report, saying the group had not checked findings with the military or asked for comment.

But he said his biggest objection was Amnesty's assumption that the coalition violated international law. "They are literally judging us guilty until proven innocent," Veale told Pentagon reporters.

"That's a bold rhetorical move by an organisation that fails to check the public record or consult the accused." The United States led a four-month campaign of air strikes from June last year, dubbed a "war of annihilation" by US Defence Secretary James Mattis, to oust IS from Raqa.

Amnesty researchers travelled to the devastated city in February and spent two weeks visiting 42 coalition air strike sites, interviewing 112 witnesses and survivors.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The United Nations today urged Washington to immediately halt its controversial practice of separating asylum-seeking Central American immigrant children from their parents at the southern border.

"The US should immediately halt this practice," Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the UN rights office told reporters, warning that the separation of families and the effective detention of children was "a serious violation of the rights of the child.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The US has urged China to make a full public accounting of those killed in Tiananmen Square, as top American lawmakers honoured the "extraordinary bravery" of those who rose up to demand their rights and defy the regime.

A brutal military crackdown resulted in a massacre of hundreds ofstudents protesting against the ruling Communist Party in Tiananmen square in the heart of Beijing on June 4, 1989. The massive square became famous all over the world with an iconic picture of a young man standing before a row of battle tanks.

"On the 29th anniversary of the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations in and around Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, we remember the tragic loss of innocent lives," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

As Liu Xiaobo wrote in his 2010 Nobel Peace Prize speech, delivered in absentia, "the ghosts of June 4th have not yet been laid to rest," he said.

"We join others in the international community in urging the Chinese government to make a full public accounting of those killed, detained or missing; to release those who have been jailed for striving to keep the memory of Tiananmen Square alive; and to end the continued harassment of demonstration participants and their families," Pompeo said yesterday.

The US views the protection of human rights as a fundamental duty of all countries, he said and asked the Chinese government to respect the universal rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens.

Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said that that the world today honours the extraordinary bravery of the Chinese freedom fighters who rose up to demand their rights and defy an oppressive and corrupt regime.

"Twenty-nine years after this heroic act, the image of a lone man standing resolute in the face of Chinese military tanks remains seared into the memory of all freedom-loving people, symbolizing all who yearn for a better future for themselves and their children," she said.

Today, the world honours the extraordinary bravery of the Chinese freedom fighters who rose up to demand their rights and defy an oppressive and corrupt regime, Pelosi said.

Tiananmen Square Massacre's anniversary reminds us that the fundamental human yearning for dignity and basic rights is not limited to any one region or country," said Senator Marco Rubio.

"Outrage over the Chinese government and Communist Party's brutal response to the protestors' legitimate and peaceful demands for democratic reform reverberated internationally, most notably behind the Iron Curtain where pro-democracy movements rapidly grew in the wake of the crackdown, inspired by the bravery of the students, workers, and other ordinary people who gathered in cities across China that spring," he said.

Rubio called on the Chinese government to allow free and open discourse surrounding the events of that spring, to unconditionally release those detained or imprisoned for attempting to commemorate the anniversary, and to reckon publicly with the horrific violence against the Chinese people at the hands of the Party and the military.

Congressman Christopher Smith said the Tiananmen protests and their violent suppression demonstrated that the ideas of democracy and due process, liberty and the rule of law are not foreign to the people of China.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Walmart, the US retail giant which signed an agreement in May this year to acquire 77 per cent stake in Flipkart, expects to close the deal before the end of current calendar year.

According to a regulatory filing with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said the ongoing operations of are expected to impact the US company's income negatively.

"In May 2018, the company announced it will pay approximately $16 billion in exchange for approximately 77 per cent of the outstanding shares of Group ("Flipkart"). The investment includes $2 billion of new equity funding... Closing is expected later this calendar year, and is subject to regulatory approval," the retail giant said.

"Upon closing and consolidating the financial statements of Flipkart, we expect the ongoing operations of to negatively impact fiscal 2019 net income. We intend to fund the acquisition of Flipkart with a combination of newly issued debt and cash on hand," it added.

Speaking at an investors meet, Inc President, CEO and Director, Douglas McMillon, said they were learning about retail ecosystems and how they work around the world.

"We're learning a lot from China. We'll be learning even more from India. And we basically want to be in places that have a tremendous opportunity, which is what led us to Flipkart in India," he said in response to a query.

He said Flipkart, which has a strong management team, built out an ecosystem.

"In the case of India, it's worth it. If it had been a smaller market, we may have passed. But this is a unique opportunity.

"And when you look out 5, 10, 20 years from now, time will tell. But we're confident that we'll look back at it and say, Yes, that was a big bet. It was a bold bet. But we're glad we took it. We're not running this thing for one year," he said justifying the acquisition.

As Flipkart is expected to generate meaningful losses for at least the next few years, this is clearly an investment for the future..., Moody's Vice-President Charlie O'Shea had earlier said in a report commenting on the acquisition.

(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 World Health Organisation has paid glowing tributes to Kerala's young nurse Lini Puthussery, who died of Nipah virus last month, after treating one of the patients.

Lini died on May 21 after being infected by a patient, whom she treated initially at the Perambra Taluk hospital, where she was a nurse.

In a tweet, WHO'S Health Workforce Director Jim Campbellsaid: "Remember them, lest we forget: Razan al-Najjar (Gaza); Lini Puthussery (India); Salome Karwah (Liberia). #WomeninGlobalHealth, #NotATarget.

A 28-year-old mother of two young boys, Lini died at the Kozhikode Medical college hospital days after being infected.

The young nurse in a poignant letter scribbled from her deathbed to her husband Sajeesh had said 'am almost on the way. I don't think I can meet you again...."



The letter had evoked an emotional response from across the world after it went viral on the social media.

The Kerala government has offered her husband a government job and financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to her sons aged five and two.

Razan al-Najjar was a 21-year-old paramedic who was shot and killed, allegedly by Israeli soldiers on June 3 while trying to aid wounded protestors in Gaza.

Salome Karwah from Liberia, who was named by Time Magazine as 'Person of the Year' in 2014 for her work fighting Ebola in West Africa, died in February last year from childbirth complications in a hospital in Liberia after hospital staff allegedly refused to help her due to the stigma that still surrounds the disease.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A woman had a nightmarish experience after an Ola cab driver allegedly molested and forced her to strip, took pictures on mobile and even threatened to call his friends and get her gang-raped while she was en route to the airport here on June 1, police said.

Based on her complaint via email to Bengaluru police, the driver has been arrested and a case registered.

According to the First Information Report, the woman, a native of Mangaluru who worked as an architect here, had booked the cab on June 1 night and left for the airport.

On the way, the driver Arun V stopped the car midway and diverted it to a secluded place.

He then locked all the doors and windows and when the woman tried to raise an alarm, he threatened her with dire consequences, police said.

The driver even tried to strangle her and warned her that if she did not follow his instructions he would call all his friends and gang-rape her, the FIR said.

She alleged that he molested and forced her to strip and took her pictures using her phone and then transferred them to his mobile phone.

Later, he dropped the woman at the airport warning her that he would circulate her pictures on social media if she lodged any complaint.

"After reaching the airport she complained through mail to our commissioner that such an incident has happened.

Based on the mail transaction, we immediately registered an FIR andarrested the driver and seized the car," Additional commissioner of police Seemanth Kumar Singh said.

Singh said they also issued a notice to Ola Cab as to why police verification for the driver was not done.

In a statement, an Ola spokesperson said, "We regret theunfortunate experience the customer had during the ride.

Wehave zero tolerance for such incidents and the driver has been blacklisted from the platform as an immediate action upon receiving the complaint.

Safety of our customers is our top priority and we are extending our full support to the police authorities in their investigation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The World Bank has asked Pakistan that it should accept India's offer of appointing a "neutral expert" on the Kishanganga dam dispute instead of instead of insisting to refer it to the International Court of Arbitration (ICA), according to a media report today.

Pakistan considers the construction of the Kishanganga dam in Kashmir over the waters flowing into the western rivers a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960. It wants the dispute to be referred to the ICA.

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim in a fresh communication last week advised the Pakistan government to withdraw from its stand of taking the matter to the ICA, Dawn reported.

The bank had on November 10, 2016 even picked a US chief justice, the rector of Imperial College, London, and the World Bank president for appointing chairman of the court to resolve the dispute over the dam, the report said.

India says there are differences between it and Pakistan over the design of the dam and, therefore, the matter should be addressed by some neutral experts.

A source privy to the development told the paper that Pakistan believed that acceding to India's proposal of referring the dispute to neutral experts or withdrawing from its stand would mean closing the doors of arbitration and surrendering its right of raising disputes before international courts.

"It will become a precedent and every time a dispute emerges between Pakistan and India, the latter will always opt for dispute resolution through neutral experts," the source said.

On December 12, 2016, the World Bank president had informed Pakistan through a letter to then finance minister Ishaq Dar that he had decided to "pause" the process of appointing the ICA chairman as well as the neutral expert.

Dar had lodged a strong protest with the World Bank telling it that Pakistan would not recognise the pause. He had asked the bank to play its due role in the matter.

Pakistan believes that on the one hand the World Bank has tied its hands from raising the dispute at the ICA, and on the other, it has not blocked the Indian effort to complete the construction of the dam.

The World Bank did not even heed to Pakistan's concern when provided with satellite images during a number meetings with the bank that India was constructing the dam. The bank even denied Pakistan the opportunity to stay the construction of the dam, the report said.

In February last year, the World Bank further extended its pause until the secretary-level talks between the two countries bore some fruits. Subsequently, four rounds of talks were held in February, April, July and September in Washington in which the bank was willing to appoint an international court to determine which forum under the treaty was proper arbitration or neutral experts. But India did not accept it, the source said.

The World Bank even declined Pakistan's forceful plea on May 22, 2018, asking it to express concern by stating that it had "noted the inauguration of the Kishanganga Dam by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the source added.

The 1960 treaty recognises the World Bank as an arbitrator in water disputes between India and Pakistan as the bank played a key role in concluding this agreement which allows India to have control over the water flowing into three eastern rivers Beas, Ravi and Sutlej also permitting India that it may use the water of western rivers Chenab, Jhelum and Indus but it cannot divert the same.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)This World Day marks the beginning of India's war against plastic pollution, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said today at an event here.

The minister said that he had made a personal pledge to give up single-use plastic for the rest of his life. The event on World Day was hosted by the Art of Living Foundation.

"World Environment Day is not a symbolic occasion for us. It is beginning of our war against plastic pollution," he said.

The minister also said that he had committed to make India free of single-use plastic by 2022.

"If we have warriors like you, India will be single-use plastic-free country by 2022," he told the gathering.

Attending the event, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) executive director Erik Solheim said that he witnessed tremendous energy of individuals and the governments towards environment protection.

"I am sure you will make the change," he said.

Solheim also suggested India to move faster towards public transport system and electric mobility to tackle the problem of air pollution.

Referring to the role of spiritual leaders in creating awareness, he said that "people tend to listen much more to the spiritual leaders than the politicians", drawing huge applause and laughter from the audience.

Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar appealed to people to cut consumption of single-use plastic by half.

The gathering was administered an oath to reduce consumption of goods to cut consumption of plastic by half and choose recyclable plastic over disposable type.

The Art of Living signed an MoU with J K Sharma, Director General of Home Guards, Delhi, to create 1,000 honorary Environment Marshals, out of the force. These marshals will create awareness in slums and other areas of New Delhi on the dangers of plastic and the importance of waste segregation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Concerned over an aviation infrastructure crisis, global airlines body IATA today asked governments to be cautious on airport privatisation, saying it was wrong to assume that the private sector had all the answers.

The 74th annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) unanimously passed a resolution calling on governments to prioritise the long-term economic and social benefits delivered by effective airports ahead of the short-term financial gains provided by a poorly thought-out privatisation.

"We are in an infrastructure crisis. Cash-strapped governments are looking to the private sector to help develop much needed airport capacity.

"But it is wrong to assume that the private sector has all the answers, IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said, as the chiefs and CEOs of close to 300 airlines adopted the resolution unanimously by a show of hands.

De Juniac asserted that selling airport assets for a short-term cash injection to the treasury is a mistake."



The IATA chief said the airlines have not yet experienced an airport privatisation that has fully lived up to its promised benefits over the long term. Airports are critical infrastructure. It is important that governments take a long-term view focusing on solutions that will deliver the best economic and social benefits.

Currently, about 14 per cent of airports across the world have some level of privatisation. As they tend to be large hubs, they handle about 40 per cent of global traffic, an IATA document said.

"IATA research shows that private sector airports are more expensive. But we could not see any gains in efficiency or levels of investment. This runs counter to the experience of airline privatisation where enhanced competition resulted in lower pricing to consumers.

So we don't accept that airport privatisation must lead to higher costs. Airports have significant market power. Effective regulation is critical to avoiding its abuse, particularly when run for profit by private sector interests," he said.

De Juniac also noted that five of the top six passenger ranked airports by Skytrax were government owned. Skytrax is a UK-based consultancy which runs an airline and airport review and ranking site.

The resolution, among other things, recognised that the lack of competition in the airport sector can lead to abuse of market power in setting prices and services".

It also expressed concern that the result of introducing privatisation in the monopoly airport sector has not, overall, resulted in the consumer benefits of improved efficiencies and reduced costs that have been realized from privatization in the competitive airline sector.

The IATA, through the resolution, asked the governments to consult with airlines, their representative associations and consumer groups, during any plan to change governance or ownership of airports. It also urged the governments to consider alternative ownership and operating models to privatisation.

In his speech, the IATA chief also said that globally, many of the most successful airports are operated as corporatised entities of governments".

Governments need to evaluate the pros and cons of different models taking into account interests of all stakeholders, including airlines and customers, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Yemeni government forces are only around nine kilometres from Hodeida, the Saudi-led military coalition said today, announcing fresh gains in their advance on the strategic rebel-held port city.

The coalition-backed forces are closing in on the Red Sea port, the main conduit for humanitarian supplies into a country where millions of people are in dire need of food aid.

"The Yemeni army backed by coalition forces are nine kilometres from Hodeida," coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki told reporters in Riyadh. Last Monday, Maliki said the forces were around 20 kilometres from Hodeida. The battle for the port, controlled by Iran-allied Huthi rebels, has left more than 100 soldiers and insurgents dead in less than a week, medics and military sources said at the weekend.

"We are getting reinforcements... removing mines... in preparation for subsequent operations," Maliki said, adding that the coalition was focused on protecting civilian lives.

"Once the measures are in place, the forces will advance to liberate Hodeida." UN envoy Martin Griffiths was in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on Monday for talks with Huthi rebels about de-escalating the fighting around Hodeida.

The United Nations has warned that any operation aimed at seizing Hodeida itself would disrupt the entry of aid shipments to Yemen, 70 per cent of which flow through the rebel-held port.

The port has been a point of contention in Yemen's war since Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened on behalf of the government in 2015 against the rebels. Hodeida is crucial for aid deliveries as Yemen teeters on the brink of famine, but for Saudi Arabia it is an entry point for rebel weaponry -- which it accuses regional rival Tehran of supplying.

The United Arab Emirates -- a key member of the Saudi-led alliance -- has taken the initiative to ramp up the coastal offensive, with the stated goal of taking Hodeida.

Nearly 10,000 people have been killed since the alliance launched its intervention in Yemen in March 2015, contributing to what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)By Jessica JaganathanSINGAPORE (Reuters) - Asian liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices have risen to their highest since 2014 for this time of the year as demand from China, India and South Korea has surged at the same time several production issues are curbing spot supply. LNG prices typically peak during the Northern Hemisphere winter amid heating demand and during the summer to fuel power generation, but this year prices have climbed 32 percent since mid-April to $9.60 per million British thermal units (Btu) last week and are trading near $10 per million Btu this week.Asian demand has ...By Jan HarveyLONDON (Reuters) - Gold jewellery sales in number one market China are finally picking up after years of decline, but consumers are still shying away from platinum. Chinese jewellery sales are a key component of global demand for both physical gold and platinum, accounting for 14 percent and 16 percent of consumption respectively. Since peaking in 2013, both have fallen by around a third. Analysts and jewellers report that a lack of trust in platinum, as well as the higher cost of exchanging platinum pieces for cash, make it a less appealing store of value for older buyers. ...By Mayank BhardwajNEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is set to announce a slew of support measures for the sugar sector, government sources said, aimed at cutting a growing surplus and propping up local prices to help loss-making mills and millions of cane growers who make up a key voting bloc.Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet is likely to back the proposals - which include building a 3 million tonne government stockpile to soak up excess supply from the domestic market - when it meets on Wednesday, the sources two said.The sources, who are directly involved in policy making, did not wish to be ...By Mayank BhardwajNEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is set to announce support measures to cut a growing sugar surplus and prop up local prices, the food minister said on Tuesday, a move aimed at helping loss-making mills and millions of cane growers who make up a key voting bloc.Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet is likely to back the proposals as early as Wednesday.The measures include building a 3 million tonne government stockpile to soak up excess supply from the domestic market and granting soft loans worth 45 billion Indian rupees ($670 million) to help millers expand their ethanol ...By Ahmad Ghaddar and Shadia NasrallaLONDON (Reuters) - Indian private refiner Nayara Energy, a key buyer of Iranian oil, is prepared to replace Iranian oil if required under U.S. sanctions and hopes to settle dues owed to Tehran for past purchases ahead of a November deadline, its chief executive said.Uncertainties cloud Iran's oil exports after U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned a 2015 nuclear agreement this month and ordered the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions on Tehran.Some sanctions take effect after a 90-day "wind-down" period ending on Aug. 6, and the rest, notably on the petroleum ...(Reuters) - Shares of Indian sugar companies rose on Tuesday following reports that the federal government would announce a bailout package of over 70 billion rupees ($1.04 billion) for cash-starved sugar mills to help clear dues to farmers. Dhampur Sugar Mills Ltd and Mawana Sugars Ltd gained 7 percent each, while Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd and Avadh Sugar & Energy Ltd climbed more than 6 percent each.Uttam Sugar Mills Ltd, Magadh Sugar & Energy Ltd and Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries Ltd rose 4 percent each.The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to ...TOKYO (Reuters) - Kobe Steel Ltd's headquarters was raided on Tuesday by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office and the Metropolitan Police Department in relation to its data tampering scandal, local media reported. Kobe Steel admitted in March its data fraud has been going on nearly five decades and also revealed new cases of cheating. Its CEO will step down to take responsibility for the scandal that came to light last year.A Kobe Steel spokesman said the company is looking into the matter. (Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)(This story has not been edited by ...By Tim HepherSYDNEY (Reuters) - A German investment company said on Tuesday it would strip two unwanted Airbus A380 superjumbo passenger jets for parts after failing to find an airline willing to keep them flying following a decision by Singapore Airlines not to keep them in service.The decision by Dortmund-based Dr Peters Group deals a fresh blow to the planemaker's efforts to maintain market interest in the double-decker, barely 10 years after it went into service hailed by heads of state as a symbol of European ambition."Psychologically it is not good for Airbus, but this is a very large ...By Rajendra JadhavMUMBAI (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures extended declines on Tuesday to hit their lowest in nearly a month, weighed down by lacklustre export demand and overnight losses in the U.S. soyoil market.The palm oil contract for August delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange was down 0.95 percent at 2,386 ringgit ($601.01) a tonne at the midday break. Earlier in the session, the contract hit 2,382 ringgit, its lowest since May 8.Trading volume stood at 11,875 lots of 25 tonnes."Ramdan buying has fizzled out. Fresh export orders are not coming in at the expected ...By Rajendra JadhavMUMBAI (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures extended declines on Tuesday to hit their lowest in nearly a month, weighed down by lacklustre export demand, but they trimmed losses in the second half of the trading session on reports India will raise an import tax on soft oils.The palm oil contract for August delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange was down 0.37 percent at 2,400 ringgit ($604.53) a tonne by the close. Earlier in the session, the contract hit 2,382 ringgit, its lowest since May 8.Trading volume stood at 33,099 lots of 25 tonnes."Ramadan buying has ...Five-year-old electric vehicle start-up Ather Energy, which is backed by country's largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp and e-commerce giant Flipkart's founders Sachin and Binny Bansal, on Tuesday launched its first two electric scooters in Bangalore at Rs 1.09-1.24 lakh. For now, the scooters will be available only in Bangalore but the company has plans to launch it in Pune and Chennai in the next phase.

The two scooters Ather 340 and Ather 450 are being billed as two of India's fastest scooters available till date. They betray the traditional image of an electric two-wheeler in the country, of low performance with uninspiring styling and riddled with reliability issues. The Ather 340 at Rs 109,750 and Ather 450 at Rs 124,750, are on road prices in Bangalore inclusive of subsidy of Rs. 22,000, GST, road tax, smart card fee, registration card, and insurance.

The Ather 340 has a range of 60 kilometres on a single charge and a top speed of 70 kph while the Ather 450 has a 75 km range and 80 kph top speed. The 450 can sprint from 0-40 kph at under 4 seconds. For reference, the NYX e5, the flagship product of country's largest e-scooter maker Hero Electric, has a top speed of 45 kph and range of 60 kilometres. At Rs 53,000, it costs less than half of Ather 340 in Bangalore.

"We started building electric scooters four years ago at IIT Madras and we are super excited to launch not only the Ather340, but also our higher performance flagship variant, the Ather 450. It has been designed with quick acceleration, great handling, high storage space and new-to-category features like park assist, remote diagnostics, and onboard navigation," said Tarun Mehta, co-founder and CEO, Ather Energy.

"In the last 4 years we have not only built the scooter, but an ecosystem for an electric vehicle future. Be it the suppliers and partners who were entering the EV market, the charging infrastructure that had to be set up for consumers and the engineering talent itself to build the products. Between the Ather 450 & Ather 340 launching and AtherGrid being up and running in Bengaluru, we are really looking forward to expanding into Chennai and Pune in the coming months. These are exciting times to be a part of the industry," he added.

On top of the price, the company is offering a monthly subscription that takes care of most of the scooter's operational expenses. The Ather One plan entitles customers to free public and home charging, periodic maintenance inclusive of consumables, breakdown assistance and unlimited data services for the dashboard at only Rs. 700 + GST per month. For the first set of consumers, the plan is complimentary for the first year. The company will also provide a home charging point with the Ather 450 and a charging cable with the Ather 340. The price of these products and their installation will be waived off for these consumers.

Penetration of electric two-wheelers in India, the biggest market for conventional two-wheelers in the world, has been low on account of inconsistent policy on fiscal incentives, lack of charging network and perceived poor performance of the vehicles vis a vis gasoline driven two-wheelers. The company, however, claims its flagship Ather 450 has been designed to solve some of the problems like slow charging speeds, low powered motors, and short battery lives that have limited current electric two-wheelers. It can fast charge to 80 per cent at a rate of 1 km/minute and comes with a 3.3kW BLDC motor that can comfortably ride up 18-degree slopes, making steep parking lots, flyovers, and roads an easy climb. It also comes with parking assist, which allows riders to reverse into tight parking locations.

Further, it has a 7" touch-screen dashboard that allows onboard navigation with options of alternative routes and saved locations. It comes with the Ather app that enables push navigation from the phone to the vehicle dashboard, remote monitoring of the vehicle health, charge monitoring and managing service requirements.

Like most other start-ups in India, the company was founded by two IIT graduates Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain in 2013. The company had first showcased the prototype of the S340 that was launched today, back in February 2016 and had planned to start selling it by the end of the year. However, the plans could not fructify in time as the company struggled with lack of technical know-how with parts vendors in the country not used to supplying components for an electric vehicle. Tuesday's launch marks a delay of over a year.Vedanta has moved on to the next step in the acquisition drama over Electrosteel Steels Ltd (ESL) by setting up a new board of directors, even as a petition challenging its eligibility to bid for the same is pending before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.

"Pursuant to the order dated May 30, 2018, of National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, Vedanta Limited is implementing the approved Resolution Plan for Electrosteel Steels Limited (ESL)," the Anil Agarwal company said in a recent filing to BSE, adding that "Vedanta Star Limited ('VSL'), a wholly-owned subsidiary of our company, has deposited the upfront amount of Rs 5,320 crore in escrow account of ESL and June 4, 2018 has been determined to be the 'Effective Date' under the Resolution Plan."

In a separate regulatory filing, Vedanta stated that "all requisite approvals like approval from the National Company Law Tribunal and the Competition Commission of India have been received" so it has taken management control of ESL and "initiated implementation of the Resolution Plan". Vedanta now holds 90 per cent of the paid up capital of ESL.

According to Vedanta, the ESL acquisition will "complement the company's existing iron ore business as the vertical integration of steel manufacturing capabilities has the potential to generate significant efficiencies". With a current capacity of 1.5 million tonnes per annual (MTPA) - and a potential to increase the capacity to 2.5 MTPA - ESL's manufacturing facilities near Bokaro, Jharkhand is located close to Vedanta's iron ore mines in the region. So it is a neat fit, not to mention a profitable purchase. The plan is to invest in ESL through a combination of equity of Rs 1,765 crore and inter-corporate loan of Rs 3,555 crore.

According to The Economic Times, Vedanta has nominated Rashmi Mohanty, PK Mukherjee (former Sesa Goa MD) and Naveen Singhal, present CEO of Vedanta Sesa Goa Iron Ore, as its nominee directors on the reconstituted board of ESL.

All this, however, hinges on the outcome of the challenge posed by Renaissance Steel, whose bid was earlier rejected by ESL's committee of creditors. Renaissance Steel has challenged Vedanta's eligibility to bid for ESL under Section 29 A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, which bars applicants that have "been convicted for any offence punishable with imprisonment for two years or more". It had claimed that Vedanta Resources Plc, holding company of Vedanta, had pleaded guilty to charges against its Konkola Copper Mines for violating violated pollution norms in Zambia back in 2010.

The NCLAT bench that passed the above order allowing Vedanta to move in on ESL had also made it clear that the upfront payment was subject to the outcome of Renaissance Steel's petition. If the latter wins the case, then ESL's CoC will have to return the money to Vedanta. Assuming that Vedanta emerges victorious, ESL poses the second successful resolution under the IBC from the first 12 large stressed assets identified by the RBI last year.

With PTI inputsIt's Day 5 of the ongoing nationwide agitation by farmers, and if its runs the planned course till June 10, not only is the supply and price situation of fresh produce likely to worsen but there may also be spill-over effects on dining out.According to The Economic Times, ecommerce firms like BigBasket and Grofers have managed to so far keep prices in check because of pre-arranged supplies but that may not last much longer. "We have a farmer connect and so are able to maintain and control prices. But if prices go up, we may have no choice but to react accordingly," BigBasket's fruits and vegetables head Vipul Mittal told the daily, adding that the etailer may look at sourcing from other states.

The agitation has reportedly already caused vegetable prices to spike by 10-15 per cent in a handful of cities in North India, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh - jumping 20-30 per cent in certain pockets in Jaipur and Indore - and supplies to the National Capital Region is expected to be hit from tomorrow onwards, which is inversely linked to prices.

The report added that if prices of produce continue to rise, then restaurants, too, may start rethinking their prices and/or portion sizes. And that would be bad news for the casual dining sector that has already taken a hit to profitability in the past year courtesy the scrapping of Input Tax Credit and climbing real estate rents. "Any volatility in prices doesn't change the menus overnight. But if it persists, then restaurants have to mitigate it by adjusting menu prices," National Restaurant Association of India's President Rahul Singh told the daily.

Several farmers' organisations have jointly called the 10-day protest across 22 states in the country demanding remunerative prices for their produce, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations and farm loan waivers, among others. They have stopped the supply of vegetables, fruits, milk and other items to various cities. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana have even been dumping their produce on roads as a mark of protest.

While farmers in Punjab have reportedly decided to call off their stir on June 6 and resume supplying vegetables and milk to the cities, the agitation is expected to run the course in other states.

With PTI inputsHomegrown cab aggregator company Ola on Tuesday announced 1 lakh free Ola share rides from mass transit locations across top seven cities of India including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The offer, launched to celebrate the World Environment Day on June 5, also marks the return of Ola's 'Farak Padta Hai' campaign, which was started in 2017. The company said its 'Farak Padta Hai' campaign promotes sharing mobility by reducing traffic congestion and carbon footprint.

Ola has called its customers and communities at large to switch to shared mobility solutions to save the environment. Under its Farak Padta Hai campaign, Ola will offer free rides from June 5 to June 8 on bookings from mass transit locations such as metro stations, railway stations, and bus stops across these cities of India.

According to the company, Ola share alone clocked double growth in the past one year with Bengaluru and Kolkata emerging as the top two cities in terms of sharing mobility adoption. "Chennai and Mumbai took up the third and the fourth spot, respectively. Improved awareness and customer experience have increased the office-going commuter base by over 60 per cent in the past one year," the company said.

This #WorldEnvironmentDay, we give you 1 Lakh reasons to Share. Get 1L free Ola Share rides next time you travel from a bus, metro or railway station between 5th - 8th June. Share karke dekho, isse #FarakPadtaHai. Read more: https://t.co/zFCQta0ZB9 pic.twitter.com/0l34LnH7Ub - Ola (@Olacabs) June 5, 2018

Pallav Singh, Senior Vice President at Ola said, "In the past one year, last mile commute emerged as the newest use case for Ola share. To encourage this spirit of commuters, we'll offer 1 lakh free Ola share rides from mass transit locations."

As per the company, the uptake for Ola share has gone up to as much as 70 per cent from mass transit hubs in these seven cities. "FarakPadtaHai has driven massive uptake in smaller cities too, including Guwahati, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Ahmedabad clocking in 60 per cent more Ola share rides as compared to 2017," said Ola.

Things to know before choosing Ola free rideFuel prices in India are on a decline, though marginally. Petrol price on Tuesday was cut by 13 paise to Rs 77.83 in Delhi. Today's petrol price in Kolkata is Rs 80.47, down by 13 paise; in Mumbai Rs 85.65, cut by 12 paise and Chennai Rs 80.80, down by 14 paise. Diesel price came down by 9 paise to Rs 68.88. Recent cut in fuel rates in India have come in the backdrop of continuous fall in international oil prices over the week. US crude prices on Monday touched its lowest level in nearly two months.

Brent crude futures lost USD $1.50 per barrel to settle at $75.29 per barrel. US crude ended $1.06 lower at $64.75 a barrel, after earlier touching $64.57 - its lowest since April 10. Fuel prices in India are linked to international crude oil and any change in their rates directly affect the pricing back home.

What brought the crude oil prices down was the expectation that oil exporting countries would soon increase the output - a move that will normalise the oil supply. Last year, the crude prices began to shot up after the organisation of the petroleum exporting countries and Russia decided to withhold the excessive output to prop up the prices that had fallen to their lowest in more than a decade. They cut the overall supply by about 1.8 million barrels per day - a step that created the shortage of crude which in turn spiralled the prices.

According to a report in Reuters, OPEC Ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Algeria met unofficially in Kuwait on Saturday. The organisation of the petroleum exporting countries are slated to meet formally in Vienna on June 22 to decide whether the group and non-OPEC members will raise production to ease concerns over potential supply shortfalls from Iran and Venezuela. Venezuela's crude oil production fell nearly 13 per cent last year due to intense internal conflict and Iran is staring at a fresh sanction from the US.

Recently, Goldman Sachs projected an oil price hike to USD 83 per barrel, Morgan Stanley predicted oil hitting USD 90 per barrel, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch said that crude oil could hit USD 100 per barrel by next year. If crude prices go up as predicted then it would hit India really hard. India imports over 80 per cent of its crude oil requirement and it is the world's third largest oil importer.

With today's cut here in India, petrol price in the national capital has come down - in last seven days - by 60 paise from its record high of Rs 78.43 on May 29. Before reducing the prices, oil marketing companies had hiked the fuel cost for 16 consecutive days - from May 13 to May 29, petrol price was raised by Rs 3.8 and diesel by Rs 3.38 per litre.

Sudden hike in petrol and diesel prices was a result of uptick recorded in international crude oil that had gone up due to multiple global factors- fear of new US sanction on Iran and short supply. The outcome of the meeting of the oil producing countries later this month will determine the future prices of oil.

(With inputs from agency)Barely six weeks after his unceremonious exit from WPP (an organization which he built into the world's largest advertising conglomerate, from a humble business of wire baskets), advertising mogul, Martin Sorrell has announced his new venture, S4 Capital. Sorrell on many occasions had said that under no circumstances would he run an advertising organization forever. The reality, however, is can Sorrell afford to run another conglomerate studded with old school advertising companies? WPP in the last few years has been struggling to grow. The ad conglomerate saw a mere 6.1 per cent growth in revenue in 2017, from 14.49 billion pounds to 15.27 billion pounds. Its net sales were flat.

Industry observers blame the sluggish growth on Sorrell's inability to invest adequately in new media. "He completely missed the digital bus, all his digital investments were an afterthought," remarks the former head of a WPP agency. Sorrell at WPP had to deal with a bunch of legacy agencies which probably didn't give him enough opportunities to make the smart, new age moves, which were the need of the hour. His limitations were grabbed as an opportunity by the likes of Dentsu and Publicis which have made a spate of technology-led acquisitions across the world. Over 45 per cent of Dentsu India's revenues for instance, comes from its technology-led businesses. "After all, the creative model has become archaic and smart technology solutions are what clients are asking for," says this senior advertising professional.

The fate of the advertising conglomerates is at stake, their business models have come under pressure and most of them are reporting flat growth. Analysts are predicting either a consolidation (just as the failed Publicis-Omnicom merger) or a possibility of consulting companies like Accenture or Capgemini acquiring advertising agencies. In the last decade when most of the advertising conglomerates were anxiously shopping for digital agencies, their competition was not merely restricted to the new age digital boutiques, but technology consulting companies which also started offering digital advertising solutions to their clients. The gap, however, is that these tech consulting companies don't have creative capabilities and acquiring stake in a few advertising agencies would make immense sense for them.

Building an advertising company yet again, could be detrimental for the man who pioneered advertising conglomerates. Sorrell was the one who ushered in the era of specialist agencies by first separating the media and creative functions of advertising agencies. The specialised media agencies have indeed been far more profitable. "He gave undue advantage to the media agencies and neglected the creative agencies," says this senior ad professional, who believes that having too many specialist agencies has created confusion for the ad conglomerates in the long run. "Sorrell realised that his model was fractured and was in fact, happy to exit WPP," he adds.

S4 Capital, according to Pratap Bose, Founder of Social Street, will enable Sorrell to start on a fresh note. "He will not have the baggage of legacy agencies and can look at a plethora of new age businesses such as data analytics, consulting and marketing communication services." Bose believes that Sorrell in his second innings would bet more on companies which are smaller and nimble.

In fact, Sorrell himself has said that his new venture would be "more agile, more responsive, less layered, less bureaucratic, less heavy".MK Jain, the MD & CEO of IDBI Bank, was on Monday appointed as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The seat was filled after former Deputy Governor SS Mundra ended his three-year term in July 2017. Jain, an MBA, FRM (financial risk management) and post-graduate commerce, has been the MD and CEO of IDBI Bank since March 2017. Prior to that, he was at the helm of Indian Bank.

Jain was elevated to the post of MD and CEO of Indian Bank in November 2015. During his stint, Jain effected a turnaround and created a strong institutional set-up to implement HR reforms and digitisation. Jain's success at Indian Bank catapulted the highly regarded but little-known executive into the limelight, turning him into a much-sought-after CEO in public sector banking space. So, it is not surprising that he currently holds an equally challenging role at IDBI Bank. He has also been named the Best CEO in the PSU (BFSI) category in the Business Today Best CEO Study 2017.

As MD and CEO of Indian Bank, Jain focussed on creating a strong foundation to kick-start its lending activity. His priority was to improve the bottom line as the bank was facing profitability pressure due to a high-cost structure, lower other income and deteriorating asset quality. He did succeed in improving performance. Plus, there were other achievements. Customers still remember how the bank tested its business continuity plan at the time of Chennai floods in 2015. Armed with laptops, the bank employees offered doorstep services and even managed to bring a micro-ATM on a boat.

A postgraduate in Commerce, Jain started his career with Delhi-based Punjab National Bank (PNB) in the mid-1980s and specialised in credit, covering the markets in Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh. In December 1999, he was part of a four-member team that developed a risk management architecture for the bank in association with the Boston Consulting Group. In addition, he completed his MBA, did a course on financial risk management and trained as a chartered financial analyst to hone his credit analysis skills.

Jain's next move to Syndicate Bank as an assistant general manager (credit) required shifting base from North to South. He worked in the risk management department during 2005-2011, but got a plum position in January 2012 when he was appointed the zonal head of Mumbai. In a year and a half, he was able to ensure 20-25 per cent year-on-year growth across key areas, including retail and corporate credit, operating profits and cost of deposits. At IDBI Bank, Jain created a dedicated vertical to monitor non-performing assets and slippages as well as recovery.

A search panel headed by the Cabinet Secretary, including the RBI Governor, had interviewed candidates, including three senior bureaucrats, on May 10. As per the RBI Act, the central bank should have four deputy governors -- two from within the ranks and one commercial banker and an economist to head the monetary policy department.

Other serving Deputy Governors are Viral V Acharya, NS Vishwanathan and BP Kanungo. Although interviews were conducted on July 29 last year, the government decided to start the process all over again in January this year. The deputy governor will draw a fixed salary of Rs 2.25 lakh per month plus allowances, it had said.

With over three decades of experience in the field, Jain has also served at various bank boards of Exim Bank, NIMB, and IBPS. Besides this, he also served on several banking sector committee, including secretary and coordinator to the Basant Seth Committee on Review and Revamp of Internal and Concurrent Audit System in Public Sector Banks (PSBs); member of the government-constituted committee on PIL on NPAs for submission to the Supreme Court; and redesigning the annual performance appraisal reports of PSB officers.

With PTI inputsIndia on Monday received its cheapest LNG under a long-term deal as Russia began shipping natural gas at a delivered price of close to $7 per million British thermal unit. At current oil prices, the Russian rate is $1.5 per mmBtu less than the price at which Qatar, India's oldest supplier, delivered liquefied natural gas (LNG). Russian supplies are also cheaper by $1-1.5 per mmBtu than the LNG sourced from Australia and the US.

Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who flew in here to witnessed arrival of first LNG ship under a 20-year import deal with Gazprom, termed the event as Golden Day in the India's energy pursuit. State-owned gas utility GAIL India Ltd had in January taken advantage of Russian company's inability to deliver LNG from the previously agreed Schtokman project in the Barents Sea, to renegotiate price agreed in 2012.

GAIL also deferred taking deliveries of full 2.5 million tonnes a year LNG. The contract period was extended by three years to accommodate the supplies not taken in initial years as well as get an additional 2 million tonnes over-and-above the 50 million tonnes it had agreed to take in 2012 over the 20 year contract period.

LNG carrier 'LNG Kano', bringing cargo from Russian supplier Gazprom, docked at Petronet LNG Ltd's import facility on Monday morning. Gazprom supplied the 3.4 trillion British thermal unit (TBtu) of cargo from Nigeria. "First we renegotiated price of LNG from Qatar, then reworked Australian supplies and now gas from Russia under renegotiated terms has started to flow, Pradhan said after receiving the LNG cargo.

India will import LNG worth an estimated $25 billion over the contract period from Russia, he said. "Gazprom price (after being reworked) is very competitive."

While he did not give details, sources with direct knowledge of the development said the reworked price at current oil rate comes to close to $7 per mmBtu, which is cheaper than the delivered price of LNG under the 25-year deal with RasGas of Qatar.

Also it is cheaper than Gorgon LNG from Australia and Henry-hub linked US LNG, supplies of which started only a few weeks back.

India, Pradhan said, is pushing towards a gas-based economy by raising the share of environment friendly fuel in the energy basket to 15 per cent from current 6.2 per cent.

There exists huge scope for gas usage in Indian economy -- from generating power to producing quality steel, he said, adding that increasing gas share would also help the country meet its COP21 commitment to cutting carbon emission.

India is dependent on imports to meet 45 per cent of its gas needs.

Beginning of supplies from Russia comes within weeks of India importing its first ever LNG cargo from US under a long-term import deal.

Pradhan said the starting of LNG imports from Russia has added a new dimension to the Indo-Russian bilateral relations, particularly in the oil & gas sector.

Russia has emerged as a long-term source for India's hydrocarbon imports, he said.

Stating that the government is committed to transforming India into a gas-based economy, he said investments are being made for augmenting natural gas infrastructure, including pipelines, LNG import terminals and City Gas Distribution networks.

In the last few years, Indian companies have made investment of more than $10 billion in acquiring varying stakes in strategic Russian projects including Sakhalin-1, Vankorneft and Taas-Yuryakh. On the other hand, Russian company led consortium has committed an investment of $13 billion in Esaar Oil in 2016.

Russia is currently, world's largest crude oil & second largest gas producer in the world. India is world's third largest energy consumer and fourth largest importer of LNG. ?

GAIL has renegotiated with Russian supplier Gazprom the terms of the 20-year deal to import 2.5 million tonnes a year of LNG. Both price and volume ramp up have been renegotiated.

GAIL Chairman and Managing Director B C Tripathi said the contracted volume has been lowered from 2.5 million tonnes to 0.5 MT in the first year 2018-19; 0.75 MT in 2019-20; 1.5 MT in the third year 2020-21.

The company has committed to importing the full 2.5 MT a year by the fourth year and make up for the initial volume reduction over the remaining length of the contract.

Also, the price indexation has been changed from the Japan Customs-cleared Crude to Brent, and the oil-linked slope of the contract formula lowered, and therefore the final price.

Sources said the renegotiated contract provides for diverting a part of the volume, originally contracted on a delivered ex-ship basis, to other markets.

Under the re-worked deal with Gazprom, the duration of the contract has been extended by three years and the Indian company has agreed to buy an additional six million tonnes of LNG volumes.

The pricing of the super-cooled fuel has been changed from 9 month linkage to Japanese Customs cleared crude to three months average of Brent, sources said.

The deferral will allow GAIL more time to find customers for the imported gas.

GAIL had signed the original deal on August 29, 2012 with Gazprom Marketing and Trading Singapore Pte Ltd (GMTS), Singapore.

The deal was renegotiated in January this year. Gazprom will supply LNG from Yamal LNG project in the Arctic peninsula.

India has been making the most of its position as one of the world's biggest energy consumers to strike better bargains for its companies.

Last year, India got US energy major Exxon Mobil Corp to lower price of 1.5 MT a year of LNG from Gorgon project in Australia, saving Rs 4,000 crore in import bill.Tech giant Microsoft is all set to acquire GitHub. According to a report by TheVerge, Microsoft officially confirmed it will acquire GitHub. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was a factor in GitHub's choice for Microsoft as GitHub was impressed by Nadella.

GitHub is a vast code repository which has become popular with developers. It deals with their projects, documentation and code and is used by big companies like Amazon, Google, Apple etc. Microsoft, by far, contributes most to the site. It has more than 1,000 employees who actively push code to repositories on GitHub. Along with pushing code to repositories, Microsoft also hosts its own original Windows File Manager source code on the site. The service was last valued at $2 billion in 2015 and according to TheVerge report, Microsoft will acquire GitHub for $7.5 billion.

Microsoft in recent times has invested in open source technology since Satya Nadella onboard the company as CEO. Microsoft has worked extensively to open source PowerShell, Visual Studio Code, and the Microsoft Edge JavaScript engine. It has undertaken several others ventures - partnered with Cannonical to bring Ubuntu to Windows 10 - and to assist with mobile app development, it even acquired Xamarin. With open-source software, developers are able to tinker with, improve upon and share code.

Microsoft's GitHub acquisition will bridge the gap between Microsoft's developer tools and the service which would mean a closer integration between the two. At Microsoft Build last month, Microsoft continued to integrate the service into the company's App center for developers. The acquisition will also be the second biggest as Microsoft acquired LinkedIn two years ago.

Nat Friedman, CEO and founder of Xamarin will lead GitHub and will report to Microsoft's Cloud and AI Chief Scott Guthrie. GitHub hosts 27 million software developers working on 80 million repositories of code. There will likely be a lot of questions that open source advocates would have since they are wary of Microsoft's involvement. If or once the acquisition is announced, it would become easier for the developers to get a better idea of what Microsoft intends to do with GitHub.

Microsoft hasn't been Developer's go-to company in recent years. The company has made some futile business acquisitions in the past which did not pay off for the tech giant - the botched acquisition of Skype and Nokia's phone business. GitHub itself has faced issues in the past. However, CEO Satya Nadella placed a lot of faith on the acquisition. According to TheVerge, he said, "When it comes to our commitment to open source, judge us by the actions we have taken in the recent past, our actions today, and in the future," says Nadella, in an attempt to ease concerns around Microsoft's acquisition."Move over, Wesley Snipes.

Fan Bingbing, a Chinese equivalent of Angelina Jolie, has landed in hot water with Chinas tax collectors over allegations of using business contracts to evade taxes.

The tax authority in the city of Wuxi, in East Chinas Jiangsu province, is looking into Fans company for potential tax violations, according to the state-run Legal Daily newspaper, citing a tax official. It did not provide any further details.

Her studio, a combination of a production company and casting agency, is based in Wuxi.

Chinas State Administration of Taxation (SAT) confirmed on Sunday it has ordered its Jiangsu branches to look into accusations that a certain unnamed film and TV worker had violated the tax codes using yin and yang contracts. That report also did not provide specifics.

The probe comes as Chinas tax collectors tighten their scrutiny of high-income groups and celebrities for potential tax evasion. Such behavior is relatively common in China, where mistrust of the government runs deep and such taxes didnt even exist until the advent of market reforms over the last three decades.

Fan, a star of film and television, is a household name in China. She burst onto the global stage in 2014 when she played the Blink character alongside Hugh Jackman as the first-ever Asian mutant in the X-men film series.

Fan was also last week accused by Cui Yongyuan, a former popular talk show host, of making 60 million yuan ($9.3 million) in four days of shooting, including 50 million yuan via a hidden contract. Cui did not reveal the name of the production and when Fan got involved.

Cui Yongyuan speaks at the 12th Young Film Exhibition in Beijing on May 4. Photo: IC

In several posts on his microblog, Cui said he was not specifically targeting Fan, 37, but instead was taking aim at celebrity director Feng Xiaogang and scriptwriter Liu Zhenyun. That pair made the 2003 Chinese blockbuster Cell Phone, in which Fan played a mistress of a TV talk show host, and are now making a sequel that will feature Fan again.

Fan, via her studio, dismissed Cuis allegations, and said his posts are a breach of business confidentiality and infringed upon her legal rights.

Fan has topped the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list for five years in a row and made 300 million yuan from July 2016 to June 2017, according to Forbes.

If she is found guilty of a crime, she would join U.S. movie star Wesley Snipes, who in 2008 was convicted of failing to file tax returns and sentenced to three years in prison.

Tax evasion is punishable by up to seven years in prison under Chinese law. However, first offenders are usually simply fined, and only those who fail to pay more than three times typically face a criminal investigation, according to Ding Jinkun, a Shanghai-based lawyer.

Veteran film and TV superstar Liu Xiaoqing was detained in 2002 and locked up for more than a year for allegedly failing to pay 14 million yuan in taxes. Prosecutors ultimately decided not to charge her as she was found to have unintentionally committed the tax evasion.

Contact reporter Li Rongde (rongdeli@caixin.com)Rejuvenating rural villages, agriculture, and the livelihoods of rural workers should continue to be a major task for the Chinese government, according to the first document issued jointly by Chinas State Council and the Communist Party Central Committee this year, as well as a subsequent opinion document published in February.

In the process of implementing the central governments plans for rural reform, China should not only strengthen investment in infrastructure, material, cultural and economic structures, but should also ensure that reforms will be backed by law and institutions through the strengthening of the legal system, especially in relation to land rights.

Strengthening rural land rights

Chinas rural economy has changed and developed dramatically since the country began opening up. However, in order to promote further development of rural areas, China must attract more capital, knowledge, technology and talent to rural areas with development potential. But flaws in Chinas rural land registration system have limited the circulation of rural land on the market and through society. The system also prevents advanced productive forces from leaving cities and entering the countryside in search of investment opportunities.

In the past, conventions were upheld by relationships between rural community members and concern for ones reputation within a small community. But in todays society of strangers, investors will be confident about investing in the countryside only if national laws provide detailed and effective protections of property rights.

In recent years, the central government has promoted programs to register and clarify rights to plots of collective land. This very important reform should be reaffirmed and safeguarded in a timely manner through legal reform.

China currently has about 29 million hectares (112,000 square miles) of rural collective construction land  that is, landed slated for development use  out of which homestead land, which is allocated to farmers for the construction of homes, accounts for 70%. However, under existing Chinese laws, while rural residents hold the rights to use this land, most of it cannot be circulated on the land market, nor can it be used to provide financing opportunities for its occupants.

Additionally, since rural residents can apply for homestead sites free of charge, even as Chinas population of rural residents fell by 133 million from 1996 to 2012, the area covered by rural homestead land increased by over 2 million hectares over the same period, resulting in low utilization of rural residential areas. Hundreds of millions of Chinas migrant workers return to their rural homesteads only on special occasions like the Spring Festival.

In 2015, Chinas Land and Resources Ministry began a pilot rural land-use rights program aimed at easing the transition toward market circulation of land-use rights. In 2017, the central government initiated another pilot program, this time aimed at formalizing the practice of renting out homes constructed on collective land. These are important reforms for the rejuvenation of Chinas rural areas, and should be incorporated as soon as possible into the legal system once the pilot programs end.

Reforming land-use management

The process of revitalization will require many rural areas to construct modern industrial and commercial infrastructure. Modernizing agricultural practices will require the construction of logistics and processing facilities. However, the current rural land-use management system is unable to support many reasonable land-use needs.

This is because, by law, land development projects will be approved by local governments and land developers only if they fit within the annual construction land quotas. These quotas are formulated by the relevant departments each year, and then transmitted downward to local governments, which eventually apply them to each province, city, county and township.

However, with the rapid development of the Chinese economy in recent years, many local governments have to fight for their share of the construction-land quota, with most of each years quota being allocated to cities instead of rural areas. As a result, Chinas vast rural areas have trouble promoting development even if they succeed in attracting high-quality industrial and commercial enterprises because there is frequently not enough land allocated for the construction of supporting industries.

Some rural residents are unwilling to be constrained by these restrictions on land use, and carry out construction of industrial and commercial facilities outside of the quota allotted to their area. However, these construction projects are technically illegal, and developers must prepare to face possible fines or demolition.

This fear that projects may be demolished or shut down is what causes farmers to develop land in a disorderly and inefficient manner, often causing damage to the environment. Authorities then see this disorder as a reason to clamp down on land-use controls, creating a vicious cycle.

As economist Lu Qian pointed out in a recent publication, in China, farmers have land but are poor, while urban residents have no land but are rich. According to Lu, this strange phenomenon is rooted in the land system. To solve these problems and revitalize rural areas, China must reform and improve its land-use management.

There are a number of concrete steps China can take. The country should establish new types of legal land rights, such as the right to make use of rural residences as collateral for financing, and the right to circulate rural land within a larger market context.

It should also revise its land-use management system and allow allocation of land-use rights to be determined by economic and social development planning, rather than on quotas.

This means than enterprises and individuals will be allowed to develop and use land as long as they follow guidelines laid out by development plans, and no longer have to meet quotas. Local governments will be allowed to approve projects that fit into overall planning strategies rather than having to apply to higher levels of government every year for a larger share of the construction land quota.

To prevent Great Leap Forward behaviors that may arise from this new freedom, the central government can use funding, taxation, financial and industrial policies to maintain control over land-use planning by local governments.

Cheng Xueyang is an assistant professor at the Kenneth Wang School of Law at Soochow University. This piece was adapted from an essay originally published in Chinese Social Sciences Today, a Chinese Academy of Social Sciences periodical.

Translated by Teng Jing Xuan (jingxuanteng@caixin.com)news, latest-news

Good morning Canberra! We're in for a cloudy day today with a top of 13 degrees. Grab your cuppa, here are today's headlines. Yesterday our team of reporters sifted through mountains of ACT budget papers on your behalf. As Daniel Burdon recaps, Chief Minister Andrew Barr has secured a $36 million surplus while funding a range of new initiatives centred primarily on boosting city services. Keen to learn this year's budget winners and losers? Read this. Hint: You'll be happy if you enjoy theatre, drive safely and are a public servant. As speculation swirls over Katy Gallagher's next move Labor leader Bill Shorten has thrown in his two cents. Shorten said the former ACT senator has "an ongoing contribution" to make. In recent days speculation has mounted that an announcement from Ms Gallagher was imminent, but as Sally Whyte reports, it not clear what she will decide to do. Did you catch the National Museum of Australias blockbuster exhibition Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters? On Tuesday it won the nations most prestigious award for a museum or gallery show in 2018. As Karen Hardy writes, several other Canberra institutions also won awards. The call is out for submissions to the federal government's review into the Australian Public Service. While the flood gates are now open, our public service reporter Sally Whyte warns submissions are to be made in "an insightful, professional and respectful manner." Read all the details here. Hold on to your shirts, jeans and hats, folks. The Queer Eye boys are on the ground in the ACT but are they here on a press junket for their latest season or are they here to do what they do best? Bree Winchester reports the tiny town of Yass could be getting a serious makeover. Could it be true?

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For Sarah Holmes and her family, containing everyday cost of living increases and investment in education are the most important roles of government. They are a family of six and the recent addition of twins meant they had to reassess their financial situation "We planned pretty carefully for baby number three and we got a surprise extra one," Ms Holmes said. "I wouldn't change anything but it did create some financial strain. "Our whole world has had to be adjusted, I've had to open my own business and we really do think about every day living expenses a lot more." It meant Ms Holmes went back to work as a hairdresser quickly after the birth and runs her own salon. The family are homeowners in Moncrieff and will face a rate increase of about 10 per cent next year. Car registrations will also rise by an average of $18 and parking in civic will rise by 6 per cent. She said while small increases did not affect their day to day budget, the cumulative effect of cost of living increases did. With two 17-month-olds at home, Ms Holmes and her husband Greg have their futures firmly in mind and are always thinking about education options, welcoming the investment in new schools. "It is top of our priority list, my husband and I both went to private schools but we are open to exploring the public system," she said. She was disappointed there was not more in the budget to address growing congestion issues from Gungahlin into civic, with a morning commute taking up to one hour. "Traffic in the morning has become ridiculous in the area," she said. "To get the girls from our house to day care which is just a few kilometres takes up to 20 minutes now." Ms Holmes has had to take both her twins to the pediatric ward in recent months. While impressed with the standard of care, she said it was clear staff were stretched. "Any extra money in that area is a good thing," she said. While she has never visited a nurse walk-in centre, she would consider using the one due to open in Gungahlin later in the year. She is also concerned about the cost of housing in the ACT, with prices rising dramatically in recent years and many areas now out of reach. The family is also worried about the rising cost of electricity in the ACT and difficulties finding affordable affordable childcare. Families ACT Executive Officer Will Mollison said he was disappointed the budget didn't do more to address housing affordability. We congratulate the Treasurer on bringing the budget to surplus this year, but we are disappointed todays budget didnt include more information about how the ACT Government will solve the Territorys housing affordability and homelessness crisis," he said. We have to question the allocation of $2.2 million for developing and promoting the CBR brand, and $5 million to establish the Chief Ministers Charitable Fund. "The fastest growing economy in Australia shouldnt need a charitable fund. Making sure that every Canberran enjoys the ACTs prosperity should be central to our brand. Ultimately, putting money into services that need it is more urgent than balancing the books.

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Reports that, for the third consecutive year, Japanese whalers operating off the coast of Antarctica appear to have deliberately targeted pregnant females and juveniles highlight the need to do more to stop this barbaric practice. They also make a mockery of Japan's oft repeated claims its annual whale kill is conducted for scientific purposes, not just to put a luxury meat onto the tables of the country's wealthy elites. Japan's five ship strong whaling fleet returned to its home port in Shimonoseki at the end of March after a four-month expedition that took 333 minke whales. The expedition's report to the International Whaling Commission, filed late last week, stated 122 of the whales killed were pregnant females. Dozens more were juveniles that had not reached sexual maturity; children and adolescents in other words. Japan's Fisheries Agency, which defended the hunt citing the usual "scientific research" line, denied pregnant females were being deliberately targeted. "We catch whales totally at random," Yuki Morita, the official in charge of whaling, said. "The IWC scientific committee recognises the number of whales we hunt is at the level that is necessary for research, but not above the level that would hurt the conservation of the stock ... the high ratio of pregnant females is noteworthy ... this shows there are many mature females, suggesting we can expect growth in resources stock". What Mr Morita, the Japanese government and the Japanese whale meat eating fraternity need to appreciate as a matter of urgency is that they are about the only people on the globe who regard the whale population as "stock". To most of us these are some of the most magnificent, evocative and awe inspiring creatures that have ever lived. We are fortunate, after having nearly hunted them to extinction during the 19th and 20th centuries, to be able to still share the planet with them. They are not a natural resource to be illicity harvested under what a "scientific research program" dreamt up to get around the IWC's long standing ban on whaling. To suggest this year's bloodbath was scientifically significant is absurd given its results almost exactly mirrored those of the hunt carried out from December 2015 to March 2016. Of the 333 minke whales slaughtered during that expedition, an estimated 200 were pregnant; many with twins. Did another 455 whales and unborn calves have to die this season to confirm what was already a well-documented trend? This isn't science; it is butchery. The only upside is that as a result of Australia taking Japan to the International Court of Justice in 2010, the Japanese have been forced to slash their Antarctic whale kill from 850 minke whales, 50 fin whales and 50 humpback whales to the current cap of 333. Australia, which has declared an Australian Whale Sanctuary extending to parts of the Antarctic, successfully argued the previous high volume program breached the IWC rules. There are well-justified fears that if the matter is pressed further the Japanese could challenge the legitimacy of the Australian Whale Sanctuary. If that were to occur the consequences for the whale population could prove disastrous. While more obviously needs to be done, this issue is more challenging and nuanced than it appears.

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A Victorian man will face court in Canberra on Tuesday morning after police allegedly found 18 kilograms of cannabis in his ute during a traffic stop. ACT Policing said officers stopped a ute in Belconnen on Monday and found the drugs in three large bags, which were stored in the back tray. The 41-year-old driver was arrested and taken to City Police Station, where he was charged with possession of a trafficable quantity of cannabis.

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Three more public schools are on the horizon for Canberra, as the public system braces for an additional 1340 students by 2019. The ACT government will spend an extra $10 million on schools in this year's budget, and release land in Gungahlin, West Belconnen and the Molonglo Valley for future school sites. A $47 million primary school is also slated for Denman Prospect in the growing Molonglo Valley and a site for a non-government school will be put up for auction by 2022 in Wright. Six hundred new places are set to open up for Gungahlin students in the next four years as the Franklin Early Childhood school expands from year 2 to year 6, and Amaroo, Gold Creek and Neville Bonner schools grow. Schools in both the north and south would also get a face-lift, with $400,000 set aside next year to design permanent classrooms for Narrabundah College and an upgrade planned for Campbell Primary School's ageing buildings. Almost $900,000 in the coming year will be spent replacing leaky roofs at schools across the territory, with the most in need triaged to the head of the queue. Funding for an additional 15 school psychologists, which was notably absent in last year's budget, has been included for the coming year. The government is expecting to fill the positions on time with its previous election committment of 2020. Teacher ranks will also swell and a new mentoring program is expected to train 120 school leaders a year by 2019. But on Tuesday, the peak body for ACT parents questioned whether the new budget went far enough to cater to Canberra's growing population. President of the ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Associations Kirsty McGovern-Hooley welcomed planning for "the minimum requirements to cope with growth" in the budget, but said more needed to be done, particularly in Gungahlin. One of the biggest challenges for our schools at the moment is growth, Ms McGovern-Hooley said, noting facilities such as school halls, playgrounds and carparks also needed to cope with surging enrolments. The association welcomed a $5.5 million boost in the coming year for students with disabilities that would see more nurses in classrooms to help those with complex health issues, as well as top up needs-based funding. [Nurse's] expertise is crucial, Ms McGovern-Hooley said. But the association was "disappointed" there was no commitment to fund "other essential expertise in our schools", such as social workers, teacher librarians and pastorial care specialists, she said. As the Commonwealth pulls out of national funding agreements on childcare regulation, the ACT government has also unveiled $1.5 million to develop a new early childhood strategy, focussing on cost equity for families as well as beefing up staff numbers at the territory's regulator, CECA.

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The son of the ACT's first federal politician has implored the Australian Electoral Commission to name the territory's new electorate after his late father instead of war historian Charles Bean. In a hearing in front of the AEC's augmented redistribution committee, David Nott said that he only knew his father Lewis Nott for the first 20 years of his life, "but what years they've been". Dr Nott said that his father should be recognised for the work he did in campaigning for the ACT to be represented at a federal level. "What he's done for Canberra, is ceaseless work," Dr Nott said. "He pushed [for the ACT to have a seat in the federal parliament] very heavily through the whole time he lived in Canberra." Lewis Nott was the ACT's first member in the House of Representatives, elected in 1949 as an independent, he served for just one term before being ousted by Labor's Jim Fraser in 1951. Before being elected to parliament he was medical superintendent of Canberra Hospital, for 13 years across two stints at the helm. Alexander Paine also told the committee that the name Nott should be chosen for the new electorate to recognise a man he considered to be one of the "founding fathers" of the Canberra community. Former electoral commissioner Brian Cox told the hearing that although he was well versed in the legacy of Charles Bean as a former War Memorial volunteer and former director general of the National Archives of Australia, he believed that Lewis Nott had the most significant local contribution of the names considered by the committee. Monday's hearing was one of the final steps in the process of redistributing federal electoral boundaries in the ACT, with new boundaries to be finalised to accommodate the introduction of a third House of Representatives seat. As well as the seats of Canberra and Fenner, the AEC has proposed a new electorate of Bean, to be named after official World War I correspondent Charles Bean, who played a pivotal role in the founding of the War Memorial. The choice of the name Bean has been controversial, with many objections to the name focusing on comments that he made during World War I about John Monash's Jewish heritage. The name Bean was chosen by the committee from a shortlist that also included Nott, and Cullen, for Indigenous activist Ngingali Cullen, for her work on National Sorry Day. War Memorial director Brendan Nelson appeared before the committee to defend the choice of Bean for the electorate, laying out the achievements of Bean and the changes in his views on John Monash over time. Charles Bean's granddaughter Anne Carroll, and his biographer Peter Rees were among those who encouraged the committee to continue with the decision to name the electorate Bean. The committee also heard that the electorate should prioritise naming the new electorate after a woman, with Professor Kim Rubenstein from the Australian National University's College of Law said that women have long been excluded from the political process and the opportunity to recognise a woman should be taken. The final determination will be announced on July 13.

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The review of the Australian Public Service, announced recently by the Prime Minister, has been given a very wide brief and a short time frame to report in. At worst, it will produce a once-over-lightly analysis, with the bland cliches and generalities to which the review genre is unfortunately prone. At best, however, it has the potential to focus sharply on a few long-term problems and produce some far-reaching recommendations. One issue worth examining, but in danger of being overlooked, is the continuing role of the public service as a guardian of fundamental constitutional values, including government integrity and the rule of law. Australians rely on their governments, at all levels, to behave honestly and fairly. We expect our requests for services to be dealt with in accordance with stated rules and procedures without any favouritism or bias. We also assume that the public service will apply a legal and ethical brake on politicians, preventing them from making illegal or improper requests of their bureaucratic subordinates. On the whole, these expectations are well-founded. Instances of public service corruption are generally isolated rather than the norm. Public concern over political corruption, as indicated by the growing support for a federal anti-corruption agency, has been directed more towards the political class than the bureaucracy. Australia is mercifully free from the systemic corruption that pervades many other countries, where citizens must be prepared to pay a bribe to secure access to routine government services to which they are legally entitled. Our public servants can generally be depended on to resist inducements or pressure from powerful interests seeking to gain an illegitimate advantage. Politicians, too, know that improper requests will be politely resisted and will generally harm their reputations. So one can understand why the review should take ethical values for granted. The terms of reference do refer to the need for an "apolitical" and "professional" service providing "fair and equitable support where it is most needed". But the main emphasis is elsewhere, on the impact of new technology, on driving economic productivity as well as protecting security. The APS must be "fit for purpose for the coming decades, able to guide and accelerate future reform activities". The key will be greater innovation, collaboration and more skilful use of technology and data. Public service values can look after themselves. This complacency, however, may be misplaced. Several long-term global trends pose challenges to the continuing entrenchment of APS values. First is the steadily increasing influence of private-sector assumptions and values on public-sector behaviour. The managerial reform movement, which began in the 1980s and is still running, drew inspiration from business management practices that stress efficiency and effectiveness over equity and probity. Admittedly, the Jeremiahs who prophesied at the time that managerialism would undermine the public service ethos proved alarmist, so far at least. The generation of senior public servants who led the reforms were people of unquestioned probity and the senior ranks of the APS remain ethically robust. But the APS may have relied too much on the values of earlier generations of public servants and not have done enough to imbue new cohorts with the uniqueness of public service values. Amid all the talk of innovation, agility, efficiency and so on, which are also watchwords in the commercial world, it is easy to forget that public servants face unique ethical demands. An obvious point of contrast is in the obligation to follow due process in matters such as letting of contracts and making appointments, where private sector companies are not bound by the same ethical codes. Merit appointment is the founding principle of the APS, through its roots in the reformed British civil service of the 19th century. The fact that public servants owe their own jobs to a fair and transparent process helps to reinforce their commitment to due process when dealing with others, for example in managing contracts. The centrality of the merit principle to APS culture, if not under threat, is certainly being played down. For instance, the latest formulation of the APS values in the 2009 revision of the Public Service Act removed merit from its position as one of the core public service values and relegated it to a separate subsection of "employment practices". More recently, in 2016, the Public Service Commission sponsored a report on the merit principle by leading businesswoman Sandra McPhee. McPhee advanced the fallacious argument that because some private sector companies use merit as a principle there can be nothing distinctive about merit as applied in the public sector. However, the use of merit in the private sector is a matter of managerial choice. In the public sector, it is an ethical and legal imperative, whether managers want it or not. Pressure on the merit principle also comes from the growing use of consultants to perform what were previously considered core public service functions. Public servants increasingly find themselves working alongside colleagues who are employed under contract by private firms and might not be fully bound by the public service code of conduct. While such arrangements may provide advantages of reduced costs and greater flexibility, they give rise to ethical risks. We hear more reports of nepotism and cronyism on the fringes of government contracts, particularly with subcontractors. Arrangements whereby public servants resign to be immediately reappointed as consultants often give off a whiff of corruption. Over time, ministers may come to be more comfortable with employees who are more morally flexible than the traditional public servant. Public servants themselves may come to question why they are bound by stricter rules than their private-sector colleagues. A related trend is the increasing polarisation of partisan political debate between conservatives and progressives, which is infecting political discourse worldwide. In Australia, the public service has been co-opted into these ideological wars on the side of the progressives. Since John Howard's "night of long knives" in 1996 and Kevin Rudd's ostentatious confirmation of all incumbent secretaries in 2007, the rallying point for this contest has been around political appointments to the senior ranks of the APS. The progressives and the Labor Party have claimed the moral high ground, criticising the Coalition's politicisation of the public service and supporting continuing post-election tenure for all secretaries. The Coalition, on the other hand, has insisted on its right to remove incumbent secretaries, particularly those whose loyalty might appear suspect, and to replace them with more congenial appointees. The overall effect on the APS leadership's impartiality should not be exaggerated. For the most part, Coalition prime ministers have drawn new secretaries from within the senior ranks of the APS without affecting the service's general impartiality and its claim to be "apolitical". But there have been notable exceptions, notably the appointment of John Lloyd, from the Institute of Public Affairs, to the statutory position of public service commissioner. Many of the Coalition's conservatives clearly see the APS as a source of progressive opposition to their values, alongside other publicly funded institutions such as universities and the ABC. This perception is reinforced by the Labor-aligned Community and Public Sector Union, which assumes the role of main public defender of the APS, and by other left-wing organisations, such as The Australia Institute, which are vigorous champions of the APS. In response, right-wing culture warriors feel duty-bound to fight back, by supporting the purging of APS senior ranks from time to time and by trying to impose an ideological counterbalance. To sustain its character as an "apolitical" public service into the future, the APS needs to be seen as truly impartial between the two sides of politics. The more it becomes a pawn in the increasingly strident battle between right and left, the harder that balancing act becomes. It may be time to reconsider the appointment process of secretaries, safeguarding the right of prime ministers to choose people they can work with but reinforcing the assumption that professionally capable secretaries must be able to work for governments of any political complexion. A final trend that threatens the values of an independent public service is more tenuous but may prove more powerful. It involves a subtle but profound change in our wider intellectual context. Today's public servants have spent most of their professional lives assuming that the type of constitutional system in which they operate  liberal, democratic and under the rule of law  is the global paradigm of good government. Many countries may fall short of this model, but it is the form of government, as set out, for example, in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, to which all nations supposedly aspire and towards which they are all supposedly progressing. For Australians, and members of other similar countries, this has been a very comfortable assumption, reassuring them that their constitutional values are universally valued and envied. Though at the other side of the world from most developed democracies, Australia (along with New Zealand) has seen itself as a regional mentor and a beacon for others to follow. This confidence is now being shaken. A rival authoritarian paradigm is challenging the liberal democratic consensus. Within our region, Australia faces a rising China, whose government shows little interest in the rule of law or public service integrity. China's influence is already being felt in universities and the media, where principles of free speech and unfettered opinion are being compromised for fear of offending the Chinese government and its close associates. Politicians are tempering their words and actions to avoid angering the new would-be hegemon. It is only a matter of time before these pressures start to impinge seriously on public service integrity if they have not done so already. Will public servants have the courage to stand up to unlawful requests from politicians seeking to bend the rules in favour of Chinese interests and their local business supporters? In the clash between authoritarian and democratic values and the defence of Australian constitutional independence, the APS is in the frontline. Is it ready to stand firm on our account? Such fears may be exaggerated and unduly alarmist. But, in considering whether the APS is "fit for service", issues of public service integrity should not be taken for granted. Richard Mulgan is an emeritus professor at the ANU's Crawford school of public policy. richard.mulgan@anu.edu.au

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/5d409588-0082-4ff7-a839-5704a2a95491/r0_444_5822_3733_w1200_h678_fmax.jpgPublished On Jun 05, 2018 11:37 AM By Dhruv.A

Interestingly, except Tesla, all the top 10 car companies have a presence in India

Toyota has bagged the top spot in the list of the worlds most valued car brands for the sixth year on the trot. The list, released by BrandZ, includes Mercedes-Benz at the second position and BMW at third in the automotive category. But the biggest surprise of the lot has to be Maruti Suzuki which is 9th on the list, thanks to its dominance in the Indian car market. Its a commendable feat considering Maruti Suzukis limited worldwide presence. Out of the remaining eight car companies in the top 10, only Tesla isnt present in India.

Heres a look at the top 10 auto brands by valuation across the world.

Rank Brand Valuation 1 Toyota $29.9 billion 2 Mercedes $25.68 billion 3 BMW $25.62 billion 4 Ford $12.74 billion 5 Honda $12.70 billion 6 Nissan $11.43 billion 7 Audi $9.63 billion 8 Tesla $9.42 billion 9 Maruti Suzuki $6.38 billion 10 Volkswagen $5.99 billion

As mentioned above, Toyota remains untouched in the brand value study as it has been ranked 1 (in the automotive space) for 11 years out of 13 that the study has been conducted for. For the times it couldnt bag the top spot, Toyota ranked 2nd. Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, surpassed its German counterpart BMW to finish second. Also Read: Toyota And Suzuki Begin Talks For New Product Developments And Exports

BMW, Ford, Audi and Honda have been seen in this list earlier but the surprise entrant is Maruti Suzuki which began its journey just 35 years ago in India. The manufacturer has more than 50 per cent share of the Indian passenger vehicles market and recently achieved the feat of producing 2 crore cars, something no other carmaker has achieved or even come close to. Read more about it here.

SourceWhatever the reason might be, the environment is the first to suffer. Starting from the electronic waste to real estate, we're not able to compromise on anything that negatively and significantly impacts the environment. When the factors like ozone layer depletion, biodiversity reduction and global warming are threatening the existence of human beings on the Mother Earth, protecting the environment has become the need of the hour. In order to protect the environment, application of scientific knowledge is required which can be gained through formal education in environmental science. On World Environment Day, let's explore the careers in environmental studies.

Environmental science is a branch of biology which focuses on the relationship between organisms and their environment. This is an interdisciplinary stream that integrates physical and biological sciences to the study of environment and provides solutions to environmental problems. A career in environmental science can open doors to wonderful lucrative opportunities that include environmental biologists, environmental engineers, environmental journalists and others.

Eligibility

Many institutes and colleges in India offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in environmental science. After class 12, one can opt for BSc or BE in environmental science. The duration of the course is three years. One can also opt for a postgraduate course in environmental science with a three-year bachelor's degree.

Students who have three years bachelor's degree in science subjects can pursue master's in environmental science. Along with bachelor's, many institutes and colleges across the country also offer short-term postgraduate diploma programs in environmental science.

Aspirants who want to be an environmental engineer should have scored at least 50% marks in 10+2 with mathematics, physics and chemistry as mandatory subjects. Candidates have to qualify in JEE for an admission to one of the IITs. A state-level examination is required for an admission to regional institutes.

The NITs and IITs across India are the most popular institutes for MTech programs in environmental engineering. Candidates can choose MTech courses based on their GATE score. Students can also opt for the MPhil and PhD in environmental science.

Top 5 Personal Attributes

Interest towards public health and environment

Problem-solving and research skills

Numerical skills

Communication skills

Team-building skills

Career Prospects

A professional education in environmental studies offers immense job opportunities. With several activities initiated for the protection of the environment, the opportunities are plenty for the students. One can find employment as an environmental scientist, a professor, an environmental biologist, an environmental modeler, an environmental journalist, etc. One can also find opportunities in NGOs.

Students who hold a degree in environmental science can find opportunities in the national-level departments or organisations such as forest and wildlife management, pollution control boards, urban planning, water resources and agriculture, the ministry of environment and forests and much more.

An environmental engineer works on the research of environmental elements. They are being employed in fertiliser plants, mines, textile mills, food processing, refineries and other industries in order to monitor the effect of pollution on the environment and the life of people. Many companies have become more conscious about nature and want to manage the resources in a better way. Hence, they are employing environmentalists in good numbers. As this profession carries out social responsibilities, companies and organisation will not compromise on the pay structures.

The opportunities are plenty abroad because of the environmental protection measures taken up by the international organisations. There is a good scope for environmental engineers in the USA according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Apart from private companies, one can find opportunities in organisations such as Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Earth System Governance Project and others.

Top 5 Institute To Pursue Environmental Engineering

Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad

Hindustan College of Science & Technology, Uttar Pradesh

Delhi Technological University (DTU), Delhi

PES College of Engineering, Mandya

Lalbhai Dalpatbhai College of Engineering, Ahmedabad

Top 15 Institutes For Pursuing Environment Science

1. Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh

2. University of Delhi, Delhi

3. Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi

4. Jawahral Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi

5. Purvanchal University, Uttar Pradesh

6. GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttar Pradesh

7. Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut

8. Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar

9. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra

10. Anna University, Guindy, Chennai

11. University of Madras, Chennai

12. University of Rajasthan, Jaipur

13. University of Mysore, Mysore

14. University of Pune, Pune

15. Visvesvaraya Technological University, AIT, Chikmagalur

Career In Digital Marketing: Explore Career Opportunities And Skills RequiredThe random numbers for students who have applied for the Anna University counselling has been generated today (June 5, 2018). According to official sources from the university, the counselling process is likely to begin on July 6, 2018.

The random numbers generated today will be considered like a token for students to queue and appear for the counselling. It is a 10 digit number that is assigned to all registered candidates.

According to the state education minister K Anbazhagan, there has been an increase of 19000 more applications this time in comparison to 2017. Around 1.59 lakh applicants have registered and the document verification will be held in Tamil Nadu Engineering Admission Facilitation Centres (TFCs) between July 8, 2018 and July 14, 2018. This year, the counselling process is expected to take place completely online, providing relief for students by saving their time and energy waiting all day for their turn.

How To Check Anna University Random Numbers For TNEA 2018

In order to check Anna University random numbers For TNEA 2018, follow the steps given here:

Step 1: Log on to the Anna University official website.

Step 2: Click on thelink that reads TNEA 2018 on the left-hand top side of the home page.

Step 3: A login form will be displayed on the screen.

Step 4: Enter your credentials such as application number and submit.

Step 5: TNEA random number will appear. Note it down and stay updated about your cousnelling date according to your number.

Important Dates

Starting date to register for counselling: May 3, 2018

Last date to register for counselling: May 30, 2018

Tentative date for counselling to begin: July 6, 2018

Anna University Counselling Process 2018

Anna University counselling process for TNEA 2018 comprises three stages:

Registration

Document Verification

Seat Allocation

The counselling process will be spread over five days. This year, 42 facilitation centres have been set up in Tamil Nadu for swift processing of document verification.

There are 535 state-recognised colleges in Tamil Nadu in which admissions will be facilitated for candidates who attend the counselling session. Random numbers were formulated in order to avoid confusion while allocating seats when two candidates of the same rank opt for the same college with insufficient seats.Karnataka State Police (KSP) has released an employment notification calling out for aspirants to apply for the post of Special Reserve Police Constable. Those interested can check out the eligibility, salary scale, how to apply and the complete details of the government job here. Selected candidates can earn up to industry standards. The last date to apply for the government job is June 25, 2018.

Maharashtra Police Recruitment 2018 For Assistant Intelligence Officer

KSP Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Post Special Reserve Police Constable Organisation Karnataka State Police (KSP) Educational Qualification SSLC graduate Age Limit Not specified Skills Required Physical fitness Salary Scale Not mentioned Job Location Bangalore, Mangalore, Shiggaon, Mysore, Tumkur, Vijayapura and Shivamogga Industry Police Experience Not required Application Start Date June 4, 2018 Application End Date June 25, 2018

Also Read: Bihar Police Recruitment 2018 For Excise Sub-Inspector

How To Apply For KSP Recruitment 2018

In order to apply for KSP Recruitment 2018, follow these steps:

Step 1: Log on to the KSP official website.

Step 2: On the home page, click on the link that reads, New Application.

Step 3: The instructions to fill the application form will be displayed on the screen. Read them carefully.

Step 4: Click on the checkbox against I Agree to confirm that you have read the terms and conditions.

Step 5: Click Submit.

Step 6: The application form will be displayed on the screen. Enter your details in the fields provided.

Step 7: Upload your photo and signature.

Step 8: Click Save and follow the subsequent pages to complete the application process.

Click here to read the detailed official notification.The moment we speak of hacking, the first thing that comes to our mind is that of a geek sitting in front of a computer screen and doing something that is unethical. We tend to associate hacking with everything that is negative and we try our level best to keep away from the same. However, it is important to note that hacking is nothing bad if done ethically.

As technology geeks, it is important for us to realise that whether we do the hacking or not, there will be some miscreants at the other end doing the same. From a practical point of view it is fair to say that it will not be possible to tackle these threats and teach them a lesson, if we do not take hacking in our own hands.

The hacking that is done in order to tackle such illegal activities is what is known as ethical hacking. This article talks about the importance of ethical hacking and how you can make it a career and consequently earn good money out of the same.

 Scope Of Growth And Career Advancement

E-commerce is something that has completely revolutionised the world. Technologies like cloud computing are gaining popularity and as a consequence there is also a continuous threat of imminent security breaches. Because of the rising threat of cyberattacks, there is an acute shortage of talent in this sector.

As of now, there are a mere 20,000 certified ethical hackers in this field. There is a requirement for about 80,000 such people. Thus, if you are ready to put in the required effort and update your skill set with the changing times, chances of you growing and doing very well for yourself in this field are pretty likely.

 Qualification And Skill Set Required

This is one profession that requires one to be able to think on their feet. A sound knowledge of computer science is an absolute must. A formal college degree may or may not be required depending on whether you are applying for a job in the government sector or the private.

However, in either of the cases, it is important for you to be sound in your programming skills and it is always advisable that you pick up more than one programming language. A focused mind and the flexibility to work for long hours at a stretch is something that is sought after in an ethical hacker.

 Thinking Ahead

When an IT firm comes up with a software or application, it will not want the same to be attacked by cyber hackers. Hence, it will want to hire hackers whose job will be to hack into their codes and find loopholes. The developers can then work on those and get them fixed.

That way no external hacker will be able to cause them any harm. This also prevents the company's reputation from being tarnished. Since these hackers play such a crucial role in the product development, they are very well paid.

 Data Security

Many a times the applications or software that are available, take some form of data from the clients in order to provide them with the optimal results. The data may be highly confidential in nature (things like client's location, age and other things like that).

If external hackers are able to get into the network, they will be able to get all that data. That will be a serious breach of contract on the part of the service provider. In order to prevent such a thing from happening, companies hire ethical hackers to boost network security.

 Vulnerability Assessment

Even with the latest developments, the vulnerability assessment software is not seen to give very good results. This is because this is an area where a lot of decisions need to be taken in context of all the other external parameters. This sort of complex decision-making is something that only a human hacker will be able to do. Since there is an acute need for such vulnerability assessments, the need for ethical hackers remains unhindered.

 Scope Of Employment

In most careers that we know, experienced candidates are given preference over that of freshers. However, this is one field where freshers are more in demand. If you are an ethical hacker, you can seek employment both in the government as well as the private sector.

In the private sector, there are a number of IT firms that develop software and need ethical hackers in order to test the same before launching it in the market. In the government sector organisations like the CBI, CID and other investigative departments need the assistance of ethical hackers in order to track down miscreants.

 War Dialling Ethical Hacking

One of the most popular areas of ethical hacking specialisation is that of remote or war dialling that is used to test open-ended modem systems. Since they are remotely connected to the network, working on them is a challenge in itself. This area of expertise also includes the relics of local network testing wherein one tests services, protocols, virtual private network and system testing.

Uncovering flaws in each of these individually and then using that knowledge to arrive at a cumulative solution to all those problems is the main task of war dialling ethical hackers. However, if you can master this field of ethical hacking, you can easily make your way to the list of most highly paid ethical hackers.

 Salary Structure

This is one of the most high-paying jobs for people who have recently graduated out of college. The lowest starting salary stands at somewhere close to Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000 with the highest crossing lakhs.

Government sector jobs for hackers also pay a very good amount of money in addition to providing social security. However, there is a lot of competition in this field and one has to truly prove their worth in order to make it big.Photo: The Canadian Press In this image taken with a long exposure, the Volcan de Fuego, or Volcano of Fire, spews hot molten rock from its crater in Alotenango, Guatemala, Sunday, June 3, 2018.

A fiery volcanic eruption in south-central Guatemala sent lava flowing into rural communities, killing at least 25 as rescuers struggled to reach people where homes and roads were charred and blanketed with ash.

The death toll rose late Sunday with 18 bodies found in the community of San Miguel Los Lotes, disaster agency spokesman David de Leon said, adding to the seven victims previously confirmed elsewhere earlier in the day.

At least 20 people were injured, and authorities have said they feared the death toll could rise with an undetermined number of people unaccounted for.

The Volcan de Fuego, or "Volcano of Fire," exploded in a hail of ash and molten rock shortly before noon, blanketing nearby villages in heavy ash. Lava began flowing down the mountain's flank and across homes and roads around 4 p.m.

Eddy Sanchez, director of the country's seismology and volcanology institute, said the flows reached temperatures of about 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit (700 Celsius).

Dramatic video showed a fast-moving lahar, or flow of pyroclastic material and slurry, slamming into and partly destroying a bridge on a highway between Sacatepequez and Escuintla.

Sacatepequez television published images of a charred landscape where the lava came into contact with homes. Three bodies lay partially buried in ash-colored debris from the volcano, which lies about 27 miles (44 kilometres) west of Guatemala City.

Other videos from local media showed residents walking barefoot and covered in muddy residue.

"Not everyone was able to get out. I think they ended up buried," Consuelo Hernandez, a resident of the village of El Rodeo, told the newspaper Diario de Centroamerica.

"Where we saw the lava fall, we ran to a hillside" to escape, she added.

Homes were still burning in El Rodeo late Sunday, and a charred stench hung over the town.

Hundreds of rescue workers, including firefighters, police and soldiers, worked to help any survivors and recover any more bodies amid the still-smoking lava.

Firefighters said they had seen some people who were trapped, but roads were cut by pyroclastic flows and they had been unable to reach them.

Amid darkness and rain, the rescue effort was suspended until early Monday morning, municipal firefighters' spokesman Cecilio Chacaj said.

Among the fatalities were four people, including a disaster agency official, killed when lava set a house on fire in El Rodeo village, National Disaster Coordinator Sergio Cabanas said. Two children were burned to death as they watched the volcano's second eruption this year from a bridge, he added.

Another victim was found in the streets of El Rodeo by volunteer firefighters and died in an ambulance.Photo: The Canadian Press

A teenager who helped attack a young Manitoba woman and shared the footage of her bloody death has been sentenced to just over three years in jail.

Judge Rocky Pollack told Winnipeg court the jail sentence of 40 months will be followed by almost two years of community supervision.

The teen will get credit for just over a year already served.

Serena McKay's body was found on the Sagkeeng First Nation in April 2017 and two teenage girls, who were 16 and 17, were arrested.

The older girl, who has since turned 18 but can't be named because she was underage when the beating occurred, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in December.

Pollack said McKay's death was a case of extreme violence.

"Serena's death came from a brutal assault," Pollack told court Monday before directly addressing her assailant. "Serena McKay's life meant nothing to you.

"It was easier for you to shake off those images ... than it was for me."

McKay, who was 19, had been at a house party in the Sagkeeng community, about 120 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, when there was an argument.

Two videos, which later circulated on social media, showed her being attacked while she begged for the beating to stop.

Court heard the videos were filmed on the phone of the teen sentenced Monday and she was the first person to text them to a friend.

At a hearing in April, she apologized to McKay's family, saying she lives every day "with this guilt and this shame."Photo: The Canadian Press OPP officers work at the site of a crash involving a tour bus on Highway 401 West, near Prescott, Ont. on Monday, June 4, 2018.

Provincial police say a 54-year-old Chinese man has died after being injured in a tour bus crash in eastern Ontario on Monday.

Officers say a bus carrying 37 people  including the driver, a tour guide and a group of Chinese tourists  drove off Highway 401 between Brockville and Prescott, and hit a rock formation by the side of the road.

Police say four bus passengers remain in hospital in serious, life-threatening condition.

A truck driver who passed the scene of the crash said he could see passengers standing outside the bus who appeared to have facial injuries.

A manager at the Massachusetts-based Union Tour Express company said Monday he was aware one of their buses was involved in the collision but could not provide any further information about the incident.

Police say they are still investigating the collision.Petrocem 10th International Conference

ICR Research By

Published 05 June 2018

Congratulations to Petrocem, which celebrated its 10th biennial conference & exhibition at the Astoria Hotel in St Petersburg, Russia, on 22-24 April. Petrocem was established in the spring 2000 by Journal Cement and its Applications and has gone from strength to strength under the committed leadership of Liudmila German, to become the pre-eminent gathering of cement leaders from the Russian Federation and surrounding nations, attracting over 500 delegates for this major anniversary celebration.

In her opening address, Liudmila German, publisher of Journal Cement and Petrocem organiser, welcomed delegates with an overview of the events history, which has spanned a period of significant modernisation in the regional cement industry. Reflecting on the origins of the event, she also paid tribute to her late husband, Gregory German, whose memory remains a key inspiration.

To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or LoginPT Semen Indonesia to invest in e-commerce platform

05 June 2018

PT Semen Indonesia plans to expand its market across the country through an e-commerce platform. The company aims to increase sales through the project, reports Antara. Domestic sales of the company fell 4.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, decreasing to 2.27Mt from 2.38Mt.



The producer is currently facing competition from new companies joining the market, according to Sigit Wahono, company spokesman.

"In Kalimantan, a cement-producing company from China is selling their products at much cheaper price than Semen Indonesia's. This has forced us to lower our price too," said Mr Wahono.

The platform is expected to be accessible for regions across Indonesia, with Semen Indonesia Logistic (Silog) handling distribution.

"For the first phase, e-commerce will be temporarily available in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi," said Mr Wahono.

"We are still studying the budget, but we are working hard to materialise it this year," he added.

Published underVietnam Ministry proposes Quang Son cement transfer to Vicem

ICR Newsroom By 05 June 2018

The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed to the government to transfer the management of Quang Son cement plant from Vietnam Industrial Construction Corp (Vinaicon) to Vietnam Cement Industry Corp (Vicem), which are both government-run corporations, amid having huge losses and mounting loans, according to Viet Nam News.



The loans have increased to 95 per cent of the total VND3.5trn (US$153m) of the project. Moreover, Vinaincon has no extra cash to fund the project, which had accumulated a loss of up to VND1.145trn at the end of 2017.



If the proposal is accepted, Vicem will meet all the loans taken by Vinaincon for Quang Son cement plant. The project, formerly known as Thai Nguyen cement plant, started its commercial operaiton in July 2011 with a cement capacity of 1.51Mta.

Published underWhat do you really know about waterboarding? You might know that its a form of torture that Congress outlawed in 2008  and one that the CIA has been known for using.

Its an awful way to get information from detainees, and, although the Washington debate about it might be rather new, the practice is definitely not. Click through to find out about the history of waterboarding  including how it actually works on page 6  then, see if you feel its a suitable practice for the CIA.

1. CIA Director Gina Haspel on waterboarding

Gina Haspel became the first woman to hold the permanent position of Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in 2018. And, according to the Los Angeles Times, she previously ran a black site in Thailand where terrorist suspects were tortured by waterboarding.

When Haspel was nominated, Sen. Kamala Harris asked her if she thought that kind of torture was immoral, but Haspel wouldnt answer. What she did say was, I can offer you my personal commitment, clearly and without reservation that under my leadership CIA will not restart such a detention and interrogation program.

Next: At the beginning

2. Waterboarding origins

People first practiced waterboarding in the 14th century, Ed Peters, a historian at the University of Pennsylvania, told NPR. Those who practiced it called it water torture, the water cure, or tormenta de toca  a phrase that refers to the piece of cloth the torturers place over the victims mouth.

Next: Why they used it

3. What waterboarding accomplished

People used waterboarding as a way to get confessions, and when it started, it was considered a normal incident of law, Peters told NPR. In fact, people back then viewed it much like todays courtroom cross-examinations. And, according to Peters, appointed Inquisitors were more careful about it than others of their time.

Next: A turning point

4. The first ban

The year 1800 was a turning point for waterboarding, according to NRP. As Europe experienced the Enlightenment, many countries banned the practice and people found it morally repugnant. Waterboarding might have gone underground, but it certainly didnt disappear. In fact, the 20th century brought it back somewhat.

Next: Modern waterboarding

5. Waterboarding makes a comeback

The Japanese practiced waterboarding in World War II, U.S. troops practiced it in the Philippines, and French soldiers practiced it in Algeria, according to NPR. The Khmer Rogue used waterboarding in Cambodia against its own people and the British used it in the 1930s against both Arabs and Jews in occupied Palestine. In the 1970s, military dictatorships in Chile and Argentina frequently practiced waterboarding.

Next: The gory details

6. This is how it works

Waterboarding can refer to two different interrogation practices, according to NPR. One involves someone pumping water directly into the victims stomach. This creates intense pain. It feels like your organs are on fire, Darius Rejali, a professor at Reed College in Oregon and author of the book, Torture and Democracy.

The more common technique involves choking the victim by covering his mouth with a thin cloth, then pouring water over his face  essentially delivering a slow-motion drowning to the victim.

Next: A punishable offense

7. Waterboarding is a war crime

Waterboarding is a serious war crime, according to NPR. In 1947, the U.S. sentenced Yukio Asano, a Japanese officer, to 15 years of hard labor for waterboarding a U.S. civilian. In 1968, when the Washington Post ran a picture of a U.S. soldier supervising a North Vietnamese soldier being waterboarded, it led to an Army investigation. Two months later, the soldier went through a court martial.

And in 1983, a judge sentenced a Texas sheriff to 10 years in prison  and his three deputies were given four years each  for using the practice on prisoners.

Next: The justification

8. Some still justify waterboarding

The reasons people use to justify the practice of waterboarding have been consistent through the years, Stephen Rickard, Washington director of the Open Society Institute, told NPR.

Almost every time this comes along, people say, This is a new enemy, a new kind of war, and it requires new techniques,' said Rickard. And there are always assurances that it is carefully regulated.

Read more: These Are the Shadiest Government Secrets We Wish Donald Trump Would Open Up About

Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!Duane Nava ready to take on new role as chamber president

With a heart for helping small businesses, Duane Nava takes over helm of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 1.International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on June 4 at 3:30 pm, local authorities raided Autumn Rain Covenant Church in Sichuan, China to summon pastor Wang Yi and preacher Li Yingqiang ahead of their scheduled prayer vigil for the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown.

Two hours later, pastor Wang Yi, his wife Jiang Rong, four preachers Li Yingqiang, Zhang Xudong, Ge Yingfeng, An Yankui, 11 other members of the church including Weng Guanghe, Liu Yingxu, Dai Zhichao, and Ran Yifei were taken away by the police.

In the process, preacher Li Yingqiang was brutally pushed against the wall, choked, and slapped multiple times by police officers. The authorities also cut the churchs electricity and placed a notice on the wall which reads, [] this is not an authorized place for religious gathering, [] please go to an authorized and registered religious venue to participate in religious activities.

A source in China who wishes not to be named confirmed with ICC that, at the time of writing, the entire group is still being held by the government. Neither pastor Wang Yi nor his wife could be contacted.

June 4 marks the 29th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in China, where an estimated several hundred to thousands of student protesters were killed by the government, with more than 10,000 people arrested during and after the protests.

According to South China Morning Post, since 2009, the Church has designated the period between May 12 and June 4 its prayer month to remember the natural and man-made disasters that have hit China on those two dates. May 12 was the anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Sichuan in 2008 while June 4 was the anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown.

This was not the first time that Pastor Wang Yi has been targeted by the government. On May 12, he and dozens of his congregants were detained before they could hold a memorial service for the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. He has also been barred from participating in overseas Christian conferences several times in the past years. The underground church pastor is known for his resiliency and outspokenness against the governments crackdown on Christians.

The leadership of the church sent out an urgent message yesterday, telling people that as long as there is one body in Christ who has not returned home, we will not cease praying. May God use prayers to overturn the hearts of people in power!

Gina Goh, ICCs Regional Manager, said, Chinese Christians continue to face a growing crackdown under President Xi Jinping, especially those who refuse to submit to the governments control. Its shameful that three decades after the infamous Tiananmen incident, Beijing is still fearful of its people, viewing people of faith and activists as the states enemy. China will never be a great country unless it learns to listen and respect the rights of its citizens.

To read more Christian persecution news, visit www.persecution.org

Photo courtesy: Thinkstock/bpperry

Publication date: June 5, 2018The case of a Christian baker refusing to design a cake for a same-sex wedding became, in the eyes of many, the most-anticipated Supreme Court decision of the year because justices had a chance to finally resolve Americas ongoing struggle to balance sincerely held faith convictions and LGBT protections.

But in Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the courts 72 ruling did not establish a new precedent outright allowing or barring Christian business owners from serving customers based on their faith convictions. Instead, the narrow decision favored baker Jack Phillips over a state agency that the high court ruled had demonstrated an unconstitutional hostility toward his Christian beliefs.

CT asked religious liberty experts to weigh in on what the complicated ruling actually means for conservative Christian business owners in the wedding industry:

Thomas Berg, professor of law and public policy at the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota):

This is the courts first tangle with the issue of religious vendor refusals and LGBT rights, and the justices obviously wanted to proceed slowly. But there are other cases coming, including the Washington florist currently before the court. The justices will have to accept another one for review if they want any control over what this opinion means.

The court indicates that the interests of both LGBT people and religious objectors must be taken seriouslya central theme of the amicus brief that [University of Virginia professor Douglas Laycock] and I filed for the LDS Church and other groups. But the court doesnt say exactly what that means. Does it just mean no outright hostility to a religious belief? Or might it mean that the interests of traditionalist Christians in following their faith while in business must be weighed significantly in the balance?

The latter would give more protection. And note that the court does say that one piece of evidence of state hostility is if the decision-makers tell you to leave your beliefs behind when you do business in this state. However, Masterpiece makes it clear that protections from antidiscrimination law in the commercial sphere will be narrowlimited to objections tied to a specific event like a weddingbecause LGBT people have a strong interest in receiving full service in the market.

At a very general level, the decision indicates that the Court will take a flexible view toward whether a law is neutral and generally applicable toward religion under the free exercise clause test that has been used since 1990. The state clearly cannot win just by showing that the text of a law does not single out religion. The court will look at the background of the lawincluding both lawmakers explicit statements and the nature of their reasoningto find even subtle departures from neutrality. That could strengthen the free exercise clause across the board, not just in cases involving LGBT rights.

Michael W. McConnell, director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution:

Justice Kennedy's opinion in favor of the Christian baker, for a 7-2 majority, was scrupulously cautious in refusing to comment on possible future cases or broader implications. But no one should mistake the principle.

If a state recognizes the right of shopkeepers to refuse service on the basis of secular principles, it cannot punish others who refuse service on the basis of religious principles. The case might be different if all bakers were required to bake all cakes expressing all ideasbut Colorado did not have such a rule.

Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission:

The decision was right and good, regardless of whether it was as broad and sweeping as it could possibly be. The court here decided that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission treated the religious beliefs of Jack Phillips with impermissible hostility and animus. Along the way, the majority opinion asserted strongly that courts must treat people of faith neutrally and that any kind of animus or hostility is itself a violation of religious liberty.

Over the last few years, we have seen serious questioning by some of the value of religious liberty and even open contempt expressed in the Senate toward the religious beliefs of nominated judges and other administration officials. This makes Justice Kennedys comments on the value of religious liberty on behalf of himself and 6 other justices all the more welcome. The concurring opinions of Justices Gorsuch and Thomas were even more insistent and provided a robust defense of religious liberty and the governments duty to protect, not police, the free exercise of religious belief.

So while its unclear what this decision will mean for similar cases and others in the wedding industry, Jack Phillips was still victorious today. And further, we should be thankful for the courts demand that the cases of others who work in the wedding industry must be considered and decided neutrally, fairly, and without hostility or animus.

Michael V. Hernandez, dean and professor of the Regent University School of Law:

This was a typical Roberts court opinion, decided on the most narrow grounds possible to obtain a consensus. Although it is encouraging that seven justices voted to overturn Phillips fine, the opinion leaves the most pressing issues (broad protection of religious liberty and freedom of speech) unresolved. It upholds only the principle that the application of antidiscrimination laws must be neutral, generally applicable, and not grounded in animus to religious belief.



State actors are now on notice that they may not target traditional religious belief and expression explicitly in word or in deed. If state officials cloak their opposition to traditional religious belief in neutral terms and actions, the next battle will be over whether free speech protection extends to traditional Christian beliefs on these issues. Only Justices Thomas and Gorsuch explicitly indicated that they would extend that protection to conservative Christian wedding cake bakers.



It is shocking, but not surprising, that Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor asserted in dissent that the overt animus of members of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission was irrelevant because a state statute protecting gay rights trumps the constitutional protection of religious liberty. The implications of their extreme view are truly staggering and frightening.

Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel at religious liberty firm Becket:

Becket urged the court to decide the case on the basis of the free exercise clause, and that is what the court did. And because of that, this case has broad implications for other religious liberty conflicts, involving not just wedding vendors, but many other religious people too.

The decision breaks new doctrinal ground in a couple of places  For example, Justice Kennedy adopts the two-Justice part of Lukumi and turns it into newly binding precedent in this passage: Factors relevant to the assessment of governmental neutrality include the historical background of the decision under challenge, the specific series of events leading to the enactment or official policy in question, and the legislative or administrative history, including contemporaneous statements made by members of the decisionmaking body.



What this means as a practical matter is that in a variety of situations it will matter much more what the legislators, adjudicators, and government officials say about the religious beliefs and practices in question, and much less what those same officials think about whether those religious beliefs and practices offend someone. The court used a fairly broad definition of what constitutes hostility toward religion, so referring to hateful beliefs could get an anti-discrimination law invalidated. And saying that someone was offended will be no justification for a law.

The main takeaway from todays decision is that both the Constitution and the Supreme Court are saying that we should all try and get along in this fractious country of ours. We at Becket strongly believe its worth a try.

Christianity Today has reported on todays Masterpiece Cakeshop ruling, as well as the ongoing legal questions surrounding religious freedom and LGBT rights.Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

There are some luxury apartments not far from my office with about five floors to each building. Not long ago, I looked up from my computer where I was writing and spied a small child playing in a window high on the fourth floor. The youngster wasn't simply gazing out of it but had her whole body dangerously inside the frame.

Alarmed that she might plummet to her death at any minute, I rushed outside and hurried toward the building, waving my arms and shouting, "Sweetheart, go back! Go back! Go back!" When she didn't heed my warnings, I alerted a young couple standing nearby of her peril. They quickly made their way beneath the window to spot what was happening. When they could see the child clearly, they sought to allay my fears by telling me that there was a screen in the window. I suppose realizing the commotion was about her, the child moved away at that point, and the danger seemed abated.

Later that evening I told my wife about what happened. Her response was dynamic. "Screen or no screen that child's life was seriously in danger," she protested. "Someone needs to speak to management about what happened!"

But I dropped the matter until a few days later I looked up from my computer to witness the same frightening scenario taking place again. This time I walked straight over to the apartment complex and firmly asked for the person in charge. He greeted me, and I swiftly escorted him outside and pointed out the problem.

I said to him, "Can you guarantee the screen in that window will keep that little girl from falling out?" He responded, "No, in fact, I don't think that screen can protect her." I replied, "Well, you better address this issue with the tenant in that particular apartment before that child's blood is splattered on the sidewalk and onto your hands."

Since that time I haven't seen that precious little one playing in the window again.

This harrowing experience made me think of something I had once read by William Barclay in his book, Ethics in a Permissive Society. Barclay said:

"One of the outstanding features of the Jewish law [Old Testament law] is its stress on responsibility. A man is not only responsible for what he does; he is responsible for the wrong thing he might have prevented and the damage for which he is to blame because of his carelessness or thoughtlessness. If an ox gores someone, if the ox was not known to be dangerous, then the ox is killed and the owner goes free; but if it was known that the ox was dangerous, then not only is the ox killed, but its owner too is liable to the death penalty (Exodus 21:28-32). Palestinian houses were flat-roofed and the flat roof was often used as a place of rest and meditation. So it was laid down by the law that if a man built a house he must build a parapet round the roof, 'that you may not bring the guilt of blood on your house, if anyone fall from it' (Deuteronomy 22:8).

"The Old Testament is sure that I am my brother's keeper; it is quite sure that I am not only responsible for the harm I have done, but that I am equally responsible for the harm I could have prevented."

The prophet Ezekiel spoke about this same principle but gave it an additional application. Speaking for the Lord as a prophet would, he declared, "When I say to a wicked person, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood" (Ezekiel 3:18).

Several years ago my wife and I visited Niagara Falls with some friends who didn't live far from there. While we walked among the many tourists, one of our friends passed along a Gospel Tract to a man standing near her. The man looked at the Tract with disdain and then flung it back at our friend along with some strong language. I will never forget my friend's response later. She sadly shrugged her shoulders and with disappointment said, "Well, his blood is not on my hands."

These are dark days we are living in and are seemingly getting darker by the minute. Lives are at great risk. This is no time for Christians to be silent in word or good deeds. People desperately need to know Christ. They need to hear of His power to save from sin. They also need to be able to observe His transforming power in our own lives. Furthermore, they need to be warned of those matters that could cost them their health, their home, and their hope for a meaningful life. Salvation is not just for the soul, but for the whole man.

If Christians are silent, if we choose to treat our faith as though it were little more than fire insurance to save one's soul from perdition, then we betray the Christ who sacrificed everything to redeem us. If we are unwilling to face the subtle as well as obvious intimidations of those who would silence us, if we confine our utterances or actions simply to that which garners the public's favor, then we betray our calling to let God speak through us. Moreover, we will have blood on our hands.

We have to point out that child hazardously playing in the high window.Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

With a number of critical decisions set to be released by the Supreme Court this month, one in particular could have wide-ranging impact on our economy and on the very principle of federalism. In South Dakota v. Wayfair, the Court will decide whether to uphold its earlier decision that states cannot force businesses to collect and remit sales taxes unless the businesses has a physical presence in their state. A bad decision from the court  as well as possible legislation from Congress  would lead to Internet sales taxes that harm hundreds of thousands of small businesses across the nation and change the very face of the Internet economy.

In 1992, the Court decided in Quill Corp vs. North Dakota that states do not have the power to impose sales tax burdens on businesses with no physical presence in their state. This important precedent has prevented states form being able to tax, audit or regulate businesses and individuals that do not reside in their state. State and local governments  and some allies in Congress - want to get their hands on as much revenue as possible and have tried to find a way to undo this precedent. The Wayfair decision will determine whether we continue this critical model  as will subsequent decisions by Congress.

An entrepreneur who starts an online business should not be turned into a national tax collector. There are currently over 10,000 sales tax jurisdictions in the United States. If an Internet sales tax goes through, these small businesses will now be forced to figure out and collect the taxes for all those different jurisdictions. As a former local and state official, I know firsthand how complicated these taxes can be. Certain products will qualify for one rate, while a different product will have another tax rate and the taxes in one city, town or county will differ from the rate in other parts of the state. Hard working entrepreneurs on their own, or with a few employees, would have to navigate that maze of taxes. Most will likely have to hire accountants or tax lawyers to help them figure it out  cutting into the bottom line for a small business  jeopardizing their profits and their ability to keep employees.

More worrisome, such a tax would suddenly make those businesses vulnerable to audits or tax bills from states or localities they do not reside in or vote in. As a conservative, the last thing I want to see is entrepreneurs becoming the target of aggressive tax collection and audits from officials in other states. As a letter signed by numerous conservative and taxpayer groups earlier this year pointed out, "dismantling the physical presence protection for remote retail sales could throw open the floodgates for states to aggressively attempt enforcement of not just their states tax laws, but also business and individual income tax rules, and even activist regulatory obligations on out -of-state entities."

The Internet sales tax would be a rejection of our nation's long-held belief in no taxation without representation. Allowing authorities to tax people who do not live or vote in their state and who will not benefit in any way from those taxes goes against the system of federalism that our founders created.

Supporters of the sales tax have claimed that states are losing tremendous revenue. The facts say otherwise. Former Rep. Chris Cox (a former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission) who has long been a champion against Internet taxes, pointed out in a recent WSJ op-ed that despite the claims by South Dakota in the case, "[t]he state's own data show that sales and use tax revenue grew from $787.7 million in 2013 to $974.7 in 2017considerably faster than the state's rate of economic growth." He added that sales tax revenue has been booming in most states.

While it may seem like an Internet sales tax is a good way to stick it to some giant online retailers who are getting away with not paying their taxes, the exact opposite is true. The tax would in fact be a form of cronyism that helps these big retailers. Amazon and Wal-Mart, among many others, already collect sales taxes since they have physical presence all over the country. Those companies want an Internet sales tax because it would harm the small businesses who are competing with them and will give them a greater advantage. They have the resources and the personnel to figure out thousands of tax laws  small companies do not.

The coming court decision is not the only danger to small businesses. In recent years, many members of Congress, including Republicans who should oppose higher taxes, have tried to advance legislation that would allow such Internet taxes. During the omnibus spending bill debate, members tried to include this tax  with the support of Speaker Ryan. Many believe there will be another attempt during a lame duck session. With Republicans having great success in cutting taxes, rolling back regulation and turning the economy around, the last thing we need to do is allow higher taxes and more intrusive government  as an Internet sales tax would do. Polls have consistently shown that Americans overwhelmingly oppose an Internet sales tax.

The coming weeks and months will be critical in this debate, and entrepreneurs and supporters of free-market principles must stand strong and fight any attempt to impose Internet sales taxes. We cannot allow policies that would raise taxes, hurt small businesses, discourage entrepreneurship and undo the concept of no taxation without representation to help some big retailers and satisfy the revenue desires of politicians across the nation.

Ken Blackwell, a former Ohio State Treasurer, Ohio Secretary of State and Mayor of Cincinnati, serves on the boards of the National Taxpayers Union and the Club for Growth. He also served as a domestic policy advisor to the Trump Transition team.Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

OK, this is a confession.

By nature, I am not a patient person.

If I'm driving on the freeway and one lane moves slightly faster than another, I'm the guy who you might not like at all  weaving in and out of the lanes, pushing to get wherever I'm going just a little bit faster. When I go to the supermarket, I carefully survey which line is longest before I commit. And when I get in that "10 items or less" aisle ... am I the only person who actually counts the items in the other people's carts to see if they fall within in the allotted amount?

"Excuse me, but this man has 11 items! Please stop him now!"

When I go to pick up pizza and bring it home for my family, I can't resist the temptation to have at least two pieces before I get home. How many times have I scorched the roof of my mouth with the burning cheese of a pizza that needed to cool down first? It's not a pretty picture.

For that reason, when God tells me I need to be patient when it comes to sharing my faith, it's not that easy for me. I like results.

However, just as a fisherman often must sit quietly in his boat for hours at a time patiently awaiting the first bite, so we who "fish for people" must be patient. We may not catch anything on a particular day  or week, or month  but we go back again and again, making the most of every opportunity to speak a word about what Christ has done for us.

It's important to remember that we may not see any receptivity, change or turning in someone's life at the end of a given conversation. But that's OK. We have heard so many stories over the years of those who have attended our Harvest events and didn't commit their lives to Christ at the actual crusade  but came to the Lord later. Even much later.

Sometimes it's no later than when they step out into the stadium parking lot after the meeting. At other times it may be a day, a week, a few months or even years later.

Greg Laurie may not be patient sometimes, but fishermen are. And so are farmers. Consider a farmer planting his field. Seed is sown, but it germinates at different times. So it is when we share the Gospel message with others. The "seed" is sown, yes. But it may not take root in some people as quickly as it does in others. Sometimes a seed sown today may not break ground until later  perhaps in a rare moment of reflection or a personal crisis.

I remember hearing one story of a father and son who were out in downtown Waikiki handing out fliers for our Harvest Crusade. The little boy asked his dad if he could give one of the fliers to a rather burly, menacing-looking, body-pierced man. The dad somewhat reluctantly agreed, keeping a close watch on his son.

The boy cautiously approached this big, muscular guy and timidly gave him the flier. This big man didn't even smile at the little guy. In fact, he promptly snatched the flier and wadded it up in his hand. The little boy beat a quick retreat, and from all appearances, it seemed like a failed encounter. But things aren't always as they seem  especially when God is involved.

That evening when the invitation to come to Christ was given at the crusade, that little boy and his dad were waiting on the field as counselors to welcome those coming forward. One of the first was that burly guy from Waikiki, coming to receive Christ!

Sometimes the seeds we sow today may not break ground for months or years. I have preached at many funeral services where people who had been witnessed to previously by the deceased finally made a decision to follow Christ. Some of these people had heard the Gospel message for decades  but it wasn't until the person who had shared with them had gone on to be with the Lord that they were ready to commit their lives to Jesus.

So be patient, even if you aren't naturally patient. Be willing to wait. You may have such a deep concern for someone that this is extremely difficult. But trust God, cast your line, pray, and wait for Him to work.

We must be sensitive to the timing and leading of the Holy Spirit. As Scripture reminds us, we must "be ready in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2). This could also be translated, "Be on duty at all times." We need to be ready when it comes to telling others about the Lord.

I read the story of a fisherman named Larry Shaw, who was testing an outboard propeller on a lake in Ohio a few years ago. There, in a cove, he spotted a gigantic muskellunge fish near the surface. Shaw motored toward it and unsuccessfully cast out his line several times before the fish disappeared.

A half hour later, Shaw returned to the cove where he had first spotted the big muskie. It was back! Shaw turned on the electric trolling motor and headed toward the beast. As he crept closer, the massive fish suddenly started swimming directly toward the boat. Shaw quickly put on a leather glove and plunged his arm into the water, grabbing the fish behind the gills. That old fish started thrashing and twisting, but he finally wrestled the monster into the boat. The muskie weighed in at over 53 pounds.

When asked about his prize fish, Shaw shrugged and said, "I was at the right place at the right time  and was fool enough to grab it."

That's the same attitude we should have in fishing for people. Being at the right place at the right time  and being "fool enough" to take a risk  to tell your story  to share the Word of Life.

Then step back and watch God work.

Note: Greg Laurie's Harvest America event comes to Arlington, Texas, June 10.

www.harvestamerica.com

Originally posted at harvest.org

Greg Laurie is the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, with campuses in Riverside and Irvine, California.home World Pope to meet with oil executives to discuss climate change

Pope Francis will be meeting with representatives of the world's top oil companies to discuss the issue of climate change, a Vatican source revealed.

A private meeting between Francis and oil executives is expected to take place on the second day of the Vatican conference on climate change, which will be held on June 8a9.

Representatives from oil companies such as Exxon Mobil, Eni, BP, Royal Dutch Shell and Pemex are expected to attend the conference, which was organized by the University of Notre Dame in the U.S.

The CEO's of Exxon Mobil, BP and Equinor have already confirmed that they will attend the conference, which will be held in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, according to Reuters.

Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods said that the oil company is making an effort to balance the perceived risks of climate change with the world's increasing demand for energy.

"We're hopeful that this kind of dialogue can help develop solutions to the dual challenge of managing the risks of climate change while meeting growing demand for energy, which is critical to alleviating poverty and raising living standards in the developing world," Exxon spokesman Scott Silvestri said, according to Reuters.

A spokesman for BP said that the company's CEO, Bob Dudley, is looking forward to the Vatican meeting.

"He believes gatherings of this kind help develop a better understanding of the energy transition and the best ways for corporations, countries and wider society to participate in it," spokesman Geoff Morrell said about Dudley, as reported by Axios.

Vatican spokesman Greg Burke noted that the conference will be a follow-up to the pope's encyclical on climate change released back in 2015.

In his encyclical, the pope called for a lifestyle change among people living in developed countries and denounced those who doubt climate change as well as those who say that the phenomenon is not man-made.

Francis contended that there is a "very solid scientific consensus" that the planet's climate was warming and further argued that greenhouse gases were "released mainly as a result of human activity."

The pope suggested that policies could be enacted in order to reduce polluting gases, adding that technologies that make use of fossil fuels should be "replaced without delay."

Cardinal Peter Turkson, who was instrumental in developing the pope's encyclical, will be addressing the oil executives.

MIT management professor John Sterman expressed concern that the event would be nothing but a photo opportunity for oil executives. He asserted that the meeting could just be "PR to help oil companies burnish up their image while they continue to delay actions," the Associated Press reported.Demonic possession is a 'real thing' & I've seen it, says prominent psychiatrist

A psychiatrist who teaches at New York Medical College and Columbia University says he has studied thousands of claims of demonic possession for 25 years and found that it is indeed very real.

Dr. Richard Gallagher, a Princeton- and Yale-educated psychiatrist, tells The Telegraph that he's "not just intuiting" but deals with it "from a very scientific point of view."

Gallagher adds that he can distinguish between mental illness and "the real thing."

"There are many other psychiatrists and mental health care professionals who do what I do  perhaps not to the scope that I do  who seem hesitant to speak out," he explains. "That's what gives my work some singularity. That I have had so much experience and that I am willing to speak out. I feel an obligation to speak out. I think that I should."

Speaking with Yahoo last month, Gallagher, who's a Catholic, recalled that a priest came to him over 25 years ago and sought his help in determining if a Catholic woman who claimed she was being assaulted by invisible forces had some mental illness. Gallagher was skeptical but examined the woman and found bruises that would spontaneously appear.

"It didn't seem to be explainable on the basis of any medical or psychiatric pathology," he said. "She appeared to me to be completely sane. I had never seen a case like that before."

Since there was no medical cause for her injuries, he concluded she was attacked by an evil spirit.

Gallagher said he has examined thousands of claims of demonic possession but found only about 100 of those cases to be demonic activity.

The Catholic Church's canon law recognizes exorcism and the need for it, but it allows it to be performed only after high-level permission from within the Church.

At a four-day meeting held by the Vatican in Sicily in southern Italy earlier this year, testimonies were heard on sects and satanism. One of the organizers, Friar Beningo Palilla, said the Church was concerned that an increasing number of people were turning to fortunetellers and Tarot readers, which could "open the door to the devil and to possession."

He said roughly 500,000 cases requiring exorcism are seen in Italy each year.

In January, a leading exorcist in Ireland, Fr. Pat Collins, warned that cases of demonic possession and other evil phenomena were rising in the country, urging leaders of the Catholic Church to appoint a team of exorcists.

"It's only in recent years that the demand has risen exponentially," Collins told The Irish Catholic at the time.

"What I'm finding out desperately, is people who in their own minds believe  rightly or wrongly  that they're afflicted by an evil spirit," he said. "I think in many cases they wrongly think it, but when they turn to the Church, the Church doesn't know what to do with them and they refer them on either to a psychologist or to somebody that they've heard of that is interested in this form of ministry, and they do fall between the cracks and often are not helped."News through a mother's eyes: Why the media doesn't have the last word

Becoming a mum has made me look at the world differently. Let's take Netflix. I haven't followed the science-fiction dystopian series 'Black Mirror' but watched one scene that unfortunately I haven't forgotten. A blind baby stood up in his cot unaware that his parents were murdered by the intruder who was walking towards him. She walked closer and closer to the cot. Oblivious to the fact that he was blind and wanting to cover her tracks, the viewer is not left guessing what will happen. I thought, 'what if that had been my son?'

In American spy-thriller 'Homeland', an Iranian intelligence officer arrived at the home of his ex-wife and daughter-in-law brutally murdering them both. The CIA arrive to a bloodbath and a baby innocently playing. Protagonist Carrie has orders to leave the baby so she places the baby safely in the playpen; this is profound as she is secretly pregnant with her own child. 'What if my son was left alone with no parents and no one to take care of him?'

OK  so maybe I need to choose more uplifting shows to watch. However, it's easier to distance myself from these stories  they're not true. On the other hand, the news presents real heartache happening to real people. Images of babies and children who are suffering invoke a powerful, emotional response from me more than they did before becoming a mum. It was hard to read such stories before motherhood, but now it could happen to my own flesh and blood.

The images of baby Charlie Gard in hospital as his parents fought desperately to take him to the United States for experimental treatment but were denied the request was heart-breaking. His life support was turned off and his parents couldn't take him home to spend his last days in peace. Then there was Alfie Evans whose parents were unsuccessful in transferring him to Rome for treatment. It was decided by medical staff and the courts that keeping Alfie on life support was not in his best interests. I cannot begin to imagine how it must feel - to be the doctors giving the news, the court giving their verdict or the parents' watching their child's health deteriorate. I know I would want to do everything I could for my son and stories like this make me consider what it would be like to be in that situation  it's difficult to think about.

Let's not forget three-year-old Alan Kurdi, the Syrian refugee who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea and washed up on the shores of Turkey, facedown as if he were sleeping. This image struck me hard without having my own child, but now watching my own little boy sleep on his stomach  it puts a greater lump in my throat. The love that parents' have for their children takes my breath away; they fight so hard to save them, whether trying an experimental treatment or fleeing from a war-torn country to a place of safety.

Other recent stories include the ultrasound picture of Logan Gomes who was stillborn making him the youngest victim of the Grenfell Tower blaze, the Republic of Ireland repealing a law that grants equal status to both mother and baby and parents being separated from their children by the US government at the US-Mexico border. All of these stories make for tough reading and harder writing as I reflect on each one in light of being a mum, imagining what each mother must be feeling at losing their child.

The hard truth is that there are things that will never be fully understood in this life. As my mum used to say - we have a piece of the puzzle, but it's God who sees the whole picture. I've found that knowing God as a Father gives me fresh vision for looking at the world because He is the ultimate parent. He knows what it's like to lose His only Son (John 3:16). We are adopted as children of God because of Jesus (John 1:12). God is a Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5). He knows what we need and provides for us (Luke 12:29-31). He disciplines like a loving father correcting his child (Proverbs 3:11-12). He has lavished His love on us (1 John 3:1). Seeing God as Father helps me to trust my own story, my son's story and the stories that I read about into His care.

With every doom and gloom report, there are many more uplifting stories of countless babies being born into loving families across the world, children overcoming illnesses and parents being reunited with their sons and daughters. As I read the difficult news stories, I need to remember that this isn't the end of the story. God the Father sees the completed picture even when it looks as if there are pieces missing - those parts of life that we just don't understand. God still sees the beauty in the lives of His children and each one of our stories matters to Him.

Ruth Clemence is a freelance writer and award-winning blogger based in Devon. She can also be found writing at www.ruthclemence.com and on Twitter @ruth_the_writer.Paige Patterson friend challenges allegations, offers evidence; Says he was fired after midnight via phone call

Update: June 2, 9:30 AM EST: Following this report, Kevin Ueckert, chairman of the board of trustees for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, issued a statement Friday evening saying, in part:

"We confirmed this week through a student record, made available to me with permission, that an allegation of rape was indeed made by a female student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2003. This information contradicts a statement previously provided by Dr. Patterson in response to a direct question by a board member regarding the incident referenced in our May 30 statement. The 2003 rape allegation was never reported to local law enforcement. SWBTS will not release the student record to the public without additional appropriate permissions."

Speaking of Sharayah Colter, Ueckert added, "Further, SWBTS received a request from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary requesting the return of any documents taken by Dr. Patterson upon his departure from Southeastern. Counsel for SWBTS, Michael Anderson, immediately reached out to counsel for Dr. Patterson, Shelby Sharpe, on May 25 and made inquiry regarding the documents. ...

"The morning after the May 30 Executive Committee meeting, Mr. Sharp provided a few documents he reportedly obtained from Dr. Patterson. The documents clearly dealt with Dr. Patterson's tenure at Southeastern and should have been previously provided in response to Mr. Anderson's May 25 request. Shortly after these documents were provided, the wife of Dr. Patterson's chief of staff published a blog and attached these documents without the permission of the students referenced in the documents or appropriate leadership from SEBTS or SWBTS. I believe this was inappropriate and unethical. Regardless, the additional documents do not alter the decision of the Executive Committee."

Original report:

Sharayah Colter, wife of Paige Patterson's former chief of staff Scott Colter, has challenged several of the allegations that led to the former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary president's firing Wednesday, which she revealed was unceremoniously executed by telephone in the dead of night while he was on assignment in Germany.

Writing in a post on SBC Issues Thursday, Sharayah Colter, who previously worked as a journalist, argued that her husband's former boss, whom she considered a personal friend, is "not guilty of all of which he has been accused in recent days," including encouraging a former student not to report an alleged rape. Seminary officials, she said, did not give him an opportunity to defend himself at the May 30 meeting where the decision was made to fire him.

The board of trustees of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary located in Ft. Worth, Texas, announced Wednesday that Patterson had been fired effective immediately and that they had cut all ties with him after new details, which they did not reveal, emerged about his handling of a sexual abuse allegation while he was president at another institution.

Sharayah Colter revealed that her husband received a call from the chairman of the seminary's board of trustees, Kevin Ueckert, shortly after midnight in Germany on Thursday where Patterson, who was also traveling with his wife, Dorothy, had preached to pastors just hours earlier. Scott Colter was then ordered to rouse his boss from his bed to learn that he was no longer an employee of the seminary.

"After midnight in Germany, while Patterson was sleeping, the chairman of the board of trustees, Kevin Ueckert, ordered Scott Colter to wake Patterson for a phone call. On the call, Ueckert told Patterson he was fired effective immediately, with no salary, no health insurance and no home. He then relayed that Patterson would receive instructions for vacating Pecan Manor upon returning to Fort Worth," Sharayah Colter wrote.

Prior to that, the seminary had taken other steps to cut ties with Patterson and his chief of staff which created difficulty for them in Germany.

"Before the phone call, both Patterson's and Colter's email accounts, including personal contacts and calendar, were shut down without notice and while the three were traveling in Germany on behalf of Southwestern, leaving them without access to itineraries, train tickets, local contact information, hotel confirmation and flight boarding passes," she wrote.

Sharayah Colter also noted that at some point before the termination call was made, the locks to the room on Southwestern's campus housing Patterson's private and personal archives containing ministry materials and documents from Criswell College and the Conservative Resurgence were changed.

"No notice was given, and the Pattersons had no knowledge that this was being done and had not given permission for such," she wrote.

Colter further noted that she was not asked by Patterson to share the details of what happened but said that she simply wants "Southern Baptists, who own Southwestern Seminary and control its work, [to] have a fuller picture of what actually occurred."

"It is regrettable that the trustees did not contact Patterson during their May 30 executive committee meeting to hear any explanation of these accusations before his immediate termination," she said.

Patterson, 75, is accused of encouraging women who are abused by their husbands not to divorce but to pray instead. During a Q&A in 2000, Patterson said he never counseled couples to get a divorce even in abusive situations, but stressed that there were cases in which he advised a temporary separation due to the danger of abuse. He said he even received threats at one point when he helped an abused woman leave her husband.

"... on an occasion during my New Orleans pastorate, my own life was threatened by an abusive husband because I counseled his wife, and assisted her, in departing their home to seek protection. In short, I have no sympathies at all for cowardly acts of abuse toward women," Patterson added.

In an April 29 statement about the controversy surrounding his past comments, Patterson said: "I have also said that I have never recommended or prescribed divorce. How could I as a minister of the Gospel? The Bible makes clear the way in which God views divorce."

Last month, Patterson was also accused of having reportedly encouraged a female student in 2003 not to report a rape. The woman who revealed herself to be Megan Lively on Monday said she had been raped on campus and that Patterson, then the president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina, urged her not to report it to the police but that she should forgive her alleged assailant.

While Lively told The Washington Post that she met with Patterson and a few other seminarians and was asked to provide details of the rape to them, Sharayah Colter noted that "Patterson says he does not recall meeting with Lively," a position which she suggests is supported by a letter Lively sent to Patterson dated April 15, 2003.

"Finally, thank you for the accountability and for putting me on probation. Even though Dr. Moseley has handled this, I think it is great that the school enforces discipline," the letter said. "At first, I was humiliated and embarrassed. But I know now this is from my own actions and the consequences of those."

Lively appears to refer to "the sin that was in my life" but never mentions being raped.

"I just wanted to write you and first of all apologize. I know that you have been made aware of the sin that was in my life. While I have confessed this to the Lord, repented and sought accountability in my own life, I feel that I have disgraced the school," Lively wrote.

Sharayah Colter noted that "if a rape had indeed been alleged in 2003, and Patterson had known about it, he would have reported it to authorities, as he demonstrated in a different scenario involving a Southwestern Seminary student when he called police even when the student asked him not to do so."

Among other things, she also challenged the allegation that Patterson did not handle appropriately an alleged case of sexual assault against an SWBTS student.

"Patterson immediately called police in response to a female student claiming she had been raped. The accused man admitted to having sexual relations with the woman, but said it was consensual. The man also produced evidence to the police to that effect," she said.

"Southwestern's chief of police can confirm that the Fort Worth Police Department was called and responded. Patterson expelled the male student accused of rape. However, because the female student refused to press charges, Patterson had done all he could by calling the police, expelling the student and encouraging the woman multiple times to press charges," Colter added.

While the seminary did not reveal specific details about the new information shared with their board of trustees on Wednesday, officials said it was "inconsistent with SWBTS' biblically informed core values." They said the revelation also required swift action to cut all ties with Patterson who served as the 52nd president of the Southern Baptist Convention prior to becoming president of the seminary in June 2003.

In her defense of Patterson, Colter wrote: "We serve a God of truth. I have written in the spirit of that truth, and I pray you will receive it in that spirit as well."Pastor Robert Morris returns to preach following near-death experience, Shares his encounter with God

Pastor Robert Morris returned to the pulpit of his Texas megachurch this past weekend, nearly two months after he nearly died due to internal bleeding.

Met with a standing ovation from thousands of Gateway Church attendees, Morris made it clear that he was able to recover due to everyone's prayer support, saying, "I'm here because of prayers."

The 56-year-old pastor detailed his recent life-and-death journey, saying he first passed out while he was with his wife in a remote property about 1-1/2 hours away from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in April. He was bleeding internally and when paramedics could not get a blood pressure reading and had difficulty feeling a pulse, a helicopter had to fly him to the hospital.

Just before being flown, one of the first responders told Morris' wife, Debbie, "You might want to get in and talk to him."

"So we both thought it was over," Morris recounted as he got emotional. "So Debbie and I said goodbyes and I recorded a video to our children and our grandchildren."

During that helicopter ride, Morris said he had "an encounter with the Lord."

"I didn't go to Heaven but the Lord's presence filled the helicopter and I felt like I was about to go to Heaven," he explained. He said he had no fear and felt "extremely peaceful" but what surprised him was that he also felt "happy" and "excited."

"I was excited that I was about to see Jesus, that I was going to Heaven. I thought about my family and my church family but ... I just knew God will take care of them."

Still, he felt it wasn't his time yet. He wanted to grow old with his wife and watch his children "fulfill the destiny God has for them" and watch his grandchildren grow.

"If this is it I'm ready to come but I'd like to stay for my family. And I just don't think you're finished with me yet on earth (in terms of ministry work)," Morris recalled telling the Lord.

Morris then heard God tell him: "I'm not."

"And I knew I wasn't dying that day," the pastor said.

By the time he landed at the hospital, he had lost half his blood and doctors found a hematoma the size of a cantaloupe. Surgeons did not find any other bleeding in that first surgery. But with his blood pressure still remaining low, they later found another hematoma had developed and performed a second surgery to treat the other torn artery.

Morris clarified that he was not hospitalized due to complications from a routine hernia surgery he had six days earlier. That surgery was successful, he said.

He offered his congregation three things that God spoke to him about over the past two months. The first point he made was that "spiritual warfare is real."

"I had some medical problems and I had medical help and I thank God for the medical professionals but I also had a spiritual battle and that's where the prayer came in," Morris said.

"There are people that blame everything on the devil but we are not like that. We are grounded in the Word, most of you are very mature believers but I think that we have a tendency to be too logical sometimes and not realize that the enemy's at work and we keep looking for the logical explanation.

"Jesus Himself told us that Satan comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I think he was trying to kill me."

Morris encouraged the congregation to pray daily not just to put their petitions before God but to also pray for a hedge of protection around them and to tell Satan every day, "The Lord rebuke you!"

"Jesus taught us ... to pray deliverance from the evil one ... He taught us to do spiritual warfare every day."

In his second point, Morris stressed: "God answers prayer."

A surgeon told Morris that there was no medical reason why the pastor had two arterial tears and there was no medical reason why he is still alive today.

When Morris was about to be flown to the hospital, he asked his wife to "put this out on social media because I need all the prayers I can get."

And over the next few days, thousands around the world came together to join the 24/7 prayer campaign for the pastor, including believers in India who held a 10-hour prayer meeting, and those in the underground church in China.

"I've had several leaders say to me ... I don't remember in my lifetime a time when the body of Christ came together to pray for someone as much as they came together to pray for me," Morris said. "What I thought about was I think that's fantastic and it saved my life but if we can come together to pray for a dying person, what would happen if we came together to pray for a dying nation."

For his third point, he told the church, "God is in control."

In conjunction with Morris' return, Gateway Church held a blood donation drive. The church will host the drive over the next five weeks at all six of its campuses.

"Someone giving blood is what saved my life," Morris said. "And of course we all know that Jesus gave His blood and saved all our lives."The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has accused a musician and composer who designed sound systems at the ballparks for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers with misleading financial investors and misusing $3.3 million for luxury Las Vegas hotels, designer clothing and large cash withdrawals at casino ATMs.

In federal court documents filed Monday in Dallas, the SEC's Fort Worth Regional Office charges Paul Gilman, also known in music circles as the "Whale Whisperer," with violating the antifraud provisions of federal securities law.

The victims of the fraud include a Houston businessman, a psychology professor from Parker, Texas, and a church minister in Franklin, Tennessee.

RELATED: SEC alleges that Plano oil operators used investor cash for booze, strippers

SEC lawyers claim that Gilman and two of his businesses  Dallas-based Oil Migration Group (also known as OMG) and Delaware-based WaveTech  were developing new sound wave technology that would revolutionize oil and gas extraction, storage and transportation applications.

"[Gilman] claimed OMG and WaveTech would revolutionize the industry by using soundwave technology to lower the viscosity of oil and enhance water separation and purification processes involved in oil and gas exploration and production," the SEC states in its complaint. "In truth, OMG and WaveTech were sham enterprises that operated as fraudulent vehicles for Gilman to solicit, receive, and misappropriate investor funds."

Dallas lawyer and former federal prosecutor John Teakell is representing Gilman.

"We believe the evidence will show that Mr. Gilman was developing a sound technology product that is and can be used for the purpose the companies intended," Teakell said in an interview with The Texas Lawbook. "There was no intent to commit fraud."

Gilman, who is 65 and lives in Las Vegas, developed a computer software program that reshaped sound waves and redistributed them more evenly in large arenas and stadiums. The Houston Astros and Texas Rangers hired him to redo their sound systems.

RELATED: Chicago law firms serve up services in Texas deep dish style

A classically trained pianist, Gilman has played with Paul McCartney and Leon Russell.

But the SEC lawsuit states that Gilman faced financial troubles and brought more troubles on himself when he moved outside the sound and music industry and raised money from investors for his two oil and gas ventures.

"Gilman claimed that he had developed a revolutionary technology based on 'sonication' that would transform the oil and gas industry by using soundwaves to cheaply and effectively lower the viscosity of oil," the SEC complaint states. "Gilman represented that this technology would make oil flow through pipelines more efficiently and could be used in fracking, secondary oil recovery, oil storage, oil transportation, as well as for water separation and purification, among other applications.

"Gilman told investors in OMG and WaveTech that he would use their funds to test, analyze, independently verify, further develop, and license the soundwave technology for oil and gas industry applications," the SEC lawsuit states. "As Gilman knew, this was false."

For a longer version of this article, please visit TexasLawbook.net.Francesca's plans to launch a customer loyalty program, a new line of jeans and offer increased back-to-school shopping discounts to revive the Houston retailer, which released yet another subpar earning report Tuesday.

The women's apparel and accessories chain reported $100.4 million in sales during the first quarter, down 7 percent from the previous year. Same-store sales fell 16 percent, primarily due to a decline in store traffic amid a cold spell in March, company executives said.

CEO Steve Lawrence however said he remains optimistic about sales in the second half of the year, calling the second quarter a "turning point" for the company. In May, the retailer saw strong sales during Mother's Day, particularly in the shoes, accessories, jewelry and gift categories.

"While we still have work to do, we believe that we're turning the corner in regaining some of our momentum," Lawrence said.

RELATED: Francesca's reports subpar earnings, plans to remodel stores

Francesca's opened 27 new stores and closed four stores during the first quarter, bringing its total store count to 744. It plans to remodel 80 to 90 existing stores this year to attract customers in their mid-20s and 30s.

The company reported a net loss during the first quarter of $3.9 million, or 11 cents diluted loss per share, compared to a net income of $4.3 million, or 12 cents dilute earnings per share over the same period last year.

The retailer has $21.8 million cash on hand at the end of the first quarter, compared to $48.1 million at the same time last year. The company has no outstanding debt.

Check back later for more on this developing story.A330Pilot/Getty Images

The Houston Police Department is assuring the community there is no reason to believe a group of white supremacists is abducting children in the area.

The police department issued a statement on the matter after a 13-year-old black Houston boy said he was taken by white supremacists May 14 in Northeast Houston after school. The department has since investigated the boy's claims and concluded that the "incident, as described, did not occur."Australian's Kayla Itsines is a fitness rock star with some 22 million Facebook and nearly 10 million Instagram followers.

That's why some 4,000 Houstonians filled NRG Arena for her recent Bikini Body Guide bootcamp workout. The free camps are being held across the globe and are a way of connecting with her followers, she says.

This year, Itsines is expected to make $100 million from her 28-minute Bikini Body Guide, called BBG, workouts, ebooks, endorsements and more.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: How to work out in your tiny Houston apartment

Here's what she had to say about her success and the world of fitness:

Most fitness pros charge for their events. Why are yours free?

Yes, the events are a way to connect the online community together. I think when you charge there is a high expectation. When you get a goodie bag, me on stage and cool music, that's pretty good for a free event. It's so much nicer.

What's the best thing about the fitness industry?

How empowering it is for women. Ten years ago, we wouldn't be caught dead in a gym. It was embarrassing, and there was nothing to wear to the gym. It was not cool to be wearing fitness clothes. Now we can wear sneakers and dresses. Now, it's cool to be fit. It's cool to look after yourself, and it's sign of self-respect.

Do you work out every day?

I walk six times a week for 30 minutes at 4 mph and watch 'The Blacklist" and "Scandal" on Netflix. Then I work out three times a week when I travel. I usually do four. I do 30 minutes using the SWEAT app. I'm not just trying to push the app. I'm a personal trainer. I know what to do, but I still want someone to tell me what the next exercise is. I've tried going to the gym without the app, and it's just not the same.

Would you be a fitness superstar without social media?

Definitely not. I'm from Adelaide. It's so small, and there are no celebrities there. I would have never been able to reach the people who I've reached. I would just be a personal trainer in Adelaide if it weren't for social media. Now, we're able to stay in Adelaide and connect with the world with Instagram and Facebook.Iconic fashion designer, Kate Spade was found dead in her Park Avenue apartment on the morning of June 5, by her housekeeper in an apparent suicide, according to the Associated Press.

Spade  whose real name was Katherine Noel Brosnahan  became known for her designer brand, Kate Spade New York, of which she was the namesake and co-owner along with her husband and business partner Andy Spade.

READ THE FULL STORY: Handbag designer Kate Spade found hanged in apparent suicide

According to Kate Spade company website, the couple launched the company in 1993 when Spade, who had formerly worked as the accessories editor at "Mademoiselle" magazine, set out to create the perfect handbag.

From there the company blossomed into a multi-million dollar empire.

According to People, Neiman Marcus bought 56 percent of the company in 1999, and in 2007 the couple sold their remaining shared to have more time to spend with their only daughter, Frances Beatrix Spade, and to pursue other business ventures like a new handbag company called Frances Valentine.

Initial reports from the Associated Press are saying the legendary designer was found hanged, and her husband was home at the time of the incident.

Police add that though the investigation is still in its early stages, evidence points to "a tragic suicide."

A note on the company website reads, "Kate Spade, the visionary founder of our brand, has passed. Our thoughts are with her family at this incredibly heartbreaking time. We honor all the beauty she brought into this world."

Take a look through the gallery above to see photos of the fashion icon through the years.

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli is a digital producer at Chron.com. You can read more of her stories here and follow her on twitter at @Dani_DiNapoli.The State Fair of Texas is one of the state's most anticipated annual events.

Each year thousands of people gather at Fair Park in Dallas to see the iconic 55-foot cowboy known as Big Tex and experience days of food, fun, and free concerts.Elizabeth Conley/Staff

Children in Houston will be able to eat breakfast and lunch for free at nearly 200 locations this summer, thanks to Houston ISD's Summer Meals Program.

The program began on Monday and will run through Aug. 2.A federal appeals court today is set to hear arguments over whether a condemned killer so mentally ill that he plucked out both his eyes and ate one is fit to execute.

The state of Texas argues that he is - because so far the courts have only banned executing the insane, not the merely mentally ill.

But Andre Thomas's lawyers are seeking to change that. They'll make their arguments in front of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals at 2 p.m. If they win, they'll get to move forward with an appeal, and ask the court to ban executing all severely mentally ill prisoners. If not, Thomas will move one step closer to the death house.

The Sherman man was sent to death row in 2005, after he killed his ex-wife Lauren Boren Thomas, their 4-year-old son Andre Jr., and Laura's 13-month-old Leyha. He cut out their hearts, believing Andre Jr. was the anti-Christ and the baby a related evil spirit, according to court records.

EDITORIAL: Death penalty inappropriate for a convicted murderer who ate his own eye

In the months before the slayings, his behavior had grown bizarre. He put duct tape over his mouth and refused to speak at one point. Another time he spoke about how the entire meaning of life was contained in code hidden in a dollar bill. He thought he was reliving days and months of his life and told people he could hear and see God and demons.

In the weeks before the crime, he tried to kill himself two times, one of which landed him at a hospital. But he fled before he could be committed.

Two days later, he cut out his family's hearts.

He brought three knives with him and used a different one on each victim to avoid cross-contaminating the blood.

Afterward, he stabbed himself in the chest and laid down next to his ex-wife. When he didn't die, he left, carrying his victims' organ in his pockets.

He was arrested and confessed to the crimes.

Five days later, he sat in a jail cell reading the Bible.

"If the right eye offends thee, pluck it out," one verse said.

So he did.

MENTAL DISABILITY CLAIM: Man scheduled for execution files late-stage appeal

He was sent to a psychiatric hospital and medicated for a few weeks until he was deemed competent to stand trial. The psychiatrist determined that he was malingering - pretending to be mentally ill. The state argued that his psychosis was caused by drugs.

But after he was sent to death row, he continued to struggle with severe mental illness, and in 2008 he plucked out his remaining eye and ate it.

Now, attorneys for the condemned killer will argue in New Orleans for a Certificate of Appealability, the right to have the court actually consider his case and grant relief.

In 2002, the Supreme Court banned executing the intellectually disabled, saying the practice had "no penological interest," created a high risk of wrongful execution and flew in the face of national consensus. Thomas's attorneys - Maurie Levin, Donald Bailey and Catherine Carroll - argue that those same three reasons should apply to the severely mentally ill.

"There is a growing consensus against the execution of the severely mentally ill," the legal team wrote in a 90-page filing last year. "The leading legal and mental-health professional organizations including the American Bar Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Psychological Association  oppose the death penalty for the severely mentally ill."

The state argues in its filings that using that logic to ban executing the severely mentally ill is "both legally and factually untenable."

"The Fifth Circuit has consistently refused to find a connection between the intellectually disabled and the mentally ill," the state's attorneys wrote, "repeatedly rejecting arguments like the one Thomas makes now, and indeed, Thomas provides no basis for reversing course."

Attorneys for the Grayson County man are also raising arguments that the all-white jury was racially biased and that his trial lawyers didn't do their job when they failed to bring that up or question their client's competence.Kirk McKoy/Los Angeles Times

AUSTIN  An estimated 4.3 million Texans who make up roughly 40 percent of the states workforce don't have access to paid sick days, raising the likelihood they show up to the job ill or let sick children go to school, according to a new report from an advocacy group.

Hispanic, low-income and part-time workers in Texas are the least likely to be able to accrue paid sick leave, according to the report by the Center for Public Policy Priorities. Also certain jobs, including food service, construction, farming, fishing, and forestry, are less likely to provide workers that benefit, the report said.7:00 p.m. UPDATE:

The shooting suspect, 55-year-old Able Guzman, was pronounced dead at the hospital, Pearland police wrote in a press release. His next-of-kin has been notified and investigations are ongoing.

ORIGINAL STORY: Pearland police officers opened fire on a suicidal man in a Walmart parking lot Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Officers were called to the store in the 1900 block of N. Main Street to reports that someone had discharged a weapon. When they arrived, they found a suspect who was carrying a gun, police said.

The man raised the gun to one of the officers, at which point multiple officers opened fire  striking the suspect.

SUSPECT FLEES: Search on for man after officer-involved shooting

He was rushed to Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital in an unknown condition, police said.

No other information was available. Check back for updates on this developing story as they come in.

Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message.

Jay R. Jordan is a breaking news reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan.

Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Sugar Land cheered hundreds of all local cancer survivors, friends and family members at a special luncheon celebrating Cancer Survivors Day Friday, May 31.

Today is about survivorship; today is a celebration, said Chris Siebenaler, chief executive officer at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Were going to make sure everyone has a fun time.

In years past, people diagnosed with cancer were classified as survivors when they completed cancer treatment. However, that has changed and now anyone living with a personal history of cancer is a cancer survivor starting from their day-one diagnosis, according to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation.

Reflecting the theme was the theme for this years luncheon: Its Not About the DestinationIts About the Journey.

A diagnosis of cancer can generate many emotions but survival is about embracing life and living each day to the fullest, Amy Sebastian-Deutsch, director of oncology services said.

Four new cancer survivor programs were highlighted along with a plethora of services and programs for cancer patients and survivors, including:

Thriving Through Creative Arts, which offers camaraderie, healing and expression through art for cancer survivors, Life In Motion a movement-based group that meets twice monthly, Music4Life, a monthly music therapy group and a chair massage program for survivors.

More Information See More Collapse

National Cancer Survivors Day is a great opportunity for cancer survivors, caregivers, friends and family to come together and affirm there can be quality of life after a diagnosis of cancer, said Clive Shkedy, M.D., medical director of radiation oncology.

The event was held at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square.

For more information about cancer survivorship programs at Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Sugar Land, visit www.houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281-205-4514.Businesses are getting a boost in Tomball after the city council approved measures to attract businesses.

The Tomball Economic Development Corp. has recommended an agreement with the ARC Management, LLC where a new development is being built west of Texas 249 on Medical Complex Drive.

The agreement for $186,700 will help with infrastructure on an 8.355-acre site that will house three buildings.

This one is not a primary job-related project, but it is infrastructure and infrastructure that is used to promote new or expanded business enterprises and permissible projects, said TEDC executive director Kelly Violette.

The agreed amount is approximately 10 percent of the expected $1.8 million in improvements that will be made to the site to include water, sewer, telecommunications and electric utilities, Violette said.

The council also voted to approve an ordinance for the maintenance of detention ponds, which may not retain rainwater as designed due to too much silt or plant growth.

The new ordinance will target detention ponds that have litter, excessive litter or need new locks and fences .

The ponds that have overgrowth of vegetation and an accumulation of silt diminishes the ability for the pond to perform as designed. Unmanaged ponds tend to release runoff from the pond too quickly and it could flood downstream properties, said Craig Meyers, community development director.

The council also approved the appointment of Beth Jones as the new public works director, which marks the newest change in the citys staff.

Jones has worked as the city engineer since 2016 and takes the new position after former director David Esquivel was approved as the new assistant city manager in April.

Before arriving in Tomball, Jones previously worked as the director of wastewater for the city of New Iberia in Louisiana.

I think it was a wonderful opportunity with several of our senior management moving up. I just wanted to take a more direct role in the city, Jones said.

mayra.cruz@chron.comA man who police accused of stripping off his clothes and walking around naked inside several stores in The Woodlands and surrounding areas has been arrested in Tulsa, Okla., according officials with the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office.

Steven Dale Brazeal, 57, was arrested on Saturday, June 2, by the Tulsa Police Department and charged with suspicion of failure to register as a sex offender, sheriffs officials reported.

Brazeal may face extradition to Texas to face charges of suspicion of indecent exposure brought by the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, the Shenandoah Police Department, and the Oak Ridge North Police Department, according to the sheriffs office.

Area law enforcement agencies have been searching for the suspect who went into multiple stores in The Woodlands area between May 15-17, stripped naked and walked past patrons before putting his clothes back on, running out of the store and driving away in his truck, said Montgomery County Sheriffs Lt. Scott Scott Spencer.

After the initial reports of the alleged nude incidents, Brazeal was given the nickname Wee Willie Dangles by Oak Ridge North law enforcement officials, while other departments had created their similar nicknames. Brazeal had apparently been arrested on May 30 in Tulsa for suspicion of failure to register as sex offender, but was released on bond. He was arrested again in June 2.

Brazeal is not accused of any sexual activities or public arousal, only stripping nude briefly before fleeing.

Montgomery County authorities, including from the sheriff's office and the Oak Ridge North and Shenandoah police departments, were working with the Tulsa Police Department to find Brazeal. Three warrants have been issued for his arrest, according to a news release from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

michelle.iracheta@chron.comA federal judge in Houston has affirmed a jury's guilty verdict last month for a Brazilian couple tried on allegations that they helped their daughter in the international kidnapping of their 8-year-old grandson, in a case that garnered widespread attention from top officials in two countries.

Following the guilty verdict, defense lawyers had asked the judge to reconsider the verdict.

U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett ruled Monday that a reasonable juror could have concluded beyond a reasonable doubt the husband and wife helped kidnap their grandson.

A reasonable juror, he said, could also have concluded based on the majority of the evidence that their daughter, codefendant Marcelle Guimaraes, was not fleeing a pattern or incident of domestic violence when she left Houston with the boy in 2013 and settled in Brazil. This so-called "affirmative defense"  that they had reason to believe she was in danger  could have effectively canceled out the kidnapping charges against them, which is what defense lawyers had asked the judge to do.

JURY VERDICT: Split verdict in grandparents' international kidnapping case

Defense attorneys Rusty Hardin and Jimmy Ardoin, who represent the boy's grandfather and grandmother, respectively, declined to comment on the ruling.

On May 25, the jury found Carlos, 67, and his wife Jemima Guimaraes, 66, guilty of helping in an international parental kidnapping. The jury acquitted them both of conspiracy to kidnap the child.

Appeals to Congress

The jury verdict followed a three-week trial in which the boy's father, a physician at Baylor College of Medicine, testified at length about his turbulent relationship with the child's mother, who worked at an investment firm. In 2013, she violated their joint custody agreement in Harris County when she took their son to a family wedding in Brazil and never returned.

In the years she has been gone, state and federal courts in both countries have taken up the question of where the boy, Nico Brann, should live.

After the verdict, the judge indicated that he had questions about the decision he was willing to consider. Upon receiving the verdict slip from the jury foreman, Bennett sat looking at the paper for several minutes before reading it aloud. He did not formally accept the jury's decision. Instead, he explained, once the jury had left the room, that he needed time to consider defense attorneys' request that the grandparents should be cleared based on their argument that their daughter was fleeing domestic violence.

"As the judge of this court, I have to make a determination if judgment notwithstanding the verdict is appropriate," Bennett told the lawyers. "I want to think on it."

The child's father, Dr. Christopher Brann, sought intervention from judges, diplomats and politicians in a five-year campaign to bring his son Nico back to Houston. The physician testified in Congress shortly before the trial and the bipartisan Senate Judiciary Committee, including U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn of Texas, released a letter during the trial urging the Trump administration to "use every possible tool" to bring the boy back.

CALL FOR INTERVENTION: Senators call for return of Houston boy, allegedly kidnapped by mother

The federal court in Brazil determined the child should remain there with his mother. That ruling is on appeal.

Despite the rulings by Brazil's courts, Brazil's attorney general filed court documents supporting the U.S. stance that it should determine custody in this case.

Felipe Costi Santarosa, deputy consul general for Brazil, explained in an email, "The government of Brazil agrees that, in this case, according to the Hague Convention, it is for the U.S. (courts) to determine custody."

Wider significance

Beyond the particulars of the Guimaraes trial, Costi Santarosa said there are deeper issues that should be considered, broadly, in international custody disputes.

"It is important to see that there is a much bigger structural problem behind this case and other similar ones," he said.

"In times of the #metoo movement," he said, "one must not only look to work abuses, but also to domestic misconduct against women."

After trying the courts and diplomatic avenues, Brann reported what the executive branches of the U.S. and Brazil both consider a parental abduction to the FBI in 2015, which led to a criminal indictment.

His ex-wife, who was indicted along with her parents, is still facing trial in the case. She is considered a fugitive and remains in Brazil.

The Guimaraes are set for sentencing on Aug. 2.

Gabrielle Banks covers federal court for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and send her tips at gabrielle.banks@chron.com.Houstons criminal courthouse, which has been shuttered since being damaged last year in Hurricane Harvey, partially re-opened Monday to accommodate suspects who are detained in the Harris County Jail.

The top four floors have re-opened to the public for jail dockets of felony and misdemeanor defendants.

Its a step in the right direction, said David Mitcham, trial bureau chief of the Harris County District Attorneys Office.

Monday got off to a slow start, however, with snags getting suspects from the jail to courts though a secured walkway over Buffalo Bayou, officials said.

Read more: Prosecutors, attorneys cut Harvey deals in jail basement

The secured access is the heart of Harris Countys criminal justice system because it allows inmates charged with everything from misdemeanors to capital murder to be brought to courtrooms where their lawyers can meet with prosecutors and appear before judges, probation officers and clerks.

Hurricane Harvey devastated the 20-story secured courthouse after storm water caused pumps to malfunction, sending water through the building, bursting pipes and flooding floors far above the street flooding.

Since then, judges have had to hold limited dockets in the basement of the jail.

County Judge Ed Emmett and state District Judge Vanessa Velasquez, the head administrative judge, outlined the interim plan at a press conference on May 18.

Read more: Hurricane Harvey damage to Harris County criminal courthouse under review

On Monday, Velasquez was on the bench in a 19th floor courtroom accepting plea deals and setting trials.

You want to go to trial? she told one inmate. You got it. You are set for trial on Aug. 9.

Velasquez acknowledged the snags and said the new system beats the alternative.

Weve been working out some glitches, but overall once we got inmates delivered, weve been able to accomplish a lot, she said. Overall, its been a good day.

Suspects who have been arrested on felonies and serious misdemeanors either stay in jail or make bail and appear in substitute courtrooms in other downtown courthouses.

For suspects who remain in jail, the countys 22 district judges and 16 misdemeanor judges will have access to at least 15 standard courtrooms. Half of the 22 felony court judges and their staffs will use the courtrooms on alternate weeks.

Defense attorneys welcomed the re-opening, even if it is just a partial fix until the building is renovated, because they will no longer have to go to docket calls in the jail basement.

We were all giddy to get back in, said defense lawyer Juanita Jackson.

brian.rogers@chron.com

twitter.com/brianjrogersA man accused of fatally running over his ex-girlfriend outside of a south Houston bar on Sunday has been charged with murder.

Rigoberto Caballero Escobar, 35, faces a murder charge and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Houston Police Department. Three other people were injured in the incident.Police are still searching for a suspect who allegedly pointed a gun at an officer in southwest Houston on Tuesday.

The Houston police officer was helping a person with medical needs near Beechnut Street and Wilcrest Drive around 2 p.m. when he heard gunfire coming from across the street, according to Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.

The officer ran to the sound of the gunfire and came across a man who allegedly made an "offensive stance" with a gun toward the officer, who fired one round, Acevedo said.

The officer was not in full uniform but was clearly identifiable as a Houston police officer, Acevedo said.

The bullet did not strike the suspect, who ran away for a short time before getting into the passenger seat of a black Ford F-150 and was driven away, Acevedo said. Officers, K9s and HPD's helicopter team searched the area for some time but were unable to find the suspect immediately.

Houston police detectives as well as HPD's Internal Affairs Division are investigating the officer's gunfire. He will be placed on administrative duty until the investigation is complete, Acevedo said.

Detectives are still trying to piece together what the initial gunfire was about, Acevedo said. As for the suspect who fled and the driver who drove him away, they could face felony charges.

"The person who is driving that truck will be responsible for harboring a fugitive," Acevedo said. "If they're smart, they'll understand they're committing a crime themselves. If they don't understand this is what that guy was running from, they're going to find out."

The officer in question has been with HPD for about 10 years.

Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message.

Jay R. Jordan is a breaking news reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan.The legal fight over the striptease business in Houston has heated up again.

Two topless bars are suing the city of Houston over a controversial, years-old legal settlement they say unfairly hampers business at all but a select group of clubs.

In a June 1 filing, lawyers for Chicas Cabaret and Penthouse Houston argued that the 2013 settlement  which allowed sixteen strip clubs to skirt the citys sexually-oriented business ordinance by making annual payments to fund an anti-human trafficking unit in the Houston Police Department  amounts to a commercial bribery scheme.

The two north Houston clubs argue the settlement is unlawful, unfair, and anti-competitive in nature, and impacted their ability to do business.

Our position is that discriminating against some clubs and showing favoritism toward others is just plain wrong under the Constitution and Texas law, said Spencer Markle, attorney for Chicas Cabaret and Penthouse Houston. Thats why were taking them to task.

The strip clubs are seeking a restraining order that would either prevent city officials from allowing the sweet 16 clubs to avoid the citys sexually-oriented business ordinance, or allow Chicas and Penthouse to join the agreement under the same terms.

READ MORE: Longtime Houston strip club challenges city's rules on sexually oriented businesses

We just dont want to be at a business disadvantage compared to the other clubs that are similarly situated, Markle said.

City officials said they could not comment on the lawsuit because they had not yet seen it.

The 2013 settlement was meant to resolve a series of similar, costly lawsuits filed against the city by 16 clubs protesting regulations that prevented topless dancers from being closer than three feet to patrons. Under the agreement, the clubs received a waiver from those requirements in exchange for making about $1 million in annual payments to the citys Human Trafficking Abatement Fund. They were also required to remove their private or VIP rooms, and agreed to report prostitution, indecent exposure and drug use, and the names, ages and immigration status of their employees.

Since 2013, the number of clubs permitted in the agreement has grown to 21, and the city has collected more than $5.4 million from the clubs allowed to participate in the 2013 agreement, according to city records.

RELATED: Experts raise questions about city settlement with topless clubs

When the city announced the agreement, just a few of the 289 clubs, massage parlors and bookstores city officials believed were sexually oriented businesses, agreed to be regulated under the ordinance. Then-City Attorney David Feldman said at the time that the settlement would free up vice officers from spending most of their time at the largest clubs to focus more on rogue clubs operating in brazen violation of the law and harboring human trafficking.

If all we required was that they contribute money, then I would agree with that depiction, but theyre required to do much more than that, he said at the time. One of the things we were able to accomplish in this agreement that no one thought wed ever get them to agree to was to eliminate the private rooms, the private areas and the de facto enclosures. That was the most difficult part of this to negotiate.

Currently, there are 11 other strip clubs in Houston licensed as sexually oriented businesses, according to the city attorneys office.

Legal experts said the citys recent settlement with Fantasy Plaza and the new lawsuits raised renewed questions about the citys sexually-oriented business ordinance and the way it regulates sexually oriented businesses.

SUIT: Controversial Houston strip club reaches settlement with city, can reopen, for now

Why is the city keeping an the ordinance on the books and basically exempting (businesses) from it? said Josh Blackman, a professor at the South Texas College of Law Houston. Normally the point of a statute is to enforce it equally. And if they're just cutting deals with every strip club that asks for it, just repeal the damn statute.

Markles suit echoes the same argument made by lawyers for Fantasy Plaza Cabaret when they sued the city of Houston earlier this year.

The Fantasy Plaza suit began when authorities in Houston and Harris County sued to shut down the strip club claiming it was a nuisance business establishment and a den of prostitution and violence.

When Fantasy Plaza countersued in federal court against the city of Houston and Harris County, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes accused city officials of engaging in a concerted and arbitrary effort to kill the business.

Although the strip club reached a settlement in its federal case  which has since been dismissed  it still has to contend with the nuisance suit. Court records show the case is set for trial in September.

st.john.smith@chron.com

twitter.com/stjbsWhen the spacecraft headed to the International Space Station launches Wednesday morning, it will be missing the woman intended to be the first black astronaut to live in space.

That's because in January, NASA abruptly pulled Jeanette Epps from the mission without explanation, a decision that resulted in charges of racism erupting across social media.

Almost six months later, it's still unclear why Epps was cut from the crew. At the time, Epps told the Houston Chronicle she had no medical issues or family problems that would have prevented her from flying.

READ MORE: NASA faces calls for reinstatement of first African American on International Space Station crew

Serena Aunon-Chancellor, a Hispanic flight surgeon selected as an astronaut alongside Epps in 2009, will fly in her stead. Wednesday morning, she'll join Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency and Sergey Prokopyev of the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, on a trip to the space station. The crew will launch from Kazakhstan.

Coverage of the launch begins at 5:15 a.m. on NASA TV.

Epps, from Syracuse, N.Y., worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for seven years before joining NASA as an astronaut in 2009. She would have been the 15th African-American astronaut to fly in space, according to the space agency.

READ MORE: International Space Station crew: training continues smoothly after Jeanette Epps bumped from flight

Epps return to the Astronaut Office at Houston's Johnson Space Center and will be considered for future space missions. Currently, she is involved in testing of the Orion spacecraft, meant to eventually transport humans to Mars, and spacesuit maintenance, among other things, said Brandi Dean, a Johnson spokeswoman.

Her replacement, Aunon-Chancellor, earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and is board certified in internal and aerospace medicine.

Alex Stuckey covers NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey.Melanie Feuk / Melanie Feuk

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett on Tuesday evening will hold the first of at least 23 community meetings on the county's proposed $2.5 billion flood infrastructure bond.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center at 3810 W. Fuqua. Representatives from the Harris County Flood Control District, as well as Houston City Council members will also attend.Have you ever left a doctors appointment feeling uncertain about the treatment youve been prescribed? Tight schedules often hinder physicians ability to have longer discussions with their patients. And patients might feel reluctant to broach particular questions important to them, such as how to manage treatment side effects or other treatment options to consider.

But considering patients needs and values is essential to ensuring that their care is tailored to them, that it is truly patent-centered. At the heart of that approach to care is shared decision making, which is when a doctor and a patient jointly weigh the benefits and possible risks of available treatment options and together make the best decisions based on the patients particular needs and preferences.

How to build shared decision making into visits with health care providers is one of the major questions facing our health care system. The Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin has become a national leader in training students to be champions of patient-centered practice and research through engaging with patients and the community. For example, Dell has partnered with the Livestrong Foundation to create the Livestrong Cancer Institutes, which prioritize patient-centered approaches to detecting and treating cancers and supporting survivors.

Thats why I was pleased to speak recently at the Dell Medical School on behalf of my organization, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). PCORI is an independent, nonprofit funder of research that compares the benefits, harms and quality-of-life outcomes associated with different treatment options. We champion engagement by patients and other health care stakeholders in research. We believe that involving patients and other stake holders directly in research makes the findings more likely to help patients and their providers choose care that best fits their circumstances and preferences.

In Texas alone, PCORI has invested more than $28 million to fund 15 such comparative clinical effectiveness studies. Our long-term goal is to support the efforts of educators like those at the Dell Medical School in moving toward more patient-centered care and shared decision making.

Shared decision making can be encouraged by increasing patient knowledge of treatment options, so they can engage in more informed discussions with their providers. One way to achieve this is by communicating treatment options with the community. Dell emphasizes this community-centric approach.

For example, Dell worked with the University of Texass Moody College of Communication to create a first of its kind Center for Health Communication last summer. The Center is focused on sharing research findings beyond clinical walls and into communities to empower patients to make better-informed health care decisions.

In a similar vein, PCORI funds studies that take a patient-centered approach and aim to extend care beyond the clinic and into the community. For example, we funded a study at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center comparing outcomes among women who either had prophylactic double mastectomy or only the breast with cancer removed. Rates of prophylactic breast removal are rising, even though many women without a hereditary risk for breast cancer are at low risk for developing cancer in their other breast. The study found that patients who had both breasts removed had more stress and more body image concerns. Understanding quality of life issues, such as cancer worry and body image, are vital for shared decision-making discussions.

To support bridging care between the clinic and the community, PCORI funded a study in Harris County investigating whether its more effective for asthma patients to learn how to manage their disease from doctors at their clinics or from community health workers visiting their homes.

Patient-centered care can be achieved through shared decision making and breaking down the traditional barriers between clinical practice and community health. The Dell Medical Schools efforts to train the next generation of doctors to conduct research and practice medicine in the community shows the horizon is bright for patient-centered care, and we are pleased to support such efforts in Texas.

Selby, MD, MPH, is the executive director of PCORI. He can be found on Twitter @JoeVSelby.Let's admit this first, Texas' hill country has some really incredible natural swimming spots. Second, Texas' neighboring states also have some really amazing swimming holes, too.

An extra plus: dozens of swimming spots are pretty close to Houston.Theres a new buzzword in town, and its taking the industry airwaves by storm. Our industrys new object of affection: the employee experience.

Of course, the idea that organizations should pay attention to and improve the employee experience in the form of the workplace, the tools, and the processes they use to perform their tasks is not new. But the idea has found a fresh and reinvigorated buzz as vendors and pundits connect it to both the need to improve the customer experience and the broader push around digital transformation.

The thinking goes that the customer experience is now essential to driving competitive value, but that an organizations employees must have a conducive work environment to deliver such a positive experience to the customer. Ergo, an investment in the employee experience yields value in the form of a winning customer experience.

On the one hand, this is intuitive. Leadership experts have long held that unhappy employees result in unhappy customers, leading to the assumption that the converse must also be true. The resource-strapped business or IT executive, however, must go beyond that simple intuition and determine if an investment in the employee experience will deliver measurable customer experience outcomes, and, if so, where and how to make those investments.

ServiceNow resets around the employee experience

At its recent user conference, ServiceNow placed a significant bet on the rising importance of this connection and the power of the employee experience to drive business transformation.

If the last ten years has been the consumer revolution, the next 3 to 5 years will be the revolution at work, stated John Donahoe, ServiceNows CEO, in the opening keynote of the companys recent Knowledge18 conference. The company, in fact, is pivoting its entire go-to-market message around this idea. To wit, its new tagline: We make the world of work, work better for people.

ServiceNow, of course, is not the only technology provider making a play for the burgeoning employee experience market, such that it exists. Major companies such as SAP, VMware, and IBM have also dipped their toes into the space. There has also long been a segment of the industry focused on things like measuring employee sentiment and delivering employee collaboration tools.

Still, ServiceNow seems to be pivoting most entirely around this idea and most directly connecting the employee experience to the broader digital transformation trends.

[Digital transformation] boils down to three things: speed, intelligence, and experience, explained Chris Bedi, the companys CIO. I think we are one of the few platforms that can deliver on that promise of how do you get faster, how do you get smarter, and how do you deliver great experiences.

And, as the companys solutions do little to directly impact the customer experience, it seems clear that the company is connecting the dots between a positive employee experience and both improving the customer experience and executing digital transformation.

But is this connection real?

Connecting the dots between the employee and customer experience

While the connection between the employee and customer experience may be intuitive, progressive executives must substantiate and deconstruct it before they can justify meaningful investments.

"There is an undeniable link between employee experience and customer experience," says Blake Morgan, a customer experience futurist. "Companies that lead in customer experience have 60% more engaged employees, and study after study has shown that investing in employee experience impacts the customer experience and can generate a high ROI for the company.

Enterprise leaders, however, are understandably gun-shy. Many organizations have made significant past investments in employee engagement and similar initiatives in the hopes of delivering business results  but most have little to show for it.

Recent data, however, suggests that this is not because the connection between the employee and customer experience isnt real, but because organizations have approached it improperly. In his Harvard Business Review article entitled Why the Millions We Spend on Employee Engagement Buy Us So Little, Jacob Morgan (Blakes husband) points out that most enterprise efforts have not focused on the totality of the employee experience, but only on a short-term boost in the form of a perk or program.

Through his research, Morgan further deconstructed the employee experience into three components: cultural, technological, and physical. When organizations improved the employee experience across each of these components, the results were clear.

Compared with other companies, the experiential organizations had more than four times the average profit and more than two times the average revenue, Morgan reports. They were also almost 25% smaller, which suggests higher levels of productivity and innovation.

This connection between the employee and customer experience is driving an unexpected alliance between the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) in many organizations. The importance of this newfound alliance may, in fact, prove to be differentiating.

As Andrew Wilson, the CIO of Accenture put it from the main stage at Knowledge18, The relationship between the HR officer and the CIO is one of the most critical in the modern enterprise.

All of this would seem to indicate that ServiceNow is at the leading edge of what will shape up to be a significant industry trend and pivot. The question, however, is if they and their varied competitors in the space will be able to execute this far afield from their more familiar domain space.

A muddy future

The challenge for those technology companies trying to help their clients improve the employee experience is two-fold. First, as Jacob Morgan points out, a technology transformation represents just one-third of the employee experience. This limit means that having a consumer-like interface and slick, intuitive, and automated processes will only get organizations so far.

While some technology solutions may also help organizations transform the cultural experience (see, for instance, HappySignals and Zugata), it means that any solution that targets the improvement of the employee experience is, by default, dependent on other significant factors to deliver such improvements and achieve the desired customer and digital transformation outcomes.

Nevertheless, it seems clear that there is plenty of fertile technology ground from which tech companies can harvest improvements in the employee experience.

The second issue, however, may prove more difficult to overcome, even though it is entirely within their control: a discomfort with an employee experience focus.

Even for companies, such as ServiceNow, that have historically focused on IT service delivery and management, the focus on the employee experience, rather than on the more technical needs of the IT organization, may seem foreign.

At the companys recent Knowledge18 conference, for instance, the executive team was not singing from the same hymn book. While Donahoes messaging from the main stage was focused and direct, it became muddied in private conversations with other members of the executive team and even during other main stage presentations.

Despite the new tagline and top-line message, the rest of the messaging was heavily focused on the company's traditional positioning and could have been pulled from last year's event. Each executive seemed to have their own interpretation of the new vision, a different way of saying it, and many seemed to have trouble connecting it to their product strategy.

The companys ecosystem (as represented by its partners on the exhibit floor) seemed likewise out-of-sync with this new messaging. Few of the exhibiting companies focused on anything related to the employee experience.

This discomfort, however, is not unique to ServiceNow. It exists to varying degrees  commensurate with the degree of their pivot  at all of the technology companies looking to address this emerging space.

The question for each of them, therefore, will be whether or not they can transform their own employee cultural experience and become comfortable with this new, decidedly less technical focus  or will they be unable to overcome their own inertia and instead remain focused on delivering technology solutions and serving IT needs.

It is clear that the connection between the employee and customer experience is real and presents a significant opportunity for those technology companies willing to step into this uncomfortable space  and it may just be the linchpin to successful digital transformation for those that get it right.

[Disclosure: ServiceNow and VMware are Intellyx clients. IBM is a past Intellyx client.]Learning as a way of building competitive advantage

Twenty years ago, Michael Treacys The Discipline of Market Leaders, argued that market leadership came from a laser focus on dominating in one of three key areas: customer intimacy, product leadership, or operational excellence. You could be good in many things it argued, but you had to dominate your space in one of these categories to be the leader. While these are still important, they wont provide the edge a business needs in todays world to gain ground on its competitors.

Competitive advantage in the near future will not come from a focus on traditional business models. It will be achieved by embracing machine learning (and increasingly artificial intelligence). Any company that is willing to accept this reality and take it to heart can compete against much larger competitors.

There will still be plenty of challenges, even for companies that integrate deep learning technology in their business model. Artificial intelligence can only help your business if you are asking it the right questions. You must be focused on gathering data that you can use. Machine learning algorithms will not work if you have not done the ground work to gather the right information from your customers.

Google and Amazon can tap into massive data sets and they are using them to their advantage. That might not be so important without artificial intelligence technology, but with it, it is a game changer. It is the reason that they can win in any business they choose to take on  including yours.

Both companies have embraced machine learning and integrated it into their corporate culture. For them it is not just another tool, it is the driving force behind their business model. This philosophy sets them apart from almost every other business, including other tech giants. They can use artificial intelligence to analyze a library of digital data and gain valuable insights into any industry they chose to enter.

Big data analysis drives the AI business model

In recent years, we have witnessed an astounding increase in the availability of digital data for analysis. Google and Amazon are using machine learning to find patterns and gain insights that otherwise would not be available. Every business they are involved in now uses artificial intelligence to help drive success. It gives them a competitive advantage, but other companies can still compete if they embrace the technology as well.

Sure, Google and Amazon have an edge because of the real time and constantly updated flow of information they have access to, but any company can emulate their model with forward thinking. Your CIO needs to be an integral part of business decision-making  not an afterthought. Any business that continues to look at technology as just another business tool is going to struggle.

The artificial intelligence revolution will transform business

Artificial intelligence is going to transform business and industry. Those that do not embrace it will quickly be left behind. Machine learning software can discover insights from massive amounts of data that simply would not be possible using traditional methods. These insights will drive business innovation and open possibilities we have not even thought of yet.

Amazon and Google are already operating with a business model that embraces artificial intelligence. The belief that technology exists to empower workers, but not to create innovation is an outdated concept that needs to be abandoned. Businesses that use artificial intelligence to analyze data and develop strategies will be the corporate leaders of the future.

Change the way you look at the corporation

Amazon and Google are looking at all possibilities to incorporate deep learning analysis in every facet of their business structure. It will become the central plank around everything they do  if it is not already. This is bound to lead them to create new branches that do not exist today. No business or industry is safe from this competitive threat.

The only way to remain competitive against these innovation leaders is to become more innovative. We need to rethink how we view the corporation and how it operates. In the next decade, the CIO will become the most important component in a firms success  with the possible exception of the CEO. Companies that fail to recognize this need for a realignment of their structure will continue to lose ground.

Using artificial intelligence to drive business success is already a common practice in many industries. Machine learning software is used for everything from recommendations of what to watch on your favorite streaming site, to what ads are displayed while you surf social media.

Human behavior cannot be controlled by artificial intelligence, but it can be understood by it. That understanding can lead to a greater focus on offering the right product or the right service to the right customer. Amazon and Google already know this, and it is time for everyone else to make the transition or risk being the victim of their next success.The General Data Protection Regulation is now in effect. It introduced obligations that impact companies around the world. To help you comply with the GDPR, we build effective security and privacy directly into your network and the cloud.Volunteering is the lifeblood of society. The dedication and personal commitment of people who give their time voluntarily to causes they care about lies at the very heart of ensuring we live in robust, cohesive and responsive communities.

Without volunteers, many of the services and activities that combine to make life better or indeed bearable simply wouldnt be there  spanning all areas from the environment to the arts, and for all manner of organisations from small community groups to treasured national bodies like the NHS. Volunteers often provide both the back room support and the front line delivery of services.

This isnt a one way street; you are learning while you are helping and I have yet to meet a volunteer who doesnt talk about their enjoyment and growth as person as a result of volunteering. Its enjoyable and you do it because you love it, or because you care about the organisation or cause  or more often than not, all of the above.

As a committed volunteer I know firsthand the friendships that can be built while supporting your local community  in my case either as a parish councillor or helping the local Scouts or infant school at a fundraising rally. I have also accessed tremendous professional development opportunities through new experiences gained by sitting on a strategic advisory or trustee board. I, and countless others on a day-to-day basis, find that these real life experiences and interactions help build skills from problem solving to teamwork, project management to creativity, and open up friendships and networks that widen horizons and build personal capacity.

At vInspired, we want to ensure as many under 30s from every background and walk of life are not only able to get involved in volunteering, but that they receive the support, encouragement and motivation to do so  and are recognised for eth contribution that they make. We want people to develop real world, real life skills and friendships while helping make communities stronger.

And so we are delighted that the #iwill Fund, Team London, The Big Lottery Fund and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport share this vision; and together come together with an improved way of engaging with young people around volunteering.

Inspired Programme launch

Next month will see the launch of the Inspired Programme, a new way of encouraging more young people into volunteering and social action. The enhanced digital matching service that we will offer the programme will allow them to be clear about what they will do and the skills theyre likely to learn, and will ensure that they are supported and recognised for the contributions they make to society.

Weve been connecting young people to roles for over a decade; and the knowledge and expertise that we have gained over this time has provided us with a fantastic platform from which to launch the next phase of our journey. The Inspired Programme involves better tailoring of our digital service so that we are able to better understand each young persons interests and drivers, which will help connect them to the volunteer roles that will interest them most and that are right for them based on their interests, location and the skills they want to develop. It will ensure that they are recognised for the contribution they make through volunteering in a way that rocks their boat; whether thats concert tickets, vAwards, discounts or access to money-cant-but personal development experiences. And most excitingly we are launching the Inspired Card, which gives young people a wide range of discounts (both within the UK and across Europe as it acts as a European Youth Card).

Volunteering is the spark that can ignite a journey of personal development and social contribution. At our heart are our own programmes and our digital service; our Talent programme enables young people to develop the skills, confidence and a vocational qualification to set them on a path into continuing education or the workplace, and reaches people at risk of being overlooked by other support  49 per cent of Talent participants between 2013-2015 had no qualifications or fewer than five GCSEs grade A*-C; our Cashpoint programmes see young people gain micro-grants and guidance and support to design and deliver their own social action project, crucially establishing them on a journey of social action  97 per cent of participants in our Get Active For Good Cashpoint were very likely to take part in future social action; as the NCS Regional Delivery Partner for the North East we have delivered the programme to over 10,200 young people who have contributed more than 307,600 volunteering hours in the region; and 331,445 young people are signed-up to our digital service, which is helping 7,292 organisations to find and support volunteers.

The importance of partnership

Every individual and every organisation across every part of society has a role to play in ensuring that young people and their communities thrive through social action and volunteering; and a wide range of partnerships will be essential to the success of the Inspired Programme.

From the youth worker who engages and encourages young people to explore the volunteering opportunities available through our digital service; to the charities and community groups who post roles on the service and work with us to ensure that young people can access them and that they deliver real personal development; and the retailers who provide discounts for young people to access through the Inspired Card, allowing us to reach young people who havent traditionally engaged in volunteering and social action; as well as the organisations across all sectors who become Rewards partners to offer young people money-cant-buy personal development opportunities - we stand ready to work with all of you.

Civil Society Media is hosting its Charity People & Culture Conference on 18 September 2018. For more information, and to book, click here.



Five years ago today, The Guardian began publishing a series of stories that would change the way the public viewed their online lives. The National Security Agency is currently collecting the telephone records of millions of US customers of Verizon, one of Americas largest telecoms providers, under a top secret court order issued in April, began Glenn Greenwalds expose, the first of dozens of stories that would appear in The Guardian, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Germanys Der Spiegel. The source behind all of those stories, we would later learn, was Edward Snowden.

Were still coming to grips with the implications of the questions he raised. The Snowden leaks led to a new understanding of the extent to which the US government collected data on its citizens, and sparked an international conversation about digital privacy. The recent revelations about Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, or Facebook and device makers last week, show how far people are from knowing how their data is usedmuch less being in control of it. The recent flurry of emails about updates to our privacy settings that youve seen in your inbox due to Europes General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can be directly traced to Snowdens actions.

Negotiations over GDPR had already begun back in 2013, but the pressure on companies to give users more control of their data came from Snowdens revelations. If history had gone a little differently, people would still be getting lots of emails, but the privacy policies would have been much weaker, and given them far fewer rights, write Nikhil Kalyanpur and Abraham Newman for the Post. US and European corporations originally had a lot of influence over the lawmaking process that led up to GDPR, and it seemed likely they would use it to strengthen their grip over your data. Ultimately, European consumer advocates pushed back and flipped the lobbying script. Their success relied on an unexpected foreign ally: Edward Snowden.

RELATED: Journalism after Snowden: A new age of cyberwarfare

Snowdens actions didnt just change the way the public views their online lives; they also changed the way journalists operate, and brought more scrutiny to secret government programs. In Journalism After Snowden: The Future of Free Press in the Surveillance State (excerpted by CJR), Clay Shirky writes, Its clear the stories that arose from Snowdens leak have moved journalistic coverage of the worlds governments, already a fraught endeavor, into a new and more contentious phase. Encryption, before Snowden a tool for the paranoid and conspiratorial, has become commonplace for reporters and sources around the globe.

Five years later, Snowden remains in exile, living in Moscow while still facing espionage charges in the US. In an interview to mark the anniversary, he tells The Guardian he has no regrets about his decisions. The government and corporate sector preyed on our ignorance. But now we know, Snowden says. People are aware now. People are still powerless to stop it but we are trying. The revelations made the fight more even.

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Below, more on the way Snowdens revelations changed journalism.

Privacy in the era of Trump and Facebook: Snowden talked with The Intercepts Mehdi Hasan about surveillance, tools that can help protect peoples privacy, and the likelihood of a Trump-Putin deal to extradite him.

Snowden talked with The Intercepts Mehdi Hasan about surveillance, tools that can help protect peoples privacy, and the likelihood of a Trump-Putin deal to extradite him. Ushering in a new age: Former Guardian Editor in Chief Alan Rusbridger writes that Snowden opened journalists eyes to their new responsibilities in the digital age. Pre-Snowden, a knowledgeable minority would certainly have known about metadata. Post-Snowden, theres no excuse for anyone in journalism (or the law, or medicine, or any profession involving confidentiality) not to know what metadata is, Rusbridger writes.

Former Guardian Editor in Chief Alan Rusbridger writes that Snowden opened journalists eyes to their new responsibilities in the digital age. Pre-Snowden, a knowledgeable minority would certainly have known about metadata. Post-Snowden, theres no excuse for anyone in journalism (or the law, or medicine, or any profession involving confidentiality) not to know what metadata is, Rusbridger writes. Snowden on the media: Emily Bell, Director of The Tow Center for Digital Journalism, spoke with Snowden in 2016 about his views on the press in the age of digital surveillance. Not surprisingly, he hasnt been very impressed.

Other notable stories

Two important stories from our new print issue: Sarah Jones asks how journalism got so out of touch with the people it covers. Whether you cover pop culture or poverty, your background shapes your path into your chosen field, Jones writes. And if your background includes poverty, that path contains boulders. And Meg Dalton describes the necessity of a side hustle for journalists whose paycheck doesnt make ends meet. In a profession that was once working class, those who are lucky enough to not depend on their meager paychecks tend to be from more privileged upbringingsand that transition has had a serious impact on coverage, Dalton writes.

Monday marked the 29th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing, and the Hong Kong Free Presss Ilaria Maria Sala shared previously unpublished photographs from the protest.

In the first installation of The Monday Interview, a new series of journalists on journalism, Seymour Hersh tells Elon Green about spies, state secrets, and the stories he doesnt tell. The secret to Trump, I think, is he wants to be loved by The New York Times as much as by Fox News, Hersh says. He talks to them a lot, more than they tell you. Hersh also talks about his decision not to report that Richard Nixon abused his wife, Pat.

The media have developed a ludicrous and expanding menu of complex euphemisms for describing racist behavior, writes The Atlantics Adam Serwer. An era in which Americans are supposedly exhausted with political correctness is thus defined by the acute political sensitivities and persecution complexes of white voters who object if things they do and say are described as racist, even as the bodies pile up in the background.

CJRs Karen K. Ho speaks with CBSs David Begnaud about covering Puerto Rico when few others did. Its not my job to say how other people should feel, Begnaud says. But I believe that it should be a national story that continues and doesnt fall off the front page.

The Ringers Bryan Curtis asks if ESPNs Bomani Jones and Pablo Torre can create a new version of sports talk TV. The duos inaugural show on Monday was an impressive first effort, and Curtis goes behind the scenes on how producing guru Erik Rydholm has attempted to translate the hosts friendship into on-camera chemistry.

President Trump disinvited the Philadelphia Eagles from their planned White House visit, writing in a statement that they disagree with their president because he insists that they proudly stand for the national anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country. (No Eagles players kneeled during the Anthem last year, though some did raise a fist in protest). However you feel about this politically, its nice to be reminded that, yes, the Eagles beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

ICYMI: After new death toll report Friday, Sunday TV ignores Puerto Rico

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon.Stung by changes to Facebooks News Feed, publishers are reportedly falling in love with Apple Newsthough the affection may not always be mutual.

Unlike its rivals, Apple News employs human editors who curate news in addition to its algorithmic feed. When Apple first advertised for these positions, the company specified that the editors must be able to recognize original, compelling stories unlikely to be identified by algorithms.

But humans, like algorithms, are prone to habit, and Apple News may have fallen into a pattern that Facebook and others have been trying to avoid: editorial bias. A new Tow Center analysis of almost 7,000 recommendations made in newsletters and tweets by the US and UK arms of Apple News shows a strong tendency by editors to favor a small group of big players and less inclination to promote regionally focused news outletsa class of publisher that New York Times Editor Dean Baquet put at the center of the greatest crisis in journalism in a speech at the Freedom of the Press Awards.

It is the Times itself that has dominated newsletter recommendations from Apple Newss US editors, while the Daily Telegraph is held up as the gold standard by their UK counterparts. On average, these outlets have received one of the five places in their countrys newsletters every other week. Across the 78 US newsletters reviewed by Tow, just 14 of the 390 articles recommendedunder 4 percentcame from newsrooms that fit this studys broad definition of a regionally focused publisher: eight from New York magazine, five from the Los Angeles Times, and one from The Baltimore Sun.

An interesting quirk in choices made by UK editors is the frequency with which the London Evening Standard gets promoted. Not only was the Evening Standarda tabloid newspaper distributed for free in Londonthe only regional publisher found in newsletter recommendations (and 21 times at that), it also accounted for 82 out of 83 mentions of regional outlets in @AppleNewsUK tweets.

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A note on methodology: Tows analysis is based on 839 recommendations made in 165 weekly newsletters, and 6,029 mentions made in 6,731 tweets from Apple Newss US and UK accounts. Both Apple News US and UK newsletters and their respective Twitter accounts explicitly state that recommendations are editorial choices made by editors. 78 of the newsletters were published by Apple News US (dating back to October 22, 2016) and 87 by Apple News UK (dating back to July 30, 2016). The most recent newsletter in the sample was received on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Approximately three newsletters are missing from the US sample, while four are missing from the UK sample. The Twitter sample, gathered via CrowdTangle, consists of 3,998 tweets posted from the @AppleNews account between April 5, 2016 and May 4, 2018; and 2,773 posted from @AppleNewsUK (seemingly now dormant) between May 5, 2016 and January 28, 2018.

Collectively, our sample of 165 newsletters contained 839 recommendations. The 78 US newsletters contained a total of 390 recommendationsfive per newsletter. Across these, 68 different news outlets were recommended. The 87 UK newsletters contained 449 recommendations. (The first seven, received July 30, 2016September 3, 2016, contained seven recommendations. The subsequent 80 contained five.) The total number of different outlets promoted across these was 88.

Apple did not provide on-the-record comment to CJR.

The Apple Difference

Publishers attitudes towards Apple News have fluctuated considerably since its launch in September 2015. Following reports of a rocky start, the consensus seemed to be that Apple News was driving great traffic but wasnt necessarily helping them make more money.

In June 2015, much was made of the initial news that Apple would be employing human editors for its then upcoming news service. Since then, the company has reportedly made moves to increase its news and editorial efforts. And apparently, publishers have responded positively to the human touch. As Facebooks appeal to publishers has diminished, Apple Newss appears to have grown considerablyand, as announced yesterday, the app will extend to Mac laptops and desktops. Business Insider recently speculated that the reason Apple News is suddenly a favorite among consumers and publishers is that its curated and less cluttered.

READ: Nick Diakopoulos on reporting in a machine reality

So how, exactly, does Apple go about choosing which stories to highlight? Apple reportedly fields publishers pitches via email and a dedicated Slack channel in a manner that Digiday describes as hands-on. According to The Information:

When news publishers have a big story these days, their editors jump on Slack and pitch it to an unlikely partner: Apple. [] From the pitch received via a dedicated Slack channel, Apples editorial team of about a dozen staffers in the US decides what story gets featured at the top of the app or to the left of the home screen.

Certain publishers have apparently cultivated particularly close relationships with the Apple News team. Mics product head reportedly has a standing weekly call with Apple News, while another Digiday report said that the amount of time product managers at [The Washington Post] talk to Apple amounts to about half one persons time.

For newsrooms fortunate enough to have the resources to facilitate such close relationships, there are numerous benefits. As Digiday describes it, The Post and other publishers believe being all-in has rewards. In addition to the tangible benefit of traffic, theres access to executives and ability to influence their roadmap. And theyve organized themselves accordingly. According to the same report, the Post has lobbied successfully for Apples editors to promote Post stories on the app.

Apple editors really love The New York Times and the Daily Telegraph

In June 2015, when news first broke that Apple was seeking to hire editors for Apple News, 9to5Mac wrote, Apple wont just be curating stories from the big players. It [Apples job listing] also mentions a focus on surfacing original content from the largest to the smallest publishers.

Data from both newsletter and Twitter mentions suggests a strong preference for large publishers over small ones.

The New York Times is comfortably the most mentioned publisher in US Apple News newsletters, appearing 47 times60 percent of all US newsletters. The other four publishers to be featured over twenty times were: GQ, The Washington Post (26 each), Bloomberg and National Geographic (24 each).

In terms of Twitter mentions, The New York Times and The Washington Post again rank very highly, but are joined by CNNwhose 293 mentions surpassed all othersand The Wall Street Journal.

These four accounts, which averaged 250 mentions each, accounted for 28 percent of all mentions made by @AppleNews. The remaining mentions were shared among 319 accounts at an average of eight mentions each.

If the Times is the darling of Apple News UK, then its UK equivalent is the Telegraph, a conservative daily broadsheet.

Apple News has been championed as a channel that consistently and continuously performs well for the Telegraph, which also began selling ads in the app in January 2017.

For its part, Apple News UK has consistently and continuously featured the Telegraph in its newsletter and its Twitter recommendations. With 46 article recommendations in 87 newsletters, The Telegraph has received a recommendation more than once every other newsletter on average. Trailing far behind in second was National Geographic, which has featured 28 times.

Also notable is the prominence of US outlets in the UK newsletter. Perhaps surprisingly, the New York Times and CNN appeared more frequently than BBC News and The Guardian, for example.

On Twitter, the London Evening Standard is remarkably prominent, receiving 82 mentionsthe fifth highest of any publisher mentioned by @AppleNewsUK. However, this accounts mentions are well and truly dominated by two major publishers, The Guardian and the Telegraph, and two major broadcasters, Sky News and BBC News UK.

These four publishers alone were mentioned a total of 1,171 times, an average of 293 each. This equates to 48 percent of all 2,415 mentions made by @AppleNewsUK, suggesting an ever stronger emphasis on a small group of major players than at @AppleNews. The remaining 1,244 mentions were shared among 248 publishers at an average of just five each.

How much space was given to regional publishers?

Only 14 of the 390 US newsletter recommendations were for articles from regionally-focused news outlets, and those were almost exclusively from larger outlets such as New York magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

Articles from these regionally focused publishers accounted for less than 4 percent of US newsletter recommendations. Put another way, articles by regional publishers were recommended approximately once every six weeks.

The picture is similar in the UK. Only one regional publisher was promoted in the UK newsletter, the London-based Evening Standard. Stories from the Standard were featured 21 times, meaning that regional publishersor more specifically, the Evening Standardaccounted for under 5 percent of all recommendations.

ICYMI: Facebooks defense iseveryone was doing it

The promotion of regional publishers is similarly rare on Apple Newss Twitter feeds. In fact, the proportion of Twitter mentions dedicated to regional news outlets is remarkably similar to the proportion of space afforded to them in Apple News Spotlight newslettersunder 2 percent of accounts mentioned by @AppleNews were regional publishers. For @AppleNewsUK it was under 3 percent. The Evening Standard accounted for all but one of the 83 mentions of regional UK publishers by @AppleNewsUK. The other was for the Manchester Evening News.

In the US, the Los Angeles Times got the lions share from @AppleNews, racking up 39 of the 61 Twitter mentions of regional publishersapproximately two-thirdswith New York-centric outlets New York magazine, the New York Post, and The New Yorker accounting for thirteen of the remaining twenty-two.

So when Apple News gives space to regional publishers, its an oddity. And even then, those original, compelling stories tend to come from a rather shallow pool.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Pete Brown is the Research Director at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism, and runs the Content Analysis Hub for the Publishers and Platforms project.Federal Prison for East Texas Family Members Guilty of Stealing Hurricane Relief Funds

An East Texas couple and their adult daughter were each sentenced to federal prison recently for their roles in stealing federal funds that were intended to aid victims of Hurricanes Rita, Katrina, Ike and Dolly.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston, FBI, Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Texas State Auditors Office.

Walter Diggles was sentenced to nine years in federal prison and ordered to pay $1,326,049.91 in restitution to the government. Rosie Diggles and Anita Diggles were each sentenced to 54 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution jointly to the government in the amount of $971,143.57. Walter and Rosie Diggles are from Jasper, Texas; Anita Diggles is from Houston, Texas.

All three were convicted Aug. 3, 2017, of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Additionally, Walter Diggles was convicted of 11 counts of wire fraud, three counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and three counts of money laundering. Rosie Diggles was also convicted of 10 counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Brown, Eastern District of Texas, hopes the sentences will deter future criminals from taking advantage of disaster victims. The defendants stole from the taxpayers, and these kinds of frauds take money away from real people  disaster victims, said Brown. This was an appropriate sentence, and hopefully it will help deter some of this type of behavior the next time.

IRS Dallas Field Office Special Agent in Charge Tamera Cantu believes the sentences demonstrate the commitment by law enforcement agencies operating in Texas to promote open and honest government and to prosecute anyone who violates the public trust. Todays sentences underscore our commitment to work in a collaborative effort to promote honest and ethical government at all levels and to prosecute those who violate the publics trust, said Cantu.

Contractors, Companies Admit Stealing From Sandy Victims

A New Jersey couple and their home improvement companies have admitted stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from more than 20 victims who hired them to repair or rebuild their homes after Superstorm Sandy.

Jeffrey Colmyer and Tiffany Cimino, of Little Egg Harbor, pleaded guilty Tuesday to theft by failure to make required disposition of property. Colmyer also pleaded guilty to money laundering on behalf the couples companies, Rayne Construction Management Services and Colmyer & Sons Construction.

State authorities will recommend that Colmyer receive a seven-year state prison and that Cimino get probation when they are sentenced Sept. 7. They say the couple stole more than $1.4 million, mostly Sandy relief funds, and used much of the money to gamble and buy luxury items.

California Doctor Charged in Workers Comp Fraud Case

The Riverside District Attorneys Office has charged a doctor with offices in Corona and Wildomar with seven felonies related to a workers compensation insurance fraud scheme.

Dr. Sanjoy Banerjee, of Corona, was charged on May 29, 2018, with two counts of insurance fraud and five counts of perjury. He has since posted bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on July 7, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. in Dept. 61 at the Hall of Justice in Riverside.

An investigation conducted by the DAs Bureau of Investigation found that from November 2014 through December 2016, Banerjee, a Wildomar- and Corona-based workers compensation pain management doctor, illegally self-referred workers compensation patients to a clinical laboratory and an office-based surgical center he owned. Through that laboratory and surgical center, Dr. Banerjee billed more than $180,000 for urine toxicology testing and/or epidural injections.

Dr. Banerjee also reportedly signed at least five doctors reports declaring under penalty of perjury he had not referred patients to his own companies. The investigation revealed that Dr. Banerjee referred some of his workers compensation patients to his business, Rochester Imperial Surgical Center, which was located in a patient exam room inside the Pacific Pain Care office suite in Wildomar.

The case, RIF1802535 is being prosecuted by Deputy DA Kristen Allison of the DAs Insurance Fraud Team.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.AKRON, Ohio -- Three undergraduate students in the University of Akron's Reserve Officers' Training Corps will travel abroad this summer as part of the U.S. Army's Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency program.

The students will train and work in Africa and Asia to gain cultural and language skills needed to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Callie Arndt, sophomore nursing major, and Ryan Chabak, sophomore emergency management and homeland security major, will visit Togo, Africa.

Arndt joined the U.S. Army in 2009 and served as a medic in Landstuhl, Germany for more than four years where she tended to wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chabak received an Army ROTC four-year scholarship as a senior in high school and chose the University of Akron for its Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.

Sophia Pang, senior exercise science major, will travel to Thailand as part of the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency program.

Pang was born in Myanmar and became a United States citizen in 2017. She serves in the Ohio National Guard and received a four-year scholarship to attend the University of Akron.

All three cadets will train with a foreign military and participate in missions that include building roads and wells and teaching English to villagers and members of the foreign military as part of the U.S. Army program.

The Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency program is intended to introduce ROTC students to different cultures and strengthen their study of languages in countries where they will serve.

Students who are accepted into the program are required to meet a set of standards and receive recommendation from their Military Science professors.

Applicants compete with students across the U.S. for a limited number of spots annually.

The University of Akron has sent 25 students on Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency visits over the last five years.

Accepted students have trained and worked in Africa, Europe and Asia.

Visit uakron.edu/armyrotc to learn more about the University of Akron's ROTC program.

Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.com's Rubber City Daily, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- Anyone driving past the northeast corner of Brecksville and Chippewa roads knows that something is changing there.

That's where Chase Bank is building a 3,000-square-foot branch and drive-through ATM. The bank is replacing the former Lastoria's Auto Service and BP station, which already has been torn down. Chase purchased the property from the Lastoria family.

Carlene Lule, spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase & Co., said the new branch, Chase's first in Brecksville, is scheduled to open in 2019. Now, a chain-link fence surrounds the construction site.

Mayor Jerry Hruby said the bank will have two entrance-exit driveways, one off Brecksville Road, the other off Chippewa.

Hruby said the city issued a permit for the demolition of Lastoria's-BP in mid-March.

"So far it has all been just demo work," Hruby said last week in an email to cleveland.com.

Lastoria's moved in March to 600 E. Royalton Road in Broadview Heights, at the southeast corner of East Royalton and Town Centre Drive.

The Brecksville Planning Commission approved the Chase site plan, along with 14 zoning variances that will make the project possible, in November.

The plan was introduced to the commission in January 2017. At the time, commission members expressed concern about the amount of traffic Chase would generate and how that traffic would flow.

The Chase project went before the commission again in March 2017. By that time, revised plans showed the building closer to the street, and parking spaces behind the building, at the commission's request. The idea was to match existing close-to-the-street building layouts downtown.

The problem was that, with the building relocation and other plan changes, Chase would need several zoning variances, including those for building setbacks from Brecksville and Chippewa roads; parking lot, driveway, trash-enclosure and ATM setbacks; and length of parking spaces.

Commission members liked the revised plan, but wondered if the Chase layout was too big for the half-acre lot.

Weighing options

In September, Bruce Rinker, an attorney representing Chase Bank, presented three possible building layouts to the commission, according to meeting minutes. He said Chase favored positioning the long section of the building parallel to Chippewa, as opposed to Brecksville Road, as the commission preferred.

Tim Sjorgren, traffic engineer with Kimley-Horn, a national engineering firm, said that while the bank under either option would generate less traffic than the automotive repair shop-gas station, Chase's recommended building layout would be safer. It would include 11 parking spaces against the building, which would cut back on pedestrian traffic in the drive-through lane.

Also, the bank would fit more parking spaces -- 25 -- in Chase's preferred layout, and the spaces would measure 10 feet by 18 feet, as opposed to narrower spaces in the two alternative plans, Sjorgren said.

Sjorgren said the Chase-recommended plan would provide the best traffic flow, especially in the ATM lane, which would stack five cars. Under the plan favored by the commission, the ATM lane would stack just three cars.

Commissioner Dominic Sciria worried that placing the long end of the building along Chippewa would, combined with existing buildings on that street, create a "tunnel effect." However, other commissioners believed the Chase-recommended plan would leave enough distance between the buildings so that a tunnel effect wouldn't occur.

'Hard edge'

At the Nov. 9 commission meeting, Tim Meseck, architect with TAP Architecture in Oklahoma City, said Chase agreed to move the bank from 20 feet off Brecksville Road to 7 feet. He said this would give a "hard edge" to the property and allow more room for landscaping, which would hide utilities at the rear and side of the building.

According to meeting minutes, Sciria said the owner of Stage House Square, a multitenant commercial building directly north of the Chase site, called him and said the Chase project was an overdevelopment of the property, considering the number of zoning variances that came with it.

Sciria said he told the Stage House Square building owner that the site would be challenging to redevelop under any scenario, and that at least some of the variances were due to the commission wanting the bank closer to the street than originally proposed.

During the Jan. 25 commission meeting, Commissioner Eric Lahrmer asked why Chase's proposed signs had internal illumination, as opposed to external illumination using gooseneck lights like other downtown buildings.

Hruby said Chase agreed to exterior gooseneck lights for the signs at the commission's Feb. 22 meeting.

This story has been corrected to show the correct name of the Stage House Square building.INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The city held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hemlock Creek Trail on Saturday (June 2), which will connect Independence residents and visitors to the Erie Canal Towpath Trail within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The new 1.7-mile asphalt path will mainly run alongside the Hemlock Road/Stone Road right-of-way and former quarry haul roads adjacent to Hemlock Creek through the Cuyahoga River Valley. The trail's eastern terminus will be the Towpath and its western terminus will be at Brecksville and Selig roads in Independence.

The groundbreaking took place on Brecksville Road behind the Cleveland Clinic Business Operations Center, across from City Hall.

Independence resident Sue Duffy said she came to the groundbreaking because "I have been following the project through the city and was excited about it. I wanted to see what the trail looks like and what the feeling was amongst others."

The ceremony began with a welcome from Mayor Anthony Togliatti, who said it was a great day to break ground, as Saturday happened to be National Trails Day. A lineup of speakers who are partners in the project followed the introduction, beginning with Derek Schafer, executive director of West Creek Conservancy.

Independence Mayor Anthony Togliatti speaks to the residents and partners who attended the ceremony.

Schafer said that not only was it National Trails Day, but that 2018 is the "Year of Trails." He said that during his time attending "Year of Trails" events, what has been the consensus is that people demand quality parks and trails.

Schafer complimented the city of Independence, saying: "Not a lot of communities would put forth the effort [for this project]. The trail is a beautiful and amazing asset to the city."

The next speaker was Tom Yablonsky, co-founder of Canalway Partners. He explained that the goal of Canalway Partners is to connect all the of the original historical towpath routes so that they end where the canal empties into the river. He thanked the community for its support and said, "This doesn't happen without civic activism."

Craig Kenkle, superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, said that 2018 is also the 50th anniversary of the National Trail Systems Act. This act was created to establish trails in urban and rural settings to be used by all people. It promotes the enjoyment and appreciation of trails while encouraging greater public access.

"We want to connect residents to the trail and to each other," Kenkle said.

Finally, Richard Pace, president of Cumberland Real Estate, spoke. He owns the property behind the Cleveland Clinic Business Operations Center through which the trail runs. He said that the Cleveland Clinic focuses on wellness, which includes employees, and that the trail will be a benefit to them.

After the speakers, all of the trail partners and dignitaries took a groundbreaking photo. Then, any residents who attended and brought their own shovels were invited to be in a groundbreaking photo.

Community members were invited to break ground together with the trail partners.

Eric Angyal has been an Independence resident since 2009. He said that before this trail, there was no good way to gain access to the Towpath Trail without packing up the bikes in the car and driving to an opening on Canal Road.

"Now it is more convenient to ride bikes using bridges in a controlled environment away from the traffic," Angyal said.

Ron White, former executive assistant to former Mayors Fred Ramos and Greg Kurtz and former economic development director to the city, was involved in writing the original letter proposing a trail that was sent to then-U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich 12 years ago.

Now retired since 2012, White attended the groundbreaking ceremony, coming in from New York to see the progress.

"Sometimes it takes time, and the [project] had its ups and downs. But we knew that people would benefit," White said.MEDINA, Ohio -- A Wadsworth teen knew the 98-year-old woman he's charged with killing and stuffing in her closet, police said.

Gavon Ramsay, 17, did not carry on a personal relationship with Margaret Douglas, but the two had an encounter three years ago related to him performing maintenance work at her home, a Wadsworth police official told cleveland.com in a phone interview.

Ramsay made his first appearance Tuesday in Medina County Common Pleas Court. The hearing marked his first court appearance since Medina County prosecutors decided to try him as an adult in the slaying.

Medina County Judge Joyce Kimbler set Ramsay's bond at $1 million.

Ramsay faces charges of aggravated murder, murder, aggravated burglary, kidnapping and gross abuse of a corpse in the death of Douglas.

Police and prosecutors have not publicly discussed a motive in the killing, but noted that Ramsay lived on a street that connects with Portage Street, where Douglas lived, Wadsworth police Lt. Dave Dorland said.

Authorities found Douglas dead April 9 in a closet in her home. Clothes and other items were put around her to hide her body, police said.

Ramsay took several items from the home, Dorland previously said.

A relative reported Douglas missing that day. Douglas' friends reported not hearing from her since April 3, police said.

Police walked through Douglas' home after the initial call, but did not find any "obvious signs of foul play," according to a police report.

Police went to the home that night for a second search and found Douglas, the report says.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for July 23. Ramsay's trial is scheduled for Aug. 6.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments section.BAY VILLAGE, Ohio -- Bay Village police arrested four people Sunday after a high-speed pursuit through three communities in Cleveland's western suburbs.

A Bay Village police officer tried to make a traffic stop at 1:15 p.m. after Westlake police identified a car as stolen. Records showed the car was used as a getaway car in several break-ins, Bay Village police said.

The driver of the car refused to stop and sped west on Lake Road in to Avon Lake, police said. Bay Village called off the pursuit before the stole car collided with another car at the intersection of Lake and Jaycox roads.

Officers with Avon Lake, Bay Village and Westlake were all a part of the chase.

The driver of the car that was struck by the stolen car was hurt in the crash, police said. The driver was taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment. Bay Village police did not release details of the extend of the driver's injuries.

The four people in the getaway vehicle jumped out and ran away from the crash scene. Police later took them into custody.

Police have not formally charged the four people or provided their names.

Three of the people in the stolen car were taken to a local hospital for treatment, police said.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Monday's crime and courts comments section.ELYRIA, Ohio -- A Grafton man pleaded guilty in a crash that killed a fellow Midview High School classmate as they drove home from prom.

Chase Johnson, who authorities say was high on marijuana at the time of the crash, 19, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide in the May 21, 2017 crash that killed Lindsey Mae Rotuno, according to Lorain County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Rothgery's office.

Prosecutors dismissed charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and drugged driving charges as part of a plea deal, Rothgery's office said.

Lorain County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Rothgery is expected to sentence Johnson at 2 p.m. Aug. 15.

The prosecutor's office conferred with Rotuno's family and agreed to recommend a sentence of probation. Rothgery can decide whether to accept the recommendation or impose his own punishment.

Johnson crashed a 2004 Saturn Ion on Ohio 82 near Ohio 57.

Blood tests showed Johnson had enough marijuana in his system to be legally impaired, according to the State Highway Patrol.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments section.HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Police are investigating after a 2-year-old boy died Monday in a shooting inside a home.

Police tell WDTN Channel 2 the boy, identified by the Montgomery County Coroner's Office as Jvonte Johnston, shot himself in the chest.

The shooting occurred around 4 p.m. Monday.

Reports do not say how the child managed to get hold of a gun or who owned the weapon. WDTN reports Jvonte's father called 911.

"I just heard a pop. I know it was a gunshot that went off but I didn't know where it came from," Robert Ferguson, who lives in the neighborhood, tells the Dayton Daily News. "Then when I looked out the window, I saw police and the ambulance coming down the street."

Reports say family and friends could be seen outside the home crying and attempting to console each other.

"It's devastating," neighbor Connie Smith tells WDTN. "It makes you feel really bad. Even just seeing them take the body out. It just made me want to crunch up and cry."

Harrison Township is located just north of Dayton.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Monday's crime and courts comments section.TOLEDO, Ohio -- A 10-year-old boy lost his hand and two other boys were injured Monday when they lit a firework they had found on the ground, rescue workers say.

Toledo Fire Department officials tell WTVG Channel 13 the three boys, two age 10 and the other age 11, were all taken to St. Vincent Hospital. Two boys had less serious injuries to their hands, arms and face.

The boys found the firework while walking along a street in South Toledo around 2 p.m., WTOL Channel 11 reports.

The boys lit the firework and it exploded almost instantly, reports say.

Reports did not say what type of firework it was or how it was left in the street.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Monday's crime and courts comments section.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- State regulators working to meet a Sept. 8 deadline to set up Ohio's medical marijuana program now say there won't be any products available to patients by that time.

Mark Hamlin, senior policy advisor to the Ohio Department of Commerce, said Tuesday the date by which marijuana plants needed to be in the ground in order to meet the deadline has passed. Plants can take 12 to 16 weeks to grow, and none of the 25 provisional grow licensees have been OK'd to start growing.

"I know the patients and patient advocates have been circling that day on their calendars and it's important to them and the fact that we are where we are in terms of the timeline, I can't stress enough, that date has been important to us," Hamlin said in an interview. "The whole purpose of this program is to provide safe, reliable and sustainable medical marijuana to the patients of Ohio who need it."

Industry observers have questioned for months whether Ohio's program would materialize under the state's aggressive time line laid out one year ago. Getting medical marijuana in the hands of patients before the statutory deadline has long been a stretch, but just a few weeks ago, state regulators said some dispensaries would offer limited products to patients on that date.

When those comments were made in April, Hamlin said, three cultivators had said they would be ready for inspections in May. But two were delayed because of a construction delay and a local inspection issue.

The department has scheduled two inspections in June and seven in July.

Bob Bridges, the patient representative on the state's medical marijuana advisory board, said a delay of even one day hurts patients. Bridges said many Ohioans are traveling to Michigan to buy marijuana to treat medical conditions and are getting arrested when they return home. Bridges said law enforcement should back off Ohioans trying to access the drug while the state's program is still getting set up.

"Marijuana should be the lowest priority for law enforcement, across the board, period," Bridges said.

Ohio passed its medical marijuana law in May 2016 but left the details up to three state agencies, including the Department of Commerce. The agencies spent several months drafting rules and accepted applications for growers, processors, testing labs and dispensaries late last year.

The law set Sept. 8 -- two years from its effective date -- as a deadline for the program to be "fully operational." By that time, legislators envisioned, patients with one of 21 qualifying medical conditions would be able to buy and use marijuana after registering through a doctor certified to recommend cannabis in Ohio.

Hamlin said the public expectation of "fully operational" has been that product will be available to patients. But the department's position is that state agencies will have awarded all of the various business licenses and have the pieces in place for the program to function.

The commerce department issued provisional cultivation licenses to 24 companies -- 12 for up to 3,000 square feet and 12 for up to 25,000 square feet -- in November and an additional large-scale grower in May.

To get a final certificate of operation, each facility must pass a state inspection and certify they are meeting all state rules and regulations. They have nine months from the time they get the initial provisional license to pass inspection.

Pure Ohio Wellness LLC's large-scale grow facility in Springfield was inspected last month but has not yet received a final certificate of operation. Two others, small-scale growers, are scheduled for inspections in the coming weeks and seven are scheduled in July.

Hamlin said importing more mature plants from other states is not an option because bringing cannabis across state lines would draw federal scrutiny, and Ohio law and rules require plants to be tagged and tracked early in their growth cycle.

Hamlin's comments come the day after the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy awarded 56 provisional licenses to operate dispensaries across the state. Licenses for testing labs and product processors, also under the Commerce Department, are expected to be awarded this month. Patient registrations are expected to begin in July.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Recreational marijuana sales, hemp farms and a way to erase past drug convictions could be coming soon to Ohio.

That's if all goes according to Ian James' plans.

The man behind Ohio's 2015 failed marijuana legalization measure has big plans for cannabis policy in Ohio. James is a controversial figure in Ohio politics and among marijuana activists. But the ResponsibleOhio initiative he backed was the only one out of a dozen legalization proposals made over the years to appear on a statewide ballot.

James, speaking with reporters Tuesday, said he plans this year to push legislation to legalize hemp production in Ohio, back a new "free market" recreational marijuana constitutional amendment and reintroduce the "Fresh Start Act" to allow Ohioans to expunge convictions for crimes that are no longer criminal offenses.

Hemp

The 2014 farm bill gave states the choice to allow industrial hemp. All of Ohio's neighboring states allow hemp production for commercial sale or research, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

James' company, Green Light Acquisitions, has equity in several ventures that involve cannabidol, or CBD, derived from hemp plants. His ResponsibleOhio co-founder Jimmy Gould is also his partner in Green Light Acquisitions, and the pair are fundraising for a $250 million portfolio. James said the hemp their projects use is currently grown in Colorado.

James said he has the support of Ohio farmers and Republican and Democratic legislators to allow hemp cultivation here.

He declined to name those legislators, and the Ohio Farm Bureau said it's not on board, yet.

"To say the Ohio Farm Bureau supports it is inaccurate but we are in the process of studying the issue," farm bureau spokesman Joe Cornely said.

The organization has no official policy on hemp, Cornely said, but it is beginning to explore it.

"That may or may not result in us taking some action on it at the annual meeting in December," Cornely said.

Recreational measure

James said he plans to release constitutional amendment language this summer and start the process of qualifying the measure for the ballot. He said the amendment would allow people over age 21 to buy marijuana and grow it at home for personal use. Marijuana businesses would need local approval to operate, similar to how Ohioans vote on local liquor licenses.

The measure would leave Ohio's new medical marijuana program intact, James said.

James said business interests and other supporters have committed $3 million to collect the necessary 300,000-plus signatures of registered Ohio voters to put it on the ballot in 2019 or 2020.

James also said a recreational legalization measure from another group certified last month has a fatal flaw. The amendment doesn't limit how much marijuana can be grown or possessed for "personal use" but doesn't define personal use. And illegal sales are considered only a misdemeanor offense under the amendment.

James said the amendment invites cartels and drug dealers to establish themselves in Ohio and won't reduce black market sales.

But a spokesman for Ohio Families for Change, the group backing the amendment, said that's not the case. The amendment allows local governments to limit how much their residents can grow. And the Ohio General Assembly can establish felony offenses for growing in excess of the local limits, spokesman Jonathan Varner said.

"Ian James has done a lot to move forward cannabis legalization in this state, but I believe his profit motivations have caused him to cast aspersions about the Marijuana Rights and Regulations campaign and what the proposed amendment would actually do," Varner said in an emailed statement.

Fresh Start Act

ResponsibleOhio submitted its "Fresh Start Act" as a proposed state law in 2015 but withdrew it after Issue 3 lost.

The proposed law would allow people convicted of marijuana charges that are no longer crimes to file a petition in court to reduce or eliminate their sentences or expunge, or destroy, their criminal records.

The law would apply to marijuana use under Ohio's medical marijuana law, passed in 2016, as well as future legislation and constitutional amendments.

James doesn't expect difficulty collecting the roughly 100,000 signatures needed to put that measure before the legislature. If the legislature doesn't act on the proposed law or rejects it, supporters then need to collect another round of signatures -- 3 percent of the total gubernatorial votes cast this November -- to put it before voters.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from the Ohio Families for Change campaign.Welcome to Capitol Letter, a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. If you do not already subscribe, you can sign up for free here.



Rotunda Rumblings



Pot shops: The state announced 56 winners of provisional medical marijuana dispensaries Monday. Want to know if any shops will be in your town? Cleveland.com's Jackie Borchardt has the list and their addresses.



Voting help, at your service: New Ohio Senate legislation would require the secretary of state to create an office specifically to help military service members vote absentee while on active duty. Under Senate Bill 305, the Office for the Uniformed Services Absent Voter would educate military voters before they deploy about their voting options and would be notified when a voter may miss an election because they're on active duty. Bill sponsor Sen. Frank LaRose, the Republican nominee for secretary of state who served overseas as a U.S. Army Green Beret, stated in a letter to his Senate colleagues that a 2014 poll found two-thirds of military personnel were not confident their vote would be counted or found the absentee-voting process overly complex.



Supreme score: The company that chops up a "slag mountain" near Youngstown to turn it into road-building material is entitled to a reduction in state taxes, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled last week. The court unanimously decided that the Ohio tax commissioner wrongly assessed the tax owed on repair parts and fuel for machinery that Lafarge North America uses to break slag, a byproduct of the steel-making process.



Recounting the details: Republican 12th Congressional District candidate Melanie Leneghan has requested a $2,880 recount in 48 precincts across four counties, according to a letter sent to Franklin County elections officials. Leneghan, who lost the May 8 primary to state Sen. Troy Balderson by 653 votes, has asked for a recount in 21 precincts in Franklin County, 16 in Muskingum County, six in Licking County and five in Delaware County. The recount is set to start on Wednesday and could take several days, according to elections officials. Leneghan only asked to re-tabulate votes in the primary in which Balderson was nominated for the November election. The November winner will serve a full two-year term beginning next year. She did not challenge a primary the same day in which Balderson won the GOP nomination for an Aug. 7 special election. The winner of that election will only serve until the end of this year.



Scheduling note: While the Ohio House appears close to ending the deadlock over electing an interim speaker, it's still unclear when the chamber might start addressing its growing backlog of bills. According to House Republican spokesman Brad Miller, the election for speaker will be the only item on Wednesday's House agenda, and it hasn't yet been decided when the House would meet after that to vote on legislation before breaking for the summer.



Have your cake: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to make wedding cakes for same-sex couples on religious grounds, reports cleveland.com's Sabrina Eaton. The case doesn't allow store owners to discriminate against same-sex couples broadly, but instead focused on Colorado officials' comments during the case, which the court found violated the baker's First Amendment rights.



"Trade wars are good, and easy to win": If you pulled Canada in your office trade war pool, congratulations. You're the winner. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would impose retaliatory tariffs, and Ohio would be one of the hardest hit in the nation with $1.75 billion in goods affected. Cleveland.com's Robin Goist breaks down what industries might feel the squeeze.



It's not even vest season: Multiple agents with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation are wearing vests that are completely out of style - so much so that they are expired and potentially dangerous to the officers. Julie Carr Smyth of the Associated Press reports on a union complaint that listed 53 of 99 special agents, investigators and personnel transport workers whose Kevlar vests are past the five-year expiration date.



Mental health: It's been 10 years since the state closed Twin Valley - the inpatient psychiatric hospital in Dayton - and the move has proved to be a drain on resources, according to the Daily Dayton News. Instead of having a place to house patients with mental illnesses, law enforcement is often dispatched to do so after they commit a crime.



Surprising the competition: The districts in Ohio are gerrymandered to favor Republicans, but the current political climate has at least two congressional Republicans playing defense, Jack Torry of The Columbus Dispatch writes. U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot has a competitive race in the Cincinnati area against Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Aftab Pureval in a district that could flip. But also playing D is U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs, who is facing an aggressive campaign from veteran Ken Harbaugh.



Tell your family and friends! You probably already know that it's now free to subscribe to Capitol Letter. So spread the word! Chris Quinn, Advance Ohio/cleveland.com editor and president, explains why we decided to make our newsletter available to everyone. You can sign up here.



Full Disclosure



Five things we learned from state Rep. John Boccieri's April 9 financial disclosure statement. Boccieri, a Mahoning County Democrat and former congressman, is running this November for Senate District 33.



1. In addition to working as a state lawmaker, he also works as a pilot with United Airlines and as a pilot and squadron commander with the U.S. Air Force Reserve.



2. On top of his annual legislative salary of $60,584, Boccieri's two other jobs as a pilot each earned him $50,000 to $99,999 in 2017.



3. He listed investments of at least $1,000 each in more than a dozen mutual funds, as well as in 19 different stocks and exchange-traded funds - including Google and Berkshire Hathaway.



4. During 2017, the Ohio House of Representatives reimbursed him $4,330 in official travel expenses.



5. Boccieri also holds licenses to sell property, casualty, life and health insurance, as well as products such as mutual funds and variable annuities.



On the Move



Brittany Warner has been hired as director of communications for Republican Mike DeWine's gubernatorial campaign. She's moving over from managing Sen. Frank LaRose's Republican campaign for secretary of state. A former Ohio Republican Party spokeswoman, Warner got the job after Ryan Stubenrauch, who handled communications for DeWine's campaign during the primary, left for a private media consulting firm.



Grant Shaffer is LaRose's new campaign manager. Shaffer worked for Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor's gubernatorial campaign and New Day for America, the super PAC that supported Gov. John Kasich's presidential bid.



Joshua Eck has officially been named the DeWine campaign's press secretary and spokesman; the former secretary of state spokesman has already been handling similar duties for the campaign.



Michael Hall will serve as the DeWine campaign's policy director. Hall most recently worked as a partner in the public affairs and government law group at Ice Miller, a Columbus law firm.



Birthdays



Erin Sutter, Buckeye Institute's manager of strategic partnerships



Straight From The Source



"This is a big win for the First Amendment and religious freedom, and a brutal defeat for government activists who are hostile to people of faith."



- Ken Blackwell, a Republican and former Ohio secretary of state and treasurer, commenting on Twitter about Monday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that a Colorado baker can refuse on religious grounds to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.COLUMBUS, Ohio--A Mahoning County city can't be blamed for an accident caused by plant growth blocking a driver's view of a stop sign, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

Motorist Judith Pelletier filed a personal-injury lawsuit against the city of Campbell after running a stop sign in 2013 and colliding with another car. Pelletier claimed she couldn't see the sign because the city negligently failed to trim trees and large bushes about 34 feet in front of it.

But Justice Sharon Kennedy, writing for the court, held that cities are entitled to legal immunity in such cases unless the foliage is growing on the sign itself.

Kennedy wrote that Ohio law only requires local governments to remove obstructions "from" public roads. She interpreted that wording to mean that cities only have a responsibility to remove obstructions from the road and signs themselves, not nearby areas.

Four other justices joined in Kennedy's opinion.

A two-member minority agreed that Pelletier failed to make her case, but they disputed that a city should get immunity unless an obstruction is actually on a sign.

"There is no question that an object can obstruct or block a traffic-control device without literally being on it," Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor wrote for the minority.

The court's decision overturns earlier rulings by a trial court and the Seventh District Court of Appeals that the city of Campbell could be liable for not removing the foliage in front of the sign. The case now heads back to the trial court with an order to rule in favor of the city.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's just weeks into the race, and the two U.S. Senate candidates in Ohio already are going negative.

Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, who won the Republican primary last month, on Monday launched a new commercial, which will air on cable TV across the state. In it, he dubs his opponent, Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, "full of bull Brown."

Renacci was trying to rebut a pair of ads Brown launched in the past couple of weeks. One assails Renacci for his past registration as a lobbyist before he joined Congress, and the other attacks Renacci over his years-long fight with the state of Ohio over his family's personal income taxes. Brown similarly opened his 2012 re-election campaign by running negative ads, an example of following the tried-and-true political tactic of trying to define your lesser-known opponent negatively -- in this case Renacci -- before he can effectively introduce himself.

The ads could give voters a taste of what to expect as the November election approaches. Brown generally has held a comfortable lead over Renacci in public polls so far, but past Ohio Senate elections have attracted millions in attack ads, many of which have been financed by outside groups.

"I'm just pointing out -- I want people to understand who's on their side," Brown said following a campaign event in Cleveland on Monday. "And if you looked at my ads, you can see me standing with steel workers, and that speaks for itself. My advocacy for workers, and I'm pointing out how Jim Renacci has not advocated for workers, and that's a pretty clear contrast ad."

RELATED

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"As every poll we've taken in this race has made clear, Sherrod Brown is in serious trouble heading into November," said Brittany Martinez, a Renacci campaign spokeswoman. "And launching his campaign with a barrage of desperately false and flailing attacks on Jim Renacci shows that Brown knows exactly how bad of shape he's in--especially after amassing a record as one of the most radically liberal Trump obstructionists in Washington. He's scared, and he should be."

Political observers said, to the extent that this sort of thing matters so early in the race, that Brown may have gotten the best of the exchange.

"Renacci took the bait," longtime Ohio Democratic political strategist Jerry Austin said in an email.

Renacci's ad, for which his campaign spent $166,200 for spots on cable TV across the state, opens with Renacci standing beside a monitor displaying one of the Brown ads.

Sherrod "Full-of-Bull" Brown will say anything to stay in office.



Next time you want to spread your bull around, look in the camera and do it yourself. pic.twitter.com/7eIRp5WQk3  Jim Renacci (@JimRenacci) June 4, 2018

It runs a quote from a Columbus Dispatch article describing both of Brown's ads as "misleading." But it also repeats the core claim of Brown's attack -- that Renacci tried to avoid paying taxes on millions of income, and that he's "always looking out for himself."

Brown campaign manager Justin Barasky took to Twitter to tease Renacci over the ad.

Please double the spending for this ad. And let's continue having a conversation about whether or not you tried to avoid paying taxes on more than $13 million of your income. https://t.co/2mRLWDXyHM  Justin Barasky (@JustinBarasky) June 4, 2018

Renacci says the attacks show how badly Brown wants to remain in Washington, D.C. For good measure, Renacci also sprinkles in shots at Brown as a "life-long politician" who previously broke a pledge to serve in Congress for only 12 years, and has raised taxes while in office.

"Sherrod, the next time you want to spread your bull around, look in the camera and do it yourself," Renacci said.

Notably, Renacci, who is not well-known to voters, did not spend time telling his own personal story, other than to describe himself as a "businessman."

Renacci also has taken to Twitter to point out that both of Brown's ads have run afoul with fact-checkers.

Politifact on Thursday graded the first one -- which describes Renacci's past registration as a lobbyist for a small Wadsworth company -- as "mostly false." The Columbus Dispatch dubbed the second ad "a bit misleading," although its core message -- that Renacci fought for years to avoid paying a six-figure tax penalty on $13 million of income -- is factual.

Neither of Brown's ads, meanwhile, makes much mention of Brown, other than a brief voice-over in which he says he approved the message. But as the better-known candidate in the race, Brown has less work to do to make voters familiar with who he is, said Kyle Kondik, a political analyst with the Unversity of Virginia Center for Politics.

"Going on the attack immediately after the primary could be construed as a sign of worry," Kondik said. "The other way of looking at it is... this is an opportunity to define Renacci negatively from the get-go."In a decision that further erodes the Great Lakes Compact, Wisconsin regulators are supporting a Wisconsin city's bid to draw an annual average of 7 million gallons a day of water from Lake Michigan and sluice much of it to an area that's in the Mississippi River's watershed.

The water that Racine, Wisconsin, would be allowed to withdraw would supply a flat-screen manufacturing complex proposed for nearby Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, by Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group, as well as surrounding industrial and commercial enterprises. Nearly half the Foxconn complex would be outside the Great Lakes watershed, the Wisconsin State Journal reports.

"Fully built out," the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has reported, the complex "would be three times the size of the Pentagon."

The decision by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources requires Racine to treat and return to Lake Michigan any unused water, "minus consumptive use such as evaporation." But an estimated 2.7 million gallons of the 7 million would be "consumed" through evaporation or in the manufacturing process, according to the Racine Journal Times.

If Racine's move rings a bell, it's because in 2016 another Wisconsin city, Waukesha, won permission from the governors of the Great Lakes Compact states, including Ohio's John Kasich, and from Canada's Ontario and Quebec, to divert millions of gallons of water a day from Lake Michigan. Waukesha required permission because the city is outside Lake Michigan's drainage basin.

Waukesha's was the first such diversion permitted since the Great Lakes Compact took effect in 2008. When Waukesha got its way, The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com editorialized that permitting that diversion was deeply mistaken and set a dangerous precedent.

Racine's request is being handled differently than Waukesha's was because Waukesha is in the Mississippi River basin while Racine is in Lake Michigan's. In fact, Racine fronts on the lake, which has long supplied Racine's water. And Racine supplies water to Mount Pleasant.

But while 92 percent of Mount Pleasant is in Lake Michigan's basin, 8 percent (including a major part of the Foxconn site) is in the Des Plaines River's watershed, and that's part of the Mississippi's basin, not Lake Michigan's.

Diverting water to such a "straddling community" required an OK from Wisconsin officials, not from the Great Lakes governors as a group. As interpreted by Wisconsin, that's a significant and disturbing loophole in the Great Lakes Compact.

The Wisconsin decision allows the part of Mount Pleasant that is not in the Great Lakes watershed to receive Great Lakes water.

If such a major diversion is up to a single state to determine, it's a glaring gap in the Great Lakes Compact's ability to guard against private interests like Foxconn being able to game protections intended to prevent such diversions of Great Lakes water for commercial purposes.

In late May, Wisconsin and Minnesota environmental groups and others filed a formal challenge of the Wisconsin decision before the state Department of Natural Resources but it's not clear that challenge will succeed, given the stakes for Wisconsin.

Last September, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed a Foxconn incentive package that The Wall Street Journal reported was worth $3 billion. So perhaps Wisconsin officials' April 25 approval of Racine's request can't be considered a surprise. But it also can't be considered wise or acceptable - because it isn't.

Great Lakes Compact governors, including Ohio's Kasich, need, first, to examine whether the compact allows individual governors to order major diversions of Great Lakes water in such a manner -- and, if they determine Wisconsin has acted within the scope of the compact, close this loophole forthwith.

About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.

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* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Former Ohio State offensive lineman Kirk Barton was arrested and tased by police on Friday. He was charged with felonious assault of an officer and resisting arrest according to multiple reports including 10TV in Columbus.

Barton was arrested at the Bogey Bar and Grill in Dublin, near where The Memorial tournament took place during the past weekend.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office told 10TV that Barton was intoxicated and knocked people down due to his size. Deputies then brought him over to a taxi van, where they attempted to get his license and address from him.

Barton then slammed the door into the arm of one of the deputies. Authorities then tased Barton before putting him into handcuffs.SOLON, Ohio -- Theft, Kruse Drive: At 3 p.m. May 30, police were dispatched to Bath & Body Works, 6025 Kruse Drive, where a theft was in progress.

Police arrived to find a woman, who had walked out of the store with merchandise for which she had not paid, sitting in her car in the parking lot. An officer confronted the woman, 49, of Garfield Heights, as she attempted to drive away. The officer told the woman to turn off her car's engine and to give him the keys.

The woman turned off her car, but refused to hand over the keys. After she refused several more requests for her keys, the woman started her car and drove off in a reckless manner, eventually heading west on Solon Road. Because of her reckless driving, officers terminated their pursuit.

A short time later, police spotted the woman's car on Harper Road. The woman saw police, accelerated and lost control of her car, striking a median island. The woman got out of her car and again refused to give police her keys.

She once more got into her car, locked it and rolled up the windows. She then put the car into the drive gear position and attempted to leave. Police broke the car's driver's side window, turned off the car and took possession of the woman's keys.

The woman, who was uncooperative while being arrested, was found to be the subject of several warrants, including a felony warrant issued by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation/Adult Parole Authority, and a felony warrant for escape issued by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department.

Solon police charged the woman with theft, fleeing and eluding, lack of obedience to traffic control devices, driving under suspension and for warrants with other agencies.

OVI, U.S. 422: At 12:50 a.m. May 24, an officer clocked a car traveling 71 mph in a 60 mph zone. As the car traveled on, it increased its speed as it drove past another two officers conducting a roadside traffic stop.

After the car was seen weaving off course, a traffic stop of the speeding car was made and the driver, a Chagrin Falls man, 24, was found to smell of alcohol. The man failed field sobriety tests and proved to have a blood-alcohol content of .132, above the state minimum for drunk driving of .08.

The man was charged with OVI, prohibited BAC, not driving within marked lanes, speeding and approaching a stationary public safety vehicle displaying emergency lights.

Criminal trespass, Aurora Road: At 5:30 p.m. May 24, officers were called to Planet Fitness, 33605 Aurora Road, where a male patron was being obnoxious, yelling and threatening employees.

An employee told police that the suspect, a Lorain man, 34, became upset when employees questioned him as to why he was training other patrons. The man began to yell and make innuendoes of a threatening nature.

Police found that the man was the subject of a Macedonia police traffic warrant. He was arrested and turned over to the Macedonia Police Department. He was further issued a criminal trespassing warning and told not to return to Planet Fitness.

Carrying a concealed weapon, Aurora Road: At 8:45 p.m. May 25, police detained a Cleveland man, 22, at a sobriety checkpoint after smelling the odor of alcohol on his person.

It was subsequently found that the man's pocket contained 3.9 grams of marijuana and a digital scale. In addition, under the man's seat, officers found a .357-caliber handgun.

The man was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

OVI, U.S. 422: At 1:45 a.m. May 26, police stopped a car that was traveling 83 mph in a 60 mph zone.

Police detected the odor of alcohol on the person of the driver, a Virginia man, 28. The man had glassy, bloodshot eyes.

The man refused to perform any field sobriety tests and a breath test, and was arrested. In the car's glove box, police found a loaded handgun. The man had a permit to carry the gun, issued in Utah, but did not inform police that he had the gun.

Police charged the man with OVI, speeding and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.

Driving upon divided roadway, U.S. 422: At 12:55 a.m. May 28, police were notified that a car was traveling west in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 422.

The car was soon spotted, traveling slowly. Police were able to stop all eastbound traffic and get the attention of the wrong-way driver, who eventually stopped just east of S.O.M. Center Road.

The driver, a Macedonia woman, 92, told officers that she was just trying to get home. Paramedics were summoned to evaluate the woman. Police drove the woman home and kept her car at the station for safekeeping.

Disorderly conduct, S.O.M. Center Road: At 8:25 p.m. May 30, an off-duty officer at Solon Community Park, 6647 S.O.M. Center Road, called police after coming into contact with a man who smelled of alcohol and who was walking unsteadily. The officer called police when he saw the man, accompanied by his son, 10, approach his car so that he could drive from the park.

The man also held a Coke bottle that contained rum and Coke. The man voluntarily submitted to a breath test and was found to have blood-alcohol content of .221.

Police charged the man with disorderly conduct and open container in a public place. His wife was called, and she came to the park to pick up her husband and son.

If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page.STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- The city will pay a Strongsville firm $470,000 to finish the renovation of four locker rooms in the Walter F. Ehrnfelt Recreation & Senior Center.

RFC Contracting Inc. will pick up where two other firms left off. The first was Alabasi Construction Inc., a Cleveland firm the city hired in March 2016 for $662,750. Alabasi never completed the project, saying it had difficulty obtaining a certain type of tile from Mexico.

The city fired Alabasi in December and hired Colabianchi Construction Inc. of Strongsville to finish two of the locker rooms. Colabianchi charged the city $47,885, according to Law Director Neal Jamison.

That's a total of $1.2 million. However, the city so far has paid Alabasi only $184,802 for its work and has no intention of making additional payments, Jamison said. The matter may end up in court.

Also -- thanks to an agreement City Council approved Monday (June 4) with Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Co., Alabasi's insurance company -- Jamison said the city will pay no more than $703,878 for the locker-room renovation. That's the total of the RFC and Colabianchi contract amounts, plus the amount the city has paid Alabasi and about $1,200 in project fees.

But that project total stands only if the city makes no more payments to Alabasi.

It's uncertain when RFC will finish the final two locker rooms. Under its contract with the city, RFC has 120 days to complete the work once all the material is ordered, whenever that is. Originally, the project was supposed to take six months.

Jamison said the city selected RFC to finish the job, without seeking other offers, because it was one of the original seven bidders for the locker-room project.

Math gymnastics

In December, Jamison said it still had to be determined how much the city would pay Alabasi for its work. The contract with the firm came with a $1,000-a-day late-fee clause.

The city then began negotiating with Pennsylvania National "for completion costs, engineering costs, liquidated damages and other items" related to the locker-room project, claiming that Alabasi was in breach of its contract, according to the agreement that council approved Monday.

The agreement was a last-minute addition to Monday's agenda, and council approved it on first reading, as an "emergency" measure, with little if any discussion or explanation.

Under the agreement, Pennsylvania National agreed to pay the city $68,128. In exchange, the city agreed not to seek any future insurance claims.

However, another part of the agreement states that Strongsville doesn't surrender any rights or claims related to the contract with Alabasi. That matter -- the total amount the city will pay the firm -- remains unresolved.

Jamison said the city must wait until the locker-room project is completed before it can start talks with Alabasi over the contract amount.

Meanwhile, the city will pay the other two contractors, RFC and Colabianchi, a total of $517,885 for their work. Add the $184,802 the city has paid Alabasi and fees, and the total comes to $703,878.

However, Jamison said the city has projected that the final project cost will be $730,878. The insurance settlement equals the difference between that amount and the original $662,750 contract amount with Alabasi.

Architectural fees

In February, council agreed to pay TC Architects in Akron an additional $12,220 for its work on the locker-room project.

The additional payment meant that the total architectural fee for the renovation rose by 20 percent, to $72,220. Jamison said architectural costs rose because TC was continuing to provide construction administration services -- making sure workers renovate the locker rooms according to specifications.

TC designed the renovations, which involved gutting the locker rooms and installing all new fixtures, counters, benches, rust-resistant lockers, new floor drains, accessible showers, tile and painting. The project also included a new entryway from the pool area to the locker rooms.STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- The Strongsville school board may ask voters to approve a new 7.9-mill operating tax in November.

The tax would cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 an additional $23 a month, or $276 a year, according to district officials. Now, property owners are paying $1,256 a year in taxes to the district for every $100,000 in home value, according to calculations based on Ohio Department of Taxation records.

During a May 17 meeting, administration officials said the new tax is needed largely to counteract state funding cuts to local school districts. They said that without the new tax, Strongsville schools will start deficit spending in 2019 -- meaning that expenses would exceed revenues and the district would use savings to balance the budget -- until the savings are wiped out in 2022.

Board members expressed support for the new tax, although they didn't commit on the proposed amount.

"If we don't have great schools, people are going to look elsewhere to relocate, to buy a piece of property and put their children through our district," board member George Grozan said. "It's not that hard to understand."

On June 7, the board is scheduled to vote on the first of two measures that would place the new tax on the Nov. 6 ballot. The tax would generate about $11.3 million a year for operating expenses, such as teachers' salaries. The money could not be used for building repairs or capital improvements.

Tax shaping

At the May 17 board meeting, district Treasurer George Anagnostou said that due to the elimination of tangible personal property taxes, which Ohio has phased out starting in 2005, the Strongsville schools are receiving fewer funds from the state. The annual amount has dropped from $8.6 million to $3.6 million.

Also, Cleveland Clinic, which has a Strongsville office in front of SouthPark Mall, was recently awarded property tax-exempt status retroactive to 2012. That means the district will lose another $400,000 in annual property taxes, and by September must refund the Clinic $2 million in past taxes.

As a result, the district will need $8.1 million in savings to balance the budget in 2019, according to district projections. Deficit spending will fall to $7.1 million in 2020, then rise to $9 million in 2021. In 2022, the district will need $11.2 million to balance the budget, but will have only $3.5 million left in the bank.

Anagnostou said the district has already taken several measures to cut expenses without negatively affecting education. These measures have included eliminating 199 jobs; reducing by six the number of school buildings and repurposing one building; and saving $4.6 million by switching to a self-insured healthcare plan for employees.

The district has also saved money by creating Strongsville Academy, an online school; implementing a new investment strategy that has increased interest earnings by $100,000 in 2017; and prohibiting pupils from participating in activities requiring fees if they haven't paid their fees for the previous year.

Superintendent Cameron Ryba said any additional cuts would negatively impact student opportunities, district services, staffing levels and resources.

Ryba said that in 2012, Strongsville voters approved an $81 million bond issue that paid for, among other things, construction of the newly opened Strongsville Middle School and renovations at Strongsville High School.

Now the district needs additional money, through a general operating levy, to pay for day-to-day operations, including employee salaries, Ryba said.

A 2002 five-year levy, which voters last renewed in 2016, and a 2007 continuous levy, which is permanent, would both remain in place. Those levies generate a total of $17.1 million every year, according to the district.

Ryba said the district recommends another continuous or permanent tax for the Nov. 6 ballot.

"If we go for another limited levy, we would be on the ballot every other year renewing levies," Ryba told the board. "That's an expense to the district and the taxpayers for putting those on the ballot, and it's diverting our focus from educating our students, which is our primary focus."

Ryba said voters would still have a chance to let the district know how it's performing by renewing or not renewing the existing 2002 five-year levy every few years.

Ryba said the new 7.9-mill tax, raising another $11.3 million annually, would allow the district to maintain its existing level of staff, programs and services through the 2025-2026 school year.

Board reactions

Grozan said he would prefer an 8.9-milll levy, another option presented by the administration. It would keep the district in the black through 2027.

Board member Duke Evans said no one likes paying more taxes, but the district needs the money.

"I would ask taxpayers to consider (this) very carefully," Evans said. "Number one, please positively support whatever levy we put on the ballot. And number two, I'd ask you to write Mr. (Ohio Rep. Tom) Patton and Mr. (Ohio Sen. Matt) Dolan to let them know how displeased we are with what Columbus has been doing to districts like Strongsville."

Board President Carl Naso said state funding cuts, not district financial practices, are to blame for the projected deficits.

"This isn't the result of overspending, this isn't the result of poor management," Naso said. "This is like losing a second income. All of a sudden, your spouse gets laid off and you lose that second income. You have to figure out what you're going to do."

Board member Jane Ludwig asked voters to remember all the opportunities the district provides pupils.

"We don't have frivolous programs," Ludwig said. "We have meaningful, well-intentioned programs, and I would hate to see anything have to go by the wayside."

Board member Richard Micko said the levy is needed, but the board will have to settle on an amount.

"We have to look the taxpayer in the eye and guarantee their money won't be wasted," Micko said. "That's something we try to do every day."

cleveland.com reporter Rich Exner contributed to this article.CLEVELAND, Ohio - Frontier Airlines will once again fly between Cleveland and San Diego, a route it tried last year, but eliminated after five months.

At the same time, the airline is reducing service to Seattle and Phoenix, both long-time destinations for the Denver-based carrier.

The new service to San Diego begins Aug. 15 and will run only twice a week - on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In 2017, the Cleveland-to-San Diego route ran four times a week, from late May through early October.

"We found a way to operate SAN more efficiently from an operating perspective, and we're confident the route will perform well," said Frontier spokesman Richard Oliver.

Tickets are already on sale, with one-way fares as low as $69.

The Cleveland to San Diego flight departs from Hopkins at 10:22 a.m., arriving in San Diego at 12:04 p.m. The return flight leaves San Diego at 10:17 a.m., landing in Cleveland at 5:53 p.m.

The airline is also making adjustments to its Seattle and Phoenix routes. Phoenix, a year-round destination for Frontier, will become seasonal, ending Aug. 9 and resuming in mid-November. Seattle, already a seasonal destination, will take a hiatus starting Aug. 11, resuming sometime after Easter, according to the airline. Previously, the Seattle route ran through early October.

Travelers who have purchased tickets to Seattle or Phoenix for late summer or early fall will be rebooked on connecting flights or offered a refund, according to Oliver.

The addition of San Diego brings Frontier back up to 15 destinations from Cleveland Hopkins. Last month, the airline announced new service to San Antonio from Cleveland, also starting in August.

The airline continues to aggressively experiment with destinations - adding and subtracting routes regularly, sometimes even before they've had a chance to become established. The carrier is also experimenting with the number of days it flies to certain destinations, from as few as twice a week to as often as every day.UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The city is planning to request $150,000 in federal block grant money from Cuyahoga County to make improvements at the Cedar and South Green roads intersection.

Community Development Coordinator Patrick Grogan-Myers said the money would go toward a number of things, including the addition of four stamped-concrete crosswalks at the busy intersection. The concrete would stand out from the asphalt and make for better awareness among motorists that pedestrians are near.

"We just want to make it more clear to people in vehicles that there are pedestrians at that busy intersection walking to Heinen's and the other stores in the area," Grogan-Myers said.

In addition, the money would be used to add a new bench at the intersection and to replace the roofs on the two bus shelters on the east and west sides of Cedar Road.

City Engineer Joseph Ciuni said that the project should come in at a cost of about $150,000.

University Heights, as a city with fewer than 50,000 people, must request a share of block grant funds, which the county disperses to its member communities. In doing so, University Heights must name the specific project for which the money would be used.

If University Heights is successful in getting the money, a stipulation would be that the project must be completed by November.

University Heights would not have to match any of the funds received via the grant.

Food trucks

As expected, City Council, at its meeting Monday (June 4), approved without dissent an ordinance that will allow food trucks to operate in University Heights.

The legislation, introduced by Councilwoman Michele Weiss, was discussed at a May 24 council Government Affairs Committee meeting, which Weiss chaired.

Under the new law, any food truck vendor must first obtain a city permit, at a cost of $10, in order to conduct business. Food trucks will only be permitted at events, meaning that the trucks cannot merely be driven around the city seeking business.

The fee applies when a food truck is stationed on a city-owned property, but does not apply should the city invite an operator to sell at an event.

Food trucks can also do business at private events and parties, such as block parties and home birthday parties. If they are parked on private property, no permit fee will be charged.

Law Director Luke McConville said he examined food truck ordinances in place in other communities, including Mayfield, when drawing up the University Heights ordinance.

Speaking about the low permit fee, Councilman Mark Wiseman intimated that it could be raised in the future.

"First, we want to make ourselves an attractive destination (for food truck vendors), then we'll see what happens," he said.

"I would love to see food trucks come in for concerts and other events, and the (Memorial Day) Parade next year," said Vice Mayor Susan Pardee.

Said Weiss, "I'm excited and eager to see what type of momentum this can build."

Council brought the ordinance to a quick vote so that food trucks can operate in the city this summer.

Saving a life

Interim Fire Chief Robert Perko heard applause from council members and those in attendance at Monday's meeting after he told of what took place early Saturday morning (June 2) when the fire department was called to a home on a medical emergency.

Perko said paramedics were called to a home at 4 a.m. by a woman who believed her husband, 41, had had heart attack symptoms. The man was unconscious and, in order to keep him alive while paramedics made their way to the couple's home, a dispatcher at the Heights-Hillcrest Communications Center in Cleveland Heights gave the wife instructions on how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.

"She didn't have a certificate for doing CPR," Perko said. "She had never done it before in her life."

Perko said the woman did as the dispatcher instructed and kept her husband alive.

"As we (paramedics) approached the hospital with him, he was talking to us," Perko said of the husband.

The regional dispatch center handles police and fire calls from University Heights, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, Richmond Heights and South Euclid.

Perko said that further recognition of the event could be forthcoming.

Chicken-keeping permits

Building Commissioner James McReynolds said at Monday's council meeting that, as of that day, three residents had applied for and received permits to keep chickens on their residential properties.

Earlier this year, the subject of whether chickens could be kept at University Heights' residential properties was a controversial one. In early April, council approved the keeping of chickens if residents obtained a city permit, took a class on how to properly keep them, and followed other guidelines.

McReynolds said he visited the homes of the permit holders and all is in order. He added that there have been no complaints from neighbors.

Council plans to revisit the matter next year to determine how the ordinance is working.

Looking to the future

Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan said he met Sunday (June 3) at the University Heights Library with the Municipal Future Committee he recently formed.

"We began the preliminary discussions of the future of municipal facilities (City Hall building/complex) here in University Heights," Brennan said at Monday's council meeting. "Fundamentally, the questions are, one, what do we want and/or need? Two, where will we put it? Three, how will we pay for it?

"The committee will be interested in touring the facilities, warts and all, to see what we have, and don't have, and to hear from our several directors and chiefs as to what they see as our needs," he said.CMU-Africa Graduates Poised To Engineer the Future

June 05, 2018

Carnegie Mellon University in Africa held its fifth graduation ceremony June 5 in Kigali, Rwanda, where forty-five students from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania received master's degrees in information technology and electrical and computer engineering that will help them play a significant role in advancing Africa's information and communications technology infrastructure.

"You are graduating at a pivotal time for humanity. Today, the acceleration of digital technologies and automation is causing unprecedented societal disruption  not just here in Africa, but around the world," said CMU President Farnam Jahanian. "Never has life been more complex or so full of potential  and more in need of CMU graduates like you."

CMU-Africa's alumni have joined top doctoral programs around the world and are raising the profile of research on the continent.

"Every time I visit the region, I continue to be excited about the future of Africa, our role in educating the next generation of African leaders, and your role in delivering this exciting future," said James H. Garrett, Jr., dean of Carnegie Mellon's College of Engineering.

This year's ceremony marked the graduation of the first cohort of Mastercard Foundation Scholars at CMU-Africa. In 2015, CMU-Africa partnered with The Mastercard Foundation, which committed $10.8 million to benefit 125 academically talented and economically disadvantaged students from Sub-Saharan Africa.

The first graduating cohort of CMU-Africa's Mastercard Foundation scholars comprises five students from Rwanda, Ghana and Kenya.

Keynote speaker Reeta Roy, president and CEO of The Mastercard Foundation, applauded the graduates.

Another step towards advancement of knowledge & technology in Africa. Happening is 5th graduation ceremony @cmu_africa with 45 graduates of masters in IT, electrical & computer engineering. Congs! #CMUAfricaGrad in #Kigali pic.twitter.com/908FfgtAbC  Emmanuel Hategeka (@ehategeka) June 5, 2018

"You will define the future of work in Africa. We are counting on you to dream up the solutions to problems and the new models that will create the knowledge economy of the future. Expect to be challenged and expect to meet resistance. When that happens, take it in stride, be bold, be brave, and be fearless. For Africa to advance, we need fresh air, fresh thinking and your fresh spirit."

The guest of honor at this year's graduation ceremony was Hon. Isaac Munyakazi, minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education. The minister praised CMU-Africa's diversity, noting that current students come from 10 different countries in Africa, with Rwandan students accounting for roughly 50 percent of the student population and with women accounting for 34 percent of the students.

"Use the skills and knowledge you have gained not only in your own future careers, but also in the support of the future of Rwanda and the region as we continue to develop towards our future knowledge-based economy," Munyakazi said.

Among the attendees celebrating the graduation was U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Peter Vrooman.

Honored to witness  of 45 Master of Science in IT & Master of Science in Electrical Engineering @cmu_africa in #Rwanda with CMU President Farnum Jahanian & Director Vijaykumar Bhagavatula. 34% of grads are Women! pic.twitter.com/IRb6ic2OdU  Ambassador Peter Vrooman (@USAmbRwanda) June 5, 2018

During the ceremony, two students received the Lakshmi Subramanian Student Excellence Awards, which were presented by Interim Provost Laurie Weingart. The Student Excellence Award for the Master of Science in Information Technology program was presented to Fred Otieno and the Student Excellence Award for the Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering program was presented to Gifty Buah. Graduating student Brian Otieno also was recognized at the ceremony as the second recipient of the Jeremiah Mpagazehe Rising Researcher Award, which was established in honor of the late alumnus and faculty member.

"To quote Charles Dicken's 'A Tale of Two Cities,' 'It was the best of the times, it was the worst of times," said Aggrey Muhebwa, the 2018 student speaker. "But if you asked most CMU students, we would tell you that we would do it all over again because the whole experience teaches you to look at the world from a different perspective. CMU teaches you to challenge the status quo."

Jahanian urged the students in his closing remarks about their importance in finding solutions to Africa's unique challenges.

"Today, you take the first steps towards turning your passion, creativity, ingenuity, and fearlessness into a lifetime of societal impact, personal fulfillment, and professional success," Jahanian said. "I'm truly excited for you. And I'm excited for the future, which you hold in your hands."Apple said on Monday that its new health records service, which lets patients store personal medical data on their phone, will soon be open to app developers and researchers.

Consumers who choose to make their encrypted data available to third-party apps, will share that information with developers working on tools like medication tracking, disease management, nutrition planning and medical research. Any data that's shared will require a user's permission and does not flow through Apple's servers, the company said.

At Apple's annual developer show, WWDC, the company highlighted some uses of health and fitness technology on stage. But the details surrounding the new use of medical records were only shared through a post on the company's newsroom site.

The announcement is a followup to the introduction of a health records offering, which Apple unveiled in January, letting consumers turn their iPhone into a storage bank of medical information, including medication and lab tests. That's all part of an Apple product called HealthKit.

"With the potential of health records information paired with HealthKit data, patients are on the path to receiving a holistic view of their health," said Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, in the statement.

Health data has long been challenging for patients to access because it's typically scattered across various medical institutions on a host of different proprietary systems. Developers also struggle to incorporate this information into their apps, as it tends to be expensive and time-consuming to connect with all the relevant providers and health records vendors.Apple's software chief, Craig Federighi, said the company felt it was time to address smartphones' oversize impact on everyday life. "For some of us, it's become such a habit we might not even recognize how distracted we've become," he said. These features looked quite handy  we will know for sure once they're released to users this year. If they do push users to quit wasting so much time on Facebook and YouTube (where getting people to waste time is a big part of the business plan), they are sure to roil Apple's relationship with others in tech. But that is not Apple's problem; it is more concerned about selling you a new phone. Apple is also putting considerable resources into making its Watch stand apart from its phone, a direction that in the long run will create more opportunities to go without a phone. Are you wearing an Apple Watch instead of carrying an iPhone? In time, Apple may not care. But at its event here, Apple's support for what's being called "digital well-being" often awkwardly butted up against Apple's larger goal: to make the digital world so awesome, you can't resist it. The next iPhone will let you turn your face into an emoji, and now it can even do "tongue detection"  an animated version of your face can stick out its tongue when you do. With Apple's new augmented reality system, the iPhone can turn Legos into a video game. But if you can't even play with some Legos without reaching for your phone, isn't that kind of a problem?

Apple wants to stand apart from the techlash with its emphasis on privacy and its oft-stated distaste for the excesses of the internet ad industry. On Monday, the company said its Safari web browser would disable tracking software, or cookies, that advertising companies like Facebook and Google embed in websites to track users' activity across the internet. The new Safari feature is a direct swipe at the data-collection practices of big internet companies that Apple has tried hard to separate itself from. Apple argues that it has always been one of the more high-minded of the big tech companies, so it shouldn't be lumped in with outfits like Facebook. But that argument has always been a little complicated. Apple benefits from our obsession with social software; people buy its powerful phones to use Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp. Google pays Apple billions of dollars a year for the privilege of being the iPhone's default search engine. "We aim to put the customer at the center of everything we do," Timothy D. Cook, Apple's chief executive, said several times Monday. That seemed like a promise as well as a backhanded defense. Apple will give you the world. What you do with it is your own problem.The race to replace retiring California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa is shaping up to be the costliest regular congressional contest in the nation, according to OpenSecrets.org.

There are 16 candidates vying for the seat in California's 49th Congressional District, which includes portions of northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. Despite the district's long history of being a conservative bastion in the southern part of the state, President Donald Trump actually came in second place in Orange County in the 2016 presidential election to Democrat Hillary Clinton and lost by an even bigger margin in San Diego County.

"The election in the district is a referendum on Trump and Issa," said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a professor of the practice of public policy communication at the University of Southern California's Sol Price School of Public Policy. Issa, who has been one of Trump's stalwart backers, supported spending money on a border fence but voted no last year to the House tax-cut bill.

Democrats see the race in the 49th District as a chance to pick up a seat in the midterm elections as they wage a nationwide fight to gain back control of the House of Representatives. The Democrats need to grab 23 seats from Republicans to get a majority in the House.

Nearly $15.3 million has been spent so far by candidates and outside groups for the Issa seat, including more than $9.2 million by four top Democrats who hope to prevail in Tuesday's "top-two" primary election. There also are four top Republican challengers that together have raised more than $1.8 million.

"Even before Darrell Issa said he wouldn't run again, a lot of people smelled blood in the water," said Stephen Goggin, a political science lecturer at San Diego State University. "Given it's a relatively wealthy district, a lot of the candidates that came out of the woodwork here have a lot of money and other kinds of financial backers behind them."For most people, scoring a promotion is an opportunity to step forward and raise your profile.

But for MediaCom Worldwide Chairman and CEO Steve Allan, bagging his first major leadership role was a chance to hide himself away  for a whole month.

Allan was just 30 at the time. But even today, as the 54-year-old sits at the helm of one of the world's largest media agencies, he insists the "unusual" move was one of the greatest of his career.

"I spent my first four weeks not being seen," Allan told CNBC Make It of his promotion in 1991 to managing director of what was then known as The Media Business Group.

Instead of flaunting his new title, he decided to meet with each of the company's staff and clients to try to understand the issues that mattered most to them. At the time, the U.K. company was around 200-people-strong and was laying the groundwork for international expansion and a public listing.

"It was unusual for an MD, but I spent two hours with every person in the company," said Allan.

"When I came away from that, I felt like I knew everyone at the company and could come up with a business plan from there."Migrants marched in Naples for the event Reddito e diritti per tutte e tutti Nessuno escluso. Demonstrators arrived from all the provinces of Campania to call for better rights and more security for migrants.

Italy's new populist government has wasted no time in repeating its campaign promise to deport hundreds of thousands of migrants  although the financial, logistical and humanitarian implications of such an undertaking are only now becoming clear. The right-wing Lega party, which formed a coalition government with Five-Star Movement (M5S) last week, is the driving force behind anti-immigration rhetoric and it is looking to fulfil a pledge to deport as many as 500,000 illegal migrants. Lega leader Matteo Salvini  who is now Italy's deputy prime minister and interior minister  reiterated the government's aim to deport illegal migrants on a visit to Sicily last weekend. The island, which has been a major point of arrival and detention for migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, had to stop being "the refugee camp of Europe," Salvini told reporters. "It is not enough to reduce the numbers of people arriving. We need to increase deportations," he said. Visiting a migrant detention center in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo, where he was greeted both by supporters and pro-migrant protesters, Salvini said his government's stance on migrants was one of "common sense." "These are emergency centers, my interest is to work in order to reduce the number of people arriving and increase the number of deportations. This is not easy to do, nor is it possible to do it in a quarter of an hour, but in the coming weeks we want to give new signals, to cut costs and (migrant detention) durations." On Saturday, speaking at a rally in northern Italy, Salvini had told illegal migrants "get ready to pack your bags."

Italy's new hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini arrives at the reception centre (CPSA) in Pozzallo, Sicily, on June 3,2018.

Both immigration and deportation have become key topics for debate in Italy, a country that has struggled to cope with the high number of migrants  both economic migrants and refugees, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa  arriving on its shores in recent years. In 2017, 119,310 men, women and children arrived in Italy after traveling by sea, according to data from the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM). That figure represented the lowest total in four years, the organization said. So far this year, 10,808 people have arrived by sea. Most of the arrivals had departed from North Africa and thousands have died during the journey which is often made in un-seaworthy boats organized by people smugglers. The IOM recorded that 2,832 people died or went missing while attempting the crossing to Italy in 2017. So far this year, 384 people have died, according to IOM data. Around 600,000 migrants are believed to have reached Italy over the last four years.

Putting 500,000 people on planes

Sea rescues and repatriations, as well as the loss of life, have become a regular hallmark of the migrant crisis. On Saturday, 60 migrants were killed when their boat sank off the coast of Tunisia, marking one of the worst boat tragedies in recent years. Tunisia has become a major point of departure for many migrants amid tighter controls to prevent boat crossings from Libya. On Sunday, Salvini said the only way to avoid more deaths was to stop people getting on boats in the first place. He caused a diplomatic row by accusing Tunisia of sending "convicts" over to Italy in migrant boats. He said he would increase repatriations despite the logistical and financial  not to mention, humanitarian  implications of such a move.

A group of illegal migrants are processed by Italian officials and given basic health checks by members of the Italian Red Cross as they disembark from an Italian navy boat in the harbour at Messina. Gideon Mendel/Corbis via Getty Images

Federico Soda, director of the IOM's coordination office for the Mediterranean, told CNBC that deportation agreements would have to be created with a vast number of countries in order for Italy to forcibly deport illegal migrants  with each nation having to first accept the migrant was from its country and accept his or her return. With 60 nationalities registered at Italian ports last year alone, the number of countries that Italy would have to draw up deportation agreements with, in order to deport 500,000 people, would be immense, Soda said. "To carry out returns you need agreements with those countries, so it gets very complicated, very quickly," he said. Italy already has an agreement with Nigeria, for example, but this only accounted for 15 percent of all arrivals last year. "It's very fragmented and there are lots of small numbers of migrants from many countries. If you take the top five countries in terms of arrivals, they don't even account for 50 percent of the arrivals." Soda said that Salvini's and the Italian government's rhetoric on migrants "sells well" to the public but, in reality, moving half a million people back to their countries of origin was "unthinkable." "The return rate of migrants in recent years has been really low and that's due to the very, very complicated situation in terms of how many nationalities (there are). The political ambitions have to be reconciled with the operation realities. "Everyone thinks, 'Just get them out of here, just send them back,' and it's an easy sell (to the public), but you're talking about putting half a million people on planes."

'Absurd' and 'astronomical' costs

The islands of Sicily and Lampedusa to the south of Italy have been a particularly focus during the migrant crisis. Lampedusa and the Sicilian port of Pozzallo, which Salvini visited Sunday, are known as "hotspots" where facilities have been set up with funding from the European Union (EU) for the initial reception, identification and registration of asylum seekers and other migrants arriving at those locations. The country has two other hotspots in operation, with two more planned. Hotspots were designed to speed up the registration and "distribution" of migrants to other EU countries as part of a quota-based system, where each member state was meant to take a share of migrants. They also handle deportations and are not without their problems or critics.

Refugees and migrants after being rescued at sea earlier in the day on June 10, 2017 off Lampedusa, Italy. Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Italy has eight detention centers, including the hotspots, in use, as of 2017, according to the Global Detention Project (GDP), which analyzes detention and other immigration control regimes around the world. Michael Flynn, executive director of the GDP, told CNBC that the Italian government's proposals to deport around 500,000 people were "ridiculous," costly and impracticable. "These kinds of statement (from Salvini) are clearly intended to serve short-term political interests and the government is speaking to fears rather than trying to allay those fears," Flynn said Monday. He acknowledged that Italy was facing "acute pressures that other countries aren't necessarily facing," but said the financial and psychological costs of deporting so many migrants would be huge. "If the government were truly serious about deporting 500,000 people they would have to build a garrison state in order to achieve that goal, the cost of which would be astronomical and plunge the country's economy into turmoil." Noting that Italy managed to remove, by forced deportations and voluntary returns, nearly 6,000 people in 2016 and 6,500 in 2017, when it had bed space for less than 400 in its immigration detention centers, Flynn said removing more people was unfeasible. "Imagine the size of the system necessary to detain 500,000 people to facilitate their deportation? It is an absurd sum of money, not even counting the cost of the deportation flights. "And money is not the only cost: such an effort would do irreparable physical and psychological damage to thousands of people, many of whom have already suffered unspeakable tragedy and trauma, and it would destroy any lingering claim Italy may still wish to cling to about being a liberal democratic state." Soda, the IOM's director of the coordination office for the Mediterranean, shared a similar view. "The costs are astronomical because forced returns involve a massive amount of work by law enforcement agencies and resources in terms of compelling people to leave, actually handling people  literally to the plane, on the plane then to the end (of the process)," he said. "If commercial flights are chartered then the numbers returning on these will be small too."

Whatever European officials think, migration is a bone of contention for the public and any promises to restrain or restore a sense of order to the immigration system, whether feasible or not, is popular with the public. Salvini and his fellow coalition leader, Luigi Di Maio, head of M5S and the new minister for labor and economic development, know this. It's not for nothing that the Lega party campaigned ahead of the March 4 election with the slogan "Prima gli Italiani"  Italians first.

Lega Nord far right party leader Matteo Salvini address supporters during campaign rally on Piazza Duomo in Milan on February 24, 2018 a week ahead of the Italy's general election. Italy stepped up security for mass demonstrations by far-right and anti-fascist groups across the country on February 24, 2018 as tensions rise ahead of next week's general election MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images

With their coalition government only a few days old, they know too that voters will be closely watching to see if they fulfill their campaign pledges of tax cuts and massive social welfare spending, aside from the costs implied by deporting migrants. Salvini and Di Maio were both in Sicily on Sunday to campaign ahead of municipal elections, looking to build on their popularity in opinion polls  a popularity that has largely, and uncomfortably for more open-minded Italians, been built on anti-immigrant rhetoric. Lega started out as a northern Italian secessionist movement but campaigned at a national level ahead of the March election, benefiting from the public's general frustration with austerity, low employment rates and the immigration that Italy has experienced in recent years. Soda told CNBC that it was apparent that anti-immigration pledges were popular  "it sells well," he said  but that the reality is different. "It's understandable that the government wants to work on returns but the numbers being thrown around are unrealistic." The migrant crisis has allowed politicians like Salvini and Di Maio, both euroskeptics, to score points at home. But it has also given them another stick with which to beat Europe. Salvini didn't miss an opportunity to criticize Italy's EU membership and international organizations on Sunday, saying they had not helped to solve the migrant crisis in Italy and the wider region. "I want to highlight that Italy every year sends 6 billion euros in cash to Brussels," he said. "I cannot give these 6 billion euros to Brussels and then let them damage us on the fronts of agriculture, migration, fishing, commerce and finance. Why am I giving 6 billion to receive nothing in return? "I agree that the problem is not just a European one, Italy is also part of international organizations, like the United Nations and NATO. I would like to know why they are not contributing in a concrete way to solve the situation in northern Africa and the Mediterranean."

EU second

Salvini is not alone in criticizing European institutions. Eastern European countries, which became a conduit for hundreds of thousands of refugees arriving on land from Syria at the height of its civil war in 2015, as well as Greece, Malta and Spain, have also criticized the response to the migrant crisis, citing a lack of support. European rules, under the Dublin Regulation, require migrants to request asylum in the first EU country they arrive in, meaning that Italy and other "frontline" nations have had to register, process and detain thousands of migrants. The EU tried to help frontline countries under immense pressure from the sheer number of arrivals in 2015 by setting up "hotspot" centers where migrants could be identified, registered and processed before being relocated to other member states, according to a contested EU quota system designed to relocate 120,000 refugees.

A mounted policeman leads a group of migrants near Dobova, Slovenia October 20, 2015. Srdjan Zivulovic | ReutersTwitter has a market cap of 28.3 billion and 336 million monthly active users, and on Tuesday, its stock hit a three-year high . Twitter currently boasts 35 global offices, many in glamorous locations such as Dubai, London, New York City and Paris. The offices, according to the company , "reflect the regional and cultural spirit of the cities they're in." For example, in Atlanta, the conference rooms are named after southern hip hop icons (such as CeeLo Green and Andre 3000) and Sydney's office features a panoramic view of the city and its harbor.

Twitter's offices also include swoon-worthy features, such as a coffee bar that offers custom-designed lattes, on-tap brews, trendy decor and colorful murals by local artists. On Indeed, one current employee says employees are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner from its micro-kitchens.

But every start-up has to begin somewhere. For Apple, it was in a garage, and Facebook was born in a college dorm. Meanwhile, the early days of Twitter had office space in an empty warehouse-like building with hardly any windows.

In 2006, Twitter, founded by Biz Stone, Evan Williams, Jack Dorsey and Noah Glass, got its start in offices at 164 South Park Avenue in San Francisco, in offices "where the only sources of natural light were the two skylights and small-block glass windows," according to Inc.

The photos below, provided to CNBC Make It by Stone, were taken of that space in March 2008. In January of that year, Twitter had only eight employees, according to its blog. Previous tenants of the 6,400-square-foot space include Instagram.Since his 2012 election to the Washington state legislature, Rep. Steve Bergquist had been trying to persuade his colleagues to support a bill allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote -- and requiring schools to help get them on the rolls, a move the Democratic lawmaker was sure would improve voter turnout among young people when they turned 18. There was opposition and concern: Was it an unfair burden on schools? Did it open the registration and voting process up to fraud? And wasn't it already pretty easy to register in Washington, which has a "motor voter" law, as well as registration by mail and online?

So Bergquist used his experience as a former high school social studies teacher to his advantage.

He found a largely ignored, 1923 law on the books, a measure that established Temperance and Good Citizenship Day, to be observed by all public schools annually on Jan. 16 (or a school day close to that date). It was a lot easier to tweak an existing law than to get colleagues to approve a new one. So Bergquist proposed new language that would require schools to offer voter pre-registration for eligible teens on that day. He also streamlined the process to make sure schools would follow through: instead of having the civics lesson trickle down to teachers from state, local, district and school administration officials, the new law gives directives straight to social studies teachers' email inboxes.

More from US News & World Report:

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Vote ... or Die?

The 10 best US states for education

The new language was passed and signed into law in March, helping Bergquist fulfil a goal he had as a high school teacher: to get more young people involved in a political process that affects everything from their looming college debt to their job prospects.

"I came in (to the legislature) really enthusiastic about changing the world, and one of the things I really wanted to do was to get more students actively engaged," says Bergquist (who still substitute teaches on occasion and plans to tour a classroom when students are pre-registered next January). Students "want to participate. They just need to be connected with that civic engagement piece," adds Bergquist, whose wants to have 50,000 more people registered to vote next year.

Washington is among at least a dozen states seeking to expand voter engagement and turnout by allowing young residents to pre-register to vote or allowing them to vote in primary or general elections before they reach the federal minimum age of 18. Utah recently changed its law to allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries, as long as the voters will be 18 by the time of the general election. Maine and Nevada made the change to be effective Jan. 1 of this year. About a third of states already permit 17-year-olds to vote in primaries as long as they turn 18 by Election Day.

The District of Columbia is considering legislation to lower the voting age to 16 (something some localities already allow for local elections only). Bills are pending in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Puerto Rico to lower the voting age to 17 for primary or general elections.

Early pre-registration, meanwhile, is allowed in 22 states, and bills have been introduced in eight others (Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina) to similarly register teens in advance of their federal eligibility to cast a ballot.

Advocates say the moves will turn youth into lifelong voters, strengthening democracy. "It's a vicious cycle." says Democratic Utah state Rep. Joel Briscoe, author of the Beehive State's new law and a former high school social studies teacher. "Politicians say, 'Young people don't vote,' so they don't pay attention to them. And young people say, 'They don't pay attention to us; why should we vote?'"

But "all of the research shows that the earlier people vote, the more likely they are to vote" the rest of their lives, he adds, so getting them involved early sets them on the right track.

The 26th amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires that people age 18 and older be allowed to vote  but it does not disallow states (and localities, unless barred by their host states) from lowering the age, even for congressional and presidential elections, says Joshua Douglas, a University of Kentucky College of Law professor who has written on the topic.

"I think 18 is a really odd time to start the habit of voting," Douglas says. People that age are involved in all sorts of other life transitions  graduating high school, starting college, jobs or the military, moving out of their parents' homes. "A lot of changes are going on in your life, and we are (also) registering you to vote. It's a lot of hoops to go through."

"Lowering the voting age and providing opportunity to register will go a long way in improving turnout," Douglas says. He says that in cities where the voting age has been lowered to 16, 16- to 17-year-olds vote at twice the rate of 18- to 24-year-olds. But getting youth out to the polls is still a struggle: 18- to 29-year-olds consistently have turned out at lower rates than other age groups, going back to 1980, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Opponents to lowering the voting or voter registration age argue that there is an opportunity for fraud  for example, a 16- or 17-year-old, in the country illegally, who would then get a ballot sent to him or her at age 18. And in Washington state, legislative opponents had another concern, saying it was not appropriate for schools to register students to vote.

New York state Sen. Michael Gianaris, a Democrat, says it's difficult to get GOP support for his bill to dramatically expand voter registration. Gianaris' bill would automatically register people to vote when they apply for a driver's license or unemployment, are released from prison, register for classes at a state or city university, or otherwise engage with the state bureaucracy. "It should be a fundamental tenet that the easier we make it for people to vote, the better for our democracy," Gianaris says.

Democratic sponsors of similar bills say they believe Republicans fear an influx of young voters will help Democrats. But regional trends do not necessarily follow national ones. While 18- to 24-year-olds favored Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016 56 percent to 34 percent, in Utah, they were split, with 36 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds voting for each major candidate (third parties took the remainder). And in conservative Kentucky, Trump did as well among 18- to 24-year-olds as he did among almost every other age group in the Bluegrass State, winning 61 percent of the young voters.

Briscoe, the social studies teacher-turned Utah lawmaker, says he had to convince his colleagues that 17-year-olds had the mental maturity to weigh in on who would represent them in government. A colleague asked Briscoe during a committee hearing on the topic whether he really wanted a high school senior class making such decisions, Briscoe recalls.

"I said, 'Representative, I do. As a former high school teacher, I will take 300 students in a high school class and put them up against any 300 (people) in the general public,'" Briscoe says he told the colleague. If trends continue, it's a constituency more lawmakers might be facing in the coming years.The five-star Shangri-La hotel in downtown Singapore is widely expected to host the upcoming June 12 summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un.

The area around the hotel, consisting of the Tanglin, Newton and Orchard districts, has been designated a "special event area" from June 10 to June 14, the Singaporean government said in a Sunday statement about the high-profile event.

That means the summit venue will likely be in that zone, which is home to several luxury hotels such as the Grand Hyatt and St Regis. The Shangri-La, however, boasts certain security advantages that make it the most likely choice of venue, according to experts.

The 792-room property is located in a residential neighborhood surrounded by small roads, which makes it easier to control vehicle and pedestrian access, said Ong Kok Leong, chief operating officer of security agency Secura Group.

Being in a residential area also means "the threat posed by neighboring buildings would have been mitigated through security screenings prior to the event," he continued. Moreover, "with the hotel positioned on a hill top, its vantage points offer good visibility on surrounding activities," allowing security forces to position themselves at various strategic positions, he added.

Also working in the Shangri-La's favor is its proven track record of hosting heads of state such as former Presidents Barack Obama and George H.W. Bush. It was also the site of a milestone 2015 meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou.Washington state's attorney general is suing Google and Facebook for allegedly failing to provide adequate public information about who buys election ads on their platforms.

The complaints, filed by the office of Attorney General Bob Ferguson, claim the tech giants haven't properly maintained and publicized information about who's buying election ads. The incomplete data pertains to the names and addresses of buyers, as well as the total cost of those ads and payment methods used.

Federal law requires that political ads in print and on TV indicate who purchased them, but digital advertisements don't yet require the same disclosures. In Washington state, however, any advertiser must maintain public records about political ads that anyone can browse.

Google and Facebook declined to produce that information when a local newspaper asked for it, the suits allege.

The tech platforms have faced increased criticism for their roles in enabling Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Recently, Facebook, Google, Twitter and others announced new policies to provide more transparency. Facebook will now require identity verification for anyone buying election and issue-based ads and force disclosure of the buyer. Google will have a similar policy.Jeff Bezos Michael S. Williamson | The Washington Post | Getty Images

Deep inside Amazon, a secretive group called Grand Challenge, led by the creator of Google Glass, is working on a series of bold projects involving cancer research, medical records and last-mile delivery, according to people familiar with the matter. Similar to Alphabet's experimental research lab, X (formerly Google X), Grand Challenge is a research team set up to explore ambitious new ventures that can eventually expand Amazon's already wide footprint, said the people, who asked not to be named because the work is confidential. The group, which also operates under the monikers 1492 and Amazon X, has added over 50 people since 2014, when Babak Parviz left Google X to head up the effort. The makeup of Parviz's team illustrates how far out Amazon is going to pursue innovative projects, beyond its primary businesses of e-commerce, consumer devices and Amazon Web Services, while still using resources from those divisions for some of its initiatives. Organizationally, Grand Challenge is part of AWS and Parviz reports directly to AWS CEO Andy Jassy, according to an internal chart. (After the publication of this story, an Amazon spokesperson said that Parviz's team is "not part of AWS and is a totally separate group." The chart identifies Parviz as "vice president, Grand Challenge," and says that he reports to Jassy.) One person with knowledge of Grand Challenge said the group gets to take a longer time horizon than teams that focus on commercial products. An internal job listing for Grand Challenge quotes astronomer Carl Sagan in the post: "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."

Cancer research to last-mile delivery

Medicine and health is a clear focus area for Grand Challenge, and one particular project is on cancer research. Parviz and his team are working with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, attempting to apply machine learning in ways that can help prevent and cure cancers, said a person with knowledge of the venture. A representative from Fred Hutch told CNBC in an email that the medical center has "several projects underway with a few of our tech neighbors," including Microsoft, Amazon and Tableau Software. "Given the early stages, we don't have any specific Amazon Web Services projects to preview but hopefully later this year," the spokesperson said. Grand Challenge is also working with AWS on a project, internally dubbed Hera, which involves taking unstructured data from electronic medical records to identify an incorrect code or the misdiagnosis of a patient. The technology captures patient data that a physician may miss, and can help remove the inaccuracies for insurers as they assess a population's risk. Grand Challenge is starting to pitch Hera, which has been in development for at least three years, to commercial health insurance companies, according to two people familiar with the effort.

Parviz's LinkedIn page identifies him as an Amazon vice president and doesn't say anything about his role. At a rare public appearance earlier this year, hosted by health marketing firm Klick Health, Parviz referred vaguely to some work he's doing around elder care. "Something...we've been building for some period of time and we deeply care about... relates to what happens to older people," said Parviz, who has a PhD in electrical engineering and teaches at the University of Washington, a source for some of Grand Challenge's top talent. It's a topic that has interested Parviz, an Iranian immigrant, for some time. In 2014, the year Parviz joined Amazon, he and a group of employees went on a cross-country bus tour to learn and get inspired about technologies that might be useful to aging Americans. But Grand Challenge's work isn't limited to health care. According to internal documents viewed by CNBC, the team is strategically involved with Amazon's last-mile delivery efforts. Those projects are aimed at improving Amazon's package delivery process by exploring new ways to reach consumers. Recent examples include the launch of a service that allows packages to be dropped inside the house and another in the trunk of a car.

Think Big contestThe Mexican peso slid more than 1.8 percent, to the lowest since February 2017, and the Canadian dollar was off 0.4 percent, trading at 1.2979 to the U.S. dollar, the lowest since March 21.

Larry Kudlow, the White House's top economic advisor, said Tuesday that President Donald Trump is "very seriously contemplating" separate talks with Mexico and Canada. A Canadian government official pointed out this was not the first time bilateral discussions were proposed over multilateral talks, and Mexico did not provide a comment.

The Mexican peso and Canadian dollar slumped Tuesday amid concerns any deal could be months away, and the U.S. may try to seek bilateral talks instead. The peso also was hit after Mexico responded to U.S. tariffs on metals with a list of tariffs on U.S. steel, apples, potatoes, cheeses, bourbon and pork, for which it is the largest export market.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer says NAFTA negotiators are making progress and will continue to engage in talks, but he reiterated the three countries are not close to a deal.

Trump's "preference now, and he asked me to convey this, is to actually negotiate with Mexico and Canada separately," Kudlow told Fox on Tuesday.

Strategas' head of policy research, Dan Clifton, said talks to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement have definitely taken a turn for the worse, as the U.S. is seeking a 5-year sunset provision. "While we think this works out, the rhetoric could get even worse before it gets better," he said in a note.

Some analysts said they doubt Mexico and Canada would want to pursue separate discussions. "I think that Mexico and Canada want to stick together because they have more leverage negotiating together," said Carl Petersen, Latin America analyst at Eurasia Group.

Marc Chandler, Brown Brothers Harriman head of foreign exchange strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman, said he doubts Canada will agree to separate talks. "Now I'm under the impression that Mexico and Canada are coordinating their response," he said. "I do not imagine [Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau] wants to enter a bilateral agreement with the U.S."

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement Tuesday that progress is being made, but the three countries are not close to a deal. The statement said there are differences on intellectual property, data localization, agricultural market access, de minimis levels, energy, labor, rules of origin, geographical indications, and more.

"We however are making progress and will continue to engage in negotiations," the statement said. "I look forward to working with my counterparts to secure the best possible deal for American farmers, ranchers, workers, and businesses at the earliest time."

Even as the talks continue, analysts point out that the calendar is against them. The Mexican presidential election is just weeks away, on July 1. As for the U.S., Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the majority whip, told Bloomberg time has probably run out for Congressional approval this year. NAFTA will probably be kicked into 2019.

Leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is the leading contender in Mexico's election, and his lead has been growing. "I think people are having the same conclusion I do, whether it's the election or NAFTA, Mexico is more vulnerable than Canada," Chandler said. He said there could be capital flight from Mexico around the election, and he expects NAFTA talks to be put temporarily put on hold, ahead of the election.

"Within a week or so we've got to expect NAFTA negotiations are done, pending the Mexican election," said Chandler, noting it's not clear how soon they would resume.

Petersen said if Obrador wins, as expected, he will want to be included in any NAFTA discussion. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto is to remain in office until Dec. 1.

"He will demand the current administration to include his team in the negotiations, and they will likely ask for concessions and changes that obviously will make things more complicated," Petersen said.

Petersen said the U.S. made the talks more difficult when it announced tariffs on Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminum. "I think it's looking more and more complicated. I think this toughened position the U.S. has taken over the last month or so and the tariffs they are imposing is complicating things. I think the incentives are still there for a deal, but this turn by the U.S. signals things are going to get way more complicated," Petersen said.Billionaire industrialist, donor and political activist David Koch will retire from his roles at Koch Industries and other Koch-affiliated groups due to health reasons, according to an internal memo obtained by CNBC on Tuesday. Koch, 78, and his older brother, Charles , are the key drivers behind a juggernaut political network that has often favored conservative and libertarian politicians and policies, such as tax cuts. His political legacy includes activism in support of free-market initiatives such as eliminating trade barriers between countries and easing regulations on industry.

In the memo to Koch Industries employees, Charles Koch said his brother's health has continued to deteriorate.

"His guidance and loyalty, especially in our most troubled times, has been unwavering," the 82-year-old brother wrote.

David Koch also received well wishes from a top executive in the brothers' political-activist network.

"Due to health reasons, David Koch will be resigning from the board of Americans for Prosperity Foundation," said Mark Holden, co-chairman of the Koch-backed Seminar Network. "We greatly appreciate his vital role on the board and all that he has done to help us build a strong foundation for our future success. We wish him and his family well."

Koch was diagnosed with prostate cancer more than two decades ago. Over the years, he and his family foundation, along with other recipients of Koch philanthropic support, have donated millions to battling cancer. He is a board member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

He's also been known as a patron of the arts around the New York City area. He gave $100 million to the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center, now known as the David H. Koch Theater. He also donated $65 million to renovate the plaza at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The announcement comes a day after the Koch-backed political network unveiled a multimillion-dollar campaign against President Donald Trump's tariffs. The multiyear campaign will include media buys, activist education, grass-roots mobilization, lobbying and policy analysis.



The network has also recently pivoted from focusing its efforts on supporting candidates to legislative initiatives, including protecting recipients of the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals program and cutting back on government spending.



The Koch network has recently raised eyebrows for its outreach to Democrats on some issues. Last week, Americans for Prosperity published a digital ad thanking Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., for co-sponsoring a bank deregulation bill that eased regulations on mid-sized banks.

Read Charles Koch's memo to employees here:Two technicians work at a bitcoin mining facility in Quebec. lars Hagbarg | AFP | Getty Images

Despite bitcoin's price decline this year, a cryptocurrency "mining" company is moving ahead with plans to repurpose a 1,300 acre plot once used by Alcoa for aluminum smelting. Coinmint said Tuesday it would invest up to $700 million in the upstate New York location, which it expects to be the biggest bitcoin mining center in the world. The project will create an estimated 150 jobs over the next 18 months. After Alcoa shuttered its aluminum smelting operation there four years ago, the company was looking for a tenant. Following some back and forth and a few months of discussions, Coinmint said it signed a 10 year lease with options to renew.

Since they penned a deal, bitcoin prices have dropped about 30 percent and are down nearly 50 percent this year, according to data from CoinDesk. "As long as bitcoin network exists we anticipate mining to be profitable," said Coinmint's Chief Technology Office Prieur Leary. "We've developed a process to get an edge in the market." Part of that process was the move to Massena New York, just south of the Canadian border.

The town has access to clean and cheaper power alternatives like hydroelectric and wind. Leary pointed out that each computer used to "mine" generates 1400 watts  the same as one hairdryer. With hundreds of thousands of these hot machines operating at once, upstate New York's climate is ideal for reducing air-conditioning costs. Cryptocurrency "mining" is essentially math done by high-powered computers. In order to trade bitcoin, transactions need to be verified through complex math equations, then and added to what's known as a "distributed ledger." In return for solving equations "miners" receive bitcoin. Operations are already underway at the former Alcoa East Facility complex, and are projected to be at full capacity within a year. The 435 Megawatt mining center is expected to be the world's largest digital currency data processor, based on capacity, Coinmint said. Most of Coinmint's competitors are overseas. Bitmain is the leader in the industry, and raked in record profits as bitcoin skyrocketed to almost $20,000 last year. The Chinese company likely made as much $3 billion to $4 billion in operating profit in 2017, as much as chipmaker Nvidia did last year, according to Bernstein analysts estimates. Coinmint is looking to hire around-the-clock staff, and plans to tap the local community to hire staff from security personnel to electricians, to highly- trained IT staff. "We in Massena, would like to welcome Coinmint to our town," Steve O'Shaughnessy, Massena Town Supervisor said in a statement Tuesday. "The thought of 150 jobs and revitalization of the Alcoa East Facility is exciting and what we have been working for. We are ready to provide any assistance we can to move this project to its full potential."

WATCH: Cost to mine a single bitcoin around the worldJohn Cox, Republican candidate for California Governor Bill Clark | CQ Roll Call | Getty Images

Trump-backed California GOP gubernatorial candidate John H. Cox could finish second in the state's top-two primary Tuesday and still secure his spot in the November general election. Under the state's "jungle primary" system, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the November run-off. Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former mayor of San Francisco, has been leading in most polls for quite some time, so the only major electoral drama has been which of the contenders will finish in second place. Cox's poll numbers have risen since President Donald Trump endorsed him a few weeks ago in a tweet. Last Thursday, Trump tweeted once again about Cox, calling him "a really good and highly competent man. He'll Make California Great Again!"

Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom Meera Fox | Getty Images

In all, 27 gubernatorial candidates are running to succeed Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, who has reached California's term-limits of two four-year terms. "There's a great divide between Newsom in first place and whoever comes in second place," said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a University of Southern California public policy professor. A statewide poll released Thursday by the UC Berkeley's Institute for Governmental Studies shows Newsom holding a commanding 33 percent lead among likely voters, which is up from a 30 percent showing in April. Cox polled second with 20 percent, up from 18 percent in April and well ahead of the 9 percent he had in Berkeley's December 2017 poll. The next closest challengers are Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa, a former mayor of Los Angeles, with 13 percent followed by GOP Assemblyman Travis Allen with 12 percent support, according to the Berkeley poll. Democratic State Treasurer John Chiang had 7 percent support, while Democrat Elaine Delaine Eastin, a former state schools chief and Assembly member, was backed by 4 percent. "The big question mark is whether Cox or Villaraigosa will be second place," said Eric McGhee, a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan think tank. "That's a question of how many Republicans end up voting for Travis Allen and maybe even one of the other three Republicans that are in the race. And also whether Villaraigosa can get the kind of turnout from his Southern California and Latino base." Newsom was the first candidate to enter the governor's race, in 2015. Political analysts say Newsom has positioned himself left of Brown and tried to tout his longtime progressive credentials. In April, Newsom told The Sacramento Bee he would have opposed Trump's request to send California National Guard troops to the Southwest border. That followed Brown's agreement to do so. Newsom endorsed legalization of marijuana in 2012 and then in 2016 supported Proposition 63, a voter-approved measure to tighten the state's gun control laws. As mayor, Newsom directed the local clerk's office to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004. Overall, Newsom has raised more than $13.4 million in his gubernatorial campaign and had ending cash of nearly $9.8 million as of May 24, according to state data. He has more money left in his campaign war chest than Villaraigosa, Chiang and Cox combined. Newsom told reporters last week on a campaign bus that if voters elect him he will model himself with essentially the same budget-conscious style of Brown.

California Governor Jerry Brown Getty ImagesImports from the U.S. are seen at a supermarket in Shanghai, China April 3, 2018.

China would buy nearly $70 billion worth of U.S. agriculture and energy products if the Trump administration steps back from tariffs, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing sources briefed on the latest talks with U.S. trade officials.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross visited Beijing over the weekend to negotiate on trade with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He. Members of the U.S. Department of Agriculture also participated in the talks.

The Chinese negotiators proposed a package in which the country bought more U.S. farm and energy products such as soybeans, corn, natural gas, crude oil and coal, the Journal said. Officials from both sides valued the package at nearly $70 billion in the first year.ZTE has signed an agreement in principle that would lift a U.S. Commerce Department ban on buying from U.S. suppliers, allowing the Chinese telecommunications equipment maker to get back into business, according to sources familiar with the matter. ZTE ceased major operations in May and has been on life support since the seven-year ban was imposed in April, after it broke a 2017 agreement by illegally shipping goods to Iran and North Korea. Commerce Department spokesman James Rockas said on Tuesday that "no definitive agreement has been signed by both parties."

The deal includes a $1 billion fine against ZTE plus $400 million in escrow in the event of future violations, sources said, adding that the terms were in line with Reuters reporting on the U.S. demands on Friday.



The Commerce Department plans to amend its settlement agreement from last year and count the $361 million ZTE paid as a part of that, allowing the U.S. to claim a total penalty of as much as $1.7 billion, sources said.



Over the weekend, ZTE signed the agreement in principle drawn up by the United States, but the amended settlement agreement has not yet been signed, sources said.



Below is the transcript of an exclusive CNBC interview with Steve Wozniak, Apple Co-Founder, and CNBC's Arjun Kharpal at Money 2020 in Amsterdam.

AK: Steve, thank you so much for joining. I want to kick off first with Fintech, since we are at Money2020, Fintech and money. What are the big trends for you in this space?

SW: You know the same trend's being going on for kind of years, I mean you know companies came in like Square to make it easier for certain people to be involved with different procedures in the Fintech community  there was Android Pay then there was Apple Pay did it easy, Apple Pay is so wonderful, the most wonderful thing in my life. Almost every single store I go to I just tap the watch and pay with a watch, no no hassle. And I think that's changing how people want to do their retail purchasing use of money. When Apple Pay first came out I thought Apple oh my gosh was actually stepping into the banking area in a way, but I don't understand that business as well to know what is a bank, what isn't a bank. To me, a bank is protecting my assets and Apple doesn't have that role. Apple, Apple Pay is more of a transition.

AK: And in line with that trend do you see companies like Apple and other large scaled technology firms actually starting to get more involved in financial services as we go through the years?

SW: Yes I do because we're talking about huge companies that have huge savings wealth and all that. Ones like, you know, Google and Apple and many others you know absolutely want to find any way that they can extend their prowess, their monopolies into other markets even and becoming a bank rather than just a service centre for banks to operate is probably big and attractive financially, and you need something very huge for those companies.

AK: And so companies like, for example, we've spoken about Amazon and Apple and Facebook, these are companies with with millions, billions of users, and so do you see them actually getting into full-scale banking rather than just offering you know a payments system or something else?

SW: I I see them trying to get into full scale banking. A little bit of me says I kind of prefer banking to go in a more of a decentralised fashion to where the users aren't being at the mercy of the huge huge monopolies, since the way these companies often think, so I trust Apple the most. So there's that whole idea of trust. Am I really getting service, you know, what I deserve out of these companies. You know, you can even look to companies like Facebook and ask that question.

AK: You spoke about decentralisation, and that's a key theme of course for for bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, and as you look at bitcoin what kind of role do you see it playing in the future of finance, if any?

SW: Right, well I said decentralised and bitcoin is recognised for that. But I was intending my comment to be regards to a lot of banks to choose from and not just, you know, two or three or four major major players like, the tech industry always kind of thinks that way. As far as bitcoin I I think it's kind of interesting  I'm I also believe so much strongly in mathematics and purity and science as defying the world, and when humans put their own little scales and say no this is how we want to think and not follow the math you get wrong answers in my mind. So, bitcoin is mathematically defined, there's a certain quantity of bitcoin, there's a way that it's distributed, that people who who keep copies of the ledger have a way to get paid a little. And it's pure and there's no no human running it. There's no company running it and it's just going and going and growing and growing and surviving. That to me says something about something that is natural and nature is more important than all our human conventions.

AK: You previously mentioned that you bought bitcoin at around 700 hundred dollars and then then sold it all because you were kind of tired of watching the price movement. Have you bought any more bitcoin since then at a higher price?

SW: No, my point is I never invested in bitcoin. I was actually a little worried once  all of a sudden the price went up and I had a lot of money in bitcoin, I said wait a minute, I only wanted my bitcoin to experiment, to figure out how to buy things online, figure out how to go to other cities and find hotels and restaurants and places that would take bitcoin, even ATMs. That was my purpose, so once, I sold all of my bitcoin except one, I kept one to experiment with now and I have two Ether and that's it. So I am not an investor, I just, that was not my purpose at all and I don't think oh I want to buy more I want to buy more. To some people I had recommended things based upon travels in the world over and over I see bitcoin, blockchain applications used in in Ethereum and sometimes I'll recognise Ethereum. Ethereum you know is a platform and platforms tend to grow because they've got millions of people working on developing you know applications.

AK: Do you see bitcoin maintaining its dominance as you see the rise of these other platforms? The likes of Ether, or Ripple for example, and many of the other blockchain platforms that are coming to market.

SW: Yeah we've seen a hundred sort of bitcoin copies and some are faster, and some are a little centralised control, some have other advantages. Only bitcoin is pure digital gold. And that's the phrase that's used and I totally buy in to that. And all of the others tend to give up some of the aspects of bitcoin, for example, being totally decentralised and having no central control, that's the first one to have give up to try to have a business model. How the math on bitcoin was so correct that it still works.

AK: So, so digital gold rather than currency because Jack Dorsey, the Twitter CEO, recently said he believes that bitcoin could become the global currency of the world in ten years. And so, is that something you buy in to or do you see it more as something people park their money into and leave rather than a transactional thing?

SW: I buy-in to what Jack Dorsey says  not that I necessarily believe it's going to happen but because I want it to be that way. That is so pure thinking. Sometimes you wind up later on saying well I got sold, I could have been smarter.

AK: Do you have a view on, I know you said you're kind of sick of watching the prices going up, but do you have a view on actually how much value you think bitcoin could have in the future in terms of price?

SW: Bitcoin is, because it's regulated in its quantity, it's down to supply and demand, and as more and more people want it and demand it. There was a hype going on for a period when it went up to twenty thousand and now it's down to I don't know where it is because I don't ever track it, but so if the demand increases and it becomes more and more popular for more things and people start using it there is no extra supply. It's limited. It's fixed.

AK: And so, so for you

SW: So in terms of dollars, you know currency, fiat currency of a country, yes bitcoin could will go up and up over time and it won't happen, it may be sloppy at first and things that change that much in life take a long time to change they tend to go slowly. You know, we had we had a crash in the internet age and I see that going on with a lot of blockchain things, including bitcoin itself right now.

AK: And are you worried by some of the fundamentals at the moment and actually if there is this bubble and we've seen some of that air come out of the market that could actually hamper the development of the technology?

SW: Well, I kind of disagree with that because it is, blockchain in all forms is so popular and being studied by so many people and in demand by so many companies to look into changing their business in the future. It may be long term. I do see it, as you said, as a bubble in the sense that there's a huge amount of interest in it right now but things aren't going to change that rapidly  that's what the internet bubble was about.

AK: And looking at the underlying technology, blockchain, we've seen a lot of banks experimenting with it. We saw a lot of companies starting to try and dip their toes in to that. How long do you feel it is until this becomes a widespread technology?

SW: I'm going to give it about ten to fifteen years  I would say the same asHere was the internet, and the internet had promises of oh my gosh all your purchases online and your bank reservations, your aeroplane reservations, your bank accounts, everything everything was going to be online and the trouble is we had a big crash of all the companies who started off to compete that. And yet, here it is in 2018  all of our life, everything we do with these third party apps to do this today, oh my gosh what this saved me, it's so wonderful of world it was the world we talked about then but it just doesn't happen instantly because people have to have their mindset changed, culture and tradition and status quo and all the way things are doesn't change that instantly when it's that huge.

AK: I want to just change tact a bit and to talk a little bit about Apple and the iPhone given that the worldwide developers conference is kicking off today. You said that the iPhone 10 is the first iPhone you wouldn't buy on day one but you do have one now  what do you make of the iPhone 10 since its launch? How have you found it?

SW: Ha, I think I talked to your organisation and said it's going to be the first iPhone I will not have on day one. Yes I wanted one, I was busy and travel, I had just spent hours and hours setting up an iPhone 8, so I wasn't going to have the 10  of course, of course your article got heard by Tim Cook's office so he sent me an iPhone, an iPhone 10, and so I said ok if I'm going to have one I might as well do them all, and spent two nights, all night long setting up five iPhones for myself and my wife's iPhone 10s during a family wedding in Kansas. That's what I had to do. I mean, when you don't have much time, you don't have much time. So no, I was I was a follower of the iPhone 10, it was just a matter of when.

AK: What did you make of the actual device in terms of the the technological forward thinking of Apple versus you know say the iPhone 7 and the 8 as well?

SW: Plus and minus  the greatest thing about the iPhone 10 for me is a little more screen space for a size that fits in my pocket and as far as the Face ID, it really hasn't worked as well for me as a touch ID, and I really like the ones where you touch on the back, so so it's not it hasn't been like oh my gosh it's the greatest thing ever in the world. The worst thing about it though is the combination power of home key, home button has about eight different functions depending on when you push it and how many times you push it, and how long you push it and and it is kind of confusing. Even, and even the gesturing which was on Android phones that I used before that, even the gesturing got complicated as to when you hold and when you have to remember to touch it a second time and hold again, oh, it got more confusing and that wasn't the nature of Apple products. We thought out a one button mouse was better for beginners, because anybody could use it than a three buttoned mouse where you have to remember all these different things. The idea is it should be intuitive.

AK: Was the price too high?

SW: Well, I didn't really, Apple products are worth the price in my mind. The iPhone works so well with the watch, with the air pods, that it's just uh, it's just worth it. And for that particular iPhone the pricing really falls in with where prices of smart products, smartphone products are for their abilities. Yes there are some companies that try to short change things and not have much profit and there's some that try to make good trade-offs  if we leave this out we can make it a little less expensive but still do the main job, and I admire those companies too, you know, like Xiaomi in China but

AK: Can Apple continue to rely on the iPhone for growth or does it need a big new product, and if so, what is that?

SW: Need, need, need. People have been saying that for a long time and Apple's revenues have just kept growing and growing and and the company valuation's held, so I trust the business insiders very much. A big new product, yes. What happens is you get to a point with your existing product line that it starts to level off and then it starts to become commoditised and going down in price, and Apple needs to keep you know its big size for the shareholders to be happy, they're the owners and so they need a new area. What is big in money, big enough for Apple to think of, obviously drives, cars. I mean, self-driving cars, electric vehicles, a new supply of who knows what, but that's a big one. Housing would be very big, you know if you had some automated housing manufacturing, banking is very big, insurance, you know it would have to move into some of these other categories or back into computers.

AK: And just on the iPhone, we've heard sort of reports that Apple could be releasing three new iPhones and perhaps one of those three could be a cheaper model. Does there need to be a lower cost model so Apple can target those less matured smartphone markets?

SW: I I'm actually for the lower cost models. At one point we introduced two iPhones  the iPhone 5c and the iPhone 5S  the S had your fingerprint detection and the c did not. The c was $100 cheaper, it was a smaller little more plasticy looking phone. I loved that phone. I loved the design of it, I think it was one of the best designs Apple ever did for how it looked and felt and worked in your hand. It did the main things at a lower price, it was a good trade off. So I hope that Apple does, I think that is an appropriate place for Apple to be.

AK: Fantastic, thank you very much for your time Steve.

ENDS

For more information contact Jonathan Millman, EMEA Communications Executive: Jonathan.Millman@cnbc.com / +44 7788 307 996

About CNBC:

CNBC is the leading global broadcaster of live business and financial news and information, reporting directly from the major financial markets around the globe with regional headquarters Singapore, Abu Dhabi, London and New York. The TV channel is available in more than 410 million homes worldwide.

CNBC.com is the preeminent financial news source on the web, featuring an unprecedented amount of video, real-time market analysis, web-exclusive live video and analytical financial tools.

CNBC is a division of NBCUniversal. For more information, visit www.cnbc.com.Following is the transcript of an exclusive CNBC interview with Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore. The interview was broadcast on CNBC's Street Signs on 5 June 2018.

All references must be sourced to a "CNBC Interview'.

Interviewed by CNBC's Martin Soong.

Martin Soong: Let's bring in our next guest- we have the pleasure of having an exclusive conversation with Chan Chun Sing. He is Singapore's newly-minted trade and industry minister. Minister great to see you and appreciate your time.

Chan Chun Sing: Thank you for having me here.

M: Pleasure is ours. So, you're about a month into this new job, the Trade and Industry portfolio. These are pretty interesting times to take over a portfolio like that given what's been going on.

C: Indeed. There are challenges both internal and external. I think on the external front we are all familiar with the trade tensions that are ongoing around the world. We stand for an open, rules-based system and we would like to encourage people to continue to support an open, rules-based system. Because we think that is the best way to prosper the entire world's economy and for everyone to benefit. But having said that, we always know that, you know, in globalization there'll be winners and losers. But what is important is for a government to do its role, to help redistribute the fruits of the growth for everyone to be able to benefit from this. When the government fails to do this, then you will have the push-back in some societies whereby people close themselves off towards globalization.

M: Which seems to be what's happening at the very least in the United States. It's a backlash against the open system that you talked about as well. So what's interesting is, for Singapore, small, very open, very trade-dependent as well, does this backlash make the island-nation more vulnerable, more susceptible?

C: That will always be an evergreen challenge for an open, small economy like Singapore. So the way we do it is to make sure that we continue to diversify our markets. We deepen our connections with as many markets as possible. But at the same time we must make sure that we continue to upgrade our industries to create new industries, new products, new services for the world market so that our people can continue to enjoy the kind of growth and kind opportunities, and finally to bring a good salary home to take care of their families.

M: Indeed, absolutely. I understand here at Ecosperity that one of the things you're noting, and I believe you're talking about as well is, you've got globalization on the one hand, and threat to the globalization posed by these protectionist backlashes which we've just been talking about but at the same time, concurrently, disruption, technology disruption, fintech and the like. That proceeds on, there's no holding that back.

C: For us, it's very clear. You can't stop the tide of technological change. So we need to embrace it. Therein lies our opportunities as well. How do we embrace the new technologies, whether is it data, information, robotics? How do we ensure that we embrace such technology, change the product design, change the production process, and outreach to the rest of the world. We think that if we can embrace such technologies well, we can actually use it to transcend our geographical limitation and size. The market in Singapore will not be limited to just Singapore, but we are reaching out to the global market as our hinterland. And that will allow us even more opportunities in the next step of development with greater access to resources, greater access to markets.

M: Minister I have to ask you, U.S. and China, the trade tensions have been going on for weeks, if not, months now. The first shots have been fired. The Trump administration has actually acted to implement tariffs, steel and aluminum - the 232 tariffs. And now we are involving Europe, we are involving Mexico, we are involving Canada as well. This is threatening; the risk is this is becoming global. Is this what a trade war looks like?

C: This is very dangerous for the entire global trading system, because when one country after another starts to enact their own protectionist measures using all kinds of reasons, the entire global system will unravel and it is not good for anyone at all. There's not going to be any winners in this war. But on the other hand, we need to stay calm and realize that there are more and more interdependencies between the global economies. Today, it is not about A versus B. It is about both A and B working together in a global production chain. If you take any product, the iPhone in your hand, it is not produced by any one single country. In fact, it is a global production chain, a global supply chain that brings this product to the market. We will soon realize that there is no way we can cut ourselves out from the global production system and it is actually a self-defeating exercise if we just try to have this me versus you kind of mental models.

M: I'll ask you a personal question, and I won't be surprised if you actually give me the official government response, but with regards to the U.S. and China, many people think that, look, at some stage, this has just got to stop. If and when President Trump feels that he has his "political win" that will serve his interest and his party's interest coming up in November at the mid-term elections. Are you as optimistic?

C: I think we have to watch this carefully, because I think that the forces that have been unleashed in the U.S. domestic politics are quite deep and we shouldn't underestimate the kind of changes that are within the U.S. political system. And likewise in China, there are deep, profound forces that are reshaping the next phase of the Chinese growth trajectory. So for us, we have to go beyond the surface to understand the deeper underlying forces and then we will have a better sense of where we are going.

M: Minister, a quick one-line from you, Trump-Kim summit, June 12th, Singapore, are we ready? All systems go?

C: We will do our best, there will be many more uncertainties, many more new demands, but I think Singapore will try do our best to be a good host, to facilitate this historical opportunity and we wish all parties the very best in their endeavors.

M: Fantastic. Minister, thank you very much for your time, appreciate it very much.

END

Media Contact:

Clarence Chen

Communications Manager APAC, CNBC International

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clarence.chen@cnbc.com

About CNBC

CNBC is the leading global broadcaster of live business and financial news and information, reporting directly from the world's major financial markets via three regional TV networks in Asia, EMEA and the US. CNBC.com is the preeminent financial news source on the web featuring video, real-time market analysis and dynamic financial tools. CNBC serves the world's most powerful audience of CEOs, senior executives, the financial services industry and private investors and is available in more than 409 million homes worldwide. CNBC is a division of NBCUniversal.

For more information, please visit www.cnbc.comA coal miner identified only as Mike makes remarks prior to U.S. President Donald Trump signing H.J. Res. 38, disapproving the rule submitted by the US Department of the Interior known as the Stream Protection Rule in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on February 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. Ron Sachs | Getty Images

President Donald Trump's order to keep failing coal and nuclear power plants open  and a proposal to use obscure executive powers to achieve that goal  has been slammed by environmentalists, energy industry groups and competitive power markets. It turns out conservative and libertarian free market think tanks are not fans of the plan either. They are panning it as "economy-crippling central planning" and the intellectual work of someone in the "third grade." On Friday, Trump instructed Energy Sec. Rick Perry to "prepare immediate steps to stop" the "impending retirements of fuel-secure power facilities," referring to coal and nuclear plants. The same day, Bloomberg News released a leaked draft proposal from the Energy Department. It proposed Trump cite national security concerns, allowing him to require regional markets to purchase enough power from the facilities to prevent them from closing.

If you can find anyone who's market-oriented or says they're conservative and supports this, they should turn in their badge. Peter Van Doren Cato Institute senior fellow and editor of "Regulation"

The White House and Energy Department have not returned multiple inquiries regarding the authenticity of the draft proposal. On Tuesday, Mark Menezes, the Energy Department's energy policy adviser, confirmed the plan is under consideration and said the agency stands "by everything that's in the paper," the Washington Examiner reported.

In the 41-page plan, the Energy Department acknowledged that the U.S. grid operates reliably, but argued that "high-impact events caused by state actors, terrorists, or natural disasters" mean past measures of reliability may no longer be adequate. Some conservatives who study policy suggested the Trump administration is scrambling to fulfill his campaign promise to revive the coal industry after a bipartisan regulatory board rejected an earlier bailout plan put forward by Perry. Since Trump was elected, 36 coal plants have retired and 30 have announced they will close, according to a count kept by the Sierra Club, an environmental group. Katie Tubb, a policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, said the administration can't find justification in past experience to subsidize the plants, so it is evoking potential future threats like cyber attacks and terrorism.

In her view, the plan stretches the limits of the Federal Power Act and the Defense Production Act to achieve a political goal. Tubb equated the proposal to President Barack Obama's use of the Clean Air Act to justify his move to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants under the Clean Power Plan, which conservatives often frame as an abuse of authority. "Neither are sound, principled policy and both promise harm to consumers. Instead, the President should turn dedicated attention to reversing the underlying policies that are causing the problems he wants to fix," Tubb said. Coal and nuclear plants are closing mostly due to competition from cheap, cleaner-burning natural gas and renewable energy. Conservative-leaning news outlet, the "Washington Examiner" called the draft proposal a "ridiculously bad idea" that could backfire for Trump and Republicans by raising prices for households ahead of mid-term elections. "Voters will be deciding this fall whether to deprive Trump of the ability to enact his agenda and make appointments. To the extent that he pursues economy-crippling central planning policies, he risks losing that election," the Examiner said in an editorial. The Examiner notes that nearly all of the nation's power outages are due to problems with transmission and distribution lines that carry energy from plants to consumers, not with the facilities that generate power themselves. It says Trump's plan threatens to disrupt the industry's market-based evolution: focusing on exporting U.S. supplies to countries where coal consumption is rising. Peter Van Doren, senior fellow at the Cato Institute and editor of the journal "Regulation," said the plan threatens to wipe out the intellectual effort that went into creating deregulated, competitive power markets in many parts of the country over the last 25 years. Those markets already put in place a system that effectively makes consumers pay for excess power capacity that can be tapped in times of high demand, he said. Meanwhile, the nation's remaining regulated markets in the South and West already have the authority to pass on the cost of keeping the plants open to rate payers.

"This has no intellectual basis by anybody beyond the third grade," Van Doren told CNBC. "This is like the tariffs. Find your supporters and hand out stuff and hope," he said, referring to steel and aluminum duties that Trump is imposing on U.S. allies in order to bolster domestic mills. "If you can find anyone who's market-oriented or says they're conservative and supports this, they should turn in their badge." The Competitive Enterprise Institute declined to comment on the Department of Energy proposal until Perry officially announces a detailed plan. However, Myron Ebell, director of CEI's Center for Energy and Environment, expressed concern about the idea of intervening in free markets. "CEI has some concerns about President Trump's directive to Secretary Perry to keep coal and nuclear plants operating that would otherwise be shut down," said Ebell, who led Trump's transition team at the Environmental Protection Agency. One conservative group reached by CNBC, the Heartland Institute, voiced support for the plan. "President Trump and Secretary Perry are right to focus on the national security aspect of America's energy policy after that factor was ignored by the Obama administration," said Fred Palmer, senior fellow for energy and climate policy at The Heartland Institute. "After years of waging a war on coal, it is reassuring to see a new administration instead intent on protecting energy freedom and putting national security over green ideology," said Palmer, who served for more than a decade as senior vice president of government relations for Peabody Energy, the largest U.S. coal company when it went bankrupt in 2016.

WATCH: Regulators reject Perry's plan for coal and nuclear"These services have deficiencies when it comes to data protection, as they access users' personal and potentially confidential data such as contacts, and thus the information of third parties," the company's release said.

The firm said Tuesday that the ban, effective immediately, was put in place over concerns about the security of people's data saved in the contacts list of a phone or tablet.

German automotive supplier Continental AG has banned its workers from using the messenger services WhatsApp and Snapchat on company phones.

Europe's new GDPR data privacy law was introduced on May 25 to combat how technology giants like Alphabet's Google and Facebook gather and handle personal information.

Continental is concerned that it could be exposed to the new law as, in the German firm's opinion, responsibility for compliance has been shifted towards app users. It said that to meet GDPR requirements, a user of the messenger platforms would have to contact everyone in their contact list.

"The risks this poses in terms of data protection are not ones the company is willing to take," it added.

Describing data as an "obligation," Continental CEO Dr. Elmar Degenhart called on tech firms to make it easier for users to comply with the new rules.

In response, Snap Inc said Continental is wrong to suggest that GDPR shifts the compliance burden on to an app user.

In an email to CNBC, the messaging service said it was "completely up to the user whether they wish to grant access to contacts in Snapchat" and any uploaded data can be deleted at any time.

Snap Inc added that it doesn't store non-user contacts.Shares of the major cruise-line companies fell broadly on Tuesday after an analyst at Morgan Stanley said he expect the space to get hit by weak travel demand.

Carnival, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line all dropped more than 4 percent and were the worst-performing stocks in the . Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line had their biggest one-day declines since 2016 while Royal Caribbean posted its worst day since April.

Cruise line stocks have been under pressure this year, dropping at least 5 percent.

"We remain relatively cautious on the cruise lines given the high and increasing level of industry supply growth, slowing yield momentum, and weakness in the Caribbean and China," Jamie Rollo of Morgan Stanley wrote in a note Tuesday.

"Globally, the cruise industry orderbook has risen to a record 244k [beds] (45% supply growth to 2025). So for the industry to maintain, say, 2-3% yield growth, demand would need to grow by 7.5-9.5% annually, which for four consecutive years seems optimistic and is much more than historical levels (6% demand, 1% yield, 5% capacity)," Rollo said.

"Our channel checks show solid booking volumes but at flat prices, and agents cite concerns about the Caribbean and general Q4 demand," the analyst added.

The analyst added that a stronger dollar, coupled with rising fuel costs, led him to cut his earnings per share estimates on Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line by 11 percent, 3 percent and 5 percent, respectively, for fiscal 2019.

 CNBC's Pippa Stevens contributed to this report.One of the world's largest digital currency exchanges shut down briefly Tuesday morning due to a cyberattack.

Bitfinex was targeted in what's known as a DDoS, or a distributed denial-of-service attack, which overwhelms a system with multiple virus-infected servers.

"The previous outage was caused by issues with one of our infrastructure providers," the company said on its website. "While the platform was recovering, the attack caused extreme load on the servers."

TWEET

Bitcoin prices fell 2 percent following the news, hitting a low of $7,373.47, according to data from CoinDesk.

Trading on Bitfinex had resumed as of roughly 11 a.m. ET and the company said it was "monitoring the situation closely." Before it announced the attack, Bitfinex said trading was paused while it underwent "unplanned maintenance."

"The attack only impacted trading operations, and user accounts and their associated funds/account balances were not at risk at any point during the attack," a Bitfinex spokesperson told CNBC.

Bitfinex was founded in Hong Kong in 2012 as a peer-to-peer bitcoin exchange, and later added support for other cryptocurrencies. Last June, hackers targeted it and other exchanges as bitcoin rallied. Bitfinex also suspended trading in August 2016 after a hack resulted in the theft of nearly 120,000 bitcoins.

Security has been an issue for multiple global exchanges.

In January, hackers stole about $500 million worth of a lesser-known cryptocurrency from major Japanese exchange Coincheck. In December, a South Korean cryptocurrency exchange called Youbit lost 17 percent of its digital assets. Its parent Yapian later filed for bankruptcy.

Tokyo-based Mt. Gox was the first high-profile hack. It filed for bankruptcy in 2014 and said it lost 750,000 of its users' bitcoins and 100,000 of the exchange's own. The company was the largest bitcoin exchange at the time.

Bitcoin's one-week performanceThe pan-European Stoxx 600 closed 0.3 percent lower with most sectors and major bourses trading in negative territory.

Banking stocks were the worst performers, with the Royal Bank of Scotland falling to the bottom of the sector. The bank fell more than 5 percent following news that the U.K. government is to sell part of its stake for approximately 2.6 billion ($3.5 billion)  resulting in a loss as it returns the lender back to private ownership after its bailout in 2008.

Elsewhere, tech stocks hit a multi-year high on Tuesday. The positive sentiment towards tech was supported by record high shares of Apple amid its WWDC conference and Microsoft's acquisition of software coding firm GitHub. Many analysts also believe the sector is far from hitting a bubble and the high valuations are justified.

Italy's FTSE MIB was the worst performing index, down more than 1 percent, following a speech by the country's new prime minister in parliament. Political outsider Giuseppe Conte promised "radical change" in his speech and said the anti-establishment government would introduce universal basic income and crack down on immigration.

The Dublin-based firm Smurfit Kappa led the losses, down by more than 6.4 percent. Traders were reacting to a report raising doubts about a possible takeover from International Paper. WPP also fell almost 3 percent after Berenberg analysts said the situation at the ad firm will get worse before it gets better.

Meanwhile, the U.K. government said it was willing to give Twenty-First Century Fox a provisional green light to buy Sky if it agreed to sell its Sky News channel. If Fox's bid for Sky were to be approved, that could trigger a bidding war with Comcast. Shares of Sky rose almost 0.3 percent.President Donald Trump reads an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership prior to signing it in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, January 23, 2017.

As the summit between Washington and Pyongyang takes shape, it remains to be seen what President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will discuss next week in Singapore.

While the subject of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula is expected to take the lion's share of the bilateral talks, one expert raised concerns that Trump may not "stay on script" when asked for other deals by the North Koreans.

"I'm sure he [President Trump] will be getting a short list of talking points, but I think the fear is that he might give away too much," Suzanne DiMaggio, a senior fellow at nonpartisan think tank New America, said Monday during a discussion at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C.

DiMaggio regularly holds discussions with North Korean representatives and helped facilitate the first unofficial discussions between the Trump administration and North Korean government. She offered five pieces of advice for Trump:

Make it clear that the U.S. is ready for a different kind of relationship with North Korea.

Tell Kim Jong Un face-to-face that the U.S. policy toward North Korea is not regime change.

Reiterate that denuclearization on the peninsula is the end goal.

Address the human-rights abuses in North Korea.

After the summit, let seasoned diplomats see to day-to-day developments and broker a deal.

On the latter point, DiMaggio said that while the Trump administration is due credit for these unprecedented talks with North Korea, the president should "get out of the picture" after the summit.

"My advice would be to go to this summit, get the photo op and secure the win. To say that he has generated great chemistry with Kim Jong Un is something that no president has done," DiMaggio said. "Then he should just get out of the picture."

DiMaggio noted that during the summit Pyongyang could, for example, ask Trump for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region.A former US intelligence officer has been arrested after allegedly trying to sell American defense secrets to China, during a period of heightened tension between Beijing and Washington over both trade and national security.

Ron Hansen, a former Defense Intelligence Agency officer, was arrested by US authorities at the weekend on federal charges, including the attempted transmission of national defense information to China's government.

Mr. Hansen "allegedly attempted to transmit national defense information to the People's Republic of China's intelligence service and also allegedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars while illegally acting as an agent of China", said John C Demers, assistant attorney-general for national security.

Mr. Hansen faces charges of attempting to gather or deliver national defense information to aid a foreign government, acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China, bulk cash smuggling, structuring monetary transactions and smuggling goods from the US, according to the US justice department. He could not be contacted for comment.

The arrest comes as the world's two largest economies remain set to start a $100bn trade war after the latest round of trade negotiations ended on Sunday without a breakthrough.

New US tariffs on imports from China are intended to punish Beijing for what President Donald Trump has argued is a systematic campaign by China to steal US technology.

Under Mr. Trump, the US state department is also expected to give shortened visas to Chinese students studying in critical technological and industrial sectors starting June 11, according to two people briefed on the matter. The news was first reported by the Associated Press.

"National security is our top priority when adjudicating visa applications . . . consular officers reserve the right to limit visas on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate to the specific case," said the US embassy in Beijing, noting that neither the visa application process nor maximum validity for student visas had changed.

Mr. Hansen, 58, is a former US army warrant officer hired by the DIA as a civilian intelligence case officer in 2006. He traveled regularly between the US and China between 2013 and 2017, the justice department said.

Mr. Hansen, who was arrested in the US en route to China, allegedly netted at least $800,000 after providing information and export-controlled technology to China.

"His alleged actions are a betrayal of our nation's security and the American people and are an affront to his former intelligence community colleagues," Mr. Demers said.

Eric Barnhart, an FBI special agent, said the case "drives home the troubling reality of insider threats and that current and former clearance holders will be targeted by our adversaries". If convicted of espionage Mr. Hansen will face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Last month, American authorities indicted former CIA officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee on a charge of conspiring to commit espionage. Mr. Lee is accused of turning over sensitive information to Beijing that led to the near-complete annihilation of the CIA's undercover network in mainland China beginning in 2010. Mr. Lee's lawyer did not comment on the indictment at the time.

China has also increased its scrutiny of foreign residents on the grounds of national security and offers rewards of up to $72,000 to Chinese citizens who turn in spies.

In April 2017, a court in China's western Guangxi province found Phan Phan-Gillis, an American businesswoman, guilty of stealing Chinese state secrets after a more than two year detention. She was given a three and a half year sentence. She did not serve her time, but was instead deported to the US shortly after sentencing. Her husband had always denied the charges on her behalf.

More from the Financial Times:

Spying fears prompt Russian software company move to Zurich

Yulia Skripal says she hopes one day to return to Russia

'Assassinated' Russian journalist Babchenko turns up aliveMicrosoft was not alone in chasing GitHub, which it agreed to acquire for $7.5 billion on Monday. Representatives from Alphabet's Google were also talking to the company about an acquisition in recent weeks, according to people familiar with the deal talks.

The talks for GitHub went on for several weeks, according to several other people familiar with the process, but at the end the auction was not close, suggesting Microsoft's bid was high enough to keep Google at bay. GitHub has, in the past, also attracted takeover interest from companies such as Amazon, according to people familiar with the matter.

These people declined to be named, as they were not authorized to discuss the deal with press.

Microsoft paid 25 times revenue for GitHub, said one person, which calculates to annual revenue of about $300 million for the code-sharing service, according to one of these people involved in the deal. Last August, the company said it had an annualized run rate of $200 million, and in October it said it was on track to book more than $100 million a year from its enterprise products alone.

Google and Microsoft declined to comment on the acquisition process.

Microsoft has seen its once-dominant Windows unit slip in market share in recent years, spurring a cloud-first reorganization and sending Microsoft looking for alternatives to court developers. Owning GitHub and LinkedIn also means that Microsoft now owns two top professional networks -- important in the continuing war for scarce tech talent.

While Google is making progress in its cloud efforts, the company has so far not made any big acquisitions in the cloud space under leader Diane Greene, who also sits on Alphabet's board of directors. This contrasts sharply with Microsoft's big acquisitions of GitHub and LinkedIn, which cost $26 billion.

Cloud applications company Salesforce has also grown in part through significant acquisitions, most recently paying $6.5 billion to buy Mulesoft, whose technology helps software developers stitch disparate applications together.Voice technology gadgets, including Amazon's Alexa and Google's Duplex, could get caught up in the next data protection battleground. The implementation of new data rules in Europe, coupled with increased consumer awareness following the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica scandal, is helping to bring voice data privacy into the spotlight. Google recently made headlines when CEO Sundar Pichai demonstrated its latest development in voice  its Duplex AI system was used to book a hair appointment and a restaurant reservation. While it sounded natural, it was a conversation between a computer and a real business. Google has since clarified that it will make sure to let people know whenever it's the automated machine calling and not an actual person. The Duplex system is capable of carrying out complex conversations without any human involvement, and while that excites many people, some are concerned about the ramifications on privacy and the knock-on effects to the future of advertising. Should the person on the other end of the phone be made aware they are speaking to a machine?

Peter Cahill is a leading expert on voice technology and is currently the CEO of voice-AI platform Voysis, he says the recent Duplex demonstration shows how far Google is ahead of other voice competitors and has made people realize that voice has moved well beyond just using a smart home speaker to stream your music. "It puts pressure on other assistants to raise their game but also raises ethical questions for the person at the other end of the line. Google is collecting their data and using it without them giving consent at any point. If you ask Google for help, a recording of your voice is stored in the cloud. But, more interestingly, that recording also contains rich layers of sounds that tell us a lot about you and your environment," he said in an email to CNBC. Google says that, similar to your search history, your Google Assistant history can be viewed at any time and deleted by the user. A Google spokesperson reiterated to CNBC via email that "transparency in the technology is important" for the company and it is designing Duplex with "disclosure built-in."

Google's Mario Queiroz shows the Google Home on May 19, 2016 in Mountain View, California. Getty ImagesStarbucks Executive Chairman Howard Schultz is preparing to step away from the coffee chain he built into a global behemoth  and stoking speculation about a possible 2020 presidential run.

Yet, in the era of real estate magnate-turned-President Donald Trump, Schultz is just one of several business titans whose possible political aspirations might influence the next campaign for the White House.

For more than two centuries, most candidates for U.S. president had some public or military service on their resume before mounting a successful bid for the White House. But Trump's election in 2016 has opened the door for an extensive list of wealthy business titans who long to notch a place in history.

"There's a huge barrier that Donald Trump tore down," Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a senior associate dean at the Yale School of Management, told CNBC. "And that pathway is now open for the Mark Cubans and the Bob Igers" to consider running for president.

Schultz left the door open to a run Tuesday, although he stressed that he's exploring all of his options for public service.

"There's a lot of things I can do as a private citizen other than run for the presidency of the United States," the Starbucks executive said in a CNBC interview. "Let's just see what happens."

Read more: Howard Schultz could have access to a superior campaign war chest come 2020

But experienced politicians aren't about to step aside at the first sight of another billionaire candidate with tons of personal funds on hand.

Here are some of the professional politicians and business players who are widely speculated to consider challenging Trump for the White House in 2020  and how they stack up in the money race.How much money Tesla will need  and how hard it will be to get it  are critical questions for investors in the electric-car company with a stock valuation that a majority of Wall Street analysts already think is stretched. But as Tesla stockholders weigh several big questions at its annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday, the cash-crunch scenario is one that defies an easy answer. If investors take founder and CEO Elon Musk at his word, Tesla has no current need or plan to raise capital. Wall Street analysts, though, peg Tesla's cash needs in line with their view of the car maker's ability to meet Model 3 production goals. That results in a wide range of estimates for cash that will be required  from as little as $2 billion to as high as $10 billion over the next few years.

Tesla car production at Fremont, California. David Butow | Corbis | Getty Images

Tesla has missed production targets for the Model 3 many times since promising it would begin to reach consumers last year. Cash flow expected from sales of the 400,000-plus Model 3's on order have been expected to help fund several other Tesla initiatives  a new gigafactory to make batteries in China, a new auto plant to make the Model Y small SUV, and managing roughly $3 billion in debt maturing between this year and 2021. But Tesla's cash situation is not the apocalyptic event some pundits think it is. At least, that's the view of several sell-side stock analysts who follow the Silicon Valley-based automaker. If Tesla meets production targets calling for it to be making 5,000 Model 3's a week by the end of June and hits 10,000 by 2019, then the company will need to raise as little as $3 billion to $4 billion, some analysts estimate  and should have an easy time doing it. If Tesla continues to miss, its capital needs could hit $10.5 billion by 2020, to be raised in a market that will be digesting fresh explanations for already-broken promises that have helped make Tesla a target of short sellers and strained relations with analysts. Only six of 17 analysts with ratings on the shares recommend buying it, according to Zacks Investment Research. The lack of buy ratings is partially a function of the stock's sky-high valuation and the gains its shares have already made. Even amid a steady stream of negative headlines, Tesla shares are still near-$300. The stock price also gives the company financial flexibility. "With the stock at $296, I don't see any reason to think they would have a problem" selling either stock or debt, said CFRA analyst Efraim Levy, even though CFRA's fair value estimate model calculates that Tesla shares are overvalued by more than $150. "If they miss production targets, they get increasingly vulnerable. How much depends on how much they miss by.''

Skeptical Goldman: Tesla will soon be low on cash

The most exhaustive recent analysis of Tesla's debt issue comes from Goldman Sachs analyst David Tamberrino, who has a sell rating on the stock. Tamberrino and his colleagues note that Tesla had $2.7 billion in cash on its balance sheet at the end of the first quarter, down from $3.4 billion at the end of 2017. Goldman projects that Tesla's free cash flow will be $2.3 billion this year, thanks to capital investment that is still aggressive, even after Tesla recently lowered its 2018 spending forecast by $400 million, to $3 billion. Tamberrino is skeptical that Tesla will meet its production goals, leading to his forecast that the company will be low on cash by year-end. If the company does hit its production targets, making 5,000 vehicles per week by September and 10,000 weekly by the end of next year, then Tesla will have to raise about $5.7 billion to refinance debt, fund operations and sustain capital spending, Goldman estimates. Goldman thinks capital expenditures will be about $3.6 billion each of the next two years. If that's the case, the company should not have to sell stock, diluting current shareholders, and should be able to make the numbers work well enough to accomplish most borrowing in the less-expensive market for bonds that are convertible into Tesla shares if the stock rises, Goldman said in a May report. "The company has [targeted] a sustainable rate of 5,000 [Model 3's] a week in 3Q18 of this year, and the ability to hit the 25 percent gross [profit] margin target over time," Goldman said. "Should the company meet those targets, and ramp production of the Model 3 to 10,000 a week by the end of 2019, the company may not need to raise equity capital in 2018 or 2019. However ... we still believe Tesla would need $4 billion to $5 billion in financing required to build out [its] capacity. With a more healthy balance sheet from the ramp of Model 3 units in this scenario, this could likely be achieved in the debt markets alone.'' The problem gets tougher if the company continues to miss production schedules, delivering cars more slowly than CEO Elon Musk has led the markets to expect. In the worst-case scenario, Tesla has to raise $10.5 billion by 2020  a tallish order for a company with a $50 billion market valuation and $9.4 billion in long-term debt already  to accomplish the same goals, Goldman said. If that's the case, Tesla's own contention that it won't have to raise money in 2018 would go out the window, with the company likely selling about $1 billion in stock this year and another $1 billion next year. Even if Tesla does make production targets, it will also have to meet targets for gross margins that most of Wall Street considers unrealistic in order to deliver on its stated goal of being profitable and free-cash-flow positive by the third quarter, according to Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi. At the low end of reasonable, Tesla may need to raise as little as $3 billion to get through the next couple of years, Levy said, adding that if the company gets to profitability, it will be less dependent on capital markets and have "more control over [its] destiny.'

The real need is enough to repay bondholdersSchultz oversaw the massive expansion of the Starbucks coffee chain over the past 40 years and is responsible for much of the company's innovation, social initiatives and global expansion.

"There is no way to spin this, Schultz's departure is a loss for Starbucks," Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData, told CNBC via email. "His involvement with the business and his expertise and knowledge means that he cannot be replaced."

Now, as he plans his exit from his position as chairman of the company's board at the end of the month, investors wonder just how big of a void will be left after he is gone.

A little over a year after leaving the helm of the company, Schultz is still considered the face of the brand and often mistakenly referred to as CEO.

But nothing could compare to the thunderous applause and standing ovation that welcomed Executive Chairman Howard Schultz on stage nearly an hour and a half into the presentation.

At Starbucks ' annual shareholders' meeting in March, CEO Kevin Johnson took the lead, addressing investors about the company's plans for menu and tech innovation, as well as pay equity. Attendees cheered Starbucks' new parental leave plan, which allows adoptive parents to take time off, as well as its commitment to creating a greener to-go cup.

He laid the groundwork for Starbucks' extensive employee benefits including, health care, stock ownership and free college tuition. As CEO, Schultz also led global hiring initiatives for veterans and military spouses as well as for refugees.

"The problem with a large multinational company being tied too closely to a particular individual is that it makes a departure more monumental," Dan Hill, CEO of Hill Impact, told CNBC via email.

Under Schultz's leadership, the company's stock has grown 21,000 percent since its initial public offering in 1992. However, weak sales of food and beverages and merchandise in the U.S. contributed to a 13 percent decline in Starbucks' stock over the past year.

"Ironically, his departure comes at a time when innovation is more critical than ever to Starbucks," Saunders said. "Getting more and more out of the existing business, which is now fairly saturated in the U.S., is becoming challenging."

Schultz expressed his confidence in the leadership team that he leaves behind at Starbucks in a CNBC interview on Tuesday. He called the future of the company "very bright" and praised his successor Johnson.

However, Johnson has labored in Schultz's shadow. The pair are separated by a door in their Seattle office and it was only in the last quarter that Schultz no longer appeared on the company's earnings conference call.

"Except for his ability to comment on the problem that happened in Philadelphia, [Johnson] really hasn't done anything," Jason Kaplan, CEO of JK Consulting, told CNBC. "I don't think that he's the right person to lead that team."

Nearly a year after Johnson took over as CEO, investors and analysts are still trying to gauge the success of his leadership. Some have praised his tech-savvy innovation and the company's growth in China, while others have lamented over the company's ongoing poor sales trends.

"I think between the new chairman from J.C. Penney, and Kevin Johnson not really having much of a food and beverage background will be major hindrance moving forward," Kaplan said.

Johnson was praised for his quick reaction to the incident at a Philadelphia Starbucks that resulted in the arrest of two black men. He took responsibility for the incident, committed to reviewing the company's culture and practices, provided clear statements to employees and customers and flew out to meet with the two men who had been arrested.

For some, this proved that he was the right leader for Starbucks.

However, Johnson was accompanied on that trip by Schultz, who delayed his departure from the company in wake of the incident.

"Kevin Johnson will carry on Schultz's legacy and Starbucks' deeply entrenched values aimed at making the world a better place for its customers, employees, and communities," Bob Phibbs, CEO of the Retail Doctor, told CNBC via email.

"As we saw following the incident in Philadelphia, Johnson demonstrated clear leadership, even with Schultz as chairman," he said. "When something outrageous happens, they act. From its socially conscious values to new initiatives, such as its Roasteries, Starbucks is a brand that will continue to hit on all cylinders."

The real test will be if Johnson can revive sagging U.S. sales.

Schultz told CNBC Tuesday, Starbucks is still a growth company, and it has hit soft patches in the past and recovered through innovation.

"I'm very bullish long-term on the company," he said. "And our U.S. comps over time will improve, I'm quite confident about that."Howard Schultz told CNBC on Tuesday he had been planning to leave his company for over a year, but his resignation was delayed by the arrest of two black men at a Philadelphia Starbucks.

In a wide-ranging interview a day after his resignation announcement, Schultz declined to talk specifically about his next step, including speculation that he would challenge President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

"There's a lot of things I can do as a private citizen other than run for the presidency of the United States," Schultz said Tuesday in an extensive interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "Let's just see what happens."

"I don't know what that means right now," he said. "But my concern for the country and the standing in the world, the lack of dignity, lack of respect coming from the administration. I think we can do much better."

The interview, which followed Schultz's decision Monday to step down as executive chairman of Starbucks on June 26, touched on a number of issues from the need to improve education and trim the ballooning national debt to Schultz's view on the markets and trade policy.

Schultz, 64, said he had been planning the move for over a year, but his resignation was delayed by the Philadelphia incident in which the two black men were arrested April 12 while waiting in the restaurant.

"The truth of the matter is, I thought this was going to happen in May," Schultz said. "Then we had the unfortunate situation in Philadelphia. We thought, given what we wanted to do in Philadelphia and the obligation we had, we push it back a month or two."

Schultz and Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson met with the men after the incident, and last week the company closed its shops one afternoon to provide its staff with racial bias training.

After fulfilling that obligation, he said it was the "right time" to leave. "The company's in a great position and it's always been a team sport," Schultz said.

Over the last 40 years at Starbucks, Schultz pushed to give opportunities to veterans and refugees and expanded health benefits and college tuition assistance to workers. All the while, Starbucks stock grew 21,000 percent since its initial public offering in 1992. On Tuesday, he reiterated how important these issues are to him.

He said he felt taking those steps added value to the company's brand image.

"It speaks to the fact that rules of engagement for a public company and CEO are different today," he said. "In large part because it has been so polarized."

According to Schultz, the litmus test for him as always been: "does this decision, this policy make our customers and our people proud, and if the answer is yes, then we were on the right side of the debate. If it's not, we shouldn't do it. We're not in this to be political, we're in this to advance Starbucks."

In recent years, Schultz has been taking a more active role in politics. Using his high profile at Starbucks, he has spoken out about the role public companies can play by being socially responsible in a changing society. He plans to write a book on this topic and recently launched a website. That has fanned speculation that he might run for office.

But on Tuesday, he said "I can't be nailed down today on the specifics of what I might or might not run for."

Still, he was willing to discuss in detail his thoughts on a number of important political issues and kept up his criticism of Trump.

"I think the issues that we are facing in terms of the dysfunction and polarization that exists within the government is really based on a systematic problem of ideology and I think we need a very different view of how the government and how the country should be run," Schultz told CNBC.

"It's been a long time, I think, since anyone within the government has really walked in the shoes of the American people and done the things that would demonstrate the humanity of what is the values of the country and the guiding principle of the promise of America," Schultz said.

One of his key concerns was the administration adding to U.S. debt levels, which he called "reckless" and the "greatest threat domestically to the country."

"We are going to pay for this in terms of the next generation and it's unfair," he said, describing the more than $21 trillion in debt.

However, he also had critiques for the Democratic Party, saying it had veered too far to the left and was overpromising on programs that aren't fiscally responsible.

He noted that the vast majority of Americans want good immigration policy and better policy on guns, but the government hasn't moved forward on these issues.

On immigration, Schultz said that he didn't think the current policy was very "humane."

"I think we need border security," he said. "But there's a lot of nontruths. As an example, two-thirds of the undocumented people were talking about are not people that have crossed a border. They're here because their visa has expired."

The polarization of the current political conversation and the need for corporate responsibility were themes Schultz kept coming back to. For example, in regard to recent corporate tax cuts, he said he had anticipated many companies would take the windfall from the tax cuts and plow it into stock buybacks and other actions to benefit shareholders, but Starbucks opted to return nearly 50 percent of its benefits to its workers.

"When you're building a great enduring company, not every business decision should be and is an economic one," he said. That can be a hard message to commute on Wall Street, he admitted, but said the goal should be "building a great enduring company."

Read more of Schultz's comments on specific issues here.Italy's Interior Minister and deputy PM Matteo Salvini (R) and Italy's Labor and Industry Minister and deputy PM Luigi Di Maio gesture during the swearing in ceremony of the new government led by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at Quirinale Palace in Rome on June 1, 2018.

Italy's new populist government, made up of a coalition of relative political newcomers, will face its first test Tuesday.

The Italian Senate will debate and then hold a vote of confidence on the new cabinet and government program, before the Parliament's other chamber holds a similar vote. The two anti-establishment parties, Lega and the Five Star Movement (M5S), now hold a majority in both houses so the votes of confidence are not expected to meet any stumbling blocks.

That's not the say the path to get to this point has been simple, or that the one ahead is clear.

Both parties are largely untested in power and the alliance came after both won a significant share of the vote in March elections which saw traditional parties shunned in favor of the new guard.

Lega and M5S are not natural bedfellows aside from their anti-establishment streaks and the parties have taken three months of discussions to agree a coalition, cabinet and program of government.

The result is a radical departure from the norm with cabinet ministers including a variety of professors and some controversial ministers  such as euroskeptic Paolo Savona, who has called the euro a "historic mistake" (he was initially nominated to be economy minister but the choice was rejected by Italy's president). The coalition has also promoted a program of tax cuts, the mass deportation of illegal migrants, a guaranteed basic income and an overhaul of recent labor and pension reforms.The creation of a new Italian government proved to be a long, uncertain and publicly painful process for all involved.

But after almost three months, Lega and Five-Star Movement (M5S) formally joined forces last week, with a hybrid cabinet consisting of some rather odd political bedfellows, drawn from across the ideological and professional spectrum.

These individuals must now embrace an equally disparate set of challenges that may require rather contradictory, or at least competing, solutions.

The two parties share a well-publicized distrust of Brussels, but their separate agendas highlighted in their governing contract show that both are willing to push policies that will place greater strain on Italian state finances. This could have serious implications not only for ties with Europe, but also for the long-term stability of the partnership.

Lega leader Matteo Salvini recently quipped to reporters that he expected the new government to last for a decade. But as the latest popular polls showed his party closing in on M5S, investors may well ask if the coalition can possibly last if Salvini does not swiftly fulfil his major campaign promises.

Those include the introduction of a flat tax  originally planned at 15 percent, but now likely to be a two-tier system that ranges from 15 and 20 percent  as well as a wide-scale deportation of more than half a million undocumented migrants.The economy could continue to expand for another one to three years, but the Trump administration's trade policy could prove to be one of the "flies in the ointment" that ends the recovery, according to J.P. Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.

Dimon, chairman of the Business Roundtable, made the comments on a conference call with reporters about the CEO group's latest quarterly survey, which showed a high level of concern among chief executives about the potential negative effects of Trump's trade actions. The Roundtable's Economic Outlook Index fell slightly from record highs, in its first decline in CEO sentiment in two years.

"Trade is a very complex thing with many layers. When you talk about it, slogans are very different than policies that makes sense," said Dimon. He said everyone wants free and fair trade but he objected to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer's comments, when he suggested the policies of pro-business lobbies have created the current trade deficit and have hurt everyday Americans.

Dimon said the U.S. economy is strong and broad-based, and the recovery could continue for another one to three years. However, "one of the flies in the ointments is this trade stuff. This trade stuff is not only directly affecting decision but it also increases uncertainty and uncertainty is not a friend of the economy."

Joshua Bolten, the Business Roundtable's president and CEO, told the conference call the Roundtable has had a positive relationship with the White House but the administration is not listening to its concerns on trade, including the tariffs placed on steel and aluminum on national security grounds.

"The threat of doing the same thing with autos is also of deep concern to our members," said Bolten. So is "the threat of a withdrawal from NAFTA, which has worked extremely well, not just for the Canadian and Mexican but U.S. economy and American workers, and we're going to keep advocating for constructive pro-growth trade policies that do not undermine our competitiveness."

In the Business Roundtable survey, CEOs were slightly less optimistic about capital spending, hiring and sales growth, but Bolten said it's not clear how much of the capital spending plans, still near record highs, was impacted by trade concerns.

"What I can tell you is anecdotally is that the administration's trade policy is a huge concern to almost every member of our organization to the extent they see clouds on the economic horizon. The risk of trade wars and the administration's policies that are contributing to that are very high on the list of things our members are concerned about," Bolten said. He added that there are important issues that the administration is trying to correct including concerns about Chinese trade practices on such things as intellectual property.

He and Dimon also said some of the issues the U.S. is negotiating for in revisions to the North American Free Trade Agreement are unnecessary. "There are some things we are negotiating for in NAFTA that we just think are mistakes," said Dimon.

Dimon said businesses prefer the arbitration rules currently in NAFTA and do not want to be subject to courts when there are trade issues, a position pushed by the Trump administration.

Dimon also said the U.S. does not need a "sunset" provision in NAFTA, as the U.S. already has the ability to withdraw. That provision has been strongly objected to by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who says it creates business uncertainty.

Separately, Lighthizer released a statement saying the NAFTA negotiations continue, but that the three countries are not close to a deal. "There are differences on intellectual property, data localization, agricultural market access, de minimis levels, energy, labor, rules of origin, geographical indications, and much more. We however are making progress and will continue to engage in negotiations. I look forward to working with my counterparts to secure the best possible deal for American farmers, ranchers, workers, and businesses at the earliest time," Lighthizer said.

According to the latest quarterly Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Survey, the CEO Economic Outlook Index slipped to 111.1 in the second quarter, down from a record 118.6 in the first quarter, the first decline since before President Donald Trump was elected president.

That represents CEO optimism about hiring, capital investment and sales growth, and it fell in the second quarter for the first time in two years amid concerns that trade conflicts could drive up costs for consumers and business.

Fifty-eight percent see a moderate risk of lower U.S. economic growth as a result of Trump's trade approach, while 41 percent see a serious risk of lower growth. The majority expect input costs for businesses to rise, with 47 percent seeing a serious risk of higher costs and 43 percent seeing a moderate risk.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the decline in CEO confidence.

 CNBC's Kayla Tausche contributed to this story.JetBlue Airways will ask passengers flying with emotional support animals for more documentation about the animal's health and behavior, citing "health and safety risks" from an onslaught of untrained animals in its cabins.

The New York-based airline joins competitors American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which issued their own, stricter emotional support animal rules earlier this year.

Starting July 1, JetBlue will require passengers traveling with such animals to notify the airline 48 hours in advance and provide a medical or mental health form from the doctor who prescribes the animal and another from a veterinarian stating the animal's "fitness to fly" and vaccination records.

JetBlue will also require passengers to sign a document that states the animal can behave in public and that the owner accepts responsibility for injuries or property damage.

The airline will only accept emotional support dogs, cats or miniature horses, said JetBlue. Its previous policy only prohibited some animals such as hedgehogs, sugar gliders, insects and ferrets.

The airline said it not making any changes to its policies for non-psychiatric service animals, such as guide dogs.

The changes come as the Department of Transportation is considering new restrictions on emotional-support animals, which fly for free in cabins under the 1986 Air Carrier Access Act. Airlines have fretted about soiled cabins, allergies and outright dangers to passengers. Last year, a passenger was mauled by another traveler's emotional support dog on a Delta flight.

The Department of Transportation is in the middle of collecting public comments about such animals on board.Jim Chanos, who predicted the fall of Enron, has serious doubts about the legitimacy of bitcoin.

"This is simply a security speculation game masquerading as a technological breakthrough in monetary policy," Chanos in an interview with the Institute for New Economic Thinking published this week.

Chanos, who teaches a course on the history of financial fraud at Yale University, says the mania around cryptocurrency following bitcoin's rise near $20,000 last year fits into what he calls the "fraud cycle."

Bitcoin has been compared it to "digital gold," because some see it as a store of value, and it has a limited supply. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak told CNBC in an interview this week that he "totally buys into" that comparison and the phrase "pure digital gold."

Chanos challenged that store-of-value case, saying that in an "apocalypse" food would actually function better as a currency.

"In the worst-case scenario, that's exactly the case in which a digital currency will work the least," Chanos said. "The last thing I'd want to own is bitcoin if the grid goes down."

Others see bitcoin as a viable currency, with no lender of last resort or third party adjudicator. While it can be used to transact, it's more appealing to those looking to dodge government oversight, he said.

"Bitcoin is still the area for people who are trying to avoid taxation or other examinations of their transactions," said Chanos, who founded New York-based Kynikos Associates. "That's one thing where I think it probably still has utility, but the governments have figured that out."

Some fraudsters have been emboldened by the fundraising craze known as initial coin offerings, or ICOs. The SEC has cracked down on the process with subpoenas and charges against some celebrity-backed projects this year. ICOs raised $6.6 billion in 2017 and have hit $9.1 billion this year, according to the most recent research firm Autonomous Next.

"I suspect going forward we're going to see more and more evidence of questionable companies as this bull market keeps advancing and aging," Chanos said.

The short-seller has rallied against bitcoin before, calling it "speculative mania."

"It's Beanie Babies," he said at a Schechter event in Detroit, Michigan, referring to the collectible toy craze during the 1990s.Republican billionaire businessman and philanthropist Ken Langone told CNBC on Tuesday he would welcome a Howard Schultz run for president in 2020 because the country needs more talented candidates to run for the White House.

Schultz on Monday announced plans to step down as executive chairman of Starbucks, effective June 26. The move is fueling speculation about whether the former two-time CEO of the coffee giant and Democratic supporter will run for president in 2020.

"I know Howard. I have a lot of respect for Howard. I would have concerns about some of Howard's stands. He's a little bit, to me, too far left; not in a sense of philosophy but in the sense of what we expect from each other," Langone said on "Squawk Box."

The Home Depot co-founder said the U.S. has to get back to what Democratic President John F. Kennedy said: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

Americans need to demand more of themselves and less from government, Langone said. He added that the nation's leaders must think differently about how to give people the tools to help themselves.

Langone supported Donald Trump for president after first backing then-GOP New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and later John Kasich, the Republican governor of Ohio.

For his part, Schultz, in a later CNBC interview Tuesday, criticized many leaders in the Democratic Party for veering too far left and overpromising government programs that are not fiscally possible.

Without naming names, Schultz said he wonders, "How are we going to pay for these things?"Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House on Oct. 11, 2017.

"Yesterday we met with the president a couple times and he is very seriously contemplating kind of a shift in NAFTA negotiations," Kudlow said on "Fox & Friends." "His preference now, and he asked me to convey this, is to actually negotiate with Mexico and Canada separately."

It's not clear whether pursuing bilateral trade agreements with the two countries would effectively end the trilateral North American Free Trade Agreement, which has been in place for more than two decades.

President Donald Trump is "very seriously contemplating" separate trade negotiations with Canada and Mexico, White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said Tuesday.

"I think the important thought here is he may be moving quickly towards these bilateral discussions instead of as a whole," Kudlow said.

The Canadian dollar and Mexican peso fell on Tuesday vs. the U.S. dollar in the wake of the comments from Kudlow.

A Canadian government official pointed out this was not the first time the Trump administration has suggested a bilateral, rather than multilateral, approach. The White House and Mexican government did not immediately respond to CNBC emails for comment. Canada and Mexico are the second and third-largest trading partners of the U.S., respectively.

On Friday, Trump said he "wouldn't mind" separate negotiations with the two countries. A day earlier, his administration said it would impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico and the EU.

In reaction, Canada last week proposed tariffs on a range of goods, including ball-point pens, toilet paper and maple sugar.

Mexico said Tuesday it will impose tariffs of 15 to 25 percent on U.S. steel products, a 20 percent tariff on U.S. pork legs and shoulders, apples and potatoes and 20 to 25 percent duties on types of cheese and bourbon.

"Canada's a different country than Mexico. They have different problems," Kudlow said. "Often times when you have to compromise with a whole bunch of countries you get the worst of the deals."

 Reuters contributed to this report.Danish toymaker the Lego Group aims to stabilize the business and invest to get back into sustainable growth, Chief Financial Officer Marjorie Lao said on Tuesday, after the company suffered a 7 percent decline in revenue in 2017.

"2017 has indeed been a challenging year for us. In 2018, we are looking to stabilize the business and invest to get back to growth in the long term," Lao told CNBC's Dan Murphy at the innovfest unbound conference in Singapore.

In its 2017 financial statement, the company said that the decline in revenue was primarily driven by a clean-up of its inventories, which affected operating profits.The Lord & Taylor flagship store is seen along Fifth Avenue in New York.

The news is the latest in a series of moves Hudson's Bay has made to rethink the retail empire that Executive Chairman Richard Baker built up through debt-financed dealmaking. Those deals included Saks Fifth Avenue in 2013, Germany's Galeria Kaufhof in 2015 and online shop Gilt Groupe.

The owner of Lord & Taylor, Hudson's Bay , said in a statement Tuesday morning that it is abandoning the store as part of efforts to reshape its footprint and grapple with widening losses.

Lord & Taylor's iconic location on New York's Fifth Avenue is no more.

Part of that empire was predicated on Baker's shrewd approach to real estate and belief in its value, even if the retail business wobbles. The company's willingness to part with its classic Fifth Avenue location stands in contrast with retailers like Macy's, which remains steadfastly loyal to its iconic Herald Square store in New York.

Hudson's Bay last year struck a deal to sell its flagship building to WeWork Property Advisors and Rhone Capital to give the company much-needed liquidity. At the time, Hudson's Bay said it would continue to operate out of the building, but at a smaller scale.

Still, Lord & Taylor's presence at the location would have been diminished if it continued on. In April, Lord & Taylor's longtime president, Liz Rodbell said she was stepping down after decades at the company.

In a filing Tuesday, Hudson's Bay said, "After evaluating best use scenarios for its New York City Fifth Avenue location, the Company has decided not to maintain a presence at this location following the turnover of the building to WeWork."

Hudson's Bay also said it expects to close up to 10 Lord & Taylor stores through 2019.

The company on Tuesday reported it had a net loss of $314 million Canadian dollars ($241 million) for the fiscal first quarter, widening from a loss of CA$214 million a year earlier. Quarterly revenue was up 1 percent, while comparable sales were down 0.7 percent.

Its stock is down 9 percent year to date.

Hudson's Bay underlined its efforts Tuesday to revive Lord & Taylor which, like its competitor J.C. Penney, appeals mostly to aging shoppers. Younger consumers are heading to trendier alternatives, including an array of web-based brands. As part of those efforts, Lord & Taylor launched a partnership with Walmart whereby it will sell its merchandise on the discounter's website.

Hudson's Bay also said this week it is selling flash sale website Gilt, roughly two years after paying $250 million for the business, in an e-commerce push to support its discount store Saks Off Fifth. It had already written down the acquisition by $116 million. Rue La La has agreed to buy the website.

Gilt came to prominence after the Great Recession, when high-end companies had excess goods they needed to get rid of. In the years since the recession's end, that merchandise became harder to buy. Meantime, the flash-sale websites are seeing increased competition from affordable fast-fashion brands like Zara and luxury consignment websites like the Real Real.

Some of the brands that sold in Saks, meantime, balked at seeing their goods on Gilt, sources tell CNBC.Visitors look at a model of a bullet train designed by China at an exhibition on high-speed rail in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Jan. 16, 2017. Chong Voon Chung | Xinhua | Getty Images

Plans to develop a high-speed rail project linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore have been scuttled and that's likely to dent the potential fortunes of some that had stood to benefit from the massive endeavor. Malaysia said it was scrapping plans to build a 350-kilometer high-speed rail, costing some $17 billion, that would have by 2026 linked Kuala Lumpur, its capital, with neighboring Singapore. Although Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had pledged to review investment during his campaign earlier in the year, the railway announcement was relatively sudden, coming on the back of the surprising election outcome last month and years of planning by both countries. Singapore, however, has yet to receive official word on Malaysia's decision. In a statement on Friday, Singapore's transport minister said the country continued to incur costs as it awaited word from the Malaysian government. When completed, the high-speed rail was expected to shorten travel time between the two endpoints of the line  which currently takes more than 4 hours to traverse by car  to only 90 minutes. Even though construction for the project had not yet substantially begun, its cancellation is likely to have an impact on businesses linked to the project.

Builders

Construction and infrastructure players that would have been involved in the railway are among those facing lost revenue opportunities. And given how most of the railway project have been located in Malaysia, companies there stand to lose more than their counterparts in Singapore. Among the names that stand to lose are Gamuda, a builder, and Malaysian Resources Corporation, an infrastructure and property company, which had been appointed as civil infrastructure project delivery partners for the northern section of the HSR project, as well as YTL, which had been chosen for the southern section of the project. The companies said in filings to the Malaysian stock exchange last week that they had received notice of the cancellation and that all negotiations were suspended. The three firms did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Major rail companies that had jockeyed to build, operate and finance the railway may also come away disappointed. "The Chinese and Japanese consortiums were deemed to be the frontrunners," said Corrine Png, chief executive of Crucial Perspectives, referring to groups led by China Railway Corporation and Japan's JR East that had been linked to the project. JR East and China Railway did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Airlines

Malaysia's decision to cancel the project should at least prove to be good news for airlines working the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route. "Investors have been discounting that [certain airlines would] lose a lot of traffic to rail when this happens because for the short-haul flights, the economics make sense for passengers to to switch to rail," Png told CNBC's "Squawk Box" after the Malaysian government announced its decision.

Among the names expected to benefit are Jetstar Asia, which counts 10 percent of its traffic from the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route, as well as AirAsia Group and Singapore Airlines, which see the route contributing to roughly 4 percent of traffic, Png said. The latter two airlines are also the two largest carriers that cover the route. Aside from airlines, industries related to the sector, including airports and service providers, are also expected to be beneficiaries. Specifically, the cancellation of the railway would be advantageous for Singapore-listed ground handling firm SATS and line maintenance service provider SIA Engineering, Png said.

Jurong Lake District

Singapore's plans to develop a second major business district  called Jurong Lake District  in the west of the country could also take a knock given how the Singapore high-speed railway terminus was meant to be located there, although analysts said the cancellation was no death knell for the area. That's mainly because, even though the railway terminal was billed as an integral feature for the Jurong area, other drivers of development, including the upcoming Tuas megaport, could be sufficient engines of growth, Tay Huey Ying, head of research and consultancy at JLL Singapore, told CNBC. "As multiplier effects [potentially generated by the Jurong East terminus] would come about only after the commencement of the [high-speed rail] originally scheduled for 2026, the impact on existing businesses and developments is minimal," Tay said. Alice Tan, head of consultancy and research at Knight Frank Singapore, called the railway project "just a bonus" to the area. She added that "with or without" the rail terminus, there are "already a plethora of plans" to develop the second central business district. Even though Jurong on the whole could get on just fine without the railway, there could be questions for Genting Hotel Jurong. The hotel opened in 2015 and is located within walking distance of where the Singapore Jurong East high-speed railway terminus would have been developed. Although its 2017 annual report said the property "consistently" performed better than an industry-average occupancy rate of above 90 percent through the year, the company could have been counting on the rail station to boost its future revenues. A spokesman for another Genting unit told Singapore newspaper The Straits Times in 2015 that the hotel was "well-placed to welcome visitors and commuters from Malaysia and the region" given its proximity to the planned site for the rail terminus. Genting Singapore declined to comment.

'No bad thing'

The announcement to withdraw from the project comes as Malaysia's new government attempts to reduce government spending. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir said the the project would be cut because it was not beneficial given its cost, which his government estimates to be around 110 billion Malaysian ringgit ($27.6 billion). He had previously told the media that the new administration would be reviewing foreign investments in Malaysia, including those linked to China's Belt and Road Initiative.Cuban, an outspoken critic of Trump, has previously said his decision hinges on whether his wife and family would allow it.

When asked on Monday whether he'd given more thought to the issue, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks and co-host of "Shark Tank" told The New York Times in an email "Yes. But not willing to discuss at this point."

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban says he hasn't ruled out a presidential bid against President Donald Trump in 2020.

I would run as a "Republican before Democrat and most likely independent," Cuban said at The New York Times DealBook Conference in November.

"I think there is an incremental value for setting up an independent candidacy," he added at the time. "The benefit of being an independent is you go right to the golden ticket time, if I get enough support in the polls then I get to participate in the debates."

Cuban's latest comment comes amid growing speculation that a number of familiar business faces could make a bid for the White House in 2020.

The theory appeared to gain ground Monday after Howard Schultz, outgoing chairman and former chief executive of Starbucks, announced his intention to vacate his place on the board later this month.

A longtime supporter of former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton during her bid for president, Schultz told employees in a memo that he's considering several paths forward, including philanthropy and public service.

In an interview Tuesday on CBC's "Squawk Box," Schultz said: "There's a lot of things I can do as a private citizen other than run for the presidency of the United States."

"Let's just see what happens," he added.

Read The New York Times' full article here.

Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to "Shark Tank," which features Mark Cuban as a panelist.Farmer Brian Duncan greets a pig as he enters a building containing hogs nearing market weight on his farm in Polo, Illinois. Daniel Acker | Reuters

American pork producers are bracing for pain ahead after confirmation Tuesday that Mexico will levy hefty tariffs up to 20 percent on U.S. pork in retaliation for the Trump administration's duties on Mexican steel and aluminum products. But it might be good news for U.S. supermarket shoppers buying bacon, at least for a little while. Mexico's tariffs could lead to more pork supplies staying in the domestic market and lower consumer prices in the short term. Mexico also announced tariffs on several other agricultural products, including apples, potatoes and cheese as well as on American bourbon. The tariffs will amount to between 15 percent to 25 percent. Mexico's tariff on American pork applies to the animal's legs and shoulders. It also follows China slapping tariffs on U.S. pork earlier this year. On Tuesday's news, July lean hog futures fell more than 2.3 percent on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in early trading. The hog futures recouped some of the earlier losses but settled down 1.4 percent in the session.

"Producers are going to bleed a lot of red ink," said Ken Maschhoff, chairman of Maschhoff Family Foods and co-owner of the nation's largest family-owned pork producer. He said because the U.S. pork industry is "a low-cost producer of a high-quality product that's heavily dependent on trade, we've become the unintended victim here." Added Maschhoff, "I'm not here to predict what impact it might have on the markets, but any time you get tariffs on a market that's as important as Mexico to us...it's not going to be good for pork producers. It's a terrible market disruption and bad timing" The timing comes as the pork industry prepares for the busy grilling season during the summer months.

Bacon prices at supermarket could fall

The U.S. pork industry has been in the expansion mode in recent years, so industry executives say the impacts of new tariffs are amplified due to the increased supply coming on the market. They indicate that there could be lower consumer prices in the near term for pork, including bacon products.

Bob Ingelhart | Getty Images

That said, pork executives say the industry could pull back on supplies in the next year or two if trade-restricting barriers force producers to start losing significant amounts of money. If that downsizing happens, they say it could ultimately lead to higher prices in the long term for American consumers. Mexico made an announcement last week about planned trade retaliation but didn't publish any details about it until Tuesday morning. The tariffs on unprocessed pork are 10 percent and effective Tuesday and grow to 20 percent on July 5. "This is devastating to my family and pork producing families across the United States," said Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Ohio and president of the National Pork Producers Council. "A 20 percent tariff eliminates our ability to compete effectively in Mexico."

Canada expected to impose new tariffs

Canada has also published a proposed retaliation list following the U.S. steel tariffs and it doesn't currently include pork but would impact American exports of prepared ready-to-eat beef products. "Unfortunately, last week's announcement by the Mexican government about retaliatory duties on U.S. pork has now become official," Dan Halstrom, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, said in a statement Tuesday. The U.S. exports about 27 percent of total pork production, according to USMEF. Mexico is the largest volume market for U.S. pork producers, representing about 25 percent of all pork shipments last year. In terms of value, the Mexico market ranks second to Japan. Last year, more than 800,000 metric tons of American pork products shipped to Mexico, with a value of about $1.51 billion. U.S. pork exports to China in the same period were nearly $1.2 billion. According to Halstrom, Mexico "has been a record-breaking mainstay market for U.S. pork, especially for U.S. hams, and its rapidly growing pork consumption is a critical driver of growth and profitability for the U.S. industry. USMEF is still working through the details of how these new tariffs will be administered, but this is a difficult situation we had hoped to avoid."

Mexico tariffs to 'negatively impact everyone'Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is canceling most of the chamber's August recess as Republicans try to push through President Donald Trump's nominees, he said Tuesday.

The action could have another effect: giving Democratic senators up for re-election this year less time to campaign at home as they try to hold their seats.

"Due to the historic obstruction by Senate Democrats of the president's nominees, and the goal of passing appropriations bills prior to the end of the fiscal year, the August recess has been canceled," McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said in a statement.

Senators are expected to be able to spend the first week of the month in their states, then return to Washington. Aside from confirming Trump's choices for executive branch jobs and judgeships, the Senate GOP also aims to pass a bill funding the government before the current money expires at the end of September.

The action will allow Senate Republicans to move more quickly toward helping Trump reshape both the executive and judicial branches of the government. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday the administration applauds the action.

But it will also affect the major parties' fight for control of the Senate in November, as Republicans try to hold on to or expand their 51 to 49 seat majority. Twenty-six Democrats and independents who caucus with them face re-election this year, including 10 in states Trump won in 2016. That compares to only nine incumbent Republicans running this year, with only a handful facing credible threats of getting unseated.

Three fewer weeks at home will cut down on the time those Democrats have to campaign and raise funds.



Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., faces a challenging re-election campaign this year against well-funded Florida Gov. Rick Scott. He called the move to cancel the recess "a calculation of raw politics on the part of Mitch McConnell," according to NBC News. Scott responded in a statement, saying Florida residents "don't get to take the month of August off, and neither should career politicians."



Nelson tweet



Earlier in the day, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn indicated that cutting back the recess could hurt Democrats, according to NBC News.



"I think now they're desperate because now they realize they're more exposed politically because they've got so many people up running for re-election in red states," the Texas Republican told reporters, according to NBC.

Thorp tweet

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman David Bergstein attributed McConnell's decision partly to the quality of GOP Senate candidates, saying he is "right to be terrified of Senate Democrats on the campaign trail." Bergstein added that "whenever the GOP Congress is in session they find new ways to alienate and disgust voters" and said that Democrats would hold Republicans accountable if they try again to overhaul the U.S. health-care system.

Still, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that Democrats "welcome" the additional time in Washington. The New York Democrat said his party could push for votes to address rising health-care costs.Rep. James Bridenstine (R-OK) testifies before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee during his confirmation hearing to be administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill November 1, 2017 in Washington, DC. Getty Images

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine is advancing President Donald Trump's proposal that private companies take over operations of the International Space Station, according to The Washington Post. Bridenstine, who became administrator in April, told the Post he has spoken "to many large corporations that are interested in getting involved" in the flying lab "through a consortium, if you will." "We're in a position now where there are people out there that can do commercial management of the International Space Station," Bridenstine said in the interview, which was published Tuesday.

Bridenstine declined to specify which companies he had spoken to. Boeing was selected in August 1993 as NASA's primary contractor to develop and build the ISS. The aerospace giant's space division has continued to provide engineering and management under extended contracts. Boeing is tracking these developments as it works with NASA on future developments, according to the company's ISS spokesman, Steven Siceloff. "Really what we're looking at is all of the entire commercial situation: The needs of both the station and the market," Siceloff told CNBC on Tuesday.

Since last decade, NASA has turned repeatedly to Colorado companies to produce the technology it needs to not only send astronauts on new lunar missions but also to Mars and into the depths of space. Above, the International Space Station. NASA | Getty Images

Siceloff said Boeing looks at future programs for the station "in the context of the ISS transition report," which NASA released in March. The report said nearly a third of NASA's $3.3 billion annual budget for the ISS is for operating costs. Siceloff said Boeing has reduced "operating costs 30 percent over the last 10 years." Bridenstine has seven years to come up with a company or consortium to take on those costs because the White House announced plans in February to end NASA's funding of the ISS in 2025. Any transition would be inherently complex because the ISS is not a U.S. entity. It has agreements with nearly 30 nations to use the station, including Russia, the European Space Agency, Canada and Japan. "It's healthy we're having this discussion today so we understand what the relationship is going to be between the government and the private sector," Jeff Manber, chief executive of space platform builder NanoRacks, told CNBC on Tuesday. The ISS "is an integrated spacecraft," which means all its parts work together, Aerospace Industries Association vice president Frank Slazer told CNBC in February. Only a few elements "might be severable," Slazer added, saying that there "are details that have yet to be worked out."

Commercial space stations in developmentEthiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmedat at the National Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on May 25, 2018. Minasse Wondimu Hailu | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

East African growth hub Ethiopia lifted its state of emergency two months early on Tuesday, and now could be the time for frontier market investors to dive in, according to analysts. "Ethiopia's parliament has just ratified overwhelmingly the draft bill from the cabinet that lifts the state of emergency," Fitsum Arega, the prime minister's chief of staff, tweeted. "The government is confident that the public will maintain and protect peace and order." The news is the latest in a series of reformist steps that suggest now is "a good window to start investigating" investment opportunities in Ethiopia, according to Jean Devlin, partner in global risk analysis at Control Risks.

Ethiopia 'coming back from the brink'

Ethiopia, a de facto one-party state, is used to heavy-handed government control. But last week, the ruling coalition party began talks with opposition groups with a view to amending an anti-terror law critics say stymies dissent. Meanwhile, the country's telecoms sector, a state-run monopoly, said it would allow local firms to use its infrastructure to provide internet services. On top of this, the Financial Times reported that major investor China has cut back its financial ties to Ethiopia, citing concerns over foreign exchange shortages and national debt. "Caution is still required as Ethiopia is coming back from the brink," Pat Thaker, editorial director for the Middle East and Africa at the Economist Intelligence Unit, told CNBC via email Monday.

People working on an assembly line at Huajian shoe factory in Dukem, Ethiopia, on April 19, 2012. Jenny Vaughan | AFP | Getty Images

But, with Chinese investment potentially becoming less of a presence in Ethiopia, "this presents an opening for Western investors who have generally stayed back in the last two to three years, and I think the political news will complement that."

Prime minister listening to international and domestic concerns

Ethiopia imposed a state of emergency in February following the resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Longstanding tension had bubbled up between ethnic groups in the country, and the new restrictions were intended to quell civil unrest by, for example, prohibiting the distribution of politically sensitive material or unauthorized demonstrations. Current Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assumed office in April. The lifting of the state of emergency is a "welcome sign that the new prime minister is listening to international, as well as domestic, concerns over opening the political space," Devlin told CNBC via email.

People protest against the Ethiopian government during Irreecha, the annual Oromo festival which celebrates the end of the rainy season, in Bishoftu on October 1, 2017. Zacharias Abubuker | AFP | Getty Images

The country, known for its exports of coffee and other agricultural products, has seen foreign direct investment grow to over $3 billion in 2015/16. The Ethiopia Investment Commission cites leather goods, textiles, horticulture and industrial parks as areas of strategic investment and promotes incentive packages on its website. Ethiopia, though poor, also presents a considerable consumer market as Africa's second most populous country with over 100 million inhabitants.

Security situation 'still far from sorted'If you feel unsure about your future, you're certainly not alone. Even media mogul Oprah Winfrey faced uncertainty at various points in her career.

But the billionaire says that cultivating one key trait helped her discover her life's purpose and achieve extraordinary success: self awareness.

At a Stanford Graduate School of Business panel, Winfrey tells students that everyone has a calling, which goes far beyond their job description. You cannot determine what yours is, she says, "unless you take the time to actually know who you are and why you're here."

She uses herself as an example. As a burgeoning journalist in Baltimore Winfrey was demoted from her co-anchor position, and had a sense that she wasn't yet fulfilling her destiny.

Even after a successful 25-year stint in Chicago, during which her morning program, once in last place, became the highest-rated talk show in the area, she still felt unsatisfied.U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson gave Manafort's lawyers until Friday to respond to Mueller's motion, which was filed in federal court in Washington.

Mueller, in documents filed Monday night, accused Manafort of trying to "suborn perjury" and get witnesses to conceal evidence related to his upcoming criminal trials while under home confinement in his Virginia mansion. Mueller asked that Manafort's $10 million release bond be revoked, which would result in the lobbyist being sent to jail.

A federal judge on Tuesday scheduled a hearing for June 15 on a request by special counsel Robert Mueller to revoke ex- Trump presidential campaign chief Paul Manafort bail for allegedly trying to tamper with two potential witnesses against him.

Manafort's spokesman Jason Maloni said, "Mr. Manafort is innocent and nothing about this latest allegation changes our defense. We will do our talking in court."

If Manafort is jailed, it could ramp up the intense pressure he already faces to plead guilty and to begin cooperating with Mueller's ongoing probe of President Donald Trump's campaign.

Manafort, 69, is scheduled to go on trial in Washington in September. But before that, he is set to be tried on related charges in Virginia federal court starting on July 24.

Manafort is charged with a slew of crimes related to his lobbying work on behalf of Ukrainian political figures who were friendly with Russia. He is accused of secretly organizing and funding a group of European political figures to lobby in the United States for Ukraine.

He has pleaded not guilty in both cases. Manafort is the only American to have been criminally charged by Mueller who has elected to go to trial.

Several others, including former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn and Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, pleaded guilty after being charged by Mueller and agreed to cooperate with the special counsel's investigation.

Manafort's business partner Rick Gates pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy and to lying to the FBI. Gates likewise is now cooperating with Mueller's team.

Since first being charged in October in the Washington case, Manafort has been under home confinement. He occasionally has been allowed to travel, albeit with certain conditions, including that he does not commit any crime. Last month, he was permitted to leave his residence to attend the baptism of his grandson.

In his court filing Monday, Mueller accused Manafort of using an encrypted messaging platform to contact potential witnesses in the case, and influence their testimony.

Mueller's prosecutors previously had accused Manafort of seeking to influence public opinion regarding his case by ghostwriting an op-ed with a colleague who prosecutors alleged was connected to Russian intelligence services.

Mueller was appointed in 2017 to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, as well as possible cooperation by Trump campaign officials with that effort.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly called Mueller's probe a "witch hunt" and has said there was no collusion with Russia by either himself or by campaign officials.

The charges against Manafort do not include claims that he colluded with Russia during the election.

Additional reporting by Kevin BreuningerA voter casts her ballot at a Los Angeles County lifeguard headquarters at Venice Beach on June 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.

A slate of primary elections in eight states Tuesday will have perhaps the biggest stakes yet this year in the battle for Congress.

The most populous American state, California, headlines the day's primaries. Democrats are targeting up to 10 Republican-held House seats there, and could flip a significant portion of the 23 GOP seats they need in November's midterms to take control of the House. But an abundance of Democratic candidates running in the state's top-two primary system  which allows the two highest vote-getters regardless of party affiliation to move forward  could lead to the Democrats getting shut out of one or more key swing district general elections.

President Donald Trump stressed the importance of the state's House races in a tweet Tuesday morning urging voters to support Republican candidates. He and House Republican leaders have frequently used California's most prominent Democrat, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, as a midterm attack target against her party.

"Keep our country out of the hands of High Tax, High Crime Nancy Pelosi," the president wrote.

Trump tweet

Voters will also choose nominees for critical House races in states such as New Jersey and Iowa. Democrats have a chance to pick up several GOP-held seats in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, voters in red Montana will choose a nominee to face Sen. Jon Tester, one of the chamber's most vulnerable Democrats. Five of the states, including California, will start the process of electing governors, as well.

Here are some of the races to watch:The Russian leader was responding to a question about special counsel Robert Mueller 's February indictment of 13 Russians and three Russian organizations when he brought up his relationship with the American president. "Indeed, Donald Trump and I have, firstly, met more than once at various international venues," Putin said according to an official transcript available on the Kremlin's website. "And secondly, we regularly talk over the phone," he said.

The interview comes amid a backdrop of worsening U.S.-Russian relations , as Mueller continues to investigate whether any of Trump's associates have had improper dealings with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and regularly calls the investigation a "witch hunt."

Russia's state-owned news outlet RT seized on the interview , saying Putin "deflected lunges" from the interviewer who asked about Russian election meddling. "The conversation quickly became tense, with hardball questions and straightforward answers," the outlet reported.

Neither the White House nor the Russian Embassy responded to requests for comment from CNBC. The two presidents have spoken by phone eight times since Trump was elected, according to readouts available on the White House website. Putin also addressed the possibility for a summit between Russia and the United States, saying it depends on America's "internal political situation." "The congressional election campaign is getting under way and then there will be the next presidential election, and the President of the United States is coming under attack over various matters," Putin said.

Putin's interview with Austrian news presenter Armin Wolf grew heated when Wolf asked about allegations that Putin had meddled in the domestic politics of other countries.



"Please make a distinction between the Russian Government, Russia as a state, Russian citizens and certain legal entities," Putin said, repeating a talking point he has used before.

Putin also denied the accusations against Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, one of the Russians indicted by Mueller who has been accused of orchestrating the so-called "troll farm" that was used to influence American politics in 2016.

"Indeed, he runs a restaurant business, it is his job; he is a restaurant keeper in St Petersburg," Putin said. "But now let me ask you: do you really think that a person who is in the restaurant business, even if this person has some hacking opportunities and owns a private firm engaged in this activity  I do not even know what he does  could use it to sway elections in the United States or a European country?"

Prigozhin was sanctioned by the United States in 2016, before Mueller's indictment. Prigozhin, who has been called "Putin's chef" because he runs a catering business, has received billions of dollars worth of Russian state contracts, including with the Russian military.

Putin has variously denied Russian meddling and said that "patriotically minded" hackers may have been involved separately from the Russian government.



In early 2017, the U.S. intelligence community found that Putin directed his intelligence services to meddle in the presidential election, and assessed that "Moscow will apply lessons learned from its Putin-ordered campaign aimed at the US presidential election to future influence efforts worldwide, including against US allies and their election processes."

Putin compared Prigozhin to American billionaire George Soros. Soros is regularly the subject of right wing conspiracy theories, and has donated to Democratic politicians such as Hillary Clinton. He operates the Open Society Foundations, one of the largest charitable organizations in the United States, which seeks to promote democracy overseas.



"There are rumors circulating now that Mr. Soros is planning to make the euro highly volatile," Putin said, without providing evidence. Soros is known for making $1 billion on a bet against the British pound in 1992.

"Experts are already discussing this. Ask the State Department why he is doing this. The State Department will say that it has nothing to do with them  rather it is Mr. Soros' private affair. With us, it is Mr. Prigozhin's private affair," Putin said. "This is my answer. Are you satisfied with it?"



Representatives from the Open Society Foundations did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC.





One of the most powerful men in aviation has suggested that a woman would not be equipped to do his job.

Shortly after his appointment as the new chair of the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) board of governors, Akbar Al Baker, reportedly stunned reporters when asked about poor representation of women in Middle East aviation.

"Of course, it has to be led by a man, because it is a very challenging position," said Al Baker, referring to his own role as CEO of Qatar Airways.

Speaking to Bloomberg Television later, Al Baker attempted to soften his position. "I was only referring to one individual," he said. "I was not referring to the staff in general."

Al Baker then said he would welcome a female executive to succeed him at Qatar Airways.

Bloomberg News, which initially broke the story, reported that Qatar employs women pilots and senior vice presidents. The company's staff is reported as 33 percent female.

For more on this story, please click here.The escalating trade conflict between the U.S. and many of its economic partners "can get out of control very quickly" and "really hamper global growth," said Raghuram Rajan, a finance professor at the Chicago Booth School of Business.

"The key question is whether these bargaining ploys, threats of leveling tariffs, et cetera result in real negotiation which create that win-win situation; or do entities, do players get locked into positions which mean they actually have to carry out their threats? In which case we're in a lose-lose situation," Rajan told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday at the Nomura Investment Forum in Singapore.

"Some of these situations can get out of control very quickly," added Rajan, who's also the former central bank governor in India.

In a speech at the forum, Rajan warned that investors cannot take it for granted that "sensible negotiations" will happen between the U.S. and its trading partners.The name "OceanX" calls to mind SpaceX, Tesla CEO and fellow billionaire Elon Musk's space exploration venture, which is one of the world's most valuable privately-held companies (at $21 billion ) and is working toward becoming the first private space company to reach Mars . That could explain why Dalio has been prone to tout the importance of ocean exploration over space exploration.

OceanX "will enable explorers and researchers to explore the unseen ocean, map uncharted areas of the world, observe rare deep-sea creatures and pursue scientific and medical breakthroughs  and then bring all of these wonders back to the wider world through captivating media," the hedge fund billionaire announced in a press release on Wednesday.

Dalio, who runs the world's largest hedge fund (Bridgewater Associates manages over $160 billion), is teaming with "Titanic" director and deep-sea documentarian James Cameron on a new project, called OceanX . Ocean X will fund new research and exploration of the oceans along with media, such as documentary films and virtual reality content.

Billionaire Ray Dalio thinks that "ocean exploration is much more exciting and much more important than space exploration"  and his latest project aims to convince the rest of the world of that too.

"To me, the ocean remains humanity's most important, and most under-examined, treasure," Dalio said at the launch event on Tuesday at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, referring to the fact that the vast majority of earth's oceans have still yet to be explored.

Increased exploration of the world's oceans could result in any number of scientific breakthroughs, Dalio went on to explain. "[We can] unlock cures for diseases, grow new foods, discover medicines, create new industries and understand the planet in ways that we never [have] before," he said.

As the founder of OceanX, Dalio is working with Cameron and a group of media, science and philanthropic partners such as BBC Studios, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the National Geographic Society. The project is aimed at increasing awareness of ocean life and previously unexplored ocean terrain around the world.

Dalio and his son Mark, who is serving as creative director of OceanX's media efforts, also screened a new 3-D nature documentary film, "Oceans: Our Blue Planet," that was co-produced by OceanX Media along with BBC Earth and was filmed by the BBC team behind the 2017 series "Blue Planet II."

OceanX is building what it calls "the most advanced science and media vessel ever built, the Alucia 2," a ship that will debut next year with marine research labs, deep-sea submersible vehicles, helicopters and drones, as well as "cutting-edge media equipment." Cameron, who has invented his own underwater camera equipment for his own deep-sea dives, is serving as a consultant for the ship's media center and film-making equipment, OceanX said in its announcement.

The project "will reignite global passion for and curiosity about the ocean in our global, digitally-connected age," Cameron said in a statement.

OceanX plans to capture the work of the scientists and filmmakers aboard the Alucia 2 with a television series that he compared to the classic nature series "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau." The "contemporary version" of that series will include content created by OceanX for social media, virtual classrooms, museum exhibits and virtual reality, Dalio said.

Dalio has shown an interest in supporting oceanic exploration for several years, having donated $5 million in 2012, along with his personal yacht and other equipment, to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, which is also now a partner of OceanX.

"Every day, every moment, we can be excited by the ocean," Dalio said on Tuesday.

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Like this story? Like CNBC Make It on Facebook!Britain is selling some of its stake in Royal Bank of Scotland for about 2.6 billion pounds ($3.5 billion), although it will realize a significant loss as it unwinds its holding and returns the bailed-out lender to private hands.



The government said on Monday it would sell about 7.7 percent of RBS, which was rescued in a 45.5 billion pound bailout at the height of the 2008 financial crisis, reducing its overall stake to 62 percent.



Britain will make a loss on that investment, since the same number of shares were worth around 2 billion pounds more when the government made its initial and largest capital injection into RBS, at a price of 502 pence.



The loss for taxpayers would be even greater when taking into account a break-even price of 625 pence per share estimated by Britain's National Audit Office, which includes the cost of financing.



"There is no economic justification for this sell-off of RBS shares," said British opposition Labour Party's finance chief John McDonnell, responding to reports on the sale.



"There should be no sales of RBS shares, full-stop. But because of this government's obsession with privatization, the taxpayers who bailed out the bank will now incur an enormous loss," he said.



For RBS the sale marks the start of the last leg of a decade-long struggle to return to normality.



"Few argue the RBS bailout was necessary to maintain financial stability, but the cost of that intervention is now starting to emerge," said Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.



RBS has reached a series of such milestones since the start of this year, including the resolution of an investigation by U.S. authorities into its sale of mortgage-backed securities in the run-up to the crisis.



"As a business RBS remains a work in progress, and consequently an investment for recovery investors with a long-term investment horizon," Khalaf said.



RBS, whose shares closed at 280 pence on Monday, declined to comment on the sale process, which is being managed by Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan.



The investment banks have already found buyers for all the shares, according to one of them, filling the order book within half an hour, in an indication of investor interest.



The shares will be sold on Monday evening in a process known as an accelerated bookbuild to institutional investors, UK Government Investments, which manages the holding, said.



Final pricing of the deal will become clear on Tuesday.



The sale resumes a process the government began in 2015 when it sold the first tranche of its RBS shares - 5.4 percent of its stake - for 330 pence per share, at a 1.1 billion pound loss.



That prompted criticism from opposition politicians, who accused the government of poor timing. Subsequent sales were put on hold pending the agreement of the multi-billion dollar settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice.Billionaire hedge fund magnate Ray Dalio has been fascinated with finance since he was 12, when he bought his first stock. He graduated from Harvard Business School and launched Bridgewater Associates from his two-bedroom New York apartment, a hedge fund that grew to be the world's largest, managing about $160 billion. But in a recent "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit, when asked, "What book or books have had the biggest impact on your life and world view and why?" none of his suggestions had anything to do with business. Instead, Dalio responded with three books which emphasize broad thinking, history and evolution. They're books Dalio recommends over and over again.

1. "The Lessons of History" by Will and Ariel Durant

Historians Will and Ariel Durant spent decades working on 11 volumes of "The Story of Civilization," covering vast spans of information. Then when they were done, they shrunk down their findings and focused on lessons, publishing one short book called, "The Lessons of History." It's Dalio's top book recommendation, he said on Reddit. "These fabulous historians who wrote thousands of pages of history distilled it down into these 104 pages," Dalio told CNBC Make It about the book in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. For the billionaire, recognizing that events, themes and ideas tend to repeat themselves is key for success. "Most everything happens over and over again, in slightly different ways," Dalio says in his "Principles for Success" video series. "People are biased by recent history and overlook events that haven't happened in a long time, perhaps not even in their lifetime, but they will happen again."

2. "River Out of Eden" by Richard Dawkins

Zooming out further, Dalio also recommends Redditors read "River Out Of Eden," which explores evolution. "We, the human race, are one of only 10 million species," Dalio told CNBC Make It about the book in January. "Our brains have programming that is older than mankind. Man is 200,000 years old. So to understand the laws of nature, which we're all subject to, I'd recommend this book." Author Richard Dawkins explores why species evolve, where they came from and where they could go next.

3. "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" by Joseph CampbellIn San Francisco, there's all-out battle for the mayor's office, and tech leaders are pouring money into the race.

Eight candidates are vying in Tuesday's special election, which resulted from the sudden death in December of 65-year-old Mayor Ed Lee, who had deep ties with the tech community.

Most of the heavy-hitters in tech are supporting candidate London Breed, with some supporting Jane Kim. Donors include Medium CEO and Twitter co-founder Evan Williams, who has donated $100,500 to committees supporting Breed.

Venture capitalist Ron Conway and his wife, Gayle, have also contributed toward a Breed victory; Gayle Conway spent $200,000 on a committee against Kim. Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen donated $49,000 to a committee backing Breed. Facebook gave $35,000 to a committee supporting Breed. Former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of the late CEO Steve Jobs and founder of the Emerson Collective, have donated $500 each to Breed's campaign.

Kim has tech backers as well. The CEO of Automattic, Matt Mullenweg, and Zendesk CEO Mikkel Svane have donated $100,000 and $50,000, respectively, to a committee supporting Kim.

The winner of the special election will serve through 2020.

During his tenure, Lee oversaw a temporary tax break  often dubbed the "Twitter tax break"  that provided incentives for companies to move into buildings in San Francisco's mid-Market neighborhood. The break was especially beneficial for pre-IPO tech companies, as it exempted them from paying potentially expensive payroll taxes on the value of employees' vested stock options.

Since then, many tech companies established or expanded their presence in the neighborhood, including Twitter, Spotify, Uber and Zendesk. Other big tech companies expanded their presence in San Francisco during Lee's mayorship, including Pinterest, Dropbox, Airbnb, Yelp and Square. Salesforce also expanded its presence in San Francisco, building the soaring Salesforce Tower, which is now the tallest building in the city.

Lee's mayorship also coincided with a backlash against the tech industry in San Francisco. Critics argue the infusion of highly paid tech engineers has led to the city's housing crisis, congestion and the rise of homelessness  all of which are top issues in the mayoral race.



San Francisco residents are voting Tuesday on upholding a ban on all flavored tobacco, and industry and anti-smoking advocates are watching closely.

Most flavors are banned from cigarettes under federal law, but menthol and other tobacco products are exempt. Residents are voting on a measure the city's supervisors approved last summer but was challenged by a coalition of businesses and industry associations.

If approved, sales of menthol cigarettes and fruity e-cigarette vapors will be prohibited. Tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds, which markets best-selling menthol brand Newport, has poured nearly $12 million into opposing the measure.

San Francisco last year became the first city to approve an outright sales ban, and other communities in the Bay Area have since pursued similar policies. Tuesday's showdown could dictate future momentum.

"I think it almost certainly will serve as a catalyst for other cities around the country to take on the issue of flavored tobacco products, including menthol," said Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "It not only sets a precedent, but it also provides a guideline for an action that probably could have a greater effect on African-American tobacco use than any other single action."

Supporters, including former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, have raised $2.8 million to uphold the ban. They say prohibiting sales of menthol cigarettes could help prevent young people and African-Americans from getting hooked. Nearly 9 in 10 African-American smokers aged 12 and older prefer them, according to data cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Reynolds has bankrolled the opposition effort. In addition to Newport, its brands include Camel and Pall Mall, which have menthol offerings. R.J. Reynolds' new owner, British American Tobacco, produces Kool, a menthol cigarette line.

The company did not respond to CNBC's request for comment. A spokesman told CNBC in September that "history has shown prohibition does not work" and "education and those measures should be pursued before government starts considering the prohibition and ban of legal products."

San Francisco estimates the ban would result in a decrease of $50 million per year in flavored cigarette sales. Miriam Zouzounis, a board member of the Arab American Grocers Association, said there are already "strong mechanisms" in place to prevent youth use, such as California's 2016 law raising the age to buy tobacco products to 21.

"Continuing to uphold these laws and continue the type of programming that exists I think is the only way to solve this problem," Zouzounis said. "Sanctioning retailers and taking highly regulated products into the black market is not the way to do this."

San Francisco neighbor Oakland approved a similar ban September that's scheduled to take effect this year. New Jersey lawmakers drafted legislation of their own earlier this year that would prohibit menthol cigarettes.

Federal action could also follow. The Food and Drug Administration said in March it will consider the role flavors, including menthol, play in helping adult smokers quit smoking cigarettes and attracting teens to e-cigarettes.

Anti-smoking advocates have criticized the agency for not doing enough to stop kids from using e-cigarettes. One brand in particular, Juul, has become popular among high schoolers, prompting an outcry from public health groups and lawmakers. Critics say its fruity flavors like "creme brulee" attract kids.Yet Schultz would face formidable obstacles. He would begin the gauntlet of early contests  Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina  without any experience competing for votes under intense scrutiny. Just because Trump's gut-level appeals worked among Republicans doesn't mean Schultz could persuade Democrats.

His wealth assures him the opportunity to communicate a message. The Democratic field of 2020 possibilities lacks any front-runner and the executive-outside-politics resume Schultz boasts might find a niche alongside a pack of conventional politicians.

Schultz has run an immensely successful multi-national company whose brand, should he run as a Democrat, would represent a major asset. He is bright and well-spoken about public policy.

The longtime Starbucks executive announced his retirement on Monday to pursue unspecified public service endeavors. As his interview with my colleague Andrew Ross Sorkin demonstrated again, he would bring important strengths to a race for the presidency.

After Donald Trump won the White House, even experienced political strategists hesitate to predict anything. But count Democrats skeptical about Howard Schultz in 2020.

His talk this week of healing political wounds offers "a great counter-point to Trump," notes former Obama strategist David Axelrod. But the Democrat who ultimately emerges from the pack needs the savvy to anticipate the mood of primary voters 20 months from now.

"The 2020 Democratic nominee is going to be like Wayne Gretzky," says Paul Begala, who advised Bill Clinton's winning White House campaigns. "Someone who doesn't skate to where the puck is, but to where it's going to be."

The policy issue Schultz emphasized this week  reducing the national debt  holds little promise of exciting Democratic activists eager to expand, not restrict, spending on education, training, health care and infrastructure. One potential billionaire rival, hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, has been pressing two hot Democratic buttons, environmental protection and impeaching Trump.

Schultz' bankroll makes it possible for him to consider an independent candidacy if he cannot identify a sufficient constituency among Democrats. His profile as a fiscally-conservative but socially-liberal executive  he recently shut down 8,000 Starbucks stores for a day of racial bias education  resembles that of Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor who has also flirted with an independent run.

Bloomberg ultimately decided he couldn't find a path to an electoral college majority, even if he could manage the complex challenge of getting on state election ballots. The most successful third-party challenge in decades, by Ross Perot against Clinton and Republican incumbent president George H.W. Bush in 1992, drew just 19 percent of the vote and failed to carry a single state.

"I do think there can be a third party in 2020," observes Stan Greenberg, a pollster for Clinton that year. "But like Perot, it will start with mostly Republicans who can't stomach the Trump, Tea Party evangelical Republicans."

As a Democrat or an independent, Schultz could succeed as the exception who proves the rule nevertheless. And there is no doubt he will hear from political consultants that it's possible.

That's because wealthy novice candidates represent huge profit opportunities for people who conduct polling, make political advertisements and perform other campaign tasks. The moment for potential candidates to begin exploring political conditions has already begun; early entrants will begin actual campaigns in earnest soon after mid-term elections in November.

Some veteran strategists told me they expect Schultz, facing myriad challenges, to eventually back away from a presidential bid. "The question," says former Obama White House political director Anita Dunn, "is how long this will go on."Southeast Asian start-up Grab has been "battled-tested" to take on Indonesian counterpart Go-Jek as the latter expands abroad, a Grab co-founder said on Tuesday.

"Grab is very clear. We are battle-tested. We have fought much bigger competitors ... We fought Uber tooth and nail. They were much bigger and they still are bigger than us globally," said Anthony Tan, group CEO and co-founder of Grab, which offers services in ride-hailing, digital payments and food delivery.

"We have shown every time we can rise above the challenge. Now, we believe competition makes us stronger," Tan told CNBC at the annual Innovfest Unbound conference in Singapore.

In March, Uber said it was selling its Southeast Asia business to Grab. That strengthened Grab's position in the individual markets across the region.

Tan's comments came on the back of an announcement in May by massively popular ride-hailing start-up Go-Jek that it was moving into four new markets in Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines, stepping up its rivalry with Grab.

The two start-ups already compete in Indonesia, where Grab is trying to establish a stronghold.

Grab has expanded well beyond its core ride-hailing technology, and is now involved in payments, bicycles and food delivery.

On Tuesday, Grab announced it would be launching what it called an "innovation arm" to support tech start-ups and promote technology in Southeast Asia.

CNBC's Saheli Roy Choudhury contributed to this story.While U.S.-China trade talks remain unresolved, data shows the U.S. has lost more soybean sales to the Asian country this year than last.

"Soybean exports to China are down significantly from last year and the volume of outstanding sales is relatively low, indicating that there doesn't seem to be a large volume of sales waiting to be exported," Veronica Nigh, economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation, said in an email.

Accumulated lost sales of U.S. soybeans to China in the marketing year ending Aug. 31 have grown so quickly that four weeks ago the level already surpassed that of the entire 2016-2017 marketing year, Nigh pointed out. Accumulated lost sales include cancellations, foreign purchases and destination changes.

Note: Green bars indicate Trump administration announcements on trade.

This past weekend, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross concluded negotiations with China on trade with no specific agreement. A White House statement said the two sides focused generally on supplying U.S. agriculture and energy products to China.

Beijing has threatened to retaliate on the Trump administration's proposed tariffs with duties on U.S. goods such as soybeans. China is the second largest destination for U.S. agriculture exports, and about one in three rows of U.S. soybeans go to the Asian giant, according to industry reports.

"At the moment the market environment, the business environment, is one that has extreme uncertainty underpinning it," Devry Boughner Vorwerk, corporate vice president, global corporate affairs at Cargill, told CNBC in a phone interview on Monday. "With all the uncertainty hanging over our head with potential tariffs going into place, the U.S. may lose its position with one of its biggest customers."

Minnesota-based agriculture giant Cargill has been operating in China for more than 40 years and operates six oilseed crush plants in the country, according to a letter Vorwerk sent the Office of U.S. Trade Representative on May 11.

Note: Green bars indicate Trump administration announcements on trade.

China canceled 136,000 metric tons of U.S. soybean purchases in the week ended May 24, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service. That brings accumulated exports of U.S. soybeans to China for the marketing year to 27 million metric tons, 20.5 percent less than this time last year.

Beijing said in a statement this weekend it is willing to increase imports from the U.S., but said any deal is off if the Trump administration goes through with tariffs, according to a report from state-backed newspaper Xinhua.

On those conditions, China also offered to purchase nearly $70 billion of U.S. farm and energy products, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing sources.

That figure is a fraction of the $375.2 billion U.S. trade deficit with China that President Donald Trump would like to reduce. The trade dispute also involves protection of U.S. intellectual property and picked up in the last several months with the Trump administration's tariffs on steel imports.

U.S. soybean futures are down 1.7 percent week-to-date to just above $10 a bushel. They dropped 1.9 percent last week, after rallying 4.3 percent the week prior in the wake of a pause in the trade dispute.

To be sure, overall U.S. soybean exports to China were expected to decline in the current marketing year due to a historical low in U.S. soybean protein content, Rich Nelson, director of research at market research and trading firm Allendale, told CNBC last month.

The cancellations and declines in Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans in the last several weeks also come during a time when China tends to shift its buying to Brazil due to seasonal factors.

"We believe China would still like to commit to purchasing from the U.S. market," Cargill's Vorwerk said.Starbucks shares fell during afterhours trading following news that its longtime leader Howard Schultz will be stepping down this month  but the stock is still a buy, according to analysts at UBS.



"We expect shares will come under modest initial pressure given the departure of such a unique talent and visionary, but quickly return to trading on expectations for near-term fundamentals," the Swiss lender said in a client note Tuesday.

Shares of the company fell 1.35 percent overnight after Schultz delivered a memo to employees on Monday announcing his departure as executive chairman.

Credited with building the modern Starbucks, Schultz joined the iconic coffee chain in 1982 as director of operations and marketing, and it has since become a globally recognized brand with more than 28,000 locations around the world.

This week's price dip follows a downward slide of nearly 12 percent for the company's stock price over the last year, thanks mainly to struggling same-store sales in the U.S. This will be a near-term focus for the brand, but earnings-per-share (EPS) will become increasingly attractive as the trajectory of same-store sales improves, UBS said. Earnings-per-share is a key metric used by traders to gauge a stock's value.Swiss voters go to the polls Sunday to decide whether the country should switch to a so-called sovereign money system.

An upcoming referendum in the wealthy Alpine nation of Switzerland could be set to dramatically transform the global banking industry. Swiss voters go to the polls Sunday to decide whether the country should switch to a so-called sovereign money system. The referendum is attracting international interest because of how it reflects debates held by economists and lawmakers in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crash.

What is this vote all about?

Supporters of the initiative, known as the "Vollgeld" or the Sovereign Money Initiative (SMI), say approving the measure would make the financial system safer by preventing bankers from recklessly lending and putting people's savings at risk  again. That's because the change would make it much harder for commercial banks to extend credit, effectively creating cash. Instead, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) would become the monopoly provider of Swiss francs. However, opinion polls indicate SMI will not receive enough votes to pass. Around two-thirds of the Swiss electorate is expected to vote against the plan, which SNB Governor Thomas Jordan has described as a "dangerous cocktail."

UBS Chief Executive Sergio Ermotti. MICHAEL BUHOLZER | AFP | Getty Images

Jordan's thoughts on the vote were also echoed by UBS Chief Executive Sergio Ermotti last month, as he told reporters: "I don't expect the Swiss people to be suicidal and approve it." Swiss bankers are generally expected to vote "no" in the forthcoming referendum, due to a widely held belief that the measure would threaten their business models, curtail economic growth and put Bern at a competitive disadvantage.

How does SMI work?

In practice, the initiative would constitute the end of fractional reserve banking  a cornerstone of lending around the world  in which banks "create" money each time they issue a loan. The introduction of SMI would subsequently force Swiss banks to completely overhaul their current business models, which given the importance of banking to the country, would have a significant impact on its economy. Around 85 percent of the money in circulation in Switzerland currently is thought to be electronic money created by domestic banks. A situation that proponents of SMI claim is inherently unstable. They propose changing the face of the financial system by ensuring people put their money in risk-free sovereign money accounts. Thereafter, banks would only be allowed to lend money they administer in savings accounts, or what they can get from money markets or the central bank.

Why is the SNB against the initiative?

The SNB is opposed to the measure, despite supporters of the campaign arguing the central bank should be allowed to re-assume its constitutional role. Yet, SNB chief Thomas Jordan says the Vollgeld scheme  which has not been tried elsewhere  would constitute a leap into the unknown.

S&P Global Ratings said in a research note published Tuesday that while they do not expect a majority vote for the adoption of the sovereign money system, a "yes" vote could affect the "creditworthiness" of Swiss banks. "In any case, we would expect the Swiss parliament and the SNB to proceed cautiously to minimize the impact on the Swiss financial and economic system," S&P Global added.

Why is Switzerland having this referendum?

Switzerland's political system is designed so that referendums can take place when an issue receives more than 100,000 signatures. It often means radical ideas are put to the test in a national vote. Over the past year, the country was asked to vote on whether to get rid of television license fees and whether to introduce universal basic income for all citizens. Both ideas were overwhelmingly rejected. "This vote is very complex  Which means it is also very dangerous because many people do not fully grasp all of its consequences," Jean-Charles Rochet, professor of banking at the University of Geneva, told CNBC in a phone interview. "In a world where experts are not listened to, it seems counterproductive to have a political vote on an economic issue," Rochet said.

But what would happen if it passed?

Bank shares are widely expected to fall even further if SMI wins enough votes on June 10. Shares of UBS and Credit Suisse, the two largest banks in Switzerland, tumbled to multi-month lows in May. The lenders were partly reacting to ongoing political uncertainty in Italy and Spain amid fears of market contagion in Europe, while the potential introduction of SMI is seen as likely to further exacerbate their problems.

FABRICE COFFRINI | AFP | Getty ImagesTesla's new Model 3 car on display is seen on Friday, January 26, 2018, at the Tesla store in Washington, D.C.

At a shareholder meeting on Tuesday, Tesla's head of worldwide sales, Robin Ren, revealed that the company plans to build its first factory outside of the U.S. in Shanghai.



The Chinese government recently announced that it will allow foreign electric vehicle makers to fully own auto-factories there. Tesla's move into China is hotly anticipated, as building some vehicles there would allow the company to avoid import tariffs.

Unlike Tesla's first American factories, Tesla's new so-called "Dreadnought" factories should produce both batteries and assemble vehicles in one place, CEO and chairman Elon Musk said at the meeting.Charleston, South Carolina Sean Pavone | Getty Images

10. Charleston, South Carolina

Median balance: $20,469

Average number of loans: 3.9

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 24.4 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 7.0 percent

9. Columbia, South Carolina

Median balance: $20,560

Average number of loans: 3.9

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 23.3 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 7.9 percent

8. Jackson, Mississippi

Median balance: $20,650

Average number of loans: 4

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 24.8 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 8.7 percent

7. Birmingham, Alabama

Median balance: $20,679

Average number of loans: 3.6

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 24.2 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 7.7 percent

6. Little Rock, Arkansas

Median balance: $21,031

Average number of loans: 3.8

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 25.9 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 7.6 percent

Akron, Ohio Henryk Sadura | Getty Images

5. Akron, Ohio

Median balance: $21,037

Average number of loans: 3.5

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 23.0 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 6.5 percent

4. Raleigh, North Carolina

Median balance: $21,357

Average number of loans: 3.7

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 22.9 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 8.7 percent

3. Richmond, Virginia

Median balance: $21,915

Average number of loans: 3.8

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 23.9 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 7.7 percent

2. Atlanta, Georgia

Median balance: $22,232

Average number of loans: 3.8

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 26.0 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 9.1 percent

Median balance: $22,803

Average number of loans: 3.4

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 25.8 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 9.8 percent

Here are the 10 cities with the least student debt:

10. San Jose, California

Median balance: $15,273

Average number of loans: 3

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 17.2 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 6.3 percent

9. Provo, Utah

Median balance: $15,244

Average number of loans: 3.6

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 20.4 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 5.8 percent

8. Ogden, Utah

Median balance: $15,244

Average number of loans: 3.3

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 18.3 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 4.8 percent

7. Salt Lake City, Utah

Median balance: $15,165

Average number of loans: 3.3

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 16.8 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 5.2 percent

6. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Median balance: $15,056

Average number of loans: 3.3

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 16.5 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 3.9 percent

Faunce House at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island Yiming Chen | Getty Images

5. Providence, Rhode Island

Median balance: $15,025

Average number of loans: 3.1

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 14.0 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 4.0 percent

4. Bakersfield, California

Median balance: $14,656

Average number of loans: 3.1

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 15.8 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 4.8 percent

3. Springfield, Massachusetts

Median balance: $14,615

Average number of loans: 2.9

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 14.5 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 4.8 percent

2. Fresno, California

Median balance: $13,808

Average number of loans: 3.1

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $50,000: 15.9 percent

Percentage of borrowers who owe more than $100,000: 4.4 percent

1. McAllen, TexasCEOs and corporate executives can now run for president without prior political experience because of Donald Trump, Yale business management guru Jeff Sonnenfeld told CNBC.

"There's a huge barrier that Donald Trump tore down," Sonnenfeld said, who serves as a senior associate dean at the Yale School of Management. "And that pathway is now open for the Mark Cubans and the Bob Igers, who I believe by the way probably was seriously considering [running for president] before getting into this whole Fox acquisition effort."

On Monday, Howard Schultz, Starbucks' executive chairman who formerly had two stints as CEO, announced in an employee memo that he would be stepping down, effective June 26. He will become chairman emeritus.

Schultz, who previously said he was not interested in running for president, said he would leave the option open for future political endeavors.

"I'll be thinking about a range of options for myself, from philanthropy to public service, but I'm a long way from knowing what the future holds," Schultz said in the memo.

On Monday he told Andrew Ross Sorkin of CNBC and The New York Times that he has been considering "for some time" ways in which he could give back to the country.

"One of the things I want to do in my next chapter is to figure out if there is a role I can play in giving back," Schultz said. "I'm not exactly sure what that means yet."

While the exact details are unclear, Sonnenfeld said it likely involves the 2020 presidential election. "I would say he's running," Sonnenfeld said.

Sonnefeld, who said he's known Schultz for many years, pointed out that Schultz worked at Starbucks for more than 30 years.

"Howard's done," Sonnenfeld said. "He wants to do something different."President Donald Trump is blaming his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, for allowing the Russia investigation to continue. Trump tweets that he would have "picked someone else" for the top job at the Justice Department had he known Sessions would recuse himself from the probe.

It's the latest salvo from Trump in his bid to discredit the ongoing probe by special counsel Robert Mueller. Mueller is investigating Russia's attempts to sway voters in the 2016 election and whether Trump associates provided any help. He's also investigating whether Trump obstructed justice by taking steps to shut down the probe

Trump tweeted Tuesday: "The Russian Witch Hunt Hoax continues, all because Jeff Sessions didn't tell me he was going to recuse himself...I would have quickly picked someone else. So much time and money wasted, so many lives ruined...and Sessions knew better than most that there was No Collusion!"

Donald Trump tweetBritain's government said Tuesday it was now prepared to give Twenty-First Century Fox the provisional go-ahead to buy Sky, subject to the sale of its Sky News channel.

If approved, it could pave the way for a dramatic bidding war with U.S. media giant Comcast.

Culture Secretary Matt Hancock said Fox's proposal to divest Sky News to Disney  or any other suitable buyer  was likely to be the most proportionate and effective solution to tackle any outstanding public interest concerns.

In addressing Comcast's rival bid for Sky, Hancock said he would not intervene.

Comcast submitted a competing offer for Sky in February, prompting Sky's independent board members to withdraw their recommendation of the offer from Fox  which currently owns 39 percent of the European pay-TV group.Mark Zuckerberg testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill April 11, 2018.

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee demanded that Facebook's chief executive officer respond to a report that user data was shared with at least 60 device manufacturers, weeks after the social media company said it would change its practices after a political firm got access to data from millions of users.

Senators John Thune, the Republican chairman, and Bill Nelson, the ranking Democrat, on Tuesday wrote to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg after the New York Times reported that manufacturers were able to access user friends data even if the friends denied permission to share the information with third parties.

The letter asks if Facebook audited partnerships with the device manufacturers under a 2011 consent order with the Federal Trade Commission. It also asked if Zuckerberg wanted to revise his testimony before the Senate in April.

Facebook said it looks forward to addressing any questions the Commerce Committee has.

Facebook still has not answered hundreds of written questions submitted from members of Congress after Zuckerberg's testimony in April, according to congressional staff.

The data sharing mentioned in the Times story was used over the last decade used by about 60 companies, including Amazon, Apple, Blackberry, HTC, Microsoft and Samsung, Ime Archibong, Facebook vice president of product partnerships, wrote in a blog post on June 3.

The letter from Thune and Nelson seeks the names of all manufacturers that received user data. Senator Mark Warner, the vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee, asked Facebook if Chinese firms Huawei, ZTE or Xiaomi were among the companies that received user data. Facebook did not immediately respond to the question.

Chinese telecommunications companies have come under scrutiny from U.S. intelligence officials who argue they provide an opportunity for foreign espionage and threaten critical U.S. infrastructure, something the Chinese have consistently denied.

The Federal Trade Commission confirmed in March that it was investigating Facebook's privacy practices.

Facebook allowed Apple and other device makers to have "deep" access to users' personal data without their consent, according to the Times.

The Times said Facebook allowed companies access to the data of users' friends without their explicit consent, even after it had declared it would no longer share the information with outsiders.

Archibong said the data was only shared with device makers in order to improve Facebook users' access to the information. "These partners signed agreements that prevented peoples Facebook information from being used for any other purpose than to recreate Facebook-like experiences."

Regulators and authorities in several countries have increased scrutiny of Facebook after it failed to protect the data of some 87 million users that was shared with now-defunct political data firm Cambridge Analytica.

Two Democrats on the Senate Commerce Committee, Edward Markey and Richard Blumenthal, on Monday also wrote to Zuckerberg.

"New revelations that Facebook provided access to users' personal information, including religion, political preferences, and relationship status, to dozens of mobile device manufacturers without users' explicit consent are deeply concerning," they said in a letter.

Archibong said the cases were "very different" from the use of data by third-party developers in the Cambridge row.

New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood said on Monday the "data-sharing partnerships with other corporations" is part of the ongoing investigation into the reported misuse of Facebook user data by Cambridge Analytica.President-elect Vladimir Putin ahead of being sworn-in as President of Russia at St Andrew's Hall of the Moscow Kremlin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Russia had overcome all hardship related to Western sanctions as he spoke at a news conference in Vienna after talks with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen.

Asked about European Union sanctions imposed on Russia, Putin said sanctions and protectionist measures are harmful to all sides involved and that all sides have an interest in lifting sanctions against Russia.

Speaking alongside Putin, Van der Bellen repeated Austria's position that it will act in unison with the European Union (EU) in dealing with Russia.

Putin is meeting both Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurzin in Vienna, the trip marking his first official state visit to Austria since being re-elected to a fourth term as Russian leader.

Putin's visit comes ostensibly at the 50th anniversary of a natural gas deal with the Soviet Union, but also as Austria wants to bolster ties with Russia against a backdrop of wider tensions between Russia and the EU.

In an interview aired Monday night, Putin said he wanted to see a "prosperous and united" EU.

"The more problems there are in the EU, the bigger our risks and uncertainties," Putin told Austrian broadcaster ORF. "We need to build cooperation with the EU. We do not aim to divide the EU."

Putin's comments came as relations between Russia and the EU remain strained, largely following its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its role in a pro-Russian uprising in east Ukraine, with economic sanctions being placed on Moscow by the EU as a result.

Since then, Russia's military support of President Bashar Assad in Syria, alleged meddling in the U.S. election and alleged involvement in a nerve agent attack in the U.K. have all added to tensions. But while many European governments expelled Russian diplomats as a mark of solidarity with the U.K., others, like Austria, didn't, preferring to maintain good diplomatic ties with Moscow.

Russia's cooperation and links to anti-establishment and euroskeptic political parties in Europe, such as M5S and Lega in Italy  both political outliers that shocked the political establishment in Europe by gaining the most votes in March's election  has also raised eyebrows.





- CNBC's Holly Ellyatt contributed to this report.Protesters hold up posters with the logo of Volkswagen (VW) and of monkeys as they protest against animal testing in front of VW's showrooom, the venue where the German car maker is holding its annual press conference, in Berlin on March 13, 2018.

The German automaker Volkswagen is promising that it will no longer support the use of animals in testing the effects of diesel exhaust, as the company tries to move past an emissions-cheating scandal in which it was found to have helped finance experiments on monkeys.

The pledge was made in a letter to the German branch of the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. It is part of a push by Volkswagen, Europe's biggest car manufacturer, to cope with the toll of a scheme that has resulted in tens of billions of dollars in settlements and fines, the dismissal of successive chief executives and the arrest and imprisonment of top company officials.

The cheating, which involved Volkswagen's illegally rigging the software on millions of vehicles to make it seem as if they complied with pollution standards, has also caused a major shift in the public's perception of diesel. The fuel had been promoted as an environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline, but governments in Europe and elsewhere are increasingly restricting its use.

More from the New York Times:

Engineering a deception: What led to Volkswagen's diesel scandal

How I uncovered Volkswagen's rigged monkey experiments

10 Monkeys and a Beetle: Inside VW's campaign for 'clean diesel'

Volkswagen's reputation was further tarnished by the revelation that it and other German automakers had financed research on the health effects of diesel exhaust that involved spewing it at 10 macaque monkeys in airtight chambers. The disclosure touched off an uproar, piling pressure on Volkswagen and the other companies.

Volkswagen said in its letter to PETA, which was released on Monday, that it would abandon the practice.

Herbert Diess, the carmaker's chief executive, questioned the ethical decision to conduct experiments on primates, even though he maintained that the studies, which were carried out in the United States, did not violate local laws.

"Research projects and studies must always be balanced with consideration of ethical and moral questions," Mr. Diess wrote in the letter. "Volkswagen explicitly distances itself from all forms of animal abuse. In the future, we will rule out all testing on animals, as long as there are no pressing  such as legal  reasons that would make this necessary."

He added that the company would add the new standard to its code of conduct this year and that it would apply to all 12 of Volkswagen's brands and all 640,000 of its employees.

The move is the latest measure Volkswagen has taken to repair its reputation since Mr. Diess was appointed chief executive in April. He acknowledged in a speech soon afterward that the carmaker had "to become more honest, more open, more truthful."

PETA welcomed the latest development.

"Volkswagen did the right thing in pledging to no longer conduct tests on animals, which are irrelevant to human health and not required by law," said Kathy Guillermo, a senior vice president at the group. "PETA is calling on other carmakers that still test on animals to follow suit and embrace modern and humane, animal-free research methods instead."

For Volkswagen, the fallout from the diesel-cheating episode has yet to abate. Last month, a former chief executive of the company, Martin Winterkorn, was charged with conspiracy over the emissions rigging. The carmaker also faces a lawsuit by shareholders that could add around $10 billion to the huge cost the company has already incurred.

Volkswagen has pleaded guilty in the United States to charges related to the scheme, admitting that it illegally sold nearly 600,000 vehicles equipped with so-called defeat devices. It has paid more than $25 billion in fines and civil damages. Two executives have been sentenced to prison, and American authorities have brought charges against several others.

A Volkswagen spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Wells Fargo continues to slim down its national branch network even as rival J. P. Morgan Chase is set on a big expansion.

Earlier Tuesday, Wells said it struck an agreement with Flagstar Bank to sell 52 branches in the upper Midwest, including $2.3 billion in deposits. About 490 employees will also get job offers from Flagstar, which is based in Troy, Michigan.

It is part of a larger cull Wells Fargo announced in January, when it said it would cut more than 800 locations by 2020 to get its network down to 5,000. Last year, it closed 214 branches.

Wells executives have cited consumer preference for online and mobile banking as the reason to close or sell branches, but litigation costs have also risen related to investigations into sales practices in several business units.

Wells has also previously announced plans to cut $4 billion in annual expenses by the end of next year.

The branch sales include 33 in Indiana, 14 in Michigan, one in Ohio and four in Wisconsin.

Rival J. P. Morgan has a $20 billion, five-year plan to open 400 new branches in new locations, recently announcing a move into Washington, D.C.San Francisco Compassandcamera | Getty Images

Nearly half of San Francisco Bay Area voters plan to leave the region in the next few years, fed up with exorbitant housing costs and the long commutes caused by the lack of available homes near their workplaces. Less than 48 hours before polls open for the California election, the business-sponsored Bay Area Council advocacy group released its annual survey of registered voters in the nine-county Bay Area showing that 46 percent are likely to move away, the highest percentage in three years. Bay Area employers are losing talent and many companies are relocating to more affordable housing venues in the state, or much more likely, leaving California altogether, the Council says, as rising housing costs far exceed the compensation to cover monthly payments. Housing costs topped the list of issues for the fourth straight year. Not surprisingly, 42 percent of those polled in an open-ended question said the housing crisis was the most troubling issue. More from San Francisco Business Times:

Facebook exec tells investors it's working to address the 'existential issue' of the Bay Area housing crisis

Our View: Why these two 1970s housing policies are ill-suited to our times

The 7 big ways Prop. 13 has reshaped California Just two weeks ago, the California Association of Realtors said a San Francisco household would need to make $333,270 a year to afford a median-priced home of $1.6 million using a 20 percent down payment and a 30-year mortgage with a fixed rate of 4.44 percent. The monthly payment would be $8,330, which includes property taxes and homeowner's insurance. Only 15 percent of current S.F. households reach that compensation level, the Realtors said. For renters, the average rent for a one-bedroom unfurnished apartment in the city is about $3,258 per month. Most troubling for the future of the regional economy, is that millennials plan to flee; 52 percent said they will depart vs. 46 percent last year, the Council poll says. Despite full employment, only 25 percent of those surveyed say the regional economy is going in the right direction; in 2014, 57 percent said the economy was favorable. This year, 47 percent said they expected "a significant economic downturn" within three years, the Council said.

Leaving? For where?

Of the people surveyed in the online poll who said they want to leave, only a quarter plan to stay in California. Sixty-one percent said they would relocate outside California and 10 percent are eyeing Texas. Oregon, Nevada and Arizona were mentioned, too. Six percent said they want to go anywhere that was affordable with lower taxes. Bay Area traffic congestion was the No. 2 most-mentioned problem and homelessness followed. "These results are tough to report, but we can't let this growing pessimism become a self-fulfilling prophecy," Bay Area Council President Jim Wunderman said. "There's still time to get a handle on our housing and transportation problems, but it will require strong leadership and partnership across the region to do it combined with bold thinking and decisive action. We can't wait until our economy tanks to fix these problems and letting our economy tank is not a solution." In a possible sign of voter dissatisfaction in the coming election, 56 percent of the survey respondents said local governments are responsible for making housing more affordable and 66 percent said those same bodies should be reducing traffic congestion and providing more and better transportation solutions. About 19 percent of voters believe the tech industry should fix housing and traffic problems in the region. The full results of the survey can be seen here: 2018 Bay Area Council Poll: More Plan to Exit Bay Area by Patrick Chu on Scribd Bay Area employers are acutely aware of the housing crisis. Here's a recent rundown:

Facebook

Last Thursday at Facebook Inc.'s annual shareholders meeting in Menlo Park, Chief Policy Officer Elliot Schrage said the social media giant must address the Bay Area's housing crisis "if we're going to remain a company in Silicon Valley for the long term." "Our position is that Silicon Valley has been this extraordinary engine of economic opportunity and if we can't solve the housing and transportation issues, Silicon Valley won't be Silicon Valley," Schrage said. "These companies like ours will expand elsewhere. So we feel a real sense of urgency around that." Facebook Vice President of Public Policy and Communications Elliot Schrage says the Bay Area housing affordability crisis is an "existential issue" for the social media giant. The company predicted earlier this year that it could more than double its current headcount in Menlo Park to 35,000 employees over the next five years, eventually eclipsing the city's population. Facebook's proposed mixed-use Willow Village campus in Menlo Park call for 1,500 housing units, 125,000 square feet of retail, including an anchor grocery store and a hotel, along with 1.75 million square feet of office space. Facebook recently leased all of the 755,900-square-foot Park Tower, an under-construction office highrise in San Francisco. "We are late and frankly we have been slow  we are actually a relatively newcomer as a young company at only 15," he said. "But I think it is fair to say we have really made an investment and we consider this an existential issue."

Yelp

Conversations in the board rooms of Bay Area companies have "shifted dramatically" as the costs of hiring people locally continue to escalate, Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman said at a panel discussion on housing held at the company's San Francisco headquarters in mid April. Many investors and board members are now asking about opening up locations outside of California because of the housing crisis, Stoppelman said. Corporate board members and shareholders are asking companies why they are posting jobs in San Francisco and instead asking executives to consider more affordable cities for employees, Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman said. The obvious solution when a company continues to pay higher salaries is to ask whether an employee can be put in another city, like Scottsdale, Ariz., or Chicago or even New York City where they might be able to find housing "more readily and at a more reasonable price," Stoppelman said in an interview with San Francisco Business Times tech reporter Alisha Green. Yelp has offices in all of those locations. "So absolutely we are load-balancing across our different offices," he said. But he's found the best tech talent continues to want to work in San Francisco. "It's really about where are you going to learn the most, where are you going to join the most innovative companies, where are you going to have the most exciting peer groups, where are you going to be able to touch the newest technologies first," he said. "It's all still happening around here." Asked about how tech companies might contribute to the housing crisis because of the high pay they give workers, Stoppelman called it "a circular argument." "You have to ask yourself why do we pay people a lot of money, and it's because the cost of housing is so high," Stoppelman said. Yelp has been paying employees more to help them deal with the housing crisis, Stoppelman said, but it also has the option of adding employees in its other offices around the globe. "It's hard to see that impact in the Bay Area," Stoppelman said.

Charles Schwab

At the Charles Schwab & Co. annual shareholders meeting in San Francisco last month, Business Times banking reporter Mark Calvey asked the chairman if the new federal tax law capping the deduction for state and local taxes push some of the Bay Area's most productive residents to leave California? "Probably," Schwab told Calvey in brief remarks. "I would hope Sacramento would get more efficient and not raise taxes any more than they have. That would be good. "But a lot of companies will be moving their people out of here, unless something happens," Schwab said. "They can move to Nevada or other places with a lower cost of living. That's really important if you're raising a family." Charles Schwab, the chairman of the online brokerage he founded, says the company has more growth outside of California than within the state. Asked whether the migration is already occurring, Schwab said, "I'm seeing it now. I've seen it for the last four or five years. But that's the natural thing that happens. People move from high-cost areas to low-cost areas." That can be seen across Texas, where Schwab now employs 3,100, and in Austin, where it celebrated on May 31 the completion of three of four buildings in an office complex housing all 1,900 of its Austin-area employees. More than 100 additional jobs are posted in Austin. The online brokerage pioneer employs about 18,200 people in total, and 1,300 in in this headquarters city in San Francisco. City employment has dropped 18 percent from 2016 to 2017, according to Business Times research. "We have a lot of our (company's) growth outside of California  a lot more outside of California than inside California. "It's a complicated subject," said Schwab. It's also tougher for new home buyers in the Bay Area. The new tax law allows homeowners with existing mortgages to continue to deduct interest on a total of $1 million of debt for a first and second home. But for new buyers, the $1 million limit fell to $750,000 for a first and second home, difficult for San Franciscans where the median home price is $1.6 million.

California Public Utilities CommissionSwedish commercial vehicle maker, Scania, on Tuesday has announced the closure of its bus body building at the Narasapura plant near Bengaluru.

Swedish commercial vehicle maker, Scania, on Tuesday has announced the closure of its bus body building at the Narasapura plant near Bengaluru.

Scania is restructuring its bus manufacturing in India and is forced to close down its in-house production of bus bodies in the Narasapura premises, statement from the company said.

The company cited lack of demand for premium buses in India as the major reason behind the decision.

Scania had invested around Rs 300 crore to set up two plants, one for trucks and the other one for buses at Narasapura.

However, the bus and truck chassis production continues to stay in-house as before.

The current production capacity of the plant is 2,500 trucks and 1,000 buses.

The premium segment in the bus business in India is very small and the numbers have not been sufficient to enable profitability for Scania, the order book is slow. We continue to have ready stock on the yard. Due to which, it has become unviable to continue bus building operations at our Narasapura premises, Scania in its statement said.

While an estimated 500 workers have been impacted, largely contract workers.

The company has admitted that 111 employees on the Scania payroll have been affected due to the shutdown of the bus body manufacturing unit and 44 employees will be redeployed within Scania India and globally.

Currently, the company doesn't have any outstanding orders. However, the company have ready stock available for any market requirement as they move from in-house to outsource bus body production.

The company claimed being a 'responsible employer' will do right to its people and has offered 'Severance Scheme' to all impacted employees.A VIP Embraer aircraft carrying External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Mauritius, on her way to South Africa, had gone incommunicado for 14 minutes, triggering a mid-air scare after the Air Traffic Control of the island nation pressed the panic button, an official statement said today.

The Mauritian ATC could not establish contact with the Indian Air Force flight IFC 31 after it entered that country's airspace yesterday, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said in a statement.

But instead of waiting for the mandatory 30 minutes, the Mauritian ATC activated the uncertainty phase, known as INCERFA in aviation parlance, it said.

The Ministry of External Affairs has not commented on the issue so far.

"Mauritius ATC activated the uncertainty phase without allowing the stipulated time period of 30 minutes to lapse from the time when the aircraft last contacted ATC. This was perhaps done because the flight was carrying a VIP," the AAI said.

The flight had left for Mauritius from Thiruvananthapuram at 2.08 pm. The Male ATC had established contact with the flight at 4.44 pm IST after it entered the airspace of the Maldives from the Indian airspace.

The IFC 31 could not contact the Mauritius ATC after entering the Mauritian airspace, causing panic. However, there was a sigh of relief when the aircraft came in contact with the ATC there at 4.58 pm, the AAI said.

Since the Embraer-135 aircraft, carrying the minister, does not have a long range, it had stopovers at Thiruvananthapuram and Mauritius for refuelling.

Government sources said the crew of the flight followed the laid down procedure to deal with the situation.

Swaraj, on Sunday arrived in South Africa on a five-day visit during which she will attend the BRICS and IBSA meets -- the two major groups where India has been playing a major role. She will also meet the top leadership of the country.

BRICS is a five-nation economic bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, while IBSA is a platform for India, Brazil and South Africa to cooperate on matters of common interest in respect of global governance issues, including in the security domain.

An official conversant with the ATC issues over the Indian Ocean region told PTI that the problem in contacting the flight could have arisen due to weak radar coverage as flights have to rely on VHF communication, which have their own set of issues.

The uncertainty phase is the first of the three emergency phases, the other two being the alert phase and the distress phase.

During her transit halt in Mauritius, Swaraj met Prime Minister of the island nation Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, enhancing the ties between India and Mauritius was the focus of the meeting.

Swaraj also had an interaction with her Mauritian counterpart Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo.German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday she condemns a tweet from Iran's top leader saying that Israel is a "cancerous tumor" that needs to be removed and pledged to increase pressure on Tehran to scale back its military influence in the region.

Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Merkel said Israel's security was a top priority for Germany. The two leaders were asked about a tweet Sunday from the account of Iran's top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying his country's "stance against Israel is the same stance we have always taken.

Israel is a malignant cancerous tumor in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated: it is possible and it will happen." The Twitter account is run by Khamenei's office and it's not known if he dictates the tweets himself. The quote is from several years ago. Netanyahu called the tweet "quite extraordinary."

"Iran calls for our destruction, but it's also seeking nuclear weapons to carry out its genocidal design," he said. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, and the U.N. says it has met its obligations under the 2015 nuclear accord with world powers, which requires it to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Netanyahu was a staunch opponent of the deal, and welcomed the Trump administration's decision last month to withdraw from it.

Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China, which also signed the agreement, have said they want to preserve it. Merkel said "we sharply condemn what the Iranian leadership said," but at the same time reiterated her view that the nuclear agreement was the best way to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons. "We are not in agreement on all questions, but we are friends, we are partners," Merkel said of the visiting Israeli leader. The other co-signers of the nuclear agreement met last month in Vienna after the U.S. pulled out of the deal, reaffirming their commitment to it.

Netanyahu suggested the deal was bound to collapse without U.S. involvement, but said he agreed with Merkel that "Iran's aggressions" needed to be kept in check. "We have some disagreements, as you can see, but they're not really on goal, they're more on method," he said. Netanyahu has argued that the economic relief provided under the nuclear deal has allowed Iran to expand its military interference across the region, where it backs the Syrian government as well as armed groups like the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Berlin was Netanyahu's first stop in a European trip to try and turn key allies Germany, France and Britain to his way of thinking on the Iran deal. French President Emmanuel Macron's office said France will insist on having a dialogue with Iran. The possible unraveling of the nuclear deal has raised concerns that the U.S. or Israel might resort to war if Iran ramps up its nuclear activities.

Khamenei, who makes the final decisions on all major policies in Iran, on Monday warned that anyone who fires one missile at his country "will be hit by 10" in response, but dismissed fears of war as "propaganda" by the West. Khamenei said in a speech that he has ordered atomic authorities to increase the country's nuclear enrichment capacity.

The increase he detailed in his speech would not exceed limits set by the nuclear accord. The supreme leader also reiterated his support for the country's ballistic missile program. One of the main objections made by critics of the nuclear deal was that it did not address the missile program, which Israel and Gulf countries view as a threat. "Production of various missiles and missile power provides security," Khamenei said.

Earlier Monday, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency renewed calls for Iran to provide "timely and proactive cooperation" in inspections that are part of the nuclear deal. At a news conference later, Yukiya Amano said his statement was "not an expression of concerns or complaints, but rather an encouragement to Iran." Last month, in its first report since the U.S. withdrawal, the IAEA said Iran continues to stay below the maximum level of uranium the deal allows it to enrich. The agency's report also said Iran appears to be fulfilling other obligations, but is slow when it comes to "complementary access" inspections.Saudi Arabia has banned frozen and processed fruit and vegetable imports from Kerala amid concerns over the deadly Nipah virus outbreak.

The Nipah virus itself can cause encephalitis - a dangerous swelling of the brain - and common symptoms vary from none to elevated fevers, cough, headache, shortness of breath and confusion, the Gulf News reported on Monday.

On May 29, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) banned imports from Kerala.

UAE officials announced that 100 tonnes of fruit, vegetables and fresh produce that was to be imported from Kerala was prohibited from entry.

A UAE-based health provider, VPS Healthcare, sent a flight to the Kerala government carrying medical supplies that will help the fight against Nipah.

As of date, of the 18 positive cases, 16 have died and the remaining two are recovering well at a Kozhikode hospital while the around 2,000 people, who have reported to have come in contact with the affected, are being monitored.A complete guide to MU's 2021 Homecoming

Homecoming returns with all of the traditions, including house decs, the parade and royalty. Read more about this year's events and look back at the history of the tradition.

Read the ebookTypes of obituaries

The Missourian publishes two types of obituaries  family obituaries and life stories.

A family obituary is the version submitted by a funeral home or family. Please see the submission form for details on cost and deadlines. Family obituaries

A life story is a closer look at a person's life and involves a reporter contacting family and friends. Life stories are based on newsworthiness and consent of the family. Life stories.The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission formMicrosoft's Edge last month posted its first ever double-digit browser share, while Google's Chrome slid for the third month straight.

Mozilla's Firefox once again held steady, keeping its head above water.

According to data published Sunday by California-based metrics company Net Applications, Edge's October share climbed by 1.4 percentage points, ending the month at 10.2%, the first time Microsoft's browser broke through that psychologically important barrier. The gain was the largest ever for Edge in a single month, almost double that of the previous record set in December 2019.

The increase was so large that it immediately raised suspicions that it was a miscount by Net Applications rather than a reflection of reality. Bolstering that was an even greater boost to the share of Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE), the obsolete browser the Redmond, Wash. company has started to strip of some of its support. IE's share for October  5.6%  was 1.7 points higher than the month prior, a jump so out of character as to be unbelievable.

Edge's gain was understandable, at least. Microsoft relaunched that 2015 browser earlier this year when it recast Edge with the Google-dominated Chromium technology, the same that powers Chrome. Not only did Microsoft make Edge a Chrome copy, but it also expanded support to versions of Windows other than 10, as well as macOS and, more recently, Linux.

Since January, Edge has slowly been adding share; 3.2 points since the Chromium-based Edge went final in the Stable channel. In the past 12 months, Edge has gained 4.1 percentage points, for an average of a third of a point per month.

At that pace, Edge should sit at almost 11% by year's end and at 15% by December 2021. Of course, that assumes Edge can maintain growth, which in turn requires one or more rivals continues to give up share.

The most likely loser? Chrome, mostly because of its titanic share but also because Edge is, well, Chrome wearing a different outfit.

Microsoft's launch of Windows 10 20H2  the H2 signifying the year's second feature upgrade  last month may assist Edge as it continues to climb: 20H2 includes Chromium Edge. That should accelerate the replacement of original Edge, the version introduced in mid-2015 that ran only on Windows 10, with the sounder Chromium browser.

Chrome down for third consecutive month

Chrome dumped seven-tenths of a percentage point in October, falling back to 69.3%. The decline was the third in as many months, an unusual run that's occurred only four times in the browser's 15 years. (The last time it happened before this was in September-December 2019.)

Whenever Chrome suffers losses in two or more straight months, it's tempting to wonder whether the browser has peaked. Computerworld has tentatively pegged more than a couple such milestones before but been proven wrong each time. The browser could easily bounce back as it has before.

Computerworld's latest forecast  as always, based on Chrome's 12-month average  stayed with growth, albeit pared significantly from 30 days ago. Chrome should return to 70% by March 2021 and reach 71% by September 2022. (The latter was three months later than last month's forecast, showing how present declines quickly impact future gains.)

Edge remains Chrome's most dangerous competitor, primarily  and this is Google's own doing to some degree  because the former is the latter, what with both relying on Chromium. But Microsoft has cards to play here that Google cannot match; Microsoft will leverage its enterprise management reputation and expertise in an attempt to wean commercial customers from Google's browser.

Microsoft's strategy, then, would be the opposite of Google's. The latter pushed Chrome to consumers until its share reached tipping point, and employees demanded the right to run the same browser they'd become familiar with at home. Microsoft would instead hope to win over business users in the expectation that they might want to run the same browser on home PCs, tablets or even phones.

Firefox: Not dead yet!

Firefox didn't move its share needle last month; it stayed at the same 7.2% mark it earned in September. That meant Firefox didn't gain any ground. It also meant it didn't lose any, probably its most important goal for now and the foreseeable future.

Mozilla's browser also stuck to the bad news forecast of last month, although Computerworld's current prediction puts it under 6% in August 2021, two months later than last month's estimate. At its 12-month rate of decline, Firefox will dip below 5% in May 2022.

Elsewhere in Net Applications' numbers, Apple's Safari slumped by two-tenths of a percentage point in October, sliding to 3.4%. Opera Software's Opera fell by a slightly-larger three-tenths of a point to end the month at an all-time low of seven-tenths of a point.

Net Applications calculates share by detecting the agent strings of the browsers used to reach the websites of Net Applications' clients. The company counts visitor sessions to measure browser activity.

Or it used to.

At the same time it published October's share numbers, Net Applications announced that it's pulling the plug on the data source. "October 2020 is the last month of data," the firm said. "Why? An upcoming change in browsers will break our device detection technology and will cause inaccuracies for a long period of time."

The change Net Applications cited would remove much of the agent string information used not only to compile analytics such as browser and operating system share, but also by advertisers and/or scammers to "fingerprint" individuals so that they can be more thoroughly tracked as they conduct their online lives.

Computerworld has not yet decided whether to continue the "Top web browsers" series, and if so, which alternate data source might be used.

Stay tuned.Its been 20 years since the U.S. Department of Justice and 20 state attorneys general sued Microsoft for violating federal antitrust laws. The government argued that Microsoft illegally protected its Windows monopoly and used it to try to kill competitors to Internet Explorer, notably Netscape. The suit also charged that the company used its operating system muscle to target Apple, Lotus Software, RealNetworks, Linux and others.

In late 1999, Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ruled against Microsoft. A lot has changed since then, but how much of that change is due to that landmark ruling?

Before the suit, Microsoft was the worlds most influential technology company, with Windows essentially a monopoly in operating systems, Microsoft Office a monopoly in productivity suites and Internet Explorer a top browser.

Today, of course, the tech world is a very different place, with Google, Facebook and others wielding more power than Microsoft, with Windows overshadowed by mobile operating systems and with Microsofts browsers mere also-rans. In a recent op ed piece in The New York Times, Richard Blumenthal, now a senator from Connecticut, but back in the late 90s the states attorney general and thus part of the suit, and Tim Wu, a law professor at Columbia, argue that the growth and innovation of the internet since then was a direct result of that suit. Without the suit, they say, the internet would be a far less innovative place. They claim, Microsoft would have controlled the future of the web. Google, they say, likely would have been killed in its infancy by Microsoft, and we would all be using Bing today. They also write, Microsoft-Myspace might have become the default social network instead of Facebook. They even argue that Netflix and other streaming media services might not have ever come to exist.

It all sounds very compelling. But is it true?

Its not. Although the government was right to go after Microsoft for its anticompetitive actions, the state of the internet wouldnt be all that different than it is today if Microsoft had won the case.

To understand why, take a look at the core of the suit. Microsoft argued that Internet Explorer was an integral part of Windows, that its code was required for Windows to operate properly, and that unbundling it from Windows and allowing people to easily use other browsers would significantly harm the operating system. It was a ludicrous argument, and the court rightly ruled against Microsoft. It forced Microsoft to let people easily use other browsers than Internet Explorer.

Allowing people to choose their own browsers, though, had nothing to do with Googles success. When Google first launched, in 1998, Internet Explorer had a 45% share of the browser market, which rose to 75% the following year, and reached 94%, its peak, by 2002. During those years, as Internet Explorer increasingly dominated the market, Google took off like a rocket, so Microsofts browser success did nothing to impede Google. Chrome, which is now the dominant browser, didnt exist yet. Google succeeded for a simple reason: It was the best search engine in the world. No matter which browser you used, you used Google to search because it was far better than the competition. People avoided Microsofts MSN search like the plague because it was such a bad search tool. Bing wasnt even introduced until 2009.

As for Facebook, the claim that Microsoft-Myspace would be the worlds most popular social network if Microsoft had won the suit is just plain weird. Microsoft never owned Myspace. Facebook was launched in 2004, at a time when Internet Explorers share of the browser market was a stratospheric 91%, and that did nothing to hold back Facebook. Rupert Murdochs News Corp. bought Myspace in 2005, and the upstart Facebook beat Myspace and the global might of News Corp. because it was a far better social network.

Theres another oddball claim that Blumenthal and Wu make, that Netflix might not exist if Microsoft had won the antitrust suit. Netflix began in 1998 as a DVD rental service, and its competition was Blockbuster, not Microsoft. It wasnt until 2007 that it launched its streaming feature  and Microsoft wasnt in the business of streaming.

A common thread runs through the Google-Facebook-Netflix successes. They became what they are because theyre all better at what they do than anyone else. And they did it during the years when Internet Explorer had a monopoly or near-monopoly on the browser market. That did nothing to stop their dramatic growth.

The same holds true for the success of the iPhone and Android. Microsoft had a mobile operating system before Apple and Google, but it was pitifully bad. Microsofts attempts to make it in the mobile market have been dismal failures despite the billions of dollars spent. But that has nothing to do with the company being forced to unbundle its browser from Windows. Its because the company never really understood what people wanted in mobile phones.

So, although Microsoft was a powerful company back in the late 1980s and 1990s, the internet was far more powerful. And the internet would have remained far more powerful even if Microsoft had won the suit and Internet Explorer retained top market share.

What would the tech world look like today if Microsoft had won the antitrust suit? Not much different than it is. Google, Facebook, Netflix and Amazon would still rule the Internet. Windows hold on the operating system market would still have plummeted, taking a back seat to mobile OSes. Its possible that Internet Explorer or its successor, Edge, would now be the worlds most popular browser, which would certainly be a bad thing. But the internet as we know it would largely be the same. It remains more powerful than any one company, even one as dominant as Microsoft was 20 years ago. And it will stay that way.Crucial votes on Brexit amendments scheduled for next Tuesday

Mays flagging performance and ratings usher in a summer of plotting

Theresa May has a week to forge a compromise with Tory rebels over Brexit after she tabled votes on key legislation for next Tuesday. The 12 backbenchers are threatening to inflict a defeat in a vote on future customs arrangements. They believe that the government will put forward its own compromise agreement within days but claim it is unlikely to be enough to buy them off. The Tories could team up with opposition MPs to inflict the defeat next week. The government has still failed to come up with its own customs plan because of divisions in the cabinet. The rebels believe there will be other opportunities to defeat the government in the coming weeks when the trade bill and the customs bill come to the Commons. The rebellion focuses on up to seven amendments to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill that were forced through by peers in a series of defeats for the government in the House of Lords last month.  The Times

Speculation over Theresa Mays leadership has been on a rolling boil since the disastrous 2017 election, but a Conservative Home survey of party members published on Monday shows the desire for change could be about to spill over. Some 69% of members want May to either quit now or before the 2022 election. That rating is the third worst for the PM since last years vote, and is no doubt allied to the Governments perceived stagnation over Brexit. As Conservative Homes Paul Goodman notes: Her best rating came in February in the aftermath of her impressive handling of the Salisbury attack. The only other time it has dipped below 60 per cent was in December, in the wake of that months draft agreement with the EU (the joint report). Against this backdrop, this years summer parties will see more plotting and planning than usual.  Huffington Post

Failing to deliver Brexit would mean disaster for the Conservative Party  The Sun Says

Patel says May and Hammond have become part of the problem  Daily Mail

She tells Trump his tariffs are deeply disappointing  The Times

Spend, spend, spend  Rachel Sylvester, The Times

>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Our survey. Almost one in four Tory members want May to resign now. And over two in three want her gone before the next election.

Grayling 1) Regional papers across the north pile on pressure over rail chaos

Theresa May is coming under pressure over the rail chaos in northern England as some of the areas largest newspapers join together to demand that she get a grip on the governments response. The news came after the transport secretary, Chris Grayling, faced calls to resign as he was questioned by MPs and announced an inquiry into the botched timetabling changes that have caused delays and cancellations for hundreds of thousands of people. As he came under increasing pressure in the Commons, titles that collectively sell an average of more than 300,000 copies per edition said Grayling should take accountability, while the prime minister should should take a personal grip of resolving the crisis. The 25 titles, which are owned by various groups and include the Manchester Evening News, the Liverpool Echo and the Yorkshire Post, called on May to lead an emergency summit in Downing Street this week to find a solution to the crisis, and urged a review of rail franchising.  The Guardian

>Yesterday: Iain Stewart on Comment: The railways have moved on. Now fares and ticketing must do so too.

Grayling 2) The Cabinet is expected to back Heathrow plans today

The UK cabinet is expected to rubber stamp plans for a third runway at Heathrow on Tuesday in a decision that will expose deep divisions in the Conservative and Labour parties. Chris Grayling, transport secretary, is set to put forward the Airports National Policy Statement, paving the way for a Commons vote on the Heathrow third runway within three weeks. The proposal will be discussed by a cabinet sub-committee on Tuesday morning before going to full cabinet for approval shortly afterwards. Boris Johnson, the former London mayor, is the only cabinet minister expected to oppose the plan. He will be given dispensation to vote against the third runway along with other Tories who have constituencies near the airport or who have expressed long-held opposition to the plan.  FT

It must be approved  and then we must plan another new runway  The Sun Says

Therell be a vote next month  The Sun

The Foreign Secretary plans to be abroad on business at the time  Daily Mail

>Today: The Moggcast. Weve got to build a lot of houses, including on poor quality scrub land in the Green Belt.

Javid 1) New counter-terrorism plans to clamp down on online extremism

The UK government is planning to introduce a new three strikes law for people streaming extremist terror content in a new counter terror bill to be unveiled in the coming days. The move is part of a broader strategy to combat terrorism in the wake of last years Islamist-inspired terror attacks in London and Manchester, which led to the deaths of 36 people. The government wants to tighten the laws around the way terrorists access content online, making it harder for extremists to radicalise people through the web and for terrorists to communicate and plan attacks. Under the proposed changes, the offence of possessing information likely to be useful to a terrorist would be strengthened to apply to material viewed online three or more times, the Home Office said.  FT

>Today: ToryDiary: Javid gives Gove a run for first place in our Cabinet League Table. May is back in negative territory.

>Yesterday: Globally, Muslims are by far the biggest victims of Islamist terrorism. Javids counter-terrorism strategy speech  full text

Javid 2) Wallace: The prospect of taking back control has made voters more relaxed about immigration

Since the referendum, in fact, voters have become more positive about immigration. Crucially, that is true of Leave voters as well as Remainers. What appears to be happening is that the prospect of regaining democratic control of our borders is itself bringing people to a more nuanced and practical position. While people were denied a choice, they took a hardline view; now they believe they will get a say on how things are run, they are moderating. That is an essential lesson. Politicians who interpret the softening of public opinion as a sign it would be safe to continue free movement are wrong  but so are those who imagine a post-Brexit immigration policy will have to be brutally restrictive. Sajid Javid is already pushing a more relaxed immigration line as Home Secretary.  Mark Wallace, the i paper

>Today: Andrew Mitchell on Comment: A 28-day time limit on immigration detention would save money and make the system more just

Clark opens the door to taxpayer funding for new nuclear plant

Green energy could trigger economic and political crises  The Times

The taxpayer suffers a 2.1 billion loss with RBS sale  FT

The Prime Minister rejects colleagues proposal to impose abortion reform on Northern Ireland

Ministers are considering investing billions of pounds of taxpayers money in a new nuclear power plant on Anglesey, which they say would deliver cheaper electricity than Hinkley Point. In a policy shift, Greg Clark, the business secretary, confirmed last night that state investment was on the cards for the proposed Wylfa plant, which could power five million homes and is estimated to cost 15 billion. The announcement marks a rejection of the widely criticised private sector funding model used for Hinkley Point in Somerset, and a return to state investment in major power plants for the first time since the electricity industry was privatised. Sources suggested the government could invest between 1 billion and 2 billion in Wylfa, alongside equal investments by Hitachi, the Japanese conglomerate developing the plant, and the Japanese government.  The Times

In Downing Street, May met the former home secretary Amber Rudd, former education secretary Justine Greening and Maria Miller, chair of the women and equalities committee. Also present was international development secretary, Penny Mordaunt, who also holds the women and equalities brief. Mordaunt backs a move to liberalise the lawThe Guardian understands May told MPs at the meeting she was not prepared to overrule Stormont, and said the issue of abortion was a sensitive one in Northern Ireland and in the Conservative party. May is understood to have told the Tory MPs that disquiet over the Northern Ireland abortion laws would come at an extremely sensitive time for the government, including potentially during crucial Brexit votes and may hamper efforts to restore power-sharing at Stormont. In turn, the prime minister was warned there was a growing appetite among Tory MPs for a referendum.  The Guardian

>Yesterday: Fiona Bruce on Comment: Lets recognise this move for what it is  a push to make abortion up to birth legal throughout the UK

Corbyn backs Warsis call for an inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative Party

Corbynite commentators get their lines to take from WhatsApp group  The Times

Khan eggs on Labour Brexit rebellion  Daily Mail

Left-wing hate mobs loathe free speech  Melanie Phillips, The Times

My generation is taught to be ashamed of our country  Steven Edginton, The Sun

Commons watchdog declines to investigate Bercows comments about Leadsom

The Tories have been under pressure since the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) called for an investigation, highlighting a range of claims including candidates and other representatives allegedly having far-right connections or sending offensive tweets. The Labour leader backed calls for an investigation on Monday night after home secretary Sajid Javid rejected the proposition of an inquiry, which gained support from Conservative peer Sayeeda Warsi. I think if there are allegations made then an inquiry should be held and it should be addressed and it should be dealt with, Corbyn told the Press Association at a west London mosque. Islamophobia, as with antisemitism, as with any other form of racism, has no place whatsoever in our society.  The Guardian

John Bercow will not be investigated by the Commons ethics watchdog over claims that he called Andrea Leadsom a stupid woman and f***ing useless. Kathryn Stone, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, said that a complaint against the Speaker over the incident was outside her remit because only he had the power to rule on conduct in the Commons chamber. It is the second time in recent weeks that a complaint about Mr Bercow has not resulted in an investigation. Last month Ms Stone was refused permission by a committee of MPs to investigate allegations that Mr Bercow bullied staff members, which he denies.  The Times

Inquiry explores why Grenfell residents were told to stay put for so long

Grenfell Tower victims had more than half an hour to escape the high-rise block before the stairs filled with toxic smoke, but were told to stay put by the fire service, the official inquiry was told on Monday. The failure to evacuate the building immediately by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) may have made all the difference between life and death. An official report revealed that the controversial stay put strategy had substantially failed by 1.26am when flames could be seen to have reached the top of the 23-storey tower block. It said the building remained tenable for escape while the stairwells stayed smoke-free, which was until at least 1.30am. But it would take the fire service until 2.47am  41 minutes after it had declared the disaster a major incident  to abandon the advice and instead encourage residents to evacuate.  Daily Telegraph

A series of design flaws made a disastrous fire almost inevitable  The Times

We need a forensic search for truth, not a politicised rush to judgment  Daily Telegraph Leader

News in BriefDear Colleague,

I am writing to update you on the issue of abortion law in Northern Ireland, following the recent referendum in Ireland, which voted in favour of repealing the eighth amendment.

As you will be aware, there have been calls for the UK Government to act in the absence of a devolved Assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland.

I want to take this opportunity to set out a number of important points on the issue of abortion law in Northern Ireland, following the significant moment we witnessed in Ireland.

First, its important to be clear that the referendum was specific to Ireland, where a change to their written constitution requires a referendum. The referendum now allows for legislation amending Irelands abortion law to be debated and passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas.

This was a referendum which was decided by the people of Ireland and is now to be taken forward by the Irish Government. It is clearly a matter for them and has no bearing on the law in Northern Ireland.

That said, the result of the Irish referendum has undoubtedly reinvigorated debate within Northern Ireland. It is also clear that abortion remains a highly sensitive issue, regardless of where your view lies. It is important, therefore, that this matter is considered with due care and sensitivity.

Here in the United Kingdom, the Government believes that any future reform in Northern Ireland must also be debated and decided by the people of Northern Ireland and their locally-elected politicians. Importantly, this is a view shared in Northern Ireland, where there is a cross-party, cross-community consensus that Westminster should not impose its will in this highly sensitive, devolved area.

This has been the position of successive UK Governments, both Conservative and Labour, which have never sought to change the law relating to abortion in Northern Ireland given the enormous sensitivities that this issue raises.

It is important to note, however, that the Government has acted in this area: since 29 June last year women from Northern Ireland have had access to free abortion procedures performed in England. This decision strikes an appropriate balance between respecting the devolution settlement, and supporting women from Northern Ireland access safe and affordable abortion services in England.

When the issue of abortion has been debated in this House it has been as a matter of conscience and has been conducted as a free vote; and the same applies in Northern Ireland.

Equally, there is no doubt that for many decades abortion law has been an extremely sensitive issue in Northern Ireland where there are many deeply and sincerely held views across all sides of the debate  just as there has been in this House.

What is clear however is that even amongst proponents of reform there is currently no consensus on what that reform should entail.

For example, there are those in favour of extending abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality  or in cases of rape and incest  but others who want to extend the laws that apply here to Northern Ireland. It is worth noting that when the Northern Ireland Assembly last considered reform of Northern Irelands abortion law, in February 2016, there was a cross-community majority against allowing abortions in case of fatal foetal abnormality, rape or incest.

There have also been calls from some to repeal sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 in order to legalise abortion in Northern Ireland. This would not, however, provide a satisfactory way forward, as it would leave a gap in the law, and without any new provisions it offers no safeguards for women. It would also have an impact on England and Wales, as well as in Northern Ireland.

The 1967 Abortion Act provides defences against the criminal law offences contained in the 1861 Act. If these offences were removed then abortion would in effect be decriminalised and no legal framework would be in place, including no gestational time limits. A new legal framework would be needed to replace those provisions, which is rightly a matter which locally accountable politicians in Northern Ireland should have the opportunity to debate and consider.

This Government, like its predecessors, believes that the best forum to debate and resolve these and many other matters is in a locally-elected Northern Ireland Assembly.

As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I want to ensure that any future reform is handled with due care and consideration  with locally elected and locally accountable politicians having the opportunity to consider and debate the issue, and for the people of Northern Ireland to have a direct say in the devolved issues that affect their lives.

Just as we have debated in this House the laws that ought to apply here, the democratically elected Assembly in Northern Ireland must continue to consider this fundamental issue, listening to the views of the people of Northern Ireland.

My focus therefore remains on working closely with Northern Irelands political parties to restore strong, inclusive devolved government at the earliest opportunity: this is what the Northern Ireland public wants.

I also want to continue to hear from those in civil society, on all sides of the debate, as I am deeply sympathetic to the cases being debated.

I hope this update is helpful. Please dont hesitate to get in touch with any questions.

Etc,

Karen Bradley

Andrew Mitchell is a former International Development Secretary, and is MP for Sutton Coldfield.

With Dostoyevskys maxim in my mind  that the degree of civilisation in a society is revealed by entering its prisons  I recently visited Brook House Immigration Removal Centre, near Gatwick. Prepared for the worst by the Panorama expose and accounts of terrible conditions, I was pleasantly surprised. The regime seemed, to an outside observer, humane and decent, though clearly we must always ensure that individual behaviour by all staff is both transparent and accountable.

But neither the conditions for detention nor the debate as to whether or not G4S should run Brook House go to the heart of the matter. The best regime in the world cannot ameliorate the fundamental injustice of a system that arbitrarily imprisons people without time limit for solely administrative reasons.

This is not a matter of criminal justice, but of the administration of our immigration rules. The distinction is important. Many people in immigration removal centres have never been charged with any crime, while some have previously been in prison following conviction for a criminal offence but have served their time. All are detained purely and simply because they are liable for removal. Some go on to be removed, but more than half are, at an arbitrary later date, released and able to remain in the UK temporarily or permanently.

Recently, the most glaring abuse of this same immigration rule was the detention of English citizens who had come to the UK as children of the Windrush generation, an abuse of power which rightly generated a national outcry. The reality is that we remain the only country in Europe to detain people indefinitely for the purposes of immigration enforcement. So we need to ask ourselves whether the UK can reconcile the need to remove people without legal rights to remain in the country with a humane and just system of administration. In my opinion it can and it must.

If individuals have no right to remain here we should, in my view  as the key priority  strongly encourage other countries to accept the return of their citizens. Indeed, we should negotiate such deals and procedures as an urgent necessity. In this way individuals are no longer left in limbo in immigration detention. At the same time UK law must change if we want to be worthy of our oft-repeated claim to have the finest justice system in the world.

To end arbitrary unlimited immigration detention, I am proposing a simple change to our immigration law  the introduction of a 28-day time limit for administrative detention. Those people released from immigration detention without having leave to remain in the UK would be required to report to the police or the immigration service to offset any risk of absconding. They should, of course, be liable to further detention if they breached their reporting requirements. Already many people awaiting decisions from the Home Office comply with similar reporting requirements.

My modest proposal only applies to the use of arbitrary indefinite administrative detention. Convicted criminals will serve their sentences, and will then face removal if they have no right to remain. If the crime is particularly serious and the prisoner presents a risk to public safety, it will be for a criminal parole board to carry out a risk assessment and to decide when and if an individual can be released. In those extreme cases, we should surely expect the immigration service to have removal arrangements in place to coincide with the release date.

I am not proposing a seismic change, but one that will nevertheless save the country over 500 a week per person currently spent on detention. This is a significant saving since 27,331 people entered detention in 2017. In addition, I was surprised to discover that over the past five years 21 million has been paid out in damages for unlawful detention. This figure, revealed in response to a question I asked the Home Secretary recently, could be vastly reduced  if not eradicated  if a 28-day time limit were in place.

The absence of a time limit does nothing to promote speed and efficiency in the administration of justice by the immigration service. I hope that the introduction of one will improve working practices as well as creating a more humane system of immigration control.05/30/2018

Wei Huang had only passed away the previous week when Tesla publicly shared details about his final moments in a Model X.

An engineer for Apple, Huang was driving on a California highway while using the cars experimental Autopilot technology when he crashed into a concrete barrier in late March. He later died at the hospital.

One week later, Tesla offered condolences in a blog post before explaining where Huang went wrong. According to Tesla, the drivers hands were not detected on the wheel for six seconds prior to his fatal crash. Whats more, Teslas data logs apparently knew that Huang had an unobstructed view of the concrete barrier for 150 meters and five seconds, but the vehicle logs show that no action was taken, Tesla wrote.

Federal regulators investigating the crash were reportedly unhappy with Tesla for publicizing details so soon after the crash and kicked the company off the investigation. In a post on Twitter, Elon Musk said that public safety was too important to abide by the governments rules.

Tesla releases critical crash data affecting public safety immediately & always will, Musk wrote in April. To do otherwise would be unsafe.

Tesla fights to keep data

The seemingly all-knowing capabilities of Teslas data logs, as well as the public assurances about transparency and public safety delivered straight from Musk himself, have given some Tesla drivers the expectation that data from their own wrecked cars would be handed over immediately and free-of-charge upon request.

But other Tesla drivers involved in car crashes say that Tesla has not been so generous in providing data upon request, particularly when they are at odds with the company over whether driver error or defective technology caused a crash, as Consumer Affairs reported earlier this year.

One complaint that a driver sent to federal regulators in January claimed that they were told by Tesla to get a subpoena if they wanted access to their own data.

An email that another driver received from a top engineer at Tesla and recently forwarded to ConsumerAffairs now appears to confirm that requiring subpoenas is an established practice for dealing with drivers who want data from their own cars.

 we are happy to provide applicable data upon receipt of a subpoena as per our standard policy, says an email signed on April 28 by Matthew Schwall, who was the companys Director of Field Performance Engineering before moving to Waymo, another self-driving company, several weeks later.

Its a message that didn't sit well with Raj Parikh, a New Jersey driver who wanted access to his data. Parikh, also an engineer, planned to eventually buy a Tesla after leasing his Model S for two years. But a bizarre parking lot car crash on April 20 left him doubting the companys commitment to improving its technology.

Parikh described Schwall, the top Tesla engineer he dealt with, as respectful and professional in their interactions over the phone and in emails, even though he didnt agree with Schwalls final conclusions about the cause of his accident or his interpretation of the data that Parikh could not directly see.

To Parikh, the request for a subpoena sounded like he would need to get a lawyer, an exercise that seemed pointless in dealing with a company as well-funded and popular as Tesla.

"I don't have time or money to waste subpoenaing a company of that size, Parikh tells ConsumerAffairs.

Teslas response

When asked why Tesla has an apparent policy requiring drivers who want their own data to file for a subpoena, a spokesperson framed it as a privacy issue.

We handle all customer data in accordance with our Owners Manual and privacy policy, which clearly outlines the type of data we collect and the lengths that we go to protect a customers privacy in the process, Tesla said via email, referencing back to a statement on the Tesla website about the companys data collection practices.

The spokesman also said that consumers can directly access Event Record Data, or data that provides information when a vehicle has been involved in a crash or crash-like event. But accessing that service requires a $995 payment to a third-party vendor called Crash Data Group, which makes no promises about whether its kits do in fact capture the events in question.

This kit contains all the hardware required to download the Event Data Recorder (EDR) data that may be stored in Tesla Model 3, Model S and Model X vehicles, the companys promotional material says.

By contrast, Tesla engineers have given consumers like Parikh the impression that they already have extensive data, not just about the crash itself but about the actions that drivers took leading up to the crash.

The companys policy, it appears, is to describe the data to consumers who want it in place of showing them the data directly. If a customer is involved in an incident and asks to understand what the data shows, we provide the customer with a description of the data, the Tesla spokesperson explains in an email.

The accident in a parking lot

Parikh tells ConsumerAffairs that he was out running errands on April 20. He describes rolling into a space on the second level of a parking garage when his car suddenly shot forward and hit a parked car.

Parikh says he slammed his right foot on the brake, but the Tesla would not stop. He then placed both feet on the brake, which he says finally forced the vehicle to stop -- but not before he hit a second parked car. No one was hurt, but the crash was bad enough that the airbags deployed and cracked the windows.

I literally pushed the brakes with my two feet as hard as I could, to make the car stop, Parikh says.

Parikhs account of sudden unintended acceleration, at just the moment he was trying to pull into a parking spot, is similar to what three other drivers described in complaints they sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in January 2018. In those cases, the drivers also said that Tesla vehicles spontaneously took off as they were about to park. Afterward, the drivers said they were told by Tesla that they had mistakenly floored the accelerator pedal.

When I asked for more details about the approach to the parking space, for a copy of the report, they said they would not provide it without a subpoena, one of the consumers told NHTSA in January.

Since then, seven other complaints have been filed to NHTSA this year. Each one describes Tesla cars that spontaneously accelerated as the driver was pulling into a parking spot, a review of NHTSAs database shows.

Separately, Tesla also faced a class-action lawsuit last year from Ji Chang Son, a California Model X owner who claimed his car accelerated on its own and crashed into his house as he pulled into his garage. In that case, Tesla had said that Son, who previously worked as an actor in South Korea, had threatened to use his celebrity status in Korea to hurt Tesla unless we agreed to make a financial payment and acknowledge that the vehicle accelerated on its own.

Tesla, like the numerous other car companies hit with sudden acceleration complaints, has maintained that pedal misapplication is the problem. Some engineers who study the issue say that unintended acceleration is a real and underreported phenomenon in cars, but federal regulators have generally sided with the automotive industry in blaming drivers.

An engineer who said it happened to him

Parikh, 72, is the CEO and chairman of a green engineering firm based in the New York City area. In Paramus, New Jersey, he is occasionally featured in the local news for The Zenesis House, a model home he and his firm created that uses solar energy to melt snow.

In other words, Parikh, though perhaps older than the average Tesla driver, believes he is too alert and familiar with how a car works to make a error so obvious as to mistake the gas pedal for a brake pedal.

In an interview, Parikh said he had hoped that Tesla would work with him to fix the technical problem. Use me to help you [repair] those glitches. Don't just neglect me or tell me to go hire a lawyer, he says.

After the traumatic crash, Parikh and his family were eager to follow up with Tesla about what happened. In phone conversations, Tesla representatives repeatedly referenced the data, explaining it showed that Parikh mistakenly pressed the gas pedal.

Unconvinced, Parikh asked to see a copy of the data logs himself and to speak with a higher-level engineer in the company. Thats how he eventually secured a phone call with Schwall, the Tesla engineer who was the companys director of field performance until several weeks ago.

On April 25, Schwall followed up on the calls with an email to Parikh. As discussed, based on our review, we determined that the vehicle operated without fault with respect to the accident and that the accelerator pedal was manually pressed by the driver immediately prior to the accident, the Tesla engineer reiterated.

Immediately before the crash, the accelerator pedal increased from 0% to 100%, Tesla claimed the data showed.

For viewing the data directly, Schwall recommended that Parikh use the $995 service provided by Crash Data Group. He said the data would potentially show the final five seconds leading up to the crash.

Parikh countered that he wanted data from the last sixty seconds before the crash occurred. He asked that it be provided to him in a format displaying time against acceleration pressure and brake pressure.

He also asked for a general description of how the brake system worked and how Autopilot could affect it, which Schwall provided. But the data from Parikhs own car would not be made available without a subpoena, Tesla said.

My letter includes all the relevant data points and summarizes the information relative to the accident so that you know what the data shows, Schwall added.

Parikh and his son, who also spoke with Schwall, were unconvinced and frustrated with that response. Like similar complaints from other consumers, they do not believe that Teslas description of data logs is an adequate replacement for the raw information.

Using data to protect itself

The way Elon Musk and his company spins it, Tesla collects data on its cars and the people who drive them at a level that is unprecedented in volume and sophistication.

The company's detailed computers and cameras -- which one executive said collect a million miles worth of data every 10 hours -- help the company improve Autopilot and its other experimental technology, as Tesla has repeatedly claimed.

But drivers who have dared complain about their stylish electric cars via lawsuits, online Tesla fan clubs, the news media, or other public forums have discovered that Teslas data logs serve a second purpose, one that is less appealing from a consumer perspective: helping Tesla defend its own technology against outside criticism.

That includes people like Jared Overton, a Model S owner in Utah who claimed in an interview with a local news station that his car turned on all by itself and slammed into a trailer when he was not even inside the vehicle.

Tesla said its data showed that Overton had activated the cars Summon feature, and that it even knew exactly how he did so -- by a double-press of the gear selector stalk button according to Teslas version of events.

The vehicle's behavior was the result of the driver's own actions, says a letter signed by a Tesla regional service manager and provided to tech reporting site The Verge several years back.

Albert Scaglione, an art dealer who told police in 2016 that his Model X was in Autopilot mode shortly before he crashed into a guardrail in Pennsylvania, had not actually engaged Autopilot mode, according to a conflicting account delivered personally by Elon Musk via Twitter.

Musks version of events then went a step further. Moreover, [the] crash would not have occurred if it was on, Musk asserted.

Puzant Ozbog, another driver who claimed his Tesla spontaeneously accelerated while parking, was traveling at 6 mph when the accelerator pedal was abruptly increased to 100%, Tesla told the site Electrek, explaining that its data logs showed that the driver mistakenly pressed the Model Xs gas pedal.

Such an incident, Electrek concluded, shows why Tesla keeps detailed logs  the logs dont lie. 

Sharing personal details

In the past, the data and information that Tesla has shared publicly has occasionally gone outside the vehicle, instead revealing information about the drivers themselves.

In 2016, Pete Cordaro was in a rural area in Pennsylvania, on a trip to pick mushrooms with his wife, when he hit a pothole and heard a snap. He stepped outside and, to his surprise, saw the drivers side wheel of his Model S had completely fallen off.

Tesla initially stuck Cordaro with the bill. When he complained, Tesla agreed to cover half the cost -- on the condition that he sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Cordaro, using his real name, consulted other people in an online Tesla forum for advice, and reporters began calling him not long after. Tesla eventually responded to the negative publicity that year by agreeing to shelve its non-disclosure agreements.

But Tesla also took time to publish a blog post characterizing Cordaro as someone who did not take care of his Model S.

"The suspension ball joint experienced very abnormal rust, Tesla said of his car, adding that Cordaro lives down such a long dirt road that it required two tow trucks to retrieve the car. The car, Tesla also added, was caked in dirt."

With the experience now in the rearview mirror, Cordaro can laugh about Teslas response and says he still likes Tesla cars and receives good service when he takes his in.

Still, he only remembers seeing one tow truck retrieve his car that fateful day, not two. Whats more, he does not live on a dirt road. The mushroom hunting expedition was a rare off-road adventure for his Model S, he says.

Reflecting a year and a half later on his car service issue that turned into a national news story, he theorizes that corporate headquarters were probably trying to make me look like I abused the car and that I was an idiot.

Tesla's full statement to ConsumerAffairs is below:

"We handle all customer data in accordance with our Owners Manual and privacy policy, which clearly outlines the type of data we collect and the lengths that we go to protect a customers privacy in the process: https://www.tesla.com/about/ legal

"Customers can also access EDR (event data recorder) data from their Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicle provided they have physical access to the inside of the vehicle. Generally, this data provides specific vehicle information when a vehicle has been involved in a crash or crash-like event: https://edr.tesla.com/.

"Furthermore, if a customer is involved in an incident and asks to understand what the data shows, we provide the customer with a description of the data."We are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds..NORTH GLENGARRY, Ontario  Jamie MacDonald has decided to run for Mayor of North Glengarry after serving as the Deputy Mayor for the last six years. Prior to his current role, he acted as the Alexandria Ward representative for six years.

I think I have lots to offer as Mayor, said MacDonald. I think I have great leadership qualities and there are still a lot of things that I want to accomplish on council.

MacDonald is excited to continue the Maxville Water Project, which he thinks is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in North Glengarrys history. Similarly, he is looking forward to upgrading the lagoon in Alexandria. He says that the project is moving swiftly and successfully thus fair, and it is staying on budget.

MacDonald acknowledges that North Glengarrys population has been dropping over the past few years, according to Census surveys.

Were hoping to turn that around with new growth, said MacDonald. We feel that once Maxville has got water, we will be in prime for growth along that corridor.

MacDonald is also hopeful to continue with the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) if he were to be elected as Mayor.

We have a whole bunch of projects being applied for in the hamlet of Glen Robertson, and we have some in the other small hamlets that have come forward for information, said MacDonald. I think its great. Theres a lot of history in some of these buildings and we are revitalizing our downtown. I think its one of our biggest successes of the last term.

Growing the municipalitys tax base is important to MacDonald, as is maintaining roads and infrastructure. MacDonald is hoping for more support from the federal and provincial government to be able to continue with these upgrading projects. Working closely and openly with the public and council members is also a priority.

I just hope to lead a transparent council, said MacDonald. We will never always agree on everything, but (I hope for) a council that will work together to bring any project to fruition, ie that community plan. Council was on board with it, we invested some big dollars into it and its worked for us. But you cant do that if youre not willing to work together.NORTH GLENGARRY, Ontario  After eight years as Mayor and almost 20 years on council, incumbent Chris McDonell has decided to retire.

Its a young mans job, said McDonell. Theres a lot of meetings. I enjoyed my time though. I had a good career at it and I think I did alright.

Before his career in politics, McDonell was a police officer with OPP. He will miss working with the public as he enjoyed serving and bettering his community. McDonell worked in various positions within municipal politics since 2000, including acting as SDG Counties Warden in 2009.

One of the projects that McDonell is most proud of during his time as Mayor is the Maxville Water Project.

Its a $30 million project, its good for the area, good for the community and necessary for Maxville, said McDonell.

McDonell is impressed with the work of his colleagues Sarah Huskinson, the Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk, and Kimberly Champigny, the new Treasurer and Director of Finance. He also thinks that Jamie MacDonald would make an excellent Mayor as he is always involved in community projects.

During his retirement, McDonell plans to help his brother by working on his farm.

I just want to thank everyone for putting up with me, McDonell joked. The people were very good to me.Toshiba has reached an agreement to sell the majority of shares in its PC business subsidiary, Toshiba Client Solutions, to Sharp for $36 million.

The deal for 80.1 percent of shares in Toshiba Client Solutions is expected to close as of Oct. 1, according to Toshiba.

[Related: Toshiba's Smart Glasses Could Bring New Opportunities To The Channel]

The Toshiba PC brand is also expected to continue under Sharp's ownership.

"Following the share transfer, Toshiba will continue to provide brand licensing for PC products and equipment designed, manufactured and sold by TCS," Toshiba said in a news release. "TCS will continue to provide its customers around the world with products and services that reflect their needs."

Toshiba has steered its PC division toward business devices, with launches in the past year including the Portege X20W, a highly portable 2-in-1 laptop.

Osaka-based Sharp is a subsidiary of Foxconn, and previously pulled out of the PC market in 2010.

Tokyo-based Toshiba has been selling off business units in recent years including its television business (to Hisense), its unified communications assets (to Mitel), its sensor business (to Sony) and its NAND flash memory division (to a group including Bain Capital and Apple). The sales have followed the bankruptcy of the company's U.S. nuclear business and an accounting scandal that led to the departure of the company's CEO in 2015.Princes Cruises longest world cruise has departed Sydney for a historic 106 night circumnavigation of the globe as the Sea Princess will clock 32,000 nautical miles, sailing to 40 destinations across 27 countries.

"Sea Princess departs Sydney today for Princess longest world cruise in history. said Senior Vice President Princess Cruises Asia Pacific, Stuart Allison.

Princess high guest repeat rates shows that more than ever Australians are taking advantage of exploring the globe from their doorstep. As the destination experts we pride ourselves on creating exciting itineraries that let our guests see the world with the convenience of sailing roundtrip from their local homeport. Best of all, our guests only have to unpack once.

Of the 3,000 guests who are travelling on Sea Princess world cruise this year, about 75 percent of guests booked had already enjoyed part or all of a world cruise with Princess, the company said.

With roundtrip cruises on offer from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland, guests travelling onboard Sea Princess today will experience a range of exciting new ports across Greenland, Newfoundland and Eastern Canada as well as overnight stays in New York, Barcelona and Venice.SunStone Ships announced it has signed an agreement with China Merchants Industry Holdings to built a third Infinity-class ship. It is part of a bigger order for four expedition newbuilds with an option for six more.

The Ocean Victory will be delivered in March 2021, and will be configured for 200 passengers, according to a press release.

"We are pleased with the rapid adoption of the Infinity-class vessels. It seems our European design amd technology, combined with lower overall operating costs ticks all the boxes for the small and expedition-ship market," said Niels-Erik Lund, president and CEO.

SunStone also said it has signed a long-term charter contract for the ship.

The vessel will be technically managed by Cruise Management International and hotel operations will be handled by CMI Leisure.

The shipbuilding contract was signed at the offices of Stephenson Harwood, SunStones legal advisers in connection with the Infinity Class vessels. The three day meeting in Paris included a total of 20 representatives from CMIH, China Merchants, SunStone Ships, SunStone Marine Advisors, Ulstein Design and Solution, Makinen, and Tillberg Design USA.On June 3, Silversea Expeditions celebrated 10 years of operation, marking the occasion with a two-day gala voyage between London and Dublin, according to a press release.

The Silver Cloud departed Londons Tower Bridge to honor Silversea Expeditions very first voyage, which sailed under Tower Bridge for Svalbard in 2008.

"We are delighted to be celebrating this important milestone," said Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Silversea's Chairman. "I am glad to see that my vision has been successfully realized and we are now recognized for our destination leadership. Since the launch of our expedition itineraries, we have connected people with the worlds most spectacular landscapes and cultures, and, in the process, we have fostered respect and greater care for our planet and its inhabitants. I am very proud of my team and our mission. We will continue to scout new destinations to bring innovation to the world of expedition cruising."

Notable items for Silver Clouds celebratory voyage included a congratulatory video message from HSH Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, who had cut the ribbon in Monte Carlo during the naming ceremony for Silversea's first expedition ship in 2008. Originally named Prince Albert II in tribute to His Serene Highness and his environmental efforts, the ship sails today as Silver Explorer, the company said.

Silversea pointed to further expedition developments in a news release, including a Northeast Passage crossing, and additional voyages to the Bay of Bengal, the Russian Far East, Antarctica, and Australia's Kimberley Coast.

Of special note are two Silver Discoverer cruises that depart in summer 2019 for Borneo's Camp Leakey  a refuge for orangutans.

In the past decade, Silversea has developed innovative strategies - such as a dedicated training academy - to recruit a team of expedition specialists.

According to Silversea, over the last 10 years, the company's commitment to environmental sustainability and humanitarian efforts has extended across the globe, in many forms: in the Cook and Phoenix islands in 2015, guests of Silversea participated in a mammal acoustic survey that successfully added three new species of animals to the national registry; in Bangladesh, where Silver Discoverer made the first-ever cruise ship call in 2017, Silversea visited a remote village where guests purchased regional produce to benefit the local community; and in 2017, when Silversea engaged in a partnership with ORCA, one of the U.K.'s leading marine conservation charities, to enable guests to discover incredible marine life and contribute to the charitys ongoing conservation work. In the Galapagos Islands, where Silver Galapagos inaugurated ultra-luxury expedition experiences in 2014, Silversea will co-sponsor a camp for children to encourage the conservation of marine habitats.Theres a lot of unease out there on the interwebs as more than 28 million developers will be affected by Microsofts acquisition of GitHub. Some may be fine with it, but you can be sure not all are.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella tried to ease any fears by saying, Microsoft is a developer-first company, and by joining forces with GitHub we strengthen our commitment to developer freedom, openness and innovation. We recognize the community responsibility we take on with this agreement and will do our best work to empower every developer to build, innovate and solve the worlds most pressing challenges.

GitHub will retain its developer-first ethos and will operate independently to provide an open platform for all developers in all industries. Developers will continue to be able to use the programming languages, tools and operating systems of their choice for their projects  and will still be able to deploy their code to any operating system, any cloud and any device.

Before the deal was even done, GitLab saw a tenfold increase in the normal daily number of repositories being moved.

We're seeing 10x the normal daily amount of repositories #movingtogitlab https://t.co/7AWH7BmMvM We're scaling our fleet to try to stay up. Follow the progress on https://t.co/hN0ce379SC and @movingtogitlab  GitLab (@gitlab) June 3, 2018

Yesterday, after Microsoft officially announced it was acquiring GitHub for $7.5 billion in Microsoft stock, imported repositories skyrocketed.

Now sure, Microsoft is not the same company it was years ago when it abhorred open source  when CEO Steve Ballmer called open source a cancer. That was something pointed out back in 2014 when Microsoft employee Scott Hanselman explained that some of the people who hate Microsoft do so with generational anger along the lines of Microsoft killed my Pappy. He pointed out numerous ways the company had changed in good ways, such as putting source code on GitHub, open-sourcing parts of .Net, Azure and Visual Studio.

Taking another approach back in 2013, a Microsoft employee tried to up peoples respect for Microsoft by explaining how Microsoft invented, or invisibly runs, almost everything.

Since the Microsoft-buys-GitHub drama started, some folks point at how Microsoft ruined Skype when it was acquired for $8.5 million in in 2011. To that line of thinking, others point out how well Microsoft handled LinkedIn after the $26.2 acquisition in in 2016. Yet others bring up the point that Microsoft built all that spying crap into Windows 10.

Microsoft has changed, but do you trust it?

But The Wall Street Journal believes that by buying GitHub, Microsofts old reputation will finally be laid to rest. The company has its hand in RedHat, joined the Linux Foundation, open-sourced PowerShell and made it available on Linux, worked with Canonical to run Ubuntu on Windows and is a top contributor to GitHub.

If you look at the recent past, since Nadella became CEO, then Microsoft seems to have changed a great deal. Assuming you did hate Microsoft at one point, and that you may not now, the question is: Do you trust it?

Security expert Dr. Vesselin Bontchev suggested it might be wise to have backup copies of your work moved over to GitLab.

Anybody who has "grey" projects on GitHub (censorship avoidance, exploits, attack tools, government malware, etc.) is advised to make a copy of them on GitLab.



I am not saying "Don't use GitHub"; I am saying "Have a spare copy in case Microsoft decides to remove your repo".  Vess (@VessOnSecurity) June 4, 2018

As @ErrataRob says, censorship avoidance tools will probably be the first to go, because China has leverage over Microsoft.



Despite what the majority thinks, they probably won't touch the PoCs.



Probably won't touch existing gov malware, but any future ones will be a no go.  Vess (@VessOnSecurity) June 5, 2018

Of the 85 million or so repositories on GitHub, some belong to Microsoft competitors such as Amazon and Google, to name a but a few big names. Microsofts competitors will likely leave GitHub, but will you even though Microsoft swears it wants to be buddies with developers?KYOTO - A variety of yokai monsters used to hold nocturnal parades through what is now the neighborhood of the Taishogun shopping district in Kyoto - or so legends from the Heian period (794 - ca 1192) tell us. Local shop owners have taken advantage of this eerie inheritance in a bid to boost the community.

During a visit to the shopping district in May, this reporter was greeted by many yokai-inspired objects, which looked more humorous than scary. Other visitors enjoyed a walking photo safari, snapping pictures of "monsters" whenever they encountered statues of them in front of shops.

For example, a kimono store set up an object in the shape of Neko Musume, a cat girl clad in yukata summer kimono, while a tea shop has a doll depicting Nurarihyon, a creature with a wizened face, with a teacup on a tray. A sign at an intersection carried the warning "Watch for cars!" along with an illustration of Tofu Kozo, a monster in the form of a boy carrying tofu on a tray.

About 20 yokai figures, many made of foam polystyrene, greeted customers in front of shops. A rest area also had many monster-shaped objects and masks on display.

"It's fun looking for what yokai can be found and where they are," said Masaaki Yoshida, 55, a public servant who was visiting the shopping district from Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture.

Wojtek Roman, 62, a visitor from Poland, took an interest in an object depicting a tengu, a creature with an extraordinarily long nose. "It looks similar to people in the West, rather than the Japanese," he said. "I find there're many types of yokai."

There are about 30 shops in the Taishogun shopping district, which occupies about 500 meters of Ichijo-dori, a street that runs east and west through the ancient capital. Since 2005, local merchants have been promoting the shopping district by dubbing it "Ichijo Yokai Street" in honor of local yokai legends. They realized they had to take some action as an increasing number of shops were closing, mainly due to newly opened supermarkets drawing customers away.

Ichijo-dori, which marked the northern edge of Kyoto when it served as the capital, is home to many accounts of yokai sightings. For example, a set of picture scrolls said to have been drawn in the Muromachi period (1336-1573) depict how everyday items that had been discarded transformed themselves into yokai beings called tsukumogami because of a grudge they held against human beings and paraded at night on the Ichijo-dori street.

The Konjaku Monogatari collection of short tales, compiled in the closing years of the Heian period, includes a story about a samurai who encountered the yokai parade on a bridge over Horikawa river, which is about 1.5 kilometers (.9 miles) east of the Taishogun shopping district.

When the yokai initiative was launched, no one in the shopping district had extensive knowledge of such creatures. However, the project was eventually offered a helping hand from local yokai-loving students who learned of it by word of mouth.

These students played a leading role in launching a parade in October 2005 in which participants walked on the Ichijo-dori street in yokai costumes. Over the past decade, the shopping district has also held a flea market focusing on monster figures, with Daishogun Hachi Jinja shrine, which faces the street, as its main venue.

The yokai parade, held in October every year, has become famous among yokai fans nationwide via social media as an opportunity to "transform" into their favorite creatures. The number of participants, initially 40, has increased to about 140. The flea market, held about four times a year, has also become a popular event, attracting about 1,000 visitors each time.

Junya Kono, a lecturer at Kyoto Saga University of Arts, has been helping the Taishogun shopping district since his days as a graduate student. "Yokai have many charms; they're sometimes scary but also humorous," said the 36-year-old, himself a fan of "GeGeGe no Kitaro" and other yokai-themed works by manga artist Shigeru Mizuki. "It's so rewarding that I can help boost the community by showcasing my favorite yokai."

Kono has also formed a group called Hyakuyobako (Box of 100 yokai) with students and graduates of the university. The group opened a specialty shop called Hyakuyodo in April, borrowing a space along the street that used to house a dry cleaning shop. (The shop is currently closed until June 29.)

Some local residents initially were reluctant to use yokai to boost their community because they considered the creatures weird. However, these negative views lost momentum as the shopping district got an increasing number of visitors.

"We get good responses from visitors, which has helped me feel affectionate toward yokai now," said kimono shop owner Kiyoshi Yoshida, 71. Now some stores offer monster-inspired items, such as ramen and croquettes.

"When it comes to Kyoto, many think of shrines and temples, or maiko apprentice geiko," said Akira Inoue, 67, head of an association for shops on the street. "However, we aim to make yokai a new part of local tourism."The original Guns in the Hands of Artists exhibit was mounted in 1996 in New Orleans, partly in response to that citys high murder rate.

The latest installment is now in residence at Fairfield Universitys Quick Center in the Walsh Gallery. It was initiated in 2014, partly in response to the mass shooting at Newtowns Sandy Hook Elementary School that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults.

In both instances, artists were asked to create works  paintings, sculptures and writings using decommissioned guns  that in some way commented on the schizophrenic culture that celebrates (or defends) guns while condemning (or tolerating) gun violence.

The Fairfield exhibit has a hybrid title  #Unload: Guns in the Hands of Artists  because it was instigated as the big opening act of the Unload Foundation, a new advocacy group co-founded by Mary Himes, its executive director who is married to Rep. Jim Himes, and Helen During, of Weston, the artistic director. Though they had explored other exhibits, the women leaped into action after the October massacre of 58 people at a Las Vegas country music concert.

Mary and I thought, enough. We can get this show up in Connecticut, During says. To secure a a venue, they worked with Peter van Heerden, executive director of the Quick Center, and Carey Weber, assistant director of the Fairfield University Art Museum.

Himes says her idea for #Unload project was to use the arts to trigger conversations that might lead to a consensus about gun safety. We have to keep working on this because the political arena is so paralyzed and now so toxic, she says. Everybody is in their corner.

Among the some three dozen new pieces at the Quick Center, one has extra significance for Connecticut and also bridges the decades between first exhibit and the revival. It is a manhole cover cast from shell casings collected by the New Orleans police for the artist Bradley McCallum. The pattern is the same one McCallum created in 1996 for his now-landmark Manhole Cover Project done for the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford.

Both cities shared high murder rates. But for Hartford, McCallum cast 228 covers from thousands of confiscated Connecticut guns. Some covers were placed at the scenes of shootings. Others were in the courtyard at the atheneum, which at the time was having a major exhibit on Samuel Colt, the citys, and probably the nations, most-famous gun manufacturer. Each cover bore Colts personal motto and the note it was made from confiscated guns.

McCallum, who is based in Brooklyn, N.Y., first became interested in gun violence while in graduate school at Yale and reading newspaper coverage of New Havens high murder rate. For his thesis, he took portraits of the victims mothers and recorded their testimony, suggesting all the deaths could be linked to larger forces. He repeated the testimonial idea in Hartford.

What is humbling is that when I first made the Manhole Cover Project, there was this incredible sense of the ability for change to happen and whats really frustrating is that, with the passage of time, the issue has only gotten more polarized, only gotten more divisive, he says.

When I began the project it was looking at gang-related violence and the accessibility of guns. Those issues still persist. But its profoundly sad that mass shootings, including in schools, have also accelerated and been taken to a level where it becomes almost (the shooters) call for attention. Its so profoundly sad.

Still, McCallum says he must hope that exhibits like Guns in the Hands of Artists can lead to agreement on gun safety. That is the same hope driving Himes and During and also Jonathan Ferrara, the New Orleans gallery owner who hosted the original exhibit and organized the 2014 revival.

What these exhibitions provide is a visual manifestation of the conversations people have on an everyday basis about guns and gun violence, says Ferrara, who has a piece in the current exhibit, Excalibur No More. It is a 12-gauge shotgun stuck swordlike into a boulder taken from the Colorado River.

The show has made several stops already, but Ferrara says hes excited about the one in Fairfield because it is the first in the Northeast. It brings the exhibit into the New York orbit and also to the home state of Sandy Hook and storied gun manufacturers. If Hartford had Colt, which made the six-gun and AR-15 assault rifles, Bridgeport had Remington Arms. Huge in size, it employed thousands during World War I, shaping the city.

The piece chosen for the exhibits promotional material is a photograph by Marcus Kenney of his young daughter, head thrown back, aiming a pistol at the sky. It happened to be a decommissioned gun, but the photograph was not posed.

Its shocking and beautiful at the same time, Himes says. The artist had left it on his bedside table where his daughter found it. It could have been a loaded gun.

Himes and During have large ambitions and many partners for #Unload, which runs until Oct. 13 at the Quick Center.

One of their first acts, back in December, was a fundraiser to support Hartfords long-standing gun buy-back program. The guns, several hundred pounds worth cut into pieces, were to be displayed at the Walsh Gallery opening on June 1 and then given to a new set of artists for an ancillary exhibit at Artspace in New Haven.

Were paying it forward, says During, meaning the idea of turning guns into art.

She says one of the first artists to commit to the New Haven exhibit was Roz Chast, the New Yorker cartoonist. During showed Chast the guns when they met for lunch. She had been driving around with them in the trunk of her car since picking them up in Hartford. They are extremely heavy to take out, she says.

Joel Lang is a frequent contributor to Sunday Arts & Style.BRIDGEPORT  In this Democrat-dominated city, it is the rare Republican who makes his or her way to the City Council dais.

Enrique Rick Torres has now done it twice.

First in 2013, by winning a single two-year term on the citys legislative body.

And Monday, when ex-Councilman Torres and his wife, Michele, accepted a mayoral proclamation and council citation commemorating the 25th anniversary of their popular Harborview Market in Black Rock.

Its been a wonderful experience for both of us and our families, Enrique Torres told the elected officials  all Democrats  after they hailed the couples casual breakfast and lunch eatery for its cuisine and welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere. We love Bridgeport. Well live and die Bridgeport.

Torres, who has not been involved in politics since 2015 when he lost a mayoral bid and council re-election, insisted beforehand to Hearst Connecticut Media that his focus will remain on that business, his wife and five children. And on a new dream of purchasing land in New Hampshire to build a cabin he can occasionally retreat to for solitude.

Im out of politics," Torres said in an interview Monday afternoon. The money Ive spent in politics could easily have purchased those 20 acres, the cabin, and much much more. Never mind the hours I devoted to it. And Im almost 60. I just wanna try and make sure the rest of my life is spent doing things that are fruitful.

He counts the Black Rock market, which employs about 10 people, as a fruitful thing: Business is great. We're super busy. ... We had one bad year  2008  which was a bad year for the whole country.

Torres said his wife of 35 years has had to reduce the time she spends as manager as she recovers from eye surgery. But, he added, she remains heavily involved in the catering: "Shes amazing. Thats a gift she has and she does it well.

Calling their Harborview Market popular is not unearned hyperbole. When the couple needed zoning variances in 2007 because the late 19th century building had fewer parking spaces than required, about 125 supporters turned out at a public hearing.

More News Bridgeport politician charged in confrontation with cop

In part because of the market, in part because he has sought office so often, and in part because he has generated a few controversial headlines, Torres is one of the most recognized GOP members in town. And he insisted that is behind him.

It's been absolutely fruitless, Torres said. The numbers (of Republican voters) just arent there.

There are currently around 3,900 registered Republicans living in Bridgeport, compared with more than 45,700 Democrats.

For a sense of Torres' frustration with Bridgeport politics, consider his mayoral bids in 2003 and in 2015. In 2003, then-Mayor Joe Ganim had been convicted of corruption and Republicans like Torres thought they had a shot at that office.

Torres at the time called it the beginning of the end of the Democratic political machine." He lost to Democrat John Fabrizi.

Then in 2015, Ganim, who had served seven years in federal prison, asked voters for a second chance. He beat incumbent Mayor Bill Finch in that summers Democratic primary, then defeated a crowded general election ballot that included Torres.

Torres admitted that, despite his warnings, he suspects some of his and Micheles children will eventually run for office. Three are involved in the new civic group, Bridgeport Generation Now, which advocates for good government and policing reforms.

Torres himself, as previously reported, was arrested Thursday, accused of being confrontational with an officer who Torres said was rude to his daughter-in-law. His arraignment is scheduled for June 14. The incident did not come up Monday night.

Regardless of his claims he has retired from politics, it is hard to imagine Torres never again running for office in Bridgeport, particularly since he insists I cant imagine living anywhere else."

And as he and Michele quietly waited their turn at Mondays council meeting, another audience member during the public speaking portion blamed the elected officials for Bridgeport's high taxes, and for her poorly paved road and loud neighbors.

"How do I vote Democratic? this woman told the council. I am very disappointed in the Democratic Party.

Torres turned around, caught the eye of a Hearst reporter, and gave an are you listening to her? nod.Malta Under Large Scale Attack

Maltese journalist Manuel Delia has warned on his blog that his island country is being targeted by Ukrainian hackers in what he described as one of the most vicious cyber-attacks in Maltese history.

The storm has been raging for most of this week and every effort of the technical team to counter the attack is met by a vicious onslaught on some other vulnerability of the website, Delia said in an article on The Shift News.

The great bulk of the attack comes from Ukraine, though computers from all over the globe are being used to complement those waves. The websites engineers say it is a well-funded, professional attack on a scale rarely known to be used on other websites in Malta.

Delia is being targeted by a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, which essentially involves flooding a website server with traffic from multiple sources until the site crashes. His original software defences were breached, but the blog is now back online and Delia said he is weighing up other options to prevent future cyber-attacks.

Warning that Malta has been taken over by a crime syndicate, Delia suggested the cyber-attack on his blog was due to his criticism of the government.

Several Maltese news-sites who carry criticism of the government suffer from many forms of intimidation: coordinated trolling and hate campaigns, direct intimidation of authors and cyber-attacks of varying degrees of power. The one manueldelia.com is under right now just happens to be larger than most.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that cyber-attacks are fair game. No one bleeds when they are a victim of one. These are crimes with a single mindless intent, no different and no less harrowing than the arson at the Times of Malta building forty years ago, without the risk of physical harm.

LovinMalta:

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newsPakistan is raring to go for its parliamentary elections to be held on July 25  hectic political activities are gaining centre-stage in the country. But, alongside, it is also getting more and more saddled with multiple problems of different kinds  and practically no solutions in sight.

Pakistans military and civil establishments are on a path of confrontation, with no parties agreeing to blink first.

Never before has an ex-Prime Minister criticised ones own government so boldly

Former PM Nawaz Sharifs recent outburst against his detractors, coming down heavily on their reported endorsement on allowing Pakistans security agencies dispatching home-grown terrorists to go across to Mumbai and carry out the dreaded 26/11 terror attacks, causing at least 166 deaths, has wreaked havoc in the country. Pakistanis, by and large, are surprised over Nawaz Sharifs statements as never before has an ex-Prime Minister criticised ones own government so boldly and so vehemently, directly insinuating military generals in charges of having fomented terror in India and failing abjectly at reining in Pakistan-based terrorists.

Nawaz Sharif admitted that pakistan terrorists carried out the 26/11 terror attack

Meanwhile, as the international community frowns upon such revelations and Pakistan gets more visibly isolated in the international community, the Pashtun Movement (PTM) looks like a new rallying force in the embattled country.

The fresh spell of Pashtun Movement threatens the sovereignty of the nation

The PTM espouses the cause of the neglected Pashtuns. This mint-fresh protest now adds to the already existing protest movements led by the Balochs and the Mohajirs, seeking their share of fresh air, and thus threatening the sovereignty of the tightly controlled nation.

The seed of the current movement started when a Pashtun, Naqeebullah Mehsud, and some of his brethren were killed by unprovoked police firing in Karachi on April 8.

The incident was apparently caused by a discriminatory and insensitive police force, led by an allegedly brutal police officer called Rao Anwar. This incident led to Pashtun leadership being taken on by a 26-year-old Pashtun named Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen, who has galvanised thousands of disgruntled Pashtuns, organising protest marches drawing attention of the government to their demands to be fair to the community, which is otherwise heavily discriminated against, principally by the brute domination of Punjabis. The latter in Pakistan have always been more muscular, using strong-arm tactics to suppress the Pashtuns and other minorities.

26-year-old Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen is the new leader of the Pastuns

This young Pashtuns meteoric rise and organising ability pose immense threat to the Pakistani establishment.

This has conveniently labelled Indian intelligence agencies as masterminding operations to arouse passions amongst the Pashtuns to rebel against the government. These allegations dont hold much water though as for the Baluch uprising too was blamed on Indian outfits for apparently fomenting dissent.

Earlier, Pakistan shifted the blame to external quarters for its internal discontent over the Mohajir Quami Movement (MQM), which continues to haunt the Pakistani establishment.

It is worth recalling that Pakistans step-motherly treatment towards the Bengalis cost Pakistan so dearly that it led to the birth of Bangladesh as a new nation in 1971.

This proved the two nation theory of Mohammad Ali Jinnah as being totally wrong, various forces in Pakistan aspiring for more freedom. Like the Bengalis, the Baluchis and the Sindhis are no exception to this aspiration. More importantly, now the present Pashtun Tahafuz Movement is a force to reckon with  and it has definitely the promise to carry forward a robust movement.

The leader of this Pashtun movement, Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen, is a known human rights activist with a clear goal. He has a dedicated cadre with serious ground experience of clearing land mines, helping the Federally Administered Tribal Administration (FATA). Having been involved in such militarised tasks, it is assumed the agitating Pashtuns must be armed with some degree of discipline and training, which will be handy for a large-scale movement.

Pakistans step-motherly treatment towards the Bengalis cost Pakistan so dearly that it led to the birth of Bangladesh as a new nation in 1971.

The ongoing Pashtun movement is in fact reminiscent of the great Pashtun leader Abdul Ghaffar Khan or Badshah Khan, who led a movement earning him the title of Frontier Gandhi. Such giants surface in history after many, many years, but given the organising prowess and the strategic vision of Manzoor, any Pashtun movement now is expected to have and navigate a clear road map. "Frontier Gandhi" remains a great inspiration.

The ongoing Pashtun movement is reminiscent of the great Pashtun leader Abdul Ghaffar Khan or Badshah Khan,

Pakistan has been meddling, rather violently, in the internal affairs of its neighbours, particularly India (specifically within Kashmir ) and Afghanistan, though without much success. Yet, it continues to indulge in these misadventures  without realising its own backyard is burning today with internal problems of immense multitudes threatening the unity of the country. It must also be borne in mind that history is always a testimony to the fact that those who do not learn from its lessons are the ones who suffer from eventual disintegration.

Now that Jinnahs "two nation" theory stands repudiated by history itself, religious extremism and fanaticism should be expected to take a backseat in the years to come, with mass leaders like Manzoor Pashteen instead emerging as torch bearers to lead the country into a state bereft of any religious bias. As it is, Pakistans Shias, Ahmediyas, Baluchis, Pashtuns and such like continue to face the brunt of religious discrimination due to state parochialism and a distinctly prejudiced approach; they are often even targeted in a systematic manner.

Its military leadership and the Pakistani polity must jointly do serious brainstorming to address the growing dissent lest it is too late and a Bangladesh kind of situation is allowed to come to the fore  with disastrous consequences for Pakistan again.

Therefore, Pakistan needs to watch the ongoing just and anti-establishment movements and take corrective measures with a non-discriminatory approach. It can thus keep its own house in order  and stop blaming India for every bit of the fallout of its own flawed policies and actions.

Also read: How Kashmirs youth are caught between a bullet and a CRPF vanThe following companies are subsidiares of American International Group: AGC Life Insurance Company, AIG APAC HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., AIG Advisors S.r.l., AIG Aerospace Insurance Services Inc., AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd., AIG Asset Management (Europe) Limited, AIG Asset Management (U.S.) LLC, AIG Assurance Company, AIG Australia Limited, AIG Brazil Holding I LLC, AIG CIS Investments LLC, AIG Canada Holdings Inc., AIG Capital Corporation, AIG Capital Services Inc., AIG Claims Inc., AIG Egypt Insurance Company S.A.E., AIG Employee Services Inc., AIG Europe (Services) Limited, AIG Europe Holdings S.a.rl., AIG Europe S.A., AIG Federal Savings Bank, AIG Financial Products Corp., AIG General Insurance Co. 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Mansfield Company Inc., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh Pa., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Vermont, New Hampshire Insurance Company, PT AIG Insurance Indonesia, Pine Street Real Estate Holdings Corp., Private Joint-Stock Company AIG Ukraine Insurance Company, Risk Specialists Companies Insurance Agency Inc., SA Affordable Housing LLC, SAFG Retirement Services Inc., Service Net Warranty LLC, Stratford Insurance Company, SunAmerica Affordable Housing Partners Inc., SunAmerica Asset Management LLC, Talbot Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Ltd., Thai CIT Holding Company Limited, The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, Travel Guard, Travel Guard Group Canada Inc./Groupe Garde Voyage du Canada Inc., Travel Guard Group Inc., Tudor Insurance Company, VALIC Financial Advisors Inc., Valic Retirement Services Company, Validus Holdings, Validus Holdings (UK) Ltd., Validus Holdings Ltd., Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland) Ltd, Validus Reinsurance Ltd., Validus Ventures Ltd., Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services Inc., Western World Insurance Company, and Western World Insurance Group Inc..The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Wealth Management segments. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small businesses and commercial customers, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides Internet, mobile, and telephone banking services. The company operates a network of 952 branches and approximately 3,540 automated banking machines in Canada; and approximately 1,400 branches, 5,200 ATMs, and 22 contact centers internationally. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.

Read MoreFirst American Financial Corp. operates as an insurance company. It provides title insurance and settlement services to the real estate and mortgage industries. The company operates its business through the following segments: Title Insurance & Services and Specialty Insurance. The Title Insurance & Services segment provides title insurance, escrow, closing services and similar or related financial services domestically and internationally in connection with residential and commercial real estate transactions. It also maintains, manages and provides access to title plant records and images and provides banking, trust and investment advisory services. The Specialty Insurance segment issues property & casualty insurance policies and sells home warranty products. It also provides title plant management services, which include title and other real property records and images, valuation products and services, home warranty products, property and casualty insurance and banking, trust and investment advisory services. First American Financial was founded in January, 2008 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, CA.

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Deere & Co. workers go on strike after rejecting contract

MOLINE, Ill. (AP)  More than 10,000 Deere & Co. workers went on strike Thursday, the first major walkout at the agricultural machinery giant in more than three decades. The union had said its members would walk off the job if no deal has been reached by 11:59 p.m.

Read ArticleJohn Hancock Investors Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. It invests in the fixed income markets across the globe. The fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of corporate and government bonds, debt securities. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. John Hancock Investors Trust was formed on January 29, 1971 and is domiciled in the United States.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Dover: ALMATEC Maschinenbau GmbH, Accelerated Production Systems, Advansor A/S, Advansor Dover International (Poland) sp. z o.o, Alfred Fueling Systems Holdco Ltd., Alfred Fueling Systems Inc., Alfred Fueling Systems Intermediate Holdco Ltd., All-Flo Pump Company Limited business, Anman LLC, Anthony Equity Holdings Inc., Anthony Holdings Inc., Anthony Inc., Anthony International Foreign Sales Corp., Anthony International Holding Company, Anthony Mexico Holdings LLC, Anthony North Holdco Inc., Anthony Specialty Glass LLC, Anthony TemperBent GP LLC, Automatik Grundstucksverwaltung GmbH & Co. KG, Automatik Plastics Machinery (Taiwan) Ltd., Automatik Plastics Machinery Sdn. 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Ltd., Markem-Imaje GmbH, Markem-Imaje Holding, Markem-Imaje Identificacao de Produtos Ltda., Markem-Imaje Inc., Markem-Imaje India Private Limited, Markem-Imaje Industries, Markem-Imaje Industries Limited, Markem-Imaje KK, Markem-Imaje LLC, Markem-Imaje Limited, Markem-Imaje Ltd., Markem-Imaje N.V., Markem-Imaje Oy, Markem-Imaje Pty Ltd, Markem-Imaje S.A., Markem-Imaje S.A. de C.V., Markem-Imaje S.r.l. a socio unico, Markem-Imaje SAS, Markem-Imaje Sdn Bhd, Markem-Imaje Software Development Centre Pvt. Ltd., Markem-Imaje Spain S.A.U, Markem-Imaje Unipessoal Lda (Portugal), Markpoint Holding AB, Midland Manufacturing LLC, Mouvex, Neptune Chemical Pump Company, Northern Lights (Nevada) Inc., Northern Lights Funding LP, Northern Lights Investments LLC, Nova Controls Inc., OK International (UK) Ltd., OK International Holdings Inc., OK International Inc., OPW Engineered Systems Inc., OPW Fluid Transfer Group Europe B.V., OPW Fluids Group Inc., OPW France, OPW Fuel Management Systems Inc., OPW Fueling Components (SuZhou) Co. Ltd., OPW Fueling Components LLC, OPW Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OPW Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., OPW Slovakia s.r.o., OPW Sweden AB, Officine Meccaniche Sirio S.R.L., PDQ Manufacturing Inc., PISCES by OPW Inc., PSG (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, PSG (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PSG Worldwide Inc., Petro Vend Sp. z o.o., Pike Machine Products Inc., Piston OPW Inc., Pole/Zero Acquisition Inc., Precision Brasil Equipamentos E Servicos Para Postos De Combustiveis Ltda., Precision Service - Servicos De Manutencao E Instalacao De Postos De Abastecimento De Combustivel Ltda., Pump Management Services Co. LLC, RAV Equipment U.S.A. Inc., RAV Equipos Espana S.L., RAV France, Rav Equipment UK Limited, Ravaglioli Deutschland GmbH, Ravaglioli S.P.A., Reduction Engineering GmbH, Revod Corporation, Revod Finance Ireland Limited, Revod Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Revod SAS, Revod Sweden AB, Robohand Inc., Rosario Handel B.V., Rotary Lift Consolidated (Haimen) Co. Ltd, SE Liquidation LLC, SWEP A.G., SWEP Germany GmbH, SWEP Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., SWEP North America Inc., SWEP Slovakia s.r.o., SWEP Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Scheer Pelletizing Systems & Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Scheer Taiwan Machinery Co. Ltd., Seabiscuit Motorsports Inc., Simmons Sirvey Corporation, So. Cal. Soft-Pak Incorporated, Solaris Laser S.A., Space S.R.L., Start Italiana Petrol Cihazlari Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Start Italiana S.R.L., Swep Energy Oy, Swep International A.B., Swep Japan K.K., Sys-Tech Solutions Inc., TQC Quantium Quality S.A. de C.V., TTSI III Inc., TWG Canada Consolidated Inc., TXHI LLC, Tartan Textile Services Inc., The Curotto-Can LLC, The Heil Co., Tokheim Belgium, Tokheim China Company Limited, Tokheim GmbH, Tokheim Group, Tokheim Guardian Venture Sdn. Bhd, Tokheim Hengshan Technologies (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Tokheim Holding, Tokheim Holding B.V., Tokheim India Private Limited, Tokheim Netherlands B.V., Tokheim Sofitam Applications, Trans - Logistic Group S.R.L., Tulsa Winch Inc., Unified Brands Inc., Val TemperBent Glass L.P., Vectron Frequency Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vehicle Service Group LLC, Vos Food Store Equipment Ltd., Warn Automotive LLC, Waukesha Bearings, Waukesha Bearings Limited, Waukesha Bearings Russia LLC, Wayne Fuel Management UK Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems (Rus) Limited Liability Company, Wayne Fueling Systems Australia Pty Ltd, Wayne Fueling Systems Canada ULC, Wayne Fueling Systems Deutschland GmbH, Wayne Fueling Systems Italia S.R.L., Wayne Fueling Systems LLC, Wayne Fueling Systems Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems Pte. Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden AB, Wayne Fueling Systems UK Holdco Ltd., Wayne Industria e Comercio Ltda., Wei Li Pump Shanghai Co. LTD., WellMark, and Wilden Pump and Engineering LLC.Square, Inc. provides payment and point-of-sale solutions in the United States and internationally. The company's commerce ecosystem includes point-of-sale software and hardware that enables sellers to turn mobile and computing devices into payment and point-of-sale solutions. It offers hardware products, including Magstripe reader, which enables swiped transactions of magnetic stripe cards; Contactless and chip reader that accepts EMV chip cards and Near Field Communication payments; Chip card reader, which accepts EMV chip cards and enables swiped transactions of magnetic stripe cards; Square Stand, which enables an iPad to be used as a payment terminal or full point of sale solution; and Square Register that combines its hardware, point-of-sale software, and payments technology, as well as managed payments solutions. The company also provides Square Point of Sale software; Cash App, which provides access to the financial system, allowing customers to electronically send, store, and spend money; Caviar, a food ordering platform for restaurants to offer food ordering, pickup and delivery, to their customers; and Square Capital that facilitates loans to sellers based on real-time payment and point-of-sale data. Square, Inc. was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Read MoreGardner Denver Holdings, Inc. provides mission-critical flow control and compression equipment; and associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three segments: Industrials, Energy, and Medical. The Industrials segment designs, manufactures, markets, and services a range of air compression, vacuum, and blower products, as well as offers associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services. Its products are used in process-critical applications, such as the operation of industrial air tools, vacuum packaging of food products, aeration of waste water, and others. This segment sells its products through an integrated network of direct sales representatives and independent distributors under the Gardner Denver, CompAir, Elmo Rietschle, Robuschi, and other brand names. The Energy segment engages in the design, manufacture, marketing, and service of a range of displacement and liquid ring vacuum pumps, compressors and integrated systems, and engineered fluid loading and transfer equipment, as well as offers associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services under the Gardner Denver, Nash, Emco Wheaton, and other brands. It serves customers in upstream, midstream, and downstream energy markets, as well as petrochemical processing, transportation, and general industrial sectors. The Medical segment designs, manufactures, and markets a range of specialized gas, liquid, and precision syringe pumps and compressors for use in oxygen therapy, blood dialysis, patient monitoring, laboratory sterilization and wound treatment, and other applications. This segment sells its products under the Thomas and other brands. Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1859 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. Medical Services P.A., AHI Investment LLC, AbVitro LLC, Abraxis BioScience Australia Pty Ltd., Abraxis BioScience Inc., Abraxis BioScience International Holding Company Inc., Abraxis BioScience LLC, Abraxis BioScience Puerto Rico LLC, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Adnexus, Adnexus a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company, Allard Labs Acquisition G.P., Amira Pharmaceuticals, Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Apothecon LLC, B-MS Generx Unlimited Company, BMS Benelux Holdings B.V., BMS Bermuda Nominees L.L.C., BMS Data Acquisition Company LLC, BMS Forex Company, BMS Holdings Sarl, BMS Holdings Spain S.L., BMS International Insurance Designated Activity Company, BMS Investco SAS, BMS Korea Holdings L.L.C., BMS Latin American Nominees L.L.C., BMS Luxembourg Partners L.L.C., BMS Omega Bermuda Holdings Finance Ltd., BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Limited, BMS Pharmaceuticals Germany Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals International Holdings Netherlands B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Korea Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Mexico Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Netherlands Holdings B.V., BMS Real Estate LLC, BMS Spain Investments LLC, BMS Strategic Portfolio Investments Holdings Inc., Blisa Acquisition G.P., Bristol (Iran) S.A., Bristol Iran Private Company Limited, Bristol Laboratories Inc., Bristol Laboratories International S.A., Bristol Laboratories Medical Information Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers (Andes) L.L.C., Bristol-Myers (Private) Limited, Bristol-Myers Middle East S.A.L., Bristol-Myers Overseas Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Israel) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Proprietary) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (West Indies) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb A.E., Bristol-Myers Squibb Aktiebolag, Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina S. R. L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Axia Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb B.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada International Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Company Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Denmark Filial of Bristol-Myers Squibb AB, Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Egypt LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Epsilon Holdings Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Ltda., Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Portuguesa S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb GesmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holding Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings 2002 Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma Ltd. Liability Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Ilaclari Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb India Pvt. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Company Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Investco L.L.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Bristol-Myers Squibb Kft., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg International S.C.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb MEA GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marketing Services S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Norway Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Nutricionales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Peru S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (Thailand) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Holding Company LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Ventures Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Polska Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Products SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico/Sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership Puerto Rico, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Holding Partnership, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Service Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Services Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Spol. s r.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Theta Finance Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Trustees Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Colombia S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Costa Rica Sociedad Anonima, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Guatemala S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb/Astrazeneca EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Bristol-Myers de Venezuela S.C.A., CHT I LLC, CHT II LLC, CHT III LLC, CHT IV LLC, CR Finance Company LLC, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celem LLC, Celem Ltd., Celgene, Celgene A.B., Celgene AS, Celgene Ab (Finland), Celgene Alpine Investment Co. II LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. III LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. LLC, Celgene ApS, Celgene B.V., Celgene BVBA, Celgene Brasil Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltda., Celgene CAR LLC, Celgene CAR Ltd., Celgene Chemicals Sarl, Celgene China Holdings LLC, Celgene Co., Celgene Corporation, Celgene Distribution B.V., Celgene EngMab GmbH, Celgene Europe B.V., Celgene Europe Limited, Celgene European Investment Company LLC, Celgene Financing Company LLC, Celgene Global Holdings Sarl, Celgene GmbH [Austria], Celgene GmbH [Germany], Celgene GmbH [Switzerland], Celgene Holdings East Corporation, Celgene Holdings II Sarl, Celgene Holdings III Sarl, Celgene Ilac Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Celgene Inc., Celgene International Holdings Corporation, Celgene International II Sarl, Celgene International III Sarl, Celgene International Inc., Celgene International Sarl, Celgene K.K., Celgene Kft., Celgene Limited [Hong Kong], Celgene Limited [Ireland], Celgene Limited [New Zealand], Celgene Limited [Taiwan], Celgene Limited [UK], Celgene Logistics Sarl, Celgene Ltd, Celgene Luxembourg Sarl, Celgene Management Sarl, Celgene NJ Investment Co, Celgene Netherlands B.V., Celgene Netherlands Investment B.V., Celgene Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Celgene Pte. Ltd., Celgene Pty Ltd, Celgene Puerto Rico Distribution LLC, Celgene Quanticel Research Inc, Celgene R&D Sarl, Celgene RIVOT LLC, Celgene RIVOT Ltd., Celgene RIVOT SRL, Celgene Receptos Limited, Celgene Receptos Sarl, Celgene Research Incubator At Summit West LLC, Celgene Research S.L.U., Celgene Research and Development Company LLC, Celgene Research and Development I ULC, Celgene Research and Development II LLC, Celgene Research and Investment Company II LLC, Celgene S. de R.L. de C.V., Celgene S.L.U., Celgene S.R.L., Celgene SAS, Celgene Sarl AU, Celgene Sdn Bhd, Celgene Services Sarl, Celgene Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Celgene Sp. Z.o.o., Celgene Sro [Czech Republic], Celgene Summit Investment Co, Celgene Switzerland Holding Sarl, Celgene Switzerland II LLC, Celgene Switzerland Investment Sarl, Celgene Switzerland LLC, Celgene Switzerland Sarl, Celgene Tri A Holdings Ltd., Celgene Tri Sarl, Celgene UK Distribution Limited, Celgene UK Holdings Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing II Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing III Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing Limited, Celgene d.o.o., Celgene sro [Slovakia], Celmed LLC, Celmed Ltd., ConvaTec Divestiture, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, Crosp Ltd., Delinia Inc., Deuteria Pharmaceuticals Inc., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, E. R. Squibb & Sons Inter-American Corporation, E. R. Squibb & Sons L.L.C., E. R. Squibb & Sons Limited, EWI Corporation, EngMab Sarl, F-star Alpha, FermaVir Pharmaceuticals L.L.C., FermaVir Research L.L.C., Flexus Biosciences, Flexus Biosciences Inc., Forbius, Galecto Biotech, GenPharm International L.L.C., Gloucester Pharmaceuticals LLC, Grove Insurance Company Ltd., Heyden Farmaceutica Portuguesa Limitada, IFM Therapeutics, Impact Biomedicines Inc., Inhibitex, Inhibitex L.L.C., Innate Tumor Immunity Inc., JuMP Holdings LLC, Juno Therapeutics GmbH, Juno Therapeutics Inc., Kosan Biosciences, Kosan Biosciences Incorporated, Linson Investments Limited, Mead Johnson (Manufacturing) Jamaica Limited, Mead Johnson Jamaica Ltd., Medarex, Morris Avenue Investment II LLC, Morris Avenue Investment LLC, MyoKardia, O.o.o. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Oy Bristol-Myers Squibb (Finland) AB, Padlock Therapeutics, Padlock Therapeutics Inc., Pharmion LLC, Princeton Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Receptos LLC, Receptos Services LLC, RedoxTherapies Inc., Route 22 Real Estate Holding Corporation, SPV A Holdings ULC, Seamair Insurance DAC, Signal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Sino-American Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Societe Francaise de Complements Alimentaires(S.O.F.C.A.), Squibb Middle East S.A., Summit West Celgene LLC, Swords Laboratories, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Westwood-Intrafin SA, Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc., X-Body Inc., ZymoGenetics, ZymoGenetics Inc., ZymoGenetics LLC, ZymoGenetics Paymaster LLC, iPierian, and iPierian Inc..CEMEX SAB de CV engages in the production, distribution, marketing, and sale of cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates. It operates though the following geographical segments: Mexico; United States; Europe; South, Central America and the Caribbean (SCA&C); Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA); and Others. The Europe segment covers United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Czech Republic, Poland and Latvia, as well as trading activities in Scandinavia, and Finland. The SCA&C segment includes Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Caribbean TCL, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Jamaica, the Caribbean, El Salvador, and Guatemala. The EMEA segment comprises of Egypt, Israel, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. The Others segment refers to the cement trade maritime operations, information technology solutions business, and other corporate entities as well as other minor subsidiaries with different lines of business. The company was founded by Lorenzo Zambrano Gutierrez in 1906 and is headquartered in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico.

Read MoreWall Street analysts have given Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund II a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund II wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.The following companies are subsidiares of General Dynamics: 42SIX LLC, ARMA Global Corporation, Advanced Technical Products, Aeromil (Australia) Pty Ltd, Aeromil Aircraft Engineering Pty Ltd, Aeromil Aviation Services Pty Ltd, Aeromil IT Services Pty Ltd, Aeromil Marine Pty Ltd, Aeromil Pacific Pty Ltd, American Overseas Marine Company LLC, Anteon International Corporation, Applied Physical Sciences, Applied Physical Sciences Corp., Ascend Intelligence, Australian Avionics Pty Ltd, Autonomic Resources LLC, Avion Logistics Limited, Avjet Corporation, AxleTech International, Axsys, BATH IRON WORKS CORPORATION, BP-HP Pte Limited, Bath Iron Works, Bath Iron Works Australia Corporation, Bath Iron Works Canada LLC, Bluefin Robotics Corporation, Blueprint Technologies Inc., Braintree I Maritime Corp., Braintree II Maritime Corp., Braintree III Maritime Corp., Braintree IV Maritime Corp., Braintree V Maritime Corp., Buccaneer Computer Systems & Service Inc., CSC Computer Sciences Venezuela S.A., CSRA, CSRA (Costa Rica) S.A., CSRA (Guyana) Inc., CSRA (Middle East) LLC, CSRA Argentina S.R.L., CSRA BH d.o.o., CSRA Bahamas Limited, CSRA Bahrain S.P.C., CSRA Belgium SPRL, CSRA Bolivia S.R.L., CSRA Brazil Servicos de Tecnologia Ltda., CSRA Canada Inc., CSRA Caribbean Inc., CSRA Chile SpA, CSRA Colombia SAS, CSRA Commerce 2010 LLC, CSRA Consular Services Holding Company LLC, CSRA Consular Services Inc., CSRA France SARL, CSRA Guatemala Solutions Sociedad Anonima, CSRA Honduras Sociedad Anonima, CSRA Inc., CSRA Information Systems LLC, CSRA Information Technology Spain SL, CSRA Ireland Limited, CSRA Italy S.R.L, CSRA Kosovo L.L.C., CSRA LATAM LLC, CSRA LLC, CSRA Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., CSRA Netherlands B.V., CSRA Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CSRA Panama Inc., CSRA Peru S.R.L., CSRA Senegal SARL, CSRA South Africa (Pty) Ltd, CSRA State and Local Solutions LLC, CSRA Systems & Solutions LLC, CSRA Trinidad & Tobago Limited, CSRA Turkey Bilisim Teknolojileri Limited Sirketi, CSRA Uruguay S.R.L, CSRA Visa Services Israel Ltd., CSRAIT - Information Services Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Centauri Solutions LLC, Command System, Computing Devices International, Concord I Maritime Corporation, Concord II Maritime Corporation, Concord III Maritime Corporation, Concord IV Maritime Corporation, Concord V Maritime Corporation, Convair Aircraft Corporation, Convair Corporation, Creative Technology, Customer Services Ecuador CSRA S.A., Devcor, Diamond Fortress Technologies, DynPort Vaccine Company LLC, EB Groton Engineering Inc., EBV Explosives Environmental, ELCS-CZ s.r.o., Eagle Enterprise Inc., Earl Industries - Ship Repair and Coatings Division, Ebv Explosives Environmental Company, Electric Boat - Australia LLC, Electric Boat - UK LLC, Electric Boat Canada LLC, Electric Boat Corporation, Electric Boat France LLC, Electrocom Inc., Engineering Technology, Expro Finance Inc., FBD Fahrzeug und Bremsendienst GmbH, FC Business Systems, Fidelis Cybersecurity, Force Protection, Force Protection Europe Limited, Force Protection Inc., ForeSight Technology Services LLC, Freeman United Coal Mining Company LLC, GD Brazil Holdings LLC, GD European Land Systems - Steyr GmbH, GD European Land Systems Holding GmbH, GDOTS Services Corporation, GM GDLS Defense Group L.L.C., GPS Source Inc., GTE Government Systems, GWA-Datatrac FAST LLC, Galaxy Aerospace Company, Gayston Corporation - Defense Operations, General Dynamics - OTS (Global) Inc., General Dynamics AIS Australia Pty Ltd, General Dynamics Canadian Finance Inc., General Dynamics Canadian Holdings Inc., General Dynamics Commercial Cyber Services LLC, General Dynamics European Finance Limited, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Austria GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Bridge Systems GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Czech s.r.o., General Dynamics European Land Systems - Denmark ApS, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Deutschland GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - FWW GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Mowag GmbH, General Dynamics European Land Systems Romania S.R.L., General Dynamics European Land Systems S.L., General Dynamics Global Force LLC, General Dynamics Global Holdings Limited, General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies Inc., General Dynamics Government Satellite Services LLC, General Dynamics Government Systems Corporation, General Dynamics Government Systems Overseas Corporation, General Dynamics Information Technology Canada Limited, General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., General Dynamics Information Technology Limited, General Dynamics Installation Services LLC, General Dynamics International Corporation, General Dynamics Itronix LLC, General Dynamics Land Systems - Australia Pty. Ltd., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada Corporation, General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada Services Inc., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canadian Services Limited, General Dynamics Land Systems - Force Protection Inc., General Dynamics Land Systems Customer Service & Support Company, General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., General Dynamics Limited, General Dynamics Marine Systems Inc., General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., General Dynamics Mission Systems International Limited, General Dynamics Mission Systems Overseas Company LLC, General Dynamics Motion Control LLC, General Dynamics OTS (Aerospace) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (California) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (DRI) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (Niceville) Inc., General Dynamics OTS (Pennsylvania) Inc., General Dynamics One Source LLC, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems - Canada Inc., General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems - Canada Valleyfield Inc., General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems - Simunition Operations Inc., General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc., General Dynamics Overseas Systems and Services Corporation, General Dynamics Properties Inc., General Dynamics Robotic Systems Inc., General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies Inc., General Dynamics Satcom Technologies Asia Private Limited, General Dynamics Satellite Communication Services LLC, General Dynamics Saudi Holdings S.L., General Dynamics Shared Resources LLC, General Dynamics Support Services Company, General Dynamics Swiss Financial Management Limited, General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, General Dynamics Worldwide Holdings Inc., General Dynamics-OTS Inc., General Motors Defense, Gulfstream 100 Holdings LLC, Gulfstream Aerospace, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (CA), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (DE), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (GA), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (OK), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation of Texas, Gulfstream Aerospace Hong Kong Limited, Gulfstream Aerospace LLC, Gulfstream Aerospace LP, Gulfstream Aerospace Ltd., Gulfstream Aerospace Services Corporation, Gulfstream Aerospace Sociedad de Responssabilidad Limitada de CapitalVariable (S. de R.L. de C.V.), Gulfstream Do Brasil Servicos De Suporte E Manutencao A Aeronaves Ltda., Gulfstream International Corporation, Gulfstream Leasing LLC, Gulfstream Product Support Corporation, Gulfstream Services Corporation, Gulfstream Tennessee Corporation, Gulfstream-California Inc., Hawker Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Hawker Pacific Aircraft Management Pte Ltd, Hawker Pacific Airservices Limited, Hawker Pacific Airservices Pvt Ltd, Hawker Pacific Asia Holdings Pte Ltd, Hawker Pacific Asia Pte Ltd, Hawker Pacific Australia Pty Ltd, Hawker Pacific Aviation Services Pty Ltd, Hawker Pacific NZ Limited, Hawker Pacific Pty Ltd, IPWireless, IPWireless PTE. Limited, Information Services Consulting Limited, Interiores Aereos S.A. de C.V., International Manufacturing Technologies Inc., Itronix, Janteq Australia PTY Limited, Janteq Corp., Jet Aviation, Jet Aviation (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd., Jet Aviation (Bermuda) Ltd., Jet Aviation (Hong Kong) Ltd., Jet Aviation (Malaysia) SDN BHD, Jet Aviation 125 Services LLC, Jet Aviation AG, Jet Aviation Brazil Holdings Inc., Jet Aviation Business Jets (Hong Kong) Limited, Jet Aviation Business Jets AG, Jet Aviation Business Jets FZCO, Jet Aviation California LLC, Jet Aviation Dulles LLC, Jet Aviation Flight Services Inc., Jet Aviation France SAS, Jet Aviation Holding GmbH, Jet Aviation Holdings USA Inc., Jet Aviation Houston Inc., Jet Aviation International Inc., Jet Aviation Malaga SA, Jet Aviation Management AG, Jet Aviation Netherlands B.V., Jet Aviation Savannah Holding LLC, Jet Aviation Services GmbH, Jet Aviation St. Louis Inc., Jet Aviation Teterboro LP, Jet Aviation Texas Inc., Jet Aviation of America Inc., Jet Aviation/Palm Beach Inc., Jet Professionals LLC, Kylmar, Longreach Energy LLC, MAYA Viz, Maricom Systems Incorporated, Material Service Resources Company LLC, Matthews Land Company, Mediaware International, Mediaware International Pty Ltd, Metro Machine, Metro Machine co, Midwest Properties Sales LLC, NASSCO, NASSCO Holdings Incorporated, NES Associates LLC, National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, Network Connectivity Solutions Corp., Newberry Holdings LLC, OOO Jet Aviation Vnukovo, Open Kernel Labs, Page Europa Srl, Patriot I Shipping Corp., Patriot II Shipping Corp., Patriot IV Shipping Corp., Plane 79 LLC, Praxis Engineering Technologies LLC, PrimeX Technologies, Prodelin India Private Limited, Proyectos Prohumane Mexico S.A. de C.V., Quincy Maritime Corporation III, Raven Acquisitions LLC, SENTECH INC., SRA International Inc., Saco Defense, Santa Barbara Sistemas S.A., Savannah Air Center LLC, Signal Solutions LLC, Southern Illinois Recovery Inc., Spectrum Astro, St. Marks Powder Inc., Stabilo Pty Ltd, Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug AG & Co KG, Sydney Jet Charter Pty Ltd, Tadpole Computer, Tecnologias Internacionales de Manufactura S.A. de C.V., Tenacity Solutions Incorporated, The Depth of Ideas for General Trading LLC, TriPoint Global Communications, Vangent, Vangent Servicios de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Veridian, Vertex Antennentechnik GmbH, ViPS, Vulnerability Research Labs LLC, and Weco LLC.Stantec Inc. provides professional consulting services in the area of infrastructure and facilities in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company provides consulting services in engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics. It also offers water, transportation, and public works; transportation planning and traffic engineering; and resource assessment, mine development, reclamation, hydrology, and geotechnical and infrastructure engineering services, as well as urban planning, traffic assessments and optimization, environmental impact assessments, and public consultation services. In addition, the company provides structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and hydraulics engineering services. It serves urban regeneration, infrastructure, education, public and private sector, tourism and leisure, and waste and water sectors, as well as office and commercial, residential, and retail and town centers. The company was formerly known as Stanley Technology Group Inc. and changed its name to Stantec Inc. in October 1998. Stantec Inc. was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada.

Read MoreWall Street analysts have given iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

View MarketBeat's top stock picks here.Agilent Technologies, Inc. engages in the provision of application focused solutions for life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets. It operates through the following segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets; Diagnostics and Genomics; and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers application-focused solutions that include instruments and software that enable to identify, quantify, and analyze the physical and biological properties of substances and products, as well as the clinical and life sciences research areas to interrogate samples at the molecular and cellular level. The Diagnostics and Genomics segment consists of activity providing active pharmaceutical ingredients for oligo-based therapeutics, as well as solutions that include reagents, instruments, software and consumables. The Agilent CrossLab segment includes startup, operational, training and compliance support, software as a service, and asset management and consultative services. The company was founded in May 1999 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Waste Management: 635952 Ontario Inc., 8242348 Canada Inc., Acaverde S.A. de C.V., Access Computer Products, Advanced Environmental Technical Services L.L.C., Akron Regional Landfill Inc., Alliance Sanitary Landfill Inc., Alpharetta Transfer Station LLC, American Landfill Inc., American Oil Recovery LLC, Ameriwaste LLC, Anderson Landfill Inc., Anderson Rubbish Disposal, Antelope Valley Recycling and Disposal Facility Inc., Arden Landfill Inc., Atlantic Waste Disposal Inc., Automated Salvage Transport Co. L.L.C., Avalon South LLC, Azusa Land Reclamation Inc., B&B Landfill Inc., Big Dipper Enterprises Inc., Bluegrass Containment L.L.C., Burnsville Sanitary Landfill Inc., CA Newco L.L.C., CR Group LLC, CWM Chemical Services L.L.C., Cal Sierra Disposal, California Asbestos Monofill Inc., Canadian Waste Services Holdings Inc., Capels Landfill LLC, Capital Sanitation Company, Capitol Disposal Inc., Carolina Grading Inc., Cedar Ridge Landfill Inc., Central Disposal Systems Inc., Chadwick Road Landfill Inc., Chambers Clearview Environmental Landfill Inc., Chambers Development Company Inc., Chambers Development of Ohio Inc., Chambers of Georgia Inc., Chambers of Mississippi Inc., Chemical Waste Management Inc., Chemical Waste Management of Indiana L.L.C., Chemical Waste Management of the Northwest Inc., Chesser Island Road Landfill Inc., City Environmental Services Inc. of Waters, Cleburne Landfill Company Corp., Coast Waste Management Inc., Coastal Recyclers Landfill LLC, Connecticut Valley Sanitary Waste Disposal Inc., Conservation Services Inc., Coshocton Landfill Inc., Cougar Landfill Inc., Countryside Landfill Inc., Curtis Creek Recovery Systems Inc., Cuyahoga Landfill Inc., DHC Land LLC, Dafter Sanitary Landfill Inc., Dauphin Meadows Inc., Deep Valley Landfill Inc., Deer Track Park Landfill Inc., Deffenbaugh Disposal Inc., Deffenbaugh Group Holdings Inc., Deffenbaugh Industries Inc., Deffenbaugh Recycling Company L.L.C., Deffenbaugh of Arkansas LLC, Del Almo Landfill L.L.C., Delaware Recyclable Products Inc., Dickinson Landfill Inc., Disposal Service Incorporated, Dolphin Services & Chemicals LLC, Dolphin-One LLC, ELDA Landfill Inc., Earthmovers Landfill L.L.C., East Liverpool Landfill Inc., Eastern One Land Corporation, Eco-Vista LLC, Elk River Landfill Inc., Energy Injection Services of Mississippi LLC, EnviroSolutions Dulles LLC, EnviroSolutions Holdings Inc., EnviroSolutions Real Property Holdings Inc., Envirofil of Illinois Inc., Evergreen Landfill Inc., Evergreen Recycling and Disposal Facility Inc., Finch Waste Co LLC, Firetower Landfill LLC, Fred J. Eckert Sanitary Service Inc., Furnace Associates Inc., G.I. Industries, GA Landfills Inc., Gallia Landfill Inc., Garnet of Maryland Inc., Gateway Transfer Station LLC, Georgia Waste Systems Inc., Giordano Recycling L.L.C., Glades Landfill LLC, Glen's Sanitary Landfill Inc., Grand Central Sanitary Landfill Inc., Greenbow LLC, Greenleaf Compaction Inc., Greenstar Allentown LLC, Greenstar Georgia LLC, Greenstar LLC, Greenstar Managed Services - Connecticut LLC, Greenstar Managed Services - RLWM LLC, Greenstar Mid-America LLC, Greenstar New Jersey LLC, Greenstar Ohio LLC, Greenstar Paterson LLC, Greenstar Pittsburgh LLC, Greenstar Recycled Holdings LLC, Greenstar Recycling LLC, Guadalupe Mines Mutual Water Company, Guadalupe Rubbish Disposal Co. Inc., Ham Lake Haulers Inc., Harris Sanitation Inc., Harwood Landfill Inc., Hedco Landfill Limited, High Mountain Fuels LLC, Hillsboro Landfill Inc., Holyoke Sanitary Landfill Inc., IN Landfills L.L.C., Illini Disposal, International Environmental Management Inc., Jahner Sanitation Inc., Jay County Landfill L.L.C., K and W Landfill Inc., Keene Road Landfill Inc., Kelly Run Sanitation Inc., King George Landfill Inc., King George Landfill Properties LLC, Kirby Canyon Holdings LLC, L&K Group Holdings LLC, LCS Services Inc., Lakeville Recycling L.P., Land South Holdings LLC, Landfill Services of Charleston Inc., Laurel Highlands Landfill Inc., Liberty Landfill L.L.C., Liquid Logistics, Liquid Waste Management Inc., Longleaf C&D Disposal Facility Inc., Looney Bins Inc., Mac Land Disposal Inc. II, Mahoning Landfill Inc., Mass Gravel Inc., Mc Ginnes Industrial Maintenance Corporation, McDaniel Landfill Inc., McGill Landfill Inc., Meadowfill Landfill Inc., Michigan Environs Inc., Midwest One Land Corporation, Modesto Garbage Co. Inc., Moor Refuse Inc., Mordell, Mountain Indemnity Insurance Company, Mountainview Landfill Inc., Nassau Landfill L.L.C., National Guaranty Insurance Company of Vermont, New England CR L.L.C., New Milford Landfill L.L.C., New Orleans Landfill L.L.C., North Manatee Recycling and Disposal Facility L.L.C., Northwestern Landfill Inc., Nu-Way Live Oak Reclamation Inc., OAKLEAF Waste Management LLC, OGH Acquisition Corporation, Oak Grove Disposal Co. Inc., Oakleaf Global Holdings Inc., Oakleaf Waste Management Inc., Oakridge Landfill Inc., Oakwood Landfill Inc., Okeechobee Landfill Inc., Ozark Ridge Landfill Inc., P & R Environmental Industries L.L.C., Pacific Waste Management L.L.C., Pappy Inc., Peltz H.C. LLC, Pen-Rob Inc., People's Landfill Inc., Peterson Demolition Inc., Phoenix Resources Inc., Pine Grove Landfill Inc., Pine Tree Acres Inc., Prime Westport LLC, Quail Hollow Landfill Inc., Questquill Limited, R & B Landfill Inc., RAA Colorado L.L.C., RAA Trucking LLC, RCI Hudson Inc., RTS Landfill Inc., Recycle America Co. L.L.C., Recycle America Holdings Inc., Redwood Landfill Inc., Refuse Inc., Refuse Services Inc., Reliable Environmental Transport, Reliable Landfill L.L.C., Remote Landfill Services Inc., Reno Disposal Co., Resco Holdings L.L.C., Resource Control Composting Inc., Resource Control Inc., Richland County Landfill Inc., Riverbend Landfill Co., Rust Engineering & Construction Inc., Rust International Inc., S & J Landfill Limited Partnership, S & S Grading Inc., S&T Materials LLC, SC Holdings Inc., SF Land Acquisition LLC, Sanifill de Mexico (US) Inc., Sanifill de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Shade Landfill Inc., Shawnee Rock Company, Sierra Estrella Landfill Inc., Southern Alleghenies Landfill Inc., Southern One Land Corporation, Southern Waste Services L.L.C., Spruce Ridge Inc., Stony Hollow Landfill Inc., Suburban Landfill Inc., Summit Energy Services Inc, Swire Waste Management Limited, TN'T Sands Inc., TX Newco L.L.C., Texarkana Landfill L.L.C., Texas Pack Rat - Austin #1 LLC, Texas Pack Rat - 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Environmental Center Inc., WM ND Energy Resources II LLC, WM ND Energy Resources LLC, WM Nevada Renewable Energy L.L.C., WM North Broward Inc., WM Organic Growth Inc., WM PA Holdings LLC, WM PRG L.L.C., WM Pack-Rat LLC, WM Pack-Rat of California LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Illinois LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Kentucky LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Maryland LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Massachusetts LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Michigan LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Nevada LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Ohio LLC, WM Pack-Rat of Rhode Island LLC, WM Partnership Holdings Inc., WM Phoenix Energy Resources LLC, WM Propane LLC, WM Quebec Inc., WM RA Canada Inc., WM Recycle America L.L.C., WM Recycle Europe L.L.C., WM Recycling Latin America LLC, WM Refined Coal LLC, WM Renewable Energy L.L.C., WM Resource Recovery & Recycling Center Inc., WM Resources Inc., WM Safety Services L.L.C., WM Security Services Inc., WM Storage II Inc., WM Storage Inc., WM TX Energy Resources II LLC, WM TX Energy Resources LLC, WM Texas Pack Rat LLC, WM Trash Monitor Plus L.L.C., WM WY Energy Resources II LLC, WM WY Energy Resources III LLC, WM WY Energy Resources LLC, WM of North Dakota Energy Disposal Solutions LLC, WMI Mexico Holdings Inc., WMNA Container Recycling L.L.C., WMRE of Kentucky LLC, WMRE of Michigan LLC, WMRE of Ohio LLC, WMRE of Ohio-American LLC, WMSALSA Inc., WTI Air Pollution Control Inc., WTI Rust Holdings Inc., Warner Company, Waste Away Group Inc., Waste Management Arizona Landfills Inc., Waste Management Buckeye L.L.C., Waste Management China Holdings Limited, Waste Management Collection and Recycling Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Colorado Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Maine Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Maryland Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Massachusetts Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Oregon Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Pennsylvania Inc., Waste Management Disposal Services of Virginia Inc., Waste Management Energy Services of Texas LLC, Waste Management Holdings Inc., Waste Management Inc. of Florida, Waste Management Inc. of Tennessee, Waste Management Indycoke L.L.C., Waste Management International Inc., Waste Management National Services Inc., Waste Management National Transportation Services Inc., Waste Management Partners Inc., Waste Management Recycling and Disposal Services of California Inc., Waste Management Recycling of New Jersey L.L.C., Waste Management Service Center Inc., Waste Management of Alameda County Inc., Waste Management of Alaska Inc., Waste Management of Arizona Inc., Waste Management of Arkansas Inc., Waste Management of California Inc., Waste Management of Canada Corporation, Waste Management of Carolinas Inc., Waste Management of Colorado Inc., Waste Management of Connecticut Inc., Waste Management of Delaware Inc., Waste Management of Fairless L.L.C., Waste Management of Five Oaks Recycling and Disposal Facility Inc., Waste Management of Georgia Inc., Waste Management of Hawaii Inc., Waste Management of Idaho Inc., Waste Management of Illinois Inc., Waste Management of Indiana Holdings One Inc., Waste Management of Indiana Holdings Two Inc., Waste Management of Indiana L.L.C., Waste Management of Iowa Inc., Waste Management of Kansas Inc., Waste Management of Kentucky Holdings Inc., Waste Management of Kentucky L.L.C., Waste Management of Leon County Inc., Waste Management of Londonderry Inc., Waste Management of Louisiana Holdings One Inc., Waste Management of Louisiana L.L.C., Waste Management of Maine Inc., Waste Management of Maryland Inc., Waste Management of Massachusetts Inc., Waste Management of Metro Atlanta Inc., Waste Management of Michigan Inc., Waste Management of Minnesota Inc., Waste Management of Mississippi Inc., Waste Management of Missouri Inc., Waste Management of Montana Inc., Waste Management of Nebraska Inc., Waste Management of Nevada Inc., Waste Management of New Hampshire Inc., Waste Management of New Jersey Inc., Waste Management of New Mexico Inc., Waste Management of New York L.L.C., Waste Management of North Dakota Inc., Waste Management of Ohio Inc., Waste Management of Oklahoma Inc., Waste Management of Oregon Inc., Waste Management of Pennsylvania Gas Recovery L.L.C., Waste Management of Pennsylvania Inc., Waste Management of Rhode Island Inc., Waste Management of South Carolina Inc., Waste Management of South Dakota Inc., Waste Management of Texas Holdings Inc., Waste Management of Texas Inc., Waste Management of Tunica Landfill Inc., Waste Management of Utah Inc., Waste Management of Virginia Inc., Waste Management of Washington, Waste Management of West Virginia Inc., Waste Management of Wisconsin Inc., Waste Management of Wyoming Inc., Western One Land Corporation, Western Waste Industries, Western Waste of Texas L.L.C., Westminster Land Acquisition LLC, Wheelabrator Technologies, Wheelabrator Technologies International Inc., White Lake Landfill Inc., Willow Oak Landfill LLC, and eCycling Services L.L.C..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This article is part of a series highlighting the Dalhousie Class of 2018  the graduates of Dal's 200th year. Read more of our Spring Convocation grad profiles.

When Zili Pan first arrived to Dalhousie in early 2016, she didnt quite know what she wanted to study. Shes just spent two years in Toronto studying Pharmacy, coming to the conclusion that it wasnt the right fit for her. So she decided to move to Halifax and enroll in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Dal.



Requiring a language course as part of her degree, she chose German  mostly because her best friend in China was of both Chinese and German ethnicities and often spoke about life in Germany. One course that summer and Zili was hooked.



After that, I finally found my interest, and realized what I really want to study, says Zili. I love languages!



The power of enthusiasm



She really threw herself into studying German, taking both language and literature courses. This wasnt always easy: Zili recalls the challenges of Professor Hans-Gunther Schwartzs German literature classes, which pushed her to ask a lot of questions and to communicate with him in German.



To be honest, I could barely understand him at the beginning, but if I wanted to go to Heidelberg University for the exchange program, I had to take his introduction to German literature course. I studied really hard, [paid attention], and I tried my best to understand him as best as I could.



She picked it up, though, even being awarded the departmental book prize at the end of her first full year studying German. She credits her love of German in no small part to Brigid Garvey, senior instructor, undergraduate advisor and language coordinator for the Department of German. Zili describes Prof. Garvey as very nice, friendly and patient. I would say she is more like a friend to me. She gave me a lot of advice and suggestions, especially when she encouraged me to go to Heildelberg in Germany for an exchange program.





Prof. Garvey attributes Zilis success to her hard work, her willingness to ask questions and her positive attitude.



She always seemed to have fun with learning, says Prof. Garvey. She really enjoyed it and you could tell. She would laugh easily with our in-class activities and liked interacting with the others in the class.



Overseas discovery



Zili had only been studying German for 10 months when she left for Heidelberg, Germany, where she completed the Summer Semester in German Philology (Literature and Language studies) at the Karl-Ruprechts Universitat, as well as an intensive language course.



The language barrier was really an issue for me, not only at school but also in the daily life, says Zili. However, this challenge also encouraged me to study harder. under this high pressure with five courses, my German really improved a lot.



Zili is brave and ambitious, says Prof. Garvey. She would probably deny the brave part, as she was pretty meticulous in her preparations for the summer of study at Heidelberg University. But even just daring to jump into a semester of immersive study after only 10 months of language learning takes an adventurous spirit.



When she returned to Dalhousie for the fall 2017 term, Zili took GERM 3015  an advanced translation project course that offers unique experiential learning experiences. She worked on the Franz Boas Papers project, transcribing and translating letters (many handwritten in old-fashioned scripts from around the turn of the 19th century) from German to English. These archival materials of the Father of American Anthropology are being made into an online database which will be used by scholars and researchers for years to come.



Given that neither German nor English are her first language, this was another challenge for Zili.



The documents are from about a hundred years ago, so the words are not very clear to read. Sometimes, it takes a couple of hours to figure out just three sentences. I would try my best at first, such as looking into the context and comparing the handwriting of other notes. If it still didnt work, I asked for help from my friends in Germany. After the transcribing process, the translating process was another challenge!



An accomplished student



Zili completed the requirements for her honours degree in German, with a minor in Economics, in just two and a half years  taking course overloads during the academic year, summer courses and the exchange program. Her achievements include an in-course scholarship for the 2016-17 school year, being named to the Deans List, and being added as a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.





For two years she was also an important part of the German Student Society. And on June 2, she will walk across the stage of the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium to receive her degree as well as the University Medal for German.



Zilis next plan includes returning to Heidelberg University to pursue her Masters degree in German and then to return to Shanghai and use her English and German skills to work for a German company.On Monday, the rupee had ended 5 paise lower at 67.11 against the US dollar. (Photo: PTI).

Mumbai: The rupee was trading lower by 5 paise at 67.16 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday amid caution ahead of RBI's policy decision on Wednesday.

Forex dealers said increased demand for the US currency from importers as also the greenback's gains against rivals overseas put pressure on the rupee.

On Monday, the rupee had ended 5 paise lower at 67.11 against the US dollar.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex was trading lower by 81.33 points, or 0.23 per cent, at 34,930.56 in opening deals.The rating agency noted that the higher provisioning and the resultant losses have materially eroded the Rs 1.2 lakh crore of capital raised by PSBs last fiscal.

Mumbai: As much as Rs 5 lakh crore of bank loans deteriorated into non-performing assets (NPAs) in fiscal 2018, taking the total slippages in the past three fiscals to Rs 13.6 lakh crore, rating agency Crisil said on Tuesday.

While the banking systems provisioning cover (excluding write-offs) for NPAs increased to 50 per cent as on March 31, 2018 compared with 45 per cent a year back, the rating agency noted that the higher provisioning and the resultant losses have materially eroded the Rs 1.2 lakh crore of capital raised by PSBs last fiscal.

It said that PSBs remain highly dependent on the government for capital to meet Basel III norms. Given the higher-than-expected losses last fiscal, probable loss in the current fiscal, and recall of the Additional Tier 1 instruments by a few PSBs, the `2.1 lakh crore recapitalisation program announced in October 2017 may be insufficient to meet the capital requirements of PSBs by the end of this fiscal.Quantico will always be remembered as path-breaking for Indians, as Priyanka Chopra became the first South Asian actress to spearhead an American TV drama series three years ago.

However, Twitteratti from the country dont feel the same anymore due to the latest episode of the ABC show.

Also read: Steaming hot: Priyanka Chopra snapped kissing Alan Powell on the sets of Quantico 3

The episode which reportedly aired on June 1 shows an MIT professor planning to target an India-Pakistan summit in Manhattan with a nuclear bomb. This was followed by Indian, Hindu to be precise, terrorists with Rudraksha setting out for the attack with a plan to pin the blame on Pakistan.

The plot had not gone down well with some of the Indian Twitter users, who vented it out on the microblogging platform.

While some called out the makers for the ploy to denigrate India, bringing shame to the country, some were upset about equating the country with Terrorists-mother country Pakistan and some expressed how such a plot shivers our nerves.

Apart from calling the story ridiculous, nonsensical stuff, they also slammed Priyanka by asking her to have shame on herself, while others called her money-hungry, and some referred to her recent visit to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and how it was in line with the shows promotions.

Also read: Priyanka Chopra gives us a glimpse of a day in the life of Quantico's Alex Parrish

One user even went to the extent of tweeting to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj asking if the work permit permits her to spread propaganda against the country.

Check out some of the reactions:

Shame on #Quantico . Shame on @priyankachopra . Shame for showing HIndus as terrorists ! Shame !  Lakshmi (@proudBJPsupport) June 4, 2018

Utterly disgusting step by #Quantico

A ploy to denigrate India.

A deliberate effort to project our nation in equal footing with Terrorists-mother country Pakistan.@realDonaldTrump this is not good.https://t.co/vuvaiCD6EI  shuchi (@shuchi_sun) June 4, 2018

What the hell was this episode of #Quantico .. they tried to show Indian nationalists (their term) trying to blow up Manhattan to frame Pakistan.. I dont even know what sort of ridiculous narrative was this episode trying to set.. nonsensical stuff..  Aadit Kapadia (@ask0704) June 3, 2018

If this is true then thats such a shame for all of us brought by our own. We can't blame others when our people are not standing for us. Things shown in #Quantico have never happend in past and will not happen in future too. https://t.co/DY2lZt9Cfh  Neerag Heda (@theneerag_heda) June 4, 2018

In recent #Quantico episode they shown Indians are planning to blow up Manhattan just to frame Pakistan. Ridiculous !  Katelyn (@politicaloggy) June 4, 2018

Now i know why the money hungry @priyankachopra is supporting #Rohingyas

This #RohingyaCrisis falls in line with promotion of #Quantico

She forgot that #rohingyaskilledhindus and there would be a backlash. Time to boycott her.  Spike Guard (@_spikeguard_) June 3, 2018

What kind of stupid ass episode is this?? Indian nationals trying to frame Pakistan #Quantico pic.twitter.com/o097ecDETF  Dawn Marissa (@DawnMarissa1) June 4, 2018

Latest episode of Quantico is about Hindu men with Rudrakshas who are identified as Indian nationalists with knowledge of Indian government planning a Nuclear attack and blaming Pakistan and the Great priyanka chopra with FBI team stops it



Mainstreaming fake narrative  = (@duvijan) June 2, 2018

#Quantico playing India-Pakistan Game and Priyanka Chopra finds a Rudraksh! Seriously home grown things are shown on international level with Indian narratives. This is something which shivers our nerves.  BhavyaRW (@MeBhavya) June 4, 2018

I wonder if "Work VISA" issued by @SushmaSwaraj permits @priyankachopra to spread propaganda narrative via "Quantico" that Indian nationals get involved in planting bombs against a friendly nation US. VISA get cancelled for phony excuses if it's regular people @MEAIndia  Nitish Kumar (@nkumar_) June 4, 2018

The series is all set to conclude with this season owing to unimpressive ratings and we wonder if such a plot was planned so that they can draw viewers to end on a high in August.Superstar Rajinikanth is in Hyderabad for the promotion of his upcoming film Kaala. The city reminds him of his first Telugu outing. I did my first Telugu film, Antuleni Katha, here, and then went on to act in films like Annadammula Savaal, Iddaru Asadhyule, and Tholireyi Gadichindi. I took a break after 15 or 20 films, he says.

After that, the actor switched his focus to Tamil films. I had done my first film in Tamil, with K. Balachander, so I decided to continue doing Tamil films. But Telugu audiences never stopped encouraging me, and I am grateful for that, he says.

The superstar developed an attachment not only to Telugu audiences but also to members of the Telugu film industry.

Whenever I came to Hyderabad, I would meet N.T. Rama Rao and Dasari-garu and seek their blessings. I miss NTR-garu at lot at this time, and you all know why I am missing him so much, says the actor who recently announced his intention to enter politics. He has also hinted that Kaala, which is set against a political backdrop, falls in line with his real-life political ambitions.

Talking about his superstardom, Rajinikanth says, My son-in-law Dhanush said that earlier there was the one and only Rajanikanth. But now, there is a Chiranjeevi, a Nagarjuna, a Venkatesh and a Balakrishna as well, and every actor has his own speciality. In any industry, when an opportunity presents itself, you have to make the most of it. If you work hard, with dedication, you will definitely see the results. Some people call it luck, some call it Gods blessing. Whatever it may be, you have to use the opportunities available to you.

The actors upcoming Kaala has been directed by Pa. Ranjith and produced by Dhanush.

Ranjith and I worked together in Kabali, and I liked his work. So I decided to work with him again. I know Dhanush has proved himself as an actor, now, he has proved himself as a producer as well, he says.The study was designed to see if texting could relieve some anxiety that comes with the fatigue, hair loss and other body changes. (Photo: Pixabay)

A system of automated twice-daily texts and the ability to use text messaging to receive answers to questions about treatment helps relieve some of the stress of chemotherapy for women with breast cancer, researchers at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia reported Monday.

The feasibility study was designed to see if texting could relieve some of the anxiety that comes with the fatigue, hair loss and other body changes that can accompany anticancer drugs.

Compared to 52 women who only received an American Cancer Society pamphlet on chemotherapy, the 48 women in the texting group reported an overall lower level of distress and a higher quality of life during their therapy. They also felt they had better communication with their doctors.

The text messages were most effective at reducing distress at the 2- and 4-month marks, according to the data presented by chief author Kuang-Yi Wen, an assistant professor in the Cancer Prevention and Control program at Fox Chase. At the fourth month mark, the gap was huge between the texting and control groups, she told Reuters Health in a telephone interview.

Texting also played a role in helping patients feel like they were in control of their treatment, particularly during the first month.

Texting did not affect the odds of developing symptoms of depression.

Surprisingly, the older the patient, the greater the likelihood that she would text back, seeking more information.

One of the patients texted the program 1,217 times. Thats whats good about this program. Everyone has different information-seeking behavior and the system can respond to that, Dr. Wen said.

The findings were released at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago.The pair are believed to have jetted off on their honeymoon last week, with reports that they have chosen Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Canada as their destination. (Photo: AP

It seems that the newlywed Meghan Markle will be getting tips from UKs Queen herself as she prepares to conduct her first joint engagement with Her Majesty in Chester,

The new Duchess of Sussex, 36, will be joining the 92-year-old monarch to open the Storyhouse Theatre and attend a lunch in the city next Thursday.

The royal pair will also inaugurate the Mersey Gateway Bridge in Widnes, Cheshire on the same day.

This is expected to be Meghan's first official engagement without Harry, and among her first appearances following their honeymoon.

Notably, Harry and Meghan have not been seen in public since Prince Charles' 70th birthday celebrations at Buckingham Palace last month, just three days after their wedding.

However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony with the rest of the royal family during the Trooping the Colour parade this Saturday.

The pair are believed to have jetted off on their honeymoon last week, with reports that they have chosen Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Canada as their destination.

The pair are already scheduled to visit Sydney in October for the Invictus Games. The couple are expected to then continue their tour Down Under to include visits to New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

The newlyweds are also expected to undertake a couple of short overseas visits before the start of the summer, including a two-day visit to Dublin.

Interestingly, while the Duchess of Cambridge joined the Queen on several engagements in 2012 after marrying William, her first official engagements as a member of the royal family were not with the monarch.Proceeds from the U.S. Postal Service's breast cancer stamp put researchers over the top when they were trying to get enough money to do the landmark study. (Photo: Pixabay)

Chicago: Countless breast cancer patients in the future will be spared millions of dollars of chemotherapy thanks in part to something that millions of Americans did that cost them just pennies: bought a postage stamp.

Proceeds from the U.S. Postal Service's breast cancer stamp put researchers over the top when they were trying to get enough money to do the landmark study published on Sunday that showed genetic testing can reveal which women with early-stage breast cancer need chemo and which do not.

The National Cancer Institute gave $36 million for the study, and $4.5 million of it came from the stamp, which has raised $86 million since it was first issued in 1998.

It was the nation's first "charity stamp," sold at a surcharge to support a cause.For someone who was barely able to pass high school, Prof H.C. Vermas Concepts of Physics is today the worlds most read textbook for high school physics.

Strengthening skills is far more important than getting into the IIT system, says the legendary teacher. Passing the JEE exam is not a very great achievement, but what you learn in the process is the achievement. Many students struggle and fail after getting into IIT, and many students outside IIT excel in their careers. The focus should be on understanding the concepts deeply and being able to apply them rather than just answering questions in an exam paper, the 66-year-old adds.

While teaching at Patna Science College, I realised that at school level, science must be delivered in the context of the lifestyle of the students. Thus, I decided to write this book where I have presented physics with an Indian flavour, says IIT Kanpur alumnus, who is currently trying to develop content for teaching physics through online courses together with establishing a centre where resources for students and teachers of all levels can be accessed.

Born in Darbhanga, Bihar, in an economically backward family, Prof Verma didnt know the difference between poor and rich then. He says he enjoyed his childhood. My father used to run a school up to Class V in Samastipur. The best part of it was that he was the only teacher controlling five classes, in fact seven classes, including Kachchi Bachha and Pakki Bachcha. This was his style of teaching, making full use of the students from higher classes to teach those from lower classes. He made the school the best in town. My mother could only read Hindi but inculcated in us the culture of hard work, to not be afraid of failure and to have sensitivity towards society and nature.

Who would have ever imagined that a student who did not do well in school examinations would one day teach India physics? I was always regarded as a potentially good student but not interested in studies. I came back on track only after high school, thanks to my teachers at Patna Science College from where I did my BSc Hons in Physics. I then went to IIT Kanpur for MSc Physics where I topped the class. I finished PhD from the same place and joined Patna Science College as lecturer in physics at a salary of `796 in 1979.

Concepts of Physics, widely considered the Bible of Physics, is inspired by the authors Resnick and Halliday, but Prof Verma has added his own understanding of the Indian masses. He says, My aim was to make the text enjoyable, simple and authentic. I made sure there was compatibility and consistency among the chapters, connecting them to real life and named some driving principles. I also tried developing and intensifying the concepts through thought-provoking questions.

Prof Verma, who is part of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers and a national coordinator of its chapter, Anveshika, is a frequent visitor to Hyderabad. Anveshika centres are an Indian Association of Physics Teachers initiative where student and teachers across India can learn experiment-based physics and try out their own ideas. He says, There are 22 Anveshikas in the country that are run by physics teachers or those interested in developing physics experiments for teaching and then training teachers on these, One such Anveshika is at Hyderabad and I have visited the city several times to conduct teachers camps/workshops.

Prof. Verma has lost count of the experiments he has conducted. To give a number, it could be around 600-700 that I have developed. Most of them take less than a minute to perform but initiate a discussion that goes on for many, many minutes.An FIR in the matter has been registered and one of the accused, Mohammad Firoz, has been arrested. (Representational Image)

Kolkata: In a shocking incident, an eatery owner was shot dead on Sunday evening for demanding Rs 190 for a plate of biryani from a group of four men who had eaten at his hotel in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district.

The police said the owner, Sanjay Mondal, was shot dead when he demanded that the group pay up for the food they had consumed.

Mondal was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead.

An FIR in the matter has been registered and one of the accused, Mohammad Firoz, has been arrested. Police said the search for the other co-accused is underway.

The police are also investigating if there are any other possible motives for the shooting. "As of now we think it is related to biryani only but our investigation is on," said an officer.

However, Mondal's brother named the four accused in the case and stated that Firoz is the one who shot his brother. He also added that the family has been living in terror and running the eatery business is a task.The meeting between BJP president Amit Shah (L) and Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray is being viewed as significant as it comes days after the two bickering allies contested the Palghar bypolls separately. (Photo: File | PTI)

New Delhi: In a major development ahead of the 2019 general elections, BJP national president Amit Shah will meet Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray tomorrow in Mumbai. The meeting is seen as a rare effort to reach out to its oldest but most aggressively critical alliance partner.

The meeting is being viewed as significant as it comes days after the two bickering allies contested the Palghar bypolls separately.

The move is being seen as an attempt by the BJP to reach out to the sulking ally which has been openly criticising senior BJP leaders.

"Amit Shah sought time to meet Uddhavji. Accordingly, an appointment of tomorrow evening has been given to him," Sena MP Sanjay Raut told news agency PTI.

According to reports, Amit Shah will meet Uddhav Thackeray around 6 pm at the latters residence 'Matoshree'.

The BJP chief is in Mumbai for a "Sampark for Samarthan" or contact for support, one of his outreach efforts ahead of the 2019 national election.

Ties between the BJP and the Shiv Sena - who have been co-governing Maharashtra since 2014 - have touched a low over the past few years. Amid daily attacks at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Sena has declared that it will go it alone in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Recent by-polls in which the two parties contested separately in Maharashtra - the BJP beat the Shiv Sena in the Palghar parliamentary seat - have worsened a bad relationship, with the Sena describing the BJP as its "biggest political enemy".

Despite the defeat in Palghar, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told the media, We showed that we can fight alone when we contested the Palghar bypoll. We may have lost, however, the message has been sent across. We received lakhs of votes (in Palghar) where we had never contested an election."

The country is in a state of mind that "can accept the Congress or (Janata Dal Secular's HD) Deve Gowda but not PM Modi and Amit Shah," said Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut in a trenchant editorial.

"The Shiv Sena is the biggest political enemy of the BJP. The Sena's radical Hinduism would prove problematic for the BJP," he wrote in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

Raut also accused the BJP of using its resources to defeat the Sena in Palghar while "staying in power with the Sena's help".

Referring to the BJP's setbacks in bypolls in other states - mainly Uttar Pradesh where it lost its third parliamentary seat, Kairana, this year - Raut wrote that "the bypoll results indicate the beginning of the BJP's downfall."

After the bypoll defeat, the BJP is believed to be keen on bridging the gap with allies who are becoming restless and more vocal.

In Bihar, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) also suffered a defeat to the RJD, the party it dumped last year in favour of reviving ties with the BJP.

The JD(U) has said that Nitish Kumar must be the face of the BJP-led coalition in Bihar for the 2019 national elections, telegraphing that it does not believe the BJP can dictate terms anymore.Trinamool Congress leaders had denied any involvement of the party in the two deaths. (Facebook | Screengrab | Kailash Vijayvargiya)

Midnapore: BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said the party would move the Calcutta High Court, and if needed the Supreme Court, to unearth the truth behind the deaths of two party workers in Purulia district.

The senior BJP leader was addressing a gathering at Maguria under Daspur police station area in West Midnapore district where three local leaders and panchayat members of the CPI(M) and another leader from the Trinamool Congress joined the party.

Two independent panchayat members also joined the BJP in presence of Vijayvargiya.

"We will soon move the high court, and the Supreme Court if needed, to know the truth behind the murders of two party workers in Purulia district," he said.

Read: Another BJP worker found hanging in West Bengal, CID to probe death

The two were found hanging in the district, where the BJP fared comparatively well in the recently held panchayat election, on May 30 and June 2.

Also Read: 18-yr-old man 'punished for working for BJP' in West Bengal

The BJP leader alleged the two were murdered because of instigation by senior Trinamool Congress leaders.

The TMC leaders had denied any involvement of the party in the two deaths.

The police claimed that the second incident was a case of suicide.The water from the dam was released to bring the storage level to below 22-feet for replacing the metal plate with new shutters supposed to reach Krishnagiri in few days, he said.

Krishnagiri: The Public Works Department (PWD) that takes care of the KRP dam in Krishnagiri district has given flood alert for five districts along the course of the South Pennar river, as shutter repair works are being taken up.

The flood alert was given to Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Thiruvanamalai, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts due to continuous discharge from the dam for enabling the repair works K. Meiazhagan, PWD engineer told DC.

He explained that, the inflow was recorded as 600 cusecs on Monday, whereas the discharge from the dam through the irrigation canals was maintained at the level of 1,600 cusecs. The present storage level is 37-feet against its total level of 52-feet in height

The water from the dam was released to bring the storage level to below 22-feet for replacing the metal plate with new shutters supposed to reach Krishnagiri in few days, he said.

A metal plate was fixed as a short-term arrangement when the damaged shutter was removed after it had broken under pressure last year.

On November 29, 2017, the gate number one in KRP dam had broken when the water storage level was maintained at 51-feet in height. Two dam engineers were placed under suspension for this incident.

Then the district administration with the help of the experts stopped the water getting wasted by fixing a metal plate having a height of 42-feet, against the total level of 52-feet in height of the dam.

The district administration assured farmers that the water level will not be reduced when the local farmers raised the issue during the meeting with the collector C. Kathiravan.Chennai: Actor-politician Kamal Haasans suggestion that Tamil Nadu and Karnataka should hold talks to solve the Cauvery dispute has only irked farmers associations and political parties in his home state.

He has been criticised by both the BJP and the CPM that he had harmed Tamil Nadus position on Cauvery when the Centre has just notified the Cauvery Management Authority.

State BJP president Thamilisai Soundararajan has said that Kamals intervention was wholly unnecessary when the Centre, on the orders of the Supreme Court, has come up with the legal remedy. How could Kamal claim to be the representative of the people of Tamil Nadu, the state BJP chief asked.

Similarly state CPM state secretary K. Balakrishnan has slammed Kamal accusing him of weakening Tamil Nadus claim by harping on talks, when all talks in the past had resulted in failure.

Farmers leaders Ayakkanu and P.R. Pandian have also faulted the leader of Makkal Needhi Maiam for appropriating the role of farmers representative when he had no such authorisation from any farmers bodies from the state.

Kamal, after meeting Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, had suggested that both states should hold talks to address the concerns of farmers of the two states. I am happy that there is a CM who is looking to solve the dispute between the States in an amicable manner. I am heartened by his response, he said before going on to lecture on the virtues of mutual dialogue to achieve unity (between neighbouring states) and concluding, courts cannot deliver unity, only dialogue can.

Stoutly disagreeing with such optimism on dialogue as an alternative and option now after the Supreme Court gave its verdict and the Centre followed that up by appointing the Cauvery Authority, AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran joined all the other Kamal critics and slammed the star-politician as being overenthusiastic when his involvement was not needed by anyone.

E.R. Eswaran, leader of the Kongu Makkal Desiya Katchi has alleged that Kamals real intent in meeting was to ensure the smooth release of his film Viswaroopam -2 since Rajinikanth's Kaala has met with opposition from Kannada groups in Karnataka.

Kamal's indication that talks were a good option has only opened a raw nerve since under the guise of bilateral talks, Karnataka had only managed to drag the dispute for decades. And now when the Supreme Court delivered its verdict finally, the Karnataka politicians began speaking about settling the Cauvery dispute by talks. When Tamil Nadu has finally received some justice from the Supreme Court, Kamal's offer only dilutes Tamil Nadu's claim on Cauvery water. It is clear that his political inexperience is showing.According to reports, the plane was on a routine training mission from the Jamnagar Air Base and crashed near a village. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)

Jamnagar: The Indian Air Force's (IAF) Jaguar fighter jet crashed in Gujarat's today morning. The pilot, Air Commander Sanjay Chauhan, lost his life in the crash.

Court of Inquiry ordered to investigate cause of accident.

According to reports, the plane was on a routine training mission from the Jamnagar Air Base and crashed near a village.

Reportedly, it hit cattle grazing in a field, killing them.Bengaluru: Get a licence for your pet dog or pay a fine of up to Rs 1,000. Be ready to scoop the dog's poop from public places and parks or else pay a fine of Rs 100. These and more are part of a stringent canine care instructions passed by the BBMP on Monday.

The licensing of pet dogs is mandatory within Palike limits and owners have to get microchips implanted at their own cost. The licences have to be renewed every year by veterinary officers of the BBMP. Veterinary officers of either the BBMP or state government can inspect the pet dog anywhere in the BBMP limits or at owner's premises before issuing a licence.

In apartments, owners can have only one dog (approved breeds specified by the BBMP) and independent houses can have a maximum of three dogs.

Also, the owner has to scoop the poop of his pet if it has committed the nuisance in public places and parks or else pay a fine of Rs 100 for first time offence and double the fine for subsequent offences.

Whoever breaches pet licensing bylaws will be liable to be penalised Rs 1,000. Pets straying in public places without ear notch or any identification mark shall be captured and detained in dog pounds. If not claimed by the owner within 72 hours, the dogs will be sold in auction or sent to shelter homes or given up for adoption, the notice said.New Delhi/Islamabad: The mercy petition of Kulbhushan Jadhav, sentenced to death on espionage charges, is still pending with the Pakistan army chief for adjudication, the military said on Monday.

India had moved the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) in May last year after Kulbhushan Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism.

A 10-member bench of the ICJ on May 18 had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till adjudication of the case.

Pakistan Army spokesman said today that his mercy petition was still pending with Chief of Army Staff Qamar Jawad Bajwa.

"The mercy petition of Kulbhushan Jadhav is with the Army Chief. It is his prerogative to decide, whenever he wishes to. But whenever the decision is taken, we will inform ," said Major General Asif Ghafoor, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) - the media wing of the army.

Pakistan claims that its security forces arrested Jadhav from Balochistan province on March 3, 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran.

However, India maintains that he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy. His sentencing had evoked a sharp reaction in India.Sushil Modi (R) asserted that the NDA will win all 40 seats in Bihar in 2019, saying the opposition RJD-Congress alliance has weakened after Kumar left it to join the NDA and 70 per cent voters are with the ruling alliance. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Monday said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is the ruling alliance' leader in the state and the NDA will seek votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the name of the JD(U) leader and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's works.

His comments a day after the JD(U) demanded that Kumar be projected as the BJP-led NDA's face in Bihar .

Also Read: Nitish Kumar is face of NDA in Bihar: JD(U)'s message to BJP

In Delhi for an official event, the Bihar BJP leader said he did not see any contradiction in the JD(U)'s stand as Kumar, as the chief minister, had been the NDA's leader earlier as well when he was a BJP ally.

"Narendra Modi is the country's prime minister while Nitish Kumar is the leader in Bihar . So the votes we will get in Bihar will be in Narendra Modi's name and in the name of Kumar's works. I don't see any contradiction here. Kumar is the face in Bihar while Narendra Modi is the prime ministerial face in the country," he told reporters.

He, however, parried query on division of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state among the four NDA parties, which include Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP, Upendra Kushwaha-led RLSP besides the JD(U) and BJP.

He said the seat-sharing will be decided at an opportune time.

The Bihar deputy chief minister, however, asserted that division of seats will be a smooth affairs, saying "When hearts have met, then seats are not a big issue".

The JD(U) was the senior partner in Bihar till 2013 when it walked out of the BJP-led NDA. It had contested 25 seats in the 2009 polls while the BJP fought on 15.

However, the BJP had swept the 2014 polls, winning 22 seats while its allies LJP and RLSP won six and three seats respectively. The JD(U) won only two, when it was not part of the NDA alliance.

Recent statements from JD(U) leaders are being seen as an attempt by the party to ensure that the BJP does not dictate terms during the seat-sharing talks.Hyderabad: The AP government on Monday informed the Hyderabad High Court that there were no eligible persons under the project-affected category in 427 notifications out of the 448 issued for land acquisition for various projects in the state.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice K Vijaya Lakshmi was dealing with a PIL by AP Agricultural Workers Union represented by its secretary Venkateswarlu challenging the action of the authorities in resorting to displace the affected families under the various projects without announcing the resettlement and rehabilitation packages.

The bench on April 24 found fault with the method adopted by the AP government in identifying the project-affected families and directed it to furnish a list of relief measures taken in the 600 notifications issued for land acquisition in the state.

Ms. Rekha Rani, special commissioner with resettlement and rehabilitation department of AP filed an affidavit stating that a re-survey was to be ordered in 14 notifications and in seven notifications they have provided relief to 529 affected families.

Mr. Dammalapati Srinivas, advocate general of AP told the court there were no project affected families in 427 as in those notifications the land parcels are in smaller in size and there were no artisans, agriculture labourers or other people who depended on those small parcels. Referring that the state government has issued 600 notifications including the 448 notifications, he submitted that they have conducted door to door survey to identify the affected families.

Reminding that the HC had directed to provide R&R packages to the affected families under 152 notifications by the end of May this year, the AG told the court that they have identified 1,755 affected families in 133 notifications and some more time is needed to identify such families in remaining 19 notifications.Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday reiterated that the GO on permanently shutting Vedanta group's Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi is valid and strong enough and that no one can reopen the unit as all vital approvals (to the plant) have been cancelled.

Responding to DMK working president M. K. Stalin's plea for an Assembly resolution, Mr Palaniswami told the Assembly on Monday that the plant was shut permanently and no one could reopen it. Justifying the GO passed by his government, he said the government order was legally valid. The plant cannot be opened. It is permanently closed and sealed. All permissions like boiler license and power connection were cancelled, he said.

The CM also justified the police action on those who unleashed violence during the anti-Sterlite protest on May 22 and emphasised that no government should encourage anti-social elements. Recalling the violent incidents during the protest rally in Thoothukudi, especially hurling petrol bombs and beating up people with wooden logs and damaging public property, Mr. Palaniswami asked are they general public? They are miscreants and anti-socials.

Raising the issue after Question Hour, Mr Stalin who demanded a resolution in the Assembly on permanent closure of the plant and hiking solatium to police firing victims during anti-Sterlite protests to Rs 1 crore, sought the dropping of cases registered on people during the violence. M. Stalin claimed that the protesters were not anti-socials, poisonous elements or terrorists. Congress Legislature Party leader K. R. Ramasamy too echoed DMK's stand and demanded the withdrawal of cases.

The Chief Minister further said action would be taken based on the report submitted by the one-person Commission of Inquiry led by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan.

Joining the CM, law minister C. Ve. Shanmugam, citing the case on the earlier Assembly resolution in 2011 recommending commutation of death sentence for Rajiv Gandhi assassins, said the issue went to court. There is no point in merely passing resolution in the House. Even Tamil Nadu's 69 per cent reservation under the 9th Schedule of the Constitution which bars judicial review, went to court. Matters like legislation or resolution could be taken up by courts for review, he added.

Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said if Sterlite issue went to court, then it would be legally demonstrated that the closure was in tune with the state's powers.Islamabad: Pakistan's military said on Monday that there was no space for war between Pakistan and India - the two South Asian nuclear rivals. The military however, said Pakistan's desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness by India.

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor alleged that India had carried out 1,077 ceasefire violations since the start of 2018 to date.

Addressing a news conference, he said a special hotline contact had been established between the Director-Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India last week.

The DG ISPR claimed India mostly targeted civilians. "If India fires the first bullet and no harm is incurred, we will not respond. If India fires the second bullet, then we will give a befitting response," he warned.

He added: "Our defence, our desire for peace, should not be mistaken for weakness. Pakistan wants to abide by the ceasefire agreement."

On the revelations of former Inter-Services Intelligence chief Asad Durrani, General Ghafoor said the former had retired from the service before the due time due to political reasons and he had penned down his observations following his retirement.Erode: Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds late on Sunday devastated over 10,000 banana plants and uprooted hundreds of coconut trees in Nagadevanpalayam panchayat area near Gobichettipalayam near here, even as downpour badly damaged over ten tiled-roof houses in the area.

Farmers of several villages in that area are virtually in tears as the heavy precipitation and the winds wrecked havoc bringing down over 10,000 banana plants that were to be harvested in a month or so, besides uprooting over 100 coconut trees. This dashed the hopes of farmers in those villages who could not raise even a single crop last year due to the non-availability of adequate water.

To compensate for last years loss, farmers in this belt have raised two cash crops this year, turmeric and banana. But they never expected the banana plants to be mowed down by the winds in this fashion, one of the farmers in the area told DC.

The affected hamlets in that panchayat include Vellingattupudur, Mullangarai, Ayyampudur and Selvapuram colony, farmers said. Affected farmers should be given due compensation for the crop loss, they urged the State government.

The houses devastated by the rains largely belong to Dalits in the area and they appealed to the government for cash relief to set right their dwellings.

Power supply to many parts of Nagadevanpalayam panchayat was cut off last night as scores of electric poles were either twisted or came down in the strong winds.Authorities are not clear how Jugraj Bheel, now 25, from Rampuria village strayed into Pakistani territory. (Representational Image)

Jaipur: A man missing from his home in Rajasthan's Bundi district for five years has been traced to a jail in Pakistan, an official said on Tuesday. This is the second such case in Rajasthan in about a fortnight.

In May, the family of a Jaipur man, untraceable for 36 years, learnt that he is lodged in a jail in Pakistan.

In the recent case, authorities are not clear how Jugraj Bheel, now 25, from Rampuria village strayed into Pakistani territory.

We received an inquiry to verify Jugraj Bheel's nationality, Bundi district superintendent of police Yogesh Yadav said.

The youth is in a Pakistani jail. We have found his family members in Rampuria village, falling in Dabi police station area, he added.

Police said the villager's 60-year-old father Bhairon Bheel has confirmed his identity. His family members have said that Jugraj was mentally disturbed but they do not know how he strayed into Pakistan, Yadav said.

Yadav said he received a report from the state police headquarter in May seeking information about Jugraj Bheel.

A fortnight ago, an inquiry into the case of 68-year-old Gajanand Sharma had also revealed that he was lodged in Pakistan jail. He had gone missing 36 years ago from his home in the Jaipur's Brahampuri area.

A police investigation confirmed his nationality and traced his family members.

BJP in-charge for party affairs in Rajasthan, Avinash Rai Khanna, and Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra met Sharma's family on June 2 and assured all possible help for his safe return from Pakistan.

They BJP leaders told the family that the party has written to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking her intervention to secure Sharma's release from the Pakistani jail.Stalin led a walkout of his party MLAs, unconvinced over the reply given by Health and Family Welfare Minister C Vijayabaskar on the NEET issue. (Photo: File)

Chennai: The alleged suicide by a medical aspirant after failing to clear the NEET exam echoed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday with the opposition DMK questioning the stand of the government on the central exam.

The death of Pratheeba, hailing from Villupuram district in the state, prompted the DMK to question its arch-rival AIADMK on the matter, with Leader of Opposition MK Stalin lamenting the death of another girl, S Anitha, last year, over the NEET issue.

Stalin later led a walkout of his party MLAs, unconvinced over the reply given by Health and Family Welfare Minister C Vijayabaskar on the NEET issue.

Asserting the government's stand on NEET was 'well-known', Vijayabaskar recalled the state's efforts to secure an exemption for Tamil Nadu from the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test, even as the Assembly had adopted two resolutions in 2017 in this regard. He recalled the various representations made to the Central government, including to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu: Dalit medical aspirant kills self after failing to crack NEET

Expressing regret over the death of the Villupuram girl, he, however, said the Supreme court order was binding on the state government and listed the state's efforts to prepare students for such competitive exams.

He said the deceased girl had cleared Class XII exams in 2016-17 and received admission in a Siddha course but had appeared for this year's NEET again, but scored less marks, he said.

Stalin, who along with ally Congress moved a special call attention on the death of Prathiba, sought to know what was the status of the two resolutions sent to the Centre for the President's nod seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET, with the Minister saying the Supreme Court had ruled against the exemption after some students moved the top court over the matter.

Also Read: Another 17-yr-old ends life after failing to crack NEET

He also took a dig at the Congress, saying its leader P Chidambaram's wife Nalini had argued in favour of the students against exemption, drawing protest from the opposition party.

He also accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of "sowing the seeds" for NEET exam, saying DMK was also part of that coalition.

Stalin said Vijayabaskar's response "is not satisfactory" and announced staging a walkout, with his colleagues in joining him. After some time, the Congress also walked out.

Later, School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan said the government's efforts in preparing students for competitive exams like NEET have borne results, with more number of aspirants from government and aided schools in Tamil Nadu clearing the medical entrance this year.

Last year, Dalit girl Anitha, hailing from Ariyalur, had committed suicide after scoring low marks in NEET, resulting in widespread political outrage. She had earlier filed a case against NEET in the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, actor Rajinikanth said the death of Prathiba was 'pitiable' and called for putting an end to such incidents, adding, such deaths should not continue. Rajinikanth, who has announced his decision to enter politics, expressed grief over the death and conveyed his deep condolences to the bereaved family members.

T Velmurugan-led Tamizhaga Vazvurimai Katchi (TVK) expressed concern over the death of both Prathiba and Anitha over the NEET issue. AAP state unit Convenor SAN Vaseegaran demanded that the Palaniswami government step down "taking responsibility for the death of Pratiba and Anita."Chennai: The Madras high court on Monday made it clear that there was no illegality on the part of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment department in issuing eviction notices to shop owners occupying premises of various shrines in Tamil Nadu. However, it granted time till December 31 for the owners to find out alternative sites.

Justice V. Bharathidasan of the Madurai Bench delivered the judgment on a batch of over 200 petitions challenging the eviction notices issued to various petty shop owners in and around various temples. ..This court is of the view that the petitioners should be given some breathing time enabling them to find out suitable alternative place to carry on their business, Justice V. Bharathidasan said.

Petitioners shall be permitted to occupy their respective leasehold premises until December 31, the judge said.

Following the fire accident in Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai in February this year in which several shops were gutted, the state government had taken a policy decision to protect temples, more particularly historic shrines and to conserve their architectural heritage.

As part of the decision, the Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department (HR&CE) had issued guidelines to Executive Officers of temples to take precautionary measures to protect the shrines from any fire accident.

Following this, the EOs issued eviction notices directing the lessees to vacate the shops and hand over the possession to temples immediately. The court is of the view that the authorities were right in issuing notice to the petitioners for eviction irrespective of the fact whether the lessees carry on their business, either inside or outside the temple, the judge said.

It does not find any illegality or irregularity on the matter, Justice Bharathidasan said. No doubt the impugned notices of eviction would cause some difficulty to the petitioners. But at the same time considering the larger public interests in protecting the interest of the temples, the private interest of the petitioners cannot be placed above the public interest, the judge said.

PTIDefence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a press conference about the achievements of Ministry of Defence in last four years in New Delhi. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

New Delhi: In a clear message to Pakistan, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that terror and talks cannot go hand in hand.

Addressing a press conference, the defence minister further said that though the Army respects the Ramzan ceasefire, any unprovoked attack would not go without it responding.

When it is an unprovoked attack the Army was given the right to retaliate. We honour the ceasefire but of course, a margin was given to us when there is an unprovoked attack, Sitharaman said.

The minister added, Ministry of Defence's role isn't to asses whether it was successful or not. It's our business to guard the border and we won't stop if we're provoked. We shall be alert that no unprovoked attack goes without us responding. It's our duty to keep India safe.

Nirmala Sitharaman also denied any shortage of ammunition or funds for the Defence forces. She also termed the allegations of scam in the Rafael deal as baseless.

The Armed Forces faced funds shortage under the UPA government. However, there are no shortages of funds now," the minister said.

The Union Defence Minister added, There is no shortage of Defence ammunition today. Allegations of scam in the Rafale deal are baseless.

Clarifying the ministrys order regarding the opening of roads in cantonments, Sitharaman said, "The MOD order is for cantonments where civilians and Armed Forces live together. It doesn't apply to military stations.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a press conference about the achievements of Ministry of Defence in last four years in New Delhi. She also launched an interactive e-book about the ministrys achievements.New Delhi: The Union information and broadcasting ministry, headed by Smriti Irani, had to face flak and severe opposition from the top broadcasting regulatory body in the country, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, over its attempts to introduce new processing fee on the sector without due consultation process.

TRAI had opposed the process fee change regime brought about during the tenure of Ms Irani and asked the ministry why it was not consulted despite the TRAI being mandated of such matters as per the TRAI Act.

As any change in the permission fee affects or alters the terms and conditions of the license or permission: the order dated 13 December 2017 of MIB should have been avoided, especially when recommendations of TRAI are mandatory in such cases, as per the provisions of the TRAI Act, 1997, states the TRAI letter to the then I&B secretary N.K. Sinha.

Ms Irani, who has recently been divested of her I&B portfolio, faced severe criticism from the broadcasting sector over the past several months over the ministrys refusal to issue new licenses and hike in processing fee for various services. Sources said the issue surfaced after Ms Irani's ministry introduced fresh processing fee for several services like name and logo change, transponder changes and live telecast by non-news channels.

The ministry which wanted Rs 1 lakh as live telecast fee per day for each channel, however, halved it after coming under severe criticism from the broadcasters. The norms were again revised -- without due consultation with TRAI -- regarding introduction of genres such as religious or regional channels. As a result, the processing fee for religious channels got reduced to Rs. 50,000 after several religious channels objected to the fee. And later they too were exempted by treating them as regional channels.

Sources said the TRAI missive goes on to highlight the point that under the provisions of the TRAI Act, it was the regulatory body which was mandated to make changes regarding the existing processing fee and charges that can be demanded from television channels for uplinking and downlinking norms.

During Mr Iranis tenure, it is learnt the industry had also made an attempt to raise the issue with the PMO and expressed its displeasure over the impasse with the I&B ministry on issuing even routine approvals as she centralised all the approval process at her level.New Delhi: The CBI has questioned Industrialist and former Congress parliamentarian Naveen Jindal in connection with its probe into a 2014 case registered by the agency against Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) among others for alleged cheating and corruption, hight level sources said.

According to sources Jindal appeared before the CBI at its headquarters here on Monday and he was quizzed for nearly five hours.

This was the 36th FIR filed by the central probe agency in 2014 in connection with its probe into coal blocks allocation scam.

This case was registered against Jindal Stripes Limited, JSPL and unknown public officials for alleged criminal conspiracy and cheating under the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, sources said. Soon after registering the case, the agency carried out searches at four locations in Raigarh and Chhattisgarh.

The case pertains to allocation of Gare Palma IV/1 coal block to Jindal Strips Limited and JSPL.Hyderabad: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a set of mandates to be followed by educational institutions to ensure that higher educational institutions improve the quality of education by 2022.

One of the most important mandates set by the UGC Committee is: Improve the graduate outcomes for the students so that at least 50 per cent of them secure access to employment/self-employment or engage themselves in pursuit of higher education.

This is a result of employers complaining that graduates are unemployable because of the poor quality of the education they have received. Prof of English Adeep H. says, Although many students do pursue their Masters, you can clearly see a dip from the numbers enrolled in graduation courses. Graduate level education can no longer be treated as a good criterion of education, especially in this competitive world unless it is done from a reputed institution. The more one studies, the more one enriches ones employability skills. Only if the quality of education in courses offered for Masters and the problems related to lack of guides and seats for doctoral programmes are rectified, can we make sure that more children pursue the same.

The decision to include training in soft skills in the undergraduate curriculum such as team work, communication skills, leadership and time management skills, human values and professional ethics has been lauded. Dheeraj Sanghi, a professor at IIT Kanpur says, This is especially important because many graduates do not know how to behave professionally in a workplace which can affect their growth in their careers. If we introduce soft skills training such as teaching how to do presentations and be part of a team, at the graduate level, we are equipping our students with more than just book knowledge.

The UGC has also mandated that Every institution shall adopt at least five villages for exchange of knowledge and for the overall social/economic betterment of the village communities.

Community building is not present in educational institutions here unlike in some countries where students are supposed to do volunteer work as part of their credits.

Very few educational institutions in the country have mandatory community work. I have been fortunate enough to teach in two institutions where students were asked to do community work one summer and also asked to stay in a remote area and try to figure out innovative projects for their problems, said Dheeraj Sanghi.Thiruvananthapuram: The state of alert against Nipah virus (NiV) that took 17 lives in Kozhikode will continue till June end. Replying to an adjournment motion by M. K. Muneer of the IUML in the assembly here on Tuesday, health minister K. K. Shylaja said the continued vigil was needed because the incubation period of the virus was between two weeks and 20 days. She said chances of another phase of the outbreak were very remote. The human monoclonal antibody procured from Australia to treat the ailment, m-102.4, was available with the state government now.

Ms Shailaja also denied the allegation that there was a time lag in identifying the deadly virus. Even the WHO has congratulated the state for identifying the disease at the second death itself which is very rare. She informed the house that the government arrested 12 persons for spreading panic on the social media.

It was not the time for panic but for being vigilant. The vigil on the part of doctors was the reason to limit the casualty to 17, Ms Shailaja said. The health minister also congratulated Dr Anoop Kumar and Dr Jayakrishnan of the Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode who identified the infection as Nipah. The doctors who felt that they are dealing with an unusual situation, collected body fluid samples of the patients admitted there and sent to Manipal Centre for Virus Research.

Experts in Manipal including Dr Arunkumar, who heads the Manipal Centre for Virus Research (MCVR) under Manipal Academy of Higher Education in Karnataka, confirmed by May 18 that the infection was Nipah. She also congratulated health services director Dr Sarita R.L., additional director Reena K.J. and doctors, the staff of Kozhikode Medical College and Perambra Taluk Hospital and health inspector of the Kozhikode Corporation Mr Gopan for their services. Speaker P. Sreeramakrishan permitted the adjournment motion after the health minister said she was willing for discussions. That was the first permission for adjournment motion since this government came to power.The Government can acquire the land and bring down the staircase at Koti Womens College. There is hardly any place here now, they said.

Hyderabad: Traders in Abids and Koti have threatened to stop the on-going L and T Metro Rail works if the staircase from the station comes down opposite Andhra Bank. The claim of the traders is that there will be major chaos if this happens and traffic will come to a standstill.

In a meeting with Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited Managing Director Mr. N V S Reddy, the traders apprised him of the situation and stated that the staircase must not come down near the shops. Mr Govind Rathi, Chairman of the Traders Joint Action Committee explained, The government can acquire the land and bring down the staircase at Koti Women's College. There is hardly any place here now anyway. If the staircase is lowered here, the road will become very narrow. Already it is a major traffic zone and this is only going to add to our woes.

In a representation to the metro rail officials and also the State government, the traders have threatened to stop the ongoing work of the metro rail. Mr N.V.S Reddy, MD, said. Right now we have two entries and two exits. This is as per the plan. We are also in conversation with the college authorities to acquire the land. Even after it is acquired, there will only be one set of staircase that will come down there. We cannot stop the work. And it is a misnomer that the road width will be reduced. The traffic will not come to a halt because of the staircase.Bengaluru: Leaving the issue of Cauvery Board formation and other issues related to the Cauvery dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to the Centre and Supreme Court, actor turned politician Mr Kamal Haasan on Monday requested Karnataka to release some water from its reservoirs for the Kuruvai crop.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Karnataka Chief Minister Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy, Mr Kamal Haasan said that the Karnataka Chief Minister had responded positively and he was hopeful of something positive happening because of the meeting.

I have just come here as a messenger and I am ready to work in any capacity. I have spoken to farmers in Tamil Nadu too. I don't mind being a mediator or even a doormat. It is the issue concerning farmers of both states, he said.

Answering a question on the formation of the Cauvery Board, which has sparked a row between the two states, Mr Kamal Haasan said that these issues were being dealt with by the courts and the Union government.

This is something which can be resolved through talks and on humanitarian grounds. We will continue to hold talks, he said.

When asked about the water availability at Mettur, Mr Haasan said that the quantum of water available in Mettur and the quantum Tamil Nadu needs to save the Kuruvai crop would be discussed with farmers in Tamil Nadu.

Asked if he had come to negotiate on theRajanikanth starrer Kaala, Mr Haasan said that issue did not come up for discussion, adding that it was a row between the movie producers and the film chamber.I recently read somewhere that a particular political party had decided to make statehood for Delhi an issue in the coming general election. I will explain why that cannot happen. A countrys capital is defined as the city or town that hosts its seat of government and is its administrative centre. Over a century ago, the Government of India and the home government (that means His Majestys Government in London) decided to shift the capital of (then British-ruled) India from Calcutta to Delhi on December 12, 1911. King George V announced this decision at the Delhi Durbar held on that day. Says British lawyer and constitutional expert A.B. Keith: Unquestionably this mode of procedure was unconstitutional for a liberal government, since it precluded the exercise by the House of Lords and the Opposition in the House of Commons of the right of criticism of so far-reaching a change in policy. In other words, the King (meaning the government acting in his name) evaded a key convention of the unwritten British Constitution by short-circuiting Parliament. (Indians are used to hearing about the ruling party short-circuiting Parliament for the past several decades. One only wonders how they managed to pick up this art, as most Indians were probably not even aware of this act of the King 106 years ago!)

Thus, under the authority of the Government of India Act 1854, effective September 1912, the transfer of Delhi took place from the jurisdiction of the lieutenant-governor of Punjab to the direct control of the Viceroy and Governor-General, to be exercised through a chief commissioner, who exercised the functions of a divisional commissioner, financial commissioner and inspector-general of police. With an area of 678 square miles, it formed a sort of enclave similar to the District of Columbia and Washington in the United States. While over 106 years have passed since then, Delhi remains Indias capital city. But all is not well with Delhi now, as continued political rumblings have been creating turbulence since the 1990s. In fact, if the past is any indicator, some upstart politicians appear hopelessly out of depth to be able to grasp the idea of India and its geography, constituted as a sovereign state for the first time in over 1,000 years. Sadly, however, democratic India is traditionally high on election-mode and mood and low on development, economics and good governance. The most conspicuous of all these above features, not surprisingly, seem present in the Indian capital since the 1990s. This drama has now reached quite an absurd level, with a few politicians, transcending ideology, have started playing with fire. They seem to have lost touch with the ground reality of Indias 1.26 billion people. They need to reassess and revisit their preposterous demand to turn Indias capital city into a state. These politicians are unable to anticipate the possible anarchy and potential adverse fallout that could follow if Delhi is indeed made a state.

Indeed, Delhi (and in some ways the whole of India) is for some the ultimate destination, a paradise of real estate, gold, diamond, dollars, honey, sugar and money. All they want to do is ascend the throne. Its like the Bollywood film Duniya Meri Jeb Mein (meaning the world is in my pocket)! These politicians dont seem to have any idea about Indias Constitution, its demography or geography. Its time for a reality check. India comprises 29 states and seven Union territories, with 1.26 billion heads. Under Schedule VIII, it has 22 recognised languages, which includes two official languages  Hindi and English. Its linguistic composition consists of Hindi 41 per cent; Bengali 8.11 per cent; Telugu 7.19 per cent; Marathi 6.99 per cent; Tamil 5.91 per cent; Urdu 5.01 per cent; Gujarati 4.48 per cent; Kannada 3.69 per cent; Malayalam 3.21 per cent; Odia 3.21 per cent; Punjabi 2.83 per cent; Assamese 1.28 per cent; Maithili 1.18 per cent; Bhil/Bhilodi 0.93 per cent; Santhali 0.63 per cent; Kashmiri 0.54 per cent; Nepali 0.28 per cent; Gondi 0.26 per cent; Sindhi 0.25 per cent; Konkani 0.24 per cent; Dogri 0.22 per cent; Khandeshi 0.20 per cent; Tulu 0.17 per cent; Kurukh/Oraon 0.17 per cent; Manipuri 0.14 per cent; Bodo 0.13 per cent; Khasi 0.11 per cent; Mundari 0.10 per cent; Ho 0.10 per cent; Sanskrit 0.0013 per cent and all others 1.41 per cent.

Those who want Delhis status to change from being the nations capital to one of the states of India must remember the capital belongs to the whole of India, to each and every Indian, and that its future cant be unilaterally decided. Delhis constitutional status cannot be changed or tampered with by those who think they are the sole stakeholders and custodians of Indias capital city. Lets assume that Delhi becomes a state. What will happen next is the immediate implementation of sons of the soil. Reservations. Quotas. Throw out the outsiders. Loot their property. Deprive them from jobs. Stop their entry. Who will gain in such a scenario? Possibly only a few adjacent states and a particular group of people. Further, where will the Central government offices/officers go? How will the two Delhis  Delhi the capital and Delhi the state  be differentiated? What do the two police forces do? Fight each other? Or loot together? What happens to the 200-plus diplomatic missions? They will openly fish in the perennial troubled waters created by feuding and myopic politicians. And how will the majority, 99 per cent of the people of India, who dont live in Delhi, take the transformation of their countrys capital? Will India become one of the rarest of the rare  a country without a capital? Or a capital cut to shape and size by Indias political class?

Can India ever be taken seriously in the world arena once this happens? Wont it look like a super banana republic of South Asia? How will we deal with China and Pakistan? How will Indias rulers face their sniggering counterparts at the United Nations? How will India keep Jammu and Kashmir intact? What answers can they offer, if questioned? What sort of economic scenario will emerge from a hopelessly divided polity? If you cannot keep your capital intact, how will you keep the country united? Its time to take the bull by the horns. Its time to abolish both the legislature and the office of lieutenant-governor. We should revert to the two-tier system, according to which administratively Delhi will be headed by a chief commissioner, who reports to the President of India through the Cabinet Secretary, while the mayor will be responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and planned development of the capital through five-yearly elections. Land would fall under the jurisdiction of the urban development ministry and the police under the home ministry. But all this should be done through the Cabinet Secretary. Otherwise, Delhis transformation from capital city to state is sure to be a prelude to the breakup of India. Those in authority need to take corrective steps, and the sooner the better. Indias capital city can never be allowed to become a state. It would be like hara-kiri!US first lady Melania Trump, 48, has not been spotted since May 10. (Photo: File | AFP)

Washington: She is known for her privacy and White House independence, often breaking with her husband's schedule. But Melania Trump's unusual 25-day absence from public view following surgery for a "benign" kidney condition has raised questions.

The first lady is scheduled to re-emerge in the public eye later Monday at a private reception for families of US soldiers killed in action -- her first public appearance since being hospitalised last month.

But the event is billed as closed press, only heightening speculation about why Donald Trump's wife is avoiding the cameras.

Melania Trump, 48, has not been spotted since May 10, when she joined the president in greeting three American hostages released by North Korea.

Shortly afterwards she entered Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what the White House described as a benign kidney procedure.

Despite the operation's routine nature, Melania remained there for five days, returning to the White House May 19.

On Sunday her spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham confirmed that Melania will not accompany the president to the G7 summit in Canada, nor to planned North Korea nuclear talks in Singapore.

It is a noticeable shift from weeks prior to her kidney surgery, when she engaged in several high profile events.

In April, she represented the Trumps at former first lady Barbara Bush's funeral, rolled out her "Be Best" awareness campaign to help children, and orchestrated an elaborate state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte.

Following her medical operation, her absence at events where the public has come to expect to see her alongside the president was well documented, leading her to take to Twitter to castigate reporters.

"I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I'm doing," she tweeted Wednesday, assuring she was "here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard."

The tweet sparked a conspiracy theory that Trump himself may have written Melania's message, given that "working overtime" is a favorite idiom of the president when he tweets about the press.

Comedian Sarah Silverman re-tweeted the first lady's post, adding: "Who is this? where's Melania?"

The first lady skipped ceremonies including a Memorial Day wreath-laying.

And she was not seen Friday boarding the helicopter that shuttled the president, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany, and Donald Trump Jr to Camp David for a weekend retreat.

Imagination 'running wild'

The rumor mill has churned online.

Some have speculated she has moved back to New York City, or is cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller, while others offer she may be healing after some secret plastic surgery.

Such a weeks-long disappearance by a modern-day first lady is indeed rare, said Ohio University history professor Katherine Jellison, an expert on first ladies.

"I'm amazed Mrs Trump has been able to do it," she told AFP.

The first lady is not an elected position, and Melania Trump is under no obligation to keep the American people abreast of her health, activities or whereabouts.

Several 19th century first ladies spent long periods out of view. But over the past half century it has become the public expectation that people know the basic narrative of the first lady's activities.

Melania Trump, never one to obsess like her husband about media attention, has laid low before.

She went quiet in March as a media storm raged about revelations that her husband's lawyer paid porn star Stormy Daniels 130,000 dollars before the 2016 election to keep silent over her alleged affair with Trump years earlier.

White House silence, including about why Melania spent five days in hospital for a routine procedure, is only fueling the speculation.

"Without greater detail about her 'benign' condition, the public imagination is running wild," Jellison said.

"For most of the 20th century and certainly in the 21st century, a first lady hasn't had the option of not being a public figure -- regardless of unfortunate personal circumstances," Jellison said.Catalonias new regional government members pose after taking office during an official swearing-in ceremony at the Generalitat Palace in Barcelona on June 2, 2018. (Photo: AFP)

Barcelona: Socialist Pedro Sanchezs arrival to power in Spain has brought a glimmer of hope that icy ties will thaw between Madrid and Catalan separatists, who are wary of the new leader but happy that veteran conservative Mariano Rajoy has gone.

It was Catalan separatist lawmakers  along with Basque nationalists  who swung the balance in favour of a no-confidence vote brought Friday against Rajoy due to corruption woes afflicting his party.

As Opposition leader, 46-year-old economist Sanchez was deeply critical of Catalonias secession bid last October.

He backed Rajoys imposition of direct rule on the region after separatist leaders declared Catalan independence.

But he softened his tone as Catalan separatist lawmakers in the national Parliament backed his no-confidence motion. He has said he wants to build bridges with the new regional separatist government.

The fall of the conservatives in Madrid, along with the start of a new executive in Catalonia, could allow the situation to improve, says Joan Botella, politics professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Sanchezs speech in Parliament was not particularly ambitious where the wealthy divided region is concerned, he says.

But he could profit from divisions within the separatist camp.

The more moderate want to ditch the unilateral route to independence after several separatist leaders were jailed over their role in the secession bid.

Meanwhile radicals like deposed President Carles Puigdemont, who is currently in Germany in self-exile, are in favour of keeping the conflict alive.

Sanchezs swearing-in on Saturday coincided with that of new Catalan President Quim Torras executive, which automatically triggers the end of direct rule.

The pro-independence movement is declining, there are internal divisions and with the new government Puigdemont is going to be less important, says Botella.

So maybe Sanchez will be lucky.

Things have not gone off to a good start.

Torra, a hardline separatist, criticised for writing tweets or articles deemed offensive to Spaniards, was described by Sanchez as a racist and supremacist.

Sanchez even dubbed Torra the Jean-Marie Le Pen of Spanish politics, referring to the controversial former far-right leader in France.

The worst insults came from him and people from his (Socialist) party, said a regional presidency source, who wished to remain anonymous.

We dont have a good opinion at all, but Rajoy was clearly worse. At least hes of fresh disposition, and can defuse the situation and allow some detente.

Since Rajoy came to power in 2011, ties between Madrid and Barcelona have consistently worsened.

The tensions escalated still further in the autumn with police violence during a banned independence referendum on October 1, a subsequent failed proclamation of a republic and the imposition of direct rule.

Even if Sanchez supported Rajoy in his response to the Catalan crisis, generally speaking the Socialists have been more attuned to Catalan claims than the conservative Popular Party (PP).

Since 2013, they have called for a federal reform of Spain to give semi-autonomous regions more power and Sanchez has even defined Catalonia as a nation.

Even if the PSOE (Socialist party) has tried hard to look like the Popular Party... In Catalonia we know there are differences, Joan Tarda, a lawmaker with the separatist ERC party, said last week in the national Parliament.

Adding to this, the main supporter of the Socialists in the no-confidence vote was far-left Podemos, which defends the right to hold an independence referendum in Catalonia.

There could be a change, maybe not substantial but more like an offer for dialogue, the will to reopen channels to find a negotiated solution to the conflict, says Berta Barbet, editor of political analysis website Politikon.

But any concessions to Catalan separatists could be rejected by members of Sanchezs own party, the PP and especially Ciudadanos, the centre-right party that is on the rise in opinion polls for its aggressive anti-independence stance.

There will be very strong opposition, acknowledges Barbet.

But if there is a moment when the PSOE could make a different offer to de-escalate the conflict, its now, because part of Spanish society has realised how important it is to resolve the Catalan issue.Turkish aviation firm, Celebi Airport Services, a global service provider in ground handling, has won a 10-year contract to operate the critical service at the Kempegowda International Airport here.

The company has proposed to invest $7-9 million to enhance ground-handling services at the country's third busiest airport. Its operations at the KIA will commence in August this year, a company release said.

Celebi already operates ground-handling services at the Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and Ahmedabad airports. "We are focused on expanding our footprint within the country. India is a key market, well set for a major growth path, and Celebi is well-positioned to contribute, support and play a meaningful role in this change process," said Murali Ramachandran, chief executive officer, India, Celebi Aviation Holding.

The company had recently bagged the licence for the Kannur International Airport, which is slated to start operations later this year.An 18-year-old woman has become the UK's youngest convicted female Islamic State terrorist after a court found her guilty of plotting a terror attack on the British Museum here with the country's first all-woman cell.

Safaa Boular was accused of planning to travel to Syria to join IS militants and later preparing to carry out a terrorist attack in London after her fiance, an Islamic State fighter, died.

A jury at the Old Bailey yesterday found her guilty of two offences of preparation of terrorist acts, the BBC reported.

She was also found guilty over an earlier attempt to travel to Syria for terrorism.

Her 22-year-old sister Rizlaine has already admitted planning a knife attack on London and their mother Mina Dich, 44, has pleaded guilty to assisting her.

Boular will be sentenced in around six weeks time, the report said.

During her trial, the court heard how Boular - then 17 - plotted a gun and grenade attack at the British Museum.

The sisters and Dich discussed their plans using Alice in Wonderland coded language, with Rizlaine as the Mad Hatter.

Aged 16, Boular was radicalised online in the wake of the 2015 Paris terror attacks.

She met IS fighter Naweed Hussain on Instagram and after three months of chatting, she declared her love for him with an online marriage ceremony.

The court heard how she had wanted to join Hussain in Syria, but her plan was thwarted when British security services confiscated her passport.

Boular told the police about Hussain and security services deployed officers to pose as fellow extremists and speak to the pair online.

On April 4, 2017, it was a security services officer, posing as an IS commander, who told Boular that Hussain had been killed in a drone attack.

The prosecution claimed this only strengthened her determination to carry out an attack in the UK.

Boular went on to tell officers posing as extremists about plans for an attack and on April 12, she was charged with preparing terrorist acts in Syria.

Despite being in custody, Boular continued to talk to her sister and mother about an Alice in Wonderland-themed tea party - code for an attack.

In one call Boular complained: "Mate, you guys are partying without me."

Rizlaine and Dich carried out reconnaissance of major landmarks in Westminster and bought knives and a rucksack, the court was told.

They were arrested on April 27, the date of the planned attack, along with a friend, Khawla Barghouthi.Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Tuesday expressed the hope that Karnataka Government will ensure smooth release of his latest film Kaala as any ban on it would amount to cheating lakhs of people who wanted to see him back on the silver screen.

Rajinikanth, whose Kaala is being opposed by pro-Kannada groups for his comments on sensitive Cauvery issue, said he had faith in JD (S) chief Deve Gowda that he would not let the film to be banned in Karnataka.

I dont think there will be any problems in Kaala releasing in Karnataka because they (some groups) are seeking a ban without any reasons. I am sure (Chief Minister H D) Kumaraswamy knows that what is just because it is not just Tamils, but people who speak other languages as well, who are wanting to watch the film. They should not be cheated, he told reporters here.

The actor was speaking to reporters at the Chennai Airport on his arrival from Hyderabad, where he attended a pre-release event of Kaala.

I am sure Government of Karnataka will make all arrangements for the release and even if there are any problems, they will provide security (to theatres that screen the movie). Above all, I am sure elderly Deve Gowda will not allow the film to be banned, Rajinikanth said.

To a question, the actor, who has announced his intentions to launch a political party, said the opposition to Kaala was less than what he had expected. I expected much more opposition to Kaala, he said with his signature laugh  that sets every movie hall on fire.

The superstar also said his visit to Thoothukudi had nothing to do with his movie, Kaala, and asserted that he does not have to promote his films through such means at this age. I dont have toby God's grace and due to blessings of the people and my fans, I am sure this movie (will be a success), the actor said.

Karnataka Government has not yet taken a stand on release of Kaala after exhibitors decided not to screen the movie due to fear of protests. Rajinikanths statement also came as his son-in-law and Kaalas producer-actor Dhanush moved the Karnataka High Court seeking the movies release.The Congress failed to finalise its ministerial candidates to join H D Kumaraswamys council of ministers till late Tuesday night despite a marathon meeting.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi held deliberations with leaders from the partys state unit that began at 4 pm and continued till 9.30 pm. Rahul is learnt to have told the state leaders to hold further discussions and prepare the list taking into account caste and regional considerations.

There will be a final round of discussions and the list of ministers will be announced on Wednesday, K C Venugopal, AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, told DH

Venugopal refused to say whether some ministerial berths will be kept vacant. The new ministers will be sworn in at a ceremony at Raj Bhawan on Wednesday.

Separately, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara told reporters that the list will be prepared on Wednesday morning and he will submit it to the Governors office.

At Rahuls official residence, Venugopal, Parmeshwara and former chief minister Siddaramaiah discussed ministerial probables for all the 21 slots.

However, Rahul will decide how many ministerial berths have to be filled and how many have to kept vacant, Parameshwara added.

He also said the issue of a new Pradesh Congress president did not figure during the discussions.WASHINGTON  A divided Supreme Court ruled Monday that businesses can prohibit their workers from banding together in disputes over pay and conditions in the workplace, a decision that affects an estimated 25 million non-unionized employees.

With the court's five conservative members in the majority, the justices held that individual employees can be forced to use arbitration, not the courts, to air complaints about wages and overtime. Four dissenting liberal justices said the decision will hit low-wage, vulnerable workers especially hard.

While the complaints in Monday's decision involved pay issues, the outcome also might extend to workplace discrimination and other disputes if employee contracts specify that they must be dealt with in one-on-one arbitration.

Workers who want to take action against sexual harassment, pay discrimination, pregnancy discrimination and racial discrimination "may now be forced behind closed doors into an individual, costly - and often secret - arbitration process," said Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women's Law Center.

Lawyers representing management said the decision protects businesses from endless, costly litigation.

The outcome does not affect people represented by labor unions, but an estimated 25 million employees work under contracts that prohibit collective action by employees who want to raise claims about some aspect of their employment.

The ruling reflected a years-long pattern at the Supreme Court of limiting class actions and favoring employer-favored arbitration over lawsuits in the courts, generally preferred by workers.

The Trump administration backed the businesses, reversing the position the Obama administration took in favor of employees.

The court's task was to reconcile federal laws that seemed to point in different directions. On the one hand, New Deal labor laws explicitly give workers the right to band together. On the other, the older Federal Arbitration Act encourages the use of arbitration, instead of the courts.

Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, said the contracts are valid under the arbitration law. "As a matter of policy these questions are surely debatable. But as a matter of law the answer is clear," Gorsuch wrote.

Monday's ruling is in line with earlier decisions, he said. "In many cases over many years, this court has heard and rejected efforts to conjure conflicts between the Arbitration Act and other federal statutes. In fact, this court has rejected every such effort to date (save one temporary exception since overruled)," Gorsuch wrote.

In dissent for the court's liberals, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called the decision "egregiously wrong" and likely to lead to "huge underenforcement of federal and state stautes designed to advance the well-being of vulnerable workers." Ginsburg said that the individual complaints can be very small in dollar terms, "scarcely of a size warranting the expense of seeking redress alone."

Ginsburg, who read a summary of her dissent aloud to stress her disagreement, said employees do not really have a choice about whether to sign such agreements, labeling them "arm-twisted, take-it-or-leave-it contracts."

She said "congressional action is urgently in order," echoing her call in 2007 for Congress to address pay discrimination following a high court ruling from which she dissented.

Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said she fears the decision will have far-reaching effects. "Today's decision will make it easier for employers to escape liability for widespread discrimination and harassment. No American should be forced to sign away their right to invoke the meaningful protections afforded by our nation's critical civil rights laws," Clarke said.

The National Labor Relations Board, breaking with the administration, argued that contracts requiring employees to waive their right to collective action violate the labor laws.

Business interests were united in favor of the contracts. Gregory Jacob, a former high-ranking Labor Department official in the Bush administration, said the court got it right Monday. "This decision thus will not see a huge increase in the use of such provisions, but it does protect employers' settled expectations and avoids placing our nation's job providers under the threat of additional burdensome litigation drain," Jacob said.

Lower courts had split over the issue. The high court considered three cases  two in which appeals courts ruled that such agreements can't be enforced and a third in which an appeals court said they are valid.With six national parks, six national forests and 43 state parks, Utah has millions of visitors flock to the state for one-of-a-kind outdoor adventures. Millions more are drawn here to check out Olympic Park or famed Salt Lake City. More and more guests want to enjoy all Utah has to offer, and theyre increasingly looking to experience the state the way locals do.

With that in mind, last week, the Utah Office of Tourism and Airbnb announced a first-of-its-kind statewide partnership to launch Experiences  unique, handcrafted activities hosted by Utahns.

At a time when travel is 10 percent of the global economy and growing, the state of Utah is a model for how governments can embrace new technologies to harness the economic benefits of tourism for residents and the state.

Airbnb launched Experiences in November 2016 as a way to help travelers see and experience the world through the eyes of locals, while also allowing residents and small businesses to benefit from tourism dollars. This new partnership with Utah is an exciting opportunity to work together, ensuring travelers can connect with the diverse people, cultures and terrains of the Beehive State.

Newly launched Utah Experiences include a hike through White Canyon with a Navajo woman whose family has been there for generations; artisanal honey tasting in Provo, and washing, carding and dyeing wool with longtime sheep ranchers. Beyond that, 5 percent of Utah Experiences are social impact, meaning 100 percent of proceeds go toward local nonprofits, such as the Natural History Museum of Utah. We are excited to see the meaningful connections that will form as Utahns host guests from both outside the state and local neighborhoods.

This partnership is a natural fit for several reasons:

Sustainable tourism. Through its efforts to attract more travelers, Utah is promoting long-term sustainable tourism. This is right in line with our Office of Healthy Tourism efforts at Airbnb, where we are working to support communities, empower destinations and promote sustainability.

Through its efforts to attract more travelers, Utah is promoting long-term sustainable tourism. This is right in line with our Office of Healthy Tourism efforts at Airbnb, where we are working to support communities, empower destinations and promote sustainability. A deeper connection with Utah. Experiences are hosted by Utahns, allowing residents and businesses owners to share their skills and passions and earn extra income. Were working with Utah's Office of Tourism to connect with people from every corner of the state to give them a chance to offer their Experience on Airbnb. Well help the Office of Tourism measure the impact on jobs and local economies, and well both promote Utah Experiences.

Experiences are hosted by Utahns, allowing residents and businesses owners to share their skills and passions and earn extra income. Were working with Utah's Office of Tourism to connect with people from every corner of the state to give them a chance to offer their Experience on Airbnb. Well help the Office of Tourism measure the impact on jobs and local economies, and well both promote Utah Experiences. Creating micro-entrepreneurship. Gov. Gary Herbert recently launched an initiative to create 25,000 new jobs in rural communities throughout Utah within four years. This partnership supports this goal by creating micro-entrepreneurship opportunities throughout the state.

Last year, there were 467,300 guest arrivals to Airbnb home listings in Utah  an 87 percent increase over the previous year. With more than 50 Utah Experiences now bookable on the platform, and other potential hosts applying to list their Experience every day, the economic potential for Utah residents is tremendous.

In addition to being the first state to partner with Airbnb to launch Experiences, the Governors Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act, signed into law earlier this year, affords Utahns the opportunity to offer social dining Experiences in their own homes. Utah is only the second state in the country to allow this, providing tremendous opportunity on the Airbnb platform.

Utah is leading the way for communities looking to grow the economic benefits of sustainable tourism  and we believe this form of collaboration serves as a model for other states and jurisdictions around the world.PARK CITY  Utah Gov. Gary Herbert will join U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Mitt Romney's annual political retreat this week.

The invitation-only event that started as a fundraiser during Romney's 2012 presidential bid will also feature business and health care leaders, including Intermountain Healthcare President and CEO Marc Harrison.

About 250 people, including big-money GOP donors, are expected to attend what's known as the Experts and Enthusiasts Summit, set to start Thursday and end Saturday at the Stein Eriksen Lodge at Deer Valley.

Past retreats have attracted a number of Republican presidential candidates and a few prominent Democrats, including former Vice President Joe Biden, who said during his appearance last year that Romney should run for the Senate.

Romney is three weeks away from the June 26 Republican primary election where he faces state Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine, in the race for the seat held by retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

Kennedy had no comment on the Romney retreat, his campaign spokeswoman, Cindie Quitana, said.

The retreat may help serve to remind voters of Romney's national stature, after the former Massachusetts governor won the GOP presidential nomination in 2012 and tapped Ryan, R-Wis., as his running mate.

Not likely to be on display at the retreat, however, is a show of opposition to President Donald Trump. Romney, who was briefly considered for secretary of state by Trump, has said he supports much of the president's agenda.

Romney had called Trump a fraud and a phony in a speech at the University of Utah during the 2016 Republican primary campaign, then became emotional at that year's retreat, telling attendees that "seeing this is breaking my heart for the party."

The theme of this year's retreat is the future of leadership in America and abroad.

Herbert is scheduled to welcome the participants on Thursday evening. His fellow Republicans Ryan and Gardner, and Bloomberg, an independent, will address the topic during the retreat.

GOP pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson will lead a discussion on women running for office and voting trends among women and millennials.

Other speakers include Andrew Cherng, Panda Restaurant Group founder and chairman; Patrick Doyle, Dominos president and CEO; Karen Katz, former Niemen Marcus Group president and CEO; Joe Ripp, former Time Inc. CEO; Maynard Webb, Webb Investment Network founder; and Meg Whitman, NewTV CEO who ran for governor of California in 2010.

There will also be a focus on research and raising awareness for Alzheimer's disease. Besides Harrison, speakers on that topic will include Howard L. Weiner and Dennis J. Selkoe, co-directors of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Romney's wife, Ann, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998.

Spencer Zwick, co-founder of retreat sponsor Solamere Capital, said in a statement the goal of the event has always been "to bring together some of the top thinkers in the world" to inspire the participants.

"There is great strength in bringing together leaders who hold diverse thoughts, ideas and experiences to explore, discuss and debate their views on the future of America in a thoughtful, respectful and open forum," he said.

Zwick, who raised some $1 billion for Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, said that "no matter how far apart individuals may be on any set of issues or topics, there is always great power in finding where their thinking and lives intersect."SALT LAKE CITY  A Utah man faces federal charges accusing him of being a spy for China and selling classified national defense information for approximately $800,000.

Ron Rockwell Hansen, 58, of Syracuse, was arrested Saturday by federal agents just as he was preparing to board a flight in Seattle to China, U.S. Attorney for Utah John Huber said in a prepared statement Monday.

He was charged in federal court with attempting to gather or deliver defense information; being an unregistered agent of a foreign government; three counts of bulk cash smuggling; eight counts of structuring money transactions; and two counts of smuggling goods from the United States.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to life in prison.

The allegations in this complaint are grave as it appears Mr. Hansen engaged in behavior that betrayed his oath and his country, said Eric Barnhart, special agent in charge of the FBI's Salt Lake office.

This case drives home the troubling reality of insider threats and that current and former clearance holders will be targeted by our adversaries."

Hansen is a former Defense Intelligence Agency officer. He retired from the U.S. Army, where he served for 20 years as a warrant officer with a background in signals intelligence and human intelligence. Hansen speaks fluent Mandarin-Chinese and Russian, according to court documents.

"During his military service, the U.S. government entrusted Hansen with access to sensitive government materials, including closely held national defense information and classified documents and materials," the charges state.

He also signed numerous nondisclosure contacts in which he acknowledged that giving away such information could be a violation of criminal espionage laws, according to charging documents.

He was hired by Defense Intelligence Agency as a civilian intelligence case officer in 2006. As part of his position, he held top secret clearance for many years, the charges state.

Between 2013 and 2017, investigators allege Hansen regularly traveled between the United States and China attending military and intelligence conferences, and then provided "the information he learned at the conferences to contacts in China" who were associated with the People's Republic of China's intelligence service, according to Huber.

Prosecutors say Hansen was paid at least $800,000 over the years, including receiving a $300,000 "consulting" fee.

But according to court records, Hansen had also accumulated a lot of debt.

He had built up about $200,000 in personal debt since 2012, the charges state. And his business, Nuvestack  a company that provided cloud computing information technology services  reported more than $1 million in losses in 2014, failed to file taxes in 2015 and 2016, and "carried signficant debt," the charges state.

Even after he stopped working for the government, investigators believe Hansen attempted in 2012 to "regain access to classified information," Huber said. He was finally caught when he divulged what he was doing to a law enforcement source in an apparent effort to recruit that person, the charges state.

In 2012, he approached a U.S. Army Intelligence agent and "offered to work as a double agent against" China, according to court documents. He made the same offer to the FBI in 2015 as he continued to regain access to classified information, the charges state.

But by that time, the FBI says it had already begun its investigation into Hansen.

He even contacted a member of the U.S. House of Representatives requesting to be a staff member on intelligence issues, according to the charges.

"At no time did Hansen notify the attorney general of the United States that he was acting as an agent for any foreign government, including (China)," the charges state.

"His alleged actions are a betrayal of our nation's security and the American people and are an affront to his former intelligence community colleagues. Our intelligence professionals swear an oath to protect our countrys most closely held secrets and the National Security Division will continue to relentlessly pursue justice against those who violate this oath," John C. Demers, assistant attorney general for national security, said in a statement.

These allegations are very troubling in their description of conduct that runs contrary to how we identify ourselves as Americans, Huber added.

Hansen was being held Monday in a federal facility in Seattle. He waved extradition proceedings during a court hearing in Seattle on Monday, clearing the way for him to be returned to Utah.SALT LAKE CITY  While Salt Lake City and state leaders continue to clash over how a future inland port will be governed, the appointments to that governing board were announced Monday with House Speaker Greg Hughes, who largely drove the port authority's creation, appointing himself.

Hughes said he picked himself because of his "institutional knowledge" of the inland port throughout the time it's been debated and researched.

"So I did appoint myself," Hughes said. "I thought it would be appropriate, in that vein, to be on the board."

"This is a big project; there's a lot of work to do to try and bring people along and make it a success," the speaker added. "What will happen and how the board will move forward  there's a lot to be discovered."

Plus, the speaker noted that his schedule "will be lightening up a little bit" after his term ends at the end of the year, referring to his decision not to seek re-election. Hughes said he will continue serving on the board after he leaves office  throughout the seat's four-year term or until a future speaker ever decides to change the position.

"I'll be a part of that, but to what extent and how it all plays out, time will tell," Hughes said.

The appointments to the 11-member board were announced by Gov. Gary Herbert's office, which also announced the date of the board's first meeting: June 18.

The entities and their selected appointees include:

 Governor: Ben Hart, deputy director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, and Derek Miller, president of the Salt Lake Chamber

 President of the Senate: Sen. Don Ipson, R-St. George

 Speaker of the House: House Speaker Greg Hughes, R-Draper

 Salt Lake County mayor: Salt Lake County Councilman Michael Jensen

 Chairman of the Community Impact Board: Sevier County Commissioner Garth Ogden

 West Valley City manager: To be determined

The board will also include other officials as directed under SB234, including Stuart Clason, Salt Lake County's economic development director; Carlos Braceras, Utah Department of Transportation's executive director; Councilman James Rogers, the Salt Lake City councilman whose district includes the northwest quadrant; and the designee of the Salt Lake Airport Advisory Board chairman, Salt Lake City Economic Development Director Laura Fritts.

Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski does not have an appointee under the final version of SB234 passed by the Utah Legislature, but her spokesman, Matthew Rojas, said Monday she asked Larry Pinnock, the airport advisory board chairman, to appoint Fritts. Pinnock serves on the airport board at the mayor's pleasure.

"The administration wanted to ensure the seat  was represented by someone who is credible, well credentialed and focused on the overall well-being of the city," Rojas said. "As the head of the city's economic development department  Fritts brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge of the northwest quadrant through the work the city has done in the area."

Monday's announcement comes after negotiations between state leaders and Salt Lake City stalled ahead of a planned special session to fix SB234, the law creating the Utah Inland Port Authority board. Biskupski and other city leaders say the law grants the board power to usurp ultimate land use authority, as well as capture 100 percent of the area's tax increment.

Herbert in a prepared statement called the inland port a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Utah's prosperity" and noted he introduced the concept three years ago.

"The inland port will make use of prime undeveloped land to enhance Utahs position as a world-class business destination," the governor said. "The legislation and funds are in place. Duty and opportunity compel us to act. By convening the inland port authority, we start a powerful economic engine for the entire state and honor the law. 

The appointments also come the day Hughes' office announced a joint news conference for Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., with Sen. Jim Dabakis to "discuss a compromise framework" for SB234.

But city officials said they weren't aware of the news conference or any "compromise framework."

"The council hasn't been included in these negotiations and looks forward to learning the details of what's been compromised on this city's behalf," Salt Lake City Council Chairwoman Erin Mendenhall said Monday.

Hughes declined to give details about Tuesday's announcement other than to say that he and Dabakis "do not have authority to negotiate anything on behalf of Salt Lake City," but "conversations can occur between leaders and agreements can be found to move forward."

"That's what public policy and leadership is  finding areas of agreement and hoping that can bring people together as opposed to brinkmanship or playing chicken," Hughes said.AMERICAN FORK  One of Utah's most valuable innovation companies filed paperwork late last week for an upcoming initial public offering, a move that is often the endgame for tech entrepreneurs and one typically met with great enthusiasm and anticipation.

But Utah's Domo  a cloud-based, business analytics platform founded in 2010 by serial entrepreneur Josh James  is in rough financial waters and the move appears to be more about casting a fiscal lifeline than marking mushrooming success.

According to its filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, Domo has accumulated over $800 million in debt since its founding in 2010, has tapped out its credit options and, without the cash infusion of an IPO, will be looking at widespread cost slashing.

"To the extent additional capital is not obtained through an IPO, management will seek other forms of financing," reads a section of the S-1 form. "If other equity or debt financing is not available by August 2018, management will then begin to implement plans to significantly reduce operating expense."

James has built a highly regarded reputation for tech success, taking Orem-based web analytics company Omniture, which he co-founded in 1996, from nothing to a $1.8 billion buyout by Adobe in 2009. Domo operated somewhat off the greater tech radar until 2015 when a $210 million funding round, led by New York City-based investment giant BlackRock Inc., resonated widely, thanks in part to a $2 billion valuation attached to the deal.

But following news of Domo's IPO filing, numerous industry pundits have been highly critical of both the IPO effort in general, and James specifically.

Under the headline "Hype and plunder: This high-tech company may be setting a new low for self-indulgent IPOs," the Los Angeles Times Monday pilloried James for his "apparent predilection for using Domo as his personal piggy bank." The piece cited details from the company's SEC filing that included $1.8 million in expenses related to operating a private jet owned by James over the last two years, $600,000 in catering expenses with another company he owns and spending $200,000 on furnishings from yet another company he co-owns.

The Times also critiqued the structure of Domo's stock offering deal, highlighting that James would retain more than 90 percent control of the company via retention of Class A stock worth 40 votes per share, versus the publicly offered Class B stock, representing a single vote per share.

Bloomberg headlined its Domo story from last Friday, "Here's the poster child for Silicon Valley excess" and, like the Times, detailed the expenditures that went to James or companies he's involved with. The financial news website also highlighted the company's deficit operations, with information in the SEC filing showing losses of about $176 million last year, $183 million the year before and a current cash backup of just under $72 million. The article noted the numbers provided by the company reflect a "precarious financial position" and that, as a windup to a stock offering, "Desperation is not a good look for a company trying to pitch itself to public investors."

Domo was not able to offer comment for this story as the company is prohibited from speaking to media ahead of an IPO, under SEC guidelines.

While likely more a function of geography than product similarity, Domo's pre-IPO positioning is being compared to tech education company Pluralsight's own stock offering last month. The Farmington-based firm's IPO rolled out with much fanfare, earned the company over $300 million and saw a 33 percent price jump when markets opened on its new stock. And, in spite of the rampant critiques of Domo's fiscal health and management, not all the prognostications for the company's stock offering prospects are negative.

Weber State University professor Dave Noack, who teaches entrepreneurship and is also the executive director of the Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center, said digital enterprise endeavors like Domo are, by their structural nature, easier to turn around than more traditional companies.

"From a functionality perspective, digital, web-based companies like Domo can make great gains quickly," Noack said. "Their margins are higher than companies that manufacture a product or rely on retail sales and overhead expenses much lower.

"And, they have scale on their side when it comes to IPO-ing  they'll be hoping to not just get everyday investors but looking for big, institutional investors and mutual funds. If they're successful, those types of investors will help maintain the health of their stock."

Noack said investment trends have been tilting heavily in favor of technology and bio-tech/big pharma stocks, which should bode well for Domo. Overall investment in businesses in those sectors has tripled since 2010, he said.

Noack also noted that companies turning to stock offerings as an investment vehicle of last resort is not uncommon. He cited Snap and Blue Apron as companies that have engaged recently in similar strategies.

Domo has not yet disclosed a targeted share price for their offering, but Noack said that was not unusual and was likely a function of the company getting a "weather reading" ahead of the effort.

"I'm guessing this is about them testing the waters a little bit," Noack said. "It will be part of the process to better arrive at a price."

Noack said, pending a successful IPO, Domo's ability to turn the corner on their current financial challenges will likely be closely tied to the overall economy. The company reported some 1,500 business clients and those companies, as well as future clients, will be making spending decisions that reflect the relative positivity, or negativity, of the markets.

"It isn't totally unlike how we make spending decisions as individuals," Noack said. "When we're doing well, maybe we buy a country club membership or a Lagoon pass. If money is tight, we make tougher decisions about what we can, and can't, live without."RIVERTON  A 3 1/2-year-old girl found unconscious in a swimming pool Sunday has passed away, police said Monday.

"Our hearts go out to the family during this very difficult time," Unified police said in a tweet Monday.

The toddler, identified as Riley Northrup, was found unconscious in a neighbor's pool by her 20-year-old sister after she had gone missing for five to 10 minutes, Unified Police Detective Ken Hansen said on Sunday. Police originally said she was 2 1/2 years old.

Riley had walked to the neighbor's house near 12700 South and Timpview Drive and climbed a ladder into the above-ground pool, Hansen said. After finding the toddler unconscious, the girl's sister performed CPR on her until police arrived minutes later, the detective said.

The child was transported to a nearby hospital and then flown to Primary Children's Hospital in critical and unstable condition, where she later passed away.

"Her organs have been donated so others may live. The family is asking other parents to alway keep their eyes on their children, especially around water," Unified police said.

 Ashley ImlaySALT LAKE CITY  A 3rd District judge rejected the state's argument Monday that former Utah Attorney General John Swallow isn't entitled to $1.6 million in legal fees incurred in the failed criminal case against him.

The ruling allows Swallow, a Republican, to continue the lawsuit he filed against the state, contending that as a public official who was exonerated, he should be reimbursed for attorney fees and costs.

"I was erroneously prosecuted and it got so expensive I borrowed money to defend myself, which costs me more in interest every day. Just as disturbing is that because the state pays for my new attorneys' fees to collect, every hour my attorneys spend will likely be charged to taxpayers," he said.

The attorney general's office declined to comment on the ruling or whether it would appeal.

The state argued that Swallow was not an officer or employee of the attorney general's office when he was acquitted of public corruption chargers so he isn't eligible for reimbursement under Utah law. And even if Swallow wins in court, the attorney general's office says it doesn't have the money to pay him.

Judge Andrew Stone said the law is "clear and unambiguous" and the called the state's interpretation "excessively narrow."

"The court is not persuaded that the Legislature intended that an officer or employee remain employed through the entire criminal proceeding until the point of acquittal in order to qualify for reimbursement fees," Stone wrote.

Swallow resigned under pressure after 11 months in office.

State prosecutors later alleged that Swallow was part of a conspiracy with former Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and the late Tim Lawson to extort money and favors from wealthy businessmen.

A jury acquitted Swallow on all charges, prosecutors dropped the case against Shurtleff, and Lawson died before going to trial.

Stone also rejected the state's argument that Swallow must file a reimbursement claim with the Board of Examiners, which would recommend to the Legislature whether it should appropriate money to pay him. The governor, state auditor and attorney general make up the board.

The attorney general's argument that the office doesn't have the money to pay Swallow is premature, the judge said.

"The amount of fees has yet to be determined, just as the amount of future appropriations is not yet known," Stone wrote.

Swallow's attorney, Rod Parker, called the ruling "fairly straight forward."

"If the official is charged for acts while in office and wins an acquittal, which is what happened here, then the fees incurred are owed as a reimbursement," he said.SALT LAKE CITY  Nearly 145,000 adults in Utah suffer from diabetes, according to the Utah Department of Health.

For businesswoman Gail Miller, matriarch of the well-known philanthropic Utah family, the ailment is deeply personal.

"I can tell you firsthand that diabetes is a family illness. It affects everyone who loves you," Miller said as she and U. officials announced a new effort to help prevent diabetes in some of Utah's underserved communities.

That effort, a "Wellness Bus" decorated with colorful cartoons of smiling faces and healthy foods, will offer people in four communities with "free, fast and safe" chronic disease screening  including dental screening  nutrition education and wellness counseling, U. officials said.

The 40-foot, diesel-powered RV is a collaboration between the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation and University of Utah Health, with the participation of several community partners.

A small crowd gathered in front of Vivint Smart Home Arena on Monday to hear remarks, watch a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tour the bus and take part in wellness activities, including a Zumba dance session with Jazz team dancers.

During her remarks, Miller discussed how diabetes impacted her and her family after her late husband, Larry H. Miller, was diagnosed with the disease.

At first, "he was not willing to even accept that news. It took him a while to even tell me that he had it. And then to come to terms with the diagnosis, and even longer to begin the process of taking care of himself and the problems that come with diabetes," she said.

From then until he died in 2009, the disease "was ever-present in our lives," Miller explained.

"We as a family felt helpless to do anything for Larry except stand by and watch him suffer, and by doing so, we suffered with him," she said.

In November, the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation announced a $5.3 million gift to the University of Utah for the Miller family's "Driving out Diabetes" wellness initiative.

The Wellness Bus will visit four underserved communities in the Salt Lake Valley  Kearns, South Salt Lake, Glendale and Midvale  on a weekly basis.

"Defeating diabetes is truly one of the most challenging health concerns of our time," said Ruth Watkins, University of Utah president.

The illness can lead to blindness, kidney failure or limb amputations and is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, she said, adding that it can be "devastating" for underserved populations.

Dr. Robin Marcus, chief wellness officer for University of Utah Health, said officials designed the bus after gathering community input for several months. The Wellness Bus is modeled after a similar collaboration  the Family Van in Boston.

She said the four communities were chosen to benefit from the bus because "they have a high disease burden when it comes to diabetes, but also because they have the really important health infrastructure" where people can go to get additional care.

After getting screened, people can be referred to medical and social services within their communities, she said.

Four people will work on the Wellness Bus, all of whom speak more than one language, Marcus said. She added that for those who use the bus, visits will be "private" and "culturally sensitive."

"We plan to establish relationships in these communities, and hopefully people will learn that we're going to be there every week, rain or shine," Marcus said.

Philanthropist Pamela Atkinson, an audience member at the event, praised the project and told the Deseret News that it could "change people's lives."

"I just love the fact that Utahns like to work together to achieve so much for other people. I never have trouble getting volunteers, sometimes too many. Utah is different," she said.

The love of giving in the Beehive State is "contagious," Atkinson added.SALT LAKE CITY  Tears were shed and goodbyes were wished Monday afternoon as 99 Utah Army National Guard soldiers deployed to the Middle East.

The soldiers from Echo Battery, 1st Battalion, 145th Field Artillery, will take part in a "peace-keeping, partnership-building mission," according to Capt. Jared Sorensen, the commander of Echo Battery. "We're there to guard strategic assets."

The mission will also include conducting artillery missions with Middle Eastern partners.

Families, many clad in red, white and blue, fanned themselves in the broiling heat of a Utah Air National Guard hangar during the afternoon's deployment ceremony, listening as commanding officers made their final remarks to families and soldiers before the coming deployment.

"This is the Superbowl for us, this is what we do," Maj. Gen. Jefferson Burton said to the crowd. "We train on day-to-day ops so we can deploy and do these very difficult jobs. And I have no doubt in my mind that this unit is ready."

The unit is the second of a two-part, nine-month deployment rotation  relieving a Utah National Guard element that deployed in September 2017.

I've been better  kind of emotionally raw and overwhelmed.  Kim Sullivan, whose husband is set for his first deployment

For 2nd Lt. Corrine Galland, who performed the ceremony's national anthem, there is a closer connection to this deployment than most. While she may not be departing herself, her new husband is. Galland married departing 1st Lt. Colter Bowman this last Saturday.

Of performing the national anthem at her husband's deployment, Galland said, "It makes me feel like I'm more involved. I'll do whatever I can to support him."

This is Bowman's first deployment, and while Galland finds his new mission a little nerve-racking, she's ready for her own.

"I'm excited," Galland said with a grin that matched her enthusiasm. "I'm ready to go if they want me to go."

Many of the ceremony's remarks sought to assure families and friends that their departing soldiers were prepared for the trials ahead.

"Folks, these soldiers are ready. They are trained, they are manned, they are equipped and they will go and they will accomplish this mission," Brig. Gen. Dallen Atack said. "For anyone questioning this current generation, stop. This generation have earned every right to stand up with every generation that's gone before them."

The soldiers departed a chartered flight at 6 p.m. Monday, headed to Fort Bliss, Texas, for additional training before their mission overseas. A flight delay gave the families an extra hour to spend with each other.

"It's kind of bittersweet," Staff Sgt. Sean Sullivan said, with his 2-year-old daughter May in his arms and wife, Kim Sullivan, at his side. "Right now its kind of more bitter than anything."

The sight was repeated across the hangar  Young soldiers gripping the hands of loved ones and children wrapped around their legs. This is Sullivan's first deployment.

"I've been better," Kim Sullivan said, laughing. "Kind of emotionally raw and overwhelmed."

Many of the young departing soldiers have built families in the area and now have to leave them behind for the mission's expected nine-month duration. The hangar was filled with strollers, newborns and toddlers waving miniature American flags  kids without a full grasp of the day's meaning.

Sgt. Del Villaverde chased his son, Matthew, who just turned 4, among the throngs of people in the hangar. Villaverde deployed once before to Afghanistan in 2010.

"The first time I went, I didn't have him," Villaverde said as he kept an eye on his wandering son. "I was happy I was able to hang out with him for his birthday but I don't know if I'm going to make it for the next one. Just trying to get my time in."

Villaverde said he's talked with his son about the deployment, but added with a chuckle, "he doesn't quite understand," as the boy dove through the legs of the neighboring families.

Josh Andrew and his father, Mark Andrew, stood quietly by the large hangar doors a few minutes before the younger man's scheduled departure. Their quiet stance stood out among the chaos of the other families. This may be Andrew's first deployment, but he appeared laid back ahead of the coming experience.

"I don't know, I'm pretty neutral," he said. "I guess I don't know what to feel yet."

"His wife's pregnant, delivering in October," his father added. "And he's got a 3-year-old son."

While Josh Andrew, a few minutes away from a new journey, portrayed relaxation, his father may not have been quite as calm as his son.

"I'm a little nervous," Mark Andrew said. "I know he's going to be in a non-combat role but I'm just nervous about how things can develop  things can develop fast  and I'm just making sure he's taken care of, that our daughter-in-law and grandchildren are taken care of. But, I think we have an overall feeling that everything is going to be just fine."WASHINGTON  An American-backed Syrian Kurdish militia said Tuesday it will leave the strategic town of Manbij under a delicate U.S.-Turkey deal that could ease tensions between the NATO allies and force a realignment of troops along the volatile Syria-Turkey frontier.

Illustrating the fragility of the arrangement, the United States and Turkey offered differing descriptions of what the deal entailed, how it would be carried out and when. But ultimately, the Kurdish militia known as the YPG is expected to retreat to east of the Euphrates River, meeting a long-standing demand by Ankara, which considers the militia a terror group tied to a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey's borders. Ethnic Kurds live on both sides of the border, in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria.

Turkish officials suggested an ambitious plan had been hashed out under which the withdrawal would be complete within six months, with Kurdish fighters giving up their weapons as they leave Manbij. A Turkish official said Turkey would review the withdrawal before a new council is set up to administer the multiethnic town, which has been run by the Manbij Military Council for several years.

The U.S. wouldn't discuss whether the Kurdish troops would have to give up weapons, and insisted the plan included only "estimated timelines" based on events on the ground and no hard deadlines. First, joint U.S-Turkish patrols will be dispatched along a pre-existing demarcation line around Manbij, senior State Department officials said, in a sort of trust-building exercise to pave the way for a withdrawal.

After the YPG removes its forces, the Manbij Military Council will be reconstituted, with the Kurdish elements removed and the remaining membership made up of "locals" who are "mutually agreeable" to the U.S. and Turkey, the officials said. The officials from both countries spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the deal publicly.

The YPG  Kurdish initials for "People's Protection Units"  acknowledged that it planned to pull its military advisers out of Manbij, describing it in a statement as the consequence of having completed their mission to train the Manbij Military Council to defend the town.

Shervan Darwish, a current member of the council, said residents were "anxious" about the news. He estimated that 1 million people live in Manbij and the surrounding countryside, many of them displaced from fighting elsewhere in the country.

What seems certain is that Manbij will remain beyond the reach of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government in Damascus, which has been forced to surrender much of its authority in northern Syria to Turkey and the U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish militia as it fights rebels elsewhere in the country.

For the U.S., the deal allows the military focus in Syria to return more fully to defeating the last remnants of the Islamic State group, a top priority for President Donald Trump as he seeks a rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops. Turkish military operations against Kurdish-held areas in Syria had become a distraction, forcing U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters who have been the most effective force against the IS group to retrench as they defended against the Turks and allied opposition groups.

For Turkey, it could allow more control over part of its border with Syria west of the Euphrates River. It averts a potential confrontation with U.S. forces if President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had followed through with his threat to expand its operations in Syria to Manbij, where the U.S. has stationed troops as a deterrent. The deal also allows Erdogan's government to claim success on a key national security issue ahead of high-stakes presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkey.

So even though the details remained vague and elusive, both the U.S. and Turkey sought to cast the agreement as a win.

"The strategic ambiguity has been a lifesaver for the Turkish side," said Aykan Erdemir, a former opposition member of Turkish parliament now at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "It basically bought Turkey time until the second round of elections on July 8. At home now, the Turkish government can spin this as a victory."

The U.S. and Turkey have been at odds over the future of north Syria since the U.S. began supporting the YPG to fight back against the rapidly expanding Islamic State group in 2014. In 2016, the militia helped capture Manbij, to the dismay of Turkey, which has been pushing the U.S. to expel them ever since. In the tense front around Manbij, the Kurdish forces have exchanged gunfire with Turkish and Turkish-backed Syrian forces.

Despite the near defeat of the IS group, the U.S. has kept 2,000 forces stationed in north Syria, and it operates airstrips and outposts in the Kurdish-administered territory that stretches across Syria's north and east of the Euphrates River. Manbij lies west of the river.

American support for Kurdish fighters in Syria has become a major sore point in relations between the U.S. and Turkey. The two have also been at odds of late over detained Americans, Turkey's response to a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey and plans for Turkey to buy Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems in violation of new U.S. sanctions targeting Moscow.

Wess Mitchell, the top U.S. diplomat for Europe, said Tuesday that the Trump administration was trying to "stabilize the relationship" with concrete, near-term steps, in hopes of avoiding a wider breach that he warned could "do multigenerational damage" to ties between the allies. Still, he put Ankara on notice that its partnership with the U.S. on the F-35 fighter jet program could be imperiled if it goes through with the Russian purchase.

"We will abide by the law," Mitchell said at the conservative Heritage Foundation, adding that "if they move forward with a sophisticated Russian weapons platform, they can expect to see it have a ripple effect for their participation in U.S. military industrial projects, and I think that includes F-35."

___

Issa reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, Sarah El Deeb in Beirut and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.SALT LAKE CITY  Josh Holt described his first few harrowing hours in a Venezuelan prison during an interview Tuesday on NBC's "Today," his first since arriving home a week ago after two years behind bars.

At the very beginning it was horrible. They put me in a cell that was no bigger than what a twin bed would be. They had covered the door with a plastic bag so I wasnt getting very much air. It was super, super hot," he told "Today" co-host Hoda Kotb.

Holt's wife, Thamy, and his parents, Jason and Laurie Holt, joined him in the 7-minute interview at the show's New York City studio.

Holt, 26, said he just laid on ground in the cell in his underwear, sweating as cockroaches crawled all over him.

"They never took me out to go to the bathroom, so if you had to use the bathroom, you either had a bottle or a newspaper. You could just choose," he said.

The Holts were in their apartment when police banged on the door, Holt said. Thamy opened the door and the police asked her if there were any men in the room. When she told them her husband was there, they entered the apartment, questioned him and left.

"They ended up coming back like a half-hour later just to take me," Josh Holt said.

"At first I wasnt afraid because here in America you trust your police officers," he said. "But over there, I didnt know it was so dangerous."

Police also took Thamy Holt into custody.

Thamy Holt was placed in a small cell with 23 women, Josh Holt said. The police tried to get her to turn against her husband and sign paperwork saying he was a bad person, but she didn't want to do it because she knew it was all fake, he said.

"So they actually started to put her fingers into pencil sharpeners to take off her nails, to scare her. They tried to scare her with Tasers," Josh Holt said.

Venezuelan intelligence officers say Josh Holt had weapons and was an American spy.

"None of that's true," he told Kotb.

Josh Holt met Thamara "Thamy" Caleno through online Spanish lessons after returning from a Spanish-speaking, LDS Church mission to Washington state. He traveled in June 2016 to marry her in her hometown of Caracas. The two planned to wait for her visa before flying to the U.S.

Laurie Holt said there was a lot of anger during the two years her son was behind bars.

"But I just had to keep pushing," she said in the interview. "I knew that I was his voice and I was the only thing that was going to be able to get him home."

Laurie Holt said if she wasn't loud in bringing his case to the American public and U.S. officials to push against the Venezuelan government, "I knew Id never get him home."

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., along with Senate Foreign Relations Committee senior staffer Caleb McCarry, were among those who worked behind the scenes to free Josh and Thamy Holt.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro released the couple to Corker in Caracas on May 26. They flew to Washington, D.C., that day and arrived back to the Holts' home in Riverton on May 28.

Josh Holt said on "Today" that he and Thamy are writing a book about their experience. He said they want to help and bless people in hard situations.SALT LAKE CITY  Trading banter at a self-organized news conference  attended by a group of concerned west-side residents who weren't laughing  House Speaker Greg Hughes and Sen. Jim Dabakis on Tuesday unveiled a list of proposals they believe could break Utah inland port negotiations free from gridlock.

It was the first that Salt Lake City officials and other state Democrats had heard of the private chats between the Draper Republican and the Salt Lake City Democrat  talks that Hughes said happened spontaneously in a parking lot after he and Dabakis butted heads over the inland port on a Sunday morning TV talk show.

"What we both realized  we've got to find common ground," Hughes said. "You can't let perfect be the enemy of good."

So the speaker said Dabakis devised "a list of demands" to help end the standoff between city leaders and the state and fix SB234, the controversial law passed by the Utah Legislature that created the Utah Inland Port Authority. Salt Lake City leaders have fought the law tooth and nail, saying it usurps city land use authority and captures an exorbitant 100 percent of tax increment.

"I"ll be frank and I'll be honest, do I think these points make the inland port stronger as a project? I actually don't," Hughes said. "Do I think finding common ground with Salt Lake City or its public servants  does that make the inland port project stronger? It absolutely does."

"So as Jim goes through his list of demands, like a ransom note," Hughes joked, "I'm not here clicking my heels. But I am telling you this: This is the position we've been in. We knew that we needed to find common ground  so we are presenting that we think there is progress to be made here."

Dabakis' "demands":

 Adjust the port authority's power over land use by granting Salt Lake City its normal planning process for six months before it would default to the port's board.

 Specify only 2 percent of the project area's tax increment would be set aside for the board's administrative costs, and 10 percent would be guaranteed to go toward affordable housing, as is currently required under state law.

 Exclude all wetlands located on the north side of the project area from the port's jurisdiction.

 Cover all coal as it's transported and stored.

 Include a guarantee Salt Lake City International Airport would never be included in the port's authority.

Dabakis' demands, however, only partially address Salt Lake City leaders' top concerns with land use and tax authority. The port authority board would still have the power to capture 100 percent of the area's tax increment  though both Hughes and Dabakis said in future legislation, negotiations may bring down that percentage to 75 percent for the state and 25 percent for the city.

"We're starting, now, with a catastrophe as far as I'm concerned," Dabakis said, referring to how SB234 was passed in a flurry on the House and Senate floors on the second to last day of the 2018 legislative session.

"Greg and the state government are the 500-pound gorilla," he said. "So if we can make the state law more amenable toward what may come anyway, that's a big step forward."

But Dabakis' own Democratic peers weren't happy with his private talks with the speaker, and in a statement issued after the news conference, accused him of continuing the "lack of transparency" over inland port negotiations.

"We were blindsided by this," Rep. Sandra Hollins, D-Salt Lake City, said in a statement. "It is my constituents who will be directly impacted by the inland port, but they didnt include us in any of these conversations."

Sen. Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, said she was "disappointed" to see Dabakis engage in "backroom deals" when he's complained about them in the past.

"How does he expect people to trust him?" she said. "It's hypocritical."

On Twitter, Dabakis rebuked his fellow Democrats, saying "too many egos involved."

"Look at our ideas. Very serious. Much better deal for the city," he tweeted. "Right now port authority exists and it's a disaster. Love to see grumblers' ideas."

During the press conference, however, Dabakis apologized to Salt Lake City elected officials for not including them, but said he had to do something to end the standoff, and gathering everyone for those spontaneous talks wasn't practical. He urged city leaders, the governor, Hughes and others to "continue the discussions."

"Because there's going to be a port," Dabakis said. "The question is what kind of a port and what kind of protections are there going to be."

Several Salt Lake City Council members and staff came to the news conference to listen  but Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski was absent, attending an affordable housing project grand opening. Her staff, however, was present.

Both Biskupski's deputy chief of staff, David Litvack, and City Council Chairwoman Erin Mendenhall said they are open to continuing conversations  but the "devil's in the details," as Litvack put it.

"I can honestly say that what was said today sounds a lot better than the status quo," Litvack said, but first he said city leaders would need to mull over Dabakis' recommendations in detail and determine whether they fully address the city's top concerns with land use authority and tax increment.

"What does this look like in statute?" Litvack questioned, welcoming further discussions.

Mendenhall said the rest of the council would need to be briefed on the proposals, but she said she's "thankful" to Dabakis and Hughes for "bringing ideas and willingness to discuss."

"We are absolutely willing to have that conversation," she said. "We want the city to be made whole."

As far as the city's top concerns, Mendenhall said she was "encouraged" by the proposal to give the city zoning process a six-month time frame, as well as potential future talks of a 75 percent and 25 percent split on the tax increment.

"I'm thankful that they are coming to the table and bringing ideas and willingness to discuss," she.

"We look forward to learning more about exactly what they intend to change in that regard," she said.

It's not clear whether a consensus might be reached to call a special session this year, but Mendenhall said she hopes SB234's issues can be resolved "in a timely manner so the board doesn't get so far down a path of action."

The Utah Inland Port Authority's first official meeting is scheduled for June 18.

Throughout clashes with state leaders, Salt Lake City officials have said a lawsuit remains an option  though a last resort.

"A lawsuit has never been our preferred path," Litvack said, adding that the city has always been supportive of the inland port project. "But we also recognize we have a very important role to play in protecting our community and protecting the residents of that area."

Of the handful of frustrated west-side residents who attended Tuesday's press conference, Deeda Seed  who is also a campaigner with the environmental group Center for Biological Diversity  interjected several times to express frustrations with the lack of dialogue with community members about environmental impacts of an inland port.

"We all need to talk together," Seed said, urging more discussions on air quality.

Terry Marasco, a member of Utah Moms for Clean Air, also weighed in, questioning "why should I have any confidence" in state leaders when SB234 was rushed through the Legislature.

Hughes argued the bill wasn't rushed through, and also said he was open to environmentally friendly initiatives, but wouldn't commit to a zero-emissions inland port.Know What Tom Cruise Has Shared From 'Mission: Impossible-Fallout'

Tom Cruise, The 55-year old actor is known for doing death-defying stunts in his 'Mission Impossible' films. And for the sixth instalment, he became the first actor ever to do a HALO jump on camera. The actor shared on Twitter a behind-the-scenes video which highlighted the "high-altitude, low-open" skydiving stunt that required intense preparation to ensure Cruise's safety.





As per his director, Tom Cruise to do most difficult stunts in 'Mission Impossible- Fallout'. He went through almost 106 trial runs to perform the stunt in a single shot. The world's largest wind tunnel was built for the actor to rehearse. A special helmet was developed for Cruise, which worked both as a movie prop and a life-saving device. Notably, Cruise inhaled pure oxygen for 20 minutes on the ground to avoid decompression sickness before taking the plunge out of a plane at 25,000 feet.





Reportedly, the filmmakers only had one chance a day to get the shot because it was a nighttime sequence, filmed as close to sunset as possible. With Cruise and the cameraman plunging at 200 mph, everything had to be on point. Moreover, the actor had suffered an ankle injury while shooting the new film, 'Mission: Impossible-Fallout', which releases on July 27.





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Source: www.statisticbrain.com



Here Is Some Interesting Trivia About The Jurassic Park Franchise

When legendary Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg made Jurassic Park in 1993, few would have thought that the film would go on to become the highest grossing film of all time beating Spielberg's own E.T. The film gave birth to a successful multimedia franchise which resulted in numerous theme park rides, comics, cartoons and toy & clothing merchandise.

The sequels Lost World and Jurassic Park 3 followed soon after and the franchise became one of the highest grossing franchises of all time. Spielberg resisted the temptation to revive the franchise for long as he believed the new generation sequels should take some time and extensive effort was put into the script.

Jurassic World was released on 12th June 2015 and soon raced towards the 1 billion mark and ended up grossing 1.6 Billion USD worldwide. The latest sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom will release on 22nd June in the US while the film will release this week in India. Here are a few interesting facts about the Jurassic Park franchise:

Highest Grossing Film of all time: At the time of its release, Jurassic Park became the highest grossing film worldwide and earned 914 Million USD. The film also received great reviews from the critics and the audiences and soon became a modern classic. During its 3D re-release, the film grossed more than a billion dollars worldwide.

Spielberg's paycheck: Steven Spielberg is the core of Jurassic Park franchise. He envisioned the Jurassic Universe in a way no one else could and directed the first 2 parts which were not only blockbuster box-office successes but also received positive reviews from the scientists and critics. Spielberg's earnings from the franchise have been more than 250 Million USD which turns out to be approximately 1700 Crore Rupees.

Jim Carrey: At one point in time, Jim Carrey, who was one of the most popular actors of the time was also considered for the role of Dr. Ian Malcolm. It was down to Carrey and Jeff Goldblum and the makers went with the latter for the role.

Director Confusion: Joe Johnston who has also directed Captain America: The First Avenger was the primary choice to direct Jurassic Park in 1993 but scheduling conflicts with Jumanji (which he was also directing, released in 1995) forced him to drop out and Steven Spielberg went on to direct. Other big names such as James Cameron, Tim Burton, and Richard Donner were also considered.

No Star-Lord: It is hard to see anyone but Chris Pratt in the role of beloved raptor trainer Owen Grady who became a modern culture icon thanks to his turn as Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy and voicing the lead character in The Lego Movie. But the makers also considered Jason Statham, Josh Brolin, Armie Hammer, John Krasinski and Henry Cavill for the lead role while Kristen Stewart and Keira Knightley were considered for the role of Bryce Dallas Howard.Kamal Haasan Stays Mum On Kaala Release In Karnataka

Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan has recently met Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to initiate a talk between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the sensitive Cauvery water sharing issue. Haasan is trying to bridge the gap between two states which can be seen as a positive approach. But the Vishwaroopam star has been criticised on social media after he refused to comment on the ban imposed on Kaala in Karnataka.





The actor was asked if hed discussed anything about the Kaala release while Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and he addressed the media. To the question, Haasan justified that the pretext of the meeting was regarding the Cauvery issue and stated that the issues between the states have to be dealt on the basis of dialogues. Kamal Haasan also said that the Cauvery issue is far more important than films.





He was even ridiculed for failing to back Kaala when Rajinikanth supported the former during Vishwaroopam row in 2013. It seems that both Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have come under the radar in Karnataka following their comments on Cauvery issue. On the work front, Kamal Haasans upcoming Vishwaroopam 2 is expected to release in August this year.





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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.comRana Daggubatis Next Flick Titled As Aranya

Baahubali star, Rana Daggubatis upcoming trilingual movie, Haathi Mere Saathi has been titled as Kaadan in Tamil and Aranya in Telugu. The Tamil and Telugu versions will see noted actor Vishnu Vishal playing a crucial role. Further, Bollywood star Pulkrit Samrat will be seen in its Hindi version.





Moreover, as per the latest reports, leading heroines, Zoya Hussain and Kalki Koechlin will also be seen in the trilingual version. Reportedly, Rana Daggubati will be essaying the role of a mahout in this movie. As said, the movie is about wildlife conservation and will be shot in Thailand and India.





Vishal took to the social media to express gratitude to its director, Prabhu Solomon. He said that he is elated about embarking on an incredible journey with Rana and the crew. As far as Rana is concerned, he was last seen in Tollywood movie, Nene Raju Nene Mantri. The versatile actor played a scheming politician in the political drama.





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Source: i.pinimg.comDuring their big announcements at Computex 2018, Asus announced two products that should be of particular interest to a lot of people. The new Zenbook Pro 15 (UX580) and Zenbook Pro 14 (UX480) are the newest additions to the Zenbook portfolio and are aimed squarely at content creators. For the longest time, photographers, video editors and 3D artist have had to choose either between big, bulky gaming machines or Apples MacBook Pro. Not a lot of laptops currently offer the powerful hardware required for crunching through terabytes of photo/video data. Additionally, extensive connectivity options and colour accurate displays are still very hard to find, so the Zenbook Pro 15 and Zenbook Pro 14 do fill in an existing gap in options, atleast on paper. We have some time with both the devices at Computex and here are our first impressions.

The Hardware

The first standout feature of the Zenbook Pro 15 isnt its larger 15.6-inch near bezel-less display, but rather that it can be configured to ship with up to the newest 8th generation Intel Core i9 hexacore processor. Graphic intensive duties are performed by a GeForce GTX 1050Ti GPU, and when it comes to storage, it can come with up to 1TB PCIe x4 SSD. The Zenbook Pro 14, in comparison, is slightly more modest, shipping with a maximum on Intel Core i7 processor mated to a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 MAX-Q gpu. Both the machines will come with the same maximum of 16GB DDR4 memory. Where the larger UX580 edges the smaller variant out is when it comes to connectivity options. On the Zenbook Pro UX580, you get two Thunderbolt 3.0 ports which allow you to connect up to 3 external displays with 4K resolution each. This is on top of the built-in 4K display which is Pantone verified and offers 132 percent sRGB and 100 percent AdobeRGB colour gamut. The smaller one only has a single Thunderbolt 3.0 port and comes with a full HD display, although the colour space and accuracy values remain. Both the displays have a E (Delta-E) < 2.0 for colour accuracy, making them a great choice for photographers and colour grading artists right out of the box. We got to test a few different units of the Pro 15 and the Pro 14 with a colourimeter and we consistently got E values of less than 2. Both the machines are definitely packed with the best hardware possible, with the Zenboo kPro UX580 being more of a powerhouse than the 14.

The Design

While both the machines share a very similar colour treatment and finish, they have two facets of design that set them apart. First is, of course, the screen size. The smaller 14-inch Zenbook Pro 14 fits into a 13-inch chassis, making it look smaller-than-normal when placed next to the bigger Pro 15. The second difference is in their hinge design. While the Zenbook Pro 15 has a standard hinged lid, the Zenbook Pro 14 has a V-shaped hinge which raises the body from the back by 5-degrees so as to improve airflow. When placed on a desk, the Pro 14 is also bound to offer better typing experience, given the slight raise. Other than that, the two machines look very similar, kind of like twins, with one being slightly bigger than the other. Sadly, only the Zenbook Pro 15 gets a fingerprint sensor, which is a shame, given that the Zenbook Pro 14 is just as premium.

Raising the bar

A big portion of the presentation and consequent hands-on experience was spent taking jibes at Apples TouchBar, which is still a topic that brings up polarizing views. Asus decided to take things a step further and introduce a full touchscreen-based touchpad, which they call the Screenpad. Essentially, they put a 5-inch touchscreen where the touchpad should be, but it is a little more thought out that that. For starters, you can apply wallpapers to the ScreenPad so that it doesnt look like a boring surface. You can even turn the wallpaper off, in case you prefer boring over anything else. The ScreenPad can also function as a secondary display, although it doesnt seem like it would be ideal for anything more than watching a YouTube clip here and there. Navigating content on the ScreenPad with the finger is almost impossible, so an external mouse is a must. Additionally, while it feels like a smartphone screen it doesnt respond to the same gestures and taps your smartphone would. The third use of the ScreenPad comes in the form of apps that have been designed specifically for it. There are apps like calendar, calculator and a few others that have been designed to be easily accessible from the ScreenPad and work on that surface only.

The ScreenPad in our use felt like a very functional feature that needed maybe one or two aspects tweaked further for better usability. However, for a machine thats aimed at creators, without integration of most frequently used applications such as the Adobe Suite or DaVinci Resolve, the ScreenPad will get relegated to one of those features thats not really used a lot. It has to be said, however, that the ScreenPad surface has been treated to feel just like a regular, premium trackpad.

First Impressions

Speaking purely as a photographer and occasional film-maker, this writer can vouch for the lack of good-looking machines in the market that also packed enough power to cut through 4K footage not just in edit, but also in colour grading. Lugging around heavy and bulky gaming machines is not ideal, not to mention, never a great idea to open during a client meeting. Apples MacBook Pro is a great machine for artists, but if youre hell-bent on staying with the Windows eco-system, there are very few options available. We also have machines from a few other manufacturers that are yet to arrive in India, but the Zenbook Pro UX 580 really does appear like it could juggle both work and play with ease. The Zenbook Pro 14 is obviously slightly less powerful and lighter, as Asus aims to woo artists who like to create on the move. While the initial impressions of both the devices are really positive, we will refrain from sharing any kind of verdict or indication of their effectiveness in a production workflow until theyve been thoroughly tested.Nokia recently announced its refreshed lineup of entry-level and mid-range smartphones, the Nokia 2.1, Nokia 3.1, and the Nokia 5.1. Now, frequent tipster Roland Quandt claims that the company is also working on a smartphone codenamed Phoenix, which will be powered by Qualcomms recently unveiled mid-range Snapdragon 710 SoC. This smartphone is said to be released in the autumn/winter 2018 timeframe. The tipster also adds that the alleged Snapdragon 710-powered smartphone by Google, which he previously reported about, is codenamed Bonito.

Other than whats stated above, there is no additional information on the upcoming Nokia smartphone yet. The SDM 710 processor, which could be running the device, was announced last month and it debuted with the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE. The System on Chip slots between Qualcomms 800 and 600 series of processors and as one might guess, is not as powerful as the SDM 845 but claims 20% increase in performance and 40% decrease in power consumption when compared with the Snapdragon 660.

HMD/Nokia Mobile is working on a Snapdragon 710 based device to be released in the autumn/winter 2018 timeframe. Codename is "Phoenix". Oh and btw, the Google SDM710 based device apparently is called "Bonito".  Roland Quandt (@rquandt) June 4, 2018

As mentioned earlier, Quandt says that Googles rumoured upcoming smartphone with the Snapdragon 710 SoC is called Bonito. We speculate that this is more of an internal codename assigned to the device, if there is one. Additionally, going by the rumours circulating on the internet, it might be the mid-range Pixel smartphone which is reportedly under development for Indian users and could launch in early 2019.

Speaking of Pixel smartphones, Google is expected to unveil its Pixel 3 series of devices at the Hardware event in a few months. Even though its quite early to make any assumptions, a couple of reports till now suggest that at least one Pixel 3 device could sport a notch on its display. A previous report also tipped that once again, LG will be manufacturing displays for the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL smartphones and the OLED panels are said to come with a notch on top, similar to the recently launched LG G7 ThinQ smartphone.

It was said in a separate report that Google is handing over the production of its Pixel 3 device to contract manufacturer Foxconn. To be precise, a subsidiary of Foxconn, FIH Mobile, is said to have been assigned the task of making the next Pixel devices. Going by the information from the reports we have come across so far, the Pixel 3 XL is the larger variant with a nearly edge-to-edge display with a notch on top. The Pixel 3 is said to be a smaller device, which features an 18:9 display aspect ratio and comes without a notch. You can read more of the report on Pixel 3 smartphones here.Google has rolled out a standalone app to directly launch the Google Lens, an application designed to display relevant information using visual analysis. Earlier, users had to first wake up the Assistant and then tap the camera icon to start the Lens app. Lens was also avaialble within the Google Photos app and would allow users to analyse images after capturing them. With the new standalone Google Lens app, an icon is added in the app drawer and on home screen that directly opens Google Lens.

Meanwhile. the LG G7 ThinQ phone offers the fastest way to launch Google Lens through a dedicated hardware button on the device. Tapping the button once will launch the Google Assistant, while tapping it twice will boot up Google Lens.

Google Lens lets users do a real-time search with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

Lens, which was announced last year, received several updates at I/O 2018 in May. The Google Lens now brings three new features - Smart Text Selection, Style Match and Real-time results. The company announced that the new features would soon be available on the main camera app of Pixel phones, LG G7, OnePlus devices, Sony handsets, Xiaomi and Asus phones.

The company started to rolled out Smart Text Selection and Style Match features recently to the Google Lens, even though it has not yet shown up on the Pixel or Pixel 2's camera app.

According to a report, not every Android user can use the new Google Lens app. It requires Android Marshmallow and above to work but it is not compatible with all the Android OS-powered phones. Several users have given bad reviews on the Play Store and the app currently has 2.3 stars on user rating.Vedanta enters steel making with acquisition of insolvent Electrosteel Steels

Anil Agarwal-promoted Vedanta Ltd on Monday took control of Electrosteel Steels Ltd (ESL) acquired under a resolution plan and became effective on Monday, thus entering the business of steelmaking.

Vedanta Star Limited (VSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vedanta, has deposited the upfront amount of Rs5,320 crore in the escrow account of ESL, completing the insolvency resolution process of debt-laden Electro Steels Ltd.

"Pursuant to the order dated May 30, 2018 of National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, Vedanta is implementing the approved Resolution Plan for Electrosteel Steels Limited," the company said in a statement.

The company also put in place a new board of directors for ESL.

Vedanta, which will hold 90 per cent in ESL, will fund the investment through a combination of equity of Rs1,765 crore and inter-corporate loan of Rs3,555 crore.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) last Wednesday permitted Vedanta to make an upfront payment to the Committee of Creditors (CoC) for ESL.

Electrosteel now becomes the second steel company to successfully complete the insolvency process after Tata Steel took control of Bhushan Steel last month.

Electrosteel has a planned steel-making capacity of 2.51 million tonnes and a commissioned capacity of 1.5 million tonnes.

Vedanta said the Electrosteel acquisition will complement its existing iron ore business as the vertical integration of steel manufacturing capabilities has the potential to generate significant efficiencies.India moots BRICS Security Forum to counter terrorism

India has proposed the setting up of a BRICS Security Forum to counter the threats of terrorism, radicalisation and money laundering. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj made the proposal at a meeting of foreign ministers of Brazil,Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) on Monday.

Swraj, who is on a five-day trip to South Africa to attend BRICS foreign ministers' meeting, also expressed India's willingness to contribute towards enriching intra-BRICS cooperation further.

She will also chair a meeting of foreign ministers of IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa), another bloc working to deepen coordination among the three countries on major global issues.

Swaraj earlier discussed with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa enhanced engagement between the two countries and greater cooperation in areas of skill development, agriculture and information technology.

Ours is one big global family. Co-existence and shared destiny are our common beliefs. I am confident that the visions of our great leaders such as Gandhi, Mandela, and Martin Luther will continue to guide us in our common endeavours, Swraj said at the outset.

The BRICS foreign ministers customary meeting began on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in 2006. Ever since the forum had productive exchanges on global political affairs.

Swaraj reminded partners of the head-winds that multilateralism, international trade, and rules-based world order face today. Though global growth has exhibited signs of recovery, the challenges to long-term growth continue to persist, she said, adding, Ensuring that the benefits of globalization are shared widely remains a challenge.

She said BRICS countries have contributed to global stability and growth in a world drifting towards uncertainty and have played an important role in shaping the global economic and political architecture.

She reminded leaders of the Xiamen BRICS summit where leaders gave a robust mandate on counter-terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a call for a BRICS counter-terrorism strategy for joint-action with a focus on money laundering, terrorist-finance, cyber-space and de-radicalisation as priorities.

A meeting of national security advisors of BRICS had since deliberated on cooperation in strategic areas of security, counter-terrorism, UN reforms, peacekeeping, de-radicalisation, cyber security, energy security, global governance, and international and regional hot-spot issues.

It is imperative now that the common ground reached in our NSAs meeting on setting up a BRICS Security Forum is implemented fully, she said.'Carbon bubble' coming that could wipe trillions from the global economy

Fossil fuel stocks have long been a safe financial bet. With the International Energy Agency projecting price rises until 2040, and governments prevaricating or rowing back on the Paris Agreement, investor confidence is set to remain high.

However, new research suggests that the momentum behind technological change in the global power and transportation sectors will lead to a dramatic decline in demand for fossil fuels in the near future.

The study indicates that this will now happen regardless of apparent market certainty or the adoption of climate policies  or lack thereof  by major nations.

Detailed simulations produced by an international team of economists and policy experts show this fall in demand has the potential to leave vast reserves of fossil fuels as "stranded assets": abruptly shifting from high to low value sometime before 2035.

Such a sharp slump in fossil fuel price could cause a huge "carbon bubble" built on long-term investments to burst. According to the study, the equivalent of between one and four trillion US dollars could be wiped off the global economy in fossil fuel assets alone. A loss of US$0.25 trillion triggered the crash of 2008 by comparison.

Publishing their findings today in the journal Nature Climate Change, researchers from Cambridge University (UK), Radboud University (NL), the Open University (UK), Macau University, and Cambridge Econometrics, argue that there will be clear economic winners and losers as a consequence.

Japan, China and many EU nations currently rely on high-cost fossil fuel imports to meet energy needs. They could see national expenditure fall and  with the right investment in low-carbon technologies - a boost to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as increased employment in sustainable industries.

However, major carbon exporters with relatively high production costs, such as Canada, the United States and Russia, would see domestic fossil fuel industries collapse. Researchers warn that losses will only be exacerbated if incumbent governments continue to neglect renewable energy in favour of carbon-intensive economies.

The study repeatedly ran simulations to gauge the outcomes of numerous combinations of global economic and environmental change. It is the first time that the evolution of low-carbon technologies has been mapped from historical data and incorporated into 'integrated assessment modeling'.

"Until now, observers mostly paid attention to the likely effectiveness of climate policies, but not to the ongoing and effectively irreversible technological transition," says Dr Jean-Francois Mercure, study lead author from Radboud University and Cambridge University's Centre for Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Governance (C-EENRG).

Prof Jorge Vinuales, study co-author from Cambridge University and founder of C-EENRG, says, "Our analysis suggests that, contrary to investor expectations, the stranding of fossil fuels assets may happen even without new climate policies. This suggests a carbon bubble is forming and it is likely to burst."

"Individual nations cannot avoid the situation by ignoring the Paris Agreement or burying their heads in coal and tar sands," he says. "For too long, global climate policy has been seen as a prisoner's dilemma game, where some nations can do nothing and get a 'free ride' on the efforts of others. Our results show this is no longer the case."

However, one of the most alarming economic possibilities suggested by the study comes with a sudden push for climate policies  a 'two-degree target' scenario  combined with declines in fossil fuel demand but continued levels of production. This could see an initial $4 trillion of fossil fuel assets vanish off the balance sheets.

"If we are to defuse this time-bomb in the global economy, we need to move promptly but cautiously," says Hector Pollitt, study co-author from Cambridge Econometrics and C-EENRG. "The carbon bubble must be deflated before it becomes too big, but progress must also be carefully managed."

One of the factors that may contribute to the tumult created by fossil fuel asset stranding is what's known as a "sell-out" by OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) nations in the Middle East.

"If OPEC nations maintain production levels as prices drop, they will crowd out the market," says Pollitt. "OPEC nations will be the only ones able to produce fossil fuels at the low costs required, and exporters such as the US and Canada will be unable to compete."

Vinuales observes that China is poised to gain most from fossil fuel stranding. "China is already a world leader in renewable energy technologies, and needs to deploy them domestically to tackle dangerous levels of pollution. Additionally, stranding would take a higher toll on some of its main geopolitical competitors. China has a strong incentive to push for climate policies."

The study authors suggest that economic damage from adherence to fossil fuels may lead to political upheaval of the kind we are perhaps already seeing. "Mass unemployment from carbon-based industries could feed public disenchantment and populist politics," Vinuales said.

The authors argue that initial actions should include the diversifying of energy supplies as well as investment portfolios. "Divestment from fossil fuels is both a prudential and necessary thing to do," said Mercure. "Investment and pension funds need to evaluate how much of their money is in fossil fuel assets and reassess the risk they are taking."

"A useful step would be to expand financial disclosure requirements, making companies and financial managers reveal assets at risk from fossil fuel decline, so that it becomes reflected in asset prices," Mercure adds.India gets its cheapest gas as Gazprom starts shipments

Russias Gazprom has delivered the first gas shipment to India under a long-term contract, making available natural gas at $7 per million British thermal units, the cheapest gas sourced outside the country so far.

At $7 per mmbtu, Russian gas comes $1.5 per mmBtu cheaper than the liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplied by RasGas of Qatar under the 25-year deal, and also $1-1.5 per mmBtu cheaper than the LNG sourced from Australia and the United States.

Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan was at Dahej on Monday to witness the arrival of the first LNG ship under a 20-year import deal with Gazprom.

In January, GAIL India Ltd renegotiated a gas supply contract signed in 2012, after the Russian company failed to deliver from the previously agreed Schtokman project in the Barents Sea.

GAIL also deferred taking deliveries of full 2.5 million tonnes of LNG a year, which prompted an extension of three years to accommodate the supplies not taken in the initial years as well as obtain an additional 2 million tonnes over and above the 50 million tonnes it had agreed to take in 2012 over a 20-year contract period.

Gazprom supplied the 3.4 trillion British thermal unit (TBtu) of cargo from Nigeria. LNG carrier LNG Kano delivered the cargo at Petronet LNG Ltds import facility in Dahej on Monday morning.

First we renegotiated price of LNG from Qatar, then reworked Australian supplies and now gas from Russia under renegotiated terms has started to flow, Pradhan said after receiving the LNG cargo.

India will import LNG worth an estimated $25 billion over the contract period from Russia, he said. Gazprom price is very competitive.

He said India also needs to push gas use in order to raise the share of environment-friendly fuel in the energy basket to 15 per cent from current 6.2 per cent.

This would also help the country meet its COP21 commitment to cutting carbon emission.

India depends on imports for meeting 45 per cent of its gas requirements.

India now has a well-diversified hydrocarbon supply basket with LNG coming from the US under a long-term import deal, besides the Russian deal.

Pradhan said Russia has emerged as a long-term source for Indias hydrocarbon imports.

Indian companies have invested over $10 billion in acquiring varying stakes in strategic Russian projects, including Sakhalin-1, Vankorneft and Taas-Yuryakh over the last few years. A Gazprom-led Russian consortium has committed an investment of $13 billion in Esaar Oil in 2016.

Russia is currently the worlds largest crude oil and the second-largest gas producer in the world. India is worlds third-largest energy consumer and fourth largest importer of LNG.

Pradhan said the government is committed to transforming India into a gas-based economy, adding that investments are being made for augmenting natural gas infrastructure, including pipelines, LNG import terminals and City Gas Distribution networks.New algorithm fuses quality and quantity in satellite imagery

Using a new algorithm, University of Illinois researchers may have found the solution to an age-old dilemma plaguing satellite imagery  whether to sacrifice high spatial resolution in the interest of generating images more frequently, or vice versa.

The team's new tool eliminates this trade-off by fusing high-resolution and high-frequency satellite data into one integrated product, and can generate 30-meter daily continuous images going back to the year 2000.

Monitoring of agriculture, urban development, environmental quality and economic development are just a few ways people make use of satellite data. The new algorithm is generic enough for use in virtually any application.

In agricultural applications, imaging at 10- to 30-meter resolution is critical for farmers to see field-level rapid and subtle changes in crop conditions that affect yield, such as crop stress and disturbance after extreme weather events.

Existing data have either insufficient spatial resolution or low frequency, the researchers said. Farmers usually require information with both high-resolution and near real-time occurrence.

"We struggled to find public satellite data that has both high spatial resolution and high frequency in our own research  it simply did not exist," says natural resources and environmental sciences professor and study co-author Kaiyu Guan. "So we took the initiative to produce it ourselves."

Guan, a Blue Waters professor at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at Illinois, teamed up with professor Jian Peng and graduate student Yunan Luo of computer science to develop an algorithm that fuses satellite images from multiple sources into continuous, daily high-resolution images. The researchers describe their methodology and findings in the journal Remote Sensing of Environment.

"We first ingested all of the available satellite data sets into Blue Waters, the National Science Foundation's leadership class supercomputer. With a click of a button to run our algorithm, what automatically comes out are daily high-resolution images available for all sorts of scientific applications," Guan says.

Previous researchers have developed methods for fusing high-resolution spatial and temporal data, but these came with limitations. Almost all of the algorithms lacked automation and could not simultaneously deal with missing pixels and temporal fusion. These drawbacks led to short-term and localized applications.

To overcome the limitations of previous methods, the team designed the algorithm to automatically integrate information from existing data.

This compensates for missing information resulting from cloud coverage or data gaps. The new algorithm can create images without any missing pixels, for any site or region, by leveraging time-series information and relations with neighboring pixels.

In addition to near-real-time daily high-resolution data collection, the team envisions building long-term daily, continental-scale images for various applications. "The type of high-quality satellite data required to run this algorithm has been collected since 2000, meaning we can generate daily 30-meter resolution images for any location on this planet going back in time," Guan says.

"This can be used to study changes in agricultural productivity, ecosystem and polar ice dynamics since 2000 in much higher detail than previously possible," Peng saays. "Our approach may revolutionize the use of satellite data."

The researchers have already successfully fused surface reflectance data in Champaign County, Ill., and generated daily time series for the growing season of 2017 at 30-meter resolution.

"Even though others have invested in similar technology, they could not go back in time like we can," Guan says. "The data sources for our algorithms use the most rigorous data from NASA or the European Space Agency and produce daily fusion data that is ready for research and practical applications." Guan says.

"Generating this sort of data requires significant computing resources, making accessibility difficult," Peng says. "We want to share the output with the broader scientific community and we are working to find a way to make that possible."The role of cohesin in genome 3D structure helps for a better understanding of tumour cells

In recent years it has become evident that the spatial organisation of the genome is key for its function. This organisation depends on a number of factors, the cohesin protein complex being one of them.

This essential complex is present in the cells in two versions that contain either the SA1 or SA2 subunit. Scientists at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), and the Centro Nacional de Analisis Genomico (CNAG-CRG) have addressed the functional specificity of these two variant cohesin complexes. The study, published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, analyses in-depth the functions of both variants in 3D genome architecture and shows how the alteration of SA2 influences gene expression and may favour the loss of differentiation in tumour cells.

To work out the function of cohesin SA1 and SA2, and try to understand how the absence of the latter favours the growth of tumour cells, the authors have carried out an in-depth study of the 3D structure of the genome using state of the art technologies.

"It is difficult to understand how the tumour cell survives and even profits from the absence of one component that, in principle, is essential for its viability", points out Ana Losada, head of the Chromosome Dynamics Group at the CNIO and one of the leading authors of this paper. The alteration referred to affects the SA2 variant and has been detected in various types of cancer, such as bladder cancer, Ewing sarcoma or in acute myeloid leukaemia.

The different role of the SA1 and SA2 cohesin variants in the organisation of the genome has been dissected for the first time ever. "Without knowing the function of each of the variants of cohesin, it is very difficult to decipher its role in carcinogenic processes. This work brings us closer to this objective and is a new example of how the study of the 3D organisation of the genome contributes to a better understanding and characterisation of the regulation of genes" highlights Marc A. Marti-Renom, head of the Structural Genomics group at the CNAG-CRG and co-leader of the study.

Where, how and why? Deciphering the role of cohesin in the 3D genome

The researchers analysed where each variant is found, their role in gene expression and in the 3D organisation of the genome. "We have applied functional genomics to address the distribution of the two cohesin variants, their enrichment in different regulatory elements of the genome and their co-localisation with other factors involved in genome organisation, and we have interrogated the organisation of the genome in cells in which one or the other variant was absent", explains Aleksandar Kojic and Ana Cuadrado, from the Chromosome Dynamics Group at the CNIO and fist authors of the study.

The results show that the two complexes fulfil different functions. Cohesin-SA1 is important for the organisation of the topological domains, which make up the global structure of the genome, and works always alongside the CTCF protein. However, "the cohesin-SA2 is far more versatile and is capable of interacting with diverse transcription factors to form local chromatin loops that bring together distal functional elements of the genome", points out Cuadrado. In other words, it is involved in the regulation of gene expression.

These findings have led the authors to think that "what SA2 does is to facilitate genomic contacts between regulatory elements and target genes that define the identity of each type of cell. We believe -points out Losada- that the absence of this cohesin variant in tumour cells alters their identity. Importantly, these cells still have the other cohesin variant, SA1, to allow them to survive and carry out cell division".

"Our work is consistent with the conclusion of other CNIO researchers that the mutation of SA2 in tumour cells does not affect cell division. Instead, we suspect that this mutation alters cell identity. It is necessary to start to look for SA2 interactors, and analyse which key genes may be affected by its absence in tumour cells", concludes Losada.There's a major jobs boost for the north west region today.

Abtran, Irelands largest home grown Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) provider is creating 350 new jobs in Sligo.

Recruitment has already started, but the company plans to hold a careers fair soon.

The new development forms part of a regional expansion strategy by Abtran in Ireland where the north west region has been selected for the location of a major new operations hub.

The announcement was made by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys T.D., together with Pat Ryan, CEO of Abtran and Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland. The development is supported by the Government through Enterprise Ireland.

Abtran is Irelands leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) provider. The company has a proven capability in delivering transformative solutions with an extensive and diverse client base across regulated markets. Abtran is a specialist provider of services in sectors including government, transport, utilities and financial services. Established in 1997, the company marks its 21st anniversary this year.

Abtran already employs over 2,000 people in Cork, Dublin, Kildare and Southern India. The company will base its new regional operations centre in a high-tech facility at Finisklin Business Park in Sligo which will be up and running in the third quarter in 2018.

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys T.D., said it was a tremendous day for Abtran, for Sligo and for the North West.

"One of the Governments big priorities is ensuring we have the right conditions and supports in place to encourage job creation in the regions," the Minister said.

"Thats why Im delighted to announce this significant investment by Abtran in a new regional hub, which will create 350 jobs in Sligo. The companys continuous innovation, market leadership and investment in high-quality resources have made this indigenous Irish business deeply competitive. The fact that they have chosen to invest in the North West to serve their business markets both at home and abroad is a testament to the confidence they have in the region and its talented workforce."

Pat Ryan, CEO of Abtran said: Ireland will continue to be a key part of the global growth ambitions that we have as Irelands largest home grown BPO provider. We also believe it is very important to support national and regional economic development wherever possible through the growth of our operations.

"We engaged in a detailed process where potential locations were reviewed and assessed in consultation with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. Based on the skillsets identified for our business needs, we selected the North West region as the location for our new operations hub and we are very pleased to announce these new jobs in Sligo which will complement our overall high quality workforce.Dunleer teenager Cameron Reilly was laid to rest in his home town on Monday afternoon, as Gardai continue to probe the circumstances surrounding his death last weekend.

The 18-year-old was found in a field at Shamrock Hill adjacent to the Ardee Road in Dunleer shortly after 8am on Saturday May 26th. A post mortem revealed that he was badly beaten and strangled.

Gardai investigating his death continue to search for his mobile phone, missing since the DkIT students body was discovered. They believe it will hold keys to what exactly happened that night.

On Friday, a reservoir nearby to where Cameron was found was drained in the search for the iPhone 8 Plus device.

Troops from 6th Infantry Battalion Athlone and local fire services assisted with the search. A number of local teenagers have been questioned as part of the investigation and it is believed investigators are piecing together a clearer picture of what may have occured that night. They have also homed in on a potential motive in the murder.

According to sources close to the probe, arrests are likely to be made within the week.

Cameron's funeral took place on Monday afternoon in Saint Brigids Church, Dunleer.

Parish priest Fr Michael Murtagh told the congretion that if answers as to what happened on Saturday May 26th lay in the community, people with information should present it.

Anybody who knows anything, please please come forward, he said. The Gardai enjoy the complete respect of the whole community here in Dunleer. Please come forward, even with the remotest piece of information.

Camerons funeral was attended by parents Tracy and Patrick and grandparents Rita and Joe Glass, as well as friends, extended family, school and college classmates and community members.

Fr Murtagh also asked the young people in the community to reflect on the tragedy that befell Cameron and learn from it.

This community is suffering with you, Fr Murtagh said during the funeral mass, addressing Cameron's family. The whole parish community has been shocked, stunned and deeply saddened. This is unprecedented.

We have never had to deal with this before. We wil try to shoulder the burden with you in the days and months ahead. Today, Dunleer weeps.

The priest spoke of the profound love people had for Cameron. Your loss is shared by so many people. The manner of his death is so strange and unworthy. I don't think he would ever cause a moments trouble, or even a moments concern for his family.

He was a young man any family or community would be proud. Death very rarely comes as shockingly, cruelly and poignantly as it did to Cameron, he continued. Cameron was laid to rest at Mullary cemetery in Dunleer after the mass.A Louth Youth Club is calling on the local community for support ahead of the Irish Cancer Societys national X-HALE Youth Awards 2018 in July.

Dundalk Youth Centre is asking people to log on to www.cancer.ie/xhale2018 and watch their short film about being smoke-free.

The film with the most views between now and July 4th will win the public vote and a national award as part of the X-HALE Short Film Competition 2018. You can also view the full video at the end of this article.

X-HALE is an initiative of the Irish Cancer Society that supports young people to tackle smoking in their communities and raise awareness about the dangers of smoking among their peers, with the aim of having young people be Irelands first tobacco-free generation.

The X-HALE Youth Awards national showcase event in the Helix, Dublin on 5 July will be the finale of months of hard work by the youth groups. In addition to promoting their films online, they will also be running campaigns to drum up local support by putting up posters, organising screenings of their films and taking part in radio interviews.

This is the eighth year of the X-HALE Youth Awards. Forty-three youth groups from around the country are taking part in 2018.

This year participating groups also had the opportunity to have their say on how young people can become more involved in making the tobacco-free generation a reality. A number of groups attended a workshop and the Tobacco Free Ireland Partners Conference on World No Tobacco Day (31 May).

Sarah Chadwick, Cancer Prevention Officer at the Irish Cancer Society said, We are so proud of everything that the young people from Louth have achieved. They have educated themselves about smoking, learned new skills and worked together to create films that will inform and inspire young people across Ireland and beyond.

They are leading the way in the movement towards a tobacco-free Ireland and improving the health of their local communities. We commend their commitment to establishing Irelands first smoke-free generation and are asking the public to show their support by watching and sharing the X-HALE 2018 playlist.

For further information about X-HALE and to watch the entries visit www.cancer.ie/xhale. Follow www.facebook.com/ XHaleYouthAwards and join the X-HALE conversation using #xhale2018.

You can watch the video in full below, via YouTube.

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Apple has ramped up production of its new 7-nanometer processor for its upcoming crop of iPhones.

The new processor will be smaller, faster and more efficient than the 10nm processor in Apple's current iPhone line, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with matter.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, one of Apple's partners, has begun mass production of the chip, which is expected to be called the "A12," according to the report.

TSMC earlier this year announced that it had begun producing 7nm chips, but it didn't reveal at that time for whom it was producing the silicon, Bloomberg noted.

It is very likely that Apple has began mass producing 7nm chips, said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

"The move to 7nm silicon was one of the reasons Apple shifted an increasing amount of business to TSMC and away from Samsung," he told TechNewsWorld.

"Assuming that chip yields can support Apple's manufacturing needs, I expect we'll see iPhones with the new chips later this year," King added.

Leg Up on Competitors

If Apple should put the chips in the iPhones it's expected to release this fall, it would be one of the first phone makers to use them in a consumer device.

The move could give Apple a leg up on competitors Samsung and Qualcomm, who aren't ready to mass produce the chips yet.

Samsung Electronics plans to start mass producing 7nm chips next year, it announced Tuesday.

It's believed that Qualcomm, the world's largest producer of chips for mobile phones, is close to finalizing its designs incorporating the technology.

That means Apple could bring 7nm technology to consumers months before its rivals can do it.

"It's hard to judge right now, because Qualcomm hasn't announced anything yet, but I'd expect Apple's lead to be less than six months," Kevin Krewell, principal analyst at Tirias Research, told TechNewsWorld.

"Everyone is going to have these chips eventually," remarked Bob O'Donnell, chief analyst at Technalysis Research.

"Apple may have a slight timing advantage, but it will be very slight," he told TechNewsWorld.

Better Battery Life and Performance

Where 7nm technology will have the most impact will be at the high-end of the mobile market, Pund-IT's King noted.

"Few other vendors are likely to be much interested," he said.

Being early to market with the technology has another benefit for Apple: It can crow about the technical superiority of its iPhones.

"That's important to a sizable number of the company's customers," King maintained.

Consumers ought to see phones with longer battery life and better performance with the new chips. The chips also are smaller, so would be possible to make the phones smaller, although it's likely the additional space will be used for more hardware.

"The benefits consumers will see aren't likely to be earthshaking, but the new handsets should be incrementally better than previous-gen iPhones," King said.

Apple reportedly plans to launch at least three new phones in the fall: a larger version of the iPhone X; an update of the current iPhone X; and a smaller iPhone with some of the X's features but with a conventional LCD display.

Shrinking Atoms

Shrinking a processor's size has been the industry's answer to improving performance, but that's becoming more and more difficult to do.

"The problem we're facing now is that the size reductions we're getting are very modest," Technalysis' O'Donnell noted.

"We used to make big jumps in physical size," he continued. "Now the jumps are much, much smaller. You're down to changes that are a few atoms wide."

While Apple takes pride in the advances it makes in processor technology, consumers don't stand in line to buy a phone because it has the latest processor technology.

"I don't see the new chips driving significant numbers of new users and customers to Apple," said Pund-IT's King.

"Phones are about a lot more than just chips," O'Donnell said. "Chips are important -- but just a piece of the overall puzzle."

John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John.

[Editor's note: For the latest on this action, click here. To see 10 stunning photos of the 13 climbers suspended from the bridge, click here. To watch four videos explaining why 13 people would hang from a bridge to say "No Arctic Drilling," click here.]

Thirteen Greenpeace activists have suspended themselves from St. Johns Bridge in Portland, Oregon this morning to block a Shell Oil vesselthe MSV Fennicafrom leaving port for Alaskan waters. The climbers have enough supplies to last several days, and are prepared to stay in Shell's way as long as possible, according to Greenpeace.

Shell's icebreaker was supposed to leave for the Arctic last night. Then @GreenpeaceUSA climbers said #ShellNo: pic.twitter.com/Ygj6jsKXPe  350 dot org (@350) July 29, 2015

Last week, the Obama administration granted federal permits that clear the way for the oil company to begin drilling in the Arctic Ocean. The company is only permitted to drill the top sections of its wells because it lacks the equipment to cap the wells in case of emergency. The ice breaker carrying the required capping stack for the wells, had been receiving repairs to its damaged hull in Portland and is now trying to leave the port. Once the Fennica is at Shells drill site, Shell can reapply for federal approval to drill into hydrocarbon zones in the Chukchi Sea.

Activists hang under the St. Johns Bridge in Portland, Oregon, In an attempt to block the Shell leased icebreaker, MSV Fennica July 29, 2015. A flotilla of kayaktivists floats underneath them in a channel of the Williamette River. Photo credit: Greenpeace USA

Every second we stop Shell counts. The brave climbers here in Portland are now what stand between Shell and Arctic oil," said Annie Leonard, executive director of Greenpeace USA.

"This is President Obamas last chance to wake up and realize the disaster that could happen on his watch," continued Leonard. "There is still time for our President to cancel Shells lease to drill in the Arctic, living up to the climate leader we know he can be. Shell has ignored the worlds best scientists, as well as millions of people around the world, who have all said repeatedly that the melting Arctic is a dire warning, not an invitation.

"Greenpeace prioritizes safety above all elserappelling from a bridge is a walk in the park compared to the risks that we'll face if we continue the climate change trajectory we're on now."

Read page 1

Leonard was interviewed this morning on Democracy Now! Watch here:

Today's action is only one of several others happening this week. Yesterday, an array of kayaktivists and protesters gathered, starting at noon and staying for a 24-hour vigil at Cathedral Park in Portland, at the banks of the Willamette River in anticipation of the Fennica departing from the port for the Arctic.

Scientists tell us we cant drill in the Arctic if we want to avoid dangerous climate change and sea level rise that threatens three-quarters of the Earths major cities in the next few decades," said Daphne Wysham of Center for Sustainable Economy, one of the organizers of vigil. "Nevertheless, Shell is putting its corporate profits ahead of the future of the planet and preparing to drill in a region where an oil spill cannot be cleaned up. Portland kayaktivists are the last phalanx of resistance to this insanity.

Environmental activists in a tribal canoe blockade Shell's Drilling Rig Polar Pioneer delaying its departure from Seattle's Elliott Bay bound for the Arctic on June 15. The Polar Pioneer is one of two drilling vessels heading towards the Arctic for Shell this year. The second, the Noble Discoverer, is one of the oldest drill ships in the world. Photo credit: Greenpeace USA

These actions comes on the heels of a nationwide protest earlier this month where people in 13 states gathered for a ShellNo Day of Action asking President Obama to revoke oil and gas exploration leases in the Chukchi Sea.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger: Climate Change Is Not Science FictionTo say that this was a big year for the environmental movement is an understatement. From the Paris climate agreement to the indelible progress of renewable energy, 2015 was a landmark year.

And people didn't hesitate to talk about it. Here are the 20 most popular hashtags on Twitter inspired by environmental progress made in 2015:

1. #ActOnClimate

Activists ramped up the pressure on world leaders to reach a strong, global agreement on climate change at the UN COP21 Paris climate talks, calling it "our last, best chance" to do so. Climate change received far more attention from mainstream media outlets this year, and according to recent polling, more Americans than ever accept the science on global warming.

And part of that heightened awareness is thanks to the efforts of Pope Francis, who repeatedly spoke out about the need to take immediate action on climate change in 2015.

2. #BlackFridayin3Words

More and more Americans became disenchanted with Black Friday, and they took to Twitter to express themselves in often very humorous ways.

3. #OptOutside

REI made waves when it announced that it would be closing all of its 143 retail locations, headquarters and two distribution centers on both Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. All 12,000 full- and part-time employees received paid time off as the company encouraged them and everyone else to go outside instead.

4. #Go100Percent

Uruguay; Burlington, Vermont; Aspen, Colorado; and Kodiak Island, Alaska were among the countries and cities that transitioned to run completely on renewables this year.

Costa Rica ran on renewables for almost all of 2015. From small towns like Nassau, New York to major cities such as San Diego, Vancouver and Las Vegas, pledges were made to go 100 percent renewable. Sweden vowed to as well. And Hawaii pledged to do so by 2045the most ambitious standard set by a U.S. state thus far.

5. #Renewables

Renewables had another record-breaking year with solar and wind power growing like crazyproviding more than 5 percent of the nations electricity for the first timeand the countrys first offshore wind power project is finally under construction.

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6. #ElNino

The so-called "Monster El Nino" delivered the globe some powerful extreme weather this year. The World Meteorological Organization's Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said the combination of a record-strength El Nino and climate change is putting us in "uncharted territory." This year will undoubtedly go down as the hottest on record and the UK Met Office has already forecasted 2016 to be even hotter still.

7. #ShellNo

Activists were relentless in calling for President Barack Obama to revoke oil and gas exploration leases in the Chukchi Sea. In July, 13 Greenpeace activists suspended themselves from a bridge in Portland, Oregon, to block Shells ice breaker from leaving the port headed for the Arctic Ocean. The 40-hour standoff ended with a call for Obama to "join the millions of people who are speaking with one voice to say it loud and clear: ShellNo.

8. #DumpTrump

Despite the fact that Donald Trump has maintained his place at the top of polls for months, many Americans loathe the man. Civil rights groups have demanded everyone, including Saturday Night Live, dump Trump.

9. #FeelTheBern

Bernie Sanders presidential campaign is drawing massive crowds and generating intense passion among his supporters. He has even set the record for the biggest campaign turnout this year. And yet, an analysis by the Tyndall Report earlier this month revealed a so-called "Bernie Blackout" in which major news programs such as ABC Word News Tonight devoted a total 81 minutes this year to Trumps campaign and just about 20 seconds to Sanders candidacy.

10. #TPP

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has rocked 2015 with controversy. It's the largest regional trade accord in history involving the U.S., Japan and 10 other Pacific Rim nations, who all together represent two-fifths of the global economy. The countries reached a final agreement on the accord, but it still needs to be ratified by each participating country. Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune called the agreement a "fast track to disaster" and Sanders vowed to stop the "disastrous" deal.

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11. #BanTheBead

Earlier this month, Congress passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act, and Monday, Obama signed a bill that will phase out the manufacturing of face wash, toothpaste and shampoo containing plastic microbeads by July 1, 2017, and the sale of such beauty products by July 1, 2018. This will eliminate a significant source of plastic pollution in oceans.

12. #FastFashion

Fast fashion came under intense scrutiny in 2015 thanks to the work of nonprofits such as Greenpeace and Natural Resources Defense Council, and John Oliver's expose on the fashion industry. Documentary series such as Sweatshop: Dead Cheap Fashion and The True Cost also helped shine a spotlight on the industry, which one fashion industry executive called the "the second largest polluter in the world  second only to oil.

13. #ClimateDenier

Climate denial persisted this year despite global, scientific consensus on climate change because of a small number of vocal members of Congress and other "shills" for the fossil fuel industry.

Organizing for Action sponsored a Climate Change Fantasy Tournament highlighting climate denial in Congress and Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) took the trophy in the Denial Finals. He serves as chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Last winter, he tossed a snowball on the floor of the Senate, claiming he had thereby disproved global warming. Earlier this month during the Paris climate talks, he told a group of deniers that they were doing "the Lord's work."

14. #DroughtShaming

From bottled water companies to celebrities, concerned Californians took to social media to shame anyone they thought was wasting water as the state persisted in its fourth year of drought.

15. #NoKXL

Obama rejected the presidential permit for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline last month. "A head of state has never rejected a major fossil fuel project because of its climate impacts before," 350.org reported. "The presidents decision sets the standard for what climate action looks like: standing up to the fossil fuel industry and keeping fossil fuels in the ground."

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16. #VerticalFarming

The worlds largest vertical farm broke ground this summer in Newark, New Jersey. The worlds first hydraulic-driven vertical farm in Singapore can produce 1 ton of vegetables every other day. And Chicago-based FarmedHere, the first organically-certified indoor vertical aquaponic farm, announced it wants to expand to 18 more locations in the U.S.

17. #NotAScientist

"I'm not a scientist" became the GOP's tired schtick this year with almost all of the Republican presidential candidates responding this way when asked about the threat of climate change. That led Hillary Clinton to release a hilarious faux-horror video bashing her opponents for their stance a few months ago. And earlier this month, Americans United for Change released a video, Still Not A Scientist, a sequel to the Webby Award nominated video Not A Scientist.

18. #SaveThePlanetIn4Words

People took to Twitter to offer their serious and not-so-serious ideas of how to #SaveThePlanetIn4Words. A common tweet: Dont Vote For Trump.

19. #BearSelfies and #BisonSelfies

While "bear selfies" could mean a few different things, here we are referring to the recent phenomenon in which people have been getting way too close to bears, bison and other wildlife in state and national parks. It became such a problem that a park in the Denver area was forced to close for a period of time because people were putting themselves and the local bears in danger.

20. #HeatWave

Heat waves swept the globe as this year surpassed last year as the hottest on record.

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Worlds First Off-Grid EcoCapsule Runs Entirely on Renewable EnergyThe World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced today that 2015 is likely to top the charts as the hottest year in modern observations, with 2011-15 the hottest five-year period on record.

With two full months still to add in, the global average surface temperature for January to October in 2015 was 0.73C above the 1961-1990 average. This already puts it a long way above 2014, in which average global temperature reached 0.57C above the 1961-1990 average.

This years record is down to a combination of rising greenhouse gases and a boost from the strong El Nino underway in the Pacific, says the WMO.

Todays announcement is timed to coincide with the gathering of world leaders on Monday to begin talks in Paris aimed at striking a deal to reduce global emissions.

Significant Milestone

To put todays news another way, global temperature in 2015 is likely to pass the symbolic and significant threshold of 1C above preindustrial levels, says the WMO.

Global annual average temperature relative to 1961-1990 based on the three major global temperature datasets (HadCrut4, NASA GisTEMP and NOAA). Red bars indicate an El Nino year, blue is La Nina and grey is neutral. Margin of error is about 0.1C. Image credit: WMO

This follows the recent announcement from the Met Office that temperature in the HadCrut4 datasetone of three global datasets the WMO usesis expected to pass the 1C mark in 2015. Dr. Ed Hawkins from the University of Reading said today:

"Roughly 1.0 degrees Celsius of this warming or around 95 percent, is due to human activity. Natural cycles in the climate system, including El Nino, solar activity and natural variations in weather, are likely to be responsible for the remainder of the warming."

Earlier this month, the WMO said greenhouse gases in the atmosphere had reached a new high, with spring concentrations in the northern hemisphere exceeding 400 ppm.

Global Impacts

Global ocean heat content in the top 700 meters and 2,000 meters reached record high levels in the first nine months of 2015, says the WMO. Global average sea level in the first half of the year was the highest since the start of the satellite record in 1993.

Global ocean heat content in the upper 700 metres (left) and 2,000 metres (right). Black line is the yearly average, showing record high levels in 2015. Red line is 3-month running average, blue line is the five-yearly average. Image credit: NOAA / NCEI

Most places on land, but not all, experienced warmer than average temperatures between January to October in 2015. But Hawkins doesnt expect a record for Britain in 2015:

"While 2015 will not break 2014s record as the hottest year in the UK, we know that over longer timescales Britain is warming up 20 percent faster than the global average. Land areas warm faster than the oceans, which means that many regions on land worldwide and where most people live, passed the one-degree threshold years ago and are continuing to heat up faster than the global average."

Global surface temperature anomaly relative to 1961-1990 average. Image credit: Carbon Brief using the average value from HadCRUT4, NASA GisTEMP and NOAA global temperature datasets.

The high temperatures in 2015 fueled many extreme weather events, todays report notes. Heatwaves affected Europe, North Africa and the Middle East in the spring and summer of 2015 and many places experienced unusual rainfall patterns. The WMOs secretary-general Michel Jarraud said in a press release today:

"The state of the global climate in 2015 will make history as for a number of reasons  2015 is likely to be the hottest on record, with ocean surface temperatures at the highest level since measurements began. It is probable that the 1C Celsius threshold will be crossed  This is all bad news for the planet."

The WMO compiled a five-year average to give more context on the state of the climate than a single year. Todays report notes that the five-year period between 2011-2015 was the hottest on record, averaging 0.57C above the 1961-1990 baseline. And with El Nino normally peaking over the new year period, the full effect on global temperature is likely to continue into 2016, says the WMO.

Outside Margin of Error

Last year, the difference between 2014 and 2013 global temperature was less than the degree of certainty with which scientists can make measurements like this, which is to within about 0.1C. That led the WMO to describe 2014 as nominally the warmest year on record, with the caveat that it couldnt be absolutely certain which of the very hot recent years was the hottest.

This year, the picture is much clearer. The difference between the best estimate for this year and last year is 0.16C, considerably greater than the 0.1C margin of error.

Global surface temperature anomaly with 0.1C error bars, showing the WMOs expected temperature in 2015 crossing 1C above pre-industrial times (1850-1899). Image credit: Carbon Brief using the average from HadCRUT4, NASA GisTEMP and NOAA global temperature datasets.

While this escapes some of last years communication challenges around confirming which was the warmest year, its still more instructive to look at the long term picture, says Professor Tim Osborne from the University of East Anglia. He tells Carbon Brief:

"Of course, individual yearly records are of interest for a range of reasons, but not really of interest for demonstrating the long-term warming. Every year for a century could be 0.05 C warmer than the preceding one. With uncertainty of +/-0.10 degC, then none would be outside the confidence interval of the preceding one, yet after 100 years wed have 5C of warming."

The Paris summit beginning next week will round off an exceptional year, says David Reay, professor of Carbon Management at the University of Edinburgh. He says:

"Climate records have been broken with such frequency in recent years that it is easy to overlook what a significant year 2015 has been. The history books will tell its tale of threshold-busting carbon dioxide levels and extreme temperatures. Whether the final chapter for 2015 will include a more positive footnote is now all down to Paris."

And ahead of doors opening in Paris on Monday, Jarraud had a clear message for negotiators:

"Greenhouse gas emissions, which are causing climate change, can be controlled. We have the knowledge and the tools to act. We have a choice. Future generations will not."

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Michael Mann: This GOP Presidential Candidate Understands Less About Science Than the Average KindergartnerSo you thought December was unusually warm? Well, ditch that sweater because 2016 is forecasted to be the hottest year ever recorded.

According to the UK Met Office, the global average temperature for next year is expected to be between 0.72 C and 0.96 C above the long-term (between 1961-1990) average of 14 C.

2016 is forecast to be the hottest year ever recorded. Photo credit: David Mills / Flickr

There is just a 5 percent chance that 2016 will be below the 2015 global average temperature, the Met Office said.

2015 is on track to be the warmest year on record and this forecast suggests 2016 is likely to be at least as warm, if not warmer," Professor Chris Folland, Met Office research fellow, said.

As the Met Office explained, human-induced climate change and a smaller effect from El Nino caused by unusually warm waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean are the main drivers within its forecast.

The Met Offices 2016 forecast is certainly dramatic and, if realized, would be towards the upper end of the range predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in their most recent assessment report, Ed Hawkins, an associate professor at the University of Reading, told Carbon Brief.

Three Years in a Row

This year has already surpassed 2014 as the hottest year on record. With this new 2016 forecast, that potentially makes three consecutive years where the global average temperature rises.

This forecast suggests that by the end of 2016 we will have seen three record or near-record, years in a row for global temperatures, Professor Adam Scaife, head of long-range prediction at the Met Office, said.

And as the Met Office press statement reads: The Met Office doesn't expect this run of back-to-back records continue indefinitely, but the current situation shows how global warming can combine with smaller, natural fluctuations to push our climate to levels of warmth which are unprecedented in the data records.

Paris Agreement

This forecast came just days after 195 nations agreed a historic deal to tackle climate change at the UN Paris climate summit, COP21. There, they agreed to keep the worlds temperature rise under 2 C, with the aim to minimize it to 1.5 C.

However, as the Met Office forecast shows, the global average temperature in 2016 is expected to be 1.14 C above pre-industrial temperatures. And in 2015 the world already surpassed the critical 1 C threshold.

All of this demonstrates just how challenging it will be to meet the ambitious 1.5 C target agreed in Paris. Perhaps some stronger New Years resolutions are needed to build upon the Paris Agreement.

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Michael Mann: How Close Are We to Dangerous Planetary Warming?This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience while browsing it. By clicking 'Got It' you're accepting these terms.Fast fashion has received a lot of criticism in recent years. As AlterNet's Glynis Sweeny explains, fast fashion fuels "rampant consumerism ... in which clothing is designed to be moved as quickly as possible from catwalk to store." And as we cycle through clothing faster and faster, the industry's environmental impact has exploded. "It is particularly worrisome," said Sweeny, "because it creates demand for and then constantly churns out massive amounts of cheap clothes, ultimately accelerating carbon emissions and global warming."

Photo credit: Heather Stilwell

In April, Swedish-based clothing company H&M (considered a fast fashion giant) issued its annual sustainability report. While many commended the company's latest efforts, others, such as Veronica at xoJane, felt fast fashion and sustainability are simply incompatible.

She wrote:

"Its almost impossible for fast-fashion and sustainability to exist under the same roof: One thrives on the rapid mass-production of trendy clothes, using cheap materials and even cheaper labor to ensure prices that customers wont complain about; the other focuses on creating garments that will last a lifetime, from sustainable yet pricey raw materials, and, in the best case scenario, using labor that is fairly paid and production processes with limited impact on the environment."

By focusing on cutting costs wherever possible to mass-produce cheap, disposable clothing, fast fashion offers "trendy," bargain-price clothing at the expense of people and the planet. Here are seven reasons why you should hate fast fashion:

1. Cotton is a thirsty and chemically dependent plant: Cotton is the most commonly used fiber in the world, making its way into nearly 40 percent of our clothing. Though it only makes up 2.4 percent of all cropland, it uses 12 percent of all pesticides and 25 percent of insecticides.

"Cotton is one of the thirstiest crops in existence," demanding six times as much water as lettuce and 60 percent more than wheat, according to ProPublica. And yet the federal government subsidizes growing cotton in the Arizona desert.

2. Cotton alternatives aren't any better: As for common synthetic alternatives to cotton, such as polyester and nylon, they are made from petrochemicals that do not biodegrade. They require a great deal of energy to make, said Sweeny, and the manufactures of nylon emit large amounts of nitrous oxide, an incredibly potent greenhouse gas.

Recycled polyester, made from discarded plastics, uses half the energy as virgin polyester. But often times companies cannot get enough discarded plastic, so they buy unused water bottles directly from manufacturers to be able to market their product as "recycled" polyester, according to Sweeny. Fortunately, eco-friendly alternatives to these unsustainable fabrics are being developed, including products using pineapples, coconuts and bananas.

3. Garment operations, textile mills and dyeing plants are polluting waterways and endangering surrounding communities' health: Rivers around the world, but especially in Asia, where so much cheap clothing is made, are extremely polluted. Greenpeace East Asia's Detox campaign has been working to expose the textile industry's pollution and its effect on residents from Bangladesh to China to Indonesia.

4. Toxic chemicals and dangerous work conditions put factory workers at risk: For an excellent explanation on just how awful and dangerous working conditions are in garment factories, check out John Oliver's segment on fast fashion below. The Savar building collapse in 2013 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which killed more than 1,100 people, shows just how dangerous working conditions can be.

The dangers from chemical exposure among factory workers range from acute to chronic and can ultimately lead to death. "Some dyes and chemicals, such as alum and copper sulfate, can irritate your skin and cause rashes, allergies or breathing problems," said Hesperian in its guide Hazards in Garment Factories. "Others are more dangerous, such as potassium dichromate and tanning acid, and can cause cancer as well as other health problems."

5. The chemicals in clothing linger: Chemicals, such as formaldehyde, perfluorinated chemical (PFC), nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE), p-Phenylenediamine (PPD), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and dioxin-producing bleach, are all commonly found in our clothing. And all of these chemicals have been shown to produce serious adverse health effects. Dangerous chemicals are found in kids' clothing too, according to a Greenpeace report.

6. That dress you just bought is more well traveled than you: Raw materials can be shipped from China, India or the U.S. to places like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan and the Philippines, explained Sweeny. Then, garments are put in shipping containers and sent by rail, container ships and eventually rail and trucks to the retailer. There's no way to gauge how much fuel is used in total, said Sweeny, but considering Americans buy 22 billion new clothing items every year, the fast fashion industry's emissions contribution is significant.

7. John Oliver hates fast fashion, so you should too: Oliver wanted to teach fashion CEOs a lesson for the horrible environmental and labor conditions in their factories, so he sent "suspiciously cheap" food to fashion CEOs selling "shockingly cheap" clothing.

If you haven't already seen "The True Cost," a documentary about the clothing industrys impact on the world, you should check it out:

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Indoor Veggie Garden Lets You Grow Your Own Food Right in Your KitchenWhile countries have dragged their feet for years on meaningful climate action, many cities around the world have forged ahead with sustainability efforts. In July, about 60 mayors pledged to fight climate change at a two-day conference hosted by Pope Francis.

Several cities have even made impressive strides to ditch fossil fuels in favor of renewables. Two recent reports have confirmed that 100 percent renewable energy is possible. Earlier this summer, professors out of Stanford and U.C. Berkeley laid out a plan for the U.S. to convert to 100 percent renewable energy in less than 40 years, and Monday Greenpeace published its Energy Revolution 2015 report, which proposes a pathway to a 100 percent sustainable energy supply by 2050.

A report issued last week by CDP, a a U.K.-based nonprofit, and AECOM shows that "96 citiesone third of cities participating in CDPare already taking action to decarbonize their electricity supply. And 86 percent of these cities say taking action on climate change presents an economic opportunity."

This year, 308 cities reported to CDP. Nearly half a billion people call these cities homeequivalent to the combined population of the U.S., UK and France. The report found that "currently over a third of cities get more than three quarters of their electricity from non-fossil fuel sources, showing that cities are actively using cleaner energy sources."

There's huge potential here: "Power generation is the single largest carbon emitter in the energy market globally, producing 12.6 gigatons of CO2 in 2015," says CDP. "With cities consuming 78 percent of energy globally, establishing renewable power sources for them can have a major impact on global emissions."

"One of the biggest challenges for cities is often their lack of direct control over their electricity or energy generation," said Conor Riffle, director of cities and data innovation at CDP. "Despite this, cities have been finding ways to shake up their energy mix and inspire a move away from fossil fuels. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to mount, it is more important than ever that we seize the opportunities of a low-carbon future. Cities are well placed to lead this transition."

U.S. Cities

The city of Aspen, Colorado announced earlier this month that it will be running on 100 percent renewable energy by the end of the year, making it the third city in America to do so. Burlington, Vermont and Greensburg, Kansas, which decided to make the move after it was devastated by a powerful tornado in 2007, have also gone 100 percent renewable. Other U.S. cities, including Santa Monica and San Francisco, have set targets to transition to 100 percent renewable energy.

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Austin and Los Angeles set targets of 55 percent by 2025 and 33 percent by 2020, respectively. It looks like Austin will hit its goal four years ahead of schedule thanks to the plummeting cost of solar and wind. Los Angeles's goal is part of California's renewables portfolio standard, which requires all utilities in the state to source 33 percent of their electricity sales from renewable sources by 2020. Another noteworthy state is Hawaii, which has enacted the nation's first 100 precent renewable energy standardmandating that all of the states electricity comes from renewable sources no later than 2045.

Worldwide

Worldwide, 109 cities have set renewable energy or electricity targets. Latin American cities are the least reliant on fossil fuels to power their electricity, though many rely on high amounts of hydro. The cities average 76 percent of their electricity from renewables. Brazil alone has at least 15 fully fossil fuel-free cities, and several others that are close to 100 percent renewable.

European cities are next. Participating cities there averaged 59 percent. Asia Pacific cities are the most dependent on fossil fuels, while North America and Africa fall somewhere in between Europe and Asia Pacific. Participating Asia Pacific cities receive, on average, 15 percent of their electricity from non-fossil fuel sources.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Curitiba, Brazil are some of the cities worldwide that have already met the 100 percent renewable energy goal. Stockholm, Sweden has pledged to be free of fossil fuels by 2040.

"I have set the ambitious goal for Stockholm to benot just climate neutralbut fossil fuel free by 2040," said Karin Wanngard, the mayor of Stockholm. "I am fully aware that the city must excel in all aspects to reach this goal. Stockholm is already an acknowledged global climate leader, where energy consumption decreases, as do emissions and waste. Measuring and reporting our progress are extremely important tools in helping us succeed and to ensure that the city of Stockholm continues to be a frontrunner when it comes to fighting climate change."

Canberra, Australia has committed that by 2020, 90 percent of its electricity supply will be from large-scale renewablesdelivering a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Sydney, Australia is aiming for 30 percent renewables by 2030.

There are a number of islands taking the plunge as well. Samso in Denmark became the first island in the world to go 100 percent renewable. Tokelau in the South Pacific, El Hierro in Spains Canary Islands and Kodiak Island in southern Alaska have all eliminated fossil fuels from their electrical supply. Aruba, St. Lucia, Grenada, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and San Andres and Providencia, and Belize all participate in the Ten Island Challenge, which was created by Virgin founder Sir Richard Bransons climate group the Carbon War Room, now partnered with Amory Lovins think tank the Rocky Mountain Institute, to encourage islands in the Carribbean to tap into their abundant supply of sunshine and wind to transition to renewable energy sources.

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Join National Day of Action Oct. 14 and Demand Leaders Tackle Climate ChangeFarmedHere, a 90,000-square-foot space in Chicago, is not only the first organically-certified indoor vertical aquaponic farm in Illinois, its also the largest indoor farm in North America. The farm, which we featured on EcoWatch last month, has expansion plans. The company wants to open 18 indoor vertical farms in cities across the U.S.

[insert_gallery]

"We want to be the national local brand," CEO Matt Matros told FastCoExist. "We can touch 75 percent of the country with 18 farms." At its Chicago farm, they sell their organic greens and herbs grown under LED lights to 200 customers (Whole Foods is one) all within a 200-mile radius of the farm.

That short travel distance not only reduces carbon emissions, it also allows for super fresh and nutritious produce. "If you think about traditional produce, which is grown in California, they harvest, and you're not eating it for three weeks," said Matros. FarmedHere delivers its produce to customers within 24 hours.

Sourcing produce locally also reduces the strain on drought-heavy regions like Mexico and Californias Central Valley, Matros told Tech Insider. Currently, more than one-third of U.S. produce is grown in these regions. For now, FarmedHere's main crops are basil, mint, lettuce and kale.

"If you harvest something and consume it right away, it's far more nutritious than if you harvest something and consume it 14 days later," he said. "Indoor local farms tend to be about 50 percent more nutritious than our outdoor counterparts on major vitaminsA,C, E, niacin, ironthat's mostly just because it's consumed as soon as possible."

Indoor hydroponic and aquaponic systems, which are sprouting up from Japan to Jackson, Wyoming, have many benefits over traditional outdoor farming. They use 95 percent less water and, since the company adheres to organic principles, the plants are grown without the use of synthetic herbicides or pesticides. And due to major advances in LED technology, the company can grow its plants in 30 dayshalf the time of traditional farms.

"Without the hassle of Mother Nature's changing climate, farmers can enjoy year-round growing seasons indoors, using less water, fewer pesticides and avoid biological invaders that cause diseases like Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria," reported Tech Insider.

The company said vertical farming is finally ready to scale, so they are "currently working with real estate agents to find land in cities across the country," FastCoExist reported. And they don't plan on limiting themselves to just the U.S. either.

"There's a substantive need for this," Matros said. "In northern Africa, where there's not a lot of access to fresh clean water ... in China and India, where there's just a lot of people. That's the beauty of this industry. Once we crack the code in the U.S., we can easily just drop these modules anywhere around the world."

FarmedHere, along with AeroFarms, Green Sense Farms and Spread are developing the technology to become robot-run farms. Matros told Tech Insider their next facility, which will be open next year, will employ technology used by the likes of Amazon, which uses factory robots to attend to packages in its massive headquarters.

Vertical farms have really taken off in recent yearseven being hailed as the future of agriculture. AeroFarms, which is building a facility in Newark, New Jersey, plans to construct 25 vertical farms over the next five years. Sky Greens in Singapore has been hailed as the the worlds first low-carbon hydraulic driven urban vertical farm. Mirai has factories in Japan and Mongolia churning out 10,000 heads of lettuce a day. And in London, Growing Underground is utilizing a former World War II bomb shelter to grow food.

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Monsanto Handed Double Whammy by Mexican Courts Over Planting GMOsIt was by far the largest turnout for any presidential candidate this year, nearly 30,000 people turned out in Portland, Oregon on Sunday evening at a rally for Bernie Sanders where the city's Moda Center was filled to capacity and thousands more were directed to overflow areas to watch the event on large screens.

Portland is ready to create a political revolution from the ground up. Tune in LIVE here: http://t.co/qVGII47vLI pic.twitter.com/0eUpA6uMEo  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 10, 2015

"Whoa. This is an unbelievable turnout," said the U.S. senator and presidential candidate after taking the podium.

With a populist message and a continued upward trend in early state and national polling, Sanders has been breaking his own attendance records over recent weeks and months, attracting overflow crowds in liberal bastions like New England and the northwest, but also in more conservative states like Texas, New Orleans, and Arizona.

According to reporting by The Oregonian:

The senator received waves of thunderous applause as he vowed to fight for universal health benefits, paid family leave, paid sick leave, free public college tuition, a $15 minimum wage, expanded Social Security benefits and a major public works program to rebuild crumbling infrastructure.

"Almost all of the wealth is held by a small handful of people and together we are going to change that," said Sanders, vowing to take on the "billionaire class," end corporate tax breaks and break up major Wall Street financial institutions. "If they're too big to fail, they're too big to exist," he added.

"We see kids getting criminal records for having marijuana but the the CEOs of these major institutions get away" with no sanctions after their "greed and recklessness" caused the 2008 collapse of the financial markets.

Sunday's evening rally in Portland followed a Saturday night rally at the University of Washington in Seattle that drew an estimated 15,000 people.

By contrast, as the Washington Post points out, the largest crowd yet attracted by Hillary Clinton's campaign was estimated at 5,500, which came at her formal New York kickoff event in June. None of the Republican candidates have seen crowds anywhere near what Sanders is getting.

Despite the ability of a few protesters to shut down an earlier campaign stop in Seattle on Saturday, the Sanders campaign continues to build traction with its far-reaching and inclusive populist message regarding economic inequality, social justice, and a broad call for a "political revolution" centered on getting big money out of politics, fighting corporate greed and combating the human-caused global warming and climate change. Additionally, Sanders has so far gone further than other candidates in making criminal justice reform and racial inequities a key feature of his campaign.

As part of the campaign's expanding agenda, Sanders on Sunday released an updated and detailed issue statement on "racial justice" which calls for "addressing the four central types of violence waged against black and brown Americans: physical, political, legal and economic."

During Sunday evening's rally in Portland, Sanders told the crowd "there is no candidate who will fight harder to end institutional racism in this country and to reform our broken criminal justice system."

Ultimately, however, he said that his goal is to unite those who are being mistreated, abused and under-served by a political and economic status quo that is controlled and designed to benefit the rich and powerful while leaving working people, the poor, the middle class and other vulnerable populations out in the cold.

"Bringing people together," Sanders said, is at the core of his campaign.

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Bernie Sanders House Parties Expected to Draw Tens of ThousandsAmid a last minute scramble, leaders from the U.S. and 11 other Pacific Rim countries announced Monday that they had reached agreement on a sweeping trade deal, one that critics, including presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, say will slash standards and protections for both consumers and workerswith impacts to be felt across the globe.

The agreement, known as the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), which would tie together as much as 40 percent of the world's economy, has for nearly eight years been negotiated in secret. Though details of the compromise were not yet revealed early Monday, critics said thatminutia asidethe global trade pact will certainly be a boon for corporate power

"TPP is a deal for big business," said Nick Dearden, director of the UK-based Nick Dearden, Global Justice Now.

Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was also quick to condemn the deal. Saying he was disappointed but not surprised by the "disastrous" agreement, Sanders added: "Wall Street and other big corporations have won again. It is time for the rest of us to stop letting multi-national corporations rig the system to pad their profits at our expense."

The compromise was reached after five days of round-the-clock negotiations in Atlanta, Georgia. U.S. President Barack Obama reportedly "spent recent days contacting world leaders to seal the deal."

The negotiations had been extended after talks got stuck over the issue of how long a monopoly period should be allowed on next-generation biotech drugs. The compromise reportedly reached between the U.S. and Australia "is a hybrid that protects companies data for five years to eight years," the New York Times reports, falling short of the 12 years desired by U.S. negotiators.

Other final compromises reportedly reached included "more open markets for dairy products and sugar and a slow phaseoutover two to three decadesof the tariffs on Japans autos sold in North America," the New York Times continues.

One of the more controversial aspects of the deal is the Investor State Dispute Settlement provision, which permits multinational companies to sue governments over allegations that profits were lost due to local regulations.

"Two fifths of the global economy will be covered by corporate courts, meaning a huge rise in governments being sued for protecting the public interest from corporate greed," Dearden explained. Then highlighting some of the other alarming provisions of the deal, he continued: "Medicine prices will rise as Big Pharma gets more power to monopolize markets. Small farmers will suffer from unfair competition with industrial scale agribusiness. No wonder this has been agreed in secret."

Chris Shelton, president of the Communication Workers of America, said the agreement is "bad news" for working families and communities. In a statement, Shelton said, "Despite broad promises from the Obama administration," the TPP "would continue the offshoring of jobs and weakening of our communities that started under the North American Free Trade Agreement" and "would mean labor and environmental standards that look good on paper but fall flat when it comes to enforcement."

"Its a corporate dream but a nightmare for those of us on main street," he added.

It now falls on signatory governments to ratify the agreement. In the U.S., many members of Congress as well as presidential candidates have expressed skepticism over the pact, which heretofore had been largely undisclosed to legislators. Reportedly, the full 30-chapter text will not be available for another month.

Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch questions whether the pact will pass in Congress, given the amount of pushback the deal received when the U.S. House and Senate voted this summer to pass Fast Track trade promotion authority.

Wallach explains: "If there really is a deal, its fate in Congress is at best uncertain given that since the trade authority vote, the small bloc of Democrats who made the narrow margin of passage have made demands about TPP currency, drug patent and environmental terms that are likely not in the final deal, while the GOP members who switched to supporting Fast Track in the last weeks demand enforceable currency terms, stricter rules of origin for autos, auto parts and apparel and better dairy access for U.S. producers."

For his part, Senator Sanders said he "will do all that I can to defeat this agreement." in the U.S. Senate. "We need trade policies that benefit American workers and consumers, not just the CEOs of large multi-national corporations," he added.

In Canada, the deal comes just two weeks ahead of national elections. In a statement, Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians encouraged Canadians to "vote against the TPP" during the upcoming election.

"Just what are we supposed to make of a deal that has been kept secret from the Canadian public?" Barlow asks. "Our own legislators dont even know whats in it."

"The Harper government has signed a deal that will lay off thousands of auto workers and put thousands of dairy farmers in jeopardy while giving even more foreign corporations the right to dictate Canadian policy," she continued, adding that "Stephen Harper negotiated the TPP during an election when his mandate is simply to be a caretaker government. Parliament now has the ability to vote on the TPP. We strongly encourage the next government to reject it."

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Robert Reich: Why Bernie Sanders Is So PopularAs the drought in California rolls into its fourth year, causing mandatory water cutbacks by cities and private citizens and concern about the state's enormous agricultural sector, bottled water plants in the state are attracting increasing attention and controversy. Bottled water accounts for a tiny fraction of the water consumed in the state but it's become something of a symbol of who gets access to water for profit and who is being forced to cut back.

With Californians asked to cut back on water use, bottled water plants are drawing increased scrutiny.

Last week, Starbucks announced that it would be moving the production of its "globally responsible" Ethos Water brand from California to Pennsylvania within the next six months. Its Pennsylvania facility already bottles the water sold on the east coast.

Starbucks' senior vice president of global responsibility and public policy John Kelly said, "We are committed to our mission to be a globally responsible company and to support the people of the state of California as they face this unprecedented drought. The decision to move our Ethos water sourcing from California and reduce our in-store water reductions by more than 25 percent are steps we are taking in partnership with state and local governments to accelerate water conservation."

Ethos Water was founded in 2002 in Southern California, promising to donate a percentage of each sale to water projects in developing countries, currently amounting to five cents on the sale of each $1.95 bottle of water. The company was bought by Starbucks in 2005. Ethos has created partnerships with organizations such as the Oscars. Environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio was seen carrying a bottle at the awards ceremony, and fellow environmentalist Matt Damon has appeared in an ad for the brand.

The move follows a recent article in Mother Jones calling attention to the fact that its West Coast bottling plant is located in Merced, California, drawing its water from private springs in Baxter a few hours north of Merced, as well as from Merced city water. Both Baxter and Merced are in areas of "exceptional drought."

"While bottled water accounts for just a small fraction of California's total water use, some residents are nonetheless fed up with bottling plants that profit off their dwindling water supply," said Mother Jones. "Protesters have begun staging events at Nestle's bottling facility in nearby Sacramento."

Nestle's facility buys millions of gallons of Sacramento municipal water and also bottles spring water shipped in from Northern California counties. A grassroots group called the Crunch Nestle Alliance has been organizing to shut down the plant.

Residents in Merced are also concerned about the Safeway-Lucerne Foods bottling plant in the city that's pulling groundwater from local wells as they're being asked to cut back on showers and stop watering their lawns.

The Merced Sun-Star quoted area resident Jandrea-Marie Gabrielle saying at a city council meeting, "Perhaps watering lawns are the least of California's worries. You might think that in the midst of a drought emergency, diverting public fresh water supplies to bottle and selling them would be frowned upon."

And while Starbucks is closing its bottled water facility, another will soon be opening in the arid state. The Crystal Geyser Water Company will be opening a plant in Mount Shasta that will take hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a day from an aquifer that feeds the Sacramento River and provides drinking water for millions of people. The converted Coca-Cola plant is expected to begin operations this fall. While a company executive said it's working with area residents to make sure its activities "will not impact the environment in any detrimental way," local citizen Raven Stevens pointed out, "Crystal Geyser in one day plans to pump more water than any three of my neighbors will use in an entire year."

California currently has no limits on the amount of groundwater that can be pumped from private property, although state regulations on water withdrawal from the most endangered aquifers with start phasing in after 2020when the drought could be a decade old. Bottled water companies using water tapped on private property are exempt from the mandatory water cuts placed on cities and towns in March.

Bottling water is a legal use of water under the law," said Nancy Vogel, spokeswoman of the California Department of Water Resources.

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8 Shocking Facts About Water ConsumptionWhat Is the Keystone Pipeline?

The Keystone pipeline is an existing structure that carries oil from Alberta, Canada, down to Cushing, Oklahoma. The major controversy surrounds a proposed 1,200-mile extension, or shortcut, between Alberta and Nebraska. Dubbed the Keystone XL pipeline, this additional route would connect into the existing Keystone pipeline in Nebraska, which extends onward to Texas. It's worth noting that the proposed shortcut shouldn't be confused with an already existing Keystone XL extension between Oklahoma and Texas, called the Gulf Coast pipeline, which has been operating since 2014.

The additional extension has been under consideration since 2008, when Canadian-based TC Energy (known as TransCanada at the time) decided this would be the best way to ramp up oil production as the route would allow 830,000 barrels a day to be transported to Texas. The current pipeline carries around 550,000 barrels a day from Canada. However, the proposed shortcut faced almost immediate objections from a varied contingency concerning the pipeline's environmental impact. For more than a decade the project has been caught in a tug of war between political administrations, environmentalists and oil lobbyists, alternating between having permits granted then revoked. The battle continues to this day.

How Much of the Keystone Pipeline Is Completed?

It's estimated that just eight percent of the Keystone XL pipeline has been built so far, although President Joe Biden canceled the project in January 2021.

History

Understanding the fuller picture of the pipeline's complicated history involves some patience. The pipeline first underwent environmental review by the U.S. State Department in 2009. Around this time, Nebraskans started raising concerns about the pipeline's potential impact on farmland and a major water system. The State Department approved the pipeline moving forward in 2010 after determining it would have a minimal effect on the environment, but this only increased opposition from state legislators and scientists. As a result, the State Department delayed the project for another year pending additional review, yet came to the same conclusion in 2011.

Following increased protest activity that year surrounding environmental concerns in Nebraska, the department revised its decision and ordered the pipeline to be rerouted through the state, and TC Energy agreed. Yet this wasn't the end. Barack Obama, president at the time, blocked the Alberta to Nebraska extension based on insufficient time for officials to properly review the new proposed route.

Meanwhile, TC Energy moved forward with the southern extension from Oklahoma to Texas in 2012 while re-submitting a new reroute application for the first leg. No sooner did Nebraska approve the new route in 2013 before opponents filed a lawsuit against the state government. In 2014 a Nebraska judge ruled in favor of the opposition, and the State Department once again suspended moving forward. After being laddered up to the Nebraska Supreme Court, the previous ruling was overturned in 2015 and the U.S. Senate greenlit Keystone XL to resume yet again. President Obama immediately vetoed the bill; later that year the administration rejected TC Energy's reroute application, putting a supposed end to the project.

That is, until Donald Trump took office in 2016. One of President Trump's first orders revived the Keystone XL pipeline in 2017. A federal judge blocked that order in 2018, pending an environmental review. Not to be outdone, President Trump issued a presidential permit in 2019 allowing the pipeline to proceed, and construction began in 2020.

Why Is There So Much Opposition?

Members of the Cowboy and Indian Alliance, including Native Americans, farmers and ranchers from across the United States, begin a demonstration against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline in front of the U.S. Capitol April 22, 2014 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

The type of oil that TC Energy wants to transport from Alberta via the XL pipeline is known as tar sands, a thick-as-molasses oil due to a hydrocarbon substance called bitumen, which also contains a mixture of clay, sand and water. This type of oil is considered one of the dirtiest fossil fuels on the planet. Extracting it involves clearing large swaths of biodiverse boreal forest and using steam to liquefy the underground bitumen. All of this comes at a great cost to the environment and contributes to climate change, explaining why so many different groups are opposed to the project. Yet just as many groups have political and financial reasons to keep the Keystone XL pipeline alive.



Financial Motivators

For starters, the U.S. oil industry finds tar sands oil attractive because it means less of a reliance on oil from the Middle East, while the XL extension would prove cheaper than using rail transportation. Investors also want to protect their stake in the $8 billion pipeline.

Then there are other industry supporters, including the National Association of Manufacturers and construction unions, who have vested reasons for supporting claims that the pipeline would rely on renewable energy and achieve net-zero emissions by 2023, according to TC Energy. However, fully offsetting pipeline emissions wouldn't help to reduce any of the emissions created by those using the actual tar sands oil.

The Global Energy Institute within the U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports Keystone XL because it claims the pipeline's construction would provide more than 13,000 jobs to Americans and Canadians and generate $3.4 billion in U.S. GDP growth. That number also encompasses millions from state and local taxes. The Global Energy Institute has recently accused President Biden of making a politically motivated decision to cancel the pipeline, claiming that the pipeline would in fact protect the environment while boosting the domestic economy.

Yet there are valid claims that the refined tar sands oil wouldn't even be sold in the U.S., but instead benefit the global market since Canada is free to sell the oil to anyone, all while the pipeline takes a toll on American land and water.

Not only that, but the State Department estimated that Keystone XL would ultimately create just 35 full-time jobs to operate the pipeline  so the thousands that are touted would be temporary jobs.

Political Motivators

The pipeline became caught in political crosshairs since it crosses the Canadian border, meaning TC Energy can't proceed without a permit from the U.S. State Department.

Keystone XL has become highly politicized since its introduction in 2008, with democrats concerned about climate change (generally) opposing it and republicans who deny climate change (generally) supporting it. As mentioned in the timeline, former President Obama continually rejected the pipeline due to concerns about the rushed nature of environmental considerations. Later, former President Trump sought to immediately restore the Keystone XL project upon taking office: in part because his predecessor rejected it, and in part because of motivators that had more to do with maintaining economic reliance on the fossil fuel trade and less to do with worrying about climate change issues.

Ultimately, the real issue comes down to the environment.

How Does the Pipeline Impact the Environment and Society?

Heavy oil seen mixed with water in a tailings pond in the Alberta Oilsands. dan_prat / iStock / Getty Images

Tar Sands Oil



As previously touched upon, tar sands is not your average oil. Accessing it requires two different methods, neither of which is environmentally friendly. Both require water from the nearby Athabasca River in Alberta, taxing its finite quantities. The first method, involving surface mining, creates gallons of wastewater in the process. This wastewater is stored in "tailings ponds," where the toxic water is more likely to leak into the environment. The other method involves pumping steam underground in order to access the needed bitumen through a well. This method also requires burning fossil fuels in the process. In fact, extracting tar sands oil produces more greenhouse gas emissions than extracting other natural resources.

Extraction methods aren't the only environmental threat. Oil pipeline leaks and spills are very real dangers too. In 2010, a faulty pipeline carrying tar sands oil leaked 843,000 gallons into Michigan's Kalamazoo River. Owned by Canadian-based Enbridge, the company's slow response to stop the spill prompted area evacuations and permanently damaged the Talmadge Creek, the initial site of the spill. The incident is considered the largest inland oil spill to occur in the U.S. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated that the oil damaged more than 1,560 acres of streams and rivers and negatively impacted at least 4,000 area animals that needed to be saved. Not only that, but removing bitumen from the environment is a far more costly and involved process than typical crude oil, itself a costly and involved process. Whereas crude oil floats on a surface, bitumen sinks.

Then there's the matter of using tar sands oil itself as a fossil fuel. As it stands, burning the full amount that current technology is able to extract would contribute 22 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere. The worst-case scenario predicts burning the maximum amount of tar sands oil that exists in Alberta would increase global warming by 0.4 degrees Celsius.

Indigenous Tribes

Parts of the proposed Keystone XL extension would run through or close to Indigenous territory, potentially threatening drinking water sources. There have already been oil leaks along existing parts of the Keystone pipeline, and the affected tribes, including the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, have no reason to believe the extension would be any different. Besides the environmental dangers, the initial permits granted by the State Department ignored existing treaties between the government and Tribal Nations.

Farmers and Ranchers

Tribes aren't the only ones whose rights and land have been threatened by the pipeline. Farms and ranches along the route have faced eminent domain, which would allow the government to take control of private land for public use; i.e., handing it over to TC Energy regardless of opposition. Nebraska has been a battleground state, with an estimated 92 percent of its land belonging to family-owned farms and ranches. Also at stake would be the Ogallala aquifer, an underwater supply that provides water to most of the state. If that's contaminated by leaks, the ramifications would take a toll on public health, agriculture, livestock and wildlife. One study estimates that even a small leak could contaminate five billion gallons of water. It's not just the tar-like bitumen that poses this danger; transporting sludgy tar sands oil requires carcinogenic chemicals to dilute it enough for pipelines.

Public Health

Tar sands oil poses additional hazards, both to local Alberta residents and those who live along the proposed route. Numerous studies have already linked higher cancer rates from polluted air and water in areas where people live near tar sands oil production or tar sand spills.

Wildlife

It's not just the public who is at risk. For example, Nebraska is home to 20,000 acres of dunes and prairie hills known as Sandhills. It's a popular pitstop for migrating sandhill cranes in particular. TC Energy's proposed reroute would still cut straight through this region; a leak of any size could prove disastrous.

When Did the Pipeline Leak and Why?

Despite TC Energy touting an advanced leak detection system, the existing pipeline has leaked dozens of times since its inception in 2010, and locals have often been the first to notice and report many of them.

There were 35 leaks in the pipeline's first year alone, including a 21,000-gallon spill impacting North Dakota. In 2016, about 16,800 gallons of oil leaked in South Dakota, but that was small compared to the following year, when 210,000 gallons spilled near the small town of Amherst, South Dakota. TC Energy later revised that number to 407,000 gallons of leaked oil. In 2019, an additional 378,000 gallons spilled in North Dakota.

Tar sands oil is more likely to leak than crude oil due to its corrosive nature and the high temperatures needed to transport it, and leaks are also much harder to detect. Not only that, but cleaning it up has proven to be a Herculean task. An NRDC report found that tar sand leaks are three times more likely than conventional crude oil. On top of that, a 2012 report revealed that leak detection systems missed 19 out of 20 leaks during a 10-year period. TC Energy itself admitted in 2011 that the company could only detect leaks greater than 500,000 gallons of tar sands a day.

As for what specifically caused all of the leaks to date? That depends, although variations of equipment failure is a recurring favorite. It's still unknown what caused the massive 2019 leak in North Dakota.

What's Being Done About Keystone XL?

After years of back and forth, President Biden, who ran on a more climate-friendly platform than his predecessor President Trump, canceled the pipeline on his first day in office on Jan. 21, 2021. But the case still isn't closed. In response, 21 Republican-led states have since filed a lawsuit against Biden questioning his authority to make such a decision. (Nevermind that Trump overstepped his authority by issuing a 2019 presidential permit allowing the pipeline to proceed, thereby bypassing the required environmental reviews.)

Oil demand has also dropped since the pipeline's initial proposal back in 2008, due in part to an economic shift toward clean energy and then decreased oil usage during the 2020 COVID pandemic. Plus early investors, including Shell and the Koch Brothers, have since pulled out of the deal. Though Keystone XL appears to have reached the end of the line, opponents say the final step involves removing the existing pipeline infrastructure.

Takeaway

The canceled Keystone XL pipeline is a promising step toward a less oil-reliant future, but it's still a step. There remain other controversial pipelines caught up in legal battles, most notably the Dakota Access pipeline and Enbridge's Line 3 replacement project. Resolving the ongoing oil pipeline threat ultimately requires a continued push toward clean energy, thereby eliminating the need for pipelines in the first place.

Meredith Rosenberg is a senior editor at EcoWatch. She holds a Master's from the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in NYC and a B.A. from Temple University in Philadelphia.For homeowners who are looking for clean energy solutions, solar power is utterly essential. But what is solar energy, exactly, and how does it work?

The Earth boasts many natural resources, but none as abundant as sunlight. As rays from the sun reach our planet, the energy they contain can be captured and used in a number of ways.

Before embracing residential solar power, it may be helpful to understand a bit more about what solar energy is, how it can be harvested and how it can be used. In this article, we'll offer a full solar energy definition, plus some basic guidelines about how it can be used in your home.

Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.



Solar Energy Definition

Let's begin with a general overview of solar power.

The sun provides us with natural light during the day. In doing so, it sends individual particles of sunlight, known as photons, to the Earth. Each photon contains energy, and that energy fuels the Earth in various ways. It might surprise you to learn that, during any given hour, the Earth receives enough solar energy that it could theoretically fulfill the entire planet's energy needs for one full year.

But where does all this solar power actually come from? Well, keep in mind that the sun is a star, and like any other star, it's basically one big nuclear reactor. There are nuclear fusion reactions happening in the sun's core all the time, producing huge amounts of energy that radiate out into space in the form of light and heat. Large quantities of this solar radiation ultimately reach Earth's surface.

Solar power can be collected via a technology called photovoltaics, then converted into solar electricity that can be used to supply power to a home or a business. Solar energy currently represents a relatively small fragment of the global energy economy, yet it's gaining in popularity, largely thanks to the falling prices of solar panel installation, combined with a growing desire among homeowners to reduce their utility bills and their carbon footprints.



Using Solar Power

Now let's take a closer look at solar technologies and the process of harvesting and using energy from the sun.

We already mentioned photovoltaics, which represents the most common method of harvesting solar energy. This approach is generally used for small-scale applications, such as portable solar generators or residential solar systems. Another option, called solar thermal capture, is typically better suited to produce solar electricity on a larger scale.



Here's a quick breakdown of these two basic options for harvesting solar energy.



Harvesting Solar Energy With Photovoltaics

This is the method you're more likely to be familiar with, as it describes the way solar energy is harvested in residential settings. By installing solar energy systems made with photovoltaic cells, or PV cells, homeowners can collect energy from the sun, using solar panels positioned on their roofs that convert sunlight into energy. An inverter turns that solar energy into an electrical current, which can be used to power household systems, appliances and connected devices.

With some photovoltaic systems, any surplus electricity is funneled back into the power grid, resulting in a credit from the utility company; in turn, if the PV system does not create enough solar electricity to power the home, the homeowner may draw power from the main utility grid. By contrast, some PV systems come equipped with a solar panel battery bank, which means surplus energy can be stored and used at a later date.

There are a few types of solar panels, but most residential ones use what's known as the photovoltaic effect. This process allows them to convert raw solar power into usable energy. Here's a rough breakdown of how solar panels work:



The sun's rays hit a semiconductor within a solar panel (usually made of silicon), which releases electrons. These electrons move through a conductor to produce an electric current. The current produced by these wires is known as direct current, or DC; your house requires alternating current, or AC electricity. A component known as a solar inverter turns the DC power into AC power. AC power is then fed into the primary circuit board, meaning it can power any of the outlets or connected appliances in the home. Surplus solar electricity may be stored in a battery to be used when the sun isn't shining directly on the panel.

This is a basic description of how solar electricity works in a residential setting, enabling homeowners to control their electricity generation. The benefit is that you can reduce or even eliminate your reliance on utility companies, and thus, your monthly utility bills. Even more impactful, it allows you to lessen your reliance on fossil fuels and municipal power plants, which cuts down on environmental pollution.

Harvesting Solar Energy With Solar Thermal

Another option for harvesting solar energy is to directly capture heat from the sun's radiation. The solar thermal method actually has a much broader range of uses than the photovoltaic process. With that said, it's not nearly as practical or as feasible to use the solar thermal method on a small scale, which is why residential solar systems use the PV method.

There are three main kinds of solar thermal energy used in industry:



Low-temperature solar thermal energy is used to heat and cool the air. Mid-temperature is used specifically for heating water. High-temperature is used for generating electrical power.

So, to flesh those out a bit more: Low-temperature solar thermal methods are primarily used to heat or to cool the air, as a means of climate control like space heating or air conditioning. Mid-temperature solar thermal methods capture the sun's energy and transfer it to pipes, heating the water those pipes contain.

High-temperature solar thermal is used to generate electricity on a larger scale, such as in an electrical plant. This process actually revolves around a series of mirrors, which are positioned to catch the sunlight and reflect it onto a series of tubes. These tubes contain liquids that are effective in capturing and holding heat energy. This heated liquid is then used to turn water into steam, turning turbines to produce electrical power. You can understand why this complex system is not a feasible option for individual homes, but it represents a very promising renewable energy source for large-scale use.



Using Solar Energy in Your Home

Now that we've exhausted the solar energy definition, let's turn toward practical questions: Are solar panels worth it for your home? Let's go through some solar energy pros and cons.

Installing a Solar Power System Offers Immense Benefits

There are certainly a number of benefits to solar power, including:

Solar energy use can allow you to reduce your monthly electric bills and, in some cases, eliminate those bills completely. This produces big cost savings over time.

Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source, meaning you won't be contributing to direct pollution (unlike with oil or coal) and greenhouse gas emissions.

When you buy solar panels, there are a number of tax incentives and rebates available to offset startup costs, including some available at the federal level and some that are state-specific.

Most residential solar systems will produce electricity for 20 to 30 years and require very little maintenance.

There Can Also Be Drawbacks

Solar power boasts numerous advantages, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. Some of the most significant downsides include:

The initial cost of solar panels is fairly extensive, averaging out to around $13,000, and in some cases topping $20,000. Tax incentives and monthly utility savings can offset this cost, but even still, going solar always requires a big investment on the front end.

Some homes just aren't suited for solar. If you don't get enough exposure to the sun, then a home solar system may not work out.

If you live in an area where electricity is inexpensive, then the savings you get from a solar system will be comparatively small.

Is My Home Suitable for a Residential Solar System?

The best way to determine whether your home is a good fit for solar electricity is to contact one of the top solar companies in your area. A solar panel installation specialist can come take a look at your home and give you an individualized recommendation.

Solar energy is best suited for those who live in sunny areas; who have plenty of surface area on their roof; and who don't have to worry about shading from nearby trees, buildings or other obstructions.

Get a Free Quote for Professional Solar Installation

If you're interested in solar, it only takes 30 seconds to get a free, no-obligation quote. You could save up to $2,500 per year on utility bills and get a tax rebate all while reducing your carbon footprint. Fill out the form below to get started.

What to Look for in a Home Solar System



As you shop around for home solar systems, make sure to keep the following factors in mind:

The efficiency of your solar panels, or how much sunlight they actually turn into electricity (the most efficient solar panels convert over 20%).

The capacity of your solar battery.

Warranties and other protections for your home solar system.

The total number of panels you need to get the desired results.

The services offered by your solar installer (such as individual system design).

Are You Ready to Embrace Solar Power?

For anyone seeking a clean and efficient energy solution, solar electricity may be the best bet. If you're ready to continue your education, we recommend checking out some demos of specific solar panels, or else calling a local installer to get a solar energy quote.What Is Climate Change? Is It Different From Global Warming?



Climate change is actually not a new phenomenon. Scientists have been studying the connection between human activity and the effect on the climate since the 1800s, although it took until the 1950s to find evidence suggesting a link.

Since then, the amount of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases) in the atmosphere have steadily increased, taking a sharp jump in the late 1980s when the summer of 1988 became the warmest on record. (There have been many records broken since then.) But climate change is not a synonym for global warming.

The term global warming entered the lexicon in the 1950s, but didn't become a common buzzword until a few decades later when more people started taking notice of a warming climate. Except climate change encompasses a greater realm than just rising temperatures. Trapped gases also affect sea-level rise, animal habitats, biodiversity and weather patterns. For example, Texas' severe winter storms in February 2021 demonstrate how the climate isn't merely warming.

Why Is Climate Change Important? Why Does It Matter?

Marc Guitard / Moment / Getty Images

Despite efforts from forward thinkers such as SpaceX Founder Elon Musk to colonize Mars, Earth remains our home for the foreseeable future, and the more human activity negatively impacts the climate, the less habitable it will become. It's estimated that Earth has already warmed about one degree Celsius, or two degrees Fahrenheit, since the start of the Industrial Revolution around the 1750s, although climate change tracking didn't start until the late 1800s. That warming number may not sound like much, but this increase has already resulted in more frequent and severe wildfires, hurricanes, floods, droughts and winter storms, to name some examples.



Environmental Impacts

Then there's biodiversity loss, another fallout of climate change that's threatening rainforests and coral reefs and accelerating species extinction. Take rainforests, which act as natural carbon sinks by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But as rampant deforestation is occurring everywhere from Brazil's Amazon to Borneo, fewer trees mean that rainforests are becoming carbon sources, emitting more carbon than they're absorbing. Meanwhile, coral reefs are dying as warming ocean temperatures trigger bleaching events, which cause corals to reject algae, their main food and life source. Fewer trees, coral reefs and other habitats also equate to fewer species. Known as the sixth mass extinction, a 2019 UN report revealed that up to a million plant and animal species could become extinct within decades.

Human Impact

It can be easy to overlook climate change in day-to-day life, or even realize that climate change is behind it. Notice there's yet another romaine lettuce recall due to E. Coli? Research suggests that E. Coli bacteria are becoming more common in our food sources as it adapts to climate change. Can't find your favorite brand of coffee beans anymore? Or that the price has doubled? Climate change is affecting that too. Climate change is also worsening air quality and seasonal allergies, along with polluting tap water. Not least, many preliminary studies have also drawn a line between climate change and the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that is still gripping much of the world. Future pandemics are likely to happen more frequently until the root causes, such as deforestation, are addressed.

Speaking of larger-scale issues, global water scarcity is already happening more frequently. The Caribbean is facing water shortages due to rising temperatures and decreased rainfall; Australia's dams may run dry by 2022 as severe wildfires increase and Cape Town, South Africa has already faced running out of water.

As touched upon earlier, it's one thing to be inconvenienced by a lack of romaine lettuce for a couple of weeks or higher coffee bean prices, but reports warn how climate change will continue to threaten global food security, to the point of triggering a worldwide food crisis if temperatures surpass two degrees Celsius.

Many of these factors are already contributing to climate migration, forcing large numbers of people to relocate to other parts of the world in search of better living conditions.

Unless more immediate, drastic action is taken to combat climate change, future generations will have to contend with worst-case scenario projections by the end of the 21st century, not limited to coastal cities going underwater, including Miami; lethal heat levels from South Asia to Central Africa; and more frequent extreme weather events involving hurricanes, wildfires, tsunamis, droughts, floods, blizzards and more.

What's Happening and Why?

Fiddlers Ferry power station in Warrington, UK. Chris Conway / Moment / Getty Images

The Earth's temperature has largely remained stable until industrial times and the introduction of greenhouse gases. These gases have forced the atmosphere to retain heat, as evidenced by rising global temperatures. As the planet grows warmer, glaciers melt faster, sea levels rise, severe flooding increases and droughts and extreme weather events become more deadly.



The Greenhouse Effect

In the late 1800s, Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius studied the connection between the amount of atmospheric carbon and its ability to warm and cool the Earth, and while his initial calculations suggested extreme warming as carbon increased, researchers didn't start to take human-induced climate change seriously until the late 20th century.

But proof of human-led climate change can be traced to the 1850s, and satellites are among the ways that scientists have been tracking increased greenhouse gases and their climate impact in more recent years. Climate researchers have also documented warmer oceans, ocean acidification, shrinking ice sheets, decreased snow amounts and extreme weather as among the events resulting from greenhouse gases heating the planet.

Numerous factors contribute to the production of greenhouse gases, known as the greenhouse effect. One of the biggest causes involve burning fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, to power everything from cars to daily energy needs (electricity, heat). From 1970-2011, fossil fuels have comprised 78 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions.

Big Ag is another greenhouse contributor, particularly beef production, with the industry adding 10 percent in 2019. This is attributed to clearing land for crops and grazing and growing feed, along with methane produced by cows themselves. In the U.S. alone, Americans consumed 27.3 billion pounds of beef in 2019.

Then there's rampant deforestation occurring everywhere from the Amazon to Borneo. A 2021 study from Rainforest Foundation Norway found that two-thirds of the world's rainforests have already been destroyed or degraded. In Brazil, deforestation reached a 12-year-high in 2020 under right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. As it stands, reports predict that the Amazon rainforest will collapse by 2064. Rainforests are important carbon sinks, meaning the trees capture and remove carbon from the atmosphere. As rainforests collapse, the remaining trees will begin emitting more greenhouse gases than they're absorbing.

Meanwhile, a recent study revealed that abandoned oil and gas wells are leaking more methane than previously believed, with U.S. wells contributing up to 20 percent of annual methane emissions.

Not least is the cement industry. Cement is heavily used throughout the global construction industry, and accounts for around eight percent of carbon dioxide emissions.

Natural Climate Change

Granted, natural climate change exists as well, and can be traced throughout history, from solar radiation triggering the Ice Ages to the asteroid strike that rapidly raised global temperatures and eliminated dinosaurs and many other species in the process. Other sources of natural climate change impacts include volcano eruptions, ocean currents and orbital changes, but these sources generally have smaller and shorter-term environmental impacts.

How We Can Combat Climate Change

Participant holding a sign at the climate march on Sept. 20, 2020, in Manhattan. A coalition of climate, Indigenous and racial justice groups gathered at Columbus Circle to kick off Climate Week with the Climate Justice Through Racial Justice march. Erik McGregor / LightRocket / Getty Images

While the latest studies and numbers can often feel discouraging about society's ability to prevent the worst-case climate scenarios from happening, there's still time to take action.



As a Society

In 2015 at COP 21 in Paris, 197 countries came together to sign the Paris Agreement, an international climate change treaty agreeing to limit global warming in this century to two degrees Celsius, and ideally 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels; it's believed that the planet has warmed one degree Celsius since 1750. Studies show that staying within the two-degree range will prevent the worst-case climate scenarios from happening. Achieving this goal requires participating parties to drastically slash greenhouse gas emissions sooner rather than later. However, there have already been numerous setbacks since then, from former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrawing from the Paris Agreement in 2020 to world leaders, such as China, the world's biggest polluter, failing to enact aggressive climate action plans. Yet many of the treaty participants have been slow to implement changes, putting the world on track to hit 3.2 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century even if the initial goals are met. However, it's worth noting that U.S. President Joe Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement in 2021, and pledged to cut greenhouse gases in half by 2030.

Then there's the Montreal Protocol, a 1987 global agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, chemicals that were commonly used in air-conditioning, refrigeration and aerosols. Recent studies show that parts of the ozone are recovering, proving that a unified commitment to combatting climate change issues does make a difference.

On a smaller scale, carbon offset initiatives allow companies and individuals to invest in environmental programs that offset the amount of carbon that's produced through work or lifestyle. For example, major companies (and carbon emitters) such as United Airlines and Shell have pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in part by participating in carbon offset programs that remove carbon from the atmosphere. The problem is that these companies are still producing high levels of fossil fuel emissions.

While individuals can make a small impact through carbon offsets, the greater responsibility lies with carbon-emitting corporations to find and implement greener energy alternatives. This translates to car companies producing electric instead of gas vehicles or airlines exploring alternative fuel sources. It also requires major companies to rely more on solar and wind energy for their energy needs.

In Our Own Lives

While it's up to corporations to do the heavy lifting of carbon reduction, that doesn't mean individuals can't make a difference. Adopting a vegan lifestyle, using public transportation, switching to an electric car and becoming a more conscious consumer are all ways to help combat climate change.

Veganism

Consuming meat relies on clearing land for crops and animals, while raising and killing livestock contributes to about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization. By comparison, choosing a plant-based diet could reduce greenhouse gas footprints by as much as 70 percent, especially when choosing local produce and products.

Public Transportation

Riding public trains, subways, buses, trams, ferries and other types of public transportation is another easy way to lower your carbon footprint, considering that gas-powered vehicles contribute 95 percent of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Electric Vehicles

Electric cars and trucks have come down in price as more manufacturers enter the field, and these produce far lower emissions than their gas counterparts. Hybrid vehicles are another good alternative for lowering individual emission contributions.

Conscious Consumption

Buying locally produced food and items is another way to maintain a lower carbon footprint, as the products aren't shipped or driven long distances. Supporting small companies that are committed to sustainability is another option, especially when it comes to clothes. Fast fashion has become a popular option thanks to its price point, but often comes at the expense of the environment and can involve unethical overseas labor practices. Not least, plastic saturates every corner of the consumer market, but it's possible to find non-plastic alternatives with a little research, from reusable produce bags to baby bottles.

Climate Activism

Those interested in becoming even more involved can join local climate action organizations. Popular groups include the Sunrise Movement, Fridays for Future, Greenpeace and the Sierra Club, to name a few. Voting, volunteering, calling local representatives and participating in climate marches are additional ways to raise your voice.

Takeaway

It's taken centuries to reach a climate tipping point, with just a matter of decades left to prevent the worst-case climate scenarios from happening. But there's still hope of controlling a warming climate as long as individuals, companies and nations make an immediate concerted effort to lower greenhouse gas emissions. As the world already experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic, a rapid unified response can make all the difference.

Meredith Rosenberg is a senior editor at EcoWatch. She holds a Master's from the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in NYC and a B.A. from Temple University in Philadelphia.In March, EcoWatch reported that Costa Rica powered the first 82 days of the year solely with renewable energy. Now that we're closing in on the end of the year, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) announced that the country ran entirely on renewables for 285 days between Jan. 1 and Dec. 17.

We close 2015 with 99 percent clean energy! ICE wrote on Facebook, saying that the energy produced  in 2015 reaches 98.95 percent with renewable sources as of December 17.

We are closing 2015 with renewable electricity milestones that have put us in the global spotlight, ICE electricity division chief Luis Pacheco told AFP.

The majority of the country's energy (75 percent) comes from hydropower, thanks to a vast river system and abundant rainfall, and the rest of its renewables come from geothermal, biomass, wind and solar. Despite a very dry year, ICE said it was ahead of its renewable energy targets and Pacheco predicted that 2016 would be an even better year because a new $2.3 billion hydroelectric plant will be coming online.

The country reportedly wants to move away from its dependency on hydropower, though, and harness more of its electricity needs from geothermal and wind. It plans to retire its heavy fuel oil-powered Moin plant in 2017 and wants to move its transportation sector away from fossil fuels. The country has made all this progress, while reducing overall energy costs, which fell by 12 percent this year and the ICE expects costs to keep falling.

"The government has pledged to build an electric train which will be integrated with public buses," Gabriel Goldschmidt, regional head of infrastructure for Latin America and Caribbean at the International Finance Corporation, which is part of the World Bank, told the Huffington Post. "There is also a proposal to start replacing oil-powered cars with electric cars as part of a new bill in congress that aims to offer consumer incentives to lower the prices of these cars. This would have multiple benefits including better air quality."

Costa Rica's heavy reliance on hydropower has been criticized by some. Gary Wockner of Save the Colorado argues that hydropower is actually one of the biggest environmental problems our planet faces and a false solution for addressing climate change.

"Hydropower has been called a 'methane factory' and 'methane bomb' that is just beginning to rear its ugly head as a major source of greenhouse gas emissions that have so-far been unaccounted for in climate change discussions and analyses," Wockner said last month.

Still, the country is among the vanguard of nations around the world moving towards a 100 percent renewable energy future. Several countries have hit impressive benchmarks for renewables in just a few short years. And many places have already made the transition to fossil-fuel-free electricity. Samso in Denmark became the worlds first island to go all in on renewables several years ago. Most recently, Uruguay, three U.S. citiesBurlington, Vermont; Aspen, Colorado; and Greensburg, Kansasalong with Kodiak Island, Alaska, have all made the transition.

San Diego, Vancouver, Las Vegas and other major cities around the world have pledged to go 100 percent renewable. Sweden made headlines earlier this year when it pledged to be among the first countries to go fossil free. Hawaii pledged to do so by 2045the most ambitious standard set by a U.S. state thus far. Several other islands, including Aruba, Belize, St. Lucia, Grenada, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and San Andres and Providencia have pledged to go 100 percent renewable, through the Ten Island Challenge, created by Richard Bransons climate group the Carbon War Room.

Greenpeace and researchers at Stanford and UC Berkeley have laid out plans for every state in the U.S. to adopt 100 percent renewables and a Greenpeace report published in September posits the world can achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. Mark Jacobson, one of the researchers from Stanford, said the barriers to 100 percent clean energy are social and political, not technical or economic.

Just last week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in an interview that "You could take a corner of Utah or Nevada and power the entire United States with solar power."

And, it looks as if the Paris climate conference earlier this month helped create market certainty in renewables, as fossil fuel stocks tumbled and renewable energy stocks soared. After the landmark Paris agreement was reached, the coal industry's European lobbying association feared that the deal meant the sector will be hated and vilified, in the same way that slave traders were once hated and vilified."

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Worlds First Off-Grid EcoCapsule Runs Entirely on Renewable EnergyThis summer is undoubtedly one for the record books. Brutal heat has literally melted roads, ignited forest fires and affected millions around the planet. Extreme weather has scorched the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the U.S, as weather experts predict that this year will surpass last year as the hottest in recorded history.

A massive heat dome continues to break so many records across Europe and the Middle East http://t.co/SFu4AlGjjM pic.twitter.com/NyGmNflXug  350 dot org (@350) August 12, 2015

Id not be surprised if 2015 ends up the warmest year on record, said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) climate monitoring chief Derek Arndt in June.

The Middle East

Death tolls are currently climbing in Egypt as temperatures soar to 114 degrees Fahrenheit. The Associated Press reported that more than 60 peoplemostly elderlyhave died from the heat and high humidity. An additional 581 people have been hospitalized for heat exhaustion.

Death toll in Egypt's scorching heat wave rises to over 60, @AP reports http://t.co/gF3FHOH9cj pic.twitter.com/dWp8YXg9tH  BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) August 12, 2015

The entire region has been devastated by the relentless heat. Earlier this week, Iran hit a sweltering 164 degreesjust a few degrees shy of the highest ever record heat index. Pakistan's devastating heat wave in June killed 1,233 and hospitalized more than 1,900 due to dehydration, heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses. In neighboring India, 2,500 people succumbed to heat a month earlier.

Asia

Japan is experiencing heat-related deaths in 29 out of its 47 prefectures, with Tokyo currently experiencing an "unprecedented" streak of temperatures over 95 degrees, according to Weather.com. The week of July 27 through Aug. 2where 25 people died from heat stroke and other heat-related illnesseswas considered the "deadliest" week in the country and nearly equaled the death toll of 30 in the preceding three months combined, Weather.com added in its report.

Deadly heat wave kills 32 across Japan in a week, 11,219 sent to hospitals http://t.co/5U3hUjBOHo pic.twitter.com/IZwQpRxTZt  Tokyo Reporter (@tokyoreporter) August 12, 2015

Elsewhere in Asia, Chinese weather authorities have issued heat wave alerts as some parts of the country experienced temperatures in the triple digits. The Guardian also reported in July that North Koreans were ordered to start work at 5 a.m. in order to cope with temperatures around 104 degrees Fahrenheit in Pyongyang.

Read page 1

Europe

The heat has smashed records across the continent, reminding some of the devastating summer of 2003 that claimed 30,000 lives. "Europeans have been painfully aware of the dangers of extreme heat since the killer heat wave of July 2003," said Weather.com senior meteorologist Nick Wiltgen.

"This July 2015 was the warmest July on record for Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Austria," Dr. Jeff Masters, Weather Underground's director of meteorology, told the website.

Eastern Europe is also seeing temperatures up to the mid-90s, when highs around 75 are more common this time of year, AccuWeather wrote. And Poland is also experiencing the mass extinction of one very unsuspecting victim: IKEA meatballs.

Record-breaking heat in Europe has forced Ikea in Poland to take meatballs off the menu. http://t.co/5Til53XFDS pic.twitter.com/EXrB2u9cWb  Foreign Policy (@ForeignPolicy) August 11, 2015

North America

Although summer is coming to an end, many parts of the U.S. will still be baking in the sun's rays. Some Los Angelenos, for instance, will feel temperatures in the 100s this week, the Los Angeles Times reported. Stuart Seto, a weather specialist with the National Weather Service, told the publication on Monday that while the city's temperatures are not record-breaking, they are still about 10 degrees above average for this time of year.

Heat wave expected to bake Los Angeles by Thursday http://t.co/qdBjja2Pjs pic.twitter.com/5WQ0SLSjrq  Los Angeles Times (@latimes) August 11, 2015

The American summer of 2015 has also been marked by destructive wildfires that have burned through the West. So far, flames have burned nearly 5 million acres (an area the size of Connecticut) in the state of Alaska. Climate Central even created an interactive map that shows in real time the active wildfires in the U.S.

Climate change?

Global warming has been suggest as one of the possible culprits of this extreme heat.

The heat wave is still ongoing and it is premature to say whether it can be attributed to climate change or whether it is due to naturally occurring climate variability, stated Omar Baddour, who coordinates the World Meteorological Organizations World Climate Data and Monitoring Program.

But climate change scenarios predict that heat waves will become more intense, more frequent and longer. It is notable that the time between major heat waves (2003, 2010 and 2015) is getting shorter," he added.

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NASAs 14 Second Video Says It AllThe Wilderness Society is rallying to save the "Every Kid in a Park" program, which gives fourth graders and their families a pass that allows them to visit national parks for free, according to a press release dated June 4.

Rumors that Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke planned to ax the Obama-era program were reported by National Parks Traveler May 31.

The Wilderness Society is urging concerned citizens to contact their congresspeople and tell them to save the program that was designed to bridge the economic access gap to public lands.

Research indicates that a majority of national park visitors have a household income higher than the national medium, and people of color are more likely to say they do not attend national parks due to high entrance fees, The Wilderness Society reported. The program targets schools where a majority of students come from low-income households.

"Many of the hundreds of thousands of fourth graders who visited a national park for free through 'Every Kid in a Park' were seeing these places for the first time, and without it, they may not have had the chance," the release said.

Zinke, however, has publicly dismissed the program's value, blaming it in part for the fact that the National Park Service is $12 billion behind in maintenance during remarks before a Senate committee in March.

"I've spent a lot of time in a (park) kiosk, and it's amazing, in our parks, which the maintenance (backlog) as you know, we're far behind," Zinke told the Senate, according to National Parks Traveler. "But when you give discounted or free passes to elderly, fourth-graders, veterans, disabled, and you do it by the carload, there's not a whole lot of people that actually pay at our front door," Zinke said.

However, Outdoors Alliance for Kids founder Jackie Ostfeld disagreed about the cost of the program and the motive for cancelling it.

"I suspect because it's an Obama-era program and it's one of many programs that the administration is cancelling," Ostfeld told National Parks Traveler. "I can't think of any other reason why they would do that. It's very popular, and costs next to nothing."

Cancelling the program would be in keeping with other moves by Zinke to make the national parks less accessible to people of all incomes, The Wilderness Society pointed out. Zinke more than halved the number of entrance free days available for national parks in 2018 and also raised entrance fees in many parks in April, though he decided against massive fee hikes after public outcry.

Millions of students and their families have taken advantage of the program since it was launched in 2015, National Parks Traveler reported.Chicago isn't usually known as a farming hub, but did you know that Windy City residents are dining on organic produce such as basil, arugula, kale and microgreens right from their backyard?

FarmedHere, a 90,000-square-foot space in Bedford Park that opened in 2013, is not only the first organically-certified indoor vertical aquaponic farm in Illinois, it's also the largest indoor farm in North America.

"Our produce is local, it's healthy, it's organic and our produce is sold 24 hours from harvest date to our retailers," says former FarmedHere CEO and current chairman Mark Thomann in the video above.

FarmedHere's two-story, windowless farming facility currently sits on the site of a formerly abandoned warehouse in the outskirts of Chicago.

A variety of plants grow on racks that are stacked on top of each other in a vertical farming system, as well as an aquaponics system, which combines tilapia (and the fish's waste) and plants (which filter the waste) to grow food.

FarmedHere's produce is grown in a sustainable environment where 97 percent of fresh water is reused and plants are grown without the use of herbicides or pesticides. The farm's LED lighting system mimics outdoor conditions, meaning plants don't need natural sunlight to grow.

According to PSFK, the company boasts "up to 15 times as many crop cycles a year compared to traditional farming" and supplies its harvest for approximately 80 retailers in Chicago.

The company says that total growing time is about 30 days, which is half the time of traditional farms.

"Our vertical growing technology and local distribution methods reduce energy use, travel time and costs tremendously, making this model one of the most sustainable ways to guarantee access to fresh, healthy produce in city centers, in any season," the company, which launched in 2010, advertises on its website.

As EcoWatch has reported, indoor farms could help solve potential global food shortages and food deserts.

The global population is expected to reach a staggering 10 billion by 2056 and there is only so much arable land available. Climate change is only confounding the problem, as extreme weather events such as flooding, hurricanes and drought increase in frequency and intensity, and leave a damaging impact on agriculture.

The beauty of indoor farms, which are sprouting up from Japan to Jackson, Wyoming, is that the plants growing inside are immune to hot, cold or extreme weather.

If all goes according to plan, those of us outside of Illinois might get to enjoy FarmedHere's year-round, fresh-grown produce a lot closer to home.

At the Indoor Ag-Con held earlier this month in New York, newly appointed FarmedHere CEO Matt Matros announced ambitions for 18 new indoor farms spread across the country that could provide local (meaning less than 200 miles) produce for up to 75 percent of the country's population.

"We are not competing with each other, but with Central Valley agriculture" Matros said during his keynote speech.

"We want to create the Disneyland of vertical farming," he said.

Matros told Chicago Tribune that he hopes to expand to 12 to 15 farms across the U.S. within five years and eventually have farms around the world.

Everything about this business is good, and it solves a really big problem, Matros told the publication. Were going to have nine billion people in the world by 2050. What are we going to feed them?

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Real Climate Action Starts With Whats on Your PlateGerman carmaker Volkswagen said it will stop animal testing after coming under intense public condemnation for financing experiments on the effects of diesel exhaust on monkeys.

Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess made the vow in a letter sent to the German branch of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

PETA publicized the announcement on Monday. The animal rights group said Volkswagen will "never again use animals in testing unless required to do so by law" and will include the new ban in company's code of conduct that will be updated later this year.

The New York Times reported in January that the automaker funded a study in which macaque monkeys sat for hours in airtight chambers watching cartoons while inhaling diesel emissions from a Volkswagen Beetle and an old pickup truck. Diesel emissions experiments on monkeys were also documented in the new Netflix investigative series Dirty Money.

The macaque tests were carried out by the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, a contracted laboratory based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The vehicle happened to be rigged with the Volkswagen's emissions-cheating software, which led to its notorious 2015 "dieselgate" scandal.

"Research projects and studies must always be balanced with consideration of ethical and moral questions," Diess wrote in the letter to PETA, as quoted by The New York Times. "Volkswagen explicitly distances itself from all forms of animal abuse. In the future, we will rule out all testing on animals, as long as there are no pressingsuch as legalreasons that would make this necessary."

Diess also said in the letter that the studies did not violate local laws.

PETA, which vigorously protested the experiments, celebrated the news.

"Volkswagen did the right thing in pledging not to conduct tests on animals, which are irrelevant to human health and not required by law," said PETA senior vice president Kathy Guillermo in a statement. "PETA is calling on other carmakers that still test on animals to follow suit and embrace modern and humane animal-free research methods instead."

Volkswagen is still climbing out of its emissions scam, in which the company installed a "defeat mechanism" in up to 11 million cars to ensure that the engine did not pollute during government tests. Affected cars emitted up to 40 times the legal amount of nitrogen oxide when driven outside the laboratory. VW has paid out $31 billion due to the scandal.For many retailers, Black Friday is one of the most profitable days of the year, and it is no different for specialty outdoor retailer REI. As CEO Jerry Stritzke told CNN, "Black Friday has been among the company's top 10 sales days in past years."

REI's website has a countdown to Black Friday. The retailer plans to close for the day and encourage people to go outside.

But this year, they are shuttering all 143 of their retail locations, headquarters and two distribution centers and giving their 12,000 full- and part-time employees paid time off not only on Thanksgiving, but on Black Friday as well. Instead of business as usual, they are encouraging their employees and customers to do what they love most and go outside. As for online shoppers, they can still place orders, but they won't be processed until Saturday, and the site's "homepage will try to divert buyers with a 'cover screen' encouraging them to explore the outdoors instead," reports CNN.

Black Friday is the perfect time to remind ourselves of the essential truth that life is richer, more connected and complete when you choose to spend it outside," said Stritzke. "Were closing our doors, paying our employees to get out there and inviting America to OptOutside with us because we love great gear, but we are even more passionate about the experiences it unlocks.

REI is encouraging Americans to join them in spending Black Friday outside. They are asking people to share their Black Friday plans on their website or on social media with the hashtag #OptOutside.

REI, founded in 1938 and headquartered near Seattle, ended 2014 with $2.2 billion dollars in sales. But it's not your typical company. It's now the nation's largest consumer co-op, with 5.5 million active members. The company is devoted to its members, who make up at least 80 percent of its sales, according to USA Today.

In a letter to his members, Stritzke invokes naturalist John Muir, who said in 1901, thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home. I can only imagine what John Muir would have to say about people getting trampled to death at a Wal-Mart in the shopping frenzy that has become Black Friday.

As a member-owned co-op, our definition of success goes beyond money," writes Stritzke. "We believe that a life lived outdoors is a life well lived and we aspire to be stewards of our great outdoors. We think that Black Friday has gotten out of hand and so we are choosing to invest in helping people get outside with loved ones this holiday season, over spending it in the aisles. Please join us and inspire us with your experiences. We hope to engage millions of Americans and galvanize the outdoor community to get outside.

The move is part of a growing Anti-Black Friday movement. Last year, Patagonia encouraged customers to swap their used items for other used items or new ones, if needed. Patagonia has actually been encouraging its customers for years not to buy products they don't need.

In an email to its subscribers on Cyber Monday last year, Patagonia said:

"Cyber Monday, and the culture of consumption it reflects, puts the economy of natural systems that support all life firmly in the red. Were now using the resources of one-and-a-half planets on our one and only planet.

"Because Patagonia wants to be in business for a good long timeand leave a world inhabitable for our kidswe want to do the opposite of every other business today. We ask you to buy less and to reflect before you spend a dime on this jacket or anything else."

Groups such as Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir have been urging Americans to turn Black Friday into "Buy Nothing Day" to fight the overconsumption that they say plagues the U.S.

You can share your Black Friday plans with REI by uploading a photo to their website or by using the hashtag #OptOutside on social media.

Watch CEO Jerry Stritzke explain why REI will be boycotting Black Friday this year:

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Its Official: Jon and Tracey Stewart Convert 12-Acre Farm to Animal SanctuarySolar energy has been among the fastest-growing sources of power generation in the U.S. in recent years, catapulting from 1.2 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of generation in 2010 to over 90.1 billion kWh in 2020. While that's still just a small slice of the overall energy mix (2% of all U.S. electricity in 2020, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration), the rate of growth is accelerating. The EIA forecasts that by 2022, solar capacity installations will outpace wind capacity installations for the first time on record after wind turbines had a huge head start.

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic downturn of 2020 led to equipment shortages and other hardships for the solar industry. However, forecasts show the industry is primed for a resurgence in 2021 and beyond. In the first quarter of 2021 alone, solar installations are ramping up at a record pace and experienced a 46% year-over-year increase compared with the first quarter of 2020.

As 2021 continues to look like a prime year for solar power in the United States, which states are leading the charge? We can look to the recently released U.S. Solar Market Insight Report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) for some answers.

Top 10 States for Solar Energy

The Solar Market Insight Report included a ranking of the top states across the country based on the total amount of solar electric capacity installed and in operation as of the end of the first quarter of 2021. To put it into context, SEIA figures also include the equivalent number of homes that can be powered by that solar capacity in the individual state.

Here are the current leaders for solar power in the U.S.:

State Cumulative Solar Capacity (Megawatts) Equivalent Number of Homes Supplied by Solar Energy California 31,873 8,548,370 Texas 9,311 1,082,407 North Carolina 7,132 859,707 Florida 7,074 842,897 Arizona 5,247 810,751 Nevada 3,904 672,707 New Jersey 3,653 586,709 Massachusetts 3,263 545,258 Georgia 3,069 359,160 New York 2,840 474,848

On this leaderboard, some states show up that would be expected  California has long been the solar king, and they don't call Florida the Sunshine State for nothing  while other states represent surprising emerging solar hotbeds. For example, you may be surprised to see some smaller, northeastern states like Massachusetts and New Jersey beating out the field. But these results go to show it's not just about land space and the natural sunshine; the policies and economics driving these installations are just as impactful.

2021 Top States for New Solar Installation

With the solar market really exploding in recent years, traditional solar stalwarts like Arizona and Nevada are being actively challenged by some emerging contenders.

Specifically looking at where solar installations were most active during the first quarter of 2021, the SEIA report finds the following were the top states for solar installations from January through March:

Texas

California Florida Indiana Virginia

On top, Texas added 1,525 megawatts (MW) of capacity, which is equivalent to 45% of the capacity installed in the state during all of 2020 and represents 16% of the state's cumulative capacity to date. California added 563 MW of capacity, equivalent to 14% of the capacity installed in 2020 and 2% of the state's cumulative capacity. Florida added 525 MW of capacity, which is 19% of the capacity installed during 2020 and 7% of the state's total capacity.

Compare the above list with the top 5 states for solar installations for all of 2020:

California Texas Florida Virginia North Carolina

A few compelling trends become evident when looking at the above numbers. First, it's never too late to become a solar leader. While Florida is in the top five of cumulative capacity today, and given its sunny reputation that result may not seem surprising, the truth is that 47% of that capacity has been added since the beginning of 2020. In just over a years' time, Florida nearly doubled its total solar capacity.

Another important trend to recognize is that geography alone doesn't decide whether a state will be a solar leader. Mid-Atlantic states like Virginia and North Carolina or Midwestern states like Indiana wouldn't necessarily be the first most would guess as being solar powerhouses, but thanks to policies like North Carolina's generous Solar Property Tax Exemption, Virginia's allowance for net metering and Indiana's solar easement laws, residents of these states are enjoying solar power on their homes in record numbers.

Where Does Your State Rank for New Solar Installation?

So, are you living in a state that's leading the way on solar or one that has some ground to make up? Factors to consider when looking at why some states are making more progress than others will include the types of policies in place, the availability of rooftops on which solar can be installed, the appetite for new energy generation and even the state's seasonal solar irradiance.

Taking all of those factors into account, here's where each state stands in SEIA's recently published rankings:

Here's how each state's Q1 2021 ranking compares to how it ranked for total solar installations in 2020:

State Ranking

for Q1 2021

Solar Installations Ranking

for Total 2020

Solar Installations Texas

1 2 California 2 1 Florida 3 3 Indiana 4 32 Virginia 5 4 Michigan 6 27 Oregon 7 20 Iowa 8 22 Utah 9 10 New York 10 8 South Carolina 11 6 Massachusetts 12 12 North Carolina 13 5 Illinois 14 14 Maine 15 29 Arizona 16 9 New Jersey 17 11 Colorado 18 13 Maryland 19 26 Nevada 20 15 Minnesota 21 21 Connecticut 22 24 Ohio 23 18 Pennsylvania 24 17 Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories 25 33 New Mexico 26 16 Hawaii 27 28 Missouri 28 37 Rhode Island 29 25 Washington DC 30 42 Wisconsin 31 19 Washington 32 34 New Hampshire 33 39 Arkansas 34 23 Idaho 35 38 Oklahoma 36 40 Delaware 37 44 Georgia 38 7 Vermont 39 41 Kansas 40 35 Louisiana 41 30 Kentucky 42 46 Montana 43 45 Wyoming 44 36 West Virginia 45 48 Alaska 46 47 Mississippi 47 31 Nebraska 48 43 South Dakota 49 50 Tennessee 50 49 North Dakota 51 52 Alabama 52 51

Seeing some states jump up or down the list from one year to the next may seem drastic, but keep in mind that certain tax incentives expire, new policies come into play and other market forces affect local solar industries. That reality underscores the point that being a solar-leading state takes continued commitment, and doing so can happen at any point state leaders decide to truly embrace the solar industry.

The Future of Residential Solar

As the Solar Market Insight Report indicates, solar energy is a hot and growing market. To date, though, solar still only provides a fraction of the total energy generated in the U.S. While some customers, buildings and regions see much higher penetration of solar into their power mix on a micro level, there's much improvement still on the way, especially as dirtier energy sources like coal continue to retire.

The recent SEIA report shows that it's a constant push and pull as well, as residential solar installations in the second quarter of 2021 were down 8% from the fourth quarter of 2020 but up 11% from the first quarter of 2020. The fact remains, though, that residential solar had its largest first quarter on record and its second-largest quarter of all at the beginning of 2021. These results signal a growing solar market, especially in states like Florida, Arizona and Texas.

Additionally, customer appetite for residential solar is as strong as ever: 19% year-over-year growth is expected to get the residential market to a total of 3.8 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity by the end of 2021, a sum that would have been unthinkable just 10 years ago. Indeed, the future remains bright for residential solar.California is setting the pace for converting to solar energy in the U.S., but some parts of the Golden State lean more toward solar than others. So, what are the top cities for solar in California?

According to a recent report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), California is the top state for solar installation in the U.S., producing nearly 45% of the country's estimated small-scale residential solar energy generation in 2019. Additionally, the total solar investment in the state topped $73.7 billion through the first quarter of 2021.

In this article, we'll break down which California cities are at the forefront of that charge.

Top 10 Cities for Solar in California

When ranking the top cities for solar in California, we considered sources including EIA data on solar power generation; the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's annual solar irradiance report and Solar For All maps; and Environment America's latest Shining Cities report.

Based on the data we collected, the following cities are leading the solar charge in California:



Los Angeles San Diego San Jose Sacramento San Francisco Fresno San Bernardino Riverside Palm Springs Bakersfield

EcoWatch

1. Los Angeles

The City of Angels leads the U.S. in total installed solar PV capacity. According to Environment America, the city has a total installed capacity of 483.8 megawatts, which is enough clean energy to power 134,000 homes and eliminate 280,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. For perspective, that would be like taking more than 60,000 gas-fueled cars off the road.

2. San Diego

Known as one of the most moderate and pleasant climates in the country, there is a reason why San Diego is No. 2 on our list of top cities for solar in California. With consistent sunshine year-round, this city is an attractive location for homes to have solar panels, which explains why it has the second-most total installed solar PV capacity of any place in the U.S., right behind LA.

3. San Jose

Ranking at No. 3 within the state and No. 7 in the nation, San Jose residents have embraced solar energy. Not only is solar cleaner than traditional energy offerings from the leading local utility Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), but it is also cheaper. Plus, since summers are long, arid, warm and mostly clear, the city is ideally suited to truly harness the power of solar.

4. Sacramento

As the capital of California, the majority of renewable energy policy comes out of this city, so it's no shock Sacramento has landed itself a spot on our top 10 list. The state also ranks No. 16 in the country for total installed solar PV capacity, likely due in part to the city's Mediterranean-like climate with plentiful sunshine, dry summers and mild winters.

5. San Francisco

Currently, San Francisco is pursuing the robust goal of achieving a 100% renewable energy supply by 2030. And while most people associate San Francisco as an area besieged by fog, the City by the Bay actually became the first major locale to mandate rooftop solar panels on any newly constructed building.

6. Fresno

Located in California's Central Valley, Fresno is popular for its agricultural prowess and its extensive farmland. One reason this area is so prosperous in fruit and vegetable production is that sunlight abounds, which also makes the city well-positioned to benefit from solar energy. In fact, according to NREL maps, it has one of the highest potentials for residential solar capacity in the state.

7. San Bernardino

Saddled due east of Los Angeles alongside one of the most famous roads in the U.S.  Route 66  San Bernardino is known for its wealth of water, contained in underground aquifers. But it also has plenty of sun. What's more, NREL maps show the area has an above-average number of buildings suitable for solar installation.

8. Riverside

Southeast of San Bernardino is Riverside. The city is known for its robust citrus industry and was built around the production of the sweet and zesty navel orange. Sunshine lends its hand to the growing of this delicious fruit, which explains why Riverside takes its place in the top 20 solar cities in the nation and the top 10 in California.

9. Palm Springs

Recognized as the Golf Capital of the World, Palm Springs offers visitors and residents alike abundant sunshine year-round. Of course, some seasons in Palm Springs are easier to manage than others. As Palm Springs is in the desert, the hot sun bakes the area during summertime. While the heat can be brutal, the upside is that residents can save big on utility bills by turning the sun's energy into usable electricity for their homes.

10. Bakersfield

Just north of Los Angeles, Bakersfield soaks up the Southern California sunshine year-round. In fact, the city boasts an average of 272 sunny days throughout the year. Thus, the city's potential for solar energy generation is sky high, as shown on NREL's Solar For All maps.

Where Solar Panels Work Best

Overall, cities that are well-suited for solar energy typically share a few commonalities. Firstly, for solar power to be advantageous, the region must receive plentiful sunlight. In California, sunshine prevails throughout most of the year; this explains why the Golden State is a leader when it comes to having so many solar energy-producing cities.

What's more is that energy costs tend to be significant in California, which gives residents more benefit when considering switching to solar energy. Ultimately, when energy costs are high, solar power value is enhanced. Where electrical costs are moderate, homeowners don't get as large a return on their solar energy investment.

Average California Electricity Costs

According to the EIA, the average monthly electric bill for a California resident is $101.92, with average monthly consumption totaling 532 kWh. The price per kilowatt equals 19.15 cents. When compared to other states in the Pacific Contiguous region, California tops both Oregon and Washington. However, it falls under the national average of $115.49 per month.

California Solar Tax Incentives

When deciding whether solar panels are worth it for your home, you should be aware of the tax credits, rebates and other financial incentives offered by both California and the federal government. Golden State homeowners may be eligible for the following incentives:

California Solar Incentive Details Local Solar Rebate Across the state, homeowners have access to rebates that pay either up to $500 total or $0.95 per watt of installed solar capacity. Net Metering Program California homeowners can sell any excess solar power generated by their systems back to their utility company (excluding customers of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power). Disadvantaged Communities  Single-Family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) This program provides upfront rebates to single-family homeowners living in one of the state's top 25% most disadvantaged communities. Participants must meet income qualifications and be a customer of either Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE) or San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).



Federal Solar Tax Credits

No matter where you might happen to live across the U.S., all Americans can receive a 26% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC). This is one of the key incentives for going solar and can be combined with California's statewide incentives to help homeowners save even more on the cost of solar panels.

When trying to figure out how much you'll save with the federal solar tax credit, you'll need to know the cost of the system you're installing. To get a free, no-obligation quote from a top solar company in your area, fill out the 30-second form below.

California Solar Regulations

In 2018, an important solar mandate was introduced in California. It requires solar photovoltaic system installation on all new single-family homes built in 2020 and beyond. It also requires that multi-family homes such as condos and apartments up to three stories high have solar systems installed.

Specific requirements are based on the state's climate zones as well as homes' floor areas. There are also a few exceptions to the mandate  for instance, if the property is heavily shaded or if the roof is too small to accommodate solar panels.

Final Thoughts: Top Cities for Solar in California

Solar energy presents an incredible opportunity for homeowners, including the ability to lower electric bills, reduce their impact on the environment and become less dependent on traditional utilities and forms of energy. With that being said, it is also true that certain areas of the country offer greater prospects for solar when compared to others  and the Golden State certainly stands apart in that category.

The higher cost of electricity, as well as usage within the state, makes California well-positioned to receive optimal solar benefits. If you didn't see your city on this list (and even if you did), there are plenty of ways individuals can push for more solar power in their areas. Here are some ideas to get you started:As most Alaskans can attest, energy in The Last Frontier is expensive. The average residential electricity rate of more than 18 cents per kWh is a full 50 percent higher than the national average, ranking among the highest in the country. Thats in part because outside the 50 hydro plants throughout the state, most of Alaskas rural communities rely on imported diesel for their electricity. But the folks of Kodiak Island (pop. 15,000) in southern Alaskapowered almost 100 percent with renewable energyhave a different story to tell.

Kodiak Island in southern Alaska is powered 99.7 percent by hydro and wind.

Although Kodiak Island, the second-largest island in the U.S., relied on hydropower for 80 percent of the electricity production, it was also burning 2.8 million gallons of diesel per year, at an annual cost of $7 million. In the face of climate change and high electricity costs, the board and managers at Kodiak Electric Association (KEA) set a goal of producing 95 percent of the communitys electrical needs with renewable energy by 2020. They actually arrived there well ahead of time, and are now 99.7 percent renewably powered by wind and hydro.

Making the transition

The State of Alaska has a renewable energy fund created in 2008 by the Alaska Energy Authority to help finance renewable energy projects and reduce and stabilize the cost of energy. KEA received $16 million in grant money through the fund and $39.6 million through clean renewable energy bonds (CREBs). The CREB funds gave KEA a near-zero-interest loan for the project.

The first step was to purchase three General Electric 1.5-megawatt (MW) wind turbines. The turbines were installed in 2009, which was challenging according to Kodiak Electric Association CEO Darron Scott. There was not a lot of information back then on how to keep the grid frequency and voltage steady with an influx of variable wind power, Scott told Rocky Mountain Institute. It was uncharted territory. But after a grid integration study, which assessed the technical and economic impacts on the grid, the first three wind turbines were installed.

Upgraded hydro for grid stability

A second modeling study was performed with real data from the first phase, and a second phase of three more wind turbines was proposed. But before installing the second phase of wind turbines, KEA wanted to upgrade the existing hydropower system. KEA felt that to ensure grid stability, the amount of wind power being put onto the grid had reached its maximum. The 20-MW, two-turbine Terror Lake hydroelectric plant was built in 1984, and forward-thinking engineers left an empty bay for a third turbine in case Kodiaks load grew. In 2011, Kodiaks peak load grew to more than 26 MW, and the increased load, along with a desire to rely on more renewables, led to the installation of a third 10-MW turbine.

Besides covering peak loads, this turbine provided the necessary capacity and enhanced grid stability to allow more variable renewable power, like the three new proposed wind turbines, to come online. The new turbine also provided system redundancy, as the 30-year-old turbines require maintenance, which can now be done during low load seasons without switching to diesel.

A role for storage

For smaller electricity grids with quickly fluctuating demand and variable renewable energy inputs, a way to store the energy can be a great asset. In 2012, the three additional 1.5-MW wind turbines were installed, along with 3 MW of battery storage. The battery storage systems provide 3090 seconds of bridging power when the wind output decreases, in order to ramp up the hydro system. Now, the Kodiak port wants to install a new 2-MW crane, potentially causing destabilizing power fluctuations leading to undesirable cycle of the batteries and the potential for consumption of more diesel to provide spinning reserve. Instead, KEA plans to add an additional flywheel energy storage system in about two or three months that will help compensate for the peaking crane loads. The PowerStore flywheel units from ABB will provide voltage and frequency support, will help manage the variable wind power and will mean fewer cycles through the batteries, extending the life of the battery systems.

Economic stability

The financial rewards of the project have been great. According to Scott, the community is saving. Electricity rates have gone down, and are now 2.5 percent lower than in 2001. The stable electricity rates have also brought in more construction, expanded the fishing industry, and brought in more jobs and tax revenue, Scott told RMI. And, at least one seafood company is capitalizing on the renewable energy to promote its sustainable salmon, as its salmon production plant is powered by wind energy.

The State of Alaska has a goal of reaching 50 percent renewable energy by 2025. Kodiak Island is providing a great example of how to reach and even go beyond that goal. There are many communities in Alaska with significant microgrid achievement, George Roe, research professor with the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, told RMI, and there is local, national and global potential for building on Alaskan hard-won experience such as that in Kodiak. In fact, the Alaska Energy Authority and KEA won the 2014 State Leadership in Clean Energy Award for their renewable energy programs.

Both the Alaska Energy Authority and the Kodiak Electric Association are putting into practice five principles that I believe are in our national interest, said Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski in a congratulatory speech. And those are to make energy abundant, affordable, clean, diverse and secure. Kodiak went beyond its reliance on hydropower, adding different renewable resources and storage, making its electrical system more reliable and secure and a model for other communities looking to add variable renewable sources to their grid.

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5 Solar Innovations That Are Revolutionizing the WorldSweden is setting out to prove that the world doesn't need fossil fuels. In a recent announcement, the Swedish government said it will invest 4.5 billion kronor, or US$546 million, in their 2016 budget "to meet the challenges of climate change, increase the share of renewable energy and stimulate development of innovative environmental technology."

"Sweden will become one of the first fossil-free welfare states in the world," Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told the press. "When European regulations do not go far enough Sweden will lead the way."

As broken down by Bloomberg, here's how Sweden plans to completely abandon fossil fuels (no deadline has been set):

390 million kronor per year between 2017 and 2019 in photovoltaics, with a plan to spend 1.4 billion kronor in total

50 million kronor annually on electricity storage research

10 million kronor on smart grids

1 billion kronor to renovate residential buildings and make them more energy efficient

Subsidies and investment in green transportation such as electric cars and buses

Increase funding of climate-related projects in developing countries, raising its budget to 500 million kronor

Science Alert also pointed out that most of the budget increase will be financed through tax increases on petrol and diesel fuel.

According to Science Alert, "The move comes after Sweden suffered extreme heatwaves last summer, and one of the worst bushfires in the country's history. The government has committed to taking action to protect its citizens from the effects of climate change in the future."

If Sweden's clean energy plans sound a bit like a pipe dream, the country already receives about 78 percent of its electricity from nuclear power and hydroelectric power, which do not generate carbon emissions. (Although it appears that the Scandanavian country is favorable towards nuclear energy, it has no plans to replace its aging plants. By the looks of its current budget, Sweden is throwing most of its eggs into the solar basket.)

Additionally, it's not so far-fetched for a country to run entirely on renewable energy sources. Earlier this year, Costa Rica announced that for roughly three months, 100 percent of the country's electricity needs came from renewables. Hawaii is also poised to become the first U.S. state to adopt such a standard.

Perhaps in an effort to "lead by example," as the Ecologist wrote, Sweden's clean energy announcement comes a few months before the all important international climate talks in Paris (or COP21) this December.

"By setting ambitious goals, Sweden will take a leading role in the international negotiations on a new climate agreement," the Swedish government said. "Only by doing so do we take our moral responsibility for future generations, while taking advantage of the job and innovation opportunities that the green transition brings."

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96 Cities That Are Quitting Fossil Fuels and Moving Toward 100% Renewable EnergyNassau, New York, a town of 5,000 people just outside of Albany, New York, plans to disconnect from the electrical grid. Last week, the town board voted to get 100 percent of its power from renewables by 2020. The town is making the move both as a way to "increase its reliance on renewable sources of energy and to gain some energy independence," Politico New York reported.

Nassau, New York plans to use a combination of rooftop and ground-mounted solar, wind turbines and methane-capture at landfill to generate its electricity.

"If all goes as planned, within the next four years, all six of the town buildings will be disconnected from the grid," said Nassau Supervisor Dave Fleming. The rest of the town is developing a plan to get all of its power from renewable sources in the next four years.

Its not the be-all to end-all for what we should be doing as a state and a nation, but its a good first step, he said. From a practical perspective, its possible, he added. We have a lot of 'people resources' in our community.

The town plans to use a combination of rooftop and ground-mounted solar, wind turbines and methane-capture from the landfill to generate its energy.

Though the tiny town's transition to renewables may not have the impact of, say, New York City going fossil-fuel-free (Mayor Bill de Blasio has pledged for municipal operations to run on 100 percent renewable energy before 2050), it's just one of many cities and towns around the world making the transition.

New York State even has a program to help municipalities make that transition. Spokesman Jon Sorensen told Politico:

"The state Department of Public Services wants more towns to follow Nassaus lead. Through its Reforming Energy Vision (REV) initiative, the Cuomo administration is actively working to help municipalitiesespecially towns and schoolsmove toward getting a significant portion of their power from renewable resources. REV is designed to make the energy grid more efficient and increase its reliance on renewables, and it is intended to give consumers more choices than they have now. This is exactly the kind of thing REV is hoping to encourage. Smaller, cleaner power systems are less costly and cleaner alternatives to the bigger power stations that have made up the power grid."

And it's not just New York. More than 350 U.S. state and local elected officials from nearly every state signed a letter during the Paris climate conference calling for 50 percent clean energy by 2030 and 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

Today, San Diego, California's city council is voting on a proposed plan to get 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2035. It's expected to pass. Vancouver, Las Vegas and other major cities around the world want to go 100 percent renewable, too. Hawaii pledged to go 100 percent renewable by 2045the most ambitious standard set by a U.S. state thus far. Several other islands, including Aruba, Belize, St. Lucia, Grenada, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and San Andres and Providencia have pledged to go 100 percent renewable, as well, through the Ten Island Challenge, created by Richard Bransons climate group the Carbon War Room.

Several countries around the world have hit impressive benchmarks for renewables in just a few short years. And many places have already made the transition to fossil-fuel-free electricity. Samso in Denmark became the world's first island to go all in on renewables several years ago. Most recently, Uruguay, three U.S. citiesBurlington, Vermont; Aspen, Colorado; and Greensburg, Kansasalong with Kodiak Island, Alaska, have all made the transition.

Greenpeace and researchers at Stanford and UC Berkeley have laid out plans for every state in the U.S. to adopt 100 percent renewables and a Greenpeace report published in September posits the world can achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. Mark Jacobson, one of the researchers from Stanford, said the barriers to 100 percent clean energy are social and political, not technical or economic.

The International Energy Agency released a report in October that found a quarter of the world will be powered by renewables by 2020. And a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency found that the transition to a sustainable energy future by 2030 is technically feasible and economically viable.

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Uruguay Powers Nearly 100% of Electricity From RenewablesThe U.S. is at the tail end of negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)a massive trade deal with Mexico, Canada, Japan, Vietnam and seven other countries. The negotiations have been conducted in secret. Now Congress will soon decide whether to grant the Obama administration "fast track" authority to have the "final" pact approved as ismeaning strict limits on Congressional debate and no amendments. That's a terrible idea for lots of reasonsnot least of which is that the TPP could sabotage the ability of the U.S. (and other nations) to respond to the climate crisis.

Senator Elizabeth Warren put her finger on the problem in an op-ed for the Washington Post "Who will benefit from the TPP? American workers? Consumers? Small businesses? Taxpayers? Or the biggest multinational corporations in the world?" Here's a hint: The answer is definitely not "all of the above."

Multinational corporationsincluding some of the planet's biggest polluterscould use the TPP to sue governments, in private trade tribunals, over laws and policies that they claimed would reduce their profits. The implications of this are profound: Corporate profits are more important than protections for clean air, clean water, climate stability, workers' rights and more.

This isn't a hypothetical threat. Similar rules in other free trade deals have allowed corporations including ExxonMobil, Chevron and Occidental Petroleum to bring approximately 600 cases against nearly 100 governments. Increasingly, corporations are using these perverse rules to challenge energy and climate policies, including a moratorium on fracking in Quebec; a nuclear energy phaseout and coal-fired power plant standards in Germany; and a pollution cleanup in Peru. TransCanada has even intimated that it would use similar rules in the North American Free Trade Agreement to challenge a U.S. decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline.

Remember how scientists and experts have warned that at least three-quarters of known fossil fuel reserves must stay in the ground in order to stabilize our climate? A new study published in the journal Nature even spells out in detail which reserves must stay untapped, including almost all of Canada's tar sands, all of the oil and gas in the Arctic, nearly half of global natural gas reserves, and 82 percent of global coal reserves. But do trade pacts like the TPP take that into account?

Not a chance. In fact, as a result of the TPP, the U.S. Department of Energy would actually be required to approve more fossil fuel exports. The deal would greenlight fracked gas exports to countries in the pactincluding Japan, which is the world's biggest importer of natural gas. A consequence would be more fracking, more pipelines, more export terminals and more climate pollution.

It has never been more urgent for countries to tackle the climate crisis. Now is the time to ensure that the rules of the global economy support climate action. Now is not the time to be rubber-stamping trade deals that could undermine our prospects for a better future and safer climate. Congress has a responsibility to do its job and ensure that trade pacts protect workers, communities, and our climate.

A fast track bill could be introduced any dayso it's time to speak out now. Join me and write to your representative and senators and ask them to oppose fast track legislation for trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership. We can win this fight for a fair economy and a safe climate, but we need all of your help.

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Florida Officials Banned From Using the Terms Climate Change and SustainabilityUruguay has made some impressive strides in the last decade on the environmental front. The South American country of 3.4 million has drastically reduced its carbon footprint in less than 10 years "without government subsidies or higher consumer costs," the country's National Director of Energy Ramon Mendez told The Guardian.

Through energy efficiency measures and a vast expansion in renewables, the country has truly set itself apart. According to Mendez, renewables provide 94.5 percent of the nation's electricity, and wind, solar, biomass and hydropower now comprise 55 percent of the country's overall energy mix (including transport fuel).

The transportation sector remains a challenge for the country in switching completely to renewables. To address this, the capital city Montevideo is looking into buying autonomous electric cars for its fleet of municipal vehicles.

What weve learned is that renewables is just a financial business, Mendez says. The construction and maintenance costs are low, so as long as you give investors a secure environment, it is a very attractive.

Though the country only generates 0.06 percent of global emissions, Uruguay hopes to be carbon neutral by 2030. Mendez is in Paris at COP21 offering one of the world's most ambitious climate pledges: "88 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2017 compared with the average for 2009-13," according to The Guardian.

The country has no nuclear power and has not built a new hydropower project in more than two decades. That sets it apart from other small countries with high proportions of renewable energy (think: Paraguay, Bhutan and Lesotho), which are largely dependent on hydropower. Gary Wockner of Save the Colorado argues that hydropower is actually "one of the biggest environmental problems our planet faces" and a "false solution" for addressing climate change.

While not every country has Uruguay's small population and favorable natural resources, Uruguay has proven "renewables can reduce generation costs, can meet well over 90 percent of electricity demand without the back-up of coal or nuclear power plants, and the public and private sectors can work together effectively in this field," said Mendez. Other Paris delegates should take note.

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Moroccos Giant Solar Plant to Bring Energy to 1 Million PeopleThis has truly been a landmark year for grassroots environmental action. In the past four months alone, people power has derailed Shells Arctic drilling plans, driven the Obama Administration to cancel Arctic oil and gas leases for the next two years, won the fight against the Keystone XL pipeline and exposed Exxons decades-long climate denial campaign.

All of this adds up to some serious momentum for the climate movement. To make the most of it in 2016, lets seize this moment to keep all fossil fuels in the ground.

Activists hold a "keep it in the ground" banner on the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Photo credit: Eamon Ryan / 350.org

Why #KeepItInTheGround?

The science is clear: the path to a sustainable future for people, wildlife and the climate does not include fossil fuels.

In fact, a study published in the journal Nature earlier this year specifies that we need we cannot afford to burn a majority of the worlds known fossil fuel reservesincluding more than 90 percent of U.S. coal and all of the oil and gas in the Arcticif we hope to avoid catastrophic climate change.

Given this science, investing billions of dollars in new fossil fuel exploration and infrastructureas Shell did during its failed Arctic drilling projectmakes absolutely no environmental or economic sense.

And its not just burning fossil fuels thats a problem. The processes of extracting, transporting and refining fossil fuels wreaks havoc on public health and our natural landscapes. Unsurprisingly, marginalized groupsespecially low-income communities of color and indigenous peoplessuffer the brunt of these environmental injustices.

Momentum is on Our Side

On the heels of fights like Keystone and #ShellNo, the grassroots environmental movement has never been more united or empowered than it is right now. The incredible organizing that went into these victories serves as a powerful foundation for doing even more and winning even bigger in 2016.

These grassroots wins are turning into the kind of political momentum few thought was possible even a year ago (just in time for global climate negotiations in Paris happening right now).

In rejecting Keystone, the president himself acknowledged that were going to have to keep some fossil fuels in the ground.

And recently, seven Democratic senatorsincluding presidential candidate Bernie Sandersintroduced the Keep It in the Ground Act. The legislation would ban all fossil fuel leases on public lands, a key move given the Interior Departments recent track record.

Forty percent of the coal mined in the U.S. and huge amounts of oil and gas, are managed by the Interior Department. And despite the popular will to move away from fossil fuels and towards clean energy, it recently authorized the potential sale of 10.2 billion tons of coal from our public lands.

Thats pretty bad, but it doesnt stop at coal. Fossil fuel corporations are also targeting millions of acres of public lands and waters for fracking and oil drilling.

By ending all new leasing of publicly owned oil, coal and gas, the Obama administration could keep more than 450 billion tons of carbon pollution in the ground, nearly 12 times the amount of carbon pollution the world emitted into the atmosphere in 2014.

All Eyes on President Obama

In Paris last week, President Obama included the fact that the U.S. has said no to infrastructure that would pull high-carbon fossil fuels from the ground as one of his administrations most important actions on climate.

Its clear that the president intends to use his final year in office to forge a legacy of climate leadership. To earn this distinction, hes going to have to say no more often.

Join the movement for climate action: tell President Obama to keep it in the ground today.

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Obama Administration Cancels Major Fossil Fuel Auction as Pressure Mounts From Climate MovementThe protests over NBC's decision to have Donald Trump host Saturday Night Live (SNL) tomorrow night are getting really serious. How serious? On Wednesday, the National Council of La Raza, the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the country, delivered more than half a million signatures to NBC urging them to #DumpTrump because #RacismIsntFunny.

Donald Trump has drawn criticism from several advocacy groups including environmental organizations, women's groups and Latino civil rights groups over his views on climate change, comments on women and stance on immigration. He's made so many outrageous claims about climate change, even going so far as to say that "the concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive." But many of the protesters are honing in on Trump's remarks this summer, in which he called Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals.

I find it hurtful and insulting, and youre celebrating someone who has said some horrible things," actor John Leguizamo told Yahoo in an interview, of NBC's decision to have Trump host SNL. "I find it unacceptable ... I wont watch SNL anymore.

There have already been snags before the big night. On Wednesday, NBC accidentally posted three promo clips on YouTube, which were "not for air." The clips were quickly pulled, but not before people captured Vines of them. In one, Trump calls Ben Carson a "complete and total loser."

https://vine.co/v/eLhIW7ez2Ta

The decision to have Trump host SNL is an about-face for NBC since they cut ties with Trump this summer over his "derogatory" remarks about immigrants. The company said they would "no longer carry the Trump-produced Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants," according to Variety. "Nor will he return to the long-running reality show 'The Celebrity Apprentice' as host, a role Trump already said he would give up because of his presidential bid."

So why the change of heart? The reason they put me there is one very simple reason, its called ratings, Donald Trump said in an interview with Savannah Guthrie on the Today Show. I get good ratings. If I didnt get ratings, they wouldnt put me there.

Several people have defended SNL's decision, citing the fact that Hillary Clinton made a guest appearance on the show just a few weeks ago. But MarketWatch points out that as a guest, Clinton only clocked three minutes and 12 seconds of air time, whereas Trump will likely have much more time as a host. Clinton's appearance, in which she talked Keystone XL and Donald Trump, gave the show its highest ratings since January. SNL also did a skit of the Democratic debate, featuring Larry David doing a spot-on impersonation of Bernie Sanders, that was wildly popular.

When asked by Jimmy Kimmel on ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live if she plans to watch Trump on SNL, Clinton said: That I might do, because I think he watched me.

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3 Foods That Can Help Prevent AlzheimersOne in five school police officers say their school is not prepared to handle an active-shooter situation, according to a nationally representative survey of school resource officers conducted by the Education Week Research Center.

And some school police report they havent been adequately trained to work in schools. Some also say their schools dont set limits on their role in student discipline, which civil rights groups say is necessary to protect the rights of students.

School law enforcement officials say some officers will never feel fully prepared for an event like a shooting because they are always looking for ways to improve. They also have to balance the need to be ready for unlikely worst-case scenarios with the everyday duties of the job that requires them, most essentially, to build trust with students.

The survey findings come as elected officials and policymakers push to add more school-based officers in response to two large school shootings this year.

Nearly 400 school officers responded to the online survey administered by the Education Week Research Center in March and April, after a gunman killed 17 people in the February school shooting in Parkland, Fla., and before 10 people were killed in a May attack in a high school in Santa Fe, Texas .

Two high-casualty school shootings so close together have intensified debates about school safety, leading districts and governors to convene task forces and scrape together any funding they can find to upgrade security measures and ease the minds of anxious parents.

Parkland did something to this country, said Bruce Copple, a school resource officer and safety director for the school district in Greensburg, Ind., Even in our small community, Parkland did something.

In many places, the post-Parkland safety plans include more police in schools.

In Florida, state lawmakers rushed to respond to the Parkland shooting by passing a multi-pronged safety bill that included new gun restrictions and a requirement that every school campus in the state have at least one armed person on siteeither a law enforcement officer or a staff member participating in a new state program. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott released a plan that calls for schools to hire retired police and military members to work as school resource officers .

The push, of course, is a result of school shootings, schools wanting to protect their facilities and students as well as they can, said Mo Canady, the executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers, which provides training for school police. We want to make sure that people understand the importance of selecting the right officers for these positions, making sure they are veteran officers, and making sure they are specially trained to work in a school environment.

Registrations for NASROs annual conference are up about 25 percent this year, Canady said.

Not Just Armed Guards

School resource officers who spoke to Education Week said they arent surprised that one-fifth of survey respondents believe their schools are unprepared for an active shooter.

Officers say they weigh a range of factors when making that determination, including how well schools have trained teachers and other staff in safety protocols, how often students practice lockdown drills, whether students have strong relationships with adults at school, and whether physical security measures like cameras have been properly maintained.

Officers may feel unprepared if their schools have left them out of the safety planning process, Copple said.

I think sometimes we have knee-jerk reactions to just put [armed] people in the building and say were safe, he said. But school police officers should not be treated as armed guards with a limited role, he said. Rather, schools should consult them about working with students, responding to threats and safety concerns, coordinating with first responders, and preparing buildings.

And even the most prepared officers must re-examine their plans after large school shootings, Copple said. For example, Parkland students were fleeing the campus in response to a fire alarm when the shooting there started, complicating a building lockdown. That led Greensburg to review its fire alarm protocols, he said.

In Crocker, Mo., Officer Shawn Wright reviewed the safety plans for his small district, where students of all grades are taught in a single building. Wright has numbered the buildings doors and windows to make it easier to share locations in a crisis situation, hes locked down building entrances during the school day so visitors can be more easily screened, and hes included bus drivers and administrative assistants in safety drills.

We feel confident that if somebody tried to come into a school, we would be prepared for it, Wright said. Now, are we going to be prepared for every situation? Absolutely not. Youre never going to find a perfectly safe situation, I dont care who you talk to.

The 600-student Crocker district has also discussed arming some staff, providing them training and special vests so that first responders could spot them in an emergency. Wright would not say if teachers or staff now carry guns, but he said theres a sign in front of the building that warns would-be intruders that staff members may be armed and will do everything necessary to protect our students.

President Donald Trump has pushed for schools to arm more staff and teachers after the Parkland shooting, an idea that was widely panned by educator groups, and Gov. Abbott included calls to arm staff in his safety plan for Texas schools. Thirty-three percent of officers responding to the Education Week Research Center survey agreed that training and arming a select group of teachers would make schools safer.

But officers who answered the survey were much more likely to link school law enforcement to safety: 88 percent agreed that their presence helped deter shootings, and 95 percent said having an armed officer on campus would serve to minimize harm in the event of a shooting.

Confronting a Shooter

Many shootings have occurred at schools with on-site police, but those officers arent always the first person to engage the shooter. Last month, students in a Noblesville, Ind., middle school say a teacher rushed to disarm a classmate who fired a gun in his classroom. That gunman seriously injured the teacher and a 13-year-old girl.

In March, the Washington Post analyzed every school shooting event since the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. Examining 200 incidents, it found only one where a school officer gunned down an active shooter. But school police have taken an active role in intervening in several recent incidents, raising their profile in the school safety debate.

At the 1,400-student Santa Fe High School, two school resource officers were on duty when a 17-year-old student opened fire in an art room. One was seriously injured responding to the gunman.

On May 16, school resource officer Mark Dallas responded to the sound of gun shots in the gym at Dixon High School in Dixon, Ill., where students were rehearsing for graduation. He exchanged gunfire with a former student armed with a rifle, stopping the attack. Only the suspect was injured.

Officer Dallas bravery and quick action prevented what could have been an unimaginable tragedy, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said.

In Parkland, by contrast, families of slain students wonder what might have changed if an on-campus sheriffs deputy had entered the building to engage the gunman; security footage shows him standing outside during the attack.

A Multi-Faceted Job

School shootings remain statistically rare events, but often lead to more school police. Though federal data show numbers of violent homicides in schools have stayed at roughly the same level in the years since Columbine, the share of schools with on-site officers has risen significantly. In the 2015-16 school year, 36 percent of primary schools and 65 percent of secondary schools reported the presence of an officer at least once a week, according to the most recent federal data.

But school police are much more likely to be seen monitoring a hallway between classes than responding to a school shooting. Civil rights groups say the role of law enforcement is counter to the purpose of schools, and they fear efforts to add more officers will lead to more punitive discipline. They are especially concerned about the treatment of nonwhite students and students with disabilities, who are arrested at school and referred to police at disproportionately high rates .

The impulse to police school communities will not prevent further tragedies and will be counterproductive towards building safe, nurturing, and supportive learning environments, said a statement released by the Dignity in Schools Campaign, a coalition of civil rights and student groups, after the Parkland shooting. We have to fundamentally rethink safety by centering the social, emotional, and mental health needs of young people and providing schools and communities with the resources and supports necessary to address the root causes of issues that are driving their pain, trauma and isolation.

Only 12 states require specialized training for officers who work the school beat, according to a 2015 study by the American Institutes for Research, which means some officers have little transition between patrolling city streets and monitoring school hallways. Civil rights and school policing groups agree that schools are unique environments, and that officers should be carefully selected and trained.

We have to have that cop working the school that every other division of the police department wants, said Don Bridges, a school resource officer in Baltimore County, Md., and president of NASRO. We have to have the brightest and best. This is, without question, the most challenging job in law enforcement.

Officers need to understand how to de-escalate conflicts with teens, who may be more impulsive than adults, he said. And they need to focus on relationships with students so that they feel at ease reporting safety concerns before they become problems, Bridges said.

Twenty-five percent of officers responding to the Education Week Research Center survey said they had no prior experience working with youth, and 19 percent said they had been given insufficient training to work in a school environment. While 93 percent said theyd been trained to respond to an active shooter, only 54 percent said they had been trained to work with special education students, who are protected by federal laws that prohibit discipline for behaviors related to diagnosed disabilities.

NASRO advises officers to stay out of routine school discipline issues that it says could better be handled by school administrators. It recommends schools sign agreements with law enforcement agencies that detail officers responsibilities and outline their role in areas like discipline. But 34 percent of survey respondents said their schools did not specify what types of student disciplinary issues they can intervene in.

Bridges helped launch his countys school resource officer program in 1997, two years before the Columbine shooting brought a major influx of police into schools. He regularly surveyed students, parents, and school staff about how safe and supported they felt at school, and he was pleased to see positive results.

School shootings often change the way officers think on the job. I dont know how it couldnt, Bridges said, but officers need to be just as prepared for the more routine interactions they will have with students every day, he said.

Bridges just trained 19 new Baltimore County school resource officers.

The first thing I tell them is that if you dont like kids, this position is not for you, he said.

Related Videos: Policing SchoolsIt is increasingly common to hear public statements downplaying the results of student tests. Such was the widespread reaction after the annual release of the highly reliable National Assessment of Educational Progress test scores in April, often called the nations report card. The 2017 average scores, which measure U.S. student performance in math and reading for a nationally representative sample of 4th and 8th graders, indicate a general stagnation compared with two years ago. And the results from two years ago were significantly below those from four years ago.

The common reaction to the NAEP resultsfor parents, policymakers, and school leadershas the tone of, Oh darn, we do need to do better. But there is no sense of urgency. Nor is there much realization that we have essentially had the same results and the same reaction for four decades. Math and reading scores of 17-year-olds, for instance, are unchanged since the 1970s.

Putting our heads in the sand is not the right answer. Test scores today say a lot about what our labor force will look like over the coming decades. Our current students skills will dictate our economic future in the long run. Understanding the implications of higher skillsas measured by regular standardized testsprovides a way of assessing how our country as a whole will fare in the coming years.

It is well-documented that people with a better education tend to earn more over their lifetimes. But fewer people understand the overall effects of an educated society on the economy. Research I have done with my German colleague Ludger Woessmann over the past decade shows a clear link between nations scores on international math and science tests and their economic-growth rates between 1960 and 2000. Other research also shows that growth rates are directly related to achievement improvements that result from better school policies, including external exit exams for students, higher relative teacher salaries, and more choice and competition among schools.

Even though Canada does not seem culturally or historically far removed from the United States, its schools produce systematically better outcomes. On the 2015 Program for International Student Assessments math tests for 15-year-olds, Canada ranked 9th, while the United States ranked 39th almost one-half standard deviation behind. Continuing business as usual puts us well below the average math-skill level in developed countries, leaving us faring only slightly better than countries such as Croatia and Greecetwo nations with low PISA scores and struggling economies.

By historic patterns, if we were to close just half the gap between our students PISA scores and Canadas, it would lead to long-run annual economic-growth rates that are almost 0.5 percentage points higher. That increase would raise the average U.S. gross domestic product 7 percent across the 21st centurymore than enough to pay for projected fiscal problems with Medicare and Social Security benefits. Such monetary improvements would be more than 10 times larger than the economic losses from the 2008 recession.

Our current students' skills will dictate our economic future in the long run."

Making headway on such improvements is feasible, and we already have a roadmap: Achievement in Massachusetts, consistently our highest-performing state, closes two-thirds of the average U.S.-Canadian performance gap. But this is just one state, and it cannot carry the entire nation. If other states realized the performance gains that the aggressive educational policies in Massachusetts have yielded over the past two decades (along with states that include Delaware, Florida, and Maryland), our nation could become internationally competitive. These states all put a relentless focus on student performance through emphasizing strong school accountability and teacher effectiveness. They also make their policies consistent across different political administrations.

To be sure, the effects of improving schools do not immediately appear, nor is there an exact recipe. It takes time for higher-achieving students to enter the labor market and make their skills known. But the delayed outcome isnt grounds for waiting to change our practices.

Improving student outcomes has proved difficult in large part because we are unwilling to take any major steps to make schools better. It appears acceptable just to put more resources into existing schools without any evidence of better academic learning. Real school expenditures per student have more than doubled since 1970 yet our graduates achievement remains mostly flat.

When we talk about dealing with the rigidities of our current education system, people generally shrink back. Witness, for example, the reactions to teacher strikes in Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. There were no discussions of relating any salary increases to the effectiveness of teachers. Indeed, the only thing on the table was more funding for failed existing policies.

The economic costs of not paying attention to the message of stagnating schools are huge. The absence of improvement in our nations schools not only translates into significantly lower economic outcomes for our children, but it also signals a loss of our international prestige and influence. Why risk losing our countrys top leadership position in the world economy and the futures of our next generations in one fell swoop?Named a Best in the Midwest university by The Princeton Review for 18 consecutive years and home to over 18,000 students, Eastern Michigan University is focused on providing you with the tools and resources you need to find your success at any level.

At EMU, you will find the resources of a large research universityincluding world-class academic facilities, over $13 million in annual research funding, and Division 1 athleticswhile also benefiting from student-centered faculty, one-on-one mentoring, and a supportive community of teachers and scholars.

Here, youll discover your passions, strengths, and skills, and well provide the tools that will help you find success.John Cena is changing his mind about having children. Fresh from his split from Nikki Bella, the WWE Superstar is reconsidering his approach to life.

Doing A Complete 180

The wrestler was always adamant about having children, something that formed the basis of an ongoing story-line on the reality show Total Divas and its Bella-centric spinoff Total Bellas.

Cena's attitude to kids is also said to have been a significant reason for why he split from fiance Bella.

Now, it seems the Blockers star is changing his tune. Not only does he want to get Bella back any way he can, but Cena has apparently had a complete change of heart about the idea of fatherhood in general.

Telling TMZ that he's completely changed his outlook on life as a result of growing as a person, Cena admitted that he would relish the challenge of raising children.

"I would love to be a dad ... and I realize very much that I have been steadfast in saying that I don't want children," he admitted.

The 15-time WWE champion acknowledged that he had been focused on work his whole life, but he now realizes, as a grown man, that there's more to life than just that.

"I dedicated my life to my work and now I'm realizing that there is life and life exists and it's beautiful and I think part of that is being a parent," he said.

He even claimed he'd let his future child follow in his footsteps into the wrestling ring, just as his parents always supported his dreams.

They're Taking It Day By Day

On his future with Bella, Cena said the two are still very close, but didn't confirm whether they are back together. He did reiterate, though, that he'd consider marrying her if the time was right again.

The WWE Superstar was always firmly against fatherhood. When he and Bella got engaged, at Wrestlemania last year, she even told E! News at the time that she wasn't hoping for a baby regardless of the ring.

The two shocked fans by calling off their engagement just a few weeks ahead of walking down the aisle in April. The two have subsequently engaged in public declarations of love ahead of the new series of Total Bellas, which is currently showing Sundays on E! and charts their relationship breakdown.

The two were spotted in San Diego together just last week, with a rep confirming that they are still best friends.

"[They] are working on their relationship and taking it day by day. They appreciate all of their fans and their continued support," the rep advised.

Cena and Bella were together for six years total, with their relationship even spilling into the ring as an ongoing story-line on WWE.2018-06-05

Maeci

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is following with great attention the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and especially the risk of the imminent demolition of the Bedouin village of Khan Al Ahmar, located in the so-called E1 Zone between Jerusalem and the Israeli Settlement in Maale Adumim, and the so-called Rubber Tyre School financed by the Italian cooperation service and attended by 160 students from five different communities.

The demolition of the village would undermine the construction of a prospective adjacent Palestinian State and the subsequent two-State solution.

It is for this reason, as well as for humanitarian reasons and to comply with international law, that the Italian Foreign Ministry relaunches the request that has often been addressed to Israeli Authorities not to proceed to implement the aforesaid provisions.

In reaffirming that the policy to expand settlements is in violation of international law and risks making the two-State solution unfeasible, the Italian Foreign Ministry also expresses great concern over the approval of more than 3,000 dwelling units in the West Bank, including in the settlement of Kfar Adumim, located near the village of Khan Al Ahmar.2018-06-05

Maeci

A meeting of the Task Force for Disputed Minors took place today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at the Directorate General for Italians Abroad. The meeting, which was held with representatives of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of the Interior,reinforced the operational coordination between the main public institutions involved on cases of international child abduction. In 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, through its network of Embassies and Consulates, followed over 230 cases of abducted children all over the world .New evidence suggests a mechanism by which progressive accumulation of Tau protein in brain cells may lead to Alzheimer's disease. Scientists studied more than 600 human brains and fruit fly models of Alzheimer's disease and found the first evidence of a strong link between Tau protein within neurons and the activity of particular DNA sequences called transposable elements, which might trigger neurodegeneration. The study appears in the journal Cell Reports.

"One of the key characteristics of Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of Tau protein within brain cells, in combination with progressive cell death," said corresponding author Dr. Joshua Shulman, associate professor of neurology, neuroscience and molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine and investigator at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital. "In this study we provide novel insights into how accumulation of Tau protein may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease."

Although scientists have studied for years what happens when Tau forms aggregates inside neurons, it still is not clear why brain cells ultimately die. One thing that scientists have noticed is that neurons affected by Tau accumulation also appear to have genomic instability.

"Genomic instability refers to an increased tendency to have alterations in the genetic material, DNA, such as mutations or other impairments. This means that the genome is not functioning correctly. Genomic instability is known to be a major driving force behind other diseases such as cancer," Shulman said. "Our study focused on a new possible causal connection between Tau accumulation within neurons and the resulting genomic instability in Alzheimer's disease."

Enter transposable elements

Previous studies of brain tissues from patients with other neurologic diseases and of animal models have suggested that the neurons not only present with genomic instability, but also with activation of transposable elements.

"Transposable elements are short pieces of DNA that do not seem to contribute to the production of proteins that make cells function. They behave in a way similar to viruses; they can make copies of themselves that are inserted within the genome and this can create mutations that lead to disease," Shulman said. "Although most transposable elements are dormant or dysfunctional, some may become active in human brains late in life or in disease. That's what led us to look specifically at Alzheimer's disease and the possible association between Tau accumulation and activated transposable elements."

Shulman and his colleagues began their investigations by studying more than 600 human brains from a population study run by co-author Dr. David Bennett at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. This population study follows participants throughout their lives and at death, allowing the researchers to examine their brains in detail postmortem. One of the evaluations is the amount of Tau accumulation across many brain regions. In addition, co-author Dr. Philip De Jager at the Broad Institute and Columbia University comprehensively profiled gene expression in the same brains.

"With this large amount of data, we looked to identify signatures of active transposable elements, but this was not easy," Shulman said. "We therefore reached out to Dr. Zhandong Liu, a co-author in this study, and together we developed a new software tool to detect signatures of active transposable elements from postmortem human brains. Then we conducted a statistical analysis in which we compared the amount of active transposable elements signatures with the amount of Tau accumulation, brain by brain." Liu also is assistant professor of pediatrics - neurology at Baylor and a member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The researchers found a strong link between the amount of Tau accumulation in neurons and detectable activity of transposable elements. "We identified individual transposable elements that were active when Tau aggregates were present. Surprisingly, we also found evidence that the activation of transposable elements was quite broad across the genome," Shulman said.

Other research has shown that Tau may disrupt the tightly packed architecture of the genome. It is believed that tightly packed DNA limits gene activation, while opening up the DNA may promote it. Keeping the DNA tightly packed may be an important mechanism to suppress the activity of transposable elements that lead to disease.

"The fact that Tau aggregates can affect that architecture of the genome may be one possible mechanism by which transposable elements are activated in Alzheimer's disease," Shulman said. "However, our studies in human brains only establish an association between Tau accumulation and activation of transposable elements. To determine whether Tau accumulation could in fact cause transposable element activation, we conducted studies with a fruit fly model of Alzheimer's disease."

In this fruit fly model of the disease, the researchers found that triggering Tau changes similar to those observed in human brains resulted in the activation of fruit fly transposable elements, strongly suggesting that Tau aggregates that disrupt the architecture of the genome can potentially mediate the activation of transposable elements and ultimately cause neurodegeneration.

"We think our experiments reveal new and potentially important insights relevant for understanding Alzheimer's disease mechanisms," Shulman said. "There is still a lot of work to be done, but by presenting our results we hope we can stimulate others in the research community to help work on this problem."

###

Other key contributors to this work include Caiwei Guo, Hyun-Hwan Jeong, Yi-Chen Hsieh at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, and Hans-Ulrich Klein at Columbia University Medical Center and the Broad Institute.

This study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01AG053960, R01AG050631, U01AG046161, R01AG033193, C06RR029965, P30AG10161, R01AG15819, R01AG17917, U01AG46152, R01AG36836, R01GM120033, R01AG36042 and RC236547), the Alzheimer's Association and the American Federation for Aging Research. This work was also supported by the Huffington Foundation, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the National Science Foundation (DMS-1263932), Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (RP170387), Houston Endowment and the Belfer Neurodegenerative Disease Consortium.A new blood test being developed to diagnose heart attacks could one day be carried out on a simple handheld device, giving a rapid diagnosis in A&E departments without the need for samples to be sent to a lab, according to new research presented today at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester.

The new test uses similar technology to the troponin test, but analyses the level of a protein called cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyC). Levels of cMyC in the blood increase more rapidly after a heart attack, and to a higher extent, than troponin, meaning that the test can rule out a heart attack in a higher proportion of patients straight away.

The international team, part-funded by the British Heart Foundation, took blood from 776 patients traveling to hospital by ambulance in Denmark. Researchers based at King's College London then tested these samples for cMyC protein.

In patients who did suffer heart attacks, the protein was present in high enough concentrations 95 per cent of the time for an on-the spot diagnosis. Importantly, the cMyC test outperformed the existing troponin test, which was only capable of diagnosing around 40 percent of patients in this way. This is mainly because troponin takes longer to reach detectable levels in the blood after you suffer a heart attack.

The researchers now hope to work with industry to create a portable testing device to be used in UK A&E departments, and in ambulances in countries where these have to drive considerable distances to get patients to their nearest hospital. A simple handheld device could replace the time-consuming processes involved in sending samples to the hospital labs for analysis.

It is estimated that over two thirds of people who attend A&E complaining of chest pain have not had a heart attack. But all will receive two tests: a heart test called an ECG and a blood test to measure the levels of a protein called troponin.

Under current guidelines, people suspected of having a heart attack are tested for high blood troponin levels as soon as they arrive in an A&E, and again after three hours. Depending on the type of troponin test used, up to 85 per cent of people will need to remain in hospital for further tests in order to rule out a heart attack.

The cMyC blood test, developed by a team from King's College London and tested across Europe, has already been shown to rapidly rule out a heart attack in more people than the standard troponin test. This could reassure worried patients in A&E departments, free up bed space and save hundreds of thousands of pounds per UK hospital every year.

Dr Tom Kaier, one of the lead researchers, funded by the British Heart Foundation at St Thomas' Hospital, London said:

"It is important for both patients and doctors to work out early who has had a heart attack and who hasn't.

"Now that we know that this test is sensitive enough to give an almost immediate heart attack diagnosis, we need to work on developing a testing device. We'd love to see this used in A&E departments within the next 5 years."

Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said:

"Big heart attacks are often easy to diagnose with an ECG but smaller heart attacks, which are more common and also life-threatening, are more challenging.The troponin test has been used for around 20 years and is currently the most powerful tool we have for diagnosing such heart attacks, but there is always room for improvement.

"These initial results with the cMyC test look very promising for patients, who could be more quickly diagnosed and treated or reassured and sent home. However, further research is necessary before it can be recommended as a replacement for the troponin test."

###

Find out more about the British Cardiovascular Society Conference at bcs.com/conference.The blood vessels of middle-aged men and women adapt differently to regular exercise according to new research being presented today at the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester.

Researchers at Loughborough University examined the effects of regular exercise training on the blood vessels of 12 men and post-menopausal women. Blood pressure and arterial stiffness were assessed before and one hour after a brisk walk.

Their preliminary findings suggest that arterial stiffness, an independent risk factor for heart disease, is higher in women compared with age-matched men. A single bout of brisk walking improved arterial stiffness and blood pressure in both groups, however, arterial stiffness remained higher in women. Interestingly, the improvements in arterial stiffness were related to changes in blood pressure in men only, suggesting possible sex-differences in how the blood vessels adapt and respond to exercise.

Research has shown that regular physical activity helps reduce the stiffening of the arteries, which in turn lowers a person's risk of developing heart or circulatory disease. However, the blood vessels of men and women appear to adapt differently to regular exercise, with post-menopausal women demonstrating less exercise-associated benefits than men.

The researchers are now looking at whether daily folic acid supplements could help postmenopausal women to reduce their risk by relaxing the blood vessels and as such lowering arterial stiffness and reducing strain on the heart.

Jen Craig, the PhD student undertaking the research at Loughborough University under the lead of Dr Emma O'Donnell, said: "Regular physical activity is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. However, regular exercise does not seem to benefit the blood vessels of post-menopausal women as much as it does their male counterparts. If we are to help women to decrease their risk of heart disease we need to consider alternative strategies that may enable these women to maximise their benefits from engaging in regular exercise."

Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: "This research adds to our understanding of the relationship between physical activity and heart disease as we get older. If you're more physically active you give yourself the best chance of a heart-healthy retirement. And although post-menopausal women don't see quite the same exercise benefits as men, staying active will still reduce their overall risk of developing heart disease."

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Find out more about the British Cardiovascular Society Conference at bcs.com/conference.Washington, D.C. (June 5, 2018) -- Appealing to a concern for others is the best way to recruit most people to donate their stool for medicine, while cash rewards may be an additional motivator for some potential donors, according to research scheduled for presentation at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2018.

Study implications "There's an urgent medical need for stool donation, but many people have trouble getting over the 'ick factor,'" said Breanna McSweeney, a medical student at University of Alberta, CN, and lead author of the study. "Unfortunately, potential donors can be very difficult to recruit and retain, so we wanted to learn more about what motivates and deters people from participating."

Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is widely regarded as the most effective treatment for a dangerous intestinal infection known as Clostridium difficile (C. diff), a condition that causes almost half a million infections annually in the U.S. and is associated with approximately 29,000 deaths a year. The procedure involves transplanting fecal matter from a healthy donor to help establish colonies of healthy bacteria in patients who have experienced repeated infections. "To make this life-saving therapy readily available, it is vital to have a large bank of healthy stool donors," McSweeney added.

In addition to the treatment of C. diff, FMT is also being investigated as a treatment for other common digestive illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, so the need for stool donations is likely to grow.

Study design

Researchers at University of Alberta surveyed 802 people in the U.S., Canada and England to find out what would motivate people to become stool donors. Participants completed a 32-question online survey and were asked to respond to open-ended questions about stool donation.

Study results

Altruism was the most common appeal that respondents said would encourage them to donate, with nearly 42 percent of all respondents citing a desire to help others as the main reason to donate. More than 35 percent of respondents indicated economic compensation as an additional motivator. Researchers also said that respondents were more likely to donate if they knew how the stool donations helped patients, had a positive attitude about fecal transplants or were already blood donors.

The research showed that the time commitment, logistics and unpleasantness of collecting and transporting stool were the major deterrents for donation. "While the concept of stool donation may seem strange, it's important to remember that is has the potential to save someone's life," McSweeney said.

DDW Presentation Details

Breanna McSweeney will present data from the study, "Potential motivators and deterrents for stool donors: A multicenter study," abstract Tu1894, on Tuesday, June 5, at 9:30 a.m. EDT. For more information about featured studies, as well as a schedule of availability for featured researchers, please visit http://www.ddw.org/press. Alberta Innovates Health Solutions provided funding for this project.

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Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), DDW takes place June 2-5 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. The meeting showcases more than 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. More information can be found at http://www.ddw.org.By analyzing data collected over eight years ago, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory have made a potentially groundbreaking discovery.

In 2002, scientists began the Booster Neutrino Experiment, known as MiniBooNE, at Fermilab to learn more about how neutrinos  very light, neutral fundamental particles  interact with matter. Scientists recently reexamined data from the experiment taken between 2009 and 2011, and they found the first direct evidence of mono-energetic neutrinos, or neutrinos with definite energy, that are energetic enough to produce a muon.

Its a nice story about how it was almost five years before we realized there was something important in the data. The moral of the story is to keep all the data   Joe Grange, Argonne physicist

Neutrinos are extremely light and are only influenced by the weak subatomic force, so they rarely interact with matter. In fact, they could travel through light-years of lead before interacting with it. The particles are very difficult to detect, but not difficult to create. Because of the neutrinos elusiveness, scientists have to work with beams composed of large numbers of the particles. They shoot the beams at nuclei in a detector, hoping for neutrinos to collide with the target material.

One complication of using these large beams is that the energies of the neutrinos are widely varied and somewhat unpredictable, said Argonne physicist Joe Grange, one of the scientists that helped discover mono-energetic neutrinos. This makes it difficult to fully interpret the data.

The new discovery could help experimentalists solve this problem. The scientists realized that mono-energetic neutrinos were being released from a nearby neutrino beamline at Fermilab, and they decided to look at the MiniBooNE data to see if any of these neutrinos were detected during that experiment.

Sure enough, analysis of the MiniBooNE data showed evidence of thousands of neutrino-nucleus collisions where the neutrinos all started out with the same energy, 236 mega-electron-volts (MeV). During the MiniBooNE experiment, particles called kaons created in a proton absorber of another experiment decayed into particles called muons and muon neutrinos. The muon neutrinos then traveled to the MiniBooNE detector. Because the kaons were at rest when they decayed, and because they decayed into only two particles, the neutrinos all had the same amount of starting energy before colliding with the nuclei in the MiniBooNE detector.

The decay of a kaon is a well-known reaction. With this discovery, we can improve our understanding of how neutrinos interact with matter and also plan for future experiments that could leverage this interaction for the search for new physics processes, said Grange. Channeling this decay as a source of neutrinos for experiments would eliminate the uncertainty of the neutrino energies, making analyses simpler and potentially more illuminating.

In addition to inspiring future experimental setups, the data are also helping scientists to learn about the behavior of nuclei when bombarded with neutrinos and can help them refine models of the interactions. When a muon neutrino collides with a nucleus in a detector, a muon having one of a range of different energies can pop out. It is this spectrum of possible energies of the new muons that the scientists observed directly in this study, and it speaks to the way the neutrino transfers energy to the nucleus upon contact.

A lot of work has been done shooting electrons at nuclei and seeing how they behave electromagnetically, said Grange. But less work has been done to see how neutrinos interact weakly because of how difficult neutrinos are to work with.

The experimental aspect of this discovery could also help scientists search for the theorized sterile neutrino, a neutrino that only interacts through the gravitational force and not the weak force. A mid-1990s experiment at DOEs Los Alamos National Laboratory yielded neutrino data that were incompatible with data from a separate experiment at the European laboratory CERN, and that discrepancy might be explained by the existence of this ghost particle.

The original goal of the MiniBooNE experiment was to confirm or refute the existence of sterile neutrinos. Although the experiment may end up inconclusive, the new discovery from the depths of its data could help future experimentalists to detect their existence. Scientists are already working towards experiments that will use neutrinos from this specific kaon decay to search for sterile neutrinos.

Its a nice story about how it was almost five years before we realized there was something important in the data, said Grange. The moral of the story is to keep all the data and continue thinking about what other information is in there that you havent yet extracted.

###

The results of the study were published in a paper titled First Measurement of Monoenergetic Muon Neutrino Charged Current Interactions in Physical Review Letters.

Other scientists that led the effort include Joshua Spitz, Rory Fitzpatrick and Johnathon Jordan from the University of Michigan.

This study was supported by the Department of Energys Office of Science, Fermilab, the National Science Foundation and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit the Office of Science website.In a viral haemorrhagic disease where up to 40% of people developing it die, it is remarkable that doctors still do not agree whether the only recognised treatment, an antiviral drug called ribavirin, makes a difference. In a new Cochrane Review a team of authors at LSTM, along with colleagues in London, The Philippines and in Greece, evaluated the evidence to assess the effectiveness of treating Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF).

Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever is spread by the bite of an infected tick, and is becoming more common, with outbreaks in Turkey, Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. Doctors treat the infection in hospital with intravenous fluids, blood and good nursing care. The debates around ribavirin are common amongst clinicians treating the disease, with strong advocates on one side, and others who have policies not to use it, so the authors hoped the review would settle the debate.

The review authors found just one trial with 136 participants, and some observational comparative studies of 612 participants: overall the analysis did not provide a clear answer. When the authors examined studies that were often quoted as showing benefit, they were critically biased. Although fewer people died in groups receiving ribavirin, the apparent effect could be due to the drug, or equally because those getting the drug may have also been less sick, or received high quality nursing and medical care earlier in the disease.

Lead author, LSTM's Dr Samuel Johnson, said: "Some doctors advocate giving ribavirin, and state that not to give it is even unethical. The problem is that the studies claiming to demonstrate benefit from the drug are designed in such a way we cannot separate the effect of the drug from other factors, and thus we do not know if ribavirin is effective at all."

The review clarifies the need for reliable research from a randomised control trial to establish whether ribavirin is effective. "The irony is that the strong beliefs and the widespread use of the drug may make it difficult to actually carry out the research needed" states Dr Johnson. "What we need to know is whether it works, when it works, and how good it is."

But is there any harm in just giving it in case it works? Dr Johnson points out, "Using unreliable research as evidence of benefit if it doesn't work could potentially waste resources and harm patients, we would also need to investigate other options. On the other hand, if ribavirin does work, then it needs to be rolled out to all patients who could benefit, which is currently not the case."

Whilst research into emerging infectious diseases and during outbreaks is difficult, the team hopes that the review provides an opportunity to strengthen the call for greater steps to be taken to facilitate rigorous research providing reliable results in outbreaks of infectious diseases.

###Over 50% of the global population lives in cities, and those cities all share the same pressing challenge: how can they provide economic prosperity and social cohesion in a sustainable way?

One way of finding answers to that question is urban living labs, a type of testbed where social and technical innovations are tested in real time in an urban setting.

"Urban living labs are a new form of governing cities," explains Kes McCormick, associate professor at Lund University in Sweden. "They are able to fast-track innovation and sustainability in unique ways that put evolving ideas directly into action".

Urban living labs are popping up across the globe as a means through which public and private actors are testing innovations in building, transport and energy systems, among other things.

"The core idea is that urban sites can provide a learning arena within which co-creation of innovations can be pursued among multiple actors," explains Harriet Bulkeley, professor at Durham University. "Urban living labs are often characterised by partnerships between the public and private sectors, and are forms of urban governance where universities can play a key and direct role."

Yet despite the experimentation taking place on the ground, there is a lack of systematic learning and international comparison about the impact and effectiveness of urban living labs.

An important question is how good practice can be scaled up and translated to different contexts to achieve transformative change.

To that end, Urban Living Labs - Experimenting with City Futures brings together leading international researchers within a systematic comparative framework for evaluating the design, practices and processes of urban living labs.

"The time to evaluate what we have learned is now. We need these new insights into the governance of urban sustainability so we can improve the next generation of urban living labs - in order to realise their potential", concludes Kes McCormick.

###

Project website: http://www.urbanlivinglabs.net

Book information: https://www.routledge.com/Urban-Living-Labs-Experimenting-with-City-Futures/Marvin-Bulkeley-Mai-McCormick-Voytenko-Palgan/p/book/9781138714779NASA obtained an infrared look at Tropical Depression 05W as it continued moving through the South China Sea. NASA's Aqua satellite found very cold cloud top temperatures and strong storms in fragmented thunderstorms mostly east of 05W's center.

NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Tropical 05W on June 5 at 2:05 a.m. EDT (0605 UTC) and analyzed the storm in infrared light to reveal cloud top temperatures. The MODIS or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite revealed some cloud top temperatures in a fragmented band of thunderstorms were as cold or colder than minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 degrees Celsius). NASA research indicates very cold cloud tops with the potential to generate very heavy rainfall. The strongest storms all appeared to be over open waters in the Gulf of Tonkin and northern South China Sea.

Maximum sustained winds were near 34.5 mph (30 knots/55.5 kph) but the depression is expected to reach tropical storm strength late on June 5. 05W was centered near 19.0 degrees north latitude and 111.5 east longitude. That's approximately 269 nautical miles southwest of Hong Kong. 05W has tracked northward at 12.6 mph (11 knots/20.3 kph).

The China National Meteorological Centre (CMNC) issued blue warning of typhoon at 10:00 a.m. local time on June 5. CNMC noted on June 5: "Heavy rain to rainstorm will hit Hainan Island, southern coast of Guangdong, southeastern Guangxi. Southwestern coast of Guangdong and northern Hainan Island will experience extreme rainstorm. (June 5)."

Landfall is expected in southeastern China early on June 7.

###

For updated watches, warnings and forecasts from CNMC, visit: http://www.cma.gov.cn/en2014/COLUMBUS, Ohio - Good teamwork begins with a cup of coffee for everyone, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that people gave more positive reviews for their group's performance on a task - and their own contribution - if they drank caffeinated coffee beforehand.

A second study showed that people talked more in a group setting under the influence of caffeinated coffee - but they also were more on-topic than those who drank decaf.

Coffee seems to work its magic in teams by making people more alert, said Amit Singh, co-author of the study and a doctoral student in marketing at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business.

"We found that increased alertness was what led to the positive results for team performance," Singh said.

"Not surprisingly, people who drank caffeinated coffee tended to be more alert."

Singh conducted the study with Vasu Unnava and H. Rao Unnava, both formerly at Ohio State and now with the Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Davis. The study appears online in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

While many studies have looked at how caffeine affects individual performance, this is the first to examine the impact it has on teams, Singh said.

The first study involved 72 undergraduate students who said they were coffee drinkers. They were instructed not to drink coffee before the experiment.

Half of them first participated in what they were told was a coffee-tasting task. They were split into groups of five. After drinking a cup of coffee and rating its flavor, they were given 30 minutes of filler tasks to give the caffeine a chance to kick in. The other half of the participants did the coffee tasting at the end of the experiment.

Each group then read about and were asked to discuss a controversial topic - the Occupy movement, a liberal movement that highlighted social and economic inequality. After a 15-minute discussion, group members evaluated themselves and the other group members.

Results showed that those who drank the coffee before the discussion rated themselves and their fellow team members more positively than did those who drank coffee after the discussion, Singh said.

The second study was similar, except that 61 students all drank coffee at the beginning of the study. However, half drank decaf and the others drank caffeinated brew.

Those who drank caffeinated coffee rated themselves and their fellow group members more positively than those who drank decaf.

It had to do with alertness.

All participants rated how alert they felt at the end of the study, and those who drank the caffeinated coffee rated themselves as more alert than the others.

A key finding was that people who rated themselves as more alert - whether they drank caffeinated coffee or not - also tended to give higher marks to themselves and their fellow group members.

This suggests that any intervention that increases alertness (such as exercise) may also produce similar results, which the authors propose in the paper as a future research topic.

"We suspect that when people are more alert they see themselves and the other group members contributing more, and that gives them a more positive attitude," Singh said.

But the caffeine does more than just increase good feelings. The researchers did an analysis of the group discussion in the second study, rating how much each group member talked and stayed on topic.

Results showed that people tended to talk more after drinking caffeine, but they also tended to stay more on topic.

"They're talking about more relevant things after drinking caffeinated coffee," he said.

One might think that if people are talking more about a controversial topic like the Occupy movement, that may cause friction in the group. But that's not what the study suggests.

People who drank caffeinated coffee were more likely than those who drank decaf to say they would be willing to work with their group again.

"Even though they are talking more, agreeing and disagreeing, they still want to work with them again," Singh said.

"Coffee didn't seem to make group discussions too uncomfortable and disagreeable."

###

Contact: Amit Singh, Singh.527@osu.edu

Written by Jeff Grabmeier, 614-292-8457; Grabmeier.1@osu.eduA world-first study has found social media -- how language is used in Twitter -- is a reliable marker of economic vitality in a region

A world's first QUT-led study has used artificial intelligence to analyse regional personality characteristics estimated solely from language patterns in 1.5 billion Twitter posts and uncover hotspots and cold spots of entrepreneurial personality and activity across the US.

QUT's Associate Professor Martin Obschonka from the Australian Centre for Entrepreneurship Research teamed up with researchers from the London School of Economics and Political Science, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Mannheim. Their paper, Big Data, artificial intelligence and the geography of entrepreneurship in the United States has just been published online via the Centre for Economic Policy Research (London, UK) and the Center for Open Science (Charlottesville, USA).

Study analyses 1.5 billion Twitter tweets from the US across 1,772 counties (representing 95 per cent of the US mainland population) for differences in entrepreneurial personality, defined as a local patterns of high extraversion, conscientiousness, openness, and low agreeableness and neuroticism (an entrepreneurial constellation of the Big Five personality traits)

The language of Twitter used in a region reveals information on the personality structure and economic vitality of the region's population

Large hotspots of entrepreneurial personality (larger areas consistently scoring high in entrepreneurial personality): Belt on the East Coast, spanning from Massachusetts all the way to Florida, Colorado around Denver / Boulder, San Francisco / Bay Area, and South California, Gulf Coast regions of Louisiana and Mississippi

Large cold spots of entrepreneurial personality (larger areas consistently scoring low in entrepreneurial personality:): Rust Belt, Southern Texas, Central California

Professor Obschonka said the study proved a Twitter-based personality estimate is as successful in predicting local differences in actual entrepreneurial activity (e.g., local start-up rates) as regional personality data collected by means of millions of standard personality tests.

"What we have discovered here is that social media - how language is used in Twitter - is a reliable marker of economic vitality in a region," Professor Obschonka said.

"We have examined Twitter data from a large project at the University of Pennsylvania. This project analysed 1.5 billion US tweets and other social media data to train a machine learning model that can estimate regional personality characteristics by analysing language patterns typically used on social media in a region.

"So far, studies examining regional differences in personality and meaningful effects on regional outcomes such as economic performance, well-being, health, or voting behaviour had to rely on costly and resource-consuming questionnaire studies that require millions of people to fill out long online personality tests.

"We wanted to test whether we find similar results, in our case effects of local personality on entrepreneurship, when using regional personality estimates generated by an artificial intelligence method, based on publicly available social media data such as tweets.

"The answer is yes. The US map of the Twitter-based local measure of entrepreneurial personality and the US map of the actual start-up rates show impressive overlap. We found substantial positive correlations between regional Twitter-based entrepreneurial personality and actual start-ups rates, and these correlations were robust when considering local economic conditions such as level of education, unemployment rate, and industry composition.

"More importantly, we find very similar or even higher correlations between regional differences in Twitter-based measures of entrepreneurial personality and entrepreneurial activity than in prior self-report studies analysing millions of personality tests."

Professor Obschonka would now like to examine similar data in Australia, Europe and elsewhere.

"It seems that we stand at the dawn of a new era where we do not have to wait any longer until millions of people fill out long personality questionnaires to understand the local concentration of entrepreneurially-minded people, and local mechanisms such as entrepreneurship and innovation," he said.

"Instead, by means of artificial intelligence methods we can simply analyse existing, publicly-available social media data such as billions of tweets to study local personality differences and their relevance for the well-being and prosperity of whole regions."

###

Read the full study online at https://osf.io/c62tn/

QUT is part of a national collaborative group of five major Australian universities that form the ATN (Australian Technology Network of Universities).

Media contact: Amanda Weaver, QUT Media, 07 3138 9449, amanda.weaver@qut.edu.au

After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.auOAK BROOK, Ill. - Medicare beneficiaries who undergo breast cancer screening with mammography are more likely than unscreened women to undergo other preventive health services like screening for cervical cancer and osteoporosis, according to a major new study appearing online in the journal Radiology. Researchers found that even false-positive mammography findings did not reduce the likelihood of women utilizing these other preventive services.

Mammography is among the most commonly offered preventive services for women ages 40 years and older, making it a potentially significant influencer of adherence to other preventive services guidelines. However, little is known about the association between screening mammography and use of a variety of preventive services in the Medicare population, along with the impact of false-positive mammographic findings on preventive services use.

For the new study, researchers from NYU School of Medicine in New York, Emory University in Atlanta, and the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute in Reston, Va., set out to learn more about these associations.

"There were two overarching ideas to this study," said Stella Kang, M.D., M.Sc., assistant professor of radiology and population health at NYU School of Medicine. "First, we wanted to examine the potential for a patient's experience with one screening to influence appointments with other preventive services. Second, we wanted to see how the potential harms from false-positive findings might influence preventive service use."

Dr. Kang and colleagues compared preventive services utilization among 185,625 women who underwent mammography from 2010 to 2014 with that of a control group who did not have screening mammography. They zeroed in on the relationship between screening status and the probabilities of undergoing Pap smear, bone mass measurement, or influenza vaccination in the two years after mammography. The researchers also looked for a possible association between false-positive mammography results and subsequent use of the same non-mammographic preventive services. In theory, false positives, which require additional examinations and create added stress for the patient, might create negative associations with preventives services.

The results showed that women who underwent mammography screening, with either positive or negative results, were significantly more likely than unscreened women to later utilize Pap smear, bone mass measurement and influenza vaccine services. In women who had not undergone these preventive measures in the two years prior to screening mammography, utilization of all three services after false-positive mammography screening was no different than after a true-negative screening.

"It's encouraging that women for whom services are received through Medicare are not showing significant signs of any negative influence from mammography," Dr. Kang said. "If anything, the experience of breast cancer screening is potentially encouraging, as it appears to increase awareness of other preventive services."

There are a number of possible reasons for the increased odds of preventive services utilization, the researchers said. Adherence to screening mammography guidelines suggests a patient may be more proactive about her health in general, and referring physicians may consider a patient's willingness to undergo mammography as indicative of an understanding or acceptance of the favorable benefit-risk profile of recommended preventive services.

"Our theory is that when patients are counseled about mammography screening, this represents an opportunity for the physician to bring up other preventive services and the health benefits of these services for women in their age group," Dr. Kang said. "So a patient's interest in breast cancer services specifically could raise awareness in preventive services overall."

In the future, the researchers plan to look at mammography's effects on the utilization of other recommended preventive services, such as colorectal cancer screening.

###

"Use of Breast Cancer Screening and Its Association with Later Use of Preventive Services among Medicare Beneficiaries." Collaborating with Dr. Kang were Miao Jiang, Ph.D., Richard Duszak, Jr., M.D., Samantha L. Heller, Ph.D., M.D., Danny R. Hughes, Ph.D., and Linda Moy, M.D.

Radiology is edited by David A. Bluemke, M.D., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis., and owned and published by the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (http://RSNA.org/radiology)

RSNA is an association of over 54,200 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)

For patient-friendly information on mammography, visit RadiologyInfo.org.What are the origins of life on Earth and possibly elsewhere? Did "protein nanomachines" evolve here before life began to catalyze and support the development of living things? Could the same thing have happened on Mars, the moons of Jupiter and Neptune, and elsewhere in the universe?

A Rutgers University-led team of scientists called ENIGMA, for "Evolution of Nanomachines in Geospheres and Microbial Ancestors," will try to answer those questions over the next five years, thanks to an approximately $6 million NASA grant and membership in the NASA Astrobiology Institute.

Rutgers Today asked Paul G. Falkowski, ENIGMA principal investigator and a distinguished professor at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, about research on the origins of life.

What is astrobiology?

It is the study of the origins of life on Earth and potential life on planets - called extrasolar planets - and planetary bodies like moons in our solar system and other solar systems. More than 3,700 extrasolar planets have been confirmed in the last decade or so. Many of these are potentially rocky planets that are close enough to their star that they may have liquid water, and we want to try and understand if the gases on those planets are created by life, such as the oxygen on Earth.

What is the ENIGMA project?

All life on Earth depends on the movement of electrons; life literally is electric. We breathe in oxygen and breathe out water vapor and carbon dioxide, and in that process we transfer hydrogen atoms, which contain a proton and an electron, to oxygen to make water (H20). We move electrons from the food we eat to the oxygen in the air to derive energy. Every organism on Earth moves electrons to generate energy. ENIGMA is a team of primarily Rutgers researchers that is trying to understand the earliest evolution of these processes, and we think that hydrogen was probably one of the most abundant gases in the early Earth that supported life.

What are the chances of life being found elsewhere in our solar system and the universe?

We've been looking for evidence of life on Mars since the Viking mission, which landed in 1976. I think it will be very difficult to prove there is life on Mars today, but there may be signatures of life that existed on Mars in the distant past. Mars certainly had a lot of water on it and had an atmosphere, but that's all largely gone now. A proposed mission to Europa - an ice-covered moon of Jupiter - is in the planning phase. NASA's Cassini mission to investigate Titan, a moon of Neptune, revealed liquid methane over what we think is water - very cold, shallow oceans - so there may be life on Titan.

What are protein nanomachines?

They are enzymes that physically move. Each time we take a breath, an enzyme in every cell allows you to transfer electrons to oxygen. Enzymes, like all proteins, are made up of amino acids, of which there are 20 that are used in life. Early on, amino acids were delivered to Earth by meteorites, and we think some of these amino acids could have been coupled together and made nanomachines before life began. That's what we're looking to see if we can recreate, using the tens of thousands of protein structures in the Protein Data Bank at Rutgers together with our colleagues in the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine.

What are the next steps?

Organizing our research so it is coherent and relevant to the other collaborating teams in the NASA Astrobiology Institute. We want to develop an education and outreach program at Rutgers that leads to an astrobiology minor for undergraduate students and helps inform K-12 schoolchildren about the origins of life on Earth and what we know and don't know about the potential for life on other planets. We also want to help make Rutgers a center of excellence in this field so future undergraduate and graduate students and faculty will gravitate towards this university to try to understand the evolution and origin of the molecules that derive energy for life.

###Density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGUC), as an effective method for the purification of nanomaterials, has attracted tremendou attentions of researchers. A recent review was reported by Science Bulletin, entitled "Density gradient ultracentrifugation for colloidal nanostructures separation and investigation" by Xiaoming Sun and Liang Luo et al from Beijing University of Chemical Technology. The authors systemtatically introduce the classification, mechanism and applications of density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGUC) with various separation examples, demonstrating the versatility of such an efficient separation technique.

Monodispersed nanoparticles and their assemblies have been demonstrated great application potentials due to their unique optical, electrical, magnetic and catalytic properties. During the last two decades, as the rapid development of nanomaterials, great progress of the synthetic methods of various monodispersed nanoparticles including semiconductors, metals and oxides have been made, and many assemblies based on single component or multicomponents have also been fabricated and demonstrated their unique functions. However, the synthetic repeatbility of monodispersed nanomaterials always remains a main limit of large-scale fabrications and applications. Further, rational design and synthesis of doped nanostructures with complicated components or complex structures such as core/shell structures, assymmetric structures, have become new issues in chemistry and material science, mainly due to the uncertain repeatibility. On the contrary, the separation methods for nanomaterial remain far behind. Typical methods such as membrane filtration, electrophoresis and magnetic field, also have many restraints and limited separation effect, which hinder the practical applications of nanodevices in various fields.

Aiming to solve the above issues, the DGUC technique, which was used to sort marcomolecules in biological field, has recently been demonstrated as an efficient way of sorting colloidal nanoparticles by several groups including Hersam's group and Sun's group. The DGUC can realize the separation of nanoparticles according to their differences in chemistry, structure, size and/or morphology. The authors introduced the classification, mechanism, applicability and instructions of DGUC, and demonstrated the applications including separation, purification and ultraconcentration of nanoparticles by DGUC, verifying the versatility. They further developed a new method "lab in a tube", which is helpful to monitor and get deeper insights of synthetic mechanism, in situ surface reactions and assembly processes.

###

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the National Key Research and Development Project of China (2016YFF0204402), the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in the University (IRT1205).

See the article: Pengsong Li, Anuj Kumar, Jun Ma, Yun Kuang, Liang Luo, Xiaoming Sun. Density gradient ultracentrifugation for colloidal nanostructures separation and investigation. Science Bulletin, 2018, 63(10): 645-662 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095927318301725A new SLAS Discovery article available now for free ahead-of-print, offers perspective from researchers at Coyne Scientific (Atlanta, GA) about Clinical Trials in a Dish (CTiD), a novel strategy that bridges preclinical testing and clinical trials.

The pharmaceutical industry is facing unprecedented challenges as the cost of developing new drugs reaches unsustainable levels, fueled in large part by high attrition rates in clinical development. This new CTiD platform allows pharmaceutical companies to test, at the population level, novel drugs on patient cells before moving into actual clinical trials. Because current preclinical strategies don't follow this principle, CTiD offers the potential to significantly impact drug discovery and development.

Recent demonstrations show various human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived (hiPSCs) cell types (cardiac, neuronal, hepatic) recapitulate a specific individual's drug response (rather than that of a generic human being) and have opened up new avenues that support the concept of screening for cell-based safety and toxicity at the level of a population. The concept of CTiD is to satisfy, in an in vitro setting, the defining biological truth that establishes the need for a multi-patient clinical trial, which is that drug responses vary by human. CTiD studies are efficient, allow the study of a range of clinical doses, and can be executed at a fraction of the cost outside of the rigid and heavily regulated clinical testing environment.

CTiD studies are poised to revolutionize thinking about practical, immediate and near-term applications in the field of drug discovery and development. CTiD can lead to insights that cannot be obtained so early and economically in drug development by any other approach. Although still requiring improvements and enhancements, CTiD offers to refine the selection of drugs to move into clinical development, leading to reduced attrition and enabling safe drugs that address unmet medical needs to reach patients more quickly.

###

Clinical Trials in a Dish: A Perspective on the Coming Revolution in Drug Development can be accessed for free at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2472555218775028. For more information about SLAS and its journals, visit http://www.slas.org/journals.

A PDF of this article is available to credentialed media outlets upon request. Contact nhallock@slas.org.

About our Society and Journals

SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international community of nearly 20,000 professionals and students dedicated to life sciences discovery and technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building.

SLAS DISCOVERY: 2016 Impact Factor 2.444. Editor-in-Chief Robert M. Campbell, Ph.D., Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN (USA). SLAS Discovery (Advancing Life Sciences R&D) was previously published (1996-2016) as the Journal of Biomolecular Screening (JBS).

SLAS TECHNOLOGY: 2016 Impact Factor 2.850. Editor-in-Chief Edward Kai-Hua Chow, Ph.D., National University of Singapore (Singapore). SLAS Technology (Translating Life Sciences Innovation) was previously published (1996-2016) as the Journal of Laboratory Automation (JALA).

Follow SLAS on Twitter at @SLAS_Org.

Follow SLAS on Facebook at SocietyforLaboratoryAutomationandScreening.

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Follow SLAS Europe on LinkedIn at Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening Europe (SLAS Europe).Singapore, 5 June 2018 (Tuesday) - The Singapore Management University (SMU) School of Law has been awarded a major grant of S$4.5 million from the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Infocomm Media Development Agency (IMDA) to helm a five-year Research Programme on the Governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Use. SMU School of Law will also set up a new research centre to undertake focused efforts on the Programme. The award follows a competitive application process that was open to all Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) in January 2018.

The award was announced today by Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Communications and Information, and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, at the Opening of innovfest unbound, the anchor event of Smart Nation Innovations Week. The grant call by NRF and IMDA was made with the aim of collaborating with an IHL to set up the aforementioned Programme, so as to achieve various strategic objectives, including to (i) promote cutting edge thinking and practices in AI and data policies and regulations; (ii) inform AI and data policy and regulation formulation in Singapore through research publications and stakeholder engagement events and activities; and (iii) establish Singapore as a global thought leader in AI and data policies and regulations.

Professor Steven Miller, SMU's Vice Provost (Research), said, "SMU is delighted to have secured this research grant to support Singapore's national needs as we advance Singapore's digital economy through a focused effort on the governance of AI and data use. This award is the largest research grant that the SMU School of Law has received since its inception in 2007, and provides strong recognition of our School of Law's research excellence and ability to be an important contributor in Singapore's research and policy eco-system. This new programme is based upon a distinctive interdisciplinary approach that will involve other Schools within SMU, highlighting SMU's strength in doing research at the intersections between disciplines."

The Research Programme on the Governance of AI and Data Use that the SMU School of Law will undertake will comprise three integrated streams - AI and Society, AI and Industry, and AI and Commercialisation. The Programme will build critical interdisciplinary capacity in the area that will help build bridges between the academy, industry and government. It will be carried out by a new research centre to be housed in the SMU School of Law and formally launched later this year.

Associate Professor Goh Yihan, Dean of the SMU School of Law, who will provide leadership and oversight as a member of the Centre's Executive Committee, said, "The Research Programme on the Governance of AI and Data Use, and the setting up of a dedicated research centre, are not only timely, but also necessary preconditions of Singapore's successful digital future. We are grateful for the trust and confidence that the Government has placed in our law school and will ensure that the Programme achieves its aim of establishing Singapore as a global thought leader in AI and data policies and regulations. Through the careful integration of the three research streams of AI and Society, AI and Industry, and AI and Commercialisation, we will develop government- and industry-relevant strategies for the governance of AI and data use, thereby contributing to the development of Singapore's digital economy."

"More broadly, SMU School of Law is committed to producing research that has meaningful impact in the real world. This Programme is a cornerstone of our forward strategy of engaging in cutting-edge issues brought about by technology which affect the law and beyond. Ultimately, we hope that our research will inform our teaching, as we aim to future-proof our graduates with a forward-looking and innovative curriculum that integrates theory and practice in a period that is fast influenced by technology," Associate Professor Goh added.

The Centre will establish an Expert Panel, which will comprise individuals from academia, as well as the technology industry and legal professions. It will also establish institutional partnerships in academia and industry, which will provide international connections and expertise. Prominent research centres that have committed to working with the Centre include the Berkman Klein Centre for Internet & Society at Harvard University (and its Governance and Ethics of AI Initiative together with the MIT Media Lab); the Centre for Commercial Law Studies at the Queen Mary University of London; the Centre for Law, Technology and Society at the University of Ottawa; the Digital Asia Hub; and the Zvi Meitar Institute for Legal Implications of Emerging Technologies at IDC Herzliya. The full list of members on the Centre's Expert Panel, as well as its institutional partners, will be announced in due course.

The Centre will also engage actively with researchers in the field of AI and data use, and appoint visiting professors and fellows. The leading experts who have committed to working with the Centre include Professor Ian Kerr, Full Professor and Canada Research Chair in Ethics, Law, and Technology at the University of Ottawa; Professor Urs Gasser, Executive Director of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University; Professor Chris Reed, Professor of Electronic Commerce Law at Queen Mary University of London; Assistant Professor Dov Greenbaum, Director of the Zvi Meitar Institute for Legal Implications of Emerging Technologies; and Malavika Jayaram, the inaugural Executive Director of Digital Asia Hub.

To start off the research programme, the Centre will, together with Digital Asia Hub, and in collaboration with Harvard University's Berkman Klein Centre for Internet and Society, jointly organise and co-host an event in September that will focus on the AI ethical and governance challenges from a policy perspective, and lay the ground for further collaboration among stakeholders.

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For media enquiries, please contact:

HUANG Peiling (Ms)

Senior Assistant Director, Corporate Communications

SMU Office of Corporate Communications & Marketing

Contact: (65) 6828 0964 / plhuang@smu.edu.sgEven small amounts of running water--less than a gallon per second--could mean the difference between life or death for juvenile coho salmon in coastal California streams, according to a new study published in the journal Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.

The study, led by California Sea Grant Extension Specialist Mariska Obedzinski, shows that during dry periods, that amount of water was enough to keep pools interconnected, allowing young salmon to survive through the hot, dry summer months.

"The good news is that if we can get just a little bit of water back in these streams, we can make a really big difference," says Obedzinski, who leads a monitoring program for endangered coho salmon and steelhead in the small streams of Sonoma County that flow into the Russian River.

Saving the Russian River coho

Russian River coho salmon were listed as threatened in 1996, but despite efforts to improve habitat, the species had hit crisis levels by the early 2000's, and they became endangered in 2005 when scientists noted fewer than 10 fish returning to the Russian River each year to spawn. In response, local, state, and federal agencies teamed up to start a conservation hatchery program to breed and release the fish. California Sea Grant's monitoring program was set up to track the success of the hatchery releases as well as better understand the factors that were preventing recovery of the species.

Through their monitoring, Obedzinski and her research team found that low streamflow in summer is one of the biggest bottlenecks to coho recovery. She says, "After the hatchery fish are released, we see them migrating out to the ocean and coming back as adults to spawn. We even see their offspring in creeks in the early summer, but by late summer the creeks dry out, the young salmon die, and the next generation is not surviving."

How much is enough?

Water is a limited resource in the Mediterranean climate of central California. Population growth and development, combined with the impacts of climate change in the drought-prone region have made flow-impaired streams even less reliable.

While previous modeling studies have established water flow thresholds to support salmon in larger, snowmelt-fed streams such as those in California's central valley, the small coastal streams where Russian River coho prefer to spawn are a different beast.

These intermittent streams may swell over their banks during wet winter months but dwindle to a trickle or even dry up in sections during the hot, dry summer. While it was clear that young salmon needed more water to survive the summer months, the question was, how much?

"We didn't have a sense of how much water was needed," says Obedzinski. "The existing models are based on flows in much larger streams. When you try to apply them to our tiny coastal streams, they fall apart."

The new study provides a clearer link between salmon survival and water flow rates in Russian River tributaries, which could be useful for resource agencies and organizations working on salmon recovery, and land owners who want to help restore endangered salmon populations. The findings may also lend support for efforts that might seem small-scale in comparison to larger streamflow improvement projects in other watersheds.

John Green is a project manager for the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District, who has already begun applying the new research to their work restoring flow in salmon streams. He says, "The big value in this research is that it has given us an idea of how much water is needed to improve fish survival. From that, we start to understand the kinds of projects we need to build and what their impacts will be."

The researchers stress that flows allowing for minimum persistence are not high enough to support full recovery. Obedzinski says, "Keeping a pool connected is the first step in preventing local extinction by keeping at least some of the fish alive, but we want fish to be able to grow and thrive as well. In terms of meeting recovery targets, more water means more habitat for fish, and more chance of bringing back a healthy population."

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About California Sea Grant

NOAA's California Sea Grant College Program funds marine research, education and outreach throughout California. Our headquarters is at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego; we are one of 33 Sea Grant programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. caseagrant.ucsd.edu

About the California Sea Grant Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring Program

For more than a decade, California Sea Grant's Russian River Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring Program has been conducting broad-scale salmon and steelhead monitoring, along with specialized studies, in order to provide science-based information to all stakeholders involved in the recovery of these critical native species. Our program supports the Russian River Coho Salmon Captive Broodstock Program, the statewide Coastal Monitoring Program, the Russian River Coho Water Resources Partnership, and other salmonid recovery efforts throughout the watershed.UChicago scientists studying ancient rocks say crust could have formed when Earth was just 350 million years old

The early Earth might have been habitable much earlier than thought, according to new research from a group led by University of Chicago scientists.

Counting strontium atoms in rocks from northern Canada, they found evidence that the Earth's continental crust could have formed hundreds of millions of years earlier than previously thought. Continental crust is richer in essential minerals than younger volcanic rock, which would have made it significantly friendlier to supporting life.

"Our evidence, which squares with emerging evidence including rocks in western Australia, suggests that the early Earth was capable of forming continental crust within 350 million years of the formation of the solar system," said Patrick Boehnke, the T.C. Chamberlin Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Geophysical Sciences and the first author on the paper. "This alters the classic view, that the crust was hot, dry and hellish for more than half a billion years after it formed."

One of the open questions in geology is how and when some of the crust--originally all younger volcanic rock--changed into the continental crust we know and love, which is lighter and richer in silica. This task is made harder because the evidence keeps getting melted and reformed over millions of years. One of the few places on Earth where you can find bits of crust from the very earliest epochs of Earth is in tiny flecks of apatite imbedded in younger rocks.

Luckily for scientists, some of these "younger" minerals (still about 3.9 billion years old) are zircons--very hard, weather-resistant minerals somewhat similar to diamonds. "Zircons are a geologist's favorite because these are the only record of the first three to four hundred million years of Earth. Diamonds aren't forever--zircons are," Boehnke said.

Plus, the zircons themselves can be dated. "They're like labeled time capsules," said Prof. Andrew Davis, chair of the Department of Geophysical Sciences and a coauthor on the study.

Scientists usually look at the different variants of elements, called isotopes, to tell a story about these rocks. They wanted to use strontium, which offers clues to how much silica was around at the time it formed. The only problem is that these flecks are absolutely tiny--about five microns across, the diameter of a strand of spider silk--and you have to count the strontium atoms one by one.

This was a task for a unique instrument that came online last year: the CHicago Instrument for Laser Ionization, or CHILI. This detector uses lasers that can be tuned to selectively pick out and ionize strontium. When they used CHILI to count strontium isotopes in rocks from Nuvvuagittuq, Canada, they found the isotope ratio suggested plenty of silica was present when it formed.

This is important because the makeup of the crust directly affects the atmosphere, the composition of seawater, and nutrients available to any budding life hoping to thrive on planet Earth. It also may imply there were fewer meteorites than thought pummeling the Earth at this time, which would have made it hard for continental crust to form.

"Having continental crust that early changes the picture of early Earth in a number of ways," said Davis, who is also a professor with the Enrico Fermi Institute. "Now we need a way for the geologic processes that make the continents to happen much faster; you probably need water and magma that's about 600 degrees Fahrenheit less hot."

The study is also confluent with a recent paper by Davis and Boehnke's colleague Nicolas Dauphas, which found evidence for rain falling on continents 2.5 billion years ago, earlier than previously thought.

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University of Chicago research professor Thomas Stephan and postdoctoral scholar Reto Trappitsch (now with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) were also authors on the study, as well as Argonne Distinguished Fellow Mike Pellin with Argonne National Laboratory, who is also a professor (part-time) in the Department of the Geophysical Sciences and the Enrico Fermi Institute.

Other institutions on the study were UCLA and the Berkeley Geochronology Center.Understanding the thermal conditions of the ground in the Arctic is of utmost importance in order to assess the effects of climate change on the occurrence of permafrost, on the ecosystems and societies of Arctis, and the global climate system. Juha Aalto and Miska Luoto, researchers in natural geography at the University of Helsinki, participated in this study. The findings of the study have been published in the international journal Geophysical Research Letters.

The research has been carried out by Juha Aalto and Miska Luoto (Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki / Finnish Meteorological Institute), and Olli Karjalainen and Jan Hjort (Geography Research Unit, University of Oulu).

Support from statistical methods

The research modelled the temperatures of the ground and the thickness of the active layer, i.e. the layer above the permafrost, which thaws in summer. The study covered most of the northern hemisphere.

The modelling was based on a database combining very extensive field measurements and digital environmental data. The study utilised statistical ensemble methods with a spatial resolution of 1km2, an accuracy hitherto unseen.

"This is a significant step forward, as previous studies have only been able to provide a very general overview of the thermal conditions of Arctic ground and their changes," says Postdoctoral Researcher Juha Aalto.

Great changes in permafrost occurrence expected

According to the research findings, an area of around 15 million square kilometres contains favourable conditions for permafrost at the moment, taking modelling uncertainty into consideration.

"However, this area will shrink a great deal in future as a result of climate change," Aalto says.

Based on the best-case scenario for climate change (RCP2. 6), for example, conditions favourable to permafrost in the northern hemisphere will reduce with over one third by year 2050 as temperature and rain conditions change.

According to the worst-case scenario (RCP8. 5), areas favourable to permafrost would already have reduced by 47% at that point.

It is also remarkable that our models show that the relatively greatest changes will happen in areas where current soil temperatures are low, but the predicted climate change extensive. Such areas are e.g. the large permafrost areas in mid-Siberia," says Juha Aalto.

"The new data produced through the research will give us new opportunities to assess e.g. carbon cycle processes and the risks to the infrastructure posed by the permafrost melting," says Miska Luoto, professor in natural geography. The research is still on-going and more exact estimates of how the melting frost will affect such things as buildings and roads will be prepared.

The research is a collaboration between the University of Helsinki, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and the University of Oulu, and is a part of the INFRAHAZARD project funded by the Academy of Finland. The project studies Arctic ground surface processes under climate change, and assesses the risks it poses to human activities.

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Publication: Aalto, J., Karjalainen, O., Hjort, J., Luoto, M. Statistical forecasting of current and future circum-Arctic ground temperatures and active layer thickness. Geophysical Research Letters. doi: 10. 1029/2018GL078007

Open access to material from the study: Aalto, J., Karjalainen, O., Hjort, J., Luoto, M. (2018) Data from: Statistical forecasting of current and future circum-Arctic ground temperatures and active layer thickness. Dryad Digital Repository. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.886pr72

More details:

Postdoctoral researcher Juha Aalto, University of Helsinki, Department of Geosciences and Geography / Meteorological Institute, Seasonal and Climate Applications, phone +358 50 448 0407, juha.aalto@helsinki.fi

Professor Miska Luoto, University of Helsinki, Department of Geosciences and Geography, phone +358 9 191 50768, miska.luoto@helsinki.fi

Professor Jan Hjort, University of Oulu, Geography Research Unit, phone +358 29 448 1704, jan.hjort@oulu.fiPHILADELPHIA-- Hospitals that receive bundled payments for joint replacements either voluntarily or through Medicare's mandatory programs, vary by size and volume, but not in spending or quality, signaling a need for both programs, according to a new study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The authors say the results show that voluntary programs tend to engage larger non-profit hospitals, whereas some hospitals with lower volumes and fewer resources might only participate under a mandatory program. The results are published this week in the June issue of the journal Health Affairs.

Some policymakers, arguing that mandatory bundled-payment programs disadvantage some hospitals, have called for these programs to be strictly voluntary. The study, however, found no evidence that hospitals in the mandatory program were obviously disadvantaged compared to their voluntary counterparts.

"Our results suggest that both voluntary and mandatory approaches can play an important role in engaging hospitals across the country, so policymakers should not restrict policy options to one approach over the other," said study lead author Amol S. Navathe, MD, PhD, an assistant professor in the department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Penn Medicine.

Medicare's bundled-payment model is a cost-containment strategy that has been rolled out on a trial basis for more than 2,000 U.S. hospitals in recent years. The most prominent bundled-payments programs have been those relating to knee and hip replacement surgeries, which account for a large portion of annual Medicare spending. Participating hospitals are incentivized to keep their spending per patient--for the joint-replacement surgery plus a few months of post-operative care--below a standard benchmark figure, while maintaining a high level of care quality.

Initially the bundled-payment model for joint replacements was introduced as a voluntary option and enrolled more than 300 U.S. hospitals. Evidence of its success at lowering costs and maintaining quality led to a newer, mandatory program covering nearly 800 hospitals, as a prelude to a much wider use of bundled payment models. However, there have been concerns that some covered hospitals will not be able to achieve cost savings, and will stop performing these surgeries rather than lose money on them. The agency that administers Medicare, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), recently started cutting back its mandatory bundled payment programs and putting more emphasis on voluntary programs.

For the study, Navathe and colleagues used data from the American Hospital Association and CMS. They compared organizational characteristics and measures of costs and care quality for 302 hospitals in the voluntary bundled-payment joint-replacement program ("Bundled Payments for Care Improvement") and 799 in the mandatory program ("Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement").

The researchers found no large differences in baseline spending, care quality, or financial risk exposure for voluntary vs. mandatory program hospitals. "The mandatory program does not seem to have disadvantaged its participants compared to voluntary participants on average, with respect to spending and care quality," Navathe said.

However, there were significant organizational differences between the two hospital groups. Those in the voluntary program were of course self-selected; they were on average larger, and handled a greater volume of joint-replacement surgeries. To some extent that was expected; as Navathe and colleagues have shown in a prior study, the hospitals that save money under bundled-payments programs tend to be those that are larger, with a higher volume of procedures. What that means, though, is that hospitals in the voluntary program probably are not as representative of hospitals nationwide.

"In other words, we think mandatory bundled-payment programs can produce more generalizable evidence of cost-savings," Navathe said.

"These emerging bundled-payment policies should engage a broad range of hospitals in order to bring cost savings and quality improvements to patients across the nation--and that is likely to require a mix of mandatory programs and additional targeted voluntary programs," said study senior author Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Penn Medicine.

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The other co-authors of the paper were Daniel Polsky, Yash Shah, Qian Huang, Jingsan Zhu, Zoe M. Lyon, Josh Rolnick, and Joseph R. Martinez, all of Penn; Joshua M. Liao of the University of Washington School of Medicine, and Robin Wang of Cornell University.

Funding for the study was provided by the Commonwealth Fund.

Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $7.8 billion enterprise.

The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top medical schools in the United States for more than 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $405 million awarded in the 2017 fiscal year.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Medicine Princeton Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, a leading provider of highly skilled and compassionate behavioral healthcare.

Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2017, Penn Medicine provided more than $500 million to benefit our community.France to replace plastic packaging for some fresh fruit and vegetables from January onwardsASUS today announced its collaboration with Gal Gadot to promote its latest product series of laptops and all-in-one PC.



Sharing a joint passion for creativity and inspiring others to find theirs, Gal embodies ASUS core values to unleash the creative power within, the company said in a statement.



The partnership comes as ASUS reveals the latest in its flagship laptop series, the ZenBook Series new ZenBook Pro, as well as the refreshed range of VivoBook and all-in-one PC. The new ZenBook Pro, being showcased at Computex, is the first ASUS device to showcase its new innovative ScreenPad feature, turning the touch pad into a fully functioning display with adaptive design, and providing users a smarter way to interact with their laptop to offer the ultimate performance.



With Gadot, ASUS hopes to inspire people across the globe to showcase that everyone can use technology to create.

Talking about the association, Gadot said, People used to think you had to be super techy or geeky to get the most out of technology, but the truth is everyone can use technology to create.



ASUS new ZenBook Pro with ScreenPad empowers boundless creativity, so Im thrilled to be working with a brand that helps unleash the creativity I know is within us all, she added.



Eric Chen, Corporate Vice President of ASUS, said, Gal is a role model for people around the world  staying true to herself as she achieves international success. Like Gal, we believe everyone can pursue their own incredible. It just takes the right technology to unleash ones creative power. With that in mind, we can think of no better person to work with on our own search for incredible.



Chris Walker, Vice President, Client Computing Group, Intel Corp, said, ASUS is our long-time partner committed to reimagining the PC and driving innovation in a way that allows people to tap into their most creative and productive selves.



ZenBook Pro with ScreenPad, powered by Intel, is the embodiment of this spirit of innovation, Walker added.



See ASUS and Gadots joint vision on how to unleash creativity to bring your vision to life in the video below. The concept behind the video is to showcase the path of creators today. From the days where creators just had a paintbrush to create art to now when they have technology at their disposal to create the incredible.





Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)Italian politics is still making headlines as the new government faces a confidence vote on Tuesday. The trade war is far from over, or on hold. In fact, risks are escalating as the EU is drawn into the disputes. The North Korea  US meeting is scheduled for June 12th, and is likely to cause market jitters over the coming week.

The economic calendar is fairly light on Tuesday and indeed the rest of the week now the RBA meeting has passed with little consequence. As expected the Australian central bank kept the cash rate at 1.5%. AUDUSD is down -0.25% at 0.7628, and AUD has barely moved versus the Euro. GDP data out early Wednesday could still cause some volatility in the Ozzie, but it seems the RBA will stay neutral for the foreseeable future, and AUD drivers are thin on the ground.

In a more general view of the markets, it seems geopolitics will still be the main catalyst for moves across all assets. There are three near term events likely to dictate movements.

Italian Politics

While Italian politics have not dominated headlines in the same way they did last week, the situation has by no means been resolved. Tuesday sees an important vote that could further de-stabilize the fragile footing of the new government.

The new Italian government is set for a confidence vote in parliament today. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will be speaking at 11:00 CEST before the Senate and at 12:30 CEST before the Lower House. The vote is due to take place at 18.30 CEST and the government is expected to win by only a small majority in the Senate, reported Danske Bank this morning.

Euro pairs could see some increased volatility before and after the vote as the results are made public. A no-confidence vote would bring forward elections, which are expected anyway early next year.

It is important to monitor the reactions in Italian bonds as these quickly reflect the markets perception of risks. So far this week the bonds have been relatively stable, at least in comparison with last weeks panic sell off.

Trade Wars

Many people hoped the trade wars were over after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told the press the U.S. trade war with China is on hold at the end of May. However, it seems they are anything but over, and things are getting progressively worse.

ING described the situation as moving to DEFCON 4:

The threat of a global trade war has moved to DEFCON 4 after major trading partners chose to retaliate against the US administration, broadening out steel and aluminium import tariffs.

The EU has threatened retaliatory tariffs targeting industries based in key Republican voting states.

And the China situation looks far from being on hold.

We think the risk of renewed escalation over the coming weeks has moved up and the key challenge is how Trump can satisfy a strong domestic call for tariffs on imports from China without China leaving the negotiations table. We still believe the ultimate solution will not entail a trade wall, but the probability that things will get worse in the short run is higher now, reported Danske Bank.

North Korea

The meeting between US President Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un has been on, then off and is now back on and scheduled to take place on 12 June at 9am Singapore time. This gives us exactly a week of potential headlines, tweets, and more possible cancelations and last-minute posturing; a risky market environment, especially for the US dollar, gold and other risk on/risk off markets.

A breakthrough by Trump is still hoped for as he tries to persuade the rogue state to give up nuclear plans in return for sanction relief and other offers. Trump has tried the stick, and is now dangling some carrots.The brother of the suspected mastermind of the Paris terror attacks of 2015 has been handed over by Belgium to French authorities, Belgian prosecutors said Tuesday.

Yassine Atar is the brother of Osama Atar, who is suspected to have planned the Paris massacre from Syria and has never been arrested.

The 31-year-old Yassine was imprisoned in Belgium after his arrest in Brussels at the end of March 2016.

He was extradited to France under an international arrest warrant (issued in Paris) and will remain there in pre-trial detention, Eric Van Der Sypt, the spokesman for Belgian federal prosecutors told AFP.

The French arrest warrant means that magistrates in charge of investigating the Paris attacks, that killed 130 people, wish to interrogate Yassine Atar with a view to a probable indictment.

Atar is also cousin to Ibrahim and Khalid el-Bakraoui, brothers who set off suicide bombs in Brussels in March 2016, which killed 32 people.

Media reports said Atar was found at the time of his arrest with keys to a Brussels hideout that was used to build the bombs for the Brussels assaults and possibly the Paris attacks.

This hideout is also one that sheltered Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving member of the group that carried out the Paris attacks, during the four months he spent on the run.EU countries conceded Tuesday they were a long way from breaking a two-year deadlock over reforming the bloc's asylum rules by this month's deadline given a "harder political climate" following right-wing election gains in Italy and other countries.

Key European Union ministers and officials meeting in Luxembourg were critical of or even opposed to Bulgarias new compromise plan on how to close an east-west rift over the reforms before a June 28-29 summit in Brussels.

Bulgaria holds the current 6-month EU rotating presidency.

The current state of negotiations is not acceptable, Stephan Mayer, a senior German interior ministry official, told reporters as he arrived for the talks. We are not ready to accept it (the plan).

Mayer, whose country is Europes top migrant destination, said Italy, its southern EU neighbours and eastern European countries also criticised at least parts of the plan.

Migration Minister Helene Fritzon of Sweden, another key migrant destination, said chances of a compromise may even be tougher following right-wing gains in elections in Italy and Slovenia.

It is a harder climate, a harder political climate in Europe today, Fritzon told reporters.

In his first speech in office, Italys new Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte called for the obligatory and automatic redistribution among EU member states of asylum seekers being processed in Italy.

Hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini said separately the proposed reforms condemn Italy and other Mediterranean countries to continue bearing the burden of an unprecedented migration crisis for the 28-nation bloc.

EU leaders in December set an end-of-June deadline for an overhaul of the so-called Dublin rules to create a permanent mechanism to deal with migrants in the event of a new emergency.

Under those rules, the countries where migrants first arrive are required to process their asylum requests. Italy, Greece and Spain are the main entry points to Europe.

EU cooperation deals with Turkey and Libya, the main transit countries, have helped to slow, at least for now, the flow of migrants to Europe since peak arrivals in 2015.

Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have either refused outright or resisted taking in refugees since the Commission first pushed through temporary quotas in 2015 as a way to ease the burden on frontline states Italy and Greece.

 Asylum reform is dead 

The summer of that year saw a surge in mass drownings in the Mediterranean as Europes worst migration crisis since World War II peaked with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Under an emergency plan, EU member countries agreed to relocate to other parts of the bloc 160,000 Syrians and other refugees from Italy and Greece within two years.

Only 34,690 people have been relocated so far however as most migrants made their own way to Germany and other wealthy northern countries amid the chaotic EU response to the crisis.

According to documents seen by AFP, Bulgaria calls for alleviating (the) burden from the front-line states and curbing secondary movements of asylum seekers who land in one EU country and travel to another.

Eastern countries place a priority on stopping secondary movements, which caused so much chaos in recent years that some countries in Europes passport-free Schengen zone even re-established border checks.

In a nod to Rome and Athens, the Bulgarian proposals call for the compulsory relocation of asylum seekers, but only as a last resort.

At the outset of a crisis, financial and other support are supposed to kick in automatically under the plan.

EU capitals like Budapest, which has spearheaded opposition to Muslim and other migrants, have stood firm against mandatory relocation.

As a further sop to the eastern countries, people will be relocated only in exceptional cases and member states will have the flexibility to reduce some of the numbers allotted to them.

Under the proposal, frontline states face increased responsibility to register arrivals.

Asylum reform is dead, Belgiums hardline migration minister Theo Francken said, according to Belgian media. There is not enough basis to pursue the debate.Whether delivering cargo to remote areas, mapping terrain or assessing structural damage, drones  usually associated with the military and sport  are being used more and more for humanitarian aid. But it turns out that using drones for good isnt so simple.

On May 15, experts convened in Cambridge, Massachusetts to develop much-needed guidelines for this emerging application of a powerful technology. The meeting was hosted by swissnex Boston as part of its new event series, Aerial Futures: The Drone Frontier.

Participants came from humanitarian organisations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), universities including Harvard and MIT, tech companies, and local government.

But the question on everyones minds was: How can the powerful robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies used in drones  also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)  be harnessed safely and effectively for good?

Were seeing moreandmore use of drones [in humanitarian action], but that doesnt mean were seeing the value increase at the same rate, because I think what humanitarian organisations are starting to realise is that flying the drones is the easy part, Patrick Meier, co-founder and Executive Director of Swiss-American non-profit WeRobotics, told swissinfo.ch.

WeRoboticss network of Flying Labs is aimed at helping communities in low-income countries gain access to the technology and training they need to use drones for disaster relief and sustainable development efforts at the local level.

Currently, the most common uses for drones in humanitarian response are mapping and monitoring, delivering supplies and medicines (especially in high-frequency, low-volume missions to remote areas known as last mile deliveries) and search-and-rescue efforts. According to a 2016 report on humanitarian drones by the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action, mapping is currently the most evolved of these applications.

Past examples of humanitarian drone mapping include using AI to survey crop damage in Tonga following a cyclone in February 2018

and identifying terrainvulnerable to landslides in the wake of two Nepal earthquakes in 2015.

As UAVs are increasingly deployed in disaster situations, which tend to be chaotic and characterised by limited access to resources, the need for universal guidelines and streamlined workflows is becoming more pressing. Using drones in humanitarian contexts requires the expertise and capacity to analyse large volumes of aerial image data. Air traffic management and data privacy issues present their own host of regulatory and ethical challenges.

At the same time, drone technology is evolving so rapidly that its hard to keep up.

Its not so much that these platforms fly, or that they drive or swim, Meier said of emerging robotics technologies before of the audience of experts gathered at swissnex Boston.

The real big deal here is that these platforms can be made with greater autonomy than ever before. And frankly its a one-way street: things are not going to get less autonomous in the months and years to come.

From cargo to conflict

One of the main goals of the swissnex meeting was to update and expand the Humanitarian UAV Code of Conduct, which was launched in 2014 by the UAViators network (also founded by Patrick Meier) as a set of universal and voluntary guidelines for humanitarian drone use.

At a public lecture following the experts meeting, Meier talked about the inspiration for Code, which grew out of a disaster response experience in the Philippines in the wake of the 2013 typhoon Haiyan.

What was astounding for me was that after four or five days of being in the Philippines, I came across nearly as many teams using small drones  that had never happened before in previous disasters, Meier told the crowd.

But I started realising that none of these teams were even talking to each other, let alone coordinating. They were not sharing data with the international humanitarian community, local communities, government and NGOs. My excitement quickly translated to a certain level of alarm.

The discussion at swissnex focused especially on developing new guidelines for cargo delivery by humanitarian drones, as many unique challenges arise when it comes to packaging and transporting airborne cargo without damaging it, or  as in the case of biohazardous material like medical samples without itcausing damage itself.

Conflict sensitivity was another main portion of the Code of Conduct that participants agreed must urgently be expanded.

There have been a number of cases that have cropped up recently of small, commercial drones being used as weapons of war. It had been hypothesised as something that always could happen, but we now have a number of examples, said WeRobotics co-founder Andrew Schroeder, citing drone swarm attacks and the drone-assisted dropping of tear gas.

The experts also concluded that guidelines for marking humanitarian drones to distinguish them from those used in conflict are needed, as are protocols governing the safe collection and use of data that could potentially be hijacked for harmful purposes.

If youve got a drone map, what happens if you upload that to the internet and someone combines it with pre-existing census data, and is able to figure out where a vulnerable group of people is? That could be really problematic, speaker Faine Greenwood, a UAV researcher with the Harvard Humanitarian Initiatives Signal Program, told swissinfo.ch.

Greenwood added that one of the reasons the conflict guidelines need urgent expansion is that there is a lot of bleed-over of humanitarian drone use into adjacent conflict zones.

There really is not a very clear line between disaster and conflict  the vast majority of the work that humanitarians are doing these days combines a little bit of both. For example, youve got a pre-existing natural disaster and a conflict gets set off [over] resources, she explained.

Data dilemma

In the afternoon, the conversation centred on how to address challenges presented by drone technology  both its power and its limitations.

One stumbling block is coping with the sheer volume of data: Patrick Meier noted that over the course of a single 20-minute flight, a drone can capture 800 high-resolution aerial images, which can require up to six hours of manual processing.

Crowdsourcing aerial image analysis  for example to assess structural damage of homes in a cyclone-hit village in the South Pacific  has been one solution to this data dilemma, but Meier said that going forward, advancements in the fields of computer vision, machine learning and big data will be necessary.

Greenwood enumerated some of the other technical improvements that small, low-budget consumer drones often used in humanitarian efforts need, including longer battery life  which, for an average multi-rotor drone is currently 25 minutes if youre lucky  as well as better data transmission, autonomy, and obstacle avoidance.

You still risk slamming your drone into a tree or other aircraft, which is a problem in busy airspace, she explained.

Looking to the (aerial) future

At the events conclusion,Meier said he felt that concrete progress had been made in terms of the Code of Conduct and the use of drones in humanitarian settings.

This is not just an academic exercise;we actually needed this to happen in order to move forward because we dont have all the answers, he said, adding that by the end of this year hed like to see a revised Code, as well as improved workflows for processing drone data.

I like to think that by this time next year that well[have] gotten to a really good working model that allows us to quickly analyse imagery using AI, to inform decision-making in a timely manner when humanitarian disaster strikes.

Jonas Brunschwig, swissnex Bostons Project Leader for Academic Relations and the initiator of the Aerial Futures series, said that such practical outcomes are a major goal of the programme.

We dont just want to be the cheerleaders for the Swiss drone industry; we think that there are meaningful conversations to be had, and thats want we want to facilitate, Brunschwig said.

He added that the next events in theseries are already being planned, including a panel discussion on June 6 at the United NationsScience, Technology and Innovation Forum in New York City on how civilian drones can be used to gather aerial remote sensing data for city planning and sustainable land management in Africa.

Technology for good Following the experts meeting at swissnex Boston, Patrick Meier presented the WeRobotics Pacific Flying Labs at the annual flagship meeting of MIT Solve, a project of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology dedicated to connecting innovators with resources to solve global challenges. You can watch a recap of the event, which featured famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma andCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, here.Tensions are running high after United States President Donald Trumps decision to slap tariffs on the steel and aluminium imports of close allies. Trade specialist Cedric Dupont warns that the move is bad news for the US in the long term.

Trump has imposed tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminium imports from top US trading partners, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union, which took effect on June 1. He has also threatened tariffs on Chinese imports that could rise to some $200 billion (CHF197 billion).

The US president campaigned on a pledge to rewrite trade agreements and crack down on China, Mexico and other countries. He blames what he calls their abusive trade policies for Americas persistent trade deficits  $566 billion last year.

His action has provoked retaliation from key allies, including the EU and Canada, who filed challenges with the Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO) last week.

swissinfo.ch: What is the logic behind Trumps commitment to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from supposed allies?

Cedric Dupont: Its his way of doing business. Basically, hes very pragmatic. In business Trump doesnt believe in having friends. It doesnt matter if you are an ally; he has interests to defend and he has promised certain things to his voters.

This kind of strategy is not totally new. The US used a similar approach under George W. Bush. But no one has used these kinds of methods as brutally as Trump.

Trump is making a short-term political gamble. He might win, as he could get re-elected, but in the medium- to long-term this is very bad news for the US and for the rest of the world.

The risk is that if he goes too far, Trump could find himself all alone against everyone. Thats what happened in the 1930s when the US ended up being the big loser. You can compare it to whats happening in the climate sector. The US wanted to do things unilaterally, but isolated themselves and quickly lost the political leadership.

swissinfo.ch: Are you worried about this escalating into a trade war?

C.D.: There is always that risk. But I think that Trump is used to these kinds of stormy discussions and I think that, apart from the Chinese, hes probably got steelier nerves than the other players because its how hes always operated. He sees that the Europeans havent got the nerve and that they get cross and show their cards too quickly.

The fact that Trudeau told him he would slap tariffs worth $13 billion on US products probably didnt surprise Trump either. He just thinks, Ill flex my muscles, youll flex yours and in the end, well see what well do. But is this approach productive?

Another aspect which perhaps were discovering is that Trump never burns his bridges.

swissinfo.ch: Is the WTO the place to help solve such an international trade dispute that could well drag on for years?

C.D.: The US has been involved in lots of procedures before the WTOs dispute settlement body. In general, these procedures take about two years, and in the end, things usually return to normal. But do such disputes go back to normal without the help of the WTO? Thats the big question were unable to answer.

I believe the EU is right to play the multilateral card  even if takes two years  as the US will be viewed as the bad guy and the cheat. Perhaps that wont affect Trump but it will impact other economic players in the US, which is generally the big winner at the WTO. Its not in the US interest to start giving up on global trading rules.

The WTO offers a sort of multilateral control over this diplomatic game which is the best we have. There is no other alternative.

swissinfo.ch: Last year, Switzerland exported to the US aluminium and steel products worth around CHF90 million. Swiss officials have expressed concerns over a possible undesirable chain reaction resulting from the US tariffs and retaliations. What repercussions could Switzerland encounter?

C.D.: When a country depends on international trade as much as Switzerland, any trade war can have an impact. The worry is that when you start entering a downward spiral caused by trade tensions, markets become nervous and investors want to invest less  that will impact a country like Switzerland. But its difficult to put a figure on it.The United States defended the right of its ambassador to Germany to speak his mind about European politics Tuesday, after an outspoken interview sparked calls for him to step down.

Germany has asked the State Department to clarify US ambassador Richard Grenells comment in an interview that he was seeking to empower European conservatives opposed to the political status quo.

At least one member of Angela Merkels coalition government has accused the envoy of interfering in Germanys internal affairs, and figures on the left have called for him to be sent back to Washington.

But State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert stood by the ambassador, insisting the United States has good relations with Germany and that Grenell had a right to make his views known.

Ambassadors have a right to express their opinion, Nauert told reporters who asked whether Grenell had been expressing the views of President Donald Trumps administration.

Theyre representatives of the White House, whether its this administration or other administrations, and we hear them voicing their opinions, she said.

And theyre sometimes opinions that people may or may not like. And there is the right to free speech as well.

In an interview with news website Breitbart over the weekend, Grenell said he had seen a wave of support in Europe for conservative causes because of the failed policies of the left.

I absolutely want to empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders, he said. Theres no question about that and its an exciting time for me.

Grenell does not criticize Merkels government, but dubs himself a big fan of neighboring Austrias rock star chancellor Sebastian Kurz, leader of a coalition of conservative and right-wing parties.

In a tweet sent from his personal account after controversy erupted, Grenell denied that he had been as US ambassador endorsing any European candidates or parties.

But he added: I stand by my comments that we are experiencing an awakening from the silent majority  those who reject the elites and their bubble. Led by Trump.

On Wednesday, Grenell is due to hold a pre-arranged meeting with senior German official Andreas Michaelis.Spain's new Socialist prime minister, who unveiled his cabinet Wednesday, has vowed to address the country's "social emergencies" but his lack of a parliamentary majority and EU budget rules leave him little room to act, economists say.

Pedro Sanchez, who ousted his conservative predecessor Mariano Rajoy Friday in a no-confidence vote in parliament, has listed low salaries and old-age pensions, job insecurity, the gender pay gap and public health cuts as issues he intends to tackle.

With no previous government experience, the 46-year-old economist is taking charge of a country whose growth has been higher than the eurozone average for the past four years but which still has its highest unemployment rate after Greece at 16.7 percent.

The eurozones fourth-largest economy has a deficit in its public pension system of around 18 billion euros ($21 billion) and just over one in four workers have temporary contracts, the highest rate in the 28-nation European Union, according to Eurostat.

And storm clouds are gathering on the economic horizon.

With the European Central Bank expected to raise interest rates and oil prices increasing Pedro Sanchez will have to manage a scenario which in two years could be one of a slowdown in the rate of economic growth and the rhythm of job creation, Emilio Gonzalez, an economics professor at the Pontificia Comillas ICAI-ICADE University, told AFP.

 Headache 

Sanchez does not have much margin for manoeuvre because he committed himself to executing the 2018 budget of the previous conservative government while at the same time meeting the public defict goal agreed with Brussels, IE Business School economics professor Juan Carlos Martinez Lazaro said.

In what was seen as a message to Brussels that his Socialist adminstration is committed to eurozone budget rules, Sanchez appointed as economy minister Nadia Calvino who has since 2014 been the director general for budget at the European Commission.

Spains 2018 budget, which still needs to be approved by the Senate, includes a nearly 3.0 percent increase in public spending.

The previous government forecast the economy would grow by 2.7 percent in 2018 while the budget deficit would drop to 2.2 percent of economic output this year.

With just 84 seats in the 350-seat Spanish parliament, the first headache for Sanchezs Socialist government will be to win the approval of the expenditure ceiling, a crucial step in the preparation of the 2019 budget, said Teneo Intelligence analyst Antonio Barroso.

Analysts predicted the parties which backed the no-confidence motion, such as far-left Podemos which has called for greater social spending and the tiny Catalan and Basque nationalist parties, will quickly start to make demands on the Socialists, who will likely have to call early elections.

Sanchez will have to carry out a difficult political balancing act to approve any measure, said Carlos Martin, the head of the economics department at Spains largest union, Comisiones Obreras, which is demanding higher wages and pensions.

It is planning nationwide protests with other unions on June 16.

 Cosmetic 

When the Socialists in April presented an alternative 2018 budget, they proposed introducing new taxes on high income earners, banks and financial transactions to fund increased spending, including on pensions.

Spain has seen massive protests by pensioners in recent months demanding higher pensions.

The problem is that these taxes provide very little revenue, said Martinez Lazaro.

Raising other unpopular taxes such as income taxes would be suicidal for the Socialists, who are trying to win back voters lost to other parties in recent years.

Francisco Javier Velazquez, an economics professor at Madrids Complutense University, predicted the government will do something more cosmetic.

He does not think Sanchez will quash a 2012 labour market law reform, which made it easier to fire workers and which the left blames for increased job precarity.

Sanchez Wednesday appointed a high commissioner against child poverty. He is mulling an equal pay law.

There are social gestures that can be made, but they must be accompanied by budgetary contributions, noted Martinez Lazaro.Ukrainian President Petro Porochenko defended staging the killing of Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko to foil what Kiev said was an assassination plot by Moscow, saying in an interview published Tuesday that it was needed to "protect freedom of the press".

Those who criticise us would they have preferred that the Russian secret services kill this journalist? Porochenko asked in an interview published in top-selling Spanish newspaper El Pais when asked about the faking of Babchenkos death with the help of Ukrainian secret services.

If we must defend freedom of the press, if we must protect journalists, we must employ these type of techniques, he added.

Ukrainian police announced on May 29 that Babchenko was shot dead in Kiev in a contract-style killing, but the following day Ukrainian secret services held a news conference where the journalist appeared alive and well.

Babchenkos staged killing fooled the worlds media and led to press freedom groups raising fears about the impact it could have on the work of journalists everywhere.

Some said the staged death could only lead to more accusations of fake news, at a time when the distinction between credible and non-credible sources is becoming ever more crucial.

The Kremlin has dismissed the story as bizarre and denied accusations that it had attempted to assassinate Babchenko.

Ukrainian secret services have arrested the person who was going to carry out Babchenkos killing, and Porochenko told El Pais that very soon they will show where he received the money, the orders, the lists of journalists to kill.

Asked about an alleged list of 30 journalists targeted in Ukraine and the European Union by Moscow, Porochenko said he has not personally informed other governments but said secret services were cooperating with them.

Porochenko was in Madrid on Monday on an official visit where he met with Spains new Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.After months of silence, the grand ambition of French President Emmanuel Macron to reform the eurozone has finally received a response from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Europe's most powerful leader.

In a wide-ranging newspaper interview, Merkel on Sunday laid out her vision of what Germany would  or would not  tolerate in reforming the European Unions single currency, a top priority for Frances young leaders.

The goal is to officially deliver a list of proposals at an EU summit on June 29 that could be adopted in time for European elections in May 2019.

Here is a list of the key reforms expected at the June 29 summit as well as a few Macron ideas that were summarily discarded.

 Eurozone budget 

National governments have for months been haggling over creating some sort of budget capacity for the single currency bloc which could be used in case of crises or economic shocks.

The EU commission last week unveiled a modest version of the idea  building a budget firepower of just 55 billion euros  one that Merkel seemed to quietly back in her interview.

Germany is open to something modest and controlled by the member states, not the EUs institutions, that could also be used to help implement tough reforms.

 European Monetary Fund 

Eurozone finance ministers have accepted the idea of upgrading the responsibilities of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), which oversees loans to troubled member states, such as Greece, into some sort of European Monetary Fund.

But beyond the concept, Europeans struggle to agree on the exact missions of this future body.

Everyone agrees that it should assume the role of lender of last resort (or backstop) for banks in distress if the backup mechanisms already in place prove ineffective.

But some, including Chancellor Merkel, would like the fund to rival the Commission in its power to oversee national economies. This is opposed by the EU executive, which is loath to devolve power to national governments.

 No eurozone finance minister 

Macron proposed a finance minister for the 19-country eurozone with centralised powers over its economy, but the French leader remained vague about how the new position would work.

Jean-Claude Junckers European Commission then proposed to create a finance minister for the whole 28-nation EU by merging the vice-presidency of the commission and the presidency of the Eurogroup  the informal group that brings together the 19 finance ministers of the eurozone.

But wary of handing more power to Brussels, the Eurogroup ministers quickly rejected the idea last December by choosing to elect one of their own, Portugals Mario Centeno, for a two-and-a-half-year term.

 No eurozone parliament 

It was one of Macrons most ambitious ideas: A parliament specific to the euro area, responsible for controlling its decisions. But it already seems buried.

The French president watered down his already vague idea and the Germans and Juncker never took him up on it.

Macrons even less ambitious idea to create transnational MEPs by using seats currently held by Britain has also run aground.Privacy Settings

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NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using.French President Emmanuel Macron warned of the risk of "conflict" in the standoff with Iran after Tehran announced plans to boost its uranium enrichment capacity as Europe scrambles to save a beleaguered nuclear deal.

At a press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the French leader called on everyone to stabilise the situation and not give into this escalation which would lead to only one thing: conflict.

He said that the Iranian decision to expand its nuclear infrastructure did not constitute grounds for quitting a 2015 deal designed to stop Iran getting a nuclear bomb.

The deal hangs by a thread after the US withdrew last month  a move applauded by Irans arch-foe Israel  but so far fellow signatories France, Britain, Germany, China, Russia and the EU, have stood firm.

In a rebuke of the US pullout Macron said that Irans riposte simply shows that when you decide to unilaterally end an accord it does not encourage the other party to respect it.

Netanyahu, who has vigorously opposed the accord, said he had not attempted to convince Macron to abandon it.

I did not ask President Macron to leave the deal. I think that economic realities are going to decide this matter, he said, referring to the prospect of renewed US nuclear sanctions on Iran, and the repercussions for European countries that continue to do business in the Islamic republic.

What we focused on, and what I focused on, is how to stop Iranian aggression in the region, he added.

 Warning to Europe 

He claimed Tehran was using the cash bonanza from sanctions relief to build up its forces in Syria and using the war-torn country as a platform for attacks on neighbouring Israel.

Accusing Tehran, a Shia power, of a plan to flood Syria, a mainly Sunni country, with fighters he declared: What that will do is spark another religious war, another civil war and where will the refugees go? Theyll go to one place, to here (France) or to Germany or to Europe.

On Monday, he had issued a similar warning to Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Netanyahu has been emboldened by Trumps decision to pull out of the deal  and the threat of reprisals against foreign firms that do business in the US who choose to remain in Iran.

His meeting with Macron was the third between the pair in Paris in a year.

It came hours after Iran said it had notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it would soon open a new centre for producing new centrifuges to increase its uranium enrichment capabilities.

Nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said the moves were allowed under the accord, and do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed.

In a video posted on social media, Netanyahu reiterated his claims that the new enrichment capacity was aimed at producing nuclear weapons to destroy the State of Israel.

 No cause for celebration 

Netanyahus European tour comes as relations between Israel and the European Union show signs of strain over the killing of 123 Palestinian protesters in Gaza by Israeli forces since March.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe cancelled a planned trip to Israel last month.

Macron on Tuesday repeated his condemnation of the violence against civilians while noting Israels security concerns.

Several hundred protesters took part in protests against Netanyahu in cities across France, with three journalist unions calling his visit intolerable after the killing of Palestinian journalists.

Against the backdrop, attempts to broker an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have fallen to the wayside, not least after Trump broke with decades of protocol by recognising Israels claim of Jerusalem as its capital.

Macron took a swipe at the US, which opened its new embassy in Jerusalem on the same day dozens of Palestinians demonstrators were killed in Gaza.

When you celebrate such an event and there are people dying I do not consider it cause for celebration, he said.

burs-cb/eclFrench President Emmanuel Macron warned of the risk of an "escalation" in the Iranian nuclear standoff after Tehran announced plans to boost uranium enrichment capacity to pressure Europeans scrambling to save a landmark deal.

At a press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the French leader called on everyone to stabilise the situation and not give into this escalation which would lead to only one thing: conflict.

While noting that Iran had stepped up the pressure with its latest announcement, Macron also pointed blame in the direction of US President Donald Trump for unilaterally pulling out of the hard-fought 2015 deal designed to stop Tehran getting a nuclear bomb.

When you decide to bring an end to a deal on your side, that does not encourage the other party to respect it, he said, calling this solid common sense.

He stressed he had no indication that Iran had breached the terms of the deal, which Trump walked away from last month.

And while he agreed with Netanyahu that the deal had flaws, he added: If you consider it insufficient but that its a step forward from what exist before, its better to keep it.

Netanyahu, who has vigorously opposed the Iranian deal, said he had not attempted to convince Macron to abandon it.

Instead he said he believed Europe would give up on its efforts to save it under pressure from the US, which has threatened sanctions against European countries which continue to do business in Iran.

I did not ask President Macron to leave the deal. I think that economic realities are going to decide this matter, so its not what we focused on, he said after talks between the two leaders.

What we focused on, and what I focused on, is how to stop Iranian aggression in the region.

He accused Tehran of using the cash bonanza from sanctions relief under the deal not to develop Iran, not to make it more moderate, but to build up its forces in war-torn Syria.

They want to bring in 80,000 Shiite fighters, from Afghanistan, from Pakistan, he claimed.

What that will do is spark another religious war, another civil war and where will the refugees go? Theyll go to one place, to here (France) or to Germany or to Europe, he said, repeating a similar warning to Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday.Campaign groups long have argued that tolls imposed on drivers using Portugal's formerly free SCUT roads, including the Algarves Via do Infante A22 motorway, should greatly be reduced or, better still, cancelled.

The government has made small downward adjustments in the past but now has lopped a sizeable 30% off the fees paid to use these roads  but only for Heavy Goods Vehicles.

The roads where reductions will apply, run through the interior of the country and across the Algarve, namely, the A22 Via do Infante, A23, A24, A25 and the A4.

The welcome measure soon will be approved by the Council of Ministers, which also plans to announce additional measures to support the interior of the country where depopulation and poor infrastructure hamper economic development.

According to the Deputy Minister, Pedro Siza Vieira, the objective of these measures is, to contribute to the competitiveness of economic activity in these regions but already suspicions have been raised that the headline 30% may end up nearer 15% by the time the measures are introduced.

Some business owners already have expressed disappointment that smaller freight vehicles and private cars will be excluded from the discounted toll rate.

The president of the Beira Baixa Business Association, Jose Gameiro, said the Government is preparing to announce a measure, that only benefits, and still only a little, the transport companies.

In addition to reducing tolls, the Prime Minister Antonio Costa already has announced a reduction of corporation tax for companies in the interior of the country.

 algarvedailynews.com

The above content produced by swissinfo.ch is not intended for commercial use and may not be republished by third parties either wholly or in part.National road company, Infraestruturas de Portugal, at last has announced that its contractor is starting 250,000 in emergency work to the crumbing EN125 eastern section between Olhao and Vila Real de Santo Antonio.

According to the company, a set of emergency repairs will be carried out to correct the damaged areas that have been identified on the 38 kilometre stretch of road.

The road company announced a 1 million spend in the Algarve but half of this is to be used to fix a bridge in Tavira, leaving a quarter of the sum to repair the EN125 eastern section, widely acknowledged to be a national disgrace and a huge and expensive job, if done well.

The companys press release, rather insultingly, states that the work is, a matter of urgency, after years of ignoring the problem.

The time allocated is 45 days to allow its completion before the summer period, ensuring a significant improvement of the conditions of comfort and safety for the populations of the region, as well as the thousands of tourists who come to the Algarve for the enjoyment of their holidays, chirped the communique sent to regional press.

Infraestruturas de Portugal also stated that, the implementation of these repairs will allow the restoration of safe traffic conditions, mitigating the current mobility deficiencies which will be solved by the repair work to be carried out by the company, as soon as legally possible.

Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo Antonio Councils both stated that todays announcement clearly disrespects locals and, will not solve any of the structural problems that the road has developed over the years, and that it will just get torn up again this summer by vehicles driven by tourist, residents and commercial traffic.

It remains to be seen what the contractor can do to stretch the budget over the 38 kilometre section, much of which needs digging out and relaying.India's defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Tuesday that US sanctions on Russia military exports would not impact long-standing ties between New Delhi and one of its key arms suppliers Moscow.

US President Donald Trump in August signed a law threatening sanctions on any country doing business with Russias defence and intelligence sectors.

The sanctions regime affects American allies like India, which has purchased Russian military hardware and expertise for decades.

India, the worlds top defence importer, had been in talks with Russia to buy S-400 long range surface-to-air missile systems when the sanctions were announced.

There had been speculation last year when the sanctions were signed into law that the $6 billion weapons deal could be scuttled.

But Sitharaman said the long-running negotiations have reached the final stage.

I like to make it clear here that in all our engagements with the US, we have very clearly explained how India and Russias defence cooperation is something which has been going on for a very long time, she told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the sanctions.

It is a time tested relationship. And India has got quite a lot of defence assets from Russia. Assets, spares, servicing  we have a continuous relationship with Russia.

The sanctions cannot be impacting on us on this particular characteristic of Indias Russia defence co-operation.

India has increasingly turned to the United States and France for arms purchases in recent years, but is still reliant on Russia hardware and expertise to maintain its existing arsenal.Italy's new Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte called for EU sanctions against Russia to be reviewed, in his first speech to the Italian Senate on Tuesday.

We will promote a review of the sanctions system, he told senators during a policy speech, after which he was due to face a confidence vote in parliament.

We will be in favour of opening up to Russia, which has strengthened its international role in various geopolitical crises in recent years said Conte, adding that the nation represented an important economic partner for Italian companies.

As well as a call to review EU sanctions, the new premier also reaffirmed Italys commitment to NATO.

We intend above all to underline our countrys convinced membership of NATO, with the United States as a privileged partner, Conte said.Ukraine's national gas company said Tuesday a Dutch court has approved the seizure of Gazprom's shares in its subsidiaries there as it steps up efforts to collect on a $2.6 billion international arbitration award in a long-running dispute that has threatened European gas supplies.

The move follows a move last week by Naftogaz to seize Gazproms shares in Nord Stream, a major pipeline that transports Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, as it seeks to enforce the ruling from the Stockholm Arbitration Court.

A Dutch court approved the petitions to attach the shares as well as debts owed by the subsidiaries to Gazprom filed last week, Naftogaz said in a statement, which prevents the shares and debts from being transferred except with court approval,

However, six out of seven of Gazproms Dutch subsidiaries have refused to cooperate with the bailiffs. This does not affect the validity of the attachments, it added.

As Gazprom has refused to honour the February ruling for $2.56 billion, Naftogaz has had to use courts in various countries to freeze Gazproms assets to obtain its settlement.

Ukraine and Russia have both fought several gas wars that have seen Moscow halt supplies to Kiev, occasionally disrupting deliveries to Europe, with the legal battles heating up after the arrival of a pro-Western leadership in Kiev in 2014.

In the dispute, the two companies had demanded tens of billions of dollars from each other over an expensive 10-year contract Ukraine signed in 2009 after Gazprom cut its deliveries in the middle of the winter.

Gazprom hiked its prices to Naftogaz after Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and tried to enforce clauses where the firm had to pay for a minimum volume of gas even if it did not take deliveries.

Gazprom has appealed the arbitration court ruling for $2.56 billion, but Naftogaz has said that the ruling is enforceable. Gazprom has also refused to resume supplies to Naftogaz as ordered by the court.

Russia has for years been trying to build new gas pipelines that bypass Ukraine such as Nord Stream.

The EU has been stepping up its pressure on Russia to ensure a certain level of transit through Ukraine, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel bringing up the issue during a visit to Russia last month even as work gets underway to double the capacity of Nord Stream.

apo/rl/tm/spmUS prosecutors on Monday accused Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who is facing multiple charges of money laundering, bank fraud and illegal lobbying, of attempting to tamper with witnesses.

A motion submitted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is heading up the main investigation into alleged Russian election meddling, said that Manafort had contacted witnesses by phone and encrypted text messaging for the purpose of securing materially false testimony.

It added that such activities amounted to a violation of his bail terms, which triggers the statutory presumption in favor of detention, meaning he could face jail time ahead of his trials.

Manafort has been under home confinement since he was indicted in October.

According to the court document, he had sought to suborn perjury from witnesses who would be called to testify regarding the activities of the so-called Hapsburg group which allegedly carried out unlawful lobbying for Ukraine.

In February, the 69-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering, illegal lobbying and lying, setting up the first trial to result from Muellers investigation, due to begin on September 17.

Then in March he pleaded not guilty to charges of bank and tax fraud, setting up a separate trial for July 10.

Muellers investigation has now entered its second year, and continues to dominate US politics while menacing Trumps presidency.

So far the investigation has issued 22 indictments  of which 16 were for Russian individuals and companies associated with online meddling in the 2016 election.

The remaining include Michael Flynn, Trumps erstwhile national security advisor, who admitted guilt to one count of lying to investigators on December 1; Manaforts longtime partner and deputy campaign chair Rick Gates and campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos.

All three worked out plea deals and have pledged to cooperate with the investigation.

Earlier Monday, Trump downplayed Manaforts role in his election campaign and complained the FBI should have informed him that his chairman was under investigation.

As only one of two people left who could become President, why wouldnt the FBI or Department of Justice have told me that they were secretly investigating Paul Manafort, he asked.

Paul Manafort came into the campaign very late and was with us for a short period of time (he represented Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole & many others over the years), but we should have been told that Comey and the boys were doing a number on him, and he wouldnt have been hired!A remote Scottish community that welcomed some of the first Syrian refugees to Britain is seeking an Arabic school teacher to preserve cultural ties with their wartorn homeland and teach local Scottish children a new language.

Refugee children on the Isle of Bute are growing up fluent in English but their parents fear they are not learning enough religious, cultural and language skills relevant to Syria, where they might one day return.

Argyll and Bute Council was one of the first Scottish local authorities to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Syria by taking in refugees in 2015.

There were 70 Syrian refugees living on Bute at the last count in October 2017, predominantly children including four babies who were born after their parents arrived in the UK.

A council spokesman said: We can confirm that were recruiting for a teacher of Arabic at Rothesay Academy.

Our families brought with them the opportunity for people to hear and learn one of the worlds most widely-used languages, and were keen to turn this into an opportunity for our pupils.

The focus is on equipping our young people with skills that will help them succeed in an increasingly globalised world.

Arabic classes will be offered as an optional extra in local schools.

A report submitted to the council in November noted that refugees have been offered cultural and social activities which have helped them to integrate into the community on the island.

However, families said that the opportunities to participate in cultural activities from their own religion were much less, and complained that they had to take a ferry to Glasgow around 40 miles away to mark significant Islamic festivals.

The report said: There are no mosques in Argyll and Bute and the families have leased a local hall on Friday afternoons to allow them to hold Friday prayers and to come together as a community.

The families have been able to use the hall for many different purposes from celebrations to Arabic classes.

Syrian refugees also made their mark on Isle of Lewis last month by opening the first mosque in one of the most staunchly Presbyterian communities in Britain.The global chemical weapons watchdog said Tuesday it will hold a special two-day session in late June as Britain leads a call to boost the body's powers to fight toxic arms.

The move comes after a series of poison gas attacks in the seven-year civil war in Syria, and the unprecedented use of a nerve agent unleashed on a former Russian spy in the British town of Salisbury earlier this year.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed that a call from Britain for a special meeting of all member states had won the required support of more than 64 countries.

The special session of the Conference of State parties is scheduled to take place from 26 to 27 June at the World Forum in The Hague, the OPCW said in a statement.

Britains national security advisor Mark Sedwill held talks with diplomats and OPCW officials in The Hague on Thursday to push the idea.

We recognise that the global norm against chemical weapons use is being threatened, Sedwill said.

The British Foreign Office said the aim of the conference was to look at ways in which the international community can work together to strengthen and protect this cornerstone of the international rules-based system of non-proliferation.

Britain was profoundly shocked when a Russian-made nerve agent was unleashed in Salisbury last March, poisoning former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Both have since recovered after weeks in hospital, after an attack London blamed on Moscow.

It is understood one focus of the conferences agenda would be to debate a decision to give OPCW experts the authority to identify perpetrators of chemical weapons.

Under its current mandate to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) banning the production, stockpiling or use of toxic arms, the watchdog has largely been restricted to determining whether chemical agents have been used as a weapon, without attributing blame.

OPCW chief Ahmet Uzumcu has called for his organisation to be given the ability to identify who is behind any attacks, arguing the international community does need to address this gap.

A joint investigative panel of the UN and the OPCW set up by the UN Security Council in 2015 to probe chemical attacks in Syria and say who was responsible was disbanded last year after Russia vetoed the renewal of its mandate at the United Nations.The US-led military campaign to oust the Islamic State (IS) group from the Syrian city of Raqa in 2017 killed hundreds of civilians in indiscriminate bombing, amounting to possible war crimes, Amnesty International said on Tuesday.

The military operation failed to take adequate account of civilians and the precautions necessary to minimise harm to them in the city, ISs de facto capital in Syria, the human rights group said in a report.

Coalition claims that its precision air campaign allowed it to bomb IS out of Raqa while causing very few civilian casualties do not stand up to scrutiny, the report concluded.

The coalition strikes detailed in this report appear either disproportionate or indiscriminate or both and as such unlawful and potential war crimes.

Coalition spokesman US Colonel Thomas Veale criticised Amnesty for the report, saying the group had not checked findings with the military or asked for comment.

But he said his biggest objection was Amnestys assumption that the coalition violated international law.

They are literally judging us guilty until proven innocent, Veale told Pentagon reporters.

Thats a bold rhetorical move by an organisation that fails to check the public record or consult the accused.

The United States led a four-month campaign of air strikes from June last year, dubbed a war of annihilation by US Defence Secretary James Mattis, to oust IS from Raqa.

Amnesty researchers travelled to the devastated city in February and spent two weeks visiting 42 coalition air strike sites, interviewing 112 witnesses and survivors.

 Imprecise weapons 

The report  War of Annihilation: Devastating Toll on Civilians, Raqa  Syria  details the experiences of four families whose cases are emblematic of wider patterns.

Between them, they lost 90 relatives and neighbours  39 from a single family  almost entirely from coalition air strikes, according to Amnesty.

The cases provide prima facie evidence that several coalition attacks which killed and injured civilians violated international humanitarian law, the report said.

The probe, which also analysed satellite imagery and other publicly available material, found the coalition fired vast numbers of imprecise explosive weapons in populated areas.

Amnesty said it has written to defence officials in the United States, Britain and France  whose forces carried out the air strikes in Raqa  seeking additional information about these cases and about other attacks.

When so many civilians are killed in attack after attack, something is clearly wrong, and to make this tragedy worse, so many months later the incidents have not been investigated, said Donatella Rovera, Amnestys senior crisis response adviser. The victims deserve justice.

US Colonel Sean Ryan, another coalition spokesman, told Britains Press Association that Amnesty International UK director Kate Allen should leave the comforts of the UK and travel to Iraq and Syria to see how the coalitions forces were fighting an enemy that does not abide by any laws, norms or human concern.

He insisted the coalition made painstaking efforts to assess allegations of civilian casualties and any non-combatant death or injury is a tragedy.

A spokesman for the UK ministry of defence said it had been open and transparent over its nearly 1,700 Syrian strikes.

We do everything we can to minimise the risk to civilian life, he added. We must accept that the risk of inadvertent civilian casualties is ever present.Welcome to the News Release Wire Selection Control Panel.

Instant News WireUnion leaders representing San Antonio Independent School District teachers have never liked the idea of an out-of-state charter network coming to town and taking over P.F. Stewart Elementary School. Theyve questioned its methods in turning around schools in New York and other states and faulted SAISD for not investing the attention and resources needed to rescue the failing Southeast Side school.

But on Monday, state District Judge Karen H. Pozza denied the unions request for a temporary injunction that could have kept Democracy Prep Public Schools from hiring employees or bringing materials into the school as it prepares to open a renamed Democracy Prep at P. F. Stewart School this August, leaving the fate of the unusual partnership to be decided later in court.

Stewart had been one of several SAISD schools in danger of closure by the state if they fail Texas accountability standards this August. The law allows the district to partner with a charter school operator to keep such schools open. The San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel sued the district to try to nullify its deal with Democracy Prep, arguing that Stewarts teachers werent consulted, as the law also requires.

But Pozza also rejected requests from SAISD and Democracy Prep to dismiss the suit outright.

Shelley Potter, president of the San Antonio Alliance, said union members would consult among themselves and with their attorney to determine their next steps.

We believe that the school district and the superintendent, in their haste to turn over a neighborhood school to a New York-based charter chain, violated state law, Potter said. We dont feel like Democracy Prep has a stake in our community and they dont know the needs of Stewart students, so well continue to fight for their best interests.

In a prepared statement, SAISD leaders said they were pleased to move forward with the partnership. SAISD has touted the charter networks civic education program and its commitment to the restorative justice discipline model. Although Democracy Prep will operate Stewart, it will remain a part of SAISD under the contract, which takes effect July 1.

One reason we chose Democracy Prep is because they have such a strong track record of academic performance in their schools, including graduation and college-going rates, the statement said.

Stewart, on the Southeast Side, enrolled about 440 students during the school year that ended last week. More than 96 percent are considered economically disadvantaged based on federal income thresholds.

SAISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez and district trustees have said they sought the partnership to save Stewart from a new law that requires the states education commissioner to close schools if they fail to meet academic standards for five consecutive years. Alternatively, the commissioner can appoint a board of managers to take over the entire school district.

Six schools in SAISD risked closure at the end of the 2018-19 school year based on this years accountability ratings, which will be announced in August. The district took steps to save three of those schools, including Stewart, but the state ratings will determine the fate of the other three.

Another law, passed last year, grants schools a two-year reprieve from state sanctions if they form operating partnerships with certain types of entities, including nonprofits, higher education institutions or charter organizations.

Stewart and Ogden elementary schools could get their reprieves through partnerships. Ogden, which has failed for four consecutive years, is already being operated by the Relay Graduate School of Education.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has tentatively approved Stewart and Ogdens applications for the partnerships provided technical adjustments are made to the performance agreements, SAISD spokeswoman Leslie Price said. Administrators plan to bring those recommended changes to the board, Price said.

The union sued Martinez, SAISDs seven elected trustees and Democracy Prep last month, arguing they did not follow a provision of the partnership law that requires campus employees to be consulted about contracts that allow an open-enrollment charter school to operate the campus. In a hearing Friday, lawyers for SAISD pointed to a January meeting with Stewart employees and subsequent board meetings as evidence of consultation, but the union said district administrators did not solicit input on the contract.

We still believe the district violated the law, Potter said. Thats not what this ruling was about.

Standardized test scores for Stewarts fifth-graders this year were high enough for teachers to believe the school might meet academic standards this year. Scores for third- and fourth-graders come out next week.

Stewart and Irving Middle School have already failed to meet state standards for five consecutive years, but the law that could close them takes effect with this years accountability ratings. SAISD is phasing out Irving and will begin a dual language academy in its place for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Having each failed for four straight years, Tafolla Middle, Miller Elementary and Rodriguez Elementary face closure if they fail again this summer.

Alia Malik is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | amalik@express-news.net | @AliaAtSAENA Texas prison major has resigned amid an investigation into allegations he orchestrated the planting of two screwdrivers in an inmate's cell apparently as part of a disciplinary quota system at the Ramsey Unit.

Four other officers at the Brazoria County lock-up were fired in connection with the investigation into the planted evidence, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jeremy Desel.

"This appears to be an isolated incident that started with that major," Desel said. "All parties involved including that major did not show integrity and did not uphold what is one of this agency's core values."

Jennifer Erschabek of Texas Inmate Families Association said the departures offer prisoners' families confirmation of what they already suspected.

"We've been claiming in the past that family members are being set up with these cases, but it's been so hard to prove  and we finally have the proof," she said. "I am just so thankful that our voices finally are being heard. We look forward to working with TDCJ to make sure this doesn't happen in the future."

RECRUITING BOOST: Texas prisons bump up officer starting salaries 12 percent

The quota for writing inmate disciplinary reports came to light in mid-May after the Houston Chronicle obtained copies of an email from Capt. Reginald Gilbert ordering officers to write up prisoners or face disciplinary consequences themselves.

"Effective March 10, 2018, each Sergeant will be required to turn in at least two (2) cases written by officers for a Level 2 Code 35 'Unauthorized Storage of Property,'" he wrote. "Two each day is my requirement. Remember this is to be done each workday without exception."

Any sergeants who missed their daily quota, Gilbert wrote, would face consequences ranging from documenting the oversight on an employee performance log to formal disciplinary action.

A couple hours later, Major Juan Jackson responded, noting that the "below instructions will help greatly in fighting a gig," which former union president Lance Lowry said is slang for an audit.

STILL A 'BOYS' CLUB': Texas prison system faces allegations of harassment, discrimination

Weeks later, prison officials abandoned the quota system, but TDCJ started investigating last month after the Chronicle reported on the short-lived scheme. Officials said they would review all disciplinary cases across the system and look for spikes or abnormalities.

The audit found similar short-lived disciplinary quota systems had once been in place at three other units in recent months, Desel said. "Several" officers were demoted as a result of the probe.

Then on May 25, a prisoner's mother fired off a letter to TDCJ's Office of the Inspector General, alleging that her son had been set up with a bogus case by guards at the Ramsey Unit, apparently in connection with the disciplinary quota.

OIG started investigating and determined she was likely correct, Desel said.

Jackson, who'd already been knocked down from major to lieutenant and sent to the hospital unit in Galveston, was walked off the unit Thursday and resigned under investigation. On Friday, Lt. James Thomas, Sgt. Marcos Gallegos and Officer George Wolfe were all recommended for dismissal, and on Monday Sgt. Darryll Winston was recommended for dismissal as well.

Gilbert, who wrote the original email, was later demoted, Desel said.

NEW INVESTIGATOR: New Texas prisons inspector general to take the helm in June

There is still an ongoing OIG investigation into the matter as well as in internal TDCJ investigation, which will take a broader look at the Ramsey Unit and the prison culture there. Officials will also examine "any and all" disciplinary actions for the last three months involving any of the five employees believed to be involved in the evidence-planting scheme.

"Cases are going to be presented to the special prosecutor's office," Desel said. "If there is a determination that there's violation of the law it's our intent to see prosecution to the fullest extent of the law for those involved."

State Rep. James White, the Woodville Republican who chairs the House Corrections Committee, thanked investigators for their work on the case.

"These weren't just front-line officers," he said. "These were management folks. We're very grateful for the work of the OIG and their work in making sure that these staff members will face justice."AUSTIN  Texas has removed the most Confederate symbols and statues in the country since 2015, according to a new Southern Poverty Law Center study. But the trend does not extend to the state Capitol, where lawmakers have been reluctant to take down monuments and plaques.

Texas cities removed 31 symbols, which include statues and renaming of schools and streets, according to the report. Austin led the way, with the removal of 10 symbols, the majority of them on the UT campus. Houston renamed seven schools and one street.

Cities in Texas and across the country have removed hundreds of symbols following the mass shooting at a black church in Charleston in 2015, which prompted lawmakers in South Carolina to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse.

"As a consequence of the national reflection that began in Charleston, the myths and revisionist history surrounding the Confederacy may be losing their grip in the South," the SPLC argues in its report. "Yet, for the most part, the symbols remain."

Related: San Antonio pioneer descendant organized lineage clubs

Houston ISD spent $1.2 million to change the names of eight schools that once honored figures of the Confederacy. Reagan High became Heights High; Davis High was changed to Northside High; Lee High took the name of longtime educator Margaret Long Wisdom; Johnston Middle was changed to Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School; Jackson Middle became the Yolanda Black Navarro Middle School of Excellence; Dowling Middle was renamed after Audrey Lawson; and Lanier Middle changed its first name to honor former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier instead of Confederate poet Sidney Lanier.

Dowling Street, named after Houston businessman Dick Dowling who served as a lieutenant in the Confederacy, was renamed Emancipation Avenue by the City of Houston in January 2017.

Two controversial monuments remain in city parks.

The Spirit of the Confederacy statue has stood in Downtown's Sam Houston Park for 110 years. A monument commemorating Dick Dowling was erected in Market Square Park in 1905 before moving to its current location in Herman Park.

Both statues have been targets for graffiti and petitions calling for their removal. Andrew Schneck, 25, was arrested in August after he tried to detonate a bomb at Dick Dowling's statue. A park ranger stopped Schneck as he was placing explosives near the monument's base.

Mayor Sylvester Turner asked city staff last August to study Houston's public art collection and make recommendations after calls to remove the monuments.

Alan Bernstein, Turner's communications director, said a panel of city staff met to discuss the issue several times but have not yet presented the mayor with final recommendations.

Read more: Group sues San Antonio over removal of Confederate statue

Despite removing dozens of symbols, Texas still has the second-highest number of Confederate memorials in the country. The State Capital alone has about a dozen Confederate icons, according to estimates by the State Preservation Board. Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, has been pushing to remove a plaque near his office that claims slavery was not the cause of the Civil War.

More than nine months after Johnson called for the plaques removal, Gov. Greg Abbotts staff is still studying the issue. Attorney General Ken Paxton recently asked 13 individuals  from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Preservation Board Executive Director Rod Welsh to Capitol Curator Ali James  to submit information by June 5 "if they have a special interest or expertise in the subject matter," according to the Dallas Morning News.

Alejandra Matos covers politics, education and immigration policy. Follow her on Twitter. Subscribe to the Texas Take politics newsletter.When visitors step inside the Doris Griffin One-Stop Senior Center on the Northwest Side, they enter a space brimming with living history.

Carita Thomas was a young teen entering the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, for a Sunday service when a Klansmans bomb exploded, killing four girls, spurring outrage and bringing national attention to the civil rights movement.

At the age of 10, Peter Hoefl was forced to join Hitler Youth during the last year of World War II.

Army veteran Eliseo Bully Garza bears scars from flying shrapnel as he and his comrades stormed up a Vietnam battlefield dubbed Hamburger Hill.

The three often reminisce with fellow seniors about living through pivotal moments in history as they exercise, learn and bond at one of the 10 senior facilities in San Antonio that offers a wide variety of enrichment programs. The Doris Griffin Center is a joint partnership between the city of San Antonio and the WellMed Charitable Foundation.

Senior center supervisor Peaches Hall, 66, said people underestimate seniors contributions to their communities.

The nice thing is that theyre willing to share, she said. Our youth dont know about this kind of strength unless we teach it to them. A lot of us probably wouldnt have chosen to have been in those places.

Hall and Victor Ayala, a city employee, co-manage the health and wellness center where members discover each others exploits.

Related: San Antonio workshop offers seniors tips to detect scams

At a recent gathering, Thomas stood out amid the ping-pong players, pool sharks and regular game players, slapping cards on tabletops. Strands of purple-dyed hair framed her face and ever-present smile. But now and then flashbacks from the fatal church bombing dim her happy expression.

Thomas, 69, grew up during an era of cross burnings and lynchings, when frightened African-American parents insisted their children be home before nightfall. She was 14 years old that Sunday morning, among 200 parishioners either in Sunday school or getting ready for the 11 a.m. service when the bomb ripped through the east side of the building. Many were able to escape, but Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, all 14, and 11-year-old Denise McNair died in the blast.

Recalling the incident, Thomas said it felt as if she was underwater where sights were blurry and sounds muffled.

Her parents both had college degrees. In the aftermath of the bombing, her mother stressed getting the one thing no one could take from her: an education. She did and passed on that sage advice to hundreds of students as she taught science at Jefferson High School for 34 years. During Black History Month, she would talk to the students about her experiences so they could relive history through her eyes rather than watching a movie. As a witness to dramatic societal changes in America, Thomas sees echoes of the past in todays society.

I feel like weve taken 400 steps backward, Thomas said. I actually think people became stagnant, they became satisfied with what they had.

Living in the suppressive times of the Jim Crow South, she was never satisfied. She took up the cause of civil rights at Alabama State University, where she joined demonstrators and was jailed for demanding that the university close the day after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

I think I lived a rich life, she said. It taught me how not to put on to somebody else what I had to experience, so Im always very careful of different nationalities of people around me. Because I do not want to offend or put them down like we were put down. There is nothing like having a put-down, theres nothing like that.

Thomas is familiar with the stories of many of her fellow elders at the center, including retired teacher Peter Hoefl.

Born in Germany in 1934, he had survived three bombings by the first grade. In his village about 20 miles from Munich, he remembers spending more time hiding in bunkers than being in a classroom. His father spoke out against the Nazis and escaped from the Gestapo by hiding in another village.

Meanwhile, 10-year-old Hoefl was pressed into the Hitler Youth organization. At training camps, the youngsters were taught how to use small arms and even an anti-tank rocket launcher called the Panzerfaust, he recalled, which took two boys to carry.

We were having sessions on a daily basis, Hoefl, 83, said. I didnt know it then, but it was brainwashing techniques to convert us into Nazi party members one day. They were pretty fanatic I would say, very strict, very disciplined.

Hoefl came to the United States in 1955 to visit a sister and her husband, a military service member. Hoefl liked what he saw so much, he decided to become a U.S. citizen. His brother-in-law became his sponsor and he enlisted in the Air Force a year later, retiring as a technical sergeant after 20 years. He then became a teacher, after receiving a bachelors degree at St. Marys University and a masters at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Read more: At 100, Army nurse looks back on D-Day

Hoefl taught German and history at Holmes High School and at East Side schools while sharing his life experiences with his diverse groups of students.

He shared that the first time he ever experienced discrimination was in downtown San Antonio in the 1950s. On one occasion, Hoefl was in uniform on a town pass when a waiter refused to serve African-American airmen in their group. The second time was when a restaurant refused service to his wife, who is Hispanic.

I was a very happy teacher, I would say, he said. I was very empathetic to all of the students, because I had already experienced prejudice in my background.

When it was his turn to talk, Eliseo Bully Garza recalled that though Vietnam was scary, he and his fellow infantrymen of Strike Force One had been well-trained.

It took several days to overrun the enemy dug into the battle-torn hill. Shrapnel struck Garza between the eyes and on his right forearm and right leg. He recalled fellow soldiers saying he had more blood outside his body than inside. According to History.com, 72 American soldiers were killed and more than 300 were injured during 10 days of battle to stop infiltration by North Vietnamese from Laos.

Hes seen much more than any of us need to, Hall said. He picked up the bodies.

Garza, 72, credited his late wife, Martha, for helping him move past the war after he returned home.

I worked hard to get back to normal, he said.

After his wife died, Garza felt lost. He found salvation at the center. He made friends with members, such as 32-year breast cancer survivor Lydia Tolle, who led one of the top cancer-research fundraising teams in the city. And theres retired entrepreneur J.J. Villarreal, 77, who had one kidney removed, but still shows up to work out and inspire his fellow center members.

Center director Hall also has witnessed history. She was a tour guide in Germany when the Berlin Wall fell; she was with her husband who was stationed at an Army post there.

Hall said the seniors are not done adding more chapters to their lives.

Theyre still moving and shaking, Hall said, and theyre going to do that until their last breath.

vtdavis@express-news.netAs the sun set Sunday over a large migrant childrens shelter in a former Walmart in Brownsville, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley stood outside and demanded access to check on its conditions .

I think its unacceptable that a member of Congress is not being admitted to see what is happening to children whose families are applying for asylum, the Oregon Democrat said on video, standing before a yellow keep out sawhorse barricade.

Merkley had traveled to the South Texas shelter for unaccompanied children to get a real-world glimpse at the separation of children from their parents along the U.S.-Mexico border.

To deliberately mistreat children to dissuade people from seeking refuge is completely unacceptable, Merkley said in an interview with the San Antonio Express-News.

The separation is the result of a zero-tolerance policy recently announced by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. More than 600 families were separated at the border in May, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The Facebook Live video of Merkleys confrontation with Juan Sanchez, president of a nonprofit called Southwest Key Programs, which runs the Casa Padre shelter, and police who were called to the scene sparked an outcry among immigration reform advocates and lawmakers.

In response, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, began drafting legislation Monday that would guarantee congressional access to adult and childrens detention facilities, including unannounced visits for some members of Congress.

Its a process that is way more secretive than it needs to be. And we cant afford that because the personnel and administrators there are dealing with very vulnerable people, Castro said. Congress has an oversight function to make sure that these facilities are treating people like human beings.

Sanchez and other Southwest Key Programs staff did not respond to the Express-News after repeated requests for comment.

The Casa Padre facility is one of about 100 unaccompanied immigrant childrens shelters in 14 states across the country. In total, they house more than 10,000 children.

Merkley tried to visit Casa Padre after he was told Friday he would not be allowed to enter. But still, he said, he thought he had a 50-50 chance of getting through.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, which oversees the Office for Refugee Resettlement, the agency that contracts with companies to run the shelters, stood by its decision to deny Merkley access.

In an Administration for Children and Families statement, a spokeswoman said Merkley was denied access for the safety, security and dignity of the children being cared for there.

No one who arrives unannounced at one of our shelters demanding access to the children in our care will be permitted, even those claiming to be U.S. Senators, the statement says. Senator Merkley should respect the UAC (unaccompanied alien children) program and engage in the appropriate processes, as many of his colleagues have done before him, to visit ORR facilities. We would welcome him to engage in that process so that he may visit the facility to make headway on this important issue, rather than just headlines.

Volunteers at the shelters rarely talk about the conditions for fear of retribution from the Office for Refugee Resettlement.

Castro referred to reports as recently as this year of abuse allegations within Department of Homeland Security detention centers.

There have been reports of sexual abuse and physical abuse at facilities before, Castro said. And because of that, we cant afford for this population to be a closed or secretive one.

Leah Chavla, a policy adviser for the Womens Refugee Commission, called the access issues at the childrens shelters a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, she said, safety and privacy of the children must be protected. But on the other, she said its hard to know what their conditions are like if no one is allowed to ask the children. While she and her team at the commission are allowed to interview adults at detention centers, they arent allowed to talk to the children.

Ill see the children, but youre kind of catching a snapshot of a particular moment. So I dont know if thats representative, she said. Its a tricky situation.

Chavla also questioned why the senator was denied entry from the get-go.

I think there are important questions to be raised as to why he didnt get that access, she said.

Michael Seifert, border advocacy strategist of the American Civil Liberties Unions office in Brownsville, shared similar sentiments.

Clearly access to those facilities are governed by strict guidelines designed to protect the integrity of the children who are being sheltered there. That is absolutely acceptable and reasonable, he said.

But, at the same time, transparency is needed within the mechanism the government has created to treat recently arriving children and family. How is the parent supposed to locate their child wandering around the system?

What amount of grief has been caused by this policy that is completely unnecessary? Seifert added.

During Merkleys trip to South Texas, he also visited the Sacred Heart Catholic Churchs respite center in McAllen and an immigrant processing center, the first place immigrants are taken after theyre apprehended, overseen by the DHS.

Last week, dozens of cities across the country held rallies protesting the separation of children from their parents along the border. The White House insists the policy will deter more immigrants from crossing the border illegally and prevent them from using the asylum process loophole.

The administration has worked tirelessly to educate members on what steps need to be taken legislatively to secure our borders and curb illegal immigration and will continue to do so, Tyler Houlton, the DHS press secretary, said in a statement. I encourage Senator Merkley to work with the administration to fix the underlying loopholes that act as a pull factor for illegal immigration and place these children at risk from smugglers and human traffickers.

When Merkley approached Casa Padre, he acknowledged to its president that the work they do for children is admirable. But he also asked if they felt complicit in the administrations new tactic of separating children from their parents.

He got no response. He was eventually asked to leave.

If youre not hiding something, what harm is there to show what youre doing? he asked later.

Southwest Key Programs was founded 31 years ago and now operates 27 immigrant childrens shelters across Texas, Arizona and California. The average stay of the children is 40 days, according to its website, and each child undergoes full medical exams within two days of entering its facilities.

Its mission: Opening doors to opportunity so individuals can achieve their dreams.

Silvia Foster-Frau is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | sfosterfrau@express-news.net | @SilviaElenaFFWhen Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and Mayor Ron Nirenberg laid out the objectives of the city and countys opioid task force last July, they wrote that any meaningful solution to this growing public health crisis will require collaboration between a range of players.

So far, the task forces cohesive effort  aimed at addressing a growing epidemic of opioid overdose deaths  has helped secure a pair of federal grants worth more than $5 million.

On Tuesday, Bexar commissioners went ahead with an application for a third federal grant, this one for $900,000. If awarded, it would pay for the next phase of the task force once it stops regularly meeting at the end of the fiscal year.

This grant provides a mechanism for the sustainability of the task forces work, said T.J. Mayes, Wolffs chief of staff. The vision is to create a more permanent infrastructure to address opioid-related substance-use disorders, as well as other substance use disorders.

If Bexar County receives the grant, Mayes said funding would go toward three objectives: residential treatment, outpatient treatment and the hiring of a full-time planner who would work with the task force to develop a community-wide strategic plan.

The grant goes through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, an arm of the Justice Department that assists local criminal justice programs. Mayes said he and Wolff met with the bureaus director in September to make their case.

We feel that our high level of coordination makes us a strong contender for a grant award, Mayes said. If awarded, the three-year grant would go into effect Oct. 1, the first day of the 2019 fiscal year.

The next phase of the city and countys opioid efforts will also address substances that commonly accompany opioid misuse, Mayes said. Those drugs include cocaine, amphetamines and benzodiazepines, which are primarily used to manage anxiety.

Opioid-related deaths are often linked to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which would factor into the post-task force efforts, too. Part of the grant would fund forms of evidence-based treatment.

The opioid epidemic isnt occurring within a silo, Mayes said.

Colleen Bridger, the Metro Health Director and a co-chair of the task force, said the most consistent concern shes heard from local residents is that the crisis goes beyond opioids. Users also want help with their meth dependence, for example.

The reason that we started with such a narrow focus on opioids is because we knew there were some very specific things we could do immediately to get quick wins in a very difficult arena, Bridger said. Now that we have a year of working on a narrowly defined issue, our collaboration has grown to where we can tackle more complicated issues.

Almost half the grant  $432,000  would go to residential treatment, with another $135,000 funding outpatient treatment and $216,000 going to the planner. The remaining funds would pay for a combination of expenditures, including office supplies and an evaluation of the program.

The county has already received a federal grant for about $3.2 million through the Obama-era Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, of which it received about $800,000 in April. And under the Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) program, UT Healths School of Nursing has received a $1.9 million grant.

Funds have gone toward obtaining thousands of doses of the overdose reversal drug Naloxone, training first responders to use the drug and public education projects. Mayes said he expects UT Health to receive a similar grant amount from TTOR next year.

Going forward, Wolff wants to put in place a syringe exchange program to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, which can in turn encourage addicts to seek treatment.

The initiative would require support from the district attorney  the countys top prosecutor  and incumbent DA Nico LaHood, as well as the two candidates running to succeed him, have all said they would support some form of a needle change program.

Meanwhile, the county and members of the task force will continue looking to federal funding sources for assistance. Bridger said the task force is readying for a bulk of grant applications to be rolled out around the fall.

Weve gathered together a couple of times and talked about, How we can be ready for these, what are your priorities, so were not just chasing after grants, but going for ones that meet our priorities, Bridger said.

With unprecedented national attention focused on the opioid crisis, Bexar County and San Antonio officials want to position themselves to take advantage of the influx of grants  because theres no telling how long it will last.

So long as these programs and funds are available, were going to aggressively pursue them, Mayes said.

Jasper Scherer is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | jscherer@express-news.net | @jaspschererOn Monday, three days after he was removed from patrol and placed under investigation by the Bexar County Sheriffs Office for a series of racist posts on his private Facebook account, Deputy Ronald Bailey returned to the social network in an apparent defense of his views.

I wonder how long we have before offending someone is a felony, he wrote.

Baileys attorney, Shannon Locke, offered a more nuanced defense of his client.

Locke reached out after my column ran on Saturday. He emphasized that Bailey had merely reposted the content in question, which included a meme comparing Valerie Jarrett, a black attorney, to an ape from the film Planet of the Apes. The post echoed a tweet by Roseanne Barr last week that spurred ABC to cancel her hit television show.

Backstory: A 'propensity for violence' and racism

People repost things for a number of reasons, Locke said, sometimes to start a conversation, sometimes to point out what is out there in the world. So I think its unfair to tag him with all of the views he has reposted.

Locke added, Ron did not say anything comparing Valerie Jarrett to a monkey. I think he was making a comment about how ridiculous it was that Roseanne Barr could dominate the national discussion by making ridiculous comments. I dont think it was a racial comment.

Compounding the investigation into Baileys online activity are a series of allegations documented by the Bexar County district attorneys office in 2015, intended to show he has a propensity for violence. The claims included allegations that Bailey physically abused a 3-year-old boy and a 7-year-old boy  both sons of his former girlfriends  around 2005, according to a court filing.

At the time of the filing, Bailey was on trial, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was accused of holding a large kitchen knife to his sons neck and threatening to cut his neck off because the boy wasnt being quiet, according to an order suspending Bailey from the sheriffs office for five days. A jury later acquitted Bailey of the charge.

That case was absolutely silly, Locke told me, adding that other allegations in the DAs filing were false.

Bailey actually was disciplined by the sheriffs office for two of the incidents described by the DA. In 2014, he received a letter of reprimand for using force against a female inmate, failing to document the incident and instructing a camera operator not to document it. And in 2004, Bailey was suspended for five days for submitting fake transcripts of classes that he obtained online to qualify for a promotion to corporal.

Bailey, who joined the sheriffs office as a detention officer in March 2001, was promoted to patrol in August.

More Chasnoff: A 'culture of violence' under the rotunda

Locke added that one recent Facebook post, in which Bailey wrote, Shut up and get in the freakin car already, above a link to a story about an Iraqi girl whose parents are accused of pouring hot oil on her, reflected the fact that Bailey himself had arrested the girls father.

He was telling (the father) to stop talking to the media and shut up and get in the car, Locke said. He was protecting that little girl. That comment was addressed to the father and not the little girl.

More broadly, Locke defended Baileys right to share his political views on a private account.

If you start looking at peoples private Facebook accounts, I think that thats a problem, the attorney said. I think that as a sheriffs deputy, in your private life you can have political views.

Locke said Bailey hired his Hispanic wife as a divorce attorney  evidence, the lawyer said, that his client is not racist.

I just dont think Ron Bailey is a racist, Locke said. Not only that, I dont think its necessarily fair to take a joke that you make in private and extrapolate that into what sort of deputy youre going to be.

Racism, though, is not a tolerable political view.

Not only are racist views offensive, theyre incompatible with the duties of a peace officer. They certainly arent a joke, particularly in an era of high-profile police killings of African Americans: Freddie Gray in Baltimore; Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri; Eric Garner on New Yorks Staten Island; and Walter Scott in Charleston, South Carolina.

Its now up to the administration of Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, whose 2016 election campaign Bailey supported, to determine whether the deputys private posts should disqualify him from his public duties.

bchasnoff@express-news.netThe Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association has given crucial support to a controversial apartment complex proposed next to the Hays Street Bridge while telling the developer he could ignore many design changes specified by City Manager Sheryl Sculley.

The associations board and its architectural review committee last week sent developer Mitch Meyer a letter of support for the project, President Chris Barrows said Monday.

The five-story complex, to be built by a partnership between Meyer and Alamo Beer owner Eugene Simor, has become a lightning rod for local concerns over gentrification, the protection of historic monuments and the citys treatment of developers.

Barrows and other supporters say it would alleviate crime and vagrancy problems on the Hays Street Bridge and would improve the East Sides tax base. Opponents say it would block views of the iconic bridge and add fuel to the areas skyrocketing property values.

Related: CEO helps steer investment to East Side

In late March, Sculley entered the fray surrounding the project, taking the rare step of approving the proposed apartment complex in defiance of the recommendation of the citys Historic and Design Review Commission  with the condition that Meyer reach an agreement on design changes with the neighborhood associations architectural review committee.

Then in mid-April, Barrows purged all six members of the architectural review committee and handpicked their replacements.

The neighborhood associations architectural review committee and the HDRCs design review committee then held discussions in which they essentially disposed of half of Sculleys conditions, said James McKnight, an attorney representing Meyer. They agreed that Meyer would not have to provide a view of the bridge in a walkway through the complex or lower the complex to one story near the bridge, among other conditions.

Sculley also had listed a condition to explore the feasibility of reducing the complexs height, but members of the two committees agreed the height could remain the same.

They were suggestions, and we took it and made our decision, Meyer said. Sculley gave us guidance, and we acted on it.

Amy Kastely, an attorney for the Hays Street Bridge Restoration Group, which advocates for the bridge, questioned whether the city managers conditions could be disregarded

I cant see how you can read (Sculleys) letter and say, Well, the architectural review committee has the power to decide those are not required. Its just not what the city manager said, Kastely said.

The letter Sculley wrote in March approving the project specified that Meyer and the architectural review committee reach agreement on changes to the design as outlined below. It then listed 11 design changes.

But on Monday, the city pointed out that City Attorney Andy Segovia sent a letter in April to McKnight saying the city is open to discuss other ways to meet the intent and satisfy design concerns apart from Sculleys conditions.

In addition, Sculley said in a statement released Monday, We are pleased the applicant has worked successfully with the neighborhood association to generate support for the project and look forward to receiving the updated design and reviewing it with the Design Review Committee of the HDRC.

The HDRCs design review committee will now make a recommendation on the project, McKnight said. Sculley has final authority on whether to approve it, city spokeswoman Thea Setterbo said.

The HDRC previously rejected two designs for the complex, in December and March, after hearing hours of impassioned testimony from East Side residents.

Meanwhile, many activists who oppose the apartment complex suspect that Barrows purged the neighborhood associations architectural review committee because of the positions of its members on the project. But Barrows, a budget analyst for the National Park Service who moved to Dignowity Hill in mid-2017, has said the committee purge had nothing to do with the proposed complex.

Read more: Local officials backing Government Hill leaders after attempted coup

After he became president this year, he decided to refresh and revamp all the neighborhood associations committees, starting with architectural review because it is the most active committee, he said. The committee now has temporary members, and permanent ones are expected to be chosen this month, he said.

Many of the members had been on the committee for a while, Barrows said. Its really just kind of bringing some needed foundation to the neighborhood association. The most logical way to do that was just to kind of pull everything in, hit the refresh button and start fresh.

Monica Savino, who was chair of the architectural review committee before the April purge, said she was surprised to hear about the neighborhood associations letter of support.

They did not do it in any kind of open or public way, she said. There was a general membership meeting last Monday, and although the project was mentioned, it was not mentioned in the context of the design review.

In addition to the controversy surrounding the design of the project, the sale of the land for the project remains in dispute.

Since 2012, the city and the Hays Street Bridge Restoration Group have been embroiled in a lawsuit over the citys sale of the land where Meyers apartment complex is proposed. The restoration group says the city violated a memorandum of understanding in which it agreed to turn the property into a park. The group had persuaded the lands previous owner, BudCo Ltd., to donate it for that purpose.

A Bexar County jury found in 2014 that the city had breached its contract with the restoration group, but Texas 4th Court of Appeals later ruled that the city could not be sued on the contract because it enjoys governmental immunity. On Friday, the Texas Supreme Court decided it would hear the case to consider whether the city is indeed immune.

The city said in a news release Friday that its sale of the land will not be affected by the Supreme Courts decision  but Kastely disagrees.

She said that if the court rules that the city is not immune, the district court could then decide to invalidate the sale of the land, which would mean that Simor, the Alamo Beer owner, no longer would be able to go through with the project.

Were confident that were going to win on appeal, she said.

The Texas Supreme Court will likely hear the case in October, after its summer break, Kastely said. Its decision could take two to eight months, she said.

In the meantime, Meyer has a lot of work to do as he goes forward with the project. For example, he needs to go back to the drawing board to adjust the design to put in the agreed-upon changes, he said.

Hes unsure when construction might begin.

I wish I had an answer, he said. I like to plan my life.

Richard Webner is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | rwebner@express-news.net | @RWebnerThis site uses cookies. By continuing to browse you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More information here.WASHINGTON  A federal judge here set a date Tuesday for a hearing in which Paul Manafort must adequately explain allegations of witness-tampering in the ongoing inquiry of special counsel Robert Mueller, or face a possible return to jail until his trial.

The New Britain native, who served as President Trumps campaign manager between May and August 2016, has pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering, conspiracy, perjury and failing to file as a foreign agent.

The case being pursued by Mueller is not directly related to Manaforts time as Trumps campaign manager. Rather, it focuses on his political work for the party of Ukraines pro-Russia president, Viktor Yanukovych, who was driven from power in 2014.

Late Monday, Muellers team filed a court brief accusing Manafort of working with an unidentified associate to influence two potential witnesses to suborn perjury  lie to the FBI in order help Manafort.

If proven, the charges would undercut the terms of Manaforts release on $10 million bond in the wake of his indictment in late October. Manafort is under house arrest at his home in Alexandria, Va., with his movements circumscribed by the court.

Manafort, 69, the son of a former New Britain mayor prominent in Republican politics there, could be sent back to jail pending a trial in Washington in September. He also faces a trial in July in Alexandria, outside Washington, on related tax and bank fraud charges.

Legal analysts speculate that in pursuing a return to jail, Mueller may be upping his ante on winning Manaforts cooperation in his case against Trump campaign officials and possibly Donald Trump himself.

Mueller is pursuing allegations that the Trump 2016 campaign cooperated with Russian intelligence to swing the election to the Republicans by hacking and releasing derogatory emails involving his Democratic opponent, former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The judge in the Washington case, Amy Berman Jackson, gave Manafort until Friday to respond to Muellers charges of witness tampering. She set a hearing date for next week.

Mr. Manafort is innocent and nothing about this latest allegation changes our defense, said Manaforts spokesman, Jason Maloni. We will do our talking in court.

News reports from The Associated Press, The Washington Post and other outlets speculate that the associate of Manafort involved in the tampering  identified in the court filing Monday as Person A  is Konstantin Kilimnik, Manaforts office manager in Kiev, Ukraines capital, who was said to have ties to Russian intelligence. Kilimnik has denied any such connections.

The two objects of their alleged tampering effort were said to be involved in a public relations firm informally known as the Hapsburg group.

In his court filing, the two individuals  identified as Persons D1 and D2  worked with Manafort and the group to lobby senators and pen op-eds on Ukraine-related issues.

dan@hearstdc.comWe are told from an early age that, April showers bring May flowers.

This is supposed to help us deal with the rainy period that is supposedly good for us, because it results in better things later. Well, the rain that buried us in some areas of northeast Ohio over the weekend does not bring images of delayed gratification.

For those who have never quite gotten to finish planting of corn and soybeans, the rains represent a frustrating mess that presages poor crops and a busy summer trying to catch up hay-making, side-dressing, and post-planting spray regimens.

Wet

How wet is it? The stories are all over. Some farmers are done planting, and are beaming about the hot weather and the regular seed soakings.

Some farmers are frustrated, trying to get the last fields in, and complaining that they just have not had good drying weather. Then, there are those in northeast Trumbull County and part of bordering western Pennsylvania who got flooded Friday night.

Two men coming into our home Bible study Friday night told of rivers of water running through planted fields, and water over the road in Jamestown, Pennsylvania. This came as a result of 5 inches of rain in a couple of hours.

Yet, the worst of the rain was local. Northeast of Kinsman a farmer had just an inch of rain Friday, but 2 inches in a local thunderstorm Saturday.

Most of Ohio made good planting progress, but the states farmers slipped a little behind pace after being ahead a little last week.

Corn

Ohio farmers now have 90 percent of the corn planted, but 93 percent is the five-year average. They gained 8 percent in the week.

The U.S. at the same time is now 97 percent planted, 2 percent ahead of the average. They only gained 5 percent for the week, however.

Soybeans

The soybean statistics are similar. Last week we had 67 percent planted in Ohio, which was eight points ahead of normal.

By this week, we were only 1 percent ahead of normal, at 81 percent planted. So, we planted 14 percent of the crop in the week, but are now just a percent ahead of the 80 percent, five-year average.

Crop Condition reporting from USDA is now being watched carefully. This week the corn is rated at 61 percent good and 17 percent excellent for a total of 78 percent.

This is a slip of 1 percent from last week, but is still 10 points above the ratings from last year at this time. I am not sure what the difference is between good and excellent.

On the one hand, the corn that has emerged is looking wonderful, with perfect stands and moist seedbeds. On the other hand, corn in our best years got planted three weeks earlier, and some fields were knee-high by now.

The soybeans have had condition reported for the first time this year in this most-recent report  75 percent is reported as good and excellent.

The bean condition locally would be ahead of normal in many cases, although in recent years the beans, too, are planted earlier.

Grain

The planting pace and the current world politics have led to a break in grain prices that were at the contract highs last week.

Corn had made new highs, especially in the new crop, and the soybeans were back to the highs. That ended fairly quickly.

July corn futures had a contract high at 4.1214 May 24. This Tuesday morning we are trading 3.8234 after a Monday low of 3.8012. December futures had a contract high of 4.2912 May 24, but a low of 4.01 on Monday.

We are now trading 4.0314.

Chinese

Blame the break in corn prices on the weather, and on fickle specs who reversed some positions. The soybean break was similar, but that can be blamed on Uncle Sams struggles in trade talks with the Chinese.

An interesting note in my CHS Hedging letter yesterday afternoon was that Chinese ports are backed up with ships to unload soybeans  7.26 mmt. are waiting to unload, and they are mostly from Brazil, not us.

November soybean futures are trading at 10.3014 Tuesday morning, but were as low as 10.19 Monday. This, after a high of 10.6012 May 29.

Add to the Chinese politics the same great growing conditions we had for corn, and you get a market on the edge.

Meanwhile, the wheat market has shrugged off the worries of dry weather as the Northern Plains got rain, and the harvest reports for farther south are of decent yields, whatever that is.

It is better than expected, is the real market factor. July wheat futures are back to near $5 after being over $5.50 May 29.Place Your Advert

Thousands of Active jobseekers are looking for new agricultural positions in 2020. Call us now to discuss the options for advertising your vacancy in our job section.Welsh farmers have been urged to keep an eye out for a Preliminary Checks Letter from the start of June, which is an initial check for submitted Single Application Forms.

Rural Payments Wales (RPW) will be undertaking the checks on submitted Single Application Forms to identify any differences between what has been declared compared to their mapping database.

It also wants to check if any of the land that has been declared has been declared by another claimant.

If the RPW does come across any discrepancies during these checks it will issue a Preliminary Checks Letter to farmers, which will be sent in an amber coloured envelope.

Pembrokeshire County Executive Officer, Rebecca Voyle said: If you receive such a letter it is essential that you read it and advise RPW of any changes that you may wish to make by June 19 2018. Any replies received after this date cannot be accepted and penalties may be applied.

However, if you received any assistance during the completion of your SAF it is important that you seek further advice and guidance from the same person before responding.

If you require any assistance with checking and responding to a letter please get in touch with your local FUW county office, as soon as you receive it.

Single Application Forms ensures access to farm support under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and land based rural development payments including Glastir Entry, Glastir Advanced, Glastir Organic and Glastir Woodland schemes.A major meat processor in Perth has been awarded 4 million from the Scottish government which will create 80 new jobs and improve facilities.

The Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grant scheme is part of an overall investment of nearly 18 million.

It will contribute to a significant long-term investment into the ABP Perths infrastructure, which includes the construction and equipping of several new factory buildings, transforming the site into a world-class facility, and creating 80 new jobs.

Visiting the site in Perth, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said Scotlands beef producers will benefit from the availability of high-quality processing facilities.

The Scottish Government is doing everything we can to support Scotlands successful food and drink industry, which has been going from strength-to-strength in recent years. Our long-term ambition is to help double that industrys value to 30 billion in the next 12 years, Mr Ewing said.

Todays investment in ABP Perth is part of a longer-term investment programme, which will help to fund major infrastructure projects - creating jobs and driving on the industry in Scotland.

Tom Kirwan, Managing Director of ABPs UK Division said the meat processor will be transformed into one of the most modern of its kind in the UK.

The improvements will benefit everyone from our farmer suppliers through to our colleagues and the local economy. It will create 80 additional jobs on site and provide significant employment during the construction phase, Mr Kirwan said.Ranbir Spotted With A Mystery Girl

We recently came across a picture of Ranbir enjoying a bike ride with a mystery woman. The Kapoor lad is all smiles in this picture.

But Folks, Before You Jump To Conclusions

Let us clear the air that's just a leaf from Ranbir's work diary. The actor was actually shooting for a commercial.

Being Newly In Love

Meanwhile, Ranbir is basking in love again. On being asked about how it feels to be 'newly in love', he had said, "It always comes with a lot of excitement. It's a new person, it comes with new beats. Old tricks become new tricks again - you know, being charming and romantic, all of that."

He Seems To Be Very Much Into Alia

"As an actor, as a person, Alia is - what's the right word - flowing right now. When I see her work, when I see her act, even in life, what she gives is something that I'm aspiring to for myself," the actor had told GQ magazine.

On The Work Front

The actor has Rajkumar Hirani's much awaited film 'Sanju' up next for release this month. The trailer of the film has already created an immense anticipation as people just can't wait to watch him as Sanjay Dutt on screen.Tamil star Rajinikanth's Kaala is all set to hit the screens on June 7, 2018 and this has created quite a buzz amongst fans. However, the film might not release in Karnataka because of the actor's remarks on the Cauvery issue. 'Thalaiva' had, reportedly, said that the Karnataka government should release Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu at the earliest. Following this, some pro-Kannada groups called for a ban on Kaala and the film's distributor 'voluntarily' decided against releasing the film in Karnataka.

Now, noted actor Prakash Raj has tweeted on the issue. In a series of tweets, he said that banning Kaala is not justified and the fringe group cannot decide what the people of Karnataka want. However, at the same time, the OK Kanmani actor made it clear that Rajini's remarks on the Cauvery were not acceptable.

"A statement made by actor Rajinikanth has hurt us deeply. Yes, I agree. In order to express our dissent, a few organisations have called for a ban on the film. Is that what we Kannadigas want? We don't know and we will never know. If the film is released and people decide not to see it as a mark of their protest only then will be able to gauge what people really want. But these fringe elements deciding on behalf of the people will not let us know it. Who are these people to decide what most Kannadigas want or don't want?" he added.

Furthermore, while speaking to News 18, Prakash Raj criticised Kamal Haasan for not discussing the Kaala controversy with the Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy during their recent meeting and reminded the 'Ulaga Nayagan' that many in the industry had supported him during the Vishwaroopam controversy.

"He has his own reasons to not raise the issue but he should also realise that when his film Vishwaroopam was banned, he wanted the entire world to stand by him. But I feel it is my responsibility and we cannot let this happen to any film," he added.

Well, these are some strong words and might ruffle a few feathers. It will be worth watching if Haasan reacts to the criticism.

So, do you agree with Prakash Raj's comments on the Kaala Controversy? Tell us in the space below.Armaan Absconding

A police officer said that they have recorded Neeru's statement. Apparently, the police went to the residence where the complainant was allegedly beaten, but Kohli wasn't there. They are looking out for him for further interrogation. No arrest has been made yet.

Neeru Recalls The Horrific Incident

About the horrific incident, Neeru was quoted by BT as saying, "The argument started on a frivolous matter. I manage Armaan's villa in Goa, which is often rented out, and had made a booking for a client. However, the client had made the payment to the villa staff and when Armaan asked me about the money, I told him that I will ask the staff to transfer it."

Armaan Caught His GF By Her Hair & Banged Her Head Against The Floor!

"Suddenly, he started verbally abusing me. Before I realised what was happening, he caught me by my hair and banged my head against the floor. I begged him to allow me to go to the hospital, promising that I wouldn't approach the police."

Neerus Head Injured

"The wound was so deep that I had to undergo a surgery. The doctor told me that the scar would be visible even after the surgery, as the assault has damaged my skin tissues. Armaan has been sending me text messages since Sunday, asking me to come back home, and he is even promising to marry me right away, but I have had enough!"

Armaan Had Assaulted Her Previously As Well

Neeru reveals that Armaan has assaulted her before as well, "He had assaulted me in February this year, and nearly broke my nose. This relationship has been a huge mistake, but I continued to give him chances despite being warned by friends and family."

Armaan & Neeru

"In fact, I had called time on the relationship in September last year, and left for Dubai. I got a job and was living there peacefully. However, three months later, Armaan came to take me back home."

Former Bigg Boss Contestant Begs & Pleads

"When I told him that I didn't want to get back to the vicious circle, he begged and pleaded with me and said that he would change. He told me that he needs me as I have made him a better person and taken care of his parents and brother. I left everything and returned to India with him."

How Armaan & Neeru Met

Before dating Neeru, Armaan was in a relationship with Tanisha Mukherjee, whom he met in the Bigg Boss house. In 2015, Armaan met Neeru in Dubai. A common friend introduced them.

Neeru Was Taking Care Of His Work, Parents & Brother

Neeru told BT, "We were introduced by a common friend and he asked me to work with him. That same year, I came to Mumbai, and soon, we grew closer. A few months later, I moved in with him. Since then, I have been taking care of his work, parents and brother."

The Actor Never Made Their Relationship Official

She further added, "We have been seen together at events, but Armaan never made our relationship official. He wanted to keep it under wraps and I didn't really care about it."

Armaan Had A String Of Relationships!

"He has had a string of relationships where the girls have often accused him of abuse, so I thought he didn't want to put me out there to be judged. I took care of his house and put up with his bratty attitude."BALI, Indonesia, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CMT hosts its 10th Asia Sustainable Oil Palm Summit in Bali on 30-31 July, 2018. Key focus this year is on finding new markets, integrating the huge smallholder community while meeting sustainability targets amid trade bans, politics, volatile prices and more.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/698403/10th_Asia_Sustainable_Oil_Palm_Summit.jpg

Key players from Malaysia, Indonesia and global plantations, processing and end users of palm oil are heading to Bali this July to join Centre for Management Technology's (CMT) 10th Asia Sustainable Oil Palm Summit. Among key presenters are -- Fadhil Hasan, Corporate Affairs Director in Asian Agri and Joseph Tek Choon Yee, MD of IJM Plantations each delivering paper on 'Partnership with smallholders to improve efficiency' and 'Stakeholder engagement - Key to sustainability and innovations in the palm oil sector' respectively.

Ali Muhammad Lakdawala, Vertical Head - Oil & Fats Procurement from ITC, a major palm oil end user, delves on 'Palm path in 2018-19: Will it be more politicized' highlighting current affairs, crude oil, forex, palm fundamentals along with other oilseeds and price outlook.

Ganoderma that infects palm species is discussed in a session on 'Overcoming the Ganoderma Threat with Biotech Solutions' by ACGT while 'Digitalizing & transforming oil palm plantation management to increase yield and improve field monitoring' is presented by ABS Innovations.

Zooming in on new markets for palm oil are Westbury Group with paper describing 'Pakistan's insatiable appetite for palm oil & opportunities in processing and storage facilities' as well as United Flowers for Vegetables Oils Co. outlining the 'Edible oil market in the Middle East & growing importance of palm oil'. Additional insights are provided by Felda Palm Industries' session on 'World's first palm-based commercial scale bio-compressed natural gas plant' and All Cosmos Industries' presentation on 'Bio Fertilizer from oil palm biomass -- recent trials & successes'.

Indonesian Palm Oil Smallholder's Association (APKASINDO) and Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) join the summit with presentations on 'Realizing the oil palm rejuvenation program in Riau & challenges faced' and 'Recent Developments in tackling 3-MCPD & Glycidol food safety issues in palm oil' respectively.

Organized by Centre for Management Technology (CMT), the summit also features insightful sessions on:

Intensifying domestic biodiesel consumption & expanding usage to the mining sector - Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR)

Protecting Indonesia's peat ecosystem -- Katingan Mentaya project -- PT. Rimba Makmur Utama

peat ecosystem -- Katingan Mentaya project -- PT. Rimba Makmur Utama Unfolding the landscape approach in Ketapang, West Kalimantan -- Aidenvironment Asia

-- Aidenvironment Asia Recent trials & successes with Felda's 3 Way Cross in close density planting -- Felda Global Ventures Research & Development

New developments in pre-nursery seed testing - Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)

Developments in innovative financing schemes for smallholders - Financial Access Consulting Services

For more information, please visit the event website.

CONTACT:

Ms. Huiyan

huiyan@cmtsp.com.sg

+65 6346 9113Public Relations Department, Eisai Co., Ltd. +81-3-3817-5120

TOKYO, June 4, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Eisai Co., Ltd. and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A. (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada), announced today that results from presentations of new data and analyses of LENVIMA (lenvatinib), an orally available kinase inhibitor discovered by Eisai, in combination with Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A.'s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in four different tumor types: unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Abstract #4076), squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) (Abstract #6016), advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (Abstract #4560), and advanced endometrial carcinoma (EC) (Abstract #5596 and Abstract #5597). The data are included in presentations at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago from June 1-5. LENVIMA and KEYTRUDA are not approved for use in combination in any cancer types today."The data we have observed in the combination studies of LENVIMA plus KEYTRUDA have fueled our commitment to help meet the diverse health care needs of patients living with cancer through clinical studies and research in specific tumor types that are notoriously difficult to treat and continue to have a significant need for new therapeutic options," said Alton Kremer, MD, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Medical Officer, Oncology Business Group at Eisai. "We are pleased to share the activity observed in clinical studies of the LENVIMA plus KEYTRUDA combination, as well as rationale for the combination in advanced endometrial carcinoma through translational research.""With these data at ASCO, we are continuing to see encouraging overall response rates, as well as a safety profile that supports the scientific rationale of adding LENVIMA to KEYTRUDA," said Dr. Roy Baynes, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Development, Chief Medical Officer, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A. "These findings add to the growing body of evidence showing the potential of this combination regimen across a number of tumor types and underscore the strategy behind our collaboration with Eisai."This release discusses investigational uses for FDA-approved products. It is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy and safety. There is no guarantee that any investigational uses of FDA-approved products will successfully complete clinical development or gain FDA approval.About EisaiEisai Co., Ltd. (TSE:4523; ADR:ESALY) is a research-based human health care (hhc) company that discovers, develops and markets products throughout the world. Eisai focuses its efforts in three therapeutic areas: integrative neuroscience, including neurology and psychiatric medicines; integrative oncology, which encompasses oncotherapy and supportive-care treatments; and vascular/immunological reaction. Through a global network of research facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, Eisai actively participates in all aspects of the worldwide healthcare system. For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visit www.eisai.com.Source: EisaiContact:Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.SUNNYVALE, CA, June 5, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Trillium President and CEO David Uze is embarking tomorrow on a six-month road trip to publicize the reality of automotive cyber-attacks, commonly known as car hacking, an intrusion often done remotely using a digital device. The threat is real, and it exists today across industry sectors from cell phones to home computers to autonomous and connected vehicles.Trillium's mission is to provide lifecycle cybersecurity protection for vehicular data, whether for the family on vacation in their car or for the mechanisms in a military vehicle, designed to protect America's interests on the battlefield. Uze and his fellow "cyber warriors" at Trillium are committed to educating the public about their multi-layered solutions that provide real-time protection in all types of vehicles from cars to trucks to military tanks.Driving a Trillium-branded Tesla, Uze will criss-cross America on several road trips, talking to drivers about their vehicles as "computers on wheels" that need cyber protection; visiting universities to encourage engineering students to join the war against cyber thieves; and talking to university professors about how Trillium can support more research into effectively fighting cyber-hacking. Periodically, Uze plans to stop at American landmarks to push the message out to the American public beyond the occasional news story about ransomware or a huge cyber breach. He wants people to know that it can happen to them."If you don't believe a hacker can get into your car remotely using a digital device, you could end up being sadly mistaken," said Uze. "Last month, a sheriff in Michigan had his gun stolen from his car parked in front of his home. The video taken from the home's security cameras clearly shows how it happened. The thief didn't need to touch the vehicle to access the interior." Uze's first stop is Southeast Michigan where he will visit Ann Arbor and Detroit."Trillium has a growing customer base in Southeast Michigan," said Uze. "The issue of cybersecurity is recognized by vehicle makers. But we want to broadcast the Trillium message to all drivers that they can be hacked. Without cybersecure software in place, hackers can penetrate a vehicle's systems in seconds through any number of attack vectors. They can open vehicle doors and windows, but even more frightening, they can take over the vehicle's steering, steal personal information from a GPS system or shut the car down altogether. Trillium products will stop them."Trillium is the global leader in vehicular lifecycle cybersecurity assurance platforms. Uze and his management team see this campaign as a first step in their quest to broaden the cyber-protection conversation. For example, fleets of vehicles are vulnerable to remote hacking as are autonomous vehicles which are currently under development by both public and private companies. Trillium works with these industry sectors and with aerospace and defense companies. The Department of Homeland Security hacked into a Boeing 757 as recently as last year.Through its "Hack Across America" project, Trillium is doing its part to alert American drivers to hidden cybersecurity risks. For Trillium, the future is now, and speed is crucial to raising the hacking work factor thereby discouraging cyber-criminals.About Trillium Secure, Inc.The Trillium vehicular lifecycle cybersecurity assurance platform provides a multi-layered solution for hardening connected and autonomous vehicles against cyber-attack. Trillium's SecureIOT platform provides authenticated operational and threat management data from fleet vehicles that preserves privacy, confidentiality and anonymity of data while at rest and in motion. Value-added service providers rely on secure and authentic data from Trillium for digital forensics, UBI, preventive maintenance, telematics, car sharing and other services. Trillium design centers and fleet security operation sites are located in Silicon Valley, Ann Arbor, Ho Chi Minh City and Tokyo. For more information, please visit www.trilliumsecure.com.Trillium Secure, Inc. products and services are marketed under the Trillium, SecureGO, SecureIoT, SecureCAR, SecureIXS, SecureOTA and SecureSKYE trademarks.For Media Enquiries, please contact Robin.lori@trilliumsecure.com.Source: Trillium Secure, Inc.Copyright 2018 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.ZURICH, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Shift Cryptosecurity http://www.shiftcrypto.ch a Swiss technology firm specializing in the protection and management of cryptocurrencies, launches its next-generation hardware platform, BitBox Basecamp. It provides the ultimate in protection for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, etc. managed by online exchanges and software wallets.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/698086/Shift_Cryptosecurity_Logo.jpg )



(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/698087/Shift_Cryptosecurity.jpg )



The BitBox Basecamp solution makes it virtually impossible for hackers to steal private keys. It also allows exchanges to implement custom features such as phishing-resistant connection to their platform, offloading of private key storage, and end-to-end branding of their services to increase customer loyalty and retention.

"Our technology is based on over 20 man-years of development and is deployed in over 100 countries," said Dr. Douglas Bakkum, Co-founder and CEO at Shift, "As a result of our in-depth experience, we are able to create customized, high-security solutions for crypto exchanges that secures their most important asset - their clients' trust."

With the alarming increase in security breaches at online crypto exchanges resulting in over a billion dollars in theft, it has become a foregone conclusion that only hardware isolation of private keys in the possession of the owner or custodian can protect professional investors and consumers from online theft.

BitBox Basecamp provides maximum protection for online cryptocurrency transactions via five security pillars: physical isolation of private keys from the internet, advanced cryptographic security algorithms, state-of-the-art encryption and anti-phishing technology, second factor authentication (2FA), and multisignature support.

The company will also release its next generation hardware wallet available to consumers based on the new technology during Q3 2018.

About Shift Cryptosecurity

Founded in 2015 in Switzerland, Shift Cryptosecurity is a privately held technology company dedicated to consumer and enterprise security solutions. Now a fast-growing team of specialists, Shift's in-depth knowledge of applied cryptographic engineering is exemplary.

Shift's flagship product, BitBox, is developed and built in Switzerland, and enjoyed by customers in over 100 countries. This unique hardware wallet equips individuals to easily store, protect, and transact cryptocurrencies with a standard of security that is unsurpassed. http://www.shiftcrypto.ch

For more information about BitBox Basecamp, contact Shift Cryptosecurity at media@shiftcrypto.ch, or meet us at CeBit 2018 , 11-15 June in Hannover, Germany. To set up a meeting, contact dario.duran@shiftcrypto.ch, +41-79-769-50-57.LINKOPING, Sweden and SHELTON, Connecticut, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

International medical imaging IT and cybersecurity company Sectra (STO: SECT B) has been awarded a contract to install its enterprise imaging PACS throughout Sanford Health. The Sectra solution, integrated with the Epic EMR, will enable access and sharing of images and information across the entire clinical pathway.

The Sectra platform will offer consistency throughout the health system and will provide collaboration across sites as well as a reduction in IT complexity. Sanford Health is the largest, rural, not-for-profit health care system in the US and is the largest employer in the Dakotas.

"It is important for us to unify our imaging IT solutions across our broad footprint of patient care," says Allison Suttle, Chief Medical Officer at Sanford Health. "Sectra's solution will allow us to integrate all images and information throughout our healthcare system to continue our focus of providing excellent patient care."

In addition to the enterprise imaging PACS, the five-year agreement encompasses breast imaging, orthopaedics, 3D vessel analysis/lesion tracking as well as teaching file software and a business analytics package. Sectra's universal viewer will allow for all Sanford providers to have access to patient images and information via a zero-footprint web application.

"Sectra has a proven track record of strong integrations and high system uptimes which is crucial for efficient reading throughout a high production environment such as Sanford Health. We look forward to growing together over the next five years and beyond," says Mikael Anden, President of Sectra, Inc.

About Sanford Health

Sanford Health is one of the largest health care systems in the US, with 44 hospitals and nearly 300 clinics in nine states and four countries. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and serving the Upper Midwest, with nearly 1,400 physicians, Sanford Health is dedicated to several initiatives, including global children's clinics, genomic medicine and specialized centers researching cures for type 1 diabetes, breast cancer and other diseases. Sanford Health has 28,000 employees, making it the largest employer in the Dakotas. Nearly $1 billion in gifts from philanthropist Denny Sanford over the past decade have transformed how Sanford Health can improve the human condition. For information, visit https://www.sanfordhealth.org/.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Torbjorn Kronander,

CEO and President Sectra AB,

+46(0)705-23-52-27



Marie Ekstrom Tragardh,

Executive Vice President Sectra AB and President Sectra Imaging IT Solutions,

+46(0)708-23-56-10

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/sectra/r/prominent-us-healthcare-provider-chooses-sectra-for-enterprise-wide-imaging,c2540474

The following files are available for download:BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 3:45 am ET Tuesday, IHS Markit releases PMI data for Italy. Thereafter final PMI figures are due from France and Germany at 3.50 am and 3.55 am ET, respectively. At 4.00 am ET, IHS Markit is slated to publish Eurozone composite PMI. Ahead of these data, the euro traded mixed against its major counterparts. While the euro held steady against the yen, it eased against the rest of major counterparts. The euro was worth 1.1692 against the greenback, 128.42 against the yen, 1.1546 against the franc and 0.8776 against the pound as of 3:40 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.NewVoiceMedia, a leading global provider of cloud contact center and inside sales technology, is helping SOLARWATT GmbH enhance its customer experience and sales performance with its NVM platform.

SOLARWATT, the Dresden-based leading manufacturer and supplier of photovoltaic systems, signed an agreement for NewVoiceMedia's cloud contact center solution to provide a state-of-the-art customer experience, while improving its sales performance, operational efficiencies and team productivity across Germany, Continental Europe and the UK. Following an extensive evaluation, the company chose NewVoiceMedia for its industry-leading CRM integration, flexibility, scalability and rich functionality.

SOLARWATT's advisors will now benefit from immediate access to a customer's entire history of interactions and inbound calls that can be dynamically managed and routed, ensuring callers are connected to the most appropriate agent improving handling time and customer satisfaction. NVM's routing capabilities can also help increase sales by identifying callers who have previously received a quote and routing them directly to the sales team, or if they are a hot lead, assigning them higher priority in the queue.

All advisors can log into the same system wherever they are, as all they need is a phone and internet connection, meaning they can work from multiple locations. The platform offers a real-time window into the entire contact center operation, so agents can be easily managed, and call recordings together with customisable reports allow the company to understand where improvement opportunities exist.

Sven Schwarz, Vice President Sales Support at SOLARWATT, comments, "We wanted a flexible and reliable cloud contact center technology which would integrate seamlessly with our CRM platform and NewVoiceMedia was the obvious choice. Implementing NVM across our business will have such a huge positive impact on customer satisfaction, enabling us to be more accessible and offer faster solutions for customers, and we'll be able to easily scale the solution in line with our growth."

Chris Haggis, SVP Customer Success at NewVoiceMedia, adds, "We're delighted to be working with SOLARWATT and look forward to seeing the company transform its customer experience and business efficiencies. We've not only helped SOLARWATT provide a reliable, consistent and personalised customer service experience, but our true cloud solutions are completely flexible and scalable and will continue to support the business throughout its future expansion."

For more information about NewVoiceMedia, visit www.newvoicemedia.com.

- ENDS -

About NewVoiceMedia

NewVoiceMedia is a leading global provider of cloud contact center and inside sales technology that enables businesses to create exceptional, emotive customer experiences to serve better and sell more.

Its award-winning platform joins up all communications channels without expensive, disruptive hardware changes and plugs straight into your CRM for full access to hard-won data. With a true cloud environment and proven 99.999% platform availability, NewVoiceMedia ensures complete flexibility, scalability and reliability.

NewVoiceMedia's 700+ customers include Canadian Cancer Society, Ebury, FCR Media, FlixBus, JustGiving, Kingston University, Lumesse, Paysafe and Vax. For more information, visit www.newvoicemedia.com or follow NewVoiceMedia on Twitter @NewVoiceMedia.

About SOLARWATT

Founded in 1993 and active worldwide, SOLARWATT GmbH is the leading German manufacturer of complete photovoltaic systems. The company is the European market leader in glass-glass solar modules and is one of the largest suppliers of electricity storage systems. For 25 years, SOLARWATT has stood for premium quality, made in Germany. International names such as BMW i, Bosch, and E.ON cooperate with the Dresden-based company, which employs some 350 people worldwide.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005129/en/

Contacts:

NewVoiceMedia PR contact

Allison Wilson

Tel: 352-502-9539

Email: allison.wilson@newvoicemedia.comRIGA, Latvia, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Amber Beverage Group (ABG) announced today that it has increased its holding in Cellar Trends, the UK's number one independent wine, spirits, beer and associated products distributor to 70%.

The Marriott and Watts families will continue to hold the remaining shares and there will be no changes to the company's management.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/640947/Amber_Beverage_Group_Logo.jpg )



Seymour Ferreira, CEO of Amber Beverage Group, expressed his admiration for the team at Cellar Trends, saying that he was looking forward to the opportunity to work more closely with the team and to the next phase in the companies' exceptional history.

Martin Watts and David Marriot (joint CEO) said, "This is a welcome evolution of Cellar Trends' relationship with Amber Beverage Group. It provides a stable base for the continuation, with confidence, of our successful brand building work on behalf of all the brand owners whom we are proud to represent."

Cellar Trends was the largest family-controlled distributor of wines, spirits and associated products in the UK. The company serves all sectors of the UK drinks trade in both on and off trade categories with a portfolio of more than 60 international brands. Amber Beverage Group has been its shareholder since early 2017.

Amber Beverage Group is a leading producer, distributor, logistics provider and retailer of beverages. It operates internationally from its head office in Luxembourg and through its production and distribution companies in Russia, Mexico, the UK, Australia and the Baltics, its historical home.

ABG produces, bottles, markets, distributes, exports or retails a comprehensive range of beverages of more than 600 own and third party brands. It has an own brand portfolio of over 130 brands, and exports its global brands as Riga Black Balsam, Moskovskaya Vodka, Rooster Rojo Tequila and Cosmopolitan Diva to over 70 active global markets.

http://www.amberbev.comTURIN, Italy, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The 66th Bilderberg Meeting will take place from 7 - 10 June 2018 in Turin, Italy. As of today, 128 participants from 23 countries have confirmed their attendance. As ever, a diverse group of political leaders and experts from industry, finance, academia and the media has been invited. The list of participants is available on http://www.bilderbergmeetings.org/participants.html .

The key topics for discussion this year include:

Populism in Europe The inequality challenge The future of work Artificial intelligence The US before midterms Free trade US world leadership Russia Quantum computing Saudi Arabia and Iran The "post-truth" world Current events

Founded in 1954, the Bilderberg Meeting is an annual conference designed to foster dialogue between Europe and North America. Every year, between 120-140 political leaders and experts from industry, finance, academia and the media are invited to take part in the conference. About two thirds of the participants come from Europe and the rest from North America; approximately a quarter from politics and government and the rest from other fields.

The conference is a forum for informal discussions about major issues facing the world. The meetings are held under the Chatham House Rule, which states that participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s) nor any other participant may be revealed.

Thanks to the private nature of the meeting, the participants are not bound by the conventions of their office or by pre-agreed positions. As such, they can take time to listen, reflect and gather insights. There is no desired outcome, no minutes are taken and no report is written. Furthermore, no resolutions are proposed, no votes are taken, and no policy statements are issued.iXledger Selected for Blockchain Enabled Next Generation Broker Network Platform

iXledger, a pioneer in blockchain enabled insurance solutions, and unisonSteadfast, one of the largest international broker networks, with over 590 brokers in 130 countries, 22,000 employees, and over USD 20 bn in gross written premium, today announced a partnership to develop a solution based on iXledger's blockchain enabled platform to streamline work processes and expand services to their members and customers.

The initial phase of the strategic partnership is focused on implementing solutions to drive value through network management, communications and knowledge sharing. In addition, it is our vision to create a next-generation online marketplace and client management platform that will utilize iXledger's blockchain technology.

"Blockchain enabled solutions have great potential to enhance member services, increase customer engagement, grow revenue and increase efficiencies," Wolfgang Mercier, President and CEO of unisonSteadfast said. "Partnering with iXledger will enable us to utilize the capabilities of blockchain technologies to streamline processes in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, especially when dealing with cross border communications and compliance."

"unisonSteadfast has a reputation for facilitating excellent service and the use of state-of-the-art technology solutions, which has enabled growth over the past decade," Ingemar Svensson, Founder and CEO of iXledger said. "We are excited that a global insurance organisation like unisonSteadfast has recognised the capabilities of iXledger and engaged our company as their blockchain technology partner. We are confident that our partnership will result in greater control and visibility across complex workflows across the member network, achieving greater efficiencies."

iXledger

iXledger leverages blockchain technology to create innovative, next generation solutions for the insurance industry that offer all participants consistent, shared and secure processes that increase efficiency, reduce costs and have the potential to grow revenue and loyalty by enhancing customer engagement. iXledger is headquartered in London, with offices in New York and Singapore.

unisonSteadfast

unisonSteadfast AG, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, and its subsidiary unisonSteadfast Corp. in Chicago, USA; represent one of the largest international broker network with more than 590 insurance brokers and 22,000 employees, and over USD 20 bn of gross written premium. Multi-jurisdictional insurance management is offered to clients through its network, which reaches 130 countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005190/en/

Contacts:

iXledger

+44 (0) 207 947 9515

info@ixledger.com

www.ixledger.com

or

unisonSteadfast

info@unisonsteadfast.com

www.unisonsteadfast.comStudy Identifies New Revenue Streams and Cost Savings to Offset Voice and Data Decline

A new study from Juniper Research has found that annual global operator-billed revenues from voice and data services are expected to fall by over $50 billion over the next 5 years from $836 billion last year to $785 billion by 2022.

The new research, Future Mobile Operator Business Models: Challenges, Opportunities Strategies 2018-2022, attributed the anticipated decline to further migration to OTT (Over the Top) messaging and social media services, with data bundle pricing erosion also expected to impact significantly on revenues.

IoT and A2P Messaging Offer High Growth Potential

However, Juniper Research has identified a series of new revenue opportunities and cost savings which collectively would enable operators to sustain, or even increase, margins. The study claimed that the opportunities afforded by the IoT (Internet of Things) should enable operators to increase revenues from that sector by over $8 billion by 2022. It also argued that A2P messaging adoption across a number of key verticals including marketing, banking and healthcare should result in a similar uplift in revenues from that source.

Meanwhile, the report highlighted a series of measures by which costs could be reduced, including network virtualisation, the implementation of next-generation firewalls and improving CRM (Customer Relationship Management).

For more insights, download Juniper's complimentary whitepaper, 'Mobile Operators 5 Mission Critical Strategies to Future-proof Your Business.'

AT&T, BT, Head Juniper Operator Innovation Index

The research also assessed the extent to which 15 leading operators across Europe and North America were in a position to implement innovation strategies. The Juniper Operator Innovation Index identified 2 main players, AT&T and BT, as "Leaders" in this space.

According to research author Dr Windsor Holden, "AT&T is a market leader in terms of IoT implementations and adoptions, while both AT&T and BT are at the forefront of research into (and deployment of) virtualisation of the network."

Juniper Research is acknowledged as the leading analyst house in the digital commerce and fintech sector, delivering pioneering research into payments, banking and financial services for over a decade.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005133/en/

Contacts:

Juniper Research

Sam Smith, Press Relations

T: +44(0)1256 830002

E: sam.smith@juniperresearch.comBRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 5.00 am ET Tuesday, Eurostat is scheduled to release euro area retail sales for April. Sales are forecast to grow 0.5 percent on month, faster than the 0.1 percent rise in March. Ahead of the data, the euro traded mixed against its major counterparts. While the euro rose against the greenback and the yen, it dropped against the pound and the franc. The euro was worth 1.1706 against the greenback, 128.49 against the yen, 1.1544 against the franc and 0.8750 against the pound as of 4:55 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.MUMBAI, India, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The first Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF) manufacturer to get this certification

Grasim Industries Limited, a flagship company of USD 43 billion Aditya Birla Group has earned a Gold level Material Health Certificate from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute for their product Birla Spunshades Viscose Staple Fibre.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/701270/Aditya_Birla_Group_Logo.jpg )



(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/700732/Birla_Spunshades_Logo.jpg )



Grasim Industries assessed Birla Spunshades VSF against the criteria of the Material Health category in the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard. Based on the superior results it has earned a Gold level Material Health Certificate from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Headquartered in San Francisco, California USA, the Institute is a non-profit organization that administers the publicly available Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard which provides designers and manufacturers with criteria and requirements for continually improving what products are made of and how they are made.

To achieve certification, materials and products must be assessed across five sustainability categories: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness. A product receives an achievement level in each category - Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. The certificate is valid for 2 years, after which manufacturers must demonstrate their work to further better their products for recertification.

Mr. Dilip Gaur, Managing Director, Grasim Industries said, "We are the first VSF manufacturer to get this certification, a truly great achievement by the Grasim team. This is yet another milestone in our sustainability journey. It reaffirms that sustainability is at the core of our business strategy. At Grasim, continuously striving for manufacturing excellence and focussing on sustainable production is a never ending journey. Having been certified Gold our aspirations is to reach for Platinum."

Mr. Rajeev Gopal, Chief Marketing Officer, Pulp and Fibre Business, Grasim Industries remarked, "Material Health Certificate for Birla Spunshades from Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute will enhance the goodwill that our brand enjoys among our customers."

"This certification confirms that viscose fibre is made for closed-loop systems with its natural origin & will enhance the confidence of the value chain players in delivering sustainable products," said Mr. Ajay Sardana, Chief Sustainability Officer of Grasim Industries.

Birla Spunshades, a USDA Biobased certified product, is made with coloured spun-dyed viscose fiber and a technique that embeds the colour pigments into the fibre itself. The result is a colour that fully saturates the fibre. Fibres are designed for fastness properties and uniformity in colour in order to prevent garments from losing colour during washes. Spun-dyed viscose fibres are designed to eliminate conventional fabric dyeing and washing-off steps leading to huge water conservation. The Certificate can be accessed here.

The Material Health Certificate issued by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute uses the material health assessment methodology of the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard to provide manufacturers with a trusted way to communicate their work towards chemically optimized products. ?To achieve a Material Health Certificate, a product must meet the same requirements at each level of the Material Health section of the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard, plus a continuous improvement/optimization requirement.

The Cradle to Cradle standard assesses product safety in context of people and the environment, as well as product design for material reuse. Based on the Cradle to Cradle 'industrial design philosophy', its purpose is to eliminate waste and to encourage products to be developed for closed-loop systems.

Contact details: abhishek.sinha@pprww.com, +91-9198461616VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Capstone Mining Corp. ("Capstone" or the "Company") (TSX: CS) today announced the results of an updated National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") compliant Mineral Resource estimate for the Cozamin Mine in Zacatecas, Mexico (Table 1 below). Compared to the Mineral Resources as at December 31, 2017, this latest estimate converted or added an additional 115 thousand tonnes of copper in the Indicated category in the Mala Noche Footwall Zone ("MNFWZ"), reflecting all drilling for which assays have been received up to March 19, 2018. At a US$42 net smelter return ("NSR") cut-off grade ("COG"), the Cozamin Mine's total Measured and Indicated ("M&I") copper Mineral Resources, including adjustments for mining to March 31, 2018, were 217 thousand tonnes of contained copper (Table 3 below).

"We are extremely pleased with our recent drilling success in the MNFWZ at Cozamin," said Brad Mercer, Senior Vice President of Exploration at Capstone. "This new resource estimate, the culmination of over a year of intensive drilling, nearly triples the ore tonnes and doubles the contained copper in the MNFWZ M&I classification."

"We remain optimistic about the extension of operations at Cozamin well into the future," said Darren Pylot, President and CEO of Capstone. "The increasing copper resource creates the potential for a mine expansion and utilization of surplus mill capacity that is currently being partially filled using ore from the San Rafael zinc zone (Resource estimate in table 4 below). The additional 115 thousand tonnes of contained copper added to the M&I class in the MNFWZ will be targeted by mine engineering for potential conversion into mineral reserves in 2018, and Inferred resources will be targeted in 2018 and 2019 for a potential classification upgrade to M&I (Table 2 below). All resources in Table 2 will provide the basis for a materials handling study, kicking off in mid-2018, to evaluate potential infrastructure needs to leverage upon our drilling success."

Subsequent to this resource estimate a further 31 holes have been drilled in the MNFWZ and the zone remains open up dip and to the southeast, where we are continuing 40,000 metres of step-out and infill drilling this year on the Inferred class resource (Table 2 below), part of our US$7 million 2018 exploration program. Further drilling is anticipated in 2019.

Table 1 - Estimate of All MNFWZ Mineral Resources by Class and COG as at March 31, 2018 Copper Silver Zinc Lead NSR Tonnes NSR Copper Silver Zinc Lead Metal Metal Metal Metal COG (kt) (US$) (%) (g/t) (%) (%) (kt) (koz) (kt) (kt) Indicated Classification 56 8,741 148.05 2.02 45 0.54 0.06 177 12,561 47 6 49 9,112 144.14 1.97 44 0.53 0.07 179 12,769 49 6 42 9,350 141.62 1.93 43 0.54 0.07 180 12,896 50 6 35 9,485 140.15 1.91 43 0.54 0.07 181 12,963 51 6 28 9,594 138.91 1.89 42 0.53 0.07 181 13,008 51 7 Inferred Classification 56 4,883 135.52 1.7 46 1.02 0.43 83 7,156 50 21 49 5,127 131.54 1.64 45 1.03 0.42 84 7,357 53 22 42 5,354 127.88 1.59 44 1.03 0.41 85 7,584 55 22 35 5,506 125.4 1.56 44 1.03 0.4 86 7,742 57 22 28 5,621 123.47 1.53 44 1.04 0.39 86 7,861 58 22

Mineral resources reported using NSR2018 formula: Cu*61.676+Ag*0.354+Zn*14.521+Pb*11.208. Metal price assumptions (in US$) used to calculate the NSR for all deposits are: Cu = $3.50/lb, Ag = $18.00/oz, Zn = $1.20/lb, and Pb = $1.00/lb. An exchange rate of MX$18.50 per US$1 is assumed. The following metal recoveries are used: 90% Cu, 74% Ag, 79% Zn, 76% Pb. Resources are reported above US$42/t NSR cut-off. Totals may not sum exactly due to rounding.

The current Mineral Reserves at the MNFWZ are primarily located in two sub-domains called Vein 10 and Vein 20 that are actively being mined. These two veins, of the five MNFWZ veins, are best suited to the current mining method and are the target of the upcoming reserve evaluation. The potential of the remaining three veins will be examined in the future by looking at possible changes in mining method and the possibility of introducing ore sorting technology underground.



Table 2 - Targeted MNFWZ Mineral Resource Estimate by Class as at March 31, 2018, at a US$42 NSR COG* Copper Silver Zinc Lead Domain Tonnes NSR Copper Silver Zinc Lead Metal Metal Metal Metal (kt) (US$) (%) (g/t) (%) (%) (kt) (koz) (kt) (kt) MNFWZ Resources Targeted for Conversion to Reserve in 2018 Vein 10 Indicated 1,517 123.33 1.68 34 0.67 0.04 25 1,651 10 1 Vein 20 Indicated 5,368 168.79 2.42 52 0.44 0.04 130 8,947 24 2 Vein 10 + Vein 20 Indicated 6,885 158.77 2.26 48 0.49 0.04 155 10,599 34 3 MNFWZ Resources Targeted for Infill Drilling in 2018/2019 Vein 10 Inferred 771 120.49 1.61 34 0.74 0.05 12 848 6 0 Vein 20 Inferred 3,347 138.85 1.90 48 0.57 0.04 64 5,176 19 1 Vein 10 + Vein 20 Inferred 4,119 135.42 1.84 45 0.6 0.05 76 6,024 25 2

Mineral resources reported using NSR2018 formula: Cu*61.676+Ag*0.354+Zn*14.521+Pb*11.208. Metal price assumptions (in US$) used to calculate the NSR for all deposits are: Cu = $3.50/lb, Ag = $18.00/oz, Zn = $1.20/lb, and Pb = $1.00/lb. An exchange rate of MX$18.50 per US$1 is assumed. The following metal recoveries are used: 90% Cu, 74% Ag, 79% Zn, 76% Pb. Resources are reported above US$42/t NSR cut-off. Totals may not sum exactly due to rounding.

Table 3 - Mineral Resource Estimate by Class for all Copper Zones as at March 31, 2018, at a US$42 NSR COG* Copper Silver Zinc Lead Classification Tonnes Copper Silver Zinc Lead Metal Metal Metal Metal (kt) (%) (g/t) (%) (%) (kt) (koz) (kt) (kt) Copper Zone - MNV San Roberto Measured (M) 409 1.23 53 1.23 0.40 5 696 5 2 Indicated (I) 3,233 0.99 43 1.60 0.38 32 4,478 52 12 Total M + I 3,642 1.02 44 1.56 0.38 37 5,174 57 14 Inferred 4,534 0.63 36 1.49 0.14 29 5,178 68 6 MNFWZ Measured (M) - - - - - - - - - Indicated (I) 9,350 1.93 43 0.54 0.07 180 12,896 50 6 Total M + I 9,350 1.93 43 0.54 0.07 180 12,896 50 6 Inferred 5,354 1.59 44 1.03 0.41 85 7,584 55 22 Total - Copper Zones Measured (M) 409 1.23 53 1.23 0.40 5 696 5 2 Indicated (I) 12,583 1.69 43 0.81 0.15 212 17,374 102 18 Total M + I 12,992 1.67 43 0.83 0.16 217 18,070 107 20 Inferred 9,888 1.15 40 1.24 0.29 114 12,762 123 28

Mineral resources reported using NSR2018 formula: Cu*61.676+Ag*0.354+Zn*14.521+Pb*11.208. Metal price assumptions (in US$) used to calculate the NSR for all deposits are: Cu = $3.50/lb, Ag = $18.00/oz, Zn = $1.20/lb, and Pb = $1.00/lb. An exchange rate of MX$18.50 per US$1 is assumed. The following metal recoveries are used: 90% Cu, 74% Ag, 79% Zn, 76% Pb. Totals may not sum exactly due to rounding.

The Zinc Mineral Resources of the Mala Noche Vein ("MNV"), updated with the NSR formula used for MNFWZ, are reported in Table 4. No additional drilling for zinc resources was performed in 2018.

Table 4 - Mineral Resource Estimate by Class for MNV Zinc Zones as at March 31, 2018, at a US$42 NSR COG* Copper Silver Zinc Lead Classification Tonnes Copper Silver Zinc Lead Metal Metal Metal Metal (kt) (%) (g/t) (%) (%) (kt) (koz) (kt) (kt) Total - MNV Zinc Zones (San Rafael and San Roberto Zinc) Measured (M) - - - - - - - - - Indicated (I) 2,676 0.26 42 3.56 0.55 7 3,608 95 15 Total M + I 2,676 0.26 42 3.56 0.55 7 3,608 95 15 Inferred 4,681 0.20 32 3.06 0.33 9 4,817 143 15

Mineral resources reported using NSR2018 formula: Cu*61.676+Ag*0.354+Zn*14.521+Pb*11.208. Metal price assumptions (in US$) used to calculate the NSR for all deposits are: Cu = $3.50/lb, Ag = $18.00/oz, Zn = $1.20/lb, and Pb = $1.00/lb. An exchange rate of MX$18.50 per US$1 is assumed. The following metal recoveries are used: 90% Cu, 74% Ag, 79% Zn, 76% Pb. Totals may not sum exactly due to rounding.

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral Resource estimates do not account for mineability, selectivity, mining loss and dilution. These Mineral Resource estimates include Inferred Mineral Resources considered too speculative geologically to apply economic considerations for categorization as mineral reserves. Even though mining has been undertaken in areas of the MNFWZ with Proven and Probable class mineral reserves there is no certainty that Inferred mineral resources will be converted to Measured and Indicated categories through further drilling, or into Mineral Reserves, once economic considerations are applied.

Mineral Resource Estimate Methodology

The mineral resource estimate reported herein was prepared by Garth Kirkham of Kirkham Geosystems Ltd. of Burnaby, BC, Canada, an Independent Qualified Person under Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). The mineral resources presented herein have been estimated in conformity with generally accepted CIM "Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices" guidelines and are reported in accordance with NI 43-101. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate was completed using MineSight[TM] software using a three-dimensional block model (12 metre by 5 metre by 10 metre block size with 4 metre by 0.5 metre by 5 metre sub-blocks). The MNFWZ model is comprised of seven interpreted three-dimensional wireframes which were the primary estimation domain and hard boundaries were used to constrain the interpolation of grades into the block model. Interpolation parameters have been derived based on geostatistical analysis conducted on 1 metre composited drill hole. Block grades have been estimated using Ordinary Kriging (OK) methodology and the mineral resources have been classified based on proximity to sample data and the continuity of mineralization in accordance with CIM Definition Standards and Estimation Best Practices. The MNFWZ resource has been estimated using a total of 833 diamond drill holes with 2382 sample composites.

About Capstone Mining Corp.

Capstone Mining Corp. is a Canadian base metals mining company, focused on copper. We are committed to the responsible development of our assets and the environments in which we operate. Our three producing mines are the Pinto Valley copper mine located in Arizona, US, the Cozamin polymetallic mine in Zacatecas State, Mexico and the Minto copper mine in Yukon, Canada. In addition, Capstone has the large scale 70% owned copper-iron Santo Domingo development project in Region III, Chile, in partnership with Korea Resources Corporation, as well as a portfolio of exploration properties. Capstone's strategy is to focus on the optimization of operations and assets in politically stable, mining-friendly regions, centred in the Americas. Our headquarters are in Vancouver, Canada and we are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Further information is available at http://www.capstonemining.com.

Quality Assurance

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101") and supervised and reviewed by Brad Mercer, P. Geol., Capstone's Senior Vice President, Exploration, a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and the person who oversees exploration activities on the Cozamin Mine property. In addition, Gregg Bush, Capstone's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, reviewed and approved this news release.

Analyses for copper, zinc, lead, and silver were completed by ALS Minerals laboratory using the following method. The entire sample is crushed to a minimum of 70% passing a 2mm screen. A 250g subsample of the crushed material is then pulverized to 85% passing 75 micron. Copper, zinc, lead and silver are determined by ICP analysis after 4 acid digestion of a 0.25g subsample of the pulverized material. Cozamin Mine Laboratory analyzed 7.5% of the samples since 2012. The entire sample was crushed to a minimum of 80% passing 9.5mm. A 200g subsample is then pulverized to 100% passing 74 micron. Copper, zinc, lead and silver are determined by ICP analysis after 3 acid digestion of a 0.2g subsample of pulverized material. Blank, standard and duplicate samples are used for quality assurance and quality control at both laboratories.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This document may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and Capstone does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required under applicable securities legislation.

Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect our expectations or beliefs regarding future events. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production and capital expenditures, the success of our mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses and title disputes. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. In this document certain forward-looking statements are identified by words including "optimistic", "targeted", "potential" and "possibility". By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, amongst others, risks related to actual results of current exploration activities, inherent hazards associated with mining operations, future prices of copper and other metals, compliance with financial covenants, surety bonding, our ability to raise capital, Capstone's ability to acquire properties for growth, counterparty risks associated with sales of our metals, use of financial derivative instruments and associated counterparty risks, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in general economic conditions, accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates, operating in foreign jurisdictions with risk of changes to governmental regulation, compliance with governmental regulations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, reliance on approvals, licences and permits from governmental authorities, impact of climatic conditions, aboriginal title claims and rights to consultation and accommodation, land reclamation and mine closure obligations, increased operating and capital costs, challenges to title to our mineral properties, maintaining ongoing social license to operate, dependence on key management personnel, potential conflicts of interest involving our directors and officers, corruption and bribery, limitations inherent in our insurance coverage, labour relations, increasing energy prices, competition in the mining industry, cybersecurity threats, legal proceedings and other risks of the mining industry as well as those factors detailed from time to time in the Company's interim and annual financial statements and management's discussion and analysis of those statements, all of which are filed and available for review under the Company's profile on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause our results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that our forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

This news release contains disclosure that has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian securities laws, which differ from the requirements of US securities laws. Without limiting the foregoing, this news release may refer to technical reports that use the terms "indicated" and "inferred" resources. US investors are cautioned that, while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian securities laws, the SEC does not recognize them. Under US standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. US investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of indicated resources will ever be converted into reserves. US investors should also understand that "inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "inferred resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Therefore, US investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of inferred resources exist, or that they can be mined legally or economically. Accordingly, information concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources contained in this news release may not be comparable to information made public by US companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC.

Cindy Burnett

VP, Investor Relations and Communications

+1-604-637-8157

cburnett@capstonemining.comRed Rock Note Repaid in Full and Colombian Loans Capitalized

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 5, 2018) - Para Resources Inc. (TSXV: PBR) (WKN: A14YF1) (OTC Pink: PRSRF) (the "Company" or "Para") is pleased to announce that it has closed $2.81 million in the first tranche of the previously announced Private Placement of Units. The Company has issued 14,049,000 Common Shares and 14,049,000 share purchase warrants (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share of the Company for a period of 3 years at a price of C$0.30, subject to an accelerated expiry if the closing trading price of the Company's shares is greater than C$0.40 per share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days (the "Acceleration Event"). The Company will give notice to the holders of the Acceleration Event and the Warrants will expire 30 days thereafter. Conex Services, Inc., a control person subscribed to 9,219,000 Units in the Private Placement for proceeds of $1,843,800. All securities issued in the private placement are subject to a hold period of 4 months from closing. The second and final tranche of the Private Placement is expected to close in mid-June.

The Company also announces that loans made to the Company's 84% owned Colombian subsidiary, Four Points Mining Ltda. ("FPM") by Helm Bank and Reyforte, in the amounts of US$4,763,154 and US$1,102,114 respectively, have been forgiven. The transactions will decrease liabilities and increase share capital of FPM. The transaction is non-dilutive and does not alter the percentage of FPM owned by Para. The transaction will result in a reduction in the Loans Payable on the company's Consolidated Balance Sheet, of C$$7,625,435.

Para also announces that it has made the final US$750,000 payment, plus interest, to Red Rock Resources, PLC. This concludes the payments under the Vendor's Note that was incurred as a part of the original acquisition of the El Limon mine in 2015.

Geoff Hampson, Para's CEO states, "These transactions are the first of several in our plan to improve the Balance Sheet of the Company in anticipation of declaring commercial production at El Limon later this year and to the planned the startup of the Gold Road Mine in Q4 2018."

Participation of a control person in the Private Placement constitutes a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101. Because the Company's shares trade only on the TSX Venture Exchange, the issuance of securities is exempt from the formal valuation requirements of Section 5.4 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 and exempt from the minority approval requirements of Section 5.6 of MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report 21 day before this first closing of the Private Placement because the Company wished to complete the Private Placement in a timely manner.

ABOUT PARA RESOURCES:

Para is a junior producing gold mining company. Para owns approximately 80% of the El Limon project, in Colombia, which in addition to its current underground operation is purchasing mineralized rock mined by small artisanal miners working on the Company's property. The El Limon and OTU properties also have exploration and development upside. The Company also owns 88% of the Gold Road Mine in the Oatman District of Arizona. RPM Global recently produced a NI 43-101 Technical Report and PEA, establishing a Mineral Resource estimate and a good economic outlook for the Gold Road Mine. Production at Gold Road is expected to commence in October 2018. Para will continue to take advantage of current market conditions to acquire and develop additional highly economic, near-term production assets that have strong exploration and development upside.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"C. Geoffrey Hampson"



C. Geoffrey Hampson, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information, please contact Andrea Laird, telephone: +1-604-259-0302

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICESEntries open Tues 5, June 2018

New "Breaking News" award to celebrate graphics created to a deadline

$20,000 prize fund for the greatest visual storytellers

Awards ceremony moving from London to New York City

Information is Beautiful and Kantar announce the opening of the entry period for the 2018 Kantar Information is Beautiful Awards. Submissions for the 2018 awards can be made between 5th June and 7th September. Building on the award categorisation launched last year, a new 'Breaking News' category is being introduced to celebrate the incredible data visualisation work happening in news rooms and elsewhere to illuminate breaking news stories.

The KANTAR Information is Beautiful Awards are now in their seventh year of celebrating the world's best data visualisations, encouraging creativity at every level from students through to established studios and media brands. For 2018 we're taking the awards ceremony from London to New York City, where the awards have previously been featured in the Museum of Modern Art. A US$20,000 prize fund will be awarded during the ceremony to data visualisation creators across nine categories plus an overall outstanding individual.

In 2017 entries were submitted from over 100 countries. Gold Award-winning entries tackled everything from the journey of ISIS' foreign fighters and the Nuclear Threat, to the trajectory of science careers, the unlikely odds of a band making it big, and food search trends on Google. Non-English language winners included South China Morning Post, Berliner Morgen Post and Corriere della Sera. Winners were selected by a diverse panel of around 30 experts from various disciplines including music (Grammy award winning producer Mark Spike Stent); fine art (Nigel Hurst, CEO of the Saatchi Gallery); media (Shaun Savage, VICE) as well as numerous data visualization pioneers and a substantial online public vote from a community of around 300,000 visitors.

Awards founder David McCandless says: We're looking forward to bringing the Awards Ceremony to New York, home to so many of our previous winners and many outstanding creators. We're particularly excited about the new Breaking News prize, which will showcase work created under the tight pressure of a news deadline. What makes the Awards really special is that we offer a level playing field from student through semi-pro right up to big brand level. Indeed 2016's rising star winner, Nadieh Bremer, clinched the following year's Outstanding Individual prize. Nurturing such talent is one of the great privileges of being involved in the Awards."

2018 important dates

Entry period opens Tues 5 June 2018

Entry deadline Fri 7 Sep, 11:59pm PST

Showcase announced Tues 11 Sep

Shortlist announced public voting opens Tues 2 Oct

Voting closes Fri 19 Oct, 11.59pm PST

Awards Ceremony: last week of November first week of December

Notes to editors

Keep up to date with the Awards and join the conversation, via:

www.informationisbeautifulawards.com | Twitter | Facebook

Early media accreditation is available for the award ceremony

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005839/en/

Contacts:

AxiCom

Sam Mohr

sam.mohr@axicom.com

+44 0207 559 5639Moroccan focused upstream gas company Sound Energy has seen "significant inbound third party interest" after the firm received Ministerial approval for the Sidi Moktar Onshore Petroleum Agreement awarded to the firm back in February. Following the completion of further subsurface evaluations, Sound Energy initiated a formal farm-out process for the Sidi Moktar Onshore licence in Central Morocco, of which it holds a 75% operating position, as it looked to fund the project's work programme moving ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.TU-Automotive --Today, TomTom (TOM2) launched a new navigation app that can be mirrored to Toyota vehicles' in-dash screens using SmartDeviceLink (SDL) technology a first for both TomTom and Toyota. The TomTom Navigation App is available at no extra cost to Toyota drivers in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay on both iOS and Android phones.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005705/en/

Photo: Business Wire)

The app provides an online navigation experience by combining offline maps with online services such as TomTom Traffic, SpeedCams, Online Search and Online Routing*, with a fall back to offline turn-by-turn navigation in case connectivity is not available or not preferred. It uses the industry standard Navigation Data Standard (NDS) map format, making TomTom the first to launch an NDS-based smartphone application. Users benefit from NDS as it lets drivers download only the map cuts that they really need with weekly incremental map updates instead of big quarterly updates. Another novelty is the completely revamped map visualization. The vector-based technology enables smooth visualization and responsive interaction with the digital map. One of the key new features is Moving Lane Guidance, an innovative way of showing the driver which lane(s) to take around highway junctions, which is an important enabler for lane-level navigation.

When connecting the smartphone to the car, the driver can see the TomTom Navigation App, and interact with it directly on the car's screen allowing for safer driving. This is enabled by SDL an app mirroring technology that uses a standard set of protocols and messages that connect applications on a smartphone to a vehicle head unit. It is open source and is backed by a consortium made up of large automakers and suppliers including TomTom.

Antoine Saucier, Managing Director, TomTom Automotive, said: "Drivers worry about how much data they might be using when navigating with a smartphone app. That's why we created the TomTom Navigation App which works with offline maps, but still provides real-time services to users. We're excited that Toyota drivers across Latin America can drive with it, and we're sure that they'll love being able to mirror the app to their in-dash screens."

Miguel Fonseca, EVP, Toyota do Brasil Ltda., said: "We are delighted to work with TomTom as our navigation partner for the Latin American market as we recognize the benefits of offline map data and the need for accurate real-time traffic information for our car owners."

ENDS

Online Routing currently only available on Android devices

Android is a trademark of Google LLC

About TomTom

TomTom created the easy-to-use navigation device, one of the most influential inventions of all time. Since then, we have grown from a start-up, into a global technology company.

We design and develop innovative navigation products, software and services, that power hundreds of millions of applications across the globe. This includes industry-leading location-based and mapmaking technologies, embedded automotive navigation solutions; portable navigation devices and apps, and the most advanced telematics fleet management and connected car services.

Combining our own R&D expertise with business and technology partnerships, we continue to shape the future, leading the way with autonomous driving, smart mobility and smarter cities.

Headquartered in Amsterdam with offices in 37 countries, we offer advanced digital maps that cover 142 countries, and our hyper-detailed and real-time TomTom Traffic information service reaches more than five billion people in 69 countries. www.tomtom.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005705/en/

Contacts:

TomTom

Media:

Greg Morrison, +31 6 52 59 00 28

greg.morrison@tomtom.com

or

Investor Relations:

Bisera Grubesic, +31 20 75 75 194

ir@tomtom.comPublic Relations Department http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com +81-3-6852-4275

Thailand, June 5, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (MMTh), its exclusive producer and distributor in Thailand, has officially opened a new training facility, the Education Academy, in Pathum Thani. This is another example of the extensive effort the company is making to pursue the very best customer service.The official opening ceremony was held with Don Samitakasettrin, Lamlukka District Chief Officer and other related parties along with Osamu Masuko, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.Osamu Masuko said "Mitsubishi Motors has always been focusing on Thailand. The Education Academy reflects our commitment here in Thailand at the same time as the country is shifting towards the economy."The official inauguration of Education Academy was a day after the 5 million-unit production celebration at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand production facility in Laem Chabang."The Education Academy will play a vital role in providing our people with knowledge and skills enablement to prepare them for the new values we want to deliver to our drivers." Masuko added.The Education Academy project started in September 2017. Today the 2-story building with around 8,700 sqm function area stands tall on more than 17,700 sqm Mitsubishi Motors Thailand premise in Lamlukka, Phathum Thani.Morikazu Chokki, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd. said during the opening ceremony: "Education Academy will contribute significantly in our 'software' development with the focus on sales and aftersales services enhancement."Currently, Education Academy serves 100 - 150 people daily including Service Advisors, Technicians, Part Staff, Sales Consultants, Customer Relations Officers, and Mitsubishi Motors Thailand staff."What the staff will be taught and be trained here is not just about technical proficiency. They will be valued as a staff with ambition to explore. So that they can empower our drivers to explore new things and progress in life." Chokki concluded.About Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors Corporation is the sixth largest automaker in Japan and the sixteenth largest in the world. It is part of the Mitsubishi keiretsu, formerly the biggest industrial group in Japan, and was formed in 1970 from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. From October 2016, Mitsubishi is one-third owned by Nissan, and a part of the Renault - Nissan - Mitsubishi Alliance. For more information, please visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/index.html.Source: Mitsubishi MotorsContact:Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.DUBLIN, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Global wind and solar developer Mainstream Renewable Power has completed financial close for the Kangnas and Perdekraal East Wind Farms in South Africa, which have a combined capacity of 250 megawatts (MW). A consortium led by Mainstream was awarded the contracts for the wind farms by the Department of Energy under the fourth round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). The wind farms, which are located in South Africa's Northern and Western Capes, represent an investment of approximately $520 million and are expected to commence construction June 2018.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/686512/Mainstream_Renewable_Power_Logo.jpg )



Mainstream has been awarded a total of 848MW of wind and solar projects under the REIPPPP programme since 2011, making it the country's most successful independent renewable energy developer. Mainstream has already delivered five wind and solar PV plants into operation under the programme, with a combined generation capacity of 600MW. It has bid a number of additional wind and solar PV projects under the Expedited Round, the results of which are expected shortly.

Hein Reyneke, Mainstream's General Manager for Africa said: "Our team here in South Africa is really excited to reach financial close and start constructing these projects, which will bring an $87 million community investment over 20 years once they start operating in 2020. We look forward to the results of the expedited fourth round of the REIPPPP, as well as further rounds, which are vital to securing a sustainable long-term, least-cost energy plan for the country."

He added: "Mainstream has been investing and building a local team in South Africa for almost a decade and with a portfolio of more than 3,000MW of wind and solar projects under development here, we are delighted to be making a significant contribution to building South Africa's low-cost and low-carbon power system whilst boosting rural communities."

Mainstream Renewable Power is the leading independent developer of utility-scale wind and solar power plants in high-growth emerging markets. The company is delivering a portfolio of 6.5 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar assets across Latin America, Africa and Asia. In Chile, Mainstream wholly owns 1.3GW of fully contracted wind and solar projects in operation, in construction or at late stage development. The company is developing projects in Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, Vietnam and the Philippines. Mainstream has raised 1.6bn in project finance and employs 160 staff.

Contact: Emmet Curley, Tel: +353-86-241-1690 emmet.curley@mainstreamrp.comTotal sales increased 1.0% to $3.1 billion; comparable sales declined 0.7%

Saks Fifth Avenue comparable sales increased 6.0%; Hudson's Bay extends streak of positive comparable sales for 31st consecutive quarter

Strategic decision to divest Gilt enables focus on businesses with the greatest potential to impact results

Leadership changes address key areas of opportunity and reflect heightened customer centric approach

HBC (TSX: HBC) today announced its financial results for the thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018. In addition, the Company provided an update on strategic actions it intends to take to improve profitability, including the decision to divest Gilt and right-sizing Lord Taylor's store footprint. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars. Certain metrics, including those expressed on an adjusted, normalized, comparable and/or constant currency basis, are non-IFRS financial measures. For more information please refer to the "Supplemental Information" section of this press release and the reconciliation tables below.

"Results in North America were encouraging, highlighted by better performance across the group and comparable sales growth of 6% at Saks. We have significant opportunity to build on this trend, and are taking action to strengthen the foundation of the Company and position HBC for profitable growth. Our decision to divest Gilt will allow us to focus our time and resources on the businesses with the greatest potential to drive operating performance, and I am confident that the retail operations are moving in the right direction under Helena's leadership. In addition to making the right strategic decisions to improve our business, we will continue to explore all opportunities to leverage the strength of our real estate portfolio to create value for our shareholders," stated Richard Baker, HBC's Governor and Executive Chairman.

Helena Foulkes, HBC's Chief Executive Officer, added, "Over the last month, we have worked rapidly to put in place a leadership team focused on driving business results, streamlining our processes and fostering a culture of accountability. We need to improve across all areas of the business, and this begins with rededicating ourselves to putting the customer first in everything we do. This customer-focused mindset will dictate how we think about key functions of the business, and I see opportunity to dramatically improve our marketing and digital operations while also refining company wide processes that impact our end to end customer experience. In Europe, we have de-layered management, allowing me to be closer to that business as we take actions that are expected to stabilize the topline and improve our cost structure in this important market. Accountability begins with our leadership team, and I am confident that we now have the right people in place across HBC to drive actions that will result in profitable growth."

"We are also taking action to reposition Lord Taylor for improved results and increased profitability. With a new leader dedicated to evolving our experience and merchandise assortment to best meet customer expectations and shopping preferences, we will take advantage of having a smaller footprint to rethink the model and focus on our digital opportunities," continued Foulkes. "The Lord Taylor flagship on Walmart.com, which launched last week, is a great example of this and represents how we are thinking about the entire business."

Gilt Divestment

HBC has entered into agreements to sell Gilt, and the sale of this business is expected to close during the second quarter of 2018. Gilt generated less than 4% of the Company's total sales in Fiscal 2017, and the disposition is expected to improve Adjusted EBITDA1 by $10 to $15 million on an annualized basis.

Optimizing Lord Taylor

An increased focus on driving Lord Taylor's digital business, combined with new leadership and an optimized store footprint, is expected to reduce costs and improve the overall performance of this business. To better balance the brand's brick and mortar presence with its online channels and increase profitability, the Company expects to close up to 10 Lord Taylor stores through 2019. This reduced store network will allow new leadership to re-think the model and better position Lord Taylor for future success.

After evaluating best use scenarios for its New York City Fifth Avenue location, the Company has decided not to maintain a presence at this location following turnover of the building to WeWork. Exiting this iconic space reflects Lord Taylor's increasing focus on its digital opportunity and HBC's commitment to improving profitability.

Note:

1 These performance metrics have been identified by the Company as Non-IFRS measures. For the relevant definitions and reconciliations, please refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" and "Supplemental Information" sections, respectively, of this release.

First Quarter Summary

All comparative figures below are for the thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018 compared to the thirteen week period ended April 29, 2017. All references to "comparable sales" are made on a constant currency basis. See "Non-IFRS Measures"

Following the Company's decision to divest Gilt, this business has been classified as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, the results from this business are excluded from the discussion below.

Revenue was $3,088 million, an increase of $30 million, or 1.0%, from the prior year. Overall comparable sales declined 0.7%, with total comparable digital sales increasing 7.7%. Comparable sales performance at the Company's banners are highlighted below:

Saks Fifth Avenue comparable sales increase of 6.0%

DSG (Hudson's Bay, Lord Taylor and Home Outfitters) comparable sales decrease of 0.6%

Saks OFF 5TH comparable sales decrease of 3.5%

HBC Europe (Galeria Kaufhof and Galeria INNO) comparable sales decrease of 6.6%

For HBC overall, gross profit1 as a percentage of revenue was 42.1%, an improvement of 20 basis points compared to the prior year. During the quarter, the Company recorded a $16 million inventory reserve related to the planned store closures at Lord Taylor, and a $4 million markdown charge related to the closure of two Lord Taylor stores during the quarter. Absent these charges, gross profit as a percentage of sales would have improved 90 basis points.

SG&A expenses were $1,367 million compared to $1,323 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by additional expenses related to new stores opened during the prior 12 months, totaling $68 million, and a $21 million negative foreign exchange impact. Prior year results also included a positive $42 million impact related to a favorable legal verdict. These increases were partially offset by $46 million in additional savings from the Company's restructuring programs, $32 million of lease termination related to the closure of two Lord Taylor stores, and a reduction in other non-recurring and one-time charges.

Adjusted SG&A1 expenses, which exclude certain non-cash items and normalizing adjustments consistent with the Company's other non-IFRS metrics, were $1,333 million or 43.2% of revenue, compared to $1,292 million or 42.2% in the prior year. The increase in Adjusted SG&A dollars was driven primarily by an increase in rent expense and other costs related to new store openings, and a negative $21 million foreign exchange impact, partially offset by savings from the Company's restructuring programs. The increase in Adjusted SG&A1 dollars combined with the impacts associated with lower comparable sales resulted in an increased Adjusted SG&A1 expense rate.

Adjusted EBITDAR1 was $173 million, an increase of $11 million compared to the prior year. The increase in Adjusted EBITDAR1 can primarily be attributed to an increase in gross profit dollars, partially offset by higher non-rent Adjusted SG&A1 expenses.

Net loss from continuing operations was $314 million compared to a net loss $214 million in the prior year. The increase was driven by higher SG&A expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses. A higher increase in the reported loss from the Company's joint ventures, largely driven by the impact of foreign exchange, and a decrease in the income tax benefit also contributed to the larger loss. Normalized net loss1 was $286 million compared to $209 million in the prior year, primarily a result of higher Adjusted SG&A expenses, increased depreciation and amortization expense, and lower income tax benefits.

Note:

1 These performance metrics have been identified by the Company as Non-IFRS measures. For the relevant definitions and reconciliations, please refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" and "Supplemental Information" sections, respectively, of this release.

Inventory

Inventory at the end of the first quarter declined by $117 million compared to the prior year. This lower balance at the end of the quarter was driven primarily by foreign exchange rate impacts, the reclassification of inventory related to Gilt to assets of discontinued operations held for sale, and comparable inventory reductions at Hudson's Bay and HBC Europe. These impacts were partially offset by higher inventory in North America and the opening of new stores.

Store Network

During the first quarter, HBC opened one Saks Fifth Avenue store and one Saks OFF 5TH store in Canada which are located in Calgary, Alberta and Markham, Ontario, respectively. In the United States, the Company opened two Saks OFF 5TH stores located in West Hartford, Connecticut and Bridgewater, New Jersey. In Europe the Company opened one Saks OFF 5TH Europe store in Bonn, Germany and three Hudson's Bay stores in the cities of Amersfoort, Enschede and Haarlem in the Netherlands. The Company closed two Lord Taylor stores located in Annapolis, Maryland and Skokie, Illinois and two Home Outfitters stores in Toronto, Ontario and Richmond, British Columbia.

Store information as at May 5, 2018 Store Count(1) Gross Leasable Area (1) Square Footage (000s) Hudson's Bay 89 15,720 Lord Taylor 48 6,705 Saks Fifth Avenue 42 5,303 Saks OFF 5TH 132 3,939 Home Outfitters 41 1,427 HBC Europe (2) 136 30,160 Total 488 63,254

(1) HBC operates one Hudson's Bay outlet, two Zellers clearance centres and three Lord Taylor outlets that are excluded from the store count and gross leasable area.

(2) Includes 13 Hudson's Bay Netherlands stores and eight Saks OFF 5TH Europe stores opened in Germany and the Netherlands.

Capital Investments

Capital investments, net of landlord incentives, during the first quarter totaled $130 million, $21 million less than the prior year. In addition to its European expansion, HBC also continued work on its major renovation at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York, and performed smaller renovations at various Galeria Kaufhof, Hudson's Bay, Lord Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue stores. Technology investments included the build out of the Company's automated distribution center in Pottsville, as well as other digital related initiatives.

Management continues to expect total capital investments in Fiscal 2018, net of landlord incentives, to be between $450 million and $500 million, compared to $599 million in Fiscal 2017. These capital investment expectations reflect exchange rate assumptions of USD:CAD 1:1.27 and EUR:CAD 1:1.48 for the remainder of the year. Any variation in these foreign exchange rate assumptions and/or other material assumptions and factors described in the "Forward-Looking Statements" section of this press release could impact the above outlook.

Debt Summary

As at May 5, 2018, HBC had the following outstanding loans and borrowings on its balance sheet (refer to note 13 of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018):

(millions of Canadian dollars) May 5, 2018 Apr 29, 2017 Global ABL 1,012 1,213 U.S. Term Loan B 642 683 Lord Taylor Mortgage 504 542 Saks Mortgage 1,606 1,706 Other loans 36 7 Total Outstanding Loans and Borrowings 3,800 4,151

At the end of the first quarter, HBC had $1,490 million in availability under its Global ABL facility, an increase of $67 million compared to the prior year.

Dividend

HBC also announced today that its board of directors has approved HBC's regular quarterly dividend to be paid on July 13, 2018, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 29, 2018. The dividend is in the amount of $0.0125 per HBC common share and is designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian tax purposes. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of HBC's board.

Conference Call to Discuss Results

Management will discuss the first quarter financial results and other matters during a conference call on June 5, 2018 at 8:30 am EST.

The conference call will be accessible by calling the participant operator assisted toll-free dial-in number (800) 535-7056 or international dial-in number (253) 237-1145. A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible on HBC's website at: http://investor.hbc.com/events.cfm. The audio replay also will be available via this link.

Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis

The Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the thirteen weeks ended May 5, 2018 and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") thereon are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Consolidated Financial Information

The following tables set out summary consolidated financial information and supplemental information for the periods indicated. The summary financial information set out below for the quarters ended May 5, 2018 and April 29, 2017 has been prepared on a basis consistent with our audited annual consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2017, respectively. In the opinion of the Company's management, such unaudited financial data reflects all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for those periods. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year or any future period. The information presented herein does not contain disclosures required by IFRS and should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited annual consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2017.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS (millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts) Thirteen weeks ended May 5, 2018 Apr 29, 2017 restated (1) Revenue 3,088 3,058 Cost of sales (1,787 (1,776 Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") (1,367 (1,323 Depreciation and amortization (172 (160 Operating loss (238 (201 Finance costs, net (59 (57 Share of net loss in joint ventures (62 (27 Dilution gains from investments in joint ventures 1 3 Loss before income tax (358 (282 Income tax benefit 44 68 Net loss for the period continuing operations (314 (214 Net loss for the period discontinued operations, net of taxes (86 (7 Net loss for the period (400 (221 Loss per share basic and diluted Continuing operations (1.33 (1.17 Discontinued operations (0.37 (0.04 Total operations (1.70 (1.21

The following table shows additional summary supplemental information continuing operations for the periods indicated (1)

Thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018 April 29, 2017 restated (1) Adjusted EBITDA (2) (35 (25 Adjusted EBITDAR (2) 173 162 Adjusted SG&A (2) 1,333 1,292 Normalized net loss for the period (2) (286 (209 Normalized net loss per Common Share basic and diluted (2) (1.22 (1.15 Declared dividend per Common Share 0.01 0.05

(1) Certain previously reported figures have been restated to exclude the results related to discontinued operations.

(2) See below for relevant definitions and tables for reconciliations of net loss to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR, SG&A to Adjusted SG&A and net loss to Normalized net loss. These performance metrics have been identified by the Company as Non-IFRS measures. For the relevant definitions, please refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this release and for the relevant reconciliations of the nearest IFRS measures, please refer to the "Supplemental Information" section of this release.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS As at May 5, 2018 and April 29, 2017 (millions of Canadian dollars) May 5, 2018 Apr 29, 2017 Assets Cash 86 99 Trade and other receivables 402 326 Inventories 3,571 3,688 Asset held for sale 273 Assets of discontinued operations held for sale 74 Other current assets 230 248 Total current assets 4,636 4,361 Property, plant and equipment 5,261 5,529 Intangible assets and goodwill 1,583 1,849 Pensions and employee benefits 169 173 Deferred tax assets 359 330 Investments in joint ventures 603 611 Other assets 41 19 Total assets 12,652 12,872 Liabilities Loans and borrowings 1,002 1,195 Finance leases 41 27 Trade payables 1,345 1,360 Other payables and accrued liabilities 1,026 1,092 Deferred revenue 120 106 Provisions 220 182 Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale 94 Other current liabilities 240 126 Total current liabilities 4,088 4,088 Loans and borrowings 2,701 2,852 Finance leases 521 519 Provisions 85 58 Pensions and employee benefits 714 699 Deferred tax liabilities 296 697 Investment in joint venture 227 7 Other liabilities 1,920 1,682 Total liabilities 10,552 10,602 Shareholders' equity Share capital 2,048 1,422 (Deficit) retained earnings (507 247 Contributed surplus 156 128 Accumulated other comprehensive income 403 473 Total shareholders' equity 2,100 2,270 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 12,652 12,872

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the 13 weeks ended May 5, 2018 and 13 weeks ended April 29, 2017 (millions of Canadian dollars) May 5, 2018 April 29, 2017 Operating activities Net loss from continuing operations (314 (214 Income tax benefit (44 (68 Dilution gains from investments in joint ventures (1 (3 Share of net loss in joint ventures 62 27 Finance costs, net 59 57 Operating loss (238 (201 Net cash income taxes paid (16 (4 Interest paid in cash (54 (45 Distributions of earnings from joint ventures 52 54 Items not affecting cash flows: Depreciation and amortization 172 160 Net defined benefit pension and employee benefits expense 5 7 Other operating activities (4 (10 Share of rent expense to joint ventures (91 (88 Share based compensation 17 11 Settlement of share based compensation grants (2 Changes in operating working capital (295 (443 Cash outflow for operating activities from continuing operations (454 (559 Cash outflow for operating activities from discontinued operations (13 (40 Net cash outflow for operating activities (467 (599 Investing activities Capital investments (187 (222 Proceeds from landlord incentives 57 71 Capital investments less proceeds from landlord incentives (130 (151 Proceeds from lease terminations and other non-capital landlord incentives 2 Proceeds on disposal of assets 1 3 Cash outflow for investing activities from continuing operations (129 (146 Cash outflow for investing activities from discontinued operations (1 (3 Net cash outflow for investing activities (130 (149 Financing activities Repayments of long-term loans and borrowings (2 (1 Short-term loans and borrowings: Net borrowings from asset-based credit facilities 627 745 Borrowing costs (1 (4 626 741 Payments on finance leases (11 (9 Dividends paid (2 (9 Net cash inflow from financing activities from continuing operations 611 722 Foreign exchange gain on cash 2 3 Increase (decrease) in cash 16 (23 Cash at beginning of year 70 122 Cash at end of period 86 99

Supplemental Information

The following table presents the reconciliation of net loss continuing operations to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and to Adjusted EBITDAR:

Thirteen week period ended restated (1) (millions of Canadian dollars) May 5, 2018 April 29, 2017 Net loss continuing operations (314 (214 Finance costs, net 59 57 Income tax benefit (44 (68 Depreciation and amortization 172 160 EBITDA (2) (127 (65 Certain non-cash items (3) 87 43 Normalization adjustments (4) 28 12 Net rent expense to joint ventures (5) 44 43 Cash rent to joint ventures (119 (112 Cash distributions from joint ventures 52 54 Total adjustments 92 40 Adjusted EBITDA (2) (35 (25 Rent adjustments Third party rent expense 141 129 Cash rent to joint ventures 119 112 Cash distributions from joint ventures (52 (54 Adjusted EBITDAR (2) 173 162 Adjusted EBITDAR as a percentage of revenue 5.6 5.3

Notes:

(1) Certain previously reported figures have been restated to exclude the results related to discontinued operations.

(2) These performance metrics have been identified by the Company as non-IFRS measures. For the relevant definitions, please refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this release.

(3) Certain non-cash items consist of:

Share of net loss in joint ventures 62 27 Dilution gains from investments in joint ventures (i) (1 (3 Non-cash pension expense 5 7 Impairment and other non-cash items 7 (1 Non-cash share based compensation 14 13 87 43

(i) Represents gains realized as a result of the changes in ownership related to the Company's investments in the joint ventures.

(4) Normalization adjustments consist of:

Acquisition and integration related expenses (i) 6 5 Lord Taylor optimization (ii) 16 Foreign exchange adjustment (iii) (11 Restructuring (iv) 20 36 European expansion (v) 4 21 Net gain on store closures (vi) (28 Data security issue (vii) 3 White Flint settlement (viii) (42 Other 7 3 28 12

(i) Includes acquisition and integration expenses related to the acquisitions and ongoing business development activities.

(ii) Lord & Taylor optimization includes expected costs associated with the planned closures of certain Lord Taylor stores beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2019.

(iii) Represents the net impact of unrealized (gains) losses resulting from the translation of certain intra-group monetary assets and liabilities related to the overall tax and legal structure of the Company.

(iv) Restructuring includes expected costs associated with the Transformation Plan, the $75 million initiative announced in February of 2017 and programs initiated by HBC Europe to optimize operating efficiencies.

(v) Includes one-time start-up and expansion costs related to HBC Europe's opening of Hudson's Bay and Saks OFF 5TH stores in the Netherlands and Germany.

(vi) Net gain on store closures represents lease termination fee income received with respect to two Lord Taylor stores that closed during the thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018, net of associated costs.

(vii) This represents costs related to the data security issue which occurred during the thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018, that will not be recoverable under the Company's insurance policies.

(viii) This represents a $42 million payment received for a favourable verdict with respect to a 2013 lawsuit brought forth by the Company relating to White Flint mall.

(5) Rent expense to the joint ventures net of reclassification of rental income related to the Company's ownership interest in the joint ventures (see note 11 to the Company's unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018).

The following table presents the reconciliation of SG&A continuing operations to Adjusted SG&A:

Thirteen week period ended restated (1) (millions of Canadian dollars) May 5, 2018 April 29, 2017 SG&A continuing operations 1,367 1,323 Certain non-cash items (2) (26 (19 Normalization adjustments (3) (8 (12 Total adjustments (34 (31 Adjusted SG&A (4) 1,333 1,292 Adjusted SG&A (4) as a percentage of revenue 43.2 42.2

Notes:

(1) Certain previously reported figures have been restated to exclude the results related to discontinued operations.

(2) Certain non-cash items consist of:

Non-cash pension expense (5 (7 Impairment and other non-cash items (7 1 Non-cash share based compensation (14 (13 (26 (19

(3) Normalization adjustments consist of:

Acquisition and integration related expenses (i) (6 (5 Foreign exchange adjustment (i) 11 Restructuring (i) (20 (36 European expansion (i) (4 (21 Gain on store closures (ii) 32 Data security issue (i) (3 White Flint settlement (i) 42 Other (7 (3 (8 (12

(i) For details, refer to footnote 4 to the reconciliation of net loss continuing operations to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and to Adjusted EBITDAR table above.

(ii) Gain on store closures represents lease termination fee income received with respect to two Lord Taylor stores that closed during the thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018.

(4) This performance metric has been identified by the Company as a non-IFRS measure. For the relevant definition, please refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this release.

The following table presents the reconciliation of net loss continuing operations to Normalized net loss:

Thirteen week period ended restated (1) (millions of Canadian dollars) May 5, 2018 April 29, 2017 Net loss continuing operations (314 (214 Certain non-cash items (2) (2 Normalization adjustments (3) 15 13 Adjustments to share of net loss in joint ventures (4) 13 (6 Total adjustments (5) 28 5 Normalized net loss (6) (286 (209

Notes:

(1) Certain previously reported figures have been restated to exclude the results related to discontinued operations.

(2) Certain non-cash items consist of:

Dilution gains from investments in joint ventures (2

(3) Normalization adjustments consist of:

Acquisition and integration related expenses and finance costs (i) 3 5 Lord Taylor optimization (ii) 12 Restructuring (iii) 14 24 Foreign exchange adjustment (iv) (5 (8 European expansion (v) 3 14 Net gain on store closures (vi) (20 Data security issue (vii) 2 White Flint settlement (viii) (25 Other 6 3 15 13

(i) Includes acquisition and integration expenses related to the acquisitions and ongoing business development activities. In addition, includes the recognition of non-cash finance income related to Common Share purchase warrants of $1 million for the thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018 and non cash finance expense of $1 million for the thirteen week period ended April 29, 2017.

(ii) Lord Taylor optimization includes expected costs associated with the planned closures of certain Lord Taylor stores beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2019.

(iii) Restructuring includes expected costs associated with the Transformation Plan, the $75 million initiative announced in February and programs initiated by HBC Europe to optimize operating efficiencies.

(iv) Represents the net impact of unrealized (gains) losses resulting from the translation of certain intra-group monetary assets and liabilities related to the overall tax and legal structure of the Company.

(v) Includes one-time start-up and expansion costs related to HBC Europe's opening of Hudson's Bay and Saks OFF 5TH stores in the Netherlands and Germany.

(vi) Net gain on store closures represents lease termination fee income received with respect to two Lord Taylor stores that closed during the thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018, net of associated costs.

(vii) This represents costs related to the data security issue which occurred during the thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018, that will not be recoverable under the Company's insurance policies.

(viii) This represents a $42 million payment ($25 million net of tax) received for a favourable verdict with respect to a 2013 lawsuit brought forth by the Company relating to White Flint mall.

(4) Relates to the Company's share of net non-recurring items incurred which primarily includes the impact of unrealized losses (gains) of the HBS Joint Venture which result from the translation of certain intra-group monetary assets and liabilities related to the overall tax and legal structure of the joint venture.

(5) All adjustments are tax-effected as appropriate.

(6) This performance metric has been identified by the Company as a non-IFRS measure. For the relevant definition, please refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this release.

Non-IFRS Measures

Gross profit, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDAR, Normalized net earnings (loss) and Adjusted SG&A are non-IFRS measures that the Company uses to assess its operating performance. Gross profit is defined as revenue less cost of sales. EBITDA is defined as net earnings (loss) from continuing operations before net finance costs, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation and amortization expense.

EBITDAR is defined as EBITDA before rent expense to third parties and net rent expense to joint ventures.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted to exclude: (A) certain non-cash items which include: (i) share of net (earnings) loss in joint ventures, (ii) gain on sale of investments in joint ventures, (iii) dilution gains from investments in the joint ventures, (iv) non-cash pension expense, (v) impairment and other non-cash items and (vi) non-cash share based compensation expense; (B) normalization adjustments which include: (i) business and organization restructuring/realignment charges, (ii) merger/acquisition costs and expenses and (iii) adjustments, including those related to purchase accounting, if any, related to transactions that are not associated with day-to-day operations and joint venture adjustments. Adjusted EBITDAR is defined as Adjusted EBITDA before third party rent expense, cash rent to joint ventures and cash distributions from joint ventures. Cash rent to joint ventures includes cash rent paid to the joint ventures for full calendar months that end in the respective reporting periods. Cash distributions from joint ventures includes cash distributions received from the joint ventures for full calendar months that end in the respective reporting periods.

Adjusted SG&A is defined as selling, general administrative expenses from continuing operations ("SG&A") adjusted to exclude: (A) certain non-cash items which include: (i) non-cash pension expense, (ii) impairment and other non-cash items and (iii) non-cash share based compensation expense, and (B) normalization adjustments which include: (i) business and organization restructuring/realignment charges and (ii) merger/acquisition costs and expenses and (iii) adjustments, if any, related to transactions that are not associated with day-to-day operations. Normalized net earnings (loss) is defined as net earnings (loss) from continuing operations adjusted to exclude: (A) certain non-cash items which include: (i) impairment of intangible assets and goodwill, (ii) gain on sale of investments in joint ventures and (iii) dilution gains from investments in joint ventures; (B) normalization adjustments which include: (i) business and organization restructuring/realignment charges; (ii) merger/acquisition costs and expenses and (iii) adjustments, including those related to purchase accounting, if any, related to transactions that are not associated with day-to-day operations and tax related adjustments; (C) financing related adjustments and (D) adjustments to share of net earnings (loss) in joint ventures.

For further clarity, please refer to the detailed tables reconciling net earnings (loss) to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and to Adjusted EBITDAR, reported SG&A to Adjusted SG&A and net earnings (loss) to Normalized net earnings (loss).

The Company uses these non-IFRS measures to provide investors and others with supplemental measures of its operating performance. The Company believes these non-IFRS measures are important supplemental measures of operating performance because they eliminate items that have less bearing on the Company's operating performance and thus highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. The Company also believes that securities analysts, investors, rating agencies and other interested parties frequently use these non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of issuers, many of which present similar metrics when reporting their results. The Company's management also uses Adjusted EBITDAR in order to facilitate retail business operating performance comparisons from period to period, prepare annual operating budgets and assess the Company's ability to meet its future debt service, capital expenditure and working capital requirements and the Company's ability to pay dividends on its Common Shares. As other companies may calculate these non-IFRS measures differently than the Company, these metrics may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

This press release makes reference to certain comparable financial results expressed on a constant currency basis, including comparable sales, comparable digital sales and comparable inventory. The Company calculates comparable sales on a year-over-year basis from stores operating for at least thirteen months and includes digital sales and clearance store sales. In calculating the sales change, including digital sales, on a constant currency basis where applicable, prior year foreign exchange rates are applied to both current year and prior year comparable sales. Additionally, where an acquisition closed in the previous twelve months, comparable sales change on a constant currency basis incorporate results from the pre-acquisition period. This enhances the ability to compare underlying sales trends by excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations as well as by reflecting new acquisitions. The Company calculates comparable inventory levels on a year-over-year constant currency basis and does not include (i) acquisitions not closed prior to the end of the same comparable quarter of the prior Fiscal year and (ii) new store openings after the end of the same comparable quarter of the prior Fiscal year. Definitions and calculations of comparable sales and comparable inventory financial results differ among companies in the retail industry. The Company notes that results from acquisitions are only incorporated in the Company's reported consolidated financial results from and after the respective acquisition date.

For further discussion of the Company's financial and operating results, please refer to the MD&A of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for thirteen week period ended May 5, 2018.

About HBC

HBC is a diversified global retailer focused on driving the performance of high quality stores and their omnichannel offerings and unlocking the value of real estate holdings. Founded in 1670, HBC is the oldest company in North America. HBC's portfolio today includes formats ranging from luxury to premium department stores to off price fashion shopping destinations, with more than 480 stores and approximately 65,000 employees around the world.

HBC's leading banners across North America and Europe include Hudson's Bay, Lord Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Galeria Kaufhof, the largest department store group in Germany, and Belgium's only department store group Galeria INNO.

HBC has significant investments in real estate joint ventures. It has partnered with Simon Property Group Inc. in the HBS Global Properties Joint Venture, which owns properties in the United States and Germany. In Canada, it has partnered with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust in the RioCan-HBC Joint Venture.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this news release, including, but not limited to, ability to grow sales, increase margins, and grow profitability, expectation that the luxury sector and Saks Fifth Avenue will continue to grow during Fiscal 2018, the anticipated benefits and annualized savings from HBC's Transformation Plan, including the anticipated timing of realizing such savings, the anticipated improvement on cash flow in Fiscal 2018, the anticipated closing of the sale of the Company's Lord Taylor flagship building and resulting improvement to cash flow, the Company's balance sheet and overall liquidity, the anticipated divestiture of Gilt and resulting improvement to EBITDA, the anticipated reduction in costs and improvement in performance of Lord Taylor as a result of focusing on its digital business, leadership and right-sized store footprint, the Company's prospects for future growth opportunities and other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking. Often but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "estimate", "plan", "could", "should", "would", "outlook", "forecast", "anticipate", "foresee", "continue" or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology.

Implicit in forward-looking statements in respect of capital investments, including, among others, the Company's anticipated Fiscal 2018 total capital investments, net of landlord incentives, to be between $450 million and $500 million, are certain assumptions regarding, among others, the overall retail environment and currency exchange rates for Fiscal 2018. Specifically, the Company has assumed the following exchange rates for the remainder of Fiscal 2018: USD:CAD 1:1.27 and EUR:CAD 1:1.48. These current assumptions, although considered reasonable by the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned that actual capital investments could differ materially from what is currently expected and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others described below, general economic, geo-political, market and business conditions, changes in foreign currency rates from those assumed, the risk of unseasonal weather patterns and the risk that the Company may not achieve overall anticipated financial performance.

Although HBC believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are based on information and assumptions that are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are by their nature subject to a number of factors that could cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance, achievements, future events or developments to differ materially from management's expectations and plans as set forth in such forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the following factors, many of which are beyond HBC's control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict: ability to execute retailing growth strategies, ability to continue comparable store sales growth, changing consumer preferences, demands and fashion trends, marketing and advertising program success, damage to brands and dependence on vendors, ability to realize synergies and growth from strategic acquisitions, ability to make successful acquisitions. investments, expansions and divestitures, ability to realize savings from the implementation of the Transformation Plan and ability to further reduce overhead, effect of actions of activities shareholders, ability to successfully manage inventory levels, loss or disruption in centralized distribution centers, ability to upgrade and maintain the Company's information systems to support the needs of the Company and protect against cyber-security threats, risks related to privacy breaches, risks relating to the Company's size and scale, loss of key personnel, ability to attract and retain qualified employees, deterioration in labor relations, risks related to labor costs and other challenges from a large workforce, ability to maintain pension plan surplus, funding requirements of Saks' pension plan, funding requirements of HBC Europe's pension plan, limits on insurance policies, loss of intellectual property rights, insolvency risk of parties with which we do business or their unwillingness to perform their obligations, exposure to changes in the real estate market, loss of flexibility with respect to properties in the real estate joint ventures, successful operation of the real estate joint ventures to allow us to realize the anticipated benefits or the ability to effect a future monetization transaction with each of the real estate joint ventures, exposure to environmental liabilities, liabilities associated with third parties who have assumed leases from the Company, changes in demand for current real estate assets, failure to close the sale of the Lord Taylor Fifth Avenue building, increased competition, change in spending of consumers, extreme weather conditions or natural disasters, international operational risks, fluctuations in the U.S. dollar, Canadian dollar, Euro and other foreign currencies, increase in raw material costs, seasonality of business, ability to manage indebtedness and cash flow, risks related with increasing indebtedness, restrictions of existing credit facilities reducing flexibility, loss of flexibility due to restrictive debt covenants, future availability of financing, limitations related to a decrease in credit rating, ability to maintain adequate financial processes and controls, ability to maintain dividends, ability of a small number of shareholders to influence the business, uncontrollable sale of the Company's Common Shares by significant shareholders could affect share price, constating documents discouraging favorable takeover attempts, effect of existence and creation of Preferred Shares on holders of Common Shares (as defined herein), increase in regulatory liability, increase in product liability or recalls, increase in litigation, inability to comply with laws and regulations that impact the Company's business could lead to litigation or regulatory actions against the Company, non-compliance with changing privacy regulatory environment, exposure to significant additional costs and expenses relating to losing foreign private issuer status in the future, changes in accounting standards, other risks inherent to the Company's business and/or factors beyond the Company's control which could have a material adverse effect on us. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect us; however, these factors should be considered carefully.

HBC cautions that the foregoing list of important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect its results. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause HBC's actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of HBC's Annual Information Form dated May 4, 2018, as well as HBC's other public filings, available at www.sedar.com and at www.hbc.com.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe HBC's expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable Canadian securities laws, HBC does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005349/en/

Contacts:

HBC

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

Elliot Grundmanis, 646-802-2469

elliot.grundmanis@hbc.com

or

MEDIA:

Andrew Blecher, 646-802-4030

press@hbc.comAACHEN, Germany, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

To improve the care of patients with acute or chronic pain, a consortium from academia, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), pain societies, patient organizations and pharmaceutical industry launched the research project "IMI-PainCare - Improving the care of patients suffering from acute or chronic pain" on April 01, 2018. The consortium strives to develop a toolbox that can streamline the research and development process for novel analgesic drugs and improve treatment quality in clinical practice. The project comprises three sub-projects across all phases of the pharmaceutical value chain - from early research to clinical practice - addressing major challenges in the care of patients suffering from acute or chronic pain in a complementary manner. It is anticipated that tools will be validated that will allow patient stratification and enrichment as recommended by the recent EMA/CHMP/970057/2011 guideline on pain treatment.

IMI-PainCare is set within the framework of the Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI), the largest public-private partnership for health research worldwide. The project is driven by a consortium of 40 partners from 14 countries, while the lead is shared by Rolf-Detlef Treede, University of Heidelberg, and Petra Bloms-Funke, Grunenthal. IMI-PainCare is supported by the IMI 2 Joint Undertaking with  11.2 million provided by the European Union. The industrial partners will provide  12.0 million through direct and in-kind contributions, e.g. employees working on the project in partnerships with the consortium. The project runs over four years and will end on March 31, 2022.

Pain management is essential for all medical conditions, as it is one of the major dimensions of Quality-of-life scores that patients report. Additionally, chronic pain may outlast the normal healing process (e.g. after surgery). It can be a symptom of a chronic disease (e.g. endometriosis, bladder pain syndrome, diabetic neuropathy) or may occur without any signs of an underlying disease. The treatment of both acute and chronic pain is often inadequate, which underlines the high need for innovative solutions to improve pain management. This is partly due to a poor translation of results from preclinical models into clinical trials, and partly due to a lack of sophistication in outcome reporting and accurate division of patients into subgroups in clinical trials.

"Acute and persistent pain of different origins represent a common medical, social, and economic burden, and improvement of its management is still a major challenge for all health care systems. I look forward to working towards innovative solutions to these unmet medical needs together with my partners of IMI-PainCare which represents an unprecedented close cooperation between academia, SMEs, patient organizations, pain societies and pharmaceutical companies," Rolf-Detlef Treede, University of Heidelberg, explained. "I am delighted that we were able to bring together the expertise of 40 partners to drive innovative solutions in pain management. The joint work of these best-in-class experts may enable us to provide pain patients with the appropriate prevention or treatment for their condition at the right time", Petra Bloms-Funke, Grunenthal, stated.

"Providing standardized consented patient-reported outcome measures" (PROMPT) is the first sub-project, led by Winfried Meissner, University of Jena, and Hiltrud Liedgens, Grunenthal. It is located in a key area of both clinical research and clinical practice and has the patient's perspective in its focus. "We aim to improve the management of pain by defining a consented set of patient-reported outcome measures which is suitable to assess acute and chronic pain in controlled trials as well as real world conditions. It would be beneficial for patients if success is documented routinely after pain treatment, and the tools we aim to identify can help with this", Winfried Meissner stated. "A defined set of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical trials of novel analgesics could become a discussion basis in our exchange with regulatory authorities, especially when defining claims in submission documents, and with Health Technology Assessment Agencies (HTAs) when we have to discuss relevant clinical benefits to gain reimbursement," Hiltrud Liedgens, Grunenthal, added.

"Functional pain biomarkers" (BioPain) - the second subproject - is led by Rolf-Detlef Treede, University of Heidelberg, and Keith Phillips, Eli Lilly and Company. It is located in the transition stage from pre-clinical to early clinical development and aims to establish pharmacokinetic / pharmacodynamic models in healthy humans and rodents. "Functional electrophysiological and imaging tests validated in experimental pain models could be a basis for the creation of purposeful clinical endpoints, also in patients," Rolf-Detlef Treede, University of Heidelberg explains. "If these clinical markers prove their reliability, we could aim to carry them into preclinical models as well. This could improve our candidate selection and may increase the chance of a successful translation from preclinical to clinical development," Keith Phillips, Eli Lilly and Company, added.

The subproject "Translational research in pelvic pain" (TRiPP) is led by Katy Vincent, University of Oxford, and Jens Nagel, Bayer. It has a special focus on pain related to endometriosis and interstitial cystitis / bladder pain syndrome and is located in clinical practice as well as the early stage of disease understanding to provide a robust pre-clinical environment for drug development. "We aim to determine subgroups within these diseases and identify biomarkers of these clinical phenotypes. Ultimately, we hope this strategy will move towards more personalised treatments for these distressing conditions", Katy Vincent stated. "It is of key importance to understand better the molecular pathways leading to inflammation and chronic pelvic pain both in endometriosis and bladder pain syndrome and to assure that these are reflected in pre-clinical models to improve their translational value for clinical research," Jens Nagel added.

About the Innovative Medicines Initiative

The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) is a partnership between the European Union and the European pharmaceutical industry, represented by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). It is working to improve health by speeding up the development of, and patient access to, the next generation of medicines, particularly in areas where there is an unmet medical or social need. It does this by facilitating collaboration between the key players involved in healthcare research, including universities, pharmaceutical companies, and other companies active in healthcare research, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), patient organizations, and medicines regulators. This approach has proven highly successful, and IMI projects are delivering exciting results that are helping to advance the development of urgently-needed new treatments in diverse areas.

More info on IMI: http://www.imi.europa.eu

Follow IMI on Twitter: @IMI_JU

Acknowledgement

This project has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 777500. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA Companies.

Disclaimer

This communication reflects the views of the IMI-PainCare consortium and neither IMI nor the European Union and EFPIA are liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.

Contact

Project Office/General Enquires:

Email: info@imi-paincare.eu

Project Leader: Petra Bloms-Funke, Grunenthal GmbH. +49-241-569-2697

Project Coordinator: Rolf-Detlef Treede, Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat Heidelberg. +49-621-383-9926.

Project Manager: Daniel Schubart, ConsulTech GmbH. +49-307-720-5920.

Please visit our website for more information on the IMI-PainCare project

http://www.imi-paincare.euDETROIT, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Automotive Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) System Market by Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, LCV, and M&HCV), by Catalyst Type (Copper Zeolite, Iron Zeolite, and Others), by Catalyst Structure Type (Honeycomb Catalyst Structure and Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2018-2023.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660595/Stratview_Research_Logo.jpg )



This market report, from Stratview Research, studies the automotive selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system market over the trend and forecast period of 2012 to 2017 and 2018 to 2023, respectively. The report provides detailed insights on the market dynamics to enable informed business decision making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

Automotive Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) System Market: Research Highlights

There has been an incessant increase in emissions of polluting substances including carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) particles from vehicles into the environment. In diesel engines, the level of NOx emissions is very high, whereas, in petrol engines, the emission of NOx particles is merely 5% that of emission from diesel engines. Hence, there is a dire need for a proficient depollution system that can curb the NOx particles emitted from diesel vehicles. At present, there are two depollution systems available for reducing NOx particle emissions from diesel engine vehicles, SCR system (Selective Catalytic System) and Lean NOx-Trap (LNT) system. Despite the high cost of SCR system, it is expeditiously gaining market traction, driven by its higher efficiency.

As per Stratview Research, the global automotive SCR system market is projected to grow at an impressive rate over the next five years to reach US$ 4.7 billion in 2023. Incessant increase in the penetration of SCR system in diesel vehicles to address the stringent regulations regarding carbon emission reductions and fuel efficiency enhancements is the prime growth driver of the market. Furthermore, growing penetration of diesel engines in commercial vehicles (LCV and M&HCV) coupled with an increased usage of SCR system to deliver greater fuel efficiency is acting as a catalyst to the burgeoning demand for SCR system in the automotive industry.

The author of the report cited that passenger car segment is expected to remain the growth engine of the global automotive SCR system market during the forecast period of 2018 to 2023. Increasing production of passenger cars coupled with increasing penetration of SCR system in diesel engine-based passenger car models is likely to elevate the demand for SCR system in the segment in the foreseeable future.

As per the study, Copper Zeolite is expected to remain the most dominant catalyst type in the global automotive SCR system market during the forecast period, owing to its better ammonia storage capabilities. Both, Iron Zeolite as well as other segments, are also likely to witness healthy growth rates over the next five years.

Register here for a free sample on the detailed report

Based on the catalyst structure type, honeycomb structure is expected to remain the most dominant type in the global automotive SCR system market during the forecast period, owing to its better surface coverage and regular flow.

In terms of region, Europe is expected to remain the largest automotive SCR system market during the forecast period. Stricter emission norms of European Commission have led to a faster adoption of SCR System into European vehicles. Ford Focus & Fusion, BMW 5 Series & 7 Series, Renault Twingo & Talisman, Citroen C4 Picasso, and Audi Q7 are some of the key European models that are relying on SCR system to reduce the level of emissions. Asia-Pacific is likely to depict the highest growth in the same period with China and India being the key sources of growth.

Key automotive SCR system manufacturers are Tenneco Inc., Faurecia SA, Plastic Omnium SA, and Roechling Group. Major automotive OEMs in the industry, which currently rely on SCR systems, are Ford, BMW, Renault, Citroen, and Audi. Development of integrated SCR systems and formation of strategic alliances with the automakers are the key strategies adopted by the major players to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis

Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis

Market trend and forecast analysis

Market segment trend and forecast

Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.

Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities

Emerging trends

Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players

Key success factors

This report studies the automotive SCR system market and has segmented the market in four ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the four ways in which the market is segmented:

Automotive Selective Catalytic Reduction System Market, By Vehicle Type

Passenger Car (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Light Commercial Vehicle (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Medium- & Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicle (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Automotive Selective Catalytic Reduction System Market, By Catalyst Type

Copper Zeolite (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Iron Zeolite (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Automotive Selective Catalytic Reduction System Market, By Catalyst Structure Type

Honeycomb (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW)

Automotive Selective Catalytic Reduction System Market, By Region

North America (Country Analysis: The USA , Canada , and Mexico )

Europe (Country Analysis: Germany , The UK, Russia , Italy and Rest of Europe )

Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China , Japan , South Korea , India and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil , Argentina , and Others)

Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the global automotive industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports:

Click Here for Other Reports from Stratview Research in the Automotive Industry

Some of our other premium reports in the automotive industry:

Global Automotive Engine Cover Market by Vehicle Type, by Material Type, by Manufacturing Process Type, and by Region, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2017-2022

Global Automotive Cylinder Head Market by Vehicle Type, by Material Type, by Source Type, and by Region, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2017-2022

About Stratview Research

Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas.

We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies.

Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making.



For enquiries,

Contact:

Ritesh Gandecha

Stratview Research

E-mail: sales@stratviewresearch.com

Direct: +1-313-307-4176

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 5, 2018 / Margaret Lake Diamonds Inc. (TSX-V: DIA; FSE: M85) ("MLD" or the "Company") announces that it has closed the second tranche of its non-brokered flow-through private placement (the "FT Offering") issuing 4,244,308 units (each a "FT Unit") at a price of $0.13 per FT Unit, for gross proceeds of $551,760 and a concurrent non flow-through private placement (the "NFT Offering") issuing 35,000 units (each a "NFT Unit") at a price of $0.12 per NFT Unit for gross proceeds of an additional $4,200. The aggregate gross proceeds raised by the Company upon completion of the second tranche of this financing is $555,960.

Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share of the Company and one transferable non flow-through common share purchase warrant (each "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Share at a price of $0.20 for a period of 36 months following closing of the FT Offering. Each NFT Unit consists of one non flow-through common share of the Company and Warrant. The Warrants contain an acceleration provision under which the Company can accelerate the term of the Warrants to 30 days following notice by the Company to the Warrant holders, which notice may be given if the closing price of the Company's common shares is greater than $0.30 per share for 10 trading days on a VWAP basis.

The Company has paid cash finders' fees to three registered dealers and for this second tranche issued 288,930 finder's warrants to these dealers in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. The finder's warrants have the same terms as the Warrants but are non-transferable.

All of the securities issued are subject to a hold period expiring October 1, 2018.

The proceeds from the FT Offering will be used for the Company's drill program on the Margaret Lake Property and for geophysical and geotechnical work on the Diagras Property owned 60% by the Company and 40% by Artic Star Exploration Corp. (ADD) under a joint venture agreement. The proceeds of the NFT Offering will be used for exploration, offering expenses, finder's fees and general working capital.

About Margaret Lake Diamonds Inc.

Margaret Lake Diamonds Inc. is a diamond exploration company focused on the Northwest Territories in proximity to Gahcho Kue, the newest Canadian diamond mine owned by De Beers and Mountain Province Diamonds, and adjacent to the ongoing advanced exploration on the Kennady North project. The Company also has a 60/40 joint venture with Arctic Star Exploration Corp. to explore the Diagras property, which comprises 23 claims totaling 18,699 hectares located in the prolific Lac de Gras diamond field. The Board of MLD is comprised of persons with combined involvement of over 50 years in the Canadian diamond sector.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Paul Brockington"

Paul Brockington, President and Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Margaret Lake Diamonds Inc.

Paul Brockington

President and CEO

Phone: 604-630-2810

Website: www.margaretdiamonds.com

Forward-looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. Actual results and future events could differ materially from anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and expressed qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.

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.

SOURCE: Margaret Lake Diamonds Inc.EDINBURGH, Scotland, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Scotland's internationally acclaimed orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra today reveals the dynamic young conductor Maxim Emelyanychev as its next Principal Conductor.

(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/701318/Maxim_Emelyanychev.jpg )



Maxim Emelyanychev takes up the post in September 2019. His first season will be announced in March 2019.

In March this year Maxim Emelyanychev stepped in at short notice to conduct the Orchestra. The response from players, audiences and critics was unanimous in its praise.

SCO Leader Benjamin Marquise Gilmore commented, "Maxim is a true original with a unique musical voice. His tireless pursuit of perfection is equalled by his energy, and there is clear potential for a great partnership with the orchestra. I can't wait to work with him again!"



Principal Horn Alec Frank-Gemmill added "This week has been absolutely amazing. Even though Maxim is young he really understands period style, his ears are incredible and he also has fabulous energy".

Chief Executive of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Gavin Reid said, "Maxim is a remarkable musician and I am thrilled to be welcoming him to the SCO. For a conductor to create such an extraordinary connection with a new orchestra so quickly, was quite astonishing."

Maxim Emelyanychev, Principal Conductor Designate of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra said, "It is very exceptional to feel such a free collaboration with an orchestra at such high level of attention from the beginning of the first rehearsal!It is inspiring and I feel honoured to create music with these extraordinary musicians!"

Maxim Emelyanychev (29) is an outstanding representative of the younger generation of Russian conductors. Born in 1988 to a family of musicians, he studied conducting and piano in Nizhny Novgorod and then with Gennady Rozhdestvensky in Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory.



His prizes include a Gramophone Award 2017, with Joyce DiDonato and Il Pomo d'Oro, for their album In War & Peace (Warner/Erato), and the Golden Mask theatre prize as harpsichordist in a production of Le nozze di Figaro in Perm, recorded by Sony Classical.

Since his conducting debut at 12, he has worked with many Russian and international orchestras. Next season, alongside taking up his position with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, he conducts the Netherlands Philharmonic, Antwerpen Symphony, Tokyo Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, St Petersburg Philharmonic, and makes his debut at the Glyndebourne Festival 2019 with Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

More information and photos available in this press kit.

Contact: Susie Gray, +44(0)131-202-6220, Susie@thecornershoppr.comOttawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 5, 2018) - C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (TSXV: CMI) the world's leading designer of commercial grade mobile auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, announced today that it has received more than $1 Million in orders for its iNetVu Driveaway antenna systems in the month of May.

The orders are for .98m and 1.2m new generation and classic iNetVu vehicle mount antenna systems which will be deployed for oil and gas exploration throughout North America. Several antennas have already shipped, while others will be drawn down over the next few months.

Mobile VSAT systems are critical to exploration markets, and C-COM's offerings provide one-button, auto-acquire capability that deliver broadband Internet, voice, video and data connectivity needed to monitor remote equipment, hasten critical operations, and ensure general welfare of field crews.





Figure 1: C-COM's 1.2m iNetVu Antenna used in exploration





Cannot view Figure 1? Please visit:

http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5445/34990_a1527963898213_60.jpg

C-COM's motorized antenna systems have long been considered the standard in this and other rapid deployment applications such as emergency response, because of their ease of use, high reliability and cost-effectiveness. There are thousands of iNetVu antennas operating from the coldest and most remote parts of Canada and Russia, to the most scorching and arid conditions of Africa, Australia and the Middle East.

"We are pleased to see a rebound in the oil and gas exploration market, which has been languishing for some time," commented Drew Klein, Director of International Business Development for C-COM Satellite Systems. "C-COM is proud to support the tireless workers in the field with the most reliable VSAT antenna system available for mobile Broadband via satellite."

The Company offers classic and next generation Driveaway, Flyaway, Fixed Motorized, and Backpack systems for any vertical market where communications are challenging due to disruption or deficiency. C-COM has more than 20 different Comm-on-the-Pause antenna models, integrated with all major modem manufacturers, approved with most major satellite operators, and is working closely with more than 500 active dealers in over 100 countries.

Working with a renowned research team at the University of Waterloo, the Company has been developing an electronically steerable, Ka-band flat panel antenna system based on phased array technology with the potential to revolutionize satellite's addressable market in all mobility markets: land, airborne and maritime.

ABOUT C-COM SATELLITE SYSTEMS Inc.

C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. is a pioneer and world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of mobile satellite-based antenna systems for the delivery of Broadband Internet to any location via Satellite. C-COM has developed a proprietary, one-button, auto-acquisition controller technology for rapid antenna pointing to a geostationary satellite with just the press of a button, enabling high-speed Internet connectivity where terrestrial markets are overloaded or simply don't exist. The company has sold approximately 8,000 systems to customers in over 100 countries providing service to a wide range of vertical markets such as Oil & Gas Exploration, Military Communications, Disaster Management, SNG, Emergency Communications, Cellular Backhaul, Telemedicine, Mobile Banking, and others. The Company's iNetVu brand is synonymous with high quality, reliability and cost-effectiveness.

In partnership with a renowned research team at the University of Waterloo's Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems (CIARS), C-COM has been developing a next generation Ka-band flat panel antenna based on advanced phased array technology for enabling high-throughput mobility applications over satellite: land, airborne and maritime. More information is available at: www.c-comsat.com

iNetVu is a registered trademark of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.

# # #

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Statements about the timing of shipment of additional ordered units and the potential impacts of new technology on the industry all contain forward-looking information. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Orders may take longer to ship than anticipated and orders may be cancelled for any number of reasons, some of which are beyond C-COM Satellite Systems' control. Anticipated benefits of the new technology may not be realized and new products and services may not be released or, if released may not gain market acceptance. Any of those events and others could have an effect on future performance and C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.'s ability to achieve the results mentioned above. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 5, 2018) - Exro Technologies Inc. (CSE: XRO) (OTCQB: EXROF) ("Exro" or the "Company") Energy management company Exro Technologies and battery and portable power solutions group Lithium Werks have agreed to collaborate to improve the way batteries are controlled under variable conditions.

"We will combine our technologies to develop flexible battery voltage input and output solutions for applications ranging from large scale energy storage for the grid, to everyday consumer goods," said Mark Godsy, CEO of Exro Technologies."

Exro's software technology allows for constant monitoring and manipulation of energy inflows and outflows, at rates of up to 100k manipulations per second. The goal is total control of the flow of energy, in effect allowing better, more balanced storage of energy, especially under changing conditions, while also making battery banks of any size inherently electrically safe. Exro's technology is also designed to make it possible to "swarm" batteries by getting them to work in concert with one another to better manage and load balance inflows and outflows of energy under varying conditions.



"This strategic partnership with Exro Technologies comes at a time of soaring demand for our Lithium Werks' NanoPhosphate lithium ion battery technology," said T. Joseph Fisher III, Lithium Werks CEO and co-founder. "Our high-powered batteries are both smaller and lighter as well as safer and more durable than those offered by our competitors. By combining this with Exro's intelligent technology, we are building a strong foundation for a partnership capable of serving the cutting-edge requirements of our customers in the new applications market."

Some of the benefits that can be realized with Exro and Lithium Werks combined technology include:

The ability to reconfigure battery assemblies so they can be successfully charged or discharged at different voltages, resulting in system efficiency gains

Eliminates need for a traditional inverter (normally used to handle grid storage or load balancing)

The ability to expand energy storage by simply adding more batteries, without having to add additional control or power conditioning equipment

Redundancy for fault tolerance, as failed batteries will not bring down the system

Easier battery balancing with no battery-to-battery leakage

The ability to swap batteries while in operation

The ability to change dynamically how much capacity is devoted to grid storage versus load balancing of a given grid bank at any given time

The ability to control energy output and input for any given battery at any given point in time

About Exro

Exro Technologies Inc. offers the potential to accelerate the transition to clean energy by improving the efficiency and reliability of electric motors and generators and by improving the performance and safety of batteries used to store energy.



For more information about Exro, go to www.exro.com

About Lithium Werks

Lithium Werks is a fast-growing global lithium ion battery company with production facilities in China and offices in the USA, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Norway. Lithium Werks provides cells, modules, and battery management systems into markets such as material handling, stationary energy storage, medical, and commercial marine.

For more information about Lithium Werks, go to www.lithiumwerks.com

Certain statements contained in this News Release constitute forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Company's actual performance or achievements to vary from those described herein. Should one or more of these factors or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mark Godsy, Director & CEO

INVESTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

Lyle McLennan: 604 808 9221MADRID, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Abstract #8018

The modelled data on overall survival of the statistical evaluation of the impact of crossover on the ADMYRE study were presented .

Of the 84 patients treated in the comparator arm (dexamethasone as a single agent), 44% received the combination with plitidepsin after progression.

After analyzing the impact of crossover, the registered overall survival with plitidepsin was 11.6 months against the 6.4 months of dexamethasone alone.

PharmaMar (MCE: PHM) has presented today how crossover has had an influence on the overall survival of the ADMYRE trial. The impact on overall survival of those patients that relapsed after receiving dexamethasone as a single agent and who were subsequently treated with plitidepsin in combination with dexamethasone was analyzed. Of the 84 patients treated from the comparator arm -dexamethasone as a single agent- 44%, 37 patients were treated with the combination with plitidepsin thereafter.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/624563/PharmaMar_Logo.jpg )



This data has been presented as a poster discussion session during the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) that is being held from the 1st to the 5th of June in Chicago (USA).

The ADMYRE study is a pivotal, randomized, open label, international, multicenter, phase III study, which included 255 multiple myeloma patients who had relapsed after having previously received at least 3, but no more than 6 prior lines and that compared both the safety and efficacy of plitidepsin plus dexamethasone against dexamethasone alone.

The primary endpoint of this study was Progression Free Survival -which resulted to be positive- was to demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in the risk of disease progression or death of 35% against the comparator.

During the presentation, the 2 statistical models used (RPSFT and the two stage method) to correct and measure the impact of crossover on overall survival were discussed, emphasizing the two stage model (Latimer et al.), that was considered the most adequate in the context of the Admyre study.

Accordingly, and taking into account the effect of crossover using the two stage method, a statistically significant increase in overall survival in the plitidepsin plus dexamethasone arm (11.6 months) against the comparator (6.4 months) was observed.

The studies presented at this meeting are available at http://abstracts.asco.org

About PharmaMar

Headquartered in Madrid, PharmaMar is a world-leading biopharmaceutical company in the discovery and development of innovative marine-derived anticancer drugs. The company has a pipeline of drug candidates and a robust R&D oncology program. PharmaMar develops and commercializes YONDELIS in Europe and has other clinical-stage programs under development for several types of solid and hematological cancers, Zepsyre (PM1183), plitidepsin, PM184 and PM14. PharmaMar is a global biopharmaceutical company with subsidiaries in Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Austria and the United States. PharmaMar fully owns other companies: GENOMICA, a leading molecular diagnostics company; Sylentis, dedicated to researching therapeutic applications of gene silencing (RNAi); and two other chemical enterprises, Zelnova Zeltia and Xylazel. To learn more about PharmaMar, please visit us at http://www.pharmamar.com .

Disclaimer

This document is a press release, not a prospectus. This document does not constitute or form part of an offering or invitation to sell or a solicitation to purchase, offer or subscribe shares of the company. Moreover, no reliance should be placed upon this document for any investment decision or contract and it does not constitute a recommendation of any type with regard to the shares of the company.

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube

Media Contact:

Alfonso Ortin

Communications Director

aortin@pharmamar.com

Mobile: +34-609-493-127

Miguel Martinez-Cava

Digital Communication Manager

mmartinez-cava@pharmamar.com

Mobile: +34-606-597-464

Phone: +34-918466000

Investor Relations:

Phone: +34-914-444-500

Or please visit our website at http://www.pharmamar.comKANSAS CITY, Missouri, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Jet Midwest, a leading global aviation parts provider, is proud to announce the launch of their Corporate Aviation product line with an inventory of (6) Gulfstream G-IV, (2) Falcon 900 and a Global 5000 Business Jet.

"In the last 20 years, Jet Midwest has continued to grow in the industry and has landed the lead position in the dismantlement of commercial jets, including Boeing, Airbus and Fokker aircraft," said Mike Logan, CFO of Jet Midwest. He continued, "As a result, the company has developed a strong business structure that can effectively manage the new corporate aviation product line and establish a business unit dedicated to the acquisition, sales and services of the product line."

Inventory from the G-IV, Falcon 900 and Global 5000 jets are available for sale now in Kansas City, Missouri. Logan added, "The Jet Midwest team is optimistic about the opportunities this new product line provides."

About Jet Midwest

Jet Midwest, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is a diverse aircraft parts supplier based in Kansas City, MO with over 500,000 feet of warehouse space and with 300,000 rotable parts in stock supporting Boeing 767, 757, 737, 777, and Airbus A320, A330 series aircraft. In May 2018, Jet Midwest has acquired nine business jets to its fleet to establish a division dedicated to corporate aviation sales. Contact corporatejets@jetmidwest.com, call 816-768-6490, or visit us at www.jetmidwest.com for further information.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/649859/JetMidwest_Logo.jpgVancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 5, 2018) - Minaurum Gold, Inc., (TSXV: MGG) ("Minaurum") is pleased to announce the discovery of three new veins (Pulpito, Cotera and Ana) that lie within four recently acquired concessions internal to its 100% owned Alamos Silver Project in Mexico. All three veins were found through a district-scale reconnaissance mapping and sampling program triggered by the discovery of wide, high-grade mineralization (8.25 m of 1760 g/t Silver) outside of the historically mined part of the district (See News Release dated January 18, 2018).

The Pulpito vein, located 1 km west of the Minas Nuevas target, has been traced for over 800 m and measures up to 2 m wide; outcrop and dump samples along it ranged from 67 to 1495 g/t Ag and 400 ppm to 3.81% Cu (Table 1, Figure 1). The nearby Cotera vein has been traced for more than 200 m and a topographic linear suggests it extends another 800 m to the north. Sampling along the Cotera vein returned values between 32 and 1370 g/t Ag and 200 ppm to 3.39% Cu (Table 2). The Ana vein is located 750 m east of the Tigre vein and has been mapped for over 2 km (Figure 1); samples results are pending.

"Since Hole 7 confirmed that high-grade silver mineralization is present in virgin veins outside of the historically mined areas at Alamos, we have focused our exploration on discovering and sampling more such veins farther afield in the district," stated Darrell Rader, President and CEO of Minaurum. "We are excited to find three new veins carrying high silver grades in our newly acquired claims and continue to seek others throughout our project. While we wait for permits for an aggressively expanded drill program, we look forward to updating the market with our ongoing exploration results."

PULPITO AND COTERA VEINS

The Pulpito and Cotera veins are primarily hosted on the newly acquired and contiguous Tunel del Agua and Ampliacion Tunel del Agua concessions. The concessions cover 32 hectares in the northern part of the project area (Figure 2), about 1 km to the west of the Minas Nuevas vein zone (see News Release dated November 3, 2017). The veins are hosted by andesite, strike NNW (Pulpito) to NNE (Cotera), and dip steeply. Both are vein swarms or vein breccias up to 1-2 m wide that saw limited production from shallow shafts and adits prior to the 1910-1920 Mexican Revolution. The presence of chalcedonic quartz suggests that the vein systems are exposed at high structural levels and that there is significant potential for them to transition into more substantial veins at depth in the manner seen in the Europa-Guadalupe vein (referred to as the Europa-Palomas vein in the News Release dated May 24, 2017).

Table 1. Rock geochemical sampling from Pulpito vein.

Type Vein Width

(m) Ag

g/t Au

ppb Cu % Pb % Zn % Outcrop Pulpito 1.0 90 36 0.58 2.12 0.28 Outcrop Pulpito 1.0 146 249 1.42 1.27 0.14 Dump Pulpito 341 76 0.95 1.38 0.13 Chip Pulpito 1.3 67 6 0.73 1.35 0.65 Dump Pulpito 190 6 0.88 0.71 0.81 Dump Pulpito 1495 14 3.81 0.67 0.21 Chip Pulpito 1.0 99 2 0.09 0.04 0.03 Outcrop Pulpito 0.8 164 32 0.10 0.02 0.05 Outcrop Pulpito 1.2 93 26 0.63 0.30 0.19 Chip Pulpito 1.4 175 1 0.04 0.03 0.02 Dump Pulpito 197 7 0.16 0.15 0.12 Dump Pulpito 149 18 0.84 0.66 0.12

Table 2. Rock geochemical sampling from Cotera vein.

Type Vein Width (m) Ag g/t Au ppb Cu % Pb % Zn % Float Cotera 1370 33 3.39 0.14 0.22 Adit Channel Cotera 1.8 116 9 0.46 0.53 0.79 Channel Cotera 0.6 32 6 0.02 0.05 0.09 Channel Cotera 1.2 330 18 0.32 0.07 0.16

Figure 1. Newly added concessions and vein zones, Alamos Project.



Please click on map image to view in full size, or visit:

http://www.minaurum.com/i/maps/AlamosNewConcessions.jpg





Figure 2. Geological map of the Tunel del Agua and

Ampliacion Tunel del Agua concessions, showing

traces of Pulpito and Cotera veins, Alamos Project.

Please click on map image to view in full size, or visit:

http://www.minaurum.com/i/maps/TunelDelAgua.jpg

ANA VEIN

The Ana vein is located on the newly acquired Ana concession. The Ana and El Pilaron concessions cover 435 hectares in the eastern part of Minaurum's claim package (Figures 1 and 3). The Ana vein lies in a fault between limestone on the east side and down-dropped andesite on the west side, indicating displacements similar to those where significant mineralization occurs at depth at the La Quintera, Promontorio, and Europa-Guadalupe veins. Preliminary geochemical sampling of the vein zone has yielded assays up to 24 g/t Ag.

Reconnaissance mapping shows that the El Pilaron concession is underlain by felsic lithic tuff and quartz monzonite. It is the subject of active detailed mapping and sampling.

Figure 3. Geological map of the Ana and El Pilaron concessions,

Alamos Project. Geology mapped by J.R. Gallardo (1988).



Please click on map image to view in full size, or visit:

http://www.minaurum.com/i/maps/Ana-Pilaron.jpg





NEW CONCESSIONS

The Tunel del Agua, Ampliacion Tunel del Agua, Ana and El Pilaron concessions were acquired for a total of US$375,000 payable over 30 months. The four concessions total 467 hectares and bring the total size of the Alamos project to 5,165 hectares.

Minaurum Gold Inc. (TSXV: MGG) (OTC: MMRGF) (FSE: 78M) is a Mexico-focused explorer concentrating on the high-grade Alamos Silver project in southern Sonora State. With a property portfolio encompassing multiple additional district-scale projects, Minaurum is managed by one of the strongest technical and finance teams in Mexico. Minaurum's goal is to continue its founders' legacy of creating shareholder value by making district-scale mineral discoveries and executing accretive mining transactions. For more information, please visit our website at www.minaurum.com and our YouTube Minaurum Video Channel.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Darrell A. Rader"

Darrell A. Rader

President and CEO

For more information, please contact:

Sunny Pannu - Investor Relations Manager

(778) 330 0994 or via email at pannu@minaurum.com

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

2300 - 1177 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 2K3

Telephone 778 330-0994

www.minaurum.com

info@minaurum.com

Stephen R. Maynard, Vice President of Exploration of Minaurum and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, reviewed and verified the assay data, and has approved the disclosure in this News Release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements:Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking information. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, Minaurum has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on Minaurum' s current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Minaurum. Although Minaurum considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Minaurum does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control: Preparation and assaying of drilling samples from Minaurum's Alamos project are done with strict adherence to a Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) protocol. Core samples are sawed in half and then bagged in a secure facility near the site, and then shipped by a licensed courier to ALS Minerals' preparation facility in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. ALS prepares the samples, crushing them to 70% less than 2mm, splitting off 250g, and pulverizing the split to more than 85% passing 75 microns. The resulting sample pulps are prepared in Hermosillo, and then shipped to Vancouver for chemical analysis by ALS Minerals. In Vancouver, the pulps are analyzed for gold by fire assay and ICP/AES on a 50-gram charge. In addition, analyses are done for a 48-element suite using 4-acid digestion and ICP analysis. Samples with silver values greater than 100 g/t; and copper, lead, or zinc values greater than 10,000 ppm (1%) are re-analyzed using 4-acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).



Quality-control (QC) samples are inserted in the sample stream every 20 samples, and thus represent 5% of the total samples. QC samples include standards, blanks, and duplicate samples. Standards are pulps that have been prepared by a third-party laboratory; they have gold, silver, and base-metal values that are established by an extensive analytical process in which several commercial labs (including ALS Minerals) participate. Standards test the calibration of the analytical equipment. Blanks are rock material known from prior sampling to contain less than 0.005 ppm gold; they test the sample preparation procedure for cross-sample contamination. In the case of duplicates, the sample interval is cut in half, and then quartered. The first quarter is the original sample, the second becomes the duplicate. Duplicate samples provide a test of the reproducibility of assays in the same drilled interval.



When final assays are received, QC sample results are inspected for deviation from accepted values. To date, QC sample analytical results have fallen in acceptable ranges on the Alamos project.Incident Response Expert John Moran will Introduce New Tool for Windows that Automates Data Acquisition for Investigations

DFLabs, the pioneer in Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR), today announced that incident response and digital forensics expert John Moran will present an Arsenal session at the upcoming Black Hat USA 2018 conference in Las Vegas. DFLabs is exhibiting at the conference in booth IC2329.

WHO: John Moran, Senior Product Manager at DFLabs, is an expert in security operations, incident response, digital forensics and investigations. He has served as a Senior Incident Response Analyst for NTT Security, Computer Forensic Analyst for the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit and Task Force Officer for the US Department of Homeland Security. John currently holds GCFA, CFCE, EnCE, CEH, and CHFI certifications as well as degrees in Digital Forensics and Information Security. WHAT: Targeted attacks, file-less malware and other advanced hacking techniques have rendered the traditional "dead box" approach to forensics ineffective. Once viewed as a dangerous and dark art, "live box" forensics is becoming the de facto standard, even as CSIRT teams continue to struggle with this type of threat hunting. In this session, John will explain why live forensics is now a necessary part of forensic investigations and cyber incident response. He will discuss the benefits, pitfalls to avoid, and best practices for using live box forensics as a threat hunting tool. In addition, John will introduce a tool for Windows that can automate the process of data acquisition in a more secure, easier to maintain and manage manner. This free tool will be made publicly available on the DFLabs website on the day of the presentation. WHEN: Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 2:30 3:50 PM PDT WHERE: Black Hat USA 2018, Business Hall (Oceanside), Arsenal Station 2, Mandalay Bay Resort Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada HOW: To schedule an in-person meeting at the conference or a phone conversation with John Moran, contact Marc Gendron at marc@mgpr.net or +1 781.237.0341. For more information: https://www.blackhat.com/us-18/arsenal/schedule/index.htmlperforming-live-forensics-without-killing-your-evidence-12058.

About Black Hat USA 2018

Now in its 21st year, Black Hat USA is the world's leading information security event, providing attendees with the very latest in research, development and trends. Black Hat USA 2018 opens with four days of technical Trainings (August 4 7) followed by the two-day main conference (August 8 9) featuring Briefings, Arsenal, Business Hall, and more. For more information, visit https://www.blackhat.com/us-18/ or follow on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google+.

About DFLabs

DFLabs is a recognized global leader in security orchestration, automation and response technology. The company's management team has helped shape the cyber security industry, which includes co-editing several industry standards such as ISO 27043 and ISO 30121. Its flagship product, IncMan, has been adopted by Fortune 500 and Global 2000 organizations worldwide. DFLabs has operations in Europe, North America, and EMEA. For more information, visit www.dflabs.com or connect with us on Twitter @DFLabs.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005989/en/

Contacts:

Marc Gendron PR for DFLabs

Marc Gendron, 781-237-0341

marc@mgpr.netCalgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - June 5, 2018) - Snow Eagle Resources Ltd. ("Snow Eagle") and CannaTest Photonics Ltd. ("CannaTest") (collectively the "Companies") have completed the qualifying transaction (the "Transaction") previously announced, on the terms set out in the definitive agreement dated January 8, 2018 by amalgamating and continuing as FluroTech Ltd. ("FluroTech" or "the Company"). The Transaction was unanimously approved by the shareholders of both Snow Eagle and CannaTest represented in person or by proxy at their respective shareholder meetings.

Terms of Amalgamation

FluroTech will acquire all of the assets, properties, rights, and privileges, and be subject to all of the liabilities, contracts and obligations of each of the amalgamating corporations. Upon receipt of final approval of the Transaction by the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), the common shares of FluroTech will begin trading on the TSXV under the symbol (TSXV: TEST). Final approval of the Transaction and the listing of FluroTech remains subject to the receipt by the TSXV of satisfactory final documentation in respect of the Transaction and the issuance of the Final Exchange Bulletin, which is expected later this week.

There were 49,651,527 common shares issued and outstanding immediately after the closing of the Transaction, with the former shareholders of Snow Eagle holding approximately 3.0% of the common shares of the Company and the former shareholders of CannaTest holding approximately 97.0% of the common shares of the Company.

The anticipated listing of FluroTech's shares falls in the same period as when the Company's marketing and branding plans commence. As FluroTech's website is introduced, the CompleTest brand will be unveiled and relevant corporate information and leadership positions will be accessible.

Further details on these and other terms of the Transaction are set out in the Joint Management Information Circular with respect to the Transaction dated April 24, 2018, which is available at www.sedar.com.

Management, Board of Directors and Auditors of the Corporation

The officers of FluroTech consist of Danny Dalla-Longa (Chief Executive Officer and President), Gary P. Jones (Chief Financial Officer), and Elmar J. Prenner (Chief Technology Officer) and Rex H. Kary (Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary.

FluroTech's board of directors is comprised of Danny Dalla-Longa, Elmar J. Prenner, Richard Hanson, Dr. Brendan Miles, and Sid Dutchak.

MNP LLP will be the auditor of the Company, upon completion of the Transactions.

About FluroTech Ltd.

FluroTech is a technology and marketing company whose core business is focused on the commercialization of new technologies in the cannabis industry. FluroTech's proprietary spectroscopy-based technology allows for the testing and identification of organic and inorganic compounds contained within biological samples derived from cannabis plants. Using the technology that was developed at the University of Calgary in conjunction with the University of Alberta, FluroTech has developed a two-part solution comprising an instrument called the CompleTest and consumable testing kits.

To learn more, visit www.FluroTech.com.

About CompleTest

CompleTest is FluroTech's flagship brand and product line. CompleTest is a portable, cost-effective, state-of- the-art cannabis testing device. It provides quick, accurate, and consistent testing results. It's designed for cultivators, dispensaries and anyone with a vested interest in consumer safety to test the quality and safety of their cannabis products and optimize potency yield.

Contact Information

FluroTech Ltd.

Alistair Ross Technology Centre

Suite 111, 3553-31 Street NW

Calgary, AB T2L 2K7

Danny Dalla-Longa

403.680.0644

danny@flurotech.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information generally refers to information about an issuer's business, capital, or operations that is prospective in nature, and includes future-oriented financial information about the issuer's prospective financial performance or financial position. The forward-looking information in this news release includes disclosure about the future performance of the Company.

The Company made certain material assumptions, including but not limited to prevailing market conditions and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties to develop the forward-looking information in this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed in its entirety or the shares of the Company listed on the TSXV. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the joint information circular dated April 24, 2018, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon.

Actual results may vary from the forward-looking information in this news release due to certain material risk factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, adverse market conditions and regulatory and other risks associated with the medical cannabis industry in general. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material risk factors and assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information in this news release, unless it is required to do so under Canadian securities legislation.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESInnovative PR10 collaborative gripper needs no external air supply and can be installed in less than 30 minutes; dual gripper can cut production time up to 50%.

Purple Robotics, founded by key developers behind the world's first collaborative robot (cobot), has launched the PR10, an innovative vacuum gripper designed for collaborative applications. With its double-grip function, the PR10 can handle several items in a single operation, enabling small and mid-sized businesses to reduce production time by up to 50%. Unlike traditional vacuum grippers, the PR10 requires no external air supply so there are no cumbersome air hoses to manage and the gripper works independently of changes in the pressure, cleanliness and availability of external air. The gripper can be installed in less than 30 minutes with no prior training, which dramatically reduces both the cost of implementation and changeover time between production lines. With round edges and easy implementation, the PR10 is designed for safe, collaborative implementation alongside human workers, using any of Universal Robots (UR) three models. The PR10 is ideal for a wide range of applications, including pick-and-place, machine tending and palletizing.

"Our experience with Universal Robots clarified that the market needed a new generation of robotic vacuum applications," says Lasse Kieffer, CEO and founder of Purple Robotics. "We are entering a market with sky-high growth rates, and we have the development and distribution experience to match our aggressive goals."

The global market for collaborative robots, or cobots, is estimated to reach USD 3.3 billion by 2020, with annual growth rates of more than 50%, according to Qyresearch Publishing. The PR10 gripper has the potential to be applied to the majority of cobot applications. The PR10 combined with a robot arm is especially attractive for small and mid-sized companies whose competitiveness depends on their ability to change over and deliver quickly, without requiring extensive robotics expertise.

UR+ Partnership and U.S. Sales and Distribution Network Establish Purple Robotics as a Strong Market Player

Purple Robotics has already signed two U.S. distributors-Olympus Controls and Thinkbot Solutions- and expects to shortly add nearly half a dozen more, resulting in coast-to-coast distribution and support in the U.S.

"The PR10 is a one-size-fits-all solution that eliminates the barrier to entry that is typically caused by customers' unfamiliarity with pneumatics," says Nick Armenta, automation engineer at Olympus Controls. "Existing vacuum systems require custom design and usually at least five different parts, sometimes from different sources. A single package that can be bought off-the-shelf and quickly deployed without any engineering is a huge benefit for our customers."

Philip Courtois, owner of Thinkbot Solutions, says, "There simply hasn't been a vacuum gripper available that matches the ease, flexibility and functionality of the Purple Robotics PR10. I believe the PR10 will become the default choice for customers wanting a flexible vacuum solution for their UR robot, and it's reassuring to them that the team behind Purple Robotics bring extensive experience from Universal Robots."

Purple Robotics has already entered into a partnership agreement with the founders' former employer, Universal Robots and has just been included in the UR+ global online distribution channel for pre-certified robotics accessories. In this partnership, Purple Robotics joins more than 77 industry-leading developers of robotics software, accessories, and end-of-arm tooling, who-after being screened and accepted-share this important sales channel with Universal Robots.

"With Purple Robotics' innovative double-gripper, Universal Robots strengthens the range of ground-breaking accessories offered to customers and potential customers across the world while increasing the market potential of our robot arms. It's a win-win," says Anders Bo Rasmussen, Senior Product Manager for UR+ at Universal Robots.

To drive the launch and build a strong global distribution network, Purple Robotics has hired Kenneth B. Henriksen, an established name in the industry, as its new CCO. Henriksen brings to Purple Robotics an extensive engineering background and experience in technical sales and sales management, most recently with robotics company On Robot.

Purple Robotics will demonstrate the PR10 at the Automatica Trade Fair in Munich June 19-22, 2018 at Stand 328E (Hall B4) and in the Universal Robots Stand 303.

About the Purple Robotics Founders

Lasse Kieffer, Purple Robotics' founder and CEO, is an experienced electronics engineer who was a key developer behind the world's first cobot at Universal Robots. Kieffer was the first person to be employed by the three founders of Universal Robots in 2007, when the first prototype was created. During his nine years at Universal Robots, he saw the need for customized tools for collaborative robots. Parallel to his career as an entrepreneur, Lasse Kieffer is also chairman of S-850, the Danish national robotics committee established by Danish Standards' (Dansk Standard). The committee represents Denmark in relation to robotics safety standards on a European (CEN) and international level (ISO). Over the last few years, a record-breaking amount of robot standards has been written and Kieffer has been highly active in the development of ISO standards for collaborative robots.

Joining him are two experienced previous colleagues from Universal Robots: software and megatronic engineer and co-founder, CTO Peter Nadolny Madsen, and machine and mechanical engineer, COO Henrik Tilletz Hansen. Together, the three entrepreneurs have 18 years of robotics experience from the world's leading cobot company.

About Purple Robotics

Purple Robotics offers flexible off-the-shelf solutions designed for easy collaborative operation with people, easy installation and risk assessment, and quick installment times. Purple Robotics has created PR10, an innovative vacuum gripper designed to be attached to a Universal Robot robot arm. With an innovative double grip function, it can handle several items in a single operation, reducing production time by up to 50% as a result. Purple Robotics is founded by a team of three former developers from Universal Robots. Purple Robotics is based in Odense, Denmark in the Startup Hub of one of the world's top robotics clusters, Odense Robotics.

www.purple-robotics.com

Video: How to install the PR10 in less than 30 minutes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp62lLFet88&feature=youtu.be

Product and team photos:

http://purple-robotics.com/press/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006114/en/

Contacts:

Purple Robotics

Lasse Kieffer, +45 6179 1189

CEO

kieffer@purple-robotics.comChina CDM Exchange Centre Limited

Final results for the year ended 31 December 2017

The Company operates within the framework of the Clean Development Mechanism ("CDM") of the Kyoto Protocol, established under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Protocol commits countries to reducing their emissions of Green House Gasses ("GHGs") by pre-determined amounts or compensates for maintained or higher GHGs emissions via emissions trading.

Based upon the on-going CDM contracts and the new attempt in the China Certified Emission Reduction ("CCER") Market in 2017, the Company gained the revenue of GBP 887,795.31 in 2017.

In 2017, with the efforts of all the employees and the support of the customers, our company made great progress in the carbon emission trading and its related projects and work, especially the electronic currency business promotion relating to carbon emissions.

The Company gained revenue of GBP887 Thousand in the carbon emission trading market with the net profit of GBP34.8 Thousand. Although there is a decrease in the income in 2017, we believe it will be better with the trading volume increase in the carbon market of China.

According to the China Carbon Finance Research Report, China's unified contractual carbon trading market will be organized and completed in 2020 at the national level. The annual transaction volume will amounts to RMB 100-120 billion and the new, huge and stable market will be formed in the future. No doubt will it bring great benefits to the company's future market and we are looking forward to such a moment.

In addition, the company has also devoted itself to the electronic encrypt currency relating to carbon trading and made considerable progress and development. In 2017, the company increased investment on the electronic currency mining and it will make profits in 2018 with the completion and effective running of the large electronic currency mining construction.

Looking back on the past and looking forward to the future, I would like to thank once again all the staff and the investors who support us. Thank you! We hope that in the Chinese carbon trading market, we will make greater progress in the research and development of electronic encryption currencies.

Outlook for 2018

In 2018, the company will develop the business focusing on the following areas:

To maintain the current advantages in the global carbon market and Green Energy Market; To extend the new business in the China Energy Markets and develop the computer system based upon Blockchain ; To strengthen management regulation, improve company's management level through OA system and enroll high-quality talents.



Mr. Kang Zheng

Chairman

Enquiries:

China CDM Exchange Centre Limited

jeanne_zhang@aol.com +86 010 87246056 ISDX Advisor:

Alfred Henry Corporate Finance Ltd

www.alfredhenry.com

Jon Isaacs/Nick Michaels 020 7251 3762

The Directors accept responsibility for this announcement.

CHINA CDM EXCHANGE CENTRE LIMITED

INCOME STATEMENTS

Notes 1/1/2017-12/31/2017 1/1/2016-12/31/2016 RMB RMB RMB GBP Revenue 3 7,771,405.00 887,795.31 8,032,301.64 898,146.26 Cost of sales -5,955,794.28 -680,382.27 (6,348,484.85) (709,867.26) Gross profit 1,815,610.72 207,413.03 1,683,816.79 188,279.00 Selling expense Administration expenses -1,475,525.67 -168,562.15 (1,713,411.07) (191,588.14) Profit from operations 4 340,085.05 38,850.88 (29,594.28) (3,309.14) Foreign exchange gains -34,759.23 -3,970.85 50,386.22 5,634.03 Profit before income tax 305,325.82 34,880.03 20,791.94 2,324.89

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Average exchange rate: (2017) RMB/GBP 8.7536; (2016) RMB/GBP 8.9432;

CHINA CDM EXCHANGE CENTRE LIMITED

BALANCE SHEETS

Note 12/31/2017 12/31/2016 RMB GBP RMB GBP Non-current assets Property Plant and Equipment 5 74,117.39 8,442.39 78,760.97 9,255.76 Long term investment 6 372,042,500.00 42,377,722.34 372,042,500.00 43,721,355.21 Intangible assets 7 Total non-current assets 372,116,617.39 42,386,164.73 372,121,260.97 43,730,610.97 Current Assets Trade receivable 8 48,306,555.20 5,502,386.91 51,450,483.90 6,046,311.59 Other receivables Cash and cash equivalents 9 23,086,558.05 2,629,688.13 19,632,659.95 2,307,173.24 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss Total current assets 71,393,113.25 8,132,075.05 71,083,143.85 8,353,484.83 Total assets 443,509,730.64 50,518,239.78 443,204,404.82 52,084,095.80 Current Liabilities Other payables Total current liabilities Capital and Reserves Share capital 10 221,999,000.00 15,020,515.41 221,999,000.00 15,020,515.41 Capital surplus 1,064,345.56 109,974.13 1,064,345.56 109,974.13 Public product of surplus 49,336,357.17 3,383,675.49 49,336,357.17 3,383,675.49 Undistributed profit 171,110,027.91 15,593,521.30 170,804,702.09 15,560,966.16 Foreign currency translation difference 16,410,553.45 18,008,964.61 Total shareholder's equity 443,509,730.64 50,518,239.78 443,204,404.82 52,084,095.80 Total liabilities and shareholder's equity 443,509,730.64 50,518,239.78 443,204,404.82 52,084,095.80

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Exchange rate: (31 Dec., 2017) RMB/GBP 8.7792; (31 Dec., 2016) RMB/GBP 8.5094;

CHINA CDM EXCHANGE CENTRE LIMITED

CASHFLOW STATEMENTS

Note 1/1/2017-12/31/2017 1/1/2016-12/31/2016 RMB GBP RMB GBP Cashflows from operating activities Cashflows from operating operations: 11 3,488,657.33 398,539.72 4,439,423.22 496,402.10 Net cash generated from operating activities Cashflows from investing activities Cash payment for investment Other investment Net cash used in investing activities 12 Cashflows from financing activities Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares Net cash used in financing activities Gains on foreign transactions -34,759.23 -3,970.85 50,386.22 5,634.03 Net (decrease)/increase in cash and bank balance 3,453,898.10 394,568.87 4,489,809.44 502,036.12 Cash and bank balance at the beginning of year 19,632,659.95 2,242,809.81 15,142,850.51 1,693,225.08 Cash and bank balance at the end of year 23,086,558.05 2,637,378.68 19,632,659.95 2,195,261.20

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Average exchange rate: (2017) RMB/GBP 8.7536; (2016) RMB/GBP 8.9432;

Details of the adjusted earnings per share are set out below:PUNE, India, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new market research report "Sterilization Equipment Market by Product & Service (Instrument (Heat, Filtration, Low Temperature), Consumables and Accessories (Detergents, Indicators), Services (E beam, Gamma)), End User (Hospitals, Pharmaceutical Companies) - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is expected to reach USD 11.14 Billion by 2023 from USD 7.94 Billion in 2018, at a CAGR of 7.0%.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg )



Browse 178 market data Tables and 26 Figures spread through 181 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Sterilization Equipment Market"

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/sterilization-equipment-services-market-642.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report

The major factors driving the growth of this market are the rising incidence of hospital-acquired infections, increasing number of surgical procedures, rising focus on food sterilization and disinfection, technological advancements in sterilization equipment, and increasing number of hospitals in Asia. On the other hand, the presence of stringent regulations may restrain the growth of this market during the forecast period.

Sterilization instruments accounted for the largest market share in 2017

By product and service, the Sterilization Equipment Market is classified into instruments, consumables & accessories, and services. The sterilization instruments segment accounted for the largest market share in 2017. The large share can be attributed to the growing incidence of HAIs and the growing volume of surgical procedures across the globe.

The hospitals and clinics segment dominated the market in 2017

On the basis of end user, the Sterilization Equipment Market has been segmented into hospitals and clinics, medical device companies, food and beverage industry, pharmaceutical companies, and other end users. The hospitals & clinics segment accounted for the largest share of the Sterilization Equipment Market in 2017. The large share of this segment can be attributed to increasing incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), growing number of hospitals in Asian countries, and increasing number of surgical procedures.

Ask for PDF Brochure:https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=642

North America is estimated to command the largest share of the market in 2018

Based on region, the Sterilization Equipment Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). In 2018, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the global sterilization equipment market. The increasing demand for sterilization technologies from the healthcare industry to minimize the occurrence of HAIs and the increasing number of surgeries in this region are the major factors supporting the growth of the Sterilization Equipment Market in North America.

Key players in the Sterilization Equipment Market include Steris Corporation (US), Getinge Group (Sweden), Advanced Sterilization Products (US), 3M Company (US), Belimed AG (Switzerland), Cantel Medical (US), and Sterigenics International, Inc. (US)

Know more about the Sterilization Equipment Market:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/sterilization-equipment-services-market-642.html

About MarketsandMarkets

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PHILADELPHIA (dpa-AFX) - The UK government will let Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. (FOXA, FOX) take over Sky plc (BSY.L, SKY.L) if it sells Sky News.



U.K. culture secretary Matt Hancock has referred Fox's offer for a further consultation, but has also approved Comcast's rival bid to buy Sky.



The decision paves the way for a bidding war between Comcast and Fox to complete a takeover of Sky.



Fox has been chasing approval from UK regulators since 2016 to buy the 61% of Sky it does not already own.



The takeover was held up by politicians and regulators who feared it could give Rupert Murdoch too much influence over the media in the UK.



The Murdoch-controlled Fox has been attempting to address those concerns through a series of concessions, including selling Sky News to Disney once the deal is complete.



Hancock said he needed to be confident that the final undertakings ensured the continuation of Sky News's long-term financial viability, and that it could continue to operate as a major UK-based news provider making independent editorial decisions.



'As a result, I have asked my officials to begin immediate discussions with the parties to finalise the details with a view to agreeing an acceptable form of the remedy, so we can all be confident Sky News can be divested in a way that works for the long-term,' he said.



'I am optimistic that we can achieve this goal, not least given the willingness 21st Century Fox has shown in developing these credible proposals.



'However, if we can't agree terms at this point, then I agree with the CMA that the only effective remedy now would be to block the merger altogether. This is not my preferred approach.'



Separately, Sky welcomes today's announcements by the U.K. Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport regarding the proposed offers for Sky by Twenty-First Century Fox and Comcast Corp.



In respect of 21CF's proposed acquisition of Sky, Sky noted that the Secretary of State considers that the undertakings provided by 21CF have provided a good starting point to overcome the adverse public interest effects of the proposed merger that he has identified, and that DCMS Officials have now been instructed to seek to agree final undertakings with 21CF. The Secretary of State has stated that, dependent on the outcome of these discussions, he would hope to be in a position to consult on any agreed final undertakings within the next two weeks.



Sky also noted the Secretary of State's final decision not to intervene on public interest grounds in relation to the Comcast offer for Sky.



Separately, 21st Century Fox said it welcomes announcement by the U.K. culture secretary that he has cleared 21CF's proposed acquisition of the remaining shares in Sky on broadcasting standards, as recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority or 'CMA'



Regarding the effects on media plurality we note that the CMA recommended to the Secretary of State that divestiture is 'the most effective and proportionate remedy'. 21CF said it has already submitted proposed undertakings to achieve the divestiture of Sky News to Disney.



21CF noted that the Secretary of State agreed with this solution and has instructed officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport or 'DCMS' to agree final undertakings that he would be prepared to accept and consult on within the two-week timeframe.



21CF said it now looks forward to engaging with DCMS and it is confident that it will reach a final decision clearing transaction.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.deWASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The White House has claimed that the first 500 days of the Trump administration was a period of 'unprecedented success.' Addressing the media on Monday, which marked President Donald Trump's 500th day in office, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that since taking office, the President has strengthened American leadership, security, prosperity, and accountability. 'And as we saw from Friday's jobs report, our economy is stronger, Americans are optimistic, and business is booming.' Taking a dig at Trump critics, Sanders pointed out that When the President predicted 3 percent economic growth, a number of economists didn't take him seriously, including President Obama's Director of the National Economic Council and Moody's chief economist. 'The economy has now grown by 2.8 percent during the first four full quarters of this administration. And we believe we are well on our way to reaching the level of growth the President has predicted,' she told reporters. Responding to a question, the White House media official listed some of Trump's top foreign policy achievements. Sanders classified moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem under that. 'Being tough on Russia, being tough on trade and making sure that countries that have engaged in unfair trade practices are held accountable' are among Trump's top foreign policy achievements, according to her. She claimed that Trump has strengthened the United States' ties with a number of foreign leaders. An advance team is in Singapore to finalize logistical preparations for Trump's June 12 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In the DMZ, the U.S. Ambassador's delegation continues diplomatic negotiations with the North Korean delegation. 'Discussions have been very positive, and significant progress has been made,' Sanders said. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.PYONGYANG (dpa-AFX) - In view of President Donald Trump's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un next week, top Democratic Senators have sent a letter to Trump outlining tough conditions for lifting US sanctions as part of striking any deal with Pyongyang. The senators said sanctions relief should be contingent on complete denuclearization, destructions of nuclear test sites, and end of ballistic missile. Senate Democrats, led by Mark R. Warner, Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, set five principles as basis for any potential US deal with North Korea. The senators want North Korea to dismantle or remove its nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. They demanded a halt to the production and enrichment of uranium and plutonium for military purposes, and permanent dismantling of North Korea's nuclear weapons infrastructure. This includes the destruction of test sites, and nuclear weapons research, development and enrichment facilities. All of North Korea's ballistic missile tests should be suspended, and ballistic missiles and programs eliminated. The Democrats called on North Korea to commit to robust compliance inspections including a verification regime for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. They called for separate compliance regime for North Korea's chemical and biological weapons that must include 'anywhere, anytime' inspections and snap-back sanctions if Pyongyang is not in full compliance. The senators urged the Administration to engage Congress throughout any diplomatic process, and to ensure that Congress remains fully informed as negotiations proceed. Besides Warner, the signatories to the letter include Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Bob Menendez, Senate National Security Working Group Co-Chair Dianne Feinstein, Dick Durbin, Patrick Leahy, and Sherrod Brown. At a routine media conference on Monday, the White House insisted that putting maximum pressure is still the policy of the United States toward North Korea. 'Our policy hasn't changed, and as the President stated, we have sanctions on, they're very powerful, and we would not take those sanctions off unless North Korea denuclearized', Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters. White House has released tentative schedule for Trump-Kim meeting. The meeting will take place on June 12 at 9 a.m. in Singapore, which is on June 11, 9:00 p.m. East Coast time. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 5, 2018) - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that on May 29, 2018, the Company celebrated the official opening of the B2Gold Solar Plant at its Otjikoto Mine in Namibia.

The opening of the new solar plant is in-keeping with B2Gold's ongoing commitment to responsible mining and promoting green energy solutions at its five operating gold mines worldwide. The Otjikoto Solar Plant is one of the first fully-autonomous hybrid plants in the world and will allow the Company to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the site's current 24-megawatt ("MW") heavy fuel oil ("HFO") power plant. Changing the power plant to an HFO solar hybrid plant is expected to reduce Otjikoto's HFO consumption by approximately 2.3 million litres and reduce associated power generation fuel costs by approximately 10% in 2018.

In remarks at the official opening of the solar plant, Namibia's Minister of Mines and Energy, the Honourable Tom Alweendo, said that the plant "will deliver positive economic, environmental and social impacts that are likely to outlive the life of mine. I am also informed that this solar plant will be one of the largest installations of its kind in Namibia. It will serve as a sustainable power solution as B2Gold works to improve economic returns, reduce impacts on the environment and could potentially be a funding source for community development."

The development of the Otjikoto solar facility reflects B2Gold's commitment to environmental stewardship and the Company's ongoing goal of reducing its dependence on fossil fuels in favour of cleaner, less expensive power sources.

Driven by this goal, B2Gold embarked upon a detailed financial feasibility study early in 2016 to determine the financial viability of adding a 7 MW solar plant to Otjikoto's energy portfolio. Based on the results of this study, the project was approved in October 2016 with an estimated project cost of $8.5 million. Otjikoto's solar plant commenced full commissioning in early April 2018, on schedule and on budget.

Bill Lytle, Senior Vice President, Operations, said that a key mandate for B2Gold is to always leave the region and communities where B2Gold operates better off as a result of B2Gold's investment. "B2Gold firmly believes that a successfully-run, responsible mining company can truly add value and leave a positive legacy to the local communities and environment by generating sustainable socio-economic and environmental benefits."

B2Gold is considering whether a further innovative use of the solar plant could be as an income-generating asset after the mine closes. Funds generated by this asset could be used to support ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility activities in the region long after the mine has shut down.

The Otjikoto Solar Plant project was championed by Mark Dawe, B2Gold's Namibia Country Manager, and his management team.

About B2Gold Corp.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, B2Gold Corp. is the world's new senior gold producer. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has five operating gold mines, and numerous exploration and development projects in various countries including Nicaragua, the Philippines, Namibia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Colombia and Finland.

With the large, low-cost Fekola Mine now in production, B2Gold is well positioned in achieving transformational growth. In 2018, with the planned first full year of production from the Fekola Mine, consolidated gold production is forecast to be between 910,000 and 950,000 ounces. This represents an increase in annual consolidated gold production of approximately 300,000 ounces for the Company in 2018 versus 2017.

ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.

"BILL LYTLE"

Senior Vice President, Operations

"MARK DAWE"

Country Manager, Namibia & Managing Director



For more information on B2Gold, please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact:

Ian MacLean

Vice President, Investor Relations

604-681-8371

imaclean@b2gold.com

Katie Bromley

Manager, Investor Relations & Public Relations

604-681-8371

kbromley@b2gold.com



The Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release.

Production forecasts presented in this news release reflect the total production at the mines the Company operates on a 100% basis.

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, including statements regarding anticipated exploration, operations, production and other activities and achievements of the Company, including but not limited to: the anticipated operational results of the solar plant, including its ability to reduce fuel consumption and costs; the future use of the solar plant as an income generating asset after the mine closes and the potential use of any such income; consolidated 2018 gold production forecast being between 910,000 and 950,000 ounces of gold and such representing an increase in annual consolidated gold production of approximately 300,000 ounces for the Company in 2018 versus 2017; and B2Gold being well positioned in achieving transformational growth in 2018. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made.

Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond B2Gold's control, including risks associated with the volatility of metal prices and the Company's common shares; risks and dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; risk of not achieving production, cost or other estimates; risk that actual production, development plans and costs differ materially from the estimates in the Company's feasibility studies; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; uncertainty about the outcome of negotiations with the Government of Mali; risks related to environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; the ability to replace mineral reserves and identify acquisition opportunities; unknown liabilities of companies acquired by B2Gold; ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; availability of financing; risks related to financing and debt, including potential restrictions imposed on the Company's operations as a result thereof and the ability to generate sufficient cash flows; risks related to operations in foreign and developing countries and compliance with foreign laws, including those associated with operations Mali, Namibia, the Philippine, Nicaragua and Burkina Faso and including risks related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local ownership requirements; risks related to remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure, fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks including local instability or acts of terrorism and the effects thereof; risks related to reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture partners; risks related to lack of sole decision-making authority related to Filminera Resources Corporation, which owns the Masbate Project; challenges to title or surface rights; dependence on key personnel and ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk; competition with other mining companies; changes in tax laws; community support for the Company's operations including risks related to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; risks related to conflict with small scale miners; risks related to failures of information systems or information security threats; the final outcome of the audit by the DENR in relation to the Masbate Project; ability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting as required by law, including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; risks related to compliance with anti-corruption laws; as well as other factors identified and as described in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in B2Gold's most recent Annual Information Form, the Company's current Form 40-F Annual Report and B2Gold's other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively (the "Websites"). The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold will derive therefrom. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to the Company's ability to carry on current and future operations, including development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Company's ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 5, 2018) - GoviEx Uranium Inc. (TSXV: GX) (OTCQB: GVXXF) ("GoviEx" or "Company") today announced that it has closed a private placement financing (the "Private Placement") of 35,674,911 units ("Units") at a price of C$0.17 per Unit, with each Unit consisting of one (1) Class A common share and one (1) Class A common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") for gross proceeds of C$6,064,734.87.

Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Class A common share of the Company over a 36-month period at a price of US$0.21 until June 5, 2019, US$0.24 until June 5, 2020, and US$0.28 until June 5, 2021.

The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used to fund continued exploration and development activities on the Company's projects, for working capital, and for general corporate purposes. A portion of the net proceeds from the Private Placement also may be used by the Company to provide a short-term loan in order to facilitate the completion of the share purchase agreement ("SPA") between Toshiba Corporation ("Toshiba") and a third party investor, which is a subject to the previously announced Termination Agreement and Mutual Release (the "Agreement") between Toshiba and GoviEx. As previously announced on May 1, 2018, GoviEx has completed its payment obligations to Toshiba under the Agreement.

All securities issued under this Private Placement will be subject to the customary four-month hold period and may not be traded before October 6, 2018. In addition, securities issued to subscribers in the United States will be subject to a hold period under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") and can only be resold in strict compliance with the applicable exemptions from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act.

GoviEx insiders subscribed for a total of C$10,200 or 60,000 units. The Company paid cash finders' fees of C$42,866.75.

The Private Placement remains subject to the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About GoviEx Uranium

GoviEx is a mineral resource company focused on the exploration and development of uranium properties in Africa. GoviEx's principal objective is to become a significant uranium producer through the continued exploration and development of its flagship mine-permitted Madaouela Project in Niger, its mine-permitted Mutanga Project in Zambia, and its other uranium properties elsewhere in Africa.

Information Contacts

Govind Friedland, Executive Chairman

Daniel Major, Chief Executive Officer

+1-604-681-5529

info@goviex.com

www.goviex.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All information and statements other than statements of current or historical facts contained in this news release are forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in GoviEx's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will", "could", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "potential", "should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all available material information.

Forward-looking statements include those with respect to the proposed use of the proceeds of the Private Placement.

Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be achieved. Such assumptions, which may prove incorrect, include the following: (i) receipt of TSX Venture Exchange final acceptance will be obtained; and (ii) the price of uranium will remain sufficiently high and the costs of advancing the Company's mining projects will remain sufficiently low so as to permit GoviEx to implement its business plans in a profitable manner.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include (i) the inability or unwillingness of Toshiba to conclude an agreement with the Company; (ii) the Company's failure to make effective use of the proceeds of the Private Placement; (iii) the failure of the Company's projects, for technical, logistical, labour-relations, or other reasons; (iv) the Company's inability to obtain final TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of the Private Placement; (v) a decrease in the price of uranium below what is necessary to sustain the Company's operations; (vi) an increase in the Company's operating costs above what is necessary to sustain its operations; (vii) accidents, labour disputes, or the materialization of similar risks; (viii) a deterioration in capital market conditions that prevents the Company from raising the funds it requires on a timely basis; and (ix) generally, the Company's inability to develop and implement a successful business plan for any reason.

In addition, the factors described or referred to in the section entitled "Financial Risks and Management Objectives" in the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2017, of GoviEx, which is available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, should be reviewed in conjunction with the information found in this news release.

Although GoviEx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance, or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances, or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this news release will transpire or occur, or, if any of them do so, what benefits that GoviEx will derive therefrom. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and GoviEx disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES

OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESSEOUL (dpa-AFX) - White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced the location for the planned meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a post on Twitter on Tuesday. Sanders said that the highly anticipated meeting between the two leaders will be held at the Capella Hotel on Singapore's Sentosa Island on June 12th. 'The venue for the Singapore summit between @POTUS and Leader Kim Jong Un will be the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island,' Sanders tweeted. 'We thank our great Singaporean hosts for their hospitality.' The resort island off the southern coast of Singapore was seen as likely spot for the historic summit after recently being declared a 'special event area.' The tweet from Sanders comes after Trump revealed last Friday that his summit with Kim was back on following a meeting with top North Korean official Kim Yong Chol. Last month, Trump called off the planned meeting with Kim, accusing North Korea of displaying 'tremendous anger and open hostility.' Trump repeatedly stressed that the meeting with Kim will be the start of a process and that it will take time to resolve the U.S. disputes with North Korea. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.SYDNEY and GENEVA, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

OrbiWise SA, a leading supplier of LoRaWAN Solutions for Internet of Things (IoT), is delighted to announce that it has been chosen by Ventia, one of Australasia's largest infrastructure service providers to supply its OrbiWAN Network Server for LoRaWAN[TM] (LoRaWAN[TM] Network Server - LNS).

Ventia's IoT business, Vianet, provides end-to-end solutions to the infrastructure market including water and waste water network monitoring, facilities management, environmental monitoring, smart city solutions and asset monitoring for roads, telecommunications and related industries.

Through its Network based on LoRaWAN[TM], Vianet offers affordable, reliable, long-range coverage and supports the operation of very low-power devices for asset intensive businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

To help manage its Network based on LoRaWAN[TM], Ventia has partnered with OrbiWise and will utilize its industry leading OrbiWAN[TM] Network Server after a comprehensive evaluation of other LoRaWAN[TM] Network Server Solutions. OrbiWAN[TM] provides the "brains" to view and manage the LoRaWAN[TM] Network's devices, gateways and interfaces to ensure the complete and secure delivery of a device's data to and from the appropriate customer.

"We are very pleased to appoint Orbiwise as our preferred network server. We selected Orbiwise not only because of the technical capabilities and robust architecture of their OrbiWAN[TM] platform but also the spirit of partnership that the Orbiwise team bring to the table", said Arjun Narang, General Manager of Vianet, Ventia.

OrbiWise SA, the creator of OrbiWAN[TM], is a leading supplier of LoRaWAN Solutions for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. OrbiWise's growing staff has considerable experience in wireless and communications software and hardware, allowing the organization to grow into the forefront of the IoT industry.

"We are proud to work with Ventia as they use our OrbiWAN[TM] technology in their infrastructure management and smart-city projects across Australia. We believe the Vianet Team has the broad experience and deep competence, from both a technical and a business point view, required to succeed in the emerging IoT industry" said Domenico Arpaia, CEO of OrbiWise.

Both OrbiWise and Ventia are proud Contributor Members of the LoRa Alliance[TM], a global association of companies working to advance LoRa[TM] technology.

OrbiWise SA is a leading international solution provider for LPWA IoT networks based on LoRaWAN technology. OrbiWise's customers deploy LPWA networks in smart city, precise agriculture and industrial applications - amongst others. OrbiWise's OrbiWAN[TM] Network Server for LoRaWAN[TM] (LNS) Solution is an industry-leading product that provides the intelligence to run, maintain and observe the operations of LoRaWAN Networks. The company is headquartered in Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland with additional offices in Mumbai, India, Macedonia and Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

For more information: http://www.orbiwise.com

About Ventia & Vianet

Ventia is a services company created in 2015 through the integration of Leighton Contractors Services, Thiess Services and Visionstream. Formed by a 50/50 investment partnership between CIMIC and funds managed by Affiliates of Apollo Global Management. Ventia is one of the largest dedicated infrastructure service providers in Australasia.

Ventia's Vianet business helps clients leverage low powered wide area (LPWA) network technologies to solve business problems, leading the charge in exploring the application of LPWA technologies to asset intensive businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

For more information: http://www.ventia.com.au & http://www.ventia.com/capabilities/vianet-solutions.

About theLoRaAlliance

The LoRa Alliance is an open, non-profit association of members that believe the internet of things era is now. Their mission is to standardize Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) being deployed around the world to enable Internet of Things (IoT), machine-to-machine (M2M), and smart city, and industrial applications. The Alliance members will collaborate to drive the global success of the LoRa protocol (LoRaWAN), by sharing knowledge and experience to guarantee interoperability between operators in one open global standard.

For more information: http://lora-alliance.org

LoRa and LoRaWAN are trademarks of Semtech Corporation.



Contact:

Scott Kubes

Head of Business Development & Sales - Americas, Australia & New Zealand

scott.kubes@orbiwise.com

+1-678-646-3237Not to be released, published or distributed directly or indirectly in the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which offers or sales of the securities would be prohibited by applicable law

This press release does not constitute or form a part of an offer of or solicitation to purchase securities in the United States of America or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States of America or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons, except pursuant to an exemption from, or a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The bonds will be offered or sold only to non-U.S. persons in offshore transactions outside of the United States of America, in accordance with Regulation S of the Securities Act. Carrefour does not intend to register any portion of the proposed offering in the United States of America and no public offering will be made in the United States of America. The bonds may not be offered or sold or otherwise made available to retail investors. No key information document under PRIIPS Regulation has been and will be prepared.

Regulatory News:

Carrefour (Paris:CA) has successfully launched a EUR 500 million 5-year senior bond.

The order book was largely oversubscribed and has attracted a total demand of over EUR 4 billion with approximately 300 investors.

The new issue will bear a 0.875% annual coupon at an issue price of 99.33%. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

The success of this transaction, priced in a difficult market environment, demonstrates investors' confidence in Carrefour's credit quality.

DISCLAIMER

Prohibition of sales to European Economic Area retail investors

No action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make available any bonds to any retail investor in the European Economic Area. For the purposes of this provision:

(a) the expression "retail investor" means a person who is one (or more) of the following:

(i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or

(ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC (as amended), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; and

(b) the expression "offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the bonds to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the bonds.

Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPS Regulation.

France

The bonds have not been and will not be offered or sold or cause to be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Any offer or sale of the bonds and distribution of any offering material relating to the bonds have been and will be made in France only to (a) persons providing investment services relating to portfolio management for the account of third parties (personnes fournissant le service d'investissement de gestion de portefeuille pour compte de tiers), and/or (b) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies), other than individuals, acting for their own account, as defined in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-1, L.411-2 and D. 411-1 of the French monetary and financial Code (Code monetaire et financier).

United Kingdom

This press release is addressed and directed only (i) to persons located outside the United Kingdom, (ii) to investment professionals as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"), (iii) to people designated by Article 49(2) (a) to (d) of the Order or (iv) to any other person to whom this press release could be addressed pursuant to applicable law (the persons mentioned in paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) all deemed relevant persons ("Relevant Persons")). The bonds are intended only for Relevant Persons and any invitation, offer of contract related to the subscription, tender, or acquisition of the bonds may be addressed and/or concluded only with Relevant Persons. All persons other than Relevant Persons must abstain from using or relying on this document and all information contained therein.

This press release is not a prospectus which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority or any other United Kingdom regulatory authority for the purposes of Section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006443/en/

Contacts:

Carrefour

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Following the pullback seen over the two previous sessions, treasuries regained some ground during the trading day on Tuesday.



Bond prices moved to the upside in morning trading but gave back some ground in the afternoon. As a result, the yield on the benchmark ten-year note, which moves opposite of its price, fell by 1.8 basis points to 2.919 percent.



The strength among treasuries as traders looked ahead to an upcoming G-7 summit in Canada as well as the planned meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un next week.



Treasuries also benefited from continued concerns about a potential trade war after the U.S. imposed steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.



Meanwhile, traders largely shrugged off a report from the Institute for Supply Management showing activity in the U.S. service sector grew at a faster than expected rate in the month of May.



The ISM said its non-manufacturing index climbed to 58.6 in May from 56.8 in April, with a reading above 50 indicating growth in the service sector. Economists had expected the index to rise to 57.5.



'The majority of respondents are optimistic about business conditions and the overall economy,' said Anthony Nieves, Chair of the ISM Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.



He added, 'There continue to be concerns about the uncertainty surrounding tariffs, trade agreements and the impact on cost of goods sold.'



Economic data may impact trading on Wednesday, with traders likely to keep an eye on reports on international trade and labor productivity.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.deWOLFSBURG (dpa-AFX) - Volkswagen has reportedly taken a stand against experiments that test the effects of diesel exhaust on animals. The pledge follows the company's emissions cheating scandal, which revealed that the German auto giant funded a study that put 10 macaque monkeys inside airtight chambers and exposed them to fumes from a diesel VW Beetle and an old pickup truck for four hours. The New York Times reported that Volkswagen pledged to stop funding the testing in a letter to the German branch of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In the letter, Herbert Diess, Volkswagen's chief executive, said that the company's decision to conduct experiments on primates was ethically questionable. However, the tests did not violate any U.S. laws. 'Research projects and studies must always be balanced with consideration of ethical and moral questions,' Diess wrote. 'Volkswagen explicitly distances itself from all forms of animal abuse. In the future, we will rule out all testing on animals, as long as there are no pressing - such as legal - reasons that would make this necessary.' Meanwhile, PETA praised Volkswagen's move, saying the company 'did the right thing.' 'PETA is calling on other carmakers that still test on animals to follow suit and embrace modern and humane, animal-free research methods instead,' said Kathy Guillermo, a senior vice president for PETA. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.As a leading player in Defense Security in France and internationally, the CNIM Group presents on its booth H 267|Hall 5A its innovative systems and equipment for the Projection and Protection of the Armed Forces

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006781/en/

CNIM and Bertin innovative solutions for Defense Security (Photo: Business Wire)

In the face of changing threats and capacity needs, CNIM is offering tailored crossing solutions, while its subsidiary Bertin Technologies continues to expand its range of products in the field of optronics and CBRN threat detection

Bertin now offers a broader range of Surveillance solutions following the acquisition in 2017of Exensor, world leader in the supply of sensors and networks for sensitive sites protection

Bertin IT complements this offer of Protection of Armed Forces and Governments with reliable and efficient cyber intelligence and cybersecurity solutions.

Eurosatory 2018 will be the occasion for Bertin to launch several solutions for the protection of the Armed Forces on land and cybersecurity:

SaphyRAD MS: an innovative multiprobe military radiation meter for harsh environment and emergency situations

for harsh environment and emergency situations The expansion of Bertin's optronic range: CamSight: a family of compact and lightweight camera modules for night day improved vision PeriSight Zoom: a new optronic camera system dedicated to military vehicles, for reliable long-range day and night vision

Crypto Crossing: a highly secure email gateway solution designed by Bertin IT

Exensor and CNIM solutions will also be showcased on the stand:

Proven Flexnet solution for unattended ground sensor networks from Exensor, world leader in the surveillance field

for from Exensor, world leader in the surveillance field A modernized version of the Motorized Floating Bridges (PFM) for the French Army

(PFM) for the French Army The land force projection systems Modular assault Bridge (PTA) with improved performances

For more information, please visit:

https://cnim.com/en

www.bertin-technologies.com

www.bertin-it.com/en/

www.exensor.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605006781/en/

Contacts:

Gootenberg PR

Laurence Colin, +33 (0)1 43 59 00 46

laurence.colin@gootenberg.fr

or

Frederique Vigezzi, +33 (0)1 43 59 29 84

frederique.vigezzi@gootenberg.frPLEASE REMEMBER TO ORDER FROM AMAZON THOUGH FMF.CLICK ON ANY BOOK WE LIST TO GET TO AMAZON, AND THEN ORDER WHATEVER. thanxxx

&amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;gt;

FINISHING THE 2ND EDITION!!! REVISED AND UPDATED 2ND EDITION NEAR COMPLETION. LOOK FOR IT IN SEPTEMBER.

THANK YOU AND LEGAL NOTICE As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. THANK YOU TO ALL THE READERS WHO REMEMBER TO GO TO AMAZON VIA FIRST MOTHER FORUM. IT MATTERS NOT WHAT YOU PURCHASE.

From the New York Times



"Lorraine Dusky, a writer who relinquished a daughter as a young single mother in New York State in 1966, supports opening the records. She reported in her 2015 memoir that in the handful of states that offered women the opportunity to remove their names from original birth certificates, only a small fraction of women  fewer than 1 percent  chose to do so." -- Dont Keep Adopted People in the Dark by Gabrielle Glaser, June 19, 2018

From the New York Times "On FirstMotherForum.com, a blog that discusses issues among women who had given children up for adoption, Lorraine Dusky, one of the sites authors, praised the series (ABC's 10-episode Find My Family): 'Maybe this will be heard by people who think it is unloyal somehow for a person to search out his or her roots, parents, family, when it is a most natural desire of consciousness.' --Two Reality Shows Stir Publicity and Anger"--Dec. 6, 2009.

This blog takes cookies.

"It shouldn't take a miracle to find people you are related to by blood."--Jenn Gentlesk

EMAIL US AT forumfirstmother@gmail.com

Oregon court records available Instructions and forms for accessing adoption records are on the Oregon Judicial Department's website.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE Material from First Mother Forum may be quoted as long as FMF is credited and with a link to original source here. Over 350 words, contact for permission: forumfirstmother@gmail.com.Gross non-performing assets in the banking system, which stood at 11.2 percent in FY2018, is likely to touch 11.5 percent in this fiscal, says a report.

Mumbai: Gross non-performing assets in the banking system, which stood at 11.2 percent in FY2018, is likely to touch 11.5 percent in this fiscal, says a report.

In FY18, GNPAs increased to around Rs 10.3 lakh crore, or 11.2 percent of advances compared with Rs 8 lakh crore, or 9.5 percent of advances, as on 31 March 2017.

"We expect gross NPAs in the banking system to peak at around 11.5 percent this fiscal and then start reducing," rating agency Crisil said in report on Tuesday.

In FY18, the banking system reported a net loss of Rs 40,000 crore because of the sharp rise in NPAs and the resulting increase in provisioning costs.

In the previous fiscal, as much as Rs 5 lakh crore of bank loans slipped into the non-performing assets (NPAs) category, taking the total slippages in the past three fiscals to Rs 13.6 lakh crore.

About a fifth of the slippages in FY18 was due to withdrawal of various structuring schemes by the Reserve Bank in February, after the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process came into force, the report said.

The rating agency, however, said the tide is slowly turning and it expects moderation in slippages, better recoveries from NPAs and improved provision coverage to bode well for banks.

The accounts which are in the special mention account-2 (SMA-2, where exposures are overdue by 60-90 days), have more than halved to 0.8 percent of advances as of last fiscal-end, compared with 2 percent a year before, indicating considerable reduction in stressed loans that can potentially regress into NPAs, it said.

"Further, prospects of recovery from stressed accounts referred to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) are improving. More than a quarter of the Rs 3.3 lakh crore worth of cases referred to NCLT for resolution are from the steel sector which has seen heightened bidding interest due to improving prospects for the sector," the rating agency's senior director, Krishnan Sitaraman, said.

The agency's director, Rama Patel, said the banking systems provisioning cover (excluding write-offs) for NPAs increased to 50 percent as on March 31, 2018, compared with 45 percent a year back, and it is expected to improve further in this fiscal.

It further said state-run banks remain highly dependent on the government for capital to meet Basel III norms.

"Given the higher-than-expected losses last fiscal, probable loss in the current fiscal, and recall of the additional tier 1 instruments by a few PSBs, the Rs 2.1 lakh

crore recapitalisation program announced in October 2017 may be insufficient to meet the capital requirements of PSBs by the end of this fiscal," the report said.Kundra has reportedly been summoned by ED for his alleged links with fraudster Amit Bhardwaj

Mumbai: Businessman Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has reportedly been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged bitcoin scam.

Kundra is presently being questioned at ED's office in Mumbai, according to a media report.

#BREAKING -- Enforcement Directorate summons businessman Raj Kundra in #BitcoinScam. He is currently being questioned by the ED in Mumbai. @radhika1705 with full details. pic.twitter.com/PzSM6dyle0  News18 (@CNNnews18) June 5, 2018

Kundra has reportedly been summoned by ED for his alleged links with fraudster Amit Bhardwaj, according to Financial Express. Bhardwaj allegedly duped over 8,000 people to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore.

Kundra allegedly promoted one of the platforms held by Bhardwaj, according to India Today.

In May, the cyber cell of Chandigarh police booked six people, including Bhardwaj, who was arrested from Delhi by the Pune police in April in connection with an alleged multi-crore bitcoin Ponzi scheme.

Bhardwaj, director of Gainbitcoin, was charged with duping three residents of Chandigarh after promising them handsome returns on investing in bitcoin.

According to the police, Bhardwaj had set up the online multi-level marketing company through which he allegedly lured investors by promising them handsome returns. He would allegedly promise 10 percent returns for investing one bitcoin but did not keep his word.

People were motivated by some agents to invest in bitcoins through Bhardwaj and once they invested with his company, he duped them, police said.

Bitcoin or cryptocurrencies is a type of unregulated digital money that is issued and normally controlled by its developers and used and accepted among the members of a virtual community.

Bitcoins are not a legal tender in the country and are not recognised as a medium of exchange.

With inputs from PTIA bailout package has been worked out as sugar mills' financial health has worsened due to sharp fall in prices following a record sugar production of over 31.6 million tonnes so far in the 2017-18 marketing year (October-September).

New Delhi: The government will soon announce a bailout package of Rs 8,000 crore to sugar industry to ensure the cash-starved mills clear cane dues of Rs 22,000 crore, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday.

A bailout package has been worked out days after the BJP lost Lok Sabha by-poll in Kairana constituency in Uttar Pradesh, the country's largest sugarcane producing state.

"A proposal of Rs 8,000 crore has been sent to the Cabinet. Cabinet will take a decision," Paswan told reporters while highlighting his ministry's achievements in the last four years.

The minister added that a decision in this regard may be taken very soon. He, however, did not give details.

Paswan also refuted suggestions that the package is linked to results faced by the ruling party in recent by-elections, especially in Uttar Pradesh.

As per sources, the Union Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Wednesday.

A bailout package has been worked out as sugar mills' financial health has worsened due to sharp fall in prices following a record sugar production of over 31.6 million tonnes so far in the 2017-18 marketing year (October-September).

The proposed Rs 8,000-crore package include creation of sugar buffer stock of 3 million tonnes, interest subsidy on Rs 4,500 crore loan to mills for expansion and creation of new ethanol capacity among others.

Last month, the government had announced a Rs 1,500 crore production-linked subsidy for sugarcane farmers to help millers pay cane payments.

Presently, the average ex-mill price of sugar is in the range of Rs 25.60-26.22 per kg, which is below the cost of production.

The Centre has already doubled sugar import duty to 100 percent and scrapped export duty to check sliding domestic prices. It has also asked mills to export 2 million tonnes of sugar.By Ayenat Mersie NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices fell about 2 percent on Monday, with U.S. crude touching its lowest level in nearly two months, breaking below technical support levels as investors kept selling amid growing U.S.

By Ayenat Mersie

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices fell about 2 percent on Monday, with U.S. crude touching its lowest level in nearly two months, breaking below technical support levels as investors kept selling amid growing U.S. production, possible global supply growth and nagging trade tensions.

Brent crude futures lost $1.50 a barrel, or 2 percent, to settle at $75.29 a barrel. U.S. crude ended $1.06, or 1.6 percent, lower at $64.75 a barrel, after earlier touching $64.57, its lowest since April 10.

"We are breaking key levels of support now," said Phillip Streible, analyst at RJO Futures in Chicago. "Once we started taking out $65.50 or so, it really started to accelerate. People are not really believing that the rally will continue," he said.

Both benchmarks were pressured by the expectation that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which has led output cuts of about 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) since January 2017, would soon boost output.

OPEC ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Algeria, along with their counterpart from non-OPEC Oman, met unofficially in Kuwait on Saturday.

"It appears that some sellers may have delayed action ahead of the weekend and re-entered the short side after a meeting between the Saudis and the other Arab producers failed to offer additional insight," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates said in a note.

OPEC meets formally on June 22. It is expected to agree to raise output to cool the market amid worries over Iranian and Venezuelan supply and after Washington raised concerns that the oil rally was going too far, OPEC sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters last month.

U.S. crude production climbed in March to 10.47 million bpd, a monthly record, the Energy Information Administration said last week.

"There's been lot of talk about U.S. production continuing to rise. And it feels like once we hit Memorial Day, we hit a seasonal peak" for prices, which "ran up until the start of the summer season, and then hit a summer doldrums," said RJO Futures' Streible.

Last week, the week after Memorial Day, the U.S. crude contract lost about 3 percent after a decline of nearly 5 percent the previous week.

Data from market intelligence firm Genscape showed that between May 29 and June 1, crude inventories at the Cushing, Oklahoma, storage hub and delivery point for U.S. crude futures rose 210,046 barrels, a potentially bearish signal, traders who saw the data said.

"The trade tariffs between EU, Mexico, and Canada and the friction with China are also weighing on crude oil," said Bill Baruch, president of Blue Line Futures in Chicago.

Mexico will join the European Union in seeking World Trade Organization involvement over U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium, its economy ministry said. [nL2N1T60V8]

(Additional reporting by Christopher Johnson in London and Naveen Thukral in Singapore; Editing by David Gregorio and Marguerita Choy)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.Concerned over mounting cane arrears of more than Rs 22,000 crore, the government is likely to announce a bailout package of over Rs 7,000 crore to ensure cash-starved mills clear dues to farmers at the earliest

New Delhi: Sugar stocks rose by up to 7 percent on Tuesday amid reports that the government is likely to announce a bailout package of over Rs 7,000 crore to ensure cash-starved mills clear dues to farmers at the earliest.

Shares of Dhampur Sugar Mills soared 6.62 percent, Avadh Sugar & Energy (6.55 percent), Mawana Sugars (6.54 percent), Balrampur Chini Mills (6.28 percent), Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar (5.79 percent) and Uttam Sugar Mills (5.79 percent) on BSE.

Concerned over mounting cane arrears of more than Rs 22,000 crore, the government is likely to announce a bailout package of over Rs 7,000 crore to ensure cash-starved mills clear dues to farmers at the earliest, sources said on Monday.

A decision in this regard is expected to be taken in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 6 June, the sources added.

Sugar mills are unable to make payments to cane growers as their financial health has worsened due to a sharp fall in sugar prices after a record production of 31.6 million tonne (MT) so far in the 2017-18 season (October-September).By Imani Moise (Reuters) - Wells Fargo & Co is pulling back from retail banking in the U.S. Midwest, selling all of its branches in three states, as the bank embarks on a broader review of branch profitability across the country. Flagstar Bancorp Inc said on Tuesday it would acquire 52 Wells Fargo branches in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin for an undisclosed amount

By Imani Moise

(Reuters) - Wells Fargo & Co is pulling back from retail banking in the U.S. Midwest, selling all of its branches in three states, as the bank embarks on a broader review of branch profitability across the country.

Flagstar Bancorp Inc said on Tuesday it would acquire 52 Wells Fargo branches in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin for an undisclosed amount. The branches have about $2.3 billion in deposits and $130 million in loans.

Wells Fargo, the fourth-largest bank by assets in the United States, will no longer have a retail presence in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio once the deal closes, spokeswoman Bridget Braxton said. It will continue to operate 48 branches in Wisconsin, as well as its commercial banking, wealth management, and retail brokerage business across the region.

The transaction is part of a strategy management laid out at San Francisco-based Wells Fargo's investor day last month, involving the sale or closure of 800 branches by 2020.

The bank is working to make its operation more efficient and profitable in response to investor demands while also tackling legal and regulatory issues stemming from a sales scandal that erupted from its retail banking business in 2016.

Wells Fargo is targeting branches with slower-than-expected loan or deposit growth, as well as regions where it does not have enough market share to be competitive. For instance, its portion of deposits in Indiana's Allen County, which includes Fort Wayne, fell to 29 percent in 2017 from 35 percent in 2016.

"We simply don't have a major retail banking presence in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and parts of Wisconsin," Braxton said. "The prospect for growth in markets where we don't have retail banking density drove this decision."

Troy, Michigan-based Flagstar views the branches a little differently. Its news release on the deal highlighted that the branches it is acquiring have No. 1 market share position in Fort Wayne, as well as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and that the deal will double its customer base and provide an important source of liquidity.

"This was an opportunity not to be missed, not only to change our balance sheet, but to fundamentally change who we are," Flagstar Chief Executive Officer Alessandro DiNello said on a call with analysts.

As Wells Fargo proceeds with the branch review, it may not be difficult to find other regional or community banks eager to buy branches for growth.

The Flagstar deal comes just weeks after Fifth Third Bancorp said it would buy MB Financial Inc for $4.7 billion to expand its presence in Chicago.

(Reporting by Imani Moise in New York; Editing by Lauren Tara LaCapra and Will Dunham)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.She left behind a note, saying that she dreamed of becoming a doctor but the NEET questions were too difficult for her to understand. She scored 39 out of 700.

Chennai: A 19-year-old daughter of an agricultural labourer allegedly committed suicide in Senji town of Villupuram district, as she was unable to clear the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in her second attempt, the police said.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Monday declared the results for NEET  the entrance examination for medical and dental colleges across the country. Prateebha consumed poison on Monday and then started vomiting, after which her family rushed her to a hospital. A doctor suggested she be taken to their headquarters hospital for better treatment. At 9 pm she was declared dead, according to police.

She left behind a note, saying that she dreamed of becoming a doctor but the questions in NEET were too difficult for her to even understand. According to the police, the girl had secured 490 marks out of 500 in her Class X exam, and 1125 out of 1200 in Class XII. She decided to appear for NEET this year for the second time, as her family could not afford medical education in a private college. However, she secured only 39 marks out of 700.

Last year, a Dalit girl, Anitha, from Ariyalur, had committed suicide after scoring low marks in NEET, resulting in widespread political outrage. A total of 13.36 lakh candidates had registered for this year's NEET exam. However, 12.69 lakh candidates appeared for the test, of whom 7.14 lakh cleared it.Goa BJP has been under fire from the Opposition and on social media over the continued absence of ailing Manohar Parrikar and the 'misgovernance' in state.

The BJP government in Goa has been under fire from the Opposition and on social media over the continued absence of ailing Manohar Parrikar and the 'misgovernance' in the state, because of the lack of a 'full-time chief minister' for a few months now.

Add to it the fact that Goa power minister Pandurang Madkaikar suffered a brain stroke in Mumbai on Tuesday and that Goa BJP leader Francis D'Souza, a senior member of the Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) set up by Parrikar before he left for the US for treatment in March, has proceeded on a month-long vacation to Portugal, it is not difficult to place the ire of the people and the Opposition against the 'dwindling' Goa government.

"The ongoing amplification of the crisis by the BJP-led government shows the party doesnt care about peoples sentiments," Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar told The Times of India.

He said it was ironical that DSouza chose to hand over his ministry portfolios to Parrikar, who himself was out of the country. The Congress leader said Parrikar was unable to touch any official files and even if he could, he already held over 20 portfolios including finance, home, education and mines.

"The CAC was an alternate arrangement of governance. But now, with the CAC also not functional, Goa is left without any governance," he said.

Things became even murkier for the government because of the worsening law and order situation in the state, and it certainly didn't help when state BJP Mahila Morcha president Sulakshana Sawant said that the government "cannot provide security to every individual", following the gang rape of a 20-year-old woman by three tourists at Betalbatim beach on 25 May, and a minor being molested by tourists in North Goa a few days later.

Counting Parrikar, Madkaikar and D'Souza, the effective strength of the BJP MLAs in the government has been reduced to 11 for the moment. This seemingly favours the Goa Congress' stand, which is seeking adoption of the Karnataka example to stake claim to form a government in the state, where it had emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly polls held last year.

Numbers game

Congress Legislature Party chief Chandrakant Kavlekar said the party will stake a claim by submitting to Governor Mridula Sinha a formal letter containing signatures of all the 16 party MLAs.

In the Assembly elections held in March last year, the Congress had bagged 17 seats in the 40-member House, falling short of the majority figure by four seats.

The BJP, which got 14 seats, formed the government in alliance with Goa Forward Party and MGP, both of which had secured three seats each. Three Independents also went with the BJP.

Kavlekar said the Goa governor should follow the precedent set by her Karnataka counterpart and invite the single largest party to form the government "correcting her mistake of 12 March, 2017".

He was referring to the decision of Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala to invite the BJP to form the government after the Assembly election results were declared.

The BJP, which emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats in the 222-member Karnataka Assembly, was invited by the governor despite the JD(S)-Congress combine staking a claim by citing the support of 117 MLAs. The majority mark is 112 seats.

"We have 16 legislators with us and with that strength, we are the single largest party in the (Goa) Assembly. The governor should invite us to form the government in Goa as per the precedent set by her Karnataka counterpart, said Kavlekar.

When pointed out that the Congress needs the support of at least 21 legislators to stake the claim, he said that once the governor swears in the Congress chief minister, he will be able to prove his majority on the floor of the House. "The numbers will have to be proven on the floor of the House and we have that with us," he said.

However, he did not specify how the party would muster the majority.

Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar said that the governors can't have two different set of rules. "While in Karnataka the governor has invited single largest party, in Goa too, the same precedent should be followed, he said. The Congress is giving an "opportunity to Goa governor to rectify the mistake which she did last year," Chodankar said.

The BJP-led government in Goa is headed by Parrikar, who is currently undergoing treatment in the US for his pancreatic ailment. In his absence, a three-member advisory committee comprising cabinet ministers is looking into the day-to-day affairs of the state.

Kavlekar said that in absence of the chief minister in the state since last two months, there is no government in place. "The Congress will be able to provide a stable government in Goa," the CLP leader added.

'Prove legislative strength if you want power'

Meanwhile, the BJP in Goa on Wednesday challenged the Opposition Congress to prove its legislative strength to recapture power in the coastal state.

The BJP also ridiculed the party's decision to approach President Ram Nath Kovind to demand a full-fledged chief minister for Goa, due to the prolonged absence of Parrikar.

"It is wrong for the Congress to keep demanding from the governor that they should be given a chance to form a government in Goa. The BJP challenges them to first prove their legislative strength in the House or outside. They simply do not have the numbers," state Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Dattaprasad Naik told a press conference in Panaji.

As for the Congress plan to meet the president, Naik said, "It is ridiculous that the Opposition party is going to the president to demand this. The government is working perfectly with the arrangement put in place by our chief minister."

Parrikar in damage control mode

Parrikar on Sunday called up some journalists close to him, informally briefing them about his health and his plans to return from the US. He made the surprise call on Sunday night to at least four local journalists considered close to him.

Speaking to IANS on condition of anonymity, some of the journalists he called said that they were pleasantly surprised when an Officer on Special Duty attached to the Chief Minister Office's called them on their mobile phone telling them that Parrikar would like to speak to them.

"The first thing he did was enquire about my health, which is ironic because he is the one who is ailing. He sounded a bit weak, but Parrikar told me that two rounds of chemotherapy are likely to be done later this week and after that, his return would depend on his doctor's clearance," said one of the journalists, working for an English daily and covering the BJP beat.

Parrikar, however, did not disclose his exact location or the identity of the hospital he was admitted.

The journalist also said that the chief minister explained to him the protocol followed in examining government files and taking decisions.

"Parrikar said that he has a daily conference via telephone with the chief secretary and the principal secretary to the CMO. Files and documents are scanned and sent to him by email and fax and the chief minister's decisions are conveyed by phone, fax or email. He said, that governance can be conducted remotely with ease in these days, thanks to communication devices," he said.

Parrikar's phone calls to the journalists came at a time when the BJP-led coalition government is under fire from the Opposition and civil society, who have accused the chief minister of holding on to power and not delegating responsibility to a cabinet minister to run the state in a hands-on manner.

Last week, the Congress also filed a police complaint, alleging that the chief minister's email on which officials communicate with Parrikar was being operated in Panaji. The complaint filed by Congress' Sidhanath Buyao with the Crime Branch, alleged that the Parrikar's account was being misused by officials to take decisions in their favour.

With inputs from agencies.Akhilesh Yadav said there was no decision on seat sharing between SP and the BSP for the 2019 polls; rather it would be discussed at an 'appropriate time'.

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said there was no decision on seat sharing between his party and the BSP for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and that it would be discussed at an "appropriate time".

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister's remark comes amid reports that the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is demanding 40 out of the total 80 seats in the state for the next year's general elections.

"Whatever seats are to be given will be decided once talks proceed. We will discuss at the appropriate time. Whatever is being reported regarding seats is only in newspapers. We have not discussed anything. We 'samajwadis' (socialists) have a big heart," he told PTI in an interview, his first after the Kairana bypolls in which the joint opposition candidate trounced the BJP's nominee, snatching the seat from the ruling party in the state.

RLD's Tabassum Hasan polled 4,81,182 votes in the bypoll, while BJP's Mriganka Singh got 4,36,564 votes, a difference of 44,618 votes.

The SP chief also alleged that "the (communal) fire in which Kairana burnt was doused by the people there by voting against the BJP".

On Assembly polls in other states, Yadav said, "The SP will contest all the seats in Madhya Pradesh and is also preparing for polls in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand."

Regarding possibilities of a BSP-Congress tie-up for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, he said, "I have no information about this."

"If they are talking (for an alliance in MP) it's good. We hope for the best and prepare for the worst in politics," Yadav said.

He said as far as the SP is concerned, the party has decided to contest all the 230 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh and preparations are underway.

The SP chief also said that the party was prepared for the 2019 polls and the process was on for selecting prospective candidates.

Attacking the BJP, he alleged that the party distracted people from "core issues" before an election.

Discussing the success of alliance in the Gorakhpur, Phulpur, Kairana and Noorpur Lok Sabha bypolls, Yadav said, "The anger of people is visible from these results."

"The results also show that people are looking at an alternative against the BJP, which believes more in talking and less in working," he said

He termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's road show on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway on 27 May near Kairana an attempt to influence the by-election.

"Despite all out attempts, the BJP failed to succeed in Kairana and Noorpur. It's the defeat of the divisive politics played by them. People have given a befitting reply to the BJP in the bypolls," he said.

Terming the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as "crucial", he said he expects that the General Election will be held early and simultaneously with Assembly polls of some states.Terror outfit Al-Badr has taken responsibility for the grenade attacks in Pulwama that injured at least 23 people on Monday, including 8 security personnel

Terror outfit Al-Badr has taken responsibility for the grenade attacks in Pulwama that injured at least 23 people on Monday, including eight security personnel, media reports said on Tuesday. The outfit, through a video message, has also reportedly threatened more such attacks.

Five days ago, a youth from Kashmir's Shopian district announced his joining of militant ranks in the Al-Badr outfit through social media.

A picture of Aijaz Ahmad Paul brandishing a rifle has gone viral on social media, Kashmir Patriot reported. Paul, who hails from Losedanew village in Imamsahabhas, was a BSc student and missing since 30 May. He is among five people who have joined Al-Badr's ranks in the last three days, reports claim.

According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), the Al-Badr is an active terrorist outfit in Jammu and Kashmir, which was proscribed by the Indian government on 1 April, 2002, under the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance 2001, and is also designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in the United States. Al-Badr is reported to possess a cadre strength of approximately 200, including 120 foreign mercenaries.

Formation

The outfit was formed in June 1998 with a goal of strengthening the Kashmiri freedom struggle and to liberate the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and merge it with Pakistan. The outfit advocates that Kashmiris should be given the right of self-determination in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.

Al-Badr traces its origins to 1971 when a group of the same name carried out attacks on Bengalis in erstwhile East Pakistan. The group also operated as part of the Hizb-e-lslami of warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in Afghanistan during the 1980s.

The Al-Badr, which earlier operated under the banner of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, was encouraged by the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to operate independently in the year 1998. Indian intelligence sources indicated that a new version of the Al-Badr was formed through the induction of foreign mercenaries serving in several other terrorist outfits in Kashmir.

Leadership structure

In 1998 when the outfit was formed, the Al-Badr was led by Lukmaan, a resident of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Bakht Zameen is the present chief commander, while Arfeen Bhai alias Lukmaan alias Jannisar is reported to be the chief commander of Al-Badr in Jammu and Kashmir. Other leaders include launching commander Irfan, deputy supreme commander Zahid Bhai, publicity chief Jasm Bhat, communication in-charge Abu Mawai.

Areas of Operation

The outfit is headquartered at Mansehra in Pakistan, and is reported to have a camp office in Muzaffarabad, PoK.

The Al-Badr is also active in the Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Srinagar and Kupwara districts of Kashmir. It also has a presence in the Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu region.

Linkages

The Al-Badr is has close linkages with the Inter Services Intelligence and Jamaat-e-Islami in Pakistan, according to reports. During the regime of the Taliban militia in Afghanistan, the outfits cadres secured weapons and ideological training in many camps across that country.

The Al-Badr is part of the United Jehad Council, a coalition of Pakistan-based militant groups active in Jammu and Kashmir, and is reported to have training camps in the Manshera area of North West Frontier Province in Pakistan, Kotli and Muzaffarabad in PoK.As the row over the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Assam continues, Governor Jagdish Mukhi said the state is completely divided over the issue.

New Delhi: Amid the continuing row in Assam over the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Governor Jagdish Mukhi on Tuesday said the state is completely divided over the issue and the government is seized of the matter.

He also tried to allay apprehensions on the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which is being updated in Assam, saying commendable work is being done to prepare an error-free list of genuine Indians living in the state.

"Assam is divided over the issue (Citizenship Amendment Bill). The Brahmaputra valley has a different view and the Barak valley different. Not only political parties, but social, cultural, literary organisations have taken their respective stand. The state government is seized of the matter. I have seen the Union Home Minister's statement and that is sufficient," he told reporters in New Delhi.

Mukhi said as the constitutional head of the state, he has limitations and cannot make any political comment on the issue.

Last week, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said the people of Assam should not be apprehensive about the proposed law and any future step would be taken only after consultations with all stakeholders.

Assam has been witnessing protests against the central government's move to enact the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India due to religious persecution in those countries.

Organisations spearheading the protests said that the bill, if passed, would pave the way for giving citizenship to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in Assam.

Referring to the ongoing exercise to update the NRC, Mukhi said it was one of the biggest works being done in the state, thanks to the Supreme Court. "Lot of hard work and dedication is involved in it. People too had to take lot of pain (to enroll their names). It is being done due to the stand taken by the Supreme Court. The work is being done peacefully," he said.

When asked about the possible law-and-order situation when the final draft of the NRC will be published on 30 June, Mukhi said when the first draft of the NRC was published on 31 December, 2017, there was lot of apprehension but nothing had happened. "So, let this process be over. Be hopeful and positive. I think everything will be alright," he said.

A massive exercise to update the NRC was being carried out in Assam following a directive of the Supreme Court in 2005. A total of 3.29 crore people applied for inclusion in the NRC. In the first list, 1.9 crore names were included.

The NRC was last updated in Assam way back in 1951. Then, it had recorded 80 lakh citizens in the state. Since then, the process of identification of illegal immigrants in Assam has been debated and become a contentious issue in the state's politics

A six-year agitation demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants was launched by the influential All Assam Students' Union (AASU) in 1979. It culminated with the signing of the Assam Accord on 15 August, 1985 in the presence of the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.The Ayush ministry has approached the country's premier space agency ISRO for satellite imagery of the countrywide events on International Yoga Day.

New Delhi: The Ayush ministry has approached the country's premier space agency ISRO for satellite imagery of the countrywide events between 7 am and 8 am on International Day of Yoga (IDY), to be observed on 21 June.

The ministry has sought ISRO's assistance to get an estimate of yoga enthusiasts who would perform at various venues on that day, an official of the ministry said.

Last year, 18 to 20 formal events had taken place and an estimated 7.5 crore people has performed yoga.

The ministry is also developing a yoga protocol for women above 40 in consultation with Indian Menopause Society, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Shripad Yesso Naik said.

According to a senior ministry official, women above 40 are an invisible demographic group and every family in India has a woman of this age who is a care-giver to around five to six people.

"Their health issues never come to the fore. So the ministry has collaborated with the Indian Menopause Society to develop protocols for 40 plus women to help them deal with various health related issues like stress, menopause symptoms, osteoarthritis and geriatric ailments," the official said.

"In today's hectic life where stress has become synonymous with lifestyle, yoga is the way forward to live a balanced and peaceful life," he said and appealed to people not to restrict yoga to a one-day event and make it a daily habit.

The main even on the International Yoga Day will be held at Forest Research Institute grounds in Dehradun in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate.

Secretary in the Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said the ministry has already initiated a country-wide mobilisation for taking up appropriate and specific activities for observing the IDY-2018, through a series of communications.

Different central ministries and departments, state governments, gram pradhans (of about 2.5 lakh villages), yoga institutes, educational institutes, chambers of commerce, municipal bodies and others have been provided with suggested lists of activities.

Kotecha said the count-down to the main event also incorporates a sustained campaign through social media platforms.An Ola cab driver in Bengaluru was arrested on Tuesday for molesting a woman when she was on her way to catch an early morning flight.

An Ola cab driver in Bengaluru was arrested on Tuesday for molesting a woman when she was on her way to catch an early morning flight. The woman, a 26-year-old architect based in Bengaluru, was travelling to the airport at 2 am on 1 June when the driver took a detour, held her hostage and molested her. The driver also threatened her saying his friends would gangrape her if she wouldn't comply, reported Bangalore Mirror.

The driver misbehaved with her, forced her to strip and forced her to pose for pictures. When the woman reached Mumbai, she emailed the city police commissioner after which the case was transferred to Bengaluru's JB Nagar police station. Based on the complaint, the accused was arrested and was booked for molestation, wrongful confinement and attempt to murder, reports CNN-News 18.

A police officer investigating the case told Mumbai Mirror, The accused reportedly asked her to strip as he wanted her pictures. He tried to strangle her when she refused. Fearing for her life, the woman complied and gave him the photos he wanted. He clicked the pictures on her phone and shared it through WhatsApp to his phone number.

This is not the first time that a private cab driver has been arrested for molesting a passenger.

In May 2016, a 23-year-old Belgian woman was allegedly molested by her Ola cab driver in Delhi. A month later, an Ola driver molested a judge and made sexual remarks at her.

In September 2017, a woman in Hyderabad was subjected to unwelcome staring by her Ola cab driver. There have been multiple cases in other cities where private cabs operate and the lack of women's safety has been highlighted.

Bangalore Mirror quoted an Ola spokesperson as,"We regret the unfortunate experience the customer had during the ride. We have zero tolerance for such incidents and the driver has been blacklisted from the platform as an immediate action upon receiving the complaint. Safety of customers is our top priority and we are extending our full support to the police authorities in their investigation."

Ola recently celebrated its 2-year anniversary in India on 30 May.The BRICS nations meeting on Monday saw some important meetings and commitments from all the five participating nations. While all the nations pledged their support for free and fair trade policies and a more inclusive United Nations, India too used the opportunity to further its bilateral ties with strategic neighbour China.

The BRICS nations on Monday pledged their support for free and fair trade policies and a more inclusive United Nations at the ongoing BRICS summit 2018. Meanwhile, India used the opportunity to further its bilateral ties with strategic neighbour China.

The BRICS nations said they oppose the "new wave of protectionism" and the systematic impact of unilateral measures that are incompatible with WTO rules, apparently referring to US President Donald Trump's tough trade policies. The statement came as Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from top US trading partners, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

The participating ministers reaffirmed their resolve to foster a global economic governance architecture that is more effective and reflective of the current global economic landscape, increasing the voice and representation of emerging markets and developing economies, it said. They reaffirmed their commitment to conclude the International Monetary Fund's 15th General Review of Quotas, including a new quota formula, by the 2019 Spring Meetings. Emerging countries like India, China, Brazil and Russia, has been asking for increased voting rights in IMF, which would reflect their growing share in the world economy.

They also deplored the continued terrorist attacks, including in some BRICS countries. "They urged concerted efforts to counter terrorism under the UN auspices on a firm international legal basis, and expressed their conviction that a comprehensive approach was necessary to ensure effective fight against terrorism," the statement said. "They recalled the responsibility of all States to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories," it said. They expressed concern over the ongoing conflict and heightened tensions in the Middle-East region, especially with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian situation.

All the nations also reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, to make it more effective and efficient and to increase the representation of the developing countries so that it can adequately respond to global challenges.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also underlined that multilateralism, international trade and rules-based world order was facing "strong headwinds" as she called for joint action by the BRICS nations against money laundering, terrorist-financing and de-radicalisation. "Our meeting today takes place at a time when multilateralism, international trade, and rules-based world order face strong headwinds," Swaraj said. "Though the global growth has exhibited signs of recovery, the challenges to long-term growth continue to persist. Ensuring that the benefits of globalisation are shared widely remains a challenge," she added. "

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a call for a BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy for joint-action with a focus on money laundering, terrorist-finance, cyber-space and de-radicalization as our priorities," Swaraj said. "Our leaders have also called for making UN counter-terrorism framework efficient and effective. We reiterate our commitment to implement our Leaders' mandate on counter-terrorism under South Africa's BRICS chairship," she said.

The other foreign ministers attending the meeting were China's Wang Yi, South Africa's Lindiwe Sisulu, Brazil's Marcos Bezerra Abbott Galvao and Russia's Sergey Lavrov.

Meanwhile, Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met and discussed ways to maintain momentum in bilateral ties.

Describing the meeting as "continuing multifaceted engagement between two large economies", Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted: "Both leaders discussed ways to maintain the momentum in bilateral and multilateral cooperation."

Swaraj will also chair a meeting of Foreign Ministers of IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa), another bloc working to deepen coordination among the three countries on major global issues.

With inputs from agenciesGujarat's former Deputy Inspector General of Police DG Vanzara on Tuesday told a special court that the CBI wanted to arrest then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and then Minister of State for Home Amit Shah in the Ishrat Jahan fake shootout case.

Ahmedabad: Gujarat's former Deputy Inspector General of Police DG Vanzara on Tuesday told a special court that the CBI wanted to arrest then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and then Minister of State for Home Amit Shah in the Ishrat Jahan fake shootout case.

Arguing for Vanzara in a discharge petition filed in the CBI court presided over by JK Pandya, his counsel VD Gajjar claimed that though the Central Bureau of Investigation intended to arrest Modi and Shah, "fortunately" it did not happen.

While Modi is now the Prime Minister of India, Shah is the President of Bharatiya Janata Party.

Vanzara, who is out on bail in the case, had earlier submitted in the same court that Modi was secretly questioned by the case Investigating Officer when he was the chief minister.

The CBI had given a clean chit in 2014 to Shah on grounds of "insufficient evidence".

In June 2004, Mumbai-based 19-year-old Ishrat Jahan, her friend Javed alias Pranesh, and Pakistani nationals Zeeshan Johar and Amzad Ali Rana were gunned down by a team of Vanzara's men in a gun battle on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

Ishrat Jahan and her friends were dubbed terrorists out on a mission to assassinate the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. However, subsequent CBI investigation concluded that the shootout was fake.

Vanzara's lawyer on Tuesday claimed that the charge-sheet against his client in the case was "concocted" and that there was no prosecutable evidence against the former police officer.

He also said that the testimony of witnesses could not be believed as some were earlier among the accused in the case.

The CBI opposed the discharge plea of Vanzara. Another co-accused and senior police official NK Amin too has filed a discharge plea in the same court and hearing on it concluded last month.

In his final submission in the court, Amin, a retired SP and now a practising lawyer, claimed that Satish Verma, the Gujarat cadre IPS official who assisted the CBI in the investigations, had "tampered with the evidence" and maintained that he had "never fired from his gun".

Both former police officers had also sought parity with former in-charge DGP PP Pandey, a co-accused who was discharged by the court.

The court posted the matter for next hearing on 15 June.Concerned over mounting cane arrears of more than Rs 22,000 crore, the government is likely to announce a bailout package of over Rs 7,000 crore to ensure cash-starved mills clear dues to farmers at the earliest.

New Delhi: Concerned over mounting cane arrears of more than Rs 22,000 crore, the government is likely to announce a bailout package of over Rs 7,000 crore to ensure cash-starved mills clear dues to farmers at the earliest, sources said.

A decision in this regard is expected to be taken in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) scheduled tomorrow, the sources added. Last month, the government had announced a Rs 1,500 crore production-linked subsidy for sugarcane farmers to help millers pay cane payments.

Sugar mills are unable to make payments to cane growers as their financial health has worsened due to a sharp fall in sugar prices after a record production of 31.6 million tonne (MT) so far in the 2017-18 season (October-September). Maximum cane dues of more than Rs 12,000 crore are in Uttar Pradesh alone, the country's biggest sugarcane producing state.

According to sources, the government has worked out a slew of measures to ensure farmers' dues are cleared by mills. "A bailout package of Rs 7,000 crore has been proposed," they added.

The Food Ministry has proposed the creation of a buffer stock of 3 million tonnes of sugar. The carrying cost of the sweetener would be borne by the government which is estimated to cost the exchequer around Rs 1,300 crore, they said. Besides setting up of the buffer stock, the food ministry has proposed fixing minimum ex-mill sale price at around Rs 30 per kg, reintroducing the monthly release mechanism and imposing stock limits on mills by fixing quota for each mill.

To help beleaguered sugar industry, the petroleum ministry has proposed interest subsidy of 6 percent on Rs 4,500 crore to sugar mills for expansion and creation of new capacity of ethanol. The scheme provides five years time to mills for repayment of loans and a moratorium on repayment in the first year. The interest subsidy itself would cost Rs 1,200 crore to the government, the source added. The petroleum ministry is also looking at raising ethanol price so that mills make payment to farmers at the earliest.

Presently, the average ex-mill price of sugar is in the range of Rs 25.60-26.22 per kg, which is below the cost of production. The Centre has already doubled sugar import duty to 100 percent and scrapped export duty to check sliding domestic prices. It has also asked mills to export 2 million tonnes of sugar.The fourth day of the ongoing farmers' stir across several states saw a mixed impact with prices of agricultural produce including vegetables rising in some urban areas while their supply remained normal in others.

Bhopal/Chandigarh/Jaipur: The fourth day of the ongoing farmers' stir across several states saw a mixed impact with prices of agricultural produce including vegetables rising in some urban areas while their supply remained normal in others. The situation was by and large peaceful.

Farmers in Punjab decided to call off their stir on 6 June even as the protest would continue in other states.

In Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur, where six people were killed in police firing on 6 June 2017, the impact was palpable as only 200 farmers reached the local mandi to sell their produce on Monday, said an official.

"On normal days, over 4,000 farmers arrive at the mandi. On Monday, only 200 farmers came in with their produce," said Mandsaur Krishi Upaj Mandi inspector Balwant Singh Rathore.

Traders, however, claimed there was no shortage of fresh farm produce.

Bhagwandas Meghnani, president of Mandsaur's Wholesale Traders Union, said, "There is no shortage, as of now, because people had stored sufficient amount of vegetables ahead of the agitation. However, farmers from some areas are not arriving at the market."

However, in Indore the price of vegetables were rising.

President of the traders' union in Indore's Ahilyabai Holkar Vegetable Market, Sundardas Makhija, said that the arrival in the mandi had reduced to half.

There is an average increase of 20 percent in prices of tomatoes, lady finger, green chillies, bitter gourd and other vegetables, he said.

Makhija claimed the prices of vegetables had registered a decline during the first three days of the farmers' agitation as retailers and buyers had stored vegetables ahead of the agitation.

Bhopal's Krishi Upaj Mandi secretary Vinay Prakash Pateria claimed the arrival of grains, fruits and vegetables was normal. Mohammed Abid, a wholesale trader in Bhopal's Nav Bahar Sabji Mandi, claimed the prices had, infact, come down. The reports from markets in Neemuch, Jhabua and Ratlam also indicated normal arrival of vegetables.

In Athner town in Betul district, agitating farmers threw vegetables and poured milk on the streets, said Siddharth Priyadarshan, inspector in charge, Athner police station.

The Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh (RKMM), a federation of about 130 agitating farmers' organisations, staged a protest in Vidisha alleging harassment by the administration.

Inspector-General of Police (Intelligence) Makrand Deuskar told reporters that Madhya Pradesh remained by and large peaceful.

Police said the security had been beefed up at Pipliya Mandi of Mandsaur district ahead of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's public meeting on Wednesday.

State Congress chief Kamal Nath alleged the administration was trying to ensure that Gandhi's rally turns out to be a flop.

The Congress, however, came under attack from Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal who blamed the party's "70-year misrule" for the current plight of farmers.

Rahul should first address the agrarian crisis in Punjab where farmers were committing suicide under Congress rule every day, before talking about transforming the entire nation, she said.

"They looted the nation and created policy paralysis. They are now fine talking about farmers. As far as Congress pointing out fingers to say anything is concerned, it is pot calling the kettle black,"

Badal told the media in New Delhi while highlighting the Union government's 4-year achievements in the food processing sector.

In Rajasthan's Jaipur, prices of vegetables rose amid disruptions in supplies and procurement of milk was also hit in some parts.

"Jaipur Dairy alone has suffered a loss of nearly Rs 1 crore as 'anti-social elements' spilled nearly 60,000 litres of milk on roads. Twelve tankers were vandalised. Jaipur Dairy has lodged 8-9 FIRs for damaging and manhandling employees," Jaipur Dairy chairman Om Prakash Punia said.

He said that problems were witnessed in Sikar, Chomu, Kaladera and parts of Jaipur.

The prices of vegetables have increased by 25-30 percent in the last three days because of restricted supply due to the farmers' agitation, a vegetable vendor at Muhana vegetable market said.

Meanwhile, a farmers' body functionary blamed "anti-social elements" for spilling milk on roads and disrupting procurement.

Protests have been peaceful and successful. Anti-social elements are behind disrupting milk procurement and spilling it on roads. We have set up milk points for consumers outside city limits for urban population, a core committee member of the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh said.

Farmers in Punjab, meanwhile, have decided to call off their stir on Wednesday, after a meeting presided by Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU-Rajewal) president Balbir Singh Rajewal and attended by other leaders

Rajewal said the farmers in Punjab would start supplying vegetables and milk to the cities on Wednesday after paying tributes to six farmers killed in police firing during an agitation in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur on 6 June 2017.

"But the stir would continue in other states till 10 June," he said.

Meanwhile, the farmers held protests in various parts of Punjab and Haryana, with some dumping their produce on roads. Traders said due to dwindling supplies of farm produce in many mandis, prices were rising.

At few places in Punjab, including in Bathinda and Moga districts, arguments broke out between traders and some farmer leaders as the former claimed they were being stopped from selling stocked fruits and vegetables.Nirmala Sitharaman said the army chief and top brass of the force were consulted before the government decided to allow civilian access to military cantonments.

New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said army chief General Bipin Rawat and top brass of the force were consulted before the government decided to allow civilian access to roads in military cantonments across the country.

The minister was speaking in the backdrop of a countrywide signature campaign against the government decision launched by wives of army officers.

At a press conference, Sitharaman said a total of 850 roads were closed in various cantonments, out of which 119 were blocked without following laid down procedures and now some of them have been opened.

The defence ministry last month had decided to allow civilian access to the roads in 62 cantonments after Sitharaman held a meeting on 4 May with a group of MPs, elected office-bearers of cantonment boards and army officials.

A large section of army officials and their families have expressed strong reservations over the decision to reopen all roads in cantonments to civilians, citing security concerns. Veterans and wives of armed forces personnel have been agitating on the issue.

"119 roads were blocked without following laid down procedure. Out of them 80 roads have been opened while 24 are remaining closed. We have partially opened 15 roads," she said.

"I met the wives of the armed forces personnel and heard their concerns which were largely about the security. I fully appreciate that," she said.

Sitharaman said the defence ministry held a series of meetings with all stakeholders, including the army, before deciding to open up the roads for civilians.

The defence minister said that before the 4 May meeting with elected representatives, she held four meetings with senior army officials.

She said five other meetings were held, some including with General Rawat and vice-chief of the army staff on the issue.

"The order by the ministry of defence addresses traffic-related issues. Places where unit lines exist or where families of our servicemen are living, we are cautious about its security," said Sitharaman.

She said, "If you (army) decide to close the roads based on intelligence input, you are welcome to do so. But follow due procedure."

A countrywide signature campaign against the government decision has been launched by wives of Army officers. They say they would meet the defence minister urging her to reverse the cantonment board decision.

The MPs and elected officials of cantonment boards had strongly pitched to allow civilians unhindered access to the roads.

The ministry had said that it was decided that a simplified detailed standard operating procedure will soon be issued to address the needs of the local public and the military establishment.

However, families of army officers feel the decision may expose the cantonments to security risks as military bases have recently been targeted by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and other areas.The Union health ministry has banned 82 medical colleges, 70 private and 12 government, from accepting students for the academic session 2018-19

The Union Ministry of Health has banned 82 medical colleges  70 private and 12 government-run  from accepting students for the academic session 2018-19, according to several media reports. The latest order means more than 10,000 seats out of the total 64,000 MBBS seats normally available will be blocked.

This comes after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Monday announced the NEET 2018 results bringing an end to the wait of almost 16 lakh students.

According to India Today, the JP Nadda-led ministry has also rejected the proposal to approve 68 new medical colleges out of which four are in Bihar and two in West Bengal. These colleges would have added 9,000 MBBS seats for the 2018-19 academic session."People want to create things (medical colleges) without realising what the colleges require," a member of the MCI's academic committee was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

The Union cabinet had in February approved plans to set up 24 new government-funded medical colleges by 2021-22, in addition to 58 medical colleges that were to be established and attached to district hospitals by 2019. Of the 68 denied permission to come up, 31 are government colleges and 37 private colleges.

The decisions, announced on Thursday, were based on recommendations from the Medical Council of India (MCI), the apex regulatory body for medical education that assesses whether colleges have the required infrastructure, faculty and number of patients. The regulators cited "deficiencies" in the colleges and highlighted how a scarcity of resources was challenging India's ambition to expand medical education.

The Vardhman Institute, one of the 82 colleges, has already trained five batches of MBBS students, and the first batch is undergoing internship. "We are hoping to sail through this. We need firm decisions from the government to get faculty in colleges like ours," Das said, as per the report.

"We have adequate infrastructure and faculty, and we had more than the required volume of patients in the hospital, but the (MCI) inspection report claimed we lacked enough patients", an official from another of the banned colleges told The Telegraph.

The health ministry has also rejected proposals from nine medical colleges - four government and five private - to increase their MBBS seats by 50 to 100 each. In another announcement on Thursday, the ministry barred 31 medical colleges from either starting new super speciality courses  such as those in cardiology, nephrology, plastic surgery  or expanding seats in existing courses.

According to a News18 report, the list included well known government colleges such as Lucknow's King George Medical College University, stopped from expanding or starting MCh (Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery) and MCh (Neurosurgery), Christian Medical College Vellore, disallowed courses in MCh (Reproductive Medicine& Surgery), DM (Nephrology), DM (Pediatrics Neurology), Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, disallowed DM (Hepatology), MCh (HPB Surgery) and DM (Pediatrics Hepatology) etc.

The loss of seats is bound to hit the lakhs of aspiring medical students, already fighting for seats that are not nearly enough in number to accommodate all of them.

In the 2018 Union Budget, Health Minister JP Nadda had announced efforts to upgrade and add to the health infrastructure, including 15 super speciality facilities at 15 government colleges and 58 new medical colleges attached with district hospitals.

By Yoon Ja-young



Despite President Moon Jae-in's remarks that the minimum wage hike has had a 90 percent positive effect, the administration is facing mounting pressure to slow down the pace of raising it as studies are pointing to negative impacts on the job market.



The Korea Development Institute (KDI) warned Monday that 140,000 jobs will be at stake if the administration keeps to the current pace of hikes.



The country saw the hourly minimum wage rise 16.4 percent to 7,530 won ($7) this year, following President Moon's election pledge to make it 10,000 won by 2020.



However, the state-run economic think tank said that negatives will outweigh positives if the administration continues steep hikes for the next two years to achieve its target.



KDI Vice President Choi Kyung-soo, who authored the report, noted that jobs don't seem to have decreased notably so far, probably thanks to the government's 3 trillion won job stabilization fund that aims at relieving the extra financial burden on employers.



He estimated how many jobs will disappear following the hike, using data from the United States and Hungary which raised their minimum wages. He concluded that up to 84,000 jobs could disappear this year; and if the raises continue at 15 percent over the next couple of years, job losses could increase to 96,000 in 2019 and 144,000 in 2020.



He also warned that low-paying jobs in the services sector will disappear if the minimum wage continues to be raised. As the bottom 30 percent of workers get the same amount of wages, they will lose the chance of enjoying rising pay as they build up a career. They will lose motivation, while government subsidies will snowball, disturbing the "wage order" in the labor market.



"If the minimum wage is raised by 15 percent next year, Korea will catch up with France which has the highest ratio of minimum wage to median wage among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries. Korea should consider controlling the pace of the hike," he said. France stopped further minimum wage hikes after the minimum wage reached 60 percent of the median in 2005. The ratio stands at 55 percent in Korea, according to Choi.



The KDI is the first state-run economic think tank to point to possible negative impacts on the job market. The Korea Labor Institute noted in a recent report that the minimum wage hike has not had a meaningful impact on employment, though it added that working hours have notably decreased.



Private think tanks and economists, however, have already been raising concerns. Many of them have warned that the steep hike will decrease employment opportunities; and this may have turned into reality as the number of newly added jobs has fallen to below 200,000 for three consecutive months this year for the first time in a decade.



While the minimum wage hike aims at narrowing the huge income gap, the Korea Economic Research Institute noted that it will only widen the wage gap between conglomerates and small- and medium-sized enterprises to an annual 23.5 million won, due to more generous regular bonuses and allowances for holidays at large companies.



"Wholesale and retail as well as restaurants and lodgings, which have many workers affected by the minimum wage, are likely to decrease hiring, while some of them may have to close down the business," said Kim Cheon-gu, a senior researcher at the Hyundai Research Institute.



"Though the effect of minimum wage on employment differs according to countries and regions, more researchers support the idea that it removes jobs," he added.

India-China relations have been waxing and waning for the last few years but the recent bilateral engagements at the political and strategic level, and measures recommended thereof, are indicative of the importance being accorded for maintaining peace and stability along the un-demarcated and disputed borders.

India-China relations have been waxing and waning for the last few years but the recent bilateral engagements at the political and strategic level, and measures recommended thereof, are indicative of the importance being accorded for maintaining peace and stability along the un-demarcated and disputed borders. This is a must for both the countries to give shape to their respective national dreams.

This road to improvement of bilateral relations has been a rollercoaster one given the complexities of 4,057-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries. It led to the 1962 conflict, the Nathu La crisis in 1967 and the Sumdrong Chu standoff for nearly 18 months in 1986-87. It is only since 2011, that we have seen a renewed spate of high profile border standoffs, be it the 'Depsang Bulge' in the north or 'Hanuman tekri' in the east or the 73-day standoff between the two armies at Doka la. It commenced soon after India initiated measures to increase its defensibility astride the LAC, with raising of army units and formations.

The reason for restraints and peaceful resolutions of ugly border situations has been the 'Conflict Avoidance' and subsequently the 'Confidence Building Measures' (CBMs) that have been put in place, over a period of time. Let us, therefore, recapitulate the events that have led to the present state of IndoChina engagements and thereafter examine the additional measures that have been recommended. Some of these are presently vexing the two sides.

Post-1962 conflict, the diplomatic relations were re-established only in 1976. Thereafter, the visit of the Indian prime minister to China in 1988, led to the establishment of a Joint Working Group (JWG) for examining the boundary dispute and to recommend meaningful actions/engagements between the two militaries, for maintaining peace and stability at the borders. This set the ground for signing the first formal document -- the Agreement on Maintaining Peace and Stability in the Vicinity of the Line of Actual Control, in September 1993. It formalised border meetings at two places between the deployed troops, the establishment of tactical communication linkages and other CBMs. This was followed by agreements in 1996, 2005 and 2013, that enlarged the canvas of bilateral mechanisms to multiple tiers, for looking at the border issues and for dynamically making the CBMs extremely comprehensive. It is called the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA). Simultaneously, there were other parallel mechanisms established for promoting trade, commerce and economic engagements.

Presently, at the political level, we have the summits between the leaders of the two countries and high profile exchange visits by senior cabinet ministers and government officials. Towards this, we have had the recent summits between the two leaders at Xiamen and recently at Wuhan, followed up in quick succession by the visits to China by the Indian foreign and defence ministers. These have injected the requisite urgency and energy to the ongoing talks at various levels, post the Doka La crisis.

At the politico-strategic level are the talks between the Special Representative (SR) of the two countries. The20th round of SR talks was held at Delhi, in December 2017, between the Indian NSA and Chinese president appointee Yang Jiechi, state councillor and member of the politburo.

The institutional mechanism for consultation and coordination started in 2012 is the Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination (WMCC). This is at the level of Joint Secretary (East Asia) from India and the Director General, Department of Boundary and Oceanic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The 11th round of WMCC was held a few months ago.

At the military level are the border personnel meetings (BPMs), held periodically, flag meetings on request and communication linkages between tactical commanders at various places along the LAC. The BPMs are presently formalised at five places along the LAC, namely Daulat Beg Oldie and Chusul in Ladakh, Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh and Nathu-La in Sikkim. Joint military exercises between the two armies also commenced in 2008.

The present issue of the debate has been with respect to the establishment of the hotline between the DGMOs. It was a key recommendation in the 2013 BDCA but did not materialise. It got the requisite fillip after the recent summit meeting between the two leaders at Wuhan, China, in April 2018. The official press release after the summit reported that the two leaders in a joint statement agreed to issue says "strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communication in order to build trust and mutual understanding and enhance predictability and effectiveness in the management of border affairs.... The two leaders further directed their militaries to earnestly implement various confidence-building measures (CBMs) agreed upon between the two sides, including the principle of mutual and equal security, and strengthen existing institutional arrangements and information sharing mechanisms to prevent incidents in border regions."

The requirement of hotline has to be contextualised and put in perspective. It is undoubtedly a major CBM, because of the one on one communication link that it provides to the two military headquarters. It facilitates a hands-on approach to address unprecedented situations that can escalate, if not arrested in time. It was however bogged down over procedures. The key question to answer with respect to the establishment of the hotline is whether its establishment is for functional efficiency or is it the question of retaining equivalence?

To understand the intricacies, there is a need to examine a similar setup that exists between the militaries of India and Pakistan. Fortunately, the military structures of both the countries are a legacy of the British, as they share a common military heritage. So the military structures and responsibilities of key appointment holders in the two armies are near similar. Thus, by establishing the hotline between the DGMOs of the two countries, both the issue of functional efficiency and the issue of equivalence, are addressed. It is indisputable that the ongoing proxy war in Kashmir, creates dynamic situations that need to be addressed at the senior level with speed. As in this environment, tactical excesses can overshadow the strategic landscape and therefore there is a functional need to arrest this escalation. The 'hotline' in the India-Pakistan space has achieved this repeatedly since 1972. Apropos, to avert Doka La like standoff between India and China, the hotline needs to facilitate functional efficiency and this aspect deserves precedence and priority.

The Chinese military has recently undergone major reorganisation and reforms. In which the operational command functions/structures have been revamped. PLA Ground force headquarter and the Joint Operational Center(JOC) have been set up under the CMC with similar subordinate structures at the five newly formed military regions. In the new paradigm, the JOC exercises operational control over the deployed border troops and the PLA units in its geographical area. Whereas the PLA Ground Force Headquarter, including in the western military district, is responsible for training, manpower and logistic support to the PLA units in its jurisdiction. Therefore, the hotline needs to be established between the operational staff officers of the two countries.

It is learnt that China is recommending that the hotline connection should be established between the Indian DGMO and the concerned official nominated by the Chinese military at the Western Military District. This is because, this headquarter has been vested with the operational control of the Chinese troops, deployed astride the India-China border. From the functional aspect, this recommendation makes good military sense. But as the Chinese are masters of intrigue and precedences, this down gradation, later on, may create problems of a different kind, including an expression of ignorance by the political leadership, in case of a sticky situation. Therefore to achieve the twin objectives of this linkage, we should recommend operational hotlines between the Western Military Headquarter in China, with the Indian Northen and Eastern Command Headquarters. The DGMO of India should, in addition, have a hotline with the Joint Operation Center of the Chinese military, functioning directly under the CMC, at Beijing.

In conclusion, lasting peace is the way to avert major incidents at the border. Therefore, measures that are instituted should holistically address the tangible and intangible requirements of bilateral aspirations. Border standoffs though tactical in nature can have a strategic impact and they are also regressive. Their avoidance will ensure continued engagement in other spheres, setting the stage and maturity in time, for resolution of the border problem.

The author is a retired lieutenant general and former army commander of the Indian Army.India has told US that the 'time-tested' India-Russian cooperation in the defence sector will continue, including the deal for S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems.

New Delhi: India has very clearly conveyed to the United States of America that the "time-tested" India-Russian cooperation in the defence sector will continue, including the deal for S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems for the Indian Air Force (IAF), notwithstanding the American sanctions against Moscow.

Sources said India wants its defence transactions with Russia to be insulated from the purview of stringent American law  Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and is likely to raise the issue with the US when the two sides meet in Washington for the 2+2 talks next month.

"In all our engagements with the US, we have clearly explained how India and Russia's defence cooperation has been going on for a long time and that it is a time-tested relationship. We have mentioned that CAATSA cannot impact the India-Russia defence cooperation," Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at a press conference.

She said India has got quite a lot of defence assets from Russia and the cooperation between the two countries will continue.

In January, the US announced sanctions against Russia under its CAATSA for Moscow's alleged meddling in the American presidential election in 2016.

CAATSA, which came into effect in January, mandates the Donald Trump administration to punish countries and entities engaging in significant transaction with the defence or intelligence establishment of Russia.

Asked whether India will go ahead with the S-400 deal with Russia, the defence minister said the long-drawn negotiations relating to it have reached the final stage.

"The S-400 deal has been on for a very long time and we have reached the final stage of negotiations. That explains it," she said.

India wants to procure the long-range missile systems to tighten its air defence mechanism, particularly along the nearly 4,000-kilometre-long Sino-India border. Official sources said both Russia and India are likely to announce the deal before an annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in October.

There have been mounting concerns in India over the US sanctions against Russian defence majors including Rosoboronexport as billions of dollars of military purchases may be impacted because of the punitive measure.

The issue is understood to have figured during Modi's informal talks with Putin in Sochi in May. Top American lawmakers and experts have warned that imposition of sanctions on India under a newly-enacted law if it buys the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia could be disastrous for the Indo-US ties.

Last month, the chairman of the US' House Armed Services Committee, Mac Thornberry, had warned that the S-400 deal may limit inter-operability between Indian and US militaries. The Pentagon too had said it was "very concerned" over the possible implications of Russian sanctions on defence ties between India and the US.An Indian Air Force Jaguar aircraft crashed on Tuesday around 10.30 am in Gujarat's Kutch region, according to reports.

An Indian Air Force Jaguar aircraft crashed on Tuesday around 10.30 am in Gujarat's Kutch region, according to reports. The IAF Jaguar was on a routine training mission from Jamnagar.

The pilot, according to ANI, lost his life in the crash. A court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident. The plane's debris was strewn far and wide on the outskirts of the village, locals said.

#Gujarat: Wreckage of IAF's Jaguar fighter jet that crashed in Kutch's Mundra, the aircraft was on a routine training mission from Jamnagar. The Pilot, Air Cmde Sanjay Chauhan, lost his life in the crash. Court of Inquiry ordered to investigate cause of accident. pic.twitter.com/bGBiE2L53k  ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2018

The incident comes months after an IAF helicopter crashed in Assam's Majuli island, killing two pilots. Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed in a crash in Majuli in February, minutes after their microlight aircraft took off on a routine sortie, defence ministry officials had said.

The aircraft crashed in the river island, soon after taking off from the Jorhat air base.

With inputs from PTIBy Steve Scherer and Angelo Amante ROME (Reuters) - Italy's new prime minister promised on Tuesday to bring radical change to the country, including more generous welfare and a crackdown on immigration, as the two party bosses who hold the keys to his anti-establishment government nodded their approval. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte addressed the Senate, flanked by the leaders of two formerly fringe parties that shoved aside mainstream groups at an election in March to form a coalition with little-known law expert Conte as its head. 'The truth is that we have created a radical change and we're proud of it,' Conte said in his maiden speech to parliament in the upper house Senate, where he was expected to win a confidence vote later in the day

By Steve Scherer and Angelo Amante

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's new prime minister promised on Tuesday to bring radical change to the country, including more generous welfare and a crackdown on immigration, as the two party bosses who hold the keys to his anti-establishment government nodded their approval.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte addressed the Senate, flanked by the leaders of two formerly fringe parties that shoved aside mainstream groups at an election in March to form a coalition with little-known law expert Conte as its head.

"The truth is that we have created a radical change and we're proud of it," Conte said in his maiden speech to parliament in the upper house Senate, where he was expected to win a confidence vote later in the day.

The coalition, made up of the 5-Star Movement and the League, has a roughly 10-vote majority in the Senate and a wider margin in the lower house, which is due to vote on Wednesday, making the outcome of the ballots a foregone conclusion.

Conte, 53, spoke as 5-Star leader Luigi di Maio and League chief Matteo Salvini sat beside him, nodding their approval as the urbane law professor ticked off all the main elements of a policy agenda the party leaders had finalised days before.

Di Maio is labour and industry minister in Conte's government, and Salvini is interior minister, raising doubt about whether the prime minister, a political novice, can put his own stamp on the government's agenda.

In his 72-minute speech, Conte said priorities would be to address social hardship through the introduction of a universal income - a 5-Star election promise - and to stem an influx of irregular immigrants, a pivotal policy of the League.

NO EURO EXIT

During his speech he made no mention of Italy's commitment to remaining in the euro zone, a question that has troubled financial markets, but he addressed the subject head-on in his final remarks at the end of the parliamentary debate.

"We have to reiterate it - leaving the euro has never been considered and it is not being considered," he said.

The ruling coalition's original pick for economy minister, eurosceptic economist Paolo Savona, was vetoed by the head of state because of his views on the euro. He was replaced by a figure more reassuring for financial markets.

"The political forces that make up this government have been accused of being populist and anti-system...," Conte said.

"If populism means the ruling class listens to the needs of the people ... (and) if anti-system means to aim to introduce a new system, which removes old privileges and encrusted power, well these political forces deserve both these epithets."

Conte is not affiliated to any party, though he is close to 5-Star, which presented him as a potential minister before the March 4 election. Di Maio and Salvini vetoed each other as prime minister and picked him as a compromise figure.

Touching on one of the most sensitive issues for financial markets, Conte said the euro zone's fiscal rules should be "aimed at helping citizens" and that Italy would negotiate changes to EU governance.

Italian government bonds sold off on his remarks, which confirmed much of the coalition's budget-busting agenda. Italy's 10-year government borrowing costs rose 18 basis points to 2.74 percent after hitting a one-week low of 2.509 percent on Monday.

"The speech shows there are no signs that any of their proposals will be watered down," said Antoine Bouvet, an interest-rates strategist with Japanese bank Mizuho.

However, Conte made no reference to one of the most costly of the coalition's pledges: abolishing a 2011 pension reform that raised the retirement age.

"TROIKA" WARNING

In the debate after the speech, ex-premier Mario Monti said Italy risked being put under supervision of the European Central Bank, European Commission and International Monetary Fund unless the government carefully manages public accounts.

Italy already has the biggest debt burden of major euro zone nations at about 130 percent of economic output. Economists estimate the coalition's policy agenda would add tens of billions of euros to annual spending.

"We want to reduce the public debt, but we want to do it by increasing our wealth, not with austerity that, in recent years, has helped to make it grow," Conte said. Debt was "fully sustainable today", and key to reducing it was economic growth.

He also referred to the coalition's promise to introduce a flat income tax, but he gave no details nor a timetable for implementing policies.

Conte stressed that "Europe is our home" and, despite the coalition's plan to improve Russian ties, restated commitments to both NATO and Italy's alliance with the United States.

On immigration, a major election issue after an influx of hundreds of thousands of mostly African asylum seekers, Conte said the government would end "the immigration business".

"We are not and will never be racists. We want procedures that determine refugee status to be certain and speedy, in order to effectively guarantee their (refugee) rights," he said.

League leader Salvini has pledged Italy will no longer be "Europe's refugee camp".

(Additional reporting by Gavin Jones, Crispian Balmer, Philip Pullella, Giuseppe Fonte, Antonio Denti, and Massimiliano Di Giorgio in Rome; Editing by Mark Bendeich/Mark Heinrich)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.As per the security guidelines, the local police requests for the personnel of CRPF to be made available for 'riot control' and the deployment of the number of people and the places assigned for duty are decided by the police.

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have written to the CRPF seeking an explanation that why a lone CRPF vehicle moved through the Nowhatta area of Srinagar where it was decided that there will be no deployment of security forces on last Friday after clashes left at least 20 youth injured on 25 May.

Two youths were run over by an armoured vehicle of the CRPF which left one of them dead and another wounded and the family of the deceased has sought that a murder case should be pressed against the Central force personnel.

Police officials said that after clashes left many youths injured the previous Friday, 25 May, as forces fired pellets at the mob, it was decided that there would be no deployment at the Jamia mosque during prayers the next Friday, when separatist leader and Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, was to deliver the sermon.

The relaxation was also in line with the policy of the PDP-BJP government to declare a unilateral ceasefire and create conditions for dialogue with Hurriyat. The police which is headed by the chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, who oversees the portfolio of home department, sees this incident of a vehicle moving through Nowhatta area as a "security nightmare".

On 1 June, it was decided that instead of deploying the forces at the mosque, the police and the CRPF will remain stationed at Nowhatta police station, which lies at some distance away from the mosque, to prevent attacks by youth on the police station.

We reconstructed the sequence of events that followed based on conversations with seven eyewitnesses, CRPF and police officials.

Friday prayers concluded at 2.30 pm, following which the mosque, which holds about 30,000 people, emptied out. As is the norm on Fridays, a few hundred protesters gathered outside the building and began to raise slogans. At 3.45 pm, a CRPF Gypsy containing five armed personnel besides the driver drove down Khwaja Bazar Road, from the direction of Lal Chowk and stopped a few hundred metres from the mosque. Fayaz Ahmad Shah, who sells fez caps and caraculs near the mosque said the Gypsy headed towards the mob, which attacked the vehicle with stones and other objects. Five other eyewitnesses, who did not wish to be named, corroborated Shah's account. Video footage of the incident, which Firstpost couldn't verify independently, shows the men leaping atop the vehicle and launching an attack against it. The Gypsy then ran over one of the young men, Kaiser Ahmad, angering his fellow protesters. One other young man, Younis Ahmad, came under its wheels before it sped away in the direction of Nowhatta police station.

Police officials later lodged complaints against the young men as well as the CRPF driver; the former for rioting and attempted murder and the latter for rash and negligent driving.

As per the security guidelines, the local police requests for the personnel of CRPF to be made available for "riot control" and the deployment of the number of people and the places assigned for duty are decided by the police. This is being done as CRPF personnel are mostly from outside the state and are not acquainted about the roads and different localities in Kashmir.

When asked what a lone CRPF vehicle was doing in a volatile neighbourhood on 1 June, reserve police force spokesperson Sanjay Sharma said the CRPFs 28 battalion second-in-command, who was the ranking officer in the Gypsy, was deployed on permanent duty at the Zakoora camp which lies several kilometres from Nowhatta and that he was "returning after checking deployment of CRPF personnel in that neighbourhood (Nowhatta)."

Inspector General of CRPF, Ravideep Sahai, admitted that the "officer was moving in the area for non-operational duty". "The officer was not involved in any kind of riot control or crowd control. He was just moving from one place to another to check deployment at Nowhatta," he said.

He said that the CRPF companies were deployed for the assistance of law and order duties to police at the Nowhatta police station. Sahai said that when the officer had gone to the area there was no mob and it was that when "the vehicle was returning and it came under the mob attack". He said that the "officer was checking the deployment which was not close to the mosque". "The deployment was made at Nowhatta police station area away from the mosque."

However even as the CRPF officials said that the mob may have lynched the officer if the doors of the vehicle were opened, witnesses said that the vehicle came from Khawaja Bazar and took the road to the mosque where both the CRPF and police had decided that there would be no deployment.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, Imtiyaz Ismael Parray, said that the police was investigating as to "what the vehicle was doing in the area".

A senior police official said that they have written to the CRPF seeking any explanation and contradicted the version of the Central forces by stating that the vehicle was coming to the Nowahatta police station.

"We are investigating the matter and have written to the CRPF to explain its position, he said.

Attempts to reach out to the CRPF driver, who is facing a case of rash and negligent driving and could be arrested by police, remained unsuccessful as the CRPF restricts its personnel from directly talking to media. CRPF spokesman, Sharma, said that the "case of rash and negligent driving by police was baseless".The institution asked Pakistan to agree to India's proposal for appointment of neutral expert to suggest a resolution on the technicalities of the project

The World Bank (WB) on Tuesday ended a wait of almost two years for an answer to the conflict between India and Pakistan regarding the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project. The international institution has asked Pakistan to agree to India's proposal for the appointment of a neutral expert who would be able to suggest a resolution based on the technicalities of the project, instead of the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) as was Pakistan's demand, as reported by Dawn. The project includes a dam on the river Kishanganga, which is a tributary of the river Jhelum.

On 19 May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the project, amidst talks between the two countries with the WB as mediator. Pakistan has insisted, since the start of the project in 2003, that it violates the Indus Water Treaty between the two countries, which ensures a fair distribution of the river resources at the borders of both the countries. India has held its stance that the project, which is only some distance from the Line of Control (LOC), is within the pre-decided guidelines of the Treaty.

Attorney-General of Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf Ali, led a delegation for a two-day meeting with the WB officials, to discuss Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects under the Indus Waters Treaty, as reported by The Express Tribune.

However, in light of the latest direction of the World Bank, official sources in Pakistan have said it would not be possible to accept the proposal as it would become a precedent for resolving other water disputes and the Court of Arbitration would not be established, reported The Express Tribune. Those water disputes would be more significant for Pakistan than the present project.

The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty

The treaty gives India control over three eatern rivers, which are the Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej. Pakistan controls the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers. India has argued, with the context of the treaty, that the Kishanganga Hydroelectric plant is exactly the 'run-of-the-river' hydel project that does not change the course of the river or deplete the level of the water downstream as is directed by the treaty. Pakistan has insisted that the Kishanganga project violates both conditions by changing the course of the river and depleting the water levels.WHY DONT YOU READ THESE?The Madras High Court bench in Madurai on Tuesday ordered a biometric attendance system to be put in place for the staff of the famous Lord Muruga temple in Tiruchendur on a PIL that alleged fleecing of devotees by unauthorised priests in the name of god.

Madurai: The Madras High Court bench in Madurai on Tuesday ordered a biometric attendance system to be put in place for the staff of the famous Lord Muruga temple in Tiruchendur on a PIL that alleged fleecing of devotees by unauthorised priests in the name of god.

A division bench of justices MV Muralidaran and T Krishnavalli gave the direction to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department and the joint commissioner of the Sri Subramaniaswamy temple, located on the shores of Tiruchendur, about 180 kilometres from Madurai.

The temple is among the six highly revered abodes of Lord Muruga in the state and thronged by a large number of devotees.

The court was passing orders on a PIL filed by RS Kalyanasundaram, a devotee, who alleged that unauthorised persons were collecting huge amounts of money from the devotees in the name of god and also causing loss to the temple.

The bench also directed the temple authorities to warn the legally-appointed priests that they should not demand money from the devotees, other than what was fixed by the administration for special poojas.

It directed the authorities of the HR&CE department, which administers a large number of temples in the state, to make surprise visits to the shrine to find out whether non-appointee "archakas" (priests) were performing poojas.

The temple authorities should also ensure good toilet and water facilities, the bench said.

Asking the officials to comply with the directions immediately, the judges sought a report about the compliance on 5 July.

The bench said the temple should ensure that all poojas were performed only by the legally-appointed "archakas".

The petitioner had also prayed that no one should be allowed to enter the temple for a special pooja without purchasing a ticket and that no unauthorised person should be allowed inside the temple.'Kaala' producers have filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking directions to the state government and KFCC for smooth release of the film.

Bengaluru: Kaala producer K Dhanush and his wife Aishwarya have filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking directions to the state government and Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) for smooth release of the film.

Kaala is scheduled to be released worldwide on 7 June but KFCC had said the film would neither be distributed nor screened in the state.

In the plea, Dhanush, who is Rajinikanth's son-in-law, submitted that it is the fundamental right of the petitioners under the Constitution to exhibit the film.

"CBFC has issued a certification under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, for the release of 'Kaala' after following due process and adhering to all guidelines. After receiving such a certificate, it is the fundamental right of the petitioner under Article 19(1) of the Constitution to exhibit the film," the petitioners submitted.

The petitioners also have sought security at theatres and for movie-goers, directors, producers and cast associated with 'Kaala' in Karnataka.

They have made the government, home department, state police chief, Bengaluru city police commissioner, Central Board of Film Certification and KFCC as respondents in their plea.

The petitioners stated that KFCC took a decision to neither distribute nor screen 'Kaala' in Karnataka following Rajinikanth's alleged views on the Cauvery dispute, demanding release of water to Tamil Nadu as per Supreme Court direction.

The petitioners also said KFCC President Sa Ra Govindu on 30 May had issued a press statement saying the film will neither be distributed nor screened anywhere in Karnataka.

They also said the several pro-Kannada organisations had made representations to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy requesting a ban on 'Kaala.' The petition is likely to come up for hearing on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, controversial actor Prakash Raj has questioned the ban on Kaala in Karnataka. "What's film #kaala got to do with Kaveri issue..? why is film fraternity targeted always..?Will Jds/congress government let fringe elements take law into their hands... like bjp did with #Padmavat.. or ..will you step in to assure common man.. his right for choice. #justasking..," tweeted the multi-lingual actor.

In a statement, Raj said, "Who are these people to decide what most Kannadigas want or don't want? What about the distributors, investors and theatre owners and the thousands of those whose lives depend on them? And what about the lakhs and lakhs of cinema lovers because of whom, all these people earn a living?"Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that India abides by the Ramzan ceasefire but, forces have been given room to respond to any unprovoked firing.

Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that India abides by the Ramzan ceasefire but, forces have been given room to respond to any unprovoked firing. Addressing a press conference, she also said, "We shall ensure that no unprovoked attack goes without response."

When asked if the Ramzan ceasefire was a success, she said that the Ministry of Defence's role is not to assess whether it was a success or not. "It is our business to guard the border."

MoD's role isn't to asses whether it was successful or not. It's our business to guard the border & we won't stop if we're provoked. We shall be alert that no unprovoked attack goes without us responding. It's our duty to keep India safe: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pic.twitter.com/JfuatyvvDK  News18 (@CNNnews18) June 5, 2018

Responding to a query, Sitharaman also assured that there was no scam in the Rafale deal. "There has not been any misdoing there. We have spent time explaining how the decision was taken and that it was an intergovernmental agreement," she added.

The Union minister also commented on the S-400 missile deal with Russia and said that New Delhi and Moscow have a continuous relationship. She added that negotiations on the missile deal with Russia have reached the final stage. "We have told US that India-Russia defence ties go a long way back," she added.

Sitharaman also assured that there was no shortage of defence ammunition today. She said that there was a shortage when the NDA government came to power in 2014 but today, there is none.

There is no shortage of Defence ammunition today. Allegations of scam in the #RafaelDeal are baseless: Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pic.twitter.com/p1x8oKF7SH  News18 (@CNNnews18) June 5, 2018

When asked about Indias ties with China following the Doka La standoff, she referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Wuhan as well as her meeting with Chinese officials and said, "Things are on track," according to The Indian Express.Speaking at a Governors' Conference in Delhi, he said Raj Bhavans and universities can be developed and made environment-friendly.

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday asked students to engage with residents of villages to improve the status of cleanliness, literacy, immunisation and nutrition programmes.

In his concluding remarks at the two-day Governors' Conference in New Delhi, he also suggested people adopt the "think global, act local" approach for environment protection.

Tuesday, 5 June, is World Environment Day.

Keeping in mind the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Accord and the International Solar Alliance, local and state-level contributions are very important to achieving national goals, Kovind said.

Governors can make efforts to develop Raj Bhavan complexes and state universities as an environmental ideal, he suggested.

Kovind said that governors can inspire universities towards 'University Social Responsibility'.

"University students should visit villages at regular intervals. They should engage with residents of the village in regard to cleanliness, literacy, immunisation and nutrition programmes. Governors could hold discussions with vice-chancellors to make the 'Swachhta Internship' programme more effective," the president was quoted as saying in a statement issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He urged governors to convene meetings of vice-chancellors of state universities from time to time.

The vice president, prime minister and the minister for home affairs also addressed the concluding session of the conference.

Earlier in the day, the conference discussed ideas on the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved said it is pulling out of its proposed Rs 6,000-crore mega food processing project along the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh.

New Delhi: Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved on Tuesday said it is pulling out of its proposed Rs 6,000-crore mega food processing project along the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, citing non-cooperation from the state government.

However, the UP government said it has given one more month to Patanjali to meet the conditions required to get the final approval.

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) could not get the required clearances for transfer of land from the state government, said a top company official.

The Haridwar-based company had proposed to invest up to Rs 6,000 crore to set up a plant in 425 acres of land at YEIDA to cater the domestic and export markets through its step-down firm Patanjali Food & Herbal Park.

Confirming the development, Patanjali Ayurved Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna told PTI: "We are cancelling the project as we did not get required clearances from the UP state government."

The company now plans to shift the project to some other state, he said without disclosing further details.

Citing the reason for pulling out of the state, he said, "We did not get any cooperation from the state government for this project. We have waited for long time for the clearances but could not get from the state government. Now we have decided to shift the project."

Patanjali was given one-month extension by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries till end of June to get the requisite clearances to start the project.

When contacted, Food Processing Secretary JP Meena told PTI: "Patanjali was given four months time to meet the conditions required to get the final approval. There are four to five conditions, including land and bank loans, which any party that wants to set up mega food park has to fulfill."

Meena further said, "We have not cancelled the project. We have given one month extension to Patanjali...they have to meet the condition. In case Patanjali does not meet the condition, we have no choice but to cancel. We have done it earlier in many projects."

Patanjali had already got support from the financial institutions for the project, Balkrishna claimed.

"We got extensions two times from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and now it (time) is lapsing as we could not get the required clearances from the state government," Balakrishna said.

Mega food parks are to be implemented within 30 months and financial assistance is provided to them by the central government.

Earlier, Patanjali had said that its Yamuna Expressway-based plant would produce goods worth Rs 25,000 crore annually, if it runs to its full capacity.

It would create 10,000 direct jobs, Patanjali had said.

Patanjali is presently investing in mega food park projects, including Nagpur (MP) and Tejpur (Assam).Ram Madhav said Centre's decision to invoke Ramzan ceasefire in Valley was a goodwill gesture but warned security ops could resume if terrorism persists.

BJP's Jammu and Kashmir in-charge Ram Madhav on Tuesday said that the Centre's decision to invoke a temporary ceasefire in the Valley during Ramzan was a goodwill gesture but warned that if terrorism persists, security forces will have to respond appropriately.

Speaking to CNN-News18, Madhav said that the government has made arrangements to hold a dialogue with all the parties concerned in the Kashmir Valley, including the Hurriyat. He also reiterated that the ceasefire would continue only if the terrorist ceases.

He said that in the last two to two-and-a-half years, security forces had managed to neutralise more than 600 terrorists. "Earlier, the forces were pursuing a hard-line agenda in the Valley to neutralise terrorists vigorously. But, keeping the sacredness of Ramzan in mind, as a gesture of goodwill, the government had asked forces to suspend operations," Madhav told CNN-News18.

"But, if unrest continues then the situation before Ramzan will be restored," he warned.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is set to begin his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on 7 June, during which he will review the suspension of operations in Ramzan and also meet those affected by cross-border shelling, officials told PTI.

This is the second high-level visit to the state after the announcement of unilateral ceasefire by the Centre from 16 May. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited all the three regions of the state  Ladakh, Srinagar and Jammu.

During his stay in Kashmir, the home minister will travel to the frontier district of Kupwara where he will review some projects being undertaken as part of the Border Area Development Programme, officials said.

Later, he will review the suspension of anti-militancy operations during the holy month of Ramzan with top police, paramilitary and central security agency officials, they said.

The need for such an exercise was to understand the impact of the suspension of operations on the life of citizens, the officials said.

With inputs from PTI.The State Bank of India (SBI) has released the admit cards for the recruitment exam to the post of Junior Associate (customer support and sales) in clerical cadre today (6 June)

The State Bank of India (SBI) has released the admit cards for the recruitment exam to the post of Junior Associate (customer support and sales) in clerical cadre today (6 June). Students who are going to appear for the exam can download the admit cards from sbi.co.in/careers .

The online preliminary examination is going to be conducted on 23, 24 and 30 June in various centres across the country. According to India Today, the recruitment exam is for filling up 8,301 seats in different departments.

Steps to download the admit card

-Go to the official website sbi.co.in/careers.

-Click on SBI Clerk Prelims Admit Card 2018 on the homepage

-Enter your registration id and password and click submit

-Download the admit and take a print out of the same for future use.

Procedure of selection

According to Hindustan Times, candidates will have to appear for an online preliminary exam and the main exam which will be followed by a local language test. The preliminary exam will be of one hour, and carry 100 marks which is divided into three sections: English language (30 marks), numerical ability (35 marks) and reasoning ability (35 marks). Each candidate will get 20 minutes for different sections.

The main exam is of two hours and will carry 200 marks, divided into four sections: General and financial awareness (50 marks) general English (40 marks), quantitative aptitude (50 marks) and reasoning ability and computer aptitude (60 marks).

The candidates will be allowed 35 minutes each for financial and general awareness and general English and 45 minutes each for quantitative aptitude and reasoning ability section.

The marks procured in the main exam will be the only determining factor for making the provisional selection list. It is also important for the candidates to note that there is negative marking which means one-fourth marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.

The tentative date for SBI Clerk Main Examination 2018 is 8 August, 2018, The Times of India reported.Former Union minister Shashi Tharoor was summoned by a Delhi court on Tuesday as an accused in connection with the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar.

Former Union minister Shashi Tharoor was summoned by a Delhi court on Tuesday as an accused in connection with the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. As per the charge sheet filed by the Delhi Police, the Senior Congress leader has been charged with committing offences under sections 306 (abetment of suicide) and 498A (cruelty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). If convicted under the former section, Tharoor is looking at up to ten years in prison.

According to the charge sheet, the Delhi Police is claiming that Sunanda was harassed and subjected to cruelty by Tharoor to the point of being driven to suicide. Section 498A makes it an offence for a husband or a husband's relative to subject a woman to cruelty, punishable by three years' imprisonment.

Under Section 498A, cruelty is defined as:

(a) Any willful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health (whether mental or physical) of the woman; or

(b) Harassment of the woman where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable security or is on account of failure by her or any person related to her to meet such demand.

From explanation (a) it can be gathered that the charge of abetment of suicide and cruelty go hand in hand in case the woman has committed suicide.

Under Section 113-A of the Evidence Act of 1872, there is a presumption as to abetment of suicide if the charge of cruelty is proved and the suicide was committed within a period of seven years of the woman's marriage to the husband. The general rule of criminal law is the presumption of innocence. However, in India is this not a constitutionally safeguarded right, even though it is generally followed. In certain circumstances the court may draw a presumption against an accused with respect to certain offences.

Pushkar's suicide happened within seven years of her marriage to Tharoor. If the police establish that she was subjected to cruelty, it will be up to Tharoor to prove that the cruelty did not cause the suicide. Further, abetment under the IPC has a wide ambit. Instigating a person is abetment under the IPC. So, if the prosecution can establish that Tharoor encouraged Pushkar to commit suicide, they may have him on the abetment of suicide charge.

The Congress has called the trial politically motivated. Which it may be. That is not the concern of this article. But if Tharoor gets convicted ahead of next year's general election, he may not be eligible for Parliament even if he appeals. Given his renewed relevance as a politician among India's educated middle classes, this may be something to bear in mind.

Of course, Tharoor can always apply to the Delhi High Court to have the prosecution quashed if it appears that there is no evidence. The high court has a general power to quash any criminal proceeding if it appears that the proceeding is malafide or against the general interests of justice.In light of the recent Shillong clashes, the riots underline an often overlooked but equally important element of racism when it comes to the northeastern states in the country.

Khar, Madishe, dkhar. These are some of the names given to the people of the mainland that live in the various states of the North East.

In light of the recent Shillong clashes, the riots underline an often overlooked but equally important element of racism when it comes to the northeastern states in the country. Even though the racism faced by the northeastern communities from the 'mainland' is a fact that needs to be addressed as it has been in movies like 'Chak de India', and awareness about the political incorrectness of the term 'Chinki' has increased over the past decade or so  the phenomenon of reverse racism is also present.

"I belong to a family whose last three generations have lived in Sikkim and I would not deny that I had to face some sort of discrimination. It is actually the mindset of the people which has regressed and although discrimination does not take place openly, it happens in very subtle ways. There have been minor incidents where I was looked down upon, said Anshu Singh (22), as she handled the cash register in her shop in MG Marg in Gangtok, Sikkim.

Adding to this, Pooja Priya (22), whose family migrated from Bihar to Arunachal Pradesh said, There is a subtle difference in the way the people are treated. For example, the vegetable prices are higher for the non-tribals.

Not everyone agrees with this viewpoint.

Ritu Konsam (23), a Meitei woman from Manipur said, What we face in Delhi is racism, built entirely on a prejudice against the way we look, dress, speak and eat. Theres a lack of tolerance in the "alien-ness" the locals feel towards the North East, it would be very misleading to state this as reverse racism.

Although dormant in nature usually, these views have come to the forefront following the violent clashes in Shillong in the past five days. The state government is trying hard not to portray the clashes as a communal one.

No, it is not a communal clash. It initially started because of an altercation which eventually led to these clashes, Meghalaya home minister James Sangma told FirstPost. The clash erupted after a bus conductor was allegedly assaulted on Thursday by a group of people residing at Them Iew Mawlong, a Punjabi settlement in Shillong, according to agency reports.

The violence was allegedly linked to discontent over the delay in shifting the Sikh community to the houses built for them in Nongmynsong as the land is originally meant to be inhabited by the Khasi tribals.

As the years have passed, there have been demands to relocate them. There are many criminal elements present there, no doubt, David Laitphlang, a senior journalist from Shillong. I feel that this happens to preserve their sense of identity. In the sense, the Khasis want to preserve their land and culture, said Saiaphi Lyndem (22), a Khasi from Shillong.

A fourth-generation Sikh living in Shillong, who did not want to be named, says otherwise. "A small dispute between people has become communal, it has become extremely politicised. Just because of one person, how can they make the whole community relocate for no proper reason, he said. As of 5 June, the Meghalaya government formed a special panel to find a permanent solution to the issue of relocation of the sweeper colony. One would expect security after 200 years of living in a place, not an evacuation. Meghalaya is my motherland too. This is happening to our Sikh community. Soon it may happen to the other communities living here," the Sikh individual said.

Another member of the Sikh community in Shillong, Sangam Singh, expressed concern over the lack of security.

We dont feel safe to go out. Now, the issue has become political and communal, he said.

Sunit Phukan, the general secretary of the Assam club in Shillong sought to play down the seriousness of the tension when asked if there is any communal tension between different communities in the Meghalaya capital.

We are living very peacefully in Shillong. The situation itself is nothing serious I feel. People have been going about their business normally, said Phukan.

Three days after the unrest in Shillong broke out, a delegation of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) visited the trouble-torn Punjabi Lane area on Sunday and dismissed reports of Sikhs being under threat from the Khasi community.

Many northeastern states barring Assam and Tripura often press for Inner Line Permit (ILP). ILP is a permission which even Indian citizens except for residents of the state have to apply for describing for what purpose they are visiting the state. This is a way to regulate the inflow of outside population and guard the interests of the local people living in the state. So far ILP is functional in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. Manipur and Meghalaya are long fighting for it.

Manipur has been extremely tolerant or accepting of outsiders. If you come to Manipur you will see 90 percent of shops are owned by Marwaris, Punjabis and mainlanders. Manipuris will be working for them. So ILP is a reaction to this sudden realisation that we are being driven out of our workforce and lands by outsiders and soon it might become another Tripura where the natives depend on the outsiders, said Konsam.

Rupa Chinai, a journalist and an author who has done extensive work in the North East said, One has to realise that there is a clash of cultures, we have to understand it in the context of history. The ILP is a constitutional commitment that was made to the minorities to preserve their land and culture."

Elaborating on the clashes in Shillong, Chinai said, "I would say reverse racism is a reaction based on history and past experiences. The average northeasterner I feel is a gentle soul. One needs to stand in their shoes to understand the whole context. To me, it seems like the politicians are working together to create communal tensions, as is so often the case in a riot situation.

The Shillong clashes, whatever nomenclature one might want to give, are not new in nature. Instances of similar clashes are in abundance in the region and Meghalaya is no exception.

The non-tribal outsiders, or dkhar as the Khasis would call them people are drawn from the Bengali, Nepali, Bihari, Marwari, and other communities. The Bengalis were the first victims of the Khasi Students Union (KSU)-led anti-foreigner movement in1979. The strategy of the movement was to combine isolated violence with organised programmes for its larger goal was total ethnic cleansing.

The BN Sharma Commission Report on the 1992 riots stated that the communal carnage that began in 1979 resulted, during the course of the next one-and-a-half decade, in the displacement of more than a thousand, and killing of hundreds of non-tribals in Shillong.

Nagaland was forced to deal with this communal-cum-outsiders fire in 2015 when a Muslim man Syed Farid Khan was lynched by a mob after he was accused of rape. The state had also witnessed one of the longest-running insurgencies in India after the demand for a separate nation started in 1950 through an armed movement. Although there has been relative peace in the state after the signing of the mysterious Nagaland peace accord in 2015 and the ceasefire agreements with the Centre government which get renewed after expiry, the problems at large are far from over.

With the Meghalaya government now seeking Centre's help to contain the violence and restore normalcy, things would slowly calm down but the problems won't cease to exist. The tension between the locals and 'outsiders' is palpable if not obvious as each community would like to exercise their own rights to exist.

Discrimination is not only in Shillong. It is everywhere, it is normal. After a point in time, one tends to ignore it. It is a part and parcel of living in the society, you cant escape it," said the Sikh individual on condition of anonymity.

For now, his "you cant escape it" is the hard truth in Shillong as the Scotland of the East struggles to limp back to a state where nature's beauty is reflected in people's hearts.In view of the incident that triggered tension in Shillong that administration had to enforce a curfew, Meghalaya government has decided to set up a High-Level Committee (HLC). Problem began when a few women from Sweepers' Lane had an altercation with some employees of the Shillong Public Transport Service (SPTS) and it snowballed into a violent confrontation between the two groups.

Shillong: In view of the incident that triggered tension in Shillong that administration had to enforce a curfew, Meghalaya government has decided to set up a High-Level Committee (HLC). Problem began when a few women from Sweepers' Lane had an altercation with some employees of the Shillong Public Transport Service (SPTS) and it snowballed into a violent confrontation between the two groups.

Now, the state government has set up the HLC to find a permanent solution to the long-pending issue of relocation of the residents of Them iew Mawlong (Harijan colony). Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong will head the committee, which will include Home Minister James K Sangma, Urban Affairs Minister Hamletson Dohling, Health and Family Welfare Minister Alexander L Hek, Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh and Chief Executive Member of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Pynshngain N Syiem.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told the media that the urban affairs department has been asked to submit a report regarding various aspects of Sweepers' Colony, such as its history, legal issues, unauthorised occupants etc. He said the department has been asked to furnish the information at the earliest so that the government can take the matter forward.

Also, the chief minister appealed to the agitators again to end their protests as the government was looking to resolve the issue. He noted that the lockdown has affected daily wage labourers, farmers, taxi drivers, hawkers and shopkeepers.

The solution is not on the streets but on the table and we are ready for discussions, he said. When asked whether the standoff was communal in nature or whether there was a political motive behind the unrest, Sangma said it would not be appropriate to comment on this. He said that the police have arrested one person identified as B Misa, who is accused of assaulting the local boys.

The home minister said that the army has conducted a flag march and the situation was tense but under control.

To defuse the tension, the state government held a series of meetings at the secretariat on Monday. All the political parties of the state, heads of various faiths and hawkers' association attended these meetings.

Punjab delegation

Concerned over unverified reports in social media over the current situation in Shillong, a delegation of the Punjab government on Monday met Sangma. According to the delegation, the objective of their visit was to ascertain the ground reality. Punjab Minister for Jail and Cooperation, Sukjinder Randhawa, told presspersons after meeting Sangma that the CM has assured them the government is doing all it can to ensure the safety of the Sikh community in the state.

Also, quoting Sangma, he said there is no truth behind alarmist messages doing rounds on social media about Sikhs facing threat in Shillong.

The author is a Meghalaya-based journalist and and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reportersThe Army on Monday staged a flag march in Meghalaya's capital Shillong as violence continued in tension-hit areas overnight, with mobs indulging in stone-pelting on security forces. Authorities clamped night curfew from 4 pm on Monday to 5 am on Tuesday fearing that the trouble may spread to other parts of the city.

Shillong: The Army on Monday staged a flag march in Meghalaya's capital Shillong as violence continued in tension-hit areas overnight, with mobs indulging in stone-pelting on security forces. Authorities clamped night curfew from 4 pm on Monday to 5 am on Tuesday fearing that the trouble may spread to other parts of the city.

Half an hour before the curfew came into effect, there was a breach of security in the state Secretariat when a group of hawkers comprising of men and women barged in to meet chief minister Conrad Sangma seeking to resolve the ongoing crisis that has affected the vendors. "One Army column marched across Shillong to help bring the situation under control," Director General of Police Swaraj Bir Singh told IANS. "The situation is very tense in (tension-hit areas)," he said. The district authorities suspended Internet on mobile services and banned the illegal sale of petrol and diesel.

On 1 June, the district magistrate imposed curfew in areas under Lumdiengjri police station and Cantonment Beat House in view of the breakdown of law and order in Motphran, Mawkhar and adjoining areas following the 31 May violence involving members of the Punjabi and Khasi communities.

Although the curfew was relaxed for seven hours from 8 am on Sunday, the mob continued to pelt stones at security forces forcing the police to fire tear gas shells. The mob also attacked a prison van, Inspector General of Police H. Nongpluh said.

Chief minister Sangma held several rounds of meetings with leaders of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance coalition government as well as a delegation of leaders from the Punjab government led by Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Senior Congress legislator Charles Pyngrope said: "We have deliberated on the need to relocate the people from the sweeper lane to a location which will not affect anybody."

Emerging from the meeting with various groups, Sangma said that the government had decided to set up a high-level committee headed by deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong to find a permanent solution to the long pending issue of relocation of the sweeper colony.

Meanwhile, Randhawa and his team urged chief minister Sangma to provide protection and safety to the Sikh community and their religious institutions in the state. "We were assured by Chief Minister that the Meghalaya Government is taking all possible measures to ensure the security of the Sikh community in Meghalaya," the Punjab minister said. On the demand to relocate the Sikh people from Sweepers Lane, the Punjab minister said: "It is a local issue and the matter of relocating them is sub-judice".Curfew will be relaxed in 13 tension-hit areas under Lumdiengjri Police Station and Cantonment Beat House located near Iewduh, one of the busiest markets in the northeastern region, from 7 am to 12 noon, and then be reimposed, said Dkhar.

Shillong: Authorities in Shillong on Tuesday decided to briefly relax the curfew in the state capital on Wednesday while internet on mobile telephones remained restricted even as the situation was showing steady improvement.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress demanded setting up of a judicial inquiry into the issue of shifting the Sikh inhabitants from Sweepers Lane, a day after the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government decided to constitute a high level committee to find out a permanent solution to the long-pending issue.

A delegation of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee from Amritsar also opposed the move of the Meghalaya government to re-locate the Sikhs to other parts of the city.

"We have decided not to relax the curfew on Tuesday though the situation in the area is slowly limping back to normalcy. We are keeping a close watch on the situation," Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills district PS Dkhar told IANS.

However, some relaxation will be made on Wednesday, he added.

Curfew will be relaxed in 13 tension-hit areas under Lumdiengjri Police Station and Cantonment Beat House located near Iewduh, one of the busiest markets in the northeastern region, from 7 am to 12 noon, and then be reimposed, said Dkhar.

Night curfew in the Shillong Agglomeration will be relaxed from 6 pm to 5 am with effect from Wednesday.

Two Army columns carried out a third flag march here on Tuesday to help the district administration to bring the situation under control.

Curfew was imposed in some areas on June 1 following violence involving members of the Punjabi and indigenous Khasi communities.

Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma said the government has "failed" to sustain peace in the state and demanded setting up of a judicial inquiry into the issue of shifting the Sikh inhabitants from Sweepers Lane, known to the local people as Them Metor and located in the commercial area of Shillong near Iewduh, one of the busiest markets in the northeastern states.

For more than two decades, several indigenous Khasi civil society groups have demanded from the Meghalaya to re-locate Sikh residents, living there since British times, from Sweepers Lane as most of them are "illegal settlers".

"It is a sad thing that not even completing three months, they (MDA) have messed up everything. Today the name and fame of the state that we have built over the years and put the state among the top tourist destinations, has been adversely affected and this has derail the whole momentum of growth," said the former Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, the SGPC delegation, led by Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, met Home Minister James Sangma and opposed the move of the Meghalaya government to re-locate the Sikhs residing in Sweepers Lane.

"They (Sikh) have been staying there (Sweepers Lane) for 180 years. Therefore, the question of re-locating them from the existing location is not acceptable to us. We would like the government to propose an alternative solution to it.

"There are no illegal settlers in the area. They have been settling for centuries.. Sikhs are everywhere in the world, they have never been relocated whether in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran or Iraq. In fact, the Sikh community are scattered all over the world," he said.

Singh said that the Sikh community living all over the world are ready to fund for construction of multi-storied buildings in the existing location if the Government gives them permission.

"We had in fact requested the Home Minister to allow them to construct beautiful apartments for the Sikhs here. So the question of the Sweeper's Colony of being unhygienic will not remain," he said.

On Monday, the Meghalaya government constituted a high level committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong to examine all relevant records and documents relating to the relocation of the Sweeper Colony, Sweeper Lane, Mawlong Haat and to recommend feasible solutions.The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has extended the date for filling the online application forms for CGL exam 2018 till today (5 June).

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has extended the date for filling the online application forms for Combined Graduate Level examination till today (5 June). To apply for the examination, candidates will have to visit the official website, ssconline.nic.in.

It has come to the notice of the commission that some of the applicants have faced technical problems in filling the online application forms for CGL exam 2018 since today morning (4 June)  the SSC said in a statement.

Keeping in view the inconvenience caused the commission has in the interest of the applicants decided to extend the last date for filling of online application forms for CGL 2018 by a day, i.e. till 5 pm on 5 June, it said.

The candidates are allowed to pay the application fee through the designated branches of State Bank of India till 7 June, provided the challan is generated before 5 pm on 5 June.

To apply for the SSC CGL 2018, candidates can follow these steps:

-Log on to the official website ssconline.nic.in.

-Click on the link to apply for the exam.

-Fill the online registration form.

-Once you are done with application filling, do read all details entered before submitting the form.

-A registration ID and password will be provided. Make a note of it to be able to log in in the future, and download admit card.

-After submission of the registration form, upload your latest colour photograph and signature in .jpg format.

-Fill the application form and make online payment for the fees.

-Once done, take a printout of this application for your own record.

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 by Firstpost. However, this article will continue to be updated to reflect official updates as and when they come in.Congress leader Shashi Tharoor issued a statement on a Delhi court summoning him as an accused in the case related to the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday issued a statement on a Delhi court summoning him as an accused in the case related to the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar.

"I would like to reiterate my position that I find the charges preposterous and baseless, the product of a malicious and vindictive campaign against myself," Tharoor said in the statement, which he posted on Twitter.

My statement on today's news. pic.twitter.com/5zWf4PR9ue  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 5, 2018

He also asked "the media to respect my right to privacy as well as that of my family". In the end, he said that he will not comment on the issue until the next scheduled hearing of the case.

The court has asked Tharoor to appear before it on 7 July, saying there were sufficient grounds to proceed against him.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal took cognisance of Tharoor's alleged offences of abetment of suicide and committing cruelty towards Pushkar.

"I have heard the prosecutor. I have gone through and perused the charge sheet and the documents filed along with it. On the basis of police report (charge sheet), I take cognisance of offence of abetment of suicide of late Sunanda Pushkar and committing cruelty upon her by Dr Shashi Tharoor," the judge said.

"There exists sufficient grounds to proceed against Tharoor for commission of offences of Section 306 and 498 A of IPC. Issue summons to him for appearance for July 7," the court added.

Tharoor's lawyer and senior advocate Vikas Pahwa told reporters immediately after the court pronounced the order that no offence was made out against the Congress leader and the prosecution's case was "absurd and preposterous".

"We shall be asking for a copy of the charge sheet and the documents relied upon by the prosecution. After going through them, we shall decide our further course of action. Dr Tharoor will take all legal remedies available to him in law.

"Since no offences are made out and the prosecution case is absurd, preposterous and contrary to various judgments of the Supreme Court, we shall take appropriate steps to deal with it," Pahwa said.

With inputs from PTITamil Nadu government announced banning use of plastic items, including non-biodegradable bags, from January 2019 in the interest of the environment.

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced banning use of plastic items, including non-biodegradable bags, from January 2019 in the interest of the environment and to "gift a plastic-free" state to future generations.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami's announcement in the state assembly coincided with Internatioanl Environment Day.

Late chief minister J Jayalalithaa had earlier constituted an expert panel on the issue that had suggested banning plastic products, including bags, plates and cups, and recommended that traditional items such as plantain leaves and plates made of palm leaves be used, Palaniswami said.

The chief minister said non-biodegradable plastic products, mainly polythene covers affect the environment, impeding water flow.

Its burning also causes problems, he said, adding that plastic products contributed to various forms of pollution, air, land and water.

"Considering the damage caused by plastic, and to ensure this is not left behind for future generations, the Amma government has decided to ban non-biodegradable plastic covers, plates, cups, water packets, straws and bags," he said.

However, plastic sachets used to pack milk, curd and oil, besides those used to wrap medical products, will be exempted from the ban, Palaniswami said.

The ban is brought under an environment protection act of 1986 and it would come into effect from 1 January, 2019, so as to allow people to change over to using paper bags and other products made out of paper as substitutes to the plastic items facing ban, he said.

Palaniswami recalled that people's participation in the past for a rainwater harvesting scheme introduced by Jayalalithaa had resulted in success, as it had led to better groundwater resources.

"Similarly, with the cooperation and contribution of all, let us gift a plastic-free Tamil Nadu for the future generations of the state," he added.The aboriginal tribes in Adilabad district of Telangana have intensified their protests demanding removal of Lambadas from the list of Scheduled Tribes.

Hyderabad: The aboriginal tribes in Adilabad district of Telangana have intensified their protest since 1 June in support of their demands, including removal of Lambadas from the list of Scheduled Tribes.

Members of the community hoisted black flags atop their houses as part of the protest and not allowing Lambada government employees, including teachers, into their habitats in some places in the district, official sources said on Tuesday.

They have been contending for several years that there has been an increased migration of Lambadas from neighbouring Maharashtra and that the latter benefited more from government schemes in Telangana.

The demands of aboriginal tribes include removing Lambadas from Scheduled Tribes list and taking measures to check the "unchecked" migration of Lambadas into Telangana, the sources said, adding that the issue was being studied by the government.

Adilabad district superintendent of police Vishnu S Varrier told PTI that all measures are being taken to ensure peace and law and order.An Uttar Pradesh panel has recommended simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the state Assemblies, echoing a PM Narendra Modi's own view on the issue.

Lucknow: A panel in Uttar Pradesh has recommended simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the state Assemblies, echoing a suggestion by the Law Commission of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's own view on the issue.

In the first instance, we may have elections to Lok Sabha and state legislative Assemblies to be held simultaneously and subsequent elections to the local bodies should also be joined with them," the report submitted on Tuesday to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath proposed.

The 23-page report was submitted by Uttar Pradesh health minister Sidharth Nath Singh, who headed the seven-member committee constituted by the chief minister.

"Uttar Pradesh is the first state to push Prime Minister's idea of a national debate on holding all elections up to the panchayat together. We have examined it and it is possible," Singh told PTI after handing over the report titled, "One nation, one election and; common electoral rolls."

Adityanath later said, "We are forwarding the report to the Centre, and it will be good in the larger public interest."

He added that to keep the electoral rolls clean, Aadhaar numbers should be linked with the names of voters to eliminate chances of duplication, as suggested by the committee.

Singh, who is also the state government spokesperson, said that as per the prime minister's 'one-nation, one-election' suggestion, the state favoured holding simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assembly.

The report said holding simultaneous elections would involve synchronising the election cycles of various state legislative Assemblies with the Lok Sabha polls and making this synchronisation a permanent feature.

"It is evident that if the terms of state Assemblies are to coincide with that of the Lok Sabha, then, in the first instance, the terms of some of the state Assemblies would have to be curtailed and that of some other Assemblies extended. For this, there has to be a reference date," the report said.

It said the logical date would be the midway point between 4 June, 2019, and 3 June, 2024, which would be in November-December 2021.

"For simplicity and without compromising with the underlying logic, we can take that as 31 December, 2021," it said.

"This proposal would require amendments to the Constitution and statutes, detailed examination of which could be carried out once the principle is agreed upon," the report said.

Local bodies, it said, may join the electoral cycle from 2029 by which time the systems would have become sufficiently evolved to deal with the additional logistical issues.

The committee noted that till 1967, elections to the Lok Sabha and the state Assemblies were held together.

It was only due to the political events around that time that the synchronous electoral cycle was broken and as time progressed, the conduct of elections became more and more disjointed, it said.

On common electoral rolls, the committee said, "The concept is to have the same electoral rolls for elections to Lok Sabha/State Assembly or local bodies.

Once that happens the voter for all elections mentioned above will go to the same place, look up the same serial number, find his name and vote," it said.

Birth and death registers should be computerised and linked to a centralised database so that in the event of death, a person's name is automatically deleted from the rolls, the report said.

Presently, electoral rolls for the Lok Sabha and the state Assembly are prepared under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission while the State Election Commission is responsible for the local bodies.

The Lok Sabha and the Assembly elections are conducted through electronic voting machines (EVMs) while ballot papers are used for the local bodies' elections.The IMD has warned that thunderstorms accompanied by squall and lightning are very likely on Tuesday over Uttarakhand, while dust storm at isolated places is very likely over west Rajasthan

Amid the onset of Southwest Monsoon which is expected to cover the entire country by 10 June, the Indian Meterological Department (IMD) has warned that thunderstorms accompanied by squall and lightning are "very likely" on Tuesday over Uttarakhand.

According to a warning bulletin issued by IMD, dust storm at isolated places is very likely over west Rajasthan, while dust storm or thunderstorm is very likely at isolated places over east Rajasthan. Heat wave conditions are very likely to occur at one or two pockets over West Rajasthan.

Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds and lightning are very likely at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha region, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, central Maharashtra, Marathwada, Konkan region, Goa, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamilnadu, north interior Karnataka and Rayalaseema region (in Andhra Pradesh).

In the North East, heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places in Assam and Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, according to IMD. The other areas where heavy rainfall is very likely on Tuesday are isolated places over Andaman and Nicobar Islands, south Konkan, Goa, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rayalaseema, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Lakshadweep, and Kerala.

According to private weather forecasting agency Skymet Weather, Southwest Monsoon can be expected to further advance into some more parts of Tamil Nadu, Bay of Bengal and northeastern states during the next 24 hours from Monday evening.

Skymet Weather also said that a cyclonic circulation over east Madhya Pradesh and adjoining areas would bring light rains over parts of east Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Marathwada and many parts of Konkan and Goa and south central Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, heat wave conditions have been declared across Kashmir, where the maximum temperature recorded at 34.4 degree Celsius, 8.1 notches above normal on Monday.

"When the maximum temperature is more than four degrees above the normal in the hilly areas, we declare a heat wave in those areas. In Kashmir, it has gone up between 6 and 8 degrees in all recording stations of the Valley," Director of the Meteorological Department Sonam Lotus said.

The director said the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded the hottest day of in 2018 so far at 35 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Lotus said there was no respite in sight from the unusually high temperatures in the Valley over the next few days.

Mercury rose by a few notches in New Delhi on Monday with the maximum temperature settling at 41.7 degrees Celsius. However, the relative humidity in the evening was 62 percent. In Maharashtra's Nashik, five people were killed in two separate rain-related incidents as pre-monsoon showers accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning hit the division over the weekend.

A woman and her three minor daughters were killed when a tree fell on them in Dhule district, while a man died when lightning struck him in Nashik district on Sunday.

Heavy pre-monsoon rains lashed the some tehsils of Nashik district on Saturday and Sunday, causing damage to several houses and crops. Light rains and thunderstorm occurred at isolated places over eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh, while the weather was dry in the western parts, the Met department said, adding that Jhansi was the hottest place in the state at 44.8 degree Celsius.

Intense heat conditions continued in parts of Rajasthan where Sriganganagar was recorded as the hottest place with a maximum of 47 degree Celsius followed by Bikaner which recorded 46.6 degree Celsius.

Punjab and Haryana too continued to reel under severe heat wave conditions with Narnaul being the hottest place in both the states with a maximum temperature of 45 degree Celsius.

The weather agencies have predicted that monsoon will hit Maharashtra and Goa in two days from Monday.

Southwest Monsoon, which brings seasonal rains to the Indian subcontinent, arrived in Kerala on 29 May, three days before its scheduled arrival. IMD officials have already asserted that India is likely to receive a "better monsoon" than it did in 2017.

With inputs from PTIUnion minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday addressed a press conference on Tuesday and said that the Ramzan ceasefire was a decision of the government and they abide by it.

Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday addressed a press conference and said that the Ramzan ceasefire was a decision of the government and they abide by it.

The Ramzan Ceasefire was a govt of India decision and we abide with it: Defence Minister @nsitharaman on #IndoPakCeasefireDeal pic.twitter.com/gvE1gcBBkj  News18 (@CNNnews18) June 5, 2018

When asked if the Ramzan ceasefire was a success, she said that role of the Ministry of Defence is not to assess whether it was a success. "it is our business to guard the border." "We shall be alert that no unprovoked attack goes without us responding. It's our duty to keep India safe," the Union minister added.

MoD's role isn't to asses whether it was successful or not. It's our business to guard the border & we won't stop if we're provoked. We shall be alert that no unprovoked attack goes without us responding. It's our duty to keep India safe: Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pic.twitter.com/VSC4i3cPxZ  ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2018

Sitharaman also "assured" that there was no scam in the rafale deal. "I give you absolute assurance that there was no scam in the rafale deal," she said.

When asked about the deal with Russia over the S-400 missiles, Sitharaman said that it has reached the final stage in negotiations. She further said that in engagements with the US, India has made it clear that India and Russia have a continuous relationship. "It is a time-tested relationship."

The Union minister also said that there is no shortage of defence ammunition. She said that there was a shortage when the NDA came to power in 2014 but today, there is none.Following the election disaster, BJP was catapulted its top leaders in damage-control mode, especially when former allies and a few who still are part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), seem to lose faith in the invincibility of the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo in bagging elections.

The latest by-election debacle in made one thing amply clear  to repeat the 2014 mandate in the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party needs allies. The BJP managed to win just one of the four Lok Sabha seats and one of the 10 Assembly seats where bypolls were held. While the BJP alliance retained two LS seats  one in Maharashtra and another in Nagaland  it lost two others: Uttar Pradesh's Kairana and Maharashtra's Bhandara-Gondiya.

The Uttar Pradesh results came as the biggest upset for the saffron party as the joint Opposition candidate Tabassum Hasan  a Rashtriya Lok Dal candidate contesting on Samajwadi Party ticket  won Kairana. Apart from Uttar Pradesh, bypolls in Maharashtra  Palghar and Bhandara-Gondiya  and Bihar's Jokihat were those being eagerly watched. The results of the two Lok Sabha seats (Palghar and Bhandara-Gondiya) in Maharashtra are important for all four major political parties  BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP  as the outcome is expected have a bearing on their future course. While BJP retained Palghar, NCP wrested power in Bhandara-Gondiya. In Bihar, Nitish Kumar's JD(U), another BJP ally, faced massive defeat in the hands of Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD.

Following the election disaster, BJP was catapulted its top leaders in damage-control mode, especially when former allies and a few who still are part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), seem to lose faith in the invincibility of the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo in bagging elections. The election setbacks emboldened the not-so-happy partners of the NDA who acknowledged that the 2014 sheen of the saffron party is clearly waning.

Soon after the by-election results were announced on 31 May, Shiv Sena attacked the Election Commission and its ally over complaints of malfunctioning of EVMs and VVPAT machines in bypolls. Sena alleged that the ruling party, which, it said, has an "autocratic mindset", has corrupted the EVMs to serve its own purpose.

A miffed Shiv Sena has repeatedly hit out at the BJP for what it calls a high-handed attitude of the NDA leader towards its smaller allies. Opposition's desperation to overthrow BJP from the Centre has reached such a level that Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, after losing the Rajarajeshwari Nagar seat to Congress, said that it doesn't matter whether JD(S) loses, "we wanted to ensure BJP's loss in the constituency."

With a situation as this one in their hand, BJP president Amit Shah has a jam-packed week ahead  he is travelling to Mumbai on Wednesday to meet Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at 6 pm at the latter's residence Matoshree.

Following the embarrassing loss in the Jokihat bypoll, the JD(U) and the BJP have already started pitching for more than 40 seats as part of the seat-sharing formula in Bihar. The JD(U) claimed to be "the big brother in Bihar" and a day later insisted it had "more MLAs than the BJP". JD(U), LJP and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) demanded a decision on which party will contest how many seats in of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, citing lack of coordination in the BJP-led NDA. RLSP chief and Union Minister of State for HRD Upendra Kushwaha said all allies of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) should sit together and finalise the strategy for the polls, including seat sharing, ahead of the 2019 general elections. Expressing concern over repeated defeat of the BJP in bypolls, Kushwaha said there was something wrong. "Taking note of it, NDA should call a meeting to discuss with its allies."

The NDA in Bihar is scheduled to hold a meeting, the first since Nitish Kumar rejoined the coalition, on Thursday. As CNN-News18 report argued that the question at the core of the debate is whether the poor showing of JD(U) in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections  when it was out of NDA  or whether its much-improved showing in the 2015 assembly elections would be a yardstick to decide the number of seats to be given to the JD(U) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Shah met with Food and Civil Supplies Minister Ram Vilas Paswan in New Delhi. BJP hopes that the "grand meeting" of the NDA in Patna will spread a feeling of unity among the allies. Post the by-election debacle, ally restiveness is predominant in crucial states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra, which account for 168 Lok Sabha seats, of which the BJP and its partners won 145 in 2014. The Telegraph reported that central leaders of the saffron party were fearful that more allies might turn difficult "and some may even quit", impairing the pitch ahead of the general election, due next summer.

Meanwhile, reports have claimed that Shah's "outreach programme", which includes seeking support in the forthcoming elections, will see the party president reach out to its Punjab ally Shiromani Akali Dal's Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday.Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said eight to nine MLAs from the JD(S) will be inducted in the first phase of cabinet expansion of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state.

The Karnataka Cabinet expansion swearing-in ceremony has been scheduled for 2 pm on 6 June, 2018. The details of the event have been confirmed by Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, who said the cabinet expansion will take place at 2 pm, Wednesday.

Swearing-in of Karnataka cabinet to take place on Wednesday, 2 PM. #CMKumaraswamy pic.twitter.com/WDIKwqwVTX  News18 (@CNNnews18) June 5, 2018

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said eight to nine MLAs from the JD(S) will be inducted in the first phase of cabinet expansion of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state.

"In the first phase (of the cabinet expansion), eight to nine members (MLAs from JD(S)) will be there (inducted in the cabinet). Two to three vacancies will be there," Kumaraswamy said when asked about the first phase of cabinet expansion.

Kumaraswamy also ruled out any differences among JD(S) MLAs over cabinet berths and allocation of portfolios and said party president HD Deve Gowda has been given total freedom on the next phase of cabinet expansion.

"There are no differences at all among our MLAs (over cabinet berths and portfolio allocations). Actually they have given total freedom to the national president to select the future cabinet," he told reporters.

Kumaraswamy also said the national president has advised all

MLAs about giving good governance with their cooperation.

"On Tuesday, we had a meeting with our MLAs. Our national president advised all MLAs to cooperate with the cabinet for developing the state and providing good governance," he said.

As per the coalition agreement on 1 June, Congress was allocated 22 ministerial berths and 12 to JD(S).

Congress were allocated home, irrigation, health, agriculture and women child welfare ministries, while JD(S) got finance and excise, public works department, education, tourism and transport ministries.

Both parties also agreed on setting up of coordination and monitoring committee to oversee smooth functioning of the coalition.

The committee will be led by senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, while JD(S)' Danish Ali will work as its convenor.

Meanwhile, ahead of the cabinet expansion on Wednesday, Congress leaders from the state are likely to visit New Delhi to discuss the list of ministers and portfolio allocation with the party high command.

With inputs from agencies.Dynasticism has been prevalent in Indian politics right from first Lok Sabha. It is neither recent nor restricted to any particular party like Congress.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently run down the Congress party by asserting that it is controlled by a single family, which in parts is not absolutely incorrect. In the fiery Karnataka campaign, Modi said that while he was a kaamdaar leader, the Congress president, Rahul Gandhi was a naamdar person.

At another rally, the prime minister claimed the rise in support for his party was due to "end of dynasty politics" and "rise of 'parishramwadi' or hard work-oriented politics". Other leaders, right from party president Amit Shah  who has listed ending dynasticism as one of his party's achievements  have also made similar statements repetitively.

Paradoxically, however, most of Modi's recent electoral woes have come from not-so-often-targeted dynasts and to boot, none of who are from the Congress party. Moreover, in at least two instances where the Bharatiya Janata Party has been humbled, its own counter, too, has been a dynast. Take for instance the latest round of bypolls for four Lok Sabha and ten Assembly seats in nine states.

The BJP's troubles were due to three dynasts from non-Congress parties  Akhilesh Yadav, Jayant Chaudhary and the latest entrant, Tejashwi Yadav, whose father's conviction has heralded his political arrival. While the two Yadav scions are second generation dynasts, Chaudhary is the third in the dynasty 'founded' by Charan Singh.

To meet the Kairana challenge, the BJP too entered a dynast in the fray  Mriganka Singh, daughter of Hukum Singh, the lawmaker whose death necessitated the bypoll. She was earlier inducted into politics and unofficially declared heir apparent in 2017 when she unsuccessfully contested as BJP candidate in the Assembly elections.

The BJP's candidate in Noorpur Assembly seat in Bijnore, Avani Singh, although not being a dynast in the classical sense, was nonetheless the widow of party MLA Lokendra Singh, who died in a road accident in February which necessitated the bypoll.

In the Karnataka elections, the BJP's failure to form the government despite being the single-largest party was also greatly due to another dynast playing the spoiler and aligning with the Congress despite being the third-largest party, HD Kumaraswamy. BY Raghavendra, elder son of BJP's BS Yeddyurappa who failed to muster support and resigned before the trust vote, too is a dynast in the making, having already been a member of the state Assembly before being denied a nomination this time.

In previous bypolls this year too, the BJP suffered reverses because of another dynast's consistent efforts at mass mobilisation in Rajasthan  Sachin Pilot. Besides the Modi-Shah duo, the defeat of the BJP in the bypolls for two Lok Sabha and one Assembly seat in Rajasthan in February, also spelt political trouble for another BJP dynast, Vasundhara Raje, daughter of BJP's late matriarch Vijaya Raje Scindia. Her other daughter, Yashodhara, remains a minister in the BJP government in Madha Pradesh.

Political dynasticism is not unique to the Congress. Even within the Grand Old Party, there are dynasts in almost every state. There is also virtually no state where the phenomenon of political dynasties is absent. With Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah ranged against each other in Jammu and Kashmir and the state of Tamil Nadu witnessing dynasts in Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Pattali Makkal Katchi, the proverbial Kashmir-to-Kanya Kumari line is dotted with political dynasts.

Currently, the BJP is dependent on several allies that are led by dynasts. In Punjab, Sukhbir Badal has long taken absolute control of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Despite the awkward relationship with the BJP, Shiv Sena still remains a partner in the union government and Uddhav Thackeray cemented his position despite being a late entrant in politics purely because the son prevailed over the nephew.

In Bihar, Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party remains a significant ally and dynast Chirag Paswan is being groomed for eventual takeover. Anurag Thakur in Himachal Pradesh and son of former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is another dynast, although the father-son duo is currently on the downswing. Even in Modi's home state, Jayesh Radadiya, who is the son of Lok Sabha member Vitthalbhai Radadiya, is a minister in the BJP government.

In Meghalaya too, the BJP is a partner in a government headed by dynast Conrad Sangma. N Chandrababu Naidu, who recently quit the National Democratic Alliance in a huff, too, can be considered a dynast as his rise in politics initially was greatly due to father-in-law NT Rama Rao, although they were estranged later and Naidu rebelled to chalk his own path. In Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh too, the BJP admitted the siblings, Vijay Bahuguna and Rita Bahuguna Joshi, children of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna.

Barring the odd one in a state or two, almost every regional party has the dynastic principle determining successions. Many of them were in fact carved out of bigger parties because the patriarch wished to establish a family 'political enterprise' in a country where politics is a profession and mainstay.

Yet, BJP leaders are continuing to claim that the party's four years of rule at the Centre has wrecked dynasticism by citing the number of states where the Congress has lost power and there is no knowing when statements like Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu saying "dynasty is nasty but tasty to some people" are recycled by other leaders.

So far, the Congress has been defensive on the charge of dynasts being the pivot of the party but with its new-found aggression, there is no knowing when this line of attack begins ricocheting on the BJP. The truth is that almost every political party, barring communists and other ideologically driven ones, have cultivated dynasties.

It must be mentioned that the Jana Sangh initially did not witness the spectre of dynasticism. This was true about the BJP also as long as it remained a marginal party. But once it expanded, inducting people outside the tight ideological fold, it began inducting sons and daughters of senior leaders.

Perhaps the most notable instance of a father following the son's path is Piyush Goyal, who succeeded his father as treasurer. There are several others like Jayant Sinha, Poonam Mahajan and Pankaja Munde who followed their fathers into the party. Even the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has 'families' right at the top of the hierarchy.

Dynasticism has been prevalent in Indian politics from the first Lok Sabha when, according to an ongoing study by Romain Carlevan, a doctoral scholar in Hong Kong University, almost 10 percent of MPs from north India were scions of princely states, then the biggest source of dynasticism besides of course instances like Jawaharlal Nehru.

Since then, the number of dynasts has increased in Parliament but the growth has not been "linear and uninterrupted: significantly, the number of heirs in Lok Sabha declined sharply both in 1977 and 1989".

Writer, Patrick French and political scientist Kanchan Chandra, too, have researched the subject and reached similar conclusions: dynasticism in Indian politics is neither of recent origin nor restricted to any particular party.

In the fifteenth Lok Sabha, 30 percent of members followed a family member into the House. This was reduced somewhat in the present House although this number, at 22 percent, still remains significantly high for it means almost every fifth MP is a politician descendant. Significantly, the BJP accounts for 44.4 percent of all heirs elected to Lok Sabha in 2014, a fact which raises questions on the party's claim of eliminating dynasties.

Importantly, 'connections' play a vital role in Indian society, politics included, and this is evident in the continuing emergence of new political families, Hukum Singh's for instance if Mriganka Singh continues in politics and rises within the BJP.

Modi's and his party leaders' attempts to delegitimise the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi politics has paid dividends so far. But, there is no knowing if, with the growing universalisation of political dynasties, this line of campaigning will stop bearing fruit.BJP chief Amit Shah would call on Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence, days after the allies contested Palghar bypoll separately.

Mumbai: Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah would call on Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence in Mumbai on Wednesday, a move which comes days after the bickering allies contested the Palghar bypoll separately.

The move is also being seen as an attempt by the BJP to reach out the ally which has openly criticised senior BJP leaders.

"Amit Shah sought time to meet Uddhavji. Accordingly, an appointment of Wednesday evening has been given to him," Sena MP Sanjay Raut told PTI.

He, however, questioned the need for Shah to meet Thackeray after a gap of four years.

"We showed that we can fight alone when we contested the Palghar bypoll. We may have lost, however, the message has been sent across. We received lakhs of votes (in Palghar) where we had never contested an election," Raut pointed out while talking to reporters in Mumbai.

In the 28 May Lok Sabha bypoll, the Sena candidate, Shrinivas Wanaga, secured 2,43,210 votes but lost to BJP's Rajendra Gavitt by a margin of 29,572 votes.

Raut said NDA allies were one after the other deserting the BJP.

There was angst against the BJP, thus the party might have started a reconciliatory measure, he said.

Asked if the Sena will continue with its stand of going solo in all the forthcoming elections, Raut said party chief Thackeray had taken a call on not forging an alliance after due considerations.

"This decision was taken keeping people's sentiments in mind. I don't think there will be any change in this stand," the Rajya Sabha member said.Congress lodged a formal complaint alleging violations of the Model Code of Conduct by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the 28 May Palghar bypoll.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress on Tuesday lodged a formal complaint alleging violations of the Model Code of Conduct by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the 28 May Lok Sabha by-elections in Palghar.

A three-page plea has been submitted to Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat in the Election Commission (EC) headquaters in New Delhi, said Sachin Sawant, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson.

It details various instances whereby Fadnavis allegedly violated the Model Code of Conduct in force during the election, making announcements of various schemes, missing voters names and other discrepancies.

The plea has been sent in the name of the defeated Congress candidate in Palghar, Damodar Shingada, ex-Member of Parliament, demanding strong action against Fadnavis and other concerned officials.

Shingada pointed out that during the election, the Congress complained to the Returning Officers several times regarding these violations but no action was taken against them by the Election Commission.

Shingada highlighted Fadnavis' announcements promising waiver of khavati loans and disbursal of new khavati loans for tribals, a new medical college in Palghar, excluding 29 villages from the jurisdiction of Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation.

Then came Fadnavis' hugely controversial statements exhorting BJP workers to use "Saam Daam, Dand Bhed" to win Palghar elections at any cost, which Shingada described as a threat to 'the people and opposition parties', the instances of BJP workers caught distributing cash at the behest of local district party chief, and violation of the Rs 70 lakh spending limit by the winning BJP candidate Rajendra Gavit.

The plea also pointed out how a large number of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), 282 in Palghar and 250 in Bhandara-Gondiya were down due to technical glitches for hours, the shocking instance of two Election Officers transporting the EVMs post-polling in a private car and names of many voters missing in Palghar.

The Congress complaint came six days after the Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray termed the Palghar Lok Sabha bypolls "a farce".

On 31 May, Thackeray had charged that large-scale manipulations were carried out in the EVMs with the knowledge of the Election Commission officials.BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Monday said the party would move the Calcutta High Court, and if needed the Supreme Court, to unearth the truth behind the deaths of two party workers in Purulia district.

Midnapore: BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Monday said the party would move the Calcutta High Court, and if needed the Supreme Court, to unearth the truth behind the deaths of two party workers in Purulia district.

The senior BJP leader was addressing a gathering at Maguria under Daspur police station area in West Midnapore district where three local leaders and panchayat members of the CPM and another leader from the Trinamool Congress joined the party. Two independent panchayat members also joined the BJP in presence of Vijayvargiya.

"We will soon move the high court, and the Supreme Court if needed, to know the truth behind the murders of two party workers in Purulia district," he said.

The two were found hanging in the district, where the BJP fared comparatively well in the recently held panchayat election, on 30 May and 2 June.

The BJP leader alleged the two were murdered because of instigation by senior Trinamool Congress leaders. The TMC leaders had denied any involvement of the party in the two deaths.

The police claimed that the second incident was a case of suicide.Nimish Sawant

The first hint was the absence of the Facebook app from the wall of apps that was splashed on the display screen, as the media made its way into the San Jose McEnery Convention Centre for the Apple WWDC keynote address by CEO Tim Cook. There were a lot of apps absent from that wall, but Facebook was conspicuous by its absence, considering just how popular it is.

After the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data scandal broke, amidst everything else, there definitely was a battle of words between the CEOs of Apple and Facebook. Tim Cook gave a point-blank answer when he was asked how he would've handled the Cambridge Analytica situation. Cook stated that, he would never be in such a situation in the first place. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg called this response extremely glib.

On the first day of WWDC 2018, Apple took another jab at Facebook as it announced some of its new Intelligent Tracking Prevention features which will be bundled in the next version of the Safari browser on macOS Mojave as well as iOS 12. This feature of Safari will let it block any tracking by social media sites which have their Like or Share buttons along with Comment widgets. These widgets aren't as benign as they seem and their very presence is enough for the likes of Facebook to track your activities.

Every time a website is trying to track you on Safari, you will be notified and asked whether you want to give that permission.

While presenting the new Safari features, Craig Federighi, senior VP for Software Engineering said, We have all seen the Like buttons and Share buttons, and these Comment fields. Well, it turns out, these can be used to track you, whether you click on them or not. And so this year, we are shutting that down.

He then showed a pop-up bubble which will show up asking for your permission every time Safari browser detects any tracking app trying to access your cookie information.

The pop-up message read: "Do you want to allow 'facebook.com' to use cookies and website data while browsing 'blabbermouth.net'? This will allow 'facebook.com' to track your activity."

The site, which was found to be harvesting our data, was Facebook. Of course, this could have been any other site for demo purposes, but instead, Apple went to the extent of naming Facebook. In the ongoing anti-Facebook atmosphere, a callout by a company of Apples stature is telling. The fact that Apple, unlike Google, Facebook and Microsoft, isn't reliant on selling us ads to make money should make this all the more irksome for Facebook.

Apple's announcement did, at least, rub Facebooks chief security officer, Alex Stamos, the wrong way. In a response to a tweet, he said that if Apple was indeed serious about preventing tracking, it should disable all third party javascript and pixels. This was later followed by a Twitter argument on Apple's alleged monopoly in the browser space. With an overall share of about 14 percent to Chrome's 58 percent, it's hard to see the relevance of the argument.

The other interesting feature pertaining to browser security was to do with preventing intelligent tracking using a process called browser fingerprinting.

Now in addition to cookies, there is another method called Fingerprinting which helps data companies identify your device or you as an individual when you are browsing the web, based on certain key aspects. These include device configuration, its fonts, and the plugins that you might have on the device. These parameters let data companies draw patterns to enable them to track you and your device.

With Mojave, we are making it much harder for trackers to create unique browser fingerprints. We are presenting web pages with simplified configurations. We show them only built-in fonts. And legacy plug-ins are no longer supported, so they cant contribute to a fingerprint. As a result, your Mac will look like everyone elses Mac, said Federighi. What this means is that data companies will not be able to identify your devices, and it will be difficult for them to present you with targeted ads.

These two tracking related features come at a time when the discussions around user data privacy have become increasingly mainstream. Of course, given Safari's limited market share, compared to Chrome, it's not like Facebook will miss out on too much data.

I do wonder what loophole Facebook will find next to exploit, though.

Disclaimer: The correspondent was invited by Apple India to California for WWDC 2018. All his travel and lodging expenses were taken care of by Apple India.tech2 News Staff

Ever heard of a laptop which has a whole display instead of the trackpad? Project Linda by Razor is the closest example of this, but with Linda, Razer was offering a phone that could double as a laptop. Asus, however, has gone and built a laptop with an integrated display panel in the place of a touchpad.

The Asus ZenBook Pro 15, unveiled at Computex 2018, comes with 5.5-inch 1080p IPS display below the keyboard where, under normal circumstances, we might find a trackpad. The touchscreen display is set to be customizable according to what application you are using on the laptop, kind of like the touch bar on the new MacBook Pro, but better because it's adding functionality rather than replacing a perfectly functional mode of interaction.

As per a report by Gizmodo, if you were to be playing music on your laptop, you could quite easily see a visualizer pop up on the screen pad. The 'ScreenPad' can also play YouTube videos via an extension or you can browse on Chrome. It seems to be one of those things which you don't actually need but really want. Obviously, the ScreenPad also functions as a regular trackpad.

The hardware on the laptop is impressive as there exists a variant of the laptop which has an 8th-Gen i9 8950HK CPU, up to 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD storage. Asus ZenBook Pro 15 also has a variant which supports 4K. There are other variants which have 8th-Gen i5 and i7 processors as well. In terms of graphics, the laptop supports a 4 GB of Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti. Other connectivity options for the phone include 2x USB Type-A ports, 2x USB 3.1 ports, 1x Thunderbolt type-C port, 1x HDMI port and a micro-SD card reader

Superb specs come with a hefty price tag and the ZenBook Pro 15 is no different. The laptop comes at a starting price of $2,299 and with all the options for customisation, the price can only go up. The laptop is said to launch in mid-July and there is no word on when this laptop will make its way to India. Hopefully, that launch will happen very soon.tech2 News Staff

Google has finally announced a standalone app version of Lens. It is a tool powered by machine learning, that identifies objects captured by a phones camera.

If you do not already know what it is, Google Lens can identify a number of items that we use or come across on a daily basis, and then tell you more about these objects.

For example, if you were to point the phone camera towards a monument like The Gateway of India, Lens will give you more details about it. Once you open the app, it brings you to a viewfinder. Here, Lens looks to identify nearby objects and then provide you with information.

Googles Lens, up until now, was a service available to users only inside Googles Assistant and the Google Photos app.

Earlier, Google did mention that Lens will be built into the default camera apps on supported devices from LG, Motorola, Xiaomi, Sony Mobile, HMD/Nokia, Transsion, TCL, OnePlus, BQ, Asus, and of course the Google Pixel.

There aren't any new features in the app though, it works the same way it used to. The only difference is that you have a standalone app now.

Previously, Lens was exclusive to the Pixels, but Google started rolling Lens out widely a few weeks ago.

On Google Play, the app says it requires Android Marshmallow and above. If you want to get the standalone app, it's in the Play Store. However, currently, not many users are able to access the feature.tech2 News Staff

While Lenovo VP Chang Cheng kept Weibo users entertained (the smartphone world in baited breath) for weeks teasing a smartphone with hardware specifications and figures that were hard to believe keeping the currently available smartphone technology in mind. Well, the Lenovo Z5 was launched today and it is anything but that.

According the Lenovo China website, the brand has announced its much talked about Z5 flagship in China and it looks nothing like those bezel-less renders teased by brand.

While the vice presidents teaser posts on Weibo may have been misunderstood (or a case of bad translations) the images teased along with those posts showcased a bezel-less design, without a display notch, something that has been plaguing Android smartphones this year. The VP also teased a 45 day battery life along with 4 TB of internal storage and a dual camera setup with a portrait mode as well.

In contrast, the smartphone launched in China today, did not look anything close to teased renders. The device packs in bezel less design with the renders showing thin bezels along the sides. The top of the device features the usual display notch and bottom a thin chin, similar to what we have seen from the rest of the Chinese smartphone manufacturers this year. Clearly, Lenovo has a lot of questions to answer about misleading fans to believe that they were going to launch, what appeared to be a completely bezel-less smartphone.

Moving to the specifications, they are nothing impressive either. The smartphone features a 6.2-inch 1080p display with notch that is reportedly thinner than those found on the Apple iPhone X and the recently launched Xiaomi Mi 8.

Inside, there is an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC coupled with 6 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage. The company also announced a second variant with 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage.

What is impressive, is the price that is set at CNY 1,299 for the 64 GB model and CNY 1,799 for the 128 GB storage model.

The smartphone finally announced, its clear that OnePlus still retains its bragging rights when it comes to hardware specifications.

That is until Vivo announces the production version of its bezel-less Apex concept smartphone. The device got plenty of attention when showcased at the Mobile World Congress in Spain earlier this year. Its highlight was the almost bezel-less design with not notch and a tiny chin at the bottom. The selfie camera is motorized and pop up from the top side of the smartphone when activated. Once switched off, the camera retracts into the body making it look ultra-cool. The Vivo Apex is expected to be launched as the Vivo Nex and according to the current set of rumours will be launched in two variants.Nimish Sawant

After achieving market leadership in the smartphone world, Qualcomm now wants to make laptops and 2-in-1 devices sexy again. We had seen a glimpse of that in December last year, when alongside the announcement of the current gen smartphone flagship chipset  the Snapdragon 845, Qualcomm also showcased some laptops running Windows 10, which were based on the Snapdragon 835 platform.

That promise of Always-On, Always-Connected PC is impressive to say the least, and Qualcomm wants to build up on that. The Snapdragon 835-powered PCs we saw last year were definitely intriguing, but didn't really have the grunt to shake up the laptop space. The 850 aims to change that.

The Snapdragon 850 platform is specifically targeted at small form factor, thin laptops. The Snapdragon 850 takes a lot of the same architectural elements from the current flagship Snapdragon 845, but it has been specifically optimised for the mobile desktop and PC platform experiences.

Coming to the technical aspects, the Snapdragon 850 chipset houses 8x Qualcomm Kryo 385 processors (based on Cortex A75) reaching up to 2.96 GHz, along with a Snapdragon X20 LTE modem, Adreno 630 Visual Processing Unit, Spectra 280 image processor, Qualcomm Mobile security solutions and a Hexagon 685 vector processing units, among other components.

Essentially, the chip is designed to run faster and hotter than it does on a mobile device, giving it a significant performance edge over smartphones, performance that will be very welcome in a laptop.

Qualcomm wants to focus on offering an always on, always connected experience which it is using as its USP against the current x86 chip based laptops, which are powered by Intel or AMD processors. x86 refers to the design of the chips. To put it simply, x86 chips are more powerful and versatile, but they also consume a lot of power relative to an ARM-based design like the Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips.

In terms of improvements over the Snapdragon 835 mobile PC platform, the table below enlists some added advantages. The main focus seems to be on offering Gigabit LTE speeds so that even on the edge network you are able to get great upload and download speeds. With the Snapdragon 850 and partnering with Microsoft Machine Learning SDK, Qualcomm wants to ensure that Microsofts ML SDK is able to capitalise on all the hardware prowess offered by the Snapdragon 850 system on chip. A lot of the the AI experiences will be hardware accelerated as well.

Qualcomm also wants the multimedia experience to be richer and to that extent, it will not only support UltraHD Premium (4K HDR) playback, but there is also enough processing power for capturing video at that quality.

Apart from the initial launch partners such as Asus, HP and Dell, Qualcomm is expected to add more OEMs to the Snapdragon 850 Mobile PC platform program. A lot of the OEMs are most likely to announce their take on the Snapdragon 850 at the ongoing Computex event in Taiwan. While working prototypes from OEMs will be seen at Computex, Qualcomm said that commercial products would start selling in the holiday season towards the end of the year.AFP

San Francisco: The US state of Washington announced on Monday that it was suing Google and Facebook for not abiding by local law requirements regarding keeping records of political ads and their backers.

Campaign finance laws in the state call on ad sellers to keep track of who is behind ads and how much is spent, and make the information available to the public, Washington attorney general Bob Ferguson said in a release.

Suits filed in state court accuse Facebook and Google of failing to meet these obligations since the year 2013. "Washington's political advertising disclosure laws apply to everyone, whether you are a small-town newspaper or a large corporation," Ferguson added in the release.

In the last decade, Washington candidates and political committees reported about $3.4 million in payments to Facebook and $1.5 million to Google related to advertising, according to the state attorney general.

Google and Facebook dominate the market for online advertising and both internet firms are currently dealing with criticism and concerns about online platforms being used to spread division and misinformation with the potential to sway elections.

Facebook last month said it began implementing a policy requiring labeling and verification of identities of those paying for political messages. The move came in response to criticism over Facebook's role in allowing disinformation to spread during the 2016 US election, in many cases with the help of automated "bots" or disguised Russian-based accounts.

Facebook said its new political ads policy had been implemented in the United States on Facebook and Instagram and that it intended to implement the same policy worldwide in the coming months.

"The tools we are introducing set a new standard for transparency in digital advertising," Facebook director of product management Rob Leathern said in response to an AFP inquiry. "Attorney General Ferguson has raised important questions and we look forward to resolving this matter with his office quickly."

In an email to AFP, a Google official wrote: "We are committed to transparency and disclosure in political advertising. We are currently reviewing the complaint and will be engaging with the Attorney General's office."In what promises to be a day of drama lasting well into the evening, the House of Commons will decide on 12 June whether to retain or reject the 15 amendments made by the House of Lords to a landmark Brexit bill.

London: British MPs will hold a string of key votes on Brexit during a single day next week, the government revealed on Tuesday, warning rebels not to use the opportunity to challenge its European Union (EU) strategy. In what promises to be a day of drama lasting well into the evening, the House of Commons will decide on 12 June whether to retain or reject the 15 amendments made by the House of Lords to a landmark Brexit bill.

Among the changes, the government will be seeking to overturn, include one giving parliament the right to decide what happens if Britain fails to agree to terms of its withdrawal with the European Union. Other amendments to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill would keep Britain's economy closely aligned to the bloc, contrary to Prime Minister Theresa May's policy to leave both the EU's single market and customs union.

Chief whip Julian Smith, who is in charge of enforcing parliamentary discipline in May's Conservative party, wrote to MPs setting out the date for the votes  and warning would-be rebels. He said he looked forward to working with them to deliver a bill "that reflects both the referendum result (to leave the EU) and the Conservative party manifesto we all stood on last year". May had been accused of delaying debate of the Lords amendments for fear of defeat by a handful of Conservative rebels and opposition MPs, who together may be able to overturn her slim Commons majority.

She drew condemnation on Monday for squeezing more than a dozen amendments passed over weeks in the Lords into one frenzied day in the lower chamber. "This government is really taking the piss  and treating the British people with contempt", said Green MP Caroline Lucas on Twitter. "We wait weeks and weeks, and then they force the whole bill through in one session. And they call themselves Democrats". The main opposition Labour party has said it will back 14 of the 15 Lords amendments to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, which sets the legal framework for Brexit.By John Irish PARIS (Reuters) - Almost 30 aid groups wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday evening threatening to shun a conference on Yemen co-chaired by Saudi Arabia, one of the warring parties, unless France as host ensured its aims were purely humanitarian, not political.

By John Irish

PARIS (Reuters) - Almost 30 aid groups wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday evening threatening to shun a conference on Yemen co-chaired by Saudi Arabia, one of the warring parties, unless France as host ensured its aims were purely humanitarian, not political.

France earlier confirmed that the gathering of countries and international organisations would take place on June 27 in Paris to address the "urgent humanitarian situation".

A Saudi-led coalition backed by the West has been carrying out air strikes against the Iran-aligned Houthis since 2015 in a war to restore the internationally recognised government.

Since then, more than 10,000 people have been killed, 3 million driven from their homes and more than 8 million left severely short of food, in what the United Nations says is the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Coalition-backed troops have now advanced to within 10 km (6 miles) of the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, which has a population of 400,000 and handles the bulk of Yemen's aid supplies, raising fears of a major battle that could shut the port and exacerbate the crisis.

"We are concerned about the credibility of a humanitarian event on Yemen co-hosted by Saudi Arabia, one of the parties to the conflict," said the letter, seen by Reuters, from 27 aid groups including Oxfam, Christian Aid and the Norwegian Refugee Council.

They said they would not support the meeting unless France, as the convener, ensured "all parties to the conflict participate and engage in good faith, guided by the sole objective of alleviating the suffering of Yemenis".

Macron has sought to position himself as a mediator in conflicts as far away as Libya and Lebanon as he looks to fill a void left by the United States and other leading Western powers.

Paris provides weapons, training and intelligence to the Saudi-led coalition. Its Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the meeting, which Saudi Arabia would co-chair, would discuss the difficulties in getting aid to the population, including the situation at Hodeidah.

It is unclear how this might fit into U.N. mediator Martin Griffiths' efforts. He said in April he wanted to present a plan for negotiations within two months to end the conflict, but that any new military offensives could "take peace off the table".

The NGOs said a conference that did not "set down strict and clear conditions and outcomes" might only embolden the warring parties at a time when restraint was needed.

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.To borrow a phrase from Abraham Lincoln, as the 45th President of the United States, Trump is 'clothed in immense power'.

On Monday, US president Donald Trump took to Twitter and claimed he had the "absolute right" to pardon himself.

As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong? In the meantime, the never ending Witch Hunt, led by 13 very Angry and Conflicted Democrats (& others) continues into the mid-terms!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2018

Even as Trump and his lawyers are seeking to expand the limits of the president's authority in the face of the Russia probe, there can be no doubt about one fact: To borrow a phrase from Abraham Lincoln, as the 45th President of the United States, Trump is "clothed in immense power".

Executive powers: Commander-in-chief

According to WhiteHouse.gov, the power of the Executive Branch (one of the three branches of the US government), is vested in the President of the United States, who also acts as Head of State and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

The president is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and, to that end, appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the cabinet, according to the website.

Executive orders, presidential memoranda and proclamations

But the US president need not wait for Congress to take action. He also has the power of the presidential pen, through which he can affect change through executive orders, presidential memorandums and proclamations.

An executive order is a legally-binding directive issued by the president to government officials and agencies which cannot be overturned by Congress, according to a report in Sky News. But executive orders are subject to judicial review.

In January 2017, Trump famously signed an executive order banning refugees from war-torn Syria indefinitely, suspending the broader US refugee admissions programme for 120 days, and halting all visa applications from countries deemed a terrorist threat  Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen  for 30 days.

Presidential scholar Phillip Cooper, in his book By Order of the President: The Use and Abuse of Executive Direct Action, has described presidential memoranda as "executive orders by a another name", according to a report in USA Today. However, there are also key differences between executive orders and memoranda: Executive orders are numbered; memoranda are not.

Memoranda are always published in the federal register after proclamations and executive orders. And under Executive Order 11030, signed by President Kennedy in 1962, an executive order must contain a "citation of authority," saying what law it's based on while memoranda have no such requirement, according to the report.

Presidential proclamations are the oldest form of presidential directive and the most sweeping. They're often directed at citizens  not just government officials  and may call on them to take a specific action, according to the USA Today report.

In April 2018, Trump signed a proclamation directing the deployment of the National Guard to the US-Mexico border to fight illegal immigration. The lawlessness that continues at our southern border is fundamentally incompatible with the safety, security, and sovereignty of the American people, Trump wrote in a memo authorising the move, adding that his administration had no choice but to act.

The pardon

The power of the pardon is granted to the US president under Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution: The president  shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment. The presidents power can only be used to pardon someone for a federal crime, not a state one, according to a report in PBS.

In August 2017, Donald Trump used the presidential power of the pardon for the first time for Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He recently pardoned firebrand conservative commentator Dinesh D'souza and is considering using his power to commute the sentences of Martha Stewart and disgraced former Illnois governor Rod Blagojevich.

Can a president pardon himself? No, but...

Trump and his lawyers, in a memo sent to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, have argued that he could not have possibly obstructed justice because he is America's chief law enforcement officer and oversees the Justice Department and the executive.

While constitutional scholars say that the issue of a president pardoning himself remains unresolved, a 1974 opinion from the Justice Departments Office of Legal Opinion maintains that presidents cannot pardon themselves under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case.

While that question has never been tested before the countrys highest court, Trump might well become the first sitting US president to test that theory. The opinion does say that if a president were to declare himself temporarily unable to remain in office, the vice-president could take over as acting president and pardon the president.

Impeachment, the exception to the pardon

There is one notable exception to a presidents pardoning powers Trump hasn't mentioned: Impeachment. Under the US system of checks and balances, Congress can hold presidents accountable by ousting them using impeachment trials.

Only two presidents have been impeached by the House, although both were acquitted by the Senate: Johnson in 1868 after he clashed with Congress over reconstruction of the South and Bill Clinton in 1998 on charges of lying under oath and obstructing justice concerning his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Nixon famously avoided impeachment by resigning before the House could vote.

Trump retains his pardoning powers up until a possible impeachment. And considering that impeachment trials tend to be wildly partisan affairs, it is unlikely Trump would be ousted so long as the GOP still controls the House and Senate.

With inputs from APNabeel Rajab, a leader in protests against the Gulf state's Sunni monarchy, was convicted of offending the state, 'deliberately disseminating ... malicious news'

Dubai: A Bahraini appeals court on Tuesday upheld a five-year jail sentence in a case against high-profile activist Nabeel Rajab linked to social media, a rights group and family member said.

Rajab, a leading figure in 2011 protests against the Gulf state's Sunni-minority monarchy, was convicted of insulting the state, "deliberately disseminating ... false or malicious news" and "publicly offending a foreign country", a reference to Saudi Arabia.

The charges are linked to tweets and retweets made via Rajab's account and critical of the Saudi-led coalition, including Bahrain, fighting in Yemen in support of its beleaguered government since 2015. He also tweeted criticism of the Bahraini government's treatment of prisoners.

Tuesday's verdict, reported by the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy and confirmed to AFP by a family member of Rajab, can still be appealed at Bahrain's Court of Cassation, its highest court.

Bahrain, a Shiite-majority country located between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been ruled for more than two centuries by the Al-Khalifa dynasty.

Authorities have jailed dozens of high-profile activists and disbanded both religious and secular opposition groups since protests demanding political change erupted in 2011. They have stripped hundreds of those convicted of their citizenship, leaving many stateless. The Bahraini government has accused Iranian authorities of backing the protest movement in a bid to overthrow it. Tehran denies involvement.

Amnesty International has categorised Rajab as a prisoner of conscience, and leading rights groups around the world have condemned his trials as an attack on freedom of expression. Rajab is already serving a two-year sentence for "disseminating rumours and false information" in television interviews critical of the government. He has served multiple stints in prison since 2012, all linked to his role in the protests.

Bahrain, playing a key military role in the Gulf, is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and a British military base. US President Donald Trump has eased restrictions on arms sales to Bahrain since taking office in January last year.Pakistan Peoples Party is fighting for its electoral relevance and to preserve its legacy, weeks before the country heads to the polls.

Islamabad: Pakistans only major left-leaning political party is fighting for its electoral relevance and to preserve the legacy of the countrys best-known political dynasty weeks before the country heads to the polls.

In his first election campaign, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the scion of the storied Bhutto family who now heads the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), is attempting to recapture the support his mother, two-time former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, enjoyed on her return from exile in 2007, before she was assassinated on the campaign trail.

Party leaders insist the 29-year-old Bhutto, Oxford-educated like his mother and grandfather, brings a fresh new appeal to the party as it attempts to revive its waning fortunes in a general election called for 25 July.

With Bilawal in the frontline of our campaign we hope to see a huge swathe of young people join us in our journey to turn back the tide of extremism, misgovernance and anti-democratic trends, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman told Reuters.

Whether his father, former President Asif Ali Zardari, will be an asset or an obstacle in that effort remains a source of keen debate in Islamabad.

Some analysts and party insiders say Zardaris tainted image, the result of numerous corruption allegations, could cost the party at the polls, where it will contrast with opposition rival Imran Khans relentless anti-graft message.

On the other hand, the most likely route back to power could be a post-election alliance with the charismatic Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Infasf (PTI), which has seemingly eclipsed the PPP in the past five years, and the former president would be a key figure in any such negotiations.

Once the countrys most popular party, the PPP finds itself on the brink of political irrelevance at the national level, and analysts believe it is more likely to be Zardaris ability to cut a deal, rather than his sons populist rhetoric, that will keep the party afloat.

Zardari is looking at himself as a post-election facilitator rather than a major player in the actual electoral battle, political analyst Aamer Ahmed Khan said.

Both PPP and PTI officials were cagey when asked about the possibility of an alliance, but did not rule it out.The Foreign Affairs Minister of the BRICS nations agreed that they respected WTO's multilateral trading system and opposed Trump's decision to slap tariffs on its allies.

Pretoria (South Africa): India and other members of the BRICS grouping have said they oppose the "new wave of protectionism" and the systematic impact of unilateral measures that are incompatible with WTO rules, apparently referring to US President Donald Trump's tough trade policies.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is on a five-day trip to South Africa, attended the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Foreign Ministers' meeting in Pretoria on Monday.

After the meeting, the foreign affairs ministers of BRICS nations reiterated their commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order and reaffirmed the centrality of the UN, the WTO and international law.

The ministers pledged their support to efforts towards making global governance more representative with greater participation of emerging markets and developing countries in global decision making. The ministers emphasised the importance of an open and inclusive world economy enabling all countries and peoples to share the benefits of globalisation, a statement released after the meeting said.

They underlined their firm commitment to free trade, and the centrality of a rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, multilateral trading system as embodied in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the statement said.

They opposed the new wave of protectionism and the systematic impact of unilateral measures that are incompatible with WTO rules, and undermines global trade, and economic growth. "They reiterated that the WTO Dispute Settlement System is a cornerstone of the multilateral trading system (MTS) as it is designed to enhance security and predictability in international trade," the statement said.

The statement came as Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from top US trading partners, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union. He has threatened tariffs on up to $200 billion in Chinese imports, raising the potential of a trade war.

The BRICS ministers reaffirmed their resolve to foster a global economic governance architecture that is more effective and reflective of current global economic landscape, increasing the voice and representation of emerging markets and developing economies, it said.

They reaffirmed their commitment to conclude the International Monetary Fund's 15th General Review of Quotas, including a new quota formula, by the 2019 Spring Meetings. The emerging counties, like India, China, Brazil and Russia, has been asking for increased voting rights in IMF, which would reflect their growing share in world economy.

They also deplored the continued terrorist attacks, including in some BRICS countries. They condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations wherever committed and by whomsoever.

"They urged concerted efforts to counter terrorism under the UN auspices on a firm international legal basis, and expressed their conviction that a comprehensive approach was necessary to ensure effective fight against terrorism," the statement said. "They recalled the responsibility of all States to prevent financing of terrorist networks and terrorist actions from their territories," it added.

They expressed concern over the ongoing conflict and heightened tensions in the West Asia region, especially with regard to the Israel-Palestinian situation.The White House says a location has been chosen for the Singapore summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un - Capella Hotel, a luxury resort on Sentosa Island.

Washington: The White House says a location has been chosen for the Singapore summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted that the meeting will be at the Capella Hotel, a luxury resort on Sentosa Island. Sanders added: "We thank our great Singaporean hosts for their hospitality."

Trump and Kim's highly anticipated meeting is scheduled for 12 June, after a flurry of on-again-off-again action. Trump hopes to secure a nuclear deal with the North Koreans, though he stressed last week that the process would likely take longer than a single meeting.

Barreling toward a historic summit with North Korea's Kim Jong-un, Trump has his sights set on a nuclear deal, leaving allies and advocates worried that he may give short shrift to human rights abuses and regional security concerns.

With a week to go before the 12 June meeting in Singapore, Trump has largely kept his focus on denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, recently stressing that it may take more than one meeting to achieve that goal.

That singular focus could mean Trump looks past a range of troublesome actions by the regime as he promises Kim "protection" in exchange for giving up a nuclear program that could pose a direct threat to the US mainland.

Critics have started invoking the Iran nuclear deal that Trump recently exited as a cautionary tale. Republicans and some Democrats objected to the 2015 agreement for not doing more to halt that country's ballistic missile program and support for Hezbollah and other extremist groups.

"We want to make sure the president's desire for a deal with North Korea doesn't saddle the United States, Japan and South Korea with a bad deal," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, told reporters Monday.

White House officials say the plight of the North Korean people, who live under one of the world's most repressive governments, is not a priority for the summit.

In a meeting that lasted more than an hour Friday with one of Kim's top deputies, Kim Yong Chol, Trump said he did not raise the issue of human rights.

Trump did say he "probably" would bring up human rights when he meets with the North Korean leader "and maybe in great detail."

As for other concerns, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders last week wouldn't say whether Trump would bring up the North's extensive chemical and biological weapons programs since the priority is the nuclear question. Kim Jong-un's half brother was fatally poisoned with VX nerve agent in a Malaysian airport last year in an attack the US attributes to the North.

Meanwhile, US allies in the region are privately pressing the administration to maintain pressure on the North over its regional missile program out of concern that Trump could boost the security of the US at the expense of its partners. Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe is meeting Trump at the White House on Thursday to advocate for his country's interests at the talks.

Senate Democrats on Monday released a letter to the Trump administration outlining the parameters of what they believe constitutes a satisfactory agreement: Including a call for a permanent end to the North's nuclear, chemical and biological programs, a suspension of ballistic tests, and anytime-anywhere inspections.

The delicate balancing of US needs and alliances with the promotion of human rights abroad has long bedeviled American leaders. And Trump is not the first US leader to concentrate on a nuclear issue at the expense of other matters.

But Trump has eschewed the path of his predecessors, who explicitly declared the promotion of human rights to be in the national interest, even if they were forced to make Faustian bargains with unsavory actors.

The president's national security strategy, released in December, said little on the subject. And it was left to his vice president, Mike Pence, to elevate the issue during a February trip to the region.

Addressing the subject with the North is particularly difficult given that Kim's government is believed to view the raising of human rights as tantamount to advocating regime change. So bringing it up could make it harder to make progress on eliminating North Korea's weapons program.

While Trump has made gestures toward human rights issues in North Korea, those efforts have largely been designed to increase pressure on the country's government. That was the case when Trump recognised a North Korean defector during his State of the Union address in January and hosted a group of North Korean escapees in the Oval Office.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida said that while the summit presents the opportunity for a denuclearised peninsula, "I urge the Trump administration to also prioritise human rights and hold accountable the North Korean dictatorship for being one of the world's worst human rights abusers."

Kim is on a Treasury Department blacklist for human rights abuses and is likely to seek removal from the list as a concession.

The US imposed those sanctions two years ago as part of the Obama administration's effort to isolate North Korea, but it came as the Kim government rapidly developed its nuclear programme.

It was the first time that Kim had been personally sanctioned and the first time that any North Korean officials had been blacklisted in connection with rights abuses. Announcing the sanctions, the US accused North Korea of cruelty and hardship, "including extrajudicial killings, forced labor and torture."

White House officials have pushed back publicly against the notion that Trump has deprioritised international human rights. They point to Trump's rollback of his predecessor's opening with Cuba and his comments about the devastation wrought by the Islamic State group and Iranian-backed Hezbollah.China has lent Tibet $ 171 million so far to help conserve its environment and a third of the country is covered by nature reserves.

Beijing: China spent more than 1.1 billion yuan ($171 million) on ecological conservation projects in Tibet in 2017, the regional environmental bureau said on Tuesday.

The projects range from grassland, wetland and wildlife protection to the construction of nature reserves and afforestation.

In 2009, China introduced a 23-year plan with a total spending of 15.5 billion yuan to boost ecological conservation in the region. Statistics showed that in 2017, Tibet had 47 nature reserves covering 412,200 square kilometres or more than one-third of the region's total territory, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Zhang Tianhua, deputy head of the regional environmental bureau, said the region has set up a special committee for monitoring the environment in Tibet and cracking down on illegal activities in the nature reserves.

Over the past five years, more than 60 regulations on ecological protection have been introduced in Tibet. Authorities investigated nearly 1,000 cases of environmental breaches, the report said.BEIRUT (Reuters) - Attacks by the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State in the Syrian city of Raqqa last year may have broken international law by endangering the lives of civilians, rights group Amnesty International said on Tuesday. During its campaign to recapture the group's Syrian capital, the coalition did not take enough account of civilians or take the precautions necessary to minimise harm to them, Amnesty said in a report. It documented the cases of four families whose experiences it said were emblematic of wider patterns and provided 'prima facie evidence that several coalition attacks which killed and injured civilians violated international humanitarian law'.

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Attacks by the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State in the Syrian city of Raqqa last year may have broken international law by endangering the lives of civilians, rights group Amnesty International said on Tuesday.

During its campaign to recapture the group's Syrian capital, the coalition did not take enough account of civilians or take the precautions necessary to minimise harm to them, Amnesty said in a report.

It documented the cases of four families whose experiences it said were emblematic of wider patterns and provided "prima facie evidence that several coalition attacks which killed and injured civilians violated international humanitarian law".

The coalition has responded to previous accusations that it caused civilian casualties by saying it was careful to avoid them and investigated all reports that they had occurred.

The campaign to capture Raqqa was waged from June to October last year by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias backed by coalition warplanes and special forces troops.

Reuters reporters in Raqqa during and after the campaign said that air strikes and fighting had caused massive destruction throughout the city, laying waste to entire districts.

The jihadist Islamic State had once used the city as the administrative centre of its self-declared caliphate, making it a planning centre for attacks by its followers around the world.

During the battle for Raqqa, IS fighters made it harder for the coalition offensive to avoid civilian deaths by operating among them and using them as human shields, Amnesty said.

Amnesty said it had interviewed 112 civilian residents of Raqqa during field research there in February, visiting the sites of 42 air, artillery and mortar strikes.

It said that in the four cases detailed in its report, air strikes using powerful munitions had hit buildings full of civilians who had been staying there for long periods.

It focused on the Aswad family, which it said lost eight members in a single air strike, the Hashish family, which it said lost 18 members, the Badran family which it said lost 39 members, and the Fayad family which it said lost 16 members.

"Witnesses reported that there were no fighters in the vicinity at the time of the attacks. Such attacks could be either direct attacks on civilians or civilian objects or indiscriminate attacks," the report said of the four cases studied, adding that such attacks amounted to war crimes.

Amnesty called on the coalition and member states to acknowledge the scale of devastation, make public necessary information for an independent investigation and make reparations to victims.

(Reporting by Angus McDowall; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.Donald Trump asking appeals court to restore his power to block Twitter critics

New York: President Donald Trump is asking an appeals court to restore his power to block critics on Twitter.

Trump's lawyers gave notice Monday that they're appealing a federal judge's ruling that says blocking people from the @realDonaldTrump account is a violation of the First Amendment.

The lawyers did not immediately respond to messages.

Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald ruled last month that Trump was violating the First Amendment .

She made clear that people have a right to reply directly to politicians who use their accounts as public forums to conduct official business.

The ruling stopped short of ordering Trump to unblock users, but one user who sued Trump tweeted that her access had been restored.Eleven people were killed and nine injured in an explosion at an iron-ore mine in northeast China's Liaoning province, state media reported.

Beijing: Eleven people were killed and nine injured in an explosion at an iron-ore mine in northeast China's Liaoning province, state media reported.

Twenty-five people are trapped in the mine run by China National Coal Group Co, according to State broadcaster CCTV.

The injured have been rushed to hospital and the municipal government of Benxi, where the accident occurred, has dispatched a rescue team, CCTV said.

Deadly mining accidents are common in China due to lack of safety precautions. A gas leak killed at least 18 people working in a coal mine in central Hunan province in May last year.

Seventeen other coal miners were killed when a lift used to move workers fell down a shaft in northeastern Heilongjiang province in March 2017.

In December 2016, explosions in two separate coal mines in the Inner Mongolia region and in Heilongjiang killed at least 59 people.

Also in 2016, 33 miners were killed in a colliery explosion in October in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing, and in September at least 18 were killed in a mine blast in the northwestern Ningxia region.A phone call between US president Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Marcon was described as 'terrible' by a source. The latter criticised the former's policies and was not for Trump's decision to slap tariffs on steel and aluminium.

Washington: A phone call between US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron has been described as being "terrible" after the latter candidly criticised the former's policies, a media report said.

"Just bad. It was terrible," an informed source told CNN on Monday. "Macron thought he would be able to speak his mind, based on the relationship. But Trump can't handle being criticised like that."

A White House statement said the call on 31 May with Macron was focused on trade and immigration.

"Both leaders discussed the migration problem in Libya, and timelines to solve it. President Trump underscored the need to rebalance trade with Europe," the statement said.

The call with Macron came the same day the US announced a unilateral decision to slap steel and aluminium tariffs on American allies, including Mexico, Canada, and the European Union, CNN reported.

In a statement issued by the Elysee Palace ahead of the call, Macron said he "regrets the US decision to confirm tariffs in steel and aluminium."

"This decision is not only illegal, it is a mistake on many points. It is a mistake because it responds to a worldwide unbalance that exists in the worst ways through fragmentationsand economic nationalism," it added.

Trump held a similar call with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday.

According to a Downing Street spokesperson, the two leaders discussed the tariffs as well as other matters of the Department of Defense, responsible for analysing and disseminating military intelligence.By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is considering sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait, U.S. officials say, in a move that could provoke a sharp reaction from Beijing at a time when Sino-U.S.

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is considering sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait, U.S. officials say, in a move that could provoke a sharp reaction from Beijing at a time when Sino-U.S. ties are under pressure from trade disputes and the North Korean nuclear crisis.

A U.S. warship passage, should it happen, could be seen in Taiwan as a fresh sign of support by President Donald Trump after a series of Chinese military drills around the self-ruled island. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory.

U.S. officials told Reuters that the United States had already examined plans for an aircraft carrier passage once this year but ultimately did not pursue them, perhaps because of concerns about upsetting China.

The last time a U.S. aircraft carrier transited the Taiwan Strait was in 2007, during the administration of George W. Bush, and some U.S. military officials believe a carrier transit is overdue.

Another, less provocative option would be resuming the periodic, but still infrequent, passages by other U.S. Navy ships through the Strait, the last of which was in July 2017.

The Pentagon declined comment on any potential future operations and it was unclear how soon a passage might take place.

Trump, who broke protocol as president-elect by taking a phone call from Taiwan's president in 2016, has toned down his rhetoric about Taiwan in recent months as he seeks China's aid in the nuclear standoff with North Korea.

The United States and China are also trying to find their way out of a major trade dispute that has seen the world's two economic heavyweights threaten tit-for-tat tariffs on goods worth up to $150 billion each.

China has alarmed Taiwan by ramping up military exercises this year, including flying bombers and other military aircraft around the island and sending its carrier through the narrow Taiwan Strait separating it from Taiwan.

"They're turning up the heat," a fourth U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe the U.S. view of Chinese activities around Taiwan.

Separately, it now appears unlikely the United States will send top officials to a June 12 dedication ceremony for the new American Institute in Taiwan, America's de facto embassy in Taiwan. Washington does not have formal ties with Taipei.

U.S. officials told Reuters that the date clashes with the planned June 12 summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but added there will be another opportunity to commemorate the institute's unveiling in September.

CASE-BY-CASE ARMS SALES

Since taking office, Trump has approved a $1.4 billion arms sale to Taiwan and angered Beijing by signing legislation encouraging visits by senior U.S. officials to Taiwan. Trump also named John Bolton, known as a strong Taiwan supporter, as his national security adviser.

The fourth U.S. official told Reuters Washington aimed to change the way it approaches arms sales requests from Taiwan to address them on a case-by-case basis, as opposed to bundling them together.

Rupert Hammond-Chambers at the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council trade association said moving away from bundling - a practice in place for a decade - would be better for Taipei's defence needs, treating it more like a regular security partner.

"We get into difficulty when we treat Taiwan differently, which opens the door for the politicization of the (arms sales) process," Hammond-Chambers said.

Military experts say the balance of power between Taiwan and China has shifted decisively in China's favour in recent years, and China could easily overwhelm the island unless U.S. forces came quickly to Taiwan's aid.

The United States is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, but it is unclear whether Washington would want to be dragged into war with China over the island.

Asked about U.S. obligations to Taiwan, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Logan noted Washington has sold Taiwan more than $15 billion in weaponry since 2010.

"We have a vital interest in upholding the current rules-based international order, which features a strong, prosperous, and democratic Taiwan," Logan said.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington; Additional reporting by John Walcott in Washington; Editing by Mary Milliken and James Dalgleish)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.By Laila Bassam and Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) - A Russian troop deployment in Syria near the Lebanese border this week caused friction with Iran-backed forces including Hezbollah which objected to the uncoordinated move, two non-Syrian officials in the regional alliance backing Damascus said. The situation was resolved on Tuesday when Syrian army soldiers took over three positions where the Russians had deployed near the town of Qusair in the Homs region on Monday, one of the officials, a military commander, told Reuters on condition of anonymity

By Laila Bassam and Tom Perry

BEIRUT (Reuters) - A Russian troop deployment in Syria near the Lebanese border this week caused friction with Iran-backed forces including Hezbollah which objected to the uncoordinated move, two non-Syrian officials in the regional alliance backing Damascus said.

The situation was resolved on Tuesday when Syrian army soldiers took over three positions where the Russians had deployed near the town of Qusair in the Homs region on Monday, one of the officials, a military commander, told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

It appeared to be a rare case of Russia acting out of sync with President Bashar al-Assad's Iran-backed allies in the war. Iranian and Russian support has been critical to Assad's war effort.

"It was an uncoordinated step," said the commander. "Now it is resolved. We rejected the step. The Syrian army - Division 11 - is deploying at the border," said the commander, adding Hezbollah fighters were still located in the area.

There was no comment from the Russian military about the incident. Russia has faced calls from Israel to rein in Iran in Syria, where Israel has mounted numerous attacks against Hezbollah and other targets it has described as Iran-backed.

"Perhaps it was to assure the Israelis," said the commander, adding that the move could not be justified as part of the fight against the Nusra Front or Islamic State because Hezbollah and the Syrian army had defeated them at the Lebanese-Syrian border.

The second official said the "resistance axis" - a reference to Iran and its allies - was "studying the situation" after the uncoordinated Russian move.

Russia and Iran-backed forces such as Hezbollah have worked together against the insurgency. Hezbollah deployed to Syria in 2012. The Russian air force arrived in 2015 in support of Assad.

But their different agendas in Syria have become more apparent of late as Israel presses Russia to make sure Iran and its allies do not entrench their military sway in the country.

TURNING POINT

Israel wants Iranian and Iran-backed forces kept away from its border and, more broadly, removed from Syria entirely.

Last month, Israel said Iran's Revolutionary Guards launched a missile salvo from Syria into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said it marked a "new phase" of the war in Syria.

Recent Russian calls for all non-Syrian forces to leave southern Syria have been seen aimed partly at Iran, in addition to U.S. forces based in the Tanf area at the Syrian-Iraqi border.

The town of Qusair was the scene of a major battle in the Syrian civil war in 2013, when Hezbollah fighters played a major part in turning the tide of the conflict in Assad's favour by defeating rebels.

Some details of the Qusair incident were reported by the Lebanese TV station al-Mayadeen, which is close to Damascus and its regional allies such as Hezbollah. It said the number of Russian forces was small.

A military air base in the same area came under missile attack on May 24. The Israeli military declined to comment on that attack.

Syrian rebel-held areas of southwestern Syria at the frontier with Israel have come into focus since Damascus and its allies crushed the last remaining besieged rebel pockets near the capital. Assad has vowed to recover all Syrian territory.

The United States wants to preserve a "de-escalation" zone that has contained the conflict in southwestern Syria. The zone, agreed last year with Russia and Jordan, has helped to contain fighting in areas near the Israeli frontier.

(Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.By Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - Only a tiny fraction of the documents seized from President Donald Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen and reviewed by a court-appointed official are protected by attorney-client privilege, according to a court filing on Monday. Barbara Jones, the court-appointed special master reviewing the documents, said in the filing in Manhattan federal court that out of 291,770 items found on two phones and an iPad, she agreed with lawyers for Cohen, Trump or the Trump Organization that 148 were privileged.

By Brendan Pierson

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Only a tiny fraction of the documents seized from President Donald Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen and reviewed by a court-appointed official are protected by attorney-client privilege, according to a court filing on Monday.

Barbara Jones, the court-appointed special master reviewing the documents, said in the filing in Manhattan federal court that out of 291,770 items found on two phones and an iPad, she agreed with lawyers for Cohen, Trump or the Trump Organization that 148 were privileged.

Jones said that out of 639 items found in eight boxes of hard-copy materials, she agreed that 14 were privileged.

Lawyers for Cohen, Trump and the Trump Organization could not immediately be reached for comment. The office of the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, which is investigating Cohen for possible crimes related to his business dealings, also could not be reached.

Monday's report covered only a small part of the materials seized by authorities in raids on Cohen's home, office and hotel room in April. Todd Harrison, a lawyer for Cohen, said at a court hearing last week that his firm had received about 3.7 million files.

The investigation stems in part from a referral by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is probing whether Trump's 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia.

Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion, and Russia has denied meddling in the U.S. election.

Shortly after the April raids, lawyers for Cohen and Trump asked U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood to allow them to review the seized materials for attorney-client privilege, and bar prosecutors from looking at them until they had done so. Wood allowed them to review the documents, but appointed Jones to vet their claims of privilege.

At last week's hearing, however, Wood set a June 15 deadline for Cohen's and Trump's lawyers to finish their review. She said that if they were not finished by then, the rest of the review would be done by a special team of prosecutors not directly involved in the Cohen probe, as the prosecutors had originally wanted.

(Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Peter Cooney)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.The UN nuclear agency has said it is ready to inspect the nuclear programme of North Korea.

Vienna: The UN nuclear agency has said it is ready to inspect the nuclear programme of North Korea, if it is authorised to play an essential role in the issue after a political deal is reached.

Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told reporters on Monday that his team is ready to carry out the nuclear inspection in North Korea, but the inspection should be under a political agreement among states concerned, Xinhua reported.

North Korea dismantled the Punggye Ri nuclear test site last month under coverage of foreign journalists.

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are scheduled to meet on 12 June in Singapore.

If a possible political agreement could be reached, IAEA might be authorised to get access to North Korea nuclear site to carry out verification task.

Amano said his team could travel to North Korea within weeks after IAEA is authorized to play the role.

North Korea claimed it successfully carried out four nuclear weapon tests in the past 10 years or so.

The IAEA currently has no nuclear inspector in North Korea which withdrew its membership of the IAEA in 1994.

Therefore, the agency could only get the information of North Korea's nuclear plan from satellites or by other means.Iran has notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it has launched a plan to increase its uranium enrichment capacity, nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Tuesday.

Tehran: Iran has notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that it has launched a plan to increase its uranium enrichment capacity, nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Tuesday.

"If conditions allow, maybe on Wednesday night at Natanz, we can announce the opening of the centre for production of new centrifuges" for uranium enrichment, said Salehi, a vice-president and head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, according to conservative news agency Fars.

"What we are doing does not violate the (2015 nuclear) agreement," he said, adding that a letter was submitted to the IAEA "regarding the start of certain activities".

He specified that this was just the start of the production process and "does not mean that we will start assembling the centrifuges".

Under the 2015 agreement, Iran can build parts for the centrifuges as long as it does not put them into operation within the first decade.

Salehi also emphasised that these moves "do not mean the negotiations (with Europe) have failed."

European governments have been trying to salvage the agreement ever since the United States announced its withdrawal last month and said it would reimpose sanctions on foreign companies working in the Islamic republic by November.

The other parties  Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia  have vowed to stay in the accord but many of their companies have already started to wind down Iranian operations.

On Monday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the Europeans that "Iran will never tolerate both suffering from sanctions and nuclear restrictions" and called for preparations to speed up uranium enrichment.

Iran insists its nuclear programme is for civilian uses only, but opponents in the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia accuse it of seeking to build an atomic bomb.CAIRO (Reuters) - Islamic State said it had carried out a deadly suicide attack on Monday near a gathering of Muslim clerics in Kabul, without providing evidence for its claim. Monday's bomb attack killed 14 people, the latest in a series of attacks to hit the Afghan capital. The IS claim, made via an online statement, said 70 people had been killed

CAIRO (Reuters) - Islamic State said it had carried out a deadly suicide attack on Monday near a gathering of Muslim clerics in Kabul, without providing evidence for its claim.

Monday's bomb attack killed 14 people, the latest in a series of attacks to hit the Afghan capital. The IS claim, made via an online statement, said 70 people had been killed.

Islamic State regularly makes claims for extremist attacks without providing any evidence it was involved.

(Reporting by Ali Abdelaty; Editing by Catherine Evans)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.Islamic State has claimed to have led the suicide attack on the Afghan Ulema Council which had gathered to issue a fatwa against bombings.

Kabul: The Islamic State group's affiliate in Afghanistan has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing the previous day that targeted a meeting of the country's top clerics in the capital.

At least twelve people were killed and 20 were wounded in Monday's attack, which came shortly after the body of religious leaders, known as the Afghan Ulema Council, had issued a decree against suicide attacks and called for peace talks.

The Islamic State claim, posted on a website linked to the militant group, says the gathering in Kabul was a meeting of "tyrant clerics" who were discussing the fight against what they call "terrorism."

Shortly after the bombing, the Taliban denied involvement in the attack, though they also denounced the gathering and its religious decree, or fatwa.Israel's minister of intelligence Yisrael Katz called for a coalition against Iran if it refuses to curb its nuclear programme. Iran denies its armament to be meant for military purposes.

Jerusalem: Israel's Minister of Intelligence Services Yisrael Katz, called for a military coalition, on Tuesday against Iran if the Islamic Republic were to defy world powers by enriching military-grade uranium.

Yisrael Katz's remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began visiting European leaders to discuss Iran's regional involvement and nuclear programme, both seen by the Jewish state as grave threats.

European powers have been scrambling to preserve a landmark deal over Tehran's nuclear programme since US President Donald Trump announced Washington's withdrawal from the treaty in May. Katz addressed Tehran's threat to restart uranium enrichment at an "industrial level" if the 2015 pact falls apart.

"If the Iranians don't surrender now, and try to return" to unsupervised uranium enrichment, "there should be a clear statement by the President of the United States and all of the Western coalition," he said. "The Arabs and Israel surely would be there too." The message should be that "if the Iranians return" to enriching uranium that could enable them to build a nuclear bomb, "a military coalition will be formed against them," Katz told Israeli public radio station, Kan.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned European leaders on Monday to drop their "dream" of Tehran continuing to curb its nuclear programme despite renewed economic sanctions. He also called Israel a "malignant cancerous tumour" that should be removed.

The Iran deal paved the way for the partial lifting of international sanctions against the country, in exchange for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme for several years.

Israel argues the lifting of sanctions under the nuclear deal allowed Iran to expand its presence in West Asia, both through its own forces and with proxy groups. It also says the time limits on the accord do not guarantee Iran will quit obtaining nuclear weapons, while it also wants to see restrictions on Iranian missile development.

Iran denies the pursuit of an atomic programme for military purposes.

In his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Netanyahu warned that Iran was "seeking nuclear weapons to carry out its genocidal designs." "It's important to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. We commit, and I commit again, that we will not let that happen," he said on Monday.

Netanyahu will meet French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday.By Ellen Francis and Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN/DUBAI (Reuters) - Jordan's King Abdullah replaced his prime minister on Monday in a move to defuse the biggest protests in years, over IMF-backed reforms that have hit the poor. Government plans to lift taxes have brought thousands of people onto the streets in Amman, the capital, and other parts of Jordan since last week, shaking a U.S.-allied Arab country that has remained stable through years of regional turmoil. King Abdullah appointed Omar al-Razzaz, a former World Bank economist, to form the new government after accepting Hani Mulki's resignation, a ministerial source said.

By Ellen Francis and Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AMMAN/DUBAI (Reuters) - Jordan's King Abdullah replaced his prime minister on Monday in a move to defuse the biggest protests in years, over IMF-backed reforms that have hit the poor.

Government plans to lift taxes have brought thousands of people onto the streets in Amman, the capital, and other parts of Jordan since last week, shaking a U.S.-allied Arab country that has remained stable through years of regional turmoil.

King Abdullah appointed Omar al-Razzaz, a former World Bank economist, to form the new government after accepting Hani Mulki's resignation, a ministerial source said. Razzaz was education minister in Mulki's government.

In his letter accepting the resignation, the monarch praised Mulki for his "bravery in taking difficult decisions that do not gain popularity" and asked him to stay on in a caretaker role until the new government is formed.

Still, around 2,000 protesters flocked to a rally near the cabinet office late on Monday night, waving flags and chanting: "The people want to bring down parliament."

Police chief Major General Fadel al-Hamoud said the protests remained under control, though officers had detained 60 people in recent days, with 42 security forces injured.

"The security forces are here to protect citizens, things are going well," Major General Hussein Hawatmeh, head of the Gendarmerie security department, told Reuters at the protest. "But we will not allow anyone to stray from the peaceful path."

While some celebrated the change of government, a union leader said a strike planned for Wednesday would go ahead unless the draft income tax law was withdrawn.

Jordan, which has a peace treaty with Israel, has navigated years of instability at its borders, including wars in Iraq and Syria and conflict in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

But the instability has hit the economy of a country that is poor in resources and hosts close to 700,000 Syrian refugees. Unemployment among Jordanians stands at 18.4 percent, according to Jordan's department of statistics.

"They have been following a policy that is draining the citizen," Rola Abu Khadra, an actress protesting with her friends at midnight, told Reuters.

"Even if they removed Mulki and replaced him with anyone else in the world and the policies don't change, that would mean we have achieved nothing," she said.

Public anger has grown over government policies since a steep general sales tax hike earlier this year and the abolition of bread subsidies, both measures driven by the International Monetary Fund.

In a sign the tax hikes could be shelved, the official Petra news agency, citing the speaker of parliament, said MPs were on course to ask the king's permission to hold an exceptional session, with a majority demanding the changes be withdrawn.

"For us, our cause is the draft income tax law. The individuals (in government) do not concern us if they change, we want to change the approach of the government," said Ali al-Abous, head of the Professional Unions Association.

Demonstrators who have converged for nightly protests near the Cabinet have said they would disband only if the government rescinded the tax bill it sent to parliament last month.

TIME FOR "MIDDLE GROUND"

Razzaz is a Harvard-educated economist who served with the World Bank in both Washington and the region.

Officials said he had been an opponent of reforms that hurt the poor. His appointment nevertheless sends a positive message to foreign donors that Jordan will press ahead with reforms, though in a gradual way, they said.

"I believe they have time to amend the law, to withdraw the law and make a new one that is more of a middle ground between the public demands and what the government wants," said Mufleh Aqel, a prominent Jordanian banker.

The IMF approved a three-year extended arrangement with Jordan in 2016 to support economic and financial reform to lower public debt and encourage structural reforms.

Jordan has backed down on reforms in the past, fearing a social backlash. Until Mulki's government, the lifting of bread subsidies and tax changes have been pushed back repeatedly.

Jordan was rocked by unrest in 2012 when the IMF told the government to lift gasoline prices.

Mulki, a business-friendly politician, was appointed in May 2016 and given the responsibility of reviving a sluggish economy and business sentiment. The tax increases caused his popularity to plummet.

The protests widened on Saturday after Mulki refused to scrap a bill increasing personal and corporate taxes, saying it was up to parliament to decide.

The government says it needs more funds for public services and argues that the tax changes reduce social disparities by placing a heavier burden on high earners. Opponents say a tough IMF-imposed fiscal consolidation plan has worsened the plight of poorer Jordanians and squeezed the middle class.

Jordan's economy has struggled to grow in the past few years in the face of chronic deficits, as private foreign capital and aid flows have declined.

(Reporting Ellen Francis in Amman and by Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Dubai; Writing by Tom Perry and Suleiman al-Khalidi; Editing by Peter Graff, William Maclean and Leslie Adler)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.Pakistan's six-member caretaker federal cabinet took oath to run the government under Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk till the upcoming general election.

Islamabad: Pakistan's six-member caretaker federal cabinet on Tuesday took oath to run the government under Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk till the upcoming general election.

President Mamnoon Hussain administered oath of office to the members of the Cabinet at a ceremony.

A statement issued by office of the president said the ceremony was attended, among others, by caretaker prime minister and retired judge Mulk.

Those who took oath on Tuesday include Shamshad Akhtar, Roshan Khurshid, Ali Zafar, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Azam Khan and Muhammad Yousaf Sheikh.

The Prime Minister's Office said that Haroon was appointed as foreign minister and he will have additional charge of the ministries of defence and defence production.

Haroon belongs to a leading business family of Karachi and he in the past has served as Pakistan's ambassador at the UN.

Azam Khan, former chief secretary of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province was appointed as interior minister whereas former governor of State Bank of Pakistan, Akhtar was appointed as finance minister. Zafar was given charge of the law ministry.

After the oath-taking ceremony, the caretaker prime minister and his Cabinet members also held a meeting with President Hussain.

The president expressed the confidence that the caretaker set up will fulfil its responsibilities regarding conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in the country.

He said it is a matter of satisfaction that a democratically elected government completed its tenure for the second time.Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort attempted witnesses tampering in his ongoing cases, prosecutors said on Tuesday, and asked a federal judge to jail him while he awaits trial.

Washington: Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort made several attempts to tamper with witnesses in his ongoing criminal cases, prosecutors said on Tuesday as they asked a federal judge to consider jailing him while he awaits trial. In a court filing , prosecutors working for special counsel Robert Mueller wrote that Manafort and one of his associates "repeatedly" contacted two witnesses in an effort to influence their testimony. The contacts occurred earlier this year, shortly after a grand jury returned a new indictment against Manafort and while he was confined to his home. The filing marks the second time that Mueller's team has accused Manafort of violating a judge's order in the case.

Late last year, federal agents discovered that Manafort was attempting to ghostwrite an opinion piece in Ukraine even though he was under a gag order in the case. In the latest court documents, prosecutors say that while he was under house arrest, Manafort and his associate attempted to get two witnesses to lie about the nature of lobbying and public relations work they carried out at Manafort's direction on behalf of Ukraine.

The court documents do not name Manafort's associate, but they refer to him as "Person A" and note the pseudonym is consistent with previous filings in the case. In earlier filings, Person A has referred to Konstantin Kilimnik, a longtime Manafort associate who prosecutors have said has ties to Russian intelligence. Kilimnik, who has denied having connections to Russian intelligence agencies, was also involved in the ghostwritten op-ed matter.

Reached Monday evening, Manafort spokesman Jason Maloni said his client and his attorneys were reviewing the filing. The two witnesses were also not named in court filings.

But prosecutors say they were principals in a public relations firm that worked with Manafort in organizing a group of former European officials, known as the Hapsburg group, who promoted Ukrainian interests in Europe as well as the US. The group's work factors into an indictment against Manafort that accuses him of acting as an unregistered foreign agent by lobbying in the U.S. on behalf of Ukrainian interests.

Prosecutors say Manafort directed the group's work and secretly funnelled about $2 million to it to take positions favourable to Ukraine including by lobbying in the US. Manafort has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty. Several members of the Hapsburg group have previously denied the allegations. According to the court filing, Manafort began messaging and calling one of the witnesses in February shortly the unsealing of the indictment that included the allegations of unregistered lobbying related to the Hapsburg group. Around that same time, Manafort's co-defendant and longtime business associate, Rick Gates, pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

The day after Gates' plea, Manafort messaged and called one of the witnesses and continued reaching out over the next several days, according to a sworn affidavit filed by an FBI agent in the case. In one call, the agent wrote, Manafort said he wanted to give the witness a "heads-up about Hapsburg." The individual immediately ended the call "because he was concerned about the outreach," according to the affidavit.

On 26 February, Manafort sent the person a series of messages through an encrypted application, including a link to a Business Insider story with the headline: "Former European leaders struggle to explain themselves after Mueller claims Paul Manafort paid them to lobby for Ukraine." Another message said, "We should talk. I have made clear that they worked in Europe." The witness told investigators that he interpreted Manafort's efforts to reach him as a way to influence his potential statements. The person believed from his experience that the Hapsburg group lobbied in the United States and knew that Manafort knew that as well, the agent wrote.

Court papers also accuse Person A of making several attempts to influence the witnesses' testimony in February and later in April. That month, Person A wrote to one of the witnesses, "My friend P is looking for ways to connect to you to pass you several messages." He then asked if that could be arranged. The witness told federal agents that Manafort and Person A were also trying to get the witnesses to tell members of the Hapsburg group that if they were contacted by anyone, they should say the group only performed lobbying and public relations work in Europe. Both witnesses said that wasn't true.Qatar Airways' chief sparked disbelief on Tuesday by saying his carrier was led by a man because 'it is a very challenging position', this even as airline bosses admitted more women should be in top roles.

Sydney: Qatar Airways' chief sparked disbelief on Tuesday by saying his carrier was led by a man because "it is a very challenging position", this even as airline bosses admitted more women should be in top roles.

Akbar Al Baker said his airline had taken steps to address gender equality, but when asked why it was led by a man, he replied, "Of course it had to be led by a man because it is a very challenging position."

He later defended the carrier, saying it was the first west Asian airline to have a female pilot and that other women were in senior roles.

"We actually encourage women and we see that they have huge potential in senior management positions," Baker said at the close of International Air Transport Association's (IATA) two-day annual meeting in Sydney during which he was anointed chairman of the global industry body.

"IATA also has a similar position on promoting gender equality." he added.

The organisation currently has just two female CEOs on its 31 member board. Christine Ourmieres-Widener of British budget airline Flybe and Air Europa's Maria Jose Hidalgo Gutierrez, who was added on Tuesday.

IATA's chief executive Alexandre de Juniac acknowledged that having more women in senior positions was a "long-standing issue" that required further efforts from airlines and the industry body.

It released figures in March showing just three percent of CEOs in the industry were female, compared with 12 percent in other sectors.

Leading carriers in north America and Europe had the highest representation of women in senior roles at 16 percent and 14 percent respectively, IATA said.

African, Asia-Pacific and south American airlines were at about eight percent, with the west Asia having the worst at four percent, the data showed.

Qantas Airways chief Alan Joyce said at the same press conference that the Australian carrier had achieved a strong turnaround in profits partly due to its pursuit of diversity, with women making up 40 percent of senior management.

But he said it was "going to take a long time to fix some of the issues that are inherent in our society", such as girls not studying science and technology in schools, which impacted their numbers in engineering and flying roles.Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party won the secret ballot in parliament today for the deputy speaker's position.

Colombo: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party won the secret ballot in parliament today for the deputy speaker's position left vacant by the resignation of Thilanga Sumathipala, a loyalist of President Maithripala Sirisena.

United National Party nominee Ananda Kumarasiri was elected deputy speaker with 97 for and 53 against in the 225-member assembly while 25 members were absent from the house. Kumarasiri's defeated rival Sudarshani Fernandopulle is another Sirisena loyalist.

Sumathipala and 15 other Sirisena loyalists had walked out of the government in April after they voted against Wickremesinghe in a no-trust vote.

"We have gone on the basis that two for the government and one for the opposition in parliamentary positions. We want to retain that position," Wickremesinghe said referring to an argument by R Sampanthan, the main opposition leader, that Sirisena loyalists should be appointed for the vacancy by consensus.

The group of 16 Sirisena loyalists now align with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's joint opposition. However all three RajapaksasMahinda, brother Chamal and son Namalwere not present in the house when the secret vote was taken.

The parliamentary competition between Sirisena loyalists and the president's unity government partner United National Party followed last week's anti-United National Party outburst from Sirisena who blamed the United National Party for bungling in governance.

The ruling party, however, has chosen not to respond to the president's public criticism.Syrian president Bashar al-Assad said he plans to visit North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, North Korean state media reported on Sunday

Seoul: Syrian president Bashar al-Assad said he plans to visit North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, North Korean state media reported on Sunday, potentially the first meeting between Kim and another head of state in Pyongyang.

I am going to visit the DPRK and meet HE Kim Jong-un, Assad said on 30 May, North Koreas KCNA news agency reported, using the initials of the countrys official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian presidents office.

Assad reportedly made the remarks as he received the credentials of North Korean Ambassador Mun Jong-nam.

Pyongyang and Damascus maintain good relations, and United Nations monitors have accused North Korea of cooperating with Syria on chemical weapons, a charge the North denies.

Both countries have faced international isolation, North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme, and Syria over its tactics during a bloody civil war.

Since the beginning of the year, however, North Koreas Kim has launched a flurry of diplomatic meetings with leaders in China and South Korea, and is scheduled to hold a summit with US president Donald Trump in Singapore on 12 June.

Since taking power in 2011, Kim has not publicly met with another head of state in North Korea.

The world welcomes the remarkable events in the Korean peninsula brought about recently by the outstanding political caliber and wise leadership of HE Kim Jong-un, Assad said, according to KCNA. I am sure that he will achieve the final victory and realise the reunification of Korea without fail.

According to South Koreas foreign ministry, North Korea established diplomatic relations with Syria in 1966, opening its embassy in Damascus. Syria opened its mission in Pyongyang in 1969.

Close military cooperation between the two countries began when North Korea sent some 530 troops including pilots, tank drivers and missile personnel to Syria during the Arab-Israeli war in October 1973.

The Syrian government will as ever fully support all policies and measures of the DPRK leadership and invariably strengthen and develop the friendly ties with the DPRK, Assad said, as quoted by KCNA.By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former officer with the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency was arrested over the weekend for allegedly trying to spy on the United States for China, the Justice Department said on Monday

By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former officer with the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency was arrested over the weekend for allegedly trying to spy on the United States for China, the Justice Department said on Monday.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation took Ron Rockwell Hansen, 58, into custody on Saturday while he was on his way to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to get a connecting flight to China.

The department said he has been accused of trying to transmit national defence information to China and with receiving "hundreds of thousands of dollars" while acting illegally as an agent for the Chinese government.

Reuters could not immediately learn who may be representing Hansen in the case.

Hansen is the latest person in a string of former U.S. intelligence officers to be swept up in criminal probes related to spying for the Chinese.

Earlier this year, former CIA case officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee was indicted for conspiring to gather or deliver national defence information to China.

Another former U.S. intelligence employee named Kevin Mallory is on trial in Virginia, also in connection with selling secrets to China.

In the new case announced Monday, prosecutors said that Hansen speaks fluent Mandarin-Chinese and Russian.

He served as a case officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency while on active military duty from 2000-2006, and later continued that line of work as a civilian employee and a contractor.

He also held a top secret clearance for years.

The government said that between 2013 and 2017, he travelled between the two countries attending conferences and provided the information he learned to China's intelligence service.

He was paid via wire transfers, cash and credit cards. He also allegedly improperly sold export-controlled technology.

"His alleged actions are a betrayal of our nation's security and the American people and are an affront to his former intelligence community colleagues," said John Demers, the head of the Justice Department's National Security Division.

According to court records, the FBI started investigating his activities in 2014. He was unaware of the probe, and participated in nine voluntary meetings with federal agents in Salt Lake City. Utah.

Prosecutors say that during his meetings, he told the FBI that Chinese intelligence had tried to recruit him, offered to cooperate as a source and even provided thumb drives to the FBI that contained classified materials he was not authorized to have.

Hansen appeared before a magistrate judge in Seattle on Monday, and is charged in a 15-count complaint.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by James Dalgleish)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.The United Nations on Tuesday urged Washington to immediately halt its controversial practice of separating asylum-seeking Central American immigrant children from their parents at the southern border.

Geneva: The United Nations on Tuesday urged Washington to immediately halt its controversial practice of separating asylum-seeking Central American immigrant children from their parents at the southern border. The UN rights office said it was "deeply concerned" over the "zero tolerance" policy introduced by the administration of US President Donald Trump in a bid to deter illegal immigration.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani warned the US policy had "led to people caught entering the country irregularly being subjected to criminal prosecution and having their childrenincluding extremely young childrentaken away from them as a result."

She said information received from US civil society groups indicated that several hundred children had been separated from their parents at the border since October, including a one-year-old. "The US should immediately halt this practice," she told reporters in Geneva.

"The practice of separating families amounts to arbitrary and unlawful interference in family life, and is a serious violation of the rights of the child," she said. "The use of immigration detention and family separation as a deterrent runs counter to human rights standards and principles," she said.

Shamdasani stressed that children's rights were "generally held in high regard" in the United States, but she lamented that the country was the only one in the world that had not yet ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Despite this, she insisted that Washington was bound by international human rights laws that its current practices were flouting. "The child's best interest should always come first, including over migration management objectives or other administrative concerns," she said.

"It is therefore of great concern that in the US, migration control appears to have been prioritised over the effective care and protection of migrant children." "Detention is never in the best interests of the child and always constitutes a child rights violation," she said, calling on Washington to "adopt non-custodial alternatives that allow children to remain with their families." The US says the policy aims to stem a surge of poor families mostly from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras pouring into the United States.

Citing the daily violence in their home countries, thousands each week cross the US-Mexico border and immediately turn themselves into authorities asking for asylum. William Spindler of the UN refugee agency stressed Tuesday that "the right to claim asylum is a fundamental human right... and it is also part of the law in the United States."US said it would boycott Tuesday's session of the Conference on Disarmament amidst fears that Syria is using its presidency to 'normalise' the regime

Geneva: The United States said it would boycott Tuesday's session of the Conference on Disarmament amid fears that Syria is using its presidency of the body to "normalise" the regime.

"Based on Syria's repeated attempts last week to use its presidency of the Conference on Disarmament to normalise the regime and its unacceptable and dangerous behaviour, we are not participating in today's session," Robert Wood, the US ambassador to the Geneva-based body, said in a statement.

"We will continue to defend United States' interests" in the disarmament body, he added.

Syria last week took over the body's rotating, four-week presidency, which according to a decades-old practice among its 65 member states follows the alphabetical order of country names in English.

Wood was present during the first plenary session on Syria's watch a week ago, when he took the opportunity to lead a number of countries to protest what he described as "a travesty".

Despite the mechanical nature of Syria's arrival at the helm of the disarmament conference, following Switzerland and Sweden, a number of country representatives voiced their outrage that a representative of Damascus was presiding over the body that negotiated the chemical weapons ban.

Syria's ambassador Hussam Edin Aala meanwhile slammed last week's protest as "sensational propaganda" and "characterised by double-standards." More than 350,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since Syria's civil war began in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

After hundreds of people died in chemical attacks near Damascus in 2013, a deal with Russia was struck to rid Syria of chemical weapons, staving off US air strikes. But the United Nations and western countries have accused Damascus of carrying out a number of chemical attacks since then.

A suspected chlorine and sarin attack in the Syrian town of Douma on 7 April this year triggered punitive missile strikes against alleged chemical weapons sites in Syria by the US, Britain and France.

Last week, Wood had briefly walked out of the room when Edin Aala took the floor, before returning to deliver a scathing speech.

"Today marks a sad and shameful day in the history of this body," he told the assembly on 29 May.

He vowed at the time that throughout Syria's presidency, the United States would be represented "in this hall to ensure that Syria is not able to advance initiatives that run counter to the interests of the United States."

That was a promise the US has now backed away from. A spokeswoman for the US mission in Geneva confirmed that no American representatives would be present during Tuesday's session.Vladimir Putin said that Russia is not trying to split the European Union (EU), ahead of his first visit to a western European country in nearly a year

Moscow: Russian president Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is not trying to split the European Union (EU). His remarks come ahead of a visit to Austria, his first trip to a western European country in nearly a year, BBC reported on Monday.

He told Austria's ORF station that he wanted a "united and prosperous" EU, calling the bloc Russia's most important commercial and economic partner. He also played down reported links between his United Russia party and Austria's far-right Freedom Party.

Putin will meet Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday, as well as business leaders.

"The more problems at the heart of the EU, the more risks and problems there are for us," he said.

"We need to build co-operation with the EU. We don't have a goal of dividing anything or anyone in the EU."

EU sanctions, levied against Russia because of its 2014 annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, will likely form part of discussions.

Russia's relationship with the EU remains strained by its involvement in Ukraine, as well as its role in the war in Syria and the poisoning of a former Russian double agent, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter, in southern UK. The British government has accused Russia of being behind the attempted assassination of the Skripals, an allegation Russia denies.

Austria's coalition was one of the few EU governments to not withdraw diplomats from Russia in protest against the allegations.

Putin has supporters within Austria's ruling coalition, including Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache, who has called for sanctions on Russia to be lifted.

Asked ahead of the meeting in Vienna about Russia's ties to far-right parties, Kurz said Austria would "decide pragmatically whether to co-operate with someone politically".

"We try to work with those who publicly express the wish themselves to work with us," he said.Women living with HIV and AIDS in Ghana have expressed displeasure over high public stigmatisation,slowing down their treatment and development processes.

Accra: Women living with HIV and AIDS in Ghana have expressed displeasure over high public stigmatisation and discrimination, which is slowing down their treatment and development processes.

Though, the patients said they were placed on anti-retroviral therapy, they were going through what they described as serious "mental torture".

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the patients attributed the spread of the disease partly to the stigmatisation of some of the women living with the disease.

"Because we take our drugs regularly, we look very nice and attractive. Nothing will tell you that some of us live with the disease, and so we are warning the general public to desist from stigmatising us," a patient said.

Some of them blamed the clergy, church leaders and health workers for spreading their HIV status.

They affirmed that the disease was very high and fast spreading in the country's Sunyani Municipality, and expressed appreciation to International Federation of Women Lawyers-Ghana for their continuous support.

Lydia Bawa, a legal practitioner, warned that it was a serious offence to stigmatise and discriminate HIV/AIDS patients. HIV/AIDS patients had their right to privacy, absolute security and dignity and warned the public against stigmatising patients saying offenders would be prosecuted, she added.

With inputs from Maghreb Arabe Press (MAP)Forces from Yemen, along with coalition forces are ready to take control of the rebel- held city of Hodeida. They seek to liberate the city from the Huthi- Islamic political, armed movement.

Riyadh: Yemeni government forces are around nine kilometres from Hodeida, the Saudi-led military coalition said on Tuesday, announcing fresh gains in their advance on the strategic rebel-held port city.

The coalition-backed forces are closing in on the Red Sea port, the main conduit for humanitarian supplies into a country where millions of people are in dire need of food aid. "The Yemeni army backed by coalition forces are nine kilometres from Hodeida," Turki al-Maliki, a coalition spokesman told reporters in Riyadh.

Last Monday, Maliki said the forces were around 20 kilometres from Hodeida. The battle for the port, controlled by Iran-allied Houthi rebels, has left more than 100 soldiers and insurgents dead in less than a week, medics and military sources said at the weekend. "We are getting reinforcements, removing mines in preparation for subsequent operations," he said, adding that the coalition was focused on protecting civilian lives. "Once the measures are in place, the forces will advance to liberate Hodeida."

UN envoy Martin Griffiths was in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on Monday for talks with Houthi rebels about de-escalating the fighting around Hodeida. The United Nations has warned that any operation aimed at seizing Hodeida itself would disrupt the entry of aid shipments to Yemen, 70 percent of which flow through the rebel-held port.

The port has been a point of contention in Yemen's war since Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened on behalf of the government in 2015 against the rebels. Hodeida is crucial for aid deliveries as Yemen teeters on the brink of famine, but for Saudi Arabia it is an entry point for rebel weaponry, which it accuses regional rival Tehran of supplying.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) - a key member of the Saudi-led alliance - has taken the initiative to ramp up the coastal offensive, with the stated goal of taking Hodeida.

Nearly 10,000 people have been killed since the alliance launched its intervention in Yemen in March 2015, contributing to what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.At the beginning of 2017, General Electric's (NYSE:GE) management still expected the industrial conglomerate to achieve earnings per share of $2 in 2018. By the end of the year, that forecast had been cut in half -- as had GE's dividend -- and CEO Jeff Immelt and CFO Jeffrey Bornstein had both been shown the door.

In this episode of Industry Focus: Energy, the team discusses the problems that led to GE's terrible 2017 performance and reviews the turnaround plan announced last fall. New CEO John Flannery intends to dramatically simplify General Electric to drive better results going forward.

A full transcript follows the video.

This video was recorded on May 31, 2018.

Sarah Priestley: Fill us in on some context here, Adam. What's the big picture at GE?

Adam Levine-Weinberg: GE, for many years, was considered a role model for the American economy and for other companies. It was one of the biggest industrial conglomerates in the U.S. Particularly under Jack Welch, its long-serving CEO in the 80s and 90s, it was able to generate very substantial earnings growth and was very reliable in terms of beating its earnings targets. The problem was that, to some extent, GE's success was a mirage and it was based on, nothing illegal, but, very aggressive accounting, and also some ill-chosen acquisitions. They got into areas that were profitable for a while, and all of that, unfortunately, has collapsed in a very short time and come back to haunt GE.

In 2017, you saw a GAAP loss of $0.60 per share for the company for the full year. Their adjusted earnings were also a loss of $0.45 a share. A lot of that came from this charge that you mentioned, more than $6 billion for its long-term care insurance subsidiary. This is one of those areas that seemed really profitable a couple of decades ago, to sell long-term care insurance to people who were worried about their healthcare needs for retirement. Unfortunately, healthcare costs have gone up far more than anybody expected at the time, so these policies have turned out to be extremely unprofitable. GE booked lots of profits in the 80s, 90s and 2000s on these policies, and now it's come back to haunt them, causing that big charge.

You also saw the big downturn in the power market that Sarah mentioned. 45% drop in segment profit for Power. Since that's the largest segment in terms of revenue, that clearly hurt the bottom line quite a bit last year. The only segments that were still posting earnings growth in 2017 were Aviation, Healthcare, and Renewable Energy. In addition to the accounting losses that GE reported, it also saw a big decline in its cash flow. As a result, that forced GE to cut the dividend, as you mentioned.

With John Flannery in position -- he also has a new CFO in place, Jamie Miller -- they presented a turnaround plan to investors at an investor day conference last November. Part of that plan involves divesting $20 billion of assets by 2019. GE is also planning to exit the oil and gas market, because it sees that business as being too dependent on commodity prices. When oil prices are up, they make money; when oil prices go down, the business doesn't do well, regardless of how well it's managed. They want businesses that they can manage to drive sustainable earnings growth.

So, as a result, you're going to see a future GE that's focused on three key markets: Power, Aviation, and Healthcare.

Priestley: You touched on a great point about the long-term care policies. I think this is something that really spanned the whole of Immelt's tenure. He would invest in the hot thing at the time. He made a lot of oil and gas acquisitions when oil and gas was at its peak. He invested at the pro cycle points on a lot of businesses, and now you're seeing the result of that. Another example would be their buybacks. They've tended to buy back very high under Immelt.Vanguard Cleaning Systems of Colorado Opens

Redstone Group, LLC has launched Vanguard Cleaning Systems of Colorado.

DENVER (PRWEB) June 05, 2018 - Redstone Group, LLC has launched Vanguard Cleaning Systems of Colorado, an independently owned and operated Vanguard Master franchise. The newly opened regional office sells independently owned and operated janitorial franchises which provide commercial cleaning services to businesses throughout the Denver metropolitan market and surrounding areas.

Redstone Group, LLCs primary Master Franchise owner, Jeff Barrett, also owns and operates four regional offices under the Vanguard brand, including Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas.

Vanguard Cleaning Systems of Colorado is located at 13275 E. Fremont Pl., Suite #320 in Centennial, Colorado. You can learn more by visiting their website or by calling 720-639-8090.

About The Vanguard Cleaning Systems Brand

Founded in 1984, the Vanguard Cleaning Systems organization is built upon over 3,000 independently owned and operated franchised commercial cleaning businesses, which are licensed and supported by a Master Franchise network of 54 independent regional offices throughout North America. Vanguard franchised commercial cleaning businesses service more than 15,000 businesses, healthcare companies, educational facilities, and non-profit organizations.

The Vanguard brand has been included among Entrepreneur magazines annual Franchise 500 list for 19 consecutive years. You can learn more about the Vanguard Cleaning Systems at http://www.vanguardcleaning.com.

Contact:

Steve McConnell

Vanguard Cleaning Systems, Inc.

+1 (650) 287-2414

SOURCE Vanguard Cleaning Systems, Inc.

###

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DisqusGerman chemical giant Bayer will ditch the controversial Monsanto name as it prepares to close a $63bn takeover of the US seed and spray company on Thursday.

Monsanto, a 117-year-old brand, has long attracted criticism from environmental campaigners who oppose its use of genetically modified seed, and the brand was recently ranked the 16th most-hated in the US.

The combined entity will create the worlds largest seeds and agrochemical supplier despite Dows merger with Dupont and ChemChinas takeover of Syngenta.

See also: Blackgrass battle looks winnable for Suffolk grower

In the UK, it will give Bayer control of one-quarter of the oilseed rape market under the Dekalb brand, as well as glyphosate, the best-selling herbicide of all time.

The deal, announced some 18 months ago, cleared its final regulatory hurdle last week after approval from US authorities and Bayer chief executive Werner Baumann said he expects it to go into effect on 7 June.

To gain approval in Europe, Bayer had to sell its existing InVigor oilseed rape varieties and hybrid wheat-breeding programme to fellow German group BASF, alongside more significant assets in the US.

Despite this, its total agricultural business will double in size, giving it annual sales of almost 20bn, nearly 50% bigger than nearest rival ChemChina.Rumors are around that Playground Games could be in the process of being acquired by Microsoft, and the clues gathered by users at the forums ResetEra are quite believable we must say.

Keith Ranger Dolliver has indeed been appointed to the board of directors for Playground Games. He is the VP & Deputy General Counsel of Business and Corporate Development at Microsoft.

The news is quite important because, from what it seems, Keith Ranger Dolliver is the man whos in charge to smoothen acquisitions in the gaming business for Microsoft. He was appointed to the board of directors of Rare and Lionhead in the past, too, and even LinkedIn more recently.

Playground Games is the studio which is partnering with Microsoft and Turn 10 Studios for the Forza Horizon series, thats rumored to be making a return at this years E3 for a fourth chapter.

On top of that, during the last few years, the team has opened new offices at Leamington, in the United Kingdom, in order to work on a triple-A open world game which is rumored to be a reboot of the Fable franchise.

An acquisition from Microsoft would almost certainly mean that they actually working on a first-party intellectual property for the platform owner, something we really look forward to seeing show up at E3 2018.

Source: ResetEra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 Galaxy A9 Star vs smartphones under Rs 40,000 Features oi-Harish Kumar

Samsung, the South Korean tech giant has been one of the most favoured brands when it comes to smartphones or consumer electronics goods in India.

SEE ALSO: Budget Smartphones to buy in India in June 2018

The company has a wide range of products in its kitty for the consumers and the products are available at all price ranges. We will be discussing about the highly anticipated smartphone A9 Star which carries some decent specs and features.

Samsung Galaxy A9 star Key Specs:

6.28-inch FHD+ (10802220 pixels) FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity display

Octa Core Snapdragon 660 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 512 GPU

4GB RAM

64GB internal storage

expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD

Android 8.0 (Oreo)

Dual SIM

24MP primary rear camera and 16MP secondary rear camera

24MP front-facing camera

4G VoLTE

Non-removable Li-Ion 3700 mAh battery

We will have a look at the expected Samsung Galaxy A9 star and also compare with some other smartphones that are available under Rs 40,000, so let's get on the list.

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Jio's ultra-low postpaid plans further decline profitability of incumbents: Ind- Ra News oi-Priyanka RJio added 9.4 million new subscribers while Idea Cellular Limited came close second by adding 9.14 million new subscribers.

Mukesh Ambani- owned Reliance Jio's introduction of ultra-low postpaid plans would lead to a further decline in profitability of incumbents as they are likely to revise their postpaid tariffs to retain their customer base, according to India Ratings and Research( Ind- Ra).

It pointed out that RJio held number three subscribers position in five out of eight top circles in March 2018 with number two position in Karnataka.

However, Bharti maintained a leadership position in six out of the top eight circles, whereas Vodafone number one position was limited to Gujarat circle. Vodafone and Idea on a combined basis would be number one in four circles

The research firm said that subscriber growth remained positive during February and March 2018 on account of new attractive plans launched by telcos, in addition to growth stream of RJio.

RJio added 9.4 million new subscribers while Idea Cellular Limited came close second by adding 9.14 million new subscribers. RJio also gained 6.5 percent subscriber market share during the 12 months ended March 2018.

While India's largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel Limited, Vodafone India Limited and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited added 8.4 million, 5.6 million and 2.5 million new subscribers respectively. Exiting telcos reported 8.6 million subscriber losses on a combined basis in March 2018.

The top three telcos accounted for 58 percent of subscriber market share in March 2017, which increased to 62.1 percent in March 2018.

Furthermore, RJio recorded the highest decline of 11 percent qoq in ARPU (per month) in Q4FY18. Telcos continued their focus to increase the percentage of data subscribers as part of total subscribers to earn higher ARPU.

Besides this, the research firm opined that proposed National Digital Communications Policy would bring about limited respite for the debt-laden telecom sector, although it lays a thrust on digital infrastructure and reflects a shift in the telecommunication regulation landscape.

20 Things You No Longer Need Just Because of Smartphones

The draft policy proposes a rationalization in spectrum usage charges to reflect the cost of regulation and administration of spectrum, as well as license fee and Universal Service Obligation Fund levy, it further said.

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Discount and No cost EMI offers on smartwatches and Wearables Features oi-Harish Kumar If you are in need to buying a wearable or smartwatch, you shouldnt miss these offers.

Flipkart is offering lucrative discounts on smart wearables. The e-commerce portal is offering a wide range of wearables including smartwatches and fitness bands at attractive discounts and no cost EMI payment options to the lure the perspective buyers. The discounts range from minimum 10% to minimum 50% to attract the buyers looking out for such wearable devices.

SEE ALSO: Top 10 smartphones with snapdragon 835 processor you can buy in India

Under this sale, there are fitness bands from a slew of manufacturers. The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 and HRX edition are priced starting from Rs. 1,299. The Lenovo Smartband with a heart rate monitor is available at flat Rs. 700 discount. There is Apple Watch Series 3 priced at Rs. 28,900, which is lesser than the usual the selling price of Rs. 34,410.

SEE ALSO: Budget Smartphones to buy in India in June 2018

If you are looking out to buy a wearable or smartwatch, you shouldn't miss these offers. Take a look at the irresistible offers and discounts from the list given below.

27% off on Mi Band - HRX Edition (Black Strap, Size : Regular) Buy This offer on Flipkart

Key Specs

Digital Smart Band

Made of Plastic

Bluetooth Enabled

Activity Tracker Present

OLED Display

Water Resistant 35% off on Lenovo HW01 Smart Band with Heart Rate Monitor (Black Strap, Size : Regular) Buy This offer on Flipkart

Key Specs

Notifications and Doze Off Alert

Dynamic Heart Rate Monitor

Pedometer, Calories and Sleep Monitoring

Liquid Splash and Dust Proof

Compatible with Both Android and iOS Devices

Digital Smart Band

Made of Silicone

Bluetooth Enabled

Activity Tracker Present

OLED Display

Water Resistant 30% off on Fossil Q Founder 2.0 Touchscreen Dark Brown Leather Smartwatch Buy This offer on Flipkart

Key Specs

The battery life varies depending on the usage of the watch

Calling facilities are compatible with Android phones only

Dial Color: Multi-Colour, Case Shape: Round, Dial Glass Material: Glass

Band Color: Brown, Band Material: Leather

Watch Movement Type: Light Powered, Watch Display Type: Analog-Digital

2 years manufacturer warranty on manufacturing defects 23% off Lenovo HX03F Spectra Smartband (Black Strap, Size : Regular) Buy This offer on Flipkart

Key Specs

Colorful High Resolution TFT Screen

Sports Statistics & Motion Reminder

Multi Interface for Choice

USB Direct Charging and Removable Strap

Intelligent Assistant

Digital Smart Band

Made of Silicone

Bluetooth Enabled

Activity Tracker Present

TFT-LCD Display

Water Resistant 17% off on Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro Smartband Buy This offer on Flipkart

Key Specs

Swim Ready Water Resistant Upto 50 m and the Speedo App Tracks Stats and Presents them in Easy to Read Summaries

Boost Every Session with Fitness Apps Powered by Under Armour, Count Every Mile on Map MyRun, and Stay on Top of Nutrition with MyFitnessPal

Automatic Detection of Type of Activity Whether it be Tennis, Basketball, Dancing or Running

Track Location and Listen to Music Even without Phone with Built-in GPS to Keep a Record of where You Workout

Wireless Charging

Digital Smart Band

Made of Silicone

Bluetooth Enabled

Activity Tracker Present

AMOLED Display

Water Resistant 20% off on Casio Smart Outdoor Smartwatch (Black Strap Regular) Buy This offer on Flipkart

Key Specs

Smart Outdoor Watch with Android WearTM - round 56.4mm case in resin bezel case featuring a monochrome LCD and color LCD screen, and a soft urethane band with buckle clasp

Compatible with smartphones running Android versions 4.3 and later and iPhones 5 and beyond running iOS 8.2 or above (limited functionality with iPhone)

Built-in quad sensors provide real time notification of activity tracking, altimeter, barometer, and compass readings without the need for a phone

Military standard MIL-STD-810G compliance in environmental performance

Water resistant to 50m (165ft: in general, suitable for short periods of swimming, but not diving or snorkeling

limited app functionality with iPhones

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We are just a few weeks away from the opening of Disneys Hollywood Studios newest attraction called Toy Story Land. Before we all head online to get our FastPasses, let us remember what is currently available to see and do over the next few weeks at Hollywood Studios.





Stunt Double/Actor avoids a spear during the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show.

Nikon D750/28-300VR, 1/250s, f/5.6, ISO 10000, EV +1.0, 300mm Focal Length, Spot Metering.

I am a huge fan of the Indiana Jones movies and am looking forward to the new ones Disney is working on. Having seen various stunt shows over the years, nothing beats the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show for its massive sets, acting, audience participation and fun. Having seen this show numerous times over the years, I find it is just like the movies, anytime I catch one on TV, I watch it.

It is also a show I like to push my photographic equipment and software with. The photo above took an excellent sensor found in my Nikon D750 dSLR camera to capture a usable RAW image at 10,000 ISO, plug-in noise reduction software to Apple Aperture 3 photo management and editing system and the ability to selectively dodge and burn parts of the digital image with Aperture (Note: I have since switched to using Adobes LightRoom system as Apple dropped Aperture).











Post a CommentA passerby peeks her head in the entryway. After a quick glance, the rest of her crosses the threshold. Its well past closing time, but the door is still open, allowing the warm sun of an early May evening seep its way into the interior.

Im just coming in to take a look, she says to the proprietors. Its just such a pretty store.

One of them, a young man in a white oxford shirt and khakis approaches and extends his hand. Hi, Im Patrick.

That would be Patrick Mele, a rising, internationally known interior designer, who recently fulfilled a longstanding wish  to open a shop in his hometown of Greenwich. He wanted a space that would showcase his style, serve as a gathering spot and become an ever-changing canvas for the concepts and looks he has rumbling about in his creative mind. The visit is brief, but there is a promise she will soon return  music to Meles ears.

I want people to come and enjoy and discover and hopefully take something away with them, he says, settling once again in an upholstered cafe chair. I have learned whatever knowledge I have from those experiences.

Mele, 34, carries a worldly presence even as he projects a hometown charm. When he gave birth to his eponymous store late last year, he imbued it with the same DNA. They can do in their own homes, he says. I want them to see they can put a collection of African masks over a chintz Victorian couch and that, in fact, it does work. In the store, they can see all these disparate objects and personalities and cultures come together rather than clash.

The 500-square-foot space is a former neighborhood grocer transformed by Meles touch. He removed shelves, painted all surfaces white (including the high tin ceiling) and removed vinyl siding to reveal transom and showcase windows. Within, one finds refurbished antiques and other finds, from the 17th century to the present. There is art from contemporary artists, including Doug Meyer, artisan perfumes from Regime des Fleurs and select pieces from Creel and Gow, a New York City boutique shop that specializes in unusual and exotic objects.

It is as much a store as it is a vibrant and active studio for a designer who is increasingly busy, with projects in New York City, Westchester County, N.Y., Fairfield County, Washington, D.C., the West Coast, St. Barths, and, most recently, London. Mele splits his time between his New York City home and the shop on William Street, which is just off the bustle and hustle of the Post Road and Greenwich Avenue. His stylish mother, Patricia, keeps the doors open Tuesday to Saturday, sometimes solo, but often in tandem with her son.

Since he was a child, he has had this innate sense of style, she says sitting behind the counter. He will say, Mom, put this on this way and, boom  he is absolutely correct.

Mele grew up in Greenwich, but knew he would cross its borders sooner rather than later. I didnt know what I wanted to be, but I knew the world I wanted to work within.

He was energized by the intersection of art, fashion, decorative arts and architecture and emulated those who built successful lifestyle brands. He started early and formed a window design business when he was 14, working with stores such as Lynnens and Paperie on Greenwich Avenue. He also soaked in the creativity and energy he witnessed during his moms tenure at Best & Co., a high-end childrens store run by Susie Hilfiger in Greenwich. During his senior year of high school, he literally got out of town, securing an internship with a fashion designer in New York City.

Syracuse University came next, where he studied environmental design, and then New York University, from which he graduated in 2006 with a degree in art history and cultural studies. Five years later, he launched his namesake design company. In between, he spent time at Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren, J. Crew and Privet House. And he never forgot the experience of growing up with a restaurateur father, who ran several eateries, including the now-closed Restaurant 64 in Greenwich. Mele and his sister were welcomed into that bustling world, meeting the people who made it all happen, from the waitstaff to kitchen crew, the artists who decorated the walls and the customers who came to celebrate.

Mele always has been drawn to people  their stories, their motivations, their dreams. When he meets a client or customer, he delves deep to find what turns them on and off.

I develop a story or character  a kind of ultimate vision or version of that person. Part of a designers job is to bring out qualities of the person that they possess and are not necessarily aware of. I help them to fully realize that, and that has to do with their environment, how they dress or how they appear. Its wonderful to be part of that transformation.

In the days to come, Meles own story will change. He wants the shop to constantly evolve with new pieces and ideas. He will launch a creator-in-residence series at the shop, starting with designer John Derian, whose decor items and unique upholstered pieces will be available. Signature summer items, such as Lafont Paris sunglasses and beach caftans will arrive this month.

I want to celebrate the best of the past and push the concepts of what works and what doesnt, Mele says of his store and design approach. I dont want to be a revisionist. I want to be dynamic and of my time, but as I push it forward, I want to blend in the past.

Patrick Meles Greenwich shop, 60 William St., is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

chennessy@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @xtinahennessyHARTFORD  A tattooed man dubbed the beefcake bandit who committed three robberies in Greenwich and escaped from police in a wild cross-country chase was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison in a federal courtroom Tuesday afternoon.

David Byers, 35, held back tears as he addressed Judge Michael Shea, and Byers voice cracked when he was given the opportunity to speak at his sentencing in U.S. District Court in Hartford. Standing before the judge, he acknowledged the crimes he committed last year in Greenwich and New York.

I definitely want to apologize to the victims, for what they went through, Byers said, his face reddened by emotion.

I apologize to law enforcement, he said, nodding briefly at two Greenwich police detectives in the federal courtroom.

Byers pleaded guilty to one count of interference of commerce by robbery last November, while admitting a crime spree last spring that included five robberies and a high-speed escape from law enforcement that endangered the public.

Byers defense lawyer, Moira Buckley, presented a copy of a letter of apology that Byers had written to the Greenwich Police Department. In the days after robbing a gas station and a bank  twice  in town, Byers took off in a Range Rover when confronted by Greenwich police officers, gunning the engine and flying over the sidewalk outside a hotel bar in April 2017. His escape eventually took him back to his hometown in the San Diego area, eluding pursuers in Pennsylvania and Arizona on the way.

Byers told the judge he has struggled with impulses and urges he barely understands himself. Reading a report by a psychologist assigned to his case, suggesting he had bipolar tendencies and an addiction to alcohol, came as something of a revelation, Byers said. People just didnt pick up on it, he told the judge.

Byers robbed a Cos Cob gas station, and he held up the Chase bank in Riverside twice, last spring. He did not carry a real weapon during the hold-ups. But he tucked a television remote stuck into his waistband, and a toy gun painted black on one occasion, to simulate actual weapons. Byers also held up gas stations in Nesconset and Stony Brook, on Long Island, before going to Greenwich for those three robberies. He was staying in a Stamford hotel while pulling the stick-up jobs, keeping a dog named Dante in his car.

Byers achieved celebrity status after his work as a fitness model was made public, depicting him in sensual poses for romance novels. He was dubbed the Beefcake Bandit in media accounts of his criminal exploits.

Judge Shea said he gave Byers a lesser penalty than the one established under a complex set of federal sentencing guidelines, a range of 7.6 years to 9.5 years. Shea said he was impressed by Byers conduct at the Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island, but the judge also noted the severity of the crimes.

This is a very, very serious crime, Shea said. Make no mistake, the crime you committed caused lasting harm. These people are going to remember what you did for the rest of their lives. ... You hurt those people.

The judge said he also had concerns about Byers falling back into a life of crime. There is a concern of this happening again, Shea said.

Due to those factors  the severity of the crime and the opportunity for recidivism  the judge said he would not agree to the five-year sentence proposed by Byers lawyer. But the judge said Byers deserved some leniency for his conduct at the federal prison in Rhode Island, where the warden had sent positive reports. Ive never received a package like that from Wyatt, that says something positive about you, Shea said.

After issuing his sentence, Shea told Byers, I know its a long sentence, and I take no pleasure from it. I do my best to come up with the right sentence. I hope you do your best.

Buckley, the defense lawyer, said her client has coped with untreated mental-health issues, as well as substance abuse, and she said a lesser, five-year sentence was warranted. He does well with structure, she said, and could lead a productive life outside jail with the right support. Hes a good inmate, a good worker.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Kaplan argued that sentence formulated by federal guidelines, of up to 9.5 years, was the fitting punishment.

Theres no question that Mr. Byers put the victims, the police, and Mr. Byers himself in harms way, Kaplan said. And were talking about five robberies.

The self-confessed bank robber was captured in San Diego on May 2 by an FBI team., after stealing a series of vehicles that took him from Greenwich to southern California. Byers stole $14,753 in his robberies in Connecticut and New York, from banks and gas stations.

After he was sentenced Tuesday, Byers looked dejected and on the point of tears, dabbing his eyes with a tissue. After shaking hands with his lawyer, Byers was escorted from the courtroom. He was wearing a beige jumpsuit and walking with crutches and a cast on his foot. Byers sustained a major foot injury in a motorcycle accident several years ago, according to court papers. During the sentencing hearing, Byers was attentive and alert, taking notes on occasion.

Byers had previously worked as a bar-tender, construction worker and automotive repair technician, and he also had an arrest record in California, where he had served several months in jail. He came to the East Coast to pursue a romantic attachment to a woman from Greenwich, according to court papers, with whom he had a previous relationship.

He pleaded guilty in November, cutting a deal with prosecutors and making a request for leniency.

Byers made a request to serve his sentence at the federal prison in Danbury. The judge declined to make a recommendation. His lawyer suggested that Byers has a personal connection to someone in the Northeast, but court personnel were reticent about discussing specifics.

Byers has family in the western section of the U.S., and his parents live in Arizona.

In the federal prison system, convicts must serve at least 85 percent of their sentence before they can be considered for early release. Byers was also ordered to three years of supervised release after the prison sentence is completed.

Technically, Byers had faced a possible sentence of up to 20 years.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.comGREENWICH  Jennifer Endewyn Inzitari, 21, was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome as a child and suffers from violent tics that cause chronic migraines and spasmodic muscle contortions.

She often uses a cane or wheelchair to get around, and high-pitched barking sounds and phrases like Hey and I love you pepper her conversations.

Tourettes is stigmatized, Inzitari said. People just think its a disorder where you swear a lot, but theres a lot of anxiety, chronic pain and fatigue ... it just, it hurts. A lot of people dont realize the reality.

Inzitari and her family are hoping a service dog could bring her independence and the freedom to build a future. A dog could be trained to carry things, retrieve items, help her up from falls and perform other tasks that seem effortless for others.

But waiting lists are long and selective and costs can be high. To make Inzitaris challenge harder, shes already tried to get a dog once, and the effort didnt turn out well.

Bad match

It took about two years for the Inzitari family to raise $24,000 and bring Wags, a 45-pound labradoodle, home from Angel Service Dogs, Inc. in Colorado last June.

The dog was aggressive, untrained, it tried to attack my (pet) dog, pulled me over, pulled me down the stairs, Inzitari said. I had them take it back. I made them cancel the contract.

The first thing Wags did was walk over to the family dogs bowl and start eating, said Inzitaris mother, Mary.

He didnt listen to anything the trainer said, she said. I thought we were going to have to bring (Endewyn) to the hospital for her anxiety.

I finally said to her, The money is not worth what youre doing to yourself,  Mary Inzitari said.

Since the contract was broken, Angel Service Dogs refused to give the Inzitari family a refund. Inzitari was offered a replacement dog, she said, but refused it because her trust was gone.

Company attorney Richard Bednarski said the organization denies claims against Wags.

The dog is well-mannered, Bednarski said, and continues to be well-mannered with its foster family.

He also said clients know they cant get a refund if they break a contract.

The language ... stated that if Miss Inzitari cancels the contract, the money goes into the general fund, he said. They go through the time and energy ... and they are back at square-one. It impacts their ability to perform as a 501(c)(3) organization.

Melissa Bain, professor of veterinary behavior at the University of California Davis Veterinary School, said the world of service dogs can be difficult to navigate.

Theres no licensing organization specifically for service dog trainers, she said.

Greenwich resident Alan Gunzburg agreed the world of service dogs is murky.

A local advocate, Gunzburg lives with a degenerative eye disease and a guide dog of his own. He is on the First Selectmans Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities in Greenwich.

The only way to effect change is to be as loud as possible, Gunzburg said, and people just havent been loud enough yet regarding issues in the service dog industry.

Whos looking for red flags when youre looking for hope? he said. I just feel so bad for her, I feel like I want to cry. I cant imagine how high up she was to how low she got.

Another chance

But Inzitari didnt lose hope.

A friend in the service dog community gave her a new recommendation last December: Aurum Canine Services in Minnesota.

Aurum Program Director and Trainer Dana Daniels said there are key questions to ask when searching for the right service dog and organization.

Does the service dog program follow the standards of Assistance Dog International and/or International Association of Assistance Dog Partners? she asked. What support does the program provide following placement? What continuing education are they utilizing?

If the program you are interviewing cant answer these questions readily, Daniels said, continue your search.

I talked to Dana a lot before I signed anything, Inzitari said. I asked her lots of questions, she sent me videos of their dogs working. Ive talked to past clients, they dont have any bad press; I did my research this time.

Inzitari is now matched with a young yellow lab named Joker; at $11,000 the cost is less than half of what she paid for Wags. She has until next spring to raise funds, but with one caveat: Aurum is still pursuing non-profit status, so some fundraising options Inzitari used previously will not be open to her.

I have my Youcaring.com fundraising page, said Inzitari, which Im just trying to post everywhere, and you know, hope that somebody really nice sees it.

If I have a service dog ... I might be able to go to school one day, she said. And thats just wild to me. I cant give up. I wont have to worry about falling over and not getting up because Ill always have someone there to catch me.

E: jturiano@greenwichtime.com; T: @jturianoGT; IG: @greenwichgreen.Chinese regulators have launched a probe against memory-chip manufacturers Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix. According to The Wall Street Journal, all three companies confirmed their offices have been visited by China officials. They did not reveal what is the investigation about, but analysts are suggesting a negotiation transferring data and know-how to domestic Chinese manufacturers.

Mark Newman, an analyst at Bernstein, said this might be related with the rising cost of DRAM chips. China currently uses 20% of the DRAM memory chips, used for processing data, and around 25% of the NAND chips, used for storage. Nearly 90% of all, costing around $190 billion, are imported or built by foreign-owned companies.

DRAM prices have been on the rise in the past two years and this is one of the main reasons why Samsung keeps posting record-breaking quarterly results. China has been trying to support local companies, with the major players on the domestic market being DRAM Innotron Memory, Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit, and Yangtze Memory Technologies.

The Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation has not issued a response to The Wall Street Journal on the official visits to the US and South Korean manufacturers.

SourceIf you are in the US, and are planning to purchase a Google Pixel 2 XL, here's a deal for you: Project Fi is offering $150 discount on the device, bringing the tag down to $700 and $800 for 64GB and 128GB models, respectively.

Specifically, the Google-owned carrier is offering $150 service credit to buyers of the phone.

The promo has just been launched, and it runs through July 7 (or while supplies last). Both new and existing Project Fi customers are eligible. The handset must be activated within 30 days of shipment and remain active for 30 consecutive days within 60 days of shipment.

For more info as well as to make a purchase, head to the Source link below. Note that Google is also officially offering discounts on several of its products, including Pixel 2 XL.

SourceThe Lenovo Z5 was just announced in China. The phone did not live up to the expectations of a true bezel-less experience and brought a notch on the top, a chin on the bottom of the screen, a Snapdragon 636 chipset and an average dual camera setup. The screen measures in 6.2 with a tall 19:9 ratio.

The processor has eight Kryo 260 cores, clocked at 1.8 GHz, coupled with an Adreno 509 GPU. There are six gigs of RAM as the only option, but at least there is a choice between 64 GB and 128 GB storage. The 4 TB rumor appeared to be a separate announcement of a hard drive.

Lenovo followed the trend of branding everything with AI and now the dual camera is 16 MP + 8 MP with AI capabilities. The selfie camera is in the cutout of the display and has an 8 MP sensor that is also artificially intelligent, bringing machine learning of the face shape.

The Lenovo Z5 arrives with 3,300 mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging through a USB-C port. As promised, it has ZUI 4.0, the very same interface that was previously seen in the ZUK smartphones. It is based on Android 8.0 Oreo, but Lenovo VP Chang Cheng promised an update to Android P once the OS is announced. ZUK owners should rejoice because the promise was also made for the Z2, Z2 Pro and Edge phones.

The phone is offered in Black, Blue, and Aurora that shifts under different lighting. There are two memory variants with varying price tags - the 6/64 GB version goes for CNY1,299, while the 6/128 GB one will cost CNY1,799. The prices are equal to $202/173 or $280/240, and hopefully, well see the device hit the global scene. The domestic market launch will be on June 12.



Lenovo K5 Note & Lenovo A5

Lenovo also announced two ultra-affordable phones called Lenovo A5 and Lenovo K5 Note. The first has 4,000 mAh battery pack and costs just CNY599 (less than $100/80). The latter has a dual camera setup and a tall screen with a sweet price of $155/135 for the more powerful 4/64 GB variant.

Via 1  Via 2These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales.Twenty six Jewish, young professionals, hailing from nine cities in the US, Canada and Europe, met last week in Moscow for a global summit. Selected from among fifty nominees, all participants completed a rigorous application process before joining the pilot program by Chabad Young Professionals International (CYP).

Once accepted into the leadership-training program, applicants were nominated as ambassadors of their communities, and participated in a four-month course led by renowned experts in leadership. The course examined themes of Jewish leadership and culminated in the Moscow Global Summit.

Our goal is to inspire the young professionals to lead from within, says Rabbi Beryl Frankel, CYPs director.

Beginning in St Petersburg, the program traced the footsteps of Soviet refuseniks who kept Jewish life under Communist rule alive at great personal risk. The tour highlighted the small Jewish network that sustained itself during Russias dark days, and from which Russias flourishing Jewish communities today have emerged.

On one such visit to Moscows Marina Roscha synagogue, participants listened to Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar describe his first walk into an ancient building of only ten congregants. Today, the Marina Roscha is an impressive multi-story community center housing a synagogue and social services for Jews of all ages.

The ambassadors returning to home base with a twelve-month commitment to their communities. Theyll be expected to use the leadership skills gained and the vision developed through the course to lead and engage their compatriots in Jewish life.

A sign welcomes participants to the Global Summit



At the Choral synagogue in St. Petersburg

Viewing archives at the Jewish Museum in Moscow



Haiti - DR : Ramfis Trujillo candidate for the Dominican Presidency in 2020 ?





Ramfis Dominguez Trujillo (48), grandson of the dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, candidate for the presidency of the Dominican Republic in 2020 of the Institutional Democracy Party (PDI), https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23971-haiti-dr-the-candidate-of-the-pdi-advocates-the-construction-of-a-wall-separating-the-island-in-two.html who advocates the expulsion of all illegal Haitians and the construction of a border wall, says he meets all the conditions required by the Dominican Constitution to be a candidate for the Presidency "In due course, all the necessary documentation will be known for that no one doubts that I am able to be a candidate."



The PDI candidate, a nationalist and populist party, has asked the "Junta Central Electoral" (JCE) the Central Electoral Council, that his candidacy for the Presidency be verified as soon as his documents are deposited and that the JCE endorses are right to apply for the presidency of the country.



Ramfis Trujillo believes that he has the support of the Dominican people, for the proposals for change presented by his Party and affirms that he intends in a participatory democracy "to promote equality for women", "defend national sovereignty first and foremost" , "Deport all Haitians in an irregular situation" and "build a wall to avoid future problems with Haiti".



Recall that Article 20 of the Dominican Constitution states that Dominicans who adopt another nationality, voluntarily or by their place of birth (Ramfis Trujillo was born in New York and American by birth), can aspire to the presidency and to the Dominican vice presidency, if they renounce the nationality acquired 10 years before the election and if they resided in the Dominican Republic during the 10 years preceding the election.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23971-haiti-dr-the-candidate-of-the-pdi-advocates-the-construction-of-a-wall-separating-the-island-in-two.html



SL/ HaitiLibre

















Published on 2018/06/05 | Source

Added episodes 23 and 24 captures for the Korean drama "Shall We Live Together" (2018)

Advertisement

Directed by Yoon Chang-beom

Written by Park Pil-joo

Network : KBS

With Yoo Dong-geun, Jang Mi-hee, Han Ji-hye, Lee Sang-woo, Park Sun-young, Yeo Hoe-hyun,...

50 episodes - Sat, Sun 19:55

Also known as "Marry Me Now"

Synopsis

The story explores the relationships between generations in a family; between parents, parents and children, and all the process by which all of them learn to relate to each other.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2018/03/17

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HelpJune 16-17, the Bear Paw Bowmen Archery Club will be hosting its 20th annual Barber Ranch Two-Day Archery Shoot in the Bear Paw Mountains, south of Havre.

The Barber Ranch Two-Day Archery Shoot has become one of the most premier archery events in the state of Montana.

With the concept of family sport and fun in mind, the shoot has become the annual family reunion for far more than 300 shooters and families and continues to grow every year. In fact, the shoot has become somewhat of an international event, with equal amounts of Canadian shooters as well as shooters from several nei...A sign in front of the Havre Eagles Manor identifies the retirement home. Havre City Council Monday approved a $125,000 loan to make repairs at the manor, including fixing and upgrading the elevator and heat pumps. The loan will be repaid by a Michigan company who is in the process of purchasing the manor.

Havre City Council approved a $125,000 loan Monday to the Havre Eagles Manor to make repairs in the retirement living facility.

Affiliated Developers Inc., a Michigan nonprofit, is in the process of purchasing the Eagles Manor, working in conjunction with a Montana company during this process, Havre City Clerk and Finance Director Doug Kaercher said in an interview Monday.

The loan is guaranteed by the nonprofit, Havre Mayor Tim Solomon said during Monday's council meeting.

That guarantee is in place even if the sale falls through, Kaercher said this morning.

Push to keep fighting on...Last updated 6/7/2018 at 8:13am

Havre Police Department

Nathaniel Isaac Windyboy, 36, was arrested on charges of driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license during a vehicle stop on First Street Monday at 10:41 a.m.

--

A caller at a First Street establishment reported a stolen phone Monday at 11:42 a.m.

--

A Havre City Hall caller reported at 3:02 p.m. Monday that someone had failed to pay their water bill.

--

Monday at 3:21 p.m., a caller reported a noninjury vehicle crash involving a Camry and a Cherokee on Second Avenue.

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A caller reported Monday at 3:47 p.m. someone had thrown a power-steering pump...Bob W. Moog, 92, passed away June 2, 2018.

Born Robert William Moog Aug. 1, 1925, in Inverness, he was the third child of six born to Otto and Irene (White) Moog. Known to all as Bob, he attended school in Inverness.

Bob and Una Nadine Alley were married June 2, 1946, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Conrad, Mt., while Bob worked at Safeway.

They moved to Joplin in 1947 to farm his Aunt Violet (White) Smith's farm until the farm was sold to the Errol Fossen family, and he also worked at the Joplin Grocery.

They moved to Inverness in April 1951, where Bob continued to work at Joplin Grocery. In 1953, they bought into the International Harvester business from Eddy McClellan which would then become Hi-Line Equipment Co. with partners Tommy Wood and Elmer Klemm. Besides selling I-H farm equipment, trucks and pickups, the partnership began buying small parcels of land to farm. Bob and Tommy eventually bought out Klemm and in 1962 they sold the equipment business to Marias Equipment in Chester. Bob continued to be an I-H salesman for Marias Equipment until 1990 - the last two years for Dick and Gary Brown of Big Sky Equipment in Conrad. The Hi-Line Farms partnership continued until April 15, 1988.

Other activities Bob did in his spare time included having a lifelong membership at the Sacred Heart Church, Inverness, where he was usher and greeter, kept the grass and weeds mowed and made sure the church was always warm for Mass and other events held; being a director of Hill County Water District 1982-95, replacing Lester Kenfield. Bob was one of the founding directors of Inverness Water District, established in 1964. He enjoyed square-dancing and league bowling in the 1960-'70s. He also enjoyed mowing grass for several neighbors to keep Inverness beautiful.

Bob and Una briefly spent time at the Sweet Grass Lodge, moving into the Wheat Country Estates in March of 2015. Then Bob moved into the Long Term Care facility in Chester Sept. 27, 2017.

Bob is survived by Una and actually passed away on his and Una's 72nd wedding anniversary, June 2, 2018. He is also survived by all nine of his children and their spouses, 35 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, sibling Leonard (Madeline) Moog, sister-in-law Bev Moog, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, siblings Alice Lakey, Otto (Bud) Moog, Vern Moog, Margaret Bailey and two grandsons, John David Moog and Cole Keith Moog.

A vigil is scheduled for Wednesday, June 6, at 7 p.m., funeral Mass and reception Thursday, June 7, at 11 a.m., both at Sacred Heart Church in Inverness, Montana, followed by the burial at 2 p.m. at the Chester Cemetery.

Condolences can be made to Bob's memorial page at http://www.asperfh.com.A new method has been developed to make drugs smarter using nanotechnology so they will be more effective at reaching their target.

Scientists from the University of Lincoln, UK, have devised a new technique to decorate gold nanoparticles with a protein of choice so they can be used to tailor drug to more accurately target an area on the body, such as a cancer tumour.

Gold nanoparticles are spheres made of gold atoms having a diameter of only few billionths of a metre which can be coated with a biological protein and combined with drugs to enable the treatment to travel through the body and reach the affected area.

The nanoparticles can adsorb (hold on its surface) drugs which would otherwise become insoluble or quickly degrade in the blood stream, and due to their small size they can overcome biological barriers such as membranes, skin and the small intestine which would usually prevent the drug from reaching its target.

The technology is already used in real world applications such as pregnancy tests  where gold nanoparticles decorated with an antibody against the hormone present in the urine of pregnant women is added to the positive strip so it reacts with the nanoparticles to turn the stick red  but is not yet widely used in drug development.

Until now the process of coating the nanoparticles meant that the proteins used had to be mixed together with particles which do not have the ability to control the way they bind, possibly making the drug less effective. The new method enables pharmacologists to place the proteins onto the gold nanoparticles layer by layer in a specific order. This maintains the integrity of the protein so that the drug is more effective, opening up possibilities for the development of nanomedicine.

The findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications.

Dr Enrico Ferrari, a nanobiotechnologist from the University of Lincolns School of Life Sciences, led the study. He said: Gold nanoparticles are a vital tool in new drug development and drug delivery systems. We have unlocked the key to binding proteins and molecules so that those drugs will be more effective.

This method might help to design nanomedicines that do not need extensive chemical modification of a protein drug or a nano-carrier and therefore can be developed more easily and faster.

Researchers took fragments of proteins from bacteria and flatworms, which when fused together were effective at binding to the gold nanoparticle surface and able to form stable bonds to any other protein.

By mixing this fusion protein with gold nanoparticles, it permanently binds to the gold surface while also being able to stably bind a target protein on which a specific tag was included.

This is a new universal method to bind proteins to nanoparticles which will work for most proteins, making the process a more attractive prospect for pharmaceutical companies, the researchers said.

The method could also potentially be applied to biosensors and diagnostic kits that use gold, such as those used in clinical settings to identify ongoing infections in patients blood.These results indicate that T cells in the brain may be an important reservoir for HIV in patients that should be targeted by HIV cure approaches.

CHAPEL HILL, NC  A new study by University of North Carolina School of Medicine researchers has found that T cells, a type of white blood cell and an essential part of the immune system, are sufficient by themselves to establish and maintain an HIV infection in the brain.

These results are paradigm changing, said co-corresponding author J. Victor Garcia, PhD, Oliver Smithies Investigator, professor of Medicine and a member of the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, the UNC Center for AIDS Research and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. We have demonstrated for the first time that infection of the brain can be established and maintained by both human macrophages and T cells.

The study, published today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, builds upon previous work by the same group of researchers, which found that the virus persists in HIV-infected macrophages and demonstrated the ability of tissue macrophages to support HIV replication in vivo in the total absence of human T cells. Macrophages are large white blood cells found in tissues throughout the body including the liver, lung, bone marrow and brain.

HIV/AIDs researchers long believed that myeloid cells are critical for HIV infection of the central nervous system. But more recent research indicates that HIV infection in cerebral spinal fluid can originate from both T cells and/or macrophages.

To directly address whether or not T cells contribute to the seeding and persistence of HIV infection in the brain, researchers in the laboratories of Angela Wahl, PhD and Garcia used a humanized T-cell only mouse model to determine whether or not myeloid cells are essential for HIV infection of the brain.

The studys lead author is Jenna B. Honeycutt, PhD, a postdoctoral research associate in the division of infectious diseases at UNC and the UNC Center for AIDS Research.

In our studies we show that T cells are a major target of HIV infection in the brain, both in the presence and in the absence of macrophages, said Honeycutt. In addition we describe a previously unknown phenomenon that occurs in the central nervous system rapidly after infection  specifically, a significant depletion of CD4 T cells within 1-2 weeks of infection in the brain.

This has previously been reported for mucosal tissues, but has not been reported previously in the brain. We also report that the depletion of CD4+ T cells in the brain can be efficiently reversed by antiretroviral therapy, said Honeycutt, whose work on this research recently led to her being awarded the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Centers Pagano Award.

Another significant aspect of this work is that it establishes that the brain is not an immune-privileged site as previously thought, and that the possibility of a persistent reservoir for HIV in the brain has been severely underestimated.

Despite effective suppression of HIV virus in the blood by antiretroviral therapy, we were still able to detect virus in the brain in more than 65 percent of the brains analyzed, said Wahl, who is co-corresponding author of the study. These results indicate that the brain may be an important reservoir for HIV in patients that should be targeted by HIV cure approaches. Future studies will be needed to determine if the virus that persists in the brain during ART is able to re-ignite the infection if ART is removed.

This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, UNC CFAR, the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, China, the UNC-South China STD Research Training Center and by CARE, a Martin Delaney Collaboratory, of the NIAID, NINDS, NIDA, and NIMH of the National Institutes of Health.Commissioners again decline to fund SROs at schools in city

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners ratified its earlier decision that rejected funding police officers covering four schools in the city of Hendersonville.



The commissioners adopted a new $142,223,087 budget on Monday night with only one change from the final number they settled on during a May 16 budget workshop. They appropriated $100,000 to add a staffer at the Department of Public Health to coordinate work by a task force against opioid addiction.

Commissioner Bill Lapsley again asked his colleagues to add $500,000 to cover the cost of adding SROs at Bruce Drysdale Elementary School and Hendersonville elementary, middle and high schools. The Hendersonville City Council, which currently funds two officers to provide school security, had already committed to add three more officers in the citys fiscal year 2118-19 budget  one for each school plus a backup.

As the commissioners took up a few unresolved issues, Lapsley pointed out that after commissioners said the council had not asked for the funding, the council called a special meeting to do just that, via a formal resolution. Still, three other commissioners said no.

The boards decision came after some confusion over the number of new deputies in the budget and how many schools they would cover. At one point, there was even confusion over the number of schools in the county school system. There are 22 school buildings but one, the Innovative High School on the BRCC campus, houses two different programs  the Henderson County Early College and Career Academy.

The budget as recommended by County Manager Steve Wyatt and generally supported by the commissioners during the budget work session funds 14 new SROs, for a total of 22. Since there are 22 school buildings  counting the four in Hendersonville  commissioners thought the budget already covered the schools in the city. It does not, Wyatt told the board. A sheriffs captain over support services confirmed that.

Currently by adding 22, thats only going to cover the schools in the county with one relief deputy, Capt. Bengy Bryant told commissioners. Asked what 22 SROs would do during the summer, Bryant said some would cover the sheriffs offices STAR camp, a program for teenagers teaching substance-abuse avoidance, and others would be assigned to help in those busy times during the summer, Bryant said.

Commissioner Grady Hawkins said the board had made the clear commitment shortly after the Parkland, Florida, school shooting to add SROs to all schools so it comes down to how to pay for it.

In its resolution asking for funding for the four officers, the City Council also said that it wanted those to remain city officers, as two SROs are now.

I dont know that Id be in favor of contract with the city of Hendersonville to provide SROs. I think thats the duty of Henderson County, Hawkins said.

Lapsley repeated his position that its unfair to the city, whose residents also pay county taxes, to foot the bill for SROs.

Property owners inside the Hendersonville city limits, just like those in Mills River, the town of Fletcher or Flat Rock, are also county taxpayers and I think its unfair for this board to put the burden on them," he said.

Commissioners adopted the budget on a 3-1 vote, with Lapsley voting no. Chairman Michael Edney was absent because of an illness in his family.One in seven Leaving and Junior Cert students sitting exams from tomorrow are getting support to overcome a special need such as a learning difficulty, physical disability or behavioural condition.

More than 120,000 candidates will sit the exams, including 58,543 for the Leaving Cert.

The 61,654 entered for the Junior Cert are a reflection of population growth that will continue through to the Leaving Cert in coming years.

This year sees a further increase in applications by Leaving Cert students to sit maths at higher level, fuelled by the provision of bonus CAO points for a minimum 40pc mark.

Rising demand for what is known as a "reasonable acc- ommodation" - which allows a student with special needs to access the exam on an equal basis with their peers - has accelerated since an easing of the rules in 2016 and 2017.

The State Examinations Commission provides a range of support such as a magnifier for visual impairment, a spelling waiver for candidates with dyslexia and setting up an exam centre in a hospital.

There has been particularly large growth in demand for word processors, often sought by students with a learning difficulty, such as dyslexia.

Just over 1,800 were provided last year, compared with 1,530 in 2016 and 726 in 2014. Such students no longer have to produce a diagnosis, and eligibility is based on attainment in spelling tests.

The number of accommodations to be provided during this year's exams will not be known until they are over because emergencies may arise, but the figures show a clear trend.

Last year, 17,661 students sought a reasonable accommodation, nearly 15pc of all candidates, up from 16,764 in 2016 and 15,574 in 2014. In 2010 the figure was 10,025.

Emotional

Samaritans Ireland issued an appeal for students, parents and teachers to put well-being ahead of grades.

Cindy O'Shea, regional director for Samaritans in Ireland, said: "We would urge anyone involved in exams and supporting young people to ensure students look after their emotional health.

"That way they are likely to cope better with the stress of exams and achieve better too."The chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has said that the role of proposed advocates to assist alleged rape victims should involve more than accompanying vulnerable complainants to court.

Noeline Blackwell has said her organisation is interested to hear more details of a new advocate role that is under consideration by Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan in the wake of the Belfast rape trial.

However, she said such an advocate should be able to engage in the court proceedings, as well as accompanying complainants to court.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre already provides a volunteer accompaniment service.

"The advocate must mean more than that. Because that happens and it's not enough," Ms Blackwell said.

Mr Flanagan's department is reviewing how rape cases are conducted here after the high-profile trial in Northern Ireland. In that case, the woman who made the complaint faced questions from four legal teams.

The case ended in the acquittal of all four defendants, including Ireland and Ulster rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, who were found not guilty of rape.

There have been calls here for complainants in rape cases to be provided with their own legal representation.

Mr Flanagan said this was under consideration as part of the ongoing review but that it could be a "challenge" due to the nature of the legal system.

Mr Flanagan said one option under consideration is the introduction of an advocate to attend court and assist vulnerable witnesses before, during and after the trial.

He stressed that this would be different to legal representation.

Difficulty

A spokesperson for Mr Flanagan last night said it was "too early" to provide further details, adding "it will form part of the review" that is expected to be finished at the end of the summer.

Ms Blackwell said that, at present, the difficulty with rape complainants not having legal representation occurs particularly in cases where it's "one person's word against the other".

She said this happens in instances where consent is disputed and the defendant has at least three legal professionals involved in their representation.

Ms Blackwell said that at the moment, a complainant is "not properly represented".

At present, the alleged victim only gets legal representation in limited circumstances where they are being questioned about their sexual history.

Ms Blackwell said the volunteers that currently accompany complaints cannot participate in the court proceedings.

She said the service could potentially offer some basis for the kind of advocate Mr Flanagan is proposing but her organisation would expect the advocate to be able to play a part in court proceedings.

Ms Blackwell said the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre would like to look at Mr Flanagan's proposals, adding that the "simpler solution" may still be full legal representation for complainants.

"We are glad to see the seriousness with which Mr Flanagan is taking the need to ensure that complainants in sexual assault cases, up to and including rape, are better protected in the courts system than they are at the moment," she said.This is the 31-year-old man who was remanded in custody after being charged in relation to a firearm seizure in Dublin over the weekend.

Paul Beatty appeared before a special sitting of Dublin District Court yesterday morning after a revolver was recovered in the north inner city area.

Two men were detained and a firearm was seized by detectives in an operation targeting organised crime and threats to life.

Ammunition

Detective Garda Enda Gormley of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, told the court that Mr Beatty, of Eugene Street, Dublin 8, was arrested on Sunday at 5.33pm at Mountjoy Garda Station. He was charged with possession of a .38 Smith and Wesson revolver and possession of five rounds of ammunition on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Beatty was remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court at 10.30am tomorrow.Gardai using so-called "bait bikes" to lure would-be thieves have made 16 arrests in the capital, new figures reveal.

Bikes were left in "hot-spot" locations in the south city on 50 occasions under Operation Chain, with gardai ready to swoop if an individual attempted to make of with it.

It comes after the Herald last month revealed that up to 20 high-end bikes are being stolen every week around Dublin, as part of an organised crime racket that nets criminals more than 5,000 a week.

Operation Chain is the response to that situation. Some of the offenders involved are as young as 11.

Figures provided to Social Democrats TD Roisin Shortall suggest that arrests were made in around a third of instances that bait bikes were deployed.

Ms Shortall has suggested the operation could now be expanded to university campuses and other cities on a pilot basis.

"Bike theft is a real problem for cyclists in Dublin city, and other cities also, and yet because it often goes unreported to the gardai it's difficult to get a proper sense of the scale of it," said the Dublin North West TD.

"The gardai's novel use of decoy bikes as a type of honey trap for thieves could be a useful deterrent."

She added that any such operation should be justified by a "high rate of arrests and the appropriate number of prosecutions".

Cure

Ms Shortall is in favour of examining whether bait bikes could be used in university campuses and in other cities.

She stressed that prevention is "always better than cure" and noted the need for bike users to have good locks.

Ms Shortall also said offices, apartment blocks and third-level institutions should have proper facilities where people can park their bikes so they're not left on the streets.

Operation Chain was put in place by garda management in the Pearse Street garda district.

In the information provided to Ms Shortall, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan outlined how it is an intelligence-led operation and involves co-operation with Dublin City Council.

Gardai have a number of bait bikes, which are deployed at hot-spot locations by the Community Policing Unit.

The bikes are kept under surveillance by gardai who intercept individuals attempting to steal it.

There are also follow-up enquiries with online retailers to see if the individual has been involved in attempts to sell bikes through websites.

The 16 arrests happened in the year up to March 2018.

Of those cases, seven have been finalised with outcomes including three offenders receiving the Probation Act, one person sentenced to community service and another receiving an adult caution.

Six others are before the courts and three are awaiting Juvenile Liaison Officer recommendations.Last Sunday, Leo Varadkar tweeted about how sad he was that a 170-year-old tree had fallen down in his alma mater Trinity College. The Taoiseach must presumably be a lot less heart- broken to see another old Irish institution looking distinctly wobbly.

After splitting down the middle over last month's abortion referendum, Fianna Fail has been left with a serious image problem - one that could wreck Micheal Martin's chances of ousting Leo at the next general election.

The figures speak for themselves. Although Martin was among the 66.4pc of voters who chose to repeal the Eighth Amendment, more than half of his parliamentary party backed the losing horse.

One of the campaign's defining images was of 31 Fianna Fail TDs and senators holding up "No" signs in Merrion Square - an open show of defiance against their leader that left Martin privately furious.

Even worse, the rebels can still claim they are more in touch with Fianna Fail's grassroots. At the party's Ard Fheis last October, delegates approved a motion to save the Eighth Amendment by a margin of three to one.

According to the referendum exit polls, meanwhile, 50.3pc of people who call themselves Fianna Fail supporters also put their tick in the "No" box.

All these statistics add up to only one conclusion: Fianna Fail has played right into its opponents' hands and confirmed the old jibe that the party is "male, stale and beyond the Pale".

In other words, Martin's troops now look dangerously older, more rural and less liberal than the country they want to govern.

It wasn't actually a crime to vote "No", and the 33.6pc who did just that should be fully respected. Fianna Fail's dilemma is that this core constituency is likely to shrink even further over time.

As the British political scientist Tim Bale has publicly warned Fianna Fail, there may well be a future for a socially conservative party in 21st century Ireland, there just isn't much of one.

For dyed-in-the-wool Fianna Failers, this is a real culture shock. They have always liked to think of their party as a great national movement with an amazing ability to put its finger on the pulse of Middle Ireland.

The party's founder Eamon de Valera famously said that whenever he wanted to know what the Irish people thought, he simply looked into his own heart and immediately knew the answer.

Conscientious

Today Dev is spinning in his grave and the organisation he created has a major identity crisis on its hands.

With abortion legislation due to come before Dail Eireann shortly, Fianna Fail TDs who voted "Yes" are telling their pro-life colleagues they need to get with the programme.

Some of them have already fallen into line, but others have vowed to continue the fight by putting down amendments on issues such as disability and conscientious objection for GPs.

Even when the law is passed, Fianna Fail's woes will be far from over. As the noisy and colourful scenes at Dublin Castle on May 26 showed, this issue has galvanised a whole generation of young people who want to stay involved in the political process.

Some are already looking for a party that shares their values, and as things stand, it's hard to see why they would go with the deeply divided Soldiers of Destiny.

For Martin, the only silver lining is that his own job appears safe for now.

If the referendum had been defeated, he would almost certainly have faced an immediate leadership heave.

Instead, his two most obvious rivals - deputy leader Dara Calleary and finance spokesman Michael McGrath - both went with the 'wrong' side, and as a result are much less of a threat.

Over the next few weeks, Martin will hold one-on-one meetings with all his TDs in an attempt to turn them into a fighting force again. He knows better than anyone that we are now, at most, only 12 months away from a general election.

He also knows that Fine Gael and Sinn Fein will have new and younger faces on their posters, which is partly why most opinion polls predict Martin will be the first Fianna Fail leader who fails to become Taoiseach.

If that happens, the party may need to do something really radical such as replacing him with Lisa Chambers, the 31-year-old pro-choice Mayo TD who was recently asked if she fancied being Ireland's first female Taoiseach and replied: "Absolutely - why not?"

Leo Varadkar has described the abortion referendum landslide as "a quiet revolution". Fianna Fail politicians need to turn up their hearing aids, because right now they look like the old regime in danger of getting their heads cut off.Mourners outside St Peter and Paul Cathedral for the funeral of Shay Moloney

The 15-year-old Junior Cert student who died trying to save his best friend in a double drowning tragedy has been described as his family's hero.

Addressing mourners yesterday at the packed St Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ennis, Co Clare, Fr Ger Fitzgerald also said that Shay Moloney "had the heart of a warrior".

Shay, a third-year student at St Flannan's College, drowned last Thursday while trying to save the life of Jack Kenneally (15) in a water-filled disused quarry at Knockanean, outside Ennis.

Yesterday, scores of Junior Cert students who are due to begin their exams tomorrow returned to the church for the second funeral in as many days after attending Jack's on Sunday.

Honour

Shay's friends wept and comforted each other while students from St Flannan's College and players from Ennis RFC and Shay and Jack's Under-15 Young Munster rivals formed a guard of honour as the remains passed in a white coffin draped with a purple ribbon.

Expand Close Shay and Jack Kenneally / Facebook

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Whatsapp Shay and Jack Kenneally

Both boys were born in January 2003 and became friends after attending the Holy Family School in Ennis together.

This year the two "brothers in arms" played starring roles in the Ennis Under-15 rugby team.

In a tribute to Shay, his uncle Louie told mourners that the family "is completely heart- broken" that he is not around to enjoy the warm tributes from the rugby world.

"There have been touching tributes in recent days from the IRFU and Irish rugby teams wearing black armbands while playing, and messages of support from professional rugby players that would simply have lit up Shay's world," said Mr Moloney.

Expand Close Family members and mourners outside St Peter and Paul Cathedral for the funeral of Shay Moloney / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Family members and mourners outside St Peter and Paul Cathedral for the funeral of Shay Moloney

"Shay would have been in his element, the centre of attention.

"Shay, sleep the long sleep. Always remember that your mammy loves you more than life and your family loves you more than life.

"Sleep peaceful now, Shay. Forever young, forever our little warrior, forever our hero."

Meeting

Fr Fitzgerald recalled meeting Shay during his Confirmation year in a classroom at the Holy Family School, across the road from the cathedral.

"Shay had not the slightest bit of interest in what I was saying and instead was ripping up a piece of paper to put on a ruler," the priest said.

Fr Fitzgerald said Shay fired the piece of paper with the ruler but did not hit the intended target of a classmate.

"He hit me on the head instead," he said. "He looked at me with his extraordinary smile, almost laughing at me, and said, 'Sorry about that, Father'."

Later that year, when he was about to be anointed with confirmation oil, Shay asked Fr Fitzgerald: "Will this mess up my hair?"

The priest said that what has happened "has no words - it is horrible and awful and our hearts are ripped apart".

He added that Shay's friends were his whole life and everything to him.

Addressing the hundreds of teenagers in the St Flannan's College uniform and Ennis RFC colours, Fr Fitzgerald said: "It is OK not to be OK and I would encourage you to hold your head high like Shay would.

"Look after one another like Shay would and mind one another like Shay would and help one another like Shay would. Feel courageous like Shay was and love life like Shay did.

Respect

"Always remember to respect everyone like Shay did and be proud of who you are like Shay was."

Fr Fitzgerald said Shay "was a level-headed young man, an example of how to live your life, and when anyone had a worry or a problem he would always want to remedy it".

Some of the symbols of Shay's life taken to the altar included a family photo, rugby kit and concert tickets.

Shay was later laid to rest at Drumcliff Cemetery outside Ennis where the remains of Jack Kenneally were buried only 24 hours earlier.Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 1 Vote(s) - 5 Average

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France's fake news law leaves media experts uneasy LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 348173

06-05-2018 03:46 PM











Post: #1 France's fake news law leaves media experts uneasy

Advertisement



The draft law, designed to stop what the government calls "manipulation of information" in the run-up to elections, will be debated in parliament Thursday with a view to it being put into action during next year's European parliamentary polls.



The idea for the bill came straight from President Emmanuel Macron, who was himself targeted during his 2017 campaign by online rumours that he was gay and had a secret bank account in the Bahamas.



Under the law, French authorities would be able to immediately halt the publication of information deemed to be false ahead of elections.



Social networks would have to introduce measures allowing users to flag up false reports, pass their data on such articles to authorities, and make public their efforts against fake news.



And the law would authorise the state to take foreign broadcasters off the air if they were attempting to destabilise France -- a measure seemingly aimed at Russian state-backed outlet RT in particular.



- Censorship? -



https://www.yahoo.com/news/frances-fake-...ccounter=1 Paris (AFP) - France is the latest country attempting to fight the scourge of fake news with legislation -- but opponents say the law won't work and could even be used to silence critics.The draft law, designed to stop what the government calls "manipulation of information" in the run-up to elections, will be debated in parliament Thursday with a view to it being put into action during next year's European parliamentary polls.The idea for the bill came straight from President Emmanuel Macron, who was himself targeted during his 2017 campaign by online rumours that he was gay and had a secret bank account in the Bahamas.Under the law, French authorities would be able to immediately halt the publication of information deemed to be false ahead of elections.Social networks would have to introduce measures allowing users to flag up false reports, pass their data on such articles to authorities, and make public their efforts against fake news.And the law would authorise the state to take foreign broadcasters off the air if they were attempting to destabilise France -- a measure seemingly aimed at Russian state-backed outlet RT in particular.- Censorship? - LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 426905

06-05-2018 03:48 PM











Post: #2 RE: France's fake news law leaves media experts uneasy

Too bad they don't have a first amendment. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 348173

06-05-2018 03:51 PM











Post: #3 RE: France's fake news law leaves media experts uneasy

LoP Guest Wrote: (06-05-2018 03:48 PM) Too bad they don't have a first amendment.

Will slowly creep up upon you, step by step with little tip toeing steps towards rescinding the 1st Amend Will slowly creep up upon you, step by step with little tip toeing steps towards rescinding the 1st Amend LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 444574

06-05-2018 03:52 PM











Post: #4 RE: France's fake news law leaves media experts uneasy

Of course. It will be used against Real news instead..whatever is against the nardative will be fake...doubting russia hoaxgate.??? We have a fine for you.haha



Clown world. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 426905

06-05-2018 03:56 PM











Post: #5 RE: France's fake news law leaves media experts uneasy

LoP Guest Wrote: (06-05-2018 03:51 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (06-05-2018 03:48 PM) Too bad they don't have a first amendment.

Will slowly creep up upon you, step by step with little tip toeing steps towards rescinding the 1st Amend

I know. But I'm old and will probably be dead by the time the frog boils. I know. But I'm old and will probably be dead by the time the frog boils. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 348173

06-05-2018 04:04 PM











Post: #6 RE: France's fake news law leaves media experts uneasy

LoP Guest Wrote: (06-05-2018 03:56 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (06-05-2018 03:51 PM) Will slowly creep up upon you, step by step with little tip toeing steps towards rescinding the 1st Amend

I know. But I'm old and will probably be dead by the time the frog boils.

Or a frog in a blender unknowingly oblivious











Here's a even funnier one







Or a frog in a blender unknowingly obliviousHere's a even funnier one LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 426905

06-05-2018 04:07 PM











Post: #7 RE: France's fake news law leaves media experts uneasy

That would be even better. To go home early without having to suffer the pain of old age. A nuke detonation overhead would in my opinion be the best way to go.















Provo's Municipal Council votes to get public input on new way of parking management

Provos Municipal Council is on the verge of reversing a problem that has plagued parts of Provo for more than 50 years. For more than three years, Provos parking committee, headed by Councilman David Harding, has had an on-street parking plan under analysis and scrutiny. They have worked long, and sometimes tedious, hours according to Harding to try and get it market savvy and simple. Parking issues have been a thorn in the side of students, homeowners and developers since the days of Ernest Wilkinson was presidents of Brigham Young University. One factor affecting the parking ...Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 1 Vote(s) - 1 Average

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FEMA Is Beta Testing FEMA Camp Incarcerations In Hawaii WARNING! SHOCKING!

lop guest

User ID: 444602

06-05-2018 07:41 PM











Post: #1 FEMA Is Beta Testing FEMA Camp Incarcerations In Hawaii

Advertisement



In World War II if someone supported Nazi Germany at the expense of the United States, we didnt say that was freedom of speech, we put him in a camp, they were prisoners of war



Clarks words sound appropriate, based upon national defense, until we realize that his comments followed the infamous 2008 MIAC report which characterized Ron Paul supporters, Christians, Constitutionalists, pro-Second Amendment supporters and other patriotic Americans as being domestic terrorists. This puts Clarks comments in a much different light where the context of his words shift from protecting America to one of supporting the imposition of the American Gestapo.



FEMAs Force Evacuations in Hawaii



There is a single source that has been reporting about the detainment of Hawaiian citizens in the face of the volcanic disturbance. I ordinarily would not post a single anonymous source that I did not know, personally, and that had impeccable credibility and a history of accurate reporting. However, I have a source, that confirms that the evaucations are mandatory and in some cases, the people are not givena choice of where they are taken and they are being detained for this own safety because of the safety concerns for people who MIGHT try to return to their homes to retrieve prized possessions. My source is impeccable.



The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has targeted displaced citizens who fled their homes under a mandatory evacuation order following Mt. Kilaueas catastrophic eruption earlier this month, says a FEMA agent speaking under condition of anonymity. Residents of Leilani Estates, an affluent neighborhood threatened by fast moving lava from fissure seven, were told to abandon their homes and seek shelter at nearby community centers or churches.



FEMA Is Beta Testing FEMA Camp Incarcerations In Hawaii



The late Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia, predicted that the Supreme Court would one day look the other way and either by overt commission of by benign neglect, authorize another FEMA camp style incarceration in the midst of the presence of war, or in the midst of domestic disturbance leading to the abuse of the civil rights of civil rights of specific Americans. Consequently, this would lead to another round of history repeating itself as Americans are sent off to internment camps (ie FEMA camps). Scalia referenced World War II era Japanese-Americans and the internment camps they were sent off to internment camps as a prime example of his point.



An Associated Press report quotes the former Supreme Court Justice in reference to use of the latin phrase, which loosely translated states that, in times of war, the laws fall silent You are kidding yourself if you think the same thing will not happen again..tthe comments were made in reference to the heinous Korematsu v. United States ruling which attempted to legitimize FDRs use of internment camps for American citizens of Japanese heritage). The operative term here would be American citizens. Anerican citizens who were detained for overt physical racial characteristics.



That day has arrived. It happened in Houston and it happening, right now, in Hawaii. FEMA Is Beta Testing FEMA Camp Incarcerations In HawaiiIn World War II if someone supported Nazi Germany at the expense of the United States, we didnt say that was freedom of speech, we put him in a camp, they were prisoners of warClarks words sound appropriate, based upon national defense, until we realize that his comments followed the infamous 2008 MIAC report which characterized Ron Paul supporters, Christians, Constitutionalists, pro-Second Amendment supporters and other patriotic Americans as being domestic terrorists. This puts Clarks comments in a much different light where the context of his words shift from protecting America to one of supporting the imposition of the American Gestapo.FEMAs Force Evacuations in HawaiiThere is a single source that has been reporting about the detainment of Hawaiian citizens in the face of the volcanic disturbance. I ordinarily would not post a single anonymous source that I did not know, personally, and that had impeccable credibility and a history of accurate reporting. However, I have a source, that confirms that the evaucations are mandatory and in some cases, the people are not givena choice of where they are taken and they are being detained for this own safety because of the safety concerns for people who MIGHT try to return to their homes to retrieve prized possessions. My source is impeccable.The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has targeted displaced citizens who fled their homes under a mandatory evacuation order following Mt. Kilaueas catastrophic eruption earlier this month, says a FEMA agent speaking under condition of anonymity. Residents of Leilani Estates, an affluent neighborhood threatened by fast moving lava from fissure seven, were told to abandon their homes and seek shelter at nearby community centers or churches.FEMA Is Beta Testing FEMA Camp Incarcerations In HawaiiThe late Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia, predicted that the Supreme Court would one day look the other way and either by overt commission of by benign neglect, authorize another FEMA camp style incarceration in the midst of the presence of war, or in the midst of domestic disturbance leading to the abuse of the civil rights of civil rights of specific Americans. Consequently, this would lead to another round of history repeating itself as Americans are sent off to internment camps (ie FEMA camps). Scalia referenced World War II era Japanese-Americans and the internment camps they were sent off to internment camps as a prime example of his point.An Associated Press report quotes the former Supreme Court Justice in reference to use of the latin phrase, which loosely translated states that, in times of war, the laws fall silent You are kidding yourself if you think the same thing will not happen again..tthe comments were made in reference to the heinous Korematsu v. United States ruling which attempted to legitimize FDRs use of internment camps for American citizens of Japanese heritage). The operative term here would be American citizens. Anerican citizens who were detained for overt physical racial characteristics.That day has arrived. It happened in Houston and it happening, right now, in Hawaii. LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 444602

06-05-2018 07:42 PM











Post: #2 RE: FEMA Is Beta Testing FEMA Camp Incarcerations In Hawaii





Retired US Army General and the former Supreme Allied Commander of Europe for NATO Wesley Clark advocated, on MSNBC the rounding up radicalized and disloyal Americans and putting them in internment camps for the duration of the war on terror. This would effectively be a life sentence for political reasons. This makes Youtube, Facebook and Google tame by comparison.





In World War II if someone supported Nazi Germany at the expense of the United States, we didnt say that was freedom of speech, we put him in a camp, they were prisoners of war



Clarks words sound appropriate, based upon national defense, until we realize that his comments followed the infamous 2008 MIAC report which characterized Ron Paul supporters, Christians, Constitutionalists, pro-Second Amendment supporters and other patriotic Americans as being domestic terrorists. This puts Clarks comments in a much different light where the context of his words shift from protecting America to one of supporting the imposition of the American Gestapo.



FEMAs Force Evacuations in Hawaii

There is a single source that has been reporting about the detainment of Hawaiian citizens in the face of the volcanic disturbance. I ordinarily would not post a single anonymous source that I did not know, personally, and that had impeccable credibility and a history of accurate reporting. However, I have a source, that confirms that the evaucations are mandatory and in some cases, the people are not givena choice of where they are taken and they are being detained for this own safety because of the safety concerns for people who MIGHT try to return to their homes to retrieve prized possessions. My source is impeccable.



The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has targeted displaced citizens who fled their homes under a mandatory evacuation order following Mt. Kilaueas catastrophic eruption earlier this month, says a FEMA agent speaking under condition of anonymity. Residents of Leilani Estates, an affluent neighborhood threatened by fast moving lava from fissure seven, were told to abandon their homes and seek shelter at nearby community centers or churches.



This sounds benign doesnt it? When we dig deeper, we are witnessing a very disturbing set of circumstances that I have seen before. The confidential source went on to say:



Rescue stations such as Pahoa Community Center and Sure Foundation Church were filled to capacity, unable to accommodate the throng of confused persons pleading for food, shelter, and safety. Instead of sanctuary, they found FEMA; a small convoy of agency vehicleshummers, SUVs, and a pair of cattle carsand armed agents arrived on scene to escort displaced people to places of safety. These agents, our source said, carried loaded M4 assault rifles and side arms, and told nervous citizens they needed weapons to repel potential looters or threats to national security. They promised safe passage to, and free accommodations at, a hotel miles away from the lava flow.



those graciously accepting help and a minority who wished to stay behind. Those who accepted help were placed on a air-conditioned bus and promised free accommodations at a hotel in a safe location. Those who refused were given another choicecattle cars.



The people in the busses, the people in the cattle carsthey all ultimately arrived at the same destination. Those in the bus were told the hotels were filled and the ones in the cattle cars were told nothing until they arrived at a fortified encampment with armed guards and electric razor wire fences designed to keep people within the compound



I believe this account for other reasons as well. Under the heading that the best predictor of the future is to look at past events, we have been down this road before.



Pastor Walter Mansfield, the Clergy Response Teams and FEMA Camps

President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law which in addition to allocating $662 billion to the Pentagon also contains a measure which allows U.S. citizens to be taken into custody and held indefinitely without ever being charged with a crime.



Not only can any citizen deemed a threat to national security interests of the United States, be held forever without receiving a trial, but the military will be the ones arresting those citizens.



NDAA Section 1022, subsection c allows (1) Detention under the law of war without trial until the end of the hostilities authorized by the Authorization for Use of Military Force.



The National Emergency Centers Act or HR 645 mandates the establishment of national emergency centers to be located on military installations for the purpose of to providing temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance to individuals and families dislocated due to an emergency or major disaster, according to the bill.



The legislation also states that the camps will be used to provide centralized locations to improve the coordination of preparedness, response, and recovery efforts of government, private, and not-for-profit entities and faith-based organizations.



The bill also provides that the camps can be used to meet other appropriate needs, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security. This a Carte Blanche mandate that many fear could mean the forced detention of American citizens in the event of widespread rioting following a national emergency or a total economic collapse.



Pastor Mansfield was recruited to become a member of the Clergy Response Team which would operate under the control of NOVAD and DHS. Mansfields revelations about his experiences are stunning and concerning at the same time.



Pastor Mansfield attended several briefings and he could barely believe his ears. He learned of the governments plan to enact martial law as well as to implement forced population relocations. Mansfield emphasized that when martial law is enacted, the enforcement would be immediate. In other words, family members will be separated from each other and part of the training that the clergy received was how to comfort separated family members.



The pastors were trained to go to homes were people refused to be relocated by the authorities and their immediate job was to convince the reluctant to willingly go to the relocation camps. Ostensibly, this was to be done in lieu of sending in the SWAT teams.



I asked Mansfield if FEMA camps were real and he stated that much of the clergy training focused around this scenario of pastors operating within the forced relocation centers. The main goal of a pastor assigned to a FEMA was to bring order and encourage compliance with DHS requests, hence, the emphasis on Romans 13.



The pastors were forced to sign non-disclosure. Interesting, the pastors were told not to quote Scripture. The DHS document which was prepared for the pastors clearly stated that Scripture had been used to oppress people in the past and the presenters strongly discouraged the its use. Please see the following excerpt from one of the DHS training manuals:



Healing Scripture and Prayer In the Pastoral Crisis Intervention



During a time of crisis people do go through a crisis of faith.



Sometime quick mention of God and scripture may not be helpful. As we all know the Scripture has been used to oppress, dominate and at the same time used for healing and reconciliation- renewing of relationship with God and people. If the pastor senses it is appropriate to use the scripture and prayer, it must carefully be done for healing of victims not to uphold pastoral authority. (Page 14)



In other words, all legitimate pastoral authority was abrogated by the pastors who participated in the roundup of American citizens.



Also on page 14 of the same training document, pastors were admonished to avoid Unhealthy God talk. Specifically pastors are ordered to avoid using references to God when helping people cope with the loss of a loved one:



4. God must have needed him/her more than you.



5. God never gives more than we can handle.



Pastor Mansfield also revealed that pastors will be issued badges under the Clergy Response Team program. Any pastor not displaying the badge, indicating that they have been trained under these guidelines, will not be permitted into the established and designated DHS safety zones. This reminds me of the banishment of religious figures from Plymouth Colony who, in good conscience, refused to go along with some of the extremism of that day. Along these lines, the Clergy Response Team is also a Kool-Aid drinking program. Pastors are absolutely forbidden to publicly to speak about any aspect of the program. If you were to ask your pastor if they are a FEMA trained pastor, they will not likely tell you.



Disturbingly, Pastor Mansfield reiterated several times that the number one job of these pastors is to calm down people and encourage their compliance within the peoples new surroundings.



Pastor Mansfield also stated that pastors will be utilized as informants. This violates the legal privilege of confidentiality between pastor and church-goer, that is currently recognized by law. All church-goers can no longer trust the sanctity of personal confessions and revelations made to pastors, priests or rabbis. This one illegal act by DHS completely undermines the Christian Church in America!



STORY CONTINUED AT LINK BELOW



http://m.beforeitsnews.com/police-state/...ttedPage=0 FEMA Has Been Practicing for Mass Incarcerations for a Very Long TimeRetired US Army General and the former Supreme Allied Commander of Europe for NATO Wesley Clark advocated, on MSNBC the rounding up radicalized and disloyal Americans and putting them in internment camps for the duration of the war on terror. This would effectively be a life sentence for political reasons. This makes Youtube, Facebook and Google tame by comparison.In World War II if someone supported Nazi Germany at the expense of the United States, we didnt say that was freedom of speech, we put him in a camp, they were prisoners of warClarks words sound appropriate, based upon national defense, until we realize that his comments followed the infamous 2008 MIAC report which characterized Ron Paul supporters, Christians, Constitutionalists, pro-Second Amendment supporters and other patriotic Americans as being domestic terrorists. This puts Clarks comments in a much different light where the context of his words shift from protecting America to one of supporting the imposition of the American Gestapo.FEMAs Force Evacuations in HawaiiThere is a single source that has been reporting about the detainment of Hawaiian citizens in the face of the volcanic disturbance. I ordinarily would not post a single anonymous source that I did not know, personally, and that had impeccable credibility and a history of accurate reporting. However, I have a source, that confirms that the evaucations are mandatory and in some cases, the people are not givena choice of where they are taken and they are being detained for this own safety because of the safety concerns for people who MIGHT try to return to their homes to retrieve prized possessions. My source is impeccable.The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has targeted displaced citizens who fled their homes under a mandatory evacuation order following Mt. Kilaueas catastrophic eruption earlier this month, says a FEMA agent speaking under condition of anonymity. Residents of Leilani Estates, an affluent neighborhood threatened by fast moving lava from fissure seven, were told to abandon their homes and seek shelter at nearby community centers or churches.This sounds benign doesnt it? When we dig deeper, we are witnessing a very disturbing set of circumstances that I have seen before. The confidential source went on to say:Rescue stations such as Pahoa Community Center and Sure Foundation Church were filled to capacity, unable to accommodate the throng of confused persons pleading for food, shelter, and safety. Instead of sanctuary, they found FEMA; a small convoy of agency vehicleshummers, SUVs, and a pair of cattle carsand armed agents arrived on scene to escort displaced people to places of safety. These agents, our source said, carried loaded M4 assault rifles and side arms, and told nervous citizens they needed weapons to repel potential looters or threats to national security. They promised safe passage to, and free accommodations at, a hotel miles away from the lava flow.those graciously accepting help and a minority who wished to stay behind. Those who accepted help were placed on a air-conditioned bus and promised free accommodations at a hotel in a safe location. Those who refused were given another choicecattle cars.The people in the busses, the people in the cattle carsthey all ultimately arrived at the same destination. Those in the bus were told the hotels were filled and the ones in the cattle cars were told nothing until they arrived at a fortified encampment with armed guards and electric razor wire fences designed to keep people within the compoundI believe this account for other reasons as well. Under the heading that the best predictor of the future is to look at past events, we have been down this road before.Pastor Walter Mansfield, the Clergy Response Teams and FEMA CampsPresident Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law which in addition to allocating $662 billion to the Pentagon also contains a measure which allows U.S. citizens to be taken into custody and held indefinitely without ever being charged with a crime.Not only can any citizen deemed a threat to national security interests of the United States, be held forever without receiving a trial, but the military will be the ones arresting those citizens.NDAA Section 1022, subsection c allows (1) Detention under the law of war without trial until the end of the hostilities authorized by the Authorization for Use of Military Force.The National Emergency Centers Act or HR 645 mandates the establishment of national emergency centers to be located on military installations for the purpose of to providing temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance to individuals and families dislocated due to an emergency or major disaster, according to the bill.The legislation also states that the camps will be used to provide centralized locations to improve the coordination of preparedness, response, and recovery efforts of government, private, and not-for-profit entities and faith-based organizations.The bill also provides that the camps can be used to meet other appropriate needs, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security. This a Carte Blanche mandate that many fear could mean the forced detention of American citizens in the event of widespread rioting following a national emergency or a total economic collapse.Pastor Mansfield was recruited to become a member of the Clergy Response Team which would operate under the control of NOVAD and DHS. Mansfields revelations about his experiences are stunning and concerning at the same time.Pastor Mansfield attended several briefings and he could barely believe his ears. He learned of the governments plan to enact martial law as well as to implement forced population relocations. Mansfield emphasized that when martial law is enacted, the enforcement would be immediate. In other words, family members will be separated from each other and part of the training that the clergy received was how to comfort separated family members.The pastors were trained to go to homes were people refused to be relocated by the authorities and their immediate job was to convince the reluctant to willingly go to the relocation camps. Ostensibly, this was to be done in lieu of sending in the SWAT teams.I asked Mansfield if FEMA camps were real and he stated that much of the clergy training focused around this scenario of pastors operating within the forced relocation centers. The main goal of a pastor assigned to a FEMA was to bring order and encourage compliance with DHS requests, hence, the emphasis on Romans 13.The pastors were forced to sign non-disclosure. Interesting, the pastors were told not to quote Scripture. The DHS document which was prepared for the pastors clearly stated that Scripture had been used to oppress people in the past and the presenters strongly discouraged the its use. Please see the following excerpt from one of the DHS training manuals:Healing Scripture and Prayer In the Pastoral Crisis InterventionDuring a time of crisis people do go through a crisis of faith.Sometime quick mention of God and scripture may not be helpful. As we all know the Scripture has been used to oppress, dominate and at the same time used for healing and reconciliation- renewing of relationship with God and people. If the pastor senses it is appropriate to use the scripture and prayer, it must carefully be done for healing of victims not to uphold pastoral authority. (Page 14)In other words, all legitimate pastoral authority was abrogated by the pastors who participated in the roundup of American citizens.Also on page 14 of the same training document, pastors were admonished to avoid Unhealthy God talk. Specifically pastors are ordered to avoid using references to God when helping people cope with the loss of a loved one:4. God must have needed him/her more than you.5. God never gives more than we can handle.Pastor Mansfield also revealed that pastors will be issued badges under the Clergy Response Team program. Any pastor not displaying the badge, indicating that they have been trained under these guidelines, will not be permitted into the established and designated DHS safety zones. This reminds me of the banishment of religious figures from Plymouth Colony who, in good conscience, refused to go along with some of the extremism of that day. Along these lines, the Clergy Response Team is also a Kool-Aid drinking program. Pastors are absolutely forbidden to publicly to speak about any aspect of the program. If you were to ask your pastor if they are a FEMA trained pastor, they will not likely tell you.Disturbingly, Pastor Mansfield reiterated several times that the number one job of these pastors is to calm down people and encourage their compliance within the peoples new surroundings.Pastor Mansfield also stated that pastors will be utilized as informants. This violates the legal privilege of confidentiality between pastor and church-goer, that is currently recognized by law. All church-goers can no longer trust the sanctity of personal confessions and revelations made to pastors, priests or rabbis. This one illegal act by DHS completely undermines the Christian Church in America!STORY CONTINUED AT LINK BELOW PopEye

I Yam What I Yam

User ID: 436592

06-05-2018 07:43 PM



Posts: 12,344









Post: #3 RE: FEMA Is Beta Testing FEMA Camp Incarcerations In Hawaii

Nope. The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who haven't got it.

George Bernard Shaw

____________________ LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 333816

06-05-2018 07:48 PM











Post: #4 RE: FEMA Is Beta Testing FEMA Camp Incarcerations In Hawaii

Fema camps were made for people who disagree with Israeli Policy. The ghost of capn crunch

Registered User

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06-05-2018 08:13 PM



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Post: #5 RE: FEMA Is Beta Testing FEMA Camp Incarcerations In Hawaii

the deep state is prepared for all conditions,



they know full well a crisis can happen at any time,



and they have everything planned,



now all this may seem fictitious until you begin to see the actual fema camps and cattle cars,



they are real,



people say chemtrails are a hoax,



yeah and they are spraying the skies for artistic purposes, LoP Guest

lop guest

User ID: 441712

06-05-2018 08:16 PM











Post: #6 RE: FEMA Is Beta Testing FEMA Camp Incarcerations In Hawaii

The ghost of capn crunch Wrote: (06-05-2018 08:13 PM) the deep state is prepared for all conditions,



they know full well a crisis can happen at any time,



and they have everything planned,



now all this may seem fictitious until you begin to see the actual fema camps and cattle cars,



they are real,



people say chemtrails are a hoax,



yeah and they are spraying the skies for artistic purposes,

Yeah, once we all turn into zombies from the chemtrails, WIFI, cell towers, let the cattle calls begin, moo! Yeah, once we all turn into zombies from the chemtrails, WIFI, cell towers, let the cattle calls begin, moo!















Teens  like scary stories? Learn how to write your ownThe skeleton of an extremely rare form of dinosaur sold for more than two million euros ($2.3 million) at the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Monday.

The bones of what scientists believe to be probably a new species of the carnivorous allosaurus were discovered during a dig in Wyoming in the United States in 2013.

The 150-million-year-old skeleton, which is 70% intact, was snapped up by an unnamed French art collector, who promised that the specimen will be lent out to a museum.

Workers reconstruct a dinosaur fossil at the Eiffel tower, in Paris, France. (REUTERS)

The buyer wants it to be on display in a French museum, auctioneer Claude Aguttes told AFP.

The dinosaur, which is more than nine metres (30 feet) long and 2.6 metres high, lived during the late Jurassic period, said Eric Mickeler who works for the Aguttes auction house. He said it was the only one of its species to have yet been discovered.

Dinosaur expert Eric Geneste had earlier told AFP it was impossible to classify the skeleton yet as a allosaurus because it was more robust, with longer shoulder blades and a different number of teeth.

Japanese and Swedish telephone bidders also tried to buy the dinosaur, pushing the bidding above the 1.8 million euro estimate. (REUTERS)

In fact there are as many differences between it and an allosaurus as between a human and a gorilla, he added.

Japanese and Swedish telephone bidders also tried to buy the dinosaur, pushing the bidding above the 1.8 million euro estimate. The same French auction house sold an allosaurus called Kan for 1.1 million euros in 2016.

Mickeler said that herbivores do not quite excite businessmen who buy dinosaurs the same way as carnivores do. They want to buy carnivores like themselves. Part of the proceeds of the sale of the skeleton by a British collector will go to towards funding further archaeological digs.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for moreBollywood actor Amraan Kohli has been booked for assaulting his girlfriend she says he has begged her to come back to him and promised he would change.

Neeru Randhawa, in an interview to Bombay Times, said she tried to break up with him in September last year.

The Santacruz police on Sunday night registered a case against actor-producer Armaan for allegedly hitting Neeru. According to police, the 46-year-old has been accused by her, a model, of beating her up after an argument broke out between the two. A case under section 326 (punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered, the cops informed Hindustan Times.

Neeru also claimed that Armaan has a history of getting violent with her. He had assaulted me in February this year, and nearly broke my nose. This relationship has been a huge mistake, but I continued to give him chances despite being warned by friends and family. In fact, I had called time on the relationship in September last year, and left for Dubai. I got a job and was living there peacefully. However, three months later, Armaan came to take me back home. When I told him that I didnt want to get back to the vicious circle, he begged and pleaded with me and said that he would change. He told me that he needs me as I have made him a better person and taken care of his parents and brother. I left everything and returned to India with him," she said.

Elaborating on the recent incident that took her to Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai, Neeru told the tabloid that the argument started over a clients booking at Armaans villa in Goa. Suddenly, he started verbally abusing me. Before I realised what was happening, he caught me by my hair and banged my head against the floor. I begged him to allow me to go to the hospital, promising that I wouldnt approach the police. The wound was so deep that I had to undergo a surgery. The doctor told me that the scar would be visible even after the surgery, as the assault has damaged my skin tissues. Armaan has been sending me text messages since Sunday, asking me to come back home, and he is even promising to marry me right away, but I have had enough, she added.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreBollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who will soon portray a dacoit in Son Chiriya and will don another unseen avatar in Kedarnath. The actor has said he always opts for characters that he feels he would fail in because that way it becomes a challenge for him to outdo himself.

I take up roles that I feel I would fail in and then it becomes like a challenge for me to outdo myself. My philosophy of success in life is to find different ways of failing, I would fail three to four times but the fifth time when I succeed it would be my personal experience, it would help me emerge as a person, Sushant said.

Sushant is working with debutante Sara Ali Khan, daughter of Saif Ali Khan, and Khans ex-wife Amrita Singh, in Kedarnath while in Son Chiriya, he is playing a dacoit along with actress Bhumi Pednekar.

He has also signed a franchise film Drive and the actor says that such projects are time-consuming but he is fine investing his time on something that he is passionate about. Time-consuming, logically, yes! But I dont think this takes a toll on me because I like acting; this is something I dont mind investing my time in. I am so passionate about acting that if one day people stop putting money in my movies, I will put in money and prod people to watch my films, thats how much I enjoy it; so time consumed in making movies is time well used, he said.

So what are the life learning that Bollywood has given him so far? When it comes to my work, I act because it is one of those many things that I really like doing, and hence I choose those projects that help me prepare for the role. So, in that way I learn more about a thing with every new project. Hence Bollywood has given me a lot of learning, mostly that failure is just a way of pushing myself to do more and more and better myself with every new project that comes my way, he said.

While this journey has been very exciting, my stint so far in Bollywood has imparted a lot of learning, owing to the challenging roles that I have opted for. In terms of changing me as a person, I have started believing more in presence than productivity, because I feel the more and more you are present the more productive you become, added the 32-year-old.

He also said that Indian cinema is a very evolved process with scope for a lot of creativity. Most definitely, I like being a part of this, since it gives me more and more reasons to evolve myself and become a better person with increased productivity, he said.

Its not just Bollywood that is keeping him busy, Sushant in partnership with serial entrepreneur Varun Mathur, has also made his entrepreneurial debut with the launch of Innsaei Ventures Pvt Ltd. Innsaei, an ancient Icelandic word for intuition, is a first-of-its-kind venture that is working on the convergence of intellectual property and emerging technologies.

So was this something that was always there in his mind, being an engineer?

Yes, since I come from engineering background, exponential technologies have always been of keen interest to me. I am an actor, and as an artist I like creating new things; hence it was about time that I launched my own venture that will help align the intellectual property with the emerging technologies, along with consulting and suggesting different ways to implement the same, said Sushant.

(This story has not been modified from its original version)

Follow @htshowbiz for morePrime Minister Narendra Modi is set to extend a welfare program to the countrys 50 crore workers as he bids for re-election in 2019, but he has limited time and resources to implement the ambitious plan.

Modi aims to initially provide three programs -- old age pension, life insurance and maternity benefits, while leaving out unemployment, child support and other benefits -- to most working citizens, government officials said, asking not to be identified as discussions are private.

While it could translate into significant political gains to offset the challenges he faces in the lead up to the general elections next year, it is likely to add pressure on Indias fiscal deficit, already one of the widest in Asia.

The government has drafted a bill to extend benefits to all workers, including those in informal employment, by merging and simplifying 15 federal labour laws into one. It plans to present the bill in July in the upcoming session of Parliament, labour minister Santosh Gangwar told Bloomberg News, while remaining non-committal on a full-fledged roll-out before the 2019 general election.

The plan will be one of the largest mass benefit programs in the country of 1.3 billion people and comes after the February announcement of a health protection plan targeted to cover 10 crore poor families, dubbed  Modicare.

The government plans to pilot the project in six districts in the months leading up to the general elections due in May next year, the officials said.

Nobody can deny the importance of social security for the countrys working class and it is overdue, said Satish Misra, a political analyst at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. But the timing suggests its political in nature and Modi wants to push it in a hurry so that in election campaign he can claim its a game changer for poor.

Challenging process

It will be a challenge to make the system sustainable, and difficult for the government to provide benefits from its current Rs 37,600 crore budget. It intends to limit the initial scope to maternity, pension, and death or disability benefits, leaving out unemployment and child support, the officials said.

The move is expected to have a dual impact on the economy. Higher social spending would add to fiscal stress and limit the scope for infrastructure development. But by giving benefits mostly to informal workers who contribute to about half of the countrys GDP, it would enhance the quality of life and raise productivity.

The whole issue is should the government be doing it? The answer is yes. Can the government do it? The answer is no, because it does not have the money for it, said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Care Ratings. If the government does not spend a substantial amount, it will not be a proper social security plan. If it spends a good amount, the fiscal deficit will be pressured.

While the comprehensive plan is for all workers, the government is concerned about the bottom half of the countrys workforce. The rest are expected to make their own contributions, either fully or partially.

It will help reduce poverty in a country thats home to a third of the worlds poor and still spends less than 2% of its GDP on social security. More than 90% of Indias workforce is in informal employment and without any social protection.

Money matters

Providing minimum social security to the lower half of the working class, who make up about a fifth of the countrys population, would cost the government 0.38% of GDP or about Rs 50,000 crore annually, Santosh Mehrotra, an economics professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, said in an interview.

The panel will recommend benefits are paid at a rate thats above the poverty line -- Rs 27 (.40 cents) a day in rural areas and Rs 33 in urban areas, said Mehrotra, who has been asked by the government to calculate the cost of the program.

In 22 years, India will be an aging society like China. If it doesnt start working on social security today, who will pay for those old people? said Mehtrotra.The rupee ended flat against the US dollar on Tuesday, amid caution ahead of RBIs policy decision on Wednesday.

The rupee closed 3 paise lower against the US dollar at 67.14.

Forex dealers said increased demand for the US currency from importers as also the greenbacks gains against rivals overseas put pressure on the rupee.

On Monday, the rupee had ended 5 paise lower at 67.11 against the US dollar.Police have arrested 10 people and recovered demonetised currency notes in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination totalling Rs 1 crore from them which they were trying to smuggle to Nepal.

The arrests took place in Raj Nagar area here on Monday night following a tip off that the money was being taken in two cars.

Ghaziabad senior superintendent of police Vaibhav Krishna told the media that the men were nabbed near the Collectorate.

The men reportedly confessed that they were carrying the currency at the behest of an Anil Dixit and a Yadav and that they had been promised a 10% commission if they reached Nepal.

The arrested men were identified as Avtar Singh, Gaurav Garg and Rajesh Kumar from Delhi, Rajesh Kumar of Haryana, Pintu and Rahul Kumar from Ghaziabad, Deepak from Vrindavan and Rahul Sharma, Kavya and Sanjay of Meerut.

The men were arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.Back in 1928, Mahatma Gandhi had warned about the unsustainability, on the global scale, of Western patterns of production and consumption. God forbid that India should ever take to industrialisation after the manner of the West, he remarked, adding: The economic imperialism of a single tiny island kingdom [England] is today keeping the world in chains. If an entire nation of 300 million took to similar economic exploitation, it would strip the world bare like locusts.

The key phrase in this statement is after the manner of the West. Gandhi knew that when India became free, it had to develop economically, to eliminate mass poverty and assure a dignified life for its citizens. But because it had far higher population densities than the West, and because it did not have colonies to command and exploit, India had to be more responsible in its use of natural resources, lest it destroy the environment on which all life, and especially human life, depended.

Gandhis environmental ideas were taken forward in his time by such visionary thinkers as the sociologist Radhakamal Mukherjee and the economist JC Kumarappa. However, they were comprehensively disregarded by the governments of post-independent India, which, in their blind arrogance, chose to adopt resource-intensive, energy-intensive policies regardless of Indian realities. This led to massive human suffering, to the dispossession of village and tribal communities by corporate takeover of their resources or by degradation caused by polluting projects. It was this destruction, of nature and of human livelihoods, that was opposed by popular movements such as the Chipko and Narmada Andolans, and the fisherfolk struggle. This environmentalism of the poor led to the belated creation of a ministry of environment in 1980, and to a slew of laws designed to prevent ecological abuse by vested interests.

However, in recent decades the environmental gains of the 1980s have been whittled away by successive central governments, both UPA and NDA, as well by regional parties in the states. This is in part because of the mistaken belief that India must first grow rich before it can afford to clean up, and in part by the capitulation of political parties to private corporations who are concerned with their own short-term profit rather than the larger good of society as a whole. This fresh Age of Ecological Arrogance has caused even further damage, as manifest in our polluted cities, our dead or dying rivers, our depleting aquifers, our contaminated soils, and more.

John Maynard Keynes famously wrote that practical men who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. This is absolutely true of all politicians in India today. They are slaves of the economists of the 1950s, who believed that poor countries had to be less concerned with environmental degradation than rich countries. On the other hand, the best economists of the 21st century have conclusively demonstrated that a country like India must be even more environmentally responsible than (say) the United States. This is for three reasons: because our population densities are far higher, because tropical ecosystems are less resilient than temperate ones, and because it is the poor who disproportionately bear the costs of pollution, deforestation, soil degradation, etc. In India, the ignorance of our rulers is compounded by their malevolence, their readiness to sacrifice the interests of the aam aadmi to the greed of their favourite crony capitalist.

Misguided by out-of-date economists and by corporate apologists in the Press, the Indian middle class was lulled into believing that environmental sustainability was a luxury we could ill afford. But in recent years that complacency has been called into question, because the evidence of environmental abuse is now so starkly in our face  and in our chests  and because those who are the victims of such abuse have once more begun to protest. Thus scholarly studies have demonstrated that Indian cities have the highest rates of pollution in the world. Meanwhile, there been a resurgence of the environmentalism of the poor, featuring (among other such groups) tribals dispossessed by open-cast minining, and peasants whose livelihood is threatened by industrial pollution.

The recent protests in Thoothukudi were by working-class victims of environmental abuse. That they ended in such tragedy should have led to a belated dawning of environmental wisdom. But it appears that our decision-makers and those who drive them are determined not to learn. While there has indeed been some fine field reporting on the issue, this has been quickly followed by articles by editorial writers unaware of ground realities, seeking to whitewash Sterlite and its crimes. These apologists have variously claimed (with scant evidence) that the protests were violent and foreign-inspired, while implying (with even less evidence) that imposing environmental responsibility on large corporations will lead to economic disaster.

India today has the intellectual capacity to frame policies which can combine economic growth with environmental sustainability. In our research institutes we have outstanding scientists who can help our governments (at the Centre and in the States) pursue industrial, agricultural, forest, water, energy, housing and transport policies which will enhance growth without imperiling our long-term future. Tragically, however, we do not have politicians willing to listen to these experts. The States murder of innocent citizens in Thoothukudi would, in a more transparent and accountable democracy, have been a wake-up call in this regard. But I fear that in our own deeply flawed political order it will soon be forgotten, particularly with a general election approaching and the coffers of political parties waiting to be filled up.

Ramachandra Guhas books include Environmentalism: A Global History

The views expressed are personalA blanket ban will be imposed on polythene from July 31, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat announced on the occasion of World Environment Day on Tuesday.

All polythene wholesalers have been asked to finish their polythene stocks by the given date, he said.

A week before the ban, a statewide campaign will be launched to sensitise the people to the environmental and ecological damages caused by polythene, he said at a function to mark the day.

Apart from social organisations, there is also a need for a public cooperation to make Uttarakhand, a polythene-free state.

On the occasion, a number of pits were dug for planting of saplings as part of the chief ministers campaign to restore Rispana, a river that passes through Dehradun, to its original shape. Once a gurgling stream, it dried up gradually and turned into a sewer line for the fast expanding capital city.

Rawat said about 3.5 lakh saplings will be planted on one single day on the riversides of Rispana and the Kosi river in Almora to mark the coming Harela festival.

(In Dehradun) from Ladhaur to Shikhar Fall to Motharwala and Daudwala some 2.5 lakh trees of different species would be planted in a 32-km area, an official note quoted him as saying.

Rawat said restoring the Rispana to Rishiparna (the original shape of the stream) is an ambitious scheme of the government.

In that mission, the government is also getting support of the people from other states, apart from the locals and government and non-government organisations, he said.

In the initial stage, he said, the target has been set for the rejuvenation of Rispana and Kosi rivers. Afterwards, other water sources would also be rejuvenated, he said.

The chief minister said environmental conservation was a collective responsibility of all of us.

Rawat appealed to the people to pitch in to support the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a plastic free India. (In that connection) everybodys support is important, he said.Rules are rules, but bending them for a good purpose should be legitimate.

These were the last words of Varun Subhash Chandran, a civil services aspirant, who committed suicide on Sunday evening after he was not allowed to enter the examination centre for walking in late.

The 28-year-old from Karnataka was four minutes late in reaching the exam centre. It was Chandrans fourth attempt at cracking the prestigious civil services examination.

Before ending his life in his two-room apartment in Old Rajinder Nagar, Chandran penned his disappointment. In a note, he wrote he had reached the venue before 8.45 am but had mistakenly entered the wrong centre.

The venue of the examination  Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, Paharganj  was not more than five kilometres from his Old Rajinder Nagar house.

After I entered, I found that the centre itself was wrong the one which I had reached although I reached the other centre at 9.24 am I was denied entry, his handwritten note reads.

It is very sad on the part of the supervising officials that such a thing happened. I understand that rules are rules, but bending them for a good purpose should be legitimate... he wrote.

An admit card, which the police recovered from his room, explains the rules of the examination centre. Please note that entry into the examination venue shall be closed 10 minutes before the scheduled commencement of examination that is 9.20 am for the forenoon session and 2.20 pm for the afternoon session. No candidate shall be allowed entry into the examination venue after closure of the entry.

Chandran, in his note, clarified that nothing has compelled him to take this step and that he was fully aware of the cause and the consequences of his action. He left another note for the police, informing them that a friends notebook was in his room and that she was just a friend. We are just friends. It is just that her books remained with me that I want to return for her future exams. She shall not be questioned regarding my suicide.

For his family, Chandran had a message, ...There was anyway no point in living this life further. I anyway would just have been a living dead body. What has happened has happened. It would have happened any time anywhere. I know it will be very difficult from now on but not impossible. Just think I never existed.

The last line, written in capital letters, read, The more you try to forget me, more happy my soul will be.Plastic bags, measuring less than 50 microns, are banned in Delhi and, yet, markets are overflowing with them, even choking on them.

Their use had taken a back seat following a government crackdown in August 2017, after the National Green Tribunal banned their use and imposed a penalty of Rs 5,000 on each offender. But the menace is far from over. With the government and civic agencies loosening their grip, these bags have resurfaced in markets.

Even though the state government claims to have seized thousands of kilos of polythene bags, a visit to any market, local shop or street vendor will reveal that the picture is still as grim as it was 10 months ago before the crackdown began.

Polythene bags less than 50 microns are back in full force. Their circulation might have stopped in shopping malls and big retail outlets, but vendors and local shops are still using these bags and disposable plastic glasses widely, Vinod Jain, who had taken the matter of plastic menace to the court in 2009, said.

In some shops, storekeepers were found dispensing bags that they claimed were above 50 microns.

Some claimed they were using biodegradable bags. But experts have questioned these claims.

How do you prove that they are 50 microns and more? Who has measured them? Did the regulators check these bags? Anyone can come up with a plastic bag with a line printed on it claiming that they are more than 50 microns. Only a blanket ban can stop this menace, Chitra Mukherjee, head of programmes at Chintan, an NGO, said.

Over the past 10 months, the Delhi government and civic agencies have seized more than 30,000 kilos of banned polythene bags. An amount of Rs 31.8 lakh has been collected as penalty from traders for storing, selling and manufacturing such bags, a senior official of the state environment department said.

Even though there was some uncertainty in the initial stages about how government agencies would dispose of the seized bags, two of the three corporations started disposing of them at the waste-to-energy plants.

A senior official of East Delhi Municipal Corporation said, We are stocking the seized plastic and are waiting for the Central Pollution Control Board and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to notify a list of recyclers who can dispose of them in an environment friendly manner. The NGT had directed these two bodies to finalise the list.

Officials of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and North Delhi Municipal Corporation said seized plastic bags are being incinerated at the waste-to-energy plant. Plastic below 50 microns is mostly non-recyclable. So the only option is to dispose of them at these plants, an official of the SDMC said.Superstar Rajinikanths latest movie Kaala will hit theatres on June 7. Even before release, the movie has run into several controversies. Pro-Kannada activists in Karnataka want the movie, not to be released in the state because of some comments made by the actor. Rajinikanth had said that the Centre should implement the Supreme Court order to constitute a Cauvery Management Board, at the earliest. Vatal Nagraj, a self-proclaimed Kannada activist, has threatened that the movie will not be allowed to be released in Karnataka. This has been supported by Sa Ra Govindu, the president of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, which has said the movie will not be shown in Karnataka.

Similarly, Rajinikanths comments on the Thoothukudi violence where he said that a few anti-social elements had infiltrated the protests leading to attacks on police, destruction of property and ..that protests for every issue, will make Tamil Nadu into a graveyard, didnt go down well with a number of people. Self-appointed Tamil activists as far as Switzerland and Norway have opposed the release of his movie and asked that it be boycotted.

To be sure, this is not the first time that a Rajini film has got into trouble in Karnataka. In 2008, Kuselan, another of his movies was in the news for exactly for the same reason  comments made by him on the decades-old festering Cauvery dispute. But it is not Rajini movies alone.

Last year pro-Kannada activists had called for a ban on the release of Bahubali 2: The conclusion. The grouse then was that the Tamil actor Satyaraj who played the role of Kattappa in the movie, had made some statements a decade earlier, which were perceived to be against Karnatakas interests in the Cauvery water dispute. Satyaraj was eventually made to issue a grovelling apology before the movie was allowed to be released in the state by self-appointed guardians of Karnatakas interests.

Violent protests and enforced boycotts because of an artists ideological or political positions are reprehensible. However, this is not limited to a single movie, actor or a state. In the name of regional pride based on language, ethnicity, caste, class or religion, fringe elements are dictating choices for the silent majority. Nothing can prevent them from choosing not to watch a particular movie because they disagree with the actors politics. However, this doesnt give them the right to force this choice on others, especially with a threat of implied violence. It doesnt help that pusillanimous administrations usually choose to keep quiet for political gains instead of reining in such fringe elements. Governments should ensure that art isnt held hostage by politics.With one window for Air Indias divestment closing  the deadline for interested buyers making a serious application to the government has passed, and there are no applicants  it is now becoming increasingly clear that the State-owned airline will remain in government hands till at least early 2020. It is unlikely the government will worry too much about Air India in the remaining 11 months of its term; politics, not business, is likely to be foremost on its mind, and the sale of an airline with a highly unionised workforce is a politically sensitive affair thats best avoided around election time. The next government will have to pick up the reins, and even if there is continuity in regime, it is unlikely anything will happen before early 2020.

The real measure of the magnitude of the opportunity lost by the government in not closing Air Indias sale lies in the airlines performance over the next two years. Will Air India be better off, or worse off, when the process starts afresh? With fuel prices increasing, the economics of the aviation business are only going to turn adverse in the short-term  unless the government decides to move jet fuel under GST as airlines have been asking it to. That, and rising competition is unlikely to do Air Indias numbers any good.

Indeed, the timing for Air Indias divestment seemed about right. The Indian aviation sector, buoyed by benign fuel prices (right up to the beginning of 2018), had turned profitable. The number of passengers travelling by air had increased. Added to Indias and Air Indias obvious advantages  India is located well, with Mumbai and Delhi being just a few hours away from West Asia and seven to nine hours from most places in Europe; and Air India has slots and bilaterals that would be the envy of most airlines  this seemed to suggest that there would be appetite for Air India. As it turned out there wasnt.

In hindsight, the government could have done a few things differently to make the airline more attractive to potential buyers. For one, it could have dropped its insistence that it would sell all or nothing. Sometimes, a company such as Air India is best sold in parts. For another, it could have been clearer about the airlines employees and unions. And finally, the government should have considered an outright sale, as opposed to wanting to keep a 24% stake in the airline. This wasnt a bad idea, actually, and only signalled the governments commitment to the airline and its belief that a divested Air India would do well, but clearly, many potential buyers viewed this stake as a possible beach head for possible government interference.The result of the intermediate (Class 12) board examination was on Wednesday declared by the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB).

The BSEB Class 12 examination result was earlier scheduled to be announced on June 7. It was advanced to June 6 as the last date for applying to Delhi University colleges is June 7.

Here are the direct link to check result.

Arts: Direct link to check result

Commerce: Heres direct link to check result

Science: Heres direct link to check result

Vocational stream: Heres direct link to check result

Students can also check their results by visiting the official website of BSEB at biharboard.ac.in

Read more | Live BSEB Bihar board 12th result 2018 to be declared in a few hours

The result of the matriculation (Class 10) exams will be announced on June 20.

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 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.

BSEB Bihar Board 12th result 2018: Heres how to check

* Visit the official website: biharboard.ac.in

* Click on the tab Results

* Click on the link for Class 12 result.

* Enter your details

* Click submit and view your result

* Download it and also take a print outThe Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has declared the intermediate (Class 12) board examination result on June 6.

The BSEB Class 12 examination result was earlier scheduled to be announced on June 7. It was changed to June 6 as the last date for applying to Delhi University colleges is June 7.

Here is the direct link to check result.

Arts: Direct link to check result

Commerce: Heres direct link to check result

Science: Heres direct link to check result

Vocational stream: Heres direct link to check result

Students can also check their results by visiting the official website of BSEB at biharboard.ac.in

Read more: Bihar board 12th result 2018 to be declared: Live updates here

BSEB Bihar Board Class 12th result 2018: Heres how to check

* Visit the official website: biharboard.ac.in

* Click on the tab Results

* Click on the link for Class 12 result.

* Enter your details

* Click submit and view your result

* Download it and also take a print out

The result of the matriculation (Class 10) exams will be announced on June 20.

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 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.Adarsh Vidyalayas, or model schools, will be set up in Himachal Pradeshs 68 assembly constituencies, state Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj announced in Dharamsala on Monday.

Ten of these model schools will be opened this year and a provision of Rs 25 crore has been made, he said.

The minister said that the MLAs will be mentors of the schools in their respective constituencies. Residents, who studied in state-run schools and are working at top posts in government departments will also be roped in to increase enrollment of students. The government will also connect with retired government employees.

Bhardwaj said his main aim was to improve the quality of education in the states government schools.

Steps were being taken to bring the syllabus of the HP Education Board-affiliated schools on par with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and to ensure that NCERT textbooks are used, he added. Bhardwaj also said that the government was seeking legal opinion to bring the fees of private schools under control.

Bhardwaj said that most formalities had been completed for building the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, and the varsitys foundation stone would be laid soon.

He said the government was also filling up 645 vacancies for college faculty through the HP Staff Selection Commission (HPSSC). He also spoke about the recently launched Jan Manch initiative, a programme aimed at addressing public grievances effectively.

Yesterday, 11 ministers and the assembly speaker organised the Jan Manch meetings in 12 districts and resolved grievances of the people on the spot, he said. District officials also attended the meetings.

Bhardwaj, along with the states Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Kishan Kapoor, met people at the Dharamsala mini-secretariat on Monday. The state education minister said that at least one of the four ministers from Kangra would be available at the secretariat every week to meet the public.

The Jan Manch programme was one of the three schemes launched by the Himachal Pradesh government in May to mark the completion of four years of Modi government.On her lunch break, Bangkok office worker Chinapa Payakha emerges from a 7-Eleven store with two plastic bags.

One holds a Big Gulp soft drink. The other carries her lunch, with a banana in its own plastic wrapper.

For office life, plastic bags are necessary, said Chinapa, 34, whose shopping habits illustrate the challenges facing anti-plastic campaigners in Thailand, where plastic bags are handed out in abundance on any visit to a shop or market.

As World Environment Day on Tuesday takes place and the United Nations calls for the biggest-ever worldwide cleanup of plastic pollution, experts are focused on Southeast Asia, home to four of the worlds top marine plastic polluters.

From major cities like Bangkok and Jakarta to beach resorts in the Philippines and Vietnam, plastic bags and bottles are the ubiquitous face of pollution in the region.

Globally, some eight million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean every year, killing marine life and entering the human food chain, according to the UN Environment Programme.

Tourists and local residents disembark a boat coming from nearby Nusa Penida island as plastic trash pollutes the beach in Sanur, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia April 10, 2018. (Reuters Photo)

Five Asian countries - China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam and Thailand - accounted for up to 60 percent of the plastic waste leaking into the ocean, according to a 2015 report by the environmental campaigner Ocean Conservancy and the McKinsey Center for Business and Environment.

The five economies have generated exploding demand for consumer products, the report said, but lacked the waste management infrastructure to cope with the surge in plastic garbage.

Three years on, a trash emergency on the Indonesian island of Bali and the Philippines decision to close the tourist island of Boracay showed governments are recognising the impact of plastic waste, said Susan Ruffo, Ocean Conservancys managing director for international initiatives.

But this is not just a government responsibility - corporations, civil society and citizens all have a part to play, she said, adding that engagement was improving.

Plastic addiction

In Thailand, where two million tonnes of plastic waste is produced a year, plastic is an addiction, said Geoff Baker, an anti-plastic campaigner with Grin Green International.

Everywhere you go they just throw plastic at you, said Baker, who caused a stir on social media in April when he covered himself in 700 plastic bags, walked into a 7-Eleven and stared disapprovingly at people buying plastic-wrapped bananas.

The recent death of a pilot whale in Thailand with 80 pieces of plastic rubbish in its stomach garnered headlines locally, but drew more attention outside the country.

Still, some Bangkok residents say companies are not doing enough to address the problem of plastic pollution.

Office workers eat their lunch sitting next to food items packaged in plastic containers in Bangkok. (AFP Photo)

Watcharapon Prabsangob, a 28-year-old engineer, emerged from a store with a small bag carrying a coffee drink and straw. He said he tried to refuse the bag but the clerk moved too fast.

He said that businesses should do more to stop customers from taking plastic bags.

CP All, which has over 10,000 7-Eleven stores across the country, said it would launch a campaign on Tuesday to reduce plastic bags in some outlets in the southern province of Satun as part of a green tourism campaign.

It made no mention of the other 76 provinces including Bangkok, where 10 million residents use 80 million plastic bags a day, the capitals administration says.

The food retailer Tesco Lotus said it would offer redeemable points from Tuesday to customers who do not take a plastic bag at check out. But the scheme runs out at the end of June.

Months after the military seized power in a 2014 coup, the junta made waste management a priority and set goals for 2021.

They included cutting the use of plastic bags and bottles in government agencies and businesses, and plastic bans in tourist destinations. A tax on plastic bags was also mentioned, along with a target to recycle up to 60 percent of plastic by 2021.

Baker said he has yet to see any real change coming from these promises.

But a spokesman from the government said it was committed to minimising plastic use. We have been trying to raise awareness. People are so used to the convenience of plastic that they dont think about the consequences, said the spokesman, Weerachon Sukhonpatipak.

Wake-up call

Other governments have set ambitious goals too.

Indonesia, ranked second behind China in the 2015 study of mismanaged plastic waste from populations living near coastal areas in 192 countries, has pledged $1 billion a year to reduce marine plastic debris by 70 percent by 2025.

There have been several attempts to impose taxes on plastic packaging to help address the waste problem. Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto has opposed the tax measures, saying in January it would hurt the local food and drink industry.

In the Philippines, the threat to marine life should be a wake-up call for people to cut their use of plastic, said Jonas Leones, a senior official in the environmental department.

The Philippines, like its regional neighbours, has not imposed a nationwide ban on plastic bags, but some local authorities regulate their use. Some shopping malls have also replaced plastic with paper bags and encouraged reusable bags.

Perigrina Santos, 81, collects her laundry next to a garbage-filled creek in Manila. The blanket of trash on a creek that flows between the makeshift homes of a Manila slum is so dense it appears one could walk across it like a paved street. (AFP Photo)

In Malaysia, the new housing and local government minister, Zuraida Kamaruddin, said in an interview with the local news website Malaysiakini that she wants to introduce a nationwide ban on plastic bags within a year.

Anchalee Pipattanawattanakul, an ocean campaigner with Greenpeace in Southeast Asia, said the region needs a coordinated strategy on plastic waste.

ASEAN says the problem needs to be addressed, she said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. But there is no action plan that will actually decrease the use of plastic.Being exposed to light at night can wreak havoc on your sleep cycle, but thats not the only cause for concern. A new study done by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine says that light exposure at night can also impact your metabolism.

According to the study, chronic overnight light exposure could have long-term effects on metabolic function. Our preliminary findings show that a single night of light exposure during sleep acutely impacts measures of insulin resistance, said lead author Ivy Cheung Mason. Light exposure overnight during sleep has been shown to disrupt sleep, but these data indicate that it may also have the potential to influence metabolism.

Insulin resistance is the diminished ability of cells to respond to insulin action transporting glucose out of the bloodstream and precedes the development of type 2 diabetes. (Shutterstock)

What the study shows

Results show that a single night of light exposure during sleep acutely impacts measures of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is the diminished ability of cells to respond to insulin action transporting glucose out of the bloodstream and precedes the development of type 2 diabetes.

These results are important given the increasingly widespread use of artificial light exposure, particularly at night, said Mason The effect we see is acute; more research is needed to determine if chronic overnight light exposure during sleep has long-term cumulative effects on metabolic function.

The study appears in an online supplement of the journal Sleep and was presented at SLEEP 2018, the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC.

Blue light emitted by smartphone screens disrupts sleep in children and teenagers. (Shutterstock)

Here are some of the other effects of light exposure on the body:

* A study done by the Ohio State University in the US, which was conducted on hamsters, found that the negative health impact of night-time light exposure on parents may be inherited by offsprings. The evidence indicated that the dim light exposure had various repercussions for offspring, and that fathers and mothers independently appeared to pass along genetic instructions that impaired immune response and decreased endocrine activity.

* A 2015 study done by the University of Connecticut shows that over-exposure to artificial light at night has serious long-term health implications including a tendency to contract breast cancer, obesity, diabetes, depression, and possibly other forms of cancer.

* Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, found that children who spend too much time on tablets, mobile phone or television are more likely to gain unhealthy weight. It is not just because of physical inactivity, but also due to increased exposure to light, says the study.

* Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder in the US found that blue light emitted by smartphone screens disrupts sleep in children and teenagers.

(With inputs from ANI)

Follow @htlifeandstyle for moreA Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer was arrested on Monday on suspicions of peddling marijuana.

Head constable Rajpal Yadav, 45, was arrested from Bilaspur, near Manesar, along with a woman who is suspected to be part of a gang headed by Yadav. A mini truck loaded with 280 kilograms of marijuana was recovered at their location.

The two were arrested during a joint raid by Gurugram Police and Uttar Pradesh Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). Accused Rajpal Yadav is reported to be a head constable posted at the CBI office in Delhi. Further investigation will help connect the dots in the case, said Sandeep Khirwar, Commissioner of Police, Gurugram. The woman has been identified as Ruchi and is from Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

Ruchi has been sent to judicial custody and Yadav is in police remand.

Khirwar said the UP SWAT team received a tipoff that said Yadav and Ruchi had a hideout in Binola industrial area.

The SWAT team then informed Gurugram Police and a joint raid was carried out. Yadav and Ruchi was seen

loading 10 sacks of marijuana on to a mini-truck.

Investigators suspect Yadav may have been involved in smuggling cannabis for the last four years. Officials believe Yadav had formed a gang, which included members from Uttar Pradesh and Ruchi. Other members of this suspected gang were arrested in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, according to police sources.

A senior CBI official said there are also complaints of indiscipline against Yadav.

Gurugram Police is currently investigating Yadavs source for the marijuana and the network to which he supplied.In order to check the mushrooming growth of illegal colonies on agricultural land, the Department of Town and Country planning (DTCP) has proposed to declare 53 more villages in the Gurugram district as urban areas.

The decision will be implemented under the Section 7A of the Act 8 of Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban areas Act, 1975.

Section 7A of Urban Areas Act, 1975 is implemented in areas where it is suspected that unauthorised sale of land and illegal constructions are taking place. Once implemented the seller has to obtain a NOC from the DTCP, enforcement. Also, the revenue officials cant execute a sale deed of land without the NOC of DTCP. Any sale of agriculture land less than 2 kanals requires NOC.

Officials said a proposal has been sent to Chandigarh for the state governments approval.

Rajender T Sharma, district town planner (enforcement), said the decision was taken after revenue officials in Pataudi tehsil allegedly continued to register sale deeds in an unauthorised colony in Bhoran Kalan village, despite objections by the town planning officials.

Unless Section 7A of the urban act is applicable, the sale deeds get registered despite loopholes. The property dealers are able to make money but the buyer faces action as he is not able to construct house due to lack of adequate permissions, said Sharma, referring to the racket in which land sharks were building illegal colonies on such lands and duping homebuyers.

Many such colonies have come up along Sohna Road in Raisina, Harsaru Silani, Naya Gaon, Bhondsi, Khedli Lala, Gopalpur and along the Dwarka Expressway. Officials said in these areas property dealers sold 50 to 100 square yard plots, forcing the government to take preventive measures.

Currently, the Section 7A of the Urban Areas Act, 1975 is applicable to 96 villages in Gururgam district. Consequently , anyone buying or selling agricultural land has to obtain no-objection certificate (NOC) from the town and country planning department, ensuring there is no illegal growth or constructions.

Officials said section 7A is not applicable in the extended municipal areas of Pataudi, Farrukhnagar, and in several revenue estates in Sohna town, as a result of which illegal colonies are being developed in these villages.

By extending section 7A to these 53 villages, any sale, subdivision of agriculture land less than 1,000 sq metres will be registered only after an NOC is issued by DTCP. This will ensure that illegal sale of land does not happen in unauthorized colonies as people are being duped by unscrupulous property dealers, said Sharma.

The administration has demolished Demolition drives have been conducted in many illegal colonies being developed in Sohna, Bhondsi, Sultan and Pataudi by the department but still land deals are happening, and authorities want to prevent this. A number of buyers had registries but this violates the law but extension of this act will prevent this, said Sharma.Gurugram

Haryanas forest minister Rao Narbir Singh is determined to increase the green cover in the state this year. In an interview to HT on the eve of World Environment Day, Singh said development of infrastructure was the need of the hour.

When development takes place, trees have to be cut. Be it road widening, new highways, railways, buildings or other infrastructure, trees have to give way to development, said Singh who is also the minister of Public Works Department (buildings and roads). The minister also said that the forest department is stepping up efforts to increase the green cover this year and over two lakh saplings will be planted in forest areas across the state over the next couple of months.

Haryana has registered minimal growth of just 0.02% in forest cover as per the Forest Survey of India (FSI) 2017 report. The report mentioned a decadal decrease of five square kilometres in the water body coverage within forest as compared to 2005. There were 21 square kilometres of water bodies in 2005 which declined to 16 square kilometres in 2015.

A resident of Civil Lines in Gurugram, the minister promised a more effective planting drive this year compared to the efforts of previous years.

Ped kattate hain to ped lagte bhi hain (if trees are cut, they are planted too). You will see change this time. We have been planting trees earlier. But this monsoon, we will plant lakhs of saplings. We will start quickly after it rains and ensure the saplings sustain, said Singh.

There are 85 forest committees involving villagers for carrying out afforestation activities.

Singh did not provide specifics for the survival rate of saplings planted in the past. Some (saplings) survive, some die, but it is an ongoing process, he said.

When asked about the increased instances of tree chopping in Gurugrams Aravalli Forest, Singh said villagers often cut trees even though the department monitors the situation.

A ground truthing exercise conducted in June 2016, in the Aravalli Forest, had revealed that planting saplings did not help increase green cover because their survival rate was around 20% . Ground truthing is a process by which ground-level data is collected by officials by verifying old revenue records, remote sensing and aerial photography, satellite or infrared images.

I appeal people to make least use of paper so that lesser trees are cut for that purpose, said Singh, who chose to not print invitation cards for his sons wedding in March this year. The minister also urged the public to help with afforestation. It is responsibility of every person to plant at least one tree on birthdays, he said.About a day before writing this article, I put out a request on Twitter and Facebook for pictures showing the toll that plastics take on wildlife. And I, who have dealt with such stuff over a decade, am shocked with the flood of heartbreaking responses Ive received. Turtles and dolphins, hopelessly entangled in mesh; a lactating elephant who died of a ruptured intestine full of polythene bags and food wraps; cheetal deer foraging in a plastic trash, a desperate leopard with its head stuck in a plastic jar, a seal strangled by a nylon noose around its body, a stork trapped in a prison of polytheneeven an image of a royal Bengal tiger with a plastic bottle protruding out of its mouth.

My personal moment of epiphany was 12 years ago on a maiden visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Snorkelling in the depths of the Indian Ocean, I saw, floating, among the most beautiful corals and brilliantly-coloured fish, packets of chips and pan masala. On our way back to the shore, we noticed a white-bellied sea eagle helplessly flapping on the waves. Its wings were entangled in fine plastic wire. My colleague dived in and carefully, expertly untangled the eagle  and the bird, wild and free, soared up to the sky.

Gurgaon citizens might wonder why the polythene bag you use (and throw) would harm a whale in the Indian Ocean or worry an elephant in Kerala, and how. And even if it does, why does that matter to us?

Plastic travels. Less than 10% is recycled. Plastic in garbage dumps runs off with rains or sewage into local waterways and rivers, which empty into the ocean. A third of discarded plastic finds its way into freshwater  polluting our drinking water sources and soil. A staggering eight million metric tons of plastic waste enter the oceans each year. By 2050, the ocean will have more plastic than fish. And oceans, along with forests, give us all the oxygen we breathe. Plastic trash in oceans is impairing this life-giving ability of the oceans.

Plastic kills. Its happening in our backyard. Whether it be cattle or dogs who dine on rotting food from our garbage bags, or nilgai or deer in the city forests across the National Capital Region (NCR) fatally munching on discarded poly bags, attracted by food remnants and the smell of salt.

The most horrifying impact is on aquatic and marine life. Most plastic breaks down into tiny microplastics, which are easily ingested by fish or crab and other aquatic and marine life. Through fish and other meat that humans consume prodigiously, we end up eating the plastic that we threw away.

While the use of plastic bags less than 50 microns is banned in Delhi NCR, there is little, if any, enforcement. Just banning doesnt serve any purpose unless there is public awareness.

And the only real solution lies in reducing plastic usage.

Gurugram cannot dump its waste -- of which plastic is a major part -- in the Aravallis, polluting this unique ecosystem and damaging our water sources. The city burns about 40% of waste, adding to the poor air quality. Gurugram has a history of failed practices of garbage disposal, including contracting waste management to a private company.

But here is the good news: we can break away from this dependency. Most of the plastic we use today has been developed after 1950, and in this short lifespan we have become slaves to its convenience. But that should also make it simpler to get rid of this bad habit?

On World Environment Day, make the pledge to carry your own reusable bottle, bag, cup etc.

Be a detective and figure out the invisible plastics, like the microbeads in cosmetics like body scrubs and microplastics in lipsticks. Choose products that dont use plastic and tell the brands that do why you are shunning their products. Exercise your power as a consumer, speak up.

Initially, it felt strange refusing the disposable cups at coffee shops, but #Saynotoplastics is the new cool, and I get a tiny discount for getting my own mug. The hawker was bewildered at first when I gulped the tender coconut water straight from the drupe, but over the years, I have heard him trying to sell the idea to others!

Plastic lasts forever, and a trashed earth or a sea swirling with plastics is not the legacy we want to leave our grandchildren. As the June 2018 National Geographic cover says bluntly: Planet or Plastic?

What would you choose?

Though she lives in Gurgaon, the writer is at home in the forests she is committed to protect. Her book The Vanishing:Indias Wildlife Crisis was released in June 2017.Woody Allen says he should be the face of the #MeToo movement in terms of what to do right. In an interview that was broadcast Sunday night, Allen said hes a big advocate of #MeToo, and once again denied allegations that he molested Dylan Farrow, his adopted daughter.

Its funny, I should be the poster boy for the #Metoo movement because Ive worked in movies for 50 years, Ive worked with hundreds of actresses...and not a single one, big ones, famous ones, have ever, ever, suggested any kind of impropriety at all, he told Argentine journalist Jorge Lanata in New York.

Im in principle, and in spirit, completely in favor of their bringing to justice genuine harassers, Allen said during the interview with Argentinas Channel 13.

Now, if innocent ones get swept up in there, thats very sad for the person, its unjust, but otherwise, I think its a very good thing to expose harassment.

Moses Farrow, the adopted son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, released a lengthy personal essay May 23, 2018, disputing allegations that his father molested his sister and accusing his mother of abuse. (AFP)

Farrow, Allens daughter, in 2014 renewed the claim that Allen molested her in an attic in 1992 when she was 7-years-old. Allen, who has long denied the allegations, was investigated for the incident but not charged. Farrow has previously questioned why the #MeToo movement hasnt ensnarled Allen.

Earlier this year, Mira Sorvino published a public apology to Farrow, saying she was sorry for turning a blind eye to Farrows accusations against Allen. She also vowed never to work with him again. Sorvino starred in Allens Mighty Aphrodite.

Other actors have also distanced themselves from Allen, raising questions about the future of the prolific filmmaker in an industry sensitive to allegations of sexual misconduct in the midst of a #MeToo reckoning.

What bothers me is that I get linked in with them, Allen said. People who have been accused by 20 women, 50 women, 100 women of abuse, and abuse, and abuse, and I, who was only accused by one woman, in a child custody case, which was looked at, and proven to be untrue, I get lumped in with these people.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreThey are a diverse group  students, teachers, homemakers, fishermen and boatsmen  but are bound by their concern for the Ganga.

They have taken upon themselves to save the river that is the lifeline of millions of Indians but is among the most polluted in the world.

The Ganga is our mother. It is not just a matter of faith for us but also our livelihood, so keeping it clean has become my mission, said 47-year-old Ramashankar Singh.

A resident of Bhagalpur in Bihar, Singh is among the 427 Ganga Praharis (guardians of the Ganga), a group of volunteers from local communities living along the river who will help the government in its mission for a clean and vibrant Ganga.

Singh and his friends, many of them fishermen, begin their day by pulling polythene and garbage out of the river. His wife, Sunita Devi, and daughter, Bharti Kumar, a BSc honours student, clean and mop the ghats before the break of dawn.

The group has not only taken charge of the water dustbins along the river but has installed a fishnet next to the ghats to stop garbage from flowing into the water.

The Ganga Praharis were trained for a few days by the officials of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), which last week listed details of 427 such volunteers on its website.

Most of the praharis, who are from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand, were in New Delhi last week to pledge support for the mission. Dashrath Sahni, part of the Bhaglapur group, calls himself pani ka kisan (farmer of water). My family and I are alive because of the bounty of the river; if we let the river die, we will die.

According to officials, Ganga Praharis, who double up as guards, cleaners and environmentalist, are part of a project by NMCG-Wildlife Institute of India.

To conserve the ecological integrity of the river and reduce the direct dependency of the local communities on it, we are involving members of the local community in the five Ganga states as guardians of the river, said Dr Ruchi Badola, department of ecodevelopment planning and participatory management at WII.

The aim was to have a motivated cadre to support local institutions and monitor the quality of the natural resources of the river.

The Praharis work for free and the mission provided only awareness material. The only qualification was they should be aged over 18 and passionate about the river.

The next step, they said, would be to rope in young school students, the Bal Ganga Praharis.A Delhi court on Tuesday extended till July 10, the interim protection from arrest granted to former union minister P Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case.

Special Judge O P Saini passed the order after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought more time to file a detailed reply to Chidambarams plea seeking anticipatory bail in the case.

Senior advocate Sonia Mathur and advocate Nitesh Rana moved the plea on behalf of the ED, saying the agency needed four weeks time to file a detailed reply.

At this, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi and advocate PK Dubey, appearing for Chidambaram, requested the court to fix the matter to July 10 when the court is already scheduled to hear the anticipatory bail plea of Chidambarams son Karti in the same case.

The senior Congress leader had on May 30 moved his plea for anticipatory bail in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case.

In his plea, Chidambaram said all the evidence in the matter appears to be documentary in nature which is already in the possession of the incumbent government and nothing was to be recovered from him.

The court has already granted interim protection from arrest till July 10 to the former ministers son Karti in two cases filed by the CBI and ED in 2011 and 2012, respectively in the Aircel-Maxis matter arising out of 2G spectrum cases.

The relief was granted to Karti after the ED sought time to argue on his application seeking anticipatory bail.

The matter pertains to grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to firm M/S Global Communication Holding Services Ltd for investment in Aircel.Amidst rumblings within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and a setback in the recent bypolls, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah will reach out to key allies of the party including the Shiromani Akali Dal and the disgruntled Shiv Sena over this week.

The meetings come against the backdrop of the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) outmanoeuvring the BJP to form the government in Karnataka and the efforts of opposition parties to cobble together a broad-based coalition against the Narendra Modi government for next years Lok Sabha elections.

Shah will be in Mumbai on Wednesday as part of the ongoing Sampark for Samarthan (Contact for Support) initiative and meet Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackreya at the latters residence. He will travel to Punjab on Thursday to meet SAD patriarch Prakash Singh Badal and former Punjab deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal.

The date for Shahs meeting with Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar has not been finalised, although people aware of the developments said the interaction will take place soon. People familiar with the matter say it is likely he will meet other allies as well.

The BJP has already lost its biggest southern ally, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in March, and its relationship with the Shiv Sena has hit a low. The two parties fought each other in the Palghar Lok Sabha seat in the recent byolls, and while the BJP candidate won, the Shiv Sena demanded a recount and then called the BJP its biggest political enemy.

Before the TDP pulled out of the NDA, the Shiv Senas mouthpiece Saamana slammed the BJP for what it termed ill-treatment of its alliance partners.

While the BJPs Bihar ally, the JD (U) hasnt been as vocal as the Shiv Sena, it has, in recent days, emphasised that it is the senior partner in the alliance in Bihar and blamed the BJP for the loss in an assembly seat in the recent by-elections.

The Akali Dal, too, has opposed the BJP on various issues including the appointment of the chairman and members of the National Minority Commission. It has also accused the BJP of not taking all NDA partners into confidence on important issues. The SADs Harsimrat Kaur Badal, a minister in the Modi Cabinet, had threatened to quit if the demand for waiving off GST on purchases for langar (community kitchens at Gurudwaras) services was not met. The government eventually accepted this demand.

Meetings will also be scheduled between Shah and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir, and partners in Jharkhand and the North-east, a party functionary said on condition of anonymity.

While party officials dubbed the meetings as routine and for better coordination during the elections, the engagements will be closely watched since ties between the alliance partners have been wobbly off late.

With most partners hardening their positions in what analysts see as a bargaining strategy ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections in 2019, Shahs job is cut out. He will not only have to retain the existing allies, but also widen the support base for the BJP as it makes a bid to return to power at the Centre and in a clutch of states going to polls later this year.

Sanjay Kumar of the Centre for Study of Developing Societies said the meetings with the allies are an exercise akin to testing waters.

Meetings with Thackeray and the Badals will not be courtesy calls. They acquire significance since there have been reports of allies being angry [over issues] and these meetings will allow Shah to get a sense of their concerns, Kumar said.

He said meeting with allies should not be conflated with the ongoing Sampark for Samarthan, wherein the party boss has been trying to create a favourable atmosphere for the BJP ahead of the polls.

A second BJP functionary who asked not to be identified said too much shouldnt be read into Shahs meetings with allies. Alliances are dynamic and BJP is making all efforts to ensure a strong united, coordinated effort, this person said.

The BJP is hosting a dinner for its allies in Patna on Thursday. It will be attended by the CM, the deputy CM, BJP general secretary Bhupinder Yadav, Bihar chief Nityanand Rai, the Lok Janshakti Partys Ramvilas Paswan and Rashtriya Lok Samta Partys Upendra Kushwaha.

(With inputs from HT Correspondents in Chandigarh and Mumbai)BJP chief Amit Shah will meet Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at the latters residence in Mumbai on Wednesday, a meeting being viewed as significant as it comes days after the two bickering allies contested the Palghar bypolls separately

The move is being seen as an attempt by the BJP to reach out the sulking ally which has been openly criticising senior BJP leaders.

Amit Shah sought time to meet Uddhavji. Accordingly, an appointment of tomorrow evening has been given to him, Sena MP Sanjay Raut told PTI.

He questioned the need for Shah to meet Thackeray after a gap of four years.

On Sunday, Raut had described the BJP as its biggest political enemy.

The Shiv Sena is the biggest political enemy (rajkiya shatroo) of the BJP. The Senas radical Hinduism would prove problematic for the BJP, he said in an opinion piece written under his rokh-thokh (straight forward) column published in party mouthpiece Saamana.

However, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said Shahs meet with Thackeray is a part of the partys Sampark for Samarthan (contact for support) nationwide campaign and that it has nothing to do with the recent Lok Sabha bypolls in Palghar and Bhandara-Gondiya seats in Maharashtra.

Raut said the Sena showed it can go into the poll battle alone by contesting the recent Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll, despite the fact that it was defeated.

We showed that we can fight alone when we contested the Palghar bypoll. We may have lost, however, the message has been sent across. We received lakhs of votes (in Palghar) where we had never contested an election, Raut pointed out while talking to reporters here.

In the May 28 Lok Sabha bypoll, the Sena candidate, Shrinivas Wanaga, secured 2,43,210 votes but lost to BJPs Rajendra Gavit by a margin of 29,572 votes.

Raut said the NDA allies were one after the other deserting the BJP.

There was angst against the BJP, thus the party might have started a reconciliatory measure, he said.

Asked if the Sena will continue with its stand of going solo in all the forthcoming elections, Raut said party chief Thackeray had taken a call on not forging an alliance after due considerations.

This decision was taken keeping peoples sentiments in mind. I dont think there will be any change in this stand, the Rajya Sabha member said.

Mungantiwar said Shah was going to meet Thackeray and other people as a part of the BJPs nationwide outreach programme.

Amit Shahji is touring the entire country as part of the BJPs Sampark for Samarthan programme. His meet with Uddhavji also is a part of this programme. Along with the Sena president, he will be meeting around 15 to 20 people from different sectors of society, Mungantiwar said.

This meet has nothing to do with any bypolls. It is an outreach effort for 2019 (elections), he added.

The BJP has launched the Sampark for Samarthan exercise to mark the fourth anniversary of the Modi government as it prepares for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Around 4,000 BJP functionaries, including chief ministers, Union ministers and panchayat members, across the country will contact one lakh people who are recognised names in their fields to inform them about the governments achievements.Militants on Tuesday evening targeted an army vehicle with an improvised electronic device (IED) in North Kashmirs Harwan area causing damage to the vehicle. No injuries were reported.

The Mine Protected Vehicle, belonging to the 22 Rashtriya Rifles, came under attack at Harwan Yamberzal Wari, around 20 kilometres from Sopore. Terror outfit Jaish-e- Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack.

This is the third IED attack on the army since the unilateral ceasefire was announced. Last week, an army officer and three soldiers were injured when militants exploded an IED in South Kashmir.

In another attack on Tuesday, militants fired on a guard posted at Zeyarat Mirza Kamil at Zadibal in Srinagar, which police say was intended to snatch weapons. Security forces at the site retaliated, forcing the militants to flee.

Since the ceasefire was announced, militants managed to snatch 10 rifles from police. However, four attempts were foiled by alert jawans in different parts of the Valley.An Assam Rifles trooper was seriously injured and a company commander suffered minor injuries after a post of the paramilitary force came under fire from an unidentified rebel group in the northern most Mon district of Nagaland about 300 km from the capital Kohima early Tuesday.

The attack came even as six rebel groups announced suspending peace talks with the Centre.

An official said Assam Rifles is yet to ascertain if the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland or NSCN, the dominant rebel group in that part of the state, was behind the attack. However, sources in the Nagaland police say they had been receiving information on how a desperate NSCN (K) was planning to target security forces.

Meanwhile, officials refused to link the attack to the decision by Naga groups to suspend peace talks with the Centre. The NSCN(K) is not involved in the peace talks.

Unidentified insurgent group carried out attack on company outpost of 41 Assam Rifles at Lompong Shengha village at about 2.20 am, a defence officer familiar with the development said.

The fire was immediately returned by Assam Rifles personnel on duty which forced the attackers to flee, another official said. Rifleman RN Modak sustained injuries and has been evacuated to Jorhat for treatment. Major Sahil Sharma, the company commander also sustained minor injuries.

In another development on Tuesday, the working committee of the Naga National Political Groups decided to suspend negotiations with the central government following a June 2 raid at the residence of V Nagi, the committees Co-Convener and General Secretary. The Naga National Council is umbrella organization of the rebel groups. The talks would remain suspended unless the Government of India comes clean on the question of haphazard actions of its agencies, according to a statement by the groups.

They called the Assam Rifles raid on Nagis residence a betrayal of trust.

The Assam Rifles in a statement said a large cache of weapons, foreign currency and war like stores were seized in the raid on Nagis residence.

It is clarified that the operation was carried out along with Nagaland Police and in presence of local witness. There was no ransacking done, nor the search party carried out search at any girls hostel. Further, there was no mistreatment or harm caused to any of the family member, the statement by the Assam Rifles said.India will push fellow Brics members to define terrorism and reflect its concerns over cross-border terror when their leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gather for their annual summit in Johannesburg in July, officials familiar with the matter said on Monday.

If India manages to achieve the twin objectives at the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa grouping, it will be a major victory for the country after the United Nations and United States designated the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad as terrorist outfits.

Indian officials had already taken up the matter with their counterparts in the other Brics nations. Indias demand had led to intense discussion which remains inconclusive, diplomats of two member nations said.

The talks will continue as terrorism, Brics vision for UN reforms and de-radicalisation are on the agenda when National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the five nations meet in South Africa from June 21, an official said. NSA Ajit Doval will represent India at the meeting.

Delhi wants the grouping to come out with a definition of terrorism, an Indian official said on condition of anonymity. A mention of cross-border terrorism, which refers to terrorist activities launched against India from Pakistani soil, would be a diplomatic achievement for India.

But getting Indias demand reflected in its entirety in a joint statement would not be easy. The definition of terrorism is not an easy issue. The UN itself is yet to define it. We need to wait and see which way the discussion will progress what we come up with at the end, one of the Brics diplomats mentioned above said, requesting anonymity.

The Brics leaders have asked for discussions on the UN convention on counter-terrorism, which includes defining terrorism, to complete soon, a second Indian official said.

We call for expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the United Nations General Assembly, Brics leaders said in a joint communique last year, without getting into defining terrorism, as sought in the convention.

The group deplored all terrorist attacks worldwide, including those on Brics members, and condemned terrorism in all its forms, the statement said. Those responsible for committing, organising, or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable, said the statement, reflecting the Brics line on terrorism.

Proposed by India, CCIT intends to define terrorism, criminalise all forms of terrorism and deny funds to terror groups.

The closest Brics came to mentioning cross-border terrorism was again in the 2017 communique , saying it was the responsibility of states to counter terrorism. ...we stress the necessity to develop international cooperation, in accordance with the principles of international law, including that of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

The UNs failure to define terrorism worries India. Addressing the Indian diaspora in Brussels in 2016, Modi said, The United Nations has all means and mechanism to deal with war. But unfortunately the UN does not know what the definition of terrorism is and how to address it.Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said on Tuesday charges filed against him in the death of his Sunanda Pushkar were preposterous and baseless, reacting hours after a Delhi court summoned him as an accused in the case.

I would like to point out that, from the very start, I have fully cooperated with the investigating team and continue to maintain that due legal process must be followed in all aspects related to the case, Tharoor said in a statement.

I would like to reiterate my position that I find the charges preposterous and baseless, the product of a malicious and vindictive campaign against myself. I would continue to vigorously contest these charges and maintain my steadfast conviction that ultimately the truth will prevail through the judicial system that we are privileged to have in our country, he added.

The Congress leader also asked the media to respect his as well his familys right to privacy.

Pushkar was found dead in a luxury hotel room in south Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014.

Tharoor, a Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, was summoned on July 7 after the additional chief metropolitan magistrate took cognizance of the chargesheet and said, There exists sufficient grounds to proceed against Tharoor for commission of offences in the case.

In its chargesheet filed in May, the Delhi Police had accused Tharoor of abetting Pushkars suicide and told a city court that he should be summoned as an accused over alleged cruelty to his wife.

Tharoor had previously called the chargesheet preposterous and termed the action unbelievable.A woman in West Bengals Murshidabad district gave birth to a healthy baby hours after a laboratory report said she was carrying a dead foetus, according to her family members.

The family of 31-year-old Sajeda Bibi of Ghoshpara village lodged a complaint against Sono Scan, the laboratory, with Domkal police station on Sunday.

We have received a complaint from the womans family. But we have advised them to lodge the complaint with consumer affairs court as the negligence doesnt come under our purview, Nihar Roy, inspector-in-charge of Domkal police station, said.

Sajeda visited Dr Suparna Biswas with labour pain on Saturday but the doctor could not detect movement of the foetus and advised her family to conduct an ultrasonography. It is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of internal organs and other tissues.

Her family members rushed her to Sono Scan.

Intra-uterine fetal death at 32 weeks 5 days, read the report signed by consultant radiologist Dr RK Sarkar.

Her husband Sahidul Islam works as a migrant labourer and is away from the state.

Our happiness of the impending arrival of the new member in the family was cut short by the erroneous report. The clinic took Rs 2,000 for the USG, Sajedas mother Salema Bibi said.

After getting the report we took back Sajeda to our house. But on the same night, she had labour pain and we admitted her again at Domkal hospital. Both mother and baby are doing well, she added.

The woman delivered the child at Domkal super-speciality hospital in Murshidabad district at 4am on Sunday.

Sajedas sister Khaleda Khatun lodged the police complaint on the same day.

The owner of this unit Abdul Alim Sheikh is not here since Sunday. I dont have any idea where Dr RK Sarkar is right now, said a person who picked up the call on the mobile phone number on the laboratorys letterhead.

Reports of medical negligence and incorrect diagnosis are widespread in India.

A Dehradun-based pathological laboratory was asked in March this year to pay Rs 10 lakh with interest to a woman, who was wrongly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Last year, a young man from Uttarakhand was wrongly diagnosed as being HIV positive by a lab in south Delhi, which led to his being denied a visa to work in Dubai.The Mumbai unit of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday questioned businessman Raj Kundra, husband of actor Shilpa Shetty, in connection with a multi-crore cryptocurrency scam in Pune.

Police sources said they stumbled upon some suspicious transactions, following which Kundra was summoned. We are questioning him, said a senior ED officer, requesting anonymity. Kundra arrived at the ED zone 2s south Mumbai office on Tuesday morning; he was questioned for over 10 hours. He reached ED office at around 11.30am and was still being questioned at the time of going to press.

The agency is investigating the money-laundering angle in the scam.

The Bollywood connection to the case came to light after ED investigations revealed that many female actors were involved with its promotional videos.

As per the police complaint, the accused, Amit Bharadwaj and his brother Vivek Bharadwaj, founders of GainBitcoin company, cheated more than 8,000 investors of around 2,000 crore between June 2017 and January 2018 through a cryptocurrency scheme, wherein they assured attractive returns on investments made in cryptocurrency. The duo was arrested in Pune on April 5.

ED sources revealed that they suspect certain bitcoin transactions between Bharadwaj and Kundra. We are investigating whether Kundra has gained anything from it, said another senior officer.

A case has been filed against the brothers under sections 406, 420, 409, 120 B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Maharashtra Protection of Interests of Depositors Act (MPID Act), relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and section 3 and 4 of the Price Chit Fund and Money Circulation Act (Banning), at Punes Nigdi police station.

A cryptocurrency is a complex, decentralised digital asset that is operated using what is called blockchain technology. Unlike regular currency, there is no regulator or any control over the value of cryptocurrency. The first such currency was Bitcoin, released in 2009; now, over 4,000 cryptocurrencies are available for trade online. They are legal in some countries, but not in India.The government is set to announce a slew of support measures for the sugar sector, government sources said, aimed at cutting a growing surplus and propping up local prices to help loss-making mills and millions of cane growers who make up a key voting bloc.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis cabinet is likely to back the proposals - which include building a 3 million tonne government stockpile to soak up excess supply from the domestic market - when it meets on Wednesday, the sources two said.

The sources, who are directly involved in policy making, did not wish to be identified, in line with government policy.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) last week suffered a blow in a by-election in Uttar Pradesh, the top sugar producing state in Indias northern cane belt. Analysts viewed the result as a bellwether for a general election due by May 2019.

Modi needs to placate Indias 50 million cane growers, whose numbers make them an influential political lobby, to smooth his route back to power next year.

India, the worlds biggest consumer of sugar and No. 2 producer after Brazil, has in the past created government stockpiles, or buffer stocks, to tackle supply gluts caused by yo-yoing output.

Late last month Reuters reported that the government would approve the proposal that would require sugar mills to stock 3 million tonnes of sugar in their warehouses, with the government paying the carrying costs for the commodity.

The plan would cost the government around Rs 1215 crore.

Other than building a buffer stock, the government is also expected to offer cheap loans to sugar mills to expand their ethanol production capacity and fix a floor price to ensure that retail rates do not fall further, the sources said.

Shares of sugar companies such as Dhampur Sugar Mills Ltd, Mawana Sugars Ltd, Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd and Avadh Sugar & Energy Ltd jumped on Tuesday in anticipation of the measures.

Sugar prices have dropped to their lowest in 28 months, exacerbating financial woes of sugar mills. Citing their poor financial health, mills have said they are unable to pay cane farmers on time.

Mills now owe nearly Rs 22,000 crore, which could leap to a record Rs 25,000 crore in the current 2017-18 season.

Rising cane arrears have angered farmers. New Delhi scrapped a 20% tax on sugar exports in March, and in April asked mills to export 2 million tonnes of sugar to cut back inventories.

The government also approved a plan to provide financial support to cane farmers for produce sold to sugar mills.The ministry of information and broadcasting has released Rs 617 crore towards the payment of salaries of three months for the employees of Doordarshan and All India Radio, an official aware of the developments said on Tuesday.

The salary fund for the employees of AIR and DD, the broadcast arms of Prasar Bharati, has been released after the autonomous body under the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with the ministry.

Autonomous bodies getting grants-in-aid by the government are required to sign a MoU with the concerned ministry.

The money will be spent on salaries for the months of April, May and June, an official not wishing to be named said.

The decision to release the funds was taken soon after the appointment of secretary Amit Khare on June 1; the MoU was signed in the last week of May, the official said.

The funds for disbursal of salaries were withheld earlier this year over a stand-off between the ministry and the Prasar Bharati board, forcing the broadcaster to pay salaries for the months of January and February from its contingency funds.

The ministry, then headed by Smriti Irani, for its part, insisted that the funds meant for salaries were not released since Prasar Bharati had not signed a memorandum of understanding with it, which was necessary as per rules.

The ministry in February released Rs. 208 core for salaries after the issue of non- payment of funds escalated.Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy will carry out the first expansion of the cabinet on Wednesday, but neither the Congress nor the Janata Dal (S) will fill up all the berths while the lone Bahujan Samaj Party MLA N Mahesh is set to take oath as a minister.

The oath-taking ceremony, two weeks after Kumaraswamy took charge, is set to take place at 2:12pm at the Governors residence, which is an auspicious time, a senior Congress leader said.

With intense lobbying by MLAs on both sides, the parties have decided to expand the Cabinet in two phases, said JD(S) national secretary general Kunwar Danish Ali.

BSP legislator Mahesh is set to become the first member of that party outside Uttar Pradesh to become a minister in a state government. As they were our pre-poll allies we have decided that they should be included in our Cabinet, Ali said.

Senior Congress leaders from the state, including former chief minister Siddaramaiah and party strongman DK Shivakumar, met party president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Tuesday to finalise the portfolios.

The two parties had decided to split the 34 ministries in the ratio of 2:1. As a result, the Congress will get 22 ministries and the JD(S) 12, including the chief ministers post.

Neither the Congress nor the JD(S) has revealed the names of the MLAs set to take oath or their portfolios.Shimla, a summer-getaway for many, has been facing a water crisis for 14 days now, with residents urging tourists to stay away and protests erupting over inequitable distribution of water in different parts of the city.

According to experts, several hill stations and metro cities could face a similar crisis within a decade and the warning signs may start showing in the next three or four years.

Cities like Bangalore and Delhi depend on groundwater. But, with increasing population and the natural sources of water  Yamuna in the case of Delhi and several lakes in the case of Bangalore  either being cemented over or being polluted, even the groundwater is not getting recharged, said Sushmita Sengupta, programme manager of Centre for Science and Environments water programme.

Sengupta said moving away from traditional conservation methods has added to the problem. The hill stations usually receive high rainfall, but without conservation methods in place, it just runs off. More and more people are depending on piped water, which is taken from the valley and needs continuous pumping, leading to a shortage if there is any interruption , she said.

According to experts, other hill stations might also face a situation similar to that in Shimla.

Shimla is not alone. The problem in hill stations is aggravated by a huge number of floating population of tourists that drives up the (water) demand , said Arun Kansal, department of regional water studies, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

Water conservationist Rajendra Singh said the crisis is likely to hit metro cities within the next few years. At least 12 metro cities will face severe water crisis in the next five to six years, and in the next ten years there will be a crisis in almost all parts of the country, he said .

Water shortage has already become a reality for parts of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. More than 70% of the ground water in the country is currently in overdraft, which means we have taken more water than the recharge, said Singh, also known as Indias Waterman.

India is one of the most water-challenged nations in the world, with at least 54% of the country being recognised as highly or extremely water stressed, according to a 2015-World Resources Institute report.The Madras high court on Tuesday directed the Thoothukudi district administration to perform the autopsy of bodies of six persons who were killed in police firing during the anti-Sterlite protests that turned violent on May 22. The bodies were preserved following a ruling of the court on May 31.

Chief justice Indira Banerjee who heard a group of petitions related to the protests also directed the administration to rope in doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, and Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences to be present at the autopsy, along with state government doctors. The court also posted the petitions seeking CBI inquiry and action against police for hearing after three weeks.

Seven other bodies were handed over to the relatives after post-mortem earlier. On Wednesday, autopsy of the remaining bodies will be carried out, Tuticorin district collector Sandeep Nanduri told reporters. We have got the instructions from the court and doctors are called in. The autopsy will be videographed, the collector said.

Meanwhile, members of the National Human Rights Commission and retired judge justice Aruna Jagadeesan who is heading the state judicial probe continued the investigation for the second consecutive day.Madhya Pradeshs much-hyped Bhavantar scheme under which the government pays farmers part of the difference between the average wholesale price and the minimum support price to alleviate their suffering has instead become the catalyst in this years farmers agitation in the state ahead of the assembly elections.

Last Junes cycle of violence had started in Mandsaur after traders had beaten up four farmers in Pipliyamandi that had led to retaliatory attacks from the farmers that left several shops gutted and traders crying for police protection. While this year there has been no violence, the farmers are staying put in their villages in a 10-day strike and refusing to supply milk and other essentials to the cities, leading to rise in prices of vegetables across the state ahead of the first anniversary of the police firing in Mandsaur that killed six farmers.

Last year, cash had been squeezed out of the system on the back of the 2016 demonetization, leaving traders with very little money in hand to buy agricultural produce that triggered a price collapse in and fuelled anger and distress among farmers. This year, the Bhavantar scheme has left the farmers fuming and accusing the traders of cartelization to bring down the prices.

The traders are against us. They form a cartel and beat down the prices. Before garlic came under Bhavantar scheme it was selling at around Rs 8000 per quintal in January this year, but now the price is only around Rs 2000 per quintal and it came down to Rs 200 per quintal in May, said Satyanarayan Bhanej of Balaguda village, situated about 20 km away from Mandsaur city.

Once the traders come to know that a particular lot of garlic is under Bhavantar they will never raise the price. The Rs 800 per quintal we get under the Bhavantar scheme is not even enough to cover the cost of production. Wait and see once purchase of garlic under Bhavantar scheme ends, its prices will shoot up and traders will benefit, Bhanej added.

Patidar community and farmer leader Amrit Patidar who is deeply involved in the current strike explains reason behind the trust deficit between trader and farmer, The gulf between the farmers and traders has increased because we believe that all policies of the government finally benefit the trader at the cost of the farmer. The trader mints money due to his financial muscle and the farmer who toils hard gets pittance for his effort.

But traders say the Bhavantar scheme is not helping them either.

The farmers might be suspicious of us traders, but Bhavantar is not helping us either and the allegation of cartelization is a myth, because there is no unity among the traders, says Sunil Ghatiya, a trader in Pipliyamandi and also president of the Kirana Traders Association.

Other traders who did not want to be named said the scheme has only led to corruption. A group of rich farmers, patwaris and traders are in this together. The farmer pays to patwari to fudge records to show that crop (say garlic) is under Bhavantar and he pays the trader to give him a receipt to show that his garlic has been sold, and then claims money under the Bhavantar scheme. But the poor marginal farmer is not part of this game and loses out.

Senior Congress leader and former minister in the Digvijay Singh government Narendra Nahata too agrees that with Bhavantar has flopped and has deepened the divide between the farmer and the trader. They need each other, but also distrust each other because the farmers believe that he is being cheated. Look at the price of soyabean. Under Bhavantar it sold between Rs 2200-2500 per quintal, but now that Bhavantar has ended, the price has risen to Rs 3,500 per quintal, and there is no explanation for this rise. The younger generation of farmers is educated and is aware of ground realities and they are getting restive.

However, BJP farmer leader and BJP state general secretary Bansilal Gujar said despite some problems, Bhavantar has helped the farmers, but conceded that there is a perception among the farmers that the scheme has helped the traders more than them.

The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh launched the Bhavantar scheme in October 2017, four months after widespread agrarian protests over falling crop prices. Last month, the government brought onions under the ambit of Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana with an aim to provide relief to farmers.The over century-old Mughalsarai railway station has been renamed after RSS ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, with Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik giving his assent.

A notification for this was issued by the state government yesterday, an official spokesman said on Tuesday.

The state government had in June last year decided to rename Mughalsarai Junction in Chandauli district after Upadhyaya, who was found dead near the station in mysterious circumstances in 1968.

After the approval of the state cabinet, the proposal was forwarded to the Railway Ministry.

It was then sent to Raj Bhavan for the Governors assent, which was given yesterday.

Mughalsarai is also the birth place of former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

The notification said the stations name has been changed to `Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction with immediate effect.

The Centre gave its in-principal approval for renaming the station, among the busiest in the country, last year. The move drew flak from opposition parties which accused the ruling party of attempting to tamper with history.

The Aam Aadmi Party was quick to criticise the move after the stations renaming was announced today.

The station was built during colonial rule and was a major stop on the Delhi-Howrah route.Six farmers were killed in Mandsaur during their agitation for better price for their produce in June last year. One year down the line, the city has continued to draw national attention with a bevy of leaders descending here as it has become a focal point of farmers agitation in the state, but the moot cause of farmers angst, i.e. depressed prices of farmers produce, still persists.

Farmers are still angry. Last year, it was depressed soyabean and onion prices that had agitated the farmers; this year, crashing garlic prices, which are being sold at Rs 2 per kg, is the main reason for farmers anger. Nothing has changed for the farmer, and the Bhavantar scheme has helped the trader more than the farmer, says local journalist Ajay Lodha.

Since the Bhavantar scheme was introduced in August 2017, over 6.35 lakh farmers have registered themselves and Rs 1,900 crore has been distributed for farmers till March 2018.

The death of six people, four from dominant Patidar community, remains a sore point. The families of the deceased have received compensation of Rs 1 crore, which has been kept in fixed deposit, but their anger still remains. Dinesh Patidar of Barkhedapanth, 10 km away from Mandsaur city, whose son Abhishekh (17) died in the police firing, said, We are still angry that no action has been taken against the policemen who killed my son, he said.

Not surprisingly, family members of all the six deceased are expected to take part in Rahul Gandhis rally in Mandsaur on Wednesday.

The anger also persists because of the 1,200 case bonds under Section 107/16 of CrPC in the district and 400 cases registered against villagers for the June 2017 violence.

Some of us had to go to jail, and though police are not acting tough now and we have received bail, we have to go to court for our cases, said farmers leader Amritlal Patidar, against whom there are 23 cases.

A timeline of events leading up to and since the Mandsaur agitation:

June 1, 2017: Farmers start agitation for better price for their produce.

June 2-3, 2017: Reports of farmers spilling milk, destroying vegetables come in from various part of the state.

June 4, 2017: Reports of vehicle burning from Ratlam. Police do not take action against farmers.

June 5, 2017: Farmers and traders clash in Pipliyamandi. Farmers burns half a dozen shops.

June 6, 2017: Protest in Bai Chaupati, Pipliamandi turns violent and two farmers are shot dead by CRPF. Mob gheraos police station and three more agitators are killed in police firing. One killed in Daloda, Mandsaur in police lathi charge, curfew imposed for six days.

June 8, 2017: Rahul Gandhi stopped from entering Mandsaur, arrested and released

June 9, 2017: Justice JK Jain commission appointed, which completed its term in May 11, 2018. Report awaited.

June 13, 2017: Jyotiraditya Scindia stopped from entering Mandsaur to meet family of victims.

May 2, 2018: Farmers organisation announces statewide strike from June 1-10. Government starts case bonds on villagers. Over 7,000 notices issued by local administration and thousands of farmers filled up the bonds.

June 1, 2018: Farmers start Gaon Bandh amid strict police vigil.

June2-5, 2018: Strike gathers momentum as most grain mandis in Malwa region remain closed, supply of milk and vegetables drop considerably leading to spike in prices.

June 6, 2018: Rahul Gandhis rally scheduled in Pipliayamandi, near Mandsaur, to pay homage to the farmers killed last year.Congress president Rahul Gandhi will hold a rally in Piplya Mandi town near Mandsaur on Wednesday afternoon to honour six farmers killed in police firing last June, a move that positions farm distress as one of the partys main poll planks in the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly election.

Madhya Pradesh will go to the polls along with two other BJP-ruled states  Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh  in the latter half of the year.

The Piplya Mandi rally is expected to kickstart the Congresss election campaign in the state, where the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government has been on the backfoot over the deaths of the farmers in Mandsaur on June 6 last year. The Congress hopes to ride farmer discontent and dislodge the BJP in a state that the latter has ruled since 2003.

The Congress has witnessed back-to-back victories in four assembly bypolls held through 2017-18, and a better-than-expected showing in the civic body elections. The BJP lost Ater, Chhitrakoot, Mungaoli and Kolaras constituencies despite the chief minister himself coming out to campaign with his cabinet colleagues. The Congress is also drawing strength from its success in Karnataka, where the party cobbled together a coalition government along with the Janata Dal (Secular) despite the BJP having the highest number of seats, and the recent bypoll triumphs in Uttar Pradesh and other states.

As this is newly inducted state Congress president Kamal Naths first major event, the party is leaving no stone unturned to ensure its success. Posters of Rahul Gandhi and top state leaders have come up everywhere and, according to Congress leader Rajendra Bharti, giant coolers and water-spray systems are being installed at the venue to beat the heat. Two truckloads of soft drinks, buttermilk and water pouches will also be stationed at the venue for those attending the rally.

Bharti said the rally will showcase the unity within the Congress. Leaders including Kamal Nath, campaign panel chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia, leader of the opposition in the state assembly Ajay Singh and senior leader Digvijaya Singh, are expected to attend the event, which will begin around 1 pm.

Security has been tightened across the town in view of the rally as well as the ongoing 10-day farmers strike in the state. The BJP is keeping a close watch on the event, especially its turnout.

State BJP spokesperson Rajneesh Agrawal criticised the Congress for playing politics over farmers deaths. Rahul Gandhi is not serious about farmers. His party never addressed their problems when it was in power. Moreover, while the Congress was responsible for the death of 17 farmers in the Multai police firing (in 1998), neither Rahul nor any other Congress president ever went to attend their death anniversary, he said.Congress president Rahul Gandhi will meet family members of the farmers killed in police firing during an agitation in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh on the first anniversary of the incident on Wednesday and address a rally.

According to party sources, Gandhi, who returned from the United States on Monday night, held a meeting with his party leaders and security forces ahead of visit to Mandsaur.

Gandhi is scheduled to fly to Mandsaur on Wednesday afternoon. He would address the kisan rally at Khokhra (Pipliya Mandi) in the district. Family members of three out of the six people killed in police firing would share dais with the Congress president.

Former Mandsaur MP and Congress leader Meenakshi Natrajan said her party had urged the kin of the deceased to participate in the meeting.

Six people -- Kanhaiya Lal Patidar, Satyanarayan Dhangar, Abhishek Patidar, Bablu, Ghanshyam Dhakad and Chintaman Patidar -- were killed in the police firing at Pipliya Mandi during the agitation on June 6 last year.

Family members of Abhishek Patidar told PTI on Tuesday that Natrajan had requested them to attend the event.

Former MP Natrajan approached me with a request to attend the condolence meeting along with my wife Alka. Since it is a condolence meeting, we will attend it, said Patidars father Dinesh Patidar.

The family members of Bablu and Ghanshyam Dhakad have also given their consent to attend the programme.

Dhakads wife Rekha, who was given a state government job after her husbands death, also said that the Congress invited them to attend the condolence meeting.

Natrajan invited us to the condolence meeting. Some family members would attend it, Rekha said, adding that she was given a job and Rs 1 crore in compensation by the government as per the promise.

Bablus wife Anita was also given a state government job and Rs one crore in compensation.

Bablus wife Anita got a job. The government also gave Rs one crore which was equally distributed between Bablus mother and wife. We will attend the condolence meeting and share our problems with Rahul Gandhi, said Bablus uncle Balaram Patidar.

However, the kin of Chintaman Patidar have not taken a call yet on attending the programme.

We are yet to decide whether to attend the condolence meeting or not though Natrajan had invited us. The government has given us Rs one crore. One of the family members would get a job soon, said Govind Patidar, brother of Chintaman.

Farmers had held statewide protests in Madhya Pradesh last year demanding better prices for their crops. The agitation was marred by violence at many parts in the state, especially in Mandsaur, which emerged as the epicentre of protests.

The Congress sources added that Gandhi would also hold a meeting with senior leaders of Madhya Pradesh Congress.

Top Congress leaders from Madhya Pradesh, including PCC chief Kamal Nath, campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia and other state leaders would be in attendance.

Madhya Pradesh is slated to go to polls later this year and the Congress is seeking to make this rally big ahead of the assembly election.

The Congress, which has been in political wilderness for the past 15 years, is seeking to wrest power from the BJP in the state.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Mohan Parkash on Tuesday dubbed the BJP and the Modi government as anti-farmer, saying it had failed to provide remunerative prices to farmers.

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief spokesperson Manak Agrawal said that around one lakh people were expected to take part in tomorrows meeting.

Security has been beefed up ahead of the meeting.

Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Manoj Singh said five companies of the Special Armed Force (SAF) have been deployed across the district ahead of the event.

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh launched a 10-day Gaon Bandh (village shutdown) agitation from June 1 for various demands including better remunerative prices for agriculture produce and a complete loan waiver.

Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh president Shivkumar Sharma Kakkaji had said that BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, former union finance minister Yashwant Sinha, and former VHP leader Praveen Togadia are likely to join the farmers stir in Mandsaur on June 8.A mentally challenged man missing from Rajasthans Bundi district for five years has been traced to a jail in Pakistan, an official said on Tuesday.

Jugraj Bheel, now 25, a resident of Rampuria village in Budis Dabi area is lodged in a jail in Karachi.

This is the second such case to have come to light in Rajasthan in about a fortnight. Last month, the family of Jaipur man Gajanand Sharma, untraceable for 36 years, came to know that he is lodged in a jail in Pakistan.

Officials said they were not clear how Bheel strayed into Pakistani territory. Superintendent of police, Bundi, Yogesh Yadav said he received a report from the state police headquarters last month seeking information about Bheel.

We received an inquiry to verify Jugraj Bheels nationality. The youth is in a Pakistani jail. We have found his family members in Rampuria village, falling in Dabi police station area, Yadav said.

As per Bheels family, he went missing around 5 years from the village.

Yadav said the state police headquarters had sought information about Bheel following a request from the Union ministry of external affairs.

Following a similar enquiry last week, Rajasthan Police found that 68-year-old Gajanand Sharma was also lodged ina Pakistan jail. Sharma had gone missing 36 years ago from his home in the Jaipurs Brahampuri area. A police investigation confirmed his nationality and traced his family members.

Sharmas son Mukesh said his father, a labourer, was missing since 1982. He, too, said that the family was not aware how Sharma landed up in Pakistan.

BJP in-charge for party affairs in Rajasthan, Avinash Rai Khanna, and Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra met Sharmas family on June 2 and assured all possible help for his safe return from Pakistan.

They BJP leaders told the family that the party has written to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking her intervention to secure Sharmas release from the Pakistani jail.A Delhi court on Tuesday took cognisance of the abetment to suicide charges against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in the case of the death of entrepreneur Sunanda Pushkar, who was also Tharoors wife. Tharoor has been summoned to appear before the court on July 7.

Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Samal Vishal admitted the charges, saying there are sufficient grounds to proceed against Tharoor. I have heard the prosecutor. I have gone through and perused the charge sheet and the documents filed along with it. On the basis of police report (charge sheet), I take cognisance of offence of abetment of suicide of late Sunanda Pushkar and committing cruelty upon her by Dr Shashi Tharoor, he said.

On May 14, police filed a 3,000-paged chargesheet against Tharoor, 62, under sections of abetment to suicide and cruelty. The two offences entail a jail term, which could extend to 10 years.

Pushkar was found dead in the suite of a south Delhi luxury hotel on January 14, 2014.

Pushkar and Tharoor got married in 2010. For both, it was the third marriage.

In their charge sheet, the special investigation team said Pushkar,51, overdosed on a combination of antidepressant tablets, which led to her death. Police claimed Pushkar and Tharoors relationship had been strained and cited Tharoors alleged extramarital affairs as one reason for Pushkars depression, which drove her to commit suicide.

The couples domestic help, Narayan Singh, has been made a key witness. Singh has reportedly claimed the couple had been fighting in the days leading up to Pushkars death. According to Singhs statement, he was an eyewitness to one fight that turned violent.

Tharoor released an official statement in which he acknowledged the courts summons and said,  I would like to point out that, from the very start, I have fully cooperated with the investigating team and will continue to maintain that due legal process must be followed in all aspects related to this case. I would like to reiterate my position that I find the charges preposterous and baseless, the product of a malicious and vindictive campaign against myself. I will continue to vigorously contest these charges and maintain my steadfast conviction that ultimately the truth will prevail through the judicial system that we privileged to have in our country.

Chief spokesperson for Delhi Police, Depender Pathak said, We will defend the case in the court and do a proper follow-up of the court proceedings.

(With PTI inputs)With the Meghalaya capital remaining largely peaceful on Tuesday, citizens are cautiously optimistic that peace will return sooner rather than later after sectarian violence rocked the city for five days.

Residents of Mawkhar, Wahingdoh, Riatsamthiah and Jaiaw, which were some of the violence-hit areas, rejoiced as the news spread that the state government had formed a high-level committee to find a permanent solution to the issue of relocation of the sweeper colony from Them Metor, near the Motphran area of the city, where an incident of assault on Thursday led to clashes between security forces and locals.

The indefinite curfew in the agitation hotspots continued on Tuesday but will be relaxed on Wednesday morning from 7am to 12 noon while the rest of the city will be under curfew from 6 pm to 5am.

The army also conducted another flag march through some sensitive areas of the city in a show of strength. Nineteen companies of paramilitary forces are on the ground to maintain peace. Police said that they used 1,000 tear gas shells to quell the violence in the last four days. Local television media reported that some of them were found to have been expired.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma held meetings with citizen groups, religious leaders and representatives of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the organisation that manages the Golden Temple in Amritsar as well as other gurdwaras in the country.

SGPC vice president Harpal Singh Jallah and general secretary Bijay Singh, said that they were happy to see that the rumours of violence towards Sikhs during the clashes were unfounded and they urged the government to keep the residents of the sweeper colony informed if they are to be moved to another neighbourhood.

However, in contrast to the measured tone from the SGPC and Punjab political figures who had previously visited the city, United Sikhs, a US-registered organisation that claims to be affiliated to the United Nations, said that any move to shift the sweeper colony residents would be unacceptable and the state government must find an alternative solution.

Sikhs had never been asked to leave Islamic countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq or Pakistan but is being asked to leave their homes in a Shillong neighbourhood that they have lived in for decades, said Mohinderjit Singh who led the delegation of United Sikhs.

Moving them could well be a challenge for the government anyway as some residents and the local headman of Nongmynsong, the neighbourhood where accommodation to house the residents of the sweeper colony was allotted by the government, protested against any relocation plan.

Shops in Nongmynsong were shuttered in the morning, but opened later in the day.

Meanwhile the Congress legislative party slammed the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) for messing up everything.

The Congress also demanded a judicial inquiry to give a very transparent and complete picture about the situation and the ways and means of handling the situation and getting the whole issue resolved, former chief minister and leader of the opposition Dr Mukul Sangma said.

The party also challenged the ruling NPP that if it is not competent to handle the prevailing law and order situation, the Congress would handle it within a reasonable time.

The Congress brought peace to Meghalaya after years of militancy, but the MDA messed up in less than 100 days in government, Dr Sangma said..For the first time, the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), the countrys largest body of mental health professionals, has announced its official stance on homosexuality, saying that members should stop considering homosexuality as an illness.

In 2016, the IPS set up a group to deal with specific issues of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) community, however it is only now that the organisation made an official statement on homosexuality. The announcement is important because some psychiatrists have been practising what is called conversion therapies to cure patients of homosexuality. IPS has about 3,000 members.

Dr Ajit Bhide, president, IPS, in a video on social media, said, It is a step in the right direction ... Some individuals are just not cut out to be heterosexuals and we dont need to castigate them, we dont need to punish them, we dont need to ostracise them.

...Whatever your sexual orientation, whatever your sexual preference, as long as there is no other party being hurt, an individual should be allowed to practice, he said.

Dr Kersi Chavda, chairperson of the IPS taskforce that deals with emotional issues of the LGBTQ, said, This statement is our official stand on homosexuality, that it not a disease and should not treated like one. This is the first time we have released an official stand.

Doctors and LGBTQ activists have welcomed the statement and are hopeful that it will prevent doctors from practising conversion therapies.

This is for the first time IPS has publically made a categorical statement on its take on homosexuality. Now, they must inform all IPS members in strictest possible terms to stop practising conversion therapies... said Dr Bhooshan Shukla, a Pune based psychiatrist.

The legal battle against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that criminalises any form of sexual intercourse that is non-penile vaginal, irrespective of whether it is consensual or not, is nearly two decades old.

A petition filed in the Delhi high court in 2001 by the Naz Foundation, an NGO working to prevent HIV/AIDS, eventually led to the reading down of the section in 2009, such that it did not apply to consenting adults. The verdict was challenged by organisations representing Hindus, Christians and Muslims and in 2013 the Supreme Court reversed the Delhi high court judgment. This was challenged and multiple curative petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court.

Vikram Doctor, an activist associated with a Mumbai-based LGBT support group, said, It should have been done 20 years, but I am glad they have now come up with it now. It (the IPS statement) will be an effective argument in the cour to challenge bodies that support criminalisation of homosexuality based on religious point of views.An automobile dealer was found dead in his Raipur office on Tuesday, two days after he was questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over the distribution of an alleged sex CD of Chhattisgarh public works department minister Rajesh Munat, police said.

Raipur superintendent of police Amresh Mishra said the body of Rinku Khanuja, 40, was found hanging in his office at Gowardhan Chowk under Civil Lines police station limits.

No suicide note was recovered from the spot. We have registered a case and started investigation from all angles, Mishra said.

After the bodys recovery, Khanujas mother alleged that her son was forced to take the step after being tortured by the CBI.

Police said Khanuja was questioned by the officials in Raipur on June 1 and on June 3, after his name came up during the interrogation of a political leader and a businessman on May 31.

The CBI has been questioning about half a dozen people in connection with the case. Some were questioned on Monday too.



CBI spokesperson RK Gaur said in Delhi that Khanuja was one of the suspects. When he left the agencys office on June 3, he was asked to bring certain documents on Monday, he said.

The Congress has demanded a high-level judicial probe into the death.

Allegations of his mother and the injury marks on his body should be probed. Raipur police have still not sealed the premises where the body was found and have not seized the papers lying there. The CCTV footage from the adjoining shop have not been retrieved. This shows the probe was tampered with, said Shailesh Nitin Trivedi, partys Chhattisgarh general secretary.A 17-year-old girl who was found dead at her home in Tamil Nadus Villupuram district on Monday is suspected to have killed herself by consuming poison after she failed in NEET 2018, the nationwide examination to select students for undergraduate medical and dental courses.

S Prathiba was a resident of Peruvallur village in Gingee taluk. V Murugesan, a neighbour, said Prathiba had cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) last year and qualified for studying traditional medicine Siddha . She declined that and appeared for NEET again for the second time this year as she was firm in her dream to be a MBBS doctor, said Murugesan.

Prathibas father Shanmugotam is a farmer and her mother Amutha is a farm worker. After Prathiba got 495 marks out of 500 in Tamil Nadus junior school exam, her father admitted her in a private school for her Class 12 education so that she had a better chance in pursuing of her dream of being a doctor.

Neighbours said Prathiba looked upset after NEET results were declared Monday and her parents advised her not to worry. Prathiba collapsed Monday night after consuming rat poison kept in her home, said the police. Her family took her to the Tiruvannamalai Government Hospital where doctors declared her as brought dead at around 12 am.

Actor Rajinikanth expressed his condolence at Pratibhas death. Really it is a sad to thing hear. I express my condolence to the family of that girl. We all should take necessary steps to prevent such kind of things, Rajinikanth told reporters at Chennai airport.

Last year, S Anitha killed herself in Ariyalur after she failed in NEET though she had secured 1175 marks in her class XII board examination. Anitha had a filed a petition before the Supreme Court against NEET and her death sparked protests across Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu opposes NEET, saying it puts students from the state at a disadvantage and is against the federal structure of India.On World Environment Day, Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced a Plastic Free Tamil Nadu policy under which plastic will be banned from January 2019.

Traders should revert to cloth bags, palm and banana leaves for packing. Palaniswami said the plastic ban will reduce water logging and prevent zoonotic infections like dengue and malaria,

Making an announcement in the state assembly on Tuesday, Palaniswami said that the former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa wanted to ban plastic and introduced the Tamil Nadu Plastic Articles (Prohibition of Sale, Storage, Transport and Use) Bill in 2002 and subsequently a committee was formed and the recommendations are now being implemented.

However, the ban will have exemptions for manufacturers dealing in medicine, dairy and oil products, the CM said adding that plastic ban will also help the state in improving its ground water table as rainwater harvesting structures will be now free from polythene wastes. Plastic flags, festoons and polythene carry bags will be banned, he said. The public should join the state to protect the ecology and water bodies that choke due to toxins and non biodegradable plastics, he added.

Its a bold move by the state and the ban should be implemented in letter and spirit said conservation scientist A. Kumaraguru of Biodiversity Conservation Foundation. Burning of plastic is a big menace and this will now reduce, he added.The government honours the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir but will retaliate if Pakistan makes unprovoked attacks in the region, said defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday

Terror and talks cannot go hand in hand, Sitharaman said in Delhi a day after two top commanders of Indian and Pakistans border security paramilitaries met on Monday for second time in a week to reinforce a 2003 ceasefire along the Line of Control.

When it is an unprovoked attack the [Indian] Army was given the right to retaliate. We honour the ceasefire but of course, a margin was given to us when there is an unprovoked attack, she said at a press conference.

Sitharamans statement refers to the governments decision in May to halt counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the Islamic holy month of Ramzan.Three minor girls who were sisters were found murdered at a village in Katoria of Bihars Banka district, 240km southeast of the capital Patna on Tuesday morning.

The girls, aged between 10 and 14 years, were killed with sharp-edged weapons, said police. They also suspect the girls were raped before being murdered.

The girls were alone at home at the time of the incident as their father worked as a labourer in West Bengal and mother had gone to a village near Jasidih in neighbouring Jharkhand, said Banka SP Chandan Kumar Kushwaha.

The incident came to light when the mother returned home on Tuesday morning and found the house locked from outside, said Kushwaha. The neighbours broke open the lock and found the bodies, he said.

The woman later named a few persons whom she suspected of committing the murders, said Kushwaha. Police have detained two suspects for interrogation, he added.

Kushwaha said an axe and another sharp-edged weapon suspected to have been used in the murders and bloodstained clothes of the victims had been recovered from the crime scene. The bodies had cut marks on their throats besides wounds on foreheads, said Kushwaha. He added that services of forensic experts and a dog squad had been requisitioned to help police.

Kushwaha did not rule out rape. But only the postmortem report would confirm if the victims were sexually assaulted, he said.

Another police officer said the victims belonged to a poor family. As no household belonging was found missing, it was suspected that the murders could be related to rape, he added.

According to data obtained from the Bihar police headquarters, the state has witnessed a 14.38% rise in crime in 2017 compared to the previous years figures. While in 2016 Bihar had registered 52,364 major cognizable offences like murder, robbery, burglary, riot, rape, road robbery, kidnapping, kidnapping for ransom and theft, the same increased to 59, 898 in 2017, which meant an additional 7,534 cases in total.

The proliferating crime continues this year, raising serious concern among citizens over the states effectiveness in containing the murders, rapes, abductions, and robberies.

As per records, in the first two months of 2018, Bihar police registered in all 35,522 cognizable crimes. The figures included 399 murders, 280 robberies, 4793 thefts, 162 rape incidents and 1,222 rioting incidents. The figures have virtually doubled by May 1 but the official data is yet to be compiled, police sources said.Three ministers resigned from the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal on Tuesday. Two of them paid the price for a sharp rise in the BJPs vote bank in tribal areas of the state during the recent panchayat polls, senior leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress said.

The Bengal chief minister on Tuesday evening announced that tribal development minister James Kujur and state backward class development minister Chudamani Mahato had been relieved of their ministerial responsibilities. Abani Mohan Joardar, a minister who did not have any portfolio for a long time because of his critical illness, also resigned on Tuesday.

Banerjee, however, said the ministers had resigned on their own because they wanted to devote more time to organizational work. They (the two ministers) expressed their desire to concentrate more on the party organization. They wrote to me, expressing their wish to resign. I have accepted their resignations, the chief minister told the media.

A senior member of the state cabinet, who did not wish to be named, said while Joardars resignation was accepted in view of his ill health, Mahato and Kujur were forced to resign over their poor performance.

Senior Trinamool leaders said Banerjee was agitated with Kujur and Mahato ever since it became clear that her party has lost the confidence of tribals in Bankura, Purulia, West Midnapore and Jhargram districts, where Maoist rebels once reigned.

Once staunch supporters of the CPI(M) and other Left parties, the tribals shifted their allegiance to the Trinamool after Trinamools landslide victory in the 2011 assembly polls. And much of the credit for this went to the development work the government carried out in the backward regions.

In the tribal region, which is commonly referred to as Jangalmahal because of the thick forest cover and rough terrain, BJP emerged as a strong contender and wrested many seats in the three-tier local polls.

Last week, Trinamool secretary general Partha Chatterjee went to Jhargram and held a meeting with local leaders. He heard several complaints against Mahato. He reported the matter to the chief minister. After scrutinizing the performance of the departments Mahato and Kujur were trusted with, the chief minister decided to remove them, a cabinet minister said on condition of anonymity.

At the meeting in Jhargram, Chatterjee cautioned the district leadership and talked of strong disciplinary action against over infighting or for neglecting the organisation.A local Trinamool Congress leader in Howrah district was shot dead my miscreants, police said on Tuesday.

Md Mohsin Khan, a Trinamool Congress booth level secretary in Bagnan area of Howrah district was returning home Monday night when the miscreants shot him dead at Haturia village in the district, they said.

Khans wife is a Trinamool Congress gram panchayat member.

Protesting the gunning down of Khan, local villagers blocked the NH 6 near Haturia village for about two-hours last night demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

The police said they have detained three persons for questioning in connection with the case.In a first, an effort to grow world-class apples in one of the coldest regions of the country has begun with the setting up of an apple orchard, which has high density plants, in Phyang village around 19 kilometre from Leh.

The apple orchard is being established by Khuram Shafi, an Industrial System Engineer, Operations Research from Purdue University, US, in collaboration with the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST).

The orchard has been set up at the newly established campus of the Himalayan Institute for Alternate Learning (HIAL) University  an initiative by Sonam Wangchuk, who inspired 3 Idiots movie.

We have planted an apple orchard in this cold region. In the first phase, we planted 264  Gala Redlum, Red Vilox, Fuji and Golden reindeers  varieties of apple trees, said Khuram, who hails from Shopian.

To make it successful, we changed three layers of soil on the barren land. Besides, strong trellis system connected with drip irrigation system that will get water from ice stupa, an innovation by Sonum Wangchuk, Khuram said, who became the first private entrepreneur to establish high density orchard at Bamdoora in south Kashmir.

He has already planted high density trees across Kashmir on over 2,000 kanals of land. It is a big challenge and hopefully its going to yield us good results, he said.

We may have some issues here, hopefully, we are going to tackle them, especially about pollination and the wind speed, he said.

When Khuram met Wangchuk

The idea of this orchard in Leh struck in Khurams mind when he had a chance of meeting Sonum Wangchuk in May. We discussed this idea and after some groundwork the orchard has been established, he said.

Game changer

SKUAST (K) vice-chancellor professor Nazir Ahmad termed it a game changer for the entire region. We had planted some high density trees earlier in Ladakh and those have been successful. I am sure this will be a successful project and in coming future, we will have a number of high density apple orchards right from Kargil to Leh, which will give boast to economy of the region, he said, adding that experts of the university are positive about this project.

Though few local varieties of apple already grow in this region. In coming years, focus of apple could shift into Ladakh region due to climate change and the region could emerge as a future for Jammu and Kashmir apple development as well, VC said.

Aim to increase demand of J&K apples

Ahmad, a self-proclaimed horticulturist and head of the task force for high density plantation, said, In India, by 2050, our demand for apples will be up to 160 lakh metric tons. And currently, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are producing 35 lakh metric tons. This is the time when we should switch over from traditional orchards to high density plantation.

In Kashmir, government in collaboration with the private players have already managed to convert hundreds of kanals of traditional orchards into high density orchards and these orchards are fetching good harvest for the growers.

Our major thrust now is towards high density plantation. So far, we have been able to establish these orchards on a very less scale if we compare it to 1,62,000 hectares. For the next five years, we are planning to reach 5,000 to 10,000 hectares, Vinay Dutta, assistant director, horticulture department said. The traditional orchard has a yield of 10-12 metric per hectare annually while high density orchard could go up to 40 -50 metric ton per hectare and quality wise these apples also could compete any foreign variety.

Locals adopt new developments

Growers too have realised the importance of high density orchards and change has begun.

In 2016, I converted my traditional orchard on 6.5 kanals of land into high density orchard and after one year I had a harvest of 650 apple boxes and each box was sold at 1,000 to 1,100. This year, I am expecting a yield of around 1,000 boxes, Javeed Ahmad Dar of Akhal village in South Kashmirs Pulwama district said.

J&Ks minister for horticulture Bashaarat Bukhari said introducing high density apple plants are yielding positive results. This process was started by private parties at certain places. We provide 50% subsidy to the growers while 50% of costs are borne by the growers.The current turnover of horticulture is pegged at 9,000 crore and state has a potential of 40,000 to 50,000 crore, he said and added that government has decided to establish five high density apple nurseries this year.The idea of one-nation, one-poll got a boost when an electoral reforms committee of Uttar Pradesh government endorsed the demand for simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The practice was prevalent till 1967.

The committee has recommended that terms of those state assemblies which end before December 31, 2021, may be curtailed and elections held with the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

The committee, chaired by health minister Siddharth Nath Singh, presented its report to chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday, in which it has sought to de-link local body polls from Lok Sabha and state assembly polls. It said only around 2029 would the system be ready to include local body polls in the one-nation, one-poll system.

Adityanath later said the report would be sent to the Centre and added that the concept of simultaneous polls would be in the larger public interest.

UP is the first state to give the go-ahead to simultaneous polls that has found favour with President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi but has drawn mixed views from the opposition, said Singh.

A 2015 report by Parliaments standing committee suggested holding simultaneous elections to save public money. It had put the cost of holding elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies separately at a staggering Rs 4,500 crore. The committee suggested linking voter names with Aadhaar to eliminate duplication.

Also read: Why simultaneous elections are bad for Indias democracy

While parliamentary polls are scheduled for 2019, assembly elections will be due in 11 states in 2018-2019. Polls in Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan are slated for end of 2018 and early 2019 while the remaining four states polls are slated to be held with the general elections.

The Election Commission has already said it would be in a position to conduct simultaneous polls after September 2018. In April, the Law Commission had also agreed on the need for a constitutional amendment for conducting simultaneous polls and had decided to build a larger consensus by seeking opinion of all stake holders, including various political parties on the issue.

Elections have their own dynamics and impact on the environment... Electioneering takes away time from the normal requirements of governance. It is also natural that various situations would get viewed through the prism of doing well in the elections, which may not always coincide with the larger and long term objective of good governance, the report states.

With frequent elections to different bodies the voter also has a tendency to develop a certain amount of apathy towards the electoral process. The committee, having carried out analysis as above, felt that there is a convincing case for the country to get out of the continual election mode that it has got into. We need to strike a fair balance between the time, energy and effort we spend on the conduct of elections with the needs of providing good governance, the report further says.The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to BJP leader and former railways minister Mukul Roy on a bond of Rs 50,000 in connection with a complaint over the death of his mentor Mrinal Kanti Singha Roy in 2015.

A division bench comprising Justices Joymalyo Bagchi and R K Kapur directed Roy to meet the investigating officer at Bijpur police station in North 24 Parganas district once a fortnight, apart from furnishing Rs 50,000 bail bond as conditions for granting anticipatory bail to him.

Roy, who was a senior Trinamool Congress leader before joining the BJP in November last year, was also directed by the court to cooperate with the investigation by the state police.

The court had in January directed the police not to arrest Roy during the pendancy of his anticipatory bail application.

Roy had moved the bail application challenging an FIR filed by the sister of Mrinal Kanti Singha Roy who was said to be his mentor during his early days in politics and had died of complications after a road accident.

Singha Roy had allegedly suffered a road accident on June 8, 2011 at around midnight while returning home at Kanchrapara from Halisahar in North 24 Parganas district and was treated at a nursing home there and then at a private hospital in Kolkata.

Following his release from the hospital, Singha Roy was kept in a lodge under the supervision of Roy, who was then in TMC, according to the complaint.

Singha Roys sister Sonali alleged that he was shifted to the Kolkata hospital and on his release was kept in the lodge on the instructions of Roy instead of being taken home.

It was stated that during his stay at the lodge, Singha Roy suffered a throat infection and died after prolonged treatment at the city hospital.

Sonali alleged that she had learnt from the hospital that Singha Roy had suffered internal haemorrhage, which she claimed could be due to serious injury and suspected Roys role in the matter.

Lawyers for Sonali Singha Roy had told the high court that her attempts to lodge a police complaint had failed, following which she had moved the local court which directed the police to file an FIR.A tweet by Congress MLC and general secretary Deepak Singh challenging BJP to win even a single booth in Amethi in 2019 Lok Sabha polls turned into a full scale political slugfest - both on and offline.

Singh, who hails from Amethi, rounded off his challenge saying he would quit as MLC if BJP wins even a booth in Amethi and dared BJP chief Amit Shah, who has been focused on increasing BJPs booth-level preparedness, to accept the challenge. Let the BJP put its finger on at least one booth they are capable of winning, he tweeted and got trolled instantly before Congress supporters started tweeting.

    -     .?    ,                 BJP   

    MLC          



         Deepak Singh (@DeepakSinghINC) June 4, 2018

The BJP laughed the comparison away. Riding on Modi wave, the BJP had cut into Rahul Gandhis victory margin in Amethi in 2014. It again embarrassed the Congress in 2017 UP polls when the party won 4 seats as Congress failed to open its account.

Look who is talking. An MLC dependent on Congress top leadership for survival talking of taking on the chief of the worlds largest political party. Isnt it laughable, asked influential MLC Dinesh Singh, who left Congress and joined the BJP in Amit Shahs presence in Rae Bareli in April.

But Deepak Singh feels 2019 would be a different ball game.

    ,             ,             ,     ,                

    https://t.co/fR7rI1ls0w  Deepak Singh (@DeepakSinghINC) June 4, 2018

I would quit if BJP wins (a single booth) in Amethi in 2019 Lok Sabha polls but would Shah follow suit if it doesnt, asked the Congress MLC who got trolled by BJP supporters for the challenge. But the Congress leader didnt stop at this, following it up with a second tweet in which he claimed several BJP MPs, including top leaders, were planning to change their constituencies.

The BJP vote share went up from 4 per cent in 2009 to 21 per cent in Rae Bareli, the Lok Sabha constituency of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and from 6 per cent to 34 percent in Amethi, reason why the BJP initially dismissed the challenge as outlandish.

However, the BJP strategists later admitted that the tweet bared a psychological ploy by the Congress, which recently stopped BJP from forming its government in Karnataka and then joined the opposition to hand out embarrassing defeats in Kairana Lok Sabha and Noorpur assembly by-polls in UP.

In April, Shah had announced the launch of his most ambitious political project yet  Mission Rae Bareli, the Lok Sabha constituency of Sonia Gandhi, who is now the UPA chairperson.

The Congress is talking of Amethi but we are already focused on Rae Bareli now, said Hero Bajpai, BJPs Rae Bareli in-charge. In the coming days along with holding rallies featuring top leaders, the party would also take various government schemes to the people.

But Congress strategists say that the party would continue to counter attack the BJP.

I plan to follow up the tweet with a letter to BJP chief now. Very soon we would also prepare a list of BJP lies, the Congress MLC said.

Meanwhile, BJP fielded UP minister Suresh Pasi, its lawmaker from Jagdishpur assembly segment of Amethi Lok Sabha, to take on the Congress. The challenge is to win a booth in Amethi. Well, we accept it. In fact, now we challenge them to save a certain defeat here in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Rahul would lose so badly from here that he would forget this constituency altogether. People are with development. The sycophants need to understand this, the UP minister said.The walls and roofs of the houses we live in  which otherwise act as a shield against the vagaries of nature  are actually causing deaths during hailstorm in Uttar Pradesh.

Around 254 people died and 325 injured in spells of hailstorms that has hit 61 districts of UP since April 6.

According to state revenue department report, as many as 108 people lost their life in wall collapse, 47 died after trees fell on them, 16 died of lighting and another 24 died when the structure of the buildings fell on them.

The maximum 147 deaths have been reported from the West UP, followed by 52 deaths in Central UP, 30 in Terai region, 18 in East UP and seven in Bundelkhand region.

While we all have to face the climatic shocks during hailstorm, the economically weaker section suffers the double shock as walls, roof or structure of their house collapses, killing or injuring the inhabitants, said Venkatesh Dutta, associate professor, department of environment management and planning, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University.

This is in contrast to South India and coastal regions of the country where very few deaths are reported due to collapse of building structure. This is because the district disaster management cells there assist people in constructing hazard proof houses, Dutta said.

While earlier the thickness of the wall used to be of nine inches, nowadays due to spurt in prices of bricks and other construction materials people are constructing less than five inches width wall. The quality of construction material is poor and people instead of consulting architects rely more on local unqualified masons, said Dutta.

This could be the primary reason for the collapse of as many as 1,171 houses during hailstorms across the state since April.

The increasing death toll in the hailstorm and natural calamities clearly indicates that the state government should implement the hazard management with sincerity. (HT Photo)

A faculty in Geology Department in Lucknow University, Dhruva Sen Singh said, the hailstorms are definitely providing to relief and bringing down the soaring temperature but also taking lives because of collapsing trees, roofs, poles and walls.

There is a need to create awareness among the masses and intervention by the state government departments, he said.

While the forest department must cut old trees, those located in wetland and residing in dilapidated buildings should be evicted before the natural disaster, Singh said.

The increasing death toll in the hailstorm and natural calamities clearly indicates that the state government should implement the hazard management with sincerity, he said.

A revenue department officer, meanwhile, said the state government had tied up with Meteorological Department to provide information about the hailstorm three hours before so that alert can be sounded in the area. The district magistrates had been directed to launch rescue and relief operation immediately, he said.Just 3 km from Aonla town in Bareilly district, and a little over 300km from the state capital, on Ramnagar road, lies a hamlet called Bhooripur. To a passerby, it may seem like any other village, but to locals, it is cancer wala gaon. Some even call the settlement shrapit or cursed village.

The reason: Bhooripur, with 225 families, has seen around 30 deaths from cancer in the last decade, out of which, 10 deaths occurred in 2012 alone. The residents blame contaminated water for their woes and live in perpetual fear, not knowing who would be the next victim of the deadly disease.

Experts have cited the possibility of chemical pollutants as the reason behind the spread of cancer in this area while the chief medical officer (CMO) Bareilly, Vineet Shukla, said, I will form a team to collect water samples from the village and check the cause of cancer spreading in the area.

Cancer cases are frequent in our village. While on record there are 30 deaths, the actual number must be higher. There are many who dont treat the ailment seriously, due to illiteracy or lack of awareness about the disease. In the past three years, eight deaths have been reported, said former village head Badaam Singh.

He said at present there were three villagers suffering from cancer. Of these, the condition of Vidya Devi, 62, is critical, he said.

Vidyas daughter-in-law Mala said, Around two years ago, she complained of severe stomach ache. We rushed her to a doctor, who diagnosed kidney stones. But we knew it was much beyond that. She had lumps in her stomach. Mala said they had to sell off a big part of their ancestral land for Vidyas treatment.

Its not so much the disease, but poverty that is taking lives here, she said. The moneyed people manage to stay alive longer. But those without means easily succumb to the illness, she added while waving a hand-held fan to make her bed-ridden mother-in-law feel better.

Badaam Singh said that 2012 was the deadliest year. In one year, over 10 people lost their lives. Satya Pal, a good friend of mine who was just 25 years old at that time, also died. I still have his medical reports and scans with me, he said.

Birender, Satya Pals elder brother, said, I couldnt save my brother despite all efforts. In 2011, Satya complained of stomach ache. We went to the primary health centre, where doctors gave him some pain killers, but it didnt help, he recollected.

The villagers say it is contaminated water that is causing the disease to spread. (HT Photo)

He said the family then took him to hospitals in Bareilly, where he was diagnosed with cancer in the abdomen and referred to the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow. On May 7, 2012, we took him for his ultrasound. Within two days he was dead, said Birender.

Another cancer death around the same time was that of Dularo devi -- mother of four and wife of a primary school teacher. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer. I was the only breadwinner in our joint family of 11 members. We didnt have the money to save her life, said Dularos husband Dhan Singh.

The villagers say it is contaminated water that is causing the disease to spread. Its the water that is to blame, said Baburam, a villager in his early 70s.

The area has around a dozen hand pumps, but the water is of such bad quality that it turns pale yellow within 30 minutes, he said. The water table here is at a depth of 100 feet. We believe a deeper boring could be the way out, but the poor villagers dont have enough money to afford that, he added.

Ab to Ishwar hi jane ki ye ghatak silsila kab rukega. Sarkari adhikariyon ko kuchh karna chahiya (Only God knows when this deadly sequence of death will stop. Government officials should do something), said the septuagenarian.

Meanwhile, experts have cited the possibility of chemical pollutants as the reason behind the spread of cancer in this area. Chemical pollutants are absorbed by the body and then affect blood cells, causing cancer. Presence of heavy metals (zinc, arsenic, cadmium, etc) in excess in soil also impacts the metabolism rate and can lead to cancer, said Dr AP Singh, head of the department of environment science at Bareilly College.

He said the amount of heavy metals in soil could vary from region to region and pollute the water table. The government should take concrete measures to curb pollution, he said.

Villagers said a team of officials from pollution control, water and health departments visited the area in 2013 and collected water and soil samples for testing.

But none of the officials returned to tell us about the laboratory test result. We still dont know the reason. Also, no action was initiated by the government, complained a villager.

When contacted, chief medical officer (CMO) Bareilly, Vineet Shukla, said, I was unaware of the exercise the health department undertook. But now that I am being told about it, I will form a team to collect fresh water samples from the village and check the cause of cancer spreading in the area.To ensure citizens picked up after their pets, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) initiated a three-day drive in D-ward last Friday. Sixteen people were fined for failing to pick up after their pets littered in public places.

As per Greater Mumbai Cleanliness and Sanitation Byelaws 2006, owners can be fined 500 if they fail to pick up after their pets. The drive was implemented in areas such as Girgaum Chowpatty, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai Central, Grant Road, Charni Road and Napean Sea Road. Teams of 32 clean-up marshals were deployed to patrol the areas.

A similar drive was initiated in 2016 at Marine Drive and Nariman Point after residents wrote to BMC about dog faeces littering the promenade,thus making it difficult for walkers and joggers to use it.

We didnt face any problem after the drive. Pet owners also took the responsibility of cleaning the area. They even formed a group and appointed personnel to inspect the area twice  morning and evening, said Atul Kumar, president, Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens Association (NPCCA).

After the introduction of 2006 byelaws, BMC initiated a citywide drive in 2007 and planned to fine pet owners for letting their pets litter in pubic places and failing to pick up fater them. Pamphlets were also distributed to all IAS officers houses in Churchgate. BMC had decided to extend the rule to areas such as Cuffe Parade and Marine Drive.In a hit-and-run accident, a 20-year-old college student riding pillion on a scooter died after a speeding truck brushed against her scooter, causing her to fall and go under its rear wheel on the Western Express Highway in Goregaon (east) on Monday. The truck driver, who fled without helping the victim, was arrested later the same day.

The Vanrai police said the accident took place around 1.30pm on the south-bound stretch of the highway, near the Reliance Energy building.

The deceased, Ruchika Ramesh Jain, a resident of Borivli, was heading towards Jogeshwari to meet her uncle on the scooter with her cousin, who was driving.

A gas cylinder truck, whose driver was speeding and driving rashly, allegedly brushed against the scooter, causing Ruchika to lose her balance, fall and go under the rear wheel of the speeding vehicle. Though the truck driver realised what had happened, he did not stop and speeded away.

The 20-year-old was rushed to a trauma care hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

We tracked down the driver and arrested him later in the night. We will producing him before a magistrate court on Tuesday, said Jyotsna Rasam, senior police inspector of Vanrai police station. He has been booked for rash and negligent driving causing death and for fleeing the spot without helping the victim or informing the police.A 20-year-old girl riding pillion on a scooter died in a hit-and-run after her head came under the rear wheel of a speeding truck on the Western Express Highway in Goregaon (East) on Monday afternoon. The accused truck driver has been arrested.

According to the Vanrai police, the accident took place at around 1.30pm on the south-bound stretch of the highway near the Reliance Energy building.

The deceased, Ruchika Ramesh Jain, 20, was a college student and a resident of Borivali. She and her cousin Avinash Jain, 22, were travelling on a scooter towards Jogeshwari to meet her uncle when the accident occurred.

A gas-cylinder truck rashly changing lanes collided with their scooter due to which Ruchika lost her balance and fell off the two-wheeler. Her head came under the rear wheel of the truck as a result.

Ruchika was rushed to a trauma care hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The accused driver of the truck speeded away in the vehicle but was nabbed by Vanrai police later that night.

We arrested him and will be producing him before a magistrate court on Tuesday. He has been booked for rash and negligent driving, causing death and for escaping from the spot without rendering help to the victim or informing police, said senior police inspector Jyotsna Rasam.Sounding the bugle for 2019 elections, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday urged party workers to start preparing for polls as they were headed for a scenario where it was likely to be all-parties versus the BJP.

While the CM did not directly talk about the alliance, he indicated that the party should be prepared to contest polls with or without its ally Shiv Sena.

There is an attempt to create a scenario in 2019 polls where it will be prime minister Narendra Modi versus all other parties. If all parties come together against us, then there is a need to enter the poll arena with even more preparation and strength, said Fadnavis at the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) state executive meeting in Dadar. Addressing the partys office-bearers and district presidents, he asked party leaders to focus on micro-level planning for polls and to initiate a one-to-one dialogue with the voters .

There is an attempt to create a negative atmosphere against the BJP. A straight dialogue and connect with voters is an ideal way to counter this negativity, added Fadnavis. He pointed out how despite emerging as the single largest party in the Karnataka polls, the discussion in the media had veered towards loss in one or another seat.

The CM also said that while the BJP was open and willing for an alliance with the Shiv Sena, the party cadre should start preparing for elections without waiting for its ally. The CM said that the party should be ready for polls in any situation. If the Sena doesnt join us, we can go ahead as we did in Palghar. The Palghar bypolls indicated that the BJP can take on the Sena, said a senior party functionary.

While BJPs senior state brass has been increasingly vocal about wanting an alliance with the Sena, the latter has continued to snub the offer.

After the bypolls results, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray reiterated that his party would contest all elections independently.

In his address, state party president Raosaheb Danve said he hoped that the Sena would join hands with the BJP as it would benefit both.A 25-year-old man was arrested for sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl in Koliwada, Worli.

The man lured the girl on pretext of giving her a mango. He then took her to his residence and sexually assaulted her.

In her statement to the police, the girl alleged that she was playing near the seashore on May 30, when the man approached her and took her to his residence.

He then closed the door and sexually assaulted her.

The girl screamed and ran back home, said an official from Dadar police station.

After the girl narrated the incident to her parents, police arrested the man, who resides in a neighbouring house which he shares with three other people. However, there was nobody at home, when the incident took place.

The girl later identified the accused, and he was arrested, said a police official.

Divakar Shelke, senior police inspector from Dadar police station confirmed that on June 1 a case was registered under sections 376, 354 (A) (B) and 506 (2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 4, 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Yadav has been remanded in police custody till June 10.Several policemen were injured on Tuesday during a fencing drive conducted by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) in Kopar Khairane, Navi Mumbai, when angry slum dwellers attacked them with stones. The civic body was attempting to cordon off six plots in order to keep encroachers out.

Shivaji Awate, senior inspector of Kopar Khairane police station, was among around eight policemen injured when the mob threw stones at officials involved in the drive, and police personnel. Authorities have since detained 20 people following the incident.

Shivaji Awate, senior inspector of Kopar Khairane police station, suffered a head injury and has been admitted to hospital. (Bachchan Kumar)

There are around 250 shanties in the area, which Cidco says have illegally encroached on its land. The fencing drive was being conducted under the supervision of the controller of unauthorised constructions.

According to Sanjay Dhonde, senior surveyor, Cidco, Twice in the past we have conducted drives in the area to clear the slum colony here, but the people keep coming back.

He added, There are 12 plots in the area, six of which have been sold. We have plans to sell the remaining six plots and hence they have to be cleared and fenced. We have orders from our seniors to ensure the action is completed before monsoon sets in.

Dhonde stressed that Cidco had repeatedly given notices to the encroachers to vacate the area. We came to the area around 9.30am to start our work and within an hour there was violence here. Some of our personnel were also hurt along with those of the police, he said.

Shankar Patil, 26, a local resident who saw the violence, said, Not just men, but even women and children were involved in pelting stones. As Cidco officials ran for cover, the police tried to contain the situation. Awte was hit on the head, while some other policemen also got hurt.

Awate was admitted to Mahavir hospital in Kopar Khairane. Police inspector (crime) Sunil Gawli and assistant sub inspector A Chavan were also among those who were injured. Media personnel present at the spot were also attacked.

Once the stone pelting began, additional police forces were called to the area and a mild lathi charge was conducted to clear the group of protesting-slum dwellers. The fencing drive was able to resume thereafter.

Deputy commissioner of police (zone I) Sudhakar Pathare said, This was totally unexpected. While the Kopar Khairane police officers and personnel were present in full strength, on learning of the violence, we rushed in around 150 additional officers and personnel from Vashi, NRI, Sanpada and Rabale police stations. They ensured that there was no further untoward incident.

We are identifying those who participated in the stone pelting and have started to detain them. So far we have detained around 20 persons, he said.

Police speak

Speaking from his hospital bed, senior inspector Shivaji Awte said, I was present with my officers and personnel numbering around 40 to provide security to the Cidco staff.

We were asking the slum dwellers to vacate the area so that the Cidco personnel could do their work. Suddenly, a mob of around 500 people started pelting stones at us. Since I am responsible for my staff, I first ensured that they took up safe positions and hence I was the last to take cover, he said.

Awte noted that as he rushed from the footpath to the road near the plot area, he was first hit on the back twice with stones. I was then hit on my head and fell down unconscious. My personnel rushed me to the hospital and later when I regained consciousness, they told me what had happened, he said.Around 70% of miscarriages reported in Maharashtra every year are from rural areas, which has 55% of states population (as per 2011 census), revealed data available with public health department. Gynaecologists and activists blamed the gap in availability of medical resources in urban and rural areas for the disparity.

However, public health officials denied there was disparity in quality of medical services provided in the state. They said the data, being accessed from Health Management Information System (HMIS), may be skewed as reporting of cases in urban areas of the state is not as effective as it is in rural parts of Maharashtra.

Figures provided by all private and public hospitals in the state show that out of 60,495 cases of spontaneous abortions (commonly known as miscarriages) in 2017-2018, 18,290 (30.2%) were from urban areas and 42,205 (69.8%) from rural areas. In terms of national average, Maharashtra comes second after West Bengal (75,202) and is followed by Rajasthan (57206) while reporting cases of miscarriage.

Majority of causes behind spontaneous abortion are clinical and can be prevented with better diagnostic and treatment facilities. Manageable medical conditions like hypertension, anaemia, cardiac anomalies or infection control need better medical attention and can easily reduce the rate of abortions in these rural parts of the state, said the activist, who shared the data.

Gynecologist Nikhil Datar said miscarriage, being a multifactorial issue, causes cannot merely be related to availability of medical services and infrastructure. In 95% cases, which take place in first trimester of pregnancy, chances of its survival are low. Hence, one has to look at the data with perspective of total number of pregnancies. There is a possibility that because number of pregnancies in rural parts are high, they report more cases of miscarriages, he added.

Other experts said higher rate of medical complications and infrastructure or diagnostic limitations in rural areas are directly related to higher cases of miscarriage.

In urban areas, preventable causes of miscarriage such as nutritional support or infection control are better managed owing infra support. Better diagnostic facilities often reveal cardiac, neurological or structural defects in foetuses earlier than in rural women owing to which preventive treatment takes place on timely basis, said Dr Ashok Anand, head of gynaecology unit, Sir JJ Hospital.

He added lack of nutrition, anaemia and hypertension makes rural women vulnerable to early labour and preterm deliveries, which result in spontaneous abortions.

Moreover, radiological facilities and regular check-ups increase the chances of diagnosing fatal conditions in foetus before second trimester and it becomes easier for doctors to manage the conditions. In rural areas, scarcity of diagnostic services and cost of private facilities reduce the frequency of womens visit to centres, Anand said.

Dr Archana Patil, additional director, directorate of health services, said statistical difference is mainly owing to poor reporting in urban areas and not lack of resources .

Our experts havent noticed any major difference between statistics and we have equally good resources and infrastructure available in rural Maharashtra to handle such complications, she said.

She added since 2018, they have decided to up the ante of reportage in urban areas.

The reporting system of urban areas isnt as effective as it is in rural parts, which may be the cause of statistical polarisation. With funds available from National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), we have decided to strengthen human resources components in urban areas, Patil added.The Bombay high court on Monday issued a notice to the central government following a petition challenging constitutional validity of a certain provisions of the Mental Health Act, 2017 contending that the enactment keeps several common and serious mental illnesses out of its purview.

The Indian Psychiatric Society, an association of over 5,500 psychiatric and other mental health professionals across the country, has mainly taken objection to Section 2(1)(s), complaining that the section has defined the term mental illness in a restrictive and conditional manner.

Under this section, a person will get benefits under the enactment only if his ailment is substantial enough to cause impairment of judgment, behavioural capacity to recognise reality or the ability to meet ordinary demands of life. The petitioner body contended that this conditional definition will exclude not only the most common mental illnesses but, also serious mental illnesses like severe depression and delusional disorders.

Most of the mental illnesses do not manifest in grossly-impaired judgment or behaviour capacity to recognise reality, states the petition filed by Indian Psychiatric Society. Such effect or symptoms occur only in very serious mental illnesses which are generally described as psychotic disorders, it adds.

The petition states that the National Mental Health Survey conducted in 2015-16 which covered about 700 million Indians from 12 different states, indicated that about 11% of our population above 18 years of age  nearly 150 million people are suffering from mental disorders which require active interference.

It also mentions that Section 21(4) of the Mental Health Act, 2017 mandates insurance companies to provide medical insurance for treatment of mental illnesses at par with physical illnesses and points out that the narrow definition will restrict these benefits to a limited number of patients.

The petitioner body has taken strong objection to the prohibition imposed on use of Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) as a mode of treatment even during emergency, unless accompanied by muscle relaxants and anaesthesia. Terming this prohibition as completely irrational and arbitrary, the petition states that ECT is a life-saving procedure in certain psychiatric conditions like depression with suicidal risk, gross excitement, severe catatonia etc. Even the standard book on psychiatry mentions it (ECT) as a form of treatment, which is safe, it states.

The petitioner body has also challenged validity of Section 2(1)(r)(ii) which requires mental health professionals to seek one more registration with the State Mental Health Authority; and sections 34, 76(2) that relate to the mental health authorities.

A bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice Girish Kulkarni has posted the petition for hearing after four weeks when the central government is expected to file its affidavit in reply.The Central Railway (CR), which was supposed to close the level crossing gate at Thakurli station permanently from Monday morning to improve punctuality of trains, failed to do so, disappointing thousands of commuters.

The CR had put up banners in the station announcing the shut-down of the level crossing gate from 11am on Monday.

Railway officers, who did not wish to be named, said they aborted the plan after the civic body approached the police for action against unknown motorists who used the new rail overbridge (ROB), despite the incomplete work. The level crossing gate at Thakurli station is one of the four level crossing gates on the main CR line which affect the train schedule daily.

The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) constructed a new ROB adjacent to the level crossing gate. Commuter activists have been fuming as authorities are neither opening the ROB for traffic nor closing the LC gate permanently.

Lata Argade, an activist from Dombivli, said the bridge has been ready four months ago. The bridge will give east-west connectivity to locals, besides bringing relief to commuters. The ROB has not been opened and the level crossing gate has not been closed, she said.

Sunil Udasi, chief spokesperson, CR, said they have approached KDMC for opening the bridge as early as possible.

KDMC officials claimed that it will take another three days to open the ROB. The civic body has written to the traffic police asking it to stop motorists from using the bridge. The work of the ROB is not yet over. There is some electric work going on which will take at least three days to complete, said Pramod Kulkarni, city engineer, KDMC, adding that bikers are using the bridge by removing the barricades.

Meanwhile, CR announced that it would lift a permanent speed restriction of 50 kmph at Neral station on Kalyan-Karjat section after dismantling the colonial-era foot overbridge on Sunday.

The railways removed the speed restriction, which was imposed after conversion from 1,500 volt direct current to 25,000-volt alternate current, in May 2010. This will improve the punctuality of the trains.The crime branch of the Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested two girls for stealing more than 28 mobile phones of commuters on local trains in the past two months.

Twinkle Jayraj Soni, 20, and Tinal Jayantilal Parmar, 19, who are residents of Dahisar, were caught when they recently tried to steal mobile phones in the womens compartment.

Soni and Parmar used to give the stolen phones to two other men, who either used or sold them. According to GRP officers, Parmar, cleared her HSC exams this year, whereas Soni is a second year interior designing student. Purshottam Karad, deputy commissioner of police, GRP (Western Railway), said they had been getting several complaints of mobile thefts from women travelling in the 8.47am local.

The officers then laid a trap by deploying assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Prithvi More and Manjrekar in the womens compartment. The two girls used to meet at Dahisar station at 8.15am and travel to Borivli. From Borivli, they would board separate compartments in a slow up local. After stealing the phones, they would get off at Kandivli and go to college. In the evening, they would again go on a stealing spree, on their way home from Kandivli, said More.

Karad said the two used to give the phones to their boyfriends, who then sold them to Rahul Rajpurohit alias Champak, 28, who owns a mobile shop at Borivli. In return, Champak paid the girls 2,000 for each phone he sold. We have arrested Champak and the two men. We are now finding out if Champak dealt with more mobile thieves, Dhanvate said.The Matunga police arrested two people for stealing valuables from a property dealers house on April 30. They have recovered 100 grams of gold worth 2.83 lakh from the two on May 19, police said.

The accused identified as Samir Fazleilahi Khan, 33, and Solomon David, 20, had broken into the house of Bhavesh Shah, 53, at Parsi Colony in Dadar (East). They had stolen 15,000, a MacBook, an iPhone and gold ornaments worth 225 grams from his house.

On May 9, the two were caught red-handed by an alert resident in Kharghar when they tried to break inside a house. The resident handed them over to police.

The accused have confessed to the crime, said Vijay Ambarge, assistant police inspector, Matunga police station.

After we came to know that the accused were caught, we scanned through CCTV footages which we had to confirm their identity, and later took them into custody, said Balasaheb Kakad, senior police inspector, Matunga police station.

We interrogated the accused who confessed about the crime they had committed and gave a recovery of 100gms of gold worth 2.83 lakh, said Vijay Ambarge, Assistant Police Inspector, Matunga police station.A 21-year-old woman from Kandivli (west) has filed a police complaint after an unidentified person allegedly created a fake Facebook account in her name, used her photos on it and posted links introducing her as a sex worker.

The Charkop police, who are investigating the case, said the woman approached them last week, after which the First Information Report (FIR) was registered.

The complainant has a Facebook account on which she has uploaded several photos, but had not restricted other peoples access.

The accused allegedly downloaded her photos, used them to create her fake FB profile, posted links of offensive websites and wrote obscene comments on the new account, as well as called her a sex worker.

On May 25, a family friend called her and asked if she had two FB profiles. When she replied that she did not, he sent her a link on WhatsApp to the second FB profile.

Shocked, the 21-year-old, with the help of her friends, found out that the profile was created on May 21. The same day, she approached the local police, and subsequently, a complaint was filed under section 354(D) (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code and sections 66C (identity theft) and 67 (publishing or transmitting obscene material) of the Information Technology Act.

The police said the woman has no idea who could be behind this. We are trying to trace the accused with the help of the cyber police team. No arrests have been made so far, said a police official, requesting anonymity.Registrations for admissions to medical, engineering and management undergraduate courses in state-run institutes will begin from June 7. While Maharashtra-Common Entrance Test (MH-CET) cell is yet to announce admissions schedule for MBBS and BDS admissions, registrations for all courses will start on the same day, said officials from MH-CET cell.

For medical and dental admissions, we have to wait for the Central government to decide the schedule for all-India quota seats and accordingly, our admissions schedule will follow. We are awaiting go-ahead from the Centre to release the schedule, said a senior official. He added registrations will last for at least 10 days before the first provisional merit list is announced.

Last week, state Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) submitted an admissions schedule to MH-CET for its approval. As per this schedule, the first provisional merit list will be released on June 19. The dates can only be confirmed by MH-CET cell. But registrations will begin soon, said DR Pravin Shingare, director, DMER.

This year too, 85% of seats in state and private medical and dental institutes will be allotted to those who have either cleared Class 10 and 12 from Maharashtra or those who have cleared only Class 12 from the state, but have a valid domicile (proof of living in the state for 15 years) certificate.

The Supreme Court recently struck down DMERs decision to make all three requirements mandatory for admissions to MBBS and BDS courses for 2018-19. This means, a student will be eligible if he fits any one of the two criteria. There are no changes to MBBS and BDS admissions process this year. All information has been shared in the information brochure available on our website, added Shingare.The Goregaon police, on Monday, registered a first information report (FIR) against two men who allegedly duped 53 job aspirants from Belgaon of 31.80 lakh on the false pretext of providing them with jobs in Dubai.

The complainant, Itiyaz Yargatti, 36, who runs a travel office in Belgaon, got in touch with the two accused, Mohamed Danish Khan and Khayal Mohamed Khan via the internet.

The duo used to run an office in Mitha Nagar in Goregaon (West) and claimed to be able to provide jobs in Dubai. These jobs included working at restaurants, plumbing, construction work, mason work etc.

Mohamed and Khayal tricked the complainant into being part of their scam by using him to collect money from youths interested in Dubai jobs. Yargatti then sent the money to the two accused between December 2017 and January of this year.

In return, the complainant was also given visas which turned out to be fakes. The scam started to come to light in January when the applicants were getting ready to travel from Belgaon to Mumbai. They were informed that the air tickets had been cancelled, following which the duo cut all communication with the complainant.

The youths approached the complainant who took them to police in Belgaon to file a complaint. They were advised to file the FIR in Mumbai as the accused were running an office in the city. On Monday, the FIR was registered under relevant sections of the IPC for cheating, forgery and criminal breach of trust.

The office of the accused is closed. We are trying to trace them. We will find out if they have a prior criminal record and if there are more victims, said senior police inspector of Goregaon police station Dhanji Nalwade.Quick thinking on the part of cabin crew aboard a Kolkata-bound Jet Airways flight saved the life of a flier who suffered a heart attack mid-air. The incident had occurred on May 22. Rohit Dalmiya was saved after the aircraft flew back to Mumbai after declaring a medical emergency.

After landing, medical staff and a team of doctors provided Dalmiya emergency medical care inside the aircraft following which he was rushed to RN Cooper Municipal General Hospital in Vile Parle.

Others fliers said quick thinking on the part of cabin saved Dalmiya. Ram Saraogi, head of a Mumbai-based business group, who was on the flight, wrote an appreciation letter to Jet Airways chairperson on Monday.

An hour after our flight departed on May 22, a mid-aged Mr Dalmiya, seated just one row ahead from us, had a massive heart attack and collapsed. The flight crew rushed to his aid and handled him very carefully. It was shortly decided to turn the plane around and head back to Mumbai airport where he could get proper medical care, reads the letter.

Kevin Baretto (cabin officer) and Akansha Tyagi (cabin staff) were appreciated for handling the passenger instantly and carefully.

Airport officials said there number of medical emergencies at the airport has increased since 2014. From October 2016 to August 2017, the airport handled 413 medical emergencies. Moreover, it offered medical aid to the highest number of passengers in August 2017 in the past 10 years. The airport staff recorded 2,833 medical cases of which 54 needed immediate assistance  including 37 who were rushed to the hospital.As the countdown to the Lok Sabha elections begins, the writing on the wall is clear. The opposition unity underway to take on the BJP in 2019 will be different from the kind put together in 1977 to take on the mighty Congress or even the one fronted by VP Singh to defeat Rajiv Gandhi in 1989. Those times, India was a unipolar polity and the choices were clear. Regional parties were almost inconsequential. Bar one  the Shiv Sena. Bal Thackeray had supported Indira Gandhis Emergency in 1975 and had not yet distinguished himself as a communalist par excellence. Those were things to come post-Mrs Gandhis assassination in 1984. So the Sena was not part of the Janata Party and actually facilitated the victory of the Congress in 1980, after the Janata government collapsed at the Centre. The BJP, too, was yet to be born but by the mid-1980s when it was still experimenting with Gandhian socialism in the wake of its Janata Party experience. Bal Thackeray had become so extremely rightist that even the BJP chose to support a centrist candidate at the 1987 bypolls to the Vile Parle assembly seat wherein the Sena defeated the Congress on its Hindutva plank. Soon the BJP and the Sena came together and their involvement in the post-Babri Masjid riots changed political equations forever. Suddenly they were toxic parties, brothers in arms, one worse than the other, with whom the Congress could not be seen alive or dead in any arrangement, overt or covert.

So how does Uddhav Thackeray now issue a call to all like-minded parties to come together to defeat the BJP in 2019? Who can be as like-minded as the Sena but for the BJP? How can the Shiv Sena think it can be as like-minded as any other party in the country?

The answer to that is that to the Sena today, as other parties, like-mindedness is simply the singular aim of defeating the BJP in 2019 and perhaps many other parties may not have problems taking it on board. Predictably, NCP president Sharad Pawar on Monday extended an open invitation to the Sena to come to strategic arrangements with other political parties to defeat the BJP. That means there may be no open alliance with the Congress which, for reasons of the Senas past, cannot make an overt alliance with the party. So there will be backroom deals wherein the Shiv Sena will strategically field its strongest candidates against the BJP and weakest ones against the Congress and the NCP to facilitate and help the opposition.

The BJP may have won the Palghar Lok Sabha seat by the skin of its teeth but its victory is no cause for celebration. For one, it has shown not just the Shiv Sena its own strength but also the Congress its weakness  the latter was at fifth position in this election. An opposition unity, like in Bhandara-Gondia, would have turned the tables on the BJP much more easily than standing aloof and apart as they did in Palghar for obvious reasons.But it is clear now that the BJP has lost the Shiv Sena almost completely except under one circumstance  that Amit Shah offers to restore the Sena to its Big Brother status as during the time of Bal Thackeray when he meets Uddhav tomorrow. And that can only come at a very heavy price: more seats to the Shiv Sena at both the Lok Sabha and assembly polls. The BJP will be damned if it gives in to the Senas demands and damned if it doesnt. I tend to think it wont concede.

That leaves the Sena with no option but to take up Sharad Pawar on his offer. While the NCP would have no qualms in dealing with the Sena, it would be interesting to see how the Congress resolve s its moral dilemma. The Sena is, after all, a creature of the Congress which would not have come into being had the party not needed a proxy to take on the Communists in Mumbai. They supported and funded Bal Thackeray who was content to remain on the side-lines of polity in return for both overt and covert rewards from the Congress. But since the polarisation of the nation, Congress voters are unlikely to forgive the party if they deal in any way with the Shiv Sena. Nonetheless, they will have to decide if the Senas past misdeeds should be considered worse than the coming threat to the nation. The choice is not an easy one between good and bad but a difficult one between two impossible and unacceptable options. The voters ultimate decision would determine if there will, once again, be a tectonic shift in political equations in the country.To all to whom these presents shall come, greetings, be it known that we hereby confer upon Cyrus S Poonawalla in recognition of distinguished attainments the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, and with these words, amidst what is described as repeated standing ovations, celebrated Pune-based industrialist and philanthropist Dr Poonawalla was conferred yet another honour in his glittering career, at a function organised by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester this Sunday, for his contribution towards providing vaccines at affordable prices, which have saved the lives of more than 20 million children across the world, according to the WHO. The Serum Institute of India, and MassBiologics (Boston, USA), have collaborated to develop the first-ever Rabies Human Monoclonal Antibody that has several advantages over the available equine and human plasma-derived product, said a spokesperson from the institute, about the degree which had been given not only in the light of this development, but for the years of yeoman service that the Pune-based company under Poonawallas leadership had done to address global health needs. With this, the billionaire who has successfully combined a sustainable business model with the philanthropy of delivering life-saving products, joins the likes of former US President Barack Obama, and Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, WHO have received the honour in the past. Interestingly, in keeping with his preference for a low-profile, behind-the-scenes performance, the affable workaholic was characteristically modest about this latest recognition. At the end of the day, my happiness comes from the fact that I am able to make a positive change in the world, especially in the lives of children, he said from Prague after receiving the honour.

TRUE LIES

For months now, cocktail party corporate circles have been speculating about the motive behind the shareholder-activist whistleblower who had trained his guns on a high-profile bank and its CEO who allegedly used her position to garner large investments in businesses run by her family. What could be the reason for such a systematic take down, people wondered. And, was the whistleblower acting on his own or standing on someone elses shoulders to fire his gun? Many theories were offered: from disgruntled employees to corporate rivalries, to businessmen whod been rubbed the wrong way by the banker. Now, the grapevine has more to chew on: apparently, no sooner had the announcement of an internal inquiry about the allegations being conducted by the banks board had made the news, the same activist whistleblower trained his guns onto a new target, this time, a private airline whose well-connected NRI chairman has been under scrutiny for a while about the companys funding. Everyone is putting two and two together to try and guess what the common link between the bank and the airline is, to try and arrive at the motives for these well-planned takedowns, said a corporate watcher, adding, If the recent example is anything to go by, the letters alleging financial impropriety will soon make their way into public domain and finally to the right authorities, when things will begin to unravel. Will we witness another high-profile implosion? Watch this space.

WTS WTM

What They Say 

Heavy rainfall can be expected in Mumbai on Thursday, June 7.

 The weather bureau on the much-awaited monsoon

What They Mean 

Well, our office peons aunts cousins left earlobe has started to itch, and thats always the most reliable and dependable precursor of rain, so right now, thats what were going with.

MAKING HAY

Shashi Tharoor and Anil Dharker.

If theres any doubt that literary impresario and columnist Anil Dharker is making hay while the sun shines, consider this: the past few weeks have seen the impassioned culture vulture meet the likes of Margaret Atwood, Alexander McCall Smith, Philip Pullman and even Benedict Cumberbatch during the course of his attendance at the prestigious annual litfest in England. However, it was his outing with old friend (they had dreamt up a books on the beach idea not too long ago) Shashi Tharoor that appears to have been the high point of his trip. Our session was held on Sunday, the last day of the festival, and although, competing in the identical time slot with the great philosopher AC Grayling, we had a full house, he informs. Dharker had begun by asking if Tharoor had turned to religion after roasting the British Empire in his last book. (After all, no one suspected man about town Shashi Tharoor of having the slightest interest in Hinduism,) he said in an aside, adding, But of course the book is a rebuttal of the warped idea of religion being propagated by Hindutva bhakts. Apparently , the conversation, though serious as the subject demanded, was lightened by anecdotes and observations, especially when Dharker had asked Tharoor if he believed in reincarnation, and if so what he would like to be reborn as. Tharoors response, we are informed, had been an enigmatic smile.Each time polythene covers, carry bags, or synthetic packaging materials are carelessly dropped on the streets or disposed into open drains, creeks and rivers, the wind and rain carry these trash into the sea as run-offs. Additionally, plastic litter strewn on beaches becomes brittle under hot and humid conditions, and settles on the sea bed in the form of micro plastics and nanoplastics.

While the sea throws some of the non-biodegradable marine debris back on to the land, the initial results by ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Institute (CMFRI) revealed the highest average concentration of non-biodegradable marine debris (NBMD) found by trawler nets in the fishing grounds off Mumbai at 49.11kg per square kilometre (sq km). Second in line is Tamil Nadus Tuticorin coast with an average concentration of 37.06 kg/sq km followed by 19.9kg/sq km in Ratnagiri. The lowest concentration is at Vishakhapatnam with 2.25 kg/sq km) .

A 2015 study led by the University of Georgia ranked India 12th among the top 20 coastal populations (and 192 countries) in the world that sent 0.60 million tonnes per year of mismanaged plastic waste into the ocean.

This is baseline data set where we wanted to highlight that non-biodegradable marine debris is increasing from south to north in the west coast, whereas its reverse in the east coast, said P Kaladharan, principal investigator, CMFRI.

This database is important in the light of increasing deleterious effects of plastic pollution in sea and the urgent need to protect the sea for sustainable fishing.

High concentration of plastic marine debris in the fishing grounds also has an impact on the fish catch. A September 2017 study found that the relative percentage of marine debris to the overall fish catch was the highest in Mumbai and Kochi at 2.23% as compared to 0.33% off Vishakhapatnam coast.

The problem of plastic accumulation in the sea is going to increase in the future unless the use of plastic is controlled on land, as most enter into the sea through run-off. Plastic materials in the fishing gear could also get lost during fishing operations, said E Vivekanandan, consultant and scientist, CMFRI.

But its not just plastic that is polluting our seas. The problem gets manifold with marine debris in the form of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) that could either be as a result of fishermen cutting their nets or natural disasters such as cyclones. Both these situations affect marine life with reports of turtles entangled in ghost nets in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

While there are no exact estimates on the contribution of derelict fishing gear for Mumbai, a study across six beaches in Kerala last year showed that fishing-induced debris contributed to 26% of the total beach litter.

Scientists said the loss of fishing gear has become a serious problem with a transition using natural biodegradable materials such as cotton, hemp, coir, wood that can disintegrate within a short time span to non-biodegradable non-synthetic materials such as polythene and nylon, which can stay in water bodies for up to 600 years.

In 2017, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology estimated that of the 60,000kms of netting that are deployed by gillnet vessels, 6,000 kms is likely to be lost in the sea. This is based on the projection by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations that average loss of gillnets is 10% every year.

Fishing nets are cut when they get entangled with rocks in fishing ground. Sometimes old nets are used which also get torn in the sea, and fishermen abandon them, said Vivekanandan.

He added, We need short term and long term solutions to curb plastic use in the form of clean-up drives, educational programmes, public awareness on not releasing plastic and bottles in the open landscape. Long term solution should focus on the bringing down plastic production with the government laying out a plan to introduce alternatives to it.A 24-year-old man was sentenced to a year in prison for trespassing into a womans house when she was asleep and molesting her at her Kalachowki residence. The magistrate, however, considered his age and a possible reformation in future.

The incident took place on November 12, 2016, at a chawl in Cotton Green in Kalachowki. As per the womans complaint, her neighbour Tejas Bansode trespassed her house at midnight when she and her family were asleep.

Bansode then entered her room and touched her inappropriately. At first, she ignored it but woke up when she felt the touch again.

She woke up to the sight of Bansode sitting next to her, signalling her to keep silent. The woman screamed, waking her father. Bansode then fled from the house, according to the prosecutions case.

Bansode was later arrested and booked for molestation, house trespass and criminal intimidation.

The complainant deposed in court that her family lives in a two-floor house and the front door is usually kept open for her father, who comes back late at night. The complainant and her parents also said they had kept the door open for ventilation.

While the defense counsel pointed out that it was abnormal for the family to do so, magistrate AH Kashikar said it was normal for a family living in small spaces.

The court also accepted the testimony of the complainants mother who said she saw Bansode fleeing from the house when her daughter raised an alarm. During the trial, Bansode claimed he did not know the complainant or her family. He also claimed he had an alibi but did not provide any evidence to back it up.

The magistrate convicted Bansode for molestation and trespassing but acquitted him of criminal intimidation as his silencing gesture to the complainant was not considered threatening, Kashikar said.

Such act shall be viewed seriously and the same shall not be done again either by the accused or any person from the society. Such acts cause social effects, the magistrate said in his order.Around 27 teenagers from Ghatkopar, who recently cleared their Class 10 exams, are using their summer holidays to spread the message of eco-friendly living and hazards of plastic waste.

In addition, they are distributing cloth bags to local vendors and residents in the area for the past two weeks. On World Environment Day, they visited 15 housing societies and shops to collect plastic.

As the deadline for disposing of plastic waste is around the corner, our aim is spread awareness among locals through social media and by visiting their homes. We realised that several people had already got rid of plastic and quite a few vendors also willing to switch over from plastic to eco-friendly bags, said Niva Shah, a ninth grade student of Garodia International Centre For Learning, who is part of the initiative.

Save the Earth Movement (STEM), as the group calls itself, collected two drums and seven large bags of plastic on Tuesday. Apart from collecting plastic, the group has sold and distributed more than 1,000 cloth bags in the past two weeks.

We conducted a survey before implementing the plan. Now, our next step is to revisit the two markets, Odeon and Pant Nagar, where we distributed cloth bags to spread awareness about the ill-effects of using plastic and ensure that we can make our area plastic-free, said Dirgh Shah, 15.

Another volunteer, Krish Doshi added the group has enroled for the global initiative by United Nations (UNc) alled #BeatPlasticPollution and were uploading videos and pictures of their work on social media.

My mother [Bhavita], after looking at the waste generated in the locality, suggested we take up the cause this vacation instead of just wasting our time. So we took up the cause and intend to keep working towards it, said Varun Parikh.A day after Maharashtra health minister Deepak Sawant was denied a ticket by the Shiv Sena to get re-elected to the upper house of the state legislature, senior party leaders said Sawant will not resign from the state cabinet. Sena leaders added that party chief Uddhav Thackeray could consider him for the next round of MLC election that is scheduled in July.

On Monday, Thackeray nominated Vilas Potnis, a vibhag pramukh from north Mumbai, for the upcoming Mumbai Graduates' constituency election later this month. As per the law, a member has six months to become a member of either of the houses again. Sawants term ends on July 7.

A senior Sena leader requesting anonymity said, Sawant has not resigned; Uddhav ji has asked him not to resign. He could be considered and accommodated for the non-Graduate seat election in July, but so far there is no final call on it. As per the law, he will have six months after his term ends, to become a member of one of the houses again. According to another Sena leader, there would be 11 vacancies in the legislative council on July 27, and the Shiv Sena, which has 63 MLAs, can have at least two members.

Sena leaders point out that Thackeray reconsidered giving a ticket to Sawant as complaints against the health minister from within the party, especially the youth faction, were growing. Another key factor, according to a senior Sena leader, is that the Sena chiefs bete noire, Narayan Rane is fielding a candidate, which will be backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in this election. In such a situation, the leadership thought there should be a strong candidate, as opposed to one with whom party functionaries are not happy, he said. Last month a delegation of Sena and Yuva Sena functionaries met Thackeray asking him to reconsider re-nominating Sawant.

In Maharashtra, out of 78 members of the legislative council, 31 are selected by the state assembly, 21 by the local authorities, 12 are nominated by the governor and seven are elected each by the Graduates and Teachers constituencies, respectively.Train services between Kalyan and Kasara on the Central Railway (CR) were disrupted badly on Tuesday afternoon after an object was seen stuck on the overhead wires between Ambivli and Shahad railway stations. No trains ran on this stretch for 20-25 minutes.

Trains got stuck between Ambivli and Shahad stations, said commuters, complaining that no announcements were made at the stations to inform commuters about the delay.

At least two to three local trains were stuck, so many of us got down from the trains and walked to the nearest station, said Keshav Mhatre, 45, a commuter from Titwala.

The disruption occurred at around 1.10 pm. Railway officials detected some object on the overhead wire, which then had to be removed. This disrupted services for 20-25 minutes. Around 1.30pm, we resumed services, said AK Jain, senior public relations officer, CR.Each year, the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore convenes defence ministers and military commanders from across Asia, Europe, and North America, along with representatives of defence companies and assorted academic experts and journalists. Over the past two decades, it has evolved into Asias premier security conference, where matters such as tensions on the Korean peninsula, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation are deliberated. Keynote speakers in recent years have included the prime ministers of Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia. This years keynote address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, therefore, proved an important opportunity to highlight Indias perspectives on regional security dynamics.

Not surprisingly, Modis address was filled with a laundry list of Indias regional partnerships and activities. He mentioned Indias ties with Japan (the cornerstone of our Act East Policy), momentum with South Korea, fresh energy in partnerships with Australia and New Zealand, and engagement with Pacific Island nations. He also highlighted New Delhis special and privileged partnership with Russia and a multi-layered relationship with China. He discussed various ways in which India was engaged with the region, including military exercises, trade agreements, and assistance. And he scored points with his hosts by drawing special attention to Singapore, a country that Modi characterised as Indias springboard to Asean and a gateway for India to the East.

But Modis main message was his articulation of Indias vision for the Indo-Pacific region. The idea of the Indo-Pacific as a single strategic space is an outgrowth of Chinas growing influence in the Indian Ocean region. It signifies the interconnectedness of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the importance of the oceans to security and commerce, and Indias role in the broader region. But it has come to be seen by sceptics as a byword for a strategy to balance China by other countries, including India. Critics in China argue alternatively that the Indo-Pacific concept adds to tensions and lacks substance, while in Southeast Asia concerns have grown that it could contribute to divisions within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Modi clarified that for India the Indo-Pacific was neither a strategy nor an exclusive club. He described it as a natural region ranging from the shores of Africa to that of the Americas and argued that it should be free, open, and inclusive; grounded in rules and normsbased on the consent of all, not on the power of the few; and characterised by respect for international law, including on the issue of freedom of navigation and overflight. It was not lost on many observers that his language closely mirrored that used by the United States and Japan, both of whom have begun to articulate their own free and open Indo-Pacific strategies. Modis veiled message was directed at China, and reflected a more widespread concern about how Beijing is wielding its economic and military muscle.

But just as important, Modi gave a reassuring message to the Southeast Asian delegates. He characterised the Indo-Pacific as consistent with Asean unity and centrality, a sentiment that US and Japanese leaders have inadequately communicated. Modi pointed out that Asean had in fact laid the foundation of the Indo-Pacific Region and key Asean initiatives embrace its geography by including India. Therefore, rather than being divisive or dismissive, Indias vision for the Indo-Pacific further reassures and reinforces an Asean whose unity continues to be undermined by Chinese influence.

If Modis speech did not explicitly highlight the roots of the primary challenges to regional security, US secretary of defense James Mattis was less circumspect in his address at Shangri-La. Chinas policy in the South China Sea stands in stark contrast to the openness of our strategy, Mattis said, pointing to Chinas deployment of missiles, electronic jammers, and bomber aircraft in disputed islands as an act of intimidation and coercion. His description of the US free and open Indo-Pacific strategy included an emphasis on the maritime domain, naval capacity building, interoperability, and investment in infrastructure and connectivity. This too aligns with Indian concerns about Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, which New Delhi perceives to be resulting in unsustainable debt and political leverage over vulnerable economies.

While Chinese officials continue to downplay the Indo-Pacific as a concept, a number of developments have concretised. The number of strategic dialogues, intelligence sharing mechanisms, military exercises, and defence compacts involving large and medium powers in the Indo-Pacific  including India  have rapidly multiplied. Nowhere was this more pronounced than in Modis prior stop in Indonesia, where a range of recent and imminent India-Indonesia defence mechanisms were highlighted. In a region where tensions are growing, Modi has laid a clear marker of Indias orientation. The Indo-Pacific is a multipolar region that is increasingly contesting the notion of one states potential hegemony.

Dhruva Jaishankar is fellow, Foreign Policy, Brookings India, New Delhi

The views expressed are personalIn a veiled attack on RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav , Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said on Tuesday that young leaders owing their position in politics to their families were interested in acquiring a post quickly to make money.

Without naming any party or leader, Kumar also criticised excessive use of social media by political figures.

They had no idea of what they actually stand for but believe in talking big, he said, in an obvious reference to the opposition leader in the state assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, who has been attacking Kumar using a micro-blogging site.

The role of youth in politics is very important. We learnt our ropes while we were students and I feel glad when I see youngsters taking an interest in politics.

But looking around, we see so many young leaders who owe their position in politics to their families basically interested in acquiring a post in order to make money, a far cry from our times, Kumar said.

The 28-year-old Tejashwi is the younger son of RJD president Lalu Prasad and often refers to Kumar as chacha (uncle).

Kumar, who is also the national president of the Janta Dal (United), was addressing a function organised by the partys youth wing in Patna.

He had resigned from his post last year following the refusal of RJD, then his alliance partner, to pay heed to his concerns about corruption charges against Tejashwi Yadav, his then deputy.

The JD(U) chief later formed a new government with the BJP, which came forward with an offer of unconditional support.

I am delighted that this Yuva Sankalp (youth resolve) conference is being held on a day when we celebrate the anniversary of Sampoorna Kranti , the call for total revolution by Loknayak Jaya Prakash Narayan, who had inspired many youngsters like myself to devote to public life, Kumar said.

Care must be taken not to get trapped in the prevailing culture of empty talk, he said.

As you all know, there are political figures who excessively use social media and go on tweeting about things they do not even understand. They talk big but have no idea of what they stand for, Kumar said in an apparent reference to Tejashwi.

Kumar also exhorted party cadres to apprise the common people of his governments measures like prohibition and campaign against dowry and child marriage.

Today is World Environment Day. Our party has been committed to environment conservation too as is evident from our drive for plantation of one crore trees across the state that was launched a few years ago, he said.

He said the Bihar government was making efforts to increase the forest cover in the state.With over 60,000 applications registered till now in the first part of the centralised admission process (CAP) process for admissions to the first-year junior college (FYJC), the CAP committee on Saturday announced a set of instructions for students affiliated with non-state boards.

The FYJC procedure requires students to fill a two-part online admission form, of which, the registration for the first part commenced recently in May. The second part of the form will be out after the secondary school certificate (SSC) results for Maharashtra are announced, said officials.

According to the notice issued by the committee, which recorded a total of 61,498 registrations for Part 1 form in Pune, on Saturday, students from the central board of secondary education (CBSE) are no longer required to convert their grades, as the mark sheets now clearly mention the marks. They will have to take the five subject marks, from among the subjects they had considered while filling the forms.

The decision was taken keeping in mind a number of queries, received by the committee, from students belonging to other boards other than the state board.

We had been receiving many queries from CBSE, Indian certificate of secondary education (ICSE) and national institute of open schooling (NIOS) board students and other boards. We found a number of common issues and decided to put forth a formal notice to address them, said Meenakshi Raut, assistant director of education, Pune.

On the other hand, students from the ICSE board will have to clear five subjects in addition to English, and can choose the best of five subjects, either from group A, B or combine those from both the groups.

According to the notice, students from NIOS board, will have to fill up the marks of all the subjects, as per the marks sheet. Students from the international general certificate of secondary education (IGCSE) and international baccalaureate (IB) board will have to calculate the subject-wise marks and enter the total marks, which will, then, be equalised with the total marks out of 500. Here, students will, however, not have the option of choosing best of five subjects.

Those who are yet to pass a subject are not eligible to fill the form like regular students. Also, those students who have got 35 marks will not be allowed to choose best of five option, added Raut.

As per the notice, students who have made the application based on their provisional mark sheets will have to fill the forms and will be eligible for provisional admissions, which are subject to submission of the original results.BJP president Amit Shah will meet Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patriarch and former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in Chandigarh Thursday as part of the partys attempt to reach out to allies ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The meeting convened at short notice comes after back-to-back setbacks in the recent Karnataka assembly elections and bypolls in different states. The BJP chief is scheduled to meet Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Wednesday before traveling to Chandigarh to meet the Badals on Thursday.

The Akali Dal is an important and trusted constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) but the ties have been strained after Punjab assembly polls last year.

In public, the BJP and the SAD leaders are terming Shahs visit as routine.

We should not make assumptions. Our national chief is visiting every state and his Punjabs visit was long due. As far as meeting with senior Badal is concerned, he (Parkash Singh Badal) is one of the most experienced politicians in the country at present. Amit Shah is visiting him to pay regards and take guidance from him, said Punjab BJP chief Shwait Malik.

But the visit is also being seen as a step to improve ties between the two partners ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

More than overseeing the preparations for the Lok Sabha polls, Shahs motive is to reach out to the SAD to improve ties. Generally, national party plans state visit much in advance. Here, we were informed only three days before, said a former state BJP chief.

In public, both parties have maintained that they share good relationship but they have been at loggerheads on different issues despite being partners at the Centre.

Akali Dal has opposed the BJP on various issues, be it appointment of chairman or members of the National Minority Commission. It has also accused the BJP of not taking all NDA partners into confidence on important issues.

Shahs visit comes three days after the Centre announced Sewa Bhoj Yojana a scheme for reimbursement of GST on langar served in religious places. GST on langar items was a sensitive religious issue for the Akalis and they had vigorously pushed for it with Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal threatening to quit the Narendra Modi cabinet if the demand for waiving the tax was not met.

According to schedule with the BJP state unit, Shah would meet the Badals for two and a half hours between noon and 2:30 pm. As the Badalss Sector 9 residence in Chandigarh is under construction, the venue of the meeting is yet to be decided. Whenever senior Badal visits the state capital, he stays in the flat allotted to him as an MLA.

Shah is also scheduled to hold a meeting with the core group of the party and the Dalit leadership of the state unit of the BJP. He will leave for Delhi in the evening.In an alleged case of honour killing at Ballah village of Karnal district, a 24-year-old man from Rohtak claimed his 19-year-old wife was murdered by her family members as she married him against their will.

The police have registered a case of murder against four people, including mother and father of the deceased, and started investigations.

Monu from Makroli village of Rohtak filed a complaint at Assandh police station that his wife Jyoti was murdered by her father on Saturday and their family then cremated her body. Monu also gave a copy of their marriage certificate to the police and alleged that the parents of his wife had murdered her for honour.

In his complaint, Monu told said he had married Jyoti, a BCom second year student of Government Women college of Karnal in a court in Delhi on March 14. She had told him that her parents will not allow this marriage and they decided not to disclose this to anybody for next few more days and she went back to her village after marriage.

On Saturday, she made a phone call to Sonu and told him that her parents came to know about their marriage and they had beaten her, She feared threat to her life from her parents and asked me to take her along. But after that I could not talk to her as her phone was switched off, Monu said.

He added,Later I tried to talk to her father Rajesh over phone and he told him that she has been killed.

Monu said, We belong to the same community and but I dont know why they killed her.

Karnal SP Surender Bhoria said, Victims father Rajesh Kumar, her mother, two cousins Satish and Vicky have been booked for murder under Section 302 of IPC,

However, the village residents told the police that she had committed suicide. We are investigating the matter, he added.These men have children of their own, some much older than the Kashmiri minors they have been accused of exploiting in a 2006 sex scandal.

Five of the accused in a case involving a CD recovered by the Jammu and Kashmir police showing sexual exploitation of minors forced into prostitution, appeared before a special CBI court on Monday pleading for reduced sentence. They included former DIG of BSF KS Padhi, former DSP Mohammad Ashraf Mir and three others from J&K , Shabbir Ahmed Laway, Shabbir Ahmed Langoo and Masud Ahmed.

The prosecution has sought maximum punishment of life term for them while the defence counsel has asked for seven years. Sentencing in the case is expected on June 6.

Masuds three-year-old daughter was seen playing in the courtroom where one of Padhis two married daughters were also present. Langoo has three minor daughters.

Pointing to the long duration of the trial defence counsel Rabindra Pandit said that moving the case to Chandigarh, 1,500 km away from J&K, made the process all the more tedious for the convicts. The agony that the convicts underwent in this time. They lost their jobs, mobility and travel also cost extra, hence adding to their troubles, he said.

Dismissing arguments about the victim being mentally capable of understanding what she was doing, the public prosecutor KP Singh said such a contention was a mockery and most unfortunate. While Langoos statement was being recorded, it was argued that the victim couldnt even recall how many men she had slept with.

The victims age was also mentioned as Pandit argued that she was a major and not minor when the incident happened.

DIG should have been protector, not attacker

KC Padhi, former DIG BSF, aged 68, pleaded for leniency,saying he had served the nation, claiming that he had killed 40 militants while posted in Kashmir and had also been recommended for the Presidents medal.

His wife, Padhis counsel said, had expired during the trial and his name had also not been mentioned in the original FIR initially.

Countering the argument, the public prosecutor said Padhis position as DIG should have been the mitigating factor, not an aggravating one and that he should have been the protector instead of the attacker.A 15-year-old disabled girl was allegedly raped on Tuesday by a security inspector of a coal mine while she was on a morning walk with her mother in Jharkhands Dhanbad district, police said.

The father of the victim, who is a former employee of the coal mine owned by Tata Steel Ltd, filed a complaint against the accused identified as Nirmal Kumar Singh with the Jogta police station.

We have conducted raids in the quarter of Nirmal Kumar Singh twice since morning but it was found locked from outside, Sarif Khan, in-charge of Jogta police station, said.

Police said the incident occurred around 5.30am when the girl, who is cannot speak and has a learning difficulty, was walking with her mother in Malkera Colony.

As her mother moved ahead, Singh allegedly dragged the girl to the bushes and raped her taking advantage of the deserted road, they added.

When her mother did not find her after a while she returned looking for her and found her daughter lying in the bush. She also saw Singh fleeing from the spot.

Her mother said she takes her daughter for morning walks every day after a doctors advice and due to her physical limitations she cannot walk fast.

I had not expected any sensible person can do such a heinous crime with a helpless girl who even does not cry, she said while speaking to reporters.

The girl was medically examined at Patliputra Medical College Hospital (PMCH) in the afternoon.

Government figures show that a child is sexually abused every 15 minutes in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau report for 2016, there was a sharp spike in cases of rape against children with an increase of such incidents by over 82% as compared to 2015.A 17-year-old girls suicide after failing to qualify for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate medical education courses in the country has led to tension and triggered protests in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.

S Prathiba of Peruvallur in Villupuram district consumed poison on Monday after low scores in NEET. Another girl named Keerthiga of Mundiyambakkam in the same district also consumed poison and is now battling for life.

The developments sparked a war of words between the ruling AIADMK and opposition DMK in the state assembly, where the latter contended that the state has failed to protect the interests of Tamil Nadus students aspiring to study medicine.

DMK leader MK Stalin and the Congress moved a special call attention motion on Prathibas death, and wanted to know the status of the two resolutions sent to the Centre for Presidents nod seeking NEET exemption for Tamil Nadu.

The two parties staged a walkout from the assembly protesting the state governments failure in seeking Tamil students exemption from NEET.

Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu are up in arms against NEET, arguing that the state, which has the third highest number of medical seats after Karnataka and Maharashtra, should reserve seats for local candidates instead of allowing candidates from other states to get admission after qualifying NEET.

Tamil Nadu has around 5,600 medical seats, but why lose medical seats to students from other states? There is no social justice in the state, said DMK legislator Thayagam Kavi.

In Tamil Nadu, 24,720 students opted to appear for NEET. According to officials, 1,337 students from government schools qualified in the exam.

PMK founder Ramadoss blamed the Palaniswami government for the poor show by Tamil Nadus students in NEET. Tamil students are at a disadvantage due to the poor foundation provided to them for taking up competitive exams, he alleged.

Tamil Nadu Congress committee leader Su Thirunavukarasu said, The deceased Dalit student would have easily become a doctor with her top marks in Class 12 if there was no NEET. The Modi government last year killed Anitha and this year Prathiba, he alleged.

Under fire from the opposition, health minister C Vijaybhaskar said that the state government is against NEET and it made representations to the central government, including PM Modi, but the issue reached Supreme Court and the state has to adhere to the courts orders.

School education minister KA Sengottaiyan condoled Prathibas death and urged students not to take extreme steps due to exam failures.

Parents of both Prathiba and Keerthiga blamed NEET and said their daughters took the extreme step due to poor marks.

The NEET results came when I was away from home. I would have saved my daughter if I was at home. When I returned, my daughter was vomiting and weeping and saying she would not trouble me anymore. She said she was upset with her marks and her dream of becoming a doctor had been shattered, said Shanmugotham, Prathibas father.

TAMIL NADU VS NEET INITIAL WORRY The proposal to hold a single national entrance exam for medical seats was in the works for some time. In 2013, when the UPA regime wanted to hold NEET for MBBS and postgraduate courses, the then TN CM Jayalalithaa had opposed it. She wrote to the then PM Manmohan Singh saying NEET implementation would affect social justice. IN THE COURT TN was also a party to petitions filed before the Supreme Court on NEET. Subsequently, a three-member bench quashed the Medical Council of India notification for holding NEET. The DMK, an ally of Congress during UPA regime, had also opposed NEET REASONS TN OPPOSED NEET The state has the third largest number of medical seats (3,534) spread over 33 medical colleges, including 22 government colleges. The worry was that a national exam would mean merit alone rather than social justice would impact who will get seats. Also, fear was that non-TN aspirants could grab a bulk of the states seats TN was also a party to petitions filed before the Supreme Court on NEET. Subsequently, a three-member bench quashed the Medical Council of India notification for holding NEET. The DMK, an ally of Congress during UPA regime, had also opposed NEETThe state has the third largest number of medical seats (3,534) spread over 33 medical colleges, including 22 government colleges. The worry was that a national exam would mean merit alone rather than social justice would impact who will get seats. Also, fear was that non-TN aspirants could grab a bulk of the states seats NO BENEFITS? TN directorate of medical education department sources say over the past six years, five government medical colleges have been established at Sivagangai, Thiruvannamalai, Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai and ESIC Hospital, Coimbatore and Pudukottai, resulting in an increase of 1,000 additional MBBS seats at a cost of  3,000 crore. While the addition was being done by TN govt at huge expense, they felt it would not benefit the states students.

DMK and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) cadres thronged Prathibas residence and paid their last respects. Peruvallur villagers staged a protest in front of Villupuram government hospital and refused to accept the 17-year-olds body.

Revenue officials had to intervene and pacify villagers and eventually handed over the body to her family after autopsy.

Last year, a 17-year-old girl, S Anitha, who had scored 1176 out of 1200 marks in her Class 12 board exams but was unable to join the MBBS course because of poor scores in NEET, committed suicide. She had impleaded herself as one of the respondents in a Supreme Court case challenging NEET.

In her petition to the apex court, Anitha, the daughter of a daily wage labourer, had said that rural students would not be able to compete against the students from cities if a common entrance exam is held for medical college seats.Salman Khan is back on television but not as a host for Bigg Boss. The actor is now hosting Dus Ka Dum on Sony again after a gap of nine years.

The new seasons first episode premiered on Monday night and opened to a mixed reaction from viewers. While some found Salman charming, others thought the questions were too boring.

The show, which first aired in 2008, has a complex format as per which, two contestants are pitted against each other and the contestant who makes the right guess wins. On Monday, Shama Parvin of Bareily won Rs 6,00,000.

The viewers, however, do not seem too happy with the show. #DusKaDum show apne standard ko maintain nhi kr paya @BeingSalmanKhan ki vjah se log dekhenge otherwise show mei koi dum nhi hai (Dus Ka Dum couldnt maintain its standard. People might watch it for Salman Khan otherwise there is nothing to the show), a viewer wrote on Twitter.

Others gushed about Salman on social media. #DusKaDum acha lga sbko @BeingSalmanKhan Bhai ka javab nhi (Everyone liked Dus Ka Dum. Salman is incomparable), tweeted another.

Here are a few more reactions:

There is no Dum on Dus ka Dum to get more popularity like KBC @SonyTV Salman looks better in Big boss weekend special .@BeingSalmanKhan  Shivendra Pandey (@Shivi92Pandey) June 5, 2018

Thats the reaction of @BeingSalmanKhan when he knows that I'm watching #DusKaDum in office time ... @SonyTV pic.twitter.com/L4hZWET9uF  Abadeep Das (@BeingAbadeep7) June 5, 2018

This ... how not to adore and love this man , like how ??? @BeingSalmanKhan I heart u always and forever  #DusKaDum @SonyTV Awesome ! Monday& Tuesdays becomes all things amazing thanks to this guy  pic.twitter.com/diLfoU4z4Y  Muskaan (@onlymuskaan) June 5, 2018

V important twitter poll, please help me find out "kitne pratishat bhartiya chahte hai ki Sony TV ek convicted ke Saath kaam karna bandh Karke Dus Ka Dum show na karein?"  Rohit Shah (@rohshah07) June 5, 2018

Just watching Dus Ka Dum. Have to say kitne bakwaas questions hain   Tony Stark (@MarvelisMyLife9) June 5, 2018

Yess i really njyed ur 1st episode nd m soo happy to see uh in #duskadum https://t.co/LLWtRNMkYE  Priyanka Singh (@Priyank76247702) June 5, 2018

The rise of #salmankhan is finished and looking at the arrogance in the working style now,the end is around the corner.Difference in behaviour in #DusKaDum first seasons n yesterdays episode can be seen.#fatshaming that lady rather he should himself first.  RAM AGARWAL (@HereIamRam) June 5, 2018

1st episode of #DusKaDum is simply awesome. Really What an Entertaining Episode it was! Totally Loved Salman Bhai's Anchoring .  Arindam Panda (@iamarindampanda) June 5, 2018

Dus Ka Dum airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8.30 pm on Sony.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreAn air strike on an area in northeastern Syria still held by the Islamic State group has killed at least 11 civilians, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Tuesday.

The Britain-based monitor said the strike was conducted early Monday in the south of Hasakeh province by the US-led coalition, which has been battling IS jihadists in the region since 2014.

There was no immediate confirmation by the coalition of the strike, the latest in a series to have reportedly caused civilian casualties in the area in recent weeks.

The strike resulted in the death of 11 civilians, including five children, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. The bodies were only pulled out on Tuesday due to continuous bombardment. He said the area targeted was near the village of Jizaa, one of the very last pockets still controlled by IS in eastern Syrias Euphrates Valley.

Kurdish-dominated forces backed by the US-led coalition are spearheading the ground offensive in the area.

The Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria, says it determines whose planes carried out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

The coalition assesses some reports of civilian deaths resulting from its air strikes, and releases updated figures on the casualties it admits to often weeks or months later.

On Friday, the coalition admitted to nine more civilian deaths over a period of a year, bringing the total since the start of its intervention in Iraq and Syria to 892.

Monitoring group Airwars says the number acknowledged by the coalition is well below the true toll of the bombing campaign, estimating that at least 6,259 civilians have lost their lives in both countries.The Indian and Pakistani militaries will participate in a joint exercise along with six other countries, including China, in Russia this August, with Chinese experts saying the manoeuvres could ease tensions between the two neighbours and mark a new high for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The drill could include a rare meeting between the Indian and Pakistani chiefs of general staff.

This will be the first time India and Pakistan will jointly participate in a military exercise since independence, though their militaries have worked side-by-side during UN peacekeeping missions.

The joint counterterrorism command post exercise, codenamed Peace Mission 2018, will feature members of SCO and will be held at Chebarkulsky training ground in the Ural mountains.

It is planned that chiefs of general staff of the SCO states will hold meetings within the drills, Russias defence ministry announced last week.

Military representatives from SCO countries met in Russia last week to discuss the concept of the exercise, the plan of practical actions as well as the strength and forces and means (to be) involved, it added.

The drill will follow the 18th SCO Summit, scheduled for June 9-10 in the coast city of Qingdao. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the meet.

Li Li, a leading expert on South Asia at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told China Daily that many exchange mechanisms between Pakistan and India have been halted due to constant border tensions.

It is very rare for Indian and Pakistani militaries to interact with each other, she said. The SCO is a great platform for member nations to build mutual trust, improve their ability to tackle terrorist threats and maintain regional peace and security.

India and Pakistan both became full members of SCO in June 2017.

Li Xing, professor of international relations at Beijing Normal University, expressed similar sentiments to the Chinese daily.

India and Pakistan have had many conflicts, but the SCO exercise can facilitate positive interactions between the two militaries and help ease tensions between the two countries, Li Xing said, adding participation of the two countries in the drill represents a new high in security cooperation through the SCO.

The last such exercise was held in Kyrgyzstan in September 2016.

The SCO was founded in 2001 at a Shanghai summit by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.Jordans King Abdullah II on Tuesday appointed a new prime minister, the royal palace said, naming a leading reformer as head of government in hopes of quelling the largest anti-government protests in recent years.

Cabinet member Omar Razzaz, a Harvard-educated former senior World Bank official, replaced Hani Mulki, who quit Monday amid widening protests against his governments austerity program, including a planned tax increase. Razzaz served as education minister in the outgoing Mulki government.

The king retains final say on all policy issues, and presumably would also define the parameters of any economic and political reforms sought by Razzaz.

In the appointment letter addressed to Razzaz, the monarch called on the new government to conduct a comprehensive review of the tax system and produce a new tax bill, in cooperation with parliament, unions and other groups.

He also expressed empathy for ordinary Jordanians who have long complained that they are being asked to pay taxes for poor services. Critics say the current tax proposal unfairly targets the poor and the middle class.

Its not clear if the appointment of Razzaz will defuse the growing public anger over a political and economic system widely perceived as corrupt and exclusionary, with benefits reserved for small elites.

Jordanian analyst Helmi Asmar said that it remains to be seen if Razzaz will receive a reform mandate. Is he the one to run the country, or the old machine and the old system? he asked.

We hope for the good, but until now we havent seen enough signs to be optimistic, said Asmar, who writes for the Ad Dustour newspaper.

Protest organisers said they would keep up the pressure, including a one-day strike set for Wednesday, until the tax proposal has been shelved.

The embattled Mulki, who had led the push for the unpopular austerity measures, resigned following several days of mass protests across Jordan against the tax plan, the latest in a series of economic reforms sought by the International Monetary Fund to get the rising public debt under control.

The kingdom has experienced an economic downturn in part because of prolonged conflict in neighbouring Syria and Iraq, and a large influx of refugees in recent years. The official unemployment rate has risen above 18%, and its believed to be double that among young Jordanians.

In a sign of continued unrest, protests continued even after Mulkis resignation. Several thousand Jordanians marched toward the prime ministers office in the night from Monday to Tuesday.

Riot police scuffled with some of the marchers, trying to keep them away from the building, but the fifth street protest in as many days was largely peaceful.

Protesters said personnel changes at the top are irrelevant without fundamental reforms.

Razzaz holds a doctorate in planning and a post-graduate degree in law from Harvard. He taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 2002 to 2006. From 2006-2010, he served as the World Banks country manager in Lebanon, with emphasis on private sector development and infrastructure finance.

Razzaz then returned to Jordan to head the Social Security Corporation, and from 2011-12, led the national team responsible for preparing a national employment strategy.A Bahraini appeals court on Tuesday upheld a five-year jail sentence in a case against high-profile activist Nabeel Rajab linked to social media, a rights group and family member said.

Rajab, a leading figure in 2011 protests against the Gulf states Sunni-minority monarchy, was convicted of insulting the state, deliberately disseminating ... false or malicious news and publicly offending a foreign country, a reference to Saudi Arabia.

The charges are linked to tweets and retweets made via Rajabs account and critical of the Saudi-led coalition, including Bahrain, fighting in Yemen in support of its beleaguered government since 2015.

He also tweeted criticism of the Bahraini governments treatment of prisoners.

Tuesdays verdict, reported by the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy and confirmed to AFP by a family member of Rajab, can still be appealed at Bahrains Court of Cassation, its highest court.

Rights groups were swift to condemn the verdict, with Amnesty International describing it as outrageous and calling for Rajabs immediate release.

The Bahraini Court of Appeal has missed a vital opportunity to do the right thing and set Nabeel Rajab free, said Lynn Maalouf, Amnestys director of Middle East research.

His ongoing detention is further proof of the Bahraini authorities relentless determination to squash the right to freedom of expression... It is absolutely outrageous that he has to spend another single day behind bars solely for expressing his opinion online.

The International Federation for Human Rights said the conviction showed Rajab was a political prisoner, subject to degrading treatment and who has to be silenced at any price.

Bahrain, a Shiite-majority country located between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been ruled for more than two centuries by the Al-Khalifa dynasty.

Authorities have jailed dozens of high-profile activists and disbanded both religious and secular opposition groups since protests demanding political change erupted in 2011.

They have stripped hundreds of those convicted of their citizenship, leaving many stateless.

The Bahraini government has accused Iranian authorities of backing the protest movement in a bid to overthrow it.

Tehran denies involvement.

Amnesty has categorised Rajab as a prisoner of conscience, and leading rights groups around the world have condemned his trials as an attack on freedom of expression.

Rajab is already serving a two-year sentence for disseminating rumours and false information in television interviews critical of the government.

He has served multiple stints in prison since 2012, all linked to his role in the protests.

Bahrain, playing a key military role in the Gulf, is home to the US Navys Fifth Fleet and a British military base.

US President Donald Trump has eased restrictions on arms sales to Bahrain since taking office in January last year.US President Donald Trump will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong un at 9:00 am on June 12 at the Capella Hotel on the Sentosa Island in Singapore, the White House announced.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders revealed the timing on Monday and tweeted an update on Tuesday to confirm the exact venue. The venue for the Singapore summit between @POTUS and Leader Kim Jong Un will be the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island. We thank our great Singaporean hosts for their hospitality, she wrote.

The summit was put back on track days after Trump walked out of it. A flurry of diplomatic activity from both sides ended last week in a visit by a senior North Korean official, former spy chief Kim Yonh Chol, who handed Trump a letter from Kim. Contents of the letter have not been shared publicly.

Im not going to get into the specifics of the letter, Sanders said on Monday in response to a question. But as the president said, they were interesting, and we feel like things are continuing to move forward and good progress has been made. And were continuing to prepare for the Presidents summit.

I can tell you the President has been receiving daily briefings on North Korea from his national security team...the schedule, tentatively, for that first meeting will be on June 12 at 9:00 am Singapore time, and take place on June 11th, 9:00 pm East Coast time.

On Monday, Singapore had declared a central region housing its foreign ministry, the US embassy and several hotels as a special zone from June 10 to 14.

The amended zone included Sentosa island.Eleven people were killed and nine injured Tuesday in an explosion at an iron-ore mine in northeast Chinas Liaoning province, state media reported.

Twenty-five people are trapped in the mine run by China National Coal Group Co, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The injured have been rushed to hospital and the municipal government of Benxi, where the accident occurred, has dispatched a rescue team, CCTV said.

Deadly mining accidents are common in China due to lack of safety precautions.

A gas leak killed at least 18 people working in a coal mine in central Hunan province in May last year.

Seventeen other coal miners were killed when a lift used to move workers fell down a shaft in northeastern Heilongjiang province in March 2017.

In December 2016, explosions in two separate coal mines in the Inner Mongolia region and in Heilongjiang killed at least 59 people.

Also in 2016, 33 miners were killed in a colliery explosion in October in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing, and in September at least 18 were killed in a mine blast in the northwestern Ningxia region.US federal prosecutors have accused President Donald Trumps one-time campaign chairman Paul Manafort of witness tampering in a case of alleged money laundering and bank and tax fraud.

Manafort and long-time associate Rick Gates are alleged to have repeatedly contacted members of a public relations group of former European officials, only identified as the Hapsburg Group in court filings, to give false testimony in the case.

These contacts and attempt to influence witnesses took place between February and April this year, while Manafort was under house arrest on a $10 million bond.

Prosecutors working with special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 elections and possible collusion by Trump campaign aides, told the court that Manafort had violated terms of release and should be committed to jail.

Manafort served as Trump campaign chairman for a few months before he was thrown out over his lobbying work for a pro-Russia party in Ukraine. Muellers team charged him in October 2017 and February 2018 with bank fraud, tax evasion, money laundering and for violating lobbying laws.

Gates, who had also served on the Trump campaign, was also charged in the 2017 indictment but he has since pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the investigation under a deal. Manafort is contesting the charges. The prospects of being sent to jail pending trial could change his legal strategy, or he may choose to battle on.

Trump has sought to shield himself from his former campaign chair, arguing Manaforts legal troubles have nothing to do with the campaign and precede it by years and it has still not yielded no evidence either of Russian meddling or collusion..

Muellers prosecutors said in court filings on Monday that Manafort had been in touch with two officials of the PR group directly and through a long-time associate who represented him in Ukraine and who has alleged links to Russian intelligence.

Through phone calls and messages on WhatsApp, they tried to persuade the former European officials to testify that their lobbying work on Manaforts behalf was confined to Europe and not the United States.

They should say their lobbying and public relations work was exclusively in Europe, one of the PR group officials told the FBI, according to court documents.

In one WhatsApp message, Manaforts associate wrote, Basically P wants to give him a quick summary that he says to everybody (which is true) that our friends never lobbied in the U.S., and the purpose of the program was EU.

Prosecutors have said Manafort engaged the group in 2012 and paid it 2 million till 2013, and it was a part of a secret and undisclosed lobbying activity undertaken by Manafort on behalf of his Ukrainian clients in the US. Manafort is arguing they lobbied only the EU.

This is not the first time prosecutors have complained about Manaforts activities while he is free pending trial. He had earlier helped draft an opinion piece meant for Ukrainian publications that defended his lobbying work.Several MPs and members of the House of Lords on Tuesday joined a demonstration outside the British Parliament and extended support to Indian and other non-EU professionals hit by the Home Office using a rule meant for terrorists and criminals to deny them permanent stay in the country.

This was the fourth such demonstration since January.

Nearly 1,000 highly skilled professionals have been affected after immigration officials used paragraph 322 (5) of the Immigration Act to refuse them indefinite leave to remain in the country after at least four years of stay in the UK, paying taxes and contributing to the economy.

Home secretary Sajid Javid has promised a review of their applications and a stay on using the dreaded rule that was invoked when applications showed the professionals had rectified their tax returns, which was construed as indication of dishonest conduct.

Refusal entails no permission to work and other consequences, including deportation.

Lawmakers who promised support inside and outside Parliament included Stephen Doughty (Labour), Alison Thewliss (Scottish National Party), Stephen McCabe (Labour), Ruth Cadbury (Labour), Afzal Khan (Labour) and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour).

Aditi Bhardwaj, co-organiser of the protest, said there had been no update from the Home Office after Javids announcement of the review in a letter to the Home Affairs Committee of Parliament last week. She added that many lives had been turned upside down due to the use of the rule.

The review announcement is fine, but what is the Home Office doing about those who have already been affected and have come again today to protest from all over Britain. They are still unable to work due to the refusal. We are yet to see any positive development, she said.

Indian and other non-EU professionals demonstrating outside the British parliament in London on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

The row developed as part of what is called the policy of hostile environment of the Home Office seeking to reduce immigration into Britain. The professionals  such as solicitors, doctors, chemists and teachers  had come on the Tier 1 (General) visa.

Javid informed the Home Affairs Committee: I have asked the Immigration Minister to conduct a review of the cohort of cases who arrived under the Tier 1 General route and were refused due to discrepancies with their HMRC (tax) records.

I can confirm that all applications potentially falling for refusal under the character and conduct provisions of paragraph 322(5) in the Tier 1 (General) ILR and 10-year Long Residency routes, where the applicant had previously been in the Tier 1 (General) route, have been put on hold pending the findings of the current review.

As part of the review, Javid said the Home Office was also checking individual case records to identify any applicants who were removed from the United Kingdom having been refused permanent stay under paragraph 322(5).

We have identified 19 individuals who were refused indefinite leave to remain and subsequently made voluntary departures from the UK. One has since been issued with a visa to return to the UK having applied under a different provision of the immigration rules, he wrote.Howard Schultz announced on Monday he is stepping down as chairman of Starbucks Corp, a company he transformed from a little-known coffee chain into a global behemoth, and is looking at a range of options including public service, which reignited long-time speculation about a presidential run.

Ill be thinking about a range of options for myself, from philanthropy to public service, but Im a long way from knowing what the future holds, Schultz wrote in a letter to employees.

He will leave the company on June 26 and become its chairman emeritus.

In an interview with The New York Times, however, he did not deny or dismiss the possibility of a career in politics as he had in the past.

I want to be truthful with you without creating more speculative headlines. For some time now, I have been deeply concerned about our country  the growing division at home and our standing in the world, he said.

Schultz calls himself a lifelong Democrat and donated to the campaign of Hillary Clinton, and has been a strident critic of President Donald Trump.

We have a president that is creating episodic chaos every single day and that is no doubt affecting consumer behaviour, he told employees in an internal video in February last year.

And shortly after Trump issued an executive order suspending intake of refugees in January 2017, Shultz had announced that Starbucks would hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years. He has also been an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ rights and has built himself a well-defined place in US politics.

Speculation has started whether he will take the plunge.

There are already several dark horse candidates for 20, wrote David Axelrod, former president Barack Obamas political strategist and advisor, on Twitter. He added, in a play on a standard coffee fare, How about a dark roast candidate?

The race for the Democratic presidential ticket is already underway with speculation rife about hopefuls who include former vice-president Joe Biden; senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Chris Murphy; former governors Terry McAuliffe and Deval Patrick. And, Oprah Winfrey, despite her denials.

However, there have been no formal announcements yet.

Schultz will be the first businessman to join this group, if he does jump in, posing a direct threat to President Trump, with a storyline that is similar only in their basic premise: that they are both businessmen.

Trump was born into it and prospered with the help of millions of dollars in support from his realtor father, but Shultz built it from the scratch. He bought a little-known Seattle coffee chain where he was working as a manager and turned it into a multinational franchise with more than 28,000 stores in 77 countries, a few of them in India.

He had only 11 stores when he bought the chain, where he had started in 1981. The next year he was director of operations and marketing. And he bought Starbucks from its original owners in 1987 with the support of Bill Gates Sr, the father of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

His pitch for Starbucks was unique. The third place between home and work: a comfortable, welcoming environment that provides uplifting experiences, community and human connection.

Schultz served as the companys chief executive from 1987 to 2000 and stepped down to concentrate on its global strategy, while he remained chairman of the board.

He returned to the company to take over as CEO in 2008 and relinquished the position in 2017, handing over to current CEO Kevin Johnson.Ten people were killed in three successive suicide bombings in a mosque in southeastern Niger near the border with Nigeria, a local official said on Tuesday.

The attacks occurred late on Monday in the regional capital of Diffa, a frequent target of the Boko Haram jihadist group, the official, who asked not to be identified, told AFP.

An eye-witness said all three suicide bombers were women.

Elhadji Koura Boukar, a local councilor, said the women wearing explosive belts tried to enter a mosque during Ramadan prayers.

All the victims were worshippers who had gathered after breaking their Ramadan fast, an army spokesman said.

Security forces have cordoned off the sites and are carrying out search operations throughout the city, a security source said.

According to accounts on social media, three explosions were heard at around 10pm (2100 GMT) on Monday in Diffa Koura, an old district of the city.

The attacks came as Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou arrived in Paris for an official visit Monday. He is to continue to Brussels Tuesday.

They also follow several months of calm in the Diffa region which since February 2015 has suffered numerous attacks by Boko Haram, based across the border in northeast Nigeria.

In late April, Niamey announced a military operation against Boko Haram in the region of Lake Chad, which links Niger, Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon.

The group, which is seeking an Islamic state based on Sharia law, has caused the deaths of at least 20,000 people since it took up arms in 2009 in Nigeria.President Donald Trump has strengthened the US ties with a number of foreign leaders, the White House has said, describing the first 500 days of his presidency as a period of unprecedented success.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that since taking office, the US president has strengthened American leadership, security, prosperity and accountability.

There have been a number of major foreign policy achievements. Certainly, I think the strengthening of relationships with a number of foreign leaders, Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference.

In an apparent reference to the upcoming summit between Trump and the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12, Sanders said, I think that the conversation that were looking forward to having here in the next couple of weeks is certainly a step in the right direction.

Moving the embassy in Israel would certainly be on that list. Being tough on Russia. Being tough on trade and making sure that countries that have engaged in unfair trade practices are held accountable. Those are just a few, Sanders said in response to a question.

Sanders described the first 500 days as a period of unprecedented success on behalf of all Americans at home and abroad.

Since taking office, the President has strengthened American leadership, security, prosperity, and accountability. And as we saw from Fridays jobs report, our economy is stronger, Americans are optimistic, and business is booming, she said.

When the president predicted 3 per cent economic growth, a number of economists didnt take him seriously, including President Obamas Director of the National Economic Council and Moodys chief economist. The economy has now grown by 2.8 per cent during the first four full quarters of this administration. And we believe we are well on our way to reaching the level of growth the President has predicted, Sanders said.

The American people do not believe this strong economy is fantasy or unrealistic. Just as he promised, President Trump believes in the American people and is putting them first in every decision, she added.

The White House in a fact sheet said that Trump has re-asserted American leadership on the world stage and is achieving results for the American people.

It said Trump followed through on his promise to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Trump ordered an end to United States participation in the horrible Iran deal and immediately began the process of re-imposing sanctions that had been lifted or waived, it said, adding that he has taken action to confront aggression by Iran and its proxies.

The Department of the Treasury has issued a range of sanctions targeting Iranian activities and entities, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force.

It said, under Trump the US has led an unprecedented global campaign to achieve the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

The White House said Trumps leadership has contributed to the return of 17 Americans held overseas. In May 2018 alone, Venezuela released one American and North Korea released three Americans who came home to the United States.

Trump has secured historic increases in defence funding in order to rebuild our Nations military with the resources they need, after years of harmful sequester, it said.

Trump signed legislation to provide USD 700 billion in defence spending for fiscal year (FY) 2018 and USD 716 billion for FY 2019. The US has worked with international allies to decimate ISIS. Trump ordered strikes against Syria in response to the regimes use of chemical weapons in April 2017 and April 2018, the White House said.

President Trump had on Monday touted his first 500 days in the White House, saying many believe he has achieved more than any of his predecessors in that same time frame.The Lahore high courts decision to acquit a man accused of stabbing a young woman 23 times has triggered outrage across Pakistan, with many rights activists seeking the intervention of the countrys Chief Justice.

On Tuesday, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar took suo moto notice of the case and summoned the records on June 10, a statement from the apex court said.

Khadija Siddiqui, a law student, had gone to Davis Road in Lahore on May 3, 2016 to pick up her sister from school and when they were about to get into the car, she was attacked by a helmet-wearing man. Siddiquis younger sister was also injured.

As the attacker tried to flee, his helmet fell off when Siddiqui grabbed him and she recognised him as a classmate named Shah Hussain. She said Hussain used to harass her before the attack. Her sister recorded a statement with the police and recognised Hussain as the assailant in the courtroom.

A judicial magistrate gave Hussain a seven-year prison term on July 29, 2017. However, an appellate court reduced the sentence to five years in March after Hussain challenged his conviction.

Hussain then approached the Lahore high court, which acquitted him of all charges on Monday.

Khadija right now. All pumped to fight the next battle. Supreme Court we are coming.



Shah hussain the butcher no mafia can stop us. This is mafia vs the weak vulnerable people of the society. Decision was shocking today #WeareWithKhadija #JusticeForKhadija pic.twitter.com/XTGSZpl0F9  Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) June 4, 2018

The judge who originally tried the case had held that Hussain had stabbed Siddiqui mercilessly as severe injuries on her vital body parts clearly proved he wanted to kill her. Nothing was in favour of Hussain even after the cross-examination of witnesses, the ruling said.

The prosecution has established the case without any shadow of even a minor doubt, the judge had observed.

Following Mondays order, famous personalities such as Mahira Khan, Mawra Hocane, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Jibran Nasir came forward to support Siddiqui. Using the hashtag #JusticeForKhadija, Khan called for unity against the horrific crime.

Activist Jibran Nasir criticised the verdict and wrote: Attacker of #KhadijaSiddiqi who stabbed her 24 times has been acquitted by Lahore High Court. Is this what our justice system has come down to. First under CJP Nisar's general order, security was withdrawn from @khadeeeej751 and now her attacker has been set free.

Most of those who protested the verdict insisted there were no grounds to acquit Hussain.

"The evidence is compelling. The identity of the attacker has been established. Why then did the court rule in favour of the accused," queried actress Marwa Hocane on Twitter. They also said the judge had ruled unfairly and accused the judge of being influenced "in one way or another".She is known for her privacy and White House independence, often breaking with her husbands schedule. But Melania Trumps unusual 25-day absence from public view following surgery for a benign kidney condition has raised questions.

The first lady had been scheduled to re-emerge in the public eye late Monday at a private reception for families of US soldiers killed in action  her first public appearance since being hospitalized last month.

But the Melania mystery only deepened when the White House event took place with no media access, and another day went by with no press sighting of her.

After that reception, Mrs Trump put out a tweet that said she and Trump were honoured to pay tribute to our fallen heroes. Thank you to the Gold Star families that joined us in celebration & remembrance. Accompanying the text were photos of the reception, including one of her sitting next to the president.

Tonight @POTUS & I were honored to pay tribute to our fallen heroes. Thank you to the Gold Star families that joined us in celebration & remembrance. pic.twitter.com/6oSh1t88G7  Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) June 5, 2018

Mrs Trump, 48, has not been spotted since May 10, when she joined the president in greeting three American hostages released by North Korea.

Shortly afterwards, she entered Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what the White House described as a benign kidney procedure.

Despite the operations routine nature, Melania remained there for five days, returning to the White House on May 19.

On Sunday, her spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham confirmed that Melania will not accompany the president to the G7 summit in Canada, nor to planned North Korea nuclear talks in Singapore.

It is a noticeable shift from weeks prior to her kidney surgery, when she engaged in several high-profile events.

In April, she represented the Trumps at former first lady Barbara Bushs funeral, rolled out her Be Best awareness campaign to help children, and orchestrated an elaborate state dinner for the Macrons of France.

Following her surgery, her absence at events where the public has come to expect to see her alongside the president was well documented, leading her to take to Twitter to castigate reporters.

I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what Im doing, she tweeted Wednesday, assuring she was here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard.

The tweet sparked a conspiracy theory that Trump himself may have written Melanias message, given that working overtime is a favourite phrase of the president when he tweets about the press.

Comedian Sarah Silverman retweeted the first ladys post, adding: Who is this? wheres Melania?

The first lady skipped ceremonies, including a Memorial Day wreath-laying.

And she was not seen Friday boarding the helicopter that shuttled the president, Donald Trump Jr, and daughters Ivanka and Tiffany to Camp David for a weekend retreat.

Spokeswoman Grisham dismissed the media speculation about Melania as nonsense.

Mrs. Trump has always been a strong and independent woman who puts her family and certainly her health above all else, and that wont change over a rabid press corps, she told Fox News.

Imagination running wild

Meanwhile, the rumour mill churns online.

Some have speculated she has moved back to New York or is cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller, while others offer she may be healing after some secret plastic surgery.

Such a weeks-long disappearance by a modern-day first lady is indeed rare, said Ohio University history professor Katherine Jellison, an expert on presidents wives.

Im amazed Mrs Trump has been able to do it, she told AFP.

The first lady is not an elected position, and Melania Trump is under no obligation to keep the American people abreast of her health, activities or whereabouts.

Several 19th century first ladies spent long periods out of view. But over the past half century, it has become the expectation that people know the basic narrative of the first ladys activities.

Melania Trump, never one to obsess like her husband about media attention, has laid low before.

She went quiet in March as a media storm raged about revelations that her husbands lawyer paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 before the 2016 election to keep silent over her alleged affair with Trump years earlier.

White House silence, including about why Melania spent five days in hospital for a routine procedure, is only fuelling the speculation.

Without greater detail about her benign condition, the public imagination is running wild, Jellison said.

For most of the 20th century and certainly in the 21st century, a first lady hasnt had the option of not being a public figure  regardless of unfortunate personal circumstances.When US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meet for their historic summit in Singapore later this month, they will be protected by men from one of the fiercest warrior tribes in the world - the Gurkhas of Nepal.

While both leaders will bring their own personal security teams, elite Singaporean police, including its Gurkha Contingent, will be securing the summit venue, roads and hotels, according to diplomats familiar with VIP security in the island state.

The Gurkhas, who have a low-profile presence in Singapore, were more visible than usual at the weekend as they secured the Shangri-La Hotel for a security conference that included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US defence secretary Jim Mattis and other regional ministers.

The Gurkhas, recruited by the Singapore police from the hills of faraway Nepal, were kitted out in body armour, Belgian-made FN SCAR combat assault rifles and pistols in leg holsters at the conference, in what some security experts believed was a dry run for the US-North Korea summit.

Despite all the advanced weaponry, the Gurkhas do not prepare for battle without the khukri - the heavy curved knife that is their traditional weapon of choice. According to custom, the khukri must draw blood every time it is unsheathed.

They are among the best Singapore can offer, and I am sure they will be involved (in the summit), said Tim Huxley, an expert on Singapores armed forces at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

They remain very much a substantial and frontline force, and the demands of this kind of event are precisely the sort of special operation that the Gurkhas are trained to handle, he said.

A spokesman for the Singapore police declined to comment on the deployment of the Gurkhas or their numbers.

The IISS Military Balance says 1,800 Gurkhas serve in the Singapore police, across six paramilitary companies.

A legacy in part of the British colonial era and more recent pragmatic Singaporean leadership, Singapores Gurkhas are linked to a British tradition that has recruited and paid for elite regiments of soldiers from Nepal for more than 200 years.

Beaten back by the Gurkhas in the 19th century Anglo-Nepalese War and admired for their valour and fighting skills, the colonial British then began to recruit them. Now Gurkhas serve in the British, Indian and Nepalese armies, as well as in Brunei and Singapore.

They have fought in both world wars as well as the Falklands conflict and, more recently, in Afghanistan.

Tough, vigilant and steadfast

Huxley said the Gurkhas had long proven to be an asset to Singapores leadership, providing a neutral force within an ethnically diverse city-state, including VIP and anti-riot protection.

At times of regional tension, they have protected international schools, and are often seen at the Malaysia-Singapore border crossings.

The Singapore Police website describes the group as tough, vigilant and steadfast that operates across the spectrum of paramilitary operations to help safeguard Singapore.

They live with their families in the secure Mount Vernon Camp outside the city, an enclave that ordinary Singaporeans are not allowed to enter.

A woman married to a Gurkha who lived in the camp said life there was restricted.

We have a curfew of 12 midnight, she said. For women, we can let them know if we have a genuine reason to stay out, for men, there is no excuse.

One of the rules we have is that we have to be in bed by 10.30 p.m. every night. This means no music, no nothing. Even if we have a party, we need to stop. If not, there will be some form of enforcement by the people patrolling.

Typically recruited at 18 or 19 before being trained in Singapore, the Gurkha soldiers retire at 45 when they are repatriated. While their children attend local schools, Gurkhas are not allowed to marry local women.

A handful of ex-British Army officers serve as sworn-in Singapore police in senior leadership, training and organisational roles.

Although they are police, the links between the contingent and the British Army remain deep and strong, one British Army officer said. They are part of a fine tradition.W oolwich has suddenly become Coolwich, boosted by a new Crossrail station thats due to open at the end of this year, and by continuing regeneration at Royal Arsenal Riverside, the splendid old munitions factory being transformed into an 80-acre riverside estate with 5,000 homes.

Woolwich has a DLR station and a riverbus pier, and is becoming a cultural attraction, with art fairs and food festivals, while its previously run-down town centre is getting a facelift.

Posh estate agent Knight Frank has seen the potential and opened a new branch there.

Woolwich remains good hunting territory for first-time buyers on a budget, especially with Help to Buy deals.

Living in Woolwich - the lowdown 1 /9 Living in Woolwich - the lowdown The lowdown Poised to become one of the big winners from the arrival of the Elizabeth line, Woolwich will have its own station stop on the new service in 14 months time. Already a place of great historic interest with many heritage buildings, Woolwich is being transformed with thousands of new homes and a revitalised town centre. Daniel Lynch Schools Woolwichs state primary schools are all rated good or better by Ofsted. Finding a good state secondary school is more of a challenge, with a number of local ones requiring improvement. The only outstanding comprehensive is Woolwich Polytechnic. Daniel Lynch Travel Woolwich Arsenal station has trains to Charing Cross via London Bridge and Cannon Street, and Woolwich Dockyard station has trains to Cannon Street. Woolwich Arsenal is on the Docklands Light Railway with trains to Canning Town where the Jubilee line offers a quick service to Canary Wharf. Thames Clipper river boats run from Woolwich Arsenal pier at Royal Arsenal Riverside to Canary Wharf, London Bridge and Westminster. Woolwich Arsenal is in Zone 4 and an annual travelcard to Zone 1 is 1,860. Woolwich Dockyard station is in Zone 3 and the annual travelcard is 1,520. Daniel Lynch The property scene With so many new homes going up it is easy to forget that Woolwich also has a stock of period houses. There are also converted houses and flats in heritage buildings in the arsenal and right-to-buy flats on estates of social housing. And for fans of pioneering self-build housing, there are two small enclaves of Walter Segal houses  at Parish Wharf off Woodhill, and in Llanover Road. Daniel Lynch The Assembly sculpture installation Keep an eye out for 40 life-size male and female reclaimed copper figures. Daniel Lynch Harry Perry Cycles Owner Paul Mepham boasts one of the oldest continual businesses in Woolwich, having operated since 1908. Family-owned, the one-stop-shop sells everything bike related from spares to servicing. Daniel Lynch Hop Stuff Brewery This independent craft brewery has been serving residents of Woolwich for the past four years. Craft beer enthusiasts can enjoy a core selection of five beers alongside seasonal specials. (Pictured: Senior brewer Luke Schram.) Daniel Lynch The Taproom Offering a daily rotating guest ale selection, The Taproom has been operating for 2 years as an aside to the Hop Stuff brewery. Visitors can also enjoy a upstairs restaurant selling sourdough pizzas and chicken wings. Daniel Lynch The Royal Arsenal Farmer's Market The Royal Arsenal Farmer's Market, Major Draper Street, operates twice monthly on the second and last Saturday of each month. Daniel Lynch

Its still up and coming and relatively affordable because it started from such a low base.

Civil servant John Banks and publishing executive Sophie Meads, both 24, bought their first home together at Trinity Walk, a new town centre scheme of flats and houses. Previously they rented in the area.

The couple bought a one-bedroom flat for 355,000 under the Help-to-Buy scheme, requiring a five per cent deposit of 17,750.

Its made a huge difference, both in terms of lifestyle and finance, says John.

John Banks and Sophie Meads ( Saunders / Digital Nation Photography) / A S Saunders / Digital Nation Photography

Our monthly payments are about 700 a month, plus 150 service charge, which combined is still cheaper than the flat we rented. And this place is much nicer.

Crossrail is a big bonus, says Sophie. Not just for commuting to work in central London but for visiting our families in Cambridge, as well be able to get to Liverpool Street to catch the train from there in just 14 minutes whereas now it can easily take an hour.

Prices from 360,000. Call Lovell Homes on 020 3131 8511.

Trinity Walk: a new scheme in Woolwich town centre ( Saunders / Digital Nation Photography) / A S Saunders / Digital Nation Photography

With more than 20 listed buildings, a grid of wide avenues and a quarter-mile of river frontage, Royal Arsenal Riverside has cachet.

Its success is largely due to its blend of restored architecture and sympathetically designed new-build blocks.

Pavilion Square, the latest phase, includes duplexes carved from the estates oldest building, constructed in 1696 during the reign of William III.

Alongside it are red-brick mansion-style apartment blocks, with prices from 480,000.

Some homes are available for discount market sale, with prices starting at 320,000, open to people who already live or work in Greenwich borough. Call 020 8108 7155.Appointment

5 June 2018

HAPI, a transformative new data streaming, integration and enrichment platform designed to solve the hotel industry's rapidly expanding data management challenges, has appointed Laurent Idrac, a 30-year veteran of the global hotel technology industry to its Board of Advisors. In preparation for rapid adoption and growth, this strategic appointment reflects HAPI's commitment to true innovation, leadership and positive change for the hotel market. Currently serving as an independent consultant, Idrac is a recognized hotel technology leader whose career spans over three decades. He managed IT departments for Accor North America from 2002 until 2012 and, as Global Chief Information Officer for AccorHotels, oversaw numerous IT projects that contributed to the company's global digital transformation. From 2012 to 2017, Idrac managed AccorHotels' partnership with the Innovation Factory, the first innovation campus cluster in Paris. In 2014, he was elected to the Board of Governors of HTNG (Hospitality Technology Next Generation). He also served as a member of the Customer Advisory Boards of Oracle and Amadeus Hospitality and in 2017, received the Innovation Award from CHTA (China Hospitality Technology Alliance).Press Release

5 June 2018

Dusit International, one of Thailand's foremost hotel and property development companies, has announced its plans to open at least 10 new properties over the next 12 months across Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore and Vietnam - raising the number of Dusit-branded properties in operation to 37.

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The openings are in line with Dusit's three-pronged strategy for sustainable and profitable growth, which includes balance, expansion and diversification. Following this strategy, the company aims to have more than 14,000 keys in operation across more than 20 countries by 2021. Today, the company operates 27 hotels, representing over 7,000 keys, across nine countries.

Dusit's brand lineup, which covers midscale through to luxury segments, comprises Dusit Thani, Dusit Devarana, dusitD2, and Dusit Princess. The company also recently introduced ASAI Hotels, an offshoot, affordable lifestyle brand designed to link millennial-minded travellers with authentic local experiences in vibrant destinations worldwide. Five ASAI Hotels are already in the pipeline: one in Bangkok, three in the Philippines, and one in Myanmar.

To fuel its sustainable expansion, Dusit has a promotion and hiring policy that ensures only top management talent is appointed at its properties.

Recent senior leadership appointments made by the company include:

Mr Lars Eltvik as Managing Director of PHI Education, Dusit Hospitality Management College, and dusitD2 The Fort, Manila, Philippines. This is an expanded role for Mr Eltvik, who was previously the company's Managing Director of Education. He will oversee the operations of Dusit's pioneering college and hotel, which offers a fully integrated learning and training experience. He brings more than 30 years of experience in hospitality education and hotel operations to the role.

as Managing Director of PHI Education, Dusit Hospitality Management College, and dusitD2 The Fort, Manila, Philippines. This is an expanded role for Mr Eltvik, who was previously the company's Managing Director of Education. He will oversee the operations of Dusit's pioneering college and hotel, which offers a fully integrated learning and training experience. He brings more than 30 years of experience in hospitality education and hotel operations to the role. Mr Kris Panyasuksri as General Manager (GM) of dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu, Bhutan. Formerly the resident manager of Dusit's award-winning Dusit Thani Maldives resort, Mr Panyasuksri was recently promoted to lead the company's first hotel in Bhutan (opening Q3 2018). Prior to joining Dusit in 2015, Mr Panyasuksri was Resident Manager of Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives.

as General Manager (GM) of dusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu, Bhutan. Formerly the resident manager of Dusit's award-winning Dusit Thani Maldives resort, Mr Panyasuksri was recently promoted to lead the company's first hotel in Bhutan (opening Q3 2018). Prior to joining Dusit in 2015, Mr Panyasuksri was Resident Manager of Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives. Mr David Baldwin as GM of Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, a 271-key resort situated on the northern peninsula of Mactan island, Philippines (opening Q4 2018). In a career spanning more than 30 years, Mr Baldwin has worked for luxury hotel chains such as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Ian Schrager Hotels, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Accor Hotels. Prior to joining Dusit, he was the Pre-Opening General Manager of Sofitel Guiyang Hunter - Guiyang, China.

as GM of Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, a 271-key resort situated on the northern peninsula of Mactan island, Philippines (opening Q4 2018). In a career spanning more than 30 years, Mr Baldwin has worked for luxury hotel chains such as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Ian Schrager Hotels, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Accor Hotels. Prior to joining Dusit, he was the Pre-Opening General Manager of Sofitel Guiyang Hunter - Guiyang, China. Mr Eric Piatti as GM of Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore, the first Dusit-branded hotel in the country (opening Q1 2019). Mr Piatti brings to his role more than 30 years of senior management experience at luxury hotels in the USA, Switzerland, Japan, China, India, Egypt and Thailand. Prior to joining Dusit, he spent five years as GM of Swissotel Nai Lert Park, Bangkok, Thailand.

as GM of Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore, the first Dusit-branded hotel in the country (opening Q1 2019). Mr Piatti brings to his role more than 30 years of senior management experience at luxury hotels in the USA, Switzerland, Japan, China, India, Egypt and Thailand. Prior to joining Dusit, he spent five years as GM of Swissotel Nai Lert Park, Bangkok, Thailand. Mr Christopher Wichlan as GM of dusitD2 Davao, Dusit Thani Residences Davao, and Dusit Thani Lubi Island Resort. Since starting his career more than 20 years ago, Mr Wichlan has worked for luxury hotel brands such as InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt. Prior to joining Dusit, he was GM of Crowne Plaza Phuket Panwa Beach. Dusit's upcoming projects in Davao City, Philippines, are slated to soft open in Q1 2019.

as GM of dusitD2 Davao, Dusit Thani Residences Davao, and Dusit Thani Lubi Island Resort. Since starting his career more than 20 years ago, Mr Wichlan has worked for luxury hotel brands such as InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt. Prior to joining Dusit, he was GM of Crowne Plaza Phuket Panwa Beach. Dusit's upcoming projects in Davao City, Philippines, are slated to soft open in Q1 2019. Mr Saman Sarathchandra as GM of dusitD2 Resort and Spa Vung Tau, Vietnam (opening Q1 2019). The Sri-Lankan born, Swiss National has worked in the hospitality industry for over 35 years. Prior to joining Dusit he was Senior General Manager of Sedona Suites Hanoi, Vietnam. He also spent several years in Myanmar as GM of Sedona's hotels in Mandalay and Yangon.

as GM of dusitD2 Resort and Spa Vung Tau, Vietnam (opening Q1 2019). The Sri-Lankan born, Swiss National has worked in the hospitality industry for over 35 years. Prior to joining Dusit he was Senior General Manager of Sedona Suites Hanoi, Vietnam. He also spent several years in Myanmar as GM of Sedona's hotels in Mandalay and Yangon. Mr Atique Rahman as GM of Dusit Princess Dhaka, Bangladesh - another country debut for Dusit - which is slated to soft open in Q2 next year. US national Mr Rahman has worked in the hospitality industry for over 37 years for companies such as Ramada, Radisson Hotels, Pan Pacific, and Westin. Prior to joining Dusit, he was Group Executive Director for Lakeshore Hotels, Gulshan, Dhaka, overseeing four hotels.

Dusit International will soon appoint leaders for the upcoming Dusit Princess Cebu City, Philippines; dusitD2 Salwa, Doha; and Dusit Hotel and Suites Doha. Dusit Fudu Hotels & Resorts, which represents the company in China, will appoint leaders at upcoming properties in Nanjing, Fuzhou, and Zhouzhuang.

"As our global expansion continues apace, I am delighted we have such a talented, experienced and driven team to lead the operations of our upcoming properties," said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. "In line with our mission to uniquely deliver gracious hospitality to the world, it is important we have GMs who share and embrace our values, and who always strive to exceed guest expectations at their respective properties. By hiring and promoting the best, we can ensure a culture of excellence permeates our entire company."Supplier News

5 June 2018

London and New York  OTA Insight , the cloud-based data intelligence platform for the hospitality industry, today announced a partnership with Outrigger Hotels and Resorts to drive better revenue and distribution decisions for its multi-branded line of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region. Outrigger Hotels and Resorts turned to OTA Insight's suite of revenue intelligence tools to help understand pricing trends and gain greater insights into their markets throughout the Pacific. The partnership represents a monumental milestone for the company as now, 30,000 hotels worldwide are benefiting from OTA Insight's solutions.

"Not maintaining parity is one of the largest threats to our brand and OTA Insight allows us to efficiently track down rate parity violations. Additionally, we are able to measure parity loss by property, which allows us to hold our revenue leaders accountable across various locations," says Jenna Villalobos, Vice President of Revenue Management, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts.

OTA Insight's customer milestone showcases strong growth to its North American and APAC business divisions. Since entering the market in August 2016, OTA Insight's ability to expand rapidly in this region is a testament to its hard work in creating a simple-to-use, intuitive and interactive platform that customers have quickly embraced.

The addition of Outrigger Hotels & Resorts highlights OTA Insight's ability to have a direct and meaningful impact, early-on. "Although we are still in the early rollout phase, we have already seen gains in being able to diagnose, communicate, and address pricing issues quickly across our properties," adds Villalobos in regards to Outrigger's partnership with OTA Insight.

"Our platform allows hoteliers to focus on the data sets that matter most to achieve their revenue goals," says Gino Engels, Co-founder and CCO of OTA Insight. "We are thrilled Outrigger Hotels and Resorts as well as our other 30,000 customers continue to drive value in our user-friendly revenue management tools, and specifically our parity monitoring capabilities."

OTA Insight provides the tools to make smarter pricing and distribution decisions and enables hoteliers to manage and track all the relevant factors that can impact demand. Through the partnership, hoteliers at Outrigger Hotels and Resorts will have access to a suite of revenue intelligence solutions including OTA Insight's rate intelligence dashboard, parity monitoring, events tracker, and ranking and review analytics.

For more information, please visit: www.otainsight.com .

ABOUT OUTRIGGER HOTELS AND RESORTS

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts is a privately held leisure lodging, retail and hospitality company with corporate offices in Hawaii and operating globally in the Asia-Pacific, Oceania and Indian Ocean regions. From its Outrigger Signature Experiences to its Outrigger DISCOVERY loyalty program, the values-based company invites guests to escape ordinary with exceptional hospitality and authentic cultural experiences, incorporating local traditions and customs at each of its properties worldwide. Founded in 1947, Outrigger has grown into a highly successful, multi-branded portfolio of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties, including Outrigger Resorts, OHANA Hotels by Outrigger, Hawaii Vacation Condos by Outrigger, Embassy Suites, Best Western, Wyndham Vacation Ownership and Hilton Grand VacationsTM. Outrigger currently operates and/or has under development 37 properties with approximately 6,500 rooms located in Hawaii (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island); Guam; Fiji; Thailand; Mauritius; and the Maldives. Find Outrigger at: www.outrigger.com or visit @OutriggerResorts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Supplier News

5 June 2018

Miami - June 5, 2018 - HAPI, a transformative new data streaming, integration and enrichment platform designed to solve the hotel industry's rapidly expanding data management challenges, has appointed Laurent Idrac, a 30-year veteran of the global hotel technology industry to its Board of Advisors. In preparation for rapid adoption and growth, this strategic appointment reflects HAPI's commitment to true innovation, leadership and positive change for the hotel market.

"I have a strong belief that HAPI serves the entire hospitality industry by solving its two most burning issues that dramatically slow down innovation  data management and system integration," stated Idrac. "I wore a hotelier hat for most of my life in the U.S. and abroad, so I understand what is needed to better serve guests, cope with permanent change and data that continues to grow exponentially. I am honored to join HAPI to work alongside talented experts and highly respected professionals for the greater good of our industry."

Currently serving as an independent consultant, Idrac is a recognized hotel technology leader whose career spans over three decades. He managed IT departments for Accor North America from 2002 until 2012 and, as Global Chief Information Officer for AccorHotels, oversaw numerous IT projects that contributed to the company's global digital transformation. From 2012 to 2017, Idrac managed AccorHotels' partnership with the Innovation Factory, the first innovation campus cluster in Paris. In 2014, he was elected to the Board of Governors of HTNG (Hospitality Technology Next Generation). He also served as a member of the Customer Advisory Boards of Oracle and Amadeus Hospitality and in 2017, received the Innovation Award from CHTA (China Hospitality Technology Alliance).

"We are grateful to have one of the greatest minds in the hotel technology industry to help guide us in our quest for true innovation and change in our industry," said Luis Segredo, president and CEO of Data Travel, LLC, the developer of HAPI. "With his exceptional intellect and integrity, Laurent is uniquely qualified to help us identify opportunities for meaningful change and opportunity."

HAPI's comprehensive data streaming, integration and enrichment platform aggregates data that is collected by disparate hotel systems and acts as a central hub for these hospitality data streams.

"Every hotelier knows that the most common IT issues are related to interfaces between systems - and every technologist in hospitality is struggling with having so many systems that need to 'talk to each other' and with only poorly architectured solutions available," continued Idrac. "Most systems on the market rely on obsolete point-to-point connections, with a change in one impacting links to the others, creating data inconsistency and dramatically reducing performance. HAPI is the only answer to that dilemma. Also adding a significant burden to hoteliers are compliance requirements, such as GDPR. HAPI has considered these stringent privacy requirements since the initial design and data governance is a critical piece of its foundation."

To learn more about the HAPI data streaming and integration platform, please schedule a demo at HITEC Booth # 2810 (Data Travel, LLC) in Houston, June 19-21 or visit hapicloud.io.Supplier News

5 June 2018

PITTSBURGH - Aptech Computer Systems announced La Corsha Hospitality Group implemented the PVNG Enterprise Accounting System across 10 properties. La Corsha converted from Aptech's Profitvue hotel accounting software to web-based PVNG to enable remote accounting operations and greater financial reporting flexibility. La Corsha (LCHG) operates a mix of managed and owned properties across Texas that includes hotels, restaurants and a multi-city parking company. Aptech is the leading provider of hospitality business intelligence, budgeting and forecasting, and enterprise accounting hotel software systems. Click here for more on Aptech's products and services.

"We converted to PVNG Enterprise Accounting because LCHG wanted a web-based system that could handle its varied mix of hotels and restaurants with the flexibility of remote operations. PVNG does this for us very well," said Roberta McKenna, regional controller with La Corsha Hospitality Group. "Aptech converted our chart of accounts seamlessly from Profitvue to PVNG for all our companies. In our custom financial statements, the function I find particularly valuable is PVNG's ability to drill down into each number showing transactional level detail. The transparency this provides us gives confidence to owners and managers while making answering questions quick and easy."

PVNG hotel accounting software also lets operators easily define user roles and system access to limit staff interaction with functions not necessary for their roles. "It is important to control what the staff sees and doesn't see within the system. We all play different roles within the organization. PVNG lets us grant individual staff access to certain modules they need for their level of work. We are able to segregate duties by role, so our Accounts Payable staff is limited to our Accounts Payable Module," McKenna said. "This is very important to auditors. By limiting staff access, we've created a control mechanism whereby we are not only reducing risk, but each person can work more efficiently with reduced errors. We have the ability to change access levels as a staff member's knowledge and responsibility increase and their role expands or changes."

McKenna noted that PVNG's multi-company functionality is important to La Corsha. "Texas has unique reporting requirements that PVNG's flexible financials comply with easily. Also, since PVNG is web-based, many of our staff members can work remotely, me included. This increases productivity. We originally installed Aptech's Profitvue because it is hotel-specific. Aptech's excellent support and industry knowledge were part of the reason we upgraded to PVNG. Its team responds to our questions and system refinement suggestions quickly. Aptech's personalized professional service is exceptional and highly valuable to our operations."

Jill Wilder, Aptech's vice president, said, "La Corsha is a long-term Aptech client. Its team's experience and operational suggestions contributed several valuable PVNG enhancements during their first months of use. We are grateful for their feedback. Aptech's staff works closely with users to continuously improve our enterprise accounting, business intelligence, and budgeting and forecasting systems."

Aptech Computer Systems is both an IBM and Prophix Business Partner offering Execuvue web-enabled Business Intelligence, Targetvue Budgeting and Forecasting, and PVNG Enterprise Accounting systems that are 100% hospitality specific. Aptech is the only company that provides a complete suite of financial management and analysis solutions for the hotel industry.

About La Corsha Hospitality Group

La Corsha Hospitality Group is an Austin, Texas-based management and consulting company founded in early 2006 by industry veteran Jeff Trigger. Trigger and his associates have an extensive background that specializes in operating luxury hotels, restoring and repositioning historic properties, and developing independent restaurants and bars. Examples of their work include downtown Austin's Driskill Hotel; Dallas' Mansion on Turtle Creek, Hotel Adolphus, and Stoneleigh Hotel and Spa; San Antonio's Saint Anthony Hotel; Big Spring's Hotel Settles; and Marfa's Hotel Saint George and La Venture Restaurant. La Corsha's restaurant development, Congress Austin, introduced the renowned 5-Star restaurant, Congress. For more information on La Corsha, click here.

About Aptech Computer Systems, Inc.

Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All of its clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement.

The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry, and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider, as well as a Prophix Premier Business Partner.

Incorporated in 1970, Aptech's state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include PVNG, Execuvue, and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties - including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue is registered to Aptech Computer Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information please visit www.aptech-inc.com.Apple is now worth a staggering $945 billion, driven in part by solid sales for the iPhone 8 and X, particularly in China and Japan, as well as a spike in revenue from its App Store. Shares for the company have risen almost 13% this year, which is much better than the overall market.

However, in order for the company to reach the $1 trillion mark, their stock would need to increase another 6% to around $202.30 a share. Apple would need to introduce some buzz-worthy new products to galvanize patronage and bolster their market valuation.

The tech giant's sales have increased 16% throughout the first three months of 2018, whilst also utilizing $267 billion in cash to boost their dividend and stock buyback program to reward investors.

In other Apple news, the California-based company has introduced a new anti-tracking feature for their Safari browser that takes a direct hit at Facebook. During their annual Worldwide Developers Conference, VP of software Craig Federighi notes how "weve all seen these like buttons and share buttons. Well it turns out, these can be used to track you, whether you click on them or not. So this year, were shutting that down." He then tests this new feature by asking the crowd "do you want to allow facebook.com to use cookies?" which is a not-so-subtle jab at the Mark Zuckerberg-owned conglomerate, who recently experienced public backlash for breach of trust following the revelation of data mining by Cambridge Analytica.Kanye West launched the release of his album Ye with hundreds of attendees that included fellow celebrities and artists, journalists, influencers and more in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While Kanye West is the first rapper to host a listening party in Diamond Cross Ranch in Wyoming, it's looking like he'll also be the last.

TheBlast recently spoke to Jane Golliher, owner and operator of Diamond Cross Ranch, where Kanye West hosted his Ye listening party. She admits that it was a good opportunity for more exposure for their business but it was also the "most confusing" event they've helped coordinate.

Golliher explained that the event was a "learning curve," specifically because of the music. She says 'Ye was originally planned to be hosted inside of the ranch but he changed his mind "every 30 minutes" which resulted in the party being hosted outside. Unfortunately, the loud music caused several of the ranch's neighbors to complain. She maintains that 'Ye's team was amazing but she felt like she was misled by the details. She also said 'Ye's team made it pretty obvious that he does whatever he pleases. However, she says she has no problems with Kanye.

Teton County has pretty strict rules when it comes to noise. They say that any sound after 10 p.m. has to be kept beneath 80 decibels but 'Ye and his party had the music as loud as 120 decibels. In addition, the party was expected to end at 10 p.m. but didn't start until 9:30 p.m. At one point, Golliher's husband threatened to cut the power on the event unless it shuts down. She also had to send employees to neighboring lodges to avoid anybody making any complaints with the county.

Unfortunately, she says that there will be "no more rappers" at the ranch but she's open to events with "good music." In addition, she says they undercharged the event and would've charged $50K in retrospect.

Whether Kanye West hosts another event there or not, it's clear that he's turned Jackson Hole up a whole new level.Kanye West's launch for Ye wasn't extravagant as The Life Of Pablo but it was just as memorable. The rapper flew out tons of influencers, journalists, critics and fellow celebrities to hear the album for the first time ever in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It's likely the first time that any rapper has hosted their album listening party in Wyoming but according to a new report, attendees were eating good out there.

According to TheBlast, Kanye West hired some local businesses to hook up the food and beverage for 'Ye's event. Kanye hired Big Hole BBQ for the catering for the event. Since Kanye's been spending a whole lot of time in Jackson Hole, it makes sense that he's made himself familiar with the local cuisine. They report he's a "big fan" of their ribs and always gets the baby backs.

The party went through a whole lot of BBQ for the event. The report says Big Hole came through with an eight person crew. They went through 150 racks of ribs and 175 lbs of chicken. In addition, there was a lot of mac & cheese, coleslaw and beans served, all of it consumed by attendees. Kim and Kanye also didn't have any sort of "special catering" and ate with everyone else at the party.

Kanye hired local brewery, Roadhouse Brewing Co., to serve beverages for the evening. The party went through 600 beers that evening.

Overall, Kanye made sure people at his listening party were well fed.Lil Scrappy's counting his blessings right now. The rapper was recently involved in a horrible car accident that left him and his friend hospitalized.

According to TMZ, Lil Scrappy was involved in a car accident over the weekend that left him unconscious. The report says Scrappy and his friend were driving on early Sunday morning after they left King Of Diamonds strip club in Miami. The police found Scrappy as well as his friend, Ca$ino Roulette, on the ground outside of the car following the accident.

Sources close to the situation say that Scrappy believes his friend was behind the wheel at the time of the accident. He claims that his friend fell asleep behind the wheel which ultimately led them to totaling their car as they crashed into a pole. Despite this, the police claim Scrappy was the one behind the wheel at the time of the accident.

After the police found them, they say that neither Scrappy or Ca$ino was able to coherently explain what happened at the time. They say there were no witnesses nor any citations issued. Police say they car was likely going too fast for the conditions.

The report says that he didn't remember how he ended up in the hospital or who brought him there.

Scrappy's currently seriously injured and has a broken foot that needs to be operated. Ca$ino is currently in ICU.

Scrappy's wife and mother are currently at his bedside.

He also updated his fans on Instagram. Peep that below.When Jeff Wootton, lead guitarist of the Gorillaz, Jamie Reynolds of the Klaxons, and four of their fellow musicians joined up to become a supergroup, they knew that they'd have to do something special for their first release. As a result, they recruited rap's supervillain, MF DOOM, for their first single, "Drop The Bomb."

DOOM was featured on Gorillaz Demon Dayz album in the past, so the connection between him and this group already exists. What resulted was a glittering, upbeat song about war, and the nuclear bomb attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The contrast between the music and the lyrics helps to exemplify the horrors of violence, and how desensitized society has become to killing.

Check out YOTA: Youth Of The Apocalypse's MF DOOM-assisted single, "Drop The Bomb," and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

Drop jewels like they drop toxic napalm

Or even they one of their most prized possessions the H-bomb

Guaranteed to kill for generations to come

And degenerate their own civilizations to bunch of bums



Spotify's "Northern Bars" playlist curates some of Canada's finest hip-hop. In a nod to the playlist, we'll be showcasing some of the rising talent that's featured. Today we launch the photo diary series with help from Toronto's own Tasha The Amazon.

----

For the uninitiated, Tasha The Amazon's music sounds exactly as her name would suggest. The female rapper on the rise hails from Toronto, and while you may associate that particular Canadian city with a certain brand of melodic hip-hop or r'n'b (thank you Drake and The Weeknd), that's not exactly what Tasha is about. Tasha is fierce and resides mostly in a place of organized chaos. Her music is like a jungle, the audio equivalent of tangled branches and trees, lush greens, vibrant and exotic flowers, her vocals almost bark-like, hardened. "Die Every Day," the title track of her most recent EP embodies this perfectly, with unidentified bird-esque noises incorporated alongside the pounding of drums and a vocal sample chopped into the production to create a worldly, amazonian feeling.

These elements of mother nature are often carried through her visuals too: in the video for "Watch It Burn," Tasha does just that, watching as a fire builds up and burns, surrounded by a blaze of fireworks.

Her most recent release, "Intercontinental," which appears on the Spotify playlist "Northern Bars" below, is another ferocious release, the production seemingly overgrown to surround her metallic vocals. It's a big record, one that is immersive and dark, just as you might imagine the jungle to be. While Tasha remains experimental, she still seems to call upon an age-old hip-hop technique, with a focus and precision when it comes on her #bars.

To truly bring you into Tasha's world and show you what she's about, we handed Tasha a point-and-shoot camera and let her showcase her own Views of the Six. Tasha currently resides in Trinity-Bellwoods / West Queen West area of Toronto, which she tells us is where we'll find "all the dope bars, music venues, [and] art" for anyone looking to get their tourist on. You may find her grabbing a Jamaican patty at Golden Patty, or perhaps eating some fried chicken at Bar Fancy -- she doesn't just eat food in her spare time though, she's also hitting the studio which itself looks like a jungle escape, based on the shot she shared with us, as you'll see below.

Scroll down to see the 35mm film developed, with Tasha providing the caption that accompanies each photo.

Started from the Bottom

The Amazons were women warriors from Greek mythology. They were the daughters of Ares -- the God of war -- and Harmonia -- the Goddess of harmony and concord. Although seemingly disparate qualities, combined you can imagine the type of organized destruction that may arise. Tasha the Amazon embodies their spirit, making her battleground the studio.

The pre season: The apartments where I built my 1st studio... in a walk-in closet, and produced, recorded, mixed, and hussled my first mixtape, FIDIYOOTDEM.

"Try to catch me keep dreaming/ I pull away like a speed demon: rode thru this alley on low-riders for my first music video, Scallywags...

and then took the crew over to Sneaky Dees. The whole vid only cost $300, which we mostly dropped on mickies, 40s and shots for the squad 





The team's come a long way, but yesss, we still grace the alleys with the choppers when we reach home (w/@dannythrax)





Team meetings get my team eating: putting in work with the 1 and only @Dannythrax. Hes my production partner, business partner, tour partner, and favorite person to argue with 

Nothing, no one, never standing in my way / another thirty thousand, whatd'you do today?" Sunrise from the rooftop, where me and @dannythrax have our studios. The hustle dont sleep, thats how we eat 

Friends & Family Only

Tasha keeps a crew that ensures she stays grounded, no matter her come-uppance. Not only that, these are the people that inspire her music daily.

Tell me who down, tell me who really mandem: My most inspiring sisters from other misters, Sun Sun (@sunsun503) + @WitchProphet. They do so much dope shit around this city. Total ride or dies ai

Tell me who down, tell me who really mandem: My boyfriend Blaise, my absolute BFF in the world and Prairie, my tour bestie, tat artist, and BTS photog . Toronto would be weak without these 2.

Tell me who down, tell me who really mandem: Ollie (who owns Cold Tea Bar) has had my back since day 1!!! He once even let me bring a bengal tiger to his bar to film a vid... and has never actually let me pay my whole tab ever 

Tell me who down, tell me who really mandem: MICHIE MEE!!! How many ppl can say they have their childhood idol on speed dial bruh? Such a Toronto OG 

Toronto's Local Spots

Although Tasha isn't always at homebase, when she does touch down in TO she has a few must-visit spots. Everyone's gotta eat.

"Aint privy to the local politicking man Im intercontinental but I still rep hard for my hood. Find me running thru Queen West, Kensington, and the Ossington strip.

First thing I do when I get off road is touch Bar Fancy for the fried chicken cuz its STUPID 

I always round up the fam on the 1st nice day of spring and hit Ronnies Patio for some old fashioned day drinking.

"Royalty run in my veins, pay me the kings ransom" ORRRR u could also pay me in Jamaican patties from Golden Patty in Kensington, cuz I will also accept that as currency 

...and obviously, I hit 416 Snack Bar for sloppy fam jams any night of the week.

Focus on Self

When Tasha isn't running around Toronto, she stays calm -- perhaps recalling the "harmony" side of the Amazon in her -- through a daily practice of meditation, a million soothing plants, and just being herself.

"Meditating on my rise namaste Actually. Every. Damn. Day.

Also at my studio: ONE MILLION FRIGGIN PLANTS, lmaooo! Im obsessed. But yo, Im tryinna be a well-rounded individual and cultivate a love for nature, so. they can stay. 

Im already blessed, I do this shit just to flex, live and directWhen you have billions at your disposal, dropping $8 million on a new estate must be child's play. According to real estate blog Velvet Tropes, mega-mogul Oprah Winfrey did just that, when she purchased a massive compound on Washington state's Orcas Island. Oprah spent $8.275 million to be exact on the secluded residence. Orcas Island is one of the four largest islands that constitute the San Juan Islands archipelago between Seattle and Vancouver. Called the "Madroneagle Estate," the sprawling compound encompasses 43 acres with 3,000-feet of shoreline for private swimming and fishing.

Oprah acquired the estate in two separate transactions. According to the real estate blog, the first transaction was for $7,150,00 and the second transaction was for $1,125,000. Both transactions were traced back to corporate entities that are under the Oprah Winfrey Network offices in West Hollywood. The gorgeous home is 7,303 square feet and features 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms, and a 4 bed, 3 bath guesthouse. Although the guest house was built in 1980, the main house was built in 2007, so the estate is practically brand new. There is also a gazebo, barn, hut, and sauna on the property, giving Oprah several options for recreational activities. Inside sources claim that Oprah is planning to purchase more real estate in the area as well.Remember a few weeks ago when Chicago rapper and activist, Rhymefest, called outKanye West for not supporting the charity that bared his mother's name, and abandoning the youth of Chicago?

Much has happened since then, with shots being fired on both sides of the conflict. Tweets were exchanged, and histories were revealed, until the whole thing came to a breaking point, and Rhymefest and the other Donda's House members decided to separate from Kanye entirely.

Today, according to Pitchfork, Donda's House revealed the results of their re-branding. From now on, the organization will be referred to as "Arts of Culture, Inc." While the non-profit may have removed Donda's name from their organization, they said in a statement that they still stand by her ideals.

"We will always respect the memory and example set by Dr. Donda West," said Donnie Smith, one of the founders of the organization. "We revere her work and were fortunate to have been taught by her. As we continue our work, we hope that this name change will represent an evolution of the organization and will result in more service and greater impact."

"Over the last few months, due to Mr. Wests controversial public political statements, the organization received communications of concern from sponsors, foundations and supporters. Students, alumni, volunteers and staff of the group met Saturday to discuss recent developments and the future of the organization," the organization said in a press release. "The group decided that the organization will maintain its mission, but will have a new name both to avoid confusion and honor the stated wishes of the West family."After nearly 40 years and an overhaul of the coffee industry as the world knows it, Howard Schultz is stepping down from his post at Starbucks.

Starbucks announced the decision Monday, with Schultz scheduled to bow out from his position on June 26.

Schultz, who transitioned from CEO to executive chairman in April 2017, helped grow Starbucks into the global household name it is today. Schultz's tenure saw Starbucks grow from 11 stores around Seattle to more than 28,000 stores in 77 countries.

The Seattle-based coffee chain also announced that they would be appointing Myron E. Ullman, the former chairman of JCPenney, as its new chair of the board, and Mellody Hobson as vice chair of the board effective upon Schultz's retirement.

Now Playing: Starbucks Executive Chairman Defends Decision To Close Stores For Racial Bias Training Video: Time

According to the New York Times, Schultz outlined his plan to retire to the Starbucks board a year ago  stoking speculation that he plans to make a presidential run for the 2020 elections. Schultz has been vocal about his distaste for President Donald Trump, stating last year that Trump is "a president that is creating episodic chaos every day."

"I want to be truthful with you without creating more speculative headlines," he told The New York Times. "For some time now, I have been deeply concerned about our country  the growing division at home and our standing in the world.

"One of the things I want to do in my next chapter is to figure out if there is a role I can play in giving back."

RELATED: Read Howard Schultz' retirement letter to employees

Schultz declined to say much more on the matter, noting only that he intended to "think about a range of options, and that could include public service," but that he didn't need to run for public office to accomplish that.

Among that range of options, Starbucks says Schultz will have the honorary title of chairman emeritus as of June 26. It says he is writing a book about Starbucks' social impact efforts.

His time with the company dates back to 1981, when he walked into the first Starbucks store in downtown Seattle. The next year, he and his wife moved from New York to assume the role of director of operations and marketing, where he famously changed the chain to be more in line with the coffee bars he encountered in Italy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.Courtesy photo

Jaclyn Smith made it big in Hollywood in the 1970s as Kelly Garrett on the television series, "Charlie's Angels" but she didn't forget her Texas roots.

The Houston-born star shared a post of herself on Instagram sitting with other Lone Star natives on her Instagram with the caption, "I did an interview with fellow Texans about my childhood and growing up in Texas. It was such fun reminiscing about all of those wonderful memories that will be a part of my life forever."Sometimes its the little things that conspire to make a dish unforgettable. The aggressive toasting of pungent mustard seeds; the char on singed red chile pods; the faint blackening of curry leaves flash-fried to a brittle, translucent crisp.

All these smoky subtleties come together in the magnificent Prawns Mangalorean at Surya India, a quietly sophisticated spot tucked away in Houstons old West End neighborhood.

I seldom order shrimp in an Indian restaurant. My experience is that they can break your heart. But the shellfish in chef-owner Sheel Joshis southern-style curry  one of the outliers on this mostly Northern Indian menu  had been meticulously cooked, so that they emerged big and pearly. The pale reddish sea they swam in was softened with coconut milk, rounded out with cardamom, cinnamon and clove. Then came the crucial sharpening: the snap, crackle and pop of those mustard seeds, chile pods and earthy curry leaves.

Fascinating and complex, the Mangalorean was the best Indian dish I had tried in ages. I was similarly impressed on another visit, when a weekend special of housemade lamb seekh kebab came forth from the tandoor as delicate, loose-textured lamb sausage alive with onion and herbs, magenta pickled onion crescents delivering a final kick.

More Information Surya India Two stars 700 Durham, Suite 200, 713-864-6667 Hours: L: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. D: 5-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Credit cards: all major Prices: starters $6-$14; entrees $14-$32 (lunch: $14-$17); desserts $7-$10 Must-orders: chicken wings tandoori; Prawn Mangalorean; lamb vindaloo; chicken tikka masala; spiced okra (bhindi); saag paneer; cheese naan; raita; rice pudding Reservations: first come, first served Noise level: moderate Parking: surface lot in front; additional lots off both side streets Website: suryahouston.com Star ratings Four stars: superlative; can hold its own on a national stage. Three stars: excellent; one of the best restaurants in the city. Two stars: very good; one of the best restaurants of its kind. One star: a good restaurant that we recommend. No stars: restaurant cannot be recommended. See More Collapse

But then came scarlet-glazed tandoori chicken wings, juicy and tart from a yogurt marinade, their skin sporting such a wild, delicious char I asked Joshi how he did it. Jaggery, the raw Indian sugar, was the trick, he said  again, a small detail that made all the difference.

The world Joshi has fashioned inside a Durham Drive strip mall exudes the calm confidence of his cooking. Slate blues and grays make a cool cavern against the heat, while neon tints a sleek bar and woven industrial shades keep the sunlight at bay on a wall of western-facing windows. Tiny blue tealights flicker on tables clad in white. The god Ganesh presides on a sober antique pedestal that broods in a corner.

Its the dining room of a man who knows how to edit and knows his own mind. Joshis menu and operational rules reflect the same qualities. White linens notwithstanding, he takes no reservations. There are no degree of hotness options, because he wants to let each dish express its best self, with its own innate balance. Rice isnt free: it costs $4 a plate, and that plate is perfect, each grain of basmati distinct, with saffron threads tinting some and tinges of cinnamon in the mix.

Again, I was curious enough to ask Joshi how he did it. He learned it from Iranians during his travels, he told me, simmering the rice until it is half cooked, then pouring off the water and steaming it. Its very much in keeping with Northern Indian cuisine, with its pronounced Persian influences.

Joshis roots, and his passage to Houston, are just as interesting. He grew up in England, the child of an Indian father and a British mother. She was the cook in the family, and she made it her mission to cook Indian food, passing along those interests to her son. Later, in Los Angeles, Joshi owned and operated the original Surya for 9 years, working with an Assamese chef he regards as my master.

Los Angeles was where the Mangalorean recipe achieved a measure of fame in its chicken incarnation. After costs of running an upscale restaurant in Beverly Hills grew too steep, he opened a fast-casual takeout spot, Holy Cow. (He keeps the cartoon cow sign stashed under Suryas bar, along with the off-the-menu Riesling he cant convince enough Houstonians to order with his food. Which is a shame, because it pairs so well.)

Hes still doing things his way here, leavening tradition with discreet modern touches. Initially he tried offering biryani, but when diners from south-central India kept objecting to his northern style, he went back to his lovely basic rice plate, and stayed. Theres a tiramisu on the dessert menu, a souvenir of his time cooking Italian food; and a cardamom-scented rice pudding much like his mothers; and a racy coconut chai tea ice cream made for him by Fat Cat Creamery, a nifty local touch. Its personal.

So is the short, thoughtful wine list, the selection of international bottled beers, and the gracious service by everyone from servers to bussers to the distinguished-looking host himself, who works the room in a white apron with a courtly Old World presence.

His kitchen seems remarkably consistent, too. My only real criticism is that chicken curry dishes here (unlike those splendid tandoori wings) tend to emerge marginally overcooked and dryish. Otherwise, everything from a vividly hot-and-tart lamb vindaloo laced with potato chunks to a classic chicken tikka masala  both hotter and more complex than the butter chickens youre used to  comes out right on the money.

Flash-fried spiced okra (bhindi) were as irresistible as celestial trail mix the night I tried them. An appetizer of potato-samosa chaat, the hacked up turnovers smothered in spicy chickpeas and drizzled with yogurt, held far more nuance than most of its genre. Saag paneer was tinted with tomato brimmed with soft, cushiony cubes of cheese and layer upon layer of flavor.

The cheese-and-potato dumplings called malai kofta may have been denser than I like them the night I tried them, but oh, that cashew and almond cream sauce! And a mint chicken dish may have sported a spicy mint and cilantro sauce that surprised me with its tomato-red tint, but beguiled me with its herbal edginess.

The naan flatbreads can be wonderful here, especially a thin, bubbled cheese version made with smoked mozzarella (just add some of the thin tamarind chutney); or a keema naan layered with crumbly spiced lamb. With a little dish of sprightly yogurt raita and a glass of wine, the latter is almost a meal in itself.

Not that I would stop there, speaking personally. This is the kind of restaurant Ill be likely to put on my personal rotation. And despite its civility and comforts, it does an easy, quiet trade in takeaway from its West End neighbors, where slick residential mid-rises increasingly dot the landscape.

As I watched these folks come and go, clutching big white paper bags of takeout, I found myself thinking, Lucky them. And being glad that the very particular Joshis wanderings led him here.

Alison Cook is the Chronicle's James Beard Award-winning restaurant critic. Follow her on Twitter, and keep up with Houston's latest dining and drinking news and reviews by subscribing to our free Flavor newsletter.The photo instantly took me back to the 1980s: boxy suits and lank haircuts, and most of all, the big-shouldered man with a broad smile. It was a picture of President Ronald Reagan thanking the doctors who saved his life, sent to me by a relative. The man shaking Reagan's hand in the photo was her father, George Morales  an immigrant from Mexico.

Thirty-seven years ago, Reagan became the first president to survive being shot while in office. He lived, it is believed, because of the expert care he received at George Washington University Hospital.

Less widely known is that every doctor on Reagan's anesthesia team was foreign-born.

As conflict over newcomers in our culture boils over, one argument contends that we simply can't afford more immigrants who are poor, unskilled or even from specific countries. Only foreigners who show merit, this thinking goes, deserve entrance.

But what constitutes merit? To those making the argument, it's simple: established credentials, tangible wealth, preferred nationalities. It's a definition that would have excluded key doctors who saved Reagan's life.

FAMILY HISTORY: The places immigrants build

Back on that terrifying March day in 1981, Secret Service agents scrambled into scrubs to guard the surgery. Doctors and support staff raced Reagan's gurney to the operating room. Then they placed him in the hands of a team of immigrants for anesthesia.

"One thing really struck me, looking at our team," recalled Manfred Lichtmann, a staff anesthesiologist at the hospital. "Each of us had emigrated to the United States."

Morales, who died in 2003, came from Mexico. Vickie Sidou, the anesthesiologist on call, emigrated from Greece. May Chin, then a resident at the hospital, was born in Malaysia. And Lichtmann had been a child refugee from Adolf Hitler's Germany.

Lichtmann's first years in the United States were disastrous. His parents fell ill, and he grew up in a children's home. He didn't learn English until first grade, where his first word, because he heard it so much, was "S.O.B."

Finally, after medical school and service in Vietnam, Lichtmann joined George Washington University Hospital, where he met Morales.

"We kiddingly said that if President Reagan's surgery failed to go well, we could be deported," Lichtmann said. "We were proud to be immigrants and proud to be Americans."

Like Lichtmann, Morales had fled his home country as a child refugee. Born in Nicaragua, he was shipped to Mexico  where he would become a citizen  at the age of 11. His father, a judge who once ruled against the dictator Anastasio Somoza, had sent the boy abroad to protect his life.

"George Morales was remarkable," Lichtmann said. "Before the Republican nomination for president, I kept calling Sen. Lindsey Graham's office but never got through. I wanted to tell him, you have a candidate who is calling Mexicans criminals  you need to know that a doctor from Mexico helped save Reagan's life."

MY GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY: Which America are we?

Morales came here legally. But he, like other immigrants  documented and undocumented brought with him a measurable resource that our economy can't do without: potential. Regardless of legal status, new research shows, people with the experience of living abroad develop higher levels of something called "self-concept clarity" than people who have never lived away from home.

That is why it's a fallacy to suppose we only have resources to absorb those who are already privileged. Immigrants themselves are the resource.

And there is no sure way to predict who will skyrocket into the kind of success that changes American life.

The results of that potential are evident everywhere. You can see it in the 83 percent of winners in a youth science talent search who have foreign-born parents. You can see it in the fact that immigrants file twice as many patents as native-born inventors, and also in the behaviors that help immigrants live an average of two years longer than people born here.

You can even quantify some of this potential. Research by Hajo Adam, a business professor at Rice University, suggests that living abroad markedly raises "self-concept clarity"  or confidence in one's beliefs and goals. This quality is linked to an array of benefits, including more committed relationships, better health and even greater clarity about immediate career goals.

"It stands to reason that all the benefits from living abroad and the associated boost in self-concept clarity apply to most immigrants," Adam said.

So it might not simply be chance that three of the doctors who treated Reagan were immigrants, equipped with some extra measure of purpose.

As the doctors at George Washington lifted the president to the operating table, Lichtmann recalled Reagan saying, "I presume you are all Republicans." It was a quip, meant to reassure them. But it was also an acknowledgment that everyone there shared a clear, common purpose.

"We are all Republicans today, Mr. President," the trauma chief answered.

I thought of that exchange as I studied the photo of Reagan and the doctors who saved him. Regardless of how each doctor in the photo got there, likely every one of them was the product of someone else's will to get to this country and to flourish. Thank goodness, for all of us, America allowed that potential to grow.

Claudia Kolker is the associate director of intellectual capital at Rice Business School and author of "The Immigrant Advantage: What We Can Learn From Newcomers To America About Health, Happiness, and Hope." Versions of this story originally appeared in the Washington Post and at Rice Business Wisdom.

Get the Gray Matters newsletter. It's linked to an array of benefits, including more committed relationships, better health and even greater clarity about immediate career goals.George Bush on Twitter

Former President George H.W. Bush was discharged Monday from the Maine hospital that has been treating him for low blood pressure the past eight days, his spokesman said on Monday.

The nation's 41st president had been taken on May 27 to Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford, about 20 miles south of Portland, one week after he left Houston for Kennebunkport, his summer home.An infant has died after being left in a hot truck for as many as three hours Monday near Baytown.

Authorities were called to the 3100 block of East Jones Road, near Baytown, Monday around 2:30 p.m. to reports of a 9-month-old girl who was left unattended inside a truck for "an extended period of time," according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

The parents allegedly drove home around 11 a.m. and left the girl unattended in the truck, each assuming the other had brought her in, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. The parents were taking care of their other child's medical needs when the 9-month-old was forgotten, Gonzalez added.

Now Playing: Texas News & Crime Video: Houston Chronicle

"When they arrived home, in the hustle and bustle of getting kids out and attending to other things, they apparently forgot the 9-month-old was left inside the vehicle," Gonzalez said. "It's a tragic outcome, one we see too often."

The parents only recognized the baby was not inside their home when they could not hear her making any noise, Gonzalez said.

The child was rushed to the San Jacinto Hospital in critical condition because of the extreme heat, authorities said. She later died.

The parents are cooperating with homicide detectives, Gonzalez said.

Neither parent is facing charges yet as the investigation at the scene and at the hospital continues.

"At this point, we have grieving parents," Gonzalez said. "We're sensitive to that as well. At the end of the day, it's a tragic outcome for everybody involved."

Monday afternoon's high temperature in Baytown reached 91 degrees with a heat index of 100, according to the National Weather Service.

Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message.

Jay R. Jordan is a breaking news reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the location of the alleged incident.

A judge on Monday granted permission to the Fort Bend ISD to exhume human remains found at the construction site of a new technical center, a ruling that will allow the district to learn more about bodies that they believe have been buried there for at least a century.

"We care deeply about who was buried there," said Robert Scamardo, an attorney representing the school district, after the hearing. "We're going to continue to do what we think is in the best interest (and) respect the dignity of those people."

State District Judge John Hawkins advised attorneys representing the school district to include more details about the process as part of their proposed order submitted to the court, which has yet to be signed. Hawkins granted the school district permission based on their petition to exhume the remains, according to school district spokeswoman Amanda Bubela.

Ninety-four graves have been identified this year at the construction site, which is located on University Boulevard and Chatham. Construction was halted on the part of the site where the graves were found, but continues on other parts of the site. The James Reese Career and Technical Center is scheduled to open in fall 2019.

During the hearing, Reginald Moore, a community activist with a longstanding interest in a nearby gated cemetery, and Ken Brown, a University of Houston anthropology professor who's advised Moore on cemetery issues for years, told Hawkins that the school district should hire someone with a specialized knowledge of African-American history to help examine the remains. They also believe the school district should make sure that they're notifying descendants as they learn more about the bodies.

"You need to be able to have somebody that can not only do the history, but can also bring in somebody that can talk to people today," Brown said after the hearing. "It's the people that really count. That's why I'm so irritated. They're treating them like they're dead bodies with nobody attached to them at all today."

Moore had warned school officials not to build the technical center in the area. As an advocate of the nearby Old Imperial Farm cemetery, he has long believed that neighboring tracts contained the remains of those who'd been part of the the convict leasing system, which allowed private companies to profit from the labor of convicts, in many cases African-Americans imprisoned on trumped-up charges. In the decades after slavery ended, they worked on sugar-cane plantations in conditions so bad that Sugar Land was nicknamed "Hell-hole on the Brazos."

He believes the remains found at the construction site, which are 100 to 200 years old, could be prisoners from the convict leasing system or possibly slaves.

The judge explained that because he does not own the land, he does not have legal authority to tell the school district how to exhume the remains. Hawkins said he felt the school district had followed the law properly concerning the graves.

Scamardo said the school district was open to hiring someone with expertise in African-American history and eventually notifying descendants, but he first would focus on examining the remains.

"We have as much of a concern and desire to learn about the history as anyone does," said Scamardo.

As part of the process, "no remains or graves will be removed from the property at this time," according to the petition to exhume submitted by the school district.

The exhumations will be completed by Goshawk Environmental Consulting under the supervision of the Texas Historical Commission. During the process, forensic anthropologists and archaeologists of Goshawk will gather historical data including "the sex, age, race, medical condition and possible causes of death of the humans laid to rest at the FBISD Burial Site," according to the petition.

Moore said he feels optimistic about the process so far and is expected to meet with members of the school district to discuss the matter further on Tuesday.

However, Moore still expressed concern that the district was moving too fast, adding that he thinks there are more than 94 graves on the site.

There may be "additional bodies all over that tract," he said.

brooke.lewis@chron.comIn the weeks and months after Hurricane Harvey, the evidence of its historic scope and intensity trickled out bit by bit: Record rainfall totals. Record reservoir levels. Record destruction.

Now, nine months after the storm, a report by the Harris County Flood Control District combines and analyzes all the available data about Harvey and its aftermath, distilling the numbers into a single message: By every conceivable measure and in every imaginable context, Harvey caused the most disastrous flooding in the nation's history. And it could have been worse.

All 4.7 million people in Harris County were impacted directly or indirectly during the flood and after the flood waters receded, states the 32-page memorandum by two flood control district officials, Jeff Lindner and Steve Fitzgerald.

The compilation of all the data into one document provides a useful backdrop for ongoing policy discussions about recovering from Harvey and strengthening the regions resilience to future floods. On Tuesday night, county officials were scheduled to host the first of 23 planned public meetings on a $2.5 billion August bond issue for flood control projects.

Read more: Proposed floodplain rules would have spared thousands during Harvey, city says

Lindner, the flood control districts meteorologist and director of hydrologic operations, said district officials prepare similar reports after every major flood. The documents provide a historical record and make it possible to compare the relative impacts of different events, he said.

Perhaps the most powerful theme in the document is the astounding intensity, duration and geographical reach of Harveys rainfall.

In Harris County, the highest total recorded over four days was 47.4 inches at Clear Creek and Interstate 45. (Totals exceeding 51 inches were recorded in Liberty County east of Houston.) The lowest four-day total in Harris County was 26 inches.

According to the report, the Texas state climatologist, John Nielsen-Gammon, examined the largest rainfall events in U.S. history and compared them with Harvey for durations of 48, 72 and 120 hours, and covering areas ranging from 1,000, to 50,000 square miles.

Harvey exceeded the previous records in all of the 18 different combinations except one, the report states. The most astounding statistic is that for the 120-hour duration over 10,000 square miles, Harvey exceeded the previous record from June 1899 by 13.33 inches or 62 percent. The rainfall amounts and spatial coverage of those amounts have never been experienced across the United States since reliable records have been kept.

Other key points in the report:

-- Officials confirmed 36 flood-related deaths across Harris County and 68 statewide. While most deaths in other recent floods were caused by drownings in vehicles, most of the Harvey fatalities involved people outside in the fast-moving or high water levels, the report states, adding, Harvey is one of the only flood events where a few people drowned in their home or workplace.

-- With damage estimated at $125 billion, Harvey was the second-costliest hurricane in U.S. history. Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans in 2005, caused $160 billion in damage.

-- Government agencies rescued 60,049 residents in Harris County, most of them from their homes, and 32,000 to 34,000 evacuees stayed in 65 temporary shelters. Civilian volunteers rescued tens of thousands more.

Harvey: Terror, heartbreak and heroism as five Houstonians brave Americas worst storm

-- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided $4.8 billion in rental assistance, home repairs and other aid to more than 177,000 households through its individual assistance program.

-- Harvey dropped 1 trillion gallons of water on Harris County over four days, enough to fill NRG Stadium 1,472 times and cover Harris Countys 1,777 square miles with an average of 33.7 inches of water. Over a 50,000 square-mile area, Harvey dropped more than 16.6 trillion gallons.

-- In Harris County, Harvey flooded 154,170 single-family houses  about 9 percent to 12 percent of all buildings in the county  and 5,000 to 15,000 apartments, condominiums and townhouses, making it the largest and most devastating house flooding event ever recorded in the county. In addition, thousands of commercial structures were flooded.

-- The Brays Bayou watershed, which includes the hard-hit Meyerland neighborhood, recorded the most flooded houses, 23,810, followed by Buffalo Bayou at 17,090 and Greens Bayou at 12,900. A watershed is the land area that drains into a particular stream. Among jurisdictions, Houstons 96,410 flooded houses was the highest by far, followed by unincorporated Harris County (34,600) and Pasadena (4,610.)

-- As many as 24,000 additional houses might have flooded if not for previous flood control district projects, including the buyouts of more than 2,000 homes deep within floodplains and improvements to Sims, Brays and White Oak bayous. Despite these efforts, Hurricane Harveys relentless and widespread heavy rainfall filled every channel and detention basin in every watershed in Harris County at some point during the four-day historic event, the report states.

-- More than 300,000 vehicles were flooded across the county.

mike.snyder@chron.com

twitter.com/chronsnyderA 9-month-old girl died Monday near Baytown after she was left unattended in a hot truck for almost three hours while temperatures soared to 91 degrees, according to Harris County Sheriffs Office deputies.

The girls parents told deputies they each assumed that the other had brought the child inside their home.

When they arrived home, in the hustle and bustle of getting kids out and attending to other things, they apparently forgot the 9-month-old was left inside the vehicle, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. Its a tragic outcome, one we see too often.

The parents only recognized the baby was not inside their home when they could not hear her making any noise, Gonzalez said.

The child was rushed to the San Jacinto Hospital in critical condition because of the extreme heat, authorities said. She later died.

The parents are cooperating with homicide detectives, Gonzalez said. Neither parent is facing charges yet as the investigation at the scene and at the hospital continues.

At this point, we have grieving parents, Gonzalez said. Were sensitive to that as well. At the end of the day, its a tragic outcome for everybody involved.

Monday afternoons high temperature in Baytown reached 91 degrees with a heat index of 100, according to the National Weather Service

Law enforcement, weather officials and others who study the issue agree that these kind of deaths are 100 percent preventable. They urge caregivers to be vigilant this summer to ensure the safety of small children.

But despite the warnings, the infants death in Baytown is unfortunately just one of many authorities expect to see this year as temperatures this summer continue to climb. So far, hot car deaths are on pace to reach 30-plus this year nationally, which is about average, according to Jan Null, an adjunct professor at San Jose State University.

Mondays incident is at least the ninth confirmed heat-related death involving a child being left inside of a vehicle in the United States.

Its the second in Texas.

The first state death involved a 7-month-old girl, who died in Eagle Pass, Texas, in 99-degree weather. According to police, her father forgot to take her to day care before going to work.

Its perplexing, said Null, referring to how many children die each year.

Since 2001, Null has followed deaths nationwide among small children left unattended inside of vehicles.

His work paints a somber view of the sometimes unintentional mistakes made by caregivers that lead to the deaths of young children.

Research shows that parked cars and vans create life-threatening environments for children left unattended. On a hot day, vehicles can reach dangerously high temperatures exceeding 120 degrees.

Since 1998, more than 750 children have died after being trapped in hot vehicles, averaging about 35 per year, Nulls research shows. Texas accounts for at least 114 of those deaths, he told the Houston Chronicle.

In at least 54 percent of nationwide cases, the child was forgotten, Null said.

Its human nature to forget things, Null added. Were distracted, were busy, we have other children and we are simply thinking of other things. How many times have you driven somewhere and forgot to take your exit?

Null said one way to ensure caregivers dont forget children in the back of a vehicle is to place visual reminders or cues inside the car like a photo or a teddy bear.

Tech companies have also made efforts to save lives. The navigational application Waze allows its users to set a reminder to check their back seats once they have arrived to their destinations.

But Null says that technology and the visual cues would only solve a little more than 50 percent of the deaths.

His research shows that in 27 percent cases, the child gain access to the vehicle on their own and in another 18 percent of cases, the child was knowingly left in the car.

I think theyre all good ideas, but they only solve have of the problem, he said. Education and awareness is key. The better we are at being mindful of (children in the backseat), the more lives we can save.

john.harden@chron.comPolice are still searching for a suspect who allegedly pointed a gun at an officer in southwest Houston on Tuesday.

The Houston police officer was helping a person with medical needs near Beechnut Street and Wilcrest Drive around 2 p.m. when he heard gunfire coming from across the street, according to Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.

The officer ran to the sound of the gunfire and came across a man who allegedly made an "offensive stance" with a gun toward the officer, who fired one round, Acevedo said.

Now Playing: Texas News & Crime Video: Houston Chronicle

The officer was not in full uniform but was clearly identifiable as a Houston police officer, Acevedo said.

The bullet did not strike the suspect, who ran away for a short time before getting into the passenger seat of a black Ford F-150 and was driven away, Acevedo said. Officers, K9s and HPD's helicopter team searched the area for some time but were unable to find the suspect immediately.

Houston police detectives as well as HPD's Internal Affairs Division are investigating the officer's gunfire. He will be placed on administrative duty until the investigation is complete, Acevedo said.

Detectives are still trying to piece together what the initial gunfire was about, Acevedo said. As for the suspect who fled and the driver who drove him away, they could face felony charges.

"The person who is driving that truck will be responsible for harboring a fugitive," Acevedo said. "If they're smart, they'll understand they're committing a crime themselves. If they don't understand this is what that guy was running from, they're going to find out."

The officer in question has been with HPD for about 10 years.

Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message.

Jay R. Jordan is a breaking news reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan.The launch date of NASA's problem-plagued, $8 billion James Webb Space Telescope is changing once again, but the new schedule won't be announced until later this month, officials said Monday.

The telescope, the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, was initially expected to launch in 2007 but has faced repeated delays and burgeoning costs. The launch date most recently was delayed to May 2020, which will likely push project costs over the $8 billion cap set by Congress in 2011.

The mission has been so problematic that a 10-member, Independent Review Board was tasked with reviewing it. They presented their findings to top NASA officials last month, who will then use that information to "define the new launch schedule," a NASA spokesperson said Monday.

"After the launch date is established, NASA will be able to provide a new cost estimate," the statement read.

READ MORE: External board to review problem-fraught $8.8 billion James Webb Telescope.

The Webb telescope is one of NASA's most complex and expensive projects to date, meant to revolutionize the world's understanding of planet and star formation.

Initially, it was expected to cost $1 billion and be launched in 2007. That price tag later jumped to $3.5 billion with a launch target of 2011. It has continued to increase since then with the most recent missed launch targeted for June 2019.

Last month, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told U.S. Senators that the space agency likely will ask for more money for the project beyond the $8 billion funding cap set by Congress in 2011.

"We have spent so much money at this point that it's important" we continue, Bridenstine said during a U.S. Senate committee meeting. "We have to come to a meeting of the minds and figure out how do we go forward with the program if we need to go above the cap set by Congress."

READ MORE: Bridenstine: NASA may ask Congress for more money for James Webb Telescope.

President Donald Trump's budget proposal for NASA in the coming budget year includes funds to keep the project on track. However, it would cancel Webb's successor, the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), "due to its significant cost and higher priorities within NASA," according to a budget document.

WFIRST was being built to study dark energy, exoplanets and infrared astrophysics, and the National Academy of Sciences recommended that it follow Webb.

But the cost of the project, set to be launched in the mid-2020s, has ballooned to $3.6 billion, well above initial projections.

Since Trump's proposed budget must be approved by Congress, work on WFIRST is continuing in the interim.

Alex Stuckey covers NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey.A group of environmentalists started the 2018 hurricane season by demanding Gov. Greg Abbott improve how the state protects its residents from air pollution during major storms like Harvey.

"Harmful air pollution was one of the unseen dangers of Hurricane Harvey," said a letter to Abbott from One Breath Partnership, a group that focuses on improving air quality in Houston, released Friday. "Texas can and must reduce our communities' exposure to these pollutants."

The letter was posted on Care2 Petition, an online petition site, at least nine days ago. As of Friday afternoon, it had garnered nearly 23,000 signatures -- 3,500 of which were from Texans.

The petition and letter come just a few months after the Houston Chronicle and the Associated Press published a series of stories on the government's inaction following more than 100 toxic spills on land, in water and air during and after Harvey, even though documents show that benzene, vinyl chloride, butadiene and other known human carcinogens were among the dozens of tons of industrial chemicals released throughout Houston's petrochemical corridor and surrounding neighborhoods and waterways.

The news organizations found that only a handful of the industrial spills had been investigated by federal regulators and Texas regulators say they have investigated 89 incidents statewide. Testing by state and federal regulators of soil and water for contaminants largely was limited to Superfund toxic waste sites.

Among other things, the letter calls on the governor to restore chemical right-to-know standards so that first responders and area residents know what they might be exposed to, as well as ensure that the Texas State Commission on Environmental Quality is capable of responding to pollution events. The letter can be found here.

Alex Stuckey covers science and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or twitter.com/alexdstuckey.Well, when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal.

With that brief sentence, former President Richard Nixon shocked a nation into confronting the corrupt mindset of a man driven from office amidst the Watergate scandal.

But today, we dont need to wait for the president to leave office to hear his unfiltered aspiration for unchecked power. Just check out his Twitter feed.

As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong? President Donald Trump stated in a tweet Monday morning.

EDITORIAL: Even fellow Republicans now warn about the president's reckless behavior

EDITORIAL: Government corruption, Trump's or otherwise, debases our nation

EDITORIAL: "What did the President know and when did he know it?"

EDITORIAL: A 21st CENTURY WATERGATE REBOOT

The Department of Justice has said otherwise.

Under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case, the President cannot pardon himself, the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel wrote. That memo was issued four days before Nixon resigned.

Once again, nearly a half-century later, the United States must grapple with a chief executive for whom rule of law is only a mere obstacle. During his short tenure in the White House, Trump has demonstrated a brazen disregard for every norm, every value, of a representative republic.

George Washington imagined the presidency as a first among equals. Trump seems to act as if he has no equal. Foreign funds and taxpayers dollars filter into his private company from which he never divested. Power continues to concentrate in the White House while key positions within the State Department go unfilled. Pardons are issued without the involvement of the Department of Justice. The mere mention of his power being checked elicits digital tirades, 280-characters at a time.

EDITORIAL: Texas Republicans should emulate Barry Goldwater's conscience of a conservative

Meanwhile, a cowed and impotent Congress goes about its business as if this growing storm is little more than a summer drizzle.

The president openly declares he is above the law, CNN analyst Ryan Lizza observed Monday morning. This statement alone would have led to calls for impeachment in a previous era.

Now all its gets is representatives trying to avoid reporters questions.

EDITORIAL: From Teapot Dome to Sharpstown, there's a reason why voters demand an open book

It falls on voters, Democrats and Republicans alike, to confront their representatives in the run up to the November election and ask whether they believe the president is above the law.

Texans have dealt with profligate pardoners before. At the turn of the century, then-Gov. James E. Pa Ferguson became notorious for handing out clemency at an unprecedented rate  allegedly in exchange for land, cash and other bribes. Pa was eventually impeached and removed from office.

Texans then knew that we must hold politicians to account for their use of power. Let us hope that we havent forgotten.Dawn Tyree was 11 years old when a family friend began to molest her. A bit more than a year later, she became pregnant from these rapes, and her parents found out what had been going on. But they didnt go to the police; instead, they found another solution.

It was decided for me that I would marry him, Tyree recalled.

So Tyree, then 13, was married to her rapist, then age 32. She became one of the thousands of underage American girls who are married each year, often sacrificing their futures to reduce embarrassment to their parents. Statutory rape is thus sanctioned by the state as marriage, and the abuser ends up not in handcuffs but showered with wedding gifts.

Our State Department protests child marriage in Africa and Asia (worldwide, a girl 14 or younger is married every 11 seconds, according to Save the Children), but every state in America allowed child marriages. That has finally changed. Last month Delaware became the first state to ban all child marriages, without exception.

This is a historic moment for women and girls, where were finally ending this relic from a sexist past that is destroying girls lives, said Fraidy Reiss, who runs an organization, Unchained at Last, that fights child marriage. It shouldnt have been this difficult.

One study by Unchained at Last estimated that there were nearly a quarter-million child marriages in the U.S. between 2000 and 2010.

Last year I wrote about Sherry Johnson, a Florida woman who had been married at the age of 11 to her rapist. After that article, many readers wrote to me saying that my facts were wrong and that their state had a minimum age of 18 for marriage.

Sadly, the facts were right. Yes, states set a minimum age of 18, but they also allow exceptions, such as with the approval of parents or a court, or when a girl is pregnant. Indeed, 20 states dont set any minimum statutory age for marriage, according to the Tahirih Justice Centers Forced Marriage Initiative.

That column about child marriage, along with other publicity and heroic efforts of many activists, prodded legislators to re-examine the issue, but the strongest opposition to a change has come from conservatives who argue that a pregnant girl should be able to marry the unborn childs father. The idea is that such a marriage will avert an abortion, or at least increase the prospect that the child is raised by a married couple rather than by a struggling single parent.

I understand the goal. But in practice, these marriages involving child brides often dont succeed and frequently lead to marriages between a young girl and her older rapist.

Thats what happened with Tyree, whose marriage was in 1985. She said the abuse began when she was in the fifth grade in California and her parents moved to Texas, leaving her behind to be looked after by a family friend, in effect a male nanny, who soon took advantage of her. My abuser convinced me daily that I was old enough to be in a sexual relationship, and that other adults would not understand, she said.

She kept the secret until she became pregnant. At that point, her parents were upset  presumably at the rapist, but also at the prospect of scandal. My dad is conservative, so abortion was not an option, she recalled, and she said everyone told her that her only path was marriage.

We went to the county courthouse, and a judge asked if I wanted to be married, Tyree remembered. My answer was yes. For a couple of weeks, Id been told that marriage was best for me and that I needed to tell the judge that.

Tyree missed seventh and eighth grades because of the pregnancy and the birth of her son, and because another child, a daughter, soon followed. Tyree became concerned that her husband was a pedophile who might prey on her children, so the marriage lasted just three years; at age 16 Tyree found herself a single mom.

In such cases, a bride can be coerced even if she isnt beaten. I was very scared and confused, and I wanted to keep my family happy, she told me. Being unwed with child would have been embarrassing to the family. I wanted to keep the peace.

Yet she was blunt about what happened: The marriage was a way to cover up the rape. The marriage was a way to keep me from being an unwed teen mother. The marriage was a way to avoid any child services investigation. The marriage was a way to avoid child neglect charges against my parents. The marriage was a way to keep my husband out of prison.

Some say that they oppose marriages at 13 but not at 17, and its true that some underage marriages work out fine. I grew up in rural Oregon, where one of my neighbors was a devoted wife who had married at 16.

Juliet was 13 when Romeo courted her (although that didnt work out so well). But marriage often ends a girls education, and when something goes wrong, a 16- or 17-year-old wife faces particular difficulties: She cannot flee to a domestic violence shelter, which typically will not take anyone under 18, and in some states, an underage girl fleeing an abusive marriage is legally a runaway.

Marriage laws are mostly a matter for the states, but there is room for federal action. American girls in immigrant families are sometimes pressured to marry a distant relative abroad as a way of bringing him to the United States, and it should be a simple matter to ban spouse visas unless both parties were 18 at the time of the marriage.

Its degrading to let teenagers marry; its not a beautiful thing, Sonora Fairbanks, now 39, told me, and she knows what shes talking about: She was married when she was 16 to a man more than 10 years older.

Fairbanks was raised in a deeply Christian family, home-schooled and not allowed to date. She said her parents began talking to her about marrying her future husband when she was 15, partly for her to avoid teenage wildness, and she went along with it because she felt stifled and thought the only way to escape was through marriage. Oh, and she was eager to discover sex. I was a typical horny teenager, she explained. (Fairbanks marriage turned poisonous and eventually disintegrated.)

Its frustrating that legislators cling to archaic marriage laws linked to so much abuse; at Unchained at Last, the spreadsheet listing marriage laws by state is labeled BYHAWS, short for Banging Your Head Against the Wall Spreadsheet. But now, with Delaware leading, it seems the wall may finally be giving way.

We finally have one state that shows us that its possible, Reiss told me. One state down, 49 to go.

Contact Kristof at Facebook.com/Kristof, Twitter.com/NickKristof or by mail at The New York Times, 620 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10018.First, we save lives.

Thats what people of good will do if they gain power or new leverage over the current leadership in Washington, D.C. and Austin.

We move to save lives, and the we is meant to be as inclusive as it can be. People of good will come from all walks of life. During Hurricane Harvey, did you think once about the politics of the woman carrying your 90-year-old grandfather to safety through waist-high floodwaters?

The need is real. In the United States, life expectancy is falling and the rate of premature death is rising. Our school children are forced to forget about tomorrows pop test and worry about the pop of deadly weapons in their school corridors. That should be enough to wake us up.

Youd better wake up. The life you save may be your own, as a National Highway Safety slogan once put it. In a second ad, actor James Dean joked, The life you save might be mine. The jokes poignant given Deans later death in an automobile crash.

Some of our confusion can be forgiven. Theres a fog of political war around us today. We dont know where to turn, and weve lost some trust in those who claim they do.

So, like townsfolk stumbling upon wearied battlefield wounded in a war not really of their making, we need to do first what we can do: help the wounded and those at risk.

I asked advice of some the brightest people here and around the country who have given serious thought to how we meet these challenges. There is a remarkable consistency to their responses. Here are some examples.

Lets start with things we can do immediately to address urgent needs.

First on the list: gun safety. Can we begin to tame our out-of-control culture of violence, which, when you think about it, is what the Second Amendment is there to protect us from, not promote? Universal background checks would be a good start. We should drop the political habit of passing new laws  campus carry, for instance  to promote gun sales over public safety.

Another simple, life-saving step: protect the nutrition assistance program (also known as SNAP or food stamps) that serves millions of children in poverty. Some in Congress have targeted it for cuts. If our kids have to worry about getting shot, do we have to starve them at the same time?

My sources seemed to agree that its the children who must first be saved. And this includes young, low-level offenders caught in the soul-grinding gloom of the prison-industrial complex. They arent locked up to keep us safer. Theyre kept there to make somebody money.

We should reverse the Trump administrations assault on health care. Its raising insurance premiums and locking many out of doctors offices and hospitals. Also, the rise in maternal mortality rates shames us all. Do what it takes to protect womens health care, which is under a brutal, focused attack.

On to more politically challenging initiatives.

Lets recognize the so-called Dreamers as the Americans they are, removing the threat of deportation for those brought to this country as children. Can we then pass new immigrant labor laws so workers who come here to fill jobs no one else wants can be treated with dignity?

Lets repeal the corporate tax giveaway and use the $1 trillion-plus we regain to create hundreds of thousands of jobs to repair our roads, bridges, seaports, water systems, and other life-giving and life-saving infrastructure.

Then, the townspeople are going to have to save the town. The debasing of democratic institutions for partisan advantage has weakened our democracy and cost us faith in government. Lets pass a constitutional amendment ending the power of money in campaigns and the influence of lobbyists.

Health care. Education. Jobs. Honest government. Dont starve the kids or leave them targets of madmen with guns. Dont abandon pregnant women. Treat all humans with dignity and respect.

This is how we save lives. And maybe save America.

Smith is an author and former Chronicle reporter who is now a consultant and senior strategist for Progress Texas, a liberal advocacy group.If those students want to carry on in New Zealand, then, obviously, theyve got the opportunity to apply for different visas, but they will be labour-market-tested visas, and theyll need to demonstrate that theyve got skills that are in demand here in New Zealand, said Lees-Galloway.

He added that one aspect of the Post Study Work Visas under the current system is that after the first year, students have to demonstrate that theyre in a job that is relevant to the area that they have studied.

Unfortunately, whats resulted from that is employers saying to those students, Look, Ill enhance your job description, or Ill try to make it look like youre working in an area that youve studied, and in return for that, I expect a big payment.

Lees-Galloway said a lot of students are going into those jobs, theyre getting their wages, and then they walk down to the ATM, they take a lot of cash out and pay that money straight back to the employer.

Thats the kind of exploitation that weve seen, he said.International Day for the fight against IUU Fishing observed in Pakistan

June 05,2018 | Source: Daily Times

International Day for the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing will be observed today to draw attention to the threats posed by IUU fishing activities and highlight the sustainable use of fisheries resources.



In its last meeting, held in December 2017, the General Assembly of the United Nations had approved Resolution 9/2017 for the Observance of the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing on June 5 every year.



IUU fishing is a grave issue faced by the nations of the Northern and West Indian Ocean. Globally, IUU fishing is estimated to make up about 20 percent of the total marine wild catch. Catch from IUU fishing is worth between $10 and $23.5 billion annually.



IUU fishing can jeopardize and debilitate conservation and management efforts for sustainable tuna fisheries, ultimately undermining profits and livelihoods of the fishermen that play by the rules.



Commenting on the day, Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor, World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) Pakistan emphasized on early ratification of the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) by Pakistan, which is the first binding international agreement to specifically target IUU fishing.



The PSMA aims to deter and eliminate IUU fishing by preventing vessels engaged in IUU fishing from using ports and landing their catches.



Khan said that a system of registering fishing boats should be streamlined and a mandatory log book system should be introduced to ensure that the fish catch is properly recorded.



Muhammad Moazzam said that a strict vigil must be kept on transboundary areas to ensure effective control of poaching activities which deprive fishermen from fisheries resources.



WWF-Pakistan further stressed on the need to declare more Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along the coast of Pakistan as they contribute towards controlling IUU fishing and conserving natural resources.



The Government of Balochistan has already declared Astola Island as an MPA whereas consultations are underway for the declaration of Miani Hor and Churna Island.

 2018 Daily Times

Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods.Imperial Valley News Center

FTC, Department of Justice to Hold Workshop on Competition in Residential Real Estate Brokerage Industry

Washington, DC - The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice will hold a joint public workshop in Washington, DC on June 5, 2018, to explore competition issues in the residential real estate brokerage industry.

The workshop will take place at the FTCs Constitution Center Auditorium, 400 7th St., SW, Washington, DC. It begins at 9:00 a.m.

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial transactions that most consumers make in their lives, and the residential real estate brokerage industry has experienced significant change in recent years, including the emergence of new technologies and business models. The agencies joint public workshop will focus on developments since the publication of their Report on Competition in the Real Estate Brokerage Industry in 2007.

FTC Chairman Joseph J. Simons will open the workshop, which will bring together academics, consumer advocates, data standards experts, real estate brokers, information marketplaces, and multiple listing services. In a series of panel discussions, the agencies will explore technological developments, the availability of listings data, and the evolution of the consumer experience in real estate transactions; developments in real estate brokerage fee and service models; and regulatory and industry factors affecting residential real estate brokerage competition.

The workshop is free and open to the public, and will be webcast live on the FTCs website. Workshop updates will be available via Twitter @FTC. To join the discussion, please use #RealEstateFTCDOJ.

Until July 31, 2018, the FTC and DOJ will accept public comments relating to competition in the residential real estate brokerage industry and the topics covered by this workshop. For further information on the workshop and the public comment process, including the agenda, a list of suggested questions open for comment and registration information, please visit the workshop event page. Advance registration is not required, but is strongly encouraged. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees should bring a valid government-issued photo ID (government badge, license, passport, etc.) and arrive in time to go through security.Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Carl Risch Travels to Russia, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic

Washington, DC - Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Carl Risch will travel June 3-9 to Russia, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic to participate in a series of meetings with U.S. diplomats and foreign government authorities.

While on this trip, Assistant Secretary Risch will engage in bilateral discussions with counterparts on issues relevant to consular protection and U.S. visas. He will also open a new Consular Section in Moscow.

The United States is committed to long-term engagement with Russia, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic on a variety of consular issues.To control your outer world, you must first control your inner world.

Due Quach addresses that message to two audiences: inner-city youth and business leaders. A refugee from Vietnam who was raised in a poor, violent neighborhood of Philadelphia, Quach went on to Harvard where she felt lost and alienated. She later applied lessons from neuroscience and meditation to cope with her own PTSD. Those experiences propelled her in 2014 to found Calm Clarity, a nonprofit that helps people in stressful conditions manage their emotions for better outcomes. She trains both young people from backgrounds like her own and business leaders, including entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 executives.

Quach's work with business leaders helps fund her social-venture outreach. But the similarities between the two groups aren't spurious, she says. Both inner-city youth and business leaders live under constant stress; they experience frequent crises and often respond in ways that make things worse. And while reactivity and anger among teenagers can result in violence, in the business world, she says, "you make decisions and people lose their jobs or the stock price fails." The practices laid out in her new book, Calm Clarity: How to Use Science to Rewire Your Brain for Greater Wisdom, Fulfillment, and Joy, apply to both groups, she says.

Your brain's three voices

Quach identifies three patterns of neural-circuitry activation that produce different emotions and behaviors. She labels them Brain 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0. In Brain 1.0, which she associates with activation of the "fight or flight response," fear and anxiety dominate. Decision making stalls as leaders obsess over what has gone wrong and why it will doubtless keep going wrong. Risk tolerance declines, and change must be avoided at all costs. Compassion shrivels, as leaders seek scapegoats to share blame. Violent anger wells up, or leaders push people away.

Brain 2.0 is characterized by short-term, transactional thinking. With their reward systems highly activated, leaders seek the instant gratification of the win--long-term consequences be damned. Change is acceptable to the extent it can be exploited. While leaders in Brain 2.0 may not yell, they will likely strong-arm people to get what they want. Employees are perceived as the means to an end, so compassion, again, takes a hit.

In Brain 3.0 the systems for executive function and self-awareness are highly activated, resulting in something akin to wisdom. Leaders see the bigger picture and thoughtfully weigh the up- and downsides of options. Change becomes an opportunity for reinvention. Employees are perceived as human beings worthy of compassion and able--if inspired by the leader--to help the organization achieve great things.

Everyone experiences all three emotional states from time to time, Quach says. That's not a bad thing. For example, when deadlines loom, the rat-a-tat execution typical of Brain 2.0 can help you nail it. Still, the goal is to maximize time spent in Brain 3.0.

Mood affects culture

Maximizing Brain 3.0--what Quach calls a state of "well-being and mastery"--is particularly important for leaders, whose organizations may suffer or thrive based on the boss's dominant emotional state. For example, leaders who idle in 2.0 "create a lot of anxiety because everyone is chasing rewards," Quach says. "We must achieve 10 percent growth or die. The long-term consequences get lost." Leaders in 3.0, by contrast, "motivate people to be their best selves and help the company achieve its mission, which is aligned with their own."

Employees also learn what triggers the leader into 1.0. "If they know he gets angry when he hears bad news, they'll stop communicating with him," Quach says.

Life experiences affect an individual's dominant state. For example, people exposed to "nurturing caregivers and mentors" are more likely to dwell in 3.0, Quach says. Also, people with "high self-efficacy"--the belief that they can affect the external world rather than submit while the external world has its way with them--are natural 3.0-ers. "My guess is a lot of entrepreneurs have a huge capacity to be in Brain 3.0 because, as an entrepreneur, I don't want to be defined by my environment," Quach says. At the same time, "loss of control can be a trigger for many founders."

For leaders who feel themselves lapsing into angry, chaotic, or self-gratifying behaviors, simply being aware of their emotional states and calming down long enough to identify what triggered them is helpful. "Pay attention to the thoughts, feelings, emotions, and sensations that come up in your body in the present moment," Quach says. "Slow everything down. Before you throw a fit, create space inside yourself to see a more effective response."

Quach says that leaders in 3.0 make better decisions: They tap into their intuition and gain clarity about what matters. The most important result, however, is their capacity to feel and express compassion, which creates healthier relationships with employees.Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella just announced he is buying the "motherload" of software repositories, GitHub. The strike price is $7.5 billion in stock on a company used by 27 million developers.

Open is now the new closed, Microsoft style

"Our business strategy is to have an open platform and an open community," Nadella said in an interview quoted by The Wall Street Journal. Chris Wanstrath, the GitHub co-founder, echoed that sentiment in a blog post about the acquisition. "Git is far and away the most popular version control system, clouds are mostly computers, and Microsoft is the most active organization on GitHub in the world. Their VS Code project alone is beloved by millions of developers, entirely open source, and built using GitHub's Electron platform. Beyond that, today major enterprises regularly embrace open source," he wrote.

27 million fresh users for Microsoft's mega cloud

This acquisition of the largest code repository site in the world--with some 85 million projects and 27 million users--points to three clear takeaways.

1) Simple, helpful business-to-business tools build value, especially in a hypergrowth niche like developer tools. This exit will boost implied business valuation on all developer-tool business models with strong user growth. For every year of the 10 years it was in business, GitHub created $750 million of value. GitHub got to scale when it raised $100 million from Andreessen Horowitz in its Series A at a $750 million post-money valuation. Now, a16z stands to make roughly a billion on the deal.

2) It wasn't always easy to see that value. In 2014, for example, the company came under fire for sexual harassment and one of its founders resigned. Later, it had to raise debt to stay afloat. Hard to tell how those investors made out at this point, but Wanstrath says he'll be working for Microsoft as the deal closes later this year. As the dust settles, the people who saw it early--like a16z--were rewarded for their foresight and patience. Early investors making more money is a longstanding trend, and it's at odds with the growth and recent popularity of mega-size, later-stage VC funds.The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Masterpiece Cakeshop, which has been hailed as a victory for religious freedom--and a loss for gay-rights advocacy groups--is getting some cheers from a surprising corner of the U.S.: non-religious entrepreneurs.

"While I thoroughly disapprove of [Jack] Phillips's values, I fully respect his right to run his business in accordance with those values, just as I reserve the right for myself," says Shel Horowitz, a marketing consultant and founder of the firm GreenAndProfitable.com. He notes that while the ruling, at face value, seems unfair to gay and lesbian patrons, the logic of the Court's decision is solid; it similarly protects entrepreneurs who object to serving, say, openly racist clientele.

Entrepreneurs aren't siding with Jack Phillips--the owner of the Lakewood, Colorado, bakery, recently vindicated in this case--for religious reasons. Rather, some support the high court's decision because they simply don't want to be told how to run their companies. That's true even among religious founders.

"For me, I prefer to run my practice without government coercion and decide proactively to assist people from divergent perspectives, as opposed to being forced by the heavy hand of the law to do that," says David Engelhardt, a practicing Christian and founder of his eponymous New York City law practice, Engelhardt Law.

Clearing the Path for Discrimination?

Of course, plenty of entrepreneurs are livid about the ruling, as they fear it could give businesses and other institutions the freedom to mistreat minority customers. "This case will embolden even more bigots to discriminate against us," says J Mase III. The transgender entrepreneur is the founder of a Seattle-based talent agency called awQward, which represents around 25 musicians and artists identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ).

Rachel B. Tiven had a similar reaction. In a statement, the CEO of the LGBTQ advocate Lambda Legal, based in New York City, writes: "The Supreme Court has become an accomplice in the right's strategy to hollow out one of its finest achievements, the right to equal marriage."

Brittny Drye, the founder of CEO of Love Inc., is further concerned that the decision will serve as a pretext for mistreatment of same-sex couples in the future. "While this isn't a 'defeat' for the community, per se, it does give people an argument for not serving gay people," Drye added. Her company, an integrated wedding site and digital magazine that serves heterosexual as well as LGBTQ couples, promotes a "Love List" of vendors that support same-sex unions.

Those fears may be overstated, cautions Wendy Patrick, a business ethics lecturer at San Diego State University. "The court's limited ruling is focused on anti-religious bias against Jack Phillips, which doesn't necessarily translate into 'businesses can now discriminate,'" she said.

The decision in this case, as Patrick alludes, has been described as "narrow," meaning that other similar cases may not necessarily be decided along the same lines. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy insisted on Monday that the Colorado state commission had simply violated the baker's right to religious freedom back in 2012, when it ruled against him after the couple sued. "The neutral and respectful consideration to which Phillips was entitled was compromised here," Justice Kennedy wrote in his slip opinion of the court (PDF.)

Narrow Focus, but Long Reach

Even so, legal observers suspect that despite the narrow focus of this decision, the issue will continue to crop up. Because the commissioner supposedly treated Phillips with "hostility" in the 2012 ruling, per Justice Kennedy's telling in the slip opinion--discrimination did not occur to begin with.

"That argument doesn't hold water," suggests JoLynn Markison, a partner with the international law firm Dorsey and Whitney, of the idea that Phillips merely exercised his religious freedom. "The fact of the matter is that he would sell a wedding cake to a heterosexual couple, but not to a homosexual couple, and the inquiry ends there." She adds that such an idea--which smacks of the Jim Crow-era notion of "separate but equal"--has been used to discriminate against other minorities in decades previous. "Let's say someone has a sincerely held religious belief that black and white people shouldn't marry. That's discrimination," she says, adding that it's no different from what happened here.

Although the Supreme Court has hedged, as it were, on deciding whether Phillips was within his rights to deny service to the couple, the ruling could influence other high-profile cases--including Arlene's Flowers v. State of Washington, in which a flower retailer refused to make a wedding arrangement for a same-sex union. "There are a number of cases that are percolating in the court system right now that involve similar questions," notes attorney Markison. "Even though the court didn't decide that religion trumps the right to be free from discrimination, it does send a dangerous message to society at large, who may not appreciate the rationale."The five finalists for a national poetry competition marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War have been announced.

The winner of A Poem to Remember, launched by Prince William back in February, will have their work read aloud by The Duke of Cambridge at the opening of the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC) later this summer. The poem will also be installed permanently at the facility.

Over 5,000 poems were submitted, a team of literary experts looking for works that reflect on humankinds ability to triumph over adversity and selecting a longlist of 25.

A judging panel composed of famous names  including Stephen Fry, war novelist Andy McNab, and the 7th Duke of Westminster  then chose the five best, with the overall winner being decided by public vote.

It has been wonderful to see the encouraging response to this, said Prince William, a patron of the DNRC campaign.

It is remarkable to see these powerful new perspectives on service, conflict and how people can face the most difficult adversities.

George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs Show all 7 1 /7 George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs Photograph taken at Randalstown Camp, County Antrim 1915. Hackney's friend John Ewing from Belfast writes in a diary or a letter home, while his comrade lies sleeping in his bunk. Ewing was later promoted to sergeant and won the Military Medal for bravery in the field National Museums Northern Ireland/George Hackney George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs Photograph taken in July/August 1916 at Ploegsteert Wood near Messines in Belgium. This is where the 14th Batallion were redeployed after the devastation of the Battle of the Somme National Museums Northern Ireland/George Hackney George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs Photograph taken at Thiepval Wood May/June 1916. Paul Pollock, standing and smoking, was the son of the Presbyterian Minister at St Enoch's Church in Belfast, where George Hackney worshipped. He was killed on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. His body was never found and name was only added to the Thievpal Memorial to the Missing in 2013 National Museums Northern Ireland/George Hackney George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs Photograph taken English Channel, 4 October 1915. The Battalion sailed from Southampton to Boulogne on the former Isle of Man paddle steamer Empress Queen. Some men are seen sleeping on the deck while others look overboard for the threat of German U-boats. National Museums Northern Ireland/George Hackney George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs Photograph taken at Randalstown Camp, County Antrim 1915. The 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles moved to Randalstown from Finner Camp in January 1915, where they remained until moving to England in July. In Randalstown, they stayed in wooden huts, and Hackney photographed the interior and exterior of these huts National Museums Northern Ireland/George Hackney George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs Sgt James Scott, photographed at Seaford, East Sussex at some point between July and October 1915 National Museums Northern Ireland/George Hackney George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs George Hackney's previously unseen World War One photographs A photograph of George Hackney, taken at Poulainville, Picardy, Northern France, October 1915. Hackney was made a Lance Corporal the day before the Battalion left for France, along with his friend John Ewing. Before advancing to the Front, the men were billeted in a barn in the village of Poulainville. National Museums Northern Ireland/George Hackney

The five finalists poems deal with a wide array of subjects, ranging recent tragedies such as the Manchester bombings and Grenfell tower to personal tales of conflict and memories of those who served the armed forces to. The authors themselves come from diverse background and include a retired civil servant, an A&E nurse, and a retired English lecturer.

TV presenter and historian Dan Snow, who chaired the judges panel, said: Weve got a chance here to place a poem right at the heart of this national institution  the DNRC  which is going to heal our wounded and look after those who have been terribly afflicted in the warzone for generations to come.

The multi-million-pound centre will succeed Headley court as the leading facility for clinical rehabilitation for those who served in the armed forces, housing a full suite of rehabilitative facilities and providing neurological and complex trauma care. The 300 million cost was funded entirely by charitable donations.

Snow continued: What greater excitement, what greater honour, can there be than to have your poem up there so that all of those people can see it day and night and to provide a source of inspiration.

The eventual winner of the competition will take home a 2,000 cash prize, while the runners up will also receive 500 each.

The public vote closes Saturday 9 June, with the winner being announced later in June. You can read the full poems and vote at www.poemtoremember.co.uk.Earl Sweatshirt has cancelled a run of UK tour dates due to anxiety and depression.

A representative for the rapper released a statement just hours before the 24-year-old was due to appear on stage at Field Day Festival, London, on Saturday (2 June).

Earl is battling anxiety and depression which has been compounded by the grief from the recent passing of his father, the statement reads.

He thought he would be ready to perform but simply is not yet able to. He would like to apologize to his fans and promises to be back as soon as he is able to.

Earl  real name Thebe Neruda Kgositsile  has also cancelled an appearance at Forbidden Fruit Festival in Dublin on Sunday, and will no longer be playing Parklife Festival in Manchester later this week.

The artists father, Keorapetse Kgositsile, a famous South African poet and activist, died earlier this year, on the 3 January following an illness at 79.

Earl, whose last album release was 2015s I Dont Like Shit, I Dont Go Outside, has previously cancelled tour dates, the first time dating back to 2014. The rapper Tweeted at the time: I had to press eject on the tour. I am physically and mentally at the end of my rope. I weigh a fraction of what Im supposed to and without synergy between the body and mind there is nothing.

If you have been affected by this story, you can contact the following organisations for support:

https://www.mind.org.uk/

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Since its inception in 2003, charity HOPING [Hope and Optimism for Palestinians in the Next Generation] has worked with high-profile artists to raise awareness for young refugees; hosting its first event  a sold-out concert at Brixton Academy  in 2004.

Fast-forward 14 years and the event  and importance of its cause  remains, perhaps stronger than ever, with this years gathering hosting just as impressive a range of musicians  and poets  as it has in previous years: Patti Smith, The Libertines, Thurston Moore and... Eric Cantona?

Smith, a long-standing supporter of the cause, gave moving poetry readings (even in her quietest moments she possesses a crackling energy): We tore this place apart in 1976, she grins, to shrieks of approval. Ill let someone else do it this time.

Patti Smith performs at Hoping For Palestines event in London (Richard Young)

The poems precede an electrifying rendition of her protest song People Have The Power, roaring: People have the power to redeem the work of fools! Some say this song is stupid and old-fashioned, the 71-year-old told the clamouring audience as her longtime band struck up the introduction. Well, f**k them. Theres nothing stupid about young people gathering together and making change.

BBC's Biggest Weekend Show all 13 1 /13 BBC's Biggest Weekend BBC's Biggest Weekend Florence and the Machine perform during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Liam Payne performs during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Ed Sheeran performs during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Clean Bandit perform during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Shawn Mendes performs during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Niall Horan performs during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. Dave J Hogan/Getty Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Florence and the Machine perform during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Years and Years perform during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. Dave J Hogan/Getty Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Craig David performs during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA BBC's Biggest Weekend Camila performs during the second day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Taylor Swift performing during the second day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA BBC's Biggest Weekend Sam Smith performs during day 1 of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend 2018 held at Singleton Park Dave J Hogan/Getty Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Taylor Swift performs during day 2 of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend 2018 Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Thurston Moore brought on a ballet dancer for a hypnotic performance between him and his drummer; the way he plays guitar is primal, prehistoric even. He claws at the strings, drags the neck across the floor, and draws the most tortured sounds from it  keening whines and anguished squaws  like a musical sadist, evoking the pain and suffering of the children pictured on a large screen behind him.

Most poets would be intimidated following two such performances, but then not everyone is Eric Cantona  as host John Bishop points out during his introduction. Cantona makes two appearances, one to read a poem in English  Palestinian poem Enemy of the Sun, recited from memory  and the second in French which is, understandably, more powerful and confidently read.

Eric Cantona reads a poem at Hoping For Palestines event at the Roundhouse in London (Dave Bennett)

By the time The Libertines swagger onto the stage the crowd are frenzied, practically moshing before the music has even begun, with the band taking Smiths earlier invitation about tearing the place up to heart and offering a respectful nod to her own performance before they begin.

Pete Doherty is as chaotic and staggering as ever, but he and Carl Barat complement one another perfectly, with the latter seeming to calm Doherty down in his wilder moments, or persuading him to commit to the acoustic guitar intro on Music When The Lights Go Out; kicking him in the backside when he messes it up on purpose.

Pete Doherty and Carl Barat of The Libertines (Dave Bennett)

One song in and most male fans in the centre have torn their shirts off; a shoe lands on the stage, then another, four songs in. Doherty hurls his mic stand into the crowd, then the mic itself (twice), and finally his guitar, causing a violent scrum as one fan refuses to let go. Somewhat unfathomably, the band finish just five minutes after the curfew  drummer Gary Powell roars goodnight!  and the brilliant, vibrant evening comes to a close.

For the frontman of a band famous for soaring anthems and grandiose artistic statements, Thom Yorkes solo material always seemed a little underwhelming. The stuttering beats and glitchy textures he disappeared into were broody and introverted, his cold, skeletal songs travelling way beyond Radioheads more experimental excursions.

Of course, no-one expects Yorke to whip out an acoustic guitar and start strumming "Fake Plastic Trees" in 2018, but intrigue around precisely how hed bring such music to life means expectations around this short, European tour are high.

Shuffling on stage to rapturous applause, the haunting piano of "Interference" is a gentle introduction, even with an ominous drone buzzing away under the surface. But then the woozy, wobbly "A Brain In A Bottle" starts up and Yorkes away, poking and twisting at his modern boxes one minute; losing himself completely in the beat the next.

BBC's Biggest Weekend Show all 13 1 /13 BBC's Biggest Weekend BBC's Biggest Weekend Florence and the Machine perform during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Liam Payne performs during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Ed Sheeran performs during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Clean Bandit perform during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Shawn Mendes performs during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Niall Horan performs during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. Dave J Hogan/Getty Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Florence and the Machine perform during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Years and Years perform during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. Dave J Hogan/Getty Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Craig David performs during the first day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA BBC's Biggest Weekend Camila performs during the second day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA Wire/PA Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Taylor Swift performing during the second day of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend at Singleton Park, Swansea. PA BBC's Biggest Weekend Sam Smith performs during day 1 of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend 2018 held at Singleton Park Dave J Hogan/Getty Images BBC's Biggest Weekend Taylor Swift performs during day 2 of BBC Radio 1's Biggest Weekend 2018 Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Strictly speaking, its not really a solo show: he has long-time producer and studio guru Nigel Godrich for company, as well as Dutch visual artist Tarik Barri. Goodrich does much of the musical heavy lifting, playing bass and guitar as well as controlling the loops and beats, leaving Yorke to dance across the stage and sing. Yet its when Yorke is more involved  ramping up the sonics, donning a guitar, or hammering "Black Swan"s bass riff  that things really start to fly.

The latter is dark, distorted, groove-laden beast that arrives four songs in and marks a shift in tone and tempo. The jittery, anxious edge his songs have on record mutate into something altogether more euphoric, helped by an immaculate sound system thats both crisp and ear-bleedingly loud. And so "Cymbal Rush" and "The Clock" take on a swarming, rabid quality, while "Two Feet Off The Ground"s sprawling lushness sounds deeper and more potent.

Were also treated to new song "The Axe", which Yorke debuted in Florence, Italy, a few nights ago: its yet another queasy, wavering synthscape that builds and flows ominously. It arrives as part of an encore that includes "Atoms for Peace" and a soaring, delirious "Default", one of two Atoms For Peace songs aired (the other being an almost oppressive rendition of "Amok").

Yorke has always been reluctant to let his voice take a starring role in his own songs, preferring instead to skulk around in the shadows and let his production chops shine. But he still manages to channel the feelings of alienation and dread that power his best work, and conjures dizzying kaleidoscopes of rhythm and texture.

Barris visuals, projected onto five huge screens behind the trio, are the perfect compliment to all this; hypnotic, disconcerting shapes grow and morph, looking at times like a shifting, alien landscape.

One particularly arresting sequence sees a single line change into an Arrival-esque collage, all in monochrome, building in intensity along with the music. As a concept  and a concert  its damn near flawless, and yet the nights most spine-tingling moment comes when all this is stripped away.

Sat behind the piano and lit by a galaxy of stars, Yorke closes with an achingly beautiful version of Radioheads rejected Bond theme "Spectre": Im lost, Im a ghost, he sings delicately, suddenly in the spotlight. Its a reminder that Yorke never needed much in the way of embellishment to sound special, even if hes convinced himself otherwise.The forest which is home to some of the last remaining Bornean orangutans is being logged despite the Indonesian governments vow to protect it, Greenpeace has claimed.

The group said six illegal logging settlements had been identified in Sungai Putri, the peatland forest home to around 1,200 of the critically endangered apes.

Campaigners obtained photos and aerial drone footage showing an extensive drainage canal full of water, heavy earth-moving equipment and planting of pulp wood tree seedlings.

Recommended Borneo has lost half its orangutans due to hunting and habitat loss

The Indonesian government has previously ordered a moratorium on drainage and logging in the country's peatland forests following extensive dry season fires in 2015.

They were blamed on the drainage of swampy peatlands to create industrial plantations, which had left the forests highly combustible.

The new evidence produced by Greenpeace comes after the Indonesian environment and forestry minister Siti Nurbaya called for the company responsible to cease operations in March.

This is a major embarrassment for the Indonesian government, which has consistently promised to protect Sungai Putri, said Ratri Kusumohartono, Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaigner.

The government cannot let this stand  it must uphold the law and ensure the full and permanent protection of this beautiful and important forest.

The ministry's director-general of law enforcement and its director of environmental disputes did not respond to calls or text messages.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Show all 14 1 /14 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 The good life - Daniel Nelson - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Daniel Nelson/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Giant gathering - Tony Wu - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Tony Wu/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Memorial to a species - Brent Stirton - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Brent Stirton/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 The jellyfish jockey - Anthony Berberian - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Anthony Berberian/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 The ancient ritual - Brian Skerry - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Brian Skerry/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Stuck in - Ashleigh Scully - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Ashleigh Scully/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Contemplation - Peter Delaney - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peter Delaney/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Palm-oil survivors - Aaron Gekoski - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Aaron Gekoski/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 The ice monster - Laurent Ballesta - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Laurent Ballesta - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Crab surprise - Justin Gilligan - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Justin Gilligan/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Polar pas de deux - Eilo Elvinger - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Eilo Elvinger/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 The incubator bird - Gerry Pearce - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Gerry Pearce/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Tapestry of life - Dorin Bofan - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Dorin Bofan/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 In the grip of the gulls - Ekaterina Bee - Wildlife Photographer of the Year Ekaterina Bee/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The ForestHints website, a semi-official news site for the ministry, said in an article earlier this month that Ms Nurbaya had "displayed great consistency" in making sure Sungai Putri is not cleared.

It said the forest would "unquestionably have been destroyed" without the ministry's previous sanctions.

Exploitation of the Sungai Putri forest and Chinese investment in a related wood-processing plant is supported by provincial and district officials in West Kalimantan province on Borneo.

An Indonesian company, Moharison Pawan Khatulistiwa, has a forestry ministry permit for logging in the forest, and a forestry ministry-approved work plan, both of which are now overridden by the moratorium on peatland development.

 Drone footage shows illegal logging in Papua New Guinea

Greenpeace said it was unclear whether the company was carrying out the logging or if other parties had taken advantage of roads built by the company to further encroach on the forest.

The wood was supplying sawmills and furniture businesses in the Ketapang region of West Kalimantan, it said.

A study published in February reported that Borneo had lost more than 100,000 orangutans in the space of just 16 years.

Over the last decade, the Centre for Conservation of Natural Resources in Indonesia together with the animal welfare organisation International Animal Rescue (IAR) have rescued over 30 orangutans in Sungai Putri and the surrounding area.

However, the great apes continue to be threatened by hunting, logging and palm oil expansion.

Habitat destruction forces orangutans to enter neighbouring plantations and farms looking for food and this frequently leads to conflict with humans, said Karmele Llano Sanchez, programme director of IAR in Indonesia. Sungai Putri is home to one of the largest populations in the world and we are at a critical point for the Bornean orangutan, without forests like this they cant survive.

Additional reporting by AP.Tens of thousands of turtles each year die at the hands of small-scale fishermen off the coast of South America, a new study has found.

Surveys at 43 harbours in Ecuador, Peru and Chile revealed gillnet fisheries catch more than 46,000 turtles per year. Of that number, 16,000 are killed in the process.

But, scientists fear the actual number could be even higher, as not all fishing ports in each country were examined as part of the analysis.

The study, carried out by researchers from the University of Exeter and Peruvian conservation organisation ProDelphinus, has been published in the journal Fisheries Research.

Recommended Turtles are dying after becoming tangled in fishing gear and rubbish

People worry about industrial fisheries but a real concern that people are waking up to is small-scale fisheries, said Prof Brendan Godley, of the University of Exeters centre for ecology and conservation.

These are small vessels but they exist in such huge numbers that they can have a massive impact on ecosystems.

Turtles living in the area covered by the study include leatherbacks, critically endangered in the east Pacific, and the hawksbill turtle, which has critically endangered status worldwide.

This work highlights the importance and the benefits of our approach of engaging with fishers, said Dr Joanna Alfaro, director of ProDelphinus.

We are actively working with fishers in this region to develop and implement solutions to bycatch  not just to improve the situation for turtles but for the health of fisheries and fish stocks.

Our goal is to develop fisheries that are sustainable for small-scale fishing communities and the species with which they interact.

The study, supported by the Governments Darwin Initiative, was designed to fill data gaps and identify priority areas for future conservation work.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice award Show all 8 1 /8 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice award Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice award Winner  Pikin and Appolinaire Pikin, a lowland gorilla, had been captured and was going to be sold for bushmeat but was rescued by Ape Action Africa. Jo-Anne took this photograph as the gorilla was being moved from her former enclosure within a safe forest sanctuary in Cameroon to a new and larger one, along with a group of gorilla companions. She was first sedated, but during the transfer to the new enclosure she awoke. Luckily, she was not only very drowsy, but she was also in the arms of her caretaker, Appolinaire Ndohoudou, and so she remained calm for the duration of the bumpy drive Jo-Anne McArthur Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice award Finalist  Elegant Mother and Calf Every year from July to late October southern humpback whales migrate north from their Antarctic feeding grounds to give birth in the warm sheltered waters off Tonga. Ray encountered this humpback mother and calf peacefully floating in the plankton-filled water around the island group of Vavau, Tonga. After Ray gently approached them, the giants swam a bit closer to have a look at him. While they made this elegant turn, Ray took the shot. He later converted the image into black and white which he felt represented the simplicity of the scene Ray Chin/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice award Finalist  Warm Embrace When polar bear mothers and cubs emerge from their dens in the early spring, the cubs stay close to their mothers for warmth and protection. Once the cubs are strong and confident enough, they make the trek to the sea ice with their mother so that she can resume hunting for seals. Debra waited six days near the den of this family, in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada, before they finally emerged. In the most challenging conditions she has ever faced, temperatures ranged from -35C to -55C with high winds, making it almost impossible to avoid frostbite and keep her camera gear functioning properly Debra Garside/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice award Finalist  Roller Rider Lakshitha was on safari in MaasaiMara National Reserve, Kenya, when he spotted an unusual sight  a lilac-breasted roller riding a zebra. Normally they prefer to perch high up in the foliage, but his roller spent an hour or more riding around and enjoying the occasional insect meal. Lakshitha waited for the surrounding zebras to form the perfect background before taking this tight crop Lakshitha Karunarathna/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice award Finalist  Sloth Hanging Out Luciano had to climb the cecropia tree, in the protected Atlantic rainforest of southern Bahia, Brazil, to take an eye-level shot of this three-toed sloth. Sloths like to feed on the leaves of these trees,and so they are often seen high up in the canopy. Luciano Candisani/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice award Shortlisted  Reach for the Sky Steven was taking pictures of a small group of adult roseate spoonbills in a rookery in Tampa Bay, Florida, when he noticed a newcomer flying in from afar. With just enough time to back up a few steps, Steven photographed the bird landing exactly square to his camera with its wings in a stunning symmetrical U-shape Steve Blandin/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice award Shortlisted  Holding On This close-up captures the touching moment an infant lays its small hand in the big hand of its mother. Jami took this photograph while she was in Borneo working on a story about the effects of palm-oil agriculture on orangutan habitat. Loss of primary rainforest is a serious threat to this already critically endangered species Jami Tarris/Wildlife Photographer of the Year Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice award Shortlisted  Blood Ivory In a protected area of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a rangers bloody hand rests on a heavily grained ivory tusk, also covered in the blood of an African elephant. The bull had to be destroyed due to a severe tusk infection that couldnt be treated.The tusks were removed to a place of safekeeping, where they were carefully catalogued in accordance with legislation Peter Chadwick/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Gathering this survey data was a massive effort across three countries, and the results give us fascinating and important insights, said Dr Jeffrey Mangel, also ProDelphinus

We are careful not to overstate threats to wildlife, but in this case its clear that tens of thousands of turtles are being caught each year.

There are seven different species of turtle present in oceans across the world, almost all of which are classified as endangered, according to the WWF.

The marine reptiles are threatened by poachers and habitat destruction, as well as the risk of accidental capture by fishermen.Apple's chief executive has denied that the company collected personal data from Facebook users through a data-sharing partnership with the social network.

Tim Cook said it did not fit the tech giant's way of operating.

Partnerships between Facebook and around 60 device manufacturers over the past 10 years gave Apple and other companies "deep access" to user data The New York Times recently reported.

Recommended Apple reveals dramatic new changes to Mac software

Facebook said the partnerships were "built on a common interest", adding that they were necessary to spread adoption of its social network before app stores were commonplace.

Mr Cook insisted his company never requested data from Facebook because it did not fit with Apple's way of operating in an interview with NPR during Apple's World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC).

"This is so foreign to us and not data that we have ever received at all or requested  zero," Mr Cook said. "What we did was we integrated the ability to share in the operating system, make it simple to share a photo and that sort of thing. So it's convenient for the user. We weren't in the data business. We've never been in the data business."

In a separate interview with CNN, Mr Cook said: "I think that the privacy thing has gotten totally out of control and I think most people are not aware of who is tracking them, how much they're being tracked and the large amounts of detailed data that are out there about them."

He added that Apple thought privacy was "a fundamental human right."

Mr Cook has previously been critical of Facebook's data practices and his latest comments serve to further distance Apple from the social network.

Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty

Apple's software chief Craig Federighi announced at WWDC that Apple was introducing tools to prevent Facebook tracking web users on iPhones and other devices.

To illustrate how the new feature for the Safari browser will work, Mr Federighi used Facebook specifically as an example of how the snooping warning will work.

"We've all seen these like buttons and share buttons," Mr Federighi said on stage earlier this week. "Well it turns out, these can be used to track you, whether you clock on them or not. So this year, we're shutting that down."Hackers from China and Russia are targeting South Korea with cyber espionage attacks ahead of the summit between the US and North Korea, a leading security firm has claimed.

The foreign ministry and financial institutions were identified as potential targets by, US cyber security firm FireEye.

The company's analysts noted the timing of the attacks and said they expected the intensity of the operations to increase in the build up to the historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un.

"South Korea has frequently been the target of cyber espionage. Though the biggest threat is North Korea actors. [FireEye] believes that China- and Russia- [based hackers] also target South Korea," Ben Read, a cyber espionage analyst at the firm, told The Independent.

"With the heightened attention to inter-Korean relations in the lead up to a potential TrumpKim meeting, we expect this targeting to continue at an increased pace."

Scheduled to take place on 12 June in Singapore the leader are expected to discuss the denuclearisation of North Korea.

It will be the first meeting between a sitting US president and leader of North Korea.

Some experts have suggested that a formal end to the Korean War  more than six decades after the 1950-1953 conflict - could be declared.

Although an armistice was signed, no peace treaty has ever been signed to formally end the war.

North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border Show all 20 1 /20 North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border People have their picture taken with North Korea in the background, in Tumen, China. In the Chinese city of Dandong, signs of neighbouring North Korea are pervasive. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border A North Korean woman is photographed from the Chinese side of the Yalu River near the town of Changbai, China as she walks between houses in the North Korean town of Hyesan. A week-long road trip along China's side of its border with North Korea revealed stark contrasts between China's bright towns and North Korea's dark villages. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border North Korean souvenirs are displayed for sale on the banks of the Yalu River in Dandong in Liaoning province, China. In the Chinese city of Dandong, signs of neighbouring North Korea are pervasive. Reuters North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border A large screen, which faces North Korea, broadcasts propaganda videos on an island on the Yalu River between North Korea and China, in the town of Linjiang in Jilin province, China. A week-long road trip along China's side of its border with North Korea revealed stark contrasts between China's bright towns and North Korea's dark villages. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border A piece of clothing is used to make a gap in barbed wire near the closed bridge over the Yalu River on the Chinese side of the border with North Korea between towns of Ji'an and Linjiang, China. A week-long road trip along China's side of its border with North Korea showed places where it is porous. Reuters North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border A tourist uses binoculars to look across to North Korea from a tower built on the Chinese side of the border between Russia (L), China (C) and North Korea (R) near the town of Hunchun in China. Reuters North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border North Koreans are photographed from the Chinese side of the border as they stand next to the freezing Yalu River near the town of Linjiang, China. On a road trip along China's side of its border with North Korea, reporters found a group of North Koreans diving in the Yalu river who the Chinese locals said were searching for gold. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border Women participate in a group dance exercise close to the Yalu River which runs between China and North Korea, in the town of Linjiang in Jilin province, China. A week-long road trip along China's side of its border with North Korea revealed stark contrasts between China's bright towns and North Korea's dark villages. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border A sign reading, "Take the initiative to preserve order along the border," stands in a field at the border between China and North Korea just outside Dandong, Liaoning province, China. Reuters North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border A couple prepare for a wedding photography session on a boat which takes tourists on sightseeing tours from the Chinese side of the Yalu River, close to the shores of North Korea, near Dandong, Liaoning province, China. In the Chinese city of Dandong, signs of neighbouring North Korea are pervasive. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border Tourists travel on a boat taking them from the Chinese side of the Yalu River for sightseeing close to the shores of North Korea, near Dandong, Liaoning province, China. In the Chinese city of Dandong, signs of neighbouring North Korea are pervasive. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border North Koreans are photographed from the Chinese side of the border as they stand next to the freezing Yalu River near the town of Linjiang, China. On a road trip along China's side of its border with North Korea, reporters found a group of North Koreans diving in the Yalu river who the Chinese locals said were searching for gold. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border Women walk across a bridge from an island on the Yalu River, dividing North Korea and China, in the town of Linjiang in Jilin province, China. A week-long road trip along China's side of its border with North Korea revealed stark contrasts between China's bright towns and North Korea's dark villages. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border A North Korean soldier and locals are photographed from the Chinese side of the border north of Dandong, China as they stand on the banks of the Yalu River, north of Sinuiju, North Korea. A week-long road trip along China's side of its border with North Korea revealed stark contrasts between China's bright towns and North Korea's dark villages. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border North Korean girls are photographed from the Chinese side of the border as they collect water from the frozen Yalu River near Linjiang, China. A week-long road trip along China's side of its border with North Korea revealed stark contrasts between China's bright towns and North Korea's dark villages. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border A man looks through binoculars towards North Korea on the Broken Bridge over the Yalu River that connects the North Korean town of Sinuiju and Dandong in Liaoning Province, China. In the Chinese city of Dandong, signs of neighbouring North Korea are pervasive. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border North Koreans are photographed from the Chinese side of the border as they stand next to the freezing Yalu River near the town of Linjiang, China. On a road trip along China's side of its border with North Korea, reporters found a group of North Koreans diving in the Yalu river who the Chinese locals said were searching for gold. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border North Korean fishermen are seen as a Chinese flag flutters from the Broken Bridge as the sun sets over the Yalu River between the North Korean town of Sinuiju and Dandong in Liaoning Province, China. In the Chinese city of Dandong, signs of neighbouring North Korea are pervasive. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border North Koreans are photographed from the Chinese side of the border as they stand in the freezing Yalu River near the town of Linjiang, China. On a road trip along China's side of its border with North Korea, reporters found a group of North Koreans diving in the Yalu river who the Chinese locals said were searching for gold. REUTERS North Korea: A road trip on the edge of the Chinese border Women, photographed from the Chinese side of the border, are seen through binoculars fixed on a building on the Chinese side of the border for sightseers to look across to North Korea, as they cross the bridge from Namyang in North Korea towards the town of Tumen in China, Reuters

The two hacking groups identified by the FireEye researchers were TempTick and Turla, both of which are suspected of being state-sponsored operations.

TempTick has previously been involved in attacks on Chinese dissident organisations, as well as Japanese public and private sector institutions. It has been active since 2009.

The earliest known attacks linked to the group known as Turla are from 2006.

FireEye researchers noted: "They consistently target governments worldwide in search of information that can inform Russian government decision making."As parting gifts go, the GDPR regulation enacted by the EU is not a bad one for internet users. The begging emails filling up inboxes around the country will sever billions of connections between Britons and businesses that some people wont remember signing up to in the first place. Those emails, languishing without replies, signal the building of boundaries between people and the companies that harvest their data.

These ideas are nothing new to Scot Gardner. As the chief executive of Cisco in the UK and Ireland since 2016, he is leading the European arm of one of the worlds largest technology conglomerates as it tries to make the internet a safer place  for users and businesses alike.

The way to think about Cisco is that historically we connected anything across the internet, Gardner says.

He sometimes introduces the company to school children by asking them how they think their messages get from one phone to another through Facebook and WhatsApp, and then telling them: We build, help, operate and work with the people that do a huge amount of what makes it possible for those things to be connected. Nearly every internet connection in the UK touches Cisco.

In the past decade, Cisco has shifted from creating and running these networks to ramping up its research and development in the next frontier in internet security. Gardners job now encompasses everything from talking to museums about how they can safely digitise information, to managing a relationship with Interpol to keep the UK safe from state-funded cyber attacks. Thats a huge task in an era when Russia is under investigation for interfering in the US election and UK banks are being forced to shut down systems under threat.

While the digital industry is global, it occurs locally, through those day-to-day interactions and transactions on computers and phones. GDPR is a first step in allowing individuals to redefine the way they interact, but in reality the work is only just starting. GDPR is a very sound set of principles around what should be under the individuals control, and what businesses have to do to ensure that customers data is protected, Gardner says. You do have a choice.

Many businesses are not celebrating. For small firms the regulation could see the destruction of hard-won email lists of potential customers. Tech startups, video games companies and advertising companies from the US are reported to be among those pulling out of the EU entirely, fearing fines of up to 20m (17.5m) or 4 per cent of global revenue after 25 May.

In modern business data is part of the transaction, Gardner says. Cisco is one of two organisations advising the UK government on where data goes after it is collected, called data flows. Data, like labour and goods, must be able to travel between jurisdictions for companies to be able to use it.

Brexit poses an obvious threat to the free flow of data between the UK and Europe. Gardner is confident that Cisco will adapt to the terms of the deal once it is finalised: We operate in 122 countries, so were used to operating globally. Well adapt to the deal when we know what it is.

He is more concerned with creating a digital economy that will allow the UK to thrive whatever the conditions of trade. Being a successful digital economy, to my mind, is more important than the political context of in or out of Brexit. If you look at the GDP growth numbers associated with a successful digital economy, they are the bigger numbers. So we must be very focussed on what makes a digital economy first and foremost.

In Manchester, Cisco has opened an innovation centre called Mi-IDEA with Manchester Science Partnership, to give students and startups a place to collaborate on ideas from transport to healthcare and housing. It is also involved in City Verve, an ambitious attempt to make Manchester a test case for smart cities in the UK. This involved smartphone-powered interactive tours of the city, sensors and smart inhalers to help relieve pressure on the NHS, and digital nudges to encourage Mancunians to be active and lower their risk of health problems. There are plans to make the transport system more efficient with talkative bus stations that allow people to check in to their stop to alert the bus driver that someone is waiting.

In short, Cisco is powering the networks that will soon run not only our WhatsApp and Facebook messages, but every aspect of our lives. Gardner is optimistic about this fourth industrial revolution, but wants to see the theories behind it tested. Its really about connecting data and proving the use cases for citizens, he says. But you have to make it real, it cant be just an aggregate discussed.

One place hed really like to see better tech trialled is on trains. Im a commuter, I come into the city by train, he says. One of my passions is how I get good broadband on the train. If I had good connectivity on the train I could leave earlier, see my family more or change how I behave. Even if I just want to watch a movie  at the moment thats a hard thing to do.

Through Project SWIFT, Cisco and partners ScotRail, CGI, Network Rail Telecoms and Wittos are trailing the fastest wifi on trains in the world, with internet speeds of up to 300Mbps. It is also working on improving connectivity to rural areas with new 5G networks. Forty per cent of our population is rural. You think about farming techniques, tractors in the fields  its important that we make available to people in remote communities the same connectivity as in more urban ones.

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He might now be problem-solving connectivity problems on a much bigger scale, but Gardner has always liked fixing things. He started his career as an engineer and describes himself as a keen DIYer. I like fiddling with things and fixing them, messing about with engines. It was at Exxon where an employer noticed his passion for computing and asked it he wanted to move to the IT side of the business. Later a friend suggested he should get into these things called networks. He joined Cisco a few years later. That was more than 20 years ago.

Alongside his work at Cisco, Gardner sits on the board of TechUK, a representative body for people working in tech, focusing on the next generation of digital skills and jobs. He also represents the charity XForces, which supports start-up and scale-up businesses in the UK military community.

Much of his work happens around big themes like security, productivity or data. But like a true engineer, Gardner is concerned about the details. I want the UK to be at the forefront of the digital revolution, whether its skills or whether its jobs, he says. But rather than it being broad-brushed, what does it mean for peoples lives? Im passionate about that.Johnston Press revenues slumped 9 per cent over the first half of the year and the publisher warned of extremely challenging trading exacerbated by the introduction of new data protection rules and uncertainty around the cost of paper.

The companys shares plunged 13 per cent on Tuesday morning to their lowest-ever level after the trading update for 1 January to 31 May.

Johnston Press, which publishes more than 200 titles including The Scotsman and the Yorkshire Post, hailed strong performance at the i newspaper and said it expects full-year results to be in line with expectations.

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However, it warned that the impact on digital advertising revenues of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) in Europe was uncertain.

GDPR, which came into force last month, imposes stricter requirements on how companies collect and process personal information. It threatens to hurt online advertising revenues which rely on personal data to send targeted ads to consumers.

We expect to see continued pressure on revenues in the second half of the year, and a requirement for cost savings, Johnston Press said.

Johnston Press faces further questions around the restructuring and refinancing of 220m of bonds due for repayment on 1 June next year.

The company said it has yet to reach agreement with bondholders over these arrangements which include the option of restructuring its pension scheme.

Johnston Press has also reviewed its property portfolio as part of its bid to counter the mounting pressure on sales.

Ashley Highfield, the companys chief executive, left last month after seven years in the job, citing family reasons.

Falling circulation as readers move online have has led to greatly reduced print advertising revenues, hurting all UK newspaper publishers and forcing many to slash costs. Shares in Daily MIrror owner Reach fell nearly 4 per cent in Tuesday.Labour has slammed the governments decision to resume the sale of its shares in Royal Bank of Scotland, after it offloaded a 7.7 per cent stake in the lender at a loss of more than 2bn  and analysts suggested the taxpayer could be up to 3.4bn out of pocket.

The Treasury announced it was selling part of its holding in RBS, which it has owned since bailing the bank out during the financial crisis, on Monday.

On Tuesday, the government said it had successfully completed the disposal of the shares, selling them to institutional investors for net proceeds of just over 2.5bn. This represents a loss of 2.1bn, as the shares were bought at just over 500p each, while they were sold at 271p.

However, according to calculations by investment group Hargreaves Lansdown, if all the costs of the governments purchase of the RBS stake, such as interest rates, are factored in, the sale on Monday night actually cost the taxpayer 3.4bn.

John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, said: There is no economic justification for this sell-off of RBS shares. There should be no sales of RBS shares, full stop. But because of this governments obsession with privatisation, the taxpayers who bailed out the bank will now incur an enormous loss.

Taxpayers are paying the price for the Tories mismanagement of RBS over the past eight years.

Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at City Index, warned that it would be difficult for the Treasury to make a good return on its investment in RBS.

Even with carefully timed sales the government may not be able to regain the full sum it put into keeping the bank afloat, she said.

Meanwhile, John Glen, the economics secretary to the Treasury and city minister, told the BBC that RBS needs to return to the private sector even if shares need to be sold at a loss.

I would love it if we could sell the shares at a much higher price, but we need to be realistic and look at the market conditions, he said

This government doesnt believe we should be in the business of owning banks. Theyre better off in the private sector. When Gordon Brown bought it out, it was never the intention that wed be a permanent investor.

The sale brings the governments holding in the bank to around 62.4 per cent.

Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: Its now clear the losses sustained by the taxpayer on the RBS bailout are going to be substantial, though this really reflects the price paid for financial stability in the depths of the global banking crisis.

Holding onto the shares doesnt necessarily guarantee a better return for the taxpayer in the near term either. Share prices clearly fluctuate based on market conditions, which dont fall under the control of RBS or the UK government. While the 271p share price attained by the government last night is much lower than what it paid for RBS, its significantly higher than the 150p it fell to in the wake of the EU referendum.Mans best friend may be the unwitting delivery system for the next flu pandemic among humans, leading scientists have warned on publication of a new study that found an increase in dog flu strains that could potentially infect people.

Researchers found the virus is now capable of jumping from pigs, one of a handful of species that carries flu, to dogs. They, in turn, can infect humans.

It also found that flu strains were becoming more diverse in canines, in a pattern very reminiscent of the events that led to the global swine flu outbreak a decade ago, they said.

The virus has yet to make the jump from dogs to people, but the studys authors suggested governments should make preparations for controlling the spread of flu in canines, which would increase the risk of a mutant strain crossing the species boundary.

This is particularly important in areas where there are large stray populations and in parts of Asia where they are farmed for meat, they said.

What we have found is another set of viruses that come from swine that are originally avian in origin, and now they are jumping into dogs and have been reassorted with other viruses in dogs, said Professor Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, director of the Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute.

The diversity in dogs has increased so much now that the type of combinations of viruses that can be created in dogs represent potential risk for a virus to jump to a dog into a human.

As new flu strains pass into other species they can swap genes with other infectious diseases native to their host and this increases the viruss ability to reproduce and cause harm.

Pets in focus: Shooting animals Show all 12 1 /12 Pets in focus: Shooting animals Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29177.bin Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29028.bin Magnum Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29027.bin Magnum Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29026.bin Magnum Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29025.bin Magnum Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29024.bin Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29023.bin Magnum Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29022.bin Magnum Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29021.bin Magnum Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29020.bin Magnum Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29019.bin Magnum Pets in focus: Shooting animals 29030.bin Magnum

In the event that these new strains infect humans they can be very serious as our immune systems havent previously encountered them and are slow to fight off the infection.

Advice during bird and swine flu pandemics has been to avoid close contact with the affected animals, although many people are much closer with their dogs than farm animals.

Based at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York, Professor Garcia-Sastre heads up one of five leading centres of excellence in flu research in the US.

He said the new virus identified in dogs is H1N1  the same strain as the 2009 swine flu pandemic.

This strain began in birds, and passed into pigs, but the antigen markings on its outer coat  which our immune system uses to spot invaders  are different from the 2009 outbreak.

We now have H1N1, H3N2 and H3N8 in dogs, Professor Garcia-Sastre added. They are starting to interact with each other. This is very reminiscent of what happened in swine 10 years before the H1N1 pandemic.

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For the research, published in the mBio journal of the American Microbiological Society, the researchers analysed the genetics of 16 influenza viruses found in dogs in Chinas southern Guangxi region.

Most of these dogs were pets who had been brought to the vet with respiratory conditions, but the large population of street dogs and the dog meat trade makes the spread of infection more likely than in other countries.

They said that governments should begin to consider ways to avert or control any future spread of canine flu. In the UK and US bird flu outbreaks are controlled by culling infected and exposed animals, but doctors are working on a vaccine alternative for swine flu.

There are attempts to restrict influenza virus in pigs through vaccination and one could consider vaccination for dogs, Dr Garcia-Sastre said.

A 2015 outbreak of canine flu caused the deaths of at least six dogs in the US and infected thousands.

Jonathan Ball, professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, who was not involved with the research, said it was unlikely we could second guess the next outbreak but a dog source wasnt impossible.

Humans have lots of interaction with dogs, and we know that dogs can be infected with influenza, he added. What this study provides is evidence that dogs can be naturally infected with multiple strains of viruses, most notably viruses from pigs, which are a known reservoir of influenza viruses that can infect us.

This increases the potential threat of dogs acting as mixing vessels for the production of new strains of virus that might, just might, in the future spill over into humans.A judge has dismissed a challenge by homeopathic groups against the NHS decision not to fund unproven pills through prescriptions.

The bid by the British Homeopathic Association (BHA) and others was ended by a High Court ruling.

It was welcomed by NHS England (NHSE) boss Simon Stevens who called the challenge costly and spurious.

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In a statement following the decision the BHA claimed the health service had engaged in a deliberate attempt to unfairly influence the public during a consultation into ending funding for a number of prescription items including homeopathy.

The move was designed to save money by not funding remedies that could not be proven to work or can be bought over the counter, NHSE said.

The BHAs argument the 2017 consultation and a press release accompanying it were biased and the conclusions pre-determined was rejected by Mr Justice Supperstone.

It had complained about a statement by Mr Stevens in the press release that homeopathy was at best a placebo and a misuse of scarce NHS funds. The judge said this was robust but, taken as a whole, the document demonstrated NHSE was taking a provisional view on funding the remedies.

Another senior figure was also recorded as saying NHSE wanted to hear from as many people and organisations as possible  and the BHAs own response was carefully considered and reviewed, the judge said.

He wrote in his full judgment: In circumstances where NHSE was putting forward the proposal to consultees on the basis of an assessment of the evidence as to whether homeopathy actually works, I consider that NHSE was entitled to form a view on the state of the evidence before going out to consultation.

It does not follow from that that NHSE had closed its mind to any further evidence that might be provided by consultees or that it would not objectively assess that evidence if it were received.

He also said that there is no evidence of bias or predetermination on NHSEs part, though BHA, in its later statement, accused the body of a failure to genuinely engage with the public on important decisions about healthcare provision. It said the judges decision was astonishing.

Mr Justice Supperstone also rejected the BHAs complaint that the evidence cited by NHSE to show homeopathy did not work was too complicated for the public to understand.

The 2010 parliamentary report in question  which described the principle on which homeopathy is based as scientifically implausible  sets out its conclusions and recommendations in clear terms, he said.

He added: It was made clear to consultees that the reason why NHSE was proposing to include homeopathy on the list of items that should not routinely be prescribed by GPs was the lack of robust evidence that it actually works.

Consultees therefore knew that, if they opposed the proposal, they should point to evidence that homeopathy actually works, and they were afforded the opportunity to submit such evidence.

The fact that the claimant [BHA] did exactly this indicates that certainly it had sufficient information to provide an informed response.

Mr Justice Supperstone did not pass judgment on whether belief in homeopathys efficacy was legitimate, saying that to do so would be inappropriate.

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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. 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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. 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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. 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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. 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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

Homeopaths claim that like cures like. Remedies are created by dissolving a material believed to cause a certain affliction in water, then diluting that solution many times past the point at which any molecules of the original substance remain. The weaker the solution, the more powerful the remedy, it is claimed.

During the process the water is knocked against a leather and horsehair surface, before a droplet is applied to plain tablets and they are packaged.

After reviewing 225 studies of homeopathy in 2015, Australias National Health and Medical Research Council said: People who choose homeopathy may put their health at risk if they reject or delay treatments for which there is good evidence for safety and effectiveness.

There was no good quality evidence to support the claim that homeopathy is effective in treating health conditions, the body concluded.

Dr Graham Jackson, the co-chairman of NHS Clinical Commissioners, welcomed the latest ruling.

He said: It is important that we have an honest conversation with the public, patients and clinicians about what the NHS should and can provide with the constrained funds it has available.

As a part of that, it is right that we review what is currently offered on NHS prescription so that we can prioritise our spending on those products that are the most clinically effective and provide the best outcomes for patients.Syphilis diagnoses last year increased by levels not seen since 1949 as charities warn a growing sexual health crisis is being caused by government cuts to health services and testing.

Figures released by Public Health England (PHE) on Tuesday show there were 7,137 new syphilis diagnoses in 2017, an increase of 20 per cent on the year before, which already saw a record increase.

Gonorrhoea cases also increased 22 per cent in a year, to 44,676 diagnoses. Charities said this news was particularly worrying in the wake of the case of a British man who contracted a form of the disease resistant to all known treatments.

This government is presiding over a national crisis in sexual health, caused in large part by the decision to implement year-on-year cuts to the public health grant which funds sexual health services, said National Aids Trust chief executive Deborah Gold.

The impact of these cuts is being felt disproportionately by people in black and minority ethnicity (BME) communities, young people, and men who have sex with men  a group which accounts for 78 per cent of the new syphilis cases.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were broadly stable between 2016 and 2017, decreasing by around 0.3 per cent.

However this may have been driven by a decrease in chlamydia testing, which fell 8 per cent, and though new cases fell 2 per cent, charities said this is not good news.

There were 126,000 chlamydia diagnoses and 1.3 million tests carried out on young people aged 15 to 24 in 2017.

New genital warts cases have also continued to fall, driven by the national human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programme in girls age 12 and 13.

Rates are markedly higher in men and sexual health charity the Terrence Higgins Trust called for vaccination to be extended to men, which would also tackle rates of throat and mouth cancers caused by the virus.

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

Head of policy and engagement Debbie Laycock warned that services are already stretched too thin, and more cuts are planned.

The significant rise in both syphilis and gonorrhoea shows why further cuts are completely unacceptable and would be extremely damaging, particularly given the emergence of a new extensively drug-resistant strain of gonorrhoea.

Theres no clear plan for tackling consistently high rates of STIs, she added, calling for the recent success in bringing down HIV diagnoses to be used as a blueprint for improving wider health services.

Dating apps have been blamed for the rise in syphilis in America.

In the UK, local councils, which fund sexual health, are at financial breaking point already and the Local Government Association said the 600m cuts meant they were in danger of becoming unable to respond effectively to unforeseen outbreaks.

 Woman accusing R Kelly of deliberately spreading STDs describes her first seuxal encounter with him

Dr Gwenda Hughes, consultant scientist and head of the STI section at PHE, said: Sexually transmitted infections pose serious consequences to health  both your own and that of your current and future sexual partners.

The impact of STIs can be considerable, with some causing infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and harm to unborn babies.

Consistent and correct condom use with new and casual partners is the best defence against STIs, and if you are at risk, regular checkups are essential to enable early diagnosis and treatment.Ely Calil, who has died aged 72, was a financier and oil baron who would ordinarily have remained unnoticed and unrecognised outside of the business world had it not been for his role in a 2004 failed coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea.

In a scenario worthy of a spy thriller, Calil plotted with Sir Mark Thatcher, son of the former prime minister, and the mercenary Simon Mann to overthrow the government of the Equatorial Guinea president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and replace him with exiled opposition leader Severo Moto.

On 7 March 2004, a Boeing 727 loaded with weapons and equipment was seized at Harare airport in Zimbabwe. Mann was arrested, found guilty of attempting to buy arms for an alleged coup plot and given a seven-year prison sentence.

In an intercepted letter from his prison cell, Mann, a former British Army officer, asked his friends Calil (nicknamed Smelly in the letter) and Thatcher (nicknamed Scratcher) to send a large splodge of wonga to help get him out of jail. He was pardoned and released in 2009 on humanitarian grounds.

Thatcher, whom Mann later described in court testimony as not just an investor  a part of the management team, was arrested at his Cape Town home in August 2004. He was given a four-year suspended sentence, as well as a fine of around $500,000 (374,000).

The Equatorial Guinea government was unsuccessful in suing Calil, with British courts citing insufficient evidence to pursue a case. Interviewed in 2008, Calil denied the existence of a coup plot, stating: There was a scheme to fly [Severo Moto] back and to protect him while he was in the country. Severos belief was that if he was protected in his home town and could remain alive for a few days a political storm would occur that would sweep away the present regime.

Calil was no stranger to controversy. Two years prior to the Wonga coup he had been arrested and investigated over alleged illegal payments in relation to contracts between the French Elf Aquitaine oil company and the Nigerian government. The investigation into alleged abuse of public property by Calil resulted in him being released without charge.

Ely Calil was born in 1945 in Kano, Nigeria, and educated at Beaumont College and Oxford University. His Lebanese father, George Khalil, had set up the countrys first food oil mill four years earlier, processing nuts, under the name of Nigerian Oil Mills. When Khalil died in 1970, Ely inherited a 20m fortune which he went on to grow through property development and oil broking. By 2010 he had a net worth of around 350m. He was an exceptionally private man who, but for the Wonga coup, would have remained out of the public gaze.

Calil married Frances Condon, a Tennessee tobacco heiress, in 1972, with whom he had a son and a daughter. Divorced in 1985, he remarried the following year, to Lebanese socialite Hayat Emma Morowa. In 1989 he married Renuka Jaine, with whom he had one daughter.

Calil died following a fall down stairs at his home in Holland Park, London.

Ely Calil, businessman, born 8 December 1945; died 28 May 2018Michael McIntyre was robbed by two hammer-wielding thieves on a moped while he waited to pick his children up from school.

The windows of the floppy-haired comedians black Range Rover were smashed and he was forced to hand over a watch to the robbers, witnesses said.

The 42-year-old had been waiting to collect his sons in Golders Green, in north London, when he was attacked.

Witnesses said he tried to comfort his sons in the aftermath.

An onlooker, who did not want to be named, told the Daily Mail: The guy at the front of the moped started to hit the drivers window about 10 to 15 times and it eventually just cracked.

He opens the door and gets Michael McIntyre out of the car. Michael fell but he was still trying to put up a fight.

I just remember one of the bikers trying to get something. I dont know what the guy was trying to get  a watch, a wallet, maybe?

And then within seconds they were gone down the hill. It was all so quick  the whole thing must have taken 30 seconds. Michaels son was in the car with him in the front passenger seat.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 13 October 2021 Police officers detain a man as Insulate Britain activists block a roundabout at a junction on the M25 motorway during a protest in Thurrock Reuters UK news in pictures 12 October 2021 The aerial climate installation by Swiss artivist Dan Acher 'We Are Watching' is unveiled at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2021 A young girl is helped by a Border Force officer as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. 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The Met Police said they were called to North End Road just before 2pm on Monday.

In a statement, the force said: The victim was stationary in his car when two males on a moped smashed the car windows with a hammer before stealing property.

No injuries were reported.

Mr McIntyres agent told the Sun: Michael was involved in an incident involving armed robbers.

He is absolutely fine and helping police with their inquiries.

No arrests have been made, investigators said.

It comes amid a surge in moped-related crime in London.

Others who have fallen victim to so-called moped gangs include Martin lewis, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, whose phone was snatched from his hands last July, while Daniel Radcliffe came to the aid of a tourist who was mugged.

Between January and September, there were more than 19,385 moped enabled crimes in the capital  an average of 53 a day  including thefts and robberies, figures from 2017 suggest.

At the time, police said they were tackling the increase in three ways: a UV spray, mobile stinger and more lightweight motorbikes for officers.

Officers said there are a number of factors behind the spike in thefts, including a rise in the number of people using scooters to commute and a growing market for second-hand mobile phone parts.

Scooter criminals normally travel in pairs, with a passenger sitting behind the rider, targeting busy areas where they can snatch high-value smartphones.

Speaking last October, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said: I think we are stemming the rise but I want sustained reductions.An unborn baby was decapitated after a doctor chose the wrong method to try and deliver him, a medical tribunal has found.

Dr Vaishnavy Vilvanathan Laxman, a consultant gynaecologist, was working on the NHS maternity unit at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee when she failed to perform an emergency caesarean section on the 30-year-old first-time mother known as Patient A, according to a report by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel.

Instead, the 43-year-old obstetrician opted for a regular delivery, even though the boy  referred to as Baby B - was feet first in the breech position with a prolapsed cord and low heart rate.

The mothers cervix was also less than 4cm dilated. She was 25 weeks pregnant at the time.

The panel found the decision to proceed with a vaginal delivery set in train a course of events which ultimately resulted in the decapitation of Baby B.

It added: But for Dr Vilvanathan Laxmans error of judgment in this regard, the decapitation would not have occurred.

Dr Laxman, was suspended by NHS Tayside in the wake of the March 2014 incident.

Two other doctors carried out a c-section to remove the head which was re-attached to his body so that his mother could hold him.

The tribunal said it accepted that by the time the head became detached, the baby was already dead.

A pathologist told the tribunal that the damage to the babys neck and decapitation would most likely be attributed to the pulling and stretching forces applied to Baby Bs body during attempts to deliver the head.

Dr Laxman, who qualified in Chennai, India before coming to the UK in 2004, denied any wrongdoing at a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester. She said she believed the baby would have died had a c-section been performed.

But the tribunal found that the mother was taken to theatre and given the complications, the only appropriate course in these circumstances was a caesarean section which would have been the quickest mode of delivery given the risks attendant upon a vaginal delivery, namely head entrapment, which would inevitably have delayed the birth.

Patient A told the tribunal she had previously been informed that the baby would be delivered by caesarean section if anything happened, because her baby was in breech.

The only pain relief I was given was a spray on my tongue, she told an earlier hearing, clutching a pair of teddy bears in her arms.

I was told it was meant to loosen my cervix but I was not given gas and air  I was in pain. I had the doctors putting their hands inside me and I had them pushing on my stomach and then pulling me down.

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I tried to get off the bed but they pulled me back three times and just said they had to get the baby out. They twice tried to cut my cervix and nobody told me they were going to do it. There was no anaesthetic. I said to them it doesnt feel right, stop it, whats going on, I dont want to do it but nobody responded to me in any way.

Afterwards I was in a cubicle with a curtain around me and the sister came over to me and told me my son had passed away.

At the finding of facts hearing panel chairman Tim Bradbury said it was Dr Laxmans choices and her increasingly desperate attempts to deliver the head that caused the decapitation.

He added: The central issue in this case is whether Dr Laxmans decision to attempt a vaginal delivery of Baby B rather than an immediate caesarean section under general anaesthetic was clinically indicated or whether the only proper course in the circumstances would have been to proceed to an immediate caesarean section.

Dr Laxman had not sufficiently addressed in her mind the risk to Baby B by proceeding with a vaginal delivery  namely the risk of head entrapment and the delay this complication would inevitably cause.

The tribunal will decide at a later date whether Dr Laxman should be struck off.This year, the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr begins on the evening of Saturday 23 May.

The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, a month-long period of fasting and deep reflection.

Translated from Arabic as the feast of the breaking of the fast, Muslims observe the religious holiday by taking part in traditions such as holding prayer services and donating money to charity.

Heres everything you need to know about Eid al-Fitr:

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fir follows Ramadan, the Islamic holy month which sees Muslims fast during daylight hours.

Ramadan commemorates the Quran first being revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Show all 30 1 /30 Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Britain Muhammad, 4, and Sanaa, 6, (left) arrive for the Eid celebrations in Small Heath Park, Birmingham PA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Pakistan Muslims girls show their hands painted with henna to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr at a Mosque in Peshawar AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Libya Muslim worshippers gather to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Martyrs Square of the capital Tripoli. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Lebanon Palestinian girls ride on human-powered swings at an amusement park EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Syria Syrians shop in the Bazurieh market in Damascus' historic bazaar ahead of Eid al-Fitr AFP/Getty Images Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Lebanon Children wave their hands as they pass in a mini transport car inside Sabra and Shatila Refugee Camp during Eid al-Fitr in Beirut EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Pakistan Muslims greet each other after offering the Eid al-Fitr prayers at a Mosque in Peshawar AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Pakistan Muslims greet each other after a morning prayer session to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in Peshawar EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Turkey Muslim worshippers perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Suleymaniye mosque in Istanbul AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Romania Girls wait for the start of Eid al-Fitr prayers in Bucharest AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Afghanistan Muslims greet each other after a morning prayer session in Jalalabad EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Romania A boy attends Eid al-Fitr prayers in Bucharest AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Bangladesh People cram onto a train as they travel back home to meet their families ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, in Dhaka AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Kenya Muslim women take pictures with their mobile phone after attending Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Pumwani grounds in Nairobi AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Democratic Republic of the Congo Young Muslim worshippers are seen ahead of a mass prayer to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa AFP/Getty Images Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Kosovo Young Muslim devotees perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the grand mosque in Pristina AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Kenya A muslim girl decorated with Hina on her hands at the Pumwani grounds in Nairobi AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Afghanistan Children play during the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr in Kabul Reuters Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Libya Men exchange Eid al-Fitr greetings at the port of Benghazi AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Saudi Arabia Two women embrace each other to as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr, after prayers in the courtyard of the mosque of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Britain Two young worshippers eat ice cream during Eid celebrations in Small Heath Park PA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Russia Muslims attend a morning prayer session to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on the street outside the Central Mosque in Moscow EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Saudi Arabia Men embrace each other to as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr, after prayers in the courtyard of the mosque of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Turkey Muslims offer prayers during the first day of Eid al-Fitr at the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Afghanistan Men greet each other after offering Eid al-Fitr prayer at the presidential palace in Kabul EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Saudi Arabia Adults take pictures of children in their new clothes after Eid al-Fitr prayers EPA Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Albania Muslims pray at Skenderbej square on the first day of the Muslim festival marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Tirana AFP/Getty Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Afghanistan Men hug each other after offering Eid al-Fitr prayers during the Eid al-Fitr at the presidential palace in Kabul AP Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Albania Muslims attend the morning prayers of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan in Skanderbeg square Tirana Reuters Eid 2019: Celebrations across the world Syria People shop in the old city of Damascus EPA

Eid al-Fitr marks an end to the solemn period of reassessment that is Ramadan.

When is the festival?

Ramadan lasts between 29 and 30 days, depending on when a new moon is sighted by local religious authorities.

The sighting of the new moon means that Eid al-Fitr can commence.

Recommended Thousands worship at Grand Mosque in Mecca for Ramadan

Precisely when followers choose to observe it varies because there is some discussion within the faith about whether the moon must be spotted with the naked eye and whether it needs to be seen in the country where the celebrations are happening.

The date of Eid al-Fitr depends on the lunar calendar, which is why it falls on a different date on the Gregorian calendar on an annual basis.

This year, Eid al-Fitr takes place from the evening of Saturday 23 May until the evening of Sunday 24 May.

The festival is a day when Muslims thank god, known as Allah in Arabic, for strength and blessings, hoping the commemoration of Ramadan has brought them closer to god.

It was first celebrated by Muhammad in 624CE following a victory in battle.

How is it celebrated?

Several traditions are observed on Eid al-Fitr, one of which involves the reciting of a certain set of prayers especially for the occasion called Salat al-Eid.

Muslims will generally gather at mosques or in open-air locations such as parks to recite the prayers on the first morning of the festival.

They will then sit down with their family and friends for breakfast, their first daylight meal following a month of fasting.

However, this year traditional celebration practises may have significantly adapted due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for three days and is a national holiday in Muslim countries.

In the UK, Muslims tend to celebrate the festival for a day and may take time off work or school for the occasion.

Another important tradition is Zakat al-Fitr  the act of giving charity to the poor at the end of Ramadan.

In 2016, it was estimated that British Muslims gave on average 371 each to charity during Ramadan.

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Whats the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Adha takes place later on in the year, and is considered a holier observance than Eid al-Fitr.

It takes place on the 10th day of the final month of the Islamic calendar, and involves Muslims from around the world travelling the Mecca for pilgrimage.

This year, Eid al-Adha takes place from the evening of Thursday 30 July to Monday 3 August.

It is known as the sacrifice feast, and honours the prophet Ibrahims sacrifice of his son Ishmael, an act of submission under the order of Allah.

How to wish someone a happy Eid

The phrase commonly used by Muslims to wish someone a happy Eid is Eid Mubarak, which translates to Blessed Eid in Arabic.Grenfell Tower was turned into a death trap by refurbishment work overseen by the local authority, the inquiry into the fire has heard.

Danny Friedman QC, speaking on behalf of a group of law firms representing survivors and the bereaved, said they were watching the inquiry in a calm rage.

He said the probe would examine how a local authority instigated and oversaw a refurbishment of a social housing high-rise tower block in such a way as to render it a death trap.

Recommended The damning catalogue of failures laid bare in Grenfell report

The royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the tenants management organisation (TMO) did this with public funds paid to an array of contractors and sub-contractors  none of whom have yet taken any responsibility for what happened, he said.

Mr Friedman said residents were fobbed off and certainly not treated as equals when they warned such a disaster could happen.

The hearing, which was held in Holborn Bars in central London, was also asked to consider whether the council or the TMO were guilty of institutional racism by another lawyer for the victims.

Imran Khan, who once represented the parents of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence, said the same problems highlighted by the inquiry into his racist killing had been seen at Grenfell Tower. He told the hearing the current terms of reference should be broadened to see if race, religion or social class played any part in the disaster.

We might ask if this was a product of deliberate social cleansing or segregation or pure chance and coincidence, pure bad luck for those who die, he said.

He went on to say unconscious and some conscious racism was seen in the firefighters statements from the night of the fire.

Those in the block from black or minority backgrounds were not described by their clothes or features, but ethnic origin, he said.

This included middle eastern appearance, of Arabic descent and a reference to someone of Tunisian appearance.

Mr Khan asked what someone of Tunisian appearance was supposed to look like.

 Father of 5-year-old Isaac Paolos who was killed in Grenfell: 'I have to live with the guilt of not protecting my son every day'

Stephanie Barwise QC, also representing the survivors and bereaved, said a disaster of this scale arising from what started and should have remained a kitchen fire suggests failures at every level of design and construction of the refurbishment.

Of the six commonly recognised layers of protection against fire  namely prevention, detection, evacuation, suppression, compartmentation and the resistance of the structure to the fire  at Grenfell Tower, five of those layers failed, she added.

Quoting an expert report on the fire submitted to the inquiry by Dr Barbara Lane, Ms Barwise described the insulation in the cladding as the lowest class and therefore woefully low in relation to the required standard.

Gaps in the windows were plugged with a material derived from crude oil  the perfect medium for flame spread at the edge of the window, she said.

The combination of this highly combustible material and omissions of cavity barriers amounts to a collection of catastrophic failures in construction safety.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Show all 18 1 /18 Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Kitchen in flat 16 where the fire started Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 ReutersGrenfell Tower Inquiry/Reuters Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Hallway in flat 16, leading to the kitchen where the fire started Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Living room in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Toilet in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Living room in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom 2 of flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/Reuters Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Bedroom 2 of flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/Reuters Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began The kitchen from flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Kitchen in flat 16 where the fire started Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Door to flat 16 from the lobby on floor 4 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Living room in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA Grenfell Tower Inquiry: photos of inside the flat where fire began Hallway in flat 16 Grenfell Tower Inquiry/PA

Ms Barwise said regulations stipulate that works carried out must not make a building less compliant than it previously was, which is called a material alteration.

We say, based on Dr Lanes report, that the entirety of the cladding constituted a material alteration, since, as it stood before the refurbishment, Grenfell was constructed of virtually incombustible concrete, she told the hearing.

It was, however, covered by the polyethylene cladding now openly described by some in the industry as petrol.

Our understanding is that the ignition of the polyethylene within the cladding panel produces a flaming reaction more quickly than dropping a match into a barrel of petrol.

Arconic, which manufactures the aluminium composite cladding that covered Grenfell Tower, has said the panels at most contributed to the fire and did not make the catastrophe inevitable.

It is right to mark that whichever route or routes the fire took, it could have been stopped, or the speed of its passage slowed, had proper consideration been given to the fire engineering implications of the choice of materials, the design of the building and the detailed interrelationships of the construction elements and the actual process of carrying out the refurbishment work, the company said in an opening statement to the inquiry.

We submit that the evidence does not justify the conclusion that the ACM PE cladding panels supplied by the company were anything other than, at most, a contributing feature to the fire.

The panels did not render inevitable the catastrophe which ensued.

 Photos show the extent of damage inside the Grenfell Tower flat where the fire started

A number of corporate bodies involved in the refurbishment were accused on Tuesday of increasing the pain and uncertainty of victims families by not engaging properly in the inquiry process.

Several sub-contractors who worked on parts of the refit have refused to comment on their work until they have full disclosure of documents, the probe heard.

Ms Barwise described their silence as inhumane and claimed Rydon, the main contractor, was being disingenuous about its involvement.

She said: These contractors should not be allowed, by their deliberate refusal to participate, to derail determination of the compliance issue even though we are concerned with blatant non-compliance.

Despite their words of condolence to the victims, these corporates have no desire to assist this inquiry, even though their participation could save lives in the immediate future.

 Grenfell Tower Inquiry: 9-year-old Sara Chebiouni pays tribute to her young cousin who died in Grenfell fire

During Tuesdays hearing Mr Friedman said the evacuation of the tower had been hindered by the stay put policy and then by the over-deployment of firefighters and equipment, which crowded the narrow stairwell  the sole escape route.

He said statements from more than 250 firefighters revealed a lack of experience of a fire as large as that at Grenfell Tower.

They also showed significant communication problems and a lack of training for 999 call operators in the event that a stay put policy was abandoned.

The near-universal view of those witnesses is that this was a fire utterly beyond their professional experience. But it is also clear that it was a fire beyond their training or indeed the London Fire Brigades operational contemplation. We say it should not have been, he said.

And in that recognition of systemic failure of foresight, the inquiry can join this and other fire brigades in remedying what is a violation of the states responsibility to have training and policy in place that is fit for responding to foreseeable risk to life in cladding fires of this nature.

Mr Friedman said this posed a fundamental question: Did the LFB waste limited temporal and spatial opportunities in trying to fight a fire that could not be fought, rather than immediately prioritising evacuation to save lives?

Mr Friedman said a number of firefighter witnesses had emphatically queried the logic of the stay put advice. The advice was withdrawn shortly before 2.47am, nearly two hours after the fire took hold.

A deputy assistant commissioner came to the conclusion at roughly the same time at the control room in Stratford, triggered at least in part by turning on the television and viewing the fire on Sky News, Mr Friedman said.

In a statement to the inquiry published on Tuesday, the LFB defended its decision to stick to its stay put advice until late into the night, saying the magnitude of the blaze had presented unprecedented challenges.

The LFB control centre was required to handle more calls requiring fire survival guidance from residents within Grenfell Tower on the night of the fire than the total number of such calls in the previous 10 years from the whole of London, it said.

Stay put advice was suitable for Grenfell Tower when it was originally built, as fire should have been contained in one flat, the statement said.

What is less clear, in the view of the LFB, is the extent to which maintenance programmes and refurbishments over the years have undermined the integrity of the original design and construction principles from a fire safety perspective, it continued. This is a vital aspect of the consequences of the Grenfell fire in the LFBs assessment.

A document submitted to the inquiry and published on Tuesday revealed a ventilation system intended to prevent the stairs at Grenfell Tower from becoming clogged with smoke was reported to have failed days before the fire.

On 6 June 2017, PSB, the company that designed the mechanical system, said it received an email saying a potential fault report had been made by Rydon  the main contractor on the blocks 2016 refurbishment.

PSB offered to investigate at a cost of 1,800 plus VAT, but no response or instructions were received.

A number of people managed to make it out of the burning tower on 14 June, but later succumbed to the toxic fumes they had inhaled.

The inquiry heard on Tuesday from a lawyer for the Metropolitan Police, who said the force had completed its forensic work inside the tower and anticipated it will cease being a crime scene by July or August.

The inquiry adjourned until 10am on Wednesday, when it was scheduled to hear from a lawyer representing Behailu Kebede, the occupant of flat 16, where the fire started.

Additional reporting by Press AssociationTwo late-night arson attacks on Muslim and Sikh places of worship in Leeds are being treated as hate crimes by police.

West Yorkshire Police were called to the Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira Mosque in Beeston, south of the city centre, where the main door had been set on fire at about 3.45am on Tuesday.

A few minutes later, the door of the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Gurdwara was also set on fire in nearby Lady Pit Lane.

The Sikh Press Association said a bottle filled with petrol had been set alight at the doorstep of the Gurdwara, triggering a smoke alarm. Residents called the fire brigade and the police and the fire was quickly dealt with, they said.

Detective Inspector Richard Holmes, of Leeds District CID, said: We are treating both these incidents as linked given the closeness of the locations and the similar times that they have occurred.

While our investigation is still at a relatively early stage, we do believe these premises have been specifically targeted as places of worship and we are treating both incidents as arsons and hate crimes.

We are currently carrying out extensive enquiries, including checks on CCTV in both areas, and we would like to hear from anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity or seen any person or vehicles in the areas around the time these incidents have occurred.

He added: We would also like to hear from anyone who has any other information that could assist the investigation.

Clearly we will always treat incidents of this nature very seriously and will be doing everything we can to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

In a statement, representatives of the Gurdwara said: We have attended a police emergency meeting today and have been assured by the chief of Police that they are doing all they can to catch the criminals and will add extra police patrols in the area.

They are working through the CCTV footage from around the mosque.

The statement added: It is damaging for children to see their Gurdwara or Mosque threatened like this. The police are happy to come to talk to children if the community feels this will not deter youngsters coming to the Gurdwara on their own.

Dalbir Singh Sagoo, coordinator of the Sikh community Hate Crime forum, said: Everyone must be more vigilant and must report any suspicious activity to the Hate Crime Reporting Centre in the Gurdwara or directly to the Police.

Inspector Ian OBrien, who heads neighbourhood policing for south Leeds, said: These incidents will cause an understandable level of concern in both the Muslim and Sikh communities in this area and we are working closely with key representatives from those communities to reassure them.

Although it appears both locations have been specifically targeted as places of worship for these communities, there is nothing at this stage to suggest they are part of any wider pattern.

We have increased our patrols of the area to provide visible reassurance to people living there and will continue to keep key community representatives informed as the investigation develops.

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

He added: Hate crimes that target particular communities and have the potential to cause divisions and tensions cannot and will not be tolerated and we will continue to do everything we can to find those responsible and support and reassure the communities affected.Doctors working in the NHS have been told they must leave the UK after they were refused visas by the Home Office, medical professionals have warned.

The Independent spoke to one man who was forced to return to India after he quit his masters degree to take up a place on a GP training course.

However, he was unable to obtain a certificate of sponsorship from his employer because the UK had already reached the cap on non-European Union workers.

A training job is hard to come by. It is frustrating. Especially because it means you cant help the industry when its very short of doctors, said the man who did not wish to be named. I know there are many doctors going through the same situation.

He was also unable to return to his masters, as his student visa had expired.

Another doctor who completed five years of GP training in the UK is being forced to leave the country with his two children because his tier 2 visa has run out.

This type of visa is given to skilled workers, but under government regulations only 20,700 can be granted each year.

A doctor-led lobbying group has now warned the home secretary that doctors currently working for the health service and others selected for GP training have been told they must leave the country.

A letter to Sajid Javid from the Doctors Association UK, seen exclusively by The Independent, says that the severe understaffing of the NHS is being exacerbated by visa rules.

Among the thousands of doctors who have been denied tier 2 visas are people who are already training and working in the UK, it states.

It follows the revelation last month that strict visa rules were hampering efforts to recruit thousands of doctors from overseas.

And it comes after Mr Javid pledged to take a fresh look at the cap on the number of foreign doctors after it emerged more than 1,500 visa applications from doctors with job offers in the UK were refused as a result of the cap on the number of tier 2 visas issued to workers from outside the European Economic Area.

We, as doctors, are feeling the strain of working in departments, wards and general practices, which are severely understaffed. Several specialities are underfilled, and too often we find we are having do the jobs of several doctors at once, the letter states.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 13 October 2021 Police officers detain a man as Insulate Britain activists block a roundabout at a junction on the M25 motorway during a protest in Thurrock Reuters UK news in pictures 12 October 2021 The aerial climate installation by Swiss artivist Dan Acher 'We Are Watching' is unveiled at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2021 A young girl is helped by a Border Force officer as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. PA 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

Many of us are concerned about how we can keep patients safe in the face of widespread staff shortages. It is therefore with astonishment that we greet the news that 1,500 doctors have been denied tier 2 visas to come and work in the NHS in the past four months. This is despite the fact that there are reportedly 10,000 vacant posts for doctors.

In particular, we are concerned by hearing a number of cases affecting those wishing to train as GPs in the UK, those currently in GP training and even fully qualified GPs who have completed their training in the UK and now are being refused tier 2 visas.

It cites examples of a number of doctors affected by the visa issue, including one woman  who has been working in the UK and the NHS for the last year and successfully applied for GP training  who had her tier 2 visa refused.

She is now unable to take up her post and its probable she will lose the opportunity to train.

Another GP trainee who has been working in the UK for three years was advised to return to their home country to apply for a tier 2 visa so they could continue training as a GP in this country.

Their visa has been rejected multiple times and they remain in Pakistan, miles from home.

Official figures last week revealed the NHS faces a staffing shortfall of 93,000.

A separate letter, from the Royal College of GPs, has called for Mr Javid to act rapidly in overhauling immigration rules to allow appropriately trained doctors to work as GPs in the NHS, warning that his own governments target of attracting 5,000 more GPs by 2020 is looking increasingly difficult to achieve.

It follows a report from The Independent last week that an NHS doctors career was in jeopardy because the Home Office had rejected his application for a visa four times after telling him to leave the country and reapply for a work permit following the breakup of his marriage.

Dr Nnaemeka Chidumije has worked in the NHS in Newcastle since 2014 and was training to be a surgeon when he was told he would have to leave the country because his spousal visa had been curtailed.

He was advised he would have to go to Nigeria and reapply there for a tier 2 skilled migrant visa as a new entrant, although he had lived and worked in the UK since 2013.

The letters follow criticism of the government by the General Medical Council and the Royal College of Physicians after it was revealed that the prime minister had personally vetoed visa exemptions for 100 Indian doctors recruited by the NHS.

Around 139,000 of the 1.2 million NHS employees are foreign nationals.

In an answer to a question on the issue in the Commons on Monday, Caroline Nokes, immigration minister, said: We keep the tier 2 cap under close review. Priority is given to doctors working in shortage specialisms, as determined by the Migration Advisory Committee, and no one has ever been refused for any of those posts.

We have taken steps to boost training places for nurses and doctors, and a record number of undergraduates will begin medical training by 2020, with 1,500 new places.Dozens of sexual offence cases have been dropped because vital evidence was withheld from defence lawyers, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

Forty-seven prosecutions for rape or serious sexual offences were stopped in the first six weeks of this year as part of a review of cases by the CPS after concerns were raised over how disclosure was being handled.

More than 3,600 cases were looked at and those that were stopped during the review period were subjected to further detailed analysis.

Five of the 47 cases showed disclosure was the primary reason why the case had to be stopped, and 14 defendants were in custody at the time the decision was made to stop their cases.

In the remaining 42, there were additional reasons including communications data such as text messages, emails and social media being examined too late or a failure to get material from third parties such as medical or social services records.

In light of the findings, the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) called for a wider inquiry, while the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) conceded that they get it wrong in too many cases.

The report comes after a string of rape cases collapsed in January and February when it emerged that vital evidence had not been passed to defence lawyers.

The trial of Liam Allan was halted at Croydon Crown Court on 14 December, and the prosecution of Isaac Itiary collapsed at Inner London Crown Court a few days later.

A case against 28-year-old Samson Makele the following month was halted at Snaresbrook Crown Court after his defence team unearthed key images from his mobile phone which had not previously been made available.

Oxford student Oliver Mears, who had spent two years on bail, had the case against him dropped days before he was due to go on trial.

Director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders said: Getting disclosure right is a fundamental part of a fair criminal justice system. Our analysis shows that in the vast majority of cases we are doing that.

But there are cases where we are falling short  and that is unacceptable. I recognise the huge impact on individuals involved, and deeply regret every case where mistakes have been made.

Recommended Surrey Police to review all rape cases after Oxford student cleared

There is an unprecedented focus in finding solutions to these problems, which have dogged the criminal justice system for many years. There have been attempts to tackle it in the past, but improvements have not been lasting. We need to make it stick."

Angela Rafferty QC, chair of the CBA, said: Failure in the disclosure process is a result of lack of investment, training and attention to the criminal justice system and this is of critical importance to the rule of law and civil society.

For the CPS to question the reliability of not just a few but dozens of live rape and sexual offence cases out of a limited sample size of a few thousand will inevitably cause great consternation that some innocent people are already in prisons and many guilty may be walking free.

We await the wider parliamentary review of the whole disclosure system that is now due - dealing with all criminal cases including sexual offences."

Assistant chief constable Stuart Prior, disclosure lead for the NPCC, said: Weve got to realise that this is about real people.

Weve got to get disclosure right. We cannot allow mistakes to impact so greatly on peoples lives as has been played out in the media over the past few months.

Our whole criminal justice system is based on fairness  fairness of investigations, fair trials and we have to strive and provide that for all the people who come into the criminal justice system. We have got it wrong in too many cases.

Katie Ghose, chief executive of Womens Aid, said: Evidence gathering should have the same standards across all types of offences and must be dealt with sensitively where domestic abuse and rape are concerned; it is vital that victims of violence against women have a more effective criminal justice response.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 13 October 2021 Police officers detain a man as Insulate Britain activists block a roundabout at a junction on the M25 motorway during a protest in Thurrock Reuters UK news in pictures 12 October 2021 The aerial climate installation by Swiss artivist Dan Acher 'We Are Watching' is unveiled at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2021 A young girl is helped by a Border Force officer as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. PA 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

We welcome the CPSs commitment to invest in training for prosecutors and police on disclosure; this training must be robust, tackling the myths about rape and sexual abuse, and be co-delivered by specialist violence against women organisations.

Following the review, a raft of measures are being brought in including a National Disclosure Improvement Plan, which will provide training for prosecutors and police officers, measures to deal with disclosure at an early stage in legal proceedings and better technology to help investigators sift through vast amounts of communications data.

The CPS gave a regional breakdown of the 47 stopped cases as follows: two in Wales; four in the East Midlands; 23 in London; four in Mersey-Cheshire; two in the Northeast; four in the Northwest; three in the Southwest; two in the West Midlands, and three in Yorkshire and Humberside.A manhunt is under way after a woman and baby were stabbed in west London.

The woman, in her 30s, and a one-year-old boy were found suffering stab injuries at a residential address in the London Borough of Hounslow on Monday evening.

The Metropolitan Police said the boy remains in a critical condition, while the woman's injures are not life threatening.

Police and paramedics were called to Swinfield Close in Hanworth at around 7.12pm following a report concerning residents' safety.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 13 October 2021 Police officers detain a man as Insulate Britain activists block a roundabout at a junction on the M25 motorway during a protest in Thurrock Reuters UK news in pictures 12 October 2021 The aerial climate installation by Swiss artivist Dan Acher 'We Are Watching' is unveiled at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2021 A young girl is helped by a Border Force officer as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. PA 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

At the scene they found the woman and infant suffering knife wounds and the pair were rushed hospital in west London by the Air Ambulance Service.

A witness told Sky News: "I heard a lot of screaming and crying, it was quite distressing to hear."

Local Tim Stollery tweeted: "As much as I like spotting the helicopters overhead, it can't be a good thing seeing both NPASRedhill G-POLF & LDNairamb G-HMS in attendance over Hanworth Feltham Oriel this evening.

"Fingers crossed whoever might be on board makes a good recovery."

One local resident said the Oriel estate, on which Swinfield Close is located, had been put on lockdown as police hunted a suspect.

I live right where it happened. We have been told by police to stay in and lock doors as a man is still on the loose, they told Get West London.

The estate is taped off, and there is an armed response present.

The Met said officers are now looking for a man who is known to live at the address and the three are believed to have been known to each other.

According to reports officers flooded the area and pictures showed police dog handlers at the scene.

No arrests have been made.

Police remained at the address on Monday night as investigators sealed off the crime scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hounslow Police on 101 or tweet MetCC quoting CAD 6981/4June or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.Jeremy Corbyns latest attempt to unite his party over Brexit has been dismissed by MPs as nowhere near enough, as rebels accused him of having dropped the ball and warned they will defy his voting instructions.

MPs rubbished a new parliamentary motion tabled by the Labour leadership on Tuesday in a bid to quell an uprising among pro-EU backbenchers ahead of crunch votes next week.

The amendment seeks to force the government to negotiate a Brexit deal that would see the UK retain full access to the EUs single market and guarantee no new impediments to trade.

The move is designed to convince dozens of potential Labour rebels not to support another motion, passed by the House of Lords, that would keep Britain in the European Economic Area (EEA)  in effect, remaining part of the single market.

Mr Corbyn had come under mounting pressure to back the amendment, despite having previously dismissed the idea of staying in the EEA as not appropriate. There are believed to be enough Conservative rebel MPs for the motion to pass if Labour also supported it.

However, the shadow cabinet decided on Tuesday that Labour MPs would be whipped to abstain on the motion.

Instead, they will be ordered to back Labours amendment, which a source said would result in an EEA style arrangement in which Britain retains the benefits of the single market without remaining a full member.

The source said the move was designed to be a compromise that Labour MPs could unite behind, after it became abundantly clear that MPs in Leave-supporting constituencies would not vote in favour remaining in the EEA.

But in a sign of ongoing divisions in the party, prominent backbenchers said the move was nowhere near enough and vowed to defy the party whip in order to vote to keep Britain in the EEA.

One source said around 65 Labour MPs are believed to be willing to vote against the party leadership on the issue.

Chuka Umunna, one of the most vocal anti-Brexit voices in the Commons, said: The only way of realising the objectives set out in the amendment, short of EU membership, is through the UK being part of the European Economic Area, as a minimum.

Like the Tory government and hard Brexiteers, this amendment seeks 'access' to the EU's single market, but this is nowhere near enough. What the overwhelming majority of Labour members and supporters want is so much more - to be part of the framework of protections for workers, consumers and the environment which being part of the European Economic Area uniquely offers to non-EU members.

All the way through the passage of this Bill, the only amendments which have commanded support on both sides of the House and passed are cross party backbench ones. So, if we are serious about protecting full access to the internal market of the EU and ensuring no new impediments to trade, logic dictates Labour MPs should be whipped to support the cross-party EEA amendment sent to us by the House of Lords.

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

Another pro-EU Labour MP, Chris Leslie, said Conservative MPs were ready to join forces with Labour but would not support a motion tabled by Mr Corbyn or the Opposition front bench.

He told The Independent: The Lords have sent down a golden opportunity for the Commons to actually change the governments negotiating objectives, and to miss that historic opportunity would be utterly unforgivable and cause widespread dismay across the Labour movement.

Im quite worried that in pursuit of a policy of constructive ambiguity, were throwing away this once-in-a-generation opportunity to put the best interests of the country first.

There is a strong likelihood that Jeremy Corbyns legacy will be to have facilitated Brexit and dropped the ball on this golden chance to keep the country in the single market, and I find that staggering.

Describing the Labour frontbench motion as a fig leaf designed to convince MPs not to back the EEA amendment, he added: Im frustrated and depressed in equal measure.

It feels like Labour is playing parliamentary games rather than grasping this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

 Keir Starmer: Brexit deal means UK will be tied to single market 'in perpetuity'

Another Labour rebel told The Independent: "They have been calling people and saying, don't vote for the Lords amendment, you can vote for our own one instead.

"But what they have put down doesn't mean anything. They must think we were born yesterday.

"The creative ambiguity they keep going back to works up to a certain point, but in the end they are going to have say what they want, they are not there yet."

The 15 amendments made to the flagship EU Withdrawal Bill by the House of Lords will be considered by the Commons next Tuesday, with ministers hopes of overturning them all likely to be strongly challenged by Conservative rebels.

Announcing Labours new motion, Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, said: Labour will only accept a Brexit deal that delivers the benefits of the single market and protects jobs and living standards.

"Existing single market agreements that the EU has negotiated with third countries, including Norway, are bespoke deals negotiated with the EU to serve the best interests of those countries. We need to learn from them and negotiate our own more ambitious agreement, which serves our economic interests and which prevents a hard border in Northern Ireland.

He added: Two years on from the referendum it is clear that the Government has no plan for how it will protect jobs and the economy, and guarantee no hard border in Northern Ireland.

Labours amendment, along with a commitment to negotiate a new comprehensive customs union with the EU, is a strong and balanced package that would retain the benefits of the single market. Parliament should have the opportunity to debate and vote on it.Voters are turning against Brexit as they lose faith in Theresa Mays handling of the negotiations, a new poll shows.

The proportion of people who disagree with leaving the EU has reached a high of 47 per cent  a record 7 points ahead of the 40 per cent who still back the decision.

The figure has leapt 3 percentage points in just one week, as the cabinet fails to agree on an exit strategy  and amid stark warnings about the chaos from leaving with no deal.

Recommended May set to miss her own Brexit white paper deadline after Cabinet rows

The 40 per cent who told YouGov that the Brexit vote was the right one was also down 3 points and is now at the lowest level recorded.

Significantly, no fewer than 62 per cent of voters said the government was handling Brexit negotiations badly, with just 23 per cent backing ministers.

Only 81 per cent of those who backed Leave in 2016 said they still believed it was the right decision  with 9 per cent now saying it was wrong.

The Peoples Vote campaign seized on the findings as bolstering the case for voters to be given a further referendum on the eventual Brexit deal.

The government is making a shambolic mess of Brexit and the British people know it, said Gareth Thomas, a Labour MP and campaign supporter.

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

Theyre fast losing confidence that the prime minister is going to come back from the negotiations with anything other than a bad deal.

And Caroline Lucas, the Green MP and backer of the anti-Brexit Best for Britain campaign, said: Its no wonder so many people are turning against Brexit, as the governments reckless handling of the process gets worse by the day.

We are being driven towards a Brexit that will damage our economy, put our environment at risk and lock us into an uncertain future  and people are increasingly seeing Brexiteers promises unravel.

The findings come as the prime minister is poised to break her promise to publish ambitious and precise plans for Brexit this month, after more cabinet infighting.

A detailed white paper  designed to put the UK on the front foot in the troubled talks  is now not expected to appear until after a crunch EU summit at the end of June.

The document is said to still be riddled with red ink, with the prime minister reluctant to confront warring cabinet ministers over controversies including future customs rules and the Irish border.

Meanwhile, The Sunday Times revealed that civil servants had warned of a Doomsday Brexit if no agreement is reached, creating shortages of medicine, fuel and food.

The 47 per cent who told YouGov the Brexit decision was wrong equalled the highest figure since the tracker poll began in August 2016.

Some 73 per cent of Labour voters and 83 per cent of Lib Dems said it was a mistake to leave the EU, while 69 per cent of Conservative voters said it was right.The customs plan favoured by pro-Brexit ministers is likely to cost businesses even more than the 20bn forecast and would fail to avoid a hard border in Ireland, MPs have been told.

Revenue and Customs said its enormous estimated bill for the technology-based max fac proposal did not include the costs of delays at the UKs borders.

The organisation also said its prediction had been validated across Whitehall, rather than challenged by any ministers  despite Theresa Mays spokesman dismissing it as speculation.

And it warned it would not remove the need for border checks in Ireland without other measures, despite the prime ministers pledge to prevent a hard border.

Jon Thomson, HMRCs chief executive, also pointed out a no deal Brexit would incur the same 20bn-plus bill, because  like maximum facilitation  it would require customs declarations.

The huge cost of the untested technology  double the UKs annual payments to the EU  triggered a huge row when revealed two weeks ago, with accusations that ministers had been kept in the dark and that the calculation was faulty.

But Mr Thomson told the Treasury select committee: The estimate we have given has been in ministerial papers.

And James Harra, his deputy, said its figures had been shared across Whitehall, adding: They went through an internal validation process and challenge process within Whitehall before we firmed up on them.

Im not aware that, in the last two weeks, there has been any challenge to that.

Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An abandoned shop is seen in Mullan, Co Monaghan. The building was home to four families who left during the Troubles. The town was largely abandoned after the hard border was put in place during the conflict. Mullan has seen some regeneration in recent years, but faces an uncertain future with Brexit on the horizon Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A defaced Welcome to Northern Ireland sign stands on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Mervyn Johnson owns a garage in the border town of Pettigo, which straddles the counties of Donegal and Fermanagh. Ive been here since 1956, it was a bit of a problem for a few years. My premises has been blown up about six or seven times, we just kept building and starting again, Johnson said laughing. We just got used to it [the hard border] really but now that its gone, we wouldn't like it back again Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Farmer Gordon Crocketts Coshquin farm straddles both Derry/Londonderry in the North and Donegal in the Republic. At the minute there is no real problem, you can cross the border as free as you want. We could cross it six or eight times a day, said Crockett. If there was any sort of obstruction it would slow down our work every day Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures John Murphy flies the European flag outside his home near the border village of Forkhill, Co Armagh Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Potter Brenda McGinn stands outside her Mullan, Co Monaghan, studio  the former Jas Boylan shoe factory which was the main employer in the area until it shut down due to the Troubles. When I came back, this would have been somewhere you would have driven through and have been quite sad. It was a decrepit looking village, said McGinn, whose Busy Bee Ceramics is one of a handful of enterprises restoring life to the community. Now this is a revitalised, old hidden village Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Union Flag colours painted on kerbstones and bus-stops along the border village of Newbuildings, Co Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Grass reflected in Lattone Lough, which is split by the border between Cavan and Fermanagh, seen from near Ballinacor, Northern Ireland Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Donegalman David McClintock sits in the Border Cafe in the village of Muff, which straddles Donegal and Derry/Londonderry Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures An old Irish phone box stands alongside a bus stop in the border town of Glaslough, Co Monaghan Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Billboards are viewed from inside a disused customs hut in Carrickcarnon, Co Down, on the border with Co Louth in the Republic Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Seamus McQuaid takes packages that locals on the Irish side of the border have delivered to his business, McQuaid Auto-Parts, to save money on postal fees, near the Co Fermanagh village of Newtownbutler. I live in the south but the business is in the North, said McQaid. "I wholesale into the Republic of Ireland so if theres duty, Ill have to set up a company 200 yards up the road to sell to my customers. Ill have to bring the same product in through Dublin instead of Belfast Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A disused Great Northern Railway line and station that was for customs and excise on the border town of Glenfarne, Co Leitrim Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures Alice Mullen, from Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, does her shopping at a former customs post on the border in Middletown, Co Armagh. Id be very worried if it was a hard border, I remember when people were divided. I would be very afraid of the threat to the peace process, it was a dreadful time to live through. Even to go to mass on a Sunday, youd have to go through checkpoints. It is terribly stressful, said Mullen. All those barricades and boundaries were pulled down. I see it as a huge big exercise of trust and I do believe everyone breathed a sigh of relief Reuters Brexit threatens life on the Irish border: in pictures A bus stop and red post box stand in the border town of Jonesborough, Co Armagh Reuters

HMRC says firms would be forced to make customs declarations at 32.50 a time, with similar charges at EU borders and rule-of-origin protections for some products imposing further charges.

However, in new written evidence to the committee, Mr Thomson said his calculations excluded the risk of delays at RoRo [roll-on/roll-off] ports if max fac failed to deliver its promised technological solutions.

Mr Harra also warned the proposal would not in itself remove the need for a hard border in Ireland, without exemptions for local businesses, for example.

Jo Swinson, a Liberal Democrat MP and supporter of the pro-EU Open Britain campaign, said the evidence strengthened the case for staying in both the customs union and Europes economic area.

Ten days ago, HMRC told MPs that max fac would cost British businesses 20bn a year and today they have revealed that max fac means a hard border in Ireland, she said.

If the government are serious about avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, they must now admit that max fac is a dead letter.

Earlier, John Keefe, director of public affairs at Getlink  which runs the Channel Tunnel  warned household bills would rise, explaining: The consumer will bear the costs at the end of the day.

Businesses could absorb some of the cost, but he added: If the impact is across the whole of the supply chain and the whole of the economy then, inevitably at some point, that gets passed down to the consumer.

Brexiteers are pushing the max fac option, rejecting Theresa Mays preferred customs partnership  which would see the UK collect EU tariffs  as keeping the UK under Brussels wing.The chairman of the Conservative Partys own Muslim forum has accused the Tories of failing to root out Islamophobia because they are scared of damaging their own political power.

Mohammed Amin said the party does not want to rock the boat with a contentious racism probe at a time when it lacks a Commons majority, and instead is hoping the issue will magically go away.

Speaking exclusively to The Independent, the chairman of the Conservative Muslim Forum (CMF), itself comprising party members and set up to encourage Islamic people to stand for office under the Tory banner, claimed repeated warnings about the problem had been ignored.

It comes as further evidence of Islamophobia came to light, including:

Five BME Tory members being seated on a single table at the back of a room at a Conservative association dinner

One Muslim member telling how a councillor had told him he was not welcome in the party

The same member later being told during a candidates interview that naturally in your core belief women are not allowed to work

The CMF has now echoed calls made by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and 11 other Muslim councils across the UK  representing more than 500 mosques, organisations and schools  for an inquiry into the issue.

Recommended More than 350 mosques urge Tories to launch Islamophobia inquiry

In the light of Mr Amins interview and the new evidence, Conservative HQ said that it take all claims of racism seriously and had acted quickly to respond when it was reported.

But Mr Amin said the CMF had received several approaches about Islamophobia to party leaders, and that despite raising the issue repeatedly they had not received a satisfactory set of outcomes.

The Conservative Party seems to be taking the approach that if it keeps quiet and does nothing the issue of anti-Muslim sentiment by some members of the party will somehow magically go away, he told The Independent.

Right now the Conservative Party does not want to create political problems or rock the boat.

It is challenging when you have no majority at all as you dont want to alienate individual MPs, but the consequence has been that the party has failed to take sufficiently strong action.

In one example, Mr Amin said that when Bob Blackman MP hosted an event in parliament in which controversial Hindu nationalist Tapan Ghosh  who praised the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya in Myanmar  spoke, the CMF wrote to his office to voice their concern.

He said the CMF was ignored by both the party and Mr Blackman, and after repeated failed attempts for dialogue over a five-month period, they were forced to publicly criticise the decision to host the event.

Recommended Theresa May urged to launch inquiry into Conservative Islamophobia

Mr Blackman denied that he invited Mr Ghosh and said he was brought in to speak at the event he was hosting without his knowledge.

He did however acknowledge being contacted by the CMF.

Mr Blackman told The Independent: I have found an email from the Conservative Muslim Forum to which I thought my office had replied.

If they would still like to meet, I ask they telephone my office to make an appointment.

It is not the first time the party has faced claims of Islamophobia  Zac Goldsmiths London mayoral campaign in 2016 was heavily criticised for the rhetoric used.

In response to recent accusations, home secretary Sajid Javid argued that the party had no particular problem and cited his position in the cabinet as proof.

For a start, lets just look at who the home secretary is in this country. My name is Sajid Javid, Im the home secretary, he said.

In an attempt to bat away the issue, Mr Javid also attacked the MCB, which was the first group to write to the party calling for an inquiry, claiming they had associations with extremism and did not represent British Muslims.

But Mr Amin said the same argument could not possibly be used against the Conservative Muslim Forum.

He went on: The CMF has members who are as integrated as you can get. We are lawyers, accountants, bankers and doctors.

We cannot be disparaged as closet extremists  if we are concerned then it is a serious problem.

In recent days a number of current and former Tory members have also contacted The Independent about their personal experiences of Islamophobia and racism in the party.

A current activist in London, who has been a member for four years, said he has experienced discrimination throughout that time.

In one example who said that a dinner hosted by his local Conservative association, five BME attendees were placed on one table at the far end of the room.

When a complaint was raised the deputy leader of the group replied he could not be racist because his girlfriend is black.

A former Tory activist from Ealing said he experienced harassment because of his faith which ultimately led him to leave the party.

When he applied to be a councillor he was asked to attend a selection interview and, upon hearing that he had volunteered at a Muslim-led community organisation, one of the interviewers asked if there was something he was not telling them.

Another interviewer quizzed the activist on his position on women participating in politics and being members of the workforce.

Naturally in your core belief women are not allowed to work  what is your opinion on that? the activist said he was asked.

He said he could not believe the line of questioning and after the interview no longer had a desire to represent the party.

In another shocking anecdote, he said a councillor regularly swore at him and told him he was not welcome in the Conservatives.

I just remember feeling terrible when I walked out of there. It just was not a pleasant experience, the activist told The Independent.

Ive been bullied and harassed and I am mentally tired from this.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 October 2021 A young girl is helped by a Border Force officer as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. PA 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. 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PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA

There have also been a number of incidents of Islamophobic and racist content posted on social media by councillors and party members, with 12 reports in the past two months.

Stephen Ardley, a councillor on the Waveney District Council, was suspended after The Independent revealed he allegedly said it was unbelievable that a Muslim had been elected mayor of London and went on to describe those who voted for him as blind.

I think its unbelievable that a Muslim was actually elected the mayor of this great Christian country  oh wait, hes Labour so the blind just vote red and left, he apparently posted on Facebook.

Councillor Ian Hibberd from Southampton was also suspended after he commented on a picture posted on social media uploaded by fellow Tory councillor Harmeet Singh Brar asking: Why are you dressed like a p***?

Mr Brar, who is not Muslim, has now left the Conservative Party altogether saying it was due to two years of bullying, harassment and racism.

He said the partys decision to investigate the matter was a get out.

I felt when I spoke out about racism I was isolated and casted out. That was the major reason why I left he told The Independent.

In response to calls for an inquiry, a Conservative Party spokesperson said: We have introduced a new code of conduct covering all forms of discrimination and we take all allegations seriously.

The party has acted quickly when presented with evidence of inappropriate behaviour, suspending those involved and launching immediate investigations.The head of the Metropolitan Police has said it would be "naive" to think cuts to the number of rank-and-file officers had failed to have an impact on the rising levels of violent crime.

Cressida Dick set herself at odds with the government when she told the Home Affairs Committee that cuts to police resources had played a role in a surge in gun and knife violence, which has resulted in more than 60 killings in London since the start of the year.

Ministers have repeatedly played down links between crime rates and a fall in police numbers, despite official figures showing there are 20,000 fewer officers than in 2010.

Former home secretary Amber Rudd, who resigned at the height of the Windrush scandal, came under fire when the government's 114-page Serious Violence Strategy failed to make any reference to police cuts.

Admitting that serious violence in London was "too high", Ms Dick said violent crime was a horrible phenomenon affecting particular communities, rather than wider society.

She told the Home Affairs Committee said: A whole series of social issues will have contributed to the changes and the increases [in violent crime] I am sure.

I answered a radio interview in which I said, in effect, of course austerity has probably had something to do with it, by which I mean, of course, the other services as well as the police.

But I would be naive to suggest that reduced numbers of officers on the street, for a whole variety of reasons, including - and Im talking across the country here - reduced officer numbers overall, has had no impact.

Im sure its had an impact, together with a whole series of other things.

Official figures show the number of police officers dropped from 143,734 in 2010 to 123,142 in 2017, falling to 121,929 in September  the lowest number since comparable records began in 1996.

While crime rates are generally falling, knife crime rose by 22 per cent across England and Wales, with nearly 40,000 offences involving knives or sharp weapons recorded by police in 2017.

Gun crime also soared by 11 per cent to 6,600 offences.

Committee chair, Yvette Cooper, told Ms Dick: In last month alone weve had 17-year-old killed in Ipswich, a 15-year-old killed in Wolverhampton, a 15-year-old killed in Sheffield, some of the biggest increases in knife offences on record in the capital.

This doesn't feel like the police are on top of this.

"Maybe youll say this is not just about policing but from our point of view this looks like a shocking and really disturbing continuing increase in the stabbings of teenagers.

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

Ms Dick told MPs that she had successfully boosted resources through increases to the policing precept and she was putting more officers on the streets to bring down levels of violence.

Responding to the exchange, shadow policing minister, Louise Haigh said: The most senior police officers in the land have called out the dangerous Tory delusion on police cuts.

In the face of overwhelming evidence from senior officers and their own officials, it appears that the only people in the country who now believe the loss of 21,000 officers hasn't made the blindest bit of difference to community safety is Theresa Mays government.

Social media and drugs were pinpointed as the key drivers of violent crime in the government's serious violence strategy last month, with officials also pointing to new developments of county lines drug operations and the rise in opportunities for gang rivals to taunt each other on Facebook and Youtube.The cabinet has approved plans for a third runway at Heathrow, but leading opponent Boris Johnson will be allowed to miss the vote.

MPs will now consider the hugely-controversial expansion in as little as three weeks, following the rubber-stamping at this mornings cabinet meeting.

A go-ahead is likely  with the SNP and a sizeable group of pro-Heathrow Labour rebels expected to give Theresa May the majority she needs, even as her own party splits over the issue.

Mr Johnson, the foreign secretary, is expected to be conveniently abroad when the clash takes place despite vowing that the project will be stopped, branding it undeliverable.

However, he and other ministers with West London seats will be allowed to voice their concerns at a local level as it is a constituency issue for them.

Today, Justine Greening, the former education secretary and another key critic, urged Scottish and Northern MPs not to fall for claims that a third runway would benefit their areas.

Ms Greening warned that the 18bn bill  plus up to 15bn for public transport improvements around Heathrow  would mean even less funding for transport in the rest of the country.

Long-suffering passengers on crisis-hit Northern Rail really ought to be asking their local MPs why they were happy to see billions thrown at Heathrow instead.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 October 2021 A young girl is helped by a Border Force officer as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. PA 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

Furthermore, the need for Heathrow to help meet the cost from morelucrative slots for flights abroad would make connections to Scottish airports unviable, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

However, Sir Howard Davies, the chairman of the airports commission which recommended Heathrow expansion, insisted it could be delivered without breaching conditions on the environment and climate change.

Earlier this year, a committee of MPs said it should not go ahead without a ban on night flights and unless it could avoid significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life from air quality.

Mr Johnson once promised protestors he would lie down with you in front of those bulldozers and stop the building, stop the construction of that third runway.

Just 18 months ago, he insisted the proposal would be snarled up in legal cases, saying: I think it very likely it will be stopped.

We have been here before and we are going to see an inevitable fight in the courts and I think the chances of success for the proponents of the third runway are not high.

If it did, he warned: New York is going to be the city of beautiful skyscrapers, Paris the city of lights and London in the future, if we go ahead with this project, will be known as the city of planes.Younger workers are becoming increasingly reluctant to join trade unions as they dont see the relevance of the organisations, the general secretary of the largest union has said.

The Trades Union Congress announced that its membership levels among those aged under 30 had fallen from 20.1 per cent to 15.7 per cent in the last 17 years.

The decline led to the TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady to call for change warning there was the real possibility that trade unions would cease to exist within a few decades.

"We are creating a lost generation of younger workers," she told the BBC.

"Too many young people are stuck in low-paid, insecure jobs, with little opportunity to get on in life."

She added that unions needed to reach out to young workers and create new models to encourage them join.

I think the problem is they share our values on our whole, they think that everybody should get a fair deal at work. They dont see how it is relevant to where they are working now, she said.

We have got to create new models fit for the real working lives of young people and find those bridges into trade unionism because we know thats the only way we are going to get better working lives for people.

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

Overall trade union membership is at its lowest level since 1995.

Union leaders have blamed cuts to the public sector workforce, the rise of the gig economy and the reduction of good-quality jobs for the decline.Jeremy Corbyn has accused Theresa May of being too weak to stand up to Donald Trump over the US Presidents decision to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminium.

The Labour leader criticised what he called the governments timid response to the move, claiming it was proof that the Conservatives "are simply too weak to stand up to the powerful.

Ms May and Mr Trump will meet at the G7 meeting in Canada later this week amid widespread condemnation of the US Presidents decision to impose a 25 per cent levy on European steel and 10 per cent levy on European aluminium.

The move has left the US and the EU on the verge of a trade war, with Brussels referring the matter to the World Trade Organisation and threatening retaliatory action.

Speaking at the GMB trade union's conference in Brighton, Mr Corbyn will accuse Ms May of trying to appease Donald Trump in the hope of getting a race-to-the-bottom trade deal with the US  something he will call a Tory pipe-dream.

He is expected to say: US President Donald Trumps latest unilateral steel tariffs are wrong. The Trump tariffs risk hurting workers in the United States and around the world by sparking tit-for-tat retaliation."

Ms May has called Mr Trump's decision unjustified and vowed to work with the EU to seek exemptions from the tariffs.

She said: I am deeply disappointed at the unjustified decision by the US to apply tariffs to EU steel and aluminium imports.

The US, EU and UK are close allies and have always promoted values of open and fair trade across the world. Our steel and aluminium industries are hugely important to the UK, but they also contribute to US industry including in defence projects which bolster US national security.

In a phone call with Mr Trump, Ms May said she was deeply disappointed with his decision.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 October 2021 A young girl is helped by a Border Force officer as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. PA 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

However, Mr Corbyn will claim the prime minister has consistently shown she is too weak to stand up to Trump.

He will say: The Tory governments timid response shamefully fails to stand up to Trump.

Weve now seen it time and time again. Theresa May and her government were too weak to stand up to Trump over the Muslim ban, or his promotion of the disgusting Britain First, or his plunging the future of the planet into ever greater danger by pulling out of the Paris Climate Change Accord, or his punitive tariffs on Bombardier, or his ripping up of the Iran nuclear deal, or his reckless threat to peace by recognising Jerusalem, including occupied Palestinian territory, as Israels capital.

The Tories are too weak to stand up to the powerful, and too in hock to them even if they wanted to. Theresa May is appeasing Donald Trump in the hope of getting a race-to-the-bottom trade deal with the US after we leave the European Union. The Trump trade tariffs show thats a Tory pipe-dream.

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau says new tariffs announced by Trump are unacceptable

Mr Trumps decision to impose tariffs is a major blow to hopes of a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the US. Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, called the move patently absurd.

Mr Corbyn will also criticise the US President but will suggest he understands the desire among US workers for action to support the steel industry and other sectors, claiming the American system is completely rigged in favour of the elite.

He will say: US workers, whether in steel or any other industry, are not wrong to want a government that actively supports them and the real, everyday economy. For forty years, theyve seen a completely rigged system shift more and more power and wealth to a tiny financial and political elite.

Donald Trumps government doesnt support workers. Trying to hold back the tide with one hand and giving eye-watering handouts to the super rich with the other is no substitute for a government taking a proactive role in modernising and upgrading industry so that its cleaner, more efficient and works for the many not the few.

Suggesting this is also the case in Britain, Mr Corbyn will promise that a Labour government would upgrade our economy by taking on the power of the tiny elite thats holding us back with their failed free market fundamentalism.

Mr Corbyn will also use the speech to announce that all Labour Party staff will be paid at least 10 an hour  the level at which the party has pledged to set the minimum wage. Close Stella Creasy leads emergency debate in Parliament on Northern Ireland abortion laws

MPs called for reform of abortion law during an impassioned debate in Westminster about the continuing ban in Northern Ireland.

Labour backbencher Stella Creasy urged parliament to consider repealing the two sections of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861 that criminalise "procuring the miscarriage of any women".

It follows the Republic of Ireland's referendum on abortion, which saw 66 per cent of voters back lifting the ban in that country.

The Walthamstow MP asked for a bill to be brought to the house within 150 days as she told the Commons: "This is a statement of intent. We want deeds not just words. The women of Northern Ireland, indeed the women of England and Wales, deserve modern abortion law."

Karen Bradley, the Northern Ireland secretary, said she personally backed abortion reform but argued that the Northern Ireland Assembly must be restored to consider the issue.

"The Prime Minister has been clear in her support for women's rights in respect of access to safe abortions and she welcomed the referendum result in Ireland," said Ms Bradley.

"We are in agreement that the best way forward for Northern Ireland is through locally accountable politicians making important decisions through devolution, and for the people of Northern Ireland to have their say on the devolved issues which affect their daily lives."

Penny Mordaunt, minister for women and equalities, said MPs had sent a message to Northern Ireland's politicians that if they do not act on the issue, "we will".

Conservative MP Heidi Allen, who supported the request for an emergency debate, told the Commons of her "incredibly hard decision" to have a termination.

She said: "I was ill when I made the incredibly hard decision to have a termination: I was having seizures every day, I wasn't even able to control my own body, let alone care for a new life."

Ms Allen asked: "How can it be that Northern Ireland will soon be the only part of Great Britain and Ireland where terminations are to all intents and purposes outlawed?"

Speaking of the women of Northern Ireland, she said: "This has become their moment and they will have my unequivocal support."

Opposition to repeal of the 150 year-old law came from Tory and DUP MPs who argued that it would "impose" one of the most liberal abortion regimes anywhere in the world.

Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, argued that repeal would also remove safeguard imposed by the Abortion Act 1967.

The Congleton MP added: "Already we have some of the most liberal abortion laws in the world and yet campaigners want to I believe liberalise them further.

"Colleagues should be under no illusions, repealing these sections would effectively pave the way to review comprehensively our current abortion legislation, not just for Northern Ireland but also for England and Wales.

"We could see abortion on demand throughout pregnancy, that would be wrong and we should resist it."

The DUP's equality spokeswoman Emma Little Pengelly and Tory MP Maria Caulfield both argued that it would introduce "abortion on demand for any reason up to 24 weeks."

DUP chief whip Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and MP Sammy Wilson quoted the statistic that 100,000 people are alive in Northern Ireland due to the Abortion Act 1967 not being introduced.

Sir Jeffrey said: "I am proud of the fact that there are so many people alive in Northern Ireland today because we have a law that respects the rights of both women and of the unborn child and we will maintain that position."

He added: "There are strong voices on both sides of this debate, this is a devolved issue - it should be left to the people of Northern Ireland to decide."

Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Show all 8 1 /8 Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Campaigners intervene after police try to lead away one of the three women (centre with sunglasses) who publicly took an abortion pill during a demonstration outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts, where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northern Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Police officers watch on from close by as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity hold a protest in Belfast Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Ruth Coppinger TD addresses the crowds outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northen Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone displays an abortion pill packet after taking a pill Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Protestors dressed as hand maidens stand as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills An unidentified woman takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Images Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills A robot drone delivers abortion pills as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty

The three-hour debate culminated in an overwhelming vote in favour of noting that parliament had considered the role of parliament in repealing sections 58 and 59 of the 1861 law.

However it does not bind the government to take action and Theresa May has already insisted the issue is a matter for Northern Ireland's leaders.A lakeside baptism ceremony ended in disaster when a large crocodile leapt from the water and killed the pastor, it has been reported.

Docho Eshete was allegedly grabbed by the crocodile soon after he started a mass baptism for 80 people on the shores of Lake Abaya in southern Ethiopia.

He baptised the first person and he passed on to another one, local resident Ketema Kairo told the BBC. All of a sudden, a crocodile jumped out of the lake and grabbed the pastor."

Recommended Crocodile attacks couple in swimming pool

Pastor Docho was said to have been bitten on his legs, back and hands.

As his horrified congregation looked on, local fishermen reportedly struggled to rescue him. It was said they succeeded only in using their nets to prevent the crocodile from taking the 45-year-olds body into the lake, near the city of Arba Minch.

Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city Show all 10 1 /10 Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city Tuk-tuks drive in and out of one of the five gates of the walled city of Harar, Ethiopia Reuters Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city Birds are fed in front of a meat market within the city walls Reuters Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city Yusuf plays with a cub in the city. I am privileged by God to be a good friend to those misunderstood animals, he says Reuters Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city Hyena Man Yusuf collects leftover meat from the citys slaughterhouse to feed the animals Reuters Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city Muslims take part in Friday prayers. Harar has been a centre of Islamic culture since it was founded in the seventh century Reuters Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city Yusufs father, Yusuf Mume Salleh, 70, is known as the first Hyena Man, and fed the animals for 45 years before passing the role to his son Reuters Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city Hyenas wait for Abbas Yusef, known as Hyena Man, to come and feed them Reuters Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city Yusuf, 23, has been feeding the hyenas for 13 years and his work has become an attraction, drawing in visitors to the citys mosques Reuters Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city The hyenas live in caves outside the city and roam the dumps during the night, sometimes giving birth within the city walls Reuters Hyenas spark admiration, not fear, in Ethiopias Harar city Yusuf feeds the hyenas from his mouth to encourage visitors to trust them Reuters

The crocodile is understood to have escaped.

Lake Abaya, Ethiopias second largest lake, is said to be beautiful, but the Lonely Planet travel guide warns: It has a large population of crocodiles, which are said to be aggressive towards people and animals because the lake has few fish, their preferred food.

It is likely that the reptile that killed Pastor Docho was a Nile Crocodile. Some Nile Crocodiles can grow to be up to six metres (20ft) long while weighing as much as 1,000kg (1 ton), and some estimates suggest the species is responsible for more than 300 attacks on humans in Africa every year.

It is thought to be responsible for more attacks on people than any other crocodile species, and it has been said that the Nile Crocodile causes the third highest number of large-animal-related human fatalities in Africa, after hippos and lions.

One study has noted that for the Nile Crocodile, an opportunistic, ambush predator, humans are less powerful and slower in water than any similar-sized wild mammal and therefore easy prey.Congos Virunga National Park, which was closed last month following the ambush of a group of British visitors that left one ranger dead, will remain closed to tourists indefinitely.

Robert Jesty, Bethan Davies, and their Congolese driver were kidnapped in the park by gunmen three weeks ago before being released several days later, while park ranger Rachel Makissa Baraka, 25, was killed trying to defend the group.

The incident led Virungas management to initially close the park to tourists until 4 June, pending an investigation.

Recommended Operation launched to rescue British tourists kidnapped in Congo

However, the park announced on Monday it would now not reopen to the general public until further notice.

It is abundantly clear that the Virunga region is deeply affected by insecurity, chief warden Emmanuel Merode wrote in a letter to the park's partners and clients.

Much more robust measures are needed than in the past, this will require a very significant investment.

Warfare between 1996 and 2003 in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Virunga is situated, left millions dead, mainly through hunger and starvation.

Virunga is Africas oldest national park and is home more than half of the worlds critically-endangered mountain gorillas and has received more than 17,000 visitors since reopening to tourists in 2014.

But, armed militia still control large areas both in and around the park, and more than 175 rangers have been killed trying to protect it.

Its struggles with guerrilla groups, poachers, and corporations keen to conduct oil exploration under the parks surface were subject of a 2014 Oscar-nominated documentary.

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

Virungas announcement comes just a week after wildlife authorities announced Africas population of mountain gorillas has increased by more than a quarter since 2010.

The latest census recorded 1,004 individuals, 604 living in Virunga and 400 in Ugandas Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

A study eight years previous found just 786 members of the species, 480 of which were in Virunga.

Additional reporting by agenciesTrophy hunters are to be be allowed to kill more than a thousand hippos over the next five years in Zambia.

The cull, in the Luangwa River region, is a bid to control numbers and stop the spread of anthrax, the country's government insists.

Authorities plan to allow 250 hippos a year to be killed, with one safari company already offering tourists the chance to kill up to five of the animals each.

Zambias department of national parks has argued the cull will help prevent anthrax outbreaks in an area overpopulated with hippos, and that the issue has been compounded by unusually low rainfall, which risks making outbreaks worse, according to animal conservation charity Born Free.

Anthrax is a potentially deadly disease caused by bacteria living in the soil. Hippos are susceptible to the infection, and can pass it to humans who eat infected meat.

Zambia initially suspended a planned cull in 2016 following pressure from activists, but Born Free has accused the government of secretly overturning the decision and promoting the cull to trophy hunters.

Will Travers, chief executive of the charity, told The Independent the authorities have failed to provide enough evidence showing an overpopulation of hippos in the Luangwa River, or to make public any data that justifies the cull.

"They are, apparently, using the same flawed rationale for the slaughter as last time  a preventative measure to avoid a future outbreak of anthrax, combined with an assertion that low rainfall will exacerbate the situation," he said.

 Hippos save wildebeest from crocodile

"They also appear not to have informed key stakeholders in the Luangwa Valley... The negative consequences for thousands of hippo and Zambias reputation as a wildlife tourism destination cannot be underestimated.

Umlilo Safaris, a South African trophy hunting company, last month began offering customers a five-day hippo management hunt in the Laungwa Valley for 10,500 each.

The organisations Facebook page says hunters can shoot five hippos per trip and keep the animals' tusks.

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

Richard Kock, professor of wildlife health at the Royal Veterinary College, told The Independent the government needed to provide data to justify the cull.

Theres no doubt that hippos can build up numbers until there really are probably too many for the ecosystem, he said. And so I think the anthrax may well be a factor in controlling their populations, and it may benefit the environment because they will consume large quantities of herbage, and obviously that will affect other species.

Im also very sensitive to the fact people use these things as excuses for nefarious behaviour. So I would say you need good data and you need good evidence and it should be the scientific authorities who should back up any sort of criteria on culling. And it should be justified.

In a statement, Zambia's ministry of tourism said the culling was to maintain a "suitable habitat for aquatic species and wildlife in general", noting that similar culls had taken place before.

"The hippos are causing considerable damage to the riverbanks and continue to threaten the sustainability of the river system," a spokesperson said.

The move comes months after more than 100 hippos died from a suspected anthrax outbreak in Namibia.A SWAT team was called to the Florida home of a Parkland school shooting survivor, and two schools were placed on lockdown after someone made a prank call to the local sheriff's office.

The Broward County sheriff's department received a call at 8:39am claiming there was someone with a weapon inside the home of shooting survivor David Hogg, a department spokesperson told The Independent.

Two local elementary schools were placed on lockdown while the incident was investigated, according to CBS.

Recommended TV host quits over threat to sexually assault shooting survivor

When a SWAT team arrived at the residence, however, they found no one inside. The sheriffs department determined the call was a prank, and is investigating who had placed it.

Mr Hogg did not tweet directly about the incident, but did remark on Twitter shortly thereafter that he could really use a chocolate chip muffin.

He later told CBS that he had no idea who made the call, but called it a distraction from the issues at hand.

This is a serious attempt of people try to distract us from what we are trying to do here, which is solve the gun violence epidemic and get youth out to vote, he said.

Florida shooting  in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Florida shooting  in pictures Florida shooting  in pictures Police arrest a suspect in connection with the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida Reuters Florida shooting  in pictures Parents wait for news after reports of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida AP Florida shooting  in pictures Anxious family members wait for news of students AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee Florida shooting  in pictures Students being evacuated from the school AP Florida shooting  in pictures Students being evacuated from the school Getty Florida shooting  in pictures People gather waiting for word from students AP Florida shooting  in pictures Parents waiting for news on their children AP Florida shooting  in pictures People gather at a hotel where students were taken after the shooting Getty Florida shooting  in pictures Florida Governor Rick Scott speaks to the media as he visits Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School following the shooting AFP/Getty Florida shooting  in pictures Dr. Igor Nichiporenko, Medical Director Trauma, left, and Dr. Evan Boyer, Medical Director, Emergency Services, speak about treating victims and the suspect at a press conference outside Broward Health North hospital AP

Mr Hogg has become a target for many on the American right because of his strong stance on gun control. Seventeen of Mr Hoggs teachers and classmates died in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, prompting him and several classmates to start a campaign for stricter gun control laws. The students have helped organise marches, rallies, and lobby days across the country.

From the early days of the campaign, Mr Hogg  an eloquent and outspoken 18-year-old  has been the target of conspiracy theories claiming he is a crisis actor or an FBI plant. One conservative blog suggested Mr Hogg may not have even been at the school at the time of the shooting. Later, Fox News host Laura Ingraham mocked the high school senior for being rejected from several colleges, causing a number of advertisers to boycott her show.

 Parkland cop accused of cowardly behavior by not confronting school shooter: 'I would never have sat there and let my kids get slaughtered'

Mr Hogg has continued his activism, however, telling ABC News that he is taking a gap year before college to focus on lobbying for gun control. He plans to take a 60-day road trip called March for Our Lives: Road to Change to encourage young people to register to vote.

The teenager was in Washington picking up a human rights award when the prank call was placed.The death toll from Guatemalas volcano eruption has leapt to at least 69, as rescuers hunted for possible survivors beneath rivers of ash and mud, and braced for the number of fatalities to rise yet higher.

The director of Guatemalas National Institute of Forensic Science announced the new figure, a sharp increase in the number killed by the eruption of the nations Volcano of Fire. The official, Fanuel Garcia, said only 17 of those bodies had so far been identified, and that the remains recovered were discovered in the hamlets of Los Lotes and El Rodeo.

"It is very difficult for us to identify them because some of the dead lost their features or their fingerprints" from the red-hot flows, Mr Garcia said. "We are going to have to resort to other methods... and if possible take DNA samples to identify them."

Another official said Sundays eruption triggered floods of fast-moving mixtures of very hot gas and volcanic  known as pyroclastic flows, that buried surrounding villages and residents had little time to escape.

Recommended Huge rescue effort underway in Guatemala after volcano kills dozens

Its a river of lava that overflowed its banks and affected the El Rodeo village, Sergio Cabanas, head of Guatemalas disaster agency Conred, told the Associated Press. There are injured, burned and dead people.

He said four people had died when lava set a house on fire and two children were killed while standing on a bridge watching the eruption. A total of two million people had been affected, he added.

Officials said dozens of people were still missing after the countrys most violent volcanic eruption in more than a century. The Central American nation is famed for its volcanos and contains 34 of them.

Sundays eruption at the Fuego volcano, 25 miles southwest of the capital Guatemala City, spewed rock, gas and ash into the sky.

 Guatemala volcano eruption buries people across three villages

Emergency personnel in helicopters managed to pull at least 10 people alive from ash drifts and mud flows that were up to the rooflines of some homes. As a result, crews had to use sledgehammers to break through the roofs to see if anyone was trapped inside, the AP said.

The eruption of Fuego  Spanish for fire  on Sunday was the biggest in decades, forcing the closure of Guatemalas main international airport and dumping ash on thousands of acres of coffee farms situated on the normally cooler climes of the volcanos slopes.

At one point, the task of pulling out bodies was halted, after the new eruption and an apparent landslide on the southern slopes of Fuego triggered fresh evacuations.

They gave the emergency order to evacuate, and we all went running, one rescue volunteer told a local television crew. We were pulling out bodies. Were going to wait a half hour before entering again.

Reuters reported that witnesses near the volcano said more people had been evacuated beyond a five-mile perimeter from the site after the latest explosion.

Fuego, one of several active volcanoes in Guatemala, is near the colonial city of Antigua, a Unesco world heritage site that has survived several eruptions. The latest activity is mostly on the far side of the volcano, facing the Pacific coast.

President Jimmy Morales has declared three days of national mourning.

Hilda Lopez said the volcanic mud swept into her village of San Miguel Los Lotes, just below the mountains flanks, and she did not know where her mother and sister were.

We were at a party, celebrating the birth of a baby, when one of the neighbours shouted at us to come out and see the lava that was coming, she said. We didnt believe it, and when we went out the hot mud was already coming down the street.Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges after appearing before a New York Court.

The hearing in Manhattan came after a grand jury indicted the man behind films such as Shakespeare in Love and The English Patient, on charges involving two women.

One alleged victim, who has not been identified publicly, told investigators that Mr Weinstein cornered her in a hotel room and raped her. The other accuser, former actress Lucia Evans, has gone public with her account of ho the movie mogul forced her to perform a sex act on him at his office in 2004.

Recommended Harvey Weinstein indicted on on rape and criminal sex act charges

The two women are among scores who have accused the 66-year-old of sexual misconduct ranging from rape to harassment. Mr Weinstein has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex and his lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, has sought to challenge the credibility of his alleged victims.

Mr Brafman called the rape allegation absurd, saying that the accuser and Weinstein had a decade-long, consensual sexual relationship that continued after the alleged 2013 attack.

The Associated Press said that a Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr has said it was predictable that Mr Weinsteins camp would attack the integrity of the women and of the legal system.

 Harvey Weinstein led out of court in handcuffs after being charged with rape and sexual abuse

Mr Vance, a Democrat, came under public pressure from womens groups to prosecute Mr Weinstein after declining to do so in 2015, when an Italian model went to police to say he had groped her during a meeting.

Police set up a sting in which the woman recorded herself confronting Weinstein and him apologising for his conduct. But Mr Vance decided there was not enough evidence to bring charges.

Mr Weinstein was charged last month, seven months after allegations against him from various women were first published in the media. The rape charge carries a penalty of up to 25 years.

Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Show all 42 1 /42 Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein Harry Weinsteins reputation as one of Hollywoods leading executives was long cemented in stone. The acclaimed movie mogul, who produced Oscar-winning films Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, and The Artist, clocked up box office successes and accolades aplenty. But this has quickly changed since a chorus of women have come forward to accuse the Hollywood producer of sexual harassment and assault. Since the New York Times bombshell report disclosed sexual harassment and rape allegations against the film mogul dating back decades, Weinstein has been fired from his namesake company, expelled from the Oscars and has had his wife leave him. Weinstein has apologised for having caused a lot of pain but has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Annabella Sciorra The Sopranos actor alleged Weinstein raped her after shooting The Night We Never Met, a 1993 movie that Weinstein produced. Similar to the stories told by other women, Weinstein drove the actor home, only to reportedly burst into Sciorra's apartment and start unbuttoning his shirt. He shoved me onto the bed, and he got on top of me, Sciorra said. I kicked and I yelled. Weinstein then allegedly locked her arms and forced sexual intercourse on her. After the incident, Sciorra found it increasingly hard to get work, many filmmakers saying 'We heard you were difficult', something the actor claims was because of the 'Weinstein-machine'. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Natassia Malthe The model and actress, who has appeared in around 50 films, said she met Weinstein at a BAFTA after party in 2008 while she was working as a spokeswoman for LG. She told a press conference in New York that she felt pressured into telling Weinstein she was staying at the Sanderson Hotel after being put on the spot. Malthe, now 43, said after her shift on February 10 she went back to her room and went to sleep, but was awoken by "repeated pounding" on her door, from someone yelling: "Open the door Natassia Malthe, it's Harvey Weinstein." Feeling humiliated, she said she opened the door. She alleged Weinstein began implying sex would get her a role in an upcoming film while semi-undressed and then he began to masturbate. "I was sitting on the bed talking to Harvey when he pushed me back and forced himself onto me. It was not consensual. He did not use a condom," she said. AP Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sean Young The actor, best known for her role in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, said that Weinstein exposed himself to her in the early 1990s, when she was starring in the Miramax-produced Love Crimes - a production company that Weinstein headed at the time. "I personally experienced him pulling his you-know-what out of his pants to shock me," she said. "My basic response was, 'You know, Harvey, I really dont think you should be pulling that thing out, its not very pretty.'" Young never worked with Weinstein again after the incident. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lupita Nyong'o In an op-ed for The New York Times, the Oscar-winning actor said she was invited to Weinsteins family home in Connecticut on the premise of watching a film shortly after they met in 2011. But she said shortly after it started he "insisted" in front of his children that she follow him and she was led to his bedroom. The Kenyan-Mexican actress, now 34, said she felt pressured into giving him a massage after he offered her one. "Before long he said he wanted to take off his pants," she wrote."I told him not to do that and informed him that it would make me extremely uncomfortable. He got up anyway to do so and I headed for the door, saying that I was not at all comfortable with that." Over the years that followed, he continued to get in touch, Nyong'o said, and when she declined another proposition she felt her career was threatened. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lena Headey Writing on social media, the Game of Thrones actor claims she first met Weinstein at the Venice Film Festival in 2005 where, after taking her for a walk by the water, he made some suggestive comment and gesture. Headey claims she bumped into Weinstein years later where he kept asking her questions about her love life. She alleges that, when Weinstein invited her to his hotel room to show her a script, the "energy shifted. The actor notes how, after saying she was not interesting in anything but the work, Weinstein was furious, apparently marching her back to a lift, "grabbing and holding tightly to the back of [her] arm." She claims that, after paying for her car, he whispered in her ear: "Don't tell anyone about this, not your manager, not your agent. Headey finished the post, writing: I got in the car and I cried. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Laura Madden Madden, a production assistant who worked at Miramax for a decade, told the Times that Weinstein allegedly prodded her for massages at hotels, a common theme among the sources the Timess reporters spoke with. On one occasion, she claims she locked herself in his hotel bathroom, sobbing Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Judd recounted for the Times how Weinstein allegedly harassed her while she was filming Kiss the Girls in 1996, inviting her to his hotel room and asking her for a massage, then inviting her to watch him shower. Judd first went public with the allegations in a 2015 interview with Variety during which she discussed the experience without naming the producer involved. She described Weinsteins alleged behaviour as coercive bargaining; I said no, a lot of ways, a lot of times, and he always came back at me with some new ask, she told the Times AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rose McGowan McGowan reportedly reached a previously undisclosed $100,000 settlement with Weinstein in 1997, over an incident that occurred in a hotel room Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emily Nestor Nestor had been temping at the Weinstein Company for only one day in 2014 when Weinstein allegedly offered to boost her career in return for sexual favours, according to the Times. She declined and reportedly complained of his behaviour to colleagues, who later passed the information on to senior executives. An internal Weinstein Company document cited by the Times describes Nestors encounter with Weinstein as follows: She said he was very persistent and focused though she kept saying no for over an hour Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ambra Battilana In March 2015, Battilana, an aspiring model and actress, was reportedly summoned to Weinsteins office on a Friday night to discuss her career. According to a police report cited by the Times, Battilana claimed she was assaulted by Weinstein, who grabbed her breasts after asking if they were real and put his hands up her skirt. Weinstein later claimed that Battilana had set him up, according to colleagues of his who were interviewed by the Times. The Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, later declined to press charges, and according to the Times, made a payment to Battilana. On 5 October, the International Business Times reported that after Vance dropped the charges, he received $10,000 from Weinsteins lawyer Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lauren OConnor Lauren OConnor, an employee of the Weinstein Company, penned a memo to executives alleging a toxic environment for women at the company. The memo cited numerous incidents of Weinstein harassing or coercing women who worked for him. She expressed fear that Weinstein was using her and other female employees to facilitate liaisons with vulnerable women who hope he will get them work. That same year, Weinstein allegedly reached a settlement with OConnor Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Kate Beckinsale The actor, who starred in the Weinstein Company films Serendipity and The Aviator, alleges that she was invited to Weinsteins hotel room at the age of just 17. When she approached the door, the producer reportedly greeted her dressed in just a dressing gown. I was incredibly naive and young and it did not cross my mind that this older, unattractive man would expect me to have any sexual interest in him, she wrote on Instagram. After declining alcohol and announcing that I had school in the morning I left, uneasy but unscathed. Theo Wargo/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Gwyneth Paltrow The actor alleges that after he cast her in the title role of the film Emma when she was 22, he took her to his hotel room, placed his hands on her and suggested massages. I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified, Paltrow told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Asia Argento Italian actress Asia Argento has alleged that in 1997 Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her as she repeatedly told him to stop. When I see him, it makes me feel little and stupid and weak, Argento told The New Yorker. After the rape, he won. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Cara Delevigne The British model and actress penning an Instagram post claiming that Weinstein had ordered her to kiss another woman in his hotel room, and tried to kiss her on the lips. AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Ashley Judd said she rebuffed Harvey Weinsteins unwanted sexual advances by offering to consent only after she had won an Oscar. When she was initially invited to a meeting with Weinstein, Judd said, she was surprised to learn the producer was in his hotel room - a tactic that recurs in other womens accounts. Echoing the accounts of other women, Judd said Weinstein suggested she give him a massage and then invited her to watch him shower. After a volley of nos she said she would only after she wins an Oscar, fleeing after making the comments. Reuters/Mike Segar Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Judith Godreche French actress Judith Godreche said when she was 24 Weinstein invited her to his hotel room and asked to give her a massage. The next thing I know, hes pressing against me and pulling off my sweater, she told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mira Sorvino The Oscar-winning actor said she found herself in a hotel room with Weinstein in 1995 where he started massaging my shoulders, which made me very uncomfortable, and then tried to get more physical, sort of chasing me around. According to an interview in The New Yorker Weinstein subsequently arrived at her apartment late at night and she had to call a friend to come over to pose as her boyfriend in order to get Weinstein out of the house. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Katherine Kendall The actress said Weinstein undressed and chased her around a living room when she was just 23. She subsequently felt that telling others meant Ill never work again and no one is going to care or believe me, she told the New York Times. WireImage Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Tomi-Anne Roberts As an aspiring actress and working in a restaurant in New York, Tomi-Ann Roberts encountered Weinstein who encouraged her to audition for one of his films back in 1984. She subsequently went to meet him and found him naked in the bath and invited her to get naked and get into the bath with him, she told the New York Times. She said she left feeling manipulated. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Myleen Klass It has also been alleged that the disgraced film producer propositioned Myleene Klass with a sex contract at Cannes Film Festival in 2010. One of the singer and television personalitys friends reportedly told The Sun, Klass had told Weinstein to f*** off. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sophie Dix Sophie Dix, best known for her role as Captain Sadie Williams in Soldier Soldier, described her encounter with Weinstein when she was 23 as the single most damaging thing thats happened in my life. She told The Guardian Weinstein had pushed her to her bed and was tugging at her clothes. She rushed to the bathroom to escape, but when she came out she found him standing there masturbating. I quickly closed the door again and locked it, she said. Then when I heard room service come to the door I just ran. Rex Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lea Seydoux The actor and director claims she had to fight off Weinstein after he brought her to his hotel room during what she remembers to be 2012. He suddenly jumped on me and tried to kiss me. I had to defend myself. Hes big and fat, so I had to be forceful to resist him. I left his room, thoroughly disgusted, she wrote in The Guardian. AFP/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Claire Forlani British actress Claire Forlani wrote on Twitter that she had evaded Weinsteins advances on five occasions at the age of 25. At meetings with the Hollywood a-lister, she says massage was suggested, and that Weinstein had boasted of all the women hed had sex with. Mark Douet Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Florence Darel French actress Florence Darel claimed Weinstein relentlessly pursued her in the mid 1990's and propositioned her while Eve Chilton, his wife at the time, was in the hotel room next door. I was astonished, she told People magazine. When you have someone so physically disgusting in front of you, continuing and continuing as though this was all perfectly normal What happened to me may not be illegal but it was inappropriate. Very inappropriate. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lysette Anthony Lysette Anthony, who starred as Marnie Nightingale in Hollyoaks, has claimed Weinstein raped her in the late 1980's after turning up to her London home in the late 1980s. She described the disgraced film producers alleged attack as pathetic and revolting and said it left her feeling disgusted and embarrassed. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Dawn Dunning Dunning said she met Weinstein in 2003 when she was 24-years-old and the disgraced film producer suggested she have a threesome with him and someone else. She told the New York Times Weinstein got angry when she refused. Youll never make it in this business, she said he told her as she left. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rosanna Arquette Rosanna Arquette was already well known for her role in Desperately Seeking Susan, when she said she met Weinstein at his hotel to pick up a script in the early nineties. Weinstein was dressed only in a dressing gown, and tried to put her hand on his erect penis. Speaking to the New York Times, Arquette said as she left she told him: I will never be that girl. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emma de Caunes Caunes, a French actor, claimed Weinstein took her to his hotel room in 2010 supposedly to retrieve a book he was making into a film, but once there he went into the bathroom. De Caunes said he then emerged naked, with an erection and told her to lie on the bed. She fled the room. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Zoe Brock Model Zoe claimed that she had to lock herself in a bathroom at Weinsteins hotel in 1997, after the mogul had sent all of the assistants out of the room, and then appeared naked. I was alone with Weinstein, she told ITVs This Morning programme. He very quickly left the room and came back naked. He chased me naked. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Barth Actress Jessica Barth described an encounter with Weinstein in 2011 in an interview with The New Yorker in which she said Weinstein veered between offering her roles in films and demanding a naked massage. She alleges the producer said to her: So, what would happen if, say, were having some champagne and I take my clothes off and you give me a massage? When she tried to leave, he then promised to give her the number of a female executive at the company. He gave me her number, and I walked out and I started bawling, Barth said. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Romola Garai The actress told The Guardian she felt violated after she went to a meeting with Weinstein at the age of 18 and he met her in his hotel room wearing nothing but a dressing gown. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Heather Graham Graham claimed that during a casting opportunity in the early 2000's Weinstein had told her he had an open relationship with his wife. He could sleep with whomever he wanted when he was out of town. I walked out of the meeting feeling uneasy, Graham told Variety. There was no explicit mention that to star in one of those films I had to sleep with him, but the subtext was there. Graham was never hired to work in a Weinstein film. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Hynes Spaced and W1A star Jessica Hynes tweeted about an encounter with Weinstein earlier this week, but subsequently deleted the tweet. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louisette Geiss The former actress said she met Weinstein to pitch a film script she was working on. During the meeting, Weinstein allegedly went out and reappeared naked and got into a jacuzzi where he masturbated in front of her and said he would make the script into a film if she stayed and watched. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Liza Campbell Liza Campbell, a British writer and artist, alleged that Olympically ugly Weinstein asked her to join him in the bath and began getting undressed at a hotel. In a piece for The Times, Campbell claimed she was forced to sprint to the door to escape. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louise Godbold Writing in a blog post, Louise Godbold, a non-profit director in Los Angeles, said her encounter with Weinstein took the form of an office tour that became an occasion to trap me in an empty meeting room. She said then Weinstein was begging for a massage, his hands on my shoulders as I attempted to beat a retreat.

The initial allegations last October, led to an outpouring of accusations of sexual assault and harassment, not only against Mr Weinstein, but numerous other high-profile figures in the world of business, the arts and the media. Many were fired as a result.

The flood helped trigger the #MeToo movement where women, and men, shared stories of sexual harassment and assault on social media.

After the accusations were first levelled at Mr Weinstein  who is also the subject of investigations by police in London and Los Angeles  went to Arizona for sex addiction therapy.

Earlier this year, the board of the company he help establish, The Weinstein Co, fired him, before filing for bankruptcy in March. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also expelled him.The dingy courtroom in downtown Manhattan was eerily silent the morning Harvey Weinstein arrived for his arraignment.

The onlookers assembled on the 13th floor of New Yorks Supreme Court  a mix of reporters, activists, and paralegals who witnessed the commotion outside and decided to drop in  whispered anxiously to themselves as they waited for the disgraced film producer to arrive. Their heads swivelled towards the back of the room every time the double doors swung open, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who set off a reckoning on sexual misconduct in Hollywood.

The voice of a burly court officer cut through the silence, calling the room to order. A series of security guards filed into the room, and Justice James Burke took his seat. But Mr Weinstein did not appear.

Several tense moments later, one court officer murmured to another that there had been a delay. Mr Weinstein walked straight down the hall and past the courtroom. He had to use the restroom.

Youre kidding me, the other officer grumbled. You cant make this stuff up.

When Mr Weinstein finally entered the courtroom  dressed in a black jacket and tie, walking with a slight limp  he uttered only three words: Not guilty and yes.

Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Show all 42 1 /42 Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Harvey Weinstein Harry Weinsteins reputation as one of Hollywoods leading executives was long cemented in stone. The acclaimed movie mogul, who produced Oscar-winning films Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, and The Artist, clocked up box office successes and accolades aplenty. But this has quickly changed since a chorus of women have come forward to accuse the Hollywood producer of sexual harassment and assault. Since the New York Times bombshell report disclosed sexual harassment and rape allegations against the film mogul dating back decades, Weinstein has been fired from his namesake company, expelled from the Oscars and has had his wife leave him. Weinstein has apologised for having caused a lot of pain but has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Annabella Sciorra The Sopranos actor alleged Weinstein raped her after shooting The Night We Never Met, a 1993 movie that Weinstein produced. Similar to the stories told by other women, Weinstein drove the actor home, only to reportedly burst into Sciorra's apartment and start unbuttoning his shirt. He shoved me onto the bed, and he got on top of me, Sciorra said. I kicked and I yelled. Weinstein then allegedly locked her arms and forced sexual intercourse on her. After the incident, Sciorra found it increasingly hard to get work, many filmmakers saying 'We heard you were difficult', something the actor claims was because of the 'Weinstein-machine'. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Natassia Malthe The model and actress, who has appeared in around 50 films, said she met Weinstein at a BAFTA after party in 2008 while she was working as a spokeswoman for LG. She told a press conference in New York that she felt pressured into telling Weinstein she was staying at the Sanderson Hotel after being put on the spot. Malthe, now 43, said after her shift on February 10 she went back to her room and went to sleep, but was awoken by "repeated pounding" on her door, from someone yelling: "Open the door Natassia Malthe, it's Harvey Weinstein." Feeling humiliated, she said she opened the door. She alleged Weinstein began implying sex would get her a role in an upcoming film while semi-undressed and then he began to masturbate. "I was sitting on the bed talking to Harvey when he pushed me back and forced himself onto me. It was not consensual. He did not use a condom," she said. AP Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sean Young The actor, best known for her role in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, said that Weinstein exposed himself to her in the early 1990s, when she was starring in the Miramax-produced Love Crimes - a production company that Weinstein headed at the time. "I personally experienced him pulling his you-know-what out of his pants to shock me," she said. "My basic response was, 'You know, Harvey, I really dont think you should be pulling that thing out, its not very pretty.'" Young never worked with Weinstein again after the incident. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lupita Nyong'o In an op-ed for The New York Times, the Oscar-winning actor said she was invited to Weinsteins family home in Connecticut on the premise of watching a film shortly after they met in 2011. But she said shortly after it started he "insisted" in front of his children that she follow him and she was led to his bedroom. The Kenyan-Mexican actress, now 34, said she felt pressured into giving him a massage after he offered her one. "Before long he said he wanted to take off his pants," she wrote."I told him not to do that and informed him that it would make me extremely uncomfortable. He got up anyway to do so and I headed for the door, saying that I was not at all comfortable with that." Over the years that followed, he continued to get in touch, Nyong'o said, and when she declined another proposition she felt her career was threatened. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lena Headey Writing on social media, the Game of Thrones actor claims she first met Weinstein at the Venice Film Festival in 2005 where, after taking her for a walk by the water, he made some suggestive comment and gesture. Headey claims she bumped into Weinstein years later where he kept asking her questions about her love life. She alleges that, when Weinstein invited her to his hotel room to show her a script, the "energy shifted. The actor notes how, after saying she was not interesting in anything but the work, Weinstein was furious, apparently marching her back to a lift, "grabbing and holding tightly to the back of [her] arm." She claims that, after paying for her car, he whispered in her ear: "Don't tell anyone about this, not your manager, not your agent. Headey finished the post, writing: I got in the car and I cried. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Laura Madden Madden, a production assistant who worked at Miramax for a decade, told the Times that Weinstein allegedly prodded her for massages at hotels, a common theme among the sources the Timess reporters spoke with. On one occasion, she claims she locked herself in his hotel bathroom, sobbing Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Judd recounted for the Times how Weinstein allegedly harassed her while she was filming Kiss the Girls in 1996, inviting her to his hotel room and asking her for a massage, then inviting her to watch him shower. Judd first went public with the allegations in a 2015 interview with Variety during which she discussed the experience without naming the producer involved. She described Weinsteins alleged behaviour as coercive bargaining; I said no, a lot of ways, a lot of times, and he always came back at me with some new ask, she told the Times AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rose McGowan McGowan reportedly reached a previously undisclosed $100,000 settlement with Weinstein in 1997, over an incident that occurred in a hotel room Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mimi Haleyi Mimi Haleyi said she was assaulted by Weinstein in what appeared to be a child's bedroom in his New York City apartment in 2006 when she was in her 20s. She said she was aspiring to work in television and film production when she was first introduced to him at the London premiere of The Aviator around two years earlier and he helped her get experience on the set of a TV show being produced by The Weinstein Company. But, she added, he repeatedly hassled her and even tried to force himself through her front door in an effort to get her to join him on a trip to Paris. At one point he allegedly forcibly performed oral sex on an aspiring production assistant while she was on her period. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emily Nestor Nestor had been temping at the Weinstein Company for only one day in 2014 when Weinstein allegedly offered to boost her career in return for sexual favours, according to the Times. She declined and reportedly complained of his behaviour to colleagues, who later passed the information on to senior executives. An internal Weinstein Company document cited by the Times describes Nestors encounter with Weinstein as follows: She said he was very persistent and focused though she kept saying no for over an hour Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ambra Battilana In March 2015, Battilana, an aspiring model and actress, was reportedly summoned to Weinsteins office on a Friday night to discuss her career. According to a police report cited by the Times, Battilana claimed she was assaulted by Weinstein, who grabbed her breasts after asking if they were real and put his hands up her skirt. Weinstein later claimed that Battilana had set him up, according to colleagues of his who were interviewed by the Times. The Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, later declined to press charges, and according to the Times, made a payment to Battilana. On 5 October, the International Business Times reported that after Vance dropped the charges, he received $10,000 from Weinsteins lawyer Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lauren OConnor Lauren OConnor, an employee of the Weinstein Company, penned a memo to executives alleging a toxic environment for women at the company. The memo cited numerous incidents of Weinstein harassing or coercing women who worked for him. She expressed fear that Weinstein was using her and other female employees to facilitate liaisons with vulnerable women who hope he will get them work. That same year, Weinstein allegedly reached a settlement with OConnor Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Kate Beckinsale The actor, who starred in the Weinstein Company films Serendipity and The Aviator, alleges that she was invited to Weinsteins hotel room at the age of just 17. When she approached the door, the producer reportedly greeted her dressed in just a dressing gown. I was incredibly naive and young and it did not cross my mind that this older, unattractive man would expect me to have any sexual interest in him, she wrote on Instagram. After declining alcohol and announcing that I had school in the morning I left, uneasy but unscathed. Theo Wargo/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Gwyneth Paltrow The actor alleges that after he cast her in the title role of the film Emma when she was 22, he took her to his hotel room, placed his hands on her and suggested massages. I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified, Paltrow told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Asia Argento Italian actress Asia Argento has alleged that in 1997 Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her as she repeatedly told him to stop. When I see him, it makes me feel little and stupid and weak, Argento told The New Yorker. After the rape, he won. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Cara Delevigne The British model and actress penning an Instagram post claiming that Weinstein had ordered her to kiss another woman in his hotel room, and tried to kiss her on the lips. AFP/Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Ashley Judd Ashley Judd said she rebuffed Harvey Weinsteins unwanted sexual advances by offering to consent only after she had won an Oscar. When she was initially invited to a meeting with Weinstein, Judd said, she was surprised to learn the producer was in his hotel room - a tactic that recurs in other womens accounts. Echoing the accounts of other women, Judd said Weinstein suggested she give him a massage and then invited her to watch him shower. After a volley of nos she said she would only after she wins an Oscar, fleeing after making the comments. Reuters/Mike Segar Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Judith Godreche French actress Judith Godreche said when she was 24 Weinstein invited her to his hotel room and asked to give her a massage. The next thing I know, hes pressing against me and pulling off my sweater, she told the New York Times. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Mira Sorvino The Oscar-winning actor said she found herself in a hotel room with Weinstein in 1995 where he started massaging my shoulders, which made me very uncomfortable, and then tried to get more physical, sort of chasing me around. According to an interview in The New Yorker Weinstein subsequently arrived at her apartment late at night and she had to call a friend to come over to pose as her boyfriend in order to get Weinstein out of the house. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Katherine Kendall The actress said Weinstein undressed and chased her around a living room when she was just 23. She subsequently felt that telling others meant Ill never work again and no one is going to care or believe me, she told the New York Times. WireImage Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Tomi-Anne Roberts As an aspiring actress and working in a restaurant in New York, Tomi-Ann Roberts encountered Weinstein who encouraged her to audition for one of his films back in 1984. She subsequently went to meet him and found him naked in the bath and invited her to get naked and get into the bath with him, she told the New York Times. She said she left feeling manipulated. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Myleen Klass It has also been alleged that the disgraced film producer propositioned Myleene Klass with a sex contract at Cannes Film Festival in 2010. One of the singer and television personalitys friends reportedly told The Sun, Klass had told Weinstein to f*** off. Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Sophie Dix Sophie Dix, best known for her role as Captain Sadie Williams in Soldier Soldier, described her encounter with Weinstein when she was 23 as the single most damaging thing thats happened in my life. She told The Guardian Weinstein had pushed her to her bed and was tugging at her clothes. She rushed to the bathroom to escape, but when she came out she found him standing there masturbating. I quickly closed the door again and locked it, she said. Then when I heard room service come to the door I just ran. Rex Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lea Seydoux The actor and director claims she had to fight off Weinstein after he brought her to his hotel room during what she remembers to be 2012. He suddenly jumped on me and tried to kiss me. I had to defend myself. Hes big and fat, so I had to be forceful to resist him. I left his room, thoroughly disgusted, she wrote in The Guardian. AFP/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Claire Forlani British actress Claire Forlani wrote on Twitter that she had evaded Weinsteins advances on five occasions at the age of 25. At meetings with the Hollywood a-lister, she says massage was suggested, and that Weinstein had boasted of all the women hed had sex with. Mark Douet Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Florence Darel French actress Florence Darel claimed Weinstein relentlessly pursued her in the mid 1990's and propositioned her while Eve Chilton, his wife at the time, was in the hotel room next door. I was astonished, she told People magazine. When you have someone so physically disgusting in front of you, continuing and continuing as though this was all perfectly normal What happened to me may not be illegal but it was inappropriate. Very inappropriate. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lysette Anthony Lysette Anthony, who starred as Marnie Nightingale in Hollyoaks, has claimed Weinstein raped her in the late 1980's after turning up to her London home in the late 1980s. She described the disgraced film producers alleged attack as pathetic and revolting and said it left her feeling disgusted and embarrassed. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Dawn Dunning Dunning said she met Weinstein in 2003 when she was 24-years-old and the disgraced film producer suggested she have a threesome with him and someone else. She told the New York Times Weinstein got angry when she refused. Youll never make it in this business, she said he told her as she left. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Rosanna Arquette Rosanna Arquette was already well known for her role in Desperately Seeking Susan, when she said she met Weinstein at his hotel to pick up a script in the early nineties. Weinstein was dressed only in a dressing gown, and tried to put her hand on his erect penis. Speaking to the New York Times, Arquette said as she left she told him: I will never be that girl. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Emma de Caunes Caunes, a French actor, claimed Weinstein took her to his hotel room in 2010 supposedly to retrieve a book he was making into a film, but once there he went into the bathroom. De Caunes said he then emerged naked, with an erection and told her to lie on the bed. She fled the room. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Zoe Brock Model Zoe claimed that she had to lock herself in a bathroom at Weinsteins hotel in 1997, after the mogul had sent all of the assistants out of the room, and then appeared naked. I was alone with Weinstein, she told ITVs This Morning programme. He very quickly left the room and came back naked. He chased me naked. Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Barth Actress Jessica Barth described an encounter with Weinstein in 2011 in an interview with The New Yorker in which she said Weinstein veered between offering her roles in films and demanding a naked massage. She alleges the producer said to her: So, what would happen if, say, were having some champagne and I take my clothes off and you give me a massage? When she tried to leave, he then promised to give her the number of a female executive at the company. He gave me her number, and I walked out and I started bawling, Barth said. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Romola Garai The actress told The Guardian she felt violated after she went to a meeting with Weinstein at the age of 18 and he met her in his hotel room wearing nothing but a dressing gown. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Heather Graham Graham claimed that during a casting opportunity in the early 2000's Weinstein had told her he had an open relationship with his wife. He could sleep with whomever he wanted when he was out of town. I walked out of the meeting feeling uneasy, Graham told Variety. There was no explicit mention that to star in one of those films I had to sleep with him, but the subtext was there. Graham was never hired to work in a Weinstein film. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Jessica Hynes Spaced and W1A star Jessica Hynes tweeted about an encounter with Weinstein earlier this week, but subsequently deleted the tweet. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Lucia Evans The actor told The New Yorker that after a meeting to discuss casting her in various projects, Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. I said, over and over, I dont want to do this, stop, dont. She added: Hes a big guy. He overpowered me. I just sort of gave up. Thats the most horrible part of it, and thats why hes been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like its their fault. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louisette Geiss The former actress said she met Weinstein to pitch a film script she was working on. During the meeting, Weinstein allegedly went out and reappeared naked and got into a jacuzzi where he masturbated in front of her and said he would make the script into a film if she stayed and watched. Getty Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Liza Campbell Liza Campbell, a British writer and artist, alleged that Olympically ugly Weinstein asked her to join him in the bath and began getting undressed at a hotel. In a piece for The Times, Campbell claimed she was forced to sprint to the door to escape. Rex Features Harvey Weinstein: his accusers Louise Godbold Writing in a blog post, Louise Godbold, a non-profit director in Los Angeles, said her encounter with Weinstein took the form of an office tour that became an occasion to trap me in an empty meeting room. She said then Weinstein was begging for a massage, his hands on my shoulders as I attempted to beat a retreat.

The first two words were his response to the charges of first-degree rape, third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act filed against him. A grand jury indicted him on all three charges last week.

Through his lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, Mr Weinstein has denied all accusations of nonconsensual sex against him. In court on Tuesday, Mr Brafman said Mr Weinstein intended to vigorously defend himself against all of the criminal charges.

However reprehensible the crime of rape is, Mr Brafman said later, I believe its equally reprehensible to falsely accuse someone of rape.

Mr Weinsteins third and final word of the hearing  yes  was to acknowledge that he understood the terms of his bail, which had been set at $1m. He will be allowed to remain at home, bound by an ankle bracelet, until his next court appearance on 20 September.

 Harvey Weinstein led out of court in handcuffs after being charged with rape and sexual abuse

Two women have formally accused Mr Weinstein of sexual assault in New York. One, actress Lucia Evans, claims Mr Weinstein forced her to perform a sex act on him at his office in 2004. The other, who has not been identified publicly, told investigators that Mr Weinstein cornered her in a hotel room and raped her.

Several other women have told reporters that Mr Weinstein sexually assaulted or harassed them during his decades as one of the top movie producers in Hollywood. Criminal investigations are also underway in London and Los Angeles.

Mr Weinsteins accusers came forward after The New York Times and The New Yorker published Pulitzer-winning stories about the allegations, which stretch back decades, against the movie mogul. The reporting led to what became known as the #metoo movement, through which thousands of others shared their own experiences of sexual assault and harassment.

Mr Weinstein was subsequently kicked out of his production company and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Show all 35 1 /35 Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures London Women's rights demonstrators hold placards and shout slogans during the Time's Up rally at Richmond Terrace, opposite Downing Street in London. Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures London The Time's Up initiative was launched at the start of January 2018 as a response to the #MeToo movement and the Harvey Weinstein scandal. AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Berlin Women's March in Berlin. EPA Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures London The Time's Up Women's March marks the one year anniversary of the first Women's March in London and in 2018 it is inspired by the Time's Up movement against sexual abuse. Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Paris Women hold a banner reading "still feminist" with the Eiffel tower in background on the Trocadero esplanade in Paris. AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures London Protesters hold up placards at the Women's March in central London. Rex Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Paris A demonstator hold signs on the Trocadero esplanade in Paris during a women's march organised as part of global protests. AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures London Chanting Times Up in the cold rain - On the anniversary of the Women's March on London. Rex Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York Thousands of people gather holding protest signs on Central Park West. EPA Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York Demonstrators take part in the Women's March in Manhattan Reuters Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Chicago A woman holds a sign during the Second Annual Womens March in Chicago AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York People gather near Central Park before the beginning of the Women's March in New York Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Washington Supporters gather during the Women's March in Washington AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York The crowd lines up near Central Park Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Chicago Demostrators attend the Second Annual Womens March in Chicago AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York Thousands hold signs and rally while attending the Womens March in New York Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York People gather near Central Park before the beginning of the Women's March in New York Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Washington People participate in the second annual Women's March in Washington Reuters Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York People hold signs up during the women's march Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Philadelphia Oscar Janicki, 6, participates in the Second Annual Women's March in Philadelphia Reuters Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Philadelphia Crowds gather to participate in the Second Annual Women's March in Philadelphia Reuters Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Washington People participate in the second annual Women's March in Washington Reuters Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York Women pose as they attend the second annual National Womens March in New York City AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Washington People participate in the second annual Women's March in Washington Reuters Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York People gather prior to the second annual National Womens March in New York City AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York People take part in the Women's March in Manhattan Reuters Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York People gather the second annual National Womens March AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Washington People participate in the Second Annual Women's March in Washington Reuters Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Rome A woman holds a banner reading "Womwn united will never be defeated" during Rome Resists demonstration part of the Women's March in downtown. AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Rome Italian actress Asia Argento (3rdL) attends the Rome Resists demonstration part of the Women's March in downtown Rome. AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Rome The Women's March Rome, designed to show solidarity for the protection of civil and social rights, women's rights and the environment included Italian actress Asia Argento, one of the first women to accuse US film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault. AFP/Getty Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Zurich A US citizen holds a poster on the anniversary of the inauguration of President Trump apologising to the world on behalf of her country, in Zurich, Switzerland. A year after millions of people took to the streets across the US and countries around the world, women's marches are being held in lots of cities this weekend. EPA Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures New York People take part in the Women's March in Manhattan Reuters Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Rome A woman holds a banner reading "The rising of the women means rising of us all" during Rome Resists demonstration. AFP/Getty Images Women's March 2018 across the world: in pictures Rome A woman lifts her fist while holding a banner reading "Hear our voice" during Rome Resists demonstration. AFP/Getty

In court on Tuesday, Mr Brafman railed against the rampant media coverage of the trial, and accused the law enforcement community of prolific leaks against his client. He commended his own team for not revealing the name of the unidentified accuser, though he suggested her name may come out in the future, as a result of his teams attempts to subpoena her records.

When the hearing was over, and the next court date set, Mr Brafman took his time gathering his belongings. The rest of the crowd  confined to their seats until Mr Weinstein left the room  watched anxiously as he sipped from his water bottle and walked down the aisle with his 66-year-old client. Outside, a chorus of camera flashes announced the pairs arrival in the hallway.

As the paralegals and interns ran back to the desks theyd abandoned, and reporters dashed off to file their stories, at least one person seemed unimpressed by the spectacle of it all.

Its an arraignment, says veteran womens rights attorney Gloria Allred, who has filed a lawsuit against Mr Weinstein on behalf of an unnamed actress. What did you expect?Wisdom comes from the unlikeliest places. And on Saturday, Ben Bowling, the valedictorian of Bell County High School in Pineville, Kentucky, made an inspirational appeal that left his graduating classmates and their parents dumbstruck.

This is the part of my speech where I share some inspirational quotes I found on Google, he told the packed auditorium. 'Dont just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table  Donald J. Trump.

The crowd burst into applause. President Donald Trump is quite popular in Pineville and the surrounding area, which is the heart of coal country and overwhelmingly supported the president in the 2016 election after he promised to bring coal jobs back to the United States

Bowling, though, wasnt finished.

Recommended Jimmy Fallon surprises Parkland shooting survivors at graduation

Just kidding, he said. That was Barack Obama.

The cheering abruptly stopped. The crowd went mostly silent. There was a lone boo.

Bowling was quoting a May 2012 commencement speech Mr Obama gave to the graduating class of Barnard College in New York City. He offered this message to graduates of the womens college then: Women shape not only their own destiny but the destiny of this nation and of this world.

Hes very politically aware, Richard Gambrel, the principal of Bell County High School, said of Bowling.

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

Bowling, 18, and his parents, who live in Middlesboro, Kentucky, declined to be interviewed.

The valedictorian, though, told The Louisville Courier Journal on Saturday that he quoted Mr Obama because the president offered a good message. He was aware how the crowd would react, even if he shared it in a lighthearted and funny way.

Most people wouldnt like it if I used it, he told The Courier Journal. So I thought Id use Donald Trumps name. It is southeastern Kentucky, after all.

Mr Obama is unpopular in that part of the state. During the campaign, Mr Trump promised to revive the area, bringing back jobs and loosening regulations. Just last week, Mr Trump ordered energy secretary Rick Perry to explore policies to keep unprofitable coal and nuclear plants from closing.

He told us what we wanted to hear, Mr Gambrel said. He has helped some of the folks who previously didnt have jobs. Some have gone back to work.

Bowling graduated from Bell County High School with a 4.2 grade-point average and will attend the University of Kentucky on a full scholarship, Mr Gambrel said.

Most of them probably got the joke, Mr Gambrel said of the crowd at graduation. More surprising, he said, is that no one was aware whom Bowling was quoting. It proves that people dont read or pay attention, he added, with a laugh.

NYTThe Florida police officer accused of cowardice for failing to confront the Parkland gunman, has said he did not get it right but denied that it was because of fears for his safety.

In his first television interview since 17 students and teachers were shot dead at the Florida high school, triggering a nationwide, student-led campaign for greater gun control, Scot Peterson said he was sorry.

I didnt get it right, Mr Peterson told NBC. But it wasnt because of some, Oh, I don't want to go into that building. Oh, I don't want to face somebody in there. It wasnt like that at all.

Recommended Parkland students plan national bus tour and voter registration drive

He added: Those are my kids in there. I never would have sat there and let my kids get slaughtered. Never.

In the aftermath of the Feburary shooting, Mr Peterson was widely criticised for having seemingly failed to stop the alleged shooter, Nicholas Cruz, even though he was the only armed officer at the school when the shooting took place. President Donald Trump denounced Mr Peterson, saying he didn't have the courage.

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said the officers actions made him sick to my stomach and the father of one teenage victim filed a wrongful death suit against him.

Mr Peterson resigned in February and in April it was revealed he was to receive a state pension of $8,702.35 a month, a figure based on his more than 30 years of service.

Mr Peterson, who had been dubbed the Coward of Broward, said he had chosen to remain silent, but had now decided enoughs enough.

Mr Peterson said he responded immediately to the sound of shots being fired.

As we approach near the building I hear two to three loud shots. I immediately stop and I'm thinking to myself, Oh my God, I hear shots outside, he said.

 Jimmy Fallon surprises students with graduation speech at Parkland shooting school: "Keep changing the world"

I went right to my [police] radio. I screamed, Shots fired. I then went to the school radio and I said, Put the schools in lock-down. I'm yelling at the security specialist,Get out of here. Get out of here. Because I thought the shots were outside and I didnt want him standing out there.

He added: And immediately I went and took a position of cover over by the 700 building, because that's what we're trained [to do].

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

Peterson said he never thought the gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas was targeting students and staff inside.

It haunts me that I didnt know, he said. I was trying to do the best I could with no information or intel at the time... And it was just something happening so fast.Senate Republicans on Monday warned President Donald Trump, with varying degrees of alarm, against entertaining the prospect of pardoning himself of any federal crime  once again forcing members of his own party into an uncomfortable position as the president openly pondered another controversial move in connection with Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation.

In the past 24 hours, Trump and one of his attorneys, Rudy Giuliani, have argued that the president has expansive pardon powers but claimed he wouldnt exercise that authority as Mr Trump again openly vented about the Russia probe. That right to pardon was absolute, Mr Trump insisted on Monday morning in a barrage of tweets centred on the special counsel investigation.

Nonetheless, those assertions from the president and his legal team gained little traction on Capitol Hill. Senator Susan Collins (Republican, Maine) noted constitutional scholars had reached varying conclusions on whether a president could pardon himself, but she added that were she advising Trump, she would urge him to never say another word about Bob Muellers investigation until its complete.

Theres no doubt that the president is not above the law, Ms Collins said Monday. It would be a tremendous abuse of his authority if he were to do so, as well as remarkably unwise.

Senator Jerry Moran (Republican, Kansas) stressed that the Constitution doesnt give carte blanche freedom to a president. And Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (Republican, Iowa) who is leading his own investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, also took issue with Mr Trumps claim about his pardon powers.

If I were president and somebody, some lawyer told me that I could do that, Id hire a new lawyer, Mr Grassley told reporters.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The cycle that played out on Capitol Hill on Monday was similar to other instances when an increasingly combative Trump escalated his rhetoric against Mr Muellers investigation, which recently passed its one-year mark and has led to a handful of indictments of Trump associates. Senate Republicans have repeatedly been pressed on what they would do should Mr Trump try to fire the special counsel, for instance, but most of them have brushed off the matter and said the consequences of terminating Mr Mueller would be so severe Mr Trump would never do it.

On Monday, Senator Mike Rounds (Republican, South Dakota) gently remarked that while Mr Trump may have the authority to pardon himself hed be smarter than to exercise that. Senator Bob Corker (Republican, Tennessee) said he couldnt imagine a president even bringing that up.

I dont even want to get into that, said Senator Orrin Hatch (Republican, Utah), one of Mr Trumps most effusive congressional allies. He does have the pardon power and I suspect that thats something that will never be tested to begin with.

And across the board, Senate Republicans said they would prefer Mr Trump to avoid discussing the issue altogether.

He may be right from a strictly legal standpoint but I dont think its helpful in terms of the conclusion of the investigation, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (Republican, Texas) said. Frankly, I dont think any of the investigations produced any evidence of any culpability on his part.

But chatter about presidential pardons have picked up dramatically in recent days, as Mr Trump used his power to pardon conservative commentator Dinesh DSouza for a campaign finance law violation and publicly mulled other commutations and pardons.

The moves have been interpreted by some as a potential signal to associates ensnared in Mr Muellers investigation that Mr Trump could give them legal relief. As for pardoning himself, however, Senate Republicans advised Mr Trump to steer clear.

Politically, it would be a disaster, Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican, South Carolina) said. I dont know why were talking about this.

Washington PostVoters in eight states are heading to the polls in a busy primary election day headlined by a pivotal group California congressional races.

Viable Democratic challengers are targeting seven Republican-held seats in the House of Representatives, with the national party pouring in millions of dollars under the belief that the road to wresting back a majority runs through the Golden State.

But Californias top-two electoral system, which allows the leading two to advance to the general election regardless of their party affiliation, has raised the prospect of a Republican shutout.

Numerous Democrats vying for general election spots in a trio of southern California races could split the liberal vote amongst themselves, strategists fear, thus allowing two Republicans to advance and fumbling key pickup opportunities.

Californians will also be choosing finalists to be the states next governor. In addition to managing the nations most populous state and one of the worlds largest economies, the winner could have a formidable platform to lead the states resistance to Donald Trump.

Frontrunner Gavin Newsom, a Democrat and the states lieutenant governor, has been a fierce critic of the president - the main question is whether Mr Newsom will face a Republican or a Democrat in November.

Local elections 2018  in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Local elections 2018  in pictures Local elections 2018  in pictures Jeremy Corbyn outside a polling station in Islington Rex Local elections 2018  in pictures Theresa May and her husband Philip arrive at a polling station to vote in local elections in central London AFP/Getty Local elections 2018  in pictures Boris Johnson leaves after voting in London Reuters Local elections 2018  in pictures Liberal Democrats leader Vince Cable with his wife Rachel at Twickenham polling station Rex Local elections 2018  in pictures A man enters a polling station as voting begins in local government elections in London Reuters Local elections 2018  in pictures A man fixes a sign to the door of a polling station as voting begins in local government elections in London Reuters Local elections 2018  in pictures A poll clerk hangs a polling station sign outside the Victoria and Jubilee Halls in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, some 45 miles west of London AFP/Getty Local elections 2018  in pictures Voters at The Vyne polling station in Knaphill, part of the Woking borough, which is one of five councils working with the Cabinet Office to trial the use of ID in polling stations PA

Other contests across the country could help determine which party controls Congress in 2019.

In New Jersey, Democrats are hoping to wrest away the five seats held by Republicans in part by cultivating suburban voters, rehashing a strategy that has helped deliver victories in a series of contests since Mr Trumps election.

Also drawing attention will be New Jerseys Republican senate primary. The victor of that race will take on Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat who has been tarnished by an ethics investigation that led him to be severely admonished by a Senate committee for accepting gifts.

Voters in Montana will be choosing which Republican will take on Democratic senator Jon Tester, seen as one of the most vulnerable Senate incumbents.

Mr Trump has repeatedly assailed Mr Tester by name after the senator aired allegations against Mr Trump's pick to be veterans affairs secretary, Ronny Jackson, injecting himself into a contest that could help swing control of the Senate.

 Donald Trump: Veterans Affairs secretary-nominee Ronny Jackson should drop out

In Iowa, too, Democrats are targeting incumbent Republican House members and deciding who will take on Republican Governor Kim Reynolds, who recently signed an abortion law widely seen as the nations strictest.

Iowa election law dictates that, if no single candidate can win 35 per cent of primary votes, the process moves to a party nominating convention.

Multiple New Mexico Democrats are vying for a chance to challenge Rep Steve Pearce, a Republican who is running for governor.

Mr Pearces decision to run for governor has also opened up his seat, and a handful of Democrats are hoping to win a spot on the ballot to replace him in a district where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans.When a US senator tried to visit a government shelter for migrant children, his trip ended not with a tour of the facility, but with a visit from police.

Senator Jeff Merkley attempted to visit a shelter in Brownsville, Texas this week, in the wake of a new Trump administration policy encouraging the separation of immigrant children from their parents at the border.

The shelter in question  which Mr Merkley said was housing children "torn away from their parents"  refused to arrange a tour for him when he called ahead. So the senator stopped by in person, with a live-stream camera team in tow.

Recommended Trump suggests cutting foreign aid to stop illegal immigration

I think its unacceptable that a member of Congress is not being admitted to see what is happening to children whose families are applying for asylum, Mr Merkley told the cameras. ...So I decided to come out here and go up to the door and explain why Im here, and ask to be let in.

But when he arrived at the windowless, locked doors of the shelter, Mr Merkley was told that he could not come inside.

People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Show all 16 1 /16 People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Demonstrators march during the "Day Without Immigrants" protest in Chicago, Illinois, February 16, 2017. Theopolis Waters/Reuters People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Demonstrators march during the "Day Without Immigrants" protest in Washington, DC, U.S., February 16, 2017. Aaron P. Bernstein/Reuters People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Protesters march in the streets outside the Texas State Capital on 'A Day Without Immigrants' February 16, 2017 in Austin, Texas. The crowd, which grew to well over a thousand participants, marched from the Austin City Hall to the Texas State Capital. Across the country hundreds of restaurants and eateries are closing for the day to protest President Trump's immigration policies and to highlight the contributions of immigrants to U.S. business and life. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Protesters march in the streets outside the Texas State Capital on 'A Day Without Immigrants' February 16, 2017 in Austin, Texas. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 16: Protesters march in the streets outside the Texas State Capital on 'A Day Without Immigrants' February 16, 2017 in Austin, Texas. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Demonstrators march during the "Day Without Immigrants" protest in Chicago, Illinois, February 16, 2017. Theopolis Waters/Reuters People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Demonstrators march during the "Day Without Immigrants" protest in Chicago, Illinois, February 16, 2017. Aaron P. Bernstein/Reuters People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Protesters march in the streets outside the Texas State Capital on 'A Day Without Immigrants' February 16, 2017 in Austin, Texas. The crowd, which grew to well over a thousand participants, marched from the Austin City Hall to the Texas State Capital. Across the country hundreds of restaurants and eateries are closing for the day to protest President Trump's immigration policies and to highlight the contributions of immigrants to U.S. business and life. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Protesters march in the streets outside the Texas State Capital on 'A Day Without Immigrants' February 16, 2017 in Austin, Texas. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Protesters march in the streets outside the Texas State Capital on 'A Day Without Immigrants' February 16, 2017 in Austin, Texas. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Protesters march in the streets outside the Texas State Capital on 'A Day Without Immigrants' February 16, 2017 in Austin, Texas. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Protesters march in the streets outside the Texas State Capital on 'A Day Without Immigrants' February 16, 2017 in Austin, Texas. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Protesters march in the streets outside the Texas State Capital on 'A Day Without Immigrants' February 16, 2017 in Austin, Texas. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants Protesters march in the streets outside the Texas State Capital on 'A Day Without Immigrants' February 16, 2017 in Austin, Texas. The crowd, which grew to well over a thousand participants marched from the Austin City Hall to the Texas State Capital. Across the country hundreds of restaurants and eateries are closing for the day to protest President Trump's immigration policies and to highlight the contributions of immigrants to U.S. business and life. Drew Anthony Smith/Getty People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants High school student Kathia Suarez holds up a sign as she protests with others outside the Grayson County courthouse in downtown Sherman, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. LM Otero/AP People strike across America for A Day Without Immigrants High school senior Vicky Sosa holds a sign outside the Grayson County courthouse in downtown Sherman, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. In an action called "A Day Without Immigrants," immigrants across the country are expected to stay home from school, work and close businesses to show how critical they are to the U.S. economy and way of life. LM Otero/AP

Instead, the senator stood outside for nearly 15 minutes before a manager came out to meet him. The manager refused to provide a statement, directing Mr Merkley to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees refugee resettlement.

At the same time, several police cars pulled up outside the shelter. The officers took down the senators name and date of birth and encouraged him to leave the property.

I was barred entry. Asked repeatedly to speak to a supervisor  he finally came out and said he cant tell us anything. Police were called on us, Mr Merkley tweeted later.

Children should never be ripped from their families & held in secretive detention centres," Mr Merkley added.

 President Trump calls immigrants coming into California animals

The second half of the tweet was a reference to the Trump administration's new "zero tolerance" policy on illegal immigration. The new policy requires officials to prosecute anyone caught crossing the border illegally  even if they arrive with their children. While their parents are prosecuted, the children are separated and housed in shelters like the one Mr Merkley visited.

The shelter in question is operated by Southwest Key Programmes, a national nonprofit that subcontracts with HHS. Many of the children housed there came to the US unaccompanied, and are living in the shelter until they can be placed with sponsor families. 

HHS did not answer questions regarding how many children at this shelter arrived in the US alone, and how many had been separated from their parents.

In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson said Mr Merkley and his team were denied access to the shelter for the safety, security and dignity of the children being cared for there.

No one who arrives unannounced at one of our shelters demanding access to the children in our care will be permitted, even those claiming to be US Senators, the spokesperson said. Senator Merkley should respect the UAC program and engage in the appropriate processes, as many of his colleagues have done before him, to visit ORR facilities.

It is unclear how many children have been separated from their parents since the Trump administration started implementing its new policy. A New York Times analysis found more than 700 children had been separated from adults claiming to be their parents between October 2017 and April of this year, before the policy started.

Meanwhile, the number of illegal border crossings remained high in May, according to the Washington Post, as it had for the last three months.First Lady Melania Trump made her first appearance in 24 days at a White House event honouring Gold Star military families.

The event had been closed off to the press out of respect for the 40 families in attendance who lost loved ones in the US military. Ms Trump's attendance was her first since 10 May, just days before being admitted to hospital to undergo a "successful" surgery for a "benign" kidney condition, the White House had announced on 14 May.

Mr Trump had, according to one person at the event who spoke to CNN, gone off on a minute-long apparent comedy "riff" about the speculation over where Ms Trump may have been.

Ms Trump "has always been a strong and independent woman who puts her family, and certainly her health above all else, and that won't change over a rabid press corps. She's confident in what she is doing and in her role, and knows the rest is just speculation and nonsense," said White House communications director Stephanie Grisham said ahead of the event.

It was closed press last year as well. These are Gold Star families. They have lost loved ones and deserve respect and privacy, Ms Grisham said about the decision not to allow media into the event.

Whether health issues continue to plaque the first lady after her five-day stint at Walter Reed Medical Centre in Washington, DC, has not been disclosed to the public.

 Melania Trump sits alongside Barack Obama at Baraba Bush's funeral

However, the White House did announce Ms Trump would not be accompanying the president to the upcoming G7 Summit in Montreal, Canada from 7-9 June nor the hotly anticipated meeting with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un set to take place on 12 June in Singapore.

Ms Trump also issued a statement about the Gold Star families event. She said it "was a privilege to...recognise our Nations fallen heroes and their families. To all those who have lost loved ones in service to our country, our nation grieves with you. It is a solemn reminder that we, the American people, are able to live as freely as we do because of the selfless sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. We remain indebted to each of them and we honour them today, together, with their families. Thank you to those who joined us this evening and to the men and women currently serving overseas and to their families, thank you for your service. We send our prayers to all of those in harm's way".

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The first lady's attendance at such events is normal and several of Ms Trump's predecessors have hosted them. It was Ms Trump's prolonged absence given her rising popularity - she led the president in approval rating in many polls - that was notable.

Ms Trump recently announced her "Be Best" initiative in order to combat opioid addiction, cyberbullying, and low self-esteem among America's children.Among the candidates running for office in 2018 America are a man who admires Adolph Hitler and is a self-described paedophile, another who denies the Holocaust occurred, and yet another who is a self-described pro-white Christian.

The candidates appear to show the precarious place that the United States has found itself in following the election of President Donald Trump, who himself ran a campaign that many said broke from American cultural values by advocating for policies targeting minorities and immigrants - policies that have frequently been framed by some as racist rhetoric.

But, while these primary candidates have stoked some fear about what it means that Americas fringe appears emboldened to publicly express views that would have previously been immediately condemned  and have maybe not received as much condemnation these days  some note that people with extreme views running for office arent anything new, and that simply running for office is a far cry from actually winning a congressional seat.

I think it happens all the time. Especially in off years, in midterms. Theyre not usually as blatantly oddball as we seem to be seeing this year, but theres always people like that who want to get in, Rich Galen, a Republican strategist and former press secretary for former vice-president Dan Quayle and former speaker of the house Newt Gingrich, tells The Independent. Mostly its to get publicity, and, unfortunately, they appear to be getting that attention.

Mr Galen says that, even if some of these candidates win their partys nomination, it is reflective of the nature of primaries, where turnout is notoriously low and can produce odd results.

Primaries are very strange under the best of circumstances, and in midterm years, in non-presidential years, theyre even weirder, Galen says. Its the terror of small numbers. Such a relatively small percentage of the voting population will participate, depending on the state, I think drawing conclusions about those sorts of things is dangerous.

 Republican State Senator Michael Williams advertises 'deportation bus' in new video

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

One candidate who is still running include Nathan Larson, who is running in Virginias 10th congressional district as an independent. Larson previously served 16 months in prison for an apparent plot to kill either former president George W Bush or former president Barack Obama. He has called himself a paedophile, has argued to decriminalise incest, and self-identified as a white supremacist.

Yet another, who is running in Wisconsin, is Paul Nehlen, calls himself a pro-white Christian candidate, and is running to take the seat being vacated by speaker of the house Paul Ryan.

Other candidates on the fringe have included Don Blankenship, who spent a year in prison after being convicted on misdemeanour negligence charges after 29 people were killed in a mine he was in charge of. Blankenship ran a failed primary campaign in West Virginia for the Republican nomination, but got plenty of press in the process.

They also include Arthur Jones, who was described by the Illinois Republican Party as a Nazi, and who denies the Holocaust occurred. Jones won the GOP primary in March  nobody ran against him  and faces a steep uphill battle if he hopes to win the district that has traditionally been heavily Democratic.

Stuart Stevens, a Republican strategist who was a top strategist for Mitt Romneys 2012 campaign, says that there are some signs that these candidates have a bit more traction than they did before, but that it is hard to say how much sentiment has shifted until elections crown victors.

And on that front, the primary win last year of Roy Moore  who was accused by multiple women of having pursued them when they were teenagers and he was a grown man  in Alabama shows that fringe candidates can eke out wins in contemporary America.

I think its more important who wins and who loses, Stevens says. I think these candidates are fringe candidates but the fact that some of them are running and think they might have a chance is probably telling.

Until they start winning, I think its not great cause for alarm, he continues. But, you know, Roy Moore won the primary, and that was great cause for alarm.Robert Muellers team has accused former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort of witness tampering.

The special counsel in the investigation into alleged collusion between President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign team and Russian officials has said in a court filing that Mr Manafort and an associate repeatedly contacted two witnesses and in an effort to sway their testimony.

The longtime foreign political agent was under house arrest at the time of the suspected contact and as a result, Mr Mueller has asked that federal judge Amy Berman Jackson "promptly" reconsider Mr Manaforts release. If she does, he could be sent to jail instead of remaining on home confinement.

Recommended Judge refuses to dismiss Mueller charges against Paul Manafort

FBI Special Agent Brock Domin, in a declaration filed with Mr Muellers motion, said Mr Manafort had attempted to call, text, and send encrypted messages in February 2018 to two people from The Hapsburg Group, a firm he had worked with in the past when promoting the interests of Ukraine in the US.

Agents have recovered telephone and text records from Mr Manaforts iCloud account as evidence of his contact with the two individuals, Mr Domin said.

Mr Trumps former campaign manager was indicted in the alleged Russian collusion case on 30 October 2017 on a number of fraud, money laundering, and failure to register as a foreign agent charges but has not pleaded guilty unlike his associate and former campaign deputy Rick Gates.

 MSNBCs Nicole Wallace stops reading Trump tweets on air: 'These are boldface lies'

The witnesses Mr Mueller has said Mr Manafort attempted to influence were not named in the court filing.

Mr Trump has repeatedly said there was no collusion between campaign team members and Russian officials, calling the FBI and parallel Congressional investigations a witch hunt on numerous occasions.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

Recently, Mr Trump said he has the absolute right to pardon himself if needed. The president can issue pardons for federal crimes, but not state or local convictions.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in response to repeated questioning about the presidents comments that thankfully the president hasnt done anything wrong and wouldnt need [a pardon].

Mr Manafort's trial in the Washington DC federal court, one of two cases he has been indicted in, is set to begin 17 September.Americas top United Nations official has lashed out at the international body's criticism of the US breaking up migrant families.

Noting that several hundred children have been separated from their families as the Trump administration has cracked down on border crossings, United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani warned that there is nothing normal about detaining children.

The US should immediately halt this practice of separating families, Ms Shamdasani said, adding that Detention is never in the interest of the child and always constitutes a child rights violation.

In a stinging rebuke, Americas UN ambassador Nikki Haley accused the international body of hypocrisy for assailing America while it ignores the reprehensible human rights records of several members of its own Human Rights Council. She noted that America furnishes more humanitarian assistance than other countries.

We will remain a generous country, but we are also a sovereign country, with laws that decide how best to control our borders and protect our people, Ms Haley said in a statement. Neither the United Nations nor anyone else will dictate how the United States upholds its borders.

While Donald Trump has repeatedly blamed Democrats for family separations at the border, there is no law - Democrat-passed or otherwise - that requires such separations.

Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Show all 14 1 /14 Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Immigrant children, many of whom are separated form their parents, are housed in Texas' tent city Reuters Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border A two-year-old Honduran asylum seeker cries as her mother is searched and detained near the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Undocumented migrants ride on the top of a freight train referred to as the beast, or La Bestia Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border A cage inside a US Customs and Border Protection detention facility in Texas Reuters Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US Border Patrol Academy All new agents must complete a months-long training course at the New Mexico facility before assuming their posts at Border Patrol stations, mostly along the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence A group of young men walk along the Mexican side of the US-Mexico border fence in a remote area of the Sonoran Desert Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence in the US Man looks through US-Mexico border fence into the US in Tijuana, Mexico Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence US Border Patrol agent Sal De Leon stands near a section of the US-Mexico border fence while stopping on patrol on in La Joya, Texas Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US Border Patrol Academy US Border Patrol instructor yells at trainees after their initial arrival to the academy Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Memorial service in Guatemala Families attend a memorial service for two boys who were kidnapped and killed in San Juan Sacatepequez, Guatemala. Crime drives emigration from Guatemala to the United States, as families seek refuge from the danger Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Arrests on the border Undocumented immigrants comfort each other after being caught by Border Patrol agents near the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Detention holding facility A boy from Honduras watches a movie at a detention facility run by the US Border Patrol Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Mexican farm workers Mexican migrant workers harvest organic parsley at Grant Family Farms in Wellington, Colorado Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Mexican family in Arizona A Mexican immigrant family sits in the living room of their rented home in Tuscon, Arizona. The family that Arizona's new tough immigrant law had created a climate of fear in the immigrant community. Getty

Immigration advocates have countered by pointing to the Trump administrations stringent new zero tolerance policy directing authorities to prosecute all instances of illegal border crossings. In her remarks, Ms Shamdasani said immigration violations should not carry harsh penalties.

Entry into a country without the right papers should at most be an administrative offence, Ms Shamdasani said.

Administration officials have also lambasted a caravan of Central American asylum-seekers that recently arrived at the Mexican border, saying it pointed to flaws in Americas immigration laws and warning of prosecutions for fraud. Ms Shamdasani noted that family separations were also occurring among asylum-seekers, who have a legal right to present their claims.

 Migrant 'caravan' gathers at the US-Mexico border

The Trump administration has repeatedly been at odds with the United Nations, particularly over Mr Trumps controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move the US embassy there.

As the UN prepared to overwhelmingly pass a resolution denouncing the move, both Ms Haley and Mr Trump warned that America might retaliate by cutting off aid.

Following through on that threat, the administration slashed its contribution to a UN programme that assists Palestinian refugees.Rohingya refugees living in crowded conditions in Bangladesh face an unprecedented threat from an imminent monsoon that should sound alarm bells among the international community, David Miliband has warned.

The former UK foreign secretary has completed a two-day visit to Bangladesh to see the border camps at Coxs Bazar, and in an interview with The Independent said 700,000 displaced Muslims from Myanmar faced a natural crisis on top of a clearly man-made one.

The UN has said Myanmars Rohingya appear to have been victims of a textbook case of ethnic cleansing, since the scale of violence in the region shocked the world in August 2017.

But Mr Milibands call to action comes at a time when international focus on the Rohingya crisis has waned. The US under President Donald Trump has cut its refugee resettlement programmes by three-quarters, he notes, while the UK has been so systematically diverted by the Brexit trauma as to limit its ability to make diplomatic interventions.

The danger here is that people forget about this crisis, he said. Because a country next door has admitted them, the rest of the world thinks that it isnt their problem.

Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, has invited his Bangladeshi counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, to attend the G7 meeting in Quebec this week, and Mr Miliband  who now leads the International Rescue Committee (IRC) charity  said it was an opportunity for politicians to provide answers to anger rather than just articulating anger.

Clouds are now gathering over the bamboo and tarpaulin-covered shacks that make up most of the Coxs Bazar camp network. When the monsoon comes, it will bring up to four months of heavy rain, turning the camps makeshift highways into rivers and, aid agencies fear, causing widespread mudslides where the landscape has been completely denuded of trees.

The IRC has been working to set up mobile healthcare units for when the camp infrastructure inevitably falters, and the UN has distributed 80,000 tie-down kits  hammers, nails and rope so refugees can literally tie down their makeshift homes.

But with a gap between funding and what would be needed to protect a uniquely vulnerable population, Mr Miliband said there is only so much they can do.

You can predict a monsoon but you cant predict a cyclone, he said. Obviously Bangladesh has a whole history of securing and protecting its own population at the time of cyclones, but it has never had to do that for this number of refugees.

On his visit to the camps, Mr Miliband met children traumatised by what they had witnessed, as well as families who still had relatives back in Myanmar and who feared for their safety.

One woman told me her uncle couldnt leave with them because he is too old. She just said, He is going to die, and Im never going to see him again. It really is a tragic and traumatic situation.

Rohingya crisis in photos Show all 15 1 /15 Rohingya crisis in photos Rohingya crisis in photos Rohingya refugees are reflected in rain water along an embankment next to paddy fields after fleeing from Myanmar into Palang Khali, near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh November REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos Rohingya refugees scramble for aid at a camp in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos Betel leaves cover the face of 11-month-old Rohingya refugee Abdul Aziz whose wrapped body lay in his family shelter after he died battling high fever and severe cough at the Balukhali refugee camp near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, December REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos An exhausted Rohingya refugee fleeing violence in Myanmar cries for help from others crossing into Palang Khali, near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh November REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos Mohammed Shoaib, 7, who was shot in his chest before crossing the border from Myanmar in August, is held by his father outside a medical centre near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos Rohingya refugees try to take shelter from torrential rain as they are held by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) after illegally crossing the border, in Teknaf, Bangladesh REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos Rohingya refugee children fly improvised kites at the Kutupalong refugee camp near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos Smoke is seen on the Myanmar border as Rohingya refugees walk on the shore after crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar border by boat through the Bay of Bengal, in Shah Porir Dwip, Bangladesh REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos People gather under heavy rain around bodies of Rohingya refugees after the boat they were using to flee violence in Myanmar capsized off Inani Beach near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos The remains of a burned Rohingya village is seen in this aerial photograph near Maungdaw, north of Rakhine State, Myanmar REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos Rohingya refugees cross the Naf River with an improvised raft to reach to Bangladesh in Teknaf, Bangladesh REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos A security officer attempts to control Rohingya refugees waiting to receive aid in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos Hamida, a Rohingya refugee woman, weeps as she holds her 40-day-old son after he died as their boat capsized before arriving on shore in Shah Porir Dwip, Teknaf, Bangladesh REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos Rohingya siblings fleeing violence hold one another as they cross the Naf River along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Palong Khali, near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh REUTERS Rohingya crisis in photos An exhausted Rohingya refugee woman touches the shore after crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar border by boat through the Bay of Bengal, in Shah Porir Dwip, Bangladesh September Reuters

Mr Miliband said that since he left British politics in 2013, three years after he lost a fight for the Labour party leadership against his brother Ed, the IRC has grown to the point where it provided assistance to 27 million people last year  of which he is immensely proud.

He says it is nonetheless up to governments to ultimately take action in crises like the one facing the Rohingya, adding: Humanitarian aid can staunch the dying but it takes politics to stop the killing.

Progress on a political solution in Rakhine has stalled since the new flare-up in violence last year, when the fighting distracted from what could have been a breakthrough report by an independent commission chaired by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan.

The UK has a very good record in terms of financial aid to the Rohingya, Mr Miliband said, but like other countries has suffered from a tragic hacking back of programmes to take in refugees.

Britain has also failed to make significant diplomatic inroads with the government of Aung San Suu Kyi in spite of its long-standing and close ties to both her and Myanmar as a country.

Mr Miliband said the UK appeared to have other things on our plate, adding that during his time in government, British clout in Myanmar was substantially magnified, augmented and supported by our membership of the European Union.

Around the world people are wondering what is the future of UK foreign policy, he said. And they are clear that bilateral [UK-Myanmar] foreign policy can never make up for an absence of multilateral foreign policy.

Mr Milibands own family came to the UK as refugees from Nazi-occupied Belgium, and, in appealing to the conscience of the world to step up and help displaced people, he said there were important parallels to be drawn between the contemporary refugee crises and those of the early 20th century.

Theres a basic humanity that depends on empathy, he said. In some ways it is important that we hold onto that idea  that it could be me.A primary school in Berlin has been evacuated by police over a suspected threat situation.

Pupils and teachers were led away to safety after reports of two suspicious people entering the building, police said.

The school in the German capitals northern Gesundbrunnen distract has been cordoned off and residents were urged to avoid the area while police searched the building on Tuesday morning.

Recommended German police shoot a man in Berlin Cathedral

Police spokesman Thomas Neuendorf said a person outside the school reported seeing two suspicious people entering at about 10am local time (8am GMT).

Pictures on social media showed armed police at the scene, as well as parents and press at the cordon.

About 100 officers were deployed and conducted an extensive search of the school but no threat was found and the area was declared safe about four hours later.

Thankfully, we havent found anybody suspicious," said Mr Neuendorf.

It comes two days after police shot and wounded a man who rampaged through Berlin cathedral with a knife. The 53-year-old Austrian suffered serious leg injuries and a police officer who was trying to restrain him was also hurt.

Sundays incident was not thought to be linked to terrorism.Calls are growing for Angela Merkel to expel the US ambassador to Germany after the American official said he was working to strengthen right-wing political movements in Europe.

Richard Grenell, who was appointed by Donald Trump and who has only been in office since 8 May, made the politicised comments in an interview to the far-right website Breitbart.

The German foreign ministry said it had asked the US side for clarification after the card-carrying Republican appeared to say he wanted to intervene in European politics  a massive breach of diplomatic protocol.

I absolutely want to empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders, he was quoted by the website as saying, also adding that he thought Mr Trumps election had empowered people fighting against the political establishment.

The diplomats undiplomatic comments have caused huge controversy in Germany  where a far-right party, the AfD, recently entered the Bundestag for the first time in decades and is seen as stirring up resentment against Muslims and other minorities.

Germany has also had to deal with a far-right party, the Freedom Party, joining the governing coalition of Austria, which sits on its doorstep. The US ambassador to Germany has also invited Sebastian Kurz, Austrias right-wing chancellor, to dinner.

Grenell does not behave like a diplomat, but like a far-right colonial officer, Martin Schulz, former SPD leader

Grenell does not behave like a diplomat, but like a far-right colonial officer, Martin Schulz, a senior centre-left MP and former president of the European Parliament, told the German Press Agency.

What this man is doing is unique in the history of diplomacy. If the German ambassador in Washington would say that he is there to strengthen the Democrats, he would be expelled straight away.

Ralf Stegner, the SPDs chief in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, said an ambassador should be a diplomatic representative of his country not an election fighter for right-wing parties, while SPD MP Thorsten Schafer-Gumbel added: European citizens dont need a Trump vassal to tell them who to vote for. A US ambassador who meddles in the democratic process to such a degree is simply misplaced.

Richard Grenell at his appointment ceremony (Reuters)

After the comments began to cause controversy, Mr Grenell took to social media: I stand by my comments that we are experiencing an awakening from the silent majority  those who reject the elites & their bubble. Led by Trump. But he added that the idea that Id endorse candidates/parties is ridiculous.

Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Show all 29 1 /29 Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inauguration - 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump acknowledges the audience after taking the oath of office as his wife Melania (L) and daughter Tiffany watch during inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States on the West Front of the US capital in Washington on 20 January, 2017. Photographer Jim Bourg: "This photo was shot with one of two remote cameras. The cameras were monitored and triggered remotely and the pictures were transmitted to clients worldwide within minutes of being taken." Reuters/Jim Bourg Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Obama farewell address - 10 January 2017 US President Barack Obama wipes away tears as he delivers his farewell address in Chicago on 10 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "In his final days in office, Obama made a visit home to Chicago. As he spoke from the stage to his wife and daughter in the audience, he became emotional when he talked about what they had sacrificed during his time in office. I turned from photographing the Obama women embracing to find him onstage wiping away tears." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inauguration - 20 January 2017 A combination of photos shows the crowds attending the inauguration ceremonies to swear in U.S. President Donald Trump at 12:01pm (left) on January 20, 2017 and President Barack Obama sometime between 12:07pm and 12:26pm on January 20, 2009. Reuters/ Lucas Jackson/Stelios Varias Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Liberty Ball - 20 January 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the Liberty Ball in honour of his inauguration in Washington on 20 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "What I see when I look at this picture is the end of a very long day, not to mention weeks and months of preparation by many photographers, editors and network experts and the beginning of everything since." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception - 22 January 2017 US President Donald Trump greets Director of the FBI James Comey as Director of the Secret Service Joseph Clancy (L), watches during the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House on 22 January, 2017. Photographer Joshua Roberts: "I have covered the White House for 16 years and normally either the President or the pool is in position when an event starts. In this case the President was not where anyone expected him to be. In fact, he was almost blocking the door when the pool came in. We had to scramble to find a position without bumping him or the furniture as he greeted and thanked members of law enforcement for their security efforts during the inauguration. Luckily, he greeted FBI Director James Comey a few seconds after the pool had made its way into the room." Reuters/Joshua Roberts Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Private phone calls to world leaders - 28 January 2017 US President Donald Trump, is joined by his staff, as he speaks by phone with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office on 28 January, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Very early in the Trump administration, weekends were as busy as weekdays. On Trump's second Saturday the official schedule said he would be making private phone calls to a number of world leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin. I arrived early and, before sitting down at my desk walked up to Press Secretary Sean Spicer's office. He, too, was just taking his coat off. I gingerly made the suggestion that previous administrations had sometimes allowed photos of such phone calls through the Oval Office windows on the colonnade. To my mild shock, he didn't even think about it twice. "We'll do it!" he said. In truth, I really only expected the Putin call, but we were outside the windows multiple times throughout the day as the calls went on." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Senior advisor Kellyanne Conway - 27 February 2017 Senior advisor Kellyanne Conway (L) attends as US President Donald Trump welcomes the leaders of dozens of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) in the Oval Office on 27 February, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "We're often asked how much access we have to the Trump administration, and the answer is we have an awful lot. President Trump himself is very comfortable in the spotlight, and his aides are similarly unfazed by cameras. In this instance, senior advisor Kellyanne Conway was so comfortable in our presence she seemed not to consider the optics of kneeling on a Oval Office sofa to take pictures with her phone." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Angela Merkel heads to Washington - 17 March 2017 Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump hold a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House on 17 March, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Chancellor Merkel made one of the earliest important visits of any US allies to meet Trump in his first months in office. When world leaders give joint news conferences they don't always tend to give each other their full attention - but Merkel watched Trump intently at several key moments, and here seemed particularly rapt." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump welcomes truckers to the White House - 23 March 2017 President Trump reacts as he sits on a truck while he welcomes truckers and CEOs to attend a meeting regarding healthcare at the White House on 23 March, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "The White House organised a listening session with truckers and CEO's of major American companies, regarding healthcare reform. An 18-wheeler tow truck was parked on the South Lawn of the White House and as Trump welcomed the truckers someone invited the him to come and sit in the driver's seat. Trump jumped into the cab and started yelling and pretending to drive - creating one of the most memorable pictures of the year. A lesson learned, always be prepared for the unexpected." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Air Force One - 6 April 2017 US President Donald Trump talks to journalists members of the travel pool on board the Air Force One during his trip to Palm Beach, Florida on 6 April, 2017. Carlos Barria: "During the many trips to President Trump's residence in Florida it is usual to see the president coming to the back of the plane to chat with journalists. During one of the trips to the so called 'Winter White House', Trump had a long talk with reporters while the Air Force One entertainment system was playing one of the latest Star Wars movies. As I was listening to Trump talk I was also looking at the movie waiting for a part of the movie to frame the mood of the day. Of the many scenes, I choose the one with Darth Vader." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures 100 Days - 27 April 2017 US President Donald Trump speaks during an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office of the White House on 27 April, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "A day before President Trump's hundred days in office I was part of the team that interviewed the commander-in-chief in the Oval Office. I was only allowed to photograph Trump during the last five minutes of the interview. The time was very tight so I had to move fast as I had pictures in mind that I wanted to shoot. I walked into the Oval Office and saw that the President had printed maps of the country showing areas in red where he won. I raised my hands holding my camera as high as possible to get the best view of the scene using a 16mm wide angle lens." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures 100 Days - 27 April 2017 US President Donald Trump reacts as he arrives at Harrisburg international airport, before attending a rally marking his first 100 days in office in Pennsylvania on 29 April, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "President Trump travelled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to celebrate his hundred days in office with a victory rally. He was in friendly territory as he won with a big difference over his opponent Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, during the November elections. As usual when the commander-in-chief arrives local residents gather to greet him. This time a small group of military personnel attended the arrival. Surrounded by secret service agents Trump walked from the Air Force One and raised his hand in a sign of victory as the crowd cheered him on." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House staffers - 2 May 2017 White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer (L) and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus watch as US President Donald Trump presents the U.S. Air Force Academy football team with the Commander-in-Chief trophy in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on 2 May, 2017. Photographer Joshua Roberts: "Covering the White House does not just mean covering the President. White House staffers are an important part of the story and their relationship with the President and each other is an indicator of how things are going in the West Wing. The tendency is to focus exclusively on the President once an event starts but I always try to look around to see how people are reacting as things unfold." Reuters/Joshua Roberts Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Secret Service - 4 May 2017 Secret Service agents use a presidential limousine as cover from spraying water as US President Donald Trump lands via Marine One helicopter in New York on 4 May, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "The best part of any trip to New York City with the sitting US President is the helicopter ride into Manhattan. The ride out at night can be stunning. Here, Secret Service agents protect themselves from the spray from the East River as Trump lands on the helipad." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures NATO Summit - 25 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wait the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron (unseen) before a lunch ahead of a NATO Summit in Brussels on 25 May, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "One of the best parts of travelling overseas for White House coverage is the chance to see the U.S. president in different environments and (literally) a different light. Here, Trump and his wife came out of the shadows to greet France's President Macron." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump meets Putin at G20 summit - 7 July 2017 US President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on 7 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "On July 7, I witnessed one of the most important meetings of President Trump's first year in office. Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Germany. The world's eyes were on these two leaders after speculation about Russian interference during the 2016 US elections. We entered the room for less than two minutes, where I took dozens of pictures. But there was this very interesting moment when Trump extended his hand to Putin for a handshake. Putin paused for a second and looked at Trump's hand. That was the picture that I was looking for, a little moment that seemed to say a lot." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures First lady - 8 July 2017 First lady Melania Trump chats with US President Donald Trump during their return from Germany at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on 8 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "After President Trump's trip to Germany he arrived back at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. First Lady Melania Trump said goodbye to Trump as she was heading off in a different direction that day. While chatting a breeze blew Melania's hair up in the air." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Made in America product showcase - 17 July 2017 Vice President Mike Pence laughs as President Donald Trump holds a baseball bat as they attend a Made in America product showcase event at the White House on 17 July, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "This summer the White House organized an event to showcase 'Made in America' products. All kinds of exhibitors brought their products as the President and Vice President toured the event. One of the companies was Marucci Sport, a manufacturer of baseball bats based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As Trump approached a table full of baseball bats, photographers at the event, including me, rushed to get a good angle hoping that he would pick up a bat. As we predicted, he did. He took one and joked around as though he was hitting something hard. The only thing closer to him right there, was the media." Reuters Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House staffers - 25 July 2017 Former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski says hello to reporters as he and White House advisors including Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci accompany President Trump for an event celebrating veterans at AMVETS Post 44 in Ohio, July 25, 2017. Jonathan Ernst: "The most visible person in any White House is naturally the President, followed by the press secretary. But there are also the staff who support them. For those of us covering the Trump administration, there seem to be more compelling figures in the West Wing than ever before. It's crucial to know who's who and why they're important. When I raised my camera and back-pedalled ahead of the group to take this image Lewandowski gave me a hello. I liked the photo, but had no idea it would go a little bit viral, especially since Scaramucci, who was the biggest mover and shaker that week, was hidden back in the pack. But I guess the image catches a glimpse of what it's like to be a West Wing staffer on the road." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Campaign rally - 3 August 2017 US President Donald Trump arrives at a rally in West Virginia on 3 August, 2017. Photographer Carlos Barria: "President Trump travelled to Huntington for one of his usual campaign rallies. While members of his family spoke to the crowd he was waiting under a black curtain to be introduced. Suddenly he walked onto the stage, one of the first frames that I took was of his hand. I set my exposure for the light on the stage hoping to create this dark background and it worked." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Staring into the solar eclipse - 21 August 2017 Without his protective glasses on, US President Donald Trump looks up towards the solar eclipse while viewing with his wife Melania and son Barron at the White House on 21 August, 2017. Photographer Kevin Lamarque: "On a day when everyone, and I mean everyone, was told not to look at the eclipse without protective glasses, Trump, President of the United States, couldn't help himself." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Hurricane Harvey - 2 September 2017 US President Donald Trump poses for a photo as he and first lady Melania Trump help volunteers hand out meals during a visit with flood survivors of Hurricane Harvey at a relief centre in Houston, Texas on 2 September, 2017. Photohrapher Kevin Lamarque: "Trump, eager to deliver the image of a hands-on response to Hurricane Harvey, made this visit to a relief centre and obliged this woman with a selfie as Melania continued to work." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures White House - 15 September 2017 Donald Trump welcomes 11-year-old Frank Giaccio as he cuts the Rose Garden grass at the White House on 15 September. Frank, who wrote a letter to Trump offering to mow the lawn, was invited to work for a day at the White House along the National Park Service staff. Frank was so focused on his task that he did not notice the President arrive to surprise him. He took his father jumping in to grab his attention and point Trump out. Photographer Carlos Barria said: The image of Trump shouting at a kid who is mowing his lawn might have many interpretations in today's politically polarized United States. But for me it was just a kid who loved what he was doing, to the point he almost appeared to ignore the President." Reuters/Carlos Barria Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Take a knee - 27 September 2017 A man kneels with a folded U.S. flag as the motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump passes him after an event at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., September 27, 2017. In September, soon after Trump had made comments condemning NFL players who kneel during the national anthem, he made a day trip to a rally in Indianapolis. Jonathan Ernst managed to capture a man on one knee with a tri-folded flag and was able to use a portion of the sign on the building he was kneeling in front of to track the man down and tell his story in full. US Army veteran Marvin Boatright wanted to send a message against social injustice. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Hurricane Maria - 3 October 2017 President Donald Trump throws rolls of paper towels into a crowd of local residents affected by Hurricane Maria as he visits Calgary Chapel in San Juan, Puerto Rico on 3 October, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "During an afternoon visit to Puerto Rico for President Trump to survey damage from Hurricane Maria and greet some of its victims, Trump made a stop at a church where food and supplies were being distributed. Among the items were paper towels and Trump, apparently caught up in the moment, decided to distribute some of the rolls." Reuters Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Jared Kushner - 1 November 2017 White House Senior adviser Jared Kushner sits behind President Trump during a cabinet meeting in Washington on 1 November, 2017. Photographer Kevin Lamarque: "The role of Jared Kushner has gone through a series of changes. He began front and centre as a high profile adviser, but as time has passed and issues surrounding him have surfaced, he has become more of a background figure." Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Trump in China - 9 November 2017 Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands after making joint statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 9 November, 2017. Photographer Damir Sagolj: "It's one of those "how to make a better or at least different shot when two presidents shake hands several times a day, several days in row". If I'm not mistaken in calculation, presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump shook their hands at least six times in events I covered during Trump's recent visit to China. I would imagine there were some more handshakes I haven't seen but other photographers did. And they all look similar - two big men, smiling and heartily greeting each other until everyone gets their shot. But then there is always something that can make it special - in this case the background made of US and Chinese flags. The first time it didn't work for me. The second time I positioned myself lower and centrally, and used the longest lens I have to capture only hands reaching for a handshake." Reuters/Damir Sagolj Donald Trump's first year: in pictures Air Force One - 10 November 2017 US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One to depart for Vietnam from Beijing Airport in Beijing, China, November 10, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "There is a Reuters photographer in the tight pool covering the US president for every appearance he makes 365 days a year. This was just one of 32 images of mine that were transmitted on the Reuters wire of President Trump visiting China and Vietnam that day. You never know when a sudden interaction, a gust of wind or a unique facial expression will lead to a striking image that grabs peoples' attention." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst Donald Trump's first year: in pictures ASEAN handshake - 13 November 2017 Donald Trump registers his surprise as he realises other leaders, including Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, are crossing their arms for the traditional "ASEAN handshake" as he participates in the opening ceremony of the summit in Manila on 13 November, 2017. Photographer Jonathan Ernst: "Having covered a few ASEAN summits, I knew to expect the ASEAN handshake. Not everyone in the room knew to expect the ASEAN handshake. A lot was written about this unscripted moment, and what deeper meaning it might have. The simple truth is that sometimes in life there are unscripted moments." Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

In the US it is common for the ambassadors position to be handed out by an incoming president to political allies, donors and ideological fellow travellers. Mr Grenells appointment was delayed for months by the US senate after he was named by Mr Trump last year.

The expulsion of Mr Grenell would represent another blow for Mr Trump, who has notably struggled to get many of his political appointments confirmed by the US Senate and also been hit by waves of people leaving the administration.The image of a man taking a selfie while a woman lay seriously injured after being hit by a train has caused an international outcry.

Paramedics were treating the elderly Canadian tourist on the tracks when the man posed for a photograph next to the scene in Piacenza, Italy.

He appeared to giving a "V for victory" sign as he stood on the side of the platform in white shorts and a t-shirt.

The woman, who has not been identified, reportedly had to have her leg amputated as a result of the accident on 26 May.

Giorgi Lambri, the journalist who captured the image of the selfie-taker which was published on front pages across Italy, wrote about the incident in the Liberta newspaper.

"We have completely lost a sense of ethics," he said. The most terrible thing is that guy [doesnt] understand absolutely the badness of his behaviour. I am a veteran journalist who extensively covered crime, and I have seen many terrifying scenes, but this made me really sad."

His story was titled: "The barbarism you don't expect: the selfie in front of a tragedy."

Other Italian newspapers described the scene as "a cancer that corrodes the internet" and "a portrait of disheartening exhibition".

After the story made headlines worldwide, social media users have joined in condemnation of the unidentified selfie-taker.

"The world has gone mad," said one Twitter user, while another criticised the man's "ghoulish sense of ego."

Others questioned the ethics of Mr Lambri for publishing the photograph of the man taking the selfie.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The selfie-taker was spoken to by police at the railway station and told to delete the photo before being released without further action.

Similar outcries have followed stories of a British stag party taking selfies at the 9/11 Ground Zero memorial, disaster tourists taking selfies at the scene of the Grenfell fire, and a man taking a selfie in front of victims of the Westminster terror attack.Vladimir Putin has insisted Russia is not trying to split the European Union.

Ahead of a rare visit to Western Europe, the Russian president said: We do not pursue the objective of dividing anything or anyone in the EU.

We are far more interested in the EU being united and flourishing because the EU is our most important trading and economic partner.

Recommended Merkel and Putin offer signs of thawing tensions at Russian talks

Mr Putins comments came during an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF before he travels to Vienna on Tuesday for his first bilateral trip to a West European nation in almost a year.

He will meet government and business leaders to mark 50 years since the Russian and Austrian energy firms Gazprom and OMV first signed a gas supply deal.

The issue of EU sanctions, imposed on Moscow because of its support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, will hang over any official talks that take place at a business conference attended by envoys from both countries.

The Kremlins ties with EU countries remain strained after the annexation of Crimea, Moscows involvement in Syria and the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.

However, Austrias coalition government, which includes conservatives and pro-Putin far-right ministers, was one of the few that did not expel Russian diplomats over the double agents attempted assassination, which the UK blamed on Moscow  an accusation the Russian administration denies.

Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz pointed to Viennas traditionally good contacts with Russia, and said his government would use their relationship to press Moscow for answers over the nerve agent attack.

He said Vienna was of the opinion that it is important to maintain channels of dialogue.

Austria, which takes over the rotating EU presidency in July, has said it wants to act as a bridge between East and West.

Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Show all 22 1 /22 Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian police officers detain a protester in Moscow AFP/Getty Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny addresses supporters AFP/Getty Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian police push protesters back during Pushkin Square AP Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Pro-Kremlin activists and opposition supporters scuffle in Moscow AFP/Getty Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Alexei Navalny during the rally Rex Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian riot police officers detain opposition leader Alexei Navalny AFP/Getty Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian police arrest a participant of a liberal opposition rally EPA Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Alexei Navalny being carried away by police Rex Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Opposition supporters shout slogans AFP/Getty Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian police officers detain a participant AFP/Getty Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Demonstrator carries a poster depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin during a massive protest rally in St.Petersburg AP Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian police carrying struggling opposition leader Alexei Navalny AP Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian police detain a protester at a demonstration AP Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Policemen detain opposition supporters REUTERS Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia A fighter of National Liberation Movement, left, clashes with protesters AP Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian police officers detain a participant AFP/Getty Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian police arrest a participant of a liberal opposition rally EPA Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Policemen detain an opposition supporter Reuters Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian police officers detain a cossack during an unauthorized anti-Putin rally AFP/Getty Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian police detain a protester in Pushkin Square in Moscow AP Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Protesters attend a rally in St. Petersburg AP Anti-Putin protests: hundreds of demonstrators arrested in Russia Russian police officers run towards protesters AFP/Getty

On Tuesday Mr Putin will meet Mr Kurz, a 31-year-old conservative who became chancellor in December, as well as vice chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, who heads far-right coalition partner the Freedom Party of Austria.

The anti-migration and eurosceptic political party has long taken a positive view of the Russian leader, with Mr Strache and other leaders travelling to Moscow in December 2016 to sign a cooperation agreement with the main Kremlin party, United Russia.

We decide pragmatically whether to cooperate with someone politically, Mr Putin said when asked in the interview about Moscows ties with far-right parties.

We try to work with those who publicly express the wish themselves to work with us, he added.

Last week the Freedom Party called for sanctions on Moscow to be lifted, with Mr Strache saying they had damaged our Austrian economy by cutting exports to Russia.

But Mr Kurz and his conservatives, who control Austrias EU policy, have said his government will toe the European Union line.Israel trolled Irans supreme leader with a Mean Girls gif after he threatened to eradicate the country.

The Israeli embassy in the US poked fun at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in response to a series of bombastic tweets in which he described the fellow Middle Eastern nation as a malignant cancerous tumour.

The supreme leader tweeted that Israel has to be removed and eradicated: it is possible and it will happen.

In a televised speech on Monday, he also warned Iran would attack 10 times more if attacked by enemies.

In reply, the Israeli embassy taunted Ayatollah Khamenei with a meme from the 2004 US teen comedy film, in which Rachel McAdamss character Regina George asks: Why are you so obsessed with me?

The post was widely shared on social media, with many Twitter users praising the embassys response and others joking it embodied diplomacy in 2018.

Israels tweet echoed a tactic often employed by Russias UK embassy, which frequently uses memes to taunt or attack the British government and media  sometimes receiving thousands of likes and retweets in the process.

Corneliu Bjola, associate professor in diplomatic studies at the University of Oxford, said the intention was to deflect challenges to your narrative in a way that keeps you positive in the eyes of the audience.

He told The Independent: In the digital medium, memes are used to dilute/disrupt the message of the opponent either because you dont have facts to oppose it (as often in the Russian case) or the message is so inflammatory that fact-based responses will not be effective (as in the Iranian tweet).

The idea is to provoke and in so doing to change the terms of the discussion in a manner that minimises online backlash.

He added: The quality of the tweet is also important. I find it particularly interesting that the Israeli tweet uses a meme with women to react to the Ayatollah Khameneis tweet.

Israels Mean Girls gif had been retweeted more than 9,000 times and liked more than 27,000 times within a day of being posted.

Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Show all 10 1 /10 Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iranian MPs burnt a US flag in parliament after Donald Trump announced America's withdrawal from the nuclear deal. AFP/Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal US President Donald Trump displays a presidential memorandum after announcing his intent to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement in the Diplomatic Room at the White House. Reuters Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Some Iranian MPs reacted after Trumps decision by shouting 'death to America'. AFP/Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iranian lawmakers prepare to burn two pieces of papers representing the US flag and the nuclear deal. AP Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iran said it will hold talks with signatories to the nuclear deal after Trump's decision to withdraw from the accord, which it branded "psychological warfare". AFP/Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Several Iranian MPs stood chanting in the Tehran parliament. AFP/Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iranian MPs burning a US flag AFP/Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal President Hassan Rouhani addressed the nation in a televised speech in Tehran. He said he'd send his foreign minister to negotiate with countries remaining in the nuclear deal after Trump's decision to pull America from the deal, warning he otherwise would restart enriching uranium "in the next weeks." Iranian Presidency Office via AP Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Iran's press condemned Trump's withdrawal from a multi-party nuclear deal but was divided over whether Tehran should react with patience or withdraw itself. AFP Iran parliament reacts after Trump's withdrawal from nuclear deal Trump announced the US withdrawal from what he called the "defective" multinational nuclear deal with Iran, and said Washington would reinstate sanctions against the Islamic republic. AFP/Getty

The Twitter exchange came amid growing tensions in the Middle East since Donald Trump announced the US was withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposing sanctions on Iran.

On Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, sought to convince European states to abandon the deal, claiming Tehrans threats to increase uranium enrichment capacity showed it still planned to destroy Israel.

Britain, France and Germany are scrambling to save the accord, under which Iran promised to curb its nuclear programme in return for lifted sanctions.Jordans King Abdullah II has appointed a new prime minister, the royal palace said, after previous leader Hani Mulkas resignation was accepted on Monday in an attempt to quell public protests over IMF-driven reforms.

His replacement, Harvard-educated Omar Razzaz, a former senior World Bank official, has been asked to carry out a comprehensive tax review in order to placate members of the public furious at the governments austerity programme.

Critics argue the current tax settlement unfairly targets the poor and the middle class, with little in the way of public service provision in return.

However, it is unclear how radical Mr Razzaz will be allowed to be in response to the countrys political crisis, as the monarch sets the boundaries of any political reform and has the final say on all policy issues.

In a letter designating Mr Razzaz, King Abdullah II said: Your governments priority must be to launch the potential of the Jordanian economy... to restore its ability for growth and providing job opportunities.

Expressing sympathy for Jordanians struggling to get by in his confirmation letter, it remains to be seen whether the king will provide the new prime minister with a reform mandate.

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

Jordanian analyst Helmi Asmar, who writes for the Ad Dustour newspaper, said it was too early to tell. Is he [Razzaz] the one to run the country, or the old machine and the old system? he asked. We hope for the good, but until now we havent seen enough signs to be optimistic.

Protestors certainly arent resting on their laurels. Even after Mr Mulkis resignation, protests continued, with several thousand Jordanians marching to the prime ministers office on Monday night and on Tuesday.

Riot police scuffled with some marchers, although the protest was largely peaceful, with attendees calling for fundamental reforms rather than just personnel changes at the top.

Organisers said the appointment of Mr Razzaz was not enough to dampen the protests, with action expected to continue  including a one-day strike set for Wednesday  until the tax regime is changed.

Jordans economic downturn is partly due to the devastating conflicts in neighbouring Syria and Iraq, which have led to a large influx in refugees. Yet the protestors ire has mainly been directed at the IMF-enforced austerity measures, a set of economic reforms implemented in response to rising public debt, but which have seen a decreasing quality of public services and the official unemployment rate rise to over 18 per cent.One of Libyas many private armies is advancing into the long besieged coastal city of Derna, between Benghazi and the Egyptian border, as violence reaches unprecedented levels, according to the UN.

Heavy ground fighting and widespread destruction of houses by airstrikes and shelling is exacerbating severe shortages of water, food, medicine and electricity.

The assault on Derna, which has a population of 125,000, by the forces of renegade General Khalifa Haftar, known as the Libyan National Army (LNA), is the latest episode in the internecine warfare which has torn Libya apart since the NATO-backed overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

A spokesman for the LNA said on Tuesday that their forces had captured 75 per cent of Derna city.

Gen Haftar is one of the most powerful of the many players in Libya, controlling most of the east of the country after capturing Benghazi last year. With two different governments based respectively in Tripoli and Tobruk, each with shaky authority, it is unlikely that any single actor in Libya can win a decisive victory.

Residents of Derna say that LNA fighters are arresting local people in their houses and at checkpoints. Photographs show military vehicles advancing through empty streets past burned out buildings.

In a speech broadcast on the LNAs social media pages, Gen Haftar says that the hour of victory is approaching, as is the announcement that the city of Derna is free of terrorism.

The UN Support Mission in Libya, UNSMIL, has urged restraint on all sides, and called for parties to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access and facilitate the safe exit of civilians wishing to leave the city.

Though Derna has been loosely besieged since July 2017, the fighting abruptly escalated on 16 May when the LNA began its attack on the Derna Protection Forces, an alliance of Islamists and anti-Haftar fighters. Egypt, which backs Gen Haftar, has also launched aerial attacks on the city.

The intensification of the fighting has overshadowed a meeting in Paris last week of Libyan leaders, organised by President Emmanuel Macron, which sought to restore peace and arrange presidential and parliamentary elections for December.

But there are strong doubts that meaningful elections could be held in Libya because power is so fragmented and is primarily held by local leaders whose influence is based on a single city or tribe or a mixture of the two.

Derna is only one of the places in Libya where rival factions have been fighting each other over the last month.

Figures for civilian casualties in May, compiled by UNSMIL in Libya, show 101 dead and wounded in all parts of the country during the month, not counting combatants.

The casualties include 12 men and a woman killed in Tripoli on 2 May when Isis launched an attack with guns and explosives on the Higher National Election Committee.

In the oasis city of Sabha, 400 miles south of the capital, fighting between the Awlad Suleiman and Tebu tribal forces killed at least 10 civilians who fell victim to sniper fire or mortars fired into densely populated areas of the city.

In Benghazi, captured by the LNA after prolonged fighting which lasted from 2014 to 2017 and left a large part of the city in ruins, there is continuing violence. On 24 May a bomb in a vehicle killed 11 civilians, including a baby girl, in an attack for which nobody claimed responsibility but has the hallmarks of an Isis or al-Qaeda type operation.

In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Isis fighters parade through in Sirte in 2015 In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Islamic State (IS) group jihadists on the outskirts of Libya's western city of Sirte AFP/Getty In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte A photo of a billboard in Sirte, Libya, listing seven rules for women's clothing, saying they must be loose-fitting and undecorated HRW/social media In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Isis militants process down a street in the coastal city of Sirte in Libya this week; the group has heralded Libya as its strategic gateway to attack Europe AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte An Isis lecture on Sharia at the Ouagadougou complex in Sirte, Libya, in 2016. HRW/social media In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte A sign reading "The city of Sirte, under the shadow of Sharia" as smoke rises in the background while forces aligned with Libya's new unity government advance on the eastern and southern outskirts of the Islamic State stronghold of Sirte on 9 June. Reuters In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Fighters loyal to Libya's GNA prepare to launch attacks against Isis as they continue their resistance on the outskirts of the western city of Sirte Getty In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed unity government are seen during clashes with jihadists of the Islamic State (IS) on the western outskirts of Sirte on June 2, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed unity government fire during clashes with Isis around 14 miles west of Sirte on June 2, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Libya

On the same day in Bani Walid, south of Tripoli, some 200 Eritreans, Ethiopians and Somalis escaped from people smugglers who were holding them prisoner. About a dozen of them were shot dead by the smugglers who then tried to recapture them.

In the face of such widespread anarchy in Libya, the chances of Mr Macrons diplomatic initiative succeeding look slim. There are also doubts among Libyans about French policy being entirely even-handed, in the light of press reports that France has secretly provided Gen Haftar with a reconnaissance aircraft for use in his bid to capture Derna.

Khalifa Haftar shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on 29 May (Reuters)

Mr Macrons attempt to mediate between the different parties in Libya may fail to bring an end to the violence, but earlier this year he admitted that the European and the US military intervention to overthrow Gaddafi in 2011 was the cause of the disasters that have since overwhelmed the country.

Those leading the NATO intervention on the side of anti-Gaddafi rebels were France and Britain, closely supported by the US. David Cameron continues to defend his actions in 2011.

Europe, the United States and a few others indisputably have a responsibility when it comes to the current situation, Mr Macron said, in an apologetic speech in Tunisia in February.

He said that foreign states could not act as substitute for the sovereignty of a people in the belief that deposing a tyrant would solve all problems. He said that since then weve collectively plunged Libya into anomie (chronic instability), without being able to resolve the situation.Air and artillery strikes by the US and its allies inflicted devastating loss of life on civilians in the Isis-held city of Raqqa, according to an Amnesty International report. It contradicts claims by the US, along with Britain and France, that they precisely targeted Isis fighters and positions during the four month siege that destroyed large swathes of the city.

On the ground in Raqqa we witnessed a level of destruction comparable to anything we have seen in decades of covering the impact of wars, says Donatella Rovera, a senior crisis response adviser at Amnesty. She says that the coalitions claim that it had conducted a precision bombing campaign that caused few civilian casualties does not stand up to scrutiny. She quotes a senior US military officer as saying that more artillery shells were launched into Raqqa than anywhere since the end of the Vietnam war.

The air and artillery strikes by the US and its allies killed many civilians  the number is unknown because so many bodies are buried under the ruins  during the four-month-long siege, beginning on 6 June and ending on 17 October last year according to the report. Citing the testimony of survivors, it contradicts assertions by the US-led coalition that it took care to avoid targeting buildings where civilians might be present. Witnesses say that again and again their houses were destroyed although there were no Isis fighters in them or nearby.

Those who stayed died and those who tried to run away died. We couldnt afford to pay the smugglers: we were trapped, says Munira Hashish. Her family lost 18 members, of whom nine were killed in a coalition airstrike, seven as they tried to escape down a road mined by Isis, and two were hit by a mortar round, probably fired by an Syrian Democratic Forces unit. She says that she and her children only escaped by walking over the blood of those who were blown up as they tried to flee ahead of us.

Many families were hit more than once by airstrikes and artillery as they fled from place to place in Raqqa, vainly trying to avoid being close to the front lines but these were often changing. The Badran family lost 39 members, mostly women and children, as well as 10 neighbours, killed in four different coalition airstrikes. We thought the forces who came to evict Daesh (Isis) would know their business and would target Daesh and the leave the civilians alone, said Rasha Badran, one of the survivors. We were naive.

Many cities have been destroyed in the wars in Iraq and Syria since 2011, but the destruction is worse in Raqqa than anywhere else. Streets are simply lane-ways cut through heaps of rubble and broken masonry. The few people on the streets are dazed and broken, and this has not changed much in the months since the city was captured from Isis by local ground forces backed up by the devastating firepower of the US-led coalition.

The claim by the coalition that its airstrikes and artillery fire were precisely targeted against Isis fighters and their positions is shown up as a myth as soon as one drives into the city. I visited it earlier in the year and have never seen such destruction. There are districts of Mosul, Damascus and Aleppo that are as bad, but here the whole city has gone.

I went to look at the al-Naeem Roundabout where the spikes on top of metal railings are bent outwards because Isis used them to display the severed heads of people whom it deemed to be its opponents. On every side, as far as the eye can see, there are ruined buildings, some reduced to a mound of rubble while others have been turned into concrete skeletons that look as if they might collapse at any moment.

Given the level of violence in Iraq and Syria, it is difficult to prove that one place is worse than another, but this has now been established with a wealth of evidence in this Amnesty report entitled War of Annihilation: Devastating Toll on Civilians, Raqqa  Syria.

The report, based on 112 interviews and visits to 42 strike locations, was sharply criticised by a coalition spokesman even before it was published. US Army Colonel Sean Ryan was quoted by news agencies as inviting Kate Allen, the director of Amnesty International UK, to personally witness the rigorous efforts and intelligence gathering the coalition uses before any strike to effectively destroy IS while minimising harm to civilian populations. Although the report cites the detailed evidence of many surviving witnesses whose family members were killed in airstrikes, Col Ryan says that allegations of indiscriminate and disproportionate bombardment were more or less hypothetical.

Children riding a bicycle next to destroyed buildings in Raqqa (PA)

The reality in Raqqa, despite claims of the precise accuracy of modern weapons and great concern for civilian life, is that the ruins look exactly like pictures of the aftermath of the carpet bombing of cities like Hamburg and Dresden in the Second World War.

US forces fired 100 per cent of the artillery rounds used against Raqqa and over 90 per cent of the airstrikes, but British and French aircraft were also involved. The Ministry of Defence says the UK carried out 275 airstrikes and killed no civilians at all. Despite pledges that civilian loss of life would be thoroughly investigated, Amnesty says there is no sign of this happening.

A consequence of the assertion by the coalition that they seldom harmed civilians, there has been little humanitarian support for people returning to Raqqa. Aid agencies say that one problem is finding a safe place where there no unexploded munitions or mines where they can distribute provisions. The report says that many residents ask: Why those, who spent so much on a costly military campaign which destroyed the city, are not providing the relief so desperately needed.

Syrian Democratic Forces take Raqqa from Isis  in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Syrian Democratic Forces take Raqqa from Isis  in pictures Syrian Democratic Forces take Raqqa from Isis  in pictures Syrian Democratic Forces fighters celebrate victory in Raqqa atop of military vehicles REUTERS Syrian Democratic Forces take Raqqa from Isis  in pictures Fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces march past destroyed buildings as they celebrate victory REUTERS Syrian Democratic Forces take Raqqa from Isis  in pictures Fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces gesture the "V" sign in Raqqa REUTERS Syrian Democratic Forces take Raqqa from Isis  in pictures Fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces evacuate a civilian from the stadium REUTERS Syrian Democratic Forces take Raqqa from Isis  in pictures A civilian prays after she was rescued by fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces from the stadium REUTERS Syrian Democratic Forces take Raqqa from Isis  in pictures Syrian Democratic Forces fighters ride atop of military vehicles as they celebrate victory in Raqqa REUTERS Syrian Democratic Forces take Raqqa from Isis  in pictures Syrian Democratic Forces fighters celebrate victory in Raqqa REUTERS Syrian Democratic Forces take Raqqa from Isis  in pictures A fighter of Syrian Democratic Forces celebrates in Raqqa Reuters

An MoD spokesman said: Keeping Britain safe from the threat of terrorism is the objective of this campaign and throughout we have been open and transparent, detailing each of our nearly 1,700 strikes, facilitating operational briefings and confirming when a civilian casualty had taken place.

We do everything we can to minimise the risk to civilian life through our rigorous targeting processes and the professionalism of the RAF crews but, given the ruthless and inhuman behaviour of Daesh, and the congested, complex urban environment in which we operate, we must accept that the risk of inadvertent civilian casualties is ever present.Amid the perpetual look-at-me buzz surrounding Portland, Oregon, as Americas go-to hipster ground zero, another city  one just as far north, and with just as many zeitgeist-shifting fads  has quietly been causing a ruckus. That its also called Portland is no more than coincidence. But what isnt is the culinary impact Maines version is having on east coast America and beyond. Here are six reasons why you really need to get to know the other Portland better.

Bartender in Portland, Maine (Maine Office of Tourism)

Its home to the healthy doughnut

Made from ground Maine potatoes rather than wheat flour, then covered with cuckoo-crazy toppings like pomegranate, maple bacon or a chai glaze, The Holy Donut is as far from a cookie-cutter operation as you can get. Its comfort food without the calories and available at two downtown locations on Park Avenue and Exchange Street. Queues sometimes snake out the door, so get there before noon.

The Holy Donut uses ground potatoes instead of wheat (Maine Office of Tourism)

All beer is craft beer

Portland drinkers have Maines pioneer DL Geary to thank for such a lip-smacking stockpile of high-IBU, high-ABV IPAs. A maverick long before the likes of Oregons legacy brewers Deschutes, Boneyard Beer or Barley Browns, Geary opened his microbrewery in 1983 as the first post-prohibition brewery east of the Mississippi. Ponder that history during a girl scout cookie and beer pairing at The Thirsty Pig, or with a yuzu-juice lager at go-to ramen bar Pai Men Miyake.

The Thirsty Pig, Portland, Maine (Maine Office of Tourism)

Theres a lobster roll festival

Harvesting 130 million pounds of meat each year, more lobster is caught and sold off Maines coastline than anywhere else in the United States. Add in the citys DIY spirit and you end up with lobster food trucks like Bite into Maine and The Highroller Lobster Co., a dedicated lobster roll festival, and lobsters creatively steamed, salted, stewed, curried, or turned into ice cream.

Lobster is so popular it even has its own festival (Maine Office of Tourism)

A market-dining hall with a twist

Considering Portland has 300 restaurants yet only 67,000 residents (equating to more places to eat per capita than any other US city after San Francisco), youre never far from a belly-hugging meal. Of special mention is Portland Public Market, an alternative food court where locals play lunchtime lottery from a variety of start-up vendors. Try the gooey Thai rice served with Maine blueberries from Sticky Sweet, or a bowl of anything-but-clam-chowder at Kamasouptra. Oddly-delicious flavours to sample before going full-hog include zingy jalapeno cheddar, grilled cheese and tomato or maple-roasted butternut.

The world is your oyster

Eventide Oyster Co. is the undisputed champion of New England seafood in downtown Portland. Not only a James Beard award winner (Americas equivalent of Professional Masterchef), its home to the now-legendary brown butter broiled lobster bun, plus a line-up of 19 different oyster varieties to slurp and swallow. Downed with a schooner of local Allagash Belgian-style White, the unexpected silky sweetness of all that fat, shuck-able meat will hit you like a warm hug.

Eventide Oyster Co. offers 19 varieties (Maine Office of Tourism)

Food is like a religion

Thats the case at Grace, a former red-brick church now reborn as a two-storey temple to culinary nirvana  albeit one with the kookiness of pews, a pulpit and stained glass windows still in place. Chef Adam Floods menu preaches farm-to-fork principals, as is the norm for so many places in Portland, but its dishes such as Gulf of Maine halibut, Maine farm rib eye and blueberry and lavender krantz cake that pack the place out.There is expected to be little to no service on the Jubilee Line on 14 June due to strike action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and the train drivers union, Aslef.

Unions are objecting to new Jubilee Line timetables put into place by Transport for London (TfL) to extend peak services.

When is the strike?

A 24-hour walkout by drivers is due to begin at 12.01am on 14 June.

What lines are affected?

There is expected to be no service on the Jubilee Line throughout 14 June and into the early hours of 15 June.

The strike will affect the Jubilee line, however Bakerloo and Metropolitan line services in north-west London are expected to be extremely busy.

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What can commuters expect?

Other Tube lines will be unaffected, although some Metropolitan line services that terminate at Baker Street will call additionally at Willesden Green. Expect the Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines in north-west London to be extremely busy.

Transport for London (TfL) will be running extra buses to help deal with additional numbers of passengers on the network.

Why are the strikes taking place?

The strikes have been called by RMT and the train drivers union, Aslef, over timetable changes imposed by TfL. The new timetable on the Jubilee Line will extend peak service on the busiest sections of the Jubilee Line by an hour, benefiting thousands of passengers per day, according to TfL.

The unions are concerned about the impact of the changes on drivers work-life balance, as the new timetable will ride roughshod over current rostering agreements, according to a statement by RMT.

Is there any chance the strikes will be cancelled?

Last ditch talks are taking place this morning in an attempt to resolve the dispute without resorting to strike action.The CEO of Qatar Airways has courted controversy by claiming that a woman would be incapable of doing his job.

Questioned over gender disparity within the aviation industry in the Middle East, Akbar Al Baker, who sits on the board of Heathrow airport and is the new head of industry body the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said only a man could be in his very challenging role.

Of course it has to be led by a man, because it is a very challenging position, he told a press conference in Sydney.

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This comment was met by groans at the press conference for the annual meeting of the IATA.

Today it was announced that Al Baker had been chosen as the 77th chair of the IATA Board of Governors, a role that he will assume for a year.

Following the negative response, Al Baker later backtracked on his comments about women within Qatar Airways.

Four female pilots discuss life on the flightdeck Show all 4 1 /4 Four female pilots discuss life on the flightdeck Four female pilots discuss life on the flightdeck Jessica Sundquist: 787 Dreamliner captain at Norwegian Jessica Sundquist, a Swedish 787 Dreamliner captain for Norwegian, has spoken extensively about being a woman in the industry. In the past shes spoken about the concept of putting your femininity aside in order to succeed. Sundquist says today that she felt she didnt have to do it, but also wanted to fit into the industry without being known as the girl. Today, times are changing, she says, and more women are joining the industry  but its not all good news. Despite working hard to get to where I am today as a captain at one of the most modern and exciting airlines, the industry still has a lot more work to do to give women more opportunities, she says In the future, shed like the discussion on gender inequality to remain open and ongoing, but argues that real action also needs to take place to make any difference. Norwegian Four female pilots discuss life on the flightdeck Joanna Riggs: A380 first officer at British Airways First officer Joanna Riggs says she was never particularly exposed to aviation as a career choice, but became a BA cabin crew member after university in order to see more of the world. She says that entering such a highly male-dominated profession wasnt daunting, but that she felt lucky to have two other females on her course. Colleagues have always been supportive in Riggs experience as have  for the most part  passengers, though some are surprised when they see a female pilot. I hope it will one day be normal to everyone, she adds. Some passengers give a thumbs up or a girl power sign. As for gender differences on the flight deck, Riggs says, We are very professional on the flight deck so it doesnt matter what the gender, race or sexuality of my colleague is. Flying with a fellow female is always a treat though. My brother is also a British Airways pilot, and although I havent flown with him, I get the feeling we would be very similar. British Airways Four female pilots discuss life on the flightdeck Lucy Tardrew: Boeing 747 captain at Virgin Atlantic Lucy Tardrew had always wanted to join the RAF, she says, but it was never allowed to happen  because they werent taking girls at the time. Instead, she travelled to America, where she trained before becoming a flying instructor. After returning to the UK and converting her licences, she began flying night mail  literally all the posts around the country at night  before stints flying executive jets, and last-minute jobs including air ambulances and freighting transplant organs, before joining Virgin 23 years ago. Tardrew is enthusiastic about the company, but is saddened that the ratio of women in the industry as a whole remains low. As for challenges in the workplace, shes never experienced any discrimination. Noting the rare pay equality in the piloting industry, Tardrew feels the reason there arent more female pilots is down to the fact that there arent enough female role models for schoolchildren to think, Im going to become an airline pilot. Virgin Atlantic Four female pilots discuss life on the flightdeck Kate McWilliams: captain at easyJet At 26, Kate McWilliams became the youngest commercial captain in the world. I love being a captain for easyJet, she says. And Im really happy to be working for an airline that is working hard to increase the number of female pilots. Flying was always her goal  but she didnt realise how far she could take it. I joined the air cadets at 13-years-old, but it wasnt until much later that I realised I could become a commercial pilot, she says. EasyJet is aiming to inspire young women, with the Amy Johnson Flying Initiative and their sponsorship of the Brownies, giving girls aged seven to 10 the opportunity to earn an Aviation Badge. The work its doing is really important. The Amy Johnson Flying Initiative was launched in October 2015 with the aim of doubling the number of female new entrant pilots, to 12 per cent, over a two-year period. After achieving its aim in the first year, the airline set a target of 20 per cent for new entrant cadet pilots in 2020. easyJet

I was only referring to one individual, I was not referring to the staff in general, he clarified. You know we have more than 33 per cent that are female in Qatar Airways.

He went on to state that his airline introduced female pilots and engineers fairly early on and that the Qatar Airways training programme consists of more women than men.

There is no gender inequality in Qatar Airways or in my country, he said. It will be my pleasure to have a female CEO candidate that I could develop to become CEO after me.

Al Baker has since issued an apology for the comments that he made, as outlined in a statement provided to The Independent:

"I would like to offer my heartfelt apologies for any offence caused by my comment yesterday, which runs counter to my track record of expanding the role of women in leadership throughout the Qatar Airways Group and has been sensationalised by the media," he said.

"Women comprise almost half (44 per cent) of our work force, and the dedication, drive and skill they bring to their jobs tells me that no role is too tough for them, at all levels of the organisation.

"Qatar Airways firmly believes in gender equality in the workplace and our airline has been a pioneer in our region in this regard, as the first airline to employ female pilots, as one of the first to train and employ female engineers, and with females represented through to senior vice president positions within the airline reporting directly to me.

"Qatar Airways is made stronger by its female employees for whom I hold nothing but the highest regard. I support all IATA initiatives to promote the advancement of women in our industry, and I am a strong advocate for these and will continue to be moving forward."

As part of the 74th IATA annual general meeting, which took place on 3-5 June, a 20-minute interview about the importance of gender equality in aviation was conducted with Mandi Samson, acting managing director of Air Namibia, and Mylene Scholnick, principal of consulting firm ICF.

In April, a report published by Ryanair revealed that there was a 67 per cent pay gap between its male and female employees.If nothing else, the abortion debate at Westminster, instigated by a cross-party network of MPs and spearheaded by Stella Creasy, highlights the realities of dealing with social justice issues in a post-conflict society such as Northern Ireland.

There has been uneasy conclusion to the debate about whether to repeal Sections 58 and 59 from the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861. Quotes from MP Karen Bradley, in which she drew on her fears of disenfranchising 1.8 million people by decriminalising abortion in Northern Ireland, have predominantly led media headlines.

With these comments, Bradley illustrates the political naivete she has become known for in the north during her short tenure as NI secretary of state. Her argument that abortion rights should be a devolved issue offers a wilfully obtuse reading of the unique and complicated makeup of contemporary Northern Ireland.

Since the establishment of devolution, Northern Ireland has seen its political environment become increasingly polarised, with the electorate here in general voting along green and orange party lines. This means that that the DUP and Sinn Fein (who abstain from taking their Westminster seats) can create the illusion that their political and moral codes reflect the general population of the north.

However, this assessment is incredibly short-sighted. Bradley should take note of research carried out by Amnesty International which showed the majority of the Northern Irish public expressed a desire to see abortion laws liberalised and, pertinent to today, the decriminalisation of abortion. Further research carried out by Ulster University academics has revealed that 84 per cent of Northern Ireland trade union members support the decriminalisation of abortion.

These statistics are strikingly similar to the results of the referendum result in the south of Ireland, where the public overwhelmingly voted to liberalise abortion legislation and increase access to healthcare. This indicates that across the island, a liberal stance on reproductive justice is the majority view.

 Conservative MP Heidi Allen shares personal story of abortion during Commons debate

Social justice issues in Northern Ireland have been put on the back burner for decades as feminists battled with what the writer Susan McKay has termed an armed patriarchy. Indeed, the fact we are still debating about the right to healthcare in 2018 is a testament to how much still needs to be done to bring this pocket of Western Europe up to date with the most basic of human rights laws.

Often  as evidenced on a daily basis by the DUP  the loudest voices rule the roost. We in Northern Ireland know this well, remembering instances of DUP members mooing at members of the Womens Coalition at Stormont in 1996. Is it any wonder that the Northern Ireland Assembly has the lowest representation of women out of any of the devolved governments in the UK and in the south of Ireland?

It is time for Karen Bradley and for those with power to step in and act on behalf of those in Northern Ireland who require abortion care. It is these people who are the disenfranchised. As Lady Sylvia Hermon put it in the debate this afternoon: Think about the women compelled to leave Northern Ireland. For those who access pills  what is secretary of state saying to them? How long must we wait for change?

Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Show all 8 1 /8 Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Campaigners intervene after police try to lead away one of the three women (centre with sunglasses) who publicly took an abortion pill during a demonstration outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts, where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northern Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Police officers watch on from close by as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity hold a protest in Belfast Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Ruth Coppinger TD addresses the crowds outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northen Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone displays an abortion pill packet after taking a pill Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Protestors dressed as hand maidens stand as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills An unidentified woman takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Images Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills A robot drone delivers abortion pills as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty

How long will Conservative MPs like Karen Bradley allow themselves to be held to ransom by the DUP in order to keep power? How long will Westminster continue to allow Northern Ireland to languish under the yoke of a law that was created before women had the vote? The UN has repeatedly stated that criminalisation, denial of delay of safe abortion or post-abortion care are forms of gender-based violence.

The United Kingdom cannot brand itself as a modern, forward-thinking country while maintaining this status quo. Indeed, with so many mentions of the Irish referendum in the debate today, it seems that for the first time, the British government are waiting to take their cues from the Irish  ironic given that Ireland is a country long derided by many in GB for being backward thinking.

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

Reflecting on the debate, Goretti Horgan of Alliance for Choice Derry stated: Abortion is already happening in Northern Ireland, but many of those using abortion pills fear prosecutions under the 1861 Act and so delay seeking medical assistance when they need it.

The proposal to decriminalise abortion across the UK is the ideal solution to square the circle of abortion being a devolved issue while ensuring that no woman will feel unable to go to a hospital if she is haemorrhaging.

We need the government to accept an amendment to the Domestic Violence Bill that will repeal Sections 58 and 59; while we wait for that, we will stay on the streets to demand our rights.

On 10 June, activists will take to the streets of Belfast in their thousands to demand decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland.

It is time that the rights of who have been truly disenfranchised  the women who kept communities, families, friendships and this troubled land functioning throughout the Troubles  are fought for.

Maeve OBrien is a teaching fellow in English literature at Ulster UniversityThis morning the Chancellor quietly sold a 7.7 per cent public stake in the Royal Bank of Scotland, raising an estimated 2.6bn. The decision speaks volumes about the UKs flawed economic priorities and time horizons  and the need for more innovative and systemic thinking around how to reform our dysfunctional political economy and financial system.

RBS was rescued from ruin in November 2008 in the biggest bank bailout in history. The public pumped in 45bn to save a financial institution whose assets had grown to 2.2tn  more than double the size of the UK economy  through reckless and unsustainable expansion. At its most critical point, when its potential implosion threatened the entire economy, RBSs core capital ratio  an effective indicator of a banks financial strength  was just 4 per cent. After much restructuring under majority public ownership, it is now a much more secure 13.4 per cent and in February the bank posted an annual profit of 752m, its first in a decade.

Despite the turnaround, the government has reduced its stake in RBS from 70.1 per cent to 62.4 per cent, the first disposal since the summer of 2015, when shares were sold at a billion pound loss for the public. Todays decision is potentially even worse value for money. The decision to sell 925m shares at the price of 271p means the UK has lost just over 2bn on these shares, as RBS was bought for 500p a share in 2008. Indeed, the loss to the taxpayer is likely to be higher; last year the National Audit Office estimated that once you factor in the financing costs of acquiring the shares, the break-even price for an RBS share sale was 625p, meaning a loss of nearly 3.3bn today.

This is only the start of a rolling sell-off of national assets. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has forecast that the proceeds of planned government asset sales between 2017/18 and 2022/23 will raise around 55bn, with the majority coming through the disposal of assets acquired during the financial crisis, including RBS and Lloyds.

Critically, the government plans to sell 15bn worth of RBS shares by 2023, with the revenue earmarked to help fund the extension of the governments Help to Buy programme. This is a scheme that the governments own Social Mobility Commission has found largely benefits the already wealthy and increases house prices. In other words, we are selling off strategic assets on the cheap to fund a policy that worsens affordability of housing for many, deepens wealth inequalities and exacerbates the very trends of over-leverage and excessive debt that lead to the financial crisis in the first place.

 Theresa May announces 10 billion for Help to Buy scheme

The unstrategic sale of public assets to fund the short-term pump priming of the housing market epitomises the outsized and dysfunctional role home ownership and housing equity play in our economy and politics.

Now is the time to think much more systemically about the role we want finance and public wealth to play in society. There is, for example, a strong argument for retaining RBS in public control. It is a substantial asset of systemic importance to the economy that is now returning a regular stream of income directly to the public.

Whats more, a restructured RBS could form the nucleus of a network of regional specialist investment banks, helping reorient finance towards what should be its core: providing productive investment and patient capital for the real economy.

If the government insists on continuing with its unstrategic sale plan, permanently losing both benefit and control rights, then at the very least the revenue raised should be used for the benefit of the nation as a whole  across regions and generations  and not to fund the destabilising and unequal giveaway that is Help to Buy. One example would be to use the revenue the asset sales will generate to capitalise a Citizens' Wealth Fund.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 7 October 2021 British comedian Jo Brand poses with cut-out silhouettes representing women outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters New Scotland Yard, to highlight violence against women by male police officers or former police officers AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 6 October 2021 A protester, wearing a mask of Johnson, holds a sign reading Question it all on the final day of the Tory conference Getty UK news in pictures 5 October 2021 Members of Insulate Britain outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, before a hearing over the injunction banning the environmental activists from blocking the M25 PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2021 A delegate passes a street cleaner on the second day of the annual Conservative Party Conference being held at the Manchester Central convention centre AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2021 Margaret Thatcher-themed mugs for sale at the annual Conservative Party conference in Manchester EPA UK news in pictures 2 October 2021 A couple make their way through a flooded underpass in Bristol as a yellow weather warning for rain and wind is issued for parts of the UK Tom Wren/SWNS UK news in pictures 1 October 2021 A driver talks to members of the media after passing his HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) driving test at National Driving Centre in Croydon, south London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 30 September 2021 The centrepiece One Thousand Springs by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is seen ahead of the beginning of the Japan Festival, a celebration of the countrys plants, art and culture running from 2-31 October, at Kew Gardens in London PA UK news in pictures 29 September 2021 The family of Betty Campbell unveil the bronze sculpture of her during the unveiling of the statue in Central Square, Cardiff, of Betty Campbell, Wales' first black headteacher PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2021 A sign referring to the lack of fuel is placed at the entrance to a petrol station in London AP UK news in pictures 27 September 2021 Police officers detain a protester from Insulate Britain occupying a roundabout leading from the M25 motorway to Heathrow Airport in London PA UK news in pictures 26 September 2021 Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer watches the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur match at The Font pub in Brighton PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2021 Scottish pro-independence supporters hold a march and rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK news in pictures 24 September 2021 Police officers remove two protesters from the top of a tanker, as Insulate Britain block the A20 in Kent, which provides access to the Port of Dover in Kent. The environmental activists have moved location after been banned from campaigning on the M25 motorway in London PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2021 Gabriella, the seven year old daughter of imprisoned British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, joins in a game on a giant snakes and ladders board in Parliament Square, to show the ups and downs of her mothers case to mark the 2,000 days she has been detained in Iran AP UK news in pictures 22 September 2021 A new sign hangs on the Millicent Fawcett statue after it was altered by CrackTheCrises coalition activists to highlight the climate crisis as a feminist struggle in Parliament Square in London EPA UK news in pictures 21 September 2021 Gabriella Diment prepares a monumental bronze patinated fibreglass wall sculpture depicting household cavalry soldiers on horseback which is expected to be sold for 12,000-18,000 when it goes up for auction at Summers Place Auctions in Billinghurst, Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2021 Florist Judith Blacklock puts the finishing touches to a floral carousel installation in Halkin Arcade, which she has designed with Neill Strain for the Belgravia in Bloom festival, running from September 20-26, in London PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2021 Bubbles surround Manchester Uniteds Cristiano Ronaldo before the match against West Ham at London Stadium Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 18 September 2021 Children take part in the Settrington Cup Pedal Car Race as motoring enthusiasts attend the Goodwood Revival, a three-day historic car racing festival in Goodwood, Chichester, Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2021 Hugo, 7, from London rides past a 4x7 metre rainbow arch, made entirely of recycled aluminium cans, which has been installed by recycling initiative 'Every Can Counts', in partnership with The City of London Corporation in front of St Paul's Cathedral in London, to encourage members of the public to recycle their drinks cans ahead of recycling week, which starts on 20 September PA UK news in pictures 16 September 2021 Sheikeh MOhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi, leaves Downing Street after meeting with Boris Johnson PA UK news in pictures 15 September 2021 Children pose by ice sculptures depicting people collecting water by charity Water Aid to show the fragility of water and the threat posed by climate change in London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 14 September 2021 Heavy rain covers the A149 near Kings Lynn in Norfolk PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2021 Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' at Durham Cathedral PA UK news in pictures 12 September 2021 Inspirational young fundraiser Tobias Weller crosses the finish line, near his home in Sheffield, as he completes his latest epic feat where he swam and triked his way to the end of his awesome year-long Ironman Challenge. This is the third challenge Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, has completed, raising more than 150,000 for his school and Sheffield Children Hospitals charity PA UK news in pictures 11 September 2021 British player Emma Raducanu, holds up the US Open championship trophy winning the women's singles final of the US Open in New York AP UK news in pictures 10 September 2021 People paddle board during a misty morning in Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District, Cumbria PA UK news in pictures 9 September 2021 Troops from Wiltshire based 4 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during final inspection at Wellington Barracks in London, ahead of providing troops for the Queens Guard PA UK news in pictures 8 September 2021 Workers cross London Bridge during the morning rush hour in London Reuters UK news in pictures Mixing it up: Painting it up press view in London A gallery employee poses for photographers next to a painting entitled Prairie by British artist, Louise Giovanelli during the exhibition 'Mixing it up: Painting it up' at the Hayward Gallery in London EPA UK news in pictures 6 September 2021 Traders in the Ring at the London Metal Exchange, in the City of London, after open-outcry trading returned for the first time since March 2020, when the Ring was temporarily closed due to the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2021 People enjoy the warm weather on Sandbanks beach, Poole PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2021 Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion protest in Trafalgar Square in London. PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2021 South Africa's Ntando Mahlangu (centre) wins the Men's 200 metres T61 Final ahead of second placed Great Britain's Richard Whitehead at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2021 A young common seal on the beach at Horsey Gap in Norfolk, as hundreds of pregnant grey seals come ashore ready for the start of the pupping season. PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2021 Goldfinches fighting over food in a garden in Strensham, Worcestershire PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2021 Gold Medallist Sarah Storey of Britain celebrates on the podium Reuters UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA

A Citizens' Wealth Fund is a type of sovereign wealth fund owned by and run in the interests of citizens, managed independently but within democratically set ethical and social restrictions. By owning a broad portfolio of assets on behalf of the public, it would transform a part of national private and corporate wealth into shared net public wealth. Over time, the income of the fund can help ensure everyone benefits from rising returns to capital, not just a wealthy minority.

A Citizens Wealth Fund could be worth 186bn by 2029/30, if capitalised from 2020/21 using a mix of asset sales, capital transfers, new revenue streams, a small amount of borrowing and returns reinvested through the decade. This would be large enough to pay all 25-year-old UK-born citizens a one-off capital dividend of 10,000 from 2030/31, providing a universal minimum inheritance for all. Of course there are a range of options that the funds dividend could support over time; the crucial point is that we need to nurture and develop the Commonwealth through expanding models of public ownership, not sell the family silver on the cheap.

Mathew Lawrence is a senior research fellow at IPPR and co-author of Our Common Wealth: A Citizens' Wealth Fund for the UK. He tweets @dantonsheadSome 92 children waited on trolleys in Dublins three childrens hospitals, the union also said (Peter Byrne/PA)

Nearly 1,000 patients were admitted to hospital without having a bed to go in last month, according to figures released by a nursing union.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said 9,091 patients were admitted on trolleys or into overcrowded wards in May at Republic of Ireland hospitals.

This is the highest figure ever recorded for this month compared to previous years, a group spokesman said.

University Hospital Limerick (858) and Cork University Hospital (826) were the two highest recorded in May, according to INMO.

The figures show an overall increase of 12% on the same period last year when 8,154 patients were admitted waiting a bed, it is claimed.

Some 92 children waited on trolleys in Dublins three childrens hospitals, the union also said.

The organisation has been lobbying for more staff in hospitals and extra funding.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said the constant and worsening crisis could not wait until the winter for funding when the escalating problem would be out of control.

She said: We live in a society which expects a long wait, and a lack of privacy and dignity when attending EDs (emergency departments). It is not acceptable.

It is a basic human right that a person deemed as requiring hospital admission is admitted to a suitable bed which is appropriately staffed.

She called for better planning to avoid patients having to be left waiting on corridors.

A Department of Health spokesman said: The Government is and will continue to provide increased resources to address the situation in the face of rising demand.

The HSE TrolleyGar figures are showing that for the first four months of 2018, there was a decrease in trolley number of 16.9% or 301 less patients on trolleys as compared to the same period in 2017.The wreckage was found near Trawsfynydd in the Snowdonia mountain range

An inquest into the deaths of five family members killed in a helicopter crash has been opened and adjourned.

Three brothers and two of their wives died in the crash in mountains in Snowdonia, North Wales, earlier this year.

Those killed were Kevin and Ruth Burke, aged 56 and 49, Donald and Sharon Burke aged 55 and 48, and Barry Burke, 51.

The five, from a wealthy Anglo-Irish family, who lived in the Milton Keynes area, were on their way to Dublin on March 29, for a party following the confirmation of another young relative.

When their privately-owned Twin Squirrel aircraft failed to land in Ireland a major search was launched.

Their bodies were later found with the wreckage of the helicopter in the remote Rhinog mountains near Trawsfynydd, North Wales.

On Thursday, Dewi Pritchard Jones, senior coroner for North West Wales, formally opened and adjourned the inquest into their deaths at Caernarfon Coroner's Court. No members of the Burke family were present for the 10-minute hearing.

The coroner said: "This is the helicopter crash that occurred on Wednesday the 29th of March this year.

"Most of you will have heard of it in the press.

"Tragically they were all in a helicopter which crashed. All of the bodies have been identified and funerals have taken place."

He said the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) was conducting an inquiry into the cause of the crash and from experience of previous inquests involving aircraft accidents, their work and final report would take up to a year to complete.

He added: "The inquest into the deaths of these five people, all from the same family very tragically, is now adjourned and will remain adjourned until the AAIB report has been received."

Kevin and Ruth Burke, from Hulcote near Milton Keynes - close to where the helicopter took off - were directors of Staske Construction, which owned a Twin Squirrel.

The three brothers were the sons of an Irish couple who emigrated to Britain, according to the Irish Independent.The Monsanto logo is displayed on a screen where the stock is traded on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., May 9, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

Germanys Bayer will wrap up the $63 billion takeover of Monsanto on Thursday and also retire the U.S. seeds makers 117 year-old name.

The German drugmaker had received all required approvals from regulatory authorities, it said in a statement on Monday.

Bayer will remain the company name. Monsanto will no longer be a company name. The acquired products will retain their brand names and become part of the Bayer portfolio, it said.

Bayer launched a 6 billion ($7 billion) rights issue on Sunday, a cornerstone of the financing package for the deal, shortly after clearing the last major antitrust hurdle in the United States.

The deal is the first of a trio of major U.S.-German merger deals to cross the finish line at a time of harsh criticism by U.S. President Donald Trump of Germanys trade surplus with the United States.

Deutsche Telekoms T-Mobile US plans to merge with Sprint for $26 billion, while industrial gases makers Linde and Praxair are also seeking to combine.

Monsanto, the largest - though not the only - maker of genetically modified seeds, has been a lightning rod for environmentalists opposition to the technology.

The U.S. seed maker has also drawn criticism for pursuing its intellectual property rights with farmers, many of which depend on its seeds, more aggressively than its peers.

We aim to deepen our dialogue with society. We will listen to our critics and work together where we find common ground. Agriculture is too important to allow ideological differences to bring progress to a standstill, Bayer Chief Executive Werner Baumann said in the statement.

The companies separately listed Indian units, Bayer CropScience Ltd. and Monsanto India Ltd. will continue to operate independently for the time being, Bayer said in a separate statement.The scene near Buttevant as one Man was pronounced dead and two teens in serious condition after crash between van and tractor in Co Cork Pic. Brian Arthur

All road users to be on their guard as farming activities ratchet up and in the wake of a horror accident involving a tractor over the bank holiday weekend.

A 39-year-old man died after the van he was driving collided head-on with a tractor on a rural road in north Cork around 1pm yesterday.

His 15-year-old daughter, a passenger in the van, was last night fighting for her life, while a 17-year-old boy, a family friend, also suffered serious injuries in the crash.

In a tragic twist, it has emerged that the man's partner was following behind in a car and came across the scene just moments after the collision.

The driver of the van was pronounced dead at the scene. He and the teenagers are all from the Mallow area.

It took emergency services around two hours to cut the injured teenagers from the van, such was the damage caused by the crash.

They were then airlifted to the GAA pitch at Bishopstown in Cork city before being transferred by ambulance to Cork University Hospital (CUH). Emergency services including gardai, ambulances, paramedics and Rescue Helicopter 112 attended the scene.

The driver of the tractor, a man aged in his late 20s, was not injured in the crash.

A man in the nearby market town Buttevant said the area was in "shock" following the tragic incident.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Association rural development chairman Seamus Sherlock has highlighted that its a busy time on farms and there are increased numbers of tractors and other farm machinery using the roads.

Patience as well as extreme caution must be exercised by everybody using the roads, he said.

Safety

Mr Sherlock also implored farmers to pay close attention to farm safety.

Silage cutting and slurry spreading are in full swing and farms are a hive of activity

We are asking farmers to think about safety at all times and never to take unnecessary risks where machinery and equipment are concerned.

Slurry gas is also a silent killer and extremely dangerous. Slatted tank agitating points should not be left open for any longer than necessary.

Farmers also need to be very careful to have proper PTO shafts in place on slurry and silage equipment. It only takes a split second lapse in concentration for accidents to happen, sometimes with tragic and fatal consequences.

Mr Sherlock said that after one of the longest winters in living memory, many farmers are still trying to cope with the financial ramifications and stress associated with dealing with nine months of challenging conditions.

It will take more than a few sunny days for farmers who experienced the perfect storm to recover. However, safety must be a priority at all times; its a busy time but lets make it a safe and happy time for everyone, he said.For the third week in a row factories pulled back their opening bids for spring lamb, this time by 30-40c/kg. Overall quotes for lamb have now fallen by a cumulative figure of between 90-120c/kg in three weeks.

Before getting into the detail of who is offering what, a couple of things struck me yesterday morning as I worked my way through the list of official factory quotes and the lack of meaningful reaction by the farm organisations to yet another bad news week on the sheep front.

Firstly, I am left with the very singular impression that the farm organisations were caught completely off side in relation to this blitzkrieg of price cuts.

Secondly, the electronic tagging controversy - where the financial figures involved were small by comparison - actually had the farm organisations scheduling emergency meetings with the Department.

Meanwhile, hoggets remaining in the system are being clobbered with a 50-60c/kg cut, leaving them back in price between 1.10-1.30/kg in three weeks.

Looking at this week's price table Kildare Chilling top the lamb price league with their quote of 5.90+10c/kg quality bonus.

Kildare is followed by the two ICM plants, both of whom quoted 5.80+10c/kg quality assurance, while Moyvalley Meats, Dawn Ballyhaunis and Kepak Athleague are all on 5.80/kg.

While cull ewes fell by 20c/kg two weeks ago, that was their last significant movement on our price table.

It means this week's quotes for culls see their quoted price remaining stable at between 2.80-2.90/kg, with Kildare Chilling the top payer on 2.90 plus 10c/kg for the quality assurance bonus.

The IFA report that 6.40-6.50/kg was secured for spring lamb last week, with 6.20/kg securing supplies as the week went on.

Confidence

Prices for ewes continue to be in the 3.00-3.10/kg range, with the IFA reporting that good quality hoggets were still making up to 5.50/kg at the end of last week.

In the background I detect a belief among farmers that prices will actually recover over the next month. Ann Harkin of Raphoe Mart in Donegal commented that her sale yesterday saw strong confidence being expressed as prices strengthened.

While down in my own county, Waterford, a well known sheep man told me he intended to "gamble what sheep he had for another few weeks" on the basis that the factories had "tried this last year for two weeks" before eventually relenting on price.Promises by the global airline industry to do more to promote gender equality veered off course when one of its top executives suggested his CEO role was too difficult for a woman.

The issue of gender imbalance in aviation was a hot topic among over 200 airlines represented at the annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Sydney, with the predominantly male gathering agreeing more had to be done.

Asked about the issue among Middle East airlines in particular, and why his job as head of his country's flag carrier couldn't be done by a woman, outspoken Qatar Airways Chief Executive, Akbar al Baker, gave a typically provocative answer.

"Of course it has to be led by a man because it is a very challenging position," he said, drawing gasps from those present. It was not clear whether he was serious or trying to make a joke.

The comments came minutes after Al Baker - who has a reputation for hitting out at rivals and suppliers over poor performance - had joked that one of his roles as the new chairman of IATA was to be less controversial.

He later said Qatar Airways was the first carrier in the region to have female pilots and the company had women in senior roles.

"So we actually encourage women. We see that they have huge potential in doing senior management positions," he said.

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Alan Joyce, the gay CEO of Qantas Airways who campaigned for marriage equality in Australia, said ensuring a diverse workforce in general could help to drive profits.

"If you get the best talent, the best people, the best jobs you're going to perform better," he said, sitting alongside Al Baker at a press briefing.

"I think one of the reasons Qantas turned it around so dramatically is that we've embraced diversity."

Gloria Guevara Manzo, the first female president of the World Travel and Tourism Council, said investors needed to start pushing companies to do more.

"When you have diversity, your company's results are better," she told Reuters earlier on the sidelines of the Sydney airline talks. "It's not just for the sake of it."

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd will have an all-male top management team when Director of Flight Operations Anna Thompson leaves for another role in parent company Swire Group soon, to be replaced by a male pilot.

Cathay CEO Rupert Hogg said there were no immediate vacancies on the top team but there were women managers a level below and diversity was valued at the airline, which has staff from 75 nationalities and is a supporter of the Gay Games 2022 in Hong Kong.

"I really feel strongly we need to be inclusive in the broadest possible way," he said.

"We need to do more around women and what makes work easy or hard and balancing out lives and all of that stuff. We are working on that at the moment."

Willie Walsh, CEO of British Airways and Aer Lingus owner IAG, said the industry needed to attract more women and that progress had been slow.

"Aer Lingus recruited its first female pilot in 1977... It's taken 40 years to get to 10 percent," he said at the CAPA-Centre for Aviation summit also taking place in Sydney.Independent News and Media (INM) has appointed two new chairs to sub-committees of the group's board, effective from May 31.

Fionnuala Duggan has been appointed to the Remuneration Committee, and will serve as chair of the committee - taking over from Len O'Hagan.

At the same time, Len O'Hagan has been appointed chair of the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee, following the resignation of Terry Buckley, who stood down from the board last week.

It is set be a key role as INM engages with an effort by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) to have inspectors appointed by the High Court to examine the affairs of the company.

Seamus Taaffe took over as chair of the Audit & Risk Committee on April 19, which Len O' Hagan had previously chaired.

Following these changes, the company said it continued to meet the board and committee composition recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

The changes are the latest in a raft of board moves at INM.

Just over a week ago, INM, which publishes newspapers including the Irish Independent, announced that Terry Buckley was stepping down as a director with effect from May 31.

It followed the resignation of Paul Connolly from the board.Business Minister Heather Humphreys is to seek Government approval for a new law introducing a minimum expiry date of five years for gift vouchers.

At present, retailers are free to set their own terms and conditions with some vouchers and gift cards expiring after six or 12 months. Some shops deduct value for every month over the use-by date.

Consumer organisations and Opposition politicians have been calling for regulation in the area for years.

Plans to regulate gift vouchers, first put forward by former business minister Richard Bruton in 2015, stalled as the Government waited for expected European Union laws in the area.

However, the EU directives have not yet materialised and the Irish Independent has learned that Ms Humphreys plans to proceed with new Irish regulations that would set a minimum expiry date of five years.

A source said the plans were at an "advanced stage" and it's understood Ms Humphreys intends to bring the proposals to Government within weeks.

Mr Bruton's proposed 2015 law was put out for public consultation but the European Commission announced plans for two new directives in the area, which led to the postponing of the Irish legislation.

The view was taken that there was cross-over between the Irish and EU plans and there was little point in changing the law here if it would have to be amended when the EU directives came into force.

Expand Close Plans are at advanced stage: Minister Heather Humphreys. Photo: Justin Farrelly / Facebook

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Late last year, the Social Democrats put forward its own proposed legislation that would bring in a five-year minimum expiry period.

Its co-leader Catherine Murphy said at the time that the current situation amounted to an "unfair" policy of "use it or lose it" by retailers.

However, the practice of using expiry dates isn't followed by every shop. McKenna Man in Dundalk last month honoured a IR60 voucher sold in 1995.

Staff member Conor McKenna told the 'Argus' newspaper: "We've never had an expiry date on our vouchers because if we didn't honour them, customers wouldn't come back."

Separately, Communications Minister Denis Naughten is expected to seek Cabinet approval to extend a scheme to help households that are in receipt of the carer's allowance to cut their heating bills.

The Warmer Homes Energy Scheme provides free energy efficiency upgrades.

It is understood that Mr Naughten intends to expand the scheme to households where the carer in receipt of the allowance lives with the resident who is being cared for.

The 24m scheme already covers households in receipt of the family income supplement, fuel allowance, one-parent family payments or those getting the domiciliary care allowance.Sammon Contracting Ireland has been put into liquidation with more than 200 people set to lose their jobs.

The company was badly hit by the collapse of UK contractor Carillion, whose collapse meant a schoolbuilding project in which Sammon was involved was suspended.

That meant Sammon ran into financial difficulty which has culminated in liquidation. The company had previously been in examinership, meaning it was granted court protection from creditors on a temporary basis to try and find a survival plan.

A small subsidiary of the Sammon group may be able to exit examinership successfully, the High Court was told today.

Sammon founder and chief executive Miceal Sammon said it was a painful and distressing time for everyone who worked in the business.

We are devastated by the impact that this development has on everyone associated with our company - both personally and professionally. We are grateful for their patience and support and we are hopeful of retaining that support, as we seek to re-establish the manufacturing side of our business and continue local employment in the area.The announcement was made by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys T.D., centre, together with Pat Ryan, CEO of Abtran and Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland

Abtran, an Irish business process outsourcing provider, is creating 350 new jobs in Sligo.

The jobs are being created across a variety of roles, and recruitment for the positions has already started.

This development forms part of a regional expansion strategy by Abtran in Ireland, with the North West region selected for the location of a major new operations hub.

Commenting on the announcement Pat Ryan, chief executive of Abtran, said that Ireland will continue to be a key part of the company's global growth ambitions.

"We also believe it is very important to support national and regional economic development wherever possible through the growth of our operations."

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"Based on the skillsets identified for our business needs, we selected the North West region as the location for our new operations hub and we are very pleased to announce these news jobs in Sligo which will complement our overall high quality workforce."

Established in 1997, Abtran already employs over 2,000 people in Cork, Dublin, Kildare, and Southern India.

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humpherys T.D., described the announcement as a "tremendous day" for Abtran, Sligo, and the North West.

"The company's continuous innovation, market leadership and investment in high-quality resources have made this indigenous Irish business deeply competitive," Minister Humpherys said.

"The fact that they have chosen to invest in the North West to serve their business markets at home and abroad is a testament to the confidence they have in the region and its talented workforce."

The news was welcomed by Enterprise Ireland chief executive Julie Sinnamon.

In separate news, Elevare, an Irish-owned on-site support services company, is to create 50 jobs, having recently experienced what it described as "significant" growth particularly in the social media and banking sectors.

Of the 50 jobs being created, 30 will be based in Dublin, while the other 20 are being created in London.

The company also today officially launched its London office to meet growing demand and to service existing clients that have UK operations.

In a statement today Elevare said that it has also been awarded a contract with Deutsche Borse Group, the financial market infrastructure provider, when they move to their new Irish headquarters at Navigation Square in Cork. In a contract worth 400,000 over three years, Elevare will provide Deutsche Borse Group with front of house security and reception services.

In the last 12 months Elevare has seen its turnover reach 4.2m and the company expects next year to be a period of "accelerated growth" saying that it expects its revenue to increase by 25pc.MILLIONS of euro more than budgeted will have to be pumped into the rollout of broadband in the coming years, an EU report indicates.

The audit of Irelands progress in delivering broadband to every home says it is highly unlikely that the 275m set aside by the Government will be enough.

It also warns that impact of bidders pulling out from the tendering process is still unclear.

Enet is now the sole bidder for the project which should result in 540,000 premises being connected to the National Broadband Plan.

Ireland has received 75m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to help bridge the financing gap between investment from private operators and the full cost of the broadband rollout.

On top of this the Government has budgeted 200m  but the audit report states: Although the tendering process has not been completed at the time of the audit, this sum is highly unlikely to be sufficient to bridge the financing gap.

Todays report from the EU Court of Auditors (ECA), which is the equivalent of the Irish Controller General, raises tough questions for Communications Minister Denis Naughten.

The auditors have also highlighted weaknesses which have resulted in competitive issues.

The limitations on the power of the national regulator authority [ComReg] to enforce its decision were seen as a possible means to reduce the scope for effective competition, it says.

Ultimately the report concludes that Ireland is unlikely to reach a target of having 30Mbps broadband available to all citizens by 2020.

However, if the current plans are implemented as intended, Ireland will be better placed to achieve the 2025 targets, it says.

By then the EU expects all households should have access to ultra-fast broadband, upgradable to 1 Gbps.

Dublin MEP Brian Hayes, who sits on the Budget Control Committee of the European Parliament, welcomed the report but said its findings were mixed.

On a positive level, it highlights that Ireland has made significant progress, especially in recent years delivering fast broadband connectivity. It cites good overall coordination from the Department of Communication, he said.

What is worrying are outstanding issues concerning the Investment Ireland plan for broadband. According to the ECA, this cannot be delivered on time. Equally worrying is the financing gap.

He added: The essence of the report for Ireland - we must try harder to deliver this key infrastructure.Set up in 2008, Audrey Gaffney Associates provides interior architectural design solutions, mostly for the hospitality sector.

Located in Scurlockstown Business Park, Trim, Co Meath, owner Audrey Gaffney employs nine staff and has a turnover of 750,000. The projects she has completed include a variety of well-known hotels, bars, restaurants and nightclubs such as The Castleknock Hotel, Dublin's Skylon Hotel, Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh, the Oak Room Restaurant in Cavan, The Devon Inn in Limerick, and Stix & Stones restaurant in Belfast.

In addition, she also specialises in conservation work and has carried out works in some of the country's most historic hospitality venues including the Markree Castle, Sligo, Cabra Castle, Kingscourt, Bellingham Castle, Castlebellingham, Belleek Castle, Ballina and Customs House Restaurant & Wine Bar in Derry City Centre. She has even completed work on hotels in Spain, Scotland and England for FBD Hotels and Hetherley Capital Partners.

"Our vision is to capture the unique essence of each building as well as the client's own brand. As a result, all our concepts and finishes are bespoke to each property," says Audrey.

"A big part of what we do is spatial planning and designing the internal structure of each building to maximise the experience of customers using the facility as well as ensuring the operational flow works for staff and management, essential to the efficient running of the business. And we've also completed a number of retail projects as well as high end office fit-outs for large tech companies," she adds.

Audrey and her team can look after everything from the fit-out of carpets and flooring to fabrics and soft furnishings as well as managing all aspects of design from audio visual and lighting to furniture and landscapes. On the project management side, they provide services such as tender and cost analysis, site supervision and management. They'll even provide 3D visual presentations before carrying out the work and professional photography once a job is complete.

"For us, it's all about driving revenue for our clients through creating a unique customer experience that people want to return to time and time again," she adds.

Audrey grew up in the small community of Drumkilly in Co Cavan. As a child she developed a keen interest in arts and crafts and by her teens was even making her own clothes. While she initially wanted to study fashion design after school, her life took a more circuitous route.

"While I always wanted to get into fashion, I found myself directed by teachers to choose a more traditional industry so that's how I ended up studying computer programming," she admits.

However after a stint in the sector, she realised that it wasn't for her. "I hated being stuck in a tiny cubicle all day," says Audrey. "That's when I decided to focus more on the things I actually enjoyed and enrolled on an eight-week part-time course in interior design. I absolutely loved it," she adds.

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She then got a job as a retail manger with Hickey Fabrics when they opened their Home Focus store in Blanchardstown. While she enjoyed the work she realised that she was still not fulfilled.

"I knew that to get a job in design, I would have to return to college and I felt that at 24 I was too old to start over," explains Audrey.

However, the motivation she needed came from an unexpected source. "When my younger cousin was diagnosed with cancer, she gave me a piece of advice that changed my life. She told me that I could go on living my life as it was - unfulfilled - or I could do something about it."

It was the wake-up call she needed. She went to the credit union, took out a loan and went back to college part-time to study for her degree in Interior Architecture in Griffith College while continuing to work full-time. That's when things changed for her.

Once she had obtained her diploma, she managed to convince architecture firm Project Architects to hire her to work as an interior designer on Mahon Point Shopping Centre in Cork while she continued to complete her degree part-time.

In 2008, then qualified and with experience under her belt, she struck out on her own and set up Audrey Gaffney Associates.

"We started the business right at the beginning of the recession so we had to work hard to secure the jobs in the first place and then work even harder to deliver the right result within strict budgets," she says. "Today, we are approaching 10 years of being in business and I now have an amazing design team around me and it their combined effort and expertise that enables us to both grow and retain our loyal client base."

She has had her fair share of challenges, such as in 2012 when three large projects she was working on fell through. Her response was to share the problem with her senior team, who rowed in behind her and offered to work a five-day week for a three-day salary. While a difficult setback at the time, Audrey adjusted the company's strategy to the higher end of the design market, rebranded the company and effectively relaunched.

Her strategy proved correct and once the market began to improve, she found herself repositioned and primed for growth.

More recently, the struggle has been to find skilled staff with the right experience. So Audrey launched her own internship programme which has now become a valuable source of attracting and retaining quality staff.

"Our strategy for future growth is to continue to grow our high-end hospitality design within the Irish and European markets and to include spa resort design as an integral part of our portfolio.

"I see my role now as continuing to raise our profile and make clients more aware of the benefits of hiring an interior architectural practice for their project. In short, I want ours to be one of Ireland's leading interior architectural practices."

Having just won the All-Star Female Led Business of the Year and All-Star Interior Design Team of the Year at this years All Star Awards, Audrey looks well on her way to achieving her goal.

audrey.ieMicrosoft said it reached an agreement to buy GitHub, a code repository company popular with many software developers, for $7.5bn (6.4bn) in stock.

The deal will add to Microsoft's operating income, including some costs, in its fiscal year 2020, the company said in a statement yesterday. Microsoft expects the deal to close by the end of 2018. The shares were up less than 1pc to $101.32 in early trading in New York.

The acquisition provides a way forward for San Francisco-based GitHub, which has been trying for nine months to find a new chief executive officer and has yet to make a profit from its popular service that allows coders to share and collaborate on their work.

It also helps Microsoft, which is increasingly relying on open-source software, to add programming tools and tie up with a company that has become a key part of the way Microsoft writes its own software.

GitHub will operate independently and named former Xamarin CEO and current Microsoft developer tools executive Nat Friedman as its chief.

It will continue to support the programming languages, tools and operating systems of the user's choice.

For Microsoft, acquiring GitHub is both a return to the company's earliest roots and a sharp turnaround from where it was a decade ago.

Microsoft's origin story lies in the market for software- development tools, with co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen focused on giving hobbyists a way to program a new micro-computer kit.

But that vision of software tools was applied very differently under both Mr Gates and former CEO Steve Ballmer, who championed developers building proprietary software for Microsoft, not the kind of open-source projects found on GitHub.

Open-source software allows developers to tinker with, improve upon and share code - an approach that threatened Microsoft's business model.

A lot has changed since then, and under current CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft is supporting many flavours of Linux.

It has used open-source models on some significant cloud and developer products itself. (Bloomberg)Tesla chief executive Elon Musk faces votes at a shareholder meeting today that will challenge his grip on the electric carmaker, but he may be able to count on some powerful friends: big fund managers likely to be fans.

These stockpickers would have weighed Mr Musk's forceful public persona in their decisions to buy and hold Tesla shares in the first place, and are likely to be ready to back him at the meeting to be held in Mountain View, California, said analysts, corporate governance experts and investors.

They expect shareholders to elect three Tesla directors and vote to let Mr Musk keep his chairman's title despite investor challenges and broader concerns with Tesla's production.

"We're making a bet on Elon Musk," said one top-20 Tesla investor who plans to back the directors and vote to keep Mr Musk's roles intact. The investor compared Mr Musk to Apple founder Steve Jobs, saying: "These people are geniuses. You either believe in him or you don't."

David Whiston, an analyst for Morningstar, said: "I doubt they [big, actively managed funds holding Tesla] would vote against Elon because if you don't believe in Elon, why are you in the stock?"

Tesla has been fighting negative press for several months over production bottlenecks for its Model 3 sedan, crashes involving its cars and doubts raised by Wall Street over its cash position. Union-affiliated investment adviser CtW Investment Group is attempting to unseat three Tesla directors it says lack qualifications or independence, including investor Antonio Gracias, Tesla's lead independent director; James Murdoch, the CEO of Twenty-First Century Fox Inc; and sustainable food executive Kimbal Musk, Elon Musk's brother.

Another investor proposes splitting the chairman and CEO jobs, both of which Mr Musk fills, arguing the sprawling company has become difficult to oversee.

If any of the challenges wins a majority of votes, that could undermine confidence in Mr Musk at a time when he is counting on workers to pull out the stops to ramp up production of the Model 3 sedan and as some analysts expect the company to raise new capital. Shares are down around 7pc year-to-date.

Tesla says it does not need new funds and that its governance structure allows it to avoid pressure by short-term investors.

Anne Sheehan, who retired earlier this year as head of corporate governance for the California State Teachers' Retirement System, said she expected big funds would vote according to board recommendations and raise any concerns privately with Mr Musk.

Their message, she said, will be: "If he's a car company, he's got to produce cars." (Bloomberg)Apple is setting new controls for parents to limit the time their children can spend on iPhones and iPads.

The controls include restrictions on specific apps or the whole phone. Once the time limit expires, the phone needs parental input to continue working.

The feature, 'Screen Time', is account-based and works across all of a child's iOS devices. It's part of Apple's new iOS 12 update and will be available free to most iPhone and iPads.

The move is part of a growing consciousness among some big tech companies that children are spending too much time on their phones. 'Screen Time' gives parents the ability to schedule a block of time to limit when their child's iOS device can't be used, such as at bedtime.

Parents can choose specific apps like Phone or Books, that will always be available, even during downtime or after a limit is spent.

Using the new feature, parents can access their child's activity report from their own iPhone or iPad to see where their child spends their time.

Apple also declared war on Facebook with new features that block the social giant and other data-gobbling companies from tracking iPhone, iPad and Mac users around the web.

When an ad tracks a user through information gleaned from Facebook or another data-sharing company, Apple devices will ask users whether they want to allow the tracking to happen.

Apple vice-president Craig Federighi said it was part of an effort to "shut down" efforts by companies like Facebook to build businesses based on trading in people's privacy.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook has publicly criticised Facebook and Google before, saying the business models of trading in personal privacy was bad for society.

Apple hopes to gain a competitive distinction by branding itself as a "privacy conscious" tech firm.

The new features were announced at the company's Worldwide Developer Conference held in San Jose, California.Version 1 CEO Tom OConnor, right, pictured with director of Cedar Consulting Simon Wragg in London following confirmation of the acquisition deal

Irish IT services firm Version 1 has announced a deal to buy London-based Cedar Consulting, and is eyeing further deals in the UK and northern Europe.

Version 1 provides software services to corporate and government clients. Buying Cedar will boost its product line in relation to HR services and brings in new customers across financial services, legal services, professional services, life sciences, healthcare and retail sectors.

The deal is Version 1's sixth UK acquisition in the past five years but the first under chief executive Tom O'Connor, who was promoted to the top job last year from chief operating officer.

He said risks associated with a potentially messy Brexit next year had not deterred the Irish business from buying in the UK.

"Even if you take the Doomsday scenario (of a Brexit-induced UK recession), we have the experience of growing through recession here. In the UK there is plenty of market share to be won, even if the market didn't grow," he told the Irish Independent.

Mr O'Connor took over as CEO in April 2017, at the same time as Version 1 raised 90m in investment from backer Volpi Capital, a UK-based private-equity firm run by Irishman Crevan O'Grady.

The business has acquisition "firepower" for further deals, and has a pipeline of UK acquisitions planned for 2018, Mr O'Connor said.

He is also looking at potential acquisitions in northern Europe, he said.

Version 1 entered the UK market in 2013.

Britain will account for 400 of Version 1's 1,100 employees following the latest deal.

Mr O'Connor said he expects revenues in 2018 to be "north of 115m" - up from 105m last year.

Version 1 has grown at a pace of 30pc per year over the past five years thanks to a mix of organic growth and acquisitions, he said.

That momentum is expected to be maintained.

Cedar Consulting will become part of Version 1's enterprise resource planning (ERP) practice, adding expertise in specialist areas.

Cedar's directors Simon Wragg and Graham Varley will join Version 1's management team and will continue to manage customer relationships, business development and service delivery excellence in addition to helping oversee the successful integration of the two companies.

Version 1 was founded in 1996 by Justin Keatinge and John Mullen. Last year's funding round allowed earlier backers including BDO Development Capital Fund - backed by Enterprise Ireland, Bank of Ireland and CRH among others - to exit the business with a 250pc return after three years.

Mr O'Connor has said he's on course to manage a 1bn turnover software company by 2025.Virgin founder and chairman Richard Branson, pictured with his daughter Holly on the boat Virgin Money, during a sea trial in New York harbour. Photo: Reuters

Former AIB chief executive David Duffy's CYBG, a stockmarket listed UK consumer and business lender, has sweetened its 1.6bn (1.8bn) bid for Virgin Money by offering its target shareholders, including Richard Branson, a larger share of a combined company.

Virgin Money shareholders would own about 38pc of the merged company compared with 36.5pc in CYBG's previous approach and would retain dividends through the end of June, according to a statement.

CYBG, formerly the British division of National Australia Bank, is proposing an all-stock transaction and is seeking greater scale and cost savings by acquiring Virgin Money's mortgage assets, branches, credit cards and savings accounts.

It hopes to build scale to take on Britain's big high-street lenders. The "proposed combination would create the UK's first true national banking competitor," CYBG said. "Discussions are ongoing regarding other terms and conditions of the proposed combination and reciprocal due diligence is being conducted."

CYBG increased its offer by 7pc for each Virgin Money share, the company said. The bank, which initially made an offer in May, now plans to pay 1.2125 shares for each Virgin Money share.

"Even on revised terms we continue to view the offer as being somewhat lightweight, providing little in the way of a takeover premium to our standalone fair value for Virgin Money of 350 pence a share," wrote Gary Greenwood, an analyst at Shore Capital, in a note to investors. (Reuters)Tourists at the Esplanade du Trocadero near the Eiffel tower, in Paris. AccorHotels is considering buying some or all of the French governments 14.3pc stake in Air France KLM. Photo: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images

Europe's biggest hotel chain, AccorHotels, may buy a stake in Air France KLM to compete better against travel packages offered by online rivals such as Expedia and Booking.com.

France-based AccorHotels said it was considering the move after a report in 'Les Echos' newspaper said it might buy some or all of the French government's 14.3pc stake in Air France KLM.

Shares in Air France KLM jumped more than 7pc in early trade yesterday, as investors bet a sale of Paris's stake could help the airline push through painful reforms that are politically difficult for the state to support.

However, shares in AccorHotels fell more than 4pc as some analysts questioned the logic of a stake purchase.

"While the strategic rationale for Accor is there, we wonder why this cannot be achieved by a commercial partnership without any equity stake," said Bernstein analyst Caius Slater.

AccorHotels, with more than 4,000 hotels ranging from luxury Sofitels to the budget Ibis brand, has in the past held talks with Air France KLM with a view to developing joint projects, including potentially buying a minority stake in the airline.

"AccorHotels confirms having resumed its reflections on the matter, being at very early stage of assessing the feasibility and potential terms and conditions which will be discussed with Air France KLM in due time," AccorHotels said.

"There is no certainty that these initiatives will lead to any agreement nor any form of implementation," it added, without saying from whom it might potentially purchase a minority stake.

Air France KLM and the French finance ministry declined to comment on the 'Les Echos' report.

The Air France KLM airline group was created in 2004 from the merger of Air France and Dutch carrier KLM, but is in turmoil following the departure of CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac after French staff rejected a pay deal and staged a series of costly strikes.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association in Sydney, KLM CEO Pieter Elbers also declined to comment on the 'Les Echos' report. But Mr Elbers - a potentially group CEO - added: "Yes, Air France needs to be restructured, yes some interventions need to take place. Progress has been made. Has it been enough? No. Should it be done more? Yes."

AccorHotels' board of directors contains former French president Nicolas Sarkozy - a useful presence for any talks with the government over Air France KLM.

'Les Echos', citing unidentified sources, said the government was studying three options. The first would be to sell its whole stake to AccorHotels. The second would be a partial sale that would keep some state influence at Air France KLM. A third option would be to swap the state's shares in Air France KLM for a stake in AccorHotels - a move the newspaper said would be consistent with French President Emmanuel Macron's desire to have an influence in "national champion" companies.

A government stake in AccorHotels might also deter a potential foreign bid for the hotels company.Germany has flourished under Chancellor Angela Merkel over the last 12 years, with record-low unemployment and robust economic growth. But it hasn't translated into better pay for women in the country, where one of the worst gender pay gaps in Europe looks unlikely to get better soon.

Despite having a woman running the government, a new gender pay law lacks the teeth to boost women's standing in the corporate sector. The so-called Wage Transparency Act, which took full force in January, puts the onus on individual employees to step forward and request information on wage discrepancies, while companies are given plenty of wriggle room.

"The law will practically have no impact on furthering pay equality," said Hans-Georg Kluge, a lawyer who specialises in anti-discrimination cases.

"Individual women who are willing to take their case to court will draw no benefit from this."

In the UK, companies are now required to publish their gender pay gaps annually. France plans laws that would require pay-gap tracking.

Despite Ms Merkel's status and a German political scene peppered with strong female leaders, the role of women in the corporate world is limited. While the #MeToo movement has drawn widespread attention to sexual harassment and assault, the pay gap is in many ways anchored in German culture, with the term "Frauenberufe" (women's jobs) used to refer to lower paid careers such as social work, hairstyling and nursing.

Even in fields dominated by women, such as medical assistants, men can get paid 40pc more. Lower pay, along with more part-time work, means women earn about 50pc less over their working lives than male peers, according to a 2017 study by the German Institute for Economic Research.

Such discrepancies, along with shortfalls in childcare and social pressures, contribute to fewer women in the workforce.

The Labour Ministry said in a report last year that it sees "significant potential" in raising the volume of hours worked by women, but for that to happen general conditions would have to improve.

"Working for women should be something totally normal, and that could also help companies to cope with capacity constraints," said Gertrud Traud, chief economist of Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thueringen in Frankfurt.

"We have a labour-friendly market right now. This is also true for women, and they should use it to their advantage."

The wage law isn't Germany's first effort to highlight gender discrimination. A 2016 initiative required large companies to appoint at least 30pc women to their supervisory boards. It had some impact at the top of the corporate ladder, but broader inequality remains.

When the wage law was passed last year, the German government said it was an "important step towards more wage equality". In reality though, the final version serves more to tick boxes than to generate underlying change, according to Torsten von Roetteken, a retired judge and the author of numerous books on German gender-equality law.

"The hurdles are extremely high and require the individual to have a high tolerance and capacity for conflict," Mr Roetteken said.

Unsurprisingly, the response has been lukewarm. Just one in eight respondents plan to ask their employers to explain pay differences, according to a survey conducted by consultancy EY. A third of those baulking at requests cited concerns about negative repercussions as the reason. (Bloomberg)Michael McIntyre was said to be absolutely fine (PA)

Michael McIntyre was targeted by thieves on a moped on Monday during his school run.

The comedian was in his parked Range Rover when two males smashed the car windows with a hammer and stole his 5,000 watch.

The attack happened at 2pm in Hampstead, north-west London, while McIntyre was with one of his children.

Michael McIntyre is one of thousands of people - including a handful of household names - affected by a surge in moped-related crime in London.

The 42-year-old comedian was reportedly forced to hand over his watch after being confronted by gang of hammer-wielding thieves on two wheels.

Others to have fallen victim to so-called moped gangs include MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, whose phone was snatched from his hands last July, while actor Daniel Radcliffe came to the aid of a tourist who was mugged.

Figures from 2017 suggested that, between January and September, there were more than 19,385 "moped enabled" crimes in the capital - an average of 53 a day - including thefts and robberies.

At the time, police said they were tackling the increase three ways: a UV spray, mobile stinger and more lightweight motorbikes for officers.

Officers said there are a number of factors behind the upward spike in thefts, including a rise in the number of people using scooters to commute and a growing market for second-hand mobile phone parts.

Scooter criminals normally travel in pairs, with a passenger sitting behind the rider, targeting busy areas where they can snatch high-value smartphones.

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Youths even carry out dry runs to practise before launching the real raids, detectives believe, while it is thought in some cases mobiles are stolen to order.

Speaking last October, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said: "I think we are stemming the rise but I want sustained reductions."Gareth Hutch (inset) and the scene of the shooting

THE "brutal and callous" murder of Gareth Hutch was not a "spur of the moment attack" but was "premeditated" and a "significant amount of planning" went into it, a trial has heard.

Gareth Hutch (35), a nephew of Gerry Hutch, was shot dead as he was getting into his car outside Avondale House flats on North Cumberland Street in Dublin on May 24, 2016.

Three people, Thomas Fox (31) and brother and sister Regina Keogh (41) and Jonathan Keogh (32), this morning pleaded not guilty before the Special Criminal Court to Mr Hutch's murder.

Mr Fox, with an address at Rutland Court, Dublin 1, also pleaded not guilty to possession of a Makorov handgun in suspicious circumstances.

In his opening address, prosecuting counsel Paul Burns SC said the "brutal and callous murder" of Mr Hutch was not a "spur of the moment attack" but was "premeditated" and a "significant amount of planning" went into it.

Mr Burns said the three co-accused each had "their own part to play in bringing about the killing of Mr Hutch".

The court heard that Jonathan Keogh, of Gloucester Place, Dublin 1, was one of the two gunman, together with another man known as Mr AB.

Mr Burns said Regina Keogh lived in the same flat complex as Mr Hutch and that Mr Fox and Mr Keogh knew each other well.

The court heard there was "a heated exchange" between Mr Hutch and Mr Keogh in the car park of Avondale House on the day prior to the killing.

It appeared to end with both parties shaking hands, but later that same day Mr Keogh was overheard on the phone with a member of the extended Hutch family where he expressed his intention to kill Gareth Hutch.

Mr Burns said the evidence of Mary McDonnell, who had a flat at Avondale House, would be "important" in this trial, as the accused had gathered in her home in the hours before the murder.

Her kitchen window had a view into Mr Hutch's flat, the court heard.

Around 10.40pm on the night before the killing, Mr Burns said Mr Fox and Mr Keogh arrived into Ms McDonnell's flat and produced two handguns and silencers.

She was asked for wipes to clean the guns and for plastic bags to put the guns in.

Mr Burns said the men left Ms McDonnell's flat and the evidence will be that Regina Keogh arrived a short time later with rubber gloves, which were to be used by the attackers.

On the day of the killing, Mr Burns said Mr Keogh and Mr AB arrived into Ms McDonnell's flat and got the rubber gloves.

A BMW car had been parked in the car park of the flat complex the day before. Mr Burns said the evidence will be that Mr Keogh was running in and out of Ms McDonnell's bedroom to ensure the BMW wasn't blocked in, while Mr AB kept watch on Mr Hutch's flat from her kitchen.

Shortly after 10am on May 24, 2016, Mr Burns said that Mr Keogh and Mr AB left Ms McDonnell's flat. They ran up to Mr Hutch as he was getting into his car. He was shot four times, all from the same gun.

Mr Hutch received medical attention at the scene, but he later died.

Mr Burns said Mr Keogh and Mr AB ran to the BMW and remained in it for a minute, but then abandoned it and ran out of the flat complex.

He said Ross Hutch arrived on the scene, saw Gareth on the ground and followed the two attackers for a while before turning back.

Mr Burns said the two attackers ran in the direction of Sean McDermott Street before they got into a silver Skoda Octavia, which was parked on Champions Avenue.

The car drove off, and Mr Keogh jumped out of the vehicle on Rutland Street and fled the area.

He went to Belfast after the killing, and Mr Burns said that his sister Regina arranged for money to be brought to him.

The Skoda Octavia was driven in the direction of Ballymun and was later found burnt out.

Mr Burns said that Mr Fox had been parked nearby in a white Ford Transit, but due to the change of plans the white van was not required.

In relation to the evidence against the accused, Mr Burns said Avondale House has a CCTV system which captured some of the comings and goings of the accused, as well as the shooting of Mr Hutch.

Mr Burns also said that five vehicles were involved in this shooting, and DNA and fingerprint evidence could link Mr Keogh and Mr Fox to these vehicles.

He also said Mr Keogh and Mr Fox were caught on CCTV in Tesco buying a bottle of Milton sterilising fluid on May 22, 2016 - this was later found in the Ford Transit van.

Cans of petrol was also found by gardai in the BMW and in the Ford Transit.

Mr Burns said clothing in the BMW can be linked to Mr Keogh, and a black bag in the van can be linked to Mr Fox.

The court also heard there will be mobile phone evidence showing that Mr Keogh and Mr Fox were in contact early that morning, as Mr Fox was getting nervous as the white Transit van was attracting attention.

The trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, with Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge Michael Walsh is expected to take five weeks.THE jury in the trial of former Anglo Irish Bank CEO David Drumm has resumed deliberations this morning, after delays last week.

Judge Karen O'Connor this morning sent the jurors back out to consider verdicts in the case after the return of one member who had been absent last Thursday and Friday.

The jury retired to consider verdicts last Tuesday but have been deliberating for just over three hours so far.

Today is the third day of deliberations, which began after 81 days of the trial.

Mr Drumm (51) has pleaded not guilty to conspiring to defraud by dishonestly creating the impression that Anglo's customer deposits were 7.2bn larger than they really were in September 2008.

He is alleged to have conspired with Anglos former Finance Director Willie McAteer and head of Capital Markets John Bowe, as well as Irish Life and Permanents then-CEO, Denis Casey, and others.

The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case centres on a series of interbank deposits which circulated between Anglo and ILP during the financial crisis.

The transfers were routed through Irish Life Assurance (ILA), returning to Anglo where they were then treated as customer deposits, which are a better indicator of a banks health.

Mr Drumm also denies false accounting, by providing misleading information to the market.

When they retired to begin deliberations last week, Judge OConnor told the three women and nine men of the jury they must consider each charge separately and their verdicts must be unanimous.

An enlarged jury of 15 had been empanelled at the start of the trial due to its length and the potential for drop-outs, and 14 remained by the end.

However, only 12 can consider a verdict and they were selected randomly, with two sent home.

Last week, the jurors returned to the court to have one call - between Mr Drumm and Mr Bowe - replayed.

They have also been given transcripts of all the taped 2008 phone calls heard during the trial.THE jury in the trial of former Anglo Irish Bank CEO David Drumm has been sent home for the night after a third day of deliberations.

Judge Karen O'Connor sent the jurors away and told them to return to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court tomorrow, when they will continue to consider verdicts in the case.

The nine men and three women retired last Tuesday, after 81 days of the trial, and have been deliberating for just over seven hours so far.

There was a two-day delay last week when one juror member was unable to come to court on Thursday and Friday.

Mr Drumm (51) has pleaded not guilty to conspiring to defraud by dishonestly creating the impression that Anglo's customer deposits were 7.2bn larger than they really were in September 2008.

He is alleged to have conspired with Anglos former Finance Director Willie McAteer and head of Capital Markets John Bowe, as well as Irish Life and Permanents then-CEO, Denis Casey, and others.

The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case centres on a series of interbank deposits which circulated between Anglo and ILP during the financial crisis.

The transfers were routed through Irish Life Assurance (ILA), returning to Anglo where they were then treated as customer deposits, which are a better indicator of a banks health.

Mr Drumm also denies false accounting, by providing misleading information to the market.

The trial has been one of the longest-running in the history of the State.

This afternoon, when the jury had been deliberating for seven hours and 10 minutes, Judge Karen O'Connor sent them home and repeated her warning to them not to read anything about the case, "particularly at this stage when you are engaged in deliberations."

When they retired to begin deliberations last week, Judge OConnor told the three women and nine men of the jury they must consider each charge separately and their verdicts must be unanimous.

An enlarged jury of 15 had been empanelled at the start of the trial due to its length and the potential for drop-outs, and 14 remained by the end.

However, only 12 can consider a verdict and they were selected randomly, with two sent home.

Last week, the jurors returned to the court to have one call - between Mr Drumm and Mr Bowe - replayed.

They have also been given transcripts of all the taped 2008 phone calls heard during the trial.Police release photo of crash location (Inset: Two of the victims, Ruth and Kevin Burke)

A helicopter pilot should have turned back before he descended into low cloud brought on by a "complex weather system" in the Snowdonia mountains, an inquest has heard.

Company director Kevin Burke, 56, did not see the fast-approaching Rhinog Fawr Mountain and "inevitably" struck the side of it as he was killed instantly along with his Dublin-born wife Ruth, 49, brothers Donald, 55, and Barry, 51, and sister-in-law Sharon, 48, who was married to Donald.

The family members, who were from Milton Keynes and had strong Irish connections, were heading to Dublin on the afternoon of March 29 last year for a surprise party.

A hearing at Caernarfon into their deaths was told that "very experienced" pilot Kevin Burke had set off in good conditions near their home but as they passed North Wales they came across thick cloud and turbulence.

The alarm was raised in the early evening when Mr Burke's privately owned Twin Squirrel aircraft did not land at Dublin's Weston Airport at 2.30pm as expected.

Their bodies were later found with the wreckage of the completely destroyed helicopter in the remote Rhinog mountains near Trawsfynydd.

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Investigators concluded fellow company director Ruth was in the front passenger seat next to her husband, from Hulcote, with property developer Donald and his wife, Sharon, both from Bletchley, and Barry, a self-employed property maintenance man, from Oldbrook, sat in the rear.

Consultant forensic pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers said all five suffered massive impact trauma from the collision shortly before 1pm and were identified from their dental records.

He said toxicological tests on Kevin Burke showed he had consumed cocaine at some point prior to the crash but Dr Rodgers said he thought the usage was non-recent and ruled it was "highly unlikely" the pilot was under the influence of the drug at the relevant time.

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The inquest was told Mr Burke would fly the Twin Squirrel - which was properly maintained and in good condition - at least once a week for business or pleasure.

He held a private pilot's licence, was "very experienced" and had flown the route to Dublin previously, said Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) senior inspector Paul Hannant.

The terms of his licence did not allow Mr Burke to fly in cloud but he had recently undertaken a licency proficiency test in which he satisfactorily turned away in similar poor visibility.

Mr Hannant said: "The main point about the weather on that day was to begin with it was good but as you got to Wales there was a complex system of weather which brought down the cloud and created turbulence."

He said Mr Burke should have completed a 180-degree turn away from the rising ground instead of continuing to descend.

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"The aircraft should have turned round," he added. "Sadly, it did not and struck the mountain."

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In conclusion, HM Senior Coroner for North West Wales, Dewi Pritchard Jones, said Mr Burke's training and licence was for flying in conditions where he was able to see the terrain and that "ideally" he should have turned back in the thick cloud.

He pointed out that near Trawsfynydd there was an area of "relatively flattish land" and said: "Had he seen that through the cloud I am certain that would have given him the false confidence that he was at a good and safe height above ground level.

"Unfortunately, Rhinog Fawr is not a mountain that gradually increases in height. It is more a series of walls of steep ridges and rocks.

"My belief is that his instruments would not have given him much warning of the ridges.

"Being at the height he was, it was inevitable he would hit that ridge. It led to the complete destruction of the aircraft.

Recording verdicts of misadventure for all five deceased, he said: "Here we have a situation of sheer bad luck. This aircraft was not greatly below its safe height. It just clipped the mountainside."

Family members attended and were legally represented but did not wish to comment at the end of the inquest.A manager of a Dublin art supplies shop has avoided a jail term after gardai were tipped off by a credit card company that he had bought child pornography online.

Fionnbarr Kennedy (56) was at work in M Kennedy and Sons when gardai searched the premises and seized two phones and his laptop.

He accepted that the laptop was his own and nobody else had access to it. The computer was later analysed and 466 images retrieved through forensic processes from one of the hard drives. Nothing was found on either of the phones.

Detective Garda Michael Fitzgerald told Garrett McCormack BL, prosecuting, that 180 of these images depicted girls under 17 years of age engaged in sexual activity, while 280 were images of girls with their genitalia exposed. The remainder of the images were computer generated.

Kennedy, of Kingsmill Lane, Bray, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of child pornography at Kennedy and Sons on Harcourt Street, Dublin , on July 27, 2010. He was sentenced to two and half years in prison which was suspended in full.

The court heard that due to a backlog at the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau the laptop wasn't analysed until 2015. Kennedy was interviewed again but made no admissions.

He was charged in June 2016 and initially requested a trial date but changed his plea to guilty last April. He has no previous convictions.

Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged the considerable delay in charging Kennedy before he described it as a serious crime, which he said was not victimless.

He accepted that Kennedy had not distributed the images for profit nor had he circulated them.

Bernard Condon SC, defending, said the lengthy delay in bringing the case to court meant that his client had since moved on with his life.

At the time of the search he was going through a tough time with a divorce, counsel said before he added that Kennedy has since re-married. His second wife had a child in 2014 and he has children from his previous marriage.

Mr Condon told Judge Nolan that in 2014 Kennedy took his current wife for a walk and explained to her what had happened.

He had since engaged with counselling and a report from a forensic psychologist concluded that he was regretful of his involvement.Members of the public celebrate at Dublin Castle after the results of the referendum on the 8th Amendment Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Three separate applications have been initiated seeking permission to bring petitions challenging the result of the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment.

All three have been adjourned to Monday when they will come before the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly.

One of the petitions is by a Dublin woman, Joanna Jordan, who previously failed in her petition seeking to overturn the result of the 2012 Children's Referendum.

The second is by Charles Byrne, a musician and piano teacher from Drogheda and the third is by Ciaran Tracey, a retired public servant from Leitrim village.

Ms Jordan, St Kevins Villas, Glenageary Road Upper, Dun Laoghaire, is representing herself and has made various claims, including that large numbers of potential no voters being unable to vote due to de-registering. She also claims an unexplained swing towards the Yes side.

Mr Byrne, represented by Cormac o Ceallaigh solicitor, has made a range of claims concerning the Referendum Commissions information campaign and booklet, including that those failed to convey the nature, breadth and legal effect of the proposal being voted upon.

He also claims misstatements were publicly made by the Taoiseach and Minister for Health during the referendum campaign.

In his case, Mr Tracey also challenges the Referendum Commissions information campaign and booklet and says that included a serious omission in not referring to a decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of D v Ireland concerning the circumstances surrounding abortion in Ireland for fatal foetal abnormalities.

That omission was sufficiently serious to have had a material effect on the outcome of the referendum, he claims.

Mr Tracey claims the natural sincere sympathies of Irish people for women experiencing such pregnancies were played upon by politicians advocating a Yes vote.

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Under the Referendum Act, applications to bring petitions seeking leave to challenge the result of a referendum must be presented seven days after the official result is published in Irish Oifiguil.

That notice was published on Tuesday May 29 and Ms Jordan and Mr Byrne moved their intended petitions at the High Court on Monday.

Mr Justice Michael White, who was the duty High Court judge on the bank holiday, granted both applicants leave to prepare a petition and to serve a notice of motion.

He also directed the matter would return next Monday before Mr Justice Kelly.

On Tuesday, Mr Treacy, representing himself, said he wanted permission to challenge the referendum result via a petition and outlined the basis for that.

Mr Justice Kelly said he would adjourn the application to Monday so notice could be given to the relevant parties.

In her proceedings, Ms Jordan claims evidence is coming in of large numbers of potential no voters who were unable to vote due to de-registering and those included convents of nuns and residents of nursing homes.

She also claims thousands of young Irish citizens who were paid to return to vote were not questioned at polling stations about their time of residency abroad.

She also claims the tally of the number of votes cast per polling box was not always given when requested by the No side at the close of voting on May 25.

Mr Byrne claims various public statements by the Taoiseach and other government members to the effect the Eighth amendment endangered womens lives misled any voter who heard them and must also have undermined the credibility of No campaigners making contrary assertions.

Mr Tracey told the court on Tuesday the scope of the change to be effected by repeal of the Eighth amendment was not sufficiently addressed by the Referendum Commission.The trial of a late billionaire's son who was accused of unlawfully possessing over 1,200 bullets has collapsed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Today Judge Cormac Quinn told the jury that the prosecution had not proved how many rounds of ammunition Patrick James (PJ) Mansfield was entitled to possess.

The judge said because of this, the jury would be speculating on how many rounds Mr Mansfield (41) was not entitled to possess. He directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict on day 3 of the trial.

Mr Mansfield had denied possessing 1,252 rounds of .22 calibre ammunition without the relevant firearms licence at his former home in Coldwater Lakes, Saggart, Co Dublin on January 29, 2015.

Mr Mansfield's current address was given as Saggart House, Saggart. He has no previous convictions.

Judge Quinn told the jury that Mr Mansfield had been permitted by a firearms certificate to hold a Walther .22 pistol and a certain number of .22 caliber ammunition. He said gardai thought this number was 300 bullets.

Judge Quinn reminded the jurors that they had seen a photo of one side of Mr Mansfield's firearms certificate which showed he had been authorised to hold the gun. The judge said a photo of the other side, which had not been produced, would have shown how many rounds of ammunition Mr Mansfield had been permitted to hold.

He added that the person who had authorised the firearms certificate had also not been produced as a witness in the case. The judge said there were stringent requirements with prosecuting a case and a jury was not allowed to speculate on any issue.

Judge Quinn thanks the jurors for their diligence in the case and hoped they had found it an instructive experience.

During the trial, the jury heard evidence that Mr Mansfield was an authorised member of a gun club and a person of good character.

After his arrest Mr Mansfield told gardai that he didn't know he had that much ammunition in the house.

The trial heard that during an earlier audit inspection of firearm licensees, gardai checked out all the firearms licensed to Mr Mansfield but never asked for any ammunition to be produced.Bikes were deliberately left in hot spot locations in the south city on 50 occasions under Operation Chain, with gardai monitoring them, ready to swoop if anyone attempted to make off with them. Stock Image: PA

A Garda operation involving so-called 'bait bikes' to lure would-be thieves has led to 16 arrests in the capital, new figures reveal.

Bikes were deliberately left in 'hot spot' locations in the south city on 50 occasions under Operation Chain, with gardai monitoring them, ready to swoop if anyone attempted to make off with them.

New figures provided to Social Democrats TD Roisin Shortall suggest that arrests were made in around a third of instances that 'bait bikes' were deployed.

Now Ms Shortall has suggested the operation could be expanded to university campuses and to cities like Cork and Galway on a pilot basis.

The Dublin north-west TD said: "Bike theft is a real problem for cyclists in Dublin city and other cities and yet, because it often goes unreported to gardai, it's difficult to get a proper sense of the scale of it.

"Gardai's novel use of decoy bikes as a type of honey trap for thieves could be a useful deterrent," she added.

She said that any such operation should be justified by a "high rate of arrests and the appropriate number of prosecutions". Ms Shortall stressed that prevention is "always better than cure" and noted the need for bike users to have good locks.

She also said offices, apartment blocks and third-level institutions should have proper facilities where people can park their bikes so they are not left on the streets.

Operation Chain was devised by local Garda management in the Pearse Street Garda District.

In the information provided to Ms Shortall, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan outlined how it is an intelligence-led operation and involves co-operation with Dublin City Council.

Gardai have a number of 'bait bikes' that are deployed at 'hot spot' locations by the community policing unit.

The bikes are kept under surveillance by gardai who intercept individuals attempting to steal them. There are also follow-up enquiries with online retailers to see if the individual has been involved in attempts to sell bikes through websites.

The 16 arrests occurred in the year up to March. Of those cases, seven have been finalised with outcomes including three offenders receiving the Probation Act, one person sentenced to community service and another receiving an adult caution. Six other cases are before the courts.Completion of two new post-primary schools in Mayooth, Co Kildare will be delayed following the liquidation of the Sammon Group.

Maynooth Education Campus  to include two 1,000 pupil schools - was due to open in 2019, but as a result of the liquidation, the project will have to be retendered.

Work on the campus, which had a projected cost of 30m, started last year.

Other schools in which Sammon has been involved and which are almost complete, are expected to be able to open in September, as the tender process to identify a replacement contractor to finish the work and for facilities management is at an advanced stage.

Education Minister Richard Bruton said the schools which were closest to completion remain best positioned to be finished for September and all efforts are being made to achieve this.

He added that the Department was also working with the school authorities on any necessary contingency arrangements for September

Sammon has expressed immense sadness at the appointment of the liquidator .

Mr Bruton expressed regret that it had not been possible to secure the survival of Sammon Contracting Ireland Ltd as a growing concern.

He said it would come as a particular blow to employees of the company and to its sub-contractors.

The minister has requested his Department to provide him with a critical path for the completion of the Maynooth campus project and to consider how each stage in that critical path can be delivered as quickly as possible  while also ensuring that the quality and integrity of the project is fully protected.Research conducted by Hays Ireland found that 78pc of employers experienced skills shortages in 2017. Many companies have had to hire from overseas as there are not enough skilled workers in Ireland to meet demand.

This represents a significant opportunity for college students. Choosing one of the most in-demand job markets will almost guarantee a job after graduating. But where are these jobs?

According to the National Skills Bulletin 2017 produced by SOLAS for the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, the strongest demand for skills is in the construction industry, STEM categories of information and communication technology (ICT) and engineering, financial services and industrial sectors.

Trayc Keevans, Global FDI Director at Morgan McKinley recruitment consultancy, backs up this report and adds data science and biopharma/biotechnology to the list of industries.

"It is no surprise these areas are the most in-demand," says Trayc. "Ireland continues to be at the forefront of emerging and evolving global industries. Ireland constantly pushes innovation to ensure there are relevant employment opportunities for its highly skilled workforce and graduate community."

Let's take a look at some of these top industries looking for highly skilled graduates:

Data science: One of the fastest growing skill-sets in-demand is data science and analytics. Within this industry there is a need for data scientists, data analysts, machine learning engineers and business intelligence analysts.

Data science involves organising and analysing data collected by an organisation, such as sales figures and market research. They then communicate their data to the company which can influence how an organisation conducts their business. Maths, data modelling and statistics are vital to the role and the average starting salary can be quite high.

"The recently enacted GDPR legislation is influencing a hiring demand for data privacy professionals across all industry sectors," says Trayc. "This includes professional services, insurance, travel and financial services."

Those working in data science and analytics can work in a vast number of other industries and there will be even more industries in need of data experts in the future. Many colleges offer degrees in this subject, but those holding a mathematics, statistics or technical degree would also be suited to the role.

Engineering: Engineering in any discipline will always be a needed skill. But in today's world, the engineering sector is facing unprecedented demand. The main skills shortages include process automation engineers, quality engineers, design engineers, utilities engineers and validation engineers.

In particular, the automotive industry is going through a major transformation globally, as it transitions towards full autonomous driving cars.

Read more: Top skills for college students

"This sector has been gaining traction in Ireland over the past year," continues Trayc. "Big global names establishing operations here include JaguarLandRover in Shannon and Aptiv in Dublin, alongside already established operations of General Motors in Limerick and Valeo in Galway. This shows there is much need for engineers in this area.

"There are new emerging positions such as perception engineers, and embedded software engineers, who design and develop the software that makes computers or other devices. There are also functional safety engineers, who ensure the design and development of products/solutions are carried out to a functional safety standard."

Engineering courses are available in most universities and institutes around the country, where you can specialise in specific areas.

Financial services: As the economy has improved over the years, so too has the financial services sector risen from its depths after the recession. The financial sector employs over 35,000 people in Ireland and it is expected to increase.

Ireland is an attractive base for foreign financial services operations from the United States and Asia due to the highly-skilled workforce, English-speaking population and proximity to Europe. In-demand jobs within the financial sector include fund accounting, risk and control, depository, compliance, AML (anti-money laundering) and product management.

Degrees in colleges around Ireland can be found in accountancy, mathematics, business and finance.

ICT: Many emerging skills shortages are driven by the speed of the technological changes across industries, for example, in automation, artificial intelligence and robotics.

ICT areas demand skilled graduates in software development, web design and cyber security.

Trayc adds: "Cyber security breaches internationally are resulting in a greater demand for cyber security professionals, including security engineers and ethical hackers.

"We are playing catch-up in these areas and the local universities and institutes are designing courses to support the growth of this skill-set."

Biopharma/Biotechnology: The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing significant growth in Ireland with major pharmaceutical companies setting up Irish operations.

Skills shortages in this industry are for roles such as chemists/analytical scientists especially in product formulation, analytical development for roles in biopharma, and quality control analysts including drug safety roles.

Highly skilled graduates in these type of roles attract international companies to set up in Ireland and they look for a more modern mix of employees.

"International employers are closely monitoring the gender mix of graduates, particularly in STEM-related disciplines where historically, females have been fewer in numbers," says Trayc. "Their express need is to achieve a gender balance that is lacking in their parent organisations. This means that more women are definitely needed in these areas."

But no matter how high the employability or the salary is for an industry, the most important part of the CAO choices is that you have an interest in them and feel like you would love to work in these areas as a career. There is no point in picking a course only to learn that you hate every part of the job. Pick a job you love and you will never work a day in your life!Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is planning to paint Fianna Fail as a populist party whose spending would damage the economy. Photo: PA

A secret Fine Gael working group has been devising a plan to launch a serious attack on Fianna Fail in the build-up to Budget 2019, the Irish Independent can reveal.

The small, internal team has spent recent weeks compiling a list of spending demands made by opposition spokespeople in preparation for the most difficult of the three budgets under the confidence and supply arrangement.

They have calculated Micheal Martin's party has sought spending worth a "conservative" 1.5bn since the start of this year alone.

Documents seen by this newspaper also show Taoiseach Leo Varadkar plans to paint Fianna Fail as a "populist" party with "roulette wheel economics".

Fears that a battle between the two parties to take ownership of October's Budget could spark an election will be heightened by news of the group's ongoing analysis of every statement being made by Fianna Fail TDs.

The committee, which is primarily compromised of Fine Gael staff members, is acting at the behest of the Taoiseach, who warned in April that he would be "keeping a record of all the promises" made by Mr Martin.

However, Fine Gael TD for Longford/Westmeath Peter Burke, who is a chartered accountant, confirmed to the Irish Independent he had been involved behind the scenes on costing proposals.

A preliminary report contains a breakdown of individual demands made by Fianna Fail frontbench TDs in either the media or the Dail. It describes a figure of 1.5bn as "a minimum and conservative estimate" because it does not include "25 further spending calls which we have been unable to cost".

Among the list of costed items cited are an extra 200m to support suckler farmers, an additional 163m spending on roads, and 120m to reverse Fempi cuts to GPs.

The group's analysis is expected to be widely shared as Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe prepares to do battle with Fianna Fail's finance spokesmen Michael McGrath and Barry Cowen.

Mr Donohoe has previously indicated 1.3bn will be available on Budget Day for new tax cuts and spending increases.

Sources in both parties have admitted to having doubts over whether it will be possible to hammer out a budget that suits both sides.

Damage

Despite the potential to damage relations between the two largest parties, Mr Burke last night stood firmly by the study, saying it showed the "reckless, populist and uncosted policies that would lead the country back down the road to ruin at a time when the Government is balancing the books for the first time in 10 years".

He said Fianna Fail needed to be challenged for failing to produce "real figures to back up reckless spending calls".

"Hoping your numbers will come up is not socially responsible government," he said.

"Michael McGrath speaks of fiscal prudence and yet he allows his Fianna Fail colleagues to run wild with hundreds of millions in extra spending being promised every week to every interest group.

"None of these promises can be trusted, this is dishonest politics," Mr Burke said.Most Irish people of a certain age equate the month of June with one feeling: the grim spectre of exams looming large. For around 120,000 school children, the wait is over. In the next couple of weeks, the fruits of their labour are either ripe for picking, or will wither on the vine.

For their parents, who recall all too well the taste of low-level panic on their tongue (and probably still have nightmares about Maths Paper 1 to this day), exam day can be every bit as stressful. And when it comes to divining a fine line between motivating and aggravating, things can get very fraught at home.

Paul Gilligan, CEO of St Patrick's Mental Health Services, says: "Every young person approaches this life event differently... Unfortunately, giving advice that suits every single person is not possible, but we do know that these exams can be anxiety provoking for many young people and their parents."

Psychologist David Carey observes: "If you have one of those children who shines in exams, that's a wonderful thing, but with others who are better as free thinkers, you have to help them understand that they have to comply a little with the social norm, which is in this case, exams.

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"But ultimately, it's about reminding them to do the best they can, and to focus on the efforts made."

1. Speak only when spoken to

According to Carey, most parents would do well to simply keep calm and carry on. Hammering home the idea that exams are the singular most important event in a young person's life is well, a bit ill advised.

"The one thing you don't do (during exams week) as a parent is get involved, asking incessantly if they're studying, as that will only raise their anxiety levels," he says. "The vast majority of young people will study according to how their own brain works. And motivating your kids to study should have started well before this week."

For Beatrice Dooley, vice president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, silence is, indeed, golden.

"As a parent, you have survived the Leaving Cert, you know everything, you are older, wiser and your child should listen to you, right? Wrong," she says.

"As to when to help, the answer is simple - only when asked, otherwise reverse swiftly off stage. My advice is, for the next few weeks speak only when spoken to. Listen to your offspring even when they are silent. Say supportive stuff like 'I understand, that must be really difficult for you. I hear what you are saying. Would you like a cup of tea?' And then leg it. Things like door slamming, muttering, swearing, cursing, dirty looks, eye rolling, erratic mood swings and staring into space can be (overlooked)."

2. Focus on practicalities

Rather than impart their own wisdom on exam taking, parents can offer support during exam time in much more practical ways.

"Your job as a parent is to hide your anxiety, not transfer it on to them," notes Enda O'Doherty of StudySkillsIreland.com.

"Be the rock and the support and say things like, 'I'm so proud of you. Keep going.' Don't be the one to initiate post-mortems on exam day. On a more practical level, drive your child to the exam in loads of time (and have a Plan B in case of diversions), and on exam week, offer them the meals that you know that they like, almost as a small treat."

Adds David Duffy, education and research officer with the Teachers' Union of Ireland: "Some level of exam stress is inevitable and can be useful in spurring you on to perform at your best. However, if (students find themselves) becoming excessively stressed, eg losing sleep or becoming upset, then students and parents/guardians should talk.

"The simple act of a student telling people how they're feeling at the moment can often go a long way to relieving the pressure."

3. Encourage breaks

During revision, taking a breather is the best way to make sure that students don't feel overwhelmed.

"Usually five minutes every 35 minutes or alternatively 10 minutes every hour," says David Duffy. "Trying to plough through material without a break results in a lack of concentration."

Mindfulness is an easy and instantaneous way to ensure that youngsters don't feel overwhelmed by exams. Relaxation exercises can be as simple as sitting comfortably, closing the eyes, clenching fists while taking deep breaths, and then releasing breath and hands very slowly.

"As teachers, we are starting to talk to kids about wellbeing and mindfulness, and it's something that parents need to know, too," says Aine Devlin, co-founder of examrevision.ie.

"I think that not making things focused on the exams all the time is a really good way to boost confidence. As parent, talk to them about the small goals they have made. Just that sense of gratification will help them feel as though they are on the right track."

4. Bedtime reminders

"Parents need to be supportive too in how much sleep their child is getting," adds Devlin.

"Many parents will tell their kids to go to bed, and will hear back, 'But I need to study! Why are you telling me to stop studying!' But it's a parent's responsibility to ensure that the student goes to bed at a decent time, and that internet and devices are switched off 20 minutes before bed."

5. Lead by example

Far from leaving a student in isolation to cram in their bedroom, keeping the lines of communication open is hugely important.

"As students get more stressed and tense, we will notice that we have less patience than usual, their fuse is shorter and they tend to get upset more easily," observes Gilligan. "This is a totally normal response to the pressure and anxiety of such a large event. Make sure as a parent that your child knows that you love them."

Ultimately, taking a more relaxed approach to exams as a parent is a good way to lead by example. That way, students are more likely to let go of stress, anxiety and fear.

"Exams have been hyped up so much as a defining moment," Carey notes. "I don't deny the fact exams have some relevance in a person's life, but no one really asks, once you leave college, how you ever did in school exams.

"We may think of it as being hyped up to the level of national obsession, but exam performance has nothing to do with how happy or well-adjusted kids are, or how valuable people are as contributing members of society."

Beatrice Dooley's tips for students

* If you're the perfectionist: "Remember the Leaving Cert is just a stepping stone to the next stage, you just need to get the points you need and to satisfy specific and minimum subject requirements for your course of choice. Try to enjoy the experience of going in to the exam and showing off all of your knowledge after all your hard graft."

* If you're the high achiever: "Consider time management. Is there one subject that you are spending a huge amount of time on to the detriment of others? For example, are you spending one hour on one subject nightly and three hours on the other six overall? You have so much information in your head your biggest danger is that you might get lost in the detail."

* If you're the grafter: "Do you know that personality and emotional intelligence are extremely important contributing factors to success in the workplace not to mention life? Do not be afraid to let your personality shine through in your answers."

* If you're the anxious student: "Every time you catch yourself worrying, say 'DELETE'. Imagine you are walking into the exam, you feel good, you slept well and you are feeling confident. When you notice your mind wandering, try to stay present. Instead of worrying about stuff that has not yet happened, focus on what is actually happening."The death toll from the eruption of Guatemala's Fuego Volcano rose to 62 last night, with rescuers expecting to find more bodies.

First responders in helicopters managed to pull at least 10 people alive from ash drifts and mud flows that were up to the rooflines of some homes, forcing rescuers to use sledgehammers to break through the roofs to see if anyone was trapped inside.

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Residents of El Rodeo, about 12km down-slope from the crater, said they were caught unaware by the fast-moving hot ash and rock when the volcano west of Guatemala City exploded on Sunday.

Searing flows of ash mixed with water and debris gushed down the volcano's flanks, blocking roads and burning homes.

Hilda Lopez said the volcanic mud swept into her village of San Miguel Los Lotes, just below the mountain's flanks, and she did not know where her mother and sister were.

"We were at a party, celebrating the birth of a baby, when one of the neighbours shouted to come out and see the lava that was coming," the distraught woman said.

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"When we went out the hot mud was already coming down the street."

"My mother was stuck there, she couldn't get out," said Ms Lopez, weeping and holding her face in her hands.

At least 62 people were confirmed dead, according to Fanuel Garcia, director of the National Institute of Forensic Science.

All came from the hamlets of Los Lotes and El Rodeo, but only 13 had been identified so far because the flows that reached temperatures as high as 700C had disfigured the bodies.

"We're having a lot of trouble identifying them because some of the dead lost their features or their fingerprints. We're going to have to use other anthropological methods and if possible take DNA samples to identify them," Mr Garcia said.

Some residents of El Rodeo said they never learned of the danger until it was upon them - and were critical of authorities.

"When the lava was already here they passed by in their pick-up trucks yelling at us to leave, but the cars did not stop to pick up the people," said Rafael Letran, a resident of El Rodeo.

Authorities have said they feared the death toll could rise with an undetermined number of people unaccounted for.

Among the fatalities were four people, including a disaster agency official, killed when lava set a house on fire in El Rodeo, National Disaster Co-ordinator Sergio Cabanas said.

Two children were burned to death as they watched the volcano's second eruption this year from a bridge, he added.

Dramatic video showed a fast-moving flow of mud, ash and slurry slamming into and partly destroying a bridge on a highway between the towns of Sacatepequez and Escuintla.A boat is seen at a harbour in the southern island of Kerkenna, where migrants departed from last week before their boat sank,Tunisia. Picture taken June 4, 2018. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

The weekend capsizing off Tunisia of an overloaded smuggling boat is now believed to have killed 112 migrants, making it the deadliest shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea this year, the UN migration agency said.

Spokesman Leonard Doyle, of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said it counted 60 confirmed deaths and 52 people missing and presumed dead from the capsizing off the eastern city of Sfax.

Sixty-eight people survived.

Mr Doyle said the toll makes the capsizing "the single biggest incident of dead and missing this year" on the Mediterranean, after two other shipwrecks off the Libyan coast in January and February that each left 100 people dead or missing and presumed dead.

The IOM said Tunisians make up most migrants now attempting the crossing in the central Mediterranean route towards Italy.Falling burning debris at the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire in London last June. Photo: Guilhem Baker/LNP

The cladding system on the outside of Grenfell Tower was so conducive to the spread of fire it did not support the "stay-put" policy normally in place for a building of its type, a report has found.

The stay-put strategy pursued by the fire service on June 14 last year had "effectively failed" barely half an hour after the fire started, at 1.26am, Dr Barbara Lane wrote. 71 people died in the tragedy.

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She also claimed that the key players involved in the 2016 refurbishment had not ascertained how the new cladding system would behave in a fire.

Fire safety engineer Dr Lane made the remarks in an expert report commissioned by the Grenfell Tower inquiry on the fire protection measures within the 25-storey building.

Tests showed the materials forming the cladding system, individually and together, did not comply "with the recommended fire performance" set out in guidance for a building of that height, the report said.

She wrote: "Additionally, I conclude that the entire system could not adequately resist the spread of fire over the walls having regard to height, use and position of the building.

"Specifically, the assembly failed adequately to resist the spread of fire to an extent that supported the required 'stay-put' strategy for this high-rise residential building.

"There were multiple catastrophic fire-spread routes created by the construction form and construction detailing."

The windows lacked fire resisting cavity barriers and were surrounded by combustible material, meaning there was a "disproportionately high probability" of fire spreading to the cladding, she added.

Dr Lane wrote: "I have found no evidence yet that any member of the design team or the construction ascertained the fire performance of the rainscreen cladding system materials, nor understood how the assembly performed in fire.

"I have found no evidence that Building Control were either informed or understood how the assembly would perform in a fire."

Neither the Tenant Management Organisation nor London Fire Brigade recorded how the cladding would respond to a fire in their risk assessments, she said.

Poorly performing fire doors "contributed significantly to the spread of smoke and fire to the lobbies," Dr Lane found.

She wrote in her report that this failure "would have materially affected the ability or willingness of occupants to escape independently through this space to the stair".

It would have also hindered the ability of firefighters to rescue many people on the tower's upper floors.

In 2011, the Tenant Management Organisation - which ran the building - replaced 106 flat entrance fire doors. None of the doors on any of the 120 flats - including the 14 not replaced - were compliant with the fire test evidence relied upon at the time of installation, Dr Lane found.

These shortcomings would have had a number of consequences, including failure to prevent the spread of smoke and flame by leakage through gaps between the door leaf and door frame.

Escape

Another failure of an "unknown number of doors" to self-close after an occupant escaped would have allowed "immediate" spread of fire and smoke.

The lobbies could therefore not be used as a "safe air environment" by the fire service bridgehead, forcing it to remain below level 4 until 7.30am.

"This greatly reduced the time available using breathing apparatus, and so the time available for rescue on the upper floors, and particularly above level 15," she said.

Firefighters may have contributed to the spread of fire and smoke into the stairwell by leaving doors ajar as they fought the blaze, Dr Lane found.

She wrote: "I have identified the fact that the firefighting operations in response to the multi-storey fire may have contributed to the failure of the stair fire doors to prevent fire and smoke spread.

"Current evidence indicates some of the stair doors were ajar as firefighting hoses were running from the stair into the lobby.

"However, I cannot yet conclude whether this made a significant contribution."

In one case, a fire door to the stairwell was held open by a body, the report said.

The automatic air ventilation system in the building was not "in accordance with current statutory guidance" and there was evidence it did not operate as intended, Dr Lane wrote.

The lifts in the building also failed to perform effectively in the fire, hindering firefighter equipment transport and creating an "unnecessary risk" to residents who could not use it to escape.

The tower also used a "dry fire main" - meaning the fire service had to pump it with its own water - that was "non-compliant with the design guidance in force at the time of the original construction and is also non-compliant with current standards".

This stopped firefighters getting water to the upper floors as effectively as a wet main, which provides more pressure by being already charged with a pump connected when the service arrives.

Four further expert reports have been released as the first day of evidence got under way.

In his opening remarks, Richard Millett QC, counsel to the inquiry, said: "The fundamental question which lies at the heart of our work is how, in London in 2017, a domestic fire developed so quickly and so catastrophically that an entire high rise block was engulfed, and how it was that 71 people lost their lives in a matter of hours."The government sold some shares in 2015 and took a 1.1bn (1.25bn) loss. Photo: PA

The British government has launched a sale of 925 million shares in Ulster Bank parent Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for around 2.6bn (2.9bn) as it seeks to return the bank to private hands, the government unit managing its stake said yesterday.

As with sales of stakes in bailed out Irish banks, the RBS sale will crystallise a loss for the UK government.

It rescued RBS in 2008 at an average price of 502p a share. Those shares closed at 281p each yesterday.

UK taxpayers took a majority stake in RBS by pumping 45.5bn (51.8bn) into the bank at the height of the financial crisis. About a third of the total rescue was used to prop up the bank's Ulster Bank arm, which was left carrying massive losses on boom era real estate, commercial property loans and mortgages after the crash.

The sale of a 7.7pc stake is being managed by Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, UK Government Investments, which manages the country's RBS holding, said.

Ahead of the sale, UK finance minister Philip Hammond had said he wanted to re-start a gradual sell down of the government's 70pc stake in the bank some time before April 2019.

The government sold some shares in 2015 and took a 1.1bn (1.25bn) loss.

Buyers are likely to include funds that already hold some of the 30pc of the bank owned through the stock market.

The opposition Labour Party is opposed to re-privatisation of the UK bank.

"All further sales of RBS shares should be halted, and the bank reorganised under public control," the party's John McDonnell said.George Soros, the billionaire anti-Brexit campaigner, has warned the European Union could collapse if Brussels fails to appease Italy's new Eurosceptic government and reform the eurozone.

"There is a strong inclination in Europe to use the occasion to teach Italy a lesson," said Mr Soros.

"If the EU follows this line, it will dig its own grave.

"The euro has many unresolved problems and they must not be allowed to destroy the EU," he wrote in an opinion piece for the Italian newspaper 'Corriere della Sera'.

The philanthropist called on the EU to give Italy compensation for its efforts during the migration crisis, which exposed stark divisions in the bloc. 700,000 migrants and refugees have arrived from Libya in the last five years.

"The EU is threatened by Trump's America, Putin's Russia, Erdogan's Turkey and Assad's Syria.

"Inside, Poland and Hungary are undermining the values on which the EU is based, but Italy is emerging as the most pressing challenge to its sustainability," Mr Soros, a Hungarian American, said.

"The disintegration of Europe is no longer a figure of speech; it is a harsh reality," said Mr Soros, who is backing the 'Best for Britain' campaign for a second Brexit vote before the end of the year.

Italy and Greece have borne the brunt of the migration crisis, while countries such as Hungary and Poland have refused to accept redistributed refugees under the EU's quota system.

Mr Soros, one of the world's most successful investors, said the crisis spurred voters to back the anti-migrant League and anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which formed a coalition government in Rome last week.

Slovenian voters have made the anti-immigrant SDS the country's largest party in elections held this weekend.

The SDS is an ally of Hungary's strongman leader Viktor Orban, who has waged a campaign of persecution against Mr Soros, but is expected to struggle to form a government.

Hungary and Poland are also at loggerheads with the EU over what Brussels fears is a swing towards authoritarianism.

Mr Soros (87) predicted the new Italian government could fall after putting forward a budget that breaks Brussels' tight fiscal rules on public spending, leading to fresh elections.

If the EU tried to punish Rome for electing a populist government, he said, Italians would re-elect Five Star and the League with an increased majority.

On Saturday, Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, denied Brussels would meddle in Italian affairs.

"I prefer to keep calm and I will not interfere in domestic Italian issues," he said.

"I have not interfered, although I have been tempted to."

The coalition is threatening to throw fiscal prudence to the wind and to embark on a spending splurge that economists estimate could cost Italy, which has a huge public debt, anything from 100bn to 170bn a year.

Five Star has previously called for a referendum on Italy's membership of the single currency but that has been dropped in favour of a push to force Brussels to negotiate reforms.

Mr Soros, who made a fortune betting against the pound in 1992, said the Italian people had "legitimate complaints as to the way the euro area is being managed" but the new government should stop threatening to leave the single currency. Any "innovation that could be seen as a parallel currency" would trigger a run on government bonds and banks.

The founder of the Open Society Foundation, meanwhile, has predicted that Germany and France could be in conflict over who will succeed Mr Juncker next year.

"The EU has little chance of avoiding disintegration unless the Franco-German alliance holds together.

"But that alliance is endangered by the elections for the European Parliament in 2019 where they will be opposing each other in order to control the selection of the next president of the European Commission," he said.

Mr Soros added: "France and Germany have many other issues to resolve, the most important of which is the future of the euro area."

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, has called for a series of ambitious eurozone reforms.

This weekend, in an opinion piece in a German newspaper, Angela Merkel set out her far more conservative response to some of Mr Macron's major ideas, highlighting the divides between Paris and Berlin on the future of the EU. ( Daily Telegraph, London)The Islamic State groups affiliate in Afghanistan has claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide bombing that targeted a meeting of the countrys top clerics in the capital, Kabul.

At least seven people were killed and 20 were wounded in Mondays attack, which came shortly after the body of religious leaders  known as the Afghan Ulema Council  had issued a decree against suicide attacks and called for peace talks.

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The IS claim, posted on a website linked to the militant group, says the gathering in Kabul was a meeting of tyrant clerics who were discussing the fight against what they call terrorism.

Shortly after the bombing, the Taliban denied involvement in the attack, though they also denounced the gathering and its religious decree, or fatwa.Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sexual act charges at a court hearing in New York.

The 66-year-old film producer appeared at a Manhattan court for the hearing on Tuesday, his first public appearance since he was first charged less than two weeks ago.

He wore a black suit and tie, and was accompanied by his lawyer Benjamin Brafman as he arrived at the court to a crowd of reporters and photographers.

Mr Brafman previously said that the filmmaker intended to enter a plea of not guilty against the charges, which relate to two separate women.

After Weinstein was charged on May 25, Mr Brafman said in a statement outside the Manhattan court: "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 and we believe that by the end of the process, Mr Weinstein will be exonerated."

Weinstein's not guilty plea comes after he was indicted by a grand jury on the charges - rape in the first and third degrees, and a criminal sexual act in the first degree - last Wednesday.

He was due to face the grand jury, the panel convened by the Manhattan District Attorney, at the time, but he did not attend on the advice of his lawyers.

They said the former movie mogul did not have enough time to prepare to testify, and that he only learned on the day he was charged of the identities of the two women relating to the charges.

The day he was charged was Weinstein's first public appearance since facing numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.

He is currently out on a one million dollar (751,060) bail, and must wear an electronic tracking device at all times.

He has also surrendered his passport and has agreed to stay within the states of New York and Connecticut.

Weinstein denies all allegations of non-consensual sex.Melania Trump will not accompany her husband to the G7 summit in Canada or the Singapore meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The announcement by the White House came more than three weeks since Ms Trump attended a public event, and followed her hospitalisation for a kidney procedure.

President Donald Trump will travel to Quebec for the G7, an event where world leaders are often accompanied by their spouses, on Friday and Saturday.

He will then fly on to Singapore ahead of his historic planned talk with Mr Kim on June 12. It is unclear whether Mr Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju, will attend.

Stephanie Grisham, the US first lady's spokeswoman, said: "She will not attend the G7 and there are no plans for her to travel to Singapore."

Ms Trump was expected to attend her first public engagement since leaving hospital last night.

The event was a reception at the White House for families of service members killed in the line of duty, but was closed to the media.

Ms Trump's last public appearance was on May 10 when she accompanied her husband to Andrews Air Force Base to welcome home three Americans who had been held prisoner in North Korea.

On May 14 she was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Maryland for the kidney procedure.

Ms Trump underwent an embolisation, which is most frequently used to cut off the flow of blood to a tumour or growth.

The White House has given few details of the condition but has said it was "benign". She returned to the White House on May 19.

Last week Ms Trump sought to quell speculation about her health.

She tweeted: "I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I'm doing.

"Rest assured, I'm here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!"

And a journalist for CNBC announced on Twitter last week: "Not that this will deter the conspiracy theorists, but I saw the First Lady walking with her aides in the West Wing yesterday afternoon."

Ms Trump's spokeswoman said that she has been having meetings with her staff and making plans for future White House events, including the annual Congressional Picnic later this month and July 4 celebrations. ( Daily Telegraph, London)A purse collected by the Rev Robert Summers from the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde in the 1870s (Gillian Flaccus/AP)

Tribal artefacts that have been hidden away in the archives of the British Museum for nearly 120 years are being returned to a Native American tribe for an exhibit at its own museum.

The 16 objects will go on display on a small Oregon reservation after a decades-long campaign by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde to bring them back from Europe.

The intricate bowls, woven baskets and other pieces were collected by the Rev Robert W Summers, an Episcopal minister who bought them from tribal members in the 1870s and sold them to a colleague.

The colleague later gifted the objects to the British institution.

Expand Close A spear head collected by the Rev Robert Summers (Gillian Flaccus/AP) / Facebook

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The Rise of the Collectors exhibit, on display at the Chachalu Tribal Museum and Cultural Centre in Grand Ronde, also includes basketry collected by Dr Andrew Kershaw, who worked on the reservation in the 1890s as a doctor and agent for the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Together, the two collections are part of a larger plan by the Grand Ronde to reclaim and examine its history for future generations  a mission that echoes efforts by other tribes around the United States.

Two years ago, a Parisian auction house withdrew a ceremonial shield from an auction after the Acoma Pueblo, a tribe in rural New Mexico, moved to halt its sale.

And tribes from Alaska to Connecticut have used a US law passed in 1990 to reclaim Native American remains and sacred or funerary objects.

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde wanted the objects back permanently, but worked out an initial year-long loan because a full return of items from the British Museum requires parliamentary action, said David Harrelson, manager of the tribes cultural resources department.

Expand Close The bone handle of a canoe carving adze(Gillian Flaccus/AP) / Facebook

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The tribe never made a formal request to have the objects repatriated and instead chose to work with the London institution.

The temporary exhibit is regarded as a first step to more collaboration between the Grand Ronde and the British Museum.

Its a real privilege to be a part of this, where this material heritage is coming back to this community, said Amber Lincoln, curator of the Americas section of the British Museum.

She and a colleague travelled to Oregon with the objects.

This is what we work for, to bring people together  so that we all learn.The boardroom battle at Stobart Group is heating up (PA)

Stobart has confirmed that a group of key shareholders are manoeuvring to install retail boss Philip Day as chairman of the firm.

The infrastructure business is under pressure from former chief executive Andrew Tinkler, former director Allan Jenkinson and the fund controlled by star investor Neil Woodfood.

The group owns 33% of Stobarts shares, and the company will now convene a meeting to allow all shareholders to vote on the appointment.

I have been very clear that the Stobart Group needs a stable board and management teamWarwick Brady

Stobarts nomination committee will meet ahead of the vote to decide on its advise for shareholders.

Th bid to appoint Mr Day, who owns high street retailers including Peacocks and Edinburgh Woollen Mill, comes amid a tense boardroom battle at Stobart.

Last week, Stobart unleashed a tirade against Mr Tinkler, who was once chief executive at the company, for trying to boot out incumbent chairman Iain Ferguson.

The board criticised Mr Tinkler, saying he had destabilised the group at a critical time.

Stobart expressed full confidence in Mr Ferguson, and recommended that shareholders re-elect him at the AGM.

Warwick Brady, chief executive of Stobart, said in a statement: I have been very clear that the Stobart Group needs a stable board and management team to support the execution of this plan, underpinned by strong and effective corporate governance.

Separately, the group said on Tuesday that it had found an excellent female candidate to replace non executive director John Garbutt, who will step down at Stobarts annual general meeting (AGM).Two farmers in South Africa captured the incredible moment a high-speed asteroid the size of a car exploded before hitting the Botswana savannah.

The footage was posted to Facebook by farmer Barend Swanepoel at 6.40pm and shows the asteroid quickly approaching his farm at Ottosdalnear the border with Botswana at 6.40 pm.

The farmer said he was driving home from his neighbours when he saw the huge fireball in the sky.

The advantage I had was I saw it in colour and it was not like on the cameras. It was a fireball falling with this red tail behind and I thought that the grassland is going to burn, said Mr Swanepoel.

The massive space rock was discovered by NASA eight hours before it hurtled down from the sky and blew up 30 miles before impact.

NASAs asteroid trackers quickly determined the six foot wide rock was not large enough to pose a serious threat to Earth. While the asteroid did not present any danger, NASA officials have said the experience was a good training exercise for scientists and asteroid observers.

NASAs planetary defence officer said in a statement: This was a much smaller object than we are tasked to detect and warn about. However, this real-world event allows us to exercise our capabilities and gives some confidence our impact prediction models are adequate to responde to the potential impact of a larger object.After 2015, Armaan Kohli is back in news. And this time for all the wrong reasons. Armaan who was allegedly dating Neeru Randhawa has filed an FIR against the actor for physically assaulting her.

2. Here's Everything That Hints At Priyanka Chopra's Rumoured Affair With American Singer-Actor Nick Jonas

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas are painting the whole city of America red with their cozy dinner dates. The gossip mills can't stop talking about the rumoured couple as they have been captured being quite cozy around each other.

3. Swara Bhasker Reveals She Was Initially Offered Shikha Talsanias Role In Veere Di Wedding

"But when I heard the script I loved it, it was unapologetic, and something that you have not seen in the commercial films before and I though it's important that this story has to be told. Also, Rhea had initially offered me the role of Meera what Shikha is playing. And I had finished the shooting of Tanu Weds Manu Returns in 2016."

4. Vikas Gupta Trolled For Not Dividing His Prize Money With Arshi & Jyoti, Even After He Offered Them

Months have passed by, and rumours are doing the rounds that he hasn't paid them yet. A couple of days ago, Arshi Khan too claimed she hasnt received the prize money promised to her. And thats what led to a flurry of trolls against Vikas Gupta.

5. Despite Being Accused Of Molesting Daughter, Woody Allen Insists He Should Be The Poster Boy For #MeToo

Im in principle, and in spirit, completely in favor of their bringing to justice genuine harassers, Allen said during the interview with Argentinas Channel 13.There has not been a single film in India this year that has released and not caused a stir. Right from Padmaavat, Padman, Veerey Di Wedding and now Rajinikanth's Kaala, most of the movies have been creating quite a controversy before release.

Earlier last week, Karnataka distributors and exhibitors decided not to screen the Rajinikanth-starrer in theatres across the state to protest the superstar's stand on the Cauvery river water row with Tamil Nadu.

Instagram/Rajinikanth FC

"In view of the public outrage over Rajinikanth's recent remarks on the setting up of a Cauvery Management Board, distributors and exhibitors have decided not to screen any version his movie 'Kaala' in any theatre in the state, and we welcome it," Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) President Sa Ra Govindu told IANS last week.

The Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce have banned the film, and some fringe groups have threatened cinema owners of dire consequences. With that move, Kaala just might lose Rs 20 crore.

Instagram/rajini FC

In recent developments, the makers filed a petition in HC about the same and asked for additional security. And the good news is here. According to trade analyst, Ramesh Bala, the movie has been given a go ahead by the govt.

#BREAKING: #Kaala will be screened in all the Multiplexes in #Bengaluru from June 7th..

Single screens are yet to be finalized.. Will be done soon..

HC asks State Govt to provide protection to all the theaters who are willing to screen #Kaala  Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) June 5, 2018

#BREAKING: #Karnataka HC asks Producers of #Kaala to give the list of Theaters to State Govt..

Then State to give protection to these theaters when the movie releases..  Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) June 5, 2018

Infact, Karnataka HC has also asked producers of Kaala to give the list of theatres to State govt. so that sufficient security and protection can be provided during the screening.

Twitter

The film has been dubbed in Telugu and Hindi for an all-India release on June 7 and its trailer has received over 2 million hits and views already.Pop-up ads are undoubtedly one of the most irritating thing that are out there on the internet.

Often when you browse some sites or try to download something pop-ups appear out of no where, redirecting you to some other sites. This could be anything from malicious programs to phishing to online scams. The trick here is, not to click on any of the pop-ups.

Representational Image

A Mumbai banker learned it the hard way after losing Rs 12.55 lakhs, which he thought he was paying to date beautiful girls.

The 41-year-old married man came across the dating site on May 21, when it appeared on his browser in the form of an ad. Out of curiosity he clicked the ad, filled in his name, age, city and mobile number. "Minutes after I provided my details, I received a call from a woman named, Tanya. She said their company was offering a date with beautiful girl and as part of the offer, they'd refund the money they charged for it," he said in his statement to cops.

He was told that the money was being taken to make arrangements for a daylong date for him at a five-star hotel.

He was asked to pay Rs. 3.40 lakh in three instalments. After making his first payment of Rs. 1 lakh to an account under the name of one Shubendu Mandal from Kolkata the banker got a call from a woman named Mini who brought another girl to the call, saying they'd be sending her for the 'meeting'.

On May 23rd he again paid Rs. 1.20 lakh, after which, they told him, they'd refund all the money if he paid Rs. 5.24 lakh.

But when nothing happened after paying Rs. 5.24 lakh, he decided to demand his money back. On May 29, he e-mailed the website, asking them to delete his account and return his money. He got a call from a man named Rushi who told him he cannot delete the account unless he pays some more. The company also threatened to take him to the cops and continued calling and emailing him. The banker gave in, and once again paid around Rs. 2 lakh more as per their demands, which now brought the total amount of money he'd given them to Rs. 12.55 lakh.

Realising his promised date was never coming around after losing all that money, he decided to tell his wife about the whole incident; she asked him to register a complaint.

An FIR has been now registered by Dadar police under sections.After being diagnosed with a serious ailment, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has been in the United States for his treatment. He has been missing for the last four months and under fire from the Opposition and on social media for his continued absence.

On Sunday, Parrikar called up some journalists close to him, informally briefing them about his health and his plans to return from the US. Parrikar, who is undergoing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer at a New York hospital since March this year, made the surprise call on Sunday night to at least four local journalists considered close to him.

Staying strong

Speaking to IANS on condition of anonymity, some of these journalists said that they were pleasantly surprised when an Officer on Special Duty attached to the Chief Minister Office's called them on their mobile phone telling them that Parrikar would like to speak to them. "He sounded a bit weak, but Parrikar told me that two rounds of chemotherapy are likely to be done later this week and after that, his return would depend on his doctor's clearance," said one of the journalists, working for an English daily.

Parrikar, however, did not disclose his exact location or the identity of the hospital he was admitted. The journalist also said that the Chief Minister explained to him the protocol followed in examining government files and taking decisions.

Daily management

"Parrikar said that he has a daily conference via telephone with the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary to the CMO. Files and documents are scanned and sent to him by email and fax and the Chief Minister's decisions are conveyed over phone, fax or email. He said, that governance can be conducted remotely with ease in these days, thanks to communication devices," he said.

pti

Parrikar's phone calls to the journalists come at a time, when the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government is under fire from the Opposition and civil society, who have accused the Chief Minister of holding on to power and not delegating responsibility to a cabinet minister to run the state in a hands-on manner.

Feeling better

Last week, the Congress also filed a police complaint, alleging that the Chief Minister's email on which officials communicate with Parrikar was being operated in Panaji. The complaint filed by Congress' Sidhanath Buyao with the Crime Branch, alleged that the Parrikar's account was being misused by officials to take decisions in their favour. Another journalist, who works as a Chief Reporter for a vernacular newspaper, told IANS that Parrikar regularly accesses his email. He assured me that he was feeling well and that thanks to treatment, his health was looking up," said the journalist.

While official sources claim that Parrikar is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, neither the Bharatiya Janata Party nor the Chief Minister's Office have officially communicated the severity of his ailment, vaguely describing it as "mild pancreatitis" in unofficial statements.The mercy plea of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, languishing in Pakistan prison on spying charges, is still pending with the Pakistan Army chief for adjudication.

India had moved the Hague-based ICJ in May last after Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism. A 10-member bench of the ICJ on May 18 had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till adjudication of the case.

Pakistan Army spokesman said that the mercy petition of Jadhav was still pending with Chief of Army Staff Qamar Jawad Bajwa.

bccl

"The mercy petition of Kulbhushan is with the Army Chief. It is his (COAS) prerogative to decide; whenever he wishes he can decide. But whenever the decision is taken, we will inform about it," said Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) - the media wing of the army.

Pakistan claims that its security forces arrested Jadhav from restive Balochistan province on March 3, 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran.

However, India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy. Jadhav's sentencing had evoked a sharp reaction in India.Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will face trial in the in the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, a Delhi court said today.

The Congress MP has been summoned by a Delhi court on July 7 as an accused party. Today, a Delhi court set the date for his summons after taking cognizance of the chargesheet filed in the Pushkar death case.

"There exist sufficient grounds to proceed against Tharoor for commission of offences in the case," said the court.

bccl

Last month, four years after Pushkar was found dead in suite number 345 of the Leela Hotel, the Delhi Police filed a chargesheet and named her husband and Congress MP Tharoor as an accused in the case. According to the chargesheet, Pushkar killed herself by consuming an overdose of antidepressant pills, alprazolam (Alprax), and was driven to taking the extreme step by her husband.

Though it was a murder probe with the FIR registered under IPC Section 302 (murder), police have charged Tharoor under Sections 306 (abetment) and 498A (cruelty by husband) of the Indian Penal Code.

afp

The chargesheet was filed before Metropolitan Magistrate Dharmender Singh at the Patiala House court. Police have concluded that it was a case of suicide and not murder. The FIR in the case was filed under section 302 IPC.

Dismissing the police's conclusion as "preposterous", Tharoor said he would contest the chargesheet and went on to slam the investigations.

Pushkar was found dead in the Leela Hotel in south Delhi on January 17, 2014. The suite was sealed that night itself for investigation and de-sealed last month. An FIR under IPC Section 302 (murder) was registered on January 1, 2015 against unknown persons.

ap

In April, the special investigation team (SIT) probing the case told the Supreme Court that a draft final report had been prepared after conducting "thorough professional and scientific investigations" and would be submitted in the concerned trial court after "legal scrutiny".

"The SIT, after conducting thorough professional and scientific investigations, has prepared a draft police report under section 173 of the Criminal Procedure Code and sent the same to the prosecution department of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi for legal scrutiny," it further said.

ap

The 3,000-page final report, prepared under the supervision of police commissioner Amulya Patnaik, names Tharoor in column 11 (details of accused). The reasons for naming him are the circumstances preceding Sunanda's death and the injury marks on her body. These were strengthened by the statement of Tharoor's staffer, Narain Singh, who said there had been scuffles between the couple.AP

Tamil Nadu is leading the fight to ban the use of plastic items. The state on, World Environment Day 2018, announced banning use of plastic items, including non-biodegradable bags, from January 2019 in the interest of the environment and to "gift a plastic-free" state to future generations. Read more

Here's more top news of the day:





1) Shashi Tharoor To Face Trial In Sunanda Pushkar's Death Case, Court Summons Him As An Accused

bccl

The Congress MP has been summoned by a Delhi court on July 7 as an accused party. Today, a Delhi court set the date for his summons after taking cognizance of the chargesheet filed in the Pushkar death case. Read more

2) The City Of Rich & Richer, Ludhiana Threatened By Druggies Lurking In The Dark

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Ludhiana is one of the 10 richest cities in India. Go into the main city area and you will find there's no dearth of BMWs and Mercedes. It is also believed to be one of the safer cities that don't make headlines for violent crimes every day (in no way does that mean that there is no crime in the city). Read more

3) Soon, Portraying Women Indecently On WhatsApp, Instagram Will Be A Punishable Offence

Representational Image

You may want to recheck what you are about to post online, especially when it involves women. In a bid to tighten the online posting norms, especially when it is about women, the ministry of women and child development has proposed to penalise those portraying women in an offensive way. Read more

4) Kulbhushan Jadhav's Mercy Plea Still Pending With Pakistan Army Chief For Decision

bccl

India had moved the Hague-based ICJ in May last after Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism. A 10-member bench of the ICJ on May 18 had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till adjudication of the case. Read more

5) IAF Pilot Killed After Jaguar Fighter Jet Crashes In Gujarats Kutch

ashishaminNGS/Twitter

The IAF Jaguar belonging to the Jamnagar air base crashed on the outskirts of Beraja village. The pilot, Air Commodore Sanjay Chauhan, lost his life in the crash, a defence spokesperson told TOI. Five cows grazing in the field where the aircraft crashed were also killed. Read moreWhen US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meet for their historic summit in Singapore later this month, they will be protected by men from one of the fiercest warrior tribes in the world - the Gurkhas of Nepal.

While both leaders will bring their own personal security teams, elite Singaporean police, including its Gurkha Contingent, will be securing the summit venue, roads and hotels, according to diplomats familiar with VIP security in the island state.

Reuters

The Gurkhas, who have a low-profile presence in Singapore, were more visible than usual at the weekend as they secured the Shangri-La Hotel for a security conference that included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other regional ministers.

The Gurkhas, recruited by the Singapore police from the hills of faraway Nepal, were kitted out in body armour, Belgian-made FN SCAR combat assault rifles and pistols in leg holsters at the conference, in what some security experts believed was a dry run for the US-North Korea summit.

Despite all the advanced weaponry, the Gurkhas do not prepare for battle without the khukri - the heavy curved knife that is their traditional weapon of choice. According to custom, the khukri must draw blood every time it is unsheathed.

"They are among the best Singapore can offer, and I am sure they will be involved (in the summit)," said Tim Huxley, an expert on Singapore's armed forces at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

"They remain very much a substantial and frontline force, and the demands of this kind of event are precisely the sort of special operation that the Gurkhas are trained to handle," he said.

A spokesman for the Singapore police declined to comment on the deployment of the Gurkhas or their numbers.

The IISS Military Balance says 1,800 Gurkhas serve in the Singapore police, across six paramilitary companies.

A legacy in part of the British colonial era and more recent pragmatic Singaporean leadership, Singapore's Gurkhas are linked to a British tradition that has recruited and paid for elite regiments of soldiers from Nepal for more than 200 years.

Beaten back by the Gurkhas in the 19th century Anglo-Nepalese War and admired for their valour and fighting skills, the colonial British then began to recruit them. Now Gurkhas serve in the British, Indian and Nepalese armies, as well as in Brunei and Singapore.

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They have fought in both world wars as well as the Falklands conflict and, more recently, in Afghanistan.

"Tough, Vigilant And Steadfast"

Huxley said the Gurkhas had long proven to be an asset to Singapore's leadership, providing a neutral force within an ethnically diverse city-state, including VIP and anti-riot protection.

At times of regional tension, they have protected international schools, and are often seen at the Malaysia-Singapore border crossings.

The Singapore Police website describes the group as "tough, vigilant and steadfast" that operates "across the spectrum of paramilitary operations to help safeguard Singapore".

They live with their families in the secure Mount Vernon Camp outside the city, an enclave that ordinary Singaporeans are not allowed to enter.

A woman married to a Gurkha who lived in the camp said life there was restricted.

"We have a curfew of 12 midnight," she said. "For women, we can let them know if we have a genuine reason to stay out, for men, there is no excuse.

Reuters

"One of the rules we have is that we have to be in bed by 10.30 p.m. every night. This means no music, no nothing. Even if we have a party, we need to stop. If not, there will be some form of enforcement by the people patrolling."

Typically recruited at 18 or 19 before being trained in Singapore, the Gurkha soldiers retire at 45 when they are repatriated. While their children attend local schools, Gurkhas are not allowed to marry local women.

A handful of ex-British Army officers serve as sworn-in Singapore police in senior leadership, training and organisational roles.

"Although they are police, the links between the contingent and the British Army remain deep and strong," one British Army officer said. "They are part of a fine tradition."Switch the Market flag

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for targeted data from your country of choice.Senator Sonny Angara on Tuesday said the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. led by its acting president Roy Ferrer should lead a comprehensive financial check-up to determine if it is in the pink of health resources-wise. We hope Dr. Ferrer can look after the financials of PhilHealth amidst the allegations of excessive travel expenses, overpayment of claims, and other problems which threaten the financial viability of PhilHealth funds, he said. He said every peso misspent is a peso taken away from poor Filipino families who need it the most. President Rodrigo Duterte has replaced PhilHealths interim president Celestina de la Serna amid a controversy about her excessive hotel and travel expenses. He appointed PhilHealth board of directors member Roy Ferrer to replace De la Serna. We hope Dr. Ferrer can look after the financials of PhilHealth amidst the allegations of excessive travel expenses, overpayment of claims, and other problems which threaten the financial viability of PhilHealth funds. Every peso misspent is a peso taken away from poor Filipino families who need it the most, Angara said. The senator noted that there should be a body that will capably track PhilHealths actuarial life. Ideally, it should be the PhilHealth board that shall serve as guarantor of PhilHeaths sustainability. But if the board is subject to political or management capture, its supposed work is compromised, he said. He said the board should have a long-term view, and should insulate the fund from wasteful or populist programs which shorten PhilHealths life. If oversight had not been lax, he said questionable expenses like the hotel bills of the previous PhilHealth president would have been flagged early. He also expressed concern over the alleged diversion of the P10.6 billion funds for senior citizens to the supposed construction of rural health units in 2015. We must ensure that the funds allocated for our seniors will nit be wasted. We will not allow that the institution created by my father would be tainted with corruption. His intenr was to make the medical treatment reachable for our senior citizen and our poor countrymen, said Angara, author of the Expanded Senior Citizens law and the Universal Health Care law.Angaras father, the late Senator Edgardo Angara, is the principal author of the law creating PhilHealth and the Senior Citizens Act. We should remember that PhilHealth is a megacorporation. Last year, it spent over P100 billion in payouts. It is also a major recipient of government funds, with more than P60 billion allocated in this years national budget for the enrollment of 15 million indigents and senior citizens. Because of the important role it plays, PhilHealth cant afford to be financially distressed. Kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino ang nakataya rito, Angara said. Angara added that after her dismissal, former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) interim president Celestina de la Serna should be charged for mismanaging the funds of the national health insurer. Earlier, Senator JV Ejercito said charges must also be filed against De La Serna, former PhilHealth president Alexander Padilla and former Department of Health Secretary Janette Garin. Not only De La Serna, but all the past PhilHealth officials like Garin and Padilla responsible for mismanaging the funds resulting in its current sorry financial state right now, Ejercito, chairman of the Senate committee on health and demography. Ejercito has earlier suggested to the President to appoint a financial expert who can manage PhilHealths funds and investment portfolio. With PhilHealths current situation, and not to undermine capabilities of doctors, we really need a financial wiz to fix all its troubles! he said. The senator said the collapse of PhilHealth looms if the current financial management would continue.It claims to be the largest managing general underwriter in the world  but despite its stature in the industry, the Schinnerer Group is ready to rebrand.

The company has today revealed that it will take on a new name that plays on its roots  Victor. The groups businesses, including Victor O. Schinnerer & Company in the US, ENCON in Canada, Bluefin Underwriting in the UK, Mees & Zoonen in the Netherlands and Italy, and Schinnerers operation in Bermuda, will all adopt the new name  while acquisitions Dovetail Insurance and ICAT will also be part of the global business.According to a release announcing that the deal has been finalised, it was stated that Lexon staff and office locations will be integrated under Sompo Internationals surety business under the watch of CEO of US insurance, Christopher Sparro. Together the combined operation will be led by Brian Beggs, EVP of Sompo International Surety  he is set to relocate to Lexons headquarters which can be found in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.

We are very excited to welcome Lexon into our US Insurance operation, commented Sparro. They have an excellent reputation and their technical underwriting proficiency is closely aligned with our corporate culture. The combined organisation will be one of the 10 leading insurers in the US surety market, significantly contributing to our strategic expansion in the US.

It is expected that Sompo US will continue to offer the same products as Lexon  including commercial and contract surety bonds, US custom bonds and court and probate bonds.

Lexon has a reputation for quality products and strong distribution relationships which are highly complementary to our current surety capabilities, added Beggs. Their nationwide network of agents and brokers coupled with expertise in specialty niches such as energy will enable us to substantially accelerate the growth of our primary surety portfolio.

Related stories:

Sompo International appoints new head of aviation insurance

Sompo International announces pick for new European unitCybersecurity right now is mostly procedural. You train your users not to click on certain links, you have certain measures in place, you do certain types of tests. However, we are not very much prepared for future threats, said Professor Florian Kerschbaum, interim director of the Waterloo Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute.

Take the prevalence of AI right now  we havent really understood what the implications of using AI and these kinds of decisions really are. Trying to be able to predict what the security will be is very difficult, he told Insurance Business.

Currently, there is no clear risk profile when it comes to cyber, and insurers are only really able to value assets rather than assess risk when pricing a cyber policy, according to the professor.

However, as the cyber insurance market matures and the amount of data collected grows, the hope is that data science will allow for a much clearer insight into what the future of cyber might look like.

We need to start developing the kind of tools that are able to better predict and able to handle some of the fundamental challenges in cybersecurity in a better way, so that we actually are able to significantly reduce the number of these reports, Kerschbaum said in reference to the hacked Canadian banks.

Maybe with the prevalence of cyber insurance, and collecting more data, cyber insurance in itself will be able to better predict the important measures that people have to take, he added.

For now, best practice lies in defence and depth  in short, layers of encryption  according to Kerschbaum.

If one security control fails then you have a second in place, he said. If we can build systems in this way, while nothing will be foolproof, the science of resilience is that if plan A fails, you have to have a plan B.

Related stories:

Ticketing company breached; 26 million US and Canadian customers' data exposed

Real estate entities are open houses for cyber attackersThe Sandiganbayan Sixth Division on Tuesday turned down former Immigration deputy commissioner Michael Robles appeal to dismiss his plunder case in connection with the P50-million bribery scandal at the Bureau of Immigration. Robles and fellow former deputy commissioner Al Argosino are also facing graft, direct bribery, and violation of Presidential Decree 46 which punishes public officials for receiving gifts from private individuals. Retired police officer Wally Sombero is their co-accused in the plunder case. Ombudsman investigators earlier revealed that Argosino and Robles have acquired ill-gotten wealth worth P50 million when they conspired with Sombero, then-president of Asian Gaming Service Provider Association Inc., in exchange for assistance in the release of 1,316 illegal Chinese workers at Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark, Pampanga owned by Chinese casino mogul Jack Lam. In his appeal, Robles said the release of the P50-million bribe from Sombero was not a criminal act, saying it would be impossible to commit two separate criminal acts in a span of two hours. Robles was referring to Somberos delivery of the alleged P50-million bribeP20 million around 2 am and P30 million at 5:45 amto him and Al Argosino at the City of Dreams Manila in Paranaque City on Nov. 27, 2016. But the Sandiganbayan said these two events could not be considered as a series of criminal acts where Robles and Argosino said to have taken advantage of their official positions. The Information in the present case alleges that accused Argosino and Robles repeatedly received or collected a sum of money of two instances, in consideration for their intervention and assistance in the release of Chinese nationals arrested and detained at Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Pampanga, the resolution read. Each instance of receiving or collecting a sum of money constitutes a separate act. Hence, the Information in the case at bar alleges the commission of acts in series, it added.The same Sandiganbayan resolution also denied the Argosinos motion for reconsideration. A plain reading of his arguments would show that he is praying for the reinvestigation of the case because, according to him, the Office of the Ombudsman disregardded certain affidavits that would establish facts supporting the innocence of the accused, the Sandiganbayan said. The Ombudsman charged Argosino, Robles, and Sombero with the non-bailable offense of plunder; and one count each of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery, and violation of Presidential Decree 46. The Ombudsman said Argosino and Robles showed their alleged manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross inexcusable negligence when they conspired with Sombero for the multi-million bribe. The Department of Justice had earlier dropped the plunder charges against Argosino and Robles since the money recovered from them was P1,000 short of a plunder case. But the Ombudsman said Argosino and Robles are still liable under the Plunder Law, or Republic Act 7080, despite the missing P1,000. Lam will also face one count of violation of PD 46, a decree punishing public officials for receiving gifts from private individuals. Sacked Intelligence chief Charles Calima Jr., however, was dropped from the case after the Ombudsman granted his motion for reconsideration for lack of probable cause.EPIC Holdings Inc., the parent company of EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, has added human capital professional Janine Walter as chief talent officer and a member of the EPIC Executive Committee.

EPIC is a retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm.

For the past 11 years, Walter has held senior executive positions at major insurance intermediaries. She will be based in Stamford, Conn., in her new role.

Walter brings to the EPIC organization three decades of global human resource executive leadership, with experience enhancing organizational effectiveness for financial, creative and professional service firms.

She will report to EPIC Holdings CEO John Hahn and will work closely with Pete Garvey, Steve Denton and the remainder of the EPIC Executive Leadership team. Key areas of Walters responsibilities will include human resources, leadership development, recruitment, organizational change initiatives, benefit design, mergers and acquisitions, onboarding and integration project management.

Prior to joining EPIC, Walter was senior vice president and director of Human Resources at OdysseyRe in Stamford, Conn. Earlier in her career, Walter held senior human resources positions at multiple organizations, including Crump Insurance and BISYS.

Source: EPIC Holdings Inc.

Topics Talent Training Development Connecticut Human ResourcesA small plane carrying four people crashed off the coast of New Yorks Long Island on Saturday, officials said.

Two bodies had been recovered from the crash scene about a mile and a half south of East Hampton as of late Saturday evening. The victims were not immediately identified.

We are stricken by this loss, said Capt. Kevin B. Reed of the Coast Guard. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of the two recovered individuals.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the Piper PA31 aircraft went down around 3 p.m. Severe thunderstorms were moving through the area at the time.

The Coast Guard and local police were assisted by crews from commercial fishing boats in searching for the victims.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.

East Hampton, where the plane crashed, and the nearby towns on eastern Long Island are known for the many wealthy and prominent individuals who spend their summers there, including stars such as Alec Baldwin and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Small planes and helicopters are popular travel options for people with the means to avoid the bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Long Island Expressway.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New YorkMalaysias transport minister said Saturday that owners of more than 71,000 affected Honda cars will be penalized if they fail to replace flawed Takata air bags, in a drastic move to curb fatalities.

The deaths of seven people in Malaysia have been linked to the defective air bags that are subject to one of the worlds largest auto recalls. The latest victim was a 23-year old student whose 2004 Honda City crashed in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, the second death this year alone.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said owners of 71,315 Honda cars have still not responded to the recall replacement and will be barred from renewing their road tax if they dont do so.

The 71,315 cars are like a time bomb that can kill anytime  the government has to take such (a) drastic measure because human lives are more important than a little inconvenience, Loke said after visiting the victims family at their home.

In the latest case, he said a 2-centimeter (0.79-inch) -long shrapnel was found embedded on the left of the victims neck after his car crashed into a tree.

Loke said Honda has sent 28 recall notices to the victims family but it didnt reach them because they moved and didnt update their address with the Road Transport Department. The last letter was dated May 22, five days before the crash, he said.

Pong Yew Loong, the victims father, told reporters that the family wasnt aware of the recall and didnt receive any letter.

It is proven that over the last four years, the awareness campaign is not enough, the awareness campaign has not been effective, Loke said.

He said he will meet car manufacturers next week to discuss further measures.

The latest Malaysian death raised the global death toll linked to the defect to 23. The U.S., with 15 deaths, and Australia with one are the only other countries to have reported such fatalities.

All the deaths in Malaysia involved the Honda City, a subcompact made for Asia and Europe. Families of some Malaysian victims have blamed Honda, the leading foreign brand in the country, of not doing enough to warn car owners of potentially deadly risks from the air bags or track down second-hand car owners.

The defective air bags have faulty inflators and propellant devices that may deploy improperly in an accident, shooting out metal fragments that can kill or injure.

Last year, Takata pleaded guilty to fraud in a U.S. court and agreed to pay more than $1 billion in penalties for concealing the defect.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics AutoGilbert Chahine has been appointed chief executive officer of AXA Partners, the entity of the AXA Group Innovation Business Unit dedicated to forging global insurance and business partners.

Prior to this appointment, Gilbert Chahine was chief executive officer of AXA Egypt.

Guillaume Borie, AXA chief group innovation officer, said the appointment comes at a time when AXA is preparing to accelerate the partnership strategy. AXA Partners was established in 2015 to pursue partnerships with companies in the automotive, banking, retail, utilities, telecom and other industries and with the public sector. AXA Partners creates offers and distribution agreements whereby these partners may offer AXA products to their customers and users.

Before joining AXA Partners, Chahine contributed to launching AXAs business in Egypt. Between 2014 and 2016, he co-managed the implementation of AXAs establishment in Egypt by launching the groups healthcare and property/casualty business. He was appointed CEO of AXA Egypt in 2016.

He first joined the AXA Group in 2007 as vice president in Investors Relations and was later appointed financial controller for the AXA Groups financial and consolidation reporting. Prior to joining the AXA Group, Chahine held positions as audit director specializing in the insurance sector at auditing firm Mazars & Guerard.

Topics Mergers AXA XLLacking enough shareholder votes for approval, AmTrust Financial Services Inc. has postponed until June 21, 2018, the special meeting on a plan to take the insurer private.

The meeting was originally scheduled for yesterday but the company said it does not have the votes of minority and majority shareholders needed to pass it.

AmTrusts board voted in March in favor of a plan under which Evergreen Parent, L.P., an entity formed by the Chief Executive Officer Barry Zyskind and the controlling Karfunkel family along with private equity manager Stone Point Capital to buy the company.

But activist investor Carl Icahn, who owns 9.4 percent of the insurer, and other minority shareholders have opposed the plan. Icahn has sued to stop the going-private scheme, claiming it unfairly benefits the controlling Karfunkel family at the expense of public stockholders.

Amtrust said that the Karfunkels and Zyskind have scheduled a meeting with Icahn and other shareholders to determine if there is a basis upon which the proposed going-private transaction can be completed.

Ichans complaint in the court of Chancery in Delaware notes that Zyskind, the brother-in-law of one of the founding Karfunkel brothers of AmTrust, was paid $66 million as CEO from 2012 t0 2017, or 5.5 percent of the insurers net income over that period.

Icahns complaint contends to be challenging a going-private transaction in which a controllingand self-dealingfamily is seeking to take a company private at the wrong time, through the wrong procedures and at a very wrong price. The transaction will transfer huge amounts of value belonging to the companys public stockholders to the controlling familywhich has already used its control of the company to engage in self-dealing on a massive scale.

Investment firm Arca Capital is working with Icahn and other minority shareholders against the plan. Arca owns approximately 2.4 percent of outstanding shares of AmTrust Financial.Congressional efforts to curtail the federal governments involvement in insurance regulation continue this week as a House panel is scheduled to consider a measure to trim the sails of the Federal Insurance Office (FIO).

Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wisc., chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, has sponsored a bill to eliminate FIOs role in any domestic insurance issues and confine its work to international insurance issues. The full House Financial Service Committee is slated to hear the Duffy bill (HR.3861) on Thursday, June 7.

According to Duffy, his act would make it clear that FIO speaks for Treasury but not other federal agencies in international discussions and would authorize FIO to coordinate federal insurance policy and require FIO to achieve consensus with the states before advocating or agreeing to positions in international forums such as the International Association of Insurance Supervisors.

Duffys bill would also remove the FIO from the Financial Stability Oversight Council (as introduced by the Dodd-Frank Act) and eliminate its subpoena and enforcement powers concerning information gathering. The FSOC has the authority to designate certain financial institutions as systemically important or too big to fail and make them subject to heightened regulation.

Duffys measure is being considered in the wake of Congress passing and President Donald Trump signing a regulatory reform measure, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S.2155), which eases banking regulations imposed by the Dodd-Frank law after the financial crisis.

That new banking reform law includes a provision on international insurance regulation similar to Duffys. Using language proposed by Senators Dean Heller (R-Nev.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and supported by the insurance industry, it requires U.S. negotiators to support consensus positions with state regulators in international negotiations on insurance standards.

Section 211 of S.2155 says that Treasury, the Federal Reserve System and the FIO shall support increasing transparency at any global insurance or international standard-setting regulatory or supervisory forum and if they intend to take any position on a global insurance regulatory proposal they shall achieve consensus positions with state insurance regulators through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, when they are in negotiations on insurance issues with international bodies.

That was the first time Congress provided any guidance on international regulation of insurance, according to the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC).

The outcomes of these international discussions have tremendous potential to harm consumers and competitive markets in the U.S., Jimi Grande, senior vice president for government affairs at NAMIC, said last month after the measure passed.

Grande said the insurance provision will allow Congress to know whether new international standards are based on a dangerous over-reliance on uniformity or whether they respect different regulatory systems including the state-based system in the U.S.

Insurers see the law as a way to protect state insurance regulation and increase state input into international regulatory discussions.

However, the apparent victory for insurers in the banking reform bill (S.1255) was potentially undermined by a signing statement from President Trump indicating he sees the insurance [section 211(a)] as an infringement on his executive power to conduct foreign affairs and he does not feel obliged to adhere to it. Trumps accompanying statement said that the insurance section purports to direct my subordinates in the executive branch to take certain positions before international bodies and to achieve consensus positions with state insurance regulators in negotiations before foreign bodies, directives he wrote contravene his constitutional authority in international negotiations. Trump added that his administration will give careful and respectful consideration to the guidance and will consult with state officials but it will implement this section in a manner consistent with his constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations.

The signing statement triggered a protest from a group of state insurance legislators who believe international agreements must reflect state insurance regulation. Tom Considine, CEO of the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), criticized Trump for suggesting he will direct federal officials to opt out of the sections of this legislation most essential to preserving the McCarran-Ferguson doctrine of state regulation of insurance.

Considine, a former state insurance regulator, insisted Trump has no ability to sign and disregard the portions he happens to dislike. However, Trump is not the only president to have asserted executive authority in foreign affairs using signing statements.

The Duffy bill gives the insurance industry another shot at boosting state regulation vis-a-vis global supervision.

The Duffy bill has 15 co-sponsors13 Republicans and two Democrats, Reps. Denny Heck of Wash., and Henry Cuellar of Tex.

In addition to curtailing international activities of FIO, the Duffy bill would retain FIOs existing authority to monitor all aspects of the insurance industry and advise the Treasury Secretary on the administration of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA).

it would also continue the authority of Treasury and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to enter into covered agreements but would give the Treasury Secretary, not the FIO director, the authority to determine whether a covered agreement preempts state law.

It would limit the number of FIO employees to five.

During the Obama Administration, the FIO issued reports on auto insurance availability and regulatory modernization that some critics felt were too critical of the insurance industry and of state insurance regulation.

Also, the Trump Administration in 2017 signed an agreement with the European Union over insurance and reinsurance regulation that was negotiated by the FIO under Obama. That pact divided the insurance industry while state regulators and legislators stood against it.

Last October, the Treasury Department issued a report in response to Trumps deregulation initiative in which it supported a revision in FIOs mission to ensure consistency with the long-established U.S. policy of state-based insurance regulation. The report said Treasury and FIO are committed to more regular and consistent engagement with state insurance regulators and stakeholders on developing issues of importance to the insurance industry, state regulators, and U.S. policyholders.

Related:

Topics USA Legislation MarketHe wouldnt call himself a hero, but the 83-year-old woman Dennis P. Neyland rescued from a carjack/kidnapping and robbery on the streets of downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana, probably would.

Neyland, an insurance professional and reserve officer for the Slidell, Louisiana, police department says he was just in the right place at the right time. He credits his training in law enforcement  he was a police officer full-time before he entered the insurance business  for the ability to recognize when somethings amiss.

A regional sales manager for AmTrust North America, Neyland had just left a lunch meeting in Baton Rouge on May 9 with a friend (whos also in insurance) when he noticed a woman in a late-model maroon Cadillac driving erratically in front of him.

The lady was stopping and going, and people were passing her. I actually thought she was having a medical emergency, Neyland said.

He could see that that the driver was elderly. Thinking maybe she had dementia, or was confused or lost, he pulled alongside her. When he did, the carjacker popped up. I had my Glock out but they couldnt see it. When I pulled up and said are you okay, [the driver] said no and pointed in the back seat. Thats when the carjacker rolls her window down and says. Im her caretaker you need to drive on. And the old lady says no, shes not.'

Neyland keeps his police equipment in his car in case he needs to respond, he said. Grabbing his badge and gun, he told the carjacker to step out of the car. Neyland was wearing his AmTrust dress shirt so he didnt particularly look like law enforcement officer, but he got out of his car and identified himself as such.

The carjacker stepped out of the car and he told her to wait there until Baton Rouge police arrived. She started to run away. She was wearing a black wig and when I grabbed her, her hair came off. Then I grabbed her shirt.

He was calling 911 and explaining it was a 108  officer needs assistance  when the carjacker twisted out of her shirt. She was completely nude from the waist up and she came after me to fight. I grabbed her again and she bit me twice. Thats when I put her to the ground and the Baton Rouge police responded. They arrested her, he said.

A press release from the Baton Rouge Police Department identified the carjacker as Tamikia Raymond, 42. The driver of the vehicle was not named. Raymond was charged with armed robbery, false imprisonment with a dangerous weapon and battery on a police officer.

They charged her pretty heavy, Neyland said.

The elderly woman told Neyland after the incident that she had parked her car on the fourth floor of the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino parking garage. She parked there because there were no other cars on that floor. She said Raymond jumped into the backseat of the car, told the driver she had a gun and instructed her to drive to an ATM.

At the ATM the elderly woman withdrew $800 but Raymond saw that the account had a balance of $18,000. So, Raymond told the woman to go to the bank and withdraw the balance or she would kill her.

They were next to a Chase Bank when Neyland stopped them.

While the elderly driver never saw the gun, it ended up being a BB gun that looked like a real Glock, Neyland said.

Afterward the driver told Neyland that she was driving erratically on purpose, hoping someone would notice. She was sharp as a tack, Neyland said.  She actually saved herself.  What caught me is she stopped at a green light.  She just stopped and everybody passed her.

While she was extremely shaken by the incident, the elderly woman didnt want the officers to call her son or daughter to come get her because, she said, they wouldnt let her go to the casino anymore.

Topics Auto Louisiana Law EnforcementMore Louisiana residents with chronic pain and suffering will be able to seek treatment for their ailments through the states medical marijuana program.

Gov. John Bel Edwards agreed to the expansion proposal a few months ahead of when therapeutic cannabis is expected to be available to patients in the state. The Democratic governor signed the new law Saturday, according to his spokesman Richard Carbo.

The bill by Rep. Ted James, a Baton Rouge Democrat, adds glaucoma, severe muscle spasms, intractable pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and Parkinsons disease to the list of diseases and disorders eligible for medicinal-grade pot.

Edwards also has signed a measure by Rep. Rodney Lyons, a Harvey Democrat, to allow medical marijuana for certain people with autism spectrum disorder.

Lawmakers narrowly agreed to both bills during the regular legislative session that ended last month, but the governor hadnt publicly said whether hed support the expansions.

Prior laws, passed in 2015 under former Gov. Bobby Jindal and tweaked again in 2016 under Edwards, allowed use of medicinal pot for people with cancer, a severe form of cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy and other specific diseases.

During debate on the expansion proposals, supporters said marijuana could help veterans suffering from PTSD and others with severe medical conditions, rather than steering them to addictive opioids. They said people have moved out of state to gain access to medical cannabis.

Opponents said lawmakers should wait until the medical marijuana program begins before expanding eligibility.

Medical marijuana is expected to be available in Louisiana by late summer. Marijuana can be available in medicinal oils, pills, sprays and topical applications, but cannot be sold in a form that can be smoked.

Only the agricultural centers at LSU and Southern University are allowed to grow therapeutic cannabis, overseen by the state agriculture department. Both schools have selected vendors to run the growing operations and are working through their individual startups.

Nine dispensing pharmacies have been selected around the state. Meanwhile, a handful of doctors have applied for and received permission to dispense medical marijuana once its available.

The bills are House Bills 579 and 627.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Louisiana Agribusiness CannabisOklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak is notifying auto insurers operating in the state that a new contract has been awarded for the operation of the insurance departments Oklahoma Compulsory Insurance Verification System (OCIVS).

The Oklahoma Office of Management & Enterprise Services (OMES) awarded the contract to MV Solutions Inc. (MVS). The new system will be hosted by MVS under the authority of Oklahoma Insurance Department.

During the 2017 legislative session, the Oklahoma Legislature passed, and the governor signed into law, Senate Bill 115. The measure transfers OCIVS from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to OID, Doak said in OIDs announcement.

The new contract is the first step toward creating a system that will be relied upon by law enforcement officers, court clerks, district attorneys, and tag agents.

According to Doak, OCIVS has become unreliable because insurers are given the choice of two options: either (1) upload policy data on a weekly or even monthly basis or (2) upload data and also create a web service that allows OCIVS to tap into the insurers real time book of business data.

Option 1 creates a lag between policy inception and the moment the information is queried by OCIVS users. A minority of the private passenger auto market in Oklahoma utilizes option 1, which is an outdated method the State of Oklahoma is moving away from under this new system.

As this new system is implemented, OID will require all private passenger auto insurance writers to participate in the OCIVS by using a web service.

Doak said hes informing insurers now so there wont be any surprises later.

MVS will contact insurers to begin the process of implementing the new system. Doak request that insurers provide the OID with a point of contact name, email address, and telephone number for this project. The contact information should be emailed to Deputy Commissioner Buddy Combs (Buddy.Combs@oid.ok.gov).

Source: OID

Topics Auto OklahomaA Florida man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in an arson insurance fraud scheme that spanned multiple Florida counties and was ordered to pay $1.9 million towards restitution to the more than 14 carriers affected, according to a statement from the Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundles office.

Jorge Fausto Espinosa Sr., owner of the public adjuster company Nationwide Adjusters LLC, pled guilty last month to racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, organized scheme to defraud, and more than 28 counts of arson as well as multiple counts of insurance fraud and grand theft. He was sentenced by Judge Mark Blumstein to 20 years in state prison in addition to paying $1.9 million towards restitution.

Fausto Espinosa Sr. was one of many defendants originally charged in a series of collaborative investigations by the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office, State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, and the Miami-Dade Police Department called Operation Flames and Flood I and Operation Flames and Flood II.

The investigations found that Espinosa intentionally set multiple homes on fire as well as caused water damage to other homes with the sole purpose of filing false and fraudulent insurance claims. The homeowners were recruited by Espinosa as part of his Arson for Hire Scheme involving homes in Miami-Dade, Lee and Collier County.

More than 14 insurance carriers, including Citizens, Tower Hill and United Property and Casualty, were impacted by the 50-plus false claims that cost insurers and policyholders more than $14 million in losses.

Representatives from the various defrauded insurance visited the state attorneys office in Miami on May 29 to thank law enforcement and prosecutors for their work to bring down Espinosas fraudulent schemes and attend a ceremonial check presentation.

Insurance policyholders were Espinosas real victims.Insurance fraud has never been a victimless crime since each policy holder pays the scammers via increased insurance premiums. Getting this restitution hits these criminals in a very sensitive spot, their wallet, Fernandez Rundle said.

Source: Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office

Topics Florida Fraud ArsonDefense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has urged Singaporean authorities to replicate its intelligence fusion in the straits of Marawi City and Tawi-Tawi to bar terrorist elements and other transnational criminals using the sea lanes to commit terrorism in the Philippines. This developed as the House of Representatives recommended for Senate action a bill providing protection to children caught in the midst of armed conflict. House Bill 7442, authored by former Speaker and Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., was approved on final reading by a 232-7 vote during the last session day of the first regular session of the 17th Congress. In discussions with Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen in Singapore, Lorenzana said he had asked his counterpart to duplicate the intelligence expertise his country has shared with Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, which eventually stopped the rampant pirate attacks in the Malacca Strait. I have talked to Minister Eng if we can replicate in the strait in Marawi and Tawi-Tawi, and maybe if we could just replicate just a part of that intelligence fusion so that we can improve in monitoring people coming out from Sabah going to the Philippines, he said. With Singapore having advanced signal communications and cybersecurity, Lorenzana said pirates preying on international merchant ships passing in the Malacca Strait diminished. In fact, they (Singapore) were the ones who set up the intelligence fusion in Malacca strait to the shipping and they were able to stop piracy, Lorenzana said. In Congress, Belmonte welcomed the passage of his bill, otherwise known as the proposed Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act, which covers all children involved in, affected by, or displaced by armed conflict. The bill defines child as a person below 18 years of age or even older but is unable to fully take care or protect himself from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination; and unable to act with discernment because of his physical or mental disability or condition. Among others, the bill provides measures, structures, and activities that not only ensure prevention and response to abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence affecting children but also include the promotion of their development and psycho-social well-being. The bill declares children as zones of peace and as such they are accorded certain rights in situations of armed conflict, including the following: the right to life, survival and development; the right of special respect and protection against any form of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violation, especially in the context of armed conflict; and the right to be treated as victims. In filing the bill, Belmonte said children in situations of armed conflict have the right to be treated with special respect and to be protected from any form of direct or indiscriminate attacks and acts of violence; the right to be protected from extra-judicial killings, maiming, torture, abduction and rape; and the right not to be interned or confined in camp.Moreover, they have the right to be protected from recruitment any armed groups and from participation in armed conflict in whatever manner, Belmonte, a lawyer, said. Reports have said terrorist elements from Malaysia and Indonesia have been using the Malacca Strait to seek refuge, go undetected by authorities in Mindanao, and perpetuate terror acts in the Philippines like the Marawi City siege. Dozens of Indonesian and Malaysian terrorists have been killed in a separate encounter with military troops in various parts in Mindanao, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Sulu. At present, Lorenzana said they are acquiring sophisticated equipment including wide-range coverage Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in an attempt to monitor the movement of suspected terrorist and high-profile criminals in the country. He said the gesture is part of the AFPs modernization program which would improve intelligence capabilities of the military. In line with that, we are acquiring some technical capabilities. We are looking at facial recognition software so that we can easily look to track down the bad guys, Lorenzana said. The AFP has recently acquired a mini UAV called Scaneagle from the United States which was used to detect the movement of terrorists battling security forces in Marawi City siege that pinned to death Isnilon Hapilon, the Abu Sayyaf Group chieftain and Islamic State Emir in Southeast Asia. Aside from the capability of drones, Lorenzana underscored the importance of human intelligence in detecting locations, particularly in remote villages and ridges where enemies of the state sought cover. We still need human intelligence people who go down and see things on the ground in their own eyes and feel what happening on the ground, so they can report to higher orders, Lorenzana pointed out.Officials at a Kentucky amusement park say a roller coaster will remain closed until an investigation is complete into the collision of two of its cars.

News outlets quote Kentucky Kingdom officials as saying one car on the ride bumped into another that was waiting to enter an unloading station Saturday.

Officials say in a news release that five people went to a health clinic at the Louisville park to be evaluated. Four of them returned to the park and the other was taken to a hospital.

Kentucky Kingdom says it has notified state ride inspectors about the incident.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics KentuckyIslamic finance refers to how businesses and individuals raise capital in accordance with Sharia, or Islamic law. It also refers to the types of investments that are permissible under this form of law. Islamic finance can be seen as a unique form of socially responsible investment. This subbranch of finance is a burgeoning field. In this article, we offer an overview to provide elementary information and serve as the basis for further study.

The Big Picture of Islamic Banking

Although Islamic finance began in the seventh century, it has been formalized gradually since the late 1960s. This process was driven by the tremendous oil wealth that fueled renewed interest in and demand for Sharia-compliant products and practice.

The early Islamic caliphates had better-developed market economies than the nations of Western Europe during the Middle Ages.

The concept of risk sharing is central to Islamic banking and finance. It is essential to understand the role of risk-sharing in raising capital. At the same time, Islamic finance demands the avoidance of riba (usury) and gharar (ambiguity or deception).

Islamic law views lending with interest payments as a relationship that favors the lender, who charges interest at the borrower's expense. Islamic law considers money as a measuring tool for value and not an asset in itself. Therefore, it requires that one should not be able to receive income from money alone. Interest is deemed riba, and such practice is proscribed under Islamic law. It is haram, which means prohibited, as it is considered usurious and exploitative. By contrast, Islamic banking exists to further the socio-economic goals of an Islamic community.

Accordingly, Sharia-compliant finance (halal, which means permitted) consists of banking in which the financial institution shares in the profit and loss of the enterprise it underwrites. Of equal importance is the concept of gharar. In a financial context, gharar refers to the ambiguity and deception that come from the sale of items whose existence is uncertain. Examples of gharar would be forms of insurance. That could include the purchase of premiums to insure against something that may or may not occur. Derivatives used to hedge against possible outcomes are another type of gharar.

The equity financing of companies is permissible, as long as those companies are not engaged in restricted businesses. Prohibited activities include producing alcohol, gambling, and making pornography.

Basic Financing Arrangements

A brief overview of permissible financing arrangements often encountered in Islamic finance is given below.

Profit and Loss Sharing Contracts (Mudarabah)

The Islamic bank pools investors' money and assumes a share of the profits and losses. This process is agreed upon with the depositors. What does the bank invest in? A group of mutual funds screened for Sharia compliance has arisen. The filter parses company balance sheets to determine whether any sources of income to the corporation are prohibited. Companies holding too much debt or engaged in forbidden lines of business are excluded. In addition to actively managed mutual funds, passive funds exist as well. They are based on such indexes as the Dow Jones Islamic Market Index and the FTSE Global Islamic Index.

Declining Balance Shared Equity

Declining balance shared equity calls for the bank and the investor to purchase the home jointly. It is commonly used to finance a home purchase. The bank gradually transfers its equity in the house to the individual homeowner, whose payments constitute the homeowner's equity.

Lease to Own

This arrangement is similar to the declining balance one described above, except the financial institution puts up most, if not all, of the money for the house and agrees to sell the house to the eventual homeowner at the end of a fixed term. A portion of every payment goes toward the lease and the balance toward the home's purchase price.

Installment Sale (Murabaha)

An installment sale starts with an intermediary buying the home with a free and clear title to it. The intermediary investor then agrees on a sale price with the prospective buyer; this price includes some profit. The purchase may be made outright (lump sum) or through a series of deferred (installment) payments. This credit sale is an acceptable form of finance and is not to be confused with an interest-bearing loan.

Leasing (Ijarah)

Leasing, or Ijarah, involves selling the right to use an object (usufruct) for a specific time. One condition is that the lessor must own the leased object for the duration of the lease. A variation on the lease, 'ijarah wa 'iqtina, provides for a lease to be written where the lessor agrees to sell the leased object at the lease's end at a predetermined residual value. This promise binds only the lessor. The lessee is not obligated to purchase the item.

Islamic Forwards (Salam and Istisna)

These are rare forms of financing, used for certain types of business. These are an exception to gharar. The price for the item is prepaid, and the item is delivered at a definite point in the future. Because there is a host of conditions to be met to render such contracts valid, the help of an Islamic legal advisor is usually required.

Basic Investment Vehicles

Some permissible Islamic investments are listed below.

Equities

Sharia law allows investment in company shares (common stock) as long as those companies do not engage in forbidden activities. Investment in companies may be in shares or by direct investment (private equity).

Islamic scholars have made some concessions on permissible companies, as most use debt either to address liquidity shortages (they borrow) or to invest excess cash (interest-bearing instruments). One set of filters excludes companies that hold interest-bearing debt, receive interest or other impure income, or trade debts for more than their face values. Further distillation of the screens above would exclude companies whose debt/total asset ratio equals or exceeds 33%. Companies with "impure plus nonoperating interest income" revenue equal to or greater than 5% would also be screened out. Finally, Islamic scholars would exclude firms whose accounts receivable/total assets equal or exceed 45%.

Fixed-Income

Retirees who want their investments to comply with the tenets of Islam face a dilemma in that fixed-income investments include riba, which is forbidden. Therefore, specific types of investment in real estate could provide steady retirement income while not running afoul of Sharia law. These investments can be direct or securitized, such as a diversified real estate fund.

In a typical ijarah sukuk (leasing bond-equivalent), the issuer will sell the financial certificates to an investor group. The group will own the certificates before renting them back to the issuer in exchange for a predetermined rental return. As with the interest rate on a conventional bond, the rental return may be a fixed or floating rate pegged to a benchmark, such as London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The issuer makes a binding promise to buy back the bonds at a future date at par value. Special purpose vehicles (SPV) are often set up to act as intermediaries in the transaction.

A sukuk may be a new borrowing, or it may be the Sharia-compliant replacement of a conventional bond issue. The issue may even enjoy liquidity through listing on local, regional, or global exchanges, according to an article in CFA Magazine titled, "Islamic Finance: How New Practitioners of Islamic Finance are Mixing Theology and Modern Investment Theory" (2005).

Basic Insurance Vehicles

Traditional insurance is not permitted as a means of risk management in Islamic law. That is because it constitutes the purchase of something with an uncertain outcome (a form of gharar). Insurers also use fixed incomea type of ribaas part of their portfolio management process to satisfy liabilities.

A possible Sharia-compliant alternative is cooperative (mutual) insurance. Subscribers contribute to a pool of funds, which are invested in a Sharia-compliant manner. Funds are withdrawn from the pool to satisfy claims, and unclaimed profits are distributed among policyholders. Such a structure exists infrequently, so Muslims may avail themselves of existing insurance vehicles if needed.

The Bottom Line

Islamic finance is a centuries-old practice that is gaining recognition throughout the world. The ethical and economic principles of Islamic finance are even drawing interest outside the Muslim community. Given the increasing development of Muslim nations, expect this field to undergo even more rapid evolution. Islamic finance will continue to address the challenges of reconciling Islamic investment policy and modern portfolio theory.GmbH is a business extension primarily known for its use in Germany. Like most countries, Germany has two distinct classifications for companies: publicly traded and privately held. The acronym 'GmbH' is used to designate certain private entities and is written after a companys name. The letters stand for Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung which translated literally, means a 'company with limited liability.'

Limited Liability in Germany

Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung and the concept of limited liability has allowed businesses to operate as private entities with limited obligations throughout modern German history. The concept of limited liability allows a private company to structure its business so that the owners are not personally liable for debts. Furthermore, shareholders are not liable either and only have their original investment at risk.

Key Takeaways Like most countries, Germany has two distinct categories for companies: publicly traded and privately held.

The letters stand for Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung which translated literally, means a 'company with limited liability.'

GmbH companies can be owned by various entities, including individuals, public companies, or partners, and are comparable to limited liability corporations (LLC) in the United States.

In Germany, owners must take appropriate legal steps to register their business as a GmbH. As such, many companies work with a third-party legal counsel for support. Basic steps for registration include the following:

Create formal documentation discussing the business and its purpose

Choose a name that is based on either the business or its executives

Appoint executives, members, and a supervisory board as required

GmbH companies have a minimum capital requirement of 25,000 with 12,500 required for registration

Register the company with the Commercial Register through a local court

Some of the most notable GmbH companies in Germany include the following:

Behr GmbH & Co. KG: Behr is an industrial supplier

Carl Walther GmbH: Industrial company in the defense and firearms sector

Mahle GmbH: Industrial supplier of automotive parts

Public Companies in Germany

German companies that are publicly traded are designated as such by the letters 'AG' after the company name. 'AG' is an abbreviation for the German word Aktiengesellschaft, which literally translates to 'stock corporation' or 'shares corporation' in English. AG companies trade publicly on stock exchanges with the majority of companies trading on the DAX.

Some of the largest German AG corporations include its automotive manufacturers:

Volkswagen AG

Daimler AG

BMW AG

Company Extensions

Across the globe, many countries use their own unique company extensions for incorporation. See a list of company extensions by country.

There are a few other countries that also use GmbH as well as some variations. Austria uses GesmbH as well as GmbH, both with the same meaning. Switzerland also uses the GmbH designation. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland all have their own legal provisions for the GmbH designation in their country.

There are many details on incorporating as a GmbH in Austria, as well as incorporating as a GmbH in Switzerland.

Germany also allows for a GmbH & Co. KG designation, a mini-GmbH, and a gGmbH.

GmbH & Co. KG: A combination of GmbH and KG

Mini-GmbH: A variation of GmbH with a lower capital requirement

gGmbH: A non-profit GmbH

Overall, the laws of a country determine which types of companies are legally recognized within the country's borders. One of the most commonly used acronyms worldwide is 'PLC', which is used throughout the United Kingdom to indicate a public limited company, or a company that is publicly traded with owners having limited liability. Throughout the world, 'S.A.' is often used to indicate a privately held company, though its exact meaning varies depending on the country in which the company is registered. The words translate broadly as 'anonymous society' in English.What Is Account Reconcilement?

Account reconcilement is the process of confirming that two separate records of transactions in an account are equal. Both institutions and individuals perform account reconcilement. At the institutional level, banks and brokers must internally review transactions between their general ledger entries and individual account records.

Account reconcilement can help organizations pinpoint errors in accounting that could indicate mistakes, miscalculations, or cash leakage. Thanks to computer automation, this process is much faster than it once was.

Key Takeaways Account reconcilement is the process of confirming that two separate records of transactions in an account are equal.

Institutions and individuals perform account reconcilement in balancing checkbooks and making sure records match statements.

Account reconcilement can help organizations pinpoint errors in accounting that could indicate mistakes, fraud, miscalculations, or cash leakage

Account reconcilement in banks and corporations is a regulatory and compliance function. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 established parameters for corporate account reconcilement.

Account reconcilement for individuals can help recognize missed payments, not receiving a refund, being overcharged, or possible theft or fraud.

Understanding Account Reconcilement

Account reconcilement within financial institutions and corporations is a key regulatory and compliance function, and it is a primary focus for outside regulators in their routine audits of a firm. For larger institutions, outside third parties are often contracted to conduct account reconcilements.

Depending on their review of the firm, auditors will issue an opinion on a company's financial statements. Customers of these firms should also keep an accurate record and report discrepancies promptly.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 established parameters for corporate account reconcilement. Prior to Sarbanes-Oxley, accounting standards did not account for the need to apply best practices to account reconcilement. Now, companies are held to much higher standards for internal controls and audit procedures.

With the advent of computer systems to record transactions and client positions, reconciling often amounts to fixing small discrepancies of a few dollars, or even pennies, between one source and another. The longer an error goes uncovered, the more difficult it will be to reconcile the two records.

Reconcilement also occurs when a customer of a bank or broker confirms that their personal records match what is reported on periodic statements. At the individual level, balancing a checkbook is a form of account reconcilement. The term can also refer to balancing the books and records of a business with software programs and data entries, which provides a level of objectivity to the review.

Account reconcilements allow for an immense amount of discovery, from recognizing missed payments to not receiving a refund, to being overcharged, to possible theft or fraud, and so on. Account reconcilement is a prudent practice that all individuals and businesses should perform regularly.

Account Reconcilement Process

On an organizational level, account reconcilement can be done by following a simplified process. First, all of the necessary accounting information should be collected. Then, the companys bank statements are compared to the general ledger. Any pending deductions in the companys ledger should be deducted from the final balance, and any pending deposits should be added to the final balance.

If the account bears interest, it should be calculated. Outstanding checks should be deducted, as should bank errors, like inaccurate debits or credits, and bank service fees. Finally, both the company statement and the general ledger should show the same final balance. Any errors that remain at the end of the process should be investigated by verifying that every transaction is posted in the general ledger and that pending deposits and outstanding checks are accounted for.

Individuals can reconcile their personal accounts using a similar process. Instead of a general ledger, they would compare their bank statements or other financial account statements to a personal record of debits and credits, such as a checkbook register. However, thanks to the advent of online banking and the decline of paper checks, many individuals no longer perform account reconcilement for most of their financial accounts and depend on their banks to show the correct final balance in online banking portals.

Still, banks can make errors, and are only transactional. To make sure monetary amounts are correct and the right funds are flowing in and out of an account, account reconcilement can provide a lot of discovery.What are Baby Bills?

Baby Bills is a nickname for the smaller companies Microsoft (MSFT) would have been broken into if Microsoft had been forced to dissolve after having been found guilty of violating antitrust laws in 1999.

In 2000, a judge ordered Microsoft to break apart into smaller companies, but an agreement was reached in 2001 that allowed Microsoft to stay intact as a single company. The phrase Baby Bills was a portmanteau of Baby Bells and Bill Gates, or a collection of smaller companies resulting from Bill Gates: babies of Bill.

Key Takeaways Microsoft wasn't required to break up in 2000, but if it had been the smaller companies that would have resulted are referred to as Baby Bills.

This was only one of the multiple major legal battles Microsoft has been involved in over the years.

The term relates to smaller firms (babies) of Bill Gates, and a throwback to when "Ma Bell" was forced to disband in 1982 resulting in "Baby Bell" companies.

Understanding Baby Bills

Baby Bills is a joke nickname for the companies software giant Microsoft would have been required to split up into had the antitrust order of June 7, 2000 stood.

In 1990, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began an investigation into whether Microsoft had a monopoly on operating systems for PC computers. In 1993 the FTC deadlocked on whether Microsoft had abused its monopoly, but at the same time the Department of Justice (DOJ), opened its own investigation into Microsoft as a monopoly and whether or not the company was exploiting the monopoly.

In 1994 the DOJ ruled that Microsoft was not allowed to attach other Microsoft products to the MS operating system. In essence the DOJ was trying to limit Microsoft's monopoly power only to the operating system and prevent it from achieving monopolies in other types of products.

Microsoft was in the process of developing de facto monopolies in word processing and spreadsheet software as other products were losing market share, and the Justice was attempting to mitigate this.

Microsoft continued to bundle Internet Explorer along with the MS operating system and claimed that it was a feature and not a product. The DOJ and 21 Attorneys General sued Microsoft for this, and the trial began in 1998. In 1999 Microsoft was found guilty of having and abusing a monopoly.

On June 7, 2000 Microsoft was ordered to break up into smaller companies, one of which would have contained the operating systems, one of which would have contained software applications, and a third of which would have had internet and ecommerce systems.

These hypothetical companies were referred to as Baby Bills. In 2001 Microsoft reached an agreement with the DOJ to open up its programming interfaces to third-party companies to develop software for the MS operating system. Microsoft was not forced to break up into smaller companies.

Meaning of Baby Bills

Baby Bills is a portmanteau of Baby Bells and Bill Gates, CEO and founder of Microsoft. Baby Bells refers to the smaller companies formed when the AT&T (T) telephone monopoly, called "Ma Bell," was ordered to disband in 1982.

Examples of Other Microsoft Legal Battles

In 2008 the European Union (EU) fined MSFT 899. The fine was related to what the EU viewed as unreasonable royalty fees MSFT charged for providing other companies with information which would make their software compatible with the Windows operating system.

The royalty fees were introduced after a 2004 antitrust case against Microsoft determined that it withheld information from other companies with the intent to limit those company's ability to make software compatible with Windows.

Microsoft began providing the necessary information to other companies, for a royalty. This royalty declined over time, under pressure from the EU, but Microsoft was still fined for the years in which the EU viewed the royalty as punitively high.What is a Cliquet?

A cliquet, also called a "ratchet option," is a series of at-the-money (ATM) options, either puts or calls, where each successive option becomes active when the previous one expires.

Key Takeaways A cliquet, also called a "ratchet option," is a series of at-the-money (ATM) options, either puts or calls, where each successive option becomes active when the previous one expires.

The total premium and the exact reset dates are known at the time of transacting a cliquet.

Cliquet holders can opt to receive their payout when each option expires or wait until the entire series plays out to receive the sum of all payouts at maturity.

Understanding a Cliquet

A cliquet is cash-settled, exotic option type that settles at predetermined dates and then resets its strike price based on the price of the underlying security at the time of settlement. Each new option within the cliquet enters into force when the previous option expires. The total premium and the exact reset dates are known at the time of transacting a cliquet. Investors can opt to receive their payout when each option expires or wait until the entire series plays out.

A cliquet is a series of forward start options, all related to each other. Each forward start option represents the advance purchase of a put, or call, option with an at-the-money (ATM) strike price to be determined at a later date, typically when the option becomes active. A forward start option becomes active at a specified date in the future. The premium is paid in advance, while the time to expiration and the underlying security are established at the time the forward start option is purchased.

If at the first settlement date the underlying security trades below the strike price of the option (for a call), then it expires worthless and resets to the price of the underlying security at the time of settlement. If at the end of the next settlement the underlying security trades above the new strike, the holder may elect to receive the difference between the market price of the underlying security and the strike price. Alternatively, the holder can let it ride to receive the sum of all payouts at maturity.

The main advantage of initiating a cliquet is, if an investor expects volatility to rise, they can lock in their profits at predetermined levels and thus maximize their overall portfolio return.

Cliquet Example

For example, a three-year cliquet option with a strike of $1,000 would expire worthless on the first year if the underlying closes at $900. This value ($900) would then be the new strike price for the following year and should the underlying on the settlement be $1,200, the holder would receive a payout and the strike would reset to this new level. Higher volatility provides better conditions for investors to earn profits.

Cliquet Similar to Asian Options

An Asian option is an option type where the payoff depends on the average price of the underlying asset over a certain period of time, as opposed to standard options (American and European), where the payoff depends on the price of the underlying asset at a specific point in time (maturity). These options allow the buyer to purchase (or sell) the underlying asset at the average price, instead of the spot price.

Cliquets determine payouts periodically over the life of the options; so, in a sense, they do act as Asian options with an average price. Of course, the math is not the same, especially since there can be payouts of zero along the way as individual forward start options expire worthless.What Is Pension Adjustment Reversal (PAR)?

Pension Adjustment Reversal (PAR) is an option for workers whereby they can adjust retirement benefits by adding to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Pooled Registered Pension Plan after withdrawing early from a Deferred Profit Sharing Plan (DPSP) or a Registered Pension Plan (RPP) with an employer.

Key Takeaways Pension Adjustment Reversal (PAR) is an option for workers whereby they can adjust retirement benefits by adding to various retirement plans with an employer.

PAR is used in Canada to add to an individuals Registered Retirement Savings Plan or Pooled Registered Pension Plan when they depart a DPSP or an RPP as an employee.

The PAR reduces the amount of money that has been contributed to the pension plan for an employee in a given year, thereby increasing the RRSP deduction limit.

PAR can occur, for instance, when an employee leaves a company after a short period and before that employee is vested.

Understanding Pension Adjustment Reversal (PAR)

PAR is used in Canada to add to an individuals Registered Retirement Savings Plan or Pooled Registered Pension Plan when they depart a DPSP or an RPP as an employee.

The PAR reduces the amount of money that has been contributed to the pension plan for an employee in a given year, thereby increasing the RRSP deduction limit.

PAR can occur, for instance, when an employee leaves a company after a short period and before that employee is vested. In such cases, the employer may not yet have contributed to the employees pension fund. If this is the case, the pension is composed only of the employees contribution, and employer contributions are not counted.

Eligibility for Pension Adjustment Reversal

To be eligible for a PAR, the employee does not necessarily need to end employment with a company. Employees may initiate a pension adjustment reversal by terminating membership in the pension plan and transferring benefits to an RRSP.

Once a plan participant is vested or has received tangible benefits, including employer matching funds, they are no longer eligible for a PAR. Additionally, an employee who leaves a company but continues membership in the pension plan is not eligible for the PAR.

Calculating Pension Adjustment Reversal for DPSP

A DPSP is an arrangement under which an employer may share profits from their business with all or a specified group of employees to provide benefits. Contributions are typically stated as a percentage of the employers profits or employees earnings. Members cannot contribute to a DPSP. These plans are governed by the Act and Regulations and are not subject to provincial pension legislation.

Under a DPSP, a PAR must be calculated for an individual who terminated membership after 1996 for a reason other than death and received no installment payments under the plan.

Pension Adjustment Reversal (PAR) is calculated as the total of all amounts included in their pension credits up to the date of termination that the account holder was not entitled to receive at the time of termination; earnings on allocations or contributions are not included in the PAR.

The PAR is calculated as the total of all amounts included in their pension credits up to the date of termination that the account holder was not entitled to receive at the time of termination. Earnings on allocations or contributions are not included in the PAR.

The total of an individuals pension credits includes the pension credit for the year of termination, even though this pension credit may not be reported until after the PAR is reported. Therefore, an individual will need to consider any unvested amounts, including forfeitures allocated to an individual in the year of termination, when calculating the PAR.

Calculating the Pension Adjustment Reversal for RPP

An RPP is an arrangement by an employer to provide periodic payments to individuals after retirement and until death for their service as employees. An RPP is subject to the Act and Regulations, and may also be regulated by provincial and federal pension legislation (for example, the Pension Benefits Standards Act).

Under an RPP, a PAR must be calculated for an individual who terminated membership after 1996 for a reason other than death and received no retirement benefits under the plan. It is calculated in the same way as it is under the DPSP, and the same conditions apply with respect to unvested amounts.

Any amounts allocated after the person has quit the plan will be included in a pension credit at that time but will not affect the PAR that has already been calculated.What Is Pensionable Service?

Pensionable service refers to the amount of time a worker accrues credit toward a pension plan in which they are enrolled. Under Canadian law, an individual can accumulate up to a total of 35 years of pensionable service.

Key Takeaways Pensionable service is the time accrued toward a pension plan.

The period of pensionable service is referred to as "current service".

Workers may add prior service to the accruing current service to increase their pension.

Under Canadian law, an individual can accumulate up to a total of 35 years of pensionable service.

For some Canadians, pensionable service may also include periods of purchased service as a benefit of the Public Service Superannuation Plan.

Understanding Pensionable Service

Pensionable service is the amount of time a worker enrolled in a pension plan accrues toward that plan during their employment. Typically reported on statements as a yearly figure, pensionable service is one of the primary factors in determining a workers pension benefits, along with the highest average salary.

The pensionable service value calculated for each worker is most commonly based on the employer's record of time worked, as expressed in hours, years, or other intervals. Each pension plan differs in calculating pensionable service, so it is imperative that plan participants familiarize themselves with the specific terms of their plan.

The period during which a worker contributes pensionable service directly to a pension plan is known as "current service".

In addition to accruing current service, an individual may add eligible prior service to increase their pension, which can be done by purchasing pensionable service for eligible periods of prior employment, or by transferring the value of accrued pension benefits from another employer's plan via a Pension Transfer Agreement.

Pension Transfer Agreement

A Pension Transfer Agreement is an agreement negotiated between an eligible employer and the Canadian government that facilitates the transfer between pension plans.

An employer must have entered an official agreement with the Government of Canada for an employee to take advantage of a Pension Transfer Agreement. As of 2021, more than 90 pension plans participate in Pension Transfer Agreements in Canada. An employee whose pension does not have an active Pension Transfer Agreement can petition their employer to enact an agreement, or they may explore the option of a service buyback program.

Buying Back Pensionable Service

For some Canadians, pensionable service figures may also include periods of purchased service as a benefit of the Public Service Superannuation Plan. Also known as service buyback, the purchase of pensionable service must be calculated using a Past Service Pension Adjustment and certified by the Canada Revenue Agency before being counted.

Types of pensionable service that can be eligible for purchase include prior public service, periods of service in which a member was not contributing to a pension plan, and service recognized by other pension plans. Such purchases are subject to the rules of the Canada Revenue Agency, and terms vary between plans and provinces.

Additional requirements and costs may be applied to a service buyback, and the 35-year accrual limit on pensionable service applies.President Rodrigo Dutertes trip to South Korea has recharged the economy with 23 business agreements valued at $4.8 billion and another additional $1 billion in development assistance from Korea to support the Duterte administrations Build, Build, Build projects. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the Presidents foreign trip resulted in various deals such as the $50-million National Irrigation Administration facility project; $100 million to finance the new Dumaguete Airport Development Project; and $41million for the implementation of an electronic receipt, invoices and sales reporting system that will help the government monitor all the taxes paid by retailers in the Philippines. The Finance chief met with his Korean counterpart and signed a deal with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Kim Dong-Yeon that would double the Korean official development assistance (ODA) committed to the Philippines, from $500 million from 2011 to 2013, to $1 billion available from 2017 to 2022. The first loan carved out from the billion dollar framework agreement amounts to $172.64 million. It will be used to finance the new Cebu International Container Port [CICP] project. The loan agreement for this project was signed by myself and Export-Import Bank Korea chairman and president Sung-Soo Eun, Dominguez said. The CICP project will help alleviate the road congestion in the Cebu-based port area and provide a more efficient and reliable transport infrastructure to enhance the flow of goods and services in the Visayas. Dominguez said the government plans to use the remaining $636-million balance to fund two to three more flagship projects under the Build, Build, Build program. He assured the public that none of the assistance provided to the Philippines would be wasted on corruption, stressing that the Commission on Audit would be involved in the monitoring of projects to be financed by the ODA. For his part, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez announced that five government-to-government agreements were signed, covering the expansion of renewable energy deployment, scientific and technological cooperation, transportation, the Cebu port loan and the establishment of a Joint Commission For Trade And Economic Cooperation. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque added that a memorandum of understanding would provide for mutual visits, training and exchanges between the Presidential Communications Operations Office and South Koreas Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. During Dutertes visit, Korean President Moon Jae-in agreed to significantly increase trade between Manila and Seoul. Duterte and Moon discussed various issues in a meeting at the Blue House, including political and economic cooperation, defense and security, trade and investments, infrastructure, information and smart technologies, agriculture, protection of nationals, and the environment.In a joint statement, President Moon said the Philippines and South Korea will continue to develop their substantive cooperation to ensure that the people of our two countries will be able to fully grasp the fruits of this cooperation. In this regard, the two leaders agreed to significantly increase our bilateral trade volume that currently stands at approximately $15 billion and to further expand the investment between our two countries, he said. The Korean leader said the Philippines is a key partner in implementing the New Southern Policy that his government is vigorously carrying out. Moon said the Republic of Korea will actively participate in Philippine development. In particular, I look forward to seeing the Korean companies participation further expanded in the fields of transportation, energy and infrastructure through our cooperation in the new industries such as info-communications as well as science and technology, he said. On the protection of both Filipinos and Koreans, the leaders agreed to make extensive efforts to protect the safety, rights, and interest of both nationals, including cooperation between the respective public safety authorities. President Duterte promised to pay closer attention and provide support towards protecting the lives and the safety of Korean nationals in the Philippines, he said. The Korean government will likewise strengthen the protection and support for the multicultural families and migrant workers from the Philippines. We will actively safeguard the human rights through a variety of institutional support, including counseling centers for foreign workers and multicultural family support centers, Moon said. He also cited the keen interest and support displayed by President Duterte in efforts to achieve complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.Who Is William F. Sharpe?

William Forsyth Sharpe is an American economist who won the 1990 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, along with Harry Markowitz and Merton Miller, for developing models to assist with investment decision making.

Sharpe is well known for developing the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) in the 1960s. The CAPM describes the relationship between systematic risk and expected returns, and states that taking on more risk is necessary to earn a higher return. He is also known for creating the Sharpe ratio, a figure used to measure the risk-to-reward ratio of an investment.

Key Takeaways William F. Sharpe is an economist credited with developing the CAPM and Sharpe ratio.

The CAPM is a cornerstone in portfolio management and seeks to find the expected return by looking at the risk-free rate, beta, and the market risk premium.

The Sharpe ratio helps investors decipher which investments provide the best returns for the risk level.

Alison Czinkota / Investopedia

Life of William F. Sharpe

William Forsyth Sharpe was born in Boston on June 16, 1934. He and his family eventually settled in California, and he graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School in 1951. After several false starts in deciding what to study at college, including abandoned plans to pursue medicine and business administration, Sharpe decided to study economics. He graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1955 and a Master of Arts degree in 1956. Sharpe then completed his Ph.D. in economics in 1961.

Sharpe has taught at the University of Washington, the University of California at Irvine, and Stanford University. He has also held several positions in his professional career outside of academia. Notably, he was an economist at RAND Corporation, consultant at Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo, founder of Sharpe-Russell Research in conjunction with Frank Russell Company, and founder of the consulting firm William F. Sharpe Associates.

Sharpe received many awards for his contribution to the field of finance and business, including the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business award for outstanding contribution to the field of business education in 1980, and the Financial Analysts' Federation Nicholas Molodovsky Award for outstanding contributions to the [finance] profession in 1989. The Nobel Prize award he won in 1990 is the most prestigious achievement.

Contributions to Financial Economics

Sharpe is most well-known for his role in developing CAPM, which has become a foundational concept in financial economics and portfolio management. This theory has origins in his doctoral dissertation. Sharpe submitted a paper summarizing the basis for CAPM to the Journal of Finance in 1962. Although it is now a cornerstone theory in finance, it originally received negative feedback from the publication. It was later published in 1964 following a change in editorship.

The CAPM model theorized that the expected return of a stock should be the risk-free rate of return plus the beta of the investment multiplied by the market risk premium. The risk-free rate of return compensates investors for tying up their money, while the beta and market risk premium compensates the investor for the additional risk they are taking on over and above simply investing in treasuries which provide the risk-free rate.

Sharpe also created the oft-referenced Sharpe ratio. The Sharpe ratio measures the excess return earned over the risk-free rate per unit of volatility. The ratio helps investors determine if higher returns are due to smart investment decisions or taking on too much risk. Two portfolios may have similar returns, but the Sharpe ratio shows which one is taking more risk to attain that return. Higher returns with lower risk are better, and the Sharpe ratio helps investors find that mix.

In addition, Sharpe's 1998 paper, Determining a Fund's Effective Asset Mix, is credited as being the foundation of return-based analysis models, which analyze historical investment returns in order to determine how to classify an investment.

Example of How Investors Use the Sharpe Ratio

Assume an investor wants to add a new stock to their portfolio. They are currently considering two and want to pick the one with the better risk-adjusted return. They will use the Sharpe ratio calculation.

Assume the risk-free rate is 3%.

Stock A has a returned 15% in the past year, with a volatility of 10%. The Sharpe ratio is 1.2. Calculated as (15-3)/10.

Stock B has returned 13% in the past year, with a volatility of 7%. The Sharpe ratio is 1.43. Calculated as (13-3)/7.

While stock B had a lower return than stock A, the volatility of stock B is also lower. When factoring in the risk of the investments, stock B provides a better mix of returns with lower risk. Even if stock B only returned 12%, it would still be a better buy with a Sharpe ratio of 1.29.

The prudent investor chooses stock B because the slightly higher return associated with stock A doesn't adequately compensate for the higher risk.

There are a few issues with the calculation, including the limited time frame being looked at and the assumption that prior returns and volatility are representative of futures returns and volatility. This may not always be the case.As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms business models and industries, a report by PwC has predicted that AI could contribute $15.7tn to the global economy by 2030.

Last year, Google opened a support hub for AI startups in its studio in San Francisco, while the University of Limerick has introduced a masters level course in artificial intelligence.

However, despite AIs expansion into the mainstream, scepticism remains in many industries.

Alex Kelly, co-founder of Brightflag, a software platform that helps large corporations to manage their legal costs, said theres a lot of hype in the industry around AI and how its going to do away with the need for lawyers and result in robot lawyers.

He said that AI and machine learning can provide practical solutions to businesses.

Mr Kelly describes Brightflag as a next-generation system, which is powered by AI.

What were doing is solving a very specific problem, bringing real business value to deliver incremental improvements on a very labour-intensive process for legal departments to manage their budgets, he said.

Legal services providers typically charge an hourly rate, giving narrative-time entry descriptions of the work they do, Mr Kelly said.

Brightflag uses machine learning to read and understand that narrative detail and to categorise the time spent on each activity, and that data is used to find increased visibility in costs.

Set up in Dublin in 2014, Brightflag has tripled in size each year and currently has a core team of over 50 in Dublin, with offices in New York and Sydney, and clients including Uber and Australian telecoms provider, Telstra.

Mr Kelly, a corporate lawyer, who previously worked with Matheson, in Dublin, and co-founder, Ian Nolan, who comes from a legal technology background, recognised a lack of transparency between large corporations and law firms and they realised the problem could be solved using AI.

Brightflag had support early on from Enterprise Ireland, and has since received venture capital investments from US and Irish venture funds.

Were living in very exciting times. AI really captures the imagination, but, sometimes, people can overstate the implications and that can lead to polarised attitudes. However, there is real business impact, and that has driven the growth of Brightflag and got us to where we are, said Mr Kelly.

Meanwhile, Andreea Wade, co-founder of Opening.io, which is using AI to disrupt the recruitment industry, says agencies and job platforms are recognising the potential of machine learning.

Matching is seen within the recruitment space as the holy grail, Ms Wade said.

This is such a document- and data-heavy industry, with recruiters spending three months out of 12 just looking at CVs.

Ms Wade describes Opening.io as a cognitive engine that uses AI and machine-learning to match candidates to roles.

Using linguistic algorithms, the technology converts words and phrases in job posts and CVs into data, which acts like a filter to shortlist jobseekers for HR departments, recruitment agencies, and job platforms.

The companys products include features which use five ways of matching people to positions; a function that can forecast a candidates salary by comparing their CV against the average salary in a particular country and market; and a skills-suggestion feature.

Opening.io came from the experiences of Ms Wade and her co-founder, Adrian Mihai, while job hunting.

We were going through the very painful process: sending your CV to all these places and you never hear back.

We had this strong tech and product background, and we said we could solve this, Ms Wade said.

Early in 2018, the company was chosen by Enterprise Ireland as a high potential start-up, and it is currently closing a significant funding round.

According to Ms Wade, the recruitment industry is ripe for disruption, with traditional agencies and job platforms losing market shares to the likes of Google for Jobs, along with a new trend of larger companies opening internal recruitment agencies and poaching their top recruiters.Update 10.25pm: The Justice Minister says its difficult to stand with the Magdalene Laundries survivors at an event at the Mansion House as he is representing the State which let them down.

Charlie Flanagan says the truth is the woman who suffered had to wait far too long for acknowledgement, recognition and an official apology.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said: To say that I am privileged and humbled to be standing here tonight is an understatement.

To be frank, it is also a difficult and daunting place for me to stand. Its difficult, because I am only too aware that as a Government minister I represent the State which let each and every one of you down. This State allowed you be incarcerated, and made to work in Magdalene Laundries.

We had a duty of care, we had a job of inspection, and we failed. Indeed we even took on the role, in some cases, of referring agent. And in so doing we let you down.

Update 7.32pm: The President of Ireland has apologised to women who were forced to work in Magdalene laundries after they were failed by the state and religious orders in a very dark period of the countrys history.

In a speech to hundreds of women who arrived at his official residence Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon, Michael D Higgins said stories of forced labour and injustice had left a deep stain on society.

Accompanied by his wife Sabina, he hosted a drinks reception for crowds of women who travelled from around the world to speak out about their treatment when they were incarcerated in the institutions when young.

Unmarried mothers, girls considered troublesome or wayward and those with learning difficulties were kept in the laundries run by nuns and made to carry out unpaid manual labour.

More than 10,000 women are thought to have passed through the laundries in the Republic of Ireland between 1922 and 1996.

Describing them as inspiring, President Higgins said: I apologise to you, survivors of the Magdalene regime, and said he hoped the visit was a chance to heal and come into the light from the darkness.

Twin sisters Mairead Manley (left) and Breda Kennedy, survivors of the Goldenbridge Magdalene laundry attend a reception hosted by president Michael D Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain (Brian Lawless/PA)

There were cheers of freedom as they walked into the property.

Mary Smith was in tears as she told reporters she and her mother Eileen were both locked up in the laundries adding: This has left me shattered for the rest of my life. Ive come here for justice for the people who suffered.

Mary Merritt, 87, who travelled from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in the UK, said: The Church has never apologised to us. Without the press, the stories would never have been told.

We also have to remember the women who cannot be with us today and were buried in mass graves.

Campaigner Norah Casey said: This event is not about celebration, its about dignity and respect.

Survivors of the Magdalene laundries, with supporters and family members at a reception hosted by Michael D Higgins (Brian Lawless/PA)

In recent years the silence has been broken and you all have helped to let the light into some very dark corners of Irelands shared past.

You have presented us with what makes a very harrowing and deeply uncomfortable reflection of an Ireland some would prefer not to be able to recognise, but which has to be acknowledged, transacted and to which a response must be made.

All of you and of all the other women who cannot be with us today were failed by these institutions and the religious orders who ran them.

You were profoundly failed by the State which, in its relationship to these institutions, should have had your welfare at its core.

You were failed by Governments that knowingly relied on the existence and practices of these institutions rather than addressing your particular needs in other, more sympathetic ways.

You were also failed by a society that actively colluded by their silence in your incarceration and treatment or chose to look the other way, averted their gaze, as vulnerable girls and women were subjected, in so many cases, to further abuse and degradation.

Ireland failed you. When you were vulnerable and in need of the support of Irish society and its institutions, its authorities did not cherish you, protect you, respect your dignity or meet your needs and so many in the wider society colluded with all that through their silence.

After the speech the women were taken to Mansion House, the residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Gardai closed off the street as crowds lined the pavements and there were moving scenes as they applauded and cheered the group upon their arrival.

On Wednesday the women will discuss how they would like to be memorialised by the state in private meetings in the culmination of the two-day event organised by voluntary group Dublin Honours Magdalenes (DHM).

The Department of Justice and Equality is understood to have paid for flights and hotels for the women who travelled from the UK, Switzerland, Australia and the United States.

Many were returning to Ireland for the first time since leaving the laundries, DHM said.

The events come as the Governments redress scheme was widened to reach women originally excluded because they worked in the laundries but lived elsewhere.

On Monday, academics in Northern Ireland said their year-long Government-commissioned probe into records of mother and baby homes and Magdalene laundries north of the border could help determine whether a public inquiry into the treatment of residents there will take place.

- Press Association

Update 6.41pm: President Michael D Higgins has apologised to the survivors of the Magdalene Laundries at an event to honour the women at Aras an Uachtarain.

In a speech, the President described the mother and baby homes as a "stain on Ireland's past" and said that the women were failed by their country.

Over 200 survivors have come together for the first time ever for the two-day event in Dublin, with some women travelling from as far as Australia.

Josie Keane, from Cork, says that she's grateful their suffering is being recognised and that she has no shame in coming forward.

"I just felt like I wanted to talk because I didn't put myself in there, so why should I worry about something I didn't do," she said.

- Digital desk

Update 5.16pm: Church and state 'ahead of their time in people trafficking', says Magdalene Laundries survivor

A survivor of the Magdalene Laundries says the church and state were ahead of their time when it came to people trafficking.

Elizabeth Coppin is one of more than 220 survivors here to attend a two-day event to honour the women.

They gathered a special reception at Aras an Uachtarain today and will attend a dinner at the Mansion House tonight.

Dolores Cassely and Rose Harris, Dublin, at Aras an Uachtarain, where President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins hosted a historic gathering of over 220 women who worked in the Magdalene Laundries. Pic: Maxwells

Ms Coppin ended up in three laundries and says it was the equivalent of trafficking.

"I believe the Irish government and the church were in collusion with each other," she said.

"We're talking about Eastern European trafficking but her in the western free-world of Ireland, they were way ahead of that.

"They still won't admit they trafficked us, they still won't admit they violated our human rights."

Margaret OMeara, from Killarney, Co Kerry, spoke to Joyce Fagan at the CityWest Hotel for the Dublin Honours Magdalenes event:

Original story: Michael D Higgins hosting Magdalene survivors' gathering; Government vows to tackle gaps in redress

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has apologised to Magdalene laundry survivors and pledged that the Government will address in full gaps, delays or disputes over their struggle for justice.

Former residents and their families of the religious-run institutions have given an initial welcome to the ministers words and said this was a significant development.

The ministers offer of remorse comes ahead of a gathering in Dublin today of hundreds of Magdalene women, who will have their first opportunity to speak freely to others incarcerated in laundries.

The President will also host a special reception for the women at Aras an Uachtarain.

Writing in todays Irish Examiner, Mr Flanagan says there is a need to heed the lessons of the past and to listen to the women who were victimised, degraded, and cast aside.

I want to make my own apology for those and say that, both over the next two days and more generally in our response to the Ombudsmans concerns over those delays and failings, we too, are trying to show a real capacity to listen, he writes.

Women from around the world have gathered in Dublin today to join hundreds of fellow Magdalene survivors for events to honour former residents.

Survivors and their companions will attend a garden party at Aras an Uachtarain hosted by President Michael D Higgins, and later attend the Mansion House for a gala dinner.

However, the occasion is also being used as an opportunity for women from the laundries to meet each other.

Some who were invited only told their families of what happened to them and their treatment and forced labour since invitations were issued for the event.

Survivors have travelled from Britain, the US, and Australia.

Over the weekend, it was announced that the Magdalene redress scheme would be extended to 14 additional institutions, for women who worked in laundries while living in a co-located institution.

The decision came more than half a year after Ombudsman Peter Tyndall published a scathing report into the scheme, which said the Department of Justice wrongly refused some Magdalene laundry survivors access to redress payments.

Charlie Flanagan.

Mr Flanagan says the Government is trying to listen to concerns and would hear this week from a group of women in society who were victims of that dreadful tendency we had to victimise, degrade and cast aside.

He says there were gaps, disputes, and delays in the restorative justice scheme, originally recommended by Justice John Quirke.

He added:

I want to acknowledge the Ombudsmans criticism of the administration of Justice Quirkes scheme and put on record again, my and my departments determination to address his concerns in full.

Efforts are also being made to work through other issues, including disputes over length of stay and matters of decision-making capacity.

Responding to his comments and apology in the Irish Examiner, campaigners for survivors said they welcomed the development.

Magdalene Laundry, Dublin.

Justice for Magdalenes Research co-founder Claire McGettrick said: We thank the minister for his generous support of the Dublin Honours Magdalenes event, and we are encouraged by his willingness to listen to Magdalene survivors about the problems with the ex gratia scheme.

These include not only denial of access to the scheme but also the absence of a comprehensive healthcare package, womens testimony about their duration of stay being ignored, and inadequate assistance to women deemed to lack financial decision-making capacity.

We hope that the Dublin Honours Magdalenes event will demonstrate how survivors of historic abuse deserve to be treated by the State in making amends for past failings.

The ministers commitment to listen to the women is important. For too long the State has silenced survivors of institutional abuse  in the case of the Magdalene laundries by failing to investigate the issue of abuse in the laundries and by keeping its own records secret and allowing the religious orders to do the same.

This story first appeared in the Irish Examiner.Update 10.35pm: There are no plans to means test child benefit.

Regina Doherty had suggested that the child benefit payment could be reduced for some higher-income households to allow for free childcare for all.

Concerns were raised that a proposed threshold of 100,000 was too low and that it would make the system unfair.

Business Minister Heather Humphreys says it's not part of current government plans.

"We protected the universal nature of the child benefit during the recession and I don't see why we should change it at this stage," she said.

"Means testing child benefit is not being considered by the government and is not in the programme for government.

"It is of crucial importance to the mother. I know that family income can be high in some cases, but that doesn't always mean the mother has access to it all.

"This has been a payment to mothers. It has been an important contribution over the years in helping children.

"That's important to say and we'll all think of instances where the children's allowance payment was used for the benefit of any of us who were brought up in Ireland."

Original story 12.02pm: Child benefit could be cut for households with incomes over 100,000

Child benefit could soon be cut for households with annual incomes over 100,000.

The Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty says she is going to look at reducing payments for higher earners to pay for childcare for all.

Means testing would be used to identify who is affected.

But SIPTU's Michael Taft thinks the proposed income threshold is too low.

He said: "The average income for a full time employee is nearly 45,000 so when you're not really going after high income households you are actually going after pretty much average incomes or just slightly above.

"So that does not seem very equitable."

Regina Doherty.

- Digital DeskANGELITO AVENIDO JR.

Police on Tuesday arrested one of two suspects in the killing of Assistant Special Prosecutor Madonna Joy Tanyag of the Office of the Ombudsman. Tanyag, who was five months pregnant, was stabbed three times Monday close to noon after attending a hearing at the Sandiganbayan. She bought milk tea from a store on Visayas Avenue and was about to board her vehicle when the suspect attacked her. Tanyag, 33, was declared dead on arrival at the East Avenue Medical Center. Police, who suspected a robbery gone bad, identified the suspect as Angelito Avenido Jr. and said they confiscated some of her belongings during his arrest. At a press conference after his arrest, Avenido said the stabbing was an accident and that he did not mean to kill Tanyag. Police said he robbed the lawyer to buy more drugs, and that he had tested positive for shabu.Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde said he had confided to a witness his role in the stabbing.Quezon City Police District director Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel Jr. said Avenido arrived in Manila in March from General Santos City, where he is wanted for stabbing and killing another person. Avenido, who will be charged with robbery and homicide, was arrested at 5:45 pm Monday after he was identified through CCTV footage. Police found two IDs, two purses, P9,000 in cash and a mobile phone belonging to Tanyag. Dr. Cris Tanyag, the husband of the victim, thanked the police for their swift response. If she were still alive, my wife would say she believed in our laws and in justice, he said in Filipino.Today and tomorrow, survivors of the Magdalene Laundries will be feted in the Mansion House and welcomed to Aras an Uachtarain, says Charlie Flanagan.

THE past is a foreign country. If only. Last week, the past lined up right beside us and showed itself, once again, to be an all too familiar, dark place.

In this case, the issue was adoption. Soon, a number of our fellow citizens will be given the hugely traumatic news that they are not actually who they think they are.

We have to accept, again, that handing over power and responsibility to unaccountable institutions, often religious ones, which we have readily done historically, has served neither those institutions, nor us as a society, well.

So, what are we to do?

The past will not stop presenting itself to us until we heed the lessons that are to be learned from it. And the trauma that has followed into the present will not begin to subside until we open ourselves to all those who were victimised, degraded and cast aside, and until we are willing to hear what they have to say.

As a Government, we are trying to do that. And over today and Wednesday, we will get an opportunity to join with, and hear, a group of women who were subject to that dreadful tendency we had to victimise, degrade, and cast aside.

They are survivors of Magdalene Laundries and will gather in Dublin to be honoured and heard.

In February 2013, then taoiseach, Enda Kenny, made his historic State apology to the women who toiled in the nations Magdalene Laundries, apologising in particular for the burden of stigma and shame that the women had been forced to carry throughout their lives.

He acknowledged the profound impact that listening to their stories had had on him.

Hearing the women tell him of the long days and nights, turning into years and sometimes decades, of not knowing if they would ever see freedom again, moved him profoundly.

Hearing their stories of pain and isolation, and denial of opportunity, upset him. And hearing them speak of their abandonment by a State that was supposed to care for them, to ensure their dignity, and to protect their rights, he became determined to make amends.

Justice John Quirke listened to the women, too. And his restorative justice scheme, which followed on from the apology, has, in large part, been implemented.

But there have been gaps, there have been disputes, and there have been delays. I want to make my own apology for those and say that over the next two days, and more generally in our response to the Ombudsmans concerns over those delays and failings, we, too, are trying to show a real capacity to listen.

Justice Quirkes recommendations were, firstly, that women who had worked in Magdalene Laundries should be facilitated to meet so they could listen to each other; and, secondly, that they be consulted about memorialisation of their experiences.

I am delighted that a group of campaigners helped these two particular recommendations come to fruition, and I was only too glad to facilitate their invitation to the women and also to support the event financially.

It is a true privilege for both me and my officials to be in a position to do something so practical, so helpful, and, I hope, so meaningful.

The stories I have heard, over the past week, of the efforts being made by some women to get here, and by the organisers to facilitate them, are truly humbling and I am really looking forward to welcoming the women to the Mansion House, along with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Micheal MacDonnchadh.

Meanwhile, I know the women themselves are particularly looking forward to visiting Aras an Uachtarain, where they will be greeted by President Michael D Higgins.

Indeed, it feels only right that a group of citizens who were treated so harshly would get the chance to be feted and shown such respect by none other than our first citizen.

But I know that the glow of the next two days will fade.

And some will still feel short-changed and disappointed.

I want to acknowledge the Ombudsmans criticism of the administration of Justice Quirkes scheme and to put on record, again, my and my departments determination to address his concerns in full.

Indeed, just last week, the Government agreed to admit to the scheme those who worked in Magdalene Laundries while living in a co-located institution.

And Mary OToole, SC, is working through the other issues: disputes over length of stay, and matters of decision-making capacity.

So, we are doing what we can.

We have many reasons to be grateful to the women who were confined in the Magdalene Laundries. They have played a huge part in opening our eyes to just some of what was happening in that past, which we might prefer to see as a foreign country.

Perhaps, if we learn as much as we can from them, it will be a foreign country someday.

Charlie Flanagan TD is the justice ministerThe wish of Magdalene Laundries victims to meet has finally been granted. It will be a public acknowledgement by the President of the States neglect, says James M Smith.

THE Dublin Honours Magdalenes event matters because its about the women. It has always been about the women. And will be for the next two days.

Two hundred women, all of whom spent time in one of the Magdalene institutions, will gather together for the first time.

They will meet each other, chat with each other, share and compare experiences, reminisce, and remember those who are no longer with us.

Bringing the women together fulfills a key element in the States Restorative Justice Scheme, which was devised by Mr Justice John Quirke and accepted in full by the government in June, 2013.

The women communicated to Justice Quirke their desire to meet each other and now they are doing so. The next two days are a measure of how far our society has come in dealing with its dark past.

No such gathering has happened before. Some attendees will be returning to Ireland for the first time since they left the laundries.

These women were denied their given identities while in these institutions; they were prohibited, under pain of punishment, from talking about their personal lives, where they came from, or who they knew on the outside.

Shame enforced these rules of secrecy and silence. So, the next two days matter because they afford each of these women the precious affirmation of knowing that they are not alone. There are other survivors, just like them.

The women will be feted at Aras an Uachtarain by President Michael D. Higgins  who, in December, 2009, first encouraged this writer to apply to the Irish Human Rights Commission, seeking an inquiry into human rights violations in the laundries.

Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan, deserves praise for facilitating the two-day event and for securing the necessary funding. Norah Casey, too, and her incredible team, have done herculean work in coordinating the many pieces of a massive logistical puzzle.

And, lots of artists and performers are giving generously of their time to entertain the ladies and guests. All of this matters because the event is about acknowledging the women and ensuring they are comfortable and that they enjoy themselves.

The Restorative Justice Scheme also specified consultation with the women to ascertain their wishes with regard to memorialisation.

On the night of his memorable apology, then Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, signaled the need to engage directly with  as many of the women as possible to agree on the creation of an appropriate memorial.

This consultation will happen over the next two days, by way of a formal listening exercise, organised in conjunction with the Irish Research Council and University College Dublins Magdalene Laundries Oral History Project.

The women will speak and we will listen. We will ask them what they think is important to remember about the laundries and how best to put in place a remembrance project.

Their wishes will be recorded, transcribed, and, in time, made publicly accessible in a sensitive and appropriately redacted format.

Doing so puts the women and their concerns at the centre of this restorative justice initiative. This, too, matters, because the next two days are, first and foremost, about respect, compassion, and trust.

The Dublin Honours celebration happens less than two weeks after Ireland overwhelmingly said Yes to repealing the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution.

And, like the referendum, this event also says yes to Irish women: yes to reintegrating survivors of the laundries as full citizens and integral members of our national family; yes to affirming that we believe their testimony about what happened in the laundries; yes to privileging their wishes with respect to commemoration and memorialisation.

But, the State must continue to say yes in resolving long-outstanding concerns about the Restorative Justice Scheme. Just last week, the Cabinet said yes to compensating 106 additional survivors who worked in the laundries as children, as called for by the Ombudsmans recent report, Opportunity Lost.

The Government also said yes to re-advertising the scheme to reach women originally excluded  this commitment must extend to advertising the scheme throughout the diaspora, including North America and Australia.

And, this past weekend, Minister Flanagan said yes to extending the Restorative Justice Scheme to include, for the first time, women and young girls who spent time in institutions adjoining the Magdalene Laundries. Justice For Magdalene Research welcomes these timely developments.

But, the Government has yet to say yes to a prompt, thorough, and independent investigation of the Magdalene Laundries, as called for by a long list of United Nations human rights bodies.

It has yet to say yes to ensuring access to all relevant information, concerning the Magdalene Laundries, held in private and public archives, as recommended in August, 2017, by the UN Committee Against Torture.

It has yet to say yes to investigating the connections between the laundries and other residential institutions, including industrial and reformatory schools, mother-and-baby homes, and psychiatric hospitals.

And, finally, it must say yes to fulfilling our nations obligation to ensure that every Magdalene grave is accurately and appropriately marked, thereby restoring dignity to all who died behind convent walls.

The next two days, therefore, represent an important beginning, but it matters that there is much work yet to do. Following the official announcement of the abortion referendum result, Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, stated: This is Irelands second chance to treat everyone equally, and with compassion and respect.

The women gathering in Dublin today and tomorrow deserve such compassion and respect. Continuing to confer both upon these amazing women helps us, as a nation, to step out from under the last of our shadows and into the light.

James M Smith is associate professor in the English department at Boston College. He is author of Irelands Magdalen Laundries and the Nations Architecture of Containment, and a member of JFM Research.His representative told the Irish Examiner that Mr Crowley, absent from the parliament due to illness, would hold a press conference and deal with all issues when discharged from care.

The build-up to the next European elections, in May next year, is already underway with speculation around who might run.

The longest-serving Irish MEP in Europe, the Bandon native has not been seen in Europe or attended any parliament committees or contributed to any votes since his re-election in 2014.

Mr Crowley, who uses a wheelchair due to an accident when he was a teenager, has been in and out of hospital for some time after operations and has been unwell.

He has made no public contributions in the EU parliament in over four years.

However, he is still entitled, like other MEPs, to claim a monthly salary of 8,484.05, as well as a 4,342 monthly expenditure allowance to cover office rent and constituency activities.

It is unclear if any staff still work for him in Brussels or Strasbourg, but staff are still at his office in Maryborough, Douglas. The phone numbers for the European contact points have been removed from his website.

According to VoteWatch Europe, a think-tank which tracks parliament votes and actions, Mr Crowleys voting record ranks 751st out of the 751 MEPs.

The MEP left the Fianna Fail parliamentary party when the party joined ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) in the European Parliament.

A poll-topper in four consecutive European elections, he has not spoken in Europe since 2014.

Kieran Hartley, the substitute MEP for Mr Crowley, previously appealed to Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin to intervene.

Kieran Hartley

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Hartley reiterated his call for Mr Crowley to stand aside or to clarify his position.

Brian Crowley is a public representative nobody has been able to talk to for four and a half years, said Mr Hartley. Does he think it is right when he has not turned up and voted and Ireland is in such a difficult position with the imminent Brexit?

How come we have been left with a democratic deficit? That was the reason the substitutes list is there. Is it right to accept full pay and not to be there to do his job? He has left nobody in the European Parliament. MEPs have had to cover for him.

A local representative for Mr Crowley responded to queries, saying he is still out on sick leave.

Once he gets discharged from doctors care, which he hopes will be soon, he will hold a press conference and deal with all issues, said the representative.

There is speculation that some senior Fianna Fail figures may consider running for the European elections next year, with names such as Cork North Centrals Billy Kelleher and Clares Timmy Dooley being mentioned among the party.

Fianna Fail sources maintain no decision is likely to be taken until it is known if Ireland will see its number of MEP seats rise.Three men who wished to join the force are claiming they were discriminated against because of the maximum age limit of 35 years for new trainee gardai.

Applications submitted by the three men to join the gardai, between 2004 and 2007, were not considered as they were all older than 35.

Garda regulations, which stipulate that new recruits must be aged between 18 and 35, were introduced in November 2004.

The Court of Justice of the European Union will, this morning, be asked to decide if the Workplace Relations Commission (previously the Equality Tribunal) or the High Court has jurisdiction to make a ruling on the case.

The case was referred to the CJEU by the Supreme Court in Ireland. It originally came before the Equality Tribunal (now the Workplace Relations Commission) in 2008, when the three men  Ronald Boyle, Gerald Cotter, and Brian Fitzpatrick  claimed the age limit was contrary to the EUs Equal Treatment Directive.

The minister for justice intervened and sought a judicial review of the Equality Tribunals jurisdiction to hear the complaint. The minister claims that, under the Constitution, only courts have jurisdiction to set aside a provision of national legislation, such as the maximum age limit for joining the police force.

The Equality Tribunal took the view that, as it was the body established to enforce national and EU employment equality legislation, it had all the necessary powers to hear the case.

The tribunal was supported by the three complainants. In 2009, the High Court ruled that the Equality Tribunal had no power to decide if the 35-year age limit was discriminatory.

Mr Justice Peter Charleton said only the High Court could make a declaration that the Garda age limit was in conflict with EU legislation. The minister and the Garda commissioner have argued the rules on age are consistent with the Equality Act and the EU Equal Treatment Directive.Various laws came into place following the marriage equality referendum three years ago, but some provisions linked to parental rights have still not been enacted  among them parts of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.

One of those would allow for the equal parental rights of the non-birth mother in cases where a married lesbian couple have a child. As things stand, only the birth mother can be registered as a parent, while her spouse can only apply for guardianship after a two-year period.

The situation was revealed two years ago in the Irish Examiner by NUIG lecturer in Family and Child Law and LGBT activist Brian Tobin, who reiterated his call for the laws to be updated.

At a time when the Irish people are being asked to trust politicians when it comes to legislating on another significant social issue, it is staggering to learn that the bulk of a piece of legislation placed on the statute book prior to the Marriage Equality Referendum in 2015 has still not been commenced and, over three years later, same-sex married couples still do not have equal legal parental rights when compared with heterosexual married couples, said Dr Tobin.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is responsible for Part 9 of the Act, which amends the Civil Registration Act 2004 to enable the registration of the birth of a donor-conceived child and the recognition of parents, whether heterosexual or same-sex.

A department spokesperson said: Provision has since been made for registering details of parent in section 99 [in Part 9] of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 ]which amends Parts 1 and 2 of the First Schedule of the Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended], in the case of a donor-assisted birth.

These provisions have yet to be commenced pending the roll-out of training to staff of the Civil Registration Service who are employees of the HSE. The General Register Office is in a position to begin provision of training as soon as the HSE notifies it of the dates and venues.

It is not possible to register a second female parent under the fathers details, as the father of a child has to be a male. It will be possible to register a second female parent once section 99 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 has been commenced. The General Register office has issued such guidelines to the Civil Registration Service staff in the HSE.

It is intended to commence the relevant sections of Part 9 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 once Civil Registration Service staff in the HSE are fully trained and ready to implement the provisions of the legislation.

The HSE said: The provision of training on the new regulations for Civil Registration Services is planned to take place in the coming months. There are no budget issues preventing this.

Other sections of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 yet to be enacted fall under the remit of other departments, such as Parts 2 and 3 which makes provisions in relation to the registration of births of children born as a result of donor-assisted human reproduction procedures and which is the responsibility of the Department of Health.The meeting follows the decision by Cork City Council to approve the first phase of the OPW flood defences at Morrisons Island. The project received 1,400 submissions from the public.

The Green Party says the decision is an example of the take-it-or-leave-it attitude of national government to local planning, which leaves city councillors with little choice other than to either accept the plans of State agencies or go without.

The meeting will include speakers from the Save Cork City campaign. The Green Partys representative in Cork South Central, Lorna Bogue, said the title was a cheeky one, but that the subject was very serious.

Following on from the council decision to grant permission to the Morrisons Island project, weve decided to host a town hall meeting, cheekily titled End Dublin Rule in Cork, said Ms Bogue.

The point of the meeting is that, time and time again, I have seen councillors reluctantly agreeing to projects they themselves wouldnt agree to. There is a reason why they are doing this. The reason is that local government in Cork is structurally underfunded and Cork is left with planning decisions that local people themselves would not have made.

Ms Bogue said the effect of national control of local decision-making was wide-ranging.

We see this in housing, we see this with roads, and now we are seeing it with the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, she said. What I would like to get out of this meeting is for people to air their views, but I have also invited councillors and I think it is important that councillors know that, on this issue, they have the popular support to stand up to the State.

Its time to change the narrative. There is always a choice in council decisions. At the moment, that choice is framed as being between what national government says or nothing. Its time to change that narrative.

The meeting is in the Bodega, Cornmarket St, Cork, at 7pm on Thursday.The comments were made by Judge Michael White, in June of last year, in his judgment in the case of two women who went to the High Court to fight a decision by the Department of Justice to exclude them from the Magdalene redress scheme.

The Irish Examiner has obtained two sworn affidavits by the Department of Justice in relation to the case of two women who went to the High Court to fight a decision to exclude them from the Magdalene redress scheme.

The women had been registered on the books of the An Grianan training centre, which was located on the grounds of the High Park Magdalene laundry operated by the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity. Both women, when young girls, worked in the laundry. This was not disputed.

However, they were denied access to the redress scheme by the Department of Justice, because they had been admitted to An Grianan and not directly to the laundry. As part of its defence, the department submitted a sworn affidavit, in April, 2016, in relation to the case of one of the women.

Opened in court on the first day of the hearing, on January 25, 2017, it claimed that the proceedings were premature, as the woman had failed to exhaust the appeals procedure  namely, going to the Ombudsman.

The affidavit points out that, under the scheme, an internal appeal procedure is provided for within the department. However, in addition to this, the affidavit states that the department sought to involve the Ombudsman and had committed to be bound by their decisions in individual cases.

"To date, the Ombudsmans office has upheld all of the decisions of the department on the complaints made to their office in relation to this scheme, states the affidavit. Therefore, I believe that there are no grounds on which the applicant could properly base her refusal to submit an appeal to the Office of the Ombudsman. In the circumstances, the within proceedings are premature.

The affidavit also states that the assertion by solicitors for the women that a recommendation of the Ombudsman would not be binding was incorrect.

When these affidavits were opened in court in January, the Ombudsmans legal advisor wrote to both legal teams, pointing out that the departments assertion that it was bound by the Ombudsmans decisions was not correct.

It then emerged that the department was also privately engaged in a dispute with the Ombudsman, since April 2016, in relation to a number of other women refused access to the Magdalene scheme for the same reason.

The Ombudsman was asking thedDepartment to review certain cases, where women had worked in the Magdalene Laundry, but had been admitted via a related institution, either attached to or on the grounds of the laundry.

Following this revelation, the department provided a second affidavit to the court, in February, clarifying its position on whether or not it felt it was bound by the Ombudsmans views in relation to the redress scheme.

The second affidavit stressed that the appeals mechanism, utilising the Ombudsman, recommended by Mr Justice Quirke, would be binding, but that it was clearly specified that this was only to apply to whether an applicant was in one of the 12 institutions and their duration of stay, and not other aspects of the scheme.

The disagreement between the Ombudsman and the department led to the former launching an investigation into possible maladministration of the scheme.

Judge Michael White said it was incorrect to recite, in an affidavit, that the respondent considered itself bound by the Ombudsmans recommendation. This should have been clarified, as the respondent reserved the right to disregard the Ombudsmans finding.How much deeper the mystery becomes when the character who would benefit most from the weaponss discovery declares it would never in fact be found smoking but merely a bit whiffy from being hidden in someones back pocket.

Thats the baffling puzzle the Disclosures Tribunal is left to decipher as Supt David Taylor finds himself at odds with yet another witness about the alleged smear campaign against Garda whistleblower, Sergeant Maurice McCabe.

Sgt McCabe, TD John McGuinness and, as of yesterday, Irish Examiner journalist Michael Clifford, have all told the tribunal that Supt Taylor, the former Garda press officer, told them that, on orders from his superiors, he sent hundreds, possibly thousands of text messages spreading the lie that Sgt McCabe was a child abuser, among other slurs.

The phones on which they say he said he sent the messages were taken from him when he was arrested as part of an investigation into Garda leaks and the contents have not been recovered.

That would be problematic enough for Supt Taylor if he was sticking to the story that he sent all those messages, because then his proof of an orchestrated smear campaign would be gone.

But he has told the tribunal that he didnt say he sent them. He says the only text messages he sent were to his then commissioner, Martin Callinan, and then deputy commissioner (and future former commissioner), Noirin OSullivan, to update them on media coverage of the whistleblower affair.

There were a lot of messages, he says, because Callinan was obsessed with Sgt McCabe and the damage he felt the whistleblower was causing the force, but thats as far as his texting went.

Thats not how Michael Clifford understood it. Nor is it how he wrote about the issue in his book on the McCabe saga in a chapter which he sent to Taylor to fact-check before it went to print. Taylor requested no change to this account.

Mr Clifford said he clearly understood from Supt Taylor that the phones were the key to everything and that OSullivan had orchestrated his arrest by the leaks squad to enable their seizure.

He felt that Noirin OSullivan wanted to get her hands on his phone because that was the smoking gun, said Mr Clifford. It was all to get the phone and destroy the evidence linking her to the campaign.

Tim Vaughan arriving at the at the Disclosures Tribunal in Dublin Castle. Photo Gareth Chaney Collins

Supt Taylors belated disputing of the details is just one of the contradictions tribunal chair, Peter Charleton, will have to square in his report. He also grappled with journalistic privilege yesterday, a subject rife with contradictory views.

Former Irish Examiner editor Tim Vaughan argued for preserving privilege on everything to do with sources. Judge Charleton said even Woodward and Bernstein acknowledged their source in the end.

Mr Vaughan pointed out that that came after 30 years. Judge Charleton asked if he wanted to come back in 30 years time.

It was a rhetorical question. At least, everyone present hoped it was.BerlinThe leading politicians of Germanys left-wing parties on Tuesday called for the US ambassador to be expelled after the staunch defender of Donald Trump was accused of meddling in domestic politics and aggravating already tense ties. Richard Grenell had taken up his diplomatic posting on May 8, and immediately sparked an uproar when he tweeted on the same day that German companies should stop doing business with Iran as Trump quit the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic. He stoked further outrage over the weekend with his reported comments of his ambition to empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders. Grenell also raised eyebrows with his plan to host Austrias conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurzwho the US envoy describes as a rock star, for lunch on June 13. What this man is doing, is unheard of in international diplomacy, Martin Schulz, former chief of the Social Democratic Party, told national news agency DPA. If a German ambassador were to say in Washington that he is there to boost the Democrats, he would have been kicked out immediately. I hope that the Kurz visit leads to Mr. Grenells short tenure as ambassador in Germany, added Schulz, who also wrote on Twitter that the envoy did not behave like a diplomat but like a far-right colonial officer.Amid the row, Germanys foreign ministry is seeking clarification from Grenell about his comments, a topic that will be raised at a pre-arranged meeting scheduled for Wednesday between the envoy and state secretary Andreas Michaelis. But the opposition far-left Linke partys chief Sahra Wagenknecht said Berlin would do better to immediately expel Grenell rather than invite him in for talks. Someone like US ambassador Richard Grenell, who thinks he can lord over Europe and determine who is governing here, he can no longer stay in Germany as a diplomat, Wagenknecht told Die Welt daily. If the government takes the democratic sovereignty of our country seriously, then it shouldnt just invite Grenell to a chat over coffee, but expel him immediately, she added. The controversy surrounding Grenell comes as Germany and the United States are experiencing less than cosy ties after Trump ditched the Iran nuclear deal and imposed punishing tariffs on European aluminum and steel. Underlining the souring transatlantic relationship, Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that Europe can no longer rely on the US to protect it, but stressed that the continent must take its destiny in its own hands."It is the culmination of three years work by a small group of locals who sought to identify as many as possible of the areas war dead.

The names have been cut into the monument on 10 panels made from the same Portland stone used in the grave markers synonymous with the burial places of millions of those killed in British Army uniforms in the 1914-1918 war.

A central panel will carry a simple message telling visitors that the monument is in memory of men from the greater Midleton area who died.

The initiative started out to just find the names of men from the parish around the town itself, but it was extended beyond those 83 names to add those from neighbouring areas such as Ballycotton, Cloyne, Castlemartyr, Mogeely and Carrigtwohill.

Committee member Tom Walsh said three years of research and checking various sources was undertaken by the group, some of whom have relatives named on the wall.

We put an awful lot of work into researching the names and stories of these men, but were not saying its complete. If there are people whose names weve missed, we would hope to put up another panel or two at a later stage, he said.

The memorial wall is at the Babys Walk park area at the distillery end of Midletons Main St. It will be officially unveiled at 2pm on Sunday June 10 by Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney. There will be Belgian and French diplomatic representation, as well as Irish Defence Forces and a British military attache.

A section of the memorial wall in Midleton, Co Cork, in remembrance of men from east Cork who were killed in World War 1. Picture: David Keane.

The standards of the most prominent Irish regiments which fought in the First World War will be carried by members of Oglaigh Naisiunta na hEireann (Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women).

The monument has been commissioned and erected with financial assistance from a number of sources, including Cork County Council and others.

A war memorial already exists in Whitegate, and a First World War memorial plaque was unveiled in Midleton in 2016 to mark the centenary of the commencement of the Battle of the Somme.It was unrolled at Dublin Airport where more than 100 women who fled to Britain, the US, and Australia after their ordeal returned as guests of the nation.

Today it will lead to Aras an Uachtarain and the Mansion House, where hundreds more will join them for a series of events to acknowledge all that they suffered and their strength in surviving.

The gathering has been organised by the Dublin Honours Magdalenes group, which sprang from the Justice For Magdalenes movement that fought for recognition and redress for the 10,000 women committed to the religious-run laundries from the 1920s to the 1990s.

Mary Cavnar, originally from Cork but living in Southampton, was among those who didnt have recognition even within her own family. Sent to the Good Shepherd Convent in Sundays Well at the age of 11 to work catering for the nuns and minding the babies of the laundry workers, she said the stigma attached to her six years there stayed with her until seven years ago.

You werent allowed to make friends. You felt so isolated, she recalled, saying it affected her relationships later in life. Ive got five children and I couldnt communicate with them. I could not talk to them.

It was a legacy that also caused difficulties in her married life, Mary added.

She said she had mixed feelings about returning to Ireland.

I wish it was under better circumstances, she said. But I am really absolutely elated that after all this time its coming to a head.

Mary McNally from Dublin arrived from London yesterday to meet up with fellow Magdalenes for the first time since she left Ireland in 1961. She was placed in St Marys Stanhope Street at the age of 14 because the aunt who took her in after her mother died thought it would give her opportunities.

We never had electricity or running water and my aunt said: If you go to the nuns, youll have your own bedroom and youll get some training. But it wasnt training, it was hard work, she recalled.

She left after three years of 6am starts, silent breakfasts, and long days of strenuous labour in the heat and steam of the laundries.

I survived, she said. Im sure there were people worse off than me in other places.

Pushed by Dublin Honours Magdalenes, the Department of Justice agreed to use its database of women who had availed of supports following the 2013 Magdalene Commission report to invite them to the gathering.

The groups ambassador, broadcaster and publisher Norah Casey, who led the team that took over the arrangements from there, said many of the women who replied had never spoken openly about what they went through.

Breda Duffy and Martha Osmond

Even now, around 100 of the women who are attending the events asked for anonymity because they have not disclosed to their wider circle of family and friends that they were a Magdalene.

Although they were incarcerated simply for being pregnant outside marriage, for keeping the company of boys, because of the death of their own mother, or some minor misdemeanour, the stigma attached to them was so great, they never felt free.

Ms Casey said most of the women had gone on to have lives of great hardship and for many of them, in their 70s and 80s, this trip was their first time having a passport or staying in a hotel.

I havent come across one woman yet who has said my life was grand since.

Its not a happy occasion. How could it be with all the harrowing stories and terrible memories these women have but wed hope to add some memories that could be positive.

Dublin Honours Magdalenes has asked the public to line Dawson St in the city this evening at 6.30pm when the women arrive at the Mansion House.Irans supreme leader Monday brushed off the demand by the US and its European allies that the Islamic republic calls time on its ballistic missile program as he argued that the demand is a dream that will not come true. Tehran will continue supporting oppressed nations, he said.

Some Europeans are talking about limiting our defensive missile program. I am telling the Europeans, Limiting our missile work is a dream that will never come true, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised speech.

Tensions between Iran and western powers have re-surfaced after US President Donald Trump last month withdrew his country from the 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers. The deal lifted economic sanctions but required that Tehran put hold on its nuclear enrichment program believed for military purpose.

Trump tore the deal that he argued failed to contain Iran and to limit its influence in the Middle East region. The US leader called for a review of the agreement to tackle Irans ballistic missile program and curtail its influence in the region.

France, the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany agreed with Trump but have indicated the deal though bad, is however better than nothing.

The Iranian supreme leader also vowed his countrys response in the event of foreign intervention.

Our enemies have staged economic and psychological  warfare against us and new American sanctions are part of it, Khamenei also told a gathering to mark the 29th anniversary of the death of Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Tehran will attack 10 times more if attacked by enemies  The enemies dont want an independent Iran in the region  We will continue our support for oppressed nations, he said.Free TV and Broadcast Australia  a BAI Communications Company  in partnership with ABC, SBS and TXA, a company that provides television transmission for broadcasters, have successfully completed the first phase of next-generation television laboratory trials.

The three companies say the success of the trials bring the next generation of TV one step closer to Australians.

This trial is claimed as a world first for 7 Megahertz very high frequency transmissions with off-air fed ultra high frequency repeater sites operating in a single frequency network using multiple physical layer pipes.

The laboratory trials were conducted on Broadcast Australias premises in Chatswood to successfully demonstrate the performance of the technology in a controlled setting.

The companies say DVB-T2 technology is one of the potential replacement technologies for the existing DVB-T standard for digital terrestrial television delivery.

They also say that when combined with new compression technologies, DVB-T2 has the ability to deliver 4K TV reception  providing viewers with picture quality four times better than the current high definition standard  as well as greater programming flexibility for free-to-air broadcasters.

Field trials have now commenced across the Gore Hill, Kings Cross and North Head transmission sites in Sydney, and will assess the performance of next generation DVB-T2 technologies in the Australian environment.

The companies say the trial will help demonstrate the viability and suitability of the technology in unlocking the next evolution of terrestrial free-to-air television for the 99% of the Australian population it services.

Broadcast Australia has been working with equipment manufacturers for the trial, including Rohde & Schwarz, ENENSYS, TestTree, TeamCast, Ericsson Media Solutions, TRedess and NEC, to demonstrate the compatibility of their equipment with the DVB-T2 configurations suitable for use in Australia and interoperability of equipment from multiple vendors.

We are extremely pleased with success of the DVB-T2 laboratory trial and very excited to be at the forefront of global innovation with the ongoing field trial we have commenced, said Broadcast Australias chief technology officer Stephen Farrugia.

These trials would not have been possible without the support of the equipment manufacturers, Free TV, ABC and SBS. Were very appreciative of their support in this important step in the evolution of broadcast and eager to work alongside them in continuing to define and demonstrate the future potential of broadcasting through DVB-T2.

Bridget Fair, chief executive of Free TV, said the trial was pioneering the way for the future evolution of the companys digital terrestrial television platform.Three of Tasmanias regional commercial radio stations are seeking regulatory approval to convert from AM to FM transmission.

The stations  7BU in Burnie and 7AD in Devonport  have proposed to the telecoms and communications industry watchdog, the Australian Communications and Media Authority. to allow them to convert from AM to FM transmission, and allow 7SD to simulcast its Scottsdale  in the north-east of the state  AM transmission in FM.

FM radio provides improved audio quality for listeners in regional areas and can be more cost-effective to operate than AM radio, said ACMA chair Nerida OLoughlin.

A number of regional commercial radio stations are seeking to convert their services to FM under an industry-led conversion program. ACMA will facilitate a conversion if we are satisfied that audiences in regional areas do not lose important radio services under the proposal.

Scottsdale is the first licence area for which the ACMA has proposed a simulcast arrangement, as the new FM signal will not cover all the areas served by AM, including Flinders Island.

The licensee, Grant Broadcasters, has assured ACMA that it has no current plans to turn off the Scottsdale AM station. However, we think simulcasting arrangements are necessary for the foreseeable future so that audiences do not miss out, OLoughlin said.

We now want to hear from the local audiences of these Tasmanian stations their views on the conversion and simulcasting proposals.

The ACMA is also proposing to make spectrum available for a second commercial radio service in Queenstown on the states west coast.

The authority says the new Queenstown FM channel will enable the 7AUS commercial service to transmit for the first time, and the current 7XS service will continue on its existing FM frequency.

A consultation paper released on Tuesday sets out the variations proposed for licence area plans for each area, with 5 July the deadline for submissions.Chinese telecommunications vendor ZTE Corporation may be back in business soon, after signing an agreement in principle that would result in the seven-year US export ban on the company being lifted.

Reuters reported, citing sources it said were familiar with the matter, that the preliminary deal included a US$1 billion fine on ZTE which would also have to deposit US$400 million in escrow in the case of future violations.

The news agency quoted US Commerce Department spokesman James Rockas as saying that "no definitive agreement has been signed by both parties".

ZTE was hit with a seven-year export ban in April, with the US saying it had not abided by the terms of an agreement reached in 2016 after the company had been found to be flouting US sanctions on selling devices to Iran and North Korea.

The company paid a fine of US$1.2 billion for the offence, but did not discipline certain employees as it agreed to do as part of the settlement.

The report said last year's settlement deal would be changed so that US$361 million of the fine paid at that time would be counted towards a total fine of US$1.7 billion.

The agreement in principle was said to have been signed over the last weekend, but the amended version was get to be initialled.

Another condition of the amended agreement is that ZTE must place no restrictions on visit to its facilities by US officials to verify that American parts are being used in its products as claimed by the company.

In 2017, ZTE paid more than US$2.3 billion to 211 American suppliers.

An earlier condition, that metrics about the US components used be posted on a website, was not mentioned.

ZTE shut down its main business activities in the US on 9 May.A significant shift toward digital business models that harness technology trends such as cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) is boosting worldwide spending  including in Australia - on application infrastructure and middleware (AIM), according to a new market report from Gartner.

The AIM market in Australia grew 8.4% to reach A$881 million in 2017, with IBM having 25% of AIM market revenue in Australia in 2017.

Gartner forecasts the Australian market to grow 7.9% in 2018 and exceed A$1 billion in 2021.

And in New Zealand, AIM market revenue grew 7.7% in 2017 to reach NZ$123.8 million, and is forecast to grow 7.7% again in 2018  with IBM also the largest vendor in New Zealand, with 31.5% of market revenue in 2017.

Globally, Gartner reveals that the AIM market revenue reached US$28.5 billion in 2017, an increase of 12.1% from 2016.

Gartner says the wider technology trends driving the AIM market are commonly accepted, with migration to cloud platforms and services, ever-increasing demand for near-real-time data and analytics, a shift toward an API economy, rapid proliferation of IoT endpoints, and deployment of AI.

"A new approach to application infrastructure is the foundation organizations build their digital initiatives upon, and therefore robust demand in the AIM market is testament to the occurrence of digitalisation," said Fabrizio Biscotti, research vice president at Gartner.

"The more companies move toward digital business models, the greater the need for modern application infrastructure to connect data, software, users and hardware in ways that deliver new digital services or products."

Gartner forecasts that the AIM global market will grow even faster in 2018, after which spending growth will slow each year, reaching around 5% in 2022, and it says momentum in the AIM market is shifting from market incumbents to challengers.

The report found that licensed, on-premises application integration suite offerings that make up larger segments served by market incumbents such as IBM and Oracle achieved single-digit growth in 2016 and 2017.

And Gartner expects this growth to continue through 2022. "We can generally describe the products in this slow-growing segment as serving legacy applications," Biscotti said.

Gartner says small challenger segments  built predominantly around cloud and open-source-based application integration (iPaaS) offerings  will continue to enjoy double-digit growth.

"In iPaaS we find the groundwork being laid for a digital future, as the products in this segment generally are lighter, more agile IT infrastructure suited for the rapidly evolving use cases around digital business," said Bindi Bhullar, research director at Gartner.

"The result is that well-funded, pure-play iPaaS providers, open-source integration tool providers and low-cost integration tools are challenging the dominant position of traditional vendors."

Gartner reveals that the iPaaS segment is still a small part of the overall market, topping $1 billion in revenue for the first time in 2017 after growing over 60% in 2016 and 72% in 2017, making iPaaS one of the fastest-growing software segments.

"The iPaaS market is also starting to consolidate, most notably with Salesforce's recent acquisition of MuleSoft," said Bhullar.

"There is still a lot of room for further consolidation, with more than half the AIM market held by vendors outside the top five. This "others" segment is enjoying double-digit growth, which is likely to encourage acquisitions from big players losing market share to challengers."

Biscotti notes that that the most successful challengers in the AIM market will be those that position their products as complementary to  rather than replacements for  the existing legacy software infrastructure that is common in most large organisations.

"While new agile challengers may seem better fits for those pursuing digital initiatives, the underlying reality is that legacy middleware and software integration platforms will persist," Biscotti said.

"Pure-play cloud integration is a niche requirement today  most buyers have more extensive requirements as they pursue hybrid integration models. The long-term market composition is likely to consist of a broad spectrum, from generalist comprehensive integration suites to more-specialised fit-to-purpose offerings."Vodafone Hutchison Australia chief financial officer James Marsh is leaving the telco in late July to take up a role in the media industry.

Marsh joined the VHA team as CFO in 2013, as the company started what it says was one of the most successful turnarounds in Australian corporate history. He was previously CFO at Vodafone New Zealand from 2006 and has worked for the Vodafone Group since February 2000.

Vodafone chief executive Inaki Berroeta thanked Marsh for his significant contribution to the business.

James has been a key member of my leadership team, and has helped us achieve the right balance between financial growth and delivering true value to Australian consumers, Berroeta said.

He has contributed to major strategic moves, including our market-challenging products such as $5 Roaming, our worry-free plans and the launch of Vodafone NBN.

James leaves a strong finance team at VHA as his legacy. I wish him all the best for the future.

Berroeta said over recent years, VHA had achieved solid and consistent financial growth, while becoming a strong challenger in the market with innovative, competitive products.

Marsh said, Im incredibly proud of everything Vodafone has achieved over recent years, and I am confident the company will continue to go from strength to strength.Apple has taken a shot at Facebook during its Worldwide Developer Conference, unveiling features in its Safari browser that will limit the way the social media company tracks and collects data.

When users encounter "like" and "share" buttons from Facebook, the Safari browser will bring up a prompt, asking: "Do you want to allow facebook.com to use cookies and website data while browsing?"

According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple software chief Craig Federighi told the audience at the conference: "Weve all seen these like buttons and share buttons. Well, it turns out, these can be used to track you, whether you click on them or not. And so this year, we are shutting that down.

Apple has made privacy a selling point for its devices for some time now and, as iTWire reported, has also made changes to the USB Restricted Mode in iOS so that third-party bids to crack passcodes would be limited.

The block on Facebook sharing and likes will be limited because iPhones only have about 15% of the smartphone market, with Android having most of the remainder.

But, if it proves to be popular, the possibility of Google adopting a similar feature for Chrome, both on desktop operating systems and its Android mobile operating system, would increase the pressure on Facebook to react.

Firefox already has the ability to block out Facebook's attempts to slurp data through buttons on websites.The Basslink power interconnector, which was damaged in March, has been repaired and is back in service as of 5 June, the operator, Basslink, says.

The company's chief executive, Malcolm Eccles, said in a statement on Tuesday: We are pleased to resume normal operations and would also like to thank our repair team for their hard work and commitment over the past weeks.

Basslink operates the Basslink Interconnector, the undersea data and telecommunications cable that connects Tasmania to the Australian mainland, The power interconnector was damaged when routine maintenance was begun on 24 March.

Basslink said at the time that a third-party contractor had damaged a piece of equipment and that the interconnector would be up again by 14 April.

It said about the damage that a high-pressure system within a piece of equipment at the Victorian converter station had been repaired.

"To return the interconnector to service, we require specialised expertise and equipment to be brought in to re-pressurise this equipment. It is a highly technical exercise," the company said at the time.

That date of coming back on-line was then put off to 31 May, and again to early June.

In its Tuesday statement, Basslink again stressed that the current incident had nothing to do with the outage of December 2015 and its ongoing dispute with the Tasmanian Government.

The dispute referred to is over an earlier outage in December 2015 which lasted for six months. The government is seeking damages of $122 million; Basslink denies that it was responsible for the outage.

Hydro Tasmania, the government body that is the predominant electricity generator in the state, said the outage had had no meaningful impact on Tasmanias energy security or finances.

Chief executive Steve Davy said: The outage was not ideal. But weve comfortably managed the situation with no meaningful impact on energy security.

Basslink is an important part of Tasmanias suite of energy options. But we also have a huge, world-class hydropower system thats served Tasmanians well for more than a century. Its supported by

excellent wind power resources.

Hydro Tasmanias storages stood at 36.7% on the day the outage started, and were 37.8% on Monday. So theyve gone up slightly during the outage, with no energy importing and hardly any gas generation.

(The level of) 37.8% is an extremely secure level as we enter the wettest months of the year and comfortably exceeds the levels the government established to ensure energy security in Tasmania.China and South Africa have agreed to further strengthen their bilateral cooperation.

Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi who is in an official visit in South Africa said China-South Africa relations are presented with a historic opportunity that is inheriting the past and ushering in the future.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country has always viewed its relations with China from a strategic perspective and expects to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected in South Africa in July to attend the BRICS Summit.

South Africas International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on Monday reaffirmed the commitment to cementing the relations among the BRICS countries.

In her opening remarks at the Formal Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria on Monday, Sisulu said the BRICS ministerial meeting gave them an opportunity to plan and work together, while stressing that BRICS hold the hope of most developing countries.

The 2018 BRICS summit will be held in Johannesburg on July 25-27. South Africa assumed the role of chair of BRICS on January 1, 2018, and will remain in this position till December 31, 2018.The United States Special Forces have killed about 27 al-Shabab terrorists in northern Somalia, US Africa Command (Africom) said in a statement.

According to Africom, the Saturday strike was conducted in cooperation with the Somali government southwest of Bosasso. Africom provided no additional details.

The strike is the latest in a series of similar missions by the US forces in Somalia in collaboration with Somali and African Union forces in the Horn of Africa country. The strikes have largely targeted al-Shabab figureheads and bases in southern Somalia.

US forces have been working with the Somali government to fight al-Shabaab for years, but under President Trump airstrikes and ground troops have significantly increased.

The US forces earlier this year vowed to continue using all authorized and appropriate measures to protect US citizens and to disable terrorist threats.

This includes partnering with the African Union Mission in Somalia and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) in combined counterterrorism operations.

Last month, Somalia has assured a joint team from the African Union and the United Nations reviewing the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) of its commitment to assume security responsibilities as stipulated in the transition plan.

AMISOM has developed conditions-based transition plan to transfer the national security responsibility from the AU troops to the Somali security forces.Reddit Email 467 Shares

Yarmouth Port, MA ( Tomdispatch.com)  Did you know the U.S. Air Force is working on a new stealth bomber? Dont blame yourself if you didnt, since the project is so secret that most members of Congress arent privy to the details. (Talk about stealthy!) Known as the B-21 Raider, after General Doolittles Raiders of World War II fame, its designed to carry thermonuclear weapons as well as conventional missiles and bombs. In conceptual drawings, it looks much like its predecessor, the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, all wing and no fuselage, a shape that should help it to penetrate and survive the most hostile air defense systems on Earth for the purposes of a global strike. (Think: nuclear Armageddon.)

As the Air Force acquires those future B-21s, the B-2s will be retired along with the older B-1B bomber, although the venerable B-52 (of the Cold War era), much modified, will remain in service for the foreseeable future. At $550 million per plane (before the inevitable cost overruns even kick in), the Air Force plans to buy as many as 200 B-21s. Thats more than $100 billion in procurement costs alone, a boon for Northrop Grumman, the planes primary contractor.

If history is any judge, however, a boon for Northrop Grumman is likely to prove a bust for the American taxpayer. As a start, the United States has no real need for a new, stealthy, super-expensive, nuclear-capable, deep-penetrating strategic bomber for use against peer rivals China and Russia. But before tackling that issue, a little history is in order.

Deja Vu All Over Again

A long time ago (1977, to be exact), in a country far, far away, President Jimmy Carter did a brave thing: he cancelled a major Pentagon weapons system just before it was due to start production. That was the B-1 bomber, a plane with sophisticated  that is, expensive  avionics designed to allow it to penetrate Soviet airspace in the event of a nuclear war and survive. Carter cancelled it for the most sensible of reasons: it wasnt needed.

The Air Force had already developed air-launched cruise missiles that allowed bombers like the B-52 to strike enemy targets with precision from hundreds of miles away. It was also, like all modern weapons systems, outrageously expensive. Why spend vast sums on a new bomber, Carter reasoned, when the plane added little to the nations nuclear deterrent? In addition, that cancellation was meant to send a message to the military-industrial complex  that he would neither be beholden to nor intimidated by defense hawks who touted each and every new weapons system, no matter how expensive or redundant, as essential.

I was then a teenager with a yen for American warplanes. Id even made a model of the B-1, complete with variable geometry wings that could be extended forward for low-speed flight and swept backward for high-speed, supersonic flight. In my minds eye, I can still see it, almost all white like the prototype that Rockwell International, its primary contractor, actually built. In a symbolic act of protest against Carters action, I took my model, taped a couple of firecrackers to it, and dropped it from the top floor of our house, blowing it up in a most satisfying way. So much for the B-1, I thought.

I was too young to know better. When Ronald Reagan became president in 1981, as part of a massive defense buildup (that Carter, ironically enough, had actually begun), he revived the B-1. The Air Force soon committed itself to buying 100 of them at a then-astronomical $280 million each. The B-1B Lancer (as it became known) has served in the Air Force for the last three decades, never (thankfully) fulfilling the purpose for which it was built: a nuclear attack. Plagued by accidents, high operating costs, and maintenance issues, the B-1 has been a disappointment to an Air Force now eager to replace it with an entirely new bomber, more or less guaranteed to have a similar history.

However much I loved the prospective plane as a teenager, I felt quite differently once I was myself in the Air Force. As a young lieutenant in 1986, I even wrote a paper for a contest within the service in which I argued that the concept of a manned, penetrating, strategic nuclear bomber was deeply flawed. In essence, I took the Carter position, suggesting that the other legs of Americas nuclear triad (ballistic missiles launched from silos and similar missiles on nuclear submarines) were more than enough to deter and defeat enemies (no less destroy the world), and that new precision technologies like cruise missiles rendered risky manned bombing missions deep into enemy airspace not just obsolete but antediluvian.

Not surprisingly, my paper didnt win and the B-1B did. But it was an absurd addition, even by Air Force standards, given that the U.S. had an overwhelming arsenal of missiles at its command, together with a fleet of B-52s that, though lacking in speed and stealth, was aging rather well. In fact, B-52s are still flying today, which isnt that surprising when you consider the development of highly accurate missiles that allow such a plane to standoff from targets and so limit its exposure to enemy air defenses.

Meanwhile, the Air Force, never a service to say no to expensive, high-tech weapons systems, no matter how redundant, was hard at work on a stealthy bomber that would achieve its vision of global reach, global power, and global strike. What emerged was the B-2 Spirit, a stealth bomber so expensive ($2.1 billion a pop) that only 21 were ever built. It was also pricier than the B-1 to operate and less reliable thanks to its fragile stealth coatings, which required lengthy, high-cost maintenance. In other words, both planes proved expensive disappointments that, fortunately, were never tested on the primary mission for which they were built: incinerating millions of people in a nuclear war.

Enter the B-21, whose very name is supposed to indicate its cutting-edge nature, as the first bomber of a new century. Its already being readied to reprise the grim, predictable histories of its predecessors.

Will the Bomber Go the Way of the Dodo?

Old ideas and hallowed traditions die hard, especially when theyre so lucrative for the military-industrial-congressional complex. Just look at the staying power of the disastrously overpriced F-35 stealth fighter, projected to cost $1.45 trillion over the life of the program. Put bluntly, todays future-driven Air Force still wants to be capable of taking the fight to the enemy in a manned bomber, just as in the past. It still wants its air crews to put bombs on target. At a time when remotely piloted drones like the Predators and Reapers are rendering redundant so many human fighter pilots sitting in real cockpits, the Air Force has no intention of allowing its strategic bombing force to go the way of the dodo. Its leaders will always fight for manned strategic bombers because it fits their image of themselves: dodging enemy fighters, missiles, and flak, and taking the fight to the enemys doorstep.

In fact, not only does the Air Force want the B-21 as its fifth generation bomber, it also wants a new fighter jet to escort it on deep penetrating missions into China, Russia, or other countries. Think here of the legendary P-51 Mustangs, which accompanied U.S. strategic bombers deep into Nazi Germany during World War II. In other words, the Air Forces vision of future aerial war bears an eerie resemblance to the action scenes in the classic 1949 war movie Twelve OClock High, except instead of the B-17s and P-51s of World War II, fifth generation bombers will join with sixth-generation fighters to claw their way through enemy airspace.

Of course, Pentagon officials have an array of talking points to support their case for the B-21. These include: maintaining parity, if not supremacy, vis-a-vis China or Russia or some future, ill-defined enemy and the need of our heroic troops for the latest and best in weaponry. They emphasize that canceling a major weapons system like the B-21 is tantamount to unilateral disarmament, that it would betray weakness to rivals and foes, and that manned bombers provide maximum flexibility since, unlike missiles, they can be recalled or redirected after being launched.

In truth, however, Twelve OClock High scenarios look increasingly ridiculous and outmoded in the twenty-first century. But dont tell that to the U.S. Air Force. When its strategists visualize bombers, all they see is potential, promise, and even fulfillment. But history shows us something else: the potential for widespread and indiscriminate destruction and massive casualties. If anything, since World War II, Americas arsenal of bombers has emboldened the U.S. to strike in places and in ways clearly counterproductive to just about any definition of national security, even as untold numbers of innocents have perished from the ordnance fired or dropped from those planes. The Vietnam War  during which the U.S. dropped seven million tons of bombs  is a perfect example of this.

Heres the nightmarish reality of actually bringing such weapons systems online: when the U.S. military develops a capability, it seeks to use it, even in cases where its wildly inappropriate. (Again, think of the massive B-52 bombings in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in a counterinsurgency campaign classically meant to win hearts and minds.) Fielding a new strategic bomber for global strike, including potential thermonuclear attacks, will not so much enhance national security as potentially embolden future presidents to strike whenever and wherever they want in a fashion devastating to human life. The B-21 isnt a force-multiplier. Its an Armageddon-enabler.

Flying High in our B-21s

Having marketed himself as a savvy military critic, is there any possibility that Donald Trump will have the smarts of Jimmy Carter when it comes to the B-21 program? Will he save America at least $100 billion (and probably far more) while eliminating yet another redundant weapons system within the Department of Defense? Fat chance. Even if he wanted to, The Donald doesnt stand a chance against the Pentagon these days.

Flush with billions and billions of new taxpayer dollars, including funds for those F-35s and for new nukes from a bipartisan coalition in an otherwise riven Congress, Americas military services will fight for any and all major weapons systems, the B-21 included. So, too, will Congress, especially if Northrop Grumman follows the production strategy first employed by Rockwell International with the B-1: spreading the planes subcontractors and parts suppliers to as many states and Congressional districts as possible. This would, of course, ensure that cuts to the B-21 program would impact jobs and so drive votes in Congress in its favor. After all, what congressional representative would be willing to vote against high-paying jobs in his or her own state or district in the name of American security?

So heres my advice to young model-builders everywhere: dont blow up your B-21s anytime soon. Rest assured that the real thing is coming. If the Air Force wants to ensure that it has a new bomber, in the name of blasting Americas enemies to oblivion, so be it. It worked (partially and at tremendous cost) in 1943 in the flak- and fighter-filled skies of Nazi Germany, so why shouldnt it work in 2043 over the skies of who-knows-where-istan?

Why does your Air Force think this way? Not just because it loves big bombers, but also because its biggest rivals arent in Russia or China or some rogue state like Iran. Theyre right here in the homeland. Im talking, of course, about the other military services. Yes, interservice rivalries remain alive and well at the Pentagon. If the U.S. Navy can continue to build breathtakingly expensive nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (like the much-troubled USS Gerald R. Ford) and submarines, and if the Army can have all its tanks, helicopters, and associated toys, then, dammit, the Air Force can have what truly makes it special and unique: a new stealthy strategic bomber escorted by an even newer long-range stealthy fighter.

And dont just blame the Air Force for such retrograde thinking. Its leaders know whats easiest to sell Congress: big, splashy projects that entail decades of funding and create tens of thousands of jobs. As congressional representatives line up to push for their pieces of the action, military contractors are only too happy to oblige. As the lead contractor for the B-21, Northrop Grumman of Falls Church, Virginia, has the most to gain, but other winners will include United Technologies of East Hartford, Connecticut; BAE Systems of Nashua, New Hampshire; Spirit Aerosystems of Wichita, Kansas; Orbital ATK of Clearfield, Utah, and Dayton, Ohio; Rockwell Collins of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; GKN Aerospace of St Louis, Missouri; and Janicki Industries of Sedro-Woolley, Washington. And these are just the major suppliers for that aircraft; dozens of other parts suppliers will be needed, and theyll be carefully allocated to as many Congressional districts as possible. Final assembly of the plane will likely take place in Palmdale, California, integrating components supplied from sea to shining sea. Who says Americas coastal enclaves cant join with the heartland to get things done?

Even if President Trump wanted to cancel the B-21  and given his recent speech to graduates of the Naval Academy, the odds are that there isnt a weapons system anywhere he doesnt want to bring to fruition  chances are that in todays climate of militarism he would face enormous push-back. As a colleague whos still on active duty in the Air Force puts it, What makes today worse than the Carter days is our flag-humping, military-slobbering culture. We cant even have a discussion of what the countrys needs are for fear of offending or disrespecting the troops. Today, Carter would be painted as disloyal to those troops he was consigning to an early death because every procurement decision centers on a grave or existential threat to national security with immediate and deadly consequences.

And so the Air Force and its flyboy generals will win the fight for the B-21 and take the American taxpayer along for the ride  unless, that is, we somehow have the courage to pry the control sticks from the cold, dead hands of hidebound military tradition and lobbying firepower. Until we do, its off we go (yet again), into the wild blue yonder, flying high in our B-21s.

A TomDispatch regular and retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, William Astore taught history for 15 years at the Air Force Academy, the Naval Postgraduate School, and in Pennsylvania at a technical college. Hes never forgotten his visit to the Trinity site in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where the first atomic device was tested in 1945, nor his time in Cheyenne Mountain Complex, hunkering down under 2,000 feet of granite, waiting for a nuclear war that never happened. His personal blog is Bracing Views.

Follow TomDispatch on Twitter and join us on Facebook. Check out the newest Dispatch Book, Tom Engelhardts A Nation Unmade by War, as well as Alfred McCoys In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power, John Dowers The Violent American Century: War and Terror Since World War II, John Feffers dystopian novel Splinterlands, and Nick Turses Next Time Theyll Come to Count the Dead.

Copyright 2018 William J. Astore

Via Tomdispatch.comReddit 3 Email 121 Shares

In the Washington Post last week, historian of the US Yoav Fromer of Tel Aviv University published an article about how the problem with the Middle East is too much democracy and not too little.

Fromer seems to take at face value George W. Bushs policy of democratization. That was a slogan to cover the embarrassment of not finding unconventional weaponry in Iraq. Bush never promoted genuine democracy anywhere in the Middle East, and anyway it isnt plausible that it could be promoted at the point of a bayonet. If Fromer is arguing against that policy, he may as well not have bothered. It was just a smokescreen. And if all he were doing were opposing ham-fisted American attempts to shape other peoples polities, hed be right. Alas, I fear his line of reasoning leads in more alarming directions. It rather resembles Lord Curzons opposition to the Indian Councils Act of 1909 on the grounds that they might turn into parliamentary bodies in miniature. The Neo-imperial Raj in the Middle East should not be disturbed by democratizing reforms.

One of his points seems to be that public opinion in countries like Iran and Turkey does not take positions favorable to Trump administration goals, or favorable to Israel. As a result, he maintains that Trump needs to contain democracy in the Middle East rather than promoting it. Again, Fromer may as well not have bothered. Trump loves Arab strongmen almost as much as he loves Playboy bunnies.

Fromer blames Turkish President Tayyip Erdogans bromides against Israel as an Apartheid state on an attempt to appease public opinion in Turkey. The implication is that Erdogan is simply engaged in demagoguery and that the Turkish public is benighted. Since it doesnt seem to be apparent in the hothouse atmosphere inside Israel, let me just suggest that pretty much everyone in the world except Republican Party members in the USA thinks Israel is an Apartheid state. Israel in opinion polls around the world ranks down with North Korea on favorability scales. This result comes not from anti-Semitism but from Israels attempt to go on maintaining Settler Colonialism as the official policy of the state when it isnt, really, you know, 1850 any more. Neither Erdogan nor the Turkish public is in any way exceptional in this regard. That people in Turkey recognize what is going on in the Palestinian West Bank is if anything a sign that they are ready for democracy.

If Washington needs to contain democracy in the Middle East to stop people from seeing Israeli Apartheid toward the Palestinians, then apparently the US military should also immediately attack Canada, Ireland and Sweden and install a right wing dictator who might be friends with Trump and Netanyahu. (Sweden, by the way, has been ranked in polling as the least anti-Semitic country in Europe).

Worse, Fromer thinks Israel is the only functioning democracy in the Middle East. But opinion polls have found that when asked if they would support formal Apartheid, the Israeli public says yes! You cant be a functioning democracy in the 21st century when youve been ruling militarily for half a century over 4.5 million people youve kept stateless and your own population is only 8 million, 6 million of them Jews (and a million of them possibly absentees).

Fromer is out of date. Tunisia has had successful elections, a new constitution, a vibrant civil society, and it is certainly a functioning democracy by the definition of transitologists. Moreover, Tunisia has the advantage of not practicing Apartheid and having a freer press than Israel, which is under military censorship.

Fromers discovery that Iranians are all right with their country having a nuclear enrichment program (which unlike what he implies is not the same as having a nuclear bomb) is not a sign that there is too much democracy in the Middle East, it is a sign that there is not enough security and rule of law.

And seriously, the fault here lies with Iranians rather than with the feckless Trump, who violated the US treaty with Iran on its civilian nuclear fuel program? Why shouldnt Iranians see nuclear latency as a deterrent measure, if they cant trust the US to stand by its word?

Iranians had their country partitioned between the British and Russian Empires in 1907 and had their elected parliamentary government overthrown by the CIA in 1953, and watched in 2001 and 2003 as the Bush administration sent the US army to invade their neighbors (Afghanistan and Iraq), overthrow their governments and occupy their territory. If Iranians think a nuclear potential might save them from having happen to them what happened to Mosul in Iraq, then obviously they will want it. Nuclear weapons are defensive, not offensive.

But Fromer is being a little disingenuous to suggest that this finding has anything to do with democracy. If you asked the Israeli public if they should give up their several hundred nuclear warheads, they certainly would say no. I suspect the same is true of France and the United States.

Ironically, the most vehement denunciations of nuclear weapons and prohibition on making, stockpiling or using them comes not from the general public in Iran but from the clerical establishment.

Fromer denounces Hamass 2006 electoral victory as an indictment of democratization. But what went wrong was not the Hamas victory at the polls, which could have led it into peaceful political activity, but that Israel essentially staged a coup against the elected government, kidnapped parliamentarians, and, when the coup failed in Gaza, blockaded the tiny strip and subjected its people to a cruel blockade that continues until today. The failure here has nothing to do with allowing Palestinians to vote in 2006 and everything to do with a concerted attempt to undermine any Palestinian steps toward democratic sovereignty.

Fromers is a cruel argument in a region where Fromers government actively opposed the Arab Spring (Netanyahu put enormous pressure on Obama to back Hosni Mubarak to the last). Egypt, which Fromer does not mention, has become one of the more repressive countries on earth. Opinion polling of its public would find much critique of Israel and the US, but the Egyptian public has been safely contained by Field Marshall Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has excellent relations with the Israeli high command. Al-Sisis goons have jailed tens of thousands of people and are sneaking around at night kidnapping bloggers. They even murdered an Italian graduate student for asking questions about labor rights. Fromer has nothing bad to say about the the absolute monarchy in Saudi Arabia, which has now tacitly allied with Israel against Iran and contained its population, which it regularly flogs and beheads.

Apparently Egypt is the sort of society Fromer wishes on the whole Middle East. Apparently, so does his government. And if that is so, he shouldnt be surprised that his government is so disliked by people in the region.

Featured Image h/t Wikmedia CommonsDrill Results Continue to Expand East Zone, which Remains Open for Expansion

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Velocity Minerals Ltd. (TSXV:VLC) (Velocity or the Company) announces that it has retained CSA Global Canada Geoscience Ltd. (CSA Global) to complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) and NI 43-101 Technical Report (the Report) for the Rozino gold project (Rozino or the Project).

Hitting Milestones at Rozino

We remain on target to meet our aggressive timeline for delivery of a PEA at Rozino in September 2018, a little over a year since acquiring the project and initiating drilling. The delivery of the PEA is the mechanism by which we will earn our 70% interest in the Rozino deposit, stated Keith Henderson, Velocitys President & CEO. We have selected CSA Global to complete the PEA because of their strong track record in Bulgaria, including Mineral Resource estimates and an updated Definitive Feasibility Study for Dundee Precious Metals Krumovgrad project, which is under construction approximately 20km west of Rozino and slated for production before year end.

Mr. Henderson continued, In the nine months since we initiated exploration drilling in Bulgaria, the Company has moved forward considerably. In addition to meeting planned milestones at Rozino, we have negotiated several pivotal deals, including an exploration alliance with our local operating partner Gorubso Mining and exclusive access to Gorubsos CIL processing plant, which is available for the processing of material from all projects within the alliance area, including Rozino.

Preliminary Economic Assessment

The PEA for the Rozino gold deposit will be completed by CSA Global, a leading geological and mining consulting company with over 30 years international experience. CSA Global has extensive experience in the Balkan region in general and Bulgaria in particular.

The PEA will include an updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate and results of ongoing metallurgical testing as well as high-level mine and process design and an economic assessment of the project. Drill holes RDD-045 to RDD-056 were not included in the initial NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate published in March 2018 but will be included in the updated resource estimate.

Drilling Continues to Expand East Zone

The East Zone at Rozino has a gold-in-soil anomaly and drill hole RDD-040 intersected 144.7m grading 1.52g/t gold from surface. In general, soil anomalies at Rozino are related to zones where mineralization comes to surface and the presence of soil anomalies has been a useful tool in defining drill targets. Where mineralization is present but does not come to surface, soil anomalies are either absent or low in magnitude and a large number of smaller / lower tenor soil anomalies require drill testing. A program of trenching in the vicinity of these soil anomalies is underway.

Results have been received for drill holes RDD-050 to RDD-056 (Figure 2, Table 1). Highlights include RDD-055, which intersected 20.7m grading 0.76g/t gold, having stepped 50m to the southwest from previous drill hole RDD-041 (13.8m grading 1.05g/t gold). East Zone remains open and will require further systematic drill testing after the completion of the PEA to define the extent of mineralization and to potentially discover additional new zones of mineralization.

Table 1: Highlights from drill holes RDD-050 to RDD-056 Drillhole From (m) To (m) Thickness

(m)^ Gold (g/t)

Uncut RDD-050 4.0 11.0 7.0 0.63 and 31.0 80.0 49.0 0.57 RDD-051 59.4 71.4 12.0 0.54 and 80.4 92.4 12.0 0.75 and 117.4 131.4 14.0 0.54 RDD-052 7.2 28.9 26.8 0.67 and 97.1 105.1 8.0 0.58 RDD-053 No Significant Intercept RDD-054 21.0 26.0 5.0 0.73 RDD-055 2.1 22.8 20.7 0.76 including 12.1 21.8 9.7 1.16 RDD-056 2.8 5.5 2.7 0.64 ^ The current exploration model has not had sufficient drill testing to be able

to determine true thickness of mineralization.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

The work program at Rozino was designed and is supervised by Stuart A. Mills, CGeol, the Company's Vice-President Exploration, who is responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project rigorously collect and track samples which are then security sealed and shipped to ALS Global laboratory in Romania. Samples used for the results described herein are prepared and analyzed by fire assay using a 30-gram charge in compliance with industry standards. Field duplicate samples, blanks and independent controlled reference material (standards) are added to every batch. Drill intersections in this news release are calculated using a 0.2 g/t gold trigger, a minimum 0.5 g/t gold composite, and a maximum of 3 meters consecutive waste.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this release has been approved for disclosure by Stuart A. Mills, BSc, MSc, CGeol, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and the Companys Vice President Exploration. Mr. Mills is not independent of the Company.

About the Rozino Gold Project

Velocity has been exploring and drilling at Rozino since August 2017, publishing a maiden Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate(1) in Q1 2018; 17Mt @ 1.15g/t gold for 629,000 ounces at 0.5g/t cut-off grade with 8.2Mt @ 1.68g/t gold for 443,000 ounces at 0.8g/t cut-off grade. Approximately 90% of estimated resources at depths of less than 110m from surface and less than 1% below 150m from surface. Mineralization remains open for expansion.

The Company has completed the 2018 drill program with a view to publishing an updated mineral resource estimate and PEA before year end. On completion of the PEA, the Company will exercise its option for a 70% interest in the project and will move forward in joint venture with its Bulgarian partner.

About the Balkan Gold Project

Velocity formed an Exploration and Mining Alliance (Alliance) with Bulgarian operating partner Gorubso Kardzhali A.D. (Gorubso) in February 2018. The Alliance is the cornerstone of the Balkan Gold Project.

Within the Balkan Gold Project, the Companys portfolio of assets in Bulgaria includes exclusive access to a modern, centrally located CIL plant for processing of material from gold projects in the surrounding area. The Company has negotiated an option to earn a 70% interest in any or all of seven advanced gold projects, including the Rozino Project where drilling is ongoing. In addition, the Company has negotiated an option to earn a 50% interest in the operating Chala Gold Mine.

The Alliance area covers all existing and future Gorubso and Velocity projects within an area of 10,400km2 covering the prospective Eastern Rhodope Gold Mining District in southeastern Bulgaria.

The Agreement contemplates the exploration, development, and mining of the various projects within the Alliance area and provides for an option/joint venture mechanism by which Velocity and Gorubso will partner to maximize value for both companies.

About Velocity Minerals Ltd.

Velocity is a gold exploration and development company focused on eastern Europe. The Companys management and board includes mining industry professionals with combined experience spanning Europe, Asia, and the Americas as employees of major mining companies as well as founders and senior executives of junior to mid-tier public companies. The team's experience includes all aspects of mineral exploration, resource definition, feasibility, finance, mine construction and mine operation as well as a track record in managing publicly listed companies.

About Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a member of NATO (2004) and a member of the European Union (2007). The local currency (BGN) has been tied to the Euro since 1999 (1.956 BGN/EUR). The country is served by modern European infrastructure including an extensive network of paved roads. Bulgaria boasts an exceptionally low corporate tax rate of only 10%. The countrys education system is excellent with good availability of experienced mining professionals in a favourable cost environment. Foreign mining companies are successfully operating in Bulgaria. The countrys mining law was established in 1999 and updated in 2011. Mining royalties are low and compare favourably with more established mining countries.

About CSA Global

CSA Global is a mining, geological, technology, and management consulting company providing strategic services and advice to companies to the international mining industry. CSA Global's mining services team provides expert evaluation, planning, review, development advice, and solutions for surface and underground mines worldwide, with experience across a wide spectrum of mineral commodities and diverse physical environments. CSA Global services mining clients worldwide from its offices in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Indonesia. For more information: www.csaglobal.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Keith Henderson"

President & CEO

For further information, please contact: Keith Henderson Phone: +1-604-484-1233 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Web: www.velocityminerals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: future exploration and testing carried out on the Tintyava property; use of funds; and the future business and operations of Velocity. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can be identified by words such as pro forma, plans, expects, may, should, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates, believes, potential or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development and mine development activities for the Tintyava property, including the geological mapping, prospecting and sampling programs for the projects, the fact that the Companys interests in the Tintyava property is only an option and there is no guarantee that the interest, if earned, will be certain, actual results of exploration activities, including the program, estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, the availability of a sufficient supply of water and other materials, requirements for additional capital to fund the Company's business plan, future prices of precious metals, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, possible failures of plants, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the TSX Venture Exchange), permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, hedging practices, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, risks related to joint venture operations, and risks related to the integration of acquisitions, as well as those factors discussed under the heading. "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual management's discussion and analysis and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

Figure 1

Figure 2Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 5, 2018) - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO) (NYSE AMERICAN: BTG) (NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that on May 29, 2018, the Company celebrated the official opening of the B2Gold Solar Plant at its Otjikoto Mine in Namibia.

The opening of the new solar plant is in-keeping with B2Gold's ongoing commitment to responsible mining and promoting green energy solutions at its five operating gold mines worldwide. The Otjikoto Solar Plant is one of the first fully-autonomous hybrid plants in the world and will allow the Company to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the site's current 24-megawatt ("MW") heavy fuel oil ("HFO") power plant. Changing the power plant to an HFO solar hybrid plant is expected to reduce Otjikoto's HFO consumption by approximately 2.3 million litres and reduce associated power generation fuel costs by approximately 10% in 2018.

In remarks at the official opening of the solar plant, Namibia's Minister of Mines and Energy, the Honourable Tom Alweendo, said that the plant "will deliver positive economic, environmental and social impacts that are likely to outlive the life of mine. I am also informed that this solar plant will be one of the largest installations of its kind in Namibia. It will serve as a sustainable power solution as B2Gold works to improve economic returns, reduce impacts on the environment and could potentially be a funding source for community development."

The development of the Otjikoto solar facility reflects B2Gold's commitment to environmental stewardship and the Company's ongoing goal of reducing its dependence on fossil fuels in favour of cleaner, less expensive power sources.

Driven by this goal, B2Gold embarked upon a detailed financial feasibility study early in 2016 to determine the financial viability of adding a 7 MW solar plant to Otjikoto's energy portfolio. Based on the results of this study, the project was approved in October 2016 with an estimated project cost of $8.5 million. Otjikoto's solar plant commenced full commissioning in early April 2018, on schedule and on budget.

Bill Lytle, Senior Vice President, Operations, said that a key mandate for B2Gold is to always leave the region and communities where B2Gold operates better off as a result of B2Gold's investment. "B2Gold firmly believes that a successfully-run, responsible mining company can truly add value and leave a positive legacy to the local communities and environment by generating sustainable socio-economic and environmental benefits."

B2Gold is considering whether a further innovative use of the solar plant could be as an income-generating asset after the mine closes. Funds generated by this asset could be used to support ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility activities in the region long after the mine has shut down.

The Otjikoto Solar Plant project was championed by Mark Dawe, B2Gold's Namibia Country Manager, and his management team.

About B2Gold Corp.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, B2Gold Corp. is the world's new senior gold producer. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has five operating gold mines, and numerous exploration and development projects in various countries including Nicaragua, the Philippines, Namibia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Colombia and Finland.

With the large, low-cost Fekola Mine now in production, B2Gold is well positioned in achieving transformational growth. In 2018, with the planned first full year of production from the Fekola Mine, consolidated gold production is forecast to be between 910,000 and 950,000 ounces. This represents an increase in annual consolidated gold production of approximately 300,000 ounces for the Company in 2018 versus 2017.

ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.

"BILL LYTLE"

Senior Vice President, Operations

"MARK DAWE"

Country Manager, Namibia & Managing Director



For more information on B2Gold, please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact:

Ian MacLean

Vice President, Investor Relations

604-681-8371

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Katie Bromley

Manager, Investor Relations & Public Relations

604-681-8371

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.



The Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release.

Production forecasts presented in this news release reflect the total production at the mines the Company operates on a 100% basis.

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, including statements regarding anticipated exploration, operations, production and other activities and achievements of the Company, including but not limited to: the anticipated operational results of the solar plant, including its ability to reduce fuel consumption and costs; the future use of the solar plant as an income generating asset after the mine closes and the potential use of any such income; consolidated 2018 gold production forecast being between 910,000 and 950,000 ounces of gold and such representing an increase in annual consolidated gold production of approximately 300,000 ounces for the Company in 2018 versus 2017; and B2Gold being well positioned in achieving transformational growth in 2018. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made.

Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond B2Gold's control, including risks associated with the volatility of metal prices and the Company's common shares; risks and dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; risk of not achieving production, cost or other estimates; risk that actual production, development plans and costs differ materially from the estimates in the Company's feasibility studies; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; uncertainty about the outcome of negotiations with the Government of Mali; risks related to environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; the ability to replace mineral reserves and identify acquisition opportunities; unknown liabilities of companies acquired by B2Gold; ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; availability of financing; risks related to financing and debt, including potential restrictions imposed on the Company's operations as a result thereof and the ability to generate sufficient cash flows; risks related to operations in foreign and developing countries and compliance with foreign laws, including those associated with operations Mali, Namibia, the Philippine, Nicaragua and Burkina Faso and including risks related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local ownership requirements; risks related to remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure, fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks including local instability or acts of terrorism and the effects thereof; risks related to reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture partners; risks related to lack of sole decision-making authority related to Filminera Resources Corporation, which owns the Masbate Project; challenges to title or surface rights; dependence on key personnel and ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk; competition with other mining companies; changes in tax laws; community support for the Company's operations including risks related to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; risks related to conflict with small scale miners; risks related to failures of information systems or information security threats; the final outcome of the audit by the DENR in relation to the Masbate Project; ability to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting as required by law, including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; risks related to compliance with anti-corruption laws; as well as other factors identified and as described in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in B2Gold's most recent Annual Information Form, the Company's current Form 40-F Annual Report and B2Gold's other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively (the "Websites"). The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold will derive therefrom. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to the Company's ability to carry on current and future operations, including development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Company's ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.Africas leading telecommunication company MTN has launched its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in Ghana. The move has been described by industry players as historic in the West African nation.

The IPO, which was launched by Ghanas Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta, will give a fraction of the business to Ghanaians by issuing some of its shares for sale. The IPO will run from May 31 till July 31.

Ghanaians will be able to buy shares using Momo Wallet, MTNs local mobile money platform with 6.2 million users.

The offer is part of an agreement with Ghanaian government as a condition for MTNs 4G network license as the telecoms operator doubles down in a market it currently dominates. The company had to sell 35% of its shares to Ghanaians.

MTN said it is working with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) towards the success of the IPO.

Like Ghana, MTN Nigeria is also looking forward to raising the sum of $500 million, disposing of about 30% stake in the business by getting listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The companys decision to launch an IPO in Africas most populous nation is believed to be a concession to authorities as part of the $1.7 billion settlement of a protracted SIM card dispute in June 2016.

As a reminder, in October 2015, the telecom regulator imposed a fine on MTN Nigeria for not complying with governments rule on deactivation of unregistered SIM cards.I love to travel but hate traffic and planes. I wish I could just beam myself anywhere instantly. ~ Jordan Ladd

I cannot tell you how often Ive expressed a similar sentiment, so it tickled me to find this quote by Jordan Ladd, American scream queen actress.

Whilst there are still those who insist that the journey itself is more important than the destination, that just doesnt work for me, not with the modern-day experience of airport security, waiting, more waiting, and a long flight crammed like sardines into a tin can. Sure, if the trip itself is a roadtrip or an adventure on rail or boat, then yeah, the journey is a big part of the destination(s). But otherwise, yeah, Scotty, please beam me the heck out of here!

Theres a selfish little twist in my dream  only I (and my nominated friends, family and minions) have this technology. Imagine the pleasure of being able to hop to Paris for breakfast, Portugal for morning coffee and custard tarts, Kyoto for lunch and a stroll beneath the cherry blossom if my timing is right, America for a little clothes shopping, Botswana for a sundowner game drive, Chiang Rai for dinner at the night market, followed by a last hop home to sleep in my own bed! I could weave these into my everyday life too, so instead of a coffee break in the office kitchen, that little hop to Lisbon before hopping back to my desk

(And yes, if I actually had a Trekkie transporter for real, of course Id look at how it could be used as a force for good, to help people and the environment, but since its obviously a pure fantasy, so are my dreams of how Id use it!)

What might you do if you could beam yourself anywhere instantly?

Another image from our trip to Iceland a few summers ago.

More Kavey Eats Travel Quotes.

You are welcome to save or share via Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Please do not alter the image or crop out the attribution text. Thank you!NRTG presenting 42nd Street starting Oct. 15 The Niagara Regional Theatre Guild will be presenting the Kaufman and Hart Musical comedy, 42nd Street at the Ellicott Creek Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3...

American Legion Band of the Tonawandas to perform at Cardinal OHara The American Legion Band of the Tonawandas will be presenting a Veterans Day concert next month at Cardinal OHara High School, and tickets are now on sale. The performance will...

NT resident one of 12 winners in Erie Canalway Photo Contest North Tonawanda resident Neil Ferguson was recognized twice in the 2021 Erie Canalway Photo Contest for his photography, which will be featured in the 2022 Erie Canalway calendar. Ferguson placed...

HISTORIC GATHERING  Approximately 30 people attended a service on Saturday at the Chapel of the Elms in Elmlawn Cemetery, which marked the 75th anniversary of the Church of the Nativity United...

First alumni event to be held for NTHS Homecoming North Tonawanda High School will hold its first alumni homecoming on Friday, Oct. 15, where the North Tonawanda Lumberjacks will go against the McKinley Titans. 1974 Lumberjack alum John Baran...Madagascars president Hery Rajaonarimampianina has appointed Christian Ntsay, as the new prime minister of the Indian Ocean island nation.

Christian Ntsay was the former director of the International Labor Organization for Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles.

According to Rajaonarimampianina, the new Prime Minister is an experienced man with the skills to lead a consensus government.

Former Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly resigned earlier on Monday to comply with the terms of a court ruling that ordered the formation of a new consensus government after weeks of protests.

Last months deadly street protests follow a controversial election law approved by President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, under which the main opposition candidate, Marc Ravalomanana, could not run for office.

The High Constitutional Court ordered the president to dissolve his government and appoint a new prime minister with the support of all political parties.

The composition of the government should proportionately reflect the outcome of the 2013 legislative elections, the court ordered.

The Court had also given the government and opposition 10 days to mediate their differences.

Madagascar has seen a series of popular protest movements since the island nation gained independence from France in 1960, often resulting in bloodshed.

Elected in 2013, Rajaonarimampianina has not yet announced whether he will stand for re-election in the country.A councillor has slammed another episode of illegal dumping in the Johnswell area.

The incident occurred last week with objects including chairs, a boiler unit and other household items being dumped on the public roadside.

Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick said that illegal dumping has been a persistent problem in rural communities across north Kilkenny and notwithstanding the huge efforts of local communities those responsible were continuing to carry on their illegal activities.

"We simply need more resources in terms of man power and surveillance technology. It is clear to me that we are not adequately equipped to tackle the problem.

Those who are carrying out the illegal dumping know that unless they leave material in the rubbish that will help to identify them, it is unlikely that they will be caught, that is a problem. The know they will get away with it, and this is not good enough.

"I believe that as a Council we must prioritise this issue and ensure that those who think it is ok to dump rubbish illegally are caught and punished harshly, he added.

The illegal dumping in Johnswell was promptly dealt with by Council staff.Calls have been made for rumble strips and speed variation signs ahead of the construction of new social housing in Ballyragget.

The Part 8 for the construction of 22 social houses at Station Avenue was approved at last months meeting of Kilkenny County Council.

Cllr Maurice Shortall said: The issue of exit from the estate was raised at a recent information evening and in particular the increase of vehicles, this will be addressed with a safety audit.

"Nearly everyone who attended had an application and the real pity is that with a total of 46 people expressing Ballyragget as their first preference this development will not be sufficient to meet the demand.

Because of the poor visibility from the Finnan direction I am seeking rumble strips and the erection of a speed variable sign as motorists approach the bridge.

Finally, the ongoing discussions with landowners will hopefully be successful and ensure construction traffic will not have to go through the present estate.

Director of Services at the Council, Mary Mulholland, said a safety audit will be carried out and will consider the practicalities of rumble strips.

Two of the 2 bed units are suitable for occupation by a wheelchair user. Six of the units will be one beds while ten will be two beds and a further four will be three bed homes. Two of the units will be four beds.

The proposed scheme is an extension of the existing Station Avenue estate, which was constructed in 2007/2008 by the Council. The scheme has received funding under the Rebuilding Ireland Programme.Over 1,000 students in Kilkenny - 518 girls and 525 boys - will sit their Leaving Certificate examinations this summer, with the first exams beginning tomorrow (Wednesday).

A further 1,171 students here will sit their Junior Certificate exams. Nationally, some 120,967 candidates will commence their Leaving and Junior Certificate/Cycle examinations across the country.

READ - FIVE WAYS TO REDUCE EXAM ANXIETY

Mr. Pat Burke, Chairman of the State Examinations Commission (SEC), and his fellow Commissioners extend their very best wishes on behalf of the SEC to all sitting the state examinations in 2018.

The state examinations are a milestone for students, their families and schools," he said.

"The reassurance of families and the wider community is an essential support for students sitting examinations. For its part, the Commission will continue its work in ensuring that the examinations meet the highest standards of fairness and transparency. The Board and staff of the State Examinations Commission are very aware of the effort which students, their families and schools have invested in the forthcoming examinations and extend their best wishes to all."

Over 4 million examination papers have been securely distributed to the examination superintendents involved in supervising the written examinations. The examinations will be held in some 5,223 examination centres across the country over the course of the examination period.

The examinations run until Wednesday, June 20 for Junior Certificate/Cycle subjects and Friday, June 22 for Leaving Certificate subjects. The written examinations in the Leaving Certificate Applied programme finish on Thursday 14th June. The results of the Leaving Certificate examinations will be available on Wednesday, August 15. Results of the Junior Certificate/Cycle will be available in mid-September 2018.Matthew Hooton writes:

Fifteen years after Don Brashs Orewa speech restored Nationals fortunes and 12 years since the launch of John Keys smiley-wavy alternative, the party continues to poll at 45 per cent, just a couple of points away from governing alone. Such high polling over many years and three leadership changes is near miraculous. Whatever is said about the lost opportunities of Keys Government, neither he nor Steven Joyce can be accused of leaving Nationals brand in anything other than outstanding shape. Neither Jacindamania nor Labours $20 billion Budget spend-up has dragged more than a vanishingly small number of voters across the crucial blue-red line. National is polling almost exactly the same as before Arderns elevation in August. In polling terms, she has done nothing but cannibalise her left.

It is astonishing that National continues to poll so high, despite both a leadership change and going into Opposition.

Heres what the major opposition party has been after around six months of a new Government under MMP:

2009  Labour at 31%

2000  National at 32%

Ardern will be as aware as anyone how vulnerable she is. Modelling, published on the Labour-aligned The Standard of 2000 potential election results derived from this weeks polls, suggests she has no more than a 50 per cent probability of a second term.

Push through their catch and release policies for repeat violent offenders and it will be much less than 50%.

The Coalitions measurable promises of a billion trees, $3 billion for the regions, a net 100,000 new houses and materially reducing child poverty as measured by the Childrens Commissioner are all set to fail. As it becomes impossible to hide the lack of progress on these fronts, expect ministers to cut corners and for scandals to arise.

And zero road deaths and zero suicides!

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The News in Brief

Tbilisi Govt Says Transport Fee Wont Increase



Tbilisi Hall Transport Municipal Service stated that the public transportation fare will not increase, responding to the media speculations that the metro and bus fee will increase to 80 tetri from current 50 tetri.



The information spread by some media outlets and political organizations that the bus and metro fares are expected to be increased is not true. Also the connection between this disinformation and the development of a public transport route reorganization plan is unclear, reads the statement.



Tbilisi City Hall considers social factor as one of the most important components of public transport services.



The City Hall says that the state spends 60 million GEL in public transport to pay for the citizens preferential and free travel annually.



While carrying out transport policy, it is crucial for Tbilisi City Hall to offer a low-cost and preferential travel to the population. Besides that, our priority is to make public transport faster and more comfortable. For this purpose, renovating the existing parking and additions to metro trains are planned. Generally, all of this contributes to the growth and popularization of public transport, the government says.







How many people are in bank blacklists in Georgia?



The Minister of Finance of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze stated that 25-30% of Georgians are in the so-called bank blacklists, which means the people failed to meet with their bank obligations and now they will not be able to take new loans for business and other purposes.



This means that 630 thousand people, who may have a competitive idea or project to start their small business, are excluded from economic life of our country, said Bakhtadze.



The minister said that changes in the financial and banking sector will soon be introduced to the parliament as a draft law and will ensure the fair rules and the protection of customers rights.



Credit information is kept in Creditinfo Georgia, which specializes in credit information and the provision of information essential to the decision making processes of banks, leasing companies and other organizations who lend money, provide services and goods in credit.



Clients credit information is kept for 7 years. If the client does not pay the credit, Creditinfo keeps the information for about 5 years.

(By Anano Margebadze)



Tbilisi City Hall Starts Replacement of Khrushchyovka Blocks of Flats

By Tea Mariamidze

Tbilisi City Hall has launched a project which envisages replacement of so called Khrushchyovka blocks of flats, a type of low-cost, concrete-paneled or brick three- to five-storied apartment building which was developed in the Soviet Union during the early 1960s, during the time its namesake Nikita Khrushchev directed the Soviet government.The information was released by Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze at the City Hall sitting on May 31, adding the first stage the project envisages replacement of 4 blocks of flats, located in 6th and 8th quarters in the III massive of Varketili district.This is not a one-time project, the process is alive and it will give us the chance to implement the large-scale so-called Khrushchovka project and I am very glad that this project has started, Kaladze said.The Mayor explained that replacement of Khushchyovkas was one of his pre-election promises.Tbilisi City Hall announces the expression of interest in order to develop a residential complex on the 30,205 sq.m land plot, located in the III massive of Varketili district, and we invite private sector to take part in the project. The winner company will implement this project in accordance with the Development Regulation Plan adopted by Tbilisi City Council, "Kaladze said.The Deputy Vice-Mayor Irakli Khmaladze says that initially around 170 families will be provided with flats, when a new residential complex is built on the place of three damaged buildings in Varketili.People who will give us 100% agreement, will be asked to move out of the Khrushchyovkas in order to replace the completely damaged buildings with the newly built, safe and modern residential complexes, Deputy Mayor explained.Originally expected to last for only about 25 years, Khrushchyovkas primarily sprang up in Tbilisi during the late 1950s and 1960s in what were then the citys more spacious outskirts  Saburtalo, Gldani, Varketili, Temka, Dighomi; now, some of its most densely populated areas.The one-to-three-room apartments were strictly utilitarian  between 31 to 58 square meters in area  with storage built into the walls for maximum usage of space. The ceilings were mostly 2.48-meters high.Georgia - Transit Hub of Lapis Lazuli Corridor

By Vladimer Napetvaridze

On May 30, the Parliament of Georgia discussed the draft of the resolution on ratification of the Agreement on Transit and Transport Cooperation (Agreement on "Lapis Lazuli" Route). The Draft Agreement on Transit and Transport Cooperation provides a legal basis for cooperation between the five countries: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.As the chairman of Sector Economy and Economic Policy Committee Roman Kakulia stated, this agreement has a big political importance, because it serves to reduce Russian influence.The agreement is important - first of all, it corresponds to our country's very important goal - to acquire the function of the transport hub. It also reduces the Russian influence, which is also a priority issue," Kakulia said.The Lapis Lazuli route connects Afghanistan through Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia to the Black Sea and through Turkey to the Mediterranean Sea and Europe. This corridor has a historic importance. 2,000 years ago, it was used to transport lapis lazuli stone from north-eastern Afghanistan to Europe.The agreement about Lapis Lazuli Corridor was signed in November 2017, and according to the document,it was created for transit and trade cooperation among Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. This agreement will help reduce barriers facing transit trade and develop a Custom Procedure Integration in the region.The Lapis Lazuli corridor is one of the most effective transit trade route between Central Asia the Caucasus, the Balkans and Central Europe and also connects effectively South Asia to European countries.The Lapis Lazuli begins from Aqina in northern Faryab province and Turqundi in western Herat province of Afghanistan and continues to Turkmenistan and after passing Caspian Sea, arrives Baku, the Azerbaijans capital and connects Baku to Tbilisi, Georgias capital and also to the ports of Polti and Batumi of Georgia, as well as cities of Kars and Istanbul of Turkey and finally ends in Europe.In modern geopolitical reality, small states with limited resources are trying to participate in different international treaties, thus increase their political weight. Despite the small territory, Georgia has the important transit function that increases the importance of this country for Europe as well as for Russia, because Georgia is situated on the alternative route connecting Europe with Asia.Russia uses its resources and transit corridors as a pressure weapon against Europe, and in order to reduce Russian influence, Europe needs to find alternate ways to connect with Asia. Hence, the better will Georgia use its transit functions, the more important it will be for Europe, and thus it will accelerate the country's integration process into the EU and NATO.Nouvelle demarche pour le groupe La Poste qui propose cette fois-ci un voyage en mer sur le celebre Belem pour 41 de ses postieres. Apres le rallye des Gazelles deja propose plus tot, c'est sur le mythique trois mats que les postieres ont embarque pour une course reliant Dublin a Bordeaux.

Les 41 postieres et les 15 membres de l'equipage dont le parrain Yvan Bourgnon, sont partis de Dublin hier et arriveront le 14 juin sur les cotes de Bordeaux, apres un voyage de 10 jours a travers les mers. Parmi les postieres embarquees, une est originaire d'Aix-en-Provence : il s'agit d'Alexia Le bas, directrice du pole regional de communication du groupe La Poste. L'occasion pour l'amatrice de voile de monter sur le navire qu'elle convoitait tant et de pouvoir enrichir son parcours au sein du groupe "car d'un point de vue professionnel et collectif, c'est appreciable de montrer son engagement et de susciter l'engagement en retour. D'un point de vue humain, c'est une aventure de rencontre unique".

Pour l'Aixoise qui represente la ville, "c'est une fierte autant d'un point de vue personnel que pour son entourage de pouvoir partir avec les couleurs de La Poste". Les selections etaient realisees en 4 etapes dont une sportive composee d'epreuves en natation et VTT entre autres. Alexia Le Bas a du, comme toutes les autres candidates retenues, passer par les differentes etapes de selection qui ont debute mi-octobre pour elle. L'action a ete imaginee et mise en oeuvre dans le but de valoriser la place de la femme au sein du groupe La Poste, ainsi que les differents parcours de toutes les postieres presentes sur le navire.Kathmandu [Nepal], Jun 5 (ANI): Nepal's Chief of the Army Staff General Rajendra Chhetri will embark on a six-day official visit to India on the invitation from his Indian counterpart General Bipin Rawat, the Nepal Army said.

"Nepal's Chief of Army Staff General Rajendra Chhetri will be visiting India in the co-ordinal invitation of the Indian Chief General Bipin Rawat starting from June 6, 2018, for six days," the Nepal Army informed in a press release.

As per the release, General Chhetri will be chairing the event as the Chief Reviewing Officer being organised in Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun on June 9.

In absence of Chhetri, Purna Chandra Thapa has been announced as the caretaker Chief of the Army Staff. General Chhetri is scheduled to return to Nepal on June 11.

The Nepal Army said that the upcoming high-level military state visit will increase and further strengthen the relations between Nepal Army and Indian Army. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)In a tragic and heart wrenching incident, over 112 people are reported to have died after a boat ferrying migrants capsized off the coast of Tunisia on Saturday, June 2. Killing over 100, this is the worst and the deadliest case of migrants losing lives in a migration attempt in the year 2018.

51 bodies have been recovered and about 68 were rescued according to reports in the media. The interior ministry of Tunisia estimates that around 180 people were on the boat at the time of the accident. The administration has assumed that the missing people have died.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirmed that 112 people died from the shipwreck.

Breaking: at least 112 people died after a boat carrying around 180 migrants sank off the coast of Tunisia on Saturday.  IOM - UN Migration (@UNmigration) June 4, 2018

IOM Spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo added on Twitter that the final number could not be ascertained.

According to updated info, the shipwreck off the Tunisian coasts may have caused over 110 deaths: 48 bodies recovered, maybe about 64 missing.  Flavio Di Giacomo (@fladig) June 4, 2018

According to reports, the Tunisians and other Africans often try and migrate from Tunisia to Sicily in Italy in search of employment.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 05, 2018 10:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Laois is the safest place for a stray dog in Ireland, with new figures showing that the county pound is one of only two in Ireland where not one dog died in 2017.

New statistics from the Department of Rural and Community Development show that Laois and Cavan are the only two county dog pounds where dogs were neither euthanised, nor died that year.

In total 228 dogs stayed in Laois Dog Pound in Ballacolla in 2017.

In total, 203 were collected up around the county, another 16 were surrendered by owners, and 9 were seized.

Some 44 dogs were reclaimed by their owners within the five days permitted, and 48 were rehomed.

The majority of the stray dogs in Laois, 133 of them, were taken from the pound by dog rescue groups.

By New Years Eve in 2017, only three dogs were still in the Laois pound waiting for homes.

Laois Dog Pound is run by the ISPCA and has one dog warden.

Official figures show that the service cost the taxpayer 112,361 in 2017, with an income of 63,852 but outgoings of 176,213. The deficit is double that of 2016.

Only three Irish counties made a profit on dog pounds.

Some of the figures were read out at the May meeting of Laois County Council.

Cllr Willie Aird urged people not to breed dogs.

I didnt know 133 dogs were not wanted, will people please keep that in mind when breeding, he said.

Cllr Noel Tuohy also from Portlaoise said people have been savaged around the town by dogs.

It is good news that no dogs were euthanized, but Id still have concerns. There was a woman killed in Galway last year, he noted.

The official number of dogs in Laois, based on licences issued in 2017, is 3,321. That is less than four dogs per 100 people.

The councils environment section stated in the councils May management report that the number of stray dogs has fallen from 363 in 2011 to 228 this year, in line with the national pattern of reducing numbers.

Cllr Tom Mulhall said that people and sheep can be vulnerable. I would like to see owners made to pay a licence, he said.

Twenty on-the-spot fines under the Control of Dogs Act were issued in 2017, eight were paid, with no prosecutions and no convictions.

In total in Ireland during 2017. 916 dogs were destroyed, a 40% decrease on 2016 figures.

11,559 dogs entered Irish Pounds during 2017, an 8% reduction on the 2016 figures.

Suzie Carley is Executive Director at Dogs Trust who educate the public about responsible and safe dog ownership, as well as rehoming dogs from pounds.

Despite a positive reduction in euthanasia figures, there are still a worryingly high number of dogs entering the pound system. It is reassuring that there continued to be a large number of dogs being rescued from the Local Authority pound by animal welfare groups, including Dogs Trust, however it is vital that we get to the root cause of why these dogs are ending up in the pound system to begin with, she said.

To view Laois dogs and cats needing rehoming from the LSPCA, click here.

Cara Rescue Dogs also foster and rehome dogs from Laois Dog Pound, see more here.A small rural community in West Cavan is following in the footsteps of three recent Leitrim schools in appealing for people to come and live in the area in the hope of keeping the school viable.

Residents of Glangevlin in West Cavan have formed a Save the Glan group in a bid to stop the decline of the population which is putting their local school and community in jeopardy.

Numbers have seriously dwindled at the local Curravagh National School in recent years and the school has been told by the Department of Education that that unless at least 15 students enrol in September, they will lose their second teacher and the future of the school will be uncertain.

The community have secured vacant housing for new arrivals to the locality, thus saving the school and revitalising their local community.

Recent Census figures revealed the Curravagh NS catchment area suffered a near 9% drop in the five years period 2011-2016.

Located en route to Dowra, and three miles from Glangevlin village the DEIS funded was renovated comprehensively in 2009. It was built in 1933 and had been one of four schools in the parish.

Inspiration for the Glan campaign is being drawn from the example set by Kiltyclogher residents who faced a similar situation and managed to entice new families with 'Kiltylive'. Tarmon and Aughavas are also hoping new families will come and live locally to rejuvenate their communities.

To enrol or make enquiries call 0719623290 or email curravaghns@gmail.com

Read about: Tarmon Matters

Aughavas Calling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.The High Court has appointed a liquidator to two constructions firms in the Sammon Group after it was unable to resume work on several school building projects.

The Kildare based group, which was founded by Aughansheelin native Miceal Sammon, employs approximately 200 people directly and many more subcontractors indirectly.



In April this year three companies within the group, which got into difficulty over the devastating collapse of UK construction giant Carillion, entered into examinership.





However the examiner Mr Michael McAteer is no longer able to continue with the examinership process for two of those companies Sammon Contracting Ireland Ltd and Sammon Contracting Group Ltd.



The group, which was owed some 8m by Carillion, was part of a significant joint venture with the UK firm and a Dutch Infrastructure Fund (DIFCO) to build five schools and Institute of Further Education.

Work on that contract, known as the SB5 contract ceased following Carillion's collapse earlier this year.

The matter came before Mr Justice Robert Haughton at the High Court on Tuesday (June 5), who following an application by the examiner Mr Michael McAteer made orders winding up Sammon Contracting Ireland and Sammon Contracting Group.



Founder and CEO of the Sammon Group Miceal Sammon

In a sworn statement Mr McAteer said he was unable to formulate proposals for a scheme of arrangement that if approved by the High Court would allow the companies to survive.

He said that getting works restarted on the SB5 contract, by securing the tender to recommence those works, was the key to ensuring the construction firm's survival and return to profitability.

Mr McAteer said that he had talks with key stakeholders including the banks.

He said that following a communication with DIFCO no decision has been made to award the contract to finish off the SB5 project.

This delay he said has undermined confidence in Sammon and has made it more difficult to attract investment.

Other monies Sammon are owed have not been paid he said.

Terminations notices have been served on Sammon in relation to two other projects it had been involved with, Mr McAteer added.

As a result, Mr McAteer said Sammon lacks funds to meet its liabilities to Revenue and he could not continue with the examinership.

Mr Stephen Tennant, also of Grant Thornton, will act as liquidator to the two companies.

When the company applied for an examiner the court heard that SCIL had a deficit of 11m as a going concern.

However, in the event of it being wound up that deficit increases to 21m.



Mr McAteer will continue to act as examiner for a third company within the group Miceal Sammon Woodcraft Ltd, which has 22 employees.

A creditors meeting in respect of that firm is due to take place in respect of that firm later this month.

The Sammon group had been building schools in Carlow, Kells, Co Meath, Wexford and two in Bray Co Wicklow.



Other separate projects the group had been working on include the Maynooth Educational Campus, projects in Cork, Shannon Airport, Waterford and Dublin.

When seeking the appointment of an examiner Ross Gorman BL for the group said it was hired to build five schools and the Institute for Education by an SPV that included Carillion known as 'Inspired Spaces.' That contract was worth approximately 87m to the group, counsel said. His client was paid on a monthly basis after works commenced in 2016.



However the collapse of Carillion with debts of over 1.5Bn has had "a devastating and immediate impact" on the companies, counsel said.

Payments from the SPV to the Sammon companies ceased last December, counsel said adding it was owed 8m by the SPV.

As a result, the group was unable to pay its suppliers and subcontractors working on those projects.

The impact of Carillion had contaminated the group's other projects, the court also heard.A MAN who was driving with no insurance and no licence has been fined over 2,000 and disqualified from the roads.

Patrick Gammell, with an address at Pound Street, Rathkeale, was stopped by a garda while driving on the towns Main Street, shortly after 3pm on December 15, 2017.

The man was asked for his licence and insurance, but he did not have them at the scene. He nominated a garda station at which to produce the documents, but he failed to do so within 10 days.

Mr Gammell was fined 2,000 and disqualified from driving for two years for a charge of driving without insurance.

Judge Mary Larkin also fined him 150 for driving without a driving licence. The man was given three months to pay both fines, and recognizance in the event of an appeal was set at 250 his own bond.

Three other charges of failing to produce the documents were taken into consideration.CATHERINE Street in Limerick city is to come alive on Sunday, June 10, as Liveable Limerick hosts its annual community street feast.

People living in the city are being invited to attend the event, reconnect with their neighbours, and celebrate the vibrancy of the centre in a free family-friendly day.

Niki McMahon, Liveable Limerick said: Street Feast is a long-established national day of neighbourhood picnics, celebrated across the country and now in its ninth year.

We are inviting people to bring a picnic, bring their children, meet friends and make new ones."

Ailish Drake, Irish Georgian Society, added: The idea is that people bring their own picnic and come and spend time with each other in a healthy and vibrant family friendly environment. A number of local businesses are enthusiastically supporting the event and will be helping to make it a lively and fun occasion for all who come along on the day.

It all takes place between 2pm and 5pm on Sunday, June 10.

For more information, telephone 085-1390382. All are welcome.THE High Court has appointed a liquidator to two constructions firms in the Sammon group after it was unable to resume work on several school building projects.

The Co Kildare based group employs approximately 200 people directly and many more subcontractors indirectly. Last week, the group was excluded from the tender process for the new 20m Colaiste Chiarain building in Croom, a tender it was on course to win.

In April three companies within the group, which got into difficulty over the devastating collapse of UK construction giant Carillion, entered into examinership.

However the examiner Mr Michael McAteer is no longer able to continue with the examinership process for two of those companies Sammon Contracting Ireland Ltd and Sammon Contracting Group Ltd.

The group, which was owed some 8m by Carillion, was part a significant joint venture with the UK firm and a Dutch Infrastructure Fund (DIFCO) to build five schools and Institute of Further Education.

Work on that contract, known as the SB 5 contract, ceased following Carillions collapse earlier this year.

The matter came before Mr Justice Robewrt Haughton at the High Court this Tuesday, who following an application by the examiner Mr Michael McAteer, made orders winding up Sammon Contracting Ireland and Sammon Contracting Group.

In a sworn statement Mr McAteer said he was unable to formulate proposals for a scheme of arrangement that if approved by the High Court would allow the companies to survive.

He said that getting works restarted on the SB5 contract, by securing the tender to recommence those works, was the key to ensuring the construction firms survival and return to profitability.

Mr McAteer said that he held talks with key stakeholders, including the banks.

He said that following a communication with DIFCO, no decision has been made to award the contract to finish off the SB5 project.

This delay he said has undermined confidence in Sammon and has made it more difficult to attract investment.

Other monies Sammon are owed have not been paid he said.

Terminations notices have been served on Sammon in relation to two other projects it had been involved with, Mr McAteer added.

As a result, Mr McAteer said Sammon lacks funds to meet its liabilities to Revenue and he could not continue with the examinership.

Mr Stephen Tennant, also of Grant Thornton, will act as liquidator to the two companies.

When the company applied for an examiner the court heard that SCIL had a deficit of 11m as a going concern.

However, in the event of it being wound up that deficit increases to 21m.

Mr McAteer will continue to act as examiner for a third company within the group Miceal Sammon Woodcraft Ltd, which has 22 employees.

A creditors meeting in respect of that firm is due to take place in respect of that firm later this month.

The Sammon group had been building schools in Carlow, Kells, Co Meath, Wexford and two in Bray Co Wicklow.

Other separate projects the group had been working on include the Maynooth Educational Campus, plus projects in Cork, Shannon Airport, Waterford and Dublin.

When seeking the appointment of an examiner Ross Gorman Bl for the group said it was hired to build five schools and the Institute for education by an SPV that included Carillion known as Inspired Spaces.

That contract was worth approximately 87m to the group, counsel said.

His client was paid on a monthly basis after works commenced in 2016.

However the collapse of Carillion with debts of over 1.5Bn has had a devastating and immediate impact on the companies, counsel said.

Payments from the SPV to the Sammon companies ceased last December, counsel said adding it was owed 8m by the SPV.

As a result, the group was unable to pay its suppliers and subcontractors working on those projects.

The impact of Carillion had contaminated the groups other projects, the court also heard.The News in Brief

Georgian Interior Minister Meets German Counterpart



Vice Prime Minister of Georgia and the Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Gakharia met with the German Minister of Interior, Construction and Homeland Affairs, Horst Seehofer, within the frames of an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.



The parties discussed the effective police cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the German law enforcement agencies, including operative and non-operational areas. This cooperation is the result of regular high-level meetings and bilateral working visits, with the involvement of police attaches of the two countries.



Gakharia talked about future plans and measures implemented by the Government of Georgia in order to reduce the number of asylum seekers from Georgia.



The importance of the fruitful Georgian-German cooperation related to the issues of readmission of illegal migrants was highlighted.



The current statistics show that the possibility of recognition as an asylum seeker in Germany is very low for Georgian citizens and in the near future recognition of Georgia as a safe country will be a significant step forward in this direction. The visit of the Interior Minister to the German Federal Republic aimed to boost the cooperation in the law enforcement field between Georgia and Germany and to react to the challenges related to illegal migration from Georgia and criminal activities committed by Georgians under the Schengen visa-free regime, reads the statement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.







21.9% of Georgian Population under Absolute Poverty Line



According to the 2017 data provided by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat), almost 22 percent of Georgias population is under the absolute poverty line.



Most of these people live in the countrys rural areas. Geostat says that the share of the population under absolute poverty line is 26.6 percent in rural Georgia and 18.6 percent in urban areas.



It is worth mentioning that the average monthly income in Georgia was 1,016 GEL (about $411.34in 2017. The average monthly salary in Georgia was 1,069.1 GEL (about $432.83) in the third quarter of 2017. Last year the annual unemployment rate in Georgia declined by 0.1 percent.

(By Mariam Chanishvili)







30 May 2018, Statement of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. Hami Aksoy, in response to a question regarding the Syrian regime's recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia.



The decision of the Syrian regime to recognize the so-called independence of Georgia's Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions and establish diplomatic relations is a clear violation of international law, the United Nations Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.



Our country, as emphasized in various occasions, supports the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia. (Turkish Embassy)



The nearly complete skeleton of a meat-eating dinosaur fetched a whopping $2.36 million at the Aguttes auction house in Paris yesterday (June 4), much to the dismay of many paleontologists.

The sale itself was legal  the dinosaur was dug up on private land in Wyoming in 2013, and the United States deems that fossils found on private land belong to the landowner, who can then legally take it out of the country.

Despite its legality, auctioning off dinosaurs is part of a growing trend that threatens to take unstudied, prize specimens away from scientists who can't afford to buy them, said P. David Polly, the president of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology and a professor of sedimentary geology at Indiana University. [In Photos: Montana's Dueling Dinosaur Fossils]

"An auction is a device to get the highest possible price out of something," Polly told Live Science. "And, generally speaking, even big museums don't have budgets for purchasing specimens." (A big exception involves Sue, the 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton that the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago bought for $8.4 million in 1997.)

Usually, museums and research institutions spend about $10,000 for big excavations, which covers the cost for scientists to travel to the field and dig up fossils, as well as properly excavate and prepare them, Polly said. That's more than 200 times less than what the auction buyer paid for the Wyoming dinosaur.

And therein lies the problem: If dinosaurs found on U.S. private land are sold for top dollar at auctions, then landowners might start viewing it as a business venture. These landowners might "not want to work cooperatively with scientists, but rather work with whoever will pay them to work on the land who will give them a cut [of the profit]," he said.

"If it's a trend that continues, then it's essentially really damaging to scientists because it makes it harder for scientists to have access to specimens," said Polly, who co-wrote a letter of protest on behalf of SVP's 2,200 members, asking Aguttes to cancel the auction. "It also means that we have to have more security on our own scientific collections because if people are thinking these things are worth millions of dollars, there's more incentive to break in and take them."

Dubious practices

In 2013, the roughly 150-million-year-old Wyoming specimen was found in the Morrison Formation, an area famous for holding the fossils of late Jurassic creatures, according to the auction catalog. The nearly 30-foot-long (9 meters) dinosaur is likely an Allosaurus, the most common theropod (a group of mostly meat-eating, bipedal dinosaurs that included T. rex and Velociraptor) found in the formation. [Photos: Dinosaur's Battle Wounds Preserved in Tyrannosaur Skull]

Still, the exact species is not totally clear. "The specimen displays a series of characters that are unusual in Allosaurus, suggesting that it might belong to a new, still unnamed, taxon [group] of allosaurid theropod," Pascal Godefroit, a paleontologist at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science, wrote in the auction catalog.

But Thomas Carr, a vertebrate paleontologist and an associate professor of biology at Carthage College in Wisconsin who wasn't involved in the auction, said he isn't buying that claim. "It's just hype  they're just trying to get a higher price for it," Carr told Live Science. "It looks no different from any Allosaurus that I've ever seen."

However, if it is a new species, an auction catalog is no place to make that claim, Carr said. "Where scientific knowledge claims belong is in the scientific, peer-reviewed literature," Carr said. "This situation is just really bewildering. I fail to see how doing that is ethical."

Live Science reached out to Godefroit, but he did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

See more

Ethical questions

Paleontologists typically don't study specimens from private collections. If the specimen's owner puts the fossil on display, but then returns it to a private collection, it won't be available for later scientific study for that verification. And researchers often double-check the work of their peers to make sure it's right.

This recently happened when researchers claimed to have found a fossil of the first four-legged snake on record. Soon after, another group of scientists who also examined the specimen argued that this analysis was incorrect, and that the creature was actually a dolichosaurid, an extinct four-legged marine lizard with an elongated, snake-like body. The creature's identity remains a mystery, however, because the specimen is privately owned, and has since been removed from public view. This means that researchers likely won't be able to study it anytime soon.

The new owner of the Wyoming specimen  an unnamed French art collector  did, in fact, say that the specimen would be lent to a museum in the future, The Guardian reported. But again, paleontologists are skeptical.

"Right now, they are claims from an unnamed person," said Lisa Buckley, the former curator and collections manager at the Peace Region Palaeontology Research Centre in British Columbia, Canada. "Actions speak louder than words, and it remains to be seen in what form that donation will occur, if it does."

There are no public records of how many dinosaurs meet the auction block, but Polly estimates it's about three to five a year at this point. If the trend continues, science could be lost or misconstrued going forward, he said. For instance, the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act protects fossils found on U.S. federal lands, but it's possible that people might dig up bones on public land and then claim the specimens came from private property, so they could legally sell them, he said.

That would be a shame, because a specimen's location helps scientists date it, as well as assess the ecosystem in which it lived. For example, researchers know that Allosaurus lived in ecosystems with other apex predators, meaning it had to compete for prey, Carr said. [Photos: Newfound Tyrannosaur Had Nearly 3-Inch-Long Teeth]

Moreover, every fossil adds to science. Given that the Wyoming specimen is about 70 percent complete, it could greatly help scientists learn how these dinosaurs changed as they grew into adulthood, Carr said.

"Selling fossils to private individuals just doesn't help science at all," Carr said. "I imagine that this [specimen] represents tens of thousands of data points lost to science. It's a true loss of information."

This isn't Aguttes' first fossil auction. In 2016, the auction house sold another Allosaurus skeletonfor $1.32 million, and last year it sold a complete mammoth skeleton for more than $641,000, according to CNN.

Original article on Live Science.Milton Young, who became president of Houstons Asian Chamber of Commerce in October, wants to guide the next generation of Asian entrepreneurs and boost Asian civic engagement in the U.S. The chamber, with 300 members including professional service firms and Fortune 500 companies, connects local Asian businesses with the greater Houston and international Asian markets. Young recently spoke with the Houston Chronicle.

Q: What are the objectives for the chamber?

A: We serve as a bridge between the various Asian communities, the greater Houston community and the local business community. We also serve as a bridge between companies from Asia looking to invest in Houston and Texas, as well as companies in Houston, Texas and the U.S. looking to invest in Asia. This year, wed like to increase our participation in trade-related events. Also, wed like to work on our initiatives to increase civic participation among young people, as well as support entrepreneurship and innovation. We have a long history of supporting entrepreneurship. But what wed like to do is expand that, to also work on supporting innovation in the different Asian communities as well.

Q: How in particular would the chamber like to get involved in trade-related events and discussions?

A: A couple of the events that weve co-promoted this year are the Japan-Texas Economic Summit, with the U.S. Japan council, and the America-China Real Estate Summit with the Asian Real Estate Association of America. Were also working with the different trade directors with the consulates. They sponsor trade fairs in their home countries, and they would like us to help them find companies that would like to invest in those countries or do more trade.

Looking at investments in the U.S., different companies have come to us to ask about possibilities for investing or for locating their facilities here. We get them in touch with local real estate brokers or with the local chambers of commerce.

Q: Has the chamber gotten involved with city officials or consulate officials over the uncertainty in international trade?

A: Weve talked to city officials. Weve talked to the Greater Houston Partnership. I was just in Washington, D.C., last week meeting with different congressional offices to talk about not only trade but their support for minority business development in the U.S. And the questions always came around to, so how does the Asian community feel about whats going on? And the Asian business community sees trade tariffs as a no-win situation for everybody. They feel that anything that curtails trade hurts jobs, hurts taxes, hurts peoples ability to conduct business. We made sure that the different congressional staffers, as well as congressmen that we visited, understood that that was the position of the Asian business community here.

Q: What are some of the efforts we can expect to see from the chamber this year to help local businesses better connect to the broader Houston business community?

A: Were supporting some more events coming up that will help connect not only the Asian-American community but the business community to their global and national counterparts. The Asian American Journalists Association is having their annual meeting here in August, so were going to support that. Nielsen is coming in October to do a series of focus studies with their employees in support of their Asian-American consumer survey. And we anticipate doing some more events like our business conference that will connect local businesses to the broader business community but also help them access Small Business Administration resources as well as Minority Business Development agency resources.

Q: What experiences do you bring to this leadership role at the chamber, and where would you like to see the Chamber go?

A: My background is supply-chain operations, product development and finance. Prior to coming to the chamber, I previously worked for General Motors, Exxon Mobil and FMC. So I bring more of a business background and business orientation to the chambers activities. That has actually helped me connect with the chamber members very well because I can talk their language and understand the operational issues they face as well as the market issues they face. I wont say Im uniquely positioned to bring that perspective, but its a good perspective to bring. Plus, Ive also worked with startups over the past few years, so I bring that perspective as well. Not only the startup environment, but also the company environment, and with my supply-chain background, I also had supplier diversity. Thats big for the Asian-American community as well as the other minority communities. My experience actually dovetails nicely with what the chambers trying to achieve.

What Id like to see us do in the future is start developing the next generation of Asian-American business leaders. Thats taking existing leaders and opening their minds to the possibilities of how they can participate in not only the business life of Houston but the civic life of Houston. I also want us to address how we get the Asian American youth more involved in entrepreneurship and innovation as well as impress upon them the importance of civic engagement. Historically, civic engagement in the Asian-American community has not been very high, and for us to have a voice in what goes on, we need to participate.

ileana.najarro@chron.com

twitter.com/IleanaNajarroAllyn West

Texas has one of the nation's best economies but lags the top states in innovation, according to a new analysis by WalletHub. But hey, at least we're not Louisiana.

The Lone Star State ranks 10th for its overall economy, 10th in economic activity and eighth in economic health, but it ranked 21st in innovation potential. Its neighbor to the east came in last overall.Fort Worth-based Double Eagle Energy plans to merge with the Permian Basin business of Denver's FourPoint Energy to create a new West Texas player named DoublePoint Energy.

The new DoublePoint is financially backed by a myriad of private equity players and will focus on developing its 70,000 net acres in the Midland Basin portion of the Permian.

A new Double Energy iteration was formed last year after the larger, previous business was sold to Austin's Parsley Energy for $2.8 billion early last year in one of the biggest recent Permian deals.

The smaller, reborn Double Energy will now morph into DoublePoint with the addition of FourPoint's West Texas acreage. The remaining FourPoint will continue to focus on its primary positions in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle.

RELATED: Double Eagle re-forms after $2.8B Parsley sale

Double Eagle currently has one drilling rig operated and the goal is to now ramp up activity with additional financial support through the new DoublePoint.

Double Eagle's leaders, John Sellers and Cody Campbell, will serve as Co-CEOs of the new DoublePoint and FourPoint CEO George Solich will become DoublePoint's executive chairman.

"Pulling from the strengths of both companies, we believe DoublePoint will be a dynamic player in the Midland Basin focused on acreage acquisitions, acreage trades, and the development of our low risk, multi-pay resource," Sellers said.

Double Eagle is financially backed by private equity firms Apollo Global Management and Magnetar Capital, while FourPoint carries support from Quantum Energy Partners and GSO Capital Partners.Laredo Sector Border Patrol said Monday that agents from the Freer Border Patrol Station found a body while attempting to locate an immigrant suspected of entering the country illegally.

The immigrants claimed to be lost and without food or water, and resorted to calling 9-11 for assistance.Ambassador of Belarus I.Nazaruk meets Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia

05-06-2018

On June 4, 2018 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Armenia, Igor Nazaruk, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.

The parties discussed the current state of cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including cooperation in the framework of international organisations, primarily the Eurasian Economic Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

During the meeting, the sides expressed mutual interest in maintaining positive dynamics in the development of trade and economic ties, coordinating joint efforts in the creation of assembly plants for Belarusian tractor and automotive equipment, elevator equipment in Armenia.

Holding events on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was considered.

print versionA packed Laredo Medical Center conference room filled with doctors, medical professionals and hospital executives celebrated the official announcement of the city's first-ever medical residency programs.

A project over two and half years in the making, according to LMC CEO Enrique Gallegos, the residency programs in family medicine and internal medicine will begin July 1.

A total of 16 residents, 10 men and six women, will arrive at LMC, a place they will call home for the next three years as they embark on the program. These are physicians who have already finished medical school and are now training to become internists, family practitioners, or another specialty.

READ ALSO: Owner of Mercy Hospital building given more time to bring property up to code

The programs came to fruition with the help of University of Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine, LMC's academic partner in this endeavor. They are accredited by the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Graduate Medical Education.

The two residency programs are tremendous accomplishments for LMC and for the community at large, Gallegos said.

"We are very proud and very excited to be the primary teaching site for these programs," Gallegos said. "For the hospital, it brings an academic dimension to our institution, whereby we will be training the future generation of physicians.

"I think having and fostering that sort of collegial exchange where residents and other physicians are interacting on a daily basis has a lot of benefits in terms of how we deliver care in this institution to ensure that we stay current and abreast of the latest developments in health care and in medicine."

Laredo is underserved in many specialties, but particularly in primary care. Gallegos said the hospital conducts a supply and demand analysis each year. Last year, the results showed a deficit of 45 family medicine doctors and 73 internists based on the city's population.

"As the community continues to grow, we need to keep pace with that population growth and have additional physicians and providers caring for our population here," he said.

These residencies will also help bring new doctors to the area who will hopefully make Laredo their permanent residence and practice here.

READ ALSO: Video: Laredo teen saves two from near-drowning during heroic rescue

According to Gallegos, these new residents will have a ripple effect that will have a positive economic impact in Laredo.

These individuals will be relocating to the community, where they will possibly buy homes, rent apartments, eat out at local restaurants and pay taxes  boosting the local economy.

Dr. Enrique Martinez, LMC chief medical officer, said the idea is to eventually have 48 residents in any given year working at LMC.

Both residency programs offered, internal medicine and family medicine, are general primary care fields. Family medicine doctors will do adult medicine, pediatric and gynecology and internal medicine will do mainly adult primary care, Martinez said.

"The residencies are mainly primary-care focused, so we can generate and train more physicians who will hopefully stay in our community to work in hospitals, clinics or private practice," Martinez said.

He added that although people from Laredo and South Texas are encouraged to apply, the program participates in a national "matching" system that is used to select residents.

"If we bring candidates who are local, we have a better chance of keeping them after they graduate," he said.

Dr. David Garza, a family practice physician, and Dr. Enrique Rincon, who practices internal medicine, will be the directors of the family medicine and internal medicine programs, respectively.

Joana Santillana may be reached at 956-728-2528 or jsantillana@lmtonline.comAuthorities have identified the man who died after a vehicle struck him Sunday by Casa Blanca Road and East Saunders Street.

A police report identified him as Miguel Alfonso Moran Hernandez, 22, of the Mexican state of Veracruz.

Laredo police said a blue Ford F-150 struck and killed Moran Hernandez. Authorities identified the driver as Francisco Guadalupe Palacios, 37.

He was arrested and charged with accident involving death because he drove off from the scene, police said. But he returned shortly thereafter, according to police.

READ ALSO: Two Laredo teens killed, 3 injured in crash

First responders were dispatched to a hit-and-run at about 1 a.m. in the 3700 block of East Saunders Street by Casa Blanca Road.

Authorities determined that the F-150 was traveling west when it struck Moran Hernandez, who was attempting to cross from north to south in a non-lit area, according to police.

Laredo Fire Department crews responded to the scene but found Moran Hernandez dead with trauma to his head and back, according to first responders.

Police said Palacios waved down officers at the crash site when he returned to the scene and told them he was involved in the incident.

Aggravated assault

While authorities investigated the case, a gold Volvo drove through the crash site and almost ran over six officers, according to police.

Authorities pursued the Volvo to the 100 block of Duval Loop. There, officers arrested the driver, Abraham Lopez, 29.

He was charged with six counts of aggravated assault on a public servant and one count of evading arrest because he allegedly refused to stop.One of the world's leading DNA-testing companies recently disclosed that a researcher had found on a private server the email addresses and hashed passwords of every customer that had signed up for its service.

MyHeritage said Monday in a blog post that the breach involved roughly 92 million user accounts that were created through October of last year.

The company said the breach occurred on October 26, 2017. But the service did not learn about the incident until Monday, more than seven months later.

"There has been no evidence that the data in the file was ever used by the perpetrators," the company said.

No other information, except for the email addresses and hashed passwords, was exposed, MyHeritage said. The company said that it does not store customer credit card information. Sensitive data such as DNA information and family trees are stored on systems that are separate from those that contain email addresses, the company said. "We have no reason to believe those systems have been compromised."

MyHeritage learned of the breach only after the researcher, who was not named, contacted the company's chief information security officer, Omer Deutsch. After Deutsch was alerted, the company said its security team analyzed the file sent from the researcher and confirmed that its contents were legitimate and that the data originated from MyHeritage.

The company did not explain in the announcement how the breach occurred or why it never detected the intrusion. MyHeritage spokesman Rafi Mendelsohn said in an email to The Washington Post, "We are investigating that right now and aim to have an update in the next few days."

MyHeritage said it is "taking immediate steps" to hire an independent cybersecurity firm to investigate the breach and determine its scope.

The company has set up a 24/7 support team to field questions from customers.

MyHeritage is the latest company in a seemingly endless string of data breaches. Ticketfly, the concert-ticketing company, recently said that customer information was compromised including names, addresses, emails and phone numbers after a hacker reportedly took control of the site. And last month, the company behind Chili's restaurants announced that customers' payment information may have been exposed in a malware attack.

The barrage of data breaches highlights the heightened risks of identity theft and the continued vulnerabilities presented by databases of customer information and mobile apps.

MyHeritage customers are among the millions of Americans who have bought into the new market for consumer genealogy, sending spit-filled tubes or cheek swabs to DNA-testing websites that offer to help them discover their family history. Popularized by companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com, the testing and analysis of ancestry data has also raised questions in recent weeks over the potential misuse of such sensitive information.

This year, authorities said they were able to link a suspect to a string of crimes by using a genealogy service to trace the genetic material to one man they said killed at least a dozen people. That case has raised concerns about the implications of creating new troves of sensitive information that can be used against people who have not consented to having their genetic information tested.Yemeni forces backed by the United Arab Emirates have rapidly advanced to less than 10 miles from the rebel-held seaport of Hodeida, threatening to attack despite U.S. and United Nations warnings against undermining hoped-for peace talks and exacerbating Yemen's humanitarian crisis.

"It's a very fluid situation," a senior U.S. official said after talks in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital, last week with Emirati and Saudi officials. "We have really advised them to proceed with extreme caution, not to make a move on the city or the port for all sorts of reasons."

"We're trying to stay the Emirati hand right now," the official said.

U.N. envoy Martin Griffiths, after discussions with all parties over the past several weeks, plans to present a new peace proposal on Friday to resolve the conflict, which has killed at least 10,000 civilians, displaced millions and left much of the population suffering from famine and disease.

Thousands have already fled Hodeida, a city of about 600,000 on the Red Sea through which most of the humanitarian aid to Yemen flows. It has been controlled since late 2014 by the Houthis, Yemeni rebels who have been fighting for more than three years against forces loyal to the Saudi- and Emirati-backed government.

"We are extremely concerned about the situation around Hodeida. . . . Obviously, increased fighting there would unleash even more internally displaced people," Stefane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, said last week.

The UAE has not asked for additional American military support to bolster a Hodeida offensive, according to U.S. and Emirati officials. U.S. defense officials said there are no plans to reduce current levels of assistance, which includes intelligence and aerial refueling for Saudi and Emirati warplanes.

Emirati ground forces are about nine miles from Hodeida, and the UAE government told U.S. officials that they will not move forward. At the same time, however, the Emirates say they have no control over the Yemeni government forces that they have trained and assisted.

The UAE has "coordinated with the U.S., with the [U.N.] envoy. Everyone is in line with [the] strategy," said a senior Arab official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, both name and country. "No one is being surprised."

Part of that strategy involves pressuring the Houthis into accepting new peace negotiations; the UAE has also proposed turning the port over to international control.

The U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic talks, said the Emiratis "reaffirmed" last week that their forces "are not planning at this time" to participate in a Hodeida offensive but that "the situation could change . . . if there is an attack on them or some sort of provocation from inside the city meant to draw them in."

The official said the Emiratis are "the key players there," despite claims that they have no control. If the rebels unilaterally attack approaching Yemeni forces, "we might very well ask Hadi and the Emiratis to intervene."

Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi is the internationally recognized president of Yemen. A Saudi-led coalition, including the Emirates and other Persian Gulf states, launched a military intervention to restore him to power after he fled a Houthi force that seized Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, in 2014.

The coalition has pounded Houthi-held areas - including Sanna and Hodeida - for years. Saudi forces have primarily carried out the airstrikes, which human rights groups, and many in the U.S. Congress, charge have caused most of the civilian deaths in the conflict. Lawmakers have repeatedly tried to restrict U.S. military sales and assistance to the coalition.

The Obama administration withheld the sale of precision guided missiles to Saudi Arabia amid wavering U.S. support and concern about the humanitarian situation. The administration rejected an Emirati request in late 2016 for increased assistance for an air and sea attack against Hodeida, about 140 miles from the landlocked capital.

President Donald Trump approved the missile sale, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis asked him to lift the Obama-era restrictions and provide "limited" additional support for Saudi and Emirati operations.

Mattis also asked for approval of the rejected Hodeida operation, including additional surveillance, intelligence and operational assistance.

The Hodeida attack never took place, and U.S. officials later appeared cool toward the idea of expanding the U.S. mission in Yemen.

But the missile approval and Mattis's request for additional assistance signaled the administration's intention to move aggressively against Iran. Echoing Saudi and Emirati allegations, the administration has accused Iran of training, arming and directing the Shiite Houthis in a proxy war to increase its regional clout against the Persian Gulf's Sunni monarchies.

In particular, it has cited threats to international shipping in the area and said that the Iranians are transporting missiles to the Houthis through the Hodeida port. In recent months, Houthi forces have fired missile barrages into Saudi Arabia.

As the humanitarian crisis worsened last year, however, Trump called on the coalition to "immediately" allow "food, fuel, water, and medicine to reach the Yemeni people who desperately need it."

British Prime Minister Theresa May, after speaking with Trump early Monday, issued a statement saying they agreed on the need for a political solution in Yemen and the importance of countering "Iran's destabilizing regional activity," but "cautioned against any action that might increase the severe humanitarian suffering there."

A White House statement on the call said Trump discussed Iran's behavior in Yemen, but it did not mention political solutions or the humanitarian situation.

In a statement in Yemen over the weekend, however, a spokesman for the National Security Council said that "the United States has been clear and consistent that we will not support actions that destroy key infrastructure or that are likely to exacerbate the dire humanitarian situation that has expanded in this stalemated conflict."

The Emiratis have long deployed ground forces in southern Yemen, where they have trained, armed and assisted government and allied fighters who have made gains over the past three months, retaking towns along the Red Sea and moving north toward Hodeida.

In Twitter postings over the weekend, Anwar Gargash, the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, predicted "imminent" victory for coalition forces in the long-stalemated war, saying that the performance of Emirati troops has been "inspiring." Gargash has met twice with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo since Pompeo took office in late April.

The coalition-backed Hodeida governor, Al Hassan Taher, said that Yemeni army troops were "advancing towards Hodeida and are working to encircle it from two directions: in the south and southeast with the aim of blocking any supplies to the [Houthi] militias" from Sanaa and other areas under their control."

In remarks published Friday by the London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, Taher said that an exit route would be left for militants to flee the city.

Gregory Johnson, a Yemen scholar at the Arabia Foundation, called the Emirati government's decision to hold back its forces a "fig leaf" for both the UAE and the United States. "The United States wants some deniability and they want the Emiratis to have some deniability," he said.

The UAE-backed forces had encountered little resistance as they pushed toward the city, he said, but the prospect of an intense battle for Hodeida raised questions about the future of their alliance.

"These are groups that don't all have the same long-term goals," Johnson said. "They're not necessarily on the same side, but they're all against the Houthis at the moment."Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia issued its first driver's licenses to 10 women on Monday as the kingdom prepared to lift the world's only ban on women driving in three weeks, but some who campaigned for the right to drive remain under arrest.

A government statement said the 10 women who were issued licenses already held driving licenses from other countries, including the U.S., U.K., Lebanon and Canada. They took a brief driving test and eye exam before being issued the licenses at the General Department of Traffic in the capital, Riyadh. International media were not present for the event. Other women across the country have been preparing for the right to drive on June 24 by taking driving courses on female-only college campuses. Some are even training to become drivers for ride hailing companies like Uber. Saudi women had long complained of having to hire costly male drivers, use taxis or rely on male relatives to get to work and run errands.

The surprise move to issue some women licenses early came as activists who had campaigned for the right to drive remain under arrest, facing possible trial.

Saudi Arabia's prosecutor said Sunday that 17 people had been detained in recent weeks on suspicion of trying to undermine security and stability, a case activists said targeted prominent women's rights campaigners.

The prosecutor's statement said eight have been temporarily released, while five men and four women remain under arrest. Among the women held since May 15 are Loujain al-Hathloul, Aziza al-Yousef and Eman al-Nafjan, according to people with knowledge of the arrests who've spoken to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions.

The three are among the most outspoken and well-known women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia. They not only risked arrest by pushing for the right to drive for years, but also called for an end to guardianship laws that give male relatives final say over a woman marrying or traveling abroad.Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei meets the delegation of the EBRD

05-06-2018

On June 5, 2018 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, met with the delegation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), headed by the Vice President of the EBRD, Alain Pilloux.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the implementation of joint projects, as well as new directions of collaboration between Belarus and EBRD. The parties noted a positive dynamics of cooperation between our country and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The sides discussed the preparation of the upcoming EBRD Board Consultation Visit to Belarus in September 2018.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Administration of the Great Stone Industrial Park, the China-Belarus JSCC Industrial Park Development Company and the EBRD was signed in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Vice President of the EBRD.

   

print versionFederal prosecutors accused former Trump presidential campaign chairman Paul Manafort of witness tampering late Monday in his criminal case and asked a federal judge to consider revoking or revising his release.

Prosecutors accused Manafort and a longtime associate they linked to Russian intelligence of repeatedly contacting two members of a public relations firm and asking them to falsely testify about secret lobbying they did at Manafort's behest.

The firm of former senior European officials, informally called the "Hapsburg group," was secretly retained in 2012 by Manafort to advocate for Ukraine, where Manafort had clients, prosecutors charged.

In court documents, prosecutors with Special Counsel Robert Mueller allege that Manafort and his associate - referred to only as Person A - tried to contact the two witnesses by phone and through an encrypted messaging program. The description of Person A matches his longtime business colleague in Ukraine, Konstantin Kilimnik.

Manafort, 69, has been on home confinement pending trial.

FBI agent Brock Domin said that one of the public relations firm's executives identified as Person D1 told the government he "understood Manafort's outreach to be an effort to 'suborn perjury' " by encouraging others to lie to federal investigators by concealing the firm's work in the United States.

Spokesmen for Manafort and the special counsel's office, who are under a court gag order in the case, declined to comment.

Manafort has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, money laundering, and tax and bank fraud charges related to his lobbying work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine and former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.

The filings mark the second time prosecutors have complained to the judge about Manafort's behavior awaiting trial. Early in the case, after he was released to his home, they investigators said they intercepted emails showing Manafort helped write an opinion piece defending his actions that ran in a Ukrainian publications.

Prosecutors filed the motion Monday in Manafort's pending Washington, D.C., case, which includes charges of filing misleading lobbying disclosure statements, and also noted his alleged tampering in his related tax and bank fraud case in Alexandria, Virginia.

If a judge were to revoke Manafort's bail conditions and order him to jail pending his two trials this summer, that would intensify the pressure on him to reach a plea deal with prosecutors.

Many white-collar prosecutions are built by charging people lower down in an organization and then "flipping" those defendants into prosecution witnesses to get leniency in their sentencing. Manafort has repeatedly declared his intention to fight the charges against him, but it wasn't immediately clear Monday night whether the renewed prospect of going to jail would alter his legal strategy.

Manafort's potential value as a prosecution witness is unclear, but as Trump's former campaign chairman he participated in multiple high-level discussions within the campaign that are of great interest to investigators.

According to a February indictment, Manafort in 2012 and 2013 used offshore accounts to wire more than 2 million euros to pay the former politicians, who were described as independent actors instead of paid lobbyists.

Monday's court filing highlighted anew the role of "Person A," whom prosecutors did not name but described in detail in related cases. The description matches Kilimnik, the Russian manager of Manafort's lobbying office for 10 years in Ukraine.

A Russian citizen born in Ukraine, Kilimnik worked for Manafort in Kiev first as a translator and later as the in-country operator of Manafort's operations. He continued to serve as a close Manafort associate during the months Manafort worked for President Trump's campaign, including visiting Manafort in person in New York in May and August 2016.

He is a Russian army veteran who trained at a language school that experts say is recruiting ground for a Russian intelligence agency. Kilimnik has denied having intelligence ties.

Kilimnik did not respond to a request for comment Monday evening.

During his August 2016 meeting with Kilimnik, Manafort has said he and his longtime Kiev office manager discussed, among other topics, the ongoing campaign, including the hacking of Democratic National Committee emails. Stolen DNC emails had been released by WikiLeaks the previous month, and the hack was widely suspected to be the work of Russia.

During Kilimnik's time working for Manafort in Kiev, he had served as a liaison for Manafort to the Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, with whom Manafort had done business. Emails previously described to The Post show that Manafort asked Kilimnik during the campaign to offer Deripaska "private briefings" about Trump's effort. A Deripaska spokeswoman has said the billionaire, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was not offered and did not receive such briefings.The former U.S. diplomat who secured an American prisoner's release from North Korea warned Tuesday against prioritizing human rights concerns or other non-nuclear matters in the upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.

"I really think it would be a mistake to overload the agenda," said Joseph Yun, who served as the United States' special representative for North Korea policy until March, a role in which he secured the release of American student Otto Warmbier, who died shortly after his return. Yun cautioned that the Kim-Trump talks would have to "concentrate on denuclearization above all else."

His warning comes as lawmakers are clamoring for Trump to eventually secure a deal that guarantees not just that Pyongyang will dismantle its nuclear weapons, but also cease cyberattacks, give up its biological and chemical weapons, and respect the human rights of its citizens.

Yun's comments to a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee struck a chord with one of Trump's staunchest congressional allies, who also stressed that it would be a mistake to focus on human rights if doing so could complicate the primary goal of denuclearization.

"Look, we're all about human rights," Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho. "But if you try to overload this and try to resolve all these things at once, I think you're just setting things up for failure."

The Trump administration has come under fire for not prioritizing the global promotion of human rights and for distancing itself from like-minded allies when dealing with aggressor nations. Several lawmakers have raised concerns that Trump's team might similarly sideline the interests of South Korea and Japan, or give Kim a pass on North Korea's other aggressive actions at home and abroad.

Such matters "need to be embedded in a broader political discussion that encompasses a wide variety of issues," Victor Cha, the top Asia policy official at the National Security Council during former President George W. Bush's administration, told lawmakers. "Actual steps on human rights, treating their people better, would actually be a very important indicator of the way this regime is going to change the way it does things."

The dispute over if and when human rights will enter Trump and Kim's diplomatic dance is just one area in which experts and the president's supporters have broken ranks, as watchers lay out expectations for the historic summit.

Both Cha and Yun said Tuesday that the Singapore summit cannot reasonably be considered a success unless North Korea agrees to make a full, detailed declaration of all its nuclear sites and fissile material. Previous attempts at denuclearization talks failed, both stressed, because North Korean negotiators refused to provide such a declaration.

"Without knowing what they have, how are you going to negotiate with them?" Yun said.

Cha said international inspectors would then have to be allowed in to check the sites and stores before the United States could begin to contemplate rewarding the North Koreans with concessions.

"We would have to start seeing some actions on the part of the United States when we are at the verification stage," Cha said.

But the president's critics are skeptical about whether Trump can secure consequential promises where his predecessors failed. Even the president has scaled back his aspirations, going from promising a deal to telling the media that June 12 will be more of a "getting-to-know-you" meeting.

Trump's allies on Capitol Hill resisted measuring the success of the summit by whether Trump is able to produce a commitment that previous administrations failed to deliver.

"You need the two leaders when they sit down to reach an agreement on an objective . . . and after that happens, they both need to pledge that they will work in good faith," Risch said. " . . . They need to know that we are a willing partner, that we will be a cooperative partner."

Risch's criteria for success will likely fall short for lawmakers who have seen North Korea offer similarly vague promises in the past, only to back away after securing concessions. Democrats in particular are also frustrated that Trump's team has not briefed Congress on the plans for the negotiations.

Risch said Tuesday that Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had all personally guaranteed him that not only would the White House seek lawmakers' advice during negotiations, but they would present any deal to the Senate for its formal seal of approval.

"It is their intent to craft this in such a way that it is a treaty," Risch said. "They are viewing it in that regard."WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday called for Venezuela to be suspended from the Organization of American States for crushing democracy and causing a humanitarian crisis that has driven millions of people from the country.

Pompeo's remarks at the opening of the OAS general assembly reflected a renewed push to increase the economic and diplomatic cost of what Pompeo called the "dismantling of democracy" under President Nicolas Maduro. Vice President Mike Pence is expected to call for Venezuela's suspension at a White House reception for OAS members Monday night, in advance of a vote on Tuesday.

"That suspension is not a goal unto itself," Pompeo said. "But it would show the OAS backs up its words with action and would send a powerful signal to the Maduro regime - only real elections will allow your government to be included in the family of nations."

Pompeo's call for Venezuela's suspension from the premier political institution representing the Western Hemisphere is shaping up to be a rush to expel the country before it withdraws on its own. A year ago, Venezuela said it would withdraw from the organization because of its attacks on the country's sovereignty, but the process will not take effect until next April.

Suspension from the OAS would have little practical effect.

"This suspension only works against a democratic government that cares about its image in front of neighbors. That doesn't appear to be Maduro's case," said Mariano d'Alba, a Venezuelan lawyer specialized in international affairs. "In terms of pressure, I don't think there'll be much change."

Though previous efforts to pressure Maduro have failed, the anger by the United States and other countries in the region sharpened after Maduro won reelection last month in what was widely regarded as a vote marked by low turnout and improprieties. Pompeo has labeled it a sham, and the United States and other nations have refused to recognize it.

OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro has been a vocal critic of Maduro and has urged stern action against his government for the past two years. Venezuela has maintained enough support from a handful of countries in the OAS - most of which have gotten subsidies from Venezuela for years - to block previous attempts to suspend it.

The United States has increasingly turned to sanctions against Venezuelan government and oil officials, and Pompeo urged other OAS countries to do the same.

"In addition to suspension, I call on member states to apply additional pressure on the Maduro regime with financial sanctions and diplomatic isolation until such time as it takes the actions necessary to return genuine democracy and provide people desperately needed access to international humanitarian aid," he said.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza criticized the OAS as part of a "corporation" led by the United States to undermine Venezuela's sovereignty.

"We have moral authority. You do not have moral authority," he said, citing U.S. invasions of Panama in 1989 and the Dominican Republic in 1965.

Arreaza accused the United States of fostering violence that has accompanied protests and the deprivation caused by sanctions and mocked U.S. offers of humanitarian aid.

"You impose economic sanctions, and then you offer your help to wash your hands," he said. "The U.S. has been perpetrating a coup d'etat against Venezuela for 20 years."

Vowing not to buckle under the pressure, Arreaza added, "We are free. We are sovereign. And no imperialist will intervene in our country and hinder our people from voting for their own authorities and having their own democracy."

Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International, welcomed the tough stance against the Venezuelan government but questioned whether there is the political will to push for change.

"We believe this Cold War rhetoric should not be utilized," she said. "It gives Maduro justification when he says, 'We are going to be attacked by the United States,' and it doesn't have impact on the protection of human rights."

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The Washington Post's Rachelle Krygier contributed to this report.

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Video: Speaking at the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C., Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on the group to boot Venezuela out of its ranks. (The Washington Post)

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Video: Speaking at the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C., Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on the group to boot Venezuela out of its ranks, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis and erosion of democracy.(The Washington Post)

Embed code:Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke promised "zero tolerance for any type of workplace harassment" in his department. That mandate may soon face a test.

The top-ranking official at the National Park Service has apologized for behaving "in an inappropriate manner in a public hallway" in the wake of an inspector general's investigation into an anonymous allegation that the official made a gesture involving his genitalia in front of other employees.

In a staff-wide email to Park Service employees on Friday, P. Daniel Smith wrote that as "a leader, I must hold myself to the highest standard of behavior in the workplace. I take my responsibility to create and maintain a respectful, collegial work environment very seriously. Moving forward, I promise to do better."

Interior's press office did not reply to a request for comment.

What allegedly happened? As The Washington Post first reported, an anonymous agency employee wrote to Zinke in March to describe how Smith "grabbed his crotch and his penis and acted out as though he was urinating on the wall" shortly after taking office as the Park Service's deputy director. The witness to the alleged crude gesture said it took place while Smith was telling a story to another employee at Interior headquarters, which houses the Park Service.

"I am not a prude," the letter writer told Zinke, "but still cannot believe he was acting this out in the hallway of the NPS." Zinke referred the matter to the department's Office of the Inspector General, which opened a probe in March.

Since taking the helm of Interior, Zinke has pledged to root out harassment in his department. Last year, he fired four Interior employees for inappropriate behavior and has told Congress he would fire more people if necessary. The Park Service's own internal survey has identified sexual harassment as a widespread problem within the agency, which oversees more than 84 million acres of park land through the United States.

In his apology note, Smith said he was sorry to that anonymous employee and anyone else who witnessed the incident. "Workplace culture is our shared responsibility," Smith wrote. "We must conduct ourselves in a manner that reflects the great pride we all have for the extraordinary parks and programs we represent."

He insisted that his behavior did not constitute sexual harassment. "I recognize that the story was inappropriate for the workplace, even though it does not rise to the level of harassment," Smith wrote. "I am very sorry for my mistake in telling this story and any discomfort it clearly caused."

Still, the IG has yet to publicly weigh in. The watchdog bureau has completed its report and submitted it to Interior officials but will only make it public "at the end of June," spokeswoman Nancy DiPaolo said.

What does the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission say? The website of the agency, which enforces laws against workplace discrimination, defines sexual harassment as including "verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature" that creates "an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment."

Elsewhere within the Park Service, Interior officials had considered reassigning seven senior executives, The Washington Post reported in April, including Alaska regional office chief Bert Frost. Frost was a witness to the incident with Smith. For now, Frost is still the top executive in the Alaska office.

The Park Service did not add anything further to Smith's apology. "Smith's message to National Park Service employees speaks for itself," NPS spokesman Jeremy Barnum said.

Smith is the highest-ranking NPS employee because President Donald Trump has still not named a nominee to run the agency after 500 days in office.Call it a beauty pageant for state Medicaid programs. Except that it's extremely difficult to judge.

On Monday, the Trump administration released what it's calling a Medicaid "scorecard" that compares states side-by-side on 17 measures indicating the timeliness and quality of medical care received by enrollees and how well they're faring under the insurance program for low-income Americans. The scorecard also includes data indicating how well the federal and state governments administer various components of the program.

It's the first time the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has publicly released such a comparison of state-run Medicaid programs, which have long varied dramatically in how they're run, the range of services that are covered and who is eligible. Officials said the goal is to bring more transparency to Medicaid, which makes up a large share of federal and state spending, and even incentivizes states to make improvements in areas they're falling behind.

"I think that when you have transparency, you get accountability," CMS Administrator Seema Verma told reporters yesterday afternoon. "Once the data is out there, it gives us the ability to have a conversation about what is going on in the Medicaid program."

On first glance, the scorecard includes some fascinating comparisons. Here are a few examples:

- In Louisiana, just 26 percent of Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with high blood pressure adequately control it, but in Rhode Island, 72 percent do.

- The percentage of women receiving postpartum checkups ranges from a low of 21 percent in Oklahoma to a high of 74 percent in Rhode Island.

- Just 20 percent of adolescents in Wyoming - but 88 percent in of adolescents in Louisiana - are up-to-date on their recommended immunizations.

But there's a critical caveat here, one that isn't necessarily the administration's fault. Many of the data comparisons are apples-to-oranges.

Take the blood pressure statistics, for example. Half the states didn't report that kind of data, so they're excluded from the scorecard.

And of the states that did report it, it's not even possible to perfectly compare their data. Many states reported results from only a percentage of their Medicaid enrollees: those covered by managed-care plans. A few states reported based on only their population covered by traditional fee-for-service Medicaid. Still others reported data from both populations but excluded people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (known in health-policy lingo as "dual-eligibles").

So when you find that in Mississippi just 37 percent of Medicaid patients controlled their blood pressure, you have to keep in mind that the figure is based on just 68 percent of the state's population in managed care.

And outcomes could look a lot different depending on the precise segment of Medicaid enrollees at which you're looking. Patients in increasingly popular managed care - where private organizations contract with states to provide the care - tend to be healthier than enrollees in traditional Medicaid, where the government pays providers directly.

The reason for this data problem is that most of the reporting isn't mandatory. None of the 17 categories in the new scorecard include reporting from all 50 states, although some data sets are more complete than others. Queried yesterday about whether CMS will eventually require some reporting, Verma didn't promise such action - but didn't rule it out, either.

"I think over time we're going to review that," she said. "It's possible in the future we may change that policy - as we evolve and as we see how things are going, that might be something we would consider."

Even as she acknowledged the data discrepancies, Verma said the scorecard is an important first step in giving regulators, members of Congress and the public the start of a way to view which states are underperforming in key health-care metrics.

"We're not even having those conversations," Verma said. "I think the idea here is to give you a sense of where states are on different areas."

The scorecard prompted a positive - but cautious - reaction from state Medicaid officials and plans themselves. Matt Salo, a spokesman for the National Association of Medicaid Directors, warned that it should be viewed not as a complete product but as a "beta scorecard."

"I'll dig into my Chinese philosophy background and say that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," Salo wrote me. "This is that step. Important in that it's a beginning, but the real value isn't in the distance covered in that step."

Medicaid Health Plans of America chief executive Jeff Myers, whose group represents Medicaid managed-care plans, also called the scorecard a "good first step."

There was a relatively muted response from members of Congress. But Rep. Mike Burgess, R-Texas, who heads the House Energy and Commerce's Health subcommittee, called it a "prudent step." "The announcement of these new score cards will harness existing Medicaid data for each state, boosting transparency and providing more information for the public," Burgess said in a statement.Even as Donald Trump tweets his support for U.S. agriculture, farmer loyalty for the president looks like it's starting to waver over moves that may undermine corn-based ethanol and escalate trade disputes with countries that import American crops.

A long-anticipated White House announcement expected to lower costs for oil refiners at the expense of ethanol may show that the Environmental Protection Agency is breaking promises to protect the biofuel, according to the National Biodiesel Board. Meanwhile, trade actions also are raising concerns among farmers, said Jon Doggett, executive vice president of the National Corn Growers Association.

"There was strong support for the president," Doggett said. "There continues to be strong support for the president. However, some of that support is wavering because of the trade issue and ethanol."

Farmers nationwide rallied behind Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign, forming part of the rural-voter bedrock that put him in the White House. Still, administration actions including renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement and protecting the U.S. steel industry have shown an emphasis on Rust Belt versus Farm Belt voters, exposing potential fissures in his small-town base.

Trump on Monday tweeted his support for agriculture, saying farmers "have not been doing well for 15 years," and vowing "massive trade deficits no longer." The industry is one of the few sectors of the U.S. economy that maintains a trade surplus, and while the government forecasts a 5.1 percent drop in farmer profits this year, the past decade saw several years of record incomes.

Agriculture groups have repeatedly urged caution on trade disputes, citing the importance of the Mexican and Canadian export markets under NAFTA. They've also pointed to China's willingness to retaliate against U.S. measures by targeting major commodities including soybeans, the second-most-valuable American crop.

Biofuels policy, meanwhile, has become a flashpoint in a long-simmering refiners-versus-farmers standoff.

Farm-state lawmakers including Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley have been in a series of negotiations with Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, industry stakeholders and the White House as refiners have sought waivers of biofuels rules. Some waivers have been granted by the EPA. Grassley, who represents the top ethanol-producing state, has threatened to seek EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's resignation if the agency undermines renewable fuel requirements.

While most farmers still support the president, frustration with his administration has come more into the open.

More than 80 percent of voters in Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri said it was important that Trump maintain his promise to defend federal biofuel mandates, according to a survey by the National Biodiesel Board. A "substantial majority" of respondents say the EPA's Pruitt isn't reflecting the president's promises, the Jefferson City, Missouri-based board said.

The controversy is reverberating in politically important agricultural states, several of which host Senate races that may determine which party controls the chamber this year. Two incumbent Democrats in Minnesota and one in Missouri, both states covered by the survey, are up for re-election. Incumbent Democrats are also facing tough battles in North Dakota and Indiana, which also produce biofuels.

The likelihood of a massive exodus of farmers from the Trump coalition is low, said Harwood Schaffer, an agricultural economist and farm-policy expert at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Without a truly dramatic reshaping of the Renewable Fuels Standard, one which would radically lower corn demand and crop prices across the board, farmers are likely to stick with Trump for cultural reasons, he said.

But even weakening support, combined with skepticism from voters who may not be farmers but still care about agricultural issues, may be enough to tilt outcomes in several close races this year, Schaffer said. The farm bloc may be pro-Trump, but also may be less in the president's pocket than was earlier assumed, he said.

"If you see some changes on the margins, you might see some softening along the edges," in terms of support, Schaffer said. "If you see changes that make the price of corn go from $4 to $2 (a bushel), then you'll have a rebellion."Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus A.Dapkiunas meets the Ambassador of Iran

05-06-2018

On June 4, 2018 the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Andrei Dapkiunas, met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Belarus, Mostafa Oveisi.

The parties discussed the situation that emerged after the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan on the Iranian nuclear programme. The Iranian diplomat expressed Iran's condemnation of the US administration actions and confirmed the country's commitment to the agreement in case the other P5+1 countries continue to implement it. The Belarusian Deputy Minister noted that the Belarusian side supports the further implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and considers its preservation, as an important instrument of strengthening regional and global security and stability.

Belarusian and Iranian diplomats also discussed plans and further steps to develop interstate contacts at the highest level, cooperation in the agricultural sector, in particular, the prospects of supplying Belarusian livestock products to Iran, strengthening cooperation in international organizations, and prospects for cooperation in the oil industry.

   

print versionA courtroom erupted in chaos Tuesday after a jury found a defendant guilty of murder in the horrific killing of a man who was beaten, suffocated, dismembered and his body parts grilled on a barbecue pit.

It took the jury about three hours to reach a verdict in the case against Daniel Moreno Lopez, convicted of murder in the Sept. 30, 2014, death of Jose Luis Menchaca, 35.

The killing allegedly was in retaliation for Menchaca stabbing Lopez in the back two days earlier over a botched drug deal.

RELATED: Woman who fatally stabbed 'secret lover' feared honor killing

Before the verdict was read, at least 10 Bexar County Sheriffs Office deputies entered the courtroom, along with four armed investigators from the district attorneys office. After state District Judge Ron Rangel read the verdict and the jury exited the room, Lopez erupted in anger, flailed and resisted being led away.

Meanwhile, a woman who described herself as Lopezs girlfriend, his mother and an aunt left the courtroom crying. Lopezs mother collapsed in heavy sobs on the floor of the hallway and could be heard repeatedly screaming, No! She later ran screaming down the stairs.

A deputy positioned himself between Lopez and his attorney, J. Charles Bunk, after it appeared the defendant would hit him. In the end, it took at least eight Bexar County Sheriffs Office deputies to push Lopez through the door to an area outside of court where inmates are kept. He could be heard yelling from behind the door.

Lopez will be sentenced July 25 after a presentencing investigation hearing.

According to trial testimony, on Sept. 28, 2014, Menchaca, known as Pee Wee, and Lopez got into an altercation that ended with Menchaca stabbing Lopez, known as Guero, in the back. He was briefly hospitalized. They were supposed to trade stolen Mary Kay makeup in exchange for drugs, witnesses testified at the trials of both Lopez and his cousin and co-defendant, Gabriel Moreno, 34, known as Joker.

The next day, Lopezs plan went into place, prosecutors said. Candie Dominguez and Sabrina Cavazos, Morenos then-girlfriend, lured Menchaca and Flores to the home on Hillwood Drive, and once in the master bedroom, Lopez and Moreno attacked Menchaca from behind with two aluminum baseball bats.

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Witnesses testified that Menchacas killing was in retaliation for the stabbing. One recalled the man called out to God and begged for his life, and Lopez told him, Im your God!

Menchacas head, which still was attached to the torso, was wrapped in black plastic, his mouth and nose duct-taped shut, and tape was around his neck. Those remains were found Oct. 6, 2014, in a plastic bin at a home in the 400 block of Hillwood Drive. His amputated arms and legs were found charred on a barbecue grill in the back yard.

Lopezs trial last year ended after two days when a mistrial was declared on discovery violations. The trial of Moreno was completed in March, but ended in a mistrial when the jury was unable to reach a verdict after four days.

Moreno and Candie Dominguez, 38, Lopezs girlfriend at the time of the killing and his co-defendant, are awaiting trial.

During closing arguments, Bunk, Lopezs attorney, used a picture of the Peanuts character Pig-Pen, who always is surrounded by a cloud of dust in the comic strip, and orange paper with the words Get Out of Jail Free, as he told the jury that prosecutors did not prove that his client killed Menchaca.

He said all of the prosecutions witnesses were like the Peanuts character, lost in their clouds of dust. He said each one of them, who were accomplices, were given deals for their testimony.

They want you to assume it had to be this guy, Bunk said, pointing to his client, adamantly stating that it was Dominguez who killed Menchaca, her cousin.

Why dont they tell you they know Candie Dominguez did it, Bunk said. This is a whole pile of Get Out of Jail Free  they give one to him and her and him and her, it goes on and on and on.

Prosecutors Josh Somers and Matthew Ludowig tag-teamed the jury during their closing arguments. When Ludowig began, he ripped one of Bunks orange signs in half. He said Lopez orchestrated the players into getting Menchaca and his girlfriend, Sylvia Flores, to the home in order to see him suffer, and to hold her captive.

You dont get to beat a man within an inch of his life and then say Im not guilty of murder, Ludowig told the jury.

Look at the facts and use your reason and common sense and everyday logic, Somers told the jury. Daniel Lopez is the only person that knew Jose Luis Menchaca and had a motive and reason to murder him.

Somers reminded the jury there were four others at the Hillwood residence the day of the killing. The four either witnessed or took part in the slaying, or they heard it when Lopez did it.

The case was heard in 379th state District Court. Lopez faces up to life in prison.

Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | ezavala@express-news.net | @elizabeth2863The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Kelly Dame.

Sunday, June 3

12:10 a.m. - A deputy was sent to a domestic assault at a Mills Township home. A report is being sent to the prosecutor's office for review.

12:33 a.m. - A deputy checked a report from an anonymous caller about an intoxicated driver in Jerome Township. The area was checked and the vehicle was not found.

12:58 a.m. - A deputy was sent to Greendale Township for a report of gunshots. The deputy heard no shots being fired.

1:02 a.m. - A Midland man, 24, was arrested in Lincoln Township for driving while license suspended.

2:18 a.m. - A deputy was sent to a Lincoln Township gas station for a report of an intoxicated man at a gas pump. The deputy arrived to find the man pumping gas and a sober driver inside the vehicle.

4:33 a.m. - A 27-year-old man was arrested in Midland for drunken driving and driving while his license was suspended.

4:52 a.m. - A Sanford man, 25, was arrested in Jerome Township for third-offense drunken driving and driving while license revoked.

1:22 p.m. - A deputy was sent to a report of threats at a location in Midland. The case is being investigated.

1:34 p.m. - A deputy investigated a hit and run crash on private property in Lee Township.

3:21 p.m. - An Edenville Township woman, 48, reported she was not pleased with how her neighbor, a 57-year-old man, was treating his dogs. A deputy checked on the animals and found no evidence of abuse or neglect.

5:23 p.m. - Property in the 6900 block of Eastman Avenue was damaged.

8:05 p.m. - A deputy was sent to a Village of Sanford business for a fraud that occurred when a resident sold a car stereo amplifier and speakers for $180, and the buyer paid with $80 in legitimate cash and a fake $100 bill.

9:19 p.m. - A deputy was sent to the emergency room for a report of a 55-year-old man who accidentally shot himself in one of his feet with birdshot while he was target practicing. The man suffered minor injuries.

10:06 p.m. - Deputies were sent to Lee Township for a report of loud music, but no loud music was heard when they reached the scene.

11 p.m. - Police investigated a sexual assault at a Dublin Avenue address.

11:30 p.m. - Deputies were sent to a Homer Township area for a report of gunshots. They did not hear any gunshots.

Saturday, June 2

12:29 a.m. - A deputy was sent to Lee Township for a report of loud music. The music stopped before the source could be found.

6:05 a.m. - Police made arrests for aggravated assault, domestic assault and interfering with telecommunications at an Illinois Street address.

7:11 a.m. - A deputy cited a driver in a May 15 crash for operating a commercial motor vehicle with a weight over 10,000 pounds and not having a chauffer license.

9:26 a.m. - Police made a warrant arrest in the 3500 block of East Patrick Road.

10:42 p.m. - A motorist was cited for no insurance and improper plate at Saginaw Road and Main Street.

10:49 a.m. - A Greendale Township woman, 42, was arrested in that township for driving without a license.

11:48 p.m. - A deputy assisted Midland Police with an arrest for driving while license suspended and other traffic offenses in Midland.

Friday, June 1

11:03 a.m. - A deputy was sent to Jerome Township for a report of a semi blocking traffic. The semi was stopped because the trailer shifted the hitch, causing the airline to snap. The deputy assisted with traffic control while the airline was repaired. The driver was cited for impeding traffic.

11:28 a.m. - A Midland man, 59, reported someone tried to cut the lock off his storage unit in Midland Township. The lock and latch system sustained $50 damage.

1:58 p.m. - An RV awning was damaged while the vehicle was parked in Edenville Township. Damage is set at $200.

2:58 p.m. - A deputy checked a report of careless driving on U.S. 10 in Midland. The vehicle was not found.

3:57 p.m. - Six mailboxes along West Nielsen Road were damaged.

5:57 p.m. - A deputy was sent to Larkin Township for a domestic assault.

8:46 p.m. - A boat anchor and 50 feet of nylon rope, at total value of $25, was stolen from an Edenville Township home.

11:59 p.m. - Police made arrests for second-offense driving while license suspended and on a warrant at Woodpark Drive and West Wackerly Street.@alextdaugherty

Political campaigns are typically high-stress work environments. Staffers often work long hours with little pay for months, and there's always a chance that the boss won't win on Election Day.

Workers for state Rep. David Richardson's congressional campaign are the latest to form a union through the Campaign Workers guild, a new movement for Democratic campaign workers, where employees negotiate contracts that include mandated time off, healthcare, housing, and just cause for firings.

Richardson's is the first Florida campaign to unionize, other Democratic congressional and gubernatorial campaigns have unionized around the country in recent months.



Through a tough contract fight, workers for David Richardson stood together and fought hard to win a fair contract, said Laura Reimers, President of the Campaign Workers Guild. I am tremendously proud to have all of these workers in our fight. Their example will pave the way for campaign workers across the country who are finally getting to experience what it feels like to bargain collectively, stand together, and improve their working conditions.

While most Democrats running for office support organized labor, this election cycle is the first where the campaigns themselves have organized. Opponents of the unionization effort argue that campaign work is meant to be temporary, and hamstringing a campaign worker's hours on the job makes it harder to use resources efficiently and gives an advantage to Republicans who are running campaigns without unionized workers.

"Political campaigns are short-term gigs. They're not long-term operations, so this idea of unionization for an eight-month job, it just doesn't make a lot of sense," said Steve Hildebrand, a former deputy national campaign manager for Barack Obama to NPR. "Going into the general election if you have a campaign team that is not putting in 80 hours a week on the Democratic side, you're probably going to lose."

But a Richardson staffer argued that the unionization effort extends the rights their campaign is fighting for to the people getting paid to fight it.

We fought tooth and nail for this contract, and we couldnt be prouder. said Melissa Mihm, field organizer for David Richardson for Congress. As the first campaign to unionize in Florida, I cant say this enough: Dont give up. Campaign workers deserve the same rights as all workers, and its our turn to make history.

Richardson is running in the Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Former University of Miami President Donna Shalala, former Knight Foundation director Matt Haggman, Miami Beach commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez and former University of Miami academic adviser Michael Hepburn are also running for a seat that Democrats are expecting to flip in 2018.@alextdaugherty

Sen. Marco Rubio has hired a second high-level staffer with Heritage Action, a conservative political organization that once battled with the Florida Republican on issues like immigration and disaster relief.

Dan Holler, a founding staffer for Heritage Action, will join Rubio's office as deputy chief of staff, focusing on communications and outreach. Holler's move was first reported by Roll Call.

Holler will reunite with Mike Needham, his former boss at Heritage, who was recently hired as Rubio's chief of staff.

Dans one of the most talented people in Washington and we are excited to have him join Senator Rubios office, Needham said in an emailed statement to Roll Call. His collaborative style, substantive expertise and strategic leadership will be critical to the work Senator Rubio is doing.

Rubio has a 77 percent rating from Heritage Action, and most of his differences with the organization in recent months are on votes that deal with federal spending.Local News, Community, Charity & Cause

By Long Island News & PR Published: June 05 2018

Gun Violence Victims, Prevention Advocates, Students, Moms and Officials Gathered to Honor Victims & Survivors as County Illuminated Dennison Building in Wear Orange Colors.

Hauppauge, NY - June 5, 2018 - Every day, nearly 100 Americans are killed by gun violence, and many more sustain firearm injuries. In an effort to honor those whose lives have been cut short and the countless survivors injured, Suffolk kicked off a nearly week-long illumination of the Countys H. Lee Dennison headquarters that began with a ceremony on Friday evening June 1st. Through legislation approved in earlier this year, Suffolk designated the following day, Saturday, June 2nd as Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Legislators Kara Hahn, Monica Martinez and Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory, who sponsored the legislation, were joined by gun violence survivors Shenee Johnson and Paul Guttenberg, prevention advocates Jeff Keister and Gemma Saylor, and Suffolk Community College student Sabrina Spotorno, at an illumination ceremony, during which the county office building was illuminated in orange. The building will be illuminated until Tuesday, June 5th.

In 2013, the color orange became associated with gun violence when teens at a Chicago high school honored their murdered classmate by wearing orange; the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves from being shot by mistake, a color that came to represent the value of human life. Now, five years later, as gun violence continues to take the lives of students in school settings, that small gesture has grown into the Wear Orange campaign, a coalition of more than 500 non-profits, cultural influencers and elected officials working to reduce gun violence in America. One of those groups, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots movement fighting for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence while respecting the Second Amendment, partnered with Suffolk County to spearhead the Wear Orange awareness campaign.

The tragic mass murders of children at Sandy Hook Elementary School and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are among the many deaths by gun violence that happen every day in the United States, said Legislator Kara Hahn. No child, no family, no school or community should have to go through the nightmare of a mass murder. These deaths are preventable. We remember and honor the victims through this remembrance, but also recommit ourselves to push lawmakers in Washington D. C. to enact comprehensive legislation to prevent gun violence. 

The tremendous toll that gun violence has taken on our country, our citizens and specifically our young students is a constant reminder of how lawmakers in Washington have failed as representatives of the people, said Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory. Their inaction is responsible for the many, many lives that have been lost. Allowing guns in the hands of people who should not have them, permitting assault weapons, failing to complete background checks and concealed carry laws are not what the majority of Americans want. We need leaders who have the backbone to pass laws that protect our people without concern for their reelection. I continue to hope that remembrances such as this will ignite a desire to do the right thing.

Continuing to lose children to gun violence and do nothing is unacceptable. Entire families have been shattered, said Legislator Martinez. Its critical that we raise awareness about the true cost of gun violence and continue to demand action from our representatives in Washington. Todays ceremony may seem like a small gesture, but out of small gestures can grow great change.

The theme of Wear Orange 2018 is "Use Your Voice." Moms Demand Action believes that this is a moment for all Americans to come together and declare that we can--and we will--create a future free of gun violence, said Jeff Keister, a volunteer with the Suffolk chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

In 2013, Legislator Hahn authored legislation requiring Suffolk County law enforcement agencies to cross reference the names and addresses of individuals undergoing a psychiatric crisis and transported to Stony Brook Universitys Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) against Suffolk Countys pistol license registries. If there is a match between a name or home address and the registry, that information will automatically be provided to the respective pistol licensing bureau, where an investigation can be made regarding suspension or revocation of the license.The following are new translations of excerpts from Trois points cest tout by Fred Zeller (1912-2003). Zeller, who, at the time, was the secretary of the Seine (Paris) Young Socialists and a sympathiser of the Trotskyist movement in the mid-1930s, visited Trotsky in Norway at the end of October 1935. This was at the time when the Socialist Party leaders were expelling the left from the Young Socialists as well as dissolving the Bolshevik Leninist tendency, whose members had joined the SFIO in late 1934.

Following these discussions with Trotsky, Zeller was won over from the centrist wing, led by Marceau Pivert, to the Bolshevik Leninists. He initially played a leading role but later left the movement. The text provides an important insight into Trotskys approach and thoughts about a number of issues, including the organisational problems that were faced by the Trotskyists.

It was around October 1935 that David Rousset sent me an invitation to visit comrade Trotsky in Norway.

I had not yet joined the ranks of the Fourth International. During this period, the name of the Old Man was being dragged through the mud every day. They reproached him for living like a pasha in a castle, surrounded by servants and a host of secretaries. I did not mind the invitation to come and see the truth. In fact, having had experience of the leaders of the SFIO and the Socialist International, I was extremely pleased by the prospect of finally meeting an authentic great revolutionary leader

Comrade Van organised my journey to perfection and, at the end of October, I left Paris. I stopped in Cologne and Hamburg in Germany, where Hitler had just taken power. I witnessed, between arriving and catching my next train, parades of the SA, SS and Hitler Youth, pounding the pavement with the heel of their boots and uttering guttural refrains, amidst a population that seemed stunned and, above all, absolutely terrified. I scrutinized these Fascist faces topped with helmets rounded with a chin strap. They breathed neither intelligence nor goodness, and appeared to doubt neither themselves nor their leaders.

I disembarked from the ferry at Trelleborg, in Sweden. After four days and three nights in trains and stations a Norwegian comrade met me at Oslo in order to guide me for the rest of the journey. The next morning, a slow train drove me through the snowy slopes, fir trees trembling with frost and shining fjords, until I arrived at Hoenefoss, a town of several thousand inhabitants. At the station, other Norwegian comrades were waiting for me. A rickety old car took us up the mountain, to Weksal, a small village of wooden chalets scattered in the snow.

The Old Man and Old Woman lived there. The Norwegian Socialist MP, Konrad Knudsen was sub-letting two rooms to them: a bedroom and a study with a couch. The dining room was communal. The Knudsens took their meals there an hour before Trotsky and Nathalia who had a bedroom and a small bathroom with a bathtub on the first floor.

The large bay windows of the cottage offered superb views of the lakes, in the absolute and soothing calm of nature. I arrived there during the last days of October 1935. My visit to the military organiser of the Russian Revolution a few days later, on the 7th November, was to coincide with the eighteenth anniversary of the greatest social upheaval the world had ever known. It is not without emotion that forty years later I recall these times They will remain unforgettable for as long as I live.

Walter Held, who was once Trotskys secretary, opened the folding door separating the dining room and the study. I heard him say in German: Comrade Fred Zeller has arrived.

The Old Man, who was working, got up and embraced me warmly as Russians do. He was bigger than I had imagined, strong with broad shoulders, very lively, very nimble, smiling, happy, fraternal. He wore a heavy woollen shirt collar closed by a cravat, a sweater, a blue linen jacket and grey trousers.

He made me sit beside him on the couch and inquired of my trip. He immediately wanted news of the French comrades.

How are they? What's going on? ... And no, do not answer me yet: I want my Nathalia to be there to hear you too.

He got up and, on the stairs, told Natalia in Russian that I had just arrived.

Trotsky in Norway - 1936I watched the Old Man. He seemed very young to me (he was fifty-five then) and very gay. I studied his face, admirable with its broad brow covered with silver grey hair. What struck me the most were his steely grey eyes, dominant and changing, where tenacious will, self-confidence, interrogation, astonishment, deception and hope were reflected immediately. His mouth was extremely mobile, framed by his legendary moustache and goatee, articulated to perfection. I did not notice in him that which is almost always visible in those who have had to battle and suffer other men: that vertical fold of bitterness that marks the corner of the lips from a certain age. Everything about him exuded serenity. He looked to me to be in good standing with his conscience.

Perhaps one might add, as pointed out by Andre Breton, that there remained buried in the depths of his nature, a whiff of childhood preserved him in spite of the hardships.

Nathalia had entered on tiptoe. Little, frail, with a delicate face framed by ash blonde hair, she had a soft and sad look.

Now, said the Old Man, give us some brief news of our friends and their health. You will then take a cup of tea and we will leave you to rest on the couch until lunch. This afternoon, we shall discuss things more seriously.

And then he asked, amusing himself, questions about all and sundry, passing from Jean Rous weight to the dynamism of Molinier, from the caprices of comrade Naville to Yvan Craipeaus crises of faith, worrying about the material situation of Van whom he loved very much and the health of his son, Leon Sedov.

His eyes stared, sized, gauged and then became distant. Attentive, friendly, he sought to place you in time and place you more specifically amongst the men engaged in the great conflicts of the time. Will he hold on? Will he let go? Will he grow? What will be his true role? So many silent questions, but it felt good.

For the first few days, our conversation pertained naturally to the situation in France; the parties, their politics, the reactions of the masses The Old Man demanded from me a detailed report on the development of the crisis and the internal split within the Socialist Youth. He listened with sustained attention. He questioned, demanded details of the activists and particular trends. He attached great importance to the fact that a current of Socialist Youth, skipping Stalinism, was heading toward the Fourth International.

"You in France have entered into the preparatory phase of revolution, he said. THE AXE PASSES TO YOU. You must follow the situation closely. You will soon experience grandiose events. You will play an important role, if you take time and stay firm on your position. Workers, gradually and as the struggle progresses, will find that they have been betrayed by those whom they trust today. They will look to you tomorrow."

He thought we had lost too much time in idle talk with the SFIO bureaucracy, in whose interest it was to drag out the talks for a "readmission". This illusion best divided the militants and allowed them to rely on the clan of capitulators who are always ready to prostrate themselves when offered a few honorary and profitable positions.

Likewise, the Old Man thought, you were wrong to hold on to the coattails of Piverts centrists for so long and, especially, to help them form the revolutionary left. These comrades will turn against you. They will channel away some of your own activists who, finding your slogans in their mouths will think it wiser and certainly less risky to remain in the fold of the SFIO than to follow you independently.

According to him, the possibility for those expelled from Lille to be readmitted was an illusion:

Your expulsions are political. The leadership of the SFIO is preparing a Popular Front government with the Radical leaders behind the scenes. They cannot tolerate the presence of honest and independent revolutionaries among them. They are also encouraged by Cachin and Thorez who obey Stalin perinde ac cadaver. Your only chance of success and the only way to avoid the nibbling away and demoralisation of your best activists is to activate the transition to an independent organisation. You must speak for the Marxist programme. It is necessary to arm your comrades politically. Otherwise, they will decompose quickly under the appalling pressure of the reformist and Stalinist bureaucracies. You should, I believe, initiate a discussion in your movement, through the press, through internal bulletins, through information meetings and by organising an extraordinary congress, for joining the programme and flag of the Fourth International. Then we can consider a merger between your comrades and the Bolshevik-Leninists.

And he added with a smile: The day when I can read in Revolution (which was the newspaper of the left of the Socialist Youth) that you have pronounced publicly for the Fourth, a decisive step will be taken. I will raise a red flag right here on the roof of the chalet!

One day over lunch, he asked me: What decisive factor convinced you to get closer to the organisation of the Bolshevik-Leninists?

I told him how Pierre Dreyfus had invited me to attend the last conference of Bolshevik Leninist Group, in the famous cafe, Auge rue des Archives, where I was impressed by the way all the political discussion had been conducted after outstanding detailed reports, specifically those of Pierre Naville, John Rous, David Rousset and Bardin on behalf of the Central Committee. This was a change from the fairs and the blah blah blah of national meetings of the SFIO where everyone is involved above all in relation to their electoral support.

I was also amazed to learn, during the voting and verification of mandates, that the Bolshevik-Leninists were only four hundred strong across the whole country. With all the noise they made and the daily attacks to which they were subjected, I had imagined they were thousands ... Trotsky was very amused by this.

I thought this young revolutionary political organisation, counting so few members but emitting such influence and causing so much fear in its opponents, was one of the forces of the future. And that this organisation had to be supported at all costs, whatever happened

Trotsky often insisted on discussing organisational questions and rightly attached a great importance to this subject.

If you do not train good, serious administrators at every level of the movement, even if you are right a thousand times over, you will not win. What the Bolshevik-Leninists have always lacked, particularly in France, are organisers, good treasurers, accurate accounts, and legible and well edited publications

The most serious difference, if I dare say so, that I had with Trotsky related to democratic centralism, the implacable authoritarian conception which seemed to me to be as dangerous as the Social-Democratic method, which never allowed the rank-and-file branch members to influence the direction of the party in a decisive way.

The application of centralism by Lenins Political Bureau enabled the taking of power. Under Stalin, it led to revolutionary defeats and the degeneration of the so-called Communist Parties.

Trotsky, strongly emphasising the fact that Lenins Political Bureau applied a democratic centralism whilst that of Stalin applied a bureaucratic centralism, admitted to having struggled with this problem at the Second Congress [of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party in 1903], which separated him from Lenin for a number of years.

However, he added, once again Lenin was right. Without a strongly centralised party, we would never have taken power. Centralism means focusing the organisation to the greatest possible extent towards its goal. It is the only means of leading millions of people in struggle with the possessing classes. If you admit, along with Lenin, that we are in the stage of Imperialism, the highest stage of Capitalism, it is necessary to have a revolutionary organisation that is sufficiently flexible to respond to the demands of clandestine struggle as well as those of the taking power. Hence the need for a strongly centralised party, capable of orienting and leading the masses and supporting the gigantic struggle from which they must emerge victorious. Hence also the need to make collectively, at every step, a loyal self-criticism.

He added that the application of centralism must not be schematic, but must evolve out of the political situation. He gave the example of the Russian Communist Party in 1921, passing from the ultra-centralised and military form imposed by the Civil War to an organisation based on the cells of workplaces taking part in the reconstruction of the economy:

Between congresses, it was the Central Committee and its Political Bureau that led the Party and ensured the rigorous application, at all levels, of the policy decided by the majority. It was not permissible to return at every instant to questions of orientation and in so doing distort the application of the policy that had been defined by the Party.

He often came back to one of the greatest dangers facing the vanguard of the working class: Sectarianism, which exhausts, withers, demoralises and isolates:

This is what threatened the French section. It was one of the main reasons why we urged our comrades to enter into the S.F.I.O [the French Socialist Party] as a tendency. Experience has proved this correct because it allowed them to work amongst the masses, to check the correctness of their perspectives, to extend their influence and to strengthen themselves organisationally. All of his life Lenin fought against sectarian deviations which would cut off, and did cut off, revolutionaries from mass movements and from the understanding of a situation. On many occasions, he had to struggle against the Old Bolsheviks barely able in his absence to match the sacred texts with reality.

Trotsky recalled what happened in 1905; the Bolsheviks then playing only a minor role because of the sectarian position they adopted in the absence of Lenin towards the Petrograd Soviet:

Theoretical routine, this absence of political and tactical creativity, cannot replace the need for insight, the ability to surmise things at a glance, the flair for feeling a situation, while unravelling the main threads and developing an overall strategy. It is in a revolutionary period, and especially an insurrectionary one that these qualities become decisive.

Listening to him, I thought of Rosa Luxemburg who wrote in the summer of 1918, shortly before she was murdered:

The revolutionary movement must be a foaming and limitless torrent of life in order to find the millions of new forms, improvisations, creative forces and healthy criticism it needs to correct and ultimately move beyond all of its mistakes.

Trotsky regularly returned to the need to strengthen fraternal bonds between comrades in struggle:

It is necessary to preserve them, encourage them, watch over them, he would repeat. An experienced militant worker represents an incalculable asset for the organisation. It takes years to make a good leader. One must therefore do everything to save a member. Don't break him if he weakens, but help him to overcome his weakness, to get over his moment of doubt. Do not lose sight of those who fall on the wayside: Facilitate their return to the organisation if you have nothing irremediable to reproach them for in terms of revolutionary morality.

When we walked along the mountainside in the evening, it would occur to him to discuss the physical health of the comrades; his or her shape as we say nowadays. He was very concerned about this point. He thought about the concern towards those who had become exhausted, the need to preserve the energies of the weakest:

Lenin was always preoccupied with the health of his collaborators. One must go as far as possible in the struggle and the way is long he used to say.

The internal atmosphere of the organisation made him anxious. In the small vanguard movements, which fight against the stream, internal disputes are sometimes the most severe and heated. After their exclusion from the SFIO, the Bolshevik-Leninist Group divided itself into several hostile factions:

If the comrades look beyond this and focus their efforts outward and practical work, the crisis will subside, said Trotsky. But it is necessary to always watch that the atmosphere always emerges healthy and acceptable for all. Each must work with all their heart and with the maximum of confidence. The building of the revolutionary party demands patience and hard work. At any price, you must not discourage the best, and you must show yourself to be able to work with anyone. Each is a lever to be used as much as possible to strengthen the Party. Lenin knew the art of this. After the liveliest discussions, the bitterest polemics, he knew to find the words and gestures which mitigated unfortunate or offensive words.

For Trotsky, the essential task of the period ahead consisted in forming and consolidating an organisational apparatus. Without an apparatus, there is no possibility of applying a policy: everything limits itself to chatter without real significance. The difficulty of grand human constructions is choosing judiciously which personality is best suited for such and such a role. The art of the organiser consists in accustoming individuals to working together so that each becomes the complement of the other. An 'apparatus' is an orchestra where each instrument expresses itself individually only to blend and fade into the harmony created.

Avoid placing members of equal value and temperament on a work committee. They will nullify each other without obtaining the intended results. Knowing how to choose a comrade for a given task; patiently explaining what is expected from them; acting with subtlety and tact, this is what true leadership means. Leave the maximum amount of initiative to the comrade responsible for the work. In case of mistakes, correct them by explaining amicably how they are prejudicial to the interests of the Party. Only impose sanctions in the most serious of cases. The general rule must be to permit each to progress, to develop and improve. Do not lose yourself in secondary details which mask the totality of the situation. Only do what you can with the forces you have. Never more, except admittedly in decisive situations.

The Old Man added that one must not strain the comrades nerves indefinitely. After each effort, we must catch our breath, get ones bearings, and renew ones energies. At the level of organisation, one must be methodical and precise, leaving nothing to chance:

Whatever you do, set yourself an objective, even a very modest one, but strive to achieve it. Then elaborate a short- or long-term plan and apply it without weakening, with an iron hand. It is the only way to advance and for the whole organisation to make progress.

One morning, the courier brought leaflets and an internal bulletin of the French Bolshevik-Leninists. While reading them, Trotsky showed impatient and annoyance. Armed with a red pencil, he crossed out and underlined non-stop, before saying brusquely:

Your mimeographed publications are very bad. They are very unpleasant to read. Like your newspapers and other publications. With modern machines, I wonder how you manage to bring out texts which are perhaps good politically but illegible. You need to consult specialists about this. I assure you that no worker will make the effort to read a badly printed leaflet. I remember my first proclamations in our circle in Odessa. I hand wrote them in purple ink in block capitals. They were then applied to a sheet of gelatine and made into dozens of copies. We were using primitive methods, but our leaflets were very readable and they made their way!

His harshest criticism was directed at our newspapers:

A revolutionary paper addresses itself first and foremost to the workers. Your way of producing and editing La Verite (which at that time was the paper of the Bolshevik-Leninists) makes it more of a theoretical journal than a newspaper. It interests the intellectual, but not the worker. On the other hand, you have produced good issues of Revolution. But what is unacceptable and scandalous is to publish papers with so many spelling and typographical errors, which leave an impression of an intolerable and criminally lackadaisical attitude. The paper is the face of the party. It is by the paper that to a large degree a worker will judge the party. Those whom it addresses arent necessarily your comrades or sympathisers. You must not alienate anyone by using too highbrow vocabulary. Your occasional reader must not think: These people are too much for me, because he will never buy it again. Your paper should be well presented, simple and clear, with slogans that are always understandable. A worker does not have the time to read long theoretical articles. He needs quick reports in a concise style. Lenin said: It is necessary to write with your heart in order to have a good paper. Stop thinking that you are writing for yourself or your members. That is what theoretical reviews and bulletins are for. The workers paper must be lively and witty. A worker loves it when you ridicule and expose the powers-that-be. Also oblige the worker comrades in your organisation to write for the paper. Help them in a friendly way. You will see that soon, a short and simple article of a worker, on a precise instance of capitalist exploitation, is far superior to an article which sees itself as academic and erudite. Take for example Lenins articles in Pravda. They are simple, lively and readable, as much for the worker of Putilov as for the university student.

The Old Man referred constantly to Lenin, who had made such an impact on his whole life and whom he admired enormously.

As I was telling him about our financial worries, problems arising from the regular publication of La Verite or Revolution, and everything concerning workplace papers, leaflets and personnel changes, the Old Man told me:Aviva Luttrell | MassLive.com

By Aviva Luttrell | MassLive.com

When it comes to craft beer, Massachusetts used to look north for quality brews.

"It used to be a lot of Maine or Vermont, people leaving Massachusetts and traveling to Main or Vermont for their beer trips," said JT Ethier, business manager at Worcester's Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co.

But that's all starting to change.

Today, Ethier and Greater Good founder Paul Wengender say southern New England is upping its game.

"So many small breweries, so many thousand-barrel or less breweries have popped up in the last three years, I think the number of breweries has doubled in the last five years -- and they're all small," Wengender said. "The small artisanal craft brewer is really focused on one thing -- quality -- and there's a lot of cross-pollination that goes on."

As some of the more renowned breweries up north have grown, Ethier said their employees have moved to other regions, taking that expertise with them.

"They're kind of sharing their knowledge and bringing it to other areas," he said.

Wengender, who launched Greater Good three years ago, said when it comes to beer, he's seen the trend move across the spectrum from international to hyperlocal brewing.

"The communities around beers are becoming more local like they were in the 19th century -- neighborhood breweries," he said.

Those observations also correspond with data from the Brewers Association's annual report, which showed that small and independent craft brewers saw a 5 percent rise in volume of beer nationwide in 2017 and the number of operating breweries grew 16 percent to eclipse 6,300.

Small and independently owned craft breweries also accounted for 98 percent of all U.S. operating breweries, according to the report.

In Massachusetts, you'll find craft, micro- and nano-breweries from Cape Cod and the islands to the rolling hills of the Berkshires.

Here are some of our summertime favorites:

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MassLive file photo

Brick & Feather Brewery

Located directly alongside the Canalside Rail Trail in Turners Falls, Brick & Feather Brewery is the perfect spot to grab a flight and then go for a bike ride on the easy 3.7-mile path.

Brick & Feather opened in 2015 and its beers are brewed mostly by hand on a manual seven-barrel system. The brewery's tasting room offers 5- or 10-ounce pours, or you can take your beer home via reusable growlers and occasionally 16-ounce cans.

While you're there, take in a view of the river or make the short trek into town to explore Turners' funky shops and restaurants.

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Cisco Brewers

Cisco Brewers' location on Nantucket already makes it a must-visit summer destination, but the brewery brings a whole lot more to the table.

When you visit, you'll find a winery and distillery in the same small location. Patrons can enjoy live music, a food truck and a lobster truck on the brewery's outdoor patio, which is also dog-friendly.

Be sure to order a Blue Haired Lady, a beer cocktail made with Cisco's Grey Lady brew, topped with blueberry vodka.

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Justin Hall

Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co.

Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co. opened Worcester's largest taproom just off of Gold Star Boulevard earlier this year.

"Summer in New England, it's not 75 and clear, it's a highly variable climate, it's windy, it's rainy, it's too hot sometimes, too humid sometimes, so I think we have kind of a very flexible space to accommodate all types of weather," founder Paul Wengender said.

Greater Good has picnic tables outside, and offers live music, vintage arcade games and more indoors.

The brewery's test kitchen, TOAST, offers gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and other snacks, while Greater Good's taproom-only brand, Soul Purpose, offers more sessionable beverages that are perfect for summer.

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Aviva Luttrell | MassLive.com

Stone Cow Brewery

Located on a 1,000-acre, fifth-generation dairy farm in Barre, Stone Cow Brewery is the perfect place to grab a pint, admire the scenery and then head on over to visit the animals -- including sheep and goats.

Stone Cow's Field to Flame BBQ, open only in July and August, showcases the farm's produce while its Barn Kitchen is open year-round, serving up paninis, flatbreads and more.

Sit at a picnic table inside the brewery's rustic barn with a flight, or head over on a Saturday for some yoga (which is $20 and includes a beer!).

Stone Cow also has ice cream to keep the kids happy.

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Rapscallion Brewery

Surrounded by a 150-acre orchard and disc golf course, Rapscallion's brewery in Sturbridge is both dog- and family-friendly.

Located in a historic barn, its taproom offers small-batch beers by flight, pints or pitchers. Beverages may also be enjoyed in the brewhouse or cellar lounge. Hungry visitors can bring their own grub or buy a flatbread pizza from Rapscallion's food truck.

The brewery offers free weekend tours on Sundays at 2 p.m., as well as live music and seasonal festivals.

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Aeronaut Allston

Aeronaut Brewing Co. is based in Somerville, but during the summertime, the brewery holds a pop-up beer garden in Allston as part of Harvard University's Zone 3 initiative.

Zone 3 is a cluster of buildings at 267 Western Ave. that the university is trying to revitalize with programs, events and retail. Aeronaut's pop-up is open every Wednesday and Friday night all summer long, and features live music and performances by local artists, food trucks and more.

The pop-up is free, and kids and dogs are welcome.

Don't Edit

Aviva Luttrell | MassLive.com

Tree House Brewing Co.

Tucked away off of Route 20 in Charlton, Tree House Brewing Co. has gained a cult following over the past seven years. Known for its brews including Julius, Doubleganger and Green -- which were ranked among the top-rated beers in the country by Beer Advocate -- the company has expanded rapidly.

This summer - pending local approvals - Tree House will begin constructing a 16,000-square-foot expansion to its retail shop and brewery; several new outdoor spaces; an on-site trail system and more.

Tree House started doing business in 2011 and was based in Monson until summer 2017, when it moved to a 55,000-square-foot brewery in Charlton. Since last year, the company has doubled its number of employees and increased its beer production from 270 barrels of beer per week to more than 1,000.

Its new Charlton location is the perfect summer hangout. With plenty of Adirondack chairs, an outdoor pizza over and fire pits, it's a must-visit spot.

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Courtesy @trilliumgarden/Twitter

Trillium Brewing Co.

Since opening in March 2013, Trillium Brewing Co. has grown to include two locations in Canton and the Fort Point neighborhood of South Boston.

The brewery also has a beer garden on Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway, which just opened for the season. The Trillium Garden is located across from Rowes Wharf and has been extended several yards into the Greenway's Elm Circle.

You can expect to find a rotating draft list with fun summer favorites like the brewery's Gose with Strawberry, Blueberry & Kosher Salt.

The beer garden also serves wine from Westport Rivers Vineyards. It's open Wednesday through Friday, 2 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Don't Edit

Melissa Hanson | MassLive.com

Wachusett Brewing Co.

Wachusett Brewing Co.'s Brew Yard in Westminster is open six days a week with food, live music and beer.

Its Blueberry Ale is perfect for summer. Grab a draught from the brewery's unique bar built in a custom Airstream trailer, which features 24 different varieties of beer at all times. Wachusett also has an outdoor area complete with fire pit and Adirondack chairs.

If you're interested in taking a tour, the brewery offers them on Fridays and Saturdays.

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MassLive file photo

Harpoon Brewery

With an outdoor space for beer-drinking, pretzel-eating and lawn games, Harpoon Brewery's Boston Keg Yard is the perfect spot to spend a summer day.

You'll find six varieties of Harpoon and UFO on tap, as well as outdoor games like corn hole and giant Jenga.

The Keg Yard is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather dependent.

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Barrington Brewery

Located in the scenic southern Berkshires, Barrington Brewery has been serving homemade food and beer since 1995.

The brewpub is located in a converted barn in Great Barrington with outdoor patio seating. It was also the first brewery on the east coast to install a solar panel system that supplies solar-heated hot water for brewing and restaurant use. A 480-panel solar electric system also provides the businesses with 85 percent of their electricity needs.

This summer, try the raspberry ale -- a blonde ale finished with a hint of raspberry.

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MassLive file photo

Northampton Brewery

Northampton Brewery's incredible roof-top deck makes it a must-visit spot during the warm months.

The multi-level deck has a full bar and offers lunch, dinner and late-night drinks. When it first opened in 1987, Northampton Brewery was one of fewer than 100 breweries in the entire country.

While you're in the area, stroll through Northampton's eclectic downtown and grab an ice cream at Herrell's.

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Notch Brewing

Notch Brewing's beer garden in Salem offers unparalleled views of the South River basin, where you can catch a glipse of harbor seals and watch the tide come and go.

The brewery offers full pours in its taproom, with eight to 14 beers on tap at all times. Outside, a 2000-square-foot beer garden is open year-round -- with long tables in the commercial and heated stand-ups in the winter.

You'll also find a classic Skee-Ball game at Notch. The brewery is family-friendly and welcomes well-behaved dogs.

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Barrel House Z

Weymouth's first brewery -- Barrel House Z -- specializes in small batch, collaborative, barrel-aged beers.

Outside, you'll find a small beer garden with picnic tables overlooking the Plymouth River. If you're hungry, be sure to try the brewery's famous macenadas --empanadas stuffed with mac and cheese. Like the taproom's beer selections, the macenada flavors and constantly rotating.

Barrel House Z also hosts food trucks, live music and pop-up events. Feeling active? The brewery and Greater Boston Running Company team up each Thursday to host a weekly pub run. The 5-mile jog leaves from Barrel House Z at 6:30 p.m.

Taproom Hours: Wednesday 4 to 10 p.m., Thursday and Friday 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday 12 to 10 p.m., Sunday 12 to 8 p.m.

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Bad Martha Farmer's Brewery

If you plan to vacation on Martha's Vineyard this summer, Bad Martha Farmer's Brewery should be on your list of places to visit.

The brewery and tasting room is located in Edgartown on the Donaroma's Nursey property, surrounded by flowers, trees and native grasses. Bad Martha offers flights, brew by the glass and growlers, as well as cheese plates, charcuterie, crudite and other snacks.

Outdoor games and live music on weekends add to the chill island vibe.Blink Device Company, out of Seattle, Washington, landed the CE Mark in Europe, allowing it to introduce its TwitchView neuromuscular blockade monitor. The system quantifies the depth of a neuromuscular blockade under anesthesia using electromyography (EMG).

The system includes a monitor, charging dock, and single use electrode arrays. The arrays can be placed on either hand in seconds and a press of a button begins train-of-four monitoring. The data collected and produced by the device is easily transferred directly into the hospitals electronic medical record.

At Blink Device Company, we aim to identify areas in medicine that can greatly benefit from technological innovation, in a statement said CEO Justin Hulvershorn, M.D, Ph.D. Neuromuscular blockade is ripe for such an advance. A typical response from clinicians who have used TwitchView is that it is like turning on the lights in a dark room. With remarkable ease-of-use, updating practices to benefit both practitioners and their patients is nearly effortless.

Flashback: Blinks TwitchView for Neuromuscular Blockade Monitoring

Product page: TwitchView

Via: Blink Device CompanyA new market study, titled Kidney Function Tests  Global Market Outlook (2017-2023), has been featured on WiseGuyReports.

According to research report, the Global Kidney Function Tests market is expected to grow from $1.23 billion in 2016 to reach $1.96 billion by 2023 with a CAGR of 6.9%. Growing incidence of kidney diseases, raising global geriatric population, and increasing prevalence of diabetes are some of the factors fostering the market growth. In addition, increasing health care awareness, technological advancements are some other factors propelling the market growth. On the other hand, strict regulations on product approvals, high costs for treatment are the restraints inhibiting the market growth.

Regular health check-ups for diabetic patients to monitor their kidney function are causing higher demand for Test Type. There are broad ranges of test type available in market such as dilution & concentration tests, clearance tests, urine tests, imaging tests, and visual imaging tests. In this, clearance tests are famous for its cost efficiency, and accurate test results. Growing government initiatives towards healthcare is assisting hospitals to adopt the tests.

North America is estimated to be the dominant one among all, due to developed healthcare infrastructure, government initiatives towards public health care that are expected to drive this dominance. Asia Pacific region is predicted to grow at higher CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to rise in medical tourism market, increase in prevalence of kidney function disease in countries such as Japan, China, and India are favoring the Asia Pacific market growth.

Some of the key players in global kidney function tests market include Abbott Laboratories, Alere Inc., Baxter International Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Galectin Therapeutics, Inc., IC-Meditech, Inc., Ipsen S.A., Kadmon Corporation, LLC, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings(LabCorp), Merck Millipore, Metabolic Solutions Development Company, LLC, Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Quest Diagnostics, Randox Laboratories, and Siemens Healthineers.

Test Types Covered:

Dilution & Concentration Tests

Clearance Tests

Urine Tests

Imaging Tests

Visual Imaging Tests

End Users Covered:

Academic Research Laboratories

Diagnostic Laboratories

Hospitals

Other End Users

Request Sample Report at https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2361640-kidney-function-tests-global-market-outlook-2017-2023

Regions Covered:

North America

o US

o Canada

o Mexico

Europe

o Germany

o UK

o Italy

o France

o Spain

o Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

o Japan

o China

o India

o Australia

o New Zealand

o Rest of Asia Pacific

South America

o Argentina

o Brazil

o Chile

o Rest of South America

Middle East & Africa

o Saudi Arabia

o UAE

o Qatar

o South Africa

o Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

 Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments

 Market share analysis of the top industry players

 Strategic recommendations for the new entrants

 Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets

 Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)

 Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations

 Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends

 Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

 Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Table of Content

1 Executive Summary

2 Preface

3 Market Trend Analysis

4 Porters Five Force Analysis

5 Global Kidney Function Tests Market, By Test Type

6 Global Kidney Function Tests Market, By End User

7 Global Kidney Function Tests Market, By Geography

8 Key Developments

9 Company Profiling

About Us:

Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.

Contact Us:

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sales@wiseguyreports.com

Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (US)

Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Meet entrepreneurs, engineers, surgeons and other key players in the ecosystem at the Fifth Annual Rosenman Symposium, a half-day conference held at the UCSF Mission Bay campus on Wednesday, June 20.

Registration is free. Join the 450+ who have already registered by reserving your spot today.

The symposium, a forum for the growing health technology community in San Francisco, features leading speakers from industry, and lightning pitches by founders of selected startups.

The event is produced by the Rosenman Institute, a University of California initiative based at UCSF Mission Bay. The institute helps entrepreneurs commercialize medical device technologies by forging connections with resources such as legal help, mentoring, funding, and industry partners.

Featured speakers include Benson Smith, Chairman, Teleflex; Tejal Desai, Chair, Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, UC San Francisco; Joe DeSimone, CEO & Co-Founder, Carbon; Jeffrey Shuren, Director, Center for Devices & Radiological Health, FDA; and Andrew Thompson, CEO, Proteus Digital Health.

The symposium presentations will conclude with a panel discussion, The Future of Innovation in Health Technologies: Aligning All the Stakeholders, moderated by Josh Makower, General Partner, NEA. Panel members include Tim Homer, VP Global Health Policy, Reimbursement & Government Relations, Avedro; Wende Hutton, General Partner, Canaan Partners; Kate Rosenbluth, CEO & Co-Founder, Cala Health; Renee Compton Ryan, VP, Venture Investments, J&J Innovation; and the FDAs Jeffrey Shuren.

Through the afternoon, attendees will hear rapid presentations from the Rosenman Innovators: the founders of 10 startups selected in the 2018 cycle of a yearly competition to receive in-kind services from top providers and introductions to investors and industry partners.

A networking reception with speakers, founders, and attendees follows the presentations.

The Rosenman Symposium is sponsored by Brown Rudnick, iO lifescience, MedTech Venture Partners, Nipro, J&J Innovation JJDC, and Silicon Valley Bank. The symposium partner is UCSF-Stanford CERSI and the media partner is Medgadget.

About the Rosenman Institute

The Rosenman Institute is the health technology initiative of QB3, the University of Californias hub for entrepreneurship in life science. The Institutes mission is to drive medical device innovation and education and improve patient care by helping entrepreneurs develop technologies from concept to commercialization. Visit http://rosenmaninstitute.org/The Global Medical Tapes and Bandages Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the healthcare industry with a focused global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global medical tapes & bandages market with detailed market segmentation by product, application, end user and geography. The global medical tapes & bandages market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market. Get FREE Sample Copy for more Professional and Technical insights at http://bit.ly/2JfoQav The report also includes the profiles of key medical tapes & bandages manufacturing companies along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. In addition, the report focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years. Some of the key players influencing the market are B. Braun Melsungen AG, Medtronic, Cardinal Health, Medline Industries, Inc., SmithNephewplc, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Derma Sciences Inc., PAUL HARTMANN AG, BSN medical, Molnlycke Health Care AB and others.

North America is expected to dominate the medical tapes & bandages market in the global arena due to the rising prevalence of ulcers, diabetic foot, and surgical procedures in the region. Moreover, the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to show a significant growth rate over the next five years in the global medical tapes & bandages market due to increasing focus of manufacturers on establishing new manufacturing units in the region and decreasing usage of traditional wound dressings in India & China.

Order a copy of Medical Tapes & Bandages to 2025  Global Analysis and Forecasts research study at http://bit.ly/2LiiZSk

Medical tapes & bandages are used in the primary treatment of acute and chronic wounds such as leg ulcers or surgical wounds. Medical tapes & bandages are used to stop hemorrhaging by apply bandages on the wound and prevent infections & other complications. These bandages and tapes aid in healing the wound faster in emergency situations. Medical tapes & bandages are elastic, adhere to the wound and prevents infection. The growth of the global medical tapes & bandages market can be attributed to rising prevalence of ulcers and increasing number of traumatic or chronic wounds such as foot ulcer, diabetic foot across the globe. Moreover, the rising healthcare awareness and increasing geriatric population are likely to add novel opportunities for the global medical tapes & bandages market over the forecast period. Make an Inquiry Prior To Purchase this research study at http://bit.ly/2JaDBPX On the basis of product, the market is segmented into medical bandages and medical tapes. By application the market is segmented into surgical wound treatment, ulcer treatment, traumatic wound treatment, sports injury treatment and others. Based on end user, the medical tapes & bandages market is classified as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, clinics and homecare settings. The report provides a detailed overview on the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global medical tapes & bandages based on product, application and end user. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall medical tapes & bandages market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East &Africa (MEA) and South & Central America. The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 13 countries globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region. The report analyzes factors affecting market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions namely; North America, Europe, APAC, MEA and South & Central America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the market in these regions.

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The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Automotive and Defense.

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Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe research report Parkinsons Disease  Market Insights, Epidemiology and Market Forecast  2025 provides an overview of Parkinsons disease (PD), epidemiology and market trend of the Parkinsons disease (PD) for the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France and United Kingdom), and Japan.

The Report covers the therapeutics market revenue, treatment practice/algorithm and forecasted market size of Parkinsons disease (PD) from 2017 to 2025 segmented by seven major markets. In addition, the report also includes the forecasted epidemiology of Parkinsons disease (PD) till 2025.The Report also covers market drivers, market barriers and unmet medical need.

Our report provides the diagnosed cases of Parkinsons disease (PD). Changes in diagnostic practice over time and increase in aging population will slowly increase the diagnosed cases of PD. According to report, the prevalent population of Parkinsons disease (PD) is expected to reach up to XXX cases by the end of 2025 at a CAGR of 4.69% from 2015-2025. High prevalent cases were observed in United States as compared to EU5 and Japan.

The market size is driven by several approved drugs that are being used for the treatment of Parkinsons disease such as Neupro (UCB Group of Companies), Xadago (Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A.) and Exelon (Novartis).

United States contributes the major share of Parkinsons disease (PD) market as compared to EU5 countries and Japan. The therapeutic market of PD in 7MM is expected to reach USD 4.91 Billion in 2025 at the CAGR of XX% from 2015-2025.

Key Coverage and Benefits:

The report will help in developing business strategies by understanding the trends shaping and driving the global Parkinsons disease (PD) market.

Organize sales and marketing efforts by identifying the best opportunities for Parkinsons disease in US, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France and United Kingdom) and Japan.

To understand the future market competition in the Parkinsons disease market and Insightful review of the key market drivers and barriers.

To understand the regulatory scenario in major markets.

The report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology of Parkinsons disease in the 7MM covering United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France and United Kingdom) and Japan from 2015-2025.

The Report also covers the detailed historical and forecasted Parkinsons disease market covering United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France and United Kingdom) and Japan from 2015-2025.

Request Sample Report at https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2387528-parkinson-s-disease-market-insights-epidemiology-and-market-forecast-2025

Table of Content

Report Introduction Parkinson Disease Market Overview at a Glance Total Market Share Distribution of Parkinson Disease for 7 MM in 2016 Total Market Share Distribution of Parkinson Disease for 7 MM in 2025 Parkinson Disease Overview Parkinsons disease (PD) Geography wise Diagnosed Cases 7MM Diagnosed PD Cases in 2016 7MM Diagnosed PD Cases in 2025 Epidemiology and Patient Population Key Points Epidemiology Forecast Overview Diagnosed Cases of Parkinson Disease in Japan Treatment Algorithm Unmet Needs Marketed Drugs Emerging Therapies Major Pipeline drugs Parkinson Disease: Country-Wise Market Analysis Total Market Size of Parkinson Disease for 7 MM (2015-2025) Overview on Total Parkinson Disease Market Geography wise (2016 & 2025) Overview on Total Parkinson Disease Market (2016 & 2025) Market Drivers Market Restraints Appendix Report Methodology

About Us:

Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.

Contact Us:

NORAH TRENT

sales@wiseguyreports.com

Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (US)

Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Jeff Greene, campaigning for U.S. Senate, in 2010 [LARA CERRI, Tampa Bay Times]

Florida's next governor won't be decided for another six months, but if there's one thing that can be predicted, it's that the next governor is likely to be a millionaire.

Four of the seven candidates running in both parties are millionaires, and the latest entry, Jeff Greene, is a billionaire.

That's not unusual for politics. Gov. Rick Scott, a former health care executive, had a 2016 net worth of $149 million. (Scott's opponent in the Senate race, Sen. Bill Nelson, was worth an estimated $3.7 million in 2015.)

The candidates will file detailed financial disclosures before the election, but in the meantime, previous records shed some light on their net worths:

Jeff Greene (D) - $3.8 billion net worth (Forbes estimate)

Greene was a successful real estate investor in Los Angeles before deciding to invest in credit-default swaps and betting the housing market would crash (like those guys in The Big Short). When the market did crash, he profited between $500 million and $800 million, turning him into a billionaire virtually overnight. He's since invested hundreds of millions on Palm Beach and West Palm Beach real estate.

Philip Levine (D) - $100 million (published reports)

Various reports put the former Miami Beach mayor's net worth at $100 million, a figure his campaign did not dispute. Levine made his fortune in the cruise ship industry, founding a company in 1990 that made TV ads, an onboard magazine and industry marketing. The company expanded to duty-free shopping, and in 2000 he sold it to LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton for what he describes as "north of $100 million."

Gwen Graham (D) - $14.9 million (2015 Center for Responsive Politics estimate)

Graham, a former congresswoman from Tallahassee, is the daughter of former governor and senator Bob Graham. And the family company, The Graham Companies, is the primary source of her wealth, records show. Her grandfather founded the company as a farm in 1932 before the company developed Miami Lakes, a master-planned community in the Miami suburbs. And the company is still active in South Florida real estate. Her stake in the company was worth somewhere between $5 million and $25 million in 2015, according to congressional disclosures.

Adam Putnam (R) - $8.7 million (2016 state disclosure)

The biggest source of wealth for Florida's Agriculture Commissioner comes from ... agriculture. Putnam's 20 percent stake in the family business, Putnam Groves, in Polk County, was worth nearly $3 million in 2016. He has another $5 million in various bank accounts and funds.

Chris King (D) - unknown (but in the millions)

King founded Elevation Financial Group in Winter Park at the start of the Great Recession. The company takes aging properties and turns them around, trying to keep housing affordable while generating millions in profit. His campaign couldn't provide his net worth on Monday (a spokesman said King's "success as a progressive entrepreneur is thanks to his belief in living his values every day"). But considering he's loaned his own campaign $825,000 already, it's likely in the millions.

Ron DeSantis (R): -$538,000 in 2016 (2016 Center for Responsive Politics estimate)

The finances for DeSantis, a former Navy Judge Advocate General who worked briefly as a prosecutor before jumping into politics, look more like that of most Americans'. The congressman had mortgages on two homes in Northeast Florida and at least $25,000 in student loan debt in 2016, which drags his net worth into the red.

Andrew Gillum (D) - unknown (but a "non-millionaire")

The Tallahassee mayor doesn't have to disclose his net worth on his county ethics form, and his campaign wasn't able to provide his net worth on Monday. But his campaign has been fond of identifying him as "the only non-millionaire Democrat" in the primary. He was elected to the Tallahassee City Commission right out of college and has been in elected office ever since.Viacoms strong-performing Nickelodeon brand is getting a new leader, since longtime executive Cyma Zarghami is resigning.

The president of the Nickelodeon Group -- a 30-year veteran of the company -- will be replaced on an interim basis by Sarah Levy, COO of Viacom Media Networks. In the coming months, the company looks to kick off its largest-ever number of TV shows, totaling more than 800 new episodes.

Zarghami joined Nickelodeon in 1985 and was named president in 2006.

Although Nickelodeon continues to have the greatest share of total viewing in kids' television, its viewership has declined, alongside other kids' networks. For the 2017-2018 TV season, the Nickelodeon network averaged around 1.31 million viewers, with Disney Channel at 736,000 viewers and Cartoon Network at 636,000 viewers.

From June 2017 to June 2018, the Nickelodeon network pulled in $371 million in national TV advertising, according to iSpot.tv. Total national kids TV advertising revenues haver remained constant at around $1 billion in recent years, according to estimates.

For months, Viacom has been in the middle of possible re-merger talks with CBS Corp. That effort has hit a roadblock, due to CBS' and controlling shareholder National Amusements' legal actions against each other.

National Amusements is also a majority shareholder of Viacom.by Tanya Gazdik , June 5, 2018

While many may dread campaign season because of the bad energy associated with negative political advertising, a new study has found that such ads actually work.

Negative advertising in politics works, but its more effective if the advertising comes directly from a candidate or candidates campaign. Thats according to A Border Strategy Analysis of Ad Source and Message Tone in Senatorial Campaigns, to be published in the June edition of Informs journal Marketing Science.

Negative advertising from political action committees (PAC) is less effective by comparison. Positive political advertising also is less effective.

The study  co-authored by Yanwen Wang of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver; Michael Lewis of Emory University in Atlanta; and David A. Schweidel of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. examined political advertising and its impact on the share of the vote in two-party races in 2010 and 2012 U.S. senatorial campaigns.

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It focused on advertising across the borders of designated marketing areas (DMA) where discontinuities may exist that lead to different levels of exposure to political advertising. DMAs are typically used by marketers to define marketing areas by town, city or major metropolitan area.

The study authors found that negative advertising is powerful in terms of influencing preferences and voter turnout, but not across the board. When the ads are from the candidates or campaigns themselves, the negative advertising was found to be more effective.

The analysis used a data set from the 2010 and 2012 senatorial elections, and it included all the within-state DMA borders for 2010 and 2012 senatorial elections, gross rating points for every ad in these DMAs, every ad sponsorship and tone, demographic information and county-level votes.

Using gross rating points (GRP) to measure effectiveness, the study found that negative political advertising has a significant effect on two-party vote shares. On the other hand, positive political advertising was found to be ineffective.

When the researchers compared campaign ads created by candidates campaigns to those created by PACs, they found that advertising sponsored by PACs is significantly less effective in terms of two-party vote shares and ineffective in terms of turnouts.

Negative advertising GRPs from candidates are approximately twice as effective as advertising GRPs sponsored by PACs.

In terms of mobilizing voters, we find that negative advertising GRPs from candidates have a significant effect on voter turnout, but negative advertising from PACs is ineffective in mobilizing turnouts, according to the study.

The credibility of the person or group behind the ad may be the determining factor on the effectiveness of the advertising, according to the authors.by Tanya Gazdik , June 5, 2018



This past weekend was the Detroit Grand Prix and the city was abuzz with talk about the big race. Chevrolet has been the sponsor for many years and this year was no different, except the automaker got some unexpected publicity.

The Corvette ZR1 pace car, driven by GM executive Mark Reuss, spun at the start of its first lap and struck a portion of the wall of the raceway. A backup pace car was at the ready, but the crash delayed the start of the race.

Reuss, who was not injured (physically anyway), leads the design, engineering, safety, quality, research and development, advanced vehicle technology and program management of General Motors. He was understandably embarrassed and apologetic and took to Facebook to try to make amends.

"I want to thank you all for your well wishes today, he wrote. I am ok. I have driven this course many many many times. I have paced this race in the wet, cold, hot, and calm. On Z06's, Grand Sports, and other things. It is never a casual thing for me, but an honor to be asked. Today I let down my friends, my family, Indycar, our city and my company. Sorry does not describe it. I want to thank our engineers for providing me the safety I know is the best in the world.

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Automakers sponsoring races and race car drivers is pretty common. Now that summer is officially here, concert sponsorships by automakers are also frequently seen. Mini USA is taking a more creative approach with a different type of music-related marketing.

Sing for Hope Pianos are coming back to the streets of New York City. From June 4-24, 51 Sing for Hope Pianos will be made available for anyone to play in parks, public spaces, and other high-traffic locations across all five boroughs.

The nonprofit is teaming with Mini USA for #DrivingHope, a partnership motivated by their shared passion for bringing creativity to communities. The automaker is the title sponsor of the Sing for Hope Pianos and has created a one-of-a-kind piano on wheels  the #MINIPiano. This 51st piano is within a specially designed and modified Mini Countryman that has been outfitted with a keyboard, sound system, and brightly colored exterior.

Summer is typically when automakers use music to attract consumers to their brands, usually by sponsoring music festivals and concert tours, notes Autotrader Executive Analyst Michelle Krebs.

Mini has opted a more grassroots approach by taking music to the streets, she tells MediaPost.

The official unveiling of all the 2018 Sing for Hope Pianos, including the #MINIPiano, took place Monday. All 50 of the Sing for Hope Pianos were played simultaneously by pianists in a mass unison performance of Bachs Minuet in G.

Mini wants to leverage its creativity to enhance city life, and we are excited to amplify the great work that Sing for Hope is doing by expanding the reach of music throughout the five boroughs via the #MINIPiano, said said Lee Nadler, regional marketing manager, for Mini USA in a release.

While all Sing for Hope Pianos are placed on the streets of NYC, the mobile #MINIPiano will broaden the reach of Sing for Hopes mission of bringing art to all by, quite literally, bringing music right to peoples doorsteps.

The Sing for Hope Pianos will be available for anyone to play at high traffic locations throughout the five boroughs. A full list of locations will be available at www.singforhope.org/pianos/ and on the Sing for Hope Pianos app.

The 51 pianos will serve 15,000 New York City students annually after the pianos are delivered to their permanent homes at Citizen Artist Schools.

In addition to the Sing for Hope Pianos app, more about the #MINIPiano can be found at MINIUSA.com/DrivingHope. The automaker created a 30-second video to promote the sponsorship, because after all, events are fleeting but video is forever.by Thom Forbes @tforbes, June 5, 2018

Microsoft is forking over $7.5 billion in its rapidly appreciating stock to acquire GitHub, which bills itself as a platform that brings together the world's largest community of developers to discover, share and build better software. It is the anti-Microsoft of yore, with its proprietary operating system and PC-based programs such as Word and Excel.

GitHub is one of the most popular services used by software developers to build projects based on open-source code. Open source was once anathema to Microsoft when its main economic interest was rooted in keeping customers tied to its own proprietary Windows software, writes Dan Gallagher for the Wall Street Journal.

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But that is a position the company can no longer afford in a world that has moved far beyond Windows PCs. Under [CEO Satya] Nadellas leadership, Microsoft has been shifting away from that proprietary approach and emphasizing its role as a provider of tools and cloud-based services for developers on all platforms  even those owned by the companys rivals.

Indeed, as Microsoft built its business on proprietary software  it came to be seen as an antagonist to the open-source philosophy of free software written by a collaborative community of developers. The company has been working for years to shed that reputation, especially after Nadella took over in 2014, writes the Associated Press Matt OBrien.

As every industry  from precision medicine to precision agriculture, from personalized education to personalized banking  is being impacted by technology, the developer community will only grow in numbers and importance. Developer workflows will drive and influence business processes and functions across the organization  from marketing, sales and service, to IT and HR, Nadella says in a blog post about the acquisition.

Under Nadella, Microsofts rivals have shifted, too, from the likes of computer manufacturers such as Apple and its competing OS, as well as the smartphone market, where it got crushed even after buying the once-dominant Nokia in 2013.

It makes perfect sense for Microsoft to buy the startup. If the stars align, and GitHub is integrated intelligently into Microsoft's products, it could give the company a big edge against Amazon Web Services, the leading player in the fast-growing cloud market, observes Matt Weinberger for Business Insider.

Amazon is the leader in the cloud market so far, but Microsoft has transformed itself in recent years to become a strong No. 2 as a supplier of cloud computing services. Its vital Office productivity applications and database software are available in cloud versions, points out Steve Lohr for the New York Times.

Microsoft also competes with Google, IBM, Salesforce and others in the cloud marketplace. All of them are trying to lure software engineers to use their cloud tools and services. The more programmers on a companys platform, the more software applications are created, attracting customers and still more developers  a flywheel of growth and profit, Lohr continues.

GitHubs executive chairman Chris Wanstrath, 33, co-founded the San Francisco-based company in 2008 along with fellow software developers Tom Preston-Werner, 38, and PJ Hyett, 35, CNBCs Tom Huddleston Jr. tells us.

In a decade, the company has grown into the worlds largest host service for software code, from more than 24 million individual users. Last year it claimed it was on track for $200 million in annual subscription revenue.

Huddleston points to a blog post yesterday in which Wanstrath, a college dropout and self-taught programmer, wrote that he could have never imagined the Microsoft acquisition when GitHub launched 10 years ago. [GitHub] was a powerful but niche tool, clouds were just things in the sky, and Microsoft was a very different company.

Will Microsoft bring changes to Github? Surely. And the first should be to Axe The Stupid Name reads the hed over Forbes contributor Andrew Caves piece.

Branding history is littered with stories of companies that unwittingly blundered into product names that become unfortunate or unmentionable when used in certain foreign territories, he writes. And nobody seems to have told GitHub exactly what its name means in Britain.  I'm not sure what the exact U.S. comparator is but try working up a company name for a respectable product using slang for contemptible dolt or jerk. Or a noun most commonly used in Britain after the words smarmy,' jammy and grumpy.

The adjective that truly fits GitHub this morning, though, is prescient.by Larissa Faw , June 5, 2018

Boulder-based agency School is rebranding as a strategic consultancy to better address the growing bridge between consultancies and agencies, also known as "Cagencies."

Founded in 2013 as a "purpose-led" shop, School will now focus more on strategy  the thinking versus the doing.

Were not rooted exclusively in business insights or creative ideas so we can nimbly operate for brand partners looking to be socially impactful," says CEO Max Lenderman.

As part of this evolution, School is adding Jim Moscou to the newly created role of chief strategy officer to support brands seeking more purpose-driven messaging. His decades of experience includes senior strategy roles at Crispin Porter + Bogusky and TDA Boulder.

After leaving TDA Boulder in 2011, he served as CEO for Sir Richards Condom Company, a social-impact enterprise that combines quirky advertising with advocacy.

In addition, Jenny Max is promoted from client strategist to strategy director, where shell be reporting to Moscou.

School, who works with brands like Hersheys, Beam Suntory, and Kimberly-Clark, has also retooled its website to reflect this fusion between consultancy and agency.by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, June 5, 2018

Facebook and Google failed to comply with a Washington law requiring companies to maintain publicly available information about political ads, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson alleges in new lawsuits against the tech companies.

Washington law requires companies selling political ads to allow members of the public to learn detailed information about the ad buys -- including names of candidates, names and addresses of purchasers and the total cost of the ad. State authorities say the law applies to online platforms like Google and Facebook.

Since 2008, Facebook collected $3.1 million from Washington politicians and campaigns and Google took in $1.5 million, according to the complaint. The lawsuits refer to an investigation by the Seattle-based newspaper The Stranger, which reported last year that both Facebook and Google refused to provide a reporter with information about political ads that ran in 2017.

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Ferguson alleges that both Facebook and Google are "commercial advertisers" -- a term defined by Washington law as companies that sell "the service of communicating messages" to the public.

Washingtons political advertising disclosure laws apply to everyone, whether you are a small-town newspaper or a large corporation, Ferguson stated. Washingtonians have a right to know whos paying for the political advertising they see.

Facebook's Rob Leathern, director of product management, says that Ferguson "has raised important questions," and that the company looks forward "to resolving this matter with his office quickly.

The social networking service recently introduced new labeling requirements for political ads. It also is maintaining a searchable archive of political ads that have appeared on the service since May 7.

Google hasn't yet responded to MediaPost's request for comment.

Ferguson's move comes as federal lawmakers are still considering new rules regarding disclosure of online political ads. Last October, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Mark Warner (D-Virginia) and John McCain (R-Arizona) introduced the Honest Ads Act, which would require some web publishers with at least 50,000,000 monthly viewers to maintain publicly available copies of political ads purchased by groups spending more than a total of $500. The bill would also require those web companies to maintain public records about the target audience, number of views, rates charged, and dates and times of publication.

The Federal Election Commission is also crafting new rules regarding online ad disclaimers. The push for new rules stems largely from revelations that Russian operatives purchased campaign ads that appeared on Facebook, Google and Twitter during the 2016 presidential election cycle.Advertisement

The Impact

Next on stage wassurgical director of Kidney transplant at the University of Rochester, whose research focused on using primary care physician offices as effective enrolment venues for organ donor registration. This was followed by an impassioned lecture bypresident and CEO of Life Center Northwest, the most successful Organ Procurement Organization in the country on the key strategies to increase organ donation and registration.The final presentation was byfounding trustee of MOHAN Foundation, who touched on the salient points about organ donation patterns in South Asia and the local topics and sensitivities that affect it.A lively debate and discussion ensued at the end of the lectures about potential strategies to increase organ donation among minorites, especially South Asians, who have a significant burden of disease, but a low organ donor registration and consent rate. Dr. Callendar's talk was very revealing as the audience learned how the rate of donations among the black population has risen over a decade due to public engagement and creating community awareness by MOTTEP at the grassroot level. Thanks to their work, the latest UNOS data shows that the rate of donation among blacks is either comparable or better than most ethnic groups in the country.It was also evident that there is very little data in the literature about organ donation and registration rates among the South Asian population. Based on the personal experiences of the experts present at the meeting, it was felt that there is a great need to engage this community in this process and reach out to them at the grassroot level to increase their participation in both organ donation and registration. There was unanimous agreement that it was vitally important to perform more research on this topic and Dr. Callendar and Melancon offered help with their expertise to MOHAN USA to get in step with the logistics of research.1. Mohan Foundation (http://www.mohanfoundation.org)Source: MedindiaThe first Heart Rhythm Week pioneered by the Arrhythmia Alliance UK was celebrated in 2004. The organization has been actively striving through its campaigns to promote early diagnosis and treatment as well as improve quality of life of persons affected by arrhythmias.Since 2004, this event is synonymous with several activities undertaken by the Alliance and its partners across the globe. Whether it is an arrhythmia information bus in India or pulse checks in Perth, Australia, Heart Rhythm Week urges everyone to come together with the common mission of increasing awareness about arrhythmias

Sudden cardiac death can occur in arrhythmias and often the only symptom may be a history of fainting episodes

World Heart Rhythm Week 2018 - Take Fainting to Heart

Aims of the World Rhythm Week

Early diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias in undiagnosed persons by increasing awareness of symptoms and signs such as fainting

Prevention of complications such as stroke due to arrhythmias

Providing funds to assist poor arrhythmia patients and promote research

Placement of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) that can be used by trained non-medical personnel such as police, flight attendants, security guards, and lay public to respond to emergency situations to save the life of patients in public places such as offices, airports, schools, gym and shopping centers.

What We Can Do to Create Arrhythmia Awareness

As members of public or health professionals we can contribute our bit in making the World Rhythm Week a success and make a difference. Some of the ways we can help are

Donating to the organization to help fund their campaigns as well as philanthropic activities and for arrhythmia research

Download campaign materials such as posters, messages from the website (http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/uk/get-involved) and post and share these widely on social media such as Facebook and Twitter

Share inspiring stories of persons who have overcome their disability to carve success stories for themselves

Organize fundraising events in the community such as walks, sporting events or sale of themed cups or bracelets and donating the proceeds to charity

Distribute leaflets about arrhythmias to public at prominent locations such as markets, parks or bus and train stations to create and spread awareness

Air educational programs and talks by popular doctors on mass media such as radio and television about recognition of symptoms and importance of early diagnosis

Feature write-ups about arrhythmias in print media such as newspapers and popular magazines

Get prominent sports or film personalities to speak about arrhythmias on visual media for greater impact and reach among the public

Doctors and clinics can offer free heart check-ups during this week

Local administration should be urged to get involved in creating awareness and enable access to affordable healthcare for all

Other Successful Campaigns Organized by Arrhythmia Alliance

Defibs Saves Lives - installation of AEDs in prominent locations for use in emergency situations

Know Your Pulse - Training every person to feel their pulse and recognize any abnormality

Whole Hearted - Improving treatment facilities and quality of life of arrhythmia patients

Don't Fail on Heart Failure - Improving care of heart failure patients

Celebrating a Year Without Stroke - Educating arrhythmia patients about stroke risk and its prevention

Anticoagulation Self-Monitoring Alliance (ACSMA) - Educating patients on anticoagulants such as warfarin

Take Fainting to Heart (2018) - Raising awareness about not to ignore fainting episodes

Overview of Arrhythmias

Tiredness

Fainting attacks

Dizziness

Palpitations

iMissed or skipped beats They can be usually diagnosed by an ECG (electrocardiogram) which records the electrical activity of the heart. Treatment varies according to the severity and type of arrhythmia.



References :

Whole Hearted (http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/uk/whole-hearted) What is Heart Rhythm Week? (http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/aa/uk/history-of-heart-rhythm-we)

Source: Medindia In arrhythmias, the SA node which is the main pacemaker of the heart fails and other parts of the conduction system begin to generate their own disorderly and ineffective impulses leading to various symptoms such asThey can be usually diagnosed by an ECG (electrocardiogram) which records the electrical activity of the heart. Treatment varies according to the severity and type of arrhythmia.Source: Medindia

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Although arrhythmias are fairly common, general awareness remains painfully low. Each year the Arrhythmia Alliance chooses a unique theme to mark the event and uses it in its campaign to effectively create awareness and spread the message about arrhythmias widely. The annual event hopes to achieve the followingA few ongoingincludeCampaigns such as these have succeeded in improving arrhythmia awareness in several communities in the UK as well as globally through these unique themes that capture one's imagination.Arrhythmias represent rhythm disturbances due to disorders of the conducting system of heart which causes the heart to beat and pulse to be generated. They may be harmless but can occasionally be life threatening.A Walmart Neighborhood Market

Florida's check-cashing industry has been notorious for allowing criminals to commit money laundering, workers-compensation fraud and tax refund schemes.

So when state lawmakers in 2013 passed a law requiring licensed check-cashers to report, in real time, the people and checks passing through their doors, law enforcement called it a big step in the right direction. Florida is believed to be the only state with a database like it.

But the nation's largest retailer is displeased.

For the last year, Walmart has been pushing to be able to cash bigger checks without participating in the database, arguing that its own anti-fraud programs are a "highly effective" substitute.

The company asked for a temporary waiver last year so it could cash bigger FEMA assistance checks in the wake of Hurricane Irma. And in this year's legislative session, it pushed for a bill that would have effectively gutted the state's database, rendering it nearly useless.

Walmart believes that Florida's unique restrictions are too onerous, and it wants to change them so it can serve more customers.

"For us, this issue is not about fraud, its about serving our customers needs," Walmart spokeswoman Monesia Brown said in a statement. "We think the current limit in Florida is outdated and our customers agree."

The issue received little attention during session. Walmart's bill quickly died after the state's Office of Financial Regulation, which manages the database, came out strongly against it.

But it received attention last week, after Politico reported that Walmart went above OFR's head in the middle of the Legislative session, appealing to state CFO Jimmy Patronis on the bill. Last week, the head of OFR announced he was resigning, under pressure from Patronis.

State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, who sponsored the bill, said that with the current head of OFR leaving, Walmart could be effective avoiding the state regulators.

"I think the new head of OFR, having a different perspective, could pave a new path forward," Brandes said.

The state's financial regulators had serious concerns about this year's bill, however.

Businesses that specialize in cashing checks have to be licensed by the state, record the IDs and thumbprints of customers cashing checks larger than $1,000, and send the information into the database.

But large companies that don't specialize in check-cashing, like Walmart, are allowed to cash checks of up to $2,000 per person per day without recording any information about the customer. Information about the checks and who cashes them also does not go into the state's database.

It's a loophole that Walmart wants to expand, so that it can cash up to $7,500 in checks per person per day without the state's safeguards.

State regulators fear that would be disastrous. Since 94 percent of all checks in the state's database are less than $7,500, the vast majority of criminals could simply go to to Walmart to cash their checks without scrutiny.

"The amount of data and the usefulness of the CCDB [check-cashing database] would be substantially reduced, and its fraud-detection abilities would be virtually eliminated," one OFR document states. "The potential impacts of Senate Bill 1126 are cause for great concern."

For decades, law enforcement and businesspeople fought to get the state to crack down on the industry. Two statewide grand juries and a state task force all recommended greater scrutiny of check-cashing stores, which they called in 2008 a "shadow banking industry" responsible for laundering hundreds of millions of dollars each year in the state.

The new database, rolled out in 2015, allows state regulators to see in real time who is cashing checks and where. Before, regulators had to rely on the store's own electronic logs, and they weren't able to track criminals who jumped from store to store to pass fraudulent checks.

The database is used by the IRS' Miami and Tampa offices and by police around the state, and officials chalk up some arrests to the new system.

But Walmart believes its own security justifies increasing the limit to $7,500.

"While we understand the intent of the states limit - the risk of fraudulent checks - we believe our advanced in-store technologies, expert investigators and asset protection associates are highly effective in deterring, identifying and researching fraudulent activity," Brown, the company spokeswoman said.

The company's lobbyist, Jeff Johnston, said that Walmart wants to serve a population that doesn't have bank accounts, and that it did not want to hamper the state's anti-fraud efforts.

"We never had any intentions to hurt the database, blow up the database," Johnston said. "From what weve been told, its doing very, very good things."

He said the Walmart is not opposed to sharing some data with state regulators, but it has no interest in becoming a licensed check-casher.

"There are no other states that have a database or would require us to do what Florida has asked," Johnston said. "Were not designed that way."

For Brandes and the House sponsor of the bill, Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, the issue is whether the restrictions hamper businesses from operating in the state.

"We dont want to do something that isnt in the best interests of Floridas business climate," McClure said.Apple just got done with the company's annual WWDC keynote last and the company announced some major updates that are going to be coming to iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches and more. The software changes unveiled today will define the iPhone experience in 2017. The refreshed iOS 12 is more like a bump up rather than a radical change where Apple has fine-tuned past problems and increased efficiency of the company's devices.

Watch Your Usage

(c) Apple

Apple will now try to let their users know how long they have been using their device in order to strike a healthy balance. On iOS 12, the new Screen Time feature will tell users in detail how much time you're spending and on what apps. You will also be able to set time limits for each app and iOS will automatically tell you how much time you have left.

Grouped Notifications, Finally!

iOS 12 will not be able to stack notifications from the same app at once. This new feature will uncluttered your screen and also give users more control which apps are allowed to send notifications. You can also mute certain apps where notifications will only show up in the notification center but not on the local screen.

Group FaceTime

(c) Apple

Facetime will now be able to support group video calling and will be able to support 32 callers at once. The new feature will be available on iPS and macOS. It works very similar to Google Hangouts where the window will get larger for the user who is currently speaking. In addition, users will also be able to use Animoji and Memoji characters during calls.

Memoji

(c) Apple

Users will now be able to create personalised avatars on iOS 12 and have customised appearances. Users will be able to pick the hairstyle, outfits and accessories to create your own animated look.

Better Siri Integration

(c) Apple

Siri has now been opened up to even more third-party apps which will support Siri Shortcuts. This will enable apps to carry out quicker popular task without ever having touch your phone.

Walkie Talkie

(c) Apple

Apple Watch users now have something to be excited about as watchOS 5 is bringing a new Walkie Talkie mode. Instead of sending text messages or making calls from your Apple Watch, users will now be able to send short bursts of voice notes which function as a form of a traditional walkie-talkie.Companies are always trying to innovate when it comes to laptops. Apple introduced a Touch Bar with the MacBook Pro, Razer incorporated their smartphone with a concept laptop and Asus just installed a touch screen where the trackpad should be.

 ASUS

The newly announced Asus ZenBook Pro 15 has a touchscreen which they call Screenpad. It has a 5.5-inch 1080p IPS display where most laptop users are accustomed to using a trackpad. Basically, the touch screen will double app as a trackpad as well which can because of many errors and false taps if not done right. The touchscreen can be programmed to have custom shortcuts, similar to what you see on Apple's Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro. Asus says that will have a customisable toolbar and will work with Microsoft Office, Spotify, YouTube and the calculator application.

 ASUS

In a promotional video, one can see the Screenpad can be used as a controller for YouTube and music application such as Spotify. In addition, the main display is a 15.6-inch 4K touchscreen and has a footprint identical to the MacBook Pro.

The laptop also has the 8th Generation 8950HK CPU, a Nvidia 1050 TI GPU, 16GB of RAM and 4 1TB SSDs. With a configuration like that, you can expect the laptop to cost a lost and rightly so, it costs $2300. The ZenBook Pro 15 is expected to go on sale in mid-July and a cheaper 14-inch version will also be sold later this year. The Laptop is expected to give 15 hours of battery life and will come in the Deep Dive Blue colour.

 ASUS

Whether you like the Screenpad or not, it sure sounds like an expensive proposition which doesn't sound natural to laptop users. Having said that, the new touchscreen trackpad sounds exciting for the Windows laptop platform. However, we can only tell you how practical it is once we get to test it thoroughly. Here's the spec sheet in case you are interested in the laptop which includes all the details about the new ZENBOOK PRO 15.

ASUS ZENBOOK PRO 15 (UX580) SPECS

CPU: Intel Core i9-8950HK or Core i7-8750H or Core i5-8300H

Display: 15.6-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) LCD or 1080p LCD; optional touchscreen

Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB

Dimensions: 365mm x 251mm x 18.9mm

Weight: 1.88kg

Memory: Up to 16GB

Storage: 1TB or 512GB PCIe SSD, 512GB or 256GB SATA SSD

Wireless: 802.11ac Gigabit Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5

Ports: 2x USB Type-A, 2x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C with Thunderbolt 3, 1x HDMI 1.4, MicroSD card reader

Audio: Harman Kardon-certified Asus SonicMaster Premium audio system

Battery: 71Wh, rated for 10 hoursIts a question Jordan gets over and over again. Does it just baffle you that Im running for office? she said. The world is asking.

To this Idaho native, connecting with voters isnt about party or gender. Its about understanding the rural way of life. She talked about her grandfathers pride in ranching 1.5 million acres across eastern Washington and teaching others how to ranch, effectively teaching people how to be independent and provide for their families. Idahoans are deeply rooted in this culture, she said, and she wants to preserve it.



Its more than just the process of ranching and being part of the ag community. Its what it means to be a rancher or an agriculturalist, Jordan said. Its sustainability. Its defending your family and your way of life. When I talk about protecting my future generations, that resonates. When I talk about protecting the land, that resonates.

Jordan grew up on her familys timber and farmland in northern Idaho, where she now lives with her two sons. After graduating from the University of Washington, she came home and ran for a seat on the Coeur dAlene Tribal Council in 2008. She won, becoming its youngest member, and went on to run for the Idaho Legislature in 2012. She lost that year, but ran again and won in 2014 and 2016. In the last election, she was the only Democrat in conservative north Idaho to win in a district that President Donald Trump won.



She announced her run for governor in December, vowing to tackle the states broken tax system and education system that she says doesnt support teachers. Between the historic nature of her run and being a progressive in a GOP state, it wasnt long before Jordan was in the national spotlight. Shes been endorsed by Planned Parenthood, Democracy for America, People for the American Way, Our Revolution and Indivisible. Locally, she has support from unions, community leaders and Add The Words, an Idaho LGBTQ group.



Cher  yes, Cher  is also a fan. The two crossed paths in January at the Womens March in Washington, D.C., and then met again at a Womens March rally in Las Vegas. They chatted backstage about Jordans run and Cher was won over. Soon after, she tweeted to her 3.6 million Twitter followers that she was endorsing Jordans campaign.



I did not expect the tweet, Jordan said with a laugh. I did not ask for anything.



Local news stations went bananas, Jordan said, and some Idahoans were not sure what to make of it. Some were mad that Cher would try to influence a state race and vowed not to support Jordan because of it. Others, particularly younger people, thought it was amazing and pledged to support Jordan because of it. Jordan said shes not sure if it hurt or helped her campaign overall, but shes honored that Cher would try to help her out.

ESSEX  Author Thomas Halaczinsky will share his adventures in a talk, followed by an evening cruise aboard Onrust, Thursday, June 14.

Halaczinskys new book Archipelago New York, documents the photos and thoughts that he captured on a 3,000 nautical mile sailing expedition into the island world of New York. With a collection of historical books and maps, a camera and an open mind, the German-born photographer, writer, and filmmaker departed from Brooklyn toward Long Island Sound and beyond. He followed Adriaen Block, a fellow European 400 years his senior, who discovered the island world that stretches from Manhattan to Fishers Island on the Onrust, a wooden boat 14 and a half feet longer than Thomas fiberglass sloop Sojourn, built in 1980.

Intrigued by mysterious names like Money Island, Pot Island and Rats Island, the artist delved into a search for a sense of place. From this journey, Halaczinsky brings back stunning photography, historical facts and thrilling stories of explorers, pirates, and an African prince who tragically ended up as a slave on Fishers Island - twice. Following the lecture, Halaczinsky will join the audience for a sunset sail on the Onrust. Weather permitting, the artist will sail to Connecticut River Museum on his boat, the Sojourn, and arrive on its dock on the afternoon before the lecture.

In 1614, the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block and his crew investigated coastal New York, Long Island, Connecticut, and Rhode Island in pursuit of developing trade partnerships with Native Americans. Block became the first known European to travel up the Connecticut River to just north of Hartford (a distance of approximately 60 miles from Long Island Sound). The re-created Onrust was launched in 2009 by The Onrust Project, an all-volunteer non-profit out of New York, built the vessel after painstakingly researching traditional Dutch shipbuilding techniques. The Museum and the Project have again partnered to bring the vessel to Connecticut.

The Onrust will be a floating exhibit at the Museum through early October. She will be open for dockside tours, school and Scout programs, along with public cruises and charters. Public cruises run June - October, Thursdays - Mondays at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. (sunset) on Friday and Saturday. .

The Connecticut River Museum is located on the Essex waterfront at 67 Main Street in Essex and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum, located in the historic Steamboat Dock building, offers exhibits and programs about the history and environment of the Connecticut River. For a full listing of Museum programs, visit www.ctrivermuseum.org or call 860-767-8269.

To register for the Thomas Halaczinsky program, call the Connecticut River Museum at 860-767-8269, ext.110. Space is limited. The lecture is free; tickets for the cruise are $38.OLD LYMED  Gilbert Boro, owner and curator of the Sculpture Grounds in Old Lyme, presents Summer Sculpture Showcase 2018: An Exhibit of Unique Landscape Sculptures. Featuring 20 works by both established, nationally renowned sculptors, as well as fresh new faces, the summer-long show opened June 4. A meet-the-artist opening reception will be held on Saturday, June 9 from 5-7 p.m. The reception will feature a live jazz band, a performance by David Dorfman Dance, and is open to the public.

Competition to exhibit was keen, with 120 submissions from around the country, according to event organizers. Entries were evaluated for concept, execution, creative process, artistry, and how it would fit in the landscape. Boro, a nationally acclaimed sculptor in his own right, hosts this annual show to provide a venue for both young and mid-career sculptors to showcase their work to a diverse audience.

Boro also holds a firm conviction that art and viewer should be interactive, the release states. Sculpture Grounds are an environment where viewers are not only permitted - but are encouraged - to touch sculptures

I really think that three-dimensional art should be handled, touched, pushed, and experienced in three dimensions, Boro said in a statement. It's the only way you can understand it."

The exhibitors accepted for the Summer Showcase embrace this concept. New York sculptor Sarah Haviland, who received a Fulbright Award to study in Taiwan this fall, had two pieces selected: Lustration, a contemplative female figure of aqua resin and mirrors, and Seraphim Mirror, a butterfly-shaped wall hanging created with galvanized mesh, resin, and a mirror. Havilands abstract work explores female identity and is exhibited both nationally and internationally.

Miguel Castillo Hernao, a native of Colombia, evolved to sculpting after university studies in literature and philosophy. Hernao explores geometry, color and repetitive forms in his works composed of stone, wood, metal and plexiglass. His seven-foot tall entry, Composition #28, is formed of painted riveted aluminum.

Chicago artist Ruth Aizuss Migdals bold and striking Radiate, standing more than eight feet tall, also plays with female forms and is composed of patinated bronze gilded with gold leaf.

Connecticut-based artists include Deborah Hornbake, whose Running Man is a fusion of wood, pipe, copper tubing, wire and stones; Eric Camiel, who has works in thepermanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and The Library of Congress, and whose film work has received numerous Emmy and Academy Award nominations, will have his aluminum sculpture, Sail Dream, on display; and Denis Folzs monumental 11-foot steel sculpture, Feathered Resting Spot.

Boro is committed to supporting and exhibiting promising new artists. This year he presents Shelli Weiler as the featured indoor artist, with her photography exhibit, Intimate Exchange. Weiler, a native of Scarsdale, NY, is studying photography.

Christina Goldberg is studying at Wesleyan University in Middletown. Her photography explores the deep hidden character of people through ground breaking and provocative poses and settings. Boro is presenting her work in the small, freestanding ESB Gallery, created in honor of his late wife, Emily.

Situated halfway between Boston and New York, Summer Sculpture Showcase 2018 is set on Boros four-and-a-half acre estate in the heart of Old Lymes historic village. In addition to special exhibits, the permanent display consists of approximately 100 works strategically placed around the park-like grounds. Now in its 14th year, the Sculpture Grounds host more than 5,000 visitors a year. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic to the cafe. The grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, year-round. Admission is free, and touching the sculptures is encouraged. For more information visit www.sculpturegrounds.com.Middletown police report the following arrests:

FORGERY: Alando Morant, 64, of Oakland Terrace, Hartford, was charged with fourth-degree larceny and third-degree forgery June 4 on a warrant. He is being held in lieu of a $15,000 bond and was due in court the same day.

ASSAULT: Curtis Meyers, 31, of Olympus Parkway was charged with assault of a public safety officer June 1. Hes being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond and due back in court June 18.

LARCENY: Freddie Cruz Jr., 36, was charged with third-degree larceny June 1 after police were notified of the theft of a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta. Authorities said the car was stolen from Cromwell May 31. When officers arrived, Cruz was asleep in the drivers seat, the report said. Cruz was a suspect in the vehicles theft, police said, after he allegedly took the keys to the victims car and took it from the parking lot of a Cromwell hotel. He is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond and was issued a June 8 court date.

BREACH OF PEACE: Robert C. Watson, 64, of no certain address, was charged June 1 with breach of peace after police said they found him urinating on Main Street. Watson, who was extremely intoxicated, yelled, screamed and swore at officers, which drew a crowd, including those eating outside at a nearby restaurant, according to the report. He was held in lieu of a $5,000 bond and given a June 15 return date. Police say he has a record of 30 arrests with convictions for third-degree assault, and 10 for breach of peace and disorderly conduct, numerous failures to appear, interfering, criminal mischief and carrying a dangerous weapon.

ASSAULT: Jessica Safford, 40, of Burgundy Hill Lane was charged with two counts disorderly conduct and third-degree assault June 2 after police got a call about a group of people fighting in an apartment complex. The report said Safford punched a victim in the head, pulled him onto the ground, bashed his face into the wood porch, and yelled Ill kill you to the victim. Authorities said his eye was injured and his gauge earrings were ripped out. When police asked what had happened, the victim allegedly told them his contact lens was bothering him. Stafford claimed the victim fell down the stairs, the report said. Later on, police said, Stafford attacked second victim. She was issued a no-contact order, and released on a summons to return to court June 4.

DISORDERLY: Allen L. Freeman, 30, of East Main Street was charged with disorderly conduct and violation of a protective order June 2. En route to the call, police said they were told Freeman had been pepper sprayed by the victim in self-defense and took off. Officers said he turned himself in a headquarters. He was released on a $50,000 bond and was due in court June 4.

DISORDERLY: Henry P. Card, 32, of Highmeadow Lane, was charged with disorderly conduct June 2. Police said witnesses told them Card had left his home because people were teasing him about his sobriety. He was released on a $1,000 bond and issued a June 4 return date.

THREATENING: Adam D. Marrero, 29, of Portland Street was charged with second-degree breach of peace and second-degree threatening June 2 at the Corner Pocket Bar and Grill on Ferry Street. Police said he was highly intoxicated and caused a disturbance, tried to jump over the bar counter, grabbed a brick and threatened a fight. He is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond and was due in court June 4.EAST HAMPTON  The general government budget was sent to referendum without a vote.

During a sparsely attended town meeting Monday, the issue was scheduled for a day-long June 12 referendum without the usual vote to do so. That led people on both sides of the divide  members of the town council/town government and residents opposed to the budget  each to claim the other side was seeking to block their right to vote.

The $15.1 million budget, the towns share of the two-part budget (the other being education), was defeated at the initial budget referendum May 15 by a three-vote margin.

The $30.5 million education portion of the budget, subject of much often passionate debate, passed overwhelmingly. A number of pro-education supporters said they had voted to reject the town budget to protest the reduction made in the proposed school budget increase.

The Board of Education had presented a proposed education budget that called for a 3.73 percent increase over the current years spending. However, the Republican majority on the Board of Finance cut that back to 1.5 percent  a reduction of $670,000 in the proposed increase.

That ignited the passions of any number of education supporters who demanded the money be restored. The issue was further complicated when the General Assembly voted a week before the initial referendum to restore $700,000 in Education Cost Sharing funds to the town.

Pro-education supporters insisted the Town Council and Board of Finance pledge to allocate that money to the education budget. However, following a mandated recount required by the closeness of the vote, the council voted to allocate a majority of a nearly $700,000 state grant to reduce the tax rate for the coming year.

Nearly two dozen people attended Monday nights town meeting.

Amid a swirl of rumors that they might try to vote down the revised budget, Town Manager Michael Maniscalco sought an attorneys opinion whether a vote was required to send the budget to referendum.

A response from Attorney Richard D. Carella was emailed to Maniscalco at 3:30 p.m. Monday, 21/2 hours before the meeting was to convene in the meeting room at Town Hall.

The short answer is that there is no vote necessary to adjourn the meeting to a referendum because the moderator is required to adjourn the meeting per town charter. The town charter [Section 4.1] requires the budget meeting to be adjourned (that is, without any vote occurring) directly to the referendum, Carella wrote.

State statute requires a moderator be chosen to preside at the town meeting, he added.

Thus, at the town budget meeting, a moderator must be chosen, the call of the meeting read, and the moderator shall then adjourn the meeting to the referendum at the time and date announced, without a vote, Carella concluded.

That decision did not sit well with Kyle Dostaler, chairman of The Chatham Party.

Its outrageous what was done, he said in a telephone conversation Tuesday. They removed our right to vote on a town meeting based on an email received by the town manager.

This is New England. There is a New England tradition of a town meeting. This is Connecticut, the Constitution State, and yet the council is saying there is no way you have a right to vote. Ive lived here for 20 years and I have been quite active in local politics, and I have never run into a situation where an opinion from a town attorney says that a vote doesnt matter.

You cant make this stuff up, Dostaler said.

As a result, he warned, the budget is going to fail.

He said both what he considers the unfairness of the situation and the fact that council allotted nearly $600,000 to pay down the tax increase has resulted in a bad budget.

I am voting no because I think you cant have a town government eroding our voting rights, he added.

But Maniscalco said Dostaler has the issue backward. Allowing fewer than two dozen residents to vote down the budget Monday would have prevented 13,000 East Hampton residents from having their say on the issue, Maniscalco said.

By sending the question to referendum, We were protecting their right and giving them the opportunity to vote. Thats America. Thats called democracy, Maniscalco said.

Reporter Jeff Mill covers East Hampton, Cromwell and Portland for the Middletown Press. Contact him at jeff.mill@hearstmediact.com.To the Editor:

A bipartisan group of seven senators recently introduced the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2018, a piece of legislation to phase down hydrofluorocarbons, which replaced chlorofluorocarbons, commonly used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industries.

That happened after it was discovered CFCs deplete the ozone layer. However, HFCs have proven to have unintended consequences, including a high potential for global warming and continued depletion of the ozone layer.

The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act is in line with global efforts to reduce use of HFCs with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The United States signed this agreement in 2016 and it has been supported by the Trump administration. Additionally, the refrigerant industry broadly supports reduction of HFC use because there are alternatives available that have lower global warming potentials. Research is also being done to find further alternatives that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Sen. Blumenthal should take action on climate change by co-sponsoring this act. The phase down of HFCs is an important step in preventing global warming since their global warming potential ranges from 140 to 11,700 times that of carbon dioxide. Addressing climate change seems like a daunting task, but actions such as the reduction of HFCs are steps that can make a significant impact, especially since this legislation is support by various stakeholders.

If you think Sen. Blumenthal should co-sponsor this act, call his office at 202-224-2823 and tell him.

Kate Sundberg, Middletown, Wesleyan University Class of 2020, environmental studies and chemistry major, Friends Committee on National Legislation Advocacy Corps organizerPentagon Official Says He Resigned Because US Cybersecurity Is No Match for China

Nicolas Chaillan cited the Pentagon's reluctance to make cybersecurity and AI a priority as a reason he quit.The Air Force has nearly doubled the number of promotions given to staff and technical sergeants this year through the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program and, through new revisions, will provide additional promotion opportunities for enlisted airmen, the service said in a release last week.

Through STEP, a program designed to promote promising enlisted airmen early, officials in fiscal 2018 have increased the number of promotions available from 96 to 180, the service said.

"Increasing STEP allocations is another way we're empowering commanders at every level to identify and reward their top performers," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein.

The service will shift the STEP process to begin "no earlier than September, allowing in-cycle promotions to be announced prior to STEP nomination deadlines," the release said.

The Air Force will also streamline the process by reducing administrative requirements. For example, central and combatant command STEP boards have been aligned to more closely match the common Enlisted Force Development Process.

The board process now requires "up to the last three enlisted evaluations in the nominee's current grade," it said. Using an airman's 1206 nomination form, boards will consider up to five bullets detailing recent accomplishments that occurred since the close-out of the member's most recent enlisted performance report.

"This reduces the administrative requirements placed on units from previous requirements by up to 25 bullets per package," the release said.

"Not only does this help support our senior leaders' focus on revitalizing squadrons. but it also helps to save airmen's time," said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright in a statement. "We're allowing commanders more opportunities to recognize those airmen who have demonstrated sustained performance at the next level."

The increase provides all major commands and the Central Base Board with at least two STEP promotion opportunities for airmen.

Airmen must complete the appropriate level of enlisted professional military education to be eligible, the release said.

"An individual may not receive more than one promotion under any combination of promotion programs within a 12-month period," it said. "STEP promotion opportunities are limited; therefore, commanders are encouraged to recognize and promote their exemplary performers who meet minimum promotion eligibility criteria."

The Air Force Personnel Center will debut further guidance for the fiscal 2018 STEP process, including quotas for all major commands, combatant commands and units meeting the central board via the MyPers website.

The STEP program was established in 1980 to allow commanders to consider early promotions for deserving airmen. Under STEP, commanders of major commands, field operating agencies and senior officers in organizations with large enlisted populations have the opportunity to promote a limited number of airmen "who show exceptional potential" to the grades of E-5 and E-6, the release said.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.The U.S. command overseeing operations in Iraq and Syria on Tuesday chastised Amnesty International's handling of its recent report that claimed the U.S.-led assault on Raqqa in 2017 was responsible for hundreds of civilian deaths.

The international human rights group published its findings in a report titled "War of Annihilation," after its researchers spent about two weeks in the devastated city, interviewing more than 100 residents, according to a report by The Associated Press.

Col. Thomas Veale, a spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday that he had several objections to the report.

He noted that the report "underscores the human tragedy of this war," but pointed out that "Amnesty's visit to Raqqa for eleven days in February was made possible by ISIS defeat there last year."

He also criticized the organization for not including CJTF-OIR in the process. "They never asked us for a comment, an interview or a courtesy check of the draft," Veale said.

The command's "biggest objection" to the Amnesty report is an argument on page 14 that the coalition "violated international law," he said. "In other words, they are literally judging us guilty until proven innocent. That's a bold rhetorical move by an organization that fails to check the public record or consult the accused."

Veale said one example of Amnesty failing to check the public record is shown by its recommendation that the coalition's process should "provide for a cancellation of a strike if it is deemed indiscriminate or disproportionate."

He then cited a Nov. 7 briefing that "provided a specific example of a canceled strike for those reasons."

U.S. and coalition forces "adhere to a meticulous targeting strike process that always aims to minimize harm to noncombatants and civilian infrastructure," Veale said.

The command also publishes "weekly strike reports and monthly civilian casualty statements on our website."

"I will reiterate our willingness to work with anyone who has an allegation of civilian casualties," he said. "We have consistently demonstrated our willingness to consider new and compelling evidence, and we have in fact opened old cases, changing some from non-credible to credible based on more compelling evidence."

Veale was asked Tuesday how the command can be sure how many civilians were killed as the result of U.S. and coalition airstrikes.

"I am just being honest. No one will ever know," he said. "Anyone who claims they will know is lying.

"When we do our civilian casualty estimates, we are saying with a degree of certainty, 'We have killed at least X number of people,' and that is extremely unfortunate. It is a terrible, awful part of this war, and we are trying to move out of it the evidence we have ... but I don't think we will ever know those numbers," Veale said.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.A specially designed Marine Corps task force for Latin America made history this month, deploying with a deputy commander from the Colombian Navy.

Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force South, created in 2015 to develop partner relationships and conduct hurricane and disaster relief efforts in Central America and the Caribbean, arrived in the region June 1 with Lt. Col. Erick H. del Rio on deck as deputy commander, according to a news release from the task force.

The deployment, and the installment of del Rio in a leadership position, marks a major shift for the unit as it positions itself as a multinational force, task force spokesman Capt. Jose Negrete told Military.com. In coming deployments, he said, the unit hopes to add leaders from other regional militaries to the task force's command structure and to incorporate elements of partner services within the 300-person unit.

"The commander at [Marine Forces Southern Command, Maj. Gen. David Bellon] came up with a vision where we recognize our partners ... we're giving them the place that they already had, and we're just recognizing it," Negrete said. "We're not looking to own this maritime multinational task force."

The creation of the task force, which deploys annually with the start of the hurricane season, marks a major outreach effort to a part of the world historically overlooked by the U.S. military, save for the Coast Guard. Negrete said this year's deployment would include return visits to Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador, and -- in another first for the unit -- partner training and work in Colombia.

While he won't be giving orders to Marines, del Rio will help provide regional insights and craft doctrine, Negrete said.

"In terms of the deputy commander, even though he's not making the command decisions at the end of the day, he provides a different perspective, a regional perspective, as to how to approach things," he said. "We're learning from each other, working shoulder-to-shoulder."

Negrete emphasized that the intent of the task force is to allow different nations in the region to set their own agenda -- to let them communicate to the task force their individual interests and needs, and develop a plan of action in collaboration with the Marines.

"Whatever the mission is for that task force, the decisions are going to be made collectively," he said. "The Marine Corps is not going to dictate what happens with this task force. The thought process is to have a regional solution to address regional problems."

That collaborative effort can also be seen with Unitas, a major annual maritime exercise in the region. For 2018, a year in which a tabletop exercise is planned, Brazil will take the lead, creating a humanitarian assistance and disaster response scenario, Negrete said.

Planners hope partner nations will continue to take leadership roles in the exercise next year, when live training is planned.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.WASHINGTON -- Immigration authorities began deportation proceedings Monday against a foreign-born military recruit despite a statement by the defense secretary and a new law aimed at protecting foreign recruits and veterans.

Luo Shu, a Chinese citizen who graduated with a degree in data analytics from George Washington University, was recruited into the Army's delayed entry program two years ago for his language and professional skills. He was arrested at the Department of Homeland Security Investigations office in Newark, N.J., on Monday after an Army administrative error allowed his service contract to expire before he could pass the Defense Department background checks and ship off to basic training, his lawyer said.

"This is an Army screw-up resulting in him facing deportation," said Margaret Stock, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who is now an immigration lawyer and is handling Luo's case.

The case is the first to test the Pentagon's policy toward active-duty foreign-born recruits who, despite being promised a fast track to citizenship in exchange for signing up, were left exposed to deportation. While their military progression was stalled by administrative delays, their visas expired.

Luo is among thousands of recruits in Military Accessions Vital to National Interest program who got caught in this administrative quagmire after the Defense Department instituted enhanced background checks for foreign-born recruits in 2016.

The sheer number of extensive screenings created a years-long backlog that left recruits like Luo in limbo after they signed contracts with the military but had not shipped out to basic training. Other MAVNI soldiers, who were further along in their military progression when the rules changed, were stuck at basic or initial job training.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis promised that service members who came to the United States illegally as children would not face deportation. Mattis also told reporters that he spoke directly with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who assured him that immigrants serving in the military as well as all honorably discharged veterans with no criminal actions against them are still protected.

But he did not clarify whether recruits whose contract expires before they can actively serve should be protected.

Hoping to protect those recruits, Congress amended the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act late last year to allow the defense secretary to extend the military contract of a servicemember recruited before October 2017 for 365 days. Before that, the defense secretary could not extend a service member's contract for more than 730 days -- two years.

Luo should be covered by that law, Stock said.

"It's unjust to be moving to deport him when Congress passed a law last year that should have resulted in the Army extending his contract," she said. Stock was one of the creators of the MAVNI program and ran it for several years.

Late last year, ahead of the NDAA amendment, the Army submitted a list of more than 1,000 names of MAVNI recruits to the Board for the Correction of Military Records to extend their contracts. The board approved the list, but Luo's name was erroneously left off, Stock said.

Luo's Army contract expired in January, two years after he signed up. He has been frantically seeking to get it extended or renewed since then, Stock said. He asked the Army to add his name to the list, but officials said they could not amend the list. The Army told him he must apply to the corrections board on his own, which he did. But as an individual, a petition to the corrections board can take years.

He also submitted a request to the Secretary of Defense to extend his contract. He was informed that, too, could take up to a year, Stock said.

With those processes pending, Luo was summoned to the Homeland Security Investigations office in Newark on Monday for an "interview." Leaving his wife, a Chinese citizen who is on a legal student visa in the United States, and their American child at home, he went with his lawyer to the Homeland Security Investigations office, where he was formally arrested and fingerprinted.

"You failed to maintain your status, to wit: you were granted deferred action by the U.S Citizen and Immigration Services effective May 24, 2017," said the charge sheet issue by DHS. "That action expired on January 28, 2018. You remained in the United States beyond January 28, 2018, without authorization from the Department of Homeland Security."

Stock said Monday that she was assured Luo would not be sent to a detention center while he awaits a deportation hearing with a judge. She said she urged DHS to hold off on processing her client based on the circumstances, but the officials refused.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services referred questions on the case to Immigration and Citizenship Services, which is Homeland Security Investigations. Requests for comment from ICE, Homeland Security, the Army and the Defense Department were not answered in time for publication.A former Navy sailor who is one of five people to receive a pardon from President Donald Trump is planning to file a lawsuit against Obama administration officials, alleging that he was subject to unequal protection of the law.

Specifically, Kristian Saucier, who served a year in federal prison for taking photos of classified sections of the submarine on which he worked, argues that the same officials who meted out punishment to him for his actions chose to be lenient with Hillary Clinton in her use of a private email server and handling of classified information.

His lawyer, Ronald Daigle, told Fox News on Monday that the lawsuit, which he expects to file soon in Manhattan, will name the U.S. Department of Justice, former FBI Director James Comey and former President Barack Obama as defendants, among others.

"They interpreted the law in my case to say it was criminal," Saucier told Fox News, referring to prosecuting authorities in his case, "but they didn't prosecute Hillary Clinton. Hillary is still walking free. Two guys on my ship did the same thing and weren't treated as criminals. We want them to correct the wrong."

Daigle said that a notice about the pending lawsuit was sent to the Department of Justice and others included in it in December. There is usually a six-month period that must lapse before the lawsuit actually is filed.

"We'll highlight the differences in the way Hillary Clinton was prosecuted and how my client was prosecuted," Daigle said. "We're seeking to cast a light on this to show that there's a two-tier justice system and we want it to be corrected."

While campaigning, and after taking office, Trump frequently voiced support for Saucier, who in March became the second person he pardoned.

Trump often compared the Obama administration's handling of Saucier's case with that of Clinton.

Saucier, who lives in Vermont, pleaded guilty in 2016 to taking photos inside the USS Alexandria while it was stationed in Groton, Connecticut, in 2009. He said he only wanted service mementos, but federal prosecutors argued he was a disgruntled sailor who had put national security at risk by taking photos showing the submarine's propulsion system and reactor compartment and then obstructed justice by destroying a laptop and camera.

Saucier said that he recognized he had erred in taking the photos, which he said he wanted to show only to his family to show them where he worked. But he lashed out at Obama officials, saying that his prosecution was politically motivated, prompted by sensitivity about classified information amid the scandal involving Clinton's emails.

"My case was usually something handled by military courts," he said. "They used me as an example because of [the backlash over] Hillary Clinton."

Saucier, 31, said that the pardon has enabled him to pick up the pieces and rebuild his life with his wife and young daughter.

A felony conviction left him scrambling to find work; he finally landed a job collecting garbage. Now, he works on design and engineering projects for an industrial boiler company.

"Things are starting to go in the right direction," Saucier said. "I work with a group of really great people, I get to use my skills set."

Because of the loss of income during his imprisonment, as well as earning below his potential when he collected garbage, he and his wife Sadie lost their home to foreclosure.

Debt collectors called and his cars were repossessed.

"With a pardon there's no magic wand that that gets waved and makes everything right," he said, "But I try to stay positive and look forward."

He praises the pardons that Trump has granted after his, and takes exception at the criticism.

"The Obama administration singled out Dinesh for things most people don't even get charged for," Saucier said. "President Trump noticed that my career was exemplary and that I didn't deserve what happened to me.

Conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza, who was pardoned by Trump last week, had pleaded guilty to campaign finance fraud.

Trump tweeted Thursday: "Will be giving a Full Pardon to Dinesh D'Souza today. He was treated very unfairly by our government!"

D'Souza was sentenced in 2014 to five years of probation after he pleaded guilty to violating federal election law by making illegal contributions to a U.S. Senate campaign in the names of others.

--The Associated Press contributed to this report.WASHINGTON  A top Army general on Monday approved the sentence handed down to Pvt. Bowe Bergdahl, the former Taliban captive who was spared prison time after pleading guilty to desertion and misbehavior charges last year.

Gen. Robert Abrams, the chief of U.S. Army Forces Command, upheld the sentence handed down by the judge, Army Col. Jeffery R. Nance, in November at that conclusion of a weeklong sentencing hearing in Bergdahl's court-martial, FORSCOM spokesman John Boyce said Tuesday in a statement. Abrams was the convening authority in the court-martial, the senior official who oversees the case and must review and approve the judge's findings.

Nance sentenced Bergdahl to forfeit $10,000 in pay, a drop in rank from sergeant to E-1 private and a dishonorable discharge, which stops him from receiving any medical or other benefits offered to most veterans. The judge could have sentenced him to as much as life in prison. Prosecutors had requested Bergdahl serve 14 years confinement.

Nance has never publicly acknowledged his reasons for the sentence.

His decision to spare the soldier prison-time sparked outrage among some people in the military community and drew the ire of President Donald Trump within hours of his ruling. Trump tweeted the sentence was "a complete and total disgrace to our country and to our military."

Before Bergdahl pleaded guilty, defense attorneys had attempted to have the case thrown out over repeated disparaging remarks that Trump made as a presidential candidate. Legal scholars concluded Nance likely handed down a lenient sentence, at least in part, because of Trump's campaign trail rhetoric.

Because Nance handed down a punitive discharge in his sentence, the case automatically goes to the Army Court of Criminal Appeals at Fort Belvoir, Va., for review.

Bergdahl, 32, walked off his post in eastern Afghanistan's Paktika province on June 30, 2009 and was captured and held for about five years by Taliban-linked militants in Pakistan before he was released to the United States in a controversial prisoner exchange for five Taliban commanders who had been held in the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

The Army charged him with "misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit or place" and "desertion with intent to shirk important or hazardous duty" in March 2015.

During his sentencing trial, which was completed Nov. 3 at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Bergdahl said he left his post in an attempt to walk to a forward operating base some 20 miles away to alert military brass of problems that he perceived within his unit.

Bergdahl apologized for his actions, calling them a "horrible mistake," in a tearful apology to his platoon-mates and other servicemembers who were sent searching for him, including three who prosecutors said were severely wounded on operations focused solely on rescuing him.Adm. Raymond Spruance's signal to Vice Adm. Marc Mitscher has gone down in Navy lore: "You take them."

The super-battleship Yamato, the mightiest ever built, with 18.1-inch guns and nine escorts -- the cruiser Yahagi and eight destroyers -- had been spotted by the submarines Threadfin and Hackleback and U.S. scout aircraft.

Spruance had commanded U.S. forces at the battle of Midway, the turning point of the war, which began 76 years ago on June 4. Adm. Bill Moran, the vice chief of naval operations, will lay a wreath at the annual Midway commemoration Tuesday at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Ahead of this anniversary, in March, historian Jan Morris released a new book bringing the saga of the Yamato to life. The great ship would meet its end in the battle, not at the conclusion of its suicide mission, but at the hands of the U.S. Navy.

The Japanese warships were moving too fast and zigzagging too hard for the subs to engage, but their speed, positions and course were now known to the Americans.

They were on a suicide mission to Okinawa, where Spruance's Fifth Fleet was fending off wave after wave of kamikaze attacks to keep the lifelines to U.S. troops battling ashore open.

The coming battle against the Yamato and its escorts, designated the "Surface Special Attack Force," would be the last major encounter at sea in the war in the Pacific and would pit the forces who had been there from the beginning against each other.

As a captain, Mitscher commanded the aircraft carrier Hornet at Midway. He was also in command of the Hornet on April 18, 1942, when the carrier launched Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle's B-25 bombers for the raid on Tokyo.

The Yamato served as the flagship at Midway for Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, commander of the Imperial Combined Fleet and main architect of the Pearl Harbor attacks. The Yamato was commissioned a week after Pearl Harbor.

Mitscher's ships and aircraft from Task Force 38, the Fast Carrier Task Force, were also at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, considered the largest naval battle of World War II.

The Japanese plan to defeat the U.S. invasion of the Philippines at Leyte appeared to be working. A decoy force had drawn off Adm. William "Bull" Halsey's 3rd Fleet in what Halsey detractors would later call "Bull's Run."

Japanese Vice Adm. Takeo Kurita aboard the Yamato led a powerful force against the beachhead that was now defended mainly by the Americans' "Taffy 3" unit, a covering force of six escort carriers, three destroyers and four destroyer escorts.

The plan was to have the Yamato's big guns destroy the troop ships and Gen. Douglas MacArthur's beachhead, but Taffy 3 put up such a fight that Kurita assumed he was engaging a screening force for a much larger U.S. attack. In one of the great "what ifs" of the war, Kurita turned his ships around.

Operation Ten-Go, Last Gasp of the Imperial Fleet

In her elegy to the Yamato, and the end of the era of the battleship, Morris, the British chronicler of the decline and fall of empires, called the battleship "an ironically beautiful instrument of death."

The Japanese, beaten from island to island across the Pacific, still held to "the conviction that battles can be won by single, deadly blows, samurai style," Morris wrote in her brief book "Battleship Yamato: Of War, Beauty and Irony."

The Yamato, at port in Tokuyama on the southernmost part of the main island of Honshu, was called upon to live up to that conviction.

To look at her only reinforced the belief that Yamato was invincible and unsinkable, Morris writes. She had nine, 18.1-inch main guns, the largest ever mounted on a warship. Each gun could hurl 2,000-pound projectiles 26 miles. Her secondary batteries included twelve 6.1-inch guns and twelve 5-inch guns.

The 72,000-ton Yamato was 862 feet, 10 inches, in length, had a beam of 121 feet and a top speed of 27 knots.

"Down the centuries, men [if more seldom women] have paradoxically drawn inspiration of many kinds from the experiences of conflict, and I have found many of them expressed in the story of Yamato," Morris wrote.

"I mean the pride and the splendor of it all, the undeniable beauty, the excitement of battle, the elegiac calm of defeat, the magnificence of human strength and courage, and through it all the bitter power of irony, tempering the squalor, the carnage and the degradation," she wrote.

On April 5, 1945, the Yamato's estimated crew of more than 3,000 assembled dockside to hear their mission. It would be called "Operation Ten-Go," or more fully Ten-Ichi-Go, meaning "Operation Heaven Number One."

Most of the sailors knew what that meant. "Yamato herself is to commit suicide, as the noblest of kamikaze weapons," Morris wrote. "At best, she is to beach herself on an Okinawan coral and in her death-throes use all her guns, all her ammunition, all her heroes, in support of the Japanese army. At worst, she is simply to blast away at her enemies until she herself is sunk."

On the afternoon of April 6, the Yamato and her escorts left Tokuyama and headed into the Bungo Straits and the open sea on the mission to Okinawa, 600 miles away.

On the morning of April 7, two U.S. PBM Mariner flying boats shadowed the Japanese force. Yamato fired on them to no effect.

Spruance had a contingency plan to send six battleships, seven cruisers and 21 destroyers to intercept the Japanese force, but he left the attack to the dive-bombers and torpedo bombers of Mitscher's task force.

Mitscher sent aloft more than 280 aircraft. F6F Hellcat fighters were the first to arrive to clear away any air cover over the Yamato, but the Japanese had none. The dive bombers and torpedo aircraft went into action.

Yamato was hit by at least 11 torpedoes and six bombs. She began to roll to port and then capsized. One of her two port magazines exploded, sending up a mushroom cloud that was seen nearly 100 miles away on Kyushu.

For Morris, the sinking of the Yamato "symbolized not just the end of the battleship era but the end of 'banzai' and all that, perhaps even the end of the imperial idea itself, the world over. It was one of history's disillusionments."

The little illustrated book will probably be one of the last to be written on World War II by one of its participants. The 91-year-old Morris, as a teenager, served in the Queen's Royal Lancers in the closing stages of the war.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.U.S and coalition forces have increased air and artillery strikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria by more than 300 percent since March, a U.S. military official said Tuesday.

On Sunday, Syrian Democratic Forces launched the second phase of Operation Roundup to root out ISIS fighters from the middle Euphrates River valley and the Syria-Iraq border region, Col. Thomas Veale, a spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, told reporters at the Pentagon.

Roundup, now in its 36th day, began May 1. Phase one of the operation ended May 14 when SDF forces secured the town of Baghuz. Phase two will focus on securing the town of Dashisha, he said.

Iraqi and coalition forces supported SDF forces with 225 cross-border air and artillery strikes in May.

"That's a 304 percent increase over March and a 123 percent increase over April," Veale said.

"We and our partners have pounded ISIS remnants from the ground and air in a relentless pursuit of their leaders and fighters," he said. "ISIS morale is low, and leaders are scurrying for their lives."

Veale emphasized the key role Iraqi Security Forces have played in the operation, in addition to providing security at the Iraq-Syria border.

"Iraqi forces have not simply been the anvil; they are also the hammer," he said.

The Iraqi Air Force conducted four strikes in Syria in April and May that demonstrated an "advanced Iraqi aviation planning capability that continues to get better every day," Veale said.

"These strikes took out key ISIS facilities in support of Operation Roundup; there will be more," he said. "Additionally, Iraqi artillery has also operated with coalition artillery in cross-border missions and will continue to do so until ISIS remnants are annihilated."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.The Marine Corps will soon test new cold-weather boots and socks designed to perform at temperatures from -20 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature range currently not covered by the service's boot inventory.

Marine Corps Systems Command plans to award two sole-source contracts for two types of Intense Cold Weather Boots and Intense Cold Weather Socks, according to a recent MCSC press release.

"There are currently no Marine Corps issue boots designed for use in the -20 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit range," according to the release.

The Temperate Weather Marine Corps Combat Boot was designed for a temperature range between 20 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the Extreme Cold Weather Vapor Barrier Boot was designed for a range from -20 to -65 degrees Fahrenheit.

"Based on market research, industry days and events such as Modern Day Marine, we narrowed our decision for the orders down to two companies for cold weather boots and two for socks," said Todd Towles, program analyst for the Clothing and Equipment Team at MCSC.

MCSC plans to buy 1,000 pairs of boots from Belleville Boot Company and 1,000 pairs from Danner Boot Company, according to a June 1 solicitation notice.

The Marines will also buy 25,000 pairs of Intense Cold Weather Socks from FITS Technologies and 25,000 pairs of the socks from Ellsworth & Company, according to a May 17 solicitation notice. The service expects deliver of the boots and socks by Sept. 28.

"This effort to acquire the cold weather boots and socks will help [Marine Corps Systems Command] evaluate commercial off-the-shelf solutions and offer the potential to reduce or eliminate the current environmental protection gap," Towles said.

The socks will have much higher wool content than the polypropylene wool socks Marines currently use. Additionally, the clothing and equipment team is hopeful the new gear will offer increased water repellency, comfort and insulation in extreme cold weather environments, according to the release.

MCSC's Program Manager Infantry Combat Equipment will conduct a field user evaluation December 2018 through March 2019 to gather feedback from Marines who will wear the ICWB and ICWS prototypes at the Mountain Warfare Training Center, Fort McCoy and Norway.

"The Army is conducting evaluations with similar boots and socks, so there is potential to have some consistency with our results and products," said Lt. Col. Chris Madeline, program manager for ICE, in a news release.

"Marines will keep the prototype boots through the duration of testing. Once data is collected, it will inform future acquisition decisions and allow the Corps to purchase boots and socks that bridge the gap between the existing cold weather boots."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.AF Transition to OCP Uniform Starts in October

The U.S. Air Force has announced that it will move to a single combat utility uniform, adopting the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP). Starting Oct. 1, 2018, Airmen who have serviceable OCPs may wear the uniform, and Airmen can purchase OCPs at Army and Air Force Exchange Services at four locations. These initial locations will allow uniform manufacturers to produce additional stocks for other locations, eventually outfitting the total force in the coming months. The service will fully transition to OCPs by April 1, 2021. The Air Force will also outfit Basic Military Training, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, and Officer Training School starting October 1, 2019. For more details, see this KitUp! article.Key

Select Mineral List Type Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Dana Chemical Elements

List of minerals arranged by Dana 8th Edition classification Group 1 - NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS Metals, other than the Platinum Group  Copper 1.1.1.3 Cu  Gold 1.1.1.1 Au Group 2 - SULFIDES A m B n X p , with (m+n):p = 2:1  Chalcocite 2.4.7.1 Cu 2 S A m B n X p , with (m+n):p = 3:2  Bornite 2.5.2.1 Cu 5 FeS 4 A m B n X p , with (m+n):p = 1:1  Chalcopyrite 2.9.1.1 CuFeS 2 A m B n X p , with (m+n):p = 1:2  Cobaltite 2.12.3.1 CoAsS  Pyrite 2.12.1.1 FeS 2 Group 4 - SIMPLE OXIDES A 2 X  Cuprite 4.1.1.1 Cu 2 O AX  Tenorite 4.2.3.1 CuO Group 6 - HYDROXIDES AND OXIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYL XO(OH)  Goethite 6.1.1.2 -Fe3+O(OH) Group 14 - ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES A(XO 3 )  Calcite 14.1.1.1 CaCO 3  Spherocobaltite 14.1.1.5 CoCO 3 Group 16a - ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN  Azurite 16a.2.1.1 Cu 3 (CO 3 ) 2 (OH) 2  Malachite 16a.3.1.1 Cu 2 (CO 3 )(OH) 2 Group 40 - HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES AB 2 (XO 4 ) 2 xH 2 O  -Roselite 40.2.2.7 Ca 2 Co(AsO 4 ) 2  2H 2 O A 3 (XO 4 ) 2 xH 2 O  Erythrite 40.3.6.3 Co 3 (AsO 4 ) 2  8H 2 O Group 41 - ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN (AB) 3 (XO 4 )Z q  Cornetite 41.3.2.1 Cu 3 (PO 4 )(OH) 3 (AB) 5 (XO 4 ) 2 Z q  Pseudomalachite 41.4.3.1 Cu 5 (PO 4 ) 2 (OH) 4 (AB) 2 (XO 4 )Z q  Conichalcite 41.5.1.2 CaCu(AsO 4 )(OH) Group 74 - PHYLLOSILICATES Modulated Layers Modulated Layers with joined strips  Chrysocolla 74.3.2.1 Cu 2-x Al x (H 2-x Si 2 O 5 )(OH) 4  nH 2 O, x < 1 Group 75 - TECTOSILICATES Si Tetrahedral Frameworks Si Tetrahedral Frameworks - SiO 2 with [4] coordinated Si  Quartz 75.1.3.1 SiO 2 Unclassified Minerals, Mixtures, etc.  Calcite

var. Cobalt-bearing Calcite - (Ca,Co)CO 3  'Limonite' -

References

Sort by Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A)

Northern Times newspaper (Carnarvon) (1913): Roebourne Mining (08 Mar 1913) Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW) (1907): Mining at Roebourne (07 Aug 1907) The Sunday Times newspaper (Perth) (1922): Whim Creek Copper (30 Apr 1922) The West Australian newspaper (Perth):(no title) (16 Sep 1954) The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper (1906): Roebourne Copper and Gold Mines (03 Dec 1906) The West Australian newspaper (Perth) (1928): Mining-Gold Copper and Cobalt (13 Feb 1928) The Northern Times newspaper (Carnarvon) (1906): Copper Mining at Roebourne (02 Sep 1906) The Daily News newspaper (Perth) (1906): The Roebourne Float (11 Dec 1906) The Sunday Times newspaper (Perth) (1907): The Nor-West Mining Round (03 Mar 1907) The Sunday Times newspaper (Perth) (1907): Mining in the North (12 Sep 1907) Simpson Mineral Collection of the Western Australian Museum.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

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.

The mine is about 10 kms to the south-west of Roebourne next to the Roebourne to Radio Hill road.One report states copper and gold was discovered at the Carlow Castle site in 1874 but due to the remote nature of the location it was abandoned. No further details are given. Government geologist Harry Woodward reported on the location in 1890 stating it was seven distinct lodes of copper and iron oxides with visible gold. By 1898 the location is being mined by individual prospectors on a number of small leases, the location at the time known as the Roebourne Copper Mine, or Five Mile Mine, or Six Mile Mine. Two shipments were sent in 1898.In 1899 the leases were consolidated as a 40 acre lease, and sold to a syndicate of local Roebourne residents known as the Carlow Castle Mining syndicate, and the mine has been known by this name since. The syndicate worked the mine in 1900 sending 20 tonnes, and in 1901 30 tonnes of copper ore.In 1906 it was under the control of Roebourne Copper and Gold Mines Limited. Former Kalgoorlie mining pioneer R.B. Pettigrew was appointment mine manager and arrived with ten other miners to re-open Carlow Castle. Pettigrew left shortly after to operate unsuccessfully his own mine nearby. Pettigrew stated to that point Carlow Castle had been operated in a haphazard and sporadic fashion with no systematic development. Only near surface ore had been worked.Government geologist, also in 1906, A. Gibb-Maitland reported on the location. He states the ore which forms the central lode is quartz and malachite with minor magnesite.Also from 1906, Frank Smalpage took over the Quod Est Mine (QE Mine) which adjoins the northern boundary of the Carlow Castle lease and mined the same load. Frank was a man by his own admission had a 'tongue with a natural tendency to become somewhat unruly'. The property was abandoned before him by T.W. Porter. Frank is reported at the mine till 1912.The Roebourne Copper and Gold Mines Limited abandoned the field in 1907, and the lease was taken up by J.R. Shaw, Jack Bowen and Sam Wheelock who proceeded to sink a new shaft. They called it Wait-a-While mine but the name never stuck and it is still known today as Carlow Castle.The government geologist to give the most complete report on the location was A. Blatchford in 1912, although by now the mine had been abandoned again. He describes it as located on the south side of a rough range of quartzites trending east-west surrounded by schistose dolerite. Up to 30% copper and 14 dwt gold had been mined to that point. He states there are eight distinct lodes of variable strike and dip. No1 lode is in the north-west corner of the lease striking north into the QE mine lease, composed of ferriginous oxide and copper carbonate with pyrite accessed via one shaft. Rich ore was found in small veins. No7 lode was south-east of No1 and strikes north-east containing quartz with a little malachite and had three shafts and a number of trenches. No2 lode or Main Lode was in the centre of the lease with a number of partially collapsed shafts and open cuts along the outcrop. It contained quartz with iron and copper (black) oxides, malachite, native copper, in a siliceous ore. No3 lode was in the north-east corner of the lease striking north-west with several shafts. It was a small low grade ore-body with rich branches in the wall concentrations. Below the water level in the sulphide zone, nickel and cobalt had been discovered. The other four lodes were minor.A prospector called Ward (surname) attempted mining in 1913, but couldn't access water for his horses to transport the ore.In 1922 the companies controling the Whim Creek, Mons Cupri and Carlow Castle copper mines amalgamated as the United Copper Mines (Pilbara) Limited, but they focussed their intention on developing Mons Cupri.In 1928, Burbanks (Pilbara) Copper Mines again from Whim Creek owned the lease stating 9% copper and 9dwt gold values with traces of cobalt to 1%. As cobalt had not been mined in Australia to that point, they were confused as to how to process the mineral and market it. The mine was said to be developing slowly due to lack of capital.James Demitrious Tsakalos is noted as taking up the Carlow Castle mine in 1954 but no more is known. In the early 2000's an exploration company drilled immediately south of the mine, made glowing reports, then quietly moved on.Around 1912 E.S. Simpson was presented with a specimen by Frank Smalpage from the Quod Est mine on the northern boundary of Carlow Castle. Simpson states:' The pink mineral collected on the QE Mine is cobaltiferous calcite as large granular masses with irregular boundaries. In small vughs in the mass rhombohedral crystals have developed. Other minerals already reported from the QE Mine are cobaltite and erythrite.'Many historic mines in Western Australia have been disturbed by modern mining. Carlow Castle was developed enough in the early 1900's to produce mullock piles, but hasn't been subsequently destroyed by a gigantic open pit with the mullock piles then encased in earth. It is therefore a great place to fossick, and it can only be hoped remains in its present condition.The Simpson Mineral Collection of the Western Australian Museum contains specimens SC S632, MDC 1628, MDC 1633, MDC 3026, MDC 3033A, MDC 3989 and MDC 4367 from this location.The Twins have reached agreement on a minor-league deal with catcher Cameron Rupp, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter). It seems he is already in Rochester readying to begin play with the organization.

Rupp, 29, will boost the Minnesota catching depth with Jason Castro expected to miss the rest of the year. Presently, the organization is utilizing Mitch Garver and Bobby Wilson behind the dish at the major-league level.

Though he has yet to see time in the big leagues this year, Rupp was a fixture behind the dish over the past three seasons for the Phillies. In 1,049 plate appearances over that span, he slashed .236/.301/.417 and swatted 39 home runs.

Still, Philadelphia cut Rupp loose late in Spring Training after agreeing initially agreeing to avoid arbitration. The receiver caught on with the Rangers organization shortly thereafter. He is off to a nice start with the bat this year, posting a .264/.328/.509 batting line over 125 Triple-A plate appearances before opting out of his contract recently.Business process outsourcing company Aegis said it is not looking to exit its Srinagar operations, even as it continues to talk to the local government and customers for generating new opportunities.

Were clear we are not exiting this geography, Sandeep Gulati, chief operating officer, APAC and South Africa, Aegis, told Moneycontrol.

Local news reports had said last week that Aegis was going to wind up operations in Srinagar, asking 230 employees to look for other options.

Aegis has been present in Srinagar since 2010. It started operations with 40 people and expanded to about 400 in the next two years.

There is huge talent in this geography. Their spoken English is good, and the employees have great commitment, said Gulati.

Gulati said that in spite of the unrest in the state, the Aegis facility has always been peaceful, with little to no impact on operations. He added that the attrition in the region is also sub-5 percent, and that the employees are very professional.

Regarding the news of the layoffs, he added that it was part of regular restructuring as their clients consolidate their operations and new players enter the market.

There is a bit of stagnation in the region. We are having discussions with our clients in the telecom and banking sectors, but I dont think were out (of Srinagar) yet, Gulati added.

He also said that the company was talking to the local government regarding business challenges in the region.

Jammu and Kashmir had revised its minimum wage in November 2017, from Rs 5,500 to Rs 10,500. BPO firms have pointed out that such minimum wage increase being undertaken in states across the country is going to impact the already small margins of the BPO industry.

The labour intensive nature of the work done by BPOs means that their bottom line will take a hit.

Aegis, earlier part of the Essar Group, was sold last year to private equity firm Capital Square Partners for Rs 2,000 crore.

The company is a significant player in the BPO space, growing through a mix of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The company has a global footprint across nine countries  India, South Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UK, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Peru and Malaysia.fridge_35658189

German home appliances brand BSH Hausgerate GmbH (BSH Home Appliances) has started its first refrigerator factory in the country, in Chennai.

The 44-acre facility is expected to create 500 jobs by 2027.

The company said that as a part of its expansion drive, BSH will be investing 100 million euros over the next 4-5 years to build its brands, technology centre and for setting up its refrigerator factory.

"In line with our 'Make in India' commitment, we will continue to extensively invest in the country and build innovative India specific products," said Michael Schollhorn, Member of the Board of Management (Chief Operating Officer), BSH Home Appliance Group.

The 13-billion-euro company is headquartered in Munich.

By 2021, the new facility will manufacture approximately 41,000 units for domestic consumption as well as export to other emerging markets. By 2028, the company aims to manufacture over 400,000 units at the facility.

Gunjan Srivastava, MD and CEO, BSH Household Appliances Manufacturing, said that the company's products have resonated well with Indian customers, especially the cooling, dish care and laundry categories, which have witnessed significant growth over a short period of time.

Moneycontrol had earlier reported that the global consumer durables major now wants to manufacture products suitable for the Indian market.

BSH has a presence across different customer segments through its brands Bosch, Siemens, and Gaggenau, which was recently brought to India. Bosch operates in the mass market segment, Siemens operates in a level above Bosch, while Gaggenau targets the super-premium segment.Apple co-founder and renowned innovationist Steve Wozniak has been vocal about the advantages of the blockchain technology on which Bitcoin is based. He further confirmed his support to the technology saying that he is a firm believer in Bitcoin, though not an investor right now.

Earlier, during CoinDesk's Consensus 2018 conference, Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey had backed Bitcoin by stating that he hopes Bitcoin will eventually become the Internet's "native currency".

Jack Dorsey has been vocal about Bitcoin and Blockchain. In his numerous interviews and conferences, he has backed the cryptocurrency by saying it is the new currency that is going to give a tough fight to the traditional currencies.

Steve Wozniak has backed Jack Dorsey's words saying he too hopes that the vision should work out in the future and the global acceptance will rise as a result of the young generation's consistent effort.

Wozniak spoke in Amsterdam during the Money 20/20 Conference. As per Forbes, he said, "I buy into what Jack Dorsey says, not that I necessarily believe it's going to happen, but because I want it to be that way, that is so pure thinking.".

The Woz was quick to clarify that his support for other cryptocurrencies is not that strong as it is for Bitcoin.

According to him, many other cryptocurrencies lack one or the other qualities that make Bitcoin and blockchain special.

Wozniak was quoted saying, "All the others tend to give up some of the aspects of bitcoin. For example, being totally decentralized and having no central control. That's the first one they have to give up to try to have a business model."

He went on to say that "Only bitcoin is pure digital gold...and I totally buy into that."Bitcoin took 834 days to reach past $1,000 from the time that BitStamp started to track the price in August 2011. It was another 1270 days to surpass the $2000 mark on May 20, 2017. However, the price surged in the latter half of 2017, crossing successive $1,000 milestones with ever increasing speed on its march toward the $11,000 mark. The move up from $10,000 to $11,000 took less than 12 hours, stoking concerns that a rapidly swelling bubble could be set to burst in spectacular fashion. Here are some facts that you might not know:

The crime branch busted a cryptocurrency ponzi racket on Monday and detained their helmsman in connection with a fraud that is estimated to be around Rs 300 crore to Rs 500 crore.

As per a report from The Times of India, The police were able to get their hand on Tah Kazi, the prime technical support staffer at the company, who orchestrated the fraud, while the five others have absconded including the firms director Amit Lakhanpal.

Lakhanpal launched its own cryptocurrency called Money Trade Coin (MTC) and promised customers ten-fold returns in next 5-6 months.

Cryptocurrency is a virtual currency designed to work as the medium of trade or exchange.

The fraud was carried out by Flinstone Group, where its employees, posing as innovators, lured in customers. The police have raided their Thane office at Orion Business Park, Ghodbunder Road on Monday. The company made promises of returning the investment with 10 to 20 times returns in next six months. Some investors were bribed into making investments after promising them Swiss account or citizenship in the Caribbean.

The crime branch will also carry out raids at companys other office in Kailas Industrial Park in Vikhroli. They are still examining the extent of this companys operation in India and if there are any international links.

The investigation began after a Delhi-based businessman Pravin Agrawal and other victims lodged a complaint. DCP (crime) Abhishek Trimukhe said, We have registered the offence at Chitalsar police station. The accused were trading a cryptocurrency, called Money Trade Coin, and duped several people.... it is too premature to reveal anything.

Primary probe revealed that the company initially marketed hard to spread the word about MTC and once people fell in the trap, the Lakhanpal-led group floated several schemes. Those who invested in the schemes were told to get more investors, said the officer. This way, several people were lured to invest and later, when they asked about the interest, the company gave evasive answers.

The police have registered a case under many relevant IPC sections such as cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust, besides Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Deposition Act, 1999, and also Information Technology Act.Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

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RN Bhaskar

Some 15 years ago, Madhya Pradesh was part of a group derisively called the Bimaru states. The acronym meant sick in Hindi, and was aptly used to describe some of the most backward states in India  Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. At that time, most people believed, and rightly so, that Indias GDP had been pulled down considerably because of the poor economic progress of these Bimarus.

Things are changing today. Except for Uttar Pradesh, which continues to languish on many fronts, the others have clawed themselves out of Bimaru status. And one of the most impressive performances has been put up by Madhya Pradesh (MP). This was amply brought out at a recent conference jointly hosted by Moneycontrol.com and Free Press Journal along with the state government of MP in Indore.

The more one looks at this state, the more is one convinced that this is one region that investors need to be watching very carefully. During the past 12 years, ever since Shivraj Singh Chauhan became the MP chief minister in 2005, the state has witnessed a blistering pace of growth in agriculture. Growth rates have hovered at over 10% year-on-year. Moreover, according to the state government in its media releases, During the last five years, the state has recorded [an] 18% growth in agriculture  the highest in the country. Such growth rates are astounding indeed.

So, what made this state do better than other states?

Some clear indications are available from the Reserve Bank of Indias Handbook of Statistics on Indian States for 2018-19  please refer to the tables alongside).

Irrigation: the key factor

The primary cause for the spurt in economic growth was the manner in which the government focused on irrigation. That in turn caused gross irrigated area to almost double. Compare the 75% growth in the gross irrigated ever since 2005 with the national average figure of just 14% and the focus of the state government becomes obvious. Unlike neighbouring Maharashtra, where the sugarcane-politician nexus deprived the entire state of water, thus allowing barely 20% of its land to get irrigated, MP has over two-third of its land under irrigation. That in turn allowed the states farmers to increase the cropped area.

But the other factor which helped MP was the agricultural savvy of its farmers who ensured that they could grow more than one crop on the same piece of land each year. In many cases, farmers were educated on how they could have three crops a year. That could explain the cropping intensity in MP increasing by over 24% since 2005 compared to the national average of just 5%. This awareness needs to spread even further.

What also helped MP was the existence of over seven agro climatic zones within the state allowing it to grow a vast variety of crops. Rice and wheat, however, remain the principal crops for a variety of reasons. One factor is that these are crops where the government has a procurement policy, thus protecting the farmer against pricing and purchase risks. But more on this later.

Increase in acreage helped boost wheat production by three times during the period under review. Rice production more than doubled. Even non-foodgrain crops like cotton and oilseeds grew. It was more remarkable for cotton because even as the acreage under cultivation declined, production went up.

Oilseeds skid

The story of agricultural prowess is visible even in yields (see table). Yields for almost all crops climbed, except for oilseeds, where the yields remained below national averages and actually declined.

There could be three reasons why this happened. First, the policy of the central government which has allowed liberal import of edible oil and oilseeds, thus putting a pressure on the prices oilseeds could enjoy in the domestic market. Globally, oil and oilseeds are grown using genetically modified seeds. In India this is now allowed. Thus the farmers are hit by a double whammy of abundant production and lower prices from imported oil and seeds. There is something absurd about the government allowing imported oil made from GM seeds for ingestion, but using the dangers of ingesting GM seeds output from crops grown within India.

The second reason is obviously the huge soya glut in global markets which caused prices to remain depressed even further. The third is the inability of Indias agricultural universities to come up with a breakthrough in soya and other oilseeds which could augment production. Collectively, they have caused this segment of agriculture to remain weaker than other areas.

The higher yields were also a result of an increase in the use of fertilisers  growth rates were double that of the national average.

Thus, better irrigation, good agro climate zones and farmer savvy (higher yields, crop intensity and fertiliser consumption) and the right government policies to ease farm distress combined to make the agriculture sector grow at the amazing pace that India has seldom witnessed  except may be in Gujarat. Compare these growth rates with the national growth rate of around 2.1% for agriculture, and one can understand why MPs success story is worth talking about.

New challenges

But the government knows that the agricultural growth has brought with it its own set of problems and challenges.

What many people do not know is that in order to encourage farmers to grow more, the state kept on increasing procurement prices of rice and wheat and even of other grain and crops like onions. Today, take any crop where there is an MSP (minimum support price), and MP will be found offering the highest prices in the country. It even offers bonuses on the MSP for many crops. While this has kept the farmers quite pleased, it has also made the state depend on the government as purchaser, which means that market price discovery is not the prime motivator for crop growth.

There is another problem when the state steps in as the procurement agency for crops. As the chief minister himself put it, I am aware that many farmers sell their sickly produce to government agencies and keep the healthier crop for the private markets where prices are often higher than the MSPs the state offers. This cannot go on forever. And while corruption within the ranks of MPs procurement agencies is not as pronounced as in states like Haryana and Punjab, one often comes across stories of demands for graft  where the procurement agency is willing to pay a higher price for a lower grade offering against the greasing of palms.

The state is clearly caught between a rock and a hard place. If it abolishes MSPs, it loses the support of farmers, a crucial vote block in any election. If it continues with the MSPs, the state haemorrhages.

That is why Chauhan openly stated to the farmers that he is toying with the concept of having a fixed contribution that the state would like to make to farmers based on the land size and its crop potential. That way, the state could reduce its role as a procurement agency.

The second way is to firm up prices by preventing price crashes on account of a glut in crop production  this was evident with soyabeans, onions and potatoes at different times. But that would require the focus to shift to food processing and to contract farming. Chauhan said that the state has already crafted a new set of laws to encourage contract farming. Hitherto, companies like ITC, Pepsico and Balaji  which like to book crop production well in advance of the sowing season -- are apprehensive of the state suddenly announcing support prices that are higher than the prices at which the contracts were drawn up.

The government says that this will not happen again, and has promised to usher in a new set of laws.

In order to encourage food processing, the state has just announced a unique skill development and entrepreneurship scheme, aimed exclusively for children of farmers, to help them understand how to use such techniques for the crops they grow. Loans, subsidies and interest subventions are on the anvil and policies relating to such schemes should be out schemes. Broadly, the state will offer loans ranging from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.1 crore, said the chief minister. But other details are yet to be announced. That could trigger growth in capital formation which needs to grow at a faster rate.

True, GFCF rates for the state are higher than national averages. But, normally, when agriculture grows at a good rate, so does GFCF. The potential for the state to push up this number is immense. The food processing strategy might help.

Futures and options

But the long term solution appears to lie in the state working with the Centre to ensure that commodity markets along with futures and options for durations of six months at the very least are introduced as early as possible. It is not certain at this state, but there could be a case for the state government announcing a commodity exchange of its own for crops grown and picked up by warehouses within the state. Unless the customer learns to come to the farmers doorstep, the farmer will always remain shortchanged by the middleman, says Rajnikant Rai, CEO, ITC-Agri.

But that requires political will. As these columns have pointed out, the central government has done precious little to give teeth to the Warehouse Development Regulations Act (WDRA) that was enacted more than five years ago. It has meddled with commodity exchanges, closed trades, and even closed exchanges. Those are not ways in which commodity markets are encouraged to grow.

MSMEs wanted

The state will also have to craft out new policies to push up the number of medium and small scale and micro enterprises (MSMEs). The states growth in MSME numbers lags the national growth rate. So do its investments, production and employment.

Normally, affluence in the agricultural sector invariably results in farmers and allied sectors investing in small enterprises in rural and semi urban areas. That does not appear to have happened as yet in MP.

Clearly, the state has done wonderfully well till now. But if it wants to maintain the tempo of its growth, it will have to look at incentivising MSMEs as well, possibly related to its agricultural successes.

That will be something that the investment community will be waiting to see happen. It is always on the lookout for areas where money should flow. MP looks like a ripe destination. But new policies to enable that flow to happen are required urgently.Representative image

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National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is mulling to include Eastern Peripheral Expressway in future Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) bundle, once the toll collection from the expressway stabilises.

Official sources told Moneycontrol that the apex authority will monitor the expressway for some time before putting it up for auction.

Eastern Peripheral will eventually go for TOT, a senior official said, requesting anonymity. He, however, added that the gestation period is yet to be decided.

It needs time We need to monitor the toll being generated from the eway. The bidders need to know how much revenue is coming from the project, he said.

Also Read: Eastern Peripheral Eway to have 25 percent higher toll charges to provide better facilities to commuters

NHAI will start charging toll on the 135-kilometer long expressway from June 15. The expected toll charges per km are Rs 1.4 for cars/jeeps, Rs 2.2 for light commercial vehicle, Rs 4.68 for buses/trucks, Rs 5.11 for 3-axle heavy machinery, Rs 7.35 for four to six axle machinery and Rs 8.95 for seven and above axle machinery. The toll proposed for the entire stretch stands at Rs 190 for cars and Rs 630 for trucks and buses.

TOT is a funding mechanism where operational assets such as highways are given to a concessionaire for a specified period to be operated and managed by them. The concessionaire has to pay an upfront lump sum amount under the contract to the owner which is deployed as capital for future projects.

NHAI successfully closed the countrys first TOT bidding in March, receiving Rs 9,681.5 crore. The bid, won by a joint venture between Sydney-based Macquarie group and Ashoka Buildcon, was for nine national highways spread across Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The total stretch under the hammer was 648 km.

Also read: Issue InvIT after round two of toll-operate-transfer bids: FinMin asks NHAI

The Rs 11,000 crore eway is Indias first intelligent and green expressway circumventing the national capital. Inaugurated by PM Modi, on May 27, the expressway connects Kundli with Palwal in Haryana via Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.

According to initial reports, approximately 5,000 trucks travelled via EPE within the first three hours of inauguration.

It is expected that the expressway will pave way for approximately 50,000 commercial freight vehicles to bypass Delhi resulting in decongestion of the city along with reduction in air pollution levels.Film star Shilpa Shetty's husband Raj Kundra was interrogated for over ten hours at the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) office in connection with a Bitcoin scam amounting to more than Rs 2,000 crore.

Kundra was being interrogated for his alleged dealings with Amit Bhardwaj, who was arrested two months ago in Delhi and is known for being a kingpin of sorts in the cryptocurrency market in India and overseas.

"We suspect certain bitcoin transactions between the main accused Amit Bharadwaj and Raj Kundra. And we are investigating Kundra to ascertain if he has gained anything from it," a source at the ED told Moneycontrol.

"Raj Kundra and Amit Bhardwaj might have some links in Hash mining for Bitcoin in China," the source added.

Kundra said that Bhardwaj was interested in buying a team in the poker league run by him. Once a team was allotted to him, Bharadwaj offered to pay for it in Bitcoin.

Bharadwaj's request was declined and led to his contract being terminated, as he had failed to make the payment. Kundra also said that the ED wants to make him a witness in the case against Bharadwaj, something he has agreed to do.

An earlier FIR registered in Delhi mentioned that Amit Bhardawaj's company duped hundreds of investors in a Ponzi scheme. The case was filed hours after Bharadwaj was arrested by Pune Police at Delhi Airport, following a complaint registered against him in Pune Police's cyber-crime cell by one Bhimsen Agarwal.

The FIR stated that through this Ponzi scheme, Bharadwaj convinced people to invest in Gatbitcoin.com, which is owned by Variable Trade Pvt Ltd, a company registered in Singapore.

According to the report, Gatbitcoin promised to give an assured return of 10 percent every month to all its investors. In order to attract investment, it claimed to be an authorised Bitcoin miner, and that world-renowned miner Amaze Mining holds a 5 percent stake in it.

The victims of Bharadwajs con hailed primarily from Mumbai, Pune, Nanded and Kolhapur.Ridham_Desai

Overseas investors have been reducing their India exposure owing to lack of growth at Asia's third biggest economy, Ridham Desai, head of India equity research and managing director at Morgan Stanley told CNBC-TV18.

Desai, who was speaking on the sidelines of the Morgan Stanley Investor Summit on Tuesday, shared his views on the corporate earnings, emerging market growth and his outlook on stocks.

Foreign investors have been pulling money out of India. Their overweight position on India has declined. We are at 2011 levels. They are still overweight but it has come down significantly. So you can tell that they have been persistently disappointed by Indias lack of growth and they are stepping aside.

On the broader market, Desai said midcap valuations need to go down a bit more before they become attractive. He prefers largecap stocks over midcaps citing valuations.

Investors continue to be focused on bottom up ideas but on a top down basis we are finding a lot of other markets attractive and therefore India has kind of under performed all through 2017. It has gone little bit up and down surprisingly in the month of May and counter-intuitively India outperformed emerging markets. So lets see how that pans out, he added.

On the earnings front, Desai said, We have been in deep earnings recession. This has been the worst earnings recession in Indias history. The draw down earnings from the top to the trough has been in excess of 20 percent  that exceeds previous earnings recessions.

But the India equity research head at the global investment bank is optimistic about the country's growth trajectory as government ramps up investment, consumption recovers coupled with a pickup in exports.

According to Desai, on a relative basis, India has underperformed in terms of growth until now. If that changes over the next 12 months then foreign investors will be back.

There are lots of other issues in India which foreign investors are worried about. So it is not just about earnings growth. They are worried about politics, they are worried about oil, they are worried about a slew of factors which is causing their sentiment to be a bit off-color".

So far this year, the rupee has weakened 4.83%, while foreign investors have sold $225.90 million and $4.45 billion in equity and debt markets, respectively.(Image source: Elon Musk - Reuters, Deepak Ahuja - LinkedIn)

Tesla's India bow depends on its CFO Deepak Ahuja. Elon Musk, CEO of the US-based electric car major that specialises in electric vehicles, energy storage and solar panel manufacturing, said that it will come to India as soon as Ahuja believes it should.

Who is Deepak Ahuja?

A seasoned auto industry finance executive with 15 years of experience at Ford Motor Company, Ahuja joined Tesla Motors as its first Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2008.



Would love to be in India. Some challenging government regulations, unfortunately. Deepak Ahuja, our CFO, is from India. Tesla will be there as soon as he believes we should.

 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 30, 2018

He graduated in 1985 with a degree in Ceramic Engineering at the Institute of Technology of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, India.

Later, he completed his masters degree in Materials Engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and did his MBA from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Before joining Tesla, Ahuja served as the controller for Fords small cars product development programme, a strategic initiative to bring several fuel efficient cars to Fords lineup in the United States.

Prior to that, he served as CFO for Auto Alliance International, a joint venture between Ford and Mazda with over $4 billion in revenue.

In 2015, he reportedly retired from Tesla but later joined the company again in the same position.Moneycontrol Research Team

If you are looking to construct a portfolio of large cap shares in this market, we have cherry picked fourteen stocks where the medium term outlook does not justify the steep erosion in price. This is an attempt to capture deep value from the large cap universe rather than to just create a conventional index hugging portfolio.

While we are convinced about these stocks, given the market volatility, we have created a 20 percent cash cushion and will provide timely alerts to investors on deploying it.

Aditya Birla Capital houses the financial services businesses of the Aditya Birla Group. It enjoys a leadership position (ranked 3rd) in the mutual funds business, with equity assets forming 35 percent of its AUM (assets under management). It is a promising player in the lending business (book size of Rs 43,242 crore, low delinquency, RoE of 14.2 percent and RoA 1.9 percent) and shows decent growth in its small-sized housing finance company (book of Rs 8,137 crore).

With a strong partnership with banks to distribute its insurance products, the outlook for the company's life insurance business is improving. Aditya Birla Capital has a nascent presence in health insurance, financial advisory, securities broking and insurance broking and these could be long-term value drivers. The company, a good proxy for the shift in household savings from physical assets to financial instruments, has corrected significantly and is now close to its lifetime low.

Bajaj Auto had a bumpy start to FY18, but things have been looking up since then. The companys salesboth in value and volumehave been rising and its margins have expanded. The problems from demonetisation and the roll out of of the Goods and Services Tax are behind.

Domestic three-wheeler sales have increased following the abolition of the permit system. Demand in export markets too has been good. We have turned positive on the company on the back of strong three-wheeler sales, an improvement in domestic motorcycle sales and strong demand in export markets.

Coal India is set for a good year with the company eyeing volumes of around 630 million tonne, a 9 percent growth. Also, the full benefits of recent price hikes and higher prices in e-auction of coal, which is about Rs 6,000 crore of gains on an annual basis, will be showing in this years numbers. It has also started levying additional coal transport and coal evacuation charges, the full benefits of which will be seen this financial year. These should allay concerns over pressures arising from wage hikes, which were fully provided for in FY18.

Emami, with around 52 percent of sales from rural areas, remain our preferred play on the rural-led growth in the FMCG sector. At 36 times its estimated earnings for FY19, the stock is available at a steep discount to market leader Hindustan Unilever. Further, some of the problems of the company are ebbing. Raw material prices have corrected by 30 percent in the current year, the Kesh King portfolio has stabilised and wholesale dependency has reduced from 50 percent to 38 percent now. Emami's distribution reach has also improved, with direct reach increasing by around 30 percent in the last two years

Hero MotoCorp, the largest two-wheeler company in India, continues to do well. Sales, both in terms of volumes and value, have been growing, and the company has maintained its margins by controlling costs. Strong leadership in the two-wheeler segment, revival riding on rural growth, a slew of new launches, structural changes from an upcoming product rejig, focus on export markets and reasonable valuations make it an ideal stock for long-term investors.

ICICI Pru Life, in our view, is well positioned in a structural growth sector, with the lowest operating cost and distribution strength through tie-ups with banks. Given its improved return ratios and headroom to improve profitability, the valuation discount of more than 70 percent compared to its closest peer is unwarranted. We expect the gap to narrow in the near-to-medium-term, with a rise in ICICI Pru Lifes stock price.

Indraprastha Gas is our favourite play on the growing shift to CNG. Policy incentives supporting gas, pricing power and aggressive expansion in new territories are the main triggers for this stock. We expect the margins to remain stable and volumes to rise steadily. Any increase in crude price makes makes gas attractive for both commercial and domestic use. Increased environmental concerns and policy support for gas usage, more cities being brought under the city gas distribution (CGD) network, mandatory inclusion of gas pipelines in new building constructions and the deeply under-penetrated Indian gas market, are the other key triggers.

L&T is expected to benefit from the government spending in sectors like infrastructure, oil and gas, metros, defence, water resources, roads and a few others. It is already sitting on an order book of close to Rs 2,63,000 crore or around 2.5 times its consolidated sales for FY18. The company's management is optimistic about achieving relatively better growth in the current financial year. It has guided for a 12-15 percent revenue growth this year and a 10-12 percent increase in order inflows. With the margins expanding, earnings outlook appears to be promising.

PI Industries had a difficult FY18 because of several operational and macroeconomic challenges. We feel that was an aberration and expect a better performance in FY19 from substantial growth in the custom synthesis manufacturing (CMS) segment, limited exposure to rising global raw material prices, new product launches lined up for the domestic business, strong order book line up, global agro-chem recovery, clearing up of inventory channels and a conducive domestic agriculture environment.

Reliance AMC's assets under management stood at Rs 3.96 lakh crore as at the end of March. Within that, the share of high fee earning equity assets was 36 percent of the average AUM. With 11 percent market share at the end of March, strong retail brand and well-diversified sourcing platform, Reliance AMC will continue to be one of the key beneficiaries of the rapid growth in the mutual fund industry. The stock's current valuation looks compelling, given the company's track record, and we expect it will be able to grow its AUM and improve its profitability in the coming years. The financial problems of the ADAG Groupof which the company is a part of, has hurt the stock. But Nippon Life being an equal partner with 42.88 percent stake in the asset management firm, helps assuage the concerns.

Symphony is one of India's leading air cooler makers, earning 80-85 percent of its revenues from domestic sales. A market share of over 50 percent in the organized Indian air cooling market, opportunities in industrial and centralised air cooling, turnaround of foreign subsidiaries, product innovations, an asset-light model, and steady financials make the stock attractive after the recent correction.

UltraTech Cement ended FY18 on a strong note although reported numbers were impacted by exceptional one-off charges. The company enjoys a cost leadership position and has raised capacity utilisation at the plants bought from JP Associates, to 75 percent. The recent acquisition of Century Textiles Industries's cement plants has further fortified UltraTechs pan-India presence. Given the rise in infrastructure demand, the outlook for the company is robust as increasing capacity utilisation will give the industry in general a better pricing power.

Vedantas market capitalisation has eroded by nearly Rs 30,000 crore due to concerns over the closure of its Tamil Nadu copper plant. However, the stock has excessively reacted considering that this plant accounts for merely 5 percent of its consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

In terms of investments, this plants valuation (at 6 times EV/ EBIDTA or Rs 7,800 crore and fresh capex of about Rs 1,300 crore) is far less than the erosion in market capitalisation. Rating agencies like Moodys see a marginal impact while S&P predicted no major threat to cash flows. Moreover, the company's other business are still in good health, thanks to the uptrend in commodity prices. Vedantas fair value is at around Rs 1,40,000 crore. Even if one ascribes around Rs 10,000 crore for the Tamil Nadu plant, its other businesses are still worth Rs 1,30,000 crore as against its current market capitalisation of around Rs 91,500 crore.

caters to a wide range of clients through its diversified product/service portfolio. Easing of hurdles in the Middle East and initiation of capital-intensive projects by the Indian government should bolster the prospects of the electro-mechanical projects and services segment. Order visibility in the Mozambique-based engineering products and services arm, coupled with a steady growth trajectory for unitary cooling products should augur well for the company.June 05, 2018 / 09:36 PM IST

Shah reaches out to allies; to meet Badal, Thackeray

Reaching out to NDA allies ahead of the 2019 general elections, BJP chief Amit Shah will meet Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai tomorrow and Shiromani Akali Dal supremo Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh the following day, party leaders said on Tuesday.

On June 3, Shah met LJP chief and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who raised the issue of special status for Bihar. Sources also said that the Shah also meet Nitish Kumar and Mehbooba Mufti, chief ministers Bihar and Jammu & Kashmir respectively. (PTI)Tejas Khoday

The sheer number of stockbrokers available in India can confuse new investors and traders. It is important for them to select the right brokerage if they want a seamless, hassle-free experience. There are various kinds of brokerage companies in our country and they can primarily be categorised into two distinct classes: traditional brokerages and discount brokerages.

There is a vast difference between the two. Traditional brokerages were established much earlier and focused on providing regular trading tips to their clientele. This business model is primarily based on the fact that most people require trading ideas which these brokerages provide.

Generally, traditional brokerages charge a percentage of the brokerage fee. This varies from client to client and depends on volumes and negotiations with the broker. It ranges between 0.3 percent and 0.5 percent of the transaction value.

On the other hand, discount brokerages are platforms which offer standardised execution services but don't offer trading tips like their traditional counterparts. Discount brokerages cater to the growing active trading/investing community in India which prefers to self-educate and take independent decisions. Moreover, they charge a flat fee of Rs 20 per transaction regardless of trade volumes which is a huge saving (about 95-98 percent) for traders and investors.

However, one should consider the below factors before selecting a particular brokerage house.

1. Expertise in technology: Any stockbroker which has an expertise in technology will be able to provide an edge to their customers. A broker who has an in-house technology team is better positioned to meet the evolving needs of traders and investors in the form of new platform features and solutions for the long-run. Since stockbroking-related technology is mission-critical and complex, one should choose a brokerage which has a great track record in providing a stable and reliable platform, apart from the bells and whistles.

2. Transparency: There are a number of ways in which a broker can charge clients. Hence, make sure that their pricing policies are transparent and published on their website in detail. This will help avoid unpleasant surprises in the future since many brokers have been known to levy hidden charges without prior disclosures. Also, ensure they have proper policies in other aspects of the business too. Good business practices matter the most!

3. Management team: As a trader or investor, one will benefit the most if the brokerage's management team has a strong passion for the stock markets and the requisite experience to be able to provide the most seamless experience. Ability of the management team largely influences all businesses, particular businesses like stockbroking. If the management has the vision to truly enable their customers to do well, then one would benefit from it in more ways than one.

4. Brokerage charges: Every rupee saved is a rupee earned. For savvy traders, lower the brokerage, higher the appeal. Low charges also indicate that a broker is focusing on scaling the business. But pay attention to other aspects as well. Lower charges are great, but at what cost? It's not cool to be penny-wise but pound foolish. Double check their offerings and track record before getting lured in by the attractive brokerage fee structure.

5. Increasing awareness and education: If you are new to investing, you may not have all the knowledge to begin with. Considering that the education system in India is really ignorant on financial markets, try to choose a broker that takes an active interest in increasing awareness among its clients. Market rules and regulations are dynamic and change from time to time. Brokers are at the core of this information and it would be really beneficial if they can effectively transmit their knowledge and information in an effective way. Such a broker would definitely be a boon to their client.Ride-hailing platform Ola is launching a weeklong offer, starting June 5, where commuters can book free rides from locations such as metro stations, railway stations and bus stops across seven cities.

Cities coming under this offer include Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

The company announced the return of #FarakPadtaHai (#FPH), a national movement against traffic, carbon footprint and resulting pollution through adoption of shared mobility.

It saw 2x growth in the past one year with Bengaluru and Kolkata emerging as top cities in terms of adoption.

At Ola, we believe ridesharing has the power to change the social fabric of our country with #FarakPadtaHai acting as a catalyst. It is a key rallying point in Olas commitment to environmental sustainability and stewardship. Seeing the entire nation unite for a shared purpose and opt for shared mobility in large numbers is what has helped #FPH and Ola Share achieve such encouraging growth. In the past one year, last mile commute emerged as the newest use case for Ola Share. To encourage this spirit of commuters, were delighted to offer 1 lakh free Ola Share rides from mass transit locations," said Pallav Singh, Senior Vice President, Ola.

He added, We encourage Ola customers and the community at large to integrate shared mobility into their daily lives and make it a ubiquitous form of commute.

The uptake for Ola Share has gone up to around 70 percent from mass transit hubs in top seven cities with Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai , Kolkata and Pune. Smaller cities such as Guwahati, Jaipur,Chandigarh and Ahmedabad are clocking 60 percent more Ola Share rides compared to last year.Nipah Kerala

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said in an all-party meeting at Thiruvananthapuram that all Nipah related medical bills will be paid by the state government.

According to a report by News18, the government has also decided to distribute special food kits in Kozhikode which has registered 13 deaths due to Nipah, and in Malappuram where three deaths have been reported.

CM Vijayan praised the work done by the states health professionals in containing the disease outbreak and commended them on their courage, commitment and dedication.

What we have found out is that it's due to the effective intervention and the work of these health professionals that the spread of Nipah virus has been contained. Now there need be no fear or panic. The state government will bear all the expenses of these patients who underwent treatment for Nipah," said Vijayan.

As of Tuesday, around 18 positive cases have been reported, out of which 16 have been deceased, whereas the remaining two are recovering well in in Kozhikode. Around 2,000 people were claimed to have come in contact with the patients and are being monitored regularly.

On the opening day of the assembly session, opposition legislator P Abdullah walked on the floor of the assembly with gloves and masks, which was criticised by Health Minister KK Shailaja and CM Vijayan, terming it as an insult to the efforts taken by state government.

Later, leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala intervened stating that this action by Abdullah was for showing solidarity with the citizens of the city and not meant to be an insult.

Veterinarian Association has moved to approach Central Government with a request to carry out an epidemiological study on Nipah virus outbreak in Kozhikode for further prevention of any such outbreaks.

This study is a time-consuming one besides involving a substantial sum of money to conduct the study, as each area has to be mapped and detailed studies have to be done. We are willing to do it and for that we need the support," said the association's Mohan Kumar.Amid the continuing row in Assam over the citizenship amendment bill, Governor Jagdish Mukhi today said the state is completely divided over the issue and the government is seized of the matter. He also tried to allay apprehensions on the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which is being updated in Assam, saying commendable work is being done to prepare an error-free list of genuine Indians living in the state.

"Assam is divided over the issue (citizenship amendment bill). The Brahmaputra valley has a different view and the Barak valley different. Not only political parties, but social, cultural, literary organisations have taken their respective stand. The state government is seized of the matter. I have seen the Union Home Minister's statement and that is sufficient," he told reporters here.

Mukhi said as the constitutional head of the state, he has limitations and cannot make any political comment on the issue.

Last week, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said the people of Assam should not be apprehensive about the proposed law and any future step would be taken only after consultations with all stakeholders.

Assam has been witnessing protests against the central government's move to enact the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India due to religious persecution in their countries.

Organisations spearheading the protests said that the bill, if passed, would pave the way for giving citizenship to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in Assam.

Referring to the ongoing exercise to update the NRC, Mukhi said it was one of the biggest works being done in the state, thanks to the Supreme Court.

"Lot of hard work and dedication is involved in it. People too had to take lot of pain (to enroll their names). It is being done due to the stand taken by the Supreme Court. The work is being done peacefully," he said.

When asked about the possible law-and-order situation when the final draft of the NRC will be published on June 30, Mukhi said when the first draft of the NRC was published on December 31, 2017, there was lot of apprehension but nothing had happened.

"So, let this process be over. Be hopeful and positive. I think everything will be alright," he said.

A massive exercise to update the NRC was being carried out in Assam following a directive of the Supreme Court in 2005. A total of 3.29 crore people applied for inclusion in the NRC. In the first list, 1.9 crore names were included.

The NRC was last updated in Assam way back in 1951. Then, it had recorded 80 lakh citizens in the state. Since then, the process of identification of illegal immigrants in Assam has been debated and become a contentious issue in the state's politics

A six-year agitation demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants was launched by the influential All Assam Students' Union (AASU) in 1979. It culminated with the signing of the Assam Accord on August 15, 1985 in the presence of the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants veteran BJP leader LK Advani to contest the Lok Sabha polls in 2019, according to a report by News18.

If Advani decides to follow through on the suggestion, it would be a marked departure from BJP's age rule.

Multiple reports of BJP wanting to field some of its old guard in the upcoming polls have been making the rounds of late.

A Bengali publication reported that the party is thinking of fielding veteran Murli Manohar Joshi. Another report speculated about Yashwant Sinha possibly returning to the fold.

LK Advani had won the last Lok Sabha election from Gandhinagar, Gujarat. However, both he and Murli Manohar Joshi missed out on a place in Modi's cabinet of ministers.

Modi reportedly met Advani at his residence at Prithviraj Road, New Delhi. BJP leader, Amit Shah has also met the 90-year old Advani with a formal proposal.

While an official comment is awaited, BJP has recently been in a spot of bother with some allies leaving the NDA, and some others pushing for a larger say in running the government.Sunanda, wife of India's Minister of State for Human Resource Development Tharoor, poses with her husband at the Indian F1 Grand Prix at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida

Member of Parliament and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has been summoned as an accused by a Delhi court in the Sunanda Pushkar suicide case after the Delhi Police filed a 3,000 page charge sheet.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal took cognisance of Delhi Polices charge sheet and summoned the MP from Thiruvananthapuram.

The Delhi Police has alleged that Tharoor had subjected his wife to cruelty. The charge sheet has been filed more than four years after Tharoor's wife was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a Delhi hotel room.



January 17, 2014





for her information Shashi an& I are very happy together sad for her to know i guess i get sick and go away 4 treatment &the vultures pounce

 SunandaPTharoor (@sptvrock) January 16, 2014

Here is a timeline of events that have occurred until now:Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in Delhi's Leela hotel, a day after she accused Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar of creating trouble in her marriage through a series of tweets.



January 18, 2014



Doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said in their autopsy report that Pushkar had over 15 injuries on her body but that the injuries did not lead to her death.

The autopsy report also mentioned that needle and bite marks were found on Pushkar's body and that she had died of poisoning.



January 23, 2014



The case was transferred to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police before being transferred back to the police within two days.



July 4, 2014



Head of the Forensic Department at AIIMS alleged that he was pressurised to alter Pushkar's autopsy report.



October 10, 2014



The medical team probing Pushkar's death concluded that she had died of poisoning. The medical team did not name the specific poison that caused her death in its report. However, it listed a number of poisons that cannot be detected in Indian labs, according to a report by The Times of India.



January 15, 2015



Delhi Police said that Pushkar was injected by someone who knew her well.

They also pointed out that there are several contradictions between people who had been examined and Tharoor's statements.



November 11, 2015



Pushkar's viscera samples (samples of her internal organs) were sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington, United States after AIIMS doctors claimed that they did not have the means to identify the poison that allegedly caused Pushkar's death.

The FBI rejected all speculations that she died due to Polonium or any other radioactive substance.



January 22, 2016



The AIIMS medical board unanimously concluded that Pushkar died of poisoning after they examined the FBI report.

The conclusion was made in view of a particular mark on Pushkar's body. The board said that the FBI had confirmed the presence of lidocaine in her body.



May 14, 2018



Four years after Pushkar's death, a 3,000 page charge sheet was filed by the police in a Delhi court. Tharoor was charged with abetting his wife's suicide.



June 5, 2018



The Delhi court summoned Tharoor as an accused in the case. He will now have to appear before the court on July 7.BJP national president Amit Shah

BJP president Amit Shah met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday for the first time since last week's bypoll losses in the state.

Shah asked Yogi Adityanath for reasons behind the party's defeat in the Kairana and Noorpur bypolls, according to an NDTV report.

The BJP leaders did not make any official comments on the discussions that took place during the meeting.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) candidate Tabassum Hasan won the Kairana bypoll, defeating BJP rival Mriganka Singh. In Noorpur, Naeemul Hasan from the Samajwadi Party (SP) emerged victorious.

The bypolls conducted last week were an indicator of opposition unity, possibly setting the tone for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

This is the second recent setback for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier this year, BJP lost the parliamentary bypolls in Gorakhpur and Phulpur.

Uttar Pradesh is the state with the largest number of seats in the Lok Sabha. With 80 seats, UP is crucial for a victory in the general elections.

After the defeat in the parliamentary bypolls in Uttar Pradesh, Shah set up a team to analyse possible causes for defeat, aiming to get a bigger mandate in the state in 2019.Election Commission (EC) data has pointed out that Anantnag constituency seat in Jammu and Kashmir has remained vacant for two years  courtesy the longest delayed bypoll in India.

In 1996, a rule to fill any seat vacancy within six months had come into effect. Prior to this, there were quite a few instances of long delays in conducting bypolls, especially in violence-stricken areas.

However, the only exception to this rule after it came into force, was in Manipur in 1998-99. The Legislative Assembly constituency of Singhat in Manipur was vacant for over a year because of inability to conduct by-elections due to poor law and order situation. The seat had fallen vacant in November 1998 and elections could only be held post-1999.

The Anantnag Lok Sabha seat was vacated by Mehbooba Mufti in June 2016 after she was appointed J&K Chief Minister in April 2016. The seat has been vacant since then. The EC had attempted conducting bypolls in Anantnag on three occasions  in April, May and November 2017  but failed as the region was violence-stricken.

Keeping in mind the violent clashes that had broken out during Srinagar bypolls which had left eight dead, and a record-low voter turnout of 7 percent, the EC had declared that situation in Anantnag was not conducive to conduct bypolls.

Under Section 151(A) of the Representation of Peoples Act, if the EC, after consulting with the Centre, certifies that the situation is not conducive, bypolls can be postponed.

Anantnag, in southern Kashmir, happens to be a hotbed of militancy and gauging from the situation, it is quite likely that bypolls to the Lok Sabha constituency seat wont happen until the 2019 general elections.

In that case, Anantnag will have been the only such constituency where bypolls have been delayed for three years  the longest after the rule was implemented in 1996.A day after the JD(U) demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be projected as the BJP-led NDA's face in Bihar, the Janata Dal (United) president declined to comment on the issue over who will be the 'face' of the NDA in the state when Lok Sabha polls are held next year.

Earlier in the day, Deputy CM and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said Nitish Kumar is the ruling alliance' leader in the state and the NDA will seek votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the name of the JD(U) chief and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's works.

"This is a special occasion when I would like to see happiness on all faces. Please do not ask about any other face right now," Kumar quipped in response to queries by reporters.

The journalists gathered at his official residence of the chief minister to attend the Iftaar party organised by him.

When pressed further, he said, "All your queries would be answered at an appropriate time. Right now, let us pray that the holy month of Ramadan brings peace and prosperity to Bihar."

The JD(U) has asserted that the chief minister is the face of the NDA in the state, which is being speculated as an indirect demand for greater share of seats in the parliamentary polls.

Out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, the BJP has 22 in addition to nine others held by allies like the LJP and the RLSP. The BJP and JD(U) fought separately in the 2014 general election.

The JD(U) registered victories in only two seats but has the largest number of MLAs among all coalition partners in the state Assembly.

"May the followers of all religions live together in peace and may mutual respect flourish. Let us also pray that our state, which suffers the wrath of nature almost every year, does not face drought or floods", Kumar added.

A host of dignitaries, including state Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council Haroon Rashid, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and cabinet ministers Nand Kishore Yadav and Mangal Pandey attended the Iftaar party.Wipro

Wipro, one of Indias largest software services exporter, has offered an average of 6-7 percent salary hike to eligible employees for the year beginning June. Earlier this year, TCS and Infosys offered similar salary hikes to their employees. Capgemini, on the other hand, offered a meagre 0.5-1% hike.

According to a report by the Times of India, Wipro has declared that some employees might not receive any increments this year. The company stressed that digital engagements and the desire to improve their skills will be viewed more favourably than routine legacy work. The employees not eligible for pay hikes are being urged buckle up.

Although, Wipro did not specify the number of employees that were not being offered a hike, an internal memo by CEO Abidali Neemuchwala on Monday advised such employees to discuss their growth prospects with their supervisors and the HR.

A Wipro spokesperson said, as per the report, On an average, the increments are in the high single digits for offshore employees while increments for onsite employees are in the low single digits. Top performers and those working on future-focused niche technologies and domains have been rewarded with substantially higher increases.

This certainly looks like a trend in the IT services sector with employees having new technology skills being offered better benefits.Representative image

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has withdrawn its plea in the National Green Tribunal that sought directions to the Haryana government to check the "dangerous level of ammonia" in the Yamuna, saying the issues raised in it have been amicably settled.

A bench headed by acting NGT chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim also directed all the stakeholders to file a brief statement of compliance of the directions on Yamuna cleaning by July 25, the next date of hearing.

"The senior counsel H S Phoolka appearing for Delhi Jal Board is present and submits that plea filed on behalf of Delhi Jal Board are not pressed as they have become infructuous in view of the fact that presently the issues have been amicably settled and discussion is in progress for future provision.

"Submissions taken on record. The miscellaneous applications stand disposed of as withdrawn with no order as to cost," the bench said.

The tribunal had earlier slammed the DJB over its submission that Haryana was responsible for the high levels of ammonia in the Yamuna water being provided to the national capital and observed that the river has been reduced to a sewer line in the city.

Asking the DJB what it has done to clean the river water, the bench had made it clear to the body that it was only concerned with the pollution in the river and would not go into the issue of water sharing dispute between the two states.

Earlier, the tribunal had directed the Haryana government to submit an action plan to address the issue of ammonia and other pollutants in the Yamuna.

The NGT had directed the Delhi and Haryana governments to identify and address the sources of pollution in the river.

It had also ordered the Delhi and Haryana governments to hold a meeting to resolve the issue of high ammonia content in the water being provided to the national capital.

The DJB had moved a plea in the tribunal plea alleging high ammonia in water being provided by the Haryana government to Delhi.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had submitted its analysis report of ammonia at Tajewala in Haryana, Wazirabad water treatment plant, Okhla and ITO barrage in Delhi. Acting on concerns over the health of the people of Delhi, the tribunal had directed the CPCB to analyse the samples of the river water at the four points

While the DJB had alleged that Haryana was supplying "poisoned sewage water" to the national capital which had 2.6 parts per million of ammonia, the counsel for Haryana had refuted the contention and said there was no breach of any agreement. The DJB, which supplies water to the city, had approached the tribunal demanding that Haryana be asked to take urgent steps to check the "dangerous level of ammonia" in the Yamuna.

Claiming that the water being released by the state was so polluted that it cannot be treated for drinking, the DJB had said it may cause "a huge and irreparable loss to the citizens of Delhi and has a potential for a grave health crisis and water crisis in the National Capital Region (NCR)".

The petition also claimed that when the water enters Haryana, the ammonia level is nil and very much treatable, whereas when the water enters Delhi, the level is very high.India Economy

India is among the top five e-waste generating countries in the world besides China, the US, Japan and Germany, according to a report.

Among states, Maharashtra contributes the largest e-waste of 19.8 per cent but recycles only about 47,810 tonne per annum (TPA), the report released by Assocham and NEC today said ahead of the Environment Day on June 5.

Tamil Nadu with e-waste contribution of 13 per cent recycled about 52,427 TPA; Uttar Pradesh (10.1 per cent) recycles about 86,130 TPA; West Bengal (9.8 per cent), Delhi (9.5 per cent ), Karnataka (8.9 per cent), Gujarat (8.8 per cent) and Madhya Pradesh 7.6 per cent.

The global volume of e-waste is expected to reach 52.2 million tonne (MT) or 6.8 kg per inhabitant by 2021 from 44.7 MT in 2016 at a compound annual growth rate of 20 per cent, according to the study.

Of the total e-waste produced in 2016, only 20 per cent (8.9 MT) is documented to be collected properly and recycled, while there is no record of the remaining, e-waste, the study said.Indian Railways

Indian Railways made its own contribution to World Environment Day by introducing biodegradable food packages in eight trains, starting today.

Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted saying: "A small step to beat plastic pollution: On #WorldEnvironmentDay, Indian Railways has started using fully biodegradable packages in 4 Shatabadi and 4 Rajadhani trains from Delhi, contributing towards a greener planet."

Goyal also shared some pictures of the new packaging. The Ministry of Railways too acknowledged the move through a post on Twitter.

This year, the theme of World Environment Day is 'Beat Plastic Pollution' and India happens to be the host country. Plastic is polluting our environment and has become a major cause for concern across the globe. According to plasticpollutioncoalition.org, by 2050, our oceans will contain more plastic than fish.

Twitter users responded to Goyal's post with encouragement and urged him to consider mandating the biodegradable packaging in all trains. Earlier in the day, many celebrities participated in World Environment Day celebrations by saying no to one daily-use plastic product.

"Plastic is a necessity for us, but it shouldn't become a curse. We have to abolish the use of single-use plastic in the world. We have a responsibility towards the environment and Mother Nature. The government is constantly making attempts to not only ban the use of plastic but also, raise awareness among people about same," Union Minister of State for Environment, Mahesh Sharma, told ANI.The Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha has ordered a judicial inquiry into the "missing" keys of the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, The Hindu reported.

According to a statement released by the Chief Ministers Office, The inquiry will be conducted by a retired judge of the Orissa High Court and is to be completed within three months.

This came to light when Puri District Collector Arvind Agarwal, during a recent temple management committee meeting, observed that there was no official record about availability of the Ratna Bhandars keys.

On April 4, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration wanted to open the inner chamber of the treasury for inspection. However, they were unable to do so due to unavailability of keys. Eventually, they had to return after peeping into the chamber through a broken window.

As per norm, the keys should be in possession of the District Treasury. After locking the temple treasury, the keys need to be handed over to the District Collector. However, there was no mention of receipt of keys either in the government treasury or with the Collector.

Interestingly, the administration had tried opening the Ratna Bhandar twice in the last two decades but failed due to the opposition by a section of people serving the temple. According to them, opening the Ratna Bhandar would hurt sentiments of devotees.

In the last Assembly session, Law Minister Pratap Jena said the last assessment of valuables stocked in the temples treasury was carried out in 1978. According to that, the treasury had around 128kg of gold ornaments.

Jagannath Sena, an outfit that raises issues regarding the temple, has asked for a CBI probe into the missing keys of the treasury. They said judicial inquiries in the past have yielded no results.Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka cheif minister HD Kumaraswamy

Over 12 Congress MLAs in Karnataka are likely to take oath as ministers in the first expansion of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's Cabinet, after the grand old party finalised the list in a meeting between Rahul Gandhi and its senior state leaders. According to sources, while over 12 legislators will be of the Congress, around nine MLAs of the JD-S are likely to take oath tomorrow, a fortnight after Kumaraswamy was sworn in as chief minister.

As per the power sharing arrangement, the Congress would have a total of 22 ministers while the JD-S will have 12, including the chief minister.

Sources said Gandhi held long deliberations with former chief minister Siddharamaiah, deputy chief minister G Parameswara and senior party leaders D K Shivakumar and Dinesh Gundu Rao, along with AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka affairs K C Venugopal.

Though there was no official word from the Congress, Gandhi is learnt to have given his nod to the list of around 12 ministers which includes Shivakumar who is likely to get an important portfolio.

Gandhi met the Karnataka leaders for over an hour and gave final shape to the list of ministers, while according equitable representation to all sections and regions.

Sources said some portfolios may remain vacant on both sides to douse any discord in the two parties.

The lone BSP legislator in Karnataka, N Mahesh, will be a part of the cabinet expansion and will be given a key portfolio.

JD-S secretary general Danish Ali told "We will give due importance to our pre-poll ally, the BSP by giving its lone MLA a ministerial berth."

He also disclosed that BSP supremo Mayawati has deputed its senior leader Satish Chandra Misra to attend the cabinet expansion function tomorrow. This is the first time that the BSP will be a part of the government outside of Uttar Pradesh.

Danish Ali was the key pointsman in negotiating an alliance with both the BSP and then the Congress.The latest episode of Priyanka Chopra-starrer Quantico, which portrayed some Indian nationalists as terrorists, has not been received well by Indian viewers and fans of the show.

The episode features a group of Indian nationalists who plot a bomb blast in Manhattan, New York, with the ultimate intention of framing Pakistan for the incident.

Quantico, currently in its third season, is an American thriller drama series that follows the life of FBI agent Alex Parrish (played by Priyanka Chopra). Parrish becomes a prime suspect in a terrorist attack on Grand Central Terminal in New York.

The latest episode, aired on June 1 in India, drew a lot of flak from viewers, who are reportedly mad at Priyanka Chopra for agreeing to act in such an episode, which they feel maligns India's image across the globe.

Twitterati, as Twitter users are popularly called, trolled the actress and the show, calling it 'nonsensical' and 'highly unrealistic'.

"What the hell was this episode of #Quantico .. they tried to show 'Indian nationalists' (their term) trying to blow up Manhattan to frame Pakistan. I dont even know what sort of ridiculous narrative was this episode trying to set.. nonsensical stuff," a particularly irate Twitter user posted.

Another angry Indian pointed out that thousands of Indians go to work in Manhattan every day and that plotting a bomb blast in Manhattan would be like plotting one in Delhi.

Quantico was a breakout success when it first aired in 2015. However, with time, it started to lose momentum and witnessed a decline in viewership through it second season.A man was arrested in Assam for posting communally sensitive comments on Facebook from his neighbour's account without his knowledge or consent. The anti-India comments were posted by the neighbour to spite him.

As per a report from Hindustan Times, comments praising Pakistan and derogatory remarks about Assamese and Hindus were posted on poultry shop owner Ahedul Ali's Facebook page.

As a result, the tension was high on Sunday night in Sorbhog town in Barpeta district which is 145 km west of Guwahati.

The matter soon escalated to such an extent that some people burned down Ali's shop due to the nature of the comments. Fortunately, police force arrived at the right time and detained Ali. Violet Baruah, superintendent of police, Barpeta, said, "The nature of the comments led some people to burn down Alis shop. Police swung into action swiftly and detained Ali.

However, on further investigation, Ali revealed that he was not tech savvy and he had no idea about any such offensive posts and comments being posted from his Facebook handle.

He denied posting any derogatory remarks from his account. Further investigation by police about the IP address from where the comments were posted led them to Jyotish Nath, a footwear shop owner whose shop was in close proximity to Ali's poultry shop.

On questioning, Nath revealed that he had opened Ali's Facebook account a few months ago and that he was aware of Ali's login id and password.

Baruah said that "Nath said he had enmity with Ali over money and other personal issues. On Sunday, he accessed Alis account and posted the comments to target him,".

On further inquiry, it was revealed that neither Nath nor Ali had any direct connection to politics, thus ruling out any political interference. Police have now booked Nath under sections of IT Act and IPC for an activity causing communal discomfort and identity theft.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (L) shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has joked about his week-long India visit, which took place earlier this year, after it drew a lot of undesired attention in both countries.

Speaking at the Parliamentary Press Gallery Dinner a couple of weeks ago, Trudeau mocked his visit to India by talking about various aspects of the tour in front of a packed audience.

"Thats it, in terms of this year. Nothing else happened. Nothing at all. We didnt go to India," Trudeau said. "I dont remember the India trip. I think to myself we should really go to India sometime, the same way I say to myself we should have a Highlander 2 sometime, because that was such a great movie."

The 46-year-old prime minister then presented a slideshow about the trip, which was prepared by his team. Interestingly, the title of the slideshow was accompanied by a sad-face emoticon.

Being welcomed by the agriculture minister

Trudeau remembered that upon landing in India, he was received by Minister of Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh and joked about how some experts had called it a "very big deal."

There were speculations about why India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not present to receive Trudeau, despite being known to personally greet fellow heads of state on their arrival, including former US President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Canadian media's poor coverage

The prime minister took a jibe at the Canadian media's coverage of his tour, claiming it did not highlight the bilateral agreements and investment promises made by Indian companies.

Trudeau referred to his meeting with Infosys' Chief Executive Officer Salil Parekh and the company's announcement of investments in Canada. "You guys didn't report on it, since I was wearing a shirt and tie. Boring!" he said.

Meeting Bollywood stars

The Canadian prime minister also spoke of his family's trip to Mumbai, where they met Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan.

Pulling up a photograph with the Indian actor, Trudeau said: "Here I am meeting Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan. And, wow! One of us is seriously underdressed. How embarrassing for him,". To be sure, he was mocking his own dressing sense for the event.

In pictures | Justin Trudeau in India: Here are some snapshots of the Canadian PM's visit

The Sikh separatist controversy

Trudeau also presented a controversial photograph in which his wife Sophie was spotted with former Sikh separatist Jaspal Atwal at an event during the tour.

However, Atwal was cropped out of the photo. True to form, Trudeau then claimed that the media could not stop talking about the picture because of the dress his wife was wearing. "Such a beautiful dress!" he said.US President Donald Trump would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at 9 am Singapore time on June 12, the White House announced today.

"I can tell you the president has been receiving daily briefings on North Korea from his national security team, and I can also tell you the schedule tentatively, for that first meeting will be on June 12 at 9:00 AM Singapore time, and take place June 11, 9:00 PM East Coast time," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference.

The Trump administration, she said, is actively preparing for the June 12 summit between the US President and the North Korean leader.

"The advance team in Singapore is finalising logistical preparations and will remain in place until the summit begins. In the DMZ, the US Ambassador's delegation continues diplomatic negotiations with the North Korean delegation. Discussions have been very positive, and significant progress has been made," Sanders said.

Last week, Trump met with a top North Korean official at the White House to plan for the summit. The official handed him a letter from Kim Jong-un.

"I am not going to get into the specifics of the letter, but as the president said, they were interesting, and we feel like things are continuing to move forward, and good progress has been made, and we're continuing to prepare for the president's summit," Sanders said.

When asked whether Trump supports a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, she said the focus of the administration right now was the President's meeting with the North Korean leader. "And the President will make his views known directly to him when we're in Singapore, and our focus will continue to be on denuclearisation," Sanders said.

Responding to a question on "maximum pressure" policy on North Korea, the press secretary said the US policy towards Pyongyang has not changed. "Our policy hasn't changed. And as the president stated, we have sanctions on. They're very powerful, and we would not take those sanctions off unless North Korea denuclearises," she said.Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore, in a historic summit between the two leaders.

The meeting will begin at 9am Singapore time, or 6.30 am IST. The meeting might be held at the Shangri-la hotel, CNBC reports.

This will be the first official visit between US and North Korea. It will also be the first time a member of the Kim family has met a sitting US president. Members of the family have met former US presidents, CNN reports.

Preparations for the summit have begun in full swing.

It is widely expected that US sanctions on North Korea, and the latter's nuclear programme will be on top of the agenda.

The US yesterday reiterated its "maximum pressure policy", that lifting of sanctions is conditional on North Korea's denuclearising.

"We have sanctions on, they are very powerful and we would not take those sanctions off unless North Korea denuclearised," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said, as quoted by the BBC.

A formal end to the Korean war could also be discussed, BBC reports, citing analysts.

The fighting in the 1950-1953 war between North and South Korea had concluded with a truce, not a peace treaty.

There are also a few subjects Trump and Kim Jong Un will probably not discuss.

Allegations of human rights violations, freedom of media and total government control in North Korea are issues that will likely be sidelined at the summit, BBC reportsMicrosoft today said it will buy software development platform GitHub, in a deal worth USD 7.5 billion which will blend two opposite corporate cultures. The tech giant, based in Washington state, is a heavyweight in terms of software whose source codes are not openly available or modifiable, exactly the counter of GitHub's philosophy.

Created in 2008, GitHub allows developers to cooperatively manage software and has more than 28 million users around the world.

"Microsoft is a developer-first company, and by joining forces with GitHub we strengthen our commitment to developer freedom, openness and innovation," Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella said in a statement.

"We recognize the community responsibility we take on with this agreement and will do our best work to empower every developer to build, innovate and solve the world's most pressing challenges."

The veteran tech firm said it "will acquire GitHub for USD 7.5 billion in Microsoft stock." Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory review, the deal is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, Microsoft said in a statement on its website.

"GitHub will retain its developer-first ethos and will operate independently to provide an open platform for all developers in all industries," Microsoft said.

"Developers will continue to be able to use the programing languages, tools and operating systems of their choice for their projects -- and will still be able to deploy their code to any operating system, any cloud and any device."

Microsoft has begun moving towards an open source software culture, proposing for example Linux on its Windows Azure cloud service. It also started a training program with Linux and others.

Microsoft Corporate Vice President Nat Friedman, founder of Xamarin and an open source veteran, will become GitHub CEO. GitHub's current chief executive, Chris Wanstrath, will move to Microsoft as a technical fellow to work on strategic software initiatives.

Writing on The GitHub Blog, Wanstrath said that he "could have never imagined" news of such a merger, when open source and business were considered as different "as oil and water" a decade ago.

But he said Microsoft and GitHub have already collaborated on projects, and "their vision for the future closely matches our own."

He said "both believe that software development needs to become easier, more accessible, more intelligent, and more open, so more people can become developers and existing developers can spend more time focusing on the unique problems they're trying to solve."What can possibly happen when an ex-Reality TV star turned US President with a penchant for snappy phrases like "Little Rocket Man" and comical threats promising "Fire and Fury" meets with an enigmatic counterpart? A counterpart who has given himself multiple titles like the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army?

Right at the onset, let us try to figure why this meeting is so important for North Korea. For one, the chance to occupy the same stage as an American President has been a matter of great prestige for North Korean leaders and both the father and the grandfather of Kim Jong-un struggled to accomplish this feat and failed because of their persistence to continue with their nuclear programme and unwillingness to go with the US's insistence upon denuclearisation.

President Jimmy Carter did meet with Kim Il Sung, Kim's grandfather, in 1994 but not much came of it, while former President Bill Clinton met Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, after he left office in 2009. But while he was in power Bill Clinton had sent Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for a meeting in 2000 with Kim Jong Uns father, Kim Jong-Il. A gesture that North-Korea considered being an open snub.

When George W. Bush came into power, he froze the negotiations that had been initiated by Clinton and Albright and even went as far as calling the country a part of an axis of evil in 2002.

President Barack Obama never got to the point of believing that North Korea would give up its nuclear weapons and refused to react to what he called was "provocative behaviour". What he was referring to were the occasional, immature threats that North Korea issued to both the US and South Korea.

So just the thought that a mellowed down Kim and a boastful American untutored in the fine nuances of international diplomacy are meeting is unusual, to put it mildly.

Whether this meeting will just be a photo op to stroke mutual egos and create twitter trends or will it result in a long-term thaw in the relationship between the two countries remains to be seen.

What is highly irregular though is Trump's open and unprecedented admiration for totalitarian leaders like the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte who is notorious for his support to extrajudicial killing of drug users and other criminals. Trump has praised him even though human rights groups have documented over 1,400 killings of drug users, petty criminals and street children allegedly by death squads operating in Davao between 1998 and May 2016.

His admiration and fondness for Russian president Vladimir Putin is no secret and he has also admired on occasion how Kim Jong Un decimated opposition to manage North-Korea post his father's demise.

The push and pull between the two men are almost soap-operatic in its intensity and yes, reminiscent of compulsively watchable reality TV.

But before we get to find out what unfolded before the two men decided to hold this long-awaited meeting on June 12, let us first analyse what could be the aftermath of this encounter

Both US and North Korean officials are busy shovelling the ground to ensure a smooth way forward as Kim and Donald Trump reset their schedule to meet each other face to face in Singapore.

But what is it that North Korea hopes to get from the United States if it indeed agrees to unconditional denuclearization? Or will it insist upon a conditional negotiation?

What is a matter of great significance is that technically, North Korea and the US are not on the same side of the diplomatic fence. Policy-wise they have been adversaries with the US playing the admonishing Big Brother all along. So for Kim to have achieved this breakthrough in the form of a meeting is an achievement in itself.

Kim has at this point, established complete control over the workings of his own country, and what matters most to him now is global attention and the chance to share the stage with world leaders and being accepted and respected as a peer.

This meeting is the first step towards ending the isolation North Korea has suffered over the years over undemocratic episodes like the dramatic assassination of Kim's older half-brother Kim Jong Nam in 2017 and constant additions to its nuclear stockpile.

Kim obviously wants the world to put the past behind and will make concessions to gain acceptance in the elite club of world leaders with diplomatic clout.

Trump who has often expressed his fondness for military parades and disdain for democratic pillars like a free media and independent agencies like the FBI perhaps sees in Kim, a leader who has continued to rule successfully and with an iron fist an entire nation despite being heavily-sanctioned and with no big allies to speak of.

He also wants to show and tell the world that he can pull off a diplomatic coup in doing what was unthinkable for previous US presidents.

But if you look at major benefits, it is North Korea that stands to gain more from this meeting. It has already started making overtures of peace with South Korea and softening a super-power like the US will cement Kim's position and solidify his regime. And the country could do with a few less sanctions for sure.

United Nations has over the years depleted with stringent sanctions, North Korea's resources and so yes, a few less sanctions will make Kim a very happy man and notch up a major win for North Korea. He had made no headway with Obama but he seems to have read Trump well and is playing a well thought out game of sending placatory letters, promising the end of nuclear testing and basically stoking his ego to get what he wants. Whether Trump, who is notorious for not reading diplomatic briefs and not preparing himself before meeting with world leaders actually knows what he is doing, remains to be seen.

And now for the twists and turns that led us to this stage of the tale.

Since March 8 this year, when the American President had first agreed to meet Kim, there has been a tantrum and a cancellation of plans. North Korea too threw a tantrum but finally a top North Korean diplomat Kim Yong Chol met Trump in the Oval Office and the meeting was back on. So were the two leaders just bluffing to drum up some more drama?

We will never know but the drama began last February when North Korea tested the KN-15 (Pukkuksong-2) medium-range ballistic missile almost as an affront to Trump. Then it unleashed its first intercontinental missile on July 4 which incidentally had the capacity to hit the United States.

The Trump baiting continued in September when North Korea tested it's most powerful till date nuclear missile.

Trump, as expected, came up with an outburst fit for reality TV rather than a well thought out a diplomatic statement.

He told reporters,"North Korea best not make any more threats to the United State. He (that is Kim) has been very threatening ... and as I said they will be met with fire, fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before."

He followed it up by calling Kim, 'Little Rocket Man' even as North Korea threatened to strike Guam, an American territory in the Pacific ocean.

But then, came the biggest surprise of all.

The first confirmation of a summit between American and North Korean leadership on March 8, 2018.

We will never know what happened in the interim or why Kim Jong Un chose this time to express his "eagerness" to meet with Trump. This was followed by U.S. Central Intelligence (CIA) Director Mike Pompeo meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. Not just that North Korea sent back three American prisoners back with him as a goodwill gesture when Pompeo visited the country the second time.

More world shaking surprises were in store.

Moon Jae-in, South Korea's president, and Kim Jong Un, North Korea's leader actually shared a historic reconciliation as they walked along a bridge during the inter-Korean summit in a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Paju, South Korea, on April 27, 2018.

The summit saw the signing of the Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification on the Korean Peninsula. Which basically translates into the two countries committing to a denuclearized peninsula and officially ending the war.

And then Trump inexplicably cancelled the summit before it was back on at 9 am on June 12.

This followed, as we have told you before, Trump's meeting with a top North Korean official at the White House where he was handed a letter from Kim Jong-un. Reminds you of a love and hate saga between star-crossed lovers? Well, you would not be alone in thinking that.

But the question that remains most crucial amid all this drama, is whether the US policy towards Pyongyang to not lift sanctions unless North Korea denuclearises will remain firmly in place. Or if North Korea will achieve what it had failed to do so far. Find an ally in the US and gain validation as the world watches.

Interestingly, according to a Reuters report, when the two men meet in Singapore, they will be watched over by the Gurkhas of Nepal. Even though both leaders, known for their elaborate security paraphernalia will bring their own teams, elite Singaporean policemen, including its Gurkha Contingent, will secure the venue, roads and hotels.

The Gurkhas, says the Reuters report will be kitted out in body armour, Belgian-made FN SCAR combat assault rifles and pistols in leg holsters at the conference. And of course, they will be carrying the famous khukri - the heavy curved knife they are synonymous with.

So as you can see, the soap opera is fast turning into a political thriller complete with an ensemble cast but what will be the next nail-biting sequence in this saga, can only be decided by its mercurial, temperamental and unpredictable lead players.Kim Jong Un, leader of North Korea

The UN's nuclear watchdog said today it would be ready to restart inspection work in North Korea "within weeks" if a political agreement were reached.

"We would be able to resume our verification activities at short notice, within weeks, not months", International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano told reporters at a press conference.

Amano's comments come as preparations continue for next week's historic summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore.

"We have liaised with stakeholders and had a number of exchanges" on the issue, he added.

"It is very clear that if there is anybody, any organisation that can do the verification, it is only us," Amano went on.

He said it was difficult to predict the size of any possible inspection operation, but that the agency would be able to mobilise many staff to take part if needed.

In 2009 Pyongyang expelled IAEA inspectors from its Yongbyon nuclear site and has since refused to allow IAEA inspections on its territory.

The Singapore summit will be the first time a sitting US president has met a North Korean leader.

Talks are expected to focus on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and improving relations between Washington and Pyongyang.

The main stumbling block is likely to be the concept of "denuclearisation" itself -- both sides say they are in favour of it, but there is a yawning gap between their definitions.

On Sunday US Defence Secretary James Mattis said North Korea would not get any sanctions relief until it demonstrated "irreversible" steps to denuclearisation.Anti-corruption investigators questioned the wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Tuesday about alleged theft and money-laundering involving the 1MDB state investment fund, as officials announced a probe into other suspicious multibillion-dollar transactions under Najib's leadership.

The prosecution of Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor over the 1MDB scandal, which helped lead to Najib's stunning ouster in May 9 national elections, could be sped up with the government's appointment Tuesday of a new attorney-general.

The appointee, distinguished lawyer Tommy Thomas, is the first person from outside Malaysia's Malay majority to hold the powerful position in more than half a century. His Najib-appointed predecessor had stifled investigations.

Rosmah, accompanied by her daughter and son-in-law, didn't speak to reporters as she was escorted into the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office, where she was questioned for three hours. She was summoned nearly two weeks after Najib was questioned twice by the agency.

In another blow to the former first couple, their lawyer M. Puravelan told The Associated Press that he is no longer representing Rosmah and Najib. He said another prominent lawyer Yusof Zainal Abideen had also withdrawn. He said they didn't quit because of disagreement over legal strategies for the 1MDB case but declined to elaborate.

Najib set up the 1MDB fund when he took power in 2009 but it accumulated billions in debts. U.S. investigators say Najib's associates stole and laundered $4.5 billion from the fund from 2009 to 2014, some of which landed in Najib's bank account. They say $27.3 million was used to buy a rare diamond necklace for Rosmah.

New Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad reopened investigations into 1MDB that were suppressed under Najib's rule. He has also banned the couple from leaving the country. The country's new anti-graft chief has said Najib, who denies any wrongdoing, could soon face criminal charges.

On Tuesday, officials announced they had alerted the anti-graft commission to at least $2 billion worth of government-related transactions that are "highly suspicious."

The Finance Ministry said in a statement that a state company overseeing gas and petroleum pipeline projects that began in April last year had paid nearly all the $2 billion-plus project funds to the Chinese developer despite less than 15 percent of the pipeline work being completed as of March.

The state company was set up by the "same people" who established a 1MDB subsidiary that Malaysian investigators allege was used to funnel state funds to Najib's bank account, according to the statement.

It said the contracts were negotiated by the prime minister's department without involving treasury officials who would normally vet such transactions. The projects, which relied largely on Chinese loans backed by the Malaysian government's repayment guarantee, proceeded despite numerous "red flags" raised in other parts of the government, it said.

Separately, the appointment of Thomas, an ethnic Indian and a Christian, stirred some disquiet among the country's Muslim Malay majority. Groups representing ethnic Malays, who make up two-thirds of Malaysia's 31 million people, had demanded the top legal job be given to a Muslim to ensure Islam is protected as the official religion.

Media reports said Mahathir submitted Thomas' candidacy to Malaysia's constitutional monarch, Sultan Muhammad V, nearly two weeks ago, sparking a bitter debate over his race and religion.

The palace statement said the king urged all Malaysians to ensure the appointment of Thomas doesn't "create any religious or racial conflict as every Malaysian should be treated fairly." He promised that Malay rights and Islam would remain protected.

Many Malaysians, including Malays, supported Thomas, saying on social media that his appointment will bolster reforms and symbolizes that Malaysia should be free from racial and religious barriers.

Thomas, 66, is a renowned senior lawyer whose first task will be to handle prosecution of the 1MDB case.

His predecessor, Mohamad Apandi Ali, attempted to clear Najib of wrongdoing in 2016, saying some $700 million that landed in Najib's bank account was a donation from the Saudi royal family and that most of it has been returned. U.S. investigators say the money was from 1MDB.

Najib was grilled last month over why an additional 42 million ringgit ($10.6 million) was transferred into his bank account from SRC International, a former unit of the 1MDB fund, using multiple intermediary companies. Rosmah is being questioned in the same case.

Police have seized 114 million ringgit ($28.7 million) in cash and hundreds of expensive designer handbags and jewellery from Najib's home and other properties.

The government has said Najib's administration conducted an "exercise of deception" over 1MDB and deceived parliament over the country's financial situation. Officials say the national debt has ballooned to more than 1 trillion ringgit ($252 billion), partly due to the 1MDB saga.

Mahathir, who was prime minister for 22 years until 2003, was spurred out of retirement by the 1MDB scandal. He has vowed there will be no deal for Najib, saying he will face the consequences if found guilty of wrongdoing.A healthy pace of inbound immigration towards Prince Edward Island  indeed, the strongest in the region  has propelled housing construction activity to levels far above the national average.

According to the latest numbers from the PEI Construction Association, the maritime provinces housing starts have increased by 64% over the past year, way above the 11% rate nationally. Vacancy stood at less than 0.5%.

This year is looking like an amazing year again in construction, both on the commercial and residential side, association general manager Sam Sanderson told The Canadian Press.The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will once again collect personal consumer data when it is investigating cases of potential fraud, according to a Reuters report.

Acting Director Mick Mulvaney, who put an obstacle to the data collection in 2017, announced that he will now allow the CFPB to resume collection. Mulvaney is also head of the White House budget office.

When he assumed leadership of the CFPB in November, Mulvaney halted the collection of consumer data over his concerns that the data could potentially be stolen in case the agency was hacked.A relative testifying in the San Antonio murder trial of a woman accused of killing her nephew and lover in self defense asked the judge for a protective order after he said the family threatened him.

Wael Abdelaziz, a cousin of the deceased, Mohammed Abdelaziz, and the uncle of Andira Abdelaziz, the woman accused of killing him, told a jury here the man was violent, would start fights at the stores the family owned, and would take money from the cash registers whenever he wanted.

His work at the store was ugly, Wael Abdelaziz said. He was coming there to collect money, not to work. He had no customer service.

He said his cousin would get into arguments with customers, mostly verbally, but at times they became physical.

We stopped counting how many times he got into fights, Wael Abdelaziz said. He chooses his enemy  hes looking for somebody who cant hurt him, someone smaller that cant defend himself.

Mohammed Abdelaziz, a former law student, was 25, and 6-feet, 5-inches tall when he was stabbed in the back Aug. 9, 2016, at a home in the 12500 block of Dry Run, with a large kitchen knife, which went through his heart. He attempted to leave the home and crashed his car into the house and died in the driveway.

Andira Abdelaziz was 35 when she was arrested and accused of murder in the death of the nephew of her husband, whom she married at 14 as part of tradition in Palestinian culture. Defendant and victim were involved in an affair, and kept it secret to keep her husband, children and family from disgrace, witnesses have testified.

The relative told the jury he once witnessed Mohammed Abdelaziz attack his own father and knew that the man also beat his sister. He told the jury he feared for his life because nobody could calm him down once he was angry.

After his testimony, from the witness stand, Wael Abdelaziz asked state District Judge Sid Harle for a protective order for his entire family.

Ive received multiple threats about testifying today, he told the jury.

It is unclear whether Wael Abdelaziz was able to get a protective order.

One of the defendants sons, a 16-year-old, testified that he had seen his cousin be violent on numerous occasions  with relatives and strangers  and once smashed his mothers phone on the concrete because she did not answer it when he called her.

Earlier Monday, Theresa Germain the custodian of records for the doctor who prescribed medications to Mohammed Abdelaziz, testified the man was taking an extended release form of Adderall and suffered from anxiety over "a fear of losing control," medical records indicated.

Forensic psychiatrist Michael Arambula told the jury he interviewed Andira Abdelaziz on four occasions, studied the numerous threatening text messages sent to her and reviewed Mohammed Abdelaziz's medical records and determined that the victim's, prescription for 60 milligrams of Adderall a day, was almost too high.

Taking too much can cause paranoia and exacerbate anger, he told the jury. It can make anger worse.

Arambula said if the victim already had problems with anxiety, Adderall, a stimulant, could make it harder to manage stress.

He also said the way the defendant was raised, in the Palestinian culture, not questioning, doing what she was told, she was set up to be controlled.

She had symptoms of chronic post traumatic stress disorder, he told the jury.

Jurors Monday also heard testimony from a former neighbor, Bridget Gatewood, who performed CPR on Mohammed Abdelaziz before EMS arrived. She also said she used her iPad to take pictures and record video at the scene, and when the device was returned from the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, it was broken and video and photos removed.

The case is being heard in the 226th state District Court. If convicted, Andira Abdelaziz faces up to life in prison.

Elizabeth Zavala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | ezavala@express-news.net | @elizabeth2863Ashlee Rezi | Chicago Sun-Times (AP)

A priest has told the young sons of a Chicago Fire Department diver that their father lived his life in service and was willing to risk his life for others.

The tribute came during a funeral Monday for 46-year-old Juan Bucio, who died last week while searching for a boater who fell overboard in the Chicago River.Three people have died in a two-vehicle crash on Illinois Route 104 near Ranson Road.

All three were traveling in a car going west on Illinois 104. The car reportedly crossed the centerline and an eastbound sport utility vehicle being driven by a 19-year-old Franklin woman tried but was unable to avoid a collision, according to an Illinois State Police report.

The two vehicles hit on their passenger sides about 12:43 p.m. Monday.

The driver and both passengers of the car were pronounced dead at the scene by the Morgan County Coroners Office. Their names have not been released because family members were being notified.

The Franklin woman was flown to Memorial Hospital in Springfield for what authorities said were serious injuries.

State police were assisted by the Morgan County Sheriffs Department, Jacksonville Fire Department and LifeStar Ambulance.On June 6, 1944, Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy. What followed is considered by some the most significant military invasion of all time.

Known as D-Day, the battles that ensued secured a beachhead, making it possible for the Allied forces to move forward with efforts that would eventually end with the defeat of the Nazis.WASHINGTON  The Trump administration added another complication to already fractious talks with Canada and Mexico on Tuesday, suggesting that President Donald Trump now wants to negotiate separate bilateral deals with those nations rather than continue three-country discussions to rewrite the North American Free Trade Agreement.

His preference now, and he asked me to convey this, is to actually negotiate with Mexico and Canada separately, Larry Kudlow, the White House chief economic adviser, said of the president on Fox & Friends on Tuesday morning.

Kudlow said pursuing separate deals might allow an agreement to be reached more rapidly, adding: I think thats the key point. You know, NAFTA has kind of dragged on.

The comments echo previous musings by Trump and are only likely to inflame tensions with Canada and Mexico, which are already reeling from Trumps imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs and his suggestion that tariffs on autos might come next. Relations with Canada and Mexico are more strained than at any time during the presidents tenure, and the clock has essentially run out for the administration to secure a NAFTA deal this year.

Canada and Mexico have opposed the idea of separate treaties as cumbersome and an unnecessary complication of a pact that many North American businesses rely on for sales and production.

Kudlow insisted that the president was not planning to withdraw from NAFTA. However, splitting the current trilateral deal into two separate bilateral agreements would likely require nullifying the 25-year-old agreement.

The president has frequently threatened to withdraw from NAFTA to put pressure on his opponents in the negotiation and on Friday, Trump said he would be interested in pursuing separate deals. These are two very different countries, he said.

I like free trade but I want fair trade, Trump said, adding, They cannot believe theyve gotten away with this for so many decades.

The Trump administration had been trying to conclude NAFTA talks by the end of May to submit the deal for a vote in the current Republican-controlled Congress. But the three countries have remained at an impasse over significant provisions, including manufacturing rules for autos and a U.S. proposal for a five-year sunset clause that would cause the deal to automatically expire unless the countries voted to renew it.

Given the statutory deadlines the administration must meet to get a trade deal approved, it now appears likely that any vote would drag into next year, after midterm elections that could shift the political makeup of Congress.

Last week, the Trump administration hit Canada and Mexico with steel and aluminum tariffs, the product of a national security-related investigation that both countries view as an affront to their close alliances. The levies, which took effect June 1, have further chilled relations.

On Tuesday, Mexico published the tariffs its imposing on products imported from the United States in response to the levies.

Tuesdays list shows tariffs ranging from 15 to 25 percent include a host of pork products, apples, potatoes, cheeses, bourbon, inboard motor boats and some flat steel and tubes.

Mexico imports so much U.S. pork  nearly one-third of whats consumed  that the government says it will waive tariffs on up to 350,000 tons of pork imported from other nations to avoid destabilizing the market.

Canada also has vowed retaliation on U.S. producers in response to the steel and aluminum tariffs.

Trumps strategy in the negotiations with Canada and Mexico has drawn criticism from the business community as well as Democrats and Republicans.

A spokeswoman for Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said Tuesday that Brady opposed splitting the negotiations in two.

A NAFTA without both Canada and Mexico included is no longer a North American Free Trade Agreement, spokeswoman Julia Slingsby said. Chairman Brady believes one free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico is best for America. It provides the most certainty for American companies and is the best way we can sell Made in America products.

And a survey of chief executive officers released Tuesday morning by Business Roundtable showed that while executives have a positive view of the economy, they see the administrations trade policy and the prospect of retaliation from other countries as an escalating risk to their businesses.

Joshua Bolten, president of Business Roundtable, said that uncertainties about trade policy were a growing weight on economic progress  especially amid escalating trade tensions. Americas current and future economic vitality depends on productive talks with China and a successful modernization of NAFTA.

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, the Finance Committee chairman, urged Trumps team to be patient in the ongoing NAFTA negotiations, in a statement last month. It is critical that the administration takes the time necessary to get these negotiations right, Hatch said. I believe the administration understands that.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.President Donald Trump is seriously considering separate trade negotiations with Canada and Mexico but he doesn't plan to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said.

"His preference now, he asked me to convey this, is to actually negotiate with Mexico and Canada separately," Kudlow said Tuesday during an interview on Fox News. "I know this is just three countries but still, you know, oftentimes when you have to compromise with a whole bunch of countries you get the worst of the deals."

Kudlow's comments suggest Trump is serious about the position he staked out Friday, when he floated the idea of pursuing bilateral pacts with the NAFTA partners in response to questions from reporters about the status of negotiations. Canada and Mexico on Tuesday both repeated their commitment to keeping the 1994 trade agreement a trilateral accord.

Trump doesn't plan to quit NAFTA, Kudlow said on Tuesday, addressing a repeated threat from the president to walk away from the deal since talks started in August.

"The president's not going to leave NAFTA. He's not going to withdraw from NAFTA," said Kudlow. "He's just going to try a different approach. I can't offer timing here, but judging from what he told us yesterday, I think he'd like to start that approach rather quickly."

Negotiators have reached agreement on about nine of 30 chapters for an updated NAFTA, and the U.S. had been pushing to get a deal passed in this Congress, which would require an agreement around now. A key Republican senator, John Cornyn, said on Monday that window is now closed and talks are expected to proceed more slowly going forward.

The peso sank to its weakest level in more than a year on Tuesday amid concern a trade pact with the U.S. won't be approved by Congress before 2019.

Any of the three countries can quit NAFTA on six months' notice. No country has given such a warning, and only Trump threatens to. If he gave it and did actually exit, Canada has a pre-existing bilateral arrangement to fall back on, but it would probably require an update too.

Pushing NAFTA talks into next year -- as is likely -- may change the dynamic of negotiations. Democrats may take one or both chambers of Congress from Republicans in November midterms and push back against a new trade deal, while Mexicans will elect a new president in July. The current front-runner, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has at times taken a strong anti-Trump tone and has been a vocal critic of NAFTA.

Lopez Obrador favors updating the treaty with all three nations, his economic adviser Gerardo Esquivel said on Tuesday. "We want to have a Nafta 2.0 not a Nafta 0.5. That means we want a better and updated NAFTA," said Esquivel.

Three-way talks to update the pact are continuing, a Canadian government official said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity after Kudlow's remarks.

Negotiations over rewriting Nafta are already largely bilateral given most meetings typically occur between two nations at a time, the official said, playing down any significant shift away from the current format of talks. The president has regularly raised the prospect of a bilateral deal so Tuesday's comments aren't new, the official added.WASHINGTON - Oil refineries from the Gulf Coast and across the country could be in for a windfall under reforms to the federal ethanol mandate expected to be announced by the White House as early as Tuesday.

After months of internal debate and negotiations with oil and corn state politicians like Sen. Ted, Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, administration officials are preparing to move ahead, sources close to the talks said.

The White House has been looking at an overhaul that would count the ethanol shipped overseas towards federal quotas, which is expected to lower the price of the biofuels credits that refineries purchase in lieu of blending ethanol. At the same time the White House has discussed waiving environmental restrictions that prevent the sale of E15, a fuel with a higher concentration of ethanol, during the summer, in a concession to ethanol producers.

RELATED STORY: Refiners at odds with agriculture secretary over ethanol demand

Many refineries, including San Antonio-based Valero and Sugar Land-based CVR Energy, have been rooting for such an outcome.

"For too long, the [ethanol mandate] has forced merchant refiners to purchase compliance credits known as RINs at exorbitant costs from a volatile and opaque market prone to fraud and speculation," Fueling American Jobs Coalition, a lobbying group representing refineries and gasoline retailers, said after a meeting at the White House last month. "Allowing RINs associated with exported biofuel to be used for compliance would go a long way toward addressing the burden of persistently high RIN costs on merchant refiners."

On Wall Street anticipation of government intervention is already driven down the price of RINs, which were trading for 18 cents a credit Tuesday morning, an 80 percent decline from when Trump came into office in 2016, according to Bloomberg News.

Adding to the uncertainty, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued a flood of so-called hardship waivers to smaller refineries, who claim the costs of the ethanol mandate are too high. That in turn has drawn lawsuits from ethanol producers, who argue the waivers are driving down demand for their fuel.

The White House's hopes of a grand bargain - what Trump describes as a "win-win" solution - has so far fallen flat.

The Renewable Fuels Association, the chief lobbying arm of the ethanol industry, is opposing the move to count exports towards ethanol quotas, which they argue will drive down demand for their product.

"We think the restrictions on E15 should be lifted, but the benefit will be negated by the export RINs," said Rachel Gantz, spokesman for the RFA. "We don't think its a win, win."

The proposed overhaul drew criticism from Midwestern senators, who had spent months trying to talk Trump out of taking action that would lower the price of biofuel credits. At a forum in Washington Tuesday, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, attacked EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt for lying to her when he promised to protect the ethanol mandate, as well as "the way he spends money, the way he misuses his office," according to Politico.

Pruitt "is about as swampy as you get here in Washington, D.C. And if the president wants to drain the swamp, he needs to take a look at his own cabinet," Ernst saidEven if you didn't get Kate Spade's quirky, preppy, East Coast aesthetic, you knew her name.

The Kate Spade New York brand created everything from natty cardigans to handbags to fragrances and even uniforms for flight attendants.3 1 of 3 James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 3 James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Houston-area students shut out of ITT Technical Institutes in 2016 will receive their transcripts after a new settlement requires the universitys parent company to give electronic student records to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The announcement comes nearly two years after ITT Educational Services Inc. abruptly closed its 137 ITT Tech locations  including three in the Houston area. In 2016, the U.S. Department of Education forbade the for-profit college from enrolling students who received federal financial aid, and it shut down soon after. The school had been under investigation for its recruiting practices.HAMDEN  Mayor Curt B. Leng announced Friday he signed the budget put forward by the Legislative Council May 17, enacting it into law.

Under the $231.52 million spending plan, the tax rate will rise to 47.96 mills. Each mill equals $1 in tax per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Leng said he was uncomfortable with the increase in the tax rate, reductions to the police budget  two currently unfilled positions will remain vacant in the year to come, Leng said  and setting aside just $500,000 for contingencies, which he said was the lowest amount in many years.

But he said he decided to sign the budget as a sign of governmental unity.

(L)ocal government has to be the level of government that our residents can count on to get things done. We cant allow ourselves to fall into the traps of bickering and inaction that has plagued the federal and even state governments in recent times, said Leng. Hamden residents must feel confident that their town is there for them and that their services will be strong and effective.

To this end, I will be signing the Council approved FY19 budget today, with the mixed emotions of reluctance, but also a renewed hope that we can learn to master the art of compromise and produce future results which are in the very best interest of our taxpayers, he said.

Leng said the town government would work to bolster public safety, find alternative sources of emergency funds, and seek to end the year in the black.

My administration will work hard throughout the upcoming year to end the FY19 budget with a surplus. These efforts will hopefully allow us to minimize any tax increases in the upcoming FY20 budget, hold the line on taxes, or hopefully even reduce our mill rate slightly to provide relief for our residents, said Leng. Working together with the Legislative Council and our residents, I know that we can make this happen while making our town finance and services stronger and more efficient for the future.

Council President Michael McGarry previously said the budget was a compromise effort, more closely and contentiously considered than any of its predecessors during his time on the council.

It supports the Board of Education and fully funds the towns pension obligations  tough, but appropriate, decisions, he said.

People were not comfortable with their votes, said McGarry. It was a difficult vote to take, knowing the pain itll cause people in their personal finances, but necessary.

Council member Lauren Garrett put out a statement Friday, thanking the mayor for signing the budget, which she also described as a compromise  in this case, between the councils priorities and the mayors original proposal, with the wants and needs of town residents factored in.

Garrett said she was concerned about the debt burden on the community, which grew as part of a restructuring plan instituted as part of the budget, as well as the total cost of the financial plan and resulting tax rate.

A study by the Office of Policy and Management indicated Hamden had the fourth-most bonded debt per capita in Connecticut, Garrett noted.

But she was pleased the council determined the appropriate costs and revenues for every line account in the budget and funded them at those levels, provided resources for an efficiency study, funded education appropriately, and fully pays the towns pension obligation.

Plenty of work remains before us to stabilize the growing operating costs for our town. We need to obtain additional funding from Hartford, said Garrett. We need to generate additional means of funding our town, that does not further burden our residents. The Hamden Legislative Council is committed to working on all of these items, and more, over the next year, and not waiting until next budget season brings these issues to the forefront again.

Marjorie Bonadies, minority leader on the council, voiced her displeasure with the budget in a statement Friday. She said Democrats were loathe to make any cuts and added to the budget beyond what was requested, including $1.25 million for the Board of Education.

There were many people who came to speak at the public input sessions begging the council not to raise taxes. Property values are dropping precipitously around town, said Bonadies. There is a sense that the council doesn't care about people who are paying $20,000 or more in taxes because they must have big houses and can therefore afford these unplanned expenses. I heartily disagree. These houses become albatrosses and are impossible to sell and maintain, and make the town undesirable for future families to invest in.

Bonadies also drew issue with the decision by Democrats to caucus in the second-to-last session of budget deliberations, which she said effectively shut out Republican input.

We are only two Republicans, but we spent many hours going through this budget over the month of April only to be treated insignificantly by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. To say this was a contentious negotiation is putting it lightly. Only the arrogance of knowing they will never be voted out by the electorate allows this type of behavior to flourish, said Bonadies. I am disgusted by the way we were treated and my caucus voted no on this budget.

Bonadies said she believes years of underfunding the towns pension obligation and diminishing state funding has put the community in a financial hole, which will mean difficult budgets and likely tax increases in the years to come.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.comSugar Lands Inspiration Stage will produce Disneys Newsies in 12 shows over three weekends, July 20-Aug. 5, at the historic Sugar Land Auditorium, 226 Lakeview Drive.

Were thrilled to be the first Houston-area community theatre to perform Newsies, says Mandy Seymore-Sensat, Inspiration Stages artistic director and Newsies director and co-choreographer. Its such a dynamic show with a touching story that will appeal to all audiences.

Though the full cast comes from various Houston-area neighborhoods and suburbs, Fort Bend County has a strong showing of young talent performing, including: Noah Alderfer of Mission Bend, 22, as Jack; Holden Hagelberger of Riverstone, 10, as Les; Hannah Pickle of New Territory, 20, as Katherine; Jeff Sensat of Pecan Grove as Joseph Pulitzer; Kate Henry of Telfair, 13, as a featured dancer; Drew Doyle of Lexington Point, 12, as a featured dancer; Clayton Evans of Village of Oak Lake, 15, as ensemble; Miranda Maldonado of Falcon Point, 21, as ensemble; Janiah Lockett of Greatwood, 19, as ensemble; Jonathan Bynum of Four Corners, 19, as ensemble; and Joseph Henry of Colony Park, 11 as Less understudy.

Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right.

Alderfer looks forward to bringing his character, Kelly, to life in this awesome story about friendship, resilience and unity.

The shows youngest cast member, Hagelberger said, Im excited for the opportunity to perform with this amazing cast! I cant wait to play Les in this fun show.

The production and artistic staff also has members living in Fort Bend County, including: Seymore-Sensat of Pecan Grove; Annelea Bootle of Pecan Grove, stage manager; and Linda Orlandi of Riverstone, costume designer.

Bynum, who has either acted or stage managed 14 productions for Inspiration Stage, said, Words cant express how thrilled I am to be a part of Newsies  its a dream come true!

Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots).

Inspiration Stage is a national award-winning performance arts studio. The 2017-18 season includes youth and adult productions, as well as acting and production classes. Summer 2018 offers 19 theater camps for kids of all ages. Visit www.inspirationstage.com for tickets and information.LOS ANGELES - For six years after he was shot and wounded while walking behind Robert F. Kennedy in the Ambassador Hotel in June 1968, Paul Schrade mourned the loss of his friend and stayed out of the public eye. But beginning with a news conference in 1974, Schrade has demanded answers to the question of whether a second gunman - and not Sirhan Sirhan - actually killed Kennedy.

Soon after Sirhan's trial ended with his first-degree-murder conviction in April 1969, journalists noted that Kennedy had been shot in the back of the head at point-blank range, but witnesses all said Sirhan was standing in front of Kennedy. Bullet holes found in the doors of the crime scene indicated more shots were fired than could have come from Sirhan's eight-shot .22-caliber pistol, some witnesses said. Sirhan's defense team had not challenged any of the physical evidence at trial.

Fifty years after the assassination, Schrade is still pushing for a new investigation." I'm interested in finding out how the prosecutor convicted Sirhan with no evidence, knowing there was a second gunman," Schrade said. "The truth is not known yet about who killed Robert Kennedy." Schrade, now 93, believes Sirhan wounded him and four other people but did not fire the fatal shot into Kennedy.

Schrade has been supported in his calls for a new investigation into the case by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who met with Sirhan in prison last December and told The Washington Post that "the wrong person might have been convicted of killing my father." Now Robert Kennedy's daughter Kathleen Kennedy Townsend has joined Schrade and her brother.

"Bobby makes a compelling case," the former Maryland lieutenant governor told The Post. "I think it should be reopened."

Three other Kennedy children - former Rep. Joe Kennedy, activist Kerry Kennedy and filmmaker Rory Kennedy - have said they do not think the case should be reopened. Ethel Kennedy, the senator's widow and now 90, has not commented.

Schrade and a host of authors and researchers point to a number of apparent missteps by the Los Angeles police and prosecutors in focusing solely on Sirhan, while suppressing evidence of a second shooter, such as:

- Prosecutors withheld the autopsy report from Sirhan's defense lawyers until six weeks into the trial, showing that Kennedy had been shot at point-blank range from behind. Five other people in the hotel pantry standing behind Kennedy, including Schrade, were hit by bullets fired from in front of them.

- Police failed to investigate an armed private-security guard who was walking behind Kennedy at precisely the angle where the fatal shots to Kennedy's head and back were fired. He has consistently denied firing his weapon but has told conflicting stories over the years.

- Police officers and FBI agents identified apparent bullet holes in two door frames of the pantry, indicating more than eight shots were fired. But no evidence of those holes was presented at trial, and the Los Angeles police destroyed the door frames shortly after the trial.

- The lead crime-scene investigator testified at trial that bullets from the wounded victims matched a bullet from Kennedy, but presented no photos or evidence to support that. When two ballistics experts examined the bullets after the trial, they found the bullets didn't match. Subsequent investigations couldn't match any of the bullets to Sirhan's gun. The crime-scene investigator was subsequently criticized even by prosecutors for sloppy work in the case, by a judge for seeming perjury in another high-profile murder, and later suspended by his own police chief.

- Los Angeles police bullied or ignored witnesses whose stories did not match the lone gunman scenario, records show, particularly people who claimed they saw Sirhan with a dark-haired woman in a white polka-dot dress. Then at trial, prosecutors brought in a blonde-haired woman with a green polka-dot dress and claimed she was the mysterious woman in question. Sirhan's lawyers, focusing on a mental health defense, did not challenge that either.

The Los Angeles police have heard all this criticism before, did some reinvestigation in the 1970s that confirmed their own work, and now consider the case closed. The Los Angeles district attorney's office referred inquiries to the California attorney general's office, which repeatedly defeated Sirhan's appeals, and which declined to respond beyond court filings. The California and federal courts have consistently held that Sirhan was guilty of murder, even with new discoveries made in the decades after the early morning of June 5, 1968.

"Considering all of the evidence," U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Wistrich wrote in 2013, "old and new, incriminatory and exculpatory, admissible and inadmissible, the Court cannot say that it is more likely than not that no reasonable juror would have found [Sirhan] guilty of the assassination of Senator Kennedy beyond a reasonable doubt."

"In ignoring the myriad evidence of conspiracy in this case," said Lisa Pease, author of a forthcoming book on the investigation's failures, "the LAPD and DA's office created the seventh pantry victim: the truth. We have a guy in prison, provably by the evidence, for a crime he didn't commit."

There are some facts which are not in dispute, namely that Sirhan had a .22-caliber pistol in the hotel pantry on June 5, 1968, and that he emptied all eight shots as Kennedy stood in front of him. Two Ambassador Hotel employees, Karl Uecker and Edward Minasian, said repeatedly that Uecker grabbed Sirhan's wrist after two shots, slammed it to a table, and that Sirhan continued to fire wildly while being held down but never got close to Kennedy.

"I have told police and testified [to the grand jury]," Uecker said in a 1975 affidavit, "that there was a distance of at least one and one-half feet between the muzzle of Sirhan's gun and Senator Kennedy's head. The revolver was directly in front of my nose. . .There is no way that the shots described in the autopsy could have come from Sirhan's gun..Sirhan never got close enough to a point-blank shot, never."

But at trial, neither prosecutors nor Sirhan's defense team focused on the distance between Kennedy and Sirhan. Though Sirhan and prosecutors reached a plea deal in January 1969 for Sirhan to admit guilt and receive a life sentence - a deal the judge rejected - and trial began on Jan. 7, records show prosecutors did not provide coroner Thomas Noguchi's autopsy report until about Feb. 22. By that time, the defense had already decided to concede that Sirhan had shot Kennedy and was trying simply to avoid the death penalty by claiming he was mentally ill.

Noguchi found that four shots had been fired at Kennedy from at most three inches away. Three shots appeared to be in contact with Kennedy's back and shoulder, based on powder burns to his jacket, Noguchi said, with one shot passing through the jacket's shoulder pad and not touching Kennedy. All three were fired sharply upward. The fourth shot was fired into the back of Kennedy's head from three inches away, Noguchi concluded, by test-firing a similar gun to determine how much gunpowder sprayed at various distances.

"Thus I have never said," Noguchi wrote in his autobiography, "that Sirhan Sirhan killed Robert Kennedy." At a conference last month of RFK assassination authors, Pittsburgh coroner Cyril Wecht pressed Noguchi as to whether there was a second gunman, but the 91-year-old pathologist said, "That's not my duty." He also told Wecht that defense attorneys never spoke with him before the trial and did not ask him about the muzzle distance at trial.

Prosecutors and some authors have theorized that Kennedy turned and raised his arm as the shots began, thus enabling Sirhan to hit him in the back. The government notes that the jury heard the evidence, convicted Sirhan and sentenced him to death, which was later commuted to a life term. But there was plenty of evidence the jury never heard. An appeal Sirhan's current lawyers have pending to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights says Sirhan suffered from ineffective assistance from his legal team.

The defense attorneys also went lightly on Los Angeles police criminalist DeWayne Wolfer, who oversaw the crime-scene investigation. He and Noguchi were both photographed pointing to bullet holes in the pantry, and police removed those door frames. Numerous witnesses, including police officers and FBI agents, said the holes were made by bullets. But between the bullets which hit Kennedy and those which hit Schrade and four others, all the bullets from Sirhan's gun had been accounted for by Wolfer.

"I've inspected quite a few crime scenes in my day," FBI Special Agent William Bailey told authors William Klaber and Philip Melanson for their book, "Shadow Play: The Unsolved Murder of Robert F. Kennedy." "These were clearly bullet holes; the wood around them was freshly broken away and I could see the base of a bullet in each one." Many other people saw these holes, reports show.

In 1992, former LAPD organized crime Detective Mike Rothmiller filed an affidavit saying he had reviewed an internal intelligence report about the assassination which "listed a total of ten different bullets that had been recovered from the scene of the assassination and victims." Rothmiller knew Sirhan's gun only held eight bullets. The report was never disclosed to Sirhan's lawyers.

Wolfer concluded that the holes in the pantry had been made previously through hotel wear and tear, not bullets, though Uecker and other employees said the holes were not there before. The issue was not explored at trial, and when an article appeared in the Los Angeles Free Press shortly after the trial ended questioning the four holes, Los Angeles police destroyed the door frames, records show. The police said there was no room to hold the frames and they were not needed after the conviction, though Sirhan's appeal was pending. Ceiling tiles with apparent bullet holes in them, removed from directly above the shooting area and also not introduced at trial, were destroyed by the police, too.

Crucially, Wolfer testified that a bullet removed from Kennedy's neck and a bullet removed from a wounded victim had come from Sirhan's gun. But he did not submit any photos comparing the two bullets or keep any notes documenting his comparison, and the defense accepted his testimony without challenge. In 1970, when ballistics expert William Harper examined the bullets with a newly invented comparison camera, he found the bullets had not been fired from the same gun.

Soon two other ballistics experts also said the two bullets came from different guns. In 1975, a commission of seven experts was empaneled to review the ballistics, including refiring Sirhan's gun. But Sirhan's gun had deteriorated, and it couldn't be determined if it had fired either the Kennedy bullet or the wounded victim's bullet. Later, it was determined that the bullet police submitted for the 1975 test as the Kennedy bullet was actually from another victim, not Kennedy.

If police had followed a trail of bullets from behind Kennedy's right side, the person who was standing closest to him was an armed private-security guard, Thane Eugene Cesar. Cesar said he fell down as the shooting began, then pulled his .38-caliber gun but didn't fire because Sirhan had already been captured. A news assistant for a local TV station, Don Schulman, gave a radio interview moments after the shooting and described Cesar firing back at Sirhan.

But Los Angeles police did not check Cesar's gun, records show. When he showed them a .22-caliber revolver similar to Sirhan's, the police didn't check that gun either. Cesar was never a suspect for the police and always maintained his innocence. Prosecutors never called him as a witness, even though he was one of those standing closest to Kennedy. Journalist Dan Moldea hired a top polygraph examiner to question Cesar in 1994, and Moldea said Cesar was found truthful. He lives today in the Philippines. His .22-caliber revolver has been found but never tested for comparison to the Kennedy bullet.

Another angle the police were disinclined to follow was the "girl in the polka-dot dress." Numerous people in the pantry spotted her standing with Sirhan, consistently describing her as "shapely" or "proportionate," in a white dress with black dots. Most notable of these witnesses was Sandra Serrano, who gave an interview to NBC's Sander Vanocur an hour after the shooting describing the woman, and a man, running out of the hotel saying, "We shot Kennedy." But records show an aggressive and demeaning polygraph interview given by an LAPD examiner caused Serrano to change her story. ["Nobody told you 'We have shot Kennedy,'" Lt. Manny Pena told Serrano, recordings show. "Sandy, you know that this is wrong . . . This didn't happen."] Serrano later returned to her original story. John Fahey, a man who spoke to police during their investigation, had said he spent the day of the election with a woman in a polka-dot dress who told him, "They're gonna take care of Kennedy tonight." But police interrogators told him, "These answers will have to be changed," and eventually Fahey equivocated and his account was dismissed, according to Shane O'Sullivan's book "Who Killed Bobby?".

An older couple told Sgt. Paul Sharaga about the man and the woman in the polka-dot dress and also heard the "We shot Kennedy" remark. Sharaga broadcast a lookout for the pair, only to have it canceled 90 minutes later. Recordings show that an LAPD inspector told Sharaga over the radio that one man was in custody, and police "don't want them to get anything started on a big conspiracy."

Twenty years later, when the case records were released, Sharaga said the LAPD report on his action was "phony," because it said the couple reported the girl saying, "They shot Kennedy" instead of "We shot Kennedy." Sharaga told author William Klaber, "This is just how things were done. If they couldn't get you to change your story, they'd ignore you. If they couldn't ignore you, they'd discredit you, and if they couldn't do that, they'd just make something up."Icilma Cornelius was weeks away from her wedding in 2016 when she visited a gleaming brick medical office atop a hill in suburban Atlanta, home of the practice of Windell Davis Boutte, a dermatologist who describes herself as a "nationally and internationally known" cosmetic surgeon.

Cornelius, then 54, had gone in to inquire about Botox and other anti-aging facial fillers, according to court documents. But while there, Boutte and the staff reportedly convinced Cornelius to also return for several cosmetic surgeries before her nuptials: A standard panniculectomy would remove fat and skin from her lower abdomen, and "SmartLipo," a type of laser liposuction, would remove fat from her upper abdomen, love handles, bra roll, lower back and upper third of her buttocks.

Convinced, Cornelius paid in full for the procedures that day, a total of $11,284.50, and the clinic scheduled her surgeries for less than a week later.

"She just wanted to be perfect for her wedding dress," her son, Ojay Liburd, would later tell WSB-2 in Atlanta.

On Feb. 18, 2016, Cornelius returned to Boutte's office for what she expected to be a cosmetic transformation. Something, however, went terribly wrong that day.

Eight hours into her surgery - after anesthesia was discontinued but before her lower abdomen had been sutured closed - Cornelius went into cardiac arrest. A medical student in the room called 911 to report Cornelius as unconscious and not breathing.

Even after paramedics arrived and stabilized Cornelius, there were delays in transporting her to the hospital. It took Boutte about 30 minutes to close up Cornelius's abdomen, and then paramedics had to carry Cornelius down the stairs because there was no elevator at Boutte's clinic big enough to accommodate a stretcher, according to court documents.

By the time Cornelius arrived at Eastside Medical Center, she was "in severe distress, unresponsive ... and unable to breathe without a ventilator," a complaint filed on her behalf later stated. Cornelius suffered "a severe and debilitating catastrophic brain injury," and today relies on a feeding tube and round-the-clock care.

The wedding was canceled.

Cornelius is one of at least seven women who have sued Boutte for negligence, among other allegations, after their cosmetic procedures went awry, as first reported through a joint investigation by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB-TV Atlanta. At least three of the seven lawsuits have settled for undisclosed amounts.

Lawyers for Boutte's former patients claim the doctor fraudulently advertised herself as being board-certified in "surgery and dermatology," when she was only certified in the latter, and also misstated the qualifications of staff members who were allowed to participate in surgical procedures.

Boutte, who did not respond to requests for comment for this story, has maintained in court depositions that she did nothing wrong and that the adverse effects her patients suffered after surgery were out of her control. And because, under Georgia law, any physician with a medical license can also practice surgery, Boutte was operating legally then and continues to do so today.

The cases have pointed a spotlight on Boutte Contour Surgery & Skin in Lilburn, Georgia, which promises on its website to deliver "snatched" waists and "impressive silhouettes, body contouring and skin that glows!" to men and women seeking plastic surgery.

"DOCTOR TO THE STARS!" the site exclaims of Boutte, who is listed as the center's medical director. "Dr. Boutte GETS IT! ... She is known for her personable bedside manner, honesty, aggressive work ethic, and PROFICIENT ATTENTION TO DETAIL."

The lawsuits against Boutte have recently gained notoriety in part because of about two dozen videos filmed and posted to the clinic's YouTube channel, which showed the doctor dancing, rapping and gesturing over her patients' naked bodies, apparently during their procedures.

In one, Boutte raps along to the O.T. Genasis song "Cut It," waving her scalpel to the beat of the song. At some point, she begins making incisions on the patient's side, slicing into the skin back and forth to the lyrics: "Them bricks is way too hot, you need to cut it. Your price is way too high, you need to cut it."

In another video, filmed with the Commodores's "Brick House" playing in the background, Boutte dances next to her patient's bare buttocks and holds up a tube to mimic a trumpet. In several of the videos, including two to Migos's "Bad and Boujee" and Beyonce's "Formation" ("Okay ladies, now let's join sexy nation! Dr. Boutte is the best at creating!" Boutte sings), the doctor is not wearing surgical gloves or a mask as she improvises lyrics over her patients, who appear to be sedated.

Those videos, which were used to promote Boutte Contour Surgery & Skin, have since been taken down from YouTube. An Instagram page for Boutte's clinic is no longer publicly visible. The promotional videos reappeared in news reports recently after Chloe Dallaire, a lawyer representing some of Boutte's former patients, presented them as evidence Boutte was not practicing proper infection control when she operated on a woman named Donna Shah.

In that case, Shah agreed to cosmetic surgery thinking she was getting laser liposuction, but later discovered during Boutte's deposition she had received conventional liposuction, Dallaire said. In addition, they also discovered Boutte's housekeepers were the ones cleaning the operating room at the clinic, she added.

Shah's complaint alleges that she reported post-surgery pain to Boutte but was never advised to seek medical attention. Shah wound up visiting a hospital on her own and was hospitalized for 30 days, with "abdominal wall and gluteal cellulitis with abscess; aspiration pneumonia; acute respiratory failure; acute renal failure; severe sepsis due to cellulitis and pneumonia; severe anemia due to acute blood loss from the liposuction; acute left gastrocnemius vein thrombosis, transient hypotension, leukocytosis, and tachycardia," the complaint stated.

Shah's story is similar to that of Mitzi McFarland and Kristine Dolly, sisters who also agreed to undergo "SmartLipo" but later discovered they had received conventional liposuction, said attorney Susan Witt.

In photos published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, McFarland's abdomen appears lumpy and disfigured. McFarland told the newspaper Boutte performed a second surgery to fix the results of the first, and assured her she would be able to drive home herself after the procedure because she would not be heavily sedated.

"I was put to sleep, and then I woke up some 18 hours later in the hotel bedroom with a McDonald's sandwich in my hand, one bite out of it," McFarland told WSB-2, adding that she believed Boutte forged her signature after taking her to a hotel near the clinic.

Both Witt and Dallaire, who met each other after realizing they were representing clients in ongoing cases against Boutte, say they are frustrated that the Georgia Composite Medical Board has not taken disciplinary action against Boutte.

"In 14 years of medical malpractice (law), both on the defense and plaintiffs' side, I have never seen anything as outrageous and black-and-white as this doctor," Dallaire said. "From every angle, whether it's staffing, lack of protocol ... every which way you look at this case, it's malpractice."

The Georgia Composite Medical Board, which oversees licensing for medical professionals in the state, did not immediately return requests for comment Monday.

Dan DeLoach, the board's chair, told WSB-2 there is "a tiny minority of physicians who are practicing beyond their scope" but denied the board was slow to investigate complaints against doctors. He said he could not comment on Boutte specifically.

"You don't want to rush to judgment and end up making an error that could be very professionally harmful," DeLoach told the news station.

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Video: At least seven women have sued Atlanta dermatologist Windell Davis Boutte for negligence and other claims. Videos of Boutte singing and dancing in surgery were posted on her clinic's YouTube channel.(Allie Caren/The Washington Post)

Embed code:Kate Spade was found and pronounced dead in her Park Avenue apartment on Tuesday, the New York Police Department confirmed. The fashion designer was 55.

Law enforcement officials told the Associated Press that it was an apparent suicide and that housekeeping staff found Spade hanging in the apartment at around 10:20 a.m. She left a note and her husband was at the scene, police confirmed to The Washington Post.

Police added that the investigation is ongoing and had no further comment. A representative for Spade said she did not have a statement at this time.

Spade became synonymous with the popular fashion brand that bore her name. Together with soon-to-be-husband Andy Spade, she founded the Kate Spade label in 1993 as a collection of handbags and accessories. It eventually became known for its bold color palette and functional products, including stationery, beauty products and eyewear.

The first Kate Spade shop in New York opened in 1996. Three years later, the couple sold a large stake of Kate Spade to Neiman Marcus, which later aquired the remaining portion and sold it to Liz Claiborne in 2007. Both founders eventually left the brand, which is now a part of Tapestry, Inc., an accessible-luxury group that also owns Coach and Stuart Weitzman. There are more than 140 Kate Spade retail and outlet stores in the United States and more than 175 internationally.

"Kate Spade, the visionary founder of our brand, has passed," reads a statement from the Kate Spade New York label. "Our thoughts are with her family at this incredibly heartbreaking time. We honor all the beauty she brought into this world."

Spade was honored by the Council of Fashion Designers of America twice: as "America's New Fashion Talent in Accessories" in 1996 and "Best Accessory Designer" in 1998. The CFDA tweeted Tuesday afternoon that the organization "is devastated to hear the news of our friend, colleague, and CFDA member Kate Spades's (sic) tragic passing. She was a great talent who had an immeasurable impact on American fashion and the way the world viewed American accessories."

The San Francisco Chronicle wrote in 2000 that the Kate Spade logo - the name written in serif font, now with a small spade - had "joined the status signature company of Gucci's double-Gs, Chanel's double-Cs and Louis Vuitton's LVs." Spade had told Forbes' Michelle Conlin two years prior that the look came about on the eve of her first trade show, when she impulsively removed the "kate spade new york" labels from the inside of her handbags and stitched them onto the outside.

Spade's overall vision was "to bring handbags back to what they had been in the 1950s and 1960s - elegant, classic and unpretentious complements to outfits, not bauble-festooned statements about their owner's affluence la Prada and Chanel," Conlin wrote. "She moved away from the expensive leather look and designed simple nylon totes, pink herringbone carryalls, velvet tiger-print shoppers and burlap satchels with raffia hula-skirt fringe. Priced at $100 to $400, Spade's bags weren't cheap, but they didn't cost $2,000 like some of the competition."

Vanity Fair wrote in a 2002 profile of the Spades that they had "built a $70 million business by knowing what they don't want to be - too luxe, too hip, too retro, too fashionable, too fast. In other words, they're having fun being exactly who they are."

Born Katherine Brosnahan in Kansas City, Missouri, Spade graduated from Arizona State University in 1985 with a degree in journalism. She told the New York Times in 1999 that she wanted to be "behind the scenes, like in that movie 'Broadcast News.' Holly Hunter - her I wanted to be." Spade landed a job at Conde Nast in New York City as an assistant and eventually worked her way up to senior fashion editor at Mademoiselle, dealing with accessories for fashion shoots.

At the time, "bags were too complicated," Spade later recalled to NPR. "And I really loved very simple kind of architectural shapes. And I would wear these very simple shapes, none of which were famous designers. I mean, there were no names. If someone were to say, whose is that? I'd say, I don't know, I bought it at a vintage store or it's a straw bag I got in Mexico.

"They were all very square and simple," Spade said. "And I thought, gosh, I mean, why can't we find something just clean and simple and modern?"

She would soon quit her magazine job to join with Andy Spade in co-founding the fashion label, which combined both of their names. (She was still Kate Brosnahan at the time.)

Spade was an emeritus chair of the New York Center for Children, an organization that advocates for and helps treat victims of child abuse. She became more involved in philanthropy work after leaving her brand in 2007.

In 2016, the Spades launched a luxury handbag and footwear brand called Frances Valentine. Spade changed her name to Kate Valentine Spade that year and told Women's Wear Daily, "Frances is a longtime family name on my dad's side. My grandfather, father, brother and my daughter's name is Frances. And then Valentine was my mom's dad's middle name because he was born on Valentine's Day."

The couple described their joint creative process to Business of Fashion ahead of the new brand's launch.

"Kate will pick apart a colour (sic)," Andy said. "She'll go through it 80 times to make sure it's the right brown. I think I'm more 'broad concepts' and Kate is more detailed."

Kate added, "The sensibility is the same. This time around, I like the idea that it's small, intimate, and that everyone that we work with we've worked with before. ... I like the idea of being more behind the scenes."

Robin Givhan, fashion critic for The Post, described ballerina shoes from Frances Valentine's spring 2017 collection as "glitzy and princess-like." Givhan continued:

"They veer deep into precious and sugary and are reminiscent of the brand Valentine started more than 20 years ago. But the ankle boots are more sophisticated and have a leaner, city edge. They seem to reflect Valentine (Spade)'s observation that as she has gotten older, her tastes have evolved and she has become more confident in her style. She isn't a different person, but the times are different."

Spade is survived by her husband and daughter.

News of Spade's death prompting an outpouring of grief and tributes from Kate Spade fans on social media. Many also shared the number for the National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255.

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Video: Fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead in her New York apartment on June 2 in an apparent suicide. Here's a look back at her career and wildly successful brand.(Nicki DeMarco/The Washington Post)

Embed code:A total of $724,100 in scholarships will be awarded to Midland area students via funds held at the Midland Area Community Foundation. An event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. today at Northwood University's Hach Center to recognize recipients.

There will be 299 scholarships awarded. Funding for the scholarships comes from individuals and businesses who have established scholarship funds at MACF.The Pentagon said Tuesday that the U.S. military will never know the exact number of civilians it has killed in the fight against the Islamic State, an admission that comes as the human rights group Amnesty International accuses the United States and its allies of having recklessly killed thousands of civilians in the battle to retake the Syrian city of Raqqa.

U.S. Army Col. Thomas Veale, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, said that despite the U.S. military's best efforts to assess civilian casualties, no one will ever know exactly how many civilians U.S. strikes have killed since the fight began in 2014.

"As far as how do we know how many civilians were killed, I am just being honest, no one will ever know," Veale said in a briefing at the Pentagon by video link from Baghdad. "Anyone who claims they will know is lying, and there's no possible way."

Veale described civilian deaths as a result of U.S. and allied airstrikes as "extremely unfortunate" and "a terrible, awful part of this war" against the Islamic State. He said the determinations are based on the best evidence the military possesses.

The comments come as the U.S. military faces fresh criticism over airstrikes killing civilians in a war now in its fourth year.

Amnesty International released a report that accused the U.S. military of causing widespread civilian deaths over the four-month campaign to retake control of the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa, even though military leaders presented the operation as the product of precise and careful targeting.

The report, titled "War of Annihilation" in a reference to a phrase used by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, said the U.S. military and its partners relied on airstrikes and artillery barrages to retake the city, knowing that those tactics would result in large numbers of civilian deaths.

"There is strong evidence that Coalition air and artillery strikes killed and injured thousands of civilians, including in disproportionate or indiscriminate attacks that violated international humanitarian law and are potential war crimes," the human rights organization wrote in a summary of its report.

Amnesty's report is based on a two-week visit by researchers to 42 strike locations and interviews with 112 witnesses and survivors. It documents in particular the stories of four families in Raqqa, including airstrike survivor Rasha Badran, who describes losing 39 members of her family in four airstrikes the report said were conducted by the U.S.-led coalition.

"After several attempts to flee, she and her husband finally managed to escape, having lost their entire family, including their only child, a one-year-old girl named Tulip, whose tiny body they buried near a tree," the summary of the report said.

Speaking at the Pentagon briefing Tuesday, Veale said the Amnesty report underscored the human tragedy of a war that was brought on by "an evil criminal organization that at its peak subjected 7.7 million Iraqis and Syrians to its brutal rule." He said that thanks to the U.S.-led coalition, those people and their homes had been liberated.

"We adhere to a meticulous targeting and strike process that always aims to minimize harm to noncombatants and civilian infrastructure," he said.

Veale said the report's authors failed to check the public record, get facts straight or consult the military on their conclusions. He said his biggest objection was the prima facie argument that the United States had violated international law.

"They are literally judging us guilty until proven innocent," Veale said. "That's a bold rhetorical move by an organization that fails to check the public record or consult the accused."

Since intervening to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria in 2014, the U.S. military has opted to work primarily through proxy forces on the ground. The approach has helped minimize the number of American troops killed during the fight, but it has also required a particularly heavy reliance on air power to aid the proxy forces on the ground. Many of those strikes have resulted in civilian casualties.

The U.S. military has been tracking civilian casualties in its fight against Islamic State. The Pentagon recently said the U.S. military killed approximately 500 civilians in 2017 in all its military operations, including those in Iraq and Syria. The United States and its partners conducted more than 10,000 airstrikes against the Islamic State in that year alone.

Human rights groups and investigative reports, however, have repeatedly raised questions about the accuracy of the numbers released by the Pentagon, with some arguing that it is nearly impossible for so few civilians to be dying given the number and scope of the airstrikes the military is reporting.

Airwars, an organization that tracks casualty allegations using publicly available information and research, reported this year that the United States and its allies may have killed as many as 6,000 civilians in strikes in Iraq and Syria in 2017.

One report in the New York Times Magazine last year documented how an airstrike that the Pentagon described as an attack on an Islamic State car-bomb production facility in the Iraqi city of Mosul in fact destroyed two homes and struck the civilians inside.WASHINGTON - The White House has quietly acknowledged that it will host an Iftar dinner in celebration of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, after declining to host one last year in a break with a tradition that spanned the three prior administrations.

"I can confirm the President will host a dinner on Wednesday," White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said of the Iftar, first reported over the weekend by Politico.

The White House declined to say who would be invited to the dinner, or explain why the president had decided to host one; a move that is likely to draw criticism from some loyalists who have supported Trump's past condemnations of Muslims and Islam, including his call on the campaign trail for a Muslim ban, and his implementation in office of a broad immigration ban on the citizens of five Muslim-majority countries, a policy now pending before the Supreme Court.

"Donald Trump has called for a Muslim Ban. He has hired ppl who've made careers out of Islamophobia. He has emboldened hatred against Muslims - resulting in many cases of attack/bullying/discrimination. He has enacted policies that have actively hurt Muslims domestically/abroad," wrote Ziad Ahmed, a student activist at Yale, who attended a White House Iftar when President Barack Obama was in office.

"He's hosting this Iftar as a defense - so when we call him out for Islamophobia, he can quip back w 'I love the Muslims - I had them over for dinner!" Ahmed added. "His pundits will echo that defense - asserting that bc he engaged w us ONCE that's enough/proof he isn't an Islamophobe."

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Islam teaches God first began to reveal the holy Koran to the prophet Muhammad during the lunar month of Ramadan. The revelations continued over the course of Muhammad's lifetime.

Muslims are required to fast during daylight hours of Ramadan, starting each day's fast with the predawn Suhoor meal, and breaking the fast with the Iftar at sundown. For many Muslims, Ramadan is a month of prayer, reflection and charitable giving -- as well as a period of big meals and socializing with large gatherings of friends and family.

In Washington, Iftars have become a part of the networking political culture, with embassies, think tanks, government offices and other organizations hosting formal dinners for both Muslim and non-Muslim colleagues. At least one member of Congress, Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., hosts an annual daylong fast and Iftar for his Capitol Hill staff in solidarity with a Muslim staffer.

"Especially with the Trump Administration's actions, including the Muslim ban before the Supreme Court, the Congressman believes it is important, now more than ever, to promote our country's values of inclusivity and diversity," the congressman's spokesperson Robyn Bryan wrote in an email.

Several Washington-area Muslim leaders and activists who have attended past White House Iftars said Monday they had not received invitations.The White House announced Tuesday that President Donald Trump will meet North Korea's Kim Jong Un next week at the Capella hotel on the resort island of Sentosa, just off the southern coast of Singapore.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders disclosed the location in a tweet:

"UPDATE: The venue for the Singapore summit between @POTUSand Leader Kim Jong Un will be the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island. We thank our great Singaporean hosts for their hospitality."

The two leaders are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. local time on June 12 - 9 p.m. Eastern time on June 11 - for what is expected to be a one-day summit. South Korean President Moon Jae-in has lobbied to meet Trump and Kim for a trilateral summit the following day, but the White House has not confirmed such a meeting.

Speculation that the Capella would be selected as the summit location had been building over the past week. The hotel boasts a mix of colonial-style buildings and curvy modern edifices, and the resort's relative seclusion appealed to security-conscious U.S. and North Korean officials.

Last week, a Washington Post reporter witnessed construction crews erecting tents and other facilities required for a large event. The reporter was later instructed to leave the premises after interacting with a U.S. planning delegation that is staying at the resort.

Sanders' announcement was another sign that the summit planning was moving forward, days after Trump reinstated the meeting after having abruptly canceled it last month. U.S. negotiators have continued to meet with their North Korean counterparts in the Korean Peninsula's demilitarized zone to hammer out the agenda for the meeting.

The location for the summit is one of thousands of logistical details from transportation to security to floral arrangements that have been negotiated between White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joe Hagin and Kim's de facto chief of staff, Kim Chang Son. In those talks, North Koreans opposed the selection of an American or European-owned venue, which helped tip the scales toward the Singaporean-owned Cappella, founded by the Pontiac Land Group, according to media reports.

The hotel offers a newly redesigned bar that boasts its own bespoke rum called "Navegante," which is featured in its signature old fashioned, negroni and pina colada cocktails.

During negotiations, Pyongyang has also asked for others to pay for lodging costs at its preferred spot: The Fullerton, a neoclassical hotel near the mouth of the Singapore River. In recent days, outside groups have offered to pay for North Korea's bill and other summit costs, including the anti-nuclear weapons group ICAN and the CEO of HotelPlanner.com, Tim Hentschell.

When asked if the U.S. would allow a third party to pay for parts of the summit, a White House official said the "United States government will pay its own expenses" but did not rule out an outside contribution on North Korea's behalf.

Trump is scheduled to fly to Quebec on Friday for the Group of Seven economic summit and depart for Singapore on Saturday.Forty-nine years ago, former Texas Gov. Preston Smith approved the creation of the University of Texas at San Antonio, famously signing the documents in front of the Alamo on the back of former Rep. Frank Lombardino, a creator of the university.

The legislature approved the founding June 5 and the governor signed later that day.BROWNSVILLE  A jury on Tuesday decided Gustavo Tijerina Sandoval deserves the death penalty for the 2014 murder of a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

Tijerina Sandoval, 34, was convicted last week in the death of Javier Vega Jr., the border agent who was shot to death while fishing with family in a rural area near Harlingen.

On Aug. 3, 2014, Tijerina Sandoval and another man attempted to rob the Vega family at gunpoint, when Vega Jr., a veteran of the Marine Corps., pulled out his weapon. After a brief exchange of gunfire Vega Jr. was shot in the chest and died on the way to the hospital.

In addition to receiving the death penalty, Tijerina Sandoval was sentenced to life for attempted capital murder regarding the others in the Vega party. The Border Patrol agents father, Javier Vega Sr., was shot in the back during the firefight.

Ismael Hernandez Vallejo, accused of being the second man in the robbery attempt, also is charged with capital murder and attempted capital murder. He will be tried later this year and also faces the death penalty.

Both Tijerina Sandoval and Hernandez Vallejo are Mexican citizens who were in the United States illegally at the time of the attack on the Vega family.

Vega's widow, Andrea Brown Vega, and two of their three sons, as well as his mother and father, were all present and testified during Tijerina Sandovals trial, held in the courtroom of 197th state District Judge Migdalia Lopez.

Early in the proceedings, the judge issued a gag order prohibiting anyone connected to the trial from talking to the media. That order was still in place Tuesday, pending the formal handing down of the sentence.

Before the trial began and before the judge issued the gag order, the family declined comment but a Border Patrol union spokesman issued a statement.

It is a very difficult time for the entire Vega family, Chris Cabrera, a spokesman for the National Border Patrol Council, said Feb. 13 as jury selection started. We, like the family, just want justice to be served.

Vegas father and mother, Marie Vega, mounted a lengthy fight to have their sons death considered as having occurred in the line of duty, enlisting the help of several Texas congressmen and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. In September 2016, a U.S. Border Patrol committee determined that Vega died in the line of duty.

Late last year the South Texas immigration checkpoint in Sarita, where Vega was stationed, was renamed in his honor.

anelsen@express-news.netMayor Ron Nirenberg and City Manager Sheryl Sculley blasted the San Antonio Police Officers Association over its latest call for Police Chief William McManus to be placed on administrative leave while the attorney general's office investigates claims he violated Texas' law banning sanctuary cities last December.

On December 23, 2017, officers released 12 undocumented immigrants found in a tractor-trailer to a local Catholic shelter. Previously, McManus, who was at the scene, said his officers didn't have the jurisdiction to detain them and that a Homeland Security agent on the scene also declined to take them into custody.

READ MORE: City officials sound off on SAPD's controversial handling of human smuggling case

Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, has since issued multiple statements decrying McManus' actions and on Tuesday the association released a letter alleging McManus is "saying the rules don't apply to him," because he hasn't been placed on administrative leave, which is required for officers who are arrested, accused, or under investigation for criminal activity.

It was at least the second time Helle has called for McManus to be placed on leave.

The letter also called out City Manager Sheryl Sculley and Mayor Ron Nirenberg and accused them of following politics and not the law.

In response, Nirenberg told Helle "to get back to work."

"This stunt is nothing more than political theater," Nirenberg said in a statement. "It is a blatant mischaracterization of the facts to suggest that the police chief is under criminal investigation. This is another in a series of Helle-orchestrated cheap-shot attacks on Chief McManus, his fellow officers and city management."

RELATED: Officer's Association president calls for SAPD chief to be placed on leave over human smuggling case

City Manager Sheryl Sculley also pushed back on Helle's claims.

"Calling for the Chief's leave almost six months after the event is a tired attempt to keep a false narrative going," Sculley said. "The Chief broke no rules, policy, or laws on December 23rd. Saying the Chief is under criminal investigation is inaccurate and unfair. Clearly the union has an agenda they are trying to further."

In a letter to the police officers association, an official from the attorney general's office said the city has been cooperative with the investigation and has preserved all documents relevant to the investigation.

City officials also noted that they updated the attorney general's office with new guidelines on how to handle immigration calls going forward.

Find out more about the new guidelines and read the full report on ExpressNews.com.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSAHOUSTON  The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused an appeal from a San Antonio man on Texas death row for the gang rape and fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old girl in 1996.

The high court decision upholds a 2-1 ruling last year from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which rejected arguments from lawyers for condemned prisoner Carlos Trevino that his trial attorneys were deficient for not showing jurors his mothers drinking while she was pregnant with him left Trevino with fetal alcohol disorder. Attorneys argued the disorder could have contributed to his violent behavior and persuaded jurors to sentence him to life in prison rather than death.

The Supreme Court majority had no comment on its decision. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented and was joined by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

In 2012, the high court returned Trevinos case to lower courts for review of the ineffective legal help claim, which eventually led to the 5th Circuit ruling a year ago.

The 5th Circuit ruling was a flagrant error and the Supreme Court decision Monday was indefensible, Sotomayor said in her 13-page dissent.

She pointed to arguments from Trevinos appeals lawyers who submitted new expert testimony that said while jurors at Trevinos 1997 trial in San Antonio were aware his mother had alcohol problems, they were unaware of the extent of the damage to him. A mitigation expert said Trevino weighed only 4 pounds at birth, wasnt potty-trained until he was 6 and wore diapers at night until he was 8. He dropped out of school in the ninth grade and could read only at a third-grade level, according to court filings.

She drank 18 to 24 beers per day during pregnancy, resulting in Trevinos developmental delay, Sotomayor wrote, adding that the high courts failure to intervene sanctions the taking of a life by the state.

Trevinos trial lawyers presented only one witness during his punishment hearing, an aunt who testified briefly about his rough childhood and his mothers alcoholism.

A favorable ruling from the Supreme Court could have resulted in a new punishment hearing for Trevino, 43.

He does not yet have an execution date.

Trevino was 21, belonged to the Pisteleros street gang and had been released from prison a month earlier after an auto theft conviction when Harlandale High School student Linda Salinas was raped and fatally stabbed at Espada Park. Three others were convicted in her slaying, but only Trevino received a death sentence.In the days and hours before a Palestinian-American woman drove a knife through the heart of her secret lover, her 25-year-old nephew, the 6-foot-5, 213-pound man beat her, sometimes in public in San Antonio, and threatened her life in hours of texting, she told jurors Tuesday.

On trial for murder, Andira Abdelaziz, 37, testified for hours in her own defense, describing the run-up to the August 2016 killing.

RELATED: Jury's verdict sends killer into frenzy in S.A. courtroom

Mohammed Abdelaziz, a law school graduate, repeatedly called his girlfriend a daughter of a whore and worse epithets, according to police transcripts of their conversations in dozens of text messages. He told the woman he would come over to her Northwest side home, look through the front window and if she wasnt on the couch - suggesting she was sleeping with her husband, his uncle  Your life is over. Your kids are over. Youre dead.

On the morning she killed him, Abdelaziz came to the home, rang the doorbell constantly and pounded on the windows in front of her kids, according to testimony by both Andira Abdelaziz and by her teenage son on Friday.

After her nephew hit her in the face, stomach and back with balled fists, she didnt call 911 immediately because she thought she could calm the man down and thought the exposure of her affair would ruin her childrens lives and endanger her own if her attacker or family members targeted her for an honor killing.

RELATED: Officials: Designer Kate Spade left suicide note

Police handcuffed him briefly but let him go and left when she told officers she mistakenly thought he was an intruder, according to testimony. Minutes later, she stabbed him once with a kitchen knife.

Bruce Selcraig is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. | BSelcraig@express-news.netThe Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office identified the man police said was fatally shot in his minivan Friday during a dispute outside a West Side home.

Police were called to the intersection of San Horacio Avenue and San Fernando Street after two men in a van got into an argument with a homeowner. The homeowner retrieved his gun and both parties shot at each other, police said Friday. The two men inside the van were hit, authorities said.AUSTIN  Longtime civil servant Cecile Young is temporarily taking the helm of the embattled Texas Health and Human Services Commission, as the state seeks a permanent leader following a string of contracting issues at the agency.

We know we have challenges and we are focused on finding solutions and fixing the problems. We have a strong foundation because of our staff across the state, Young said in a statement.After Starbucks closed for a day for companywide racial bias training, many observers and researchers on race expressed guarded optimism that a corporation of its stature and prominence had taken such a stand, but its evident that much more will be needed to eliminate prejudice in the organization.

Starbucks needs to better leverage this opportunity and commit to being an anti-racist, anti-bias corporation. And, frankly, other American corporations and nonprofits should follow the same path.

Starbucks seems to understand that one day of training isnt enough, with company officials saying this is only the start of a commitment toward creating a bias-free workplace. In reality, its an opportunity to broaden the conversation about how Starbucks and other organizations can reassess their roles as a cultural phenomenon and a leading indicator of social stratification in communities.

Lets address some long-term goals that Starbucks and other organizations can consider to move the dial toward systemic change. After the events of April 12 in Philadelphia, one often overlooked outcome was that the two black men arrested agreed not to file a lawsuit against police and instead asked for a $200,000 investment in young entrepreneurs in the city. (Starbucks also reached an agreement with the men that included a confidential financial settlement.)

Their request addresses a much-needed concern for communities of color. Cities often provide abatements and other incentives for corporations to open businesses, but fail to ensure that these corporations commit to reinvesting in the communities where their stores reside. Corporations can ask whether they are hiring local residents at all levels  not simply at entry-level, low-wage positions but also in managerial, white-collar roles.

Organizations can also assess diversity among their staffs. In 2017, for example, Starbucks hired Rosalind Brewer as chief operating officer and group president, the second in command behind CEO and President Kevin Johnson  incidentally, the position he held before becoming CEO. Brewer is the first African-American to hold this position at Starbucks and has stated her desire to see greater diversity in the company, while noting that the board is 29 percent women and 36 percent people of color. A 2015 article addressing another Starbucks race initiative noted that 16 percent of Starbucks executives are of color, while 40 percent of employees are of color. So, one obvious question is, what is Starbucks doing to expand access for employees to management and executive education opportunities?

This is also an opportunity to reflect on Starbucks impact on urban communities. Some research points to correlations between the opening of Starbucks stores and higher real estate prices  the stores may, in fact, serve as prox(ies) for gentrification. Organizations such as Starbucks can ask themselves: Are there opportunities to partner with local businesses? Do we support local schools and civic organizations in the communities in which we are located  particularly those in economically depressed areas?

Last, is there contextualization for staff members so they understand the history of the communities where they reside? Framing the prior and existing businesses and economic development in these neighborhoods from an asset-based perspective is a critical aspect of being a positive and supportive presence in underresourced areas, rather than an unwelcome bellwether of gentrification.

As the flurry of media stories discuss Starbucks day of reflection on race and equity, in addition to ABCs decision to cancel Roseanne, we must hold all corporations and nonprofits to a higher standard over the long term. We must advocate for this form of self-reflection and action in the businesses we frequent and the organizations to which we belong every day.

Richard J. Reddick is an associate professor of educational leadership and policy at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also holds courtesy appointments in the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies, the Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis, and the Warfield Center for African and African American Studies.That tidal wave of growth the community has been bracing for has arrived.

San Antonio ranked first nationally in total population growth for U.S. cities between July 2016 and July 2017, according to recent U.S. Census data. The city gained 24,208 residents, pushing the population to 1,511,946.

San Antonio remains the seventh-largest city in the nation, but the distinction of being the fastest-growing city in a given year is a sharp reminder that growth isnt some future event. Its happening now. Projections might call for 1 million more people in Bexar County by 2040, but the reality is each day this city has 66 more residents.

With each new resident comes sprawl, congestion and increased housing costs, as well as strains on public education and water resources.

In short, growth is already happening, and city and county leaders need to be visionary in keeping the community above water.

One key area to start is transportation. San Antonio desperately needs a credible mass transit system that entices people out of their vehicles. Such a system has to be capable of moving people quickly and efficiently across town at any time of day, regardless of traffic conditions.

Mayor Ron Nirenbergs burgeoning transit plan has the potential to do this, but a lot of unknowns remain. We dont know the routes, cost or funding source for his plan, which will go to voters in 2019.

We dont know if the mayor and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff can sell voters on trackless trains  picture something that looks and functions like a train, but runs on rubber tires. It would be less expensive than traditional rail and could be just as effective. But that wont matter if voters dont get it or are disappointed by a plan that lacks traditional light rail.

But whether it comes in the form of traditional buses or fancy trackless trains, the need for better public transit is clear.

Between 1990 and 2010, San Antonios metro population grew by 69 percent, but delay hours for travel grew by 235 percent, according to data from the transportation consulting firm Parsons Brinckerhoff that was presented to local officials in 2016.

Between 1990 and 2020, the regions population is expected to have grown by 108 percent, and our delay hours will surge to 357 percent.

Thats unsustainable and it reflects the challenge of adding roughly 24,000 residents each year.

If this community cant rally around a comprehensive transportation plan, no one can say we were not warned.As President Donald Trump predicted, Im tired of winning.

Let me see: lower taxes, great economy; lowest unemployment for all; great changes for banking laws; unbelievable foreign policy with Israel; North Korean negotiations; withdrawal from Iran deal; prisoners back from North Korea and Venezuela without releasing prisoners from Gitmo, along with a plane load of cash and billions released from freeze.

Targeting MS-13 gangs and other criminal illegals and refugees; saving the U.S. billions by withdrawing from Paris accords without changing U.S. climate change initiatives; reduced illegal immigration over southern boarder; building the wall started; highest consumer confidence ever. Commonsense changes to numerous regulations that stimulate business and everyday life.

Im now tired and need to stop a never-ending list of accomplishment of the Trump administration. Id be remiss not to mention the Democrats contribution to our country since Trump took office  the Russia thing! Be honest  have they done anything else?

Phil Ferro

Manaforts flaws

Re: After the Mueller inquiry, no more special counsels, Rich Lowry, Other Views, April 21:

Rich Lowrys wishful, misguided thinking  it is a scandal when you pick a person to run your campaign who has been under FBI investigation, who has worked for dictators (Google it inform yourself). Then you wonder why the FBI was on you since before you colluded.

The party in power always loses seats in November. A loser party will lose even more.

George Nava

Why still here?

Who attacks the mainstream media, the FBI and the Department of Justice, and ignores the rule of law by having security meetings that leave out independents and Democrats? This is not patriotic.

Who refuses to say what every intelligence agency has confirmed: that Russia interfered in our 2016 election to help Donald Trump win? Trump.

Why is he still here? Because of House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who allow him to tear up the Constitutions emoluments clause by making money in his hotels/resorts. By obstructing justice by firing James Comey and pressuring the attorney general. If he were a Democrat, Republicans would have impeached him by now.

Vote them out to get real patriotic leaders.

Adam Castillo

GOP hypocrisy

Re: GOP chair faces backlash over husbands scandal, Gilbert Garcia, Puro San Antonio, May 27:

I was reading the Sunday paper and came across Gilbert Garcias column. While reading it, I started laughing so hard I began choking.

According to the column, Cynthia Brehms husband pleaded guilty to indecent liberties with a child. Norman Brehm flashed a 14-year-old girl. Hard-line conservative Patty Gibbons is having none of it.

Is it just me, or is Gibbons just a tad on the side of hypocrisy? Republicans appear to support Donald Trump. Trump is the same individual who bragged about grabbing womens genitalia. Additionally, more than 17 women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct. According to Trump himself, he would walk in on Miss USA and Miss Universe pageant contestants while they were changing.

Unfortunately, it does not stop there. Its now clear that Trump had affairs while married. The Trump administration is by far the most corrupt administration this country has ever seen, not to mention all the favors Ivanka Trump has received from China. Yet the Republican Congress does nothing. I believe Republicans motto should be: Do as we say, not as we do.

Tom Strapkovic

Rickhoff responds

Re: Candidacies grounded in threats, Editorial, Saturday:

The Express-News criticizes me for generating voter fatigue and strong-arming commissioners by urging them to reform  just when its working. The wading creek was closed by city doctors and lawyers after child injuries, and the commissioners did not throw good money after bad wasting $279,000 on the creek goddess. Wolff paid the artist, in advance, without a contract!

But the editor is partially correct; I want to use the system to further (my) own agenda. Here are two agenda issues. If they dont resonate, Im, as the editors observe, wasting everyones time.

This year alone, Bexar County real estate taxes are up almost 9 percent, generating over $1.7 billion in county revenue. While awash in revenue, the commissioners accelerate wasteful spending rather than reduce your debt. In 2016, for the third consecutive year, Bexar County increased property taxes for businesses and residences, a 7.5 percent increase after an 11 percent rise in 2015 and a 7 percent jump in 2014. Bexar Countys 2 million residents pay the fourth highest effective property tax nationwide. And Bexar taxpayers pay higher than the Texas average.

Bexar County is burdened with $3.6 billion of debt. Bexar has over $2.5 billion greater debt than Dallas County, despite having almost a million fewer residents, and over $2.5 billion more debt than Travis County.

Since County Judge Nelson Wolff was first elected, Bexar County debt has more than doubled and increased by over $2 billion. The yearly debt payment is $140 million.

We must not leave this debt for our children. The county government must include debt reduction in every future budget. In the next 4 years, three men with marginal business experience who wont face re-election will again double our debt, without public consent, all to satisfy their vision legacy.

We must have a new county manager, San Antonio River Authority director and tax appraiser.

Tom Rickhoff, candidate for Bexar County judgeThe opposition National Patriotic Front (NPF) largely made up of expelled Zanu PF members has for the first time come out in the open in support of the MDC-Alliance Presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa whom they said has the capacity to upset on the incumbent, President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the forthcoming elections.

The NPF, backed by former President Robert Mugabe has in the past few days, been linked with a possible move to join forces with the MDC Alliance in a bid to mount a strong challenge against President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu PF in the forthcoming polls.

Addressing MDC-Alliance supporters after the handing over an electoral reforms petition to ZEC, NPF Spokesperson Jealous Mawarire gave his blessings to Chamisa saying they are convinced of his chances to topple Mnangagwa in the July 30 polls.

As the NPF, we are the one who started with the gospel that young people should take up leadership positions and today we are strongly behind President Chamisa. We are saying Chamisa should be in office come July 30.

Do not be misled, we want the bullet trains (that Chamisa has been talking about), we want better hospitals, we will get more jobs when Chamisa gets into power. We will get better universities under the leadership of Chamisa, we will get better housing under Chamisa so it is our collective effort to make sure that we vote Nelson Chamisa on election day, said Mawarire who was flanked by four other NPF members including Shadreck Mashayamombe and Chipangano leader Jim Kunaka.

Meanwhile, the MDC Alliance, led by Chamisa submitted a petition to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC ) calling for electoral reforms before the elections.

Below are the demands by the MDC Alliance:

i) All parties, and candidates (and or their representatives) participating in the election, forthwith be furnished with an electronic copy of the provisional voters roll as is required by section 21 of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13.

ii) That ZEC, allows an inspection period of the voters roll pursuant to fresh registration during the voter inspection period 19 May to 29 May 2018.

iii) That an independent, external audit of the voters roll be commenced immediately after the inspection period mentioned above, with the auditors to be agreed by all stakeholders and shareholders.

iv) That there be full and proper agreement by all stakeholders on the procurement, security, quality and movement of all ballot material, in particular, the ballot paper.

v) That the ZEC immediately retires in its secretariat, any security personnel whether currently employed or formerly employed by the security services as defined in Chapter 11 of the Constitution.

vi) That ZEC immediately disbands the present national logistics committee and that there is agreement in the composition, recruitment, training and deployment of the new members of the national logistics committee.

vii) That the current accreditation committee be disbanded and that there is agreement on the recruitment, training and deployment of the new members of the accreditation committee.

viii) That there be full disclosure with regards to the custody and location of the BVR Servers and that all stakeholders be allowed access to validate the legitimacy of the data in those servers.

ix) That the additional 1500 newly created polling stations be and are hereby abandoned and that there be discussion and agreement on additional polling stations if need requires.

x) That all military personal currently deployed in the rural areas be and are hereby recalled and that there should be full and complete de-militarisation of the rural areas.

xi) That all international observers and monitors should now be allowed immediate access to Zimbabwe to monitor the election pursuant to the proclamation of the election on the 30th of May 2018.

xii) That forthwith, there must be equal access to and equal coverage of all political parties in the public media, in particular the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.

xiii) That there be a provision in terms section 67 of the Constitution to allow the Diaspora to vote even if it means voting only in the presidential election.

xiv) That there be a cessation of the use of food and inputs as political weapons in this election.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest NewsPresident Muhammadu Buhari, in the evening of Monday, June 4, broke the Ramadan fast with state governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his official residence inside Aso Rock, the seat of power in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Iftar with the governors was not open for full media coverage, unlike the previous ones, held with leadership of the National Assembly, judiciary and others, .

It was learnt that the official photographer to the President and cameraman from Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) were the only ones allowed to the venue of the event.

Traditional rulers across the country are billed to be hosted by the president for the breaking of fast this week.

Source: Legit.ng News- Two ministers in the Muhammadu Buhari government were reportedly not allowed into the venue of the inauguration of state chairmen of the APC

- The report says their aides made efforts to get them into the venue but it was not possible

- Minister Aisha Alhassan says she is not disappointed

Two ministers in the current government, Aisha Alhassan of women affairs and Adebayo Shittu of communication, were reportedly denied entry into the venue of the inauguration ceremony of state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony was in disarray as chairmen that emerged from parallel congresses jostled for recognition.

It was learnt that security operatives were said to have struggled to curtail the surging party members and their supporters.

READ ALSO: Breaking: FG goes tough on smoking of shisha in public, orders police to arrest culprits

According to NAN, despite efforts by the security details of Alhassan and Shittu to get them in, they were not able to enter the hall.

The situation was said to have degenerated into a shouting match and threats by supporters of the factions denied entrance which resulted in the security agents releasing a canister of tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Alhassan, whose faction was already in the hall, said she was not bothered that she was denied entrance into the hall, saying that such situations were normal in politics.

She said: I was not disappointed at all that I was denied entry into the hall, because I was made to understand that the national working committee restricted the entrance into the hall to only the chairmen for security reasons.

As a politician, I am not surprised over what happened.

The factional chairman of the minister of communication was not allowed entrance into the hall while the faction loyal to the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, was allowed in.

Defending the decision to deny the two ministers entrance, a secretariat staff who pleaded anonymity told NAN that they were not officially invited for the function.

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He added that the ministers only came to ensure that their factional chairmen were among those inaugurated.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, charged chairmen of the party in the states to shun grievances and work towards President Muhammadu Buharis re-election in 2019.

#NotTooYoungToRun: Nigerian Youths React to President Buharis Gesture | Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- Governor Okorocha of Imo state has been accused by an APC chieftain, Ben Uwajumogu, of "imposing" his son in-law as the party's governorship candidate

- Uwajumogu noted that generality of the party men do not accept this

- According to him, anyone who does not agree with Okorocha, becomes enemy number one in the state

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Ben Uwajumogu, has said Governor Rochas Okorocha can't impose his son-in-law as governor of Imo state.

Uwajumogu speaking on the controversy over the partys state congress on the Television Continental Programme, Platform, said Okorocha is imposing his son-in-law using state resources and all forms of arm-twisting.

The senator also noted that Okorocha and his son-in-law come from the same zone. "He comes from the Orlu Senatorial District. And Orlu Senatorial District has already been in power in the last 20 years of democracy for 16 years," he said.

On the recent incidents in Imo state despite supporting Okorocha in 2015, the APC chieftain said: "We were so much on ground that during the elections that brought him into power in the second term, he won almost 22 local governments. And in 2015, after the election, we expected that he would build on those positive programmes that he started.

READ ALSO: Lawmakers convene joint session over tussle with Presidency

"Eventually, he abandoned all those projects and started all these inhuman policies that were tipping the generality of the people against us as a party. And you dont need to go too far and you know, the worst part of it is that his decision to impose his son-in-law on the state using state resources, using all forms of arm-twisting. And the son-in-law comes from the same zone like he comes from.

"He comes from the Orlu Senatorial District. And Orlu Senatorial District has already been in power in the last 20 years of democracy for 16 years. So, his son-in-law who comes from the same zone is now been imposed on us for him to now be our candidate and if he wins, he will run there for eight years. And were like, generality of our party men do not accept that. And he is doing this with so much impudence.

"If you do not agree with him, then you become enemy number one in the state. People are not even allowed to associate with you if you are seen as a staff of the government or an aide to the government, even talking to me or visiting my house, you are sacked over the next day on the radio.

"Thats what Imo State has become. In the over 40 years of Imo State existence, weve never had this kind of administration."

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In a previous report by Legit.ng, Reverend Geoffrey Okorafor, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, Imo, has said that Governor Rochas Okorocha has not only failed God, but has also disappointed the people of the state.

A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Okorochas former aide, Theodore Ekechi, described the process adopted by the governor to replace himself with his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, in the state as a charade and an insult to the integrity and dignity of Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu people, Vanguard reports.

What is cooking in Imo state? - On Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- ADC national chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, says if APC is re-elected the party will kill the practice of democracy in Nigeria

- Nwosu notes that it is only ADC that can save Nigeria from total collapse beyond 2019

Chief Ralph Nwosu, the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said if the All Progressive Congress (APC) is re-elected to power in 2019 general elections the party will kill the practice of democracy in Nigeria, Nigeria Tribune reports.

Legit.ng gathered that Nwosu, said with the hight of insecurity across the country, it is only ADC that has the magic wand to save Nigeria from total collapse beyond 2019.

The ADC chairman while speaking at a meeting of south south zonal leaders of the party in Yenagoa, said with the selective fight against corruption the government led by APC has adopted, he is not in doubt that Nigerias democracy is under threat and needs urgent attention at reviving.

Nwosu alleged that ADC has uncovered a plot by APC to offer crude oil blocs and huge sums of money to top in a bid to stop them from giving the party the support it needs to unseat the incumbent president in the 2019 Presidential election.

READ ALSO: Buhari is a phenomenon that has come to stay - Senate leader

He said: Though the past few days have been challenging since the party was adopted for the rescue Nigeria project because the ruling party, APC, is becoming more desperate than it ever was to stop us from rescuing Nigerians.

When ADC was adopted by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, they have been seeking ways to collect our only elected state assembly member, Hon. Gabriel Ogbara, in Bayelsa. They have tried to use Oil wells and blocs to lure him to APC, but he has since declined.

All these was to give an excuse that ADC doesnt have an elected official and should be scrapped. They want us to deny Obasanjo. They tried to bribe me with 10million dollars, they know my integrity, but I turned their offer down.

Nwosu also noted with dismay the manner APC has damaged the image of Nigeria through poor trade agreement signed with countries like China.

Whenever I go to China, Singapore or other Asian countries, their nationals see us as a nation seeking aid and loans. They now say that our country has become lazy to the extent that we depend on China and other Asian Nations to do everything for us, he said.

In previous report by Legit.ng, the general secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Musa Asake, called on Nigerians of voting age to ensure they obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in readiness for the 2019 general elections to vote for candidates of their choice, NAN reports.

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He made the comments at a news conference at the associations secretariat on Friday, April 27, in Abuja. "Nigerians must vote into power a political party that will promote democracy, which translates to justice, equity and fairness for all," he said.

The next president of Nigeria. Who will win the 2019 elections? - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit.ng- The Voice of America (VOA) Hausa, has released a video of some pupils in Kano state who were served food on sheets of paper

- The pupils complained that the food contained less nutrients compared to what they get at their homes

- Teachers in the school told newsmen that some federal government operatives assured them of sending plates for the pupils soon

A video of pupils in Kano state who were served food in sheets of paper has set the social media ablaze with reactions and comments. The video was released by the Voice of America (VOA), Hausa on Monday, June 4.

VOA reported that the pupils complained that the food served them lacked ingredients compared to what they get at their various homes.

READ ALSO: Supporting the executive to persecute legislators is dangerous - Shehu Sani warns police

A photo of the pupils eating food served on sheets of paper (Photo Credit: VOA)

Upon being questioned why the pupils were served food on pieces of papers, the teachers pleaded to remain anonymous said the federal government promised them of sending plates soon.

PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet!

Recall that the school feeding programme was one of the promises of the present administration during the 2015 campaign. The initiative was launched after the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration came into power and has been implemented in some states.

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the presidency had revealed that over 8.2 million pupils were being fed in the federal government's school feeding programme.

In a statement sent to Legit.ng on Wednesday, May 23, the senior special assistant on media and publicity to the president (office of the vice president), Laolu Akande, said over 80,000 cooks were being engaged in 45,394 schools for the programme.

#NotTooYoungToRun: Nigerian Youths React to President Buharis Gesture | Legit.ng TV

Source: LegitBee Saving Paper (David L)

A dog died during a Delta flight and its owner is accusing the airline of attempting a cover-up Business Insider

FARMED SALMON ARE DEAF  AND NOW WE KNOW WHY University of Melbourne

Guatemalas Fuego volcano erupts in fury EarthSky (furzy)

Physicists Used Atomic Clocks To Test Einsteins Theory of Relativity in a 14-Year Experiment Motherboard (David L)

A New Threat to Your Finances: Cell-Phone Account Fraud Consumer Reports. Funny, I have always refused to give a cell phone number to anyone who asks for a phone number, like my credit card issuers.

Scientists checked the carbon footprint for 13,000 cities worldwide. These were the worst. Mic

Bad air day: Indian city chokes on worlds worst pollution PhysOrg

Retro photography is in vogue Economist (David L)

GMO Golden Rice Offers No Nutritional Benefits Says FDA Independent Science News

Remarkable therapy beats terminal breast cancer BBC

Has suicide become an occupational hazard of practising medicine? CMAJ (Dr. Kevin)

China?

North Korea

Russia pushes back at US on North Korea Asia Times (Kevin W)

Italy. No meaningful coverage by Bloomberg or the WSJ, which is an indicator of sorts. Had my internet service and my normal backup arrangement not both gone down, I would have probably posted. But some short comments in the meantime. One is the new coalition has a point regarding immigrants. Merkels 2015 policy was reckless and shes retreated from that. But the then-current government was also on board. And it is also likely true that most of the current immigrants are economic migrants and therefore subject to deportation. But how do you do that? And is Italy really going to set up what amounts to concentration camps? Moreover, Italy cant impose going forward remedies on its own. It has too long a coastline and too small a navy. At a minimum, it needs satellite-type info to help with identification and interception of boats carrying immigrants.

On crossing swords with the Eurocrats on budget issues, pensions are a smart place to start since I imagine the impact on the current budget wont be high (as in Mr. Market tizzy factor should not be large), but pension-cutting has been such a big object of reform programs that this should provoke the new governments opponents to show their hand relatively early.

Germany wants answers on US ambassadors remarks DW

Macron-Trump bromance soured by terrible phone call  report RT (Chuck L)

Grenfell Tower InquiryTwenty-seven minutes and fire had taken hold: so why werent residents told to get out? Telegraph

Brexit

May delays blueprint for future EU ties until after June summit Financial Times. This is madness and assures a no deal outcome. Early on, I thought there were parallels to Greece, but the difference was that the Greek strategy was coherent save for one fatal flaw: they greatly overestimated their bargaining leverage. But here the same underlying delusion is becoming more obvious on the part of the British officialdom. The only way the UK approach makes any sense is that they assume (or have persuaded themselves) that the EU is bluffing and will relent (David Davis has said this repeatedly). So now, like Greece, they are more openly acting as if they are playing a game of chicken. But again, the Greeks recognized that was what they were up to. Is there anything approaching that level of self awareness in the Government? UK services sector losing lifeblood due to Brexit Independent UK hints at staying in European VAT area after Brexit Financial Times

How Venezuela Re-elected Maduro, Defying the U.S. ConsortiumNews

Syraqistan

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

Tariff Tantrum

Trump Transition

Baker Wins Same-Sex Marriage Cake Case in Narrow Opinion National Conference of State Legislatures

Supreme Court Rules Gay Rights Do Not Extend To Dessert The Onion (David L)

In Three California House Races, Wealthy Democrats Have Spent $16 Million of Their Own Money So Far Intercept (UserFriendly)

A Narrow House Margin Could Produce a Chaotic Vote for Speaker Cook Political Report (UserFriendly)

Former State Street executive faces U.S. fraud trial Reuters (EM)

Fmr. Bush Ethics Lawyer Wants Trump Impeached Real News Network. UserFriendly: Dear God, he is running well to the left of Tina Smith on EVERYTHING.

Southern Baptist Leader Told Student It Was Good She Was Raped Patheos. Chuck L: Charming example of Christian ethics.'

Black Injustice Tipping Point

Bernie Sanders rallies with Black Lives Matter leaders in California to put a spotlight on mass incarceration Washington Examiner (UserFriendly)

FANGMAN Stocks Are Not a Bubble, Pleads Goldman Sachs Wolf Richter

Companies and pension funds must disclose climate change risks to their businesses, say MPs Independent

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour. From Crittermom,:

Oh, how I enjoy the vibrant colors of nature! Ive seen few varieties of birds since moving to the city, so was thrilled & grateful for the photo ops the only day I observed this beautiful bird here.

She IDd both the bird and the flower, but also said I could let readers guess.

And a bonus video. This dog looks like she knows how cute she is!

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.Scientists create new functionality in a spin Esaki diode (Nanowerk News) Researchers at the University of Tokyo and the Tokyo Institute of Technology have successfully fabricated a spin Esaki diode composed of an n-type ferromagnetic semiconductor (FMS) indium iron arsenide (In,Fe)Asa hybrid material made by doping iron (Fe) into indium arsenide (InAs), a III-V semiconductor well-known for high-speed device applicationsand p-type indium arsenide (Applied Physics Letters, "Electrical tuning of the band alignment and magnetoconductance in an n-type ferromagnetic semiconductor (In,Fe)As-based spin-Esaki diode").

In the Esaki diode, a type of semiconductor utilizing what is known as the tunnel effect, its magnetoconductancethe current change when an external magnetic field is appliedcan be widely tuned, both in sign and magnitude, by the bias voltage, or the direct-current voltage applied for establishing optimal operation. This result highlights the novelty of integrating a spin degree of freedom into conventional semiconductor devices.

Control of magnetoconductance, current response to magnetic field, in spin Esaki diode. In a spin Esaki diode consisting of an n-type ferromagnetic semiconductor indium iron arsenide (In,Fe)As and p-type indium arsenide (InAs), at left, the electrons participating in the current can be switched from the conduction band to the impurity band by bias voltage, at right, which yields a large change in magnitude and sign of the current response to the external magnetic field. (Image: Tanaka-Ohya Laboratory)

FMSs are ferromagnets made by doping a large amounti.e., more than 1 percentof magnetic dopants into nonmagnetic semiconductors, and they are attracting much attention for their high compatibility with existing semiconductor technology. Using FMSs enables the integration of spin degrees of freedom into electronic devices, which could yield novel functionalities such as non-volatility, low power consumption, reconfigurability, and quantum computing.

The research group of Research Associate Le Duc Anh and Professor Masaaki Tanaka at the Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, in collaboration with Associate Professor Pham Nam Hai at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, used iron as the magnetic element in an indium arsenide-based Esaki diode structure.

The iron atoms doped in III-V semiconductors such as indium arsenide are in an isoelectronic state, meaning they do not supply carriers, allowing the researchers to independently control the localized spins (iron) and carriers. Iron electronic states form an impurity band that exists separately and below the energy levels of conducting carriers, known as the conduction band, and these two bands (impurity band and conduction band) have highly contrasting symmetry and spin polarization.

The impurity-band properties therefore are hardly represented in the transport properties of indium iron arsenide thin films. The special feature of the indium iron arsenide-based spin Esaki diode in this study is that the electrons participating in the current can be switched between the impurity and conduction bands using different bias voltages; by doing so, the sign and magnitude of the magnetoconductance can be flipped.

On the other hand, the researchers obtained important information on the spin-dependent band structure of the diodes components from the bias voltage dependence of the magnetoconductance, thereby providing an effective tool for studying the electronic structure of spintronic materials. The present results on the indium iron arsenide-based spin Esaki diode promise to accelerate the discovery of other novel materials and lead towards the realization of practical spintronic devices.

"Despite the wealth of research on ferromagnetic semiconductors actively carried out by many groups around the world since the 1990s, realizing ferromagnetic semiconductor-based devices still faces serious problems," says Tanaka. He continues, "One of the key challenges is elucidating their spin-dependent band structure. Our results on the spin Esaki diode in this study not only suggest a very effective approach to this important issue, but also vividly demonstrate that by utilizing their intriguing spin-dependent band structure, it is possible to control the sign and magnitude of the current's response to a magnetic field. Thus, this is an important step towards exploring and understanding new materials and their device applications."Harnessing silicon nanoparticles to fight infections (Nanowerk News) There is an urgent need for better methods to treat bacterial infection in the race between developing new antibiotics and the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria.

Presently, antimicrobial resistance is responsible for 23,000 deaths annually in the United States and 700,000 deaths worldwide. A Wellcome Trust 2016 study predicted the present rate of emergence of new virulent strains will outstrip the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval rate for new antimicrobial agents by 2050  which means deaths from antimicrobial resistant strains will exceed deaths from cancer.

University of Minnesota researcher Hongbo Pang assisted in discovering the first example of an effective gene therapeutic against lethal bacterial infections using a nanotherapeutic to deliver short interfering RNA (siRNA) that targets immune system cells. This research, published in the journal Nature Communications ("Immunogene therapy with fusogenic nanoparticles modulates macrophage response to Staphylococcus aureus"), was conducted by a team from the University of Minnesota; University of California, San Diego (UCSD); Sanford Burnham Medical Discovery Institute (SBMDI); and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

This study perfectly demonstrates the great potential of targeted nanotechnology in treating various human diseases, said Pang, an assistant professor in the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.

This is a really great example of convergent research, said Michael Sailor from the University of California, San Diego. "To get this concept to work, we needed to combine our nanomaterials expertise at UCSD and the membrane and cell biology expertise at KAIST with the peptides and disease models developed by our biomedical collaborators at the SBMDI and UMN."

The research team further explored gene therapeutic, an under-utilized approach to fight bacterial infections and to bolster the body's immune system. siRNA gene therapeutics are able to enhance the ability of some innate immune cells to attack bacteria while shutting down the immune system's inflammatory response that can interfere with recovery.

With this treatment, the hope is a wide range of bacterial infections, including emerging strains, can be attacked. While delivering siRNA in the body is notoriously difficult, the study found siRNA therapy produced a full recovery from a lethal bacterial infection by rescuing 100 percent of mice infected with a lethal dose of Staph. aureus pneumonia.

A short strand of peptide can recognize macrophages, an important immune cell type, selectively in the infection site, added Pang. In combination with nanomaterial of unique advantages as drug carriers, we could deliver gene therapeutics efficiently to where they are needed, and achieve a full recovery from a lethal bacterial infection.

The research team incorporated three features into their nanoparticle design:

generated a porous nanoparticle host that protected its siRNA payload from premature degradation in the bloodstream; discovered a peptide that selectively targets macrophage cells, a type of white blood cell which attacks foreign microbes and signals an invader is present; engineered a chemical coating, called a fusogenic lipid, that allowed the nanoparticle to penetrate into the macrophage and deliver its gene therapeutic to the proper compartments in the cell. According to Pang, the study is the first example of an effective gene therapy for lethal bacterial infections, using a nanotherapeutic to deliver siRNA to target macrophage cells. The research team, for the first time, have demonstrated that siRNA therapeutic can generate a full recovery from a lethal bacterial infection.(Natural News) If, like many of our readers, youre relieved that the end of one of the worst flu seasons in recent decades is in sight, an announcement by the CDC will come as an unwelcome surprise. The agency has warned that a second wave of flu has already begun and is likely to most severely affect young children.

Fox 2 Now recently reported that though the number of patients with the A-strain H3N2 flu virus has continued to steadily decline, there has been a steady uptick in the number of diagnoses of people with B-strain viruses. Though these strains are not as severe as the A-strains, they can still make you very ill and tend to be more severe in little kids.

While the medical community is already using this as yet another opportunity to pitch the merits of the toxic (and ineffective) flu vaccine, there are other, safer ways to boost immunity and get your family ready to beat the flu.

As Lifezettes Jonny Bowden Ph.D., CNS, notes, it makes sense to work with the body to shore up its natural defenses before reaching for pharmaceutical treatments. If your immune system is well-nourished and healthy, it will withstand challenges a lot better.

Bowden is a board-certified nutritionist and the best-selling author of 15 natural health books. He recommends six natural immune boosters that are effective and dont cause harmful side effects, and which should be taken at the very first signs of a cold or the flu.

Healthline reports that these signs include:

Fatigue

Body pain

A cough

Sore throat

Fever

Gastrointestinal issues

In the case of children, also look out for fever accompanied by a rash; low fluid intake; difficulty urinating; crying without tears; lack of appetite; an inability to wake up or a lack of interaction.

Of course, if symptoms persist or worsen it may be worth taking your child to see their pediatrician.

Immune boosters provided by nature

Echinacea: This herb can prevent the flu or lessen its effects, and Bowden suggests taking between 300 and 500 mg three times per day. A study published in the journal Current Therapeutic Research in 2015, found that echinacea is just as effective as the antiviral drug Tamiflu at speeding recovery from the flu.

Zinc: Bowden recommends taking 15 mg of this important mineral every day and increasing the dose to 50 mg a day at the first signs of illness. He notes that zinc is essential to the development of white blood cells, which play a vital role in determining the strength of your immune system.

Berries: Cherries and other berries contain compounds called anthocyanins which fight inflammation, making them powerful disease fighters. Try to incorporate one or two servings of berries in your daily meal planning, especially during flu season.

Black elderberry extract: This powerful immune booster is sold at pharmacies under the name Sambucol. Bowden recommends taking one or two capfuls a day during flu season, increasing to three caps at the first signs of flu or other illness. He notes:

One Israeli study took a group of people who were coming down with something and gave half of them Sambucol and half a placebo. The Sambucol group were back in action almost four full days before their placebo counterparts. Black elderberry is good to take even if youre not sick, as it helps charge up your complex immune system.

Vitamin C: This well-researched vitamin is a powerful antioxidant proven to protect against free radicals. Bowden recommends taking 1,000 mg a day during flu season, as well as increasing consumption of foods high in vitamin C, including citrus fruits, yellow bell peppers, kale, and guavas.

Garlic: Garlic has a long and illustrious career as a natural way to ward off disease. It was known as the Russian penicillin during World War II because the government issued it as a disease treatment when its troops ran out of antibiotics. Garlic should be eaten fresh or chopped up finely and added to food near the end of cooking time.

Incorporate these supplements and foods into your familys daily regimen and you will be rewarded with a healthier, stronger family, fully equipped to fight off the flu. (Related: Discover more of natures healing secrets at Nutrients.news.)

Sources for this article include:

Lifezette.com

Healthline.com

NaturalNews.com

BodyUnburdened.com(Natural News) What was supposed to be a routine IV drip for one woman turned out to be a prolonged and agonizing death sentence, when hospital staff mistakenly injected her with formalin, which effectively led to her being embalmed alive.

As online reports go, 27-year old Ekaterina Fedyaeva is said to have died after medics put her on a formalin drip instead of a saline drip, thereby causing her untimely demise. This incident occurred in her home city of Ulyanovsk, Russia, and now her mother has accused the physicians in charge of the procedures that caused her death with murder.

Her death couldnt have been more unexpected. It is said that Fedyaeva was in the hospital simply for an unspecified but routine surgery, and that the fact that she got injected with formalin was purely a mistake on the part of the physicians in charge of her operation.

Fedyaeva reportedly suffered through convulsions and horrible pains for the next two days after being injected with the deadly concoction, before finally falling into a coma. She was even attached to a life support machine during her ordeal, but her heart had stopped beating several times throughout. (Related: Formaldehyde now officially listed as cancer-causing chemical; here are the top sources of exposure.)

While she suffered, she was also flown to a different hospital, located in Moscow, where she briefly woke from her coma. However, this didnt signify the beginning of her recovery, as she ended up dying due to multiple organ failure a short while later. Her mother remarked that while she showed movement, they were not indicative of a positive outcome in any way at all.

Her legs were moving, she had convulsions, her whole body was shaking, said Galina Baryshnikova, mother to Fedyaeva. She and Fedyaevas husband Igor were both present in the ward during the fatal ordeal. I put socks on her, then a robe, then a blanket but she was shivering to such an extent, I cant even describe it.

Formaldehyde is something that is seen as a major health concern due to a large number of studies. Not to mention, it has already been identified as a carcinogenic substance by the U.S. Department of Health. In one of the government agencys reports, it is said that people in certain industries could be vulnerable to the effects of exposure to it, such as those who are working on the funeral industry. Furthermore, it is said that people exposed to concentrated levels of formaldehyde are a lot more likely to develop certain cancers like myeloid leukemia and nasopharyngeal cancer.

According to Baryshnikova, she pleaded with doctors as much as she could, but in the end, they either couldnt or simply wouldnt help her. No doctor came to see her although she was coming around from anaesthetic. We have no idea it was formalin, he lamented. Now I understand that formalin was simply eroding her body from the inside.

Perhaps the worst part of the entire ordeal is that the people who performed the surgery already knew what went wrong, but they didnt do any urgent measures to fix the problem. A criminal investigation is currently underway, but it will do very little to compensate for the loss of the victims life.

Read more about the inherent risks of hospital visits in DangerousMedicine.com.

Sources include:

TheSun.co.uk

LiveScience.com(Natural News) The London Evening Standard has found itself surrounded by controversy after it was revealed that the paper sold favorable news coverage to six major companies, including Uber and Google, in exchange for 3 million, or just over 4 million U.S. dollars.

According to an official report that was published late last month, the Evening Standard informed their corporate partners that they would be getting news and opinion articles written about them that will appear to readers as routine, independently written editorial, as opposed to the usual advertorial content. The deal was allegedly part of an upcoming campaign called London 2020.

John ODonnell, managing director at ESI commercial, said in a statement that the notion that the Evening Standard was selling news was grossly inaccurate and a wildly misunderstood interpretation of the London 2020 project.

ODonnell went on to say that the papers integrity remained paramount, adding that under no circumstances have these clients been guaranteed news coverage for their own ends, nor would they ever be. Properly signposted commercial content within an editorial product is an accepted part of the news industry and is nothing new for publishers.

He added, The Evening Standard has a long history in producing important and award-winning campaigns, and we are excited about the prospects that London 2020 will bring to the brand, its partners and the people of London.

Integrity paramount?

Despite ODonnells denial of any wrongdoing and his steadfast optimism about the London 2020 campaign, this is still a significant scandal if the allegations are indeed true. Not only would the Evening Standard be in the wrong for selling favorable news coverage to prominent companies, but the companies themselves would also be in the wrong for signing onto the deal. At least one of these companies  Google  has found itself at the center of controversy more times than most people can count.

The truth is, when Google isnt busy bribing media outlets in exchange for favorable news content, they are drawing in controversy by explicitly targeting conservatives. As reported on extensively by Natural News, back in January, a former Google employee by the name of James Damore felt compelled to file a lawsuit against the company, which he alleged was engaged in open hostility and discriminatory acts towards conservative workers.

At one point in the lawsuit, Damore explained that Google manager Jay Gengelbach once discussed blacklisting an intern whose political views proved to be resolute, even when the rest of the employees attempted to bring him around to their views.

Throw that bad apple away with no regrets, wrote one Google employee on the thread, proving that despite being a company that claims to stand for tolerance and diversity, Google is really about group-think and the preservation of one single, dominant ideology.

Another part of the lawsuit referenced yet another thread, in which Google employees discussed whether or not Donald Trumps victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election meant that it was time to start a violent revolution.

One of these employees said, I wont say violence has no place, but added that risky and potentially dangerous acts require one to network extensively and build relationships with others. (Related: If Google and Facebook are not regulated, their politically-motivated censorship will lead to open warfare in the streets.)

Google may have made a name for itself by developing the worlds most popular Internet search engine, but the company seems to be attracted to controversy like a paperclip to a magnet. If Google wants to avoid continued public relations crises in the future, then it needs to strongly consider reorganizing and fundamentally changing the way in which it operates from the inside out.

Sources include:

Politico.eu

TheDrum.com

TheFederalist.comVous etes confrontes a une infestation par la puce, la punaise de lit ? Voici plusieurs actions qui sont a mettre en uvre pour faire [](Natural News) Thanks to the incessant Left-wing counter-culture social engineering and increasing levels of violence and bullying, more American parents are pulling their kids out of failing government schools and teaching them at home.

As reported by The Washington Times, the recent school shooting at Parkland, Fla., was the last straw for scores of parents. The paper noted that the phones started ringing at the Texas Home School Coalition, and they havent stopped yet.

The Times added:

The Lubbock-based organization has been swamped with inquiries for months from parents seeking safer options for their kids in the aftermath of this years deadly school massacres, first in Parkland and then in Santa Fe, Texas.

When the Parkland shooting happened, our phone calls and emails exploded, said coalition president Tim Lambert. In the last couple of months, our numbers have doubled. Were dealing with probably between 1,200 and 1,400 calls and emails per month, and prior to that it was 600 to 700.

While the debate rages anew over familiar topics following such tragedies  tougher, more restrictive gun control laws and bolstering security at public schools  the revolution in homeschooling has been taking place quietly, behind the scenes and off the radar screens of most political organizations.

But again, its not just the shootings, which admittedly have increased in the past couple of years. Christopher Chin, head of Homeschool Louisiana, told The Times that parents are fed up with the violence, the bullying, the unsafe environments. (Related: Learned: Minnesota public school forcing KINDERGARTEN students to study WHITE privilege)

Much of this is due to outright negligence on the part of local government-controlled schools. In the case of Parkland, for instance, the accused shooter  Nikolas Cruz  was a known threat to the community (and the FBI), but he was nevertheless placed in an Obama-era program called PROMISE, which was originally aimed at shielding minority school kids from arrest and prosecution for certain crimes.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Superintendent Robert Runcie initially said that no, Cruz wasnt in the program  which was a lie. He was.

One of the things weve seen definitely an uptick in the last five years is the aspect of violence. Its the bullying. That is off the charts, Chin told The Times, citing a primary reason parents are more concerned today than ever about leaving their kids in a public school.

The Left is driving more kids OUT of public schools

There is also the Left-wing social engineering. The craziness over transgender students and bathrooms/locker rooms, allowing students to take a knee during the playing of the National Anthem, the Left-wing curriculum, and refusing to allow students to wear shirts that praise POTUS Trump or feature the American flag are also driving parents into homeschooling.

The violence, though, is the biggest issue.

Brian D. Ray, who heads up the National Home Education Research Institute, in Salem, Oregon, whos conducted homeschooling research for 33 years, told The Times that concern over school safety has reached the top of the charts for most parents.

The times noted:

He said the top three reasons that parents choose homeschooling are a desire to provide religious instruction or different values than those offered in public schools; dissatisfaction with the academic curriculum, and worries about the school environment.

Most parents homeschool for more than one reason, Ray told the paper. But when we ask families why do they homeschool, near the top nowadays is concern about the environment of schools, and that includes safety, pressure to get into drugs, pressure to get into sexual activity. It includes all of that.

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Education estimated that 1.69 million kids between the ages of 5 and 17 were homeschooled, based on spring 2016 numbers. And that data comes just from the 15 states that track homeschooling, as well as Maricopa County, Arizona (Phoenix).

That number is only going to increase unless the Trump administration can reverse decades of Alt-Left manipulation.

Read more about mass school shootings at Shootings.news.

J.D. Heyes is editor of The National Sentinel and a senior writer for Natural News and News Target.

Sources include:

WashingtonTimes.com

NaturalNews.com

NewsTarget.com(Natural News) The Leftist-Marxists running the state of New York are so consumed with hatred for President Donald Trump  whos from there  that they are losing whatever perspective they had left following his victory over another resident, Hillary Clinton.

On Thursday, after reports broke that POTUS Trump was pardoning conservative activist, author and filmmaker Dinesh DSouza, the authoritarians at the New York Attorney Generals Office immediately tweeted that they would love to see a new state law giving them authority to unjustifiably jail people whove been pardoned for federal crimes.

In fact, writes Ben Shapiro at The Daily Wire, theyd like to violate the constitutional prohibition on double jeopardy contained in the Fifth Amendment. Yes, really, he added.

The Office of New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood  who just took over from former AG Eric Schneiderman after he was outed as being a serial abuser of women  tweeted this statement, in part:

President Trumps latest pardon makes crystal clear his willingness to use his pardon power to thwart the cause of justice, rather than advance it. By pardoning Dinesh DSouza, President Trump is undermining the rule of law by pardoning a political supporter who is an unapologetic convicted felon. First it was Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Then it was Scooter Libby. Now its Dinesh DSouza. We cant afford to wait to see who will be next.

So what does the honorable AG Underwood want to see happen?

Lawmakers must act now to close New Yorks double jeopardy loophole and ensure that anyone who evades federal justice by virtue of a politically expedient pardon can be held accountable if they violate New York law.

Let it be known that there is no double jeopardy loophole; there is only double jeopardy, and the Fifth Amendment makes it crystal clear that Americans cannot be tried twice for the same crime. (Related: Michael Savage: Did Giuliani take down serial sex abuser Eric Schneiderman as warning to Mueller?)

Politically motivated prosecutions

That prohibition doesnt just apply to federal crimes, either; thats all crimes, regardless of where they are committed. Whats more, if youve been tried and convicted for a crime, you certainly cant be tried or jailed again for it.

The entire purpose of the constitutional provision barring double jeopardy is to prevent the political prosecution of people for crimes for which they have already been acquitted, Shapiro notes.

And its quite clear that Underwoods call to try to jail DSouza again is politically motivated.

Its rare to see the partisan hackery of a supposedly non-political office exposed in this way, Shapiro noted further. But its not shocking. It merely reminds us that our instruments of judicial law enforcement are subject to political bias in radical ways.

Liberals hate it when conservatives do the same things Left-wing presidents do. On his way out the door in January 2001, Bill Clinton pardoned billionaire Marc Rich, a former hedge-fund manager who had been indicted on multiple counts of wire fraud, tax evasion and racketeering, but who fled the country and was living in neutral Switzerland. Richs wife, Denise Rich, was a wealthy songwriter who donated to the Democratic National Committee, the Clinton Presidential Library and Hillary Clintons New York Senate campaign  and then, in 2012, renounced her U.S. citizenship.

Political? What do you think?

Then theres Barack Obama, who commuted the sentence of traitor Bradley-turned-Chelsea Manning, leaker of top secret national security data to Wikileaks, on his way out the door in January 2017. Manning was supposed to serve a 35-year sentence.

I dont understand why the president would feel special compassion for someone who endangered the lives of our troops, diplomats, intelligence officers and allies, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said at the time. We ought not treat a traitor like a martyr.

Should Manning be re-arrested and jailed? As much as many of us hate the fact that Obama let him/her go, it cant happen.

Thats because the Constitution protects Americans from authoritarian, partisan hacks like AG Underwood.

Read more about Left-wing corruption at Corruption.news.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

DailyWire.com

TheNationalSentinel.comAfter 2,000 hours of investigation in nine counties, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has arrested two North Bay men on suspicion of sexually assaulting a San Francisco woman in a vehicle in April.

The suspects, identified as Fredi Analberto Lopez-Flores, 33, of Novato, and Christian Alejandro May Quintero, 24, of Sonoma, allegedly encountered the woman as she waited for a ride-hailing company driver to pick her up at Stanyan and Fulton streets in San Francisco on April 14.

Sonoma County Sheriff's Office

The woman initially had taken a ride from Bruno's, a bar in the city, by another ride provider but had accidentally entered Stanyan and Fulton streets as her destination, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Spencer Crum said.

"She became nervous when it appeared the car was heading in the wrong direction and she got out of the car and called another ride provider," Crum said.

Lopez-Flores pulled up next to the woman, then Quintero got out of the Dodge and forced her into the back seat. As Lopez-Flores drove to Sonoma, Quintero allegedly beat and attacked the woman in the car. Neither man worked for a ride-hailing company, Crum said.

Quintero allegedly continued the sexual assault and attack that included choking when they arrived at a shopping center in Sonoma across from a Safeway store. Lopez-Flores walked to a gas station, bought a condom and sexually assaulted the woman in the back seat, according to Crum.

The woman eventually escaped around 5 a.m. with the help of a Safeway employee.

Sheriff's detectives reviewed hours of surveillance video from businesses and bridge cameras in the Bay Area. Included in the video was a male seen entering a gas station across the street from the Sonoma crime scene and purchasing a condom, Crum said.

Detectives wrote and served search warrants, including a warrant for the woman's cellphone that provided the approximate time the woman crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, Crum said.

Video from a Golden Gate Bridge camera showed a black Dodge Magnum with a blue neon license plate light. The Dodge with the blue neon light also was seen on cameras at businesses in Sonoma, Crum said.

Detectives sent out a flier with a picture of the Dodge with the blue light to law enforcement agencies, and a Novato police officer recognized the vehicle from an unrelated arrest that entailed towing Lopez-Flores' car, Crum said.

Detectives wrote a search warrant for data from Lopez-Flores' cellphone company, and records indicated Lopez-Flores was in the area of San Francisco where the woman was forced into the vehicle on the morning of April 14 and at the time she arrived in Sonoma, Crum said.

Detectives got a $2 million warrant for Lopez-Flores' arrest, and he was arrested Friday in San Rafael where he worked, Crum said.

Investigators determined that Lopez-Flores was with Quintero, who lives a block away from assault scene in Sonoma, on the morning of the assault.

Physical evidence of the assault was found during a search of Quintero's home, and he was arrested Saturday at the Sonoma car wash where he worked, Crum said.

Both men were booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of numerous sex and assault offenses. Quintero also was booked for attempted murder by choking, Crum said.

They are scheduled to be arraigned in Sonoma County Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon.Piedmont police honored letter carrier Nestor Quilates on Monday for helping police arrest suspects after a home burglary.

Quilates was delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service on May 15 when he saw two men coming out of a house on Grand Avenue carrying a suitcase and a duffel bag.

He knew the homeowner, who was in the hospital, and "sensed something was wrong," the postal service said in a news release.

Quilates took down the license plate number of the vehicle and called police. Police arrived and determined the house had been burglarized.

Neighbors provided security video showing the suspects leaving the house and police then arrested the suspects and returned the items to the home.

Quilates was honored during Monday night's City Council meeting.San Francisco firefighters on Friday managed to rescue a kitten that somehow became trapped in a wall for "several days."

The rescue took place just before 10 p.m. at a home located along the 1200 block of Sunnydale Avenue, according to firefighters.

Footage collected from the scene captured firefighters delicately picking apart the wall in order to reach the young feline. Immediately after being pulled to freedom, the kitten let out an audible meow.

How the kitten actually ended up trapped inside the wall remains a mystery, according to firefighters.

"The owner of the home did not know how it got in there but was very kind in letting us cut her walls to rescue this tiny life," San Francisco firefighters stated on Twitter.



The kitten has since been transferred to San Francisco SPCA, according to San Francisco Animal Care and Control. NBC Bay Area has reached out to the shelter to see how the kitten is doing.Authorities have arrested a suspect accused in the beating death of 4-month-old pit bull who was found dead in San Francisco last November, according to San Francisco Animal Care and Control.

The female puppy named Skunky was found to have died as the result of blunt force trauma to the top of her head, officials said. Her body was discovered on Nov. 28, 2017, along the 1100 block of Laguna Street.

Suspect Mark Allen Haberman has since been charged with felony animal cruelty, according to officials. Haberman could face jail time and/or fines if convicted.

Investigators examined items from Haberman's home and found blood belonging to the puppy, officials stated.Illinois lawmakers have come up with an unusual solution to combat its opioid crisis, allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana instead of opiates as a way to curb a growing epidemic.

Doctors could choose to temporarily prescribe cannabis for patients who suffer from conditions traditionally treated with opioids. The plan, which is on the governor's desk, is meant to address a growing opioid crisis in the state: 11,000 people have died from opioid-related overdoses since 2008, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. In 2016, opioid deaths were nearly double the number of fatal car crashes.

"This is a compassionate and commonsense approach to dealing with something we universally acknowledge is a problem," said Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a Chicago Democrat who championed the legislation in the House. "Opioid addiction is ravaging communities."

Cassidy added that the program is aimed at preventing more Illinoisans from becoming addicted to opioids by instead offering an alternative, "non-addictive treatment" for short-term conditions.

If implemented, the program would be unique, according to national cannabis experts, and would expand Illinois' anemic medical marijuana market 10 times over.

Kris Krane, former associate director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said that the program would "put a real dent in the opioid crisis," and could bring in badly needed revenue to a state drowning in billions of dollars of debt.

"There would be tremendous benefit to the state from an expansion in terms of jobs and the taxes that comes along with an industry expanding by more than 10 times the current size," said Krane, who is president of 4Front, a medical cannabis consultant company that also operates marijuana dispensaries in multiple states.

The plan also eliminates some barriers to access of the state's restrictive medical marijuana program. It would remove requirements that patients undergo background checks and fingerprint scans, which critics argue disproportionately prevents lower-income and minority communities from obtaining the drug.

"Drug law enforcement takes place more vigorously in lower income communities and communities of color," Krane said, adding that those who would benefit from medical cannabis often can't access it if they have prior convictions. Many of those convictions, he said, are for marijuana possession.

While the plan was overwhelmingly bipartisan, it may run into trouble with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has resisted expanded access to medical marijuana and enacted the restrictive program back in 2015. The governor's spokeswoman, Rachel Bold, did not immediately reject the idea when it passed the Senate in April, saying that Rauner is looking at "any and all possible solutions" to the opioid crisis.

That answer came only two months after the Rauner administration decided to appeal a circuit court decision ordering the state to expand access to the drug for those diagnosed with chronic pain, a condition commonly treated with opioids.

The proposed program is expected to give those with chronic pain access to medical marijuana at least temporarily, which could prove a workaround to the governor's court fight.

For Sen. Don Harmon, who sponsored the legislation in the Senate, the state needs every tool available to fight a growing public health crisis.

"Opioid addiction takes the lives of thousands of Illinoisans every year," said the Oak Park Democrat. "We should be open to any reasonable alternative treatment  and no one has ever died of a cannabis overdose."Democratic candidate for Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker dropped another $30 million dollars into his campaign, bringing the total amount of money he's put into the race up to more than $106.5 million with more than five months to go before Election Day.

Pritzker made the contributions in two separate installments: $5 million on May 21, reported on May 29, then $25 million on May 31, reported Saturday night, according to records with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

The most recent donation was the billionaire Hyatt heir's largest one-time contribution to date. Pritzker, who is entirely self-funding his campaign, started an exploratory committee in March 2017 with a $200,000 donation, then proceeded to cut 10 separate checks for $7 million, as well as one for $6.3 million just before winning the Democratic primary in March.

Pritzker is the fifth-richest person in Illinois, according to Forbes, which estimated his net worth to be around $3.5 billion.

He is vying to unseat incumbent GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner, who is also largely self-funding his re-election campaign.

Rauner, a former private equity investor whose net worth has been estimated to be just under $1 billion, gave himself a $50 million contribution in Dec. 2016, breaking his own record set in 2014 for the single largest political contribution in Illinois history.

Rauner also received a $20 million boost in May 2017 from billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, who founded investment firm Citadel and according to Forbes, is listed as the wealthiest person in all of Illinois with an estimated net worth of $8.6 billion.

With an influx of campaign cash, the race dubbed the "battle of the billionaires" may very well surpass the most expensive gubernatorial race in the nation's history - Californias roughly $280 million campaign in 2010.Officials say the U.S Attorney's Office in northern Illinois soon will get six new prosecutors.

The new resources will aim to "combat violent crime, enforce federal immigration laws and attack the opioid crisis," according to a release from U.S. Attorney John Lausch Jr., of the northern district of Illinois.

We welcome the additional resources to reduce violent crime, enforce our countrys immigration laws and fight the opioid epidemic, U.S. Attorney Lausch said in a statement. Our Assistant U.S. Attorneys work tirelessly to keep the citizens of northern Illinois safe, and these new positions will strengthen those efforts. We will work quickly to fill these positions with highly skilled, highly motivated attorneys.



The Department of Justice announced Monday it is allocating 311 positions nationwide  190 violent crime prosecutors, 86 civil attorneys and 35 immigration prosecutors.

The move is part of a Trump administration effort to fight violent crime, illegal immigration and the opioid crisis.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions says the new assistant U.S. attorney positions represent the largest increase in decades.

We have a saying in my office that a new federal prosecutor is the coin of the realm. When we can eliminate wasteful spending, one of my first questions to my staff is if we can deploy more prosecutors to where they are needed. I have personally worked to re-purpose existing funds to support this critical mission, and as a former federal prosecutor myself, my expectations could not be higher. These exceptional and talented prosecutors are key leaders in our crime fighting partnership," he said in a statement.

Ansonia public schools will stay open for now as school officials battle with the city over funding.

The Board of Education said Tuesday that the schools were in danger of closing around a week early because of a budget shortfall. During a meeting Tuesday night, the board voted to keep schools open for now. A court hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday where the school board will face off against the City of Ansonia.

The local board of education has been in a battle with the city and filed a lawsuit against it over education funding after the citys Board of Aldermen voted to cut $600,000 in January because Ansonia received $1.8 million in state aid.

The lawsuit argues the municipality is illegally cutting its cash after already having approved the education budget.

A letter the attorney for the board of education sent on May 31 to the commissioner of the state Department of Education says the board is $500,000 short of being able to cover the payroll.

Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti said he feels terrible, but its also a bullying tactic by the local board of education and hes not going to allow it to happen because he has a responsibility to look out for the best interests of taxpayers.

Ansonia Supt. Carol Merlone said during a news conference that the threat of an early closure was not a bluff.

"Todays victims are our children  the children of Ansonia public schools and their parents. Its a sad day when a municipality and a Board of Education are not working collaboratively in the best interest of children," Merlone said.

She added that without the $600,000, the schools cannot afford to stay open.

Ansonia is one of around 30 public school districts in the state that receives funding to help close the achievement gap.

The mayor said the city took back the $600,000 because it received an alliance grant, plus a priorities-zone grant.

If we gave them that $600,000, we would have to give it to them next year and every year after that, which in 10 years would be over $6 million. Its not sustainable every year for the residents of Ansonia, Cassetti said.

The school year was supposed to end on June 18, according to the Ansonia board of education. An early closure could mean the district would not meet the state-mandated 180 days of school.

If districts do not meet the 180-day requirement and do not receive a waiver from the State Board of Education, then the state has the authority to initiate action against the district for non-compliance, according to the state Department of Education.

If Ansonias board of education voted to end the school year early, it would be in violation of the 180-day requirement in addition to other statutory obligations and the State Board of Education would have to examine the situation and determine appropriate next steps to take, according to the state Department of Education.

The court hearing between the district and the city is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on June 12 in Derby and should lead to more definitive answers about the school year.A body was found in a vehicle at the Walmart parking lot in Norwich Tuesday.

Police were called to the parking lot at 220 Salem Turnpike for a report of a deceased person. The death does not appear to be criminal in nature, police told NBC Connecticut.

The investigation is ongoing.There hasn't been an easy day in the short life of 3-year-old D'ashon Morris. On the day NBC 5 met both he and his twin sister, D'asia, he had just completed two hours of visual stimulation therapy. His adoptive mother, Linda Badawo, a trained pediatric nurse, said D'ashon wasn't like this when she first brought him home as a foster child in 2015.

Back then doctors were far more concerned with his sister D'asia, who will likely never walk or talk. She has spina bifida.

Despite being born three months early, with both cocaine and marijuana in his system, doctors predicted D'ashon would grow to be a "normal" child by the time he was in kindergarten.

Superior HealthPlan, who insures Texas children in foster care, covered one nurse, 24 hours a day for D'asia, and another nurse 17 hours a day for D'ashon.

While D'ashon relied on tubes to help him breathe and eat, Linda said none of it affected his personality.

"He was just so happy. Oh my gosh, D'ashon was just so happy! You ask all the caregivers, all the therapies -- you walk in this house, D'ashon is a light! D'ashon was extremely active like he can play all day, he can scream all day, he can jump all day-- he was just that active, and then he started pulling his trach out," she said.

When asked what happens after he pulls the trach, Badawo responded, "he will turn blue."

Linda Badawo

His doctors, nurses and child welfare workers started documenting the difficulty in responding to the pulled trach. His medical records read: the baby "is requiring tracheal suctioning on average 2-7 times per hour."

There are numerous entries like this one: "D'ashon pulled out his trach. The nurse stopped his sisters lung treatment and changed his trach. Very stressful doing so many things at a time."

It was around this time Linda asked Superior HealthPlan for separate nurses for her twins, 24 hours a day.

Badawo's physician then wrote the insurance company a letter. Superior HealthPlan responded with their own, telling Linda around the clock care was not medically necessary.

They also informed her they intended to cut coverage: one nurse for both kids.

Linda Badawo

Linda, along with multiple caregivers, filed an appeal. According to The Dallas Morning News, "Superior did what state records show it almost always does: it refused to change its decision."

Linda refused to give up. She asked for a fair hearing with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. There is an audio recording from the phone call.

Dr. William Brendle Glomb, with Superior HealthPlan, can be heard saying, "I sometimes wonder whether these letters say what you think they say. None of the letters of medical necessity, per se, were indeed letters of medical necessity."

Three years ago, Glomb was the top medical official at the State Health Commission. The month he left the job he took a senior position at Superior HealthPlan and often defends the company from patient appeals.

"I want to make sure that D'ashon has all of the nursing that he and his sister need so their needs are covered. Obviously we disagree that that's 24/7, 365 for both of them, but maybe we can come up with something together that is going to ... cover the hours that need to be covered," Glomb said.

The proposed compromise was a soft splint to restrain D'ashon's arms. Linda refused, fearing it would set him back developmentally.

When the twins were 14-months-old, she took a long-planned trip home to Nigeria to see her family. Following protocol, the twins were placed in separate foster homes.

This call was placed during the hours D'ashon wasn't approved to have a nurse watching him.

Dispatcher: "911, what is your emergency?"

Caregiver: "The baby is coding!"

Dispatcher: "Is he breathing?"

Caregiver: I don't know yet"

Dispatcher: "Ma'am i need you to listen to me"

Caregiver: "Oh Jesus"

At 14-months-old, while in the care of a foster family with reduced medical care, D'ashon Morris pulled out his trach tube and suffocated. Here you can hear the nearly 11 minute call to 911 made by the foster parents when they discovered he'd removed his tube.

In the background of the call, you can hear the foster family performing CPR. During the 11 minute call you can also hear D'ashons heart rate monitor. It eventually stops.

It took 40 minutes of CPR before D'ashon was revived. Linda learned what happened via text and immediately flew home.

"I couldn't believe it. It was hard, really hard. I put in so much work into D'ashon," Badawo said.

When she saw him, he couldn't move. Doctors told her D'ashon was brain dead. That he would be attached to machines for the rest of his life. He now requires dozens of drugs just to keep him stable.

"I think I've accepted the fact that it happened, but one thing I cannot settle for, or accept, is it supposed to happen it was meant to happen?" Badawo said.



Two weeks after D'ashon stopped breathing, Superior HealthPlan agreed to give D'ashon round the clock nursing. As of last year, the company is in charge of tens of thousands of more kids. Texas signed a contract paying them $440 million per year.

Linda said kids like D'ashon are paying the real price.

"They took D'ashons life - basically they took his life - because this is a boy that would've grown to a young man, married, have children, worked, live his life. All of that has been taken away," Badawo said.

Superior HealthPlan declined multiple invitations to respond to this story. In particular, NBC 5 asked to speak to Glomb. Instead we received this statement:

"We are deeply saddened by this child's situation and the health issues facing many vulnerable children in our state. Superior is prohibited by law from acknowledging or discussing the details of any specific cases, however we work closely with the State to address the health care needs of the many Texans we serve, and our policies on fair hearings are regularly reviewed and audited by the independent National Committee for Quality Assurance. We believe our strong track record is supported by independent assessments of clinical quality and member satisfaction, which find us to be the top rated Medicaid plan in Texas in the most recent NCQA ratings."

How much did the company save by cutting D'ashon's care? The Dallas Morning News estimates up to $500 a day.

D'ashon's health care needs are no longer covered by Superior HealthPlan. Linda told us she feared no one would adopt the twins from her foster home- so she adopted them herself. That means their bills are now paid for by traditional Medicaid.

This investigation is just one part in The Dallas Morning News five part series -- read more here.



D'ashon Morris' Medical Records

DV.load("https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4493796-Dashon-Morris-Medicalrecords.js", { width: 620, height: 800, sidebar: false, container: "#DV-viewer-4493796-Dashon-Morris-Medicalrecords" }); Dashon Morris Medicalrecords (PDF)Thousands of people in Guatemala have been evacuated after a volcanic eruption killed at least 62 people.

Gases on the slopes of the volcano reached temperatures of more than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Volcano of Fire as it is called exploded in a hail of ash and molten rock Sunday afternoon about 60 miles from Guatemala City.

A small group of Guatemalans live in North Texas.

One family is breathing a sigh of relief after finally hearing from their loved ones.

Rolando Son owns El Meson Chapin, a new Guatemalan restaurant in Fort Worth.

His family lives about 30 miles from the Volcano of Fire.

His son was drinking coffee on Sunday morning and captured the first plumes of ash spewing from the volcano describing it to his father as picturesque.

It is one of Central Americas most active volcanoes so residents did not think the small eruption would turn into a national tragedy, said Son.

However, hours later tons of ash mixed with water and debris swept through entire villages in the countrys Southern region killing dozens of people and injuring many more.

Its like a movie, said Son of the images of people running from the rising plumes of ash.

More than one million people are affected by the eruption, according to the Guatemalan government.Broken promises left more than 60 international college students thinking they'd lost a life-changing opportunity to study in the United States. But now a group of universities, including Texas Christian University, is stepping in to honor full-ride scholarships for the bright kids.

TCU's campus is more than 8,000 miles from Kundan Chaudhary's home country of Nepal. But speaking to NBC 5 by Skype, Chaudhary said TCU already feels like: "I have found a home away from home."

The University is taking him in, after a major let down from the University of Texas at Tyler.

That school originally told him he had a full-ride scholarship, along with 90 other students from Nepal. But the school said there was an administrative oversight, which forced them to withdraw 60 of the scholarships, including Chaudhary's.

"I was extremely disappointed of that," Chaudhary said. "My dreams were attached with those scholarship."

Chaudhary said that to a lower middle class Nepalese family like his, the chance to study in America is life-changing, and having that snatched away was soul-crushing.

"I couldnt talk with my parents with eye contact," Chaudhary said. "I couldn't tell this to my parents for around two weeks."

An international community of guidance counselors quickly rallied to find other universities willing to take on all those bright kids.

"Several stepped forward championing these students," said Heath Einstein, Dean of Admission for TCU.

TCU was among the first to step up. They're now honoring full-ride scholarships for two Nepalese students.

"Ultimately we thought it was the right thing to do and it matched the mission of the institution," Einstein said. "To act ethically and to be responsible citizens in our global community."

It also expanded the University's international population, which is now at around 500 students.

"TCU is constantly seeking to create a more inclusive and diverse campus community," Einstein said.

Chaudhary plans to study computer science and hopes to repay a debt of gratitude to his second-chance new home.

"We are really grateful to them and we are always thankful," Chaudhary said.

Officials at UT Tyler said they had much higher interest than expected because a group of Nepalese students spread the word about the school and a record number applied. A UT Tyler spokesman added, "We are regretful, we certainly messed up."

The interim chancellor of the UT System, Larry Faulkner, released the following statement:

"Promises made should be promises kept. We all believe so. Regrettably in this case, the original promises of full scholarships were inconsistent with the primary purpose of The University of Texas at Tyler and The University of Texas System, which is to provide opportunity and service to the people of Texas. There is no means by which UT Tyler -- or the UT System acting as a guarantor -- can deliver the promised scholarships without sacrificing opportunity or service to Texas residents. Withdrawal of the original pledge is, unfortunately, the only available path consistent with our most immediate public purpose. To the students in Nepal who have met with pain and disappointment, I apologize."Utah native Joshua Holt, who was freed last month from a Venezuelan prison after nearly two years held without trial, said in a "Today" interview Tuesday that the experience still haunts him.

Holt, a 26-year-old Mormon missionary, was jailed at El Helicoide, or The Helix, a prison in Caracas criticized for its human rights abuses.

He said cockroaches crawled over him inside his tiny cell, which was about the size of a twin-sized bed, and a plastic bag was used to cover the door. He sat in his underwear, barely about to breathe.

"They never took me out to go to the bathroom," Holt added. "If you had to use the bathroom, you either had a bottle or a newspaper."

Holt was in the country to marry Thamara Candelo, a Venezuelan woman he met online, when anti-gang police accused the couple of stockpiling assault rifles and grenades in her family home.

The State Department later called the weapons charges "questionable."Police officers were called to a center in Brownsville, Texas, on Sunday when a Democratic senator tried to visit children who had been separated from their parents under the Trump administrations new policy toward families trying to enter the United States.

Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon says in a Facebook video that Casa Padre, a shelter run for the federal government by the non-profit Southwest Key Programs, was housing possibly hundreds of refugee children who had been removed from their parents. He arrived at what he said was a former Walmart after he was refused an official visit by the federal Office of Refuge Resettlement.

I think its unacceptable that a member of Congress is not being admitted to see whats happening to children whose families are applying for asylum, he says in the Facebook video.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a zero tolerance policy last month intended to dissuade undocumented Central American families from trying to enter the U.S. Everyone crossing the border illegally is to be prosecuted and children will be separated from mothers or fathers who are jailed. Before most parents were allowed to remain with their children in family shelters while they awaited the disposition of asylum or deportation cases.

As of result of the new policy, officials are running out of space to shelter children who have been taken from their parents at the U.S. border, according to NBC News. As of Sunday, nearly 300 of the 550 children in custody at border stations had spent more than 72 hours there, the time limit set by the federal government for stays in temporary facilities. The stations often lack adequate bedding or separate places for children to sleep.

Administration officials said last month that the ramped up enforcement would apply only to people arrested while trying to enter the U.S. illegally. Families who seek asylum at a designated port of entry would not be separated, according to NBC News.

But on Friday, NBC News reported that some parents seeking asylum had been separated from their children by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, according to Pueblo Sin Fronteras, which leads migrants to the U.S. in caravans.

In the Facebook video, Merkley, who was accompanied by reporters, asks two unidentified staff members whether he can enter the building and then requests to speak to a supervisor. While he is waiting for the supervisor to come outside, police officers arrive.

When the supervisor emerges, he says he is not allowed to issue a statement and eventually asks Merkley to leave. The police officers speak briefly with the senator.

Im at an immigration detention center where children who have been separated from their families are being held. Trying to get inside to get answers. Follow live >>> https://t.co/CXDjYAFIcB #FamiliesBelongTogether #KeepFamiliesTogether  Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) June 4, 2018

Southwest Key Programs said in a statement that it regretted having to turn Merkley away, but that the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement prohibits any visits it has not approved. Southwest Key said it had contacted Merkley's staff about a possible visit.

With (Office of Refugee Resettlement) approval, Southwest Key shelters have welcomed elected and other public officials at our facilites in the past, and will continue to do so, because we are proud of the caring environment we provide these children."



It said that Casa Padre was not a detention facility, but a shelter for minors who had crossed the border unaccompanied by adults and that it was licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

The Administration for Children and Families, of which the Office of Refugee Resettlement is a part, said that no one who arrived unannounced at one of its shelters, even those claiming to be U.S. senators, would be permitted access to the children in its care.

Thankfully for the safety, security and dignity of the children being cared for there, they were denied access, it said in a statement.

The shelter that Merkley and five others tried to enter is for children who arrived in the United States unaccompanied by an adult, it said.

Senator Merkley should respect the (unaccompanied alien childrens) program and engage in the appropriate processes, as many of his colleagues have done before him, to visit (Office of Refugee Resettlement) facilities, it said. We would welcome him to engage in that process so that he may visit the facility to make headway on this important issue, rather than just headlines.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement is legally required to accept all unaccompanied children who have been apprehended and detained by other agencies. It provides for the childrens care until a sponsor is found, usually a relative, with whom they stay while their immigration cases are heard. About 85 percent of sponsors are parents or close relatives.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services operates more 100 shelters in approximately 17 states. Children spend on average 51 days in a shelter.

The deputy White House press secretary, Hogan Gidley, accused Merkley of smearing hardworking, dedicated law enforcement officials.

No one is taking a public safety lecture from Sen. Merkley, whose own policies endanger children, empower human smugglers and drug cartels, and allow violent criminal aliens to flood into American communities, Gidley said.

Merkley responded that the White House was smearing him because it could not defend an indefensible policy of snatching children from their parents.

By doing so with taxpayer dollars, they are making all Americans complicit in this unconsciousnable action, he said. Americans have every right to full transparency about the cruelty being inflicted in our names.A Dallas-area church has distributed fliers advertising a series of weekly summer seminars it plans to host condemning what it calls "dangerous isms," including Judaism, Islamism and liberalism.

Greenville Avenue Church of Christ in Richardson said in the fliers that the Wednesday seminars will "provide a proper response for the Christian."

The Church did not respond to requests for comment from NBC5 Monday.

Pulpit minister Shelton Gibbs III told The Dallas Morning News that the wording used in advertising could have been better, but that other faiths run counter to God's order to follow Jesus Christ.

He said other topics, such as racism or sexism, won't be discussed because "there are only so many Wednesdays in a summer."

The fliers prompted a social media backlash but Gibbs said the church doesn't mean to criticize or antagonize others.

Immigration Attorney Dobrina Ustun said she lives near the church. Her clients include people who work for companies in the Richardson Telecomm Corridor.

Honestly I felt insulted on a personal level and also insulted on behalf of the clients that I represent. They come from all over the world and this really made me uncomfortable, she said.

The Islamic Association of North Texas Mosque is just a few blocks away from the church.

People there are already concerned about attacks on their faith, according to John Janney, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter.

I think thats a legitimate concern and messages like these dont help the situation, Janney said.

Ustun said she is concerned calling Islam dangerous will stir up trouble in her neighborhood.

Thats my biggest problem, she said. Thats why I got real upset when I saw it.

Janney issued an open invitation to the Pastor for a meeting.

I find that extremely troubling because we need to have more harmony in America, not more division, he said.

Rabbi Ari Sunshine of Congregation Shearith Isreal in Dallas said a meeting might not be useful. He said Jews have suffered a long history of persecution.



You are immediately putting everyone on the defensive and saying there is no opportunity for dialog to begin to understand each other, he said. I would hope that any human being would see this flier and as a neighbor say this is offensive and this is hurtful.

The Pastor told the Dallas Morning News that the seminars would go on as planned. Atheism, alcoholism and "emotionalism" are other topics.What to Know The first lady had a kidney procedure in May and spent five days in the hospital, and she has stayed out of public view

She is expected to accompany her husband to a hurricane briefing at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington

President Trump railed against "The Fake News Media" for being "so unfair, and vicious" in its coverage of his wife after surgery

Melania Trump's disappearing act is over.

The first lady showed herself in public Wednesday for the first time in nearly a month, seated alongside her husband, President Donald Trump, for a briefing on the federal government's preparedness for the hurricane season that began June 1.

The routine meeting at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters took on outsized significance after the White House revealed that Mrs. Trump would accompany her husband. Prior to Wednesday, she had not been seen off the White House grounds since May 10.

The first sighting of the first lady came as she and the president strolled down the walkway from the Oval Office and climbed into "the Beast," his idling limousine. She was wearing a belted trench coat and her customary high heels.

Minutes later, Mrs. Trump took her seat alongside the president at one end of a long conference table as the FEMA briefing began, appearing to be her usual self.

"She's doing great. She went through a little rough patch, but she's doing great," Trump said at the top of the meeting, surrounded by his Cabinet as several governors and other officials participated by video conference. "And we're very proud of her. She's done a fantastic job as first lady."

He added: "The people love you. The people of our country love you. So, thank you honey."

The first lady smiled and nodded as her husband and others spoke during the portion of the briefing that was open to journalists. She and the president later spent a few minutes greeting FEMA employees. Mrs. Trump stepped with ease, smiled and was heard telling one worker "thank you very much."

It was her first appearance away from the White House since she and the president traveled to Joint Base Andrews to welcome home three Americans who had been released from detention in North Korea.

Several days later, the first lady underwent a procedure to treat a kidney condition. She spent five days in the hospital before returning to the White House on May 19 to continue her recuperation. She held private meetings with her staff and worked on projects, though she skipped a few public events where her participation seemed likely, including a Medal of Honor presentation and a sports "field day" for professional athletes and kids on the South Lawn.

But speculation mounted as week after week passed without a public appearance, spawning wild theories about where she might be and what might have happened to her.

The first lady addressed the issue on Twitter last week, saying: "I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I'm doing. Rest assured, I'm here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard on behalf of children & the American people!"

Her husband was less charitable Wednesday.

"The Fake News Media has been so unfair, and vicious, to my wife and our great First Lady, Melania," he wrote on Twitter. "During her recovery from surgery they reported everything from near death, to facelift, to left the W.H. (and me) for N.Y. or Virginia, to abuse. All Fake, she is doing really well!"

He did not provide examples of articles he found to be unfair and it was possible he was referring to stories about conspiracy theories on social media.

On Monday, the first lady participated in a White House event for military families. Journalists were not granted access out of respect for the families, meaning Mrs. Trump was seen only by those who attended.

But video posted on Twitter showed the first lady strolling into the East Room accompanied by the president. She later tweeted event photos that showed her sitting next to the president.

Earlier Wednesday, Trump signed a bill that will expand private care for veterans as an alternative to the troubled Veterans Affairs health system. The $51 billion measure has bipartisan support and builds on legislation passed in 2014 in response to a scandal at the Phoenix VA medical center, where some veterans died while waiting months for appointments.

It would allow veterans to see private doctors when they do not receive the treatment they expected, with the approval of a VA provider. It would also expand to cover families of veterans of all eras.

Associated Press writer Laurie Kellman contributed to this report.Associated Press Hollywood reporter Bob Thomas was on a one-night political assignment in June 1968 to cover Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's victory in the California presidential primary when mayhem unfolded before his eyes.

He heard pops of gunfire, then screams, and quickly rushed into the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel to see what was happening. People stood in a circle, staring down at the concrete floor in shock. Thomas jumped up on a stack of kitchen trays and saw Kennedy on the floor, blood oozing from his head.

Thomas sprinted into the press room to find an open phone line to call in the story to his editors. The line was dead, so he tried again at a phone booth in the lobby and reached editor Bob Myers.

"I've got a flash. Kennedy shot," Thomas said.

"Are you serious?" Myers responded.

"I'm serious. Kennedy's been shot," Thomas said.

Within moments, AP bulletins and story updates were transmitted to newspapers and TV and radio stations around the country, informing the world that Kennedy had been shot.

The AP filed numerous takes to the wire that night  the story broke just after midnight Los Angeles time  and did the same the next day when Kennedy succumbed to his wounds and the story became an obituary for the 42-year-old senator just five years after his brother was assassinated.

Here is some of the AP's coverage surrounding the assassination:

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, brother of the assassinated President John F. Kennedy, was shot in the brain early today just after he claimed victory in the California primary that he felt was the key to his own bid for the presidency.

Mayor Sam Yorty and Police Chief Tom Reddin told a news conference that a Sirhan Sirhan, 23, was traced through the .22 pistol used to wound Kennedy and five others, less seriously, and identification was made through a brother, Adel Sirhan, of Pasadena.

Even after the identification, Yorty said, the prisoner refused to identify himself. As the two city officials made their announcement, Kennedy lay in a hospital fighting for life. A doctor said he fears "the outcome may be extremely tragic," adding that a bullet evidently caused serious damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain at the back of the head.

Fifty years ago, Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles following a victory speech. Jaime Regalado, Ph.D., a political scientist and former executive director of the Pat Brown Institute for over 20 years, talks with NBC4s Conan Nolan about the impact of RFKs death and what could have been.

The New York senator was shot just after jubilantly proclaiming victory in California's Democratic presidential primary election.

The man accused of the shooting was captured on the spot and later identified as being a Jordanian born in Jerusalem, according to Mayor Yorty. He said Sirhan, who earlier had been arraigned as "John Doe" on six counts of assault with intent to commit murder, had four $100 bills with him and a newspaper story not favorable to Kennedy. He also, Yorty said, had a schedule of where Kennedy was speaking in June. His bail was set at $250,000. "Every right thinking person deplores this terrible tragedy," said Yorty.

The slender, dark-haired young man sat stonily silent for hours under police questioning, giving only a lone "yes" to one question. Finally he opened up, they said, and become quite talkative - "very cool, very calm, very stable and quite lucid." But he declined to discuss himself or the shooting.

A team of six surgeons removed all but a fragment of a bullet from Kennedy's brain. A second and less serious bullet remained lodged in the back of his neck.

Dr. Lawrence Pool, a New York neurosurgeon, said after talking with a member of the surgery team that the head wound "is much more serious than initially had been expected." He added: "There was evidently serious damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain on the extreme back of the head on the right side; also to part of the right cerebral hemisphere ... and also to the mid brain, which is the main cable connecting the brain itself with the rest of the body."

"This mid brain deals with not only the function of motion in the arms and legs and sensation to the body but also with eye movements and even the life function itself, such as blood pressure, breathing and heart rate.

"So it's critical area and this was injured and this is why I fear ... the outcome may be extremely tragic."

Kennedy had proclaimed his win to about 2,000 supporters at an Ambassador Hotel rally and was taking a shortcut through the kitchen to a meeting with newsmen when shots rang out.

With stunning rapidity at 12:15 a.m., a man police described as a Caucasian, about 25, 5 feet 5 and 120 pounds, with dark hair and complexion, emptied the chamber of an eight-shot .22 pistol.

Kennedy fell, hit apparently three times. Five others near him were wounded, none as badly as the presidential candidate.

Kennedy lay for a time flat on his back in the kitchen, eyes open, a crowd milling around him. Some observers say they heard him say, as he was lifted into a police ambulance, "Oh, no. No. Don't."

Pandemonium broke loose. Roosevelt Grier, giant Negro tackle for the professional Los Angeles Rams, quickly grabbed the much smaller gunman, wrestled the gun from him and held him for police.

President Johnson and others around the nation, including Kennedy's rival on the campaign primary trail, Minnesota's Sen. McCarthy, expressed shock and sorrow. Johnson ordered the full resources of the FBI thrown into the case and ordered secret service protection for major candidates.

Kennedy was brought first to Central Receiving Hospital where a doctor said he was "practically dead" upon arrival. Physicians there administered closed cardiac massage, oxygen and adrenalin. "At first he was pulseless," said a doctor who treated him, "then his pulse came back and we began to hear a heartbeat and he began to breathe a little erratically."

The doctor, Victor Baz, said Ethel Kennedy, who accompanied her husband in the ambulance, was frightened, "she didn't believe he was alive because she couldn't see that he was responding. I put the stethoscope to her ears so she could listen and she was tremendously relieved. She was "very distraught but superb ... very edgy, but my own wife wouldn't have done as well, I don't think. She was gracious at all times."

Kennedy was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital near downtown Los Angeles. There, a team of six surgeons began brain surgery at 3:12 a.m. that lasted about 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Doctors said one bullet struck near the right ear and entered the brain. Another hit in the shoulder. A third apparently grazed his forehead.

Kennedy's press aide said after the surgery that no further effort is planned for removal of the remaining bullet fragment in the skull. "Some fragments of the bullet and bone went to the brain stem," he said, and the senator lost considerable blood.

Kennedy was moved, unconscious, to the hospital's intensive care unit. The surgery was pronounced successful in that it accomplished what it set out to do, remove most of the bullet.

Kennedy's personal physician was flying here from Boston. The actual surgery here was performed by Drs. Maxwell Ambler of the University of California at Los Angeles Medical School and Nat Downes Reid and Henry Cuneo of the University of Southern California Medical School.

In Washington, Atty. Gen. Ramsey Clark said the FBI is investigating every possible angle, and "according to information that I have at this moment we have no evidence of conspiracy."

Clark told a news conference, "It seems incredible that another such profound tragedy would strike the Kennedy family which has suffered so much from violence already." Clark was an assistant in the Justice Department when Kennedy was attorney general.

[LA Updated 10/8] 2018 Top SoCal Photos in the News

Kennedy aides said six of Kennedy's 10 children who accompanied him here are being returned to Washington on an Air Force plane arranged for by a campaign rival, Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey.

Kennedy, in his address to the cheering supporters just before the shooting, was in good spirits with the long primary campaign trail behind him. He looked tired, however, and was looking forward to a few days of rest at the Malibu Beach home of a friend.

Then the shots rang out. One witness said the shots came so close together that he could hardly believe they had been fired by one gun. This reporter heard the shots from an adjoining room and they sounded almost like a brief burst of machine-gun fire.

The gunman appeared in the kitchen area behind the bandstand of the Embassy Room, where Kennedy backers, including movie stars and students, were listening to their candidate's light-hearted victory speech. The gunman carried papers, which he spread out on a stainless steel table. One waiter described them as sketches.

The backstage area was crowded with waiters, press and others, and the man's presence caused little notice.

Kennedy finished his speech and began working his way off the platform and into the kitchen, followed by close associates and members of his family. His wife, Ethel, had been at his side during the speech, but she became enveloped in the crowd. Kennedy gazed around as if searching for her.

At that moment the gunman pushed through the throng, reached his arm around others in front of him and shot the senator.

Roosevelt Grier, beefy tackle for the Los Angeles Rams, grabbed the man's arm. Joe LaHive, a local Kennedy campaigner, wrested the gun away. Grier and Olympic decathlon champion Rafer Johnson lifted the assailant and spread him on a steel kitchen table. "Nobody hurt this man," one of the athletes shouted. "We want to take him alive."

Women were screaming, "Oh, no." ''God, God, not again."

Kennedy was stretched on the floor, his face covered with blood. "Give him room. Step back." Someone yelled. Kennedy seemed to hear nothing. His face was blank, his eyes staring sightlessly.

Grier, Johnson and two or three others held the gunman on the table 10 feet away. Screams began to be heard in the ballroom as news of the shooting spread to the campaigners, who had been cheering their candidate two minutes before. "Let me explain" the gunman shouted. "I can explain."

A priest handed Kennedy a rosary, and he clutched it in his hand, but the priest was jostled aside. Kennedy was given emergency treatment by a doctor summoned from the ballroom. Then he was wheeled on a stretcher to the hotel service elevator and put into an ambulance.

He was treated at Central Receiving Hospital, where the Rev. Thomas Peacha administered last rites of the Roman Catholic Church. Kennedy was then taken a few blocks to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he entered the intensive care unit.

The gunman, apparently unharmed, was rushed through the Ambassador lobby by police 10 minutes after the shooting. By this time the crowd knew that Kennedy had been shot.

"Kill him. Lynch him," onlookers shouted. They milled forward to get at the man, but the police ran him down the stairs next to the famed Cocoanut Grove night club and got him to the central jail.

Chief Reddin said there was only one suspect in the case, the man in custody.

The gunman carried no identification, Reddin said, adding that "We made a skin search of him, checking that he had nothing on him to take his life. We have advised him of his rights. He doesn't want a lawyer now."

Asked if the man was of Latin-American extraction, Reddin said; "I don't know. I can't tell." He added that he might possibly be of Eurasian extraction. "He sits there and says nothing," Reddin said. There were scraps of paper in the man's pockets, Reddin said, but he declined to identify them.

At first, Stephen Smith, the senator's brother-in-law, was believed to have been shot, but the report proved untrue. Wounds were suffered by; Paul Schrade, 30, a union official; Ira Goldstein, Los Angeles; William Wiesel, unit manager for the ABC network; a woman identified only as Mrs. Evans; Irwin Stroll, 17, Los Angeles.

President Johnson was notified of the shooting. There was no immediate comment from the White House.

Kennedy's opponent for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota, had retired to his Beverly Hilton Hotel room. He was awakened, and he went to his hotel ballroom to ask his supporters to pray for the life of Senator Kennedy.

Kennedy's brother, Senator Ted Kennedy of Mass., was reported to have arrived at Los Angeles International Airport and been flown by helicopter to Good Samaritan Hospital.

In Colorado Springs, Colo., Vice President Hubert Humphrey said "Our hopes and prayers are with Senator Kennedy and those others who have been the victims of this dreadful act of violence. It is a shocking and terrible thing that this happened. Our hearts go out to Mrs. Kennedy and the children and the families of the other wounded."

One of Kennedy's last acts before he was shot was to issue a challenge to Humphrey to engage with him in a duel for the Democratic nomination. Kennedy appeared to have ruled out McCarthy as a rival.A chain reaction crash brought down power lines, trapped drivers in their vehicles and knocked out power for thousands of people in Huntington Beach on Monday night.

At one point, about 3,300 people were without power, but Southern California Edison work crews quickly jumped into action and to get the lights back on in the streets and in homes.

The driver of a white pickup truck crashed into the power pole, bringing it down and causing a chain reaction of power lines falling into the streets. Two power poles ended up falling down, as the white pickup truck was had crashed into a wall.

The power lines falling into the street created a dangerous situation where the driver of the white pickup truck and a Scion were trapped in their vehicles for at least an hour with live power lines surrounding them.

The Scion driver was unharmed, but the truck driver required medical attention and had to be air-lifted from the scene of the crash.

Utility workers had to de-energize the power lines before first-responders could attend to the two drivers. The woman in the Scion was not hurt. However, police said that the decision by both drivers to stay in their vehicles likely saved their lives.What to Know Officials have identified the bodies of three women found in a Springfield home last week.

They are 47-year-old Ernestine Ryans and 34-year-old America Lyden, both of Springfield; and 27-year-old Layla Escalante, of Ludlow.

They were found at the home of Stewart Weldon, who is charged with kidnapping but has not been charged in connection with the bodies.

Family members are in disbelief after learning their loved ones were found dead at the home of a Springfield, Massachusetts, man charged last week of kidnapping another woman found in his car during a traffic stop.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni identified the bodies found at the home of 40-year-old Stewart Weldon as Ernestine Ryans, 47, and America Lyden, 34, both of Springfield; and Kayla Escalante, 27, of Ludlow.

The victims' families "are distraught and heartbroken," Gulluni said.

Gulluni said the medical examiner has yet to determine the cause of the deaths but called them "suspicious."



He did not say how long the bodies had been at the home, but he said two of the women had been the subjects of missing-person reports that police had investigated thoroughly.



Lyden was reported missing on Dec. 1, 2017, but hadn't been seen by her family since about June 2017.

America was loved by her family very much, very deeply, unconditionally," said her cousin Angela Rodriguez.

Family members say Ryans had been missing since March. She was reported missing on March 18, 2018 - 10 days after her family last saw her.

She didnt deserve for her life to end in the manner in which it did," said her brother Anthony Ryans. "And thats the hardest part for us that she died alone and we couldnt be there to help.

Its unclear when Escalante vanished. Police in Ludlow say she was alive as late as mid-December when she filed a police report after getting into a verbal altercation with a relative.

Escalante's family members declined to comment about the case.

"I just really hope that our district attorney does a fine job in cracking the case and helping all of us heal, Rodriguez said.

Investigators remained at the home, which belongs to Weldon's mother, on Monday. No one has been charged in connection with the discovery of the bodies.

"The investigation will be ongoing for many days to come, and the investigation overall will continue for some period of time," he said.

Weldon was arrested May 27 after a brief car chase with police that was sparked by a traffic stop for a broken taillight. A woman in his car said she had been held captive, beaten and sexually assaulted. He was held on $1 million bail after pleading not guilty to kidnapping and other charges.

According to a police report, the woman thanked officers for saving her life, saying she didn't think she was ever going to get away.

Weldon was arraigned Monday on kidnapping and assault to rape charges pertaining to a second alleged victim and ordered held on an additional $1 million cash bail.

Prosecutors said a second woman came forward after last week's arraignment and said Weldon had kidnapped her in Feburary. No further details were released during Monday's arraignment.

Weldon did not speak at Monday's arraignment but stood expressionless and nodded slightly when a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Weldon's public defender waived a reading of the complaint, and the new case was impounded at the request of the prosecution and defense, citing the ongoing investigation.

"Mr. Weldon has entered his plea of not guilty and looks forward to addressing these charges in the future in court as well as addressing bail at a later date," public defender Matthew Fleischner said.

Weldon is scheduled back in court on both cases on June 29.

These most recent arrests were not Weldon's first run-ins with the law.

He was convicted of burglary and theft charges in New Jersey in 2007, court documents show. In Massachusetts, he previously was charged with assault and battery, breaking and entering and robbery and spent time in jail.

Weldon was arrested three times in Springfield last year, according to police and court records, including once in October when he was accused of assaulting a woman on the street. He struggled during the arrest, according to the police report, and bit an officer on the leg. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $1,000 cash bail.What to Know Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges

The hearing in Manhattan comes after a grand jury indicted the former movie mogul last week on charges involving two women

Weinstein has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex; his lawyer has challenged the credibility of his alleged victims

Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty to rape and criminal sex act charges after appearing to limp into a Manhattan courthouse Tuesday, days after a grand jury indicted the former movie mogul in cases involving two women.



Wearing a navy suit and tie, Weinstein stepped out of the rear passenger seat of a black SUV and looked, stone-faced, at the waiting crowd before joining attorney Benjamin Brafman on the street and walking inside the courthouse.



He said nothing to the scrum of reporters yelling, "Harvey, Harvey!" as he walked past, though did grin on his way into the building.

The not guilty plea came moments later. Bail conditions remain set at $1 million. Brafman reiterated his intent to vigorously defend the case and slammed law enforcement for alleged "leaks" in the case.



"I think today is the first day of this process. We begin our fight now," he said, adding that his defense would include trying to get prosecutors to drop the case. "If we are successful, there may not be a trial."



And if there is a trial, Brafman said he's confident his client will be vindicated. He also said he may include the name of one alleged victim who has not been publicly identified in a subpoena at some point.

That unidentified person told investigators that Weinstein cornered her in a hotel room and raped her. The other accuser, former actress Lucia Evans, has gone public with her account of Weinstein forcing her to perform oral sex at his office in 2004.

Dozens more women have accused him of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to assault.

The 66-year-old Weinstein has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. Brafman has challenged the credibility of his alleged victims and says his client is confident he is going to clear his name.



Weinstein is due back in court in September.What to Know Two Nassau County police officers were allegedly arrested on narcotics charges in Suffolk County following a grand jury investigation

A source familiar with the investigation identifies the two Nassau County Police Department officers as Erik Skoglund and Karen Ernst

The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office says the investigation is still ongoing

Two Nassau County police officers were arrested on narcotics charges in Suffolk County following a grand jury investigation, a source familiar with the investigation says.



The source identifies the two Nassau County Police Department officers as Erik Skoglund and Karen Ernst. They are allegedly two of a total of nine individuals arrested Monday on state narcotics charges. The officers were given desk appearance tickets and released, according to the source.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini said the investigation is still ongoing and the Nassau County Police Department is cooperating fully. Sini's statement did not say why the officers were arrested.

The Nassau County Police Department had no comment.

It is not immediately known if Skogland or Ernst retained attorneys.A construction worker is dead after a row home under demolition in North Philadelphia partially collapsed on Monday, trapping him and another worker in the rubble.



The collapse happened at 10:50 a.m. on Monday at 1501 N. Bailey Street.

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said two workers were trapped inside the building when it came down.

One worker was able to escape the rubble on his own before firefighters arrived, Thiel said. He was not seriously injured.



"We saw two people digging. And we heard somebody under the ground say 'Hurry, hurry, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, help me,'" Tracy Ratterea, a witness, told NBC10.

Two crews and 40 firefighters spent 15 minutes sifting through brick and debris before finding the other worker, identified by family and friends as Harvey Figgs, 59, of Philadelphia.

"He was actually in a very difficult spot inside the building," Thiel said.

Figgs was put onto a stretcher, but died at the scene.

"I worked with this guy for years," Walter Johnson, a friend of Figgs, told NBC10. "He was a damn good worker. Damn good worker. Ran his own crews and everything. One of the best."

The building is owned by Rollup LLC. NBC10 reached out to them but we have not yet heard back.



City property records listed the building as structurally compromised and the building had been deemed unsafe by L&I in May of 2017. A demolition permit wasn't issued until February. The permit included a requirement that all demolition work be done by "hand method only" without cranes or backhoes.



Gama Wrecking, the demolition company handling the property, has dealt with other issues in the past.

In April, 2014, two Gama workers were injured when they were hit by falling debris at a property in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia. During that incident, L&I determined Gama Wrecking, which is a licensed contractor in the city, was not at fault.

L&I continues to investigate the cause of Monday's collapse.

A Highland Park gang member, who spent more than 15 years on the run, was sentenced Monday to 20 years behind bars for the unprovoked murder of an innocent motorist whose killing was part of a deadly anti-black pact among gang members that used violence, intimidation and harassment to force blacks out of the mostly Latino neighborhood.

Before Merced "Shadow" Cambero, 39, was sentenced, U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson made sure that survivors, witnesses and those affected by the 1999 murder accepted the plea deal that resulted in a sentence that was considerably less than the maximum possible term of life in federal prison.

"This is a particularly troublesome decision for the court in light of the fact that three people lost their lives, if for no other reason than the color of their skin," Anderson said, adding that he "reluctantly" accepted the plea agreement.

Cambero pleaded guilty in February to felony counts of conspiracy against rights, interference with federally protected activities, and use or discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death. Cambero admitted he shot 38-year-old Kenneth Wilson, a black man who did not live in Highland Park and was looking for a parking space while visiting friends in April 1999.

The case against Cambero and his co-defendants in the Avenues gang marked the first time the federal hate crime statute had been used to combat racial violence by members of a street gang, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

In 2006, while Cambero was a fugitive, three fellow members of the Avenues gang were sentenced to life in federal prison as part of the six-year conspiracy that also saw another black man gunned down at a bus stop in December 2000. A fourth man was convicted as a lookout in that 2000 slaying of 28-year-old Christopher Bowser.

Following his 20-year prison sentence, Cambero must serve a five-year term of what prosecutors characterized as "particularly stringent" supervised release, including a requirement that the defendant submit, at any time of the day or night by any law enforcement or probation officer, to warrantless and suspicion-less searches of his person, property, residence, vehicles, papers, computers and phones.

That provision will allow for close monitoring of Cambero and "help ensure that if he violates any law or any term of his supervised provision, his release can be revoked and he can be returned to prison," Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Bernstein wrote in a sentencing document.

Before sentencing went forward, the court heard from Luisa Prudhomme, whose biracial 21-year-old son, Anthony, was killed in 2000 when Avenues members shot him in the head as he lay on a futon.

"It's the worst thing in the world to lose a child...murdered in cold blood in that way," she said, adding Wilson's late mother would have agreed. "I pray that there's justice for all of our loved ones."

Bowser's mother also spoke, telling Anderson that "from my heart, I don't have any vengeance against (Cambero). He has to answer to God."

In its position papers, the government said it recognizes that the crimes in the case are "among the most serious in the penal code, and that, if there were no other factors to take into consideration, imprisonment for life would be a just punishment."

However, "based on a number of powerful considerations--including the desire of almost every witness and victim to avoid the terrifying prospect of again having to testify about violent gang activity; evidentiary concerns raised by the fact that the evidence is now 20 years old; and the desire of the victims, witnesses, and government for definite and final justice--the prosecution entered into plea negotiations to determine if a just resolution could be reached without the need for another trial."

In a hand-scrawled letter to the judge, Cambero apologized "to everyone in Highland Park for all the hurt I caused as a member of the Avenues gang." He wrote that he often thinks of the now-deceased mother "of the man, Mr. Wilson, that I killed on Avenue 52 that night 20 years ago."

Cambero was taken into custody by Mexican authorities in Baja California and turned over to the FBI at the border last year. He was one of three shooters who gunned down Wilson, who died of a gunshot wound to the neck, court papers show.

Anderson said Cambero will be in his late 50s when released from prison, an age when "the risk of recidivism is believed to be reduced."

The judge then reminded the audience that "we all know someone that has been impacted by gang violence. There isn't a day that goes by when we're not reminded...and it's a cost we all have to pay. I don't care what part of the city you live in."San Diego voters are set to cast ballots in a variety of statewide contests, including the race for California governor and congressional districts, when polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Here is what you need to know:

Find your polling place

There are 1,444 precincts in San Diego County. The county's Registrar of Voters has created an online tool to help voters find their polling place on June 5. Type in your address and hit submit.

If you go to the wrong polling location, a provisional ballot will be required and it will take longer for your vote to be processed, the registrar's office said.

The polls are open until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Mail Ballot Voters

Mail-in ballots will be accepted until Friday as long as they are postmarked by the U.S. Post Office by Tuesday, June 5.

Those who decide to vote in person will need to bring their mail-in ballot to their polling location.

There are 41 locations in San Diego County where mail ballot voters can drop off their ballot on election day. These locations are for mail ballot drop-offs only.

Verify if you received a mail-in ballot here.

Register to Vote on Primary Election Day

San Diegans who wish to vote but missed the May 21 deadline can go to the Registrar of Voters office at 5600 Overland Ave. between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday to fill out a Conditional Voter Registration form.

This primary election will be the first time conditional voting registration will be implemented in the state of California.

San Diego County Election Facts

There are 1.69 million registered voters in San Diego County. That is the highest number of registered voters in the county's history, according to the registrar's office.

Thirty-seven percent of San Diego's voters are registered as Democrats and 29 percent are registered as Republicans. 29 percent are registered with no party preference.

As of Monday evening, 25 percent of mail ballot voters, which includes ballots mailed to military members overseas, have turned in their ballots. The registrar's office expects many mail-in ballots to be dropped off at polling locations.

What to Know About California's Open Primary

California has an Open Primary, which means candidates for an office from all parties, plus "No Party Preference" candidates, run against one another in one race. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, go on to the General Election in November.

Statewide Ballot Propositions

Voters will decide on five statewide ballot propositions. Click here for a detailed explanation of each proposition. Click here to see a list of top-10 contributors to each proposition.A hunch from a retired detective helped lead police to a man suspected of shooting six people to death in the Phoenix area, some of whom were connected to his divorce, authorities said Monday after the assailant killed himself with officers closing in.

A round-the-clock investigation that began late last week led police Monday to an extended-stay hotel in suburban Scottsdale where 56-year-old Dwight Lamon Jones was staying. As officers approached, they heard gunfire and found his body.

Jones' victims included a well-known forensic psychiatrist who testified against him in court in 2010, two paralegals who worked for the law office that represented the suspect's wife, a marriage-and-divorce counselor who was apparently targeted in a case of mistaken identity and another man and woman who have not been identified, authorities said.

"This is not a success story, but it's a story that has closure," Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said.

The slayings began Thursday with the fatal shooting of Dr. Steven Pitt, who, according to court records, had evaluated Jones and testified in 2010 that he had anxiety and mood disorders and symptoms of a paranoid personality.

Pitt said Jones did not conform to social norms and acted impulsively and aggressively. He lacked remorse and close friends and required excessive admiration, the records said.

The testimony was cited in the couple's November 2010 divorce, which granted Jones' wife sole custody of their now 21-year-old son.

The 59-year-old psychiatrist was well known in his field and assisted in high-profile murder cases, including the JonBenet Ramsey mystery in Colorado and a notorious Phoenix serial killer investigation.

Paralegals Veleria Sharp, 48, and Laura Anderson, 49, worked at the law office that represented Jones' wife. Police believe Jones may have been targeting the attorney, but she was not present Friday when Jones went to the office in downtown Scottsdale.

Sharp was shot in the head but ran out of the office to get help before collapsing on the street, police said. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Counselor Marshall Levine, 72, appears to have been mistaken for someone else who once occupied the same office. At one time, the space was used by a counselor who saw Jones' son as part of the divorce. Levine, who took over the space, was not involved in the divorce case.

Police would not speculate why Jones tracked down people connected to his divorce so long after it happened. They say he had been living in extended-stay hotels for the past nine years.

The suspect's ex-wife, Connie Jones, said in a statement that her ex-husband was a "very emotionally disturbed person."

Jones was arrested in May 2009 at his family's Scottsdale home on a domestic violence charge after his wife said he backed her against a wall, hit her in the face and threatened to kill her, according to court records. The arrest was cited by his then-wife when she filed for divorce.

"Personally, I have feared for my safety for the past nine years. I cannot express the emotions I feel for the innocent families touched by this senseless violence," Connie Jones said.

Her current husband, a retired police detective, made the connection between her divorce and the crime scenes and notified police of his suspicion Saturday night, she said.

"We started to see that Mr. Jones was visiting them in an effort to right some wrong based on what we could see," said Rich Slavin, assistant police chief in Scottsdale.

Analysis of shell casings found at Pitts' office, the law firm and Levin's office confirmed that the victims were killed with the same gun, police said.

Jones' DNA was found on one of spent casings. And traffic cameras showed a vehicle fitting the description of Jones' gold Mercedes near the law firm 30 minutes before the double killing on Friday, police said.

The suspect has also been linked to two additional killings in Fountain Hills, an affluent suburb in the northeastern corner of metro Phoenix. The man and woman found dead inside the home have not been named publicly.

Jones, who was seen driving around Fountain Hills, was later seen dumping a .22-caliber gun stolen from the Fountain Hills home.

Some neighbors who were home on Monday afternoon stepped out to observe the police presence that remained on the street, which is usually a serene area.

"It's quiet around here," said landscaper Saul Ramirez, who stopped to take cellphone videos of the scene.

As police shared new details of the case, several hundred people crowded into a chapel at a mortuary in Scottsdale to honor Pitt with music, humorous stories and a Hebrew prayer of mourning.

He was remembered as a perfectionist in his work on major cases and a loving man who doted on his fiancee and family members. Phoenix police Lt. Bryan Chapman, who had become a close friend during their work on criminal cases, said Pitt volunteered countless hours to help investigate many lesser known crimes.

"He was the hardest working person I ever met," Chapman said.Republicans and Democrats alike appear to have escaped calamity in a crucial day of coast-to-coast primary battles as they fight to shape the political battlefield for the fall. There was an especially big sigh of relief from the GOP Wednesday after the party avoided being entirely shut out of California's November election of a new governor.

Republicans had feared that Democrats would win both of the governor's spots in California's unique top-two primary system. With no one to support at the top of the state ticket, the concern was that GOP voters would sit the election out, giving Democrats a big advantage in House races across the state that could help swing control of Congress.

There was less Democratic talk of a November "blue wave" on Wednesday. And President Donald Trump, crediting "the Trump impact," said there might be "a big Red Wave" instead. But that seemed to be more of a typical presidential boast than a realistic analysis of the California results.

While some Golden State contests remained too close to call Wednesday, Republicans managed to get business executive John Cox on the November ballot for governor. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newson, a Democrat, easily captured the top spot to succeed term-limited Jerry Brown in the deeply Democratic state's top office. There will be no Republican candidate in the other big statewide race, for U.S. Senate.

Democrats were fighting to avoid their own calamity, in California's many competitive House districts, and appeared to have largely succeeded. The concern in their case was that so many candidates would divide the Democratic vote and let Republicans take the top two spots in some House races. After more votes were counted on Wednesday, the Democrats appeared to have avoided being shut out in nearly all of the state's battleground contests.

Nationwide, Tuesday night was a big night for women, as female candidates for governor advanced, including Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico and Republican Kristi Noem in South Dakota. Female Republican governors in Alabama and Iowa will try for their first full terms after succeeding men who resigned.

California's Sen. Dianne Feinstein also fared well and will face only a fellow Democrat in November.

Still, Trump was ready to celebrate.

"Many more Republican voters showed up yesterday than the Fake News thought possible," Trump tweeted.

California's handful of competitive House races  more than a half dozen Republican-held seats may be in play  has made it hotly contested territory in the fight over control of the House, drawing big money and the spotlight on the biggest primary night of midterms. Democrats need to pick up 23 seats nationwide to retake the House.

Much of Tuesday's drama focused on women, including former federal prosecutor and Navy pilot Mikie Sherrill, who bested a field of Democratic rivals to replace retiring New Jersey Republican Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen. The favorite of Washington Democrats will take on GOP Assemblyman Jay Webber in one of several New Jersey races Democrats view as possible pickups.

In Alabama, four-term Republican Rep. Martha Roby was forced into a runoff election next month after failing to win 50 percent of her party's vote. She will face former Democratic Rep. Bobby Bright in Alabama's conservative 2nd district  where Trump loyalty has been a central issue.

Roby was the first member of Congress to withdraw her endorsement of the Republican president in 2016 after he was caught on video bragging about grabbing women's genitals.

In New Mexico, Democratic Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham won her party's nomination in the race to succeed outgoing Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. If Grisham wins, she'll be the state's second Latino state executive.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey fended off three GOP challengers, while South Dakota Rep. Kristi Noem became the first female nominee for governor in her state.

In Iowa, 28-year-old Democratic state Rep. Abby Finkenauer was trying to become the youngest woman to serve in Congress.

And in New Mexico, former state Democratic Party Chairwoman Debra Haaland, a tribal member of Laguna Pueblo, won her primary and could become the first Native American woman in Congress if she wins this fall.

Haaland said in her primary victory statement: "Donald Trump and the billionaire class should consider this victory a warning shot: the blue wave is coming."

Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker won his primary contest as did New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat who faced federal bribery charges last year. The jury deadlocked, but Republicans hope to use Menendez's legal troubles to tar other Democrats like Sherrill across the state.

Republican businessman Bob Hugin claimed the Republican nomination to face Menendez this fall.

In California, national Democrats spent more than $7 million trying to curb and repair the damage inflicted by Democrats attacking each other in districts opened by retiring Republican Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa, and the district where Republican Dana Rohrabacher fended off a challenge from the right.

Republican Rep. Mimi Walters easily advanced to the November election in her Orange County district that has been targeted by Democrats.

And to the north, House intelligence committee chairman Devin Nunes, a Republican, qualified for the general election ballot as well. Nunes is a polarizing figure in national politics given his support for Trump in one of the many investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

A key Senate race took shape in the heart of Trump country as well.

Montana Republicans were picking a candidate to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, one of the most vulnerable senators in the nation. State Auditor Matt Rosendale won the GOP nomination.

___

Associated Press writers Amy Taxin in Huntington Beach, Sophia Bollag in Sacramento, David Porter in Montclair, New Jersey, and Kevin McGill in Picayune, Mississippi, contributed to this report.A baby girl has been found safe after being abducted by her father, a convicted sex offender, officials said Tuesday. Her father is in custody in North Carolina.

Emma Grace Kennedy, seven months, appeared to be in good health and was being evaluated at a local hospital, authorities said. The mother of the baby has been notified.

A frantic search had unfolded since Carl Ray Kennedy, 51, assaulted the baby's mother at knifepoint and took the baby from a gas station in Danville, Virginia, about 7:55 p.m. Sunday, according to the FBI.

An Amber Alert was issued for the little girl as federal and local officials sought Carl Kennedy. Authorities said he could be driving one of four cars with one of three license plates.

He was arrested in Randleman, North Carolina, by Danville police, the FBI, the Randolph County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Secret Service, authorities said Tuesday.

In an apparent attempt to travel unnoticed, Kennedy was found in a gold car that had been painted black. A concerned citizen noticed the car anyway.

Kennedy does not have legal custody of the child.

The FBI said during the search that he should be considered armed and dangerous. He was possibly seen near Seven Spring, North Carolina, about 6:30 p.m. Monday and may have been headed to Oak Island, North Carolina, authorities said.

The baby was taken from the Kwik Stop on Riverside Drive in Danville, about three hours southwest of Richmond, on the North Carolina border.

Virginia State Police issued an Amber Alert and said the infant was believed to be in "extreme danger."

"My worst fear is that she is just on the side of the road somewhere or left alone," the baby's aunt, Amy Metzger, told WAVY-TV. "She just brightens our lives and she is adorable and happy and healthy."

Kennedy is listed as a sex offender in North Carolina. State records show he was convicted of sexual battery in April 2014 and imprisoned for nearly two years.

NBC Washington

Authorities said that, at the time of the abduction, he was currently out of jail on $250,000 bond for drug distribution.A Maryland man is accused of fatally shooting his stepdaughter's father during an argument Saturday.

Marcus Burns, 38, of Camp Springs, is charged in the death of 35-year-old Damon Palmer of D.C., Prince George's County police said.

Burns and his teenage stepdaughter had got into an argument. The 16-year-old called Palmer, her biological father, to come pick her up. The two left together, Prince George's County State's Attorney spokesperson Gina Ford said.

After dropping his daughter off, Palmer returned to the home with a friend. Then, Burns shot the two men multiple times, Ford said.

Officers responded to the home on the 6200 block of Maxwell Drive about 12:50 a.m. Saturday, where they found Palmer and his friend outside with gunshot wounds.

Palmer was pronounced dead at the scene.

The second victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Police won't name him because he is a victim and witness to an ongoing investigation.

Burns is charged with first- and second-degree murder and other related charges. He's being held without bond.

Burns' wife appeared in court on Tuesday and begged the judge to release him. The judge denied the request.

His wife refused to speak with News4.

Police said Burns admitted to the shooting, but his lawyer said in court that he may be working on a self-defense plea. His next court date is set for July.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 301-772-4925. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS (8477), submit a tip online at pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the P3 Tips mobile app.Lilian Hernandez wept as she spoke the names of aunts, uncles, cousins, her grandmother and two great-grandchildren  36 family members in all  missing and presumed dead in the explosion of Guatemala's Volcano of Fire.

"My cousins Ingrid, Yomira, Paola, Jennifer, Michael, Andrea and Silvia, who was just 2-years-old," the distraught woman said  a litany that brought into sharp relief the scope of a disaster for which the final death toll is far from clear.

What was once a collection of verdant canyons, hillsides and farms resembled a moonscape of ash, rock and debris on Tuesday in the aftermath of the fast-moving avalanche of super-heated muck that roared into the tightly knit villages on the mountain's flanks, devastating entire families.

Two days after the eruption, the terrain was still too hot in many places for rescue crews to search for bodies or  increasingly unlikely with each passing day  survivors.

By afternoon a new column of smoke was rising from the mountain and Guatemala's disaster agency said volcanic material was descending its south side, prompting an evacuation order and the closure of a nearby national highway. Rescuers, police and journalists hurried to leave the area as a siren wailed and loudspeakers blared, "Evacuate!"

The new evacuation order set off a panic even in areas that were not under it. Dozens of people could be seen walking down roadsides carrying children or a few belongings beside paralyzed traffic in parts of Escuintla township south of the volcano.

A lucky few, like retiree Pantaleon Garcia, was able to load his grandchildren into the back of a pickup with a jug of water and some food, to go to stay with relatives in another town.

"You have to be prepared, for the children," he said.

Even in more distant central Escuintla, which hosts most of the shelters for those evacuated from other areas, businesses were closed as people left.

On Sunday, when the volcano exploded in a massive cloud of ash and molten rock, Hernandez said her brother and sister ran to check on their 70-year-old grandmother on the family's plot of land in the village of San Miguel Los Lotes.

"She said that it was God's will, she was not going to flee," Hernandez said. "She was unable to walk. It was hard for her to get around."

Her brother and sister made it to safety, but their grandmother has not been seen again.

Hernandez and her husband, Francisco Ortiz, survived because they moved out of Los Lotes just two months ago to begin a new life on a small plot of land.

The couple has been staying at a Mormon church in the nearby city of Escuintla and going to a morgue there to await news. So far only the body of one relative, her 28-year-old cousin, Cesar Gudiel Escalante, has been recovered and identified.

"The people ended up buried in nearly 3 meters of lava," Ortiz said. "Nobody is left there."

Other families experienced similar tragedies.

As President Jimmy Morales toured the area and met with survivors on Monday, a woman begged him to help her loved ones in Los Lotes.

"Mr. President, my family is missing. Send a helicopter to throw water over them because they are burning," she said. "I have three children, a grandchild, and all my brothers, my mother, all my family are there. ... More than 20 have disappeared."

The fast-moving flows with temperatures as high as 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit (700 Celsius) and hot ash and volcanic gases that can cause rapid asphyxiation caught many off guard.

On Tuesday, it was clear that the official death toll was sure to climb and fears spread that anyone still stuck in the buried houses was dead and would remain entombed there.

Guatemala's National Institute of Forensic Sciences raised the death toll Tuesday evening to 75. The institute said that 23 of those recovered bodies had been identified.

At a roadblock, Joel Gonzalez complained that police wouldn't let him through to see his family's house in the village of San Juan Alotenango, where his 76-year-old father lay buried in ash along with four other relatives.

"They say they are going to leave them buried there, and we are not going to know if it's really them," the 39-year-old farmer said. "They are taking away our opportunity to say goodbye."

A spokesman for Guatemala's disaster agency, Conred, said that once it reaches 72 hours after the eruption, there will be little chance of finding anyone alive.

"We don't rule out the possibility of some person alive, but the condition in which the homes are makes that possibility pretty unlikely," said the spokesman, Juan Sanchez, adding that some of the ash was still at temperatures between 750 and 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit (400 and 700 degrees Celsius).

In the devastated town of El Rodeo, gray soot coated trees and homes and an ash-covered deer lay dead in the debris. Rescuers wearing hard hats, masks and goggles used shovels to dig through homes, unearthing at least one body burned beyond recognition.

Amid the destruction, there was one glimmer of hope: The rescue of a black-and-white dog found alive in a home where four people lay dead.

"He is called Rambo," said volunteer firefighter Sergio Vazquez, who carried the dog on his shoulders to safety. "It may be that this dog no longer has a family."

Vazquez had no explanation for how the dog survived while the people died.

Sanchez, the Conred spokesman, said many dogs and cats had been rescued with burns on their paws from the mud and ash, some blinded from the volcanic gases.

"Animals have a different sort of resistance ... and different behavior when it comes to finding refuge," Sanchez said.

Only 17 of the bodies recovered so far have been identified due to the extreme heat that charred their features and burned off fingerprints, and authorities hope other means such as DNA testing can help.

Authorities say at least 46 people were injured in the eruption, and 12 shelters were housing 1,877 people.

The Guatemalan military said a U.S. Air Force plane was flying in Tuesday to take about a half-dozen children who suffered burns for treatment in Galveston, Texas.

Lacking electricity in the hardest hit areas, emergency crews were carrying out rescue efforts during daylight hours and calling them off for safety reasons when darkness fell.

As dawn broke Tuesday, the volcano continued to rattle with what Guatemala's Volcanology Institute said were eight to 10 moderate eruptions per hour  vastly less intense than Sunday's big blasts.The Supreme Court ruled Monday for a Colorado baker who wouldn't make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in a limited decision that leaves for another day the larger issue of whether a business can invoke religious objections to refuse service to gay and lesbian people.

The justices' decision turned on what the court described as anti-religious bias on the Colorado Civil Rights Commission when it ruled against baker Jack Phillips. The justices voted 7-2 that the commission violated Phillips' rights under the First Amendment.

Justice Anthony Kennedy said in his majority opinion that the larger issue "must await further elaboration" in the courts. Appeals in similar cases are pending, including one at the Supreme Court from a florist who didn't want to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding.

The disputes, Kennedy wrote, "must be resolved with tolerance, without undue disrespect to sincere religious beliefs, and without subjecting gay persons to indignities when they seek goods and services in an open market."

The same-sex couple at the heart of the case, Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins, complained to the Colorado commission in 2012 after they visited Phillips' Masterpiece Cakeshop in suburban Denver and the baker quickly told them he would not create a cake for their wedding celebration.

Colorado law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and the commission concluded that Phillips' refusal violated the law, despite Phillips' argument that he is opposed to same-sex marriage on religious grounds. Colorado state courts upheld the determination.

But when the justices heard arguments in December, Kennedy was plainly bothered by comments by a commission member that the justice said disparaged religion. The commissioner seemed "neither tolerant nor respectful of Mr. Phillips' religious beliefs," Kennedy said in December.

That same sentiment suffused his opinion on Monday. "The commission's hostility was inconsistent with the First Amendment's guarantee that our laws be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion," he wrote.

Liberal justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan joined the conservative justices in the outcome. Kagan wrote separately to emphasize the limited ruling.

Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissented.

In a statement issued after the ruling Monday, Phillips' Supreme Court lawyer praised the decision.

"Government hostility toward people of faith has no place in our society, yet the state of Colorado was openly antagonistic toward Jack's religious beliefs about marriage. The court was right to condemn that," said Kristen Waggoner, the Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel who argued Phillips' case.

Waggoner said Phillips is willing to sell ready-made products to anyone who enters his store. But, "he simply declines to express messages or celebrate events that violate his deeply held beliefs," she said.

Phillips was at his shop Monday morning, where he was busy answering the phone and getting congratulations from his supporters in person, including his pastor. One woman brought him a bouquet of flowers and others hugged him.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which represented the couple in its legal fight, said it was pleased the court did not endorse a broad religion-based exemption from anti-discrimination laws.

"The court reversed the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision based on concerns unique to the case but reaffirmed its longstanding rule that states can prevent the harms of discrimination in the marketplace, including against LGBT people." said Louise Melling, the ACLU's deputy legal director.

Several legal disputes are pending over wedding services, similar to the Phillips case. Video producers, graphic artists and florists are among business owners who say they oppose same-sex marriage on religious grounds and don't want to participate in same-sex weddings.

Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in Richland, Washington, has appealed a state Supreme Court ruling that found she violated state law for refusing to provide the wedding flowers for two men who were about to be married.

The justices could decide what to do with that appeal by the end of June.

Associated Press writer P. Solomon Banda also contributed to this report.What to Know Shiloe Khokhar was 6 years old when she dropped a message in a bottle into the Atlantic Ocean along with a gift in 2015

Two weeks ago, her father got an email from a fisherman's son in Morocco, saying they found the message

Now the two families are new friends, and the Khokhars hope to meet the Elbaz family in Morocco later this year

A young Long Island girl and her family has forged an unlikely transatlantic friendship three years after she dropped a message in a bottle into the Atlantic Ocean.

Shiloe Khkohar was 6 years old on a family cruise to Bermuda in 2015 when she decided to print a note, roll it into a bottle and drop it in the ocean.

"I want to wish you a happy, healthy life," read the note in all-caps, accompanied by a gift from Shiloe, a crystal from upstate New York.

She ended her note asking anyone who finds it to contact her dad by email.

"Honestly I didn't think it was gonna go anywhere," her father Imtiaz Khokhar told News 4.

That doubt evaporated two weeks ago when Imtiaz Khokhar opened an email from someone in Morocco. The bottle had been found by a fisherman, a father of a five named Hassan Elbaz. Elbaz didn't speak or read English, so his son contacted the Khokhars and sent photos through social media to confirm that the message in a bottle had been delivered.

"He goes, 'Is this you?'" Imtiaz recalled of his conversation with Elbaz's son. "I said, 'Yeah, it's me!'"

Shiloe's mother, Wendy Khokhar, said, "He was saying he couldn't believe a 6-year-old sent that message. But that's Shiloe, she's a sweet kid."

"There are so many things that could have happened," said Shiloe. "It could have hit a rock or something."

The bottle that traveled nearly 3,000 nautical miles has now brought two families together, and the Khokhars hope to follow the bottle to Morocco later this year.

"They sent us pictures of the mom over there, the siblings, and now he keeps saying he can't wait to meet us," said Wendy.

It really is a very small world, the Khokhars said -- something their now 9-year-old daughter seems to understand already.Three Massachusetts police chiefs are calling on state leaders to reexamine key parts of the state judicial system nearly two months after a violent criminal with a long record was accused of killing a Yarmouth police officer.

All three chiefs have lost officers to career criminals and are harnessing their frustration to push for changes, including increased penalties for repeat offenders, regular review of judges, and the death penalty for convicted cop killers.

The worst of the worst need to be in jail, said Yarmouth police Chief Frank Frederickson, who lost an officer on April 12. They need to stay there and be segregated from the good people. That is our job as police officers, as legislators and our job in the justice system.

Yarmouth Sgt. Sean Gannon was shot to death serving a warrant in the Marstons Mills section of Barnstable. The suspect, Thomas Latanowich, was on probation after serving prison time for gun and drug crimes.

The chiefs say their officers were let down by the judges, the parole board and the judicial system. They want to use the fresh pain of Gannons murder to advocate for change, and to rally their fellow police chiefs and officers.

Were a very small club, said Woburn police Chief Robert Ferullo Jr. But its not just three here. Theres 350 behind us. The entire Massachusetts Chiefs Association is behind us.

Woburn officer Jack Maguire was killed in a shootout during an armed robbery in a snowstorm in 2010. The man who shot him, Dominic Cinelli, had been paroled from a prison sentence of three life terms for armed robbery and escaping prison two years before the robbery.

Cinelli also was killed in the shootout.

The chiefs want changes to the appointment of judges, including periodic review.

One of the things is end the lifetime appointments for judges be reviewed every five to six years, said Auburn police Chief Andrew Sluckis Jr. The governor gets evaluated every time he runs for re-election. Every senator and state rep gets re-evaluated every time they run for re-election. Judges pretty much are the only people that dont get evaluated.

Two years ago, Auburn police officer Ron Tarentino Jr. was shot and killed after pulling over a car. Inside was Jorge Zambrano, a career criminal with 92 charges including assault and battery on officers.

Zambrano was out on bail when he was pulled over. During his bail hearing, the judge wrestled with whether to set bail for Zambrano, citing past violent encounters with police. He eventually set bail.

This has been going on forever, Frederickson said. Dont wait until you have an officer murdered to get upset, to show your anger, your fury. Dont wait. Its here now. We already know what needs to be done.

They all also support applying the death penalty, abolished in Massachusetts for decades, to those convicted of killing police officers.

The chiefs have an interview scheduled with the governor and lieutenant governor.

If he could raise us a little bit more of a priority than we have seen in the past in all parts of the judicial system and our legislators, that would help, Frederickson said.

Wed like to have a seat at the table and have some buy in for future negotiations and strategies with his office, Sluckis said.

Gov. Charlie Baker said he wants a conversation on how to move forward.

Obviously we would be open to conversations with our folks in law enforcement. We talk to them all the time about all kinds of things, he said. This is certainly something that if they want to talk about it we would be happy to talk with them.

The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association is drafting a proposed list of changes that include those the chiefs said they support, as well as an automatic dangerousness hearing for people with violent criminal records being arraigned, and a minimum prison sentence of five years for repeat violent felonies.

When a person racks up 125 and 100 arraignments on their record. theres a point where you have to say enough is enough, said Dudley police Chief Steve Wojnar, who also serves as president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.

The chiefs do see progress, pointing to a new police training budget that passed the State Legislature as an example.

That was just a shame it took this long to do and it took the death of Sgt. Gannon to push it over the finish line, Frederickson said. But thank you Sgt. Gannon. If nothing else, you allowed us to do that.

Weve been fighting for that for decades, 30 years, Sluckis said.Vermont economic development officials say theyre thrilled with the response to an offer to give remote workers cash grants to relocate to the Green Mountain State.

Joan Goldstein, the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic Development, said her office has received hundreds of inquiries over the past several days from all over the country and world.

People are overwhelmingly responding to this, Goldstein said. We had no idea it would have this much response.

Last week, Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, authorized a law thatll give future grants of up to $10,000, paid over a few years, to people wholl move to Vermont to live, then telecommute to out-of-state jobs.

The grants are meant to spark new economic activity and encourage growth in Vermonts workforce.

We have a demographic problem in this state, Gov. Scott said Friday. We need more people.

Many of the details are still being worked out, but to start, the grant pot is a half-million dollars over the next several years.

Only people who move to Vermont on or after January 1 2019 will be eligible to apply, Goldstein explained, with the money meant to help cover relocation costs or purchases such as a new laptop.

If this is oversubscribed, its a good thing, because then it would be informative that this type of incentive works to draw people, Goldstein said of the large number of people who have emailed or signed up to receive more information.

Goldstein encouraged people to go to the website of the states Think Vermont initiative and sign up to receive updates as the programs January 2019 start date approaches.

If you have options about where to live, why not work in an aesthetically-pleasing place that offers tremendous opportunities for outdoor recreation as well as tremendous opportunities to make an impact in your community? Goldstein asked. You may not feel that in larger metropolitan areas, so thats who were trying to appeal to.

The effort is part of a larger push to turn around the Green Mountain States population struggles. Overall numbers are flat or even slightly declining, and the workforce is aging.

So the thinking is, incentives to draw younger people who could work anywhere will pay off long-termincluding through new consumer spending and tax receipts.

Ed Shepard works in marketing for a Seattle-based financial technology company called Tiller, but does so from clear across the country, in downtown Burlington.

Vermont is an ideal place to work remotely from, Shepard told necn. Its a great place for a young family to grow up and enjoy the outdoors.

Leah Fishman, the community manager of Study Hall in Burlington, a co-working space, said people who relocate to Vermont and work remotely could form meaningful professional connections here.

Fees for joining co-working spaces like Study Hall could be covered by the future grants.

There are options besides your living room as far as working once you get here and get settled infinding places where you can be productive, form community, and network, Fishman said of co-working spaces like hers.

Goldstein said the programs already been a major success in generating national media attention, helping further plant that seed in people that Vermont could be a great place to livenot just a place to take a vacation.Investigators in Manchester, New Hampshire, say they found a teacher outside an elementary school at 3 a.m. with two guns and two teenagers.

Robert Gagne, a preschool teacher, was sitting in the front seat of a car parked outside of an McDonough Elementary early Friday morning when a neighbor called police to report loud music.

Before officers arrived, police said Gagne fired a gun into a field across the street from the school.

"I heard a pop," said John Terrell of Manchester.

According to police, when Gagne got out of the car, they discovered he was sitting on one of his guns.

Gagne, who is on leave from the Manchester School District, was charged with reckless conduct.

"I was pretty shocked when I saw the picture [of him] to be honest," said Miguel Rivas, whose daughter goes to the school at Bishop O'Neil Center. "I saw the guy a few times and I know he was a teacher and I was very disappointed."

In a statement emailed to NBC10 Boston, a spokeswoman for the Manchester School District wrote, in part, "the district strongly disapproves of the use of firearms on school property. The district wants to reassure the community that this is an isolated incident and does not represent any ongoing threat to the safety and well-being of students or other members of the public."

According to the spokeswoman, the district will respond "swiftly" with "harsh consequences."

Gagne was released on personal recognizance bail. He will be in court June 14.

Efforts to reach Gagne for comment were unsuccessful.Bail was set at $2,500 for a suspected drunk driver accused of crashing a truck into a rental car building in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Alan Whiffen, 53, of Quincy, was taken into custody Monday afternoon and charged with operating under the influence, operating to endanger and speeding. He was arraigned Tuesday at Quincy District Court.

Police said Whiffen was heading northbound on Route 3A when his pickup truck veered off the road and smashed into the Hertz Car Rental at 686 Southern Artery around 4:15 p.m.

Prosecutors say Whiffen was going more than 60 mph.

The Hertz employee who was hit inside the building was taken to South Shore Hospital with minor cuts and bruises. He was discharged Monday night but he did not want to talk about what happened.

A second employee was in the building at the time and had to dive out of the way, where thre truck coming to rest at the spot where that worker had been sitting.

Whiffen told the judge Tuesday that he asked at the scene if everyone was OK.

Grace Cuddy, who witnessed the incident, said it was a loud and dramatic crash.

"He was just like groaning in pain," Cuddy said of the employee who was hurt in the crash. "We heard a big bang across the street and we ran over and there was smoke everywhere and a man came running out, like keeled over and holding his hand."

The truck smashed through walls and glass until it was all the way inside the building.

"It was really smoky, there was smoke everywhere, and we just saw a bunch of people get out of their cars and run over," Cuddy said.

Jezzica Zhang, who went to pick up a rental car, was shocked at the damage.

"Just by looking at it, I thought there was a threat of something like a bomb," she said.

A Hertz employee told NBC10 Boston they hope to reopen Tuesday but that it may take a few days.A Rhode Island man has been arrested and charged with exposing himself to three teenage girls earlier this year at a Target store in Seekonk, Massachusetts.

Eduardo Ramos Villagran, a 39-year-old Central Falls resident, was spotted Monday night in East Providence. Police there notified the Seekonk Police Department that he matched the description of the man caught on surveillance footage March 20.

Officers and detectives from Seekonk responded, and Villagran agreed to go with them to Massachusetts for questioning. Police say Villagran admitted to being at Target on the day in question, confirmed he was the one caught on camera and still had a receipt from the store dated March 20 in his pocket. He was arrested on three felony counts of open and gross lewdness.

After the incident, police had shared the surveillance photos and a sketch of the suspect. The three teen victims had gone to the police department to report the man, who appeared to be watching them from a distance. The teens became wary of the man and went to a register to check out, at which time the man was still watching them.

As the girls were getting in their car, they saw the man in front of their vehicle, about 20 feet away, according to police. The teenagers reported that the man exposed himself to them.

Authorities said the girls screamed and threatened to call police, at which point the man fled the scene.

Police are concerned this might not be an isolated incident and would like anyone with information to call 508-336-8123.Newbury MP Richard Benyon on the Ivory Bill and Clean Air Strategy

Two good news stories for the environment and environmentalists have emerged.

One was the introduction of the Ivory Bill in Parliament on May 23 which will ban all commercial dealing in ivory in the UK that could directly or indirectly fuel the poaching of elephants.

It will also cover the import and re-export of ivory for commercial use. This ban will be amongst the toughest in the world and will cover ivory items of all ages, not just those produced after a certain date.

Since 2006, the number of elephants in Africa has decreased by approximately 20 per cent, mainly due to poaching which, in turn, is mainly driven by consumer demand for (and speculative acquisition of) ivory.

By closing down legal ivory markets, this Bill will help to reduce the price of ivory and thus the incentive to poach.

Obviously the ban will not affect the right to own, gift, inherit or bequeath ivory but it is an important step in the worldwide effort to save these iconic animals.

The other encouraging news was the publication of the Governments Clean Air Strategy.

Air pollution is now recognised as a major public health risk ranking alongside cancer, obesity and heart disease, and this strategy is the latest stage in the Governments efforts to reduce and reverse its effects on our health and our natural environment.

One particular source of pollution which has seen an increase in recent years is domestic burning of wood and coal.

This will not mean you cannot continue to light a fire at home but small steps like encouraging the industry to improve the design of stoves and ensuring that only cleaner fuels can be sold  for example, only properly seasoned wood and low-smoke alternatives to traditional coal  can make a significant difference.

Less smoke, less pollution, more heat. A lesson for us all.

This consultation is open until August 14 and can be found here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environmental-quality/clean-air-strategy-consultation/.About a dozen mostly retired locals took over a corner of a busy intersection on a recent Saturday afternoon in this San Joaquin Valley city, toting signs that read "Dump Denham 2018."

Several cars zooming by honked in support. Buda Kajer-Crain, 69, paced up and down the sidewalk waving a large American flag. She said she wanted U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) gone, in part because of his vote one year ago to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

"We had a big formal town hall meeting where he said he would not support taking away the ACA," said the retired clinical-lab scientist. "He lied."

Kajer-Crain, a Democrat, said Denham's vote to take apart the national health law and curtail the Medicaid program betrayed his constituents, who rely heavily on both. Other activists and pundits have in the past year identified assaults on the ACA as a potentially pivotal issue in the 2018 midterm elections in California's traditionally red  but increasingly purple and blue  heartland.

On the cusp of Tuesday's primaries, however, it is far from clear that health care is the wedge issue in California congressional races that pundits once envisioned. After all the rallies and protests in San Joaquin Valley districts and around the state last year, the urgency on health care seems to have waned  at least for now.

All four Republican House members in the Valley voted, along with the rest of California's Republican delegation, to dismantle and replace the Affordable Care Act last year. But at this point, three of the four appear likely to win re-election.

Denham's seat is considered the most vulnerable, according to several political forecasters. Even if it flips, however, it's not certain health care will be the defining issue. Denham faces five Democratic opponents and most list health care as a priority. At least as important, however, is the district's general political bent  it now has a slight Democratic majority and voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Meanwhile, the seat of House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) is considered safe, and the districts of U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Visalia) and U.S. Rep David Valadao (R-Hanford) could be competitive but are likely to remain red, forecasters said.

Polls on congressional candidates are hard to come by until the general election, but the vulnerability of House seats can be roughly measured by the general political environment, campaign financing and the apparent strength of challengers, experts say.

Nationally, health care is one of the top issues for Democrats in the midterms but ranks further down for Republicans, behind the economy, immigration and gun policy, according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll. In general, the election centers on attitudes toward President Donald Trump, the poll found. (Kaiser Health News, which produces California Healthline, is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)

"Most voters may not necessarily be concerned about who voted for the [Republican] health care bill," said Kyle Kondik, managing editor at Sabato's Crystal Ball, a political forecasting site run by the University of Virginia Center for Politics. They're just voting the party, he said.

The Republican bill that would have replaced key parts of Obamacare  known as the American Health Care Act  passed the House last May and failed by one vote in the Senate. It would have widely reduced the tax credits that help many people buy insurance from ACA marketplaces, eliminated the tax penalty for people who don't have insurance, and phased out the Medicaid expansion that has covered 15 million people. Congress ultimately repealed the tax penalty for being uninsured, effective as of 2019.

At the time, some advocates and residents of the San Joaquin Valley said the "yes" votes of Republican House members undermined their own constituents. They noted that the region has the some of the biggest gaps in access to health care in the state, if not the country, and that it is plagued with dirty air and high rates of chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

The UC Berkeley Labor Center estimated in 2017 that if the ACA were repealed, more than 465,000 people in the San Joaquin Valley would lose their Medi-Cal coverage in 2027 and the local health care system would lose more than $3 billion in annual Medi-Cal funding.

It's not entirely clear why health care seems to have taken a back seat in the run-up to the primaries. Some experts predict it will probably play a bigger role in the general election in November; others say it's no longer the hot topic it was, and voters have moved on to other issues.

As is often the case, poor people who face obstacles to care may be less inclined to go to the polls or unable to vote because they are in the country illegally. And though the region increasingly is voting Democratic, it still has many true-red voters who oppose the ACA and are fiercely loyal to their incumbent Congress members.

Stephen Tootle, a Republican in Nunes' district and a history professor at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, said Obamacare hasn't really helped the people in his district, who still struggle with poor access to providers and hospital closures. "It's a joke," he said.

He supports Nunes because he says the congressman is a champion for water allocation. For Tootle, it's the No. 1 issue "that really affects how people live here."

Stephen Routh, a political science professor at California State University-Stanislaus, said he expects health care to play a bigger role in the general election, when incumbent Republicans will have only one challenger.

On Nov. 6, the races in each district will be between the two top vote-getters from Tuesday's primary contests. As that date approaches, Routh said, Democrats are "going to mention Obamacare repeal endlessly. That's going to be a major hammering point."

But Vito Chiesa, a Republican and a member of the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, said voters are not as concerned about health care, because it "seems people believe the ACA is here to stay in some form.

"Immigration  is the hotter issue right now. That's the soup du jour," he said.

Mary Borbon, 36, who lives in Lemoore, a town of about 26,000 people in Valadao's district, said she cares about health care, especially its affordability. She's been on and off Medi-Cal as her income from seasonal jobs fluctuates. But, like Chiesa, she said that's not all she or other voters are thinking about. "Right now I'd say the economy and immigration are big," she said.

Valadao is likely to win re-election, according to Sabato's Crystal Ball, even though registered Democrats significantly outnumber Republicans in his district and more than half of his constituents are on Medi-Cal. Many residents remain loyal to Valadao, a local dairy farmer and businessman who has represented the district since 2013. Some say he's likable and relatable. Others don't think the Democrats have a strong enough candidate to represent their district, which includes all of Kings County and parts of Fresno, Kern and Tulare counties.

If "the blue wave" can flip any House seat in the San Joaquin Valley, bets are on Denham's district, experts say. Some longtime voters like Kajer-Crain, the street protester, think it can be done.

Denham is not only facing another Republican  Ted Howze, a veterinarian and former council member in the city of Turlock. He is also up against Democrat Sue Zwhalen, who has 40 years of experience as an emergency room nurse and says she has received strong support from her Republican friends and neighbors.

Political newcomer Josh Harder, also a Democratic candidate focusing on health care, has already released advertisements directly attacking Denham's vote to roll back the ACA.

"Health care," he said during a canvassing event in Turlock, "is the reason I'm running for Congress."

Tuesday's election could be an important gauge of whether that's a winning strategy.

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, which publishes California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation.Br Dr Ananya Mandal, MD

According to researchers from the US, early breast cancers can be successfully treated with a new form of immune therapy instead of traditional chemotherapy. The details of the treatment and the case is published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Cancer cells. Image Credit: Jovan Vitanovski

In a landmark first case, Judy Perkins was diagnosed with breast cancer and given only three months to live. She was then treated with a pioneering therapy that involved injecting 90 billion immune cells that could target the cancer cells specifically. After two years, she still remains cancer-free.

The therapy that came from the US National Cancer Institute is still experimental but the team hopes that it sets stone to become a new form of effective therapy for all forms of cancers.

Judy, who lives in Florida had an aggressive form of advanced cancer where her major organs were getting involved and there was no scope for treatment with conventional methods such as a chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Her cancer had spread to her liver and there was a secondary tumour there.

Several other small tumours were seen all over her body including once in her chest. After she was started on this immune therapy, her tumours began to shrink. Within three weeks she could feel them shrinking and it was making her feel better. Over few weeks her scan showed reducing and shrinking tumours until they were gone and she was told she could be completely cured of her cancer.

The team of researchers called this new immune therapy a living drug that is made up of the patients own cells. Dr Steven Rosenberg, chief of surgery at the National Cancer Institute said that this was the most personalized form of medicine that there is.

To make this therapy the team first tested the tumour genetically and looked at the different properties of the cancer that would make it a target of the immune system. In Judys case they would four targets that could be attacked with the drug among the 62 genetic abnormalities that were detected. Now the immune system could already be fighting a losing battle against the cancer.

The soldiers or the white blood cells are now extracted and the ones that can specifically fight the cancer are identified and isolated. These are then grown in the labs in large quantities. The troops now being ready are 90 billion in numbers.

These are then injected back into the patient and she is given drugs that allow the immune system to go all out in attack mode. The cells go on to attack all the tumours and shrink them in size finally curing the 49 year old woman.

This is still in an experimental stage at present. Larger clinical trials would be necessary before it is a proven effective and safe therapy say the team. In fact several studies have shown that immunotherapy works well in some patients and tend to fail in many patients. Dr Rosenberg said if proven, it could be beneficial in almost any form of cancer.

Reference:Preliminary data from a recent study show high levels of emotional distress could be causing immigrants to have more sleep disorder symptoms than non-immigrants.

Migration can be a stressful experience and may lead to poor health and behavioral changes. The immigrant population in Switzerland is disproportionately burdened by several negative health outcomes, particularly mental health issues.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether sleep disturbances are more prevalent among immigrants compared to non-immigrants and whether emotional distress might explain sleep differences between immigrants and non-immigrants.

"These results contrast other authors who have postulated the opposite in Hispanic populations migrating to the United States, known as the 'Hispanic Paradox,'" said co-principal investigator Azizi Seixas, PhD, an assistant professor of population health and psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine in New York. "It is likely that immigration is a significant stressor that can affect and compromise an individual from receiving restorative and healthy sleep."

The study was based on the Swiss Health Survey 2012 dataset, and analyzed the data of 17,968 people, out of which 3,406 respondents were immigrants. It examined variables including disturbed sleep, emotional distress, clinical and socio-demographic data using unadjusted and adjusted generalized linear models.

Compared to non-immigrants, immigrants suffer significantly more often from trouble falling asleep, disrupted sleep, and early morning awakenings. Immigrants also endorsed higher levels of emotional distress. Higher values of emotional distress are related to more symptoms of sleep disorders. In unadjusted models, immigrants were 21 percent more likely to report sleep disturbances compared to non-immigrants.

In adjusted regression models, an immigrant with emotional distress was at significant risk for sleep disturbances. Among males, the interaction between immigrant status and emotional distress was linked to increased risk of sleep disorder symptoms. However, this interaction was not significant among females.

Sleep disturbance disparities between immigrants and non-immigrants may be influenced by emotional distress. According to the study authors, migration health care should address emotional distress, a more proximal and modifiable factor, as a possible cause of disturbed sleep in immigrants.

"Due to the current global political situation, there is a continuing immigration to Europe and specific to Switzerland. Said co-principal investigator Andres Schneeberger, MD, a psychiatrist at Psychiatric Services Grisons in Chur, Switzerland. "Health related research for these vulnerable population is crucial."Logically, it would seem that more follow-up testing of cancer patients must be better than less - but this is not the case for patients who undergo surgery for colorectal cancer.

This is an important conclusion from a study where 2,509 patients with colorectal cancer were offered two and five follow-up tests in the form of CT scans combined with a blood test spread over the first three years after the operation. The results have just been published in the scientific journal JAMA.

In some cases, the extra scans meant that a cancer relapse was discovered earlier, but this did not increase the chances of the patients surviving the first five years. And this is despite the fact that all of the test subjects were referred for further examination at specialist departments following the slightest suspicion that the cancer had returned.

The futile extra scans should be compared to the fact that many countries have actually increased the amount of follow-up testing in the belief that more testing improves survival.

"The three extra scans don't achieve anything. Twenty per cent of the patients experience relapses, and approximately eleven per cent die within the first five years due to the recurrence of their cancer. This is the case irrespective of whether they have been scanned two or five times. There is no significant difference. The money is therefore spent in vain, while the extra scans expose patients to unnecessary radiation," says Clinical Professor, DMSc Sren Laurberg.

Another important partial result is that the number of relapses - the above-mentioned twenty per cent - is modest in relation to what the researchers expected.

"All of the test subjects have been stage 2 and 3 patients with advanced cancer, so we expected that this figure would be at least the double. It's an encouraging sign that the diagnosis and treatment has been significantly improved in recent years," says Sren Laurberg, who works at the Department of Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University and at the section for colorectal and mamma-endocrine surgery in the Department of Surgery at Aarhus University hospital.

The project was launched in January 2006 on the initiative of Peer Wille-Jrgensen, who is a consultant at Bispebjerg Hospital. His wish was to verify a number of smaller and therefore uncertain studies which indicated that it was possible to improve survival rates after surgery for colorectal cancer through more frequent follow-ups.

With this in mind, Peer Wille-Jrgensen formed a steering committee of leading Danish, Swedish and English surgeons who together designed and planned the research project, which they named COLOFOL. The committee included Clinical Professor Sren Laurberg and Professor Henrik Toft Srensen from the Department of Clinical Epidemiology. They were responsible for the data analysis.

In the trial, half of the patients were offered two follow-ups after drawing lots, while the control group comprising the other half were also offered the three extra CT scans. An important element was the preparation of fixed guidelines for which examinations should be carried out if it was suspected that the cancer had returned in one of the test subjects.

The clinical randomized study ran from 2006 until December 2010 with a concluding five-year follow-up at the end of 2015. Since then, two-and-a-half years have been spent on analyzing results from across the participating countries.

"From the beginning, we wanted to get more countries involved in the study, and we were in discussions with Norway and Ireland, amongst others. But they pulled out because they had already introduced extra scans, and it's practically impossible to find test subjects who're willing to say yes to fewer follow-ups," explains Sren Laurberg, who describes the research result as an important 'non-result' in relation to the clinical guidelines in the many countries which recommend more frequent follow-ups.

He expects that the study will lead to the recommended frequency of follow-ups being reduced - probably to the Danish level, where the follow-up for patients after colorectal cancer operations has remained at one and three years.

"As I see it, the study has in this way prevented the introduction of more frequent follow-ups after surgery for colorectal cancer on a less than stringent basis," says Sren Laurberg, who points out that there is a tendency towards ever more follow-ups and diagnostic imaging - also for other forms of cancer.

"But they must make a difference. In Denmark a CT scan costs DKK 2,500 (US dollar 395), so with regard to the question of two or five scans, savings of DKK 7,500 (US dollar 1185) per patient can be made, without even thinking of the working hours at the hospitals and lost working hours for the people who take time off work and spend it on an unnecessary scanning," says Sren Laurberg.

The study is an unblinded clinical randomized study.SmokeFreeBrain brings together experts in toxicology, pulmonary medicine, neuroscience, and behavioral therapy, as well as health economics and health informatics. They are examining the effectiveness of anti-smoking strategies aimed at high-risk groups in high-middle-income countries, such as unemployed adults, people with chronic pulmonary disease and asthma patients  as well as the general population in lower-middle-income countries.

Smoking is the largest avoidable cause of lung diseases, morbidity and premature mortality worldwide, says project coordinator Panagiotis Bamidis. The purpose of our project is to deliver new knowledge regarding the cost-effectiveness of innovative smoking cessation interventions. This approach should improve the efficiency of public policy strategies aiming to reduce smoker numbers and therefore help to prevent lung diseases.

Broad approach

The project is evaluating the effectiveness of public health service announcements which seek to encourage people to quit. It is also looking into the use of electronic cigarettes, both with and without nicotine. In addition, researchers have designed a specific neuro-feedback intervention protocol to combat addiction. The use of social media, mobile apps and text messaging (collectively named So-Lo-Mo) to help people stop is also being assessed, as is the value of drug-based approaches to curb tobacco cravings.

SmokeFreeBrain, which is scheduled to finish its work in October 2018, is currently piloting a number of interventions based in hospitals and laboratories in eight different countries  Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Serbia, the United Kingdom and Taiwan.

More than 500 people are participating in these interventions across Europe and Taiwan. The smokers are being assessed over a year, with the aim of producing solid, quantifiable data about the effectiveness of the different approaches.

For example, the So-Lo-Mo approach is being tested in Spain and Taiwan and includes the development of mobile games and applications to encourage people to stop smoking. The drug interventions are being piloted in Spain, Serbia and Greece, while the use of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid is being assessed in the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, preliminary results show that the neuro-feedback intervention protocol can cause lasting changes in the brain cortex as people try to stop smoking.

Informing policy

Dissemination and exploitation activities are key to the success of SmokeFreeBrain, as they will engage stakeholders while spreading the knowledge and experience gained in the project  maximizing its benefit for the European economy and society, explains Bamidis. The results and the outputs of the project will target the research community as well as smoking cessation clinics and policymakers.

In addition, the project aims to transform its experiences and results into real policy actions. The goal is to shape clinical treatment and policy advice that favors scientifically evaluated and economically cost-efficient interventions.

Source: http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_18_06_05_en.html?infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=48896Research from the University of Illinois at Chicago has found that some of the genes affected by alcohol and inflammation are also implicated in processes that clear amyloid beta -- the protein that forms globs of plaques in the brain and which contributes to neuronal damage and the cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Previous studies investigating the effects of alcohol consumption on Alzheimer's disease have been controversial -- some have indicated that alcohol has a protective effect, while others have pointed to a deleterious role for alcohol in the development of this neurocognitive disease. Recent research has suggested that alcohol consumption, and its impact on the immune system and inflammation in the brain, may be the vehicle through which alcohol might exert its influence on the development of Alzheimer's disease, but no previous studies have directly evaluated which genes are affected by alcohol in cells in the brain involved in protecting against Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Douglas Feinstein, professor of anesthesiology in the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, along with other researchers conducted a cell-based study which suggests that alcohol may impede the clearance of amyloid beta in the brain. Their results are published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation.

Feinstein and his colleagues wanted to determine which genes were affected by both alcohol and high levels of inflammation in microglial cells. These are cells that support neural cells in the brain and elsewhere in the body. One of their functions is to engulf and digest the amyloid beta protein plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease in a process known as phagocytosis. Microglial cells are also known to express high levels of inflammatory markers due to chronic alcohol exposure.

The researchers exposed rat microglial cells to alcohol, pro-inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, or alcohol and cytokines in the lab for 24 hours, and then looked at changes in gene expression under each condition. They also looked at the impact of alcohol exposure on the cells' ability to engulf amyloid beta.

They found that gene expression was altered for 312 genes under the alcohol condition; for 3,082 for the pro-inflammatory condition, and 3,552 for the alcohol and pro-inflammatory condition. Changes in gene expression -- either an increase or decrease in expression compared to normal levels -- averaged about 16 percent and ranged from a 50 percent decrease to a 72 percent increase. Just a handful of genes were involved in both phagocytosis and inflammation.

"Among the genes we saw altered were many involved in phagocytosis, which is the first time this has been shown," Feinstein said. "While these studies were performed in isolated cells, our results suggest that alcohol impedes the ability of mircroglia to keep the brain clear of amyloid beta and may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease."

After the researchers exposed the cells to alcohol levels at doses that are comparable to those found in humans after binge drinking or in heavy drinkers, they found that microglial phagocytosis was significantly suppressed by about 15 percent after one hour. "We didn't continue the study to see whether phagocytosis was further impaired after longer exposures to alcohol," Feinstein said, "but it appears that these changes in microglial cells could be a contributing factor to the development of Alzheimer's disease."Primary care is a critical piece of the healthcare puzzle because, for many people, it is the first point of contact with the healthcare system. Primary care is the early line of defense for screenings for major health conditions. Primary care providers also help patients with chronic conditions manage their disease and improve quality of life.

Despite the critical importance of primary care physicians (PCPs), the United States is facing a shortage of those doctors. The number of up-and-coming PCPs is nowhere close to the amount who are late in their careers or retiring. This shortage creates a challenge for some urban and rural areas, where primary care physicians are notoriously harder to recruit.

A key way to combat this shortage is to tap highly skilled nurse practitioners (NPs), who are choosing primary care at a much higher rate than physicians. Of the 248,000 NPs in the country, about 87 percent are trained in primary care and more are in the pipeline.

The University of Delaware's Hilary Barnes, an assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences' School of Nursing, recently published a research article in Health Affairs about primary care's increased reliance in nurse practitioners in rural and nonrural areas. They now account for 1 in 4 medical care providers in practices in rural areas  a 43.2 percent increase overall from 2008 to 2016.

However, legislation in many states does not permit nurse practitioners to fully serve as primary care providers. Barnes is studying state-specific legislation on NP's scope of practice, which vary greatly.

"Some states are very restrictive," Barnes said. "An NP has to maintain written agreements with a physician to practice and prescribe medication. In the most extreme examples, the law states that an NP must talk about every patient with a physician. Or that the physician has to sign for prescriptions."

States with restrictions at the highest level include Pennsylvania. Such regulations are challenging given the dwindling number of physicians in the field, and those rules also greatly undervalue an NPs' ability deliver primary care safely and at a high level, Barnes described.

Barnes also pointed to what she described as "mid-level" states regarding regulation (including New Jersey), which provided additional latitude, but not autonomy for NPs.

"There's an in-between where an NP needs a collaborative agreement to prescribe medication," Barnes said. "The provider can practice independently of a physician, but, without prescriptive authority, you are limited on the services that you can provide to patients."

Barnes said that at the fully autonomous level, such as Delaware, states allow NPs to practice primary care without supervision of a physician. In 2015, UD's STAR Health Sciences Complex played host to the signing of a pair of Senate bills  SB57 and SB101  that give Delaware advance practice nurses more independence. Through these and similar laws, NPs are nationally certified and can practice independently -; known as full practice authority.

Not surprisingly, states with more modern laws have more NPs providing primary care services to residents.

"In the states with more restrictive laws, say you are a trained NP in a rural area who wants to practice primary care," Barnes said. "Because there is no physician in town, you can't have a collaborative agreement. Therefore, you can't practice at the advanced practice level. Or, say you live in Mansfield, Pennsylvania; you might have to sign a collaborative agreement with a physician in Harrisburg -; a two and half hour drive."

If the physician collaborator moves away or retires, the NP loses the ability to practice. Additionally, more research is needed, but anecdotal evidence suggests that many NPs have to pay physicians to sign a collaborative agreement.

Evidenced-based research has shown that more restrictive laws don't improve patients care.

Barnes added, "In states where the restrictions have been removed, care has not diminished. These restrictive laws don't do anything to improve patient safety or quality of care. All that they are really doing is putting up barriers to primary care. Removing the practice restrictions can really only be a benefit."

States like Pennsylvania are currently evaluating proposed legislation to reduce restrictions, including NPs becoming independent primary care providers after a certain number of hours under a primary care physician.

"These transition-to-practice hours are kind of a compromise," Barnes said. "You are supervised by a physician for two or three years, an arbitrary number, before you can become independent. These laws are new, so we don't have data on whether they are helpful or not. But, on the surface, they seem like another restriction."

Employment of advanced practice clinicians

Barnes and several collaborators recently published a research study in JAMA Internal Medicine entitled "Employment of Advanced Practice Clinicians in Physician Practices." The researchers investigated levels of and changes in advanced practice clinician employment across different physician practices -; comparing 2008 and 2016. Advanced practice clinicians include physician assistants and NPs.

The study paid particular attention to specialty practices, finding that approximately one in four specialty practices employ advanced practice clinicians (compared with one in three primary care practices). Historically, the NP role was developed to focus on primary care; most advanced practice clinicians are NPs. Hence, the expectation is that advanced practice clinicians would have a greater presence in primary care practices. Yet, the proportion of practices with advanced practice clinicians grew modestly over the past eight years.

This sort of shows the growing willingness/interest/importance of NPs to all segments of healthcare delivery  more practices are hiring them and using them to deliver care.

"We concluded that overall growth may be driven by number of factors," Barnes said. "Factors include recent increases in graduates from advanced practice clinician programs, the emergence of value-based purchasing models that incentivize team-based care and downward price pressure from public and private payers, which makes the lower costs of advanced practice clinician employment more attractive."Researchers at Boston University's Evans Center for Implementation and Improvement Sciences (CIIS) have developed a new scoring criteria for evaluating the quality of scientific research proposals. Termed ImplemeNtation and Improvement Sciences Proposals Evaluation CriTeria (INSPECT), this new approach aims to improve identification of high-quality proposed research that advances improvements in health care delivery and patient outcomes.

Research proposals are traditionally evaluated using National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria for impact, significance, innovation and approach. This criteria works well for evaluating the quality of research seeking to test the effectiveness of new interventions. However, the CIIS team found NIH criteria were not specific enough to evaluate research that tests strategies to promote uptake of evidence-based practices in real-world settings.

"Implementation science is the study of strategies applied at the patient, provider, organization or health system level that promote the systematic uptake of evidence-based practices which are otherwise underused," said corresponding author Erika Crable, MPH, research fellow at CIIS. "Once we have evidence that an intervention works, implementation science asks, 'How do we get people to use the intervention, with fidelity, in a sustainable way?"

In order to test the reliability of INSPECT, CIIS researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) independently applied this new criteria to 30 grant proposals. Overall, the proposals scored high on INSPECT criteria evaluating the significance of the care or quality gap to be addressed by the proposed research. However, proposals scored poorly across most other criteria, signaling the need for expanding education and training in implementation science at an academic medical center.

"Our study suggests that the traditional efficacy/effectiveness grant scoring lens is insufficient to evaluate key aspects of research seeking to promote the use of evidence-based practices in real-world settings. Instead we suggest a new grant scoring criteria that is reliable in evaluating specific goals of implementation science research," Crable said.

The researchers believe that developing a reliable, implementation science-specific scoring criteria will be a valuable tool for grant reviewers seeking to evaluate proposed implementation science, and for grant writers looking for guidance on how to effectively communicate implementation science research approaches.The Trump administration Monday released a Medicaid "scorecard" intended to show how the nation's largest health program is performing. But the nation's top Medicaid official didn't want to draw any conclusions.

"This is about bringing a level of transparency and accountability to the Medicaid program that we have never had before," said Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Yet in a meeting with reporters, Verma refused to discuss the findings in any detail or comment on any individual states that performed poorly or exceptionally.

"I will let you look at the data and make your own conclusions," she told journalists a few minutes before the report was posted online.

When reporters pressed Verma to comment on the document, she refused to give an assessment of the Medicaid program, the federal-state health program for low-income residents. She has run Medicaid for the past 15 months.

"The idea here is to give you a sense of where states are on different areas," she said. "The idea is to be used for best practices," and it's "an opportunity for us to identify" and have discussions with states that aren't performing well.

Medicaid covers about 75 million people, about half of them children.

The report looked at how well states provide a wide variety of health services to children and adults. It also reviewed how quickly the federal government was approving state waiver requests to change their programs.

But not all states provided data for each service because sharing information was voluntary.

For example, half the states did not show how well they control Medicaid enrollees' blood pressure.

The National Association of Medicaid Directors panned the scorecard. It acknowledged the need for a system to measure performance but said its members have concerns about its accuracy and usefulness.

"There are significant methodological issues with the underlying data, including completeness, timeliness, and quality," the association said in a statement. It noted that most of the data comes from 2015.

As expected, the data showed great variation in how states provide care, including immunizing teenagers or getting dental care to children. A big reason is that state Medicaid benefits and payments to doctors vary dramatically, the Medicaid directors said, so that it will not be possible to make apples-to-apples comparisons between states."

In her first public speech, Verma promised last November to release a Medicaid scorecard. She said states won't immediately face any consequences for poor performance  but that could change.

"The data  begins to offer taxpayers insights into how their dollars are being spent and the impact those dollars have on health outcomes," Verma said Monday.

Sara Rosenbaum, a professor of health law and policy at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., who previously led a congressional advisory board on Medicaid, suggested that the information is still too incomplete to be of great value.

"It is amazing to me that in 2018 this is all we have when trying to understand how the nation's largest insurer performs for its poorest and most vulnerable residents," she said.

KHN's coverage of children's health care issues is supported in part by the Heising-Simons Foundation.It's already known that the next Corvette will break from tradition and morph into a mid-engined model, but it also appears there's also going to be an all-wheel drive hybrid boasting a reputed 1,000 horsepower. That's according to America's Car and Driver website, which appears to have a wealth of inside knowledge about the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette and has been revealing some nuggets of information. And the really good news is despite that incredible horsepower figure, Chevrolet is determined that the Corvette won't stray from its usual realm of affordability.

Also Read: Man Carries Car on Tricycle in China, Video Goes Viral

The body panels will remain largely made from fiberglass, but they'll be set on a spaceframe that will be mostly lightweight aluminum. The first variant to be launched will be the coupe, which will feature an updated version of the current car's 6.2-liter LT1 V-8 under the hood. Although it will be slightly heavier than the current unit, the output should rise to somewhere around 500 horsepower, so an entry level C8 should be quicker than a current entry level C7.

Following on from there will be a 5.5-liter DOHC V-8 offering around 600 horsepower, but somewhere down the line there will eventually be a twin-turbo take on the 5.5-liter V-8 with an astonishing 800 horsepower.

That would push the Corvette seriously close to Dodge Challenger Demon territory, but Chevy is then really going to push the boundaries with the aforementioned hybrid. Car and Driver insists that after a decent amount of time has passed and people have really begun to appreciate the 'Vette in its new format, a 200 horsepower electric motor will be added to that 5.5-liter V-8. Sitting at the front where the engine used to be located and driving the front wheels, the electric motor will transform the Corvette into a mid-engined, all-wheel drive hybrid monster with somewhere close to 1,000 horsepower at its disposal.

Don't Forget to Subscribe to the 'Tech And Auto Show' YouTube Channel

What's perhaps just as astounding is the fact this incredible hypercar will be sold alongside the likes of the Malibu, Impala and Trax at regular Chevy dealerships, and could have the same warranty as any traditional Chevy.

It's hard to say what kind of price will be asked for this beast of Corvette, but it's probably safe to assume it will be considerably more affordable than a European model with anything close to the same kind of power and that demand will be off-the-scale.Tata Motors has appointed Shailesh Chandra as head of its newly created Electric Mobility Business with an aim to capture opportunities arising out of new mobility trends and to bring organisational focus and alignment.

Chandra will lead the new vertical in addition to his current responsibility and will be redesignated as President- Electric Mobility Business & Corporate Strategy, with immediate effect and will continue to be a member of the Executive Committee, Tata Motors said in BSE filing.

Also Read: Man Carries Car on Tricycle in China, Video Goes Viral

"Creation of this new business vertical will enable Tata Motors to deliver on its aspiration of providing innovative and competitive e-mobility solutions," it added. The company's CEO and Managing Director Guenter Butschek said:"Tata Motors is optimistic about the future of electric vehicles and would like to lead the electric mobility evolution in the country."

The company will also leverage on the capabilities of other Tata Group companies to develop the full ecosystem and fast-track the adoption of e-mobility, he added.

Chandra has played an instrumental role in leading the project teams to deliver the EESL project and has been closely working with some of the group companies and other ecosystem partners in his current role, the company said.

Also Read: Musician Zedd Praises Tesla Autopilot on Twitter for Saving his Life, Elon Musk Replies

Tata Motors had bagged orders to supply 350 electric cars to state-owned EESL in the first phase of a total of 10,000 units to be procured over a period of time. The company said it will work in a collaborative manner to facilitate faster adoption of electric vehicles and to build a sustainable future for India.

Also Watch: Hero Xtreme 200R First Ride (Track) Review | Cars18On January 6, 2017, Muzaffar Ahmad Naikoo alias Muzz Molvi of North Kashmirs Sopore district was killed in an encounter near Srinagar. As his body was brought to his hometown for burial, the police was quick to claim that Naikoo was the last surviving militant of Al Badr  a militant outfit in Kashmir.

Naikoo was one of the longest surviving militants and the most wanted guerrilla in Kashmir and his killing was seen as an end to the militant outfit he was trying to revive here.

Big achievement. We have broken the backbone of the Al Badr group that was trying to establish themselves here, a counter-insurgency officer had told the media last year.

Sixteen months later, the outfit is again putting the counter-insurgency grid of Kashmir on tenterhooks.

In a new video address, a young masked man who identifies himself as Hamza Burhan  the Divisional Commander of Al Badr militant outfit in South Kashmir  has apologised for civilian injuries in the recent grenade attacks and called for a grand revival of the outfit.

The militant outfit went on to claim responsibility for the series of grenade attacks in Pulwama that injured at least 23 people on Monday, including eight security personnel. The outfit, through another video message, has also reportedly threatened more such attacks.

The outfit further claimed that it will recruit more boys while the current strength is close to 100 boys. In some weeks, we will get another 200 boys, a masked man in the video adds.

This comes after at least four youths from South Kashmir  Tawseef Ahmad Wani, Sameer Ahmad Seh, Nawaz Ahmad Wagay and Aijaz Ahmad Paul  recently joined the group and announced it by posting their gun-wielding pictures on social media. Senior police officials from Kashmir have also confirmed the development.

A senior police official acknowledged that Al-Badr has started its revival in Kashmir and that the counter-insurgency grid is keeping a tight vigil on their movements.

Yes, Al-Badr has recruited some youths in South Kashmir and they are trying to recruit more people. This is a challenge for us, a senior counter insurgency officer told News18.

Al-Badr first made its entry into Kashmir in 1998, prior to which it had fought alongside the anti-Soviet Mujahideen forces as a part of Gulbudin Hikmatyars Hizb-I-Islami. The group had minimal presence in Kashmir after 2003, during which most of its militants were killed by security forces.Two security personnel, including an army Major, were injured in an attack by unidentified militants in Nagalands Mon district on Tuesday.

Defence sources said a group of armed militants carried out a stand-off attack on the 41 Assam Rifles camp at Lempong Shingha village situated along the Tizit-Mon road.

The incident took place around 2.20am when the insurgents targeted the Charlie Company post and the sentry post. The Assam Rifles troops opened retaliatory fire and the gunfight lasted for several minutes. Fired cartridges of multiple grenade launchers were recovered from the spot. The militants reportedly managed to escape in the cover of darkness.

The company commander  an army Major on deputation with the Assam Rifles  sustained minor injuries, while the sentry on duty had to be taken to the Jorhat military hospital. The condition of both the personnel is said to be stable.

According to sources, National Socialist Council of Nagaland  Khaplang (NSCN-K) militants are suspected to be behind the attack.

Three ULFA (Independent) cadre and one Indian Army officer of the Naga Regiment were killed in an encounter near Lappa Lempong area of Mon district bordering Myanmar in June last year. This sector is also identified as the infiltration and exfiltration route for NSCN-K and ULFA-Independent operatives via Myanmar where militant outfits have their hideouts and training camps.Kolkata: Demanding the price for a plate of biryani proved fatal for an eatery owner in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said on Monday.

Sanjay Mondal was allegedly shot dead on Sunday evening just for asking Rs 190 for the plate of biryani from four customers.

Police said they have arrested one person and search for other co-accused is on.

"The tussle started over a plate of Biryani and one of the customers shot Sanjay Mondal. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. An FIR was lodged and we have arrested accused Mohammad Firoz," the police said.

"As of now we think it is related to biryani only but our investigation is on."

Mondal's brother said: "Firoz shot my brother. There were four people: Raja, Firoz, Mogri and Salman. They are hooligans. We all are very scared and don't know how to run our business peacefully."The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has announced the Bihar Board Result 2018 or BSEB Class 12 intermediate results 2018 on June 6 at 4:15 pm, board officials have confirmed. The BSEB Bihar School Examination Board released the Bihar Board Class 12 results 2018 or Bihar Intermediate Results 2018, Bihar Class 12 Intermediate Arts Results 2018, Bihar Class 12 Intermediate Commerce Results 2018 and Bihar Class 12 Intermediate Science Results 2018 on its official website biharboard.ac.in.

The Bihar School Examination Board BSEB conducted the Bihar Board Class 10 Matric exams 2018 February 21 to February 28. The Bihar School Examination Board's BSEB Class 12 Intermediate Exam 2018 started from 6th February and concluded on 16th February 2018. The students can also check their Bihar Class 12 Intermediate Board Results 2018, Bihar Class 12 Intermediate Arts Results 2018, Bihar Class 12 Intermediate Commerce Results 2018 and Bihar Class 12 Intermediate Science Results 2018 on this website as well bihar.indiaresults.com or examresults.net, results.gov.in

Students need to follow the steps to check Bihar BSEB Class 12 Intermediate Results or BSEB Result 2018:

* Log on to the websites biharboard.ac.in

* Click on the Bihar Intermediate Class 12 Results 2018, Bihar Board Result 2018, Bihar Board Class 12 Results 2018

* Enter your roll number

* The Bihar board Class 12 Intermediate results 2018 will appear

* Click on 'Save' to download the result

* Students can take a print out for further reference

Students also can check their Bihar BSEB Intermediate Class 12 board exam results 2018, BSEB Result 2018 via SMS

Check BSEB Intermediate Class 12 Science Result 2018:

SMS - BSEB12S/A/C ROLLNUMBER - Send it to 56263

Check BSEB Intermediate Class 12 Commerce Result 2018:

SMS - BSEB12S/A/C ROLLNUMBER - Send it to 56263

Check BSEB Intermediate Class 12 Arts Result 2018:

SMS - BSEB12S/A/C ROLLNUMBER - Send it to 56263

17,70,42 lakhs students sat for the BSEB Bihar Board Class 10 matric exams and 12,07,986 students appeared for the Bihar BSEB Intermediate Class 12 board exam in 2018.Sigh!* (2016)

What we did not have?

Green paddy fields,

Fish frolicking in fisheries,

Homesteads raised on the laughter of children

Rows upon rows of coconut, betel nut trees,

On Pushura our wide courtyard filled

with people, joy, festivities.

What do we have today?

Only the chain of slavery on our necks

and the whole world to conquer.

The poem above is written by Hafiz Ahmed, in which he talks about what it feels like to lose everything in the erosion of Brahmaputra. Due to the changing course of Brahmaputra and its tributaries, massive riverbank erosion takes place every year," said Ahmed.

"These rivers wash away approximately 76 square kilometers in Assam and leave almost 15 lakh people homeless. Out of this 15 lakh, approximately 12 lakh belongs to the poor Muslim community," he added.

Through his poems, he draws attention to the deplorable plight of these marginalized, poor Muslims who live on chorchapori (river islands) of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, and the discrimination they face for being Muslim when they are forced to migrate from these river islands, because of the erosion. Ahmed, who is also a teacher at a secondary school in Assam, calls himself a Miyah poet.

While for most of us, the word 'Miyah' may mean a Muslim gentleman, the term comes loaded with negative connotations in Assam. "In Assam 'Miyah' is used as a slur. It is generally used to denote that a Muslim man is an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh. Someone who is neither Assamese nor Indian. Someone who is a 'Bangladeshi' -- which too, happens to be a slur." said another Miyah poet, Shalim M Hussain. The reason Hussain, Ahmed and many other Muslim poets have decided to call themselves 'Miyah' despite the negative connotation attached to the term, is to reclaim the word itself, and in the process, reclaim their identities as Assamese as well as Indians.

In a poem titled, Nana I Have Written, Shalim M Hussain writes:

Nana I have written attested countersigned

And been verified by a public notary

That I am a Miyah

Now see me rise

From flood waters

Float over landslides

March through sand and marsh and snakes

Break the earths will draw trenches with spades

Crawl through fields of rice and diarrhea and sugarcane

And a 10% literacy rate

See me shrug my shoulders curl my hair

Read two lines of poetry one formula of math

Read confusion when the bullies call me Bangladeshi

And tell my revolutionary heart

But I am a Miyah

....

A domino effect kicks in with every flood or river erosion in Assam. With natural disasters, people lose all their lands, and homes. Children cannot go back to schools anymore. With no land to cultivate there is often the scarcity of food. The government does not even provide proper healthcare and poor communities like these are the worst hit. Therefore, the only way to deal with these natural disasters for them is to move and find employment.

"When they move out of these regions, because of their language or the way they look, the way they dress and the religion that they follow, they (members of Muslim community) often become victims of xenophobia," noted Hussain. "It begins with the climatic aspect, but with time, it escalates into other matters," he added.

Therefore, although poems by Miyah poets begin as reflections on tragedies that poor Muslims encounter in the face of natural calamities, often they go beyond environmental issues. Their poems are also polemics of the severe discrimination based on religion that Muslims encounter in Assam; it chronicles their struggle for political identity and is a diatribe against government's apathy towards them.

However, on certain levels, they also serve as a cautionary tale for all of us, who do not think of climate change issues. These poems with powerful words create a visceral imagery of how nature is changing, and what kind of impact this change can have on us. "With climate change, our society is also being changed," said Ahmed. "The worst victims of river erosion are mostly women and children... The government does not take any measure to rehabilitate these people. Out of 12 lakh people, not even 5 lakh has been rehabilitated. So where will they do? There is no industry, no land to cultivate, no place to live." he added.

"I think because poetry has a larger emotive value, then journalism or a purely scientific explanation it touches people in a deeper way," said Hussain, when asked about the impact Miyah poetry is creating. "I think we understand the limitation of what we are doing; I mean we can only achieve so much," he added.

Roughly 100 poems have been written by the Miyah poets so far, and while Hussain is trying to put together an anthology, he has been happy with the way media has reported about them so far. He believes a localized impact is important and many local Assamese magazines and print publications have been talking about them. In national media too, several big media outlets have spoken about their works.

Miyah poetry is not a collective of poets. Neither is it an organization. While some of the poets, who call themselves Miyah poets, know each other personally, all the Miyah poets have never met together as a group. The phenomenon of Miyah poetry started after Ahmed wrote a powerful poem saying, I am a Miyah on the social media platform, Facebook and that brought together several Muslim poets who have a passion for similar issues such as environment and a strong urge to reclaim their identity as Miyah.

"Why do we write these poems? For me, it is probably because of a desire to be heard. To make our problems known -- be it environmental, social or political," said Hussain. The language of Miyah poetry may appear to be confrontational at times, but it has a very constructive purpose of making humanity aware of how climate change is a real phenomenon that is already devastating lakhs of lives in Assam and unfortunately how religion-based discrimination is still entrenched in our social structure.

At a time when world leaders are still denying climate change, it is not only important for scientists to remind people of the magnitude of the threat that looms on entire humanity but also for writers, painters, dancing, and musicians to help people understand this threat, and provoke them to take actions. They are painting the picture that hits hard.

#ClimateArt is our series to discover how art, music, and literature have the potential of changing opinions and beliefs about climate change.Bengaluru: As the Karnataka High Court refused to intervene in the matter of Rajinikanths Kaala being released in Karnataka, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that he will implement the directives, but the distributors should not release the film considering the sentiments against it.

"As head of the Karnataka government, I have to implement the direction of the High Court, it is my responsibility but according to my observations as an individual, in this kind of atmosphere, it isn't good on the part of producer or distributor to release the movie," he told newspersons after meeting with pro-Kannada activists who have threatened protests on June 7, the day of the films release.

The fate of Rajinikanth-starrer 'Kaala' still hangs in the balance in Karnataka despite the Advocate General's assurances to the High Court on Tuesday that adequate security will be provided to the theatres that want to screen the film.

Ahead of its release this week, whether the movie will be screened here or not is still unknown as threats by pro-Kannada groups continue against the movie's release. The state government's cold response to the film's release has not helped it much.

With a budget of Rs 140 crore, 'Kaala' is set to hit the theatres on Thursday, but pro-Kannada groups have called for a ban on its release in Karnataka over Rajinikanths comments on the Cauvery water distribution issue. Distributors and theatre owners had also decided not to release the film considering the sentiments of the Kannada people.

Rajinikanth, who recently joined politics in Tamil Nadu, had said that the Supreme Court's order on the Cauvery water-sharing dispute must be adhered by and Karnataka should release Tamil Nadus share of water. This, coupled with the fact that the superstar himself spent the first 20 years of his life in Bengaluru before joining the Tamil film industry, has left many in Karnataka angry over his 'loyalties'.

Kannada groups have even threatened to hold demonstrations so that the movie is not released in the state. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha have already announced demonstrations in the heart of the city on June 7.

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce -- the umbrella forum of producers, distributors, exhibitors and actors -- held many rounds of meetings with distributors and theatre owners.

Last week, the KFCC announced that distributor 'Goldie Films' had "voluntarily" stepped back from distributing the film in Karnataka, willing to digest the huge loss they would incur for the greater good of Karnataka. Likewise, theatre-owners, too, had said that they would "voluntarily" not release Kaala though while with chances likely of protesters disrupting screenings.

On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court heard detailed arguments on a writ petition filed by the film's producer Wunderbar Films, which had sought government intervention against the restrictions imposed by the film chamber.

But since the chamber has not officially 'banned' the film (calling it a 'voluntary' response of the distributor and the theatre owners), the High Court refused to intervene. The court told the Advocate General to ensure security to those theatres that would screen the film. The AG wanted the producers to send out a list of theatres where security should be extended to facilitate the screening.

A couple of hours later, film chamber president Sa. Ra. Govindu, a pro-Kannada activist himself, said that as the president of the chamber, he won't stop the film's release, but as an activist, he was against it.

Govindu, along with other members of the organization met Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to discuss the matter on Tuesday.

The pro-Kannada activists have said that they are not to be held responsible for whatever happens once theatre owners go ahead with the film's release  a statement being seen as a covert threat of possible violence.

Kumaraswamys response was almost on the similar lines as them.

His statement was hardly reassuring. While Rajinikanth fans rejoiced over the High Court's directive, they were not so sure of what to make of it at the end of the day.

Theatres that have traditionally been running full houses on the opening day for Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan movies and sometimes screen as many as five or six shows, are yet to start with the bookings. They said that they were undecided on whether to go ahead with the screening or not.

'Rajini' Santosh, president of the Rajini Fans' Association, said they had given a memorandum to the Chief Minister and KFCC, pleading with them to not mix up the film issue that of the Cauvery water dispute.

"We are happy with the High Court's directive to ensure security. This is just a movie, it should not be mixed with the inter-state issues and it should be screened," Santosh told News18.

With about 48 hours for the films release, time is running out for theatre owners to come to a conclusion on whether to go ahead with the release or black out 'Kaala' for the time-being. Of course, Hosur town in Tamil Nadu, just across the border may end up being the go-to place for die-hard fans as it is just a two-hour drive from Bengaluru.New Delhi: Indecent representation of women on digital messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Skype, Instagram, etc has been proposed to be made illegal, according to amendments moved by the WCD Ministry.

The proposed amendments to widen the scope of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986 are based on the observations made by a parliamentary standing committee and recommendations from the National Commission for Women.

The amendments have been proposed keeping in mind the recent technological advancement in the field of communications.

Moreover, the ministry has proposed to expand the meaning of the word advertisement to include its various digital and electronic forms or SMS, MMS.

The ministry "proposed amendments in definition of distribution to include publication, license or uploading using computer resource, or communication device and amendment in Section 4 to include that no person shall publish or distribute or cause to be published or cause to be distributed by any means any material which contains indecent representation of women in any form".

Amendment in definition of term advertisement include digital form or electronic form or hoardings, or through SMS, MMS - WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, Hike, Skype, etc.

The draft bill also proposes penalty similar to that provided under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and creation of a centralised authority under the aegis of the National Commission of Women.

This authority will be headed by Member Secretary, NCW, having representatives from Advertising Standards Council of India, Press Council of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and one member having experience of working on women issues.

"This centralised authority will be authorized to receive complaints or grievances regarding any programme or advertisement broadcast or publication and investigate/ examine all matters relating to the indecent representation of women," the statement read.

The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act (IRWA), 1986 prohibits indecent representation of women through advertisements, publications, writings, paintings, figures or in any other manner.

The amendment Bill was earlier introduced in the Rajya Sabha during the UPA government in December 2012, following which it was referred the Parliamentary Standing Committee.New Delhi: Despite US threatening sanctions against Russia, India plans to go ahead with its defense deal with the country, including the one for S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems for the Air Force.

This comes after PM Narendra Modis recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in May where the two had vowed to further strengthen Indo-Russian cooperation.

Sources told PTI, India wants its defence transactions with Russia to be insulated from the purview of stringent American law CAATSA and is likely to raise the issue with the US when the two sides meet in Washington for the 2+2 talks next month.

"In all our engagements with the US, we have clearly explained how India and Russia's defence cooperation has been going on for a long time and that it is a time-tested relationship. We have mentioned that CAATSA cannot impact the India-Russia defence cooperation," Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at a press conference.

She said India has got quite a lot of defence assets from Russia and the cooperation between the two countries will continue.

In January, the US announced sanctions against Russia under its Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for Moscow's alleged meddling in the American presidential election in 2016.

CAATSA, which came into effect in January, mandates the Donald Trump administration to punish countries and entities engaging in significant transaction with the defence or intelligence establishment of Russia.

Asked whether India will go ahead with the S-400 deal with Russia, the defence minister said the long-drawn negotiations relating to it have reached final stage.

"The S-400 deal has been on for a very long time and we have reached the final stage of negotiations. That explains it," she said.

India wants to procure the long-range missile systems to tighten its air defence mechanism, particularly along the nearly 4,000-km-long Sino-India border.

Official sources said both Russia and India are likely to announce the deal before an annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in October.

There have been mounting concerns in India over the US sanctions against Russian defence majors including Rosoboronexport as billions of dollars of military purchases may be impacted because of the punitive measure.

The issue is understood to have figured during Modi's informal talks with Putin in Sochi last month.

Top American lawmakers and experts have warned that imposition of sanctions on India under a newly-enacted law if it buys the S-400 air defence missile system from Russia could be disastrous for the Indo-US ties.

Last month, the chairman the US' House Armed Services Committee, Mac Thornberry, had warned that the S-400 deal may limit inter-operability between Indian and US militaries.

The Pentagon too had said it was "very concerned" over the possible implications of Russian sanctions on defence ties between India and the US.

(With PTI inputs)Thiruvananthapuram: Dissatisfied with the response of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the issue of arrest of a theatre owner who reportedly helped bring to light a minors molestation on his premises, the Opposition on Tuesday staged a walkout from the Assembly.

Theatre owner EC Satheesh was arrested on Monday under Section 19 of the POCSO Act for allegedly failing to inform the police about the incident that occurred on April 18. He was subsequently released on bail.

Police said it was Satheeshs friend Raveendran who informed Childline on April 25 after the theatre owner discussed the issue with him.

Malappuram district police chief Pratheesh Kumar said, The theatre owner did not inform the police or child helpline. After about eight days, he told his friend Raveendran, who informed the authorities. The theatre staff had monitored the CCTV footage, noted the car number of the accused and handed it over to the theatre owner. However, he did not act on it.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala raised the issue in the Assembly, questioning the grounds of Satheeshs arrest.

Responding to the charges, Vijayan said he had sought a report from the director general of prosecution, adding that the higher officials were not informed before making the arrest.

However, the opposition walked out of the Assembly, finding the answer unsatisfactory.

Though the incident dates back to April 18, police registered an FIR on May 12 when the CCTV footage of the incident went viral. The images purportedly showed businessman Moideen, 60, sitting between a woman and her minor daughter and molesting the child. Both the accused and the girls mother were arrested and have been remanded to judicial custody.

Changaramkulam sub-inspector KG Baby was suspended for the delay in the investigation and a case was registered against him.Hyderabad: The fuel prices were finally cut, but the reduction was not in rupees. Mimicking that a Telangana man marked his protest by donating 9 paisa cheque to Prime Ministers relief fund.

V Chandraiah, from Sirsilla district, handed over the cheque to the district collector during Praja Vani programme.

"You reduced 9 paise in fuel price. The amount I saved from the drop in petrol price, I am donating to the PMs relief fund. Hope my donation will be used for a good cause, he said.

Petrol, diesel prices in the national capital were cut by 13 paise and 9 paise respectively on Tuesday, the seventh consecutive day of cut in fuel prices. This follows the 16-day hike which jacked up fuel prices to their highest levels in India.

Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had on Monday ruled out a review of daily price revision formula and reiterated that the government is working on a long-term solution.

Last year too, distressed farmers in Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh in a unique way protested by sending Rs 0.68 paisa cheque as a gift to Prime Minister on his birthday, to highlight the agrarian crisis faced by four districts which fall under the Rayalseema region.New Delhi: Four years after Sunanda Pushkars death, a Delhi court on Tuesday took cognisance of the chargesheet filed by Delhi Police and summoned her husband and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on July 7.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal, while reading out the order, said that "there existed sufficient ground to proceed against Tharoor" on charges of abetment to suicide" and cruelty towards his deceased wife.

"I have gone through chargesheet and documents filed. On the basis of police report I take cognisance for the offence of abetment to suicide punishable under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code and committing cruelty upon late Sunanda Pushkar under Section 498A IPC by Shashi Tharoor," said the judge.

ACMM Samar Vishal also said that "there exists sufficient grounds to proceed against Tharoor under Section 306 and 498A of IPC."

On May 28, urging the court to take cognisance of the chargesheet, the Delhi Police cited a poem written by the deceased while levelling charges of abetment to suicide and cruelty against Tharoor.

Atul Kumar Srivastava, the Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for Delhi Police, submitted that Sunanda had e-mailed a poem to Tharoor on January 5, just a few weeks before she was found dead in the room of a 5-star hotel in the national capital.

"I don't care about test, I don't have will to live, All I pray for is death is the mail that Sunanda wrote to Shashi Tharoor," said the Delhi Police counsel.

The Delhi Police in its chargesheet, which runs into around 3,000 pages, had alleged that Tharoor had subjected his wife to cruelty. The chargesheet has been filed more than four years after Tharoors wife was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a Delhi hotel room.

It concluded that Pushkar killed herself and hence no one has been charged with murder. The chargesheet was filed before the metropolitan magistrate under sections 498 A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code.

The chargesheet mentions marital discord as the cause of suicide and says that one party led the other to commit suicide. Sunanda Pushkar was being harassed for long. Her medical records show she was suffering from depression, the chargesheet said.

Tharoor had responded to the chargesheet in two tweets, calling it preposterous and said that he would contest it vigorously. No one who knew Sunanda believes she would ever have committed suicide, let alone abetment on my part. If this is conclusion arrived at after 4+ yrs of investigation, it does not speak well of the methods or motivations of the Delhi Police, he wrote.

Pushkar was found dead in a luxury hotel room on January 17, 2014, days after being embroiled in a Twitter war with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar over the latters alleged closeness with Tharoor.Villupuram/Chennai: An academically "bright" daughter of a farmhand committed suicide in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district after failing to clear the NEET, police said on Tuesday, with the tragedy setting off a political blame game.

The tragic death of the medical aspirant prompted a call by DMK working president M K Stalin to chief ministers of southern states, barring Tamil Nadu, but including West Bengal, to oppose the NEET, as it "discriminated against non-Hindi speaking students" and put those from the economically weaker sections at "fundamental disadvantage".

Prateebha, 19, ended her life by consuming poison at Senji town, after she could not crack the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) whose results were declared on Monday, the second such incident in the state since last year.

Prateebha ingested poison soon after she came to know that she had flunked the test, conducted for admissions to medical and dental colleges in the country, and began vomiting. She was rushed to a hospital, where the doctor who examined her initially, referred her to a bigger facility, but she could not be saved.

This was Pratibha's second attempt at clearing the NEET, which many students from the state who study at Tamil medium schools find a hard nut to crack. Even those studying in English medium government or government-aided schools find it difficult to make the cut as their syllabus is not in sync with those of central boards.

In her suicide note, Pratibha said she dreamt of becoming a doctor but the questions were too difficult for her to even understand, police said.

Describing her as a "bright" student, police said the girl had secured 490 marks out of 500 in her class 10 board examination, and 1125 out of 1200 in class 12. She, however, got only 39 out of 700 in the NEET.

The state had witnessed widespread protests last year when Anitha, a Dalit girl from Ariyalur, ended her life for failing to clear the NEET.

The tragic incident had its echo in the state assembly, with opposition DMK and Congress staging a walkout.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly had adopted two resolutions last year seeking exemption for the students from the state from NEET.

"How many Prathibhas and Anithas are we going to lose?" Stalin asked while speaking on a special calling attention motion moved by him and members of the Congress, a DMK ally.

He alleged there were discrepancies in the NEET question paper printed in Tamil for which Pratibha appeared.

Stalin, also the Leader of the Opposition, wanted to know from the government the status of the two resolutions sent to the Centre for the President's approval.

Health Minister C Vijayabhaskar recalled efforts made by the government to do away with NEET, including various representations to the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He, however, said the Supreme Court had ruled against exemption on an appeal by some students.

There were heated exchanges when Vijayabhaskar said Congress leader P Chidambaram's lawyer wife Nalini had appeared for students who were against grant of exemption.

School Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan said the government's efforts for preparing students for competitive examinations like NEET have borne result, with greater number of aspirants from government and aided schools clearing the test this year.

Stalin also put out a tweet tagging non-BJP chief Ministers of south, besides Mamata Banerjee, asking them to oppose NEET, saying it put rural students at a "fundamental disadvantage".

"I urge the Chief Ministers @CMOKerala @CMofKarnataka @TelanganaCMO @AndhraPradeshCM @CMPuducherry @MamataOfficial to oppose the NEET exam as it puts rural and economically weaker students at a fundamental disadvantage."

"The discrepancies in the translated NEET question papers have discriminated against non-Hindi speaking students. I urge all Chief Ministers of non-BJP ruling states to join together in opposing this unfair test on this ground also. #NEETKillsPradeeba #BanNeet," he said in the tweet.

Superstar Rajinikanth, who has decided to take the political plunge, called Prateebha's death "pitiable", and said such incidents should not recur.

State Congress president Su Thirunavukkarasar urged students against taking such an extreme step, and demanded that the central and state governments provide Prateebha's family a compensation of Rs 1 crore.

T Velmurugan-led Tamizhaga Vazvurimai Katchi (TVK) expressed concern over the death of both Prateebha and Anitha.

AAP state convenor SAN Vaseegaran demanded that the Palaniswami government step down taking moral responsibility for the death of Prateebha and Anitha.

BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan insisted NEET was "beneficial" for rural students, but said students who fail to make the cut should explore the "next big" choice and not commit suicide.

She also asked political parties to desist from creating a "bleak" picture about NEET.Srinagar: Militants on Tuesday late evening attacked an army camp in Hajin area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district, police said.

Official sources said that a group of militants opened indiscriminate fire upon the Army's 13 Rashtriya Rifles camp, which also has a police station and Special Operations Group camp in the vicinity.

A senior army officer confirmed the attack and said that the 'fidayeen attack' possibility cannot be ruled out. This is the first big attack after suspension of Army operations or Ramzan ceasefire.

Additional reinforcements of army's Para Commandos have been called and are being rushed to the spot, sources said.

The militants also lobbed grenades using underbarrel grenade launchers at the camp. Around four to six militants hurled grenades at the camp, adjacent to the police station, from two sides. There are reports that the terrorists also tried to storm the police station.

When this report was filed, the intense firing was going on in the area. Sources said that announcements were made via public address system asking people to come out on streets following which clashes erupted near the site.Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has become the first state to prepare a report on the issue of one nation, on poll. The report has been submitted to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

A team comprising seven members, headed by cabinet minister Sidharth Nath Singh, has suggested in its report that formula of one nation, one poll can be implemented in the country in two phases.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started a campaign for all elections to be held at the same time so that we don't spend five years only on elections.

Polls of state governments, Lok Sabha and bypolls at different times hamper development due to the model code of conduct being in place and deployment of election staff and security personnel, Yogi Adityanath said.

Only one voters' list should be there. We constituted a team in Uttar Pradesh under Health Ministry in this regard and asked them to see if it's possible to hold only one election and link voters' list to Aadhaar Card, so that new voters are automatically added to voters' list after they turn 18, the UP CM added, as per ANI.

Last year, Election Commissioner OP Rawat set the cat among pigeons by stating that the Commission would be ready for simultaneous polls by September 2018, he also added a caveat that this would not be possible unless certain constitutional amendments were carried out.

The Law Commission has also been discussing all aspects of the constitution, law and other areas with experts on the issue of one nation, one poll.

The commission has started to consider legal, constitutional and practical possibilities and measures related to it.

President Ram Nath Kovind also advocated for simultaneous Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections in his address to parliament during the budget session.West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018 | The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education has put out the WBBSE Result 2018, West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018, WB Madhyamik Class 10th Result 2018 on June 6 (Wednesday) at 9 am. The West Bengal Board 10th Result 2018, West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018, WB Class 10th Result 2018 was hosted on the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education official website wbresults.nic.in. The WBBSE board has announced the West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018 through a press conference today. The WB Madhyamik Result 2018 will be live at 10 am on the official website. The pass percentage for WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2018 is 85.49%. East Midnapore tops among districts with 96.13%. Uttarbanga's Sanjeevani Debnath bags first place with 689, Bardhaman's Krishnendu Saha 688

second, and the three place goes to Nilabaja Das 687

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education is responsible for conducting Madhyamik Examination. This year, the board conducted Madhyamik 10th Examination from March 12-21. Apart from checking the West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018 on the official website wbresults.nic.in, students can check their West Bengal Board Madhyamik Result 2018, West Bengal 10th result 2018, WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2018 on these websites also examresults.net/wb, west-bengal.indiaresults, exametc.com, results.gov.in

How to check West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018, WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2018:

Step 1: Students kindly visit the official website wbresults.nic.in.

Step 2: Look for West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018, WBBSE Result 2018

Step 3: Click on the tab WB Class 10th result 2018, WB Madhyamik Result 2018

Step 4: Enter your roll number and other details

Step 5: Your WB Board Madhyamik Result 2018 will be displayed on your screen. Students can take a printout of WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2018 for future reference.

Students can check their West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018 via SMS as well

GET YOUR WB MADHYAMIK RESULT 2018 ON MOBILE - SMSWBBSE Result 2018 | The WBBSE West Bengal Board of Secondary Education announced the West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018, WB Madhyamik Result 2018, West Bengal Board Result 2018 on June 6 at 9 am. The WBBSE West Bengal Board of Secondary Education released the West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018, WB Madhyamik Result 2018, West Bengal Board Result 2018 on its official website wbbse.org, wbresults.nic.in. The WBBSE board has announced the West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018 through a press conference today. The WB Madhyamik Result 2018 was activated at 10 am on the official website. The pass percentage for WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2018 is 85.49%. East Midnapore tops among districts with 96.13%. Uttarbanga's Sanjeevani Debnath bags first place with 689, Bardhaman's Krishnendu Saha 688

second, and the three place goes to Nilabaja Das 687

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education conducted the Madhyamik Examination for the academic year 2017-18 from 12th of March 2018 - 21 March, 2018. All students, private and regular, can check their West Bengal Board Madhyamik Result 2018 here on this page. Students can also check their West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018: examresults.net/wb, west-bengal.indiaresults.com, results.nic.in, exametc.com

How to check West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018, WBBSE Result 2018:

Step 1: Click on the official website link wbbse.org, wbresults.nic.in

Step 2: Look for a tab - West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2018, WB 10th Result 2018

Step 3: Click on the link which says WB Madhyamik Result 2018, West Bengal 10th Result 2018

Ste 4: Enter Roll Number

Step 5: Download the West Bengal Board Result 2018 and keep a printout for future reference

Students who are waiting with much anticipation can also check their West Bengal Class 10 Result 2018 via SMS as well

GET YOUR WB Madhyamik Result 2018 ON MOBILE - SMS

SMS - WB10 ROLL NUMBER - Send it to 56263

Around 10 lakh students appeared for the West Bengal Board Madhyamik Examinations 2018. This year the WBBSE Class 10 Exams were conducted from 12th March to 21st March. The West Bengal Board Madhyamik Results 2017 was declared on May 27. This year around 8 lakh students appeared for the West Bengal Board Class 12 Exams. The WBCHSE Exams 2018 were conducted from 27th March to 11th April for the academic session of 2017-18. Last year the West Bengal Board HS Results were declared on May 30.On April 14, 2018, sometime between 5:55 am to 6:08 am, a man named David Buckel set himself on fire, in Prospect Park, New York. He was 60-year-old at the time of his death. A champion of gay rights throughout his career as a lawyer, Buckel was an environmental activist, who killed himself to draw people's attention to the issue of climate change.

The Daily News quoted Buckel's handwritten suicide note that said, "I am David Buckel and I just killed myself by fire as a protest suicide."

In another formally typed out letter 'For The Police', that was found alongside the handwritten note, Buckel added," My early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves...Here is a hope that giving a life might bring some attention to the need for expanded actions, and help others give a voice to our home, and Earth is heard."

In her article titled, 'What Drove a Man to Set Himself on Fire in Brooklyn?' Annie Correal of New York Times noted that "His (Buckel's) suicide is one of the few known cases of political self-immolation in the United States since the 1960s...and perhaps the first one anywhere in the name of climate change."

Through voices of Buckel's friends and family, Correal gives us a sense of what kind of man Buckel was. She lets us know you that he was idealistic, meticulously organized and disciplined, sometimes even stubborn, and self-righteous. But, above all, he was someone who deeply cared about everything and everyone around him, and would always put up a fight in the face of adversity.

While it is hard for anyone to understand why a man like that would feel so compelled to draw attention to a particular topic that he would be willing to kill himself for it, as you peruse through Correal's piece, it is easier to see why he was worried about Donald Trump's environmental policies and distressed by the state of environmental debates in the United States. Certainly (and thankfully), he wasn't the only in the United States, or in any part of the world, to be worried about environmental changes, and the lack of policies or measures to deal with them.

Unfortunately, Correal's article is perhaps one of the few in-depth pieces written on Buckel's death. Despite the fact, that he killed himself to spark a conversation about climate change, the news of Buckel's death received very few mentions in the United States media and was hardly noticed by the international press. Yes, The Guardian and BBC covered their bases by reporting it. But, that was all and herein lies the problem.

Climate Change has been shockingly underreported by the media across the world and that's a big part of the problem. According to a World Health Report, "between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress."

However, if you are not one of those to rely on predictions, according to the same report, "Globally, the number of reported weather-related natural disasters has more than tripled since the 1960s. Every year, these disasters result in over 60, 000 deaths, mainly in developing countries."

While most of these disasters are covered by the media, they are not reported as climate change stories, which is unfortunate because only during natural disasters do people feel and often can tangibly observe the ravages of Climate Change.

At other times, it is hard for a layman to understand how global warming is happening or sea levels are rising. These are often not-very-easily-perceptible natural phenomenon and come with scientific explanations loaded with jargons. But, the media rarely bothers to report natural disasters in terms of climate change. There are death tolls, human interest stories or accuse-the-government pieces, but hardly a word on climate change.

Buckel may have been the first person to voluntarily give his life for climate change, but, his death certainly isn't the first death that has tried to bring media's and public's attention towards environmental issues.

Closer home in India, every year, many farmers commit suicides because of crop failure, which results due to climate change. However, while it is an understatement to say that Indian media gravely underreports farmers' suicides, even when they do report on the issue, it is mostly focussed on the political blame game aspect of it. Again, hardly anyone pegs it to climate change and how crop failures or lack of rains in the monsoon is related to it.

According to a study by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Climate change has already caused more than 59,000 suicides in India over the last 30 years.

While the majority of the media turns a blind eye to this, those journalists who report on mining, or fossil fuels often get threatened or even killed for doing so. According to a Reporters Beyond Borders study, in 2015 two Indian journalists were allegedly killed for reporting on illegal mining.

Another reason why climate change issues are not highlighted by the Indian media is that those affected by climate change in India are mostly the marginalized tribes or communities and/or poor section of the society. For example, the ones breathing the toxic air of Delhi are not those who sit in their ac offices but the homeless, who spend their nights and days outside.

While India media has been complacent and shortsighted in reporting climate change, the US media has done worse. The US television channels had a steady rate of decline in climate change reporting from the year 2015 to 2016. In fact, according to a report, broadcast news' coverage of climate change dropped a whopping 66 percent from 2015 to 2016. However, in 2017, the news coverage of climate change soared again, but that was only because of Trump's historic withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.

"Media Matters found that in 2017, 79% percent of the time that corporate broadcast networks spent covering climate change featured actions or statements by the Trump administration. Trumps withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement was featured in 52% of climate news segments. " reported The Guardian.

How media selects to report on a certain issue (or not report on it)often has a great impact on the public. Media has the power of shaping opinions and perceptions and by choosing to not report on climate change (or reporting it in a wrong way), they are indirectly humouring the false notion of the public that it is not an issue of utmost priority.

Buckel understood the urgent need to address climate change issues, and although the method through which he wanted to bring the issue in public domain may be unfortunate, at least, he tried to start a dialogue about climate change. Let's honour his wishes on World Environment Day and talk about climate change in our new reports, and our coverages as much as possible.While it is healthy to adopt some lifestyle changes, millennials are much more likely than any age group to go to extremes, like using supplements and working out more than four days per week, to obtain six-pack abs or bigger muscles, show results of a new survey in the US.

But doctors warn that supplements are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and could have unintended health consequences.

And while gym culture encourages men to push themselves to their limits, intense workout schedules often lead to burnout and an unhealthy rise and fall in weight and muscles mass.

The survey commissioned by Orlando Health, a network of hospitals based in Orlando, Florida, found that 90 percent of men in the US have changed their daily habits to reach their fitness goals.

Instead of discussing the issue or seeking advice from their doctors, men often turn to supplements and extreme workout regimens to change their bodies, the findings showed.

"We often use the analogy that our bodies are a lot like our cars," Jamin Brahmbhatt, an urologist at Orlando Health South Lake Hospital, said in a statement.

"Men will take the time to do preventative maintenance on their cars, like getting tune ups and oil changes, but for whatever reason, we often don't take the same time and effort for our health. We need to change that mindset," Brahmbhatt added.

The survey was conducted by telephone by ORC International on behalf of Orlando Health from March 8-11, among 1,003 US adults ages 18 and older.

"The daily habits that they (men) think are improving their health could actually be putting it at risk," Brahmbhatt said.

"A lot of claims on the labels of supplements and shakes are, at best, unresearched, and at worst, potentially dangerous," Brahmbhatt added.

In order to open a conversation about male body image and discuss the possible dangers of going overboard for the sake of obtaining six-pack abs or bigger muscles, Brahmbhatt, along with Sijo Parekattil, also of Orlando Health, US, will be conducting a road trip from June 4 -9.

Brahmbhatt and Parekattil will kick-off this year's event in New York City on June 4, Orlando Health said in a statement.

On their way, they will make stops in Philadelphia, Columbus, Chicago and Houston before ending their journey with a grand finale event in Clermont, Florida, the statement added.Freedom fighter Mukami Kimathi, the widow of the late revolutionary fighter Dedan Kimathi, has landed a job in Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemias government.

Mukami Kimathi, aged 88, is the governors new adviser. Her roles will also include championing peace and cohesion among residents.

Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations in Ol Kalou Stadium on Friday, Kimemia said Mau Mau veterans have to be recognised and honoured because of their selfless push to free Kenya from colonialism.

As the governor, Im permitted [to hire Mukami]. There is no one I cannot appoint in my government, either as an adviser or in any other capacity. I would like to work with Mrs Mukami so she can advise us as a mother, Kimemia said.

The Governor said he informed Mukami of the decision before the event.

Mukami, you are not too old to advise our county. Even if it is about keeping and praying for peace, Kimemia said during the event.

Mukami accepted the job offer and thanked the County boss for celebrating the forgotten freedom fighters in society.

The words spoken by the Nyandarua leader are not in vain. They are living proof that the county is keen to achieve progress. God bless you. May there be peace, said Mukami.

She noted that shared prosperity can be a reality if every resident did their part to promote socioeconomic development.

Kimemia said his administration has signed an MoU with the National Museums of Kenya to build a Mau Mau facility and a prayer centre to preserve the rich Mau Mau history.

The county has also set aside 25 acres in Kinangop for the projects and a team has been set up to review the proposal.

Kimemia directed his press team to meet with the war veterans, interview them and document crucial information for future generations.

Well make a good Mau Mau film so history is not lost, especially what happened in the Aberdares, Kimemia said.

He appealed to the veterans to bless Nyandarua, despite the little that has been done for you.

Bless our land, bless our soil and bless our children. If we put God first, we shall succeed.Govinda has finally watched the video of professor Sanjeev Shrivastava aka 'dancing uncle' shaking a leg to his chartbuster song-- 'Aap Ke Aa Jane Se' from the 1987 movie Khudgarz and the actor is completely floored by the man's moves.

The clip, which has gone viral, shows Shrivastava dancing to the actor's popular track at a wedding. Shrivastava hails from Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh and is a professor in Bhabha Engineering Research Institute.

His video was shared across various social media platforms and several Bollywood celebrities stepped in to turn the "dancing uncle" into an overnight sensation. Now the man himself, Govinda has heaped praises on Shrivastava. The actor, who is currently in London, said it was a "treat" watching Shrivastava dance like this.

"The way he has copied my steps, he has done it so well. He is so much into it. More than half a dozen heroes have copied my steps, and nobody has done it so well! It felt like he was dancing with all his heart and having fun," the actor was quoted as saying by Indian Express.The Karnataka High Court today directed the state government to provide necessary security for peaceful release of superstar Rajinikanth-starrer Kaala, which pro-Kannada outfits had threatened to stall over the actor's reported remarks on the Cauvery row. Justice G Narendar issued the direction on the basis of a Supreme Court order, which had stayed ban orders imposed on the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Padmaavat by four states, including Rajasthan, early this year.

"Freedom of speech and expression, particularly as a medium of expression in films, cannot be curtailed. The creative content is am insegregable aspect of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution," the judge said, citing the Supreme Court verdict on the release of the film Padmaavat.

The Supreme Court in January had cleared the release of Padmaavat and had stayed ban orders imposed by Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.

Miffed with Rajinikanth's reported comments that whichever government comes to power in Karnataka should implement the Supreme Court order on Cauvery water sharing in toto, the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce had on May 29 decided not to allow screening of Kaala, due for release on June 7.

"A decision has been taken that Rajinikanth's movie will neither be distributed nor screened anywhere in Karnataka," KFCC president Sa Ra Govindu had announced.

Justice Narendar today also issued the direction to the government after Additional Advocate General A G Shivanna said there was no ban imposed on the release of Kaala and the government is prepared to give security to exhibitors if they furnished details.

"My Lord, there has been no ban imposed on the release of 'Kaala' film by any organisation, but the government is ready to provide security to exhibitors for peaceful screening of the film in theatres and multiplexes across Karnataka if they provide us details," Shivanna said.

Justice Narendar, however, observed that he cannot make it mandatory on exhibitors to screen the film.

The court was hearing a petition by Kaala's producer K Dhanush and his wife Aishwarya, who sought directions to the Karnataka government and the KFCC for smooth release of the film.

They had made the state government, home department, state police chief, Bengaluru city police commissioner, Central Board of Film Certification and KFCC as respondents in their plea.

Kaala is scheduled for a worldwide release on June 7, but the KFCC had said the film would neither be distributed nor screened in the state.

During the hearing, Dhanush's counsel Chintan Chinnappa argued that it is the fundamental right of the petitioners under the Constitution to exhibit the film.

"After receiving CBFC certification under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, for the release, it is the fundamental right of the petitioner under Article 19(1) of the Constitution to exhibit the film," he said.

Chinnappa also said several pro-Kannada outfits had made representations to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, requesting a ban on Kaala following Rajinikanth's alleged views on the Cauvery dispute.

The KFCC had said it had neither instructed protesters nor the exhibitors to exhibit the film.

"The exhibitors and distributors on their own took the decision not to screen and release the film, citing security reasons," Govindu had said.

Many pro-Kannada organisations had threatened to vandalise theatres if they screened the film.

Earlier, the distributors association said they were against the ban and did not have any role to play to stop Kaala's screening.Mumbai: Actress Nushrat Bharucha has enrolled herself in a week-long course for a Diploma in Acting at the New York Film Academy.

The actress was in Los Angeles due to some work commitments in May when she had applied for it. She will be flying to the US for the course later this month.

"I always wanted to do a course from NY college since I have heard so much about it and one of my really good friend has done a two-year course whose doing good for herself in theatre," Nushrat said in a statement to IANS.

"Plus, it's a renowned college and as an actor why not explore the space. It's always good to feed yourself with quality info and I feel this course will only enhance my growth," added the Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety actress.

On the work front, Nushrat will soon be seen in a video of a song titled Baarish with Pakistani singing sensation Atif Aslam.In January 2013, Rajinikanth penned a letter of support for Kamal Haasan when the Ulaganayakan was fighting with his back to the wall. This was when his 'Vishwaroopam' was opposed by fringe Muslim groups and Haasan suspected this was being done with the tacit approval of the Jayalalithaa government.

In a fit of rage and angst, Haasan threatened to leave the country, upset that he did not have creative freedom in his country, that a group of people could hold him and his work to ransom.

At that stage, Rajinikanth's willingness to stand by a friendless man was just what the doctor ordered for Haasan. Which is why eyebrows have gone up now when Kamal Haasan said movies were not on the discussion table when he met Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru on Monday.

Haasan met Kumaraswamy in the backdrop of the call given by the Confederation of pro-Kannada organisations, opposing the release of Rajinikanth's 'Kaala' in Karnataka. The Kannada outfits are angry with the Superstar's position taken in April that whoever comes to power in Karnataka should implement the Supreme Court order on Cauvery. A perfectly legitimate stand but the Kannada outfits deem it to be anti-Karnataka in nature.

Calling the fringe groups' bluff, actor-activist Prakash Raj has supported the release of 'Kaala', questioning what does the movie have to do with Cauvery. In the same breath, Raj, a Kannadiga, does not seem pleased with Haasan's reluctance to take up Kaala's cause with Kumaraswamy. He points out that during the 'Vishwaroopam' episode, Haasan expected everyone to stand by him.

The decision of the fringe groups to target Tamil movies over inter-state disputes is not new. This has happened with Rajinikanth before in 2008. At that time, after Rajini's comment on the Hogenakkal row, Kannada outfits refused to allow the release of 'Kuselan' in Karnataka. Rajini had to apologise for hurting sentiments, clarifying his expression kick them was targeted at lumpen elements and not at Kannadigas.

Last year, outfits in Karnataka took on 'Baahubali: The Conclusion' objecting to comments made over the Cauvery dispute nine years ago by Tamil actor Sathyaraj, who played Kattappa in the film. The makers of the movie including director SS Rajamouli had to distance themselves from Sathyaraj and the actor had to apologise before 'Baahubali' was allowed entry into Karnataka theatres.

Did Kamal Haasan act selfish in not using his newly-struck rapport with Kumaraswamy to talk about 'Kaala'? It could certainly be argued that Haasan could have broached the subject and sought the CM's help in ensuring the movie was released with police protection at cinema theatres. At this point in time, scared that Kannada outfits could vandalise theatres, exhibitors have backed out, choosing not to screen the Rajini flick.

Haasan, who was meeting the CM to discuss about Cauvery, could have elevated his stature by talking for his friend of over 40 years. Coming from Haasan, the plea would have been taken seriously as well. If Kumaraswamy, who has been a film producer himself, lets fringe groups decide what Kannadiga audience will consume, Karnataka under his watch will get a bad name. After all, the 'Padmavat' controversy did no good to the image of India.

The counter argument is that Haasan did not wish to dilute his position as the representative of Tamil Nadu farmers. He wanted to stay focused on discussing Cauvery with Kumaraswamy. Though after the formation of the Cauvery Management Authority, Karnataka will be bound by law to release water, the political class in the state in the past has not displayed the generosity to release water till its own demands were met. A dialogue, it is felt, will bridge the gap.

Two, Haasan himself is persona non grata in Karnataka as a movie star, with his 'Vishwaroopam 2' likely to meet the same fate as 'Kaala'. Given Haasan's position on Cauvery, Kannada groups will not let his movie release in Karnataka theatres. If he had batted for 'Kaala', he may have invited criticism that he is doing so with an eye on 'Vishwaroopam 2'.

Three, the Karnataka government is not exactly the main party in this dispute. Apologies in the past have been rendered to the fringe groups and having tasted blood, they are out to hunt for fresh scalps.

For Rajinikanth's 'Kaala' made at a budget of over Rs 150 crore, the Karnataka market is important both from a financial and a psychological angle. After all, Rajini was a Bengaluru boy till he made it big in Chennai. His 'Kabali' was sold in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mandya for Rs 11.5 crore and his 'Kaala' producer, son-in-law Dhanush, would not like to miss out on connecting with the significant Tamil-speaking population in south Karnataka.There has been an unseemly outrage among certain sections of the political class against former President Dr Pranab Mukherjee's acceptance of an invitation as chief guest for the concluding ceremony of RSS's Tritiya Varsh Training programme.

Dr Mukherjee is a mature and experienced politician who has spent decades in public life. He has well-evolved ideas on matters that are of social and national significance. The invitation has been extended to him with the idea that this will be an invaluable opportunity to listen to his views. Also, he will have the opportunity to listen to the views of the Sangh and have a firsthand experience of Sangh as well. This exchange of views and ideas is intrinsic to the Bharatiya concept of dialogue, this invitation and its acceptance is but a continuation of that democratic tradition enshrined in our cultural ethos.

So why then the dissonance and negative commentary? Why the opposition to this exchange?

The resistance has surprised many, but if we were to delve into the ideological basis of this opposition, it would be unsurprising. Bharats intellectual spectrums most vocal voices are those of an ideology that is entirely alien to India and has been rejected the world over, for its high level of intolerance and violent means to achieve conformity, that is communism. Their idea of thought conformity necessitates this approach that not only rejects healthy exchange among diverse stakeholders but also protests against it.

There is a lazy assumption that if you do not hold a so-called Leftist perception then by default you are a right winger  their view of the ideological world exists in strict binaries and as a result, you become someone who should be criticised, publicly shamed and protested against. This is the communist tradition, verifiable with human experience, rather oppression across the world. And yet, despite repeated displays of intolerance, they adorn the mantle of human rights and free speech advocates.

A few years ago at the same programme, an invitation was extended to renowned social activist and Magsaysay Award winner Dr Abhay Bang. At that time as well, eminent socialists with all kinds of Left leanings in Maharashtra were up in arms against his decision to accept the invitation. Their pressure politics to discourage engagement led to opinion pieces and articles in their Marathi weekly SADHANA. Dr Bang responded to the pressure by stating that he was going to present his views at the function, so why the opposition? In fact, he went on to praise the open-mindedness of the RSS, who had invited him as an honoured guest despite knowing his views; and it were the Leftists who were exhibiting their intolerance despite all their claims to the contrary in rhetoric. He remained firm in his decision to participate in the function and furthermore submitted the text of his speech to Sadhana for publication. However, the magazine that claimed to be the vanguard of free speech refused to publish it, despite the fact that he had been a contributor in the past.

In 2010, I met with Shri Keshavan Nair, a CPM Trade Union leader from Kollam in Kerala. He had been expelled from the communist party for writing two articles in a local paper on Science in the Vedas. Singed by this hypocrisy, Shri Nair decided to write extensively on Communists and even published a book  Beyond Red (which he gifted to me).

On the blurb of the book, he is quoted from the book: The only freedom communists give you is to praise them!

During one of my visits to Kolkata as Prachar Pramukh (Media Relations In-charge), whilst CPM was in power there, the local unit of RSS made an attempt to schedule appointments with the editors of Statesman, Indian Express, Times of India, Vartaman and a communist-leaning newspaper. All granted time for the meeting but the communist newspaper. The editor of the Left-leaning newspaper declined to give an appointment saying he doesnt want to waste his time. This is their democratic nature and commitment to free expression. The meetings were a success. We had no expectation that those who met with us would agree on every issue with the Sangh, but all were open to understanding and engaging with the RSSs views. About the undemocratic attitude of the newspaper that declined appointment, I told our local karyakarta that whenever I come to Kolkata, try to get an appointment with him.

A couple of years ago, Shri Dattatreya Hosabale and I were invited to the Jaipur Literature Festival to put forth the views of RSS about different social and national issues in an interactive open session with a journalist. We decided to accept the invitation and attend. At JLF as well, there was opposition by Leftist forces.

Individuals like Sitaram Yechury and MA Baby boycotted the festival just because the RSS had been given a platform to air its views despite the fact that Sangh is increasingly finding acceptance, engagement and support in the society all over Bharat.

Their elitist definition of free expression excludes even an attempt to understand such an organisation. But what is the motivation for such protests? Is it their fear that should the RSS be given an opportunity to reach out to a larger audience the veil of misunderstanding created by spreading canards will be lifted and the lies exposed? People will know the truth and that is the biggest fear of all.

The communist ideology and such fascist opposition to free speech are entirely against Bharatiya thought.

There is, however, another example that is in contrast to the ones elucidated so far. A few years ago, a delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC) visited India. They were interested in meeting with the Sangh and were invited at Keshav Kunj, the Delhi headquarter of RSS. I happened to be in New Delhi and received the delegation; they also gifted me a memento depicting the Great Wall of China. I was curious about their interest in the RSS. CPC being a political party, it was obvious that they meet leaders of different political parties here. But why meet the Sangh?

They answered that query by saying that they were a cadre-based political party and the Sangh was also a cadre-based organisation, which had motivated them to reach out for an exchange of ideas.

To which I responded and underscored a distinction, It is true but there is basic difference between us. CPC is a political party that works for a state-power and through a state-power where as we, the RSS on the contrary do not work through or for a state power. We work directly amongst the society with the support of the people.

Despite this articulated difference, we had a gracious meeting. We did not refuse to meet with them since having exchange of views and ideas is the Bharatiya approach.

The intellectual world of Bharat is dominated by the people with some sort of communist colour. And either because of the lack of original intellectual thinkers in Congress, and other political parties based on individual or family, territory or caste identity, they have outsourced their intellectual space to people with communist or Left background. Though they talk of liberalism, democracy and freedom of expression, they invariably are seen exhibiting the communist ideological intolerance, intellectual untouchability and exclusion.

Pranab Da's decision to attend the RSS function has yet again revealed their hypocrisy.

The fourth Sarsanghchalak  Shri Rajju Bhaiya had a deep friendship with a senior Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh. Once when Shri Guruji was visiting Prayag, the Congress politician was invited for an interaction over tea along with the prominent citizens of the city. However, the politician regretfully declined, stating that whilst he wanted to attend, his presence would lead to unnecessary and unpleasant chatter amongst his colleagues in the party.

Rajju Bhaiya was startled by this reticence and asked his friend if they would indeed make him the point of discussion, to which the politician responded dolefully that his friend from the RSS had no idea of how politics worked.

Rajju Bhaiya informed him that in the Sangh it was very different. Were the two seen in each others company by swayamsevaks, they would not doubt his intentions at all; in fact, they would assume that he must be explaining the idea of Sangh to his friend. How can the Congressmen do not trust such a tall leader of their own?

History repeats itself after all these years when another towering and experienced leader, who is also the former President of this nation, is being questioned by junior leaders from his party, some who regretfully possess shady reputations and not even half his experience.

How is it that not one swayamsevak has questioned why the former President and Congress stalwart was invited? This is the difference between the thought process of the RSS and those who claim to be vanguards of free expression.

It is Bharatiya tradition to exchange ideas with a diverse set of people. To reject and protest such an exchange is non-Bharatiya and an assault on our democratic traditions as a culture and the largest democracy in the world.

However, this debate over Pranab Das presence at the Tritiya Varsha concluding ceremony in Nagpur has revealed the true face of these so-called proponents of free speech.

Furthermore, Pranab Da has resisted these attempts to publicly shame him and has been statesman-like with his response, stating that he will answer with his speech in Nagpur, emphasizing thus, that his decision to attend is unwavering. We welcome his decision and his true spirit of democracy.

Dr Manmohan Vaidya is the Sah Sarkaryavah (Joint General Secretary) of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Views are personal.New Delhi: A week after the bypoll debacle, the BJP has initiated moves to reach out to its sulking allies. BJP president Amit Shah will be travelling to Mumbai to meet Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray after the two allies fought a bitter electoral battle in Palghar Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena sources said Shah and Thackeray will meet at 6pm on Thursday at Matoshree, the Sena chiefs residence.

"We have no agenda for the Amit Shah meeting tomorrow. He sought an appointment. It is the culture of shiv Sena to welcome guests at Matoshree. So an appointment was granted," said senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut.

Sources in the BJP said Shah will also meet Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patriarch Parkash Singh Badal in Punjab this week. SAD leader Sukhbir Badal had called on the BJP chief on Saturday.

The BJP won the contest against a divided opposition in Palghar, but the elections clearly sent a warning signal to the party in power in the state and the Centre with the victory margin and vote share of the BJP coming down drastically from the 2014 figures.

The BJP also lost the Bhandhara-Gondia seat to NCP-Congress combine as the non-BJP parties gathered momentum to forge a larger front both in the state and at the national level.

The Sena attacked the Election Commission and its ally over complaints of malfunctioning of EVMs and VVPAT machines in bypolls. Sena alleged that the ruling party, which, it said, has an "autocratic mindset", has corrupted the EVMs to serve its own purpose.

A miffed Shiv Sena has repeatedly hit out at the BJP for what it calls a high-handed attitude of the NDA leader towards its smaller allies.

On Sunday, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut described BJP as its biggest "political enemy". The country "does not" want the duo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, but could "accept" the Congress or JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda, he said.

"The Shiv Sena is the biggest political enemy (rajkiya shatroo) of the BJP. The Sena's radical Hinduism would prove problematic for the BJP," he said in an opinion piece written under his rokh-thokh' (straight forward) column published in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

Shah's outreach to Uddhav Thackeray comes in the midst of BJP allies opening up another front in Bihar seeking larger say in seat distribution.

The JD(U) and the BJP have already started pitching for more than 40 seats in the seat-sharing formula in Bihar. The development follows the embarrassing loss for the ruling alliance in Jokihat by-elections where it lost to Lalu Prasad Yadavs RJD.

The ruling JD(U) insists that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is the leader of the JD(U)-BJP alliance and it has been the "senior partner" in the state thus indicating that it should get a major share of the seats.

The BJP was quick to react, who said that while it agrees that Kumar is the face of NDA in Bihar, the Lok Sabha elections will be fought under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, thus staking similar claims to the seats.

The question at the core of the debate is whether the poor showing of JD(U) in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections  when it was out of NDA  or whether its much-improved showing in the 2015 assembly elections would be a yardstick to decide the number of seats to be given to the JD(U) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The NDA in Bihar is scheduled to hold a meeting, the first since Nitish Kumar rejoined the coalition, on Thursday.New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he is very angry with L-G Anil Baijal for not being able to create sufficient obstacles for the Delhi government.

Kejriwal further added that this was also the reason for former L-G Najeeb Jung being removed from the post 18 months before his tenure was to end. Jung was locked in a prolonged battle with Kejriwal throughout his tenure over various government projects and proposals. Ultimately he quit after 3 years in office and said that he wanted to return to academics.

Since Baijal took over the post as the new L-G of Delhi, he has also had his share of disagreements and logjams with the Kejriwal-led government.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: I am told PM is very angry wid present LG. PM thinks Mr Baijal not creating sufficient obstacles. Becoz despite all obstacles by LG, Del govt doing phenomenal work for people. Thats the reason Mr Jung was also removed. (sic)

Tension between the AAP government and LG Baijal intensified earlier this week over the installation of CCTV cameras in Delhi with CM Kejriwal, Delhi cabinet ministers and MLAs sitting on a 'dharna' near the L-G office urging him "not to stall" the project under "pressure from the BJP".

Kejriwal and his colleagues sat on 'dharna' after the police officials deployed at L-G Anil Baijal's office told the chief minister that he and his ministers can meet Baijal but the AAP legislators will not be allowed to go with them.

I am told PM is very angry wid present LG. PM thinks Mr Baijal not creating sufficient obstacles. Becoz despite all obstacles by LG, Del govt doing phenomenal work for people. Thats the reason Mr Jung was also removed. https://t.co/wp1WGUDHcN Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 5, 2018

Last month, Kejriwal had taken up the issue of the national capital staring at an acute power crisis owing to shortage of coal for the power stations.

Apart from writing to PM Modi, the chief minister also wrote to Baijal seeking his intervention in taking up the matter with the central ministries to resolve the crisis-like situation at the earliest.

Kejriwal posted a second tweet saying, My sources tell me that PM wants LG to do everything possible to stop AAP govts good work in education, health, water n electricity. We will not let that happen. Good work will continue. God is wid us. People r wid us. (sic)

On Saturday, Kejriwal raised a question asking BJP, PM Modi and L-G Baijal if they would stop the Delhi government from working for the people. He was talking about the government opening two bus depots in Rohini.

The chief minister has time and again accused Baijal of creating obstacles for the Delhi government.

When the latter recently congratulated students and teachers in Delhi schools for the CBSE results, Kejriwal shot back at him for the removal of Delhi government adviser Atishi Marlena who had contributed immensely towards improving educational facilities at the government-run schools here.Lucknow: Congress MLC and general secretary Deepak Singh on Tuesday challenged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to win a single booth from Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Reacting to BJP chief Amit Shahs recent statement that the party would win the Congress bastion, Singh said he would quit as MLC if the saffron party emerged victorious in a single booth in Amethi. Let the BJP put its finger on at least one booth they are capable of winning, he tweeted.

I would quit if BJP wins (a single booth) in Amethi in 2019 Lok Sabha polls but would Shah follow suit if it doesnt, asked the Congress MLC.

He also claimed that several BJP MPs, including top leaders, were planning to change their constituencies. I plan to follow up the tweet with a letter to BJP chief now. Very soon we would also prepare a list of BJP lies, he said.

Riding on the Narendra Modi wave in the 2014 general elections, the BJP managed to bridge Congress chief Rahul Gandhis victory margin in Amethi. It also embarrassed the Congress in the 2017 assembly elections by winning four seats, even as the grand old party failed to open its account.

BJP leader Dinesh Singh, who recently switched sides from the Congress, said Singhs challenge was laughable. Look who is talking. Someone who is dependent on Congress top leadership for survival is talking of taking on the chief of the worlds largest political party. Isnt it laughable? he asked.

Uttar Pradesh minister Suresh Pasi said, We accept the challenge to win a booth in Amethi. On the contrary, we challenge them [Congress] to save a certain defeat here in 2019 LS polls.

The BJPs vote share in Raebareli, the parliamentary constituency of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, went from 4 percent in 2009 to 21 percent in 2014. In Rahul Gandhis constituency Amethi, the BJPs vote share rose from 6 percent to 34 percent.

With an eye on polls, BJP chief Amit Shah launched Mission Raebareli in April this year. Hero Bajpai, the BJP incharge for Raebareli, said: The Congress is talking of Amethi but we are already focused on Rae Bareli now.

According to information available, the BJP is planning to hold rallies with top leaders to take the governments schemes to the people.New Delhi: BJP's Jammu and Kashmir in-charge Ram Madhav on Monday said that Centre's decision to announce a temporary ceasefire in the Valley during Ramzan was a goodwill gesture and said a final decision regarding its continuation will be taken after the end of the holy month.

"We have announced suspension of operations, but then if there are any terrorist activities, security forces will respond appropriately," said Madhav.

The BJP leader maintained that if the situation deteriorates the government will have to take tough measures. Madhav also said that the government hopes that Hurriyat will respond positively for peace talks, but said holding talks with Pakistan was a different matter.

CNN-News18's Shreya Dhoundial caught up the with the BJP leader. Here are the edited exerpts from the interview.

Q: What is your realistic assessment of the Ramzan ceasefire?

Ram Madhav: The first two weeks since the Ramzan ceasefire announcement have witnessed incidents of grenade throwing. In the last two days, there were 4 or 5 grenade attacks. There was continuous cross-border firing from Pakistan's side. After a week or 10 days lull even stone pelting has resumed. It is very unfortunate. We had hoped that in the month of Ramzaan, the people of the valley would be busy with the religious activities but there are still good number of misguided youths who are indulging in terror and stone pelting.

Q: So is it your assessment that the ceasefire has failed?

Ram Madhav: No. Not really. As I said from our side, we have made a gesture. We have hoped there will be relative peace and calm in the valley. I must also tell you, barring incidents of some violence, large parts of the valley remain peaceful. So we have to take a final assessment towards the end of this Ramzan period which is around middle of this month around 15-16 June. Once we come to the end of Ramzan, we will take realistic assessment of the situation and certainly the government will take a view.

Q: And when you say take a view, is the view extending the ceasefire? It ends in the next 12 days.

Ram Madhav: As I said I would rather use the word suspension of operations. We have announced suspension of operations, but then if there are any terrorist activities, security forces will respond appropriately. Its premature for me to comment on what will be the next step but if terrorism persists, government and security forces will have to take a tough line.

Q: Are you saying that if the situation continues to be what it is right now, suspension of ceasefire will not continue. Is it not contrary to the governments view?

Ram Madhav: There can be different views at this juncture, but as I said we all have to wait till the end of the month. We will give our realistic assessment to the government. We will get assessments from agencies. The government will then take a final view.

Q: The security forces are of the view that the momentum of their anti-terror operations have come to a screeching halt because of this ceasefire. Is it a concern that the government views seriously?

Ram Madhav: That will also be taken seriously. The suspension of operations and all of that is there but this is with the specific objective. We thought that let security forces show a gesture of goodwill during Ramzan. Let us expect proper reciprocation from the other side. We are pursuing Kashmir from two approaches. One, we go after the terrorist, we tackle terrorism as if there is no scope of any other alternative like peace. But at the same point we are committed to pursuing peace as if there is no terrorism in the valley. We have to pursue both lines, our interlocutor is pursuing the line of peace. Our security forces, which have been asked to exercise restraint in the month of Ramzan.

Q: Should we see this current ceasefire as an acceptance that the earlier stance of the government which was Operation All Out by the Army was flawed. That it had become a zero sum game. It seemed the more terrorists security forces were killing in the valley, an even greater number were picking up the gun? It wasn't working out. Is the ceasefire an acceptance of that as well?

Ram Madhav: Not true at all. It is a completely flawed assessment. In the last two or two and a half years, our security forces have been able to neutralise large number of terrorists. more than 600 of them have been neutralised. They were pursuing hard line agenda to neutralise terrorists in the valley very vigorously. As a gesture of goodwill, keeping the sacredness of Ramzan in mind, the govt has asked security forces to suspend operations. But if this continues, again I am repeating myself, then the security forces will return to what was happening before Ramzan. The home minister, it is on record, has asked Hurriyat to come forward for talks. This is a gesture shown by the home minister of this country. We are hoping that before the end of Ramzan month, Hurriyat leadership will respond appropriately.

Q: Is the government already speaking to the Hurriyat? Are the back channel talks already on?

Ram Madhav: The government has made arrangements to talk to all sections of the society in the Kashmir valley. Government is willing to have open political negotiations with different sections, including Hurriyat. As far as Pakistan is concerned, it is a different matter.

Q: The Hurriyat is saying there is no point in talking with us if you cannot bring Pakistan to the table. Your ally, Mehbooba Mufti, has also said the same. She said we need to speak to Pakistan as well. What's the party and the government's view on that?

Ram Madhav: Government stand is we are ready to talk to all sections in the Kashmir valley, including hurriyat. Our interlocutor is already working on that. There can be other arrangements also. As far as Pakistan is concerned that is a different issue, that call will be taken on a different level.Bengaluru: JD(S) has decided to back out of the Jayanagar bypoll leaving it to alliance partner Congress to take up the fight against BJP.

JD(S) on Tuesday issued a press release to say that the party candidate and workers would extend their support for Congress candidate Soumya Reddy.

Election in Jayanagar had been deferred owing to the death of BJP candidate BN Vijaya Kumar.

Jayanagar election was postponed along with Rajarajeshwari Nagar (RR Nagar) where several voter ID card scandal led to a police case and a massive upheaval just days ahead of the May 12 elections.

Congress later won the RR Nagar bypoll with a comfortable margin of over 25,400 votes, thus gaining more numbers in the 224-member Karnataka Assembly.

Congress and JD(S) had fought the RR Nagar bypoll against each other despite being coalition partners, as they failed to come to a consensus on supporting one of their candidates.

With Congress winning Rajarajeshwari Nagar, the Congress-JDS coalition now has the support of 118 MLAs in the House with an effective strength of 222.

While the Congress has 79 MLAs, Kumaraswamy's JD(S) has 36 while BSP has 1. The alliance has also claimed the support of the lone KPJP MLA and an Independent.Members of the Ngirita family in Naivasha have accused authorities of harassment following a raid on their home on Sunday.

Reports indicate that heavily armed DCI officers from Nairobi and Nakuru raided the home in Lakeview around 7 pm. The sleuths, who appeared to be looking for something specific, broke into several septic tanks and sewer lines.

A relative who sought anonymity due to fear said that the officers arrived in three vehicles and broke the gate to their mothers house before gaining access to the compound.

There was no search warrant, we came to learn from neighbors that the officers were already in the compound and we suspect something sinister in the whole exercise, said the relative.

The detectives are said to have left the residence in a hurry after learning that officers from a local police station had been alarmed.

A source at Naivasha police station confirmed the raid but said they were not in any way involved.

The officers did not involve us in their operation and we are yet to know what they were looking for that late in the night, said an officer.

Members of the Ngirita family, whose five kin are being held in prison over the NYS scandal, said that their lives were in danger over the ongoing case.Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today said at least nine MLAs from the JD(S) will be inducted in the first phase of cabinet expansion of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state.

"In the first phase (of the cabinet expansion), eight to nine members (MLAs from JD(S)) will be there (inducted in the cabinet). Two to three vacancies will be there," Kumaraswamy said here when asked about the first phase of cabinet expansion.

Kumaraswamy also ruled out any differences among JD(S) MLAs over cabinet berths and allocation of portfolios and said party president H D Deve Gowda has been given total freedom on the next phase of cabinet expansion.

"There are no differences at all among our MLAs (over cabinet berths and portfolio allocations). Actually they have given total freedom to the national president to select the future cabinet," he told reporters.

Kumaraswamy also said the national president has advised all MLAs about giving good governance with their cooperation.

"Today we had a meeting with our MLAs. Our national president advised all MLAs to cooperate with the cabinet for developing the state and providing good governance," he said.

As per the coalition agreement on June 1, Congress was allocated 22 ministerial berths and 12 to JD(S).

Congress were allocated Home, Irrigation, Health, Agriculture and Women Child Welfare ministries, while JD(S) Finance and Excise, Public Works Department, Education, Tourism and Transport ministries.

Both parties also agreed on setting up of coordination and monitoring committee to oversee smooth functioning of the coalition.

The committee will be led by senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, while JD(S)' Danish Ali will work as its convenor.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Cabinet expansion tomorrow, Congress leaders from the state are likely to visit New Delhi to discuss the list of ministers and portfolio allocation with the party high command.Patna: A day after the JD(U) demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be projected as the BJP-led NDA's face in Bihar, the Janata Dal (United) president today declined to comment on the issue over who will be the 'face' of the NDA in the state when Lok Sabha polls are held next year.

Earlier in the day, Deputy CM and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said Nitish Kumar is the ruling alliance' leader in the state and the NDA will seek votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the name of the JD(U) chief and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's works.

"This is a special occasion when I would like to see happiness on all faces. Please do not ask about any other face right now," Kumar quipped in response to queries by reporters.

The journalists gathered at his official residence of the chief minister to attend the Iftaar party organised by him.

When pressed further, he said, "All your queries would be answered at an appropriate time. Right now, let us pray that the holy month of Ramadan brings peace and prosperity to Bihar."

The JD(U) has asserted that the chief minister is the face of the NDA in the state, which is being speculated as an indirect demand for greater share of seats in the parliamentary polls.

Out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, the BJP has 22 in addition to nine others held by allies like the LJP and the RLSP. The BJP and JD(U) fought separately in the 2014 general election.

The JD(U) registered victories in only two seats but has the largest number of MLAs among all coalition partners in the state Assembly.

"May the followers of all religions live together in peace and may mutual respect flourish. Let us also pray that our state, which suffers the wrath of nature almost every year, does not face drought or floods", Kumar added.

A host of dignitaries, including state Assembly Speaker

Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council Haroon Rashid, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and cabinet ministers Nand Kishore Yadav and Mangal Pandey attended the Iftaar party.New Delhi: In a distinct departure from the age-rule set by the BJP for contesting elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants veteran party leader LK Advani to contest Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

According to a report in Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika, other veterans like Murli Manohar Joshi might also be fielded by the BJP.

Advani contested and won the last LS elections from Gandhinagar in Gujarat but has been marginalised within the party ever since. He along with MM Joshi did not find a place in BJPs highest decision-making body  the Parliamentary Board. Party President Amit Shah instead created a five-member advisory body  Marg Darshak Mandal  comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Shah himself and the two leaders Joshi and Advani. The Marg Darshak Mandal has not had a single meeting since its inception.

The Anandabazaar Patrika story claims Modi recently met 90-year-old Advani at his home at Prithviraj Road in Delhi. BJP President Amit Shah too has met the nonagenarian leader with the proposal.

The recent developments with the BJP coincide with some allies leaving the NDA ahead of the elections (TDP) and some others asserting themselves for a larger say in running the government and seat sharing.

Both Shiv Sena and JD(U) in Bihar have made their discomfort clear in the last one month.

The change in BJPs position on veteran leaders is being seen as a move giving weightage to winability of the candidates than their age.

In the Karnataka elections last month, the BJP relaxed the age bar for its CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa.

BJPs reported proposal to the party veterans comes at the time of attempts by the opposition to cobble together a nation-wide alliance against the NDA and a string of bypoll defeats the joint opposition has recently inflicted on the ruling party.

The opposition has often accused the BJP and its top leaders of ignoring and marginalising party veterans in the last four years of the NDA rule.Bhopal: A day ahead of party president Rahul Gandhis visit to Mandsaur, Congress put up a mega show of strength on ground by staging a massive protest against spike in petrol-diesel prices in Bhopal on Tuesday.

Interestingly, despite repeated claims of unity ahead of assembly polls, opposition Congress was unable to take to the streets of Madhya Pradesh to corner the BJP government.

It was also an occasion where state president Kamal Nath and Campaign Committee chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia came together after PCC vested key responsibilities in them.

Enthusiastic Congress workers in huge numbers turned out in the protest giving some anxious moments to the ruling party.

Defying the blistering heat, both the senior leaders accompanied by hundreds of party workers and leaders had taken out the rally from PCC office on bullock carts and addressed party workers at several places on their way to CM's House. The procession halted before it could reach the destination and black balloons were flown to mark their protest.

The administration had deployed heavy police force in the wake of the protest and roads leading towards CM House were heavily barricaded. Police detained hundreds of party workers but released them later.

Earlier, throwing an open challenge to CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Scindia ahead of the protest rally told the media that he was ready for a debate on development with Chouhan "at a place and time of his choice".

The BJP is apprehensive of Rahul Gandhis rally in Mandsaur and is conniving to render it as a failed event, Scindia said.

He stated that crude oil prices are falling in international market but the BJP government has failed to slash petrol-diesel prices in India.

Those raja-maharaja and corporate people who seldom travel by road are merely having a photo session on bullock carts. These people have nothing to do with the hassles of the poor and only come to MP for political tourism during elections, BJP spokesperson Rajnish Agrawal said.Lucknow: Just a day after minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi made a strong pitch for making development or Vikas BJPs key electoral issue in 2019 elections, senior party leader Vinay Katiyar has mocked the idea.

Speaking to News18, the party's face of Ram Temple movement and former Rajya Sabha MP, Katiyar said, Vikas alone will not help BJP win the election. The emphasis needs to be brought back on Ram temple.

Subsequent defeats in crucial Lok Sabha bypolls, starting with Gorakhpur and Phulpur in March and in Kairana a few days ago, has set alarm bells ringing within the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

On Monday, BJP ally and UP cabinet minister Om Prakash Rajbhar had openly questioned BJP's politics of social engineering and held it responsible for the defeat.

Taking the cue, Katiyar raised serious questions about his party's leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Its not just the issue of party workers being ignored, although this which has led to large-scale resentment. It is also because party and government had almost ignored the issue of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he said.

Questioning Modi government's development push, Katiyar said, Vikas also happened during Atal Bihari Vajpyee's government, but party didn't come back to power in 2004 because temple issue was ignored.

He further said, Its high time the Modi government should be seen being serious about paving the way for Ram temple in Ayodhya, or else victory in 2019 will a challenge.

Katiyar also took a jibe at PM Modi, saying visiting mosques in other countries will not help, focus should be on removing difficulties in path of Ram Temple. He was referring to the PMs recent visit to southeast Asian countries, during which he paid visits to mosques, a fact that was dubbed by Akhilesh Yadav as minority appeasement.

The chief priest of the Ram Janambhoomi Temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, also expressed his displeasure over Naqvis statement that development would be the sole poll plank.

The BJP has cheated Lord Ram in a way. They came to power in the name of Lord Ram and then forgot him. If the BJP wants to win 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, it should start the construction of Ram Temple, else it will be difficult for them.Chinese smartphone manufacturer Lenovo is all set to launch its latest device Lenovo Z5 today at the China Film Director Center in Beijing. The launch event, according to the invite, will begin at 2 pm local time (11:30 am IST). Lenovo has garnered much attention for its upcoming smartphone which, as per its claims, will come with an all-screen front and now, the company has revealed another interesting piece of information about the same. After announcing the truly bezel-less display without any notch or chin whatsoever on the Lenovo Z5, Lenovo VP Cheng Cheng has revealed that the smartphone will come with a whopping 4TB of internal storage. This feat has never been seen before on a smartphone and if Lenovo manages to pull it off with the Lenovo Z5, it will be the first smartphone manufacturer to do so.

Also Read: Apple Issues New App Store Rules Aimed at Streaming PC-Based Games

In a recent post on Weibo, Lenovo VP Cheng Cheng teased that the Lenovo Z5 will offer 4TB of storage to its users, thanks to 'particle technology'. In his post, Cheng mentions that the storage would be enough to store 2000 HD movies, 150,000 music files and 1 million photos.

Earlier, Cheng had shared design renders of the Lenovo Z5 revealing a completely bezel-less smartphone. As per Cheng's posts, the screen-to-body ratio on the Lenovo Z5 will be more than 95 percent. The design-sketch of the device shows that there is not even a notch at the top of the display to house crucial elements like the selfie camera, earpiece, proximity sensor and more. Lenovo is expected to use a flip mechanism to swivel the front camera to use as and when required by the user. A similar setup was seen on Vivo's concept phone - Vivo APEX.

Also Read: SpaceX Delays Plans to Send Tourists Around Moon: Report

Lenovo Z5 is expected to be unveiled as a flagship smartphone by Lenovo and is said to carry 18 patented technologies, including four 'technological breakthroughs' achieved by the company.

Also Watch: Karbonn Titanium Frames S7 Review: A Decent Budget DealQualcomm has announced Snapdragon 850 chipset, built for Windows 10 PC, at the ongoing Computex 2018 being held in Taipei. The latest platform by Qualcomm has been made in a collaboration with Samsung for Always On, Always Connected PCs. The Snapdragon 850 comes with Snapdragon X20 LTE model as well as Qualcomm AI Engine to empower AI operations on the chipset. The new Mobile Compute platform is the successor to the 10nm Snapdragon 835 SoC.

Qualcomm claims a 30 percent increase in the performance and graphics of the Snapdragon 850 over the Snapdragon 835 despite being on the same 10nm process, because of the new 2.95GHz Kryo 385 CPU and Adreno 630 GPU. A 20 percent gain in Gigabit LTE speeds and the battery life of the device is also being promised on the Snapdragon 850. More enhancements on the Snapdragon 850 include Qualcomm AI Engine for 3X better AI performance and Qualcomm X20 LTE modem for global Gigabit LTE support.

Also read: Apple Mocks Google Android at WWDC 2018 With an Interesting Stat Comparison

As per Qualcomm, Snapdragon 850 also comes with built-in high-fidelity audio support, thanks to Qualcomm Aqstic as well as aptX audio features. The Snapdragon 850 also claims to deliver native DSD format, virtual surround sound, high dynamic range and 4k video recordings. It will support Microsoft's Machine Learning SDK to help developers create more AI features for the SoC. Qualcomm is expected to make an announcement about the availability of the SoC soon.

Watch: Huawei P20 Pro Review: Huawei Nails it With The Triple CameraBuenos Aires: American filmmaker Woody Allen has backed the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and said he would have been a "poster boy" for the cause if he hadn't been unfairly maligned.

"It is a good thing they are exposing them," Allen told Argentina's Canal 13 television network.

The publication of bombshell articles about movie mogul Harvey Weinstein in October has triggered a watershed moment that has since felled the careers of dozens of powerful men across a variety of industries.

"I should be the poster boy of the MeToo movement. I've worked in movies for 50 years, I've worked with hundreds of actresses, and not a single one has ever suggested any kind of impropriety at all," he continued, adding that the women working in production in his films had all been paid the same as men.

The 82-year-old actor and director said that he was frustrated he was being bracketed with abusers exposed by the movement over allegations he molested his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, in 1992 when she was seven years old.

He was cleared of the charges, first levelled by his then-wife Mia Farrow, after two separate monthslong investigations.

"People who have been accused by 20 women, 50 women, 100 women of abuse and abuse and abuse, and I -- who was only accused by one woman in a child custody case, which was looked at and proven to be untrue -- I get lumped in with these people," Allen said.

"This is just so crazy. This is something that has been thoroughly looked at 25 years ago by all the authorities, and everybody came to the conclusion that it was untrue. And that was the end, and I've gone on with my life.

"And now, for it to come back now, it's a terrible thing to accuse a person of. I'm a man with a family and my own children. So, of course, it's upsetting."

The allegations resurfaced in the wake of the #MeToo movement, leading a string of actors Allen has worked with to distance themselves from him.

Moses Farrow, the adopted son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, released a lengthy personal essay last month, disputing the story and accusing his mother of abuse.Los Angeles/New York: Starbucks Corp Executive Chairman Howard Schultz is stepping away from the coffee chain he built into a global powerhouse, putting management firmly into the hands of Chief Executive Kevin Johnson, who had an office connected to the co-founder's and regularly turned to Schultz in times of crisis.

Johnson faces a raft of challenges on the horizon. He is facing cooler growth in Starbucks' dominant U.S. market and intense competition from rivals - ranging from high-end coffee shops to more affordable fast-food chains - as the company undertakes a massive expansion project in China.

While Johnson, a former technology executive, can turn to new Starbucks Chairman Myron Ullman and his decades of retail experience, the news left some investors questioning how the iconic coffee brand will evolve after the June 26 departure of Schultz, who has been a near-constant presence for nearly four decades and crafted the company's inclusive culture.

"It removes a perceived leadership 'safety net' and creates a degree of uncertainty at a time when Starbucks faces a number of challenges," said BMO Capital Markets analyst Andrew Strelzik.

The announcement also fuelled speculation that Schultz, 64, a liberal-leaning executive known for being outspoken on social issues ranging from gay marriage to government gridlock, will make a U.S. presidential bid.

"For two years, I have offered that Schultz will seek the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. I still believe so," said Douglas Kass, founder of hedge fund Seabreeze Partners Management Inc, who has a "short" position on Starbucks shares.

Schultz has repeatedly denied that he has political ambitions, but he appeared to be more open to the idea in an interview with CNN last week.

Asked specifically about a U.S. presidential run, Schultz said in a New York Times article on Monday: "I intend to think about a range of options, and that could include public service. But I'm a long way from making any decisions about the future."

Starbucks declined to make Schultz or other Starbucks executives and board members available for comment.

DEJA VU?

Schultz, who introduced many inexpensive drip coffee-drinking Americans to lattes and other espresso drinks, took the Seattle-based company from 11 cafes to more than 28,000 in 77 countries and brewing up outsized gains for many investors.

He stepped down as CEO in 2000, but retook the helm in 2008 after the U.S. housing crisis sent Starbucks, which had been on an expansion tear, spiralling.

Schultz, who closed hundreds of stores and turned the company around, remained hands-on after transferring the CEO job to Johnson in April 2017.

He was heavily involved in steering the company through an anti-bias training programme last month.

That effort came after a Starbucks cafe manager's call to Philadelphia police in April resulted in the arrests of two black men who were waiting for a friend - leading to protests and accusations of racial profiling at the chain.

Schultz was also overseeing the opening of upscale Reserve stores and massive Roastery showrooms as part of an effort to shore up Starbucks' coffee leadership.

"He's leaving when it's still in its nascent form," Bernstein analyst Sara Senatore said of that project, known as Siren Retail.

"The last few times he's tried to step away, he's ended up stepping back in," Tony Scherrer, director of research at Smead Capital Management, said.

Schultz will resign from Starbucks' board and be named chairman emeritus on June 26, the company said.

Starbucks shares were down 0.8 percent at $56.64 in extended trading.Chicago: A high school student giving a graduation speech in the US state of Kentucky offered a lesson in politics over the weekend with a well-timed bait-and-switch.

Ben Bowling, valedictorian of his class at Bell County High School in Pineville  a tiny outpost in Kentucky's coal country - mentioned an inspirational quote during graduation ceremonies Saturday.

"'Don't just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table'  Donald J. Trump," Bowling declared.

Just as the audience began to loudly cheer in this deeply Republican corner of America, Bowling held up his hand.

"Just kidding, just kidding, that was Barack Obama," the 18-year-old said.

Obama, of course, was Trump's predecessor in the White House and a Democrat.

The cheering quickly faded. There was a sprinkling of chuckles and a lone half-hearted boo.

The online clip of the fleeting moment captured the US media's attention on Monday, seen as emblematic of a political climate in which both sides think the other can do no right.

Bowling, who has granted no interviews since the weekend, except to The Courier-Journal newspaper of Louisville, said he thought the moment was lighthearted and funny.

"I just thought it was a really good quote," he told the newspaper. "Most people wouldn't like it if I used it, so I thought I'd use Donald Trump's name. It is southeastern Kentucky after all."

During the 2016 election, Trump won in this part of Kentucky that Bowling calls home by a 62 percent margin over his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

Among other things, the Republican promised to bring back jobs in America's declining coal industry.

Obama delivered the quote Bowling cited during a 2012 commencement speech at Barnard College in New York.

"You are now poised to make this the century where women shape not only their own destiny but the destiny of this nation and of this world," Obama told graduates at the women's college.

"My first piece of advice is this: Don't just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table."Is Russia capable of carrying out untraceable assassinations, using AI? Expert says yes

According to a computer science professor by the name of Dr. Jeremy Straub, Russia is slowly but surely moving closer to a new Cold War, which he believes will be primarily fought using artificial intelligence.

Based upon what Putin has said it seems like that would be a strategy that Russia would use to the extent that they have the technology available, Straub said, referring to the use of untraceable artificial intelligence in a new Cold War. He added, I think certainly if they were to enter a Cold War, and fighting, they would use the technologies at their disposal and AI would certainly be a very strong technology for them to use.

The computer science professor reminded us that Vladimir Putin has talked openly in the past about using artificial intelligence as an equalizer, of sorts, between the United States and Russia. I think he certainly is looking for ways to use the technology now, whether any particular attack type would be employed is an open question.

Its worth noting that contrary to what far too many people in the United States believe, Vladimir Putin and the Russians are our enemies. The threat that they pose to America needs to be taken extremely seriously, especially if there is now reason to believe that they will use artificial intelligence in a second Cold War.

But Russia isnt the only country that has made headlines lately over suspicions that artificial intelligence will be used for malicious purposes. This past February, KAIST University in South Korea allegedly launched a new AI weapons lab, which many researchers suspect is being used to develop technology that has the potential to be weapons of terror.

Among those researchers who expressed concern over this new AI weapons lab is Toby Walsh, a professor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. In an open letter, Walsh argued: If developed, autonomous weapons will permit war to be fought faster and at a scale great[er] than ever before. They will have the potential to be weapons of terror. Even though the University of New South Wales professor acknowledged that there are many legitimate uses for robotics and AI within the military, Walsh boldly stated that KAIST shouldnt be able to determine who lives or dies.

Yet another country that is currently flirting with the idea of introducing artificial intelligence into their military is China. Last month, The Telegraph reported that a brief clip of an aging Type-59 tank equipped with new remote control technology has been revealed by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The Telegraph explained further that, according to state media, the Chinese military is experimenting with ways to connect military vehicles like tanks and aircraft to satellites as a means of getting them to perform faster and more efficiently than when they are operated solely by human drivers.

And of course, the United States military is no stranger to artificial intelligence either. As a matter of fact, there is a growing effort to develop more AI to fight alongside human soldiers out on the battlefield. For example, the U.S. Armys Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley spoke last year at an event put on by the Association of the United States Armys Institute of Land Warfare, where he explained that the future of warfare will depend largely on not just human soldiers, but also on technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence. (Related: The U.S. military is expected to have more robot soldiers than human by the year 2025.)

Indeed, this is going to be the future of warfare  robots and artificial intelligence will play just as big of a role as human soldiers out on the battlefield. Now, countries must either adapt their militaries to these advancements in technology, or risk being left in the past, conquered, or worse.

Sources include:

DailyStar.co.uk

TheSun.co.uk

Telegraph.co.ukWashington: She is known for her privacy and White House independence, often breaking with her husband's schedule. But Melania Trump's unusual 25-day absence from public view following surgery for a "benign" kidney condition has raised questions.

The first lady was scheduled to re-emerge in the public eye later Monday at a private reception for families of US soldiers killed in action  her first public appearance since being hospitalised last month.

But the Melania mystery only deepened when the White House event took place with no media access, and another day went by with no press sighting of her.

Mrs Trump, 48, has not been spotted since May 10, when she joined the president in greeting three American hostages released by North Korea.

Shortly afterwards, she entered Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what the White House described as a benign kidney procedure.

Despite the operation's routine nature, Melania remained there for five days, returning to the White House on May 19.

On Sunday, her spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham confirmed that Melania will not accompany the president to the G7 summit in Canada, nor to planned North Korea nuclear talks in Singapore.

It is a noticeable shift from weeks prior to her kidney surgery, when she engaged in several high-profile events.

In April, she represented the Trumps at former first lady Barbara Bush's funeral, rolled out her "Be Best" awareness campaign to help children, and orchestrated an elaborate state dinner for the Macrons of France.

Following her medical operation, her absence at events where the public has come to expect to see her alongside the president was well documented, leading her to take to Twitter to castigate reporters.

"I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am & what I'm doing," she tweeted Wednesday, assuring she was "here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, & working hard."

The tweet sparked a conspiracy theory that Trump himself may have written Melania's message, given that "working overtime" is a favorite idiom of the president when he tweets about the press.

Comedian Sarah Silverman retweeted the first lady's post, adding: "Who is this? where's Melania?"

The first lady skipped ceremonies, including a Memorial Day wreath-laying.

And she was not seen Friday boarding the helicopter that shuttled the president, Donald Trump Jrdaughters Ivanka and Tiffany, and to Camp David for a weekend retreat.

Spokeswoman Grisham dismissed the media speculation about Melania as "nonsense."

"Mrs. Trump has always been a strong and independent woman who puts her family and certainly her health above all else, and that won't change over a rabid press corps," she told Fox News.

Imagination 'running wild'

Meanwhile, the rumor mill churns online.

Some have speculated she has moved back to New York or is cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller, while others offer she may be healing after some secret plastic surgery.

Such a weekslong disappearance by a modern-day first lady is indeed rare, said Ohio University history professor Katherine Jellison, an expert on president's wives.

"I'm amazed Mrs Trump has been able to do it," she told AFP.

The first lady is not an elected position, and Melania Trump is under no obligation to keep the American people abreast of her health, activities or whereabouts.

Several 19th century first ladies spent long periods out of view. But over the past half century, it has become the expectation that people know the basic narrative of the first lady's activities.

Melania Trump, never one to obsess like her husband about media attention, has laid low before.

She went quiet in March as a media storm raged about revelations that her husband's lawyer paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 before the 2016 election to keep silent over her alleged affair with Trump years earlier.

White House silence, including about why Melania spent five days in hospital for a routine procedure, is only fueling the speculation.

"Without greater detail about her 'benign' condition, the public imagination is running wild," Jellison said.

"For most of the 20th century and certainly in the 21st century, a first lady hasn't had the option of not being a public figure -- regardless of unfortunate personal circumstances."Singapore: When US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meet for their historic summit in Singapore later this month, they will be protected by men from one of the fiercest warrior tribes in the world  the Gurkhas of Nepal.

While both leaders will bring their own personal security teams, elite Singaporean police, including its Gurkha Contingent, will be securing the summit venue, roads and hotels, according to diplomats familiar with VIP security in the island state.

The Gurkhas, who have a low-profile presence in Singapore, were more visible than usual at the weekend as they secured the Shangri-La Hotel for a security conference that included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other regional ministers.

The Gurkhas, recruited by the Singapore police from the hills of faraway Nepal, were kitted out in body armour, Belgian-made FN SCAR combat assault rifles and pistols in leg holsters at the conference, in what some security experts believed was a dry run for the US-North Korea summit.

Despite all the advanced weaponry, the Gurkhas do not prepare for battle without the khukri - the heavy curved knife that is their traditional weapon of choice. According to custom, the khukri must draw blood every time it is unsheathed.

They are among the best Singapore can offer, and I am sure they will be involved (in the summit), said Tim Huxley, an expert on Singapore's armed forces at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

They remain very much a substantial and frontline force, and the demands of this kind of event are precisely the sort of special operation that the Gurkhas are trained to handle," he said.

A spokesman for the Singapore police declined to comment on the deployment of the Gurkhas or their numbers.

The IISS Military Balance says 1,800 Gurkhas serve in the Singapore police, across six paramilitary companies.

A legacy in part of the British colonial era and more recent pragmatic Singaporean leadership, Singapore's Gurkhas are linked to a British tradition that has recruited and paid for elite regiments of soldiers from Nepal for more than 200 years.

Beaten back by the Gurkhas in the 19th century Anglo-Nepalese War and admired for their valour and fighting skills, the colonial British then began to recruit them. Now Gurkhas serve in the British, Indian and Nepalese armies, as well as in Brunei and Singapore.

They have fought in both world wars as well as the Falklands conflict and, more recently, in Afghanistan.

TOUGH, VIGILANT AND STEADFAST

Huxley said the Gurkhas had long proven to be an asset to Singapore's leadership, providing a neutral force within an ethnically diverse city-state, including VIP and anti-riot protection.

At times of regional tension, they have protected international schools, and are often seen at the Malaysia-Singapore border crossings.

The Singapore Police website describes the group as "tough, vigilant and steadfast" that operates "across the spectrum of paramilitary operations to help safeguard Singapore".

They live with their families in the secure Mount Vernon Camp outside the city, an enclave that ordinary Singaporeans are not allowed to enter.

A woman married to a Gurkha who lived in the camp said life there was restricted. "We have a curfew of 12 midnight," she said. "For women, we can let them know if we have a genuine reason to stay out, for men, there is no excuse.

"One of the rules we have is that we have to be in bed by 10.30 p.m. every night. This means no music, no nothing. Even if we have a party, we need to stop. If not, there will be some form of enforcement by the people patrolling."

Typically recruited at 18 or 19 before being trained in Singapore, the Gurkha soldiers retire at 45 when they are repatriated. While their children attend local schools, Gurkhas are not allowed to marry local women.

A handful of ex-British Army officers serve as sworn-in Singapore police in senior leadership, training and organisational roles.

"Although they are police, the links between the contingent and the British Army remain deep and strong," one British Army officer said. "They are part of a fine tradition."Iron Mantle: The people who have worn the Iron Man armor (besides Tony Stark)

Ahead of the MCU versions of Ironheart and Armor wars, looking at the men and women who've worn the Iron Man armorSorry!

This content is not available in your regionIn the Teaching and Learning Studio at Emory Universitys Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, students in Sarah McPhees Italian Baroque Architecture class crowded around Le Antichita Romane, four large 18th-century volumes opened to the etchings created by artist, architect and printmaker Giovanni Battista Piranesi.

As McPhee and graduate student Abbey Hafer gently turned the pages and described the details of the etchings, telling the stories of Piranesis work on them, the students pressed closer, transfixed as the inked masterpieces were brought to life.

It's so different to see these volumes in person because it allows us to more deeply interact with the material rather than just seeing images projected on a screen, says Hannah Middlebrook, a junior who is double-majoring in business and art history. Hearing about the detail and nuance that Piranesi put into making these volumes is really engaging and inspires me to continue studying his works.

Emory recently acquired Le Antichita Romane, the complete folio set by Piranesi (1720-1778), who documented, imagined and recreated ancient Rome  buildings, maps, mausoleums, cemeteries, street scenes and more  through incredibly detailed etchings.

Emorys Woodruff Library collaborated with the Michael C. Carlos Museum and the Department of Art History to obtain the rare set, which arrived at the Rose Library on Feb. 23. The four volumes, created around 1756, have stunning frontispieces and multiple fold-out pages that reveal large maps or other etchings.

The acquisition of these volumes will transform our ability to teach Piranesi at Emory, says McPhee, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Art History and the department chair. If you have the real thing, you hold it in your hands, you turn the pages, you see the texture of the paper, you understand in a way that you cant by seeing the volumes online or looking at a digital print. The degree of enthusiasm on the part of our undergraduates and graduate students is evidence that original works of art make all the difference.

A fruitful collaboration

Emory Libraries first became aware of this particular set of Le Antichita Romane through McPhee and art history associate professor Eric Varner, says Kim Collins, art history subject librarian and Research Engagement Services leader at the Woodruff Library. The set, which once belonged to Giannalisa Feltrinelli, mother of influential Italian publisher Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, is in excellent condition, McPhee says.

Collins confirms that many people from across the Libraries, the Carlos Museum and the art history department worked to research these volumes and make the case to bring this magnificent acquisition to Emory.

Emory Libraries, the Rose Library and the Carlos Museum secured the funding, and the art history department is committed to the intellectual use, McPhee says. She cites past classes that have used existing Piranesi works at the Carlos Museum and the Rose Library, and future classes that will use the newly acquired volumes.

In addition, Hafer, a graduate student in art history specializing in Roman Baroque architecture, will conduct research on the rare volumes as part of her Mellon Graduate Fellowship in Object-Centered Curatorial Research.

Hafer says her research will culminate in a digital catalog of works by Piranesi at Emory (which will include print volumes in the Rose Library and single prints in the Carlos Museum) and the possibility of a Carlos Museum exhibition of Emorys Piranesi materials.

We were already in the process of trying to acquire these volumes, but Abbeys interest in working on them was serendipitous, McPhee says. Abbey has the eye and research skills to make a substantial contribution to our understanding of Piranesi at Emory and the process will certainly train her in the field shes interested in learning about.

Teaching and the collection

Emory Libraries has been building its Views of Rome collection for more than 20 years, and the four volumes of Le Antichita Romane are an essential addition, McPhee says. Among the Rose Librarys Piranesi holdings are mixed volumes containing Piranesi prints and the Campus Martius Antiquae Urbis (1762), a first edition of his reconstruction of an important urban environment outside the walls of Rome.

The Carlos Museums holdings of Piranesi materials include a wealth of single-sheet prints showing different views of the Colosseum, the Pyramid of Caius Cestius, and many other sites. The museums 2013 exhibition, Antichita, Teatro, Magnificenza: Renaissance & Baroque Images of Rome, co-curated by McPhee, focused on 16th through 18th century Rome and included numerous works by Piranesi among more than 130 works on display.

The Campus Martius and other Piranesi prints have played major roles in courses taught at Emory. Students regularly use the Campus Martius at the Rose Library in art history classes, including Piranesi and Antiquity, Views of Rome, Italian Baroque Architecture and Rome in Print.

McPhee says she and Varner, who is on leave, plan to team-teach a new course on Piranesi sometime after he returns in fall 2019. Varner also wants to bring back his Piranesi and Antiquity course with a focus on the four newly acquired volumes.

With Kim (Collins)s help over the years, weve really been building Rome, McPhee said. Theres a great deal of interest and expertise in the subject in the art history department.

And much interest from the students, too, who appreciate having up-close access to the complete Le Antichita Romane set.

I feel extremely fortunate to have access to these kinds of rare books at Emory, knowing that I can explore these volumes and many others whenever I want, Middlebrook says. Often with rare books, it's difficult to obtain all the volumes, especially in such good condition. Seeing all the books laid out and flipping through page after page of detailed engravings by such an important architectural figure was really fascinating.

This acquisition is a wonderful example of a partnership across Emory Libraries, the Carlos Museum and Art History department to preserve and promote our cultural heritage, and to integrate unique resources such as these rare Piranesi volumes into teaching and learning at Emory, says Jennifer Meehan, interim director of the Rose Library.

Its inspiring to see the immediate impact of bringing such cultural heritage alive for students in the classroom and research experience, and to know of the future teaching and study this makes possible, she says.STAMFORD  Pedestrians strolling downtown on Monday stopped in their tracks. Passengers in cars on Bedford Street stuck cell phones out the window. All were hoping to get a picture of downtowns latest attraction: a 26-foot tall, 30,000-pound Marilyn Monroe statue in Latham Park.

Installed with the help of a crane, Forever Marilyn, depicting Monroe in her most famous pose from The Seven Year Itch is the largest piece in this summers Art in Public Places series presented by Stamford Downtown Special Services District. This summers series Timeless - The Works of Seward Johnson features 35 realistic, life-sized sculptures throughout the city, plus the giant Marilyn statue in the park, which will serve as her home for the rest of the summer.

Now in its 25th year, the summer art series has brought sculptures of shapes, dinosaurs and horses over the past several years. But many residents are saying this exhibit  the fifth featuring works from Seward Johnson  is the best yet.

This is definitely one of the better ones, said James Bruce, a Stamford resident for the past decade, of this summers series. Im more interested in this. This is the most intriguing.

The sculptures first caught Bruces eye on his drive to work a few weeks ago  he noticed them gathered in the vacant lot by Stamford Town Center, where they were awaiting installation. Since then, hes admired the realism of the pieces, including Keeping in Touch, a statue in front of the Ferguson Library depicting a man reading the paper with his dog.

The summer art series is one of the good things about Stamford, he said. Its something to look forward to.

The statue - particularly the installation of Marilyn - has served as a point of interest of residents and tourists alike. On Tuesday, artists from Seward Johnson Atelier will be giving her some final touches. On Wednesday, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Stamford Downtown will host its opening night celebration at The Palace Theatre with cocktails, hors douevres and tours of the sculptures and on Thursday at 6:30 p.m., the Avon Theatre, which sponsored the statue installation, will be holding a viewing of Forever Marilyn followed by a screening of The Seven Year Itch.

People are stopping in the street, people are wheeling carriages over, said Sandy Goldstein, president of Stamford Downtown Special Services. We have people saying Whats going on? Whats going on is we have the privilege of hosting this Marilyn Monroe sculpture. (Seward Johnsons) works are timeless...Its an extraordinary work of art. The realism of this is astounding.

Goldstein said Stamford is the fifth city to host the Marilyn statue. The sculpture has previously been on display in Hamilton, New Jersey, Chicago, Palm Springs, Cal. and Bendigo, Australia.

Throughout Monday morning into the afternoon, Forever Marilyn was put together in pieces, starting with her legs on the bottom. The sculpture came to Stamford from Johnsons studio in Hamilton, New Jersey, in five pieces on an open air, flatbed truck, according to Paula Stoeke, a curator for the Seward Johnson Atelier.

The way she has to be assembled is almost like layers of a cake, Stoeke said.

Stamford residents Janice and Bill Bemonte saw Forever Marilyn in Chicago around 2012 and came to Latham Park to watch her installation.

We were quite amazed, so I came down to see how they were going to get her together, Janice Bemonte said. Its going to draw a lot of people downtown. That was one of the attractions that drew people to Chicago.

The Bemontes agreed Johnsons sculptures are one of their favorite of the summer art series, though the realism of the statues was alarming at first  Bill admitted he thought one sculpture on Summer Street was an actual person waiting to cross the street.

It looks surreal, Janice Bemonte said.

This tops all the things weve had, her husband added.

erin.kayata@stamfordadvocate.com; (203) 964-2265; @erin_kayataTyler Sizemore / Tyler Sizemore

The New Milford Police Department has received two donated GPS collars for their police dogs.

The collars cost about $1,000 each and were paid for by Bozzutos and All American Waste.It was 1969, and Doug McClement was a 16-year-old hitch hiking to the Toronto Pop Festival on Highway 401 in southern Ontario.

Two young men from Danbury, Conn. picked him up; they already had two French-Canadian hitchhikers in the back of their old Chevy station wagon.

McClement only remembers them as Jerry and Allen.

"Hitch hiking was not as dangerous as it is now, and people were less suspicious of strangers. In a way, we were all 'heading down the highway, looking for adventure,'" McClement said in an email conversation.

The group of strangers spent their trip talking about music and politics. "Talking with young Americans who were draft eligible was fascinating for this Canadian teenager," McClement said.

They ran out of gas, made a couple U-turns and stopped to take a photo in a Toronto parking lot (above).

Now, almost half a century later, McClement has been sorting through his old photo negatives and converting them to digital files. He came across the old picture of Jerry and Allen and is wondering what ever happened to them.

Were either of them drafted? Are they still in Danbury? Are they grandfathers? Did they end up selling insurance or become dotcom millionaires?

McClement is asking Danbury readers if anyone recognizes these two young guys from the photo. He'd like to send them an email "thanking them for picking up a stranger at the side of the road so many years ago."

"The USA is getting a bad rap these days due to the situation in Washington, but guys like Allen and Jerry represent the average Americans I've run into over my life," he said. "People who are friendly, kind and would give you the shirts off their backs."

If you recognize Jerry or Allen, leave a comment.Syracuse, N.Y. -- Selena Hidalgo-Calderon, the farm worker found dead in the Sodus apple orchard where she worked, sought help for domestic violence three months before she was killed.

Her boyfriend, Alberto Reyes, 25, is the prime suspect in her death and in the disappearance of Hidalgo-Calderon's son. Owen Hidalgo-Calderon, 14 months, lived with the couple at the apple orchard where they worked. The child has not been seen since May 16. The Wayne County Sheriff recently called off the search for the boy and has said he does not expect to find the child alive.

Advocates and friends of Hidalgo-Calderon told the story of a young woman who left a violent home and country to find a better life for herself and her unborn child, but instead found more violence and isolation.

Hidalgo-Calderon and her mother, Estela, both fled their abusive home in Guatemala, said Rebecca Fuentes, lead organizer at the Workers Center of Central New York. Fuentes was friends with both women and their families, and spoke at a press conference today.

Hidalgo-Calderon left first, when she was pregnant with her son, Owen. The baby's father was not involved and Hidalgo-Calderon's father wanted her out of the house, Fuentes said.

So the girl came to the U.S., pregnant and alone. She entered the country illegally and was picked up by immigration authorities. She spent months in an immigration detention facility for unaccompanied minors in Arizona. Her son, Owen, was born there, Fuentes said.

Hidalgo-Calderon made her way to Upstate New York where she found work on Melrose Dairy Farm in Owasco, alongside her mother, Estela Calderon. Estela Calderon left an abusive husband in Guatemala, Fuentes said, to join her daughter in a safer place.

Both were were facing deportation orders and were seeking asylum to stay in the country.

The living conditions at the dairy farm were so bad that the farm was cited by the town of Owasco. Hidalgo-Calederon left with her son and boyfriend, Reyes, who also worked at the farm, for new jobs at the Sodus apple orchard.

Hidalgo-Calderon spoke of domestic violence to an advocate shortly after moving with her Reyes to the orchard. She also had saved up money to buy a car, an old Chevy Trailblazer. Whether it was to escape, or to simply be able to take her son to church and the store, no one is certain.

What is certain, Fuentes said, is that the couple's home and life were isolated. The closest store was at least a 15-minute drive. And Hidalgo-Calderon could not drive the car she recently bought. It failed inspection and she needed a drivers license, which she could not legally get in New York. There are 12 states where undocumented immigrants are able to get drivers licenses, but New York is not one of them.

Fuentes read a statement from Estela Calderon at a press conference today.

"I have my heart in pieces for what was done to my daughter. She was very brave. And she was so good to her family. Immigrants are not evil. We come here to work. We come here because we are running from problems in our country, like poverty and violence," Estela Calderon said in the statement.

"The person who did this to my daughter is evil. He did it not because he an immigrant, or because he is Mexican, but because he has no heart," Calderon said. "No woman should let herself be humiliated. No woman should stay quiet if they are being abused. It is so hard to think about how my daughter was full of life and that life was taken away from her."

Reyes, who was in the country illegally from Mexico, is facing felony charges for evidence tampering currently. His case is expected to go before a grand jury in Wayne County. He's also facing felony charges in federal court for illegally entering the country after being deported.

Fuentes and Carly Fox, a senior advocate at the Worker Justice Center of New York, said Hidalgo-Calderon's death underscores the isolated lives of undocumented farm workers. They often face domestic violence, but are unaware of the services that are available and often afraid to call law enforcement for help.

"What happened to Selena was preventable," Fox said.

Fox's organization, the Worker Justice Center of New York, launched a program to help farm workers facing domestic violence nearly two decades ago. But it has been hard to convince farm workers that they are safe when they call the police for help because often, they are not.

Calls to 911 often end with visits from Border Patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, Fox said. She cited two cases in Upstate New York where women called for help because they were being abused. In both cases, the women ended up in deportation proceedings. In one case, Border Patrol agents came to the abused woman's door before police even arrived, Fox said.

"No woman should have to make that choice," Fox said.

She and other advocates have worked with local police departments to dissuade them from calling immigration authorities when undocumented immigrants are seeking help and safety. Wayne County, where Hidalgo-Calderon lived, has been good at building trust with the undocumented community, she said.

Sheriff Barry Virts, who has been leading the investigation and the search for the missing child, made it clear that his officers do not call immigration authorities in. But workers who move from place to place so often don't know where it is safe to call for help and where it isn't, she said.

Hidalgo-Calderon's mother is holding out hope that her grandson, whom she called "mi gordito," my chubby one, because of his round cheeks, is still alive.

Tonight, Estela Calderon will pray for her slain daughter's soul. It is the last night of "novenario," nine days of prayers that are part of the family's Catholic Guatemalan culture. The prayers usually begin after the funeral, but Hidalgo-Calderon's body still has not been released by the medical examiner.

When it is, there will be a funeral and then her body will be sent back to Guatemala, the country she fled, for burial.

Marnie Eisenstadt writes about people, life and culture in Central New York. Have an idea or question? Contact her anytime: email | twitter | Facebook | 315-470-2246SYRACUSE, N.Y. - State officials say the public has no right to know if a New York doctor accused of stealing drugs from patients told them about his history of medical misconduct in North Carolina before they let him practice here.

On his application for a New York medical license, Dr. Richard F. Wessel was asked if his medical license had ever been suspended before. Syracuse.com obtained a copy of the application from the state Education Department through a Freedom of Information Law request.

The state agency blacked out Wessel's answer, even though public records in North Carolina show that state suspended his license twice for misconduct in 1999 and 2006.

The agency denied an appeal by syracuse.com which argued Wessel's answer was improperly redacted.

Disclosure of Wessel's answer would constitute an "... unwarranted invasion of privacy" and damage his reputation, the department said in a decision signed by state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia.

Robert Freeman, executive director of the State Committee on Open Government, said the Education Department's decision is wrong.

Freeman said he cannot understand why the state would withhold information that is already public in another state.

"This is basically a consumer protection issue," Freeman said. "We are talking about a licensed professional who has a degree of influence and control over peoples' lives."

The education department gave Wessel a New York medical license in 2014 after a review process that by law is supposed to determine if applicants are of "good moral character" and investigate any prior instances of medical misconduct in other states.

The agency said by law it cannot disclose if it was aware of Wessel's track record in North Carolina when it reviewed his application for a medical license here.

Wessel, 59, of Potsdam, was arrested in March and charged with stealing prescription painkillers from his patients at Canton-Potsdam Hospital in St. Lawrence County. He pleaded not guilty in April. He's being investigated by the state Board for Professional Medical Conduct, which suspended his license. After his arrest, Wessel entered a drug treatment facility in Pennsylvania.

North Carolina medical board records show Wessel went to a hospital on a Friday night in 1999 after drinking alcohol to implant a pacemaker in a patient. When asked for a blood sample to determine his blood alcohol level, Wessel took blood from a patient's intravenous line and submitted it as his own. After hospital officials discovered what he did, Wessel's medical license was suspended for two months.

The North Carolina medical board suspended the heart doctor's medical license again in 2006 for two years after he tested positive for cocaine and hydrocodone, a prescription painkiller, and improperly prescribed drugs.

Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245BAKU, AZERBAIJAN -- A recent graduate of the Syracuse University School of Law was eating at a cafe with his fiancee in the Azerbaijani capital Monday when he was "abducted" by plain-clothed police, according to journalists and human rights advocates.

Emin Aslan, a human rights lawyer and native of Azerbaijan, is now being detained by a unit of the country's interior ministry that purportedly deals with organized crime, according to news reports. But human rights advocates are calling the arrest bogus and are worried about his safety.

Aslan was accused of "disobeying the police," which is an administrative violation, and sentenced to 30 days in detention, according to human rights groups. He was denied access to an attorney and hasn't made contact with his fiancee or family, according to groups including Human Rights Watch and Civil Rights Defenders.

Whether Aslan will actually be released after 30 days is unclear, though some observers are cautiously optimistic based on the type of charge he faces. Information about his well-being has been difficult to come by, however.

we are used to bogus charges being used against #Aliyev prisoners in #Azerbaijan so its not surprising that #EminAslan who cooperated with the police yesterday agreeing to go w/them gets sentenced "for disobeying police to 30 days in administrative detention  Arzu Geybulla (@arzugeybulla) June 5, 2018

you know the biggest irony of hearing news about friends arrests in #Azerbaijan?! is that you are happy when you hear they are sentenced to administrative detention because it leaves hope, they will be released after serving their time  Arzu Geybulla (@arzugeybulla) June 5, 2018

Aslan just got a Master's of Law at SU with a focus on international law and legal studies, according to his LinkedIn page. He focused his law practice in Azerbaijan on human rights for young people and those with disabilities, according to his profile and his recent professor Corri Zoli.

"It's a shocking set of circumstances," Zoli said. "He was just graduated. I just watched him walk through graduation a couple weeks ago. He was literally back in the country for a day or two."

Emin Aslan was my student for the last 2 semesters at SU. I can't say enough about him as a superb student & colleague who excelled in his course of study, He is one of Azerbaijan's "best & brightest" with a tremendous future ahead for his country & the South Caucuses region. https://t.co/jP6Raq3iIm  Corri Zoli (@c_zoli) June 5, 2018

Zoli said she would not describe her former student as a subversive who railed against the authoritarian regime. She was not aware of what he planned to focus on upon his return to his home country.

She guessed his arrest was a reminder that he was no longer in the United States, done by a corrupt government that only has heavy-handed tactics to keep its citizens in line.

"They probably got nervous about Emin, because he was doing his degree in the U.S.," she said. "I think they nabbed him to send a message to let him know that there are boundaries."

Syracuse University did not respond to requests for comment, and neither did a State Department spokesman.

The arrest happened around 5:30 p.m. at a cafe. Several plain-clothes officers approached him and confirmed his identity before strong-arming him into a Mercedes that witnesses quickly identified as belonging to the interior ministry's anti-organized crime unit, according to investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilova.

Ismayilova said Aslan's phone was examined, including his Whatsapp and Facebook apps. She called Aslan a "human rights defender" who had represented her on several cases.

She also said the international response to Aslan's arrest and the outrage by the country's civil society is what resulted in the relatively minor administrative charge and sentence.

"We have to always react as we did in this case," Ismayilova wrote on Facebook. "Because in the past cases, people were kept for as long as 10 days before their whereabouts was identified. Long live Civil Society!"Currently, the dominant internet advertising method is intrusive banners.

Apart from the user experience issues, this creates a growing problem of spam, fraud and bots infecting the banner ad networks and systems.

An upcoming blockchain startup, Kind Ads will show internet users more relevant and less intrusive ads through channels like email marketing and push notifications so readers will see more relevant ads. The company recently underwent a $20 million private funding and has big plans.

The idea is to create a decentralized online advertising platform that serves user-friendly ads without any middleman fees. This allows advertisers to save money on platform, while publishers also keep more of their revenues.

Benefits of KindAds

Less spam  By removing the ad network, publishers can now control whats on their website.

Friendly user experience  By leveraging technologies like push notifications and email, advertisers no longer have to irritate users.

Get paid instantly  Publishers dont have to wait months before they get paid now.

Kinds Ads lowers costs and maximizes the value for readers.

Details of the scoring system and ecosystem

Here is the 30-page white paper.

Kind Ads has a decentralized protocol on the Ethereum blockchain that improves how publishers and advertisers engage online.

A core component of the Kind Ads Protocol is a blockchain-based scoring system which is called the Kind Ads Score. This score ranks publishers and domain names based on how much they are trusted by their users. Advertisers can use this trusted domain score to identify and advertise on the highest quality publishers in their niche.

The Kind Ads Protocol enables publishers to market directly to their audience in a less intrusive fashion  using more natural communication channels like e-mail, push notifications and chat  eliminating the need for annoying and intrusive display ads. Additionally, applications built on top of the Kind Ads Protocol can provide users with a global opt-out list and enable users to be compensated if they do choose to receive marketing messages. Perhaps most importantly, the Kind Ads Protocol, together with its applications facilitates this functionality without the 30%+ fees charged by most advertising middlemen

Neil Patel advising and $20 million in funding

KindAds has a solid technical and business team and $20 million in funding.

Neil Patel is advising KindAds.

Neil is a recognized and well-known expert on internet advertising.

Video interview of Neil Patel in regards to KindAds

Kindads Timeline

Product Roadmap The current roadmap and target timeline is expected to be as follows:

 Q1-2018

 Onboard initial launch partners

-a dozen launch partners including top global publishers placed Kind Ads ads on their site and advertising firms that will run ads

 Push notification offering

 Private Domain Score

 Q2-2018

 Global Opt-Out List

 Public Domain Score

 Q3-2018

 Rewards Pool

 Enable publishers and users to earn rewards for being good actors in the Kind Ads Ecosystem

 Launch Solo Email Platform

 Email is the most widely adopted method of building an audience for online publishers, and there already exists a robust ecosystem for communicating with subscribers via email. However, there is currently no go-to platform for advertisers and publishers to transact and exchange access to email subscribers. Kind Ads will enable advertisers to reach an audience via the email lists of vetted publisher partners

 Q4-2018

 Launch Chatbot Platform

 Launch application that enables advertisers to place ads within the chat bots of trusted publishers

 Launch Publisher Staking System

 Enable new publishers to be staked by existing users or advertisers to start with a preexisting Kind Ads Score

 Q1-2019

 Launch App Partner Platform

 Enable any app (technology) provider to launch their ad units on top of the Kind Ads Protocol

 Launch Bounty Program

 Add 2% to advertising rates and launch a bounty program to incentivize researchers to identify and disclose any compliance violations

 Q2-2019 and beyond

 The long term vision of the Kind Ads Protocol is to provide a channel agnostic advertising ecosystem.CU Boulder Assistant Professor Ann-Marie Madigan and a team of researchers have offered up a new theory for the existence of planetary oddities like Sednaan icy minor planet that circles the sun at a distance of nearly 8 billion miles. Scientists have struggled to explain why Sedna and a handful of other bodies at that distance look separated from the rest of the solar system.

One theory suggests that an as-of-yet-unseen ninth planet lurking beyond Neptune may have kicked up the orbits of these detached objects.

But Madigan and her colleagues calculated that the orbits of Sedna and its ilk may result from these bodies jostling against each other and space debris in the outer solar system.

There are so many of these bodies out there. What does their collective gravity do? said Madigan of the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences (APS) and JILA. We can solve a lot of these problems by just taking into account that question.

The researchers presented their findings today at a press briefing at the 232nd meeting of the American Astronomical Society, which runs from June 3-7 in Denver, Colorado.

The project takes a deep dive into the outer solar system, a busy place filled with minor planets, such as Pluto, icy moons and other space debris.

Its also an unusual place, gravitationally speaking. Once you get further away from Neptune, things dont make any sense, which is really exciting, Madigan said.

Among the things that dont make sense: Sedna. This minor planet takes more than 11,000 years to circumnavigate Earths sun and is a little smaller than Pluto. Unlike that original ninth planet, Sedna and other detached objects complete humongous, circle-shaped orbits that bring them nowhere close to big planets like Jupiter or Neptune. How they got out there on their own remains an ongoing mystery.

Enter the hypothetical Planet Nine. Astronomers have been searching for such a planet, which would be about 10 times the size of Earth, for about two years but have yet to spot it with telescopes.

Madigans team didnt originally intend to look for another explanation for those orbits. Instead, Jacob Fleisig, an undergraduate studying astrophysics at CU Boulder, was developing computer simulations to explore the dynamics of the detached objects.

He came into my office one day and says, Im seeing some really cool stuff here, Madigan said.

Fleisig had calculated that the orbits of icy objects beyond Neptune circle the sun like the hands of a clock. Some of those orbits, such as those belonging to asteroids, move like the minute hand, or relatively fast and in tandem. Others, the orbits of bigger objects like Sedna, move more slowly. Theyre the hour hand. Eventually, those hands meet.

You see a pileup of the orbits of smaller objects to one side of the sun, said Fleisig, who is the lead author of the new research. These orbits crash into the bigger body, and what happens is those interactions will change its orbit from an oval shape to a more circular shape.

In other words, Sednas orbit goes from normal to detached, entirely because of those small-scale interactions. The teams findings also fall in line with recent observations. Research from 2012 noted that the bigger a detached object gets, the farther away its orbit becomes from the sunexactly what Fleisigs calculations showed. Alexander Zderic, a graduate student in APS at CU Boulder, also co-authored the new research.

The findings may provide clues around another phenomenon: the extinction of the dinosaurs. As space debris interacts in the outer solar system, the orbits of these objects tighten and widen in a repeating cycle. This cycle could wind up shooting comets toward the inner solar systemincluding in the direction of Earthon a predictable timescale.

While were not able to say that this pattern killed the dinosaurs, Fleisig said, its tantalizing.

Madigan added that the orbit of Sedna is one more example of just how interesting the outer solar system has become.

The picture we draw of the outer solar system in textbooks may have to change, she said. Theres a lot more stuff out there than we once thought, which is really cool.

This research was supported by NASA Solar System Workings and the Rocky Mountain Advanced Computing Consortium Summit Supercomputer.NEW HAVEN  A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Tuesday at 1090 Chapel St. to welcome Neville Wisdom Fashions to The Shops at Yale in the Chapel Street Historic District, according to a release by Yale University Properties.

Neville Wisdom, owner of the store and a city resident, was raised in Windsor Castle, an area of Saint Mary, Jamaica, and taught himself the basics of making practical clothing before being mentored by a local designer who introduced him to womens fashions, the release said.Darren Mondezie and Johnathan Neverson arent the first to try mixing parking with modern technology, but they are looking to be the most convenient with their startup Liberty Parker.

The Stratford-based business focuses on making parking and finding available spaces easier with their parking garage guidance system, the Parker Marker. They created the program and physical device to help parking garage owners and staff monitor and use every space they have.

Were aiming to do something state of the art and something new, Mondezie said, stating the device will help staff and lot owners to monitor their vacant and occupied spaces in real time.

In the past, the Stratford residents said garage staff would think they were utilizing the entire lot when theyd have roughly 85 percent occupancy, which would ultimately hurt their bottom line.

The Parker Marker works as a sensor and is screwed into individual parking spaces while garage owners and staff use a smartphone- and tablet-compatible guidance system to keep tabs on vacancy and occupancy. As a car pulls into the space, the marker will register it as occupied until the drive pulls back out.

Along with optimizing garage use, Neverson said the Parker Marker was also designed to benefit drivers. While garage staff can use the program to monitor their spaces, drivers can use the program to locate open spots using Parker Markers from home, cutting their search time out of the equation.

I think that gives people an advantage, Neverson said

As an accounting and business management student at Southern Connecticut State University, Neverson, who graduated this year, said one of the biggest problems he and his classmates faced was finding parking when they were pressed for time.

As you start looking around for that parking spot you realize youre not going to be able to make that exam in five minutes, he said.

Neverson teamed up with his childhood friend Mondezie, who graduated from Fairfield University with an engineering degree, to address what they considered an underserved sector.

For metro areas like downtown Bridgeport, which has its share of parking struggles, Mondezie said the Parker Marker system could be a viable solution to maximize the use of spaces on streets.

It wouldnt be difficult to bring it into Bridgeport or any of the cities, for that matter, he said. I think the main thing is introducing it to the cities for them to feel comfortable because this is something thats going to be brand new.

The duo is looking to secure funding for the product line and clientele in different cities.

While their first product is focused on parking garages and lots, Mondezie and Neverson said they are exploring ideas for curbside models. Development of that product hasnt begun.State Sen. Beth Bye said the U.S. Supreme Courts gay wedding cake decision felt like a punch in the gut.

My immediate reaction was just thinking of the lunch counters  because of who you are, you can be denied services, the West Hartford Democrat said, referring to racial segregation in the pre-civil rights era.

Bye and her wife were the first gay couple to marry in Connecticut, after the state legalized same sex marriage in 2008. She and her wife view the courts as their protector, she said, but this time the courts let them down.

In a 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission was hostile toward the religious beliefs of baker Jack Phillips who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.

The ruling essentially left the big issue  whether religious beliefs can ever justify unequal treatment in the marketplace  postponed for a later day, said Emily Bazelon, a Yale Law School researcher who writes about womens issues and gay rights.

In a politically savvy ruling, the courts said we just think the Colorado civil rights commissioner didnt speak with sufficient respect for religion, Bazelon explained.

LGBTQ advocates who had hoped the court would resoundingly say that discrimination on the basis on sexual orientation is always unconstitutional were disappointed. Anthony Crisci, executive director of the Triangle Community Center, an LGBTQ center in Norwalk, said people were calling the center with questions all day.

Its kind of an indifferent decision that doesnt advance LGBTQ rights one way or the other, he said.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops rejoiced at the ruling.

Artists deserve to have the freedom to express ideas  or to decline to create certain messages  in accordance with their deeply held beliefs, the chairmen of the bishops group said in a statement.

Although its majority sided with the baker, the court reaffirmed existing protections for gay rights and left open the possibility that other cases raising similar issues could be decided differently.

Connecticut law protects LGBTQ individuals from discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation. The state was the third in the nation to legalize gay marriage, a step it took in 2008.

At the time, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. was the states attorney general and oversaw implementation of the legalization.

This narrow ruling gets it wrong by allowing this shameful discriminatory act in Colorado to go unchecked, Blumenthal said Monday. But I agree with the Court where it explicitly affirms the right of LGBT Americans to be free from discrimination  a concept that shouldnt even require debate.

The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities received 72 complaints on the basis of sexual orientation in the fiscal year 2017. The Triangle Community Center is regularly hears complaints that never get reported, however, Crisci said.

The reality is in Fairfield County and in greater Connecticut and in the country, there are service providers who discriminate against LGBTQ people, he said. Its still really hard to enforce those policies.

emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunsonPosted by PickupTrucks.com Staff | June 5, 2018

By Aaron Bragman

When we get to test a pickup truck, it's usually for week during which we drive it, at most, a couple of hundred miles and report to you what it's like from our limited experience with it. But now and then, we like to plan a longer voyage in a test vehicle to get a better feel for what it's like. These longer trips also provide the chance to find out what kind of real-world fuel economy it can achieve.

The new 2019 Ram 1500 wowed us at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, stunning everyone with its clean, futuristic yet surprisingly conservative exterior lines and show-stopping high-quality interior. The new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 might have been more impressive from an exterior styling and powertrain standpoint, but the Ram was the one we chose as the Detroit Best in Show, for the aforementioned reasons.

I had a road trip planned from Ann Arbor, Mich., to the Great Titan Meat-Up in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., before I knew that a new Ram would be gracing my driveway. Yeah, I drove a Ram to a Titan event. Yes, Nissan was as thrilled as you might imagine. But with the opportunity to drive it to Tennessee and back followed by a few days of touring Detroit with some visiting friends from the United Kingdom, I knew I had the perfect chance to get to know the Ram a little better. One week and more than 1,300 miles later, I became pretty familiar with the new model.

The 2019 Ram 1500 that showed up that May morning was a mid-level Laramie model  not the Laramie Longhorn super-luxury trim, but the more common, more reasonably priced trim. I say reasonably priced, but the sticker on my V-8-powered, crew-cab, 4x4 model was still a whopping $55,325, which is a crazy amount of money for a pickup truck, especially one that's not a range-topping trim. The base price was still a hefty $48,535 (both prices include an increasingly onerous destination charge of $1,645). But, like all pickups, you probably won't pay anywhere near this price for one, thanks to generous incentives and competition.

These early 2019 Ram 1500s only come with the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine, which is likely limiting sales but is allowing Ram to get the rest of the powertrains right before unleashing them to the public. We expect to drive the eTorque-equipped Pentastar V-6 and eTorque Hemi V-8 models later this summer; the new EcoDiesel won't arrive until 2019. But that's OK, the Hemi remains as good as ever, equipped with cylinder deactivation and mated to the smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. It rumbles appropriately, provides seemingly endless torque and the cylinder deactivation is nigh undetectable.

On the highway, it's smooth and silent. In fact, the Ram 1500's overall quietness is quite remarkable and a tribute to the aerodynamicists in Ram's employ. The smoother flanks of the big truck allow air to flow better over the skin, impressively minimizing wind noise. The ride is exceptional as well, thanks to Ram's coil-spring rear suspension. There's no bounciness or choppiness to the ride quality, even when the bed is empty, as I've experienced in competitor trucks.

So how did it do on a road trip? My total voyage to Tennessee and back plus two days of playing tour guide through southeast Michigan saw me put 1,367 miles on the Ram 1500 at an observed 17.4 mpg combined. That's considerably better than the calculated 15.6 mpg that the truck's computer told me I was getting. That's not bad, considering this is a full-size, V-8-powered, crew-cab 4x4 pickup. I was regularly getting more than 20 mpg during highway driving through the flat countryside of Michigan and Ohio, but was unable to maintain that in the hills of Kentucky and Tennessee. I kept my speed to within 10 mph of the posted speed limit as well, but I was in no way babying the throttle  my goal was to see how it worked when used normally, not when attempting to hypermile it. EPA estimates for the 4x4 2019 Ram 1500 are 15/21/17 mpg city/highway/combined, so the Ram pretty much hit those marks.

It also compares favorably to the last official mileage test we performed on a 2015 Ram 1500, during the 2015 Light-Duty Challenge. Then, the Ram turned in an observed 16.4 mpg rating over our test loop, so it looks like the improved aerodynamics, retuned V-8 and lighter weight of the 2019 model will pay off. It makes us even more eager to see what the eTorque system does for the V-6 and V-8 models, and to see what the new EcoDiesel delivers when it finally arrives next year.

Cars.com graphic by Paul Dolan; manufacturer image"Wonder Woman" and "Asus" come together like peanut butter and jelly. The titular actress was appointed to brand ambassador for Asus PCs early this year and Asus is leveraging that fact again for Computex 2018. The move will hopefully boost Asus' public image to ultimately sell more PCs worldwide.

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Aside from the slew of new Asus announcements at Computex this year, the PC maker is still planning to boost its marketing reach and image moving forward with celebrity endorsements. The manufacturer first announced Gal Gadot as its new "brand ambassador" for ZenBook and VivoBook products in March and it is again reaffirming the partnership in all its press material.

The concept of brand ambassadors and celebrity endorsements are nothing new. Lenovo, for example, has been partnering with at least two celebrities including Ranbir Kapoor and Ashton Kutcher for various product development and marketing tasks while HTC pulled in Robert Downey Jr. to help advertise its One series of smartphone back in 2013. Dell in particular employed Tom Holland and Paul Rudd to make appearances at CES 2017 and CES 2018, respectively. In Asus' case, the partnership allows the Taiwanese maker to use Gadot's likeliness in posters, commercials, press events, and other advertisements to help sell its products.

Asus is clearly taking advantage of the worldwide Woman Woman phenomenon that will only become bigger once the inevitable sequel begins to take shape. There's no doubt that the marketing appeal for Asus products has just received a much-needed performance boost, but we'll have to wait and see if the crazy ZenBook and AI concepts can actually resonate with press and consumers. The U.S. Supreme Court sided with a Colorado baker, above, who refused to create a wedding cake for a gay couple, in a closely watched case pitting gay rights against claims of religious freedom. [The New York Times]

 Rescuers in Guatemala searched for survivors after a volcano erupted near the capital, killing at least 65. [The New York Times]

 Tens of thousands of pro-democracy activists gathered in Hong Kong to commemorate the 29th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing, an event whose remembrance is suppressed in mainland China. [The New York Times]

 President Vladimir Putin of Russia said he did not want to divide the E.U., ahead of a visit to Austria, his first trip to a Western European country in almost a year. [Reuters]

 The Alternative for Germany party is divided over comments by its co-chairman suggesting that the countrys 12-year Nazi dictatorship was an insignificant part of German history. [Deutsche Welle]

 Fire safety experts in Britain presented an inquiry into Londons deadly Grenfell Tower fire with a catalog of major failures that led to the inferno, including flammable doors, a broken fire elevator and a culture of noncompliance. [The Guardian]

 A British court convicted a Muslim teenage girl of plotting a terrorist attack on the British Museum in London. Her mother and sister have also pleaded guilty to terrorism charges. [BBC]WASHINGTON  Seven months after Maine voters approved a ballot measure to expand Medicaid to tens of thousands of additional residents, a state judge on Monday ordered Gov. Paul LePages administration to stop stonewalling and move ahead with the plan.

It was the second victory in a week for Medicaid expansion, which became possible under the Affordable Care Act. Lawmakers in Virginia voted last week to open the program to an additional 400,000 residents. Advocates in Utah have succeeded in getting a question on the November ballot about expanding Medicaid, and similar efforts are underway in Idaho and Nebraska.

In Maine, Medicaid expansion advocates sued the LePage administration in April after it missed the deadline for submitting a plan to the federal government to expand the program. Residents who are newly eligible for Medicaid as a result of the ballot measure were supposed to get coverage starting in July, but Mr. LePage, a Republican, has repeatedly said the state doesnt have the money to pay for it.

Maine was the first state in the nation to expand Medicaid through a public referendum. Governors and legislatures in 17 other states that have refused to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act are watching closely.In one of his final acts as governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie signed what appeared to be a death warrant for an agency that has policed the ports around New York Harbor for 65 years. But that execution was stayed late last week.

On Friday evening, a federal judge in Newark temporarily barred Mr. Christies successor, Philip D. Murphy, from withdrawing the states support for the agency, the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor. The judge, Susan D. Wigenton, determined that it was in the public interest for the commission to continue trying to keep organized crime off the docks and issued a preliminary injunction.

When the commission was formed by a compact between New Jersey and New York in 1953, there was no question about mob influence in the ports. A series of articles on the subject in the New York Sun yielded an Oscar-winning film, On the Waterfront, that helped make a star of Marlon Brando.

But in recent years, lawmakers in Trenton have argued that the commission does more harm than good by impeding hiring and limiting the economic impact of the shipping industry. The Democratic-controlled State Legislature repeatedly passed a bill that would effectively end the agreement with New York, but they could not get it past Mr. Christie, a Republican.Last week The Stanford Daily reported a curious story concerning Niall Ferguson, a conservative historian who is a fellow at Stanfords Hoover Institution. The story itself, although ugly, isnt that important. But it offers a window into a reality few people, certainly in the news media, are willing to acknowledge: the bad faith that pervades conservative discourse.

And yes, I do mean conservative. There are dishonest individuals of every political persuasion, but if youre looking for systematic gaslighting, insistence that up is down and black is white, youll find it disproportionately on one side of the political spectrum. And the trouble many have in accepting that asymmetry is an important reason for the mess were in.

But how can I say that the media refuses to acknowledge conservative bad faith? While some journalists remain squeamish about actually using the word lie, and theres still a tendency for headlines to repeat false talking points (which are only revealed to be false in the body of the article), readers do get a generally accurate picture of the extent to which dishonesty prevails within the Trump administration.

It seems to me, however, that the media makes Donald Trumps lies seem more exceptional  and more of a break with previous practice  than they really are. Trumps seven-lies-a-day habit and his constant claims of being victimized by people who accurately report the facts are only a continuation of something that has been going on in the conservative movement for years.The Trump teams claims are at once audacious and desperate. Its hard to know whether they represent a bold power grab, or a panicked response to an investigation that is closing in. I suspect the answer is a combination of the two. If Trump is guilty of serious crimes, and Mueller knows it, then Trumps future hinges on destroying the mechanisms by which a president could be held accountable, even if it means destroying Americas constitutional order.

Whatever Trump does, most Republicans will probably go along with it. In 500 days, Trump has managed to turn much of what remains of his party into an authoritarian cult. Among Republicans, he has an 87 percent approval rating; the only modern Republican president who was more popular with his own party at this point in his term was George W. Bush, and that was mere months after Sept. 11. A recent poll of voters in congressional swing districts found that 71 percent of Republicans mostly like Trumps handling of F.B.I. and criminal justice officials.

Trump has proved, again and again, that he can make his base discard their values out of loyalty to him. Hes gotten conservatives to anathematize the F.B.I. while cheering unilateral concessions to North Korea. Hes rallying Fox News behind the disgraced former Democratic Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, whose prison sentence he is considering commuting in order to send a message that systematic government corruption isnt a big deal.

Assuming Giuliani was not simply babbling incoherently, his outlandish hypothetical about shooting Comey could be meant to acculturate Americans to a maximalist version of presidential power. The question of whether a sitting president can be indicted isnt clear-cut; two opinions written by the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel say he cannot, but its never been directly tested in court. (The same office, incidentally, wrote an opinion saying the president cant pardon himself.) We can assume that Mueller wont go against Justice Department guidelines in the Russia investigation, but thats very different from saying that as long as hes in office, a president can kill his enemies with impunity.This much, however, is clear: Business owners and others have no obligation under the Constitution, nor can one be imposed by statute, to confine their religion to the private domain. On the contrary, they have the constitutional right to proclaim and act on their religious beliefs in the public domain, including in the domain of commerce. If you are a Christian (or Jewish, or Muslim, or Hindu) business owner, you may run your business according to your religious principles, subject to legal regulations that are neutral (that is, not rooted in antipathy to your religious beliefs or those of your fellow citizens) and general in their applicability (that is, they apply to everyone equally).

But much remains unresolved. Did the constitutional problem with the commissions actions derive solely from its members motives? Would the fining of Mr. Phillips have been acceptable based purely on a judgment that his refusal to cater same-sex celebrations constituted discrimination based on sexual orientation, and not on the basis of antipathy to Mr. Phillipss beliefs?

In a concurring opinion, Justice Kagan, joined by Justice Breyer, seems to suppose so. If shes right, the message to state officials could be taken to be: Look, guys, of course, you can punish the Christian baker. But just remember not to state your own moral or religious reasons or reveal your antipathy to the target business owners moral or religious reasons on the record.

Justice Neil Gorsuch, in a concurrence joined by Justice Samuel Alito, challenged the Kagan reading of the ruling, noting that the commission had demonstrated its unconstitutional lack of neutrality not merely by the improvident words of some of its members, but even more decisively by ruling in other cases in favor of bakers who refused to bake cakes for religious people who requested them as statements of opposition to homosexual conduct or same-sex partnerships. If Mr. Phillips was guilty of discrimination based on sexual orientation then surely these bakers were no less guilty of discrimination based on religion  another type of discrimination expressly forbidden by the Colorado law.

Finally, there is the issue of free speech  or, rather, the constitutional prohibition of compelled speech. Did the Colorado commission run afoul of the Constitution by attempting to compel Jack Phillips in his role as a custom cake designer to, in effect, engage in artistic expression he did not wish to engage in, and in that way to at least implicitly endorse something he morally opposes?

Because the justices were easily able to award the victory to Mr. Phillips on free exercise of religion grounds, the court didnt fully grapple with this important issue. Several of the justices noted it, but it remains unresolved.

It doesnt take a crystal ball to see that it wont stay that way for long.The White House also released a fact sheet touting the arrest of 110,568 undocumented immigrants from Jan. 20, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2017  a 42 percent increase from the same period in 2016.

It said 92 percent of the immigrants had either already been convicted of a crime, faced pending charges, were considered a fugitive from Immigration and Customs Enforcement or were about to be deported from the United States.

The facts

True

Data on the ICE website show that there was a total 143,470 overall immigration arrests in the fiscal year that ran from Oct. 1, 2016, to Sept. 30, 2017. ICE called it the highest number of administrative arrests over the past three fiscal years, and confirmed the White House number for arrests under Mr. Trump.

The ICE data also confirmed the 92 percent figure cited by the White House and reported 77,806 arrests between Jan. 20 and Sept. 30 in 2016  indeed, 42 percent fewer than during the same period in 2017.23:50

A Kerala man working in the Gulf has been booked for allegedly threatening to kill Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a social media post, prompting his employer to sack him today even as he tendered an apology.





Police registered a case against the man, who identified himself as Krishnakumaran Nair.





In a live video on Facebook recently, the man purportedly said he had decided to return to India from the Gulf to kill Vijayan and attack his family, police said.





Nair said he was working in the Middle East to amass money to kill the chief minister.





He also allegedly hurled expletives at Vijayan, his family and some of his ministerial colleagues, police said.





After the video was shared on the social media, the accused posted another video, apologising to Vijayan, his family, state Electricity Minister M M Mani and the Keralite community, saying his earlier remarks were made in an inebriated state, they said.





Nair, in his late 50s, is seen in the second clip appealing to the chief minister with folded hands to forgive him, considering his age, they added.





In another video later today, the Keralite said he had been fired by his employer for his act and he will soon return to Kerala to face the legal action initiated against him.





"When I reached office today I came to know that I have lost my job. I am returning to Kerala. I am ready to accept whatever punishment as per the law for the crime that I have committed," he added.





The case against Nair has been registered under Indian Penal Code Section 500 (punishment for defamation) and relevant sections of the Kerala Police Act.

The case was lodged suo motu (on their own) by the police in Ernakulam. -- PTI

At the White House, few aides outside the East Wing have known Mrs. Trumps whereabouts, and her office has kept the West Wing  which tends to leak like a sieve  on a need-to-know basis after the first lady returned from a five-day stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in May. In the absence of answers, theories about Mrs. Trumps health and the length of her recovery have abounded. Her aides have held firm, citing the privacy laws to which Mrs. Trump, like any other patient, is entitled.

And when that does not work, they have admonished journalists for inquiring.

Mrs. Trump has always been a strong and independent woman who puts her family, and certainly her health, above all else, and that wont change over a rabid press corps, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys communications director, said in an email on Monday. Shes confident in what she is doing and in her role, and knows the rest is just speculation and nonsense.

Aside from the reception on Monday, there have been few reported sightings of Mrs. Trump in the White House. A reporter said last week that he caught a glimpse of Mrs. Trump walking with her aides through the West Wing. In recent days, Mrs. Trump has taken internal meetings and is planning events, her spokeswoman said, but her office has not shared updates on when the first lady might resume her public appearances.

Mrs. Trumps absence came abruptly, and at a time when she seemed to be getting used to standing firmly in the spotlight. She was admitted to the hospital just days after the kickoff of Be Best, her official platform. In the weeks before, the first lady had organized a state dinner with France and saw her poll numbers rising.

Then she vanished  not an easy feat for someone whose every public move has been dissected on social media.

Its amazing shes been able to pull it off given the scrutiny that first ladies are under in our times, Ms. Jellison, the historian, said. For all we know, maybe she does understand what the expectations are but just chooses not to play that game. This particular first family and this particular White House has their own road map for doing things.

Questions about Mrs. Trumps health and whereabouts are likely to persist, particularly since Mrs. Trump has not traveled with her husband. She did not accompany the president and several of his grown children to Camp David last weekend, and the East Wing confirmed that she will not travel with Mr. Trump to the Group of 7 economic meeting in Quebec this week, or the summit meeting with the North Korean leader scheduled to take place in Singapore next week.

Ms. Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, dismissed curiosity about her travel, saying that it was pretty typical not to travel after a medical procedure.Trump is doing this not for national security reasons but to impede an investigation into himself and his associates, and hes staking a far more sweeping claim to power than even other presidents by saying he can use the Justice Department for whatever he wants, Mr. Kris said.

He added: They are saying not just that the president is above the law, but in effect that he is the law  that he is the personification of justice and cannot obstruct himself. That is very stark and not very persuasive.

The constitutional theory Mr. Trumps team has put forward is not his first line of defense. They also have mustered factual claims, denying wrongdoing and arguing that as a technical matter, a particular obstruction statute did not apply to his actions. (The memo, however, appeared to be focused on the wrong statute, rendering the statutory arguments beside the point.)

But the Trump team is invoking its aggressive constitutional theory to backstop its other arguments. Even though Congress has made it a crime to impede a pending or potential grand-jury investigation or trial with corrupt intentions, they said, that statute cannot be applied to Mr. Trump, no matter what the evidence shows about his actions and intentions.

Both Nixon and President Bill Clinton were accused of obstruction of justice by lawmakers as part of impeachment proceedings, drawing on evidence brought to light by prosecutors who, rather than charging them with crimes, sent reports to the House Judiciary Committee for impeachment consideration. But the actions those presidents were accused of  like witness tampering or suborning perjury  were not an exercise of their official powers as president.

The novel issue raised by the investigation into Mr. Trump  assuming Mr. Mueller has not uncovered evidence of other obstructive actions that is not yet public  is whether Congress can make it a crime for him to use his power over the law enforcement system with a corrupt purpose, even if it would otherwise be lawful for him to take such steps.

Put simply, Mr. Kasowitz wrote last June, the Constitution leaves no question that the president has exclusive authority over the ultimate conduct and disposition of all criminal investigations and over those executive branch officials responsible for conducting those investigations.OTTAWA  A bus carrying about 37 tourists from China crashed on eastern Ontarios busiest highway on Monday, and local news media and officials said about 24 were hospitalized, including at least six with critical injuries.

Aiden Liang, the manager of Union Tour Express, the company that owned the bus, said it was on a 10-day tour that began in Washington, D.C., on May 29. The crash occurred at 2:45 p.m. while the bus was traveling from Ottawa to Toronto.

Mr. Liang said all of the passengers were from China, although he did not know where they came from within the country. He said he was not certain about the number of people on board.

The bus was traveling west on Highway 401, Ontarios main expressway, when it veered off the pavement and smashed into a rock embankment near Prescott, about 60 miles southwest of Ottawa, Canadian media reported. Photographs and video from the scene indicate that the right side of the bus was extensively damaged as it scraped along the rock face before stopping. Windows were missing, baggage doors were torn off and there was a long trail of shorn-off debris behind the bus.ISTANBUL  The United States and Turkey agreed Monday on a plan to withdraw Kurdish fighters from the northern Syrian city of Manbij as a step toward resolving one of the tensest disputes to erupt recently between the countries.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Turkeys foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, endorsed a road map to ensure security and stability in Manbij, according to a State Department statement issued after the two officials met in Washington on Monday.

Neither side released details of the plan, but Turkish and American officials confirmed that it called for the withdrawal of Kurdish forces from the city. The agreement hands a significant gain to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey just weeks ahead of presidential elections.

Turkish officials said the road map calls for the Kurdish militia in Manbij  the Peoples Protection Units  as well as Kurdish commanders and political leaders to withdraw from the town and be replaced by local leaders. They also said that the plan called for Turkish and American forces to jointly oversee stabilization operations in the area.THE WORK on Topic. Glimmers of sunlight can occasionally be seen in Jairus McLeary and Gethin Aldouss documentary about a group therapy program at Folsom State Prison in California. But mostly its concrete and electric illumination. The film follows three volunteers who enter the program, which lasts four days and takes place in a single room, where inmates recount their life stories as the non-inmates sit with them. In her review for The Times, Jeannette Catsoulis wrote that the film is enlightening yet also punishing.

FACING FACTS on Facebook. This short documentary, about the Facebook team developing strategies to fight bias-driven false information, is produced by Facebook itself. But if you can swallow its perspective, you may appreciate this somewhat rare (if tightly tailored) look behind the scenes at this social media giant. Directed by Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom and the coming Wont You Be My Neighbor) and shot at the companys Silicon Valley headquarters, the short captures a team in the early stages of strategizing tactics to stop the spread of false information and the plethora of existential questions that come with that effort. The film has another, less-direct side: Being released by Facebook means that the film also reveals what the company  in the midst of a reckoning  would like to say to its users.You can almost feel Brills exasperation emanating from the page, though its not the fury of the stymied leftist but the frustration of the disappointed centrist. Nothing seems to inflame him more than partisan grandstanding interfering with his idea of sensible policy.

As such hes hesitant to indict one side without trying to indict the other, making for some tortured equivalences. After chastising Obama-thwarting Republicans, he says hes puzzled by Democrats whose highest priority in the Trump years seems to be thwarting this president (before conceding that the president is such an outlier that blocking him may be defensible). He venerates bipartisan consensus and compromise, even though he shows how they can lead to terrible deals. Obamacare, by placating the insurance industry, was a quintessential compromise  as was the haggling after the 2008 financial crisis that kept even the most notorious bankers from jail.

But the main split, Brill says, isnt Democrats versus Republicans; its the protected versus the unprotected, or the self-preservationist elite versus everyone else. He dates the beginning of the tailspin to the 1960s, when school reformers set out to replace the old-boy aristocracy with a system more open, more fair, more meritocratic.

A meritocracy seemed like an improvement  in theory. Brill argues that reformers ended up creating a new aristocracy even more entrenched than the one it supplanted. Meritocrats were able to consolidate their winnings, outsmart and co-opt the government that might have reined them in, and pull up the ladder so more could not share in their success or challenge their primacy. The winners in this new dispensation feel their privilege has been earned, rendering them self-satisfied and unresponsive.

The argument isnt new. Chris Hayes made a similar case in his prescient 2012 book Twilight of the Elites. (He used the pulled-up ladder metaphor too.) But Tailspin arrives at a different moment. Hayes was writing when the clouds were just visible on the horizon; Brill is writing from the eye of the storm.

Its odd, then, that so much of Brills prose feels padded, as he mines his accumulated knowledge to deliver disquisitions on the Bayonne Bridge in Staten Island and the vagaries of the gas tax. (Strangely, theres no mention of a devastated post-hurricane Puerto Rico or the water crisis in Flint, Mich., except in an endnote.) He complains of lawyerly bloat in government, producing rules that were comically complicated and so long, though his own long book seems to suffer from a mild version of it. It is difficult to overstate the degree to which the ubiquity of arbitration clauses has un-leveled the playing field, he writes, as if to warn us, before giving it a try.

Still, Brill does have some stunners in store. The most surprising parts of Tailspin come at the end, when he tries to forecast what might happen next, offering a rather extraordinary mix of doomsaying and wishful thinking. He envisions a day when things get so bad that President Trumps supporters will awaken to the debacle that their choice produced. He foresees coal miners deciding to march on Washington and demand help in transitioning to an energy industry of the future. He anticipates the productive public fury that would erupt if a bridge collapses on the same day or in the same week that two trains derail, a big city loses electricity and a school system finds out that its water fountains are gushing lead.

That Brill sees hope emerging from the literal rubble shows the limits of a certain strain of politics, one that sees public policy mainly in terms of incentives, with the most desirable outcome being an electorate that will now settle in the middle. Call me pessimistic, but if a bridge collapsed on the same day as two train derailments, a blackout and another water crisis, chances are the result wouldnt be less rancor but more.Obamas willingness to be honest about the Wests imperial past led conservative critics to accuse him of conducting an apology tour, a meretricious dodge. They ignored the other half of his message, which gave it an elegant balance: Islam has to recognize the contributions that the West has made to articulate certain principles that are universal.

Image

All presidents do stupid stuff overseas; the world beyond our ocean borders is too complicated to be fully known. Obama made mistakes of optimism. He assumed the old, autocratic order in the Middle East was about to change; he underestimated the power of tribalism, which provided identity amid amorphous globalism. Rhodes encouraged these delusions  along with the White House advisers Samantha Power and Susan Rice, who professed a somewhat tortured liberal militarism, a faith in humanitarian intervention. The story of how Rhodes progressed from this idealism to a more nuanced vision of the world as it is is at the heart of this book.

I was part of a cohort of younger staffers  who shared a distaste for the corrupt way in which the Middle East was ruled, Rhodes writes. Obama sided with the idealists early on, especially when protesters filled Cairos Tahrir Square in the first flush of the Arab Spring. If it were up to him, Rhodes reports Obama saying, hed prefer that the Google guy run Egypt, referring to Wael Ghonim  who was helping to lead the protest movement. Rhodes writes that Obama didnt mean it literally.  But his senior staff was in a different place. Indeed, Vice President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were all counseling caution: Dont be so quick to oust the Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak. There was no guarantee that democracy would ensue  and, in fact, democracy led to an electoral victory by the Muslim Brotherhood, which led to a military coup.

The same mistake was made in Libya. The dictator Muammar Qaddafi threatened to massacre his opponents in Benghazi. Susan Rice compared the situation to Rwanda, where Bill Clinton was said to have allowed a genocide. Samantha Power passed Rhodes a note stating this was going to be the first mass atrocity that took place on our watch. Rhodes agreed. Wed have to consider, he advised in his new role as a deputy national security adviser, what we would say if we choose not to do something. A good point, especially with the Europeans and the Arab League (very briefly) urging action. But military intervention  and the eventual removal of Qaddafi  led to chaos. The impulse to prevent a massacre was noble, but it was speculative; the chaos was real. And the more general disorder in the region led to revolts and atrocities in Syria, Yemen and Bahrain. There were, Rhodes slowly realized, events in the world beyond Americas influence.

By the time Bashar Assad dropped poison gas on his populace, both Obama and Rhodes were having second thoughts. Obama had established the use of chemical weapons as a red line and then chose not to respond militarily when Assad crossed it. Rhodess description of these deliberations  and most of the other real-time crises  is particularly illuminating, given Donald Trumps subsequent missile strikes. Obama calculated that any military action that would have an actual impact on Assads behavior might lead to a wider war. He may well have been right, but he seemed weak at the time. Trump, by contrast, seemed strong, but the effect of his strikes appears to have been negligible. In a remarkable moment, in the midst of the deliberations over what to do about Syria, Obama completes his transition to realism by telling Rhodes: Maybe we would never have done Rwanda.  You cant stop people from killing each other like that. This is the reality of The World as It Is. Sometimes there are no good choices.1. Its the busiest Primary Day of the year so far.

Voters went to the polls in eight states: Alabama, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota.

Most of the attention this week has focused on California, which has an unusual open primary system. Democrats are vying for Republican-held congressional seats, the governorship is up for grabs, and the veteran senator Dianne Feinstein is running for re-election. We have live updates from our reporters throughout the state. Above, voting in San Diego.

And heres what you need to know about the other seven states in play. Well have results here as they come in.Payday lenders fought, and lost, a battle to block new federal rules curbing short-term loans that critics say can trap people in cycles of debt.

Now, with the restrictions scheduled to take effect next year, the lenders have moved their fight to the courtroom, and have gained a powerful ally: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which wrote the rules the industry is seeking to overturn.

In a joint motion filed late last week in federal court in Austin, Tex., Mick Mulvaney, the bureaus acting director, sided with two industry trade groups suing the agency. The bureau asked a judge to delay the rules until after the industry groups lawsuit is resolved, which may take years.

By then, the entire issue could be moot: Mr. Mulvaney has said he intends for the bureau to reconsider, and perhaps repeal, the rules. To do that, the agency has to follow a formal administrative process, which it has said it plans to begin by February.Sard Verbinnen, the financial communications firm, is turning to a longtime Washington operative to run its new business focused on the intersection of business and government.

The firm on Tuesday named Ed Gillespie, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee and a lobbyist who claimed the partys nomination for governor of Virginia last year, as the chairman of its new public affairs practice in Washington.

Sard Verbinnen, which announced the formation of the group less than a week ago, is seeking to help its clients navigate a federal government that is playing a bigger role in corporate Americas affairs, said George Sard, a founder of the firm and its chief executive. Mergers increasingly draw government scrutiny  see AT&Ts bid for Time Warner  and international clients are asking how Washington will affect their business activities in the United States.

About five to 10 years ago, Washington was pretty peripheral, Mr. Sard said in a telephone interview. Now its pretty central to everything were doing. It became increasingly obvious that this was something we needed to do.Women have led countries and run companies. But managing an airline? Lets leave that to the men.

Akbar Al Baker, the chief executive of Qatar Airways, said as much during a news conference on Tuesday, immediately joining the ranks of corporate bosses who have dismissed efforts to improve gender diversity and close the gap in pay and employment between men and women.

Asked about the lack of women in the airline industry generally, and at Qatar Airways in particular, Mr. Al Baker denied that poor gender representation in the sector was an issue. Of his own position, he added, Of course it has to be led by a man, because it is a very challenging position.

He was speaking at the annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association in Sydney, Australia. Mr. Al Baker had just become chairman of the trade bodys board of governors. The groans in the room were audible.



Qatar Airways  one of the worlds biggest carriers  soon went to work trying to play down Mr. Al Bakers remarks.Tesla Inc. and its chief executive, Elon Musk, have become accustomed to adoration from customers and shareholders alike. But at this years annual meeting came a rare challenge from investors who sought to shake up the board and force Mr. Musk to give up one of his two top positions.

One proposal at the meeting on Tuesday in Mountain View, Calif., called for the splitting of the posts of chairman and chief executive, both of which are held by Mr. Musk. Others sought to deny re-election to board members including Mr. Musks brother.

Tesla announced that the proposals had been rejected by a wide margin. And Tesla has a supermajority voting structure that requires a two-thirds majority for major changes  a high hurdle given that Mr. Musk himself holds about one-fifth of the shares.

At the meeting, Mr. Musk painted a picture of a company making rapid progress on many fronts. Tesla has been struggling to ramp up production of the Model 3 compact car, which the company is counting on to generate the profits and cash it needs to develop new vehicles, solar energy systems and advanced batteries.It hadnt crossed Anissa Helous mind to write a cookbook until she found herself at a dinner party in London with a table of people who, like her, were born in Lebanon and now lived far from home, discussing the paucity of Lebanese cookbooks.

This was in the summer of 1992. Back then, Ms. Helou was working as an art consultant.

But the conversation struck her. She realized that an entire generation of Lebanese people who had been uprooted by the countrys civil war, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, had also lost access to the food of their homeland.

She issued a corrective in the form of her first cookbook, Lebanese Cuisine, published in 1994. To her surprise, it was shortlisted for the Andre Simon award, which honors British food and drink books.

I was a nonentity then, Ms. Helou said. Nobody knew me.

Ms. Helou, 66, is far from a nonentity now  a chef, a cooking teacher and a rather prolific cookbook writer. She wrote eight more books after Lebanese Cuisine, covering topics as wide-ranging as Mediterranean street food and offal.Mr. Suleman often feels frustrated by the perception that inspectors are out to punish restaurants. Im not all-powerful, he said. The power is in the hands of the restaurants to improve their food safety.

So when he shuts a restaurant down, he said, how do you expect me to feel bad? You have a set of rules, and if you are not following those rules, you deserve what you get.

For him, the most memorable depiction of a health inspector in pop culture is in the 2003 movie Deliver Us From Eva, a modern adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew, starring Gabrielle Union as a ruthless health inspector. Shes screaming at people, and taunting people, he said.

This, he insisted, is not what his job is like: He tries to be as friendly as possible (but not too friendly, or they think you will pass them) and communicate openly throughout the inspection.

I dont think there is any inspector who takes pride in closing down a restaurant, he added. But imagine food not being cooked to the right temperature, and someone getting very sick. That would make me feel even more guilty.

No matter how many customers are protected by shutting down a restaurant, though, the nit-picking, fine-levying bureaucrat will never be the protagonist of the story.

You want to know why there are only 100 inspectors for 25,000 restaurants? Ms. Testa asked. It is a tough job. You have to go into restaurants knowing they are going to hate you. You have to have a tough skin. Its not warm and fuzzy.

Thats why I left the health department, to be honest.

Follow NYT Food on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice.At some Christian colleges, L.G.B.T.Q. students meet in secret and form clubs, communicating on Facebook with code names. Some feel isolated, caught in families who view as troubled their struggles with SSA, or same sex attraction as one parent put it on Facebook, or are kicked out of homes for coming out, as a student from Texas described to me.

The values guidance that students come for  to help them prepare for life and relationships as well as careers  can be alienating to L.G.B.T.Q. students. It is partly the ban on L.G.B.T.Q. faculty, but it is also the constant grooming of students for heterosexual marriage that leaves gay students like Gwyneth Findlay, who just graduated from Calvin, with no framework for the future I am going to have.

The career center workshop on balancing work and life of course, it is three heterosexual couples, Ms. Findlay said. And when professors share stories of dating, spouses and children that a lot of students learn from, she said, its a reminder that she is not fully part of the community.

Divisions on Christian campuses spring from divergent views over homosexuality and what it means to be Christian. Where an older generation focused on sharing the gospel, as one Calvin student put it, now there is more than spreading the message. There is living out the message.

Youth consider L.G.B.T.Q. fairness a social justice issue where elders see a morality issue, an obedience issue, Dr. Hulst said. Which is why we are talking past each other.

Students see no conflict between their faith and their L.G.B.T.Q. identity. I am a gay Christian. That is how I identify, said Erin Green, who majored in Biblical Studies and just graduated from Azusa Pacific University in California.

Yet on some campuses, acknowledging or supporting L.G.B.T.Q. students is controversial, partly because of conduct codes and official faith statements, which typically define sex as reserved for marriage between one man and one woman for life.Fraternity members at Louisiana State University adhere to age-old rituals, shrouded in secrecy, that dictate how they gather, greet each other and initiate their young pledges.

But when they return to campus in the fall, one ritual will be drastically different: They will face much more severe consequences for dangerous hazing incidents.

In May, eight months after the death of Maxwell Gruver, a freshman pledge at the universitys now banished Phi Delta Theta fraternity chapter, Gov. John Bel Edwards of Louisiana signed into law an anti-hazing bill that would make it a felony for those involved in hazing that resulted in death, serious bodily harm, or life-threatening levels of alcohol. And students found guilty could land in a Louisiana jail for up to five years.It was a different experience at the University of Michigan four months later when Mr. Murray spoke there, said Andrew D. Martin, dean of the universitys College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The university formed an engagement team that included academics, student leadership and public safety officers in a dialogue with those who organized the talk.

We let students know that we were not only fully committed to the right of the speaker to speak, but the audience to hear and the right of those who wanted to express dissent to be able to do so in a way that didnt preclude others rights, Professor Martin said, speaking on a forum panel.

There were protests, but we have a protocol to deal with this, he added. Its called a hecklers warning. The protesters were asked to allow the speaker to continue and we reiterated some of the principles behind that. After five minutes the students were once again asked to be quiet, or they would be removed by public safety officers. The demonstrators left and the speech continued.

Christina Paxson, president of Brown University, said her university took much the same approach when the conservative pundit Guy Benson spoke there earlier this year.

You have to start with discussions with students early and often, she said, with students hosting the event and with groups of students who might be unhappy with the event. Thats 90 percent of the battle.

Many students dont understand that the First Amendment only guarantees that no government entity can violate a persons right to free speech. So private universities, unlike public universities  which are considered state agents  are free to punish students for speech without violating the First Amendment. However, many private universities have free speech codes that guarantee their students freedom of speech.In a New Land, Another Barrier

Estrella Rivas was 7 when her grandmother handed her and her little sister over to strangers in 2007. They crossed the border in the dark, fleeing El Salvador, to join their mother in the United States.

Estrella is one of more than 690,000 youngsters brought to this country illegally as children and temporarily granted the right to stay under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals law. The Trump administration is trying to end DACA but has been blocked by the courts.

Now many DACA young people, including Estrella, are ready for college. And while the federal government grinds its gears, the fight over whether they should have college access has moved to individual states, where the center of gravity seems to be shifting toward increased access. But the price can be prohibitive. In New Jersey, where Estrella lives, it costs in-state commuter students $28,000 to attend Rutgers University; thats nearly a years income for the average undocumented family in the state. And DACA students cannot use federal loans.

Estrella will graduate from high school this month with a 4.2 GPA, and although she was accepted at 17 colleges, with scholarships, she still wasnt sure she could afford to go. But in May, New Jersey joined nine other states that allow DACA recipients to get the same state financial aid as other residents (only five states allowed this three years ago). Estrella has enrolled at Rutgers.

Not every state favors this trend. In May, seven states filed a federal lawsuit to eliminate DACA. Missouri legislators voted down a measure this spring to let DACA students pay in-state tuition. And Georgia outright bans DACA recipients from attending its top state universities. (In response, Freedom University in Atlanta now gives undocumented Georgians a tuition-free college education.)

The Presidents Immigration Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, formed last December, has grown to 356 university and college presidents and chancellors, from 28, committed to helping DACA students.Youve heard already from younger generations with increasing rates of anxiety, increasing rates of depression, increasing rates of suicide. Were seeing it in these school shootings, where something like 80 percent of them are perpetrated by a kid  by children who are lacking good relationships. Its human relationships that are missing.

Andrew D. Martin, dean, College of Literature, Science and the Arts, University of Michigan

When we first learned that [the conservative scholar] Charles Murray was coming on our campus  hed been invited by a student group  the first thing that we did is we put together an engagement team. That engagement team included the academic leadership of the university, our student affairs people, our public safety people, our facilities people, to have a dialogue with the students who were organizing the talk. To learn about what their goals were. To let the students know that we were fully committed not only for the right of the speaker to speak but the right of the audience to hear and the right of those who wanted to express dissent to be able to do so in a way that didnt preclude the others rights.

Those discussions were about lots of tactical things, including what theyll wear, what the location of the talk would be, what access would look like. The students decided that they wanted to limit it to just University of Michigan students, which made things a little bit easier. Our public safety folks put together a plan to figure out how we were going to do things in case there was a disruption.Southeast Asians, researchers say, are the fastest-growing ethnic or racial group in community colleges and enter college with a number of issues  including poverty, limited English skills, and post-traumatic stress from fleeing the aftermath of wars in Vietnam and Laos and the genocide in Cambodia.

These students have as high a risk of dropping out of college as low-income Hispanic or African-American students, researchers say. Yet colleges and policymakers often dont realize it because Southeast Asian students statistics are lumped in as part of overall Asian student performance. Their problems are hidden partly because of the model minority myth that all Asians are academic superstars and flourish in high school and college.

Thats often what we hear about Asian-Americans. Theyre not our problematic students, said Robert Teranishi, co-director of the Institute for Immigration, Globalization and Education at U.C.L.A. When we talk about students of color and programs to support students of color, a lot of times Asian-Americans havent historically been included.

Middlesex, which has campuses in the Boston suburbs of Bedford and Lowell, received a $1.7 million, five-year grant awarded to 14 colleges in 2016 to improve the academic performance of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The college has focused its efforts on its campus in Lowell, about 20 miles northwest of Boston, because of its large Southeast Asian presence. Middlesex has roughly 8,200 students, including 13.1 percent who are Asian, 17 percent Hispanic, 8 percent black, and 56 percent white. Asian students transfer rates  39 percent  were consistently lower than the 42.3 percent average for all other groups at Middlesex, according to United States Education Department data.

But Middlesex officials were largely unaware that Asian students were struggling so much.

Asian-American students, interviewed in focus groups, told educators at the college how isolated and stressed they felt. Some ventured into a multicultural center at the school before the Asian student center opened, but rarely stayed because of the lack of Asians. They said they did not believe professors understood their culture and history, a problem Middlesex is hoping to resolve with faculty training.

How do we talk about the killing fields and how are we aware of students in our classroom who might have some PTSD? Its having a larger awareness of this population, said Pamela Flaherty, Middlesexs chief student affairs officer and dean of students.A man who was head of the parents' association at an elementary school in the city of Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo denied on Monday that he killed a Vietnamese girl attending the school and abandoned her body in March last year.

"I am not involved in this case," Yasumasa Shibuya, 47, said during his first hearing in a lay judge trial at Chiba District Court. "I claim total innocence."

Public prosecutors said that a DNA taken from blood on Shibuya's car matched that of the nine-year-old girl, Le Thi Nhat Linh. In addition, saliva collected from her body contained DNAs of Shibuya and Linh, they pointed out.

Meanwhile, a defense lawyer claimed the girl may have entered Shibuya's vehicle and her blood was left there before the incident happened. It is unnatural that no evidence has been found other than DNA, such as fingerprints or footprints, the lawyer said.

According to the indictment, Shibuya took away Linh by car for sexual purposes, strangled her and abandoned her body.And tests results and surveys show that students  and most Americans  knowledge of their history and the structure of their government is abysmal. Scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress state that in 2014, only 18 percent of 8th grade students scored at or above proficient in American History and 23 percent scored at or above proficient in civics.

A survey last year by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found that 37 percent of those surveyed couldnt name any of the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment and about 75 percent dont know all three branches of government.

For years, a number of organizations have promoted teaching civics, such as the Center for Civic Education which provides curriculums and holds annual competitions for upper elementary and middle-school students, iCivics, a nonprofit civics education group started by the former Supreme Court justice Sandra Day OConnor, and the Civics Education Initiative, which lobbies states to require students to pass a civics test before graduating.

But more needs to be done, especially in light of the divided state of the country, many say, and individuals and institutions are taking on the challenge. One example is Polaris Charter Academy in Chicago, whose students last year led a campaign to address gun violence in their community; as part of that they studied the Constitution and the Second Amendment and worked with legislators, police, activists and gang members.

This is not just about a high school civics class.  Its not to prepare students for tests, but to prepare them to be active, contributing citizens, said Ron Berger, chief academic officer of EL Education, a nonprofit network of about 160 public district and charter schools nationwide. Weve forgotten about that as a nation. Polaris is one of EL Educations schools.Buying a Kate Spade handbag was a coming-of-age ritual for a generation of American women. The designer created an accessories empire that helped define the look of an era. The purses she made became a status symbol and a token of adulthood.

Ms. Spade, who was found dead on Tuesday in what police characterized as a suicide by hanging, worked as an editor before making the leap to designing, constructing her first sketches from paper and Scotch tape. She would come to attach her name to a bounty of products, and ideas: home goods and china and towels and so much else, all of it poised atop the thin line between accessibility and luxury.

One of the first of a wave of American women to emerge as contemporary designers in the 1990s, Ms. Spade built a brand on the appeal of clothes and accessories that made shoppers smile. She embodied her own aesthetic, with her proto-1960s bouffant, nerd glasses and playful grin. Beneath that image was a business mind that understood the opportunities in building a lifestyle brand, almost before the term officially existed.

Her name became shorthand for the cute, clever bags that were an instant hit with cosmopolitan women in the early stages of their careers and, later, young girls  status symbols of a more attainable, all-American sort than a Fendi clutch or Chanel bag. Ms. Spade became the very visible face of her brand and paved the way for female lifestyle designers like Tory Burch or Jenna Lyons of J. Crew.We are honoring each of the Top 10 winners of our Fifth Annual Student Editorial Contest by publishing an essay a day. You can find them all here.

Below, an essay by Jason Schnall, age 16.

_______

Whos to blame for ballooning credit card debt and student loans? The public education system, perhaps. American high school students can recite Shakespeares sonnets, derive advanced calculus theorems, and explain the Chinese spheres of influence. Yet these same students know little to nothing about economics and personal finance. They know of income tax only as the fifth square on the Monopoly board.

Currently, only five states  Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia  require personal finance courses for high school students. The results speak for themselves: four of these states rank in the top 20 of best average credit card debt. This is a logical correlation. Learning about debt will help someone stay out of it. Yet economists continually blame consumerism and tactics of credit card companies rather than addressing the cause: a fundamental void in our education system.

When students graduate high school, they are thrust into adulthood, whether they join the work force or pursue higher education. They assume immense financial responsibilities almost immediately. How can the government expect 19-year-olds to complete tax forms if theyve never learned about them in school? Young adults who lack basic knowledge of economics and personal finance are vulnerable to fraud, debt, commercialism and worse.When the Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom) began work on a documentary about Fred Rogers, the host of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, he watched as many online videos of the beloved figure as he could find. It was a revelation. I was hearing a voice I felt I wasnt hearing anymore, he said. It was a grown-up voice, someone who was looking at the long-term well-being of ourselves and our neighborhood.

Even so, Mr. Neville wasnt sure where Fred Rogers ended and Mister Rogers began. I needed artifacts to figure out who he was as a man, he said. With the help of the archivist Emily Uhrin, Mr. Neville looked at fan letters, interviews, annotated scripts and more housed at the Fred Rogers Center in Latrobe, Pa. Then there were all those episodes from the show that began in 1968: the host arguing against isolationism during the height of the Vietnam War, or explaining the word assassination to children after the death of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

Now Rogers, who died in 2003, is the subject of two film projects, one starring Tom Hanks and due next year, and the other, Mr. Nevilles documentary, Wont You Be My Neighbor?, opening June 8. Here are five of Mr. Nevilles favorite items from the center.He offered a stark figure: Of 900 incoming freshman admitted to Stuyvesant, only 10 are African-American. He also said that while there are more than 600 middle schools in New York City, half of specialized students come from just 21 middle schools. He said that looking at a students academic record was a much more holistic way of looking at student talent than a single test.

"As the mayor has very, very eloquently stated, were not trying to penalize anybody, Mr. Carranza said on WNYC. This should be good news for our poor, our immigrant communities, that youre not going to have to spend thousands of dollars on test prep for one test to get an opportunity to go to a specialized school.

Mr. Carranza emphasized that relying on one test was out of step with admissions to other elite institutions. If youre applying to Harvard today, you would not be admitted based on a test score, Mr. Carranza said. Its multiple measures. (He might have chosen a different school to cite as an example: Harvard University is being sued by a group that says the school discriminates against Asian-American applicants.)

The mayors plan does have a basis in research. A study by Sean P. Corcoran, an associate professor of economics and education policy at New York Universitys Steinhardt School, examined six strategies to diversify the specialized schools and found that taking students from every middle school was the only one that had a large effect on demographics. It also found that plan would lower the academic performance of admitted students, a key argument of those in favor of retaining the test. But a similar study, by Lazar Treschan at the Community Service Society, which included a minimum academic standard applicants must achieve, found no such diminution.

The citys proposal also includes an academic minimum. Students must be among the top 25 percent of performers citywide. An education department spokesman said the citys projection found that students admitted under its proposed model would have the same grades as current specialized students, and that their state test scores would be virtually unchanged.

The specialized schools carry enormous symbolic weight in the city, and a seat in one of them is seen as a glittering prize. They are among the most distinguished schools in the city, some on par with elite and expensive private schools, and they offer a real pathway out of the working class for many families.

Nonetheless, their impact is actually quite narrow. Of the more than 300,000 high school students citywide, just 16,000 attend these schools. And there are many other schools that screen students academically, like Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Manhattan, where just 16 percent of students are black or Hispanic. Sixty-four percent of the students there are white, and just 21 percent of its students are poor.

Changing admissions at schools like Eleanor Roosevelt would make more sense, argued some opponents of the plan. Why go to Albany on three schools, said Mr. Kim, when you can fix those schools right now.It was a nylon sack, with a little black tag, and if you were a teenage girl in New York City in the late 90s, you simply Had. To. Have. It.

The apparent suicide of Kate Spade, the designer whose eponymous pocketbooks swung from the shoulders of Manhattans coolest teenagers, reverberated painfully on Tuesday through a rarefied set of young New York women. Among those who grew up taking yellow cabs across the Upper East Side to high school and playing hooky on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, there was a sense of having lost a girlhood friend: the woman who created the glossy handbags that became a talisman of almost-adulthood and the sine qua non of belonging to the citys inner circle.

Kate Spades brand was New York bred, and we were New York bred, and it was important for us to be part of that culture, said Gillian Greaves Saines, 34, who grew up on the Upper East Side and carried her books in a black Kate Spade tote to school at Convent of the Sacred Heart off Fifth Avenue. She had started this company with New York in mind, and we were all born and bred New Yorkers, and it embodied who we wanted to be when we grew up.

It didnt matter that the bags creator was born Katherine Brosnahan in Kansas City, Mo.; her simple and unfussy carryalls, adorned with little more than a black tab with the name she used professionally in white lettering. At the turn of the last century her bag came to encapsulate a decidedly Manhattan moment in time.Eddy Clearwater, a Mississippi-born Chicago bluesman who billed himself as The Chief and often performed in a feathered headdress, died on Friday at his home in Skokie, Ill. He was 83.

The cause was heart failure, said Alligator Records, the blues label that released his 2008 album, West Side Strut.

A self-taught musician, Mr. Clearwater played guitar left-handed and upside down. His music merged his rural Mississippi upbringing with the aggressive attack of West Side Chicago blues and a deep admiration for Chuck Berry, whose sound he openly emulated with his first single, Hill Billy Blues, in 1958.

Onstage, he had his own version of Berrys duckwalk; he was also likely to stride through the crowd with his guitar or play solos with it raised behind his head. His Native American regalia, and songs like Reservation Blues, paid tribute to his grandmother, who he said was a full-blooded Cherokee.Whatever the outcome of Tuesdays crowded congressional and statewide contests in California, the results are unlikely to heal a longstanding national schism: Political parties in the Golden State have never played the same role as their counterparts in the East.

California has a proud tradition of independent voters and weak, often irrelevant political parties. The parties do not (with rare exceptions) run machines, anoint candidates, produce strong leaders, turn out big votes or elicit great loyalty. Instead of gnashing teeth over the uncontrollable jungle primary, national pundits might do better to understand the fundamental reality of politics in California.

The states current system, where the top two finishers in the June election advance to a runoff regardless of party, is anathema to those who presume the November ballot should have a Democrat-Republican face-off. Yet that has actually not been the case for a large chunk of Californias statehood.

Between 1914 and 1959, Democrats and Republicans cross-filed and ran in each others primaries. For most of that time, ballots did not even indicate party affiliation. State parties could not endorse candidates until after the primary. By then, incumbents had often won both primaries and ran in November unopposed.As more and more of our speech takes place on social media, courts are beginning to experiment with expanding the First Amendment, proposing that its protection of political speech applies even in privately controlled virtual spaces. The most recent example is a federal court in New York that held last month that President Trump cannot block anyone from following his Twitter account because it functions as a public forum. This is the first time, to my knowledge, that the First Amendment has ever been applied to a private platform.

On the surface, this apparent expansion of free speech may seem sensible, even exciting. After all, if social media is where we do our political talking, it would seem logical to bring the Constitution to bear there.

The problem, however, is that applying the First Amendment to social media will make it harder or even impossible for the platforms to limit fake news, online harassment and hate speech  precisely the serious social ills that the world is calling on them to address.

At present, free speech law ensures the platforms own freedom of expression and association. That gives them the constitutional right to set their own terms of service and community standards, which they can use to address everything from spreading deliberate falsehoods to harassing people based on their sex, race or religion.BEREA, Ky.  I always said Id marry only if I was able to do it in my home state. Not only because Kentucky is where I pay taxes just like straight people do, but also because this place is in my blood and bones. The voting habits of the Commonwealth frustrate me, but its hills, pastures and people made me.

My wish came true in the summer of 2015 when the Supreme Court legalized marriage equality. A couple of days later, my partner and I strolled into our county clerks office. When we asked for a marriage license one of the women behind the counter made sure we felt welcome, but two others fled. Just over an hour away from us, a clerk named Kim Davis was refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, and a media circus was erupting.

When it came time to pick out flowers and a cake, we approached a florist and bakery with some trepidation, mostly because of what we had heard about the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, in which a Colorado baker had refused to sell a cake to a gay couple. However, we found business owners who were eager to help us. Leaving the bakery that day, I thought about how humiliating it would have been to be turned away because of who we were. It would have been especially troubling if the refusal been made in the name of God.

A question many Americans have been asking ourselves since the presidential election widened the great divide in our country is, how do we get along with other people when our definitions of being a good person are in direct opposition? This is certainly something that L.G.B.T. people have been asking themselves far longer. Ive been wondering about it since I first knew I was gay, around the age of 12.Fukuoka Prefectural Police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly beating his mother with a hammer at their residence in the town of Oki, reports the Mainichi Shimbun

At around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Toshiya Baba, of no known occupation, is alleged to have repeatedly beat the head of his mother, 52-year-old Michie, inside the residence, located in the Ozumi area.

Police responding to a distress call from Baba found his mother collapsed and bleeding in the living room. She was transported in an unconscious state to a hospital in Chikugo City where she remains in serious condition.

Police subsequently arrested Baba on suspicion of attempted murder. At the time of his arrest, he admitted to striking his mother with the hammer more than 10 times. - tokyoreporter.comThis article is part of the Opinion Today newsletter. You can sign up here to receive the newsletter each weekday.

First, if youve ever been curious to find out how much elite private colleges really cost, check out a data-visualization that we just published this morning. The answer for the vast majority of Americans is: A lot less than those scary sticker prices that approach $75,000 a year.

My colleagues and I analyzed the data from an online calculator that publishes the real cost of attending 32 selective schools, including Duke, Northwestern, Rice, Yale, Boston College and the University of Virginia. Our article reports those costs for poor, middle-class and rich families.

Wedding cakes, Obamacare and the Muslim ban. The breakdown of yesterdays 7-2 Supreme Court vote  in the matter of a cake baker versus a gay couple  had a familiar ring to it.Today, Qatar is stronger than it was a year ago. Within 24 hours of the imposition of the blockade, we quickly established new sources and alternate, more sustainable supply routes for basic goods, like food and medicine. In the weeks and months that followed, we signed new, long-term contracts for economic cooperation, at the same time accelerating plans to diversify our economy by diminishing our reliance on our hydrocarbon resources. Last October, months into the blockade, the International Monetary Fund reported that Qatars economy was the fastest growing in the Gulf.

Meanwhile, the Middle East remains in turmoil. The government of President Bashar al-Assad has consolidated power in Syria, shifting the regional and geopolitical landscape; besieged Palestinians in Gaza have risen up in protest, focusing new attention on the need for a workable peace plan between the Palestinians and the Israelis; and Yemen is entering its third year of war, with tens of thousands already dead and no end in sight. These issues are important to the people of the Arabian Peninsula, and all of them cry out for a united Arab voice.

Qatar believes that the stakes are too high, and the time too limited, to focus on differences between and among the Arab states. The administration in Washington clearly shares this view. My counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, has stressed the importance of Gulf unity. President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to see the Gulf dispute resolved. All agree it is time for this sorry chapter in Gulf history to come to an end.

The blockade of Qatar  now widely viewed as instigated under false pretenses  has undermined the Middle Easts stability. By now it should be clear that there can be no winners in this dispute. It is therefore time for the blockading nations to abandon their delusions of victory, prioritize the security interests of the entire Middle East and end the blockade.Gail: No, I think youve got it down fine. And unlike so very many of the conflicts the country has been having, this one might be of some use. In our wired-up world were going to have a lot of instances of celebrities screeching awful things to get attention. The rest of the country has to figure out how to separate the vulgar from the unacceptable. Just because theyre famous doesnt mean they get a pass. Or a pardon, to go back to our previous discussion.

By the way, I know its early in the pardon parade to make any judgments, but chats with Kim Kardashian aside, its interesting that while Trump has forgiven the sins of several well-known bigots, the only black person hes done any favors for has been dead for more than 70 years.

Bret: Cant be a surprise, can it? Wasnt it telling that the one person who got no sympathy from Trump following Barrs tweet was the target of that tweet, Valerie Jarrett? Irrespective of any political differences, why couldnt the White House extend her the courtesy of some normal human sympathy? I often think the word racist is badly overused in American discourse, but the pattern by this president  birtherism, alt-right sympathy, Charlottesville  is unignorable.

And since we keep circling back to pardons, what do you make of Trumps new legal theory that he has a right to pardon himself? Pardon my French, but I think thats %#*&!.

Gail: Rudy Giuliani says he does have the right, but that if he used it Congress would impeach him. Trump says he has the right, but he wont need to use it because hes as innocent as an angel. Since the men and women of Congress are planning to spend a lot of the summer in Washington  in an attempt to show that theyre actually doing something  perhaps theyd have time to pass a resolution just saying that no president has that right, period. They could quote legal experts or just announce that its totally nuts. In the opinion of the House and Senate.

Think theres any chance?

Bret: In this Congress? Dream on. Thatll have to await a change in leadership, and I dont just mean Republicans replacing themselves. I just hope the party of the resistance has the good sense to conduct itself as a smart opposition party and run candidates who can win. Do you think Democrats did this with their primaries?

Gail: Well, there really havent been very many. I suspect youre asking about the House races where the Democratic organization-backed moderate lost to a more progressive candidate. I dont really believe voters are going to run in terror away from somebody whos talking about Medicare for all. In fact, I think Medicare for all is a damned good idea. So color me unconcerned.To the Editor:

Re Super Bowl Champions Snub Trump, and He Cancels Their Party (front page, June 5):

It is bad enough that President Trump has managed to normalize immoral behavior. His distraction tirades over kneeling during the national anthem are now serving to undermine one of our democracys greatest strengths  freedom of speech.

A man who used five deferments to avoid serving his country in the military has no right to question the patriotism of other Americans.

Philadelphia Eagles, you serve your country better in not giving Mr. Trump a White House photo opportunity.

MARK MILLER, DOYLESTOWN, PA.

To the Editor:

This New England Patriots fan is now a Philadelphia Eagles fan.

MARK CUTLER, CRANSTON, R.I.To the Editor:

Re A Walk for Voting Rights, a Run for Office (Voting in America series, editorial, May 17): David Sadlers determination to participate in the political process despite his felony conviction is admirable. You are right to point out the discriminatory effect of felony disenfranchisement laws and other restrictions on civil rights.

But Mr. Sadlers story points up other, more subtle and pervasive obstacles to voting for those with a criminal record. Many people, including election officials, misunderstand what the law allows. Mr. Sadler never lost the right to vote in Pennsylvania, where he was convicted, so why was he required to seek a pardon there to vote where he lived in Florida? My clients who were convicted in other states were required only to go through Floridas restoration process.

Many with a felony record do not realize that they are eligible to vote, and they are not advised of their rights when they are sentenced or move. It is intolerable, given the millions in this situation, that state officials would not know who may lawfully vote and who may not, or what a person like David Sadler must do to qualify. Unclear laws are doubly hard to change.

MARGARET COLGATE LOVE

WASHINGTON

The writer, a lawyer, represents applicants for pardon and restoration of rights.How do I listen?

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Click the play button above to start the show. Make sure to keep that window open on your browser if youre doing other things, or else the audio will stop. You can always find the latest episode at nytimes.com/thedaily.

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Open the Alexa app. From the navigation panel on the left, select settings, then flash briefing, then get more flash briefing content. Look for The New York Times and select enable skill. Now you can say, Alexa, whats my flash briefing? and you will hear that days episode of The Daily.

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Charm City was produced by Lynsea Garrison, with help from Rachel Quester, and edited by Lisa Tobin.

The Daily is produced by Theo Balcomb, Annie Brown, Jessica Cheung, Paige Cowett, Lynsea Garrison, Michael Simon Johnson, Andy Mills, Rachel Quester, Ike Sriskandarajah and Clare Toeniskoetter, with editing help from Larissa Anderson. Lisa Tobin is our executive producer. Samantha Henig is our editorial director. Brad Fisher is our technical manager. Chris Wood is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.SAN FRANCISCO  While a number of large financial institutions have discussed trading Bitcoin, one firm has already begun doing it. Very quietly.

The financial firm, Susquehanna International Group in Bala Cynwyd, Pa., just outside Philadelphia, is one of the largest players in trading traditional investments like stocks, options and exchange traded funds, or E.T.F.s. Over the last two years, the privately owned company has also built up a trading desk of around a dozen people that buys and sells millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin and other virtual or cryptocurrencies in private deals.

Now the firm is opening trading to a small group of its 500 clients, with plans to expand.

The move is the latest sign that the virtual currency markets, which were once relegated to the fringes of the financial world, are being embraced by big, mainstream investors.

The parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, the Intercontinental Exchange, has been in talks about opening a subsidiary for cryptocurrency trading, and Goldman Sachs is on the verge of opening its own trading operation.Seven, Dose and JC have a plan. Theyll wait for the weather to turn, theyll watch for the guard to pass, theyll hope the security cameras are out, and then theyll have 14 minutes to let their spray cans hiss.

This Is Modern Art, produced by Blessed Unrest at Next Door @NYTW, is based on actual events in 2010, when a trio of graffiti writers tagged a low outside wall at the Art Institute of Chicago. In the top left corner, one of them wrote MODERN ART a neat piece of provocation that asks whos in and whos out, whats art and whats scrawl. Unfortunately, very little in this play, written by Idris Goodwin and Kevin Coval, is as pointed or stylish.

We meet these three likable writers, all men of color, as well as Sevens girlfriend, Selena, a white girl who insists: Im not just some graffiti groupie. Im their lookout. Theyre living in Chicago, working menial jobs, adorning train lines and the occasional Gold Coast apartment complex. On a break from work, Seven (Shakur Tolliver) sees the gleaming museum, an elitist space where he feels unwelcome. He wants to make his mark on it. This is chance to show people that there are real artists in this city. Right now. Living and grinding everyday to make their art, he says.

But because of fumes or budget or expediency, we never actually see the art being made on the stage. (KEO XMEN provided the pre-painted scenic art that is eventually revealed.) Instead we have a didactic script, in which the characters turn directly to the audience to lecture on street-art history and vocabulary. Under Jessica Burrs direction, they often face front even when theyre supposed to be in scenes together.How do you keep up with the latest news about the volcano?

I rely on multiple sources to tell me about conditions on the ground and where the threats are highest. Residents call or send me text and social media messages. I get updates from government and emergency management workers and the National Guard. And live notices go out via cellphone.

What do things look like now?

Theres a fast-moving lava flow going to another section of the Lower Puna community. Cellphone service has been cut off because power lines and cell towers are down. A major thoroughfare has been cut off and many families had to evacuate in the middle of the night. Local agriculture is devastated. Farms have been overrun by lava or crops have died due to volcanic gases in the air.

What are some of the dangers?

The direct threats to residents and first responders are the lava flow, which has created a 2,400-acre lava field and destroyed over 100 structures, and the volcanic gases. The volcano emits sulfur dioxide, which at high concentrations can be a health hazard especially for children, the elderly and people with respiratory illness.

The broader threat is gaseous vog and ash  vog is the volcanic form of fog. It not only threatens the immediate community but depending on how the wind travels is potentially dangerous to other communities miles away.

What precautions should travelers take?

We dont recommend and actually discourage tourists from visiting the active volcano area. Resources are strained. First responders  police, fire, civil defense and the National Guard  are focused on evacuations and keeping residents safe. The situation is continually changing and evolving. Now is not the time for tourists to blanket the area.As the school year wound down this week at St. Cornelius Catholic School in Chadds Ford, Pa., eighth-grade students were handed a gift meant to prepare them for their transition to high school  a bullet-resistant shield that can fit in their backpacks.

It is their life now, which is very sad, Barbara Rosini, the school principal, said in an interview on Tuesday. But if it is something that will help keep our kids, or any child or any adult, safe, that is unfortunately where we are now.

I never thought I would need this, Jacob Nicosia, one of the students graduating on Tuesday, told a local television station during the distribution event on Monday.

The small private school in a small semirural community west of Philadelphia, with several hundred students from prekindergarten through middle school, is not alone in its attempt to address the multiple school shootings over the years.Police are investigating the sudden death in May of a wealthy man in western Japan, dubbed a Japanese "Don Juan" for being a womanizer, as possible murder after stimulants were detected in his body, investigative sources said Monday.

Kosuke Nozaki, 77, was found collapsed by his wife, 55 years his junior, on the sofa of his bedroom on the night of May 24. He was later confirmed dead and an autopsy found traces of illegal narcotics in his system, while no external injuries were found.

The cause of death was identified as acute circulation failure, and investigators are trying to determine if his death was caused by the stimulant drugs, the sources said. - KyodoUpdate: Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and Jon Cox, a Republican, emerged from a crowded field in the governors race in California to advance to the general election, according to The Associated Press, as did Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat, in the Senate race. In key House races, Democrats seemed poised to avoid being shut out of the November balloting under the states so-called top-two primary system. Read more about the primary night in California, and about races from New Jersey to Montana.

LOS ANGELES  The votes in a big election day in California have been cast, and the country is eagerly awaiting the results. Key battles include seven Republican-held congressional seats Democrats hope to flip in the fall and a race to succeed Jerry Brown as governor.

All of this has been complicated by Californias unconventional election system: The top two finishers in Tuesdays nonpartisan, open primary will face each other in November. And that is causing headaches for both parties.

Heres how to get up to speed:

 Need a primer to understand the stakes of the California races? Start here. And heres an explanation of how the states unusual primary system works.California voters are making lots of decisions in Tuesdays primary election. Theyre choosing candidates for a new governor as Jerry Brown retires from a lifetime in politics, and theyre choosing whether to nominate Senator Dianne Feinstein for a sixth term. And in seven Republican districts that favored Hillary Clinton in 2016, theyre choosing whether to send Democrats to Washington instead.

New York Times photographers in each of these districts spoke to voters to find out what is motivating them  and what message they hope the results on Tuesday send. I think its important to have a say in the community that we build, said Kennedy Monterroza, an 18-year-old Democrat from Oceanside, in the 49th District. She is voting for the first time on Tuesday. That is the first level of making a change in the country as a whole, she said.

Follow live coverage from Times journalists as voters head to the polls.Economists have also expressed skepticism about Chinas potential to purchase tens of billions of dollars of additional products from the United States, arguing that the American economy is already operating near its full potential. If China does ramp up purchases of energy and agricultural goods, they say, it would simply displace those purchases from other nations, making little lasting impact on the overall trade deficit or the American economy.

The figure offered last weekend follows earlier statements by senior Trump administration officials, who said after a meeting with the Chinese in mid-May that Beijing had proposed a package of purchases and economic reforms that would essentially allow $200 billion worth of American goods to enter China over the next few years.

As that round of talks concluded in mid-May, the White House said that China had committed to buying more agriculture and energy exports, but noted that American officials would travel to China to work out the details of their agreement.

The push to strike a deal with China has also provoked criticism from some lawmakers. The Trump administration briefed lawmakers two weeks ago on a deal that would keep the Chinese telecom firm ZTE in business in exchange for other trade concessions, a proposal that the president later confirmed on Twitter.

The United States had banned the Chinese firm from buying American technology components for seven years as a punishment for violating United States sanctions against Iran and North Korea. The prospect of lifting those sanctions had provoked a backlash from lawmakers across the political spectrum, who saw the issue as a law enforcement matter and ZTEs expansion in the United States as a potential national security threat.

The trade conflict with the Chinese could escalate in coming months, putting at risk multinational businesses that depend on China to source and sell products. China has threatened to retaliate by placing its own tariffs on roughly $50 billion of American products, and Mr. Trump responded by threatening tariffs on an additional $100 billion of Chinese goods.David H. Koch, the billionaire industrialist who combined his vast wealth and libertarian-tinged brand of conservatism to influence candidates and campaigns at all levels of American politics, is stepping away from his political and business interests because of declining health, his company announced Tuesday.

[David Koch Died on Aug. 23 at the Age of 79]

Mr. Kochs brother Charles said in a letter to employees at Koch Industries, the company the two controlled, that David Kochs health problems had made it impossible for him to continue working. Unfortunately these issues have not been resolved and his health has continued to deteriorate, the letter said. We are deeply saddened by this.

The Koch family has been influential in conservative politics for generations, long before its name became synonymous with big money in the Republican Party. David Koch, in fact, was the vice-presidential nominee for the Libertarian Party in 1980. Fred Koch, the family patriarch and father of Charles and David, who founded Koch Industries, was a founding member of the far-right, anti-Communist John Birch Society.

With millions of dollars in donations over the years, the Kochs contribution to todays Republican Party has been seminal, helping to solidify doctrine that favored businesses and worked against stricter environmental regulations. Now, the absence of David Koch, 78, who was the more public and political of the brothers, will inevitably raise questions about whether the Kochs mission will shift further toward nonpolitical endeavors.But it did not say if she was still part of the redesign.

The redesign of the next currency series is still in the early stages, and neither the final designs nor all features have been finalized for the new notes, wrote Drew Maloney, the Treasurys assistant secretary for legislative affairs. For this reason, the department is unable to provide additional information regarding the potential designs at this time.

It was also unclear when the redesign would be made public or be ready for circulation. Mr. Maloney said it would likely be more than 10 years before the new $20 note is released.

Ms. Shaheen took the response as a bad sign for the plan to put Tubman on the $20 bill.

I am severely disappointed by the Trump administrations failure to prioritize the redesign of the $20 bill to honor Harriet Tubman, and other trailblazing women and civil rights leaders, Ms. Shaheen said in a statement. Now that plan has been shelved without notice or reason.

She added: Ill continue to press the Treasury Department to expedite the redesign of the $20 bill and keep its promise to the American people.

A Treasury spokeswoman had no additional comment.

Lydia Washington, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which is overseen by the Treasury Department, said she had received no new guidance beyond that set forth by Mr. Lew. She said that the redesign process remained on schedule, but that the ultimate timeline would be dictated by the agencys ability to design security features needed to prevent counterfeiting, and by Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary.And it is not clear how much damage three weeks in Washington would do to Democratic senators, who would still have long weekends to campaign. The dog days of August are typically not when voters are tuned in to midterm elections.

Lawmakers face a Sept. 30 deadline to pass spending legislation to avoid a government shutdown on Oct. 1, when the 2019 fiscal year begins. This year, it took lawmakers until March to pass a broad spending bill for the 2018 fiscal year, which was already almost halfway over. At the time, Mr. Trump expressed dissatisfaction and said he would never again sign a similar measure. For the 2019 fiscal year, lawmakers are trying to pass spending legislation in pieces, and in a more timely fashion.

On Tuesday, Democrats, trying to make the most of a scheduling decision that leaves them at a disadvantage, emerged from their weekly policy luncheon and tried to pressure their Republican colleagues to dedicate the reclaimed time in August to addressing rising health care and prescription drug costs.

Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, told reporters that working through August gave the Senate a perfect opportunity to expand Medicare access, increase tax credits for families purchasing health insurance and create a national reinsurance program aimed at lowering insurance premiums. He said he expected Mr. Trump to skip his August vacation, as well, and to remain in Washington.

Senators most affected by the schedule change simply shrugged  at least publicly.

Frankly, the best thing I can do for the people of Wisconsin is fight to lower health care costs, fight to lower prescription drug costs  and we would look forward to the opportunity to deliver results on health care policy during the August recess, said Senator Tammy Baldwin, Democrat of Wisconsin, when asked if the schedule change would hurt her campaign.

Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, another vulnerable Democrat, said: We were sent here to vote, we were sent here to do our job. Im perfectly fine with it.

Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, a moderate Democrat who is running for re-election in a state in which Mr. Trump won roughly two-thirds of the vote, said he would like to see Senate leaders go further.

We ought to start working on Mondays and Fridays, too, he said. I always thought you had a workweek Monday to Friday. I never did get a four-week vacation, so I never did understand that here.Eight states are holding primaries on Tuesday: Alabama, California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota. It will be the busiest primary day of the year so far, as voters choose the candidates who will face off on Nov. 6.

Most of the attention this week has focused on California. Skip to the end if you want to read about that (or go straight to our live updates)  but first, heres what you need to know about the other seven states in play.

New Jersey

Democrats think their path to retaking the House runs through the suburbs, and New Jersey is full of them. Five of its 12 seats are held by Republicans, and remarkably, Democrats have a shot at all five  even a couple districts that havent elected a Democrat since Jimmy Carter was president. You can read more about the campaigns here.

One of the most interesting primaries is in South Jersey, in the Second District, where Representative Frank LoBiondo is retiring. The effort to flip his seat has become a microcosm of a national battle: Jeff Van Drew, a conservative Democrat, says only someone like him can win the general election in a right-leaning district, while Tanzie Youngblood, his progressive challenger, is doubling down on the partys liberal base.WASHINGTON  The White House has unblocked the accounts of seven Twitter users who sued President Trump for barring them from viewing or responding to his tweets, even as the administration has decided to appeal a federal judges ruling in May that Mr. Trump violated their constitutional rights.

The decision to unblock the plaintiffs from interacting with Mr. Trumps account was a gesture of constitutional modesty by the Trump administration at a time when he and his lawyers have been making increasingly aggressive assertions of executive powers. The judge had not ordered the president to unblock them as part of the ruling, instead leaving it up to the White House to decide how to respond to her ruling.

Late on Monday, the Justice Department informed the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, which is representing the plaintiffs, that it had unblocked their accounts. But around the same time, the department filed notice in court that it was appealing the ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in New York.

Jameel Jaffer, the executive director of the Knight Institute, said the organization looked forward to defending the May ruling, by Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald of the Southern District of New York, before the appeals court.In a year that has broken records for the number of women running for office, the primaries in eight states this week might be considered Super Tuesday for female candidates. More of them will appear on ballots for congressional and statewide executive offices than on any other single primary day in 2018  a total of 122 women.

These women represent 24.3 percent of all major party candidates on Tuesdays ballots: 31.5 percent of all Democrats and 15.8 percent of all Republicans, according to Gender Watch 2018, a collaboration between the Barbara Lee Family Foundation and the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers.

Here are some races and themes to watch:

In New Mexico, more firsts for women of color?LOS ANGELES  Reaching into jubilant crowds from atop the back seat of a slow-moving convertible, walking the streets of riot-torn Watts, sitting with Cesar Chavez in the Central Valley  these are the frozen moments of Robert F. Kennedys campaign for president in California in 1968.

There is another one, of course, a final one: lying on the kitchen floor of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, a busboy cradling his head.

The date was June 5, 1968.

Days earlier, Mr. Kennedy had flown into the city to campaign in the California primary, his presidential hopes hanging in the balance. He had just lost to Eugene McCarthy in the primary in Oregon, the first election loss ever for a Kennedy. But Oregon was mostly white; in California, Mr. Kennedy touched his natural constituency  impoverished African-Americans and disenfranchised farmworkers from Mexico.

And so in California, the promise of his candidacy rested: to heal a nation torn by the Vietnam War and divided by race and class. A big win there, his aides hoped, could convince Mr. McCarthy to drop from the race and the power brokers in the Democratic Party to back Mr. Kennedy, clearing a path to the nomination at the convention later that summer in Chicago.Marilyn Haskel, a 72-year-old resident of Collington involved in selecting the students, said the young people often invited fellow music students to practice on the grounds, resulting in pop-up concerts. With no family nearby, Ms. Haskel said, it was delightful for me to sit down and have conversations about their careers and what theyre planning.

When residents learned that Ms. Flores didnt have a car, they often drove her to campus. Ms. Flores struck up close friendships with many of the residents, including one she met in September who had recently been given a brain cancer diagnosis.

We bonded over Bach, she said, engaging in lengthy conversations about him. When the man died in February, Ms. Flores played a piece he had requested at his funeral: Bachs Sarabande: Suite for Solo Cello No. 5 in C Minor.

I promised I wouldnt cry, but you cant help that, she said. It was a very emotional moment.

College students at other campuses will have the opportunity to interact with older adults in a program being rolled out this fall called Intergenerational Solutions in Housing. Started by Generations United and New York University and partially supported with a grant from the AARP Foundation, it aims to address two problems: social isolation among older adults and student debt. Graduate students in social work will be matched with older Americans who have a spare room. Ernest Gonzales, an assistant professor of social work at New York University, felt these students were prime candidates, since they have high levels of maturity and altruism and many carry a significant amount of student loan debt.

Students will either live rent-free in exchange for services like grocery shopping and shoveling snow, or they can opt to pay below-market rent with no formal exchange of services. A licensed social worker will oversee the recruitment of graduate students who will handle the on-the-ground matching services, run background checks and home inspections and provide routine check-ins to ensure the matches are successful. A rigorous vetting process will aim to safeguard against thefts and other types of abuse.

Every city is wrestling with social isolation among older adults and high housing costs, so theres a real hunger for launching this, Dr. Gonzales said. The program will debut this fall at N.Y.U. and Washington University in St. Louis; the goal is to expand it to many college campuses across the country. Though an AARP survey found 38 percent of those 45 and older indicating a willingness to share their homes, its unclear how many would actually participate, said Emily Allen, senior vice president at the AARP Foundation. She says this could be an important income generator for low-income older adults, but it needs to be tested.Ethiopia announced Tuesday that it would accept a 2000 peace agreement with Eritrea over their disputed border, potentially a major step toward resolving one of post-colonial Africas bloodiest and most protracted conflicts.

A statement by the governing party of Ethiopia, the second-most populous country in Africa, said it would fully accept and implement the agreement with Eritrea, a former province of Ethiopia, which was signed but never honored.

The Eritrean government should take the same stand without any prerequisite and accept our call to bring back the long-lost peace of the two brother nations as it was before, the governing party, the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front, said in the statement.

The countries fought a war from 1998 to 2000 over their border dispute, which left about 80,000 people dead. They signed a peace agreement in 2000, but the Ethiopians never accepted the findings of a boundary commission established by the agreement.MEXICO CITY  A federal court in Mexico ordered the government on Monday to investigate the 2014 disappearances of 43 college students again, but this time under the supervision of a truth commission to be led by the nations top human rights body and parents of the victims.

The order came in response to legal motions filed by several defendants accused of taking part in the students violent abduction, which took place in September 2014 and quickly became an international scandal for the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto. The suspects accused the government of using torture to force confessions, an accusation that the United Nations also made in a recent report.

But rather than simply validate the allegations of torture, the three judges of the First Collegiate Tribunal of the 19th Circuit unanimously delivered a broad and sweeping indictment of the entire case, describing it as neither prompt, effective, independent nor impartial.

They accused the nations attorney generals office of ignoring lines of evidence that contradicted its theory of the case, and they ordered the creation of a so-called truth commission to oversee the new investigation.The administration has characterized its policy as being about illegal immigration, though many of the detained migrants  including those in families that are split apart  enter at official border crossings and request asylum, which is not an illegal entry. It has also said that some adults falsely claim to be the parents of accompanying children, a genuine problem, and that it has to sort out their claims.

On Twitter, President Trump has appeared to agree that breaking up families was wrong, but blamed Democrats for the approach, saying that their bad legislation had caused it. In fact, no law requires separating children from families, and the practice was put in place by his administration just months ago.

The Times found in April that over six months, about 700 children had been taken from people claiming to be their parents.

The American Civil Liberties Union says that since then, the pace of separations has accelerated sharply. Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the groups immigrant rights project, said that in the past five weeks, close to 1,000 children may have been taken from their families.

Last year, as Homeland Security secretary, John F. Kelly raised the idea of separating children from their families when they entered the country as a way to deter movement across the Mexican border.

Homeland Security officials have since denied that they separate families, but have also faced sharp criticism from Mr. Trump for failing to do more to curb the numbers of migrants crossing the border.

For the United Nations, it was a matter of great concern that in the United States migration control appears to have been prioritized over the effective care and protection of migrant children, Ms. Shamdasani said.The changes in the North are largely the work of the young leader, Mr. Kim. He has lifted the controls of the command economy to allow small-time trading, smuggling and shuttle traders who move with ease between China and his nation, economists and Chinese businesspeople say. In a New Years speech in January, Mr. Kim said that having developed a nuclear arsenal, he would now turn his attention to improving the lives of his people.

Inside North Korea, the markets that Mr. Kim has allowed to grow have become an essential part of everyday life, offering many people a higher standard of living, said Byung-Yeon Kim, an economist who wrote a recent book, Unveiling the North Korean Economy.

While this growth has bolstered popular support for the Kim family dynasty, the North Korean leadership is aware that it can also be a two-edged sword, he said. Having set itself on this road of economic improvement, North Korea must continue to find ways to expand and develop a national economy whose output is still just $20 billion  half the size of that of South Koreas sixth-largest city, Gwangju.

North Korea is now a place where you can enjoy a normal life compared to the 1990s, said Mr. Kim, the economist. Money has become very important. People there are saying if they can have money they have no reason to flee to South Korea.HONG KONG  Tens of thousands of dollars in cash. Documents listing locations of United States Cyber Command outposts. A passcode-protected thumb drive, hidden behind a sock in the toe of a shoe.

According to the Justice Department, these are among the items that United States agents found over the years while searching the luggage of Ron Rockwell Hansen, a former Defense Intelligence Agency case officer, as he flew numerous times between the United States and China. Mr. Hansen, 58, a fluent Mandarin speaker who first visited China in 1981, has allegedly received at least $800,000 in funds originating from China since May 2013.

On Saturday, Mr. Hansen was arrested in Seattle and charged with attempted espionage, in what appears to be another high-profile mole hunt by F.B.I. investigators intent on uncovering Chinese spying against the United States.

His alleged actions are a betrayal of our nations security and the American people and are an affront to his former intelligence community colleagues, John C. Demers, the assistant attorney general for national security, said in a statement posted on the Justice Departments website on Monday.ROME  Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy on Tuesday called his countrys new government proudly populist and anti-establishment as he outlined a sweeping, if unspecific, vision for overhauling its migration system, renegotiating its relationship with Europe and moving closer to Russia.

Mr. Conte said the new government brought a radical change that we are proud of.

The label populism, he said, fit if populism is the attitude of the ruling class to listen to the peoples needs, while the label anti-establishment fit if anti-system means aiming at introducing a new system able to remove old privileges and encrusted power.

Mr. Conte, a little-known lawyer whose debut on the national stage was met with a controversy about embellishment to his resume, presented a laundry list of problems that the government would confront. They included the mafia, conflicts of interest, Italys slow health care system, its creaky, byzantine bureaucracy, jobs, youth unemployment, pensions, the environment, brain drain, overtaxation and just about every ill of Italian society.

But he offered few concrete details on how his government would realize the proposals in his speech, before a successful confidence vote in the Senate.BRUSSELS  President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia arrived in Austria on Tuesday sensing an opportunity almost unimaginable just months ago: to overhaul frosty relations with a European Union infuriated by President Trump on a host of issues, from climate and Iran to, most recently, tariffs and trade.

Never mind that Mr. Putin was until recently virtually a pariah in Europe after his military interventions in Ukraine, Crimea and Syria; after meddling in European elections and working hard to foment right-wing populist uprisings throughout the Continent; after polluting the political environment with fake news; and after allegedly poisoning a former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain, charges Russia denies.

Mr. Putin was now gaining considerable traction by casting himself as a reliable friend and trading partner to Europe even as the Trump administration was treating its closest allies there as strategic and economic competitors.

It is not our aim to divide anything or anybody in Europe, Mr. Putin said in a television interview before he went to Vienna. On the contrary, we want to see a united and prosperous European Union because the European Union is our biggest trade and economic partner. The more problems there are within the European Union, the greater the risks and uncertainties for us.BUCHAREST, Romania  All European Union countries must recognize same-sex marriage, at least in relation to immigration cases where one partner is a citizen of the bloc, its highest court ruled on Tuesday.

The verdict was an important victory for L.G.B.T. rights groups, which have long argued that same-sex spouses of European Union citizens should be afforded the same basic right to live and work across the blocs 28 countries as heterosexual spouses, regardless of individual countries stances on same-sex marriage.

It also highlighted growing tensions between the blocs core institutions and some of its newer, more socially conservative member states.

Six European Union countries  all of them former Eastern Bloc nations that joined the union in the 21st century  have yet to legalize same-sex marriages or civil unions. In a statement issued along with its verdict, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg said they remained free not to do so.TEHRAN  Iran announced on Tuesday that it had completed a new centrifuge assembly center at the Natanz nuclear site, in a first step to increasing its enrichment capacity.

While Iran said it would keep enrichment within limits set by the 2015 nuclear accord, the centers opening seemed to signal that it could swing to industrial-level enrichment if that agreement, which the United States withdrew from last month, should further unravel.

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi, told state television that the centers construction had been in line with our safeguard commitments but not publicly announced.

A spokesman for the Iranian nuclear agency, Behrouz Kamalvandi, said a letter had been sent to the International Atomic Energy Agency explaining the action. He also told the semiofficial Iranian Students News Agency that Tehran would increase its capacity to produce uranium hexafluoride, a feedstock for centrifuges.[June 05, 2018] CENGN Announces Appointment of Jean-Charles Fahmy as New CEO OTTAWA, June 5, 2018 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of the Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jean-Charles (JC) Fahmy as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective June 4, 2018. "We are thrilled to have Mr. Fahmy as CENGN's Chief Executive Officer. We've selected a very strong business leader with deep global industry experience, who is poised to lead CENGN as it accelerates its mission to enable commercialization of innovation in Canada's NGN and ICT sectors," said CENGN's Chairman Mike Scott. CENGN was funded in 2014 with $11.7 million under the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) CECR (Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research) program. Its mission is to drive commercialization of innovation in Canada's next generation of networking (NGN) and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors, by providing services to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and by creating a viable Canadian ecosystem with industry, academia, government, and financial communities, that will provide the support these SMEs need to be successful and scale. In January 2018, the Ontario Minister of Research, Innovation and Science, granted $63.3 million to launch the Next Generation Network Program (NGNP), to be jointly delivered by CENGN and the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE). This program will faciitate the development of a NGN testbed that connects Ontario's Regional Innovation Centres, industry and academia. CENGN will equip innovators and companies across the province with new capabilities to collaborate on the creation and commercialization of new and disruptive products, processes, and services. "With the exponential pace of change, innovation has never been more important for Canada. CENGN's CEO must be capable of accelerating innovation and helping SMEs disrupt in this digital transformation age," said Mike Scott. "JC is a strong leader who can translate vision and strategy into world-class execution. He has a proven track record of achieving exceptional results guiding technology organizations to harness innovation, create value, and accelerate business performance. He has the ability to connect with employees, customers, and partners to drive results and achieve excellence. JC's vision, strategy and execution track record is exactly what CENGN needs as we enter our next chapter, which I am confident will be even more impactful and exciting than our last." said Scott. Fahmy has over 25 years of global leadership experience in the networking industry. He was most recently Vice President, Product Management and Business Development at Coriant. Prior to that he held several senior leadership roles at Nortel Networks, BTI Systems, and as Operating Executive in the Telecom practice at Marlin Equity Partners, a leading Private Equity Firm. "I am incredibly excited to be joining the CENGN team", said Fahmy. "I am passionate about the strength and potential of Canadian NGN innovation. Through its technology platform, its services, and its talented team, CENGN has a tremendous opportunity to make a significant positive impact on the Canadian ICT sector, and help technology SMEs and startups commercialize their innovation and grow." For more information on JC Fahmy, visit https://cengn.ca/jc-fahmy. About CENGN: Canada's Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN), is a consortium of large multinational companies, academic institutions, and research leaders that work with small and medium Canadian companies to accelerate the commercialization of next generation communications solutions. CENGN is a not-for-profit company funded by the Canadian Government's Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) through the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) Program and the Ontario Government's Next Generation Network Program (NGNP), as well as its industry members. The organization's members include: Bell Canada, Cisco, EXFO, Huawei, Invest Ottawa, Juniper Networks, Mitel, Nokia, Ribbon Communications, Rogers, TELUS and Wind River. CENGN's mission is to create a viable Canadian ecosystem that facilitates commercialization in the next generation of networks by providing services to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), industry, academia, and government. CENGN's internationally recognized multi-vendor infrastructure is built on open source as well as commercially available software and hardware. CENGN's technology areas of focus are: Data Centre and Cloud Infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), and Software Defined Networks (SDN), among others. The organization is at the leading edge in the development and deployment of wired and wireless technologies that are utilized by applications such as cloud, wireless 5G, autonomous vehicles, broadband internet and cybersecurity. SOURCE Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks

[ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ]While the Israelis have rejected criticism that their response to the protests has been disproportionate, the Israeli military appeared to be treating the killing of Ms. Najjar as a case that required further scrutiny.

Thousands of people attended the funeral of Ms. Najjar in Gaza on Saturday. A group of United Nations agencies issued a joint statement expressing outrage at the killing of an unarmed medical relief worker.

Witness accounts said Ms. Najjar was shot two or three times in the upper body by Israeli soldiers positioned across the fence as she was seeking to aid an injured protester, about an hour before dusk on Friday.

The Israeli militarys Twitter post, which misstated her age as 22, said an initial examination had found that a small number of bullets were fired during the incident, and that no shots were deliberately or directly aimed towards her.

A follow-up Twitter post said the episode would be further examined by the Israeli military and that the findings would be passed to the chief military lawyer.

The protests along the fortified fence that separates Gaza from Israeli territory have become an acute flash point in the intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Palestinians have been rallying at the fence every Friday since the end of March, protesting an 11-year-old blockade of Gaza and demanding the right to return to lands that are now part of Israel.

A resolution presented to the United Nations Security Council on Friday to condemn the Israeli actions at the Gaza fence was vetoed by the United States, which contended the wording was one-sided against its Middle East ally.The cost of college is a notoriously complex subject. The list price at many private colleges, including tuition, fees, room and board, has reached the bewildering sum of $70,000 a year. But the real price, taking into account financial aid, is often vastly lower.

How much lower? Were here to help answer that question.

More than 30 top colleges now participate in a simple online calculator that provides cost estimates to families. (And those 30 typically charge similar prices to other selective colleges.) The New York Times has analyzed the data from the calculator and is publishing the results here. Its a snapshot of what college really costs.

Select a school: Total annual college costs, by family profile Parent payment Student job Student loan Financial aid

Our central finding is that top colleges are more affordable than many people realize  not only for poor students but also for those from the middle-class.

Typical lower-income students  from a family earning $50,000 or less, for example  face an annual bill of $6,000. Students can often cover that cost through part-time work and a small annual loan, without their parents having to pay additional money.

Middle-class families pay a higher price, but nothing like the list price. Only affluent families pay something close to the list price. Its true that many of these families dont think of themselves as affluent. But they are  part of roughly the countrys richest 10 percent, with an annual income of at least $175,000 and a net worth of a half-million dollars or more. For them, a college bill approaching $70,000 can be decidedly unpleasant, yet it doesnt reorder their lives.

The bottom line is that the cost of college is a serious issue in this country, but not quite in the way that many people think. Colleges with intimidating list prices arent the biggest problem, because they often offer substantial financial aid and have very high graduation rates. Low-income students at these colleges certainly dont have it easy. Many initially struggle to fit in on elite campuses. Yet the bulk of them go on to graduate, emerge with manageable amounts of debt and get good jobs.

The real problem is elsewhere: among for-profit colleges and public colleges with lower list prices but much lower graduation rates. They often produce students with debt and no degree, which is a miserable combination.

To conduct this exercise, we created six representative families, each with an income and net worth based on the national distribution for families with college-age children.

Very Affluent Lower-Middle Upper-Middle Poor Middle Affluent $20,300 $0 $0 $0 10th $40,000 $0 $500 $7,000 25th $75,000 $35,000 $5,000 $25,000 50th $122,700 $115,000 $15,000 $90,000 75th $186,000 $300,000 $75,000 $375,000 90th $246,000 $500,000 $150,000 $1.1 million 95th Income: HOME Equity: Cash: Investments: PERCENTILE: HOME Equity Income Cash Investments Poor $20,300 $40,000 $75,000 $122,700 $186,000 $246,000 $0 $0 $35,000 $115,000 $300,000 $500,000 $0 $500 $5,000 $15,000 $75,000 $150,000 $0 $7,000 $25,000 $90,000 $375,000 $1.1 million 10th percentile Lower- Middle 25th Middle 50th Upper- Middle 75th Affluent 90th Very Affluent 95th

The middle-class family, for example, earns $75,000  about the median (or 50th percentile) income for families in this age range  and has a modified net worth of $65,000  also about the median figure nationwide. The most affluent family has an income at the 95th percentile and a modified net worth at the 95th percentile. (Modified net worth excludes retirement accounts, as most colleges do when calculating financial aid.)

Here is the full breakdown of costs, for each of the six representatives families, at each of the 32 colleges that participate in the online calculator, which is known as MyIntuition. Of the 32, 31 are private. For the one public college, the University of Virginia, we separately show the costs for in-state and out-of-state students.

Total annual college costs, by family profile Poor families Very affluent families

One striking pattern is the similarity of college costs for a given family across different selective colleges. Prices do vary from one college to another, but often not radically so.

Look, for example, at the Kelly-green dots congregated around $16,000. They depict the total cost of college for a family with median income and wealth. A student from one of these families would take out a loan of about $2,500 and earn another $5,000 through a summer job and part-time work during the school year. The parents would then owe the remaining $7,500 or so.

Thats a substantial sum for a middle-class family, one that often requires families to dip into savings. Yet its also much smaller than the often-quoted list price. And given the large economic returns to a college degree, many families understandably decide that the cost is worth it.

As similar as the costs are from top colleges to the next, they are not identical. Mount Holyoke and the University of Rochester are among those that charge a higher average price to lower- and middle-income students, via both larger student loans and higher parent payments.

Not surprisingly, colleges that charge more tend to have smaller endowments, giving them fewer resources to pay for financial aid. In some cases, these more expensive colleges also enroll a greater portion of low-income students than colleges that charge less  effectively choosing to spread their financial-aid dollars more thinly among a larger group of students. Mount Holyoke and Rochester, for example, have a more economically diverse student body than Bates, Johns Hopkins or Skidmore, each of which charges less on average to the lower-income students they enroll.

Meanwhile, the least expensive selective colleges for poor and middle-class students often have the largest endowments. Amherst, Dartmouth and Williams are all examples. Yale stands out for providing the most financial aid to middle-class students, charging them only slightly more than poor students. (Harvard, Princeton and Stanford, who dont participate in the online calculator, have similar policies as Yale.) For both poor and middle-class students, these colleges tend to be significantly cheaper than four-year public universities.

For anyone thinking about applying to a selective college, its important to remember that the numbers here are estimates. We are showing the best estimate for each college. The MyIntuition calculator also provides a high estimate and a low estimate for any student at any college. Often, the range of these estimates overlaps across colleges:

Total annual college costs, by family profile Poor families Rich families $60K 40K Range 20K 0 Mount Holyoke University of Rochester Bates Johns Hopkins University Total annual college costs, by family profile Poor families Rich families $60K Range 40K 20K 0 Mount Holyoke University of Rochester Bates Johns Hopkins University

The beauty of the calculator is its simplicity. In about 60 seconds, you can receive an estimate from it. But this simplicity means it cant take into all of the nuances of a familys financial situation  which colleges will consider when determining financial aid. Many colleges also give scholarships based on academic record.

Phillip Levine, a Wellesley College economist who created the calculator, emphasizes that people should not rule out a college simply because the calculator makes it looks slightly more expensive than others. Students who need financial aid should apply to multiple colleges and see what aid offers they receive.

We agree with that, and well add another piece of advice: Dont assume that any college is too expensive for you to attend. For a large majority of Americans, college  public or private, elite or more typical  doesnt cost anywhere near $70,000 a year.

You can join me on Twitter (@DLeonhardt) and Facebook. I am also writing a daily email newsletter and invite you to subscribe.

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook and Twitter (@NYTOpinion).A delegation to meet Rajnath Singh over attack on Dalit Sikhs in Shillong

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

New Delhi: The ongoing violence in Shillong has forced over 1000 of people to take shelter at several safe places and some of them have been forced to take refuge in Army barracks. Over 500 Dalit Sikhs residents of Punjabi Colony, Bada Bazaar, Shillong have been forced to go to army barracks as their colony was besieged by Khasi Community who were demanding that Punjabi settlers must be moved to the outskirts of the city.

A delegation of Human Rights Defense International (HRDI) will meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Governor of Meghalaya , Chief Minister of Mehgalaya and Jyotika Kalra, Member, National Human Rights Commission to seek their indulgence in this incident. A delegation of HRDI will also visit Shillong, Meghalaya and prepare a report and submit the same to the Central Government for appropriate action.

Violence started in Shillong on May 31, 2018 as a fake news traveled across the city that a group of Punjabi people from the colony has decapitated two Khasi boys. A mob gathered near the colony, intent on violence. The mob clashed with personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force and state police, resulting in injuries on both sides. Superintendent of Police (City) Stephan Rynjah was injured after he was hit by a rod. The police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

The curfew was imposed and the army also conducted a flag march in the area. Despite imposition of curfew, the Sikhs were attacked by violent mob during the relaxation of the curfew. Reportedly stone palters were funded with cash and alcohol.

Speaking on behalf of HRDI former BJP Rajya Sabha Member Tarun Vijay demanded that the state government and the Central government should provide adequate security to Sikhs as well as other religious and linguistic minorities there who are continuously living under the threat of violence. HRDI further demanded that action should be taken against the perpetrators of violence and it should be ensured that such incidents are not repeated in future.

Justice M C Garg President, Society for Youth of North East, Rajesh Gogna, Secretary-General, HRDI, Dr. Charuwali Khanna and others Human/Minorities Rights Activists also expressed their concern on the ongoing violence.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 19:17 [IST]Two Congress leaders link KPCC president DK Shivakumar to scam in viral video: What's in the leaked clip?

Ban on 'Kaala' to stay as Karnataka HC refuses to intervene

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (June 5) refused to intervene in the ban imposed by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) on the movie Kaala. The court asked the producers on the movie to provide the list of theaters where the movie is due to be released and observed that it their responsibility to provide security.

This effectively means that the ban on the movie in Karnataka continues. A bare reading of the High Court order suggests that the matter be sorted out between the producers, theaters and KFCC.

'Kaala' is scheduled to be released worldwide on June 7 but Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) had said the film would neither be distributed nor screened in the state.

The KFCC was upset with Rajinikanth's reported statement that whichever government comes to power in Karnataka should implement the Supreme Court order on Cauvery water sharing.

The ban on Rajinikanth's starring 'Kaala' in Karnataka has prompted a national film body to request the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce on Sunday to expedite its release in the state.

Actor Prakash Raj on Monday said that films should not become soft targets and put the onus on the government to rein in 'fringe elements'.

[Row over 'Kaala': Films shouldn't become soft targets, onus is on government, says Prakash Raj]

Meanwhile, 'Kaala' producer K Dhanush and his wife Aishwarya have filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking directions to the state government and Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) for smooth release of the film.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 14:35 [IST]Home Minister Amit Shah likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir, his first visit after Aug 2019

BJP's ally outreach: Amit Shah to meet Uddhav Thackeray amid strained relations

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Amid stained relations between the alliance partners Shiv Sena and BJP in Maharashtra , latter party's Chief Amit Shah is set to meet Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday.

This meeting is part of Amit Shah's 'Sampark for Samarthan' outreach programme where BJP President reaching out to like-minded people to canvass support for BJP ahead of 2019 elections.

The relations between Sena and BJP have been straining for a long time and they further escalated after Palghar by-polls.

After facing defeat in Palghar bypolls, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had explicitly expressed the party's moving away from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said:

"I am not ready to accept this defeat because 'saam, daam, dand, bhed (negotiation, money, punishment and division)' were used to win the polls," Thackeray said. "When BJP came to power in 2014, we thought this government is here to stay for at least 25 years. However, just after 4 years, they are losing most by-elections, which has reduced them to minority now. After coming to power with a majority, they did not need allies anymore," he said.

In one of the sharpest attacks after the recently held Lok Sabha bypoll in Palghar, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday described BJP as its biggest "political enemy".

The country "does not" want the duo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, but could "accept" the Congress or JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda, he said.

"The Shiv Sena is the biggest political enemy of the BJP. The Sena's radical Hinduism would prove problematic for the BJP," he said in an opinion piece written in party mouthpiece Saamana'.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 9:59 [IST]PM Modi at G20 extraordinary summit: Need to ensure Afghan territory not used for terrorism

Committed towards ensuring house for every Indian by 2022: Modi

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Asserting that owning a home is every individual's dream, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that his government is committed to ensuring that Indian has a home by 2022 when the nation would celebrate 75 years of independence.

Modi interacted with lakhs of beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) through video conferencing. He said that the Awas Yojana is not just about brick and mortar, adding, "It is about a better quality of life and dreams coming true."

"We are working towards ensuring that every Indian has a home by 2022, when India marks 75 years since Independence," he said.

The Prime Minister said that in the last four years BJP-led NDA government has constructed over one crore houses, which is 328% more than what was done during the previous government.

"Earlier, Rs 70-75,000 used to be given under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which has now been increased to Rs 1.30 lakhs," he said.

He said that during the UPA regime, the beneficiaries of Awas Yojana selected through Below Poverty Line (BPL) list.

"We started doing selection through socio-economic-caste-censux, with the help of which we added those beneficiaries who were left earlier," Modi added.

Modi also said that his government has been working to free the housing sector from middlemen, corruption and ensuring that the beneficiaries get their own home without hassles.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for Lower Income Group/Economically Weaker Section (EWS/LIG) and Middle Income Group (MIG - I & II). Under this scheme, Central government provides financial assistance through lending Institutions to eligible beneficiaries.Maha: Over 7 lakh farmers call insurance firms to inform about crop damages due to excessive rain

PM Modi interacts with five farmers who use innovative methods

Farmer killed in Lakhimpur violence cremated after second autopsy as demanded by his family

Tikait demands sacking of MOS Mishra, arrest of all accused; warns of nationwide agitation

Farmers stir: Supply of vegetables stays between normal and low

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

The ongoing farmers' stir in Madhya Pradesh saw a mixed response with some traders claiming the supply of vegetables at the agriculture markets had weakened while others termed it normal.

A senior police official said the situation in the state today was largely peaceful.

Several farmers' organisations have been agitating since June 1 as part of the 10-day "Gaon Bandh" (village shutdown) stir demanding remunerative prices for produce and waiver of farm loans.

In Mandsaur, where six people were killed in police firing on June 6 last year, only 200 farmers reached the local Mandi to sell their produce today, said an official.

"On normal days, over 4,000 farmers arrive at the Mandi. Today only 200 farmers came in with their produce," said Mandsaur Krishi Upaj Mandi inspector Balwant Singh Rathore.

Traders, however, claimed there was no shortage of fresh farm produce at the Mandsaur Mandi.

Bhagwandas Meghnani, president of Mandsaur's Wholesale Traders Union, said, "There is no shortage, as of now, because people had stored sufficient amount of vegetables ahead of the agitation. However, farmers from some areas are not arriving at the market."

Another trader, Jitu Meghnani, said the arrival of vegetables was adequate to meet the current requirement.

In Indore the price of vegetables were rising.

President of the traders' union in Indore's Ahilyabai Holkar Vegetable Market, Sundardas Makhija, told PTI, "When compared to normal days, the arrival in the Mandi has reduced to half. There is an average increase of 20 per cent in prices of tomatoes, lady finger, green chillies, bitter gourds and other vegetables."

He said the local wholesale vegetable market was largely dependent on neighbouring states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

Makhija claimed the prices of vegetables had registered a decline during the first three days of the farmers' agitation because retailers as well as buyers had stored vegetables ahead of the agitation.

"Since the stock of vegetables in people's homes and traders' warehouses has reduced now, it is expected that the business in the wholesale market would speed up soon," he said.

Bhopal's Krishi Upaj Mandi secretary Vinay Prakash Pateria claimed the arrival of grains, fruits and vegetables was normal today, adding that no increase in prices was noticed.

Mohammed Abid, a wholesale trader in Bhopal's Nav Bahar Sabji Mandi, claimed the prices had, infact, come down due to arrival of fresh farm produce.

The reports from markets in Neemuch, Jhabua and Ratlam also indicated normal arrival of vegetables.

Inspector-General of Police (Intelligence) Makrand Deuskar told reporters here that the state remained by and large peaceful on day four of the stir.

In Athner town in Betul district, agitating farmers threw vegetables and poured milk on the streets, said Siddharth Priyadarshan, inspector in charge, Athner police station.

Six people were detained and later let off, he said.

Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh (RKMM), a federation of about 130 agitating farmers' organisations, staged a protest in Vidisha alleging harassment by the administration.

The Mahasangh's spokesman Rahul Raj claimed the police had detained RKMM office-bearers in several places including Rajgarh and Singrauli.

Police said the security had been beefed up at Pipliya Mandi of Mandsaur district ahead of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's public meeting there on June 6, the first anniversary of the killing of six farmers in police firing.

Inspector General of Police (Ujjain Range) Rakesh Gupta inspected the venue of Gandhi's public meeting. State Congress chief Kamal Nath, however, alleged the administration was trying to ensure that Gandhi's rally turns out to be a flop.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 8:27 [IST]Hurry up!! AirAsia's 'Early Monsoon Sale' is here

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

With the onset of monsoon, AirAsia has launched discounted tickets to get more fliers onboard. The offer is applied on selected routes for its domestic fliers. In its monsoon sale, the budget carrier is offering flight tickets to Bengaluru, New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and some other cities for prices starting at Rs 1,399.

The bookings for the offer is open until June 10 and the travel period can be till November 30, 2018.

According to a report by global trip planner, Rome2rio, AirAsia is one of the 25 of the best value airlines for travellers. The global flight ranking report, which analysed over 1.5 million economy-class fares from 200 airlines, has revealed that AirAsia Group has three of the best value international airlines in the sky.

AirAsia's long-haul affiliate, AirAsia X, took the coveted top spot while AirAsia Indonesia came in a close third place. AirAsia Philippines also nabbed a spot at number eighteen on the list.

Travel Notes:

Advanced booking required

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ROKKI Wi-Fi: Free 1 Chats Plan with purchase of 1 Internet Plan! Visit ROKKI Wi-Fi to get this offer now. T&C apply

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 10:50 [IST]Crackdown on terrorists and their sympathisers: NIA raids multiple locations in J&K

Terror in the Valley and the Kabul connect

Govt needs to give sense of security to people cutting across religions in J&K: Omar

J&K: Army vehicle damaged in Sopore IED blast

India

oi-Madhuri

An army vehicle damaged in an IED blast in Yemberzalwai in outskirts of Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Tuesday.

No injuries have been reported so far. The area has been cordoned off. Search operation underway.

Confirming the blast, SSP Sopore Javid Iqbal told GNS that the vehicle got partially damaged. "However, no injuries reported so far in the incident".

"Whole area has been cordoned off and searches have been launched to nab the assailants," the officer said. He said that it was the low-intensity IED.

On Monday, a police vehicle was damaged in an IED blast near Wadoora area. Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit had claimed the responsibility for the Wadoora IED blast in Sopore town on government forces.Govt needs to give sense of security to people cutting across religions in J&K: Omar

J&K sex scandal: Five held guilty plea for leniency

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

Five persons, including a former DIG of the BSF, who have been found guilty by a special CBI court here in the 2006 J&K sex scandal, today sought leniency on various grounds even as the public prosecutor strongly opposed it and demanded exemplary punishment for them.The arguments on the quantum of punishment concluded today and the sentence will be pronounced on June 6.

On May 30, the court had held five persons guilty including K C Padhi, a former deputy inspector general of the Border Security Force, and Mohammad Ashraf Mir, a former deputy superintendent of police in J&K.

Three others found guilty were Masood Ahmad, Shabir Ahmad Langoo and Shabir Ahmad Laway.

The court acquitted former additional AG Anil Sethi and Mehrajuddin Malik.

The other two accused, Sabeena, who allegedly ran a brothel, and her husband Abdul Hamid Bullah, died during the course of the trial.

The five accused were convicted under Section 376 of the Ranbir Penal Code which deals with the offence of rape.

The five convicts were present before the special CBI court which heard pre-sentencing arguments.

The counsel for the former BSF DIG sought a lesser sentence citing various reasons including 'conduct of the prosecutrix', age of the accused being 67 years, taking into account his family circumstances as his wife died of trauma during the trial and the fact that the accused was alone as his two daughters were married.

Padhi's counsel also submitted that the ex-DIG had served for the country being posted in J&K where he had taken on militants, had no previous conviction in any case, and was not aware of the fact that the victim was a minor.

Shabir Ahmad Langoo's counsel stated that the girl may have been a minor, but she was "mentally very sound".

While praying for "minimum sentence" the counsel argued that crimes against women deserved to be given harsh punishment, but in the light of present case, the "conduct of the prosecutrix" should also be taken into account.

Former DSP Mohd Ashraf Mir's counsel argued that the accused could not judge the age of the girl just by having a look at her physical characteristics and arrive at conclusion that she was a minor.

Besides, he submitted that age factor of the accused being 65 years old and his health issues may also be taken into account and a lesser sentence be awarded.

However, the CBI prosecutor strongly opposed any leniency to any accused.

He argued that it was the duty of people like Padhi, who was a senior BSF official then, to act as protectors of the society.

The CBI prosecutor argued that the minor girls did not know what was going on with them and therefore the arguments of the defence that they were already into immoral activities did not hold much water.

"The minor girl did not have any power to understand what was going on with her... I don't think being a DIG rank officer should be a mitigating factor, rather it should be an aggravating factor.

Maximum punishment be given because people were looking up to people like him as a protector since he was occupying a high post," the prosecutor submitted.

Countering Langoo's counsel, the prosecutor said, "the girl was not knowing what was going on with her..mental capacity of the girl is being talked here and to say that she had a mental capacity is making a mockery. She was pulled into this (immoral activities)".

About Mohd Ashraf Mir, he said, "he was a DSP in J&K police then. He knew what he was doing."

The CBI prosecutor said that any of the accused "do not deserve lesser punishment" as they knew what impact their actions were having, besides leaving "mental scars on the girls".

The infamous J&K sex scandal had hit the headlines in 2006 when J&K police had recovered two CDs showing Kashmiri minors were being sexually exploited. The minors were coerced into prostitution and supplied to top police officials, bureaucrats, politicians and surrendered militants.

During investigation in this case, J&K police had prepared a list of 56 suspects including high profile individuals, for their alleged involvement in the sex scandal.

The case was shifted to the CBI in 2006. The Supreme Court shifted the case to Chandigarh in 2006.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 8:34 [IST]Low pressure area formed in Bay of Bengal, Odisha likely to get light to moderate rains in next 24 hours

Monsoon updates: SW monsoon advances to Karnataka, TN; Rains expected in Bengaluru

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Southwest monsoon has advanced into Karnataka, some parts of Tamil Nadu and other parts of coastal India, as pert India Meteorological Department (IMD)'s latest weather bulletin. With this, low to moderate rainfall can be expected in Bengaluru and other parts of interior Karnataka in the next 24 hours.

"Southwest monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of South Interior Karnataka, remaining parts of Tamilnadu & Puducherry, some parts of Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra Pradesh, remaining parts of Southwest Bay of Bengal and some more parts of Westcentral Bay of Bengal," the IMD's latst weather update said.

"Conditions are becoming favorable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Central Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Karnataka and Rayalaseema, some parts of south Konkan & Goa, Telangana, some more parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Central Bay of Bengal during next 48 hours. Conditions are very likely to become favorable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Maharashtra, Telangana & Coastal Andhra Pradesh in subsequent 2-3 days," it further said.

Click here for All India weather summary and forecast bulletin

The satellite image released by the IMD (June,5, 2018) which shows position of clouds over several parts of India, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.

IMD's satellite image which shows prevailing weather conditions over sub-continent and surrounding regions (June 5, 2018).

A cyclonic circulation is forming over Konkan and Goa, and it will gradually move north along the Maharahstra coast, as per Skymet.

Though the monsoon hit neighbouring Kerala on May 29 and was to enter Karnataka on June 1, it got delayed by three days due to other climatic conditions and changing weather patterns. The Met Office has issued heavy rainfall alerts in coastal and southern interior regions.

Meteorological department officials say that pre-monsoon showers were in excess of about 40 per cent in the state this year. This has also brought cheers to farmers as early rains will keep the soil fertile for sowing operations and fodder for cattle.Nitish to be NDA face in Bihar? Will answer at right time says CM

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

A day after the JD(U) demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be projected as the BJP-led NDA's face in Bihar, the Janata Dal (United) president today declined to comment on the issue over who will be the 'face' of the NDA in the state when Lok Sabha polls are held next year.

Earlier in the day, Deputy CM and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said Nitish Kumar is the ruling alliance' leader in the state and the NDA will seek votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the name of the JD(U) chief and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's developmental works.

"This is a special occasion when I would like to see happiness on all faces. Please do not ask about any other face right now," Kumar quipped in response to queries by reporters.

The journalists gathered at his official residence of the chief minister to attend the Iftaar party organised by him.

When pressed further, he said, "All your queries would be answered at an appropriate time. Right now, let us pray that the holy month of Ramadan brings peace and prosperity to Bihar."

The JD(U) has asserted that the chief minister is the face of the NDA in the state, which is being speculated as an indirect demand for greater share of seats in the parliamentary polls.

Out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, the BJP has 22 in addition to nine others held by allies like the LJP and the RLSP. The BJP and JD(U) fought separately in the 2014 general election.

The JD(U) registered victories in only two seats but has the largest number of MLAs among all coalition partners in the state Assembly.

"May the followers of all religions live together in peace and may mutual respect flourish. Let us also pray that our state, which suffers the wrath of nature almost every year, does not face drought or floods", Kumar added.

A host of dignitaries, including state Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council Haroon Rashid, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and cabinet ministers Nand Kishore Yadav and Mangal Pandey attended the Iftaar party.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 6:24 [IST]Not Sanskrit alone, Tamil is also language of Gods: Madras HC

You cannot drive at 120 kmph on highways says Madras HC

Madras HC to hear actor Vijay's civil lawsuit against his parents, nine others

Plea in Madras HC to rescue elephant from mahouts wife

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

A public interest litigation has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a direction to authorities to hand over an Andaman-based elephant to the principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden here.

The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose, issued notice to the wife of the mahout of the Madurai Meenakshi Amman shrine, the commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, and the principal chief conservator of forest and chief wildlife warden of Chennai, returnable by two weeks.

The notice was issued on a plea from S Muralidharan who submitted that the elephant, Malachi, was originally owned by Masan, a resident of Rangat, North and Middle Andaman district.

Masan had handed over the elephant to Indira, the wife of the temple mahout on September 17, 2007 to be offered as a gift to the shrine.

The petitioner alleged that the elephant was not handed over to the shrine and instead used for begging and for parading in marriage functions, among other things.

The petitioner alleged that ever since it came from the Andamans in 2007, it was subjected to several cruelties and not maintained properly.

The petitioner said the elephant was made to walk on roads and both her front and back legs were tied using heavy chains in such way that it could not run or walk freely.

He moved the court as there was no response to his representations to the principal chief conservator of forests.

The petitioner sought a direction from the court to rescue the elephant from Indira's custody and hand it over to the principal chief conservator of the forests.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 8:40 [IST]Professor calls girl student to his house to come and cook when wife is out

Within 10 days of reopening, more than 8,000 tourists flock in to Rishikesh for river rafting

PM in Dehradun on June 21 for International Yoga Day celebration

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Dehradun on June 21 to celebrate International Yoga Day with Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and some other leaders of the party. It is expected that around 60 thousand people will participate in the Yoga Day in Dehradun besides programmes in other parts of the country.

Sources said that Prime Minister has been taking very keen interest right from the time when the first International Yoga Day took place and the PM participated in it at Rajpath. The state is planning to organise Yoga at district, block and gram panchayat levels.

Chief Secretary Uppal Kumar Singh is supervising the Yoga Day celebration management at secretariat. The PM will participate in the Yoga Day function at FRI campus and for this organisation several committee has been constituted and ITDA is doing online registration for it.Poll code violation: Cong set to move EC against Fadnavis

India

oi-Staff

By Oneindia Staff Writer

The Congress will today knock the door of the Election Commission of India (ECI), seeking action against Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for allegedly violating the code of conduct while campaigning for the May 28 bypoll to the Palghar Lok Sabha seat.

Fadnavis, while canvassing for his party BJP, had on May 20 promised to exclude 29 villages from the jurisdiction of the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC), which is part of Palghar district, the Congress has said.

The announcement amounted to "violation" of the model code of conduct, the main Opposition party has said.

State Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant also accused the ruling BJP of misusing power during the by-election to the tribal-reserved seat located adjoining Mumbai.

BJP's Rajendra Gavit won the by-election, defeating his nearest rival Shrinivas Wanaga of the Shiv Sena by 29,572 votes. Gavit polled 2,72,782 votes, while Wanaga bagged 2,43,210.

Damodar Shingda of the Congress finished a distant fifth with 47,714 votes.

"We are going to complain to the ECI against the chief minister demanding action against him for violating the code of conduct. The ruling party misused power during the by-election.

"We also want the ECI to act against officials who did not act on our initial complaint in this connection," Sawant told PTI over the phone.

Chandrakant Dube, an election agent of Congress candidate Shingda, had on May 23 filed a complaint against Fadnavis with the returning officer (RO).

The party had also submitted a recording of Fadnavis' speech to the RO. The by-election was necessitated by the death of sitting BJP MP Chintaman Wanaga.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 8:09 [IST]Rahul Gandhi to meet kin of farmers killed in Mandsaur

India

pti-PTI

Mandsaur, June 5: Congress president Rahul Gandhi will meet family members of the farmers killed in police firing during an agitation in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh on the first anniversary of the incident tomorrow and addressed a farmers' rally.

According to party sources, Gandhi, who returned from the United States last night, held a meeting with his party leaders and security forces ahead of tomorrow's visit to Mandsaur. Gandhi is scheduled to fly to Mandsaur tomorrow afternoon. He would address the "kisan rally" at Khokhra (Pipliya Mandi) in the district. Family members of three out of the six people killed in police firing would share dais with the Congress president.

Former Mandsaur MP and Congress leader Meenakshi Natrajan said her party had urged the kin of the deceased to participate in the meeting. Six people -- Kanhaiya Lal Patidar, Satyanarayan Dhangar, Abhishek Patidar, Bablu, Ghanshyam Dhakad and Chintaman Patidar -- were killed in the police firing at Pipliya Mandi during the agitation on June 6 last year.

Family members of Abhishek Patidar told PTI today that Natrajan had requested them to attend the event. "Former MP Natrajan approached me with a request to attend the condolence meeting along with my wife Alka. Since it is a condolence meeting, we will attend it," said Patidar's father Dinesh Patidar. The family members of Bablu and Ghanshyam Dhakad have also given their consent to attend the programme.

Dhakad's wife Rekha, who was given a state government job after her husband's death, also said that the Congress invited them to attend the condolence meeting. "Natrajan invited us to the condolence meeting. Some family members would attend it," Rekha said, adding that she was given a job and Rs 1 crore in compensation by the government as per the promise. Bablu's wife Anita was also given a state government job and Rs one crore in compensation. "Bablu's wife Anita got a job.

The government also gave Rs one crore which was equally distributed between Bablu's mother and wife. We will attend the condolence meeting and share our problems with Rahul Gandhi," said Bablu's uncle Balaram Patidar. However, the kin of Chintaman Patidar have not taken a call yet on attending tomorrow's programme. "We are yet to decide whether to attend the condolence meeting or not though Natrajan had invited us. The government has given us Rs one crore. One of the family members would get a job soon," said Govind Patidar, brother of Chintaman. Farmers had held statewide protests in Madhya Pradesh last year demanding better prices for their crops.

The agitation was marred by violence at many parts in the state, especially in Mandsaur, which emerged as the epicentre of protests. The Congress sources added that Gandhi would also hold a meeting with senior leaders of Madhya Pradesh Congress.

Top Congress leaders from Madhya Pradesh including PCC chief Kamal Nath, campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia and other state leaders would be in attendance. Madhya Pradesh is slated to go to polls later this year and the Congress is seeking to make this rally big ahead of the assembly election. The Congress, which has been in political wilderness for the past 15 years, is seeking to wrest power from the BJP in the state. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Mohan Parkash today dubbed the BJP and the Modi government as "anti-farmer", saying it had failed to provide remunerative prices to farmers.

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief spokesperson Manak Agrawal said that around one lakh people were expected to take part in tomorrow's meeting. Security has been beefed up ahead of the meeting. Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Manoj Singh said five companies of the Special Armed Force (SAF) have been deployed across the district ahead of the event.

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh launched a 10-day "Gaon Bandh" (village shutdown) agitation from June 1 for various demands including better remunerative prices for agriculture produce and a complete loan waiver. Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh president Shivkumar Sharma 'Kakkaji' had said that BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, former union finance minister Yashwant Sinha, and former VHP leader Praveen Togadia are likely to join the farmers' stir in Mandsaur on June 8.

PTIAmit Shah to meet Uddhav on Wednesday; meeting with some imminent personalities on cards

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

New Delhi: In his unique initiative to meet eminent people of the society and the country, Bharatiya Janata Party National President Amit Shah is likely to meet Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixir Nene, melody queen Lata Mangeskar and industrialist Ratan Tata in Mumbai on Wednesday besides meeting leader of his political ally in Maharashtra the Shiv Sena. Shah will be meeting total 40 such eminent people of the country in his initiative.

Sources informed that Shah is expected to meet Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackrey. He will be meeting these three eminent people of the country in Mumbai before leaving for Chandigarh to meet some more people. However, the name of the person Shah will be meeting in Shiromani Akali Dal leaders in Chandigarh.

Shiv Sena leader is not happy with the BJP and was repeatedly hitting out at it calling it 'political enemy' due to NDA's high-handed attitude towards its smaller allies. Sena had already declared they will not be having an alliance with the BJP in upcoming elections.

The BJP President has met the former captain of Indian team Kapil Dev, former Army chief Dalbir Singh Suhag, Yoga Guru Ram Dev. Other party leaders too are meeting the eminent persons of the country but in their respective area.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 20:25 [IST]No stay on coercive action against Kalra over oxygen concentrators found in hotel

Court grants agency two more months to complete probe into terror case

Terror and hawala: Three convicted

India

oi-Staff

By Oneindia Staff Writer

A Delhi Court has convicted three persons in a 2011 terror funding case and sentenced them for the period already undergone.

District Judge Poonam A Bamba held Mohd Sadiq Ginai, Ghulam Jeelani Liloo and Farooq Ahmed Dagga guilty in the case.

According to the prosecution, the trio collected funds from Pakistan through illegal hawala channels to be sent to Jammu and Kashmir for promoting unlawful activities in the state.

The court had in 2012 framed charges against them under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The NIA had in 2011 filed the charge sheet against the trio, indicting them for collection more than Rs 4.57 crore from Pakistan through hawala channels within three years for funding terrorist activities in the Valley.

The NIA had said Ganai developed a close relationship with one Delhi-based Raj Kumar and his brother-in-law Rajeev Nankani and motivated them to collect money on their behalf from hawala operatives.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 7:36 [IST]The rise in grenade attacks signals a new shift in Kashmir terrorism

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

There have been 11 grenade attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in the past five days. This has left the security agencies in a spot of bother as a new modus operandi has been adopted by the terrorists.

The cost-effective solution by the terrorists of the Jaish-e-Mohammad was adopted over the past one week. The intention is to scare and confuse says a senior security officer.

The terrorists carry out the attack without the risk of being exposed as they just lob the grenade and flee. The recent attacks have shown that the terrorists have come in cars or on bikes before they lob the grenade and flee. Though such attacks they are also avoiding direct confrontation with the security forces.

All the attacks of the past few days have been claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammad. The Jaish chief, Maulana Masood Azhar who is stationed at a camp in Bhawalpur said that he would ensure that all prisoners lodged in the jails of Kashmir are freed. A fresh Intelligence Bureau report states that the Jaish is readying several terrorists to carry out strikes in Kashmir in a bid to free the prisoners. The camp is being personally overseen by Maulana Azhar, the IB report also states.

The attacks in Kashmir comes in the wake of the union government announcing a unilateral ceasefire due to the holy month of Ramazan. Since the declaration of this ceasefire, 13 terrorists, two security personnel and three civilians have been killed.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 6:42 [IST]Is the Fadnavis factor standing in the way of a BJP-Shiv Sena reunion

Try for pre-poll alliance with Shiv Sena, Fadnavis tells BJP leaders

India

oi-Staff

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked the BJP office-bearers to try for a pre-poll alliance with the Shiv Sena for the state and general elections slated for next year, a senior BJP leader said today.

The two parties, constituents in the state government, had mounted an acrimonious campaign for the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll which was held on May 28.

The BJP won the seat with its candidate Rajendra Gavit defeating Sena's Shrinivas Wanaga by a margin of 29,572 votes.

"Fadnavis asked the party's state office-bearers to try for a pre-poll alliance with Shiv Sena. But, he said that if the alliance does not materialise, we should prepare to contest alone," Raosaheb Danve, the BJP's state unit chief told reporters here.

The chief minister was speaking to the office-bearers at a party meeting to take stock of the BJP's performance in the Palghar and Bhandara-Gondiya bypolls as well as to discuss the strategy for the Lok Sabha elections next year.

The Sena, however, has stated several times in the past few months that it would contest all future polls alone.

The resolution to part ways with the BJP and go for it alone in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls next year was tabled and passed unanimously at Sena's National Executive meeting held in January this year.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 7:53 [IST]Weve got a lot to get to this week. Playoffs are getting closer  with eight-man a week away and 11-man two weeks away  and spots are being clinched left and right. Theres also movement in the bottom half of the Class C polls and a big shakeup in D following Bloomfields win over ONeill West Bengal: TMC worker shot dead in Bagnan

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Days after a BJP worker was found dead in West Bengal's Purulia, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker, whose wife had recently won Panchayat elections, was shot dead in Bagnan, said reports. The TMC has reportedly accused the BJP of being behind the attack.

The BJP had on Saturday (June 2) lashed out at the TMC after a saffron party's worker, Dulal Kumar, was found hanging from a high-tension electrical transmission tower in Dabha village in West Bengal's Purulia. Two days before that, 20-year-old Trilochan Mahato, a BJP worker, was found hanging from a tree in Purulia's Balarampur development block.

BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain had termed the TMC, which stands for the Trinamool Congress, as the 'Taliban Congress Party'. "TMC is propagating terrorism. If TMC wants to fight, they must do so ideologically. The manner in which our worker was hanged, Mamata Banerjee does not have the right to stay in power anymore," Hussain had told ANI on Saturday.

The West Bengal Police had said that the first death was a case of 'personal enmity', while the second death was a case of suicide. Joy Biswas, Purulia SP, said this on the basis of preliminary investigation.

[TMC stands for 'Taliban Congress Party': BJP]

BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the deaths of Kumar and Trilochan Mahato.

BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya had written to NHRC over the incidents. "We do not trust state government, police, and the CID. We want NHRC do conduct a thorough investigation in the incident," he wrote.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 11:47 [IST]Drones to transport blood, an innovation that can be a boon to clinics in remote locations

What will help BJP to come back to power in 2019, vikas or Ram temple?

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

Lucknow, June 5: Two days after Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stressed on the vikas (development) mantra of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to come back to power once again in 2019, a powerful Hindu priest on Tuesday has challenged the ruling regime to construct the Ram temple in the disputed site of Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, if it wants to stay in power.

Mahant Paramhans Das told ANI that if the BJP did not build the temple then Hindu priests would start a movement to defeat the saffron party in the upcoming General elections in 2019.

"If they (the BJP) want to come back to power in 2019 then they have to build the Ram temple, else we will start a movement and make sure they are defeated," the Mahant told ANI while reacting to minority affairs minister's Sunday statement when he said that development will be the only issue in the 2019 elections.

If they (BJP) want to come in power again (in 2019) then they have to build the Ram Temple, else we will start a movement & make sure they are defeated: Mahant Paramhans Das on MA Naqvi's statement that development will be only issue in 2019 elections. #Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/EFcU8VPMx5  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 5, 2018

Replying to a question on the issue of Ram temple and Hindutva, Naqvi said, "Vikas, vikas and vikas will be our prime agenda for the 2019 elections." Talking to reporters, the minister added that PM Modi and the BJP government are focused on the development of the country.

"Vikas, Vikas, Vikas," says Union Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on being asked if Hindutva & Ram Mandir will be election issues in the 2019 General Elections. pic.twitter.com/4YdfRBRPiG  ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2018

The statement of Naqvi seemed to have irked the Hindu priests who were promised by the BJP during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls that the Ram temple would be constructed if the saffron party comes to power.

In fact, building the Hindu temple in the disputed site of Ayodhya has been a core issue of the BJP in almost all the elections. After coming to power neither PM Modi nor his cabinet colleagues have explicitly said anything about building the temple. Rather PM Modi has always stressed on vikas as his biggest political mantra.

In Uttar Pradesh also, the Yogi Adityanath government has been asked by the Hindu Yuva Vahini to expedite the construction of the temple or else the Hindu outfit will sever its ties with the BJP. The Hindu Yuva Vahini, a youth organisation, was founded by Adityanath in Gorakhpur.

The matter regarding the building of Ram temple in Ayodhya is pending with the Supreme Court.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 13:35 [IST]Why fretting over Citizen Pranab Mukherjees decision to attend RSS event is pointless

India

oi-Maitreyee

New Delhi, June 5: The next time a Union minister tricks us into believing that the whole nation is glistening bright in the dead of night with the help of some old NASA image taken from the space, India might look "saffron".

But seeing those 'sparkling' images, don't shut your eyes to avoid getting blinded by the saffron flood of light. Because it's too late to remain in denial and close your eyes to the reality.

While the bhakts vociferously went ahead spreading Hindutva ideologies to as far as in the tribal land of Arunachal Pradesh, the so-called liberals embraced the softer version of militant Hindutva and proved their love for sanskari traditions by flashing their janeu (the sacred Brahminical thread) and visiting mutts and temples.

The pilgrimage of the 'liberals' like their more belligerent Hindutva opponents has no space for Muslim, Christian or Sikh shrines. After all, it is the Hindu religion and the Hindus who are in danger, not the minorities, Dalits and women.

It is the same practitioners and protectors of freedom of speech who have been winning all the wars for the common man by outraging on Twitter within the confines of the 140 characters (oh, sorry! it has now been doubled to 280 characters).

These days, everything has been doubled, even human prejudices. So every time there is a horrifying murder of a commoner by a mob in broad-day light, the 'liberals and nationalists' lynch each other on social media. Job done, duty fulfilled and revenge extracted.

The same gets repeated every time there is a rape of a child or a woman. It's like both sides have perfected the plot and execute it without failure every time. It doesn't matter what is the issue at hand--farmers' woes, crimes against women, 'love jihad', lynchings, black money, white-collar jobs (or the lack of it)--there is outrage over everything and it's outrage only that we see.

In"New, Smart, Digital India", crimes happen with equal smartness and forgotten in the same speed. But how would they wipe off the blood stains of a man killed simply because he ate a different kind of meat, prayed to a different kind of god, sported a different kind of beard, preferred his white kurta over his stripped shirt, spoke a different language and skinned dead cattle to save the neighborhood from the unbearable sight and smell and in the process earned a few penny?

History can be rewritten and cities and roads can be renamed to suit the whims and fancies of whoever is in power, but some curses will haunt the nation long after all those who orchestrated the religious coups to remain in power are gone.

But perhaps it will be too late by the time we wake up and start fighting the actual wars for everyday survival, and not just the war of wits on Twitter -- who got the most retweets for the smartest post or which trishul-wielding proud follower of a certain 'dictator' slayed how many sickulars.

How does it matter to the lynched man clinging on to his last breaths or the little girl raped and drugged and raped again that if or not a certain 'Citizen' should go to Nagpur and address those who once he used to dismiss as un-secular.

Because my dear naive people, let me remind you that this is exactly what is politics. The lament over a Citizen changing his 'secular' stripes to 'saffron' is inconsequential when a portrait of a man from the enemy nation can paralyse a university for days.

It also does not matter if India's growth did not reach the promised double digit. What really matters is when highly educated men are forced to fry pakoras or ride cycle rickshaws by covering their faces with a piece of cloth.

Shame is not in doing menial job; shame is when sabka saath sabka vikas government fails to create employment opportunities for all, and instead of development offer 'division'. Shame is when an equally opportunistic opposition tries to milk the situation by offering more fake promises if we bring them to power in future.

So instead of fretting over issues over which we have no control like who is going where and meeting and greeting whom, let us for a change talk about some real issues -- malnutrition among children, starvation deaths, farmer suicides, manual scavenging, female foeticide and rise in rapes of children, to name a few problems.

But not just on social media, please. Because once you descend from your social media horses, you will realise the real fights are not limited to 280-character inane rants. Come, let's give it a shot.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 12:12 [IST]Will a united Opposition be able to stop Modi-Shah juggernaut in 2019 Lok Sabha polls?

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Oneindia Staff

New Delhi, June 5: The political space of the country is fast changing, thanks to an emboldened Opposition which is all set to take on the mighty Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the big 2019 General Elections.

Post the Karnataka Assembly elections and the by-polls in 11 states, where a united Opposition managed to keep the BJP out of power, now, all the anti-BJP forces, which also include the Congress, have got a template to defeat the saffron party in the Lok Sabha polls next year.

The anti-BJP parties--the Trinamool Congress, Janata Dal (Secular), Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Telugu Desam Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and others--have realised it well that to stop the BJP's winning chariot they have to come together by forgetting all their differences and past battles.

It was not that the unity among these parties had been there for a long time. It is a pretty recent phenomenon. In fact, most of the anti-BJP parties were either with the BJP or maintaining a neutral stand till last year.

One party that was dilly-dallying on whether to openly oppose the Narendra Modi government over its various policies in the last four years is none other than the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Now, the NCP has come out in support of a united Opposition against the BJP.

Speaking to ANI, NCP chief and former Maharashtra chief minister Sharad Pawar expressed his happiness over the coming together of all opposition parties against the BJP.

"I am happy that all opposition parties are coming together to defeat the BJP. We want democracy to prevail in this country. I support the idea of a united opposition," added Pawar.

I am happy that all the opposition parties are coming together to defeat BJP. We want Democracy to prevail in this country. I support the idea of a united opposition: Sharad Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) pic.twitter.com/ZPyJMSww8G  ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2018

In May, during the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy, Pawar too took part in the mega event which saw top leaders from almost all opposition parties. In fact, it was during the swearing-in ceremony in Bengaluru where the leaders of opposition parties came together to show their strength and unity under one platform.

The friendship between different political parties got further cemented as they fought the recent Lok Sabha and Assembly by-polls together. The strategy of the Opposition worked well as it managed to defeat the BJP in 11 out of 14 seats where voting took place in the recent by-polls.

Although a formal alliance among the Opposition is yet to be announced, looking at the current scenario it is pretty clear that the anti-BJP forces are going to fight almost all the upcoming elections together.

The BJP, on its part, is maintaining that the unity among opposition parties is "opportunistic" as they are hungry for power. The BJP predicted that the unity among its rivals won't last for long. But sources say the saffron party is worried about the Opposition unity and trying its best to create rift among the anti-BJP forces.

Political analysts say that opposition parties' unity depend a lot on how they would keep their individual interests and aspirations aside and give utmost importance to strengthen friendship among themselves.

Experts add that the Opposition simply can't go on and bash Prime Minister Modi and BJP president Amit Shah to woo voters. The opposition parties have to come up with a common manifesto and tell the voters what they are planning to do for the country if they win the elections in 2019.

With all these bottlenecks, it looks like the Opposition has to work really hard to keep its flock together till the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 8:39 [IST]Karnataka Cabinet: Full list of new ministers and those who were excluded

With a day left for swearing in, lobbying in Karnataka Congress touches dizzying heights

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

With a day left for the council of ministers to be sworn in, there is lobbying within the Congress has touched dizzying heights. As per the agreement with the JD(S), the Congress would get 22 berths out of the 34.

Several top leaders from the Karnataka Congress are in New Delhi to lobby for the posts.

There was considerable tension in the Congress camp as top leaders such as Dinesh Gundu Rao, Krishna Byre Gowda, R V Deshpande among others making a dash to the national capital.

Confusion prevailed in the wake of KPCC chief and deputy chief minister, Dr. G Parameshwar saying that a suggestion to leave out those who have had multiple terms as ministers is under consideration.

The leaders from the north Karnataka region are pushing hard as they feel the balance in the Cabinet needs to be struck. Most leaders from north Karnataka including S R Patil who resigned as the party's working president were of the view that the party must accommodate more leaders from there region. Patil had resigned citing the party's poor performance in the region in the recently concluded Karnataka assembly elections.

The leaders from north Karnataka had demanded a second post of deputy CM be created for a leader from the region. This was however rejected by the JD(S).

Among the disgruntled lot is also D K Shivakumar, the strongman who held the flock together to wade off any poaching attempts by the BJP. He had been eyeing the post of either deputy CM or power. However the post of deputy CM went to Parameshwar, while the power portfolio was bagged by the JD(S).

Parameshwar cleared the air about Shivakumar, by calling him a loyal soldier of the party.

He will be rewarded appropriately by the party, he also said. Meanwhile a final call on the matter would be taken by Congress president, Rahul Gandhi today. He would be holding meetings with the state leaders and then finalise the list.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 6:57 [IST]World Environment Day: Concrete plan to combat 'plastic menace' is need of the hour

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The theme of this year's World Environment Day is 'Beat Plastic Pollution'. In the last few decades plastic pollution has truly emerged as a massive problem. Plastic takes hundereds of years to decompose and a UN statistic says that the world produced more plastic in the last decade than in the previous century. Plastics and their byproducts are littering our cities, oceans, and waterways, and contributing to health problems in humans and animals.

The palstic problem has assumed such mammoth proportions that it is now being seen as one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. This year's environmental day's theme is aimed at spreading awareness so that people reduce as much plastic use as possible and create a worldwide movement to clean up the planet.

India is the global host for this year's World Environment Day and several events are slated to be held across the country to celebrate this day.

Erik Solheim, UN Environment Executive Director, said plastic is a huge environmental and health issue.

"Our aim is to make India and the world's homes plastic-free to avoid enormous pollution to our environment and to our own health. This must stop and there's no one better to inspire to this than Mahatma Gandhi and Sadhguru," he told news agency ANI today (June 5).

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, founder of the Isha Foundation, called for a 'conrete solution' to tackle the plastic pollution menace.

"This has been a concern for me and many other people including United Nations. It's just that now there is a concrete action in the direction. Plastic is a classic case of, whatever is given to us, we know how to make a problem out of it," he told ANI.

Greetings on #WorldEnvironmentDay. Together, let us ensure that our future generations live in a clean and green planet, in harmony with nature. pic.twitter.com/HYUNlCCQ2P  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 5, 2018

"Plastic is a necessity for us, but it shouldn't become a curse. We have to abolish the use of single-use plastic in the world. We have a responsibility towards environment and mother nature," Union Minister of State for Environment Mahesh Sharma told ANI.

Yesterday (June 4), Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said that for India, World Environment Day 2018 is not a "symbolic" celebration, but a mission. The minister during the World Environment Day celebrations invited people to take care of their Green Social Responsibility and urged them to take up Green Good Deeds in everyday life.Blast close to a girls' school in Afghanistan

International

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

An IED blast has been reported close to a girl's school in center of Ghanikhil district in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Tuesday, reported TOLO News.

A spokesman for provincial governor, Attaullah Khoghyani told TOLO News, "No one was hurt in the IED blast close to a girls' school in Ghanikhil district in Nangarhar."

This comes a day after 14 people were killed and 17 others injured in a blast in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Monday.The blast took place at a gathering of Ulemas in Kabul.

Ulemas or the Muslim scholars had gathered at Polytechnic University in Kabul when the blast took place. The meeting was being held under the traditional tent of the Loya Jirga, also known as the council of elders, said reports.

On May 13, at least six people were killed and close to 20 injured in a suicide attack in the city of Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Terrorists had stormed a government building and detonated bombs. There were two explosions near the city's directorate of finance, Nangarhar provincial governor's spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told AFP, adding that "a number of attackers" had entered the building.Countdown begins: A week ahead of summit, Kim replaces top 3 military personnel

International

oi-Shubham

By Shubham

A week ahead of the historic summit with US President Donald Trump, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un replaced his top three military officials, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said. The move is being seen as a quest for economic development and engaging with the international community.

The path to the meeting saw a roller-coaster ride with Trump cancelling it on May 24 citing North Korea's "tremendous anger and open hostility". Subsequently, all parties having stake in peace in the Korean Peninsula chipped in to reinstate the meeting - the first of its kind between a North Korean leader and an American president.

Yonhap, citing an unidentified intelligence source, said Pak Yong-sik was replaced by No Kwang-chol as the defence chief while Ri Myong-su was replaced by Ri Yong-gil as the army's chief of general staff.

Besides, Army Gen. Kim Su-gil replaced Kim Jong-gak as the director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army.

Though Kim's motivation for making these changes was unclear, analysts said the move was made keeping in view a changing atmosphere in North Korea - politically and otherwise. They were of the opinion that Kim got rid of personnel who are more hawkish and could find the pro-change stance objectionable and that he needed more loyal people to carry out the mission of international engagement and domestic development.

In case a roadmap to denuclearisation emerges at the June 12 summit in Singapore, Kim could find it challenging to implement it if there are hawks influencing his state's decision-making, said Cheong Seong-chang, an expert at South Korea's Sejong Institute, the Canadian Brodcasting Corporation reported.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 9:04 [IST]Defining terror: UN could not do it, will BRICS succeed?

International

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

India would push the BRICS nations to define terrorism during its annual summit. India is making this move to reflect its concerns over cross-border terrorism and the issue would be taken up at the summit to be held at Johannesburg in July.

India would look to get the BRICS nations to define terrorism. If it is successful then it would be a major victory for India. However looking at how things have shaped up at the UN in the past years, it would not be easy for India to get its way through. If it does then it would be a major diplomatic victory.

Defining terrorism is not easy. The United Nations has not been able to do it. In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised a similar point at the United Nations. This is however not the first time that this issue has been raised. It has been several times in the past and has always fallen flat on the logic," your terrorist is my freedom fighter."

The UN had said on October 7, 2005, by its 6th committee that it has not been able to define terrorism. Take for instance the killing Hadeel al-Hashlamun, a 19-year-old girl at Hebron check-post on September 22, 2015. The Palestinians termed it as Israel sponsored terrorism. However Israel termed it as an act of self-defence.

When the UN was known as the League of Nations, following the 1934 assassination of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia in Marseilles by Croatian and Macedonian separatists, France proposed that the League should adopt a comprehensive convention on terrorism. This was done on November 16, 1937.

However, it restricted 'terrorism' only to anti-state acts by defining it as 'criminal acts directed against a state and intended or calculated to create a state of terror in the minds of particular persons or a group of persons or the general public'. The league went on to ask its members to pass national laws.

In the 1970s, Libyan ruler Muammar el- Qaddafi opened camps to help what he called freedom struggles by the Irish Republican Army, Basque separatists, Italian Red Brigades and Palestinian groups. Other powers such as the US called it terrorism. The US notified Libya as a sponsor of terrorism. Sanctions were imposed.

However, Libya was removed from that list when Qaddafi stopped aiding these 'freedom fighters'. That, however, did not prevent the US and others from organising an uprising in Libya from 2011 through non-state actors to remove Qaddafi. Paul Pillar, former CIA analyst has said that this had only 'worsened chaos' in the region.

The expert take:

Experts are of the view that there are several reasons why the UN has not been able to do so. The UN had drawn up 14 legal instruments in which it had described what constituted individual acts of terror.

The 1963 Tokyo convention on in flight safety and the convention against hijacking in 1970 were drawn up. In 2010, an additional protocol (Beijing protocol) was added to this convention. In 1971, another convention was passed to reinforce air travel security on the recommendation of the Montreal based International Civil Aviation Organisation.

In the same year, diplomats were protected under a special convention.

This was necessitated by a spate of attacks on the diplomatic missions of the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel and Cuba during 1971-1972. In 1979, hostage taking was prohibited. Between 1980 and 2005, there were 8 more legal instruments that were drawn up for the safety of nuclear material, prevention of airport violence, safety of maritime navigation and fixed platforms (oil drills), prevention of plastic explosives, terrorist bombings and terrorist financing.

Post 9/11, the UN Security Council passed Resolution No: 1373 on September 28, 2001 calling upon all members to implement the above 14 legal instruments. The UN Drug Control and Crime Prevention Secretariat was given the nodal role in monitoring compliance. Since 2000, the UN Ad Hoc Committee has been examining a draft paper on Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism -- including a common definition.India govt seeking software to map citizens online activities: Report

International

oi-Shubham

By Shubham

Even before the fire of the Cambridge Analytica scandal died down, a report published by Russia-based Sputnik International has said that the Narendra Modi government has sought a software tool which can "analyze as well as visualize large volumes of data across diverse digital platforms in real time".

According to the tender document through which the Indian government is seeking the help from software firms and social media personnel on the same: "The tool should have the capability to crawl the World Wide Web and social media to monitor and analyze various trends emerging as well as to gauge the sentiments amongst netizens. The tool should be comprehensive with the capability to generate reports and do customizations as per the requirements of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting," the Sputnik report added.

The software should be able to power a real-time "New Media Command Room" that would monitor various social media platforms and the scope of the work also includes moulding the public perception for the country in a positive manner and inculcating nationalistic feelings in the masses and how could the social media and Internet news/discussion be given a positive slant for India, etc, the document said.

It also said that the platforms should have support for foreign languages like Chinese, German, French, Arabic besides Indian languages like Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil and major English.

"As ministries and cabinet ministers have been frequently using "hashtags" on social media to propagate the government's mission and policies across the spectrum, the tender document indicates that the Modi government is now aiming to use more powerful tools in the election year to shape a positive narrative about India. The tender document suggests that the country's most popular government in the last three decades has stumbled against the popularity being gained by the opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi through social media," the Sputnik report added.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 12:19 [IST]SCO summit: 5 detained on charges of fabricating terror at host city, says China media

International

oi-Shubham

By Shubham

Is the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit due to be held in Qingdao in Shandong Province of East China under the terrorists' radar? According to China's Global Times, five people were detained in Linyi in the same province recently on charges of fabricating and spreading information on terror attack.

The report cited the public security bureau of Yishui county in Linyi saying that the suspects were spreading false terror attack information on WeChat chat groups. The suspects allegedly wrote: "Terrorists already in Qingdao" and "Terrorists would donate two bombs in Qingdao", the report said.

This is the first time that the SCO - a block of eight countries including China and Russia - will see India and Pakistan attending as full-time members. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in the summit. The other four countries are Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Police sources said the suspects' messages created a negative impact, legal Daily said on its account in Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, on Monday, June 4.

The eightieth article of China's criminal law seeks detention of those who are suspected of promoting false terrorist information, the Global Times cited the police as saying.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 16:22 [IST]Singapore prepares for June 12 summit; ready to bear cost to play small part, says city-state

International

oi-Shubham

By Shubham

Singapore, the small city-state in Southeast Asia, will remain the focal point of world politics for the next one week as the buildup to the historic summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un on June 12 gathered pace.

Trump cancelled the talks on May 24 citing North Korea's "tremendous anger and open hostility" but later said his meeting with Kim was on the track. Subsequently, preparations were in full swing as hotel rooms started getting booked and police patrolling intensified across the city.

The exact venue of the summit was though not known but top hotels in the city-state, including the five-star Shangri-La Hotel, were being seen as the possible host, China's Global Times reported. Shangri-La Hotel hosts the annual Shangri-La Dialogue where representatives from several countries assemble. This year's meet at the hotel was held as recently between June 1 and 3. The hotel is among the top options because of its top security arrangements and quality facilities.

The Global Times reported on Sunday, June 3, that the hotel tightened its security and some nearby streets to it were also shut. Though the security checks were in place for the Shangri-La Dialogue, the hotel authorities did not clarify if they would continue till the June 12 summit, it said.

Officials from the US and North Korea are also staying at various hotels in Singapore for the preparations ahead of the meeting - the first-ever between a US president and a North Korean leader.

Reuters reported that Singapore is willing to bear the bill for the summit "to play a small part" in the historic meeting. It cited Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen saying so. The Washington Post had earlier reported about some logistical disputes like who would pay for Kim's hotels bills. North Korea's economy has been badly crippled by a series of sanctions imposed by the United Nations as a penalty for its reckless nuclear programmes pursued till last year.

Some Singapore residents were concerned that the arrival of a number of leaders and diplomats could put their lives in convenience because of the summit but others remained indifferent towards it, the Global Times report said.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 16:11 [IST]Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz stepping down

International

pti-PTI

New York, June: Starbucks Corporation says Howard Schultz is stepping down as executive chairman this month of the coffee chain he joined more than 30 years ago. Schultz, who oversaw the transformation of Starbucks into a global chain with more than 28,000 locations, had left the CEO job at the company last year to focus on innovation and social impact projects.

The Seattle-based chain says Schultz will take the title of chairman emeritus as of June 26, and is writing a book about Starbucks' social impact efforts.

"Starbucks changed the way millions of people drink coffee, this is true, but we also changed people's lives in communities around the world for the better," Schultz said in a letter to Starbucks employees. Schultz said he was considering "a range of options for myself, from philanthropy to public service," but wasn't sure what the future would hold.

He had endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton before the last presidential election and had sometimes deflected questions about whether he would run for office.

He had often aligned himself and Starbucks with social issues like race and jobs for underprivileged youth  even when those efforts fell flat, like the "Race Together" campaign that encourage workers to talk about race with customers. More recently, as the company tried to restore its reputation after the arrest of two black men at a coffee shop in Philadelphia, Schultz said he didn't want people to feel "less than" if they were refused bathroom access.

Last week, the company closed its US stores for several hours for bias awareness training, one of the measures it promised after the men in Philadelphia were arrested as they waited for an associate but hadn't bought anything.

"Please remember, Starbucks is at its best when our stores and offices are welcoming places for everyone" he said in his letter. Schultz, who had returned as the company's CEO in 2008, was credited with turning around Starbucks' fortunes.

He oversaw the expansion of the chain's food and beverage menu and the growth of its popular loyalty program and mobile app. In his letter, Schultz also credited the company with "balancing profitability and social conscience, compassion and rigor, and love and responsibility."

Starbucks said Myron E. "Mike" Ullman would be the new chairman of the board upon Schultz's retirement.

PTIThe Tunisian foreign minister Monday summoned Italys ambassador to protest the newly appointed interior ministers claims that the North African country is exporting criminals and ex-prisoners to Italy in the wake of the death of 48 illegal migrants off Tunisian coasts.

After summoning the Italian ambassador, the ministry also released a statement indicating that it was very surprised by Matteo Salvinis remarks during his visit to Sicilia.

Salvini paid a visit to migration camps of Pozzallo province in Sicilia soon after his nomination as the countrys interior minister following May elections. The head of the anti-migration party Legal Nord stood against the repeated arrivals of thousands of illegal migrants to the Italian coasts.

Salvini who also serves as Italys deputy Prime Minister lashed out, in a post on facebook, at Tunisia after a boat carrying 168, including 60 Tunisians and people from seven other countries, capsized off Tunisian coasts. Forty eight of those on board were reported dead and 68 were saved.

Here, more and more illegal migrants are coming from Tunisia; they are not war refugees but often criminals and ex-detainees, he said.

The Italian official who stressed that Italy is not Europes refugee camp indicated that he would have talk with his Tunisian counterpart on the migration issue.Gainesville, FL -- The Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (VAMC), located at 1601 SW Archer Road, will hold a recognition and dedication ceremony for the installation of a special bronze braille American flag on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 11 a.m.



The bronze flag, which includes the Pledge of Allegiance in braille, was donated by St. Marys, Georgia Veteran Walt Peters. Peters, who is legally blind and was recognized in 2008 as one of CNNs Heroes for his tireless commitment to active duty service members deploying to war zones, dedicated the flag in honor of the more than 1000 blind veterans who receive services within the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System.

The ceremony, which will include military ceremonial accompaniment, will be held at the Flag Pole at the main entrance to the Malcom Randall VAMC barring inclement weather. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the lobby of the main facility.

WHO

North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Malcom Randall VAMC

WHEN

11 a.m. Wednesday, June 6 , 2018.

WHERE

Malcom Randall VAMC, located at 1601 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32601

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Parking on site at the facility is limited; Media and members of Congressional Offices and Veterans Service Organizations wishing to attend may identify themselves to VA police on site who will direct them to parking. For questions or additional details, please contact Daniel Henry, Public Affairs Officer for North Florida South Georgia Veterans Health System at [email protected]Baltic Mare Truly Grand in Riga in Boutique Style Conference

Published June 5, 2018 by Lee R

Local and neighbouring officials stimulated the osmosis of regulation updates and licensing to (and from) the Baltic region.

The resounding success of Mare Balticum Gaming Summit 2018 has set a new standard for new boutique gaming events in the Baltics.

Attendees

Taking place at Rigas Astor Riga on the 8th of May, the conference was received with great enthusiasm by local industry and the organizers, with over 80% of the attending representing Latvia, Lithuania or Estonia.

Sell-Out

The sold-out event provided 70 C-level delegates with access to insights provided by the regions most influential local regulators and industry experts.

Sponsor Appreciation

The organizers extended heartfelt thanks and appreciation to primary event sponsors including SBTech (Registration Sponsor), BetConstruct (Lanyards and Badge Sponsor) and the Estonian branch of Tal Ron, Drihem& Co. Law Firm (Legal Sponsor).

Assissa Representative Complements

Assissas Pieter Remmers lauded the excellence of the event with lots of attention to the individual participant.

Highlight Launch

Highlights included the agenda kick-off events: the first two panels saw expert moderation from Gabnys Law Managing Partner Andrius Gabnys and his guests Sorainen Latvia Senior Associate Valtz Nerets; the Estonia Ministry of Finances Taivo Pork and by regulatory official Janis Laganovskis of the Republic of Latvias Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection.

A New Type of Conference

In his introductory welcome, Andrius set the pace by recognizing the Mare conference as the regions first true dedicated platform for industry education and networking.

The panelists subsequently offered expert forecasts for potential regulation amendments affecting their markets in the near future.

Upon reflection, Gabnys asserted the need to get the Baltic region on the global industry map as a way to advance the regions general commerce, and complemented the Mare Balticum Summits effectiveness for that agenda through its smooth organization, accurately selected panels, convenient and cozy venue.

Fireside Chat Format

Other highlights included a new Fireside Chat format which included key gaming officials such as Danish Gaming Authority Director Birgitte Sand and Assissas Pieter Remmers, who discussed the most recent developments for Responsible Gambling projects around Europe with a focus on Denmark and the Netherlands.

Forecast and a Tip

The fireside chat and insightful panels empowered all attendees to get a grip on the future of gaming in the Baltic region within an effective boutique-style approach.

For those not in attendance, find someone who was, because attendees have access to audio tapes of all sessions and received the vital information first handTurns out they watch you pretty closely when youre on house arrest. Photo: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

President Trump and his legal team are working feverishly to discredit the Russia probe, dismissing it as a witch hunt at every opportunity, and filling the media with increasingly audacious claims about the president being above the law. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is using opposite tactics: avoid the press, dont leak, and occasionally file a court document that shows youre several steps ahead of those seeking to thwart your investigation.

Muellers team did it again on Monday when they interrupted the current discussion about whether Trump could kill James Comey and get away with it (theoretically!) to accuse former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort of attempted witness tampering. Trumps former campaign chairman  who has pleaded not guilty to nearly two dozen charges related to money laundering, bank fraud, and foreign lobbying  was released on home confinement and $10 million bail following his arraignment in October. Now he could wind up in jail until his two trials, scheduled for July and September, which would increase the pressure to cut a plea deal considerably.

The court documents describe a truly boneheaded attempt to influence witnesses in a criminal lobbying case. Manafort has been accused of secretly hiring a firm of former European officials in 2012 to act as lobbyists on issues related to Ukraine. Federal prosecutors say the group was illegally lobbying in the United States, but Manafort claims their work was confined to the European Union.

Muellers team alleges that while under house arrest from February to April, Manafort made repeated attempts to coordinate his story with the firm, urging two employees to tell investigators they never lobbied in the U.S., and the purpose of the program was E.U. He reached out via phone, on WhatsApp, and through an intermediary (a longtime associate with Russian intelligence ties).

The FBI was able to confirm that Manafort made the calls and sent what he thought were encrypted messages because he had it all backing up to his iCloud. Also he said in one of the secret messages This is paul. Prosecutors made up a handy chart of these communications:

Manafort called and texted witnesses in an effort to induce them into giving false testimony, Mueller says in new filing.



And, oh yeah, Mueller has everything pic.twitter.com/k8srOx98WT  Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) June 5, 2018

Manafort's friend (who tried to contact the same person on his behalf) was even sneakier because instead of calling him "paul" he calls him "P"



SOMEHOW Mueller figured out the code pic.twitter.com/nIJfqIPEcb  Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) June 5, 2018

To be fair, the people Manafort was trying to tamper also ratted him out to the FBI. One witness told the government that he understood Manaforts outreach to be an effort to suborn perjury, because he knew the firm conducted lobbying in the U.S., not just Europe.

Its long been believed that Mueller is approaching the Russia probe like the prosecution of a crime family, pressuring underlings to flip on the boss. Multiple former Trump associates have folded, taking plea deals and agreeing to cooperate with federal prosecutors. But even as prosecutors hit Manafort with more charges, flipped his longtime business associate Rick Gates, and struck a deal with his former son-in-law, hes held strong.

There are all kind of theories about why Manafort hasnt taken a deal. Perhaps, as his lawyer claims, hes innocent and is confident that hell be acquitted. He might actually think he can get the case dismissed on the grounds that its outside the scope of Muellers probe. Or perhaps in his many shady business dealings he got mixed up with figures who are scarier than Trump.

Theres one more compelling possibility: Manafort believes that if hes loyal to the president, hell return the favor. Trumps former lawyer, John Dowd, reportedly broached the idea of a pardon with Manaforts lawyer before he was indicted in October.

If thats whats kept Manafort from flipping all this time, recent events may have him questioning that decision. Manafort has yet to be charged with witness tampering, but federal prosecutors want a judge to revise the terms of his release; that means theres a good chance hell wind up in jail before his trial. While theres speculation that Trumps cavalier pardoning in recent weeks was meant to send a message to associates caught up in the Russia probe, he cant pardon them just yet, as it would create a major legal and political storm.

Plus, Trumps been sending other signals to Manafort that dont require much reading between the lines. The White House has been downplaying Manaforts relationship with Trump since before he was indicted, and over the weekend the president randomly announced that he barely knew the man who ran his campaign in the summer of 2016  and if he was up to no good, the FBI should have warned him.

As only one of two people left who could become President, why wouldnt the FBI or Department of Justice have told me that they were secretly investigating Paul Manafort (on charges that were 10 years old and had been previously dropped) during my campaign? Should have told me!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2018

....Paul Manafort came into the campaign very late and was with us for a short period of time (he represented Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole & many others over the years), but we should have been told that Comey and the boys were doing a number on him, and he wouldnt have been hired!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2018

Do those sound like the words of a man planning to pardon his former campaign manager? Those tweets may help convince Manafort that the man he can trust to reduce his prison time is Mueller, not Trump.Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, moments before his assassination 50 years ago today. Photo: Bill Eppridge/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Fifty years ago today, I awoke to a radio that was playing the famous recording from Mutual Broadcasting System reporter Andrew West, who was an eyewitness to Robert Kennedys assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Terrible little political junkie that I was, I had been up late watching returns from the California primary that RFK had just won  but not late enough to learn of the assassination that Wests panic-stricken voice indelibly described:

Senator Kennedy has been  Senator Kennedy has been shot! Is that possible? It is possible, ladies and gentlemen! It is possible! He has  Not only Senator Kennedy! Oh my God!  I am right here, and Rafer Johnson has hold of the man who apparently fired the shot! He still has the gun! The gun is pointed at me right this moment! Get the gun! Get the gun! Get the gun! Stay away from the guy! Get his thumb! Get his thumb! Break it if you have to! Get the gun, Rafer [Johnson]! Hold him! We dont want another Oswald!

Moments before being fatally shot by Sirhan Sirhan, Kennedy had said to the celebrating crowd at the Ambassador: Its on to Chicago, and lets win there! That year as in most years, the California primary was the last on the schedule, and RFK was pointing toward the twilight struggle over delegates that would precede the national convention in late August.

It has been widely surmised in the years since, with the special intensity of a counterfactual myth that can neither proved nor disproved, that had Kennedy not been assassinated that night, he would have gone on to win the Democratic presidential nomination and then the presidency, sparing America and the world from years more of bloody conflict in Vietnam, and from the Nixon presidency with its polarization, corruption, and eventual disgrace.

In fact, our best guess from this distance (reinforced by serious examinations of the issue from RFK biographer Evan Thomas and historian of the 1968 election Michael A. Cohen) is that Kennedys odds of winning the nomination were slim by the time of his death. His antiwar rival Eugene McCarthy was in no mood to get out of his way, and the Johnson-Humphrey administration had an iron grip on delegates from many of the 33 states that did not hold primaries (and even some that did, but which did not bind delegates to primary results). Kennedy himself seemed to believe his only chance to win was by reconstructing his late brothers alliances with old-school urban political bosses like Chicagos Richard Daley, and its at best a wild conjecture that they would have defied LBJ and the unions that were so close to Humphrey to take a flyer on Bobby.

And even if Kennedy had won the nomination, he, like Humphrey, would have led into the general election a divided party that had done horribly into the 1966 midterms and had lost much of its white southern wing to George Wallace. Its anybodys guess as to whether RFKs countercultural associations would have alienated fewer Democrats than Humphreys tardy establishment of an independent position on Vietnam. And theres no telling what LBJ might have done to complicate life for the bitter rival he loathed and feared for so long.

Even RFK aide Jeff Greenfield, who wrote an alternative history account of a Robert F. Kennedy presidency, concedes that on this day 50 years ago the path to that actually happening was rocky and uncertain:

We were losing altitude, de facto campaign manager Fred Dutton reflected later, looking back at the political terrain Kennedy was facing. In fact, the day of the primary, Dutton was skeptical enough of our chances to suggest that RFK would take the vice-presidential slot if offered.

There is a reason for the persistent myth of the world we lost to RFKs assassin, that goes beyond loathing for LBJ or Humphrey or Nixon or the policies they embraced. And it involves more, I think, than just general Kennedy/Camelot nostalgia. For a whole generation of progressive political activists and journalists, there was a glimmer of something different in RFK than the more conventional politics of his brothers Jack and Ted  an ability to both put together a mind-bending coalition of minority and white-working-class voters that would blow up the racial politics the GOP was beginning to aggressively embrace by 1968 and to keep the fraying New Deal majority alive.

One of many displays of mourning and unity as the train bearing the body of Robert F. Kennedy traveled from New York to Washington following his assassination. Photo: Bill Eppridge/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

This coalition was glimpsed by some journalists watching Kennedy win African-American and Polish-American voters in Indiana, and others examining his California victory and its heavy reliance on a black-brown-and-white working-class support base that eschewed the McCarthy-loving suburbs. Without exit polls and other modern tools, it is difficult to discern how broad RFKs 1968 voting coalition actually was. But the fact that Kennedy was later adopted as a patron saint for all sorts of left-of-center folk (both left-bent radicals and centrist New Democrats) who were tired of the old-time religion of interest-group liberalism suggests that he might have been onto something new. Indeed, in a critical 2000 book about the RFK myth, Ronald Steele suggested just that:

He was the link between two competing visions: the welfare state world of the New Deal and the middle way of latter-day New Democrats like Bill Clinton.

Indeed, in the real world of politics without RFK, it has often been southern-bred centrists who have been been able to put together solid biracial coalitions that maintained minority enthusiasm and reached deep into the white working-class. No Kennedy coalitions were more mind-bending than that of Jimmy Carter in 1976, who had equally devoted support from African-Americans and former Wallace supporters  albeit only in his native South. Bill Clinton had some of the same appeal. But so too (mostly outside the South) did Barack Obama in 2008.

It may be significant or incidental that Carter lost a lot of his white working-class support in 1980 (after surviving an intraparty challenge from RFKs brother) as did Obama in 2012. And then in 2016, Hillary Clinton lost in no small part because she did very poorly among white working-class voters while suffering from low turnout by minority voters as well. In terms of the enduring myth of RFK, HRC was the anti-Bobby, or at least the representative of a party that was struggling with both its New Deal and more recent constituencies.

And thats partly why Bobby Kennedy remains so fascinating a character. In trying to build a multiracial coalition that includes a robust share of the still-very-large white working class, there remains the ancient formula of the social-Democratic Left: a class-based appeal that eschews all cultural or identity issues and simply pounds away at the need to defend and extend the universal benefit programs, progressive taxes, and anti-corporate regulations and trade policies that presumably all poorer folks support or ought to support. It seemed to work pretty well for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primaries, and in all honesty, it has never really been tried by the national Democratic Party since the days of the actual New Deal.

But for progressives who, for one reason or another, dont think white working-class losses or lagging minority turnout are the product of too little populist agitation or too much talk about the racial or cultural issues that voters seem to care greatly about, there is a persistent craving for something less formulaic and more poetic. Is it possible to develop a message that transcends group tensions by a higher appeal to common values and aspirations that cannot be captured by tax or benefit distribution tables or the lashing of a common corporate foe? Fifty years after the fact, the abiding myth of Bobby Kennedy is a testament to that abiding hope.Would this man lie? Photo: Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images

For the second time in two weeks, President Trump lied and said that his administrations policy of separating children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border is actually all Democrats fault.

Separating families at the Border is the fault of bad legislation passed by the Democrats. Border Security laws should be changed but the Dems cant get their act together! Started the Wall.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018

This claim, as it was the first time he tweeted it, is complete bunk. It was the Trump administration that made the choice to separate parents from children as a deterrent to immigrants, in an unprecedented policy that had the presidents fingerprints all over it. Trump didnt even bother to make clear the Democratic law that ostensibly forced his hand on the issue, because one does not exist.

Democratic lawmakers were quick to point out the absurdity:

Blatantly false. This is a direct result of the @realDonaldTrump administrations policies. Only he can and MUST end this barbaric policy. https://t.co/JFNaYTy1N8  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 5, 2018

If anything, Trumps tweet just proves that outrage over the draconian policy isnt going away.

On Sunday night, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley filmed himself attempting to enter a repurposed Walmart in Texas in which children separated from their parents are being housed. Operators at the facility, which is run by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, turned Merkley away. The White House then issued a bracing statement, accusing Merkley of irresponsibly spreading blatant lies and supporting immigration policies that allow criminal aliens to flood into American communities.

The United Nations human-rights office has called on the Trump administration to immediately halt the family-separation policy, a plea that is likely to fall on deaf ears.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who formally announced the family-separation policy in May, defended it to MSNBCs Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday morning, claiming that most of the children in question were teenagers, not infants, and emphasizing his harsh view of illegal immigration:

Heres the AG who Trump professes disdain for describing the necessity of the policy Trump claims isnt his own in an interview w @hughhewitt : pic.twitter.com/5VgZF6zmug  Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) June 5, 2018

Also on Tuesday, NBC reported that border agents and child welfare workers are running out of space to shelter children who have been separated from their parents, and that out of the 550 children who have currently been held longer than 72 hours, 300 were under the age of 12.Summer Zervos, the former Apprentice contestant who is testing Donald Trumps above the law posture in a defamation case. Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

In one of many battles that lawyers for the president of the United States are waging with the U.S. legal system, theyve just suffered a setback. Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Schechter ruled that the president must submit to a deposition in a defamation case filed by Summer Zervos, one of the assortment of women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct. Politico has the story:

A judge ruled Tuesday that President Donald Trump can be deposed in a defamation lawsuit brought last year by Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice who says Trump kissed and groped her after she appeared on the show 

Schechter ordered both parties to submit to depositions  with a deadline of Jan. 31, 2019.

Trump, of course, is denying these allegations like all the others, but doesnt want to have to make a statement under oath (or for that matter, submit to a seven-hour deposition session). So as part of his legal teams general the president cant be sued line of attack, they are appealing Schechters order to the New York Court of Appeals (a higher court than the Supreme Court in the states eccentrically labeled system). They are also trying to narrow the scope of any deposition in the Zervos case to avoid questions about other women who have accused Trump of misconduct, and to keep the proceedings sealed from public view.

Theres no telling what sort of legal or political condition the president will be in when January 2019 rolls around, and even if he loses on other fronts, delays seem likely. If he wins on the proposition that he cant be sued in state courts while in office, he will, as Shechter said in rejecting this argument in March, effectively be above the law. Thats most definitely where he wants to be. In the famous 1997 case of Clinton v. Jones, a unanimous Supreme Court held that Bill Clinton has no general immunity from civil litigation while serving as president. Trumps lawyers are claiming the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution prevents that precedent from applying to state judicial proceedings.

The Zervos defamation suit arises from an alleged incident in 2007 which she publicly disclosed in October 2016. Trump, of course, threw Zervoss allegations into the same over-brimming basket of those made by more than a dozen women around that time, and described them as fabricated and possibly procured by his political enemies. In January of 2017, Zervos sued Trump for defaming her with these comments. The president may yet regret his loose words (not to mention the alleged loose behavior). But first he will have to be brought to the bar of justice, and the litigation in this case could determine whether that will happen.Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

The Controversy on abortion - pro-choice or pro-life - stems mainly from Christian interpretations of the Bible. I am not an expert on these matters but I am searching for some clarity on the subject. Frankly, I do not know if there are specific admonitions in the Bible against abortion which true believers would not dare to question. My questioning stems from a more open discussion which allows some flexibility of interpretation.

In my limited familiarity with the Bible, the one striking commandment reported as God's words is: "Be fruitful and multiply." In the early times referred to in the Bible, that certainly would be wise policy to sustain and extend the human race. Life in those times was very hazardous. I suspect there was a very high rate of death in child birth, from tribal warfare, and primitive conditions of life which didn't offer the protections against natural disasters, starvation, disease, etc. that are available today. Every potential addition to the population would be precious. There certainly would be no need for abortions or homosexuality, so they would be inhibited by custom.

I don't know specifically what the Bible says about rape. In other histories or legends of those times, rape was a factor in creating nations. Victorious soldiers would carry off the women of the vanquished tribe. That is the legend of how Rome was created. God of the Bible condemns adultery and coveting the neighbors wife, but not rape specifically, at least in the Ten Commandments.

Conditions today are very different. We have a surplus population. Life is cheap. We don't care or know what to do with large masses of homeless and refugee people. We allow genocides to go unpunished. Many people don't value life, including their own, so they go on shooting sprees or suicide bombings. We sacrifice life indiscriminately in warfare. We can't accommodate a lot of people into a humanly decent manner of living.

Is the caring God of the Bible alive today? If so, I would imagine that God's attitude would have changed towards being fruitful and multiply. In this age, a humane God would advocate remedies to limit the Earth's population so that everyone could share in the benefits of civilization. Abortion and homosexuality may be seen as Nature's or God's humane way of limiting the population.

But, you say abortion is murder, killing a precious human being endowed with a divine spirit. At what point does an embryo become a human being? Does this happen only at conception or at the first heartbeat? Why does the preciousness of life decline as we grow older, so that we can readily be sacrificed in warfare or placed in degrading or destitute conditions? Perhaps the divine spirit doesn't enter at conception. Conceivably, one acquires the divine spirit of humanity by a slow process of maturing as one grows up, through good education and loving care.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.

A Heritage Foundation event last month on trade was co-sponsored by Taiwan Civil Government two weeks after it had been accused in Taiwan of operating a political fraud ring. Two United States Senators and the Secretary of Commerce were featured speakers on a stage backdropped with the TCG logo. Secretary Wilbur Ross pulled out of the event at the last minute without explanation. The Commerce Department later made a statement that Ross had been called to an urgent meeting at the White House.

Senator Ben Sasse, a Republican from Nebraska, was one of the Senators who participated and heard the Heritage moderator call Taiwan Civil Government "great partners" and also say "we like to work with them."

Heritage Foundation, the nation's leading conservative think-tank boasts they provide " timely, accurate research on key policy issues and effectively marketing these findings to our primary audiences: members of Congress, key congressional staff members, policymakers in the executive branch, the nation's news media, and the academic and policy communities."

Heritage has failed to answer questions or make a statement about the arrests in Taiwan of Roger and Julian Lin, leaders of the TCG group. Unwilling to explain their sponsor vetting process, Heritage also declined to reveal how much they were paid by the accused sponsor.

Although silent, Heritage Foundation has not ignored the matter. After being asked for a comment Heritage deleted all mention of the event from its website. The silence of the otherwise noisy think-tank follows a pattern set by Roll Call Live, POLITICO, and Foreign Policy. The media houses and now a think-tank that won't answer questions about their event sponsors also refuse to report on the arrests.

The Lins are being held without bail, incommunicado, and in solitary confinement. The arrests are for defrauding donors in a scam based on political ideology. What is not yet clear is whether prosecutors in the exiled Republic of China are basing their case on embezzlement or swindle. If it is embezzlement the case will be about a paper trail. If it is a swindle then the validity of TCG's advocacy for the future of Taiwan will be on trial.

Taiwan Civil Government argues that because the Taiwanese are stateless that America is responsible under international law under terms of the San Francisco Peace Treaty that ended World War II. TCG wants the expulsion of the ROC and a transition to sovereignty under direction of a United States military government. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia urged President Obama to act expeditiously to end Taiwan's "political purgatory" in a lawsuit brought by TCG founder Roger Lin.

The no-show by Secretary Ross at Heritage Foundation and the cancellation by two Representatives at Roll Call Live suggest that TCG's sweet spot in Washington has gone sour. It is probable that embarrassment by the Beltway insiders from being blindsided has caused the silence rather than culpability in a scam. However, embarrassment should not cause a rush to judgment and abandonment of their "great partner". If the Lins and others are victims of a political show trial because of their pro-American views then the now silent reporters, commentators and editors are needed in action.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 Counterpunch



(Image by Photo by Emmanuel DYAN | CC BY 2.0) Details DMCA



Shlomo Sand, a remarkable scholar who studies how "peoples," including the Jewish people, have been invented through myths propagated by court historians and politicians, makes a startling yet obvious connection in his book The Invention of the Land of Israel (2014):

"In fact, it was the United States' refusal, between the anti-immigration legislation of 1924 and the year 1948, to accept the victims of European Judeophobic persecution that enabled decision makers to channel somewhat more significant numbers of Jews toward the Middle East. Absent this stern anti-immigration policy, it is doubtful whether the State of Israel could have been established." [Emphasis added.]

In the same book, Sand writes:

"It is fair to say that the [British] Balfourian legislation of 1905 regarding foreigners, along with a similar law enacted two decades later in the United States that further toughened the terms of immigration (the Immigration Act of 1924, also known as the Johnson-Reed Act), contributed to the establishment of the State of Israel no less than the Balfour Declaration of 1917, and perhaps even more. These two anti-immigrant laws -- along with Balfour's letter to Rothschild regarding the United Kingdom's willingness to view favorably 'the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people,' -- lay down the historical conditions under which Jews would be channeled to the Middle East." [Emphasis added.]

According to the US Office of the Historian, "The Immigration Act of 1924 [Johnson-Reed] limited the number of immigrants allowed entry into the United States through a national origins quota. The quota provided immigration visas to two percent of the total number of people of each nationality in the United States as of the 1890 national census. It completely excluded immigrants from Asia... In all of its parts, the most basic purpose of the 1924 Immigration Act was to preserve the ideal of U.S. homogeneity." (The act was revised in 1952.)

In its intention and effect, the law, which passed the houses of Congress with overwhelming majorities, blocked people from Southern and Eastern Europe, Catholics, Arabs, and Jews. A. James Rudin writes:

"The bill's co-sponsor, U.S. Rep. Albert Johnson, R-Wash., said the law would block 'a stream of alien blood, with all its inherited misconceptions...' from entering America. Sen. David Reed, R-Pa., the other co-sponsor, represented 'those of us who are interested in keeping American stock up to the highest standard -- that is, the people who were born here.' Southern and Eastern Europeans (many of them Catholics and Jews), he believed, 'arrive sick and starving and therefore less capable of contributing to the American economy, and unable to adapt to American culture.'"

Unsurprisingly, Hitler praised the act as model legislation for keeping a population racially pure.

For supporting material, see "Foundations of Holocaust: 1924, Congress Decides No More Jews" and "Trump's Move to End DACA and Echoes of the Immigration Act of 1924." From the latter: "The policy was so defiantly and arrogantly racist that, as James Q. Whitman, a professor at Yale Law School, writes in "Hitler's American Model," it earned praise from Adolf Hitler. 'The American Union categorically refuses immigration of unhealthy elements, and simply excludes the immigration of certain races,' Hitler wrote in 'Mein Kampf [1925].' This, he said, made the country a leader in preserving racial purity through immigration policy."

All very well and good, you say, but how did the 1924 law -- which is so relevant today -- create, or help to create, the State of Israel? To answer this question, it must be recalled (if not learned) that in 1924, very few Jews had any interest in Palestine. The orthodox Jews, believing that God had expelled the Jews from the Holy Land (the Babylonian exile), thought it the height of impertinence for any mere mortal to decide when the Jews should return. That was up to God. They certainly were not going to take their lead from atheist so-called Jews from Eastern Europe, such as David Ben-Gurion. True, some old orthodox men went to the Holy Land to die (planning on resurrection later) or to await mashiach (messiah). But they did not seek the creation of a political entity -- a Jewish State. That was the furthest thing from their minds. In Sand's words, it was a Holy Land, not a Homeland. "Next year in Jerusalem" was not a statement from a political program. It was a messianic hope.

On the other hand, Reform Judaism was organized in opposition to the then-small Zionist movement, which in the Reform view was counterfeit, idolatrous "Judaism" in which (purported) blood and soil replaced God, Torah, and the universalism of the great prophets. Reform Jews explicitly rejected that they were part of a Diaspora. They believed that Judaism in fact represented a worldwide religious community comprising many different citizens of many different countries of many different cultures -- not a distinct racial or ethnic entity. ("Jewish blood" was of interest only to anti-Semites.) Indeed, earlier Reform Jews would have opposed the formation of the State of Israel even had Palestine been a "land without a people" -- which of course it was not.

As the Reform founders put in the Pittsburgh Platform (1885):

"We consider ourselves no longer a nation, but a religious community, and therefore expect neither a return to Palestine, nor a sacrificial worship under the sons of Aaron, nor the restoration of any of the laws concerning the Jewish state."

Despite this deep opposition, the Zionist movement picked up steam, after World War II, ostensibly as a humanitarian project to resettle the displaced Jews of Europe. But this was merely a public-relations move, albeit a most effective one even for many Reform Jews. One must realize that Zionism was never a refugee project. Its intention was to "ingather" the whole of the Diaspora, especially those "Jews [in other lands who] are absorbed in sinful self-satisfaction," to Palestine, the only place (so the Zionists preached) where Jews could be a "normal people." (In portraying the Jew as an alien anywhere else -- as an authentic Jew only in Israel -- Zionism parroted the vilest views of the anti-Semites. Indeed, its leaders feared -- ironically? -- that without anti-Semitism and anti-assimilationism, there would be no Jews after a short while.)

Next Page 1 | 2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).That feeling when you might not start a mass casualty war, after all. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump and John Bolton share an affinity for casually threatening to obliterate foreign nations that are not at war with the United States.

But in Boltons case, that belligerent rhetoric reflects a deeply held belief that America can  and should  bend adversarial regimes to its will through blunt military force. The president, by contrast, has few (if any) deeply held beliefs about foreign policy: He likes to play the maniacally tough commander-in-chief, promising fire and fury like the world has never seen  but he also covets the title of historic deal-maker.

This is a problem for the presidents latest national security adviser. Last month, Bolton suggested that the United States would push for the Libya model of denuclearization at Trumps June summit with Kim Jong-un. On the surface, this was a call for North Korea to immediately  and unilaterally  relinquish its entire nuclear weapons program. This, by itself, would have ruffled Pyongyangs feathers. But the statement was also freighted with an even more menacing subtext: After all, Libyas experiment with denuclearization ended with its longtime dictator being brutally murdered by U.S.-backed rebels, less than a decade after hed forfeited his nuclear program.

North Korea did not take kindly to this rhetoric, and threatened to abandon the summit; then Trump decided to abandon it first.

For Bolton, the collapse of these talks was a victory: Before joining the administration, he had publicly argued that diplomacy with Pyongyang was futile  and that the United States needed to deter its nuclear program militarily, as soon as possible. But for Trump, the summits premature death was painful. He had dreamed of succeeding where his predecessors had failed, of making a deal that would secure his status as a great man of history.

And so, the president eagerly accepted the first halfway conciliatory gesture from Pyongyang as a rationale for putting the summit back on his schedule. Now, he intends to keep it there  by keeping Bolton sidelined. As CNN reports:

As President Donald Trump huddled in the Oval Office on Friday with Kim Jong Uns right-hand man, he was accompanied by only one other US official: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Absent was the administrations most vocal North Korea hawk, national security adviser John BoltonPompeo told Trump it would be counterproductive to allow Bolton to attend the Oval Office meeting with visiting North Korean official Kim Yong Chol, two people familiar with the matter said, citing an escalating feud between the top diplomat and Bolton.

Pompeo views Bolton skeptically, two people familiar with their relationship say, and doesnt trust his motives on North Korea. The two men barely knew each other before Boltons arrival as national security adviser, but Pompeo has grown to dislike his approach and believes he is trying to advance his own agenda, one official said.

Bolton wasnt the only administration official whose belligerent rhetoric had inflamed Pyongyang. The president himself said last month, if you look at that model with Gaddafi, that was a total decimation. We went in there to beat him. Now that model would take place if we dont make a deal, most likely. On its face, this statement is far more bellicose than Boltons: The national security adviser used a term with a sinister subtext; the president explicitly threatened to have Kim murdered  and his regime destroyed  if he refuses to concede to American demands.

But the difference is that Bolton meant what he said, while the meaning of any presidential statement is subject to perpetual change. The clearest sign that Boltons influence is waning  after just two months as Trumps (third) head of the national security council  is that the White House is already signaling that it will accept incremental (and/or symbolic) progress toward the denuclearization of North Korea as a victory:

Trump and his aides have suggested the most concrete product of the June 12 encounter could be a peace agreement formally ending the Korean War  a far cry from the commitment to immediate denuclearization that the administration once insisted would be required for Trump to come to the table.

Now, the most some aides are hoping for is a broad declaration from Kim that hes open to getting rid of his weapons, with the work of securing specific commitments from the North Korean regime handed off to aides for a process that experts predict could take years.

Some congressional Democrats are hoping to make this outcome into a political loss for Trump, by adopting Boltons view that anything short of the dismantlement and removal of all chemical and biological as well as nuclear weapons from North Korea is unacceptable.

But Pyongyang has no incentive to forfeit its nuclear deterrent, unless it assumes that Washington is willing to wage a mass-casualty, preemptive war against it. And the idea that the U.S. should preemptively bomb a nuclear weapons state  for the sake of mitigating the risk of nuclear war  is insane.

In truth, Trumps narcissistic desire for affirm his deal-making bona fides on the world stage might actually be a blessing. Not long ago, the president was threatening the total destruction of North Korea at the United Nations, and making Freudian boasts about the size of his nuclear button on Twitter. An agreement that averts a return to such belligerence  by instructing each sides diplomats to work for an indefinite time to reach an ill-defined consensus goal  would be a relatively happy outcome.

And Bolton becoming isolated and irrelevant in the West Wing would be an even happier one.Quicklink Not Found

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To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here.Progressive Content Not Found

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To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here.Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too.

From Mike Malloy Website

Two Kims walked into a bar...well, a White House. One was a known foreign spy and one a super-hot Reality TV star. Only one left satisfied ...

Trump demurred on Kim Kardashian's request to pardon a great-grandmother who was serving time for a drug charge. But he enthusiastically welcomed North Korean spy chief and Kim Jung Un's right-hand man, Kim Yong Chol, straight into the Oval office for an unscheduled hour-long personal chat and perhaps guided tour. Maybe gave him a souvenir ashtray, or box of spy plane designs.

God only knows what state secrets he handed over this time.

Moot point, really, as The Don and his crackpot legal team have declared his actions completely above the law. Even murder. The howler monkey once known as Rudy Giuliani toured the Sunday talk circuit and raved that Trump could've shot James Comey and no one could bring charges against him while he was in office. After all, Trump could pardon himself and be free to spend his golden years frolicking at Mar a Lago -- grand-kid perched on one knee and porn star on the other.

Dear God. We're actually discussing the right of a President to murder a Department of Justice official. This is the new normal?

Putin is laughing his ass off. Look what his hackers accomplished just in the UK and US -- Brexit and this idiotic orange con artist who can't even spell "Special Councel {sic}" when banging out his toddler tantrum tweets.

With a hefty hacker assist (we may never know how hefty), Putin was able to install a racist Russian asset into the most powerful position in the world. What the hell else is there to accomplish if you're the Russian dictator? Game over. Flag is captured. Checkmate. Time to work on that space laser ...

Oh, the Midterms. Does anybody have any confidence that our coming elections -- in just six months -- are Putin-proof? What has Trump done to ensure the security of our free and fair elections?

(/crickets)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

Amid rising inequality, a new book argues, the notion of capping income has suddenly become politically plausible.



'Income and wealth have concentrated to a degree unimaginable in the early 1990s.'

(Image by (Photo: Steve Rhodes/flickr/cc)) Details DMCA



In the United States today, a just-released Federal Reserve report informs us, over a fifth of the nation's families simply cannot afford to "pay all of their current month's bills in full."

Over a quarter of families, the report goes on, skip "necessary medical care" because they can't afford the cost. And an even greater share -- 40 percent -- wouldn't be able to cover an unexpected expense of $400 without having to borrow cash or sell something they own.

In other words, many millions of American households have essentially almost nothing in the way of savings. And not much in the way of income either. Two out of every five Americans, the new Federal Reserve study details, have annual household incomes less than $40,000.

Meanwhile, at the other end of America's economic spectrum, we have households raking in much more than $40,000 every day. Half the CEOs at America's 200 biggest corporations now make over $336,538 per week, according to a review of 2017 corporate compensation that Equilar, a pay consulting firm, has just completed for the New York Times.

These top execs and their fellow wealthy can afford to handle any personal emergency life may throw their way. More importantly, they can also afford to buy a level of political influence that turns their needs -- and their needs alone -- into national priorities.

The end result? We find ourselves in a United States where nearly half the nation lives at the edge of economic disaster while government wallows in a "gridlock" that magically vanishes only when lawmakers have a chance to enrich the already rich.

So what do we do about all this? Maybe we need to start thinking more boldly about solutions to our ever-widening economic divide. One such solution: a maximum wage.

I started writing about the idea of a "maximum wage" -- a cap on how much richer an already rich person can become over the course of a year -- over a quarter-century ago. Back then, few people took the idea of a capping income seriously because serious people just weren't talking about income caps, not anywhere in the world.

But that's changed. Today we can point to places all around the world where the idea of a cap on income has become a matter of serious political discussion, as I relate in my new book, The Case for a Maximum Wage.

In France, a progressive candidate in the first round of the 2017 presidential election, Jean-Luc Me'lenchon, campaigned on a platform that included a call for a maximum wage. Me'lenchon finished just 4 percentage points behind that election's eventual winner.

In the UK, the leader of the British Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, muses openly about moving his nation toward a maximum wage. In South Africa, polling just conducted by a business group found 53 percent of that nation's public supporting a maximum wage for corporate execs and only 18 percent opposing.

We now have serious people, even in the United States, talking capping income. This past March, the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee, Rep. Keith Ellison, told the Congressional Progressive Caucus that America needs to consider enacting a maximum wage.

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From CEPR



President Barack Obama

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Let's get this straight: Donald Trump did something unbelievably stupid when he tweeted about the jobs report last Friday morning, 69 minutes before it was public. The president gets an advance copy of the report the night before, so he and his staff know what the country will be looking at the next day. They are supposed to keep it strictly secret until after its public release. In fact, the standard practice is that they don't comment on the report until at least an hour after the release.

The reason is obvious. The news in the report often moves financial markets. If the president can share information about the report with his favored audience then Donald Trump's friends will make money at the expense of everyone else's retirement accounts. For this reason, past presidents have been very careful to keep their mouth shut about the report until after it is available to the general public.

To try to divert attention from Trump's unmitigated stupidity last Friday, the Wall Street Journal ran a column by James Freeman, the essence of which is to say "Obama did it too." In fact, the evidence in the piece doesn't show this at all. Either Freeman is completely ignorant of procedures or dishonest.

Here are the four incidents (in reverse order) where Obama supposedly did it too.

Freeman cites a Wall Street Journal editorial from 2010:

"Did President Obama contribute to last Friday's stock market dive with a head fake to investors? Last Wednesday, in a speech at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University, the President said, 'After losing an average of 750,000 jobs a month during the winter of last year, we've now added jobs for five of the last six months, and we expect to see strong job growth in Friday's report.' "Perhaps assuming that the President might have known something about the Department of Labor's monthly unemployment report scheduled for two days later, investors immediately bid up US stocks. On Wednesday, the Dow gained almost 226 points."

Well, we can't know what investors might have thought Obama was telling them with this comment, but he didn't have the jobs numbers on the Wednesday before the release. Maybe if a paper like the Wall Street Journal did a better job informing readers about how these reports are put together they would have known this fact. In any case, it would have been impossible for Obama to leak information he didn't have.

Then we get this one:

"Five months later in July of 2009, according to a speech transcript from Congressional Quarterly, Mr. Obama said that 'when we receive our monthly jobs report next week, it's likely to show that we're still continuing to lose far too many jobs.'"

Again, Obama would not have the monthly jobs report that was to be released "next week" in his possession. His comment reflected the same public information that was available to anyone who closely follows the economy.

Next, we have the very first release of his presidency.

"As it happens Mr. Obama had been discussing the forthcoming release long before midnight. On February 5, 2009, the Associated Press reported that in remarks to employees at the Department of Energy, Mr. Obama said, 'Tomorrow, we're expecting another dismal jobs report on top of the 2.6 million jobs that we lost last year. We've lost 500,000 jobs each month for the last two months.'"

Since the president doesn't get the report until the late afternoon or evening, unless he was keeping Energy Department employees for a late Thursday night talk, he again was speaking based on publicly available information. (For what it's worth, I remember that time well. Everyone expected another dismal jobs number.)

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Free photo Smartphone Mobile Phone Teen Young People - Max Pixel960 -- 639 - 192k - jpg

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Unknown Smartphone user in America

Having traveled this past weekend in the Boston area and coming from a middle Atlantic state I saw what has become a phenomenon, the prolific use of the "Smartphone" seemingly everywhere.

Not that it was any great surprise. I'd seen it last year traveling in Virginia, the Carolina's, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.

In my own area while walking on a crowded sidewalk someone with phone in front of their face nearly bowled me over as she strode past.

What is it these people are so fascinated by?

Well two years ago while traveling on a "Megabus" to the Carolina's I got the chance sitting beside an early twenties woman who I asked, "What is with this "Smartphone"? She replied," it was for texting to her friends." Talking with her further she admitted looking at her phone was the first thing she did after waking in the morning. She admitted it was "probably obsessive" to which I remember replying, "If you know it's obsessive why do you do it"? To which she replied, "I don't know, I just do it". After which I ended my "inquisition" and let it be.

Admittedly, talking with one person about what I see as this cell phone mania isn't exactly a confirmation explaining this social media revolution that seems to have taken hold in America but its endemic in airports, train stations and all forms of public transportation I've been on.

Now I was recently told by an acquaintance that Smartphone use has become such a neurotic obsession some people are seeing therapists for their addiction-not that it was a great surprise to me.

It's occurred to this old hand if our government wanted the perfect distraction to keep people oblivious to their government's machinations peoples use of their Smartphone was the perfect device.

I've wondered whether that was the government's intention or was I being overly suspicious? Seeing as how the government has gotten Facebook in its pocket and using "backdoors" to get into people's computers before they purchase them maybe my paranoia isn't so displaced.

When I occasionally come across an article about the need for a people's rebellion in this country I wonder if they're including those addicted to their Smartphone?

Because this writer coming of age in the late 1960's and early 70's took part in the rebellion against our government, when serious protests and demonstrations were prevalent on most of the nations campuses focused against the US war in Vietnam.

Those types of protests seem unimaginable in America today. And...it's laughable to believe those with their Smartphone planted in front of their face are going to be part of any rebellion.

Now there are serious activists out there who do protest whether it's against abortion restrictions, woman's rights, gay and lesbian rights, the environment, fracking, oil and gas pipelines, $15 minimum wage, overturning "Citizens United", anti war et al. But instead of coming together forming a coalition and focusing against the elitist, imperialist, corporatist and elected government felons that reign in America- those primary entities that need to be overthrown and replaced in a peoples class struggle- the protests remain single issue, disconnected and "siloed" separate and distinct from one another rather than interconnected and focused against their common adversary.

The 2011 "Occupy" movement articulating many of the ills in America from the 1% over the 99%, corporatism, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, college student loan debt et al but so lacking in focus, agent-provocateurs along with the coordinated efforts by local, state and federal law enforcement soon shut it all down. Significantly, "Occupy" demanded nothing.

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To see if the podcast was renamed or re-published, please click here.Though Le Creuset has been making high-quality, enameled cast-iron cookware, including skillets and Dutch ovens, for the better part of a century, the traditional French brand isnt immune to following trends and getting a little adventurous when it comes to color. A couple of years ago, when millennial pink popped up everywhere, Le Creuset came out with a new color called Hibiscus that was a dead ringer for the pale, rosy pink that refused to disappear.

So it hasnt been a huge surprise that weve spotted this seasons trendiest melodramatic purple creeping into the cookware companys collections. The Cuts Emilia Petrarca describes this hue as both sad and happy at the same time  a state of being I think a lot of people can relate to for spring 2018. Le Creuset calls it Provence, likely in homage to the French lavender the color ostensibly imitates, and right now, there are lots of melodramatic-purple Le Creuset cookware on sale at Nordstrom for 20 percent off.

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Vat Dyes Market Segmentation by Top Manufacturers 2025

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Global Vat Dyes Market: SnapshotThe vat dyes market is likely to emerge as a prominent segment in the global dyes and pigments market over the coming years. Thus, trends and opportunities in the dyes and pigments market directly influence the global vat dyes market. The rising demand for sustainable textiles from the automobile and agricultural sectors is stoking the growth of the global vat dyes market. Moreover, the increasing consumer inclination towards organic and nontoxic dyes is compelling manufacturers to step up their investments and involve more aggressively in research and development of vat dyes.However, the volatile prices of raw materials are acting as a major impediment to the growth of the market. Moreover, production overcapacity is negatively impacting the growth of the market. Both these factors, collectively, are creating a pricing pressure on players in the global vat dyes market. 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To make these dyes water soluble, reducing agents such as sodium dithionite and sodium hydrosulphite are used. The process is known as vatting. To expedite the vatting process other chemicals such as potassium dichromate or sodium borate may also be added. Indigo is the most commonly used Vat dye. Shades of red, orange, and green are also used commercially.Depending upon the product type, vat dyes can be segmented into special dyeing dyes (IK), warm dyeing dyes (IW), and normal dyeing dyes. As the name suggests, different temperatures are required to achieve the dying effect. A sizeable proportion of vat dyes need oxygen to fix the dye, however a special class of vat dyes require light for the same. Such light activated vat dyes are referred to as inko dyes. Vat dyes are applied by continuous dipping of the fabric in a vessel containing activated vat dyes. 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This in turn, would also bolster the vat dyes market. Further, paper dyeing is slated to open up new avenues for the market for vat dyes as handmade paper is made up of cellulosic fibers. One factor posing a roadblock to the market is the fact that vat dyes cannot be applied in animal fibers such as wool and silk, among others due to poor fixing. Their use is limited to plant fibers.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @Global Vat Dyes Market: Region-wise Outlook:Western Europe and Asia Pacific are the leading markets for vat dyes on account of the massive sales occurring in the two regions. China, South Korea, India, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia are some of the prominent consumers of vat dyes. 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Global Tobacco Packaging Market

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The primary objective of the Global Tobacco Packaging Market research report is to provide the market insights including in-depth analysis on historic and current market size along with the expected future growth of the Tobacco Packaging market for the period of 2018-2023. The market report further covers the market growth history, sales channel, competitive landscape along with the company profiles of the top players, market forecast of segments and detailed regional analysis. The market study delivers the key industry dynamic with respect to driving & limiting factors with their current and expected impact on market growth, latest industry trends, and challenges faced by manufacturers during the forecast period.Request for the sample copy here:The introductory fragment of the report offers global Tobacco Packaging market overview including objectives of Tobacco Packaging research, definition and specifications. 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It is considered as the essential part of the Tobacco Packaging market report which emphasis on current market shares and intended development of the leading players.Key players in the marketAmcorInternational PaperITCPhillip Morris InternationalBemisBritish American TobaccoMondiNovelisPackaging Corporation of AmericaReynolds GroupSiegwerkSonocoGlobal Tobacco Packaging Market Segmentation:Global Tobacco Packaging market is segmented into product type, applications and regions for the period of 2013 to 2018 and forecast Tobacco Packaging market values up to 2022 in terms of market share and revenue. Based on product type, the Tobacco Packaging market has been classified into Product Type 1, product Type 2. Similarly, applications of Tobacco Packaging market are fragmented as Application 1, Application 2.The following part of the report exhibits Tobacco Packaging market across diverse regions (including the regions India, Japan, South East Asia, Europe, China and USA). 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We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Apex Market Reports provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezCorporate Sales Specialist155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Phone: +17739042683Email id - sales@apexmarketreports.comWebsite -Molecular Diagnostics Market Elevating At CAGR of 9.6% | Along with By Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., QIAGEN N.V., Hologic, Inc., Grifols, etc Key Players

Molecular Diagnostics Market

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Market Research Future published a half-cooked research report on Global Molecular Diagnostics Market. Report include Molecular Diagnostics Market in-depth analysis, future predictions, Industry size, share, and growth rate. Global Molecular Diagnostics Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.6% during forecasted period 2018-2023.The reagents used in molecular diagnostics play important role in primary diagnosis and treatment of diseases at molecular level. The instruments like PCR and next generation sequencing has shown reliable test results and are rapid in nature which resulting increasing demand in central laboratories diagnostics institutes. Moreover, molecular testing tools are providing better alternatives in detecting in infectious viral, bacterial and other pathogens.All these factors are responsible for growth of the market positively. Furthermore, increasing prevalence of infectious diseases like influenza and human papillomavirus and others also boost the growth of the market. On the other hand, higher price of molecular diagnostic kits may hinder the growth of the market.Get Sample Copy of Report @Key players for Global Molecular Diagnostics MarketHoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (U.S.), QIAGEN N.V. (the Netherlands), Hologic, Inc. (U.S.), Grifols (Spain), Abbott (U.S.), Siemens Healthcare GmbH (Germany), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (US), BD (U.S.), Beckman Coulter Inc. (U.S.), bioMerieux SA (France), and Cepheid (U.S.).Regional Analysis for Global Molecular Diagnostics MarketOn regional basis, the Molecular Diagnostics Market is segmented into America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa.America dominates the Global market for molecular diagnostics due to increasing demand for the advanced techniques and molecular diagnostics and higher expenditure in life science domain are the major factors for the growth of American market.Europe records the second largest market share followed by Asia Pacific. Increasing prevalence of lifestyle and chronic diseases, increasing number of private diagnostic centres are the major factors responsible for growth of the market.According to American Cancer Society, Asia Pacific region, contributes 44% of all cancer cases (6.4 million out of 14.1 million) and 51% of all cancer deaths (4.3 million out of 8.2 million) globally, whereas China representing the majority of the cancer burden.On the other hand, in the Middle East and Africa, blood disorders have become a huge problem due to limited screening, ignorance of diseases, and poor access to treatment.Get an Exclusive Discount on Report @Few Brief Table Of ContentChapter 1. Report PrologueChapter 2. Market Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope Of The Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 LimitationsChapter 3. Research Methodology3.1 Introduction3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size EstimationChapter 4. Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restrains4.3 Opportunities4.4 Challenges4.5 Macroeconomic IndicatorsTOC ContinuedLIST OF TABLESTable 1 Molecular Diagnostics Industry Synopsis, 2017-2023Table 2 Global Molecular Diagnostics Market Estimates And Forecast, 2017-2023, (USD Million)Table 3 Global Molecular Diagnostics Market By Region, 2017-2023, (USD Million)Table 4 Global Molecular Diagnostics Market By Type Of Techniques, 2017-2023, (USD Million)Table 5 Global Molecular Diagnostics Market By Applications, 2017-2023, (USD Million)Table 6 Global Molecular Diagnostics Market By End Users, 2017-2023, (USD Million)Table 7 North America Molecular Diagnostics Market By Type Of Techniques, 2017-2023, (USD Million)Table 8 North America Molecular Diagnostics Market By Applications, 2017-2023, (USD Million)Table 9 North America Molecular Diagnostics Market By End Users, 2017-2023, (USD Million)ContinuedGet Complete Access of Report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact Us:Market Research FutureHadapsar, Pune  411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comGlobal Shot Blasting Equipment Market Forecast 2018-2025 Sinto, Pangborn, Agtos, Goff, Siapro

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The Worldwide Osteoarthritis Market report is a comprehensive analysis report by experts which gives detail analysis of top players, solid segments, and indications in-depth.Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when flexible tissue at the ends of bones wears down. Increasing age is the major factor for the cause of the disease. Market Research Future, a firm which specializes in market reports related to the healthcare sector among others, recently forecasted in its report on Global Osteoarthritis Market Research Report- Forecast to 2023 that the market will demonstrate a steady CAGR of 7.3% while achieving million dollar growth readily in the forecast period.Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis which generally affects the hands, knee, hip and spines. It can causes pain, swelling, and reduced motion in the joints. Geriatric population and over-weighted individuals are at higher risks of osteoarthritis. Factors like growing geriatric population, rising prevalence of the osteoarthritis and increasing per capita healthcare expenditure will drive the market growth during the forecast period.Get PDF Sample Copy of This Premium Report @Key Players for Global Osteoarthritis MarketThe key players for the Global Osteoarthritis Market are Abbott. (U.S.), Novartis AG (Europe), Pfizer Inc. (U.S.), Eli Lilly and Company. (U.S.), ABIOGEN PHARMA S.p.A (Europe), Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (U.S.), TissueGene Inc. (U.S.), Ampio Pharmaceuticals Inc. (U.S.), Regeneron (U.S.), and others.A number of industries are working in the development and production of osteoarthritis products. It is found out that the market players have adopted the organic strategy of development of better and cost-effective products, and acquisition. The companies are aiming to capture a considerable share of the market segment as early as possible, due to continuously increasing competition. In order to gain the customer attention the companies have launched innovate products.Intended Audience of Global Osteoarthritis MarketPharmaceutical companiesBiotechnological institutesResearch and Development (R&D) CompaniesMedical Research LaboratoriesMarket Research and Consulting Service ProvidersRegional Analysis for Global Osteoarthritis MarketGeographically, the Global Osteoarthritis Market is segmented into America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.America dominates the Global Osteoarthritis Market owing to a well-developed healthcare sector and huge patient population for osteoarthritis. Apart from this, changing lifestyle and increasing healthcare expenditure have boosted the growth of the market in America.Europe is the second largest Osteoarthritis Market, which is followed by Asia Pacific. Availability of funds for research, huge patient population, increasing healthcare expenditures, well-developed healthcare sector and government support for research & development are projected to drive the market growth during the forecasted period.Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in Global the market due to the presence of a huge patient population. Moreover, continuously developing economies like India and China, and presence of huge opportunity in the market fuels the market growth.On the other hand, the Middle East & Africa holds the least share in the Global Osteoarthritis Market due to presence of poor economy, especially, in African region. Majority of the market of this region is held by the Middle East due to the well-developed healthcare sector and huge healthcare expenditure.Get Prime Discount on Premium Report @Some Brief Table of Contents of ReportChapter 1. Report PrologueChapter 2. Market Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope Of The Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 LimitationsChapter 3. Research Methodology3.1 Introduction3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size EstimationChapter 4. Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restrains4.3 Opportunities4.4 Challenges4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators4.6 Technology Trends & AssessmentChapter 5. Market Factor Analysis5.1 Porters Five Forces Analysis5.1.1 Bargaining Power Of SuppliersTOC ContinuedLIST OF TABLESTable 1 Osteoarthritis Industry Synopsis, 2017  2023Table 2 Global Osteoarthritis Market Estimates And Forecast, 2017  2023, (USD Million)Table 3 Global Osteoarthritis Market By Region, 2017  2023, (USD Million)Table 4 Global Osteoarthritis Market By Type, 2017  2023, (USD Million)Table 5 Global Osteoarthritis Market By Diagnosis, 2017  2023, (USD Million)Table 6 Global Osteoarthritis Market By Treatment, 2017  2023, (USD Million)Table 7 Global Osteoarthritis Market By End Users, 2017  2023, (USD Million)Table 8 North America Osteoarthritis Market By Type, 2017  2023, (USD Million)Continued..LIST OF FIGURESFigure 1 Research ProcessFigure 2 Segmentation For Global Osteoarthritis MarketFigure 3 Market Dynamics For Global Osteoarthritis MarketFigure 4 Global Osteoarthritis Market Share, By Type 2016Figure 5 Global Osteoarthritis Market Share, By Diagnosis 2016Figure 6 Global Osteoarthritis Market Share, By Treatment, 2016Figure 7 Global Osteoarthritis Market Share, By End Users, 2016Figure 8 Global Osteoarthritis Market Share, By Region, 2016Figure 9 North America Osteoarthritis Market Share, By Country, 2016Continued..Get Complete Access of Report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact Us:Market Research FutureHadapsar, Pune  411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comBeverage Flexible Packaging 2018 Global Industry Key Players - Alcoa , Amcor Limited , Ball Corporation , Crown Holdings , Mondi PLC Market Analysis And Forecast To 2025

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Global Beverage Flexible Packaging MarketThis report studies the global Beverage Flexible Packaging market status and forecast, categorizes the global Beverage Flexible Packaging market size (value & volume) by manufacturers, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top manufacturers in North America, Europe, Japan, China and other regions (India, Southeast Asia, Central & South America, and Middle East & Africa).Request a Sample Report @The major manufacturers covered in this reportAlcoaAmcor LimitedBall CorporationCrown HoldingsMondi PLCOwens-IllinoisRexam PLCPackaging Group CorpHood Packaging CorporationAmerican Packaging CorporationOrora North AmericaGeographically, this report studies the top producers and consumers, focuses on product capacity, production, value, consumption, market share and growth opportunity in these key regions, coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanOther Regions (India, Southeast Asia, Central & South America and Middle East & Africa)The regional scope of the study is as follows:North AmericaUnited StatesCanadaMexicoAsia-PacificChinaIndiaJapanSouth KoreaAustraliaIndonesiaSingaporeRest of Asia-PacificEuropeGermanyFranceUKItalySpainRussiaRest of EuropeCentral & South AmericaBrazilArgentinaRest of South AmericaMiddle East & AfricaSaudi ArabiaTurkeyRest of Middle East & AfricaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoby Packaging MaterialsPELDPEPPPETPVDCby ProductsBottlesBagsCansOtherOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingAlcoholic BeveragesNon-Alcoholic BeveragesThe study objectives of this report are:To analyze and study the global Beverage Flexible Packaging capacity, production, value, consumption, status (2013-2017) and forecast (2018-2025);Focuses on the key Beverage Flexible Packaging manufacturers, to study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in future.Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis.To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region.To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the marketTo analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the marketTo strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Beverage Flexible Packaging are as follows:History Year: 2013-2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.Key StakeholdersBeverage Flexible Packaging ManufacturersBeverage Flexible Packaging Distributors/Traders/WholesalersBeverage Flexible Packaging Subcomponent ManufacturersIndustry AssociationDownstream VendorsAvailable CustomizationsWith the given market data, Researcher offers customizations according to the company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:Regional and country-level analysis of the Beverage Flexible Packaging market, by end-use.Detailed analysis and profiles of additional market players.Table of Contents-Key Points CoveredGlobal Beverage Flexible Packaging Market Research Report 20187 Global Beverage Flexible Packaging Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Alcoa7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Beverage Flexible Packaging Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Alcoa Beverage Flexible Packaging Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Amcor Limited7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Beverage Flexible Packaging Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Amcor Limited Beverage Flexible Packaging Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Ball Corporation7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Beverage Flexible Packaging Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Ball Corporation Beverage Flexible Packaging Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 Crown Holdings7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Beverage Flexible Packaging Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 Crown Holdings Beverage Flexible Packaging Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)7.4.4 Main Business/Business OverviewContinued..Complete Report Details @Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt LtdOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaGlobal Autologous Stem Cell and Non-Stem Cell Based Therapy Market Report with Comprehensive Research Study and Strong Growth in Future 2023

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The global autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy market is growing significantly due to high incidences of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and presence of large number of patients requiring transplantation. The lack of service providers in the autologous stem cell market, and the massive unexplored autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy market in the emerging economies, are creating ample growth opportunities for the global autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy market. The advanced research and development activities and new product developments by the major players are supporting the demand for cost effective and efficient autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy platforms.Access Detailed Report Summary@The autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy market is categorized as autoimmune diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, and others.Some of the factors driving the growth of the global autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy market are technological advancements, reduction in risk associated with autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy, growing number of chronic diseases, and increasing researchers and scientists compliance for autologous cellular therapies. In addition, the increasing government involvement and ease in regulation for autologous cellular therapies, increasing demand for cellular transplantation, and growing research and development activities in the autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapies is driving the growth of the market. However, the high cost of autologous cellular therapies, side effects associated with it, and lack of skilled professionals are some of the factors restraining the growth of the global autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy market to some extent.Request to Get the Sample Report@Geographically, North America leads the global autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy market, due to technological advancements, increased research and development activities, very few risk associated with autologous cellular therapies, high healthcare expenditure, and high incidences of chronic diseases. Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region in the global autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy market. The major reasons for the fastest growth in the region are increasing healthcare expenditure, increasing autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy related research activities, improving healthcare infrastructure. Moreover, the autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy market is growing rapidly, due its capability of treating a range of diseases such as autoimmune, cancer, and cardiovascular, in the emerging economies such as India and China.Make Enquiry Before Buying the Report@Some of the major players operating in the global autologous stem cell and non-stem cell based therapy market are Fibrocell Science Inc., BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., Vericel Corporation, Dendreon Corporation, Lion Biotechnologies, Genzyme Corporation, Regeneus Ltd., Caladrius, and Opexa Therapeutics Inc.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:Halal Nutraceuticals & Vaccines Market: Middle East & Africa Market Estimated to Record the Highest CAGR During the Forecast Period

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Government initiatives to promote halal products and increasing demand among the Muslim population will expedite revenue growth of halal nutraceuticals and vaccines market. To explore the global halal nutraceuticals & vaccines market, a report titled Halal Nutraceuticals & Vaccines Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026 has been recently added to the online repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE). This report has forecasted the changing climate of the global halal neutraceuticals and vaccines market for the period of 2016 - 2026. It has scanned all the major geographies, analyzed the potential of all the market segments and assessed all the opportunities available for companies operating in the global halal nutraceuticals and vaccines market.Click to get Sample PDF:The global halal neutraceuticals and vaccines market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.7% between 2016 and 2026. At this pace, the market will reach a valuation of more than US$ 80 million by the end of 2026. The report on the global halal neutraceuticals and vaccines market begins with an executive summary followed by the market overview and definitions. Executive summary provided in the report gives a 360-degree view of the global halal neutraceuticals and vaccines market. The report also presents a market taxonomy, where it has segmented the global halal neutraceuticals and vaccines market on the basis of product type, distribution channel, application, and region. Asia Pacific excluding Japan is the largest regional segment in terms of value share for halal nutraceuticals and vaccines across the globe and is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period.In the market dynamics section, the report highlights drivers, restraints, opportunities and trends likely to define market growth in the coming years. Through extensive research, report has studied how the different market elements are going to influence the future and the present development of the global halal neutraceuticals and vaccines market. This report tries to provide useful insights to leading market players to plan their differentiating strategies capable of changing with the changing market trends.View Complete TOC with Tables and Figures at:The last section of the report focusses on some of the top companies operating in the global halal neutraceuticals and vaccines market and evaluates their business performance and long-term and short-term goals. Some of the key players profiled in the report include Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad, Abbott Laboratories, Nestle, Amway, Herbalife International of America, Inc., AJ Biologics Sdn Bhd., Agropur, Inc. (Davisco Business Unit), PT Kalbe Farma Tbk, Kotra Pharma (M) Sdn Bhd and NoorVitaminsAbout MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State Street Suite 700Albany, NY  12207 (United States)Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Global Robotic Wheelchairs Market Research Report 2018 : Investor, Matia Robotics, WHILL, Sunrise Medical, Farnell UK,

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Robotic Wheelchairs Market Research Report 2018" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the global Robotic Wheelchairs market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2025.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Robotic Wheelchairs in these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Robotic Wheelchairs market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingDEKA Research & DevelopmentInvestorMatia RoboticsWHILLSunrise MedicalUPnRIDE RoboticsFarnell UK...On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoRear Wheel Drive Robotic WheelchairsFront Wheel Drive Robotic WheelchairsMid-wheel Drive Robotic WheelchairsOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingResidential SectorCommercial SectorTable of ContentsGlobal Robotic Wheelchairs Market Research Report 20181 Robotic Wheelchairs Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Robotic Wheelchairs1.2 Robotic Wheelchairs Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2013-2025)1.2.2 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20171.2.3 Rear Wheel Drive Robotic Wheelchairs1.2.4 Front Wheel Drive Robotic Wheelchairs1.2.5 Mid-wheel Drive Robotic Wheelchairs1.3 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Segment by Application1.3.1 Robotic Wheelchairs Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2013-2025)1.3.2 Residential Sector1.3.3 Commercial Sector1.4 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Market by Region (2013-2025)1.4.1 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2013-2025)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2013-2025)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Robotic Wheelchairs (2013-2025)1.5.1 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Revenue Status and Outlook (2013-2025)1.5.2 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2013-2025)2 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.1.1 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.1.2 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Production and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.2 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.3 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Average Price by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.4 Manufacturers Robotic Wheelchairs Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Robotic Wheelchairs Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Robotic Wheelchairs Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Robotic Wheelchairs Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, ExpansionMore Clear Details get Table of Contents @3 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)3.1 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Capacity and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)3.2 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Production and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)3.3 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)3.4 Global Robotic Wheelchairs Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.5 North America Robotic Wheelchairs Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)3.6 Europe Robotic Wheelchairs Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)Continue...About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on @Stargardt Disease Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Analysis Information

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IntroductionJuvenile Macular Degeneration is the genetic eye disorder that affects the vision further leading to vision loss. Generally, this disorder affects the specialized light-sensitive tissue present in the retina. Precisely, this type of macular degeneration affects the center of the retina which is knewn as macula. The function of macula is to add sharpness to the central vision. This region is responsible for handling detailed tasks such as recognizing faces, driving, and reading. Most of the people suffering from stargardt macular degeneration, produce a bodily fluid known as lipofuscin, that is responsible for the cellular regeneration underlying the macula. Moreover the over time accumulation of this fluid causes cellular damage. Furthermore, the affected individuals also show the symptoms of color blindness. Usually, the signs and symptoms appear in late childhood which is responsible for disease progression.Notably, increasing prevalence of eye disorders, development of new drugs and therapies, and emerging government policies are promoting the growth of juvenile macular degeneration market globally. It is observed that the research and development cost for the Stargardt disease is very high leading to the massive prices of the end products.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Despite these drivers, there are some issues associated with juvenile macular degeneration market. Lack of awareness among people may hinder the growth of the market to an extent.Geographically, Europe region is commanding the largest market share owing to the increasing prevalence of Stargardt disease.The global juvenile macular degeneration (Stargardt disease) market is expected to reach USD 1593.885 million in 2027 from USD 780.995 million in 2016. This market is expected to grow at a stable CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period 2017-2027.Key PlayersThe key players for the Astellas Pharma Inc., Sanofi S.A., Acucela Inc., Alkeus Pharma, Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc., Ophthotech Corporation, Bayer AG, Oxford BioMedica plc, Grupo Ferrer Internacional, and othersStudy objectivesTo provide a detailed analysis of the market structure along with a forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of global juvenile macular degeneration (Stargardt disease) market. To provide a comprehensive analysis of juvenile macular degeneration industry and its sub-segments in the global market, thereby providing a detailed structure of the industry. To provide detailed insights into the factors driving and restraining the growth of global juvenile macular degeneration (Stargardt disease) market. To estimate the market size of global juvenile macular degeneration (Stargardt disease) from 2014 to 2027. Wherein, 2014 & 2015 would be the historical period, 2016 shall be the base year, and 2017  2027 will be forecast period for the study. To analyze global juvenile macular degeneration (Stargardt disease) market, on the basis of four main geographies namely, Europe, Americas, Asia-Pacific, and The Middle East & Africa. To compare the products with respect to the various players in the market To provide country-wise market value analysis for various segments of juvenile macular degeneration (Stargardt disease) market To understand the demand-supply scenario and provide a gap analysis of the industry To analyze and provide upcoming technologies and trends in juvenile macular degeneration (Stargardt disease) market To provide strategic profiling of key companies (manufacturers and distributors) present across the globe, and comprehensively analyze their competitiveness/competitive landscape in this market.Target Audience Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industries Potential Investors Medical Research Institutes Key Executive (CEO and COO) and Strategy Growth Manager Research CompaniesKey Findings the major players operating in this market are Acucela Inc., Ophthotech Corporation, Sanofi S.A., Lin BioScience, Inc., Alkeus Pharma, Carl Zeiss AG, and others. Fluorescein Angiography (FA) dominates the juvenile macular degeneration (Stargardt disease) market with a share of 34.6%, as compared to other diagnosis types. On the basis of management, the market for magnifying spectacles is projected to reach USD 597.642 million by the end of 2027 at a CAGR of 7.0%, during 2017 to 2027. On the basis of the end-user, hospitals, and eye clinics accounted for the largest market share with 62.2% of the global juvenile macular degeneration market On the basis of region, Asia-Pacific region is projected to be the fastest growing region at a CAGR of 7.3%, during the forecast period.Table of Content: Key PointsChapter 1. Report PrologueChapter 2. Market Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope of the Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 LimitationsChapter 3. Research Methodology3.1 Introduction3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary research3.4 Market Size EstimationChapter 4. Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restrains4.3 Opportunities4.4 Challenges4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators4.6 Technology Trends & AssessmentChapter 5. Market Factor Analysis5.1 Porters Five Forces Analysis5.1.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers5.1.2 Bargaining Power of BuyersContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. We also provide COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) business sector reports as custom exploration agreeing your needs.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaNewly-launched 3rd Party Ku Simu, a new form of payment for motor insurance, has been hailed as a game-changer but only time will tell whether it transforms the conservative sector, writes ALON MWESIGWA.

Digitalization is transforming the way we live faster than what many can imagine and this can be seen with the increased dependence on technology. Today, the handset has become the most important tool to transact business.

(L-R): Afrisafe senior consultant Juliet Namayanja, Sean Oseku, the Afrisafe business relations manager and Nick Mutiiso, the Jubilee Insurance finance director

Thanks to mobile money, the once long queues at banking halls to pay school fees are diminishing at a fast rate and so has bureaucracy once associated with paying for necessities such as water and electricity.

One industry that has been reluctant to join the digitization trend is insurance, where transactions are largely manually conducted but that is all set to change following yesterdays introduction of the 3rd Party Ku Simu innovation on the market.

A brainchild of Afrisafe Risk Consultants, through a partnership with Jubilee Insurance and mobile money platforms, it was launched at a breakfast meeting at Kampala Serena hotel.

We believe that this product will not only make the purchase of third-party motor insurance easier but will also be a partner to all motorists, says Deepak Pandey, the managing director of Jubilee Insurance Uganda.

3rd Party Ku Simu is basically a service for motorists to purchase their third-party motor insurance, which is mandatory by law, off the phone by simply dialling through a USSD code.

The service is meant to help motorists lessen the burden of queuing up or driving distances to buy third-party policies. Therefore, it is meant to remove inconveniences associated with acquisition of third-party insurance and it covers every insurable conveyance that transports people or objects.

We felt it important to make that process simpler for the average Ugandan motorist. All one needs to do is dial *210*22# and simply following the prompts. Once a motorist inputs their details (name, car type) as required by the policy, their data will instantly be captured and saved for future usage. The Afrisafe automated system will automatically give the motorist a reminder when their third-party insurance is due next and will always receive reminders when the insurance is about to expire says Kwame Ejalu, the Afrisafe chairman.

Ejalu further insists that after completing the purchase, motorist will receive their third-party stickers within an hours time. It doesnt matter where you are in Uganda; this service will locate you to the nearest Jubilee Insurance branch and the sticker will be delivered free of charge, he says.

However, there are questions about the efficacy of this service, especially in cases of network breakdown or even when a motorist makes an error. Ejalu says Afrisafe planned for those mishaps and has put in place a team of experts to handle every issue. He also assures that clients are legally protected.

Afrisafe Risk Consultants is regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) and abides by the laws of the authority. Therefore, Ugandans can rest assured that Afrisafe is operating under the law. Our mission is not only to create revenue but also operate with the highest standards of integrity and public trust, added Ejalu.

Reached for a comment, Patrick Onyango, the Police deputy spokesperson, says the new scheme could save motorists from the strenuous process of proving innocence.

You know very well that traffic exercises express penalties when a motorist is found with an expired third-party insurance but with this scheme, it will help them pay instantly even though it doesnt mean they should wait to be arrested, he says.

alon@observer.ugGlobal In Vitro Diagnostics Market Anticipated to Reach US$89,862.2 mn by 2025

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An insightful study, titled In Vitro Diagnostics Market has been freshly broadcasted to the vast research repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE). This research study provides detailed comprehensions and forecasts future growth of the global market with an in-depth study of the factors impacting revenue growth throughout the mentioned forecast period. Further, a deep analysis on the major players from diverse regions is also present in the report.Sample Report available at @This report on in vitro diagnostics market studies the current as well as future prospects of the market globally. The stakeholders of this report include companies and intermediaries engaged in the manufacture, commercialization, providing in vitro diagnostics products as well as new entrants planning to enter this market. This report comprises an elaborate executive summary along with a market snapshot providing overall information of various segments and sub-segments considered in the scope of the study. This section also provides the overall information and data analysis of the global in vitro diagnostics market with respect to the leading market segments based on major types, applications, end users, and geographies.By technology type market further segmented into point of care, molecular diagnostics, immunoassays, clinical chemistry, whole blood glucose monitoring, hematology, clinical microbiology, coagulation and hemostasis, and others. On the basis of applications in vitro diagnostics market has been segmented as drug testing, infectious disease, oncology, metabolic disease, autoimmune disease, and others. Further the market has been segmented according to its end users that includes diagnostics laboratories, hospitals, academic & research centers, home care and others.Each of the market segments have been extensively analyzed based on the market related factors such as increasing adoption rate worldwide, and technological advancement, in various geographies. Moreover, historical year-on-year growth have been taken into consideration while estimating the market size. The market size and forecast in terms of US$ million for each segment has been provided for the period from 2015 to 2025. The report also provides the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) for each market segment for the forecast period from 2017 to 2025, considering 2016 as the base year.The market overview section of the report explores the market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities that currently have a strong impact on the in vitro diagnostics market and could influence the market in the near future. Market attractiveness analysis has been provided in the market overview section in order to explain the intensity of competition in the market across different geographies. The competitive scenario among different market players is evaluated through market share analysis in the competitive landscape section of the report. All these factors would help market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their shares in the global in vitro diagnostics market.Geographically, in vitro diagnostics market has been segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The market size and forecast for each of these regions has been provided for the period from 2015 to 2025, along with their respective CAGRs for the forecast period from 2017 to 2025, considering 2016 as the base year. The report also provides with market size and forecast for major countries in the respective regions. A detailed qualitative analysis of factors responsible for driving and restraining the market growth and future opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. This section of the report also provides with market attractiveness analysis, Porters five forces analysis, market strategy overview, and market share analysis by key players, thus presenting a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the global In Vitro Diagnostics Market.Comprehensive Overview of Report @The key findings section included in the report would assist existing market players in expanding their market shares, and new companies in establishing their presence in the global In Vitro Diagnostics Market. The key players operating in the in vitro diagnostics market are Abbott., Becton Dickinson and Company, Biomerieux SA, Danaher Corporation, Gen-Probe Incorporated, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Life Technologies Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Siemens Healthineers (a division of Siemens AG), Sysmex Corporation, Qiagen N.V., Diasorin and Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation. The global in vitro diagnostics market is dominated only by few players such as F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Abbott that operates global market.The global In Vitro Diagnostics Market is segmented as follows:Global In Vitro Diagnostics Market, by TechnologyPoint of CareMolecular DiagnosticsPolymerase Chain Reaction(PCR)Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification TechnologyMicroarrayHybridizationDNA Sequencing and Next Generation SequencingOther MDX TechnologiesImmunoassayEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA)Radioimmunoassay (RIA)Enzyme-Linked Immunospot (ELIspot) AssayRapid TestsOther Immunoassay TechniquesClinical ChemistryBasic Metabolic ProfileElectrolyte PanelLiver PanelLipid PanelRenal PanelThyroid Function PanelSpecialty Chemical TestsWhole Blood Glucose MonitoringHematologyClinical MicrobiologyCoagulation and HemostasisOthersGlobal In Vitro Diagnostics Market, by ApplicationDrug TestingInfectious DiseaseOncologyMetabolic DiseaseAutoimmune DiseaseOthersGlobal In Vitro Diagnostics Market, by End UserDiagnostics LaboratoriesHospitalsAcademic & Research CentersHome CareOthersGlobal In Vitro Diagnostics Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyU.K.FranceItalySpainRest of the EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanAustralia & New ZealandRest of Asia PacificLatin America (LATAM)BrazilMexicoRest of LATAMMiddle East & AfricaGCC CountriesSouth AfricaIsraelRest of Middle East & AfricaAbout MRRSEMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Healthcare IT Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comGlobal Selfie Stick Market segmentation by Product, Key Highlights, Strength assessment, Opportunity assessment by 2025

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Selfie Stick Market Research Report 2018" to its huge collection of research reports.This report studies the global Selfie Stick market status and forecast, categorizes the global Selfie Stick market size (value & volume) by key players, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top players in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa.In 2017, the global Selfie Stick market size was xx million US$ and it is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of xx.x % between 2018 and 2025.The major manufacturers covered in this reportAnkerFotoproKobraTechKootekLooq RoboticsMomaxMpowfromm worksSatechiSelfie on A StickSelfie Stick GearXiaomiTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Geographically, this report studies the key regions, focuses on product sales, value, market share and growth opportunity in these regions, coveringNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaThe regional scope of the study is as follows:North AmericaUnited StatesCanadaMexicoAsia-PacificChinaIndiaJapanSouth KoreaAustraliaIndonesiaSingaporeRest of Asia-PacificEuropeGermanyFranceOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoRemote-triggered selfie sticksWired selfie sticksBluetooth selfie sticksOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingPet ownersHousewivesBodybuildersPhotographersOthersView Complete TOC with tables & Figures @The study objectives of this report are:To analyze and study the global Selfie Stick sales, value, status (2013-2017) and forecast (2018-2025).Focuses on the key Selfie Stick manufacturers, to study the sales, value, market share and development plans in future.Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis.To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region.To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the marketTo analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the marketTo strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Selfie Stick are as follows:History Year: 2013-2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.Browse Report @Key StakeholdersSelfie Stick ManufacturersSelfie Stick Distributors/Traders/WholesalersSelfie Stick Subcomponent ManufacturersIndustry AssociationDownstream VendorsAvailable CustomizationsWith the given market data, QYResearch offers customizations according to the company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:Regional and country-level analysis of the Selfie Stick market, by end-use.Detailed analysis and profiles of additional market players.About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on Blogger at:Universal Brain Ischemia Market with prestigious Merchant Philips Healthcare, Hitachi Ltd., Penumbra, Inc., etc. Future Outlook 2023

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Global Brain Ischemia Market Research Report, by Diagnosis (MRI, CT, ultrasound, angiography and other), by Treatment (angioplasty, drug treatment and other), by End User (hospital, clinics and other)- Forecast Till 2023The global brain ischemia market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% during forecasted period 2017-2023.KEY PLAYERS FOR GLOBAL BRAIN ISCHEMIA MARKETBayer AG (Germany), H. Lundbeck A/S (Denmark), Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (US), Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH (Germany), ThromboGenics NV (Belgium), Vernalis Plc (UK), Neurotec Pharma SL (Spain), Johnson and Johnson (US), Covidien Plc (Ireland), Stryker Corporation (US), Abbott Laboratories (US), Penumbra, Inc. (US), Philips Healthcare (Netherland), Hitachi Ltd. (Japan), GE Healthcare (UK) and Siemens Healthcare (US).Get Sample Report @MARKET SCENARIO FOR GLOBAL BRAIN ISCHEMIA MARKETBrain ischemia is a condition in which there is an insufficient blood flow to the brain which results in poor oxygen supply to the brain. Brain ischemia is also known as cerebral ischemia or cerebrovascular ischemia. Major driving factor for global brain ischemia market are increasing number of patient suffering from diabetes, obesity hypertension and other related diseases as well as increasing aging population. On other hand high cost of treatment and limited availability of effective drugs may be responsible for restraining the markets growthSEGMENTATION FOR GLOBAL BRAIN ISCHEMIA MARKETGlobal brain ischemia market is segmented on the basis of diagnosis which are segmented into MRI, CT, ultrasound, angiography and other. On the basis of treatment the market is segmented into angioplasty, drug treatment and other. Drug treatment is further sub segmented into anticoagulation therapy, antiplatelet and other. Anticoagulation therapy is further sub segmented as heparin and warfarin and antiplatelet therapy is further sub segmented into aspirin and other. On the basis of end user the market is segmented into hospital, clinics and other.REGIONAL ANALYSIS FOR GLOBAL BRAIN ISCHEMIA MARKETOn regional basis, North America has the largest market of brain ischemia. Due to the increasing diabetic and obese population in this region, these have become a major driving factor for this markets growth. Moreover increasing governments support has also lead to the growth of this market. Europe is the second largest market due to increasing aging population and technological advances here. Emerging economies like India and China in Asia-Pacific region has provided to be a fuel for the growth of this market here. Middle East and Africa contributes less to this markets growth.Get Discount @MAJOR TOC FOR GLOBAL BRAIN ISCHEMIA MARKETCHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION1.1 DEFINITION1.2 SCOPE OF STUDY1.2.1 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE1.2.2 ASSUMPTIONS & LIMITATIONS1.2.2.1 ASSUMPTIONS1.2.2.2 LIMITATIONS1.3 MARKET STRUCTURE:CHAPTER 2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY2.1 RESEARCH PROCESS:2.2 PRIMARY RESEARCH2.3 SECONDARY RESEARCHCHAPTER 3. MARKET DYNAMICS3.1 DRIVERS3.2 RESTRAINTS3.3 OPPORTUNITIES3.4 MACROECONOMIC INDICATORSCHAPTER 4. MARKET FACTOR ANALYSIS4.1 PORTERS FIVE FORCES MODEL4.2 BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS4.3 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS4.4 THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS4.5 THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES4.6 INTENSITY OF RIVALRYCHAPTER 5. GLOBAL BRAIN ISCHEMIA MARKET, BY DIAGNOSIS5.1 MRI5.2 CT5.3 ULTRASOUND5.4 ANGIOGRAPHY5.5 OTHERAsk to Expert Inquire @About Us:Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact Us:Market Research Future, Office No. 528,Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar, Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comEcumenical Anal Cancer Market 2018 with Remarkable Merchant Advaxis, Inc.,ORYX, Genticel ,Taiwan Liposome Company, Ltd. And others MRFR Unleashing Market Insight by 2027

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Global Anal Cancer Market Information, by type (Squamous cell carcinomas, Adenocarcinomas, perianal skin cancers, Melanomas and others), by treatment (chemotherapy, radio therapy, surgery and others), by end users (hospitals, clinics, research institutes and others) - Forecast to 2027KEY PLAYERS ANAL CANCER MARKETAdvaxis, Inc. (U.S.),ORYX, Genticel (France),Taiwan Liposome Company, Ltd. (Twain)And othersGet Sample Report @MARKET OVERVIEW FOR ANAL CANCER MARKETThe anus is the opening at the end of the large intestine, below the rectum, where bowel movements leave the body. The beginning of the anal cancer is seen when the healthy cells grow in an uncontrolled manner, thereby, forming masses of cells called as tumours. The infected cells can be squamous cell, cloacogenic cell, anal lining cell and basal cell. A majority of the reported anal cancers are the squamous cell carcinomas. When the cells are at the beginning sate, they appears to be normal. This is the dysplasia state of the cancer. Dysplasia in the anus is called anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) or anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). Increasing prevalence of the anal cancer and sexually transmitted diseases along with the growing geriatric population are the major drivers for the market growth during the forecast period. In 2017, according to the American Cancer Society, 8,200 new cases of the anal cancer were reported in the U.S. causing 1,100 deaths. Moreover, it is reported that the anal cancer is rare in people younger than 35 years in age and is found mainly in the geriatric population. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people aging 65 or older is projected to grow from an estimated 524 million in 2010 to nearly 1.5 billion in 2050, with most of the increase in developing countries. However, factors like lack of awareness and low per capita healthcare expenditure are estimated to restrain the market growth during the forecast period.The global anal cancer market is growing with the rapid pace. According to a recent study report published by the Market Research Future, the global anal cancer market is booming and expected to gain prominence over the forecast period. The market is projected to demonstrate a spectacular growth by 2027, surpassing its previous growth records in terms of value with a striking CAGR during the anticipated period (2017  2027).Get Discount @SEGEMENT FOR ANAL CANCER MARKETGlobal Anal Cancer market has been segmented on the basis of type which comprise of Squamous cell carcinomas, Adenocarcinomas, perianal skin cancers, Melanomas and others. On the basis of treatment; market is segmented into chemotherapy, radio therapy, surgery and others. On the basis of end users; market is segmented into hospitals, clinics, research institutes and others.MARKET REGIONAL ANALYSIS FOR ANAL CANCER MARKETThe Americas leads the global anal cancer market due to a well-developed healthcare sector, huge patient population and rising healthcare expenditures within the region. Moreover, the presence of the global like Advaxis, Inc. within the region fuels the market growth during the forecast period. The Americas is followed by Europe in the presence of the similar factors facilitating the market growth within the region. The Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region due to a huge patient population and continuously growing healthcare sector by the developing economies like India and China. Additionally, the growing geriatric population fuels the market growth. On the other hand, Middle East & Africa have the least share of the market due to stringent government policies and presence of lack of a developed healthcare sector, especially within the African region.Browse Complete Premium 130 Pages Half- Cooked Research Report Enabled with Respective Tables and Figures is Available @About Us:Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact Us:Market Research Future, Office No. 528,Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar, Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comIndonesia Power Generation Market by Technology Projected to Touch US$63.6 bn by the end of 2022

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An insightful study, titled Power Generation Market has been freshly broadcasted to the vast research repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE). This research study provides detailed comprehensions and forecasts future growth of the global market with an in-depth study of the factors impacting revenue growth throughout the mentioned forecast period. Further, a deep analysis on the major players from diverse regions is also present in the report.Sample Report available at @The power industry is one of the largest and essential industries globally. There is a direct correlation between the development of a nation and its power industry. No country can achieve economic and social prosperity without adequate investments in electrification across the nation. Several power projects are planned in developing economies in Asia Pacific as these economies continue to expand their power generation capacities to meet the rising electricity demand. In the last few years, several developed economies have permitted the entry of private companies in the power industry. This step has introduced competition in the power industry, especially in the generation and retail supply of electricity. This market liberalization has further improved production efficiency of the overall industry.In Indonesia, the power generation market is still dominated by the government-owned PT PLN. Approximately 85% of power generation facilities and the entire transmission & distribution network is solely controlled by PT PLN. The coal mining industry is developed in Indonesia with several private players investing in this market. Coal still continues to account for a major share in the global power generation industry. Although the share of coal is anticipated to decline in the future years, it would continue to be the major fuel in the short-term outlook.This research study is designed to analyze the power generation market in Indonesia. The market is calculated in terms of power generation capacity (GW), power generation (TWh), and revenue (USD Billion). The market for power generation has been segmented on the basis of six major power generation technologies in Indonesia. These include coal-fired, natural gas-fired, oil-fired, geothermal, hydro, and combined cycle (gas-steam). The report provides growth forecast for the period 20142022. Projections have been provided for power generation installed capacities, power generation, and revenue. The study on the power generation market also provides historical data, detailed analysis, and statistically refined forecast for key technology segments.The size of the power generation market has been estimated based on indicators in technology segments. The report includes the key market dynamics affecting the demand for power generation technologies. As a part of our market dynamics analysis, we have analyzed market drivers, market restraints, and market opportunities in Indonesia. A comprehensive landscape, which includes company market share analysis and market attractiveness analysis, has also been provided in this report. Company market share analysis has been provided for major players involved in power generation in Indonesia. Market attractiveness analysis has been provided for six power generation technologies in Indonesia.The report also provides a detailed industry analysis of the power generation market in Indonesia with the help of Porters Five Forces Model. The Porters Five Forces analysis aids in understanding the five major forces that affect the industry structure and profitability of the global power generation technology market. The forces analyzed are the bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat from new entrants, threat from substitutes, and degree of competition. The Porters Five Forces analysis has been provided across the geographies studied in the report.The report features an in-depth analysis of trends observed in each of the power generation technology segments provided in the report. Various new technologies, which are influencing the market dynamics of each power generation technology, have been identified and highlighted. Emerging trends for each power generation technology have been addressed for Indonesia.The study also includes the value chain of the power generation market in Indonesia, which provides a glimpse of fuel procurement, contract awarding, power generation, as well as the interaction of suppliers and buyers with the end-users of the product. The market attractiveness has been primarily done considering the market size and market growth. Besides market size and growth, government support, regulatory policies, environment benefits, and availability of resources have also been considered to rank/benchmark major technologies for each region.Comprehensive Overview of Report @Key participants in the power generation market in Indonesia include Alstom S.A., PT Arutmin Indonesia, Asia Resource Minerals plc, Chevron Indonesia, Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd., Medco Power Indonesia, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., PT Adaro Energy Tbk., PT Bumi Resources Tbk., PT Cirebon Electric Power, PT Geo Dipa Energi, PT Harum Energy Tbk., PT Indonesia Power, PT Jawa Power, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, PT PLN, PT Wartsila Indonesia, PT. Pembangkitan Jawa-Bali, Siemens AG, United Coal Indonesia. This report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial revenues, business strategies, technical performance analysis, operational standards, and awards and achievements.Indonesia Power Generation Market: Technology AnalysisCoal-fired Power GenerationNatural Gas-fired Power GenerationOil-fired Power GenerationGeothermal Power GenerationHydro Power GenerationCombined Cycle Power GenerationAbout Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Power Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:The Robotics and Automation industry is growing extremely dynamically - new Quest industry report

Production and sales of sector Robotics and Automation compared to German machinery industry

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The Robotics and Automation sector of the German mechanical engineering has proven itself to be a dynamic driver for higher efficiency, particularly in the last two years. This applies both with regard to its economic position in machinery industry and with regard to the application of their products by machine-builders.Quest TechnoMarketing investigated both aspects. The economic situation of the industry is examined in a current industry report, published in the Quest Trend Magazine onProduction and sales in the Robotics and Automation sector had already exceeded the pre-crisis level in 2010  sales in mechanical engineering did not achieve this until 2014 and production failed to do so annually until 2017. In numbers: Sector production rose by 80% compared to the pre-crisis year 2008, and industry value resp. turnover even rose by 93%. In contrast, the machinery industry increased its sales by 9% compared to 2008, with production still 2% in 2017 below pre-crisis levels.The industry report identifies the value of each of the four product segments like assembly lines, automatic assembly machines, assembly machines and industrial robots in euros per unit from 2008 to 2017, which can be used to derive the positioning of these product segments in the market. The average value of industrial robots has fallen continuously by 16% that of assembly lines has risen by 50%.When Quest TechnoMarketing investigated in 2015 the use of robots in the German machinery industry until 2018, the growth expectations of machine-builders from the Robotics and Automation sector were 8% per year. The dynamic development of the sector has even exceeded these high growth expectations. The industry's annual production growth between 2015 and 2017 was 11%.Quest TechnoMarketing's market survey about the use of robots shows that 51% of machine-builders in the ten automation-relevant mechanical engineering industries will use robots in 2018. Machine-builders, who use or intend to use robots, have significantly higher growth expectations than machine builders without robots. 13% annual growth in the number of machines with robots is expected until 2018.A short report to this market survey is published in the Quest Trend Magazine onThe industry reports about the economic situation and the trends in automation technology make it easier for machine-builders to both classify their experiences and planning into long-term context and determine their position.About Quest Trend Magazine:Quest Trend Magazine publishes trends in automation from the users's point of view mainly in machinery industry, automotive and F&B industry. The economic backdrop of these trends is highlighted as well.The trends in automation technology are based on market surveys by Quest TechnoMarketing. The economic backdrop is analyzed by Quest Research, a department of Quest TechnoMarketing.About Quest TechnoMarketing:Quest TechnoMarketing, Bochum, London, is specialized in market surveys and marketing for the automation technology for more than 20 years and the publisher of the Quest Trend Magazine.Quest TechnoMarketingThomas QuestDibergstr. 6444789 Bochum, GermanyPhone +49 234-34777Fax +49 234-33 22 02Email: media@quest-technomarketing.comInternet:Grolier - educational publishing company Connecting Women Entrepreneurs from Delhi/NCR,Gurgaon and Bengaluru in association with GharSeNaukri.com

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Greetings from GharSeNaukri.com!!!We have an excellent opportunity for Women. Be an entrepreneur without any investment. We are looking for self-motivated women candidates who have strong entrepreneurial skills of marketing and selling products. This is an interesting profile for women who can spare few hours of the day and are dedicated and passionate about their responsibilities.About the companyGrolier is an educational publishing company and is one of the largest U.S. publishers of general encyclopedias. It is known for its presence in school libraries. It has a strong presence among parents of kids under six years old globally and is venturing into Indias educational market as well. The company produces a number of educational books, games, puzzles and other educational products that improve the kids learning and development at the initial stages.Job responsibilities Promotional activities for Grolier products Lead generation activities Generate leads through calling, emails, and social media channels Tele calling and door-to-door marketing campaign in schools/colleges, Promoting and selling products among friends, contacts , relatives etc as per Groliers guidelinesDesired candidate profile Entrepreneurial mindset Enjoys the process of sales Assertive, outspoken and confident personality Comfort with excel reporting Results oriented and driven Eager to learn and consistently improve Comfortable talking over the phone Can carry a conversationHiring Aspirant Women Entrepreneurs who wants to start their entrepreneurial journey while being at homeInterested candidates are requested to send their resumes at hr@gharsenaukri.comOr call at 9266660121 for further detailsBest regardsGharSeNaukri is an endeavour to create an eco-system that connects talented and skilled women work-force with eminent employers, thereby providing opportunities for these women to work from home.GharSeNaukri India Pvt. Ltd208,2nd Floor BSI Business Centre, Rise Tower, H-15, Sector 63 Rd, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 2013019266660121Lead School JMA Pilani Celebrates UN World Environment Day WED 2018

Lead School JMA Pilani Celebrates UN World Environment Day WED 2018

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Starting from 1972, 5th June is celebrated globally every year as the World Environment Day - WED. The United Nations, through this day, stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The theme chosen for 2018 is "Beat Plastic Pollution" which is a call to action for all of us to come together to combat one of the great environmental challenges of our time.It has always been said that God is everywhere and in everything but lately with Plastics being found everywhere and in everything it has become a satire and assumed demonic dimensions. While plastic has many valuable uses, everyone has become over reliant on single-use or disposable plastic resulting in severe environmental consequences.Smt. Jamuna Mishra Academy (JMA) established in the year 2004 is presently one of the most sought after schools at Pilani considered as Oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan well known in India today for top ranking institutions like BITS Pilani as well as CSIR Laboratory CEERI and globally renowned Birla Science Museum. JMA Pilani which has a rich tradition of observing various days of national and international significance celebrated World Environment Day on 05 Jun 2018. It is a matter of pride that JMA Pilani is a regular participant in Green Olympiad conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).Every year the world uses 500 billion plastic bags and each year, at least 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans, the equivalent of a full garbage truck every minute. In the last decade, the world produced more plastic than in the whole last century and 50 per cent of the plastic used is single-use or disposable. With 1 million plastic bottles every minute, Plastic indeed makes up 10% of all of the waste the world at large generates.To quote UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres "On World Environment Day, the message is simple: reject single-use plastic. Refuse what you cant re-use. Together, we can chart a path to a cleaner, greener world."Nearly one third of the plastic packaging used escapes collection systems, which means that it ends up clogging city streets and polluting the natural environment. Every year, 13 million tons of plastic leak into the oceans, where it smothers coral reefs and threatens vulnerable marine wildlife. The plastic that ends up in the oceans can circle the Earth four times in a single year, and it can persist for up to 1,000 years before it fully disintegrates. Plastic also makes its way into our water supply  and thus into human bodies. What harm does that cause? Scientists still arent sure, but plastics contain a number of chemicals, many of which are toxic or disrupt hormones. Plastics can also serve as a magnet for other pollutants, including dioxins, metals and pesticides.This years World Environment Day provides an opportunity for everyone to embrace the many ways that can help to combat plastic pollution around the world. There are so many things that can be done  from asking the restaurants one frequents to stop using plastic straws and refusing plastic cutlery, to bringing ones own coffee mug to work, to pressuring the local municipal and panchayat authorities to improve how they manage citys waste, bringing your own shopping bags to the supermarket.Sharing the above details, Principal Mrs Booma Natarajan put a team in JMA to prepare paper bags from old newspapers and distributed to the school staff. The school staff stood in front of Nagarpalika Building and distributed newspaper bags to passersby. Advocating the slogan If you cant reuse it, refuse itFor more details about JMA Pilani seeAbout JMA Pilani: Smt. Jamuna Mishra Academy - JMA Pilani is a Co-educational English Medium School with Experienced Teachers, Spacious Classrooms and Modern Amenities designed to impart Quality Education combined with All Round Personality Development and lay the Best Foundation for the Childs Future. While the school admits both boys and girls, the girl student enrollment has been steadily rising every year and is presently nearly 50% of the total strength. The school has boys NCC, girls band which has been winning laurels every year too. Yoga and Fine arts are not just part of school routine but a way of life for the students.Mrs Booma Natarajan, M.Sc., M.A., B.Ed.Principal, Jamuna Mishra Academy  JMANear Old Pilani Post OfficePilani Rajasthan 333031 IndiaPhone 91-1596-242314Email booma_pilani at yahoo.co.inWebsite:Facebook:Brushless DC Electric Motors Market 2018 Major Companies Maxon Motor, Nidec Corporation, BEI Kimco, Woodward

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Brushless DC Electric Motors Market Professional Survey Report 2018 to its huge collection of research reports.Our latest report on the global market for Brushless DC Electric Motors is a veritable treasure trove of information which can prove highly useful for key vendors operating in it.The major manufacturers covered in this reportMoogKollmorgenMaxon MotorNidec CorporationBEI KimcoWoodwardShinano KenshiJohnson ElectricPortescapFAULHABERSkurka AerospaceAerotech, Inc.MclennanARC SystemsBuhler MotorOriental MotorAllied Motion TechnologiesFREE | Request Sample is Available at:Having thrown light on the trends promoting or hampering the market for Brushless DC Electric Motors, the goes on to classify it based on various parameters: product type, underpinning technology, and applications. It studies each segment in detail to understand how much opportunity it holds out and its possible growth curve in the upcoming years.The report on the global market for Brushless DC Electric Motors also goes on to study its regional distribution by segmenting it geographically into Europe, North America, South America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. It tries to unravel the potential of the market in each region.Last but not the least, our research study presents crucial information on the competitive dynamics in the global market for Brushless DC Electric Motors. To do so, it banks upon important analytical tools such as Porters Five Forces Analysis and SWOT Analysis.Table of ContentsGlobal Brushless DC Electric Motors Market Professional Survey Report 20181 Industry Overview of Brushless DC Electric Motors1.1 Definition and Specifications of Brushless DC Electric Motors1.1.1 Definition of Brushless DC Electric Motors1.1.2 Specifications of Brushless DC Electric Motors1.2 Classification of Brushless DC Electric Motors1.2.1 Inner Rotor type1.2.2 Outer Rotor type1.3 Applications of Brushless DC Electric Motors1.3.1 Industrial Automation1.3.2 Medical Device2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Brushless DC Electric Motors2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Brushless DC Electric Motors2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Brushless DC Electric Motors2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Brushless DC Electric Motors3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Brushless DC Electric Motors3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Brushless DC Electric Motors Major Manufacturers in 20173.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Brushless DC Electric Motors Major Manufacturers in 20173.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Brushless DC Electric Motors Major Manufacturers in 20173.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Brushless DC Electric Motors Major Manufacturers in 20174 Global Brushless DC Electric Motors Overall Market Overview4.1 2013-2018E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2013-2018E Global Brushless DC Electric Motors Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2017 Brushless DC Electric Motors Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales AnalysisComplete table of content is available at:QYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.comWhen Andile Ramaphosa jetted into the country for the traditional Bakiga marriage ceremony, Okushaba, he anticipated an easy walk in the park.

It was not until the South African first family arrived at their prospective in-laws residence in Kololo, a leafy Kampala neighbourhood, that they came face-to-face with reality. Andile, the eldest son of South Africas president Cyril Ramaphosa, was in Uganda at the weekend to seek Bridget Birungi Rwakairus hand in marriage.

Andile Ramaphosa (R) with his mother Hope Rwamaphosa

Birungi is a niece to former prime minister Amama Mbabazi, who assembled a team of prominent Bakiga to manage the process in accordance with their traditions. Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda led Mbabazis team while businessman, MTN Ugandas Charles Mbiire spoke for the Ramaphosas.

Andiles entourage, which included his mother Hope Ramaphosa arrived at Mbabazis home shortly before 2pm under tight guard by the Special Forces Command (SFC).

For some minutes, they remained in their cars until they were ushered into the main house as Mbabazi and Bakiga elders that included the former ministry of Defence permanent secretary Dr Ben Mbonye, former minister Matthew Rukikaire, businessman Amos Nzeyi and Dr Frank Mwesigye, husband to former minister Hope Mwesigye, among others, sat in a tent.

Rugunda led the elders in a family meeting before their guests were led back into the tent to be served with enturire (a local sorghum brew), which set the pace for the negotiations.

Andile and his mother were kept away, in accordance with the grooms Vhavenda cultural norms.

The Vhavenda originate from the Limpopo province of South Africa that borders Botswana and Zimbabwe. As the ceremony continued, Andiles team carried in a gourd of local brew. It was then that Mbiire announced that Andile had been cohabiting with Birungi for about 10 years and they had a two-month-old baby girl.

When she finished her studies in China, she met Andile; they fell in love and she joined us in South Africa. We love her, have faith in her, and request that you allow us to formally take her, Mbiire said.

Amama Mbabazi toasts to Rwamaphosa's mother Hope Rwamaphosa

Like in many African communities, it is abominable among the Bakiga for a girl to get pregnant outside marriage. In the past, it was punishable by either abandoning the girl on a barren island in Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale district, or throwing her over the Kisiizi falls in Rukungiri district.



Birungi did not attend the function; culturally, girls dont attend Okushaba functions  but she sent a letter making a case for Andile.

I write to you with great joy in my heart, Birungi started off her letter and went on to tell her parents how she met Andile whom she said had become the delight of her life. I know I love him because when he is happy, I am happy, and when he is sad, I am sad, she wrote.

However mention of the baby girl infuriated the elders. Rugunda announced that Andile had to make atonement with a goat as per their tradition and customs.

Charles Mbiire who spoke for the Ramaphosas displays Bridget's potrait

Bride Price

After paying the goat fine, the Ramaphosas were served with another local brew, entacweka, a traditional drink that among the Bakiga is served to bind a relationship. This is when Mbiire announced that the Ramaphosas were ready to pay pride price (enjugano) and formally take Birungi.

This would mean that a process that usually lasts for about two years was to be concluded in under six hours. The Mbabazis refused, telling the Ramaphosas that Birungi must first return to the family for her to be formally taken.

The Rwamaphosa family arriving at Bridget's family home

Rukikaire chipped in, protesting the use of the word [bride price].



[It] is inappropriate, it is archaic and we think we should not use it, Rukikaire said.



He suggested another terminology  enyororabaana  to mean gifts to thank Birungis parents for raising her. Rugunda refined the word to enderabaana. Mbiire agreed but with more pleas for the in-laws not to be hard on Andile.

We pray that elements in your culture are married with elements in our culture to enable the young couple move on and start a family, Mbiire said.

The two families were forced into another round of closed-door talks in which they agreed on five cows and five goats as enderabaana. While the Ramaphosas were ready to pay, the Mbabazis insisted that the gifts must be actual, and not in cash.

The in-laws from both families

In our culture, we dont accept gifts on the day they are negotiated but we [have] accepted, Mbabazi said.



He went on to explain why they had protested the use of the word bride price.

We are against the idea that women should be treated as a [commodity] for sale. Our women are not for sale. Some of us participated in the making of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and put a provision that women should be treated with dignity, Mbabazi said.



Okuhingira

Mbabazi then asked Andile to go back and prepare to return on August 4 for the Okuhingira ceremony.

Okuhingira has been misrepresented to mean a give-away; we shall not give away Bridget but are going to give her a chance to go and make a family, Mbabazi said.

He admitted that he had known about their affair some five years ago, and Andile, before becoming a first son in South Africa had visited him several times.

Their union is the families of the struggle coming together; it is families of the liberation coming together and with it, we are going to raise a family that will work for the total liberation and unification of Africa, Mbabazi said.

Mbabazi then asked Andile to keep the five cows for their baby girl whom he named Ainebyona, but bring the five goats.



sadabkk@observer.ugBanking and Financial Smart Cards Market Increasing Demand; Analysis with QYResearchReports

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Banking and Financial Smart Cards Market Professional Survey Report 2018 to its huge collection of research reports.The exhaustive report displayed here offers various distinctive parameters that influence the global Banking and Financial Smart Cards market. It considers current patterns and any foreseen expectations with respect to the market, remembering the present market atmosphere.The major manufacturers covered in this reportGemaltoGiesecke & DevrientMorphoOberthur TechnologiesAmerican ExpressARMBell IDCardLogixDataCardHID GlobalMasterCardSmart Card IT SolutionsVisaFREE | Request Sample is Available at:This report dissects the global Banking and Financial Smart Cards market by in a global sense examining the industrialized chain of the market. This is required to in like path help in passing on exact information and data on compound parts of the market, for example, material relating to systems for the overseeing body in the standard and global strata, transport and transmission structure, goals, and illuminations behind premium got for the contributed mean.This is subsequently an exhaustive report on the global Banking and Financial Smart Cards market by directing a careful investigation of the past market impacts and critical occurrences happened in the global business. This is a basic advance to pick up an unmistakable photo of the current seller scene and the elements that may influence it. The Banking and Financial Smart Cards market experiences investigation at various layers-beginning from essential research to broad optional and tertiary see of the business. This enables the peruser to increase conclusive information with respect to the market and help them settle on business choices successfully.Table of ContentsGlobal Banking and Financial Smart Cards Market Professional Survey Report 20181 Industry Overview of Banking and Financial Smart Cards1.1 Definition and Specifications of Banking and Financial Smart Cards1.1.1 Definition of Banking and Financial Smart Cards1.1.2 Specifications of Banking and Financial Smart Cards1.2 Classification of Banking and Financial Smart Cards1.2.1 Contactless banking and financial smart cards1.2.2 Contact-based banking and financial smart cards1.3 Applications of Banking and Financial Smart Cards1.3.1 Bank1.3.2 Finance1.3.3 Others2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Banking and Financial Smart Cards2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Banking and Financial Smart Cards2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Banking and Financial Smart Cards2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Banking and Financial Smart Cards3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Banking and Financial Smart Cards3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Banking and Financial Smart Cards Major Manufacturers in 20173.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Banking and Financial Smart Cards Major Manufacturers in 20173.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Banking and Financial Smart Cards Major Manufacturers in 20173.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Banking and Financial Smart Cards Major Manufacturers in 20174 Global Banking and Financial Smart Cards Overall Market Overview4.1 2013-2018E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2013-2018E Global Banking and Financial Smart Cards Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2017 Banking and Financial Smart Cards Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales AnalysisView Complete TOC with tables & Figures @QYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.comGlobal V Engine Market Analysis 2018 Forecasts To 2023: Harley-Davidson, Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover,Toyota , Ford

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Global V Engine MarketDescription:-Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Global V Engine Market 2018: Global Analysis, Industry Size, Share, Trends, Application Analysis and Growth Opportunities Forecast to 2023 To Its Research DatabaseThe global V Engine market will reach Million USD in 2017 and CAGR xx% 2011-2017. The report begins from overview of Industry Chain structure, and describes industry environment, then analyses market size and forecast of V Engine by product, region and application, in addition, this report introduces market competition situation among the vendors and company profile, besides, market price analysis and value chain features are covered in this report.Product Type Coverage (Market Size & Forecast, Major Company of Product Type etc.):V2-V10 EngineV10-V20 EngineV20-V40 EngineV40-V60 EngineV60 and Above EngineCompany Coverage (Sales Revenue, Price, Gross Margin, Main Products etc.):Harley-DavidsonRolls RoyceGMJaguar Land RoverDodgeToyotaFordVolkswagenFerrariLamborghiniMercedes-BenzBMWPorscheRequest a sample copy @Application Coverage (Market Size & Forecast, Different Demand Market by Region, Main Consumer Profile etc.):Cars and MotorbikesFerries and YachtsAerospaceOthersRegion Coverage (Regional Output, Demand & Forecast by Countries etc.):North AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaTable of Content1 Industry Overview1.1 V Engine Industry1.1.1 Overview1.1.2 Development of V Engine1.2 Market Segment1.2.1 Upstream1.2.2 Downstream1.3 Cost Analysis2 Industry Environment2.1 Policy2.2 Economics2.3 Sociology2.4 Technology3 V Engine Market by Type3.1 By Type3.1.1 V2-V10 Engine3.1.2 V10-V20 Engine3.1.3 V20-V40 Engine3.1.4 V40-V60 Engine3.1.5 V60 and Above Engine3.2 Market Size3.3 Market Forecast4 Major Companies List4.1 Harley-Davidson (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.2 Rolls Royce (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.3 GM (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.4 Jaguar Land Rover (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.5 Dodge (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.6 Toyota (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.7 Ford (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.8 Volkswagen (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.9 Ferrari (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.10 Lamborghini (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.11 Mercedes-Benz (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.12 BMW (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)4.13 Porsche (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.)5 Market Competition5.1 Company Competition5.2 Regional Market by Company6 Market Demand6.1 Demand Situation6.1.1 Demand in Cars and Motorbikes6.1.2 Demand in Ferries and Yachts6.1.3 Demand in Aerospace6.1.4 Demand in Others6.2 Regional Demand Comparison6.3 Demand Forecast7 Region Operation7.1 Regional Output7.2 Regional Market7.3 by Region7.3.1 North America7.3.1.1 Overview7.3.1.2 by Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico)7.3.2 Europe7.3.2.1 Overview7.3.2.2 by Country (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Russia, Spain etc.)7.3.3 Asia-Pacific7.3.3.1 Overview7.3.3.2 by Country (China, India, Japan, Southeast Asia etc.)7.3.4 South America7.3.4.1 Overview7.3.4.2 by Country (Brazil, Argentina etc.)7.3.5 Middle East & Africa7.3.5.1 Overview7.3.5.2 by Country (Saudi Arabia, South Africa etc.)7.4 Regional Forecast8 Marketing & Price8.1 Price and Margin8.1.1 Price Trends8.1.2 Factors of Price Change8.1.3 Manufacturers Gross Margin Analysis8.2 Value Chain8.3 Marketing Channel9 Research Conclusion Table Upstream Segment of V EngineBrowse full Report @About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Contact Us:Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltdsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Maharashtra, Pune  4110283D Printing Materials Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players  Arcam, EOS, Hoganas, Solvay, Sandvik, ExOne

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WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On  3D Printing Materials Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players  Arcam, EOS, Hoganas, Solvay, Sandvik, ExOne.The analysts forecast the global 3D printing materials market to grow at a CAGR of 25.39% during the period 2016-2020.3D printing is a technique in which a scanned or digitally designed object is formed into a three-dimensional solid using an additive process. In this process, metal is applied in successive layers with less wastage. 3D printing products can be built from materials in which plastic and metals are the most commonly used materials. A 3D object is designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software or a 3D scanner. The digitalized designed or scanned object is taken by the proprietary software and mathematically sliced into cross sections.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global 3D printing materials market for 2016-2020. In order to calculate the market size, we considered the revenue generated through sales of smart glass products for applications such as transportation, infrastructural development, and others (electronics applications and solar energy applications).The market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEAThe report, Global 3D Printing Materials Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors Arcam EOS Hoganas Solvay SandvikOther prominent vendors Concept Laser ExOne RenishawMarket driver Metal 3D printing leads its way in industrial applications For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Advanced technological enhancements leading to high production cost For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Increase in demand for aircraft engines from OEMs For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Report Details @Table Of Contents  Major Key PointsPART 01: Executive summary HighlightsPART 02: Scope of the report Market overviewPART 03: Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 04: Introduction Key market highlights OverviewPART 05: Market landscape Global 3D printing materials market Five forces analysisPART 06: Market segmentation by typePART 07: Market segmentation by printing method Comparison of powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition Comparison of SLM and EBMPART 08: Market segmentation by end-user Global 3D printing materials market for electronics and consumer durables Global 3D printing materials market for automobiles Global 3D printing materials market for healthcare Global 3D printing materials market for aerospace and defense Global 3D printing materials market for academic institutions Global 3D printing materials market for other end-usersPART 09: Geographic segmentation 3D printing materials market in Americas 3D printing materials market in EMEA 3D printing materials market in APACPART 10: Market drivers Metal 3D printing leads its way in industrial applications Demand driven by direct parts Support from government and other organizationsPART 11: Impact of driversPART 12: Market challenges Advanced technological enhancements leading to high production cost Emergence of GE as major threat to OEMs Stricter approval process leading to legal disputesContinued..For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028.The Five Soft Skills Recruiters Look For in Candidates

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Hard skills can be trained while soft skills are harder to teach and takes time to fully develop. Soft skills are the elements that build up and strengthen relationships in the workplace. It reflects how people conduct their tasks and behave in the workplace environment. Soft skills usually include personal qualities, attitude and behaviour of an employee when they are at work.In the recruiting process, modern employers tend to look for candidates that possess strong soft skills rather than technical skills that candidates have learned from school. Soft skills can vary depends on the nature of the profession. For example, positions such as Customer Service, Human Resources or Marketing requires better efficiency in soft skills in order to perform their tasks successfully. Therefore, more and more organisations have begun to hire for soft skills and train for technical skills later on.Top 5 soft skills for young professionals1. 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Global Incubator Market product demand market there is also a certain space, but basically showing the scarcity of high-end products, there is a large market demand for high-end products to seize market share of imports acts.Despite the presence of competition problems, due to the global recovery trend is clear, investors are still optimistic about this area; the future will still have more new investment enter the field.Global Incubator Market, provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Incubator Market analysis is provided for the international Industry including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status.For Free Sample report @The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Incubator Market manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross market Incubator.The provincial analysis of the worldwide Incubator Industry splits the global market area into key areas that include both continents as well as specific countries which are currently shining in phrases of demand, volume or normal Trends.Complete report on Global Incubator Market spreads across 115 pages, profiling 16 Companies and supported with 214 tables and figures@Key Companies Analysis : Thermo Fisher Scientific ,BINDER GmbH ,VWR International ,Sheldon Manufacturing ,Panasonic ,Andreas Hettich GmbH ,Memmert ,Weiss Technik ,Heal Force Bio-meditech Holdings Limited ,NuAire ,JEIO TECH ,Manish Scientific Instruments Company ,Genlab Limited ,Gemmy Industrial Corp ,Shanghai Yiheng ,LTE Scientific Ltd.Global Incubator Market focuses on global major leading industry players providing information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out.The Incubator industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered. With the tables and figures the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Direct Purchase this Report@Major Points Covered in Table of Contents:1 Industry Overview2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Incubator Market3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis4 Production Analyses of Incubator Market by Regions, Technology, and Applications5 Sales and Revenue Analysis of Incubator Market by Regions6 Analyses of Incubator Market Production, Supply, Sales and Market Status 2010-20177 Analysis of Incubator Market industry Key Manufacturers8 Price and Gross Mar Incubator Analysis9 Marketing Traders or Distributor Analysis of Incubator Market10 Development Trend of Incubator Market industries 2017-202211 Industry Chain Suppliers of Incubator Market with Contact Information12 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Incubator Market13 Conclusion of the Incubator industry 2017 Market Research ReportList of Tables and FiguresAbout Us:ReportsandMarkets is part of the Algoro Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. On ReportsandMarkets.com you will find all the globally available market research and company reports from well-respected market research companies, all leaders in their field. Reports And Markets is totally independent and serves its customers by providing the most reliable market research available, as we understand how important this is for you.Contact Us:Sanjay JainManager - Partner Relations & International Marketinginfo@reportsandmarkets.comPh: +44-020-3286-9338 (UK)Ph: +1-214-377-1121 (US)Ph: +91-703-049-0292 (IND)2D Laser Cutting Machines Market: Reducing Cost and Technological Advancements Augur Well for Future

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Market Research Report 2018 to its huge collection of research reports.The global market for 2D Laser Cutting Machines has been witnessing a continued alteration in the pattern of the demand for 2D Laser Cutting Machines. This research report tries to understand the changes that frequently occur in the behavior of consumers and their impact on the market across the world.The major manufacturers covered in this reportMazak OptonicsTrumpfHanS LaserBystronicAmadaCoherentPrima PowerMitsubishi ElectricHG LaserKoikeDMG MORILVDCincinnatiUniversal Laser SystemsPenta-ChutianIPG PhotonicsLead LaserEpilog LaserGet PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @The research report also assists the companies functional in the global 2D Laser Cutting Machines market in understanding the existing market trends and, thus, shaping their businesses accordingly. It further evaluates the previous and the existing performance of this market and makes future projections on the basis of these assessments. It also assesses the global market from the perspective of the current market chain by utilizing the data related to import and export and the sales dynamics of the products available in this market across the world.Table of ContentsGlobal 2D Laser Cutting Machines Market Research Report 20181 2D Laser Cutting Machines Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of 2D Laser Cutting Machines1.2 2D Laser Cutting Machines Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2013-2025)1.2.2 Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20171.2.3 CO2 2D Laser Machine1.2.4 Fiber 2D Laser Machine1.3 Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Segment by Application2 Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.1.1 Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.1.2 Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Production and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)2.2 Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)3 Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)4 Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)5 Global 2D Laser Cutting Machines Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeView Complete TOC with tables & Figures @QYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.comPhosphorene FET Market - by Application, Deployment Mode, Industry Vertical - Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2016-2024

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Phosphorene is an allotrope of phosphorus and two dimensional in nature. It can be viewed as a single layer of phosphorus and is very similar to graphene in nature. Researchers are fabricating transistors of phosphorene to understand their performance in electronic devices.Obtain Brochure For Latest Technology Advancements @The growing demand for high performance devices has created a demand for additional layered material. Phosphorene has several characteristics which makes it preferable over graphene and is expected to replace graphene in the semiconductor industry.Obtain Report Details @Phosphorene has higher carrier mobility and hence is considered to be a better conductor of electricity. This property is making phosphorene to be preferred in the semiconductor industry. Moreover, the material is highly optical and can absorb UV light easily. This factor is expected to the drive the market for phosphorus in the optoelectronic sector.Download TOC @Furthermore, the recent demand for energy efficient semiconductor is aiding to need for alternatives like phosphorene. In addition, black phosphorus has a stack layered structure with weak van der Waals (vdWs) interlayer interaction and hence considered as the most stable allotrope.About UsTransparency 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.ContactState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesUSA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Retail E-commerce Packaging Market 2018- By Develop Strategies Based on the Latest Regulatory Events

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IntroductionPackaging protects a product from damage and ensures that the product can be moved through distribution channels and shipped to the end-users. E-commerce generally refers to the buying and selling of goods & services online. All the distributions and transactions occur in the form of business-to-business, business-to-consumer, consumer-to-consumer, or consumer-to-business. The benefits of e-commerce include wide availability of goods & services, speed of access, and global reach. Demand for retail e-commerce packaging is projected to expand due to the rise of online shopping for its convenience. Furthermore, increasing environmental awareness among consumers and growing importance for effective packaging designs have propelled key players to improve different types of packaging. The market is driven by various factors such as an increase in online shopping, growing demand for packaged food, and rapid growth in the electronic sector.GET SAMPLE REPORT @The latest trend shows that increasing online shopping, particularly in emerging regional markets, and availability of various products have boosted the overall e-commerce market, which, in turn, has pushed the demand for retail e-commerce packaging. Moreover, different designs, changing behavioral pattern of people, and increasing commitment to sustainability are some of the factors playing a crucial part in the growth of the retail e-commerce packaging market.Key PlayersThe key players of the global retail e-commerce packaging market are International Paper Company (U.S.), Mondi Group (U.S.), Packaging Corporation of America (U.S.), Klabin S.A. (Brazil), Georgia Pacific LLC (U.K), DS Smith Plc. (U.K), Smurfit Kappa Group (Ireland), Nippon Paper Industries (Japan), Rengo Co. Ltd (Japan), and Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd (Australia).Objective of Global Retail e-commerce packaging Market Analysis & Forecast, 2017 - 2022 To provide a detailed analysis of the market structure, along with the forecast period of various segments and sub-segments included in global retail e-commerce packaging market with analysis of its development and demand in the market To identify high growth and geographies countries To study regional and country-specific demand and forecast for global retail e-commerce packaging To cover the key segments of material, application, and region To finalize the unit breakdown for all different classification; and refer to them for forecasting, keeping few assumptions into factor To identify the forecast demand, for all the regions, applications, and the historical figure; to collect the data through primary and annual reports, which were triangulated to derive the regional market size To identify the historical trend to forecast and estimate the future value dataTarget Audience Manufactures Raw materials suppliers Aftermarket suppliers Research and education institutes Potential investors Key executive (CEO and COO) and strategy growth managerKey Findings Global retail e-commerce packaging market is estimated to reach USD 21669.7 million by 2022. By material, protective packaging segment dominated the global retail e-commerce packaging market, with a share of 34.8% in 2015, in terms of value. It is projected to witness 6.52% CAGR during the forecast period. By application, electronics & consumer goods segment dominated the global retail e-commerce packaging market with a share of 20.6% in 2015, in terms of value. It is projected to register a CAGR of 6.15% during the forecast period. Geographically, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share of 33.4% in the global retail e-commerce packaging market in 2015.Regional and Country Analysis of global Retail e-commerce packaging market Estimation and ForecastAsia Pacific has emerged as the worlds largest e-commerce hub. The region has witnessed a rapid growth in retail e-commerce due to the rising middle-class population in China, India, and Indonesia, along with the increase in popularity of mobile gadgets. China alone accounts for 40% of the worlds retail e-commerce sales. The rapid growth in Asia Pacific is mainly due to faster internet service and increased use of mobile devices. All these factors will result in the growth of retail e-commerce packaging market.North America e-commerce market has been continuously evolving since the past years. The region has witnessed increased investment in R&D and product innovation as far as packaging is concerned. Furthermore, the stringent food safety policies in the U.S. and Canada drive the demand for e-commerce packaging in the food & beverage sector. In North America, the U.S. is expected to dominate the market due to rise in mobile shopping. Canada is estimated to register a 5.39% CAGR during the forecast period.Table of Content: Key Points1 Executive Summary2 Introduction3 Research Methodology4 Market Dynamics5 Market Factor Analysis6 Global Retail E-commerce Packaging Market, By Material7 Global Retail E-commerce Packaging Market, By Application8 Retail E-commerce Packaging Market, By Region9 Competitive ScenarioContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. We also provide COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) business sector reports as custom exploration agreeing your needs.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaUnisecure Data Centers Announces Advance Cloud Management Solutions

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Unisecure announces Cloud Management Solutions to deliver a secure digital work space from any Cloud with automatic OS and application patching.Philadelphia, US, 5th June 2018 | Unisecure, leading data centers in US, being specialized in web hosting services, have now upgraded to Advanced Cloud Management Solutions, that include Cloud Security, Cloud Visibility, Cloud Cost control, Cloud Automation and Cloud migrations.Why Unisecure's Cloud Management Solutions?Cloud Security: Unisecure's Cloud Security includes security framework with multi- layered on real-time understanding of risk and validation of users. Using this, one can protect an organization from Network Attacks and Application Layer. And fully manages security services are working pro-active range of solutions which increase visibility of risk and save from breaches and attacks within your business.Cloud Visibility : Unisecure's Cloud Visibility provides visibility and control over multi-cloud costs with Google Cloud, AWS, Azura and many others.Cloud Cost Control : Unisecure's main goal is to control the cost and long term cloud cost management in the cloud computing Market.Cloud Automation : Unisecure's Cloud Automation Tool which helps reduce the manual efforts with managing cloud computing workloads and can be applicable to Public, Private or Hybrid Cloud environments.Cloud Migration : Unisecure's Cloud Migration automatically creates repository of application, device relationships, service and dependencies for optimized Cloud Migration.About UnisecureUnisecure is one of the leading data centers and best cloud hosting provider in the US. Unisecure data centers guarantee 99.995% up-time, high-density redundant power, flexible configurations, carrier-neutral facilities, and 24x7x365 customer support. We have 5 data centers among which 2 are located in Philadelphia and Conshohocken, U.S embed with Information Security Management System (ISMS) to examine risks and develop better processes for security our data centers are most secure and reliable. Our data centers offer services for VPS hosting services, co-location services, and dedicated hosting providers to the firewall and advanced backup solutions. We have 50000+ customers over 17 countries including brands such as Canon, DHL, HP, Microsoft, Pepsi, Mc Donalds and much more.For more information about their services, visit70-26 Groton Street, Forest Hills, NY, New YorkForest Hills, NYEMKA Fire Protection Gasket UL general purpose and DIN EN for Rail Industry

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EMKA general purpose 1016 self-adhesive gasket is available in fire resistant versions to UL94 VO and 94HB ratings as an expanded closed-cell neoprene in stock strips from 3mm to 80mm thick and in standard widths from 10mm up to 80mm, with complete custom capability, e.g. for sheets and punched shapes.Clip-on P sections for sealing of enclosure and cabinet doors are available in low smoke, low toxicity EPDM, offered to DIN EN 45545-2 suitable for rail industry use and other specialist risk areas. Silicone sections are available for high temperature installations.EMKA gaskets are suited to IP sealing of enclosure and cabinet doors, also for sealing of doors and access panels. They are useful for sound and vibration damping of adjacent panels.Further information on EMKA fire protection gasket can be found at. Readers can find the latest information and news on the EMKA blog or follow them on twitter -EMKA UK Ltd is the UK subsidiary of EMKA Beschlagteile GmbH, a privately owned company specialising in the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative Electronic Locking Modules, Biometric Locking Systems, Locks and Latches, Compression Locks, Keylocks, Toggle latches, Hinges, Handles, Rod Controls, Air Conditioning products, Stainless Steel products, Sealing profiles, Window/Door units and Accessories to the Electrical and Electronic, HVAC and Industrial Enclosure Industries, plus Commercial Vehicle Accessories.Their focus is to provide customers with the best, cost effective, reliable solution within their ability, backed by a comprehensive support service.EMKA believe their product line to be the most innovative and comprehensive in the industry today. Their advanced and creative design team is constantly working to improve and extend their very large product range. In addition, competitive pricing and short lead times for most items, provide them with distinct advantages.EMKA (UK) LtdPatricia HouseBodmin RoadCoventryWest MidlandsCV2 5DGTel: 024 7661 6505email: emka@emka.co.ukblog:Press contact: Andrew BillinghamCome July, the modern Mulago Maternal and Neonatal hospital is expected to open its doors. The expectation is that it will reduce congestion at the national referral hospital, Mulago.

A recent guided tour by the contractor revealed workers are putting on the finishing touches; most of the painting and plumbing is finished. Most of the works in progress include fixing medical machines, beds, theatre lights, entry access control and basic office furniture here and there, writes JUSTUS LYATUU.

The hospital is nearing completion

Tarek Eldakdoky, the technical engineer and site manager, explained that works stand at 99 per cent completion. What is remaining is for sub-contractors to finish their works and the facility will be ready for use.

I can say the civil works are done; what we are doing is working on the systems like telephone, audio and video facilities and in two days time we will be through with fixing surgical works, he said.

Located near Mulago Medical School, the maternal and neonatal hospital sits on 24,000 square metres of land.

In a country where 16 women die daily while giving birth, bringing the number to over 580 annually, a special facility to handle women health was always badly needed. What Uganda will soon have was made possible using a loan from the Islamic Development Bank.

Dr Evelyn Nabunya, a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, explained that patients and mothers were many at Old Mulago Maternity wing, leaving little space for health workers to operate efficiently.

If you look at the patients and the nurses that were taking care of them, you could see real congestion and this really stressed those doctors since they could not do their work properly, she said.

This congestion, according to Dr Nabunya, sometimes led to neonatal, infant and maternal deaths, issues that had made the national referral hospital over the years.

At Mulago hospital, about 100 babies are born in appalling conditions daily; these numbers are too big. Some babies are born tired, with defects, and even mothers are brought here when the child is in the tube, and there is need for a quick fix, but with overcrowding, it was almost impossible, she said.

Cases

The new complex has been planned to handle high-risk antenatal cases, offer top-of-the-range post-natal services, modern operation procedures such as hysteroscopy and uro-gynaecology, especially obstetric fistula that involves pelvis reconstruction and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

As is now known, IVF involves extraction of female eggs and a sperm sample, and then manually combining them in a laboratory before implantation in a womans womb.

Eldakdoky spoke confidently of the 450 beds and 11 operating rooms, intensive care units (40 beds), recovery sections (25 beds), childrens nursery section (50 beds), oncology department (80 beds) and high-risk delivery sections (170 beds).

Others will include emergency departments, laboratories, a blood bank and morgue, radiology, examination and physiotherapy departments.

One of the set-up wards at the hospital

For long, IVF-assisted reproduction has been available in either just a few and very expensive private hospitals in Uganda or women who could afford had to travel abroad for this service. But the new facility will give a chance to others at fair prices.

Dr Santa Engol, a maternal and newborn health manager at Save the Children, observes that many public health facilities lack basic equipment for resuscitation of distressed newly born babies, resulting in a high number of newborn deaths.

She told The Observer that 27 out of every 1,000 babies die within their first month in Uganda.

Mothers lose babies who are born tired or their mothers have complications and reach health centres and cannot breathe because the health facilities lack equipment to resuscitate them, she said.

Under the Helping Baby Breathe initiative with support from Johnson & Johnson, Save the Children offers special care for babies born asphyxiated (unable to breathe), too small or sick in 32 health facilities in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts.

What to expect

Nabunya explained that patients will pay for service since specialised treatment is very costly and sometimes involves bringing expatriate doctors from abroad.

Computerised equipment await instalment

The Mulago Maternal and Neonatal hospital will have different categories depending on the preference of patients; Silver will be for general patients, Gold Very Important Persons and Platinum - Very Very Important Persons.

The hospital is supposed to be self-sustaining; so, people will pay but under emergencies and special cases, non-paying patients will be admitted, she said.

Autonomy

As contractors are putting finishing touches, doctors are also being trained on specialised treatment. Dr Nabunya announced that some medical officers have been sent to Egypt for advanced training in maternal and fetal medicine and gynaecology while others have been sent to India to specialise in reproductive medicine.

The government is also working on how the facility will be autonomous of Mulago national referral hospital, so as to assure efficiency. Administrators plan to recruit new staff.

To increase effectiveness, we are planning to have our medical and support staff, currently we are working on the modalities of how that will work, that means better salaries to keep the staff there, Dr Nabunya said.

justuslyatuu08@gmail.comGMAX Educational Private Limited announces the launch of their play school in Kumbakonam

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GMAX Educational Private Limited, the world first institute to offer Abacus training has announced that they are happy to launch the play school in Kumbakonam, India.While addressing the media, the spokesperson for GMAX said that their GMAX Play School focuses on offering a fun-filled atmosphere that involves activities and games to improve the skills and concentration of the kids. They have also announced a launching offer where every enrolled kid would receive a free gift voucher worth Rs. 5000. To get more details about the admission at GMAX Play School, just click on the link atGMAX Play School is a feature rich choice for parents who wish to enrol their toddlers in a heaven-like play school to improve their memory function. The spacious class rooms with vibrant colours are well ventilated and feature sturdy study tables and chairs with ergonomic design to help the little ones sit comfortably. The restrooms are well cleaned to maintain a hygienic environment for kids when using them. The play school is equipped with safety equipments, purified drinking water and a huge play area. The kids can indulge in indoor and outdoor games and learn swimming in the swimming pool for kids. They can have fun during the clay modelling sessions and learn art forms like dance and music.About GMAX:GMAX Educational Private Limited based in Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India is the pioneer in offering abacus training for kids across India and aims at improving the mental arithmetic concept for the kids aged between 5 and 13. Their Abacus program helps the kids to become the Master of Mathematics by helping them think and take better decisions of their own. Their educational training specializes in promoting the brain development of children and enhances their core skills to induce the learning process by improving problem solving, accuracy and listening skills.Contact Us:GMAX Educational Private LimitedAddress: LFHS School, Naal Road, KumbakonamPhone: 099438 88222, 0435 2421888.Email: genius@gmaxworld.comWebsite:Next-Generation Power Semiconductors Market Emerging Technologies, Analytical Overview, Business Strategy, Key Vendors Demands and Growth Analysis with Worldwide Industry Analysis by 2027

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Next-Generation Power Semiconductors Market Share, Size, Trends, And Business Opportunity Analysis Report 2018 include historic data, with forecast data to 2023. Next-Generation Power Semiconductors Market report is helpful for future strategy development, and to know about Market Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, And Global market size, share, Growth, Trends, key players forecast to 2027Next-Generation Power Semiconductors Market Key Players:The analysis of the competitive landscape of the global next-generation power semi conducters include prominent players such as NXP Semiconductors, Fuji Electric, Infineon Technologies, STMicroelectronics, Mitsubishi Motors, Toshiba, Semikron, Fairchild, Vishay Intertechnology, Renesas Electronics and others.Get Sample Report of Next-generation power semiconductors @Next-generation power semiconductors Market Highlights:Next-generation power semiconductors, as the name implies are the latest in technology for use as power semiconductors in electrical and electronic devices used across various industry verticals. Thier development is expected to provide highly efficient power semiconductors for use in different end-use industry verticals over the forecast period of 2017 to 2027, thus driving robust growth for this market.Market Research Future (MRFR) has performed a thorough analysis of the market to provide a report which reliably indicates present trends, future opportunities and threats that may affect market growth. The need for more efficient semiconductors to keep up with advancing technology in various end-use industries has driven high demand for next-generation power semiconductors. MRFR has predicted that the market will grow at a high CAGR and a rapid pace over the forecast period.Many global market leaders have found themselves at the forefront of research and development of innovative products, thus driving growth and making the market highly competitive. The market is expected to value several billion by the end of 2027.Next-generation power semiconductors Market Segmentation:The global market has been segmented to provide a comprehensive view and understanding of the next-generation power semiconductors and their various components. Segmentation has been done by product material, device, application, and region.By product material, the market has been segmented to include Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicon Carbide (SiC). Of these, GaN is expected to hold the largest share due to the growing preference for the material in semiconductors over SiC.By device, the market has been segregated into diode, MOSFET/IPD, and IGBT/Power module.By applications, the market has been segmented to include renewable energy, hybrid & electric vehicle, smart homes, LED lights and others.By region, the global market has been divided into the North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and the Rest of the World (Row)Next-generation power semiconductors Regional Analysis:North America, with its booming automotive industry and high demand and consumption of personal devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, has captured the largest market share globally. There are several key players in this region who are actively developing new and efficient next-generation semiconductor technology which is expected to boost this market further.Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific is projected to grow at the highest CAGR and a rapid pace due to the massive consumer population with rising disposable incomes in the region. The demand for personal devices from the consumers in this region are fuelling rapid and robust growth for the next-generation power semiconductor market, and due to this, the region is likely to take over North America's lead by the end of 2027. There is also a strong presence of technology giants in countries such as South Korea and Japan where ongoing R&D is expected to further market growth.Latest Industry News:AGC has decided to invest in a Japanese company which is in the process of successfully developing gallium oxide wafers for use in next-generation power semiconductors with a plan to commercialize by 2020. Novel Crystal Technology is located in Saitama, Japan.Samsung has disclosed it's process technology roadmap at the annual Samsung Foundry Forum in the U.S. The company has plans to mass produce gate-all-around (GAA) transistors at the 3nm node. They plan to release 5LPE, 4LPE/LPP, 7LPP and 3GAA/GAAP by 2021 with the development set to be completed by 2019. Samsung's 7LPP will be the first ever semiconductor process technology to utilize EUV lithography solution.The Middle East & Africa:The report for Global Next-Generation Power Semiconductors Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune  411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +91 841 198 5042Mail: sales@marketresearchfuture.comDisplay Advertising Software Market 2018: Key Players AdRoll, Choozle, Kenshoo

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The study of the Display Advertising Software market by HTF MI provides the market size information and market trends along with factors and parameters impacting it in both short- and long-term. The study provides a 360 view and insights, outlining the key outcomes of the industry. These insights help the business decision-makers to formulate better business plans and make informed decisions for improved profitability. In addition, the study helps venture capitalists in understanding the companies better and make informed decisions. Some of the key players in the Display Advertising Software market are DoubleClick, Marin Software, MediaMath, Sizmek, AdRoll, Choozle, Kenshoo, Adobe, Rocket Fuel, Rubicon Project & Amobee DSP.Get the inside scoop of the Sample report @:Key Points Covered in Display Advertising Software Market Report:Global Display Advertising Software Overview, Definition and ClassificationMarket drivers and barriersGlobal Display Advertising Software Market Competition by ManufacturersGlobal Display Advertising Software Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2018-2023)Global Display Advertising Software Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2018-2023)Global Display Advertising Software Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeGlobal Display Advertising Software Market Analysis by ApplicationGlobal Display Advertising Software Manufacturers Profiles/AnalysisDisplay Advertising Software Manufacturing Cost AnalysisIndustrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersMarketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersStandardization, regulatory and collaborative initiativesIndustry roadmap and value chainMarket Effect Factors Analysis ..Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Market forecasts are provided for each of the following submarkets, product-type and by application/end-user categories:By Product Types: Cloud-based & On-premisesBy Application/ End-user: Small Business, Medium Business & Large EnterprisesRegional Markets: United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia & IndiaList of Companies Mentioned: DoubleClick, Marin Software, MediaMath, Sizmek, AdRoll, Choozle, Kenshoo, Adobe, Rocket Fuel, Rubicon Project & Amobee DSPDisplay Advertising Software Market Effect Factors Analysis chapter specifically concentrates on Technology Progress/Risk, Substitutes Threat, Technology Progress in Related Industry, Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Changes and Economic/Political Environmental Changes that defines the growth factors of the Market.The highest & slowest growing market segments are outlined in the study to provide valuable insights of each core element of the market. New market players are beginning to emerge and are accelerating their transition in Display Advertising Software Market.Any Query or Specific Requirement? Ask to our Expert @The report comes with an associated Excel datasheet suite covering quantitative data from all numeric forecasts presented in the reportResearch Methodology: The Display Advertising Software market has been analyzed by utilizing the optimum mix of secondary sources and benchmark methodology along with an irreplaceable blend of primary insights. The real-time assessment of the market is an integral part of our market sizing and forecasting methodology. Our industry experts and panel of primary participants have helped in compiling relevant aspects with realistic parametric estimations for a comprehensive study.Whats in the offering: The report provides detailed information about the usage and adoption of Display Advertising Software in various applications, types and regions/country. With that, key stakeholders can find out the major trends, drivers, investments, vertical players initiatives, government initiatives toward the product adoption in the following years, along with the details of commercial products available in the market. Moreover, the study provides details about the major challenges that are going to have an impact on the market growth. Additionally, the report gives complete details about the business opportunities to key stakeholders to expand their business and capture revenues in the specific verticals. The report will help companies interested or established in this market to analyze the various aspects of this domain before investing or expanding their business in the Display Advertising Software market.Buy this research @Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA  08837Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218sales@htfmarketreport.comKids Walkie Talkie Market Demand by BaoFeng, Spy Gear

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The study of the Kids Walkie Talkie market by HTF MI provides the market size information and market trends along with factors and parameters impacting it in both short- and long-term. The study provides a 360 view and insights, outlining the key outcomes of the industry. These insights help the business decision-makers to formulate better business plans and make informed decisions for improved profitability. In addition, the study helps venture capitalists in understanding the companies better and make informed decisions. Some of the key players in the Kids Walkie Talkie market are Kidzlane, BELLSOUTH, BaoFeng, Spy Gear, KIDdesigns, Retevis, Spy Gear Ultra & Luiton.Get the inside scoop of the Sample report @:Key Points Covered in Kids Walkie Talkie Market Report:Global Kids Walkie Talkie Overview, Definition and ClassificationMarket drivers and barriersGlobal Kids Walkie Talkie Market Competition by ManufacturersGlobal Kids Walkie Talkie Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2018-2023)Global Kids Walkie Talkie Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2018-2023)Global Kids Walkie Talkie Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeGlobal Kids Walkie Talkie Market Analysis by ApplicationGlobal Kids Walkie Talkie Manufacturers Profiles/AnalysisKids Walkie Talkie Manufacturing Cost AnalysisIndustrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersMarketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersStandardization, regulatory and collaborative initiativesIndustry roadmap and value chainMarket Effect Factors Analysis ..Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Market forecasts are provided for each of the following submarkets, product-type and by application/end-user categories:By Product Types: TransmissionHTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA  08837Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218sales@htfmarketreport.comDimethyl Ether Market 2018 Major Manufacturers Analysis And Industrial Applications Forecasts to 2022

Dimethyl Ether Industry 2018

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WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On  Dimethyl Ether Market 2018 Major Manufacturers Analysis And Industrial Applications Forecasts to 2022.The Dimethyl Ether industry has also suffered a certain impact, but still maintained a relatively optimistic growth, the past four years, Dimethyl Ether market size to maintain the average annual growth rate of 4.28% from 3416 million $ in 2014 to 3874 million $ in 2018, The analysts believe that in the next few years, Dimethyl Ether market size will be further expanded, we expect that by 2022, The market size of the Dimethyl Ether will reach 4741 million $.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comThis Report covers the manufacturers data, including: shipment, price, revenue, gross profit, interview record, business distribution etc., these data help the consumer know about the competitors better. This report also covers all the regions and countries of the world, which shows a regional development status, including market size, volume and value, as well as price data.Besides, the report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment, channel segment etc. cover different segment market size, both volume and value. Also cover different industries clients information, which is very important for the manufacturers.Sections:-Section 1: FreeDefinitionSection (2 3): 1200 USDManufacturer DetailFuel DME ProductionShellAkzo NobelDuPontGrillo-Werke AGKorea Gas Corp.KaiyueJiutai GroupShenhua Ningxia CoalSunline GroupLanhua Sci-techYuhuang ChemicalHebei Jichun ChemicalENN Energy Holdings LtdJOVOYutai GroupLutianhua GroupGuizhou Tianfu ChemicalWeihe Coal ChemicalLinfen Tongshida IndustryChenxi GroupHebei WandaSection 4: 900 USDRegion SegmentationNorth America Country (United States, Canada)South AmericaAsia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)Continued..Report Details @Table Of Contents  Major Key PointsSection 1 Dimethyl Ether Product DefinitionSection 2 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Manufacturer Share and Market Overview2.1 Global Manufacturer Dimethyl Ether Shipments2.2 Global Manufacturer Dimethyl Ether Business Revenue2.3 Global Dimethyl Ether Market OverviewSection 3 Manufacturer Dimethyl Ether Business Introduction3.1 Fuel DME Production Dimethyl Ether Business Introduction3.1.1 Fuel DME Production Dimethyl Ether Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2014-20183.1.2 Fuel DME Production Dimethyl Ether Business Distribution by Region3.1.3 Fuel DME Production Interview Record3.1.4 Fuel DME Production Dimethyl Ether Business Profile3.1.5 Fuel DME Production Dimethyl Ether Product Specification3.2 Shell Dimethyl Ether Business Introduction3.2.1 Shell Dimethyl Ether Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2014-20183.2.2 Shell Dimethyl Ether Business Distribution by Region3.2.3 Interview Record3.2.4 Shell Dimethyl Ether Business Overview3.2.5 Shell Dimethyl Ether Product Specification3.3 Akzo Nobel Dimethyl Ether Business Introduction3.3.1 Akzo Nobel Dimethyl Ether Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2014-20183.3.2 Akzo Nobel Dimethyl Ether Business Distribution by Region3.3.3 Interview Record3.3.4 Akzo Nobel Dimethyl Ether Business Overview3.3.5 Akzo Nobel Dimethyl Ether Product Specification3.4 DuPont Dimethyl Ether Business Introduction3.5 Grillo-Werke AG Dimethyl Ether Business Introduction3.6 Korea Gas Corp. Dimethyl Ether Business IntroductionSection 4 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Region Level)4.1 North America Country4.1.1 United States Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.1.2 Canada Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.2 South America Country4.2.1 South America Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.3 Asia Country4.3.1 China Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.3.2 Japan Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.3.3 India Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.3.4 Korea Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.4 Europe Country4.4.1 Germany Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.4.2 UK Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.4.3 France Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.4.4 Italy Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.4.5 Europe Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.5 Other Country and Region4.5.1 Middle East Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.5.2 Africa Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.5.3 GCC Dimethyl Ether Market Size and Price Analysis 2014-20184.6 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Region Level) Analysis 2014-20184.7 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Region Level) AnalysisSection 5 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Product Type Level)5.1 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Product Type Level) Market Size 2014-20185.2 Different Dimethyl Ether Product Type Price 2014-20185.3 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Product Type Level) AnalysisSection 6 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Industry Level)6.1 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Industry Level) Market Size 2014-20186.2 Different Industry Price 2014-20186.3 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Industry Level) AnalysisSection 7 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Channel Level)7.1 Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Channel Level) Sales Volume and Share 2014-20187.2 Global Dimethyl Ether Global Dimethyl Ether Market Segmentation (Channel Level) AnalysisContinued..For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028.Whey 2018 Global Market Key Players - Euroserum, FrieslandCampina, Lactalis Ingredients, Hilmar Cheese Company, DMK, Arla Foods

Whey Market

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Whey is the watery liquid that remains after the coagulation of the casein proteins in cheese making. Whey contains most of the lactose and about 20% of the protein in milk. It is mainly consisted of lactose, proteins and minerals.The technical barriers of whey are low, and the whey market concentration degree is relatively lower. The manufacturing bases scatter around the world close to the milk and cheese manufacturing bases; the main milk and cheese producers are distributed in USA, Europe, and New Zealand, such as European producers like Euroserum FrieslandCampina and Lactalis Ingredients etc., Hilmar Cheese Company Leprino Foods Company and Saputo Ingredients etc. from USA, and Fonterra from New Zealand.Get Sample Copy of this Report @The key factors driving the growth of the aforementioned industry are health awareness and household income. With the improvement of people's awareness of health and household income, the increased consumption of whey is expected to continue during the remaining years of the forecast period of 2016-2021. Whey industry will usher in a huge growth space.There are companies adding new capacities and aims at the cost and quality leadership which shall improve profitability. As the same time, companies are focusing on technological innovation, equipment upgrades, and process improvements, to reduce costs and improve quality. A significant growth opportunity is attracting more manufacturers to enter the industry. The Competition in Whey market will become more intense.The global Whey market is valued at 86200 million US$ in 2017 and will reach 117000 million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of 3.9% during 2018-2025.The major manufacturers covered in this report Euroserum(FR) FrieslandCampina(NL) Lactalis Ingredients(FR) Hilmar Cheese Company(US) DMK(DK) Arla Foods(DK) Fonterra(NZ) Volac(UK) Leprino Foods Company(US) Saputo Ingredients(US) Davisco Foods(US) Agropur, inc.(US) Glanbia Nutritionals(UK) Devondale Murray Goulburn(AU) Swiss Valley Farms(CH) Sachsenmilch Leppersdorf(DE) Valio(FL) Bongrain Group(FR) Associated Milk Producers(US) Carbery(UK) Land O'Lakes(US) Brewster Cheese Company(CH) MILEI(DE) Dairygold Co-Operative Society(UK) DOC Kaas(NL)Browse full report with Table of Content @On the basis of product, primarily split into:Acid wheySweet wheyDemineralized wheyNon-Demineralized wheyOn the basis of the end users/applications:PharmaNutritionHealth carePersonal careFoodFeedThis report studies the global Whey market status and forecast, categorizes the global Whey market size (value & volume) by key players, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top players in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa.Major Points Covered in Table of Contents Global Whey Market Research Report 20181 Whey Market Overview2 Global Whey Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Whey Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)4 Global Whey Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)5 Global Whey Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Whey Market Analysis by Application7 Global Whey Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Whey Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Whey Market Forecast (2018-2025)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixCheck Discount @About Us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb-Why Products from Susan Lanci Designs Are Exceptional and the Benefit of Dog Stroller

https://www.wetnoseboutique.com/

Susan Lanci Designs is a family owned and operated business that designs super high-quality and trendy outfits for dogs. When Susan Lanci designs a pet product, the major focus is on the perfect fit, highest-quality, safety, and style. To ensure that the quality of the product is premium, Susan Lanci Designs use genuine Swarovski crystals and Ultrasuede fabric imported from Japan.Susan Lanci Designs have gained a tremendous reputation for providing high quality and practical merchandise for little dogs. The Ultrasuede fabric that Susan Lanci Designs use is stronger than leather and is used by manufacturers of high-end yachts, private jets, and luxury cars. While Ultrasuede is not inexpensive, it lasts for a very long time and is easy to carry around.The reason why Susan Lanci Designs is reputed is that they have always maintained their styling and design that has proven to last for a longer time. Combining the timeless style and Ultrasuede ensures that the product owner would recognize the value of the product and their pet could feel the comfort like never before.How Can a Dog Stroller Help You?Although a dog stroller may look like an ordinary pet accessory it has a lot of good perks to it.Here are some places where a dog stroller shines:1. A stroller can be used to take your pet to a vet and it can become easier and healthier for your dog.2. A stroller is also very useful to take your dog outside when they have suffered an injury and are unable to walk.3. You can spend more quality time with your dog by taking them to more places in a stroller.4. A stroller also helps in easy evacuation of your dog during an emergency.If you are looking for products by Susan Lanci Designs for your dog or a dog stroller in Florida, visit our website. You can order any of these pet products from our online store and also browse through a wide variety of other pet merchandise we offer. You can also avail a 20% discount on your first purchase.Wet Nose Boutique4910 South Pheasant WayFloral City, Florida, 34436352 897-6863Overview Body Contouring Market - Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Trends And Forecast Till 2023

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The global body contouring market has been witnessing positive growth. This can be accredited to various factors such as rising cases of obesity, growing awareness about body contouring, increasing applications as well as technological advancements.The latest report by IMARC Group, titled Body Contouring Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2018-2023, finds that the global body contouring market reached a value of US$ 5.7 Billion in 2017. Body contouring refers to a group of procedures which alter and contour the shape of body, generally after a significant weight loss. These procedures can be surgical which include arm lifts, breast lifts, stomach lifts, lower body lifts; or non-surgical such as ultrasound therapy, low-level laser therapy, cryolipolysis and suction massage. In the recent years, non-surgical procedures have gained popularity as consumers look for less painful, cost-effective and safer alternatives to get the desired body shape.Highlights of the global body contouring market:The growing trend of quick-fix, particularly in the western regions is one of the major growth-inducing drivers.Clinical research organisations represent the largest end-use sector.North America represents the largest market for body contouring.One of the major factors catalysing the market growth is the heightened importance given to physical appearance amongst a large section of the population. This coupled with the escalating trend of quick-fix, particularly in the western regions, is propelling the growth of the global body contouring market. Additionally, increasing cases of obesity and growing awareness about body contouring is broadening the growth prospects of the market. Moreover, the advancements in the technology, such as ultrasound cavitation, mesotherapy, infra-red technology, laser-lypolysis, radio-frequency therapy, dynamic pulse control (DPC) and intense pulse light (IPL), have facilitated the market growth. As a result, the global body contouring market is further expected to reach a value of US$ 8.6 Billion, exhibiting a CAGR of 7% during 2018-2023.Read full report with TOC:On the basis of invasiveness, non-invasive devices currently exhibit a clear dominance in the market, followed by minimally invasive and invasive devices. Based on end-use sector, clinical research organisations represent the largest end-use sector of body contouring on account of continuous technological developments. It is followed by hospitals, medical spas and clinics. Region-wise, North America currently accounts for the majority of the total global share. This is due to the wide availability of facilities for the procedures and a large consumer-base. Other major regions include Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. The competitive landscape of the market has also been analysed with some of the key players operating in the market being Cynosure, Meridian, Syneron Medical Ltd., Lumenis, and Alma Lasers.Request a free report sample:The report by IMARC Group has examined the global body contouring market on the basis of:Invasiveness:Non-invasiveMinimally invasiveEnd-Use:Clinical Research OrganizationsHospitalsMedical SpasClinicsRegion:North AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificLatin AmericaMiddle East and AfricaMajor manufacturers:CynosureMeridianSyneron Medical Ltd.LumenisAlma LasersBrowse related reports:Colostomy Bags Market Research Report:Breast Pump Market Research Report:bout UsIMARC Group is a leading market research company that offers management strategy and market research worldwide. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses.IMARCs information products include major market, scientific, economic and technological developments for business leaders in pharmaceutical, industrial, and high technology organizations. Market forecasts and industry analysis for biotechnology, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, travel and tourism, nanotechnology and novel processing methods are at the top of the companys expertise.Contact usIMARC Group309 2nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USAWebsite:Email: sales@imarcgroup.comUSA: +1-631-791-1145Follow us on twitter: @imarcglobalJump in at the deep end & Elegance in Motion: Sudwolle Group product news by Yarn in Motion

www.suedwollegroup.com

Wool qualities for summerThe wool in summer range will engage customers to get out of their comfort zone and to explore unexpected worlds. Many people still think wool is typically intended for winter applications: The company explicitely asks its customers to jump in at the deep end and to work with wool for functional and outdoor clothing during the summer season. Wool has functional characteristics as a temperature regulating, natural fibre; it provides a natural cooling effect, breathability as well as odour resistance and comfort. Blended with other fibres, wool properties can even be enhanced, like in Monopoli Nm 60/1 (74% Merino wool 17,2 , 13% linen, 13% nylon filament), or in other fibre combinations like Merino wool plus Trevira polyester and hemp, Merino wool blended with Coolmax or Lenzing Lyocell (Tencel).Wool blended with silkWool blended with silk, presented in the quality Losanna Nm 60/1 (85% Merino wool 19,3 , 15% silk), is an all-time-favourite. Merino-silk qualities provide a natural elegance, high comfort as well as high elongation and durability. The combination of these high performance fibres is the right choice for everyday wear and glamourous styles with a lustrous shimmering look.All existing and new products will be shown during the respective exhibitions, including: OutDoor in Friedrichshafen (17th-20th of June), Outdoor Retailer in Denver (8th-10th of Nov.) and Performance Days in Munich (28th/29th of Nov.).About Sudwolle GroupSudwolle Group is a global producer of worsted yarn for weaving, circular and flat knitting in pure wool and wool blends. The companys collections Sudwolle, Biella Yarn, Yarn in Motion, Richter, HF/Loris, Stohr and Soey are focused on different segments of the global textile market. Located in the Nuremberg metropolitan area of Germany, Sudwolle Group employs more than 3000 people globally with production facilities in Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and China. Sustainable excellence in all its dimensions is a philosophy that drives the organizations operations, planning and investment actions.Sudwolle GroupWieseneckstrasse 2690571 SchwaigMetropolitan Area NurembergGermanyJudith Mantelmantel@suedwollegroup.de+49 911 50480 331Skilled Nursing Care Services Market Insights by Size, Status and Forecast 2023

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Global Skilled Nursing Care Services Market: OverviewMexico, Brazil and Argentina will grow to a large extent over the coming years in the global skilled nursing care services market as the aged population in these regions is increasing rapidly, finds Transparency Market Research (TMR). Skilled nursing care service centers cater to the needs of patients suffering from chronic conditions such as Parkinsons or Alzheimers, as it is difficult to tend them at home. These centers also provide care on a temporary basis to injured or ill people who need constant attendance. At a skilled nursing care service center, personal hygiene, dressing, bathing, eating, and timely medications are taken care of by trained professionals. These service centers assist speech therapists and physical therapists, monitor interventional medications, take care of wounds and dressings, besides administering end-of-life care, laundry services, and educational and social activities.View Report:The report furnishes an in-depth analysis of key market segments, growth drivers, opportunities, trends, and challenges. The business strategies and strengths and weaknesses of major companies are also analyzed.Global Skilled Nursing Care Services Market: Drivers and RestraintsA substantial increase in the geriatric population across the globe has strengthened the demand for skilled nursing care services worldwide. The increasing number of patients suffering from Alzheimers along with high incidence of dementia, a common form of Alzheimers, is one of the key factors fuelling the growth of global skilled nursing care services market. On a global scale, around 47.5 million people suffer from dementia, and 7.7 million new cases are reported each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, ongoing research shows that an increase in conditions such as diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and other lifestyle factors has led to an increased incidence of Alzheimers, thereby driving the market for skilled nursing care services. On the contrary, high costs of skilled nursing care services, along with low acceptance of these services have been restraining the market.Request a Brochure of the Report @Global Skilled Nursing Care Services Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of geography, Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World (RoW) are the key segments of the global skilled nursing care services market. North America holds the foremost position in the global skilled nursing care services market as an increased awareness about the significance of skilled nursing care services, infrastructural development, provision of reimbursement coverage, and a well-defined regulatory framework are driving the markets growth. On account of the rising prevalence of diseases, the U.S. is the leading country in the North America market. Europe ranks second in the regional segment because of high healthcare expenditure coupled with elevated sense of awareness about these services.It is expected that Asia Pacific will exhibit immense opportunities, with countries such as China, India, and Japan at the top. China and India has the largest geriatric population pool in the world. Furthermore, favorable factors such as beneficial government policies, an increase in disposable incomes of people, and improved healthcare facilities are stepping the growth up in these regions. The growth of medical tourism in Asia Pacific will also benefit the market for skilled nursing care services. The institution of joint family, on the other hand, along with social stigma regarding nursing homes, will be some of the major challenges faced by the global skilled nursing care services market. In the Rest of the World region, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico will witness phenomenal growth. The African countries, on the other hand, will display a sluggish rate of growth due to unfavorable economic conditions in the region.Enquiry for Discount on this Report @Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the key players operating in the global skilled nursing care services market are Lincare, Inc., Apria Healthcare Group Inc., Golden Living, Emeritus Corporation, Genesis Healthcare., Sunrise Senior Living Inc., Sun Healthcare Group Inc., Gentiva, Life Care Centers of America, Atria, Brookdale Senior Living, and Extendicare, Inc.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.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, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Uganda refugee hosting model is one of the most progressive in the world.

Currently, Uganda hosts over 1 million refugees, of which over 900,000 are from South Sudan. Refugees are given relative freedom of movement, equal access to primary education, health care, and other essential social services, and the right to work and own a business.

Economically, Uganda has also shown how a different approach that can reap dividends. The government provides refugees with plots of land and permits them to work. In some places, the refugees boost local businesses.

There are widespread reports of local businesses booming from the charcoal trade. Its all beautiful to hear until reality sets in, and you realize we are sitting on a potential time bomb. Although many Ugandans see their new neighbours as a benefit, not a burden, others would disagree hence putting the entire refugee hosting program at risk.

The host communities surrounding the refugee camps are in vexation because they believe refugees are benefiting from their lands more than them. The youth of Yumbe, Arua, and Adjumani have been staging protests against refugees and donor agencies.

According to a recent news report, Leaders said there was much more to be done to ensure peaceful co-existence between refugees and the host communities.

Its true; there is a lot more that needs to be done. However, the truth is that Uganda lacks the resources to sustain the growing number of refugees while managing the risk of conflict.

The solution can be traced back to the donor community which has failed to do its fair share. Uganda needs more support for it to manage the refugee situation successfully.

According to a report from the Economist, there is a shortfall in funding- donors have given only a third of the funding needed in 2017, with a deficit of $443m. Health and education services are expanding too slowly: one school has 4,200 students and just 16 teachers.

It is high time donor countries matched Ugandas generosity. By increasing funding to Uganda, this significantly increases resettlement camps and other safe and legal routes that are offered to refugees from South Sudan. This will enable Uganda to provide better humanitarian services and also boost the economy.

With adequate support from donors, Uganda will be in a better position to offer refugees a chance to restart their lives with opportunities for success socially and economically. Hence, challenging host communities to change their narratives of refugees from burden to peaceful partner.

The author is a South Sudanese member of parliament at the East African Legislative AssemblyPassenger Information System: Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players  EKE-Electronics, Teleste Corporation, Atos SE, Televic Group, SAIRA Electronics, AMiT, Indra, Thales Group, Mitsubishi Electric

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Passenger Information System Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the Passenger Information System industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global Passenger Information System market with detailed market segmentation by product/application and geography. The global Passenger Information System market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Passenger Information System players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Passenger Information System Market Players: EKE-Electronics Teleste Corporation Atos SE Televic Group SAIRA Electronics AMiT Indra Thales Group Mitsubishi Electric Toshiba Toyo Denki Neusoft Potevio Sunwin Intelligent Beijing Century Real Technology GLARUN TECHNOLOGY Shenzhen Beihai Rail Transit Technology ContronGet Sample Copy of This Report Now @Market segment by Type, the product can be split into LCD Display System LED Display System OthersMarket segment by Application, split into Metro Train Airplane OthersMajor regions are as follows: United States Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaThe report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global Passenger Information System market based on product and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall Passenger Information System market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM), which is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend and provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions.Inquire before Buying @Also, key Passenger Information System market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.Reason to Buy- Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.- The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the Passenger Information System market, thereby allowing players to develop effective long term strategies.- Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.- Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it.- Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to products, segmentation and industry verticals.Inquire for Discount @Contact Us:Call: +1-888-236-2744Email: sales@qyresearchgroups.comAbout Us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Room B1510, Shiji Kemao Building,No.66 Zhongguancun East Road,Haidian District, Beijing,100190, China.Nuclear Medicine Market Key Drivers & On-going Trends 2016 - 2024

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Global Nuclear Medicine Market: OverviewNuclear medicine uses radioactive substances to diagnose and treat diseases. Nuclear medicine helps uncover medical information that is not easily available, or requires surgery or expensive and invasive diagnostic tests. It aids in unearthing symptoms at a very early stage of a disease. Nuclear medicine helps treat different types of diseases such as various forms of cancers, heart disease, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological disorders, and other abnormalities within the body.View Report:A report by Transparency Market Research studies the global market for nuclear medicine in-depth by factoring in historic and current data. It also presents a qualitative analysis of the factors stoking growth in the market or hindering its progress. The report profiles the prominent names operating in the market and their growth strategies. It leverages market-leading analytical tools to understand the opportunities and threats awaiting them.Global Nuclear Medicine Market: Trends and OpportunitiesAt the forefront of driving growth in the global market for nuclear medicine is the rising instances of different diseases and a thriving healthcare industry trying to meet the pressing demands for accurate and efficient medicinal scans. The increasing occurrence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases and the consequent demand for photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) as well radiopharmaceuticals has been propelling the market too.Request a Brochure of the Report @On the flip side, expensiveness of the process, regulatory bottlenecks, and inadequate stock of nuclear medicine has been deterring growth in the market. Some of the noticeable trends in the market are partnerships for formulating nuclear medicine, increasing investment in research and development, and production based on cyclotron. All these factors will help in overcoming the myriad roadblocks to the markets growth.Depending upon the types of products available, the global market for nuclear medicine can be segmented into radiopharmaceuticals, nuclear medicine equipment, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET). Among them, the radiopharmaceuticals dominate in terms of demand and going forward too is predicted to retain their leading position due to increasing use of radioactive pharmaceutical drugs as nuclear imaging agents.Depending upon application, the global market for nuclear medicine can be classified into neurology, oncology, and cardiology. Depending upon end user again, it can be segmented into diagnostic centers, hospitals, and research centers.Global Nuclear Medicine Market: Regional OutlookFrom a geographical standpoint, North America is considered the most attractive market because of a highly developed healthcare infrastructure and swift uptake of cutting-edge technology. Europe is another key region that follows North America in terms of demand. However, vis-a-vis growth in demand, Asia Pacific is predicted to outshine all other regions in the upcoming years, powered primarily by Japan, China, Australia, and India  nations where a lot of funds are being funneled into research and development. The massive population, growing instances of neurological and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer, is also contributing to the growth in the market in Asia Pacific.Enquiry for Discount on this Report @Companies Mentioned in the ReportTo assess the competition prevailing in the global market for nuclear medicine, the report profiles companies such as Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., Cardinal Health Inc., Eczacibasi-Monrol Nuclear Products, Bayer AG, Mallinckrodt plc, GE Healthcare, Nordion, Inc., IBA Molecular Imaging, Advanced Accelerator Applications S.A., and Bracco Imaging S.p.A.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.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, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Rapid Growth of Wireless Connectivity Market | Global Key Companies  Broadcom, Murata, Qualcomm Atheros, Mediatek Inc., Intel, Texas Instruments, Atmel | Forecasts till 2023

Wireless Connectivity Market

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2015-2023 World Wireless Connectivity Market Research Report by Product Type, End-User / Application and Regions / Countries 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 Wireless Connectivity Market Overview:The report spread across 143 pages is an overview of the 2015-2023 World Wireless Connectivity Market Research Report by Product Type, End-User / Application and Regions / Countries. The Global Wireless Connectivity 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 Wireless Connectivity Market is expected to grow at an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2018 to 2023. The growth of the Wireless Connectivity Market is driven by the advancements in the telecommunications industry and high adoption of smartphones, increased demand for wireless sensor networks for creating smart infrastructure, increased demand for low-power wide-area (LPWA) networks in IoT applications, significant increase in the internet penetration rate, and rise in the adoption of IoT.The demand for Wi-Fienabled connected home devices such as video doorbells, thermostats, lighting solutions, smart TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and music systems are increasing. The use of Wi-Fi in consumer electronics has enabled users to control the devices. These factors are helping the growth of the market for chipsets based on Wi-Fi technology.The growing use of low-power long-range M2M connectivity solutions in Smart City and Smart Metering Applications is expected to drive the growth of the market for LPWAN technology during the forecast period. Sigfox and LoRa are expected to be the dominant LPWAN technologies in Europe and North America, while developing countries of Asia Pacific are likely to witness the high adoption of NBIoT technology for smart city projects.Purchase this report online with 143 Pages, List of Tables & Figures and in-depth Table of Contents on 2015-2023 World Wireless Connectivity Market Research Report by Product Type, End-User / Application and Regions / Countries @A complete analysis of the competitive landscape of the Global Wireless Connectivity 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 Wireless Connectivity Market players.Major Key Players:1 Broadcom2 Murata3 Qualcomm Atheros4 Mediatek Inc.5 Intel Corporation6 Cypress Semiconductor Corporation and MoreMarket Segment by Type:1 Wi-Fi2 Bluetooth3 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Smart4 ZigBee5 Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)Near Field Communication (NFC)Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers:1 North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)2 Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Russia, Spain etc)3 South America (Brazil, Argentina etc)4 Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, South Africa etc).Grab Your Report at an Impressive Discount @This study answers to the below key questions:1 What will the market size be in 2023 and what will the growth rate be?2 What are the key market trends?3 What are the challenges to market growth?4 Who are the key players in this market?5 What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?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 Wireless Connectivity Market.Major Points in Table of Contents:Global Wireless Connectivity Market Report 20181 Market Definition2 Global Market by Vendors3 Global Market by Type4 Global Market by End-Use / Application5 Global Market by Regions6 North America Market7 Europe Market8 Asia-Pacific Market9 South America Market10 Middle East & Africa Market11 Market Forecast12 Key ManufacturersAbout 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Polaris Networks joins Nemergent Solutions to deliver world-class Mission Critical communication services for First Responders

www.polarisnetworks.net

Polaris Networks and Nemergent Solutions today announced successful completion of interoperability tests between Polaris Networks NetEPC and Nemergents Mission Critical Services (MCS) Application Server.The end-to-end tests were facilitated by the adoption of 3GPP standards for mission-critical and public safety communications, defined in Rel. 12, 13 and 14 specifications, by both companies in the EPC and MCS-AS implementations. The companies tested a wide range of mission critical services including MCPTT private calls, group calls and multiple private calls. Describing the collaborative effort as a significant milestone for Polaris, Mr. Aditya Saraf, VP  Business Development said, This initiative by Polaris & Nemergent provides fillip to the efforts of the industry and groups like ETSI and 3GPP for replacing legacy technologies with standards based LTE technology for mission critical communications. Working together, Polaris and Nemergent can help build wireless networks that not only delivers mission-critical voice services but multi-media services as well.Polaris Networks has been working with the PSCR lab in Boulder over four years to research and test features and capabilities in the core network infrastructure of LTE to deliver critical communication services. The NetEPC is a complete implementation of the core network elements of 4G-LTE. It is widely used to build private LTE networks by industries such as mining, shipping, oil & gas and also by government agencies responsible for internal and external security. Polaris customers will now be able to augment their networks to provide mission critical communication services using solutions like those from Nemergent Solutions.Nemergent Solutions, with headquarters in Bilbao, Spain, has made rapid strides in developing and delivering elements for Mission Critical Push-to-Talk based on 3GPP standards. They joined the ETSI organized MCPTT Plugtest in 2017 and 2018 editions, showing standards compliancy from the early stages. The company is looking to further its partnership with Polaris Networks and deliver integrated mission critical communication solutions to customers.Jose Oscar Fajardo, CEO at Nemergent Solutions, said,Following Nemergents philosophy of fostering open interoperable ecosystems based on international standards, we are happy to collaborate with Polaris in this new partnership. Evaluating our MCS applications over carrier-grade mission-critical network cores such as NetEPC allows us bringing the technology to the end users.Polaris Networks is a global solution provider in the field of LTE Technology, offering a wide range of software for use as test tools in the lab and Packet Core deployment in private and public LTE networks. LTE solutions from Polaris Networks are actively used by Network Equipment Manufacturers, Telecom Service Providers, and Test Labs across several countries. The company is headquartered in San Jose, CA, USA and has two R&D centres in Kolkata, India. To learn more about Polaris Networks, visitPolaris Networks Contact:Bidisha TungaMarketing Communications and Public Relations+91-9836148468bidisha_tunga@polarisnetworks.netAddress - 14856 Holden Way,San Jose, CA 95124Cosmetic Procedures and Products Market Outlook, Opportunity and Demand Analysis, Forecast 2016 - 2024

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Global Cosmetic Procedures and Products Market: OverviewThe objective of cosmetic surgery is to enhance a persons appearance, which can lead to increased self-esteem and increased confidence for an individual. Cosmetic procedures comprise both elective surgical and nonsurgical procedures that are carried out to improve structures of the body.The global cosmetic procedures and products market is in growth mode both in terms of revenue and number of procedures carried out annually. The increasing acceptance for cosmetic procedures, exploding ageing population, and increasing spending on beauty and aesthetics are the major factors driving the growth of the global cosmetic procedures and products market.View Report:Global Cosmetic Procedures and Products Market: Market SegmentationThe global cosmetic procedures and products market is segmented on the basis of surgical procedures and non-surgical procedures. Some of the major surgical cosmetic procedures are breast augmentation, cosmetic eyelid surgery, breast lift, cosmetic ear surgery, lipoplasty, Abdominoplasty, gynecomastia treatment, and breast reduction. Amongst these, lipoplasty and breast augmentation are the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures. With the reintroduction of silicone gel breast implants by FDA in 2006, the number of breast augmentation procedures have increased considerably over the years. However, these procedures are costlier as compared to non-surgical cosmetic procedures, hence are dependent on insurance coverage. The economic crisis of 2009 also affected the growth of the market to some extent. However, economic recovery is expected to boost the growth of the global cosmetic procedures and products market.Major non-surgical cosmetic procedures include skin rejuvenation, cosmetic injectables, and other procedures such as sclerotherapy, laser hair removal, and laser therapy of leg veins. Amongst these, cosmetic injectables dominate the non-surgical segment of the market. The sub-segments of injectable cosmetics are botulinum toxin type A, collagen, poly-l-lactic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, and hyaluronic acid. Skin rejuvenation procedures are divided into chemical peel, fraxel, noninvasive tightening, dermabrasion, and intense pulsed light laser treatment.Request a Brochure of the Report @Global Cosmetic Procedures and Products Market: Regional OverviewThe Americas and Europe are traditional regions for cosmetic procedures and cosmetic products. The society in these two regions is youth-focused and emphasizes on the aesthetics of an individual. Moreover, traditionally, these regions are pioneers of advanced technology, which is leading to the development of non-invasive and less painful procedures. These factors are further propelling the growth of these regional markets. As per The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Americans spent almost US$10.7 billion on cosmetic procedures in 2010, of which surgical procedures contributed more than 60%. However, the number of non-surgical procedures carried out outnumber surgical procedures, but account for less revenue contribution to the market.Furthermore, the number of women who undertake cosmetic procedures always outnumber men for cosmetic procedures. However, the market dynamics are changing with more men opting for cosmetic procedures due to peer pressure at workplaces for appearance and rising awareness about obesity. Some of the cosmetic procedures for men include gynecomastia treatments, male facelifts, breast reduction, male brow lifts, and male tummy tucks.Enquiry for Discount on this Report @Major Companies Mentioned in ReportSome of the leading companies that operate in the global cosmetic procedures and products market are Allergan Inc., Fascia Biosystems LLC, ExcellaDerm Corporation, Suneva Medical Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Q-Med AB, Genesis Biosystems Inc., Lumenis Ltd., Anika Therapeutics Inc., Palomar Medical Technologies Inc., Solta Medical Inc., DermaMed USA, Genzyme Corporation, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, BioForm Medical Inc., Cutera Inc., Dermik Laboratories, IRIDEX Corporation, Candela Corporation, Mentor Corporation, and Cynosure Inc. among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.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, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Automotive Brake line Market to witness exponential Growth rate in the coming years

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A recent published report on Global and United States Automotive Brake line Market highlights the major details and provides in-depth analysis of the market along with the future growth and prospects. The reports also offer important insights which helps the industry experts, product managers, CEOs, and business executives to draft their policies on various parameters including expansion, acquisition, new product launch as well as analysing and understanding the market trends and demands. The research report also identifies the key factors and challenges in the market.Get a free sample or customize the report @The Global and United States Automotive Brake line Market offers deep qualitative as well as qualitative insights from last five years to next five years along with the year-on-year market growth analysis. The study does not only offer insight about the global market but also provides deep analysis with respect to the market segments. The segments included in the report are- type, application and region. The type Braided Stainless and Rubber, application Passenger Vehicles, Medium Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicles and Light Duty Commercial Vehicles includes market size and forecast from 2013 to 2025 along with year-on-year growth analysis.Furthermore, the report also contains the qualitative analysis of the market through several chapters. Company profile, competitive product portfolio analysis, market share analysis along with the revenue and SWOT analysis are some of the major insights available in the study. Currently, the market is being driven by the major companies such as Centric, Dorman, Beck Arnley, AC Delco, PBR, Bendix, Crown, Skyjacker, Russell, Nichirin, Eastwood, AAS, Spiegler USA, Fedhillusa and General Motors whereas new innovations and technology advancement is playing important role in bringing the small companies into the industry. There is also a huge competition between the vendors and suppliers of Global and United States Automotive Brake line Market which is playing crucial role in the final pricing.The report also provides key insights by geography where the major region includes United States, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. Geographically, the report offers market size (USD million) and volume, market share, production, consumption along with import, export and supply. The historic year considered for this report is 2013 where it provides information all the way to 2025 considering the base year as 2018.Read detailed research report @Scope of Global and United States Automotive Brake line MarketThe report provides historic data from year 2013 through 2018 and forecast till 2025.The report offers competitive landscape of the market which includes key player analysis, market share of key players and product portfolio analysis.The Global and United States Automotive Brake line Market also offers quantitative and qualitative analysis of the different segment such as Type which includes Braided Stainless and Rubber, Application Passenger Vehicles, Medium Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicles and Light Duty Commercial Vehicles and Regions.The report also offers advice from the key industry people on how the market is growing and how companies can overcome from various challengesTable of Content of Global and United States Automotive Brake line MarketThe Global and United States Automotive Brake line Market Research Report offers deep insights about the market trends and forecast in more than 12 chapters which provides qualitative as well as quantitative analysis of the report.Chapter 1, 2 and 3 includes methodology & data sources, market overview and market analysis by application. The market overview chapter provides segment information by type including the revenue (million USD) and sales volume (K Units) along with market share and year-on-year growth analysis. Market analysis by application provides insights on the different application/end users of the Global and United States Automotive Brake line Market including the sales volume by sub application types.Chapter 4, 5 and 6 includes global market sales, revenue, price and growth rate analysis by regions, Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers which includes global market share, price by manufactures as well as sales and revenue by individual market players.ContinuedResearch MethodologyThe research report has been prepared by conducting various rounds of primary interviews with key management of several Tier-I and II companies. The primary research percentage of all of reports are above ~80% whereas ~20% of secondary research includes data from hoovers, factiva, one source avention and other government published records. Both top-down approach has been applied for the calculation of market size, volume, import and export and has been validated thoroughly.Buy this report @Thanks for reading the article. You can also get individual chapters or any particular segments.About Author:Stats and Reports is an India based research and consulting service provider specialized in offering wide range of business solutions to their clients including market research reports, primary and secondary research, demand forecasting services, focus group analysis and other services. We understand that how data is important in todays competitive environment and thus, we have collaborated with industrys leading research providers who works continuously to meet the ever growing demand for market research reports throughout the year.For more info log on toStats and ReportsMangaram Chamber, Office No - 16, Paud RoadSankalp Society, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra 411038Phone: +1 650-646-3808 or drop an email @ sales@statsandreports.comGlobal Smart Elevators Market 2018 | ThyssenKrupp AG, Otis Elevator, KONE

Smart Elevators

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Press Release - 05 June 2018Global Research and Development News --. ."Global Smart Elevators Market Research Report 2018" with coming years Industries Trends, projections of Global Growth, Major key player and Case study, Review, Share, Size, Effect.' '-This report studies the global Smart Elevators market status and forecast, categorizes the global Smart Elevators market size (value & volume) by manufacturers, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top manufacturers in North America, Europe, Japan, China, and other regions (India, Southeast Asia, Central & South America, and Middle East & Africa).-The global Smart Elevators market is valued at xx million US$ in 2017 and is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx.x % between 2018 and 2025.. . Get Sample Report_' '-The major manufacturers covered in this reportThyssenKrupp AGOtis ElevatorKONESchindler GroupHitachiHyundai ElevatorToshiba Elevators and Building SystemsMitsubishi ElectricMotion Control Engineering-Geographically, this report studies the top producers and consumers, focuses on product capacity, production, value, consumption, market share and growth opportunity in these key regions, coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanOther Regions-The regional scope of the study is as follows:North AmericaUnited StatesCanadaMexicoAsia-PacificChinaIndia. . More Clear Details get Table of Contents_' 'JapanSouth KoreaAustraliaIndonesiaSingaporeRest of Asia-PacificEuropeGermanyFranceUKItalySpainRussiaRest of EuropeCentral & South AmericaBrazilArgentinaRest of South AmericaMiddle East & AfricaSaudi ArabiaTurkeyRest of Middle East & Africa-On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoAc ElevatorDc ElevatorHydraulic ElevatorOther-On the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingPassenger ElevatorFreight ElevatorSightseeing ElevatorOther-The study objectives of this report are:To analyze and study the global Smart Elevators capacity, production, value, consumption, status (2013-2017) and forecast (2018-2025);Focuses on the key Smart Elevators manufacturers, to study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in future.Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis.To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region.To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the marketTo analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the marketTo strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.-In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Smart Elevators are as follows:History Year: 2013-2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025-For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.-Key StakeholdersSmart Elevators ManufacturersSmart Elevators Distributors/Traders/WholesalersSmart Elevators Subcomponent ManufacturersIndustry AssociationDownstream VendorsContinue.....ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074Diabetic Gastroparesis Treatment Market will Register a Staggering 4.5 % CAGR through 2024

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According to the latest market report published by Persistence Market Research titled Diabetic Gastroparesis Treatment Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 2016  2024, revenue from the global diabetic gastroparesis treatment market is projected to register a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period (20162024). Diabetic gastroparesis is the symptom of delayed gastric emptying affecting patients suffering from Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes. The disease primarily has no cure but its symptoms are treatable via various types of drugs and devices. The global diabetic gastroparesis treatment market was valued at US$ 2,650 Mn in 2015, which is expected to increase to US$ 3,769.3 Mn by 2024. The report analyzes the global diabetic gastroparesis treatment market in terms of market value on the basis of product type, disease indication, and distribution channel; and provides information regarding regional market dynamics, regulations, current trends, market estimations, and forecast.Request Sample Report @Rising prevalence of Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes with high unmet medical needs, growing demand for minimally invasive treatment for refractory gastroparesis, and availability of reimbursement for in-patient hospital stays are driving growth of the global diabetic gastroparesis treatment market. Increasing use of diabetic gastroparesis drugs to control symptoms such as nausea and vomiting is anticipated to fuel growth of the global diabetic gastroparesis treatment market over the forecast period. However, usage of non-prescription drugs to control the symptoms restricts diagnosis of stage 1 and stage 2 gastroparesis. Lack of clinical evidence on improvement offered by prescription drugs and termination of clinical trials are factors expected to hamper growth of the global diabetic gastroparesis treatment market over the forecast period.The global diabetic gastroparesis treatment market has been segmented on the basis of product type into drugs and surgical treatment products; on the basis of disease indication into compensated gastroparesis and gastric failure; and on the basis of distribution channel into hospital pharmacies, private clinics, drug stores, retail pharmacies, and e-commerce. Among product types, the drugs segment dominated the market with maximum revenue share of 66% in 2015 followed by the surgical treatment product segment with 34% share. Enhanced development of novel products such as the domperidone drug for the treatment of gastric motility disorder are expected to fuel the growth of the drugs segment over the forecast period. The hospital pharmacies segment is estimated to account for the highest market revenue share of 48.0% in the global diabetic gastroparesis treatment market by the end of 2016.The report covers the global diabetic gastroparesis treatment market across five key regions namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), and Middle East & Africa (MEA). North America is expected to remain the dominant market throughout the forecast period, driven by rise in healthcare expenditure, increasing demand for metoclopramide agents in the management of diabetic gastroparesis disease, increasing research on antibodies and other innovative prokinetics drug delivery formats, and technological advancements. Revenue from the diabetic gastroparesis treatment market in North America is expected to register a CAGR of 4.4% over the forecast period. Asia Pacific is expected to remain the second-most lucrative market for diabetic gastroparesis treatment, with an estimated CAGR of 4.5% over the forecast period.Request to View TOC @Some of the top companies profiled in the report are Janssen Global Services, LLC, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, C. R. Bard, Inc., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, Cardinal Health, Inc., Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Evoke Pharma, and Alfa Wassermann SPA. Leading market players are continuously introducing novel products to enhance their product portfolio, increase market share, and expand customer base.ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Award Winning Author And Keynote Speaker Joseph Ganci Uses Modern-Day Revelations Redefining Old Testament Revelations To Entertain, Motivate, And Enlighten

Author and keynote speaker Joseph Ganci

http://www.gideonsglory.com

People dismiss the Churchs ancient teachings for many reasons. Some people believe that the Old Testament has little or no relevance in this fast-paced digital age. Others believe everything that could be said has been said. For some those old, well-worn stories from the Bible have lost their appeal. Many stories are viewed as supernatural tales told children.Award-winning author and keynote speaker Joseph Ganci believes that Biblical accounts can be more than just dusty history - it can be passionately entertaining. He brings the Bible to life and rekindles the fires of ancient storytelling. He offers practical application of revelatory insights of faith, visions, and spiritual determination for modern-day living. He does it all in ways that will entertain, motivate and enlighten.Ganci pierces the veil with a penetrating vision of long-held Bible mysteries that are far and away daring and unusual. He works within a framework of an engaging and dramatized fiction that, while exceedingly rich in detail, remains faithful to uphold spiritual principles. He bases his work on three primary pillars:* The rock-solid cornerstone is biblical history geography.* The creative arch is revelatory in its timing and issues.* The research is concrete, firmly rooted in customs, languages, and traditions.I wrote my book, Ganci stated, as one day I was reading the Bible. It was my fifth pass from cover to cover. I had just reached Judges Six when a phrase leaped off the page  And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.I started digging down and found it meant the shallow waters and the only fording place of the entire Jordan River. It was in effect a military dispatch  directing the army of Ephriam to cut off the desperate flight of the remaining Midian camel cavalry. Gideon would drive the enemy like hounds to the hunter. A long-held mystery started to unravel, and with that, I was off to the races.Fresh insights are unearthed when discovering hidden connecting details found in ancient scripture. These viewpoints are only revealed when mans ability has sufficiently grown, and that he is now ready to receive them. My speaking goals are to entertain, motivate and to have the audience leave enlightened and satisfied.Ganci believes that Old Testament revelations are the Word of God. At the same time, that many needful details remained buried until the information age of discovery made them obvious and visible to the naked eye. These insights create a middle ground of understanding. As a dedicated and highly motivated researcher, he proposes there are many undiscovered nuggets of spiritual gold in the original manuscripts. He shines a new light on ancient texts and removes the black or white argument of the all-or-nothing question of modern-day revelations. He is adept at untangling the philosophical and theological human-made knots. And he gives us an opportunity to take a fresh look at what some consider to be foregone conclusions.Readers of 'Gideon The Sound And The Glory' will learn about the Jewish Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, the mysterious Golden Ephod, how, and why, David found himself at his battle with Goliath, and much, much more. This work illuminates the dark corners of scripture while engaging readers in a gripping narrative.Joseph Ganci was recently chosen as one of '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' in the 2017 Book Awards. 'Gideon: The Sound and the Glory' has received rave reviews from readers and reviewers alike. A recent reviewer stated, "Joseph Gancis prose is arresting, peppered with fantastic imagery and succinct descriptions of plot, characters, and setting. The themes are masterfully created, and they are woven into the story in a way that allows the reader to enjoy both the inspiration the story offers and the accompanying action. The book explores powerful spiritual and political themes, capturing the conflicts and the dynamics of life within the community of God's chosen people. Gideon: The Sound and the Glory will appeal to fans of political thrillers, adventure, and conflict-driven stories laced with intense action." Other reviewers have used phrases such as "riveting," "amazing" "deftly crafted" and "highly recommended."Ganci has also announced he will make his book available as a fundraising tool for like-minded associations and charities. Donors can receive an eBook version of 'Gideon' in exchange for a donation to a worthy cause. For more details, contact Joseph via email.Joseph Ganci is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at joseph@gideonsglory.com. 'Gideon: The Sound and the Glory' is available in both print, eBook, and a superb, ethnically correct audio narration. All from online retailers.Joseph can appear in live speaking engagements or can speak to groups and organizations via Skype, audio or video. More information regarding speaking engagements, including sample video interviews, is available at Ganci's website.Joseph Ganci is a Levite and a high priest and remains a passionate Italian. He is a Vietnam combat veteran and is the father of five daughters and five grandchildren. He resides in Texas.PO Box 1613Supply NC 28462In sub-Saharan Africa, only 34 per cent of hospitals have reliable electricity access yet access to electricity is critical to health care delivery.

In the wake of the chronic raw sewage leakage at two of Mulago national referral satellite hospitals at Kiruddu and Kawempe, it is imperative to comprehensively optimize alternative energy from the perspective of health financing.

For our national referral hospitals to be leaking raw sewage barely three years after their construction, is absolutely preposterous and raises a major concern as to whether hospital wastewater in Uganda is being treated prior to being released to sewers and the aquatic environment.

Hospital wastewater contains hazardous pharmaceuticals, toxic contaminants, micro pollutants and substances that contribute more than 50 per cent of the total load of contaminants carried to regional wastewater treatment plants and hence can cause serious infectious diseases.

Ministry of Health officials have suggested connecting Kawempe hospital to the main sewerage line, a toxic idea in itself. Although sewage water can be centrally treated, conventional wastewater treatment plants are not able to eliminate all pharmaceutical residues efficiently, hence ending up in surface water.

A comprehensive review of the national healthcare waste management plan from 2009 to 2012 showed significant gaps. There are neither national healthcare waste management regulations nor specific hospital healthcare waste regulations.

In Uganda, the scope of drugs available on the essential medicines and health supplies list of 2016 is quite extensive. It reveals that quite a number of pharmaceutical derivatives, antibiotics, pain-relievers and other drugs are potentially found in raw hospital wastewater.

To break it down in plain terms, hospital wastewater contains x-ray derivatives, anti-hypertensives, pain-relievers, antibiotics, psycho-active drugs, and anti-epileptics, to mention but a few.

To make matters worse, with the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria, sites that are at disposal points of hospital wastewater have been demonstrated to have higher degrees of resistance with a significant rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospital wastewater.

This, in simple terms, means that over the last couple of years, a good number of citizens have been ingesting water containing a host of multidrug-resistant bacteria and drug residues!

Revolutionizing the way hospital wastewater is treated is, therefore, timely and a viable initiative. It is unfortunate that the existing legal framework makes it difficult for medical institutions to set up their own facilities for treatment of hazardous harmful wastewater generated by these very facilities.

Wastewater management framework

From Waste to Wealth: Sustainable wastewater management in Uganda - 2014; a study by United Nations University and McGill University, among others, indicates that pre-treatment approaches for instance the anaerobic digestion approach has been found to be a successful pre-treatment for high-strength wastewater.

For every 1,000-person population base at an institution, a minimum of 5.5 KW of biogas would be created. That means that for health centre IIIs that serve a minimum of 20,000 people, the amount of electricity offset would result in annual savings of a minimum of $200,000 or roughly Shs 720m.

The remaining residue (bio-slurry), when dried and assembled, would result in providing an alternative source of charcoal/firewood, resulting in additional annual savings to the health centre/hospital of $45,000 (about Shs 162m).

In this case, as the biogas and briquettes are used directly within the health centre/hospital, they would directly offset the use of electricity/charcoal of a health centre III by a minimum of $245,000 annually (about Shs 880m).

In regional referral hospitals and national referral hospitals that serve a minimum of two million people, this would translate into electricity/charcoal offsets of a minimum of $26,000,000 annually or Shs 93 billion.

To augment hospital operations, solar energy provides an unprecedented opportunity to reduce utility bills with huge returns on investment and even greater savings.

A combination of hospital wastewater treatment, biogas production and solar energy production facilities would supply side finance incentives that would culminate into cleaner, less-contaminated water, increased annual savings for hospital expansions and extensions, insulation of the health sector from price fluctuations in global energy markets, procurement of advanced medical equipment, mitigate the impact of climate change, salary augmentations and ultimately advance multiple sustainable development goals.

The writer is a senior health expert.Data Center RFID Market Global Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecast, 2015-2021

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A data center is a facility of computer systems that houses the data and applications which are critical for the success of business organizations. Data centers are integrated to deliver timely, trusted and secure information within the organization. Currently, data center managers are continuously facing pressure to enhance the security of data center assets and ensure optimal utilization of resources. Hence, they are integrating various technologies such as Radio-frequency identification (RFID) to keep track of critical assets such as servers, routers and other IT assets.Automation via RFID reduces inefficiency and human error, reduces costs and complexity while increasing flexibility and control. RFID allows companies to identify and collect a range of metrics for data center assets. Additionally, they help to increase inventory accuracy and operational efficiency. Based on the type of assets, RFID tags can be for servers, switches, storage devices (removable drives and backup drives) among others. Based on solutions, RFID for data centers include tags (active or passive tags), readers, antennas and software.Request Sample Report @Data centers consists of expensive, mission critical assets which need to be tracked. Tracking data center assets helps to organize them and reduce operational costs. Moreover, manual tracking is expensive and consolidating inventory can be tedious and inefficient. Hence, a large number of data centers are increasingly turning to RFID technology to decrease expenses, increase inventory accuracy, and improve operational efficiency. RFID tags when used on racks of data center equipment can help in retrieving information about racks within no span of time. Additionally, misplaced equipment can be easily located without reading individual serial number on tags.. Globally, an increasing number of enterprises are demanding better management of data center resources.RFID tags and other solutions help to improve the management of data center assets. This is driving the global data center RFID market. Additionally, these solutions help increase efficiency and productivity by decreasing the manual workforce which can be used for other vital tasks in an organization. Thus, the increased need for better management of resources with better productivity is collectively driving the global data center RFID market.Presently, due to the Internet of Things (IoT), massive amounts of data is being generated which is driving the need for data centers. As the number of data centers is expected to rise during the forecast period there is abundance opportunity for RFID technology to be incorporated within data centers.Request to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @Geographically, the data center RFID market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. North America is the biggest market for data centers RFID technologies. Increasing digitization in the Asia Pacific region is driving the growth of data centers in this region and hence it is an emerging region for data center RFID market. Some of the leading players in the global RFID marketplace include IBM Corporation, Zebra technologies, Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P., Invengo Information Technology Co. Ltd and Impinj, Inc. among others.ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Solar Trackers Market for Solar PV, CPV, CSP Technology in Utility and Non Utility Applications

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https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/175965/solar-trackers-single-axis-and-market-research-reports/toc

A new market study, titled Solar Trackers (Single Axis and Dual Axis) Market for Solar PV, CPV, CSP Technology in Utility and Non Utility Applications - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2010 - 2020, has been featured on MarketResearchReport.biz.Solar trackers are the devices used to orient photovoltaic panels toward the sun to harness more sunlight. They enable solar modules to remain in the best position to accumulate maximum energy from the sun. These trackers are installed in residential, commercial and utility scale solar projects. Solar tracker comprises of numerous components and parts including sun tracking algorithm, control unit, positioning system, drive mechanism system, sensing devices, wind guard, tubes, and rods.This research study analyzes the market size of solar trackers, both in terms of volume (annual installation capacity) and revenue. The solar tracker market has been segmented on the basis of technology, product, application, and geography, in order to provide a holistic picture of the market. Market data for all segments has been provided on a regional level for the period 2010 to 2020. A comprehensive competitive landscape of key companies has also been provided in this report.Get the sample copy of this report:Key technologies analyzed in the report include solar photovoltaic, concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) and concentrated solar power (CSP). Solar tracker product segments estimated in this study include single axis and dual axis solar trackers. Major applications analyzed in this report include utility and non-utility. Regional data has been provided for North America (U.S. and Canada), Europe (Spain, Italy, Germany and Greece), Asia Pacific (China, India and Japan), and Latin America (Brazil and Chile).This report also includes Porters five forces model analysis, value chain analysis, and market attractiveness analysis by technology. Some of the key market participants that deal in solar trackers include Abengoa Solar, AllEarth Renewables, Array Technologies, DEGERenergie, Ecosun Ltd, Energia Ercam, Mecasolar, Titan Tracker, Mechatron, SmartTrak, and Soitec. The report provides an overview of these companies followed by their financial revenue, business strategies, and recent developments.The research provides detailed analysis of companies dealing in solar trackers, trend analysis and demand forecast by geography. Various levels of market segmentation for which estimates and forecasts have been provided are as follows:Request for complete report TOC:Solar Tracker Market: Technology AnalysisSolar PVConcentrated Photovoltaic (CPV)Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)Solar Tracker Market: Product AnalysisSingle AxisDual AxisSolar Tracker Market: Application AnalysisUtilityNon UtilitySolar Tracker Market: Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeSpainGermanyGreeceItalyAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanLatin AmericaBrazilChileMRRbiz supports your business intelligence needs with over 700,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizGlobal Professional Mobile Radio Market Insights Covering Market Dynamics and Competitive Scenario through 2026

Market Research Reports Search Engine

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https://www.mrrse.com/professional-digital-mobile-radio-market

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A professional mobile radio (MRRSE) system is a wireless communication system that is used in emergency services, public works organizations, fire and police departments, transportation, and companies with vast vehicle fleets and an expansive network of on-field staff. It is one of the most convenient means of communication today. It provides advanced features such as broadcast calls, group calls, emergency calls, and prioritization of users that help in the well-organized functioning of enterprises and government establishments. MRRSE is widely used as a convenient means of communication by enterprises and government establishments. Rise in need to improve efficiency of radio communications systems and public safety organizations is primarily driving the adoption of MRRSE systems. Convergence of public and private long-term evolution (LTE) networks with MRRSE technology has led to the expansion of the global professional mobile radio market. Moreover, increase in demand for reliable and cost effective MRRSEs is expected to fuel the expansion of the market during the forecast period. The Professional Mobile Radio Market is expected to expand to US$ 15,779.5 Mn in 2026 from US$ 36,285.7 Mn in 2017, expanding at a CAGR of 9.8%.Ask for Sample Copy @Professional mobile radio systems are designed for mission critical communication operation in different sectors. Professional mobile radio is a rapidly expanding and dynamic area. Professional mobile radios are built on digital and analog technology. Although in more recent times, the demand for digital technology-based mobile radios has increased significantly. The professional mobile radio market is expected to expand significantly in the near future due to rise in importance of efficient mission-critical operations and the expansion of long term evolution (LTE) network, which is leading to higher demand for LTE-integrated MRRSE devices.Demand for reliable and cost-effective MRRSE devices and increasing usage of MRRSE devices in public safety and mission critical applications in government organizations have led to the expansion of the global professional mobile radio market. With technological advancements, there has been multi-pronged development, especially in digital MRRSE systems. Integration of MRRSE systems with high-speed cellular networks is expected to boost the expansion of the MRRSE systems market. However, rise in adoption of LTE and increase in concerns regarding cross border security issues are projected to hamper the expansion of the professional mobile radio market.Based on technology, the professional mobile radio market can be segmented into digital technology and analog technology. The project 25 (P25) sub-segment of the digital technology segment accounted for a significant market share globally in 2017. The sub-segment is projected to maintain its leading position over the forecast period. Moreover, this segment is estimated to expand rapidly during the forecast period due to a large user base in North America and Asia Pacific. The digital mobile radio (DMR) sub-segment is also estimated to expand at a significant pace over the forecast period due to increase in application of DMR in various end-use sectors. In terms of application, the public safety segment accounted for a major share of the professional mobile radio market and is estimated to maintain its leading position over the forecast period. Rise in adoption of MRRSE systems in the military and defense sector, fire department, and emergency & medical services sector is expected to propel demand during the forecast period. In terms of application, the public safety sector is one of the most favored application areas of professional mobile radio devices and is evolving steadily due to increase in number of users in various end-use industries.The global professional mobile radio market is expected to expand at a rapid pace during 20182026. North America is anticipated to contribute a significant amount of revenue to the professional mobile radio market during the forecast period due to a large number of existing customers. Asia Pacific is anticipated to follow a similar trend during 20182026. Further, the market in Middle East & Africa is projected to expand at a significant CAGR growth after South America and Asia Pacific.Attracted by this steadily expanding market and underlying demand, many players are driven to invest in the professional mobile radio devices market. System and software developers, integrators, and professional services providers across industries are strengthening their position in the professional mobile radio market. Product innovation and upgrade of research and development are constantly taking place in the professional mobile radio market. For instance, in October 2014, Motorola Solutions introduced MOTOTRBO SL300 digital portable radio, a reliable push-to-talk communication device. Prominent players identified in the professional mobile radio market and profiled in the study include Sepura PLC. , Motorola Solutions, Inc., Harris Corporation, Jvckenwood Corporation, Tait Communications, Codan Radio Communications, Hytera Communications Corporation Limited, and Raytheon Company.For more information about this report visit:About Market Research Reports Search EngineMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY  12207(United State)United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559(Canada)Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Hydraulic Fracturing Market Trends, and Forecast 2014 - 2022

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A new market study, titled Hydraulic Fracturing Market, by Technology (Plug and Perf and Sliding Sleeves) and by Application (Conventional, Shale Gas, and Others) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, and Forecast 2014 - 2022, has been featured on MarketResearchReport.biz.This research study analyzes the market for hydraulic fracturing in terms of volume and revenue. The hydraulic fracturing market has been segmented on the basis of technology, application, and geography. For conducting the research, 2013 has been taken as the base year while all forecasts have been presented for the 20142022 period. Market data for all the segments has been provided at the regional as well as country-specific level for the 20132022 period. The regional segments have been further divided into country level segments, which include the major players in the global hydraulic fracturing market. The report provides a comprehensive competitive landscape and features companies engaged in the hydraulic fracturing business. This report includes the key market dynamics affecting the overall hydraulic fracturing industry globally. The report also provides a detailed industry analysis of the global hydraulic fracturing market with the help of the Porters Five Forces model. The Porters Five Forces analysis aids in understanding the five major forces that affect the industry structure and profitability of the global hydraulic fracturing market. The forces analyzed are the bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat from new entrants, threat from substitutes, and degree of competition.Get the sample copy of this report:The high-level analysis in the report provides detailed insights into the hydraulic fracturing business globally. Major drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the hydraulic fracturing market were analyzed in detail and are illustrated in the report with the help of supporting graphs and tables. There are currently numerous growth drivers for the hydraulic fracturing industry. One of the most prominent drivers is the presence of large unconventional gas reserves for the hydraulic fracturing market. Apart from this, deep-water offshore reserves also boost the demand for hydraulic fracturing technology. Market attractiveness analysis was carried out for the hydraulic fracturing market on the basis of geography. Market attractiveness was estimated on the basis of common parameters that directly impact the market in different regions.The hydraulic fracturing market was further segmented on the basis of technology and application type. Technologies included in this report are plug and perf and sliding sleeves. The application segments of the hydraulic fracturing market are conventional, shale gas, and others (shale oil, tight gas, tight oil, and coal bed methane). The hydraulic fracturing market was analyzed across six geographies: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East, and Africa. Regional data has been provided for each sub-segment of the hydraulic fracturing market. Key market participants in the hydraulic fracturing market include Baker Hughes Inc., Calfrac Well Services Ltd., FTS International, Inc., Halliburton Company, Nabors Industries Ltd., RPC, Inc., Schlumberger Limited, Trican Well Services Limited, United Oilfield Services, Inc., and Weatherford International Ltd. The report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial details, business strategies, and recent developments.Request for complete report TOC:The global hydraulic fracturing market has been segmented as follows:Hydraulic Fracturing Market: Technology AnalysisPlug and PerfSliding SleevesHydraulic Fracturing Market: Application AnalysisConventionalShale gasOthersHydraulic Fracturing Market: Region AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaRest of North AmericaEuropePolandU.K.Rest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaAustraliaRest of Asia PacificSouth AmericaArgentinaBrazilRest of South AmericaMiddle EastOmanSaudi ArabiaRest of Middle EastAfricaAlgeriaNigeriaRest of AfricaMRRbiz supports your business intelligence needs with over 700,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizForecast On Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Market Global Industry Analysis and Trends till 2021

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In computing terminology, virtual desktop is a term used for the interfaces for users. A virtual desktop is a desktop provided to an individual in a virtualized environment. Here the users desktop environment is expanded beyond the physical limits of desktops display area using the virtual desktop software. Various approaches such as switchable virtual desktops and size expansion of existing desktop are used for obtaining virtual desktops. The virtualized desktop offered using virtual desktop infrastructure is stored on a centralized server situated remotely rather than locally on the users system. Desktop virtualization software differentiates the software from the physical machine and presents it as an isolated operating system for users.Virtual desktop infrastructure is a concept where a desktop operating system is hosted within a virtual machine running on a remote server. Virtual desktop infrastructure is a deviation of client-server networking model also referred to as server based computing. In the last few years, some large organizations have turned to virtual desktop infrastructure as an alternative to the traditional server based computing model. This technology is replacing traditional server-client based computing models which were used by Microsoft Terminal and Citrix services.Request Sample Report @Enterprises are looking for solution which can provide more efficient and easier access to business data over their networks. Demand for accessing interfaces from remote locations is one of the major driving factors for global virtual desktop infrastructure market. Furthermore, the global virtual desktop infrastructure market is also witnessing the increasing acceptance of virtual desktop infrastructure applications and solutions using cloud technology. Factors such as increasing complexity of the network infrastructure and huge capital required for the setup of network infrastructure are leading to increased demand for cloud computing services.Along with it, the increasing adoption of handheld devices for enterprise computing and growing data bandwidth support from communication service providers are driving the demand for cloud based services and applications. With the use of cloud based virtual desktop infrastructure applications and enterprise data can be accessed irrespective of users location. As the internet costs are decreasing gradually and internet is emerging as a promising medium for enterprises for accessing data and applications, virtual desktop infrastructure services are provided over the internet. However, virtual desktop infrastructure market needs huge capital investment and this factor is posing a challenge for the growth of this market. Restructuring and redesigning of the enterprise infrastructure to match the demands of virtualization platform involves most of the capital cost.Virtual desktop infrastructure market is segmented on the basis of type of technology and geography. On the basis of technology the market is segmented into switchable virtual desktops and screen size expansion technology. In switchable virtual desktop method the user is offered with multiple virtual copies of their desktops which can be switched as per their need. Further, in screen size expansion technology size of virtual screen is expanded beyond the size of physical viewing device.Request to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @Citrix Systems, Inc., Microsoft Corp., Desktone Inc., LG CNS, Moka5 Inc., Oracle Corporation, Quest Software Inc., Red Hat, Inc., SK Telecom Co. Ltd., VMware, Inc., Korea Telecom Corp., and Unidesk Corporation are some of the major players in virtual desktop infrastructure market.ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Standard Based Communication Servers Market Dynamics, Segments and Supply Demand 2015-2021

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Standard based communications servers are open computing systems that function as a carrier-grade universal platform for an extensive assortment of communications applications. These servers enable the equipment providers customize the system architecture as per the requirement by adding potential value to it. Irrespective of the differentiated features and specification, the standard based communications servers offer attributes such as open platform, carrier grade and flexible. The standard based communications are designed in accordance with the industry standards and provide interoperability with the architecture. Moreover, standard based communications servers offer carrier grade attributes as they provide extended lifecycle support, high availability, and longevity of supply. Additionally, these servers are upgradable without any disruption and offer high speed for real time communication applications to ensure high quality of service.The standard based communication servers offer an introductory platform for building a network infrastructure using the several equipment for applications such as IPTV, wireless broadband and other IP multimedia subsystems. These servers are based on managed industry standards such as Advanced Telecommunication Computing Architecture (ATCA), Advanced Mezzanine Card, Micro Telecommunication Computing Architecture, High Platform Interface (HPI), Carrier Grade Linux and Application Interface Specification (AIS). The Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA) refers to string of specifications by Peripheral Component Interconnect Industrial Computers Manufacturers Group (PICMG), which is developed to meet essential necessities for carrier grade equipment. In addition to these standards, the standard based communication server is governed by different industry associations and vendor alliance programs. The industry associations include SCOPE Alliance and Communication Platforms Trade Associations. The vendor alliance programs include Intel Communications Alliance, Motorola Communications Server Alliance and Mobicents Open Source Communications Community.Request Sample Report @ATCA integrates the latest interconnect technologies, manageability and serviceability, improved reliability and next generation processors. The specifications provided by PICMG for Advanced Mezzanine Card (AMC) identify the base-level necessities for a variety of mezzanine cards that are optimized for ATCA Carriers. AMC enhances ATCAs flexibility by widening bandwidth and provides multi-protocol interface to individual servers. MicroTCA specification is basically a framework for directly combining AMC modules, instead of using an ATCA. Moreover, MicroTCA is designed for smaller equipment for application running on low entry cost, small physical size and high scalability. This framework is primarily used for Wi-Fi, wireless base stations, VoIP access gateways and WiMAX radios.Carrier Grade Linux is basically an enhanced version of Linux that is used by the communication servers to offer high security, high availability, scalability and easy maintenance. HPI and AIS are defined by Service Availability Forum (SA Forum) for telecommunication platform to maintain the availability of communication services. The HPI specifies the interface used between the middleware and the primary hardware and the operating system. The AIS specifies the interface between the application and middleware. Moreover, AIS enables applications to run over a variety of computing modules and provides easy migration between the platforms.The standard based communications servers market is primarily driven by the rising demand for high speed and compatible servers across the communication industry. The progressive and vigorous communication server ecosystem consists of several hardware and software providers, server vendors, standard bodies, vendor alliance programs, industry associations and the end-users.Request to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @Leading players in standard based communication servers market are NEC Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, AltiGen Communications, Inc., Emerson Network Power, Barrcuda Networks, Inc., Fenestrae B.V., Estech Systems, Inc., B Labs, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Siemens Enterprise Communication GmbH, Cisco Systems Inc., Sun Microsystems, Avaya, Inc. and IBM Corporation.ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Leukemia Treatment Market- Market Size, Dynamics, Regional Share, Trends, Competitor Analysis 2013-2017 and Forecast 2018-2024

Leukemia Treatment Market

https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/leukemia-treatment-market/#ulp-4H8Z4LpNMLEuOnnx

https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/leukemia-treatment-market/#ulp-c654SbFYO64MsOhu

https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/leukemia-treatment-market/#ulp-14mlyhjMGhVjZqa3

https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com/market-reports/leukemia-treatment-market/

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Global Leukemia Treatment Market: By Leukemia Type (Chronic Leukemia, Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Acute Leukemia, Acute Lymphatic Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and Others), By Therapy (Chemotherapy, Biological Therapy, Radiation Therapy, Targeted Therapy, and Other), and Geography - Market Estimation, Dynamics, Regional Share, Trends, Competitor Analysis 2013-2017 and Forecast 2018-2024Global leukemia treatment market was valued at US$ XX Mn in 2017 and expected to grow at XX% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2018 to 2024Market Outline: Leukemia Treatment MarketAbnormal white blood cells beginning in the bone marrow of blood forming tissues results in a group of cancers collectively called as Leukemia. Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming tissues in the body. Treatment of leukemia is done by blood transfusion, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, biological therapy, targeted therapy, stem cell transplant. The drugs that are available in the market include the following: Gleevec, Bosulif, Sprycel, Iclusig etc. Bosutinib, omapro, quizartinib, graspa, and marquibo among others are the pipeline drugs under clinical trials yet to be launched with a promising potential to treat leukemia with minimal side effects.Market Dynamics: Leukemia Treatment MarketThe global leukemia treatment market is majorly driven by the increasing prevalance of the disease across the globe. Healthcare awareness among the people and rising research & development activities resulting in recent advancements of technology and therapeutics. The growth rate of global leukemia treatment market also depends on the pipeline drugs which are major growth drivers for global leukemia therapeutics market in near future. The factors restraining the growth of the market include the high price of combination therapies and lack of access in developing and under developed countries.Free sample of this report is available upon request @Market Scope: Leukemia Treatment MarketLeukemia treatment market segmentation based on the leukemia type Chronic leukemiao Chronic Lymphatic Leukemiao Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Acute Leukemiao Acute Lymphatic Leukemiao Acute Myeloid Leukemia OthersLeukemia treatment market segmentation based on therapy type Chemotherapy Biological Therapy Radiation therapy Targeted therapy OtherFree TOC of this report is available upon request @Market Summary: Leukemia Treatment MarketBased on the epidemiological factors, leukemia is forecasted to be more predominant in whites when compared to people of other racial or ethnic groups due to high incidence and mortality rates. Furthermore, exposure to radiation with genetic and environmental factors play a prominent role in increasing the prevalence of leukemia. Generally, men are more likely to develop leukemia than women. The risk of leukemia is majorly associated with age. The occurrence of leukemia is high in men and women aging over 66 years. Adults, both men and women normally aged in between 75 to 84 are more prevalent to the different types of leukemia such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia. The prevalent rate of acute lymphocytic leukemia is high among 1 to 4 year old children and it is nearly eight times more than the young adults aging 20 and 24.Regional Analysis: Leukemia Treatment MarketGeographically, global leukemia treatment market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. Americas leukemia treatment market is growth driven by increase in the prevalence of leukemia. According to NIH the number of new cases of leukemia was 13.7 per 100,000 men and women per year. The number of deaths was 6.8 per 100,000 men and women per year. Almost 1.5 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with leukemia at some point during their lifetime, based on 2012-2014 data. In the year of 2014, there were an estimated 387,728 people living with leukemia in the United States. The government and non-government organizations programs like patient assistance are also expected to fuel the market growth.Ask Analyst for Full Information about this report @Competition Assessment: Leukemia Treatment MarketSome of the players in the global leukemia treatment market include: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Amgen Bristol-Myers Squibb Novartis International AG. Pfizer Teva Pharmaceuticals GlaxoSmithKline plc. Genzyme Corporation AbbVie Inc. ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Get access to full summary @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Contact to Precision Business Insights,Kemp House,152  160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXEmail: sales@precisionbusinessinsights.comToll Free (US):+1-866-598-1553Website @Mobility on Demand Market 2018-2023: Global Key Vendors  Uber Technologies Inc., Delphi Automotive Plc, Denso Corporation, Intel Corporation, Tomtom NV, Robert Bosch Gmbh

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Mobility on Demand Market, By Service (E-hailing), By Vehicle Type (Micro Mobility Vehicles), By Data Service (Information, Payment, Others), By Vehicle Connectivity (Vehicle to Infrastructure, Vehicle to Vehicle) - Global Forecast 2023In mobility on demand market, digitization and mobility is one of significant factor driving the market. The encouraging factors of mobility on demand market includes increased urbanization and changing demographics, declining car ownership and peer to peer transactions. Digital technology supports both upstream and downstream activities of mobility on demand. The cutting- edge technologies such as internet of things, connected vehicles, smartphone technologies and new payment apps is boosting the mobility on demand market. The growing preference for alternative transportation is one of the key factor driving market growth. The study also indicates, cost effective automobiles and young generation demand convenience are the key factors boosting market growth. By data service segment, navigation accounts for highest market share.Get Sample Report @The segmentation on the basis of service includes e-hailing, car sharing, car rental and station based mobility. Station based mobility tool can be used for intermodal connection, such that all modes of transportation can be reached at one location. It enable users by providing information regarding maps, vehicles available in nearby location and booking taxi through RFID cards and display. It provides users with single card for multipurpose operations that includes booking all modes of transportation and combined invoice system by public transportation company.According to Market Research Future Analysis, mobility on demand market has been valued at approximately USD 186 Billion by the end of forecast period with approx. 18% of CAGR during forecast period 2018 to 2023.Market Research Future (MRFR) recognizes the following companies as the key players in the Mobility on Demand Market are- Uber Technologies Inc. (U.S.), Delphi Automotive Plc (U.K.), Denso Corporation (Japan), Intel Corporation (U.S.), Tomtom NV (Netherlands), Robert Bosch Gmbh (Germany), International Business Machines Corp. (U.S.), Didi Chuxing (China), Gett, Inc. (U.S.), Lyft (U.S.), among others.Intended Audience Investors and consultants System Integrators Research/Consultancy firms Technology solution providers IT Solution Providers Original Equipment ManufacturersCommenting on the report, an analyst from Market Research Future (MRFR)s team said:By vehicle connectivity segment, it includes vehicle to vehicle, vehicle to infrastructure, vehicle to pedestrian and vehicle to network connectivity. Vehicle to vehicle communication prevents accident by sending information regarding position and speed data over one another through a mesh network. Vehicle to infrastructure connectivity provides users with real time data about road condition, traffic congestion, construction zones and parking availability.By region, MRFR analysis shows that Asia Pacific region accounts for largest market share inmobility on demand market due to growing population and wide range of customer base. North America region is expected to be one of the fastest growing market owing to increased IT infrastructure and citizens in the region are spending huge amount in automobiles. Countries such as US and Canada are boosting mobility on demand market in the region. Technological advancement and smart city project is creating positive impact on mobility on demand market.Get Report Details @LIST OF TABLESTABLE 1 MOBILITY ON DEMAND MARKET, BY SERVICE,TABLE 2 MOBILITY ON DEMAND MARKET, BY VEHICLE TYPETABLE 3 MOBILITY ON DEMAND MARKET, BY DATA SERVICETABLE 4 MOBILITY ON DEMAND MARKET, BY INTERNET CONNECTIVITYTABLE 5 MOBILITY ON DEMAND MARKET, BY VEHICLE CONNECTIVITYContinuedLIST OF FIGURESFIGURE 1 RESEARCH TYPEFIGURE 2 MOBILITY ON DEMAND MARKET: BY SERVICE (%)FIGURE 3 MOBILITY ON DEMAND MARKET: BY VEHICLE TYPE (%)FIGURE 4 MOBILITY ON DEMAND MARKET: BY DATA SERVICE (%)FIGURE 5 MOBILITY ON DEMAND MARKET: BY INTERNET CONNECTIVITY (%)ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst membersContact:Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comIntellias Reaches 1000-Employee Mark

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On June 4, 2018, Intellias welcomed its 1000th employee. The company is proud to reach such a high bar and sees this number as a new starting point to reaching 2000 people onboard and landing in the top 10 Ukrainian IT companies by headcount. As of today, Intellias has three development centers in Lviv, Kyiv, and Odessa as well as a representative office in Berlin. The 1000th employee will join our Kyiv team.Increased velocity and new Centers of ExcellenceTo keep pace with a growing need for talent on clients projects, our recruiters have recently increased hiring velocity and have been closing nearly 100 job openings per month. Intellias also aims to maximize retention with a targeted turnover rate of just 10%, which is below the industry average.Intellias continues to grow at an accelerated pace while keeping this growth sustainable and achieving outstanding employee satisfaction. In line with this strategy, the company promotes professional development by establishing Centers of Excellence to grow both technical expertise and niche knowledge across industries. These newly established Centers of Excellence will:Accumulate industry-specific expertise to help us provide services efficiently, solve non-trivial tasks, and shorten time-to-marketAllow us to provide both internal and external consulting services, applying a discovery phase to provide additional value for our clientsStrengthen our talent acquisition by finding top talent for our current and potential clients with targeted hiring initiativesBoost professional development by cultivating and scaling expertise in key areas through supporting the community with professional development servicesSupport the wider community with events, meetups, and tech talksIntellias has grown by 450% from 2014 to 2018 in terms of production capacity and has built strong expertise in the automotive, LBS, FinTech, energy management, and eLearning industries. For now, Intellias is the fastest-growing top 50 IT company in Ukraine, with a 49% compound annual growth rate. Combining hiring efforts with the development of internal processes helps Intellias keep this tempo and propels us toward our next milestones.Press release:Intellias is a software engineering company with nearshore development centers in the Ukrainian cities of Lviv, Kyiv, and Odessa. The company has 15 years of experience in the DACH and Benelux countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. KPMG has highlighted Intellias as one of the leading IT-BPO providers in Lviv. Intellias has also been recognized by Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in Europe.7D Naukova St.,Lviv,Ukraine79060Website:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Global Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate Market Investigation and Growth Forecasted Until the End of 2025

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Sodium cocoyl glycinate, referred to as glycinate, is an amino acid based mild surfactant derived from natural coco fatty acid and amino acid glycine. It is available in powdered and liquid forms. The mildness and attributes of glycinate favor its usage in hair shampoo, skin care, body wash, and shaving cream. Sodium cocoyl glycinate is primarily used to manufacture sulfate-free products. The global sodium cocoyl glycinate market is expected to expand at a significant pace during the forecast period driven by the increase in demand for sulfate-free products. The Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate Market was valued at US$ 55 Mn in 2016 and is projected to expand at CAGR of around 5.0% during the forecast period.Ask for Sample Copy @Rise in demand for sulfate-free products, development in application of mild surfactants, and advancement in manufacturing technologies are anticipated to drive the demand for sodium cocoyl glycinate. The trend of using sulfate-free products has prompted manufacturers to develop new-generation mild water-soluble sulfate-free surfactants. Increase in awareness about such products through advertisements has boosted the demand for shampoos, body wash, face wash, and cleansers. Rise in consumer awareness about raw materials used in personal care products is also estimated to fuel the demand for sodium cocoyl glycinate. Emergence of sustainable manufacturing technologies for developing mild surfactants to meet the demand of the ever-increasing population is also projected to propel the market. The usage of sodium cocoyl glycinate in cosmetic products is anticipated to increase during the forecast period, as it possesses chemical properties such as high lather formation and minimum cleanser-induced damage to the skin. However, complexity in processing and high cost of manufacturing are anticipated to hamper the sodium cocoyl glycinate market during the forecast period.Key players operating in the sodium cocoyl glycinate market need to focus on the promotion of sodium cocoyl glycinate, as it is superior surfactant that causes low damage to the skin as compared to other sulfate containing products. Emergence of new manufacturing technology, which follows the principles of green chemistry, is likely to augment the production and demand for sodium cocoyl glycinate in the near future.Major players operating in the sodium cocoyl glycinate market have adopted product differentiation as their key strategy to expand their network and maintain market share. For instance, Ajinomoto Omnichem S.A., a leading company that operates as Amino Science division dealing in sodium cocoyl glycinate, differentiates its products on the basis of quality. Prominent players use patented manufacturing technology for the production of sodium cocoyl glycinate. Companies based in the Europe and North America face strong price competition from companies in China. Most companies focus on sodium cocoyl glycinate in the liquid form, which is used in various personal care products. Just a few manufacturers offer sodium cocoyl glycinate in the powder form.The report segments the global sodium cocoyl glycinate market as follows:Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate Market, by FormSolid/PowderLiquidSodium Cocoyl Glycinate Market, by ApplicationHair CareShampooConditionerSkin CareSoaps & CleansersMoisturizerOthersSodium Cocoyl Glycinate Market, by RegionNorth AmericaS.CanadaEuropeGermanyFranceK.ItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanASEANRest of Asia PacificLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaExplore Full Report Description with TOC @Key TakeawaysWidespread analysis of the sodium cocoyl glycinate market trends and value shares from 2017 to 2025 to analyze and track market opportunities and industry developmentsOutline of key factors responsible for constructing the upcoming opportunistic roadmap for the sodium cocoyl glycinate market at a global, regional, and country levelComprehensive study with respect to SWOT analysis that would impact the outlook of the global sodium cocoyl glycinate market between 2017 and 2025Insights into market opportunities for various stakeholders in the value chain and a detailed competition landscape for key players dominating the industry to understand competition levelPorters Five Forces highlighting the efficiency of buyers and suppliers and enabling stakeholders to make profit-oriented business decisionsList of potential clientele and their procurement volumes providing lucrative opportunities for new market entrantsEffective study of manufacturing process of sodium cocoyl glycinate for future business development, product development, and market diversification opportunitiesAbout Market Research Reports Search EngineMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY  12207(United State)United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559(Canada)Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Wound Biofilm Therapeutics Market: Global Market Estimation, Dynamics, Regional Share, Trends, Competitor Analysis 2013 to 2017 and Forecast 2018 to 2024

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Market Outline: Global Wound Biofilm Therapeutics MarketWound biofilm therapeutics are used to combat the wound biofilms that are a type of infection made up of living microorganisms by forming colonies. These are caused by various species such as fungi, bacteria, yeast, algae, and other microorganisms. Biofilm is formed when microbes attached themselves to surface of wounds by secreting gummy substance. Formation of biofilms leads to chronic infection and non-healing wounds. Wound biofilms occurs on the chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure or decubitus ulcers, and surgical site infections. Most of the market players are focused on the R&D activities for the innovation of newer platforms to cure the wound biofilms. For instance,Free sample of this report is available upon request @ A Washington State University research team successfully used mild current to beat drug-resistant bacterial infection, that may use to treat chronic wounds. Soring GmbH developed Ultrasonic-Assisted Wound Debridement (UAW) that uses the cavitation effect. The ultrasonic vibrations of UAW generates the cavitation bubbles in irrigation solution. Strong sonic shock waves or microjets are developed due to implode of cavitation bubbles that disrupts the wound biofilms by removing the devitalized tissue and foreign bodies ProclaRx developed a new platform that cure the wound biofilms by binding of antibody to proteins in bacterial biofilms. The ProclaRx biologic pulls the protein out of biofilm matrix leads to causing the matrix fall apart and exposed bacteria can be eradicated. Company developing the antibody used as a topical adjunct in the treatment of secretory otitis media and patients with CVID chronic sinusitis. Integrated Healing Technologiess received FDA 510 (k) clearance for its patented NewEra REVA negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system that incorporates hypochlorous acid wound wash, OhaseOne that is 80-100 times more effective than Dakins Solution and shows in-vitro to disrupt bacterial biofilmsFree TOC of this report is available upon request @Key Features of the Report: The report covers exhaustive regional information, that includes North America (The USA and Canada), Europe (Germany, France, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia, Poland and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia & New Zealand, ASEAN (Includes Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, and Others), South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, and Rest of Latin America), and Middle East and Africa (Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries, Israel, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East and Africa) The report provides granular level information about the market size, regional market share, historic market (2013-2017) and forecast (2018-2024) The report covers in-detail insights about the competitors overview, company share analysis, key market developments, and their key strategies The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the market The report tracks recent innovations, key developments and startups details that are actively working in the market The report provides a plethora of information about market entry strategies, regulatory framework and reimbursement scenari0Ask Analyst for Full Information about this report @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Contact to Precision Business Insights,Kemp House,152  160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXEmail: sales@precisionbusinessinsights.comToll Free (US):+1-866-598-1553Website @China Automotive Air Intake Manifold Market 2018 - Mahle, Sogefi

China Automotive Air Intake Manifold Market

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The China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market 2018 delivers detailed prognosis on current and forecast market situation of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market in the assessment period, 2018-2025 based on the markets growth history, sales channel, and manufacturers in the China Automotive Air Intake Manifold industry. The report also reveals market share of product type, application and scope of a region in detail. The China Automotive Air Intake Manifold report also consists of key drivers and limiting factors affecting the market growth, change in industry trends or challenges faced by China Automotive Air Intake Manifold manufacturers during forecast years.Request for the sample copy of report :As per the report, the China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market is expected to grow to XX.XX billion USD by the year 2025 with a CAGR growth of XX.XX%. The values have been derived through historical data from 2013 to 2018 as well as exhaustive study of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market concentration ratio, segments of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market, industry chain structure, and regional China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market size and price analysis.The report includes objectives of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold research, definition and specifications followed by a detailed section on China Automotive Air Intake Manifold industry scope and size evaluation, which includes region-wise China Automotive Air Intake Manifold production value and the historical CAGR growth from 2013 to 2018. This exhaustive study gives China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market concentration ratio and capability of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold business.Competition Landscape of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold Market:MahleMANN+HUMMELSogefiAisin SeikiMagneti MarelliKeihinToyota BoshokuNovaresSMGRoechlingAisan IndustryAtlasMikuniInziBOYIThe research report provides a competitive analysis of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market and key market players operating in a market. The report also delivers information about leading companies involved in China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market. The information is in the form of company description, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold product picture and specification, key financials details like (annual revenue, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold production and sales values), SWOT analysis of the companies, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold business strategic overview and their key developments. The report also provides of current market standings of leading companies in the China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market.China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingCompany 1Company 2Inquire before buying :Segmentation of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold Market:Key sections of the report provide China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market share and revenue comparison based on product type, applications and regions for the assessment period 2013 to 2017 and China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market values up to 2022.On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoType 1Type 2On the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingApplication 1Application 2The report explores China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market across key regions like North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and others. Key points covered in the report are region-wise China Automotive Air Intake Manifold production techniques and value, consumption, export, import, growth rate from 2013 to 2018, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market status and SWOT analysis.TOC of report gives the overall structure of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market report:Chapter 1: China Automotive Air Intake Manifold Market Outline (Key points covered objective study, definition, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market size and growth rate estimation from 2012-2022, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market concentration ratio, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market segmentation by product types, applications and regions).Chapter 2: China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market dynamics (Study of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market drivers, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold industry emerging countries, limitations, opportunities, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold industry news and policies by regions).Chapter 3: Industry Chain Analysis (China Automotive Air Intake Manifold suppliers and buyers information, manufacturing base, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold production process and cost structure analysis, labor cost, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market channel analysis).Chapter 4, 5 and 6 describe China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market value ($), production, consumption, price and gross margin, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold growth rate and market share by product type (2013-2018).Chapter 7 and 8 describe China Automotive Air Intake Manifold production, consumption, export, import by regions, China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market status and SWOT analysis by regions (2013-2018).Chapter 9: Competitive Landscape of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market includes product introduction, Company profile, value ($), price, gross margin 2013-2018.Chapter 10: China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market analysis and forecast by type of product, application and topographical regions from (2018-2023).Chapter 11: China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market value ($) and volume forecast (2018-2023).The last chapter of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold report lists various abbreviations, data sources (primary and secondary sources), database repositories of China Automotive Air Intake Manifold market and assumptions made. new project feasibility analysis, research finding and conclusion.About UsApex Market Reports offers elevating market research globally. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different categories. Apex Market Reports provides you to best services, weather youre searching for new trends in market or competitive scenario in emerging market.Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezCorporate Sales Specialist155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Phone: +17739042683Email id - sales@apexmarketreports.comWebsite -Athletes Foot Treatment Market to Exhibit Impressive Growth During 2026

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Athletes foot (Tinea pedis) is a fungal infection, caused by different types of fungi including Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, and Microsporum. The athlete's foot fungus attacks the keratin rich tissues such as skin, nail, and hair. These fungus dwell there because these have enzymatic ability to decompose keratin. Keratin is a fibrous structural protein that is primarily found in nail, hair, and outer layers of human skin. Moreover, these fungus need warm and moist environment for survival and growth. These are commonly found in shower areas of swimming pools and gym. Athletes foot is a contagious disease, which can easily spread through contact with infected individuals. Common symptoms of tinea pedis are itching, red blisters between the toes or on the sole, and dry flaky skin on the feet.Request Brochure for Detailed Analysis @Athletes foot infection can be diagnosed by detecting the disease symptoms, clinical testing, and a skin lesion potassium hydroxide (KOH) examination. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) examination is the most common test for athletes foot. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) destroys the normal cells and leaves the fungal cells undamaged, so that these are easily observed under a microscope. Prevalence of athletes foot is higher among in men because they are more exposed to nail trauma due to usage of occlusive footwear. Presently, athletes foot affects over 15% of the global population. Athletes foot is often treated with over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medications such as miconazole, terbinafine, clotrimazole, tolnaftate, and butenafine. In March 1999, terbinafine hydrochloride (Lamisil) was the first drug approved for athletes foot treatment.Increase in awareness about fungal infections and rise in incidence of such infections across the world are projected to drive the global athletes foot (tinea pedis) treatment market during the forecast period. Additionally, continuously increasing unhygienic environment in populated cities of the world and popularity of over-the-counter antifungal drugs for dermal infection are anticipated to drive the global athletes foot (tinea pedis) treatment market in the near future. However, side effects of antifungal drugs such as allergic reactions over the skin, liver damage, and increase in resistance developed by fungi are likely to restrain the global athletes foot (tinea pedis) treatment market.Enquire for Discount @The global athletes foot (tinea pedis) treatment market can be segmented based on drug class, route of administration, distribution channel, and region. In terms of drug class, the global market can be categorized into antifungals antibiotics, steroids, and others. Based on route of administration, the global athletes foot (tinea pedis) treatment market can be bifurcated into topical antifungals and oral antifungals. In terms of distribution channel, the global market can be divided into online pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and hospital pharmacies.Geographically, the global athletes foot (tinea pedis) treatment market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to account for the largest share of the global market because of major players concentrated in the U.S. resulting in extensive research and development for developing better drugs. Europe is expected to be the second largest market for athletes foot (tinea pedis) treatment during the forecast period, due to rise in prevalence of fungal infection and increase in awareness about new treatment options. The athletes foot (tinea pedis) treatment market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand rapidly during the forecast period. Growth of the market in the region can be attributed to increase in awareness about personal hygiene and better access to health care.Request TOC of the Report for Complete Review @Key players operating in the global athletes foot (tinea pedis) treatment market are Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Quinnova Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cardinal Health, Novartis AG, Merck & Co, Inc., Bayer Healthcare LLC, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pfizer, Inc., Medimetriks Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, and Johnson and Johnson Healthcare.About UsTransparency 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.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Expansion of Synthetic Lysosomal Enzymes Market During 2018 - 2026 to Gain Robust Traction

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Lysosomal enzymes are enzymes or catalysts that naturally occur in the body and help in performing different metabolic processes. Lysosomal enzymes help break down large molecules and other ingredients that are taken up by cells to perform different functions of the body. The nuclear gene controls the synthesis of lysosomal enzymes. Deficit of lysosomal enzymes due to genetic mutation causes many complications such as storage disease, which can affect growth and development of an organ and lead to organ faliure. During the last two decades, there has been research and development in the field of artificial genetic material. There have been advancements in the treatment of lysosomal storage disorder due to development of various therapeutic approaches such as enzyme replacement therapy, development of synthetic enzymes, etc.Request Brochure for Detailed Analysis @Based on disease condition, the global synthetic lysosomal enzymes market can be categorized into neuromuscular metabolic disorder, thrombocytopenia disorder, storage disorder (liver enlargement, etc.), and others. The storage disorder segment is likely to expand at a significant pace during the forecast period, as the incidence of storage disorders such as liver enlargement is quite high, and most doctors prefer to use synthetic lysosomal enzymes to treat these disorders. In terms of drug, the global synthetic lysosomal enzymes market can be classified into imiglucerase, alglucosidase alfa, lyronidase, idursulfase, and others. The imiglucerase segment is expected to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period, because imiglucerase is a man-made enzyme and most doctors prefer to use it in replacement therapy, which is effective in treating enzymatic disorders. Based on distribution channel, the global synthetic lysosomal enzymes market can be classified into hospital pharmacies, medical stores, and online pharmacies. The hospital pharmacies segment is likely to expand at a significant pace during the forecast period. Patients prefer hospital pharmacies as synthetic lysosomal enzymes drugs should be given under strict supervision.Rise in geriatric population, which is more likely to suffer from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is one of the major factors fueling the global synthetic lysosomal enzymes market. Moreover, high prevalence of thrombocytopenia disorder is also projected to drive the market during the forecast period. However, side effects associated with synthetic enzymes such as breathing problems, swelling of the lips, and itching are likely to hamper the market in the next few years.Enquire for Discount @In terms of region, the global synthetic lysosomal enzymes market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America dominates the global market. The region is projected to account for a significant share of the global market during the forecast period, due to rise in the prevalence of metabolic muscular disorders. In Europe, the rise in the geriatric population and the prevalence of Gauchers disease are projected to drive the market. Rise in the prevalence of muscular dystrophy disorder and awareness about the effects of lysosomal storage disorders in countries such as India, the Philippines, and Singapore are likely to fuel the market in Asia Pacific during the forecast period. Rise in awareness about the harmful effects of lysosomal storage disorders and high diagnosis rates are likely to augment the synthetic lysosomal enzymes market in Middle East & Africa during the forecast period.Key players operating in the global synthetic lysosomal enzymes market are Genzyme Corporation, BioMarin, Pfizer, Inc., Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Shire plc among others.Request TOC of the Report for Complete Review @About UsTransparency 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.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Immunochemicals Market to Witness Considerable Upsurge During 2018 - 2026

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Immunochemicals are used to analyze various reactions and components of molecular mechanism. They are quality products with high specificity and selectivity and are developed for a wide range of applications in medical, pharmaceutical, and life science research. Immunochemicals are used in drug discovery, therapeutics, imaging, assay components, and as a research tools. They are also used to develop personalized medicine and protein therapeutics and to identify new targets to treat various chronic diseases.Request Brochure for Detailed Analysis @The global immunochemicals market is projected to expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period owing to increasing research and development initiatives, rise in government funding in drug discovery and proteomic research, increase in incidence of chronic diseases, and rise in collaboration between industries and research institutes. Furthermore, increase in demand for personalized medicine and protein therapeutics, increased focus on drugs safety and efficacy, and identification of new targets for disease treatment are likely to boost the expansion of the market. However, high cost and stringent regulatory environment are factors restraining the global immunochemicals market.The global immunochemicals market can be segmented based on research area, application, end-user, and geography. Based on research area, the global immunochemicals market can be classified into autoimmune diseases, oncology, neurology, infectious diseases, metabolic diseases, and others. The infectious diseases segment, followed by the oncology segment, is expected to expand during forecast period owing a large patient base, increase in demand for targeted therapy, and rising research and development expenditure. In terms of application, the global immunochemical market can be segmented into drug discovery & development, proteomics, and genomics.The proteomic segment is expected to account for a prominent share of the market due to utilization of proteomic-based approaches in cancer profiling and biomarker detection and availability of funds from various research organizations. Based on end-user, the global immunochemical market can be divided into pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies, academic and research institutes, and others. The pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies segment is expected to hold significant share during the forecast period due to higher uptake of immunochemicals in the new drug discovery and development process.Enquire for Discount @In terms of geography, the global immunochemicals market can be categorized into North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. The market in North America is anticipated to be dominant, followed by Europe. Increasing incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases, well-established health care infrastructure, presence of a large number of biopharmaceutical companies and research institutes, increased research and development expenditure, higher adoption of advanced technologies, and higher health care spending are likely to propel the expansion of the global immunochemicals market in North America and Europe. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a high CAGR during the forecast period. The expansion is expected to be driven by presence of a large patient base suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis in India and China, increasing demand for personalized medicine, increased government initiatives toward improving health, and developing health care infrastructure. The immunochemicals market in Latin America and Middle East & Africa is anticipated to expand during the forecast period, owing to increase in investments from major market players in these regions.Leading players in the global immunochemicals market include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Rockland Immunochemicals Inc., Advanced ImmunoChemical, Inc., Immundiagnostik AG, LGC Biosearch Technologies, Becton, Dickinson and Company, LAMPIRE Biological Laboratories, Inc., Antibodies Inc., and Agilent Technologies.Request TOC of the Report for Complete Review @About UsTransparency 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.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Key Insights and Future Prospects of Polymer-based Drug Delivery Systems Market 2018 - 2026

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Polymers have played an essential role in advanced drug delivery systems by providing controlled release of drugs in constant doses over long periods. In recent decades, polymers have been widely used in biomedical applications, due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, use of polymers as carriers for drug delivery faces certain major challenges such as complexities in the synthesis and characterization. The polymer-based drug delivery is an important area in the biopharmaceutical industry, wherein a linear or branched-chain polymer is covalently linked to a drug, protein, or antibody. Conjugation of polymers to these therapeutics is carried out to improve pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of these therapeutics. This is achieved in various ways such as increased plasma half-life, protection of the drug from proteolytic enzymes, enhanced stability of proteins, and enhanced solubility of low-molecular-weight drugs.Request Brochure for Detailed Analysis @A majority of polymer conjugates are designed as anticancer treatments. Diseases other than cancer including diabetes mellitus, hepatitis B and C, and rheumatoid arthritis have also been targeted. Polymer drug conjugates, wherein the low-molecular-weight drug is often an anticancer and polymeric carrier such as HPMA copolymer, are conjugated. For example, paclitaxel with low solubility is covalently linked to bis polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dendritic polyamidoamine. Both polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyamidoamine increase the solubility of paclitaxel. In polymer protein conjugate, peptide and protein are covalently conjugated to polyethylene glycol to improve pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics properties of protein. Polyethylene glycol is preferred, as it is approved by the FDA; it is hydrophilic in nature, and it increases the blood circulation time of proteins. In addition, polymer-drug or polymer-protein conjugates, polymeric micelles is a promising area of polymer therapeutics due to several advantages. These include easy conjugation, high drug-loading capacity in the hydrophobic core, active targeting, and rapid circular uptake by cells due to their nano-size characteristics.Increase in research and development activities in the field of nanotechnology to develop innovative nano-medicines, widening pipeline of products, favorable research scenario, and rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes mellitus are projected to drive the global polymer-based drug delivery systems market during the forecast period. However, high costs incurred for development of medicines and stringent regulatory scenario are likely to hamper the market during the forecast period.Enquire for Discount @The global polymer-based drug delivery systems market can be categorized based on polymer type, releasing pattern, manufacturing technique, distribution channel, and region. Based on polymer type, the market can be categorized into natural polymers (such as cellulose, starch), semi-synthetic polymers (such as cellulose derivatives), and synthetic polymers (such as polyethene, polyester). Based on releasing pattern, the global polymer-based drug delivery systems market can be segmented into diffusion-controlled systems, externally triggered systems, chemically controlled (biodegradable) systems, and solvent-activated systems. Based on manufacturing technique, the market can be divided into compression technique, spray technique, dip-coating technique, and encapsulation technique. Based on distribution channel, the global polymer-based drug delivery systems market can be segmented into online pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and hospital pharmacies.Geographically, the global polymer-based drug delivery systems market can be segregated into five regions: North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America held the largest share of the global market in 2016, with the U.S. accounting for a major share in the market in North America. This can be attributed to high adoption of polymer-based drug delivery systems in various industries in the country. The polymer-based drug delivery systems market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand rapidly during the forecast period. Growth of the market in the region can be attributed to rising prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing investments by key companies in R&D in the region. Moreover, countries in Asia account for more than 60% of the worlds diabetic population and polymer-based drug delivery systems are increasingly required for the management of diabetes and related disorders.Request TOC of the Report for Complete Review @Key players operating in the global polymer-based drug delivery systems market are Medtronic plc, Allergan plc, Pfizer, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Merck & Co., Inc., Indevus pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Halozyme Therapeutics, GlaxoSmithKline plc, and Merck Millipore.About UsTransparency 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.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Vacuum Assist Biopsy System Market Key Growth Drivers 2016 - 2024

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Vacuum Assist Biopsy System Market: OverviewIn a Biopsy procedure tissue samples are taken for study and diagnosis of the suspicious lesions in the for cytology or histopathology studies. Breast biopsies are done through various techniques like Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy, Core Needle Biopsy and Surgical Biopsies. Among which Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsies are the conventional ones. In case of Core Needle Biopsies tissue samples are collected through the core of the needle, this technique is currently used at many places. Vacuum Assist Biopsy is a type of core needle biopsy which uses Vacuum for collection of tissue sample. In Vacuum Assisted Biopsy the needle is introduced percutaneous to the lesion sight either by stereotactic or image assisted (Ultrasound or MRI) approach. Due to the clinical advantages of this technique for the sampling of nodular lesions, better samples combined with least procedure time, non-invasive, less scaring for patient Vacuum Assist Biopsy is gaining acceptance among the physicians. In this procedure the probe / core needle is inserted through skin under image assistance or stereotactic guidance to the lesion. One it reaches the lesion vacuum is applied which draws the lesion / tissue inside the core, after which the cutting device cuts it from the breast tissue by rotation. By repeating these steps multiple tissue samples could be collected. On required sample collection, radiologist / physician can take out the probe/needle and a small bandage can be placed on the insertion site. This procedure doesnt need a sterile setup and is performed under local anesthesia. Due to the availability of large core probes/needles these systems are finding the place in removal of small benign lumps and resection of palpable or non-palpable breast lesions.Get PDF Brochure of Report:Global Market for Vacuum Assist Biopsy Systems can be segmented based on the technique used for Guiding or Positioning Technique, End User and Geography:Segmentation based on Guiding TechniqueStereotactic Vacuum Assist Biopsy SystemImage Guided Vacuum Assist Biopsy SystemSegmentation Based on End UserHospitalsClinicsDiagnostic CentersPositioning and guiding of the probe / needle is the critical stage in any biopsy technique and for Vacuum Assist Biopsy it needs a skillful user. Based on the guiding technique these can be categorized into Stereotactic Vacuum Assist Biopsy Systems and Image Guided Vacuum Assist Biopsy System. For Stereotactic systems mammography is used as a reference for positioning the probe whereas image guided systems could be based on Ultrasound imaging or MRI. Among them Ultrasound guided systems are getting widely used and are having large acceptance in future. Due to some limitations like short availability of the procedure period window, difficulty in accessing the far lesions MRI guided systems got set back but with new developments they are getting acceptance for specialized procedures which are not possible with stereotactic and US guided techniques.Get TOC of The Report:As this procedure is non-invasive and is undertaken with local anesthesia, it doesnt need a complete sterile environment and so can be done in mini operating rooms or physicians office where the MRI Guided Vacuum Assist Biopsy System is a limitation. Due to the shorter procedure time and less complications involved these procedures are done on day care basis also. Based on the End Users the market can be segmented into Hospitals, Clinics and Diagnostic Centers.On the basis of regional presence, global Vacuum Assist Biopsy Systems market is segmented into five key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Breast Cancer counts 25% of the lethal cancers female population face and overall it contributes to around 12% of the cancer cases in a year globally. In America it is estimated that around 12% of the female population with have the breast cancer in their lifetime. In UK and Belgium around 15% of breast cancer cased are diagnosed every year. As per studies females of age more than 45 Years are susceptible to breast cancer or some breast disease. Asia Pacific region comprising countries like Indian and Chine are among the most potential markets after North America and Europe due to growing population with mid or old age and rising awareness for healthcare.Some of the major players in global Vacuum Assist Biopsy System market are C.R. Bard Inc. Devicor Medical Products Inc.(Leica Biosystems), Hologic Inc., Etc.Get Discount About UsTransparency 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.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Guidewires Market Forecast 2018-2025 : Terumo Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, B. Braun, Johnson & Johnson, Stryker Corporation, Olympus Corporation

Guidewires Market

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The latest report, Guidewires market enables stakeholders to gain insights into their potential consumers to construct more effective marketing strategies for the forecast period, 2018 to 2025. With an exclusive coverage of the top vendors, the study enables business owners to know more about the local market and locate potential consumers.Now you can download the FREE Sample Copy of Guidewires Market spread across 155 PAGES, profiling 15 companies and supported with Tables & Figures is now available at @Market Segment on the basis of Top Manufacturers - Medtronic, Boston Scientific, C.R. Bard, Terumo Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, B. Braun, Johnson & Johnson, Stryker Corporation, Olympus Corporation, Angiodynamics, Cardinal Health, Merit Medical Systems, Teleflex, Cook Group, Asahi InteccThe research further examines and provides data on the market by type, application and geography interspersed with illustrations and other graphical representations. The market analysis not only determines the attractiveness of the industry but also the evolving challenges and opportunities and their association with the weaknesses and strengths of prominent market leaders. Most importantly, the document empowers business owners to seek information about potential consumers and where they can find them. Apart from this, the literature sheds light on how major vendors operating in the Guidewires market are making the best use of their marketing campaigns.Order a copy @Market Segment on the basis of Type, the report covers: Nitinol Guidewires Stainless Steel Guidewires Hybrid GuidewiresMarket Segment on the basis of application, the report covers: Hospitals Ambulatory Care Centers Research Laboratories & Academic InstitutesKey Topics Covered: Guidewires Market Overview Global Guidewires Market Competition by Manufacturers Global Guidewires Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018) Global Guidewires Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018) Global Guidewires Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type Global Guidewires Market Analysis by Application Global Guidewires Manufacturers Profiles/AnalysisComplete report is available now at@The study segments the complete Guidewires market on the basis of different application, end-use, end-user, and production capability. From a business standpoint, the industry has been thoroughly examined across various countries located in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and others. The size of the industry for the forecast period 2018 - 2025 is evaluated on the basis of current sales figures and past financial report can be used to forecast the future sales.About US:Planning to invest in market intelligence products or offerings on the web? Then marketexpertz has just the thing for you - reports from over 500 prominent publishers and updates on our collection daily to empower companies and individuals catch-up with the vital insights on industries operating across different geography, trends, share, size and growth rate. There's more to what we offer to our customers. With marketexpertz you have the choice to tap into the specialized services without any additional charges.Contact US:40 Wall St. 28th floor New York CityNY 10005 United Statessales@marketexpertz.com+1-800-819-3052VANTAiO BECOMES OFFICIAL RESELLER FOR EGNYTE

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Positive start to a partnership with promising prospects for the future: VANTAiO, the SAP-based portal solutions specialist and Californian specialist in intelligent document management software, Egnyte, have announced their collaboration. In a joint meeting in Mainz, the foundation was laid for the strategic cooperation between the two SAP partners. VANTAiO becomes a reseller and main contact for Egnyte software in Germany and the DACH region.Egnyte is an ideal complement to the VANTAiO ready-to-run modular system for SAP portals: Enterprise File Sharing is a centralized document management software that enables secure management and shared use of files, regardless of location and the device used. A clear focus is on security  with Egnyte, the IT manages centrally where files are stored and who has access to them  without compromising productivity.Egnyte Enterprise File Sharing integrates seamlessly with the SAP technologies SAP NetWeaver and SAP Cloud Platform, providing the SAP Enterprise Portal customers who have previously relied on SAP NetWeaver and Knowledge Management (KM) for document management with a modern and comprehensive solution in the SAP Cloud Platform. On account of all these reasons, Egnyte is an additional player in the SAP market for document management software and an alternative to the existing Enterprise Content Managenment (ECM) solutions.Ronen Vengosh, VP of Platform & Ecosystem, Egnyte: "We are very excited to move to the next stage of our journey with VANTAiO. We are very proud to be working with their organization as we roll out the integration between Egnyte and SAP. We look forward to sharing our new integration with customers worldwide, providing a seamless workflow that is second to none."The joint offering of Egnyte and VANTAiO, which is clearly focused on the SAP Cloud Platform, gives customers the ability to set up highly professional file sharing systems in the cloud. In addition to this innovative software solution, VANTAiO offers migration services from the on-premise platform to the cloud.Stefan Bohlmann, Managing Director VANTAiO: "Right now, in times of ever-increasing importance of the SAP Cloud, the topic of Security and Document Management is elementary. Egnyte as a competent partner completes our portfolio perfectly."ABOUT EGNYTE:Egnyte transforms the business world with the help of intelligent software solutions that enable companies to connect, protect and release the full value of their content. The Egnyte Connect and Egnyte Protect solutions enable smart collaboration and content management in the cloud or on-premises for a wide range of companies worldwide, including heavily regulated industries. Founded in 2007, Egnyte is an owner-managed company headquartered in Mountain View, California. Investors include venture capital firms such as Google Ventures and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, as well as technology partners such as CenturyLink and Seagate Technology.ABOUT VANTAiO:VANTAiO is a software manufacturer of flexibly adaptable complete portal solutions based on SAP. Simple, attractive and ready to use  that is the requirement for all VANTAiO software products.Based on our modular system, we deliver preconfigured portal solutions for your business purpose: Whether Digital Workplace, HR Portal, Reporting Portal, Extranet Portal or Employee App, VANTAiO portal solutions are characterized by a very high degree of ease of use and practicality. Thanks to the ready-to-run approach VANTAiO significantly reduces project duration and costs. A team of experts is behind the VANTAiO software products with many years of experience in software development with SAP.Our products meet the requirements of the latest enterprise IT and excellent user experience. Acceptance is achieved only in this way and daily use becomes value. Join us in reaching the next dimension of corporate portals.VANTAiO  CHECK-IN TO A NEW PORTAL DIMENSIONStephanie RudenauerVANTAiO GmbH & Co. KGRheinstr. 4H55116 MainzGermanyTel: +49 6131 62228-0Chemical Pulp Market to Undertake Strapping Growth by the End 2020

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Global Chemical Pulp Market: OverviewChemical pulps are man-made fiber of cellulose that are at the backbone of the paper industry, finding application in the production of printing and writing paper via white pulps, whereas brown pulp is used to manufacture packaging paper and paperboard. The superior quality of paper can also be produced from chemical pulping, utilizing programs such as deposit control, washing, cooking, and bleaching. Owing to its usefulness, the demand in the global chemical pulp market is expected to escalate at a robust rate during the forecast period of 2016 to 2024.View Report Preview:This report on the global chemical pulp market offers comprehensive analysis of all the major factors that will favor or challenge the growth of the demand in the near future. Prepared using proven research methodologies, the report aspires to serve as a dependable decision-making document for the stakeholders of the chemical pulp market. A number of leading vendors operating in the chemical pulp market have also been profiled in the report in order to represent the competitive landscape, and highlight the opportunities of new entrants.Application-wise, the global chemical pulp market can be segmented into paper and board production and textile. Based on product type, the market can be categorized into white, brown, and specialty. On the basis of processing method, the market can be bifurcated into sulfite pulp process and sulfate pulp process. Geographically, the report takes stock of all the important regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.Global Chemical Pulp Market: Trends & OpportunitiesThe prosperity of packaging industry is having a pied piper effect on the global chemical pulp market. With rapid urbanization and flourishing ecommerce, the demand for packaged items has escalated in the recent past and the trend is expected to continue throughout the forecast period, providing traction to the chemical pulp market. The sectors that primarily utilize chemical pulp produced paper packaging are pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and personal care. Chemical pulp are also used to manufacture nano cellulose. Specialty pulp find application in the textile industry and in the production of hygiene products.Relative ease of production, easy access to raw materials, efficient production, and growing number of large-scale producers are some of the other factors that are expected to augment the demand in the global chemical pulp market. On the other hand, volatility of raw materials and growing popularity of substitutes such as synthetic paper is expected to hinder the growth rate of the market during the forecast period.Global Chemical Pulp Market: Regional OutlookVast populated countries such as India and China serve the maximum demand from Asia Pacific, which is the most lucrative region for the vendors in the chemical pulp market. Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Philippines are also emerging into profitable country-wide markets in Asia Pacific market for chemical pulp. Personal care and hygiene products pose the maximum demand for chemical pulp coming from North America and Europe, as these products do not pose any environmental concerns.Request to view Sample Report:Companies mentioned in the research reportThe global chemical pulp market is marked by the presence of both small and large players. In order to gain ground over their competitors, prominent players constantly invest in research and development activities to produce products of improved quality as well as promote their products to targeted customers. Dow Chemical Co., AkzoNobel NV, Clariant International AG, SNF Floerger, Nalco Holding Co, Kemira Oyj, BASF SE, Shell Chemicals, ERCO Worldwide, Ashland Inc, Bayer AG, Solvay SA, Buckman Laboratories International Inc., and Cytec Industries are some of the key companies currently operating in the global chemical pulps market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Polishing Powders Market to Perceive Substantial Growth by the End 2020

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Global Polishing Powders Market: OverviewPolishing powders are a crucial requirement in the finishing of a wide range of products. They are vital in smoothing the etch marks and wear patterns caused by the manufacturing process and providing an aesthetic, smooth finish to the manufactured product. Apart from enhancing the aesthetic properties of the manufactured product, polishing powders can also be designed to impart other benefits such as durability and resistance to physical as well as microbial contaminants. Most polishing powders are chemically inert, but some application-specific products may contain chemically active substances.View Report Preview:Due to the constant need for polishing operations in the finishing stages of manufacturing in various industries, the global polishing powders market is likely to grow smoothly in the coming years. The almost universal need for polishing powders has also created a plethora of end use industries for the polishing powders market, which is likely to remain a key driver for the global polishing powders market in the coming years.Global Polishing Powders Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe prime driver for the global polishing powders market is the large number of its end use segments and the steady growth of several end users. The construction industry has become a key consumer in the global polishing powders market in recent years due to the rising demand for premium flooring options such as marble. The rising disposable income of consumers following the 2008-09 economic crisis has resulted in a steady rise in the demand for residential housing, while rising commercial construction has also played a key role in the growing demand from the global polishing powders market.The rising demand from the booming automotive industry is also a major driver for the global polishing powders market. The finishing of the exterior as well as interior surfaces of cars has always been a key part of automotive design due to the significant aesthetic appeal it holds. The rising demand for premium cars has led to steady demand from the polishing powders market in recent years. The presence of established car brands in North America and Europe has driven the demand from the polishing powders market in these regions, while the strengthening automotive industry in emerging regions, especially Asia Pacific, holds strong promise for the polishing powders market in coming years. The rising use of polishing powders to strengthen automotive glasswork is also a key driver for the global polishing powders market.The consumer electronics and medical devices industries are also likely to play an important role in the development of the global polishing powders market in the coming years. Along with the use of technologically sophisticated glasswork to ensure durability of screens, polishing powders have also become important for the consumer electronics industry. The rising demand for handheld electronics such as smartphones and tablets is a key driver for the global polishing powders market. The rising incorporation of antimicrobial ingredients in medical device coatings is another major demand avenue for the global polishing powders market.Request to view Sample Report:Global Polishing Powders Market: Geographical and Competitive DynamicsThe booming construction industry in Asia Pacific is likely to ensure clear dominance of the region in the global polishing powders market in the coming years. The rising use of premium flooring options in rapidly developing urban centers in countries such as India, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Australia is vital for the global polishing powders market. The rapidly expanding automotive industry in China is also likely to benefit the Asia Pacific polishing powders market significantly in the coming years.Some of the key players in the polishing powders market are Dupont, Hunan Haozhi New Materials Co., Ltd., and TFC, among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Methyl Acetoacetate Market to Partake Significant Development by 2020

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Global Methyl Acetoacetate Market: OverviewMethyl acetoacetate is mainly used as an intermediate in the manufacture of polymers and other materials. It is used as a chemical intermediate across a host of end-use industries such as agro chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and others. In pharmaceuticals, methyl acetoacetate acts as an intermediate in formulations such as dipyradamole, amoxyciline, and antipyrine among others. Methyl acetoacetate is utilized as an intermediate in primiphos, mevinphos, and hymexazole formulations in the agrochemicals sector.View Report Preview:Methyl acetoacetate is used in the synthesis of cyclic compounds and alpha-substituted aceto-acetic esters. Methyl acetoacetate is used as a copromoter in resins and several other compounds.The report provides a pin-point analysis of the growth curve of the global market for methyl acetoacetate over the six-year forecast period from 2016 to 2024. It evaluates the changing competitive dynamics and provides valuable insights to market entities to stay ahead in the competition.The market study is a useful tool to understand current market trends, industry growth drivers, and challenges. It analyzes recent product developments and technological advancements that are expected to have a bearing on this markets growth over the forecast period. Included in this report is a review of macro and micro factors that are important for existing market players as well as for new entrants.Global Methyl Acetoacetate Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe methyl acetoacetate market is mainly driven by end-use industries such as agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and solvents among others. It is used as an initiating material in the manufacture of cyclic compounds such as pyrazole and coumarine. It is used as a solvent for fragrances in the perfume and cosmetic industry. Moreover, methyl acetoacetate is used in the manufacture of azo dyes, lacquers, masking isocynates in enamels, plastics, and lacquers among others.However, environmental concerns pertaining to the use of methyl acetoacetate and .aw material issues are some of the factors that are expected to result in sluggish growth of the methyl acetoacetate market over the forecast period. Methyl acetoacetate if ingested or inhaled can cause skin and eye irritation.Global Methyl Acetoacetate Market: Regional OutlookAsia Pacific stood as the leading and fastest growing regional market for methyl acetoacetate in 2013. The growth of this regional market is mainly due to high demand for methyl acetoacetate from pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals industries. China displays the leading demand for methyl acetoacetate in this region. Other countries such as India, South Korea, and Japan are also significant domestic markets for methyl acetoacetate due to the increasing consumption from perfumery products and agrochemicals industry.North America is the second-leading regional market for methyl acetoacetate. Increasing demand from agrochemicals predominantly from the U.S. is driving the methyl acetoacetate market in this region.Europe stood as the third-leading market for methyl acetoacetate in 2013. This is mainly due to the rising demand for methyl acetoacetate from dyestuff, perfumery products, pigments, and pharmaceuticals. Western Europe is one of the leading consumers of methyl acetoacetate in Europe.Rest of the World region is expected to display positive outlook for the methyl acetoacetate market during the forecast period. Brazil, South Africa, and Argentina are expected to be key domestic markets in this region.Request to view Sample Report:Global Methyl Acetoacetate Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the leading companies in the global methyl acetoacetate market include Lonza Group, Eastman Chemicals, TCI Developmnet Co. Ltd., and Laxmi Organics among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reportsContact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Polyurethane Floor Enamel Market to Record Ascending Growth by 2020

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Polyurethane floor enamel is manufactured to prolong the life of ceramics tiles. Polyurethane floor enamel is ideal for use on above grade wood and concrete floors & porches. Polyurethane floor enamel performs in a variety of areas, such as porches, stairs and boat decks. Polyurethane floor enamel features excellent resistance to oils, abrasion and washing with superior scuff resistance. Polyurethane enamels have easy application, excellent wetting properties, tenacious adhesion and can be applied over painted surfaces. In addition, polyurethane floor enamels have excellent resistance to yellowing in white and pastel shades combined with superior light fastness and hiding power, making it very economical in general usage. Polyurethane floor enamels are formulated with urethane-modified alkyd resins and can be applied to exterior or interior ferrous or non-ferrous metals. Polyurethane enamel can be applied by brush, spray or roller. Polyurethane floor enamel are designed as a finish coat on flooring systems used in commercial facilities, pharmaceutical facilities, automobile industry, warehouses and aircraft hangars among others.View Report Preview:The growth in end user industries is expected to increase consumption of polyurethane floor enamels. The growth in ceramic tile industry is expected to boost demand for polyurethane floor enamels. The demand for ceramic tiles is primarily led by an increase in construction activities due to rapid urbanization and population expansion in emerging economies of Asia Pacific and Latin America. However, fluctuating raw material prices, government regulations and availability of substitutes could hamper the growth of this market. Companies manufacturing polyurethane floor enamels have to meet the stringent VOC regulations imposed by countries in North America and Europe.Polyurethane floor enamel has a global demand due to extensive applications in ceramic tile industry. Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest consumer of polyurethane floor enamels followed by North America and Europe. China and India are the largest consumers of polyurethane floor enamels in Asia Pacific due to presence of an established ceramic tile industry. Polyurethane floor enamel manufacturers are shifting their production facilities to emerging economies of Asia Pacific due to availability of raw materials, cheap labor and local government incentives. Macau, Republic of Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Australia are other major consumers of polyurethane floor enamels in Asia Pacific. The demand for polyurethane floor enamels in Latin America is expected to increase substantially due to increase in commercial construction activities and rapid economic development. Brazil, Argentina and Peru are major consumers of polyurethane floor enamels in Latin America. Europe and North America are saturated markets and expected to experience moderate growth rate.The polyurethane floor enamel market is highly competitive and dominated by large and medium chemical companies. Some of the key players in this market are Yantai Wanhua Polyurethanes Co., Ltd (China), Sherwin-Williams (U.S.), Chemical Strategies Inc (U.S.), Trelleborg AB (Sweden), Shandong Dongda Inov Polyurethane Co., Ltd (China), Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd. (Japan), Kumho Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (South Korea), Huntsman Corporation (U.S.), E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (U.S.), Foshan Nanhai Huaren Chemical Co., Ltd.(China), Emperol Colours Pvt. Ltd (India), Wintech Paints & Chemicals Ltd (India) and BASF SE (Germany) among others.Request to view Sample Report:Companies are investing in research and development to manufacture superior grades of polyurethane floor enamels to remain competitive in the market. In addition, companies are expanding their presence in emerging economies of Asia Pacific to increase their market share.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Zinc Stearate Market trends estimates high demand by 2024

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Global Zinc Stearate Market: OverviewRapid industrialization and growing demand from various end-use industries are expected to boost the growth of global zinc stearate market in the coming years. In addition, increasing demand for polyvinyl chloride and other polymers that uses metallic stearates in different types of processing coupled with growing usage of metallic stearates during manufacturing of various polymers, such as polyolefin, phenolic resins, and polystyrene could lead the lead the zinc stearate market towards substantial growth. Moreover, metallic stearate can be used in variety of applications ranging from water repellence, foam inhibition, lubrication, stabilizing, separating properties, and gelling.View Report Preview:Global Zinc Stearate Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe global zinc stearate market could witness a substantial growth on account of rising augmentation of zinc stearate in end-use industries. In addition to this, growing demand from emerging countries such as China and India is likely to further usage of zinc stearate. Zinc stearate can also applied in PVC in order to enhance the color along with effective impact. Zinc stearate also finds application in several products of lipsticks, face powders, eyeliner, foundations, and mascara. Furthermore, zinc stearate used in fragrances, deodorants, and other beauty products. The demand of zinc stearate in rubber industry and PVC is anticipated to boost the application of zinc stearate.On the other side, availability of substitute stearate and health regulations could slow down the growth of zinc stearate market. In addition, lack of zinc stearate production in comparison with the growing demand could hamper the market.Global Zinc Stearate Market: Geographical OutlookIn terms of geography, Asia Pacific region is anticipated to acquire the largest share in the zinc stearate market in the coming years, owing to growing industries such as paints, coatings, and rubber along with increasing number of consumers. In addition, Europe and North America could experience a steady growth due to growing infrastructure and improving economic conditions of some countries. Governments in developing countries are concentrating on research and development activities to come up with advancement in the field in order to offer healthy life to the population.The Middle East and Africa region could increase their market share on account of political support in improving infrastructure along with increasing consumer base in the region.Request to view Sample Report:Global Zinc Stearate Market: Competitive LandscapeSome key players such as Linan Huali Plastic Co., Ltd., Nikunj Chemicals, Krish Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., Pratham Stearchem Pvt. Ltd., and Plastics Material Factory could lead the zinc stearate market towards substantial growth in the coming years.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market Set for Rapid Growth and Trend by 2025 | Global Key Players - Air Products & Chemicals, Praxair, Taiyo Nippon Sanso, Air Liquide SA

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Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas 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 Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market Overview:The report spread across 108 pages is an overview of the Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market Research Report 2018. The Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas 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 Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market is growing continuously and expected to grow healthy CAGR by Forecast year 2025. The Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market is growing owing to the increasing applications of Welding Gas / Shielding Gas in the construction sector, growth in the aerospace industry, and rising demand for energy. Growing demand from the automotive industry also provides an opportunity to the market to grow further, especially in the emerging Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions.Metal Manufacturing & Fabrication held the majority market share in the Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market. The primary function of Welding Gas / Shielding Gas in the Metal Fabrication Industry is to create an inert gas shield during welding, to protect molten and heated metal from the damaging effects of the surrounding air. Welding Gas / Shielding Gas such as argon is frequently blended with carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen, and helium to enhance the arc characteristics or facilitate metal transfer in gas metal arc welding. With growing infrastructural activities, the demand for steel has increased, which in turn, drives the Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market.Regionally, APAC region held the largest share among all the regions in 2014. This is mainly due to emerging economies in China and India, coupled with growing applications of Welding Gas / Shielding Gas in the construction, energy, metal manufacturing & fabrication, and automotive industries.Purchase this report online with 108 Pages, List of Tables & Figures and in-depth Table of Contents on Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market Research Report 2018 @A complete analysis of the competitive landscape of the Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas 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 Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market players.Major Key Players:1 Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. (U.S.)2 The Linde Group (Germany)3 Praxair, Inc. (U.S.)4 Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (Japan)5 Air Liquide SA (France)On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into -1 Argon2 Carbon dioxide3 Oxygen4 Hydrogen and OthersGeographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Welding Gas/Shielding Gas in these regions, from 2013 to 2025 (forecast), covering: North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India.Grab Your Report at an Impressive Discount @This study answers to the below key questions:1 What will the market size be in 2025 and what will the growth rate be?2 What are the key market trends?3 What is driving this market?4 What are the challenges to market growth?5 Who are the key vendors in this market space?6 What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?7 What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?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 Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market.Major Points in Table of Contents:Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market Report 20181 Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market Overview2 Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)4 Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)5 Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Market Analysis by Application7 Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Welding Gas / Shielding Gas Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Welding Gas / Shielding Gas 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Smart Pole Market: Adoption of Sensors Continue to Remain High

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Initiatives taken by the government in various countries has led to upsurge in demand for the global smart poles market. In addition, growing need for monitoring the roads and routes for traffic management is projected to impact growth of the global market of smart pole positively. According to Transparency Market Research, the global market of smart pole is projected to register a CAGR of 13.7% through 2022.Factors Fuelling Growth of the Global MarketRequest PDF Brochure:Growth of the global smart poles market is mainly bound to various micro-economic and macro-economic factors. Growing need to monitor the traffic and prevent accidents has led to an upsurge in demand for the smart poles. Manufacturers are increasingly installing the smart poles as they are equipped with smart cameras and enable traffic management conveniently. In addition, as the smart poles are equipped with features such as smart sensors, the end users can easily monitor the weather conditions and unprecedented accidents. Moreover, the smart poles are also equipped with announcement speakers, public charging points and internet connectivity, which is expected to rev up adoption of smart poles globally. These factors are expected to propel growth of the global market of smart pole during the forecast period.Furthermore, government in developing countries are taking initiatives to implement the smart city plan, which is projected to fuel adoption of smart poles globally. Attributed to features such as access to the internet connectivity and sensors in these poles, various disconnected regions can conveniently connect with the developed regions. Smart poles mainly run on solar batteries and is energy efficient as compared to the conventional street light poles. Bound to these factors, government in various countries continue to encourage installation of smart poles. Several market players in the commercial industry can bank on the lucrative opportunity of offering their services in the disconnected regions in the commercial industry attributed to increasing internet connectivity. These factors will continue to rev up adoption of the smart poles in the global market during the forecast period.However, smart poles need increasing maintenance requirement as they operate on solar power. The conventional street light poles require comparatively low initial investment as they mainly function on electricity. Extreme climatic conditions such as moisture, dust and snow can disrupt the functioning of these poles. Attributed to these factors, sales of the smart poles is likely to dip in the backward region of the country. As the smart poles are mainly wireless, the risk of theft continues to remain high. These factors are projected to inhibit growth of the global market of smart pole throughout the forecast period.Request Report TOC:Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Power Management Integrated Circuit Market: Expected to Reach US$ 56.48 Bn by 2026

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According to a new market report pertaining to the power management integrated circuit (PMIC) market, published by Transparency Market Research, the global PMIC market is expected to reach US$ 56.48 Bn by 2026, expanding at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2018 to 2026. According to the report, the global market will continue to be influenced by a range of macroeconomic and industry-specific factors. Asia Pacific will continue to be at the forefront of global demand, with the market in the region growing at a CAGR of 5.5% through 2026.Increasing usage of smart devices driving the global PMIC marketRequest PDF Brochure:High smartphone penetration in the last few years has made smartphones and other smart mobile devices very common in the developing and developed countries. Furthermore, 4G internet services have also become reasonable and widely available to smartphone users globally. PMICs are employed for simplification of design and extending battery life in smartphones and other smart portable devices. Therefore, the rising trend of smartphones and other smart devices is estimated to be directly proportional to the expansion of the PMIC market.PMIC Market: Scope of the ReportThe global PMIC market is broadly segmented by product type and end use. By product type, the market is classified into voltage regulators, motor control IC, integrated ASSP power management IC, battery management IC, microprocessor supervisory IC and others. Demand for voltage regulators is increasing in automotive, consumer electronics, industry, telecom & networking and other segments as these ICs help to increase the battery life of handheld devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Therefore, they are expected to consistently dominate the power management IC market during the forecast period. Apart from voltage regulators, integrated ASSP power management IC and battery management ICs are also expected to represent considerable market share to the PMIC market during the forecast period. Furthermore, based on end use, consumer electronics followed by automotive represented the largest share in 2017, and are further expected to maintain their position throughout the forecast period. In the consumer electronics sector, the market for PMIC is primarily driven by rise in global sale of smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs, and other consumer electronic devices. Also, better power management, functionality, and features of PMICs have enormously increased its usage in the automotive end use segment. Consumer electronics and automotive are collectively expected to account for ~60% of the global PMIC market in 2026.Asia Pacific dominates the global power management IC market in terms of revenue owing to the rising demand for smartphones and other handheld devices. Asia Pacific is a hub of automobile production such as cars, trucks, heavy utility vehicles, and hybrid vehicles which is another factor accountable for high growth of the region. With the region being an epicenter for consumer electronics manufacturing and automobile companies, large-scale production of PMIC is expected to represent the highest market share of Asia Pacific in the global power management IC market. Along with market share, the market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness highest growth as compared to other regions. Furthermore, countries in Asia Pacific such as China, India, and Japan are expected to drive the growth mainly due to the rapid technology developments in these regions.The PMIC market in North America and Europe have high growth prospects in automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial applications. They are collectively expected to represent ~45% revenue share in 2026, by growing at a steady CAGR during the forecast period.Request Report TOC:About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Dermatology Diagnostic Devices and Therapeutics Market | SWOT Analysis of Major Market Segments

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The global Dermatology Diagnostic Devices And Therapeutics Market is marked by intense competition, which is likely to remain an unchanging feature of the market in the coming years. Leading players in the global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market include Michelson Diagnostic Ltd., Strata Skin Sciences, GSK, Galderma, Agfa-Gevaert, AbbVie, and Janssen Biotech. These seven companies collectively accounted for more than 96% of the global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market in 2015 and are likely to retain dominant shares in the market in the coming years. Expansion of geographical outreach and establishment of widespread distribution networks is likely to be a key competitive tactic for players in the dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market.The global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market was valued at more than US$18.5 bn in 2015 and is likely to rise to around US$21 bn by 2024. The dermatology therapeutics market is by far the dominant component of the global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market and is likely to rise to a valuation of more than US$20 bn by 2024. On the other hand, the dermatology diagnostic devices market is likely to exhibit a robust CAGR of 7.1% between 2016 and 2024 and is expected to rise in valuation from US$595.6 mn to US$1,095.1 mn.Request to View Sample of Report -Rising Air Pollution Likely to Contribute to Rising Prevalence of Dermatological ProblemsOne of the key drivers for the global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market is the rising concerns regarding air pollution in developed regions. Rising air pollution has led to a steady increase in the prevalence of dermatological conditions and is likely to play a key role in the development of the dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market in the coming years due to the rapid pace of urbanization and industrialization across the world.The rising geriatric population is also likely to aid growth of the global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market in the coming years. Anti-aging products already constitute a key part of the global cosmetics sector and are likely to contribute significantly to the dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market in the coming years.Request to View Brochure of Report -North America to Remain Leading Contributor to Dermatology Diagnostic Devices and Therapeutics MarketRegionally, North America is likely to dominate the global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market in the coming years due to the steady presence of a number of major healthcare sector players in the region. North America is expected to account for 46.4% of the global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market by 2024. The steady support to innovation in the medical sector in North America is also likely to remain a key driver for the North America dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market in the coming years.Within the dermatology diagnostic devices market, imaging equipment is likely to remain the leading contributor to the global market, with the segment expected to exhibit a strong 7.4% CAGR between 2016 and 2024. On the other hand, the dermatology therapeutics market is dominated by antibacterial therapeutics, as bacterial dermal infections are becoming a common concern around the world and are likely to lead to consistent demand from the global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market. Antibacterial therapeutics accounted for 28.4% of the global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market in 2015 and are likely to retain a dominant share through the forecast period.View Report -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Comprehensive study of the Mosquito Repellent Market with Industry Potentials and Future Growth Possibilities

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Mosquitos are considered as the most dangerous insects and could spread diseases such as dengue, malaria, yellow fever, zika fever, and others. These diseases can be harmful to human healthy and sometimes lead to death. Mosquito Repellent could work as a solution for the same. Mosquito repellent is a substance that is applied to the skin, cloths or any other shells that drives mosquitos away. Mosquito repellent protects an individual from harmful mosquito bites, mites or ticks.The Mosquito Repellent market is anticipated to develop at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of +13%.Mosquito Repellent Market provides an overview of the various factors enabling growth in the market. It also presents insights into various restraints that pose threat and highlights opportunities that will help the market pick pace in the forthcoming years. The report compiles exhaustive information obtained via proven research methodologies and from trusted sources from within the industries.Get Sample copy of this Report @:Companies Profiled in this report includes, SC Johnson, Spectrum Brands, Reckitt Benckiser, 3M, Zhongshan LANJU, Godrej, Avon, Tender Corporation, Dainihon Jochugiku, Nice Group Co., Ltd, Coleman, Manaksia, Omega Pharma, Sawyer Products.Factors driving the mosquito repellent market are global warming and increased mosquito-borne diseases. In addition, some of the other factors that promote the growth of the mosquito control market are the increased awareness of governments and health authorities to control mosquitoes, increase demand for natural products, and increase population-based health problems.The global mosquito repellent market is expected to show significant growth in the near future due to increased mosquito breeding and global warming that promotes mosquito breeding. Other market drivers include health awareness, government efforts to control mosquitoes, and increased control costs. However, the presence of toxic chemicals such as DEET in a variety of mosquito repellents can adversely affect health and thus inhibit growth in this market. The growing demand for plant-based waterproofing agents and the increased penetration in the rural areas of undeveloped markets have created tremendous opportunities in the global mosquito repellent market.Get 20% Discount on this Report @:Based on the Sales Channels, the Mosquito Repellent market is segmented into Large Retail Store, Small Retail Store, Online Store, and Others. Based on the Product Types, the market is segmented into Coil, Spray, Cream & Oil, Vaporizer, Mat, and Others.Geographically, global Mosquito Repellent market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA. North America dominates the global Mosquito Repellent market owing to high prevalence of diabetes and technological advances in effective insulin delivery. Asia-Pacific and LAMEA are the fastest growing geographic segments due to high diabetes incidences, government support and improving healthcare conditions.For More Inquiry @:Significant Highlights of the Report: A pure assessment of the orbit of the market Studies on the evolving Global Mosquito Repellent 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 Mosquito Repellent Market Research ReportChapter 1 Mosquito Repellent 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 Mosquito Repellent Market ForecastAbout Research N Reports:Research 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.Contact:Sunny Denis(Sales Manager)10916, Gold Point, Dr,Houston, TX - 77064E-mail: sales@researchnreports.comPhone: +1 888-631-6977Output Management Software Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Development Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2022

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This report provides a through outline of Output Management Software market based on important parameters such as applications end users, products, regions and many more. An estimated volume revenue growth with respect to global market for Output Management Software over the forthcoming years has been mentioned in detail.Visit on the below link to get a sample copy of this Report @:This report studies Output Management Software market, especially in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America and focuses on top manufacturers in the global market. They considered the production, revenue, capacity, price and market share for each manufacturer in detail.Key players operating in the Output Management Software market have been elucidated in the report. Business and financial overview of each and every company are included. The keys strategies which are employed by players in the market are studied and explained. In addition, recent and upcoming developments by players and strategic expansions to gain and maintain a wider reach have been given.Avail Discount on this Repot @:The report on Output Management Software market is a source of expansive ideas, statistical data, and detailed information, which has the potency to ensure profit of an enterprises. It gives a basic overview of the industry which includes definition, applications, classifications, and industry chain structure. Extensive development plans and policies are discussed meticulously. There also exists a cost study and manufacturing structures with perfect explanation. The import/export, consumption and supply figures are also included in the report.In this report you will also find additional deals into key geographical segments of Output Management Software market and delivers details about their current and former share. Ongoing trends, upcoming challenges, future better regional investments and many other have been mentioned with meticulous research done.For more information / Ask Your Queries@:The global Output Management Software market has been analyzed in technical detail in this report and data has been gathered from the market leaders across the value chain. Information on the key growth prospects of Output Management Software market during the forecast period and its estimated size by the end of the forecast period have also been comprised under the introduction section of the report. The drivers, restraints, and trends in the global Output Management Software market and their impact on the development of this market also form a major part of this study.The modest scenario amongst the top players in the global Output Management Software market has been studied through the market share evaluation within the competitive landscape section of the report. Under this section, details on the main mergers and acquisitions that have recently taken place or are in the process to happen in the recent years have also been compiled. The top strategies adopted by the chief players operating in the market for better business into the global Output Management Software market have also been included under this study.The main goal for the dissemination of this information is to give a descriptive analysis of how the trends could potentially affect the upcoming future of Output Management Software market during the forecast period. This markets competitive manufactures and the upcoming manufactures are studied with their detailed research. Revenue, production, price, market share of these players is mentioned with precise information.Get Complete Report @:Table of ContentsGlobal Output Management Software Concrete Market Research ReportChapter 1 Output Management Software Concrete 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 Market ForecastWe provide global consulting that can transform businesses and give you an experience of innovative solutions and outcomes.Research 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.Contact us:Sunny DenisU.S. Address10916, Gold Point, Dr,Houston, TX - 77064E-mail:sales@researchnreports.comPhone:+1 888-631-6977Clean Water Action recently honored the Water Warriors Lego Robotics Team from Adams Elementary School in Midland.

The team participated in the recent Clean Water Action's Great Lakes Awards Celebration in Lansing.

The event takes place each year to honor activists and elected officials who have led efforts to protect the Great Lakes and Michigan's water resources. In addition to the local students, this year's award recipients included state Rep. Stephanie Chang and Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Natural Resources Director Desmond Berry.

"Tonight we recognize the achievements of a few of Michigan's fiercest water advocates. Each of our honored guests works, in their own unique way, to protect our Great Lakes and provide a future where all Michiganders can enjoy swimmable, fishable, drinkable water," said Clean Water Action Michigan Director Mary Brady-Enerson. "I am especially pleased this evening to recognize the Water Warriors. This team of enthusiastic future leaders understand how precious our water is and that we all have an important role to play in protecting it."

The Water Warriors are a team of eight fourth- and fifth-grade girls from Adams Elementary School, who researched septic system contamination of Michigan's waterways, and proposed innovative solutions. Their project won second place at the state competition, earning them an invitation to the World Festival in April.

Berry is a well known environmental activist from northern Michigan, who was honored for his work opposing the controversial Enbridge Line 5 pipeline. Chang received the Great Lakes Champion Award for her dedication to fighting for affordable and safe drinking water.The John Alden Chapter NSDAR recently donated funds for the restoration of the World War I Monument "The Survivor" in Beaverton.

Out-going Regent Carolyn Graham, Treasurer Linda Fisher and Karen Miller were privileged to meet the artist Christopher Moran, who is refurbishing the monument. Moran is from South Boardman, near Traverse City. He studied in Italy and has worked extensively in restoring art, buildings and creating custom artwork. His artist sketch of the completed project shows that he will bring color and detail that has not been there before.Michigan Sugar Company plans to crown its 2018 Michigan Sugar Queen and Court Attendants during the 54th annual Michigan Sugar Festival, set to take place June 14-17 in Sebewaing. The crowning ceremony is at 7 p.m. Friday, June 15.

Fourteen young women from throughout Michigan Sugar Company's growing area, including four from this area, are vying to become the company's next ambassadors through the Michigan Sugar Queen Scholarship Program. The three candidates from this area area:

Bailie Gagne, 18, of Midland. Bailie is a senior at Bullock Creek High School and plans to study elementary education at Central Michigan University. She is the daughter of Troy and Kimberly Gagne.

Jannah LeBean, 17, of Bay City. Jannah is a senior at All Saints Central High School and plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University to study cellular biology. She is the daughter of Bernard and Darlene LaBean.

Paige Lupcke, 21, of Saginaw. Paige is a graduate of Bay City Central High School and attends Delta College, where she is part of the Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology program. She hopes to complete her degree at MSU. She is the daughter of Rick and Christie Lupcke.

Reaghan Scott, 19, of Bay City. Reaghan is a graduate of Bay City Western High School and attends Delta College where she is studying dentistry. She is the daughter of Mark and Beth Scott.

Following the June 15 crowning event, the new Michigan Sugar Queen and Court Attendants will take part in the 54th annual Michigan Sugar Festival Grand Parade set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 16, in Sebewaing. After the parade, the Queen and Court will be at the festival grounds to meet with festival-goers and pose for photographs.

More information about this year's festival, including a complete schedule of events, is available at www.sebewaingchamber.comThe Midland Noon Rotary Club presented its annual Spirit of Rotary Award for 2018 to Midland residents Hillary Baldwin and Grant Murschel. The award presentation took place on May 17.

The Spirit of Rotary Award is given annually to community members under the age of 40 who are not Rotarians but are shining examples of service above self and lead lives of service to the Midland community while demonstrating leadership potential.

Honorees designate $500 that the club donates to the charity of their choice. Baldwin designated charitable contribution of $250 each to Shelterhouse and Children's Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region. Murschel chose Disability Network of Mid-Michigan.

This is the 12th year that the Midland Noon Rotary Club has recognized non-Rotarians under the age of 40 for their contributions to the community. The honorees chosen this year demonstrate a true spirit of service that the Noon Rotary Club would like to acknowledge. "We are proud to highlight these two individuals who exemplify service above self," said Stephanie Leibfritz, chairperson of the committee.

Hillary Baldwin is currently the program and marketing director of the Children's Grief Center GLBR. Her personal grief journey contributed to her interest in volunteering for many organizations over the years including the Red Cross during Hurricane Katrina, Hospice, St. Jude Children's Hospital and the Children's Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region. She told the crowd that people learn and grow most from struggles. Baldwin is passionate about providing a healing environment through peer support to children, teens and their families grieving a death. She does not hesitate to tell people that family is the most important part of her life, and that she practices daily expression of gratitude for her blessings.

Grant Murschel is the director of planning and community development for the City of Midland. Since starting with the city in 2013, he has been involved in numerous city initiatives. In five years, Murschel has immersed himself in service opportunities in Midland, becoming a vital part of the community. His involvement includes chairman of the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals (MYPros) Steering Committee; Midland County Continuum of Care; Momentum Midland Action Committee; Midland County Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Revitalization; Midland Area Community Foundation, including the Public Arts Committee, and the Mid-Century Modern Midland Design Review Committee. Murschel looks for ways to actively contribute and lead in his volunteer activities. He is quick to share how Christ has been a huge impact on his motivation for service above self.

The Midland Noon Rotary is proud to acknowledge these young leaders. Past recipients include: Joel Beeck, Peter Strong, Carrie Lafrate, Teresa Sullivan, Kristen Wuerfel, Mark T. Kole, Eunice M. Mbarika, Sarah Peterson, Heidi McIvor, Mallery Thurlow, Adam Clements, Erin Malekadeli, A. Theodore Allen Scheid, Jr., Kellie Bos, Hooper Pavlik, Christie Kanitz, Jennifer Parks, Linden Rogers, Georgina Wilson, Leslie Perry, Kristen Squires, Luke White, Brian Marinik, Lacey Wright, Greg Pollock, Emily Schafer and Jeffrey Simmons.

Midland Noon Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, which includes more than 34,000 clubs around the globe devoted to service above self. Rotarians are business and community leaders who participate in projects locally and worldwide designed to support and improve communities.

To find out more about Midland Noon Rotary, visit www.midlandrotaryclub.org, or attend one of the weekly meetings at noon Thursdays at the Midland Country Club.James Allsup, 22, who marched in the Charlottesville hate marches last year, has now been elected to a Republican Party post in Washington state, as The Daily Beast reports. Allsup is affiliated with a pro-white group and his new post in the Washington state GOP signals a frightening time across the nation as a self-declared white supremacist represents the Republican party.

The Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., a pro-white march filled with white supremacists, took place in August of 2017. The march took a violent turn when one protester drove a car into the crowd, killing a protester, Heather Heyer, and injuring others. Allsup was filmed at the march as part of the Identity Evropa group that is anti-immigration and alt-right. The group was founded in 2016 and mimics messages from Europes identitarians, which is a group that uses pro-white innuendo to push a racist reactionary message, particularly against immigrants.

Following the march, Allsup resigned as the president of Washington State Universitys Republican club, where he had continuously faced backlash from his peers. Many members of the club denounced his Trumpist tone and xenophobia. His appearance at the Unite the Right march was a step too far for his fellow club members and Allsup resigned. However, this didnt stop him from speaking on a white nationalist podcast Fash the Nation just a month after the march. On the podcast, he explained his attempts to take control of WSUs College Republican club, stating, If you are a college guy, or a college girl, and you are on a college campus, if you have three or four fashy goy friends, you can take over your schools College Republicans group and move it to essentially being an alt-right club.

Now, Allsup has decided to have a pro-white impact at a larger scale. On June 2, Allsup was elected a precinct committee officer for the Washington Republican Party in Whitman County. His candidacy was uncontested for four days before he was officially awarded the post. So, what exactly is a precinct committee officer? Basically, he will be in charge of going door to door, meeting people and figuring out how they will vote. So, hes a glorified canvasser. However, he will also vote for members of the Republicans county central committee, who then influence who is chosen for party official posts statewide. Despite his seemingly insignificant post, Allsup may have big plans to work his way up the GOP ladder. Shortly after Allsup was elected, he appeared on an Identity Evropa podcast where he stated:

Of course Im not the GOP shill here. Im not going to tell you that knocking doors for a Republican congressman is going to save the West or save European Americans. Thats not at all what Im saying, but it is a means to an end. This political involvement is a means to our political ends.

Unfortunately, Allsups plans are realistic. University of Washington law professor Hugh Spitzer said, If you want to take over a political party in this state, the best thing to do is to start at the PCO level and get a whole bunch of people who agree with your views elected as PCOs.

The Whitman County GOP, Allsup and the Spokane GOP declined to comment for The Daily Beasts report on Allsups election. However, Caleb Heimlich, who is the chair of the Washington State Republican Party, stated:

The Washington State Republican Party does not condone identity politics, in any form, whatsoever. It is antithetical to our core values and stands counter to our goal of getting Washington back on the right track. We condemned this hateful ideology before, we condemn it today, and will continue to condemn it in the future.

Allsup is an official member of the Whitman County GOP, the largest political organization in the county. Spitzer described the election as a wake-up call to the local GOPit should be a wake-up call to the entire nation.Since today is all about bad faith arguments, Im going to state something that seems pretty clear once you look over all the available facts from this now-deleted video: Fox News hates prayer.

The clip was roughly 30 seconds long, and while one of the blonde Fox News ladies spoke about Trump disinviting the Eagles from the White House, it showed her side by side with shots of Eagles players praying.

No Philadelphia Eagles players knelt in protest this year, which means that that Fox News splayed images of (mostly black) men deep in prayer across the screen in an attempt to depict them protesting during the anthem. One can only conclude from this that Fox News either sees prayer and protest as one and the same, or they believe that prayer is bad.

Of course, once several Eagles players called them out and the internet pointed out how manipulative Fox News segment was, they released a statement saying during our report about President Trump canceling the Philadelphia Eagles trip to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl win, we showed unrelated footage of players kneeling in prayer. To clarify, no members of the team knelt in protest throughout regular or post-season last year. We apologize for the error.

I could do journalism here and talk about how Fox News is a propaganda channel filled to the brim with soulless hacks whose only joy in life comes from destroying the fabric of our democracyall in subservience to a president who espouses the same kind of racism they have been preaching for yearsbut Id rather stoop to Fox News journalistic level for this one and make a bad faith argument: they clearly hate prayer.

If they sincerely believed they needed to correct this obvious error, theyd make an on-air correction (none has been made as of this writing). That statement was designed to placate the internet furor among those of us who still believe in journalism. Fox News knows what theyre doing here. They want to whip up racist hysteria among their geriatric audience while pretending to the rest of us sentient adults that theyre still a news organization. Ill update my bad faith analysis when Fox News makes an on-air correction of their fraudulent story, so I wouldnt hold my breath on this space changing anytime soon.

UPDATE: For once, my cynicism around Fox News was unfounded. Within minutes of this post going up, I received an e-mail from a Fox News PR flack telling me they would address the story later that night. The point above still holds: Fox News has been covering NFL protests like its a war, and for them to assert that they mistakenly thought that players who were praying were actually protesting means that theyre either complete and total idiots who have absolutely no knowledge of the topic they spend days on end covering, or theyre liars. Regardless, an on-air apology was required, and they met it. Heres Fox News essentially saying: you caught us, were sorry.

Fox News apologizes for Philadelphia Eagles footage error. pic.twitter.com/GOkGoVBg6J  Fox News (@FoxNews) June 6, 2018

Jacob Weindling is a staff writer for Paste politics. Follow him on Twitter at @Jakeweindling.We are the finish company. We are interested in buying wood chips. Give mee price and volume next winter season.

We buy about 250 000 MWh/ year/ 130 000 m3 year and talk many years contractAs rocks first supergroup, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young captivated listeners with their soaring harmonies and glowing acoustic arrangements. Joining forces in 1968, the four songbirds David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and occasional member Neil Young seized the American music landscape during the Vietnam era. Their timely, vivid lyrics flew over the airwaves, urging peace and affirming protest during a period of intense political turmoil.

Tensions particularly mounted in 1970, following the May 4th massacre of student protestors at Kent State University. CSNY responded accordingly, releasing one of their most magnetic tracks, Ohio, a few weeks later. Recorded in just a few takes, the song is a rugged anthem of the counterculture. The mellifluous acoustics featured on the groups earlier album, Deja vu, were of no use here on Ohio, CSNY instead traded their warm strums for thumping electric riffs and a searing refrain, a fitting transition for an embittered America.

CSNY began performing the song immediately thereafter in a six-night run of shows at the Fillmore East in New York City. Here at Paste, you can hear the uncut original version of Ohio, recorded at that concert on this day in 1970. Listen to the historic, stormy track below.French President Emmanuel Macron reached out to Trump on Thursday to express his criticisms of new tariffs, resulting in a call that CNN sources described as terrible. The call came shortly after the steel and aluminum tariffs were enacted against American allies Canada, Mexico and the European Union, fulfilling a campaign promise but threatening foreign relations.

The tariffs include a 25 percent penalty on steel and a 10 percent penalty on aluminum, both of which were implemented last Thursday. The backlash from American allies was instantaneous, as they all announced their plans to create tariffs against American products. For Trump supporters, this tariff fulfills the campaign promise to build American industry and tax foreign imports. However, he taxed American allies, who are pretty important if the summit doesnt go well with Kim Jong-Un on June 12.

The same day the tariffs were implemented, Macron released a statement from the Elysee Palace, and he wasnt pleased. The statement read:

This decision is not only illegal, it is a mistake on many points. It is a mistake because it responds to a worldwide unbalance that exists in the worst ways through fragmentations and economic nationalism  If these kind of things impacted our relations, it would have been the case since day one because he has decided to leave the Paris (climate) agreement.

To this point, Macron has been Trumps closest ally in the European Union. One CNN source said of the pairs call, Macron thought he would be able to speak his mind, based on the relationship. But Trump cant handle being criticized like that. A readout of the call at the White House revealed that Trump underscored the need to rebalance trade with Europe.

In an interview with the BBC in January, Macron spoke to the close relationship he shared with Trump, saying, Im always extremely direct and frank. He is. Sometimes I manage to convince him, and sometimes I fail. This time, Macron failed and the fate of Americas relationships with our allies lies in the hands of Trump, who cannot be reasoned with, even by his closest foreign companion.

Despite fulfilling campaign promises, Trump needs to keep in mind there are other people in the world that he has to work with. Fingers crossed the summit goes well, although history shows it wont, because Americas allies arent in the mood to run to our rescue after these tariffs. Trump will be receiving a similar call from the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, on Monday.We peeked at the future of PCsat least, Intels vision of itin a large room called the Client Experience Design Studio at the companys Santa Clara, California headquarters.

Rows of tables fill the space, many of them draped with black cloth to conceal Intels other secrets from public view. On one table, though, Intel has revealed all: a pair of prototype PC devices with not one, but two screens, surrounded by a number of iterative prototypes that led to the final result.

[ Further reading: The best CPUs for gaming ]

Meet Tiger Rapids, the two-screen PC for your hand

One of the prototype devices has been blessed with a public code name: Tiger Rapids, which might be called todays two-screen PC. This is no pie-in-the-sky concept: At least two designs from Asus and Lenovo at the Computex show in Taipei will be inspired by the Tiger Rapids design, explains Gregory Bryant, senior vice president and general manager of Intels Client Computing Group. Intel has worked about two years to refine this design, which it has provided to select partners.

Mark Hachman / IDG Intels Tiger Rapids prototype, which combines an ordinary PC with an EPD surface for easy inking.

Bryant explains how the prototypes express a design goal he defines as adaptable form factors. Conceptually, its not a one-size fits all world, Bryant says. Youre going to see secondary products of different shapes and sizes, people are going to do secondary displays, obviously were going to work on longer-term things like bendables and foldables.

Bryant emphasized that the motivation behind these designs was to make the PC bend to its user, not the other way around. Its not doing it because you can do it. Its creating these adaptable form factors that fit the work that youre trying to do, Bryant added.

Intel Our technology is being designed to help them connect with other people, Bryant says of Intels users.

Competing against pen and paper

Intels lab is led by Murali Veeramoney, a soft-spoken but passionate man who is eager to describe in detail exactly what his small team has accomplished. (A second lab resides in Hillsboro, Oregon.) From among the prototypes of metal and plastic, he holds up something you wouldnt normally expect to see at a technology company: a traditional pen-and-paper Moleskine notebook.

This is a purpose-built device, Veeramoney said, scribbling on the lined paper with a pen. There is only one single thing you can do. So the combination of a purpose-built device with a multi-function device is what we wanted to bring.

In other words, this is really a notebook PC. Its clear that the pen-centric Tiger Rapids isnt for everyone. But as the Moleskine demonstrates, even a niche product can win passionate fans.

Mark Hachman / IDG Tiger Rapids UI allows you to ink a noteand then transform it into a OneNote note, complete with machine transcription.

Tiger Rapids opens like a traditional pen-and-paper notebook, stashing its digital pen within a pen loop to the right. Its super-thin, skinnier than an iPhone 8 at 4.85mm thick. The left-hand screen looks relatively normal, with a traditional Windows PC desktop on a 7.9-inch LCD display. Underneath it all is a Kaby Lake Core processor, an SSD, Wi-Fi, and an undisclosed amount of memory.

What Veeramoney doesnt say, but Windows Ink users know, is that the landing strip for e-inking within Windows is relatively small. Sure, various iterations of Windows 10 have improved the ink box from a small strip to a larger window that can intelligently move about the page. But its still a relatively small slice of real estate. Tiger Rapids solves that problem.

Thats because the entire right-hand screen of Tiger Rapids is an electronic paper display (EPD) that consumes almost no power. Its purpose-built for digital inking, complete with a slight give to it that mimics traditional paper. Thats not hype, eitherVeeramoney allowed me to ink on both a traditional plastic substrate as well as the EPD surface, and there was a noticeable difference. To the average user, the effort might not pay off. But to someone accustomed to pen and paper, its a critical detail.

Tiger Rapids expansion options are limited to just a single USB-C port. Intels partners, of course, are free to do as they choose, but the idea is that Tiger Rapids is a wirelessly connected product that might plug in just once or twice a day. The prototypes battery life achieved 13 to 15 hours, Veeramoney said.

Mark Hachman / IDG A closer look at the Tiger Rapids hinge and the single USB-C slot. The Intel prototype forgoes other expansion slots.

Asus promises to have an interesting twist on the Tiger Rapids concept that Bryant calls an AI-based PC. He said it uses a Movidius deep-learning chip mounted on the motherboard as an accelerator for Windows own AI API, Windows ML.

But what about something designed to consume content?

More conventional dual-screen devices have gained something of a cult following, with a select group of fans wishing hard for a dual-screen device from Microsoft, for example. (No, this isnt it.) But the basic premise is sound. By folding a pair of connected, hinged displays, users get the benefits of a larger screen while maintaining a compact form factor.

Mark Hachman / IDG Like Tiger Rapids, Intels second two-screen device can be held in the hand. It uses a more traditional touchscreen display, however.

Thats the idea behind the second dual-screen device, which Intel didnt identify by code name. The device splits the display between a left and a right half, or a top and bottom half depending upon the alignment of the screen. Theres no guile to the arrangement. Each screen serves as an independent display so that the desktop or app can span both screens.

While a traditional desktop monitor arrangement remains fixed in place, however, the dual-screen notebook can be folded back into tent mode, for example, so that a presenter can see slide notes while the audience sees only the slides. Unfortunately, the dual-screen display in this prototype forces the user to type upon glass.

Mark Hachman / IDG One screen can be used as a traditional keyboard, if typing on glass is something you enjoy.

This second device might be called the future of dual-screen displays, but Intel executives didnt indicate that any hardware makers planned to bring it to market at the present time. Given the success of Tiger Rapids, however, its possible that this device is being also shopped around to potential partners.

Shaping the future

Our video at the top of this article shows some of the iterative process that Intel went through to create the Tiger Rapids prototype, from the original paperboard concept through various mechanical models that explored the hinge used to connect the two screens. (Its perhaps unfortunate that one of the more difficult aspects of the design, routing electrical connections through a structural hinge, is virtually ignored by consumers and tech reviewers.)

Mark Hachman / IDG Or as a second monitor for extending content onto a second screen. Note that theres a small bezel between the two displays, but its not that obtrusive.

Its a fascinating process. Veeramoney revealed that as far back as April 2015, Intel crafted a fake review of Tiger Rapids for its own internal use, as a sort of guideline for what they wanted to see in the real world. Tiger Rapids was designed to be half the thickness of a Moleskinewhat Veeramoney calls lay-flat computingbut not a phone.

Thats a completely different use case, Veeramoney says. We are about performance, he says. We will give you complete PC performance.

You cant help but think of Microsofts Surface lineup, which was originally formed to break trail and show partners whats possible in the PC space. Intel already shares reference designs, essentially blueprints to build a PC, with key partners. Its a cost-effective method that allows Intel to shoulder some or much of the engineering costs, freeing PC makers to focus on sales and marketing. (We see some possible hints at Tiger Rapids in Lenovos Yoga Book, a slender clamshell with a display on one side and a stylus/typing surface on the other, that came out in 2016.)

The difference, though, is that Intel has no plans, either now or in the future, to bring Tiger Rapids or any other of its cloth-shrouded concepts to market itself. In some ways, thats oddly depressing, as Veeramoney revealed that the development process itself required literally years of work. Intels partners will get most of the credit. Nevertheless, it adds credence to the claim that Tiger Rapids and the other prototypes are designed strictly around the end user.

What we believe we can do is start with an end in mind, and I dont mean the piece of hardware or the piece of silicon or even the PC, Bryant said. Its about what experience do we think is compelling, via a lot of research and a lot of end-user interviews. Its about what experience we want to deliver to market two years out or even five years out.

This is us trying to inspire the ecosystem and show whats possible.Project Precog is a concept PC formed of two shimmering sheets of glass. Asus showed it to us Tuesday morning at Computex in Taipei, and its an intriguing vision of future PCs.

And its a vision that appears to have legs: Marcel Campos, senior director of PC and phone marketing for Asus, said the company hopes to ship Project Precog in 2019. Until then, well have to wonder what it will cost and what its exact features will be.

Dual displays are hot (again)

Precog taps into what could be a resurgence of the two-screen design trend that briefly took hold with initiatives like Project Taichi, a dual-screen device Asus showed at Computex in 2012. Precog is much larger, though, and looks more like a traditional convertible laptop that can rotate from a clamshell through tent mode and into a tablet.Author to speak on Native American history at Charlevoix Public Library

Northern Michigan author will present First Contact: When the Indians and Europeans First Met at the Charlevoix Public Library, Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m.Are You a Racer Seeking Support from Dainese?

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 The RSP program is an excellent way to get your foot in the door. It offers affordable racing gear and an opportunity to grow your relationship with Dainese into a full-time sponsorship. The RSP program is designed for people who are passionate about the world of mountain biking. This program is made to assist avid riders with the means to do what they love while providing them with top of the line protection and apparel. The RSP Program is especially inclusive to photographers/videographers who are into MTB content creation. This program provides an excellent opportunity to have your work recognized and promoted by Dainese.Discount on MTB gear  Valid through 12/31/2018 Riders will receive 50% MSRP on all Dainese MTB purchasesFree Dainese swag  $300 Value Riders will be given a free pair of Trail Skin or Armoform elbow and knee pads, as well as additional giveaways.Grow your network at Dainese Riders will have the opportunity to be featured in Dainese advertisements, have their media content shared on Dainese social media profiles, and/or become full-time sponsored ridersTo initiate the contract, the program requires a small buy-in purchase of a head-to-toe Enduro or Downhill kit at 50% MSRP. This kit would include your choice of jersey, shorts/pants, and a pair of gloves. For the remainder of the year, RSP riders will have access to the perks of this program.We've spent a decade looking for these spots on the equator, but didn't think about going north. Darren Berrecloth has always searched for these landscapes, and he looked north. After a scouting mission to Axel Heiberg Island, and realizing it was possible, we pushed to make it happen. Since there's only a short snow-free window up there we knew we'd have to wait a year.

24 hours of daylight removed all sense of time. We found ourselves hiking and riding and filming with flipped sleeping schedules to get the best light, but was hard not to get carried away and extend every mission. It messes with your senses, things are so surreal out there.  Carson Storch

There are nearly 2000 glaciers on the island. Hiking some lines would take an hour or two, depending on how slow the cameramen were.

A Twin Otter with custom tundra tires was our transportation on and off the island.

The crew slept in tents with blackout fabric to combat the 24-hour sun.

Tom got along with the dirt super quick.

The Claw is the law.

The scale of the lines Cam Zink rode dwarfed Rampage. Carson's line continued into two minute long descent of a perfect grade.

Jeremy Grant, early in the trip & full of optimism.

We saw wolves, polar bears, musk ox, arctic hares & foxes, and mosquitos. Huge mosquitos.

Although most musk ox travel in herds, the lone males can get aggressive and pose a problem.

Insignificant specs.

Tom van Steenbergen pushed his boundaries hard out there.

Carson Darren

Tom

Apak, our guide & polar bear security guard, is from Arctic Bay, one of the northernmost settlements in the world.

One of the best parts of being so remote was having time with this group minus all the technology and distractions of the "real" world.

There were SOME distractions...

Cam dropping into the "Drag Strip." 2500 vertical feet.

"We wanted a feeling of intimacy, shooting a lot of the film handheld." - Jeremy Grant

There are only 4 tracks in the film, so capturing natural sounds was key.

Carson with a 3-drop into a long ass line.

Cue Symphony of Destruction.

Day 25, no shampoo.

"Picking the right battles on what tricks you want to do was huge out there. Keeping it simple with a can." Carson Storch

Incredible landscapes in all directions. Once in a lifetime.

Tom & Cam's tandem stepdown flip is one of the most iconic moments in the film.

Also available on Vimeo

The island is the size of Switzerland with a human population of zero, just south of the North Pole. The weather is harsh and ground is frozen for much of the year, but the soil contains gypsum that's similar to Utah's hallowed mountain bike slopes. It's an arctic desert, and there are a lot of geological anomalies that make it oddly conducive to big mountain freeriding.For the team we wanted a mentorship element, and we wanted the next generation too. Darren picked Carson Storch and Cam Zink picked Tom van Steenbergen to round out the team of four athletes. This wasn't a filmto progress the sport, but everyone had their own take on the terrain. Some massive moves went down, and scale of some of the lines dwarfs what has been ridden before.We were up there for nearly a month, in a tent city ringed by an electric fence to keep the polar bears out. We packed in dehydrated food to keep things light as possible, and packed everything outincluding our shit. I've never done a film that's in just one location. Telling a story that was so entrenched in a region was ambitious, especially trying to push the boundaries in a place that remote. We had a doctor with us, but everyone was keenly aware that the best case scenario for extraction was an 8-hour flight to the nearest hospital. And if weather rolled it, it could have been much longer.Looking back, I learned so much from the experience. It's not just a freeride film. There's a glaciology angle, an ecological angle, and an arctic story. That communities have thrived in these harsh conditions is amazing. Some of the history is absolutely wildarctic explorers ate each other up here. I think we all learned from the region, it had a huge impact on us. I'm from Canada, but I knew so little about the Canadian arcticthe Inuit, the Thule, the threats that area faces today. This isn't a "we've just scratched the surface" type of film; this opportunity was unique and we know we'll never be back. That's bittersweet, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity, and I hope people connect with the film in a way that shares what we experienced up there.Sun Valley

The Making of a Mountain Bike Mecca

Words: Devon Balet // Photography: Margus Riga // Video: Liam Mullany

Cold Springs Trail on the back of Bald Mountain

Pioneer Cabin

Forbidden Fruit

Forbidden Fruit

Adam's Gulch Loop Trail

Sun Valley is the type of place that is forever burned into your mind once you ride your mountain bike there. Its fast buff singletrack in the high alpine is a mountain biker's dream. The expansive views, seemingly endless downhills, and loamy singletrack will entice any rider to let loose and open it up through the evergreen forests. And with a season that spans from late May through October there is enough time to enjoy all that it offers.If you have yet to ride in and around the Sun Valley area, now is the time. When Sun Valley thaws, the locals trade skis and snowboards for bikes and don't look back for months. With over 400 miles of singletrack, including the resorts lift-serviced gravity trails and several bike parks, it all adds up to a mountain biking mecca.Known for flowy, buff singletrack, you can ride for weeks without ever repeating the same ride. Beginning in the summer of 2014, Sun Valley Resort added lift-served mountain biking on Bald Mountain. If you arent keen to pedal up the 3,400 vertical feet to the summit, hop a ride on the gondola for a gravity-induced thrill back to the valley floor.One may wonder how a long-time ski town came to have so many mountain bike trails. Sun Valley is in the heart of Blaine County which is served by the Blaine County Recreation District. The BCRD is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing Blaine Countys quality of life by creating healthy active recreational opportunities for all. Do you know what that means? Heaps of well-maintained trails.The BCRD plays a significant role in the development of trails in the Sun Valley area. They manage and maintain multiple trails including the Wood River Trail, a 22-mile paved non-motorized path connecting the towns of the Wood River Valley; the Harriman Trail, a 20-mile gravel non-motorized path in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and the pumptrack in Hailey, Idaho.Recently the BCRD completed a 3 year Galena Summer Trails project with a 47-mile singletrack, stacked loop trail network surrounding Galena Lodge north of Ketchum. Additionally, the BCRD employs the Wood River Valley Trails Coordinator (WRVTC). This position helps to open and close all area trails in the spring and fall, perform critical maintenance, coordinate trail work nights and keep the BCRD Summer Trail Link web page Summer Trail Link up to date with important trail information.One may wonder how all these trails stay maintained. The BCRD has a Trails Department headed up by Director of Trails and Facilities, Eric Rector. The Trails and Facilities team maintains the Wood River Trail, Harriman Trail, pumptracks and Galena Summer Trails with the WRVTC also working under the Director of Trails and Facilities. All this is funded by a combination of taxes, earned income through fees and contributed income through fundraising.With so many trails in such a small area you are sure to have a crowd-free experience, but how do you choose which trails to ride?Osbergs Ridge is one of my top rides, explains Ray Gadd with Visit Sun Valley. Youre out there with big, expansive, epic views. There is a solid amount of climbing mixed with some mightily rewarding downhill. If I dont have time for that 34-mile ride, Greenhorn to Imperial is legendary. But dont take my word for it, go ride it yourself.If a gondola ride up and high speed ride down is more your flavor, then a ride up the Roundhouse Gondola from the base of Sun Valley and then connect to the Christmas Lift to the top of the resort is for you. New in 2014, Saddle Up is a downhill-only mountain bike trail featuring banked turns, rollers and jumps appealing to experienced mountain bikers. From there you can connect to the soon to open Mindbender Trail that then connects down to River Run Trail, a sequence of switchbacks in the thick trees returning you to base of Sun Valley. Connecting these three trails provides a 9.5 mile downhill on purpose build flow trail, arguably the longest flow trail on any resort in North America.Not every ride has to be such a commitment, however. One of the great aspects of the riding in and around Sun Valley is that there are several great networks a short distance from town. The Adams Gulch network is a popular after-work riding area being a short 3-mile pedal from the center of Ketchum.The Adams Gulch Loop, also known as the Griffin Butte Loop is a great option if you are looking for an easy striking distance ride that will turn up the fun. This 7-mile loop is most commonly ridden clockwise heading out from the Adams Gulch Trailhead on the old road that follows the bottom of the drainage. You can stick to the wider road or take the low trails lining either side of the gulch (sunnyside or shadyside). Climbing out of the gulch on Griffin Butte Connector gets you to the top of the loop. Continue on and peel left down Harpers for a super fast and flowy descent. Grand the Adams-Lake Connector to get back to where you started.Forbidden Fruit is a super fun, high-speed flow trail with well-built doubles and big berms. Just west of the Adams Gulch network, Forbidden Fruit is a purpose-built flow trail that can be easily looped via Eves Gulch for multiple laps.Pioneer Cabin - Johnstone - Bear - Parker is likely the most underrated ride in Ketchum. The trails at Adams Gulch and Greenhorn are good, but this ride gets you up high into the mountains. As a loop (including the short out and back section to Pioneer Cabin) it is nearly 35 miles and roughly 6,000 vertical gain. Pioneer Cabin is popular and can be busy with hikers, but they are supportive.From all your hard work climbing up you are rewarded with the descent down Johnstone. This has a variety of sections ranging from open sage, treed, loamy to some stretches of rocky chutes descending into the creek bed.After all this great riding you will be on the hunt for a great spot to land for a cold drink and good eats. Sawtooth Brewery is a great option if you are looking for craft beer. Leftys and Grumpys are two local favorites that are must hit spots; both offering outdoor patios, ample beer selection and affordable food options.There are certain days when your legs just need a rest. Fortunately, there are endless activities at your fingertips around Sun Valley with some of the best fly fishing access in the country right in the Sun Valley area. You can be on the Big Wood River in 5 minutes, or at Silver Creek Preserve, the Lost River, the Salmon River, or at a high-mountain lake in under an hour.Another hugely popular off the bike activity is a nice river dip and hot springs soak. Several hot springs are within a short distance from Sun Valley, with Warm Springs Road offering some of the best access hot springs.Throughout the summer months, there are countless festivals and markets to attend. Ketchem Alive happens every Tuesday night with live music and vendors. Load up a picnic, catch up with friends and test out your dance moves in the Forest Service Park.An unexpected good time is the Sun Valley Summer Symphony. There is an eclectic mix of people hanging out on the lawn experiencing free symphony performances from some of the best musicians in the country. Kids roam free while adults young and old, rich and poor share brie, wine and pbr as everyone soaks in a bit of culture.With so much to do and so many trails to ride, it is no wonder that Sun Valley and the greater Blain County is becoming a hot spot for mountain biking. One thing you wont find in Sun Valley is the crowds or the egos. With the expansive trail access, everyone spreads out. Along with empty trails, the folks there are unassumingly good riders without bragging about it; you will have former World Champions pedaling with new-comers. Seeing a community genuinely passionate for the sport is inspiring.For more information regarding trails and planning a trip check out Visit Sun Valley or for information for lift access trails you can find more information at Bald MountainSince joining American Ballet Theatre as a soloist in 2008, Russian-born Daniil Simkin has become a fixture in the New York City dance scene. In addition to performing leading roles with ABT in everything from Giselle to Whipped Cream, Simkin has also spearheaded his own side projects like 2015s INTENSIO and, most recently, his Falls the Shadow at the Guggenheim Museums rotunda.

But Simkin has just announced that hell be calling Germany home in fall of 2018, when he will officially join Staatsballett Berlin for the companys 201819 season. Simkins new role coincides with the start of the companys new directors, Sasha Waltz and Johannes Ohman, an announcement which caused a ton of backlash when it was decided upon last fall.

With Simkins international fame, were not totally surprised by the move, but we are pleased to see that he wont entirely be leaving NYC. In a press release from ABT, both Simkin and ABTs artistic director Kevin McKenzie stated that Simkin will continue to perform with ABT (schedule permitting).

On his future with Staatsballett, Simkin said, Having grown up in Germany, I am looking forward to returning with everything that ABT has taught me and to joining Staatsballett Berlin under the directorship of Sasha Waltz and Johannes OhmanBut as of now, I am just very excited for the Fall season to begin and cannot wait for another great year at ABT!

Given Simkins use of technology in his dance works, hes bound to keep us updated on his next adventure via social media. But in the meantime, well use this as an excuse to catch as many shows as possible in the upcoming season with ABT.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

From June 1023, 119 competitors from 19 countries will gather in Jackson, Mississippi, for the 11th USA International Ballet Competition. Held every four years, the USA IBC has helped launch the careers of dozens of stars, including Daniil Simkin, Misa Kuranaga and Brooklyn Mack. The 2014 competition was good, but were making this year better, says jury chairman John Meehan. Changes include broadened age limits for competitors and a larger sum of prize money. This summers competition also has a special focus on Marius Petipa in honor of his 200th birthday. There will be an emphasis on Petipa repertoire, and choreographer Alexei Ratmansky will give a workshop for competitors on his reconstructions of original Petipa choreography. This edition will also honor the legacy of Robert Joffrey, who was a catalyst in launching the USA IBC with founder Thalia Mara. Dancers from The Joffrey Ballet will perform in the opening ceremony.

John Meehan at the 2014 USA IBC. Photo by Richard Finkelstein, Courtesy USA IBC.

Meehan heads a nine-member jury of esteemed ballet professionals, each hailing from a different country. Jury members include The Joffrey Ballet artistic director Ashley Wheater, National Ballet of China director Feng Ying and Yuri Fateyev, acting director of the Mariinsky Ballet. For Meehan, the USA IBC stands out from other competitions with its longer length and excellent conditions. The stage is great, no one has to rehearse at 2 am and people are really more settled, says Meehan. Southern hospitality also makes a big difference. I think people often leave having made friends in the South, which is just wonderful.American actor and musician Johnny Depp visited Russia last week as part of a European tour with the rock band Hollywood Vampires. The Russian media, including official government outlets, extensively covered Depps visit.

Some of the reports turned out to be fabrications -- in particular, the reports that he had a car accident in S. Petersburg and private dates with 40 Russian girls in Moscow, for which the girls had to pay $1,000 each. Both reports were false, yet they crossed the Atlantic to appear in the English language media.

In the article published this past March headlined How Did an Itty-Bitty Piece of Russian Propaganda Wind Up in Slate?, Slate Magazine looked into how and why the Russian media intentionally target popular Western personalities.

The article explained how Slate had become part of a Columbia Journalism Review study of 32 U.S. media outlets that unintentionally shared content produced by the Kremlin-backed Internet Research Agency (IRA).

Apparently, Slate unintentionally shared an embedded IRA tweet ridiculing Johnny Depp, who had caused controversy by joking about assassinating President Donald Trump. The Slate story ran in June 2017, after Trump had been elected.

At this point it is impossible to say whether the latest fabrications concerning Depp are part of the IRA campaign. However, the fact that not only Russian tabloids, but official government media took part in the defamation campaign against Johnny Depp raises questions.

The car accident was fabricated by St. Petersburgs popular Channel 5 TV. The report was based on an incident in which a van being used by the Hollywood Vampires, while exiting the hotel parking garage hit a wall without causing any damage to the vehicle or to its occupants. The incident was recorded and the video posted on Channel 5s website. This news quickly spread through the Russian media, including some state-owned channels.

Later in the day, the St. Petersburg information agency Nevskie Novosti debunked the story about the car accident. Moreover, Johnny Depp was not even in the van that the Channel 5 TV video showed.

The second fabrication found even a broader coverage and caused a wave of speculation.

The news that Johnny Depp had private dates with 40 Russian girls who paid $1,000 each for a few minutes alone with the American star in Moscow originated with Komsomolskaya Pravda (KP.ru), Russias oldest and most popular newspaper.

Johnny Depp is a pirate not only on screen, but in life also. For the dates with Russian fans, the capricious Hollywood star demanded a thousand bucks from each of them, KP.ru said. The newspaper quoted one of Depps fans, a businesswoman named Anastasia Niyazgulova, as its source for this information.

Gazeta.ru, a Gazprom-owned media outlet, reported that Depp earned 62,000 rubles per date.

The tabloid newspaper Express Gazeta gave the same figure, adding that Depps earnings from the dates totaled about two and a half million rubles.

However, the KP.ru source, businesswoman Anastasia Niyazgulova, debunked the information. As quoted by the Ridus.ru news agency, Niyazgulova accused Kosomolskaya Pravda of twisting her words and taking them out of context.

In her interview with Ridus.ru, Niyazgulova said the meetings with were not private dates with Johnny Depp, but a regular meeting between fans of the Hollywood Vampires and members of the band, and that tickets were officially sold on the bands website.

Apparently, the meetings were part of a standard Ultimate Meet & Greet Package, and this confused the Russian media and served as a basis for the fake news.

British fans of Johnny Deep who saw photos of him from Russia said they were concerned about his well-being, calling his appearance pale and gaunt.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the official newspaper of the Russian government, said Johnny Depp was looking ill because he was exhausted after meeting with 40 Russian girls.

One bit of news that appeared false but proved to be true was that during Johnny Depps concert in Moscow, women took off and threw their lingerie at the star, who then collected the items from the stage and tied them to his guitar.THE MIX | Empowerment and Deep Thought

by Brynn Elliott



06.04.18 | This is my empowerment and deep thinkin' playlist. It inspires me to feel more in control and stronger throughout my day as it is full of INCREDIBLE women singing their stories. Then there are a few songs that inspire me to think deeper about what it means to live in this world, what it means to be nostalgic, and most importantly about what it means to love.

Listen to Brynn's new song "Time of our Lives"

Brynn's initial application to Harvard was not accepted, but she refused to give up. She reapplied a year later, this time submitting her music with the application, and was accepted. When Brynn entered Harvard four years ago, she was the first person in her family to attend college, a huge milestone for the musician. In the past few years, Brynn has gone from writing songs on the bathroom floor to playing over 200 shows and signing with Atlantic Records. The musician, who first discovered songwriting as a teenager when she came across her dad's old guitar in the basement, recently graduated from Harvard University with a mission to share her experiences and philosophical studies through the lens of pop music.



Her debut EP, Time of Our Lives, which arrives later this year, was inspired by Brynn's time at Harvard and the relationships she's fostered there. The classes she's taken for her philosophy major weave their way through the five tracks, each inspired by a different philosopher or set of ideas. Anthemic pop number "Time of Our Lives" draws on Heidegger and existentialism, reminding the listener to be present in the moment, especially when the future remains unknown  as it often does after college. "Might Not Like Me, a buoyant song with an empowering chorus, was penned shortly after a breakup.

www.bostonherald.com

Brynn, who created the EP with producer Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift), was encouraged by a class on feminist critiques of Descartes. "The reason for the breakup was because I'd been touring a lot throughout college and I was gone a lot on the weekends to play shows," Brynn says. "This guy was pretty intimidated by that. I felt like I had to make myself smaller when I was with him. We were studying this woman who self-published her own philosophy under her own name in a time when women couldn't do that and it stuck with me."

"I reached this breaking point where I could do what I loved or I was going to miss out on that for a boy. I had been living in such fear of what this guy thought of me and that's so much of what the struggle of being a woman is. I wrote this song about letting go of that fear and not worrying so much about being who you are."

THE BREAKDOWN

1. Might Not Like Me

I wrote this song about a relationship I was in where I felt like I had to dim my light in order to be acceptable to the guy I was dating. It's a song of empowerment about not living in fear of what someone else might think about you, especially a boy.

2. Rolling In the Deep

I never make a playlist without Adele. My favorite line of the song is the first - "there's a fire starting in my heart..." It's just so assertive and powerful. Adele endlessly inspires me with the power.

3. I'll Be There

I love this song because it shows the fierce and sweet loyal that women possess. And it's also darn catchy and a fun summer tune.

4. 2002

CANNOT stop listening to this. The happy nostalgic vibes are giving me ALL the feels because I just graduated college and am feeling super reflective. Also, Anne-Marie = Queen.

5. Time of Our Lives

This song came to me during my senior year of college when my friends and I were talking about what it means to make the most of all of our time together before we all go off and do our thing after graduation. It's a song about being present in your moment, with the people you love.

6. Buzzcut Season

This is a go-to song for me whenever I need to clear my head and just step outside of my world for a second. Definitely in line with the nostalgic theme...and it's just so dreamy and beautiful.

7. Love Lies

This song, in my opinion, is about empowering love- it's a straightforward question that seeks clarity about where the relationship is at, but also doesn't dismiss the mysteries that come along with being in love. Also, I can't think of a better duo than Khalid and Normani.

8. In My Blood

This song is raw and real. It is a song that talks about those real moments of life that happen when we feel anxious or dissatisfied. And yet it is such a powerful song about not letting those moments define you but instead letting that persevering part define you.

9. California

I was so grateful to my friend Dzeko for having me on this song!! It is a song that talks about the emotional healing process of going through a break-up. It was definitely therapeutic to sing.

10. Praying

I cried when I first heard this song. There's nothing I can really add to it -the song says it all. But it is such a testament to forgiveness, healing and hope.

Brynn Elliott leaning on a brick wall in a stylish jean jacket. brynnelliott.com

Dan Victor is editor of Popdust and producer of Popdust Presents. He is also a music producer, bassist for Low Profile (live hip hop) & The Coldpress (indie rap) and front-man for Ductape Halo (indie rock). Follow on Youtube.

POPDUST | Read More



MUSIC MONDAY | Chris Jobe gives us some "Love in the Morning"

MUSIC MONDAY | Do You Got The Chills?

MUSIC MONDAY | Playlist Takeover by Megan DaviesDHL Parcel and Post Luxembourg have signed a strategic partnership on cross-border parcel shipping.

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Post Luxembourg will become part of the DHL Parcel Europe parcel network, which offers a standardized parcel service called Parcel Connect throughout Europe, with new functionalities for parcel deliveries and returns.

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Parcel Connect will be offered by DHL Parcel in cooperation with other parcel service providers in Europe. In June, Post Luxembourg will become the official partner for Parcel Connect in Luxembourg.

Initially, the services offered will only cover delivery of parcels imported from Europe to Luxembourg. The cooperation with Post Luxembourg will allow the DHL Parcel Europe network to benefit from improved transit times to Luxembourg and to gain access to the countrys largest network of service points and parcel stations.

E-commerce customers can take advantage of parcel notification by e-mail/SMS; option of changing the delivery date; collection service for returns and simplified returns without additional costs for recipients.

In a second phase, Post Luxembourg will also offer export services from Luxembourg.

Achim Dunnwald, CEO of DHL Parcel, said, With Post Luxembourg as a new strategic partner, we are able to offer a service for Luxembourg that is even better tailored to the needs of B2C e-commerce customers.

This extends our proven Parcel Union partnership model to 10 partners in 14 countries, in its third year of existence. In other markets too, we are continuing to work on gaining local heroes as partners and on expanding our harmonized Parcel Connect service throughout Europe.

Hjoerdis Stahl, deputy managing director of Post Luxembourg and director of Post Courrier, commented, The cooperation with DHL Parcel, and as a member of the DHL Parcel Europe network, emphasizes the positioning of Post Luxembourg in the logistics area, in which we see good opportunities for growth.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.Work on two reactors at the V.C. Summer nuclear plant came to a halt last summer. Efforts by SCE&G to toss lawsuits tied to the project's failure were rejected last week by the S.C. Court of Appeals and a federal district judge. File/Grace Beahm/StaffMary Katherine, who also goes by MK, covers health care for The Post and Courier. She is also pursuing a master's degree in data science. She grew up in upstate New York and enjoys playing cards, kayaking and the Blue Ridge Mountains.Guest bartenders from pubs across Charleston will compete in a friendly battle for best negroni at Warehouse this Sunday.Andrew Knapp is editor of the Quick Response Team, which covers crime, courts and breaking news. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor at Florida Today, Newsday and Bangor (Maine) Daily News. He enjoys golf, weather and fatherhood.David Slade is a senior Post and Courier reporter. His work has been honored nationally by Society of Professional Journalists, American Society of Newspaper Editors, Scripps foundation and others. Reach him at 843-937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.comHannah Alani is a reporter at The Post and Courier covering race, immigration and rural life across the Palmetto State. Before graduating from Indiana University and moving to Charleston in 2017, her byline appeared in The New York Times.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.Assistant Columbia bureau chief

Adcox returned to The Post and Courier in October 2017 after 12 years covering the Statehouse for The Associated Press. She previously covered education for The P&C. She has also worked for The AP in Albany, N.Y., and for The Herald in Rock Hill.COLUMBIA As the three Democratic candidates for governor sparred again Monday night in their latest primary debate, they disagreed at times on the actual facts at hand. Here were a few key disputes:

Santee Cooper

During a back and forth, Florence attorney Marguerite Willis was asked about her law partner, Leighton Lord, the former chairman of Santee Cooper  the minority owner of the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project.

Willis recognized that she works for the same law firm, Nexsen Pruet. But she said Lord was only chairman for two and half years before he commissioned a highly-secret audit that pointed out a host of problems with construction at V.C. Summer.

That is true. Under Lord's leadership, Santee Cooper pushed its project partner SCANA to hire Bechtel to audit the multibillion dollar effort.

Noble pushed back and said Gov. Henry McMaster successfully fired Lord after the project's collapse last fall.

That is not true, which Willis pointed out. McMaster attempted to fire Lord, but Lord filed a lawsuit to stop the governor from pushing him out. A judge filed an injunction to temporarily stop McMaster but Lord resigned before the issue could be hashed out in court.

Noble noted the end result was the same anyway.

Medicaid

James Smith again said he would expand Medicaid in South Carolina with a wave of the pen.

It's not quite as simple as that. The governor's office can inform the federal government the state intends to expand the Medicaid program, which currently insures over a quarter of the state's population.

Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email

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But the Legislature still plays a huge role in making sure state government actually receives the federal money to cover the health care costs for thousands of additional people in South Carolina.

By 2019, the state would have to appropriate 7 percent of the money for the Medicaid expansion, and the Legislature controls those purse strings. If the Republican-led Statehouse doesn't come up with that money, the state won't get the federal taxpayer money that covers the other 93 percent of the cost of expansion.

Smith and his lieutenant governor running mate, state Rep. Mandy Powers Norrell, both longtime lawmakers, believe they have the political pull to convince enough Democrats and Republicans to do just that.

Poll

Willis claimed that a recent poll had her winning the race with 45 percent of the vote to Smith's 40 percent.

That was a mistaken reference to a fake results page that Columbia TV station WLTX accidentally put online last week to test their system.

The only recent public polls in the Democratic governor's race have found that many voters are undecided, a result that some candidates disputed.

Republican connections

Phil Noble attacked James Smith for representing South Carolina's Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson in an ethics case and then partnering with Wilson's office on a lawsuit against opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma, which he described as a corrupt arrangement.

Smith did indeed represent Wilson and has partnered with his office on the Purdue Pharma case, a fact that has also been brought up by Greenville attorney William Herlong, who is challenging Wilson in his GOP primary.

Noble then accused Smith of lying about his connections to Wilson.

Smith did not appear to deny that he had been hired for the case, saying: "The fact that I happen to be a good lawyer and I get hired by Republicans and Democrats and independents  I guess I'll plead guilty to that."PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 09:47:01

(Linkoping, Sweden, June 5, 2018)  Agama Technologies, the specialist in video service quality and customer experience, today announced that Hungarian operator UPC has selected to implement Agamas video assurance platform to ensure top quality of its video services.

UPC Hungary, as a leading integrated info-communications operator, is providing top quality services to 1.8 million of households in Hungary in nearly 350 settlements for more than 855.000 residential and business customers. By implementing the Agama video assurance platform in its head-end and network, UPC achieves full operational transparency in real-time. With the right information and insights at their fingertips on service performance in multiple stages of the delivery network, UPC operations teams can manage, deploy and innovate in an agile manner while staying in full control.

By choosing Agamas modern, software-based solution, we are able to get great support for both automated monitoring as well as visual inspection. We now have a real-time view of the delivery chain with key metrics directly available for our services, from the head-end and through the network, Tibor Szabadszallasi, Video Manager at UPC says.

As a long-time Agama partner, we are thrilled to support the deployment of the Agama solution at UPC Hungary, Tibor Temesi at Silicon Computers comments.

Mikael Dahlgren, CEO at Agama Technologies, adds: It is always a pleasure to design quality assurance solutions together with operators with as high ambitions as UPC Hungary. We feel honored to have been selected by them and are really looking forward to our collaboration.

###

Media contact:

Anna Amnell

Agama Technologies

mediacontact@agama.tv

+46 13 240 330





UPC is the leading integrated ICT service provider in Hungary. The company has been supplying its innovative services to the market since 1998. It provides television, broadband internet and landline telephone services in nearly 350 settlements nationwide on its cable networks. In 2015, the company launched its mobile service with a totally new approach in the domestic telecommunications sector, being the first to offer unlimited data packages with no fixed terms and network-independent devices. Through its innovative applications and services UPC offers access to the unlimited opportunities of the digital world inside and outside homes and offices. UPC Corporate Services division provides enterprises with customized and competitively priced business communications solutions.

According to company data from 31 March 2018, UPC operates a total of 685,300 cable television, 673,400 broadband internet, 640,700 landline telephone and 93,900 mobile communications services through its modernized and constantly expanding networks reaching nearly 1.8 million households in Hungary. For further information please visit our website at www.upc.hu

About Silicon Computers

Silicon Computers Ltd. was established in 1995 as the Hungarian distributor for Silicon Graphics, Inc. (recently acquired by Hewlett Packard Enterprise) and as system integration being one of its core businesses, the company is also a strategic partner of several other renowned vendors. Silicon Computers makes sales activities with hardware and software products of its market leading partners and also supports its customers. The company provides complete solutions, including system development and integration, on such application areas like broadcast and on-line media, enterprise IT, image processing, surveillance systems, business intelligence, e-commerce, education, and scientific research. You can find Silicon Computers on the web at www.silicon.hu

About Agama Technologies

Agama Technologies specializes in empowering video operators business processes with awareness that can drastically lower operational costs and improve customer satisfaction. With extensive experience and an industry-leading solution for monitoring, assurance and analytics of video service quality and customer experience, Agama helps operators to implement a data-driven way of working to assure optimal service quality, improve operational efficiency and increase customer understanding. The company is based in Linkoping, Sweden, and is privately held. For more information, visit www.agama.tv

AttachmentGrowth of the automotive interior materials market is mainly driven by rapidly growing automotive industry and rising inclination of consumers towards aesthetic features of the automotive interiors and also improving driving experience.

Automotive Interior Materials Market

PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 13:28:37

Press Information

Coherent Market Insights

Mr. Shah





Coherent Market Insights



1001 4th Ave,





#3200





Seattle, WA 98154





Tel: +1-206-701-6702



Mr. Shah

CEO

+1-206-701-6702

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https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/automotive-interior-materials-market-337





# 750 Words

Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702CEO+1-206-701-6702

Automotive interiors, including seats, door panels, cockpit modules, steering wheels, and dashboards offer comfort to the vehicle drivers and also enhance the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle. Automotive interiors of superior quality minimize engine vibrations and act as effective cabin insulators, thereby enhancing the consumers riding experience. Attributed to the growing consumer preference for premium automotive interior materials and the desire to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the interiors, the global automotive interior material market is expected to witness a significant growth during the forecast period.Request Sample of Automotive Interior Materials Market: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/337 Growth of the automotive interior materials market is mainly driven by rapidly growing automotive industry and rising inclination of consumers towards aesthetic features of the automotive interiors and also improving driving experience. OEMs offer high customization to satiate the specific demands of consumers, in order to capitalize upon high consumer purchasing power. Consumers are increasingly inclined towards vehicles with features that were until now reserved for premium vehicles. These include premium seat covers, leather covered dashboards, and luxury carpeting, among others. This creates a highly conducive environment for growth of the market. Furthermore, increasing demand for lightweight vehicles due to its low carbon emission quality, is also driving the manufacturers to focus on smart textiles appropriate for the vehicles thereby, boosting the demand for automotive interior materials. In 2015, global vehicle production was pegged at over 90 million, which increased to around 95 million in 2016. This creates a highly conducive environment for growth of the automotive interior materials market.Growing awareness about waste disposal in the process of leather manufacturing required for the automotive interiors along with high prices of leather material are expected to restrain the growth of the market. Leather manufacturing is affected by a number of factors such as the use of chemicals such as formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives, cyanide based materials and others that result in toxicity of the environment, usage of animal by-products thereby pressurizing the animal population, manufacturers who use premium leather to manufacture automotive interiors. A number of U.S. cities have passed on procurement policies on phasing out the purchase of PVC which is considered to a toxic material that can contaminate the environment. Hence the use of PVC in automotive interior materials is decreasing thereby hampering the growth of the market.Automotive Interior Materials: Market TaxonomyBy Material TypeThe global market can be segmented on the basis of type of material used which includes:Synthetic leatherPure leatherFabricsThermoplastic polymersBy Vehicle TypeOn the basis of vehicle type, the global market can be segmented into:Passenger vehiclesLight commercial vehiclesHeavy commercial vehiclesBy Interior TypeBased on the interior type, the global market can be segmented into:Seat beltsSteering wheel beltsSeat coversUpholsteryInterior roofingCockpitOthersGlobal Automotive Interior Materials Market Outlook: Burgeoning growth of Automotive Sector in Asia Pacific to Fuel Market GrowthGeographically, the global automotive interior materials market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Booming automotive industry along with rising middle class population with high spending power creates highly lucrative opportunities for players in the automotive interior materials industry. In Asia-Pacific region, government initiatives in terms of subsidies and tax concessions across various countries are attracting the automotive OEMs to build their manufacturing plants in the region. For instance, in July 2016, the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced plans to make electric car batteries run longer, build a network of charging stations and make electric car purchases and ownership more affordable. The government expects that the current and future policy programs will help increase the electric car market share in South Korea to 0.5% in 2017, up from 0.2% in 2015, and to achieve 5.3% in 2020. Also, In April 2014, the Indian government announced a new plan to provide subsidies for hybrid and electric vehicles. The plan will have subsidies up to US$ 2,314 for cars and US$ 463 on two wheelers. This in turn positions Asia Pacific as a high growth market for automotive interior materials.Get More Information @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/automotive-interior-materials-market-337 Global automotive interior materials market is extremely competitive and consolidated with the presence of large players accounting for major share. Key players in the market include Sage Automotive Interiors Inc., BASF S.E., Katzkin Leather Interiors Inc., Eagle Ottawa, Borgers A.G., International Textile Group Inc., Faurecia S.A, Johnson Controls Inc., Lear Corporation, Dow Chemical Company, DK Leather Corporation Berhad, and E.I.DU Pont De Nemours.PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 09:05:15

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Commerce Resources Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Commerce Resources Corp. (TSX Venture:CCE). has issued a press release with the following headline:Commerce Resources Corp. Updates Environmental Test Work on Tailings Optimization for the Ashram Rare Earth DepositTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Commerce Resources Corp., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Commerce Resources Corp.Source: Commerce Resources Corp. (TSX Venture: CCE, OTCQX: CMRZF, FWB: D7H, ISIN: CA2006971006, WKN: A0J2Q3)Date: June 05, 2018Time: 3:05 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Commerce Resources Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)Elastomeric Infusion System Market: Market Growth, Size, Share, Trends, Key Players, Competitive Intelligence 2013 to 2017 and Forecast 2018 to 2024

Elastomeric Infusion System Market

PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 08:40:53

Press Information

Precision Business Insights

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London EC1V 2NX



satya

Lead Marketing

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email

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# 774 Words

Kemp House,152  160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXLead Marketing+1-866-598-1553

Elastomeric Infusion System Market: Market Growth, Size, Share, Trends, Key Players, Competitive Intelligence 2013 to 2017 and Forecast 2018 to 2024Elastomeric Infusion System Market report offers Market Size, Dynamics, Regional Market Share, Top Key Players, Latest trends, Growth factors, Industry Stats, Historic Market, Business Intelligence, Business Research Reports, Competitive Intelligence 2013 to 2017 and Forecast 2018 to 2024The positive growth factors for elastomeric infusion system market is increase in adoption, growing demand for small disposable infusion pumps, and its wide range of application in various fluid drug delivery systems. In addition, increase in number of surgeries as a result of increased rate of hospitalization that ultimately increases the demand for elastomeric pumps for postoperative pain management conditions. Elastomeric infusion pump system offers several advantages over electronic pumps including portability, feasible demonstration, low weight, size, ease of use, and less interference with sleep. However, difficulties in detection of delivery rate accuracy, and abnormal drug delivery are restraining factors for growth of the market. Furthermore, increasing R&D costs and frequent product recalls, mostly due to design flaws, are expected to hamper the elastomeric infusion system market.A sample of this report is available upon request @Elastomeric infusion system market has been segmented on the basis of product type, indication and end-userBased on product type, elastomeric infusion system market is segmented into Continuous Rate Elastomeric Infusion System Variable Rate Elastomeric Infusion SystemBased on indication, elastomeric infusion system market is segmented into Pain Management Infectious Disease treatment Inversional Chemotherapy Iron ChelationBased on end-user, elastomeric infusion system market is segmented into Hospitals Ambulatory Surgical centres Homecare SettingsTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Elastomeric infusion system market is expected to show significant growth rate owing to rise in demand for disposable ambulatory infusion pumps. Market players are actively participating in innovative strategies to expand their market share. For instance in April 2017, B. Braun Medical Inc. launched esaypump home infusion therapy app, offers educational content to clinicians and patients on safe usage of B. Braun Medicals easypump elastomeric infusion pump. Furthermore, companies are focusing on collaborations and mergers & acquisitions to expand their market share. For instance, in January 2015, Fresenius Kabi (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA) entered into multiyear distribution agreement with Halyard Health to distribute Halyard Healths disposable elastomeric intravenous infusion pumps. By this agreement Fresenius Kabi expanded the product portfolio.Need more information about this report @Geographically elastomeric infusion system market has been segmented into following regions Viz. North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is largest in terms of value in elastomeric infusion system market followed by Europe. North America accounts highest market share due to increased prevalence of chronic diseases like gastrointestinal complications, abdominal herniae and increased number of surgeries. Asia Pacific expected to show fastest growth rate due to the development of healthcare infrastructure leading to more construction of small and mid-sized hospitals, and increasing number of local players and start-up firms entering this market. The Middle East and Africa region is projected to be a potential market for elastomeric infusion system owing high prevalence rates of chronic diseases that require surgical procedure but less disease awareness among the patients.Some of the players in elastomeric infusion system Market includes B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG (Braun Melsungen AG.) (Germany), Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA (Fresenius Kabi AG) (Germany), Halyard Health, Inc. (U.S.), Leventon S.A.U (Spain), Ambu A/S (Denmark), Baxter International Inc. (U.S.), Nipro Corporation (Japan), and Woo Young Medical Co. (Jincheon) to name a few.Get access to full summary @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Precision Business Insights mission is to provide high-quality market research reports and generate key insights to our clients. PBIs approachable strategies are to help clients to make key decisions for business growth.Precision Business Insights vision is to become most valued partner to fortune 500 companies by providing agile, accurate, and actionable market insightsContact to Precision Business Insights,Kemp House,152  160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXEmail: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com Toll Free (US): +1-866-598-1553Website @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.comPR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 11:32:03

Amsterdam, The Netherlands - 5th June 2018 - UNLEASH (formerly HR Tech World), the fastest-growing international show on the Future of Work & Technology, announced today that Esther Perel, Author and Renowned Psychotherapist and Matthieu Ricard, French Writer, Buddhist Monk and Humanitarian will be the headline keynote speakers at its flagship show, UNLEASH World Conference & Expo taking place 23-24 October, 2018 at the Amsterdam RAI in the Netherlands.

One of the world's most insightful and original voices on modern relationships, Esther Perel will address attendees with her keynote entitled: "Where Should We Begin? The Future of the Workplace: How Good Relationships Promote Well-Being and Success". Not satisfied that she's helped change the lives of millions of couples through her podcast and private therapy practice, Perel takes to the stage to unleash the chains of workplace relationships where jealousy, betrayal and bitterness can sabotage a business as much as a marriage. Sharing lessons and principles gleaned from more than 30 years as a couples' therapist, Perel will offer insights and tools for creating thriving, open relationships with co-workers, bosses and business partners.

Perel helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organisational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Fluent in nine languages, Perel is the host of the award-winning podcast Where Should We Begin?, a popular TED speaker and the author of the bestselling books Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs.

Matthieu Ricard, French Author, Buddhist Monk and Humanitarian who has been called the "happiest person in the world" by several popular media will be the closing keynote at UNLEASH World Conference & Expo in Amsterdam. Ricard who has been living in the Himalayan region for the past 45 years is a prominent speaker on the world stage, celebrated at the World Economic Forum at Davos, forums at the United Nations, and at TED where his talks on happiness and altruism have been viewed by millions of people.

As a trained scientist and Buddhist monk, he has been actively participating in the dialogue between East and West and has been, for the last twenty years, an active participant in the scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain. He will share his wisdom and scientific insights on happiness with the UNLEASH audience in October.

"I surmise that in all our years of producing inspiring keynotes for UNLEASH, having Esther and Matthieu joining us in Amsterdam will make a big difference and celebrates our new mission to inspire and transform the world for the better", said Marc Coleman, Founder and CEO of UNLEASH. "We need to humanize, look ourselves in the mirror and be happy again - at work and at home."

For more information about UNLEASH World Conference & Expo, visit http://www.unleashgroup.io/amsterdam/index

About UNLEASH

UNLEASH (previously HR Tech World) is the largest and fastest-growing global network on a mission to inspire and transform the Future of Work & HR Technology. Our shows in the U.S. and Europe attract the world's leading technology providers, entrepreneurs, visionaries, disrupters and doers, including Sir Richard Branson, Arianna Huffington, Sir Ken Robinson, Rachel Botsman, Gary Vaynerchuk and many more. Our Startup Ecosystem is the biggest HR Technology community for the latest innovators and next-gen technologies that will change how we work and how work gets done. UNLEASH News keeps the conversation going year-round with provocative, engaging stories on the Future of Work & HR Technology. Find out more at www.unleashgroup.io. Follow us at #UNLEASH18

For more information or any media inquiries, please contact Andi Lustak on pr@unleashgroup.io

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: UNLEASH via Globenewswire

PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 15:04:01

DURHAM, N.C., June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SolarWinds MSP, a global leader in delivering comprehensive, scalable IT service management solutions to IT solution providers and MSPs, today announced four of its executives were recognized by CRN  , a brand of The Channel Company, on the 2018 Women of the Channel list.

The annual list spotlights women leaders representing vendors, distributors, solution providers, and other organizations that feature prominently in the channel ecosystem. Each is recognized for her outstanding leadership, vision, and unique role in driving channel growth and innovation.

The SolarWinds MSP executives on this year's Women of the Channel list include:

Stacy West, Vice President, Marketing

Sara Foley, Senior Director, Product Management

Shari Barnett, Senior Product Marketing Manager

Stefanie Hammond, Senior Channel Sales Specialist

In addition, Stacy West was named on CRN's "Power 100" list, an elite subset of channel influencers drawn from the larger group of honorees. All Women of the Channel leaders were chosen by CRN based on their professional accomplishments, demonstrated expertise, and ongoing dedication to the IT channel.

"These four SolarWinds MSP executives are vital to our business success and to the success of our MSP partners," said John Pagliuca, general manager, SolarWinds MSP. "Together with CRN, we are proud to celebrate their exceptional accomplishments, IT channel commitment, and ongoing efforts to cultivate female leaders within SolarWinds MSP and across our industry. A huge thanks to CRN for recognizing their impact and contributions."

Each of the four SolarWinds MSP executives plays a role in supporting the growth of the company's worldwide community of more than 20,000 partners. With their guidance, SolarWinds MSP continues to invest in its MSPs through partner-focused Empower MSP events and ongoing innovation across its RMM, cloud-based email, malware protection and spam filtering, PSA, remote control, security, and backup solutions.

"This accomplished group of leaders is steadily guiding the IT channel into a prosperous new era of services-led business models and deep, strategic partnerships," said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. "CRN's 2018 Women of the Channel list honors executives who are driving channel progress through a number of achievements-exemplary partner programs, innovative product development and marketing, effective team-building, visionary leadership and accelerated sales growth-as well as advocacy for the next generation of women channel executives."

The 2018 Women of the Channel and Power 100 lists will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine and online at CRN.com/wotc.

About SolarWinds MSP

SolarWinds MSP empowers IT service providers with technologies that fuel their success. Solutions that integrate business growth, security, and smart automation-both on-premises and in the cloud, backed by actionable data insights, help IT service providers get the job done easier and faster. SolarWinds MSP helps our customers focus on what matters most-meeting their SLAs and delivering services efficiently and effectively. For more information, visit solarwindsmsp.com

The SolarWinds and SolarWinds MSP trademarks are the exclusive property of SolarWinds MSP UK Ltd. or its affiliates and may be registered or pending registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. All other SolarWinds MSP and SolarWinds trademarks, service marks, and logos may be common law marks or are registered or pending registration. All other trademarks mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks (and may be registered trademarks) of their respective companies.

 2018 SolarWinds MSP UK Ltd. All rights reserved.

CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

For more information:

Karla Walls

karla.walls@solarwinds.comPR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 12:03:04

Data visualisation company continues senior leadership team expansion

GeoSpock Welcomes New Chief Commercial Officer

Media for GeoSpock

Sarah Redman

sarah@geospockpr.com

+44 203 642 1124

GeoSpock  the extreme-scale, data integration company that provides analytics, builds insight, and enables predictions across space and time  today announced the appointment of Allen Dickson as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).

Dickson will lead and drive all aspects of sales, channel and alliance strategies globally and manage all commercial partnerships and opportunities enabling GeoSpock to meet ambitious global expansion plans. He will execute on strategic go-to-market plans to accelerate adoption and expand GeoSpocks global roll out of its leading product suite, including its full analytics illumin8 and extrapol8 toolset, and extreme-scale indexing engine, infin8. GeoSpock is establishing itself as the de facto processing engine at the heart of next-generation smart infrastructure  including smart cities and the Internet of Everything (IoE). The company is also powering future mobility applications, such as the management of autonomous vehicle fleets, by working with businesses across the automotive, telecoms, mobility, media, and retail sectors.

Dicksons wealth of skills and knowledge will be invaluable to fuel these innovations. With over 20 years experience operating across the telco, publisher, media, and mobile industries at Vodafone, Telefonica, SFR, and Deutsche Telekom, he brings extensive strategic coordination and business development strategy capabilities. Time spent working for SaaS business Brightcove  one of the largest video SaaS businesses in the world  also means Dickson understands how to deploy technology globally and support the needs of a varied customer base.

Allen Dickson, CCO, comments: GeoSpock is at the cutting edge of an explosion in the data market and I am delighted to join the senior leadership team at this critical time for the geospatial industry. With GeoSpock leading the way, extreme-scale data visualisation at sub-second response time is now a reality, allowing businesses to harness valuable insights. Technology and innovation are my passion, so I am looking forward to driving existing EMEA operations and supporting GeoSpocks global expansion.

Richard Baker, CEO at GeoSpock, comments: We are delighted to welcome Allen to the team in the role of CCO during this key period in GeoSpocks global growth. His passion and focus for putting the customer first, combined with his ability to strategically build valuable client relationships, brings an exciting blend of skills to GeoSpock. Allens extensive media, telco, and mobility business experience and track-record means that GeoSpock will be in a prime position for our next growth phase.

<ENDS>

About GeoSpock

GeoSpock provides analytics, builds insight, and enables prediction across space and time. Their proprietary data integration platform visualises extreme amounts of contextual data in milliseconds. Its architecture has the ability to analyse trillions of geospatial and temporal data points in sub-second response time with its high performance, cloud-based services  infin8, illumin8, and extrapol8. Conceived by Dr Steve Marsh while reading for his PhD in Computer Science at Cambridge University and founded as a business in 2013, GeoSpock is the future of big data management, providing extreme-scale, high volume-ingest, ease of use, and interactive results. Learn more at www.geospock.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005

GeoSpock Welcomes New Chief Commercial OfficerHeart Valves Market: Market Growth, Size, Share, Trends, Key Players, Competitive Intelligence 2013 to 2017 and Forecast 2018 to 2024

Heart Valves Market Growth

PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 15:01:07

Press Information

Precision Business Insights

Kemp House,





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London EC1V 2NX



Satya

Lead Marketing

+1-866-598-1553

email

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# 656 Words

Kemp House,152  160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXLead Marketing+1-866-598-1553

Heart Valves Market: Market Growth, Size, Share, Trends, Key Players, Competitive Intelligence 2013 to 2017 and Forecast 2018 to 2024Heart Valves Market report offers Market Size, Dynamics, Regional Market Share, Top Key Players, Latest trends, Growth factors, Industry Stats, Historic Market, Business Intelligence, Business Research Reports, Competitive Intelligence 2013 to 2017 and Forecast 2018 to 2024The heart valves market is growing at a significant CAGR due to increase in geriatric population, and increase in the prevalence of heart valve diseases. The increase in demand for stentless tissue valves, implementation of MI procedures expected to fuel the growth of Heart valves market. Rising in preference for tissue heart valve replacement surgeries among the geriatric population is also boosting the growth of Heart valves market over the forecast period. However, lack of skilled professional, the risk of potential complications with tissue valves, and use of alternate products might hamper the growth of Heart valves market over the forecast period. Similarly, the stringent regulatory framework for product approvals expected to dampen the growth of Heart valves market.A sample of this report is available upon request @The heart valves market is segmented on the basis of product type, valve type, harvesting type, and end usersBased on product type, heart valves market has been segmented into the following: Stented tissue heart valves Stentless tissue heart valvesTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Global heart valves market is increasing due to rise in the prevalence of cardiac disorders. The most commonly adopted strategies by industry players include new product launches with technological innovations, acquisitions & mergers, agreements, and collaborations to capture significant Heart valves market share. They acquire other companies to enhance their R&D capabilities for manufacturing innovative devices that meet consumer needs. Acquisition of other companies allows vendors access to the product portfolio of the acquired company. For instance, in December 2012, Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and Cook Biotech Incorporated, have collaborated into a technology licensing and supply agreements for the development of tissue-engineered heart valves and related cardiovascular implants.Need more information about this report @Geographically, heart valves market has been segmented into following regions Viz. North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to hold a dominant share in Heart valves market owing to increase in the prevalence of heart valve diseases, increasing research and development, favourable medical reimbursement policies increase the growth of Heart valves market in North America. Europe region holds second largest share attributed to increases in the prevalence of heart valve diseases because of changing lifestyle. Increasing government funding for R&D, technological advancements are expected to boost the growth of Heart valves market. Asia-pacific region is expected to hold the large share in forecast period due to increase in awareness regarding tissue valves, increasing geriatric population and rising opportunities in medical tourism.Get access to full summary @About Precision Business InsightsPrecision Business Insights is one of the leading market research and business consulting firm, which follow a holistic approach to solve needs of the clients. We adopt and implement proven research methodologies to achieve better results. We help our clients by providing actionable insights and strategies to make better decisions. We provide consulting, syndicated and customised market research services based on our client needs.Precision Business Insights mission is to provide high-quality market research reports and generate key insights to our clients. PBIs approachable strategies are to help clients to make key decisions for business growth.Precision Business Insights vision is to become most valued partner to fortune 500 companies by providing agile, accurate, and actionable market insightsContact to Precision Business Insights,Kemp House,152  160 City Road,London EC1V 2NXEmail: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com Toll Free (US): +1-866-598-1553Website @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.comPR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 09:52:01

Infogain Accelerates NTUC Links Digital Transformation to Launch the Plus! Mobile App

Infogain

Cathy Chandhok

VP - Marketing

(408) 355-6028

Cathy.Chandhok@infogain.com

or

PR Team India

Kommune Brand Communications

Neha Koli

+91 9717621084

neha@kommune.in

Infogain, a leading provider of technology solutions and services, is pleased to announce its collaboration with NTUC Link Pte Ltd (NTUC Link) on their recent launch of the Plus! Mobile App.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005

Plus! Mobile App now available on both Google Play and iTunes stores (Graphic: Business Wire)

Plus! is Singapores largest and most successful multi-partners loyalty programme. Started in 1998, the programme now reaches over 2 million individuals, touches 90% of households, comprises more than 140 merchants and is available at more than 1200 outlets across Singapore. With the new Plus! App, members can check their loyalty points (LinkPoints) anytime and anywhere on their mobile devices. In addition, they can access an array of new products, including digital stamps and vouchers. Essentially, the app has opened up more rewards, deals and savings to its members.

The app is now available on both Google Play and iTunes stores. Existing Plus! Members can easily verify their details at first log in, and immediately view their existing LinkPoints balance on the app.

Beyond the app, Plus! is introducing a seamless online-to-offline (O2O) redemption experience. Users can experience fun and hassle-free redemptions of digital stamps and vouchers while seeing the app come alive with animation.

We had an amazing team that had taken our product to market, now it is up to us to make it successful. Using an effective mobile app strategy today has definitely enhanced our scope of loyalty reward programme beyond discounts, in-store credits, and collection of points to rewards to make our members lives easier and more rewarding, commented Sandeep Bhalla, Chief Executive Officer of NTUC Link.

Manoj Mittal, Senior Vice President of International Business, Infogain commented, With our cutting edge digital transformation solutions, we were able to offer NTUC a customized solution architecture that delivered on the customers goals, including sales, social engagement, reporting and mobile. Infogain is excited and is looking forward to bringing its global expertise to NTUC as trusted partner on its Digital Transformation Journey.

The team behind Infogain brings years of experience in providing user-friendly and simplified consumer solutions that can be enjoyed by the masses. They provided expert consultation, application development, modern UX/UI design in Agile mode.

Both NTUC Link and Infogain teams achieved excellent collaboration to help NTUC Link in their digital transformation journey with the new mobile app. We will continue to provide further support to aid NTUC Link on their digital journey and exciting things are on the anvil!, said Sachin Nagarajappa, Asia Head of Infogain.

The Infogain team worked expeditiously with the NTUC Link employees in this new digital transformation journey in less than five months.

Sisir Mohapatra, Head of Platforms and Ecosystems for NTUC Link, attested, The entire teams amazing attitude was instrumental to this achievement. We are delighted that our consumers now have greater access to offers across segments of dining, retail, leisure, transportation, wellness and more.

Links to download the Plus! App:

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/plus-deals-offers-

For a limited time, new members will receive $100 worth of vouchers, discounts and coupon codes. To date, more than 15,000 Plus! Members have already downloaded an initial version of the app, with limited features released in late April 2018, and will receive additional features when they update their app.

About Infogain

Infogain (www.infogain.com) provides front-end, customer-facing technologies, processes and applications that lead to a more efficient and streamlined customer experience for enterprises in the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and India. Offering solutions for the high-tech, retail, insurance, healthcare and travel & hospitality industry, Infogain specializes in areas such as software product engineering, digital service automation, cloud, mobility, testing and business intelligence & analytics. The company has 9 delivery centres and close to 4000 employees globally.

About NTUC Link Private Limited

NTUC Link is part of the Group of Social Enterprises under Singapores Labour Movement, which has businesses in groceries, insurance, F&B, healthcare, education and malls. The group shares a collective vision to create better and more meaningful lives by complementing the lifestyle habits of Singaporeans. NTUC Link Private Limited ('Link') was incorporated in 1998 with the key focus of improving the lives of its members by stretching their spending dollar on everyday expenses.

Today, NTUC Link has embarked on a transformation and innovation journey; re-organising and staffing up to become a dynamic, digital-enabled, data-driven organisation to go beyond loyalty and campaign management. It is in e-commerce, consumer research, advanced analytics and payments, and will offers a mobile-led customer engagement platform that delivers value to merchants and consumers through the most dynamic, seamless, data rich, and omni-channel approach.

About Plus!

NTUC Links Plus! Loyalty Programme (Plus!) is now recognised as Singapores largest and most successful multi-partners loyalty programme. The programme reaches over 2 million individuals, touches 90% of households, comprises more than 140 merchants and is available at more than 1200 outlets across Singapore. Consumers can earn and redeem loyalty points (LinkPoints) across a variety of lifestyle merchants.

For more information on NTUC Link and Plus!, visit http://www.plus.com.sg.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 09:01:03

KBRA Releases Macro-Market Research: Eurozone Investment: Quality Over Quantity

Analytical:

KBRA

Alan Madden, +353 1 907 9206

Director

amadden@kbra.com

or

Joan Feldbaum-Vidra, 646-731-2362

Managing Director

jfeldbaumvidra@kbra.com

Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) releases a new macro-market commentary: Eurozone Investment: Quality Over Quantity. The report discusses Europes relatively disappointing aggregated investment flow data since the Global Financial Crisis. Investment has been continually identified as the weak link in Europes economic recovery, despite favourable liquidity conditions in play, and overall investment has not yet reached pre-crisis levels according to the aggregated data. Continued uncertainties in Europe, including the impact of Brexit on the Eurozone, rising euroscepticism, and heightened policy risk in Italy, are factors that continue to constrain a faster recovery in investment spending.

However, a more granular review of investment data reveals two key (and more constructive) findings: (1) while the recovery of investment has been sluggish it is indeed accelerating; and (2) the quality of investment is improving, driven much more by the corporate sector with government and household investment lagging.

To access the full report, click here.

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About KBRA and KBRA Europe

Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Inc. is a full service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. In addition, Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Inc. is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider and a certified Credit Rating Agency (CRA) by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered with ESMA as a CRA.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005GSK has pledged to sell the vaccines at a much lower cost forgoing its huge profit margins to support the global malaria eradication programs

Malaria Vaccines

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The Global Malaria Vaccines Market is pegged to be valued at US$ 8.5 million in 2018 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 102.8% during the forecast period (2018-2024), as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. Rise in demand for vaccines for important indications on the backdrop of increasing focus on biological preparations is expected to be a major factor driving growth of the global malaria vaccines market over the foreseeable future.Request Sample Copy Of This Report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/37 According to World Health Organization (WHO) malaria fact sheet and World Bank estimates, over 40% of the global population is at risk of malaria. World Health Organization (WHO), there were around 214 million malaria cases reported in 2015, leading to 438,000 deaths worldwide. Over 70% of these deaths were among children under 5 years of age. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the highest share of global malaria burden, with around 89% of malaria cases and 91% of malarial deaths in 2015. Such high impact of this life-threatening disease is influencing governments across various countries, companies, investors, and non-profit organizations to contribute towards curbing spreading of this disease. Since the problem of malaria is burdening many of the emerging and under developed regions such as in Africa and Asia Pacific, various initiatives have been implemented in these regions to drive down high costs of the vaccine in development. For instance, in 2016, GSK announced plans to develop vaccines at a mere profit margin of 5% of the cost of the vaccine. Governments across most regions are actively involved in programs aimed at eliminating malaria. For instance, WHO had mobilized funding for pilot program in first phase between 2017 and 2020 by the global fund to fight against malaria and other disease such as AIDS and tuberculosis prevalent worldwide.Shift from pharmaceutical oral dosage forms to parenteral dosage forms is expected boost the malaria vaccines market globally. The emerging economies are undergoing a wave of various healthcare reforms. Healthcare treatment regimens are becoming more reliable for the growth of the global market, with various initiatives in place to eradicate the menace of malaria. In 2016, in India, the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME), was launched to eliminate the problem in the country. This program was based on the Framework by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. According to NFME, in 2012, the total economic burden of malaria in India was around US$ 1,940 Mn, with 75% from lost earnings and 25% from treatment costs borne by households.Ask for customization: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/37 According to World Malaria Report 2015, India accounts for around 70% of the total malaria incidence rate in the South-East Asia. In 2014, the incidence rate of malaria in the country was around 0.89 per 1,000 person at risk per year. Around 1.1 Mn cases were reported, which lead to 562 deaths in India in 2014.Key takeaways of the malaria vaccines market:The global malaria vaccines market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 102.8% during the forecast period (20162024) as there exists a large unrealized market especially in Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle EastThe Pre-Erythrocytic Vaccine dominates the market in the vaccines type segment, as it is used to prevent the infection completely, while blood-stage vaccines aim to reduce or eliminate the parasite load once a person is infectedPlasmodium Falciparum is the major agent segment of malaria vaccines market, as Plasmodium falciparum infection are induced by the asexual stages of the parasite that develop inside red blood cells, making it one of most severe forms of malaria among various types of parasites causing malariaSome of the major players involved in global malaria vaccines market are GlaxoSmithKline plc, Sanaria Inc, Nobelpharma Co., Ltd., Sumaya Biotech and GenVec, Inc.To know the latest trends and insights prevalent in the Malaria Vaccines Market, click the link below: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/malaria-vaccines-market-37 About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@ coherentmarketinsights.com Visit our news Website: https://www.coherenttimes.orgPR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 14:30:41

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Xebec Adsorption Inc--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Montreal, Quebec (FSCWire) - Xebec Adsorption Inc (TSX Venture:XBC). has issued a press release with the following headline:Market Update on Xebecs Global Renewable Natural Gas OpportunityTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Xebec Adsorption Inc, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Xebec Adsorption IncSource: Xebec Adsorption Inc (TSX Venture: XBC, WKN: A0RPQ3, ISIN: CA9838911027, OTC Bulletin Board: XEBEF)Date: June 05, 2018Time: 8:30 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Xebec Adsorption Inc and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 12:47:01

Company Provides Long-Range Financial Targets

NEW YORK CITY - June 5, 2018 - Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) today is presenting its strategic roadmap and outlining its long-range plan for creating shareholder value at the 2018 Medtronic Institutional Investor and Analyst Day in New York City. The company is unveiling its pipeline across multiple businesses, asserting its commitment to be the industry leader in technology - innovating, inventing and disrupting to create new growth drivers and develop new markets in healthcare.

"We are highly focused on creating shareholder value, and that starts with technology. We are leaders in many of the fastest growth markets in our industry, and we continue to invest in the technology of tomorrow that will fuel our long-term growth," said Omar Ishrak, Medtronic chairman and chief executive officer. "We are committed to continuous innovation to stay ahead of our competition, inventing new therapies and markets, and disrupting existing markets. We will be showing technology examples across all of our business groups at today's Investor Day."

Medtronic is investing in higher growth markets, which is expected to result in a higher weighted average market growth rate for the company. The company is outlining that when it leads in technology, its other initiatives - globalization and economic value - further enhance its growth profile and increase its competitiveness. Medtronic expects continued growth from its emerging market businesses, and it is an industry leader in the development of new business models to realize the economic value of its technology.

In addition to its focus on technology, the company is also outlining its long-range financial targets, with its primary focus on driving operating leverage and improving its free cash flow conversion. Specifically, to drive sustainable growth and return, the company is providing the following long-range targets:

Organic revenue growth of 4%+;

Underlying operating margin expansion of 40-50 basis points per year over the planning period;

Adjusted earnings per share growth of 8% over the planning period, assuming modest currency volatility;

80% free cash flow conversion within the next 2 to 3 years; and

A minimum of 50% of its free cash flow returned to shareholders.

"We have increased our focus on our core growth drivers, on allocating capital efficiently across our businesses, and on optimizing our portfolio," said Karen Parkhill, Medtronic chief financial officer. "And, as we execute and deliver on growth, leverage, and cash flow conversion, we expect that to result in sustainable returns and durable value for our shareholders."

At its Institutional Investor and Analyst Day, leaders from each of Medtronic's four groups will present their long-term strategies for technology leadership. In addition, leaders from Medtronic's four regions will join the group leaders for a panel discussion on the company's strategies in globalization and economic value, as well as discuss its Enterprise Excellence program. Enterprise Excellence leverages the company's global size and scale to improve effectiveness, efficiencies, and drive sustained productivity, which is expected to enable reinvestment in growth and drive long-term operating margin expansion. The day concludes with a detailed presentation on the company's long-range financial plans.

"We are excited to share our long-range plans at our biennial Investor Day," said Ryan Weispfenning, vice president of Medtronic investor relations. "Investors and analysts will hear specific examples of how our management teams are executing to create value in healthcare markets around the world."

Webcast Information

Medtronic will host a webcast of its Institutional Investor and Analyst Day today, June 5, at 8:00 a.m. EDT (7:00 a.m. CDT) to provide access to all interested stakeholders. The webcast can be accessed by clicking on the Investor Events link at investorrelations.medtronic.com. Slides from the meeting will be available to those viewing the webcast. Medtronic will be live tweeting during the webcast on its Newsroom Twitter account, @Medtronic. Within 24 hours of the webcast, a replay of the webcast, including presentation slides, will be available by clicking on the Investor Events link at investorrelations.medtronic.com.

About Medtronic

Medtronic plc ( www.medtronic.com ), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 86,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals and patients in more than 150 countries. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

-end-





This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Medtronic plc via Globenewswire

Molecular diagnostic test are done for diagnosis and drug discovery & development purpose. Molecular diagnostic test results are quick and accurate, which has led to increasing demand for these.

Molecular Diagnostics

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The Global Molecular Diagnostics Market, by Product Type (Reagents & Kits and Instruments), By Application (Oncology, Genetic Testing, Microbiology, STDs, Blood Screening, Virology, Tissue Typing, Prenatal Diagnosis, and Others), By End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Academic and Research Labs, and Other) was valued US$ 8,623.2 million in 2017 and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 11.5% over the forecast period (2017  2025) as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. New product launches by market players coupled with rising government initiatives are major factors driving growth of the global molecular diagnostics market over the forecast period.Request Sample Copy Of This Report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/1545 Molecular diagnostic test are done for diagnosis and drug discovery & development purpose. Molecular diagnostic test results are quick and accurate, which has led to increasing demand for these. In order to cater to growing demand for such tests, manufacturers are more focused on research & development for new product launches. For instance, in February 2017, AITbiotech Pte Ltd., a Singapore-based genomic service and molecular diagnostics (MDx) company, exhibited its comprehensive range of abTES MDx assays, including its newly launched Zika assays and the multiplex respiratory panel, at MEDLAB 2017, the worlds largest laboratory exhibition and congress in the Middle East.Furthermore, in October 2017, FDA approved Roches cobas Zika, as first commercially-available donor screening test for Zika virus. In October 2017, QIAGEN launched the custom solution for the molecular diagnostic test, which accelerated adoption of molecular testing for life sciences and molecular diagnostics companies.Moreover, governments of various countries are focusing on initiatives, in order to develop novel techniques in precision medicines. For instance, the U.S. government launched Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI) in 2015, in order to increase awareness and focus on advancements in the precision medicine field, which in turn is expected to favor growth of the molecular diagnostics market.Browse 37 Market Data Tables and 35 Figures spread through 176 Pages and in-depth TOC on " Molecular Diagnostics Market, by Product Type (Reagents & Kits and Instruments), By Application (Oncology, Genetic Testing, Microbiology, STDs, Blood Screening, Virology, Tissue Typing, Prenatal Diagnosis, and Others), By End User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Academic and Research Labs, and Other) - Global Forecast to 2025"Ask for customization: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/1545 Furthermore, in March 2017, Cepheid, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and FIND announced a new version of the Xpert MTB/RIF test, the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Ultra), for the diagnosis of TB and rifampicin resistance. In August 2017, Selfdiagnostics launched the STD Multitest at MEDICA 2017. STD Multitest is the first and only rapid chlamydia and gonorrhoea duplex disposable molecular test in the world. In July 2017, Roche announced commercial availability of the cobas HIV-1/HIV-2 for use on the automated cobas 6800/8800 Systems in countries accepting the CE mark. In July 2017, DiaSorin launched a new CE-IVD molecular diagnostic test, Iam CBFB-MYH11 (not available in the U.S.) for ultra-rapid identification of one of the most common genetic causes of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).Therefore, these increasing product launches in molecular diagnostics is expected to foster growth of the market in the near future.Key takeaways of the Molecular Diagnostics Market:The global molecular diagnostics market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period (20172025), owing to growth in biomarker identification and increasing awareness and adoption of precision medicineReagents and kits segment holds a major market share in product type, due to increasing awareness regarding early disease diagnosis and early treatmentVirology segment holds the largest revenue share among application segments, due rapid implementation of diagnostic tests for new discovered viruses. For instance, In October 2017, Hologic, Inc. received US FDA approval for the companys Panther Fusion Paraflu Assay used for detection and differentiate of Para-influenza viruses 1, 2, 3, and 4.Some of the major players operating in global molecular diagnostics market are Abbott Laboratories, Hologic, Inc., Grifols, S.A., Qiagen N.V., F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Siemens Healthineers, Becton, Dickinson and Company, and Beckmann Coulter, Inc.To know the latest trends and insights related to molecular diagnostics market, click the link below: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/molecular-diagnostics-market-1545 About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@ coherentmarketinsights.com Visit our news Website: https://www.coherenttimes.orgPR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 14:00:15

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Organto Foods Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Organto Foods Inc. (TSX Venture:OGO). has issued a press release with the following headline:Organto Adds Strategic Supply Partner and Expands Product OfferingTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Organto Foods Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Organto Foods Inc.Source: Organto Foods Inc. (TSX Venture: OGO, OTC Pink: OGOFF)Date: June 05, 2018Time: 8:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Organto Foods Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 08:12:25

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PERTH, W. AUSTRALIA, June 4, 2018 - (ACN Newswire) - Medical technology company Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (Proteomics International; ASX: PIQ) has signed the first licence agreement for its world-leading PromarkerD predictive test for diabetic kidney disease in the United States, creating a partnership with US-based precision medicine and diagnostic services laboratory PrismHealthDx, Inc. (PHDx ).Proteomics International has granted PHDx, head-quartered in Austin, Texas, a licence for the clinical market in the USA to make PromarkerD available to the more than 30 million Americans living with diabetes. Commercial details for the licensing agreement remain confidential.The USA has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world and is by far the biggest spending country on diabetes-related healthcare. Kidney disease is responsible for 48,000 deaths a year in the USA - the ninth leading cause of death - and related healthcare spending tops US$50 billion a year.Dialysis treatment alone costs US$72,000 per person per year, according to the US Renal Data System. Diabetes accounts for 44% of chronic kidney disease cases in the USA.Proteomics International Managing Director Dr Richard Lipscombe said PromarkerD was a major weapon in the battle against the diabetes epidemic. "Regular testing and early diagnosis of diabetic kidney disease with PromarkerD can help millions of people avoid costly and invasive dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant," he said."We are very excited to launch this product nationally across the USA," said Jim Canfield, President and CEO of PHDx. "This revolutionary technology will complement PHDx's existing portfolio to create the leading diabetes test offering in the country. It will save lives and improve the quality of life for diabetes sufferers, all while reducing the cost to the healthcare system." Under the licence agreement PHDx will develop and commercialise the PromarkerD mass spectrometry "Laboratory Developed Test" (LDT) in its specialist certified laboratories. The LDT permits fast adoption of a new test in advanced markets.PromarkerD is a simple blood test that uses a unique protein 'fingerprint' to detect signs of disease. PromarkerD is the first test able to predict the onset of diabetic kidney disease, warning of a decline in kidney function up to four years in advance. The test can also diagnose diabetic kidney disease better than the current gold standard tests.PromarkerD has the potential to spare millions of people from future dialysis costs, and save the US healthcare system hundreds of billions of dollars.For every million people living with diabetes, 10% - or 100,000 people - are expected to suffer a rapid decline in kidney function within the next four years. The PromarkerD test is able to predict this decline in kidney function in 86% of cases. This means that if every one of the 30 million Americans with diabetes took the test it would potentially identify 2.6 million of the 3 million people on the path to kidney disease.Those identified would require systematic retesting to verify effectiveness of treatments. Another 84 million American adults - more than 1 out of 3 - have prediabetes, a precursor to diabetes, and may also benefit from taking the PromarkerD test.Dr Lipscombe said the breakthrough deal for PromarkerD in the USA is important because it paves the way for other licensing contracts. "It is great to see PromarkerD launching in the world's largest healthcare market as we further negotiations to commercialise the test in other countries including Mexico, Japan, Australia, China and Europe." About PromarkerD ( www.PromarkerD.com) PromarkerD is a predictive diagnostic test for diabetic kidney disease. In clinical studies presented in 2017 at the American Diabetes Association Annual Scientific Sessions [ASX: 10 June 2017] and published in the prestigious journal Diabetes Care [ASX: 6 September 2017], PromarkerD correctly predicted 86% of otherwise healthy diabetics who went on to develop chronic kidney disease within four years.PromarkerD has been rated the world's leading diagnostic test for diabetic kidney disease by the global research house Frost & Sullivan in its report titled Biomarkers Enabling Diabetes and Obesity Management [ASX: 27 March 2017]. PromarkerD has received patent protection in several major jurisdictions including the USA, China, Europe and Japan, with others pending. Further information is available through the PromarkerD web portal.About PHDx, Inc ( www.phdxinc.com) PrismHealthDx, Inc. (PHDx) is a precision medicine diagnostic laboratory and services company specialising in comprehensive biomarker testing to detect the onset of disease and serious medical conditions at their earliest and most treatable stage. PHDx provides a 'one-stop-shop' opportunity to integrate best-in-class laboratory and clinical medicine into practices, driving better clinical outcomes and helping to make an immediate difference in the lives of their patients.PHDx's management team has extensive experience in developing and commercialising novel assays and they are committed to advancing new diagnostic and disease management capabilities. PHDx works in partnership with academic leaders, industry leaders, and clinical providers.About Proteomics International Laboratories (PILL)Proteomics International (Perth, Western Australia) is a wholly owned subsidiary and trading name of PILL (ASX: PIQ), a medical technology company at the forefront of predictive diagnostics and bio-analytical services. The company specialises in the area of proteomics - the industrial scale study of the structure and function of proteins. It received the world's first ISO 17025 laboratory accreditation for proteomics services, and operates from state-of-the art facilities located on Perth's QEII Medical Campus. The Company's business model uses its proprietary technology platform across three integrated areas of diagnostics, drug discovery and analytical services. www.proteomicsinternational.com Medical Contact:Chuck MorrisonHead of Business DevelopmentProteomics InternationalT: +1 617 331 2975E: c.morrison@ proteomicsinternational.com Jim CanfieldPresident & CEOPrismHealthDx, Inc. (PHDx )T: +1 770 335 0334Media Contact:Susan Fitzpatrick-NapierDigital Mantra GroupT: +1 650 798 5238T: +61 2 8218 2144Topic: Press release summarySectors: BioTech, HealthCareFrom the Asia Corporate News NetworkCopyright  2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network.PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 09:28:15

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Centamin plc--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Perth, Australia (FSCWire) - Centamin plc (TSX:CEE). has issued a press release with the following headline:Publication of Corporate PresentationTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Centamin plc, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Centamin plcSource: Centamin plc (TSX: CEE, LSE: CEY)Date: June 05, 2018Time: 3:10 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Centamin plc and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 08:01:26

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Rambler Metals and Mining plc--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Newfoundland, Canada (FSCWire) - Rambler Metals and Mining plc (TSX Venture:RAB). has issued a press release with the following headline:Rambler Metals and Mining PLC Announces TR1 - AetherTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Rambler Metals and Mining plc, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Rambler Metals and Mining plcSource: Rambler Metals and Mining plc (TSX Venture: RAB, AIM: RMM, OTC Pink: RBMTF, FWB: 51R, WKN: A0EQZZ)Date: June 05, 2018Time: 2:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Rambler Metals and Mining plc and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 11:01:02

Addressing demand for expertise in vendor services, operational efficiency, AI, machine learning and RPA

SRM Expands Practice into Europe

For Strategic Resource Management

Megan Fort, +1-678-781-7223

megan@williammills.com

SRM (Strategic Resource Management), an independent advisory firm for financial institutions, is expanding its consulting services to Europe. For 25 years, SRM has provided North American banks and credit unions with the expertise, benchmarks and specialty skill sets required to lower costs, enhance revenues and establish a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

The dynamic nature of banking in Europe and the United Kingdom  including the EUs PSD2 directive, UKs Open Banking Initiative, rise of challenger banks and explosion of specialised FinTech solutions  has created a need for SRMs expertise. The firm is already engaging with organisations in these territories, providing the objective, strategic and quantifiable counsel needed to develop the strategies, build the roadmaps, select the partners and negotiate the contracts that drive their technology and infrastructure decision-making process.

SRM Europe has seen these needs materialise in traditional consulting services and around areas such as business process reengineering, operational efficiency, optimisation of organisational structures, vendor selection and contract negotiation. Additionally, SRM Europe has seen an interest in its expertise specific to the business implications from new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) as financial institutions explore the roles of these technologies in making them more efficient and cost effective.

Neil Whittaker, MBA, has taken on the role as managing director for SRM Europe. Born in Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, Whittaker joined The Life Guards, the most senior and prestigious regiment in the British Army, at age 16. After 11 years in the military, he spent the next decade in banking, working for some of the biggest institutions in the world and in positions such as Director of Barclays Bank. He also attended some of the best universities including Cranfield and Yale. Whittaker has since spent the past 13 years consulting for major global institutions.

He commented, Many financial services organisations here have seen their cost of compliance, simply the cost of being in business, increase significantly in the past 10 years. Meaning, their spend on discretionary items like a digital agenda or becoming more customer-centric has dwindled. We can help these entities release savings from within the organisation, resulting in investment opportunities that better their business.

David Varney, most recently with MasterCard, and Richard Bissett, both former Barclays senior players, have also joined SRM Europe as consulting directors. Combined with Whittaker, the team has more than 70 years of collective banking and financial services and technology expertise. SRMs European headquarters are located at 8  10 Hill Street, Mayfair, London.

Brad Downs, CEO of SRM, commented, SRM has evolved its U.S. model over time to address specific market and market segment needs, and we will do the same in Europe. While our European services will not replicate our approach in North America, we do believe that many of the strengths of each will complement the other. The key to the success of both is a tenacious commitment to only entering into relationships where the benefit to both parties is clear.

About SRM

SRM (Strategic Resource Management) has been trusted by more than 700 financial institutions to identify strategies that strengthen their competitive advantage, lower costs and enhance revenues. SRM maintains a reputation of vast industry and subject matter expertise, use of data-driven benchmark data and a proven proficiency in negotiating with vendors. Visit www.srmcorp.com and www.srmeurope.com for more information and follow the company @SRMCorp.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180605005

Dynamic banking requires dynamic expertise @SRMCorp coming to Europe to give FIs counsel on #fintech strategies & partnerships. Knowledge is deep in #AI #RPA #machinelearning #vendor services #efficiencyPR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 18:03:25

Press Information

Thunder Energies Corporation

1444 Rainville Rd.



Tarpon Springs, FL 34689



Brian Buckley

Operations Manager

727-940-3944

email

http://www.thunder-energies.com



Published by

Brian Buckley

7279403944

e-mail

http://thunder-energies.com







# 298 Words

1444 Rainville Rd.Tarpon Springs, FL 34689Operations Manager727-940-3944Brian Buckley7279403944

Thunder Energies Corporation, a publicly traded company under the stock symbol (OTCQB:TNRG), announces that its Chief Scientist Dr. Ruggero M. Santilli has been knighted on May 31, 2018 by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, for his scientific and industrial discoveries ( http://thunder-energies.com/docs/Santilli-Discoveries.pdf) at a ceremony organized by the Italian Counsul in Miami Dott. Gloria Marina Bellelli offered the following motivation; "In carrying out his scientific and business activities, Professor Santilli is constantly engaged in the promotion of international collaborations involving Italian researchers and industries. Much of his research also focuses on the creation of technologies for sustainable development, aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing pollution on a global scale. All this makes Ruggero Maria Santilli deserving of the title of Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy." Forward Looking StatementsCertain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.Brian BuckleyMedia ManagerThunder Energies CorporationInfo@ Thunder-Energies.com 727-940-3944PR-Inside.com: 2018-06-05 09:01:18

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Tsodilo Resources Limited--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - Tsodilo Resources Limited (TSX Venture:TSD). has issued a press release with the following headline:Tsodilo Resources Limited BK16 UpdateTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Tsodilo Resources Limited, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Tsodilo Resources LimitedSource: Tsodilo Resources Limited (TSX Venture: TSD, OTC Bulletin Board: TSDRF, WKN: A0B880, ISIN: CA8985301008)Date: June 05, 2018Time: 3:01 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Tsodilo Resources Limited and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)The month of Ramadan is a blessed month, but the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan are extra special because within the last ten nights of Ramadan is Lailatul

Qadr (night of decree). It is a night about which God revealed a full surah (chapter)

of the Quran and it is described in the Quran as a night that is better than a thousand months.

However a good Muslim should utilise these ten day as it can lead him or her to Allahs paradise.

No matter how good or bad your Ramadan went, enter the last 10 Days well prepared, with pure intentions, full energy and a positive outlook.

Listen to or read the Tafsir of Surah Al-Qadr to know about this amazing night, to switch that mode on and to keep it remained on for all the nights. It could fall on any of the last 10 nights.

Choose the most comfortable place for worship in your home or Masjid. Avoid leaning on pillows & cushions while reciting Quran or Adhkaar so as to keep your back straight.

Switch off your mobile phones, iPads and laptops if possible.

If youre alone, recite the Quran in a loud beautiful voice so that your ears & heart remain involved with the recitation and you dont feel drowsy. Plus, it has an amazingly calming effect trust me!

If youre not alone, then you can recite in a normal volume not to disturb others but can listen to a Qiraa-at in high volume using your earphone.

Elongate your sujood and make loads and loads of Duaas in it. Cry hard and ask Allah everything you wish for in Dunya and Aakhirah.

Raise your Duaa  Remember it is the night of decree and angels are precisely writing down whatever is gonna happen in your life for the next coming year. Be specific in your Duaas and ask for each and everything you need  hajj, job, career, spouse, children, home, whatever. Dont play small in your Duaas as youre asking the King of all Kings!

Pray two Rakaah Salatul Tawbah every single night and ask for forgiveness from Allah  Al-Ghaffar, Al-Ghafoor, Al-Tawwab and Al-Afuww. Repent sincerely with full hope and firm resolve of not repeating those sins again.

Memorise and keep asking the Duaa of Lailatul Qadr: Allaahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibb al-afwa faaffu anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).

Ask Allah to grant you Lailatul Qadr and accept from you whatever ibaadaat you did by His tawfeeq.

Muhammed Ali is of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the killing of independent music journalist Zachary Stoner, who was shot to death in the early hours of May 30 in Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Stoner published videos to his YouTube channel zacktv1, which focused on community life and hip hop artists in his hometown of Chicago.

Mr. Stoner was driving his Jeep down Clark Street in the South Loop neighborhood in Chicago when unknown assailants in a second vehicle pulled alongside him and opened fire around 1:30 a.m. on May 30, news reports stated..

He was last seen alive a half hour earlier, when news stories, citing friends, reported he was leaving a rap concert at Refuge nightclub, three blocks away.

Authorities should thoroughly investigate the murder of Zachary Stoner, including whether his journalistic work was the motive for his death, said Alexandra Ellerbeck, CPJs programme coordinator for North America.

Mr. Stoner, 30, was struck in the neck and head, causing him to drive onto a curb and crash into a light pole. A video taken immediately following the shooting by a neighbour, Aaron Dunlap, shows at least three people running to a third vehicle; one can be heard shouting, Lets go!

Mr. Stoner was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, but was declared dead at 4:20 a.m. on May 30, according to a log from the Cook County Medical Examiners Office.

Having referred to himself as the best interviewer in the world in his Twitter profile, Mr. Stoner went by ZackTV and was a popular vloggeror video bloggerknown for his coverage of hip hop and the realities of life in his community, particularly those of young black men.

The Chicago Defender quoted Stoner as saying, A lot of people respect what I do. Im the Hood CNN.'

The videographer interviewed notable rappers including Chief Keef and G Count, and had posted more than 1,700 videos to his channel, which had a following of over 176,000 people. Some of his videos were controversiala few mention conspiracy theories, and others feature young men throwing gang signs and threatening their rivals.

Mr. Stoner was also known as a peacemaker, reported the Sun Times, due to his reputation for interviewing leaders of opposing gangs and organizations and seeking out opportunities to help them settle their differences.

Lamarr Stoner, a cousin of Zack Stoner, who lives in Chicago, told CPJ, [Stoner] was going to different hoods, talking to rappers in places the media cant go, filming and recording, and making sure the word got out on the street and around the world about what was going on.

In April 2018, journalist Charles Preston wrote in the Chicago Defender, Stoner documents what others neglect, giving the citys most controversial artists their first on-camera interviews and cover[ing] neighborhoods where news reporters keep their news trucks running.

A friend of Mr. Stoner, Phor Robinson, was quoted by WGN TV as saying, Im hearing stories like they may have been mad at him because he did interviews with certain rappers. But thats not his fault for him doing his job.

Morgan Elise Johnson, co-founder and creative director of the Chicago-based publication The Triibe, met with Mr. Stoner and his business partner, Tony Woods, a month before Mr. Stoners death to discuss a potential partnership.

Ms. Johnson told CPJ, His voice was so powerful in the hood, and I dont know if that power had something to do with his death.

Mr. Stoner had also received threats connected to his coverage of the death of a teenage girl, Kenneka Jenkins, in September 2017. While her death was ultimately r ruled an accident, it sparked a social media frenzy and numerous conspiracy theories.

In October 2017, an anonymous woman called Mr. Stoner, warning him to leave the case alone leave it alone for your safety.

In a video, Mr. Stoner reported that he would not post interviews related to the case because his house had been broken into, his camera gear stolen, and he was receiving threatening phone calls and emails. Almost two months later, however, he did publish the videos.

Detectives from the Chicago Police Department are still investigating Mr. Stoners murder, a spokesperson told CPJ, and are reviewing possible pod-camera footage of the incident. Officer Norma Pelayo, a department spokesperson, told CPJ that no suspects are in custody.

Killings of journalists in the United States are relatively rare. At least seven journalists have been killed in the country in direct relation to their work since CPJ began documenting cases in 1992.

CPJ reported in 1994 on several unsolved murders of American immigrant journalists in the 1980s and 1990s.

SOURCE: Committee to Protect JournalistsQatar accused its giant neighbour, Saudi Arabia, of reckless behaviour after a newspaper report that Riyadh had threatened military action if Doha installed a Russian air defence system.

Qatars foreign minister told Al Jazeera he did not think the Saudi threat  reportedly made in a letter to France  was serious.

But he accused Riyadh of using the letter to try and create a disturbance in a region already rocked by a year-long stand-off between Doha and other powers.

Frances Le Monde newspaper reported on Saturday that Saudi King Salman had sent a letter to French President, Emmanuel Macron, expressing concern over talks between Doha and Moscow about Russian S-400 missile air defense systems.

The newspaper added that the king had said Saudi Arabia was ready to consider all measures, including military action.

We are seeking formal confirmation from the French government (about the letter), Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani, told the English-language channel of Qatar-based Al Jazeera in an interview aired on Tuesday.

There is no serious military threat out of this, but the way it is being used to justify or to create a disturbance in the region is just unacceptable, he said.

There is no legitimate grievance behind this letter and threatening Qatar.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates severed diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar a year ago, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism.

Qatar denies the accusation and says the boycott is an attempt to impinge on its sovereignty.

The French presidents office and the Saudi governments communications office have not responded to requests for comment on the newspaper report.

Qatar and Russia signed an agreement on military and technical cooperation last year.

Qatars ambassador to Russia was quoted as saying in January that it was in talks to buy the Russian S-400 missile air defense systems.

Asked if Doha would go ahead with the deal, the foreign minister said: Qatar made all the options open for its defense procurement, so we are seeking the best quality to defend our country and we have all the options open for this.

Sheikh Mohammed described the Saudi move as reckless behaviour.

Washington has strong alliances with both sides and fears the split among Sunni Muslim U.S. allies could benefit Shiite Muslim Iran.

Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base, which is home to more than 11,000 U.S. and coalition forces.

(Reuters/NAN)Japan will be ready to provide economic assistance to Pyongyang if it settles its nuclear problem and releases Japanese citizens forcibly held in the country, Japanse Foreign Minister Taro Kono said on Tuesday.

If North Korea solves the problems of nuclear and missile programs, as well as the problem of kidnapped and forcibly held Japanese citizens, Japan will be ready for normalization of diplomatic relations and offering economic assistance to North Korea, Mr Kono said at a news conference ahead of his upcoming visit to the United States.

Kono noted that his visit to the U. S. would last from June 6 to June 9 and would be devoted to clarification of the Japanese  US bilateral agenda in light of the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit.

The first meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will take place on June 12 in Singapore, according to the White House spokesperson.

The past months have seen a surge in diplomatic activity on the Korean Peninsula with officials from China, Japan, Russia, North Korea, South Korea, and the U.S. meeting to discuss the issues related to de-nuclearisation of Pyongyang.

(Spurnik/NAN)The UN on Tuesday, called on the U.S. to stop detaining irregular migrant families and separating children at the southern border, saying it contravened the law.

The U.S. should immediately halt this practice of separating families and stop criminalising what should at most be an administrative offence, that of irregular entry or stay in the U.S.

Detention should be the last resort. The current U.S. policy is a serious violation of the rights of the child, UN Human Rights Spokeswoman, Ravina Shamdasani, told a news conference in Geneva.

It is, therefore, of great concern that in the U.S., migration control appears to have been prioritised over the effective care and protection of migrant children, Shamdasani added.

She noted that the U.S. was the only country in the world that had not adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Many of them are fleeing violence or human rights violations, according to the spokeswoman.

Most people crossing the U.S. southern border are from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, where rampant violence would give them the right to international protection, UN Refugee Agency Spokesman, William Spindler, said.

Several hundred children and babies have been taken away from their families since October, according to information received by the UN office.

Under international human rights standards, authorities should always act in the best interest of children in any situation.

(Reuters/NAN)The Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, has reacted to a media attack by his former aide against the Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel.

The former aide, Clement Ikpatt, in a recent article posted on his Facebook page, accused Mr Emmanuel of inaugurating a fertiliser repacking plant in the state, and not a production plant as the people were made to believe.

Mr Akpabio, as a guest of Mr Emmanuel, cut the tape to inaugurate the plant which is cited in Abak Local Government Area.

The inauguration was done to mark the third anniversary of Mr Emmanuels administration.

For the sake of emphasis, let me repeat that there is no fertiliser manufacturing or blending taking place at the Greenwell Technologies facility in Abak. Rather, what was commissioned is a dilapidating warehouse for the repackaging of bulk and finished fertilizer products, wrote Mr Ikpatt who served as a special assistant on the Diaspora affairs to Mr Akpabio when the latter was the governor of Akwa Ibom.

Mr Ikpatt said the administration also dishonoured the former governor during the ceremony.

Not only was Sen. Godswill Akpabio deceived into commissioning a mere fertilizer repackaging warehouse, he was denied due honour, respect and standard practice of citing his name on the official plaque, he wrote.

The senator responded by saying that for his name not to be on the plaque was inconsequential.

Having served for about five years as a Commissioner; eight years as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and presently a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he has engraved his name not only on plaques but the hearts and minds of the people particularly through his sterling performance as Governor between 2007 and 2015 which brought uncommon transformation to Akwa Ibom State, Mr Akpabios media aide, Anietie Ekong, said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Mr Akpabio said it was a great honour to be invited by the governor to cut the tape.

Rather than dwell on irrelevancies, the larger picture of the Fertilizer Blending Plant providing employment for the teeming youth and boosting the economy of Akwa Ibom State when the plant comes fully on stream is what every lover of development should be concerned with, the senators spokesperson said while appealing for support for the governor.

Mr Clement Ikpatt

Mr Ikpatt has also responded to the statement issued by the senators aide.

Your statement is well noted and the existing cordial relationship between Sen. Godswill Akpabio and Gov. Udom Emmanuel is as it should be  mature, respected and applauded, he said on Facebook, Tuesday morning.

I suggest that you note my constitutional right to speak freely, especially with regards to issues about my Akwa Ibom State. I take full responsibility and firmly stand by what I wrote, he said.Some aggrieved members of the Lagos Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) have filed three applications before a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court seeking, among other things, a relief for the judge handling the suit, Mojisola Olatoregun, to recuse herself from the case.

Another relief by the plaintiffs is a prayer to join one Abimbola Bode-Thomas, one of the concerned elders of the Lagos Diocese, as a plaintiff while Adebola Ayodeji Ojofeitimi, a reverend and the Provost of the Lagos Diocese, who played a pivotal role in the installation and enthronement of bishops, be made a defendant in the suit.

This is to enable them to be bound by the courts decision, the members said.

The plaintiffs are also urging the court to restrain the defendants and their agents from taking any step to enthrone Humphrey Olumakaiye as the new Bishop of Lagos Diocese pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

The plaintiffs, who identified themselves as prominent financial members and elders of the church, are suing for themselves and on behalf of concerned members of the Lagos Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

They include Fola Osibo, Modupe Alakija, Oluyomi Finnih, Femi Adeniyi-William, Layi Ajayi-Bembe, Laide Sasegbon, Modupe Sagoe, Ade Abisogun, Bukola Meadows, and Molara Otuyelu.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the Registered Trustees of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); The Lagos Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); and Reverends Nicholas Okoh; Adebola Ademowo; Humphrey Olumakaiye; Michael Fape.

The case was initially assigned to Chuka Obiozor, a professor and judge at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, but later re-assigned to Ms Olatoregun.

However, the defendants wrote a letter to Ms Olatoregun asking her to recuse herself on the ground that she is a communicant and a devoted member of the church.

At the last hearing, the judge, in open court, transferred the case file to another judge, Rilwan Aikawa, of the same Lagos Division.

The case has now been adjourned till June 21 for hearing.

The Genesis

After the election to choose the next Bishop of the Lagos Diocese by the church, ten members who were dissatisfied with the process dragged the Trustees of the Church and five others before the federal court in Lagos.

In addition to claiming that the election was manipulated, the aggrieved members alleged that one of the Trustees of the church and the current Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Adebola Ademowo, should be ordered to refund N260 million he allegedly collected from the Diocese and used for his personal purpose.

In a statement of claim accompanied by statement on oath of plaintiffs, it was alleged that as Mr Ademowos tenure as bishop began to wind down, the Trustees of the church commenced steps towards the election of a new bishop, and Messrs Olumakaiye and Fape were nominated for the position.

Mr Finnih averred that contrary to the established principles contained in the constitution of the church which stipulates that elections are to be conducted by secret ballot, the outgoing bishop, Mr Ademowo, began campaigning for the election of Mr Olumakaiye and took various steps to influence Mr Okoh, the Primate of the Church, and other bishops who were required to vote.

These steps, the plaintiff said, included approval of the publication of photographs of Messrs Ademowo and Olumakaiye in the churchs calendar wherein the latter was described as the godson and successor of Mr Ademowo; the distribution of cash gifts to the bishops who were to vote; as well as the exercise of undue influence on Mr Okoh.

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Nicholas Okoh. [PHoto credit: Daily Post]

In complaint, some of the plaintiffs, Messrs Osibo and Ajayi-Bembe, as well as another financial member of the church, Bamidele Onafeko, wrote a petition to Mr Okoh highlighting the breaches of the churchs constitution but did not receive any response.

Mr Olumakaiye was later elected as the churchs new bishop.

After the election, the plantiffs wrote another letter to Mr Okoh complaining about the irregularities that marred the electoral process.

This time, the church responded through its Episcopal Secretary and Registrar who wrote on Mr Okohs behalf urging the plaintiffs to desist from making such allegations.

Furthermore, the plaintiffs wrote another letter to Mr Okoh reiterating their complaints and also stating the various acts of financial impropriety allegedly committed by Mr Ademowo in office.

The allegations include causing division and hatred among members, receipt of funds from the Diocesan Board for his personal use and the placing of his family members in strategic positions.

In their letter, the plaintiffs expressed their concern that Mr Olumakaiye being Mr Ademowos godson would cover up the said acts committed by the Bishop while in office.

In his reply, Mr Okoh told the plaintiffs their letter had been forwarded to Mr Ademowo for his reaction.

In his response to the Primate, Mr Ademowo admitted the receipt of N200 million and N60 million for the construction of his personal residence and the purchase of a car respectively.

The Registrar of the Church then wrote a letter to the plaintiffs on behalf of Mr Okoh stating that their complaints as regard the financial impropriety would be referred to the Diocesan Board of Lagos Diocese and that the Dean of the Church would constitute an independent committee to consider the allegations of pre-electoral malpractices against Messrs Ademowo and Olumakaiye.

The plaintiffs averred that Mr Okoh is one of the appointors of the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, and a committee set up by him to investigate the manipulation of electoral process in which the Primate himself is implicated cannot be said to be independent or impartial.

The plaintiffs averred further that the Diocesan Board of Lagos Diocese, to which the allegations of Mr Ademowos financial impropriety were referred, was the body that released the sums admitted to have been received by the former bishop and, therefore, cannot possibly be relied upon to give an impartial decision on their complaints.

The plaintiffs then contended that Mr Okoh breached his fiduciary duty by failing to countenance the allegation of pre-electoral breaches made by them, and failing to prevent the conduct of the election, despite having been notified of the actions of Messrs Ademowo and Olumakaiye.

The plaintiffs also averred that Mr Ademowo breached his fiduciary duties to the plaintiffs and members of Lagos Diocese in influencing the outcome of the election to the office of Bishop of Lagos Diocese, and various acts of financial impropriety committed by him

Consequently, the plaintiffs sought a declaration of the court compelling Mr Ademowo to immediately refund to the church the 260 million with interest at the rate of 22 per cent per annum from March 1 until full and final liquidation.

They also sought an order directing the conduct of fresh election for the position of Bishop of the Lagos Diocese.

In a notice of preliminary objection filed by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Bambo Adesanya, Babatunde Ajibade, Wale Olawoyin and Adeniyi Adegbomire, on behalf of Mr Ademowo, they contended that the issues raised in the plaintiffs action are not justifiable in a court of law.

According to them, the issues belong to the domestic terrain of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion as enshrined in the constitution and canon of the Church of Nigeria and the constitution of the Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of Lagos Anglican communion.

They stated further that, even if the Federal High Court had jurisdiction to entertain the plaintiffs action, the court should in this case, decline jurisdiction as the plaintiffs have not exhausted the remedies provided by the constitution of the Church of Nigeria and the Diocese of Lagos before filing the action.

The lawyers further argued that it is the High Court of Lagos State that has the jurisdiction to entertain the action, adding that the plaintiffs had no legal right to institute the suit.

They, therefore, urged the court to dismiss or strike out the suit for want of jurisdiction.

In another objection filed on behalf of The Registered Trustees of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican communion) Lagos Diocese by Olumide Sofowora, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the church argued that there was no meeting of the General Synod of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion or the Diocesan Synod of Lagos Diocese where the plaintiffs were given the authority to institute any suit on their behalf of the concerned members of the House of Laity of the Church of Nigeria in respect of all their allegations and claims in this suit.The suspended Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mounir Gwarzo, was on Tuesday arraigned on a five-count charge for alleged fraud.

Mr Gwarzo was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). He was arraigned alongside a commissioner at the commission, Zakawanu Garuba.

Both men were accused of abusing their offices and breaching public trust by diverting over N114 million while they served as officers of the commission in June, 2015.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following an application by Mr Gwarzos lawyer Abdulhakeem Mustapha, the defendants were granted with a bond of N25 million each.

They are to produce two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be civil servants, not below the rank of deputy directors and working under the employment of the Federal Civil Service.

The sureties must also have landed properties in Abuja.

The defendants were also asked to submit their international passports to the court registrar.

The judge, Hussein Baba-Yusuf, adjourned the matter till June 28.

The Charge

According to the charge, Mr Gwarzo is facing trial for fraudulently enriching himself with N104.9 million which was paid to him as severance allowance while he was still in active service at the commission.

He is also accused of enriching himself with N10 million paid in excess of his official car allowances.

Mr Garuba was accused of abusing his office by allowing the payments to Mr Gwarzo.

Mr Gwarzo was indicted in three of the counts while Mr Garuba faces the last two counts.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Gwarzo was suspended from the commission in November, by the Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun.

Soon after his suspension, Mr Gwarzo accused Mrs Adeosun of punishing him for refusing to stop an ongoing probe of oil firm, Oando Plc.

Mrs Adeosun, however, denied the allegation, saying Mr Gwarzo had threatened to sabotage her integrity if she proceeded with a proposed investigation into allegations of fraud against him.

Mr Gwarzo has since challenged his suspension in court.

The probe of Oando, Nigerias largest indigenous oil firm, is still on.A Nigerian has been arrested by the Malawian police after illicit drugs were found in his home during a raid.

According to a report published by Nyasatimes, a news portal in Malawi, police operatives dealing with the epidemic of illegal drugs and substance trade across the country, arrested the Nigerian, Julian Ihumos, a resident of Area 47 in Lilongwe, Malawi. He was arrested on Sunday.

In a statement by the Lilongwe police spokesperson, Kingsley Dandaula, the police confirmed that the suspected substance has been seized.

The arrest follows that of another Nigerian, Alex Ojukwu, nicknamed Old Man, the paper reported. The paper did not provide the day Mr Ojukwu was arrested.

Mr Ojukwu reportedly confessed to have bought an air ticket for Riyadh Randera, 26, who died in Brazil recently.

According to reports, Mr Randera swallowed condoms filled with cocaine to evade security but the condoms burst in him.

Nyasatimes quotes the head of the Nigerian community in Malawi, Ken Nwosu, as calling on the Malawi government to impose stiff punishment on drug traffickers.President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja declared that Nigeria is safe and secure for tourism, citing improved security and countrys burgeoning economy.

Receiving Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at the Presidential Villa, the president said it would have been inconceivable to host an international tourism conference in Abuja four years ago, because of security concerns.

I am pleased that the country is now sufficiently safe and secure, and the message should go out to the world for all tourists and business travellers. The first thing tourists look out for is security and I am happy we have it now.

Minister Lai Mohammed has been trying to convince the world that Nigeria is safe and has great potentials for tourism and investment. I am glad that you and your team have come here to see things for yourself, the president told the UN tourism chief, who is in Abuja for the 61st UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) conference.

Highlighting the nexus between tourism and sustainable development, the president said Nigeria would not be left behind in ensuring that communities and businesses benefit from tourism development.

In his remarks, Pololikashvili commended Nigeria for the successful hosting of the conference which brings together African Ministers of Tourism, principal executives of the global tourism body and other stakeholders in the tourism sector.

The UN tourism chief told the president Nigeria had huge potential to develop the tourism sector considering its large economy.

We can do it in Nigeria, we can create, convert Nigeria to the main tourist destination in Africa. There is a huge potential here. Culture, nature, food, you have everything here.

You are investing in agriculture, improving seamless travel through visa-on-arrival programme, reforming the economy and doing so much on security. Nigeria is safe, Pololikashvili said.

Also speaking, the Information and Culture Minister said 166 delegates, including 26 tourism ministers from Africa are attending the UN tourism conference, holding from June 4 to June 6 in Abuja.A human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, on Tuesday condemned the practice of parading suspects in alleged criminal cases before the media.

Mr Falana spoke in Lagos at a civil society roundtable programme on Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Abolition of Stay of Proceedings in Criminal Trials. The programme, put together by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA Resource Centre, held in Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking as the guest speaker at the occasion, Mr Falana said it was illegal to subject suspects to media trial, adding that it could subvert the justice system.

The lawyer explained that in most cases, only the poor and the less privileged are subjected to media parade, with the rich treated with dignity and respect.

You dont parade the big men; you dont parade politically exposed persons. You only parade the poor, he said.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, hailed the judiciary for the abolition of stay of proceedings in criminal trials, describing it as a crooked and unethical means deployed by some lawyers in order to delay justice.

It is a class matter, he said, It does not apply to the poor in magistrate and customary courts.

In his intervention, Rotimi Jacobs, a counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said the abuse of stay on proceedings has delayed justice and led to the abrupt end of many criminal trials in Nigeria. Making reference to the case of the late General Sani Abachas family which was withdrawn after 14 years, he said many notable lawyers frustrate the course of justice with technicalities.

He hailed the Supreme Court decision on the stay of proceedings, adding that it will enhance the administration of justice and remove unnecessary hiccups. He also urged lawyers to be ethical and moral in their practice, saying there is need for them to change (their) attitude.

Another senior lawyer, Monday Ubani, called for a practice direction to all courts to reject stay on proceedings requests.

Mr Ubani, who explained how the request truncated the trial of former governor Orji Kalu of Abia State, noted that one good thing former president Goodluck Jonathan did was to sign the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA.

Also, Jiti Ogunye, human rights lawyer and activist, said people often accuse the EFCC of haphazard investigations and shoddy prosecution. He, however, explained that people often fail to realise that once adjudication is corrupted, justice will not be served.

He described the ACJA as the game changer which has facilitated speedy prosecution of criminal cases in the courts.

The duty we have is to ensure that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act is preserved, he said, adding that without proper enforcement and diligent adjudication, the anti-corruption war cannot be effectively fought.

The programme was attended by civil society campaigners, human rights lawyers and journalists.

A short communique read at the end of the roundtable noted that efforts should be made by stakeholders to simplify the ACJA for the common man on the street; organise an action rally; advocate for the inclusion of the Act in school curriculum; organise a roundtable with judges and lawyers and ensure that progressive minded individuals in the Nigerian Bar Association are fully involved in the campaign.A student, Mercy Victor, allegedly died on Tuesday in Jalingo from injuries she sustained after being gang-raped and then stabbed by hoodlums on Sunday night.

Taraba Police Public Relations Officer, David Missal, confirmed the incident in Jalingo.

He said Mercy was a final year student of the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Jalingo.

Yes the matter was reported to the Headquarters on Tuesday morning and was referred to the GRA Police Station in Jalingo for investigation, he said.

Hope Vyonku, the President of the National Union of Taraba Students, also confirmed the story.

He told journalists in Jalingo that Mercy ran into the evil gang on her way to school on Sunday night while returning from a weekend trip.

I was told that she was returning to the school from town on a tricycle she boarded when the incident happened close to the bridge after the State Specialist Hospital, Jalingo.

A passerby later discovered her by the road-side and rushed her to the State Specialist Hospital where she died this morning, he said.

While condemning the rape and murder, Ms Vyonku called on the security agents to put in place adequate security measures to ensure the safety of students in the state.

We have declared one week of mourning in honour of Mercy and all victims of hoodlum-related crimes in the state, he said.The Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Ishaq Oloyede, on Monday said socio-political crises in Nigeria were being aggravated by the irresponsibility and lack of sincerity of many religious and media officials.

Mr Oloyede said this at the first annual Ramadan lecture of The Point newspaper held at the headquarters of Lagos Television (LTV), Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

The NSCIA official, who is also the registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB), said it was understandable to see political actors manipulate truths and facts to conjure dangerous lies and fabrications at the expense of national cohesion and development but that it was unacceptable for religious leaders and trained journalists to betray their professions by publicising and propagating sensational falsehoods.

One thing that is certain is that such persons would never end well and would be faced with the consequences of their devilish deeds, though only very few would be able to trace their inevitable calamities as their nemesis, he said.

More alarming is the fact that some religious actors seem to consider as pardonable, lies and falsehood deployed in the name of promoting their religious causes. Muslims should realise that the momentary gains of employing falsehood to propagate a religion is ungodly and is punishable in the sight of Allah as telling lies in mundane matters.

The Prophet said  religion is sincerity to Allah, the Prophet and to humanity in general. No matter how attractive, religious services should be devoid of falsehood and fictitious allegations against others.

The professor gave a number of instances where religious leaders and the media escalated crises in the country without concern for the implication of their reportage of issues.

Tiv-Fulani crises

Commenting on the Tiv-Fulani crises, the professor described the feud as an age-long conflict being aggravated by political and religious irredentists, assisted by irresponsible media.

If not for political expediency, the sociology of Tiv-Fulani relations and linguistic dynamics of asking, where are my cows by Fulani man and the response of munchi (I have eaten it) by a Tiv man would have resonated a long history of such inter-group relations, he said.

But where desperate politicians seek relevance, any straw can be held on to gain cheap political points. Nigerians should not fall for the propaganda whether from the politicians or from religious bodies with soiled corrupt hands. A deep reflection of what is being presented as a new clash would have shown that it is a conflict that is as old as Nigeria. The Colonial Masters created grazing routes, forest reserves and mediating teams to address the economic and social friction between the Tiv-farmers and the roving herdsmen.

When Sir Mike Okiro was the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, President Obasanjo was the President and General Theophilious Danjuma was the Minister of Defence; the Tiv versus herdsmen conflict resurrected with unprecedented venom that caused the death of many citizens, no one ascribed the conflict to the religious affiliation of the public officers. It is now convenient to suffer selective amnesia and consider the lingering crises as novel. This is the narrative being championed by some herdsmedia.

Between 2007 and 2009, the Tiv-Fulani uprising gained national and international notoriety that led to the inauguration of a Resolution Committee jointly headed by Tor Tiv and the Emir of Gombe at the instance of Governor Gabriel Suswam. From the instances, it is clear that what is needed is not scape-goating but realistic analysis of the real causes of the lingering socio-economic crises. Deforestation, unplanned development and other environmental factors need be addressed to ensure stability in the region.

Killings

On the issue of Christians being killed by herdsmen and other bandits, he said the truth remains that more Christians, like their Muslim counterparts, were killed by Boko Haram and other bandits during the Presidency of Goodluck Jonathan.

He said, No religious body then held Dr. Jonathan responsible. Despite the conspiracy theory that Boko Haram was an economic venture of some public officers, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) did not accuse President Jonathan as being the sponsor.

Does it not smack of religious bigotry and undisguised wickedness that President Buhari is being directly targeted by the zealots? Did Muslims hold the former President responsible when Christian militants in the South South were killing Muslims and Christians? Why cant all men of conscience, call, as the Catholic Bishops did, on the Government to take more drastic measures in arresting the deteriorating conflicts in Benue and other places in Nigeria rather than the false accusation with the attendant onslaught on the sensibilities of Nigerian Muslims?

Without equivocation or fear of contradiction, we insist that those who are suggesting that the violence of herdsmen is religiously-motivated are dancing naked to the tunes of the Devil. This is because the insinuation is, and can only be, fraudulent, malicious, crude and ungodly. Religion should not be used for devilish purposes.

Leah Sharibu

On the abducted Dapchi girl, Leah Sharibu, Mr Oloyede described as shocking the threat by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that should Leah Sharibu die in captivity of Boko Haram, there would be religious war.

He said, I am as astonished as the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) who recently expressed shock at the destructive and counter-productive statement.

Boko Haram has never hidden its mission of setting Nigeria ablaze through a religious war. Whose interest was the call to serve? Definitely, not that of the innocent Nigerian Lady, Leah Sharibu. Is it fair, religious or Godly to, for the sake of political grandstanding and publicity-seeking, endanger the life of such a precious, principled and promising Lady? I am sure the immediate family members of the Lady would not subscribe to such politicisation of the misfortune.

Last month, the Special Assistant (Media and Communications) to CAN President, Adebayo Oladeji, had in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH said there would be war if Miss Leah was killed by the terrorist group. (http://punchng.com/leah-sharibu-must-not-die-can-warns-fg/).

But Mr Oloyede said the abduction of Miss Leah and other girls was unfortunate intensely hurtful to all right-thinking persons, adding that the leadership of the NSCIA reached out to all possible channels of reaching the group with a proposal to secure amnesty for the group provided Miss Leah and other girls in captivity are released and the group surrender their arms.

This knowledge made the careless threat particularly painful, he noted. As if this national miscalculation is not destructive enough, the declaration of support of the Nigerian Christians for the escalation of crises in the Middle East is inexplicable.

He argued that like many Christian groups around the world, an informed christian leader, Pope Francis, made an impassionate plea against the decision which he said would add new elements of tension in a world already shaken and scarred by many cruel conflicts.

It is therefore strange that a Christian group would substitute love for pathological hatred and oppression just to hurt their Muslim brothers, he said.

The JAMB registrar also made specific reference to Tafawa Balewa community in Bauchi State, which produced the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, adding that there is no mosque anymore in the community not to talk of calling to prayers.

Apart from killing Muslims mercilessly, he said, all the Muslims were exiled. Muslims of the community still remain in disarray as internally displaced people. All entreaties to President Jonathan and lately President Buhari on the matter have not yielded any positive result. Muslim leaders continue to mount pressure that displaced Muslims of Tafawa Balewa be restored to their ancestral home.

I call on investigative journalists to focus some attention on the plight of Muslim community in Tafawa Balewa town of Bauchi State.

The professor called on all peoples of conscience to rise above pettiness and seek means of harmonizing the various voices in the society for peace and harmony to reign.

He also called on the media to be fair, truthful and just in their reportage of issues, adding that only a society built on truth and fairness can exist in peace.

The programme had in attendance Muslims from different parts of the country, including numerous Nollywood stars.

Yemi Kolapo, the editor-in-chief of The Point newspaper, appreciated the invited guests and urged them to uphold peace and harmony in their individual spheres.A member of the House of Representative, Muhammed Kazaure, has said that his colleagues cannot impeach President Muhammadu Buhari as they threatened on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference shortly after a closed-door session of the National Assembly, Mr Kazaure said he and his other colleagues who are in support of the president would resist any attempt to oust him for any reason.

The lawmakers, after a three-hour executive session, announced 11 resolutions they demanded Mr Buhari meet or be made to face by the National Assemblys constitutional powers.

The threat came amidst a tumultuous relationship between the legislature and the executive that peaked Monday with senate president Bukola Saraki summoned by police for alleged links to suspected armed robbers and murderers.

While the legislators attempted to mask their motivation for Tuesdays rare joint session with calls on Mr Buhari to stop rampant killings across the country and create jobs, they reserved majority of the 11-line resolutions for demands affecting them individually and collectively.

Still, they did not disclose their possible sanctions against the president should he fail to comply.

Mr Kazaure, who represents Jigawa State, interpreted the threat to invoke their constitutional powers to mean impeaching the president.

In a rambling speech to journalists, he warned any of his colleagues eyeing the presidents seat to wait till 2023.

President will remain the president, he said. He will be re-elected when he finish eight years hell go, then anybody could come. But for now, nobody willthat treatment is the only thing that will offend me in the chamber. Because after all resolution, they say without adopting that resolution by the executive, we will take any legislative power that we have against them.

Issue of the people are collecting signatories to serve the notice of impeachment to the president. We know, its in the house but nobody can come to show us that they will come and impeach the president in the chamber. Because there is no two side, Im sure there is no two sides in the House of Representatives.

The lawmaker said he and other pro-Buhari senators were strong enough to ward off any attempt to impeach the president.

He however said he agreed with the other resolutions of his colleagues but frowned at the clause that Mr Buhari must act or face sanctions.

Our group we are strong enough to stop anything called impeachment. Today, I agree with the legislature for saying that we have to improve the security of this country and the killing must end. This is very accepted. Issue of people around the president that are not performing better, I accepted for the president to change them or to sack them. Issue of intimidating people, intimidating a whole Senate President to call him he sponsor a robbery. Its embarrassing to this institution. I will not support it and Im sure president will never support it.

Right now, inside the villa, president is with the service chiefs having meetings and he is complaining saying why are you creating problem between me and the legislature. Im sure the president will take serious action and this will stop.

He urged Mr Buhari to pacify legislators and other aggrieved members of the ruling APC so that they can again work for his re-election in 2019.

Those people, we dont want them to go. We want them to come and assist the president again. So, the president must call the attention of those people who are very important in the state. Because we will lose many votes and we diont have certainty to win the election if it continues like that, he said.

The first call for Mr Buharis impeachment was in April when a senator, Matthew Uroghide, urged his colleagues to invoke section 143 of the constitution to serve as retribution to the president for not seeking National Assemblys approval before withdrawing $496 million used for the purchase of aircraft from the United States.

Section 143 of the Nigerian constitution provides for the removal of the president from office.Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Ibrahim Wakkala, on Tuesday, distributed Ramadan Welfare Package to over 11,000 needy including widows, orphans and people living with disabilities.

Mr Wakkala, while distributing the materials which included clothing materials, food items and money to the less privileged at his residence in Gusau, the state capital, said the gesture was his own personal assistance to the needy.

This is part of my activities in the Holy Month of Ramadan to provide assistance to widows, orphans and other categories of needy.

We have distributed over 10,000 sets of clothes to the needy; 7,000 widows and female needy as well as 3,000 aged males have benefited from the gesture.

We are also giving another assistance of clothing materials, food items and cash to 1,000 orphans and less privileged, all aimed at assisting them to celebrate the Sallah festival in a happy mood.

Islam recognises assistance to the needy especially in this holy month of Ramadan.

As Muslims, in the Holy Quran, the Almighty Allah has commanded and encouraged giving out and assistance to the needy during this period.

Last year, we provided similar assistance to over 8,000 beneficiaries and considering the increase of the needy, we increased the number of beneficiaries this year to 11,000.

I , therefore, call on well-meaning individuals and political office holders to provide similar assistance to people in their respective communities, in order to reduce hardship among people, he said.

Mr Wakkala also urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray for the security challenges facing the state and country at large.

The state government had in May, given similar assistance as its Ramadan welfare package, to 30,000 orphans across the state through the Zakkat and Endowment Board.

(NAN)The political skirmish over who becomes the next governor of Ekiti State is gradually snowballing into a conflict of two south west governors, as the Ayo Fayose led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Oluwarotimi Akeredolus All Progressives Congress (APC) have reduced the contention to verbal assaults.

Both governors, in separate statements on Monday, accused each other of attempting to gain advantage in the run up to the elections through illegal means.

While Mr Akeredolu accused his Ekiti State counterpart of resorting to blatant lies and blackmail, Mr Fayose accused the former of plotting to scuttle the elections using thugs and Ondo State funds.

Mr. Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, had openly declared his support for his partys candidate for the July 14 election, Kayode Fayemi and was at the campaign rally of the party last Friday where some party members were shot by a policeman. The police have described the shooting as an accidental discharge and arrested the culpable officer.

Mr Fayose had also seized the incident of the shooting to warn of an invasion of the state by his Ondo counterpart, alleging that he came with thugs to upset the peaceful environment of Ado Ekiti.

In a statement on Monday, the Kolapo Olusola campaign organisation described Mr Akeredolu as a failed governor whose weak record of development in Ondo State would (not) help Mr Fayemi win the coming election.

The organisations spokesman, Lere Olayinka, said Mr Akeredolu should face governance in his state instead of wasting public funds on the Ekiti State governorship election, which the APC candidate could never win.

Mr Olayinka, who is also the special assistant to the Ekiti governor on public communication and new media, described Mr Akeredolus coming to Ekiti as a failure advertising another failure.

Ekiti is not a state to be taken by force and annexed to Ondo State by anyone. We have never served a foreign god and we are not going to start now, he said.

Is Governor Akeredolu now happy with himself that after he led thugs and armed policemen to Ekiti in support of Fayemi, nine people are in hospital, three in critical condition, including Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele and Ekiti State is now in the news for negative reasons?

We wish to draw the attention of Nigerians to the involvement of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu in the plot by the APC to unleash terror on Ekiti and its people as part of the grand plot to forcefully take over the State, having realized that the partys cannot regain power through the ballots.

Last week Friday, Governor Akeredolu mobilized over 150 armed policemen and several thugs from Akure, Ondo State to accompany the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi to Ado Ekiti, thereby throwing Ekiti State that has been peaceful since the advent of Governor Ayodele Fayoses government into chaos.

He also alleged that the thugs were led by one Jacob Adebo (popularly known as Idajo), who is the chairman of the National Union of Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ondo State.

He alleged that Idajo was involved in the various attacks on Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele in 2014, especially on September 19, 2014 when his political movement, Bibiire Coalition was launched in Ado Ekiti.

These thugs brought to Ekiti courtesy of Governor Akeredolu were the ones that went on rampage at Ojumose area of Ado Ekiti on Friday, destroying canopies and chairs in front of the residence of late Prince Adegoke, he further said.

One of the teargas canisters fired by the policemen that accompanied the thugs hit a Taxi driver, Odeyemi Olumide, badly injuring him. He is now receiving treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, alongside others who were shot at the APC secretariat.

Backed by Governor Akeredolu, Idajo had early last month attempted to cause disharmony among drivers in Ekiti State by attempting a takeover of the unions by a dissident group.

It should be noted that the Ondo State Governor had reportedly boasted that he was ready to spend two months allocation of his State to ensure that Fayemi is imposed on the people of Ekiti, and we wish to ask what his interest is.

However, let it be said expressly that if he likes, he can deploy one year income of Ondo State to finance Fayemis election, it will lead to failure because Ekiti people cannot be bought by anyone.

He also mocked Mr Akeredolu, saying, more than 15 months as governor, Mr Akeredolu cannot boast of a single achievement in Ondo State apart from commissioning billboards. Yet, his priority is sponsoring thugs to Ekiti with millions of Naira.

He accused the governor of owing workers salaries and unable to protect Olu Falae and his farm from being attacked by Fulani herdsmen.

Responding to the assault from Ekiti, Mr Akeredolu, through his special assistant on new media, Olabode Olatunde, said Messrs Fayose and Olayinka were running a lying machine, in their attempt to win the governorship election through lies.

To set the records straight, Ondo State is presently witnessing massive infrastructural development in all sectors of the state. Just today at the state executive council meeting, a number of projects were approved for execution. Thats how development is moving in Ondo state, said Mr Olabode.

He said Mr Fayoses accusation that Mr Akeredolu brought 150 policemen into Ekiti is preposterous and intellectually lazy. He argued that when Mr Fayose and his cronies failed to pin the Fridays shooting on Mr Akeredolu, they have now resorted to lies, fabrication and concerted stories.

It shamed Governor Fayose that the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO in Ekiti state, Caleb Okechukwu, cleared the air by exposing the facts that the shooter was a police officer brought from Lagos by an Ekiti Politician. Ordinarily, mischievous Fayose and his boy should have buried their heads in shame but, its true that liars have no shame.

Having realised that the falsehood being spread around on the Fridays shooting has been punctured by the police revelation, the Ekiti Governor has now settled for a new accusation that Arakunrin Akeredolu came to Ekiti with 150 policemen. The question every intelligent mind is asking is,150 policemen for what?

He also accused Mr Fayose of trying to sow seeds of discord between the two states, despite being together as one state until 1996.

We will love to state here categorically without mincing words that Governor Akeredolu reserves every right to show support for the candidate of his party in Ekiti state, just as Governor Nysom Wike of Rivers State and the rest are showing support for the PDP in the state, continued Mr Olabode.

He said Mr Fayose and the PDP are making issues out of this because of the smell of defeat that has overwhelmed them.

According to Mr Olabode, Mr Fayose has also tried to rewrite the incident that occurred on Friday, claiming that the tear gas canisters that hit a taxi driver was fired by the police officers that accompanied the thugs from Akure.

Residents of Ekiti and those who were present during the incident knew that the pandemonium that greeted the shooting at the APC secretariat necessitated the tear gas canisters fired by the policemen, he said.

Please note that the policemen who fired the tear gas canisters were duly drafted to the secretariat by the Ekiti state police command to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

Governor Fayose surely has a question to answer with this endless accusation despite the police revelation on the identity of the shooter. My questions for Governor Fayose are : Do you know more than the police in this case? Did Akeredolu bring the policeman who mistakenly fired the shot? Is it Akeredolus fault that there was accidental discharge from a policeman he never met before? Is it right to begin to draw an innocent governor into what he knows nothing about?

All lovers of democracy should be worried at the rate Governor Fayose is pursuing the July 14, election in Ekiti with blatant lies and cheap blackmail. These are known strategies of low thinking, feeble minded and weakling politicians. I am talking about politicians who know next to nothing and intellectually bankrupt.

He also denied the allegations that workers had not been paid for several months, arguing that four out of the seven months unpaid salaries inherited from the previous administration had been cleared, while monthly salaries had been regular since the governor took over office.

He also boasted that the Akeredolu administration had carried out a number of developmental projects in the state in a year and few months in office contrary to claims by the Ekiti governor.

On attacks by herdsmen on Olu Falae, Mr Olabode said Mr Akeredolu sympathiwed with Mr Falae over the attack and also issued a strong warning to herdsmen to vacate the state.

He said no incident of herdsmen attack has been heard since then. We are aware that same herdsmen kidnapped Chief Falae under the PDP administration in the state. He who comes to equity, must come with clean hands.

He said Mr Fayose and his cronies should go and prepare for the governorship election rather than rely on the strategy of lies, vowing that the APC would win the election.Wife of Lagos State Governor, Bolanle Ambode, on Tuesday commenced the distribution of 50,000 shoes and branded socks to primary one pupils of public schools across the state.

Mrs Ambode, in her remarks at the Cherubim and Seraphim Primary School, Ikorodu, where the project commenced, said the initiative, tagged Project Bright Steps, was to boost the morale of the pupils.

She said it was also to sensitise the society on the importance of the pupils welfare in getting the best out of them in their academic pursuits.

We observed with pain, that many pupils were less than properly dressed to School, as some turn up in bathroom slippers, with many others barefooted.

This sort of daily appearance for school activities certainly cannot guarantee them the desired self-esteem or confidence to excel in their academic work, Mrs Ambode said.

She explained that it was in view of the above that the foundation settled on the mass procurement and distribution of shoes and socks to the pupils to prepare them for school.

The Project Bright Steps initiative is part of Ambodes pet project Hope for Women in Nigeria (HOFOWEM).

Mrs Ambode urged the pupils to be serious with their studies and not make excuses of challenges and limitations.

You can learn something new every day, if you listen attentively in class and with strong determination, you can overcome all barriers to achieve your desired dream.

Keep your eyes on the stars and feet to the ground, do small things in great ways. It is about your attitude of mind, Mrs Ambode said.

The governors wife said the exercise was an annual event aimed at touching as many pupils as possible in the public primary schools.

HOFOWEM is hinged on hope, with focus on issues of children, women, widows, youths, aged women and the sick.

It also carries out economic empowerment for youths, support for pregnant women and mothers of multiple births, among others, she explained.

Earlier in her welcome address, Oyefunke Olayinka, the Chief Executive Officer of HOFOWEM, said that the programme was aimed at increasing school attendance by equipping pupils for school.

Mrs Olayinka said this would serve as a means of support for indigent parents who might find it difficult to provide the basic school needs required by their children and wards.

She commended Mrs Ambode for her love and care for children and to ensure that they have a secured future.

The initiative will be extended to other centres in Agege, Maryland, Yaba, Ojo, Amuwo-Odofin, Epe and Lagos-Island.

About 175,000 shoes and socks were distributed to all primary one to three pupils of public primary schools in 2016.

(NAN)For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.



CelebrAsian Procurement and Business Conference Focused on Smart World of Business, Talents, and Technology; PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi Served as Conference Chair

By: USPAACC

Contact

J.P. Torres

***@uspaacc.com J.P. Torres

End

-- The transformative effects of today's smart world on robust business growth, talent acquisition and retention, and the application of innovative technology in various industries were the focal points discussed atProcurement & Business Conferencethe country's largest and most established B2B conference convened by Pan Asian Americans.was the theme of the Conference, held May 29 to June 1, 2018 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland.is the annual national flagship event of the USPAACC (US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation) and the nation's premier venue for procurement and other business opportunities, innovation, and job creation for the more than 2 million Pan Asian American-owned businesses nationwide.Through innovative, first-to-market and business growth-related programs,attracted CEOs, CPOs, CTOs, CIOs, Presidents, Directors, procurement and marketing managers, buyers, industry leaders and key decision-makers from Fortune 1000 Corporations, government agencies, and large nonprofits to connect and do business with top-caliber Asian American suppliers, successful business owners, disruptors and visionaries.PepsiCo Chairman & CEO Indra K. Nooyi served as the Conference Chair. She held a fireside chat to share her journey from India to become Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo and the #2 "Most Powerful Woman in Business," according tomagazine.PepsiCo has a 19-year uninterrupted commitment to and support of USPAACC's work, which has spurred economic growth and professional advancement of Pan Asian Americans and businesses nationwide.Strong support from the financial industry  Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo  along with automotive giant Nissan  showed the value placed on USPAACC and the ROI they realize from their partnership.Co-chairing the Conference were established Pan Asian American businesses Ampcus, Indotronix Avani, and Pyramid Consulting, who continue to appreciate what USPAACC does in speaking for Pan Asian American businesses and connecting them to the right people, at the right place, at the right time.For more information, visit the conference website at https://celebrasianconference.com or learn about USPAACC at https://www.uspaacc.com : USPAACC is the unifying voice that advocates for equal opportunity for Pan Asian American businesses to propel their economic growth, innovation, and job creation. USPAACC has served for 33 years as the gateway to large corporate and government contracts for top-caliber Pan Asian American suppliers. Our work focuses on achieving robust business growth, key information about Pan Asian Americans, and business opportunities in the dynamic markets of the United States, Asia-Pacific, and the Indian subcontinent.Founded in 1984 as a non-profit and non-partisan organization, USPAACC is headquartered in Washington, DC, with regional chapters in California, Texas, New York, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, and the National Capital Area of DC-Maryland-Virginia.Media Inquiries: J.P. Torres | jp@uspaacc.comPHOENIX, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- 4Front Holdings, LLC ("4Front"), a leading investment and management firm in the cannabis industry, is pleased to announce that Co-founder and President Kris Krane has been elected to serve a third term on the National Cannabis Industry Association's (NCIA) Board of Directors.

The NCIA is the cannabis industry's largest and most influential trade association, representing the interests of its more than 1,500 members.

Mr. Krane was first elected to his first two-year term on the NCIA's board in 2014. The board consists of 18 elected directors, plus the executive director, and has oversight over the association's strategic direction and budget.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to serve on the NCIA board for a third term. The next few years will be some of the most critical the cannabis industry has faced, as we are likely looking at our best opportunity ever to make changes at the federal level on critical issues like banking and 280e reform, and possibly even to end federal marijuana prohibition," Mr. Krane said. "Those of us who have worked on this issue for decades recognize how crucial the upcoming years will be for this industry and it is imperative that organizations like NCIA be well be a leading, well-funded body that is focused on the task at hand."

Mr. Krane has been a leader in the cannabis industry for more than 20 years, first on the advocacy side, serving as associate director of NORML from 2000-2005 and executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) from 2006-2009. In 2011, he co-founded 4Front, which quickly earned a reputation as one of the industry's most successful consulting companies. He also serves on boards of the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association, and is a Trustee of SSDP. He also writes a regular column for Forbes, and co-hosts the popular Marijuana Today podcast.

About 4Front

4Front Holdings, LLC ("4Front") is a leading investment and management firm in the U.S. cannabis sector. It has developed a national platform that consists of a multi-state footprint, including its Mission-branded retail operations, and a far-reaching network of partnership relationships. Led by a group of professionals with experience in finance, real estate, manufacturing, and multi-location retail and hospitality operations, 4Front has invested heavily to assemble a comprehensive collection of management skills and hands-on operating expertise that can support the rapid operational growth opportunity being afforded by the increased legalization of cannabis across the United States as well as internationally. For more information, visit the website.

Media Contacts

Anne Donohoe

KCSA Strategic Communications

212-896-1265

[email protected]

SOURCE 4FrontTURIN, Italy, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The 66th Bilderberg Meeting will take place from 7 - 10 June 2018 in Turin, Italy. As of today, 128 participants from 23 countries have confirmed their attendance. As ever, a diverse group of political leaders and experts from industry, finance, academia and the media has been invited. The list of participants is available on http://www.bilderbergmeetings.org/participants.html .

The key topics for discussion this year include:

Populism in Europe The inequality challenge The future of work Artificial intelligence The US before midterms Free trade US world leadership Russia Quantum computing Saudi Arabia and Iran The "post-truth" world Current events

Founded in 1954, the Bilderberg Meeting is an annual conference designed to foster dialogue between Europe and North America. Every year, between 120-140 political leaders and experts from industry, finance, academia and the media are invited to take part in the conference. About two thirds of the participants come from Europe and the rest from North America; approximately a quarter from politics and government and the rest from other fields.

The conference is a forum for informal discussions about major issues facing the world. The meetings are held under the Chatham House Rule, which states that participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s) nor any other participant may be revealed.

Thanks to the private nature of the meeting, the participants are not bound by the conventions of their office or by pre-agreed positions. As such, they can take time to listen, reflect and gather insights. There is no desired outcome, no minutes are taken and no report is written. Furthermore, no resolutions are proposed, no votes are taken, and no policy statements are issued.

SOURCE BilderbergDENVER, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- RockCyber, LLC a new cybersecurity and information technology company is launching this month. RockCyber allows business to leverage a highly experienced cybersecurity executive to reduce organizational risk to revenue without breaking the bank and while aligning to overall enterprise business strategy. RockCyber's primary focus is cybersecurity for executive decision makers thereby helping leadership implement business strategy timely, efficiently and with minimal cyber risk. One key example, our service offering provides for a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer saving business time, revenue, resources and communications missteps.

Value We Bring to Your Organization:

Identify and measure Cybersecurity risks to your organization

Measure gaps against your organization's capabilities

Prioritize Cybersecurity improvement initiatives

Provide roadmaps for aligning your Cybersecurity strategy with your business goals

In an upcoming event Rock Lambros, CEO will be a speaker at the Cloud Security Alliance Colorado Chapter Monthly Meeting on June 19, 2018. His topic, The Internet of Things and the Cloud is Not Spelled "NO." This is an industry event for executives and experts alike.

Kyriakos "Rock" Lambros, CEO of RockCyber, LLC is a seasoned cybersecurity and information technology professional. His broad expertise in aligning cybersecurity and technology strategy is outstanding. This includes a parallel focus on enterprise business goals in order to reduce the risk to revenue for the organization. Rock is a member of Information Systems Security Association, International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Cloud Security Alliance and Open Web Application Project.

For more information visit www.RockCyber.com

Contact: Rock Lambros

[email protected]

844-729-2370

SOURCE RockCyber, LLC

Related Links

http://www.rockcyber.com

ROSEMONT, Ill., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Who's responsible for the yogurt in your smoothie, the cheese on your pizza and the ice cream in your cone?

They're dairy farmers, chefs, cheese, butter and yogurt artisans, creamery owners and more. And they share one undeniable characteristic: devotion.

Look for murals by local artists on barn walls, in eateries and other spaces across the country.

This June, in honor of National Dairy Month, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy is partnering with nearly 40,000 family farms, processors and dairy brands to spotlight the many people who are devoted to dairy. The month-long celebration will rally communities from coast to coast to salute people's passion for dairy and remind consumers that the dairy community loves making dairy just as much as consumers love to enjoy it.

As part of the multi-year Undeniably Dairy campaign, this year's National Dairy Month celebration will be unprecedented in both scope and scale. The effort will leverage large-format murals, podcasts and events and special activations to spotlight dairy devotees from every part of the farm-to-community chain.

Look for murals by local artists on barn walls, in eateries and other spaces across the country, from Chef Marc Forgione's New York City restaurant to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway tunnel. These paintings will convey the hard work and passion that goes into making dairy foods. In fact, more than seven murals will be up before the end of the July in high-traffic areas, stopping people in their tracks and encouraging them to take pictures to share on social media.

"The dairy community is stronger than ever, taking extra steps to leave the land better than they found it and using new innovations to care better for cows all while delivering on the safe, high-quality dairy products consumers expect," said Beth Engelmann, chief marketing communications officer at Dairy Management Inc., which supports the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. "Year two of Undeniably Dairy will serve as a kick-off to celebrate the devotion of farmers, chefs and everyone in-between who bring the sustainably nutritious and delicious dairy foods that people know and love, to their table."

The June Dairy Month effort is supported by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, which was established by dairy farmers to address common goals, one of which is to tell their story.

"We hope to reach more people in June so they get to know the innovative, environmentally conscious practices dairy farm families like mine use every day," said Nate Chittenden, a third-generation farmer from Dutch Hollow Farms in Schodack Landing, NY, whose barn was decorated with a mural by street artist Nils Westergard. "We're proud of what we do and have always been inspired by the connection we all share, which starts with the way we care for our cows to make the dairy foods you love that in turn, helps me to provide the food on my family's table."

There will be opportunities to hear more from Nate, Chef Marc and others through chart-ranking podcasts including:

Gastropod

Spilled Milk

Oprah's Super Soul Conversations

The Sporkful

The Bowery Boys

Katie Couric

Other special events include 3D sidewalk chalk murals, on-farm breakfast events, and more. To learn about these and the Undeniably Dairy campaign, visit:

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy is a forum that brings together the dairy community to address the changing needs and expectations of consumers through a framework of shared best practices and accountability. Initiated in 2008 by dairy farmers through the dairy checkoff, we collaborate on efforts that are important both to us and our valued customers  issues like animal care, food safety, nutrition and health, the environment and economics. The Innovation Center is committed to continuous improvement from farm to table, striving to ensure a socially responsible and economically viable dairy community.

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is funded by America's nearly 42,000 dairy farmers, as well as dairy importers. Created to help increase sales and demand for dairy products, DMI and its related organizations work to increase demand for dairy through research, education and innovation, and to maintain confidence in dairy foods, farms and businesses. DMI manages the National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.

Contact:

Lisa McComb

[email protected]

[email protected]

847-627-3744

SOURCE Innovation Center for U.S. DairyNEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Morgan James fiction's new release, Orope -The White Snake by Guenevere Lee, is a mythical story of four travellers set in the Bronze Age. As the travellers, known as "the Whisperers of the Gods," move towards their destinations, they experience new lands and cultures, strange customs, foreign dangers, and tragedy.

Orope -The White Snake by Guenevere Lee

Orope - The White Snake takes place in a world threatened by angry deities. The Whisperers of the Gods foresee a catastrophic end and have been given a vision of the gods destroying the world with a flood. They set out to appease the gods to save their world, but soon find that the gods are not the only danger they face. As they embark on their mission, they must navigate unfamiliar lands and try to reach their destination before they fall prey to the beasts that lurk in the dark.

This exciting new fantasy steps away from the usual setting of medieval times and instead explores the Bronze Age, a time that saw the rise and fall of empires. The four travellers, Tersh, Kareth, Sha'di, and Samaki, make up a diverse cast, offering a relatable character for every reader. Their journey appeals to lovers of travel and culture as they explore uncharted lands. Guenevere Lee provides meticulous backgrounds for the characters and the setting, including maps, languages, and more. These details help readers truly engulf themselves in the story.

Filled with intrigue, mystery, danger, and destiny, Orope -The White Snake is a riveting adventure that draws fiction lovers in from the very first page. Guenevere Lee has painted a mythical world that readers can get lost in, as they fight alongside the protagonists on their mission to overcome perilous obstacles and save the world from a disastrous fate.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Guenevere Lee, please call Nickcole Watkins at 516.900.5674.

About the Author:

Guenevere Lee has a passion for travel and culture. She spent her childhood moving every three years and has worked abroad throughout her adulthood. As a result, her writing tends to take place all over the map. To envelope her readers in the plot and make them feel that they are experiencing a real world, she brings her stories to life with fleshed out cultures, languages, histories, and maps. Guenevere has lived and worked in Canada, England, and Japan, and she has travelled around the world. These experiences are the basis for her characters' journey. She currently resides in Toronto, Canada.

More About This Title:

Orope - The White Snake by Guenevere Lee, will be released by Morgan James Fiction on June 5, 2018. OropeISBN 978-1683507390has 286 pages and is being sold as a trade paperback for $16.95.

About Morgan James Publishing:

Morgan James publishes trade quality titles designed to educate, encourage, inspire, or entertain readers with current, consistent, relevant topics that are available everywhere books are sold.

( www.MorganJamesPublishing.com )

MEDIA CONTACT:

Nickcole Watkins

Morgan James Publishing

516.900.5674

[email protected]

SOURCE Morgan James Publishing

Related Links

http://www.MorganJamesPublishing.com

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the next seven years, Abt Associates will work with the Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to provide quality integrated primary health care to 30 million people.

Under the terms of a $314 million contract funded by the United States Agency for International Development, Abt and its partners will help to significantly improve access to high-quality health services in nine provinces located primarily in the eastern and southeastern areas of the country.



Maternal and infant mortality rates in DRC are among the highest in the world, and approximately 30 percent of children under five are malnourished. These issues have been exacerbated by ongoing conflict and structural barriers to accessing health services (e.g., distance to health facilities and lack of transport, low literacy levels and inequitable gender norms), which also have perpetuated unhealthy behaviors.

With the creation of 15 new provinces in 2015, the country has decentralized the management of health services, but these new provinces lack the systems, structures and staff to operate effectively.

"With this investment, USAID will enable the DRC to address the challenges identified in its national health plan, including the need for higher-quality service delivery and better infrastructure, equipment, human resources, commodities supply, health financing and governance," said Jay L. Knott, Chief Business Officer.

Over the project's lifespan, Abt will ensure local health care staff have the right training, support and incentives to be successful, and that facilities are improved and drugs and supplies are in the right place at the right time. Taking advantage of new technologies, drones will be used to deliver medicine to conflict-affected areas and those places with few roads. Other cutting-edge innovations include creating a performance dashboard to enable adaptive, real-time, data-driven decision making, supporting household behavioral change through one-way messaging and conducting rapid mobile surveys on socio-cultural barriers to health service use.

"We have very specific objectives, including immunizing 88 percent of children; equipping 89 percent of health centers to offer high-quality basic care; and saving the lives of approximately 140,000 pregnant women, newborns and children," said Knott. "Our goals are ambitious, and we have the right team to achieve them."

Abt's primary implementing partners are The International Rescue Committee and Pathfinder. Additional partners include the Kinshasa School of Public Health, Blue Square, i+solutions, Matchboxology, Mobile Accord, TRG and Viamo.

About Abt Associates

Abt Associates is an engine for social impact, dedicated to moving people from vulnerability to security. Harnessing the power of data and our experts' grounded insights, we provide research, consulting and technical services globally in the areas of health, environmental and social policy, technology and international development. http://www.abtassociates.com/

SOURCE Abt Associates

Related Links

http://www.abtassociates.com

HOLMDEL, N.J., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- STOPit Solutions, which provides a comprehensive, anonymous software communication platform that mitigates and deters school violence, harassment, and bullying, announced Wednesday that the number of schools in Texas protected with STOPit Solutions passes 500 safe STOPit schools. The news comes after Gov. Greg Abbott announced school safety plans and proposed increased attention to school safety.

"STOPit has been a beneficial tool to the students in our district by providing them the ability to anonymously report incidents that they may not have felt comfortable doing otherwise," stated Karen Stevens, Director of Student Support Services for Comal Independent School District in Comal Texas.

Texas passed a landmark law one year ago in June 2017 mandating that all schools adopt an anonymous reporting solution. STOPit is now used across the state and is a cornerstone of improved school climate, and integration with local enforcement whenever needed. This incredible adoption rate and the successful STOPit program has already helped to manage 6,275 incident reports in less than a year in Texas.

"Texas' David's Law was passed to help protect kids and mandate that schools implement a modern reporting solution. We are incredibly proud of the stellar track record we are delivering in STOPit schools across Texas, and see improved behavior with our modern approach to address today's complex issues in schools," stated Neil Hooper, STOPit CRO. "We wish it were in every school. School violence and aggressive student behavior must be stopped early and effectively, and STOPit is leading this effort across the state of Texas. It's a good sign to see the state, schools, and teachers trying to do everything they can," added Todd Schobel, founder of STOPit. "We look forward to many more schools embracing the STOPit platform."

With the tap of a button in the STOPit app, students can anonymously share incidents and alert school administrators  along with photographs, videos, screenshots or other evidence that may be relevant. When reports are filed, school administrators are notified immediately so that they can address the issue and, when necessary, engage law enforcement through an integrated escalation process. Some districts also use STOPit's call center to route emergency reports directly to local law enforcement for them through STOPit's 24-hour monitoring service.

STOPit has been creating safer places to learn, work, and live for over 5 years. Their innovative platform and comprehensive 24 hours per day monitoring service continue to make exciting market leading announcements across the country.

About STOPit:

STOPit is the leading technology company providing a comprehensive software platform and incident monitoring service that mitigates, deters and controls bullying, including cyberbullying, harassment and other harmful or inappropriate conduct. Stopping issues early creates a safer environment. The STOPit platform is available to schools, universities, businesses and governments both in the United States and around the world. STOPit includes a robust incident management system, empowering administrators and management to get in front of issues to mitigate risk and adhere to the ever-evolving compliance landscape. STOPit anonymous reporting empowers individuals to protect themselves and stand up for others online, on social media, in school, in the office, and in the community.

To learn more about STOPit, please visit www.stopitsolutions.com.

Press Contact: Neil Hooper, Chief Revenue Officer; [email protected]

SOURCE STOPit Solutions

Related Links

http://stopitsolutions.com

NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP is investigating potential securities fraud claims on behalf of shareholders of Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. ("Aegean" or the "Company") (NYSE: ANW). If you purchased Aegean securities, and/or have information relating to this matter, please visit our AEGEAN SHAREHOLDER PAGE or contact Daniel Sadeh toll free at (877) 779-1414 or [email protected].

On June 4, 2018, during aftermarket hours, Aegean revealed "that approximately $200 million of accounts receivable owed to the Company at December 31, 2017 will need to be written off," as "[t]he transactions that gave rise to the accounts receivable ("the Transactions") may have been, in full or in part, without economic substance and improperly accounted for in contravention of the Company's normal policies and procedures." Aegean further revealed that "[a] number of individuals employed by the Company across multiple functions who are believed to have been involved in the Transactions have been terminated or placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of [an] investigation. The Company has reported its preliminary findings to the SEC and the Department of Justice and intends to cooperate with any resulting investigations."

On this news, Aegean's stock fell sharply during intraday trading on June 5, 2018.

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years.

Please follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bernstein-liebhard-llp/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/bernlieb.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2018 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Michael S. Bigin. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information

Daniel Sadeh

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

http://www.bernlieb.com

(877) 779-1414

[email protected]

SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP

Related Links

http://www.bernlieb.com

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Federation of Government Employees has gained a powerful new ally in our fight against the Trump administration's efforts to deny federal workers their legal right to representation at the worksite.

The nation's largest public employee union  the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees  has joined AFGE's lawsuit challenging one of three anti-worker executive orders recently issued by the Trump administration.

The nation's two largest public employee unions are joining forces to oppose the Trump administration's latest attack on working families and union rights. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) filed a motion to join the lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) challenging President Trump's May 25 executive order, which aims to deny workers their legal right to representation at federal job sites.

"AFSCME filed a motion to intervene in our lawsuit with our consent," AFGE General Counsel David Borer said. "We're happy they've joined our case and we thank them for their support. Together the nation's two largest public employee unions are presenting a united front in opposition to the White House's latest attack on working families and union rights."

AFGE, the largest union representing federal government workers, sued the Trump administration on May 30 in response to an executive order President Trump issued May 25 that impedes employee representation at the job site. AFGE's lawsuit challenges the executive order as violating the right to freedom of association guaranteed by the First Amendment, and as exceeding the president's authority under the Constitution of the United States.

AFSCME's motion to join our lawsuit was filed June 1 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

"By instructing a federal agency to bargain in bad faith with its own workers, Trump has not only disrespected the people who take pride in keeping our country safe and healthy, he has also instructed his government to break the law and violated his own constitutionally mandated duty of care," AFSCME President Lee Saunders said in a statement. "Public service workers in our federal government are dedicated to improving America's communities and they faithfully execute the laws of our country every day. We demand that the president of the United States be held to the same standard."

The executive order at issue in AFGE's lawsuit is one of three directives from President Trump that chip away at due process and collective bargaining rights for federal employees.

"These executive orders strip agencies of their right to bargain terms and conditions of employment and replace it with a politically charged scheme to fire employees without due process," AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. said.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 700,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees

Related Links

http://www.afge.org

SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Thunkable, the platform that enables anyone to build their own native mobile apps, today announced the launch of Thunkable .

Thunkable  is a cross-platform app builder, which means that all apps built on the platform work for both Android and iOS devices.

On Thunkable , non-coders can easily design beautiful apps, program powerful functionality with drag & drop blocks and upload apps to the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store.

"Traditionally, building a sophisticated app requires hundreds of thousands of dollars and two teams of engineers--one team for Android and one team for iOS. But now, non-coders can easily build their own apps on one platform, and these apps will work on Android devices, iPhones and iPads," said Arun Saigal, Co-Founder and CEO of Thunkable.

According to Forrester Research, the market for low-code/no-code platforms will reach $16B in 2020. And within this growing market, Thunkable is already well positioned to become the global market leader in DIY app building.

There are currently over 500K users on Thunkable who have built more than 1M apps. And apps built on Thunkable have more than 16M MAUs, across 195 countries.

What sets Thunkable apart in the no-code/low code space, is that its visual drag & drop programming language is easy enough to use for non-coders, yet robust enough to build unique, beautiful and powerful apps. This approach was pioneered by researchers at Google and MIT, where Thunkable was incubated.

"Billions of people have powerful smartphones, but only a handful of engineers can program them. We're focused on empowering all smartphone users to create their own mobile technology." -Weihua James Li, Co-Founder and CTO of Thunkable.

Thunkable users can choose from a variety of features and integrations for their apps, including Google Maps, Microsoft Image Recognition, payments through Stripe, and other APIs.

To date, Thunkable has raised $3.3 million in funding from Lightspeed Venture Partners, NEA, SV Angel, Y Combinator, PJC, Mandra Capital, Joe Montana's Liquid 2 Ventures and ZhenFund.

About Thunkable

Launched in 2015, Thunkable is the platform that enables anyone to build their own native mobile apps. Thunkable was incubated at Google Research and MIT. To learn more, please go to thunkable.com

Media Contact:

Jimmy Haber

(650) 434-0213

[email protected]

SOURCE Thunkable

Related Links

www.thunkable.com

DALLAS, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrity Marketing Group, LLC ("Integrity"), today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Agent Service Connection, Inc. ("Agent Service Connection"), one of America's leading Final Expense insurance distributors. As part of the deal, Agent Service Connection's founder and President, Alan Town, becomes an owner in Integrity. Financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.

Sarasota, Florida-based Agent Service Connection is one of the leading Final Expense insurance marketing organizations with over 19,000 appointed agents throughout the country. They have helped over 300,000 Americans plan for their Final Expense insurance needs and have placed over $200 Million of premium with their leading carrier, Columbian Life Insurance Company ("Columbian"), with an aggregate death benefit of over $2 Billion.

"We are thrilled for Alan and his entire team to partner with Integrity," said Michael Fosbury, President & CEO of Columbian. "Alan helped us enter into the Final Expense market in 2000 and we're excited to expand our relationship by gaining access to Integrity's vast network of independent agents and agencies."

The combined business will create the nation's largest independent Final Expense marketing organization with almost $175 million of annualized premiums in Final Expense-related products. Agent Service Connection will continue to operate nationally under its existing brand, and all employees will stay in their current roles.

"I have been incredibly impressed with the tremendous growth of Integrity Marketing Group over the past few years under Bryan Adams' leadership," said Town. "There is strength in numbers and when great minds get together, amazing things happen. This merger ensures a succession solution that will make Agent Service Connection flourish far into the future."

More on Alan Town's decision to join Integrity can be viewed in the following video: www.integritymarketing.com/asc

"Alan Town is a well-known innovator in the Final Expense market and his products and selling systems have helped thousands of Americans achieve peace of mind in knowing that their final expenses will be covered at the time of need," said Bryan W. Adams, Co-Founder & CEO of Integrity. "We're excited to have another market leader join the Integrity platform so we can share best practices and resources to serve even more Americans with our products and services."

"At Integrity we're building a platform that enables every business to reach its highest potential, and we've become the preferred partner of major carriers in addressing the senior market," added Steve Young, Chairman of Integrity. "Industry leaders like Alan Town making the decision to join Integrity are a great endorsement of this vision."

About Integrity Marketing Group

Integrity Marketing Group, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is the nation's leading independent distributor of life and health insurance products focused on serving the Senior Market. Integrity develops and distributes life and health insurance products with insurance carrier partners and markets these products through its distribution network, which includes other large insurance agencies located throughout the country that has over 130,000 independent agents. Integrity serves over one million clients with over 350 employees. In 2018, Integrity will help insurance carriers place over $850 million in new premium. More information is available at: www.IntegrityMarketing.com

SOURCE Integrity Marketing Group, LLC

Related Links

http://www.IntegrityMarketing.com

EISENERZ, Austria, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Alta Motors, the leader in performance electric motorcycles, made two-wheel history as the first electric motorcycle factory race team to qualify for the Erzberg Rodeo. Ty Tremaine and Lyndon Poskitt rode the next generation of Alta's popular off-road Redshift against gas-bike competitors. By qualifying 48th and 113th for the Erzberg Rodeo, Alta proved that its electric motorcycles are fully capable of competing at the most demanding level.

Rookie to Erzberg, Alta had a lot to learn in attempting to compete in the hardest enduro in the world. While en route to the event, one of the team's race vans was burglarized and the culprits made off with two bikes and a significant amount of race equipment. Despite this major setback, the team stayed the course and still fielded both riders in the Prologue by sharing the two bikes originally set up for Ty. With no provision for pre-running the event, Alta's critical first run in the Prologue qualifying event disappointed the team with an overheated motorcycle and improper gearing. Even with these adverse problems, Ty placed 43rd out of a field of 1,500 competitors on the first day. On the second, Ty and Lyndon fared much better with Ty moving up for a 35th place finish against the best hard enduro riders in the world.

Although Lyndon qualified for the main, he did not compete due to the stolen motorcycles and equipment. Unfamiliar with the starting procedure, Ty had a poor start off the line and initially trailed the pack, but quickly exploited the Alta Redshift's performance and gained spots back, placing him amongst the top 20. But the Iron Mountain proved to be as treacherous as its reputation. With an off-course misstep during the confusing forest section and the hard charge to make up for the starting line glitch, Ty fell short of the planned battery swap site and had to retire.

"I was totally caught off guard at race start, but the Alta worked great and I made up a lot of spots quickly. The bike climbed super well and I got right back into it. I followed Paul Bolton, learned from his lines, and at one point I actually passed Graham Jarvis. The woods were the biggest surprise for me. They were super tricky and I found myself off course for a bit. I was disappointed when I ran out of power just before our planned battery swap point at Machine," commented Ty Tremaine. "I learned a lot about the Iron Mountain and I know that I am ready for this level and so is the bike."

"It's disappointing that our planned battery swap strategy came up short at our first Erzberg Rodeo. We've learned a lot about the course and collected the required data to plan for next year's swap strategy and optimize the software on the Alta Redshift," said Alta Motors Chief Technical Officer and co-founder, Derek Dorresteyn. "We choose to race the hardest possible race, so we can continue to develop the most intuitive, capable motorcycle ever made. We built the Redshift to compete head-to-head with the best gas bikes in the most brutal environments. Today we did that, there is nothing but upside for electric motorcycles in professional racing."

About Erzberg Rodeo

The flagship of World Enduro Super Series, Erzberg Rodeo is a 35 km race in the mountains of Austria where riders attempt to summit unbelievably steep hill climbs and daunting rock beds. Almost 2,000 riders attempt to qualify for 500 starting slots in the main event. Consistent with previous years' results, only 23 competitors finished this year's main event.

erzbergrodeo.at

About Alta Motors

Alta Motors is a global leader in lightweight electric vehicles with a proprietary mobility platform that offers new levels of power density and economics. It leads the industry with a complete portfolio of battery and drivetrain components, an existing fleet of lightweight vehicles manufactured at its world-class Brisbane, California, facility and a full customer backlog. Alta's award-winning Redshift platform is now available to riders at over 50 U.S. dealerships across the United States. Please visit us at:

altamotors.co

Media contact

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Alta Motors

Related Links

http://altamotors.co

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE MKT: AMPE) today announced two peer-reviewed articles on the clinical application of Ampion are now available online.

"Peer-reviewed journals are an important part of the scientific process, which requires intensive scrutiny by other experts in the field of any manuscript submitted before publication. This external validation of the science behind Ampion is very important as we move forward to commercialize of this product," stated Ampio CEO, Michael Macaluso.

Ampion is the 'Low Molecular Weight Fraction of 5% human serum Albumin' (LMWF-5A) that is in development to treat severe osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK). There are limited efficacious treatment options for severe OAK. This June 18, 2018 publication reports the safety and efficacy of Ampion (LMWF-5A) as a treatment option for the signs and symptoms of patients afflicted by severe OAK. Full details of the publication can be found here:

https://pssjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13037-018-0158-0

The disease-modifying potential of OAK therapies are of increasing interest to clinicians and patients, especially including the possible delay of total knee replacements (TKR). The effect of Ampion (LMWF-5A) on delaying TKR is evaluated in this May 21, 2018 publication, the full details of which can be found here:

https://pssjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13037-018-0162-4

Regulatory Exclusivity and IP protection:

The Company believes that Ampion, a low molecular weight fraction of human serum albumin with anti-inflammatory properties, will be identified as a "reference product" upon FDA approval of their BLA. Reference products are granted twelve years of exclusivity under the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C.  262(k)(7). Specifically, FDA is not permitted to approve an application for a biosimilar or interchangeable product until 12 years after the date of the first licensure of the reference product. The existing Ampion portfolio has patent coverage in all major jurisdictions throughout the world (U.S., Europe, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Eurasia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa) for pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating a range of conditions. The portfolio includes 125 issued patents and 85 pending applications throughout seven primary patent families having expiration dates that extend to 2035.

About Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an incurable and progressive disorder of the joints involving degradation of the intra-articular cartilage, joint lining, ligaments, and bone. The incidence of developing osteoarthritis of the knee over a lifetime is approximately 45%. As this disease is associated with age, obesity, and diabetes, this number will continue to grow. Certain risk factors in conjunction with natural wear and tear lead to the breakdown of cartilage. Osteoarthritis is caused by inflammation of the soft tissue and bony structures of the joint, which worsens over time and leads to progressive thinning of articular cartilage. Other symptoms include narrowing of the joint space, synovial membrane thickening, osteophyte formation and increased density of subchondral bone.

About Ampio Pharmaceuticals

Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a development stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of therapies to treat prevalent inflammatory conditions for which there are limited treatment options. We are developing compounds that decrease inflammation by (i) inhibiting specific pro-inflammatory compounds by affecting specific pathways at the protein expression and at the transcription level; (ii) activating specific phosphatase or depletion of the available phosphate needed for the inflammation process; and (iii) decreasing vascular permeability.

Forward-Looking Statements

Ampio's statements in this press release that are not historical fact, and that relate to future plans or events, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding Ampio's expectations with respect to Ampion and its classification, as well as those associated with regulatory approvals and other FDA decisions, the Biological License Application (BLA) , the ability of Ampio to enter into partnering arrangements, clinical trials and decisions and changes in business conditions and similar events, all of which are inherently subject to various risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties involved include those detailed from time to time in Ampio's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, under Ampio's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ampio undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Company Contact

Tom Chilcott

Chief Financial Officer

Phone: (720) 437-6500

[email protected]

SOURCE Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.ampiopharma.com

BAYPORT, Minn., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Andersen Corporation celebrates its fifth annual Nature Preservation Day, kicking off on World Environment Day with ten days of volunteer activities across North America. Andersen is marking this volunteer celebration with a $20,000 grant to The Nature Conservancy to help develop a forest restoration and resiliency plan.

Andersen Corporation celebrates its fifth annual Nature Preservation Day, kicking off on World Environment Day with ten days of volunteer activities across North America. Starting June 5, more than 400 Andersen employees will participate in volunteer activities to help restore and protect the natural environment.

Nature Preservation Day is Andersen's signature employee volunteer program focused on environmental education and hands-on learning to make the world a better place. Starting June 5, more than 400 Andersen employees will participate in volunteer activities to help restore and protect the natural environment. In total, 22 Nature Preservation Day events will be conducted, with each event participating in activities that meet the needs of the local community where Andersen operates. Activities range from clearing invasive species to planting trees and flowers, to park and water cleanup.

"Andersen is celebrating 115 years of environmental stewardship and corporate citizenship to improve the communities in which we live and work," said Andersen Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jay Lund. "Our year-round sustainability efforts not only improve our local communities but are good for the planet, our customers and our business."

Andersen deploys a comprehensive strategic approach to driving sustainable improvements across its value chain  from the forest, to its operations, to the home, to communities.

"Nature Preservation Day provides employee volunteers with an opportunity to step outside of their daily routine and connect with nature in meaningful ways that also positively impact their local communities," said Eliza Clark, director of sustainability and environmental with Andersen. "We hope our passion for corporate citizenship inspires others to take action to preserve our natural environment for future generations."

Peggy Ladner, director of The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota, added, "By investing in the Minnesota Restoration and Resiliency Plan, Andersen Corporation is playing a pivotal role in enabling not only The Nature Conservancy, but numerous other organizations that will use the report to ensure that Minnesota's precious and iconic forests can continue to thrive long into the future. We are grateful to the Andersen Corporation for our longstanding relationship."

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. In Minnesota, The Nature Conservancy has helped protect more than 695,000 acres including Minnesota's forests. To learn more, visit nature.org/minnesota.

About Andersen Corporation

Headquartered in Bayport, Minnesota, Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen, Renewal by Andersen, Silver Line, American Craftsman, EMCO, Weiland, MQ and Heritage brands. Andersen, a privately held company, was founded in 1903 and employs more than 12,000 people with manufacturing sites in North America and Europe. Andersen has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2018 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year  Sustained Excellence Award. Visit us at andersencorporation.com.

Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/andersenco, Twitter @AndersenCorp and Instagram @andersen_corporation.

"Andersen" and all other marks are trademarks of Andersen Corporation.

SOURCE Andersen Corporation

Related Links

https://www.andersenwindows.com

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California and TEL AVIV, Israel, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Argus Cyber Security, a global leader in automotive cyber security, and Phantom Auto, the leading provider of teleoperation safety technology for automated vehicles (AVs), have partnered to ensure the security of teleoperation safety technology in vehicles. Argus Connectivity Protection, integrated in Phantom Auto's teleoperation safety technology, will detect and block attacks in real-time and prevent them from proliferating to the in-vehicle network.

Argus Cyber Security Logo

Cyber security challenges in the automotive sector are becoming increasingly significant as AVs become a reality and as the number of heterogeneous applications and services that run on AVs or interact with them grows, including teleoperation safety technologies. In addressing this issue, the California Department of Motor Vehicles mandates: (1) the use of remote operation for driverless testing, and (2) "a certification that AVs meet appropriate and applicable current industry standards to help defend against, detect, and respond to cyber-attacks, unauthorized intrusions, or false vehicle control commands."

"As the automotive ecosystem includes more and more technologies to enable connected and automated vehicles, the need for a multi-layered, holistic cybersecurity solution becomes absolutely imperative," said Yoni Heilbronn, Argus Cyber Security Chief Marketing Officer. "The automotive industry must proactively prepare for the cyber security challenges that connected and automated vehicles pose. Together with Phantom Auto, we are proving how safety and security go hand-in-hand by protecting and effectively enabling a new life-saving teleoperation technology."

"It is vitally important that lifesaving AVs are deployed rapidly and at scale, but it is imperative that the deployment is optimally safe and secure," said Shai Magzimof, Phantom Auto CEO. "By using Phantom Auto's teleoperation safety technology, driverless AVs will have a highly-trained human in the loop, who can safely drive the AV in the event the vehicle cannot safely operate. But the connectivity that enables this comes with inherent cyber risks, which is why we are ensuring the highest level of protection for our teleoperation safety technology by partnering with Argus."

Argus will be demonstrating how its Connectivity Protection solution secures connected electronic control units (ECUs) at TU-Automotive Detroit, Booth C231, on June 6-7, 2018.

About Argus Cyber Security

Argus, a global leader in automotive cybersecurity, delivers multi-layered, end-to-end solutions and services to protect connected cars and commercial vehicles against cyber-attacks. Argus also provides OEMs an over-the-air (OTA) software update solution that enables them to quickly and cost-effectively improve performance and security as well as deploy new features throughout the vehicle lifespan. Ranked number one in third-party evaluations, Argus technologies are built on dozens of granted and pending automotive patents and rely on decades of experience in both cyber security and the automotive industry. Argus' customers include the world's largest OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, and its partners include leading industry players. Founded in 2013, Argus is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, with offices in Michigan, Silicon Valley, Stuttgart, and Tokyo. Learn more at www.argus-sec.com.

Argus is an independent company of Elektrobit, a leading provider of automotive software products and services.

@ArgusSec | LinkedIn

Argus Press Contact:

Brandon Weinstock

[email protected]

+1-914-336-4878

About Phantom Auto



Founded in 2017 in Silicon Valley by a team of network communication and robotics experts, Phantom Auto is the leading provider of vehicle teleoperation technology.



Phantom Auto enables a remote human operator to drive an autonomous vehicle when it encounters a scenario that the vehicle cannot handle on its own, enabling the safe and rapid deployment of autonomous vehicles.



Phantom Auto offers a teleoperation-as-a-service safety solution for all autonomous vehicles that includes low latency vehicle communication software, an API for real-time assistance and guidance, and a remote operator service.

For more information on Phantom Auto, please visit: https://phantom.auto/



Phantom Auto Contact:

Elliot Katz

[email protected]

+1-615-260-3260

SOURCE Argus Cyber Security and Phantom Auto

Related Links

https://argus-sec.com/

SYDNEY and GENEVA, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

OrbiWise SA, a leading supplier of LoRaWAN Solutions for Internet of Things (IoT), is delighted to announce that it has been chosen by Ventia, one of Australasia's largest infrastructure service providers to supply its OrbiWAN Network Server for LoRaWAN[TM] (LoRaWAN[TM] Network Server - LNS).

Ventia's IoT business, Vianet, provides end-to-end solutions to the infrastructure market including water and waste water network monitoring, facilities management, environmental monitoring, smart city solutions and asset monitoring for roads, telecommunications and related industries.

Through its Network based on LoRaWAN[TM], Vianet offers affordable, reliable, long-range coverage and supports the operation of very low-power devices for asset intensive businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

To help manage its Network based on LoRaWAN[TM], Ventia has partnered with OrbiWise and will utilize its industry leading OrbiWAN[TM] Network Server after a comprehensive evaluation of other LoRaWAN[TM] Network Server Solutions. OrbiWAN[TM] provides the "brains" to view and manage the LoRaWAN[TM] Network's devices, gateways and interfaces to ensure the complete and secure delivery of a device's data to and from the appropriate customer.

"We are very pleased to appoint Orbiwise as our preferred network server. We selected Orbiwise not only because of the technical capabilities and robust architecture of their OrbiWAN[TM] platform but also the spirit of partnership that the Orbiwise team bring to the table", said Arjun Narang, General Manager of Vianet, Ventia.

OrbiWise SA, the creator of OrbiWAN[TM], is a leading supplier of LoRaWAN Solutions for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. OrbiWise's growing staff has considerable experience in wireless and communications software and hardware, allowing the organization to grow into the forefront of the IoT industry.

"We are proud to work with Ventia as they use our OrbiWAN[TM] technology in their infrastructure management and smart-city projects across Australia. We believe the Vianet Team has the broad experience and deep competence, from both a technical and a business point view, required to succeed in the emerging IoT industry" said Domenico Arpaia, CEO of OrbiWise.

Both OrbiWise and Ventia are proud Contributor Members of the LoRa Alliance[TM], a global association of companies working to advance LoRa[TM] technology.

OrbiWise SA is a leading international solution provider for LPWA IoT networks based on LoRaWAN technology. OrbiWise's customers deploy LPWA networks in smart city, precise agriculture and industrial applications - amongst others. OrbiWise's OrbiWAN[TM] Network Server for LoRaWAN[TM] (LNS) Solution is an industry-leading product that provides the intelligence to run, maintain and observe the operations of LoRaWAN Networks. The company is headquartered in Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland with additional offices in Mumbai, India, Macedonia and Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

For more information: http://www.orbiwise.com

About Ventia & Vianet

Ventia is a services company created in 2015 through the integration of Leighton Contractors Services, Thiess Services and Visionstream. Formed by a 50/50 investment partnership between CIMIC and funds managed by Affiliates of Apollo Global Management. Ventia is one of the largest dedicated infrastructure service providers in Australasia.

Ventia's Vianet business helps clients leverage low powered wide area (LPWA) network technologies to solve business problems, leading the charge in exploring the application of LPWA technologies to asset intensive businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

For more information: http://www.ventia.com.au & http://www.ventia.com/capabilities/vianet-solutions.

About the LoRa Alliance

The LoRa Alliance is an open, non-profit association of members that believe the internet of things era is now. Their mission is to standardize Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) being deployed around the world to enable Internet of Things (IoT), machine-to-machine (M2M), and smart city, and industrial applications. The Alliance members will collaborate to drive the global success of the LoRa protocol (LoRaWAN), by sharing knowledge and experience to guarantee interoperability between operators in one open global standard.

For more information: http://lora-alliance.org

LoRa and LoRaWAN are trademarks of Semtech Corporation.



Contact:

Scott Kubes

Head of Business Development & Sales - Americas, Australia & New Zealand

[email protected]

+1-678-646-3237

SOURCE OrbiWiseAverna's DP-1000 Protocol Analyzer is the only mixed-mode, dual DOCSIS 3.0/3.1 sniffer available on the market, allowing simultaneous capture and monitoring of channels of different types (DS 3.0, DS 3.1, US 3.0, US 3.1 channels). Furthermore, it is the only tool used by major CPE Chipset suppliers as well as the lead certification lab.

"Our DP-1000 Protocol Analyzer is recognized as the reference tool for troubleshooting DOCSIS 3.0/3.1 networks  it is the only tool used by both the lead Certification Lab and Tier 1 Chipset suppliers for DOCSIS protocol analysis," commented Jean-Levy Beaudoin, Vice President Platforms & Innovation for Averna. "Our Protocol Analyzer is designed to handle both new D3.1 challenges as well as current D3.0 deployments, and help providers maintain networks with the highest quality of service."

To learn more about the DP-1000 DOCSIS Protocol Analyzer, visit www.averna.com/DP-1000

Download the product brochure

New DP-1000 Release Highlights

Simultaneous capture of 2 upstream 3.1 channels

Real-time capture of MAC messages for DS 3.1 channels, leading to improved capture length & file opening time

Real-time filtering on message types, allowing to capture only messages of interest

Pricing and Availability

The new DP-1000 software release is available at no cost to customers with a valid DP-1000 maintenance and support agreement. Please contact Averna Customer Support for details.

About Averna

As a global Test & Quality Solution leader, Averna partners with product designers, developers and OEMs to help them achieve higher product quality, accelerate time to market and protect their brands. Founded in 1999, Averna offers specialized expertise and innovative test, vision inspection, precision assembly and automated solutions that deliver substantial technical, financial and market benefits for clients in the aerospace, automotive, consumer, defense, life sciences, semiconductor, telecom and other industries. Averna has offices around the world, numerous industry certifications such as ISO, CSIA, and ITAR registration. www.averna.com

 Copyright 2018 Averna. All rights reserved. Information subject to change without notice. Averna is a trademark of Averna Technologies.

Media Contact

Isabelle Pilon

[email protected]

T: +1 514-842-7577 x421

SOURCE Averna

Related Links

http://www.averna.com

CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) is now accepting award nominations for the 2018 'Made in New Jersey' Manufacturing Day awards. Winners of the awards will be honored at the 'Made in New Jersey' event in celebration of the sixth annual National Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 5th at The Marigold.

Awards nominations will be accepted through July 31, 2018 and self nominations are encouraged. For more information and to submit a nomination in any of the award categories, visit 'Made in New Jersey' Manufacturing Day Awards.

Entries will be reviewed by a team of qualified and dedicated judges who will select the winning submissions.

Award categories include:

Manufacturer of the Year  4 winners will be chosen in this category

 4 winners will be chosen in this category Innovator of the Year  1 winner will be chosen

 1 winner will be chosen Raymond Hopp Award for Excellence  1 winner will be chosen

These awards recognize the state's top manufacturers for their accomplishments. By applying for the award, manufacturers convey their story of financial growth, manufacturing leadership, market leadership, leadership development, and workforce enhancement.

Manufacturers are encouraged to self nominate or nominate another manufacturer, as finalists will be able to:

Share their story

Recognize the hard work and dedication of their employees

Promote their significant accomplishments

Highlight corporate citizenship Join the ranks of other notable manufacturers

Receive news coverage and spotlight

Help increase public awareness about the strength and economic significance of New Jersey's manufacturing community

About NJMEP: NJMEP is a private, notfor-profit organization that improves the profitability and competitiveness of New Jersey's manufacturers. Backed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NJMEP enables organizations to enhance their productivity and efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve employee performance. For more than 20 years, NJMEP has used its extensive network of connections and proven track record of success to help manufacturers adapt to the latest innovative technologies and best practices to realize more than $3.7 billion in value. Our services are categorized into the following three areas: Operational Excellence, Innovation and Growth Strategies, and Workforce Development. NJMEP also has a signature philanthropic program, Manufacturing Cares, which is designed to provide a platform for manufacturers to give back to the community by pooling efforts to increase our impact.



For more information about Manufacturing Day, please visit: 'Made in New Jersey' Manufacturing Day.

SOURCE New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program

Related Links

njmep.org

About 200 bass anglers (92 teams) from across the Midwest who competed in the fishing tournament on the Mississippi River raised $660,294 this year, exceeding their goal by 81 percent and making it one of Minnesota's biggest charity fishing tournaments. Participants have raised approximately $3.3 million since the tournament's inception in 1999. The funds support the St. Jude mission: Finding cures. Saving children. 

Thanks to the support of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food  because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Representing St. Jude patient families at the event was patient Mason and his dad Matt who became fast friends with Fat Cat Newton. Not only do they share a love of fishing but also, they learned Newton is a childhood cancer survivor himself.

Two Wisconsin teams tied for top fundraiser recognition with each raising $37,000 for St. Jude kids.

Dave Mansell and Josh Miller from the village of Roberts

and from the village of Jamie Gibson of New Richmond and Lonnie Peterson of Chippewa Falls

Tournament winners are as follows:

First place: Brian Harmon of Mondovi, Wisconsin , and Cory Hauk of River Falls, Wisconsin , total weight of fish caught was 46.98 pounds;

of , and of , total weight of fish caught was 46.98 pounds; Second place: Dave Mansell and Josh Miller of Roberts, Wisconsin , total weight of fish caught was 46.64 pounds; and

and of , total weight of fish caught was 46.64 pounds; and Third place: Joe Hall of Lake City, Minnesota , and Aaron LaRocque of Wabasha, Minnesota , total weight of fish caught was 45.69 pounds.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food  because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude), following St. Jude on Twitter (@stjude) and subscribing to its YouTube channel (youtube.com/user/MyStJude).

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Related Links

http://www.stjude.org

"We have pursued a thesis in the food safety and compliance market for the past four years. The confluence of our thesis and Bertram Labs' software proficiency made Registrar a compelling target. The Registrar team's objectives aligned perfectly with our strength and drive to bring IT excellence to our companies, and we are delighted to partner with Registrar's management to deliver that objective," said Tom Beerle, Principal at Bertram Capital. "We believe the Company's growth and market position are representative of Registrar's superior expertise in regulatory matters, innovative technology-first mentality, and proven commitment to customer service."

The investment in Registrar represents the fourth platform acquisition completed in Bertram's third fund. Registrar has established itself as a recognized leader in FDA compliance support and continues expanding its portfolio of services to effectively address customers' unique and ever-changing regulatory concerns. Continuing Bertram's approach of partnering closely with business owners, Registrar's co-founders Thomas Fass and David Lennarz will retain significant ownership and leadership roles in the Company going forward.

"We believe now is the right time to partner with an investor to support our continued growth," said David Lennarz. "While we had a lot of options in picking a partner, we believe Bertram's dedicated technology and digital marketing resources are going to be uniquely valuable as we continue to expand the services and products we offer our customers."

"As the head of technology and marketing, I was particularly intrigued by the Bertram Labs story," added Thomas Fass. "While our team has achieved great success in building a much-needed solution for our clients, the access to Bertram Labs' software and digital marketing resources is a powerful tool that complements our team, and will accelerate the launch of new products and services."

As the FDA releases new rules and guidance documents, Registrar helps clients navigate the constantly changing FDA landscape. The Company's growth initiatives and suite of software solutions to aid in compliance with FDA requirements align closely with Bertram's value creation platform, the Bertram High-5SM.

"Registrar represents the exact situation we look for as an investor: great management team, favorable market conditions, and an opportunity for the Bertram Labs team to be a truly value added partner," said Jeff Drazan, Managing Partner of Bertram. "Tom Beerle did an outstanding job of leading this deal to a successful close and was supported by David Hellier who sourced the transaction, Tom Long, Head of Growth and Digital Marketing for Bertram Labs, and Michael Henkels, deal team Associate. I would also like to thank Franklin Staley, Managing Director, and the team at DCS Advisory, who introduced us to this opportunity and ran a very professional process."

About Registrar Corp:

Registrar Corp was founded in 2003 to help businesses comply with U.S. FDA regulations. Since opening its headquarters in Hampton, Virginia, USA, Registrar Corp has expanded to eighteen international offices and has aided more than 30,000 companies across 160 countries. Employees include former U.S. FDA officials, scientists, and industry experts. Registrar Corp offers FDA compliance assistance for the food and beverage, medical device, drugs, cosmetics, electronics, and tobacco industries. Visit www.registrarcorp.com for more information.

About Bertram Capital:

With over $1.4 billion in committed capital, Bertram Capital is a private equity firm targeting investments in lower middle market companies. By supplying flexible investment capital and committing a wealth of operational and strategic resources to each investment, we make it our core objective to move companies, management teams and employees toward unlocking their full potential. Visit www.bertramcapital.com for more information.

SOURCE Bertram Capital

Related Links

http://www.bertramcapital.com

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueVine today announced that it has closed $60 million in equity funding, underscoring the fintech pioneer's momentum in the alternative business lending market.

The Series E funding round was led by Menlo Ventures, and includes new investors, such as SVB Capital. All major existing investors also participated.

The new financing will support BlueVine's plan to expand its highly-successful invoice factoring and business line of credit products, and to explore new products catering to small and medium-sized businesses. BlueVine also plans to use the funding to accelerate R&D hiring.

Founded in 2013, BlueVine is one of the leading fintech players in online small business lending. The company's total funded volume since inception is expected to top $1 billion in 2018.

"In just four years, BlueVine has scaled two major financing products, invoice factoring and business line of credit," BlueVine CEO and founder Eyal Lifshitz said.

"We're building a cutting edge, technology-enabled platform that is helping thousands of small businesses get quick access to funds to address their everyday funding needs. This new investment gives us a stronger market position, as we pursue bigger plans for reaching even more small business owners and expanding our offering."

"BlueVine has continued to impress us since we first invested in 2015," said Tyler Sosin, a partner at Menlo Ventures. "The company has demonstrated dramatic, sustainable growth and has proven that there is enduring value in developing a comprehensive offering of credit products that small and medium sized businesses can use throughout their lifetimes. We continue to get more excited about the expanding ambitions of the company and we believe there is a real opportunity for BlueVine to emerge as the dominant, multi-billion dollar fintech company."

"BlueVine has consistently rolled out new and innovative financial services products to the SMB space," said Tilli Kalisky-Bannett, Partner, SVB Capital. "We consider it a driving force in the growth of the fintech sector, enabling small businesses to gain access to financial resources more easily than ever."

BlueVine Chief Financial Officer Ana Sirbu said the investment is a solid vote of confidence in BlueVine's future.

"We're proud to work more closely with Menlo Ventures and with our other investors as we continue to build a dynamic and scalable platform where small businesses can easily access the fast, on-demand working capital financing they need," she said. "We have a robust business that is helping thousands of entrepreneurs on an ongoing recurring basis. In fact, over 80 percent of our business is now through returning customers."

Many BlueVine customers say BlueVine financing played a critical role in the success and growth of their business.

It helped HandledNow, an Indiana-based staffing agency, expand more rapidly thanks to BlueVine financing, said founder Aaron Robertson.

"We tripled our headcount in less than two years," Robertson said. "We certainly would not have been able to do that without BlueVine."

BlueVine invoice factoring helped Maine-based SaviLinx, which offers business processing and technology support services to big companies and government agencies, achieve faster growth.

Inc. Magazine ranked SaviLinx the 28th fastest growing private company in the U.S. in 2017.

"We were just over $2 million a year in revenue when we started with BlueVine in 2015. A year later, we were at $11 million," CEO Heather Blease said. "BlueVine was a very important part of our growth. If we didn't have BlueVine, we would have had to sell more equity in our company to have the cash we needed to grow."

A business line of credit from BlueVine enabled entrepreneur Jesse Urrutia, owner of MarketMe Video Production in San Carlos, California, to take on bigger clients.

"In the past, I was forced to turn down projects and even new customers because I simply didn't have the cash to pay for a production," Urrutia said. "It was just frustrating having to turn business down because you don't have the money. BlueVine fixed that for us."

The venture capital investment caps an outstanding first half of the year for BlueVine, highlighted by key milestones:

BlueVine kicked off 2018 by announcing that it had doubled its invoice factoring credit line to $5 million , solidifying its position as the dominant player in online invoice financing.

, solidifying its position as the dominant player in online invoice financing. The company also has increased its business line of credit line limit from $150,000 last year to $250,000 .

last year to . In May, BlueVine announced that it had secured a $200 million credit facility with Credit Suisse. The company has secured more than $300 million in debt financing over the past year.

credit facility with Credit Suisse. The company has secured more than in debt financing over the past year. BlueVine recently received upbeat reviews and honors, including "Best B2B Factoring Service" from Business News Daily and "Best Overall Business Line of Credit" from FitSmallBusiness.

About BlueVine

BlueVine provides flexible working capital financing to small and medium-sized businesses, giving them quick access to funds needed to purchase inventory, cover expenses, or expand operations.

A fintech pioneer, BlueVine developed a fully-online cloud-based platform for invoice factoring, revolutionizing the 4,000-year old financing system that allows businesses to receive cash advances on outstanding invoices. BlueVine also offers Flex Credit, business line of credit financing issued by Celtic Bank, a Utah-chartered Industrial Bank, Member FDIC. Flex Credit is based on 6-month and 12-month payment terms. Based in Redwood City, Calif., BlueVine has raised more than $500 million in equity and debt funding and is funded by Lightspeed Venture Partners, Menlo Ventures, 83NORTH, Silicon Valley Bank, Citi Ventures, Rakuten Fintech Fund and other investors.

CONTACT: Amberly Asay, 1-801-461-9776, [email protected]

SOURCE BlueVineCANTON, Mass., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, a national provider of insurance solutions for individuals and at the workplace, today took another step in its long-term strategic plan to support its growth efforts and invest in its employees. As part of this strategy, the company is introducing a new job rotation program to offer additional professional growth opportunities for employees as it builds out its talent enhancement initiatives. As a result, in the first cycle of the program, three employees were appointed to the Human Resources (HR) department to expand the department into a talent and organizational development area.

The program will create professional growth opportunities across the organization by matching high-performing talent with current and emerging organizational needs in a variety of roles. In launching this program, the company will expand its capacity to model future-state leadership behaviors, deliver on the commitment to play to the company's strengths, and open up pathways for experiential learning within Boston Mutual.

"Our new job rotation program will extend its benefits across the whole company, and so we chose to launch the program with Human Resources because of its critical impact across the entire organization," said Paul A. Quaranto, Jr., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President at Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company. "With our ongoing investments in our people, and the opportunities this program will provide for employees, we'll continue to accelerate our growth and be well positioned to maintain our commitment to our policyholders and producers."

As the first participants in the new job rotation program, three employees joined the current HR team. Christine Coughlin was promoted to Vice President and appointed along with Nick Barishian as Vice President, Employee Success and Engagement, HR Business Partner. They will oversee the new HR department, which will support HR and talent development needs for the company's different business areas. Kerri Miller, currently in HR, and Kayleigh Correira were both promoted to Director, Employee Success and Engagement, and will assist Barishian and Coughlin in executing the department's activities.

Boston Mutual launched BML University, its formalized learning organization program for its employees, in early 2017. Following a number of new initiatives last year, including company-wide personal and professional development opportunities, the introduction of this new job rotation initiative is the latest phase in the program.

About Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company

Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company is a national insurance carrier providing flexible insurance products for working Americans in the private and public sectors. Boston Mutual offers a range of insurance coverage options for both individuals and employers, with a product portfolio that includes life, critical illness, disability, and accident insurance coverage. Founded in 1891, the company, which is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, has enjoyed a long history of financial strength and stability. For more information, please visit www.bostonmutual.com or follow the company on Facebook (/BostonMutualLifeIns) or LinkedIn (/company/boston-mutual-life-insurance).

Media Contact:

Meredith D'Agostino

Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company

[email protected]

(800) 669-2668 x276

SOURCE Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company

Related Links

http://www.bostonmutual.com

Hosted by Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) and cyber education leader Cybint Solutions, a BARBRI company, the June 1 event featured five of the area's leading IT businesses, including some such as CenturyLink, Technologix Group, and Enterprise Computing Services (ECS). Company representatives participated in one of two 90-minute competitions where they faced cyber threats and situations based on real-life scenarios and were challenged to mitigate and resolve them as quickly as possible. The winning teams each received five scholarships from Cybint for its Cyber Security Analyst Simu-Lab Suite to be awarded to BPCC students in the winners' company names. The two winning teams included John Sonnier, Jason Klosterman, and Cynthia Eaton from ECS and Dustin Patterson, AJ Withem, Patrick Holladay, and Paul Williams.

After completing the range competition, participants received an in-depth briefing from Cybint CEO and global cyber intelligence expert, Roy Zur, on current cyber threats, the Dark Web, cyber intelligence, and other timely cyber topics.

"We're very proud to be the first institution in Louisiana and one of the earliest in the nation to bring together businesses in an educational environment to 'compete' in a setting this advanced and state-of-the-art," said Dr. Rick Bateman, BPCC Chancellor. "This type of event reinforces the value of collaboration between higher-ed and the business community in cyber education and developing skilled professionals in the IT industry."

"Across the globe, we're facing a significant shortage of cyber expertise. That will only be resolved if the private and education sectors work closely together," said Zur. "Our goal with the Cyber Range Competition was to bring together businesses and educators to experience realistic cyber security challenges in a life-like environment and see first-hand the type of expertise that must be developed. We hope that our partnership with Bossier Parish Community College and local companies will help foster cyber literacy and unique career opportunities for Louisiana professionals."

Will Heflin, Chief Technology Officer of Technologix Group, said, "As a cyber security and networking professional, it's important to have the right tools and knowledge in order to combat cyber attacks and to be prepared when an actual attack occurs. Seeing Cybint's Cyber Range first-hand allows us to evaluate training labs that could potentially be embedded in BPCC's IT programs and also assure we are continually assessing new hacking techniques. The Cyber Range event was a great opportunity to showcase the level of collaboration and innovation happening here in North Louisiana!"

Funding for the Cyber Range Competition and Workshop was made possible through a Rapid Response grant through the state of Louisiana.

About Bossier Parish Community College

Bossier Parish Community College is a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance (2-Year) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and was designated this past year as the first Center of Workforce Excellence in Cyber Technology in Louisiana.

BPCC offers a number of IT degree options including Cyber Technology, Computer Information Systems, and Systems Administration. For more information about becoming a cyber student or partnering, please contact [email protected] or visit www.bpcc.edu.

ABOUT CYBINT

Cybint is an international cyber education company, providing training, certifications and learning solutions across the cyber security and intelligence spectrum. At Cybint we believe that protecting our assets, companies, and national security, starts with cyber education. That's why we are dedicated to building the most knowledgeable cyber teams for governments, educating the best cyber experts at universities and colleges, and training employees around the world to be aware of cyber threats.

Cybint is a collaboration between military-trained cyber security and intelligence experts and the education experts at BARBRI. Together, we've created programs that address cyber security and intelligence at the individual level  creating a deep and powerful network of cyber expertise that goes far beyond the typical technical expertise.

SOURCE Cybint SolutionsCLEVELAND, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 31, the Brink's Company agreed to acquire Dunbar Armored Incorporated (Hunt Valley MD) for $520 million. This deal, which is expected to close by the end of 2018, will combine the second and fourth largest cash-in-transit firms.

According to Brink's, "the acquisition will expand and differentiate Brink's customer base with Dunbar's complementary focus on small-to-medium sized retailers and financial institutions."

This transaction is part of Brink's ongoing efforts to make acquisitions that allow it to expand in core areas in its existing geographic markets. This purchase, coupled with the acquisition of Brazil's Rodoban announced in January, will cover more than 85% of the $800 million Brink's planned to invest in such acquisitions in 2018 and 2019.

According to Freedonia Group analyst Jennifer Mapes-Christ, "The US market for cash-in-transit and related services is highly concentrated, with the top four service providers accounting for nearly three-quarters of all revenue. Barring any divestitures required by regulators, this purchase will likely propel Brink's to the leading position in the US market."

Furthermore, she notes, "Barriers to entry are higher in this segment than in other types of security services. These include the technology costs associated with the armored transport vehicles, communications systems, tracking devices, and advanced safes; high insurance premiums; and the need for armed guards who are not only more difficult to hire than unarmed guards, but more expensive to train and retain."

Mapes-Christ adds, "Additionally, the well-established brands of the market leaders help; with the liability risks surrounding security mishaps, most business, government, and institutional clients are extremely sensitive to vendor reputations. Brink's and Dunbar are among those well-known brands."

She continues, "However, the need for companies to be flexible is increasing. In response to changes in traditional cash handling resulting from rising e-commerce and cashless transactions, service providers have invested in areas such as secured logistics as well as value-added cash management and ATM services."

Additional analysis of the private security industry can be found in the following Freedonia reports: Global Security Services Market and Private Security Services in the US. For more information on these and other security industry studies, please see Freedonia's Security segment.

About The Freedonia Group  The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com, is a leading international industrial research company publishing more than 100 studies annually. Since 1985 we have provided research to customers ranging in size from global conglomerates to one-person consulting firms. More than 90% of the industrial companies in the Fortune 500 use Freedonia Group research to help with their strategic planning. Each study includes product and market analyses and forecasts, in-depth discussions of important industry trends, and market share information. Studies can be purchased at www.freedoniagroup.com and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com.

Press Contact:

Corinne Gangloff

+1 440.684.9600

[email protected]

SOURCE The Freedonia Group

Related Links

https://www.freedoniagroup.com

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, June 6, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), in partnership with other civil rights organizations,* will host a "NOT Trump's Iftar" fast-breaking meal (iftar) outside the White House. People of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to take part in the iftar.

Wednesday's event is designed as a counterpoint to the iftar that will take place at that same time in the White House.

[*Other sponsoring organizations include CWS Immigration and Refugee Program, the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and the Justice for Muslims Collective. Other groups are expected to be added as sponsors.]

SEE: NOT Trump's Iftar

https://www.facebook.com/events/201097297177348/

WHAT: NOT Trump's Iftar Outside the White House

WHEN: Wednesday, June 6, Event begins at 7:30 p.m., Fast-Breaking Meal Begins After 8:31 p.m. (Sunset)

WHERE: Lafayette Square (Outside the White House), Pennsylvania Ave NW and 16th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001

CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]

SEE: Trump to Host Ramadan Dinner

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/02/trump-ramadan-dinner-white-house-618763

The White House Will Host an Iftar This Year (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2018/06/04/the-white-house-will-host-an-iftar-this-year/

[MEDIA ADVISORY: Tonight, CAIR will host a "Live Ramadan Telethon: Building Bridges, Educating Millions." SEE: https://www.facebook.com/events/231095187623085/ ]

[NOTE: Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God's commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the "five pillars" of Islam.]

CAIR said it has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. The Washington-based civil rights organization has also repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic and racist Trump administration policies and appointments.

SEE: CAIR Calls for Removal of Anti-Muslim Hate Group Leader from White House National Security Council Staff

https://www.cair.com/cair_calls_for_removal_of_anti_muslim_hate_group_leader_from_white_house_national_security_council_staff

Community members are being urged to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report

CAIR launched an app to share critical "know your rights" information and to simplify the process to report hate crimes and bias incidents. CAIR is urging American Muslims and members of other minority groups to download the app and utilize this resource to stay informed and empowered.

For a quick download of CAIR's civil rights app, click here: http://www.cair.com/app

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook

www.facebook.com/CAIRNational

Subscribe to CAIR's Email List

http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe

Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed

http://twitter.com/cairnational

Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/cairtv

CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Related Links

http://www.cair.com

To help rebuild Houston neighborhoods as the area continues to recover from flooding and wind damage, Carhartt will provide the nonprofit group with 15,000 Carhartt Force Delmont T-shirts and an initial $200,000 donation to aid in the reconstruction efforts.

Team Rubicon is the nation's only disaster response organization whose volunteers are primarily comprised of U.S. military service veterans. Team Rubicon volunteers, or Greyshirts, use their unique skills and experiences gained from serving in the military to assist those most affected in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster.

"Team Rubicon is in a unique position to provide both first-class disaster response services, as well as offer job force training and a renewed sense of purpose for America's military veterans," said Tony Ambroza, chief brand officer at Carhartt. "This partnership will ensure that Team Rubicon's hardworking volunteers can continue to rebuild communities while equipped with durable Carhartt products to serve and protect those who have been directly impacted by a natural disaster."

Formed in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Team Rubicon was founded by a small group of veterans searching for an opportunity to give back through continued service. The organization now boasts an 80,000-strong, highly-skilled volunteer workforce. Since its inception, Team Rubicon has responded to more than 250 disasters domestically and internationally, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

"I'd like to thank Carhartt for their contribution to our mission of preventing or alleviating human suffering in the wake of natural disasters," said Jake Wood, co-founder and CEO of Team Rubicon. "Carhartt is known for producing durable and reliable products. In our line of business, our teams are going to some rugged places to do some pretty hard work. So, it's important that we have gear that's as rugged as we are, which is why we are excited about this partnership with Carhartt. We're looking forward to seeing the new grey Team Rubicon t-shirts in action."

Through its partnership with Team Rubicon, Carhartt remains committed to both providing military veterans with avenues into the workforce as well as helping to restore the lives of hardworking people affected by disasters.

About Carhartt, Inc.

Established in 1889, Carhartt is a global premium workwear brand with a rich heritage of developing rugged products for workers on and off the job. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, with more than 4,700 associates worldwide, Carhartt is family-owned and managed by the descendants of the company's founder, Hamilton Carhartt. For more information, visit www.carhartt.com and follow @Carhartt on Twitter.

About Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Team Rubicon is a nonprofit organization offering veterans a chance to continue their service by helping those afflicted by disasters, and also themselves. Programs and services are made possible by the support of individual donors, corporate partners, and the dedication of volunteers across the country. To join or support Team Rubicon's mission, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org.

Contact: Tim Gilman Contact: DJ Sprenger

The Brand Amp

Team Rubicon

(949) 438-1076

(469) 471-3155

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Carhartt

Related Links

http://www.carhartt.com

BOSTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cengage, an education and technology company, today announced that Chegg, the Smarter Way to Student, will manage the free rental program of Cengage Unlimited, beginning in August.

Cengage Unlimited is the first-of-its-kind subscription that gives students access to more than 22,000 products across 70 disciplines and more than 675 courses for $119.99 a semester, no matter how many Cengage materials they use. Students using the digital platforms have the option of free print rentals, courtesy of Cengage, paying only a $7.99 fulfillment fee.

"We expect a significant increase in the number of new rental customers as a result of Cengage Unlimited's free rental program. By working together with Chegg  a long standing partner with one of the strongest student brands in education we can ensure a positive and seamless student experience while quickly accelerating operations," said Todd Markson, Chief Strategy Officer, Cengage. "Working with Chegg will enable us to focus our efforts on delivering affordable access to high quality digital learning to a greater number of students. At the same time, this partnership allows us to maintain our high customer service standards with all customers."

"We are delighted to expand our partnership with Cengage for Cengage Unlimited books, in addition to our offering each Cengage Unlimited customer a free month of access to our Learning Services, including our flagship Chegg Study," said Nathan Schultz, Chief Learning Officer at Chegg. "We are thrilled Cengage has elected to deepen our relationship and together, we will continue to drive more value to students and truly enhance their academic outcomes."

Beginning in August, if a Cengage Unlimited subscriber wants a print rental, this will be fulfilled by Chegg. Cengage Unlimited rental customers will be directed to a Chegg representative for support. The award-winning Cengage customer service team will focus on the expected increase in volume overall from Cengage Unlimited subscription purchases and related (non-rental) questions. Cengage will continue to directly handle non-Cengage Unlimited rentals.

For more information on Cengage Unlimited, visit www.cengage.com/unlimited

About Cengage

Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher ed, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service. We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

Media Contacts:

Lindsay Stanley, Cengage

203-965-8634, [email protected]

SOURCE Cengage

Related Links

http://www.cengage.com

STAMFORD, Conn., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cenveo, Inc. (OTCPK: CVOVQ) (the "Company"), a diversified manufacturer of print-related products including envelopes, custom labels, commercial print, and publisher solutions, today announced that it has reached an agreement with its major stakeholders to clear the path for approval of the Company's first amended plan of reorganization (the "Plan of Reorganization"), which will enable the Company to emerge from Chapter 11 this summer. The Plan of Reorganization has the support of over 70% of the Senior Secured Noteholders (the "First Lien Holders"), the holders of certain funds and accounts under management that collectively own or control a percentage of the Company's senior secured first-in, last-out notes, who also hold a percentage of the first lien notes, second lien notes, and senior unsecured notes, as well as the support of the Unsecured Creditors Committee (the "UCC") whose members consist of trade creditors, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, certain unions, and the indenture trustee for the unsecured noteholders. A hearing before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the "Bankruptcy Court") is scheduled for June 7, 2018 for the Company to seek approval of its first amended disclosure statement (the "Disclosure Statement") and to establish the voting procedures for the Plan of Reorganization.

The terms of the Plan of Reorganization will enable the Company to exit Chapter 11 with a highly deleveraged balance sheet, which will allow the Company to focus on its operations and grow its businesses. Prior to filing for Chapter 11, the Company's liabilities included approximately $1.1 billion in funded debt. Upon emergence, the Company's funded debt will be reduced to under $400 million. As part of the revised agreement with the First Lien Holders, the amount of funded debt issued upon exit will be reduced from $200 million to $100 million.

Robert G. Burton Sr., Cenveo's Chairman and CEO commented: "Today's announcement is a very important milestone in our efforts to delever our balance sheet. These agreements provide Cenveo a clear path towards confirmation of our Plan of Reorganization and exiting Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the summer of 2018 as we had initially indicated. Upon emergence, Cenveo will be a Company with a significantly stronger balance sheet with world class operating capabilities to continue delivering quality products to its customers."

In addition, Cenveo today announced that upon emergence from Chapter 11, Mr. Robert G. Burton Sr. will retire from the Company and will be succeeded by his son Robert G. Burton, Jr. who will become Chief Executive Officer. Michael G. Burton, Cenveo's current Chief Operating Officer, will become President upon emergence. Mr. Robert G. Burton Sr. will serve as an advisor to Cenveo until December 31, 2018 and will remain a Cenveo shareholder.

Robert G. Burton Sr. added: "With Cenveo now on a clear path to emerging from bankruptcy in the summer, and after serving as the Company's Chairman and CEO for the past 12 years, I know I leave Cenveo in the capable hands of my two sons who have worked by my side at Cenveo since September 2005. Both Rob and Mike are very strong and capable managers who have served in numerous executive positions over the past fifteen-plus years and are now ready to assume responsibility for leading Cenveo through its next phase of growth and creating value to our new shareholders."

Cenveo (OTCPK: CVOVQ), world headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, is a leading global provider of print and related resources, offering world-class solutions in the areas of custom labels, envelopes, commercial print, content management and publisher solutions. The Company provides a one-stop offering through services ranging from design and content management to fulfillment and distribution. With a worldwide distribution platform, we pride ourselves on delivering quality solutions and service every day to our customers. For more information please visit us at www.cenveo.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "our vision," "plan," "potential," "preliminary," "predict," "should," "will," or "would" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or other comparable terminology and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's expected motions to be filed in the Chapter 11 proceeding and the dispositions of such motions, continued operations and customer and supplier programs while in a Chapter 11 proceeding, cash needed to support our operations while in a Chapter 11 proceeding, ability to lower debt and interest payments, ability to operate while in a Chapter 11 proceeding, ability to pay our creditors, credit rating and ability to manage its pension obligations. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to: the actions and decisions of our creditors and other third parties with interests in the Chapter 11 cases; our ability to maintain liquidity to fund our operations during the Chapter 11 cases; our ability to obtain Bankruptcy Court approvals in connection with the Chapter 11 cases; our ability to consummate any transactions once approved by the Bankruptcy Court and the time to consummation of such transactions; adjustments in the calculation of financial results for the quarter or year end, or the application of accounting principles; discovery of new information that alters expectations about financial results or impacts valuation methodologies underlying financial results; accounting changes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles; and other factors affecting the Company detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC that are available at www.sec.gov/. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For a list and description of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to Cenveo's filings with the SEC that are available at www.sec.gov/ and in particular, our 2016 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017. We caution you that the list of important factors included in our SEC filings may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this document may not in fact occur. Cenveo disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Inquiries from analysts and investors should be directed to Ayman Zameli at (203) 595-3063.

SOURCE Cenveo, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.cenveo.com

PETALUMA, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Startups take a lot of work and time and owners risk-taking on the identity of their business. It's important to keep the two separate, no matter how much of their life that business owners' startup occupies. Brandon Frere, an entrepreneur and CEO of Frere Enterprises, admits that a business owner's career depends on the success or failure of their company but that business owners should focus on their own lives and health separate from their business.

"Fusing your business and yourself can be dangerous for both business and personal life," said Frere. "If you spend too much time and energy on the business, you risk losing touch with friends and family and burning out to the detriment of the company."

Many individuals believe that stress is integral to success, and that is apparent in any startup. Starting a business involves a never-ending to-do list with limited hours in the day. Business owners often take on too much and risk crashing and burning, which can result in poor decisions. Brandon Frere encourages such business owners to hire some employees and delegate work. Not only will that lighten the load on the owner, but it will also bring in other perspectives that may help shape the company and lead to success.

If business owners feel they are approaching burnout, they should take some "me time" to recuperate. Having some trusted employees to hold down the fort for a few days can make stepping away temporarily much easier. While it may be difficult, business owners should try not to work during their absence. Doing so may disrupt the business flow and add undue stress to employees.

"It's so hard to start a new business from scratch, and the odds aren't always in your favor," said Brandon Frere. "Despite some best efforts, a business might fail. But business owners who kept their own identity separate from their business may be able to avoid the intense feelings of personal failure that can go with business failures of any size."

About Frere Enterprises

Brandon Frere is an entrepreneur and businessman who lives in Sonoma County, California. He has designed and created multiple companies to meet the ever-demanding needs of businesses and consumers alike. His company website, www.FrereEnterprises.com, is used as a means to communicate many of the lessons, fundamentals, and information he has learned throughout his extensive business and personal endeavors, most recently in advocating on behalf of student loan borrowers nationwide.

As experienced during his own student loan repayment, Mr. Frere found out how difficult it can be to work with federally contracted student loan servicers and the repayment programs designed to help borrowers. Through those efforts, he gained an insider's look into the repayment process and the motivations behind the inflating student loan debt bubble. His knowledge of the confusing landscape of student loan repayment became a vital theme in his future endeavors, and he now uses those experiences to help guide others through the daunting process of applying for available federal repayment and loan forgiveness programs.

FrereEnterprises.com

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SOURCE Frere EnterprisesNEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Children with Complex Motor Disorders (CMD) see a "significant" improvement after treatment with medical cannabis, a new study using Tikun Olam's high-CBD, low -THC Avidekel strain confirms.

The study, "Medical Cannabis for Pediatric Moderate to Severe Complex Motor Disorders," published last month in the Journal of Child Neurology, followed 25 children with CMD, which includes conditions such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy, over a five-month period. After being treated with Avidekel, Tikun's renowned cannabis strain, most participants reported significant improvement in spasticity and dystonia, sleep difficulties, pain severity, and quality of life.

"Although there were only 25 patients in the study, these results are very promising," says Sid Taubenfeld, CEO of Tikun Olam's pharmaceuticals division TO Pharma. "More clinical trials are needed in the future comparing cannabis and non-cannabis treatment to substantiate our data."

Treatment options for CMD are severely limited, especially within the pediatric population; some drugs used to treat CMD can cause serious side effects, and some are not even approved for child use. This limited study seems to hold the prospect that medical cannabis can be safely administered to children over at least a five-month period without severe side effects or aggravating existing symptoms. Just as importantly, researchers saw no interaction with any underlying medications, including clonazepam (Klonopin).

About Tikun Olam

Tikun Olam ("repair the world" in Hebrew) is the world's leading cannabis brand and globally recognized as the pioneer of modern medical cannabis. Operating as a commercial venture for over 10 years, Tikun Olam's products have been used since 2010 in ongoing clinical trials in Israel's regulated medical cannabis market, treating over 20,000 patients for a variety of symptoms of medical conditions such as Cancer, PTSD, AIDS, epilepsy, Crohn's Disease/Colitis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, chronic pain and neuropathy. Through this access to patients, medical personnel and data collection, Tikun Olam has developed multiple proprietary strains, including the first-ever, high-CBD, "high-less" strain Avidekel, its popular high-THC strain Alaska, and its "one-to-one" CBD/THC strain Midnight. Tikun Olam's U.S. operations, established in 2015 as T.O. Global LLC, is a joint venture with Tikun Olam Ltd. (Israel). Tikun Olam also operates similar partnerships in Canada (TSX: LEAF) and Australia, all in support of its global mission to educate the traditional medical community and its patients on the applications of cannabis as a scientifically-proven wellness product. Visit www.tikunolamusa.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

CONTACTS:

T.O. Global LLC/ Tikun

Chief Marketing Officer

Stephen Gardner

[email protected]

Media Relations

Type A Media

Tracey Henry / Brenda Loughery

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Tikun Olam

Related Links

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NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

ChineseInvestors.com, Inc. (OTCQB: CIIX) ("CIIX" or the "Company"), the premier financial information website for Chinese-speaking investors, today announced that it has entered into a licensing partnership with The Bad Crypto Podcast to re-distribute the podcast's most popular interviews on http://www.newcoins168.com , in Chinese.

Interviews that will be translated into Chinese for re-distribution on http://www.newcoins168.com include: Charlie Lee, Founder and Developer of Litecoin, Roger Ver, also known as 'Bitcoin Jesus', and Patrick Bryne, Overstock.com CEO and Founder of tZERO. In addition to re-distributing these informative interviews in Chinese, the Company's CEO Warren Wang also appeared once again for an interview on The Bad Crypto Podcast on May 23, 2018. Mr. Wang first appeared on The Bad Crypto Podcast in December 2017 where he offered his perspective and insights on bitcoin and cryptocurrency in China.

"Since it first aired in July 2017, The Bad Crypto Podcast hosted by Joel Comm, Bitcoin Evangelist and Travis Wright, Blockchain Entrepreneur, has become a worldwide phenomenon with over 150 episodes for curious individuals trying to figure out cryptocurrency, blockchain and the future of digital payments," says ChineseInvestors.com, Inc. CEO Warren Wang. "We are confident that this lighthearted, entertaining programming offered in Chinese will be well received by viewers looking to expand their crypto knowledge whether they are newbies or more experienced crypto investors."

About ChineseInvestors.com (OTCQB: CIIX)

Founded in 1999, ChineseInvestors.com endeavors to be an innovative company providing: (a) real-time market commentary, analysis, and educational related services in Chinese language character sets (traditional and simplified); (b) advertising and public relation related support services; and (c) retail, online and direct sales of hemp-based products and other health related products.

For more information visit ChineseInvestors.com

Subscribe and watch our video commentaries: https://www.youtube.com/user/Chinesefncom

Follow us on Twitter for real-time Company updates: https://twitter.com/ChineseFNEnglsh

Like us on Facebook to receive live feeds: https://www.facebook.com/Chinesefncom;

https://www.facebook.com/Chineseinvestors.com.english

Add us on WeChat: Chinesefn or download iPhone iOS App: Chinesefn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

Contact:

ChineseInvestors.com, Inc.

227 W. Valley Blvd, #208 A

San Gabriel, CA 91776



Investor Relations:

Alan Klitenic

+1-214-636-2548



Corporate Communications:

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)

New York, New York

http://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

+1-212-418-1217 Office

[email protected]

SOURCE ChineseInvestors.com, Inc.LOS ANGELES, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles City Council agreed to a $12 million settlement with the family of Alice Gruppioni, the Italian woman who was killed in 2013 while on her honeymoon in Venice Beach. As a tribute to the family and in response to the tremendous loss, the City has also agreed to place a memorial plaque on the Boardwalk in remembrance and honor of Alice Gruppioni.

Alice was killed on the boardwalk in Venice Beach when she was struck by Nathan Louis Campbell, who drove his car around improperly spaced City bollards and onto the Boardwalk, swerved through the crowded walk way, and injured several other people. Alice and her husband Christian Casadei were in Los Angeles less than a month after getting married.

"No amount of money will ever bring back our beautiful Alice," said her parents, Valerio Gruppioni and Barbara Michelini. "What happened was a horrible tragedy for our family and the entire world. Alice was a light to us, to Italy and everyone she met." Her husband, Christian Casadei, lamented her loss, saying "She was my future, and that is what I lost. There were and are no words to describe our dashed hopes, our lost love, and our profound loss."

The Los Angeles City Council voted to approve the settlement on June 5, 2018.

"The reality is that while a terrible crime was committed, the City knew for years that unauthorized vehicles were driving on the boardwalk posing danger to the public, yet did nothing to prevent this dangerous access," said attorney Greg Bentley. "Business owners had been complaining for years that proper precautions had not been taken, the City acknowledged that up to 15 unauthorized vehicles accessed the Boardwalk per day, and this was a tragedy just waiting to happen." Although not an official part of the settlement, the City has agreed to install robust barriers on the Boardwalk. "The City told us they will be installing secure bollards to prevent this from happening again. We sure hope they do  it is time," Bentley added.

In 2015, Mr. Campbell was found guilty of second-degree murder and several counts of assault with a deadly weapon and hit-and-run. He was sentenced to 42 years to life in state prison for causing the death of Alice and injuring 17 others that day on the boardwalk.

The civil lawsuit is Valerio Gruppioni, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC553109, which was later consolidated with the other victims into Case No. BC537145. The Gruppioni family is represented by Bentley & More LLP attorneys Gregory L. Bentley, Clare H. Lucich and Matthew W. Clark.

About Bentley & More LLP

Bentley & More LLP specializes in working closely with clients to deeply understand their lives and tell their individual stories. The firm's success comes from tailoring each solution to a client's particular needs. That success is measured in far more than awards, verdicts, and peer recognition, it is measured in the real differences made in our clients' quality of life. Bentley & More focuses on the representation of consumers in the fields of catastrophic personal injury, product liability, insurance bad faith, and workers' compensation, with particular expertise in matters that cross over multiple fields.

Joe Marchelewski

Sr. Account Manager, Juris Productions PR

626-356-3006, [email protected]

SOURCE Bentley & More LLPCHICAGO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, CNA celebrated the official opening of its new, modern global headquarters located at 151 North Franklin Street in the heart of Chicago's Loop business district. This grand opening event marked the culmination of nearly three years of planning and construction, thousands of hours of hard work, and support from CNA employees and the City of Chicago.

CNA celebrated the official opening of its new, modern global headquarters located at 151 North Franklin Street in the heart of Chicagos Loop business district. At the event, hundreds of CNA employees filled North Franklin Street to hear celebratory remarks from CNAs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dino E. Robusto; City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel; and The John Buck Company (JBC) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John Buck.

At the event, hundreds of CNA employees filled North Franklin Street to hear celebratory remarks from CNA's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dino E. Robusto; City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel; and The John Buck Company (JBC) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John Buck.

"CNA's new global headquarters is more than a symbolic reflection of the evolution of both the organization and Chicago, it is a prime example of the imperative to modernize, to transform, to evolve, and to innovate so that we grow with purpose and provide our clients with the best possible support and service," Robusto said.

"Chicago's unrivaled economic dynamism gives leading companies like CNA the tools and talent they need to thrive in a competitive, fast-paced global marketplace," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. "I'm proud CNA is reaffirming its commitment to Chicago and look forward to their latest insights, innovation and growth as they continue to drive the finance and technology industries."

"JBC and Morgan Stanley are excited to welcome CNA as the lead tenant to 151 North Franklin Street," Buck said. "After over 45 years in the Southeast Loop, now CNA employees will experience the Northwest Loop. We commend architect John Ronan's creativity and hope that all concerned will enjoy officing in this fine building."

About CNA

CNA is the eighth largest commercial insurer in the United States. CNA provides a broad range of standard and specialized property and casualty insurance products and services for businesses and professionals in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia, backed by 120 years of experience and more than $45 billion of assets. For more information about CNA, visit our website at www.cna.com.

Follow CNA (NYSE: CNA) on: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube

Media

Images of CNA Center Grand Opening and Key Handover Ceremony

Download All

Press Contact

Brandon Davis

CNA

[email protected]

312-822-5167 / 773-383-7166

SOURCE CNA

Related Links

http://www.cna.com

"We are delighted to welcome our new investors to participate in the exciting growth of EV Hive in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. We are expanding rapidly across Indonesia, launching two new co-working hubs at Menara Mandiri and Menara Prima in Jakarta, and rolling out new business verticals under our new brands," said EV Hive CEO and co-founder Carlson Lau.

EV Hive currently manages more than 30,000 square meters of workspace in 21 locations across Indonesia, with eight additional locations under construction. Besides opening collaborative workspaces, EV Hive also offers a broad suite of supporting services and a strong community network to support its members in starting and growing their business.

Drawing on the experience and technological expertise of the investor network, EV Hive plans to accelerate its plans for regional rollout of smart co-working spaces.

"We are extremely grateful to our existing shareholders for their support and will continue to be obsessively focused on providing new services for our community," added Carlson.

Softbank Ventures Korea Partner and Managing Director Sean Lee said that after a series of evaluations into various co-working opportunities across the Asia, the company threw its support behind the EV Hive team for its powerful combination of vision and execution focus.

"Co-working will become the mainstream platform through which the modern workforce is organized, and I am confident that EV Hive will be the leading regional player in this exciting new industry," Lee said.

Meanwhile, Sinar Mas Land CEO Michael Widjaya said that the existing partnership with EV Hive at Breeze BSD had successfully attracted the young generation of entrepreneurs and tech-startups to BSD.

"We plan to build Indonesia's Silicon Valley at BSD, and look forward to working closely with EV Hive to bring their community to our new digital park development," Michael said.

Further, H&CK Partners CEO and Founder Jeongjoon Hwang said that the EV Hive's community comprises of many promising young founders who would follow the footsteps of Go-Jek and Traveloka to create Southeast Asia's next unicorn startups.

"EV Hive is an incredible platform for us to forge collaboration opportunities between these entrepreneurs and our network of South Korean strategic partners, stimulating a wave of further investments from South Korea into Indonesia," Hwang said.

Willson Cuaca, Managing Partner of East Ventures added "We are fortunate that a humble internal East Ventures (EV) project can go this far. Both early backer and the management team have done tremendous work to scale the product. We welcome our new partners and are confident that EV Hive would win the Indonesia market and beyond."

About EV Hive

More information about EV HIVE is available at: https://evhive.co

About Softbank Ventures Korea

SoftBank Ventures Korea is a venture capital founded in 2000 as an affiliate of SoftBank Group focused on early stage venture capital investments.

About H&CK Partners

H&CK Partners is a private equity fund manager focusing on investing in high growth businesses in Korea and South-East Asia.

About Tigris

Tigris is a South Korea venture capital fund manager focusing on investing in seed to Series A technology startups.

About Naver Corporation

NAVER Corporation is Korea's premier internet company, operating the nation's top search portal, 'NAVER.'

About LINE Ventures

LINE Ventures is the corporate venture arm of LINE Corporation (NYSE:LN/TSE:3938), which is dedicated to the mission of "Closing the Distance," bringing together people, information and society. The LINE messaging app launched in June 2011 and has since grown into a diversified global platform, providing a range of services and content.

About STIC Investments

STIC is an international venture capital and private equity fund management firm founded in 1999.

Contact:

Rina Kurniawan

PR Executive

+6281221992200

SOURCE EV Hive

Related Links

https://evhive.co

BELLEVUE, Wash., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Coinstar, a leader in self-service coin counting today announced the availability of point-of-sale consumer coupons and a 3D holographic advertising display on Coinstar kiosks in Giant Eagle stores. Kiosks enabled with the coupon-generating capability and holographic toppers, powered by Provision Interactive Technologies, are now available in most Giant Eagle locations.

"More than ever, consumers seek value and convenience and we're very pleased to partner with Provision and Giant Eagle to provide an innovative and immediate way for customers to access savings on top brands in the store," said Jim Gaherity, CEO of Coinstar, LLC.

The combined Coinstar and Provision technologies provide the ability for customers to see advertising messages and receive coupons for savings on in-store consumer products. Featured at the top of the kiosk is a 3D holographic display showing advertiser messaging. From the Coinstar kiosk touchscreen, users can choose from a variety of coupons that are printed on a voucher at the kiosk and available to be redeemed immediately during the store visit. Unlimited coupons may be printed and a Coinstar coin transaction is not required to access coupons.

Approximately 215 Giant Eagle stores located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia now have the new coupon and 3D technology-enabled kiosks. To find a Giant Eagle store with the new kiosk features, consumers may visit Coinstar's website at https://www.coinstar.com/findakiosk.

About Coinstar, LLC

Based in Bellevue, Wash., Coinstar owns and operates the largest fully automated, multi-national network of self-service coin counting kiosks. With nearly 20,000 kiosk locations, Coinstar provides convenient and reliable coin counting services at mass merchants, grocery and drug stores and financial institutions. Consumer solutions include coin-to-cash, coin-to-eGift card and charity donation options. For kiosk locations and information, visit www.coinstar.com.

About Provision Interactive Technologies, Inc.

Provision Interactive Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Provision Holding, Inc. (OTCQB: PVHO), is the leading developer of intelligent, interactive 3D holographic display technologies, software, and integrated solutions used primarily in retail settings. Provision's 3D advertising displays are designed to increase in-store engagement, coupon redemption and point-of-purchase activity.

Provision's 3D holographic display systems represent a revolutionary technology that project full color, high-resolution videos into space detached from the screen, without the need for special glasses. Provision holds more than 10 patents related to its 3D holographic technology, for both consumer and commercial applications. For more information, visit www.provision.tv.

SOURCE Coinstar

Related Links

http://www.coinstar.com

DALLAS, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Bank's Michigan Economic Activity Index increased in March to a level of 118.6. March's reading is 21 points, or 21 percent, above the index cyclical low of 97.9. The index averaged 118.1 points for all of 2017, nine-tenths of a point above the index average for 2016. February's index reading was 118.3.

Comerica Bank's Michigan Economic Activity Index increased in March after a slight decline in February. The sub-indexes were mixed, with more up than down for the month. Seven out of nine index components were positive in March including nonfarm employment, unemployment insurance claims (inverted), housing starts, house prices, industrial electricity consumption, auto and light truck production and hotel occupancy. The two negative index components were total state trade and state sales tax revenues. Since March 2017, our Michigan Index has been positive six times, negative four times and moved sideways twice. Following the slump in Michigan economic activity in the first half of 2017, steady gains in the state's economy were supported by consistent job growth from October through March. However, the preliminary read for April showed Michigan actually lost 10,000 jobs for the month. As we move further past peak auto sales, the pace of hiring in Michigan's manufacturing sector continues to moderate. Auto production is expected to eventually tick down back to levels seen prior to last year's hurricanes, which gave a temporary boost to sales and production. International trade negotiations remain in flux and could exert a significant impact on the Michigan economy, with both winners and losers. The state's services sector is healthy and will continue to expand this year.

The Michigan Economic Activity Index consists of nine variables, as follows: nonfarm payroll employment, continuing claims for unemployment insurance, housing starts, house price index, industrial electricity sales, auto assemblies, total trade, hotel occupancy and sales tax revenue. All data are seasonally adjusted. Nominal values have been converted to constant dollar values. Index levels are expressed in terms of three-month moving averages.

Comerica Bank, with one of the largest banking center networks in Michigan, is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Michigan and Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, and Florida, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico.

To subscribe to our publications or for questions, contact us at [email protected]. Archives are available at http://www.comerica.com/insights. Follow us on Twitter: @Comerica_Econ.

SOURCE Comerica Bank

Related Links

https://www.comerica.com

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CompTIA, the world's leading technology association, today announced the 2018 CompTIA Excellence in Cybersecurity award winners: Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Phyllis Bailey, Army Chief Information Officer for the IA Training, Education, and Awareness Division. The awards will officially be presented at a ceremony on June 13, 2018 in the Capitol Visitor Center.

The CompTIA Excellence in Cybersecurity Awards honors public officials and members of Congress who recognize the important role of a strong cyber workforce in the cybersecurity ecosystem and who have engaged in efforts to improve the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the federal cyber workforce.

"Our nation's security relies on a skilled cyber workforce to protect our critical infrastructure and personal data. Our three honorees are committed to ensuring that federal IT workers can meet the demands of the rapidly changing cyber threat landscape," said Todd Thibodeaux, CompTIA's president and CEO. "These honorees exemplify leadership in recognizing the important role of a strong workforce in the U.S. Government's cybersecurity strategy and utilize federal dollars wisely to improve the cybersecurity skills of those who work within our government."

"It's become increasingly clear that cyber warfare will be one of the biggest threats to our national security in the 21st century, and we need to do all we can to prepare for that reality," said Rep. Pete Aguilar. "I believe that by utilizing programs like the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program, and finding creative ways to ensure that our most talented students have the opportunity to enroll in those programs, we can ensure that the United States will be equipped as the most sophisticated cyber force in the world. I'm grateful for this recognition from CompTIA, and I thank them for their continued advocacy for a federal focus on cybersecurity."

"America's cybersecurity personnel are on the front lines of our nation's defense," said Senator Wicker. "With nearly every industry needing capable information technology and security employees, it is important for the United States to do everything it can to foster a strong domestic talent pipeline. I am thankful for this recognition and look forward to the continuing support from CompTIA for my legislative efforts to support American cybersecurity education and development."

About the Excellence in Cybersecurity Honorees

Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA)

Rep. Aguilar serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is a member of the Cybersecurity Caucus. Cybersecurity is an important issue for Rep. Aguilar, and he has made it a priority to advocate for federal funds to support programs offered at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), which is a leader in cybersecurity education. In March 2017, a cyber-warriors pilot program that was created by Rep. Aguilar and included in the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was implemented. The pilot program expedites the process for individuals in the cybersecurity field to become officers in the United States Army and the United States Air Force. This program incentivizes students at institutions that specialize in cybersecurity training, like CSUSB, to enter the armed forces and become cyber-warriors quickly and efficiently. Consequently, in July 2017 Rep Aguilar secured $1.7 million in cybersecurity funding for CSUSB.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)

Sen. Wicker has fought to have Mississippi serve on the forefront of America's efforts to defend its strategic interests in the digital age by training military and civilian leaders to prevent and repel internet-based attacks at locations such as Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. Senator Wicker has also fought for institutions such as Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi to receive funding from the Department of Defense and various intelligence agencies to develop the capability to investigate and report weaknesses in various cyber applications. Sen. Wicker serves as Co- Chair of the Community Colleges Caucus and introduced the Cyber Scholarship Opportunities Act in March 2017 which would further improve the cybersecurity workforce pipeline by expanding and enhancing an existing federal scholarship program for students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity fields. Sen. Wicker also introduced the IOT Consumer TIPS Act of 2017 that would require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to develop cybersecurity resources for consumers, addressing how consumers can protect themselves against cybercriminals targeting internet-connected devices.

Phyllis Bailey, Army Chief Information Officer

Phyllis Bailey currently serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Army's IA Training, Education, and Awareness Division. She has served as an IT specialist for the Army since 1981. In her current position, Bailey has been one of the leading Army officials tasked with developing certification requirements for Army IA Security Officers (IASOs) and drafting guidance and standards for the identification, tracking, training, and certification of IA personnel in IT MOS. She has also previously led training sessions on how to prepare, train, and certify for Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) compliance, as directed by Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 8570/8140.

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the information technology industry. With approximately 2,000 member companies, 3,000 academic and training partners and nearly 2 million IT certifications issued, CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications and public policy advocacy. Visit CompTIA online, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About CompTIA Advocacy

Through its advocacy arm, CompTIA champions member-driven business and IT priorities that impact all information technology companies  from small managed solutions providers and software developers to large equipment manufacturers and communications service providers. CompTIA gives eyes, ears and a voice to technology companies, informing them of policy developments  and providing the means to do something about it.

Press Contact:

Preston Grisham

[email protected]

202-682-4458

SOURCE CompTIA

Related Links

http://www.comptia.org

Mark Trostle has more than 46 years in the federal, state and international regulatory world

DENVER, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Concentric Ag Corporation (formerly Inocucor), a developer and producer of proprietary biological and essential plant nutrient inputs for specialty and broadacre crops, has hired Mark Trostle as vice president of global regulatory affairs.

Trostle is an expert in federal, state and international regulations for crop inputs. He most recently directed global registrations and regulatory affairs for Nutrien Retail, where he managed federal and state pesticide registration; state registration of fertilizer, plant nutritional, seed, and adjuvants; and international pesticide, plant nutritional and adjuvant registration in 60 countries. Prior to joining private industry, he spent more than 31 years in various positions at the Texas Department of Agriculture. Trostle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Agriculture from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas.

"The regulatory world for agricultural products is complicated and variable from state to state and country to country," said Shawn Semones, executive vice president, R&D and chief technology officer at Concentric. "Mark's deep experience in global regulations and registrations will be invaluable to Concentric as we develop new categories of biological, plant nutrition and biocontrol products for the global market."

Concentric's 30,000-square-foot U.S. headquarters and commercialization office recently opened in Centennial, Colo., near Denver. Its Montreal-based, R&D Technical Center of Excellence was recently expanded to 20,000 square feet. In April, Concentric acquired ATP Nutrition, a producer of science-based plant nutrients based in Oak Bluff, Manitoba, Canada.

The company employs about 65 people in the U.S. and Canada today, and anticipates adding another 25 to 30 high-level scientific and managerial professionals over the next year.

Photos and graphics to accompany this announcement can be downloaded at this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/l8696x6yeqom44t/AAAjNPnNKzkAy_dcR20XGkV3a?dl=0

About Concentric

Concentric (formerly Inocucor) is an agri-tech company that develops biological and essential plant nutrient inputs for specialty and broadacre crops. Its products target the entire phyto-microbiome: the seeds, plants, root systems and the soil surrounding them. Concentric is headquartered in Centennial, Colo. Its Canadian headquarters and Technical Center of Excellence is located in Montreal. Its commercial business unit, ATP Nutrition, is based in Manitoba, Canada. For more information, visit www.ConcentricAg.com and follow Concentric Ag on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

Contact: Michele Wells, Wells Communications, +1 303-417-0696 [email protected]

SOURCE Concentric Ag Corporation

Related Links

https://www.concentricag.com

BEIJING, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited ("Concord Medical" or the "Company") (NYSE: CCM), a leading specialty hospital management solutions provider and operator of a network of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centers in China, today announced that Beijing Concord Medical Technology Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of Concord Medical, entered into an equity interest transfer agreement with Tibet Allcure Information Technology Ltd on June 5, 2018. Beijing Concord Medical Technology Co., Ltd will sell a 16% equity interest in Beijing Allcure Medical Information Technology Ltd. to Tibet Allcure Information Technology Ltd.

About Concord Medical

Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited is a leading specialty hospital management solutions provider and operator of a network of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centers in China. As of December 31, 2017, the Company operated a network of 44 centers with 30 hospital partners that spanned 29 cities and 18 provinces and administrative regions in China. Under long-term arrangements with top-tier hospitals in China, the Company provides radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging equipment and manages the daily operations of these centers, which are located on the premises of its hospital partners. The Company also provides ongoing training to doctors and other medical professionals in its network of centers to ensure a high level of clinical care for patients. For more information, please see http://ir.ccm.cn.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies beyond the Company's control and based upon premises with respect to future business decisions, which are subject to change. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

CONTACT:

Concord Medical Services

Ms. Carol TIAN (Chinese and English)

+86-10-5903-6688 (ext. 608)

[email protected]

SOURCE Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited

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MCLEAN, Va., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CORAS, a pioneer in Work Management since 2003, has partnered with American University to support its 9th Annual Key Executive Leadership Conference on June 6. CORAS has released its Trade Show and Conference Solutions, a meetings-specific program designed to support the work and orchestration of the events industry including conferences, trade shows, meet-ups, and more. As the leader in business agility, CORAS is disrupting business-as-usual by creating a solution that takes the place of multiple software programs and combinations. Working independently or in tandem with clients' existing programs, CORAS provides aggregated data, iterative processes, reporting, mind maps, apps, and transparency at all levels of the business pyramid throughout users' organizations.

CORAS

The Key conference event provides participants with the opportunity to explore principles, industry trends, and best leadership practices. Held at American University in the heart of Washington, D.C., participants hail from the federal government and public sector, as well as non-governmental and non-profit organizations. The 2018 conference theme focuses on Innovation in a Box, with a number of interesting and provocative speakers. Topics focus on using diversity, innovation, engagement, methodology, positive psychology and various leadership strategies to drive and support current and future heads of American business.

"At CORAS, we live innovation and business agility every day," said Dan Naselius, President of CORAS. "Agility is the platform for the future of business - to be efficient, effective, responsive and competitive. It's important for us to contribute to our community and collaborate with other leaders who recognize that active participation in change is how we grow and stay engaged."

CORAS for Trade Show and Conference Solutions demonstrates ROI at the onset with features that increase value for all participants. As a SaaS solution, installation and set-up takes minutes. Businesses can avoid costly mistakes with improved visibility, transparency, and communication which all translates to greater business value. There is no outsourcing of the CORAS Mobile App, which is available on iOS and Android, and it facilitates an active and participatory experience for attendees with goal setting in advance, tailored event schedules, the ability to capture ideas/actions at the event, and organize and take action before, during & after with notes and assignments. There are also features that allow for team/management engagement and reporting of post-event brainstorms, actions, and follow-ups.

CORAS offers solutions in mid-market and enterprise level companies, including a flexible foundation for running your business; giving managers, project managers, and other stakeholders the tools they need to effectively manage their projects. This core project work management functionality is supported by a wealth of other key features, including BI/Analytics and Process Improvement. CORAS additionally offers instructor-led training, as well as self-service, learning centers, online forums and other optimal resources. To learn more about CORAS, visit us at http://bit.ly/CORASConferencesSolution or Eric Baughman (703) 797-1881 #110, [email protected]. For more information about the Key Executive Leadership Conference, visit http://www.american.edu/spa/key/Key-Conference.cfm.

Related Links

CORAS for Trade Shows & Conferences

SOURCE CORASNEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, announces that it has been appointed as Lead Counsel in DeSmet v. Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al., No. 1:17-cv-07371-LAK, a class action alleging violations of the federal securities laws against Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Intercept" or the "Company") and certain of the Company's officers and directors.

The lawsuit focuses on whether the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (i) the Company's lead product candidate Ocaliva, a bile acid analog for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis ("PBC"), entailed undisclosed safety risks, including death, to patients suffering from PBC; and (ii) as a result, Intercept's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.



Specifically, on September 12, 2017, Intercept issued a letter that warned physicians against overdosing patients with Ocaliva, advising them that the drug has been tied to liver injuries and death among patients suffering from PBC. On this news, Intercept's share price fell from $113.48 per share on September 11, 2017 to a closing price of $98.12 on September 12, 2017a $15.36 or a 13.54% drop.

Then, on September 21, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") issued a safety announcement entitled "FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns about serious liver injury with Ocaliva for rare chronic liver disease," which warned doctors about reports of multiple deaths linked to the drug. On this news, Intercept's share price fell from $98.12 per share on September 20, 2017 to a closing price of $73.70 on September 21, 2017a $24.42 or a 24.89% drop.

If you purchased shares between May 31, 2016 and September 20, 2017, both dates inclusive, please contact the firm to discuss this matter with us by calling Richard Gonnello toll free at 877-247-4292 or at 212-983-9330 or by sending an email to [email protected].

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Intercept's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

Request more information now by clicking here: www.faruqilaw.com/ICPT. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP is a national law firm which represents investors and individuals in class action litigation. The firm is focused on providing exemplary legal services in complex litigation in the areas of securities, shareholder, antitrust and consumer litigation, throughout all phases of litigation. The firm has an experienced trial team which has achieved significant victories on behalf of the firm's clients. To keep track of the latest securities litigation news, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/faruqilaw or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FaruqiLaw.

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

FARUQI & FARUQI, LLP

685 Third Avenue, 26th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Richard Gonnello, Esq.

[email protected]

Telephone: (877) 247-4292 or (212) 983-9330

SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP

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CHICAGO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report from The Reunion Project on HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day (#HLTSAD) calls for a national coalition of survivors of HIV to advance the needs of survivors in four key areas: research, programs, community building, and advocacy.

The Reunion Project, a grassroots initiative started in 2015, honors the history and future of survivors of HIV. With the advent of effective combination antiretroviral therapy, more people living with HIV are surviving and thriving than ever before. In fact the majority of people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. today are over 50 years old, and in two years it is estimated that 70% will be over age 50.

For the first time, The Reunion Project held the National Roundtable Forum, a community-led, diverse coalition of advocates who are survivors of HIV from across the U.S. in March 3031, 2018 at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences in Rancho Mirage, California. Over the course of one-and-a-half days more than 50 advocates convened to develop a national HIV survivorship advocacy agenda.

The main objective of the Roundtable Forum was to come to a consensus regarding a coalition of survivorship, and to begin a process to build a sustainable and powerful movement.

The report states that, "The needs and priorities of survivors of HIV are many and varied, but there is strength in diversity and in coming together to share our stories. Woven through these heroic stories of survival is a common thread of pain, trauma, healing, and overcoming challenges and obstacles while working toward a common goal. A strong coalition of survivors with a single voice and clear message is desperately needed to advance the needs of survivors, as we continue to battle the long-term effects of medications, isolation, post-traumatic stress disorder, stigma, aging, and co-morbidities, to name a few."

The Reunion Project National Steering Committee includes Chris Bartlett, Philadelphia; Jeff Berry, Chicago; Gregg Cassin, San Francisco; Waheedah Shabazz-El, Philadelphia; Matt Sharp, Berkeley, CA; Louis Spraggins, Chicago; and Jeff Taylor, Palm Springs, CA.

The Reunion Project National Roundtable was made possible by support from Gilead Sciences, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, Walgreens, TPAN, and Eisenhower Health, and was hosted by HIV + Aging Research Project-PS (HARP-PS). For more information and to download the report, go to https://www.tpan.com/reunion-project

SOURCE The Reunion Project

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BEAVERTON, Ore., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CTL, an Oregon-based company specializing in rugged Chromebooks and Chrome Solutions for K-12 education, announced today that CRN  , a brand of The Channel Company, has named CTL to its 2018 Solution Provider 500 list. The Solution Provider 500 is CRN's annual ranking of the largest technology integrators, solution providers and IT consultants in North America by revenue.

CTL Chromebook NL7TW-360 with Wacom Pen Technology CTL Chromebook J41 with Rugged Design for Classroom Use

The Solution Provider 500 is CRN's predominant channel partner award list, serving as the industry standard for recognition of the most successful solution provider companies in the channel since 1995. The complete list will be published on CRN.com, making it readily available to vendors seeking out top solution providers to partner with.

CRN has also released its 2018 Solution Provider 500: Newcomers list, recognizing 26 companies making their debut in the Solution Provider 500 ranking this year.

"CTL is committed to developing innovative solutions for our customer's unique needs, while remaining a step ahead of the competition," says CTL's Chief Marketing Officer, Mike Mahanay. "We're excited to be named to CRN's Solution Provider 500 List for the second consecutive year."

"CRN's Solution Provider 500 list spotlights the North American IT channel partner organizations that have earned the highest revenue over the past year, providing a valuable resource to vendors looking for top solution providers to partner with," said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. "The companies on this year's list represent an incredible, combined revenue of $320 billion, a sum that attests to their success in staying ahead of rapidly changing market demands. We extend our sincerest congratulations to each of these top-performing solution providers and look forward to their future pursuits and successes."

The complete 2018 Solution Provider 500 list will be available online at www.crn.com/sp500 and a sample from the list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine.

Follow The Channel Company:Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

Tweet This:

@TheChannelCo names @CTLcorp to @CRN 2018 SP500 list #CRNSP500 www.crn.com/sp500

About CTL

CTL has been manufacturing high-quality Chromebooks, Laptops, Desktop PCs, Monitors and Servers since 1989. For the past decade CTL has maintained a strong focus on the education sector as a Google Education Premier Partner with comprehensive 1:1 Solutions programs. CTL's ruggedized Chromebooks for Education have received accolades from noted tech publications like PC Magazine and CNet. CTL's Manufacturing, Sales and Support teams are all located in the United States. For more information about CTL, please visit www.ctl.net.

About the Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

Kim Sparks

The Channel Company

(508) 416-1193

[email protected]

Contact:

Mike Mahanay

Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

CTL

Direct: 971.327.0101

Toll-Free: 800.642.3087 x 205

[email protected]

SOURCE CTL

Related Links

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WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Thycotic, a provider of privileged access management (PAM) solutions for more than 7,500 organizations worldwide, today announced findings from its survey conducted at the 2018 RSA Conference. The survey, which included responses by more than 250 cybersecurity professionals, revealed that security professionals are exhibiting double standards surrounding incidents and breach reporting.

According to the survey, 84 percent of respondents wanted to be notified immediately if a company they worked with had experienced a breach. Yet, only 37 percent of these same cybersecurity professionals would notify customers right away if their organization was breached.

Just as disturbing was that many cybersecurity professionals would not go on record to admit that their organization had been breached. Only 32 percent of security experts admitted that their companies had been a victim of a cyberattack in the past 12 months. However, many respondents indicated, "I wouldn't tell you even if we had experienced an incident or breach." In addition, nearly one out of six respondents admitted they had experienced a data breach and kept it a secret from the public or unsuspecting victims, which could be the result of pressure from executives or board members since these incidents could have a major negative impact on the business.

"The message we are getting from security professionals' responses are that if a company they do business with has experienced a data breach, they want to be notified as soon as possible. But they appear reluctant to reciprocate when an incident occurs in their own organization," said Joseph Carson, chief security scientist at Thycotic. "When it comes to breaches, transparency is key and preparing an incidence response plan can help companies be ready so that they can minimize the damage that such a serious event can cause to not only their company but to that of their customers."

While the findings around double standards on breach and incident reporting were concerning, Thycotic also found that progress, while uneven, was being made when it came to incident response planning.

Additional survey findings include:

56 percent of security experts confirmed they have an Incident Response plan in place and tested

20 percent have prepared a contact list and communications to manage an incident

12 percent have conducted "Red Team" training with their executives

10 percent have got a public relations team prepped to manage incident communications, and legal team advisors ready

"In an age when experiencing a data breach seems almost inevitable, a solid incident response and recovery plan can reduce data breach costs significantly as well as avoiding a devastating negative impact on brand and customer loyalty," added Carson. "While these results show some progress is being made in this area, there is a lot more that can be done."

To access the full findings from Thycotic's 2018 RSA Conference survey, which includes additional details on incident response practices, please visit: https://bit.ly/2saRHph.

About Thycotic

Thycotic, a global leader in IT security, is the fastest growing provider of Privilege Access Management solutions that protect an organization's most valuable assets from cyber-attacks and insider threats. Thycotic secures privileged account access for more than 7,500 organizations worldwide, including Fortune 500 enterprises. Thycotic's award winning Privilege Management Security solutions minimize privileged credential risk, limits user privileges and controls applications on endpoints and servers. Thycotic was founded in 1996 with corporate headquarters in Washington, D.C. and global offices in the U.K. and Australia. For more information, please visit www.thycotic.com.

For further information, please contact: Steve Kahan Jacqueline Velasco Thycotic Lumina Communications T: 202-802-9399 T: 408-680-0564 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

SOURCE Thycotic

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NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- K2 Intelligence, an industry-leading investigative, compliance, and cyber defense services firm founded by Jules B. Kroll and Jeremy M. Kroll, announced today that David A. Holley has joined the firm as an executive vice president in the Americas. Mr. Holley will split his time between Boston and New York.

Mr. Holley has more than 25 years of global investigations, business intelligence, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance consulting experience and frequently serves as a trusted advisor to a range of clients including multinational corporations, global law firms, large financial institutions, audit committees, and special committees of boards of directors and their counsel. His investigative and regulatory expertise spans diverse areas including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and anti-corruption investigations; Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions compliance investigations and consulting; and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and anti-money laundering (AML) investigations.

He has managed a wide variety of complex corporate investigations and security-related matters, including internal investigations involving fraud, employee, or third-party malfeasance; corporate contests, proxy fights, and hostile takeovers; reputational due diligence matters; intellectual property investigations, patent infringement, and theft of trade secret engagements; corporate governance, and integrity monitorship services; and white-collar crime investigations. He joins K2 Intelligence from Berkeley Research Group, where he served as a managing director in the Global Investigations and Strategic Intelligence practice.

"I am delighted to welcome David, a world-class talent and one of our industry's most respected professionals, to our leadership team. Our clients will benefit from his ability to navigate the business and legal challenges posed by doing business in high-risk jurisdictions and industries, an ability many of us have experienced firsthand from working with him in the past," said Jeremy Kroll, president, CEO, and co-founder of K2 Intelligence.

"David is an industry veteran with experience that spans both the regulatory and investigative practice areas and disciplines in North America, the EU, and Asia. His experience and ability to develop trusted client relationships will be invaluable as we continue to build our presence on the world stage," said Robert Brenner, COO for K2 Intelligence.

For more information on Mr. Holley, click here.

About K2 Intelligence

K2 Intelligence is an industry-leading investigative, compliance, and cyber defense services firm founded in 2009 by Jeremy M. Kroll and Jules B. Kroll, who is credited with originating the modern corporate investigations industry. Redefining 21st-century corporate intelligence, the firm combines subject-matter expertise with cutting-edge technology, bringing to bear the industry's best multidisciplinary teams to solve its clients' most difficult problems.

With offices in New York, London, Madrid, Geneva, and Los Angeles, K2 Intelligence advises governments, companies, boards, and individuals in business areas including investigations and disputes; regulatory compliance, cyber defense, construction and real estate, strategic risk and security, and private client services.

For more information, visit www.k2intelligence.com.

SOURCE K2 Intelligence

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SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- DENSO Corporation, a leading global automotive supplier, and Michigan Automotive Compressor Inc. (MACI), a joint-venture between Toyota Industries Corporation and DENSO, were honored as top-performing global suppliers for Ford Motor Company at the 20th Annual World Excellence Awards. Only 88 companies were selected as finalists from thousands of Ford suppliers globally.

"I would like to extend my personal congratulations to DENSO and its associates, the entire MACI team and the Ford sales team for achieving this award. At DENSO, our core focus is producing and developing high-quality, innovative products and technologies that address the changes happening within the automotive industry while exceeding customers' expectations," said Thomas Esser, vice president, Global Ford Sales, DENSO.

DENSO Corp. was awarded Ford's World Excellence Award for Quality. MACI was recognized for the third time, receiving this year the Gold World Excellence Award for excelling in the categories of Cost, Quality, and Delivery. MACI manufactures automotive air conditioning compressors with magnetic clutch for Ford and other customers like Honda, GM, Chrysler and Toyota. As the main component of the air conditioning system, MACI's compressors play an integral role in keeping drivers and passengers comfortable in warm weather.

"Every associate in MACI works toward one goal  to satisfy our customers," said Joe Shaughnessy, General Manager, Business Planning, Human Resources, Information Systems, Production Control at MACI. "This is our top priority. It is so gratifying to receive such an elite award that recognizes our team's collective efforts."

DENSO's products and systems are an important part of nearly every major vehicle make and model around the world. From air conditioning compressors and retrofittable driver status monitors to autonomous services and electrification, DENSO is developing innovative solutions that are shaping the future of transportation.

"Our World Excellence awards recognize the outstanding achievements of Ford Motor Company's top-performing suppliers around the world," said Ford's Hau Thai-Tang, executive vice president, product development and purchasing. "Suppliers like DENSO and MACI are key to Ford's continued success as we work toward our goal of becoming the world's most trusted mobility company."

About DENSO Corporation

DENSO Corp., headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan has more than 220 subsidiaries in 35 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs approximately 170,000 people worldwide. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, totaled US$48.1 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 8.8 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.denso.com, or visit our media website at www.denso.com/global/en/news/media-center/.

About Michigan Automotive Compressor Inc.

Established in 1989, Michigan Automotive Compressor Inc. (MACI) is a joint-venture between Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) and DENSO Corporation. It is the largest manufacturing employer in Jackson County, with over 1 million square feet, and more than 1,050 associates. MACI sells approximately 6 million compressors of all types each year, for many of the world's most popular vehicles. GM and FCA-Chrysler are the largest customers by volume. Ford, Toyota, Honda, Freightliner and John Deere also are customers.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 202,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

SOURCE DENSO

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ROHNERT PARK, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Deciding on which college to attend can depend on many factors. For those future college attendees, that can include colleges that offer the best program for a desired degree. For others, location can be a big deciding factor. The final say for some can be if the college they want to attend will cause them to need the financial help with student loans. Ameritech Financial, a document preparation service company, can help assist students to apply for income-driven repayment programs should they need to take out student loans.

Starting off the endeavor to figure out which college to attend can easily start with the major desired and quickly head to location issues. Different states have different issues. California has the issue of many college campuses and courses being impacted for example. But for certain degrees like medical-based ones, they have some of the highest standards and it can be easier to find a job afterward. Other less-populated states may not have the issue of impaction, but for specific degrees, the standards for potentially getting a job might only apply to that specific state. With attending college outside of a legal residence though comes out-of-state tuition. "Even the town's local college be expensive for people to attend. The farther away from home, the higher the costs because of things like travel, finding a place to stay and, for some, out-of-state tuition. Nowadays many individuals have trouble affording it all on their own," said Tom Knickerbocker, executive vice president of Ameritech Financial.

Each college will have its own inherent strengths and weaknesses and further pros and cons according to each potential student for them to weigh. The same must be done to student loans. Sometimes said student loans become overwhelming to pay or can be the only thing a borrower can afford, and it would benefit them to have lowered payments. Ameritech Financial can assist students in applying for federal income-driven repayment programs and potentially getting their monthly payments lowered. "Ameritech Financial provides assistance over the phone, so student loan borrowers can talk to us about our services from any state in the U.S.," said Knickerbocker.

About Ameritech Financial

Ameritech Financial is a private company located in Rohnert Park, California. Ameritech Financial has already helped thousands of consumers with financial analysis and student loan document preparation to apply for federal student loan repayment programs offered through the Department of Education.

Each Ameritech Financial telephone representative has received the Certified Student Loan Professional certification through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA).

Ameritech Financial prides itself on its exceptional customer service.

Ameritech Financial Newsroom

Contact

To learn more about Ameritech Financial, please contact:

Ameritech Financial

5789 State Farm Drive #265

Rohnert Park, CA 94928

1-800-792-8621

[email protected]

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SOURCE Ameritech FinancialDr. Moss is a renowned pediatric surgeon, biomedical researcher, educator, and health system executive. He is internationally recognized for leadership in healthcare quality and safety, including service as a founding director for developing quality standards for pediatric surgery nationally. He is also known for tremendous achievements in academic health centers, national hospital associations, and government organizations accountable to the public. He joins Nemours after serving seven years as Surgeon-in-Chief at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and the E. Thomas Boles Jr., Professor of Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

"Dr. Moss brings unique experiences as a physician leader in academic health centers, and he embodies the character of Nemours, a health system dedicated to continuous learning and improvement," said Brian Anderson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nemours Foundation. "In addition to his clinical roles, he brings invaluable perspective and expertise in the development and execution of value-based care focused on the overall health of children through collaboration with payers and government agencies. The Board is pleased that Dr. Moss will continue fulfilling our mission to meet the needs of children, families, and the communities we serve."

Dr. Moss begins his tenure as his predecessor, Dr. David Bailey, nears a retirement announced earlier this year. During more than 21 years of leadership and service, 12 as Nemours' President and CEO, Dr. Bailey led the building of the first greenfield freestanding children's hospital in the U.S. in decades and increased the number of local hospital affiliations to leverage the Nemours care model in adjacent communities. Nemours, under Dr. Bailey's stewardship, increased care locations from approximately 15 to more than 90 over six states and grew Nemours' revenues from $533 million to $1.4 billion.

"I am thrilled the Board of Directors has chosen such a promising physician leader as Dr. Moss," said Dr. Bailey. "Nemours is a unique institution, which places stellar physicians and Associates at the heart of its child-first approach to care. I look forward to working with Dr. Moss to ensure a smooth leadership transition. I am confident that he and the Nemours Executive Team will continue to successfully advance the organization's mission to do whatever it takes to prevent and treat even the most disabling childhood conditions."

Dr. Moss was an integral part of the Nationwide team that transformed its surgery program into an academic powerhouse influencing children's surgery worldwide and consistently ranked as one of the elite programs in the world. Under his leadership, the program developed the first FDA approved studies in Tissue Engineering for congenital heart disease, internationally renowned centers in colorectal and craniofacial care, and more than a dozen federally funded surgical research programs. While growing and supporting 12 departments, Dr. Moss also initiated, designed, and executed the first multi-center clinical trial in children's surgery, funded by the NIH, and published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Moss attended medical school at the University of California, San Diego, and completed General Surgery Residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. He then moved to Chicago and completed Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/Critical Care and Pediatric Surgery fellowships at Northwestern University.

Prior to his time at Nationwide Children's Hospital Dr. Moss served as the inaugural Chief of Surgery at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital and Robert Pritzker Professor of Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine, and in leadership roles at Stanford University School of Medicine. He has also advised the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Quality Forum (NQF), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Dr. Moss is a past Chairperson of the Surgical Section of the American Academy Pediatrics and is currently President of the Children's Hospital Association Surgeons-in-Chief Forum.

"The President and CEO role at Nemours represents a wonderful opportunity to lead an institution that embodies the values I hold as most important to the future of American healthcare," said Dr. Moss. "With a focus on creating health over treating disease, efficient care delivery and an alignment of the success of the medical center with the health of the population it serves, I believe that Nemours is in an optimal stage of development to offer the next leader the opportunity to catalyze a quantum step forward."

About Nemours Children's Health System

Nemours is an internationally recognized children's health system that owns and operates the two free-standing children's hospitals: the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., and Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, Fla., along with outpatient facilities in six states, delivering pediatric primary, specialty, and urgent care. Nemours also powers the world's most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, KidsHealth.org, and offers on-demand, online video patient visits through Nemours CareConnect. Nemours ReadingBrightstart.org is a program dedicated to preventing reading failure in young children, grounded in Nemours' understanding that child health and learning are inextricably linked, and that reading level is a strong predictor of adult health.

Established as The Nemours Foundation through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, Nemours provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to families in the communities it serves.

SOURCE Nemours Children's Health System

Related Links

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TSX-V: NDR

VANCOUVER, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - New Dimension Resources Ltd. (TSXV: NDR) (the "Company" or "New Dimension") is pleased to announce that a 5,000 metre ("m") diamond drill program has commenced on an initial four high grade gold-silver targets at its 100%-owned Las Calandrias and Los Cisnes projects, Santa Cruz Province, southern Argentina. This "Phase I" program will consist of 3,500m of drilling on three gold targets at the flagship Las Calandrias Project (Calandria Norte, Morena, and Refugio), together with a further 1,500m on the high silver-gold grade Brio vein/breccia target at the Los Cisnes Project.

Program Highlights

A 5,000m diamond drill program has commenced to evaluate the resource potential of four high-grade gold-silver targets at the Company's 100%-owned Las Calandrias and Los Cisnes projects (Figure 1). This "Phase I" drill program will commence at Los Cisnes and conclude at Las Calandrias.





diamond drill program has commenced to evaluate the resource potential of four high-grade gold-silver targets at the Company's 100%-owned Las Calandrias and Los Cisnes projects (Figure 1). This "Phase I" drill program will commence at Los Cisnes and conclude at Las Calandrias. The Las Calandrias program will consist of 3,500m of diamond drilling, with a focus on three priority target areas: i) Calandria Norte, where drilling will test both lateral and down-dip extensions to the existing high grade gold-silver resource, ii) Morena, a sub-parallel gold-bearing vein structure to Calandria Norte but with only limited previous drilling at its southern end, and iii) Refugio, an undrilled vein target with favourable alteration and anomalous geochemical signatures at surface (Figures 2-4).





of diamond drilling, with a focus on three priority target areas: i) Calandria Norte, where drilling will test both lateral and down-dip extensions to the existing high grade gold-silver resource, ii) Morena, a sub-parallel gold-bearing vein structure to Calandria Norte but with only limited previous drilling at its southern end, and iii) Refugio, an undrilled vein target with favourable alteration and anomalous geochemical signatures at surface (Figures 2-4). The Los Cisnes program will consist of 1,500m of diamond drilling and will focus on the Brio structure with the aim of extending the high-grade silver(-gold) mineralization identified from a 2015 scout drill program (Figure 5).

Eric Roth, New Dimension's CEO, commented today: "I am delighted to announce the commencement of drilling on four high-grade gold-silver targets at our Las Calandrias and Los Cisnes Projects. The majority of previous work at Las Calandrias had focused on defining the bulk-tonnage, low-grade Calandria Sur deposit. In contrast, New Dimension sees tremendous opportunity to explore for additional high-grade gold mineralization around the Calandria Norte resource area, and the Morena and Refugio targets. At Los Cisnes, previous sampling and scout drilling identified high-grade silver mineralization in the Brio vein/breccia, and this program will seek extensions to this recently-discovered mineralization.

Results of this ongoing drill program will be released over the coming months, and will culminate in the preparation of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Las Calandrias project. This updated MRE is currently scheduled for release in mid-September, 2018. I look forward to keeping the market informed on progress as drilling advances".

Link to figures: http://www.newdimensionresources.com/i/pdf/news/2018_06_05_NDR_Drilling_Figures.pdf

Drill Program Overview

Las Calandrias

Prior to New Dimension's acquisition of the Las Calandrias Project, previous work had focused on evaluating the gold-silver resource potential of the Calandria Sur deposit, a bulk tonnage rhyolite dome-hosted deposit located in the southern portion of the Calandria I mining claim. However, sufficient drilling had also been completed along approximately 400m strike length of the NE-trending Calandria Norte vein/breccia system, which allowed for the declaration of an Indicated Category mineral resource of 162kT @ 9.35 g/t AuEq1,2 (see also Appendix 1). Significant intercepts from a central high-grade shoot at Calandria Norte that were reported by Mariana Resources Ltd3 include:

CND45 4.0 m @ 75.9 g/t Au and 70.0 g/t Ag from 92.5m downhole

@ 75.9 g/t Au and 70.0 g/t Ag from downhole CND46 4.5 m @ 101.8 g/t Au + 72.0 g/t Ag from 81.5m downhole

As the Calandria Norte vein/breccia zone remains open to the north and south (and potentially down plunge), the testing of possible extensions to the known high-grade gold-silver resource area represents an immediate priority for the Company.

The Morena vein/breccia system lies immediately to the northwest of Calandria Norte and has seen only limited drilling. Outcrops along the vein system returned gold grades ranging from below detection ("BDL")(<0.1 g/t Au) to a high of 116 g/t Au. The current interpretation is that the Morena vein/breccia zone strikes northeast (i.e., is sub-parallel to Calandria Norte) and dips steeply to the east-southeast. A total of 11 drill holes were completed in the southern part of the Morena zone, with the best mineralized intercept being 0.6m @ 68.1 g/t Au + 107 g/t Ag from 59m downhole in CND250. The northern extension of the Morena vein remains completely untested, where chalcedonic silica, similar to that observed in the northern part of the Calandria Norte vein, is exposed on surface. This geologic similarity to Calandria Norte reasons that the Morena drilling should initially be focused on testing around 100-150m vertically below surface.

The Refugio target lies approximately 6km west of Calandria Norte, and consists of a 1.5km-long, northeast trending sub-cropping vein/breccia system with high anomalous molybdenum concentrations (from BDL to 800ppm). The Refugio vein/breccia system has not yet been drilled, so scout drilling of this target will form part of the current drill program.

Additional targets at Las Calandrias include the Despreciada/Nido vein system, which is defined by classic epithermal vein textures on surface yet has only seen very wide spaced previous drilling, and the Pichones coincident geochemical / geophysical anomaly (to date undrilled). However, drill testing of these targets is expected to take place in a future drill program.

Los Cisnes Project

At Los Cisnes, high-grade silver(-gold) values were identified from previous channel sampling and scout diamond drilling on the Brio vein/breccia system. Brio is a quartz-sulfide vein/breccia system which strikes ENE, can be traced on surface for approximately 2.3km, and is up to 3m wide. Channel samples taken by Mariana Resources Ltd3 had returned assay values ranging from BDL to 0.8m @ 3,840 g/t Ag + 3.0 g/t Au. In 2015, 8 scout drill holes for 723m were completed along the Brio structure, with the best intercept being 2.9m @ 755 g/t Ag from 32.1m downhole in LCsD-09.

For the current 2018 program, drilling will focus on testing both lateral and down-dip extensions to this high-grade drill intercept. These offset holes will initially be done at 50m step outs with a possibility of 25 m if warranted. The drill program will also be designed to test for possible parallel mineralized structures to the main Brio structure.

1 Gold equivalent grades are calculated by dividing silver grades by 60, adding this value to the gold grade, and with no differences in metallurgical recovery for gold and silver.

2 This information comes from the technical report entitled "Updated Technical Report for Estimated Gold-Silver Resources at Las Calandrias, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina" with an effective date of February 20, 2018, filed on New Dimension's SEDAR profile on April 9, 2018.

3 A potential investor should not place undue reliance on these historical results when making an investment decision, nor should they be used as the sole criterion for making investment decisions. There is no assurance that the Company can reproduce such results, or that the historical results described therein will be realized.

Sierra Blanca and Regional Prospects

Drill target generation activities at the Sierra Blanca Project will continue in parallel with the current drill program at Las Calandrias and Los Cisnes. However, the drill testing of high grade targets at Sierra Blanca is not expected to occur before Q4, 2018, at the earliest. Reconnaissance activities on the Company's Regional Prospects are also anticipated to restart after the termination of the Patagonian winter.

Incentive Stock Option Grant

The Company also reports that the Board of Directors has granted, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, an aggregate 3,350,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers, employees and key consultants to the Company. The stock options are exercisable at a price of $0.25 per share and will have a term of 5 years, expiring on June 5, 2023. Each stock option will allow the holder to purchase one common share of the Company. All stock options granted are subject to staged vesting periods.

On Behalf of the Board of New Dimension Resources Ltd.

"Eric Roth"

_________________________

Eric Roth, Ph.D., FAusIMM

President & CEO

About New Dimension Resources

New Dimension is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of quality mineral resource properties throughout the Americas, with a focus on precious metals. The Company's current focus is on the discovery through drilling of new high-grade gold-silver resources at its 100%-owned Las Calandrias, Los Cisnes and Sierra Blanca projects, all located in the highly prospective Deseado Massif of Santa Cruz Province, southern Argentina. The Company also holds an option on the Savant Lake gold project in Ontario, together with an active JV interest (with Yamana Gold) in the Domain gold project in Manitoba.

Qualified Persons and Disclosure Statement

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101, and approved by Eric Roth, the Company's President & CEO, a director and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of New Dimension, including the timing, completion of and results from the drill programs described in this release. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by New Dimension in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in New Dimension s most recently filed MD&A. New Dimension does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to purchase securities. The securities to be offered in the Private Placement have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the benefit or account of, a U.S. person, except pursuant to an available exemption from such registration requirements.

The Las Calandrias Global Mineral Resource has been calculated using a variable cutoff grade for varying metallurgical recoveries: 0.3 gAuEq/t for oxide and transition material and 0.7 gAuEq/t for primary. The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Calandria Norte vein has been calculated using a 3 gAuEq/t cutoff grade.

Gold equivalent grades are calculated by dividing silver grades by 60, adding this value to the gold grade, and assuming no differences in metallurgical recovery for gold and silver.

The resource estimate was completed by Steven Ristorcelli , of Mine Development Associates, an Independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). This information comes from the technical report entitled "Updated Technical Report for Estimated Gold-Silver Resources at Las Calandrias, Santa Cruz Province , Argentina " with an effective date of February 20, 2018 , filed on New Dimension's SEDAR profile on April 9, 2018 . Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves have not yet demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. The estimate is based on the results from 44,911 metres of drilling in 326 diamond drill holes.

SOURCE New Dimension Resources Ltd.

Related Links

www.newdimensionresources.com

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- DriveScale, the leader in delivering Software Composable Infrastructure (SCI) for modern workloads and a 2018 Cool Vendor by Gartner for Cloud Infrastructure, today announced the market's first Software Composable Infrastructure for flash. This latest breakthrough from DriveScale makes deploying flash affordable and flexible for cloud infrastructures and targets modern applications such as NoSQL, Spark and Containers. DriveScale's SCI for Flash is available as software, capable of being deployed on a variety of hardware systems. Its addition to DriveScale's product suite helps solve the over-provisioning, flexibility and lifecycle management issues that plague IT teams using flash-based NoSQL databases and similar cloud-native applications.

Flash is crucial for the performance and scale of hyper-growth, modern workloads because it provides higher performance and density, as well as a smaller footprint and lower power usage than disk storage. Meanwhile, the value of modern, cloud-ready applications such as NoSQL, containers and Spark continues to rise, underscoring the need for flexible, commodity-priced flash solutions not currently being met by storage vendor flash array offerings on the market, which have unneeded features at high cost. Further compounding this, new flash drives are becoming so large that it is becoming difficult to "right size" the storage to the application when using direct-attached flash drives within each server. This leads to expensive over-provisioning while providing IT administrators with no flexibility to change storage-to-compute ratios after installation and then leading to underutilization of expensive data center resources.

Using SCI technology, DriveScale's Software Composable Infrastructure for Flash is radically changing how flash storage is deployed. Utilizing the throughput and low latency of 100-Gbit Ethernet, it delivers direct-attached performance at a low cost with the flexibility and "pay as you grow" characteristics of a storage system. This eliminates underutilization and expensive over-provisioning of storage resources, provides flexibility to apply just the right amount of flash storage to each server and allows administrators to tune data center applications or upgrade processors without ever touching the flash drives. DriveScale allows businesses to add new drives to existing servers via software control. The system combines the speed of up to 24 dual-ported NVMe drives, four 100-Gbit Ethernet ports and a dual-server architecture to deliver to IT operations high performance and high availability flash storage in a composable system.

"Extending SCI to take advantage of the native performance of flash is a major step toward addressing the cost and execution of large-scale, cloud-native application workloads  a mission critical need for businesses managing modern workloads today," said Brian Pawlowski, CTO at DriveScale. "Flash is expensive. The ability of Software Composable Infrastructure to optimize flash use by rightsizing initial deployments, providing for incremental additions, and preserving flash investments when upgrading processors makes the use of flash much more cost effective than ever before."

As a part of this new offering, DriveScale has also added support for third-party EBOF (Ethernet-attached Bunch of Flash) products, enabling these systems to deliver SCI with flash storage. The company will immediately offer support for Western Digital's Ultrastar Serv24-HA flash storage server, and plans to support additional EBOF products in the near future.

Cloud-ready applications like NoSQL, Spark and containers require cloud-like provisioning. DriveScale's unique composable architecture ensures the optimal ratio of compute and storage resources while providing cloud-like elasticity and performance at a fraction of the price, ultimately improving overall resource utilization and responsiveness to workload needs in real time. DriveScale has already pioneered the disaggregation of hard disk drive (HDD) storage, giving customers the ability to combine the right mix of "local disk" with compute resources. DriveScale now enables composability for flash without compromising on performance and with significant improvements in scalability, agility and total cost of ownership (TCO).

"Using flash arrays in Spark, NoSQL or container environments is expensive, slow and burdened with unused features. On the other hand, direct-attached storage, while distributed and performant, lacks flexibility," said Satya Nishtala, founder and chief architect at DriveScale. "DriveScale allows enterprises to optimize flash deployments to the best dollar per gigabyte and rightsize flash storage based on application needs. Our goal is to provide native NVMe storage to servers for modern applications used to manage enterprise-scale, big data workloads in an all-flash environment."

Key benefits of DriveScale's Software Composable Infrastructure for Flash include:

Disaggregation of expensive flash storage allowing it to be shared by multiple applications

Faster performance for applications dependent on flash storage, compared to flash storage arrays

Lower TCO due to decoupling of flash storage and compute, enabling accurate provisioning and independent scaling and life cycle management

Ease of deployment driven by software configuration and DriveScale Management System

Increase in reliability and reduction in downtime

Supporting Quotes

"One of the biggest pain points our customers face when it comes to flash deployments is flexibility to optimize workloads for best efficiency, performance and TCO," said Scott Hamilton, senior director, product management, Western Digital's Data Center Systems business unit. "Utilizing our Ultrastar Serv24-HA flash storage server with DriveScale's Software Composable Flash product gives customers a new flexible approach to modernizing their infrastructure, and allows them to utilize every resource purchased. We look forward to continuing our relationship with DriveScale and offering a qualified composable platform for NVMe."

"DriveScale's SCI technology has significantly changed the way we manage the disk drive-based products in our data center. We have been able to optimize our storage and compute resources, saving us time and money in the long run," said Tim Smith, SVP & GM, Global Technical Infrastructure & Operations at AppNexus. "By bringing that same SCI technology to the flash world, the DriveScale team is going to change how the storage industry buys and uses flash drives  driving down costs and improving overall resource utilization."

"Applications like Cassandra, Hadoop or Spark require fast storage systems. These are typically deployed directly in the server through NVMe-attached flash memory to avoid the cost and network traffic associated with traditional SAN systems. However, with this direct connection to the server, unused space in the NVMe drive is wasted," said Torsten Volk, Managing Research Director at Enterprise Management Associates (EMA). "This is where DriveScale comes in. Using its SCI, administrators can 'redirect' the locally installed flash storage in DriveScale's Software Composable Infrastructure for Flash to servers where the applications require it."

Join the Webinar

What: Accelerating the Adoption of Flash in Cloud Infrastructure Solutions

Who: Jean Bozman, VP and Principal Analyst at Hurwitz Associates, Gene Banman, CEO of DriveScale, and Brian Pawlowski, CTO of DriveScale will discuss this exciting new addition to the DriveScale Software Composable solution that transforms the economics of Flash to make it affordable for cloud infrastructure supporting modern workloads.

When: June 6 at 10am PT / 1pm ET

Where: Register for this 45-minute webinar and Q&A session here.

Meet DriveScale at Cisco Live

DriveScale is achieving higher performance, lower costs and increased flexibility for cloud infrastructure supporting modern workloads with composable infrastructure. Stop by Booth #2127 at Cisco Live, June 10-14 in Orlando, Florida, to meet the DriveScale team and learn more.

About DriveScale

DriveScale is the leader in Software Composable Infrastructure for modern workloads. Our innovative data center solution empowers IT to disaggregate compute and storage resources and quickly and easily recompose them to meet the needs of the business. Enterprises can respond faster to changing application environments, maximize the efficiency of their assets, and save on equipment and operating expenses. DriveScale supports modern workloads such as Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, NoSQL, Cassandra, Docker, Kubernetes and other distributed applications at a fraction of the cost of alternative platforms. DriveScale, based in Sunnyvale, CA, is founded by technologists with deep roots in IT architecture that built enterprise-class systems for Cisco and Sun Microsystems. Investors include Pelion Venture Partners, Nautilus Venture Partners and Ingrasys, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foxconn. Visit www.drivescale.com or follow us on Twitter at @DriveScale_Inc.

Media Contact

Jocelynn Stidham

Bhava Communications

(703) 863-1277

[email protected]

SOURCE DriveScale

Related Links

https://drivescale.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is empowering students, educators and the workforce of the future by investing $2.5 million in 67 education and training initiatives across North Carolina.

The 2018 grants, from the Duke Energy Foundation, will enhance educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), K-3 early childhood literacy and workforce development.

"Building a brighter future begins with providing students with the best education and opportunities for success," said David Fountain, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "Our investments will strengthen and expand access to high-impact programs that help develop a more diverse, highly skilled workforce."

Examples of this year's grant recipients include:

Classroom Central  $18,000 to create a dedicated STEM section in the organization's Free Store that enables teachers to bring learning experiences directly to students.



"Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas has been one of Classroom Central's most committed corporate partners since we opened in 2002. In addition to donating truckloads of school supplies each year for the students and teachers we serve, they funded the launch of a new STEM section in our Free Store to provide curriculum and materials for 21st-century learning," said Karen Calder , executive director of Classroom Central. "We are grateful to the employees of Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas who generously contribute hundreds of volunteer hours each year, allowing us to offer supplies to 127,000 students across six school districts in North Carolina and South Carolina ."

East Durham Children's Initiative  $20,000 to provide a five-week, intensive summer learning program for 60 East Durham students in grades K-2 who are performing in the lowest quartile in reading and math.



"Duke Energy continues to be an important partner in EDCI's work to reduce summer learning loss among children. Kids attending EDCI BELL Summer Camp this year will receive high-quality instruction in reading and math and learn about careers in different STEM fields," said David Reese , CEO of EDCI. "In fact, Duke Energy's support has inspired us to host an Energy Week at camp this year, where students will learn about different energy concepts from Duke Energy employees."

FIRST North Carolina  $90,000 to provide STEM opportunities for students in rural and low-income communities through its Power Up STEM program.



"Duke Energy is truly a leader in ensuring that the next generation of engineers, computer scientists and STEM leaders has access to learning opportunities that provide relevance, experience and fun, all at the same time," said Marie Hopper , president of FIRST North Carolina. "By providing the seed money to start high school robotics teams in communities that have been traditionally on the sidelines, Duke Energy helps engage students in hands-on, mentor-based robotics programs that are so much more than just about robots. Students are learning teamwork, collaboration and communication skills that will help Duke Energy and other companies fill their pipeline of future employees."

Forsyth Technical Community College Foundation  $95,844 to support the Electrical Lineman Training Institute by replacing worn equipment and connecting graduates with potential employers across the region and beyond.



"The strategic partnership between Duke Energy and Forsyth Tech for the education of the next generation of electrical lineworkers is an excellent example of business-college collaboration for workforce development," said Dr. Gary Green , president of Forsyth Technical Community College . "Because of Duke Energy's generous support, we are providing career opportunities for young people to earn excellent wages and benefits."

Here is a complete list of the 67 grant recipients and summaries.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of communities where its customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $33 million annually in charitable gifts.

The foundation's education focus spans kindergarten to career  particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)  as well as early childhood literacy and workforce development. The foundation also supports environmental projects and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.

Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders with a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit duke-energy.com/foundation.

Contact: Grace Rountree

Office: 919.546.2557 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy

Related Links

http://www.duke-energy.com

NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Ecuador's minister of Foreign Affairs, was elected president of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Three months after announcing her candidacy, the experienced diplomat received 128 votes, a majority of votes from the 193 states comprising the United Nations.

The election was historic, as it marked the first time two Latin American women were candidates for one of the highest-ranking positions in the United Nations. The role of UNGA president is filled through an open election in which all Member States vote, while the Secretary General is appointed by the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

Upon election, the president-elect will form her cabinet, organized following the Assembly's functions and powers, subsidiary organs and the ongoing intergovernmental negotiation process. This cabinet is made up of foreign service professionals from diverse nations (generally with geographic representation criteria), as well as staff from the United Nations, its Secretariat and System agencies.

Additionally, the president-elect must appoint the Permanent Representatives who will preside over key ongoing international negotiation processes, such as those related to Security Council reforms, Assembly revitalization, follow-up on the Sustainable Development Goals and the International Committee on the South-South Cooperation, among other processes under her responsibility.

The president-elect named a citizen of the Republic of Ghana, a former diplomat and senior official in the United Nations, as her Chief of Staff, recognizing the African continent's full support for her candidacy. In coming days, she will designate a transition team, which will begin their functions immediately in accordance with U.N. regulations establishing a three-month transition period.

In the speech following her election, the president-elect said the vote strengthened multilateralism. "For this reason, every state wins, because by strengthening the United Nations, we are advancing the construction of its pillars of peace and security, development and human rights, benefitting of our people and our common home, planet Earth," Espinosa said.

She was thankful for the vote of confidence in Ecuador and "the most generous expressions of support and confidence from the countries in my beloved region of Latin America and the Caribbean, and from all regions of the world."

The president-elect dedicated her election to women, as she became the fourth woman to hold this position in the United Nations' 73 years of history, and the first woman from the Latin American and Caribbean region.

"I want to dedicate this election to all the women in the world who participate in politics today, who face political and media attacks marked by chauvinism and discrimination. I would like to pay a special tribute to women who fight daily for jobs with equal conditions; to women and girls who are the victims of violence; to girls and adolescents who demand access to quality information and education. My commitment will be to them," said the Ecuadorian minister.

The president-elect will face important challenges that will require her leadership in the General Assembly agenda during this period, such as the implementation of reforms to the United Nations System in its areas of peace and security, development and operations; management of the crises and international conflicts in Syria, Africa, the Middle East and Palestine; the adoption and implementation of the Global Compact for Migration, which will be the first human rights instrument addressing refugees and migrants, as well as various international conferences and high-level events on topics such as the situations of countries exporting raw materials, South-South Cooperation, global health and climate change, among others.

Espinosa, who is 53 years old, has vast experience in international affairs, including in topics such as integration, security and defense, human rights, climate change and indigenous peoples.

During her time as Ecuador's minister of Foreign Affairs in 2007 and 2017-2018, Espinosa included topics such as defense of human rights and the environment, international cooperation and the diversification of international relations in her foreign policy agenda.

Media Contact:

Yndira Marin | [email protected] | 1-646-386-6523

Carmen San Segundo | [email protected] | 1-202-446-6363

SOURCE Ecuador's Minister of Foreign AffairsFOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Editor & Publisher Magazine has announced its call for entries for the 2018 EPPY Awards, honoring the best in digital media. Now in its 23rd year, this international contest has broadened its scope to keep up with the ever-changing internet industry.

Entries are being accepted across 30 diverse categories, with two divisions for each category:

1 million and over unique monthly visitors

Under 1 million unique monthly visitors

The EPPY Awards also recognize excellence in college and university journalism with awards in three different categories, including Best College/University News Website.

Entries in the EPPY Awards are judged by a panel of notable figures in the media industry, chosen by the staff of Editor & Publisher.

Submit your entry today at www.EPPYAwards.com.

The deadline to enter is Aug. 24, 2018. Winners of the awards will be announced at www.EditorandPublisher.com on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018.

If you are interested in becoming a 2018 EPPY judge, or would like to recommend a colleague, please contact us at the email address below for more information.

About Editor & Publisher:

Editor & Publisher Magazine is the authoritative journal for newspaper professionals. E&P has been the newspaper industry's trusted news source for 134 years  combining comprehensive insight and global perspective. E&P proudly sponsors the EPPY Awards, recognizing media outlets who are leading the way in the online revolution.

Contact:

Martha McIntosh

EPPY Award Committee Chairperson

949.660.6150, ext. 216

[email protected]

SOURCE Editor & Publisher Magazine

Related Links

http://www.EditorandPublisher.com

NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- FCB Health is proud to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month and continue its ongoing commitment to "Blood Equality"  a pro bono advocacy and awareness campaign in partnership with the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC)  through the launch of "Blood Flags."

"Blood Flags" addresses the conditional support that many countries show toward the LGBTQ community in preserving and promoting its rights. Many countries, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, Brazil and Germany, endorse the fight for equality in marriage, schools, the workplace and housing, yet discriminatory criteria for blood donation remain. FCB Health and GMHC thus created "Blood Flags" to bring attention to this disparity and inspire reform.

"We're very proud to collaborate with GMHC and deepen our dedication to shedding light on issues of blood equality and civil rights, which remain critical," said Rich Levy, chief creative officer of FCB Health. "This creative partnership provides us with an important  and unique  platform to advocate for policy reform, change behavior and make a lasting difference through our work."

This initiative specifically confronts the U.S. government's flawed revision to the lifetime ban on gay, bisexual and transgender male blood donors, which now requires a 12-month period of celibacy prior to donation. A UCLA Williams Institute study revealed that lifting this ban altogether could save up to a million lives annually. This kind of discrimination  which has been shown to hold no real scientific basis  is not just domestic, but can be found all over the world.

"We want to restore the fundamental right to donate blood, and make it a more equitable process across the board," remarked Kelsey Louie, CEO of GMHC. "Current donation policies stem from fear and outdated stigmas surrounding sexual orientation, when they should instead be based solely on testing and scientific risk assessments."

"Blood Flags," a creative installation, meticulously stitches the individual, aforementioned country flags  shaped like blood bags  onto the rainbow Pride flag. This altering of the traditional flag design, compounded with the use of exposed thread and stitching, powerfully brings to life the juxtaposition between LGBTQ Pride and discrimination. Ultimately, these flags aim to highlight cultural hypocrisy as a call to action, and unite these countries in an effort to advance blood equality on a larger scale.

"Blood Flags is meant to resonate globally," said Mike Devlin, executive vice president and group creative director of FCB Health. "Last year's launch of One in Our Blood at the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, featuring the Blood Mirror installation by artist Jordan Eagles  which allowed viewers to physically see themselves reflected in the blood of gay, bisexual and transgender men encased in resin  was just the beginning. We hope that our latest installment of this initiative will continue to weave a powerful narrative and inspire change on a more universal level."

"Blood Flags" will be launched across FCB Health's social channels (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) and others throughout the network, gearing up for World Blood Donor Day on June 14. The stitched flags have been shared with a wide range of LGBTQ media, and will be featured at Pride events and GMHC headquarters, with plans to raise awareness across the globe throughout the upcoming year.

About FCB Health

FCB Health is one of the world's most awarded communications networks, focused on creating game-changing marketing solutions for consumers, patients and healthcare professionals. With specialized units covering a wide range of wellness practices, FCB Health employs more than 1,500 people across an extensive global network, delivering multichannel capabilities that include DTC and HCP communications, professional education, branding, scientific services, strategic planning and media services. Its integrated agency offering includes Area 23, Neon, FCBCure, FCB Halesway, ICC, ProHealth, Hudson Global, Trio, Mosaic Group, FCBVio, BX  the Branding Experience Group, and Studio Rx. The FCB Health network was named "Agency of the Year" by Med Ad News in 2006, 2009, 2015 and 2017, and by Medical Marketing & Media in 2007, 2010, 2015 and 2017. In seven of the past eight years, an FCB Health company has received "Most Creative Agency" honors, and its Area 23 unit was named "Healthcare Agency of the Year" in 2017 by Cannes Lions, the world's preeminent annual creative awards festival.

About FCB

FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding) is a global, fully integrated marketing communications company with a heritage of creativity and success dating from 1873. Based on a deeply developed understanding of diversified local markets and global cultures, FCB focuses on significantly changing consumer behavior to the benefit of its clients, its people and society. With more than 8,000 people in 109 operations in 80 countries, the company is part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG). Learn more at www.FCB.com and follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@FCBglobal) and Facebook (FCB Global).

About Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC)

Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is the world's first HIV/AIDS service organization. GMHC is on the front lines providing services to over 12,000 people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Programs include: testing, prevention, nutrition, legal, supportive housing, mental health and substance use services. GMHC also advocates for stronger public policies at the local, state and federal levels with the goal of ending AIDS as an epidemic. For more information, visit www.gmhc.org.

SOURCE FCB Health

Related Links

http://www.FCB.com

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fishbowl, Inc., the leading data, marketing and analytics solutions provider to over 70,000 restaurant locations, has launched its latest round of product updates allowing users to continue to create exceptional and unique experiences for their guests. The recent update includes upgrades to Fishbowl's Promotions Manager, Loyalty and SMS products as well as the Email platform.

Fishbowl's updates range from promotions protocol, customer loyalty information and short message system (SMS) reporting, to revised data on expired coupons, a refreshed user interface, and more. The new improvements parallel restaurateurs' desire to have more control when communicating with guests through multiple channels.

"Our platform is built exclusively for restaurants and our new product enhancements will supply restaurateurs with tools that offer additional insights to their omni-channel marketing campaigns all while providing the ability to know, reach and delight their guests through multiple avenues," said Daniel Dreymann, Chief Product Officer at Fishbowl.

One of the main areas of platform enhancement is in the area of promotions and loyalty. Fishbowl authorized users will now have the ability to designate special offers as available in their Loyalty program when creating that offer within Promotions Manager. Other new enhancements regarding customer loyalty include member search by phone number on additional POS systems, menu item search, the ability to display points expired dates, as well as the option to create pop-up notifications for inactive and deactivated guests who attempt to login to the restaurant's end user portal.

Fishbowl has also implemented updates to its SMS product. New features include SMS Message Volume and Member Growth Reports. Additional enhancements such as improved performance and send rates for campaigns with excluded segments, have been implemented as well.

Security is always foremost at Fishbowl and secure socket layer (SSL) cryptography protocol is enforced in the in the company's Local services when users log in, per General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines. For tracking purposes, the process now captures the store, username, time stamp, and the acceptance of terms and conditions in the file upload history table. In addition European Union (EU) sites (per GDPR guidelines) show last name, street address, birthdate, phone, city and postal code.

In addition to the updates of Promotions Manager, Loyalty, SMS and SSL, Fishbowl has also implemented an updated design to the overall look of its platform.

"The Fishbowl user interface has been redesigned to incorporate updates for the header, content pages, main navigation, fonts, colors, buttons, and form elements," said Dreymann. "This new design is more in line with the Fishbowl brand and new product design direction."

About Fishbowl

Fishbowl, Inc. empowers restaurants to succeed in a changing digital, data and device environment by delivering unique solutions developed specifically for the food-service industry. Our solution combines a powerful platform suite, expert analytic consulting, and industry leading agency services -- using insights gained across our thousands of restaurant clients. Through these solutions, Fishbowl enables restaurants to make enlightened decisions, engage guests, increase brand loyalty and accelerate same-store sales. Relied on by more than 70,000 restaurant locations to effectively engage guests, Fishbowl is headquartered in Alexandria, VA, with offices in Silicon Valley, U.K., and India. For more information, please visit our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Ashley Soto

305-631-2283 x1005

[email protected]

SOURCE Fishbowl, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.fishbowl.com

CAMAS, Wash., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fisher Investments unveiled results of a client satisfaction survey conducted by independent financial research firm Chatham Partners showing that 96 percent of client respondents gave its Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions division a "Best-in-Class" score for overall satisfaction.

The survey polled clients from July through September 2017 and asked respondents about their experience with Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions. Chatham Partners invited 100 percent of Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions clients to participate and received a response rate of 44 percent.

Key findings in the survey include:

Easy to do Business with: 100 percent of survey respondents believe that Fisher is easy to do business with and has a helpful support staff

100 percent of survey respondents believe that Fisher is easy to do business with and has a helpful support staff Treatment as an important client : 98 percent of survey respondents indicated that they are treated as an important client

: 98 percent of survey respondents indicated that they are treated as an important client Understanding of plan and participant goals: 96 percent of survey respondents affirmed that Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions Retirement Counselors and 401(k) support team understands their plan and participant goals

96 percent of survey respondents affirmed that Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions Retirement Counselors and 401(k) support team understands their plan and participant goals Investment Management Expertise: In terms of investment expertise, 94 percent of survey respondents gave Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions a "Best-in-Class" score

"We are proud of the feedback we received on this survey as it reflects the important role that client service plays in our retirement plan advisory business. Our business is driven by the belief that better service translates into better outcomes for our clients and their employees," said Nathan Fisher, Founder and Senior Executive Vice President of Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions. "We are committed to best-in-class service, and tracking performance is a critical part of ensuring quality service. That's why research like this is important: It reinforces our commitment to helping small and mid-sized business employeesa traditionally under-served groupretire comfortably," continued Fisher.

"These results indicate that Fisher 401(k) Solutions has established a strong foundation in terms of client satisfaction from which to grow its business," said Peter Starr, CEO of Chatham Partners. "We look forward to working with Fisher on future surveys using this benchmark to ensure that it continues to maintain a high level of quality as the business grows." Nathan Fisher continued, "I have been impressed by Chatham's research integrity and expertise in conducting this type of work throughout the entire process."

Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions is committed to conducting independent client satisfaction assessments on an ongoing basis in order to maintain quality service and identify areas for improvement. The 2017 Chatham Partners survey established an industry benchmark for comparison.

As of March 1, 2018, Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions had $362 million in retirement-plan assets under management. The business has been growing at an average compound annual rate of approximately 50 percent since its founding in 2014. The business specializes in serving smaller 401(k) plans  typically those with between $1 million and $10 million, although the firm also serves micro and some mid-sized plans.

To see the complete results and methodology, visit Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions.

About Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions

Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions is dedicated to bringing superior retirement plan services to small and mid-sized businesses and their employees. Fisher's unique service offering is built on 35+ years of successful wealth management experience and includes our flexible investing platform with options including passive and/or actively-managed funds. Business owners will experience the benefit of ongoing support from a dedicated Retirement Counselor whose focus is making the management of a 401(k) retirement plan easier, while helping employees plan for a comfortable retirement. For more information, visit http://www.fisher401k.com/.

About Chatham Partners

Chatham Partners helps institutional financial services companies improve sales and client retention efforts through customized research programs and strategy consulting services. Founded in 1991 and led by Peter Starr, Chatham serves leading investment management, retirement services, and global securities service providers around the world.

Media Contact:

Mollie Young

[email protected]

SOURCE Fisher Investments

Related Links

http://www.fisher401k.com

PITTSBURGH, June 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) and its largest subsidiary, First National Bank, have been honored with the 2018 President's "E" Award for Export Service. The Company will receive Congressional and Senate citations for its achievement and positive impact on economic expansion and job growth at an event in Pittsburgh, PA, on June 11, 2018.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross presented FNB with the "E" Award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2018. FNB was one of only two banks and 43 total companies and organizations across the country to be honored with the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. The U.S. Commercial Service-Pittsburgh nominated FNB for the "E" Award.

"First National Bank has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The "E" Awards Committee was very impressed with First National Bank's strategic implementation and rapid deployment of a comprehensive strategy to increase its international finance portfolio. The bank's case studies linking its clients' employment growth to their corresponding growth in exports were also particularly notable. First National Bank's achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs," Secretary Ross said in his congratulatory letter to the Company announcing its selection as an award recipient.

The event in Pittsburgh will consist of remarks by Lyn Doverspike, Director of U.S. Commercial Service-Pittsburgh, followed by a presentation of Congressional and Senate citations. Additionally, FNB's Head of International Banking Services, Yenner Karto, will provide a global market trade update and an educational overview of FNB's robust international capabilities.

"We are extremely proud to receive the "E" Award and to see our dedicated International Banking Services group recognized for the global opportunities and job growth they have made possible for our clients and communities," said Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of F.N.B. Corporation and First National Bank. "This honor reflects the successful efforts of Yenner Karto and his team to build out the differentiated capabilities necessary to ensure that our clients are successful in exporting their goods and services."

In conjunction with this recognition, educational sessions about FNB's international banking expertise and the global market outlook will be held throughout the Bank's multi-state footprint. Information regarding these sessions will be distributed regionally.

FNB provides a comprehensive suite of international banking products and services, including global trade solutions, trade finance, global treasury, risk management and foreign exchange. Examples of the solutions available to clients include FNB-FXOnline, a proprietary, state-of-the-art foreign exchange platform, FNB's SWIFT capability and an extensive network of correspondent banks maintained in international markets. Additionally, FNB provides more efficient access to international financing through its status as a Delegated Lender under the Export-Import Bank of the United States working capital program.

About F.N.B. Corporation

F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in eight states. FNB holds a significant retail deposit market share in attractive markets including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; and Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina. The Company has total assets of $32 billion, and more than 400 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The Company also operates Regency Finance Company, which has more than 75 consumer finance offices in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.

FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB's wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.

The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNB" and is included in Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com.

SOURCE F.N.B. Corporation

Related Links

http://www.fnbcorporation.com

LAS VEGAS, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- United Aqua Group (UAG), the nation's 55-year-old and largest buying group, is pleased to welcome Bill Whitehurst to its growing team. "Bill's proven success, formerly as President of Pentair's Pool & Spa business, makes him the perfect fit for UAG's future plans," said Pat Walls, CEO of the United Aqua Group.

Whitehurst's vision and leadership allowed PacFab/Pentair to acquire Purex, Compool, Rainbow Plastics, American Products, Stark, Kreepy Krauly, Letro, Sta-Rite Industries and others. Purchasing these companies allowed PacFab/Pentair to grow acquisitively and organically as a result of the acquisition synergies, becoming the dominant market leader in the industry today.

"Bill's track record of leadership and operational excellence makes him a welcome addition to UAG's mission," said Craig Goodson, VP of Sales and Business Development.

"I am delighted to join the UAG team," said Whitehurst. "I couldn't be more excited to bring what I've learned to the only company that has an unprecedented strategy to challenge the status quo."

About United Aqua Group

United Aqua Group is one of the nation's largest organizations dedicated to the professional pool construction, service and retail industry. The group is member-owned and comprised of individually-operated business owners that have been selectively qualified and are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, quality and service in the industry. United Aqua Group manages and operates Aquatech, Aqua Commercial, and Aqua Value, Aqua Supply, Aqua International which remain the trusted brands for residential and commercial pool design and construction and retail pool products. Headquartered in Las Vegas, United Aqua Group has more than 270 members in 46 states across the country and Canada and is widely recognized as the most prestigious and trusted organization in the industry. For more information, please visit http://www.discoveruag.com.

United Aqua Group, Aquatech, Aqua Commercial, Aqua Supply and AquaValue are trademarks of Aquatech Corporation in the United States.

SOURCE United Aqua Group

Related Links

http://www.discoveruag.com

ATLANTA, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- FotoIN Mobile Corporation (FotoIN), today announced that its patented photo documentation solution can now automatically name photos in the field per Xactimate naming specification (or any other file naming convention). Completely removing all manual steps and any typing of photo names or descriptions in the field, users save more than 75 percent of the time.

FotoIN's patented Photo Documentation System's configurable and automated naming conventions now support naming convention for Xactimate.

Automatically named photos are also automatically synced and filed to customers' existing storage repositories, cloud or in-house, and for easy use in Xactimate. Xactimate is the industry's most powerful and comprehensive solution for property claims estimation.

Photo documentation with FotoIN is fully automated with customers' systems and all the key data is also embedded in the photos and easily searchable later as well as extremely easy to use in any type of field reports.

Sly Barisic, CEO and co-founder of FotoIN, commented: "By adding ability to use configurable photo tags within FotoIN's configurable automated naming convention feature, our existing and future customers from Restoration and Insurance industry get the final touch needed to fully automate file naming and descriptions for use in Xactimate and any other system that requires specific naming convention. Productivity and efficiency through automation with technology is now a clear priority for restoration contractors, large insurance companies as well as contractor platforms like Contractor Connection that is having its annual convention this week in Indianapolis."

About FotoIN Mobile Corporation

FotoIN Mobile Corporation (FotoIN) is the leading provider of business photo documentation solutions, with patented end-to-end, best-in-class field photo documentation and reporting technology that is easy, actionable and open. Field users just snap and tag photos and reports, and FotoIN takes care of the rest, including automated filing to customers' existing storage, project management and other systems directly from the field. FotoIN delivers significant cost savings through reduced dispute resolution costs and increased productivity and efficiency across the organization in field-heavy industries including Restoration, Construction, Engineering, Insurance and Property Management. Used by AECOM Tishman, ATI Restoration and Regency Centers, FotoIN has also been recognized for its innovative solution by the Technology Association of Georgia. The mobile app is available for download in Apple's App Store and on Google Play.

For more information, visit www.fotoin.com.



For more information about Contractor Connection, please visit https://www.contractorconnection.com/.

SOURCE FotoIN Mobile Corporation

Related Links

http://www.fotoin.com

JUNO BEACH, Fla., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Florida Public Service Commission today approved Florida Power & Light Company's proposed purchase of the City of Vero Beach's electric utility, marking the final step in a nearly decade-long process. With today's approval, FPL is on track to welcome the City's approximately 35,000 customers into its system on Oct. 1, 2018.

Vero Beach electric system customers should see immediate rate reductions as FPL customers while the purchase is expected to produce long-term savings of more than $100 million for FPL's existing customers.

"Eight years ago, the City of Vero Beach asked us to consider buying their system in the hopes of reducing the cost of electricity for its residents. Since that time, we have worked with the City, state and federal regulators, the Orlando Utilities Commission, the Florida Municipal Power Agency, 19 cities and many other stakeholders to make this a reality," said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL. "We are thrilled to reach the final step in a very long process, and we look forward to welcoming 35,000 new customers into the FPL family this fall."

"Four years ago, I first ran on a platform promise to work hard to help deliver the sale of Vero Electric to FPL. Thanks to the diligence of so many and the patience of our great partner, Florida Power & Light, I was able to keep that promise," said Harry Howle, mayor of the City of Vero Beach.

In 2009, the City of Vero Beach asked FPL to explore a potential purchase of its electric system with the goal of lowering rates for its customers. FPL and the City worked together over the years that followed to develop a solution that would bring FPL's lower rates, high reliability and clean energy to the City's electric system customers without negatively impacting FPL's existing customers.

Last fall, the Vero Beach City Council approved a $185 million agreement that allows the City to exit its contractual obligations, pay off its existing debt and receive a cash payment, while ensuring that FPL's existing customers also benefit.

"Today, a decade of hard work came to fruition, and we're lucky to now have FPL as our power provider," said Bob Solari, vice chairman of the Indian River County Commission. "Private sector ingenuity always trumps the public sector's best solutions."

"This is a win-win for us. It's a win for the residents of Vero Beach, and a win for the Indian River County customers living outside city limits," said Indian River County Commissioner Tim Zorc. "With this decade-long dispute behind us, our community can now look forward to reaping the benefits of this deal."

In addition to the state regulatory review, FPL and the City overcame numerous hurdles and secured numerous other approvals and agreements that were necessary to move forward. Key milestones included:

Two separate City-wide elections were held in which voters overwhelmingly approved ballot questions related to the transaction.

The Orlando Utilities Commission, Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) and 19 of FMPA's member cities signed off on agreements to resolve City's existing wholesale power contracts

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission examined components of the transaction and determined the proposal to be consistent with the public interest.

"Today's PSC action brings to conclusion nearly a decade of work by myself and countless other community leaders to lower electric rates, improve reliability and restore equity for all customers throughout Indian River County," said State Senator Debbie Mayfield.

With today's approval, FPL will continue to work closely with the City to integrate the two systems. Currently, the target closing date for the purchase is Oct. 1, 2018, at which time the City's 35,000 customers, electric system assets and employees will officially become part of FPL's system.

"Local residents and business owners have been awaiting this sale for years. It's nice to know that the FPL rates and service we've been hoping for are finally coming our way," said Jeff Thompson, Vero Beach resident and local business owner.

While the prices of almost all products and services have risen in recent years, FPL's typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill has remained very low. In fact, FPL's typical bill is lower today than it was more than 10 years ago, about 20 percent lower than the City of Vero Beach, and about 30 percent lower than the national average.

Also, FPL provides award-winning customer service and, in 2017, reduced outage time for customers to its lowest level ever. In addition, FPL's carbon emissions rate is about 30 percent cleaner than the industry average.

Florida Power & Light Company

Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving nearly 5 million customer accounts or an estimated 10 million+ people across nearly half of the state of Florida. FPL's typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30 percent lower than the latest national average and among the lowest in the U.S. FPL's service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all utilities nationwide. The company was recognized in 2017 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Market Strategies International for the fourth consecutive year. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,700 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, and has been ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune's 2018 list of "World's Most Admired Companies." NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

SOURCE Florida Power & Light Company

Related Links

http://www.fpl.com

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fracta, Inc., a technology innovator Bringing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Infrastructure, will unveil its new brand identity and the latest version of its revolutionary water main condition assessment software at the 2018 American Water Works Association (AWWA) Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE) at Mandalay Bay Resorts and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

Fracta is capturing the attention of the US water industry with its digital condition assessment solution that uses Artificial Intelligence to determine the Likelihood of Failure (LOF) of drinking water mains. Public and investor-owned utilities are spending millions on water main rehabilitation and replacement programs. They want to make sure they are spending their capital as efficiently as possible to prevent expensive breaks and avoid rate increases. Fracta offers utilities and the engineering community another tool to help them do just that.

"We partnered with Fracta because they are working to identify the parameters unique to our agency for proactive pipe replacement," said Patrick Walter, General Manager of Purissima Hills Water District. "We will be able to leverage Fracta's innovation and a progressive approach to optimize our future CIP expenditures "

Fracta will be an exhibitor at the AWWA ACE18 conference. Their team will be at Booth #28058. As a participant in the Imagine H20 2018 Accelerator, Fracta will also have a presence in the Innovation Lounge.

About Fracta, Inc.

Fracta's flagship offering is a Software as a Service (SaaS) application that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assess the condition of drinking water distribution mains. Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in condition assessments as part of a proper infrastructure asset management program will contribute to the reduction of the economic impacts incurred from water main breaks and help water utilities more efficiently allocate and spend their capital investments. For more information, visit http://www.fracta.ai

SOURCE Fracta, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.fracta.ai

Latest I/O Innovation drives modular design trend for smart phone, IoT, Industrial and Automotive applications

PORTLAND, Ore. and TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresco Logic, a leading developer of high-speed connectivity ICs and solutions, today announced the availability of F-One Multi-Protocol Signal Aggregation Technology with its first generation FL6100 series of Silicon. FL6100 family chips including FL6101 and FL6102. The chips have already been deployed in projects at multiple Mobile phone companies and industrial customers. The petite but potent chip is currently offered in a 4x4 QFN package with a much smaller WLCSP package to follow next quarter. The chips and other products of Fresco Logic will be showcased at Computex Taipei 2018.

System designers continue to ask for more and more features from technology platforms, while mobile form factors and market trend are pushing designs to be more modular. These modular designs generate a need for a wide variety of interconnects for both data and control. The interconnect needs to be simple, reliable, cost-effective, and support slim and sleek industrial design

Fresco Logic's F-One technology, a family of highly-integrated aggregation controllers that can be used to flexibly and dynamically aggregate a variety of protocols into a single F-One serial channel, has wide application to multi-sensor environments, industrial IoT, networking security, automotive wire reduction, mobile device accessories.

F-One standardize and simplify the connection between modules in phone accessories, and industrial robot and various smart devices; In industrial IoT application, multiple edge sensors that connect to F-One chip which can detect any uninvited invasion across IoT networks, and collect status awareness of each node. F-One signal aggregation technology can reduce and organize the mess of the wires to drastically improve automobile harness and reliability.

"Traditional aggregation is homogeneous, supporting multiple channels of single protocol. Some others offer specialized functionality, audio plus a control channel, video plus remote control, designed to a particular static requirement but these tend to be expensive. None of these offer F-One's dynamically configured multi-protocol aggregation," said Jing-fan Zhang, CEO of Fresco Logic. "F-One is a media agonistic approach that can provide a single channel interconnect that accommodates all of my low-speed signaling needs without routing a bunch of dedicated wires and without re-architecting the I/O subsystem."

"The landscape of device interconnectivity and I/O is changing dramatically," said Eric Almgren, CEO of Keyssa Inc. "Fresco's signal aggregation technology, combined with Keyssa's contactless connector, offers OEMs entirely new ways to connect devices and design products. We are seeing market demand for our combined solution in applications such as mobile, modular computing, and docking, where multiple protocols need to move seamlessly from one device to another and current connector technology simply doesn't work."

Fresco Logic F-One FL6100 series support the following features:

Transport-Agnostic Aggregation Channel



Half Duplex (1 wire)



Full Duplex (2 wire)



On-chip or external transceiver option



Dedicated support for :



: Display Port AUX Channel/HPD



I2C



SPI



Flexible I/O supports aggregation of:



of: Serial Ports/I2S/SMBus/PS2



GPIOs (buttons/LEDs)



Many other standard and proprietary protocols



Ability to manage latency and jitter per I/O



Integrated MCU option

Native Support for Keyssa KSSS104 60GHz Millimeter wave contactless connector

FL6100 Series is sampling to early adopter customers now, and will be available to the general market in Q3 2018. The Chongqing R&D center of Fresco Logic will provide design support for customers in China.

For more information regarding Fresco Logic Products, please visit the company's demonstration at Computex Taipei 2018 in the W Hotel Taipei, or contact [email protected], [email protected].

About Fresco Logic

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Fresco Logic was founded by a team of technical experts from Intel and Synopsys. Fresco Logic is a market leader in providing advanced I/O silicon solutions that deliver highly efficient connectivity such as F-One Aggregation, GoExtreme USB 3.1, USB Type-C, Power Delivery and USB Video for next-generation consumer electronics, mobile devices, IoT and industrial applications. Billions of Fresco Logic USB3.0 ports have been deployed to the market today.

Media Contact:

Bruce Cheng

[email protected]

+886-937-872-585

SOURCE Fresco Logic Inc.VANCOUVER, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Friday Night Inc. (the Company or Friday Night) (CSE: TGIF) (FWB: 1QF) (OTCQB: TGIFF) a leading cannabis, hemp and CBD producer in Nevada, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Infused MFG ("Infused") has signed a 12-month licensing agreement (the "Agreement") with Denver Dab Company ("DDC") to produce the Company's line of products in the state of Colorado.

Under the terms of the Agreement, DDC will manufacture and distribute Infused's Canna Hemp CBD and hemp-based products on an exclusive basis to retail cannabis dispensaries in Colorado. Infused retains the right to sell its products directly to general retail stores in that State. DDC will manufacture Canna Hemp branded products including: CBD Relief Cream, body lotions, lip balms, disposable Vape Pens, Vape Cartridges, Elixirs and Capsules as well as Canna Hemp Paws pet products.

Well-known for its superior processing and testing standards, DDC is a producer of high quality concentrates and pure cannabis oil for the medical and recreational markets across Colorado. Since the state legalized industrial hemp production for commercial purposes in 2012, Colorado now accounts for more than half of the hemp production in the United States and represents a potential large revenue opportunity for Friday Night.

Chris Rebentisch, President and CEO of Infused said, "We are pleased to penetrate the most mature legalized cannabis market in the United States. Colorado boasts 518 licensed dispensaries and legal cannabis sales reached $1.5 billion in 2017, making the State the largest cannabis market in the US next to California." He added, "DDC has set the standard in Colorado as their quality of extracts is unmatched. I believe that we could not have partnered with a better company".

Mr. Drew Mattison, Founder and President of DDC remarked, "On behalf of the entire team at Denver Dab Company, we are thrilled to be teaming up with Infused and Friday Night Inc. We look forward to partnering with such a strong and well-branded company, in not only bringing the Canna-Hemp brand to Colorado, but furthering Canna-Hemp's dominance through the infusion of Denver Dab Co's premium THC extracts."

About Denver Dab Company

Founded in 2016, Denver Dab Company is a leading concentrate producer in the State of Colorado. Denver Dab Company's mission is to provide the most pure, highest quality concentrates, while also empowering the consumer with knowledge of the significant medical benefits of Cannabis. Denver Dab Company is an industry leader for quality and testing standards. Denver Dab Company is widely recognized as the cleanest, highest quality concentrate company in all of Colorado.

About Friday Night Inc.

Friday Night Inc. is a Canadian public company, which owns and controls cannabis and hemp-based assets in Las Vegas Nevada as well as an international cannabis and mining security logistics consulting firm. The Company owns 91% of Alternative Medicine Association, LC (AMA), a licensed medical and adult-use cannabis cultivation and production facility that produces its own line of unique cannabis-based products and manufactures other third-party brands. Infused MFG, also a 91% owned subsidiary, produces hemp-based, CBD products, thoughtfully crafted of high quality organic botanical ingredients. The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Spire Secure Logistics is a leading provider of customized security programs, compliance, information technology, buildout design, and due diligence services for the legal cannabis, mining and investment sectors. Friday Night Inc. is focused on strengthening and expanding its current operations.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents, which can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. Friday Night undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Friday Night Inc.LAS VEGAS, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

What: Las Vegas-based gaming technology manufacturer Gaming Arts is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the expansion of its Las Vegas technology and innovation campus and its commitment to Nevada jobs and innovation.

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and Clark County Commission Chair Steve Sisolak will be on hand for a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and a hospitality reception in front of the Company's Las Vegas campus.

Founded in Las Vegas in 2009, Gaming Arts has transformed the world of bingo and keno and is now setting its sights on reinventing the casino floor through its end-to-end portfolio of games and solutions.

Why: Gaming Arts, the world leader in bingo and keno games and technology, is expanding its extensive product library to include electronic gaming machines. To continue the Company's growth and facilitate its focus on developing cutting-edge video slot games, Gaming Arts has doubled the square footage of its Las Vegas facilities located in the Hughes Airport Center near McCarran International Airport and has increased its workforce by 60 percent over the last year.

Who: Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, Clark County Commission Chair Steve Sisolak, Gaming Arts Founder and Chief Executive Officer David Colvin, and Gaming Arts President Mike Dreitzer will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate Gaming Arts' growth and commitment to jobs and innovation in Nevada.

When: 2 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2018.

Where: Gaming Arts Las Vegas Campus; 323 Orville Wright Ct.; Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Who Should Attend: All members of the media are invited to attend.

Media Contact: Jean Venneman, Chief Commercial Officer of Gaming Arts; 702.818.8943 or [email protected].

About Gaming Arts

Gaming Arts, LLC, a privately owned and operated business headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the world leader in bingo and keno games and technology and is now entering the electronic gaming machine market with some of the world's most innovative slot games. Gaming Arts holds gaming licenses in approximately 70 jurisdictions, and its games and systems are installed in hundreds of casinos and bingo halls across the United States, the Pacific Rim, and South Africa. To learn more, visit www.gamingarts.com or call 702.818.8943.

SOURCE Gaming Arts, LLC

Related Links

http://www.gamingarts.com

DUBLIN, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Global Genetic Testing Market Outlook 2018-2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report Global Genetic Testing Market Outlook 2022 provides a detailed analysis of the genetic testing market. The report also provides an insight regarding the current and future prospective of the market. This report covers the major trends and drivers, and their impact on the market. The report also discusses some of the restraints that can hinder the growth of the market, as well as rising opportunities which can provide new dimensions to the industry.

The advent of genetic tests has revolutionized the molecular diagnostics and cytogenetic industry. It is one of the most rapidly growing segments in molecular diagnostics industry, which helps in delivering customized health services or personalized medicine. The share of genetic testing is incessantly increasing in the market. Growing awareness about genetic testing, technological advances in genetic sequencing, and rising incidences of genetic diseases especially cancer are some of the major factors propelling the genetic testing market.



Based on application, the genetic testing market is divided into Diagnostic Testing, Newborn Screening, Prenatal Testing, Carrier Screening, and Others. Diagnostic testing and Newborn screening are the major application areas of genetic testing industry. The large shares of these applications can be attributed to presence of huge players in the segment, and to rising number of genetic tests performed for this purpose. The Carrier Testing market is expected to witness the highest growth during 2017-2022. This growth is likely to be driven by the huge population opting for carrier screening of cystic fibrosis, exhibiting unprecedented rise in the US. The report provides current and forecasted market for each of the application areas of Genetic Testing.



The major disease profiles/conditions for which Genetic Testing is used include Alzheimer's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Cancer, Down Syndrome, and Others. Cancer accounts for largest share amongst the diseases for which genetic testing is done. This large share can be attributed to the rising prevalence of cancer, which is expected to increase as the global population ages. Approximately 75-80% of all cancers are diagnosed in people aged 55 or older, and this pattern is expected to increase by 2020. The report provides current and forecasted market for each of the genetic conditions of Genetic Testing.



Moreover, the report also contains markets for the major regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America contributes the largest share in the global genetic testing market, followed by Europe. Presence of major players, increased awareness and higher disposable income, are some of the prominent factors that have led to North America being the market leader. The Asia-Pacific market is expected to witness the highest growth during 2017-2022. The major reasons for the high growth are the increasing per capita income and gradual development of healthcare sector in countries, such as India and China. North America and Europe are expected to grow at modest rate due to launch of new and innovative products in these markets.



The company profiles segment in this report is entirely devoted to profiling leading companies of the genetic testing industry including some major players like Abbott Laboratories, Roche Diagnostics, Myriad Genetics, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Hologic, Inc., Cepheid, Agilent Technologies and QIAGEN.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Analyst View



2. Research Methodology



3. Genetic Testing Overview

3.1 Applications and Advantages

3.2 Methods

3.3 Genetic Testing Laboratories - Unmet Need Analysis



4. Industry Overview

4.1 Drivers

4.1.1 Rising Incidence of Chronic Diseases

4.1.2 Growth in Ageing Population

4.1.3 Increasing Government Initiatives

4.1.4 Rising Investments in Genetic Testing Market

4.1.5 Incessant Launch of New Genetic Tests

4.2 Challenges

4.2.1 Low Awareness for Genetic Testing in Developing Countries

4.2.2 High Cost of Genetic Tests

4.2.3 Varying Reimbursement Policies

4.2.4 Ethical and Policy Issues

4.3 Opportunities

4.3.1 Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)

4.3.2 Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)

4.3.3 Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) for Cancer

4.3.4 Personalized Medicine

4.4 Trends

4.4.1 Genetic Testing in Oncology: Gaining Momentum

4.4.2 Strong Demand for Pharmacogenomics

4.4.3 At-Home DNA Tests or Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Tests



5. Global Genetic Testing Market Outlook



6. Global Genetic Testing Market by Application

6.1 Carrier Testing

6.2 Diagnostic Testing

6.3 New Born Screening

6.4 Predictive & Pre-Symptomatic Testing

6.5 Prenatal Testing

6.6 Others



7. Global Genetic Testing Market by Disease

7.1 Alzheimer's Disease

7.2 Cystic Fibrosis

7.3 Cancer

7.4 Down Syndrome

7.5 Others



8. Global Genetic Testing Market by Geography

8.1 North America

8.2 Europe

8.3 Asia Pacific

8.4 Rest of the World (RoW)



9. Genetic Testing Regulations



10. Mergers & Acquisitions



11. Company Profiles (Overview, Product Offering, Financials, Developments, Strength & Weakness)

11.1 Abbott Laboratories

11.2 Roche Diagnostics

11.3 Myriad Genetics, Inc.

11.4 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

11.5 Agilent Technologies, Inc.

11.6 Hologic, Inc.

11.7 Illumina, Inc.

11.8 QIAGEN N.V.

11.9 Cepheid

11.10 Quest Diagnostics



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/h9dn6m/global_genetic?w=5



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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[email protected]



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SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenPath Financial Wellness and EarnUp have created a one-of-a-kind for profit/nonprofit fintech partnership designed to support the goal of bringing Americans out of debt. The report, Building Successful Nonprofit-Fintech Partnerships (i.earnup.com/2GzxzXO) offers a "how to" for other organizations that wish to launch similar efforts.

GreenPath Financial Wellness is one of the country's largest non-profit financial counseling organizations, and EarnUp is a financial technology (fintech) company that makes it easier for people to manage and pay down debt.

Over the past year, EarnUp and GreenPath built a partnership focused on their commitment to help struggling consumers get out of debt and build financial health. The report outlines the key learnings on partnering and what both GreenPath and EarnUp have discovered from working together to deliver transformative consumer impact through nonprofit-fintech partnership.

The resulting report, and much of the prototyping work with EarnUp was supported by a grant from the Financial Solutions Lab (FinLab), a $30 million, five-year initiative managed by the Center for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI) with founding Lab partner JPMorgan Chase & Co. The Lab seeks to identify, test and bring to scale promising innovations that help people in America increase savings, improve credit, and build assets.

Kristen Holt, President and CEO of GreenPath, says, "Our partnership with EarnUp has been a great success, and we want to share our learnings so more of these collaborations can take place. We believe that everyone deserves the chance to pursue their own dreams, and partnerships like ours with EarnUp deliver financial wellness and give people power, strength, and independence to lead the lives they want."

GreenPath already serves over 200,000 households annually and EarnUp's technology platform helps Americans manage over $1,000,000,000 in loans. Their work together as two socially-driven organizations centers on supporting more people, faster.

"We're a mission-driven company dedicated to helping people get out of debt, and we are grateful to align on a mission-based non-profit initiative," says EarnUp President and Co-Founder Nadim Homsany. "There are over 200 million indebted Americans and we are excited to be working with GreenPath to pioneer new products and services for underserved communities."

By working together and sharing results, EarnUp, GreenPath, and additional groups can continue to build relationships among fintech companies, non-profits organizations, for-profit companies, and consumers.

For more information about GreenPath, please visit www.GreenPath.org. For more information about EarnUp, please visit: www.EarnUp.com.

About EarnUp

EarnUp is a Forbes Fintech 50 winner offering a consumer-first platform that intelligently automates loan payments and identifies earning opportunities for the 200 million indebted Americans. EarnUp puts a few dollars aside for loans when consumers can afford it  then makes timely payments to help consumers get out of debt faster. Based in San Francisco, EarnUp is backed by prominent venture capital firms SignalFire, Blumberg Capital, Kapor Capital, Correlation Ventures, Camp One Ventures, and Fenway Summer Ventures, plus other leading angels and entrepreneurs. EarnUp is a winner of the prestigious Financial Solutions Lab, managed by the Center for Financial Services Innovation in partnership with JPMorgan Chase & Co. For more information, visit www.EarnUp.com, email [email protected], and follow on Twitter @EarnUp.

About GreenPath Financial Wellness

GreenPath is a national non-profit organization that provides financial counseling, education and products to empower people to lead financially healthy lives. In working directly with individuals, and through partnerships with other organizations, GreenPath aims to remix the American dream so it works for everyone. Headquartered in Michigan, GreenPath has nearly 500 employees and operates about 65 branch offices in 22 states. GreenPath is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). For more information, visit greenpath.org.

SOURCE EarnUp

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MIDDLETOWN, Conn., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC ("Greenskies"), a Clean Focus Company, completed the installation of a solar array in Alden, New York comprised of 7,939 solar photovoltaic panels. This project will provide clean, renewable energy for Erie County, located in western New York.

The ground-mounted solar array, built on an unused tract of land owned by Erie County, went on-line May 25, 2018.

The power produced from the solar array will power Erie County under a 20-year PPA, benefiting Erie County buildings with clean, renewable energy and lower energy bills. Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC ("Greenskies") will maintain the solar arrays, and Clean Focus Yield Limited will operate the system as part of its large portfolio of commercial, industrial, small utility, and community solar projects.

"In 2017, in the absence of leadership on the federal level, Erie County decided to lead by signing on to the Paris Climate Agreement," stated Jonathan Rivera, Special Assistant to the Commissioner Erie County, Department of Public Works. "The Alden Solar array project, along with various other initiatives, will ensure that Erie County will surpass its clean energy goal which is to procure 100% of the electric power used for its own operations from renewable sources by 2030."

The solar array is expected to produce 3,101,631 kWh of clean energy annually, which could power 249 homes or offset the environmental impact of 259,737 gallons of gasoline or nearly 494 cars each year.

"Greenskies is pleased to work with Erie County to achieve its sustainability goals," stated Stanley Chin, President and CEO of Greenskies and Clean Focus group. "The solar array in Alden, New York complements our large portfolio of municipal and small-utility solar projects. We look forward to a long relationship with Erie County over the lifetime of the project."

Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC, a Clean Focus company develops, constructs, and maintains clean, renewable-energy projects in the United States. Greenskies ensures that its customized solar solutions operate at peak performance and deliver maximum savings to its clients.

www.greenskies.com

The Clean Focus group of companies originates, develops, finances, constructs, owns, and operates renewable-energy projects in the United States, Taiwan, and China. Clean Focus Yield owns and operates clean, renewable-energy projects in commercial, industrial, small-utility, and community solar. Our projects pass strict technical and credit criteria to ensure steady cash flows and attractive dividends for our investors.

www.cleanfocus.com

SOURCE Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC

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SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Gryphon Investors ("Gryphon"), a San Francisco-based private equity firm, today announced that it has acquired Shermco Industries ("Shermco" or "the Company"), the leading independent provider of electrical testing, maintenance, and repair services in North America, from funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.'s Power Opportunities Group. CEO Ron Widup and other members of Shermco's management team have retained a significant ownership position in the Company and will continue to lead Shermco. Former Entergy senior executive and Gryphon advisor Bill Mohl will become Chairman of Shermco. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, Shermco provides electrical testing, maintenance, commissioning, and repair services to a wide range of utility, industrial, energy, and other end markets across North America. With more than 400 NETA (InterNational Electrical Testing Association) technicians and more than 90 utility protection & control ("P&C") technicians, Shermco serves a diversified blue-chip customer base throughout the U.S.

Alex Earls, Partner and head of the Business Services Group at Gryphon, said, "Shermco fits squarely within Gryphon's strategy of acquiring growing, differentiated market leaders in industries with attractive long-term fundamentals. Ron and his management team have built a first class business and we are excited to partner with them to support the Company's continued growth both organically and through acquisitions."

Phil Petrocelli, a Partner in Gryphon's Operations Resources Group, added, "We have been extremely impressed by Shermco's strong track record of hiring and developing its technicians and engineers while building a strong safety culture to protect them. We are highly enthusiastic about partnering with Ron and his team to accelerate the Company's growth through a number of strategic initiatives."

Gryphon's current and past investments in the engineering services and industrial services sectors include JENSEN HUGHES, the global leader of fire protection engineering services; HEPACO, a leading provider of specialized environmental services on both an emergency and planned basis; and Trinity Consultants, the leading provider of air quality compliance services.

Tim Bradley, a Principal in Gryphon's Business Services Group, added, "Shermco has built a leading market position over time and we are excited about the many opportunities to further accelerate growth and expand its services to better serve its customers."

Mr. Widup stated, "We are excited to partner with Gryphon as we continue to execute our shared growth initiatives through geographic expansion, servicing national accounts, and continuing our acquisition strategies. We believe that Gryphon brings significant resources and relevant sector expertise to support these efforts."

KeyBanc Capital Markets served as the lead financial advisor to Gryphon and Harris Williams & Company acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Shermco. Ropes & Gray acted as the legal advisor to Gryphon and Kirkland & Ellis acted as the legal advisor to Shermco.

About Shermco

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Shermco provides electrical testing, maintenance, commissioning, and repair services to a wide range of utility, industrial, energy, and other end markets. With more than 20 locations, Shermco serves a diversified blue-chip customer base across North America. The Company is an active participant in the InterNational Electrical Testing Association, Electrical Apparatus Service Association, and American Wind Energy Association. For more information, please visit www.shermco.com.

About Gryphon Investors

Based in San Francisco, Gryphon Investors (www.gryphoninvestors.com) is a leading private equity firm focused on profitably growing and competitively enhancing middle-market companies in partnership with experienced management. For 23 consecutive quarters, Gryphon has been ranked in Preqin's prestigious quarterly PE report as one of North America's top-decile buyout firms based on consistency of strong investment returns. Managing over $4 billion of equity investments and capital since 1997, the firm has an extensive track record of leading equity investments of $50 million to $200 million per portfolio company with sales ranging from approximately $100 million to $500 million. Gryphon prioritizes investment opportunities where it can form proactive partnerships with owners and executives to build leading companies, utilizing Gryphon's capital, specialized professional resources, and operational expertise. Gryphon closed its fourth private equity buyout fund, Gryphon IV, L.P., in November 2016 at $1.1 billion, and raised a $100 million captive mezzanine fund, Gryphon Mezzanine Partners, L.P., in August 2017.

Contact:

Caroline Luz

Owen Blicksilver Public Relations, Inc.

203-656-2829

[email protected]

SOURCE Gryphon Investors

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WILKES-BARRE, Pa., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- GWC Warranty, the best-in-class provider of used vehicle service contracts sold through automotive dealers, has announced several additions to its sales leadership team.

Five newly created Regional Sales Manager (RSM) positions were created to enhance an already robust GWC Warranty sales team by adding more than 100 years of combined experience in sales and the automotive industry.

"The GWC Warranty sales team is an integral part of maintaining successful partnerships with dealerships across the United States," said GWC Warranty CEO & President Rob Glander. "In adding such experienced and talented sales professionals to our sales leadership team, we are confident our dealer partners will be the direct beneficiaries of an even greater level of strategic service aimed at helping them improve their businesses with a best-in-class vehicle service contract offering."

Brian Francis, who was hired as a Business Development Specialist in July 2017, was promoted to GWC's Midwest RSM position, overseeing GWC's sales team in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and the surrounding midwest states. His career spans more than 20 years in various positions with dealerships and F&I product providers.

Chancler Encalade joins GWC as the RSM for the company's South-Central region, overseeing a team in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and other territories in the central United States. A University of New Orleans graduate, Encalade has spent nearly 25 years working in leadership positions at large dealerships and national lenders like Capital One and HSBC.

Scott Lugger, GWC's new RSM for the Western region, manages a team in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and additional territories in the Western United States. Lugger graduated from the University of Oregon prior to spending more than two decades in the automotive industry, including stints with Chrysler Financial and Wells Fargo Dealer Services.

Charlie Maybin becomes the RSM for GWC's Northeast region, inheriting a team from Delaware, Maryland, New England, New York and Pennsylvania. Maybin most recently spent six years with Gateway One Lending & Finance, following a successful career in pharmaceutical and automotive sales. He is a graduate of Kean University.

Mark Whatley has been hired as the RSM for GWC's Southeast region, which covers much of the Southeastern United States, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina Tennessee and Virginia. Whatley graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock prior to nearly two decades in the automotive finance field.

About GWC Warranty

Established in 1995, GWC Warranty is the largest, best-in-class provider of used vehicle service contracts in the automotive industry, having helped bring a "No Worries, Just Drive" experience to more than 1.5 million drivers nationwide. Named a Motor Trend Recommended Best Buy for Independent Dealers and rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, GWC Warranty is committed to providing its dealer partners with service, products, training and technology to make them more successful. Along with Georgia-based EasyCare, GWC Warranty is part of APCO Holdings, whose majority shareholder is Toronto-based Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, Canada's largest single-profession pension plan with over $130 billion in net assets. For more information about GWC Warranty please visit www.GWCwarranty.com.

SOURCE GWC Warranty

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TEL AVIV, Israel, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hailo, a company developing a proprietary chip for deep learning on edge devices, today announced the completion of a $12.5 million Series A round. The company's investors include Ourcrowd.com, Maniv Mobility, the Drive accelerator fund: Next Gear; as well as angel investors, Hailo Chairman Zohar Zisapel and Delek Motors CEO Gil Agmon. The company will use the funding to further develop its deep learning processor, which will deliver datacenter processing capacity to edge devices. This latest funding round brings the total raised to date by the Tel Aviv-based company to $16 million.

Hailo's breakthrough deep learning processor, whose initial samples are expected to enter the market in H1 2019, will be able to run embedded AI applications on edge devices that are installed in autonomous vehicles, drones, and smart home appliances such as personal assistants, smart cameras and smart TVs, alongside IoT, AR and VR platforms, wearables and security products. The Hailo processor radically reduces size, power and cost, making it suitable for local processing of high-resolution sensory data in real time.

The automotive industry, which is one of Hailo's key target markets, is undergoing a major disruption, rapidly adopting deep learning methods to enable advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving applications that require continuous sensing of surroundings. According to IC Insights, Integrated Circuits used in automobiles and other vehicles are expected to generate global sales of $42.9 billion in 2021, compared to $22.9 billion in 2016. Existing general-purpose processor infrastructure cannot efficiently run compute-intensive deep learning algorithms necessary for these applications.

"The 70-year old architecture of existing processors is inadequate to meet today's deep learning and AI processing needs," says Orr Danon, Hailo CEO. "Hailo is revolutionizing the underlying architecture of the processor to boost deep learning processing by several orders of magnitude. We have completely redesigned the pillars of computer architecture  memory, control and compute  and the relations between them."

Zohar Zisapel, Hailo Chairman, added: "In the last few years, we are witnessing a revolution in the automotive industry with the quick entry of new players and technologies into the market. The product that Hailo is developing is expected to be a key component in this revolution in which artificial intelligence is one of the building blocks."

Hailo's leadership team includes Orr Danon, CEO, Avi Baum, CTO, and Hadar Zeitlin, Chief Business Development Officer. Danon served in a top Israel Defense Forces technology unit and is a recipient of the Israel Defense Prize. Baum held several senior engineering management positions at Texas Instruments, including serving as CTO for the Wireless Connectivity Group. Zeitlin also served in the same IDF technology unit for nine years and was awarded the Chief of Staff Prize for technological excellence. Hailo's development team leaders include senior hardware and software engineers, many of whom served in top technology units in the IDF and worked for companies like Intel, Broadcom and Mellanox.

The company is currently collaborating with major players in the industry who are examining the use of its technology. Eli Nir, Senior Investment Partner at OurCrowd, stated: "We are convinced that the extensive need in the market, Hailo's breakthrough technology and unique team will allow Hailo to bring the deep learning revolution to edge devices."





PR contact:

Alon Mlievski | [email protected]

Meirovitch Public Relations | Tel. +972-77-2129988

Rachel Manor, Marketing & PR Manager | [email protected]

For press materials: Hailo Press Kit

SOURCE Hailo

Related Links

https://www.hailotech.com/

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED), has been selected to serve as the Executive Architect and Engineer for the new, consolidated hospital for McLaren Greater Lansing.

The hospital will be built adjacent to Michigan State University on a 39-acre greenfield site. The scope of this project will encompass the creation of a 500,000-square-foot, 240-bed medical center. The new facility is currently slated to be nine floors tall. It will bring more than 2,000 current system employees into one operational location.

"The opportunity to work with a top-notch client like McLaren, at this important moment of growth and change for their organization, is a perfect fit for the talented team in our Healthcare Studio. In a 'Design Assist' role alongside a highly talented construction and engineering team, our firm will be able to direct and influence the new campus' design, but will maintain a constant focus on constructability, cost management, and patient care  our collective first priority for this project," said David Jaeger, HED Principal and Studio Leader for the firm's Healthcare Design Studio.

Design began quickly in the last month, with the project slated to move from design into construction by the end of the year. It is currently slated for a 2021 opening. McLaren and HED will be launching a community input survey this month to gather feedback on the hospital's design, the health care delivery process, and offer an opportunity for residents of the region to make suggestions about the project.

"McLaren is excited to be working with such a talented design team to create a hospital that exceeds the expectations of clinicians and staff, improves safety, and transforms health care for patients and their families," said Daniel Medrano, Vice President of Facility Management for McLaren Health Care, a native and resident of Lansing.

More information about the project can be found at www.mclaren.org/redesignhealthcare.

ABOUT Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) Founded in 1908, HED seeks creative solutions that have a positive impact for its clients, the community, and the world. HED has earned a reputation for excellence in all facets of design, including architecture, consulting, engineering and planning services. The 300+-person firm serves clients in a broad range of market sectors including Healthcare, Workplace, Housing, Mixed-Use, Science + Technology, Higher Education and Pre K-12 + Community Education from offices in six U.S. locations. See how HED advances your world at www.hed.design.

Images available upon request.

Media Contact: Melanie Berger

(248) 262-1504 | [email protected]

SOURCE Harley Ellis Devereaux

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FORT MYERS, Fla., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is pleased to announce that Hematology/Oncology Clinic, the leading community oncology/hematology practice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has joined AON, an alliance of physicians and veteran healthcare leaders uniting to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. With this partnership and the practice's convenient locations in Baton Rouge, Hematology/Oncology Clinic is increasing its current services offered to cancer patients with enhanced technology and an expanded oral oncolytic outpatient pharmacy, pathology and central laboratory services and care management.

AON CEO, Bradley Prechtl, MBA, stated, "It is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Gerald Miletello, Dr. Christopher McCanless, Dr. Michael J. Castine, III and Dr. Pavani Ellipeddi and the entire Hematology/Oncology Clinic family to American Oncology Network. Hematology/Oncology Clinic's devotion to serving and supporting patients in Louisiana with expert cancer care in a community setting is truly inspiring."

AON Board Member, Dr. William Harwin, said, "Hematology/Oncology Clinic is a highly regarded practice that delivers exemplary care to its patients. With AON, the company's physician leadership will keep the autonomy to make the best decisions for their patients and staff, while they receive AON support for pharmaceutical purchasing strategies, human resources, revenue cycle, payer negotiations and technology."

Hematology/Oncology Clinic Senior Physician Dr. Gerald Miletello, said, "Hematology/Oncology Clinic is committed to expert cancer care for our patients here in Baton Rouge and in the surrounding areas. The move to join AON was done in the interest of our patients and the communities we serve. Joining with AON allows our physicians, clinicians and staff to continue focusing on treating patients while Hematology/Oncology Clinic enhances the services that we provide."

With a drive to help every American have access to exceptional cancer care, AON was founded by well-respected leaders in community oncology with decades of experience helping oncology practices to thrive by providing proven solutions.

About American Oncology Network, LLC: (AONcology.com)

Founded in 2017, American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. The executive management team of AON brings more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most . . . providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per-capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a Care Management Team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients' experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.

For More Information, Contact:

American Oncology Network, LLC

Shelly Glenn, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer  [email protected]

770.365.6168

About Hematology/Oncology Clinic: (www.hocbr.com)

As specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders and cancer, Hematology/Oncology Clinic's goal is to provide compassionate and supportive care. Doctor-patient relationships are based on mutual understanding. Our highly trained and extensively experienced clinical staff consists of Nurse Practitioners, Oncology Certified Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses. Our philosophy of hope, optimism and caring is also reflected in our office, insurance and business staff. The physicians at Hematology/Oncology Clinic include Dr. Gerald Miletello, Dr. Christopher McCanless, Dr. Michael J. Castine, III and Dr. Pavani Ellipeddi.

Related Links

American Oncology Network, LLC

SOURCE American Oncology Network, LLC

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The Karma Revero was awarded Green Car Journal's 2018 Luxury Green Car of the Year, boasting top performance, extended battery range, regenerative braking and luxury performance with the spirit of a GT. It delivers a timeless design powered by electricity, fuel, and the sun.

"The Holand team has done an incredible job with their new showroom," said Jim Taylor, Karma Automotive Chief Revenue Officer. "The new Karma display truly captures the essence of our brand and provides the Holand team with the tools they need to properly share the Karma story with luxury car buyers."

"Bringing together all these luxury brands including Karma under a single roof will present some exciting opportunities," says Gad Bitton, President & CEO at Holand Automotive Group. "For anyone who's passionate about exotic vehicles, this new showroom will be paradise!"

The new building will be inaugurated on June 6, 2018 as part of a three-day kickoff to the Montreal Grand Prix.

About Karma Automotive

Karma Automotive designs, engineers and assembles luxury electric vehicles in Southern California. For more information, visit www.karmaautomotive.com

SOURCE Karma Automotive

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CHICAGO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hub International Limited (Hub), a leading global insurance brokerage, announced today that it has acquired the shares of Flather & Perkins, Inc. (Flather & Perkins). Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., and founded in 1917, Flather & Perkins has a proven track record of expertly handling commercial and personal insurance for a wide variety of nationwide clients including museums, galleries, collections and fine arts dealers. Its brokers have earned the firm a strong reputation because of their in-depth knowledge and experience in this highly specialized field.

"The addition of Flather & Perkins further demonstrates Hub's commitment to industry specialization as we announced earlier this year with our Specialty practices," said Charles Brophy, President and CEO, Regional President, Hub International US East. "Not only does Flather & Perkins excel in the fine arts arena, the company is truly committed to providing unparalleled service, which is well-recognized by their clients."

Bruce Perkins, President of Flather & Perkins will join Hub Mid-Atlantic and report to Norman Breitenbach, President of Hub Mid-Atlantic.

"Our clients can continue to rely on our dedication to providing services that make a difference in their lives and have earned us a widely-respected reputation as an experienced, knowledgeable and hard-working insurance organization," said Perkins. "And they'll gain the added benefits and value from Hub's focus on carrier relationships, program verticals and client resources to ensure we offer our customers the best solutions specific to their business."

About Hub's M&A Activities

Hub International Limited is committed to growing organically and through acquisitions to expand its geographic footprint and strengthen industry and product expertise. For more information on the Hub M&A experience, visit WeAreHub.com.

About Hub International

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Hub International Limited (Hub) is a leading full-service global insurance broker providing property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits, investment and risk management products and services. From offices located throughout North America, HUB's vast network of specialists provides peace of mind on what matters most by protecting clients through unrelenting advocacy and tailored insurance solutions. For more information, please visit hubinternational.com.

CONTACT:

Media: Marni Gordon

Phone: 312-279-4601

[email protected]

M&A: Clark Wormer

Phone: 312.279.4848

[email protected]

SOURCE Hub International Limited

Related Links

http://hubinternational.com

LAS VEGAS, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A joint venture between Lennar Corporation, Shea Homes and Woodside Homes, today announced the acquisition of 630 acres of land in northwest Las Vegas. Lennar, the nation's leading homebuilder, is the managing partner. The joint venture plans to create a premiere master planned community of approximately 3,000 homesites. The transaction marks the largest Las Vegas land purchase in recent history. Anticipated to debut in 2021, the master planned community will provide a wide variety of homes including for rent apartments, attached condos, single-family homes, move-up homes, and age qualified residences all within an idyllic setting complemented by extensive amenities. Construction on community infrastructure is currently underway.

"We are excited to partner with Shea Homes and Woodside Homes to apply our thoughtful approach to community design to create a diverse and vibrant community on this unique parcel of land within this prestigious setting," said Joy Broddle, Las Vegas Division President for Lennar. "The limited supply and the shortage of affordable homesites in the northwest were all contributing factors to this strategic acquisition."

Recently named Homebuilder of the Year by Builder Magazine, Lennar plans to build its signature Everything's Included homes on approximately 50% of the homesites. Shea Homes and Woodside Homes will develop and build the remaining homesites.

With an earned reputation for expertise in age qualified design and lifestyle delivery, Shea Homes plans to build approximately 900 homes in an Active Adult community within the master plan under their nationally recognized Trilogy brand. Woodside Homes will apply its design-centric approach to create approximately 700 move-up homes within the master planned community. There is a natural synergy between Lennar, Shea and Woodside with an aligned focus on the customer experience, design innovation and green technology.

The future community will offer a highly-amenitized environment encompassing approximately 15 acres of parks and interconnected trail systems, adding to the robust recreational areas the Northwest has to offer, such as Mount Charleston and Lee Canyon.

Lennar recently announced that it teamed up with Amazon to transform select Lennar homes into Amazon Experience Centers, featuring the latest products and experiences set up by Amazon experts. Amazon products are included with your purchase of a Lennar home, which Lennar makes possible by providing the World's first Wi-Fi Certified home design. Amazon employees provide the activation and support for all the included devices, with a smart home support plan to personalize the new home experience.

Ms. Broddle concluded, "Lennar's future is exciting. We are constantly keeping our finger on the pulse of new trends in homebuilding with various initiatives that take the company to the next level of innovation. We look forward to implementing this approach to provide homebuyers within this new master plan an excellent customer experience."

About Trilogy by Shea Homes

Shea Homes is one of the largest private homebuilders in the nation. Since its founding in 1968, Shea Homes has built more than 100,000 homes. Shea Homes builds new homes in California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Washington, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia and Texas. Under its Trilogy brand resort communities for Active Adults and 55+ buyers, Shea is currently building in 14 locations nationally. Trilogy communities are designed to create an enriched lifestyle through exploring new interests and activities, overall wellness and connecting to a vibrant social life.

About Woodside Homes

Woodside Homes is dedicated to being "Better by Design," delivering an exceptional experience to every customer, and acting as a trustworthy, knowledgeable guide throughout the home buying process. According to Hanley Wood data, Woodside Homes is the 9th largest private homebuilder in the United States, with more than 43,000 new homes sold since inception.

About Lennar Corporation

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services for both buyers of Lennar's homes and others. Lennar's Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar's Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the "Investor Relations" section of Lennar's website, www.lennar.com.

SOURCE Lennar Corporation

Related Links

http://www.lennar.com

INDIANAPOLIS, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and TEConomy Partners released their bi-annual survey of the U.S. life sciences industry at the BIO International Convention in Boston today, highlighting Indiana as a national leader in life sciences sector employment, with sizeable employment and industry concentration in the areas of agriculture feedstock and chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, and medical devices and equipment. "Investment, Innovation and Job Creation in a Growing U.S. Bioscience Industry" report also identifies metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with significant life sciences activity, including seven Indiana cities: Bloomington, Evansville, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Michigan City, South Bend and Terre Haute. And, Indiana has three MSAs  with a significant concentration of life sciences activity in at least three of five industry categories. The Bloomington, Indianapolis, and Lafayette MSAs are cited as having some of the strongest industry performance in the U.S. Indianapolis and Lafayette are two of only eight cities in the U.S. with specialized concentration in four of the five subsectors.

Indiana's innovation and discovery strengths are also featured in the report. The state ranks ninth in the U.S. for bioscience-related patents granted (per 1 million population).

The report measures growth in the bioscience sector (Agricultural Feedstock and Chemicals, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices and Research, Testing and Medical Laboratories and Bioscience-related Distribution) from 2014 to 2016 for the entire country and each of the fifty states.

"Indiana's life sciences industry continues to be a national leader, especially when it comes to employment, industry concentration and patents," David L. Johnson, president and CEO of BioCrossroads, said. "This report showcases the sector's strength as a truly shared Indiana asset  from our large cities to our smaller communities and from research and development to manufacturing and distribution. The collaborative efforts by BioCrossroads, our companies, and academic institutions are what make our State unique and help fuel the advancement of the industry."

Bloomington MSA  Bloomington has been the number 1 small MSA (total private employment less than 75,000) in the Medical Devices and Equipment category for specialized employment concentration for the last three years. It is also ranked 20 th overall nationally for Medical Devices and Equipment. For small MSA Drugs and Pharmaceuticals employment, the city is the 6 th highest in the U.S. and moved up two spots from 2016 to 8th in the Bioscience-Related Distribution subsector. Overall, Bloomington has an employment specialization in three of the five industry subsectors (one of only 18 cities in the U.S. with that distinction).

 has been the number small MSA (total private employment less than 75,000) in the Medical Devices and Equipment category for specialized employment concentration for the last three years. It is also ranked overall nationally for Medical Devices and Equipment. For small MSA Drugs and Pharmaceuticals employment, the city is the highest in the U.S. and moved up two spots from 2016 to in the Bioscience-Related Distribution subsector. Overall, has an employment specialization in three of the five industry subsectors (one of only 18 cities in the U.S. with that distinction). Evansville MSA  The Evansville area climbed six spots and is now 9th in the medium MSAs (total private employment between 75,000 and 250,000) for Agricultural Feedstock and Chemicals.

 The area climbed six spots and is now in the medium MSAs (total private employment between 75,000 and 250,000) for Agricultural Feedstock and Chemicals. Indianapolis MSA  Indianapolis metro ranks is 5 th nationally for employment in Drugs and Pharmaceuticals and 2 nd in large MSAs (total private employment greater than 250,000) in specialized employment concentration. It ranks 4 th in the U.S. for employment in Agricultural Feedstock and Chemicals.

 metro ranks is nationally for employment in Drugs and Pharmaceuticals and in large MSAs (total private employment greater than 250,000) in specialized employment concentration. It ranks in the U.S. for employment in Agricultural Feedstock and Chemicals. Lafayette MSA  The Lafayette MSA has four subsectors with specialized employment concentration. It ranks 6th in the Agricultural Feedstock and Chemicals subsector for small MSAs. In the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals category, Lafayette is 13th ; and in Research, Testing and Medical Laboratories it moved up to 10 th from 13 th in the previous report.

 The Lafayette MSA has four subsectors with specialized employment concentration. It ranks in the Agricultural Feedstock and Chemicals subsector for small MSAs. In the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals category, is ; and in Research, Testing and Medical Laboratories it moved up to from 13 in the previous report. Michigan City-La Porte MSA  In the Medical Devices and Equipment subsector, is ranked 14 th in the small MSAs for employment concentration.

 In the Medical Devices and Equipment subsector, is ranked in the small MSAs for employment concentration. South Bend-Mishawaka MSA  For the Research, Testing and Medical Laboratories subsector, the South Bend area is 13 th in the medium MSA category.

 For the Research, Testing and Medical Laboratories subsector, the area is in the medium MSA category. Terre Haute MSA  In the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals subsector, Terre Haute ranks 14th for small MSAs.

Indiana is home to the global headquarters for: Anthem, Inc., Assembly Biosciences, Cook Medical, Eli Lilly and Co., and Zimmer Biomet and the North American headquarters of Roche Diagnostics; Beckman Coulter, Boston Scientific, Catalent Biologics, Corteva Agriscience, Agriculture Division of DowDupont, Covance, DePuy Orthopaedics, Express Scripts, Mead Johnson and Medtronic all host major operations in the state.

The full report is available at www.bio.org

About BioCrossroads

BioCrossroads (www.biocrossroads.com) is Indiana's initiative to grow the life sciences, a public-private collaboration that supports the region's research and corporate strengths while encouraging new business development. BioCrossroads provides money and support to life sciences businesses, launches new life sciences enterprises, expands collaboration and partnerships among Indiana's life science institutions, expands science education and markets Indiana's life sciences industry. The initiative has formed several new nonprofit organizations, including Indiana Health Information Exchange, BioCrossroadsLINX, OrthoWorx, Datalys Center and the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute.

*Data is from 2016, the most recent available.

SOURCE BioCrossroads

Related Links

http://www.biocrossroads.com

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the beginning, customer service has always been the prevailing priority at Dealer Teamwork. Strategic restructuring to the Client Services team and additions like Jennifer Beckman and Lani Almen have only strengthened the growing department. Continuing to round out this team is key to fostering successful relationships with dealers. It is for that reason that Dealer Teamwork is delighted to announce Sue Jacobson has joined Dealer Teamwork as Senior Director of Client Services.

"I'm thrilled to be part of this revolutionary digital marketing team," said Sue. "Their vision, integrity, core values and genuinely unique culture make Dealer Teamwork the most exciting place to work in automotive."

Sue comes to Dealer Teamwork after having spent nearly 40 years in the automotive industry, with both large manufacturer and dealership experience. She began her career in automotive at Ford Motor Company where she worked as a New Vehicle Merchandising Manager. After 5 years at Ford, Sue made the move to the dealership world by joining Tousley Ford where she held roles such as Merchandising Manager, Sales Manager, General Manager and Minority Owner. After the acquisition of Tousley Ford by AutoNation, Sue stayed on as General Manager of AutoNation Ford White Bear Lake where she remained for 20 years.

During her time as General Manager of Ford White Bear Lake, Sue proved time and time again that she was suited for business operations and customer service. Her store was ranked #1 in overall dealer profits by Ford for five of the past 11 years. She has also been awarded AutoNation's most prestigious Tim Pring Award. Additionally, she has received the One Ford Elite, Triple Crown Award and the President's among many others. With recognition throughout the industry, Sue Jacobson is perhaps one of the most decorated women in automotive history.

From her time spent in dealerships, Sue has seen how digital marketing has transformed the automotive industry and what products like the MPOP can do to help car dealers engage customers and drive sales. This realization is what ultimately led Sue to Dealer Teamwork.

"It is an honor to have someone like Sue join our team because she could go anywhere. Her resume speaks for itself," said CEO, Sean Stapleton. "She is established in the industry, professional and has an amazingly successful track record. For her to choose Dealer Teamwork meant a lot to me personally, and our company."

When asked, Dealer Teamwork GM, Katie Donovan added, "Being from Minnesota, it is almost impossible not to know of the success of Sue Jacobson. From her days with Ford Motor Company, Tousley Ford and AutoNation Ford White Bear Lake, one of the most successful Ford stores in the nation for over 20 years, Sue has a proven track record of excellence. We are excited and extremely blessed to have all of that retail knowledge and success joining the Dealer Teamwork family."

As Senior Director of Client Services, Sue is excited to enhance client-account manager relationships with the goal to provide world class service and exceptional value to Dealer Teamwork clients and partners.

About Dealer Teamwork

Dealer Teamwork is one of the fastest growing S.a.a.S. companies creating first-class solutions for the retail automotive industry. Dealer Teamwork created the automotive industry's first MPOP, a patented Merchandising, Personalization & Optimization Platform. The platform creates a significant competitive advantage for Dealers by distributing their transactional data to more in-market shoppers effectively and efficiently. For more information, please visit DealerTeamwork.com or visit the Dealer Teamwork FAQ.

Dealer Teamwork's headquarters is in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and services an international customer base from offices in California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Texas and Washington.

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12711587

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Dealer Teamwork LLC

Related Links

http://www.DealerTeamwork.com

NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Information Builders, a leader in business intelligence (BI), analytics, and data management solutions, today announced that it was ranked as a leader in Dresner Advisory Services' 2018 Wisdom of Crowds Business Intelligence Market Study.

Tweet This: [email protected] recognized by #BI market as a leader for 9th consecutive year in Dresner Advisory Services Wisdom of Crowds study: http://ow.ly/ST6i30kktKt

Dresner Advisory Services' annual Wisdom of Crowds BI Market study examines key trends, attitudes, and intentions related to BI, providing insights into the state of the market and what drives the use of and success of BI within organizations. This year's survey draws on end users' feedback around 33 vendor criteria related to current and planned BI initiatives, including support, flexibility, scalability, and experience.

Based on the real-world experiences of Information Builders' clients that use its BI solutions on a daily basis, the company earned recognition as an overall leader in the Customer Experience model, as well as a perfect "Recommend" score. With this score, 100 percent of Information Builders' customer respondents would recommend Information Builders to others. The company also scored consistently above the sample of 27 BI and analytics vendors, with cited improvements in product knowledge, responsiveness, flexibility/accommodation, business practices, contractual terms, customization and ease of administration, product knowledge, and responsiveness, among other categories.

Information Builders has an unwavering commitment to helping organizations unlock their data's potential for better decision-making through world-class, easy-to-use technology, award-winning customer support, third-party integrations, and expert knowledge. As a testament, Information Builders has achieved leadership status and consistently high scores since the report's inception.

Howard Dresner, founder, Dresner Advisory Services, said:

"With the Wisdom of Crowds Business Intelligence Market Study, we hope to provide a rich and in-depth snapshot of the BI industry. Information Builders receives consistent recognition in the report with this being their ninth year as a leader. We commend them for their strong performance across categories and perfect Recommend score once again this year."

Frank J. Vella, chief operating officer, Information Builders said:

"In my short time at Information Builders, I've witnessed our staff's dedication to providing the best technology, user experience, and support. We're thrilled that our users have recognized their efforts in the industry-respected 2018 Wisdom of Crowds BI Market Study. As our business continues to innovate and evolve to match our customers data management and analytics needs, we strive to continue to provide best-in-class support and 'Recommend'-worthy experiences to our customers."

Download a free copy of the 2018 Wisdom of Crowds Business Intelligence Market Study today.

About Information Builders

Information Builders provides the industry's most scalable software solutions for data management and analytics. We help organizations operationalize and monetize their data through insights that drive action. Our integrated platform for business intelligence (BI), analytics, data integration, and data quality, combined with our proven expertise, delivers value faster, with less risk. We believe data and analytics are the drivers of digital transformation, and we're on a mission to help our customers capitalize on new opportunities in the connected world. Information Builders is headquartered in New York, NY, with global offices, and remains one of the largest privately held companies in the industry.

Visit us at informationbuilders.com, follow us on Twitter at @infobldrs, like us on Facebook, and visit our LinkedIn page.

Press Contacts

Kathleen Moran

Information Builders

(917) 339-6313

[email protected]

Katie Schira

LEWIS

(706) 550-2325

[email protected]

SOURCE Information Builders

Related Links

http://www.informationbuilders.com

PITTSBURGH, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- "I wanted to create a more enjoyable alternative to traditional greeting cards," said an inventor, from Cleveland, Ohio, "so I invented the CANDY CARD."

The CANDY CARD provides a fun and novel way to celebrate a special occasion or holiday. In doing so, it offers an alternative to traditional greeting cards. As a result, it could enhance a celebratory greeting and it could provide added enjoyment. The invention features an eye-catching design that is convenient and easy to use so it is ideal for the general population. Additionally, the CANDY CARD is producible in design variations.

The inventor described the invention design. "My design offers a sweeter way to celebrate holidays and other special occasions."

The original design was submitted to the Cleveland office of InventHelp. It is currently patent pending and available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 17-CVV-2125, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp

Related Links

http://www.inventhelp.com

PITTSBURGH, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Most people would agree that good communication is essential in today's global market place. Since language differences continue to present a challenge, however, an inventor from Boca Raton, Fla., has conceived of an easy solution.

He developed SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATOR to penetrate the language barrier between two people who don't speak the same language. As such, it facilitates communication and understanding and has the potential to improve productivity in the workplace. In other words, this attractive, lightweight, compact and portable device helps people interact and develop relationships. At the same time, it is reliable, practical and easy to use. Other appealing features are convenience, effectiveness and an affordable price.

The inventor's personal experience inspired the idea. "I am from Brazil and have difficulty communicating with many people in the U.S. because of the language difference. A device like this would solve this problem," he said.

The original design was submitted to the Naples office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 17-NPL-184, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp

Related Links

http://www.inventhelp.com

PITTSBURGH, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Plumbers often find themselves in tight spaces while on the job, searching for leaks, reaching pipes and unclogging drains. Their job often requires them to lay on the ground in positions that may cause discomfort, something that can interfere with their productivity.

An inventor from Malta, Ill., has invented PLUMBER'S BEST FRIEND, a specially-designed apparatus that enables a plumber to work at an ergonomically comfortable angle when undertaking a task beneath a sink. "The idea for this invention came to me after I witnessed a plumber struggling while on the job," said the inventor. "He was in pain and having trouble angling himself appropriately to complete the task at hand." PLUMBER'S BEST FRIEND supports the user's body at a comfortable angle, enabling them to work at an ergonomically appropriate angle while under a sink.

This invention eliminates the need for a plumber to contort their body to complete a task. Because of that, it enables them to work more effectively and efficiently, saving time.

The original design was submitted to the Chicago office of InventHelp. It is currently patent pending and available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 17-CKL-1034, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp

Related Links

http://www.inventhelp.com

In recognition of all the things dads do and how little they ask in return, Josh Cellars is partnering with mobile gift-giving app Giftagram to bring together a dozen of dad's most coveted brands, solving the age-old problem of what to gift dad. Visitors to the shop can peruse curated gifts from Crosley Radio, Native Union, This is Ground, RBT and more while sampling Josh Cellars wine, including the new Josh Cellars Paso Robles Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Not near New York City? Visit the brand's online Father's Day gifting hub, featuring additional curated Giftagram selections - giftagram.com/joshcellars.

"I founded Josh Cellars as a tribute to my father 'Josh,' a volunteer firefighter and lumberjack who spent years working with his hands," said Joseph Carr, brand founder. "He taught me about hard work, perseverance and community, values that served me well in life and in wine. This shop is our way of paying it forward, making it a little easier to extend gratitude to dads everywhere."

The brand will donate 100% of the retail selling price of all bottles of Josh wine physically sold at the Grand Central Terminal pop up shop to The Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) in honor of Josh's legacy.

About the Shop

The pop up shop is an immersive experience, bringing to life a place special to Joseph Carr and his father: the family garage. This is where Josh gathered with his friends, rebuilding old cars, tools and anything else they could find. The brand worked with film and music industry director and set designer Cristobal Valecillos and experiential agency The Bait Shoppe to bring the vision to life. The shop features old family photos, workbenches, antique tools and tribute messages.

The shop will host the Haiku Guys + Gals, who will create free custom "haikus of gratitude" for dads on vintage typewriters, and the cards will be sent to dad.

"Many people want to say thank you to dad, but struggle with the right words," said Carr. "We want to give everyone who visits our shop the words and way to express gratitude to dad on his special day."

Visitors will also have the opportunity to have personalized message engraving at Grand Central Terminal on bottles of Josh Cellars purchased at the shop or through other retailers. The shop will feature the newest addition to the Josh Cellars portfolio, Josh Cellars Paso Robles Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which has robust flavors of blackberry, plum, coffee, and smoky spice. The Josh Cellars Reserve Collection showcases the brand's commitment to quality and the story of Josh, a genuine craftsman with a passion for details.

About the Gifts

Josh Cellars worked with online and mobile curated gift giving app Giftagram to design three specialty boxes for the Grand Central Terminal shop, each tailored to dad's interests and all line-priced at $99. All boxes include Josh Cellars Paso Robles Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Travel Dad includes a Shinola linen journal, Away Dopp Kit and Malin and Goetz Essential Kit with personal care products for face, body and hair.

Gourmet Dad includes Wildwood Grilling Wooden Planks, Oaktown Spice BBQ gift set and chef Michael Symon's new grilling cookbook Playing with Fire.

Wine Lover Dad includes a Sempli Cupa-Vino glass and RBT Wing Corkscrew.

These boxes will be on display at the Grand Central Station pop up shop and available to purchase via Giftagram, either by ordering through representatives on-site or online while supplies last.

About Josh Cellars and Josh Cellars Reserve

Josh Cellars was founded by Joseph Carr, a onetime sommelier, negociant and vintner. Josh Cellars offers bold, complex and approachable wines for drinking with family and friends. Sourced from vineyards across California, Josh Cellars offers seven varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Rose and a red blend, "Legacy."

Josh Cellars Reserve features truly premium wines from elevated appellations with longer oak maturation than Josh Cellars and are the pinnacle of the Josh Cellars range. Josh Cellars Reserve offers balanced, delicious wines  such as the new Josh Cellars Paso Robles Reserve  that are true to the varietal and the appellation where the grapes are grown.

Josh Cellars wines are available at retailers nationwide. www.joshcellars.com

About Giftagram

Giftagram makes it easy to be thoughtful by enabling a highly personalized and seamless gifting experience. Giftagram partners with premium local retailers and exciting international brands to deliver an exclusive selection of products and experiential gifts in cities across the US and Canada.

SOURCE Josh Cellars

Related Links

http://www.joshcellars.com

PORT VILA, Vanuatu, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Juno Markets, an online forex & CFD trading service provider, has been awarded the "Best IB Program 2018" by the 7th China Forex Expo. The award was given during the China Forex Expo Ceremony held on 18th May, 2018, Shenzhen China.

"Best IB Program 2018" award recognizes the best Introducing Broker program in China, which provides the best in products and services to IBs. Arthur Le, CEO of Juno Markets said of the award "We are extremely proud to receive this award again. This award is a testament to the hard work our team has put in to provide the most flexible IB program in the industry and a sign of approval from all of our partners globally. We will keep innovating and supporting our partners to create win-win solutions."

This marks the 3rd time that Juno Markets has won this award in the past 4 years. Juno Markets has also received the Best IB Program award in 2015 and 2017.

About Juno Markets

Juno Markets is a leading online forex and CFDs trading service provider. Starting in Asia Pacific, the firm was established by industry veterans who believe in bringing an exceptional trading experience to traders through use of the latest technology and localized support and services. Juno Markets aims to become the premier broker for both clients and IBs through low cost spreads, reliable execution, and unique trading resources. For more information on the Company, its products and services, please visit junomarkets.com.

Media Contact:

Jun Qiu

[email protected]

+852 36185857

SOURCE Juno Markets

Related Links

http://junomarkets.com

LOS ANGELES, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran trial attorney Kate Harvey-Lee has joined Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos, LLP as a senior trial lawyer in the firm's Los Angeles office. Her practice will focus on complex litigation involving consumer and employment class action, employment law, product liability, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death.

Ms. Harvey-Lee is a seasoned trial lawyer with 16 years of experience representing plaintiffs in civil litigation at some of California's most prestigious plaintiffs' firms, focusing primarily on issues of automotive and transportation safety. She is currently assisting with the class action against the University of Southern California (USC) on behalf of thousands of female students who were allegedly sexually abused and illicitly photographed by a USC OB/GYN.

"I'm excited about this opportunity to join a firm with such high standards both in terms of what it expects from its attorneys and what results they expect on behalf of clients," Ms. Harvey-Lee said.

She is the 2018-2019 Chair of the Bus Litigation Group of the American Association of Justice, and a member of the Executive Committee since 2015. In addition, Ms. Harvey-Lee has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star since 2005 and as a Super Lawyer every year since 2014, and she has been selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America every year since 2013.

"Having an attorney of Kate's caliber join our great team of attorneys is a tremendous boost and will go a long way toward achieving continued success for the people we represent," said Managing Partner Mike Arias. "She's known throughout the legal community for her skill in the courtroom and success on behalf of consumers and those suffering catastrophic injuries."

About Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos, LLP

With offices in Los Angeles, Oakland, Las Vegas and Montreal, ARIAS SANGUINETTI WANG & TORRIJOS, LLP represents clients in complex litigation in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Some of our practice areas include: Class Actions, Mass Torts, Major Personal Injury, Employment Law, and Intellectual Property Rights.

CONTACT: Joe Marchelewski, 1-626-356-3006, [email protected]

SOURCE Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos, LLP

Related Links

http://www.aswtlawyers.com

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP announced today that Amit Bhatla, first-year student at George Washington University Law School, was selected for the firm's Minority 1L Environmental Internship program.

Bhatla, who earned his BS in chemical engineering from the University of Kansas, is participating in the paid internship program spearheaded by the Environmental and Workplace Safety practice in Katten's Washington, DC office.

The eight-week-long summer program goes beyond buzzworthy diversity rhetoric, and provides a tangible opportunity to introduce minority law students to the growing practice area and to gain hands-on experience in the environmental legal space. Bhatla will work directly with firm practice leaders and on projects relating to key environmental and workplace safety issues and regulations that major companies, national and regional trade associations, and corporate managers regularly face.

"This is the third year of our internship program which we hope will lead more aspiring attorneys of diverse backgrounds to become crisis management practitioners. Katten is dedicated to diversity and we actively promote a diverse culture through our recruitment, mentoring, and training programs," said Mark Farley, head of Katten's Environmental and Workplace Safety practice. "Our goal is to expose our 1L intern to a cutting-edge workplace safety practice in which Katten has a national reputation for excellence."

Katten's Environmental and Workplace Safety team represents major companies in a wide range of industry sectors, including chemical, energy, oil and gas. Collectively, the team, which includes former federal environmental prosecutors, has deep experience in crisis management, internal investigations, administrative proceedings, enforcement actions and other government inquiries, and civil and criminal litigation.

The internship program is designed to be a mentoring and learning opportunity for diverse law students to gain insight into industry trends and federal and state laws and regulations so they are well positioned to become a summer associate in any practice area, particularly environmental law.

"We want to see a diverse workforce embraced and improved at law firms. Building a pipeline to the firm begins with recruiting efforts to bring and keep the best talent possible at Katten," said Katten's Chief Diversity Officer Leslie D. Minier. "To get top talent in the door, we offer a number of opportunities to law students such as the minority environmental internship and scholarships and partner with diverse student organizations at law schools in hosting events, career panel discussions and resume workshops."

Katten also awarded $15,000 scholarships each to Ashley Ogedegbe, who attends Washington University School of Law, and Argemira Florez, who attends Columbia Law School. Both are summer associates in the firm's Chicago office and New York office, respectively.

The firm's scholarship program offers financial aid to two minority law school students who have completed their first year of law school and are participating in the firm's summer associate program. The recipients are selected based on several criteria, including superior academic achievement, leadership experience and personal qualities that reflect the potential for outstanding contributions to Katten and to the legal profession.

Additionally, Katten participates in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) 1L Scholars program, where diverse high-potential first-year law students have the opportunity to complete challenging work assignments, participate in various summer associate events and learn firsthand what it is like to work at Katten.

Katten is a full-service law firm with more than 600 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm's core areas of practice include corporate, financial services, insolvency and restructuring, litigation, real estate, environmental and workplace safety, commercial finance, intellectual property, structured finance and securitization, and trusts and estates. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, including a third of the Fortune 100, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. For more information, visit www.kattenlaw.com.

SOURCE Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

Related Links

http://www.kattenlaw.com

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2018/Keyera-Energy-Recalls-to-Inspect-Propane-Gas-Due-to-Fire-and-Explosion-Hazards

Recall Summary

Name of Product: Propane (LP) gas

Hazard: The recalled propane gas does not contain sufficient levels of odorant to help alert consumers to a gas leak. Failure to detect leaking gas can present fire, explosion and thermal burn hazards.

Remedy: Replace, Repair

Consumers should not attempt to test the propane themselves. Instead, consumers who have propane delivered to storage tanks should immediately contact the retailer, supplier or Keyera Energy to arrange for a free inspection. If the inspection confirms that the propane contains insufficient odorant, Keyera Energy will arrange for additional odorization or a replacement of the under-odorized propane. Consumers should have carbon monoxide alarms in homes or other buildings that utilize propane gas. If consumers do smell even a faint odor of gas or a gas leak, they should immediately leave the building and call 911 or call their gas supplier. Do not light a match, turn on a light or switch on anything electrical.

Consumer Contact:

Keyera Energy toll-free at 844-879-8419 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, email [email protected] or online at www.keyera.com and click on "Propane Safety Update" on the Corporate Responsibility page or www.keypropaneupdate.com for more information.

Recall Details

Units: About 1.7 million gallons

Description:

This recall involves under-odorized propane (LP) gas delivered to consumers for use in storage tanks or sold at retail locations in portable refillable cylinders (for use in recreational vehicles, barbeques, stoves and other appliances). The LP gas was also sold to businesses for commercial and industrial use. Keyera Energy Inc. does not sell propane directly to any retailers or consumers, but supplies propane to distributors that sell directly to retailers and consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Sold At: Distributed in Texas and Louisiana by various companies and sold by retailers between February 2018 and April 2018.



Manufacturer: Keyera Energy Inc., of Houston, Texas

Manufactured in: U.S.

This recall was conducted, voluntarily by the company, under CPSC's Fast Track Recall process. Fast Track recalls are initiated by firms, who commit to work with CPSC to quickly announce the recall and remedy to protect consumers.

About U.S. CPSC:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals  contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

For more lifesaving information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC or sign up to receive our e-mail alerts. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline

Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:

800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)

Times: 8 a.m.  5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime

Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

Media Contact

Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.

Phone: 301-504-7908

Spanish: 301-504-7800

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Related Links

http://www.cpsc.gov

CHICAGO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Seeing police at your door doesn't mean you have to let them in. The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unlawful search and seizure when there is a lack of probable cause to enter your home or vehicle.

"It's been said that fate knocks but once. Yet when it has a search warrant, sometimes it doesn't knock at all. That's when a good lawyer and a good carpenter come in handy," said Mitch Sexner, Founding Partner of Sexner & Associates LLC.

Sexner & Associates LLC is a dedicated legal team that concentrates in criminal defense and discusses here a couple things that you should know before allowing a police officer into or onto your property.

Know Your Rights:

On a federal level, Americans are protected from unlawful searches and seizures by the Fourth Amendment. Then on a state level, these protections are extended to Americans via the Fourteenth Amendment to prevent Police from entering a person's home or car without a search warrant or verbal consent.

If police are in pursuit of a suspect and have a reasonable belief that the person has fled into his or her home, that may be considered probable cause and the police may enter without a search warrant if in "hot pursuit."

Denying the entry of a police officer into your home is not necessarily considered to be resisting arrest or interfering with an investigation if it can be shown that the police were not given consent or did not have sufficient proof that a suspect was in your home.

Warrants:

There are two kinds of warrants that permit police officers to enter your home; search and arrest warrants. Arrest warrants allow police to arrest and search people and their immediate surroundings if they are named in the warrant. Search warrants allow police to search any area that is identified in the warrant. Such areas are not necessarily limited to specific locations and may include entire homes.

To obtain either type of warrant, police must be able to prove to a judge that there was reason to believe that a crime took place and in the case of a search warrant, that evidence linked to the crime would likely be found on the property. Warrants must be signed and approved by a judge or magistrate.

Mitchell Sexner is a former prosecutor who formed his own law firm in 1990. Sexner & Associates LLC has represented more than 20,000 people since then, not only in the area traffic and criminal law, but in the areas of personal injury and medical malpractice law as well.

SOURCE Sexner & Associates LLC

Related Links

https://www.sexner.com

ZUG, Switzerland, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Landis+Gyr (SWISS: LAND.SW) today announced its results for the full fiscal year 2017 (April 1, 2017-March 31, 2018). Key highlights included:

Net revenue for FY 2017 increased to USD 1,738 million , up 4.7% (2.6% in constant currencies) compared to FY 2016.

FY 2017 Adjusted EBITDA was USD 212 million , flat year over year in USD terms.

Reported net income was USD 46.4 million , up approximately USD 109 million compared to the prior year.

Free cash flow reached USD 87.5 million for the fiscal year, up 64.7%.

Americas Adjusted EBITDA ahead of IPO target with strong North America performance. EMEA and AP Adjusted EBITDA below IPO target.

Execution of EMEA fixed cost saving programs on or ahead of plan.

Proposed distribution of a dividend from capital reserves of CHF 2.30 per share.

Election of Mary Kipp and Peter Mainz to the Board of Directors to be proposed to the Annual General Meeting. All other directors stand for re-election.

"Landis+Gyr's business results for the fiscal year 2017 met or exceeded the key guidance parameters for the Group issued at the time of the IPO," said Richard Mora, Landis+Gyr's CEO. "They demonstrate our ability to deliver top line growth and solid cash flow. While pleased with the year over year revenue growth, our sales were impacted by industry wide supply chain constraints, which dampened second half results. Adjusted EBITDA performance for FY 2017 was driven by strong execution in the America's region, offsetting below target performance in the other regions."

"Overall, our markets continue to experience secular growth as utilities around the world deploy smart grid products, solutions and technologies. I am convinced that Landis+Gyr remains well positioned to compete and win in these markets. From continued successful deployment of our industry leading IoT network in Japan, the positive decisions of utilities such as Wisconsin Public Service and JEA in the US market in favor of Landis+Gyr's AMI technology and managed service offering, to continued roll outs in the UK, France and the Netherlands, we are seeing strong traction across the entire portfolio," Mora concluded.

FY 2017 Order Intake, Net Revenue and Order Backlog

In FY 2017, net revenue for the group reached USD 1,738 million compared to USD 1,659 million in FY 2016. This 4.7% increase (2.6% in constant currency terms) was driven by growth in AMI project sales in North America, increased sales to France, the Iberian Peninsula and the UK in EMEA and higher Hong Kong project sales in Asia Pacific. Towards the end of the fiscal year, revenue was impacted by industry wide supply chain constraints, as the company experienced shortages of certain key electronic components which particularly affected product sales in EMEA.

Net revenue per segment was as follows (in USD millions, except where indicated):

Segment FY 2017 FY 2016 Percentage

change Percentage

change in

constant

currencies Americas 972.2 931.2 4.4% 4.1% EMEA 627.2 587.8 6.7% 1.7% Asia Pacific 138.4 140.2 (1.3%) (3.4%) Group 1,737.8 1,659.2 4.7% 2.6%

Order intake for FY 2017 was USD 1,574.4 million, an increase of USD 248.9 million or 18.8% (16.0% in constant currency terms) over the same period in FY 2016. Committed backlog declined by 4.1% from FY 2016 to USD 2,389.0 million.

Adjusted Gross Profit

Adjusted Gross Profit for the reporting period was USD 597.3 million, a decrease of USD 22.9 million (USD 31.6 million at constant currency) year over year from the USD 620.2 million delivered in FY 2016. In the Americas region, the decrease was primarily driven by product and customer mix. In EMEA, expected margin improvements did not materialize due to delays in the introduction of certain new lower cost product variants. In addition, EMEA revenue was negatively affected due to the industry wide shortage of certain electronic components. A reconciliation between Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit can be found in the Supplemental Reconciliations and Definitions section of the Financial Report.

The Adjusted Gross Profit by segment was as follows (in USD millions, except where indicated):

Segment FY 2017 FY 2017

Percentage FY 2016 FY 2016

Percentage Americas 409.2 42.1% 414.0 44.5% EMEA 155.9 24.9% 174.0 29.6% Asia Pacific 28.3 20.4% 31.9 22.8% Eliminations 3.9

0.3

Group 597.3 34.4% 620.2 37.4%

Adjusted Operating Expenses

Adjusted Operating Expenses for the reporting period were USD 385.3 million, a decrease of USD 22.8 million (USD 30.4 million at constant currency) year over year from the USD 408.1 million incurred in FY 2016. Expenses related to research and development of USD 158.0 million were essentially unchanged in USD terms and correspond to 9.1% of net revenue.

Landis+Gyr has two major cost reduction programs underway in EMEA. Project Phoenix aims at reducing the cost base by closing certain offices, unifying various back office functions and improving productivity in all functions. The target is to realize savings of approximately USD 20 million per annum from Project Phoenix, with full savings expected to be achieved by the year ending March 31, 2019. Overall, Project Phoenix delivered currency adjusted savings in FY 2017 of USD 15.8 million, ahead of the targeted amount of USD 13.0 million for FY 2017. Project Lightfoot  another strategic initiative  is aimed at bundling and in part outsourcing manufacturing activities to enhance production efficiencies, lower supply chain costs and further reduce capital intensity. When completed at the end of FY 2020 Project Lightfoot is expected to deliver savings of approximately USD 25 million per annum, an increase of USD 5 million from the previously stated target. Lightfoot is ahead of plan when compared to the targets communicated during the IPO with the subsequent identification of additional savings opportunities.

Adjusted EBITDA

Landis+Gyr's FY 2017 Adjusted EBITDA was USD 212.0 million, flat compared to USD 212.0 million in FY 2016. The Americas saw improved results while EMEA and AP posted reduced Adjusted EBITDA results compared to FY 2016.

The Adjusted EBITDA by segment was as follows (in USD millions, except where indicated):

Segment FY 2017

Adjusted EBITDA FY 2017

Percentage of

net revenue FY 2016

Adjusted EBITDA FY 2016

Percentage of

net revenue Americas 199.4 20.5% 195.0 20.9% EMEA (8.8) (1.4%) 1.0 0.2% Asia Pacific (9.6) (6.9%) (2.6) (1.9%) Corporate 31.0 N/A 18.6 N/A Group 212.0 12.2% 212.0 12.8%

The adjustments made to bridge between the EBITDA reported in the Group's financial statements and Adjusted EBITDA are as follows (in USD millions):



H1 FY 2017 H2 FY 2017 FY 2017 FY 2016 Adjusted EBITDA 108.8 103.3 212.0 212.0 Adjustments







Restructuring Charges (8.1) (6.5) (14.7) (3.8) Exceptional Warranty Expenses (2.4) 0.1 (2.4) (6.4) Normalized Warranty Expenses (30.3) 6.1 (24.2) (25.2) Special Items (24.8) (0.9) (25.6) (25.8) EBITDA 43.1 102.0 145.1 150.8

Second half FY 2017 adjustments to EBITDA have been substantially reduced to a net of USD 1.3 million compared to USD 65.7 million in the first half FY 2017.

Restructuring charges mainly relate to measures taken in EMEA. Exceptional warranty expenses are in respect of the X2 capacitor warranty issue and, in keeping with the practice adopted as part of the IPO, are added back entirely. The normalized warranty expense adjustment for FY2017 represents the excess of provisions made over the average annual actual warranty utilization for the last 3 years and mainly reflects additional provisions made in the Americas' segment in connection with legacy component issues. Special Items for FY 2017 are primarily IPO related expenses of USD 24.2 million, of which USD 9.8 million was funded by the selling shareholders.

Net income and EPS

Reported net income for FY 2017 was USD 46.4 million, or USD 1.57 per share (EPS). This is an improvement of approximately USD 109 million compared to the FY 2016 net loss of 62.6 million, or a loss of USD 2.12 per share, of which USD 60 million was attributable to a non-cash impairment of goodwill in FY 2016.

Capital Expenditure

In FY 2017, capital expenditure came in at USD 38.0 million compared to USD 42.8 million in FY 2016. In FY 2018, some increase in capital expenditure is expected, particularly as the Lightfoot restructuring programs are executed, with total spending in FY 2018 at or below USD 50 million.

Cash flow and net debt

Cash flow provided by operating activities in FY2017 was USD 124.7 million, an increase of USD 29.6 million compared to FY 2016. Free cash flow, defined as cash flow provided by operating activities (including changes in net working capital) minus cash flow used in investing activities (capital expenditure on tangible and intangible assets) excluding merger and acquisition activities (M&A) reached USD 87.5 million in FY 2017, an increase of USD 34.4 million from FY 2016.

Net debt was USD 40.5 million and USD 126.8 million at March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, a decline of USD 86.3 million. The decline was mainly attributable to continued strong cash generation from operating activities and tight working capital management. Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA declined to 0.2x as at the end of March 2018.

Distribution to shareholders

Owing to the strong free cash flow and in line with the guidance provided at the time of the IPO, the Board of Directors proposes a distribution of CHF 2.30 per share to shareholders. Subject to AGM approval, the distribution will be paid out of capital contribution reserves and hence is exempt from Swiss federal withholding tax. The distribution (approximately USD 71 million at the exchange rate as at March 31, 2018) equals 81% of free cash flow.

Additions to the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) the election of Mary Kipp and Peter Mainz as new members for a one-year term of office. All other members of the Board of Directors will stand for re-election for another one-year term at the AGM on June 28, 2018. Mary Kipp serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of El Paso Electric Company. Peter Mainz was President and CEO of Sensus as well as a Board member of Itron.

"We look forward, pending shareholder approval, to having Mary Kipp and Peter Mainz join our Board of Directors. They bring a wealth of expertise in our industry and our most important market, the US. Their experience fits very well with our existing Board talents and will help us shape the future of Landis+Gyr," said Andreas Umbach, Chairman of Landis+Gyr.

Outlook

Landis+Gyr expects FY 2018 sales growth of approximately 3% - 6%, an Adjusted EBITDA in the range between USD 222 million and USD 232 million and free cash flow (excluding M&A) between USD 95 million and USD 105 million.

Given some of the supply chain challenges currently being experienced by the industry and the timing of product cost reductions in EMEA, Landis+Gyr expects the first half of FY 2018 to be weaker than the second half.

Landis+Gyr confirms the dividend policy set out during the IPO of distributing to shareholders at least 75% of free cash flow (excluding M&A) each year.

Recent corporate developments

On January 4, 2018, Landis+Gyr announced that it has been selected by Wisconsin Public Service Company (WPS) to provide a multi-purpose Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network platform for advanced metering and grid modernization. The project includes deployment of Landis+Gyr's RF mesh network technology, 450,000 smart electric meters and about 326,000 two-way gas modules under a managed services agreement. Additionally, the utility will use Landis+Gyr's meter data management system (MDMS) under a SaaS (Software as a Service) agreement to integrate metering data into daily operations.

On February 21, 2018, Landis+Gyr reported continued growth with US based public power utilities during 2017 by signing 46 contracts for smart grid technology and services. The contracts represent a wide variety of market offerings, including more than 350,000 metering endpoints, along with distribution automation and load management devices, software and smart grid services.

On March 9, 2018, Landis+Gyr announced it had closed a five-year, USD 240 million credit facility agreement that replaced the company's USD 215 million bridge loan. This refinancing was over-subscribed and will help reduce the company's financial expense.

In 2018, Landis+Gyr signed new agreements with UK energy retailers for more than half a million SMETS2 meters. Landis+Gyr now has a total of over 18 million smart meters under contract in the UK, of which approximately 5 million have been deployed to date. Landis+Gyr and its UK customers also achieved a major milestone, becoming the first to deploy a second generation (SMETS2) smart meter. The UK deployment is gathering pace with Landis+Gyr meters deploying at more than 160,000 per month.

On May 16, 2018, Landis+Gyr announced that JEA, located in Florida and the eighth-largest community-owned electric utility in the United States, has signed a purchase agreement to accelerate its advanced metering deployment over the next 30 months by deploying the remaining 250,000 electric meters on its distribution system. Landis+Gyr currently manages JEA's advanced metering and network infrastructure under a long-term managed services contract. The contract scope has expanded over the years to include enhanced SaaS data services and infrastructure support.

On May 24, 2018, Landis+Gyr and Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) announced an agreement to form a joint venture for the acquisition of Acumen from Origin Energy Limited. The Acumen business includes the management and servicing contract for 170,000 meters as well as a material long term contract with Origin for the deployment of additional smart meters across Australia. Landis+Gyr will contribute the activities of its intelliHUB business to the joint venture. Landis+Gyr has entered into a contract with the joint venture under which Landis+Gyr expects to provide approximately 800,000 smart meters for deployment to multiple utilities across Australia and New Zealand over the next five years.

Annual report 2017 and invitation to AGM 2018

Landis+Gyr's Annual Report 2017, the invitation to the Annual General Meeting 2018 and the FY 2017 investor presentation were published today and can be downloaded at www.landisgyr.com/investors.

Key dates

Annual General Meeting 2018 June 28, 2018 Ex-Dividend date July 2, 2018 Dividend record date July 3, 2018 Dividend payment date July 4, 2018 Release of Half Year Results 2018 October 26, 2018 Release of Sustainability Report October 26, 2018 Release of Results for Financial Year 2018 May 29, 2019 Annual General Meeting 2019 June 25, 2019

SOURCE Landis+GyrRESTON, Va., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology leader, today announced the recipients of the 2018 Supplier Innovation & Technology Symposium awards. The awards honor Leidos suppliers for excellence in technology, collaboration, partnership and innovation.

Leidos suppliers and subcontractors are critical to the company and customer's success. The winners highlight the Leidos mission to make the world safer, healthier, and more efficient through information technology, engineering, and science.

The winners are as follows:

Alliance Partner of the Year: Dell EMC

The Alliance Partner of the Year award recognizes a supplier that contributes to the success of Leidos customers through long-term relationships that support and advance the company's strategic objectives. The awarded supplier has demonstrated the ability to work with Leidos to design, price, and implement unique solutions to support the mission at hand. These solutions go beyond the standard level of supplier integration typically seen within the supply chain, and have resulted in continuing revenue for both the supplier and Leidos.

Innovation Partner of the Year: Amazon Web Services

The Innovation Partner of the Year award recognizes a supplier who has consistently provided new ideas and solutions to Leidos, resulting in increased efficiencies for customer deliverables. Their innovations enable Leidos to continue providing world-class solutions to customers while reducing cost. This supplier has presented and implemented a new piece of technology, created new ways to re-use existing technology in a manner new to Leidos, or provided continuous improvement of existing technology.

Value Added Reseller (VAR) of the Year: SHI International Corp

The VAR of the Year award recognizes a Large Business Value Added Reseller who has helped Leidos go to market efficiently through innovative solutions (e.g. technology, business practice, etc), resulting in effective bottom-line savings, increased revenue or performance outcomes, and who have consistently demonstrated a collaborative business relationship with Leidos.

Small Business Value Added Reseller of the Year: COLAMCO, Inc.

The Small Business VAR of the Year award recognizes an organization who has helped Leidos go to market efficiently through innovative solutions resulting in effective bottom-line savings and increased revenue or performance outcomes. The organization has consistently demonstrated a collaborative business relationship with Leidos.

Emerging Technology Partner of the Year: Devo

The Emerging Technology Partner of the Year award recognizes a supplier with outstanding product design and engineering in cutting edge technology products that help our customers achieve mission success. The award is presented to an organization that aligns with what we believe to be our technical core competencies as a global systems integrator.

"Leidos works with many outstanding suppliers, but there are a handful that clearly went above and beyond expectations over the past year in service to our customers," said Tony Leiter, Leidos Director of Strategic Technology Sourcing & Alliances. "Through a combination of technology innovation, value, collaborative relationships, and ethical business practices our 2018 Supplier Innovation & Technology Symposium award winners enable Leidos to deliver solutions essential to the success of our customers' missions."

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500 information technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company's 31,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $10.17 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2017. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.



Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 29, 2017, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

SOURCE Leidos

Related Links

http://www.leidos.com

"IoT is growing rapidly as more digital technologies are introduced and adopted in the market. As CIOs and IT leaders face the increasing challenge of managing the abundance of data generated by these devices, they are turning to trusted partners that can handle the heavy lift and simplify the technology," said Vince DeLuca, CEO of Logicalis US. "Mike's deep IT experience will be an important asset to us in developing and implementing strategies that help our customers manage the scale of data that IoT generates, while ensuring the success of Logicalis' investments in IoT."

Trojecki joined Logicalis from ePlus Technology, Inc., where he held various roles, most recently serving as Vice President of Digital Infrastructure responsible for the company's emerging digital technologies strategy. Early in his tenure at ePlus, Mike was the Senior Director of National Practices supporting ePlus' Cisco and ecosystem partner relationships. During this time, Mike led the company to 27 national and global awards over a four-year period.

"We are already seeing behavioral and social changes from the expansion of the IoT. Now is the time for organizations to arm themselves with the infrastructure required to handle the rapid expansion of data," said Trojecki. "I am excited to be part of a reputable organization like Logicalis that is skilled in delivering custom solutions, services and analytics to support our customers in overcoming the challenges of digital transformation."

Trojecki is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force where he served as a Tech Controller in the 89th Communications squadron supporting communications for Air Force One, the White House and various other government agencies.

About Logicalis

Logicalis is an international multi-skilled solution provider providing digital enablement services to help customers harness digital technology and innovative services to deliver powerful business outcomes.

Our customers span industries and geographical regions; our focus is to engage in the dynamics of our customers' vertical markets including financial services, TMT (telecommunications, media and technology), education, healthcare, retail, government, manufacturing and professional services, and to apply the skills of our 4,500 employees in modernizing key digital pillars, data center and cloud services, security and network infrastructure, workspace communications and collaboration, data and information strategies, and IT operation modernization.

We are the advocates for our customers for some of the world's leading technology companies including Cisco, HPE, IBM, NetApp, Microsoft, VMware and ServiceNow.

The Logicalis Group has annualized revenues of over $1.5 billion from operations in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa. It is a division of Datatec Limited, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, with revenues of over $4 billion.

For more information, visit www.us.logicalis.com.

Follow Logicalis: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

SOURCE Logicalis

Related Links

http://www.us.logicalis.com

LONDON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

London CIV (LCIV) the first authorised and regulated investment management company set up within the local government pension scheme initiative in the UK has selected Opus Nebula's Reporting as a Service solution for its quarterly investment reports and factsheets. The Reporting as a Service solution replaces a legacy reporting system and LCIV's clients, the London Local Authorities, will benefit from richer report content and shorter delivery times.

LCIV undertook a robust and formal selection process to identify the appropriate solution and partner organisation. Rapid implementation, cost and time reduction in the process of producing reports and superior control and accuracy of content were key drivers for the decision. Contracts were signed with Opus Nebula in February 2018 and LCIV were able to deliver the initial reports from the new system for the first quarter of 2018. Speed and ease of on-boarding are proven characteristics of Opus Nebula's service model which leverages industry leading software to deliver its ground breaking Reporting as a Service offering. This in turn enables significantly faster and a cost-effective deployment than is possible with traditional client reporting system implementations.

Brian Lee, COO at LCIV, commented: "We have very demanding reporting requirements and implementation timeframes. Our selection process was rigorous and included discussions and meetings with Opus Nebula's existing clients as well as traditional selection measures and analysis. Opus Nebula has enabled LCIV to automate its client reporting, reduce reporting times and mitigate process risk. This is an important first step in the build out of our operating model. The first quarter's reports were delivered on time and to budget."

Andrew Sherlock, Chief Operating Officer of Opus Nebula, said: "We are delighted to welcome London CIV to our fast-growing community of clients. We pride ourselves on the timeliness and cost-effectiveness of our Reporting as a Service solution. Our rapid on-boarding and implementation model allows us to be producing reports for London CIV significantly sooner than more traditional models, thereby facilitating huge time to market advantages."

About Opus Nebula (http://www.opus-nebula.com)

Founded in 2014, Opus Nebula provides the Reporting as a Service solution to investment firms. The solution is a fully configured, complete end-to-end client reporting service, delivered out of the box. The solution is powered by the SimCorp Coric reporting engine, wrapped with a bespoke and highly user-friendly interface to control and manage the reporting process, and is hosted within the Microsoft Azure cloud for capacity, security and resilience. The Opus Nebula solution provides business users with direct control over the entire end-to-end reporting process. The Opus Nebula model allows for fixed on-boarding costs, a pay-per-use operating model, and significantly reduced elapsed time to go-live. Data feeds and final reports are precisely and simply configured to clients' exact content, layout and branding requirements. SimCorp is a key strategic partner and minority shareholder of Opus Nebula.

About London CIV

A Collective Investment Vehicle for London Local Authorities (LLA) Pension Funds which delivers broader investment opportunities and enhanced cost efficiencies than LLAs can achieve individually and overall better risk adjusted performance.

Launched in December 2015, London CIV are unique in being the first fully authorised and regulated investment management company set up by local government, for local government in the UK. Our founding members are London boroughs and the City of London Corporation and we have been established as a collective investment vehicle for their Local Government Pension Scheme funds.

The current regulatory permissions allow London CIV to operate an Authorised Contractual Scheme Fund (the UK's version of a Tax Transparent Fund). London CIV will be building out the fund over the next few years, aiming to grow the current 5 billion of assets under management to 25 billion by 2020.

You can find out more about London CIV by visiting their website: https://londonciv.org.uk/

Enquiries regarding this announcement should be addressed to:

Andrew Sherlock, COO, Opus Nebula, +44(0)20-3239-7208, [email protected]

Brian Lee, COO, London CIV, +44(0)20-7934-9818, [email protected]

SOURCE Opus NebulaSEATTLE and SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A global survey of 1,440 CIOs, CTOs, CMOs and other senior decision makers, conducted by Avanade, the leading digital innovator, and Sitecore, the global leader in experience management software, reveals that 95% of organizations say their customer experience (CX) is in critical need of improvement. The research study, "Connect your martech to connect with your customers," shows more than 60% of marketing respondents believe they are leaving significant revenue and sales opportunities on the table due to their organization's marketing technology (martech stack).

Key findings from the research include:

Martech is the foundation of great CX  if it is done right. However, most companies find it difficult to achieve. Two-thirds of respondents agreed that their organizations weren't very mature when it comes to understanding the customer experience, personalization and data analytics.

However, most companies find it difficult to achieve. Two-thirds of respondents agreed that their organizations weren't very mature when it comes to understanding the customer experience, personalization and data analytics. Problems with martech can impact the entire business. Without an optimized martech stack, companies struggle to deliver a consistent CX, leaving money on the table  a situation reported by more than half of marketing respondents.

Without an optimized martech stack, companies struggle to deliver a consistent CX, leaving money on the table  a situation reported by more than half of marketing respondents. Businesses need to rethink their martech priorities, leveraging AI and analytics to rebuild the foundation. These technologies are key to helping identify customer needs, improving customer experiences and making marketing technology future ready. But the majority of respondents have yet to adopt AI or analytics.

These technologies are key to helping identify customer needs, improving customer experiences and making marketing technology future ready. But the majority of respondents have yet to adopt AI or analytics. Revising team skills, training and hiring can help businesses stay competitive. Along with hiring the best talent, businesses need to focus on working with the best partners to augment skillsets and train employees for collaboration. Today, more than half of marketing respondents say their martech stack is not user friendly, and even more IT respondents say marketing employees do not receive the necessary martech training.

Along with hiring the best talent, businesses need to focus on working with the best partners to augment skillsets and train employees for collaboration. Today, more than half of marketing respondents say their martech stack is not user friendly, and even more IT respondents say marketing employees do not receive the necessary martech training. Companies can capitalize on the new roles and expanding responsibilities of the CMO, CIO and chief digital officer (CDO). Lack of collaboration across these key roles was something the majority of respondents cited as hampering their company's ability to deliver great customer experiences. Balancing technology and marketing needs is becoming a business imperative for companies to connect with their customers.

"Great customer experiences can deliver 3x the ROI to a business, but companies need to invest and optimize their marketing technology to achieve this," said Stella Goulet, chief marketing officer, Avanade. "Increased collaboration between key IT and marketing leaders is part of the equation, but identifying trusted partners is critical to building strong customer connections and helping these traditional cost centers transform themselves into core drivers of revenue."

"When there is a disjointed customer experience with a business, there is a lost competitive advantage," Anil Gupta, executive vice president, program management, Sitecore. "IT and marketing must align to solve this challenge and leverage the right technology and a digital strategy that prioritizes a customer-centric approach, including personalized experiences and a trusted customer relationship."

View the executive summary and full report.

About the global survey

Avanade and Sitecore commissioned Vanson Bourne to conduct in-depth research among 1,440 CIOs, CTOs, senior IT decision-makers, CMOs, marketing directors and senior marketing decision makers from the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Japan and Australia. Respondents came from businesses with more than $500 million in global annual revenue and more than 250 employees. Martech stack was defined as a technology platform for one or all of the following areas: social media, advertising, customer relationship management, content marketing and management, asset management, email and marketing automation, search engine optimization, data and experience management, collaboration tools analytics and artificial intelligence.

About Avanade

Avanade is the leading provider of innovative digital and cloud services, business solutions and design-led experiences delivered through the power of people and the Microsoft ecosystem. Our professionals bring bold, fresh thinking combined with technology, business and industry expertise to help fuel transformation and growth for our clients and their customers. Avanade has 30,000 digitally connected people across 23 countries, bringing clients the best thinking through a collaborative culture that honors diversity and reflects the communities in which we operate. Majority owned by Accenture, Avanade was founded in 2000 by Accenture LLP and Microsoft Corporation. Learn more at http://www.avanade.com.

About Sitecore

Sitecore is the global leader in experience management software that combines content management, commerce, and customer insights. The Sitecore Experience Cloud empowers marketers to deliver personalized content in real time and at scale across every channelbefore, during, and after a sale. More than 5,200 brandsincluding American Express, Carnival Cruise Lines, Dow Chemical, and L'Orealhave trusted Sitecore to deliver the personalized interactions that delight audiences, build loyalty, and drive revenue. Learn more at http://www.sitecore.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Avanade:

Matt Tucker

[email protected]

Sitecore:

Matt Krebsbach

[email protected]

Golin on behalf of Avanade:

Phoebe Francis

[email protected]

SOURCE Avanade

Related Links

https://www.avanade.com

NEWTOWN, Conn., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Maplewood Senior Living proudly announced today Laurie Lofgren as the new Executive Director and Lauren Stowell as the new Community Relations Director of Maplewood at Newtown. The additions of Ms. Lofgren and Ms. Stowell to the team marks Maplewood's commitment to providing residents with a superior staff dedicated to delivering an unmatched experience in senior living. Maplewood offers a healthy, invigorating environment for all seniors, as well specialized assistance for those in need of advanced care. Maplewood Senior Living operates six senior living communities in Connecticut, including Newtown, where Ms. Lofgren and Ms. Stowell have assumed their new roles.

"We are extremely selective in our hiring because we know that our team is the ultimate source in providing residents with a truly remarkable experience that they won't find anywhere else," said Gregory D. Smith, President and CEO of Maplewood Senior Living. "Laurie is a visionary leader who is dedicated to delivering outstanding service and Lauren is driven by a passion to what is best for our residents and their families. These women embody Maplewood's core values and the quality service we provide to our residents."

As Executive Director, Ms. Lofgren will provide leadership and oversee day-to-day operations including the planning, development, implementation, evaluation and improvement of program services, management of staff and the delivery of high quality service to the residents and their families.

"Maplewood Senior Living upholds an admirable reputation and has a strong hold as a leader in senior living," said Laurie Lofgren. "It is exciting to work with a team driven by innovation and dedication to surpassing the expectations of its community."

Ms. Stowell has over ten years of experience in the healthcare and senior living industry. In her new role, she will work directly with families, providing them with the best information possible to assist them in selecting the best living options. Ms. Stowell will also act as a community resource for those in need of senior living planning.

"Needs change as you age, but not everyone requires the same support," says Lauren Stowell. "Our goal is for the residents to thrive and lead fulfilled lives, and this requires listening to them and customizing their experience to fit their unique requirements."

Ms. Lofgren is state licensed and certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid to provide Home Health Services including Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Medical Social Work and Home-Maker Home Health Aides.

Ms. Stowell is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, holds a degree in Science Recreation and Leisure Studies and is currently pursuing a secondary degree in Gerontology.

About Maplewood Senior Living

Based in Westport, Connecticut, Maplewood Senior Living is known for its upscale senior living residences, offering a broad range of premier services, amenities and care to its residents. Maplewood Senior Living owns and operates 14 senior living communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Ohio. Future locations include Princeton, NJ, Southport, CT, and the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The Manhattan project falls within the company's newest brand Inspir. This international brand was launched to offer a luxurious option for seniors looking to join a residential community in major metropolitan areas. For more information visit our website at www.maplewoodseniorliving.com.

SOURCE Maplewood Senior Living

Related Links

http://www.maplewoodseniorliving.com

OAKLAND, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Marqeta, the open-API platform pioneering the future of modern card issuing, has raised $45 million in new funding in a round led by ICONIQ Capital, with participation from Goldman Sachs and existing investors, bringing Marqeta's total funding to $116 million.

"Marqeta is the clear market leader in modern card issuing, and we're thrilled to be part of their already phenomenal growth story," said Will Griffith, partner at ICONIQ Capital. "They have the most advanced card issuing technology in the category, and they have assembled an extraordinary team of industry leaders."

Marqeta will leverage the investment, along with the $25 million it took in from a strategic round in June 2017, led by Visa, to extend its leadership in innovative consumer and commercial card solutions, and to accelerate its domestic and international growth. Marqeta already powers card programs for industry leaders such as Instacart, Square, Affirm, Kabbage, Alipay and several others.

"We're excited to bring aboard ICONIQ Capital and Goldman Sachs, who deeply understand innovation in financial technology and payments," said Marqeta founder and CEO Jason Gardner. "We look forward to their contributions to Marqeta as we continue to scale operations and expand our footprint around the world."

Marqeta built the first developer-friendly card issuing and core processing platform in the past two decades: an end-to-end, cloud-based system powering physical, virtual and tokenized cards, built from the ground up with developers and technology-driven businesses in mind.

The investment follows a year of strong growth for Marqeta, during which it formed a global strategic partnership with Visa, launched its international effort and more than doubled the size of its team.

Marqeta also announced several new products in 2017 including the Marqeta Digital Wallet SDK for Apple Pay and Google Pay, Marqeta.js, and Marqeta's Virtual Card Wizard. Using this technology, businesses can now easily and efficiently build customized, PCI-compliant card experiences that have not been possible on legacy platforms.

"We're consistently delivering new products to market and powering today's most innovative companies, driving significant growth in payment volume and greater operational efficiency with each passing month," added Gardner. "We're just getting started."

Financial Technology Partners ("FT Partners") served as Marqeta's strategic and financial advisor on this transaction and acted as the placement agent for the funding from ICONIQ Capital.

About Marqeta

Marqeta is the global standard for modern card issuing, providing the most advanced infrastructure and tools for building highly configurable payment cards. With its open API, the Marqeta platform is designed for innovators who want a simplified way of managing payment programs so that they can create world-class experiences and power new modes of commerce. Marqeta is headquartered in Oakland, California. For more information, visit www.marqeta.com, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About ICONIQ Capital

ICONIQ Capital is a privately-held investment firm that serves some of the world's most influential families and organizations. ICONIQ provides financial advisory and family office services, and manages direct investments across asset classes, with specific focus on technology growth equity, venture capital, middle market buyout and real estate.

SOURCE Marqeta

Related Links

http://www.marqeta.com

As these areas continue to significantly shape the assisted living landscape, trade associations like The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) and Argentum have introduced initiatives to spark improvements at the community level. The NCAL Quality Initiative sets specific targets to further improve quality of care in assisted living communities. NCAL members are encouraged to reach defined goals by 2021 that address staff stability, customer satisfaction, hospital readmissions and antipsychotics.

"Many communities already have strategies in place to enhance quality in these key areas, but the initiative helps unite the profession by collectively focusing on specific targets while putting a spotlight on the great work they are doing on the front lines," says Scott Tittle, executive director, National Center for Assisted Living.

Addressing Workforce Stability

By 2025, the industry will need to recruit 1.2 million workers to support the demand for senior living services. For St. Louis, Mo. based StoneBridge Senior Living who has facilities in rural markets in Arkansas, the pool of talented candidates sometimes feel limited. To help create an environment where employees feel empowered, Ashley Blankenship, StoneBridge's director of assisted living services, stresses the importance of engaging with staff and making them feel involved in company decisions.

"Our life's work is providing quality care and enhancing the lives of our residents, but we cannot accomplish that without a dedicated team of employees. You have to be just as committed to caring for your staff so they can properly care for the residents. At StoneBridge, we focus on engaging them in the scheduling process and introduced open scheduling so they can fill in the number of days and hours they want to work that week."

"The challenges ailing assisted living communities remain stagnant, but by bringing together some of the most forward-thinking professionals in the industry, we are able to work together to identify solutions that lead to better operational and resident outcomes," says Shawn Scott, senior vice president of corporate sales, Medline.

For a video featuring additional insights from the advisory board members on enhancing performance around workforce stability, resident acuity and resident satisfaction, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eco2XdZ9zEM&feature=youtu.be.

Additionally, visit http://www.medline.com/assistedliving for more information about Medline's offerings for assisted living communities.

About Medline

Medline is a global manufacturer and distributor serving the healthcare industry with medical supplies and clinical solutions that help customers achieve both clinical and financial success. Headquartered in Northfield, Ill., the company offers 550,000+ medical devices and support services through more than 1,400 direct sales representatives who are dedicated points of contact for customers across the continuum of care. For more information on Medline, go to www.medline.com or http://www.medline.com/social-media to connect with Medline on its social media channels.

SOURCE Medline

Related Links

http://www.medline.com

"In my more than a decade in book publishing I have never before seen authors bring their book to life in this extraordinary way. I am deeply afraid of what I will encounter on Charles Street next month because I have read the book and those scenes are terrifying. Knowing these authors as well as I do, there is no doubt this event is worth driving across the country to experience in the flesh!"

AWAKENED: THE EXPERIENCE literally takes you into the heart of the most terrifying scenes of the new HarperCollins thriller AWAKENED it's a room-by-room tour of the pulse-pounding sounds and set-pieces curated by the scare masters from Blood Manor:

Dare to make your way through the shocking SUBWAY CARS :

"Blood smothered the interior. The walls. The ceiling. The seats. The floor. Everywhere. A crimson handprint on the opposite side of the car extended into four finger lines and stopped at a set of doors." *excerpt from Awakened

"Blood smothered the interior. The walls. The ceiling. The seats. The floor. Everywhere. A crimson handprint on the opposite side of the car extended into four finger lines and stopped at a set of doors." *excerpt from Awakened Escape through the claustrophobic TUNNELS:

"The walls widened into a tunnelDebris littered the groundIt was like a museum had exploded down here." *excerpt from Awakened

"The walls widened into a tunnelDebris littered the groundIt was like a museum had exploded down here." *excerpt from Awakened Survive the terrifying creatures' NEST:

"Down that way is a huge cavern, bigger than anything I've ever seen, and it's full of them. Captain, I think we've stumbled on their nest." *excerpt from Awakened

The set pieces from AWAKENED: THE EXPERIENCE are currently being built at a factory in Ohio and will be trucked halfway across the country just in time for fans to have the thrill of a lifetime

For one weekend only, this is your chance to experience the book come to life, not to mention a close encounter with the authors. Everyone who enters gets a personalized, autographed copy of the novel as well as a meet and greet and photo op with Murr and Darren. Produced and designed by the thrill masters of NYC's premiere haunted attraction Blood Manor, AWAKENED: THE EXPERIENCE cannot be missed!

AWAKENED: THE EXPERIENCE runs Friday, June 22nd 7pm-10pm; Saturday, June 23rd 5pm-10pm and Sunday, June 24th 3pm-8pm at 139 Charles Street, New York City.

Says David Pomerico, Editorial Director for Harper Voyager US:

"The thing that excites me about AWAKENED: THE EXPERIENCE so much is that it's designed to truly enhance what the book is trying to do. Where else can you walk into a book, get the crap scared out of you, and then meet the authors? The combination of those things is unique, and I for one can't wait to get my ticket."

Says James Murray, Author:

"I can barely contain my excitement for The Awakened EXPERIENCE I wanted a truly unique way to launch my first novel, and Blood Manor & HarperCollins have delivered So thrilled to see scenes from the pages come to life, they are positively chilling!"

THE BOOK:

After years of waiting, New York's newest subway line is finally ready, an express train that connects the city with the burgeoning communities across the Hudson River. The shining jewel of this state-of-the-art line is a breathtaking visitors' pavilion beneath the river. Major dignitaries, including New York City's Mayor and the President of the United States, are in attendance for the inaugural run, as the first train slowly pulls in.

Under the station's bright ceiling lights, the shiny silver cars gleam. But as the train comes closer into view, a far different scene becomes visible.

All the train's cars are empty. All the cars' interiors are drenched in blood.

As chaos descends, all those in the pavilion scramble to get out. But the horror is only beginning. High levels of deadly methane fill the tunnels. The structure begins to flood. For those who don't drown, choke or spark an explosion, another terrifying danger awaitsthe thing that killed all those people on the train. It's out thereand it's coming.

There's something living beneath New York City, and it's not happy we've woken it up.

AWAKENED will be released by HarperCollins in bookstores across the country this June 26, 2018 and is available in print, ebook, or audiobook--narrated by Murr himself!

Dare to enter AWAKENED: THE EXPERIENCE. Go to www.awakenednovel.com to get your tickets today!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

JAMES S. MURRAY is a writer, executive producer, and actor, best known as "Murr" on the cable television show Impractical Jokers along with his comedy troupe, The Tenderloins. He has also worked as the Senior Vice President of Development for NorthSouth Productions for the past decade, and is the Owner of Impractical Productions, Inc. Originally from Staten Island, he now lives in Manhattan. Awakened is his first novel.

DARREN WEARMOUTH spent six years in the British Army before pursuing a career in corporate technology. After fifteen years working for large telecommunications firm and a start-up, he decided to follow his passion for writing. He is the author of numerous novels, including First Activation, Fast Forward, and Sixth Cycle. He lives in Manchester, England.

FOR PUBLICITY INQUIRIES:

For Awakened The Experience & Blood Manor:

Leslie Taylor / Big Machine Agency / [email protected]

For Awakened book:

Elena Stokes / Wunderkind PR / [email protected]

Caroline Perny / Harper Voyager / [email protected]

SOURCE James Murray

Related Links

http://www.awakenednovel.com

SALT LAKE CITY, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Greysage, LLC is pleased to announce that Michael N. Graham, author of "Boss Nova Odyssey," received an "Honorable Mention" Award in the Biography/Autobiography category at this prestigious event.

"I am so pleased that my book was recognized by the judges among all the entries posted," said Graham. "It is an honor given the important nature of the San Francisco Book Festival to writers and authors as well as to the reading public."

Graham went on to say, "The sales of any book really depends a lot on getting recognized and the publicity that comes from events like this or people taking the time to write about their enjoyment about something written through various media outlets."

"Of the numerous submissions that are received by the San Francisco Book Festival, receiving an award such as this is testimony to the quality of the writing in the book submitted," said the organizers of the Festival about the award winner.

San Francisco Book Festival Results by Category

BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY



WINNER: "Through Smoke-Teared Eyes" - Johnny F. Pugh



RUNNER-UP: "Confessions of a Bone Woman" - Lucinda Bakken White



HONORABLE MENTIONS:

"And Then I Am Gone" - Mathias B. Freese

"Boss Nova Odyssey" - Michael N. Graham

"Unstoppable. It's a Choice" - Inga Lizdenyte

"Why Not? Conquering the Road Less Traveled" - John Brown with Donna Brown

About "Boss Nova Odyssey"

With laconic wisdom and self-deprecating humor, "Boss Nova Odyssey" tells the amusing story of Michael Graham's Brazilian adventure - and the road that led him there. It is an extraordinary true series of laugh out loud memories that one can't make up and often moves from dreams to escalating nightmares.

It's an entertaining, fish-out-of-water story, in the mold of Peter Mayle and Bill Bryson. Some may say that this could not have happened. It is an unbelievable story populated by unfathomable bureaucracy, customers never satisfied, and the world's most unreliable banks. But here's the thing, they would be dead wrong  cause it's all totally true. "Boss Nova Odyssey" all happened. Now out on Amazon and in a Kindle version, "Boss Nova Odyssey" has received numerous excellent reviews.

About Michael Graham

Michael Graham has lived an international life from the get-go. With a father in the airline industry, Graham learned to love travel and adventure. Born in England, he has lived in several different countries, including Belgium, Italy, Brazil, and the United States.

He got his start in New York City, when he entered the business world. From there, he moved to Utah to open a restaurant and a ski resort. After that, he became the governor's chief of staff and conducted several local and national political campaigns. He then returned to the East Coast, where he entered the advertising industry and worked on a global scale.

About Greysage, LLC

Greysage, LLC currently focuses on opportunities and represents clients in a variety of business sectors ranging from advertising, marketing services, technology, transportation, and hospitality.

For more information please contact:

Alex Koritz

Method Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Michael N. Graham"MilliporeSigma is helping drug manufacturers, from small to large innovator companies, bring life-enhancing medicines and therapies to market  and to patients  faster," said Udit Batra, CEO, MilliporeSigma. "Customers who partner with us benefit from MilliporeSigma's full suite of capabilities, which includes access to the latest technologies and expertise of our global footprint."

MilliporeSigma's new center provides hands-on experience and expert consultation at each stage of the biopharmaceutical development process and in manufacturing.

Biomanufacturing is a growing industry that is increasingly focused on optimized production and high quality. However, the drug development process is long and complex, and requires biotech companies to make significant financial investments. MilliporeSigma's Burlington end-to-end center is one of three worldwide supporting its biotech partners in developing their processes from early clinical stage to commercialization. Other centers are in Martillac, France, and Shanghai, China.

MilliporeSigma has 31 years of process development experience and a track record of delivering robust clinical production processes and clinical material in nine to 12 months. The company has the industry's most comprehensive portfolio of products, services and testing for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and its global end-to-end team has executed approximately 240 large molecule projects ranging in scale from three to 2,000 liters.

Advance Biotech Grant Program  Accelerating Therapeutic Development in Life Science

MilliporeSigma is expanding its commitment to the global biotech community with its Advance Biotech Grant Program. Through the newly expanded grant program, every six months, three recipients around the globe will be awarded a total of 200,000 in free services and products to address their process development challenges. In total, six companies will benefit from MilliporeSigma's Advance Biotech Grant Program each year.

"Biotech start-ups want to get their therapies to market fast and need expertise and funding to make that happen," Batra said. "Having a partner like MilliporeSigma with a range of differentiated technologies, services and expertise can help our customers solve their unique challenges. These expanded grants further demonstrate MilliporeSigma's commitment to partnering to solve the toughest problems in life science."

MilliporeSigma has been awarding grants to emerging biotechs globally since 2015. In the first year, the program focused on advancing molecules being developed in China. Five grants were awarded to companies with promising therapies such as antibody drug conjugates for cancer and monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of fibrotic disease. More recently, the 2017 grant was awarded to four promising biotechs in China.

Winners are selected based on the scientific and societal merit of the therapy in development and process challenges and expertise gaps that may impact ongoing development.

For decades, MilliporeSigma has collaborated with its customers to shape how drug production is done today, and will continue working together to shape the possibilities of tomorrow.

Follow MilliporeSigma on Twitter @MilliporeSigma, on Facebook @MilliporeSigma and on LinkedIn.

All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service.

About the Life Science Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has 20,000 employees and 60 manufacturing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products enabling scientific discovery. Udit Batra is the global chief executive officer of MilliporeSigma.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany completed its $17 billion acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich in November 2015, creating a leader in the $125 billion global life science industry.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in healthcare, life science and performance materials. The company has five businesses  Biopharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, Allergopharma, Life Science and Performance Materials  and generated sales of 15.3 billion in 2017. Almost 53,000 employees work in 66 countries to improve the quality of life for patients, to foster the success of customers and to help meet global challenges.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company  since 1668, the company has stood for innovation, business success and responsible entrepreneurship. Holding an approximately 70 percent interest, the founding family remains the majority owner of the company to this day. The company holds the global rights to the name and the trademark "Merck" internationally except for the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

SOURCE MilliporeSigmaCAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Innovative API platform gives customers the tools to streamline data collection

MiX Telematics, a leading global provider of fleet and asset management solutions, introduces MiX Integrate, an intuitive API platform that allows for seamless third-party data integration. For customers, MiX Integrate is the perfect bridge between in-house or third-party business systems and telematics data generated by MiX's solutions.

"MiX Telematics understands that data analysis and integration are critical components in driving greater adoption and effective use of telematics systems. To assist our customers achieve this, we have developed a new generation API platform to replace our previous integration platform. With MiX Integrate, customers can extract the data they need, as they need it, and seamlessly integrate it into their other business systems including payroll and transport management systems," says Catherine Lewis, Executive Vice President of Technology at MiX Telematics.

MiX Integrate can be used by companies of all sizes, where in-house or third-party systems could benefit from the rich data generated by MiX Telematics's solutions. Key features include a RESTful API, support for OAuth 2.0 and Swagger frameworks, as well "Getting Started" documentation and sample code.

"At MiX Telematics we put our customers first and want to provide their development teams with a flexible and seamless integration platform. MiX Integrate is perfect for businesses looking to maximise their investment in telematics, and take their adoption thereof to the next level," says Lewis.

About MiX Telematics

MiX Telematics is a leading global provider of fleet and mobile asset management solutions delivered as SaaS to more than 676,000 subscribers in over 120 countries. The company's products and services provide enterprise fleets, small fleets and consumers with solutions for efficiency, safety, compliance and security. MiX Telematics was founded in 1996 and has offices in South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uganda, Brazil, Australia and the United Arab Emirates as well as a network of more than 130 fleet partners worldwide. MiX Telematics shares are publicly traded on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE: MIX) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MIXT). For more information, visit www.mixtelematics.com

For further information:



Yudhvir Ranchod

Brand and Communications Manager

[email protected]



SOURCE MiX TelematicsPITTSFIELD, Mass., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 800 registered nurses of Berkshire Medical Center, who are represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, delivered notice to hospital management on Monday evening notifying them of their intent to hold a one-day strike beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, June 18 and running until 7 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19.

"Our nurses have said it loud and clear: We will not stop fighting for staffing improvements that help keep our patients safe. We have demonstrated our unity with three separate votes and have persisted despite the length of our fight and management's divisiveness," said Alex Neary, RN and Co-Chair of the MNA BMC Bargaining Committee. "Today management offered proposals that do not make sufficient improvements for us to provide our patients with the care they deserve."

The BMC MNA Bargaining Committee  nurses elected by their colleagues to represent them  issued the strike notice after management refused once again during the latest bargaining session to agree to proposals that would improve the everyday staffing problems that confront BMC nurses and their patients. This despite nurses being open to various negotiating ideas around safe staffing and offering management the hospital's top priority regarding health insurance.

Negotiating Status

On May 25, management asked if nurses would be willing to explore their idea of creating Resource Nurse positions on all shifts seven days a week.

We said yes, we would if there can be an agreement with these criteria:

There would have to be an adequate number of resource nurses on each shift in several of the hospital units. We said if they propose there would be only two in the whole hospital, that won't be useful.

of resource nurses on each shift in several of the hospital units. We said if they propose there would be only in the whole hospital, that won't be useful. We would need to negotiate modifications to the current charge RN staffing specifically charges without assignment on the mother baby unit.

There would need to be our proposed language that management will post and recruit to fill such positions that are necessary for the Hospital to meet its contractual obligations relating to RNs.

Management on Monday made proposals inconsistent with those criteria above and inconsistent with their own description they presented last week: There would be only two resource nurses for the whole 300+ bed hospital and only on days, none from 7:30 p.m. to 7 a.m., and they would not agree to charges or resource nurses in the mother baby unit.

A Brief History of Nurses Fighting and Voting for Staffing and Patient Care Improvements

BMC nurses have been negotiating a new contract since September 2016. Before and during negotiations, nurses have consistently identified unsafe staffing as a problem and have sought to address the issue in a fair agreement.

Nurses went to management seeking solutions, discussing the problem in labor-management meetings, writing petitions to hospital executives and sending letters.

BMC nurses filed 509 unsafe staffing forms between October 2015 and April 2018  an average of one form every other day for 31 months. The forms are a tool used by nurses to document to hospital management any time they are confronted with care conditions that in their professional judgment are inconsistent with appropriate patient care.

and  an average of one form every other day for 31 months. The forms are a tool used by nurses to document to hospital management any time they are confronted with care conditions that in their professional judgment are inconsistent with appropriate patient care. Management did not respond to those attempts and so nurses brought the issue into negotiations. When management refused to make staffing improvements at the bargaining table, nurses brought the issue to the public through demonstrations and voted down  by more than 80% -- a "best and final" offer from management on May 31, 2017 .

. Nurses then voted by a margin of 83% on July 26, 2017 to authorize a one-day strike. The 85% turnout was the most ever for a BMC nurse vote. Nurses held a 24-hour strike on Oct. 3, 2017 and were then locked out for four days by management after management refused once again to make staffing improvements.

to authorize a one-day strike. The 85% turnout was the most ever for a BMC nurse vote. Nurses held a 24-hour strike on and were then locked out for four days by management after management refused once again to make staffing improvements. After negotiating in good faith following the strike, nurses voted again, on Jan. 16, 2018 , to authorize a second one-day strike after management refused to offer a fair contract that included staffing improvements. Nurses were poised to strike on February 27 but withdrew their notice to make space for negotiations to progress.

, to authorize a second one-day strike after management refused to offer a fair contract that included staffing improvements. Nurses were poised to strike on but withdrew their notice to make space for negotiations to progress. Since nurses withdrew their strike notice, management has refused to make proposals that would improve the staffing and patient care problems despite nurses offering management their top priority  a doubling of health insurance premium costs for nurses on individual plans.

There is no reason Berkshire Medical Center cannot agree to a fair contract, especially considering its enormous profits. Over the last five years, BMC has made a profit of more than $207 million , according to the Center for Health Information and Analysis. In 2016 alone, BMC posted a profit of $47.2 million . That is a margin of 9.7%  more than three times the state and regional averages of 3%, making it a real outlier among profitable hospitals. Read the CHIA BMC data here.

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses  Instagram.com/MassNurses

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association

Related Links

http://www.massnurses.org

When constructing their own retirement portfolios, about 10% of participants tend to hold extreme allocations (0% or 100% equities). With the advent of TDFs, three-quarters of all participants now have broadly-diversified portfoliosup from only half ten years ago. The rate of participants holding concentrated stock positions fell by half during the same timeframe. TDFs also help investors "stay the course" with their investment plans, with only 2% of TDF investors executing a trade in 2017.

"Target-date funds have revolutionized investing for millions of Americans, providing a ready-made, diversified portfolio for retirement savers," said Martha King, managing director and head of the Vanguard Institutional Investor Group. "Many participants lack the time, willingness, and expertise to build and manage their retirement portfolios, and TDFs offer a professionally-managed investment option at a very low cost."

With more than $650 billion in TDF assets under management, Vanguard leads the industry in TDF assets and cash flow. According to Morningstar, 54% of all industry TDF cash flow went to Vanguard Target Retirement Funds (TRF) in 2017. With an average asset-weighted cost of 0.13%, Vanguard TRFs cost one-quarter of the industry average1, meaning participants can keep more of their earnings for their future retirement needs.

Smart plan design enhances retirement savings

Over the past decade, plan sponsors have implemented thoughtful plan designs to influence and improve employee retirement savings. The dramatic rise of TDFsand subsequent portfolio construction benefithas been driven by the adoption of automatic enrollment, which has tripled in the last decade to nearly half of plans. Plans with automatic enrollment have a 92% participation rate, compared with a participation rate of just 57% for plans with voluntary enrollmentmeaning more employees are saving for retirement.

When automatic features were first introduced, many plan sponsors defaulted participants into plans at low rates in an attempt to prevent opt-outs. Half of plans now default participants in at a savings rate of 4% or higher, up from just one-quarter ten years ago. Not only are sponsors using higher default rates, but of those plans with automatic enrollment, two-thirds have also implemented automatic annual deferral rate increases. Importantly, automatic increases have helped to narrow the spread between deferral rates for participants in voluntary plans vs. automatic enrollment plans to just 0.3 basis points. When both employee and employer contributions are taken into account, the average savings rate of 10.5% has held fairly steady over a 15-year period.

"More people are participating in their employer-sponsored 401(k) plan than ever before, and saving at a healthy rate of about 10%," said Jean Young, senior research analyst in the Vanguard Center for Investor Research and lead author of How America Saves. "After over a decade of leading this research, it's gratifying to see meaningful advances in plan design have such a tangible, positive impact on retirement savings for participants."

With $1.2 trillion in DC assets under management, Vanguard serves as recordkeeper and strategic partner to more than 1,900 qualified plan sponsorshelping them to develop well-designed DC plans for more than 4.6 million participants. Vanguard has long been recognized as an industry leader in DC plan design and services, providing sponsors with the investment options, technology, tools, and research to help prepare participants for retirement.



About Vanguard

Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment management companies. As of April 30, 2018, Vanguard managed $5.0 trillion in global assets. The firm, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, offers 396 funds to its more than 20 million investors worldwide. For more information, visit vanguard.com.

1Based on industry average asset-weighted expense ratio of 0.66% at the end of 2017, Morningstar 2018 Target-Date Fund Landscape.

All data as of April 30, 2018, unless otherwise noted.

For more information about Vanguard funds, visit institutional.vanguard.com or call 800-523-7064 to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information about a fund are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.

Investments in Target Retirement Funds are subject to the risks of their underlying funds. The year in the fund name refers to the approximate year (the target date) when an investor in the fund would retire and leave the workforce. The fund will gradually shift its emphasis from more aggressive investments to more conservative ones based on its target date. An investment in a Target Retirement Fund is not guaranteed at any time, including on or after the target date.

 2018 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

SOURCE Vanguard

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Having done a soft launch at the beginning of 2018, they already had clients pining for Moxi Talent before the product was finished. With a total of eight brokerages on their beta version  representing the top regional brokerages in the nation  they now have released the full version of Moxi Talent, available to all brokerages.

When asked what inspired the company to create such a comprehensive system, York Baur, CEO of MoxiWorks said, "Brokers wake up every day thinking about how to attract and retain the most talented agents, and the competition out there is fierce, particularly with all the disruptors throwing cash around. Brokers told us that they need a better tool to help their managers find the agents that best fit their needs, the culture of the brokerage, and then give the manager a system for successfully recruiting them." Moxi Talent differs from other recruiting tools because it not only focuses on attracting new agents, but agents already at the brokerage as well. "The brokers we talked to also said that they needed to help their managers re-recruit their existing agents every day, since turnover is one of the most expensive things in a brokerage," said Baur.

Moxi Talent shows powerful data of an agent's ability to perform. Once a candidate has been identified, they are then added to the recruiter or office manager's pipeline as recommendations. From there, recruiters and managers can see the agent's performance, and even compare them to the successful agents in their organization. Moxi Talent provides detailed action plans, making sense of complex performance data, helping the recruiting team take the right steps to connect and win in the recruiting game.

Georgia Perez, VP of Business Development and Product Evangelism at MoxiWorks said, "In my more than 10 years as a Real Estate Agent and Manager, I haven't seen a system that takes the guesswork out of massive amounts of data on performance and productivity, and provides an easy-to-follow plan to recruit and retain the top talent." Perez still holds her real estate license and played an active role in the development of the Moxi Talent system. "Before Moxi Talent, I would have been staring at a spreadsheet full of data and trying to figure out what to take actions on. Now, I simply tell Moxi Talent how I want to increase sides, sales volume, and geographic market coverage, and it does the heavy lifting to point me in the right direction."

Moxi Talent provides daily to-do's, allowing recruiters and managers to efficiently and effectively reach the agents they need to and quickly narrows search criteria for highly-valued recruits. All of this saves time and energy, keeping them on task, and guiding them through the pipeline, resulting in more hires. Which, in turn maintains focus on business goals for the brokerage and provides better productivity, resulting in better ROI.

Baur added, "When it comes to profitability, three things matter to brokerages: agent recruiting, retention and productivity. We've always had great product for retention and productivity, and now we have a great answer for brokers' recruiting needs too."

About MoxiWorks

MoxiWorks is a comprehensive open platform system for large residential real estate brokerages that serves over 110,00 agents and 55 brokerages nationwide. MoxiWorks' integrated tools are centered on sphere methodology that drastically increases agents' repeat and referral business by 40%, while lowering overall technology, training, and support costs for the brokerage. Named one of the 10 Best Cloud Solution Providers of 2018 by Industry Era, the open platform known as the Moxi Cloud has tools from more than 40 partners that plug and play to create unique brokerage solutions. More information at moxiworks.com.

For more information on this topic and other press inquiries, please contact Tiana Baur at [email protected].

SOURCE MoxiWorks

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ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Women's History Museum (NWHM) announced the addition of three new members to its board of directors: Vin Cipolla, Peixin Li Dallara and Beverly Guy-Sheftall. The board provides leadership for delivering on NWHM's mission to tell the stories of women who transformed our nation in a physical museum and through a growing state-of-the-art online presence to educate, inspire, empower, shape the future and provide a complete view of American history.

"We are pleased to have these accomplished members join our board at this exciting time in our evolution," said NWHM Board Chair Susan Whiting. "These new board members bring their valuable expertise from the worlds of government relations, community engagement, nonprofit strategy and management, academia, and finance and business, as well as a firm commitment to ensuring women's contributions to American history are included in our national narrative."

About NWHM's New Board Members

Vin Cipolla is the former Executive Director of the David Geffen Hall Campaign at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the New York Philharmonic, the former President and CEO of the Municipal Art Society of New York, and the past President and CEO, and Citizen Chairman, of the National Park Foundation. He serves as Chief Philanthropy Officer of Marymount Manhattan College in New York. Among his many leadership roles, he is also currently the Chairman of The Arts Arena Paris, and he is the former Chairman and President of the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. With a parallel career in business, he has been a financial technology, digital media and marketing services entrepreneur having launched a series of successful companies, and he served as a President and CEO with Fidelity Capital, a private equity business of Fidelity Investments, where he also served on the board of Fidelity Charitable Services. He is the founder of Five Mile River Co., a strategic consultancy, and he is the board Chairman of the investment management company Etho Capital. A recognized leader in nonprofit fundraising, he has directed fundraising efforts and campaigns over his career spanning the arts, culture, education and conservation.

Peixin Li Dallara is CEO and founder of Polaris Investments LLC, an independent private equity advisory business, providing advice and expertise to fund managers and institutional investors in private equity fund related business and investment strategies worldwide. Before founding Polaris in 2004, she worked at Frank Russell Company, one of the world's premier pension fund consulting firms, as senior client executive, senior portfolio manager and senior member of the investment Committee of the firm's private equity business. She started her career in the M&A business at Frank Russell Company and became a key player in establishing one of the two world's largest Asisan infrastructure funds. Prior to her career in the US, she was a career diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Treaty and Law Department in Beijing, China, where she worked on the initial preparation of the return of Hong Kong, and on the negotiations of the World Bank loans for China's agriculture and infrastructure developments. She is a board member of the Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation, a founding member of NWHM's 1920 Society, and a founding member of the Washington State Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Beverly Guy-Sheftall is the Anna Julia Cooper Professor of Women's Studies and founding director of the Women's Research and Resource Center at Spelman College. She is a former adjunct professor at Emory University's Institute for Women's Studies where she taught graduate courses in their doctoral program, and was a past president of the National Women's Studies Association. She has published a number of texts within African American and Women's Studies. In 1983, she became the founding co-editor of Sage: A Scholarly Journal on Black Women, which was devoted exclusively to the experiences of women of African descent and published from 1983  1996. Guy-Sheftall is the recipient of numerous fellowships and awards including a National Kellogg Fellowship, Woodrow Wilson Fellowship for dissertations in Women's Studies, and Spelman's Presidential Faculty Award for outstanding scholarship. She has been involved with the national women's studies movement since its inception and provided leadership to establish the first women's studies major at a historically Black college. She participates in a number of advocacy organizations including the National Black Women's Health Project, the National Council for Research on Women, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, on whose boards she has served.

About the National Women ' s History Museum

Founded in 1996, the National Women's History Museum has researched, collected, and exhibited women's contributions to the social, cultural, economic, and political life of our nation's history engaging people with our interactive website, online and physical exhibits, education programs, live presentations, and social media to ensure we tell those stories. Through these efforts and its future physical presence, the Museum serves as a guiding light to inspire people regardless of gender, class, race or culture to move into the future with respect, equal confidence, greater partnership and opportunity. A place where visitors can expand their understanding of women's roles and leave with a compete view of American history. For additional information visit womenshistory.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE National Women's History Museum

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https://www.womenshistory.org

The ceremony was attended by a number of Serbian and international dignitaries including the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabic; the Minister of Mining and Energy, Aleksandar Antic; the President of Bor Municipality, Aleksandar Milikic; and the Ambassador of Canada to Serbia, H.E. Kati Csaba; as well as members of Nevsun's Board of Directors and Senior Management.

Serbia's Minister of Mining and Energy, Aleksandar Antic, said, "The Ministry of Mining and Energy confirms its continued support to Nevsun and the Cukaru Peki project. We are committed to supporting Nevsun as it rapidly advances the project toward production."

Nevsun's CEO, Peter Kukielski, said "Commencing construction of the exploration decline on one of the world's best undeveloped copper projects is a significant milestone for the Company. Support from all levels of the Serbian government as well as local stakeholders have been instrumental in helping achieve this historic event on this world-leading project. We look forward to unlocking significantly more value for our shareholders and stakeholders as we advance toward construction of the Timok Upper Zone, a much-anticipated initial resource for the Lower Zone, and ongoing regional exploration on our highly prospective land package."

Timok (Cukaru Peki) Upper Zone Update

Contracts for the portal preparation and decline development have been awarded. The contractor for portal preparation has mobilized to site and the approximate eight-week work program has begun. Once preparation is complete, the decline contractor will construct the portal and begin decline development. The project is expected to be completed in approximately twenty-four months, including development of diamond drilling platform bays at depth and a lateral drift into the high-grade portion of the orebody for bulk sampling.

As previously stated with our Q1 2018 results, one hundred percent of the land required for the development of the exploration decline and 63% of the private land required for construction of the project has been acquired.

The feasibility study on the Upper Zone remains on schedule for completion in mid-2019. The Company is in the process of updating the PFS to further define parameters around the ramp up scenario previously discussed in the March 28th PFS News Release. This scenario focuses on de-risking the project by reducing initial capital and mill throughput in the early years. Initial production would start at 1.6 million tonnes per annum and ramp up to 3.2 million tonnes per annum. The Company believes this option could save up to $100 million in up-front project capital. The Company expects to release the results of this updated scenario in the fall of 2018, if it becomes the basis of the full feasibility study.

Nevsun continues to engage with a wide range of capital providers, including discussions with potential strategic partners who are able to provide both capital and technical, political and/or product offtake/marketing support.

Regional drilling, focused on high grade Upper Zone style mineralization, has recommenced with three rigs mobilized in late May. Drilling will initially be focused on the area identified in the January 16th release, 500 meters to the east of the currently defined Upper Zone mineralization, including hole TC170189 which returned 2.93% Cu and 2.54 g/t Au over 27 meters.

Timok (Cukaru Peki) Lower Zone Update

The Company is nearing completion on the work associated with the initial 43-101 compliant resource on the Timok Lower Zone, a joint venture with Freeport-McMoRan Exploration Corporation. As announced late March, the recently completed $20 million drill program continued to demonstrate the potential world class nature of the deposit. A clearer picture of value will emerge with the initial resource estimate to be released mid-year.

Forward Looking Statements

The above contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward looking statements including statements with respect to the Timok Upper Zone Project in Serbia (the "Timok Project"). The Company also cautions the reader that the PFS on the Timok Project that support the technical feasibility or economic viability of the Timok Project, including the marketability of the concentrate, mining method, costs, processing, metal recoveries and any other technical aspects related to the Timok Project, are preliminary in nature and there is no certainty that the PFS will be realized. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "hopes", "intends", "estimated", "potential", "possible" and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are statements concerning the Company's current beliefs, plans, objectives and expectations about the future. The actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. These risks, uncertainties and factors include general business, legal, economic, competitive, political, regulatory and social uncertainties; actual results of exploration activities and economic evaluations; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; changes in project parameters; changes in costs, including labour, infrastructure, operating and production costs; future prices of copper, gold, zinc, silver and other minerals; resource estimates and variations of mineral grade or recovery rates; operating or technical difficulties in connection with exploration; land acquisition; mining method, production profile and mine plan; other development or mining activities, including the failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; performance on ore production and waste movement and improvement in mining capability; delays in exploration, development and construction activities including commencement of the decline construction as planned; changes in government legislation and regulation; the ability to maintain and renew existing licenses and permits and the ability to obtain other required licences and permits in a timely manner or at all; the ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms and in a timely manner or at all; contests over title to properties; employee relations and shortages of skilled personnel and contractors; the speculative nature of, and the risks involved in, the exploration, development and mining business including, without limitation, other risks that are more fully described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the "AIF") and the Company's management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the "MD&A"), which are incorporated herein by reference.

The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and the Company assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements in the future, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements.

Further information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with these forward-looking statements and our business can be found in our AIF and MD&A, which is available on the Company's website (www.nevsun.com), filed under our profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under cover of Form 40-F.

About Nevsun Resources Ltd.

Nevsun Resources Ltd. is the 100% owner of the high-grade copper-gold Timok Upper Zone and 60.4% owner of the Timok Lower Zone in Serbia. The Timok Lower Zone is a partnership with Freeport-McMoRan Exploration Corporation ("Freeport") which currently owns 39.6% and upon completion of any feasibility study (on the Upper or Lower Zone), Nevsun Resources Ltd. will own 46% and Freeport will own 54%. Nevsun generates cash flow from its 60% owned copper-zinc Bisha Mine in Eritrea. Nevsun is well positioned with a strong debt-free balance sheet to grow shareholder value through advancing Timok to production.

NEVSUN RESOURCES LTD.

"Peter Kukielski"

Peter Kukielski

President & Chief Executive Officer

SOURCE Nevsun Resources Ltd.SAN FRANCISCO and TEL AVIV, Israel, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Dojo by BullGuard (https://dojo.bullguard.com), a market leader in consumer cybersecurity, today announced the launch of its Dojo Intelligent IoT Vulnerability Scanner, a free-to-use mobile app that scans all of the IoT devices connected to your home Wi-Fi network  laptops, web cameras, smart locks, smart alarms, Philips Hue Lights, Amazon Echo, the router and more  and detects which IoT devices are at the greatest risk of cybersecurity flaws. Available on iOS and Android, the Dojo Intelligent Scanner app performs security risk assessments by scanning and analyzing vulnerabilities at the device level, and then provides a Network Security Score that predicts the likelihood of a significant breach in the user's Wi-Fi network.

"Today's launch of the Dojo Intelligent IoT Vulnerability Scanner makes enterprise-grade cybersecurity accessible to everyone, everywhere. Consumers can now scan their Smart Home for vulnerabilities and access real-time threat intelligence gathered about globally known vulnerabilities for each of their devices all in one place in a single app," said Yossi Atias, GM, IoT Security at BullGuard. "Our new Intelligent Scanner app offers consumers a free and easy-to-use way to see all of the connected devices on their home network  along with those devices that are at the greatest security risk  so consumers can take action to protect their Smart Home from cybersecurity breaches."

How the Dojo Intelligent IoT Vulnerability Scanner app works.

Automatic Device Discovery: The Dojo Intelligent Scanner (DIS) app scans the user's home Wi-Fi network without having to install any software or connect any devices to their router, and uses combination of both local and cloud-based intelligent detection engines for fast and accurate device discovery. The app provides the user with full visibility of their home network by identifying all connected devices on their network and provides the user with a comprehensive view of his/her Wi-Fi network and all its connected devices.

The Dojo Intelligent Scanner (DIS) app scans the user's home Wi-Fi network without having to install any software or connect any devices to their router, and uses combination of both local and cloud-based intelligent detection engines for fast and accurate device discovery. The app provides the user with full visibility of their home network by identifying all connected devices on their network and provides the user with a comprehensive view of his/her Wi-Fi network and all its connected devices. Network Security Score: The DIS utilizes Dojo by BullGuard cloud based security risk assessment platform to analyze vulnerabilities at the device level, and following each full network scan, displays the vulnerabilities and an overall score (10 being the best and one being the worst).

Consumers who already own a Dojo by BullGuard smart home cybersecurity device benefit further by having the vulnerability scan run automatically in the Dojo app instead of repeatedly having to manually run the cybersecurity assessment. They also receive real-time risk security alerts about vulnerable devices on their Wi-Fi network in a simplified manner from Dojo's friendly chatbot via in-app notifications. The award-winning Dojo sleekly designed "pebble" is free to move about the home while its dock remains connected to the home's Wi-Fi router. Dojo by BullGuard is the only integrated smart home security solution that seamlessly protects the privacy and security of a consumer's data, devices, home and family by monitoring the home network 24/7 against cyber threats. Dojo discovers devices connected to the home network -- from baby monitors and alarm systems to thermostats and more. At the heart of Dojo is a cybersecurity engine powered by highly sophisticated artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. It's also the only smart home security solution that enables consumers to use smart devices from a wide range of manufacturers without compromising their privacy or security. The Dojo device is currently on sale for $129 (MSRP $199) at Amazon and BestBuy.com.

IoT smart home devices constitute a highly profitable market. According to research firm IDC, consumer IoT spending is set to reach $62 billion in 2018, making it the fourth largest industry segment. An estimated 80 percent of IoT devices have numerous security flaws, creating a tremendously vulnerable IoT landscape. Many IoT devices are not designed with security in mind or built-in, and as a result many IoT devices have considerable security risks  both physical and digital  and also suffer from big privacy issues.

About BullGuard

BullGuard is a market leader in consumer cybersecurity. We make it simple to protect everything in your digital life  from your data, to your identity and your smart home. The BullGuard product portfolio extends to PCs, tablets and smartphone protection, and includes internet security, comprehensive mobile security, 24/7 identity protection and social media protection. BullGuard released the world's first IoT vulnerability scanner and leads the consumer cybersecurity industry in providing continuous innovation.

Dojo by BullGuard is an award-winning intelligent cyber defense system and service that provides the highest level of protection to consumers across all of their connected devices and smart homes. Dojo is the cornerstone of a smart home, ensuring a connected world where every consumer in every home, is smart, safe and protected.

Privately held, BullGuard is based in Bucharest, London, Silicon Valley and Herzliya, Israel. Follow us on Twitter @BullGuard and @DojoSafe, like us on Facebook at BullGuard and Dojo or learn more at https://www.bullguard.com.

All trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE BullGuard

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TORONTO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Front Row Solutions, the creator of a class-leading online CRM platform that enables organizations to track and improve mobile worker efficiency, compliance and performance, announced today the launch of Front Row Pharma: a new app that helps pharmaceutical companies become a more patient-centric organization.

Available now in the App Store and Google Play, Front Row Pharma is a powerful, yet easy-to-use paperless, data collection tool that enables pharmaceutical companies to create customized forms and questionnaires for patients, diagnostic liaisons, pharmacists and any other stakeholder group, which are completed online via smartphone. Users can also save partially filled-out forms or questionnaires and resume completion later on, as well as update previously-submitted data in less than a minute.

Once submitted, the information is sent to a secure server and automatically populates customized dashboards and analytics that help pharmaceutical companies understand their patients' needs, concerns, viewpoints and goals. Data is encrypted in transit and at both the app and server levels, and individual access to information is password protected.

Several pharmaceutical companies are already using Front Row Pharma to lean forward and close the gap between their product and service offerings, and the explicit and implicit needs of their patient communities.

As noted by researcher Danie du Plessis (et al) in the peer-reviewed medical journal Therapeutic Innovation and Regulatory Science: "Patient centricity demands a shift in cultural mindset within the pharmaceutical industry. At the highest level, it involves listening to and partnering with the patient, and understanding the patient perspective, rather than simply inserting patient views into the established process. Only then can patient-centered outcomes truly be the core of the strategy."

Commented Etien D'Hollander, President of Front Row Solutions: "Many pharmaceutical companies struggle to get the reliable and actionable data they need to develop effective and sustainable patient-centric programs. I have spent over 30 years working with partners in the pharmaceutical industry, and our new app is designed to dramatically simplify and streamline the effort to shift the paradigm from one in which patients are part of the ecosystem, to where they are at the very core of how pharmaceutical companies fulfill their essential mandate and mission."

About Front Row Solutions

Front Row Solutions (FRS) a North American company, was founded in 2008 to improve the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) process with a focus on the sales rep and mobile worker and has evolved into the worlds leader in fast and easy, paperless, mobile data input. FRS is a customizable app-based system which can be loaded on any mobile device and allows a mobile worker or customer the ability to quickly and easily submit information into a data center, company server, or legacy CRM or ERP system. A mobile worker or customer can submit a new report, review and edit previous reports, or complete unfinished reports - all from their cell phone. Front Row Solutions bridges the gaps between corporate, mobile workers and customers to gather the key information they need to make informed decisions and give direction to the company.

For more information or to set up a free trial, please contact Front Row Solutions at 1-800-986-0983 or visit our web site at www.frontrowsolutions.com or call Etien direct at 416-716-9734.

SOURCE Front Row Solutions

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http://www.frontrowsolutions.com

NEUHAUSEN, Switzerland, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tyco Retail Solutions today announced its revolutionary Sensormatic InFuzion tag, the first in the new innovative InFuzion Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tagging series, which provides new value for retailers. It offers flexibility to upgrade to other options later by leveraging different technologies and loss prevention capabilities to satisfy many retailers' needs. InFuzion combines ease of use and high-level merchandise protection into a simple one-piece integrated tag for faster application and removal, freeing associates from operational tasks to assist customers. This new generation of tagging innovation is designed to provide operational savings while reducing shoppers' wait time to check out.

The InFuzion tag also lays the foundation to enable secure loss prevention with self-checkout, as well as mobile app scan-and-go capabilities with automated tag detaching for a convenient and easy shopping experience in the future. Its simple one-piece design is adaptable to self-checkout and mobile checkout solutions, allowing easy automated tag removal in seconds so customers can complete transactions themselves and expedite the entire buying process.

Tyco Retail Solutions commissioned United States Ergonomics to perform usability testing to measure the performance differences in speed and efficiency to apply and remove one-piece versus two-piece tags on a variety of clothing items in different sizes and fabrics. The Sensormatic InFuzion tag had the fastest application and removal time delivering a 40 percent overall time savings.

"Providing a secure, simple to use solution that saves time and money is a game changer for retailers," said Bjoern Petersen, president, Tyco Retail Solutions. "As the testing indicates, our innovative one-piece InFuzion EAS tag delivers measurable time and labor savings that can greatly benefit our retail customers and their shoppers. Additionally, InFuzion supports self and mobile checkout strategies which are key to a frictionless shopping experience."

Retailer value of the new Sensormatic InFuzion tag:

Speeds up customer checkout with easy tag removal at the POS

Supports speedy merchandise prep for sales floor readiness with one-piece design for easy application

Features a narrow pin to safely protect apparel and delicate garments

Reduces the cost of replacing lost or broken pins

Eliminates the need to store and sort pins and tags separately

Enables secure loss prevention with easy automated tag removal for future self-checkout and mobile checkout solutions

You can learn more about the Sensormatic InFuzion Magnetic Tag, here.

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and multi industrial leader serving a wide range of customers in more than 150 countries. Our 120,000 employees create intelligent buildings, efficient energy solutions, integrated infrastructure and next generation transportation systems that work seamlessly together to deliver on the promise of smart cities and communities. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. We are committed to helping our customers win and creating greater value for all of our stakeholders through strategic focus on our buildings and energy growth platforms. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter.

About Tyco Retail Solutions

Tyco Retail Solutions, part of Johnson Controls, is a leading provider of analytics-based Loss Prevention, Inventory Intelligence and Traffic Insights for the retail industry. Our solutions deliver real-time visibility and predictive analytics to help retailers maximize business outcomes and enhance the customer experience in a digitally-driven shopping world. Our more than 1.5 million data collection devices in the retail marketplace capture 40 billion shopper visits and track and protect billions of items each year. Our retail portfolio features the premier Sensormatic, ShopperTrak and TrueVUE brands, as well as a full suite of building technology solutions. For more information, please visit TycoRetailSolutions.com , or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and our YouTube channel.

SOURCE Tyco Retail Solutions

Related Links

http://www.tycoretailsolutions.com

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The White House Historical Association is pleased announce its new free mobile application for both iOS and Android which offers, for the first time ever, virtual educational tours of the White House and surrounding President's Neighborhood. The app features three separate tour experiences for in-person visitors and those who want to learn about the White House from afar. The app also includes a Presidential Look-Alike feature that allows users to take a selfie to find out which president or first lady they most resemble based on portraits of presidents and first ladies in the White House collection.

View Of White House Experience Tour Look-Alike App Feature

"I am so pleased that the White House Historical Association has taken these forward-thinking steps to offer more opportunities for the American people to visit the People's House," said First Lady Melania Trump. "Thank you to the White House Historical Association, Amazon Web Services, and Cuseum for their creative and innovative collaboration in designing this app. Whether people are visiting in-person or virtually, this new feature offers a chance for everyone to see many of the mansion's wonderful and historic rooms  including the residence, the East Wing, and the West Wing."

"Since 1962, the White House Historical Association has published the White House Guidebook as part of our education mission inspired by Mrs. Kennedy," said Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. "This app is the 21st century evolution of the Guidebook, now in its 24th edition. This state-of-the-art technology tool will increase public access and share the rooms and history of the White House across the country and around the world."

The app's three separate tour experiences include information on the furnishings and decorative arts within the State and historic rooms and significant points of interest in the neighborhood.

Explore the Virtual White House : This is a virtual tour of the White House that includes the East Wing, Family Theater, Library, Vermeil Room, China Room , Diplomatic Reception Room, Map Room, State Floor and the famous rooms of the West Wing including the Oval Office, Cabinet Room and Press Room. The tour also includes several rooms on the upper floors of the residence including the Lincoln Bedroom, the Queen's Bedroom, the President's Dining Room and the Treaty Room. Users can take this tour from afar.





: This is a virtual tour of the White House that includes the East Wing, Family Theater, Library, Vermeil Room, , Diplomatic Reception Room, Map Room, State Floor and the famous rooms of the West Wing including the Oval Office, Cabinet Room and Press Room. The tour also includes several rooms on the upper floors of the residence including the Lincoln Bedroom, the Queen's Bedroom, the President's Dining Room and the Treaty Room. Users can take this tour from afar. White House Neighborhood Walking Tour : This is a walking tour of the President's Neighborhood surrounding the White House that includes stops at historic landmarks and buildings in the area such as Decatur House, Lafayette Square, St. John's Church, Treasury Building, North Lawn, Blair House , Eisenhower Executive Office Building, South Lawn and Ellipse, and the White House Visitor Center, among other fascinating locations. The app also features information on points of interest at the stops. Visitors in Washington, D.C. are offered turn-by-turn navigation to the featured sites.





: This is a walking tour of the President's Neighborhood surrounding the White House that includes stops at historic landmarks and buildings in the area such as Decatur House, Lafayette Square, St. John's Church, Treasury Building, North Lawn, , Eisenhower Executive Office Building, South Lawn and Ellipse, and the White House Visitor Center, among other fascinating locations. The app also features information on points of interest at the stops. Visitors in are offered turn-by-turn navigation to the featured sites. White House Companion Tour: This is a room-by-room guide of the White House to accompany those on an in-person tour of the house. This tour also includes information on where visitors should meet to begin the tour and items that are permitted and prohibited during their White House visit.

Each tour allows users to click on featured "Points of Interest" to learn more.

First Lady Look-Alike Feature

This feature allows app users to take a selfie to find out which president or first lady they most resemble based on portraits of the presidents and first ladies in the White House Collection. Users can share their results on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The feature is powered by Amazon Rekognition, a deep learning-based image and video analysis tool that compares user-submitted selfie images with images of presidents and first ladies to determine a level of similarity, and then tells a user which president or first lady he or she most resembles.

"We're thrilled to collaborate with the White House Historical Association to digitize the history of the White House, giving individuals the opportunity to learn about and interact with that content," said Teresa Carlson, Vice President of Worldwide Public Sector at Amazon Web Services, Inc. "It's important to find ways to make our nation's history more accessible to everyone  particularly students  so that they can experience the White House from anywhere in the world. I'm both humbled and proud that at Amazon Web Services, we have the tools that organizations can use to deliver these kinds of experiences to educators, students, and the general public."

"We're honored to be partnering with the White House Historical Association and Amazon to highlight the deep history of one of America's most recognizable landmarks," said Brendan Ciecko, CEO & founder of Cuseum. "The White House Historical Association's commitment to engaging their visitors through new digital initiatives is exciting, and we're proud to power their new mobile app."

The app also features an outdoor map of the President's Neighborhood, calendar of upcoming tour events, search function, and links to the White House Historical Association's White House History Shop and Digital Library.

The White House Experience app is available on iOS and Android and can be downloaded free from the App Store and Play Store, respectively. The White House Experience App is run on the Cuseum digital platform and with support from Amazon Web Services.

The White House Historical Association thanks the White House, National Park Service and the United States Secret Service for their support in launching the White House Experience app.

About The White House Historical Association

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. In 1961, the White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion's legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association's mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the White House Historical Association has contributed more than $47 million in fulfillment of its mission. To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit www.whitehousehistory.org.

SOURCE White House Historical Association

Related Links

http://www.whitehousehistory.org

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., June 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NiSource Inc.(NYSE: NI) announced today that it has commenced a cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") for any and all of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities listed below (collectively, the "Notes"). A separate offer is being made for each series of Notes.

Title of Security(1) CUSIP / ISIN

Number Principal

Amount

Outstanding Reference

U.S. Treasury

Security Bloomberg

Reference

Page(2) Fixed Spread

(basis

points)











6.80% Notes due 2019 65473QAT0 / US65473QAT04 $255,117,000 1.125% UST due

1/15/2019 FIT3 50











5.45% Notes due 2020 65473QAR4 / US65473QAR48 $325,113,000 1.375% UST due

9/15/2020 FIT5 30











6.125% Notes due 2022 65473QAV5 / US65473QAV59 $179,954,000 1.875% UST due

2/28/2022 FIT5 45



(1) Each Series was originally issued as a debt security of the Company's former wholly-owned finance subsidiary, NiSource Finance Corp. ("NiSource Finance"), and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. On November 30, 2017, in connection with the merger of NiSource Finance with and into the Company, the Company assumed all of the obligations of NiSource Finance with respect to the Notes, and the Notes became the debt securities of the Company. (2) The applicable page on Bloomberg from which the Dealer Manager (as defined below) will quote the bid side prices of the applicable Reference U.S. Treasury Security.

The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, dated June 4, 2018 (the "Offer to Purchase") and a related Letter of Transmittal and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, which set forth the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer. As of June 4, 2018, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes is $760,184,000.

The Tender Offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 11, 2018, unless extended (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Time"). Holders of any series of Notes must validly tender and not validly withdraw their Notes before the Expiration Time to be eligible to receive the consideration for the applicable series of Notes.

The consideration for each series of Notes per each $1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Tender Offer will be determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to the applicable fixed spread specified for the series in the table above over the yield based on the bid side price of the applicable U.S. Treasury Security specified above for each series of Notes, as calculated by the Dealer Manager at 11:00 a.m. New York City Time on June 11, 2018. Holders whose Notes are purchased will also receive accrued and unpaid interest thereon from the applicable last interest payment date up to, but not including, the settlement date, which is expected to be June 12, 2018. Interest will cease to accrue on the settlement date for all Notes accepted in the Tender Offer, including those tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Offer to Purchase. Under no circumstances will additional interest accrue or be payable by NiSource with respect to the Notes from or after the settlement date, whether by reason of Notes being tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures, any delay of guaranteed delivery or otherwise.

The Tender Offer is conditioned upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the receipt of proceeds of at least $350 million from one or more capital markets issuances (the "Financing Condition"). No offer is conditioned upon any minimum amount of Notes being tendered or the consummation of any other offer. Each offer may be extended, terminated, or withdrawn separately. NiSource currently intends to redeem, in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the Notes, any Notes that are not tendered and accepted in the Tender Offer. As of the time of the Tender Offer, NiSource has the right, but not the obligation, to redeem such Notes, and there can be no assurance that this redemption will occur.

NiSource has retained Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC to serve as the Dealer Manager for the Tender Offer. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC may be contacted at (800) 820-1653 (toll free) or (212) 325-2476.

NiSource has also retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. to serve as the Tender Agent and Information Agent for the Tender Offer.

The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to the terms and conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase, Letter of Transmittal and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, copies of which may be obtained from D. F. King & Co., Inc. by telephone at (866) 342-1635 (toll-free) or for banks and brokers, at (212) 269-5550 (Banks and Brokers Only) or in writing at D.F. King & Co., Inc., 48 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

Copies of the Offer to Purchase, Letter of Transmittal and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery are also available at the following web address: http://www.dfking.com/nisource.

This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any Notes in the Tender Offer. In addition, this press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities issued in connection with the Financing Condition. Any such offering may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

About NiSource

NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) is one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.5 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric customers across seven states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. Based in Merrillville, Indiana, NiSource has approximately 8,000 employees. NI-F

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Many factors govern whether any forward-looking statement contained herein will be or can be realized. Any one of those factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include statements and expectations regarding NiSource's or any of its subsidiaries' business, performance, growth, commitments, investment opportunities, and planned, identified, infrastructure or utility investments. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable; however, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, forecasts, estimates, plans, expectations and strategy discussed in this press release include, among other things, NiSource's debt obligations; any changes in NiSource's credit rating; NiSource's ability to execute its growth strategy; changes in general economic, capital and commodity market conditions; pension funding obligations; economic regulation and the impact of regulatory rate reviews; NiSource's ability to obtain expected financial or regulatory outcomes; any damage to NiSource's reputation; compliance with environmental laws and the costs of associated liabilities; fluctuations in demand from residential and commercial customers; economic conditions of certain industries; the success of NIPSCO's electric generation strategy; the price of energy commodities and related transportation costs or an inability to obtain an adequate, reliable and cost-effective fuel supply to meet customer demands; the reliability of customers and suppliers to fulfill their payment and contractual obligations; potential impairments of goodwill or definite-lived intangible assets; changes in taxation and accounting principles; potential incidents and other operating risks associated with our business; the impact of an aging infrastructure; the impact of climate change; potential cyber-attacks; construction risks and natural gas costs and supply risks; extreme weather conditions; the attraction and retention of a qualified work force; advances in technology; the ability of NiSource's subsidiaries to generate cash; tax liabilities associated with the separation of Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc.; NiSource's ability to manage new initiatives and organizational changes; the performance of third-party suppliers and service providers; the availability of insurance to cover all significant losses and other matters set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" section of NiSource's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NiSource expressly disclaims any duty to update, supplement or amend any of its forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE NiSource Inc.

Related Links

http://www.nisource.com

MARYVILLE, Tenn., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- North Pole Press ("NPP") digital books will be available now in the Microsoft Store through its new agreement with CoreSource, Ingram's digital asset management and distribution service. NPP printed titles also will be available now in England, Canada, the European Union, Australia, Germany, Russia, South Korea, Poland, China, India, and Italy through its new agreement with Ingram's Lightning Source which offers print-on-demand services.

North Pole Press Author, Joe Moore The Santa Claus Trilogy

The eBook store is designed to provide more digital content to Microsoft's 600 million+ users of Windows 10 operating system. Marcel Garaud, a senior director of business development at Microsoft, recently said that the eBook store is designed to "offer millions of people a great opportunity to get more value out of their PCs."

eBooks from North Pole Press can soon be purchased through the Microsoft Store app or on Microsoft's website. Customers can read the eBooks using the Edge browser embedded in the Windows operating system or download them for offline reading.

"We're currently focused on making finding, purchasing, and reading an eBook on Windows a seamless experience," Garaud said. He stated that using Microsoft provides a "simplified interface, customizable learning tools, offline support, and a growing catalog of available titles."

"Microsoft's eBook store offers us yet another channel to reach readers and gain new fans of our titles," said Mary Moore, the publisher of the North Pole Press. "We are extremely excited to be working with Microsoft and Ingram to provide new digital content for readers to enjoy."

"Ingram's vast reach allows us to better serve our customers outside the United States, which is a growing market for us," Moore stated. "We are increasing our distribution, marketing and reader platforms tremendously so that everyone may enjoy our books."

"International distribution and availability are extremely important to presses in this age," said Kelly Gallagher, VP Content Acquisitions for Lightning Source. "We look forward to helping North Pole Press expand its readerships in other countries and online."

Both North Pole Press and Ingram are based in Tennessee. Microsoft is based in Seattle, Wash.

More information can be found at NPP's website at www.thenorthpolepress.com and view our 1-minute video here https://youtu.be/6ETe_73l3cE.

About Ingram | www.ingramcontent.com

The world is reading and Ingram Content Group ("Ingram") connects people with content in all forms. Providing comprehensive services for publishers, retailers, libraries and educators, Ingram makes these services seamless and accessible through technology, innovation and creativity. With an expansive global network of offices and facilities, Ingram's services include digital and physical book distribution, print-on-demand, and digital learning. Ingram Content Group is a part of Ingram Industries Inc. and includes Ingram Book Group LLC, Ingram Publisher Services LLC, Lightning Source LLC, VitalSource Technologies LLC, Ingram Library Services LLC, and Tennessee Book Company LLC.

North Pole Press Media Contact: Joe Moore 865.207.2703 [email protected]

Ingram Media Contact: Elizabeth Fielding 615.321.3110

SOURCE North Pole Press

Related Links

http://www.thenorthpolepress.com

Oakland International Airport serves more than 13 million travelers annually. Thanks to the Chevron Corporation, a kiosk will be located near Terminal 2, Gate 27. Thanks to the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, a kiosk will reside near Terminal 1, Gate 8.

Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital, and about 20 percent occur in public places such as airports. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or even triple a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival. Yet less than half of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims receive CPR from a bystander.

"Every second counts when a person suffers a cardiac arrest, which is why bystander CPR must start immediately until professional help arrives," said Dan Smoot, American Heart Association, Bay Area Board Chairman. "But bystanders may be reluctant to perform CPR because of lack of training or they may be fearful. The kiosks will help the public acquire a comfort level with performing chest compressions without the stress of an actual medical emergency, so they'll feel empowered to spring into action if they witness a cardiac emergency."

Hands-Only CPR has two easy steps, performed in this order: when you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, call 911. Then, push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute until help arrives.

"Anthem Blue Cross Foundation is committed to supporting important initiatives that can have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve," said Dr. Jacob Asher, Chief Medical Officer of Anthem Blue Cross. "Making the Hands-Only CPR training kiosks available at the airport enables travelers to make the most of an unanticipated layover by providing greater access to this valuable life-saving skill that can make a difference in the lives of Bay Area residents and beyond."

Each kiosk has a touch screen with a short video that provides an overview of Hands-Only CPR, followed by a practice session and a 30-second test. With the help of a practice manikin, or a rubber torso, the kiosk gives feedback about the depth and rate of compressions, as well as proper hand placement  factors that influence the effectiveness of CPR. Kiosk visitors can select to do the training in English or Spanish. The training also has closed captioning to make the instruction available to everyone.

"Bystander CPR increases one's chance of survival by doubling and even tripling positive outcomes," said Dr. Huma Abbasi, Chevron's General Manager of Global Health and Medical. "At Chevron we believe in empowering our Bay Area residents to not only learn an invaluable skill such as Hands-Only CPR but also support them in putting the knowledge into action and possibly save a life."

"We strive to create a positive and safe experience for the millions who travel through our terminal facility each year. We're excited to partner with the American Heart Association to host two kiosks which will serve as resources for travelers to learn how they can make a difference and help others who experience a cardiac emergency," said Bryant L. Francis, Director of Aviation, Port of Oakland.

There are an additional 26 kiosks across the United States with 11 kiosks located at several U.S. airports. More than 91,000 people have been trained across all the kiosks.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke  the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Anthem Blue Cross Foundation

Through charitable grant making, the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association promotes Anthem Blue Cross's inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that the company serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company's year-round Associate Giving program and its parent foundation provides a 50 percent match of associates' pledges. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association.

About Chevron Corporation

Chevron Corporation is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. Through its subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide, the company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemicals and additives; generates power; and develops and deploys technologies that enhance business value in every aspect of the company's operations. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

About Oakland International Airport

Oakland International is the fourth busiest airport in California and second busiest in the San Francisco Bay Area. Serving over 13 million travelers annually, OAK is the closest airport to the region's top business and tourism venues. It is also the closest airport for most local residents.

Oakland's air service roster to over 60 nonstop destinations is offered on 14 different airline brands  seven of which operate with OAK as their sole gateway into the San Francisco Bay region.

The vision of Oakland International Airport is to offer customers a world-class experience and be the airport of choice for Bay Area residents and visitors alike. OAK is operated by The Port of Oakland, which also oversees the Oakland seaport and 20 miles of waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States.

SOURCE American Heart Association

Related Links

http://www.americanheart.org

This line of transponders includes a civil variant, MXS, which supports Modes A, C, and S, and 1090 MHz ADS-B In/Out  a cornerstone of the FAA's NextGen modernization initiative. It also features an integral pressure sensor for accurate altitude reporting. The MX12A military variant supports all the civil functionality, as well as military modes up through Mode 5  an encrypted mode now being deployed by the U.S. and NATO.

Weighing a mere 150 grams, both the MXS and MX12A will receive FAA TSO certifications. The MX12A will be certified in 2019 as compliant with DoD AIMS Mark XIIA standard for military interoperability.

"The MXS transponder with its ADS-B In and Out capabilities enables the Resolute Eagle, a tactical Group 3 UAS, to detect and avoid nearby aircraft," said Jake Jacobs, PAE ISR chief technology officer. "With this expanded capability, the Resolute Eagle meets the FAA 2020 mandate and can fly in commercial air traffic patterns with situational awareness at all times."

"Our commitment to miniature avionics has made tracking of small unmanned aircraft by air traffic control a reality for more than a decade," commented Kelvin Scribner, Sagetech's CEO. "FAA certification of our MX transponder family makes access to airspace far easier and even routine. This is a key benefit of using full specification avionics thoroughly vetted and certified by the FAA."

The Resolute Eagle has the range and endurance to enable beyond visual line of sight operations, enabling it to support a wide range of military, public safety, humanitarian, and commercial missions. It is runway independent, offering a vertical take-off and landing configuration for deployment and recovery in challenging conditions, including maritime operations.

About Sagetech Corporation

Sagetech Corporation, founded in 1998, provides miniature, certified avionics for use in drones as small as 10 pounds gross weight. Sagetech aviation transponders have long been used to facilitate military operations worldwide, logging over one million combat flight hours. Sagetech's products are trusted as standard equipment in most small military UAS.

About PAE ISR

PAE ISR LLC is a joint venture of PAE, American Operations Corporation (AOC), and Battlespace Flight Services, LLC (BFS) providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions and services to U.S. government agencies, NATO, and other international organizations. As a lead systems integrator and full-service provider for unmanned aerial systems, PAE ISR has significant experience in system integration, test and evaluation, operations and maintenance, logistics, training, deployment support, and leased UAS services.

Media Contact:

For Sagetech Corporation:

Patrick Maley, +1 (509) 570-1816, [email protected]

For additional information, please visit us at sagetech.com

For PAE ISR:

Polli Ogilvie, +1 (703) 717-6175, [email protected]

For additional information, please visit us at PAEISR.com

SOURCE Sagetech Corporation

Related Links

https://www.sagetech.com

PALO PINTO, Texas, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Palo Pinto County Commissioners this week chose the Verity Voting system to replace outdated equipment before November's general election. Confidence in Hart InterCivic's reputation made selecting the most up-to-date technology available in the U.S. an easy decision, said Elections Administrator Laura Watkins.

Watkins had experienced Hart's customer service first-hand in previous positions and elections. It made sense to move Palo Pinto County from its previous vendor to Hart.

Palo Pinto County, Texas readies for secure, successful elections well into the future with the purchase of the Verity Voting system from trusted provider, Hart InterCivic.

"Hart is here for the long run  I know their people and process first hand," she said. "Not only is Palo Pinto County investing in the best equipment there is for the voters, but we are investing in the best company and best group of people."

"We welcome Palo Pinto County to the Hart family," said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. "We appreciate their decision to join a growing list of Texas counties leaving their previous vendor, seeking superior equipment and better customer service. Delivery and training will start soon, and the County's voters will enjoy secure, efficient elections for many years to come," he said.

Manufactured in Texas, Verity is designed from the ground up to be flexible, easy to use and trustworthy with all new hardware and software. The system is certified at the federal and state levels.

Watkins said her election workers are looking forward to using the new system, as their voices were part of the decision. "Hart brought in demo machines, and most of my staff got to test the new technology. They LOVED it. They are the ones who will use it, so I am glad they wanted Verity. It is simple and reliable."

"Hart's customer service has a family feel. I've relied on some of the staff since before electronic voting when they delivered our paper ballots," said Watkins, who has worked in elections for 16 years (including in another county). "The equipment has proven itself time and time again, but it's the people we will count on."

"We are very excited to go back to Hart. They treat the customer with respect, and they are true to their word. If Hart says something will happen, you know it will."

In addition to the efficiencies that Verity will provide for her office, Watkins is looking forward to durable, lightweight equipment that is easy to store and to transport to Vote Centers.

Palo Pinto County, with about 17,600 registered voters in North Central Texas, joins a growing number of Texas jurisdictions moving to Verity. Since late 2016, Hart has shipped more than 7,500 Verity devices across Texas. Federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S.

Watkins could not be happier with the County's decision. "I'm still smiling. Those of us who do election work day in and day out know this is a great move. Anybody I talk to says 'Go with Hart.' We're thrilled."

Braithwaite expects more Texas and national announcements before the fall elections.

Learn more about Verity in Texas: http://www.hartintercivic.com/texas/.

About Hart InterCivic, Inc.

Austin-based Hart InterCivic is a full-service election solutions innovator, partnering with state and local governments to deliver secure, accurate and reliable elections. Working side-by-side with election professionals for more than 100 years, Hart's mission fuels its passionate customer focus and a continuous drive for technological innovation. The company's new Verity Voting system makes voting more straightforward, equitable and accessibleand makes managing elections more transparent, more efficient and easier. Only Hart offers a completely new, certified voting system with both electronic and paper options.

SOURCE Hart InterCivic, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.hartintercivic.com

SEATTLE, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Panopto, a leading video platform provider for businesses and universities, and Matrox, a global manufacturer of reliable, high-quality encoder cards, appliances, and software, today announced the forthcoming release of a new Panopto-certified media capture appliance. Purpose-built for the Panopto video platform, the new Matrox Maevex 6020 Remote Recorder supports best-in-class video recording and live streaming in a compact, turnkey form factor.

In recent years, businesses and universities have expanded their AV infrastructure to provide video recording and streaming capabilities in more classrooms and conference rooms. To scale effectively, these organizations increasingly require video capture solutions that can be installed easily by in-house staff and that take up minimal space in the room.

In response to this growing demand, Panopto and Matrox engineering teams jointly developed the Maevex 6020. With a compact form factor, low power usage, and whisper-quiet operation, the appliance is ideal for organizations looking for broadcast-quality video recording and streaming at an affordable price point. By simply connecting the appliance to the network and plugging in video sources, businesses and universities can:

Capture live and on-demand video: An intuitive, web-based dashboard enables the scheduling of video recordings and live broadcasts from anywhere. Customers can also control, schedule and monitor recordings from their phone using the Remote Control capability in Panopto for iOS and Android.

An intuitive, web-based dashboard enables the scheduling of video recordings and live broadcasts from anywhere. Customers can also control, schedule and monitor recordings from their phone using the capability in Panopto for iOS and Android. Share videos to any device: All videos captured by the Maevex 6020 are automatically published to Panopto's video content management system, where they're encoded for on-demand playback on any device.

All videos captured by the Maevex 6020 are automatically published to Panopto's video content management system, where they're encoded for on-demand playback on any device. Search inside videos: Panopto's unique Smart Search technology enables users to search inside videos and fast-forward to any word spoken or shown.

The appliance is built for simple operation with no extraneous features. It provides presenters with a visual indicator of the current recording state, and one-touch controls to start, stop, and pause recordings. In addition, the appliance enables organizations to automate the capture and streaming of presentations, lectures, meetings and events. It supports the scheduling of one-time and recurring events, remote configuration of recording devices, and previews of video feeds and audio histograms.

"Every classroom, conference room, and auditorium has unique logistical requirements, and we built Panopto to support infinite customization of the AV infrastructure in these learning spaces," said Eric Burns, co-founder and CEO of Panopto. "Regardless of the form factor or use case, our goal is to provide a best-in-class video capture solution. Through our partnership with Matrox, we're taking the next logical step in this strategy, working with an industry leader to provide a sleek, compact device that has the power and reliability of larger appliances at an affordable price point."

"Maevex technology is the latest in Matrox's line of realtime, multi-channel encoding solutions for the enterprise and education markets," said David Chiappini, vice president of research and development at Matrox. "When you combine the performance and ease-of-use of this technology with Panopto's video management and search capabilities, you get an industry-leading, end-to-end solution for video-based communications and learning in the cloud or on-premises."

The Maevex 6020 remote recorder will be released this fall with full pricing details coming later this summer. For more information about the device, or to sign up to purchase the appliance, Panopto customers should contact their account executive.

About Panopto

Panopto helps businesses and universities create searchable video libraries of their institutional knowledge. Since 2007, the company has been a pioneer in video capture software, video content management systems, and inside-video search technology. Today, Panopto's video platform is the largest repository of expert learning videos in the world. Headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Pittsburgh, London, Hong Kong, and Sydney, Panopto has received industry recognition for its innovation, rapid growth, and company culture. For more information, visit www.panopto.com.

About Matrox Graphics Inc.

Matrox Graphics is a global manufacturer of reliable, high-quality ASICs, boards, appliances, and software. Backed by in-house design expertise and dedicated customer support, Matrox products deliver stellar capture, extension, distribution, and display. Engineering high-quality products since 1976, Matrox technology is trusted by professionals and partners worldwide. Matrox is a privately held company headquartered in Montreal, Canada. For more information, visit www.matrox.com/graphics.

SOURCE Panopto

Related Links

http://www.panopto.com

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras (" Petrobras ") (NYSE: PBR) announced today the early results of its previously announced debt tender offers. As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 4, 2018 (the " Early Tender Deadline ") holders of: (i) US$4,460,311,000 and 346,132,000 principal amount of the outstanding notes of the series set forth in the table below under the heading "Tender Group 1" (the " Tender Group 1 Notes ") and (ii) US$7,970,526,000 principal amount of the outstanding notes of the series set forth in the table below under the heading "Tender Group 2" (the " Tender Group 2 Notes " and, together with the Tender Group 1 Notes, the " Notes " and each a " series " of Notes), issued by its wholly-owned subsidiary Petrobras Global Finance B.V. (" PGF "), tendered their Notes, pursuant to PGF's previously announced cash tender offers (the " Tender Offers ").

The following tables summarize the early tender results as of the Early Tender Deadline and the principal amount of Notes that PGF has accepted for purchase:

Tender Group 1





























Title of Security

CUSIP/ISIN

Principal Amount

Outstanding(1)

Acceptance Priority

Level

Total

Consideration(2)

Principal Amount

Tendered

Principal Amount

Accepted for

Purchase

Approximate

Proration

Factor 3.750% Global Notes

due January 2021

N/A / XS0982711987

384,229,000

1

1,075.00

100,939,000

100,939,000

100.00% 4.25% Global Notes

due October 2023

N/A / XS0835890350

700,000,000

2

1,082.50

245,193,000

245,193,000

100.00% 6.125% Global Notes

due January 2022

71647N AR0 /

US71647NAR08

US$3,000,000,000

3

US$1,057.50

US$2,237,229,000

US$1,477,612,000

66.07% 4.375% Global Notes

due May 2023

71647N AF6 /

US71647NAF69

US$3,500,000,000

4

US$976.50

US$1,426,032,000

US$0

- 5.375% Global Notes

due January 2021

71645W AR2 /

US71645WAR25

US$1,216,850,000

5

US$1,038.75

US$198,154,000

US$0

- 8.375% Global Notes

due May 2021

71647N AP4 /

US71647NAP42

US$1,239,981,000

6

US$1,130.00

US$598,896,000

US$0

-















__________________________________________































(1) As of the date hereof, including Notes held by Petrobras or its affiliates. (2) Per US$1,000 or 1,000, as applicable. The Total Consideration includes an early tender premium equal to US$30.00 per US$1,000 principal amount for each series of U.S. dollar denominated Notes accepted for purchase, and 30.00 per 1,000 principal amount for each series of Euro denominated Notes accepted for purchase.

Tender Group 2





























Title of Security

CUSIP/ISIN

Principal Amount

Outstanding(1)

Acceptance Priority

Level

Total

Consideration(2)

Principal Amount

Tendered

Principal Amount

Accepted for

Purchase

Approximate

Proration

Factor 5.625% Global Notes due May 2043

71647N AA7 /

US71647NAA72

US$1,750,000,000

1

US$845.00

US$915,394,000

US$915,394,000

100.00% 6.750% Global Notes due January 2041

71645W AS0 /

US71645WAS08

US$2,250,000,000

2

US$950.00

US$1,007,126,000

US$1,007,126,000

100.00% 6.875% Global Notes due January 2040

71645WAQ4 /

US71645WAQ42

US$1,500,000,000

3

US$960.00

US$385,138,000

US$280,785,000

73.00% 5.999% Global Notes due January 2028

71647N AW9, N6945A AK3 /

US71647NAW92, USN6945AAK36

US$5,836,134,000

4

US$965.00

US$3,481,674,000

US$0

- 5.299% Global Notes due January 2025

71647N AT6, N6945A AJ6 /

US71647NAT63, USN6945AAJ62

US$3,759,866,000

5

US$975.00

US$2,181,194,000

US$0

-















__________________________________________































(1) As of the date hereof, including Notes held by Petrobras or its affiliates. (2) Per US$1,000. The Total Consideration includes an early tender premium equal to US$30.00 per US$1,000 principal amount for each series of Notes accepted for purchase.

Because the purchase of Tender Group 1 Notes validly tendered in the Tender Offers would cause PGF to purchase an aggregate principal amount of Tender Group 1 Notes that would result in an aggregate amount to be received by holders of Tender Group 1 Notes in excess of US$2.0 billion, based on the U.S. dollar exchange rate described herein, PGF has accepted for purchase (a) all tendered 3.750% Global Notes due 2021 and 4.25% Global Notes due 2023, (b) only US$1,477,612,000 principal amount of 6.125% Global Notes due 2022 (the " 6.125% Notes "), and (c) none of the 4.375% Global Notes due 2023, 5.375% Global Notes due 2021 and 8.375% Global Notes due 2021.

Because the purchase of Tender Group 2 Notes validly tendered in the Tender Offers would cause PGF to purchase an aggregate principal amount of Tender Group 2 Notes that would result in an aggregate amount to be received by holders of Tender Group 2 Notes in excess of US$2.0 billion, PGF has accepted for purchase (a) all tendered 5.625% Global Notes due 2043 and 6.750% Global Notes due 2041, (b) only US$280,785,000 principal amount of 6.875% Global Notes due 2040 (the " 6.875% Notes "), and (c) none of the 5.999% Global Notes due 2028 and 5.299% Global Notes due 2025.

PGF will pay holders of 6.125% Notes and 6.875% Notes tendered on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline on a pro rata basis according to the pro ration procedures described in the offer to purchase dated May 21, 2018 (the " Offer to Purchase "). The early settlement date on which PGF will make payment for Notes accepted in the Tender Offers is expected to be June 6, 2018 (the " Early Settlement Date ").

The total cash payment to purchase on the Early Settlement Date (i) the accepted Tender Group 1 Notes will be approximately US$1,999.9 million, based on the U.S. dollar exchange rate described herein, and (ii) the accepted Tender Group 2 Notes will be approximately US$1,999.8 million, in each case excluding accrued and unpaid interest. Notes that have been validly tendered on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline cannot be withdrawn, except as may be required by applicable law.

Given that both series are oversubscribed, holders of Notes who tender after the Early Tender Deadline will not have any of their Notes accepted for purchase. Any tendered Notes that are not accepted for purchase will be returned or credited without expense to the holder's account.

The Tender Offers will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on June 18, 2018.

The exchange rate used to translate Euro to U.S. dollars was US$1.1698 per Euro, the applicable exchange rate as of 2:00 p.m., New York City time on June 4, 2018, as reported on Bloomberg screen page "FXIP" under the heading "FX Rate vs. USD."

The Tender Offers are being made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, and the related letter of transmittal dated May 21, 2018 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the " Letter of Transmittal "), which set forth in more detail the terms and conditions of the Tender Offers.

PGF has engaged Banco Bradesco BBI S.A., Banco Safra S.A., acting through its Cayman Islands Branch, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. and Standard Chartered Bank to act as dealer managers (the " Dealer Managers ") in connection with the Tender Offers. Global Bondholder Services Corporation is acting as the depositary and information agent for the Tender Offers.

This press release is not an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, nor the solicitation of tenders with respect to, the securities described herein. The Tender Offers are not being made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which PGF is aware that the making of the Tender Offers would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the securities laws or blue sky laws require the Tender Offers to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the respective Tender Offers will be deemed to be made on PGF's behalf by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

Any questions or requests for assistance regarding the Tender Offers may be directed to Banco Bradesco BBI S.A. at +55 (11) 3847-5219, Banco Safra S.A. at [email protected], Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at +1 (800) 558-3745 (toll free) or +1 (212) 723-6106 (collect), Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. at +1 (866) 627-0391 (toll free) or +1 (212) 250-2955 (collect), Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC at +1 (800) 624-1808 (toll free) or +1 (212) 761-1057 (collect), Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. at +1 (800) 372-3930 (toll free) or +1 (212) 225-5559 (collect) and Standard Chartered Bank at +1 (212) 667-0760 or +44 (20) 7885-5739. Requests for additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and related documents may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at +1 (866)-470-3900 (toll-free).

Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any documents related to the Tender Offers have been filed with, and have not been approved or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer to Purchase or any documents related to the Tender Offers, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are not based on historical facts and are not assurances of future results. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and you should not place reliance on any forward-looking statement contained in this press release. Petrobras undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason.

SOURCE Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - PetrobrasROCK HILL, S.C., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- PJ's Coffee of New Orleans, a New Orleans-based coffeehouse that demonstrates better beans, superior roasting techniques, and pure passion for the art of coffee-making matter, has awarded Marine Corp Veteran, Jeff Hateley, as the winner of its inaugural Veteran Franchise License Giveaway.

After the announcement of the free franchise license giveaway on Veterans Day in 2017, PJ's Coffee received 117 applications from veterans around the United States. From those nominations, PJ's Coffee chose the top six applicants who then went through a comprehensive interview process before selecting Hateley as the winner.

"From the start, Jeff was the perfect fit for the PJ's Coffee family, but it was still important to go through the franchise evaluation and awarding process," said Ryan Stansbury, PJ's Coffee Franchise Development Director. "His diverse military and professional background is both admirable and impressive. Jeff is a leader and mentor with strong community ties and possesses a strong desire to give back in whatever ways he can. We are more than excited to see him succeed as a PJ's Coffee franchisee and make a positive impact on the Rock Hill community."

Hateley served in the Marine Corps from 2001 to 2006 and specialized in Tactical Data Networks. During his time, he was deployed in Iraq and Japan and took on the role of a Primary Marksmanship Instructor. After serving, Hateley went on to receive his Bachelor's from California State University Fullerton and MBA from Pepperdine University. He has worked several accounting jobs throughout California and Florida and is currently a Corporate Controller. Hateley's PJ's Coffee location will open in Rock Hill, South Carolina later this year.

"I've always known that I wanted to own my own business and when I heard about the PJ's Coffee giveaway, I knew it was the perfect opportunity for me," said Hateley. "PJ's Coffee has welcomed me into their family and has already provided me with incredible support and the valuable resources I need to succeed. I cannot think of a better franchise to be a part of and to help grow my career and look forward to providing a superior coffee-house experience to my community."

PJ's Coffee serves a wide variety of iced, frozen, hot, cold brew, and nitro-infused coffees using only the top one percent of Arabica beans, as well as organic tea and fresh breakfast pastries. The brand's famous iced coffees are brewed daily using a special cold-drip process that protects the flavor and strength of the beans, while producing a coffee that is two thirds less acidic - a process pioneered by PJ's Coffee founder, Phyllis Jordan.

To become a part of the ever-growing $100 Billion a year global industry, a prospective franchisee can expect a total investment range between $178,900 - $373,000 for non-traditional franchise units, and $190,900 - $566,000 for traditional units. The operating model and menu is adaptable to any environment with different options including kiosks and free-standing locations with a drive-thru, ranging from a few hundred square feet up to 2200 square feet. PJ's Coffee offers a proven franchise structure with strategic corporate support.

The PJ's Coffee brand is passionate about giving back to the veteran community in any way it can. The company is an International Franchise Association VetFran member, proudly offering qualified veterans a 20 percent discount on the initial franchise fee.

For more information about PJ's Coffee franchise opportunities, and to request your free franchise information booklet, please visit http://www.pjsfranchise.com.

About PJ's Coffee

PJ's Coffee of New Orleans was founded in 1978 by Phyllis Jordan, a pioneer in the coffee industry. The coffeehouse was acquired by Ballard Brands in 2008 which was spearheaded by brothers Paul, Scott and Steve Ballard. The New Orleans-based coffeehouse demonstrates that better beans, superior roasting techniques, and pure passion for the art of coffee-making matter. The brand serves a wide variety of hot, iced and frozen coffee beverages using only the top one percent of Arabica beans, as well as organic tea and fresh breakfast pastries. As the company approaches its 40th year as an established brand, it continues to remain an authentic coffeehouse with a New Orleans spirit. PJ's Coffee has more than 90 locations open and operating nationally and internationally.

SOURCE PJs Coffee

Related Links

https://www.pjscoffee.com

CHICAGO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Polsinelli, an Am Law 100 firm, announced today the addition of four leading cybersecurity attorneys to its national Technology Transactions & Data Privacy practice.

These attorneys are among the most experienced incident response attorneys in the country and further strengthen Polsinelli's multi-disciplinary team of attorneys counseling clients across a full spectrum of technology, privacy, security, and information management engagements.

"Bruce, Michael, John and Marty are superb cybersecurity lawyers and add great depth to the firm's pre-breach and breach response capabilities," said Greg Kratofil, Jr., who chairs Polsinelli's Technology Transactions & Data Privacy practice group. "They bring with them tremendous practical experience in cybersecurity and incident response  a fast-evolving area of law  as well as deep understanding of the complex legal and business needs of our clients. This addition substantially elevates an already industry leading practice for the firm."

Bruce Radke, who joined the firm's Chicago office, counsels clients on a wide variety of privacy and data security issues. He has assisted private- and public-sector clients across multiple industry verticals in connection with incidents ranging from system-wide network intrusions and ransomware attacks to cyber extortion, fraudulent wire transfers, e-mail account compromises, stolen computer hardware, and employee misconduct. Radke will Co-Chair the firm's Privacy & Cybersecurity group.

Michael Waters, who joined the firm's Chicago office, handled one of the first data breach matters shortly after California passed its breach notification law in 2003 and has since counseled clients across industries through nearly every conceivable type of breach. He regularly assists organizations in investigations opened by enforcement agencies post-breach, and assists clients in managing the privacy risks associated with maintaining and transferring information. Waters will Co-Chair the firm's Privacy & Cybersecurity group.

John Cleary, who joined the firm's New York City office, is an accomplished litigator and former Assistant U.S. Attorney whose practice includes the counseling of organizations involved in data security incidents and the representation of companies in litigation, internal investigations, and enforcement actions related to privacy, technology, intellectual property, and other issues.

Martin McElligott, who joined the firm's Chicago office as an associate attorney, has worked with Bruce, John and Michael to advise clients in preparing for and responding to data security incidents.

The new shareholders, for their part, are enthusiastic about Polsinelli's approach to data privacy work.

"It's exciting to be joining a firm that already has such strong capacity for counseling clients on data privacy and cybersecurity issues," Radke said. "Polsinelli has built a nationally prominent data privacy practice based on the business needs of their clients."

Waters adds, "Our practice involves working with attorneys with industry-specific expertise. Polsinelli has embraced this interdisciplinary model across the firm, and John, Bruce, Marty and I are excited to be part of it."

"Clients are looking for a business-minded and strategic approach to integrating and managing technology," Cleary said. "Polsinelli has focused on those priorities to build a client-centered technology transaction and cybersecurity group. It's a great platform from which to serve our clients' needs and to build future offerings as the data economy continues to evolve."

Last year, Polsinelli was designated a Cybersecurity Leader, earning a spot on BTI Consulting Group's 2017 Law Firms Best at Cybersecurity list. According to BTI, Polsinelli is one of 30 law firms clients identify as leading the charge in cybersecurity. The recognition accentuates Polsinelli's influential impact on the technology industry.

Polsinelli's national Technology Transactions & Data Privacy practice works to educate clients on the business implications and risks of around privacy and cybersecurity. The practice includes former software and systems engineers, network administrators, and information privacy professionals who are experienced in industries ranging from health care, banking, telecommunications, retail and beyond.

About Polsinelli

Polsinelli is an Am Law 100 firm with more than 825 attorneys in 21 offices. Ranked #24 for Client Service Excellence1 and #10 for best client relationships2 among 650 U.S. law firms, Polsinelli is also named among the top 30 best-known firms in the nation3 for the second consecutive year. The firm's attorneys provide value through practical legal counsel infused with business insight and a focus on health care, financial services, real estate, intellectual property, mid-market corporate, labor and employment, and business litigation. www.polsinelli.com | Polsinelli PC | In California, Polsinelli LLP

12018 BTI Client Service A-Team Report

22017 BTI Industry Power Rankings

32018 BTI Brand Elite

For more information, contact:

Carrie Trent, [email protected]

314-552-6864

SOURCE Polsinelli

Related Links

http://www.polsinelli.com

TOKYO and STAMFORD, Conn., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai Co., Ltd. (CEO: Haruo Naito, "Eisai") and Purdue Pharma L.P. (President and CEO: Craig Landau, "Purdue Pharma") today presented the results of two key Phase 1 clinical studies of their investigational sleep/wake regulation agent lemborexant at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (SLEEP 2018), June 2-6, Baltimore, MD. Lemborexant is currently being studied for the potential treatment of multiple sleep disorders. Positive topline results from these Phase 1 studies as well as a Phase 3 study (SUNRISE 1), which compared lemborexant to placebo in patients with a sleep disorder and included the first-ever head-to-head superiority comparison versus zolpidem extended release (zolpidem ER) as a secondary endpoint, were previously announced.

Phase 1 Study 108  "Auditory Awakening Threshold to Evaluate Ability to Awaken After Administration of Lemborexant Versus Zolpidem" (Poster # 097) met its primary endpoint resulting in a statistically significant difference in postural stability with both doses of lemborexant compared to zolpidem ER in the middle of the night. The mean changes from baseline in body sway, a measure of postural stability, were -1.1 units for placebo, 5.8 units for lemborexant 5 mg, 8.1 units for lemborexant 10 mg, and 20.4 units for zolpidem ER 6.25 mg; (p<0.0001 vs. zolpidem ER for both lemborexant 5 mg and 10 mg).

Healthy volunteers 55 years and older (n=56) were administered treatments at bedtime, and body sway was assessed upon awakening participants after approximately four hours in bed. A 7 unit increase from baseline was defined as a clinically meaningful increase in body sway, as benchmarked to the effect of alcohol on the same measure of postural stability. Zolpidem ER increased body sway at a magnitude almost three times greater than the increase in body sway associated with a blood alcohol content (BAC 0.05 percent1) near the legal driving limit. Lemborexant 5 mg did not result in a clinically meaningful increase in body sway, while lemborexant 10 mg increased body sway to just above the clinically meaningful threshold.

The next morning, shortly after the end of eight hours in bed, unlike zolpidem ER, neither dose of lemborexant had statistically significant residual effects on this measure of postural stability as compared to placebo. The mean changes from baseline in body sway were -2.2 units for placebo, 0.4 units for lemborexant 5 mg, -0.4 units for lemborexant 10 mg, and 5.0 units for zolpidem ER 6.25 mg (p=NS [not significant] for both doses of lemborexant vs. placebo, p=0.01 for zolpidem ER vs. placebo).

"Postural instability is thought to be the single best predictor of falls. Significant unmet need exists for a treatment that can help people awaken in the night or the next morning without this type of impairment," said Lynn Kramer, MD, Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Medical Officer, Neurology Business Group, Eisai. "If approved, lemborexant, our investigational sleep/wake regulation agent, may have the potential to reduce the risk of postural instability."

In this Phase 1 study, there were no serious adverse events (AE). Headache was the only AE observed in two or more subjects taking lemborexant. The only AE that occurred in more than one subject in any treatment period was nasopharyngitis, which occurred in the placebo treatment period. Rates of treatment-emergent AEs were low and of mild or moderate severity. Two subjects discontinued due to an AE. There were no AEs of somnolence.

A secondary study objective was to evaluate the effects of lemborexant 5 mg and 10 mg on the auditory awakening threshold (AAT), a measure of the ability to be awakened by an external stimulus at approximately four hours post-dose, compared to zolpidem ER and placebo. A clinically meaningful increase in AAT was pre-specified as an 8-decibel (dB) change from baseline.

Neither dose of lemborexant had a statistically significant difference relative to placebo or zolpidem ER on the ability to awaken to an external stimulus. The mean treatment differences compared to placebo were 1.7 dB for lemborexant 5 mg, -0.9 dB for lemborexant 10 mg, and 7.2 dB for zolpidem ER 6.25 mg (p=NS). Of the subjects who completed all four treatments, eight subjects taking zolpidem ER did not awaken to the loudest tone of 105 dB, compared with four subjects in each of the other treatment groups (placebo, n=42; lemborexant 5 mg, n=47; lemborexant 10 mg, n=50; and zolpidem ER, n=50). Varying n's were due to either the subject already being awake thus no AAT was administered, or a technical issue with the AAT equipment.

"By acting on the orexin neurotransmitter system, which regulates wakefulness, lemborexant appears to affect sleep and wake by dampening excessive wakefulness and does not appear to impede the ability to awaken to external stimuli," said Russell Rosenberg, PhD, D. ABSM, a Principal Investigator in lemborexant studies and former Chairman of the Board of the National Sleep Foundation. "As the largest study conducted to date evaluating postural stability and auditory awakening threshold in the middle of the night, these data about the effects of lemborexant on measures of balance and responsiveness to external stimuli are encouraging with respect to addressing current unmet needs in the treatment of sleep disorders."

In addition, return to sleep latency was evaluated as an exploratory endpoint and both doses of lemborexant had faster return to sleep after being awakened in the middle of the night compared to placebo. The mean treatment differences compared to placebo were -22.5 minutes for lemborexant 5 mg, -28.7 minutes for lemborexant 10 mg, and -21.0 minutes for zolpidem ER (p<0.0001 for all treatment groups compared to placebo). Lemborexant 10 mg also facilitated the return to sleep faster than zolpidem ER 6.25 mg (p=0.02).

These results support findings from SUNRISE 1, a recently completed Phase 3 study of lemborexant (5 mg and 10 mg) versus placebo, including a superiority comparison to zolpidem ER as a secondary endpoint. The study met endpoints of time to sleep onset and sleep maintenance as measured by polysomnography, as well as body sway upon awakening, when compared to placebo and zolpidem ER. In this study, lemborexant had rates of discontinuation due to AEs comparable to placebo, with the most common AEs in the lemborexant arms being headache and somnolence.

Phase 1 Study 106  "Results From an On-Road Driving Performance Study in Non-elderly and Elderly Healthy Subjects with Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist Lemborexant" (Poster # 099) evaluated next-morning effects of lemborexant compared with placebo, with zopiclone included as a positive control, by measuring adult and elderly participants' (n=48) driving performance via an on-road driving test. The primary endpoint was to evaluate difference from placebo of standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP), an index of weaving, during an on-road driving test on the mornings following the first and last dose of drug in each treatment period. Drug-placebo differences in SDLP >2.4 cm are considered to reflect clinically meaningful driving impairment, as benchmarked against a BAC of 0.05 percent.

Lemborexant 2.5, 5 and 10 mg showed no statistically significant impairment of driving performance, as measured by mean changes in SDLP, after either single (Day 2) or multiple (Day 9) dose administration compared to placebo, meeting the study's primary endpoint. In contrast, zopiclone 7.5 mg significantly increased mean SDLP as compared to placebo. The mean drug-placebo changes in SDLP (in centimeters) compared to placebo for Day 2 were 0.02 cm for lemborexant 2.5 mg, 0.23 cm for lemborexant 5 mg, 0.73 cm for lemborexant 10 mg, and 2.04 cm for zopiclone 7.5 mg. For Day 9, the mean drug-placebo changes in SDLP were 0.48 cm for lemborexant 2.5 mg, 0.36 cm for lemborexant 5 mg, 0.74 cm for lemborexant 10 mg, and 1.88 cm for zopiclone 7.5 mg. The upper bound of the 95 percent confidence intervals for the mean changes in SDLP were all below 2.4 cm for all three doses of lemborexant on Days 2 and 9, indicating that there was not clinically meaningful driving impairment. The upper bound of the 95 percent confidence intervals for the mean changes in SDLP for zopiclone was greater than 2.4 cm on Days 2 and 9, demonstrating assay sensitivity.

No drives were stopped before completion in the lemborexant treatment groups, whereas, three drives out of a total of 384 (0.8 percent) were terminated before scheduled completion, all after the use of zopiclone. No serious or severe AEs were reported in any treatment group. There were no treatment-related AEs leading to withdrawal from the study. The most common AEs observed in the lemborexant treatment groups were somnolence, headache, and dry mouth. Somnolence was reported more frequently with lemborexant 10 mg than lemborexant 2.5 mg and 5 mg.

"Sleep medications should not only improve the ability to sleep through the night, but also allow patients to awaken in the middle of the night, if needed, and to function upon awakening," said Marcelo Bigal, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Purdue Pharma. "We are pleased to share these study results and are committed to exploring the value of lemborexant in specific unmet needs of patients with sleep disorders."

Discovered by Eisai, lemborexant is being jointly developed by Eisai and Purdue Pharma. Information about ongoing clinical studies is available at clinicaltrials.gov.

This release discusses investigational uses of agents in development and is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy or safety. There is no guarantee that such investigational agent will successfully complete clinical development or gain health authority approval.

About Lemborexant

Lemborexant, an investigational dual orexin receptor antagonist, is Eisai's in-house discovered and developed small molecule compound which inhibits orexin neurotransmission by binding competitively to two subtypes of orexin receptors (orexin receptor 1 and 2). In individuals with sleep/wake disorders, it is possible that the orexin system which regulates sleep and wakefulness is not functioning normally. During normal periods of sleep, orexin system activity is suppressed, suggesting it is possible to purposefully counteract inappropriate wakefulness and facilitate the initiation and maintenance of sleep by interfering with orexin neurotransmission. Therefore, Eisai and Purdue Pharma have been developing lemborexant as a potential treatment for multiple sleep disorders.



A Phase 2 clinical study of lemborexant in patients with irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder (ISWRD) and mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia is underway. Lemborexant is the only sleep/wake agent being studied for ISWRD.



About Study 108

A randomized, double-blind, four-period, Phase 1 crossover study evaluated the effect of lemborexant on postural stability, auditory awakening threshold and cognitive performance in healthy volunteers age 55 years and older; 120 subjects were screened, 63 randomized, and 56 completed all four treatment groups. Participants were administered a single dose of placebo, lemborexant 5 mg, lemborexant 10 mg, or zolpidem ER 6.25 mg, and had eight-hour polysomnograms at baseline and at each single-dose treatment. If not already awake, subjects were awakened, preferentially from stage non-REM 2 in the middle of the night (between four and four and a half hours post-bedtime/post-dose). At bedside, body sway with eyes closed was measured in units of 1/3o angle of arc for 60 seconds using an ataxiameter device. Increases from baseline of greater than or equal to 7 units were pre-specified as clinically meaningful, benchmarked to effect of alcohol at 0.5g/kg. At eight hours post-dose, body sway was assessed in the same manner.



The study also evaluated the effects of lemborexant on the AAT. Subjects slept with insert earphones, an auditory stimulus apparatus that produced 1000Hz tones for three seconds at 15-second intervals. The starting dB level was 15, increasing five dB to a maximum of 105dB, until the subject stated, "I'm awake." The awakening threshold was the dB level one level below the response.



About Study 106

A randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, four-period, Phase 1 crossover study evaluated the effect of lemborexant in 48 healthy adult and elderly volunteers to evaluate on-road driving performance. Participants (n=24 elderly and n=24 non-elderly) were treated at bedtime with two out of three dose levels of lemborexant (2.5, 5 or 10 mg) and placebo for eight consecutive days, and zopiclone 7.5 mg as an active control on days one and eight only, with placebo given for the six days in between. Standardized one-hour on-road driving tests on the second and ninth days were started approximately nine hours post-dose.



About Sleep Disorders

Population studies show that sleep disorders affect many more people worldwide than previously thought. Insomnia disorder is characterized by difficulty falling sleep, staying asleep or both, despite an adequate opportunity to sleep, that can lead to daytime consequences such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating and irritability. Insomnia disorder is the most common sleep disorder, with persistent insomnia symptoms experienced by approximately 10 percent of the adult population.



Sleeping well is essential for good health, including brain health. Poor sleep is associated with a wide range of health consequences, including an increased risk of hypertension, accidental injury, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, stroke and dementia, as well as adverse effects on mood and behavior.



Experimental studies in animals and humans provide evidence of associations between sleep and disease risk factors, diseases and mortality. Studies suggest an optimal sleep duration between seven and eight hours. Women are 1.4 times more likely than men to suffer from insomnia.



Older adults also have higher prevalence of insomnia; aging is often accompanied by changes in sleep patterns, including disrupted sleep, frequent waking and early waking, that can lead to less sleep time.



About Eisai Inc.

At Eisai Inc., human health care (hhc) is our goal. We give our first thoughts to patients and their families, and helping to increase the benefits health care provides. As the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Tokyo-based Eisai Co., Ltd., we have a passionate commitment to patient care that is the driving force behind our efforts to discover and develop innovative therapies to help address unmet medical needs.



Eisai is a fully integrated pharmaceutical business that operates in two global business groups: oncology and neurology (dementia-related diseases and neurodegenerative diseases). Each group functions as an end-to-end global business with discovery, development, and marketing capabilities.



Our U.S. headquarters, commercial and clinical development organizations are located in New Jersey; our discovery labs are in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania; and our global demand chain organization resides in Maryland and North Carolina. To learn more about Eisai Inc., please visit us at www.eisai.com/US.



About Purdue Pharma L.P.

Purdue Pharma L.P. is a privately-held pharmaceutical company headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Purdue Pharma is part of a network of independent associated companies dedicated to providing patients and providers with innovative medicines. The company's leadership and employees are committed to serving healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers by providing quality products and educational resources that make a positive impact on healthcare  and on lives. For more information, please visit www.purduepharma.com.

Contacts:





Eisai Inc. Purdue Pharma L.P. Michele Randazzo Danielle Lewis 201-746-2979 203-588-7653 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Eisai Co., Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.eisai.com/US

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Premier of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk, announced today that Queensland will be hosting a weeklong set of key innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem building activities led by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in early 2019. The Premier was also joined by mayors representing many of the regional economies within Queensland that included Councillor Mark Jamieson, Mayor of Sunshine Coast Regional Council; Councillor Allan Sutherland, Mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council; Councillor Jenny Hill, Mayor of Townsville City Council; Councillor Margaret Strelow, Mayor of Rockhampton Regional Council; Councillor Matthew Burnett, Mayor of Gladstone Regional Council; and Councillor Jack Dempsey, Mayor of Bundaberg Regional Council.

Scott Stern, David Sarnoff Professor of Management, MIT Sloan School of Management with Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland

MIT REAP Team Queensland, including representatives of Queensland University of Technology, Queensland Government, RedEye, Blue Sky Ventures, and Rio Tinto will host a three-day MIT REAP Workshop from January 29 - February 1, 2019. This 3rd Workshop for Cohort 5 of MIT REAP will draw attendees from eight global regions including Algeria, Ghana, King Abdullah Economic City (Saudi Arabia), Lebanon, Melbourne (Australia), Quito (Ecuador), Yakutia (Russia), and of course Queensland. Diverse global stakeholders will attend from each of these regions, ranging from government, risk capital, academia, corporate, and the entrepreneurial community, to learn about the strategic interventions the regions are implementing.

"Hosting this workshop in Queensland will allow us to showcase the state's emerging innovation ecosystems and provide delegates an opportunity to learn how Queensland is building an innovation economy in a highly dispersed state," jointly stated by Premier of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk, and Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development, Kate Jones who both made recent visits to MIT.

During her visit, the Premier was also joined by mayors representing many of the regional economies within Queensland that included Councillor Mark Jamieson, Mayor of Sunshine Coast Regional Council; Councillor Allan Sutherland, Mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council; Councillor Jenny Hill, Mayor of Townsville City Council; Councillor Margaret Strelow, Mayor of Rockhampton Regional Council; Councillor Matthew Burnett, Mayor of Gladstone Regional Council; and Councillor Jack Dempsey, Mayor of Bundaberg Regional Council.

Part of MIT REAP Team Queensland's plan is to create sustainable growth in mining, energy and agribusiness sectors through technological disruption across the region of Queensland. In order to move the region towards sustainable growth the regional stakeholders will need to overcome barriers to innovation and broaden the relationships that facilitate stronger knowledge transfer. After a year of rigorous analysis of the existing innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem as well as input from local entrepreneurs, REAP teams are now entering the stage where they will decide on and implement multiple strategic interventions to catalyze entrepreneurship in their region. These interventions will hopefully eliminate bottlenecks in the system and allow entrepreneurs to get the support they need to start, grow and scale their business.

"Ultimately, driving towards economic prosperity and social progress," said Scott Stern, MIT Sloan School of Management, David Sarnoff Professor of Management and co-Founder of MIT REAP.

This week of activities will be book ended by ecosystem tours and multiple events to highlight what makes Queensland unique.

"Hosting a workshop is a huge opportunity to bring together key leaders and visionaries in Queensland and more broadly Australia to move the entire innovation ecosystem forward," said Sarah Jane Maxted, Director of MIT REAP.

The 'MIT week' will continue in the region through MIT Bootcamp, which will also be held in Queensland from February 2-8, 2019 (sign up here for updates). Two main features of the MIT REAP workshop will include a tour of Brisbane's ecosystem to see what programmatic infrastructure currently exists to support a growing entrepreneurial hub. MIT REAP Team Queensland will also host a Global Innovation Gala Dinner to celebrate the collection of diverse stakeholders and bring together leaders from the greater regional ecosystem.

About MIT REAP. The MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (MIT REAP), an initiative of MIT Sloan Global Programs, provides opportunities for communities around the world to engage with MIT in an evidence-based, practical approach to strengthening innovation-driven entrepreneurial (IDE) ecosystems.

About MIT Open Learning. The mission of MIT Open Learning is to transform teaching and learning at MIT and around the globe through the innovative use of digital technologies.

For more information: [email protected]

For further information, contact:

Paul Denning

Director of Media Relations

617-253-0576

[email protected]

or

Patricia Favreau

Associate Director of Media Relations

617-253-3492

[email protected]

SOURCE MIT Sloan School of Management

Related Links

http://www.mitsloan.mit.edu

TORONTO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Yuriy Setko - realtor, professional programmer, and developer of itrealty.ca has revolutionized how realtors, buyers and sellers alike can search, find and evaluate properties to fulfill their requirements.

ITRealty

ITRealty intelligently analyzes the multiple listing services (MLS) that brokers and agents use to find/list properties, establish contractual offers of compensation among brokers, and accumulate and disseminate information to enable appraisals. "It does not matter anymore how far in the past comparable properties were sold", says Yuriy Setko, "Our algorithms will analyze where the market was for that particular type of property, in that particular neighborhood in the past, and apply the time adjustment percentage to the selling price to give you that property's market price as if it was sold yesterday." You usually have a good number of comparables to see if the asking price is right". It also helps to precisely determine the market price when putting up a property for sale.

ITRealty tracks price drops on MLS, along with other listing analysis algorithms, to find "motivated sellers", as well as drawing supplementary data on real estate not found on MLS. Information about transit, schools, and regional demographics are collected by drawing from sources such as Google Maps, Statistics Canada, and city plans.

AIDA's (Artificial Intelligence Data Algorithm) superb predictive power can show the change in property prices, forecasting long and short-term price and rent fluctuations  a great feature for investors. It also contains information on new construction projects.

The Lifestyle Finder component can find neighborhoods that suit your needs best, based on a comparative analysis of a number of criteria sourced from different places.

About Your Company: ITREALTY.ca is a real estate search engine currently serving residential properties for sale, rent, and new-construction projects for sale in the province of Ontario, helping buyers to find the right properties at the right price and connecting them with local experts to finalize their deals.

Media contact:

Yuriy Setko

tel: +1-647-640-7557

email: [email protected]

Related Links

IT Realty. Real Estate Powered by Artificial Intelligence.

AIDA. Real Estate Time Machine.

SOURCE ITRealtyWASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Concord Coalition said today that this year's reports from the Social Security and Medicare trustees again show that these programs need substantial reforms to put them on sustainable paths without squeezing other national priorities out of the federal budget.

"Over the years the trustees have been very consistent in warning policymakers that failure to address the financial challenges of both programs risks harmful consequences for future beneficiaries," says Robert L. Bixby, executive director of The Concord Coalition.

He added: "It would be a nice change if this year Congress and the president actually took these warnings seriously enough to do something. The longer the delay, the more difficult the challenges become. Yet President Trump and Congress have shown little or no interest in anything other than the 'Do Nothing Plan.'"

The basic challenges are clear: With an aging population and rising medical costs, the federal government must spend more each year just to provide the same level of Social Security and Medicare benefits to a larger group of beneficiaries.

"It is a dangerous but widespread fallacy to suggest that these two programs are in fine financial shape for years to come," Bixby said. "On the contrary, the need for change is urgent."

Undue complacency is sowed each year by focusing too much attention on the projections of when the Social Security and Medicare trust funds will be exhausted. Today's Medicare report projects that its Hospital Insurance fund will be exhausted in 2026, three years earlier than last year's projection. Exhaustion of the combined Social Security trust funds is projected for 2034, the same as in last year's report.

It must be kept in mind, however, that these trust funds are merely internal government accounting mechanisms that do not provide meaningful information on the growing costs of Social Security and Medicare or their impact on the rest of the federal budget.

From a budgetary standpoint, both programs are already running annual cash deficits. Having a positive trust fund balance simply means that the U.S. Treasury must come up with the money to make good on the benefit obligations.

The trustees say that general revenue demands for Social Security and Medicare will total $416 billion this year, or 2 percent of GDP. Of that total, $85 billion would go to Social Security and $331 billion for Medicare. By 2042, the trustees estimate that this financing gap will more than double to 4.4 percent of GDP.

The trustees encourage lawmakers to act sooner rather than later to allow time for phasing in changes, utilizing the broadest range of possible policy solutions. The longer lawmakers wait, the greater the policy challenges and risks of adverse impacts on the most vulnerable.

Two former public trustees for Social Security and Medicare recently wrote about this problem using an analysis of last year's reports. Looking at just the changes needed with Social Security, if we wait until 2034 to fix the problem, even a 100 percent reduction in benefits for newly eligible people would be insufficient to close its financing gap (assuming no payroll tax increase or benefit reductions for those already collecting benefits). Alternatively, the combined employer-employee payroll tax would need to be raised to 16.4 percent from 12.4 percent.

Elected officials should be moving as quickly as possible to put Medicare and Social Security on a more responsible path. In addition, voters this year should expect congressional candidates to understand the need for such reforms and to clearly explain how they would pursue them.

The Concord Coalition is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to fiscal responsibility. Since 1992, Concord has worked to educate the public about the causes and consequences of the federal deficit and debt, and to develop realistic solutions for sustainable budgets. For more fiscal news and analysis, visit concordcoalition.org and follow us on Twitter: @ConcordC

SOURCE The Concord Coalition

Related Links

http://www.concordcoalition.org

NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Risalto Health, a digital health company aiming to transform the delivery of musculoskeletal (MSK) care, has raised $1.5M in seed stage capital from New York-based Health Catalyst Capital Management (HCCM). Risalto will use the financing to expand its machine learning capabilities and commercialize and expand its care concierge program, which will enable superior outcomes and cost savings for patients experiencing back, neck, knee, and hip pain. HCCM joins Oxeon Ventures as investors in Risalto.

Musculoskeletal ailments affect millions of Americans and cause billions in unnecessary spend from employers and health plans. Risalto's platform connects patients, employers, and providers to the highest quality care available through its proprietary algorithms, and it delivers personalized, alternative solutions for patients entering the MSK care journey. Created in partnership with Oxeon's Venture Studio, Risalto already has its first customer, a Fortune 50 company responsible for the coverage of almost 250,000 members.

"Musculoskeletal care creates a huge burden for patients, payers, and employers alike," said Daniel Pizzarello, MD, Founder and CEO of Risalto. "Partnering with Health Catalyst Capital will help us move faster in our mission of getting every patient the evidence-based care they deserve. Risalto will do more than just save money -- we will help patients heal, resume active lives, and minimize exposure to dangerous pain medication."

Health Catalyst Capital Management, a venture capital firm focused on venture and growth stage healthcare opportunities, invests in multiple-stages of high-growth healthcare IT and tech-enabled services companies. Investors in HCCM's $100M+ fund include several major healthcare companies, such as large health plans and providers.

"Health Catalyst Capital Management invests in companies that can improve the quality of healthcare while lowering costs," said Charles Boorady, HCCM's Founding Managing Director. "Musculoskeletal care is a major pain-point in the healthcare system. We are excited to partner with Risalto, and collaborate with Oxeon Ventures, in addressing this large area of systemic concern."

About Risalto Health

Risalto Health is a big data and technology enabled healthcare enterprise transforming the delivery of musculoskeletal care. The company works collaboratively with primary care doctors, specialists, physical therapists, and psychologists to change patterns of care in high-spend areas to improve outcomes while significantly lowering costs for payers and patients. For more information, visit www.RisaltoHealth.com.

About Health Catalyst Capital Management

Health Catalyst Capital Management is a New York-based venture capital firm that seeks to invest in entrepreneurial teams building high growth healthcare information technology businesses that make a positive social impact by improving patient access, outcomes and value. For more information, visit www.HealthCatalystCapital.com.

About Oxeon Ventures

Oxeon Ventures builds and co-invests alongside leading venture and growth equity firms, and additionally focuses on building companies de novo, with entrepreneurs or with strategic partners and anchor customers. Our affiliate, Oxeon Partners, is a highly specialized healthcare recruiting and venture firm that connects its company partners with the fundamental drivers of business growth: great people, transformational business development partnerships, strategic investments, next-generation business ideas, and human capital advisory. For more information, visit www.oxeonventures.com.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Risalto Health

Related Links

http://www.risaltohealth.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- RVnGO (www.RVnGO.com) announces North America's first free peer-to-peer service for RV Rentals with rentals automatically covered by RVnGO's $1 million auto liability coverage. It is free to list RVs for rent and hosts get 100% of the booking, guests pay a 3% credit card processing fee and a daily premium for the insurance. The RVnGO platform also gives hosts free management tools to manage their fleet and communicate with their guests.

RVnGO saw a multibillion dollar industry without software solutions to easily manage their fleets and customers. We saw an industry plagued by middlemen who intercepted leads with bait-and-switch tactics, or simply extracted an expensive fee. We saw an industry that was being forced to take bundled products that were inferior.

We decided to create an honest and complete business solutionmake it free and make our living selling superior value-added services.

"The only businesses we want to disrupt are those that have stood between RV hosts and guests." - Paul Kacir, founder and chief executive officer.

"We've introduced a new way of doing business, we didn't want to be like other peer-to-peer or finder sites that would intercept people searching on the internet and then stand between them and what they were looking for to extract a fee. We didn't want to base our business model on essentially being a nuisance," explained Paul Kacir. "We're more like Google, we help people find what they're looking for and remove transaction frictions instead of creating them, and like Google we'll make our living selling compelling add on services."

About RVnGO

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, RVnGO (www.RVnGO.com) puts RV owners directly in touch with guests that want to rent on its peer-to-peer RV rentals site. It is free for owners to list their RV and use the site and our fleet and customer relationship management tools. Owners get 100% of the booking, the guest pays the 3% credit card processing charge. All rentals processed through the site are automatically insured with our $1 million auto liability coverage, the affordable daily premium is paid by the guest.

Find your RVnGO!

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 1 (844) 235-4712

Web: www.RVnGO.com

SOURCE RVnGO

Related Links

http://www.rvngo.com

SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), the global leader in CRM, today announced the company's annual meeting of stockholders will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. (PT) / 5:00 p.m. (ET). The meeting will be held at Salesforce, located at 350 Mission Street, San Francisco, California 94105. Stockholders are invited to attend the meeting and should refer to Salesforce's proxy statement available at www.salesforce.com/investor for details regarding required documentation to gain admission to the meeting.

An audiocast will be available to the public on Salesforce's website at www.salesforce.com/investor.

About Salesforce

Salesforce, the global leader in CRM, empowers companies to connect with their customers in a whole new way. Salesforce has headquarters in San Francisco, with offices in Europe and Asia, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CRM." For more information about Salesforce, visit: www.salesforce.com.

SOURCE Salesforce

Related Links

http://www.salesforce.com

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. ("Salix"), one of the largest specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world committed to the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, and its partner Norgine B.V. ("Norgine") will present new data from Phase 3 clinical trial results for PLENVU (polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfate, ascorbic acid, sodium chloride and potassium chloride for oral solution) at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) in Washington, D.C., from June 2-5, 2018.

PLENVU is a low-volume (1L) polyethylene glycol based bowel preparation indicated to provide whole bowel cleansing, with an additional focus on the ascending colon.

"Given the recent FDA approval of PLENVU, we are proud to present this positive data at DDW to leading gastroenterologists and researchers to further reiterate the clinical benefits of this product," said Mark McKenna, senior vice president and general manager, Salix Pharmaceuticals. "We look forward to bringing PLENVU to market to meet the needs of both patients and physicians."

The complete schedule for all poster presentations of PLENVU research that will be presented at DDW on June 5 includes:

Epstein, Michael. Assessment Of Patient Satisfaction With NER1006 And Trisulfate Bowel Preparations For Colonoscopy: A Phase 3, Randomized, Multicenter Trial (poster #Tu1102, Hall C, 12:00pm  2:00pm )

 ) Epstein, Michael. Comparative Assessment Of Bowel Cleansing Of 1 L Polyethylene Glycol Plus Ascorbate NER1006 Compared With 2 L Polyethylene Glycol Plus Ascorbate: A Phase 3, Randomized, Multicenter Trial (poster #Tu1070, Hall C, 12:00pm  2:00pm )

 ) Hassan, Cesare. Impact Of Cleansing Quality Using The Harefield Cleansing Scale And Polyp And Adenoma Detection Rates: A Post Hoc Analysis Of Three Phase 3 Randomized Trials (poster #Tu1074, Hall C, 12:00pm  2:00pm )

 ) Epstein, Michael. Impact Of Time Interval Between The Second Dose Of A Split-Dose Regimen Of NER1006 Versus Trisulfate And Start Of Colonoscopy: Evaluation Of Colon Cleansing Rates (poster #Tu1101, Hall C, 12:00pm  2:00pm )

"The data presented at DDW further supports the benefits of PLENVU in providing effective cleansing in preparation for colonoscopies," said Howard Franklin, M.D., vice president of medical affairs and strategy, Salix Pharmaceuticals. "As a physician, I am encouraged by these results and look forward to additional research in GI medicine to continue to support both patients and the health care professionals who treat them."

About PLENVU

PLENVU (polyethylene glycol 3350, sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfate, ascorbic acid, sodium chloride and potassium chloride for oral solution) is an osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon in preparation for colonoscopy in adults.

PLENVU is a trademark of the Norgine group of companies.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

PLENVU is contraindicated in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, bowel perforation, gastric retention, ileus, toxic megacolon, and hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients.

Advise patients to hydrate adequately before, during, and after the use of PLENVU. It is encouraged that patients drink additional clear liquids to help avoid cases of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities. Fluid and electrolyte disturbances can lead to serious adverse events including cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and renal impairment.

There have been rare reports of serious arrhythmias associated with the use of ionic osmotic laxative products for bowel preparation. These occur predominantly in patients with underlying cardiac risk factors and electrolyte disturbances. Consider obtaining ECGs in patients at an increased risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias.

Use PLENVU with caution in patients with a history of seizures and those at an increased risk of seizures, including patients taking medications that lower the seizure threshold, patients withdrawing from alcohol or benzodiazepines, or patients with hyponatremia.

Use PLENVU with caution in patients with renal impairment or those taking concomitant medications that affect renal function. Advise these patients to adequately hydrate before, during, and after the use of PLENVU and consider performing laboratory tests in these patients.

Do not administer PLENVU to patients with GI obstruction or perforation. If GI obstruction or perforation is suspected, perform appropriate diagnostic studies prior to administering PLENVU.

Use caution in patients with severe ulcerative colitis.

Patients with impaired gag reflex or those prone to regurgitation or aspiration should be observed during the administration of PLENVU.

Use PLENVU with caution in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

Phenylalanine can be harmful to patients with phenylketonuria (PKU). PLENVU contains phenylalanine, a component of aspartame. Each PLENVU treatment contains 491 mg of phenylalanine.

PLENVU contains polyethylene glycol and may cause serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, urticaria, and pruritus. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and instruct them to seek immediate medical care should signs and symptoms occur.

In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (>2% of patients taking PLENVU) were nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and abdominal pain/discomfort. Adverse reactions were similar between the two dosing regimens.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Salix Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-321-4576.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088

Please click here for full Prescribing Information

About Norgine

Norgine is a leading European specialist pharmaceutical company with a direct commercial presence in all major European markets. In 2017, Norgine's total net sales were EUR 345 million, up 17 per cent.

Norgine employs over 1,000 people across its commercial, development and manufacturing operations and manages all aspects of product development, production, marketing, sale and supply.

Norgine specialises in gastroenterology, hepatology, cancer and supportive care. Norgine is headquartered in the Netherlands. Norgine owns a R&D site in Hengoed, Wales and two manufacturing sites in Hengoed, Wales and Dreux, France. For more information, please visit www.norgine.com

About Salix

Salix Pharmaceuticals is one of the largest specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world committed to the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. For almost 30 years, Salix has licensed, developed and marketed innovative products to improve patients' lives and arm health care providers with life-changing solutions for many chronic and debilitating conditions. Salix currently markets its product line to U.S. health care providers through an expanded sales force that focuses on gastroenterology, hepatology, pain specialists and primary care. Salix, a wholly owned subsidiary of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., is headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

SAL.0069.USA.18

SOURCE Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

Related Links

http://salix.com

SHELTON, Connecticut, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

International medical imaging IT and cybersecurity company Sectra (STO: SECT B) has been awarded a contract to install its enterprise imaging PACS throughout Sanford Health. The Sectra solution, integrated with the Epic EMR, will enable access and sharing of images and information across the entire clinical pathway.

The Sectra platform will offer consistency throughout the health system and will provide collaboration across sites as well as a reduction in IT complexity. Sanford Health is the largest, rural, not-for-profit health care system in the U.S. and is the largest employer in the Dakotas.

"It is important for us to unify our imaging IT solutions across our broad footprint of patient care," says Allison Suttle, Chief Medical Officer at Sanford Health. "Sectra's solution will allow us to integrate all images and information throughout our healthcare system to continue our focus of providing excellent patient care."

In addition to the enterprise imaging PACS, the five-year agreement encompasses breast imaging, orthopaedics, 3D vessel analysis/lesion tracking as well as teaching file software and a business analytics package. Sectra's universal viewer will allow for all Sanford providers to have access to patient images and information via a zero-footprint web application.

"Sectra has a proven track record of strong integrations and high system uptimes which is crucial for efficient reading throughout a high production environment such as Sanford Health. We look forward to growing together over the next five years and beyond," says Mikael Anden, President of Sectra, Inc.

About Sectra

With more than 25 years of innovation and 1,800 installations worldwide, Sectra is a leading global provider of imaging IT solutions that support healthcare in achieving patient-centric care. Sectra offers an Enterprise Image Management solution comprising PACS for imaging-intense departments (radiology, pathology, cardiology and orthopaedics), a VNA, and share and collaborate solutions. Read more about Sectra and why Sectra PACS is "Best in KLAS" for a fifth consecutive year at http://www.sectra.com/medical/.

About Sanford Health

Sanford Health is one of the largest health care systems in the nation, with 44 hospitals and nearly 300 clinics in nine states and four countries. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and serving the Upper Midwest, with nearly 1,400 physicians, Sanford Health is dedicated to several initiatives, including global children's clinics, genomic medicine and specialized centers researching cures for type 1 diabetes, breast cancer and other diseases. Sanford Health has 28,000 employees, making it the largest employer in the Dakotas. Nearly $1 billion in gifts from philanthropist Denny Sanford over the past decade have transformed how Sanford Health can improve the human condition. For information, visit https://www.sanfordhealth.org/.

Contact:

Andrea Sowitch, Vice President of Marketing

Sectra, Inc.

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 203-925-0899 ext. 268



Torbjorn Kronander, President and CEO

Sectra AB

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +46-705-23-5227



SOURCE Sectra, IncCHICAGO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- (Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition (IRCE), Booth #1831) -- Seller Labs, the premier provider of software and resources for businesses that sell on Amazon, today unveiled Ignite 2.0, a sophisticated new platform for streamlining and managing advertising campaigns on Amazon.

Specifically developed to address the needs of digital advertising agencies and multi-brand managers, Ignite 2.0 is a centralized and scalable solution that allows multi-campaign analysis and insight into results to help drive profitability for sellers.

The new release is an impressive upgrade to the company's existing application, Ignite, which is currently used by thousands of Amazon brands. Designed to manage numerous facets of Amazon advertising, including Sponsored Products Ads, Headline Search Ads, Product Display Ads, and more, Ignite 2.0 customers can now oversee campaigns within up to eight global Amazon marketplaces in one place. Ignite 2.0 is available to agencies starting today and is in the process of being rolled out to existing customers.

"Our knowledge of the space, our years of experience, and our close work with users has given us insight into how to build what clients need," said Jeff Cohen, CMO at Seller Labs. "We've seen Amazon's advertising business grow exponentially and it's predicted to exceed Facebook and Google. As a result, the demand for professional-level management and deeper analytics has increased, so we developed Ignite 2.0 to meet this demand."

"We have completely reinvented our much-loved Ignite app that was built primarily for managing sponsored ads. The new version is a scalable platform that manages all elements of advertising and can support multiple brands. It satisfies the needs of a much-larger audience but remains easy to integrate and delivers tangible results quickly," said Katie Reilly, VP of Product at Seller Labs.

"Ignite 2.0 is a game changer. As a leading agency in Amazon paid search management, we rely on being able to implement complex strategies tailored specifically to our clients' business goals. Ignite 2.0 is a sophisticated tool that gives us the data and features we need to efficiently manage large numbers of campaigns for multiple clients that are aggressive but budget-conscious. We're able to anticipate more decisions, work smarter and faster, and demonstrate that our programs deliver increased performance," said Tod Harrick, VP Product of Marketplace Ignition, a POSSIBLE Commerce Agency.

Seller Labs is a founding member of the Amazon Marketplace Developer Council and its current Ignite and Feedback Genius applications are available at the new Amazon Marketplace Appstore.

ABOUT SELLER LABS

Seller Labs, LLC is the creator of cloud-based e-commerce applications, FEEDBACK GENIUS, SCOPE and IGNITE. The company's software suite provides third-party Amazon merchants with tools to automate email messaging, Amazon keyword and product research and Amazon Sponsored Products ads (PPC) management. The company is based in Athens, Ga. For more information, please visit www.sellerlabs.com.

SOURCE Seller Labs

Related Links

http://www.sellerlabs.com

TOKYO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Shiba Park Hotel announced on June 5 that it will invite overseas guests to experience and enjoy Japanese culture and customs at a "bon-dancing" festival at Zojoji Temple on July 27 & 28, 2018.

(Photo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201805234196-O1-s62x7R0Z)

"Bon-dancing" is a Japanese traditional dance in which participants clad in yukata (summer kimono) dance around a "yagura" tower. It was originally designed to calm ancestral spirits, but nowadays is enjoyed as a recreational event.

At the event, hotel staff in yukata will introduce the "bon" custom, and escort guests to participate in the Bon-Dancing & Summer Festival at Zojoji Temple. Guests at Shiba Park Hotel are welcome to join the event without any fee.

Shiba Park Hotel President Rentaro Yanase said:

"Although it is today enjoyed recreationally, bon-dancing is a dance which was created in Japan to hold our ancestors dear to our hearts. I hope guests will enjoy dancing while learning about Japanese 'bon' culture."

Japanese Culture Salon SAKURA Manager Yuka Inoue said:

"Bon-dancing will be introduced as one example of many customs peculiar to Japanese summer. We hope to enjoy the Japanese summer festival together."

Shiba Park Hotel hopes that all guests will enjoy experiencing Japanese seasonal culture and customs and that their experience will last as an unforgettable memory of their visit to Tokyo.

About Shiba Park Hotel (Tokyo, Japan)

Shiba Park Hotel is a city hotel established in 1948 as a hotel for foreign trade delegations. Since then, the hotel has welcomed many guests from overseas. There are 269 guest rooms of various types, Japanese restaurant Hanasanshou, Chinese restaurant Peking, steak restaurant Old City Grill House, bar Fifteen's and Japanese Culture Salon SAKURA. Conveniently located in central Tokyo, the hotel is easily accessible to and from both Haneda and Narita airports by the Airport Limousine Bus. There are four train and subway stations within a walking distance, offering great access to Tokyo's major sightseeing spots and business districts. Shiba Park Hotel continues to welcome guests from around the world with the hope for guests to "feel relaxed as they are at home, even in the midst of a trip."

Website: http://en.shibaparkhotel.com/

SOURCE Shiba Park Hotel

Related Links

http://en.shibaparkhotel.com/

Sim and the ASC have worked together frequently on events that educate industry professionals on current technology and its application to their evolving craft. As part of this sponsorship, Sim will expand its involvement with the ASC Master Classes, SimLabs, and conferences and seminars in Hollywood and beyond.

"It's with tremendous pride that we announce Sim's enhanced partnership with the ASC, based on our common goal of supporting filmmakers across the globe," said James Haggarty, President and CEO, Sim. "We want to help the community grow by opening new doors and creating new platforms for storytellers. Diversity and inclusiveness are front and center throughout the programs we have planned."

"It's a pleasure and an honor for the ASC to celebrate this partnership with Sim," said Kees van Oostrum, President, ASC. "This sets a landmark example, and validates our role as an educational institution and as a society with a base of knowledge and creativity that represents cinematography in all aspects."

During an official ceremony, a commemorative plaque was unveiled, embedded into the walkway of what is now Sim Plaza in Hollywood, representative of Sim's unwavering support for the art and science of cinematography. Sim will also host a celebration of the ASC's 100th anniversary in 2019 at Sim's Hollywood location.

The unveiling ceremony on Saturday took place moments before the ASC's annual Summer Splash Party, host to various industry dignitaries and talented filmmakers.

About Sim

Sim is a leading supplier of studios, production equipment, workflow/dailies and post-production solutions. With offices spanning North America, Sim's team and services have supported features such as "Deadpool" and Oscar-winning documentary, "OJ: Made in America," and hit series "Game of Thrones," "Mr. Robot," "Stranger Things" and "Handmaid's Tale." Sim Studios supports TV series, feature films and commercial productions with over 400,000 square feet of first-class studio and production facilities in Vancouver. Sim Lighting & Grip provides services and equipment from hubs in Vancouver and Toronto; Sim Camera provides rental equipment and support from hubs in Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, Northern Ontario and Atlanta. Sim Post provides an array of services from workflow/dailies, to online and offline editing, to final color/DI and visual effects, to sound editorial and mixing. Sim Hollywood is located in the former historic Eastman Kodak building, and provides the industry's only camera-through-post services venue. Sim is backed by Toronto-based investment firm Granite Partners. For more information, visit siminternational.com or visit us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn @simcomplete.

About the American Society of Cinematographers

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the art of cinematography. Celebrating its centennial in 2019, the association continues its commitment to educating aspiring filmmakers and others about the art and craft of cinematography  a mission established by the founding members in 1919. For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com, or join them on Instagram (@the_asc), follow American Cinematographer Facebook , Twitter (@AmericanCine) and Instagram (@american_cinematographer).

SOURCE SIMFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As Skin Pro International, Inc. (DBA SkinPro) approaches its tenth year in the business of manufacturing, marketing, and distributing lab-formulated skin care products, the company is proud to announce they have entered the emerging cannabis market. 2018 has featured the launch of the first two products featuring CBD in the formula, with the Hemp Intensive Pain Reliever already becoming a top seller for customers looking to soothe pain and calm their bodies. This product is manufactured under the budding Medical Grade Skin Care brand and has been selected as a "recommended product" by the Editors of SkinCare.net.

SkinPro

On June 1 the company launched the CBD Eye Cream under the same Medical Grade Skin Care line, the first under their "Green Label" initiative, and the early reception has been extremely positive. Known for a healthy stable of under eye serums, this is the first time SkinPro has manufactured a true "cream-based" emulsion for use under the eyes.

"Since our inception, we've always cornered the market on eye serums. Dating back to our original Elite Serum formula, our labs have done an amazing job at formulating serums using ingredients I personally source from our overseas vendors," said Timothy Schmidt, Founder and CEO of SkinPro.

In addition to the globally acclaimed Elite Serum products, the company makes an anti-wrinkle eye serum called DNA Serum, which features 5% Synake, a synthetic temple viper venom that was able to reduce forehead wrinkles by up to 52% in a 28-day study among 45 volunteers.

"For years, our customers have expressed their interest in us formulating a natural eye cream. We made an executive decision to not use ingredients we've already featured in other eye products, such as Argireline and Matrixyl 3000. Additionally, we exercised patience, performed extensive R & D, and bet on more relaxed stances on Cannabis, and it paid off immensely," added Schmidt.

A global leader in the anti-aging skin care product industry, SkinPro worldwide from warehouses across the USA, Canada, and Australia.

The entire product line is available at the SkinPro website, as well as on their Official Amazon Store.

Related Images

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Related Links

Skin Pro International Official website

California Weed Blog Talks About CBD for Pain Relief

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SOURCE SkinProNEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- We recently learned of the death of Kate Spade, the fashion designer and businesswoman. Based on reports, we understand that Ms. Spade died by suicide. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers our condolences to her family, friends, and everyone touched by Spade and her creative work.

There is never a single cause for suicide. Suicide is the result of many factors that come together such as an underlying mental health condition, life stressors, and access to lethal means. We must do more to prevent such tragic deaths through greater awareness of mental health, common risks and warning signs, and effective interventions and treatments.

Media interested in learning more about suicide, warning signs and prevention can visit our website at www.afsp.org. For insight on how to report on suicide: https://afsp.org/about-suicide/for-journalists/. It is important to NOT mention method of suicide in reporting as this can lead to possible suicide contagion, or "copycat suicide."

If you need help right now, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Related Links

http://www.afsp.org

PUNE, India, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new market research report "Sterilization Equipment Market by Product & Service (Instrument (Heat, Filtration, Low Temperature), Consumables and Accessories (Detergents, Indicators), Services (E beam, Gamma)), End User (Hospitals, Pharmaceutical Companies) - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is expected to reach USD 11.14 Billion by 2023 from USD 7.94 Billion in 2018, at a CAGR of 7.0%.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg )



Browse 178 market data Tables and 26 Figures spread through 181 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Sterilization Equipment Market"

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/sterilization-equipment-services-market-642.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report

The major factors driving the growth of this market are the rising incidence of hospital-acquired infections, increasing number of surgical procedures, rising focus on food sterilization and disinfection, technological advancements in sterilization equipment, and increasing number of hospitals in Asia. On the other hand, the presence of stringent regulations may restrain the growth of this market during the forecast period.

Sterilization instruments accounted for the largest market share in 2017

By product and service, the Sterilization Equipment Market is classified into instruments, consumables & accessories, and services. The sterilization instruments segment accounted for the largest market share in 2017. The large share can be attributed to the growing incidence of HAIs and the growing volume of surgical procedures across the globe.

The hospitals and clinics segment dominated the market in 2017

On the basis of end user, the Sterilization Equipment Market has been segmented into hospitals and clinics, medical device companies, food and beverage industry, pharmaceutical companies, and other end users. The hospitals & clinics segment accounted for the largest share of the Sterilization Equipment Market in 2017. The large share of this segment can be attributed to increasing incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), growing number of hospitals in Asian countries, and increasing number of surgical procedures.

Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=642

North America is estimated to command the largest share of the market in 2018

Based on region, the Sterilization Equipment Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). In 2018, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the global sterilization equipment market. The increasing demand for sterilization technologies from the healthcare industry to minimize the occurrence of HAIs and the increasing number of surgeries in this region are the major factors supporting the growth of the Sterilization Equipment Market in North America.

Key players in the Sterilization Equipment Market include Steris Corporation (US), Getinge Group (Sweden), Advanced Sterilization Products (US), 3M Company (US), Belimed AG (Switzerland), Cantel Medical (US), and Sterigenics International, Inc. (US)

Know more about the Sterilization Equipment Market:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/sterilization-equipment-services-market-642.html

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets' flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

Contact:

Mr. Salgarkar

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: [email protected]



Connect with us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets

SOURCE MarketsandMarketsMr. Lane has written the critically acclaimed "Black Broadway: African Americans on the Great White Way" (Square One Publishers), "Jews on Broadway" (McFarland Publishers), and "Let's Put on a Show", (Working Arts Library).





Mr. Lane is a graduate of the Boston University College of Fine Arts where he has created a Musical Theater Program and also serves on the Board of Overseers. He is a member of the Broadway League and served on the Board of Governors for 11 years. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Actors Fund of America and the Board of Advisors for the American Theatre Wing.

Founded in 2012, MJHI is a community-based project dedicated to exploring, compiling and recording the extraordinary history of Manhattan's Jewish community, and, through technology, conferences, lectures and exhibits, enabling all to learn, experience and enjoy. New York's Jewish community is one of history's greatest centers of Jewish intellectual and cultural achievement, contributing enormously to America and the world at large.

eFor more information, visit www.manhattanjewish.org

SOURCE Stewart F. LaneNEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Stribling & Associates is pleased to announce that Kristin Hurd has joined the company as the Head of Corporate Strategy and Business Development. Hurd, who led her eponymous team to be among the leading producers at Brown Harris Stevens, will join Stribling's senior leadership team to implement and streamline new and existing technologies, enhance business production, and spearhead expansion efforts into new markets.

Prior to joining Stribling, Hurd managed more than 200 brokers, and sold over a billion dollars in real estate transactions. During her seven years at Brown Harris Stevens, Hurd was consistently named Broker of the Month in the Tribeca and Flatiron Offices. Prior to that, she was a Managing Director at Heddings Property Group in NYC and a Managing Broker at Weichert Realtors in New Jersey where she built and managed sales offices in multiple locations. Before starting her real estate career, Hurd was a Director of Product Development for a NYC- based advertising and marketing technology company.

"Kristin is absolutely the ideal person for the position at Stribling because she understands the real estate industry; she knows the challenges facing our agents today because she was one," said Stribling President Elizabeth Ann Stribling-Kivlan. "Kristin's tech background has informed her entire real estate career, and our agents will benefit tremendously from her actionable knowledge."

In addition to a large resale business, Kristin's success also extends to selling and managing new developments, where she has worked closely with international investment banks, hedge funds, and some of New York and New Jersey's largest real estate developers. While Hurd will no longer be an agent at Stribling, her three -person team of Robin Love, Janera Soerel, and Susan McNicholas will continue to work with new and existing clients.

"I have really enjoyed working as a real estate agent over these past several years, but my true passion is studying the forward-thinking trends that will create the next generation of opportunities in this industry. I envision that the business we will develop will help all the agents at this company reach their highest potential," said Hurd. "I have always admired Stribling; there is an exceptional foundation upon which to build, and I look forward to working with Elizabeth Ann to bring the company to the next level."

Outside of work, Kristin's main passions include her family and philanthropy  she has sat on the Board of Directors for several non-profit organizations. She is currently the Co-Chair of the Greater New York Human Rights Campaign Gala and is a member of the HRC GNY Steering Committee.

About Stribling & Associates

Stribling & Associates, Ltd. is a premier residential real estate firm with over 300 agents throughout four locations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island City. As one of the most renowned brokerages in New York, Stribling uses its respected expertise in the current market to provide individualized services to both buyer and sellers. Stribling agents specialize in the sale of luxury townhouses and cooperative and condominium apartments. The company's philosophy is based on professional, personalized services coupled with exceptional knowledge of key residential market trends. Stribling Private Brokerage specializes in the discreet marketing of properties over $5 million and commands a prominent market share in that sector of Manhattan residential real estate. Through strategic partnerships with Miami's Cervera and international estate services firm Savills, Stribling's global reach extends to more than 700 offices worldwide.

Press Contact:

Ashley Murphy, Director of Public Relations

[email protected]

646-675-5068

SOURCE Stribling & Associates

Related Links

http://www.stribling.com

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, and IEEE Computer Society jointly announce that Susan Eggers, a professor at the University of Washington's Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, is the recipient of the 2018 Eckert-Mauchly Award. Eggers was cited for outstanding contributions to simultaneous multithreaded processor architectures and multiprocessor sharing and coherency. The Eckert-Mauchly Award is known as the computer architecture community's most prestigious award.

Widely recognized as one of the leading computer architects in the field, Eggers will be the first woman to receive the Eckert-Mauchly Award in its 39-year history. She is also atypical among engineers in that she received a BA degree in Economics in 1965 and worked in related fields for 18 years before deciding to switch careers and pursue research in computer engineering. In 1983 she joined the graduate program in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley and began working toward a PhD.

Eggers early work focused on maintaining accurate and efficient cache coherency in shared memory processors. In computing terminology, a cache refers to a hardware or software component used to store frequently used instructions or data. While cache memory can be retrieved quickly and does not take up much space, problems can arise that can significantly impair data accuracy in shared memory multiprocessors. For example, in multiprocessor computers, the same data may reside in separate, processor-specific caches. To maintain the uniformity of the data across all processors, however, once one set of data is changed, all copies of the data in other caches throughout the computer system must also change in a timely fashionotherwise data could potentially be lost or overwritten. This management of data is called cache coherency. Beginning in the late 1980s, Eggers made significant contributions to cache coherency protocols as well as other memory-related challenges in multiprocessor computers. She performed the first data-driven study of data sharing in shared-memory multiprocessors, which greatly enhanced the field's understanding of both hardware and software coherency techniques.

Eggers is best known for her foundational work in developing and helping to commercialize simultaneous multithreaded (SMT) processors, one of the most important advancements in computer architecture in the past 30 years. In the mid-1990s, Moore's Law was in full swing and, while computer engineers were finding ways to fit up to 1 billion transistors on a computer chip, the increase in logic and memory alone did not result in significant performance gains. Eggers was among those who argued that increasing parallelism, or a computer's ability to perform many calculations or processes concurrently, was the best way to realize performance gains.

From 1995 through 2003, she and her colleagues at the University of Washington developed and validated the idea of SMT as a way to increase central processing unit (CPU) performance. SMT is a technique that permits multiple independent sequences of programmed instructions (threads) to better utilize a computer's resources by converting their thread parallelism to a simpler instruction-level parallelism. Eggers and her colleagues at the University of Washington presented several landmark papers at the International Symposium of Computer Architecture (ISCA) and other leading gatherings that demonstrated the underlying concepts, performance benefits and implementation simplicity of SMT.

Today, SMT architecture as developed by Eggers and her colleagues remains an essential component in the processors of commercial manufacturers, including Intel and IBM. Earlier in her career, she initiated technology transfer of SMT to product teams at IBM, Fujitsu, MemoryLogix and Sun Microsystems.

Eggers will be formally recognized with the award at theACM/IEEE International Symposium on Computer Architecture (ISCA) to be held June 2-6 in Los Angeles.

ACM and IEEE Computer Society co-sponsor the Eckert-Mauchly Award, which was initiated in 1979. It recognizes contributions to computer and digital systems architecture and comes with a $5,000 prize. The award was named for John Presper Eckert and John William Mauchly, who collaborated on the design and construction of the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), the pioneering large-scale electronic computing machine, which was completed in 1947.

About IEEE Computer Society

The IEEE Computer Society, a not-for-profit organization, is the world's home for computer science, engineering, and technology. A global leader in providing access to computer science research, analysis, and information, the IEEE Computer Society offers a comprehensive array of unmatched products, services, and opportunities for individuals at all stages of their professional career. Known as the premier organization that empowers the people who drive technology, its unparalleled resources include membership, international conferences, peer-reviewed publications, a unique digital library, standards, and training programs. Visit www.computer.org for more information.

SOURCE IEEE Computer Society

Related Links

http://www.computer.org

Keynote speaker Scott Lebowitz, MD, a leading national and international authority on the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ youth and the medical director of behavioral health for Nationwide Children's Hospital THRIVE gender development program, opens the summit with his address, Meeting the Needs of Gender Diverse and Transgender Youth across Development .

Summit participants will to learn how to improve care for transgender and gender diverse people living in rural America through the following:

Developing a foundational knowledge about gender diversity, including health needs and disparities.

Increasing skills and confidence for providing medical and behavioral health services to transgender and gender diverse communities.

Identifying strategies to meet the unique healthcare needs of gender diverse communities in a rural context.

Connecting health and social service providers with resources for transgender & gender diverse communities.

Breakout sessions lead by health and social service professionals will cover topics including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Services in rural Ohio, a once-daily medication used for the prevention of HIV before exposure occurs, and health disparities in the LGBTQ community.

25 percent of all proceeds from this event will go to the Southeastern Ohio LGBT Coalition to support their mission.

For more information, visit www.equitashealthinstitute.com/ruralvoices

Established in 1984, Equitas Health (formerly AIDS Resource Center Ohio), is a regional not-for-profit community-based healthcare system and federally qualified community health center look-alike. Its expanded mission has made it one of the nation's largest HIV/AIDS, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) healthcare organizations. With 17 offices in 11 cities, it serves more than 67,000 individuals in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia each year through its diverse healthcare and social service delivery system focused around: primary and specialized medical care, community pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, HIV/STI prevention, advocacy, and community health initiatives. The Equitas Health Pharmacy & Prizm magazine operate as social enterprises for Equitas Health; 100% of profits are reinvested back into the organization's programs and services. http://equitashealth.com/

The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine is a leader in training dedicated primary care physicians who are prepared to address the most pervasive medical needs in the state and the nation. Approximately 50 percent of Heritage College alumni practice in primary care and nearly 60 percent practice in Ohio. CARE LEADS HERE. www.ohio.edu/medicine

CONTACT:

Laura Mesones, 614-987-5407

SOURCE Equitas Health

Related Links

http://equitashealth.com

SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Synthesis Systems Inc., a specialized subscription monetization services provider, today announced the release of its Subscription Monetization Accelerator Kit (SySMAK) at the Zuora Subscribed 2018 event. The solution is a combination of industry best practices framework, proprietary accelerators and peripheral integrations to help Zuora customers rapidly monetize their solutions with higher predictability and increased revenue recognition.

SySMAK is based on rich insights generated from empowering over 40 customers to monetize their business while impacting over a million user transactions worth several billions of dollars. The configurable accelerators are designed for numerous industries with the underlying infrastructure for enabling participation in the Subscription Economy.

Synthesis' Subscription Monetization Accelerators:

Monetization Maturity Model : Analyzes subscription monetization readiness and guides the user through the journey with assessments, health-checks and ROI models



: Analyzes subscription monetization readiness and guides the user through the journey with assessments, health-checks and ROI models Data Migration Tool [SMART] : Configurable, innovative, secure solution designed to extract, map, validate and load data of any size from any source



: Configurable, innovative, secure solution designed to extract, map, validate and load data of any size from any source Synthesis Revenue Assurance [SyRA] : Automated solution easily integrates with heterogeneous sources; conducts smart analyses and reports visual revenue and cost leakage



: Automated solution easily integrates with heterogeneous sources; conducts smart analyses and reports visual revenue and cost leakage Monetize IoT Platform : Enables IoT manufacturers to monetize their offerings without going through the route of a perpetual ownership model



: Enables IoT manufacturers to monetize their offerings without going through the route of a perpetual ownership model eCommerce Monetization: A digital platform that integrates all the eCommerce solutions into one and enables clients to monetize their customer relationships

Ravin Checker, CEO at Synthesis Systems, said,"SMAK results from decades of experience in the industry working with customers around the world. The true power exists in the complex integrations that unite the entire ecosystem of products. We built in specific plugins into the accelerators to ensure seamless compatibility with a range of Zuora components. We are honored to be launching this at Subscribed 2018, celebrating our relationship with Zuora."

About Synthesis Systems:

Synthesis Systems is a complete subscription monetization services provider. We partner with organizations throughout all stages of transformation. Our proprietary Synthesis Subscription Monetization Accelerator Kit rapidly monetizes relationships for business with high predictability and reliability. Having enabled over 40 businesses to participate in the subscription economy so far, we are eager to take on the next project to improve business prospects. Visit www.synthesis-systems.com for more information.

Please contact us at:

[email protected]

(844) 796-8437

About Zuora Inc.

Zuora provides the leading cloud-based subscription management platform that functions as a system of record for subscription businesses across all industries. Powering the Subscription Economy, the Zuora platform was architected specifically for dynamic, recurring subscription business models and acts as an intelligent subscription management hub that automates and orchestrates the entire subscription order-to-cash process, including billing and revenue recognition. Zuora serves more than 900 companies around the world, including Box, Komatsu, Rogers, Schneider Electric, Xplornet and Zendesk. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Zuora also operates offices in Atlanta, Boston, Denver, San Francisco, London, Paris, Beijing, Sydney, Chennai and Tokyo. To learn more about the Zuora platform, please visit www.zuora.com.

About Subscribed

Subscribed is the highly anticipated conference for companies striving to thrive amidst the most disruptive business-model shift in a century. Those looking to capitalize on this trend and to learn how to develop and nurture lasting customer relationships in The Subscription Economy will convene June 5-6, 2018, at the Marriott Marquis in San Francisco. The agenda is packed with role-based networking, hands-on training and dedicated time with Zuora product experts.

Zuora and Subscription Economy are trademarks of Zuora Inc. Third-party trademarks mentioned above are owned by their respective companies. Nothing in this press release should be construed to the contrary or as an approval, endorsement or sponsorship by any third parties of Zuora Inc. or any aspect of this press release. To learn more about the Zuora platform, please visit www.zuora.com.

Related Files

Synthesis Subscribed Flyer PR.pdf

Related Links

Company Website

SOURCE Synthesis Systems

Related Links

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CHICAGO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Technomic's Foodservice Planning Program will host guest speakers from both Amazon and Cracker Barrel as well as release the latest insights from new research studies during the Power of Change conference, being held June 18-20 in Chicago.

Tim Stanislaus, enterprise business development leader at Amazon Business, will share the company's customer-centric approach along with the top industrywide trends that Amazon is observing. He will also explore ways that manufacturers can work with the company and create a long-lasting partnership in a changing environment.

Don Hoffman, senior vice president of marketing at Cracker Barrel, will discuss what he sees as the evolving needs of his consumers, how Cracker Barrel is addressing these needs and what foodservice manufacturers can do to support these efforts.

This conference is exclusive to members of Technomic's Foodservice Planning Program (FSPP). FSPP keeps manufacturers ahead of the curve by discussing the strategic issues and opportunities facing the foodservice industry. Additional sessions taking place at the June meeting include:

Future of Support

Future of Foodservice Consumer Hot Buttons

State of the Economy

The Power of Brands: Manufacturer vs. Distributor

The three-day event has sessions covering a wide variety of topics. "We have found the Foodservice Planning Program studies and meetings to be insightful and well worth our time spent at the event," states Sandy Goldberg, vice president of business development at Saputo Cheese USA Inc.

Conference details:

Foodservice Planning Program June Member Meeting

Theme: Power of Change

Dates: June 18-20, 2018

Location: Downtown Chicago

This meeting is only open to members of Technomic's Foodservice Planning Program. In addition to in-person events, membership to the Foodservice Planning Program includes custom studies and reports, newsletters and ongoing deliverables. For more information on the program, visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.

Contacts:

Press inquiries and program details: Bernadette Noone, (312) 506-3853, [email protected]

Purchasing details: Patrick Noone, (312) 506-3852, [email protected]

About Technomic

Technomic Inc., a Winsight company, delivers a 360-degree view of the food industry. It impacts growth and profitability for clients by providing consumer-grounded vision and channel-relevant strategic insights. Its services range from major research studies and management consulting solutions to online databases and simple fact-finding assignments. Its clients include food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants and retailers, other foodservice organizations, and various institutions aligned with the food industry. Visit Technomic at www.technomic.com.

About Winsight LLC

Winsight LLC is a recognized leader in business-to-business media and information services for the convenience-retailing, foodservice and grocery industries. Winsight has an extensive media portfolio, including five publications: CSP, Restaurant Business, FoodService Director, Convenience Store Products and Winsight Grocery Business. Winsight also offers a suite of digital products, including websites, e-newsletters, webinars, video products, mobile and tablet apps, and custom marketing solutions. In addition to more than 12 major EduNetworking conferences and advisory meetings, Winsight also produces seven exclusive, large-scale executive-level conferences: Restaurant Leadership Conference, Global Restaurant Leadership Conference, Outlook Leadership Conference, Convenience Retailing University, FSTEC, MenuDirections and Restaurant Directions. In 2015, Winsight acquired Technomic Inc., a provider of primary and secondary market information and advisory services for the food industry. For more information on Winsight and its brands, go to www.winsightmedia.com.

SOURCE Technomic

Related Links

http://www.technomic.com

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Thales, a leader in critical information systems, cybersecurity and data security, announces its CipherTrust Cloud Key Manager now supports Microsoft Azure national data centers and Microsoft Azure Cloud hardware security module (HSM) subscribers as well as offering new automated key rotation, giving enterprises more control over their encryption keys and their data.

According to the 2018 Thales Global Encryption Trends Study, a growing number of enterprises are utilizing multiple cloud environments. To help meet compliance requirements, many are also creating and managing encryption keys separate from their cloud providers' infrastructure. This 'bring your own key' (BYOK) strategy can lead to operational challenges due to the unique BYOK APIs offered by each cloud provider. Understanding the challenges in securing multi-cloud deployments, Thales launched CipherTrust Cloud Key Manager, a SaaS based solution, to streamline multi-cloud BYOK use cases and centralize key lifecycle management for an ever-growing list of leading cloud vendors (Salesforce, Microsoft Azure, AWS).

Cryptographic best practices discourage extensive reuse of encryption keys. In this latest update, policies can be set with CipherTrust Cloud Key Manager to automatically rotate keys, improving data security and enhancing IT efficiency. In addition to existing support for Azure Key Vault, CipherTrust Cloud Key Manager now enables key uploads to Microsoft Azure Cloud HSM, enabling Azure customers with the most stringent compliance mandates to enjoy centralized key lifecycle management.

CipherTrust Cloud Key Manager also supports Microsoft Azure national clouds in Germany and China, allowing users to create and manage keys within their country's national cloud in the same way they would across public or private clouds but keeping the keys within national physical boundaries. This ensures enterprises are able to comply with the strong data sovereignty laws of these countries.

Peter Galvin, chief strategy officer for Thales eSecurity says:

"Many enterprises and governments are concerned that nation-states may request access to data stored on international clouds, leaving them compromised. One response to this risk is to move to a national cloud which addresses data residency and compliance requirements. CipherTrust Cloud Key Manager from Thales allows you to create and manage your encryption keys whether you're using a private cloud, an international public cloud or, now, a Microsoft Azure national cloud, giving enterprises even greater control and flexibility over their data."

To learn more about the latest CipherTrust Cloud Key Management enhancements, visit Thales at Infosecurity Europe, Stand F180, Olympia, London, June 5-7, 2018, or at the Gartner Security and Risk Management Summit, Booth #639, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, MD, June 4-7.

Industry insight and views on the latest data security trends can be found on the Thales eSecurity blog at blog.thalesesecurity.com.

Follow Thales eSecurity on Twitter @Thalesesecurity, and on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

About Thales eSecurity

Thales eSecurity is the leader in advanced data security solutions and services that deliver trust wherever information is created, shared or stored. We ensure that the data belonging to companies and government entities is both secure and trusted in any environment  on-premises, in the cloud, in data centres or big data environments  without sacrificing business agility. Security doesn't just reduce risk, it's an enabler of the digital initiatives that now permeate our daily lives  digital money, e-identities, healthcare, connected cars and, with the internet of things (IoT), even household devices. Thales provides everything an organisation needs to protect and manage its data, identities and intellectual property, and meet regulatory compliance  through encryption, advanced key management, tokenisation, and privileged-user control and high-assurance solutions. Security professionals around the globe rely on Thales to confidently accelerate their organisation's digital transformation. Thales eSecurity is part of Thales Group.

About Thales

The people we all rely on to make the world go round  they rely on Thales. Our customers come to us with big ambitions: to make life better, to keep us safer. Combining a unique diversity of expertise, talents and cultures, our architects design and deliver extraordinary high technology solutions. Solutions that make tomorrow possible, today. From the bottom of the oceans to the depth of space and cyberspace, we help our customers think smarter and act faster - mastering ever greater complexity and every decisive moment along the way. With 65,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of 15.8 billion in 2017.

SOURCE ThalesIt's no wonder The Great Lectures is predicted to be "the next big thing" in continued learning for matured audiences. Our interactive lectures are led by world-renowned industry experts and leaders in their field, who don't just speak to the audience but engage and interact, on a human-to-human level. Guests have raved about Meet the Speaker and cocktail hour portions of TGL events, where participants have the opportunity to talk personally with lecturers, as well as network with likeminded intellectuals.JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, for the first time in its four-decade history, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) unveils a new brand identity that reflects its modern values, strategic direction and relationship with its 57-member countries.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/700112/Islamic_Development_Bank_Logo.jpg )



The Islamic Development Bank, one of the world's largest Multilateral Development Banks, has been undergoing significant strategic reform in the last year, led by the Bank's new President, H.E. Dr Bandar Hajjar, formerly KSA Minister of Hajj.

As development enters a new era, Dr. Bandar is reimagining the traditional role of a development bank, making the organisation more globally facing, placing partnerships, technology and innovation, and global engagement at the heart of his modernising programme.

The new brand identity maintains the core elements of the IsDB's heritage while signalling modernity, independence and transparency, future proofing the bank's identity and evolving it for an international audience.

H.E. Dr Bandar Hajjar, President of the Islamic Development Bank explained the momentous decision: "The Islamic Development Bank has been a symbol of trust, credibility, strength and stability for over 44 years, with a proud heritage of providing resources, fighting poverty and restoring dignity in our member countries. As we build on the successes of the past, we must also look to the future. I believe that this new brand identity is one of a world class institution - tackling the challenges of today's modern world."

The IsDB's mission, as it enters its next stage of growth, includes equipping people to drive their own economic and social progress at scale; putting the necessary infrastructure in place to enable them to fulfil their potential; building collaborative partnerships between public and private sectors; and championing the latest science, technology and innovation led solutions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr Hayat Sindi, Chief Scientific Advisor to the President and General Supervisor of Communications and External Relations for the Islamic Development Bank, added: "This is a significant moment in our organisation's history. It is a new identity for the next generation of the IsDB, putting our vision at the heart of our brand, harnessing the achievements of our past, as we build towards the future."

The Islamic Development Bank have also today launched a new website to coincide with their new brand identify and future vision. Please visit http://www.isdb.org

Notes to Editors:

A new brand identity for the Islamic Development Bank

The new logo is a dynamic evolution of the IsDB's original logo.

The globe at the heart of the logo demonstrates the network of 57-member nations, across four continents that the IsDB represent. It reflects the IsDB's global outlook and status as a world leading international organisation.

The dots within the globe represent the IsDB's new operating model, becoming a bank of development and developers, whose role is to connect organisations together, acting as a catalyst and facilitator.

The dots also represent the symbology of infrastructure and science, technology and innovation, which are at the heart the IsDB's strategic direction, as they are crucial for the economic evolution of our member nations.

The semi-circle, inspired by the dome of a Qubba, is a reference to the Islamic identity of our member nations. It also represents the sun rising, and a new dawn for the Bank.

The unfinished nature of symbol represents dynamism and progression, as it builds upon the achievements of the last 44 years, and looks to the future, with new partners, new members, new ideas, as it adds pieces of the puzzle.

The rich green to blue colour represents sustainability, progression, growth and our planet, as well as the Bank's Islamic heritage.

The IsDB abbreviation can be used alone, or alongside the full name of the Bank, adaptable for use in all three languages - Arabic, English and French.

Download the new brand identity including images and video here.

Abou t the Islamic Development Bank

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is a multilateral development bank that has been working for over 40 years to improve the lives of the communities it serves by delivering impact at scale.

We bring together 57-member countries across four continents, touching the lives of 1 in 5 of the world's population. We are one of the world's largest multilateral development banks, with an annual volume of operations above $10 billion and subscribed capital of $33 billion.

The IsDB is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with major hubs in Morocco, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Senegal, and gateway of offices in Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nigeria.

Our mission is to equip people to drive their own economic and social progress at scale, putting the infrastructure in place to enable them to fulfil their potential. We build collaborative partnerships between communities and nations, and work towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, by harnessing the power of science, technology and innovation and fostering ethical and sustainable solutions to the world's greatest development challenges.

The Islamic Development Bank Group

The IDB Group has evolved from a single entity into a group comprising of five entities: Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export (ICIEC), and International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

SOURCE Islamic Development BankDUBLIN, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On the first day of the World Employment Confederation (WEC) annual conference in Dublin, ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) highlights research revealing a new era of work in which flexibility and balance are in and the traditional '9-5 job for life' is out. #GigResponsibly: The Rise of NextGen Work  a global survey of 9,500 people in 12 countries finds NextGen work - part-time, freelance, contract, temporary or independent contract work - is on the rise.

More than 80 percent of workers say NextGen Work is a choice, not a last resort, and builds resilience for less predictable futures. As regulators around the world grapple with how Uber, Lyft, Deliveroo and others are transforming the world of work, ManpowerGroup calls for policy makers to continue to ensure the protection of people but not through the prevention of emerging models of alternative work.

"We have said for some time that what people want from work is changing," said Hans Leentjes, Vice President of the World Employment Confederation and Vice President External Affairs for ManpowerGroup. "Not everyone wants to engage as a full-time employee and organizations don't always want that either. That's why we're pleased to be focusing on social innovation and new ways of working this week at the WEC annual meeting in Dublin. While the uberization of work grabs the headlines, the number of people working in gigs is still only a small part of the labor force. However, those seeking flexible, non-traditional ways of working are significantly greater. It's time for regulators and businesses to better understand how people want to participate. Flexibility, responsibility and employment security are not mutually exclusive."

The report outlines how policy makers need to develop new ways to enable people to gig responsibly and help people combine the choice and flexibility of new work models with the security of traditional work. ManpowerGroup will share research, insight, and practical solutions at the World Employment Confederation conference this week, joining industry leaders and policy makers to discuss the rise in new employment models, the need for social innovation and how to manage an extended workforce where people engage in multiple ways.

About ManpowerGroup

ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for over 400,000 clients and connect 3+ million people to meaningful, sustainable work across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands  Manpower, Experis, Right Management and ManpowerGroup Solutions  creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across 80 countries and territories and has done so for 70 years. In 2018, ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the eighth consecutive year and one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies, confirming our position as the most trusted and admired brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup is powering the future of work: www.manpowergroup.com.

SOURCE ManpowerGroup

Related Links

http://www.manpowergroup.com

FT. WAYNE, Ind., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tippmann Innovation (Ti) and Georgia Tech are coining a new term, 'Cold PI.' Ti in partnership with Georgia Tech and their Supply Chain and Logistics Institute and the Physical Internet Center is rethinking the cold food chain and their logistic systems so it can behave as a physical Internet. The Cold PI or the Cold Food Physical Internet is an area of study identified and developed by Georgia Tech's professor Benoit Montreuil. Nick Pacitti of Ti and David Sterling of Savills Studley will combine their 70 years of experience in working with the Georgia Tech team and several industry participants.

On the left - Mr. Tim Brown - Managing Director of Georgia Tech's Supply Chain and Logistics Institute Middle - Nick Pacitti - Director of Business Development and Cold Chain Consulting Practice On the right - Dr. Benoit Montreuil - Georgia Tech Coca-Cola Chair in Material Handling and Distribution and Director of the Physical Institute Center

The cold food chain is currently long, complex and highly fragmented. It is fraught with delays, distortions, differences and disputes. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), up to a third of products arrive at final destination either compromised or adulterated, result of an improperly functioning cold food chain.

Cold PI is designed for achieving order-of-magnitude improvement of its efficiency, sustainability and resilience. Simply stated, improving the cold food chain has huge benefits in reducing food waste and costs, minimizing logistics inefficiencies and greenhouse gas emissions, while shrinking social infrastructure costs.

The industry wide Cold PI initiative will address these challenges by leapfrogging decades of innovation in other supply chain sectors, and exploiting the recently introduced paradigm-changing Physical Internet model or Cold PI into the cold food chain industry. Cold PI will require companies to drop their emphasis on optimizing the use of existing assets. Instead, the goal needs to be optimizing more efficient delivery of products, using available assets regardless of who owns them.

Much of this is being driven as companies are racing to shed assets that do not add the value they once did. In addition, we are seeing first-hand how competitors are also collaborating with each other to become more efficient. The concept of 'coopetition' is becoming more accepted, as it has dramatic benefits in reducing cost, miles and carbon footprint, to name a few.

As a leader in the cold food space, Ti does more than design and build refrigerated facilities. We provide end-to-end solutions that are leading the way for companies of all sizes to become more resilient, efficient and socially responsible. Due to the critical nature of the cold food chain and its vulnerability we have joined forces with our alliance partner Leo A Daly/LAN, a world renowned engineering firm in designing and building hurricane resistant refrigerated food distribution centers. These state-of-the-art facilities can resist hurricane force winds and rains without service disruption to their stores and their customers. Just as important, these distribution centers act as command centers in assuring near normal and safe operations throughout these types of natural disasters.

About Tippmann Innovation: Ti is an award winning specialty, industrial cold storage builder that develops buildings around a business plan, ensuring that an investment becomes a profit center. Ti utilizes time-honed expertise and advanced technology solutions to create efficient buildings that scale with a business, and are designed to maximize profitability through fully integrating operations and supply chain, by design. Ti provides a full suite of cold storage construction services, including master site planning and operations guidance. Ti innovations include the Patented QF+ in-rack freezing and thawing system, coupled with the T2 spacer system that creates the fastest system available. Ti is based in Ft. Wayne, IN with offices in Florida and throughout the United States. Ti operates on an international scale.

https://www.ticold.com/

For further information please contact Nick Pacitti at [email protected] or 330 217 8005.

SOURCE Tippmann Innovation

Related Links

https://www.ticold.com

Highly regarded commercial real estate veteran becomes Principal, will focus on tenant and landlord representation

NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Mitti Liebersohn, Avison Young Principal and President of the firm's New York City office, today announced the strategic hiring of commercial real estate veteran Todd Korren.

Effective immediately, Korren becomes a Principal of Avison Young. He will focus on tenant and landlord representation as well as assisting clients with the leasing and strategic planning of commercial real estate properties throughout New York City. Korren brings to Avison Young more than three decades of commercial real estate experience, most recently as a Principal and director of leasing of EVO Real Estate Group, prior to the firm's merger with Herald Square Properties.

During his career, Korren has negotiated more than 1,450 leases representing 7.5 million square feet (msf) and more than 45 acquisitions and dispositions valued in excess of $2.4 billion. He has also acted as the leasing agent for 26 Manhattan buildings totaling more than 11 msf and 10 buildings nationally spanning more than 3 msf. Korren also has extensive asset management and construction management experience, having supervised more than 400 interior-construction projects and new developments.

Korren's hire represents another key component of Avison Young's substantial New York office expansion since the beginning of 2018. Thus far, the expansion comprises 25 new hires, including James Nelson as a Principal of Avison Young and Head of New York Metro Area Investment Sales.

"Todd will play a leading role as we continue to broaden the Avison Young footprint throughout New York City," comments Liebersohn. "We're pleased to add his talents to what has become an unrivaled roster of commercial real estate market leaders. He will provide our firm with a wealth of market knowledge fostered throughout 30-plus years of hands-on experience and the delivery of true value to clients. Todd is joining Avison Young right on the cusp of the vast staff expansion that we've been embarking on since the outset of 2018."

"I'm excited to join the Avison Young team and to work within its Principal-led structure as well as tap into the firm's exceptional business platform," says Korren. "This is the ideal environment for me as I'll be able to focus on delivering the high level of client service and creativity that I've built my career on  while collaborating with some of the best professionals in the business."

During his tenure with leasing and property management firm EVO, Korren oversaw new business development, transaction management and lease negotiations, broker training and marketing. Prior to that, he was executive managing director at Massey Knakal, as well as a Principal and director of leasing at Savanna Real Estate Fund. He has also held positions with Swig Equities, The Witkoff Group, Insignia/ESG (now CBRE) and Structure Tone.

Korren holds both a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in management from New York University. He is also an active member of the Young Men's/Women's Real Estate Association, where he previously served as vice-chair, governor and secretary; and the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), where he serves on several committees, including chair of the building agents rental conditions committee.

In addition, Korren is active on several other industry and local governmental committees, is a frequent guest speaker at real estate trade events, and has been the recipient of many honors, including the 2009 REBNY Young Real Estate Professional of the Year Award.

Arthur Mirante, Avison Young Principal and Tri-State President, says Korren will help expand the company's institutional client base, particularly in Manhattan.

"Institutional investors, who have a strong presence in Manhattan, look for effective landlord and tenant representation as they manage their existing properties and plan new developments on a long-term basis," says Mirante. "Todd's strong track record of representing institutional and private owners and managers of multi-property portfolios, as well as local, national and international tenants in a variety of asset classes, will help our clients maximize the potential of each property and location. Todd's strong leadership skills and client-first approach to every transaction will also help us grow our business across the Tri-State area and recruit top talent."

Avison Young is the world's fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Avison Young is a collaborative, global firm owned and operated by its principals. Founded in 1978, the company comprises 2,600 real estate professionals in 84 offices, providing value-added, client-centric investment sales, leasing, advisory, management, financing and mortgage placement services to owners and occupiers of office, retail, industrial, multi-family and hospitality properties.

For further information/comment/photos:

Sherry Quan , Principal and Global Director of Communications & Media Relations,

Avison Young: 604.647.5098; cell: 604.726.0959 [email protected]





, Principal and Global Director of Communications & Media Relations, Avison Young: cell: Tom Nolan / Francisco Miranda , Great Ink PR, New York , 212.741.2977

[email protected] ; [email protected]





, Great Ink PR, , ; Christy Ullo , Senior Director of Marketing, Tri-State Region, Avison Young: 212.230.5990

[email protected]

www.avisonyoung.com

Avison Young is a 2018 winner of the Canada's Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation, having retained its Best Managed designation for seven consecutive years.

Follow Avison Young on Twitter:

For industry news, press releases and market reports: www.twitter.com/avisonyoung

For Avison Young listings and deals: www.twitter.com/AYListingsDeals

Follow Avison Young Bloggers: http://blog.avisonyoung.com

Follow Avison Young on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/avison-young-commercial-real-estate

Follow Avison Young on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/AvisonYoungRE

Follow Avison Young on Instagram: www.instagram.com/avison_young_global

 Editors/Reporters

Please click on link to view and download photo of Todd Korren:

https://www.avisonyoung.com/documents/20342/2631393/Todd_Korren.jpg

SOURCE Avison Young Commercial Real Estate (BC)

Related Links

www.avisonyoung.com

BOSTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ToolsGroup today announced that it has appointed Caroline Proctor as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to lead global corporate marketing and communications. Caroline joins ToolsGroup's executive team after more than two decades as both a team and thought leader for supply chain and enterprise software companies including Manugistics, JDA, JustEnough and Deltek. Caroline replaces Jeff Bodenstab, who is retiring after 15 years with ToolsGroup and will continue working with the company in an advisory capacity.

Caroline joins ToolsGroup from retail and supply chain planning software company RELEX Solutions, where she served as VP of Marketing. In this and previous roles, Caroline has built up considerable retail and supply chain planning domain expertise. This stands to benefit ToolsGroup, which has identified consumer goods, retail and e-commerce as key growth areas.

Caroline joins ToolsGroup at a pivotal moment for the company following growth equity investment from Accel-KKR. As Joseph Shamir, ToolsGroup's CEO explains, "Jeff Bodenstab leaves a legacy of valuable marketing assets - top ranking customer satisfaction and industry analyst ratings, strong awareness in the supply chain community and a talented, well-integrated global team. Caroline's heavyweight experience in strategy, demand generation, communications and people management will enable her to leverage these assets and help us take ToolsGroup to the next level."

Caroline holds an MS in Business from Johns Hopkins University and a BS in mathematics and computer science from the University of Scranton. She will lead her global marketing team from ToolsGroup's headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts and report to Joseph Shamir, CEO.

About ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup is a global provider of 'Powerfully Simple' supply chain planning software for companies experiencing demand volatility. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers such as Harley-Davidson, Absolut Vodka, and O2 use our self-learning demand forecasting to regularly beat consensus forecasts in a fraction of the time and effort, even for the most challenging low-volume items. They shrink inventory and reduced planning overhead while stepping up customer service levels to boost revenue. Our planning software spans demand sensing, multi-echelon inventory optimization (MEIO), and sales and operations planning (S&OP). For more information, visit www.toolsgroup.com or follow us on Twitter @ToolsGroup.

SOURCE ToolsGroup

Related Links

http://www.toolsgroup.com

SEOUL, South Korea, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Topbit (www.topbit.io) is working on a website that can show real-time charts and prices of 6,500 coins and 1,200 Cryptocurrency utilizing a Big Data Processing Technology. This site allows users to see a collection of 49 currencies by Cryptocurrency, exchange, coin of interest, and it enables you to see exchange costs for trades around the world based on the currency of your choice.

Furthermore, substantial information gives real-time exchange information utilizing The Big Data Processing Technology, with the goal of allowing market members to see the distinction in price between each exchange.

"The greatest advantage of Topbit's online website is that anybody can check the price difference of each exchange in real-time for free," said Topbit's spokesperson. "As of now, we are supporting services in optimized environment for PC and mobile."

Topbit is intending to extend the online destinations over 20 nations, including China, Japan, the United States, and European nations.

Topbit's spokesperson also stated: "Later on by utilizing the substantial information that we have, we are building up a risk-free real-time trading notification system. When the real-time risk free trading notice system is made, we will offer to our clients for nothing. It will permit to track trade volumes and price distinction examination between Cryptocurrency exchange with the goal that market users can utilize Arbitrage (hazard unhindered commerce exchange)."

To learn more about the Topbit's real-time Cryptocurrency charts and prices, visit https://www.topbit.io

About Topbit Co. Ltd.

Topbit Co. Ltd.,(Topbit) is an internet portal service provider for cryptocurrency. It is a specially designed website that brings information from 65 cryptocurrency exchange worldwide in real time. It is implemented by big-data processing technology.

SOURCE Topbit

Related Links

http://www.topbit.io

TORONTO, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - TMX Group today announced the arrival of the 2018 U.S. Public Venture Capital (VC) Roadshow in California. These events, showcasing Canada's premier equity exchanges Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV), explore the unique value proposition TMX Group's ecosystem represents for early-stage U.S. based companies and how public VC has evolved into a viable means of raising capital. The California leg of the tour opens today in San Francisco, moves to Irvine on June 6 and wraps up in Santa Monica on June 7.

"The U.S. market represents both a sizeable challenge and tremendous opportunity for our equity exchanges," said Loui Anastasopoulos, President, Capital Formation, TMX Group. "The goal of our U.S. roadshow is to engage directly with leading-edge entrepreneurs and early-stage U.S. companies to illustrate the full spectrum of benefits offered by TSX and TSXV's two-tiered exchange ecosystem."

Roadshow events feature representatives from the Exchanges as well as advisors from leading Canadian investment banks, accounting firms and law firms, sharing insights into how Canada's equity markets provide an ideal growth platform for U.S. businesses.

TSX and TSXV are home to over 110 U.S. companies with more than $9 billion raised on the Exchanges between 2013 and 2017. Every year, thousands of companies raise billions of dollars in public VC funding on TSX and TSXV.

TSX and TSXV kicked off the roadshow in New York last month and will visit Seattle and Austin in the fall.

About TMX Group (TSX:X)

TMX Group's key subsidiaries operate cash and derivative markets and clearinghouses for multiple asset classes including equities and fixed income. Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, TSX Alpha Exchange, The Canadian Depository for Securities, Montreal Exchange, Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation, Trayport and other TMX Group companies provide listing markets, trading markets, clearing facilities, depository services, technology solutions, data products and other services to the global financial community. TMX Group is headquartered in Toronto and operates offices across North America (Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver and New York), as well as in key international markets including London, Beijing and Singapore. For more information about TMX Group, visit our website at www.tmx.com. Follow TMX Group on Twitter: @TMXGroup.

This news release is not, nor should it be construed as, an inducement for US persons to effect or report transactions on TSX or TSXV. This news release is not a solicitation nor a recommendation. Listing on TSX or TSXV does not guarantee the future performance of a security or an issuer.

SOURCE TMX Group LimitedVANCOUVER, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX/NYSE American: TMQ) ("Trilogy Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the release of a maiden cobalt resource of 77 million pounds of inferred resources (see highlights below) for the Bornite Project. The resource estimate utilized assay data from drill holes completed by the Company between 2011 and 2013 and re-sampled historic holes Kennecott drilled in the 1960s and 1970s. The 2017 drill holes drilled by the Company last year were spaced too far apart for an inferred resource and thus no updates have yet been made to the copper resource for the Bornite deposit at this time. Results from our on-going metallurgical studies indicate that cobalt occurs predominantly as cobaltiferous pyrite which preferentially reports to the copper tailings. As a result of this test work, the Company has determined that a cobalt product may be produced on site and therefore justifies reporting an initial cobalt resource in addition to the already existing copper resource at Bornite. The 77 million pounds of contained cobalt in inferred resources at Bornite reported below is one of the largest cobalt resources in North America. Further work will focus on developing a flowsheet for cobalt recovery from a pyrite concentrate made from the copper tailings product.

Highlights of the Cobalt Resource:

At a base case 0.50% copper cut-off grade, and within the combined Indicated and Inferred Cu resource pit shell, the Bornite Project is estimated to contain in-pit Inferred Resources of 124.6 million tonnes grading 0.017% Co for 45 million pounds of contained cobalt (see Table 1 for details).

for (see Table 1 for details). Below the resource limiting pit shell and at a base case cut-off grade of 1.5% copper, the Bornite Project is estimated to contain additional Inferred Resources of 57.8 million tonnes grading 0.025% Co for 32 million pounds of contained cobalt.

for Total Inferred Resources (in-pit and below-pit) of 182.4 million tonnes grading 0.019% Co for 77 million pounds of contained cobalt (see Table 1 for details).

This mineral resource estimate was prepared for Trilogy Metals Inc. by Bruce M. Davis, FAusIMM, BD Resource Consulting Inc. ("BDRC") and Robert Sim, P.Geo., Sim Geological Inc. ("SGI") who are both independent Qualified Persons as set forth by National Instrument 43-101. An updated Technical Report on the Bornite Project will be filed within 45 days of this news release.

The estimated cobalt mineral resource is presented in Table 1. In addition to the cobalt resource, Table 2 presents the Bornite Project's existing copper mineral resource which is supported by the technical report titled, "Amended NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Bornite Project, Northwest Alaska, USA" with a release date of October 12, 2017 and an effective date of April 19, 2016. The technical report is available on the Company's website at www.trilogymetals.com and on the Company's profiles at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.

Table 1: Estimate of Cobalt Mineral Resources for the Bornite Deposit

Type Cut-off

(Cu%) Tonnes (million) Average Grade Co (%) Contained Metal Co (Mlbs) In-Pit 0.5 124.6 0.017 45 Below-Pit 1.5 57.8 0.025 32 Total Inferred

182.4 0.019 77

Resources stated as contained within a pit shell developed using a metal price of US$3.00 /lb Cu, mining costs of US$2.00 /tonne, milling costs of US$11 /tonne, G&A cost of US$5.00 /tonne, 87% metallurgical recoveries and an average pit slope of 43 degrees. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to Indicated mineral resources with additional exploration.

Table 2: Estimate of Copper Mineral Resources for the Bornite Deposit

Type Cut-off

(Cu%) Tonnes (million) Average Grade Cu (%) Contained Metal Cu (Mlbs) In-Pit 0.5 40.5 1.02 913 Total Indicated

40.5 1.02 913 In-Pit 0.5 84.1 0.95 1,768 Below-Pit 1.5 57.8 2.89 3,683 Total Inferred

141.9 1.74 5,450

Resources stated as contained within a pit shell developed using a metal price of US$3.00 /lb Cu, mining costs of US$2.00 /tonne, milling costs of US$11 /tonne, G&A cost of US$5.00 /tonne, 87% metallurgical recoveries and an average pit slope of 43 degrees. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to Indicated mineral resources with additional exploration.

Pursuant to Executive Order 13817, cobalt was recently identified by the United States Department of the Interior as 1 of 35 critical minerals deemed essential for the economic and national security of the United States. The Executive Order can be found at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/12/26/2017-27899/a-federal-strategy-to-ensure-secure-and-reliable-supplies-of-critical-minerals and a list of the critical minerals can be found at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/02/16/2018-03219/draft-list-of-critical-minerals.

Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President and CEO of Trilogy Metals commented, "We are very pleased to report an initial 77 million pound cobalt resource for our Bornite Project. The metallurgical test work completed to date indicates that ~80% to 90% of the cobalt reports to the copper tails as cobaltiferous pyrite. This is great because forming a pyrite concentrate from the copper tails should be relatively straight forward using flotation or dense media separation. In the next few months we will complete flotation test work to concentrate cobalt into a pyrite-rich product that can be considered for further upgrading and recovery of cobalt metal at the Bornite site."

Mr. Van Nieuwenhuyse continued, "With the market interest in finding cobalt resources outside of the Congo  where child labor and worker exploitation have been highlighted by Amnesty International and others as problematic for the Auto and Electric Battery Industries, defining a large, North American cobalt resource has become a priority for the Company. Based on market comparable (see Figure 1) we believe cobalt adds significant value for our shareholders. Furthermore, we expect to continue to grow both the copper and the cobalt resources with an 8,000 to 10,000 meter drill program of in-fill and resource expansion drilling about to get underway during the summer field program in Alaska. We look forward to reporting an updated copper and cobalt resource, along with results of further metallurgical test work, once the work has been completed."

 See Highlights section for further information on the cobalt resource.

Cobalt Resource Estimate

The Cobalt resources presented here are with the copper resources that were contained in the October 12, 2017 amended NI 43-101 Technical Report that has an effective date of April 19, 2016. Open pit resources are contained within a pit shell that was generated based on a 0.5% copper cut-off grade by AGP Mining Consultants Inc., and the underground resource is material below the pit shell calculated at a higher cut-off grade of 1.5% copper. Note that although the data supports estimates of copper resources in both the Indicated and Inferred categories, the volume and distribution of available cobalt sample data is considered insufficient to support the estimate of cobalt resources in the Indicated category and, as a result, all of the estimated cobalt resource remains in the Inferred category.

Initial sample data is composited to 2m intervals. Estimates are made into model blocks measuring 5m x 5m x 5m, using ordinary kriging. The Cobalt resource model was validated using a combination of a visual review and statistical comparisons with models generated using other estimation methods. Cobalt resources in the Inferred category occur within a maximum distance of 100m from a drill hole and exhibit reasonable confidence in the grade and continuity of mineralization.

As previously announced by the Company on April 19, 2016, a NI 43-101 compliant resource was filed for the Bornite deposit. At a base case 0.5% copper cutoff grade, the Bornite Project is estimated to contain in-pit Indicated Resources of 40.5 million tonnes at 1.02% Cu and Inferred Resources of 84.1 million tonnes at 0.95% copper. At a base case 1.5% copper cutoff grade, the Bornite Project is estimated to contain below-pit Inferred Resources of 57.8 million tonnes at 2.89% copper. Preliminary work shows that although cobalt is broadly associated with copper mineralization, cobalt does not have a one-to-one correlation. It mostly occurs as a cloud of cobaltiferous pyrite in and around the copper mineralization.

Examples of Cobalt Intercepts in Drilling

Cobalt composites using a 100ppm (.010%) cut-off grade include 6.79m of 0.42% Co in drill hole RC11-0184 and 18.44m of 0.35% Co in drill hole RC-34 within the in-pit resource area (see Table 3). Cobalt composites from the below pit resource area include 36.85m of 0.1% Co from drill hole RC11-0185 and 21.23m of 0.23% Co from drill hole RC12-0198 (see Table 4). We will continue to work on understanding the controls of the higher grade cobalt zones. Figure 2 highlights the locations of these cobalt intercepts.

Table 3: Co Intercepts Within Pit

Drill hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Co% Cu% RC11-0184 327.43 334.22 6.79 0.42 28.98 RC-34 292 310.44 18.44 0.35 26.81 RC11-0185 182.88 191.84 8.96 0.09 3.32 RC13-0219 442.5 468.48 25.98 0.06 1.82 RC11-0182 212.01 230.9 18.89 0.19 3.433

Table 4: Co Intercepts Below Pit

Drill hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Co% Cu% RC11-0187 458.79 495.64 36.85 0.10 12.07 RC12-0198 631.65 652.88 21.23 0.23 3.86 RC12-0200 572.46 595.57 23.11 0.21 2.67 RC12-0213 347.45 349.27 1.82 0.38 3.36 RC13-0227 321.02 374.86 53.84 0.03 1.69 RC13-0224 653.03 721.94 68.91 0.02 2.15

QAQC Program

The drill program and sampling protocol is managed by qualified persons employed by Trilogy Metals. The diamond drill holes are typically collared at HQ diameter drill core and reduced to NQ diameter during the drilling process. Samples are collected using a 0.2-meter minimum length and a 2.5-meter maximum length. Three quality control samples (one blank, one standard and one duplicate) are inserted into each batch of 20 samples. The drill core is sawn, with half sent to ALS Minerals in Fairbanks for sample preparation and the sample pulps forwarded to ALS's North Vancouver facility for analysis. ALS Minerals, North Vancouver, B.C. Canada facility is certified as ISO 9001:2008 and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025:2005 from the Standards Council of Canada. A third party has completed a QAQC review on all historic (where data was present) and recent cobalt analytical work. The analytical method for cobalt quantification is multi-element ICP with mass spectroscopy. The QAQC review shows overall very strong precision and accuracy for cobalt results for the 2011 to 2017 Bornite assay results.

Qualified Person

Andrew W. West, a Certified Professional Geologist, and the Exploration Manager for Trilogy Metals Inc., is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. West has reviewed and verified the technical information in this news release and approves the disclosure contained herein.

About Trilogy Metals

Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metals exploration and development company focused on exploring and developing the Ambler mining district located in northwestern Alaska. It is one of the richest and most-prospective known copper-dominant districts located in one of the safest geopolitical jurisdictions in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high grade copper mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler mining district - the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within the Company's land package that spans approximately 143,000 hectares. The Company has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., a Regional Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler mining district in cooperation with local communities. Our vision is to develop the Ambler mining district into a premier North American copper producer.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, future demand for and price of cobalt, the future price of copper, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, the filing and timing of an updated Technical Report on the Bornite Project, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of projects, the potential future development of Bornite, the future operating or financial performance of the Company, planned expenditures and the anticipated activity at the UKMP Projects, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties; exploration plans and budgets; mineral reserves and resource estimates; work programs; capital expenditures; timelines; strategic plans; market prices for precious and base metals; or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the uncertainties involving success of exploration, development and mining activities, permitting timelines, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses; mineral reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based; capital estimates; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services the interpretation of drill results, the need for additional financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; the need for cooperation of government agencies and native groups in the development and operation of properties as well as the construction of the access road; the need to obtain permits and governmental approvals; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, metal grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2017 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

This press release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates included in this press release have been prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM)CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended ("CIM Definition Standards"). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and resource and reserve information contained herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserves". Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC's disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves" by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of "measured" or "indicated resources" will ever be converted into "reserves". Investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian rules, estimated "inferred mineral resources" may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by Trilogy Metals in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Arctic does not have known reserves, as defined under SEC Industry Guide 7. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc.

Related Links

www.trilogymetals.com

The SPP consists of 32 thousand photomodules and is located on an area of 15.1 hectares on the territory of the Nikopol Ferro-alloys Factory in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

The new SPP with a capacity of 10.5 MW is among the most productive plants in the Dnipropetrovsk region and is already supplying clean energy to local residents and enterprises.

Thanks to the project's implementation, the CO2 emissions will reduce at an estimated rate of 7.8 thousand tons per year, and natural gas savings will amount to 3.9 million cubic meters.

According to Rodion Morozov, the Director of the Department of Environmental Reengineering and Implementation of Resource Conservation Projects, the Bank is ready to participate in new projects of the Canadian partner. "Ukraine has a remarkable investment potential and it is nice that such powerful innovative companies in the field of renewable energy are emerging on the domestic market. I am convinced that cooperation with UKRGASBANK will help to realize more than one important eco-project for Ukrainians. And this means saving resources and funds as well as a significant reduction of harmful emissions into the environment," said Rodion Morozov.

The President of Refraction Asset Management, the owner of TIU Canada, Michael Yurkovich, was pleased at the quality of service provided by UKRGASBANK and looks forward to UKRGASBANK's willingness to further develop and support the alternative energy sphere in Ukraine.

"Today, investment in renewable energy has a very positive impact on the environment, especially industrial regions. It's good that with every year Ukraine is increasingly focusing on the development of "green" technologies, as it significantly improves the efficiency of the economy, creates more power to manage energy during the industrial peak load periods and creates tax revenues as well as jobs for rural areas of Ukraine. We are pleased UKRGASBANK recognizes the importance of investing in renewable energy sources and we look forward to the continued participation of UKRGASBANK. We encourage the bank to continue to play a role in supporting Foreign Direct Investment and improving the quality of life for Ukrainians by developing infrastructure and investing in Ukraine," said Michael Yurkovich.

What is more, the first SPP in Nikopol gave employment to 25 local employees, and the city budget additionally received more than 2 million UAH.

Reference: TIU Canada is an energy company operating in the renewable energy sector owned by the "Refraction 1 Fund" a Canadian investment company.

TIU-Canada is a renewable energy company working in Ukraine.

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/TIUCanada/ Twitter  https://twitter.com/tiucanada

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/tiucanada/

SOURCE TIU CanadaNORTH CHICAGO, Ill., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, today announced positive top-line results from SELECT-EARLY showing that both doses of upadacitinib monotherapy (15 mg and 30 mg) met the primary endpoints of ACR50a at week 12 and clinical remissionb at week 24 versus methotrexate (MTX).1 Additionally, all ranked secondary endpoints were met.1 The ongoing study evaluates upadacitinib, an investigational oral JAK1-selective inhibitor, as a monotherapy treatment compared to methotrexate monotherapy in adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who were methotrexate-naive.1 Upadacitinib is not approved by regulatory authorities and its safety and efficacy have not been established.

"SELECT-EARLY is the fifth pivotal trial that will support regulatory submissions for upadacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis later this year," said Michael Severino, M.D., executive vice president, research and development and chief scientific officer, AbbVie. "Results from SELECT-EARLY further support our belief that upadacitinib has the potential to be an important new treatment option for patients with rheumatoid arthritis."

Rheumatoid arthritis, which affects an estimated 23.7 million people worldwide, is a chronic and debilitating disease.17 Methotrexate is commonly used as a first-line therapy in rheumatoid arthritis, but many patients do not respond to or cannot tolerate methotrexate.18-20 Early intervention with an effective treatment is critical to control the disease and prevent permanent joint damage and impaired physical function.21



SELECT-EARLY Efficacy Results1, Week 12 Week 24 MTX (n=314) Upadacitinib 15 mg (n=317) Upadacitinib 30 mg (n=314) MTX (n=314) Upadacitinib 15 mg (n=317) Upadacitinib 30 mg (n=314) ACR20a 54% 76% 77% 59% 79% 78% ACR50a 28% 52% 56% 33% 60% 66% ACR70a 14% 32% 37% 18% 44% 50% Clinical

Remission

(DAS28[CRP])b 14% 36% 41% 18% 48% 50% LDA

(DAS28[CRP])c 28% 53% 55% 32% 60% 65%

Primary endpoints included ACR50 at week 12 and clinical remission at week 24 for upadacitinib versus methotrexate (superiority). All reported endpoints achieved p-values of <0.001 versus methotrexate for both doses through week 24, except for mTSS for the 15 mg upadacitinib dose at week 24 (p<0.01). Not all ranked secondary endpoints shown. aACR20/50/70 is defined as at least a 20 percent/50 percent/70 percent reduction from baseline in the number of both tender and swollen joint counts and equivalent improvement in three or more of the five remaining American College of Rheumatology core set measures: patient assessments of pain, global disease activity and physical function, physician global assessment of disease activity and acute phase reactant. bClinical remission is defined as Disease Activity Score with 28 joint counts (C-reactive protein) (DAS28[CRP]) less than 2.6. cLow disease activity (LDA) is defined as Disease Activity Score with 28 joint counts (C-reactive protein) (DAS28[CRP]) less than or equal to 3.2.

"It is very encouraging that approximately half of patients achieved the desired clinical target of remission in six months with upadacitinib monotherapy at either dose. Outcomes from this trial address the need for additional monotherapy options early in the disease," said Ronald van Vollenhoven, M.D. Ph.D., director of the Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center ARC and professor of rheumatology, University of Amsterdam and Free University. "Results suggest upadacitinib as a monotherapy has the potential to control rheumatoid arthritis and reduce the risk of permanent bone and joint damage for methotrexate-naive patients."

A significantly higher proportion of upadacitinib patients in both doses achieved superior responses compared to patients on methotrexate at week 12 and 24.1 Results at week 12 showed that of patients receiving an oral once-daily dose of upadacitinib 15/30 mg, 52/56 percent achieved ACR50, respectively, compared with 28 percent of patients receiving methotrexate.1 At week 24, clinical remission (based on Disease Activity 28 [DAS28] C-Reactive Protein [CRP]) was achieved by 48/50 percent of patients receiving upadacitinib 15/30 mg, respectively, compared to 18 percent of patients receiving methotrexate.1

At week 12, 76/77 percent of patients receiving 15/30 mg of upadacitinib, achieved ACR20, respectively, compared to 54 percent in the methotrexate group.1 Additionally, ACR70 was achieved by 32/37 percent of patients receiving 15/30 mg of upadacitinib, respectively, compared to 14 percent receiving methotrexate at week 12.1 Clinical remission was achieved by 36 percent and 41 percent of patients in the 15 mg and 30 mg groups, respectively, compared to 14 percent of patients receiving methotrexate at week 12.1 Low disease activity (LDA)c based on DAS28(CRP) was achieved by 53 percent and 55 percent of patients in the 15 mg and 30 mg groups, respectively, compared to 28 percent of patients receiving methotrexate at week 12.1

At week 24, 79/60/44 percent of patients receiving the 15 mg dose of upadacitinib and 78/66/50 percent of patients receiving the 30 mg dose of upadacitinib achieved ACR20/50/70 response, compared to 59/33/18 percent of patients receiving methotrexate.1 Low disease activity was achieved by 60 percent and 65 percent of patients in the 15 mg and 30 mg groups, respectively, compared to 32 percent of patients receiving methotrexate at week 24.1

Following 24 weeks of treatment, both doses of upadacitinib monotherapy significantly inhibited radiographic progression as measured by the change in modified total Sharp score (mTSS) from baseline, compared to methotrexate.1 The inhibition of joint damage is important for rheumatoid arthritis patients as this can lead to permanent loss of function and subsequent disability.22

In this study, the safety profile of upadacitinib was consistent with previously reported results from the other SELECT trials in rheumatoid arthritis.1-8 No new safety signals were detected.1 Through week 24, serious adverse events occurred in 5/6 percent of patients in the 15 mg/30 mg upadacitinib groups, respectively, compared to 4 percent in the methotrexate group.1 Serious infections occurred in 2/3 percent of patients in the 15 mg/30 mg upadacitinib groups, respectively, compared to 1 percent in the methotrexate group.1 There were six deaths through week 24, three of which were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) with one in each treatment group (methotrexate, 15 mg upadacitinib and 30 mg upadacitinib, respectively).1 There was one death in the 15 mg upadacitinib group due to metastatic malignant melanoma in a patient with a history of melanoma prior to study entry, and two deaths in the 30 mg upadacitinib group, one due to pneumonia and sepsis and another due to peritonitis.1 There were four MACE, including the three fatal events mentioned above.1 One additional non-fatal MACE in the 30 mg upadacitinib group was reported.1 There were two cases of adjudicated venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in the study, one pulmonary embolism in the methotrexate group, one deep vein thrombosis in the 30 mg upadacitinib group and none in the 15 mg upadacitinib group.1

To date, across the SELECT rheumatoid arthritis program (with more than 3,300 patient years of exposure to upadacitinib) the rates of VTEs in both the placebo-controlled and extension periods remain consistent with the background rate in the rheumatoid arthritis patient population.1-5,23-25

Exposure-adjusted Incidence Rate of VTEs from SELECT-NEXT, SELECT-BEYOND, SELECT-MONOTHERAPY, SELECT-COMPARE and SELECT-EARLY26 Number of patients with events/100 patient years exposure Controlled Period Any Adjudicated VTE  Controlled Period Placebo (PBO)/MTX Adalimumab

40 mg EOW Upadacitinib 15 mg Upadacitinib

30 mg Upadacitinib Total 0.5 3.5 0.6 0.4 0.5 Long-term Period Any Adjudicated VTE  Long-term Period PBO Adalimumab

40 mg EOW Upadacitinib

15 mg Upadacitinib

30 mg Upadacitinib Total N/A 1.2 0.5 0.3 0.4

Further results from SELECT-EARLY will be presented at a future medical meeting and published in a peer-reviewed publication. AbbVie plans global regulatory submissions for upadacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis in the second half of 2018.

About SELECT-EARLY1

SELECT-EARLY is a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active comparator controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib monotherapy compared to methotrexate monotherapy in adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who are methotrexate-naive. In the first phase of the study, patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive upadacitinib (15 mg or 30 mg, once-daily) or methotrexate. It includes a Japan sub-study in which subjects were randomized 2:1:1:1 to receive upadacitinib 7.5 mg, 15 mg, 30 mg once-daily or methotrexate. The primary endpoints of the study included the percentage of patients achieving ACR50 after 12 weeks of treatment and clinical remission (based on DAS28[CRP]) after 24 weeks of treatment compared to methotrexate. Key secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients achieving ACR20, ACR70 and low disease activity, as well as changes in the modified total Sharp score (mTSS) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability-Index (HAQ-DI). The trial is ongoing and includes a 48 week randomized, double-blind treatment period followed by a long-term extension period for up to an additional four years. More information on this trial can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02706873).

About the SELECT Study Program1-5

The robust SELECT Phase 3 rheumatoid arthritis program evaluates more than 4,000 patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in six studies. The studies include assessments of efficacy, safety and tolerability across multiple rheumatoid arthritis patient populations. Key measures of efficacy evaluated include ACR responses, Disease Activity Score (DAS28-CRP) and inhibition of radiographic progression. More information on these trials can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02706847, NCT03086343, NCT02629159, NCT02706873, NCT02706951, NCT02675426).

About Upadacitinib

Discovered and developed by AbbVie, upadacitinib is an investigational oral agent engineered to selectively inhibit JAK1, which plays an important role in the pathophysiology of immune-mediated disorders.9.10 Phase 3 trials of upadacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and Crohn's disease are ongoing and it is also being investigated to treat ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis and atopic dermatitis.11-16

Upadacitinib is an investigational oral agent and is not approved by regulatory authorities. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

About AbbVie

AbbVie is a global, research and development-based biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative advanced therapies for some of the world's most complex and critical conditions. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to markedly improve treatments across four primary therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, virology and neuroscience. In more than 75 countries, AbbVie employees are working every day to advance health solutions for people around the world. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

1 AbbVie. Data on File. ABVRRTI66401.

2 AbbVie. Data on File, ABVRRTI66053.

3 AbbVie. Data on File, ABVRRTI65458.

4 AbbVie. Data on File, ABVRRTI64730.

5 AbbVie. Data on File, ABVRRTI64466.

6 Kremer JM, et al. A Phase 2b study of ABT-494, a selective JAK1 inhibitor, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to anti-TNF therapy. Arthritis Rheumatol 2016; (doi:10.1002/art.39801): July 7 [Epub ahead of print].

7 Genovese MC, et al. Efficacy and Safety of ABT494, a Selective JAK1 Inhibitor, in a Phase IIb Study in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and an Inadequate Response to Methotrexate. Arthritis Rheumatol 2016;(doi: 10.1002/art.39808): July 7 [Epub ahead of print].

8 AbbVie. Data on File, ABVRRTI66173.

9 Voss, J, et al; Pharmacodynamics Of a Novel Jak1 Selective Inhibitor In Rat Arthritis and Anemia Models and In Healthy Human Subjects. [abstract]. Arthritis Rheum 2013;65 Suppl 10 :2374. DOI: 10.1002/art.2013.65.issue-s10

10 Pipeline  Our Science | AbbVie. AbbVie. 2018. Available at: https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/pipeline.html. Accessed on May 8, 2018.

11 A Study Comparing ABT494 to Placebo in Subjects With Rheumatoid Arthritis on a Stable Dose of Conventional Synthetic Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (csDMARDs) Who Have an Inadequate Response to csDMARDs Alone (SELECT-NEXT). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2018. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02675426. Accessed on May 8, 2018.

12 A Study Comparing Upadacitinib (ABT-494) to Placebo and to Adalimumab in Participants With Psoriatic Arthritis Who Have an Inadequate Response to at Least One Non-Biologic Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (SELECT - PsA 1). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2018. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03104400. Accessed on May 8, 2018.

13 A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib (ABT-494) in Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease Who Have Inadequately Responded to or Are Intolerant to Biologic Therapy. Clinicaltrialsgov. 2018. Available at: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03345836. Accessed on May 8, 2018.

14 A Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Subjects With Active Ankylosing Spondylitis (SELECT Axis 1). 2018. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03178487. Accessed on May 8, 2018.

15 A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of ABT-494 for Induction and Maintenance Therapy in Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2018. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02819635. Accessed on May 8, 2018.

16 A Study to Evaluate ABT-494 in Adult Subjects With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2018. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02925117. Accessed on May 8, 2018.

17 World Health Organization. The Global Burden of Disease, 2004 Update. Available at: http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/GBD_report_2004update_full.pdf. Accessed May 8, 2018.

18 Shinde, CG, Venkatesh, MP, Pramod Kumar, TM, Shivakumar, HG. J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2014 Dec;28(4):351-8. doi: 10.3109/15360288.2014.959238. Epub 2014 Oct 16.

19 Swierkot J and Szechinski J. Methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis. Pharmacol Rep. 20116 Jul-Aug;58(4)473-92.

20 Fautrel B, Nab HW, et al. Identifying patients with rheumatoid arthritis with moderate disease activity at risk of significant radiographic progression despite methotrexate treatment. RMD Open. 2015; 1(1). DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2014-000018.

21 Smolen JS, Landewe R, Breedveld FC, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2013 update. Ann Rheum Dis 2014;73:492509. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204573

22 Favalli EG., et al. Structural integrity versus radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid & Musculosketal Diseases. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4632139/.

23 Kim SC. Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Care & Research. Vol. 65, No. 10, October 2013, pp 16001607.

24 AbbVie. Data on File, ABVRRTI64959.

25 AbbVie. Data on File, ABVRRTI66056.

26 AbbVie. Data on File. ABVRRTI66402.

SOURCE AbbVie

Related Links

abbvie.com

BALTIMORE, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Aquarium, in partnership with the American Planning Association (APA), the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE), announced today the five teams that will take part the new Urban Climate Action Network (UCAN) program. UCAN is a national youth corps created to empower teens concerned about climate change within their communities to take action and, ultimately, work to make their communities better places to live, work and play.

Groups of high school-aged students across the country, sponsored by a qualified organization, submitted video applications describing climate change issues facing their communities, pitching their original ideas on how to tackle them. After thorough deliberation, five teams were selected to participate: Samoana High School Parent Teacher Association in Pago Pago, American Samoa; Parks and People Foundation in Baltimore, Maryland; Coppin Memorial AME Church in Chicago, Illinois; Serving this Generation in Orlando, Florida; and Kickapoo High School Science Club in Powhattan, Kansas.

"This is a truly unique program that will expose youth not only to real-time climate change data, but also provide them with the tools and training to effectuate change," said Kris Hoellen, National Aquarium senior vice president and chief conservation officer. "We are excited to see the growth in the students over the next three years and to see the change they bring to communities that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change."

Each team will travel to the National Aquarium in Baltimore this summer for a workshop to learn about climate change, discuss current climate science challenges with science professionals, build leadership and practical skills, and explore potential career paths. Following their time in Baltimore, the teams will return to their respective cities to create action plans addressing the real problems their communities face. In addition, over the course of the three-year program, all teams will have access to an expert from APA and will be eligible for small grants to help turn their plans into reality, providing them the opportunity to bring about meaningful change.

To learn more about UCAN, visit www.aqua.org/ucan. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [grant MG-10-17-0012-17].

SOURCE National Aquarium

Related Links

http://www.aqua.org

MOORESTOWN, N.J., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly all of the fifty (50) U.S. Pension Funds that have recently been sued for more than $2.5 Billion by the Kingdom of Denmark have retained the Hanamirian Law Firm to defend them in various Federal Courts throughout the United States.

The Customs and Tax Administration of the Kingdom of Denmark, also known as SKAT, alleges that these funds received improper refunds between 2012 and 2015. To date, Hanamirian Law has been engaged to respond to suits in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, Florida and Connecticut.

John Hanamirian

"We plan to vigorously defend these allegations on behalf of many of the 277 pension plans in the United States that have falsely been accused of improperly receiving tax refunds. That assertion is patently untrue and reflects a lack of understanding of the transactions," said managing partner John Hanamirian. "These types of payments are proper under the law."

For a complete list of the U.S. pension funds being defended by Hanamirian Law, and copies of specific lawsuit filings, please contact the Hanamirian Law Firm.

Media Contact:

John Hanamirian

Phone 856-793-9092

Cell 215-660-0000

email: [email protected]

Hanamirian Law Firm, P.C.

40 Main Street

Moorestown, NJ 08057

(856) 793-9092

Hanamirian.com

SOURCE Hanamirian Law Firm

Related Links

http://Hanamirian.com

"I have been able to apply legal concepts, that I never really knew too much about, in my actual, everyday work life," said current online USC Gould student, Jessica Gross.

The certificate, which focuses on human resources law and compliance, is ideal for human resource managers who handle negotiations, compliance managers who deal with risk management involving employees, and others in the human resources field, said Deborah Call, associate dean and chief programs officer of USC Gould's Graduate and International Programs.

"Graduates often tell us that to enhance their professional careers in top companies, government offices and law firms, they must have mastered fundamental legal concepts and compliance skills," Call said. "We believe that our online Human Resources Law & Compliance Certificate will greatly benefit middle managers who are looking to advance to the executive track."

Coursework ranges from Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Compliance and Employment Discrimination Law to Employment Dispute Mediation, Human Resource Compliance and Regulatory Compliance.

"This experience has been professionally and personally rewarding. It has been the best experience of my life," said current online USC Gould student, Diana Vanderlaan.

The certificate may be earned in as few as nine months, and may be taken individually or in conjunction with the LLM or MSL degree as a specialization. USC Gould's online courses are delivered by many of the same accomplished faculty who earned the school a top-20 ranking among the U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools. Online students have access to academic advising, student support, career development and bar exam preparation through the Graduate and International Programs Office.

Top-ranked and accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), the USC Gould School of Law delivers advanced legal education to students in Los Angeles and around the world. The USC Gould faculty consists of some of the legal field's most prominent attorneys and legal experts. There are more than 10,000 USC Gould alumni worldwide.

Gilien Silsby

Director of Media Relations

(213) 740-9690 work

(213) 500-8673 mobile

[email protected]

SOURCE USC Gould School of Law

Related Links

http://www.LAW.USC.EDU

FREMONT, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Velos held its 14th annual customer meeting on May 7th and 8th, 2018, in Fremont, California. Clinical research professionals from Velos customer organizations across the United States and internationally gathered to share their experiences, learn about new products and product features, and collaborate. Long-time Velos eResearch customers who have attended the meeting over the years said it was the best Velos Annual Meeting yet in such areas as product improvements and new products, the quality of presentations, the direction of the company, and a fun evening at a winery.

"There was so much to learn and see," said one Velos customer. "The direction Velos is going in and the product investments being made make complete sense," said another customer.

The sessions were a mix of Velos, customer, and third-party presentations and panels addressing topics ranging from regulatory compliance, subject recruitment, biospecimen management, portals and dashboards, to integration and web services, strategies for becoming 21 CFR Part 11 certified, and site organization management and workflows.

The theme of the 2018 Velos Annual Meeting was "Connect." The Connect theme recurred in many forms throughout the meeting. Connections occur as Velos' customers partner with one another in clinical research. System connections abound across the Velos product line, with third party customer systems and across customer sites and networks. Customer organization and new workflow connections form as customers deepen their use of Velos systems to improve clinical research operations.

Velos also gave previews of several product initiatives and customer collaborations in the development pipeline. Several presentations and product demonstrations drew "oohs" and "aahs" from the audience.

"We continue to aggressively pursue a strategy of reinvesting in both current and add-on products and services in the Velos eResearch CRMS product line that enable our customer organizations to extend and deepen their use of advanced Internet platform software technology to improve their clinical research programs," says John S. McIlwain. These investments and customer experiences applying them were on abundant display at the 2018 Velos Annual Meeting.

About Velos:

Velos is the trusted clinical trial management resource for investigators, sponsors, and academic leaders throughout the world. Velos integrates the clinical, administrative and financial information needs of research management, with an emphasis on flexibility and workflow and empowering clinical innovation. Founded in 1996, Velos, Inc. is privately held with headquarters in Fremont, California. For more information, visit www.velos.com

SOURCE Velos

Related Links

http://www.velos.com

NEW YORK, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Vestwell, a digital retirement platform, announced today a strategic partnership with Allianz Life Ventures, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life), to offer its end-to-end retirement planning solution to Allianz Life's extended network of advisors.

Vestwell enables financial advisors to more effectively service companies looking to launch or convert their 401(k) or 403(b) employee retirement programs. Allianz Life Ventures and affiliated businesses, entrenched in the independent broker dealer space, provide access to a strong network of top advisors who embrace modernization. Through this partnership, Vestwell will offer their technology services to more easily bring retirement plans to thousands of advisors across the Allianz Life network.

"Together, Vestwell and Allianz Life are redefining how the industry creates efficiencies around retirement program management," said Aaron Schumm, Founder and CEO, Vestwell. "By leveraging Allianz Life's advisor relationships and our unique value proposition, we can fulfill both of our promises to guide people towards a comfortable retirement."

Through an open architecture investment solution, the partnership allows Allianz Life advisors to access a state of the art retirement platform and select retirement planning options that best suit client needs.

"Allianz Life Ventures is committed to identifying and working with the industry's leading financial technology and services companies," said Emily Reitan, Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, Allianz Life Ventures. "We are excited to bring Vestwell into the Allianz Life family and to work together to help bring additional innovation to the retirement industry."

For more information on the partnership please visit www.vestwell.com.

About Vestwell Holdings, Inc.

Vestwell is a digital platform that makes it easier to offer and administer 401(k) plans. Vestwell removes traditional friction points through a seamless plan design, automated onboarding, streamlined administration, and flexible investment strategies, all at competitive pricing. By acting as a single point of contact, Vestwell has modernized the retirement offering while keeping the plan sponsor's and plan participant's best interests in mind. Learn more at Vestwell.com and on Twitter @Vestwell.

About Allianz Life Ventures

Allianz Life Ventures, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life), makes investments in North American companies with potential market traction and a demonstrated ability to drive innovation. Allianz Life Ventures is uniquely positioned to leverage the financial strength and in-house expertise of Allianz Life to help our partners succeed. Active in all investment stages from seed and early stage to growth, current partners include: Vestwell, Core Innovation Capital, blooom, tomorrow, LifeYield, Ladder and Gainfully. Learn more at Allianz Life Ventures.

SOURCE Vestwell Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://vestwell.com

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Volpara Solutions announced today the launch of an enhanced version of its VolparaPositioning clinical application, the automated patient-positioning assessment component of VolparaEnterprise Analytics. VolparaPositioning software is now based on the new vPGMI Image Evaluation System, which takes a volumetric approach to assessing patient positioning, based on best practices from around the world. Designed to help breast imaging facilities achieve and maintain a high standard of mammographic image quality by improving technologists' positioning performance, VolparaPositioning software also expedites the task of preparing for external quality audits such as the FDA's EQUIP initiative.

VolparaPositioning software automates the assessment of patient positioning by assigning mammographic studies into Perfect, Good, Moderate, and Inadequate (PGMI) categories. While visual PGMI assessment has been adopted by a number of international screening programs, it is subjective and open to observer variability. Also, quality control of mammographic positioning has not been standardized.

The vPGMI Standard utilizes volumetric data to perform a complete automated assessment of positioning on every mammogram, providing an objective quality assessment to help reduce observer variability, provide technologists with critical performance feedback, reduce technical recalls, and improve clinical performance.

"An analysis of 1 million studies from North America, Australia, and Asia shows that less than half the images are rated Perfect or Good, which may be due to lack of consistent feedback to technologists about their work," said Monica Saini, MD, MS, Consultant Diagnostic Radiologist. "In fact, the FDA attributes most clinical image deficiencies and most failures of accreditation to poor positioning, which the FDA's EQUIP initiative seeks to address. VolparaEnterprise software, together with VolparaPositioning, provides technologists with actionable feedback that can advance image quality over time and improve the clinical usability of each mammogram."

Volpara Solutions will demonstrate VolparaPositioning at the 2018 American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Educational Symposium in Las Vegas, June 21-22, 2018. For more information on the vPGMI Standard, visit Volpara Solutions at ASRT (Booth #27) or download Volpara's vPGMI whitepaper.

About Volpara Solutions

Founded with the goal of helping radiologists give women the most accurate information possible regarding their breast health, Volpara Solutions is the wholly owned sales and marketing arm of Volpara Health Technologies Limited of New Zealand. Available in most markets where breast cancer screening is commonplace, VolparaDensity software provides an objective volumetric measure of breast density from both digital mammography and tomosynthesis data. VolparaEnterprise software is a suite of quantitative breast imaging tools for personalized measurements of density, patient-specific x-ray dose, breast compression, breast positioning, and other factors designed to provide critical insight for breast imaging workflow. For more information, visit www.volparasolutions.com.

SOURCE Volpara Solutions

Related Links

http://www.volparasolutions.com

Both family owned companies have a long history of producing high strength, complex profiles: Thomas Welser, member of the 11 th generation ownership of Welser Profile and current spokesman of the management board affirms: "Superior is an outstanding producer, run by a dedicated family, and supported by an experienced staff. We all want to supply our customers with the best solutions available on the market and we believe in the same values and goals. This should make the cooperation between Superior and ourselves very easy."

Bill Johnson will be president and CEO. The former owners, Tim and Kevin Synk, will stay as part of the management team and focus on the automotive industry. Tim will contribute his expertise as vice president of sales & engineering while Kevin will serve as vice president of operations. Bill Johnson has been managing director of Welser, Inc, Welser's sales company in Chicago. Bill has many years of experience in the metal forming industry, having been in leading positions in production management, sales, quality and marketing departments. "The employees are the heart and soul of the organization and one of the major reasons for the acquisition. We are looking forward to the synergies this partnership provides. Superior Roll Forming is an industry leader and the core reason is the team. The family values that exist in the company will only be further enhanced with the Welser Profile group. Only positive outcomes are possible in the future."

About Welser

Welser Profile is a market leading manufacturer in roll forming of special sections and tubes. This family owned international business is now in its 11th generation of working in steel. Welser Profile has designed and produced over 21,500 unique cross sections for the market. These profiles are made from Steel, Stainless Steel and other non-ferrous metals. With facilities in both Austria and Germany, Welser Profile has over 2 million square feet of manufacturing space dedicated to the production and support of metal sections and employees over 2,100 employees. Welser Profile is committed to the advancement in technology, quality and service in a family oriented culture. The company is certified in ISO9001:2008, OHSAS 18002:2007, ISO14001:2004, ISO50001:2011, and ISO/TS16949:2009 Quality management systems.

Contact:

Bill Johnson

[email protected]

Welser, Inc.

332 S Michigan Ave

Ste 1032 #W736

Chicago

IL 60604-4434 USA

Tel.: +1 312-273-1588

www.welser.com

SOURCE Welser Profile

Related Links

http://www.welser.com

HOUSTON, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- cPanel is excited to announce that WHMCS, has returned to claim the New Horizons sponsorship of the 2018 cPanel Conference! This year represents the 7th time that WHMCS has sponsored the Annual cPanel Conference. This year the conference will be returning to our home, Houston, Texas.

Hello! From Mission Control

"The annual cPanel Conference is a great opportunity for us to meet and connect with customers of the most widely used web hosting automation software in the world." Said Matt Pugh, CEO of WHMCS. "This year we're excited to be part of the conference again and will be giving some incredible talks, as well as providing customers and partners the chance to meet and talk face to face with members of our team. We look forward to seeing you there."

It has been six years since cPanel partnered with WHMCS! In that time, the two companies have worked closely to deliver a more seamless user experience for web hosting customers who can now benefit from single sign-on, deep linking, automated cloud service provisioning and more.

Last year the cPanel Conference had nearly 300 attendees from almost 100 different companies, making it one of the biggest cPanel Conferences yet. The exhibiting sponsorship spots are very nearly sold out already!

Anyone wishing to find more information about this year's conference can do so on the cPanel Conference site, https://conference.cpanel.com. For business inquiries or any other questions, email [email protected].

About cPanel, Inc.

Since 1997, cPanel has been delivering the web hosting industry's most reliable and intuitive web hosting automation software. This robust automation software helps businesses thrive and allows them to focus on more important things. Customers and partners receive first-class support and a rich feature set, making cPanel & WHM the Hosting Platform of Choice. For more information about cPanel, visit https://cpanel.com.

"cPanel" and "cPanel & WHM" are registered trademarks of cPanel, Inc.

About WHMCS

WHMCS is the market leading web hosting billing and automation platform. WHMCS integrates with all the leading names in web hosting, domain names and cloud-based services to automate provisioning, billing, and delivery of web-based services with full automation. Founded in 2003, today WHMCS is used by tens of thousands of web hosting businesses to automate and maximize efficiency. For more information, please visit https://www.whmcs.com.

Media Contact:

benny Vasquez  Manager of Community Engagement

Phone: (832) 433-4005

Email: [email protected]

Related Images

cpanel-conference-2018.png

cPanel Conference 2018

Hello! From Mission Control

whmcs.png

WHMCS

Related Links

cPanel conference site

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8kCQv5Yz_A

SOURCE cPanel, Inc.

Related Links

https://cpanel.com

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- WITI (Women in Technology International) today announced the appointment of Candice Benson to the newly created role of Executive Vice President of Corporate Relationships and Strategy.

Ms. Benson served most recently as founder and CEO of Benson Consulting Inc., headquartered in Bedford, New Hampshire. Since 2007 she has collaborated with numerous Fortune 50 companies to streamline and optimize their complex processes and workflows; additionally, she has directed change-management projects, managed M&A transitions, and established innovation programs.

Ms. Benson will work with WITI partner organizations worldwide to more effectively empower women in the workplace, and to develop and enhance their diversity initiatives.

Increased numbers of organizations are recognizing the value of a diverse workforce in engaging new markets and driving innovation; in fact, research studies have drawn direct correlations between an organization's depth of employee diversity and positive business results. Towards that end, Ms. Benson and her team will guide executives in the active development of real opportunities, tools, training, and corporate cultures to encourage and leverage the contributions of diverse personnel in their organizations.

"I'm thrilled to be working with WITI to advance their mission to advocate for greater and equal opportunities for women in the workplace," stated Ms. Benson. "More women than ever before want fair access to a seat at the table, but, historically, most businesses have not fully embraced diversity. Our goal is to help organizations see the true value of diversity of thought to the bottom line of their business and work with them to infuse their entire enterprise with an appreciation for the rewards that a diverse talent strategy can bring."

Meet Ms. Benson next week in San Jose, California, as WITI hosts its 24th Annual Women in Technology Summit from June 10 to 12.

To download a headshot of Ms. Benson, click here.

About WITI

Founded in 1989 by Carolyn Leighton, WITI (Women in Technology International) is a leading worldwide authority on women in business and technology. For nearly 30 years, WITI has consistently been a clear voice advocating women's contributions to the tech industry, inspiring them to pursue STEM careers and actively working with corporate partners to create a culture of equality. To learn more, please visit witi.com and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact:

Alexea Candreva

(719) 475-0370

[email protected]

SOURCE WITI

Related Links

http://www.witi.com

SANTA BARBARA, California, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Real estate technology provider to discuss artificial intelligence for multifamily with analytics experts from Bozzuto, Bridge Property Management and Berkshire Communities

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/676064/Yardi_Logo.jpg )

Yardi will be joined by experts from Bozzuto Management Company, Bridge Property Management and Berkshire Communities for a panel on artificial intelligence (AI) at Apartmentalize Powered by NAA in San Diego. The presentation is scheduled for Thursday, June 14, from 10-11 a.m. It will examine the impact of AI on multifamily business intelligence technologies and practices. Attendees will:

The Age of AI: Business Intelligence Today and Tomorrow

Determine which measures are most important and how technology can track that data

Learn how to analyze and act on those measures to create a successful business strategy

Preview what is coming for multifamily with advancements in AI and prescriptive analytics

The panel discussion will be moderated by Dharmendra Sawh, industry principal of Yardi Elevate at Yardi. "Business intelligence tools deliver analytics to provide foresight, improve business decisions and increase your competitive edge," said Sawh. "But soon, your software could be making those decisions for you. Our panel of data experts will share how tracking the right measures now can help future-proof your analytics in anticipation of AI."

Panelists include Michael Barry, vice president of data analytics at Bozzuto Management Company; Tim Reardon, chief operating officer at Bridge Property Management; and Dawn Wise, national financial analyst at Berkshire Communities.

View session details and add to myNAA planner.

Apartmentalize, NAA's annual educational conference, takes place June 13-16 at the San Diego Convention Center and is the premier source for educating professionals of all job functions within the rental housing industry.

Yardi is participating in two additional educational sessions during the conference:

Find Yardi at booth #1019 in Hall E during the show. Small to mid-sized property management companies are invited to visit Yardi Breeze at booth #1823. Register for Apartmentalize today using the Yardi discount code APTYARDI18 to save $75.

About NAA

The National Apartment Association (NAA) is the leading voice for the apartment housing industry. As a trusted partner, a valued connector and a powerful advocate, NAA is committed to serving 170 affiliates, over 72,000 members and the 8.8 million apartment units they operate globally. For more information, visit naahq.org.

About Yardi

Yardi develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. Established in 1984, Yardi is based in Santa Barbara, California, and serves clients worldwide. For more information on how Yardi is Energized for Tomorrow, visit yardi.com.

SOURCE YardiALLEGAN, Mich., June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer is the perfect time for beach days, tropical vacations, outdoor barbecues  and frequent heartburn*, according to a new survey commissioned by Perrigo Company plc, producers of store brand Omeprazole Delayed Release Orally Disintegrating Tablets 20 mg (Omeprazole ODT). The national "Prevent the Summer Burn" survey of 1,029 American heartburn sufferers found that summer ranks as the worst season for frequent heartburn*, with nearly half of respondents (47 percent) noting that quintessential summer foods, like hot dogs, ice cream and lemonade, were the biggest culprits for heightened heartburn.

Beyond the physical discomfort sufferers feel, heartburn was also found to have strong emotional and psychological effects on sufferers, causing them to alter plans or activities as a result. In fact, if sufferers start to feel symptoms of heartburn, the feeling is so uncomfortable that they would skip out on attending summer barbecues (26 percent), dinner with friends (24 percent) or traveling (26 percent).

"While common causes of heartburn include ingestion of fatty, acidic or spicy foods and alcoholic beverages, things like stress, eating before bed and smoking can exacerbate heartburn," explains internal medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Keri Peterson. "Heartburn sufferers are often faced with pain that disrupts their daily lives, which can be especially frustrating when it strikes** while trying to enjoy on-the-go summertime activities."

According to the survey, heartburn sufferers are fed up with the pain and discomfort:

Close to three quarters (74 percent) are willing to make significant sacrifices to be heartburn-free.

Approximately one in three would give up watching playoff sports this season (34 percent) or give up all social media (32 percent).

Nearly 27 percent of working heartburn sufferers would forego summer Fridays to enjoy their favorite foods without suffering from heartburn, while 28 percent would give up a vacation day.

A New Solution in Town

Despite heartburn sufferers' best efforts, sometimes heartburn is inevitable and current treatment options are not conducive to their busy summer lifestyles. In fact, nearly two thirds (64 percent) wish there was a treatment option that was more convenient to help ensure they can enjoy all the fun summer has to offer.

Cue new store brand Omeprazole ODT**, the first and only orally disintegrating form of omeprazole, the #1 selling PPI ingredient in heartburn treatment, available for people suffering from frequent heartburn*. Omeprazole ODT with MELTech is a FDA-approved medication that dissolves in the mouth without water. Consumers can find store brand Omeprazole ODT at food, drug and mass retailers nationwide under each store's Own Brand label.

"People suffering from frequent heartburn should not have to sacrifice or change their lifestyles, especially during the fun-filled days of summer, to get relief," said Jeff Needham, Executive Vice President and President, Consumer Healthcare Americas at Perrigo. "With Omeprazole ODT, we're excited to provide heartburn sufferers an innovative, first-of-its-kind treatment option that gives them the convenience they have been looking for."

Please visit http://www.DissolveYourHeartBurn.com for more information.

* Frequent heartburn occurs 2 or more days a week

** This product is not intended for immediate relief; it may take 1-4 days for full effect.

 This product is a 14-day treatment program that is not to be repeated for four months. It should not be used all season unless instructed by your doctor.

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted by Kelton on behalf of Perrigo Company plc between March 21 and March 23, 2018 among 1,029 nationally representative Americans ages 18 and older who have experienced heartburn, using an email invitation and an online survey.

About Kelton

Kelton is a leading global insights firm serving as a partner to more than 100 of the Fortune 500 and thousands of smaller companies and organizations. Utilizing a wide range of customized, innovative research techniques and staff expertise in marketing, branding, PR, media, and business strategy, Kelton helps drive our clients' businesses forward. For more information about Kelton please call 1.888.8.KELTON or visit www.keltonglobal.com.

About Perrigo

Perrigo Company plc, a leading global healthcare company, delivers value to its customers and consumers by providing Quality Affordable Healthcare Products. Founded in 1887 as a packager of home remedies, Perrigo has built a unique business model that is best described as the convergence of a fast-moving consumer goods company, a high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing organization and a world-class supply chain network. Perrigo is one of the world's largest manufacturers of over-the-counter ("OTC") healthcare products and suppliers of infant formulas for the store brand market. The Company also is a leading provider of branded OTC products throughout Europe, as well as a leading producer of "extended topical" prescription drugs. Perrigo, headquartered in Ireland, sells its products primarily in North America and Europe, as well as in other markets, including Australia, Israel and China. Visit Perrigo online at (http://www.perrigo.com).

SOURCE Perrigo Company plc

Related Links

http://www.perrigo.com

AUSTIN, Texas, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ziften, a leading provider of all-the-time visibility and control for client devices, servers, and cloud VMs, today announced it has joined the Microsoft community in contributing to the Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) advanced hunting project. Even the best defenses can be breached, and security teams must find and investigate threats and breaches more quickly and aggressively. Ziften's contributions include analytics and queries so customers can easily conduct threat hunting to identify suspicious activities that indicate the presence of threat actors using advanced fileless attack techniques across Windows, macOS, Linux, and cross-platform systems environments.

The Windows Defender ATP advanced hunting capability gives customers the tools to instantly hunt for threats and breaches across 6 months of endpoint behavioral and configuration data, and the advanced hunting community contributes threat hunting queries available directly within the Windows Defender ATP advanced hunting console and in the Github repository.

Today's announcement builds on the news that Ziften's Zenith security platform is integrated with Windows Defender ATP delivering a cloud-based "single pane of glass" to detect, view, investigate, and respond to advanced cyber-attacks and breaches on Windows, macOS and Linux endpoints.

Advanced Hunting Project

Fileless attacks, also known as zero-footprint attacks, or non-malware attacks are on the rise  77 percent of compromised attacks in 2017 were fileless.[1] The Microsoft advanced hunting project simplifies cyber threat hunting, or the process of proactively and iteratively searching through networks to detect and isolate these advanced threats. Ziften's participation in the advanced hunting community provides mutual customers:

Visibility and Behavioral Analytics for macOS and Linux Systems: Ziften's integration with Windows Defender ATP provides real-time and 6-months of historical visibility and behavioral analytics for macOS and Linux systems.

Ziften's integration with Windows Defender ATP provides real-time and 6-months of historical visibility and behavioral analytics for macOS and Linux systems. Advanced Hunting Queries: Threat hunting can be a tedious manual process. Ziften's advanced hunting developments and contributions simplify this manual hunting process and enable automations where practicable.

Threat hunting can be a tedious manual process. Ziften's advanced hunting developments and contributions simplify this manual hunting process and enable automations where practicable. Cross-Platform Advanced Hunting: Ziften developments include cross-platform queries to identify potential threats such as lateral movement by threat actors across mixed endpoint enterprise environments.

"As a member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association, Ziften is excited to contribute our macOS, Linux, and cross-platform hunting expertise with the Microsoft advanced hunting community," said Josh Harriman, Vice President of Cyber Security Intelligence, Ziften. "Bringing together our deep macOS and Linux know-how, with Microsoft's Windows intelligence, and our customers' familiarity with their systems environments creates the best of all worlds for our mutual customers' security teams tasked with conducting threat hunting exercises. The easier and more automated we can make the hunting process, the more successful customers will be in finding and eliminating potential threats and risks."

[1] "The 2017 State of Endpoint Security Risk Report", Ponemon Institute, November 20, 2017

About Ziften:

Ziften delivers all-the-time visibility and control for any asset, anywhere - client devices, servers, and cloud VMs  whether on-network or remote; connected or not. Our unified systems and security operations (SysSecOps) platform empowers IT and security operations teams to quickly repair user impacting endpoint issues, reduce their overall risk posture, speed security threat response, and increase operations productivity. Ziften's secure architecture delivers continuous, streaming endpoint monitoring and historical data collection for large and mid-sized enterprises, governments, and managed security service providers (MSSP).

https:/ziften.com

Ziften Media Contact:

Zonic Group Public Relations

Gregory Cross

[email protected]

SOURCE Ziften Technologies

Related Links

http://www.ziften.com

BURLINGTON, Mass. and LAS VEGAS, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- (InfoComm Booth #N578)  Today at InfoComm, the largest technology exhibition in North America focused on Audio Visual (AV) solutions, ZiipRoom introduced the industry's only software for conference rooms and huddle rooms purpose-built to unite users with their collaboration devices and services to ensure their every meeting experience is consistent, simple and productive.

Additionally, as part of its growing ecosystem of partners with technology and conferencing providers, the company announced it joined Logitech's Collaboration Program designed to deliver exceptional user experiences through integrated, complementary products that are easy to use and install.

According to a recent Forrester Research study, 94 percent of employees report that they encounter an issue when conducting technology-enabled meetings. Just one 10-minute delayed meeting per day is equivalent to one week (41 hours) of lost productivity per employee per year.

Focused directly on returning this lost productivity, a team of industry veterans founded ZiipRoom, the industry's only purpose-built solution capable of unifying people with the wide range of technologies and devices deployed in today's enterprise to deliver a simple and powerful meeting experience, every time.

"While we continue to see advancements in AV technology, personal devices and conferencing platforms, no one has been purely focused on bringing them all together to create truly simple, one-click meeting experiences," said Martin Bodley, CEO. "In founding ZiipRoom, we saw a real opportunity to address this gap while also offering organizations the intelligence they need to efficiently utilize existing assets and expand collaboration to the millions of huddle rooms that have become part of today's work culture."

"Global teams are increasingly reliant on collaboration and conferencing technologies to innovate and operate more effectively, but many still find it difficult to initiate and conduct meetings from their shared meeting spaces," said Ira M. Weinstein, founder and managing partner, Recon Research. "By providing a consistent UI and workflow across multiple hardware, software, and cloud collaboration platforms, ZiipRoom takes much of the complexity out of meeting scheduling, joining, and management, and helps pave the way for increased usage and adoption."

ZiipRoom's patented software allows users to control the complete meeting experience via a cloud-smart app that recognizes them when they enter a room, knows their calendar and automatically provides one-click options for the most common meeting needs. The solution offers businesses a wealth of benefits including:

Consistent & Smart Patented software leverages AI to deliver one, consistent meeting experience across all rooms, regardless of multiple room configurations or variances in devices or UC applications being used

Simplicity  Mobile-first design, with ZiipRoom apps supported on familiar devices users already carry and know, means fast adoption

Enhanced Productivity  One-click simplicity empowers users to immediately begin voice or video meetings and share wireless presentations without delay

Ends Vendor Lock-in  Supports multiple UC services, BYO devices and in-room AV gear simultaneously - make changes any time without changing the meeting experience for end users

Relief for IT Installs in minutes, updates automatically and provides analytic insights; ends the training hassles and service calls related to variance in room configurations or UC services

Through the Logitech Collaboration Program ZiipRoom delivers an integrated, exceptional user experience, as validated by the Logitech Software Reference Kit (SRK). This means that customers who purchase Logitech collaboration products, along with a product or service from ZiipRoom will receive a solution that is optimized for groups to collaborate anytime and anywhere.

"We are extremely excited to be partnering with Logitech, the leader in video conferencing hardware for huddle rooms. Our like-minded vision for delivering an ever-improving meeting experience to business customers worldwide is sure to produce a long-term mutually beneficial relationship," said Bodley.

"We are pleased that ZiipRoom has joined our program," said Scott Wharton, general manager of Logitech's video collaboration group. "By closely collaborating with ZiipRoom, we are able to offer a better user experience to our joint customers."

Availability

ZiipRoom software will be available for purchase in Q3. Free ZiipRoom apps for personal devices and PCs will also be made available at that time. If you would like to be notified when they release, please register at www.ziiproom.com.

To start your 30-Day Free Trial, please register at www.ziiproom.com.

Additional Resources:

ZiipRoom Video: www.ziiproom.com

About ZiipRoom:

ZiipRoom is the only software for huddle rooms purpose-built to connect people and technology to make every meeting experience consistent, simple, productive and free from vendor lock-in. ZiipRoom's patented software knows you, your devices and calendars, your conferencing services, and all the hardware in the room  and brings it all together seamlessly so you always have one-click access to your next videoconference, phone call or wireless presentation. Founded by an experienced team of industry veterans, ZiipRoom's vendor-agnostic solution was designed from the ground up to deliver the simplicity, productivity, intelligence and IT manageability required to allow organizations to more effectively utilize meeting rooms using a wide range of existing and future technologies and systems. Designed to be intuitive to use, install and configure, ZiipRoom requires minimal effort from IT teams and even less for end users. A cloud-based service, ZiipRoom provides IT with a single aggregated view across all devices, providing real-time monitoring, analytics, alarms and enterprise-grade security. For more information, a video or a free trial, visit www.ziiproom.com.

Media Contact:

Erica Askew

Guyer Group

508-954-4117

[email protected]

SOURCE ZiipRoom

Related Links

http://www.ziiproom.com

SHANGHAI, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO) ("ZTO" or the "Company"), a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China, today announced that it made a strategic investment of approximately US$168 million for an approximately 15% stake in Cainiao Post, Cainiao Network's network of last-mile delivery stations, in order to jointly ramp up last-mile service capabilities and provide diversified solutions that enhance efficiency and meet the growing demand from New Retail.

ZTO's strategic investment in Cainiao Post was done in conjunction with four other leading express delivery companies in China, including YTO Express (SHA: 600233), STO Express (SHE: 002468), Yunda Express (SHE: 002120), and Best Inc. (NYSE: BSTI), in the aggregate amount of approximately US$495 million

Mr. Meisong Lai, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ZTO, said, "ZTO has made significant progress over the past few years in developing its last-mile delivery products and services. We have always had a deep relationship with Cainiao, which is empowering express delivery companies and growing alongside such companies. This investment by ZTO in conjunction with other major express delivery companies in Cainiao Post will allow us to offer better services to customers by enhancing resource allocation and strengthening cooperation across our collective last-mile delivery networks."

Last-mile delivery services are becoming increasingly competitive as customers' demand for personalized pickup and delivery services grows alongside the number of daily parcel volume. Cainiao Post offers customers a wide variety of services to choose from, including expanded options for scheduled deliveries, smart lockers, and delivery outlet pickups.

About ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO) is a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. ZTO provides express delivery service as well as other value-added logistics services through its extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China.

ZTO operates a highly scalable network partner model, which the Company believes is best suited to support the significant growth of e-commerce in China. The Company leverages its network partners to provide pickup and last-mile delivery services, while controlling the mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting network within the express delivery service value chain.

For more information, please visit: http://zto.investorroom.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expect," "anticipate," "future," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "confident" and similar statements. ZTO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about ZTO's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained, either expressly or impliedly, in any forward-looking statement. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

ZTO

Ms. Sophie Li

Investor Relations Department

E-mail: [email protected]

Christensen

In China

Mr. Christian Arnell

Phone: +86-10-5900-1548

E-mail: [email protected]

In United States

Mr. Tip Fleming

Phone: +1-917-412-3333

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

Related Links

http://zto.investorroom.com

Washington, June 5 : US President Donald Trump has spoken with British Prime Minister Theresa May over phone, and discussed the bilateral trade ties, the Iran nuclear issue and the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit.

According to a White House statement, Trump on Monday also called for a new and comprehensive deal that addresses all aspects of Iran's alleged "destabilising" behaviour, including in Yemen and Syria, Xinhua news agency reported.

Trump announced to exit the Iran nuke deal in May, despite European nations' protests.

Trump also "underscored the need to rebalance trade with Europe" and expressed hope for a Brexit deal that does not increase tensions on the Northern Ireland border.

US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the European Union (EU), Canada and Mexico took effect on June 1. Trump has decided not to extend the temporary steel and aluminium tariff exemptions for these three key trading partners. The move followed earlier metals tariffs on countries around the world.

The two leaders also discussed their goals for the upcoming G7 summit on June 8 and 9 in Quebec, Canada, and look forward to Trump's visit to Britain in July.

US Department of State on April 26 confirmed that Trump will pay a working visit to Britain on July 13. The visit would start after Trump attends the NATO summit slated for July 11-12 in Brussels.

Trump made a sudden announcement on January 11 that he has cancelled his trip to Britain due to disappointment over the new location of the US embassy in London.

The trans-Atlantic alliance between the US and Britain has been shaky ever since Trump assumed the presidency last January.

His proposal of a strict ban on Muslim immigration has sparked wide controversy in the island nation. Matters got even worse when Trump retweeted video posts of a British ultra-rightist group targeting Muslim immigrants in November.

Trump and May also discussed the upcoming summit meeting between the US and North Korea slated for June 12 in Singapore.Washington, June 5 : A former US intelligence officer has appeared in court in Seattle charged with attempting to spy for China.

Ron Rockwell Hansen, 58, was arrested by the FBI on Saturday on his way to a Seattle airport for a flight to China, BBC reported on Tuesday.

The justice department says Hansen attempted to pass on information and received at least $800,000 for acting as a Chinese agent.

He agreed in a brief court appearance to be returned to his home state of Utah to face charges.

Hansen, who lives in Syracuse, Utah, was charged with attempting to gather or deliver national defence information to aid a foreign government.

Other charges - there are 15 in total - include acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China, bulk cash smuggling, structuring monetary transactions and smuggling goods from the US.

If convicted of attempted espionage, Hansen faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Assistant Attorney General John Demers called Hansen's alleged actions "a betrayal of our nation's security" and an "affront to his former intelligence community colleagues".

John Huber, US attorney for the state of Utah, called the allegations "very troubling".

According to court documents cited by the justice department, Hansen served in the US Army as a warrant officer with a background in signals intelligence and human intelligence, before being recruited by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) as a civilian intelligence case officer in 2006.

The justice department says Hansen, who is fluent in Mandarin and Russian, held top secret clearance "for many years" and travelled regularly between the US and China in 2013-17.

He is alleged to have attempted repeatedly to regain access to classified information after he stopped working for the US government, thereby alerting authorities to his actions.

The Defense Intelligence Agency is a branch of the Department of Defense, responsible for analysing and disseminating military intelligence.Havana, June 5 : Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel welcomed US Republican Senator Jeff Flake and Google CEO Eric Schmidt to the island country.

During their meeting on Monday, Diaz-Canel and the US visitors exchanged views on the state of bilateral relations and possible areas of cooperation and "mutual interest", reports Efe news.

Flake, who has visited Cuba several times, the most recent trip being in January, is one of the main promoters in the US Congress of the rapprochement with Cuba and, in particular, of a bill that would eliminate travel restrictions to the island for US citizens.

President Donald Trump's administration has imposed new limitations on the travel of US citizens to Cuba, a country which Americans cannot visit as tourists due to Washington's financial embargo.

During their meeting, Rodriguez thanked Flake and the Google executive for their interest in contributing to the debate in favour of an improvement in bilateral relations.

Google has been one of the tech giants that has been interested in moving into the Cuban telecommunications market since former US President Barack Obama launched the thaw in relations, although to date it has had only a very limited presence on the island.

Three years ago, the firm offered to broaden internet access in Cuba, which is still far below average international levels, but the proposal never developed into a concrete programme.

Flake and Schmidt were accompanied by US charge d'affaires in Cuba, Philip Goldberg, and Brett Perlmutter, the Google CEO's adviser on Cuba.

Cuba and the US reopened their embassies in Washington and Havana in 2015 and signed numerous cooperation accords in security, immigration, education, healthcare and culture, but Trump halted the normalisation process.Jammu, June 5 : Within hours of a flag meeting to maintain ceasefire on the international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Rangers fired mortars at Indian positions on Tuesday.

Police said around 1 a.m. the Pakistan Rangers fired two-to-three mortars in the Akhnoor sector of the IB.

"Border Security Force (BSF) troopers did not retaliate. No casualty or damage was caused in the Pakistani shelling," a police officer said.

On Monday, a sector commanders level flag meeting was held in Suchetgarh between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers for two hours.

The meeting was held on Pakistan's request and the two sides agreed to respect the ceasefire agreement in letter and spirit.Washington, June 5 : US First Lady Melania Trump, who had not been seen publicly for the past 24 days, attended an official White House event with her husband President Donald Trump.

The event on Monday, a private East Room reception for more than 40 Gold Star military families, was not in and of itself an unusual activity for the First Lady of the US, reports CNN.

However, the First Lady's absence made her appearance all the more newsworthy.

In a statement on Monday night, Melania Trump said it was a privilege to welcome the military families to the White House, and she thanked them and military members more broadly for their service.

"To all those who have lost loved ones in service to our country, our nation grieves with you," her statement read.

"It is a solemn reminder that we, the American people, are able to live as freely as we do because of the selfless sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. We remain indebted to each of them and we honour them today, together, with their families."

The Gold Star event on Monday was closed to the press, with no opportunity for media photos or video, a decision made out of respect for the military family members, Trump's communications director Stephanie Grisham told CNN.

The First Lady's lack of recent viewings, prior to Monday's event, has created a storm of "where is she?" memes on the internet and speculation on her whereabouts.

Her last public appearance was on May 10 when the couple welcomed home three American hostages from North Korea at the Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.The US is among G7 countries ranked lowest due to its continued support for fossil fuel exploration and production, as well as backtracking on previous pledges to end support to fossil fuels, new research has found. It said Group of Seven (G7) governments continue to provide at least $100 billion each year to support the production and consumption of oil, gas and coal despite repeated pledges to end fossil fuel subsidies by 2025. In a major study, published ahead of the G7 Summit in Canada, researchers from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Oil Change International (OCI), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have for the first time ranked each G7 country on their transparency, commitments and progress made on ending support for the production and use of oil, gas and coal. The G7 2018 Summit will be held in Charlevoix, Quebec, from June 8 to 9. France was the highest ranked country, due to its progress in phasing out support to fossil fuel production and power. Canada, which holds the G7 presidency this year, scored highly on ending support to coal mining, fossil fuel-based power and fossil fuel use, but had the worst ranking on support for oil and gas production. Britain scored lowest on transparency, with the government denying it provides any fossil fuel subsidies, under its own definition, despite making commitments to end subsidies. Overall, the paper finds G7 governments are still dedicating vast public resources to finding, extracting and using fossil fuels, and are at serious risk of not delivering their commitment to phase-out subsidies by 2025. "Despite repeated pledges to eliminate fossil fuel subsides G7 countries are continuing to subsidise oil, gas and coal, fuelling dangerous climate change with tax-payers' money," said lead author Shelagh Whitley, head of the Climate and Energy Programme at ODI. "This scorecard addresses the current gap in accountability and, for the first time, tracks progress by each of the G7 countries in phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. While some progress has been made in recent years, overall it is a grim picture with not one country scoring highly." Report co-author Alex Doukas, Stop Funding Fossils Program Director at OCI, said: "Last December, the World Bank committed to ending its finance for oil and gas extraction. The G7 governments need to follow suit and rapidly phase out their public finance for oil, gas and coal projects around the world." To meet their 2025 deadline, researchers have called on the G7 to publish comprehensive fossil fuel subsidy peer-reviews no later than 2019 and establish country-level plans for phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, starting with subsidies that have negative social and environmental impacts.A tableau displaying the adverse effects of pollution, on display on the occasion of World Environment Day, in Kolkata on June 5, 2018. June 5 is observed as World Environment Day.. Image Source: Kuntal Chalrabarty/IANS

Fifty nations are now taking action to reduce plastic pollution, a UN report released on Tuesday said. It revealed that the Galapagos will ban single-use plastics, Sri Lanka will ban styrofoam and China is insisting on biodegradable bags, reports the BBC. In many developing countries, plastic bags are causing floods by blocking drains, or they are being eaten by cattle. The report has said that policies to combat plastic waste have had mixed results. In Cameroon, plastic bags are banned and households are paid for every kilo of plastic waste they collect, but still plastic bags are being smuggled in. In several countries, rules on plastic exist but are poorly enforced. The report presents an A-Z of 35 potential bio substitutes for plastic. It runs from Abaca hemp (from the inedible banana Musa textilis) to Zein (from a maize protein). The list includes rabbit fur, sea grass and foam made with fungus. It mentions QMilch, a firm that create casein textile fibres from waste milk. It also highlights Pinatex, a plastic alternative made from pineapple leaves. Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment, said: "The assessment shows that action can be painless and profitable - with huge gains for people and the planet that help avert the costly downstream costs of pollution. Plastic isn't the problem. It's what we do with it." The report says levies and bans have been among the most effective strategies to curb plastic waste.A man stands by damaged vehicles covered by ash in San Miguel Los Lotes, a village in Escuintla, Guatemala, on June 4, 2018. The death toll from the .... Image Source: Xinhua/Prensa Libre/IANS

The toll from the eruption of the highly active Fuego volcano in Guatemala has increased to 69 with over 1 million residents affected, according to authorities. The volcano erupted Sunday, spewing a river of lava and plumes of smoke almost 6 miles into the air. Seventeen of the dead have been identified so far, CNN quoted Guatemala's Institute of Forensic Sciences as saying late Monday. Fifteen people, including 12 children, have been hospitalised, some of whom suffered severe burns, the Health Ministry said. Volcanic ash has already stretched across a 12-mile radius, and winds could carry the cloud even farther, officials said. President Jimmy Morales has declared three days of national mourning. So far, over 3,100 people have been evacuated and 1.7 million people have been affected by the eruption, according to CONRED, the government agency for disaster reduction. Satellite footage of Fuego shows the massive dark gray eruption was visible even from space. Authorities urged residents living near the volcano to evacuate immediately, and warned some in Chimaltenango, Sacatepequez and Escuintla states to watch out for volcanic rocks and ash. The National Institute of Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology on Monday warned that there could be new eruptions, and residents in the surrounding areas should be on alert for mudslides containing volcanic material. Fuego's eruption is much bigger than Hawaii's Kilauea eruption, which terrorised Big Island on May 3. Unlike the Hawaii volcano, which has destroyed homes with slow-moving lava, the Fuego volcano unleashed fast-moving pyroclastic flow -- a mix of ash, rock and volcanic gases that can be much more dangerous than lava, CNN reported. Pyroclastic flows can race down a volcano at hundreds of kilometers per hour -- much faster than people or even cars. Guatemala is situated on the "Ring of Fire," an area of intense seismic activity. The 40,000-km area stretches from the boundary of the Pacific Plate and the smaller plates such as the Philippine Sea plate to the Cocos and Nazca Plates that line the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Volcan de Fuego, which means fire volcano, is one of Central America's most active.Attempts to stop Rajinikanth 's "Kaala" from releasing in Karnataka are being seen by the Tamil Nadu Films Producers' Council (TFPC) as nothing but an attempt to gain visibility and publicity from certain sections. The TFPC chief, actor-activist Vishal Krishna, said: "I urge the honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka to intervene and sort out the matter. Because what is happening to 'Kaala' can set a very dangerous precedent. "Today these fringe groups are demanding that Rajini Sir's film be stopped. What is there to stop them from doing the same with more films in the future?" As far as speaking up on the Cauvery water issue is concerned Vishal said: "It is my constitutional right to speak about the welfare of my state. Rajini Sir has said nothing offensive and yet his film is being stopped. "I was far more vocal about the Cauvery issue. I went to Bengaluru and asked for water for Tamil Nadu. It is my constitutional right to ask for water and their to refuse it." Strangely there was no backlash against Vishal's film. "The Tamil version of my film 'Irumbu Thirai' is running to packed house in Karnataka. They never stopped my film in spite of my vocal stance on the Cauvery issue. "They are obviously choosing the big film with the biggest star for attention." Vishal also qusetioned Rajinikanth's "political ideology". "What is this spiritual politics that he is propagating? What is the name of his party?" He also took on Kamal Haasan, "For that matter what is Kamal Haasan Sir's political plans are also unclear. Neither of the two stalwarts of our cinema has made their political stance clear." He said: "They are like newcomers entering cinema for the first time. We are waiting to see how they perform."From juices to margaritas, mojitos and daiquiris -- cucumbers are now given a twist in myriad forms in refreshing summer cocktails, which are readily being shaken and stirred at pubs, bars and eateries. Full of health benefits and not burning a hole in your pocket, cucumber-based drinks are turning into a centrepiece of summer sips and are being lapped up by the young and old alike. "Cucumber is a very versatile ingredient. It instantly lends a crisp and mighty refreshing taste whenever added to any drinks... And in summer, cucumber is the best ingredient chefs can experiment with because of its versatility and cooling properties. Cucumbers, when added to drinks, salads or sandwiches, instantly revitalises your body," Chef Vivek Rana, Chief Executive Chef, Triple8, told IANS. The drink served at the bar located in Khel Gaon has been given a twist of Vodka infused with nori (edible seaweed), muddled with cucumber and jasmine syrup, topped with sparkling wine and garnished again with thin slices of cucumber and nori sheets. The drink is priced at Rs 645. Simant Tyagi, co-owner, South Delhi-based Hyjack, says cucumber drinks are savoured for their refreshing flavour. "Cucumber is a summer favourite vegetable that is popularly used in salads as well as cocktails and mocktails... While mangoes are enjoyed for their taste, cucumber is relished for its refreshing flavour and immense health benefits," Tyagi told IANS. To beat the scorching heat, the drink at Hyjack is called the Chilli Cucumber Margarita, and is available for Rs 545. Pankaj Mendiratta, Founder of TAMA Brewery and World Kitchen in Faridabad, says their cucumber-based Young Forever drink, at a pocket-friendly price of Rs 399, is a hot favorite amongst their patrons as the fruit can be used and mixed easily with juices and liquor. "It is a really a good idea to use cucumber as an ingredient for summer drinks, as it really blends well with almost any cocktail or mocktail and gives a very refreshing and revitalising taste," Chetan Kaushal, Co-owner and Mixologist at Karma Kismet in the Greater Kailash area of South Delhi, told IANS. Kaushal added that the cocktail called the Kentucky Sour is a "hot favourite" with their patrons. Chef Balpreet Chadha, Director Culinary Operations, Annamaya, at Andaz Delhi, says cucumbers are also one of the most cooling detox drinks and that it has a subtle flavour, which helps in creating a refreshing beverage. The drink here is priced at Rs 280. There are many restaraunts, bars and hotels, like Tito's (Noida), Gustoso and Intercontinental Marine drive (Mumbai), Punjab Grill, Lord of the Drinks, Tamasha, Open House Cafe and Warehouse Cafe which have special cucumber-based dishes and drinks to beat the scorching summer heat. Visual appeal makes cucumber-based drinks a favoured drink amongst patrons, says Sonali Mullick, mixologist at the Mumbai-based HITCHKI, which serves its Indismoke drink for Rs 250. "Due to the cucumber's high water content, it can easily be made and kept handy which can be used for summer-tails giving the cocktail or mocktail a soothing green colour. The drink gets visually appealing with a hint of cucumber which most people like," said Mullick. Cucumbers also have health benefits and are rich in anti-oxidants, says Chef Vetrimurugan from Gurgaon-based Zambar. "Cucumber is a favourite ingredient for summer because of its refreshing benefits. It is an important source of antioxidants and has a surprising amount of nutritional benefits as well. One cucumber contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B-6, and Vitamin C, as well as Magnesium and Calcium," Vetrimurugan told IANS. (Durga Chakravarty can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in)Lumberjacks cutting logs at a workshop, in Nagpur on June 5, 2018. 5th June is observed as World Environment Day.. Image Source: IANS

* 24 trees. That's the number of trees that need to be cut to make one ton of uncoated, non-recycled printing and office paper. *10.6 per cent. That's how much India's per capita consumption of paper grew this year, poised to grow and touch 25 million tonnes by 2019-20. * 10 lakh tonnes. The amount of paper imported by India last year, making it one of the biggest importers of paper in the world. * 10 litres. The amount of water used to make a single sheet of A4 paper. These figures show the heavy dependence of the Indian market on paper. Every day, businesses across India, utilise many sheets of papers to process one purchase order (PO). The POs are printed, put in paper envelopes and sent by post to suppliers. Invoices are on paper, delivery receipts are on paper, payment reminders are on paper, finance departments seek internal approvals and signatures on printed copies, and the payment is usually done by cheque. Typically 20+ pieces of paper are used for each order in this cycle from procurement to payment. Then all this paper has to be filed away, usually multiple copies in different departments. This is apocalyptic for the environment. It's time to go green. It's time to go paperless. Digital payments have now gone mainstream due to the recent financial reforms India has witnessed. Online transactions have increased, and cash transactions reported a reduction by Rs 28,000 crore in 2017. Banks too, have been proactive in adopting green practices such as paperless services, eco-friendly initiatives like internet banking/mobile banking, and promoting online banking instead of branch banking to help reduce the carbon footprint. Digital payment players have been instrumental in bringing about a paperless revolution in India, by reducing the heavy usage of paper by businesses. Automating and digitising most of the procure-to-pay process with smart invoicing, easy payment reminders and digital maker/checker/approver process, digital payments has proved beneficial for both businesses and consumers. Besides helping to save the environment, going paperless with financial transactions is actually good for businesses. Here's why: * Better savings: Going digital eliminates the costs associated with printing, faxing, mailing and more. Moreover, shipping costs are reduced when businesses no longer need to mail or overnight documents for signatures. By automating business processes and transitioning to more eco-friendly workflow solutions such as digital documents, email and technology can reduce filing and retrieval costs, data entry costs and associated labour costs. These savings can really add up and show an impressive and substantial return on investment. * Better efficiency: Paper trails are not the most reliable way to conduct business. However, electronic records of digital payments are easier to track in a more accurate manner, saving time and effort of follow ups. Additionally, they have a quick turnaround time of the payments being made and accepted, adding to the productivity of a business. Better reach: Digital payment platforms offer a faster, easier way to share invoices digitally to any part of the world, while also making the process more safe and secure. Though India has taken a step towards going digital, there is still a long way to go. The nation has to work towards creating an ecosystem for zero documentation and it is now for the industry and government to work in tandem, to build applications that will allow users to go completely paperless in the coming years. So, it is time to Go Green, Go Digital. (Ajay Adiseshann is founder & CEO of PayMate. The views expressed are personal)Washington, June 5 : US President Donald Trump's legal team is preparing for the possibility of an interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller over alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 elections. Mueller is investigating Moscow's efforts to help elect Trump and whether he sought to block the probe into contacts his associates have had with Russians, The Washington Post reported on Monday night. Trump declared in tweets earlier on Monday that he has the "absolute right" to pardon himself and called Mueller unconstitutional. As the two sides head toward a confrontation over a presidential interview in the coming weeks, newly hired White House lawyer Emmet Flood and other attorneys are strategising about how to handle a subpoena from Mueller that would seek to compel Trump to testify in the investigation. Several White House officials said Flood has cautioned Trump and others about the unpredictability of a subpoena fight that could be decided by the Supreme Court. Trump lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani told The Washington Post that the outcome of such a showdown is uncertain. "Both sides are taking a big risk with a subpoena fight," he said. Meanwhile, Giuliani and other advisers have begun making plans to prepare Trump for a possible sit-down with Mueller. Another Trump lawyer, Jane Raskin, talks with Mueller deputy James Quarles at least three times a week. She is reviewing the classified conversations Trump and other top aides have had with foreign leaders, such as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Bill Clinton was the first US President subpoenaed to testify in a criminal probe, before his lawyers negotiated the terms of a voluntary interview instead.San Jose, June 5 : Within the next version of its mobile and desktop operating systems, Apple will attempt to frustrate tools used by social media platforms to automatically track web users -- an initiative Facebook may not "like". During the inaugural day of company's annual conference for developers in San Jose, California, on Monday, Apple announced iOS 12, the latest version of its mobile operating system and also previewed macOS "Mojave", the latest version of its desktop operating system. Besides making daily tasks faster and giving parents new tools to have more control of the time children spend interacting with iPhones and iPads, iOS 12 will also have new privacy features. "As with all Apple software updates, enhanced privacy and security remain a top priority in iOS 12," Apple said in a statement. In the web browser Safari, enhanced "Intelligent Tracking Prevention" helps block social media "Like" or "Share" buttons and comment widgets from tracking users without permission, the Cupertino, California-headquartered tech giant said. "Safari now also presents simplified system information when users browse the web, preventing them from being tracked based on their system configuration," Apple added. Industry experts believe that the move is likely to add to tensions between Apple and Facebook. Apple's chief executive Tim Cook had previously described Facebook's practices as being an "invasion of privacy" -- an opinion Facebook's founder Mark Zuckerberg subsequently denounced as being "glib", the BBC reported on Monday. At the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2018, the company's software chief Craig Federighi said that Facebook keeps watch over people in ways they might not be aware of. "We've all seen these - these like buttons, and share buttons and these comment fields. "Well it turns out these can be used to track you, whether you click on them or not," Federighi was quoted as saying. Apple's privacy initiative has already been lauded by industry experts. "Apple is making changes to the core of how the browser works -- surprisingly strong changes that should enable greater privacy," Kevin Beaumont, a cyber-security expert, was quoted as saying by the BBC. Apple also said that MacOS Mojave would combat a technique called "fingerprinting", in which advertisers try to track users who delete their cookies. The method involves identifying computers by the fonts and plug-ins installed among other configuration details. To counter this, Apple will present web pages with less details about the computer, the BBC report said.. "As a result your Mac will look more like everyone else's Mac, and it will be dramatically more difficult for data companies to uniquely identify your device," Federighi explained.Pretoria, June 5 : India, Brazil and South Africa discussed South-South cooperation during an informal meeting here chaired by Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and attended by South African Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and the Brazilian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Bezerra Abbott Galvao. According to a statement issued by the Indian External Affairs Ministry following the meeting on Monday, the three ministers exchanged views on furthering cooperation within the IBSA grouping during the year. "The ministers exchanged views on development cooperation and South-South cooperation," it stated. The ministers adopted and jointly released the IBSA Declaration on South-South Cooperation to contribute to greater understanding of development cooperation as a common endeavor of the global South. The declaration calls upon the global North to honour its overseas development aid (ODA) commitments fully, scale up existing resources and commit additional resources to provide the necessary means to implement the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "IBSA reiterates the balanced emphasis on the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable development," the declaration stated. "IBSA recognises, inter-alia, capacity building, skills and technology transfer, food security and industrialisation as key to sustainable development." The declaration further stated that the IBSA Fund, managed by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), has thus far partnered 19 countries from the Global South for implementing 26 projects over the last decade with a cumulative contribution of $35 million, adding that 62.4 percent of the IBSA Fund has been devoted to least developed countries (LDCs). It said IBSA recognises that South-South Cooperation is voluntary in nature and not obligatory like ODA is. Stating that respect for national sovereignty is at the core of South-South cooperation, it said South-South cooperation is about interdependences and not "new dependencies". "IBSA believes that the primary responsibility towards development rests with the states themselves under their ownership and leadership," the declaration stated. It said IBSA is convinced that South-South Cooperation is completely different from the North-South/donor-donee cooperation, and that ODA templates are not a good basis for South-South Cooperation. "Further, South-South Cooperation does not imply reducing the responsibilities of developed countries with respect to their ODA commitments, new and additional financing, provision of means of implementation to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as well as implementation of the SDGs,"

the declaration said. On emerging focus areas, it said IBSA will step up advocacy for reforms of global governance institutions in multilateral fora. Stating that IBSA is committed to the realisation of the SDGs, the declaration said: "In this regard, IBSA considers responsible financing an essential component of development cooperation and would like to underline that such efforts should not potentially hamper the long term interest of partner countries."London, June 5 : Singer Ariana Grande says she is battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the AManchester attack. Grande found herself at the center of tragedy on May 22 last year when an improvised explosive device was detonated outside her concert at the Manchester Arena, killing 23 people and injuring 250. In an interview with British Vogue, she has revealed how she was coping with the symptoms of PTSD, reports eonline.com. "I hate...yeah...admitting it but it very much is," she said when asked if the dizziness and anxiety Grande faced when she got home were signs of PTSD. "That's what everyone was telling me. It's hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss. But, yeah, it's a real thing.

I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well. "Time is the biggest thing," the star added. "I feel like I shouldn't even be talking about my own experience...like I shouldn't even say anything.

I don't think I'll ever know how to talk about it and not cry." While she finds it difficult to reflect on the bombing, Grande said she does often "check in" on Twitter with Millie Robson, who was left with shrapnel in her legs. "I think a lot of people have anxiety, especially right now, my anxiety has anxiety," Grande told the magazine. "No. I've always had anxiety. I've never really spoken about it because I thought everyone had it, but when I got home from tour it was the most severe I think it's ever been."Canberra, June 5 : A group of Australian journalists have been denied Chinese visa to travel this week because of "frosty" diplomatic relations between the two countries. Five to eight journalists, including veteran political reporter Paul Bongiorno, had been due to leave for China on Thursday on a trip with Bob Carr from the Australia China Relations Institute, reports the Guardian. Each year the institute headed by Carr takes a delegation of journalists on a China trip. Carr told the Australian Broadcasting Corp on Tuesday that after speaking to China's ambassador to Australia Cheng Jingye last week, he discovered that the visas were being blocked because of the "frosty" diplomatic relations. "It has turned out to be more than a bureaucratic challenge; (it is a) policy position," Carr said. Australia's relationship with China has come under considerable strain in the past 18 months as Canberra's focus on Beijing's influence in domestic affairs has increased, the Guardian reported. In March 2017, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop gave a speech in Singapore in which she warned China that "democracy and democratic institutions are essential for nations if they are to reach their economic potential". In December, the government introduced its foreign interference and espionage bills to parliament, both of which were explicitly tied to fears of Chinese influence.Srinagar/New Delhi, June 5 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday announced the arrest of a third accused in connection with terror attack at the Nagrota Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir in November 2016 in which seven soldiers were killed. Ashiq Baba of Alochibagh locality in Srinagar was arrested by the NIA in a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police. Earlier, the NIA had arrested Tariq Ahmad Dar, a Pulwama-based timber dealer and a resident of Chillipura in Shopian district, and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operative Syed Muneer-Ul-Hasan-Qadri in the case. Their questioning revealed that the Nagrota attack was carried out by the JeM, a banned terror group based in Pakistan, an official said. Three Pakistani militants were killed in the operation following November 29, 2016, attack on an Army artillery unit in Nagrota, and a huge quantity of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other articles were seized from them.New Delhi, June 5 : Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that India has made it clear to the US that its relationship with Russia is lasting and the dynamics of Indo-US ties cannot influence it. "I like to make it clear here that in all our engagements with the US, we have very clearly explained how India and Russia's defence cooperation has been going on for a very long time," Sitharaman said in response to a media query pertaining to the US advising India to not go ahead with purchasing S-400

anti-missile system from Russia. "It's a time tested relationship and India has got quite a lot of defence assets from Russia. Assets, spares, servicing, we have a continuous relationship with Russia," she added. She said the US sanctions against Russia would not be impacting "this particular characteristic of India-Russia defence cooperation". She said that negotiations with Russia for S-400 were in the final stage. "The S-400 deal has been on for a very long time and we have reached the final stage negotiations. That explains it all," Sitharaman said on whether India would still go ahead with the deal with Russia.Riyadh, June 5 : The Arab Coalition has said that the Shia Houthi militias in Yemen were facing difficulty in enlisting recruits due to losses they sustained in the districts of Al-Hodeidah and Saada. In a news conference held here on Monday, the official spokesman of the Arab Coalition Colonel Turki Al-Malki also drew attention to the illegal and non-humane practices of the Houthi militias, referring to their forcible recruitment of children and attacks on orphans in public homes. "Reports indicate that there are 200 children killed in action due to being recruited by the Houthis and used as human shields," he said, noting that around 70 per cent of child recruits have surrendered to the Yemeni Resistance Forces. Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition against the Houthis in support of the Yemeni exiled government over the last three years.New Delhi, June 5 : A court on Tuesday admitted abetment to suicide charges against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor over the 2014 death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, saying there was "sufficient grounds to proceed" against the politician.

Taking cognisance of the Delhi Police chargesheet, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal asked Tharoor to appear before him on July 7.

"I have gone through and perused the chargesheet along with the documents filed along with it. Cognisance taken on offence regarding abetment to suicide of late Sunanda Pushkar and for committing cruelty upon her. On the basis of the police report, I take cognisance abetment of suicide punishable under 306 IPC and cruelty under 498A IPC. There exists sufficient grounds to proceed against Shashi Tharoor for commission of offence," Vishal said.

The magistrate also issued notice to the prosecution for a written reply on BJP MP Subramanian Swamy's application.

The cause of Sunanda Pushkar's death was poisoning. A total of 27 tablets of Alprax were found in her room but it was not clear how many she had consumed.

On May 14, police chargesheeted Tharoor under sections 306 and 498A of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to abetment to suicide and cruelty to wife, which entails a jail term that could extend up to 10 years.

Pushkar, 51, was found dead in a hotel suite here on January 17, 2014, days after she alleged that her husband was having an affair with a Pakistani journalist.Mumbai, June 5 : Hoping to repair the severely strained relations between the two alliance partners, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah will call on Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday, party sources said on Tuesday. This will be the second summit between Shah and Thackeray. The first took place exactly a year ago when the BJP chief called on the Sena supremo in June 2017 to seek his support in the Presidential election. The meeting is officially described as part of an outreach programme by the BJP to mollify its allies and build bridges before the 2019 parliamentary battle. The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been bitterly targeted by Thackeray and his party in recent times. The meeting will come a couple of days after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis exhorted his party workers to work hard for an alliance with the Sena. The relations between the two partners plummeted to a new low when Shiv Sena 'hijacked' Shriniwas Vanga - the son of late BJP MP Chintaman Vanga from Palghar - and gave him the party ticket for the May 28 Palghar Lok Sabha bypolls. A raging BJP inducted former Congressman Rajendra Gavit, who defeated Vanga. In a guarded initial reaction, Sena MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut pointed out how the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners were not satisfied with the BJP and leaving it one by one. But he refused to speculate whether the Sena would reconsider its oft-repeated stance of going solo in all future elections and pointed out that the party did extremely well and showed its strength in Palghar which it contested for the first time ever.Imphal, June 5 : Police along with commandos of the 11 Assam Rifles have seized narcotics worth nearly Rs 2 crore from Manipur's Moreh border town and arrested three drug traffickers. Tengnoupal Police Superintendent S. Ibomcha said some more arrests connected to an international drug cartel were likely following the arrest of the kingpin. The drug haul and arrests were the outcome of sustained raids by the joint operation team over three days starting Sunday at several houses in the border town. In Sunday's raid drug trafficker Salim Khan was nabbed who disclosed the Riaz Khan's identity, who in his turn led to kingpin Rajesh Bhandari's arrest. While Salim and Riaz Khan were arrested on Monday, Bhandari was captured early on Tuesday. Ibomcha said police have seized 1.8 lakh tablets of Alpar Zolam which the smugglers were planning to sell across the northeast.Chennai, June 5 : A fire broke out at a lab in the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras here on Tuesday but no one was injured, police said. Police said some workers reported loud explosion like sounds and thick smoke at the rocket and missiles laboratory in the morning hours. The cause of the fire and extent of damage was not known immediately.New Delhi, June 5 : Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday rubbished Congress charges about Rs 40,000 crore loss to exchequer in the Rafale deal and said there has not been any "misdoing" or "scandal" in the government decision to buy the fighter jets from France. Answering a query at a press conference here, Sitharaman did not name the Congress but said false comparisons were being made and the attacks concerning the deal were politically motivated. "(My) absolute assurance that there has not been any misdoing there. I am assuring in the company of all senior officials of the ministry, yes there is no scandal in Rafale, we are very clear on that," Sitharaman said. She said the government had been spending a lot of time explaining how the decision was taken and that it was an inter-governmental agreement. The Minister said the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government could not purchase the fighter jets despite spending a lot of time on the deal. "All false comparisons between Rafale, which was not bought, and using that as a comparison to say that what you paid today is far higher is just a non-starter and very clearly a motivated attack. "So someone who could not even buy inspite of spending quite a lot of time is saying that what you paid is far higher than what I paid, which he has not paid at all in the first place," she said. The Congress has been alleging that Modi government finalised purchase of the Rafale jets at a higher price than negotiated by the UPA government. It said the UPA negotiated Rafale at Rs 526 crore per plane but the Modi government paid Rs 1,670 crore instead, causing a loss of over Rs 40,000 crore in the purchase of 36 fighter jets. The UPA government had decided to purchase 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA).Baikonur, June 5 : An Orthodox priest on Tuesday blessed a Soyuz spacecraft ahead of the launch of a manned mission to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Russian-leased Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. As part of the blessing service, the priest clasped a crucifix in his left hand while flinging around holy water with his right, reported Efe news. A crew consisting of US NASA astronaut Serena Aunon-Chancellor, German ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst and Russian Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev, will travel to the ISS on Wednesday. The astronauts will be tasked with conducting various scientific experiments. The Soyuz MS-09 is expected to dock at the ISS at 9.07 a.m. on Friday.Agartala, June 5 : Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Tuesday inaugurated a sprawling park named after 1971 war hero Lance Naik Albert Ekka, who along with his comrades saved the city from Pakistani aggression. The park, developed by the Agartala Municipal Corporation in association with Tripura's Forest Department at a cost of Rs 1.22 crore, is situated adjoining the Army complexes at Lichu Bagan on the outskirts here. "The park is developed over two hectares of land. Tripura's traditional customs, history, tribals' life and culture have been showcased while a statue of Lance Naik Ekka is being erected to attract students, youths, historians and others," Agartala Mayor Prafulla Jit Sinha told IANS. Ekka, who was then 28, belonged to Gumla district of then undivided Bihar and now in Jharkhand. The pitched battle of Hilli on the eastern frontier was among the most crucial in the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Pakistani resistance at Gangasagar in erstwhile East Pakistan collapsed through the exemplary valour of Ekka - at the cost of his life. "The Pakistanis had a plan to capture Agartala at the first strike as the city had all along been a hub of Bangladesh liberation planning. Ekka and his team saved the city," Deb told IANS. It was Ekka and his comrades who led the attack on the Pakistanis occupying the Gangasagar railway station on December 3, 1971 and flushed them out. According to security expert Manas Paul, who researched the Bangladesh Liberation War and related aspects: "Despite being fatally wounded. a profusely bleeding Ekka took on heavily armed Pakistanis firing relentlessly from medium machine guns." Ekka, he says, under covering fire, slung his rifle on his back, and crawled towards the Pakistani signal building where he lobbed a grenade, killing one of the two Pakistani soldiers and bayonetting the other. And despite being heavily wounded, he kept on screaming the battle cry -- "Jai Hind, Jai Hind", says Paul, adding Ekka and his fellow soldier's do-or-die spirit forced the Pakistani soldiers to retreat from Gangasagar and adjoining areas. Ekka received the only Param Vir Chakra -- the highest gallantry award for war time valour -- in the eastern frontier along with three others in western frontier. The mortal remains of Ekka along with 10 other soldiers of the 14 Guards Regiment were brought to Agartala from Gangasagar and buried at Sripalli village in Dukli, 15 km south of Agartala. Deb said he would speak to Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Army officials to extend their help to add more objects to the war material. Villagers led by Bhuban Das had erected and protected a small memorial at Sripalli. "Since 1971, every year on Vijay Diwas, we respectfully garland the memorial and will continue to do so," an elderly Bhuban Das told IANS. While a postal stamp in Ekka's memory was issued on the 50th Republic Day in 2000, Bangladesh also conferred on Ekka the Friends of Liberation War honour for his outstanding support and sacrifice to the 1971 war as a foreigner. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in)Beijing, June 5 : Air China said on Tuesday that it will restart flights between Pyongyang and Beijing. "Flights to Pyongyang are going to be resumed from tomorrow (Wednesday)," a spokesperson for the company's Promotion Department told Efe news. Air China decided to suspend flights indefinitely to the North Korean capital in November. The suspension, which according to the company was due to low demand, had come amid heightened tension between the two countries.Srinagar, June 5 : Indian Army's Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Tuesday visited the Siachen Glacier to review the preparedness of troops at the world's highest battlefield, a defence spokesman said. "The Army Commander was briefed on the operational preparedness and the current situation. The GOC-in-C interacted with troops at the Siachen Base Camp and complimented the tenacious resolve, unstinting commitment of the 'Siachen Warriors' deployed in extreme harsh weather and inhospitable terrain," said Defence Ministry spokesman, Col. Rajesh Kalia. Singh had recently taken over as the Northern Command chief.Bengaluru, June 5 : The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday asked the state government to provide security to theatres who want to screen Tamil superstar Rajinikanth's "Kaala" in Tamil and other versions from Thursday. Justice G. Narendar's interim order came on a petition filed on Monday by the film's producer Dhanush and director Aishwarya, seeking its direction for police protection to exhibitors from pro-Kannada activists, who opposed the film's screening to protest the megastar's recent remarks on the sharing of

the Cauvery river water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Dhanush is Rajinikanth's son-in-law and Aishwarya is his daughter. State's Additional Advocate General A.G. Shivanna told the court during the hearing that the state government did not ban the screening of the film but the distributors and exhibitors had voluntarily decided not to screen it to avoid any law and order problem. He also assured the court that the state government would provide security to theatres screening the film in the state. The court also directed the petitioners to submit names of distributors who bought the film's rights and list of exhibitors ready to screen it under security.Washington, June 5 : Ahead of next week's scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, South Korean entities are facing increased cyber threats from Russian and Chinese hackers, a cyber security company said on Tuesday. The cyberattacks were carried out as recently as May by groups with a record of targeting foreign ministries and financial institutions, according to US-based company FireEye. "A China-based group which it calls 'TempTick', embedded malware in Microsoft Word documents distributed early last month. Researchers also blamed 'Turla' -- a Russia-based unit that has selectively targeted governments world-wide, for a JavaScript attack in April," the cybersecurity firm said in a statement. "Turla" has been described as a state-sponsored outfit while "TempTick" has carried out activity consistent with government sponsorship. "TempTick" has been around since at least 2009 and has traditionally focused on South Korea and Japan, hitting financial institutions and government entities including aerospace. "Turla", the Russian group, is a sophisticated hacking operation that has long sought high-level, diplomatic intelligence. Researchers from the cybersecurity company also identified attacks in March by another Chinese group called "Tonto" in which it distributed malicious files in a fake posting for a job with the South Korean Coast Guard. The "Tonto", described as state-sponsored, had been connected to last year's attcks on South Korean entities involved in the deployment of a US missile-defence system that has irked Beijing.Islamabad, June 5 : Pakistan's six-member caretaker federal cabinet was sworn in on Tuesday at a ceremony at the President House here. President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath to the newly-inducted members of the cabinet, who will assist the caretaker Prime Minister, Justice Nasirul Mulk (retd), Dawn news reported. The ceremony was attended by Mulk, along with other dignitaries. The caretaker cabinet will serve until a new government is elected through the general elections scheduled for July 25.Taipei, June 5 : Mobile phone chipmaker MediaTek on Tuesday announced its first 5G modem "Helio M70" which, the company said, would be ready for commercial deployment in 2019. "Commercial availability of the modem would start from 2019. Some of the partners are Nokia, NTT Docomo and Huawei," Joe Chen, President, Mediatek, told reporters here. Notably, Helio M70 would be a new "radio modem" for 5G and the upcoming modem would provide a speed of 5Gbps. The upcoming modem would also "support critical carrier features". According to MediaTek, the modem would be available as a discrete solution. The company will also launch an integrated SoC with a 5G modem but it might not come with the Helio M70. Regarding the smartphones that would feature Mediatek's recently-launched Helio P22 processor, Chen said: "The company cannot reveal the name of the devices." He, however, added that the mobile phone makers themselves would announce the same. Expanding its "Helio P" family of power-efficient chips for mid-range devices, MediaTek launched Helio P22 processor in India last month. MediaTek Helio P22 is the first to bring the 12nm manufacturing process to the mid-range mobile segment. With P22 chipset, the chip maker would offer the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) accelerated experiences, brilliant photography and reliable, high-speed connectivity to more affordable devices, thus, expanding the "new premium" market.Ranchi, June 5 : The Jharkhand government on Tuesday denied that a woman in Giridih district died due to starvation, though it is yet to come up with a clarification on the second reported starvation death in Chatra district. "Savitri Devi did not die due to starvation. She had been diagnosed with parenchymal haematoma. She had been treated in Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS), Ranchi. Her brother-in-law Bholaram Mahto used to look after her and give her food," said a probe report by the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Giridih. The state government has released the Giridih ADM's report to the media, denying that Savitri, 65, died due to starvation. But the villagers said she died on Saturday due to hunger, as she had not eaten anything for over three days. She, along with her daughter-in-law, would beg for alms while her two sons had left their home state in search of work. The son of another woman in Chatra district has claimed that his mother died due to starvation, but the government is yet to react on his claim. The two deaths took place over a span of three days. According to local media reports, ragpicker Meena Musahar, 45, died in Itkhori block of Chatra district late on Monday. Her son claimed that she died due to hunger. Autopsy report was awaited to establish the exact cause. "My mother and I used to eke out a living by collecting and selling waste products. But we had not eaten anything for the last four days immediately prior to her death, as we did not have any income," Gautam Musahar told reporters. Meena's health, according to him, deteriorated on Monday evening and she had to be hospitalised. But the doctors declared her dead.New Delhi, June 5 : Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Tuesday said the government is finally ready to provide fortified rice and wheat through Public Distribution System (PDS). He also said a note on Rs 8,000 crore bailout package for sugar industry has been sent to the Cabinet. "We had a discussion with Niti Aayog on adding nutrition to rice and wheat and we have decided to implement it phase-wise first for the families under the Antyodaya Yojana, students living in hostels and for the mid-day meals at Anganwadi centres. "The department will take a decision and come out with the details in the next 3-4 days," Paswan said while highlighting achievements of his ministry in the last four years. He also said his ministry has submitted the Rs 8,000 crore bailout package for the sugarcane farmers to the Cabinet, which will help partially recover Rs 22,000 crore dues by the mill owners to the farmers. "The note on Rs 8,000 crore support has gone from us. Now the Cabinet will take a decision," he said. The Union Cabinet is likely to meet on Wednesday. The package includes a provision of Rs 4,500 crore as loans to increase ethanol capacity in the country which will help divert surplus sugarcane to produce ethanol to help check falling price of sugar and to also facilitate timely payment of sugarcane dues to the farmers, he said. The package also includes creation of buffer stock of 30 lakh MT for which the money will be transferred directly to the accounts of the sugarcane farmers, Paswan said. The creation of such a buffer stock will facilitate clearing of cane dues of the farmers and also ensure regular supply of sugar in the market by maintaining the demand and supply balance. The cost of creation of the buffer stock, including carrying costs and other incidental charges is estimated to be around Rs 1,200 crore. On the National Food Security Act (NFSA), Paswan said the government has decided to keep the Central Issue Price of coarse grain, wheat and rice unchanged at Rs 1/2/3 per kg for another year till June 2019. The prices were not revised in the last four years, he said. The food subsidy has gone up 26 per cent to Rs 1.43 lakh crore from Rs 1.13 lakh crore in 2014-15, he said. The government has been able to delete or cancel 2.75 crore ration cards after digitization of beneficiary records and seeding with unique identity Aadhaar. For the first time, a buffer stock of up to 20.5 lakh MT of pulses has been created through the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) scheme of the Department of Consumer Affairs with the objective of managing price volatility of pulses for consumers, said a department official. Prices of 22 essential commodities are being monitored on a daily basis from 102 centres across the country. Of these, since 2014, 45 new price reporting centres have been added across the country, including two in the North-Eastern Region, the official added.New Delhi, June 5 : The Raj Bhavans, or the official accommodations of the state Governors, may be developed as the ideal premises for environment conservation and as model green buildings, President Ram Nath Kovind said here on Tuesday. "Even the Directive Principles of State Policy of our Constitution speak of environment conservation and protecting wildlife. In this context, all the Raj Bhavans can be developed as premises which are role model for environment conservation," Kovind said while addressing the concluding session of the 49th Conference of Governors held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. "There is a need to work efficiently towards water and power conservation, use of clean energy and achieve zero carbon emission. If the Raj Bhavans do that, all other government offices and institutions will follow this model," he said. The two day conference concluded on Tuesday (June 5), which is observed as the World Environment Day. Kovind also said that the Raj Bhavans could also create a "demonstration effect" by adopting the latest technology in its functioning. He suggested that Raj Bhavans' dashboards and effective websites could be developed which have dynamic data available on them. Kovind said that in the same way, the premises of the state universities can also be developed as model green premises and under the "Universities' Social Responsibility" (USR), the institutions could help in taking care of water bodies. He suggested that small groups of university students may visit villages every two months, stay there overnight if possible, and interact with the villagers to ensure that the villages become open defecation free. "The students may speak with the villagers over issues of cleanliness, total literacy, babies' vaccination and nutrition etc and also make them aware of various welfare schemes of the state and central government," Kovind said. The President said that the Governors should keep in touch with their states' scholars and intellectuals, social workers, industrialists and other experts in their fields. "The Governors may occasionally visit the backward sections of the society, try to understand their needs and aspirations and may inspire the state government to work for their uplift," he said.New Delhi, June 5 : Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was on Tuesday summoned as an accused in connection with the suicide of his wife Sunanda Pushkar after a court took cognisance of the police chargesheet and found sufficient grounds to proceed against him for abetment to suicide and cruelty. The 62-year-old parliamentarian from Thiruvananthapuram has been asked to appear before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal on July 7, the next date fixed for the hearing. "I have gone through and perused the chargesheet along with the documents filed along with it. Cognisance taken on offence regarding abetment to suicide of late Sunanda Pushkar and for committing cruelty upon her. On the basis of the police report, I take cognisance abetment of suicide punishable under 306 IPC and cruelty under 498A IPC. There exists sufficient grounds to proceed against Shashi Tharoor for commission of offence," Magistrate Vishal said. He was pronouncing the order after taking cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the police in the case that has taken various twists and turns ever since 51-year-old Pushkar died under mysterious circumstances in a hotel room in south Delhi on January 17, 2014, days after she alleged that her husband was having an affair

with a Pakistani journalist. A total of 27 tablets of Alprax were found in her room but it was not clear how many she had consumed. The magistrate also issued notice to the prosecution for a written reply on the application of BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, who has been carrying on a campaign in the case, for conducting the prosecution. On May 14, police chargesheeted Tharoor under sections 306 and 498A of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to abetment to suicide and cruelty to wife, which entails a jail term that could extend up to 10 years. Meanwhile, Tharoor said in a statement that he found the charges against him preposterous and baseless, the product of a malicious and vindictive campaign against him. "I will continue to vigorously contest these charges and maintain my steadfast conviction that ultimately truth will prevail through the judicial system that we have privileged to have in our country," he said. Tharoor said that he would like to point out from the very start he had fully co-operated with the investigating team and continued to maintain that due legal process must be followed in all respects related to this case.Kathmandu, June 5 : The Nepal Army chief, General Rajendra Chhetri, will begin his six-day official visit to India on Wednesday, following an invitation from his Indian counterpart, General Bipin Rawat. Chhetri is slated to visit the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun as well as meet senior Indian military officials during his visit. Such high-level visits between Nepal and India will enhance military cooperation between the two countries and strengthen bilateral cooperation, a Nepal Army release said. A joint military exercise 'Surya Kiran', involving around 300 Army personnel of India and Nepal, is underway at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, where they are sharing their experiences in counterinsurgency and counterterror operations. The military exercise began on May 30 and is set to conclude on June 12. It is conducted alternatively in India and Nepal every six months. The Nepal Army said that the military exercise will help increase defence cooperation.New Delhi, June 5 : Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Tuesday held consultations with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou here ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China this weekend. According to a statement from the External Affairs Ministry, the two sides reviewed the follow-up action on the understandings reached at the informal summit between Modi and Xi in Wuhan, China, and discussed the agenda for bilateral engagement in the coming months, including

preparations for the meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao, China, on June 9-10. "The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest," the statement said. Modi and Xi held the informal summit on April 27-28 at the invitation of the Chinese leader in Wuhan where they pledged to keep the India-China border quiet and personally guide their respective armies to avert a Doklam-like military stand-off in future. On June 1, delivering the keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Modi said that "no other relationship of India has as many layers as our relations with China". "I firmly believe that Asia and the world will have a better future when India and China work together in trust and confidence, sensitive to each other's interests," he said. On Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Foreign Ministers meeting in South Africa and discussed ways to maintain momentum in bilateral ties. Describing the meeting as "continuing multifaceted engagement between two large economies", External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted: "Both leaders discussed ways to maintain the momentum in bilateral and multilateral cooperation." According to Tuesday's ministry statement, Vice Foreign Minister Kong also called on National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during his visit to New Delhi.Ghaziabad, June 5 : Police have arrested 10 persons and recovered demonetised currency notes in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination totalling Rs 1 crore from them which they were trying to smuggle to Nepal. The arrests took place in Raj Nagar area here on Monday night following a tip off that the money was being taken in two cars. Ghaziabad Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Krishna told the media that the men were nabbed near the Collectorate. The men reportedly confessed that they were carrying the currency at the behest of an Anil Dixit and a Yadav and that they had been promised a 10 per cent commission if they reached Nepal. The arrested men were identified as Avtar Singh, Gaurav Garg and Rajesh Kumar from Delhi, Rajesh Kumar of Haryana, Pintu and Rahul Kumar from Ghaziabad, Deepak from Vrindavan and Rahul Sharma, Kavya and Sanjay of Meerut. The men were arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.Bengaluru, June 5 : The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday asked the state government to provide security to theatres wanting to screen Tamil superstar Rajinikanth's "Kaala" in Tamil and other versions from Thursday. Justice G. Narendar's interim order came on a petition filed on Monday by the film's producer Dhanush and director Aishwarya, seeking its direction for police protection to exhibitors from pro-Kannada activists, who opposed the film's screening to protest the megastar's recent remarks on the sharing of

the Cauvery river water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Dhanush is Rajinikanth's son-in-law and Aishwarya is his daughter. State's Additional Advocate General A.G. Shivanna told the court during the hearing that the state government did not ban the screening of the film but the distributors and exhibitors had voluntarily decided not to screen it to avoid law and order problem. He also assured the court that the state government would provide security to theatres screening the film in the state. The court also directed the petitioners to submit names of distributors who bought the film's rights and list of exhibitors ready to screen it under security. The petition also wanted the court to restrain the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) from preventing the film release in the state. "It our fundamental right under Article 19 (1) to exhibit the film certified under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)," said the petitioners.

The petition also referred to the May 30 statement by KFCC President Sa Ra Govindu that a decision was taken not to distribute or screen "Kaala" in the state in protest against Rajinikanth's views on the Cauvery dispute, asking Karnataka to comply with the Supreme Court's order on releasing the river water to Tamil Nadu. The 67-year-old superstar hails from Bengaluru where he was conductor in the state-run public transport service in the city. He also acted in Kannada movies. Meanwhile, state Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said it was not advisable to screen the film in view of the prevailing public sentiment against Rajinikanth's views on the sensitive issue of Cauvery. "I have not got the court order yet. We respect the order and will comply with it as a responsible government. As a Kannadiga, however, my advice is to avoid screening the film to prevent any untoward incident and trouble to the people," he told reporters. Govindu said the Chamber would not withdraw its objection to the film's release in the state as it was against the public sentiments. "We request the distributors and exhibitors to respect the people's stand and avoid screening the film in the state to maintain peace and safety of the people," he told reporters.Kolkata, June 5 : West Bengal marked World Environment Day on Tuesday with a slew of programmes including colourful parades, distribution of environment-friendly bags to replace plastic, planting of trees and holding of awareness programmes. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged everyone to curb plastic pollution. "Today is World Environment Day. Following this year's theme, let us pledge to beat plastic pollution. Let us pledge to make every dayA #WorldEnvironmentDay," Banerjee posted on her Twitter handle.

Kumartuli Sarbojanin, a community Durga Puja committee in North Kolkata, marked this year's theme "Beat the Plastic Pollution" by handing over cotton bags to customers carrying plastic bags while buying vegetables in the local market. Colourful tableaux also moved around the city underscoring the year's theme. A local clubs in north Kolkata's Hedua, opted for an innovative initiative of clicking selfie with plant saplings. Children from various schools gathered in the area and got shutter happy posing with the plants in their hands. City NGO Vivek, organised a colourful parade, 'Walk for Environment' from south Kolkata's Golpark to Rashbehari Avenue to spread environmental consciousness. The chief attraction of the parade was a tribal dance. The Forest Department in Salboni of West Medinipur district collaborated with a volunteer organisation a day back to sensitise school children on 'Environment and Wildlife'. Ashwika Kapur, the young girl who made the country proud by winning the Wildscreen Panda Award (also known as the Green Oscar) in Bristol in 2014, was also there to interact with the children of Deulkunda Primary school. The Kolkata girl won the award for her documentary "Sirocco-How a Dud Became a Stud" which is about a New Zealand parrot who is the official spokesbird for conservation. "I could inspire the children through these films and images. As this place is very rich in biodiversity filled with many birds and animals, I told them that the wildlife-based filming can also be done here like other places. If the children get such inspiration then they will realise that this is a valuable thing and shouldn't be destroyed," she said. Medical Bank, a north Kolkata based NGO, distributed green bags in the local market. They also held a parade with these sustainable bags where children and other environmentally conscious people took part. Authorities of the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport contributed towards sustainability by planting tree saplings in its premises and carrying out a plastic litter clean-up drive near the Airport Terminal Building. NGO EnGIO with the support of the state government, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Indian Oil, organised an award ceremony, 'Serader Sera Nirmal Pujo Puroskar' for Durga Puja committees. "Plastic has been a real menace when it comes to waterlogging and we need to integrate the effort with the climate change programme of the city" opined Environment Secretary, Arnab Roy while Pollution Control Board chairman Kalyan Rudra pointed out how the rivers and sea have been affected by plastic.Vienna, June 5 : The Russian President said on Tuesday that his country was ready for cooperation with the European Union. Vladimir Putin spoke to the press in the Austrian capital Vienna alongside his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen, reports Efe news.

"We are completely open to working with Europe," said Putin, adding that EU-imposed economic and diplomatic sanctions were damaging to both parties. Van der Bellen said dialogue and improved bilateral relations with Russia were important, not only on a trade level, but also in the realms of society and culture. The trip to Austria was the Russian President's first foreign visit since he took his fourth term in office last month.Srinagar, June 5 : An attempt by militants to snatch a rifle of a policeman here on Tuesday was foiled by the alert security personnel, police said. Police said some militants tried to snatch the service rifle of a policeman posted on guard duty at the Mirza Kamil Sahab Shrine in Hawal area here. "The alert policeman however foiled the militants' attempt. He fired several shots in the air after which the militants ran away. The area was surrounded for searches," said a police officer.Shillong, June 5 : Authorities here on Tuesday decided to briefly relax the curfew in the state capital on Wednesday while internet on mobile telephones remained restricted even as the situation was showing steady improvement. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress demanded setting up of a judicial inquiry into the issue of shifting the Sikh inhabitants from Sweepers Lane, a day after the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government decided to constitute a high level committee to find out a permanent solution to

the long-pending issue. A delegation of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee from Amritsar also opposed the move of the Meghalaya government to re-locate the Sikhs to other parts of the city. "We have decided not to relax the curfew on Tuesday though the situation in the area is slowly limping back to normalcy. We are keeping a close watch on the situation," Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills district P.S. Dkhar told IANS. However, some relaxation will be made on Wednesday, he added.

Curfew will be relaxed in 13 tension-hit areas under Lumdiengjri Police Station and Cantonment Beat House located near Iewduh, one of the busiest markets in the northeastern region, from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, and then be reimposed, said Dkhar. Night curfew in the Shillong Agglomeration will be relaxed from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. with effect from Wednesday. Two Army columns carried out a third flag march here on Tuesday to help the district administration to bring the situation under control. Curfew was imposed in some areas on June 1 following violence involving members of the Punjabi and indigenous Khasi communities. Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma said the government has "failed" to sustain peace in the state and demanded setting up of a judicial inquiry into the issue of shifting the Sikh inhabitants from Sweepers Lane, known to the local people as Them Metor and located in the commercial area of Shillong near Iewduh, one of the busiest markets in the northeastern states. For more than two decades, several indigenous Khasi civil society groups have demanded from the Meghalaya to re-locate Sikh residents, living there since British times, from Sweepers Lane as most of them are "illegal settlers". "It is a sad thing that not even completing three months, they (MDA) have messed up everything. Today the name and fame of the state that we have built over the years and put the state among the top tourist destinations, has been adversely affected and this has derail the whole momentum of growth," said the former Chief Minister. Meanwhile, the SGPC delegation, led by Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, met Home Minister James Sangma and opposed the move of the Meghalaya government to re-locate the Sikhs residing in Sweepers Lane. "They (Sikh) have been staying there (Sweepers Lane) for 180 years. Therefore, the question of re-locating them from the existing location is not acceptable to us. We would like the government to propose an alternative solution to it.

"There are no illegal settlers in the area. They have been settling for centuries.. Sikhs are everywhere in the world, they have never been relocated whether in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran or Iraq. In fact, the Sikh community are scattered all over the world," he said. Singh said that the Sikh community living all over the world are ready to fund for construction of multi-storied buildings in the existing location if the Government gives them permission. "We had in fact requested the Home Minister to allow them to construct beautiful apartments for the Sikhs here. So the question of the Sweeper's Colony of being unhygienic will not remain," he said. On Monday, the Meghalaya government constituted a high level committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong to examine all relevant records and documents relating to the relocation of the Sweeper Colony, Sweeper Lane, Mawlong Haat and to recommend feasible solutions.Bengaluru, June 5 : Hectic lobbying is going on in the Congress and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) for the ministerial posts in the Karnataka coalition government ahead of the cabinet expansion on Wednesday here. "The list of our legislators for the 21 cabinet posts is being finalised in Delhi by our party high command and will be made public by Wednesday morning, ahead of the cabinet expansion in the afternoon," a Congress official told IANS here. Party's state President and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara discussed the list with party President Rahul Gandhi and party's state in-charge K.C. Venugopal. "The list is being finalised keeping in view the representation for each region in the state and the caste combination that has to be maintained for balancing the ministry's composition," said the official, who did not want to be named. According to party sources, Gandhi has suggested that the Congress ministers should be a mix of younger and senior legislators and representation for at least one woman MLA. The legislators to be inducted were shortlisted after discussions with the party's state leaders, including the Congress Leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, party's leader in the state assembly and former chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and former Union Ministers K. Muniyappa and Veerappa Moily. "We will announce names of the legislators to be made ministers after our high command approves it by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning," Parameshwara told reporters in New Delhi. In the JD-S too, which has 11 ministers posts, lobbying was going on among the 35 legislators, party's state leaders and their supremo H.D. Deve Gowda. "Our list of legislators to take oath as ministers will be ready by Wednesday. I am waiting for the Congress list. Both the parties will decide if the cabinet expansion should be made in one go or in two phases when we meet on Wednesday again," Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy told reporters here.Ahmedabad, June 5 : Gujarat's former Deputy Inspector General of Police D.G. Vanzara on Tuesday told a special court that the CBI wanted to arrest then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and then Minister of State for Home Amit Shah in the Ishrat Jahan fake shootout case.

Arguing for Vanzara in a discharge petition filed in the CBI court presided over by J.K. Pandya, his counsel V.D. Gajjar claimed that though the Central Bureau of Investigation intended to arrest Modi and Shah, "fortunately" it did not happen. While Modi is now the Prime Minister of India, Shah is the President of Bharatiya Janata Party. Vanzara, who is out on bail in the case, had earlier submitted in the same court that Modi was secretly questioned by the case Investigating Officer when he was the Chief Minister. The CBI had given a clean chit in 2014 to Shah on grounds of "insufficient evidence". In June 2004, Mumbai-based 19-year-old Ishrat Jahan, her friend Javed alias Pranesh, and Pakistani nationals Zeeshan Johar and Amzad Ali Rana were gunned down by a team of Vanzara's men in a gun battle on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Ishrat Jahan and her friends were dubbed terrorists out on a mission to assassinate the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. However, subsequent CBI investigation concluded that the shootout was fake. Vanzara's lawyer on Tuesday claimed that the charge-sheet against his client in the case was "concocted" and that there was no prosecutable evidence against the former police officer. He also said that the testimony of witnesses could not be believed as some were earlier among the accused in the case. The CBI opposed the discharge plea of Vanzara. Another co-accused and senior police official N.K. Amin too has filed a discharge plea in the same court and hearing on it concluded last month. In his final submission in the court, Amin, a retired SP and now a practicing lawyer, claimed that Satish Verma, the Gujarat cadre IPS official who assisted the CBI in the investigations, had "tampered with the evidence" and maintained that he had "never fired from his gun". Both former police officers had also sought parity with former in-charge DGP P.P. Pandey, a co-accused who was discharged by the court. The court posted the matter for next hearing on June 15.New Delhi, June 5 : Two men were arrested in Delhi on charge of trying to sell a teenage girl into the flesh trade after one of them had raped her, police said on Tuesday. The two have been booked on charges of kidnapping and human trafficking under the stringent POCSO Act at the Kamla Market police station. Police said Constable Sundar deployed at the GB Road in mufti in central Delhi spotted a person, later identified as Parvez, roaming suspiciously in the area and befriended him. After gaining his confidence by posing as a tout, Sundar came to know from Parvez that the latter was planning to sell a 15-year-old girl at one of the brothels in the area. "Sundar settled the terms of the so-called deal with the accused and called up Kamla Market police station SHO Sunil Dhaka who in turn posed as a brothel owner. Parvez was asked to bring the girl, who was brought to the spot by his accomplice Shoaib. Both accused were overpowered by policemen and arrested from the spot," a police officer said. Parvez told police that his accomplice had lured that girl away from her native place Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. Police said that Pravez, a private cab driver, had raped her in Loni area of Ghaziabad before planning to sell her at the GB Road. Shoaib held the teenager hostage.Brussels, June 5 : Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will celebrate the International Day of Yoga at an event to be held in the European Parliament here on June 21 in the presence of EP President Antonio Tajani, it was announced on Tuesday. Shri Shri Ravishankar will lead a session on yoga at that event. "One of the special reasons for her coming to be here on these days is because she wants to be in Brussels on the International Day of Yoga," Indian Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union Gaitri Issar Kumar told a news conference at the Indian embassy. "For us it is a very big honour that our External Affairs Minister who is one of the seniormost leaders of our country has decided that out of the whole word she wants to celebrate Yoga Day in Brussels," she said. The envoy noted that Belgium has had a special interest in yoga and that Belgians have embraced yoga in a very serious way. Several cities of Belgium including Brussels will celebrate the international yoga day by holding a series of events on June 24. Kumar thanked Celine Fremault, Minister of Housing, Environment, and Energy of the Brussels Capital Region Government who was present at the press conference for her support in promoting yoga in Brussels.

Meanwhile, Sushma Swaraj will be meeting EU and Belgian leaders during her 3-day stay in the Belgian capital. The Indian Ambassador said that both EU and India have agreed to expand their relations beyond just trade to a whole range of issues. "This year we are working on a further consolidation of friendship and cooperation with the whole EU," she stressed.Geneva, June 5 : The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday said it was "deeply saddened" at the loss of at least 52 lives over the weekend when a boat carrying some 180 refugees and migrants sank off the Tunisian coast. "The UN Refugee Agency is deeply saddened at this latest tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea and is concerned about the high number of people dying on the Central Mediterranean route (to Italy) with over 700 dead or missing so far in 2018," UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler told reporters.

The death toll from the shipwreck is likely to be over 100 as some 60 of the boat's passengers are still missing at sea and presumed dead, UNHCR said. The boat set sail from Melita in Tunisia's Kerkennah Islands late on Saturday, heading in the direction of the Italian coast, Spindler said, citing Tunisian officials. But just two hours into the journey, the overcrowded boat broke down and began to sink, he said. The boat was 16 nautical miles off the coast of Sfax when it sent a distress signal to which local fishermen responded, alerting the Tunisian Navy and Coastguard. The coastguard rescued 68 people and recovered 52 corpses but had to halt their search and rescue operation due to bad weather. Two smugglers were arrested in connection with the incident, UNHCR said. UNHCR said it is profiling and counselling survivors from the shipwreck and assessing their protection needs. There are 851 refugees and 109 asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in Tunisia, the agency said.

Unemployed Tunisians and other Africans often seek to cross the Mediterranean sea in makeshift boats from Tunisia to Sicily in Italy. More than 32,000 people have reached Europe by sea so far this year and 660 people have died attempting the crossing, according to the UN migration agency the International Organisation for Migration. Although the number of people trying to reach Europe by boat from Turkey and northern Africa has fallen significantly in the past two years, the Mediterranean remains the world's deadliest migration route. UNHCR urged "durable" solutions for refugees and legal channels such as private sponsorship, family reunification and naturalisation. The agency last year supported the voluntary repatriation of five refugees, the resettlement of seven families (21 individuals) and the naturalisation of seven people. In addition, five individuals left in 2017 under a private sponsorship scheme, it added.New Delhi, June 5 : Ahead of Congress President Rahul Gandhi's rally in Mandsaur on Wednesday, the party on Tuesday accused Narendra Modi government of being anti-farmer and said the Congress chief will meet the families of the farmers killed in police firing last year. The party also hit out at the government for putting national security at stake, saying the soldiers were now being asked to stitch their own uniform. "This government is anti-farmer, anti-poor and is also putting the security of the country at risk because of its wrong policies," said Congress leader Mohan Prakash. "The farmers of the country are in distress. They are on strike for the past five days. They are disturbed for the past four years because prices of whatever items they need to buy have doubled. And, whatever they produce and sell, their prices have halved. But Modi government didn't get time to address these issues in the past four years." The Congress leader slammed PM Modi, saying while farmers were committing suicide, the Prime Minister was busy flying kites in Indonesia in order to facilitate the business interests of Adani Group. "On June 6, 2017, six farmers in Mandsaur (of Madhya Pradesh) were killed in police firing. Tomorrow (Wednesday), all farmers will gather at that place and the Congress President will pay homage to the deceased and meet the families," said Prakash. He said the true face of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments was visible as still there were cases against 7,000 farmers. "Last week, MP government got bonds signed by 11,000 farmers. They got 4,500 people in Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Ratlam villages sign bonds as if they are goons." The leader said in Maharashtra, 58 farmers died due to pesticides last year and more than 1,000 farmers were admitted in hospitals. "But even now Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have not been able to say what chemical or pesticide caused the death of farmers.

"A farmer wrote a note and committed suicide. He held the PM and the Chief Minister responsible for his death. Why no complaint was lodged? Another farmer committed suicide in a village adopted by both Chief Minister and Prime Minister. The BJP and Maharashtra government have not spoken a word about it," he added. Prakash further said that 373 jawans had died on the borders while the Prime Minister preferred to visit Pakistan uninvited to have "biryani". "Now, there are media reports that soldiers are being asked to stitch thier own uniforms. The country has gone into the hands of those who are working against its well-being. "The banking system has been weakened under the watch of the government, with the economy, pride and the self-respect of the country being badly hit," Prakash added.Rome, June 5 : Israeli authorities' plan to raze an illegally built Bedouin school in village east of Jerusalem concerns Italy and would "undermine" a two-state solution to Israel's conflict with the Palestinians, the Italian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. "The Italian Foreign Ministry is following with great attention the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and especially the risk of the imminent demolition of the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar. "The demolition would undermine the construction of a prospective adjacent Palestinian State and the subsequent two-State solution," the ministry said in a statement, urging Israel to spare Khan al-Ahmar's school. The planned demolition of the so-called "Rubber Tyre School" financed by the Italian cooperation service and attended by 160 students from five different communities, follows a ruling in late May by Israeli Supreme Court. Khan al-Ahmar is located under Area C, which the 1993 Oslo Accords classify as being under Israeli civil and security control, meaning Palestinians cannot obtain any building permits there. Any structure built by Palestinians in Area C is considered illegal by the Israeli government and subject to demolition. However, on May 30, the Israeli Civil Administration approved the construction of 92 homes for Kfar Adumim, just one kilometre from Khan al-Ahmar - among several thousand that have been authorised to be built in the West Bank. "In reaffirming that the policy to expand settlements is in violation of international law and risks making the two-State solution unfeasible, the Italian Foreign Ministry also expresses great concern over the approval of more than 3,000 dwelling units in the West Bank, including in the

settlement of Kfar Adumim, located near Khan Al Ahmar," the ministry said.United Nations, June 6 : The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday picked Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, Ecuador's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, to be its next president. The 193-member General Assembly, one of the highest policy-making bodies at the United Nations, will have a woman presiding over it for the fourth time in UN history, Xinhua news agency reported. Garces beat Mary Elizabeth Flores Flake, permanent representative of Honduras to the United Nations, by 128-62 votes. She will succeed Slovakia's Miroslav Lajcak and preside over the 73rd session starting from September. The tenure is for a year. "We have the challenge of building a stronger and more efficient organisation," Garces said after winning the election, adding that "strengthening multilateralism is not an option, it is an obligation". "Therefore, it is urgent that the United Nations show the capacity to respond to the main global challenges, and that the organisation is brought closer to the people, connecting its decisions directly to its beneficiaries, the citizens of the world," she noted. Highly commending what the General Assembly has achieved under the leadership of Miroslav Lajcak and extending his warm congratulations to the president-elect, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that "it has been more than a decade since a woman has served as president of the General Assembly, when Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa of Bahrain was president of the 61st session". "The world faces urgent and complex challenges, from churning conflicts to rising inequality and the deepening impacts of climate change," the UN chief noted. "This Assembly, the global town hall, has a vital role to play in debating the issues and, most of all, in delivering solutions that make a meaningful difference in people's lives," he added.Mumbai, June 6 : Actress-filmmaker Nandita Das' "Manto", which stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto, will be screened at the Sydney Film Festival. The film will be screened on June 16-17 at the fest, which is held from June 6-17. "Manto" is a biographical historical period drama film about the writer who is known for his writings around the partition of India and Pakistan. It was the only Indian film in Un Certain Regard category at 71st Cannes Film Festival. "After an overwhelming response at Cannes, I am very happy to be going to the Sydney Film Festival with 'Manto'. The power of cinema is its ability to transcend countries and cultures," Nandita said in a statement to IANS. "It is still the beginning of my 'Manto' journey, so I am very curious to see how the audiences react in different parts of the world, before it finally releases in India later this year. While the context of the film is local, I feel the story will resonate universally. At the core, 'Manto' is about troubled times and one man trying to make sense of it all. And 'Manto' was relevant then and will continue to be relevant for a long time to come," she added. Nandita will be taking her son to the fest. "Going to Sydney will also be special for me as I am taking my son along, as he has his summer holidays. He has been on shoots, in the office, in my editing and song sessions, so why not for the festival screening. "As a working hands on mother, the juggling is is not easy but it is also a unique experience to share these moments with one's child. We both are looking forward to the Sydney experience,a said the actress-director, who had earlier helmed "Firaaq". Nawazuddin will not be going to the Afest as he is busy shooting for "Thackeray". The film also features Rasika Dugal and Tahir Raj Bhasin. It is co-produced by HP Studios, Filmstoc and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures. Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, said: "'Manto', the only film from the entire Indian subcontinent to make it as a selection at Cannes Film festival, had an impressive premiere at the Un Certain Regard. We are delighted that it now makes it way to Sydney Film Festival for screenings."Mumbai, June 6 : Luv Sinha, who is stepping into Bollywood with "Paltan" as an actor, says he will always cherish the memories of celebrating birthday in London. The son of veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha and brother of actress Sonakshi Sinha turned a year older on Tuesday. Since he was in London to begin promotions for the film, he decided to celebrate it with "Paltan" co-stars Arjun Rampal and Harshvardhan Rane. "I spent the day doing promotions for my film 'Paltan' and spent a memorable and fun evening with my 'Paltan' in London, and missed the ones who couldn't be with me," Luv said in a statement to IANS. "The past year has been extremely special and I have a feeling this one is going to be the best one yet," he added. Filmmaker J.P.

Dutta's "Paltan" will release on September 7. It is based on the Nathu La and Cho La military clashes of 1967 which took place along the Sikkim border. The film also features Siddhanth Kapoor.A Redfern apartment block is set to be converted into student accomodation, with a proposed $52 million purchase by Singaporean company Wee Hur Holdings.

Wee Hur, also known as The Group, have lodged a put and call option deed on the Gibbons Street block near Redfern Station.

They're intention is to redeveloper the property to be a purpose-built student accomodation (PBSA) with more than 500 beds (below).

The Group, a SGX mainboard-listed property developer, has proposed an 18-storey building with two podium levels and 16 levels of student accommodation.

The proposal will consist of studios and cluster bedrooms, indoor and outdoor communal spaces for students and a small retail tenancy on the ground level.

Designed with students in mind, the proposed student accommodation complex will provide facilities and amenities such as kitchen, laundry, bicycle parking, study rooms and games rooms etc.

The current freehold residential block comprises 32 apartments (top).

The 1,365 sqm site is a 10 to 20 minute walk from the University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney respectively

If the proposed acquisition is successful and the PBSA redevelopment plan is approved, the total number of PBSA beds under the Wee Hur PBSA Master Trust can reach approximately 3,765.

The Groups first PBSA with 1578 beds in Buranda, Brisbane is ready to take in students in July 2018.

Its second PBSA with 772 beds along Gray Street, Adelaide is expected to complete by early 2019 for 2019 first semester student intake.

Construction of the Groups third PBSA with 900 beds along A'Beckett Street, Melbourne is expected to commence by end-2018 and to complete by 2020.

The Group executive chairman Goh Yeow Lian said they have wanted a PBSA in Sydney.

We are very pleased to find this acquisition opportunity in Sydney as we wanted very much to have a PBSA in this city.

"We find this site attractive as it is close to two universities, the University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney, and also close to railway train and metro stations.If you can believe the headlines, Australian property values are falling. The thing is, you cant believe the headlines. In most of our major markets, values are not falling at all.

The problem is the way research firms and economists like to generalise about price data, with a single number describing movements in the mythical thing they call Australian property prices. Like most generalised figures, this serves only to create confusion and misinformation.

According to recent headlines, national values are falling, which means the average situation with prices is a small decline. This was an annual decrease of 0.4 percent, according to one source.

But, lurking behind this pointless and misleading single figure which apparently depicts our entire vast nation, are the following factors:

Regional areas overall are rising.

Five of the eight capital cities are rising.

The only significant market showing annual decline is Sydney, but the size of that market is dragging down the overall average.

The truth is that Australia abounds with major cities, some capital, some regional, with growth markets. Inspired by that reality, here are my ten leading cities with growth trajectories in 2018:-

Hobart: The Tasmanian capital is currently recording double-digit growth in its house prices and is likely to continue showing growth, underpinned by a vastly improved state economy. Property is selling faster there than any other capital city, vacancies are lower there than anywhere else and theres no sign of activity slowing down.

Canberra: Most research sources have Canberra values rising steadily. SQM Researchs index has Canberra up 8.5 percent. This is not surprising as the ACT economy is strong, Canberra vacancies are almost as low as Hobarts, rents are rising and land prices are high (as a result of the ACT Government controlling land releases). All things considered, Canberra should be a national leader on price growth this year.

Brisbane: Overall, Brisbane isnt showing much growth, but values are rising. When you look behind the generalised data, there are precincts with strong price rises. I expect Brisbane growth to gradually pick up this year because the underlying economy is improving, population data is favouring South-East Queensland again and infrastructure spending is rising. The affordability comparison also favours Brisbane.

Adelaide: The SA capital is similar to Brisbane. The generalised data shows only minor price growth, but individual precincts are doing much better, especially the top end. The SA economy is stronger than most realise and its steady improvement will boost the property market. I expect price growth is pick up as the year progresses. Adelaide offers great value-for-money and much better yields than the biggest cities.

Perth: The WA capital is one of those cities where values overall are still down, but it depends on whose figures you believe. SQM records a 3 percent annual rise in its Asking Prices Index for Perth. My own research shows that most of the million-dollar suburbs have had double-digit growth in the past year. Theres no doubt the Perth downturn is over and we will see further evidence of growth as the year unfolds.

Melbourne fringes: The single-growth figure to describe an entire large city never tells the full story. Melbourne overall has passed its peak but the outer ring suburbs are still very strong. The price growth in the past year in the northern fringes around Epping, the far south-east including Cranbourne, and the south-western regions around Werribee and Wyndham Vale, has been exceptional.

Newcastle/Hunter Region: The City of Newcastle has been one of the nations outstanding markets recently. Values overall have increased in double digits and many suburbs have grown their median house prices by over 20 percent. The local economy is thriving and the affordability comparison with Sydney has helped. Now the growth is rippling out to nearby areas, including the towns of the Hunter region.

Geelong and nearby regions: Geelong has been the outstanding market in Victoria in the past year or so, and continues to deliver strong sales activity and price growth. Its part of a wider trend, in which regional centres close to Melbourne are attracting spill-over population growth and demand for homes. Locations north and south of Melbourne continue to attract extraordinary sales activity and price growth.

Ballarat: This strong regional city could be included the previous paragraph as a regional centre near the state capital, but it deserves its own exclusive mention. More and more Melbourne buyers are targeting Ballarat because its well-connected to the big city and offers attractive affordability and a different kind of lifestyle. This is now a very busy market and I expect prices to show solid rises this year.

Sunshine Coast: I know many who followed our advice and bought into the Sunshine Coast market 12-18 months ago: theyre happy punters. The regions economy is transitioning to a place of greater diversity and strength  and this is driving real estate demand. Its attracting lots of new residents. This process is still in its infancy and theres plenty more growth to come. Noosa, which has under-achieved for 10 years, has joined the growth party.

Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au

[email protected]

twitter.com/hotspottingI love treating my patients, and I am happy to offer my experience to help the USA to fight the opioid epidemic.

Dr. John Prunskis, co-founder and medical director of the Illinois Pain Institute, was sworn in to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently established Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force (Pain Task Force) in Washington, D.C.

As the only Pain Task Force physician from Illinois, Dr. Prunskis will work closely with other leading experts from across the country to guide HHS in establishing fundamental best practices and recommendations for the management of non-acute and acute pain.

Dr. John Prunskis and Illinois Pain Institute (IPI) are national leaders in the precise diagnosis and treatment of pain with limited use of opioid medications. IPI supports targeted treatment of the source of pain rather than just masking the symptoms with narcotics. The approach is growing in popularity as awareness of the opioid epidemic increases.

"I hope to learn from the other members of the Pain Task Force as well as contribute what the Illinois Pain Institute has accomplished in fixing the source of pain and reducing opioid use for over 25 years, said Dr. Prunskis. I love treating my patients, and I am happy to offer my experience to help the USA to fight the opioid epidemic.

The Task Force includes representatives from the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Department of Defense, Department of Veteran Affairs, national health care organizations, and several non-federal members, including Dr. Prunskis.

The Task Force held its inaugural meeting on May 30, 2018 - May 31, 2018 in Washington, D.C. For more information about Dr. John Prunskis or the Illinois Pain Institute, call Mary at 800-340-7246 or visit IllinoisPain.com.

About the Illinois Pain Institute. Illinois Pain Institute is an award-winning, multi-location pain clinic focusing on treating pain at its roots. Treatment plans are tailored to individual needs, with more than 25 innovative therapies helping patients find long-term relief. It is the longest established multi-site pain center in Illinois, and nationally recognized thanks to both its clinical team and its forward-thinking practices, voted Top Chicago Pain Doctor nine-times by physician peers.Targray Headquarters Targrays Minnesota biodiesel terminal will provide B20 ready biodiesel solutions for a range of customers in the Minneapolis Saint Paul area, including diesel distributors, retailers, truckers, and fleet operators.

Targray, a leading North American supplier of Biodiesel, has announced the opening of its Minnesota Biodiesel distribution center, serving the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. Strategically located in the heart of Saint Paul, the new biodiesel terminal will help address the rapid growth in regional demand for biodiesel in the Twin Cities area, stemming from recent updates to Minnesotas Biofuels mandate.

Targrays Minnesota terminal will provide B20-ready turnkey biodiesel solutions for a range of customers in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. explained Targray Vice President, Dan Murray. Diesel distributors, truck stops, c-stores, travel centers, and fleets in the region will now be able access our high-quality Biodiesel 24/7 from a convenient central location.

Helping Blenders Meet the Requirements of Minnesota's B20 Mandate

As of May 1st, 2018, Minnesota requires that all diesel fuel sold in the state from April to September inclusively contain at least twenty percent Biodiesel (B20). The minimum content for the remainder of the year is five percent (B5).

On May 21st 2018, the Minnesota Commerce Department announced a temporary suspension of the B20 requirement through June 30th, citing an insufficient supply of biodiesel in the state. Diesel sold during the temporary suspension must meet the biodiesel minimum content requirement of ten percent (B10) that was in effect prior to May 1st, 2018.

Targrays Minnesota Biodiesel Terminal helps alleviate recent supply issues while also addressing long-standing concerns over the regional fuel blending infrastructures ability to support a B20 mandate. It provides immediate relief to state blenders, which* have struggled to secure adequate supplies of biodiesel fuel in recent months.

Minnesotas move to increase the use of biodiesel, which burns cleaner than petroleum diesel while emitting fewer airborne particulates, has received strong support from the American Lung Associations Upper Midwest chapter and other clean air advocacy groups.

About the Targray Biofuels Division

Targray is a certified BQ-9000 marketer and distributor of high-quality B99.9 biodiesel. Supported by a dedicated rail fleet and a terminal network spanning the U.S, the company is committed to providing innovative biodiesel solutions enabling fuel retailers, distributors, jobbers and fleet operators to achieve greater profitability and competitiveness while helping create a more sustainable economy for future generations.

Targray is one of the largest and fastest-growing suppliers of bio-based fuels in the United States. The companys innovative biodiesel solutions are offered at over 40 tank locations throughout California, Florida, and the Midwest. For more information, visit https://www.targray.com/Through this program, meeting the unique health care needs of military service members, veterans and their families will be a core component of our overarching mission and our vision to become a truly people-centered health system.

Trinity Health recently celebrated the official launch of a cultural competency and health care program focused on the unique needs of military veterans, active members of the military, and their families.

While the celebration took place in Germantown, Maryland, Trinity Health's Military and Veterans Health Program officially launched in both Maryland and Pennsylvania. Eventually, the program, which is centered on helping providers develop deep knowledge of military culture, life and challenges, will be implemented across Trinity Health's entire 22-state, 94-hospital system including its continuing care and home health programs.

"By empowering our health care providers with a greater understanding of military culture, we are increasing their opportunities to build strong, trusted relationships with their military patients," said Norvell V. Coots, M.D., president and CEO, Holy Cross Health in Silver Spring, Maryland, and executive sponsor of the national program. "We believe this is critical to helping 'vets' and active or reserve military personnel achieve better health outcomes because the quality of the doctor-patient relationship influences the extent to which patients engage in self-care and comply with their doctor's recommendations."

In April, Dr. Coots  along with Greg Jolissaint, M.D, vice president, Military and Veterans Health Program, Trinity Health; Susan Croushore, president and CEO of Mercy Health System (Southeastern Pennsylvania); and James Woodward, president and CEO of St. Mary Medical Center (Langhorne, Pennsylvania)  implemented Trinity Health's first military cultural competency training and health care services in the program's pilot markets. Focusing on the realities, challenges and health risks of deployment as experienced by both military personnel members and their close family members, the training featured knowledge ready for immediate use in clinical care settings. New triage and registration processes are allowing patients to self-identify as military personnel, veterans, or as family members  and this helps providers know when to activate that knowledge.

"Our goal is to provide military service members, veterans and their families with convenient access to high-quality, culturally sensitive, people-centered health care services that meet their specific needs," said Jolissaint. "To do this, we started closing the gaps some of our health care providers may have had when it comes to their familiarity with  and understanding of  military culture."

Both Drs. Coots and Jolissaint are very familiar with the needs of those who served or who are serving their country as members of the military. Dr. Coots is a retired Brigadier General, former Commanding General and CEO of Regional Health Command Europe, and Command Surgeon, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army. Dr. Jolissaint is a retired U.S. Army Colonel whose career includes 28 years of active military service in the U.S. Army, service as a clinical defense contractor and clinical leadership positions in both the US Army and the Veterans Health Administration.

Trinity Health locations piloting and perfecting the program before its system-wide rollout include:

o Holy Cross Health

- Holy Cross Hospital (Silver Spring, Maryland)

- Holy Cross Germantown Hospital (Germantown, Maryland)

- Holy Cross Health Partners in Kensington (Primary care practice in Kensington, Maryland)

o St. Mary Medical Center, Langhorne, Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Pennsylvania)

- St. Mary Medical Center

- St. Mary Franciscan Family Medicine

o Mercy Health System, South Eastern Pennsylvania (including Philadelphia, Delaware, Bucks and Montgomery Counties, Pennsylvania)

- Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Pennsylvania

- Mercy LIFE(Living Independently for Elders)

"Trinity Health has a long and distinguished history of offering compassionate health care to our military service members dating back to the Civil War when our founding congregations helped staff U.S. military hospitals and the first Navy hospital ship," remarked Richard J. Gilfillan, M.D., CEO. "Through this program, meeting the unique health care needs of military service members, veterans and their families will be a core component of our overarching mission and our vision to become a truly people-centered health system."

Learn more about the program at http://www.trinity-health.org/military-and-veterans-health-program.

About Trinity Health

Trinity Health is one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation, serving diverse communities that include more than 30 million people across 22 states. Trinity Health includes 94 hospitals, as well as 109 continuing care locations that include PACE programs, senior living facilities, and home care and hospice services. Based in Livonia, Mich., and with annual operating revenues of $17.6 billion and assets of $24.7 billion, the organization returns $1.1 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. Trinity Health employs about 131,000 colleagues, including 7,500 employed physicians and clinicians, and is proud to have more than 15,000 physicians participating in 23 clinically integrated networks accountable for more than 1.4 million lives. Committed to those who are poor and underserved in its communities, Trinity Health prides itself on its leadership addressing the social determinants of health, delivering innovative and meaningful services to elders, and in helping the industry transform from volume-based to value-based care. For more information, visit http://www.trinity-health.org. You can also follow @TrinityHealthMI on Twitter.If you are new to iQ you can schedule a demo and learn more about this opportunity.

PSFK iQ - Where Innovators Turn for Research. Our professional-grade research platform is designed specifically for Retail and CX leaders who want to know whats next. Whether youre staying current on trends or need a real-time research partner to help you get ahead, count on PSFK iQ to deliver the info you need to make your next move.Authors, publishers, and booksellers gathered for a Book Expo panel discussion called Connecting Childrens Books with Kids: Community, Education, Awareness, Bookselling, Marketing, and Public Relations. The speakers were Lara Starr, senior publicist at Chronicle Books; Michelle F. Bayuk, Childrens Book Marketing Consulting; Yvonne Brooks, childrens events manager at McNally Jackson Books; Kristin Freda, director of library services at Bank Street College of Education; and author-illustrator Sean G. Qualls. Susannah Greenberg of Susannah Greenberg Public Relations moderated the discussion. The presenters spoke about their efforts to reach children in their communities by networking with cultural institutions and schools, holding creative author and illustrator events, and connecting with parents and young readers through direct outreach.

Bayuk addressed the importance of knowing and being part of your community, and shared examples of community-building book events she has planned. Several years ago, Albert Whitman partnered with the Swedish American Museum in celebration of the Swedish series Flicka, Ricka, Dicka by Maj Lindman. The event enabled the Chicago-area publisher the opportunity to better connect with the regions sizable Swedish population. Bayuk believes in the effectiveness of events that work organically, and that enable young readers to be the ambassadors for books they like with their own friends. Kids booktalk books, she said.

Calling McNally Jackson an important part of the landscape, community, and neighborhood, Brooks spoke about the significance of kids having a tactile experience to go along with hearing a story read aloud and interacting with an author or illustratorwhose books they are then more likely to seek out and recognize. McNally Jackson is not only a gathering place for young readers to meet childrens book creators, but also a space for them to explore their own creativity alongside their peers through craft-making and art activities. Brooks had some words of advice for individuals planning the type of hands-on events that McNally Jackson often holds: Dont run out of supplies, she suggested. She also shared what she believes is the key to creating meaningful and memorable events for readers: Remembering kids names.

Kristin Freda next spoke about Bank Streets Irma S. Black and Cook Prize awards, which are given each year through Bank Street and the Childrens Book Committee. The Irma S. Black Award is presented to picture books featuring illustrations and text that work in harmony, while the Cook Prize is awarded to books with STEM content. To select the winners each year, Bank Street and the CBC reach out to child readers who serve as judges for the final book selections. Children take pride in the process of judging the books and picking their favorites, and the awards serve to connect readers both to books as well as to Bank Street and its broader community of teachers, writers, and illustrators.

Qualls, the illustrator of Grandad Mandela (Quarto/Lincoln, June), spoke about his creative development and how he has long been inspired by outsider artists. These influences, Qualls believes, have led to his more emotional approach to art-making; Qualls is also very focused on connecting with the public even beyond bookstores and libraries. In order to reach readers and bring communities together, Qualls holds book launches at the same Brooklyn bars where he often spins records, and presents his books at street fairs, community gatherings, and at Open Studios events, where he particularly likes to connect with kids by sharing his artistic process. Kids get a real sense of what an artists studio is like, he said

Finally, Starr shared images and anecdotes from several author and illustrator events that she felt helped to build a sense of community. They included an event for Leo: A Ghost Story, during which author Mac Barnett held a knighting ceremony for attendees and, in 2014, multiple-city events featuring Herve Tullet, paint, and a lot of plastic wrap. Chronicle partnered with museums, libraries, and the Library of Congress for the Tullet events, which invited readers to create murals. At an event for Sherri Duskey Rinkers Steam Train, Dream Train, Starr played a hand in persuading illustrator Tom Lichtenheld to dress up like an engineer.

Her advice for publishers and others who plan events that celebrate books and community: Dont be afraid to come up with crazy ideas. Authors [and illustrators] might go along with it!WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  One of the biggest problems facing biorefinery operations is the flow of biomass into and throughout facilities. Lignocellulosic biomass, often made up of post-harvest agricultural materials such as corn stover and soybean hulls, often accumulates and compacts while moving through augers, forcing costly shutdowns for cleaning and repairs.

A team led by Purdue University scientists will receive a $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energys Bioenergy Technologies Office to solve that problem. Researchers from Purdues Departments of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Discovery Park Energy Center, the Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering (LORRE), and the Center for Particulate Products and Processes (CP3) will work with scientists from Argonne National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory, as well as industry partners Forest Concepts and AdvanceBio Systems.

The goal is to transform solid biomass into a slurry that can act more like a liquid flowing freely through material transportation systems in biorefineries. To do that, the researchers will create models to predict the physical properties - particle shape, size and surface charge - necessary for a liquid-like flow of solid materials.

We plan to use these models to create regime maps for robust operation, which would tell engineers and operators how to adjust screw feeder and reactor operating parameters given measured biomass characteristics so that the inlet portion of the biorefinery can operate without difficulty, said Carl Wassgren, a Purdue professor of mechanical engineering and director of the CP3.

From there, scientists will develop methods for modifying the biomass to meet the models specifications, changing particle size, shape and charge.

Well use small amounts of enzymes to reduce particle size and some surface characteristics so that they become moveable as a fluid with the same amount of moisture, said Michael Ladisch, the projects principal investigator, Purdue distinguished professor of agricultural and biological engineering, and director of LORRE. Materials handling issues are very important in being able to scale up technology for converting cellulosic materials into ethanol. These advances will give biorefineries the tools to overcome one of the most difficult logistical issues they all face.

Researchers will start with corn stover, but Ladisch said the work could be the foundation to develop similar technology for other biomass products, including wood chips, soybean hulls, wheat straw and sugarcane in the future. The funding, which will amount to $2.3 million total with cost share from partners, will cover three years. The teams co-principal investigators include: Nathan Mosier, a professor in Purdues Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Pankaj Sharma, managing director of the Discovery Park Energy Center, and David Thompson, a distinguished staff engineer at the Idaho National Laboratory. Other Purdue faculty and staff involved are: Eduardo Ximenes, bioprocess research scientist at LORRE, Kingsly Ambrose, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering, Abigail Engelberth, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering, and environmental and ecological engineering, Kendra Erk, assistant professor of materials engineering, Marcial Gonzalez, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and Klein Ileleji, associate professor of agricultural & biological engineering.

Writer: Brian Wallheimer, 765-532-0233, bwallheimer@purdue.edu

Source: Michael Ladisch, 765-494-7022, ladisch@purdue.edu

Carl Wassgren, 765-494-5656, wassgren@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415;

Darrin Pack, Manager/Media Relations and Public Information, dpack@purdue.edu

Agriculture News PageThere was a tendency in France to associate empire with national worthiness, and imperialism of a great nation like France was helping to keep empire respectable. The French were feeling the need for more respect. French pride had been injured by Germany's defeat of France back in 1871, and French pride had been hurt by the minor role they were playing in European affairs. Some in France saw themselves as descendants of the Roman Empire and held up the Roman Empire as a model for France, and clinging to such glory they wished not to be outdone in empire by the British.





Already, since the early 1840s, the French had been ruling in Algeria, having conquered that country militarily. They had extended their rule into what is now Tunisia, which they were ruling indirectly, preserving local institutions and collaborating with local ruling elites. The French military had followed their Catholic missionaries to Tahiti and had fought a four-year war against the Tahitians, defeating them by 1847, creating what they called a protectorate over Tahiti and surrounding islands. They had acquired New Caledonia, near Australia, and in 1853 they turned it into a penal colony. They had annexed the Marquesas Islands. In the 1870s the French had pushed into Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. And they had established rule in Madagascar  a sparsely populated island off the southeastern coast of Africa  where, at the turn of the century they pacified a rebellion and unified the island politically.Obama defies the Constitution but sounds presidential. Trump follows it but sounds like a loudmouth from Queens.Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has railed against Obamacare for years and pledged as a presidential candidate to send repeal legislation to Congress on Day One, if elected. But now running for a third term, Walker is promoting his plan to stabilize the programs insurance markets in his state.

In a new television ad first shared with RealClearPolitics, the Republican governor touts a $200 million investment he signed into law in February aimed at lowering premiums in the state "because we cant wait for Washington to get the job done." The ad also features a physician lamenting rising health care costs under the Affordable Care Act and arguing that "Washington politicians keep promising to fix the problem, but it never happens."

The 30-second spot reveals several notable dynamics in play during this year's midterm elections. For starters, it signals how the Republican majoritys failure to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a better policy has put states and governors in a tough spot. The partys failure could depress turnout among base voters, some grassroots activists have warned. And it has deepened intraparty tensions, giving outsider politicians an opening to run against a GOP-controlled Washington and spotlight congressional inaction. Democrats, meanwhile, see health care as a top driver of their voters in November.

Walker is running in a state Trump narrowly carried. But his health care ad and others promoting bipartisan solutions to the opioid crisis, training workers, and helping disabled students enter the workforce underscore how one Republican governor sees a path to victory in a potentially anti-Republican year.

Walker has been sounding the alarm for his party heading into the midterms. After a Democrat won a January special election for a state Senate seat in a district Trump overwhelmingly won, he warned it was a "wake-up call" for Republicans in Wisconsin. After a liberal candidate for the state Supreme Court in April defeated the conservative candidate Walker had backed, the governor issued a series of tweets warning of a #BlueWave.

He hasn't backed off his opposition to Obamacare. At the same time he signed the marketplace stabilization package into law, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel took the lead in filing a federal lawsuit with 20 other states challenging the constitutionality of the ACA now that the individual mandate tax penalty has been repealed by the GOP tax overhaul.

In promoting his health coverage plan, Walker argued that "Wisconsin families need stability, especially when it comes to their health care."

But Democrats have argued that Walker's support of Republican efforts to undermine the law created the instability. "Gov. Scott Walker is trumpeting his election year attempt to disguise just how utterly damaging his years of fighting the Affordable Care Act have been and the toll Republican sabotage on health care has taken on Wisconsin families," the state Democratic Party said in a statement after the February bill signing.

Walker is no stranger to tough elections and withstood a recall challenge in 2012. But 2018 could be his most difficult race yet. As many as 10 Democrats have launched bids to challenge him in November. But none has emerged as a frontrunner, and many of the candidates aren't well known. The fact that the primary isn't until August gives Walker an advantage of building up his campaign war chest and messaging without any firm opposition.

The state is also hosting a highly competitive and expensive U.S. Senate race that could help drive turnout, with Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin up for re-election. State Sen. Leah Vukmir and Marine veteran Kevin Nicholson are running for the Republican nomination.All Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel and Boris Johnson's entreaties and demonstrations of affection to President Donald Trump were utterly pointless. He responded by humiliating them. Now, he threatens trade and financial reprisals if they fail to break the deal their countries made with Iran three years ago. Trump has reversed the US's position, and its allies must fall into line. Seen from Washington, the UK, France and Germany are unimportant, or anyway far less important than Saudi Arabia or Israel.

In Les Chemins de la liberte (The Roads to Freedom), Jean-Paul Sartre wrote: When a man admits his guilt, you always feel like hitting him, to smash what little dignity he has left.' That holds true for countries, including those of the European Union. Macron says he refuses to talk with a gun to [his] head]', while Merkel finds it unfortunate that Trump has made things even more difficult' in the Middle East. Yet neither seems able to respond with anything but whining. Europe's major business corporations feel obliged to comply with the White House, since even sending an email via a server in the US or using dollars in a transaction with Iran will make them liable to enormous fines (see Trump's Iranian diktat, in this issue).

No sooner had Trump announced his decision than Total, formerly Compagnie Francaise des Petroles, cancelled plans to invest in Iran. At that same moment, Macron, while pretending to look for a way to maintain the agreement, admitted: I would like to be very clear: we are not going to impose sanctions or counter-sanctions on American companies ... And we are not going to force [French] companies to stay [in Iran]. That's the reality of business. The president of France is not the CEO of Total' (1).The latter, it seems, takes his orders from the White House.After months of relative silence from Saudi Arabia, this was a noisy weekend. For the second time since he was named heir to the throne last June, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a major Cabinet reshuffle, this time focusing on ministries related to culture, Islamic life and social development. Just one day earlier, French newspaper Le Monde reported that the crown prince had sent a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron threatening to attack Qatar, the target of last years Saudi-led blockade, if Doha acquired Russian-made S-400 air defense systems. Last but not least, Israeli news site News1 published an article about Saudi Arabias plans to develop nuclear weapons capabilities, potentially with help from Pakistan or Israel.

These stories point to the intense internal and external pressures Saudi Arabia is facing, even with the recent spike in oil prices. The Cabinet reshuffle is further evidence of Mohammeds attempt to win the loyalty of the Saudi bureaucracy. The first salvos in this campaign were aimed at the military and wealthy Saudi citizens  two groups that could have been hotbeds of dissent against the young crown prince. Now Mohammed is turning to some of the ministries that will be responsible for implementing the reforms upon which he is staking both his life and his countrys future.

Saudi Plans Backfire

Mohammed has managed to install individuals loyal to him at many levels of Saudi Arabias political, military and religious structure, and the most surprising thing is that he has done so without creating significant backlash against his rule. Perhaps his opponents are biding their time, or perhaps there is a consensus within the ruling elite over the direction the country must take. Mohammed is by no means out of the woods  his position remains extremely precarious  but each step he takes allows him to cement his authority even further. He will need all the support he can get as he tries to transform Saudi Arabia from a tribal petrostate to a mature, 21st-century nation.

Le Mondes report on the Saudi threat to attack Qatar is not nearly as heartening. This time last year, Saudi Arabia initiated a coordinated diplomatic assault against Doha to get Qatar, which was getting cozy with Riyadhs main rivals Iran and Turkey, to fall back in line. Riyadh had no intention of allowing Qatar to become a fifth column in the Gulf, which Saudi Arabia views as its sphere of influence. So Saudi Arabia got its allies, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen, to sign on to a plan to isolate Qatar economically and financially.

But the plan backfired. Qatar didnt bend, Al-Jazeera didnt shut down, and the U.S. didnt stop using Qatar as its forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command. In fact, Qatars economy grew stronger after the initial shock wore off, and its relationship with Turkey has deepened, with Qatar even agreeing in March to allow Turkey to establish a naval base in the country. Qatar also hasnt stopped dealing with Iran on a pragmatic basis, restoring full diplomatic relations with Tehran two months after Saudi Arabias aborted attempt to bring Doha to its knees. Indeed, the Saudi strategy actually demonstrated Saudi Arabias fundamental weakness, not its strength.

If the report from Le Monde is true, Saudi Arabia is now pressing the issue once more. If Qatar were to acquire the S-400 system, it would help negate Saudi Arabias only real military advantage over its neighbors  its formidable air power, built through years of acquisitions of U.S. military hardware. Saudi Arabia has already seen what Russian involvement in the Middle East can mean for Saudi interests; Moscows intervention in Syria is the primary reason Bashar Assads regime survived, spoiling both Saudi and Turkish hopes to replace Assad with a Sunni leader. Saudi Arabia does not want Russia to prop up yet another Middle Eastern regime hostile to Saudi interests, especially not one with which Saudi Arabia shares a border.

But Saudi Arabia is playing a dangerous game here, one that it may not be able to win. On the one hand, Riyadh cant look much weaker than it already does when it comes to Qatar, so there is little lost in making the threat and not following through. But following through on the threat would be dangerous because Riyadh could find itself not just stoking tensions further with Iran but even forcing Turkey  which already has a military base in Qatar in addition to the naval base that was agreed to  to directly oppose Saudi moves.

Nuclear Arms Race

The Israeli media report that Saudi Arabia may pursue nuclear weapons if it becomes clear that Iran has done the same is based mostly on conjecture and inference. There is no evidence that Pakistan is stockpiling nuclear bombs to transfer to Saudi Arabia should an arms race begin in earnest, only unconfirmed reports. Furthermore, the headline attracting most of the attention  that Israel might be transferring nuclear information to Saudi Arabia  is based not on evidence but on what the author describes as a reasonable assumption based on Israels interest to cultivate closer ties to Saudi Arabia.

Its still notable, however, that a potential Saudi move to acquire nuclear weapons is being talked about at all. Saudi Arabias foreign minister told CNN in May that the country would absolutely pursue a nuclear weapons program should Iran restart its own program following the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. And since most indications suggest Iran never intended to fully give up its nuclear weapons program in the long term, even if it was willing to suspend uranium enrichment in the short term, a nuclear arms race between the Middle Easts major powers is a matter of when, not if.

Indeed, there is perhaps no country outside of Israel for which nuclear weapons would be more valuable than Saudi Arabia, especially if the United States pulled back from the region in the future. Of the major Middle Eastern powers vying for regional supremacy, Saudi Arabia is by far the weakest, and nuclear weapons are a tremendous equalizer. In other words, though we cannot confirm the veracity of the Israeli report, we also cannot find much fault in the underlying logic of its prediction.

Though Saudi Arabia has taken its licks in recent years, it remains a rich petrostate with formidable if limited conventional military capabilities and a history of relying on proxies to do its bidding. Riyadh no doubt still favors this strategy, as evidenced most recently by reports in Turkish media suggesting that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are working to create a new Arab militia in northeastern Syria that might be sympathetic to Saudi interests. The problem for Saudi Arabia is that this strategy has consistently failed to bring about an improvement in its overall strategic position, and in all directions, Saudi Arabia faces enemies stronger than itself. The crown prince can shuffle his Cabinet all he wants, but even if he can transform Saudi Arabia  a herculean task in its own right  his country is not even powerful enough to get Qatar to toe the line.

In that sense, these three reports from the weekend offer a window into the imminent challenges Saudi Arabia is facing  and its not a pleasant view.

Reprinted with permission from Geopolitical Futures.,



We're sorry, this article is not currently availableGot some scoop for our reporters or editors? Click on the link below to send us your information.

Send your newsWith summer now in full swing, the Terrapin Summer Kickoff at the Foundry on Thursday, June 7, aims to usher in the new season. This free evenSchool has finally ended, and with it comes an avalanche of free time. However, summer can oDawn Ennis body and gender identity finally are in sync.

On May 15, Dr. Jess Ting, a surgeon at the Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery in New York City, performed the radical, delicate gender-affirmation surgery on Ennis, a transgender woman, changing her genitals from male to female.

The surgery went particularly beautifully, Ting said. Theres a lot of aesthetics in these operations. Its not just make a vagina. We try to make it beautiful as well.

And last week Ennis said her recovery was going well. The pain is manageable, she said. Its mostly discomfort. I still cant sit upright. That makes it difficult to travel to New York from her West Hartford home for follow-up appointments.

Im used to being the caretaker, not the person who needs to be taken care of, said Ennis, who has three children.

But Rebecca Callaghan, of Waterbury, a transgender woman and Ennis friend, apparently wont get the same life-changing opportunity.

Connecticut has one surgeon who performs vaginoplasties, but Ennis and Callaghan said that they felt he was inappropriate and insensitive when they met with him. They said he told them he had taught himself how to turn a penis into a vagina.

Two out-of-state surgeons are enrolled in Connecticuts Medicaid program, Husky Health, in addition to Ting. But the hospitals where they have privileges either refuse to accept Husky patients or are negotiating with Connecticut over reimbursement rates.

Husky, also known as the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program, has told Callaghan she is no longer eligible to receive the surgery. On Thursday, Callaghan received a letter from Husky Health.

Signed by registered nurse Deborah Cruz, the letter stated, Thank you for participating in the voluntary HUSKY Health Program Intensive Care Management (ICM) program. At this time, we are closing your case at your request.

Callaghan said she did not request to be taken out of the Intensive Care Management program, in which she must be enrolled to receive gender-affirmation surgery.

We have been arguing and the last time I argued with them I told them  Dont call me back until you have your legal issues worked out and youre ready to proceed with my treatment, Callaghan said.

Callaghans argued she should be approved to have an out-of-state surgeon perform the gender-affirmation surgery that Ennis underwent.

Later that day she received an email from Mount Sinai. According to Zil Goldstein, program director of the transgender center, Were not currently scheduling new HUSKY patients as were in negotiations with HUSKY right now to be able to see their patients.

Its despicable and aggravating and typical of what I experienced for the last year, Ennis said of the Connecticut Medicaid program. Their first response is denial and delay.  Persistent is what it means to be trans. If youre not persistent, youll never make it.

David Dearborn, spokesman for the state Department of Social Services, when asked whether there would be any reason not to approve Ting for another patient, wrote in an email, We cant engage in media discussion about individual Medicaid enrollees. But, in general, Dr. Ting and Mount Sinai are enrolled in CMAP, so Connecticut Medicaid enrollees can be cared for by these providers under CMAP reimbursement.

That was before Callaghan received the email from Goldstein.

When informed about the letter sent to Callaghan, Dearborn wrote, We cant discuss individual patients in the news media. We recommend to patients that they stay in touch with the program with questions and concerns.

Hearst Connecticut Media is not naming the Connecticut surgeon or his hospital affiliation because he has no complaints filed against him. Callaghan has had a hearing with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities about his treatment of her but has not filed a formal complaint, although a CHRO staff member said, Were working on getting that accomplished.

Ennis said that when she met with the doctor, He asked me the following questions: How long have you been wearing womens clothes? Thats the kind of question you would ask if you didnt think transgender women were women.  Im not wearing womens clothes, Im wearing my clothes.

He then asked Ennis, Are you straight or gay? In what world would it matter to this doctor whether Im straight or gay? she said. When Ennis said she was a straight woman who was attracted to men, she said he told her, Im never going to be able to make it so you can please a man. He said, I think youre going to have to change your sexual orientation. I said, Well, thats not an option for me.

Ennis said the meeting was so traumatic that it was another year before she would consider undergoing the surgery. She said she reported the doctor to the hospital, to the state Medicaid program and the state medical board. Both the hospital and state Medicaid officials said, We stand by our doctors, Ennis said.

In a written statement that she read at her CHRO hearing, Callaghan reported a similar interaction.

But despite Tings willingness to enroll in Connecticut Husky, which he called quite a laborious process, he has not gotten authorization to see Callaghan, who also has sent a complaint to Attorney General George Jepsen.

For Husky to approve an out-of-state surgeon, both the doctor and the hospital must be enrolled in Connecticuts Medicaid program. The two other enrolled surgeons who perform vaginoplasties are Dr. Sherman Leis of Bala Cynwyd, Pa., who is affiliated with two hospitals  Roxborough Memorial in Philadelphia and Lower Bucks in Bristol  and Dr. Kathy Rumer of Ardmore, Pa., who has privileges at Hahnemann University Hospita, Philadelphia.

However, Roxborough Memorial Hospital, while enrolled in Husky, is not accepting fees, according to information from the Connecticut Department of Social Services; Lower Bucks Hospital is not enrolled. Both are for-profit hospitals owned by Prime Healthcare, based in Ontario, Calif. A call to Prime Healthcare was not returned.

The hospitals where Dr. Leis does his surgeries refuse to participate in CMAP, Dearborn said via email. Consequently, we cannot approve a surgery with him unless the patient chooses to pay the hospital out of pocket (which is, of course, not tenable or possible, as Medicaid enrollees by eligibility definition have low financial resources).

Hahnemann was sold in January to American Academic Health System. Hahnemann spokesman Phil Ellingsworth Jr. wrote in an email, At this time, there is not a contract in place with the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program. Hahnemann has an ongoing effort to negotiate with as many existing providers to establish new contracts, including the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program.

Concerns about surgeon

Several sources involved in transgender medicine, both in Connecticut and out of state, confirmed the in-state surgeon is neither experienced in vaginoplasty (a term originally used to refer to a procedure on a natural vagina) nor sensitive to the fraught emotional issues transgender people deal with. A 2014 survey conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and National Center for Transgender Equality found that 41 percent of transgender persons attempt suicide.

Callaghans primary care physician, Dr. A.C. Demidont, who practices in Stamford and New Haven, said she has expressed concerns about the Connecticut surgeon with officials of the state Public Health and Social Services departments, including Dr. Lawrence Magras, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Community Health Network of Connecticut. The network is a nonprofit managed-care organization that administrates the states Medicaid program.

Dr. Magras reached out to me, Demidont said. She said Magras told her, We think theres a problem. What providers should we reach out to?

We, as people who take care of hundreds of transgender patients, have been arguing with top leaders of DSS and the department of health in order to have this changed, she said.

This is life or death for people, which is why I continue to fight to make sure people get appropriate care, because this is a huge, huge vacuum that needs to be filled, Demidont said.

My concern has always been that if you only give transgender women one option for that surgery that is not fair, especially when there are better surgeons out there that will create a better outcome, she said.

She said the surgery needs both a urologist to create the vagina and a plastic surgeon to create the labia or the outside of the vagina so it looks like it would on a cisgender woman. Cisgender refers to a person who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth, a non-transgender person.

Demidont said the in-state surgeon is a competent surgeon but in these procedures he does not have the same experience as surgeons outside of Connecticut have.

A spokeswoman for the surgeons employer said he performs approximately one gender-affirming surgery per month in addition to other kinds of reconstructive urology surgeries. He has lectured on the topic and has taught other urologists this advanced surgical technique and has also educated them and the clinical and administrative staff on how to be culturally sensitive to these patients.

Callaghan, 38, said she self-identified as female at 4 years old. She said the state is resisting approving out-of-state surgeons because the Connecticut doctor charges only $4,000, and that people who work for both Mount Sinai and Leis have confirmed that figure as Connecticut Huskys reimbursement rate for vaginoplasty.

That term traditionally refers to a procedure to tighten a natural vagina, and Ennis said she thought $4,000 might be the rate for the traditional procedure. She said, in her case, Community Health Network and Mount Sinai negotiated a middle ground rate for her surgery.

Dearborn said Connecticut Medicaid would not pay as low a rate as $4,000 for gender-affirmation surgery. In an email, he wrote that Medicaid reimbursement rates are based on surveys of providers and that any doctor would be paid the same rate for a particular procedure. We are in the process of re-examining our fees in this field of practice, he wrote.

Demidont also said she doubted a doctor or hospital would charge that low a fee for such a complex surgery.

Demidont said both Mount Sinai and Hahnemann have training programs for vaginoplasty, and more than 20 procedures a month are performed at Hahnemann.

Ting said since he gave up his general plastic surgery practice in March 2016, he has performed 150 to 200 vaginoplasties. He uses a relatively new innovation in which the deepest portion of the vagina is lined with peritoneum rather than skin, he said.

The peritoneum, a thin membrane that lines the inner abdomen and bodily organs, does not grow hair, as skin does, and produces lubrication.

In order to do Dawns case, I did enroll in Husky Medicaid and it was quite a laborious process, Ting said. I give Husky Medicaid a lot of credit for approving the surgery at Mount Sinai. I dont think its too much of a stretch to say were a center of excellence, he said.

Ting said that once he began doing gender-affirming surgery, I very quickly decided to do nothing else because theres such an unmet need for doctors who can do these operations and care for transgender patients.

Historically, transgender people have been marginalized by not just the general population but by the health care system, Ting said. Until March of 2016, you couldnt get gender-affirmation surgery in New York City.

Ennis is pleased with the results of her surgery. I cant say I feel different as much as I feel relieved, she said. Im finally, finally done. Theres a long road ahead in terms of self-care and I feel like Ive accomplished something personally.

A friend struggles

Callaghan said after sending her to Leis, the state DSS, which oversees Connecticuts Medicaid program, canceled the contract with Leis hospital so they wouldnt have to give me a denial. Dr. Leis had handled many other patients before me but all of a sudden it was a big deal.

The doctor may be enrolled, but the only thing theyre cleared for is basic consultations and not all of the things they need to actually perform a surgery, Callaghan said. Doctors need a surgical contract and they need a hospital.

According to information from DSS, Leis accepts Connecticut Medicaid referrals on a case-by-case basis, as does Ting. Dearborn said Rumer also is enrolled. But negotiations between the hospitals and Husky Health appear to be preventing the doctors from taking on Connecticut Medicaid patients.

A medical professional who asked to remain anonymous but who is familiar with Leis practice said Leis performed many vaginoplasties for Connecticut Medicaid patients until about two years ago. But changes in hospital ownership and administration have led to an impasse between them and Husky.

According to DSS data, Medicaid began paying for gender-reassignment surgery in Connecticut in 2015. Since then, there have been 20 patients who have undergone male-to-female surgery and three who have had female-to-male surgery.

Connecticut was one of the first states to cover reassignment services under Medicaid, Dearborn wrote in an email. Finding endocrinologists, dermatologists, psychiatrists and other providers for transgender services has been difficult, and surgery services are more difficult to locate and enroll.

Coming out, losing a job

Ennis, who was named after her father, Donald, works as a freelance journalist. (While many transgender people do not want to talk about their identities before they came out, Ennis said shes somewhat infamous, has gotten a lot of press and is too well known to try to erase her life as a male.)

She came out as transgender in 2013 and was fired from ABC News the next year (she settled with the network and is not allowed to talk about it). She then worked for The Advocate, the LGBTQ publication, but when her wife died, she left the West Coast to be with her children, Sean, now 19, Sophie, 15, and Liam, 11. I call them my strength, my heart and my soul, she said.

They still call her Dad. We lost their mom to cancer and theres no way of replacing her, she said.

Ennis, who will be on the lead float in New Yorks Pride Parade on June 24, worries about transgender women and men losing protections theyve gained. Connecticut was ahead of the United States in terms of providing state Medicaid coverage for transgender people like me, she said. However, under President Donald Trump, theyve removed protections for transgender Americans.  Hes stripped schools from having to offer equal accommodations for transgender students and barred transgender people from serving in the military.

I dont think most people know that you can still be fired in America for being LGBT, Ennis said. We do have state laws to prevent that. The problem is there are no federal laws.Cambodias Appeal Court on Tuesday refused bail to opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) President Kem Sokha, who has been held in pre-trial detention since September on charges of treason widely dismissed as politically motivated ahead of next months general election.



Judge Sous Sam upheld the Phnom Penh Municipal Courts decision to deny Kem Sokha bail because an investigation into his case is ongoing, court spokesman Touch Tharith told reporters after the hour-long closed-door hearing, which the defendant was prevented from attending.



Meng Sopheary, one of Kem Sokhas lawyers, called the ruling unjust because her client had satisfied all requirements for bail.



She said that the court had based its decision on the so-called seriousness of the alleged crime of treason and that the case is within the investigation phase, and claimed to have acted in the interest of preventing such crime from reoccurring, preserving public order, preventing collusion with witnesses and ensuring the accused person appears during the trial proceedings.



Meng Sopheary also suggested that the court had violated the presumption of innocence principle by denying Kem Sokha the right to appear at his bail appeal hearing, adding that her clients rights have been severely restricted [during his detention], as if he had already been convicted.



She did not indicate whether the defense was considering another appeal.



Kem Sokha has been accused of conspiring to overthrow Cambodias governmentcharges that led the Supreme Court to dissolve his CNRP and bar it from taking part in the countrys July 29 general election. He has been denied bail four times since his arrest in September and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.



Several CNRP officials and activists have fled Cambodia since the party was banned and are currently living in self-imposed exile to avoid facing cases widely seen as politically motivated and tried in a court system beholden to Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP).



The CNRP received more than 3 million votesaccounting for nearly half of the countrys registered votersin Cambodias 2013 general election, and enjoyed similar success in last years commune ballot, making it the only legitimate challenger to the CPP ahead of July.



In addition to targeting the opposition, Cambodias government has also cracked down on critical voices within the countrys NGO community and independent media in recent months, in what is seen as part of a bid by Hun Sen to ensure that he remains in power after the vote.



According to a report by the Khmer Times, Hun Sen reiterated a pledge to rule Cambodia for two additional terms while speaking at a graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, saying that when the treasonous group emerged, I decided to extend my office to 10 more years to prevent them from destroying Cambodia.



Hun Sen is Southeast Asias longest ruling strongman, having first come to power in 1985 after serving as Cambodias foreign minister.



Royal endorsement



The denial of Kem Sokhas bail appeal came as Cambodias King Norodom Sihamoni officially endorsed the upcoming vote as free and fair and urged his citizens to exercise their rights by heading to the polls on July 29 to elect leaders who will develop the country.



In a letter dated May 18, but released to local media on Tuesday, the king said that Cambodias election process is in keeping with the principles of pluralism and called on voters to ignore warnings and threats from any individual or political party that might prevent them from casting their ballot next month.



The royal endorsement followed repeated threats by Cambodias government to prosecute anyone calling for a boycott of the election, after the CNRP told supporters to avoid the polls because it had been banned from participating.



Hun Sen has repeatedly urged Cambodians to show up for the ballot and, in early May, senior CPP official and National AIDS Authority chairman Ieng Mouly was quoted by government-aligned Fresh News media as saying that non-voters love dictators, adding that those whose fingers are not stained with voting ink at the end of the election will be easily identified as guerillas and traitors.



Late last month, former CNRP President Sam Rainsy wrote an open letter to King Sihamoni from self-imposed exile, urging him to refrain from endorsing the election and bending to the will of the CPP in calling on the public to vote, given the countrys political situation.



CNRP deputy president Eng Chhay Eang on Tuesday told RFAs Khmer Service that the kings endorsement is routine and is expected ahead of every election, but he suggested that his partys supporters are now better informed and would choose to boycott the ballot because they know right from wrong.



Without a doubt, the upcoming election will be neither free nor fairit will not reflect the will of the people as they have been deprived of their right to choose the leaders and political party they want following the current regimes persecution of the opposition, he said.



I believe the people will not be persuaded by any appeal for them to vote under such circumstances. Instead, they will stay home to exercise their rights.



The monarchy has come under considerable pressure from the CPP during Hun Sens rule, and the prime minister once threatened to change the countrys form of government to a republic if the current kings late father, King Norodom Sihanouk, refused to sign a supplemental treaty administering Cambodias border with Vietnam.



Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.Chinese police officers arrest members of the Qiuyu Protestant church during a gathering in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province, June 4, 2018.

Police in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan have detained 17 Christians after they gathered for memorial prayers for the victims of the massacre that ended the 1989 student-led protests on Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

Members of the Qiuyu, or Early Rain, Protestant church in Sichuan's provincial capital Chengdu were detained after they showed up for a prayer meeting titled "Praying for Our Country on June 4," church members told RFA.

Police from Chengdu's Caoshijie police station in Qingyang district and local officials from the religious affairs bureau burst in on the gathering in a residential building in the district at around 3 p.m. on Monday.

They ordered the prayers to end immediately on the grounds that the meeting was an "illegal assembly."

Public memorials and discussions of the events of June 1989 are banned, with activists who seek to commemorate the bloodshed often detained and veteran dissidents placed under police surveillance or detention during each anniversary.

Police detained Qiuyu pastor Wang Yi and preachers Li Yingqiang, Zhang Xudong, Ge Yingfeng and more than 10 church members, taking them down to the police station for questioning.

Photos of the scene seen by RFA showed plainclothes officers in the church office, with some people shooting video of proceedings. On the street below, uniformed officers had sealed off the street to traffic, according to social media posts made by church members.

By 8 p.m. on Monday evening, a number of church members were also placed under house arrest, according to a church member who requested anonymity.

"None of them have been released yet; they won't be released now, because today is a [politically] sensitive date," the church member said. "The church members who didn't attend had been detained in their own homes."

"Pastor Wang Yi arrived at the church at around 1 p.m., and Li Yingqiang was there waiting, having called on our brothers and sisters to arrive early," the church member said. "We never thought they would be there by 3 p.m."

Released the next day

The church members were all released the following day, Li Yingqiang told RFA on Tuesday.

"They never actually gave a real reason for detaining us," Li said. "All they would say was that it was an illegal assembly. But I think the real reason was that they didn't want that prayer meeting to go ahead, so they took [us] down to the police station."

"They were very rough and rude in the process, and they beat up a few people while they were detaining us," he said. "They slapped me around the head once they'd gotten hold of me. They split my lip."

Li said he wouldn't pursue any complaint, however.

"I told them at the time that what they were doing was illegal," Li said. "I wish the authorities would understand our organization ... so as to avoid any further situations where they abuse their power, and the rights of citizens, and infringe our right to the freedom of religious belief."

Calls to the Qingyang district police department rang unanswered during office hours on Tuesday.

Crackdown on house churches

Protestant "house church" pastor Huang Yizi said the authorities are currently engaged in a nationwide crackdown on unofficial Protestant churches.

"The rule of law in China is all messed up, so it's very hard for us to achieve certain things," Huang said. "For example, I think the Early Rain Church did really well yesterday."

Last month, a large group of Early Rain Church members were detained after they gathered for a memorial service on Saturday on the 10th anniversary of the devastating 2008 earthquake.

Ruling Chinese Communist Party officials in the southwestern province of Sichuan had declared the 10th anniversary of the devastating 2008 earthquake a "day of thanksgiving" for reconstruction efforts.

But many quake victims said they are worse off than before and are prevented from speaking out or holding public memorial events for the more than 80,000 people who died in the quake, in particular the thousands of children who died when school buildings collapsed.

China is home to an estimated 68 million Protestants, of whom 23 million worship in state-affiliated churches, and some nine million Catholics, 5.7 million of whom are in state-sponsored organizations.

But the ruling Chinese Communist Party, which embraces atheism, exercises tight control over any form of religious practice among its citizens.

The administration of President Xi Jinping regards Christianity as a dangerous foreign import, with officials warning against the "infiltration of Western hostile forces" in the form of religion.

Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.A former leader of the 1989 student-led democracy movement in China has announced plans set up a think-tank to research democratic reform in the country, on the 29th anniversary of the bloody military crackdown that ended weeks of protest on Tiananmen Square.



Wang Dan, a prominent veteran of the 1989 protests, called the think-tank focusing on a democratic transition for China as "the second major battle of my life," after his role in the Tiananmen Square protests, which were styled a "counterrevolutionary rebellion" by the ruling Chinese Communist Party.



Wang now lives in the United States after spending eight years on the democratic island of Taiwan, which had its own peaceful transition to democracy during the 1990s.



"Dialogue China won't just leave opposition ideas at the level of political slogans; it will do everything it can to turn them into concrete policies, systems and proposals," Wang said at the launch of the organization. "We will engage in a realistic analysis of contemporary China."



Wang has invited a number of prominent dissidents in exile to join him at the body, many of whom are from his own era of activism, but he has also extended an invitation to Joshua Wong, a student leader of the 2014 Occupy Central pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.



Hu Ping, the New York-based editor of the Chinese-language monthly Beijing Spring, dissident intellectual Su Xiaokang, and former 1989 student protest leader Wang Juntao will also play a prominent role in the think-tank, Wang said.



However, the final appointments will be decided democratically, said Wang, who is now fund-raising for the venture.



"Ever since President Xi Jinping took power in 2012, shocking changes have been taking place in China," Wang said. "Internally, the Chinese Communist Party has regressed from being merely an authoritarian regime to a totalitarian one."



"Externally, China has begun to spread its own brand of political and economic ideology across the whole world," he said.



A stable transition



Wang said his new think-tank, to be called Dialogue China, will focus on researching ways in which China could achieve a democratic transition without losing stability.



It will do so by encouraging dialogue between different political viewpoints, he said, including those from Taiwan, Tibet, the northwestern region of Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia.



The think-tank will also issue regular research reports on China, and host a monthly discussion forum fostering dialogue between residents of mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.



He estimates he will need a year to raise funds, and plans to run "China salons" in New York, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto to prepare for the think-tank's opening.



Joshua Wong told reporters that the think-tank is highly relevant to the political aspirations of many in Hong Kong.



"Our struggle for autonomy and democracy doesn't mean that our work here in Hong Kong is disconnected from other places, including the democracy movement in mainland China," Wong said.



"What's more, this could be an outlet for democracy activists in Hong Kong to engage in a mutual learning process with activists in other places."



Wong was unable to attend the launch in the U.S., however, as he is currently on bail pending an appeal, and has to abide by travel restrictions.



Numbers still unclear



The death toll from the night of June 3-4, 1989, when PLA tanks and troops entered Beijing, opening fire on unarmed civilians, remains unknown to this day.



While the Chinese government once put the death toll at "nearly 300," it has never issued an official toll or list of names.



A 2009 map published by the Tiananmen Mothers listed more than 250 names garnered from confirmed eyewitness accounts and hospital records of those known to have died in the days after June 3.



Reported by Wang Yun for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Fok Leung-kiu and Ma Lap-hak for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.Myanmar's President Win Myint attends an event to accept credentials from foreign ambassadors at the presidential house in Naypyidaw, May 3, 2018.

Myanmar President Win Myint has barred a group of Shan state ministers and lawmakers from traveling to Indonesia on a food-safety study tour, leaving the officials to speculate why some colleagues were able to make the trip, while others were held back.

The Myanmar School of Politics (MySoP) arranged for three ministers and seven legislators from the Shan state government, and 16 others from 12 political parties, to visit Indonesia from June 3-8.

The school is a joint program set up by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and Political Parties of Finland for Democracy (Demo Finland) to strengthen the democratic role of politicians and political parties at the regional and state levels in Myanmar and enhance multiparty dialogue.

It offers courses, day learning retreats, and weekend sessions on political theory, policy making, debating, speech writing, and state- and region-specific issues.

MySoP has been working with politicians and political parties in Myanmars five easternmost states and regions, including multiethnic Shan state, since 2014.

But an announcement by Win Myints office issued on Monday gave a vague reason for not allowing the Shan ministers and lawmakers to go to Indonesia.

It said we are not allowed to travel to Indonesia because the trip was not in accordance with certain procedures, but we dont know how it went against any procedures, said Yaw Thut, an ethnic Lahu minister who was not permitted to go on the study tour. The Shan state government and speaker of parliament might have a more detailed announcement, but we dont know the details.

Lawmaker Nyi Nat of Matman township in the Wa Special Region of northern Shan state said that he returned to the town of Lashio after he found out he could not participate.

Sixteen people from 12 political parties had already received permission and went there, but then the Presidents Office announced at the last minute that it was barring state ministers and MPs [from Shan state] from leaving for Indonesia, he said.

The abrupt decision to cancel the travel plans of the Shan group left them to speculate about the reasons behind the move.

I dont know why it is exactly, but there might be some reasons we were barred from the trip, such as connecting with people from Indonesia regarding travel and visa applications for the trip, said Sai Hseng Tip Long, Shan states finance minister,

For example, we need invitations from our counterparts for a foreign visit, he said. We cant go to any foreign country without completing certain procedures that pass through the Foreign Affairs Ministry. We have to submit our documents to the ministry, and we can travel only after we get permission from the Myanmar government.

In my opinion, there might be some mistake in their travel procedures, he said. Thats why we have been barred.

RFA was unable to reach the Presidents Office for comment.

Reported by Wai Mar Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has condemned a deadly suicide bombing outside a gathering of the country's top religious body in Kabul, and backed its religious order, or fatwa, against such attacks.

"The attack that targeted the large gathering of clerics and religious scholars from across the country was in fact an attack against the heirs of the prophet of Islam and the values of Islam," Ghani said in a video address after the June 4 bombing.

The president also expressed support for the fatwa against suicide bombings, saying, "Unfortunately, the imposed war in Afghanistan every day takes lives of our innocent children."

Some reports said a total 14 people died in the Kabul attack, including seven clerics.

A local affiliate of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group claimed responsibility, while the Taliban denied involvement.

The U.S. State Department condemned the bombing, saying it "exposes the terrorists' inhumanity and contradicts the Islamic principles and legitimacy they claim to defend."

Officials said the suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the entrance of a compound in the west of Kabul where the Afghan Ulema Council was meeting.

The attacker struck after around 2,000 Muslim clerics, scholars, and figures of authority in religion and law from across Afghanistan who had gathered for the meeting issued a fatwa declaring suicide attacks forbidden, or "haram," under the principles of Islam.

They also appealed on both the Afghan government forces and the Taliban and other militants to agree on a cease-fire, and called for peace negotiations between the sides.

Militant attacks have killed dozens of people in Kabul in recent months, showing no sign of easing during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

On May 30, an attack on the Interior Ministry in the city killed one policeman, officials said. A suicide bomber and all seven gunmen involved also died in the assault, which was claimed by the IS group.

Meanwhile, the Taliban has stepped up its attacks against Afghan security forces as well as government officials across the country since the announcement of its spring offensive in April.

With reporting by ReutersTBILISI -- Tbilisi subway workers demanding higher wages have continued their strike for a second day, as the leader of the antigovernment protest movement in the Georgian capital vowed determination to fight against the South Caucasus country's ruling elite.

Crammed buses with signs reading "FREE of charge" continued to ferry commuters throughout Tbilisi on June 5, after the subway workers refused the mayor's offer to increase salaries beginning next year.

They are calling for a 45 percent pay increase, but Tbilisi authorities say there aren't sufficient funds to meet their demands.

Outside Isani subway station, buses arrived too full to allow for more than a handful of people to squeeze on. Many commuters gave up trying and flagged down taxis.

Katya, a university student, told RFE/RL she had tried to get onto three busses.

"It's impossible.... Now I'm already late for my classes," she said.

Meanwhile, protesters demanding the government's resignation geared up for a sixth day of demonstrations in Tbilisi, after the protest leader said his June 4 meeting with Georgia's prime minister didn't alter his determination to fight against what the protesters see as a corrupt ruling elite.

"I have absolutely the same position -- the system should be destroyed," Zaza Saralidze told reporters after the talks with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

The street demonstrations began on May 31 as a protest against the verdict in the trial of two young men suspected of killing Saralidze's teenage son and another 16-year-old teenager in December.

Protesters originally called on chief prosecutor Irakli Shotadze to step down, but after Shotadze resigned, demonstrators increased their demands for the entire government to step down.

Before meeting with Saralidze, Kvirikashvili issued a statement saying that he is ready to meet with the parents of the dead teenagers "but without the participation of politically engaged individuals."

The Tbilisi City Court handed down prison sentences of 10 years and nine years for the two men convicted in the case -- one of murder and the other of attempted murder.

But protesters say they believe people other than the two defendants were responsible for the deaths and escaped punishment because their relatives worked in the Prosecutor-General's Office.

The demonstrations have tapped a vein of concern about what some Georgians say is corruption and an atmosphere of impunity in the country.

With reporting by Amos Chapple in TbilisiVLADIKAVKAZ/MAKHACHKALA, Russia -- When 19-year-old Vika sat down recently to list her dreams for her future, the first one read simply: "I want a new life."

Diagnosed along with her two brothers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Vika's life with her single mother in the capital of Russia's North Ossetia region has never been easy. But she says that what happened to her over several months in early 2017, when her mother took her brothers to Moscow for medical treatment, has left her devastated.

"When I returned home, I simply couldn't recognize anything," Vika's mother, Zalina Duduyeva, told RFE/RL. "Everything was broken. Anything of value was missing. The floor was littered with used condoms."

When she asked what had happened, her teenage daughter began to cry.

"I gave her a pen and asked her to write it down," she says.

The story that slowly emerged was the stuff of nightmares.

"They came often and drank alcohol," Vika wrote. "When I didn't want to do that with them" -- she meant having sex -- "they beat me, broke the furniture, threw stuff around."

She described "a neighbor of my friend Lina," a 13-year-old in the area, sending his friends over.

"They forced themselves on me and raped me," Vika wrote. "Then other men started coming over and forcing me to do things like that."

Asked to name the alleged perpetrators, Vika jotted down a list that ran to more than 20 men and boys as young as 16. One of the names belonged to a 35-year-old father of two. Another was that of an athlete who is known and admired throughout North Ossetia.

Over the ensuing months, as the criminal investigation fruitlessly played out, the case was tried on the streets and on social media, with many North Ossetians blaming the victims in apparent bids to preserve the honor of their republic.

After more than a year of investigations headed by no fewer than five lead investigators, the republican Investigative Committee in Vladikavkaz last month ruled it could find no evidence of a crime because the alleged perpetrators did not know that Vika, whose last name and image are being withheld because RFE/RL does not identify the victims of sexual crimes, was incapable of giving informed consent.

The public outcry across Russia over that decision was so strong that the Russian Investigative Committee on May 31 took the unusual step of overruling its local colleagues and ordering the probe reopened.

Because of the decision of the local investigators and the hostile reaction and threats of many neighbors and others in Vladikavkaz, Zalina Duduyeva decided to bring the incident to the public's attention.

Left On Her Own

In January 2016, Duduyeva had to travel to the Russian capital with her two sons, Murat and Ruslan, who were 14 at the time, for medical treatment because there are no clinics for autistic children in Vladikavkaz. She planned to be in Moscow just a couple of weeks and left Vika, who had just turned 18, in the apartment alone. She asked relatives, a close friend, and Vika's father -- who lives separately in Vladikavkaz -- to look in on her and make sure she was OK.

But Murat suffered an unexpected medical setback and Duduyeva was forced to remain in Moscow for several months. She spoke to the North Ossetian deputy prime minister for labor and social development by telephone about providing home care for Vika. The official told Duduyeva not to worry and "to focus on treating her child in Moscow," Duduyeva told RFE/RL.

The first sign of trouble came in the spring. Ruslan was sent home for a period and when he returned to Moscow, he told Duduyeva some alarming things. He said that "someone came to Vika and chased him away after beating him," Duduyeva explained. Duduyeva asked her brother, Maksim, to look in on Vika, but he reported only that "some kids were playing around there."

"You'll come home and clean it up," he said.

One of Duduyeva's neighbors, who asked to be identified only by the first name Leyla, told RFE/RL she tried to warn Maksim. "We told him that [Vika] was bringing unknown people there and he said that it was none of our business, that she was an adult, and that they'd take care of it themselves," the neighbor said. "He told us not to stick our noses in his sister's business."

'Everyone Turned A Blind Eye'

On June 9, 2017, Duduyeva and her sons were finally able to return from Moscow, only to find an apartment that was all but destroyed. The neighbors told her they had tried to persuade Vika's father to call the police, but he refused.

"The neighbors were really surprised. But they just said, 'If the father isn't going to call the police, why should we?'" Duduyeva recalled.

Duduyeva finally called the police, who arrived at the trashed apartment. They took Vika's statement and searched the apartment for fingerprints.

Duduyeva packed up the family and left -- beginning months of living in hotels, with friends, and even briefly in a convent. Now Duduyeva lives in a hotel owned by a sympathetic acquaintance on the outskirts of Vladikavkaz, while Vika has taken shelter in a crisis center for women in Makhachkala, in nearby Daghestan.

Shortly after Duduyeva's return, Vika stopped speaking and refused to eat. Duduyeva found alarming online messages by Vika that seemed to hint at suicide. She found razor blades among Vika's possessions and called an ambulance. Vika was taken to a local psychiatric hospital, where she spent two weeks under observation.

As part of the criminal probe, Vika underwent a medical examination.

"As a result of her mental deficiency, [Vika] does not understand the internal aspects of events (such as the biological significance of sex or its social significance or consequences)," the report stated. "She could not resist the illegal actions taken against her."

"Vika does not understand many social norms," Duduyeva said. "She does not understand that words sometimes have double meanings. All the years that she was with me, she had no real acquaintances or friends. When people took advantage of her, she never complained about anyone. It never occurred to me that if something happened to Vika, no one would do anything to help. The entire building knew that there was chaos in our apartment and that men from practically every corner of the republic were coming by, but for some reason, everyone turned a blind eye."

"My Vika calmly accepts aggression and is not capable of resisting it," Duduyeva added. "Because of her condition, she is malleable. If she is among thieves, she will steal. If she is among debauched people, she'll do what they tell her to do. If you teach her to be a great assistant in a kindergarten, she'll be the best assistant. My children are very good and can function in society if there is a normal society around them."

Duduyeva said Vika understood that she was in a problematic situation but that, like many people with her condition, she did not know how to resist or seek help. Vika said that she wanted to call the police but the men threatened her and beat her to force her to stay silent.

She said her attackers filmed compromising video of her and told her they would post it on the Internet if she told anyone what had happened.

No Relief

Far from resolving their problems, the opening of the police investigation was only the next step in the family's troubles, Duduyeva said. Authorities opened a probe on charges of "sexual violence" but ignored the accusations of rape, robbery, and destruction of property.

For months, investigators said they had misplaced Vika's list of her accused tormentors. One lead investigator after another took over the case, but nothing was done and no one was arrested.

Meanwhile, Duduyeva began receiving threatening phone calls from the relatives of people named by Vika. Some said the police were extorting money from them and accused Duduyeva of being in league with corrupt cops. One mother said she planned to file a complaint against Vika for allegedly "corrupting" her minor son.

In deciding to close the investigation, the authorities determined that the men involved in the case could not have known of Vika's diminished capacity. They also criticized Vika, saying her testimony contained "idiosyncratic fantasizing, significant changes in her answers, the addition of new details, the inclusion of independent judgments, and a tendency toward contradiction and exaggeration."

They concluded that before Duduyeva's return from Moscow, Vika did not complain to anyone; that she voluntarily had sex with the men in question; and that later, under pressure from her mother, she made up the accusations.

The investigation did not respond to the threats and slanders that Vika and Duduyeva received via telephone and social media. Duduyeva says she is afraid to stay in Vladikavkaz and fears for the well-being of her sons if she does.

RFE/RL spoke to many people in Duduyeva's neighborhood, all of whom had heard of the case. Many said the family should move away for good.

"Stop shaming Ossetia," several said, in one version or another. Several said, without providing examples, that Duduyeva had always been a bad neighbor and would rush off to sue at the slightest problem.

People on social media have written that the incident was Duduyeva's fault for leaving Vika alone. Some wrote that Duduyeva was exploiting her daughter to earn money.

The tires of Duduyeva's car were punctured repeatedly. Once, Duduyeva called police because a neighbor blocked her car and screamed at her that she and her daughter were "prostitutes."

Still Seeking Justice

The public's reaction in North Ossetia wasn't entirely negative, though.

Rights activists have provided Duduyeva and Vika with a lawyer, while a local entrepreneur provided funding for a group of volunteers to carry out some repairs in the family's wrecked apartment.

Duduyeva continues doing everything she can to push for justice for Vika. She has written to every official that she can think of. She has appealed to the North Ossetian justice minister and is in contact with the republic's human rights ombudsman. But no one has been detained.

"Do you want us to throw the whole republic in prison?" Duduyeva recalled one investigator asking her.

Vika is reluctant to return, saying that all her friends have forsaken her. "I had a friend named Liza, but she also blocked me," she told RFE/RL, showing her page on the VK social-media site. "It is awful how many people have unfriended me."

Now Vika is virtually a prisoner in the Machakhala crisis center. She is rarely allowed to go outside, as the center's managers are afraid she'll get into another difficult situation. She sits at home for days on end, only occasionally running out to empty the trash or buy a loaf of bread.

She still dreams of "a new life."

Written by Robert Coalson based on reporting by Yelizaveta Mayetnaya and Sergei Khazov-Cassia of RFE/RL's Russian ServiceKYIV -- The leak of an alleged "Russian hit list" has stirred anxieties and raised more questions about the bizarre Ukrainian staging of journalist Arkady Babchenko's death after journalists on the list said they doubted its authenticity.

Ukraine is still reeling nearly a week after authorities here faked the contract-style killing of Babchenko, a Russian dissident journalist, as part of a controversial and elaborate ruse they claim was necessary to foil a real Russian assassination plot.

Instead of details in the bizarre case becoming clearer, they have grown murkier by the day, with authorities fingering the director of a Ukrainian arms manufacturer that provides sights to snipers of its armed forces as the organizer who hired a right-wing, anti-Russian, former monk-turned-volunteer soldier to be the shooter.

Both have claimed to have been in league with Ukraine's intelligence services, something Ukrainian officials first denied, then partly corrected, saying the would-be shooter, Oleksiy Tsimbalyuk, had indeed been working with them. The manufacturer, Borys Herman, was remanded in custody by a Kyiv court on May 31.

The whole affair took a strange new turn on June 5 when a purported "hit list" of 47 people -- mainly journalists and political activists -- that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claims to have discovered during the Babchenko operation was leaked to Strana.ua, an opposition news site, and published online.

SBU spokeswoman Olena Hitlyanska told Interfax-Ukraine on June 5 that she was not familiar with the Strana.ua list and could not comment on its authenticity.

"The list is a secret of the investigation," she said.

But the SBU has confirmed the existence of a 47-person list of people it claims are potential Russian assassination targets. They first claimed to have discovered a list 30 names long. Yuriy Lutsenko, Ukraines prosecutor-general, said last week that all 47 people had been informed and arrangements were being made to ensure their safety.

Then later, on June 5, the SBU announced it had launched a criminal investigation into the unauthorized leak of "a list of persons whose details are contained" in materials related to a pretrial investigation, seemingly lending credence to Strana.ua's report.

The Kremlin had not commented on the list at the time of publication. But it denied any involvement after Ukraine accused it of ordering the assassination of Babchenko before he showed up alive at a press conference the following day.

List 'Multiplies Before Our Eyes'

The "hit list" caused worry and confusion for many journalists as they openly doubted the authenticity of a document that had been so variously described in such a short period of time.

Dmytro Gnap, a journalist for independent Hromadske TVs Slidstvo.info investigative unit, who is not among those on the list, seemed to doubt its veracity in a post on Facebook, asking sarcastically how the number of people on the list seemed to "multiply before my eyes."

Others also doubted its provenance, saying they found the makeup of it odd, since so many people on it were critics of the Ukrainian authorities. Oleksiy Bratushchak, a journalist for the independent Ukrayinskaya Pravda news site, wondered whether this signaled an attempt by Ukraines intelligence services to control "all [the] movements, all [the] meetings" of its critics ahead of elections.

Reached by RFE/RL on June 4, three journalists on the list who spoke on the condition that their names be withheld due to the potential threat to their lives (and because the SBU had them sign a nondisclosure agreement) said they doubted the authenticity of the list for a number of reasons.

They confirmed the list published by Strana.ua was similar to the one they had been shown by the SBU but said it had some slight differences, including variations in the order of the names and some spellings. All of them noted that Babchenko's name was not on the list.

The three said they had been offered state security but declined it, saying they did not trust the Ukrainian authorities to protect them or not to spy on them.

One of the journalists brought in said the SBU had also questioned them. Among the questions they were asked: What is your opinion of Russian aggression in Ukraine?

No Criticism Allowed?

Journalists in Ukraine have long faced harassment, intimidation, doxing, and physical attacks -- some of which has come from authorities.

On May 30, Larysa Sarhan, spokeswoman for Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko, published on her Facebook page a list of journalists that included Myroslava Gongadze, head of Voice of America's Ukrainian service and the widow of murdered Ukrainian journalist Heorhiy Gongadze, and National Union of Journalists of Ukraine Chairman Serhiy Tomilenko.

Sarhan took them to task for criticizing the authorities' handling of the Babchenko operation, which was also lambasted by international groups.

Harlem Desir, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) representative on freedom of the media, condemned Sarhans words.

"The publishing of a list including names of journalists, accusing them of being traitors, is unacceptable and dangerous. This can have serious repercussions for the safety of journalists," Desir wrote in a letter to the authorities. "I strongly encourage the authorities to intervene and suspend such practices, especially those undertaken by government officials, given the sensitive and difficult environment in Ukraine at the moment."

'I Got Used To Watching My Back'

Yevgeny Kiselyov, a veteran Russian journalist and TV news presenter at Ukraine's Pryamiy TV, a network that is supportive of President Petro Poroshenko, was among the few who spoke on the record about being on the list. He told RFE/RL he believed the list was real and that he was unsurprised his name turned up on it but that it did not rattle him.

Kiselyov, who moved to Ukraine in 2008 after he was pushed out of Russias media scene, and his Pryamiy colleague Matvey Ganapolsky, also a Russian who relocated here following Moscows annexation of Crimea in 2014 and was given Ukrainian citizenship, were the first two journalists on the alleged list to come forward after authorities upped the count from 30 to 47 on June 1 to say they had been informed and offered state security.

"I got used to watching my back," Kiselyov said. "I always assumed that I can be on some kind of a hit list."Iran says it has informed the UN nuclear agency that it has launched the process of increasing its capacity to enrich uranium in case the 2015 agreement that curbed its nuclear program collapses.

Vice President Ali Akbar Salehi, who heads the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, said on June 5 that a letter was handed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna to inform it of the decision.

But he also said Iran will continue adhering to the 2015 nuclear deal and that the country's nuclear activities will remain within the limits set by the accord.

Last month, President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the deal that set strict limits on Iran's uranium enrichment in return for the lifting of international sanctions.

The other signatories to the accord -- Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany -- said they remain committed to the deal. Iran for now also is honoring the agreement.

"If conditions allow, maybe tomorrow night at [the Natanz enrichment plant], we can announce the opening of the center for production of new centrifuges," Salehi said, quoted by the semiofficial Fars news agency.

This "does not mean that we will start assembling the centrifuges," he insisted.

Salehi said the move was in line with instructions from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ordered preparations for the resumption of unlimited uranium enrichment should the nuclear deal -- known by the acronym JCPOA -- fall apart.

"If the JCPOA collapses...and if we decide to assemble new centrifuges, we will assemble new-generation...centrifuges. However, for the time being, we move within the framework of the JCPOA," Salehi said.

After Iran's announcement, French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a risk of "escalation."

Speaking at a news conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron said everyone involved should "stabilize the situation and not give into this escalation, which would lead to only one thing: conflict."



But Macron also said Trump was responsible for unilaterally pulling out of the JCPOA.

"When you decide to bring an end to a deal on your side, that does not encourage the other party to respect it," he said, calling this "solid common sense."

Netanyahu said he had not asked France to leave the deal because he believed the JCPOA would not survive after America's pullout.

"I didn't ask France to withdraw from the JCPOA because I think it is basically going to be dissolved by the weight of economic forces," Netanyahu said.

Earlier, Netanyahu said the Iranian plan to increase its nuclear enrichment capacity was aimed at producing nuclear weapons to be used against Israel, its archrival.

"We are not surprised [by Irans announcement], he said in a video statement. We will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons."

Tehran insists its nuclear program is for civilian use.

The nuclear agreement allows Iran to continue 3.67 percent uranium enrichment, far below the roughly 90 percent threshold of weapons-grade.

With reporting by Reuters, BBC, and AFPIran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned European governments that they are wrong to expect Iran to both stick to international sanctions and give up its nuclear program, calling such demands "a dream that will never come true. Khamenei made the remarks in Tehran at an event marking the 29th anniversary of the death of his predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. He said that Iran is prepared to ramp up its uranium enrichment work should the so-called Iranian nuclear deal fall apart.BISHKEK  Kyrgyz authorities have taken into custody a former prime minister and a former mayor of Bishkek in a graft case related to modernization work at a power plant in the capital city.

Former Prime Minister Sapar Isakov on June 5 was ordered jailed in pretrial detention for two months, a week after he was charged with corruption.

The ruling by the Birinchi Mai District Court in the capital came after the State Committee for National Security (UKMK) summoned Isakov for a fourth time in the case since his cabinet was dismissed in April following a no-confidence vote.

The former mayor of Bishkek, Kubanychbek Kulmatov, who was taken into custody on the same day, will remain in detention until June 28, his lawyer said.

Kulmatov, who had also served as the head of the State Customs Service, was charged with corruption on May 18.

In separate statements, the UKMK said that Isakov and Kulmatov would be jailed for the duration of the investigation, adding that they were charged with corruption and ordered not to leave the country.

As he was being escorted from the court building by guards, Isakov said the judge's decision was "totally unjust."

The charge against Isakov stems from 2013, when he was implementing a project to modernize the Bishkek Thermal Power Station while serving as deputy head of the administration of former President Almazbek Atambaev.

He is accused of using his position to lobby for the interests of a Chinese company in the selection process of a contractor for the modernization of the power plant, inflicting great damage on the Kyrgyz state and society.

The Chinese company TBEA has been selected as the winner of the tender. The case was launched after an accident at the Bishkek power station in January left thousands of households in the capital without heat for several days last winter.

Isakov, who denies wrongdoing, had suggested he believed the state may mount a corruption case against former officials over the heating outages, but said Atambaev and his team had worked in a clean way, with no corruption whatsoever."

Both Isakov and Kulmatov are considered to be close associates of Atambaev.

The pressure on Isakov was seen as one of several examples of an ongoing rift between President Sooronbai Jeenbekov and his predecessor, Atambaev, who backed Jeenbekov in the October presidential election but has criticized him in recent weeks.

In April, Jeenbekov fired several Atambaev allies, including Prosecutor-General Indira Joldubaeva and UKMK head Abdil Segizbaev, who had been criticized for a crackdown on opposition politicians and independent journalists.

A well-known Bishkek-based lawyer, Nurbek Toktakunov, wrote on Facebook on June 4 that Kyrgyzstan's Constitutional Chamber had accepted his motion to find unconstitutional the existing law that gives former presidents full immunity from prosecution.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)'s media freedom representative has expressed concern over an Internet post in which he said a Ukrainian official accused several journalists and other public figures of being traitors.

"The publishing of a list, including names of journalists, accusing them of being traitors is unacceptable and dangerous," an OSCE statement on June 5 quoted media-freedom envoy Harlem Desir as saying in a letter to the Ukrainian authorities.

"This can have serious repercussions for the safety of journalists," Desir wrote. "I strongly encourage the authorities to intervene and suspend such practices, especially those undertaken by government officials, given the sensitive and difficult environment in Ukraine at the moment."

The rebuke referred to a Facebook post in which Larysa Sarhan, a spokeswoman for Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko, listed about 25 people and included remarks that in some cases contained criticism of the state regarding journalists' safety and alleged impunity for crimes against media.

Sarhan's post and the OSCE representative's criticism came amid controversy over the faked killing of Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko in Kyiv on May 29.

The list Sarhan posted included journalist Myroslava Gongadze, National Union of Journalists Chairman Serhiy Tomilenko, and former Odesa region Governor Mikheil Saakashvili, who is a vocal foe of President Petro Poroshenko's government.Russian President Vladimir Putin has ridiculed the U.S. indictment of a Kremlin-connected billionaire for allegedly meddling in the 2016 presidential election, scoffing at the idea that someone described as his chef could sway U.S. voters.

In an interview with Austrian public broadcaster ORF on June 4, Putin dismissed as "ridiculous" charges by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller against Yevgeny Prigozhin, a wealthy restauranteur dubbed "Putin's chef" who owns the Internet Research Agency, often described as a troll factory, which allegedly ran a U.S. social-media campaign during the 2016 election.

Mueller's indictment accuses Prigozhin and 12 other Russians of engaging in an alleged election-meddling conspiracy by placing politically divisive posts and ads that reached millions of U.S. voters on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.

"How low the Western information and political environment has fallen if a restaurateur from Russia could influence elections in the United States or a European country," Putin said.

Prigozhin has been dubbed "Putin's chef" by Russian media because his restaurants and catering businesses have hosted the Kremlin leader's dinners with foreign dignitaries.

Putin told ORF that the Russian government had no connection to Prigozhin's activities. He cited the example of Hungarian-American billionaire and philanthropist George Soros, who he accused of meddling in the affairs of various countries while "our American friends often tell me that America has nothing to do with it."

"The [U.S.] Department of State would tell you that...it's Mr. Soros's private business. Well, here it's Mr. Prigozhin's private business," Putin said.

Unlike Prigozhin's friendly ties with the Kremlin, Soros is not friendly with the White House. In January, Soros called U.S. President Donald Trump a "danger to the world" and predicted his presidency would be a "purely temporary phenomenon that will disappear in 2020."

Based on reporting by AP and TASSNikolai Andrushchenko, a prominent Russian anticorruption reporter who died last year after being beaten up, was among 18 journalists commemorated in Washington on June 4 for being killed while pursuing their work.

In a ceremony held at the Fallen Journalists Memorial Wall at the Newseum -- a museum dedicated to journalism and press freedom -- Andrushchenko, 73, was honored along with Daphne Caruna Galizia, 53, a Maltese investigative journalist who was killed last year by car bomb after she wrote articles about widespread corruption in the Mediterranean country.

The honorees lost their lives pursuing the news in far-flung places around the world, including Iraq, Syria, Mexico, the Maldives, India, Colombia, Denmark, the Philippines, and South Sudan, as well as Malta and Russia.

The 18 singled out for honors were meant to represent all 46 journalists killed around the world in 2017. The memorial lists names of 2,323 journalists who have died for their work since 1837.

Andrushchenko, a co-founder of the weekly newspaper Novy Peterburg, was found unconscious with what colleagues described as head trauma on March 9, 2017. He never regained consciousness and died on April 19.

Novy Peterburg editor Denis Usov said Andrushchenko had been attacked previously in incidents he linked to articles that the newspaper had written about corruption in the city.



Those articles reported extensively on connections between St. Petersburg city officials and organized criminal syndicates.

Andrushchenko was a member of the St. Petersburg city council from 1990 until 1993.



He became a renowned journalist as a result of his investigative reporting about human rights issues in Russia, organized crime, and police brutality.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, The Moscow Times, and ReutersBISHKEK -- Tajik and Kyrgyz border guards have brawled on disputed land on the two Central Asian neighbors' border, officials from both countries say.

Kyrgyzstan's Border Guard Service said the incident took place in the Leilek district in the country's southern Batken region on June 5, after Kyrgyz vendors started selling goods on a disputed part of the border.

Kyrgyz border guards briefly detained three armed Tajik border guards following the brawl that involved shooting.

Nobody was hurt.

The deputy governor of the adjacent Tajik region of Sughd, Rustam Rahmatzoda, told RFE/RL that Kyrgyz authorities released the three Tajik border guards following negotiations between officials from the two countries.

Rahmatzoda added that the situation along the border was calm and under control of both the Tajik and Kyrgyz authorities.

The governors of Batken and Sughd regions are expected to hold talks on the matter later on June 5.

Clashes and shootings are common along the borders between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The three countries' borders meet in the densely populated Ferghana Valley.

Large portions of the borders between Central Asian states have been under dispute since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.U.S. allies and partners should work harder to ensure Iran does not deceive them into funding Tehran's "nefarious activities," the U.S. Treasury Department said on June 5.



"You must harden your financial networks, require your companies to do extra due diligence to keep them from being caught in Irans deceptive web, and make clear the very significant risks of doing business with companies and persons in Iran," Undersecretary of the Treasury Sigal Mandelker said in Washington.

"To those in the private sector, I urge you to also take additional steps to ensure Iran and its proxies are not exploiting your companies to support their nefarious activities," she said.

President Donald Trump on May 8 announced that the United States was leaving a landmark 2015 deal that Iran signed with world powers to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Trump also announced he was reinstating trade sanctions on Iran and against those countries that keep doing business with it.

"The Iranian regime will deceive your companies, undermine the integrity of your financial systems, and put your institutions at risk of our powerful sanctions, all to fund terrorism, human rights abuses, and terrorist groups," Mandelker said.

"You must be proactive in these efforts as Iran continues to search for ways to take advantage of your companies and countries," Mandelker added.

With reporting by ReutersThe U.S. Treasury Department has granted investors in the sanctioned Russian firm En+ Group and its subsidiary EuroSibEnergo a reprieve from an impending June 5 deadline, saying they have until October 23 to divest their holdings.

Even as the Treasury moved to ease the deadline late on June 4, En+ Group announced it was accepting the resignation of the company's president as part of a plan to persuade the United States to lift sanctions by filling its board of directors with people who are not affiliated with Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska.

The Treasury had indicated last month that Deripaska companies that separate themselves from the Kremlin-linked billionaire can escape the sanctions, which were aimed at wealthy and powerful people who benefit from their links to the Russian government.

The United States in April imposed sanctions on Deripaska and eight companies in which he is a large shareholder, including the world's second-largest aluminum producer, Rusal, and its parent holding company, En+.

Deripaska controls 66 percent of En+, an umbrella company that manages his aluminum and hydropower businesses. En+ in turn controls 48 percent of Rusal, Deripaska's biggest asset.

The U.S. Treasury had earlier extended until October 23 the sanctions compliance deadline for people invested in Rusal and Russian car maker GAZ, another Deripaska-owned firm.

Based on reporting by Reuters and TASSRobert Mueller, the U.S. special counsel investigating alleged Russian election interference, has levied new charges against President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, saying he attempted to tamper with witnesses.

Mueller said in a court filing late on June 4 that Paul Manafort, while out on bail awaiting trial, "repeatedly" attempted to communicate with two people from the "Hapsburg Group," a firm he worked with prior to 2014 to promote the interests of former pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

The court filing said the FBI had documents, statements, and telephone records showing that he attempted communication with the potential witnesses in February in violation of the terms of his release on bail.

Mueller cited the alleged witness tampering in asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to revoke or revise the order releasing Manafort ahead of his trial. Manafort was released to home confinement after his arraignment in October 2017.

Manafort has been charged with allegations ranging from money-laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent to bank and tax fraud. He has pleaded not guilty.

Manafort is the most senior member of Trump's campaign to be indicted, though none of the charges against him to date relate to his activities during his brief stint as Trump's campaign chairman in mid-2016.

A number of the charges relate to his work on behalf of Yanukovych, who was ousted from power by street protests in 2014 and now lives in exile in Russia.

In an indictment earlier this year, Mueller charged that Manafort secretly enlisted unnamed "former senior European politicians" in 2012 and 2013 to lobby in Washington and in Europe on behalf of Yanukovych's government.

The former politicians, who were paid more than 2 million euros ($2.3 million) for their work, did not disclose they were being paid for lobbying, as required by U.S. law, Mueller's office charged.

"The plan was for the former politicians, informally called the 'Hapsburg Group,' to appear to be providing their independent assessments of government of Ukraine actions, when in fact they were paid lobbyists for Ukraine," according to the indictment.

In the June 4 court filing alleging Manafort attempted to tamper with potential Hapsburg witnesses, Manafort was quoted as saying in one call that he wanted to give the witness a "heads-up about Hapsburg," prompting the witness to hang up "because he was concerned about the outreach," according to a sworn affidavit filed by an FBI agent in the case.

On February 26, Manafort sent the same person a series of messages through an encrypted application, including a link to a Business Insider story with the headline: "Former European leaders struggle to explain themselves after Mueller claims Paul Manafort paid them to lobby for Ukraine."

Another message said: "We should talk. I have made clear that they worked in Europe."

The witness told investigators that he interpreted Manafort's efforts to reach him as a way to influence his potential statements. The witness said that the Hapsburg Group had lobbied in the United States, not just in Europe, and Manafort knew that, FBI Special Agent Brock Domin wrote in an affadavit.

Domin concluded that Manafort's communications were "an effort to influence their testimony and to otherwise conceal evidence," and added that "the investigation into this matter is ongoing."

In light of the new allegations of witness tampering, Mueller urged Judge Amy Berman Jackson to "promptly" schedule a hearing on the whether to change Manafort's conditions of release, which could result in Manafort going to jail.

His trial in Washington is set to start on September 17.

With reporting by AP, dpa, and ReutersCancun taxi driver arrested for sexual assault

Cancun, Q.R.  A Cancun taxi driver has been arrested after a woman says he took her to a green area to sexually assault her.

The incident occurred in region 256 of Cancun when a 28-year-old woman said that a Andres Quintana Roo taxi driver took her to a green area where he sexually assaulted her. After the assault, she ran to nearby neighbors for help.

According to police information, around noon Sunday, municipal police who were doing routine surveillance in the area when they received a call for help from Emergency 911 regarding a report of sexual assault.

Jose Santiago N was arrested by police on Arco Vial Avenue for sexual assault against a passenger identified only as SAM. Santiago was handed over to authorities while his taxi confiscated. The woman was taken to hospital.Man dies from shooting in residential Playa Azul

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  A robbery in a residential subdivision of Playa del Carmen has left one man dead.

Two armed men shot a man in his front yard in the residential community of Playa Azul. The man, who apparently had arrived home only moments before, was shot by two men reportedly driving a Nissan Versa.

The shooting took place on Playa Varadero Street in the residential community of Playa Azul late Saturday night. Reports say the man, a 65-year-old engineer, had made a large cash withdraw of around 700,000 peso. The cash was in a briefcase he was carrying.

Reports say the Nissan entered the street and shot the man at least three times before making off with his briefcase.

After hearing gun fire, an onsite security guard arrived at the house but was threatened by the men in the Nissan. The men in the truck fled.

The victim, Marion N, was rushed to hospital where he died at 3:30 a.m. Sunday. Police continue to investigate.Mexican firefighters head to Guatemala for search and rescue

El Marques, Queretaro  Firemen and women from the municipality of El Marques head to Guatemala after the eruption of Volcan de Fuego that left scores dead and thousands misplaced.

After more than 60 people perished in the recent volcano eruption, six members of the El Marques fire department will provide assistance to those in need in Guatamaula. The mission, headed by commander Oscar Guevara, will also travel with two specialized search and rescue dogs.

There are more than 200 disappeared who are allegedly buried in water, lava. We have two rescue dogs that are able to find bodies to locate trapped people, explained Guevara.

Edgar Martinez, handler for Athos rescue dog said, She has been preparing since she was a month and a half when she arrived to the corporation. Initially it was with a lot of play.

We focus a lot on positive reinforcement, everything is game, the dog always associates finding an aroma with a prize. Thats how we manage to discriminate a scent between an area, water, earth.

Athos has already participated in different rescues, among them those in Oaxaca after the earthquakes in Mexico City.

Guevara explained that due to coordination efforts with Guatemala, the firefighters already know the area, which will give an advantage when carrying out their rescue mission.

They are very large areas. We know the land. We were there a month ago.

The El Marques firefighters are the first Mexican delegation to help with search and rescue in Guatemala.

The president of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, spoke with his Guatemalan counterpart, Jimmy Morales, to whom he offered the assistance of the Mexican government in terms of civil protection for the rescue and aid to those affected after the eruption of the volcano.

Through a press release, the Official Residence of Los Pinos reported that the Mexican president reiterated the solidarity of our country for the loss of human lives.A SEX offender who groomed and abused a vulnerable 14-year-old girl has failed in a challenge to his eight-year jail term.

Christopher Mathew Hill (36) left his traumatised victim fearing she was pregnant after he preyed on her.

Hill, of Marlowe Road, Herringthorpe, Rotherham, was jailed last November after being convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child at Sheffield Crown Court.

Londons Appeal Court heard him argue that he was treated too harshly, with his lawyers saying no force was used and Hill had no previous convictions for sex crimes.

But Lord Justice Flaux said: These were very serious offences, aggravated by the significant disparity in age, the grooming and giving rise to a fear of pregnancy.

The law is there to stop young girls being predated upon by significantly older men such as this appellant and this appeal is dismissed.

A MAN has denied being involved in an operation to steal 500,000 from a bank by kidnapping two of its employees and forcing them to open a safe.

Michael Dunphy (45), of HMP Doncaster, is on trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of four counts of kidnap and three counts of attempted robbery.

He is said to have been part of a gang of robbers who tried to take money from a branch of Barclays at Stag roundabout in November.

Three of the would-be robbers followed a Barclays employee from her home in a stolen Audi, Mr Nicholas Campbell, prosecuting, told the court.

The Audi had been fitted with blue flashing lights and, over their dark clothing, they wore hi-vis vests to support the illusion that they were police officers, Mr Campbell told the court.

The bank employee dropped her teenage daughter off at school and, as she pulled away, the stolen Audi blocked her path.

The woman and her younger daughter, aged seven, ended up in the stolen Audi with two of the robbers as another robber drove her Volvo in convoy behind them, Mr Campbell told the court.

By this time, it was all too clear to the bank employee that the men were not police officers at all, he said.

The men were planning to steal 500,000 from a safe at the bank and needed a second employee to help them open the safe.

They waited for the second employee, Zoe Copley, to arrive at work by bus and put her in the Audi with her colleague and colleague's daughter.

The schoolgirl remembered one of the men telling Zoe that if she did not get in the car, she would be shot.

Mr Campbell said security footage would be shown to the jurors of the women giving the robbers access to the bank.

The women each entered a unique code to gain access to the safe but had to wait ten minutes for it to open.

It was during the wait that it became clear to all in that back room that the police had been called, Mr Campbell told the court.

That was enough for the robbery to be called off and all the robbers made their escape.

Judge Robert Bartfield told the jury of seven men and five women that Dunphy would deny playing any part in the kidnapping and it would be up to the prosecution to prove its case.

As for the attempted robbery, his defence will be that he was acting under duress and that he was forced to act this out, he said.

The trial continues.

POLICE officers who searched the home of a bank raid suspect found a wig similar to the one worn by a man who carried out the raid, a court has been told.

Michael Dunphy (45), of HMP Doncaster, is on trial at Sheffield Crown Court accused of four counts of kidnap and three counts of attempted robbery.

Dunphy is alleged to have been part of a gang who kidnapped a bank employee, her seven-year-old daughter, and two of her colleagues while dressed as police officers in an attempt to steal 500,000 from a safe at the Stag branch of Barclays in November last year.

Three of the would-be robbers followed the bank employee from her home in a stolen Audi on November 21 last year.

They are said to have kidnapped the bank employee, her daughter and, later, her colleagues Zoe Copley and Jo Blakey.

Mr Nicholas Campbell, prosecuting, said Dunphy had been staying at a home in Braithwell in the weeks leading up to the robbery.

He told the jury today (Tuesday) that a woman living near Dunphys Braithwell address said she had seen him changing the registration plates of a white van - the prosecution claim this was the van used in the robbery getaway.

Dunphy was later identified by the banks manager as being responsible for the robbery and for walking two of her colleagues into the banks safe room.

Following Dunphys arrest, officers searched his Manchester home for evidence and found a wig similar to one worn by one of the burglars seen on security footage.

Mr Campbell said: The prosecution cant say that this is the very same wig worn by that aggressive robber but you might find that they appear similar.

Dunphys DNA was among those found on the wig, Mr Campbell told the court.

Following the robbery, the gang drove the stolen Audi to a car park in Wickersley, doused it with petrol, and set it alight.

He said a woman who was overtaken by the Audi in bumper-to-bumper traffic followed it into the car park to speak to the driver.

She saw two men with their faces covered with bandanas carrying petrol cans.

She watched as one of them started pouring what she described as petrol on the front of the car, the other man pouring it on the back of the car, Mr Campbell told the court.

One of the men gestured at her to move away and, by the time she left the car park, the car was alight.

Others in the car park were fleeing for their safety as she telephoned police, Mr Campbell told the court.

The trial continues.Richard Gere on marrying Alejandra Silva

Veteran actor Richard Gere says he is "the happiest man in the universe" after marrying his girlfriend Alejandra Silva. The 68-year-old star, who tied the knot with the Spanish activist in an Indian style wedding in May, shared photographs of their D-day with HELLO! Gere said he found a great life partner in Silva, 35."I'm the happiest man in the universe.How could I not be? I'm married to a beautiful woman who is smart, sensitive, committed to helping people, who's fun, patient, who knows how to forgive,

Richard Gere With Girlfriend Alejandra Silva

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who's a great cook - and who makes the best salads in the world!"Alejandra meditates, she's a vegetarian, a great mother, has the touch of an angel... and she's also Spanish: the land of kings and queens, of Cervantes and Bunuel... You can't get any better than that," he told the magazine.Silva said Gere wooed her by sending flowers until she agreed to date him and that, now married, he regularly writes her songs The couple met in Positano in four years when the actor stayed over at her family-owned hotel.

"A friend introduced us, we looked at each other and felt a very strong connection. We couldn't stop looking at each other all night, and since then we haven't been apart," Silva said."I feel like I'm in a true fairytale. Without a doubt, I feel like the luckiest woman in the world ," she added.Silva described Gere as the "most humble, sensitive, affectionate, attentive, funny, generous man" she has ever met."What can I say? I'm so in love. How would you feel if each morning you were asked:

Alejandra Silva

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'What would make you happy today?' Not a day goes by that he doesn't mention how important I am to him. I feel very lucky," she said.The couple exchanged vows on Gere's ranch outside New York City. Silva converted to to Buddhism and moved to New York .Tents were imported from Jaipur and the venue was decorated with flowers and Tibetan flags before they made their entrance in a tuk-tuk.Rashtriya Lok Dal Vice President Jayant Chaudhary

The Congress is more capable than the BJP in building alliances and collaborating with parties, Rashtriya Lok Dal Vice President Jayant Chaudhary has said, asserting that the Rahul Gandhi-led party can play a key role in forging an opposition coalition for the 2019 polls. Buoyed by the win in the Kairana parliamentary bypoll, he said public opinion and electoral results such as the bypoll victory will act as a "glue" for cementing a coalition for the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) candidate Tabassum Hasan, who was supported by the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress, triumphed last week over her BJP rival in Kairana to become the first Muslim face from Uttar Pradesh in the 16th Lok Sabha. Her victory also gave RLD, its first representative in the current Lok Sabha after the party drew a blank in the 2014 general election.

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Kairana parliamentary bypoll

In an interview to PTI, Chaudhary said the BJP wants to make the 2019 polls a battle of personalities, but the opposition wants to project issues rather than a personality to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "They (the BJP) have built a personality cult around Modi and now they expect the opposition to also thrust upon the nation a similar figure so that the two can sort of take each other on," the 39-year-old leader said.

Chaudhary, who is the son of RLD chief Ajit Singh and the grandson of former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, said there was more talent in the opposition ranks and more freedom to express than in the BJP. "So I think going into 2019, I am not sure there will be an understanding of who's on top and who's at the bottom (of the opposition alliance), but we will be working together. That is important for the country," he asserted.

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Tabassum Hasan

Asked if Congress being a pan-India party could be the pivot of the opposition alliance to take on the BJP, he said, "Congress today is the largest opposition party and they have an organization in most states of the country that is still strong. "...I see a good story emerging. Congress can definitely play that role. They can cooperate and collaborate more effectively than the BJP."

He said that due to the manner in which the BJP has dealt with its own allies, the saffron party's alliance partners were either breaking away or speaking very openly against it. "So, the Congress has an opportunity here to try and make new relationships with these partners as well," he said. Asked if the Congress was more capable of building alliances and working in unison with parties in an alliance, Chaudhary said, "That's my perception, (and) that is the perception of a lot of people in the political system."

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Former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh

Chaudhary, whose party RLD has been in an alliance with the BJP in the past, also alleged that there was arrogance that had crept into the BJP and it was no longer 'the party with a difference'. "They (the BJP) have shown that they are willing to grab power at any cost. So I think these are all signals and they are very threatening to smaller parties, to regional parties, to anyone who believes that there needs to be cooperation, so that's why I think that there is a mindset now that's been developed in the opposition parties at least that the BJP is a complete no," he said.

The BJP leads the NDA coalition at the Centre which includes several parties such as the Shiv Sena and the Lok Jan Shakti party. The N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party recently quit the NDA, while Shiv Sena has been critical of the BJP over several issues. Chaudhary also asserted that if the alliance between his party, the SP, the BSP and the Congress in UP takes shape, it would help the Congress in states where it is involved in a direct contest with the BJP.

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RLD chief Ajit Singh

"I think ultimately it (the alliance in UP) will help Congress in the states where it is taking on the BJP, their numbers will go up...If Congress takes us along and tells us that let us work together in other states as well, some of these opposition leaders will be very willing to do that," the former MP said. Acknowledging that seat sharing would not be easy for the grand alliance in UP, he said the "social coalition" formed was more important than just simple political arithmetic or simple political coalition.

"So to sustain that social coalition, if political parties have to forego their own interest and work together, I think we should do it," Chaudhary said. Talking about the Kairana bypoll win, he said it was basically a message to political parties that the alliance was also the people's will. "It was a negative vote against BJP. It was also a positive vote for the opposition working together. Going forward it is this public opinion and these good results that will perhaps act as the glue for cementing the alliance," Chaudhary said.

N Chandrababu Naidu

The united opposition victory in Kairana follows the BJP defeats in the Lok Sabha bye-elections in Gorakhpur and Phulpur in March, and come just a year before the general election. Asserting that alliances are here to stay, Chaudhary said the reason he feels the alliance in UP would continue was that it has tasted success. "When you win an election, there is pressure from your workers, there is pressure from the voters to continue.

That is why I think, there is enough mature leadership in all of these parties, they have enough experience, they will be able to work out an arrangement on the seats," he said.Delta Electronics India Pvt. Ltd, a leading Power and Energy management company has now launched Mumbais first DC Fast-Charger station at Maharashtra Mantralaya.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology & Earth Sciences, Government of India and Chief Minister of Maharashtra were present at the occasion among other dignitaries. The company installed a 15 kW DC Fast-Charger EV Charging Station at Maharashtra Mantralaya.

Akshaye Barbuddhe, Business Head of EV Charging Solutions business of Delta Electronics India said With our new range of electric vehicle charging solutions, we intend to support the GOIs mission to drive electric mobility. Our entire suite of solutions in EV Charging including the Bharat Chargers will complement the Indian e-mobility initiative providing a reliable technology and backing of the Delta brand. The DC Fast Charger station that is provided by Delta at Mantralaya has the capacity of 15 kW and is made based on the Bharat EV specifications standard.

He added, Deltas comprehensive portfolio of energy efficient advanced EV charging stations will offer solutions to all kind of e-buses, e-cars and commercial electric-vehicle (EV), including the newly launched e-cars such as Tata Tigor EV and Mahindra Verito. Once fully charged the car battery is able to sustain up to 100 to 120 km. ARAI certified these chargers are designed and manufactured locally further supporting GOIs Make in India initiative.

At the same time, among other companies, Tata Motors has signed a MoU with the Government of Maharashtra to promote e-mobility here. The company looks to expand its electrc vehicle offerings beyond the current scope of EESL tender, and is working with Tata Power to facilitate setting up EV charging stations in Mumbai.

Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors said,As part of our tender with EESL, we have already completed the production of 250 cars and initiated the execution of phase 2 orders. Todays delivery of 5 Tigor EVs by EESL to the Maharashtra Government has effectively paved way for connecting our aspirations in the e-mobility space with the Governments vision. With Tata Tigor EV, we have begun our journey in boosting e-mobility and will offer a full range of electric vehicles to the Indian customers. We continue to work in a collaborative manner to facilitate faster adoption of electric vehicles and to build a sustainable future for India.A newly developed fertilizer system will provide nutrition to engineered cotton crops worldwide and a deadly dose to weeds that are increasingly herbicide resistant, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Research study.

The new system applies phosphite to cotton crops engineered to express a certain gene -- a gene that makes cotton able to process the phosphite into nutrition while the same compound suppresses weeds that are unable to use it, researchers said.

"Our researchers here at Texas A&M AgriLife have addressed an issue that costs producers billions of dollars," said Dr. Patrick Stover, vice chancellor of agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M in College Station and AgriLife Research acting director. "This is an economical, envrionmentally safe and sustainable solution.

Stover said this is an exciting and timely discovery in the movement to get ahead of the ongoing problem of weeds evolving faster than the chemicals and other methods developed to control them.

"We believe the ptxD/phosphite system we have developed is one of the most promising technologies of recent times that can help solve many of the biotechnological, agricultural and environmental problems we encounter," said Dr. Keerti Rathore, an AgriLife Research plant biotechnologist in College Station.

"Selective fertilization with phosphite allows unhindered growth of cotton plants expressing the ptxD gene while suppressing weeds" is the title of a Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal article to be released the week of June 4.

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Phosphorus is a major element required by all living beings - life is not possible without it. Most organisms can only utilize phosphorus in the form of orthophosphate.

"We have determined ptxD-expressing cotton plants can utilize phosphite as a sole source of phosphorus while weeds cannot, thus making it effective at suppressing weed growth," Rathore said.

The transgenic plants expressing the bacterial ptxD gene gain an ability to convert phosphite into orthophosphate, he said. Such plants allow for a selective fertilization scheme, based on phosphite as the sole source of phosphorous for the crop, while offering an effective alternative to suppress the growth of weeds that are unable to utilize this form of phosphorus."

The international research team led by Rathore consists of Dr. Devendra Pandeya, Dr. Madhusudhana Janga, Dr. Muthu Bagavathiannan and LeAnne Campbell, all with Texas A&M AgriLife in College Station. Others are Dr. Damar Lopez-Arredondo and Dr. Priscila Estrella-Hernandez at StelaGenomics Inc. and Dr. Luis Herrera-Estrella at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, all in Irapuato, Mexico.

This research was funded in part by Cotton Inc. Weed herbicide resistance and weed control are the No. 2 and No. 3 concerns of U.S. cotton farmers after input costs.

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"We can and will deliver for our cotton producers in Texas and beyond, in collaboration with Cotton Inc. and partners," said Dr. Bill McCutchen, executive associate director of AgriLife Research in College Station.

Weeds typically are managed manually, mechanically or chemically. However, he said, chemical control options are rapidly shrinking due to an increasing number of herbicide-resistant weeds in crop fields, with few alternatives on the horizon.

"Over the years, it has become abundantly clear that new strategies are needed for weed control to sustain agriculture production while reducing our dependence on herbicides," Herrera-Estrella said. "There is an urgent need for alternative weed suppression systems to sustain crop productivity, while reducing our dependence on herbicides and tillage."

Rathore, who has been researching genetic improvement of cotton for more than 20 years, said herbicide-resistance in weeds in not just a U.S. problem, but rather a global challenge for producers of cotton, corn and soybeans.

Such a development will also relieve some of the negative perceptions associated with the use of herbicide-resistance genes and heavy dependence on herbicides, he said.

Rathore has also developed cotton plants that produce very low levels of gossypol in the seeds to improve the safety and nutrition aspects of the cotton seed, but simultaneously maintain normal levels of this chemical in the foliage, floral parts, boll rind and roots for protection against insects and pathogens.

He previously published a report identifying ptxD as a selectable marker gene to produce transgenic cotton plants. The ptxD gene derived from Pseudomonas stutzeri WM88 encodes an enzyme that changes phosphite into orthophosphate, a metabolizable form of phosphorus, when expressed in transgenic plants.

Importantly, the ptxD/phosphite system proved highly effective in inhibiting growth of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth, Rathore said. Resistance to current technologies in this highly noxious weed started showing up in fields about 10-15 years ago.

"The results presented in our paper clearly demonstrate the ptxD/phosphite system can serve as a highly effective means to suppress weeds under natural, low-phosphorus soils, including those resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, while allowing better growth of the ptxD-expressing cotton plants due to lesser competition from the debilitated weeds," Rathore said.

Unlike weeds acquiring resistance to herbicides, he said it is highly unlikely weeds will gain the ability to use phosphite as a source of phosphorus.

"In order for a weed to acquire the ability to utilize phosphite, one of its dehydrogenase genes will have to undergo a complex array of multiple mutations in its DNA sequence - that's unlikely to happen by random mutations that occur in all organisms," Rathore said.

Another important point, he said, is compared to phosphate, phosphite has higher solubility and a lower tendency to bind soil components. So, if it is applied in proper formulation to prevent leaching, lower quantities can be used without sacrificing the crop yields.

"Even if some phosphite ends up in streams and rivers and eventually in lakes and the sea, the algal species will be incapable of using it as a source of phosphorus, thus preventing toxic algal blooms that kill fish and other creatures in water bodies," Herrera-Estrella said.

Future studies will focus on testing ptxD-transformants in the fields that are low in phosphorus as well as evaluating the utility of phosphite as an over-the-top 'herbicide,' Rathore said. Also, long-term impact of the use of phosphite as a source of phosphorus on the soil microflora under field conditions needs to be investigated.Trauma experienced by a parent during childhood has long-reaching consequences -- maybe even to the point of negatively impacting their own children's health, a new Drexel University study found.

"It is well known that adverse childhood experiences can lead to serious and wide-ranging effects on the health of the people who go through them," said Felice Le-Scherban, PhD, the study's lead researcher and an assistant professor in Drexel's Dornsife School of Public Health. "A lot of these health problems -- such as substance abuse, depression or chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease -- can affect how parents care for their kids and the environments where they grow up."

"Adverse childhood experiences" are described as serious traumas or stress a person experiences during their formative years. This might include something like abuse or exposure to violence and/or drugs. The study, published in Pediatrics, looked into surveys taken by 350 Philadelphia parents who answered questions about their own "ACEs."

It found that for every type of "ACE" a parent went through, their children had 19 percent higher odds of poorer health and 17 percent higher odds of having asthma.

"If we only look at the within-individual effects of ACEs, we may be underestimating their lasting impact on health across multiple generations," Le-Scherban said of the study team's motivations. "Looking intergenerationally gives us a more comprehensive picture of the long-term processes that might affect children's health."

"By the same token, acting to prevent ACEs and helping those who have experienced them can potentially have benefits extending to future generations," Le-Scherban added.

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Among the parents who were surveyed:

-- Nearly 42 percent said they'd witnessed violence (seeing someone shot, stabbed or beaten) as a child

-- 38 percent said they lived with a problem drinker or someone who used illicit drugs during their youth

-- Roughly 37 percent said that they had been physically abused as children

While those were the most common ACEs, there were many others that received strong responses, including experiencing racial discrimination and sexual abuse.

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Overall, 85 percent of parents experienced at least one ACE. The more ACEs a parent had suffered as a child, the more likely their own children were to have poorer health status.

One of the other areas that Le-Scherban and her fellow researchers focused on was behavior in the survey respondents' children that could have an impact on health. They found that each ACE a parent had experienced was tied to an additional 16 percent higher odds that their children would have excessive TV-watching habits. While not a direct health outcome, it sets up a child for potentially poorer health habits down the line.

And though ACEs are more prevalent in populations low on the socioeconomic scale, that doesn't explain everything, Le-Scherban said.

"It's important to remember that ACEs, and their effects, occur across the socioeconomic spectrum," Le-Scherban commented.

While the links can't be definitively established as causal yet, they suggest that it's important to keep studying the multigenerational effects that trauma has on health, according to Le-Scherban.

"We need to know more about the specific pathways through which parental ACEs might harm child health so we can minimize these harms," she said. "On the flip side, it's important to learn more about the factors that promote resilience to help parents and their children thrive despite past trauma."



Guwahati, June 5 : An Assam Rifles jawan was injured while suspected NSCN-K militants attacked an Assam Rifles camp in Nagaland's Mon district Tuesday morning.





According to the reports, the Assam Rifles outpost at Lampong Sheanghah village about 15 Km away from district headquarter Mon was attacked by a heavy armed group of suspected NSCN-K militants early Tuesday morning.





The attack happened at around 2-20 am and the Assam Rifles troops quickly responded.





One Assam Rifles jawan who was on duty as sentry got injured.





Later the injured jawan was shifted to Mon military base for urgent medical attention.





There is no report of any civilian casualties or lost of life and damage of public properties.





Meanwhile, Assam Rifles troops have launched massive operation against the militants at the area.



Having a stressful job is associated with a higher risk of a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation, according to research published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a European Society of Cardiology (ESC) journal.

The most stressful jobs are psychologically demanding but give employees little control over the work situation -- for example, assembly line workers, bus drivers, secretaries, and nurses.

The study found that being stressed at work was associated with a 48% higher risk of atrial fibrillation, after adjustment for age, sex, and education.

Dr Eleonor Fransson, study author and associate professor of epidemiology, School of Health and Welfare, Jonkoping University, Sweden, said: "We need people to do these jobs but employers can help by making sure staff have the resources required to complete the assigned tasks. Bosses should schedule breaks and listen to employees' ideas on how the work itself and the work environment can be improved."

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia). Symptoms include palpitations, weakness, fatigue, feeling light headed, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Atrial fibrillation causes 20-30% of all strokes and increases the risk of dying prematurely.2 One in four middle-aged adults in Europe and the US will develop atrial fibrillation. It is estimated that by 2030 there will be 14-17 million patients with atrial fibrillation in the European Union, with 120,000-215,000 new diagnoses each year.

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Dr Fransson said: "Atrial fibrillation is a common condition with serious consequences and therefore it is of major public health importance to find ways of preventing it. Little is known about risk factors for the disease and especially the role of the work environment."

This study assessed the link between work stress and atrial fibrillation. The study included 13,200 participants enrolled into the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) in 2006, 2008, or 2010. Participants were employed and had no history of atrial fibrillation, heart attack, or heart failure. At study inclusion, participants completed postal surveys on sociodemographics, lifestyle, health, and work-related factors.

Work stress was defined as job strain, which refers to jobs with high psychological demands combined with low control over the work situation. The survey included five questions on job demands and six on control -- for example: Do you have to work very hard or very fast? Are there conflicting demands in your work? Do you have enough time to complete your work tasks? Does your work include a lot of repetition? Can you decide how and what to do at work?

During a median follow-up of 5.7 years, 145 cases of atrial fibrillation were identified from national registers.

Dr Fransson said: "In the general working population in Sweden, employees with stressful jobs were almost 50% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation. The estimated risk remained even after we took into account other factors such as smoking, leisure time physical activity, body mass index, and hypertension."

The authors then pooled their results with two other studies on the same topic, and found that job strain was associated with a 37% increased risk of atrial fibrillation. "Across studies there was a consistent pattern of work stress being a risk factor for atrial fibrillation," said Dr Fransson.

She concluded: "Work stress has previously been linked with coronary heart disease. Work stress should be considered a modifiable risk factor for preventing atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease. People who feel stressed at work and have palpitations or other symptoms of atrial fibrillation should see their doctor and speak to their employer about improving the situation at work."

European guidelines on the prevention of cardiovascular disease state that stress at work contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and having a worse prognosis.3 Assessment of psychosocial risk factors is recommended in people who have, or are at risk of developing, cardiovascular disease.Even small amounts of running water -- less than a gallon per second -- could mean the difference between life or death for juvenile coho salmon in coastal California streams, according to a new study published in the journal Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.

The study, led by California Sea Grant Extension Specialist Mariska Obedzinski, shows that during dry periods, that amount of water was enough to keep pools interconnected, allowing young salmon to survive through the hot, dry summer months.

"The good news is that if we can get just a little bit of water back in these streams, we can make a really big difference," says Obedzinski, who leads a monitoring program for endangered coho salmon and steelhead in the small streams of Sonoma County that flow into the Russian River.

Saving the Russian River coho

Russian River coho salmon were listed as threatened in 1996, but despite efforts to improve habitat, the species had hit crisis levels by the early 2000's, and they became endangered in 2005 when scientists noted fewer than 10 fish returning to the Russian River each year to spawn. In response, local, state, and federal agencies teamed up to start a conservation hatchery program to breed and release the fish. California Sea Grant's monitoring program was set up to track the success of the hatchery releases as well as better understand the factors that were preventing recovery of the species.

Through their monitoring, Obedzinski and her research team found that low streamflow in summer is one of the biggest bottlenecks to coho recovery. She says, "After the hatchery fish are released, we see them migrating out to the ocean and coming back as adults to spawn. We even see their offspring in creeks in the early summer, but by late summer the creeks dry out, the young salmon die, and the next generation is not surviving."

How much is enough?

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Water is a limited resource in the Mediterranean climate of central California. Population growth and development, combined with the impacts of climate change in the drought-prone region have made flow-impaired streams even less reliable.

While previous modeling studies have established water flow thresholds to support salmon in larger, snowmelt-fed streams such as those in California's central valley, the small coastal streams where Russian River coho prefer to spawn are a different beast.

These intermittent streams may swell over their banks during wet winter months but dwindle to a trickle or even dry up in sections during the hot, dry summer. While it was clear that young salmon needed more water to survive the summer months, the question was, how much?

"We didn't have a sense of how much water was needed," says Obedzinski. "The existing models are based on flows in much larger streams. When you try to apply them to our tiny coastal streams, they fall apart."

The new study provides a clearer link between salmon survival and water flow rates in Russian River tributaries, which could be useful for resource agencies and organizations working on salmon recovery, and land owners who want to help restore endangered salmon populations. The findings may also lend support for efforts that might seem small-scale in comparison to larger streamflow improvement projects in other watersheds.

John Green is a project manager for the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District, who has already begun applying the new research to their work restoring flow in salmon streams. He says, "The big value in this research is that it has given us an idea of how much water is needed to improve fish survival. From that, we start to understand the kinds of projects we need to build and what their impacts will be."

The researchers stress that flows allowing for minimum persistence are not high enough to support full recovery. Obedzinski says, "Keeping a pool connected is the first step in preventing local extinction by keeping at least some of the fish alive, but we want fish to be able to grow and thrive as well. In terms of meeting recovery targets, more water means more habitat for fish, and more chance of bringing back a healthy population."Good teamwork begins with a cup of coffee for everyone, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that people gave more positive reviews for their group's performance on a task -- and their own contribution -- if they drank caffeinated coffee beforehand.

A second study showed that people talked more in a group setting under the influence of caffeinated coffee -- but they also were more on-topic than those who drank decaf.

Coffee seems to work its magic in teams by making people more alert, said Amit Singh, co-author of the study and a doctoral student in marketing at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business.

"We found that increased alertness was what led to the positive results for team performance," Singh said.

"Not surprisingly, people who drank caffeinated coffee tended to be more alert."

Singh conducted the study with Vasu Unnava and H. Rao Unnava, both formerly at Ohio State and now with the Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Davis. The study appears online in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

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While many studies have looked at how caffeine affects individual performance, this is the first to examine the impact it has on teams, Singh said.

The first study involved 72 undergraduate students who said they were coffee drinkers. They were instructed not to drink coffee before the experiment.

Half of them first participated in what they were told was a coffee-tasting task. They were split into groups of five. After drinking a cup of coffee and rating its flavor, they were given 30 minutes of filler tasks to give the caffeine a chance to kick in. The other half of the participants did the coffee tasting at the end of the experiment.

Each group then read about and were asked to discuss a controversial topic -- the Occupy movement, a liberal movement that highlighted social and economic inequality. After a 15-minute discussion, group members evaluated themselves and the other group members.

Results showed that those who drank the coffee before the discussion rated themselves and their fellow team members more positively than did those who drank coffee after the discussion, Singh said.

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The second study was similar, except that 61 students all drank coffee at the beginning of the study. However, half drank decaf and the others drank caffeinated brew.

Those who drank caffeinated coffee rated themselves and their fellow group members more positively than those who drank decaf.

It had to do with alertness.

All participants rated how alert they felt at the end of the study, and those who drank the caffeinated coffee rated themselves as more alert than the others.

A key finding was that people who rated themselves as more alert -- whether they drank caffeinated coffee or not -- also tended to give higher marks to themselves and their fellow group members.

This suggests that any intervention that increases alertness (such as exercise) may also produce similar results, which the authors propose in the paper as a future research topic.

"We suspect that when people are more alert they see themselves and the other group members contributing more, and that gives them a more positive attitude," Singh said.

But the caffeine does more than just increase good feelings. The researchers did an analysis of the group discussion in the second study, rating how much each group member talked and stayed on topic.

Results showed that people tended to talk more after drinking caffeine, but they also tended to stay more on topic.

"They're talking about more relevant things after drinking caffeinated coffee," he said.

One might think that if people are talking more about a controversial topic like the Occupy movement, that may cause friction in the group. But that's not what the study suggests.

People who drank caffeinated coffee were more likely than those who drank decaf to say they would be willing to work with their group again.

"Even though they are talking more, agreeing and disagreeing, they still want to work with them again," Singh said.

"Coffee didn't seem to make group discussions too uncomfortable and disagreeable."New research shows companies cut funding for research and development in response to a tax imposed on medical devices as part of the Affordable Care Act.

Daeyong Lee, an assistant professor of human development and family studies at Iowa State University, examines how certain provisions of the federal health care reform law have affected families and firms. His latest paper, published in the journal Research Policy, analyzed the 2.3 percent excise tax imposed on medical devices in 2013. The research shows the tax significantly reduced R&D investment, sales revenue, gross margins and earnings by the following amounts:

R&D expenditures -- $34 million

Sales revenue -- $188 million

Gross margins -- $375 million

Earnings -- $68 million

The study, the first to look at the actual cost for manufacturers, found the tax also affected operating and marketing costs, Lee said.

In the paper, Lee explains that the federal government imposed the tax on the medical device industry because it would benefit from expanded health coverage. The tax applied to everything from needles and syringes to coronary stents, defibrillators and irradiation equipment. Certain items including hearing aids, eyeglasses and contact lenses were exempt. The medical device field is one of the top five R&D intensive industries, and Lee says a decline in investment could have long-term consequences.

"Highly advanced equipment in hospitals is a critical aspect of medical care," Lee said. "Some devices such as coronary stents require high-research investment. If medical device firms stop or reduce that investment, we won't have better equipment and devices for complicated surgeries or procedures."

Passing on the tax burden

Lee looked at different scenarios when calculating the tax effect, controlling for economic factors that might affect investment. To limit the tax impact, firms could have increased prices, passing the burden to consumers. Lee says that did not happen, likely because of the market power of large hospitals and clinics. The data for the study is specific to large customers, not individuals.

In response, medical device firms diversified their customer base and increased global market sales, which were exempt from the tax, Lee said. The findings also suggest firms significantly reduced operating costs for selling, general and administrative expenses, but not advertising and labor expenses.

Raising revenue without harming research

Congress passed an appropriations act in 2015, which included a two-year moratorium on the medical device excise tax. In January, it was extended to 2020, Lee said. Given the study findings, he says the moratorium could provide time to consider other tax options that do not target a single industry. In the paper, Lee suggests policymakers expand the tax base and include other industries, such as health insurance companies, which also have benefited from increased demand as a result of the health care reform act.

"If there is a broader tax base, the negative effects will be reduced," Lee said. "The government needs to raise revenue to cover the costs of the Affordable Care Act, but there are other ways to do it without harming a research and development intensive industry."The early Earth might have been habitable much earlier than thought, according to new research from a group led by University of Chicago scientists.

Counting strontium atoms in rocks from northern Canada, they found evidence that the Earth's continental crust could have formed hundreds of millions of years earlier than previously thought. Continental crust is richer in essential minerals than younger volcanic rock, which would have made it significantly friendlier to supporting life.

"Our evidence, which squares with emerging evidence including rocks in western Australia, suggests that the early Earth was capable of forming continental crust within 350 million years of the formation of the solar system," said Patrick Boehnke, the T.C. Chamberlin Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Geophysical Sciences and the first author on the paper. "This alters the classic view, that the crust was hot, dry and hellish for more than half a billion years after it formed."

One of the open questions in geology is how and when some of the crust -- originally all younger volcanic rock -- changed into the continental crust we know and love, which is lighter and richer in silica. This task is made harder because the evidence keeps getting melted and reformed over millions of years. One of the few places on Earth where you can find bits of crust from the very earliest epochs of Earth is in tiny flecks of apatite imbedded in younger rocks.

Luckily for scientists, some of these "younger" minerals (still about 3.9 billion years old) are zircons -- very hard, weather-resistant minerals somewhat similar to diamonds. "Zircons are a geologist's favorite because these are the only record of the first three to four hundred million years of Earth. Diamonds aren't forever -- zircons are," Boehnke said.

Plus, the zircons themselves can be dated. "They're like labeled time capsules," said Prof. Andrew Davis, chair of the Department of Geophysical Sciences and a coauthor on the study.

Scientists usually look at the different variants of elements, called isotopes, to tell a story about these rocks. They wanted to use strontium, which offers clues to how much silica was around at the time it formed. The only problem is that these flecks are absolutely tiny -- about five microns across, the diameter of a strand of spider silk -- and you have to count the strontium atoms one by one.

This was a task for a unique instrument that came online last year: the CHicago Instrument for Laser Ionization, or CHILI. This detector uses lasers that can be tuned to selectively pick out and ionize strontium. When they used CHILI to count strontium isotopes in rocks from Nuvvuagittuq, Canada, they found the isotope ratio suggested plenty of silica was present when it formed.

This is important because the makeup of the crust directly affects the atmosphere, the composition of seawater, and nutrients available to any budding life hoping to thrive on planet Earth. It also may imply there were fewer meteorites than thought pummeling the Earth at this time, which would have made it hard for continental crust to form.

"Having continental crust that early changes the picture of early Earth in a number of ways," said Davis, who is also a professor with the Enrico Fermi Institute. "Now we need a way for the geologic processes that make the continents to happen much faster; you probably need water and magma that's about 600 degrees Fahrenheit less hot."

The study is also confluent with a recent paper by Davis and Boehnke's colleague Nicolas Dauphas, which found evidence for rain falling on continents 2.5 billion years ago, earlier than previously thought.



Guwahati, June 4 : Concerned about reports of security threats to Sikhs in Shillong, a four member delegation of Punjab government on Tuesday visited Shillong to take stock the situation.





The team led by Cabinet minister Sukhjinder Randhawa with MPs Gurjit Aujla and Ravneet Bittu, and MLA Kuldip Singh Vaid had arrived in Shillong and took stock the situation.





The team also met Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.





After arriving at Guwahati airport, Cabinet minister of Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government, Sukhjinder Randhawa said that, Sikh community people are living in Shillong in past 100-200 years and born in Shillong and they are pure citizens.





The violence situation happened in Shillong is a very unfortunate. We will meet Meghalaya CM and urging him to find out a concrete solution, Randhawa said.





On the other hand, MP Ravneet Bittu said that, some groups including political parties, MLAs have pressurised Meghalaya CM to evict Sikh community people from Shillong.





The team will also meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.



A former chairman of a Massachusetts-based medical diagnostics company previously called Endeavor Power Corp., whom the Securities and Exchange Commission has charged with a scheme to defraud potential investors in Endeavor's publicly traded stock, has pleaded guilty in a federal court in Boston, Massachusetts, to making false statements to the SEC.

On May 23, 2018, California resident Edward Withrow III pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements in connection with his sworn investigative testimony to the SEC in August 2013 relating to questions about who owned approximately 40 million unrestricted shares of Endeavor's stock, and whether Withrow ever tried to determine who owned those shares. He is currently scheduled to be sentenced on September 27, 2018.

The SEC's complaint, filed in September 2015, charged Withrow and two others with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and related rules. Withrow also was charged with failing to file the requisite reports with the SEC disclosing his ownership of Endeavor Power stock. The SEC's litigation against Withrow, which seeks disgorgement of allegedly ill-gotten gains plus interest, penalties, and permanent injunctive relief, as well as a penny stock bar and an officer-and-director bar, is pending.The people involved in the nomination of Cindy Elias to the San Francisco Police Commission say theyve taken steps to ensure that her marriage to an attorney employed by a prominent civil rights law firm known for suing police departments doesnt raise ethical conflicts.

Elias, whose nomination to the commission is before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, is married to Lateef Hasani Gray, a lawyer at the law firm led by John Burris.

Burris firm frequently represents families in civil cases of alleged police misconduct, including officer-involved shootings. The firm is representing the family members of both Mario Woods and Luis Gongora Pat, two men killed by San Francisco police in recent years.

As a potential member of the Police Commission, the policymaking body for the police department, Elias marriage to Gray raised questions about how to avoid conflicts  or the perception of conflicts  from arising. It could be deemed improper, for example, for Elias to make decisions about a police disciplinary matter involving an officer her husband was suing.

But on Monday, Burris said that because of Elias prospective appointment to the commission, he and Gray agreed to set up firewalls meant to quash potential conflicts before they come up. Such barriers would complement similar measures put in place by the city attorneys office, on whose guidance Elias would rely closely.

Gray wont work on San Francisco cases, period, Burris said, nor will he be consulted on San Francisco cases. Weve got more than enough cases for him to work on.

Elias, a labor enforcement attorney with the state Department of Industrial Relations and a former San Francisco deputy public defender, asserted her independence as a strong woman who stands on her own two feet, and added that she would approach any potential conflict with an abundance of caution.

She was nominated to the commission by the supervisors Rules Committee on May 23, along with John Hamasaki, a criminal defense attorney.

If any issues arise, I would obviously err on the side of caution. We have city attorneys who are dedicated to guiding the Police Commission and, obviously, I would be in touch with them and take their advice, she said.

Elias said she was motivated to join the commission to ease tensions and bridge the gap between police and the citys residents.

Her relationship with Gray did not arise during her confirmation hearing, and her preliminary disclosure of economic interests to the Rules Committee didnt include any information about Gray or the income their household receives from his practice. Elias is expected to fill out a more comprehensive financial disclosure, should she be confirmed by the full board.

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Several supervisors said Monday that they were confident in the ability of the city attorneys office to work with Elias to prevent conflicts from occurring.

Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer called Elias eminently qualified and a strong, independent thinker.

The Police Commission currently does not have enough members to hold an official meeting, after the resignation of two commissioners in recent months. Two reappointments submitted by Mayor Mark Farrell were approved by the Rules Committee but blocked by the full board on May 15 following criticism that new leadership and vision was needed for the commission. Farrell has since renominated those candidates, Joe Marshall and Sonia Melara.

The commission would be able to meet once again should Elias and Hamasaki be approved Tuesday.

Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassaSan Franciscans dont have far to travel to go to the nations most community-minded library: Its right here in town.

Library Journal, the venerable trade publication, has named the San Francisco Public Library the Library of the Year.

Awarded since 1992, the prize recognizes the library that best serves its community, through innovative programming, and has done the most to draw patrons.

The people of San Francisco are very lucky to have this excellent library at their fingertips, and the library profession is lucky to have it as a model and inspiration, Rebecca T. Miller, editorial director of Library Journal, said in a statement. San Francisco Public Library is truly a national leader in developing models of inclusion, demonstrating bold approaches to serving the diverse and underserved segments of it community, and redefining how urban libraries can and should be responsive to the national dialog on democracy.

Now Playing: Oakland Tech makes library improvements. Candice Nguyen reports Video: KTVU

The award recognizes the work of Luis Herrera, who retired as city librarian in February, and his successor, Michael Lambert.

This library has real energy, it has real passion, author Dave Eggers, who nominated the library for the award, said in a statement. Contrary to some large institutions that can be burdened by their own size and history, and which have the alacrity of a cruise ship, the SFPL is nimble, creative and always inclined to find a way to make things happen.

The Main Library and its 27 neighborhood branches  and four bookmobiles  had more than 6.6 million visits last year. All of the libraries are open seven days a week.

The library award, co-presented by the educational publishing company Gale, comes with a cash prize of $10,000. The library will be honored later this month at the American Library Associations conference in New Orleans.

Past winners of the award include the Nashville Public Library (2017); Ferguson Municipal Public Library in Ferguson, Mo. (2015); San Jose Public Library (2004); and Redwood City Public Library (1992).

John McMurtrie is The San Francisco Chronicles book editor. Email: jmcmurtrie@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @McMurtrieSFAs if by magic, the scooters are gone.

The hundreds of for-rent stand-up electric scooters that appeared on San Francisco streets almost overnight in late March, drawing both fans and haters, have disappeared just as quickly  but could return within weeks.

The city mandated that all the rental e-scooters must cease operations by Monday while the companies behind them apply for permits.

The hiatus is the latest twist in the saga of three well-funded tech companies, Bird, Lime and Spin, that started local operations without permission. The scooters popularity with riders was mirrored in antipathy by pedestrians, who complained that they were being ridden and parked willy-nilly on sidewalks, obstructing the right of way.

The city issued a cease-and-desist letter to the three companies and impounded improperly parked scooters. It then devised a permit system  one that frowned on scooters left on sidewalks as of Monday.

Its so typical of both San Francisco and Silicon Valley: The tech companies jumping out there and doing what they wanted, and then the city overreacting, said Daniel Sisson, a board member of San Francisco Transit Riders, a grassroots advocacy group focused on improving local transit.

While he hasnt ridden the scooters and finds them annoying as a pedestrian, Sisson said he thinks theyre a creative solution with a role in the citys transportation.

Theyre so small, so (energy) efficient, and can help so many people make these little jumps just beyond walking distance, he said.

Bird, Lime and Spin all said they have removed their scooters, and they hope to receive permits to operate legally. Applications are due Wednesday, and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will make decisions by the end of the month. All three companies charged $1 to unlock a scooter plus 15 cents per minute of use.

We are pleased that it appears the companies are following the law, said MTA spokesman Paul Rose. We will be taking the next step to review their applications and issue permits to the companies that can fulfill all the requirements. Those requirements include plans to keep sidewalks clear of scooters, to protect riders privacy, to provide insurance coverage, to offer access for low-income riders, and to share trip data with the transportation agency.

Any remaining scooter will rack up fines of $100 a day plus fees and hurt its owners chance to get a permit. Rose said the city looked for stragglers on Monday but didnt find any.

San Franciscos new 12-month pilot plan will issue permits to five companies, capping the number of scooters at 1,250 for the first six months, with the possibility of doubling that in the second six months.

The companies, meanwhile, are angling to enlist riders to lobby on their behalf.

Lime of San Mateo, for instance, asked its riders to write to city officials about their positive experiences, because it hopes to have a large share of the 1,250 permitted scooters.

Bird of Santa Monica went further, asking its riders to send letters expressing sadness about losing the fun and convenience of a Bird ride.

Spin of San Francisco appeared to have complied with the deadline early, with its app displaying a message saying it had pulled its scooters from the streets Saturday.

People close to the companies said limiting the number of scooters would hurt access for residents of outlying neighborhoods, and said linking a cap to actual demand would make more sense.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

Sisson said he agreed with that view. Why put a limit? he said. As long as theyre being (parked) correctly, why? Theres no limit on the number of cars in San Francisco.

But some local residents said they were happy the scooters were being reined in after months of a free-for-all on city streets and sidewalks.

Amanda Westenskow, 24, a San Jose resident who works at a tech company at 10th and Market streets, said shed prefer that the scooter operations were more organized.

I get nervous seeing people whizzing by without a helmet. They could get hit and killed, she said. People throw them in the street. They fall over. Its just too busy in San Francisco.

San Francisco resident Daniel Blum, 33, who works at a music company on Folsom Street, said it was awesome that the scooters had vanished.

I think the implementation was god-awful, he said of the scooter rollout. The fact that they just dumped them was a nuisance. As a way to get around it was perfectly fine, but they had a lot of negative aspects.

Elsewhere, the scooters are spreading. Denver, where Lime and Bird recently started operations, warned the companies Friday that it would start confiscating scooters left on public roads and sidewalks.

Carolyn Said and Evan Sernoffsky are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com, esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid, @evansernoffskyKathmandu, Nepal: The Nepal government has urged the northern neighbor China for help to control gold smuggling.





Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa has made such an urge by meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong on Tuesday.





As gold is being smuggled to India from China using the Nepal route, Nepal government wants Chinese help to control the gold smuggling, minister Thapa had said during the meeting.



Michael Macor / The Chronicle

A Shell subsidiary has agreed to pay a $142,664 penalty and make $220,300 in improvements to its Martinez refinery to settle a federal government complaint about the handling of hazardous waste at the facility.

As part of the agreement between Shell Oil Products and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the company also will spend about $38,000 on equipment for Contra Costa Countys health department, including handheld air pollution monitors, personal protective gear and equipment to stop leaks from sulfur dioxide containers.A man killed in a brazen daylight shooting in San Franciscos Bayview district this week was identified Tuesday as a 26-year-old father to three young children, family members said.

Jevon Cael of San Francisco was shot and killed about 11:10 a.m. Monday on the 1500 block of Oakdale Avenue, according to the San Francisco medical examiner.

He was a sweet, caring, young man. Hes going to be truly missed, said his father, Lorenzo Cael.

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Officers arrived on scene and found Jevon Caels body lying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Raised in San Francisco, Jevon Cael stayed behind after his parents moved to Hesperia (San Bernardino County). He married his wife on Valentines Day in 2017.

Ive been trying to get my son to come out there and live with me out there, Lorenzo Cael said. Its too late now.

Jevon Cael was known as a devoted father to his three sons: 7-year-old twins and another 5-year-old boy, Lorenzo Cael said.

He loved his kids, his father added.

As a child, Jevon Cael often mimicked his uncle, who was a talented artist, Lorenzo Cael said.

When Jevon was 5 or 6 years old, he used to see my brother drawing and he used to copy the drawings, he said. By the time he was 10 or 11, he was drawing just like him. That was a talent I knew he had. I was trying to have him pursue that.

Lorenzo Cael said that when he and his wife, Wonda Fain, heard the news, they jumped in their car and drove to San Francisco.

They arrived Tuesday but hadnt been able to see their sons body yet.

Thats our son. Why arent we able to see our son? Lorenzo Cael asked, noting that his son got shot in the back.

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George Washington Carver Elementary School, which is a block and a half from where the shooting occurred, went on lockdown immediately after the incident but the school was reopened after police searched the area.

A man in his 20s was identified as a suspect. He fled the scene and no arrests have been made. Authorities did not release a possible motive.

The slaying  the citys 15th this year  remains under investigation.

Correction: A previous version of this story misreported the location and status of George Washington Carver Elementary School. It is a block and a half from the site of the fatal shooting. The school was not searched during the aftermath of the incident.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavaniManville Chan launched his San Francisco ramen pop-up/cooking class, named the Story of Ramen, roughly three years ago but, according to the chef, only recently did it start getting popular. Thanks to platforms like Airbnb Experience, EatWith and Verlocal, Chan found a niche audience with folks visiting the city in search of food-related group activities, Chan said.

Next up for the pop-up: becoming a full-service San Francisco brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Later this month, Chan will take over the Mission District space currently home to Georges BBQ (3231 24th St.), which opened on 24th Street between Capp Street and S. Van Ness Avenue in 2008. Chan said the restaurant will officially close its doors later this month.

Business for us has been going well and Ive been looking for places to expand. I wasnt specifically looking at the Mission, but this is what came available, Chan said. We will have a lease for the space on July 1.

Chan, who has been making noodles from scratch since 2011, originally trained as a ramen chef at the International Ramen School in Yokohama, Japan.

The Story of Ramen is a community dining concept, he said. At each class/dinner, participants choose the levels of spice/sodium in their meals, and then after being broken into groups, they are taught how to create dishes from the ingredients Chan makes available. He makes the broth for the dishes beforehand, so he overall process takes about 2 hours.

Chan said the brick-and-mortar restaurant will follow a similar model. As for the Georges BBQ space, Chan said he chose it because it had everything he needed: a kitchen that didnt need much work and a dining room that, outside of a few small aesthetic tweaks, is already ready to accommodate diners.

We wont even need a building permit for the changes were making. Everything is going to be cosmetic, Chan said. Were pretty much going to keep the kitchen as it is.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Theres an additional Story of Ramen outpost in Charlotte, North Carolina. Like the flagship, it too is based around instructor-led classes. Chan said the goal is to one day have multiple outposts. For now, he said hes just focusing on the Mission.

I see this business as more of a franchise model in terms of one day opening in other cities, he said. Hopefully thats what it can become.

The Story of Ramen: 3231 24th St.; Opening TBD

Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillipsDid I jinx myself? Gosh, maybe I did, said Jim Parsons just a week after he tripped onstage and then limped off, injured, during the curtain call for a preview of The Boys in the Band, the 1968 gay classic hes performing with a star-studded revival cast on Broadway.

Just five days earlier, Parsons had joked on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert about growing up a sports-avoidant theater nerd in Houston: I didnt even play. I was scared of the ball, scared of getting hurt. But onstage Im not scared of getting hurt.

I said that on a Monday, and on Saturday I fractured my foot and tore a ligament in my ankle. Now were finding medical boots that allow me to carry on with the show. Isnt that ... funny? Parsons said by phone from New York. His comedic pause brought to mind the familiar deadpan delivery thats made his portrayal of the savant-physicist Sheldon Cooper on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory so beloved by audiences for the past 11 seasons. Parsons has won four Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for the role and is currently the highest-paid actor on television.

From a very early age I certainly felt different, said Parsons, 45, segueing into a discussion of his timely new movie, A Kid Like Jake. The parenting drama about the infinitely complicated subject of gender identity is produced by Parsons and his husband, Todd Spiewak (they married in 2017), and is based on a 2013 play by Daniel Pearle.

Parsons and Claire Danes play the devoted Brooklyn parents of 4-year-old Jake (newcomer Leo James Davis) who is creative and adorable  and happens to prefer playing princess dress-up and with so-called girls toys. In the eyes of his parents, Jake is just being Jake. But their nonchalance is tested when his preschool director, played by Octavia Spencer (reunited with Parsons following Hidden Figures) suggests Jakes gender-expansive behavior could actually be an advantage in the hyper-competitive private-kindergarten application process.

Bryan Bedder / Getty Images for Vulture Festival

Directed by Silas Howard (Transparent, and the new FX show Pose), a transgender man himself, the film probes fundamental questions about why we feel the need to label and compartmentalize difference, and how hard it is for even the best-intentioned parents, teachers and friends to know how to best support a child who doesnt fit easily into a socially constructed box, said Parsons.

A Kid Like Jake isnt so much about whether Jake grows up to be gay or trans or however he chooses to identify, its more about how as a society we start policing, and how that pressure can play out in a family, said Howard after the film was shown on the opening night of the SFFilm Festival.

Now that Ive been thinking about this more in the context of this movie, Im not so sure I felt any more or less quote-unquote different than every other person does at some point in their life, said Parsons. Im beginning to think there are very few people on Earth who havent felt like they dont belong at least for windows of time.

I guess thats in part why Im so interested in telling stories about people  not just straight people, not just white people, but all people  who have been somewhat underrepresented.

Parsons says he selects roles hes intuitively drawn to, without an outright political commitment, but admits he sees similarities in the ways hes given voice to characters in the shadows of whats mainstream. I definitely see a connection, he said, between A Kid Like Jake and Boys in the Band, his third Broadway role, following Larry Kramers AIDS crisis-drama The Normal Heart (2011) and Harvey (2012). Both plays challenge audiences to question their assumptions, crack open the mind just a little bit.

Parsons production company has also optioned the rights to the 2017 gay love story Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies, in which he will star, as well as the play The Legend of Georgia McBride, in which Parsons will play a veteran drag queen.

Even though the Big Bang Theory writers have never prescribed any particular label to Sheldon as to what his deal is, said Parsons, let there be no doubt that for 11 straight years, parent after parent has found me and said how grateful they are. Whether their child has Aspergers or autism, or are somehow on the spectrum, that they feel reflected, that theyre represented.

Parsons called it a no-brainer taking on A Kid Like Jake not only because of the timeliness of a trans story line, but also because he had always wanted to work with Claire, and because Daniel Pearle, who also wrote the screenplay, had written a beautiful, lifelike portrait of what it is to be a mother or father struggling to use the right words, make the right choices.

He hopes the movie is an occasion for people to examine how weve built these constructs around definitions, and no matter how full your heart feels, how progressive and open-minded you think you are, it can be hard to break out of them. Unique can be a scary word.

Parsons favorite scene to perform in the new movie was a prolonged blowout argument with Danes in which both parents hurl low-blow insults in their living room, each blaming the other for Jakes gender expression.

The way they turn on each other was so real, and so cruel, said Parsons. Anyone in a long-term relationship knows when all the chips are down, you inevitably have a discussion like that at some point. It doesnt illuminate much or help the issue, but its so human.

We find ourselves fumbling towards our better selves. I think we can all relate to that.

More Information "A Kid Like Jake" (NR) opens on Friday, June 8, in Bay Area theaters. To see a trailer: www.ifcfilms.com/films/a-kid-like-jake. See More Collapse

Jessica Zack is a freelance writer who frequently covers film, art and books for The San Francisco Chronicle. Twitter: @jwzackBusinesses, regardless of their owners religious beliefs, are bound by state laws that require equal treatment for lesbians and gays. And state agencies that enforce those laws must avoid hostility toward religion.

Those were the seemingly conflicting messages from Mondays long-awaited U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a Colorado bakers refusal to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.

While seven of the nine justices said Colorados Civil Rights Commission had violated the bakers right to a fair and neutral assessment of his objections in ruling against him  one commissioner recalled that religious freedom had been used to justify slavery and the Holocaust  the court did not define the boundaries between freedom from antigay discrimination and the First Amendment freedoms of religion or speech.

By choosing to leave that for a future case, the court gave room to both sides Monday to claim vindication.

This is a huge victory for the religious rights (of) private citizens, said Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, a religious conservative nonprofit that supported the Colorado baker. People should not be forced to speak a message that violates their conscience.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which represented the gay couple, countered that the ruling, though it went against the couple, reaffirmed the core principle that businesses open to the public must be open to all.

J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

Other gay-rights advocates criticized the court for allowing the baker to refuse equal treatment mandated by state law. Rachel Tiven, chief executive of Lambda Legal, said the decision gives dangerous encouragement to those who would deny civil rights to LGBT people. And San Francisco Supervisor Jeff Sheehy said it was horrifying that the same court that recognized his communitys marriage rights would take back our rights to public accommodations based on a religious argument.

The same clash of rights arises in other pending cases, including an appeal awaiting Supreme Court review by a florist in Washington state who refused, for religious reasons, to prepare a flower arrangement for a same-sex couples wedding. The court said the cases raise difficult issues that must await further elaboration.

The ruling leaves open both of the fundamental questions presented in this case: whether a wedding cake is artistic expression protected by freedom of speech, and the appropriate balance between religious liberty and civil rights, said Jocelyn Samuels, executive director of UCLA Law Schools Williams Institute, which examines sexual-orientation issues.

Nonetheless, said Catherine Hardee, an assistant professor at Cal Western School of Law in San Diego, the courts multiple opinions in the case indicate that most of the justices believe laws against discrimination are proper even when an individual or a business disagrees with them.

For example, despite ruling in favor of the Colorado baker, Justice Anthony Kennedy closed his majority opinion by declaring that such disputes must be resolved without subjecting gay persons to indignities when they seek goods and services in an open market.

The only apparent dissenters, Hardee said, are Justices Neil Gorsuch, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas.

Meanwhile, laws prohibiting businesses from discriminating based on sexual orientation remain in effect in California, 20 other states and the District of Columbia. The absence of such a federal law prompted observations in 2015, when the high court ruled that same-sex couples had a constitutional right to marry, that they now had the right to wed on Sunday and be fired from their jobs on Monday.

Mondays ruling also had no apparent impact on the 1996 decision by the California Supreme Court requiring businesses  in that case, a landlady with religious objections to renting to an unmarried couple  to follow state civil rights laws regardless of their personal beliefs.

Brendan Smialowski / AFP / Getty Images

In the Colorado case, Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in the Denver suburb of Lakewood, said he was open to all customers but, because of his Christian beliefs, would not design a wedding for Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins in 2012. Colorado had not yet legalized same-sex marriage  the couple planned to wed in Massachusetts  but they sued Phillips under a state law forbidding discrimination in places of public accommodation.

Phillips contended that the law violated both freedom of speech  since designing the cake was, in his view, an act of artistic expression  and freedom of religion. His arguments, rejected by state courts, splintered the nations high court, which produced five separate opinions, but a majority joined the opinion by Kennedy, author of the 2015 marriage ruling and other major gay-rights decisions.

Our society has come to the recognition that gay persons and gay couples cannot be treated as social outcasts, Kennedy wrote, adding that religious and philosophical objections ... do not allow business owners and other actors in the economy to deny protected persons equal access to goods and services under state laws like Colorados. He cited the courts 1968 ruling that required a barbecue establishments owner to serve black customers despite the owners religious objections.

Kennedy also seemed skeptical of Phillips free-speech claim, saying that few persons who have seen a beautiful wedding cake might have thought of its creation as an exercise of protected speech.

But he said the issue might be presented more clearly if a baker refused to design a cake with words or images celebrating the marriage. And in this case, Kennedy said, Phillips refusal was based on his sincere religious beliefs and objections, and he was denied his right to a fair hearing by the state Civil Rights Commission.

Kennedy singled out comments by one commission member, who said in a July 2014 hearing that freedom of religion has been used to justify all kinds of discrimination, including slavery and the Nazi Holocaust, and that one of the most despicable pieces of rhetoric that people can use (is) to use their religion to hurt others.

That language cast doubt on the commissions impartiality and was evidence of hostility to a religion or a religious viewpoint, Kennedy said. He said the commission had used a different standard when it upheld other bakers refusal to make wedding cakes that carried religious messages condemning gays.

Such cases raise difficult issues that must await further elaboration in the courts, Kennedy said.

In dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, said the comments of one or two state commission members did not demonstrate an overall hostility to religion or excuse the bakers refusal to sell any wedding cake to a gay couple.

The case is Masterpiece Cakeshop vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 16-111.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelkoOn Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in on the closely watched case of a Colorado baker who refused to create a custom wedding cake for a gay couple.

While the courts decision was 7-2 in favor of the baker, the decision was too narrow to set a precedent on discrimination policy.

Instead, the court, in an opinion authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy, said the state Civil Rights Commission that originally ruled against the baker had shown hostility to baker Jack Phillips religious views.

The neutral and respectful consideration to which Phillips was entitled was compromised here, Kennedy wrote. The commissions hostility was inconsistent with the First Amendments guarantee that our laws be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion.

Kennedy leaned on statements made by the commissioners about religion that he and the other justices found objectionable.

Elsewhere, the decision affirmed gay rights  and left open the possibility that future cases would have a very different outcome.

The outcome of cases like this in other circumstances must await further elaboration in the courts, Kennedy wrote.

Justices Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer, who are generally considered more liberal than Kennedy yet sided with him in this case, also wrote a separate opinion emphasizing that the case turned on the remarks of the commissioners.

This decision will please no one.

Mondays mixed reactions from elected officials, religious groups and civil rights groups reflected a general sense of confusion. The narrow scope of the decision offers little guidance to the lower courts.

The only fact settled by the high courts decision is that another case like this one will soon appear before it.

When that time comes, the court must remember that the Constitution contains an explicit prohibition against individual discrimination  and that gay and lesbian Americans are individuals, too.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.2 1 of 2 Mary Altaffer/Associated Press Show More Show Less 2 of 2 SAUL LOEB;Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty Images Show More Show Less



President Trump has observers puzzling over the message of his outlandish pardons of such unrepentant felons as rogue Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, right-wing propagandist Dinesh DSouza, and possibly disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Is the president intent on rewarding alumni of The Apprentice while overturning cases brought by his least favorite law enforcers? Sowing doubt about corruption and obstruction prosecutions like those stalking his inner circle? Letting loyalists in a jam know dispensation awaits?

Perhaps Trump has been practicing for the most dubious pardon of all. Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani on Sunday provided the sort of simple, selfish motive that tends to carry the day in the presidents case by arguing that he probably could pardon himself. On Monday, despite ample analysis to the contrary by the Justice Department and others, Trump himself declared that he has the absolute right to do so.You might only see their faces today in a flash when they hand you a ballot. Or you might not see them at all, because you are one of the 11.5 million Californians who received a mail-in ballot and have already done your duty as a citizen.

But people who work at the polls for 15 hours, often making less than the state hourly minimum wage, should get a big smile and pat on the back from you today. Is there anything more American than being the person who enables other Americans to exercise their right to vote?

As an inspector at one precinct in Alameda County (one of 6,000 total poll workers), I recommend that everyone, no matter what their station in life, take a turn as a poll worker.

Your time to sign up is running out: after November this job will go the way of bridge toll takers and may cease to exist. Two Bay Area counties (San Mateo and Napa) have mailed ballots to all registered voters for this election. They are also implementing changes that will eventually replace traditional neighborhood polls.

Other counties can opt in for 2020, so this November could be the last time you will chat with that nice senior citizen you see every two years at the fire station.

Washington, Oregon and Colorado already mail ballots to every voter; the jury is still out on how this affects important things like turnout.

But theres no question that simpler is better for our elections. We must find new ways to administer the vote for the same reason we use smart phones today instead of rotary land lines: its better, faster and cheaper. Anybody who has spent all day learning the minutiae of running a paper-based election at a neighborhood precinct (about 800 in Alameda County alone) will attest that the process must be streamlined.

While multiple safeguards are in place to ensure the integrity of every precincts vote tally, those safeguards come at a cost: reams of paper (often wasted on unused ballots), a dozen or more signatures and forms required of inspectors during the day, and a 15-hour or more work day for often exhausted poll workers.

What I like most about election day is meeting the people that step forward to take on the mission impossible. They are everyday, but not average, citizens. Since we insist on holding elections on a workday (thanks, farmers of the 19th century!), poll workers are either true believers in democracy or dont have any particular place to be on a Tuesday. They are often retired, or students, or just a person who could use an extra $120. Though we all go through mandatory training, few newbies are ready for the rigors of a busy election day. Fortunately for those of us working today, primary elections often can only muster 30 percent of the voters to turn out, so its unlikely that well be overrun.

No matter who they are or what their life experience is, poll workers have a shared recognition that our countrys greatest democratic ritual is worth supporting in every way possible.

Its OK to be worried about the state of politics, or what the president tweets, or whether Congress is hopelessly deadlocked. But the vote goes on today, and will go on every year after this. The vote moves us forward, even as the country changes, a new president appears and neighborhood polls become extinct. And those kind and resilient people who hand you the ballot  theyll find a way to keep us moving forward, too.

Josh Green is a freelance writer in Berkeley and is working hard to keep your votes safe.Jennifer Bielstein plans to take the helm as executive director for the American Conservatory Theater in September, the company announced Tuesday, June 5. In the role, which Bielstein describes as co-CEO with the companys artistic director, shell oversee ACTs marketing, fundraising and human resources, in addition to working with the artistic director to build relationships and represent the company.

Bielstein, 48, steps into her role Sept. 1, taking over for current Executive Director Peter Pastreich, who was initially hired in an interim capacity after Ellen Richard departed in 2015. She hails most recently from the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, where she has served as managing director since 2016.

Her start date will come two months after Pam MacKinnon succeeds Carey Perloff as artistic director.

ACT is one of the most important theaters in the country, Bielstein says over the phone from Minneapolis. And with the appointment of Pam MacKinnon as artistic director, its just a great moment to join ACT and be in this leadership team together.

Among Bielsteins accomplishments at Guthrie Theater is growing the companys subscriber base, which bucks the trend for theaters nationwide. She attributes that feat in part to capitalizing on the recent appointment of Joseph Haj as artistic director, which mirrors the situation shell enter with MacKinnon at ACT.

Before the Guthrie, Bielstein worked in the same role for Actors Theatre of Louisville for a decade. She is also the president of the League of Resident Theatres, an association of many of the biggest nonprofit theaters in the country, including ACT. In that capacity, she and MacKinnon were briefly on opposite sides of the negotiating table, when LORT and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, of which MacKinnon is president, were renewing their contract last year.

Bielstein is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and also holds an MBA from Bellarmine University. Shell move to the Bay Area with her husband, Shane Spaulding, who works in corporate and nonprofit event management.

Bielsteins hire comes amid a wave of leadership changes throughout Bay Area theater, with artistic directors also stepping down at Berkeley Rep, Aurora Theatre and TheatreWorks in the next two years.

Her hire furthers ACTs strong tradition of female leadership in a profession that remains overwhelmingly male. Under Perloffs leadership, ACT partnered with Wellesley Centers for Women to commission a three-year study, Womens Leadership in Residential Theaters, whose results and recommendations ACT presented in a 2016 convening.

On behalf of the board of trustees, I am delighted to welcome Jennifer Bielstein as American Conservatory Theaters new executive director, said board President Kay Yun in a statement. Her passion and dedication to the arts make her one of most respected and sought-after arts leaders in the country. Jennifer and incoming Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon are the ideal team to lead ACT into the future.

Lily Janiak is The San Francisco Chronicles theater critic. Email: ljaniak@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LilyJaniakTuesday is election day in California, with key races all over ballot. Heres what Bay Area voters should look for in the biggest contests, including the San Francisco special election for mayor, the gubernatorial primary, the House and Senate votes and all the other races.

San Francisco mayor

Four main candidates head the field  former Supervisor Angela Alioto, Board of Supervisors President London Breed, Supervisor Jane Kim and former state Sen. Mark Leno. Because the city uses ranked-choice voting, the person on top after the first round might not be there at the end. Kim and Leno, in fact, have run a kind of three-legged race, urging their supporters to list the other candidate as their second choice. If anyone is victimized by this strategy, its likely to be Breed.

How exactly does ranked choice work? The Chronicles Dominic Fracassa explains.

The candidates arent too far apart in their positions on the big issues, but there are some differences. The Chronicles reporting staff compiled a capsule guide to where the candidates stand on housing, transit, tech and other topics.

California governor

Everyone runs in one big primary, regardless of party, and the polls say Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is all but certain to be one of the top two vote-getters to advance to the November general election. With Republicans falling into third-party status in California, behind Democrats and voters expressing no party preference, Newsom would far rather have a GOP opponent in the fall.

Right now that looks like John Cox, a businessman who ran unsuccessfully for office four times from his native Illinois  including once for president  before moving to the San Diego area in 2011. He got a huge boost last month when President Trump endorsed him.

Ex-Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is the Democrat with the best chance of beating Cox to join Newsom in the November election, but recent polls show him slipping. Three other candidates are lagging even further back  two Democrats, state Treasurer John Chiang and former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, and GOP Orange County Assemblyman Travis Allen.

If Villaraigosa stays close to Cox Tuesday night as the returns come in, keep an eye on Los Angeles County. Its the most populous county in the state, its Villaraigosas home turf and it usually reports late.

There are plenty of differences between the candidates on the big issues such as health care, the environment and what to do about Californias infrastructure. The Chronicle staff compiled a capsule guide.

U.S. Senate

The drama here is not whether state Sen. Kevin de Leon can top fellow Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the top-two primary, which was the idea when he announced his challenge last year, but whether hell survive to face Feinstein in the November general election.

De Leon paints Feinstein as someone who has come to view her Senate seat as an entitlement over her 25-plus years in Washington. He came at her from the left, calling her insufficiently resistant to President Trump. Feinstein protested that she was no fan of the presidents, but had to try to work with him if she had any hope of seeing her proposals enacted.

De Leon started the race far behind in the polls and has stayed there. In fact, some recent surveys show him being challenged for second place by a large cast of unknown Republicans, including a neo-Nazi whom the GOP has disavowed. Republicans tend to turn out in greater proportions than the young progressives on whom de Leon is counting  so if GOP voters flock to one candidate, hes in trouble.

House races

The action is almost all in the Central Valley and Southern California, with Democrats targeting as many as 10 Republican-held seats in the hope that they can take 23 from the GOP nationwide in November and retake the House.

The California part of that equation, however, is looking highly ambitious. Some of those seats are still pretty solidly red. In others, so many Democrats have crowded into the races that they could splinter the vote  and, under rules that have the top two finishers, regardless of party, advance to the fall campaign, put two Republicans on the November ballot.

One key race to watch is in the 48th District in Orange County, where GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher  who recently said homeowners should be free to refuse to sell to gays and lesbians  is facing four well-funded Democrats and a Republican who means business. If the Democrats are going to be shut out of any race, this one is the most likely.

Local contests

Not everything on Tuesdays ballot is a primary. In Santa Clara County, voters will decide whether Judge Aaron Perskys six-month sentence for a Stanford athlete convicted of sexual assault was so outrageously short that he should be recalled. Voters in Alameda and Contra Costa counties will pick district attorneys in races that have become referendums on criminal justice reform, with billionaire progressive George Soros lining up behind candidates in each county.

In San Francisco, voters in one district will pick a member for the Board of Supervisors. And voters in all nine Bay Area counties will collectively decide whether to raise bridge tolls by $3 over the next several years on all local spans except the Golden Gate, to pay for road and transit improvements.

Information and coverage on these and other races can be found at The Chronicles Voter Guide and on the Elections 2018 page. The first returns will land shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m.  well be updating them all night on our results page. (It will be live by midday Tuesday.)

Think you already know it all? Test yourself by taking The Chronicles 2018 Election Quiz.

The Political Punch newsletter publishes every Tuesday and Thursday between noon and 3 p.m. It is produced by the staff of the San Francisco Chronicle and edited by politics editor Trapper Byrne. Email: tbyrne@sfchronicle.comIn the waning hours of the California primary election campaign Monday, Antonio Villaraigosa campaigned for governor like he was running for mayor  chatting up voters in two languages in the Mission District and sidling up to BART commuters as he rode from San Francisco to Walnut Creek.

This sort of person-to-person campaigning seems almost quaint in a state as big as California. But the former Los Angeles mayor wasnt the only statewide candidate passing through the Bay Area aiming to have human interaction with actual voters before the polls close and the mail-in ballots have to go to the Postal Service.

State Treasurer John Chiang, another Democratic candidate for governor, made stops in San Francisco, Cupertino and San Jose. U.S. Senate candidate Kevin de Leon breezed through San Jose, San Francisco and San Ramon. On Tuesday, former state schools chief Delaine Eastin will reach out to voters from aboard the Delaine Train  an Amtrak train passing through the East Bay. Fellow Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Gavin Newsom will make a noontime stop in Oakland before heading to his election night party in San Francisco.

Melissa Michelson, a professor of political science at Menlo College, said that theres a lot of power in that sort of face-to-face campaigning  especially if some of the people who interact with the candidate share it on social media or tell their friends about it.

Then it could trigger people in his target group who might not have remembered that (Tuesday) is election day and that, Oh, yeah, hes my guy,  Michelson said. A lot of Americans arent that engaged or might not remember that Tuesday is election day. Its the furthest thing from their mind.

Plus, Michelson said, at this point of the campaign theres not a lot more for candidates to do. Advertising time has already been purchased. The mailers have been sent.

Mason Trinca / Special to The Chronicle

Recent polls indicate that the lead spot in the governors race may be all but set, with Newsom leading the pack. But a second candidate will also advance to the November general election, and Villaraigosa and Republican businessman John Cox look like theyll be battling for that spot.

If (Villaraigosa) wasnt out talking to voters, hed be at home pacing up and down in his living room, Michelson said. At least this way, he can feel like hes done everything he could to win.

While Cox has stuck close to his San Diego-area home in the campaigns closing days, Villaraigosa has ranged far from his Los Angeles base to try to turn out his core supporters  Latinos and working-class voters. Mondays BART ride brought him from the Mission District to a Starbucks in Walnut Creek.

Turnout is going to be important in this way, so Im doing everything possible to elevate that turnout, Villaraigosa said. Even if people dont vote for you, you got to go out and connect with them, make them feel that this is real.

For Villaraigosa, the recruitment effort started at 6:45 a.m. on a sidewalk near 24th and Bartlett streets in San Francisco, where he recorded five 30-second video messages in English and Spanish urging potential supporters to vote.

Then he greeted commuters outside the 24th Street BART station. Some walked right past him, heads bowed, but most shook his hand, at least. And several stopped to ask to take a photo with him and chatted in Spanish. Then he hopped an eastbound train.

To Diana Rodriguez, it was surreal to see Villaraigosa on BART.

Im definitely voting for him, yes, said Rodriguez, a criminology student at Cal State East Bay. Some politicians just say they want to do something, but with him you get that he feels it, too. So when you see him on the train, riding it, he just seems like hes one of us.

Jessica Levinson, a professor of law at Loyola University in Los Angeles, said such interactions are more important than in Southern California, because people actually vote in the Bay Area. Shaking hands is important ... because it makes politicians look like theyre interested in meeting everyday voters.

In Southern California, Villaraigosa is hoping Cox wont be able to match his get-out-the-vote help from the 11,000-member International Union of Painters and Allied Trades union, which has endorsed him. The union has been contacting its members and 7,000 additional households in 12 counties on his behalf.

For the union, its an unusually large effort to undertake in a midterm primary election. But Villaraigosa is going to need it, said Robert Smith, the unions political director. Getting people to the polls is always the challenge with Latino voters, he said.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoliThe widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has joined a growing list of well-known philanthropists to intercede in district attorney races throughout California  including one in Alameda County, where two Democrats have waged a fierce fight leading up to Tuesdays election.

Laurene Powell Jobs on Saturday pitched in $10,000 to help elect political newcomer Pamela Price, a civil rights lawyer trying to unseat Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley.

Jobs also backed reform-minded candidates in several other district attorney contests throughout the state, donating $10,000 to Noah Phillips, a progressive challenger in Sacramento, $5,000 to Patrick Kolasinski in Stanislaus County and $1,675 to Diana Becton, an appointed incumbent who is both the first woman and first African American to take the top prosecutors job in Contra Costa County.

These California races are among a handful throughout the country that pit a liberal candidate  usually the challenger  against a more traditional law-and-order candidate.

The center of gravity for criminal justice is at the local level, said Anne Irwin, founder of the nonprofit Smart Justice California, which advocates for policies that aim to reduce mass incarceration, overhaul the bail system and promote alternatives to prison, among other things.

To get there, Irwin said that she and other activists have to start small. Their idea: tip local district attorney races in favor of progressives, and chip away at a criminal justice system that for years has imprisoned poor people and people of color.

If were interested in reducing incarceration, promoting alternatives, promoting second chances, and diversion programs, then we need to look at whats happening in district attorney offices, Irwin said. Her group has endorsed Price because of the candidates vision on public safety  Irwin was particularly moved by Prices promise not to prosecute kids in adult court.

Price, who has stirred controversy with promises to be tough on police misconduct and lenient on misdemeanors, reflects a broader movement started by Black Lives Matter and other social justice groups, and bolstered by wealthy donors.

In addition to Powell Jobs, New York billionaire activist George Soros has contributed $1.5 million to the effort through a group called the California Justice & Public Safety Political Action Committee. Records show the committee has spent more than $800,000 on mailers, TV advertisements and other campaign literature, either to support Price or take down OMalley.

Neither OMalleys nor Prices campaigns were immediately available to comment Monday.

Supporters of OMalley say the organizations and philanthropists who are boosting Price have picked the wrong race. OMalley has a strong progressive track record on many issues, and shes established herself as an ardent protector of survivors of sex trafficking and domestic violence.

Ive found OMalley to be incredibly progressive when compared to district attorneys around the country, said Oakland City Councilwoman Annie Campbell Washington, who endorsed OMalley.

Campbell Washington noted OMalleys leadership on sex trafficking, which as you know plagues Oakland, she said, and is an issue that has drawn little attention from other politicians.

But Rashad Robinson, spokesman for the Color of Change Political Action Committee  a racial justice organization that endorsed Price  criticized OMalley, saying she prosecutes and jails too many African Americans and Latinos.

He said the issues undergirding these district attorney races transcend normal partisan politics.

This is about communities, its about safety, its about justice, Robinson said. Its not about Democrats or Republicans.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswanAs the cost of living in coastal California continues to soar, there's lots of talk about people fleeing the Golden State.

But where are they going?

According to a new report, Las Vegas is at the top of their list, after New York City and Phoenix. (See the top 10 places where Californians are moving in the gallery above.)

The report from real estate site Trulia reveals that people are leaving for three main types of areas: large metropolitan cities like Chicago and N.Y. that always have a gravitational pull, less expensive housing markets in the Sun Belt such as Vegas and Phoenix ,and high job-growth centers including Denver and Dallas.

For the study, researchers pulled together U.S. Census migration data from the last quarter of 2017 and focused on people leaving the high-cost, high-population metro areas of S.F., San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego, where homes on the market in March 2017 averaged $720,000. That's compared to $250,000 nationally.

ALSO: Grass is greener: Former Bay Area residents who moved to Denver

The data captures job-to-job moves and therefore may not encompass the full migration picture, such as those not in the workforce, retirees and recent college graduates.

"There are a lot of different data sources for migration, but this one is sort of cool because it's based on people who are more purposeful in the moves  it captures that economic motivation to move," says Trulia senior economist Cheryl Young, lead author of the report.

Young also analyzed Trulia's search data, looking at which markets Californians were looking at the most in the months before the people in the 2017 census data moved.

"I was curious," Young says. "Does our search data line up with where people are actually going? I was surprised that almost all the destination metros were also top search metros for us."

Miami was one exception. It was the No. 10 top search destination among people living in California searching for properties outside the state, but didn't make the top 10 in the census data.A massive fire Tuesday afternoon at Sonoma Pacific Co., a commercial lumber and pallet company, forced evacuations up to half a mile from the site of the blaze, authorities said.

The Sonoma County Sheriffs Office issued an alert at 1:06 p.m. ordering people near the fire at 1180 Fremont Drive in Sonoma to evacuate. The alert, which was halted at 2:53 p.m., also noted that nearby roadways had been closed to allow better access for responders.

Misti Harris, a spokeswoman for the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office, confirmed that the lumber company was the site of a fire several years ago and that a couple propane tanks have exploded.

Its the same (pallet factory) that burned out three or four years ago, she said, adding that no injuries had been reported early Thursday afternoon.

No containment numbers were immediately available, she added.

The Schell-Vista Fire Department was responding to the fire, along with other agencies.

Jeremy Foutch, a contractor for the company, confirmed the fire but was waiting to find out what happened early Thursday afternoon.

I dont have any idea how severe it is yet, he said.

Erika Harris, one of the owners of the popular historic Fremont Diner, about 1 miles from the site of the fire, said the restaurant lost power around 12:30 p.m.

All I could see was a large, very dark, black plume of smoke and some planes flying over it, Harris said, adding that the power came back on in about half an hour. The restaurant closed for the day.

Videos posted to social media showed large flames and black smoke rising from the lumber company grounds. Dispatchers were advising responding firefighters and officers to watch out for explosions.

Sophie Haigney is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophie.haigney@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophieHaigneyThe eruption of Mount Kilauea has sent rivers of lava into the Pacific Ocean and ash plumes 30,000 feet into the air over the island of Hawaii. Earthquakes have rocked the summit, and more than a month after the volcano first erupted about 2,500 people have been evacuated from their homes. Meanwhile, the eruptions continue.

John McKnight cant wait to get there.

McKnight, the director of Emergency Disaster Services for the Salvation Armys Golden Gate Division, will fly to Mount Kilauea on Wednesday. For three weeks, hell be helping the disaster relief efforts for those affected by the volcano, which has been spewing lava since May 3. It has now destroyed hundreds of homes, and lava has covered a total of 8 square miles.

I felt in my heart that its where I was needed most, McNight said. Its tough to pull away, you know. Were at the start of fire season, and theres a lot could happen here. But my heart goes out to the people there.

The great challenge in this disaster is that because its slow moving, its going to go on for months, he added. The disaster effort will need to keep going, and that takes a lot of resources.

ALSO More than 500 earthquakes rattle Hawaii in 24 hours

McKnight is a veteran of natural disaster relief, including working on the ground for the American Red Cross on the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 and the Oakland hills firestorm in 1991. Hes worked at the Salvation Army for more than five years and is responsible for training, preparations and deployment of the divisions response to man-made and natural disasters.

Some of the most memorable things Ive worked on include large wildfires, McKnight said, citing the Lake County fires and the North Bay wildfire responses, which involved a massive coordination of manpower and resources. But this (eruption) is a very unique incident because its so slow-moving.

McKnight isnt the only Bay Area-based disaster response worker involved in the Kilauea relief effort. Ten employees from the Red Cross Bay Area are currently there, agency spokeswoman Cynthia Shaw said. The organization has already deployed two rounds of people to the disaster.

We have more than 360 workers from across the West Coast in addition to those who were already in Hawaii, Shaw said, noting that the Red Cross has coordinated 5,000 overnight stays in shelters, working in coordination with the Salvation Army to serve meals. Other relief workers are providing mental health services, she added.

McKnight emphasized the importance of providing assistance but ultimately leaving the relief effort in local hands.

Were there to assist them, not run the operation, he said. After we leave, they can continue on because its their face everyone has to know.

Sophie Haigney is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophie.haigney@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophieHaigneySan Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott was passed over Monday for the same job in Los Angeles and will remain in his position, where hes worked to oversee sweeping reforms.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced he will promote the second-in-command in that city, Michel Moore, a 36-year department veteran. Had he chosen Scott, San Franciscos new mayor  to be elected Tuesday  would have taken office needing to fill one of the citys biggest jobs.

Scott publicly acknowledged his candidacy for the Los Angeles job for the first time on Monday, saying that he has maintained focus on the mission of the San Francisco Police Department during the process.

This offer provided me an opportunity to reflect on how much our department has accomplished and the challenges we face here in San Francisco, Scott said in a statement. I remain committed to the work ahead to maintain public safety, reduce crime and strengthen the relationships between our officers and the people of the city and county of San Francisco.

Scott was one of three finalists for the job down south to lead a force of 10,000 officers, or about five times the size of San Franciscos. Scott had worked for 27 years for the Los Angeles Police Department, rising to the rank of deputy chief in the departments South Bureau after becoming commander there in 2012.

Handpicked by former San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee in January 2017, Scott has been implementing a slate of policy reforms recommended by the U.S. Department of Justice following several controversial shootings by officers and a scandal that saw a group of officers exchange bigoted text messages.

Scott also will continue to oversee the deployment of Tasers, expected at the end of the year after years of debate, as well as tackling an epidemic of auto break-ins in the city and dealing with rising concerns about homelessness and tent encampments.

Chief Scott has been a great partner in our collective effort to address the most pressing public safety issues facing our city, and I look forward to continue working productively with him on our shared priorities, San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell said Monday.

In making his announcement, Garcetti praised Scott, calling him one of the finest officers weve had at the Los Angeles Police Department.

In Bill Scott, I found that San Francisco has a visionary chief, someone who is the very embodiment of integrity, a change agent who is helping to both evolve and revolutionize policing in San Francisco and in the United States at this moment, Garcetti said.

Scotts candidacy in Los Angeles has brought uncertainty to San Francisco, where many city politicians and a number of police critics have praised his nonconfrontational style and effectiveness in working to change the troubled department.

The chief has at times clashed with the union representing rank-and-file officers, including over Tasers. The union is pushing a ballot measure that would give officers more latitude in when they can shock people with the weapons.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck announced in January that he would retire after eight years, prompting a wide search for a replacement. Moore will be sworn in when Beck steps down on June 27.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffskySome of the cocoa in Mars chocolate bars may be the product of slave labor by children in Africa, but the company has no legal duty to disclose that information on its product labels, a federal appeals court has ruled.

A lawsuit filed in San Francisco in 2015 accused Mars Inc. of violating California truth-in-labeling laws. The company gets some of its cocoa beans from Ivory Coast, where the International Labor Organization says cocoa production involves the worst forms of child labor. U.S. labor officials have reported that some children working in the industry have been kidnapped, or sold by their parents to traffickers, and then are forced to perform hazardous tasks.

A 2010 California law has required Mars to disclose on its website its efforts to combat slavery and labor abuses. The companys website currently describes forced labor as the human rights issue that may pose the most severe risk to people in our supply chain, and says Mars has an action-oriented framework to improve conditions but gives no details.

RELATED VIDEO: Haribo Responds to Allegations of Slave Labor in Production of Its Gummies

The Bay Area residents suit, drafted as a class action, alleged that consumers would pay less for Mars chocolates, or would not buy them, if their labels mentioned slave labor. The suit claimed the nondisclosure violates state laws against unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business practices.

In a ruling Monday, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said many consumers now consider a companys labor practices when buying household products, and some manufacturers are informing customers that their products are free of labor abuses. But the court said California law, as interpreted by both state and federal courts, does not require a company to label its products as possibly being produced by child or slave labor.

The court cited its own 2012 ruling that said manufacturers have a duty to disclose labor practices in their supply chain only when those practices cause an unreasonable safety hazard to consumers.

More for you Report: Haribo gummy bear company accused of using slave labor to make its candies

Some California appellate courts have interpreted the labeling requirements more broadly, mandating disclosure of defects that a reasonable consumer would consider important in making purchasing decisions. But the federal court said those rulings apply only to physical defects that relate to a products central function.

In this case, Mars alleged lack of disclosure about the existence of slave labor in the supply chain is not a physical defect at all, much less one related to the chocolates function as chocolate, Judge A. Wallace Tashima said in a 3-0 ruling upholding a federal judges dismissal of the suit. Similar suits against Nestle and Hersheys, filed in San Francisco by the same law firm, have also been dismissed by a federal magistrate.

While the plaintiff in the Mars case said he had no practical use for chocolate produced by slave labor, a products central function is not based on subjective preferences, Tashima said. And while omitting labor conditions from the product label may indirectly make conditions worse, he said, mandatory labeling is not closely connected to efforts by international agencies to improve labor conditions.

Lawyers for the plaintiff could not be reached for comment. Mars said it was pleased with the ruling.

We have never condoned the use of forced labor  or any human rights abuses  in our supply chain and continue to combat this disturbing and complex problem working with international organizations, governments and (nongovernmental organizations), said a representative for the company. But Mars believes that consumer class-action litigation does not aid the concerted efforts to eradicate these practices, because it offers no solution to the underlying human rights issues.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelkoFor years, Lenny Hanson has watched in alarm as the price of a drug she takes has been steadily rising, doubling in the last five years to more than $200 a month.

The product, Vagifem, is one form of a drug, estradiol, that is used to improve womens sex lives by treating a painful, often unspoken condition experienced by older women: a dry vagina, which can cause uncomfortable intercourse and complications like urinary tract infections.

Estradiol has been around for decades, but the price of the various creams, vaginal rings and tablets that contain the drug has climbed in recent years, according to an analysis by consumer website GoodRx. And insurance coverage is spotty  many plans refuse to cover some products or require high deductibles and co-pays.

While women privately fume about the costs, drugmakers have been able to raise their prices without a public outcry in part because the topic  womens sex lives  is pretty much taboo.

Unlike EpiPen, women are not going to be rising up and saying, My vagina is dry, and I dont want to pay $2,000 to $3,000 a year, said Dr. Lauren Streicher, medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause.

Last week, the FDA approved a new estradiol product, Imvexxy, a development that in any other market may have offered hope for some price relief. But in the upside-down world of prescription drugs, that isnt happening. Imvexxys manufacturer, TherapeuticsMD, said that the price of its new product would be in line with others on the market, and did not elaborate.

The story of estradiol products echoes others in the prescription-drug market, where older medicines like insulin or multiple sclerosis drugs have become more expensive, even when rivals are introduced and should make prices competitive.

The increases often result from secret deals: Drug companies, pharmacy benefit managers and insurers all play a part, profiting along the way. Drugmakers set higher prices because of the way they sell to insurers and employers.

Instead of offering an initial discount, companies pay after-the-fact rebates that are negotiated with pharmacy benefit managers like CVS Health or Express Scripts. These managers keep a percentage of those rebates, which are generally not shared with patients, creating what some have described as a perverse incentive to keep list prices high.

Insurers, on the other hand, say drug companies keep raising prices to make more money.

Health insurance has traditionally covered the bulk of patients drug costs, so until recently, people werent as aware of the prices. But as manufacturers have raised prices, insurers have passed a larger share of the costs to patients.

Drugs to treat sexual health, like the estradiol products, are frequently placed on a higher formulary tier, meaning some patients have to pay as much as half the list price, said Adam Fein, chief executive of the Drug Channels Institute, which studies the industry.

Although it is technically covered by the insurance company, your insurer is paying very little for the drug, Fein said.

The prices for estradiol products for vaginal use have risen significantly over the past five years. The price of a tube of Estrace cream has more than doubled, to a pharmacy cash price of $372.17 in May, from $183.98 in January 2013, according to GoodRx. The Estring, a ring that is inserted in the vagina for three months, cost $520.66 in May, compared with $284.11 in January 2013.

Representatives for drug manufacturers said their products are generally covered by insurance and that they offer assistance to patients who cannot afford them.

These are medications that many women have to take for several years, said Thomas Goetz, chief of research at GoodRx. For those with poor insurance coverage or none at all, people are being exposed to what can be profound increases in price.

Hanson, 71, a Bay Area resident, has resorted to ordering her drug from overseas at a cost of about $80 for a three-month supply. Its absurd, she said.

Some of these products may soon come down in price. In October 2016, a generic of Vagifem, called Yuvafem, entered the market at a slightly reduced list price. In July, Teva Pharmaceuticals began selling a second generic at an even cheaper price. But the pharmacy cash price for Tevas product  $163.91 for a months supply of eight tablets in May  is still higher than what Vagifem cost in 2015, according to the GoodRx analysis.

If more generic manufacturers enter the market, the price could tumble more, and Vagifem could become an inexpensive drug like many cholesterol or blood pressure medicines. The same could become true for Estrace cream, which lost its patent protection at the end of last year and now has several generic competitors.

With two generics for Vagifem now available, the drug companies are most likely negotiating big discounts with insurers, meaning patients with coverage may see their costs drop. Elizabeth Traynor, an illustrator in Guntersville, Ala., had tried every estradiol product and balked at the prices, frequently doing without. But she recently called her insurer, the Government Employees Health Association, and learned she would have to pay $20 for a three-month supply of Yuvafem. Its about time, she said. Hooray!

Katie Thomas is a New York Times writer.